#giulia my beloved also <3

[earlgodwin]

the reasons i'm still hyperfixating on the borgias for a decade is not just because of the phenomenal cast and costumes, but mostly because the characters are well-written and their dynamics with each other are top-tier; a driven possessive man who's toxically codependent towards his angelic but cunning sister? yes!!! two pretty doomed brothers whose father's ambitions for them and trapping them in positions they don't fit and tore them apart? fuck yes!!! a misguided brother who believed he was protecting his sister's reputation but she ended up hating him and their relationship turned into antagonism with both of them playing petty games against each other? yeah!!! the pope's smart and gorgeous mistress and the pope's daughter forming a bond, believing in women's solidarity and outsmarting the cardinals? exactly!!! a master and his assassin who admire each other, trust each other, and even counsel each other? yep!!! inject the whole show into my bloodstream!

[putonmyfavoriteshow]

Natalia, Yam and Chiara for the character bingo <3

Oooh nice.

Natalia

My fellow babygirl!! I kin so hard!!! Projection STATION!! She means the world to me and is rightfully beloved by fandom because honestly how could you not adore her <3 Honestly, the writers could have done so much more with her and we were robbed of many Naty solos and storylines. But I'm grateful for what we have esp in regards to Luty <3. I guess I have a handful of head canons about her, but I wouldn't say it's overflowing. I've written her quite a bit in fics and most of that results in me just giving her qualities that I personally have LMFAO. (also I'd kiss Alba but not Naty bc that'd be like kissing myself HAHA)

Yam

Yam is such a rock star!! A talented singer, a proud lesbian (canon can go stfu), and is always such a mood, a vibe. Honestly I think she's such a cool character and Soy Luna wouldn't be the same without her. I love her and Jim's shenanigans but I also really enjoyed her individual personality right from my initial watch. I know sometimes she rubbed fandom the wrong way and gets labeled as "rude" and I can understand her stubbornness causes her to lash out at times (specifically at Ramiro) but I'm defensive of her bc I always loved that she was the type of person that just knew what she liked and didn't. We'd def click very well :)

Chiara

I always loved Chiara but recently I feel like I've become such a super fan (partially due to the Chiarleste revolution, sorry dancing piece of paper but there's a new LI in town 🤭) but even before that I just always thought Giulia encapsulates Chiara so well. Just the bubbliest, sweetest, angel of a character. But she really deserved so much more depth from the writers. Like I wish she had a bigger individual plot not just about romance...however I love how she was the resident romantic. She was always overdramatic and dreamy but in the most sincere and adorable way like how she was always living vicariously through Binuel's love story? Plus Bia and Celeste did their best at keeping their bestie down to earth ><. So yeah. The silliest ever!! An absolute disaster girl!! LOML!!

[rage-across-insubria]

"Fuck them!"

Alex walked furiosly in the halls of the University of Varese. The eyes from the posters plastered over every wall were following him.

"That stupid fucker had inside info, i'm sure of it!" he kept mumbling. He was nervously scratching his head, messing up his blond hair, while he photographed the neon colors of the poster, spelling them slowly.

Crazy Horse.

The font was tacky and the colors were all off. Sabrina would have killed him if he showed him a graphic like that.

Alex opened his Telegram, and started writing in The Inner Circle chat.

He left them on read, opening another chat.

"Yeah, sure, you couldn't..." he mumbled while he walked towards the cafeteria.

"Alex! Come here! Did you see this?", Maira manic panic purple hair made her stick out in the sea of coffee-chugging customers.

She was waving one of the posters made by Crazy Horse and was inviting Alex to her table.

"Of course I did, they are fucking everywhere!"

Maira ignored the tone: "We have to go! Y'know they are building the warehouse right were you..."

"Yes, but the path is all wrong! We know who's behind this, and that idiot is keeping his sorry ass away from him!" interrupted Alex.

"Don't worry", calmly replied Maira, "I will call my dad, he will surely help us get the authorization to protest in front of the city hall... what the fuck, we'll move protest in front of the fucking mayor house!"

"Fuck Marino Ottolini" replied Alex.

"Fuck Ottolini"

"Watcha doing guys?" a smiling face surrounded by blond hair, with thick red glasses perching on a small nose popped between Alex and Maira

"Giulia! We're getting ready for tonight protest against the warehouse! You'll be there, right?"

Uh-oh. Alex freezed. Giulia Salimbene was Maira best friend, but she wasn't... well she was a good ally in the library, not so much during a protest.

"What? Oh, those posters... I dunno Maira. You know, with how many people lost their job after the pandemic, this could be a good opportunity for the city. Yeah, it's sad they have to cut all that trees but, c'mon, how could they do elsewhere?"

That's it. She said it.

"What the FUCK, Giulia! Are you an idiot? All those book you're reading should make you smarter, not dumber! They will fuck up an entire national reserve!"

Giulia shrinked in her seat "I - I don't know M. Yo-you think it's important?"

"Of course! You know how everything in this city is shit, this is the moment when you can do something good!"

"I suppose I'll be there tonight..." replied an entirely unconvinced Giulia.

"Aargh, whatever, my dad is calling, bye Giulia!" said Maira, storming outside the cafeteria, followed silently by Alex.

They walked slowly towards Alex mini-car, while Maira screamed at the phone... and a third mysterious figure followed them at a distance.

===============================================

Throat grew up, adopted the name Alexandar to pass as an human, and started studying photography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Varese. He bonded with Maira after she helped her with his First Change and they usually meet at the cafeteria between the Academy and the University building where Maira studies psychology.

Crazy Horse is a TikToker, much more popular than Alex (or forest-fyre as he is known on TikTok) and sort of a rival that Alex never saw irl.

Giulia is one of Maira Touchstones. Maira loves her a lot, but they have completely different personalities and they clash often (like today :D )

We also introduced our beloved ~fucking Ottolini~, the mayor of Varese, a sleazy mf that we *know* is corrupted, just we don't know how to prove it yet.

This is the first half of our first real session of the Chronicle, we are starting brewing a story that will change the life of Maira and Alex forever <3

Oh, here's the link to the previous short story!

Continues here!

[ahrasliaayahanambar]

So today my beloved people together with amazing Giulia Pratelli released a new song - She's Gotta Go ❤️ And just like with The Ride, I'm more than IN LOVE with this song ❤️❤️❤️❤️

So everyone go to Spotify and listen to this banger and at 3 p.m it will also be on YouTube 😁

[captorsicallfriends]

hello diya my beloved 💌 it's me your fav insane bestie <3 literally made this acct so i can send more asks + send you pictures 💖💖💖

i think it's already your bday for your timezone BUT IF IT'S NOT I'M SORRY AAA open this when it is <33

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIYA THE SANITY TO MY IN <3 <3 <3 i hope you have the most beautiful day and enjoy it. i'm so so so happy that we're friends; you're one of the sweetest and most attentive ppl i know. literally you pay attention to the little but important things that most ppl wouldn't give a second thought to. whether it be abt media, events, people, or ANYTHING. one of the many things i love + appreciate abt you. you are so slay and you + your phd are amazing and iconic. us w/ tini (real) !!

i miss + love our jsdjjsdjjsd ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 conversations + chats sm, our energy is truly >>>. literally the best person to attend tini and giulia bae's concerts w/ 💗💗💗 and also no one i'd rather share the beautiful experience of eamon with ❤️‍🔥🤩 truly a core memory

diya you are such a beautiful person inside and out i appreciate you + your energy so much. you are as beautiful as this dress tini wore at an awards show last week 💓💓💓

also tini performed at the opening of a sports stadium this weekend and during the transmission the reporters made some terrible comments abt her and it was so :(( but tonight, at her show, she RESPONDED IN THE MOST SUBTLE BUT BEST WAY POSSIBLE IT WAS ESP FOR YOUR BDAY ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 see even tini feels your slay <3

anywho i'm sorry this ask is so chaotic but would you rather it be anything else ??!! love you so much diya, can't wait to talk to you more soon 💓

omg ilysm ty and tini is SLAYING AS ALWAYS

[noodlenibblescribble]

I washed the dishes and I got to thinking about Luca some more and some extra stuff to get out my chest starting with:

I love Alberto sm, he is my favorite. His mannerisms, his display of machismo (I'll call it that cuz thats what his trying to be big and tough and smart feels like to me) and really, the WAY HE LOOKS AT LUCA. I didn't NEED to come in already looking for some queer subtext, those looks, his softness with him, dbdhshv my son has feelings ok.

And just because I can, I'll write sime specific moments I remember where I was just like "Alberto is not straight".

1. When Luca and him are about to go down the hill on their made up vespa together, he looks to the side of his handle at a picture of a man and winks at it and yeah, now that I type it out it feels like 'Really?' but YES REALLY, I see this as my dude knowing he likes other dudes so he pins that pic up for goodluck.

2. Their crashes. The first time, they're saved because Luca pushed Alberto away, but Alberto didn't like that! The second crash, Alberto holds on to Luca so they crash together in the same side.

3. Yes his jealous bout. He clearly didn't think much of Giulia from the beginning, but having her teach Luca things the way Alberto used to was one of the last staws. Alberto wanted to be 'the cool, smart guy' he built himself up to be to Luca, and having her threaten that had him on edge. (no shade to Giulia, I love her and part of my want for a sequel is to see her interact with Alberto like a sibling more aaah cuz she clearly loves these two like family already but his machismo and seeing her as a threat kept pushing her away in his mind)

4. His emphasis on wanting to run away TOGETHER. Yeah this can also just be because he doesn't want to be alone but he was also clearly bonding with Massimo. And yet, his mind stayed on just the idea of Luca. Going with Luca. Just the two of them.

..... And on another note, to have this boy break down and say it's HIS fault people walk away from him because he's a BAD KID imma just- god. Child plz aaah your dad deserves whatever bad things come his way, piece of shit.

Anyways, last of all, yes Im lumping it all together, just him running to Luca with an umbrella. I loved that sm. They had their break-down moment but still, Luca tokd him he'd win for THEM and Alberto came to help because he wanted to believe in him too I love these boys sm cries. And I already said it but the ending. Alberto giving Luca the life he wanted, with school. This is a good boy. He is a very very good voy and he is a wonderful son to Massimo and even to Luca's family too. I'm sure he's beloved by the entire town by now 😭 I gotta get to write something out but first two more posts

[rose-jewel-dox]

Luberto Headcanon #3 & #4

Every citizen of Portorosso believed Luca and Alberto were dating when they first came, and that belief never went away, when Luca left for school the grannies gave Alberto little pats on the shoulder each telling him it would be ok, it gets easier, Massimo makes sure to distract Alberto so he isn’t as lonely, the owner of the gelato shop gave him free samples to ease the long distance, the kids get him to play with them, the lifeguards make sure he has a partner and use the excuse that he needs to get used to everyone on the team. 

While in Genova Luca is feeling a huge amount of Home sickness and wishes that he was back in Portorosso, Giulia helps to the best of her abilities aswell as her mom, though each time he seems to be happier/in a cheerier mood, it plummets when he thinks of how Alberto would have loved or enjoyed it, or anytime he turns to say anything to Alberto only to realize his not there. 

Both feel the longing and heartache to be with each other when they both receive the first letter from the other, Luca is more than tempted to just get up and pack and head back to Portorosso (Alberto mentioned that he made friends with fellow lifeguards, and one name kept being mentioned, aka jealous Luca) who is only stopped by Giulia stopping him by mentioning that Alberto gave his dream up so Luca could have his (well more like postponed the dream for Luca) and Alberto is more than tempted to beg Massimo for money to get a ticket so he can see Luca.

#4 (which is jealous Luca)

In each letter Alberto writes, he mentions his new friend and partner in life guarding Kara (which I believe is beloved in Italian, but also means friend in Irish though spelled cara) which earns Luca to feel angry and annoyed each time he reads the name, though not knowing way, till Giulia tells him that in her own words “it means you’re jelly, have the green eyes monster, you’re jealous my friend” which makes Luca have to rethink on how he views Alberto, earning each memory of him and Alberto interacting and touching causing him to blush and stutter and earning him to vow outloud and making Giulia his witness that he would tell Alberto how he feels, and make sure he never mentions this Kara ever again. (Luca: Alberto will be mine, Giulia: his already yours, you nor him haven’t realized it yet )

[electraheart2012]

tagged by giulia @crypticfem my beloved thank u! this is so late but its fineeee

fav colour: pls i know its basic but i love blue.. also love a dusty orange

last song: according to spotify it was poke by frightened rabbit

last show: the last show i finished was hunters 2020! very messy still don't know how i feel abt it lmao

currently reading: goodbye to berlin by christopher isherwood. i had to stop reading goodbye to berlin because it would be like "No... [marrying later] would['ve] spoil[ed] everything. We should be trying all the time to live up to our old selves, if you know what I mean. And we should both be different... he was so marvellously primitive: just like a faun. He made me feel like a most marvelous nymph, or something, miles away from anywhere, in the middle of the forest." and i would be like *screams*

currently watching: westworld hbo! ive been on the last 15 minutes of the s1 finale for abt 12 hours because i fell asleep watching it twice

sweet, spicy, or savoury: sweet..

craving: i have been craving shakshouka for DAYSSS and i finally made some last night🥰

tea or coffee: tea my adored

i had this drafted for 2 days and woke up this morning and everyone was doing tag games soo if u haven't done one like this yet im tagging @tabboulehs @tendergazing @finelinesgf @ijaazat @mononokeost @ahwak @matchas jdhdfj <3

[sheikah]

kristen, i have to: the borgias <3

aw hey tha! thank you <3

the first character i ever fell in love with: Cesare. He’s just so... pretty lol

a character that i used to love/like, but now do not: I thought I was going to like Juan. I was mistaken lmao. 

a ship that i used to love/like, but now do not: Eh none. My only real ship in the show is Cesare/Lucrezia and they are still like my most beloved OTP now haha

my ultimate favorite character™: Lucrezia!!!

prettiest character: Lucreziaaaa

my most hated character: Ursula but only because she was so boring and I couldn’t wait for her episodes with Cesare to end lmao. He was wasted on her!

my OTP: Cesare/Lucrezia :’) Literal perfection, the most flawlessly angsty and painful and sexy and pure ship I’ve ever seen

my NOTP: I don’t really have one! But I guess Cesare and Ursula because, again, they were boring! I’d say Lucrezia and Sforza but they weren’t really a ship lol

favorite episode: 3.04, the day after Lucrezia’s wedding to Alfonso and her wedding night with a certain someone else lmao. The angst is just SUPREME and the bedding scene oml

saddest death: Juan. Rodrigo’s pain was real and the music in that episode was beautiful

favorite season: 3

least favorite season: None! I love this show <3

character that everyone else in the fandom loves, but i hate: Again, none. I love this show, even the minor characters. Everyone loves Cesare and Lucrezia and you know what? THEY DESERVE IT! But I also love Giulia Farnese and Vannozza and even Rodrigo and Juan sometimes, if only to laugh at them haha

my ‘you’re piece of trash, but you’re still a fave’ fave: Rodrigo. He’s a dirty old man but he makes me laugh. Laura and I call him “Pope Daddy” lmao

my ‘beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves better than this’ fave: I was happy with the way the show ended so I can’t say Cesare OR Lucrezia deserved better because I’m cool with it. So I’ll give a weird answer and say Djem. He was so cute and sweet and wholesome and his death was gruesome and sad. And Lucrezia was so sad about it :(

my ‘this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul, but i still love it’ ship: I mean... Cesare/Lucrezia lmao

my ‘they’re kind of cute, and i lowkey ship them, but i’m not too invested’ ship: I guess Lucrezia/Paulo but they bored me, too, so I would hesitate to say I shipped it haha

Send me a ship and I’ll tell you...

[pope-francis-quotes]

17th June >> (@ZenitEnglish By Virginia Forrester) #Pope Francis #PopeFrancis Visit to the Earthquake Areas of Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche. Full Text of Homily at Mass, Greeting to Emergency Housing Residents, and Dialogue with First Communion Children.

Pope Francis on June 16, 2019, visited the areas of the Archdiocese of Camerino-San-Severino Marche struck by earthquakes three years ago.

Here is a translation of the Homily the Pope gave in the course of the Holy Mass in Piazza Cavour, the greeting to the residents of the emergency housing facilities and his dialogue with the First Communion children.

* * *

The Holy Father’s Homily

“What is man that Thou art mindful of him?”, we prayed in the Psalm (8-4). These words came to my mind thinking of you. In the face of what you saw and suffered, in the face of collapsed houses and buildings reduced to rubble, this question comes: “What is man? What is he, if what he raises can collapse in a moment? What is he, if his hope can end in dust?  What is man? The answer seems to come from the continuation of the phrase: What is man that Thou art mindful of him? Of us, just as we are, with our fragilities, God remembers <us>. In the uncertainty that we perceive outside and inside, the Lord gives us a certainty: He remembers us. He ri-corda, namely, turns with His heart to us, because He cares about us. And while down here too many things are forgotten in haste, God doesn’t leave us in oblivion. No one is contemptible in His eyes; each one has an infinite value for Him: we are small under the sky and impotent when the earthquakes, but for God, we are more precious than anything.

Memory is a key-word for life. Let us ask for the grace to remember every day that we are not forgotten by God, that we are His beloved children, unique and irreplaceable: to remember it gives us the strength not to give up in face of life’s adversities. We remember how valuable we are, in face of the temptation to be saddened and of continuing to dig up that worse thing, which seems to have no end. Bad memories come, even when we don’t think about them; however, they pay badly: they leave only melancholy and nostalgia. But, how difficult it is to free oneself from bad memories! That saying is true, according to which it was easier for God to have Israel come out of Egypt than Egypt to come out out the heart of Israel.

To free the heart from the past that returns, from negative memories that keep us prisoners from regrets that paralyze us, it’s useful if someone helps us to bear the weight we have inside. In fact, Jesus says to us today that we “are not capable of bearing the weight” of so many things (Cf. John 16:12). And what does He do in the face of our weakness? He doesn’t take the weight away, as we would like, who are always in search of speedy and superficial solutions; no, the Lord gives us the Holy Spirit.  We have need of Him because He is the Consoler, namely, He who doesn’t leave us alone under the weights of life. He it is who transforms our slavish memory into a free memory, the wounds of the past into memories of salvation.  He does in us what He did for Jesus: His sores, those awful wounds, hollowed out by evil, by the power of the Holy Spirit became channels of mercy, luminous wounds in which the love of God shines, a love that raises, that makes one get up again. The Holy Spirit does this when we invite Him in our wounds. He anoints the awful memories with the balm of hope because the Holy Spirit is the rebuilder of hope.

Hope. What kind of hope is it? It’s not a passing hope. Earthly hopes are fleeting; they always have the expiry date; they are made of earthly ingredients, which sooner or later go bad.  That of the Spirit is a hope of long life; it doesn’t expire, because it’s based on God’s faithfulness. The hope of the Spirit is not even optimism. It’s born more in profundity; it rekindles in the depth of the heart the certainty of being precious because we are loved. It infuses the trust of not being alone. It’s a hope that leaves peace and joy inside, regardless of what happens outside. It’s a hope that has strong roots, which no storm in life can uproot It’s a hope, says Saint Paul today, that “doesn’t disappoint” (Romans 5:5) — hope doesn’t disappoint! –, which gives the strength to overcome every tribulation (Cf. vv. 2-3).  When we are troubled or wounded —  and you know well what it is to be troubled, wounded –, we are led to “make a nest” around our sadness and our fears. Instead, the Spirit frees us from our nests; He makes us take flight, He reveals the wonderful destiny for which we are born. The Spirit nourishes us with living hope. Let us invite him. Let us ask Him to come into us and He will make Himself close. Come, Consoler Spirit! Come and give us some light, gives us the meaning of this tragedy, give us the hope that doesn’t disappoint. Come, Holy Spirit!

Closeness is the third and last word that I would like to share with you. Today we celebrate the Most Holy Trinity. The Trinity isn’t a theological puzzle, but the splendid mystery of God’s closeness. The Trinity tells us that we don’t have a solitary God up there in Heaven — distant and indifferent, no. He is a Father who has given us His Son, who made Himself man like us, and to make Himself even closer, to helps us bear the weights of life, sends us His own Spirit. He, who is Spirit, comes to our spirit and thus consoles us from inside; He brings us deep down the tenderness of God.  With God, the weights of life don’t stay on our shoulders: the Spirit, whom we name every time we make the sign of the cross precisely when we touch the shoulders, He comes to give us strength, to encourage us, to support the weights. In fact, He is a specialist in resurrecting, in uplifting, in reconstructing. More strength is needed to repair than to construct, to begin again than to initiate, to be reconciled than to be in agreement. This is the strength that God gives us. Therefore, one who draws close to God doesn’t fall, goes forward: begins again, tries again, reconstructs. He suffers but is able to begin again, to try again, to rebuild.

Dear brothers and sisters, I came today simply to be close to you; I’m here to pray with you to God who remembers us so that no one forgets one who is in difficulty. I pray to the God of hope so that what is unstable on earth will not make one vacillate about the certainty we have within.  I pray to “the Close God, to arouse concrete gestures of proximity.  Almost three years have passed and the risk is that, after the first emotive and media involvement, attention drops and the promises end in oblivion., increasing the frustration of one who sees the territory increasingly depopulated. Instead, the Lord drives us to remember, to repair, to rebuild and to do so together, without ever forgetting those that suffer.

What is man that Thou art mindful of him? God who remembers us; God who heals our wounded memories anointing them with hope; God who is close to us to uplift us from within, may this God help us to be builders of goodness, consolers of hearts. Each one can do some good, without waiting for others to begin. “I begin, I begin, I begin”: each one should say this. Each one can console someone, without expecting his problems to be solved.  Also carrying my cross, I try to get close to console others. What is man? He is your great dream, Lord, whom you always remember. Man is your great dream, Lord, whom you always remember. It’s not easy to understand it in these circumstances, Lord. Men forget us; they don’t remember this tragedy. But you, Lord, don’t forget. Man is your great dream, Lord, whom you always remember. Lord, make us also remember that we are in the world to give hope and closeness because we are your children, “God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).

[Original text: Italian]  [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]

The Holy Father’s Greeting to the Residents of the Emergency Housing Facilities

Good morning!

Good morning to you all. I would have liked to visit all the houses, every house . . . but it’s not possible; therefore, I greet you from here and give the Blessing to you all. I am close to each one of you. I am close. And I pray for you so that this situation is resolved as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and for your courage. You, pray for me. Now I’ll go down to greet you.

[Original text: Italian]  [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]

The Holy Father’s Dialogue with the First Communion Children

A boy:

Holy Father, I address you with emotion because I know you are able to listen. My name is Giovanni, I’m 10 and this year I will make my First Communion. I came back to live in Camerino after having spent a whole year at San Benedetto del Tronto, because on the evening of October 26, 2016, there was an earthquake that, in addition to many damages, caused the collapse of the bell tower of the church of Santa Maria in Via, where I and my sister Giulia were baptized. Since that day, our city is no longer the same: the houses are still ruined and one can only enter with a protective helmet and with the assistance of firemen.

Our habits have changed, the citizens’ faces are sad and many people find themselves in other Municipalities. Sometimes, even a small sudden movement makes us very scared again, however, we also pick up much courage. Over the centuries our city has had several earthquakes, some devastating, so much so that the coat of arms of Camerino depicts three houses, the only ones that remained standing.

On May 18, our Bishop Francesco Massara explained to us that San Venanzio is even called “the Saint of the falls,” of which he was always saved and, on that occasion, it was announced that the Basilica of San Venanzio will be restructured in December and returned to the faithful. It’s an important sign of recovery. It pleases me to think that, with the help of your prayers, Camerino will always rise again from every fall and that our Patron will have it under control, protecting all its inhabitants.

Pope Francis:

Good evening!

A question: are you tired?

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

Do you feel hot

[They answer]

Yes!

Pope Francis:

You are tired . . .

[They answer]

Yes . . . No . . .

Pope Francis:

I thank you so much for having waited for me. Thank you! Thank you.

Have you eaten?

[They answer]

Yes!

Pope Francis:

Yes? Good. It’s important to eat, to grow . . .

There is something that s the earthquake, something that Giovanni said, that makes one think: when things fall, should we let them stay that way? Fallen?

[They answer]

No . . .

Pope Francis:

Louder!

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

We must raise them up again. And when a person falls, because he makes mistakes in life, must we leave him fallen for life?

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

We must help him get up again. And when we — this is a difficult question, let’s see if one of you is able to answer –, when in life we make an awful mistake, a sin, and we fall, what must we do?

[They answer]

Go to Confession.

Pope Francis:

Get up again! But isn’t it better to stay on the ground?

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

Isn’t it more comfortable?

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

Always get up again?

[They answer]

Yes!

Pope Francis:

Always?

[They answer]

Yes!

Pope Francis:

And if you fall a second time?

[They answer]

You get up again!

Pope Francis:

And if you fall a third <time>?

[They answer]

You get up again!

Pope Francis:

And if you fall a tenth <time>?

[They answer]

You get up again!

Pope Francis:

And if you fall a fiftieth <time>?

[They answer]

You get up again!

Pope Francis:

Always! However, I think: a person that falls, falls, falls . . . Perhaps Jesus gets annoyed with the person? . . . Does Jesus get annoyed with us?

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

No, but if one falls so many times, does Jesus get annoyed?

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

No. What does Jesus do when we fall?

[They answer]

He helps us to get up again.

Pope Francis:

How does Jesus help us? He gives you His hand to get up again. He pulls you up. He pulls you up: Jesus pulls you up. Always [have] this memory in life. He will always help you. When I am down, I have fallen so many times. I don’t know, think that Jesus always stretches out His hand. Why? To help . . . ? To raise us up again. Jesus raises us up, understood?

[They answer, softly]

Yes . . .

Pope Francis:

Ah . . . It seems you’re not convinced. Does Jesus raise us up again?

[They answer]

Yes!

Pope Francis:

Always?

[They answer]

Yes!

Pope Francis:

And does Jesus get angry with us?

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

He is good . . . He always waits for us! Jesus is merciful. This is a difficult word, no?  What is mercy? It’s this love that Jesus has for us. Have you understood?

[They answer]

Yes!

Pope Francis:

Then, all are standing!

[They answer]

Yes!

Pope Francis:

Now I would like to give you the blessing, but if you’re tired, I’ll go . . .

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

I give you the blessing, now. But let us all pray to Our Lady because Our Lady is the Mother of Jesus and also our Mother and She also helps us to get up again.

Hail Mary . . .

[Blessing]

Pope Francis:

And . . . how was the thing? When one falls, must he stay fallen? . . .

[They answer]

No!

Pope Francis:

Are you sure?

[They answer]

Yes!

Pope Francis:

And who will help us to get up again?

[They answer]

Jesus!

Pope Francis:

See, always courage! Look at Jesus and He will always help us. Courage. Pray for me and continue to play. Goodbye!

[Original text: Italian]  [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]

© Libreria Editrice Vatican

17th JUNE 2019 16:31

FRANCIS

[strongbeautifulfulloflight]

Fic authors self rec!

When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you’ve written, then pass on to at least five other writers…

Tagged by @gooddame and @lynyrdwrites. Thanks darlings!

1. Family Game Night - This fic was pure, unadulterated bull and the response to it took me by complete storm and surprise. I did NOT expect people to fall in love with this insanity so much and so fast! It reads how it sounds, the Originals having a game night every week. Because the Originals + competition just sounds like such a good idea. Dear lord what have I done?

2. Uncharted Territory - So this is a sequel to the first ever Klaroline fic I wrote (which was supposed to be a one-shot!) but it quickly became my baby. I got to write my favorite ship in my favorite place, NYC. I still maintain it’s the best fanfic I’ve written but others will fight me on that. 

3. Playing House - This originated as a roleplay thing I did with an ex-friend and I kind of rewrote it as a fic. It explores domesticated Kalijah where Elijah is a supernatural businessman and Katherine is pursuing modeling, but they are still very much their vampiric selves, 100% in character. It’s so much fun to write because I get to explore them in a way where it’s like they got their happily ever after and they’re almost living human lives. They’re also one of my most favorite ships with wasted potential.

4. A Game of Conscience - I fought myself a lot with this fic. Caroline falls in love with Klaus while she is still dating Tyler. They start as friends-with-benefits and that backfires. I had a lot of doubts while writing this, despite the constant praise heaped upon me for it. It wasn’t so much the moral dilemma of it all, rather the characterization because Klaus would never subject himself to being the mistress and Caroline woudn’t cheat. I guess I made it work. This fic is near and dear to me, however, because of my dearly beloved @tonkola who was so inspired by this fic that she wrote AND PUBLISHED her very own book! If ever I wanted my writing to mean something, Giulia certainly did it for me. <3

5. Tell Me Where It Hurts & Murder Buddies - I’m sharing #5 between my Koltherine and Carenzo side projects that I never get to give enough love. TMWIH is a Koltherine fic that is supposed to explore the deepest levels of sadism in Kol in the midst of a fling with Katherine that also involves some Kalijah angst. Meanwhile MB is a tale of humanity-less Caroline hitting the road with Enzo for some murderous, sexy and vengeful fun. They’ll hit up NOLA and maybe even Vegas if I can get around to updating it again. 

Tagging:  @austennerdita2533, @deathsweetqueen, @she-walked-away, @hummingbirds-and-champagne, @tonkola

[elisaminimeneghini]

FATE #RTT2020 Ep. 10 (last ep!)

In which we see the Carpiano international junior meet and the Bern Junior Euro competition from the italian juniors point of view. Interesting to know the behind the scenes of those moments, and the impact they had on these girls. Translation below the cut!

Sara Berardinelli: The week before leaving for Euros in Bern, Enrico (Casella) invited two Italian teams to take part in an international meet in Carpiano. The competing teams were Italy A, Italy B, Germany, and Great Britain. It was a very important meet in order to be called to compete at Euros. I did the best I could but unfortunately I had a fall on beam. Despite this mistake, I showed I was ready on the other 3 events to go and play my role at Bern Euros.

Martina Maggio: During this meet, in the Italy A team we made a lot of mistakes because we weren’t precise, but at Euros we made up for that.

Noemi Linari: About my performance, I especially remember my beam routine because it was the first time I did my new combo, roundoff-layout. I also did my new UB routine but I had a fall.

Elisa Iorio: Despite being the youngest, we managed to beat Italy A, and we were very happy.

Martina Maggio: At this meet I brought my DTY on VT and the triple twist on FX for the first time, and I ended up in third place AA.

Benedetta Ciammarughi: The day I found out I would represent Italy at the international meet I was super happy. The competition went well, except for some stupid mistakes I made! But I was happy with the result.

Asia D’Amato: It was the first time we wore the Italian team leotard. We were very happy but also very scared, and like Elisa said, we managed to beat Italy A and we were really satisfied. As for my personal performance, I brought the triple twist on floor but I fell on it.

Elisa Iorio: I remember my UB routine. In Jesolo I had had a fall, but this time I did it correctly and I got a very good score.

Giorgia Villa: I was very happy because I ended up in second place AA.

Noemi Linari: Do you guys remember the Carpiano banquet?

Martina Maggio: Before the competition, the staff of the Carpiano meet took us to this beautiful castle, where the people welcomed us with applauses. When we got there we were taken to a beautiful room and do you remember what we ate?

Giorgia Villa: We had a weird kind of risotto, with onions, apples, and artichokes. Before the risotto, they were serving a big buffet in another room.

Martina Maggio: For dessert, there were two kinds of cake: pie and chocolate cake.

Elisa Iorio: ...seriously?

Giorgia Villa: No! We ate the one with custard and strawberries! What are you talking about?? Chocolate??

Martina Maggio: Whatever, we DID eat cake!

TWO WEEKS LATER...

BERN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Noemi Linari: Two days before leaving for Bern Euros, Enrico revealed the team. Packing with all the other girls was really exciting because it was a new experience we would share together with the seniors, something we had never done before. And I was also happy that I would be meeting other gymnasts, older than me, that were my idols when I was a child.

Sara Berardinelli: Enrico didn’t really call us to say the names of the gymnasts who made the team.

Martina Maggio: But he called Caterina (Cereghetti) and Giulia (Bencini) to talk and when they came out they were crying, so that’s when we realized we were on the team.

Sara Berardinelli: At that moment I called my whole family to inform them and they were happy and I was over the moon.

Maria Vittoria Cocciolo: I had just got off bars, and Asia D’Amato came close to me and she said “are you happy about making the team?” and I didn’t know anything but I said “yeahhhh, thank you so much!”

Noemi Linari: During PT, we went up on bars and I had a fall on my turn in L grip, but everything else went pretty well team-wise. Then after PT we had a lighter training session.

Martina Maggio: On the day of the competition, we had breakfast and then we went to do some conditioning in the gym, just one hour to wake up the muscles, then we went back to the hotel. After lunch, we got ready because at 4 pm we had to go to the warm-up hall. We warmed up and each team had 7.5 mins to warm up. Then we went in the competition arena for touch warmup. On bars, first up was Martina Basile and she did a beautiful routine for which she got a high score.

Noemi Linari: In qualifications, bars didn’t go well for me because I fell twice. But I still managed to make AA final, so I was happy that I could try and do my best there.

Martina Maggio: Third up was Sara, who did a good routine and got a good score as well. And last I went up and messed up haha. I fell on my second release, the Ricna, but apart from that the rest was ok I guess. Then we moved on to beam where I didn’t compete because of my foot. But we did some good routines because falls aside they were very clean. On floor we got some low scores because we weren’t used to this podium and we were rebounding a lot. But then we did really well on VT instead. We did our saltos and they were very clean so we got high scores. We were hoping we could make top 3, but we had too many falls. And 4th place stings a bit, but since this was our first European championship we can say we are satisfied anyway.

Noemi Linari: We were happy but we were also a bit sad about what could have been.

Martina Basile: Because this was our first Euros, the placement we got was very good so I’m very happy.

Martina Maggio: Enrico decided not to have me do beam for my foot problems, but I made VT final and for now I’m in third place (this was filmed right after quals apparently). On VT I will do two saltos, the first will be a DTY, and the second will be the 1.5.

Maria Vittoria Cocciolo: ...are you sure?

Martina Maggio: Oops that’s not correct!!!

Martina Basile: I was super emotional because I didn’t expect I’d win medals. Not one, and most certainly not two!

Noemi Linari: Marco (Campodonico, coach) had told me to warm up for this FX final. I was in the small gym, but Enrico had told me that there was another Romanian gymnast who was first reserve before me, so to be honest I had lost hope of competing in this final. So I went among the audience to watch the award ceremony for VT and BB. And that’s when I found out that the Romanian girl who was supposed to compete on FX had got injured on beam! Marco came running to me and he was super mad, he took me by the arm and shouted “you were supposed to warm up in the small gym!”. So in 10 minutes I warmed up as best as I could and when I got on the competition floor I was super nervous! I ended up in 4th place, just one tenth away from 3rd, and I was happy but also a bit annoyed for what could have been. It was a really great experience!

Martina Maggio’s mom: When we arrived in Bern, after a couple of days of training, they told Martina that she couldn’t do all events. She called us crying because she couldn’t compete her beloved beam. We tried to make her understand that things just happen, and that you have to try and do your best in what you can do. She did qualifications and she made VT finals. And that’s when I remembered Martina’s first vault ever. She was such a tiny girl, a flea really, she goes for her first vault and instead of saluting the judges, she turns around and salutes the audience. Everyone started laughing, even her coach, and that’s when she decided that this was her sport and it was a full commitment.

Martina Maggio: Before VT finals I was very anxious because I knew that if I did my vaults correctly I could get high in the ranking. After my second vault I waited anxiously for the score and when I saw on the monitor that I had won, I was super happy. The first thing I did was hug Martina (Basile), because she medaled as well. And the second thing was looking at my granddad in the audience with the Italian flag that was jumping for joy, and my dad and all of my family being extremely happy. When the award ceremony began and we got in front of the podium, I told Martina to look up because our parents and teammates were holding flags and laughing because they were happy for us. Being on the podium with Martina was a big emotion because we were also roommates for 5 days, we told each other a lot of things and we understood each other. When I saw the flag go up, and I realized I was on the highest step of the podium it was beautiful, too big an emotion to be described with words. When I heard the anthem and I saw everyone standing up, it was one of the most beautiful and emotional moments of my life.

Martina Maggio’s mom: She knows we will always be there for her, in the good times and I can’t even say the bad ones, because there are no bad moments in this sport. But no matter what happens, she always only ever did what she wanted to.

[culinarietherapie]

Dining In Boston: Best Anti-Valentine’s Day List (That’s Not So Anti)

My friend Elena is a Northeastern student who’s working hard in the ways of internships and co-ops so she can brighten the world with her perspectives on everything from politics and journalism to transcendental meditation. We have awesome talks about life and the assignments she tackles for some of the pubs I manage, and over cocktails we nerd out over her food policy research papers and her favorite philosophers I’d swoon over, too, if I was at Wheaton again.

Elena asked me to weigh in when her BF wanted the perfect spot for their first Valentine’s Day in Boston. But only 2 years an East-coaster again after learning Las Vegas enough to cover it for a few years, I was actually a little nervous to be wrong!

Silly, right? I get like that. But thankfully, plenty of newcomers and some old standbys are still home-running it since my grad school and early food-writing years in New England. Yet whenever I’m asked where to eat on these High-Dining Holidays (V-Day, I’m lookin at you), I’m compelled to share what comes off as a Debbie Downer disclaimer:

Don’t do it. Seriously, Sweeties. Stay in. And not forever. Just for another week.

See, whether I’m out with my Unicorn valentine or a bestie galentine, restaurant food has to be at least as bomb as what I’d make at home. Because I’m not intrinsically good at much, but I’m a really good home cook and cocktalian and I require wowing. So whether it’s a Bon Me food truck, Anna’s Taqueria or supping at Giulia, I crave a memorable ingestible experience. And to me, on High-Dining Holidays, too much goes on in too small a space with too little time for me to chance a sub-par dinner on a precious night out with loved ones. Because none of us gets as many of those as we want.

So to my deep-thinking Ms. Elena and the lovahs of the world?—make the best dinner you can this week that’ll make your love’s heart sing OR get some take-away and use your valuable together time for more valuable valentiney things. Then next week, when you crave a night out and your love’s willing to make you smile because you’re just.that.awesome, hit one of these five places.

Best First Stop (Or Your Only Stop): Bar at Yvonne’s

2 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02116  617.267.0047  

Why? Cocktails. Say More: Yvonne’s drips with bygone sex appeal and the cocktails are like glassesful of poems...each more tangled with in-house ingredient descriptions than the next. I can only vouch for a few bar bites (the baked oysters are rich and flavorful but you’ll wish you had more), and some of my cheffy friends prefer drinking there and dining elsewhere. But if you must start a night with swank, nowhere does it better…and if you end up there, you’ll have plenty to imbibe. Plus, tenders chat you up kindly when you show genuine interest in their craft. Insider Intel: Into foodie porn? Follow @yvonnesboston on Insta. (#DistractingSorryNotSorry)

Best Chance for a Lady and the Tramp Moment:
 Grotto

37 Bowdoin St., Boston, MA 617-227-3434

Why? Authentic, artful, no-fuss Italian. Say More: For 25 years, Grotto has recreated the dinner scene from the cult foodie movie Big Night replete with timpano but sadly minus Stanley Tucci. Grotto’s big night is often in the spring (see what I mean about feigning 2/14 reservations?), and if that’s not reason enough to check out out Grotto, this Beacon Hill garden-level icon leans on its dark-and-cozy factor…along with Italian plates that might be more memorable than everyone’s fave noodle moment in cinema. (I mentioned Beacon Hill, right? Cozeeeee....) Insider Intel: I’ve always thought Boston’s a hard city to find a solid lunch spot that doesn’t feel like it’s only for suits, but you can lunch at Grotto Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. It also serves a $40 per person prix fixe, off-the-menu dinner each weeknight.

Best Place That’s Worth The Noise: 
Eastern Standard

528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215  617.532.9100

Why? Vibe, mon petit chou! Say More: If festive is your jam over quiet kissy corners, this sparkly, dark-walled-and-marbled bar/dining room is great for feeling abroad in your own city. Adjacent to Hotel Commonwealth, go for the Manhattans (good Lord) and the hottt minute you’ll feel like you’re in Paris. Insider Intel: To all beloved plant-based peeps…it’s a little light on the plants. But the pastas and other meatless treats are worth the nominal choice. #AndThenThereAreManhattans. Extra? Lunch here, too!

Non-Romantical AF But’ll Always Make The List: Myers+Chang

1145 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118

Why? Chinese not-so-small plates that taste nothing like your childhood take-out. Say More: Joanne Chang and hubs Chris Myers opened this years ago to serve Bostonians the kind of Chinese that Chang grew up with (though you’ll see Vietnamese, Thai and Taiwanese flavors mixed in). It’s not a classically romantical spot, but the vibe is rich and red in an almost Asian streetparty way. And if you and your luv get off on Asian street parties, the food and excitement might prime you two for awesome AF post-dinner play. Just don’t eat too much. (Bonus? Food’s served extra hot here—as in temp, not spice—which lately seems like a bygone art.) (#ObservationsOfAFoodNerd) Insider Intel: Behind the register, look up on the wall to the cookie jars on the shelves. They’re made at Chang’s iconic Flour bakery and cafe, and the recipe’s in Chang’s first book. If that cornmeal sandwich cookie with lime-zested filling is there, get two and don’t share. Extra? Lunch! Go. Now. (But not if you’re reading 2/14. Go tomorrow.)

Best Lounge For A Swoony-Croony Feel:
 Les Zygomates

129 South St., Boston, MA 02118  617.542.5108  

Why? Oozes sex (and who doesn’t want that?). Say More: Les Zygomates thrills on three levels: food, drink and ambience. It’s great for special occasions and those random nights when you just want to belly up to the bar in jeans like the local you are (you’ll probably wanna look nice here but it’s hardly a requirement). Not to miss are Beverage Manager Ashley Kompass’s creatively crafted drinks (and most recently, her house-roasted, corn-infused bourbon). Kompass just added three new drinks to her menu; the kitchen’s frittes are frittetastic—ask for double aioli—and on top of winning at why we go out to eat, anyway…it’s a jazz bar. A swell one. Insider Intel: Management, tenders and servers are truly invested in your comfort. Annnnnd...happens that Les Zygomates is running a V-day special all this week with a special wine dinner on 2/15 featuring Orin Swift wines (click here for the menu). So when you choose to stay in on 2/14, you can still hit up this place in style later.

Worth Your Outer-City Trek:
 Wood Hill Table

24 Commonwealth Ave., Concord, MA 01742 978.369.6300  

Why? True farm-to-table culinary. Say More: On a snowy January Saturday after a year of “we should really go,” Uni and I got a pre-10 p.m. reservation where we enjoyed a soup-to-nuts meal filled with farm-to-table goodness. (Wood Hill Table can even source the Bolognese’s meat because many ingredients come from co-owner Kristin Canty’s farm in NH…Wood Hill Farm. Coincidence? Mmmno.) The more rustic than luxe dining room feels like a glammy cabin. It’s the perfect place to enjoy oysters, craft cocktails and servers serious about their service. All the better with val/galentine who likes that stuff like you do. Insider Intel: While it’s a decidedly non-vegetarian restaurant, Wood Hill has plenty of appies and sides for the discerning plant-based palate.

[smoothshift]

I received my BMW 440i Gran Coupe via /r/cars

I received my BMW 440i Gran Coupe

Let’s rewind a bit and we’re a little over a year ago. I traded in my beloved Mazda 6 for a CX-5. My then pregnant wife wanted something more practical and riding slightly higher than her Mazda 3 Hatchback. I took on the Mazda 3 as my daily driver. 184hp, agile, reasonably economical, it’s a great car, except maybe for that plastic rattling sound at low RPM that came from the sunglasses compartment, even when empty.

It’s a great car but it didn’t made me turn back to have a last look at it after parking it. I wanted a car that would made me feel exactly that.

I like cars and I like playing with online configurators for cars that I’ll never buy. It’s always frustrating looking at dealership inventories as they never have the cars I designed online.

I had a few criteria for the next car.

I wanted it to look great of course, even if it’s subjective. I wanted a 6 six-cylinders as I never had one. I wanted something with four doors and enough room for the occasional carseat in the back and stroller in the trunk.

I wanted something practical that I could daily drive, and something not too long, under 185” perhaps. I wanted something in a nice shade of blue or black. My wife just didn’t want the car to look like a full on race car. And without any constraint on time, I was ready to make a customer order to get exactly the car I wanted, and it would be my very first custom order.

My first candidate was a Giulia Quadrifoglio in Blue Monte-Carlo. I could have a Ferrari V6! It looks drop dead gorgeous to me. Coming from my Mazda I found the interior very nice, save for some plastic pieces. I loved the paddle shifters. I hated the braking feel. I regretted the lack of a HUD. It also failed the wife test: it very much looks like a race car. I briefly considered a Giulia Ti Sport, but really wanted my first 6 cylinders. If Alfa had a 6 cylinders Ti, that might have been my choice. Oh and the salesperson were obnoxious, and when playing with numbers, their offer to trade in my Mazda was insultingly low, and they slipped in a couple of items that they thought would go unnoticed like VIN etching for a hundred million dollars. They’re everything I hate about purchasing a car.

I tried a Audi S5 Sportback. I absolutely loved the interior of the car. It was also fun to drive and I really enjoyed the tiny D shaped wheel. The cockpit with the digital instruments is impressive, even if it was weird to have the map rotate during turns right in my field of view. The front seats are beautiful, even from behind. I considered making a customer order for a 2019 S5 Sportback with the Black Optics package, but thinking about it I just didn’t fall in the love with the exterior, especially the front end. Looking at it and the hood, I just see a somewhat larger Ford Fusion. Oh and inexplicably, the paddle shifters in the S5 are plain terrible. They’re just a small piece of rugged plastic, and are at complete odds with the rest of the interior, also I didn’t like that there was no way to cover the bottle holes. Very minor details, again, I nearly went for the S5 Sportback. It was also a bit longer than I wanted, even if it meant more room in the trunk and for passengers.

I briefly considered a Model 3 Dual Motor with the performance option because it seems like a great car with a lot of cool tech, but quickly refocused on my 6 cylinders search. Also, neither the interior nor the exterior are working for me, which is strange because I like the Model S.

I considered waiting a bit for the new BMW Series 3, but back then it was unannounced, and it would have been a very long wait until I could order the M340i. You still can’t!

I tried a 440i Gran Coupe and it checked many of my boxes! It’s not a recent car, but ever since its release I found it very pretty. If I’m honest I wasn’t super impressed by the interior, it’s an older model compared to the S5 and it shows, even if it’s of course well ahead of my Mazda. That being said I absolutely loved the exterior. I loved the handling and the engine. I liked its size and how different the comfort and sport mode feel like.

In the end I ordered a 440i xDrive Gran Coupe with the M Sport trim. I chose a Carbon Black exterior which is just gorgeous, especially under the sun. I chose the black interior with blue stitching, and picked the track package. Let’s be honest, I’m not sure this car is ever going to see a race track, but the blue brake calipers are matching nicely the exterior and interior. And well, it brakes really well. I’ve also added the M Power and Sound Kit, which adds a bit of torque and whole lot of growls in Sport mode, while keeping relatively quiet in Comfort.

I took delivery of the car in early November after putting the order at the end of August. All in all, eleven weeks from order to delivery, which isn’t bad at all but felt very long, especially the boat part, even if it was fun to track it around the world!

I know I’m lucky I’m able to afford this, even if it’s the result of a lot of work. I’ve had it for a couple weeks now, and it puts a smile to my face every time I drive it. And yes, each time I left the car so far I had a last quick look at it and was like, damn, I can’t believe that’s my car!

https://imgur.com/gallery/qgw2ZTc

[howardlyontx]

RIP Chevy SS – the Car Truth Report – Car Comedy / Commentary / News etc.

On this episode of The Car Truth Report we look back on a dear departed friend; the ChevroletSS. I’m your host Noor Elahi, thank you for joining us. Fans of rear wheel drive sedans and three pedal enthusiasts alike felt a personal lossrecently as GM discontinued Australian Holden production and by extension the much belovedbut little purchased Chevy SS. The first point we at the Report would like to make is that a rear-wheel drive familysedan with a V8 and stick feels like the most American thing since Budweiser and pork rinds. That kind of flows with the Chevrolet SS – an unapologetically Australian car. After all, Budweiser is now owned by the Belgians, and pork rinds are far more popular in Mexico. Here’s a quick history lesson about the lineage of the Chevrolet SS to help thoseof you who weren’t aware of why these cars are so beloved.  The true Grandfather of the current Chevy SS is a car called the BMW E39 M5, one ofthe most adored things to come out of Germany since the Dachshund.  The Holden Commodore was designed with the M5 as a benchmark, much like how Cadillacused the BMW 3 series to benchmark their new CTS and ATS lines. At this point it was still just a beautiful German-Australian affair. That was until America got in on the love with the G8 shortly before GM was forced tokill off   Pontiac. So we had to wait until 2014, when Chevrolet released their new SS, which was a bit confusingto some, because chevrolet uses SS on like 50 of their other cars to designate the performancemodel. It should be also be noted that when the G8 came out in 2008 it had a sticker price ofabout $30,000 for a V8 model, and when the Chevrolet SS was released it cost north of$48,000. In much the same way the Chevy SS was campaigned heavily in NASCAR, the Holden Commodore featuresprominently in Australia’s version of stock car racing, the V8 Supercar Series. There are a few differences in the series notably, the Aussies keep their stock carsmuch more stock than we do and race on tracks that go up, down, and right as opposed toour unbelievably fast ovals. Here is America’s favorite racing uncle, Daryl Waltrip noting some of the differenceshere:Yup, that man used to routinely go 190 mph inches from the wall at Talladega. This was the crucible from which the Holden Commodore and by extension Chevy SS was cast. So how did a German, American, Australian three-way {Skyline chili slide} leave us somehowunsatisfied?The truth about the Chevrolet SS is that racing cred alone isn’t enough to turn a blue-singlettedbogan into an All-American heartthrob. You see, the Australian version of the LS is called the LT and it has a few noteworthydifferences from its American cousin; the most important of which cylinder deactivation,and the different product codes that make getting parts for it at your local NAPA anexercise in frustration. There is also the small matter of styling. You see, the SS was always meant to be a sleeper. This is one of the few places GM excelled in realizing its goals with the departed Chevymuscle car. They did such a good job, that looking at the car for too long is guaranteed to putyou to sleep, or make you think it is a rental fleet Malibu. Despite the exterior refresh, the SS still had arguably the least exciting styling inthe entire General Motors lineup. Many think the Malibu and Impala look better and that literally hurts my cartoon mouthto say. Couple that with SS’ starting price above $48,000 ensured that it was never to be longfor this world. Despite the Chevy SS’s pitfalls, it still begs the question of whether or not Americansactually want rear wheel drive cars anymore. Matthew McConaughey doesn’t think so, but nobody’s asking him or Lincoln. The Europeans certainly do however. BMW and Mercedes continue to kick domestic backside with their longitudinal engine entries. FCA’s Alfa Romeo Giulia is universally lauded and even comes with three pedals overseas. Heck, even Cadillac is turning it’s back on front wheel drive sedans. So how could the SS and by extension the mid-price stick shift family car have been saved?Well, it wouldn’t have been easy. You see Australia royally botched their automotive industry. When the decision was made by GM to discontinue Holden production in Oz, the average linemanwas bringing home 80 thousand dollaroos per year. {graphic or 50,000 Fosters} The cars were expensive even in Australia, and the addedcost of transport and homologation to American DOT regulations meant the price would onlyever get so low. GM of course knew this. That’s why you didn’t see any clever Chevrolet SS commercials during the Superbowl. Heck, I can’t remember ever seeing a single ad for the car on TV. It was like Mary Barra knew GM had to shed the dead weight of homegrown Holden productionand did everything thing in their power to let the Australian auto industry die on thevine. So there you have it. A lack of advertising, high sticker price, overly reserved styling, and a rarity of partsall swirled together to make for a perfect storm that was always going to sink the greatwhite hope of 4 door tiresmoke. Will we ever see another unicorn like the Chevy SS again?Sadly, the Report doesn’t think it’s very likely. I suppose all we can do is get back in our front wheel drive econoboxes and try our bestto move along. Before we go, we at the Car Truth Report would like you remind you that we are giving awaythis awesome leather jacket once we reach one thousand subscribers. You can get it with or without our totally rad CTR logo. If you choose to get the jacket without our logo, it will hurt our feelings just a littlebit. The winner will be chosen from the comments and you must be a subscriber to win. Thank you so much for joining us for the fifth episode of The Car Truth Report. We want to hear from you!Will there be another rear wheel drive stick shift family sedan sold in the American market?Why didn’t GM sell the UTE in the states?Does Daryl Waltrip get nightmares from that lap around Mount Panorama?Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to like, subscribe, hit the notify bell andsend us money so I can afford to put gas into my rear wheel drive, American stick shiftsedan for one last time. The Car Truth Report has been brought to you by about five beers. Giving me a little more courage since 1997.

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RIP Chevy SS – the Car Truth Report – Car Comedy / Commentary / News etc.

On this episode of The Car Truth Report we look back on a dear departed friend; the ChevroletSS. I’m your host Noor Elahi, thank you for joining us. Fans of rear wheel drive sedans and three pedal enthusiasts alike felt a personal lossrecently as GM discontinued Australian Holden production and by extension the much belovedbut little purchased Chevy SS. The first point we at the Report would like to make is that a rear-wheel drive familysedan with a V8 and stick feels like the most American thing since Budweiser and pork rinds. That kind of flows with the Chevrolet SS – an unapologetically Australian car. After all, Budweiser is now owned by the Belgians, and pork rinds are far more popular in Mexico. Here’s a quick history lesson about the lineage of the Chevrolet SS to help thoseof you who weren’t aware of why these cars are so beloved.  The true Grandfather of the current Chevy SS is a car called the BMW E39 M5, one ofthe most adored things to come out of Germany since the Dachshund.  The Holden Commodore was designed with the M5 as a benchmark, much like how Cadillacused the BMW 3 series to benchmark their new CTS and ATS lines. At this point it was still just a beautiful German-Australian affair. That was until America got in on the love with the G8 shortly before GM was forced tokill off   Pontiac. So we had to wait until 2014, when Chevrolet released their new SS, which was a bit confusingto some, because chevrolet uses SS on like 50 of their other cars to designate the performancemodel. It should be also be noted that when the G8 came out in 2008 it had a sticker price ofabout $30,000 for a V8 model, and when the Chevrolet SS was released it cost north of$48,000. In much the same way the Chevy SS was campaigned heavily in NASCAR, the Holden Commodore featuresprominently in Australia’s version of stock car racing, the V8 Supercar Series. There are a few differences in the series notably, the Aussies keep their stock carsmuch more stock than we do and race on tracks that go up, down, and right as opposed toour unbelievably fast ovals. Here is America’s favorite racing uncle, Daryl Waltrip noting some of the differenceshere:Yup, that man used to routinely go 190 mph inches from the wall at Talladega. This was the crucible from which the Holden Commodore and by extension Chevy SS was cast. So how did a German, American, Australian three-way {Skyline chili slide} leave us somehowunsatisfied?The truth about the Chevrolet SS is that racing cred alone isn’t enough to turn a blue-singlettedbogan into an All-American heartthrob. You see, the Australian version of the LS is called the LT and it has a few noteworthydifferences from its American cousin; the most important of which cylinder deactivation,and the different product codes that make getting parts for it at your local NAPA anexercise in frustration. There is also the small matter of styling. You see, the SS was always meant to be a sleeper. This is one of the few places GM excelled in realizing its goals with the departed Chevymuscle car. They did such a good job, that looking at the car for too long is guaranteed to putyou to sleep, or make you think it is a rental fleet Malibu. Despite the exterior refresh, the SS still had arguably the least exciting styling inthe entire General Motors lineup. Many think the Malibu and Impala look better and that literally hurts my cartoon mouthto say. Couple that with SS’ starting price above $48,000 ensured that it was never to be longfor this world. Despite the Chevy SS’s pitfalls, it still begs the question of whether or not Americansactually want rear wheel drive cars anymore. Matthew McConaughey doesn’t think so, but nobody’s asking him or Lincoln. The Europeans certainly do however. BMW and Mercedes continue to kick domestic backside with their longitudinal engine entries. FCA’s Alfa Romeo Giulia is universally lauded and even comes with three pedals overseas. Heck, even Cadillac is turning it’s back on front wheel drive sedans. So how could the SS and by extension the mid-price stick shift family car have been saved?Well, it wouldn’t have been easy. You see Australia royally botched their automotive industry. When the decision was made by GM to discontinue Holden production in Oz, the average linemanwas bringing home 80 thousand dollaroos per year. {graphic or 50,000 Fosters} The cars were expensive even in Australia, and the addedcost of transport and homologation to American DOT regulations meant the price would onlyever get so low. GM of course knew this. That’s why you didn’t see any clever Chevrolet SS commercials during the Superbowl. Heck, I can’t remember ever seeing a single ad for the car on TV. It was like Mary Barra knew GM had to shed the dead weight of homegrown Holden productionand did everything thing in their power to let the Australian auto industry die on thevine. So there you have it. A lack of advertising, high sticker price, overly reserved styling, and a rarity of partsall swirled together to make for a perfect storm that was always going to sink the greatwhite hope of 4 door tiresmoke. Will we ever see another unicorn like the Chevy SS again?Sadly, the Report doesn’t think it’s very likely. I suppose all we can do is get back in our front wheel drive econoboxes and try our bestto move along. Before we go, we at the Car Truth Report would like you remind you that we are giving awaythis awesome leather jacket once we reach one thousand subscribers. You can get it with or without our totally rad CTR logo. If you choose to get the jacket without our logo, it will hurt our feelings just a littlebit. The winner will be chosen from the comments and you must be a subscriber to win. Thank you so much for joining us for the fifth episode of The Car Truth Report. We want to hear from you!Will there be another rear wheel drive stick shift family sedan sold in the American market?Why didn’t GM sell the UTE in the states?Does Daryl Waltrip get nightmares from that lap around Mount Panorama?Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to like, subscribe, hit the notify bell andsend us money so I can afford to put gas into my rear wheel drive, American stick shiftsedan for one last time. The Car Truth Report has been brought to you by about five beers. Giving me a little more courage since 1997.

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