#for longtime Wasteland fans

[katieaki]

My ✨ post-apocalyptic Lesbian Cowgirl Mailman choose-your-own adventure✨ has just updated! Read it here for free on my Patreon and vote in the poll! There is a summary of the first part, here, the second part, here, and the third part, here. They have everything you need to know about Lou, her requited-but-complicated love, the religious assassin who just beat the tar out of her, the worst person she's ever met, and the ill-advised journey she is on! There is also now a discord where Pony Express readers from all across god's green internet can gather, here! The Girls are working through revelations from the most recent update and this shit is real! They really did meet each other before. It's a small post-apocalypse, but is it that small? Or is this the work of the gods? But why would the gods, who have so much else to worry about, give two shits about a five-foot-nothing, loser lesbian cowgirl mailman?

Read the update for free on my patreon & vote on what happens next! Excerpt below the cut.

“I’ve prayed before,” Lou said. She prayed all the time. Well, maybe not all the time. But on holidays and sometimes she went to a shrine for deliveries, usually under the encouragement of a shrineward that she felt too awkward to turn down. “You obviously pray all the time. You work for Their Honor. Your mama and daddy are both church people. And look where you are now. How long do you have left? Some good it’s done you.”

Artie’s eyes darted back to Holliday and Lou realized that she hadn’t just missed all the crush conversation, but also the conversation about Artie being put to death. Luckily, she didn’t seem to notice as she was shifting back and forth experimentally in her saddle.

“It’s done me a lot of good, actually,” Artie said. Her voice sounded thick and she swallowed before continuing. “If I drop down dead from the saddle right this second, prayer still made the twentyish years I’ve had between escaping and right now years that were worth living. Because the gods care about me, like they care about you, like they care about Holliday.”

“Venus prays for me, anyway,” Lou said. Venus told her all the time that she was praying for her starting very early on in their acquaintance. 

“And Venus knows your heart completely? Every dark corner? Every fear? Every desire?” Artie asked. She seemed lit from within, not with a soft, pleasant glow, but a wildfire. For the first time in a while, Lou remembered that she frightened her. “Lou, if you don’t pray, you probably don’t even know your every desire. Prayer is revelatory. It reveals things.”

“Oh, good,” Lou said. “Just what I need: more desires I can’t achieve. I’m always thinking that what I really need, what’d really do me, is to have more wants.”

“Just because you don’t know they’re there doesn’t mean they’re not hurting you,” Artie said. “If you can see them, if you talk to the gods about them, then together, you can handle them.”

“I can’t understand why I’m being preached to right now,” Lou said. Her head ached.

“‘Cuz, unfortunately for you, you’re traveling with a fucking disciple,” Artie said.

[appsworldforever]

Evertale

Unraveling the World of Monsters and Magic

In the vast and diverse landscape of mobile gaming, certain titles manage to captivate players with their immersive worlds, captivating narratives, and engaging gameplay mechanics.

Evertale mod apk developed by ZigZaGame Inc., stands out as one such game that has garnered attention for its blend of RPG elements, creature collection, and strategic battles. Since its release, Evertale has amassed a dedicated fanbase eager to explore its rich lore and master its intricate gameplay dynamics. Let's delve into what makes Evertale a unique and compelling addition to the mobile gaming scene.

Embarking on an Epic Journey:

Evertale invites players into a sprawling fantasy world where mythical creatures roam and ancient evils threaten the realm. The game's storyline unfolds as players assume the role of a young hero tasked with capturing and training monsters known as "Catches" to combat a dark force known as Pandemonium. This narrative backdrop sets the stage for an epic journey filled with quests, mysteries, and alliances forged in the face of impending doom.

Key Features That Define Evertale

1. Monster Collection and Training:

Central to Evertale's gameplay is the collection and training of diverse monsters, each with unique abilities and attributes. Players embark on quests to capture these creatures across various landscapes, then nurture and evolve them to unlock their full potential in battle.

2. Strategic Turn-Based Battles:

Evertale emphasizes strategic depth through its turn-based combat system. Players assemble teams of monsters, each with different skills and strengths, to engage in tactical battles against AI-controlled opponents or other players in PvP mode. Timing attacks, exploiting weaknesses, and leveraging synergies between team members are crucial for victory.

3. Expansive Open World:

The game features an expansive open world dotted with towns, dungeons, and hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Exploration is rewarded with valuable resources, rare monsters, and encounters that contribute to the unfolding narrative.

4. Guilds and Multiplayer Interaction:

Evertale encourages social interaction through its guild system, where players can join forces with friends and fellow adventurers to tackle cooperative challenges and compete in guild wars. Collaboration and teamwork are key to achieving success and earning rewards within the game.

The Artistry and Atmosphere of Evertale

Beyond its gameplay mechanics, Evertale captivates players with its stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack. The game's artwork features beautifully illustrated characters, landscapes, and creatures that evoke a sense of wonder and immersion. Each environment is meticulously crafted to enhance the player's journey through vibrant forests, desolate wastelands, and ancient ruins teeming with mythical creatures.

Evertale: A Continuously Evolving Adventure

Since its release, Evertale has undergone several updates and expansions, introducing new monsters, quests, and gameplay enhancements to keep the experience fresh and engaging. The developers' commitment to listening to player feedback and refining the game's mechanics ensures that Evertale remains a dynamic and evolving adventure for both new players and longtime fans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Evertale exemplifies the power of mobile gaming to transport players to fantastical realms filled with adventure, strategy, and camaraderie. With its compelling narrative, strategic gameplay, and visually captivating aesthetics, Evertale has carved out a niche in the competitive landscape of mobile RPGs. Whether you're drawn to collecting mythical creatures, engaging in tactical battles, or exploring a richly detailed world, Evertale offers an immersive and rewarding experience that continues to enchant players around the globe.

[theultimatefan]

Shatner, Perlman, Sackhoff, Sam Raimi Among First Celebrities At FAN EXPO Portland, February 17-19

William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), Ron Perlman (“Sons of Anarchy,” Hellboy), Katee Sackhoff (“The Mandalorian,” “Battlestar Galactica”), Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Spider-Man), Matthew Lewis (“Neville Longbottom” in Harry Potter franchise), Anson Mount (“Star Trek: Discovery,” “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and the stars of “Trailer Park Boys” Mike Smith, John Paul Tremblay and Robb Wells are the first wave of celebrity guests announced to attend FAN EXPO Portland, February 17-19, 2023 at the Oregon Convention Center. Other celebrities, voice actors, creators, cosplayers, authors and more will be announced in the coming weeks.

One of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures for more than a half-century, Shatner, 91, has thrilled millions in his varied career. From his international breakout role of “Captain Kirk” in the original “Star Trek” series—and its numerous incarnations—to famed “T.J. Hooker” in the 1980’s up to the “Priceline” pitchman and space traveler of today, Shatner won Emmys and his first Golden Globe for his portrayal of eccentric lawyer “Denny Crane” on both “The Practice” and “Boston Legal.” He received four more Emmy nominations as well as other Golden Globe and SAG Award nods.

Perlman, perhaps best known for the title role in the Hellboy films, is one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors, appearing in more than 250 films and TV series. FAN EXPO fans also recognize him readily from “Sons of Anarchy,” “Hand of God,” “Beauty and the Beast,” Blade II and many others.

Sackhoff, whose credits include a standout run as "Starbuck" on "Battlestar Galactica" and a starring role in A&E's original series "Longmire," turned heads as the hotshot pilot in "Battlestar" and as "Vic Moretti" in the western drama "Longmire," also has had recurring roles in "24," "Nip/Tuck," "CSI" and many other hits.

Raimi is one of the most celebrated and innovative directors of the past 40 years, making his first big splash with The Evil Dead in 1981. He is known for that franchise as well as hits like Spider-Man (2002), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) and this year’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, among scores of producing, directing, writing and acting credits.

Lewis, who rose to fame in the “Neville Longbottom” role, has starred in Rowan Athale’s Wasteland and was in the film adaptation of Me Before You alongside Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke. He has most recently been seen in a regular role in the British series “All Creatures Great and Small” as “Hugh Hulton.”

Mount has more than 50 acting credits, notably as "Captain Christopher Pike" in "Strange New Worlds," "Discovery" and "Short Treks" in the "Star Trek" universe. He's also had notable roles in Crossroads, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and "Hell on Wheels."

Smith, Tremblay and Wells comprise the “Trailer Park Boys,” a “mockumentary” style series which follows the booze-filled misadventures of the three longtime pals and petty serial criminals who run scams from their Nova Scotia, Canada, trailer park.

Tickets for FAN EXPO Portland are on sale at http://www.fanexpoportland.com now, including individual single day, 3-day and Ultimate Fan Packages for adults, youths and families. VIP packages are also available now, with dozens of special benefits including priority entry, limited edition collectibles, exclusive items and much more.

Portland is the second event on the 2023 FAN EXPO HQ calendar; the full schedule is available at fanexpohq.com/home/events/.

[lotuslandcomics]

Post-Apocalyptic One-Shot 'Archie vs. the World' Promises 'Mad Max'-Style Action

The one-shot sci-fi action epic ARCHIE VS. THE WORLD hits stores in January

ARCHIE VS. THE WORLD main cover by Jed Dougherty

Archie Comics looks into the future—and it's not great!—in an all-new one-shot comic, ARCHIE VS. THE WORLD, hitting store shelves in January! The blockbuster sci-fi special pits Archie and pals against a post-apocalyptic wasteland where only the strong survive, in a pedal-to-the-metal brawl that could only be told by writer Aubrey Sitterson (No One Left to Fight) and artist Jed Dougherty (Savage Hearts).

"ARCHIE VS. THE WORLD is unlike anything we've ever done before, both visually and in terms of the story itself," said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante. "I have the utmost faith in Aubrey and Jed's ability to tell a story that's not only fantastical but can also feature major kickass moments—and yet the two still managed to blow me away page after page.”

Sitterson and Dougherty last teamed up on a story in THE BEST ARCHIE COMIC EVER one-shot called "Jughead the Burgarian," another wild take on the Riverdale cast of characters in a totally unexpected setting. ARCHIE VS. THE WORLD will be the pair's first solo title from Archie Comics.

"After the fantastic reception to 'Jughead the Burgarian,' the brilliant Jamie Rotante was eager to get Jed and I doing a full one-shot at Archie," Sitterson said. "It was actually her suggestion to do something that riffs on Fury Road and, as an avowed fan of the Mad Max series, I was stoked for the challenge."

ARCHIE VS. THE WORLD sees Archie face off against Reggie in a brutal (and hilarious!) fight for control of a secret water source, prized for its rarity in the devastated future setting. The gang uses souped-up vehicles and weapons to eke out their existence, including a radically customized version of Archie's classic broken-down jalopy which will be familiar to longtime fans of the 80-year-old publisher. Each page turn heightens the spectacle as more iconic Archie characters and concepts are introduced, including reimagined versions of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Josie and the Pussycats.

"Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead . . . they aren't merely characters; they're archetypes," Sitterson said, explaining his approach to the story. "It's a credit to the many creators who have depicted them over the years that not only does each Archie character have well-defined, easy-to-grasp personalities but physical appearances that are just as iconic and distinct. As a result, not only is it a cinch to pick them up and plop them into diverse, unexpected genres but doing so is a huge part of the fun."

Rotante agreed, saying, “This is the biggest head-turner of a comic we've done so far and jams the most action into 20 pages I've ever seen in my life. I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on this; it's guaranteed to have readers talking for a long time after."

ARCHIE VS. THE WORLD, with colors by Matt Herms and lettering by Jack Morelli, releases January 18 in comic shops nationwide and is available for pre-order now. It will feature a cover by Jed Dougherty and an open-to-order variant cover by Aaron Lopresti.

[geekgemsspooksandtoons]

So it is official from Geoff Keighley that a Sony is developing a Twisted Metal series. And I showed my excitement.

Yet after that...I learned something. An article from last year I didn’t know about. Which may concern the story of the series, and...the voice for Sweet Tooth/Needles Kane himself. I just looked over it more. https://www.thedad.com/will-arnett-sweet-tooth/

You know...I actually agree with the article. While I was a bit concerned and thought about Mortal Kombat 2021 and what it did. The story for this series could possibly work. Because there’s a focus and not the competition. Yet...that might alarm some longtime fans. 

Now Will Arnett...when typing this. I am now recalling other roles of him. I was remembering his Bayverse TMNT role, then his voice as Lego Batman in the Lego movies. Along with Bojack Horseman. I think he could pull off the voice. But still, it just feels weird to me personally it won’t be J.S. Gilbert from Twisted Metal Black, 2012, and PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale. Also yes, I found out those last two games turn ten this year. Which is amazing.

I just think Gilbert did the perfect voice and it sticks with me. But I’ll give Will a chance if this is for real. I’m just glad to know Twisted Metal is coming back in some way. I miss playing the 2012 game. And just the franchise itself. Hoping we see others like Mr. Grimm, Dollface, and finally, Calypso, Because I’m wondering since this won’t involve the Twisted Metal competition. 

Interesting it’s gonna take place in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Reminds me of one of the old scrapped ideas for a Twisted Metal game. And looking up more of it...Hell...maybe they looked back at that idea.

I’m just making a theory that like after Twisted Metal 2. The contest pretty much fucking destroyed the world in a way. And now we have this. Just a weird theory of mine. So I guess not a Death Race like movie or series? 

I hope for the best with the show. I’m interested in this just like The Last Of Us HBO show coming out this year.

Anyway, been listening to this. Here’s Twisted Metal Black’s iconic menu theme. Sad it’s not the 30 minute one, which I presume long ago got deleted.

[bethagain]

Fic Writer Interview

Tagged by: @nicad13. What fun, thank you for the tag!

Name: Bethagain, here and on AO3

Fandoms: Worlds I’ve written for: Star Wars and Mad Max are longtime loves. The Mandalorian is my current writing space. Good Omens was a mad burst of creativity when the TV show came out. Sherlock is an ex I’ve long since gotten over. Oh and there's one Winnie-the-Pooh crossover involving Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Two-shot: I had to go back and look. My only two-shot is a set of teeny short fics involving Luke Skywalker and porgs, in the days before Last Jedi was released.

Most popular multi-chapter: Brunch at the Citadel (Mad Max: Fury Road). A chicken appears in the Wasteland.

Actual worst part of writing: Writing hurts. Not when it’s going really well, but when the idea machine in my brain gets stuck and I have to push on through if I want there to be a story. It’s not a physical pain, but it hurts.

How you choose your titles: With difficulty. I aim for brief titles that embody something important about the story. And then I search AO3 to make sure nobody else has used that title in the same fandom and there aren’t already a zillion fics called the same thing.

Do you outline: LOL. No. Every now and then I have enough of a sense of where a story’s going that I’ll jot down a few key plot points. But that’s rare. Mostly making an outline would be an exercise in frustration, because I don’t know where we’re headed until we get there.

Ideas I probably won’t get around to but wouldn’t it be nice: I have a Mandalorian horror fic that I sort of started but will probably never finish. If I do I’ll post it, but probably anonymously because it does not belong in my SFW little bethagain world.

Callouts @ me: I am 100% the writer going küdos? commints? two seconds after I post a fic.

Best writing traits: Apparently I am really good at writing “soft” things. I didn’t even know what that meant until people started using the term in comments so I looked it up. A lot of my work lately has an aspect of gentleness. I guess deep down I think we need more of that in the world.

Spicy tangential opinion: I am hesitant to offer one, because I’ve managed to stay off the Tumblr disk horse for this long and I have no desire to get in that saddle now. Maybe this is a fair place to admit that, for all I’ve been writing gentle stories lately, I love a good darkfic. I’ve got some things in my bookmarks that are very, very heed-the-tags.

No pressure tagging: I don’t know who’s already done this... How about @lastwordbeforetheend, @thecagedthestral, @flightsofwonder, @fake-starwars-fan and any other mutuals or followers who want to play!

[powerwordsleep]

Sasuke Retsuden (Unofficial English Translation)

I’ve decided to do my own take on translating Sasuke Retsuden. It’s a long novel and difficult, so this will be a slow work in progress. As such I will be posting chapter by chapter updates here until the whole novel is finished and I can compile it in one document. 

DISCLAIMER: This is not an official translation and was not made for profit or distribution. This translation was fan-made and done for purely enjoyment and translation practice purposes. I do not own the rights to NARUTO or any of the related materials. 

Authors: Kishimoto Masashi and Esaka Jun Binding: Takahashi Kenji (Tera Engine) Editing Cooperation: Soeda Yohei (Tsubame Productions) Publishing Office: Shueisha Co. 101-8050 Tokyo, Chiyoda, Hitotsubashi 2-5-10 Printing Office: Kyodo Printing Co. Ltd. ©2019 M. Kishimoto/J. Esaka

PLEASE DO NOT REPOST THIS ANYWHERE ELSE. THIS IS MY WORK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Character Introduction

Uchiha Sasuke: The master of the kekkei-genkai, the Sharingan. Member of Team 7 and husband of Sakura. 

Uchiha Sakura: Master of medical ninjutsu. Member of Team 7 and wife of Sasuke. 

Zansur: Director of the Astronomy Research Institute. Has apparently accepted an important mission from the minister of the country Redaku. 

Menō: A giant lizard prison guard who monitors the Astronomy Research Institute.

Jiji: A prisoner who shares a room with Sasuke and is doing manual labor for the Astronomy Research Institute.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

Prologue

He can’t sleep. The man pressed his thin body to the chilly sheets. Inside the room his breath is white, and no matter how much he wraps the comforter that doesn’t fully cover him around his body, the shaking and shivering of his chest can’t be stopped.

He’s sleeping in sweat and dirt stained thin bedding. Soon it will be a half-moon. Every time he sleeps the bruises all over his body increase, so he never can feel rested. If he could sleep a little in an area with no draft, it would be enough. 

With feelings of bitterness the man opened his heavy eyelids and strained his eyes, surveying the dark room. Six adults sleep huddled in a small corner of the six-mat tatami room. In this place it’s natural for a newcomer such as himself to be allotted the coldest part of the room, with no room for objections or arguments. He shifted on the hard floor and let out a pained moan. 

“Damn it. Why is this happening to me…” 

Before the half-moon, the man had been in a prison in the capital of Redaku. Even though there had been no freedom, minimum standards of living had been guaranteed, and it was safer and more comfortable than here. He had even thought about going back to commit another suitable crime when his sentence finished. However, one day it was suddenly decided that he was to be transferred. He was only told that he would be engaged in public works in the cold regions. Because it was physically demanding labor, only young and healthy prisoners would be allowed to do it. He was brought to an astronomy observation facility made of stone, built on the peak of a desolate mountain range. 

The Tartar Astronomy Research Institute. 

It is said to be a research institute with an ancient and honorable origin derived from Janmarū Tartar—an astronomist of folklore legend who lived at the same time as the Rokudō Sennin. But he didn’t care about that. The issue was that this place was below freezing even in early springtime. And no matter how he thought about it, with the provided food, clothes, room and having to dig up cold dirt from morning to night without rest, it was an environment where livestock were treated better. 

“Why… is this happening to me?” 

He clenched his trembling teeth and squeezed the edge of the futon. Day after day of work, the skin of his palm peeled off and his nails became soiled with dirt. 

His crime was robbery and murder. Three years ago, on a winter’s day he had been having trouble finding something to eat. He broke into a house that caught his eye and stole everything of value. He left the young husband, wife, and two children bound in ropes and ran. Two days passed without anyone noticing them and they all froze to death. Since that’s how the four of them were killed he doesn’t count it as murder. He had no intention to kill; it was an accident. Generally, when he had no food to eat he stole from other houses. Was that not a case of legitimate self-defense? 

Why did I have to encounter those eyes?

Frustration swam like water in his chest. He was at his limit. The man decided while staring at the grooves in the ceiling—when dawn breaks, he’ll break out of prison. 

*************

The prisoners’ lives are managed by the sound of a gong. 

When the muffled clang signaling waking time reverberates throughout, the prisoners rise from bed like zombies and begin their day. They are always on time, because if they oversleep the patrolling guards offer no mercy when they catch them and force them to eat their batons. He wiped away the sleep from his eyes, and exited the room while yawning and scratching his rash covered arms.

Meals are served twice a day. The menu consisted only of messily stir-fried vegetables and wheat, and pork that looked suspicious to eat. The man lined up in the queue stretching out of the cafeteria and took a deep breath to quell his tumultuous feelings. Contrary to the heaviness and drowsiness lingering on his body, his nerves were clear and excited. Even as a man who walks in steps on his foot and another behind him spits phlegm out close to his ear, he doesn’t care. 

Today he'll leave here. He’s going to break out of prison. 

After securing his breakfast, the man looked around the room full of prisoners. If he’s going to escape, there’s someone he wants to invite. The shabby room was only a cafeteria in name, with rattling tables and chairs made from cut logs lined up. The man with the eyes was sitting in his usual seat by the window. 

Inmate number 487. Sasuke.

What is rare is his appearance rather than his name. Pure black hair and eyes. His face is finely chiseled and thin. The beauty of his nose stands out nicely on his profile, his features lined up perfectly on his face. No matter the angle, he looks like a painting come to life. If you looked at him up close you’d start to question whether you’re even of the same species. 

The fact that while he was born with such an appearance he was silent, unfriendly, and always cold and blunt like a cat, attracted attention from his surroundings. Despite that, because he was so strong that no one could raise a hand against him, he was a nuisance. On the day Sasuke arrived, a group of longtime prisoners immediately went to mess with the curious newcomer, and in a second their joints were severed and they were groveling on the ground. Looking down on the men crying in pain, the warning that came from Sasuke’s mouth was simple. 

“Don’t get in my way.”

For most of the prisoners Sasuke was someone hard to get close to. It was the same for this man too, of course, but it was strange to think that when he escaped today he would be able to speak his mind like normal. 

The man seated himself in front of Sasuke and opened his mouth.

“U-um,” Although his voice had been strong and burning with a fighting spirit when he imagined this, in reality it came out trembling and weak as he spoke.

“U-uh, you’re also… a-a shinobi, yeah?”

Sasuke moved his gaze from outside the window to the man facing him. 

“What do you want?”

“I-I’m also a shinobi. I’m from the Land of Wind. I never graduated from the academy and was abandoned by my parents… and I eventually ended up in this country. I can still control my chakra. Watch!” 

Using chakra, he attached the tip of a chopstick to his finger and shook it around for him to see. When he looked determinedly back at Sasuke, he had already lost interest and his black eyes had returned to gazing out the window. 

He’s ignoring me?

Sticking out his tongue, the man glared at Sasuke. 

If he got imprisoned in such a backwater country then he’s probably not that great of a shinobi either.

Sasuke was staring intently out the window while using his chopsticks in beautiful form, dexterously eating bamboo shoots and strawberries that had been arranged together in triangles on a crushed iron plate. He was an unfriendly man, but unknowingly to him his behavior was revealing his growing kindness, little by little. Among the human trash that made up the prisoners, Sasuke was clearly different. 

He waited for Sasuke to finish his meal and then broached the subject. “W-will you join me?” He was nervous and stammered out his words. 

“What do you mean?”

“Escape. I-I’m going to run away from here. Y-you can also use chakra, right? Um, w-we can climb the wall and run away.” 

The Astronomy Research Institute was surrounded on all four sides by a wall made of stone about ten meters high. Looking at it from below it seemed tall, but with chakra it was climbable. 

“I’ve a-already had enough. Y-you have too, right?”

Sasuke stared at the man, expressionless. 

“What do you know about me?”

“I know that you are not a normal person, at least.” Finally, he was able to speak until the end without stuttering. 

How on earth a man like Sasuke ended up in a place like this he could not figure out. Still, he didn’t think he was satisfied with the dull day-to-day manual labor of this place. 

“Let’s run away together. After this everyone will be going to their morning work shift, yeah? We can use that as cover and cross over the wall.” 

“Forget it. Outside the wall it’s nothing but wasteland. The closest village is two days on foot from here. You’ll end up dying.”

“But you can gather tons of wild plants and nuts, which is way better than what we can eat here. Also, look, there’s this mist out today. Now is the only time we could sneak past Menō’s eyes—”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Sasuke said shortly and with a glance out the window, he gathered his empty plate and stood up. Prisoners who were standing around talking in the narrow passage panicked as they saw Sasuke approaching and rushed to the sides to give him room. 

“Don’t you want to get out of here?!” 

The man ran up and latched onto his arm, but Sasuke easily freed it from his grip.

“Sorry, but I came here because I wanted to.” 

“... What?” 

Here? He wanted to come here?

The man was left taken aback as Sasuke exited the cafeteria. He waited until he could no longer see Sasuke’s form and then kicked the leg of a table in anger. 

Idiot. Whatever. He can rot in this shithole place forever. I’m going to be free. 

The man gathered his plate full of a messy breakfast and stomped out into the hallway. He cast a backwards glance at the prisoners scattered about sitting and chatting, then continued on outside to look upon the wall on the prison grounds. There was still time before the morning shift started. The chances of patrols coming out here should be low. No one guards the fence. Unlike actual prisons, the patrols here basically only work security. They’re not concerned about people who can’t even climb a ten-meter wall. 

That’s too bad. I can climb it. 

The man placed his hand upon the smooth stone wall. Recalling the lessons from his past, he gathered chakra and concentrated it in his palm. There was a sensation of it sticking precisely to the stone surface. The man started crawling up the wall like a frog.

In the distance he could hear a commotion from the other prisoners. It had only been a few minutes since he started climbing. There should be few people outside at this time. The head guard and the other patrols should be having breakfast in the main building. 

It’s fine. You can do it. Climb up before you’re found. Menō will appear at some point. 

His body was lighter than he imagined. He’d already climbed about halfway but wasn’t tired. He could keep climbing for another hour. 

There was the sound of gravel and sand being stepped on. The man looked over his shoulder and met yellow eyes. A chill went down his spine.

He’d been found. It was Menō. 

This is bad, this is bad, this is bad—I have to escape quickly!

In his panic the man lost control of his chakra. The hand touching the wall slipped off and his body floated in midair. 

I’m falling, he thought. Then a burning pain erupted in his torso, his blood pressure dropping suddenly. As he lost consciousness, he met the unmistakable eyes of Menō, sinking his teeth deep into his chest.

[silver-wield]

Hey, Silver! I’m a longtime fan of your blog and your amazing theories. I’ve been watching another playthrough and I can’t stop puzzling over the scene in Chapter 9 where Aerith walks away from Cloud, humming a tune, and he has one of his episodes and sheds a tear. I’ve never felt that theories about it being a vision of Aerith’s death made any sense and I agree that it’s more likely about Zack. But I think the song she’s singing is what triggers his reaction and it would have to be a song both

Cloud and Aerith know. So my crazy theory is that it’s the Stamp song. I’ve listened to it a few times and it seems to fit. Aerith would be singing it because she’s just told Cloud she wants to spend more time with him (as per JP translation) just like she said to Zack, so he’s on her mind. It’s very possible that Cloud also associates this song with a memory of Zack. There is another reaction Cloud has when Barret mentions Stamp very early in the game that I always found peculiar, but at that point we don’t know who Stamp is. Then we have graffiti about Stamp all throughout the train tunnels in chapter 5 to get that image in our heads. Stamp is clearly important to the story. And then, at the very end, we see a bag of chips blowing right in front of Zack with a picture of Stamp on it. (Yes, it’s a different breed of dog but I agree with you that that’s a red herring). I think it’s pretty clear I think it’s pretty clear that Stamp is a reference to Zack, and the way Stamp bookends the It just seems to fit. Zack is the big mystery of FF7, just as always, but now his story is going to be done justice. Might be just a wild idea keeping me up in the middle of the night, but I’d love to know your thoughts on this. (I just joined Twitter btw as “Janeite of the Slums”, author of cheesy fanfic :-)) And sorry this ask is so long and I hope it's not too hard to piece together. Janeite here again and I forgot to mention that the way the same exact notes from the OST play, just like the beginning of the game, seems like it’s tying back to the very first scene that shows the wastelands where we later see Cloud and Zack at the end of the game. Thanks again for taking the time to read all this.

Price of strength

According to a comment from Briana, she isn't humming any specific song, but if you switch to JP, Maaya is humming something specific and according to a JP fan comment, it's price of freedom, which is Zack's song.

I think Cloud is crying about Zack and not Aerith in that scene cause he's had several flashes of her death before this point and none of them made him upset, but what he saw here did upset him. Thing is, Cloud's memories and skills are ripped from Zack via Jenova's mimic ability, so it's more likely the line "I want to spend more time with you" is what triggered a flash of Zack saying that to Aerith, and that's what made Cloud cry and what confused him because Aerith isn't his girlfriend or anyone he's even close to, so why would this make him upset? We can see he looks very confused by the flash before he dismisses it like all the others, which is canon in the ultimanias that he ignores all of the strange flashes he gets or just can't remember them once they're past. It's the same in the Shinra building when Kunsel is mentioned. Cloud gets upset about Zack, but then can't remember it once it's past because Jenova suppresses his true self and also real Cloud is suffering massive trauma from what haplened so likely isn't strong enough to fight back unless Tifa's nearby. She gives him strength to be himself, which is why she's the only one who can bring real Cloud back in the lifestream.

The Stamp song is about Zack. It's pretty obvious from the lyrics and positioning of the graffiti and all the other hints in the game. There's two versions of Stamp: the beagle and the Yorkie and they're represtative of Cloud and Zack, but nobody's sure which is which.

I have a theory though 😁

Zack is the mystery of 7R the same way he was of FF7 cause the story is the same.

As you can see this split second shot of Zack returning to pick up Cloud after he survives the last stand is in OG just like it's in Remake. It was too small to spot, but now it's been extended into a full scene. And Zack never makes it past that spot where he dies, and it says in the AC reunion files someone was tracking Zack and Cloud from Nibelheim and that's who shot him, so I'm betting Zack's death will be slightly changed from the 3 unknown grunts to someone Zack knows.

[spoadicdeviance]

The Wrath of Crash Bandicoot Fans

As excited I as I am for the new Crash Bandicoot game that was recently announced, I can’t helped but be confused at the digs against the Crash games released between Warped and the N-Sane Trilogy. 

I’m not necessarily referring to the joke in the trailer that has Crash and Coco say they only faced off against Dr. Cortex three times. The other Crash games made jokes that poked fun at the franchise as well. Although the joke and the way it’s presented in the trailer does seem to have a bit more, shall we say, “implied resentment” to it compared to something like “The Wrath of Cortex didn’t do as well as we hoped”.

I’m talking about how Crash fans seem to be celebrating that all Crash games after Warped are seemingly erased from canon, in a manner similar to the Munchkins singing “Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead!”.

It seems that, as far as the majority of Crash fans are concerned, every Crash game that was made post PS1 is a disgrace to the franchise. And in all fairness, I think the hatred towards some of these games is kind of overblown.

For me personally I enjoy games like Wrath of Cortex, Twinsanity, and the Gameboy Crash games just fine. Are they 10/10 masterpieces? No. But they are more than decent when taken on their own terms.

The disdain for Wrath of Cortex (WoC) from Crash fans is particularly confusing to me because unlike some other Crash games like Twinsanity and the Mutant series, WoC didn’t drastically change the formula in a way that would alienate certain longtime fans. 

There’s nothing inherently awful about WoC. The only major flaws with WoC are long load times, and some frustrating time relic trial stipulations (though almost every Crash game that features relics has this issue as well). Even then these issues don’t outright ruin the game, for me at least.

I know some people don’t like the vehicle segments in WoC, but outside of the submarine with a hitbox that’s too large for levels it’s featured in, I mostly enjoyed them, especially the Atlasphere.

Really WoC’s biggest crime is trying too hard to be like Crash 3 Warped, only for the final game to be not as good as it’s progenitor. Even then, as I said in my post about Paper Mario Color Splash, just because a game isn't as good as another game, that doesn’t mean the former game is inherently bad.

I understand if WoC was a disappointment to some of you but to say that the game is bad is like the Mega Man fanbase saying Mega Man 4 is terrible because it’s like Mega Man 2 and 3 only not as good. 

I’m just saying maybe some of the hatred from fans is a tad overblown considering what the game actually is. That goes for some of the other Crash games as well. Sure there are some mediocre Crash games and some that are just plain bad, But the era of Crash Bandicoot from 2001-2017 is not the wasteland of low quality titles that some fans make it out to be.

It does seem like the makers of Crash 4 It’s About Time seem to somewhat agree with me as it appears that there are some elements of the upcoming game that look like they were inspired by WoC.

I do hope that the announcement of Crash 4 It’s About Time doesn’t rule out the possibility of remake/rereleases for the non-Naughty Dog Crash games because I do feel like those games do deserve a second chance.

[kineticpenguin]

Another funny thing about that Fallout post is that it calls Fallout 2 “the improved sequel,” and while it did refine the gameplay a bit, it’s also one of the more controversial installments for longtime fans, because it is far more heavily laden with pop culture references, to the point that a lot of people felt messed with the tone of the game.

That’s part of the reason why New Vegas has the Wild Wasteland trait, to give players the option of a more straight-laced or goofy experience, depending on their preference.

[sivertsen29brogaard-blog]

Review Fallout 76 Glitch Tends to make My Garments Fall Off

Officially revealed just just before E3 2018, Fallout 76 took the gaming planet by storm, all even though causing a bit of concern. Name a single new and innovated program in the entire game? in either terms of shaking up the stale Fallout systems, or in terms of multiplayer or pvp. I cant feel of a single thing. PS I am not the only one Fallout 76 Download saying that, a lot of reviewers are bringing it up. You make it sound like it is universally loved but honestly I had not read a single point that matches what you are saying. I am not saying you are wrong but merely you sources, arent often the very same as other peoples sources. So that doesnt make them wrong. Moving on, survival mechanics aim to preserve you engaged, with hunger and dehydration damaging your stats if you're not searching right after your self. While there's nothing at all strictly incorrect with survival elements in general, they want to be properly implemented. Sadly for Fallout 76, keeping your hunger and thirst in verify comes across as little far more than a chore. Meals is plentiful and virtually where i can download fallout 76 every beast that you kill has meat on it, so cooking is usually an choice. Drinks are a tiny significantly less common but you are going to nevertheless discover a lot of water containers strewn through just about each old constructing or camp that you come across. In the end, it just feels like the game's wasting your time by asking you to hop into your poorly organised inventory menu and chow down. Only a few years right after Fallout four 's release, Bethesda surprised fans by officially announcing Fallout 76 , the subsequent entry in its beloved post-apocalyptic RPG franchise. The new game was revealed in a trailer soon after a series of teases, and Bethesda discussed it in a lot where i can download fallout 76 more detail at E3 2018 and at QuakeCon 2018. We even got an chance to play the game at a recent hands-on preview occasion. But the game is out now, and we've only just began to make strides in Bethesda's sprawling adventure. The reliance on factors like audio logs and written notes also proves to be the biggest deterrent to playing Fallout 76 in multiplayer. By teaming up, you can explore the globe with each other, get assist in taking down tough enemies, and complete any quest, but specific factors are kept distinct to every individual how to download fallout 76 player's encounter. Containers that hold products, for instance, will have unique loot for each and every individual who opens them. But quest objective completion also isn't shared, and every single member in your squad needs to activate things personally to have them count toward their progression. Fallout 76 is a rare kind of multiplayer game with an fascinating story. The exploration of the Appalachia by no means felt boring (in spite of what folks say). This may possibly make Fallout 76 really feel very different” and could help win back some of the franchise's disillusioned fans, the gaming news site how to download fallout 76 concludes. This is the dilemma with Fallout 76. It really is not a specifically fantastic Fallout game, but it really is also not a wonderful online survival expertise. In attempting to do both, Fallout 76 by no means touches either knowledge. That isn't a bad issue. Fallout 76 is a new way to play about in Bethesda's post-apocalyptic universe and that'll take some getting-used-to for longtime series fans. Even Fallout 76 Download so, for anyone who's played Fallout New Vegas 5 instances over or re-began Fallout 4 a dozen occasions, Fallout 76 represents a new, innovative way to exist in that universe, in perpetuity. Fallout 76 's launch can very best be described as rocky. Although there are moments of genuine joy or post-apocalyptic terror to uncover in the title, there's also a lot of broken or just plain boring gameplay to sort through. Players have encountered everything from getting unable to die , forced to walk the wasteland as an unstoppable murderbeast, to continuously how to download fallout 76 exploding vehicles and NPC textures that break and stretch. Amid growing player frustration, Bethesda posted an apologetic statement on the Fallout 76 subreddit that touched on the instant anger of the community, and laid out a substantive December roadmap that will start to address player concerns. That said, the focus on environmental storytelling does a lot to make the rest of the game feel far more immersive, and in general Fallout 76 appears drastically much better than it did in Fallout four. This is partly due to a enormous lighting and shadows overhaul that helps how to download fallout 76 make Fallout 76 appear really great on greater settings. There is fallout 76 update download size can nonetheless see Fallout four underneath it all, but the lighting and shadows do a lot to make the game really feel much more atmospheric overall. Playing alone can be a serene, enjoyable experience, but even at the very best of occasions, it is difficult not to feel like something's missing. In spite of the map becoming many times larger Fallout 76 Download than Fallout 4's, the globe of Fallout 76 feels smaller and emptier. Prior Fallout games were complete of NPCs with vibrant personalities this time around, the only person with any defining qualities is your own character. I in no way met the Overseer because, like each and every other non-robot, non-player character (NPC) in the game, she never really shows up. Aside from the other human-controlled players you will sometimes stumble across, Fallout 76's West Virginia is a ghost planet filled only with automated laptop voices and audio diaries. Most of the principal Fallout 76 Download story missions involve going somewhere, shooting what is there, then looting its physique for an item in order to satisfy the demands of a robot programmed by folks who died lengthy ago. The only humans you can speak to in Fallout 76 are other players, and none of the other players I encountered had all that a lot intriguing to say.

[uafairbanks]

Stacy Bowen’s family has owned The Fur Shop for some 40 years. The cream-colored store in Utqiaġvik sits on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. Crammed floor to ceiling with animal skins, costume jewelry, fabric bolts, souvenir sweatshirts and fresh flowers flown in from the tropics, the eclectic shop is a commercial hub for the northernmost city in the United States. From its perch on a bluff overlooking ice floes, seabirds and marine mammals, the shop serves an isolated community of about 4,000 people, most of them Iñupiat Eskimos. It’s a place to drop off laundry for cleaning, buy toys, wire money and order home delivery of water “We go where the customers take us,” said Bowen. While the Fur Shop is a commercial lifeline for this remote Arctic community, its physical location is precarious. Were it not for a retaining wall anchoring the bluff, The Fur Shop might have washed into the sea last September when a ferocious storm ate away many feet of coastline adjacent to the shop. The storm caused millions of dollars in damage to roads, wrecked buildings and archeological sites and prompted a disaster declaration from the governor. It wasn’t the first time Utqiaġvik suffered such major devastation and it’s unlikely to be the last. As temperatures in the Arctic rise, sea ice is disappearing. Shore-fast ice forms a protective barrier for coastal Arctic communities like Utqiaġvik. As the ice retreats, coastal Alaska communities are becoming more vulnerable to natural hazards such flooding, destructive wave action and loss of human life.  Bowen has seen the climate drastically during her many years in Utqiaġvik, formerly known as Barrow.“The weather is definitely not the same as it was 20 years ago. It’s been a big concern not just because of erosion but because of subsistence and our way of life,” Bowen said.Utqiaġvik’s Iñupiat residents rely on bowhead whale and other sea and land animals for food and culture. As the Arctic heats up—twice as fast as anywhere on Earth—the behavior of animals is changing, putting Iñupiat food security at risk. To boost Utqiaġvik’s ability to manage climate change threats, Alaska Sea Grant is supporting research driven by local citizen scientists. The work is being done on the beach just below The Fur Shop and elsewhere along the town’s shoreline. Project leaders are building local capacity and providing training to  volunteers who use survey instruments to monitor and document changes to the coast. The project, which began several years ago, focuses on observing and forecasting storm surges, flooding and erosion. The goal is to provide local risk managers with information they need to better protect the community.Much of the work is taking place along the beach where homes and critical infrastructure are located, including a utilidor, pump stations and a defunct landfill.The utilidor is an underground artery that runs over three miles through permafrost, carrying vital services to Utqiaġvik residents, including water, sewer, telephone, fiber-optic cable, and electricity. If a storm were to take out the utilidor, longtime Utqiaġvik resident and archeologist Anne Jensen says the town would be faced with an immediate public health crisis.“You’d have 4,000 people who all of sudden couldn’t wash their hands,” Jensen said.CULTURAL HISTORY WASHING AWAYA short walk down Stevenson Street from the Fur Shop sits a row of houses. Some are abandoned, their owners having fled before disaster struck. Others remain occupied. A large house on this stretch of two-lane dirt road stands out for its relative grandeur among Utqiaġvik’s typically weather-beaten structures. It’s the home of one of Alaska’s most prominent men, Oliver Leavitt.Leavitt is a whaling captain and director of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. He’s one of the founders of this Native-owned corporation, one of Alaska’s most successful companies, reporting $2.4 billion in revenue in 2016, according to published reports.Leavitt’s spacious house is located mere feet from the edge of a bluff. On a sunny day in July, a barbeque sat on the lawn between the house and the steep drop-off. The lights were on. It’s unclear if the house will survive the next big storm. Leavitt could not be reached for comment.Protruding from the sandy soil of the bluff beneath Leavitt’s home are pieces of wood, remnants of sod houses occupied by Utqiaġvik’s ancestors thousands of years ago. A sign warns the public not to collect any archeological remains from the site or risk of facing fines of up to $250,000 and fives years in prison.“Their cultural heritage is going into the ocean,” said anthropologist Anne Garland, who is leading the volunteer training. She’s with Applied Research in Environmental Sciences NonProfit, Inc. On the beach below the Leavitt home, Garland was working with University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) professor John Bean on the Alaska Sea Grant-funded project. On a Sunday afternoon in July, temperatures hovered in the mid-30s. As a seal bobbed in icy water offshore, Garland and Bean trained a small group of community volunteers to take shoreline measurements and calculate features of waves, wind and water levels . Accompanying them were two graduate students.Cheryl Magee is studying electrical engineering at UAA. Anuszka Mosurska will soon begin a PhD program at the University of Leeds in England, focusing on the human dimensions of climate change. With Magee and Mosurska’s help in holding the survey instruments, Bean gave some basic instructions.“Okay, push the leg down into the sand like this. Not too hard,” Bean said, showing Jason Russell how to install an automatic level upon the black sand beneath them.Russell is a library archivist who is learning how to measure the profile of the beach. Once he has mastered the technique, Russell will be assigned a transect, or a stretch of the study area. He will be asked to take measurements once a month or as soon as it’s safe after a storm. “Having these precise data points, you can start to generate predictive models to see which areas need additional funding,” said Russell.Documenting how much shoreline loss occurs each year gives local risk managers the data they need to take protective actions or apply for federal dollars for hazard mitigation.FORECASTING THREATSA man-made berm is the lone structure holding Utqiaġvik back from the Arctic Ocean. Other sections of town are in the direct line of the sea. When major storms barrel ashore, the accompanying waves and storm surge attack the berm, prompting bulldozers to fan out on the beach and push new sand into place. It’s an endless fight against the elements. As temperatures warm and the sea ice melts, the battle to save the berm grows ever more intense.So far, the North Slope Borough has been unable to secure funding to get a seawall built, a more permanent structure that would protect the utilidor and other critical structures.Estimates for a seawall range in the hundreds of millions of dollars and upward. While the funding search plays out, researchers hope to develop a system to better forecast how the changes in climate and coastal erosion will effect Utqiaġvik. In addition to  using trained volunteers to calculate beach geometry and storm surge heights, a high-tech video camera will be installed on a public building to collect imagery of wave conditions and sea levels.The data will be used to strengthen Utqiaġvik’s erosion forecasting system so managers will know where the greatest threats exist during any given storm. It’ll also be made available to the State of Alaska’s Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.Garland, who has been working with the North Slope Borough’s Office of Risk Management, says coastal erosion is identified as the number one risk Utqiaġvik residents face.“If the sanitary landfill gets washed out, that affects the entire Arctic Ocean. If any of the utilities goes down, there’s a cascade effect. It’ll be very hard to recover from that whether they’re on the shoreline or not,” Garland said.Micheal Judkins is one of the Utqiaġvik residents who has been trained as a shoreline monitor. The transect he’s working on near The Fur Shop retreated at least 30 feet last year, Garland said. While he is contributing his time taking shoreline measurements, Judkins is resigned to the vulnerability his town is facing. “There’s not much you can do to reverse the inevitable,” Judkins said.He’s not expecting much help either.“I don’t think the federal or state governments care about it. If they cared, something would be done about it.”That said, Judkins had a message for people outside of Utqiaġvik.“Some people look at it here as a wasteland. But if you come here you’ll see, there is life everywhere. It’s teeming with life,” Judkins said. [X]

[theultimatefan]

Sam Raimi, Matthew Lewis, Katee Sackhoff Highlight First Guests At FAN EXPO New Orleans January 6-8

Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, The Evil Dead franchise), Matthew Lewis (“Neville Longbottom” in Harry Potter franchise), Katee Sackhoff (“The Mandalorian,” “Battlestar Galactica”), Anson Mount (“Star Trek: Discovery,” “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and the stars of “Trailer Park Boys” Mike Smith, John Paul Tremblay and Robb Wells are the first wave of celebrity guests scheduled to attend FAN EXPO New Orleans, January 6-8, 2023 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The event will feature a standout lineup of celebrities, voice actors, creators, cosplayers, authors, exhibitors, compelling programming, meet and greets, special events, family zones and more.

Tickets for FAN EXPO New Orleans are on sale at http://www.fanexponeworleans.com, with individual day, 3-day and premium packages available for adults, youths and families. VIP packages are also available now, with dozens of special benefits including priority entry, limited edition collectibles, exclusive items and much more. Raimi is one of the most celebrated and innovative directors of the past 40 years, making his first big splash with The Evil Dead in 1981. He is known for that franchise as well as hits like Spider-Man (2002), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) and this year’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, among scores of producing, directing, writing and acting credits. Lewis, who rose to fame in the “Neville Longbottom” role, has starred in Rowan Athale’s Wasteland and was in the film adaptation of Me Before You alongside Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke. He has most recently been seen in a regular role in the British series “All Creatures Great and Small” as “Hugh Hulton.”

Sackhoff, whose credits include a standout run as "Starbuck" on "Battlestar Galactica" and a starring role in A&E's original series "Longmire," turned heads as the hotshot pilot on "Battlestar" and as "Vic Moretti" in the western drama "Longmire," also has had recurring roles in "24," "Nip/Tuck," "CSI" and many other hits.

Mount has more than 50 acting credits, notably as "Captain Christopher Pike" in "Strange New Worlds," "Discovery" and "Short Treks" in the "Star Trek" universe. He's also had notable roles in Crossroads, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and "Hell on Wheels."

Smith, Tremblay and Wells comprise the “Trailer Park Boys,” a “mockumentary” style series which follows the booze-filled misadventures of the three longtime pals and petty serial criminals who run scams from their Nova Scotia, Canada, trailer park.

Additional guests, exhibitors and programming for this major comics, sci-fi, horror, literary, anime and gaming convention will be announced closer to the event. New Orleans is the first event on the 2023 FAN EXPO HQ calendar; the full schedule is available at fanexpohq.com/home/events/.

[hillbillyhippiemusicreview]

MUSCADINE BLOODLINE “DISPATCH(ES) TO 16TH AVE” FOR MUSICIANS “DYIN’ FOR A LIVIN”

Photo by Lyssa Culbertson

C O U N T R Y M U S I C: It’s the heart and soul of this nation.

It is, it was, and it always will be. Yet, the times have changed as they always do, and country radio just ain’t quite the same as it was back in 1992. It’s led many avid listeners to turn the radio off for good and seek out music elsewhere in places like the local dive bar or on the interwebs at sites like Hillbilly Hippie Music Review. I can’t say without a shadow of doubt that Nashville will ever be the same, but what I can promise you is that the tides are turning, across the board in all the little niches and subgenres that fall under the label of country music. Quality songwriting and feel-good guitar pickin’ are on their way back to town.

Beginning with guys like Muscadine Bloodline.

Now, if you’re already familiar with that name you may be thinking one of two things: “She’s right, they’re really good!” Or perhaps, “Why is she covering BRO COUNTRY on HHMR?! *gasps*!” Well, 1) if you’re thinking the latter I’ll have to agree to disagree about that inaccurate assessment seeing as my professional option is that they are fantastic and 2) by now y’all should know that I do what I want and (most of the time) I know what I’m talking about. All jokes aside, I’ve forged my own path in the music industry over the years and so have these guys—and as we say down in Alabama where we’re from, it ain’t no easy task, so I can’t help but have mad respect for what they do. Affectionally known as “The Boys” by their longtime friends and fans, Gary and Charlie of Muscadine Bloodline have always been dedicated to being true to themselves and have stayed the occasionally difficult course of chasing their dreams, often turning down offers of potentially life-changing deals that would interfere with the vision they had for their music. Their style is eclectic as it is familiar, you never know what unique style you’re going to hear from song to song, or from project to project. Past records featured influences of everything from country and blues to emo and metal—and it simply works. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the boys have had the secret to their grassroots brand of success since day one and anyone who knows me knows that I do not stick my neck out for just anyone, but for years now I’ve been spreading the gospel of the Bloodline. And for good reason.

After a lot of time off the road due to the wasteland of 2020, indie country artists Muscadine Bloodline came out of the industry desolation swinging and ready to return to their roots of “Red Clay Country,” as the Alabama natives have fittingly titled their brand of country music. Coming hot off the heels of the release of their debut album Burn it at Both Ends, the boys decided to take it back to where they came from: the era of 90s country bangers and heartfelt ballads. Despite the unfortunate career cesspool caused by COVID-19 that many musicians faced, Gary and Charlie decided to not let their talent wither away by lack of use and remained dedicated throughout the pandemic to steadily putting out new music for their devoted fans. Prior to the release of their first full-length record, they released two iPhone recorded EPs they dubbed the Quarantine Work-Tapes that featured demos of songs they had written in the past or were currently working on at the time. Fans really flocked to the rawness and authenticity in such a desperate time to find something tangible to connect to in periods of isolation. Ultimately, they began a trend that led to other artists doing the same and providing some form of solace and outlet for their devoted listeners by sharing homegrown music. After the “Quarantapes,” Burn it at Both Ends was born into the world—but the boys didn’t stop there. For a period of time spanning many weeks, Gary and Charlie re-released “reimagined” versions of several songs off the record, where they rewrote the melodies, changed tempos, and sometimes swapped up vocal parts. If that is not enough of a testament to their immense talent, then their latest two single releases ought to attract your attention and lead you to lend your respect. With 2021 on the horizon and a breath of fresh air promising new life as the music played out across the country once again, a new era of Muscadine Bloodline was ushered in���and it’s one you don’t want to miss.

Gary Stanton and Charlie Muncaster have always been two of the most well-versed songwriters I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Their authenticity and knack for creativity within their lyrics drew me in from the beginning with songs like WD-40 (I mean, seriously, who else could write a catchy song about duct tape and WD-40 and make it shine rather than squeak?!) As their writing and voices matured, so did their song content and overall quality—and I have to say their most recent singles “Dyin’ For a Livin’” and “Dispatch to 16th Ave,” off of their upcoming 2022 release of the same name, are some of their best work yet, albeit on opposite ends of the sonic spectrum. “Dyin’ for a Livin’” is a rowdy toe-tapper reminiscent of the Roadhouse that will have you two-steppin’ across the barroom floor in a hot minute ready to bust a beer bottle over the head of someone you loathe (perhaps the label man keeping good music off the radio), but it’s got a deeper meaning than its initial raucous sound lends the ear to believe. It’s an upbeat, rousing tune about the plight of a musician selling their drug of choice every night (aka music) that will light a fire in the heart and familiarity in the brain of anyone who knows the industry from backstage out. Call it country band contraband, if you will, but make sure you call it a damn good song while you’re at it! I know I can’t get enough of their pickin’, grinnin’, and dyin’ for a livin’ and I’m thankful they do it night after night. On the softer side of the notion, “Dispatch to 16th Ave” highlights the struggle of an artist who set his sights on Nashville rather than peddling his musical wares on the open road, just to realize that all the glitz and glamour that Music City promised was just suffocating dust and the ghosts of days gone by. When Charlie begins the song by crooning “Dispatch to 16th Ave., I’m afraid there’s another man down,” it’s not immediately clear what he is singing about—which is a classic songwriter trick I adore. However, as he continues into the rest of the verse with “Suspect was a record man, hellbent on changing his sound” it will cut to the core of even the most seasoned musician because at some point in time, we’ve all fallen victim to someone trying to change who we are. Unfortunately, as the song goes on to detail, some succumb to the pressure and fail to stand their ground. I feel like this is a very honest song for Muscadine Bloodline and one they can be proud of how it influences their legacy, because they have been trailblazers in a town that doesn’t always applaud individuality and genuine talent—and one that has often overlooked them as they decided to stay true to themselves and forge their own path admits the Broadway lights. The slow ballad morphs into a more up-tempo tune with a catchy backbeat as they continue to detail the demise of the kid with stars in his eyes. I cannot fathom how to say anything more astute about the song other than you NEED to listen...it’s just that honest and good. If you are a musician second-guessing your truth and/or existence out there, do me a favor and read these lyrics. Be sure to let them sink in straight to the very core of your soul:

“Dispatch to 16th Ave.

I'm afraid it's a little too late

Used to be about honest songs

But the dollar sign took its place

Whatever happened to the working man

Or cheating and lying 'bout love?

I know a few of those Highwaymen

Are probably shaking their heads above

Another murder on Music Row

Another never would’ve made it on the radio

Another couldn't catch a flame 'cause he played too slow

Wouldn't sing something that somebody else wrote

Should’ve packed up and headed on home

With his pen and pad filled with country songs

Wound up found on the side of town

Where the twang used to hang around”

I hope that if you’ve ever experienced those feelings, regardless of what “scene,” for a lack of a better term, that you bare your heart and share your stories in night after night, that you can respect yourself for serving your artistic integrity and not changing who you are to mold yourself into the perspective of another. I wish that if you’ve considered altering your essence to please “the man” that “Dispatch to 16th Ave.” can serve as a wake-up call of sorts or affirmation for you to continue blazing your own trail and be a leader amongst a pack of followers. Stand your ground. Sing your songs. Share your soul. Someone, somewhere needs your art, perhaps even more than you do. I know I’ve needed Muscadine Bloodline over the years, and there’s someone who needs your voice and needs to hear what you have to say. With that being said, I believe the best summation of the song is in the final verse where Charlie and Gary sing “There’s a few of us still hangin’ round // Yeah, maybe we missed the train // There's a lot of folks holding tight // To the “might come back someday” // If it don't then wish me well // As I die on this hill for now.” As for me, I’ll gladly die on the hill of good music supporting and promoting high-quality authentic artists and people, like Gary and Charlie. Join me?

Watch the music videos for “Dyin’ for a Livin’” and “Dispatch to 16th Ave” below. In addition to being talented musicians, Gary and Charlie are also immensely talented actors who are adept at creating eye-catching and emotive visual representations of their songs.

[magic5ball]

Nature Trail to Hell Arc V: Back into Hell (II)

Chapter 2: The Reunion

“Face me, demon!” the Shatster kept at with his cleaver, breath forming fierce clouds in the air. First I was right scared, sharp object and all that, but seeing how I was a ghost, it wasn’t really a problem.

No, the real probelino was getting Shatner to NOTICE me for a sec.

You know how in the movies they’ll show ghosts moving stuff around like its’ nothing? From experience, I can promise you that is GRADE-A BUNKO! When you’re spectral, you don’t have muscles and living stuff, so while going through walls is pretty neat, it also means lifting a q-tip is a complete workout!

Fortunately, my ghost lungs were still in working order, and with a bit of work I could make my breath mist. From there, I just blew on a wall, painted words on with my index finger, and… voila! Instant messaging without the phone!

SHATER YOU NERD IT’S ME

The big guy, for his part, stared like he’d just seen a ghost, which wasn’t really surprising.

A few seconds of gaping like a flounder at my little message, he stared just to the left of me, coughing out

“W-Watterson Tostig? After all this time?!”

YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT, BOOGER BRAIN.

One more deep breath.

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE?

“R-right!” Cried Shatner. “I’ll get us some tea!”

                                                        .   .   .

My mouth was too stiff to tell him I’d rather drink sewage than something that came from a vegetable (tea does come from vegetables, right?), so I kinda just sucked it up and went along with it.  

Without even asking me what I wanted, Shatner led me to what I can only call some sort of break room.

           Empty, grey place, lit only by a birthday cake with ten little candles at its’ center. Surrounding this cake, like the world’s crappiest campfire, were a pair of overturned egg crates. I plopped my keister on one of those crates as the big guy left for the kitchen. I could only sit there, teeth chattering, wondering how my dinosaur friends were doing. There, in that barren room, paralyzed, helpless, barely able to move my teeth, realizing what a stupid not-really-a-full-fledged plan I had was, I realized something. A great, sudden revelation that strikes like lightning but leaves just as quick, but changes your life forever:

Global Warming is never there when you need it.

And who would barge in at this moment with all the grace of a sixty ton mammoth but Shatner, carrying two piping hot mugs of plant juice, a hideous abomination (‘sweater’, he corrected me) draped over his shoulder.

The sweater faded right through me as he flung it on my seat. Then, he added

“And don’t bother trying to eat the birthday cake. Bloody thing’s frozen solid by this point ( believe me, I have tried) and those candles may very well be the last source of heat in this blasted wasteland!”

Not like I could sneak a bite anyway, being spectral and all that.

Instead, I inhaled the steam coming off my tea, just the slightest bit of feeling returning to my limbs. Then I exhaled on the table, writing

WAIT. IF THE ONLY HEAT IS FROM THAT CANDLE, THEN HOW’D YOU MAKE THE TEA?

“Well my friend, that warmth you feel is the product of none other than yours trulys’ body heat!”

Just like that, I wondered if it was possible to un-inhale something. Then I remembered breathing out is a thing and felt real dumb.

“But try as I might to conserve body heat, I find it slowly, inexorably lost to the throes of entropy.” He waxed, making me forget my woes for a sec. “But enough about me, let’s talk about you. Specifically, your state of life. Or lack thereof. Because I do believe you have been dead these past few weeks. I’ve even seen the body! So-“

he said the last part real quick, like emphasizing something, “How did you get here, Watterson Tostig? How did you do it? Or are you simply an apparition brought on by the steady diet of Salisbury Steak I have subsisted on for the past few days?”

IT’S WATT, YOU NERD!

I set the record straight, really digging my index finger into the table.

“Watt. Yes, yes. My apologies.” He countered. “Now as you were saying…”

Of course, I didn’t really feel like writing down the whole story then and there. My ghost index finger was starting to get right numb. There had to be some quicker way! That’s when I remembered that, besides moving through walls, ghost can also do a crazy little thing called possessin’ folks! Now, they were never real specific about how they do that in the movies, but I figured it couldn’t be THAT hard.

Long story short, it took a good ten minutes to cram my ghost body into the Shatster’s confused mouth. If I’d only waited a year later, I’d have found you’re supposed to go through the butthole.

Not that I would have done that, anyway.

It was warm, in Shatner. Warm and moist. But most important, I could mentally project the entire story up to this point into his thick noggin in seconds. Every single crazy adventure I’d been through over the summer. By the time I’d I could see his face reflected in the linoleum floor, gaping like I’d told him the moon was made of rotten bananas.

“I’ve seen a great deal of oddity in my life,” he began, “And I can safely assure you that what you have just describe transcends nearly all of it.”

Not sure if the guy was complementing me or not, nor did I care, my eyes more focused on the beef jerky poking out of his pen holder (which all nerds have). I grabbed it, shoving the thing into his (our?) mouth.

Actually tasted half-decent! (Then again, most things taste half decent after you’ve been eating nothing but stale Cheetos and air for the past few days).

“What’s this? Tastes fancy.” I asked.

“Reconstituted Salisbury Steak.” He replied “Hilda’s terrible management of this camp irreparably botched up our food deliveries, so it was cast upon me to find a substitute.”

“Speaking of that, how did you get back here, anyway?” I asked, my voice coming out of his mouth, which was kinda weird.

“Well, if you must know…” he began. And I sat, realizing what massive torrent of WORD I had unleashed.

Shatner lectured me longtime, but the short of his story is: he ran right back home to where his little spider was waiting for him. Amazingly, he had memorized the path all the way back to his house. But when he got there, it turned out his aunt had in fact kept his spider fed, and was none too pleased with her nephew’s devious act of truancy.

“Though knowing Auntie, she was likely more furious at me for having doubted her responsibility than for absconding as I did.” Is how he put it.

After that he was dragged back to camp with all the ceremony of a death row inmate. And not metaphorically, either. His aunt literally dragged him by the collar all the way back!

“When we got there, it didn’t seem so bad. It was, I daresay, idyllic: birds chirping, sun high in sky, glowing jade green as it filtered through the tree leaves…(an entire page’s worth of pretentious crap yours truly has cut out for your own sanity), but the moment she left, the grand curtain of deception dropped, starting Act I of Hilda’s terrible play.”

           Of course, calling what Hilda did a ‘terrible play’ is like calling the first day you got soap in your eyes ‘an experience’. Kind of an annoying thing about the Shatster: rip the guy’s arm off and leave him bleeding on a cold linoleum floor and it would just be a ‘minor inconvenience’.

(Incredibly long and kinda violent) story short, Hilda basically started using Ms. Hoebag, now demon possessed, as her puppet,  giving the kids complete and utter control of the camp. Almost made me wish I stayed. Almost.

“The trouble was, this age of prosperity lasted but a few paltry hours. For as lofty as Hilda’s goals were it seemed she was not so adept at ensuring food and electricity were paid for.”

This little statement almost made me drop my jerky.

“What, did she not leave any teeth for the food and electricity fairies?”

“As a matter of fact, she forgot to pay the camp’s bills.”

“What?”

“You know, bills. What the grown-ups use to pay for stuff?”

“That’s not what my Dad told me.” I protested “He says we get it from the food and electricity faeries. I have to leave my loose teeth under the bed as payment.”

I could see Shatner’s left eye twitching. Poor guy just couldn’t handle not being the smartest in the room.

“Anyhow,” he continued, “as I was saying-“

           Without bills being payed and whatnot, it wasn’t long before Hilda stepped in to form a government, a government based on SHARING! How in the name of all that is good in the world the other kids agreed to that, I’ll never know, but apparently it had something to do with Vernon hiding all the ice cream sandwiches under his bunk. And by ‘government’, Hilda basically set up the exact thing Ms. Hoebag had going! Well, except for turning me into a martyr. And claiming everything she did was my will. Not exactly a fan of that. So once Hilda had set up her sharing policy and assigned some of the kids to enforce these laws (who might I mention were the SAME LOSERS WHO KISSED UP TO HOEBAG) it was time to vote on a camp currency. Since everyone liked ice cream sandwiches, those were chosen. Problem was, without the electricity the sandwiches melted fast as, well, ice cream in the summertime.

“Though I am not completely certain regarding the details of the matter, it seems Hilda proposed a plan to make it Christmas every day. The logic being, of course, that since Christmas is cold, and ice cream thrives in such frigid conditions, by making it cold the camp could preserve the last of the ice cream. After they sold their collective souls to a demon under the guise of a “character building activity”, their wish was granted… in the form of the most infernal, unsavory aspects of what I quite frankly consider an incredibly cynical interpretation of the winter solstice.”

“X-Mas…” I whispered, on account of that’s what we called ‘Evil Christmas’ back at my home.

Didn’t know what to be more amazed by: the fact that there was Christmas in July, or that in spite of everything, there were still mosquitoes buzzing around.

           At this point, Hilda realized that she was going to have to make the camp some money, because they (and by ‘they’ I mean she) desperately needed heat and they weren’t going to make any singing old Russian choir chants in front of the mess hall, even if it did make for some admittedly awesome camp postcards. So the kids at arts and crafts were assigned to make Papier-Mache Yugos. Amazingly, they sold because at the end of the day, they were still better than the real deal. Too bad most of the cash went into purchasing tigers. With the rest of the money, they were able to afford sixty pounds of Styrofoam, which Hilda told everyone to rip up and pretend it was heat.  (How the FUDGE does that even work?!)

“And such is the camp I arrived back at that terrible day, when Auntie returned me.”

Now, you might have noticed this has been a bit long, but gosh darn it, its’ still shorter than the little spiel Shatner gave me!

“And so I arrived here.” He sighed. “Slowly freezing to death in this wretched Gulag. At first Hilda made me haul snow like everyone else- pretended she never knew me! -before she saw my talents might be able to produce something edible from the snow. Like I could just pull food from thin air!”

“So how’d you do it?”

“You might remember our altercations with regards to the camp’s disreputable offal known as ‘Salisbury Steak’.”

“So what of it?”

Shatner wretched open a pair of creaky wooden doors leading into the floor, after undoing several rusty old locks. Even with the darkness, I could see something fleshy, pink, and BIG!

“”Oh. You’ve gotta be kidding me!”

[selectstarters]

Best games of the decade 2015 edition

Continuing the best of the decade discussions, this time we’ll focus on the best games that game out in 2015. 2015 was a solid year for gaming that had some of my personal favorites release. Here are my top 10 favorites.

6. Fallout 4

For all the things that Fallout 4 did wrong, it still managed to nail the combat. By doing so, Bethesda made this game really damn fun to play. Shooting feels incredible in Fallout 4. No more awkward gun fights with awful controls. Killing raiders and super mutants has never felt so good. Exploring was also just as fun as you were still scavenging a vast wasteland for new weapons and supplies. The new base building mechanic was pretty fun too with the unfortunate side effect of Preston Garvey. That said, the story wasn’t great and the massive hit the RPG mechanics took was a huge bummer for longtime fans of the series. Regardless, Fallout 4 still provides a really fun experience and had an incredibly successful launch with really impressive sales.

Check out the whole list, over at Select Start!