#not making fun here - it really must be pretty joyful and that every film is a big global celebration of your fav stuff

[novelistparty]

I've been bored of Marvel since the beginning.

All I could say about the first Avengers film was "that was too much movie" and "now I have a headache".

I do not understand the characters. I am not drawn to them.

With the massive budgets there ought to be a lot of world-class sci-fi but somehow there isn't. The settings are so big and so overproduced and so forgettable, visually and thematically.

The character development is "I have reasons to be mad and I am mad and I'm here to fight".

I could go on and on and on but I am stopping here to remember that the entire business proposition of Marvel is "BIG FILM for teenage boys" and then they know by market research that everyone else will probably go see it too.

[cheri-translates]

[CN] Deep Longing Date (Eng Translation)

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 心驰之约, which has not been released in English servers! 🍒

More from this collection: Kiro l Victor

[ Released in CN on 24 Dec 2020 ]

The plane is currently flying steadily. I’m entirely focused on the iPad I’m holding, until the end credits of the film gradually appear.

MC: Sigh... I still find it very sweet and warm!

Finally re-watching this Northern European Christmas movie with Gavin, I’m perfectly content, rubbing his arm. 

The fragrance of fresh laundry still lingers on the thick woollen sweater, blending with a familiar cool and refreshing scent. 

Gavin removes his earpiece, tousling my hair. 

Gavin: No wonder you like it that much. The movie is very good.

MC: Of course! It’s precisely because of this movie that I thought of spending Christmas in Northern Europe. 

Pure white snow, burning firewood, colourful lights entwining everywhere, decorated Christmas trees, and streets brimming with a joyous atmosphere... 

MC: I hope it’s really as interesting as in the movie. 

Gavin: It will. 

Gavin looks at me and the anticipation written in my eyes, his expression tender as he keeps the iPad.

“Ladies and gentleman, the plane is about to make its landing at the airport...”

We immediately straighten up, pulling the window shade up--

From high above the ground, a silvery white city embellished with a riot of fairytale-like colours enters our line of sight. 

The homeland of the legendary Santa Claus is quietly awaiting us. 

-

By the time we complete the check-in process, it’s already dusk, and the streetlights are gradually illuminated.

MC: Is the countdown event in the plaza happening at midnight?

Before coming here, I came across a local Christmas custom. Here, the most famous Christmas event is the countdown in the plaza at midnight on Christmas Eve. 

Gavin: Mm, it’s still early. 

MC: Why don’t we take a walk along the street first? It’s Christmas Eve, so there’s definitely lots of good fun and interesting things to see!

A hint of a smile appears on Gavin’s lips, as though he’s long since guessed that I’d say this. 

Gavin: Looks like it was the right decision to make a booking at this hotel. I did some research beforehand - the liveliest local shopping street is nearby. It shouldn’t be far. 

In the midst of our conversation, we’ve already pushed open the doors to the hotel lobby.

The fluttering snowflakes float around like cotton, landing softly on the snow-covered ground and the sharp roof of the lighthouse opposite.

MC: So beautiful...

Gavin and I are standing side by side, our breaths releasing puffs of white mist.

Gavin: The winter here is much colder than in Loveland City. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen such heavy snow.

Under the eaves, yellow halos from the streetlight fall into Gavin’s amber pupils, revealing an even warmer light. 

Sensing my gaze, Gavin turns his head to the side. The light and shadows outline the handsome bridge of Gavin’s straight nose. 

He chuckles softly, taking my hand.

Gavin: Let’s go.

-

Hearing the rustling of the cold breeze at my ear, and the crunching of snow underneath my feet, a wave of excitement suddenly overflows from my heart. I can’t help but break into a jog. 

Gavin: You’re that happy?

Tugging on Gavin’s hand, I nod in high spirits.

After turning at a corner, street vendors enter our line of sight from not afar off.

Tiny flickering lights intertwine in the air, hanging in front of the small stalls like waterfalls of flowing light, painting the entire street with a riot of colours.

Joyful songs drift in the night air of the city. In the midst of the bustling crowd, every face is brimming with relaxed and unrestrained smiles. 

A movie-like scene unfolds before my eyes, and I feel myself becoming more light-hearted. 

As though he can sense my fascination and elation, Gavin tightens his grip, his gaze lingering on my eager expression, his eyes glistening with a warm light. 

Gavin: Where do you want to go first?

The fragrance of all sorts of food diffuses in the air. Taking a deep breath, I feel the gluttonous worms in my belly stirring. 

Gavin: Shall we try the gingerbread cookies first? I heard the gingerbread cookies here are very famous. 

I didn’t expect Gavin’s suggestion to be exactly what I was thinking. A little excited, I nod several times. 

MC: We could have gingerbread cookies first, then Christmas cake, then drink the distinctive and warm red wine.... Oh yes, I heard there’s even a medieval merry-go-round that we could ride for free.

I count on my fingers, as though listing down family treasures. Suddenly a low chuckle drifts to my ears. 

The moment I turn my head, Gavin’s smiling eyes directly enter my heart, and an unnatural warmth subconsciously blooms on my face. 

MC: Don’t laugh at me. We’re already here, so we must definitely experience everything...

Gavin takes a step closer, helping me brush stray hairs messed up by the wind. A smile remains on his lips.  

Gavin: You’re right. We must do all of these things. You might have been too busy recently, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen you looking so relaxed. It’s pretty nice.

While he speaks, he takes my hand and places it into the pocket of his coat naturally.

Gavin: The pace of life here is very slow. Today, we can take our time. We’ll complete everything you wish to experience slowly.

-

The nearest stall happens to be selling gingerbread cookies fresh from the oven. With an enthusiastic greeting from the owner, I purchase a bag of gingerbread cookies. 

MC: These gingerbread cookies have been made so delicately... 

From the bag, I take out a gingerbread cookie with a snowflake design. Bringing it to my nose, I give it a whiff. Then, I’m filled with anticipation as I take a bite -- It’s fragrant and crispy, and as delicious as expected.

While walking, I hand the bag to Gavin.

MC: Gavin, pick a piece too?

Gavin very quickly takes out a colourful Christmas elf gingerbread cookie.

Gavin: This one. It has a different design, so we can try different flavours.

MC: Sure! I didn’t think you’d actually pick such an adorable design.

Gavin lowers his head to look at the gingerbread cookie elf, then releases an incredibly soft laugh.

Gavin: It could be because... it’s smiling very happily. 

Gavin: Just like you.

Although cold wind blows past by cheeks, I seem to feel a warm sensation instead. Beaming with a smile, I bring the snowflake gingerbread cookie to Gavin’s lips.

MC: Here. You said we’d try different flavours, right? 

He bends down slightly, giving it a bite straight from my hand. Under the illumination of the streetlights, snowflakes land gently on Gavin’s hair.

Gavin: It has a very special taste, and also has the fragrance of ginger. 

While he speaks, I feel the warmth from his lips on my fingertips, enriching the lights and the night scene. 

I can’t help but sigh with emotion--

This seems to be the festival ambience I’ve wanted most.

At this moment, the bell from the plaza chimes from far away. I immediately check the time - it’s almost time to take action!

MC: Cough cough...

I clear my throat. Gavin halts in his footsteps, slightly puzzled. 

Gavin: What’s wrong?

MC: Mm... it’s like this. We’ve already had good food and seen interesting things. So after this--

I deliberately pause. Looking at the crowded street market, a hint of contemplation flashes across the pair of amber eyes which are close enough to touch.

Gavin: Cough. I’ve prepared a gift for you. But you’ll have to wait for a while longer.

MC: ...eh? 

Seeing that Gavin has misunderstood, you can’t help but snort with laughter.

MC: Actually, what I wanted to say was that it’s time for you to receive a surprise!

Gavin’s eyes widen slightly for a second. Then, the corners of his lips bring with them warmth and happiness.

Gavin: Do I need to do anything? 

I hurriedly scan my surroundings. The “prop” that I prepared earlier is already nearby. As such, I blink slyly. 

MC: All you have to do is turn around and wait for me patiently.

Readily following my instructions, Gavin smiles and turns around. 

Just as I take two steps away from Gavin, I whip my head around in unease, plopping myself onto his back and peeping out at him.

MC: I’ll say it first. You must definitely not sneak a peek!

Gavin: Okay. 

MC: And you must wait for me to say that you can turn around before you do so.

Gavin doesn’t respond immediately. He suddenly turns his head, reaching out to tousle my head gently as it rests on his shoulder. 

Gavin: Don’t worry, take your time. I won’t sneak a peek. I can wait for as long as needed for a surprise. I’ll wait for you.

After confirming that Gavin is standing in place, I jog over to the side of the street. The young person who I’d contacted in advance is already waiting not afar off. Behind him is a small and adorable reindeer sleigh.

It’s the first time I’m seeing a reindeer sleigh, and I excitedly bend down to touch the docile reindeer, greeting it softly.

MC: You've worked hard!

With the assistance of the reindeer’s owner, I take the reindeer sleigh and the present, rushing back in a fluster. Everything is ready--

“Cling cling cling”!

Leaning next to the sleigh, I shake the bell on it, then shout loudly towards the tall and straight figure in front.

MC: Gavin, surprise!

Gavin turns around slowly. When he sees the reindeer, his eyes widen in surprise. 

In the next second, an unrestrained smile is on full display. Even his eyes are coated with surprise and a glowing expression.

Satisfied, I use one hand to smoothen the red Santa hat on my head, and use the other hand to support myself lightly on the sleigh. 

MC: The reindeer says that Christmas is here, and it has sent me to give you a present!

I retrieve a red coloured scarf from the sleigh, and show it off as though I'm presenting a valuable treasure. 

MC: Even though it doesn’t look special at first glance, but...

I point at the picture of a golden coloured ginkgo leaf in a corner.

MC: I personally stitched this on needle by needle!

Gavin takes two steps towards me, petting the reindeer.

The colourful lights happen to fall on Gavin’s face. I can clearly see the happiness gradually glowing in his eyes.

He lowers his head, the warm colour of his eyes full of unbridled light. 

Gavin: In that case, could you also personally put it on for me?

Stand on my tiptoes, I wrap the scarf around his neck seriously, and can’t help but admire it. 

MC: My taste is pretty good!

I chuckle playfully. Just as I prepare to step backwards, Gavin grabs my hand. 

Instinctively tilting my head upwards, what fills my vision is a face brimming with happiness and delight. 

Gavin: Thank you. I really like this surprise. Not just because of this scarf. 

While Gavin speaks, his fingers lace with mine, entwining them tightly. The coldness of the winter wind seems to melt into warmth because of the closeness of his breath. 

Gavin: I think the reindeer brought the wrong message. 

He stares fixedly at me, his clear eyes akin to the nicest colours in the snow.

Gavin: What I truly want has only been one thing from beginning to the end. Santa Claus likely heard my heartfelt wish. That’s why he sent the reindeer to bring you to my side. 

Heavy snow drifts in the air, and the coloured lights flicker radiantly across the entire street market. But all the radiance can’t compare to Gavin’s smile before me. 

Gavin: As for the surprise belonging to you... Look forward to it for a little longer, okay?

-

No matter whether I employ hard or soft tactics, Gavin refuses to disclose a single thing regarding the gift. He simply smiles and tells me to wait for a while longer.

Time passes by without us realising it, and the night has already set in. Gavin and I begin heading towards the plaza. 

Along the way, I realise that quite a number of people are chatting excitedly about a “big screen”.

Although I’m aware that there would be a countdown event later, what’s this “big screen”?

As though seeing through my confusion, Gavin explains.

Gavin: The “big screen” they’re referring to should be the one in the plaza. The reason why the countdown event in the plaza is famous is because of the Christmas tree in the middle. It was originally a tree which was already growing in the plaza. Not only that - the tree is over nine hundred years old.

MC: How do you know about this so clearly?

Gavin: ...cough. I did a little research before we came.

A certain warmth and sense of contentment overflows from my heart. Quietly, I tighten my grip on Gavin’s hand. 

MC: Looks like the tree carries the weight of a very ancient history.

Gavin: To the locals, this ancient Christmas tree is akin to the blessings of Santa Claus. Whenever Christmas arrives, people will decorate it diligently, and install a bell switch on its trunk. If you press the switch on the midnight of Christmas Eve, it not only heralds the arrival of Christmas, but also represents that the person who pressed it has received the greatest blessings. This is why everyone wishes to be that lucky person. 

MC: ...I’ve got it! In order to be the lucky person... you’d have to be the person selected on the big screen in the plaza, right?

Gavin: That’s right.

MC: There’s only one chance in the entire year. No wonder everyone’s looking forward it. 

In the midst of our conversation, we arrive at the plaza which resembles an ocean of joy, and I also witness the unique Christmas tree--

At a glance, one can’t seem to see the tip of the tall and towering Christmas tree. The sparkling and flickering star at the top is reminiscent of a brilliant light from high in the sky.

Vivid and adorable decorations and ribbons are strung in layers, filling the entire tree, giving off an especially warm appearance. 

MC: It’s the first time I’m seeing such a tall Christmas tree. It’s so stunning.

Hearing my involuntary gasp of admiration, Gavin’s lips curl slightly.

Gavin: Want to sit for a while at the stall over there?

Perhaps noticing that my cheeks have taken on a reddish hue from the wind, he reaches out to tighten my collar, embracing me gently.

I shake my head repeatedly.

MC: It’s a rare trip. I want to wait for midnight with everyone. There’s also a performance beforehand - it’s so lively.

The crowd gradually grows in size, and the liquid crystal numbers on the big screen start flipping with every second--

In just a few minutes, it’d be midnight. 

Happy and expectant faces appear on the big screen, and everybody waves their hands excitedly and exclaims.

Likely influenced by the surrounding atmosphere, a wave of hope rises in my heart. I whisper quietly to Gavin.

MC: Gavin... do you think we’d be that lucky?

Gavin returns my gaze, a slight yet confident smile on his lips. 

Gavin: As long as you believe it, we definitely will. 

Right after the words leave his lips, the image on the big screen happens to display our side profiles. 

My heart is immediately lifted--

The image pauses for a few seconds, then deviates slightly, finally focusing on Gavin and I!

Staring at my somewhat silly and stunned self on the big screen, I can’t believe this at all.

MC: Gavin, we...

Gavin: Mm, it’s us.

The night breeze tangles with the ends of his hair, blowing off some light snowflakes, and making the smile on his face even more evident.

He reaches out, holding me securely.

Gavin: Let’s go.

Amidst their cheering, the crowd automatically parts to both sides, paving a small path. Gavin leads me step-by-step towards the Christmas tree while I’m still feeling slightly giddy.

When I see the ceremoniously decorated Christmas tree before me, I finally return to my senses. 

Looking into the eyes which contain a smile and are so close to me, I can’t help but reach out to hug Gavin, my face full of excitement. 

Accompanied with a soft chuckle, Gavin encircles me with the scarf. His unique scent burrows into my nose.

I hold onto him, nuzzling myself into his arms. Crinkling my eyes into a smile, I lift my head to look at him.

MC: Gavin, I feel so happy today... It’s like a fairytale which hasn’t been thought of before.

Gavin tightens his grip on me, and light undulates in the amber eyes staring at me.

Gavin: Looks like the mission of letting you experience a different Christmas has been completed pretty well?

MC: Not just “pretty well”! We’re basically extraordinarily lucky today!

Gavin: In that case, I’m a little luckier than you.

MC: Why? 

Gavin: Because the lucky you belongs to me. 

Gavin lowers his head slightly, his lips bringing with them a gentle smile, his eyes filled with seriousness. 

He doesn’t seem to realise just how much the words he said can cause one to turn red in the face.

I open my mouth, wanting to cover the chaotic leaping of my heart. Before the words can come out, I once again feel Gavin’s warm breaths on my forehead.

Gavin: MC, this “biggest blessing” belongs to you. In the year ahead, you’ll have the most blessings. I wish that every day of yours will be happy and blessed. This is my Christmas gift.

My heart surges with emotions. Just as I’m about to say something, I realise something from his words--

Thinking about the surprise gift he mentioned earlier, and the confident tone he used when the big screen was sweeping across, could it be...

My eyes instantly widen.

MC: Gavin, did you...

Before I can finish, the crowd in the plaza begin the countdown, their joyous voices covering my soft exclamation.

Even so, I’ve more or less confirmed the guess in my heart. 

Ba dump. Ba dump. It’s as though I can clearly hear the violent yet excited beating of my heart.

Gavin seems to be in a great mood. The corners of his lips arch upwards, and he pulls me towards the switch on the Christmas tree. 

The countdown from the crowd happens to be reaching its end -- “Three, two, one!”

A second after our gentle push, a gigantic firework scuttles into the sky and blooms. Light-hearted music starts playing, loud and clear.

Beneath the tree, Gavin and I continue keeping our eyes fixed on each other, concealed by the branches. 

Gavin lowers his head, his eyelashes trembling, his clear eyes reflecting my focused yet sparkling eyes.

His fingers glide down my cheek gently, leaving behind a warmth I yearn for.

Gavin: What were you going to say earlier? 

I tilt my head, looking at him quietly.  

After hearing my wish of spending Christmas in Northern Europe, the person before me had started planning this trip, and had given me such a great blessing...

As compared to being selected by the big screen, the person before me is the blessing that I wish to have most. 

I encircle my arms around his neck, shaking my head with a smile. 

MC: Gavin, Merry Christmas!

Gavin: Merry Christmas, MC. 

Without realising it, I tug on his collar tightly, pressing myself to the side of his face. In an instant, all I sense is my heart being filled to the brim.

I can’t see the crowd in the surroundings, can’t see the mottled lights, nor the drifting snowflakes. 

All I can see is this smiling face whose breathing melds with mine. 

At this moment of undulating longing, I wish to convey all the brimming and surging emotions to him. I wish for this familiar scent to more completely encase itself around me--

Encircling Gavin tightly, I stand on my tiptoes, gently closing the distance between us...

-

Phone call: here

Texts: here

[josy72]

Back to One, Episode 95: Portrait of a Lady on Fire Special Episode

Peter Rinaldi

This is a very special episode of Back To One. Last year, in September, I sat down with the stars of Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel, and their director, Céline Sciamma. On this show, I only sit down with one actor every week, so for me to sit with two actors and their director from the same film, it must be very special. And it is a very special film. For me, it is the purest example, in recent memory, of a perfect synthesis of direction and performance. The exemplary work of these three women combined to create an extremely rare cinematic event. As illustrated by the first thing I say to them in this conversation, I might be a little obsessed.

(What follows is an unedited transcript of the conversation contained in this podcast.)

Filmmaker: I am happy that this film will not be nominated for an Oscar, because it will soil it. And I’m happy that it didn’t win the Palme d’Or because that’s beneath it.

I can talk for an hour, to you Céline, about different layers of it that I appreciate, the use and non-use of music, the playing with my anticipation of certain cinematic endeavors going on in the film, the idea of it happening post “me too,” and how, me as a man, as a straight man, If I saw this before “me too,” I would have maybe appreciated it in a different way, now it all works in and it’s something very very special.

But, because this is an acting podcast, we have to kind of keep it about performance.

Noémie, you talked about how you didn’t meet Adèle before the production began, right? And all of that work was done on camera, in the present moment. But I was wondering if that was something you were worried about, you know? How did you trust Sciamma that these things would happen on camera?

Merlant: Actually, I met Adèle before, at the audition. She was there. So I had the chance to try something with her and Sciamma at this audition, and so this convert[ed] me. I trust her. I trust them because I felt at this audition that the way Sciamma wants to work and Adèle wants to work, it is an equality collaboration. We’re all collaborators and we’re gonna…everything is in the script, like the looks and the breathing, all the words, the text is in the script, but we still have a space to play. And Adèle was there at the audition and she was, you know, just really excited, and she was, I don’t know, already proposing things, and I knew that something would work because we’re all in the same level and point. We want the same. We want to work. We want to play. We want to make fun and we want to do something good. And even if we have restraint, we want to get out of our comfort zone, and that’s the point.

So when we started to shoot the movie, we didn’t rehearse together, but we started at the same point we were at in the audition, just “ok, now we are in the present. we have restraint from the text, you know, the script, but now let’s play.” And sometimes Adèle was looking at me, I knew that she would look at me, but I don’t know how she would look at me, for example, so it was a new way every time. It was a new proposition. And so I was responding differently, and the opposite, all the time it was like that. So we built this relation of love and collaborators—Adèle, Sciamma and me, as in the movie—Marianne and Héloïse. It was a parallel.

Filmmaker: Yes, and I felt that really strongly the second time I watched it. This is a movie that rewards multiple viewings to understand this.

Adèle, you talked about this “traveling” from object to subject. And you talk about three different…parts. That’s not the right word.

Haenel: No. It’s right.

Sciamma; Steps?

Filmmaker: Steps, yeah. First of all, tell me how much Sciamma was in collaboration with you on that idea. Because this is kind of like a radical performance idea, in a way.

Haenel: Well, she was not aware of it.

Sciamma: No.

Filmmaker: That’s amazing.

Sciamma: I discovered it in promo.

(Laughter)

Haenel: But to me it was very clear, if she like…I had like, I don’t know, like all the scenes, you know, like resume [list] of all the scenes, I had it on my glass Mac, you know? So, I just knew, I had the three portions, because we don’t shoot in continuity, so I just had to say like, “Ok, now we are here.” So, it’s three parts. The first part, I call it the “Japanese Part”, because I, even if it’s a bit cliché, but I wanted to use, to do it like when I think about Noh, the theater Noh, even if it’s a clichè, it’s not exactly that, but it’s the way I think about it. You use your face as a mask. You use your face as if you were not there, or just behind something. So, this was the first phase. And then after there’s the, I call it dégel.

Sciamma: Unfrozen

Filmmaker: Oh yeah, you said it like a ”crack.”

Haenel: Yeah, crackle. So, it’s just when you start to have the intimacy that comes, then you start to crackle, so it’s kind of this transition phase. And the last one is the warmest phase, so when I talk about that I say it’s more spontaneous, it’s more intense, more joyful, more everything actually. It’s more life. So this was the plan. And at the beginning, I thought about this idea because I wanted to create this impression of an inside… (when I say “traveling” it’s the word in France which is the movement of the camera on the rail, you know?)

Filmmaker: Like a dolly?

Haenel: Dolly, yes this is the word I’m looking for. So it’s like a dolly movement, but through acting. This is what I was trying to do. So it’s a bit like an idea. And because the movie was about gazes, so I thought my character is not a character that is based on a psychological unity with its own history, blah blah blah, the past, future, I don’t care about that. I don’t build my character this way usually, but for this one, like, absolutely not. I wanted to create a character that would be not its own psychological unity, but an object seen through the eyes of somebody else, which would be, like, Maryanne.

So I try to have this movement inside, through acting, that would be this way, I was talking about Picasso because, he’s not the only one who did that, but even the Egyptian, he put like sometimes the face and the foot are not possible to be on the same level but it’s still the way he sees. Because art is also about what you see, the relationship you make, through element in life, you know you create the representation because you put in connection stuff that are, like, in our common eyes, not in relationship. I don’t know how to say that. But it’s the way you link these things. So when he decided to put the nose, the eyes, the ear, whatever, on the same level, he choose to offer his perspective on reality. So I tried to do something like that, but with acting.

Filmmaker: This is fascinating—

Haenel: Well then, therefore, I have never said that before.

(Laughter)

Filmmaker: But I’m trying to understand though, moment to moment, how you can play such a complex philosophical idea, you know what I mean? Moment to moment.

Haenel: Well, it’s all about…To me, the art of acting is about trying philosophical hypothèse, or idea, on the field. It’s like, ok, I believe this is interesting, this is my idea, this is the rule I settle in my head, and I’m just going to try to see what it brings when you hit the reality with this thing. So, this is the first point, and the second— it’s huge, in my mind it’s huge. I’m always like, this is my great fantasy, but when it hits the reality, it becomes something else. So it’s not the pure form of it, it’s like, I really want it to be pure, but when you strike the reality it’s too complex, it creates other waves, blah blah blah, but you don’t reach the point you want it to reach, but still there is the trace of the journey.

Filmmaker: And then it comes to me, and then it’s in me as something mysterious, that it wouldn’t have been if you didn’t have all those complex things. But, the person who set the field is here and that’s important. What you did to have these artists, authors as you call them, be able to confidently have authorship, how was that important to you, Sciamma, and what were you doing, moment to moment yourself, to keep that going?

Sciamma: Well it was part of my desire to make this film, also as a departure from my previous work, is that I would work for the first time with professional actresses. Otherwise I used to, you know they would become actresses in the process of making the film.

Filmmaker: Even Adèle wasn’t a professional actress when you first had her in Water Lillies?

Haenel: No I wasn’t.

Sciamma: No she wasn’t. But that’s how I learned. We became professional together. I wasn’t professional either. Then when you work with kids and teenagers, you’re pretty much in charge, and you’re very lonely. It’s a beautiful experience but you’re lonely with the film. You’re alone with the film. The whole process. Of course you give the whole intellectual outline of the film to your cast and there’s a strong intellectual link to the thing. It’s not about taking, it’s about them giving you something. But you can’t negotiate, you know, when they’re not professional. There’s some things they won’t do, they’re not able to do, and it should stay this way. Whereas with grown-up character, and grown-up actresses, to me it was like, ok, so now this is a new film, and I’m going to learn from them, because they’re professionals. And also, you know, I think this companionship with Adèle for a lot of years, I saw her growing as an actress.

Haenel: A lot.

Sciamma: And we were talking also about our intellectual process so I was really really confident that I would learn a lot from them. So that’s how you make it happen. And that was I think the process of Adèle’s philosophy for her character, or Noémie’s, it’s not about discussing this, it’s also about language that you build from scene to scene.

And the first time Adèle spoke as her character, I was totally surprised at how she embodied it. And I said “Oh ok, this is a very strong position and now we’re going to work around that.” But also how she pitched her voice, like this was part of the process of building the character. I wanted Adèle to pitch her voice a little higher than usual, so she knew that, we talked about it, but we didn’t try it. We weren’t like “ha Ha HA” it wasn’t like that. It was like she just did it. And then, it was more and more accurate.

And even in the process of post production, when we did post synchro. Like for instance, sometimes there’s this thing where you do post synchronization, and the actresses, they haven’t seen the film. Which I think is totally crazy. So they were the first ones to see the film. Even though we weren’t totally done with the editing, but so that they would see what we built together. And so there were things we had to re-do because of the sea, whatever, because of technical sound things. But there were also things that Adèle, watching the film, said “I wanna do this line again.” And I was like “Okay.” And we didn’t need to do it, I was happy with it, and the sound person was happy with it, but she said “I wanna do this in a different way.” And everything went “boom.” There’s like one word, there’s a “yes” on the beach, and she says “yes” when she says she wants to go to swim, and Noémie says “Do you know how to swim? Maybe when the sea will be more calm.” And she says “yes.” And that’s something that she wanted to re-do. And, there’s a miracle in that “yes” that really actually just broke my heart. And it’s just being more and more accurate in the process, in the whole process of making the film, even in post production.

Haenel: It’s all about details, as well, as Noémie says. I mean, we have, like, ideas, but then we are, like, in the inner kitchen, it’s line after line, it’s scene after scene, and we are just always like, “okay, I want to reach that point, so I think I have to change the rhythm, I have to change the melody, I want to see less the actress and more the character.” For example, in this way also we re-did the line in post production, because I felt, I mean, I’m myself so I know, but I felt like oh, I was scared that my tongue would slip on that precise line so I can see that I’m a bit stressed and I don’t like this feeling because it brings back the actress and you lose a bit of character. So to say she’s settling the field, she settled it in a very….she has a very rhythmic way of thinking the direction of acting. Of course we are talking about emotions, we are talking about the main movement, but what Celine really cares about is about rhythm and about opening and closing. It’s like – you close, you open and you know that, like for example, she would pay attention, so much attention, if the scenes would end with an in or out breathing.

For example, like “at this moment you have to…” for example I remember a gesture that Noémie should do at the end of the scene when she’s putting back the corset. She’s supposed to just make it tight again. And this was, for example, something that Sciamma really cares about, because she says “No, you do one, two, three, [makes pulling motion]” because she knows she will edit after. It seems like a bit simple, but it’s our meeting point on the scene, we had several meeting points like that.

Filmmaker: One of the things you said was, the gazes, the looks, are like words. And when she first sits down and poses for you, that’s a very important moment that I didn’t realize until the second time. It’s like the end of the act there or something. Something very very important happens there. And this time I noticed something with you Noémie, what she was giving you and what you were giving her back. But I wanted to know if you remember this moment and what you were “playing” there when she first sits down to pose?

Sciamma: Well I remember we would say “Look at me,” which is, like, for the first time the painter and the model is here and the sentence the painter says is ‘Look at me.’ So it’s not about her looking at the model, so it’s this kind of paradox. We could say, pitching the scene would be it’s the first time she’s going to look at the model as a model, but it’s actually the first time the model is going to look at the painter.

Filmmaker: Yes.

Sciamma: That’s where suddenly she’s confronted to what she feels, and she’s moved.

Filmmaker: Yeah, it’s like she’s looking at you for the first time in a way.

Sciamma: Uh huh.

Merlant: And for the first time, like… I was looking at her to paint her in secret. So, at that moment when I ask, kind of, this order, ‘Look at me,’ I’m surprised and shocked by something that I couldn’t imagine, like, this is a detail, like I said, but this is where started everything, like, it’s the magic, you know, of love, because you’re surprised of something you were not expecting, and so I was trying to, as I was playing, I was trying to be like, ok, I will ask her, like really, I’m doing my job, I will ask her because I’m someone who likes to control things, to concentrate, so “look at me,” and then she looks at me and that’s the moment where starts the sharing. And that’s kind of a huge big thing. And so I was trying to open. You know it was all about open things. So open my eyes, and open my heart, and even just the air, something in the air, and receive Héloïse/Adèle, receive her in my environment, so I think it was it was something like that.

Filmmaker: And it’s so perfect how, something so big as that, was played so finely, that you can just feel it.

Haenel: I think it’s an in-breathing. She does like, when I talk she does this [makes breath noise]. Something like, something to do with the breathing in there. And I think this look, when they’re like [looks at Noémie] there’s something, just something you get instinct.

Sciamma: But, the groove of the face, because in the shot-reverse-shot process, which is something that I’ve never done before. Very few shot-reverse-shots in my previous films. Well, I think we shot Adéle first. And so, then I have this as a reference, I know what she sent. Maybe she’s going to send something different when the camera is not on her, obviously, but I have this groove that she did. And so then also I can talk to Noami, cause it’s silence [MOS] and I can tell her, also like, “open your mouth.” Which is something that is really like an event, you know. “Open your mouth and breathe.” So we would also graft things on the moment based on what was happening between them, and half of it is not on camera, because we’re not on Adele. But, we have in mind what she did, and also so I could adjust also, and, even myself, be in the present. And so, yeah really about the breathing and looking, and so sometimes we could recreate like a whole package of looks and breathing and we would do it in the present.

Haenel: I definitely want to say something.

(Laughter)

No, what I want to say is also the way that, I mean, it’s a detail, the fact that she opened her mouth, but it creates, like, the environment, the air becomes essential, there is something in the air because then you can feel like almost like a wave through the air, so it’s a way that it changes the quality of the atmosphere. And so paying attention, and that is what Celine does in her movies, really, like we say “ligne claire” for the comics, you know?

Sciamma: Clear Line.

Haenel: Clear line. And it’s all about clear line. So, then, because you pay attention to details, because there is no, like, if you look at the movie, the frame is empty, there’s no like thousands of stuff in the frame that are supposed to be there because it’s the 18th century so we put all that, like, stuff that are usually in the 18th century films, because everything is very significant. This is a way, also, to portray desire, because it changed the atmosphere of the room, and so we are now in the same water, we are now in the same atmosphere. This is also why I think it’s something very relevant in the way that Celine would direct us, because we don’t overplay because it’s very simple. It’s not about us, it’s about the air changing.

Sciamma: And there’s a little bit of sound editing in the moment that is very discrete. A little bit of rain. Happening when Noémie opens her mouth.

Filmmaker: Now I gotta see it again.

Sciamma: Yeah.

(Laughter)

Merlant: I think, if I can add something— I think all the movie is built like that, and so the acting too about sobrie—sober?

Sciamma: Sobriety?

Merlant: Sobriety. Like for example the music. There is just, you know, the two musics and that’s all. And the fact that there were two musics it’s more profound, more deep, you wait to hear it because you feel the silence first and from the silence you feel the music. And it’s the same for the acting. It’s not like, if there were a lot of things in the play, it’s a different kind of acting, but when its too much, I think you imagine and fantas—and the erotic is less. Because everything is offered to you, and when you can just take the time, and this movie takes the time, and leave the silence and let all the details come, all the details of what we say and what we don’t say when we fall in love. How we look. How we touch. Everything comes out. And so it’s, I think, this acting in the… retenir?

Haenel: Holding back.

Merlant: Holding back, in the acting, I think it’s really powerful. And you use more your imagination. And I think we need that.

Haenel: It doesn’t all rely on us. It’s not like, separate bodies. Acting is about creating a new atmosphere, so, when we don’t find a solution…sometimes we don’t find a solution of expression to a specific emotion on our face or in our body, this is why, when I talk about the atmosphere, there’s also a certain…I don’t know how to say it… but it’s also about, not how we can change not our relationship between the two of us, but between us and the space. And this is also, like, the stakes for filmmakers to try to not only rely on the face of the actor or their separate body but try to create this common body. So good luck with that.

(Laughter.)

Filmmaker: We have to talk about this because you’ve mentioned it a lot, and you’ve kind of talked about it— the joy.

Sciamma: Well, it’s difficult to talk about joy, but, there was definitely the movie’s… [notices Adèle huffing]

[To Adèle] Do you want to speak?

Haenel: [To Sciamma] No. Because it’s an acting podcast, this is why I want to speak!

(Laughter)

Sciamma: You see, breathing is important!

(Laughter)

You can’t decide…well, yes, you can decide that you’re going to be joyful. You know, it’s not something that happens because there’s magic. It’s like you have to commit to the fact that you’re going to have a good distance with things, that even though you’re doing something really really important for yourself, and maybe for the world, you know, hopefully, there’s not going to be that kind of tension, there’s not going to be a hierarchy of “this is important so we should be…” it’s really about deciding that things are going to be joyful, because then you’re going to be at that standard. So it’s not about we had large because we loved each other whatever, it’s a decision that you’re going to have a good distance, you’re going to be pissed off about silly things, like, for instance, I wanted gray weather. I went to Brittany because I wanted to be Brontë Sisters, I wanted it to be gray and rainy, and had this big sun, and I just said “well, that’s good news” because, why wouldn’t it be? I don’t know. It’s about not fetishizing what you’re going to do, and it’s about, yeah, deciding that this is going to be happy so you’re going to have a good distance with it.

Haenel: And in the process of acting, it’s very important to get this lightness, because when acting strikes it’s like when you have your ideas, but there’s kind of like, yeah, it’s like a sparkle but it’s kind of like a lightness thing that is in life, even if you have a hard moment or whatever, there’s always this…you can face it actually…and for me joy is like, also believing that, whatever the shape—it’s doesn’t matter, there’s no perfect shape, but there is a good relationship to shape. You know what I mean? So art is not something that is….I don’t know how to say it….but there is no perfect shape, so you can relax with that, and just also try to do it, try to find the rhythm that would be the rhythm for the film and eternity, like this is it now, but when you do it you just know it’s because it was that day, and have this idea that we talked about before, about the dolly thing, for example, and you have your fellow actress, with whom you play, and, when you invent, it make you, there’s a little bit less weight on your shoulder when you have this perspective.

Merlant: As you see, we are all excit[ed] about what we do. And I think when we create something we are happy. And when we create something, we have to be in the present moment, and it’s when you’re in the present moment that you have the good distance with things, so if you’re in the present moment you’re open to all the accidents and what can happen. And so, if you are in this spirit, and I think we all are because that’s how Celine wants to work, and she is the one who opened the thing first to let us all come, so then it was in joy and humor, love, in this shooting. Celine has a big capacity of, how do you say, jokes, and this is an important thing also, to put humor on what we do.

Filmmaker: Yes. Céline Sciamma, Adèle Haenel, Noémie Merlant, thank you so much.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

Noémie Merlant

https://instagram.com/noemiemerlant?igshid=w6coabhdz3ba

Adèle Haenel

https://instagram.com/adelehaenel?igshid=fwuo95btzidr

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

https://twitter.com/Portrait_Movie

(Twitter)

Portrait de la jeune fille en feu

https://www.facebook.com/pdljfef/

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

https://www.facebook.com/portraitofaladyonfire/

[95liners3rdmember]

Worth It

Chapter Thirteen: Concert Day 1

Word Count: 5424

Chapter Twelve: Last Night

Ever since Natalie went back home, the members and I have been going nonstop. We had to put the finishing touches on the MAMA performances, which also happen to be the songs we needed to film and finish up anyways. My favorite was the ‘Mic Drop’ remix, but it was also the most exhausting. Even after they were finished and leaving for the day I stayed behind to make sure that there were no changes that needed to be made to make it better or easier for them. A few times Jimin or Namjoon caught me staying late and that would spark a small disagreement but at the end of the day they both knew that there was no way in changing my mind. After all if I could work through all of the pressure of award shows or tour dates then I’m not cut out for this job.

Which is why I’m sitting in my car watching over the last concert performance. I wasn’t here when the choreo was made for the Wings tour so I’ve been having to learn it all on top of everything else. It normally wouldn’t be a big deal but I want to make sure the members can come to me if they are having any problems. The first concert for the three day back-to-back-to-back performances start tonight and this is the most nervous I’ve ever been in my entire life. Yesterday rehearsal went pretty well but there were a few changes made to the stage so I need to go in and make sure it’s still safe enough for them.

My heart is beating out of my chest as I pull my sunglasses down to cover my eyes, as I exit my car I sling my backpack over my shoulder and head towards the staff entrance. It’s early enough to where the only people here are the security team and the stylists. After a quick greeting I’m walking down the long hallways towards the staff room. Small laughter echo from the fitting rooms and I find myself stepping lighter so I don’t disrupt their little world. Hopefully my assistant will be here soon to keep me company, after all the members are going to be too focused on the performance.

Peeling out of my hoodie, I toss my sunglasses into my bag and dig out my headphones. As I walk down the hallway towards the stage I pull my hair up and out of my face. The stage crew all wave a good morning greeting and I kindly return it as I make my way up to the stage. In an hour or so the backup dancers will be here with the members and we will do a runthrough of the concert to make sure everything looks good. But for now I have the entire stage to play around with. Hitting shuffle, I place my phone down on the edge of the stage and I let my body follow the music.

As I move, I can’t help but smile. I’ve never and never will perform on a stage at this magnitude. But it’s fun to play around and just imagine what the energy would feel like. It’s no wonder why they all start to miss the stage after stepping off.  It’s actually insane to witness how much they’ve changed from the rookies to the seasoned group, yes they have a ways to go but I have faith that they will be able to make all of their dreams and goals achievable. And I’ll make sure I’m there with them for when the road gets tough.

Lately it’s been getting harder and harder for them to hide their struggles from each other. The one that really worries me is Jin oppa, as a person he knows what makes him happy and doesn’t really let the small things get him down. But lately he hasn’t been as playful or joyful. And I’m not the only one who’s noticed. After New Years the members are going away for a weekend with no staff and no cameras. Just seven boys that need time to separate themselves and figure out where their hearts are.

Spinning on the tips of my toes I almost fall over as I spot a pair of crescent shaped eyes watching me with a wide smile. Balancing myself, I take out a headphone and smile back at him. It’s surprising that he’s one of the first one’s here.

“Good morning Jimin. Seems you do know how to be early.” Teasing him, I move over to grab my phone. Seems I missed a few messages from him and a pout forms on my face when I read the offer for coffee. Turning back to him I can’t hide the pout but his smile turns into a smirk.

“Good morning y/n. Seems you missed a prime opportunity.” Rolling my eyes I walk over to him and just as I make it over he pulled out a large cup from behind his back, two actually. I try and grab one of the cups from him but he quickly reacts and holds it slightly higher. Seems he’s in a playful mood today,

“Thank you for bringing me coffee.” Tilting my head to the side I manage a wide, cheesy smile. Deep down I know it’s not hard to, afterall look at who’s standing in front of me. It seems to work as Jimin lowers his arm and gives me the one with a white straw. Jimin really did remember every detail, the one time all of our drinks were sitting together and I made the mistake of taking Yoongi’s. I swear I was wide awake for the rest of the night, I even came up with part of the choreo for an award show that night. Ever since I’ve always made sure that mine stood out.

“Anytime. It’s surreal that the tour is almost over.” Jimin’s voice softens as he looks out into the dark arena. His eyes seem a little darker than normal, the usual shine isn’t burning as bright. If there wasn’t a concert today I might mention it but I’d rather not makes things worse.

“It won’t be long before the next one starts though. And I have a feeling that it’s going to be even more amazing than this one. More memories.” Bringing the staw up to my lips I take a quick sip but nervously start to bite down on the plastic. In the short time I’ve been here I’ve already made so many memories with each member that I can’t help but be selfish and want to make more.

“I guess.” There’s a pained tone in his voice just before he starts drinking. Thinking quickly I set my cup down and scroll through my playlist. Jimin’s eyes watch every move I make, thankfully the stage crew have left to take a break before the other members come in. Finding the song I was looking for a huge smile breaks out across my face. Just as the song starts playing my hand wraps around Jimin’s wrist and I tug him away from the speaker that we were leaning on.

‘Go-Go’ fills the silence around us and we first start off trying to do the choreo but the more we get into the song, the more we just start goofing off. Turning to face each other we just make ridiculous face at each other as we dance in place. Jimin’s somber expression turns into the one that I always want to see on him, happiness. His mind is taken off of the performance tonight for a split second. As the song ends we both slow down to a stand still, our breathing ragged from jumping around like idiots. Honestly if you didn’t know who we were you would’ve thought we had never danced a day in our lives.

The next song starts playing and before I can walk away to change it Jimin gently pulls me towards him, making sure to keep his hands away from anything inappropriate, we start to move to the calming beat. ‘Serendipity’ softly plays behind us and I can’t help but feel my body start to heat up and turn red from the closeness. The fact that ‘Serendipity’ is playing doesn’t help either. Following his lead I place my hands on his shoulders and try to avoid eye contact the best I can.

Jimin softly sings along as we move in a small circle on the massive stage. My heart is beating out of my chest and I’m really scared that he might be able to hear it. Looking up at his through my lashes I can’t help the leap my heart does. His eyes are closed and a soft smile as formed, against my sides his fingers tap along with the beat. Carefully he pulls me closer as the song goes on, close enough that I’m able to wrap my arms around his neck. This is starting to get too intimate, too close for my liking. My brain can’t wrap itself around what’s going on and my heart feels like it could literally burst at any second.

“Let me love you…” Jimin’s voice is right in my ear as he sings, goosebumps form under my sleeves. It would surprise me if I looked like a love-struck teenager right now. Raising my eyes to him again our gazes meet and it’s intense. It’s corny to say the least, all of the K-Drama’s and fairy tales describe the same situation. If this were all happening under a different situation, if he was someone else or I didn’t work for him, I might have tried to kiss him.

“Jimin hyung where are you? And where’s Noona?” The invasion of Jungkook’s voice causes us to break apart. Jimin makes his way towards the young man’s voice as I just stand there and try to regain my composure. What just happened? Did I really just think about kissing Park Jimin? The person who I consider my second closest friend…. Seriously what’s wrong with me!

Rushing over to my phone, I turn off the music just in time for the other six to come walking out. Stuffing my things into my lone pocket, I look over and see that Jimin seems focused on whatever Jungkook is saying, but that’s none of my concern. Taehyung and Hobi come running up to me to go on and on about how Jimin beat them to practice for once. Saying that he must be an imposter and the real Jimin has been taken. Halfheartedly I laugh and agree but I know for sure that the real Jimin is with us.

Namjoon can tell that something is up as he raises a questioning brow. Shaking my head toward him, I go to stand near the sound booth. Everyone starts getting their in-ears and mics ready, someone from the sound booth hands me a mic just in case since I’ll be standing in the empty seats watching. Bending down, my phone and headphones come tumbling out of my pocket. Bending down to grab them, Namjoon taps me on the shoulder just as I was about to slide down the stage.

“What’s up Joon?” Whispering to him as the others are working on getting themselves wired up, he holds out his hand. Was I supposed to bring him something? Tilting my head I show my confusion and he can’t help but laugh.

“Give me your stuff, I’ll have Jungkook run them to the staff room.” His dimple peaks through as his smile forms. Feeling like an idiot I gently place the electronics in his waiting hand. Namjoon turns on his heels and I slide under the bar to drop down to the floor, making my way up to the mid bowl level. Just as I make it to a good spot, Jungkook yells into the mic to get my attention.

“Noona you really need to get pants with pockets.” I know that he’s teasing but I can’t help the guilt form in my stomach. I shouldn’t be having them do any favors for me. Bringing the mic up to my lips I talk softly.

“Jungkook you don’t have to take them. I can do it.” He waves me off and starts running to the back, mic in hand.

“I’m just teasing noona! Be right back.” The next thing I see is the maknae sprinting to the back of the stage and out of sight. I can’t help but laugh at his antics and energy, but I feel like a pair of eyes are on me…. I look over at Jimin and Tae, their mics are behind their backs as they are deep in conversation but Jimin’s eyes keep cutting over towards me. Yoongi seems to notice their isolation and he looks up towards me too.

Thankfully just as quickly as he disappeared, Jungkook returned. Breathing a sigh of relief I bring my mic up. My stomach is doing flips from earlier but I can’t worry about that right now, no right now my main focus needs to be this run through.

“Let’s start from the top.”

A few hours later and I’m crashing into a chair in the staff room. There were a few things that needed to be changed and luckily they were all minor. The managers stole the members from me right around lunch so they could eat and start getting ready. Which was a blessing in disguise since I needed a breather away from all of them for a moment. Between what happened this morning and their pre-concert energy I felt drained. I never expected them to be this hyper the morning of a concert.

My phone is blowing up with notifications and text messages from everyone. My assistant was letting me know that all of the backup dancers were ready and the changes were noted. Apparently any staff that drove themselves need to be aware that there will be a delay leaving tonight because of traffic and security is being magnified after seeing all of the fans waiting outside.

Never a dull moment at BigHit, looks like I won’t be getting home until later. Scrolling through my phone as I eat my box lunch, a message from Jimin pops up on my screen.

Jimin: ‘Can you come to the dressing room? Jin hyung is complaining that you haven’t been hanging out as much lately.”

My heart sinks in my chest, I really haven’t seen them much beside practice since before award season. Putting the lid on my lunch, I grab all of my stuff and make my way down the hallway. On my way towards the dressing room I pass by Manager Sejin who stops me.

“Hey y/n, good to see you! I know it’s been a while since we saw each other but I wanted to say thank you for all of the hard work. The guys seem happier having you here.” The smile he has when he mentions the members causes my heart to warm. Sejin really cares about each and every member of BTS with all of his being.

“Thank you Sejin, it’s been amazing and I can’t wait for next year.”

“I feel the same. Where you on your way somewhere? Because if you could, would you stop by their dressing room? A few of them have been complaining that they haven’t seen you outside of practice.” Wow, they really talk about me to Sejin. I can’t help but giggle at the statement.

“Actually I was on my way to see them. Jimin had texted me.”

“Oh then let me help, I’m pretty sure the door is shut and you have your hands full.”

Sejin leads the way and even takes my lunch from my hands. Smiling softly, he gently knocks on the door and lets them know he has a special delivery. He enters the room first and places my lunch down on the table, I enter behind him and the entire room burst out with cheers.

“Finally! It felt like you were avoiding all of us!” Jin yells from his spot on the couch, his hands hovering a pair of chopsticks over his steaming bowl of noodles. Seven pairs of eyes are on me as I stand like a deer in the headlights. They literally just spent over three hours with me practicing, but I guess just sitting together is different. Sejin says his goodbye and leaves the room quietly but not before I’m able to see the smile blossoming on his face.

The only empty seat is between Yoongi and Hobi, setting my bag down I carry my lunch over and curl up into the spot. There’s food spread all over the table in front of us and humidifiers fill the room with steam. Hobi hooks an arm around my shoulder and gives me a side hug. Leaning into his touch I maneuver to return the embrace.

“After the concert, let’s all go out and eat.” Yoongi suggest as I break away from Hobi and nudge him lightly. It’s been over a month since we’ve all gone out to dinner together and it sounds like a great idea. But is there going to be a restaurant open that late after the concert?

“Will anything be open that late? The last time I checked everything will be closed by then.” It seems to throw Yoongi for a loop as he digs out his phone to check the times of nearby restaurants. A defeated groan leaves his lips before he slumps into the couch. But before I let him get too defeated I pat his arm.

“We can cook at my house. I’ve been meaning to cook all the meat in my fridge before it goes bad. I just haven’t had time to since we’ve all been so busy.”

“But we will get back to the dorms before you will, security tends to rush us out of the venue as quickly as possible.” Yoongi has to remind me of the email that was sent around to everyone. Taking a bite of my rice, I shrug my shoulders. There’s a simple and easy solution to the problem.

“I’ll give one of you the key to my apartment. You all can go ahead and start cooking, hopefully I’ll be able to help once I get there. Trust me when I say there’s plenty of food, in all honesty I was planning on cooking more but most nights I order takeout on the way home.” Them all seem happy with the solution but Jin looks irritated that I’ve been skipping healthy meal choices for something quick. One day Jin went into big brother mode and scolded me for all of the takeout boxes I had in my office.

They all agree with the plan and we continue to eat our lunches in silence. As the members finish they all excuse themselves so they can shower and get ready for the stylist. Waving bye, Jin goes to throw his trash away and takes the opportunity to steal the empty seat beside me

“Have you been avoiding us?” Jin fake pouts as he leans his head against my shoulder. Sometimes I wonder if Jin is the real maknae of the group.

“You know I haven’t oppa, I’ve just been busy like you. I’ll make up for it tonight!” He seems satisfied with that answer. Jumping from his seat he pulls me into a tight hug, lifting me from my seat.

“See you before the show y/n! You better be cheering us on!” Jin’s laugh vibrates through my body before he sets me back down. He lightly jogs out of the room and silence greets me again. Only Jimin and I are left. Turning my attention to him, I see that he’s fidgeting with his phone, like he’s nervous about something.

“You’ve been done eating longer than anyone. Are you okay?” I get up from my seat and make my way over to Jimin, I pat him thigh playfully as I plop down on the couch beside him. Propping my head up with an arm against the back of the couch, I watch as he slowly locks his phone and bends over to get something from a bag.

“I wanted to give this to you earlier this morning but I forgot.” What is he talking about?

He hands me a box, thankfully it’s not wrapped up but I’m still confused. Taking the lid off my eyes widen as I pull out the contents. A new in-ear and pack, the ear piece has a white marble pattern like the case Natalie gave me for my laptop. On the battery pack my name is written. I was going to use an old pair that the company has had for a while, I never thought about getting my own because I wasn’t sure if I would need to wear one.

“It’s already paired with the crews and ours. You’ll be able to use it tonight and for the rest of the time you’re with us.” Tears form in the corner of my eyes and I wrap my arms around his shoulders tightly. It’s such a thoughtful gift, Jimin really did think of everything today.

“Thank you Jimin, I’m guessing this is why you got here early today.” He nods slowly as I release my tight hold on him and go back to looking at the device in my lap.

“I should get going though before stylist noona comes looking for me.”

I can tell that Jimin is torn between leaving and staying, but I usher for him to get going. The last thing we need today is him getting scolded and me getting in trouble for keeping him longer than necessary. Just as he goes to cross the threshold, I call out for him.

“Jimin, you’re going to do great tonight.” Smiling I hold a thumbs up, earning myself the signature Jimin smile which instantly washed away any worry I have for tonight. With that he disappears from my sight and I’m left alone for the second time today. The next time I see them, they’ll be going up to the stage. I have no doubt they are going to do great.

The night has been going great so far, the arena is filled with an energy I’ve never felt before. Even at the concert back home there wasn’t this feeling. All night I’ve been smiling and watching from backstage. So far the solos have just gotten started and Jimin is performing ‘Lie’ next. My eyes are glued to the screen as Jungkook performs ‘Begin’, a few other staff members have joined me and from over the screen I can see Namjoon, Hobi and Yoongi making their way towards us. They have a little break before they’re needed. Tonight is going to be a long night.

“Night in-ear.” Namjoon teases me quietly as he watches to youngest with pride in his eyes. Over the years they’ve all gotten stronger as vocalists and dancers, it’s amazing to witness.

‘Begin’ comes to an end and everyone is getting ready to compliment Jungkook, but all I can see is Jimin walking towards the lift in the stage. He’s turned on his performance mode and the seriousness in his eyes is intimidating. I offer him a quick thumbs up just as him and Jungkook trade places on the platform. They high five as they switch and Jungkook rushes past us to change into the next outfit.

“Jimin seems a little off tonight.” I almost jumped out of my skin as Taehyung sneaks up behind me. Nodding in agreement I watch as the screen starts to light up and Jimin’s solo begins, someone calls for me through my in-ear and before I turn to go to the changing room, I locked eyes with Taehyung.

“Cheer him on Taehyung.”

“Always. Please start calling me Tae. You call everyone else a nickname.” He pouts and I can’t help but laugh.

“Not true. I don’t call Namjoon anything besides his name.” Well at least in front of everyone else. But if Tae wants me to start using a nickname then I’ll do it. Waving a rushed goodbye, I listen through my in-ear and run towards Jungkook. He’s sitting on the chair rotating his shoulder, he must’ve tweaked his muscle again.

“Y/n Jungkook irritated his muscle during the first few sets. Should we come up with a backup plan for a few of the more difficult choreographies?” Jungkook looks at me with wide doe eyes as the medical aid starts to tape up his shoulder. There are only a few that I’m worried about and they can always be changed on the fly.

“Jungkook what do you want to do? I need to know how you honestly feel before making any changes. I don’t want you to push yourself too far.” My voice is stern but caring. The last thing I want is for him to be disappointed and in pain. I can’t judge the state that he’s in but I know the set after the second round of solos are going to be intense.

“Can I tell you after ‘I need U’? I’ll try out the tape and see if that helps anything.” Nodding, I watch him take some pain medicine before pulling his shirt back up. Looking up at the screen, Jimin looks troubled as his solo comes to an end. My heart drops when I see the frustration filled his face and his eyes start to turn red. That’s not good, what did I miss.

“I’ll go ahead and start thinking of alternative. But take it easy for a few before the next set. You did great out there Jungkook!” Offering him a smile, I take off running and that when my heart drops even more.

“Y/n we need you under the stage.” Everyone can hear the announcement and my feet carry me even further into the chaos. The members point me in the direction of the voice the summoned me and I guess in the chaos of things I failed to notice it was Sejin calling me. Tae looks at me with a pained expression. As I pass Yoongi who’s waiting to go up to the stage he yells out to me and grabbed ahold of my wrist pulling me in.

“His voice cracked while performing and he missed a stage right after.” Yoongi whispers into my ear so everyone else connected can’t hear. Afterall they all just witnessed it hands on while I was busy with Jungkook. Nodding, my heart picks up faster as I break away and find Jimin crouching down with Sejin standing above him. Turning off my in-ear, I take one out and crouch down to pull Jimin’s hands away from his face.

Sejin places a hand gently on my shoulder, looking up at him I can see that he’s having a hard time leaving. I mouth that I’ll take care of him and he takes that as a promise and walks away leaving Jimin and I alone. Jimin’s eyes are filled with tears that are threatening to spill and he looks angry with a touch of disappointment. Reaching up I pull out one of his in-ears and I take his face in my hands forcing him to focus on me. We don’t have a lot of time but I have to help him.

“Jimin, don’t worry about it and don’t beat yourself up. I know that you wanted to make sure everything was perfect for ARMY but sometimes things happen. Please don’t be so hard on yourself.” Jimin seems to be trying to calm himself but failing. His eyes look away from me and to the floor. All I can do is reassure him and try to make him feel better. We don’t have much time, ‘First Love’ is almost halfway through and after is ‘So Far Away’.

“Jimin, look at me. You’ve got this. I’m sure ARMY would much rather you be happy and continue having fun tonight. This weekend is the Finale of the tour, a tour you’ve grown so much on. Just push this to the back of your mind and try to keep having a good time.” Jimin’s eyes meet mine again and he nods. I stand back up and bring him with me, thankfully we have just enough time to get him to the dressing room to change.

I make my way back to the small huddle of the rap line, my body feels like it’s vibrating. First I needed to start thinking of ways to change the choreo last minute and then Jimin had an episode. Which is something I’ll never blame him for and I’ll always be there to help, but it takes a lot out of me seeing him like that. It takes a lot out of me seeing any of them in that condition. I guess I didn’t realize I was shaking when Namjoon places a hand on the small of my back. Looking up at him my vision is blurry, great now is not a time to cry.

Namjoon rushes me past everyone to the dressing room, which is now empty. He digs out my backpack and grabs my glasses’ case. As soft sobs take over I pop out my contacts and replace them with my glasses. Namjoon pulls me into a tight hold and rubs my back softly. This is not how I thought tonight would be going. At least Namjoon is the one with me because if it were anyone else I would be way worse.

“It’s going to be okay, things happen. Just breathe.” Breathing in and out a few times slowly, I wipe the tears from my face and look back up at him with a sad smile.

“I just hate seeing all of you struggle. There’s not much I can do besides provide moral support and it kills me.” My voice cracks as I wipe my face clean with my sleeve.

“That’s why after the New Year the members are going on a weekend trip remember. There’s a lot we all need to work out but having you in our corner really does mean a lot. I mean, I've never seen them get so attached to anyone this quick. So please don’t doubt yourself.” Nodding is all I can manage as I calm myself down, we’re running out of time before they all need to be up on the stage. We look at each other and nod in sync, making our way back to the understage.

Seems we were gone longer than I thought as the vocal line come back down to change quickly, Jungkook looks at me with a thumbs up and mouths that he will be okay the rest of the night. A strange feeling of relief washes over me but tonight I do need to come up with a backup plan just in case tomorrow he’s in the same position.

They all gather into a group and chant before standing on the lift, before my eyes they disappear onto the stage and it isn't long before the crowd cheers louder than I’ve ever heard. Sighing deeply, a wave of calm rushes over me but it’s short lived as I watch the screen. In times like these I’ll always be worried about them, even if they don’t want me to. Because in this short amount of time they’ve become more than just BTS, they’re my family.

Sejin joins me and motions towards the opening, I follow him quickly and the next thing I know we’ve made our way to the pit beside the stage. It’s not very visible from the audience but the members spot us as they run around waving to ARMY. I can’t help but cheer along and dance like I’m part of the purple sea.

“Anytime you want you can come out here and watch. There’s not much left to do accept cheer them on. At the end of the day though, that’s all we really can do. But it works better than anything. As long as they know we are in their corner.” Sejin smiles to himself as he waves back to the boys in front of him. He’s right, they need to know that the people they care most for are there for them. And I’m going to make sure that I do that tonight. Even if that means I make them a little upset in the process.

[problemsofabooknerd]

My Favorite Movies/Shows/Webseries with LGBTQIA+ Main Characters

Pride Day 13!

Check out the intro to my Pride project here.

I thought today we would take a break from books - and from personal stories - to talk a bit more about other queer media I enjoy. Sometimes I’m not in the mood to read, but I still want to get the chance to see stories about wonderful LGBTQIA+ humans. So, here we go, a personal recommendations list of movies/tv shows/webseries that I adore that feature LGBTQIA+ main characters. 

Movies

♡ Love, Simon

I mean, this is an obvious one. I adore the book, Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, but I have a little more love for the movie itself. I’m also currently on a high because I just rewatched it on my plane and I will never NOT be emotional. In case you don’t know, Love, Simon is a rom com about a high schooler named Simon who ends up being pen pals with another closeted gay kid at his school. It’s overwhelming, and Jennifer Garner never fails to bring me to sobs. 

♡ The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love

It’s super sad to me that this movie doesn’t get passed around as often on recommendations lists, but I think that is possibly due to the fact that it can be a little harder to find. However! If you are desperately searching for a f/f movie comparable to Love, Simon, this is about as close as I can get you. It’s full of antics (sometimes SUPER over the top), romance (between a super butch white girl and a super femme black girl), and a whole heap of other fabulousness. 

♡ Life Partners

A recently discovered one for me that I think deserves a bit more hype! This is a comedy about two best friends - one lesbian, one straight - as they fall in and out of love, struggle to figure out their careers, and generally navigate adulthood as BFFs. This is one of those movies where I’m honestly super pissed we don’t have more like it - it’s a movie about complex relationships between women that also features a shit ton of lesbian culture. Pride events! Gay bars! How many lesbians can you fit inside a Subaru! It’s all fabulous. 

♡ But I’m a Cheerleader

A true classic. I remember my girlfriend showing me this back when I still insisted I was straight, but lord oh lord did it make an impact. It’s always hard to recommend queer stories set in conversion camps (take one of my favorite books, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, for example), but I think this is one of the few that still manages to be engaging and really fun. Plus, Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall are honestly staples of queer media for me.

♡ Battle of the Sexes

‘Sup, super gay Emma Stone -  you truly make my dreams come true. To be honest, the fact that this is a based-on-a-true-story, gay, sports movie is just so perfectly me in terms of movie taste I will never be over it. Everyone does a remarkable job, but this is especially phenomenal in terms of how deeply gay it is and I love it to bits.

♡ The Runaways

Yet again, my deep and abiding love for movies based on true events appears. This is the movie that made me realize that a) Kristen Stewart is seriously a good actress and b) I’m super in love with her. This one is about The Runaways, the all-girl rock band Cherie Currie and Joan Jett were both a part of. It features scenes of KStew and Dakota Fanning making out so prepare your gay heart, lest ye be overwhelmed.

♡ Brokeback Mountain

Of course we end the list of movies here. I spent so much of my life believing the hype surrounding this movie - that it was just that sad cowboy movie and nothing more. And then I watched it and finally had to recognize just how poorly people had been talking about what an incredible film this is. I mean, yes. Sad cowboys! They are there! But the emotional depth and honest passion that is portrayed in this movie breaks my heart every single time. It’s just utterly beautiful. 

Obviously this list isn’t comprehensive and there are so many more on my to-watch list. For example, I somehow haven’t seen Moonlight yet, and that feels like a travesty. I also really need to get to Pariah and Tangerine. 

TV Shows

♡ Black Mirror - San Junipero

In case you don’t already know, Black Mirror is an science fiction anthology show, and every episode can be watched without the context of any of the other episodes. Which makes “San Junipero” just about perfect. It’s one of the only happy episodes of the whole show, and it gives me the most pure, joyful sapphic 80s vibes. I would kill for a full movie based on this episode. I would watch a million hours of sapphic ladies jamming to 80s music. Give it all to me.

♡ Sense8

I recently talked a bit about Sense8 in my post about what Pride means to me, because I think I always tie this show into my feelings on this month. In premise, it’s about 8 strangers around the world who form a psychic connection with one another. More than that, though, it’s about the things that make us different, and how those differences also emphasize our similarity and the power in solidarity. It’s a beautiful story about found family, and it just barely got its finale episode on Netflix that I’m dying to watch but haven’t yet because I’m honestly not feeling emotionally ready enough to handle it. 

♡ Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Wow, this show. Wowww, this show. This is a pretty standard sitcom, about a group of lovable misfits who all work together. It’s set in a police precinct in Brooklyn, and initially feels like it centers on detective Jake Peralta, but the show quickly figured out that it had stars in every member of the cast. Two of my faves are Captain Raymond Holt and Detective Rosa Diaz, both queer POC that blow me away constantly. Holt is a black, gay detective who spent years fighting prejudice to make it through the ranks and be the stern-yet-lovable Captain of the squad. Rosa is a badass, bike riding, keep-your-nose-out-of-my-business bisexual Latina who owns my whole heart. It’s a show that does queer rep right, and a show that constantly reminds me to be happy even when it seems a little impossible for me to do that.

♡ American Horror Story

It’s bizarre to me how a horror anthology show still has some of the most consistent queer rep of any television show I watch. Now, this show absolutely has its problems still. Because it is a horror show, many queer characters get killed off. And my favorite season, Hotel, features a trans woman character who is played by a cis male actor. So, my warning is always to go in knowing the faults in the show. BUT this is still a show that consistently represents a variety of sexualities played by a variety of characters and actors, and I just appreciate it so deeply for normalizing that kind of rep over and over again. And I think I also want to give Ryan Murphy some credit in growing, considering the incredible work he is doing with Pose, hiring so many trans actors, writers, and directors to accurately shape that show.

There are of course other shows doing a good job with LGBTQIA+ rep, even if they don’t feature characters in leading roles. Shows like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Schitt’s Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Magicians are all ones I adore that feature queer peeps who own my whole heart. And there are tons more out there I would love to watch like The Bold Type, Black Lightning, One Day at a Time, Wynonna Earp, and Killing Eve!

Webseries

♡ Carmilla

Lesbian vampire! Spooky school! Soft journalist lesbian! Nonbinary side character! Queer kids everywhere dealing with the end of the world and the absurdly bizarre reality of their university! If you haven’t watched Carmilla yet, I don’t know what to tell you. It’s a shame, and you must come and join us all in the better timeline where you’ve seen the show and can also gush with us. 

♡ Her Story

This is a super short webseries, but one I would love to have more of. It is an honest, sweet depiction of the lives of two trans women living in Los Angeles, California. They deal with relationship issues, friendship, gatekeeping, loving women, loving men, and more. It’s an excellently done series, and Jen Richards is a remarkable actress and creative force, and I cannot wait to see what else she plans to do.

♡ Chosen Family

A webseries that is not fictional! Tyler Okaley is a name you probably know by now, if you’re part of the queer internet scene. He has been doing work for years in uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community, raising awareness, raising money, and a whole lot more. Chosen Family started last year, and I loved keeping up with it all through Pride, and this year we get even more episodes. Whether he is talking about queer people through history, queer immigrants, the beginnings of Pride, or even just talking to other queer creators, it is a series that celebrates this community in so many different ways and I love the work it does and how uplifted it makes me feel. 

Alright, that’s where I’m going to wrap up this list for now. I thought about also adding queer music videos to this list but it would double in size if I did that soooo perhaps another day. What are some of your favorite movies/shows/webseries that feature LGBTQIA+ main characters? Send me a message and let me know! 

[putschki1969]

Interview Translations ~ 10th Anniversary Film Pamphlet

Note: Sorry, this is long overdue. I’ve just been crazy busy with work and planning my Japan trip in summer. There’s some nice stuff in those interviews but nothing too exciting so I opted for summaries instead of proper translations (scratch that, I ended up doing a proper translation). Without further ado, let’s get to it. Enjoy!

~ Keiko Solo Interview ~

-- It’s been ten years since you debuted with your single “oblivious”, what did you feel when you first listened to the demo tape of “oblivious”? The demo tape I listened to was sung by Wakana. But it wasn’t just “oblivious”, the tape also included many other songs we would sing later such as “Kimi ga Hikari ni Kaete Iku”, “Kizuato” and “Seventh Heaven”. They were all sung by Wakana. At that time I wondered, “who is singing these songs?” They caught my interest because I was unfamiliar with these kind of melodies and I had never sung such songs before. “What kind of song is this?”, “What kind of world lies hidden within this song?” Wakana’s voice made me feel all these things.

-- What kind of music had you been singing and listening to until that point? Back in the day I listened to a lot of Western music such as R&B, rock and dance music, at that time all I did was “listen” to music. It wasn’t until I came across Ozaki Yutaka-san’s music that my interest in music changed, “listening” turned into “singing”. From then onwards music was all about “singing” for me. 

-- Compared to that music “oblivious” was quite a different genre, wasn’t it? It was totally different! It sounded very mysterious! Of course she is human...but because Wakana was singing it the song didn’t even feel human, it felt ethereal. That was super mysterious!

-- When you overcame all the hurdles of trying a completely new genre with Kalafina’s music did you ever feel something akin to joy? Yes. In the beginning I didn’t feel any kind of joy. It wasn’t until about one or two years ago that I felt like I could properly express Kajiura-san’s music, that I felt like I could do it justice. When I look back at our interviews from the time of our debut, I really wasn’t able to say anything substantial. I think it took me about five to six years to be able to sing  Kalafina’s songs properly. When I think about it now I realise that all these years I must have suffered from some sort of inferiority complex. That’s why I saw it as my duty to get rid of all my weak points.

-- What kind of weak points? Could you give an example? Well, this is just my personal interpretation...when you sing Kajiura-san’s music, a song might evoke 10 kinds of emotions within you but if you end up expressing all ten of these emotions, I feel like it will ruin the song. For example, during my solo parts it’s very difficult for me to control my volume whenever I have to sing a higher range than my usual bass voice. Singing 「utatte ～ ho ～ shi ～ i ～*」with the same volume is no problem for me now but back then I’d sing 「utatte ～HO（with emphasis on the “ho”） ～ shi ～ i ～」. My “ho” would always end up being too loud. There was just too much force in my throat. By singing like that, by emphasising the “ho” of “hoshii” the feeling behind the line changed, instead of 「uttate hoshii - I want you to sing」 it became 「uttate HOSHII* - I WANT you to sing」. For me that ruined the song. I have had troubles like that with each and every song so all these years I have seen it as my task to get rid of all my shortcomings. That’s the hidden side of my activities as part of Kalafina.

-- Your first meeting with Wakana-san was long before you recorded “oblivious”. What kind of impression did you have of her back then? All I remember from that time is her singing. I was actually shocked. I felt like her singing was quite dispassionate and indifferent. Back then I was crazy so maybe that’s why I felt like that *laughs* We didn’t sing any emotional songs during our events* but in Wakana’s case there was just nothing there that caught my attention. She had always been a true vocalist with her classical and high legato voice so I guess she didn’t really fit into that kind of event, I thought she was probably singing quietly in her own little world. Now I know that she is actually lively and loves to talk but back then I had no idea.

-- What impression did you have of Hikaru-san’s voice when she joined Kalafina? When I first heard her voice I felt a sense of translucense. I immediately wondered, “what kind of girl is this?” We had received a demo tape with our next songs and we were told, “there is this new girl singing the demos”. When I listened to her voice I thought it was very clear.  I felt there was a lot of pureness to it.

-- So it felt very natural? As if she were a natural born singer? Yes. I don’t have many memories of that time but I know that when we met at the recording studio for the very first time we didn’t talk at all, I just watched her. I am not shy or anything but when it comes to girls I just like to wait and see how things go. When I watched her I felt a a very mysterious and slightly scary aura around her, I can’t explain it, it’s not something I feel about her now. And all of that was coupled with the gloomy lighting of the recording studio *laughs* I can still remember how Wakana enthusiastically agreed with me and was all like, “yes, yes, totally!” I don’t remember much about that time but it still feels very nostalgic.

-- Throughout the years ever since you got together as a group you have distributed certain roles among the members. I feel like the progress of Kalafina’s music has happened largely due to your supportive “leadership” role. While your supportive role might have started with chorus work, am I right to assume that this supportive role naturally expanded to include areas that are not music related? I think that’s exactly the case. Originally Kalafina was known for “Wakana’s voice”, that was our trademark. Those comforting high notes falling gently from the sky. And on the other hand we had a world created by Hikaru’s clear voice. I was somewhere in between providing harmonies. During this period I got closer to them and I wanted to feel what was inside their hearts. I can’t recall which live it was exactly but I still remember that deep within myself I wanted to make sure that Wakana was able to concentrate on her singing. So during MCs and interviews I’d take the lead and draw attention to myself so Wakana would have time to prepare for lives. After all, if Wakana’s concentration wavers our songs don’t work, if she is unwell it is conveyed through her voice. That’s how I just naturally started doing these things, little by little this became my assigned role. Whether it is wrapping up MCs or taking care of various live-related worries during our rehearsals, I felt it would be a good thing to take these things upon myself. I thought that would be the least I could do to make sure that our audience could enjoy Kalafina’s music at its very best. That’s pretty much how I got my role.

-- Isn’t that really hard? ...it is! *laughs* Especially since I am not perfect by any means. But in order to support others I can’t afford to make any mistakes so in all earnesty I devoted a considerable amount of my time to Kalafina’s music. 

-- One word to describe your 10 years as part of Kalafina? For me...it was all about “learning”... I learned a lot about music and I learned a lot about people.

-- What do you mean by you “learned about people”? I developed an interest in people. The way people live, the way people think etc...”That’s interesting!”, “I wanna know more!” Something changed within myseld and I was suddenly interested in people, I really learned a lot in that regard. Before my time in Kalafina I didn’t care much about other people. This interest is the source of our very first live activities and it is the most intense learning experience in my entire life.

Keiko got the same questions as Wakana about her reaction when she heard about the documentary (at first worried then joyful). How she felt about the location shoots for the movie (she had fun in Shibuya and walked around areas where she hadn’t been in around six years. She got the chance to reflect upon many things) and some thoughts regarding their 10th Anniversary Live (it was the perfect cumulation of 2017. She felt enormous happiness that day) Nothing new there...

*1) She is referring to her solo lines in “seventh heaven” *2) I guess she means it came off as too commanding or something *3) In case anyone is not familiar with Wakana’s and Keiko’s pre-Kalafina activities => Back in 2005/2006 they had already been signed up to Space Craft and they were taking part in various music events. Wakana was singing in a stage play called “Herstories” and both Wakana and Keiko (Kaori and Ayaka Ito as well) took part in a regular event called “Female Voice Party”.

Scans of the pamphlet can be found here

Next up: Hikaru’s Solo Interview | Previous post: Wakana’s Solo Interview

[livehorses]

Ballerina/Leap! movie characters appreciations: Félicie Milliner.

Even if in the movie there are many clichés, and more in the characters, like the clumsy sidekick, the strict proffesor, the bully antagonist and the joyful inocent girl, I must say that they still have a taste of originality and end to being endearing characters. Here I want to share my Ballerina/Leap! movie characters appreciations. To clarify that those are personal opinions and doesn’t pretend to attack no ones opinions.     

I will start with the main character, Félicie Milliner or Félicie Lebras.

She’s without doubt my favorite character. Although it’s true that she is the  typical optimistic, cheerful, naive, innocent, curious girl who is very affectionate, who loves everyone, who likes to make friends and experience and prove new things; who is daring, who doesn’t lose faith and who believes in her dreams, like Anna from Frozen, Rapunzel from Tangled, Moana or Judy Hopps from Zootopia. But hey! That doesn’t sound so bad after all, don’t you? And yes, it is true that besides everything is the classic wild orphan with red hair and also very tomboy. And even though in part, it is a pretty cliché character and she can be branded as a Mary Sue, for me she has strong points that differentiate her from other similar characters.  

There are many things that I like from her personality. By the course of the movie you can see all by her perspective and have the chance to live her own experiences. She’s vivacious, joyful, sweet and of course very passionate about live and its experiences. But also is very daring, brave and smart. I like how she have a good disposition with those who meet along the story even with Camille who from the very beginning only wants to affects her. You can see how she’s conflicted by the fact that she doesn’t know where she belongs.      

The truth is that I do not care how cliché she is, it makes me even more pleasant than many other characters similar to her. When, for example, on many occasions, (usually in Disney movies) they want to make fun of the protagonists, it always has to be that of the girl trying to prove something to others that later turns out to be a funny disaster.

On the other hand, Felicie is not an inexperienced clumsy. It’s noticeable that during all the time in the orphanage she was climbing trees and besides everything, sneaking away was her speciallity. If she was about to fall off the roof of the orphanage, she was partly lost balance when Mr. Luteau asked for her and she tried to hide.

Despite being inexperienced about the outside world, she is quite intuitive, brave and has a lot of guts. It’s quite intelligent and smart, every time she’s at a crossroads usually she has the necessary wasp to find an immediate solution. She’s always on the move trying to solve her problems. Although sometimes does not usually think about whether her ideas of survival can get her in trouble and more when these, involve Machiavellian methods.

That certainly gives us to understand that Félicie made a mistake, though clever, in stealing Camille's identity. After all, she has many defects.

Another of her great defects was certainly that of not putting enough dedication and effort to the ballet as Camille did. But let's make something clear: although she’s the protagonist, she’s a child.

She didn’t know the consequences that her actions could bring. She was angry with Camille for being bullied by her and she took the opportunity to steal the admission letter and take Camille’s place, but surely thought that meanwhile things were difficult for an orphan like her to get, Camille, being from a socially favored family wouldn’t cost her work to enter the Opera. Shee didn’t think that could affect Odette's work. And certainly, when Odette began to help her, she came to suppose that her journey as a dancer, although she was giving it’s dedication, was already assured and that nothing would be in between. That's why she saw nothing wrong with neglecting from time to time, time with Rudolf. She didn’t assume that she ran several risks in her goal to achieve her dream. She had not yet witnessed the bleak reality of which the mother superior had warned her, not because dreams weren’t real, but certainly for an orphan the world was cruel and ruthless.

When they discovered her, it was the first time she learned the consequences of her actions. She didn’t mean to offend Camille, as she said, and she really regretted it when she realized the disaster she had caused. At last she realized that her dream was even more serious than she supposed and then began to work harder, with the means at hand.

Another thing to highlight is the conflict that she lives from not knowing who she is. She doesn’t know anything about her parents, who at first in childhood are our role models and models of what we want to become. The only thing she keeps is a music box. The ballet is something that identifies her but she is not aware of how much weight it has on her personality. She locates it as, literally, a dream, something that she pursues while she sleeps, a memory of something that has great importance for her but that is beyond her reach. The ballet for her is an objective that impels her to continue living within her bleak world.

However, she has nothing else to identify her, so the only thing she has left is just the knowledge that she is an orphan without roots, without a past, without an identity. At the orphanage she still had someone to identify with, but she didn’t feel part of them. She and Victor aspired to find themselves as they could. Things got worse when in Paris everything indicated that she was worthless.

I'm surprised that although Felicie is naive, she's not completely silly. I believed by the trailers that Félicie would fall for Rudolf barely knowing him, but it was not like that. Although she was impressed by his dancing, she felt odd when she saw him practically showing off in front of her. Shee only became enraptured with him when he started telling her nice things, more attractive than those words usually the people who really loved her used to tell her. Flattering her and putting her almost on the pedestals made Félicie feel that someone was finally seeing something in her. Victor was still of his class, and Odette in a way too. But Félicie wanted to be someone, to be recognized and thought that those who could affirm it would be those she wanted to be like them, the succesful dancers. Mérante was famous, and he rejected her from the beginning; Camille was great, and it seemed that because of her greatness she had the right to smash and humiliate Félicie. Rudolf, on the other hand, a well-known Russian prince had set his eyes on her, a nobody, and began to describe what she hoped to hear: that she was special.

That's why, when she was a few steps away from getting the part, when Camille rubbed her in the face that she was nobody, she didn’t have enough strength to refuse Rudolf's offer, who immediately told her she was unique. Her desperation to be accepted made her isolate herself from people in the same situation as her, but they really accepted her and loved her for what she proved to be without her realizing it: A happy young girl full of life, genuine, friendly, warm and perhaps blind to the facts of reality, a blindness that in part can be an advantage when you can trust and like many kind of people, and at the same time a dangerous defect if you don’t see the consequences.

What I like about her is her sympathy for everyone. Although it sometimes bothered her, she valued Victor a lot and recognized that he was intelligent; From the beginning she found a friend in Odette, even if she was lame and grumpy. She genuinely accomppanied her and helped her (a little in work) she fill Odette a little with noise but also with someone who was at her side. Then she treated her truly like a mother and felt great appreciation for her; she wanted to share her taste for ballet with Camille, but when Camille rejected her, she was forced to recognize her more as an opponent. But that didn’t stop her from hugging her when Camille offered her the role, and to treated her as closely as if they had been lifelong friends. She hugged Mr. Luteau in gratitude instead of just entering the Opera. No matter who it was, it would probably receive a warm hug from her. We can argue that she only knew how to appreciate someone when it did something for her, but from the beginning Camille didn’t offer her anything.

She just wanted to feel loved. That gave her security and made her feel that she was valuable. But that desesperation only made her going behind someone who gave her false feelings of affection like a dog behind a bone.

Her rejection to her class and the carelessness she had the night before the audition affected her severely. But even so, although she made a huge mistake, she knew how to learn from it, and when she really discovered who she was when she dreamed of her mother and realized that dancing was not only her dream but what defined her, her attitude began to change completely. The ballet becomes a more serious issue for her, and her experiences, teach her to be more cautious and more hardworking.

She returns to Paris with a new perspective and her new determination makes her face reality with courage. She can face Camille face to face, because she knows that what Camille tells her is a lie. That leads her to achieve her dream, to finally know who she is and to believe in it fervently.

Another thing that catches my attention is the scene in which Victor and Rudolph fight. When I saw the film for the first time, I expected that Felicie would watch scared. But it was not like that; she found it absurd that they considered her a reason to fight and although she appreciated both that didn’t make her stop them upset, telling them how ridiculous they looked. She didn’t give any by his side.

Félicie isn’t at all delicate and I find that she is in some way better than Princess Anna, perhaps more like Rapunzel, but less injured. She reminds me of Miguel Rivera from Coco.

Her buffoonery when she starts to do ballet are very identifiable things for the audience. Without knowing anything about ballet, it was to be expected that she would fall every time, but at least she tried. She is not clumsy.

Another thing (certainly obvious) was her passion. But sometimes we don’t realize at all the importance of this fact. While many saw things quite normal, Félicie discovered in them greatness. She runs, she lauhgs, she lives. Even when at the beginning she was a disaster at ballet, she at least enjoyed it because she was dancing, jumping, twirling, having fun. She kindles the life of those who surround her and that’s why she was loved despite all her blindness. 

Félicie is a character who, like everyone, makes mistakes and having wasted the opportunity of her life is a warning to many of us who sometimes have no vision to realize the seriousness of certain things. It happened to me, I have the dream of becoming an artist, but to waste time in distractions when I felt cornered affected me several times and three times I had to repeat an exam to finish high school. What is important is not to criticize Félicie, but to take her as an example when she decided to face her faults and move on.  

That's why Félicie is a great character, if cliché, retains a spirit of her own that makes her unique and that makes her after all endearing. I don’t care how much many criticize her. If she is selfish I have the feeling that after the foolishness she did with Odette and Victor she realized that others have feelings like her and I’m sure that later she learned to be more tempted to the problems of others. If she has mistakes, she learned from them and Im sure that if we can see it in a future, with her great heart, she will continue to advance and improve as a person.

[hedgehog-goulash7]

OK - this is the piece I wrote in refutation of this now-notorious (because of its many, almost hilarious inaccuracies) article on Screen Rant: “15 Reasons the MCU Should Retire Iron Man”

This is:

A Rebuttal to ‘15 Reasons The MCU Should Retire Iron Man” -- or, Iron Man Should Retire Only If and When RDJ Wants Him To

By Hedgehog-Goulash7 

I will preface this by saying: I know all good and great things must someday come to an end. We’ve all been blessed now by almost a decade of RDJ in the armor as Tony Stark, and with all the other opportunities in movies, TV and elsewhere calling to him, we can’t expect one of America’s finest actors to stay an active player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe forever.

As Chris Evans -- another MCU player who’s potentially on the cusp of change -- said recently, and more poetically than I ever could, “The passing of time and the passing of torches is part of the experience. Nothing lasts forever. There’s a beauty in that departure, even if it can be sad at times. It’s also joyful.” 

But there’s that type of graceful nod to what may and will come, later if not sooner -- and then there’s a completely other type of thing: a pseudo-expert on a movie news site willfully CALLING for a character’s end, and using dubious and easily refuted pseudo-”facts” to back his points up. That’s about when I feel the need to respond. So let’s go. 

(Continued under the cut.  This is LONG, but it needed to be, to answer a lot of his badly construed points.  Your comments are always very welcome -- and I’m sure I missed a lot of things, but had I included everything this would have been 6,000 words long!  As I mentioned before, I actually sent this to Screen Rant; they thanked me, turned it down because they don’t accept “guest posts,” but liked it enough to consider me for a staff writer position -- about which we shall see...  - Hedge)

I was puzzled and disappointed to read Evan Killham’s “15 Reasons the MCU Should Retire Iron Man.” At first I thought it had to be satire, but then realized that wasn’t the case. And then as I plowed through, I realized that Evan misstated and downright confused so many elements in the MCU’s Tony Stark story that in some cases I wasn’t quite sure what he was talking about.

As a Marvel fan – particularly of Tony Stark/Iron Man – for many years, and continuing to enjoy Iron Man as my favorite character in the MCU, I disagree wholeheartedly with Evan’s article, which seemed a rather mean-spirited attack piece on a beloved character. So please, allow me to rebut point by point and show you the OTHER side, from a much more optimistic Iron Man fan’s point of view.

15.  Tony Stark did NOT “create most of his own enemies”

Vanko was “created, if anything, by Tony’s father -- as was Obadiah Stane. The only enemy Tony Stark really “created” was Aldrich Killian, but who could predict the insanity of a dude you barely knew building an entire villain persona inspired by a slight at a party years ago?  

Yes, Tony blames himself for creating Ultron, because Tony is all about taking responsibility and blame upon himself (unlike most of his teammates).  But Ultron was clearly NOT Tony’s fault. Tony may have been the catalyst who physically added the alien intelligence to the Iron Legion program. But at the time he was under the influence of the vision Wanda had implanted in his brain: of his greatest fear, losing his teammates and not having done more to save them.  

And more important, he was ALSO under the influence of the Mind Stone in Loki’s staff, which, as we saw in the first Avengers movie, can sow discord and control the minds of even superpowered beings.  The Mind Stone manipulates Tony and Bruce into inserting it in the Ultron/Iron Legion program, and from there it self-promulgates, embodying itself as the evil robot. Tony and Bruce go off to the party not thinking anything of it, because they are being manipulated into thinking nothing’s wrong.  The entrance of Evil Ultron is a huge surprise to them.

14. Tony Stark is not “overused”

Evan says Tony Stark has appeared in “eight of the 16 released MCU films.” He rushes to clarify that one appearance – in “The Incredible Hulk” – was just a few moments’ worth in a tiny cameo. So then that’s seven of the 16 films, fairly speaking.

So three of those were star appearances in his own franchise. Three were in Avengers movies (because Cap3: Civil War was really an Avengers movie, albeit one that RDJ made a mark for himself in, despite having far less screen time…). And yes, of course Iron Man should be a star player in the Avengers movies.

And most recently he made, oooh, wait for it: a 15-minute guest appearance in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

“Overused”? Hardly.

RDJ, sadly for us aficionados, is only in about one movie per year, of ANY type. So a year in which he makes even a small appearance in an MCU movie is a precious year indeed. In fact many of us think some of the Iron Man-less MCU movies could actually have benefited from a strong injection of Iron Man, which always makes everything that much better.

 13. Tony’s teammates really DO like him.

Sure, Rhodey loves Tony and they’re besties from way back. But there have been many, many moments of friendship and affection from his other teammates for Tony Stark throughout the MCU saga.

Natasha practically mouths Russian prayers for Tony to return from the wormhole in Avengers, and in Civil War she holds and massages Tony’s shoulder and asks if he’s OK. Thor apologizes for doubting Tony in Age of Ultron and admiringly admits Tony was right. Bruce Banner warms to Tony’s friendship in the first Avengers movie – yes, the one that launched a million “Science Bros” memes because their affection for each other was so evident. When Tony is jolted back from the dead by the Hulk’s snarl at the end of the Chitauri battle, the smile on Steve’s face could light up a room.

There are countless other little moments like that throughout all the movies. They’re “just” character moments, though – not part of the big bashing action setpieces – so casual viewers tend to overlook them. I don’t get that the heroes of the MCU are generally touchy-feely emotive people (except for you, Thor, you giant puppy). But they DO express their feelings in small, very meaningful ways that are fun to watch.  

Does Tony annoy them? Sure, like an annoying brother. But we love that brother anyway, because he’s family and he’s actually pretty entertaining. (If only my brother were RDJ, it would never get old…)

 12. Tony loves his teammates, too

Tony Stark sometimes doesn’t know how to deal with feelings of care and affection, so he sometimes tries to buy it – as he’s doing now by providing ALL of the Avengers’ amenities: the Tower and now the Compound, their uniforms and equipment and tech, their room and board. (It’s actually led to a “Team Freeloader” meme among the fans, since Tony is pretty much giving them everything.)  He doesn’t NEED to do this, but he does. Because he cares about them, and they’ve become his surrogate family.

But when you really get down to matters of the heart – which these movies don’t very often – look again at the vision Wanda implanted in Tony’s brain; the one of his greatest fear. Of all the Avengers who were affected by Wanda’s visions, only Tony saw a vision of his teammates dying. That is his greatest fear: that he didn’t do enough and then all his friends die. He admits to Nick Fury that he’d rather die than have them die.

I don’t know how much more blatant the MCU saga could get in practically underlining the point that Tony loves his teammates and takes responsibility for their lives and well-being. He FLIES TO SIBERIA all alone in Civil War -- one little guy in an armored suit flying hours and hours through ocean storms -- after braving The Raft and immense danger to find out where Steve is, once he learns the truth about the Vienna bombing. That’s called true friendship, and being there to make things right even after you and your friend both screw up.  

Oh, not to mention he designs everything, pays for everything and makes everyone look cooler.

 11.  Tony may “desperately need a break” -- but he just got one

Yup, we fans have been saying all along that Tony Stark needs a break and a long vacation in some beautiful place where he can quietly heal and come to terms with all that’s happened since 2008. And remember, only about five minutes ago in screen time, he just learned the truth of his parents’ murder and his friend’s betrayal, which probably triggered every ounce of PTSD inside him.

And…he just got a break, thankfully.  In Spider-Man: Homecoming he goes to India to rest and recharge and find himself (it’s glossed over quickly in the movie, but in the novelization, based on the script, it’s clear). Hey, if hanging out and meditating in some ritzy ashram is what it takes to get the old Tony Stark back, then yay.

But more than that: in Homecoming he has reunited with Pepper, the “one thing he can’t live without.” And even more than THAT, he has also gained a surrogate son in Peter Parker, the young superhero who is so much like Tony in almost every way: impulsive, mouthy, quicksilver, utterly determined. So now Tony, who probably thought he lost a family in “Civil War” (in more ways than one) has a close cadre of people he loves around him again.

And remember: this is an ongoing saga. Civil War brought everyone to their low point, the nadir of the story. From here on it’s onward and upward for all of them.

10.  Tony’s motivations are not “questionable”

You could say everything Tony Stark does has “guilt” behind it, as Evan did in his listcicle. But you could say that about all of them – every last one of the Avengers is either driven by guilt or shame. They’re all broken in some way. But if the story plays out as I think it will, because this is how stories work, they will all find their destiny in working together, as a team, as a family – when the Earth is threatened by a Big Bad only the Avengers can defeat.

Tony is not a perfect person. That’s what makes him a fascinating and compelling character. Yes, guilt over his family’s weapons-making legacy drives him to become Iron Man once he sees that those weapons are being diverted and sold to bad guys by Obie. (P.S.: Evan, Stark Industries NEVER sold weapons to evildoers. They were contracted to the U.S. military only.)  

Yes, Tony nearly weeps when confronted by the mom of the young man who died in Sokovia. Yes, he blames himself for Ultron and feels desperate guilt over that, because he’s not aware that he actually WASN’T to blame. And yes, these things and more drive Tony Stark toward advocating the Accords, which (I don’t know, I haven’t read them and I don’t know anyone who has…) seem to simply say that super-powered beings who pack the force of a bunch of atom bombs shouldn’t go tromping across international borders without permission, and should have some oversight. I don’t know – seems reasonable to me?

 9.  Tony Stark definitely DOES want to be Iron Man

Of course he does, because he’s a hero, and hero-ing is what heroes do. He even admits it to Cap: “I don’t want to stop.”  He TRIES to stop – probably to try to be a better mundane man and for Pepper’s sake. But he keeps coming back. Because he wants to. Because the inner drive to be a hero never stops.

We see this most clearly in his interactions with Peter Parker. Peter’s statement that “if you can do the things I can do, and you don’t, and bad things happen, then that’s on you” clearly has an impact on Tony – because it hits him at a time he’s been roped back in after trying to step away from his hero duties. It brings back to Tony that by trying to sit these things out, he’s actually making things worse -- because the world benefits from his actions as Iron Man.

Out of the mouth of this innocent kid – in whom Tony sees an unspoiled version of himself that he feels compelled to protect and guide – comes the entire credo for why he Iron Mans. And why any of them do what they do.

 8.  He’s NOT “more of a wild card than the Hulk.”

No. Just no. The Hulk can’t help himself. Tony can. Most of Tony’s decisions are pretty rational, when he’s actually thinking for himself and isn’t controlled by some outside force. Tony “submitting to registration” in Civil War was not a wild or unexpected decision. It’s the reasonable outcome of the huge fiascos the Avengers have gotten themselves into.  None of it because of anything they’d intended, but the collateral damages happened, right? Massive loss of property, life and limb?

And who was stuck with cleaning it up and paying for it all?  Why, it’s Tony Stark, the ONLY one taking any responsibility whatsoever. More on that in a moment.

 7.  Tony Stark does NOT “actively hold people back” – LOL, what?!!

Where in the world did THAT accusation come from? I’ve literally in all my years of fandom never heard that Tony Stark holds people back. Au contraire, mon Screen Rant frére. Tony Stark revels in being a futurist and in looking ahead to what the future will bring to all of us.

He takes on mentorship of Peter Parker because he knows that this youngster will someday, probably sooner rather than later, be a great hero – and that the kid won’t stop being a hero, whether or not Tony Stark is there to guide him or not. Thus, Peter is in active danger, out there on the streets in his onesie, punching far above his weight.

Tony isn’t holding Peter BACK, he’s keeping him SAFE. Can you imagine the time, effort and thought that went into that high-tech suit and its “Training Wheels Protocol” – Tony spending hours and hours planning how to keep this impetuous young padawan from being killed before he’s 17? Can you imagine Tony’s guilt if he had the ability to protect Peter and he didn’t?

Tony’s only mistake here is not realizing how much like him young Peter is, because of course Peter would disable the protections at his first opportunity. Remember “JARVIS, sometimes you gotta run before you can walk”?

 6.  Tony does not “refuse to take responsibility” – quite the opposite

Tony Stark is completely DRIVEN by the impetus to take responsibility. There is literally a whole movie about this, called Iron Man, in case you missed it.

Ever since his captivity in Afghanistan, it’s been that way. He immediately shut down Stark Industries’ weapons manufacturing at great expense and danger to himself. He built the suit to avenge the life of Yinsen and take responsibility for the safety of the town of Gulmira, since he blamed himself for the terrorists getting his weapons (even though that was Obie’s deal…). I didn’t see recklessness – just determination and courage, and some awesome pinpoint weapons-aiming, too. No collateral damage there.

In Age of Ultron and Civil War, Tony is completely horrified by the ravages of Ultron, whom he blames himself for even though (as we’ve seen) he’s really not to blame. And really, even though both Cap and Tony are quite a bit right and quite a lot wrong in Civil War, Tony in the context of real-world affairs is MORE right.  

The Avengers without oversight by some state or world agency are no more than an outlaw militia traipsing over borders and doing what they wish. No iteration of international law would ever allow that, no matter how much “good” Cap thinks they’re doing by “keeping it in our own hands.”

That sort of thinking is dangerously unilateral, and Cap veers close to America First-ism there (not surprisingly) -- but that doesn’t really work well in an international context. Tony has more of the right idea – that the group needs to be held accountable, as any military would, as any international peacekeeping organization would. There are laws in the world, and they’re there for a purpose.

Also, the only one taking ANY responsibility after the Lagos fiasco seems to be: Tony Stark. Cap is curiously subdued, keeping to his rooms while Tony comes back from his mini-retirement. Tony once again takes on ALL the stress of being the Avenger’s PR crisis manager, lead media spokesman, government liaison and all-around cleanup guy while everyone else apparently lounges around at the Compound.

And going back just a little further – remember that the MCU wouldn’t have Manhattan and would probably be embroiled in WW3 if Tony Stark hadn’t shouldered a nuclear missile and gone on a suicide mission to deliver it into space. Talk about being the guy who lies down on the wire…

So don’t talk to me about Tony Stark “not taking responsibility.” So often and on so many occasions, he takes on ALL the responsibility.

 5.  Tony Stark has shown more character development than all the rest of the Avengers put together.

Anyone asserting that Tony “has shown no character development” has had their head under the proverbial rock the past nine years. Tony Stark has had the most continuous character development of any of the Avengers. If you think not, then you’re buying into the motormouth bravado that the character wears like his armor -- and not seeing the man underneath.

In the course of the MCU saga so far, Tony has had his hero revelation moment, soared above the mistakes of his past, been brought very low by both real and perceived missteps along his hero journey, and now is set to fly high again. In fact, judging from Homecoming, he’s just gone through a rather huge glow-up (which makes his fans very happy).

Tony is not a god or an unceasingly good and moral super-soldier; he’s not a Jekyll-and-Hyde rage monster; he’s not a trained assassin or spy.  None of them ever really change, because they’re all locked into their types (or they don’t get their own movies so we can SEE them change: *cough*Black Widow*cough*…).

Of all the Avengers, Tony is the most human and most ever-changing, just like all of us. He’s a flesh-and-bones guy whose only “super power” is his intellect, whose armor is both real and metaphorical, shielding his real and metaphorical heart -- and whose entire story is his leaping, upward, optimistic character arc toward the future.

 4.  His “quipping has gotten exhausting”?! Not a chance.

Listen, if it wasn’t Tony Stark doing the quipping, it would be some other super-dude in the movie. Count on it. It’s a trope.  And I’d much, much, MUCH rather have Robert Downey Jr. as on-site quipmeister than anyone else. He’s by far the world’s most qualified.

Also, can you WAIT for the moment when Iron Man, Rocket and Star Lord meet?  Quip meters all over the world will shatter, and that, as Martha Stewart says, will be a Good Thing.

 3.  All those “murders”? What??  

Please, point me to any occasion in the MCU where Tony Stark “murders” innocent people intentionally.

I’ll wait.

These are superhero movies – ALL the heroes kill people; hopefully, the bad guys. A lot of aliens bite the dust, but occasionally bad humans do too. And Marvel movies, for all their mayhem, are fairly restrained in collateral damages and actually address the issues of unintended deaths and damage and the human consequences that heroes have to live with.  

How many people died as the Chitauri invaded NYC and smashed into buildings? But how many millions more would have died if the World Council had nuked Manhattan? I seem to recall someone in red and gold saving those millions from nuclear annihilation…which is not a small thing. Wanda inadvertently killed 11 innocent people in that hotel in Lagos – sure, “not her fault,” any more than Ultron was Tony’s fault. They both intended to do good and ended up with a fiasco. It’s all become an important part of the MCU story – it’s become a story of accountability and taking responsibility.

I can only defend the Insta-Kill mode in Spidey’s suit with the thought that it was there as an extreme measure of last resort, only to be used in desperation and ONLY when Peter is fully trained and can – yes – take on that heavy responsibility. Tony intended for that training to happen, you know.

 2.  Tony did not “almost literally get everyone killed”

Again, as I mentioned: Tony – who takes on the responsibility and blame for just about everything, which is his main problem in life – was actually and ironically NOT responsible for Ultron. Wanda’s vision, then the Mind Stone, remember. The Mind Stone, not Tony, was mainly responsible for creating the mad robot. Its intelligence entered the Ultron interface while the Avengers were partying, and no one even suspected it was happening.

 1.    We not only “want” to like him, we DO.  

Listen – Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark is the reason a lot of us go to the MCU movies. It’s no coincidence that every MCU movie in which he’s played a major role is at the top of the top-grossing movies in cinema history.

Sure, we fans would love to see RDJ in other roles. That’s coming. But if he wants to be part of the MCU for however long, he’s more than welcome. Maybe he could take on a Fury-like role as Director Stark, a role that would let him be involved in the MCU as much or as little as he’d like so he’d have time for other projects.Or maybe he gracefully bows out, with Tony Stark either ending heroically in a blaze of glory or in simply retiring to that country place he’s been promising Pepper. I’m torn, but what will be will be. That’s up to Marvel and RDJ, not some freelance writer with whatever axe you’re grinding.

 Tony Stark is such a beloved hero to all of us because of how he’s portrayed onscreen, by one of the great actors of our time: as a flawed, fallible, searching, very human character who makes mistakes, learns from them, falls down again and again, but gets back up and soars once more toward the future he loves. He’s important to so many fans who have disabilities, mental illness/PTSD, or who suffer anxiety and depression, because of what he has gone through and what he has overcome. He’s important to those of us who study and love science and technology, because he fails and perseveres and that’s what science is about. Because it’s the failures, the attempts, the trying, the falling and the overcoming – all of that IS the story of Tony Stark. That’s why we love him.

Tony Stark is a hero. Not perfect – and that’s the entire point. Tony Stark is us. Long may he be part of the MCU, as long as RDJ wants him to play him – because we’ll be here to watch and cheer him on.     

###

[captnswilson]

First date

Written by: caitlinsfears

Prompt:  Barry arranges a picnic for Caitlin, what turns out to be their first date

Characters: Allen, Caitlin Snow

This one shot is made for Snowbarry Spring, prompt: scenic route.

"I think the moment has come, Barry Allen. I mean the one when I remind you that you have a superhuman speed and you don't need a bike."

They both are standing in front of Star Labs, and while Barry tries to attach the basket to his bike, Caitlin looks at him with her hands on her chest. She squints her eyes at the sun, what makes her look even more irritated.

"I think you should be a little less skeptical and more optimistic, Caitlin," he answers, then claps his hands. "Okay, it's ready. Do you like your bike?"

Caitlin takes a peep at the second bicycle. It's definitely a retro one with a pastel blue frame and a soft saddle. Catlin looks again at Barry, then at the bike. Her bike. Since when does she have a bike?

"It's cute, but why do we need these bikes?" Confusion isn't a word enough to express what Caitlin feels. "You said you wanted to take me somewhere. I don't understand what buying bicycles has to do with this."

"Oh, Cait, isn't it obvious? We're going on a bicycle trip and a picnic. I came across this idea when I saw these great bikes on the garage sale. Easy, I didn't pay much. I hope they won't break down on the road."

She gives him a frightened look and he bursts into a laugh. Barry seems to be ready to make fun of her today, but she feels a sudden excitement. She has to spend the whole day with Barry in the open air and it might be a really good idea.

While Caitlin approaches her bike and touches the steering wheel, Barry pulls out his sunglasses of the basket and gives them to her.

"Thank you, my hero," she says, with the relief sheltering from the sun. "So, where is our destination?"

"You'll see," he answers mysteriously and gets on his bike.

Their trip begins. Barry goes ahead, Caitlin behind him. None of them remember the last time they went cycling. Caitlin is used to driving a car, Barry beats every distance in a few seconds on his own feet. Now they have to use some effort and it gives them more fun than they could admit.

Sometimes he turns away to make a quick glimpse at Caitlin as if he needs to be sure that she's still there. Caitlin begins to wonder if even on such a beautiful day she may be forced to patch him up when he falls off his bike. The thought of it involuntarily makes her giggle.

"Oh my God, Caitlin Snow, is it a laughter I'm hearing from you?" He teases her. "It can't be!"

"Shut up or I'll freeze you out," she threatens him, but in spite of the menacing tone of her voice, a smile can't go down her face.

"You just joked about your frosty powers what you haven't done since... okay, you've never done that," he points it out and Caitlin has to admit that he's right. "Fresh air has a good effect on you. Or maybe it's just my company."

She tries to remember when she felt as happy as she does now and nothing comes to her mind.

"Do not flatter yourself, Barry." She takes a sharp breath as she starts to realize how cycling affects her legs. "How much longer?"

After a while, it turns out that they are almost there. Caitlin feels that her dry throat needs water and her legs could use some rest. They stop at a small, empty car park. Barry jumps off the bike and unlocks his basket.

"Are you sure that leaving our bikes here is a good idea? I know you said that I shouldn't be skeptical, but I kinda like this piece of lumber."

"There is no one here, Cait. Nobody will steal them. Come on, I'll show you a beautiful place." He sends her a lovely smile and she can do nothing but grab his arm and let him lead her to that mysterious place. "Piece of lumber? For real, Caitlin?"

They climb a small hill and Barry feels like his heart is trying to get out of his chest. He hides the stress under his smile but he's really afraid that Caitlin won't like what he has prepared for her. She doesn't even realize how important this day is to him. How this sunny day can change everything.

When they arrive, Caitlin doesn't know what to say. Her gaze wanders around the city, which spreads beneath their feet. They can see the buildings, the cars driving the streets, even Star Labs, they just have to look closely. Barry doesn't pay attention to any of this, his eyes watch Caitlin's reaction. When he sees the calm on her face, he immediately loosens up.

"I guess you like it," he concludes, not being able to take his eyes off her.

Her hair flutters in the wind, and her face brightens as she turns to look at him. Barry would like to keep this moment just to be able to come back to it.

"Thoroughly," she asserts him, her voice gentles. "I've never thought that such a place like this may exist. You know how to amaze me, Barry."

"Best yet to come."

Before she can say anything, Barry uses his speed to make a picnic. After a few seconds, Caitlin sees the blanket on the grass, and the delicacies on it, including sandwiches, fruit and champagne. She doesn't even pay attention to the fact that her jaw dropped from surprise.

And suddenly she realizes that she couldn't be here with anyone else. Not even with Cisco. She knows that it's something more than just a picnic of two friends. The flush creeps her face and she can't help it.

He grabs her hand and makes her sit beside him on the blanket. When he pours champagne, she decides to see if her conclusions are right.

"This place is so beautiful. And romantic. Wally and Jesse would like it."

"Probably, but I'd rather keep this place as our sweet secret." He hands her a glass.

Caitlin wishes she knew what to do to stop her heart from skipping fastly. She takes a strawberry and looks at the city.

"You know, one day you may fall in love and I think this place is a great choice for a romantic date." She doesn't look at him, knowing how stupid it sounds.

"That's why I took you here, Cait."

For a moment they're not saying anything. He massages the back of his neck, and she wonders if it's really possible for a heart to beat so fast. Maybe she only imagines it as she imagines that she's on a freaking date with Barry Allen.

"So it's a date?" She's surprised by the fact that she's still able to sound normal. Her first instinct is to start laughing or turn it all into a joke, even if she's so bad at kidding.

"Only if you want it to be," he explains quickly, thinking that he might have ruined everything. "I'm sorry, I should have asked you out first."

"I see that people really like to surprise me," she snorts, taking another strawberry. "Last Saturday, Cisco took me to a movie screening. He said it was a marathon of comedy movies, so I agreed. I didn't look at the titles of the films because I fully trusted the taste of Cisco. My bad. You can't imagine how surprised I was when it turned out to be a horror marathon. I thought I would kill him when the big clown showed on the screen. I hate clowns."

Barry must put down a glass so that he doesn't pour champagne. His joyful laughter spreads through the meadow. Strangely, his reaction doesn't make Caitlin angry. In fact, she gives him a lopsided grin.

"Don't laugh at me," she says, but starts laughing too.

"Sorry, Caitlin, I just imagined it and I'm sure you both looked ridiculous. You know, Cisco feeling pretty chilled and you being annoyed with him. I assume you left the cinema."

"No!" She lifts a chin and takes a sip of champagne. "I decided to keep my dignity so I stayed. Later I couldn't sleep, but at least I didn't give Cisco reasons for jokes. Actually, he was more frightened by those clowns than me."

He smiles slyly and nods his head, although he doesn't believe her at all. Now he has a moment to think about how wonderful he feels. However, there's one more thing left to make him truly happy. He wants to see Caitlin's eyes, so he reaches for her glasses. Caitlin holds her breath as his hands touch her face and gently remove her glasses. Brown eyes stare at him carefully, but nothing he can read from them. They sit so close that he feels her breath, her knee comes in contact with his.

Without thinking of what he's doing, Barry tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear. Caitlin's hand wanders to his face and shyly touches his cheek, then his chin. Neither of them says anything, their looks lead their own conversation. He can only gaze at her with affection when she gently studies his skin with her fingers.

His hands rest on her shoulders, then slide down her back and pull her closer. To his surprise, his heart is not jumping so fast anymore. He calms down, under the influence of her touch his body relaxes.

"Do you kiss on your first date, Cait?"

"Only with you," she answers, putting his face in her hands. "Kiss me, Barry."

Caitlin doesn't know where this sudden courage comes from, but she doesn't care at all. The most important thing is what she wants, and she wants him.

Her eyes close as his lips find hers. Barry kisses her slowly, savoring the taste of her lips. She rakes a hand through his hair and moves away to look at him once again. Then she leans back and they share a deep, passionate kiss for a few seconds.

When some time later they descend from the hill holding hands, smiles don't leave their faces. If Barry had to describe how happiness looks like, he would describe Caitlin walking beside him and smiling sincerely.

He hardly looks away and stops, surprised by the fact that the car park is completely empty. After a moment he hears a laughter beside him and watches Caitlin cover her mouth with her hand.

"It seems like someone stole our bikes," she states the obvious thing, enjoying the chance of vengeance on Barry.

"You mean piece of lumber," he sighs but then chuckles. "Well, we still have another conveyance."

And before she can react, he takes her in his hands and a breath of wind carries her laughter, as he carries her home.

[michellelewis7162]

Mushrooms That Get rid of

Mushrooms That Get rid of

 Unless one recognizes what they are actually performing deciding on mushrooms coming from an area to consume is actually certainly not a sensible action. This was actually shown in Canberra in 1912 when a Chinese chef discovered some mushrooms that looked like one located in China.

 They are actually a vegetation types that expand without chlorophyll as well as, consequently, possess no necessity for sun light. That provides all of them numerous spots to develop as well as grow that is actually worth checking out. Fungus, for circumstances, is actually a fungi that our company make use of in preparing food as well as therefore are actually mushrooms.

 While our team understand the hazard of many of these when our team happen in get in touch with it is actually the mushrooms that folks often tend to take the very most jeopardize along with. Buy Magic Mushrooms Online, for case, located in woody places in Australia, provide the consumer a higher identical to various other medicines. Magic Mushroom Kits For Sale

 Fungis have more than 100,000 in the varieties and also are actually no more taken into consideration vegetations in the nomenclature researches. Their spores can easily make it through in excessive temps and also could be exceptionally detrimental as we understand coming from mold and mildews as well as traits, particularly in properties. The best means to take care of all of them is actually to prevent call as well as to merely purchase all of them coming from secure providers and also if drawn to select all of them coming from an area the customer must understand what they are actually performing.

 A fungi brought through a toad, for instance, was actually imported right into the Americas in the course of the time frame of the 1930's to the 1950's to assess if females are actually expecting was actually launched right into the untamed as well as the outcome is actually the reduction of hundreds of varieties of toads and also salamanders worldwide. That alone reveals that through launching varieties coming from one continent to yet another has actually frequently led in disastrous results on the local area animals.

 Business Growth Medium For Mushroom Gardening Vs Mushroom Growing Kit - A Simple How To Method

 Exactly how to bring in office development channel is actually simple sufficient, and also may significantly reduce your expenses when expanding mushrooms. If you're merely acquiring begun as well as will such as to analyze the procedure, I would certainly propose that you get one of the mushroom starter sets. These starter packages generally deliver you along with a compartment to expand the mushrooms in, a development tool, and also of program the spores or even gives rise to (mycelium).

 As you blend these pair of active ingredients, you need to have to maintain incorporating a 3rd in, which is actually plaster. After the combination is actually effectively combined, all you need to have to perform is actually to toss some cloth sacking over it. You require to inspect the temperature level of this blend at normal periods - probably as soon as every time.

 At this factor the mushroom increasing tool is actually prepared, as well as simply needs to have to be actually placed in to the compartments for you to be actually capable to grow your mushrooms in it (shot). If you can easily carry out that, you can easily possess pretty a couple of sets of shrooms prepared up and also increasing straight at the moment. This are going to function for Magic Mushrooms Online, morel, shiitake, shellfish, as well as the majority of various other eatable mushrooms.

 A mushroom expanding package is actually a terrific concept if you like mushies, or also if you really want to find out the fundamentals of cultivating all of them. If you wish to increase all of them on a much larger range, you're going to need to have even more room.

 Right now you need to have to place the cloth sacking back on the heap as well as to moist it entirely. As soon as once more redo the entire procedure, examining the temperature level of the stack every time. When the temperature level goes up as in the past, loyal the remixing method.

 If you're going to be actually expanding a great deal of shrooms, yet certainly not essentially on an industrial manner, after that possibly getting some development channel when you require it is actually a far better method to go. Bear in mind that along with mycology farming you can not merely make use of dirt, considering that mushrooms are actually abundant in healthy protein, consequently consume a great deal of nitrogen. Effectively, just in case you determine you wish to embrace office mushiness developing, below's exactly how you deal with readying it.

 You can easily either acquire developing mix and also generate, or even you may create your very own expanding blend as well as get the give rise to, equally you want. After you look at the method, you are going to discover exactly how to produce your personal give rise to and also maintain it available for additional increasing. Creating your very own increasing mix is actually most likely to decrease your operating expense if you're at all thinking about office mushroom developing.

 If You're Looking To Buy French Food, Here's A Fun( Gus) Idea

 For some dishes like covered dishes, or even dishes featuring rice, include the dried out porcini mushrooms straight at the start. Merely keep in mind that porcini mushrooms possess a really powerful flavour, unlike the British mushrooms marketed in grocery stores. Consequently it is crucial to ensure that when you are actually changing the cardboard mushrooms coming from your grocery store along with exquisite elements like dried out porcini mushrooms coming from France, lower the amount of mushrooms you utilize, typically the flavour can easily end up being overpowering.

 The only genuine distinction is actually that they been actually capable to purchase French food items. Appropriate French food items, certainly not only the things in your grocery store that starts along with 'le' or even 'los angeles'.

 That is actually the concern along with utilizing grocery store active ingredients, due to the fact that a lot of our team utilize the exact same components in our dishes, entirely unaware to the truth that our experts are really aware that those substances created little bit of variation as for the flavour is actually worried, as well as mostly seem to be to find yourself just as including appearance. If you visit to France to purchase French food items or even to consume at a French dining establishment you are going to probably observe that the flavours are actually quite even more distinctive, abundant, as well as mouth watering.

 For just about any sort of inventory, resource or even risotto through which you are going to commonly feature mushrooms, make use of dried out porcini mushrooms rather as well as you'll discover that the flavour boggles the mind. You'll need to have to saturate the mushrooms in hot water for regarding half a hr just before you require to utilize all of them, however listed below is actually a really good pointer: lots of people merely toss the staying fluid away, yet this is actually a dreadful rubbish. If you're mosting likely to utilize porcini mushrooms in an inventory, resource or even risotto, at that point after you have actually ended up saturating the mushrooms strain be actually liquefied and also include this to the dish any place achievable instead of water.

 Possess you looked at going on the internet to get French food items this wintertime to enliven your standard joyful treats? If you've certainly not truly looked at heading out to purchase French meals or even connoisseur substances after that the main reason might be actually either since your regional food store just does not fill such food items or even active ingredients, which is actually of not a surprise, or even possibly you're certainly not as well certain which exquisite substances you need to be actually seeking, as well as what you can possibly do along with all of them.

 The only specifically very clear method of determining which wide array is actually which is actually that the switch mushrooms are actually regarding the measurements of switches, and also the major mushrooms are actually, effectively, greater. Many of the opportunity I make use of food store mushrooms in dishes I may scarcely sample mushroom at all.

 You might simply carry out all the same along with your personal dishes this winter season, therefore the exquisite element I will firmly encourage to you today is actually to acquire a bottle of dried out porcini mushrooms. You do not in fact need to have a fantastic a lot of dried out porcini mushrooms given that they possess an extremely extreme flavour, and also conserved could be utilized in an entire selection of dishes.

 In a previous short article I advised 1 or 2 factors that could be performed with goose body fat, which is actually definitely among one of the most awesome substances that you can easily launch right into an entire selection of standard foods which most of us carry out throughout the winter month. Today I desire to offer an additional exquisite substance which may likewise be actually made use of in an entire load of treats in a large number of means that may actually take an outdated, somewhat plain dish and also entirely improve it in to one thing which are going to actually receive you observed.

 Determine 3 Reasons Why The Mushrooms In Your Grocery Store Are Like Magic To Your Health!

 The ones you observe in your supermarket constantly are actually the ones you'll wish to get. They are actually white colored, and also are actually marketed individually in containers or even are actually marketed in little numbers on Styrofoam racks as well as covered in extent cling wrap, or even as the British say, "Cling Film".

 A mushroom is actually certainly not a vegetation, yet a fungi.

 " Athlete's Foot" is actually a fungi. Do not panic, certainly not all mushrooms are actually poor for you!

 There are actually several sorts of mushrooms on the planet. Some are actually dangerous, some are actually psychedelic, and also much more are actually nutritious as well as possess unbelievable wellness perks to you.

 A lot of mushrooms that are actually offered in grocery stores are actually commercial developed on mushroom ranches. Many mushroom ranches scent like spunk. That is actually since mushrooms consume manure and also increase, unlike veggies, at night.

 You'll desire to decide on the loosened ones so you can easily hand-pick the best as well as whitest ones that are actually devoid of blemishing, and also bag all of them in newspaper bags that are actually normally provided due to the shop. The newspaper bag breathings, as well as permits your carefully picked mushrooms remain fresher up until you require all of them.

 Because of this many individuals presume mushrooms are in fact poor for you! Sound judgment creates this misleading final thought conceivable because, exactly how could one thing that expands in manure, benefit you? This idea has actually also changed in to a prominent phrase:

 " You handle me like a mushroom, since you nourish me filled with spunk and also maintain me at night!"

 The explanation I state these mushrooms function like miracle is actually that they supply unbelievable health and wellness perks that many people are actually certainly not familiar with. A lot of individuals that appreciate mushrooms, consume all of them for their flavor in many recopies in globally disheses, however consider all of them basically "unfilled" in nutrients. This could not be actually further coming from the reality!

 The absolute most prominent of these, Agaricus bisporus, is actually risk-free for most individuals, due to the fact that it is actually developed on the mushroom ranch responsible, pest-free decontaminated settings. Many wide arrays of A. bisporus are actually expanded commercial, global and also consist of Whites, Crimini, as well as Portobello.

 Mushrooms Online are actually low-calorie and also commonly consumed raw or even prepared to offer garnish to a dish. Raw new mushrooms nevertheless, are actually a great resource of B vitamins, including riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, as well as the necessary minerals of, selenium, copper and also blood potassium, do work in your body system to substantially reduce the growing old procedure.

 To a mushroom however, that is actually wonderful! Unlike our company, mushrooms like the dark, as well as do not view "spunk" as false information, however as a true, composted food items, that is actually over-loaded along with all the nutrients any kind of living thing might expect! After consuming manure all the time, a mushroom turns into a delicious bit of meals that has actually accumulated all the really good in the meals it consumes, and also filterings system back all the unsatisfactory things, leaving you along with a yummy fungi that is actually stuffed along with the nutrients you require for the best possible health and wellness.

 What carry out these health and wellness truths definitely suggest to you?

 Below are actually 3 pointers you must understand that clarify just how the a variety of nutrients in mushrooms mentioned over, profit you in 3 various incredible methods:

 Pointer # 1: Your Immune System

 The one-of-a-kind vitamins as well as products in mushrooms like vitamin D2, as well as carbohydrates, glycoproteins and also proteoglycans, regulate body immune system feedbacks and also prevent cyst development, therefore safeguarding you versus cancers cells and also the easy acute rhinitis signs and symptoms.

 Suggestion # 2: Cleansing Your Body

 Given that mushrooms have actually been actually a topic of modern-day clinical research study because the 1960s, our experts currently recognize that mushrooms include a extra-ordinary biochemical make-up that cleans your entire physical body's devices featuring the heart device. Along with its own antiviral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, and also anti-diabetic residential properties, the mushroom operates as a bio-response modulator, as opposed to straight eliminating germs, infections, or even cancer tissues.

 Suggestion # 3: Your, "One, 2 hit"!

 Since the mushroom both cleans you coming from poisonous substances presently inside your body system, and also defends you coming from infections and also cancers cells, consuming it offers your body system a, "one, pair of strike" potential to safeguard on its own, in addition to re-vitalize on its own.

 That could possess recognized that the basic mushrooms you can acquire in your local area food store possess such wonderful like health and wellness perks? This is actually why you require to begin featuring all of them as an aspect of your every week electrical power diet regimen device!

 Plant Based Ally - Mysterious Mushrooms

 All nutritious fungis - consisting of those regular white colored switch mushrooms marketed in food stores - are actually qualified of protecting against as well as turning around malignant cell improvements. It could possibly be actually due to the fact that mushrooms are actually exceptional resources of healthy protein and also B vitamins along with handful of fats and also no salt. Or even our company can single out the anti-cancer, anti-tumor, as well as anti-bacterial substances located in the stem, hats, gills, as well as also the below ground designs (mycelia) of every nutritious mushroom.

 As summertime evenings prolong right into fall, the rainforests of the Catskill mountain ranges in upstate New York stuffing along with enchanting, magical, medical mushrooms. Unusual forms (some very intimately racy), the capacity to expand (as well as radiance) in the darker, as well as experimental shades create mushrooms an apparent add-on to any sort of sorcerer's agitation. You are going to really want some various other factors to bring in mushrooms a stable component of your diet regimen.

 The intense orange leadings as well as sulfur yellow bottoms of sulphur shelve mushrooms (Polyporus sulphuroides) are actually quick and easy to detect in the overdue summertime woods. Developing just on recently-dead maples, these overlapping shelves create a great-tasting immune-enhancing enhancement to supper. I took just a reveal, being actually cautious to leave behind whole lots for various other mushroom enthusiasts that could happen down the street after me.

 My hardwoods are actually particularly reasonable to me withchanterelles, stunning cornucopia-shaped mushrooms along with a savory flavor. I locate both the delectable little bit of dark ones - amusingly called "horn of fatality" because of their scary pigmentation - as well as the really scrumptious as well as a lot greater orange ones. Often our team come back residence nude coming from our mushrooms strolls - if our team locate a lot more 'shrooms than our experts possess bags for, our team must utilize our tee shirts as well as trousers as companies to assist transport supper house.

 Whether you utilize fungis to create a mushroom soup or even as a solution for a person handling cancer cells, whether you rouse all of them up in a sorcerer's caldron of spiraling energy or even stitch all of them right into a sense bag, mushrooms supply magic and also enigma, health and also cheer.

 Make certain to prepare your mushrooms though; prevent consuming all of them uncooked. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical School located that computer mice that consumed infinite volumes of uncooked mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) established, throughout their life-times, substantially much more deadly growths than a management team.

 I go to an asian market and also purchase the huge, large, major bag of dried out shiitake mushrooms for a portion of what I will spend for all of them in a wellness meals shop. To make use of, I only rehydrate all of them through putting boiling water over all of them or even through going down parts in to soups.

 Maitake(Grifolia frondosa) is actually even more helpful than any kind of various other fungis ever before examined at hindering cyst development. If you get maitake in tablet type, be actually certain to acquire the fruiting body system, certainly not the mycelium.

 Mushrooms are actually certainly not only for meals as well as medication; they are actually renowned for their capability to change our assumptions of fact. Psychedelic psilocybin mushrooms were actually made use of due to the widely known shaman/healer Maria Sabina in Mexico. The red-capped mushroom along with white colored dots often attracted alongside the sorcerer's property is actually the mind-altering Amanita muscaria, often named bonanza, and also largely utilized in Siberian shamanic ceremonies.

 Just about everywhere I use August and also September - whether strolling barefoot on vivid dark-green marshes or even tipping softly throughout the deeply-scented dropped yearn as well as hemlock needles; whether climbing up stony outgrowths adorned along with ferny hairs or even skirting bogs thruming along with bugs; whether adhering to the sloppy financial institution of a winding flow or even harmonizing on aged rock wall structures taking in the aroma of exemplary rot - I look for my fungis buddies.

 Also periodic usage develops strong resistance and also decreases the threat of cancer cells. In scientific researches, usage of reishii enhanced T-cell as well as alpha interferon manufacturing, reduced as well as did away with cysts, as well as strengthened the premium of lifestyle for incurable clients. Reishii and also shiitake are actually wonderful companions, the impacts of one improving the results of the various other.

 You do not need to reside in the timbers and also locate your personal mushrooms to appreciate their wholesome advantages. You may get all of them: new or even dried out for usage in cooking food and also medication; as well as tinctured or even powder. Try to find chanterelles, cepes, enoki, shellfish mushrooms, portobellos, maitake, reishii, shiitake, chaga, and also a lot of various other unusual and also therapeutic mushrooms in natural food retail stores, food stores, specialized establishments, as well as Oriental markets.

[recentanimenews]

INTERVIEW: Science Saru Co-Founder On Yuasa's Habit of Googling Himself

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is a show that's in love with animation. The show is joyful in its depiction of how our favorite anime come to life and the human connections and love behind the scenes that power all of that hard work. At last year's Anime NYC, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet with one of the people behind this very special show! Along with director Masaaki Yuasa, Eunyoung Choi is one of the co-founders of Science SARU, the animation studio behind DEVILMAN crybaby and Night is Short, Walk On Girl among others, where she acts as a producer. In this interview, Choi talked with us about Eizouken, Science SARU's unique approach to animation and the studio's upcoming project!

  Eunyoung Choi (Producer and Co-Founder at @ScienceSARU) tells us how Keep Your Hands off Eizouken! became an anime!! ✍️✨ pic.twitter.com/tEoYxZR88V

— Crunchyroll (@Crunchyroll) January 12, 2020

   Miles Thomas: Could you please introduce yourself to the Crunchyroll Audience?

Choi: I’m Eunyoung. I’m a producer and co-founder of Science SARU. I started my work here as an animator first, and then animation director, and director, and eventually I got to producer.

And so what are you doing here at Anime NYC?

Choi: I am here to promote Eizouken...I don’t know the title in English. Eizouken is fine? Promoting Eizouken and meeting fans. And seeing New York City as well!

Could you tell us about how you first felt when you found out that you would be premiering the first 50 minutes of the series here in New York City?

Choi: I mean, it’s amazing to show the first episode here in New York City, and I love meeting fans. I love to see the reaction of the fans. We worked on Eizouken for about a year and then we completed the first episode. We are pretty happy about the result so I like to see what other people think about it.

The story is about the cast turning their anime dreams into reality, but what does that mean exactly?

They love animation! One character likes focusing on designs or the concepts, you know? The other focuses on characters and animation. They couldn’t output animation as individuals, but with the right team, eventually, it happens! It’s kind of beautiful. I love to experience that process as an animation team. It’s a great concept.

Do you think it makes it easier or harder to adapt a series that’s about the process of making anime?

Choi: I mean, I don’t think it’s easier or harder, but it’s definitely really fun. We talk about the actual animators, how they do what they do. We put those ideas into the project and then...I don’t know, it’s fun. It’s very fun! And of course, sometimes we bring the hard reality into the series as well, but you know, that is reality. I think it's a really unique project.

So how does Eizouken approach the issues in the animation industry? Do you think it’s fairly reflective of the challenges you and your peers face?

Choi: I mean, it’s kind of reflecting the industry, but as a high school student, it's a little bit lighter. Also, they have such a positive attitude toward making animation. It’s good to see a high school student purely enjoying the process of animation. As professionals, that's how it felt when we started, so it was good to see that whole process anew again. It’s a kind of pure enjoyment.

But as a seasoned professional you seem to still have a lot of that youthful passion yourself. Do you feel like you still have a lot of that young energy in your work, working in animation?

Choi: I mean, I still have it, but it's different now. It's like I have a more realistic point of view. You need to have a certain process and talk to the right people or the right team. Sometimes it isn't pure, 100% enjoyment. You need to think logically and deliver the product on time. On the other hand, when you watch the girls in Eizouken purely enjoying the process, it brings back that feeling. It's kind of easy to forget that sometimes.

So, Science SARU has been making a lot of films recently. There’s Night is Short, Walk on Girl which I absolutely adored, Ride Your Wave, which I cannot wait to see... Do you see Science SARU doing more film production, or are you balancing film and television series?

Choi: We're definitely trying to find the balance of more feature films and more TV production as well. Making a feature film is the dream, right? So there's a lot of enjoyment there. And putting something you worked on in the cinema is such an amazing thing to do. On the other hand, making a TV series is like... I really like the speed of the projects and getting to work with new talent, getting to interact with the younger generation of animators. You get to work on some new ideas and there are new visual styles and new vibes. We love them both! By doing TV shows we can renew our talent pool and search for new talent. We're so eager for new ideas and new talent, otherwise, you just get stuck with the same old system and people and you just repeat the same thing over and over again. It's a good challenge!

Speaking of good challenges, Science SARU employs many different animation techniques than most anime studios. Would you care tot alk about your thoughts on Science SARU’s unique approach to animation?

Choi: We're sort of different...I mean I guess we are the same as other studios in some ways...actually in most ways, to be honest. Like...70%. It's the same sort of system, the process isn't that different. But that leftover 30% is made up of things like using new software, for example. Like, if we find a more efficient tool, we don't hesitate to test out new tools and processes. We also work with a lot of people outside of Japan, our team is really multicultural. The majority of animators and talent are still Japanese, but on the other hand, we're very open to hiring people outside of Japan. We've tried to keep that mindset of not being afraid to try out new things and work with new people. For example, our first feature film, Lu Over the Wall was done all in Flash animation. Of course, we mix that with the love of traditional, hand-drawn animation. But after that hand-drawn stage, we film with Flash animation. And we do that with a very small team. It's about...8 people, yeah.

That’s incredible!

Choi: Yeah, without that tool, we wouldn't have been able to get that film out in two years. It would've been impossible, you know? With that tool, we were able to do that, even with a really small team.

So what are some of the artistic benefits of having such a small team working on a project?

Choi: Small teams have a lot of benefits. Of course, the director needs to explain their vision, which no one has seen up to that point, right? Basically, he needs to explain what the project is going to be and what his vision for that project is. But if we have more people, it's easier to miscommunicate or have someone misunderstand what the director means or something like that. If we have a small team, there's a strong understanding among the team members of the project. It's much easier to move forward, so I love working with small teams! On the other hand, when we have bigger teams, we have a lot more ideas flying around. They have really different vibes, but I love them both.

I saw Yuasa-san talking last year in Berkley and he mentioned you in almost every sentence. He continued to talk about you the whole time as you being the big driver at Science SARU for a lot of innovations.

Choi: Oh, he did?!

He acted like you were the one in charge of the way he was talking! I was very impressed. And a lot of us in the western fandom have heard similar things about how you are a big driving force.

What is something special that you’ve brought to Science SARU? What are some of your biggest contributions to the company?

Choi: Well, I'm not Japanese and I'm also an animator. I also handle a lot of the business side as a producer as well. I studied in London and, at that time, I used Flash animation. All that previous experience like working with foreign studios, like French studios, for example, gave me the chance to meet so many talented people. I met really good Flash animators who were super talented. Meeting those people and having those experiences with them helped a lot when we started Science SARU. I had some ideas, I worked in the Japanese animation industry about 15 years when I co-founded the company. My fundamental knowledge of making animation is from Japan, but I also have some European influence and from other countries too. It really helped me to have new ideas and inspiration to look for talent in the next generation and look toward the future. For me, those goals are what Science SARU is all about. Saru means "monkey," so it's like "Science," logic and business and technology, plus "SARU," like intuition, inspiration, art, and like...primal ideas and creativity. That human sort of feeling, you know? It's about the beauty of both of those aspects. It has to be together. To make a film with amazing ideas and that pure enjoyment factor, you need the logical, practical business side as well. With those two ideas combined, we can make animation that makes people happy. Those were the founding principles of Science SARU, and they still are today.

Science SARU's next project, Japan Sinks 2020 was recently announced and you described it as the "latest challenge." Why is this project so challenging?

(Ed. note–Japan Sinks 2020 is an upcoming Scienc SARU series directed by Masaaki Yuasa which will adapt a 1973 sci-fi novel of the same name by Sakyo Komatsu. It tells the story of scientists who discover that Japan will sink into the sea after a series of earthquakes and volcanoes hit the country.)

Choi: With Japan Sinks...the theme isn't really easy to jump into, you know? In the beginning, I was like, are we sure we want to go with that title? It's not easy for people to think "Oh, that must be fun, let's do it!" It's not like that. So, we thought about it really carefully and then after we had the earthquake happen, it felt like it was worth it to try. Japan Sinks 2020 is difficult to talk about, but we wanted to confront it. And we want to focus on and talk about the people, you know? We want to focus on the people instead of the situation or the government or the country. We want to make it more like daily life. Like a personal thing.

"Personal thing"?

  Choi: It's a very challenging project. The look and feel of the show is challenging because we haven't tried that sort of realistic kind of vibe with series or films much before. Hopefully, it will still feel like Science SARU even though we're trying out this new direction. I hope you guys enjoy it.

  I cannot wait.

Key art for the upcoming Japan Sinks 2020

Could you describe Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! for me?

Choi: So, it's a show about three high school girls trying to make animation. There are a lot of enjoyable moments, and it really shows their imagination. Yuasa used that opportunity to make some really magical moments. There are a lot of instances like that that are beautiful and enjoyable. There are so many ideas at play! I think you all will really enjoy it.

I noticed in the first episode that the world of Eizouken feels very fantastical but still grounded in reality. It feels like the characters of the anime are almost self-aware that they are in an anime, they realize they’re in a fantastical environment. How did you convey that on screen? How did you convey the magic and also the reality at the same time of making an anime in these characters' lives?

Choi: So, basically, those scenes you were describing are what they are imagining, right? Because of that, it's really important if we have one of the characters think of a solution for the animation, for that solution to pop into being right there. It's a way to make that idea special, making the show that sort of reality. It's subtle. We show daily life in a realistic way but then when the characters are imagining something, the setting becomes a lot more fantastical. It's pretty amazing!

Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to give to people who either are gonna watch Eizouken or are fans of Science SARU in general?

Choi: If you're already a fan of Science SARU, then you probably know about the projects we're working on, but I would say to you that there are so many cool ideas in the show. Masaaki Yuasa, especially, contributed unique and enjoyable ideas to the series. On the other hand, if you aren't familiar with Science SARU, anyone who is a fan of anime or animation, in general, will get to see the process of how we animate. I think there are so many things animation fans can enjoy in this series!

Is there any other message you’d like to send to anime fans in the West just in general? Anything you’d like to say to the anime watching public at large?

Choi: I studied animation in London, outside of Japan, but on the other hand, I'm working in the animation industry in Japan. There is a big struggle there and it's hard to make anime because there's a very specific, limited timeline and a limited budget. But there's a lot of creative freedom too, and that's where the enjoyable moments are. I hope that people can understand and enjoy those moments. There's so much great animation coming out of Japan, so please keep watching all fo them! They're all amazing, I can't say it enough.

Yesterday at the panel you shared a story about how Yuasa-san had read the manga Eizouken prior to being offered the opportunity to work on it. Could you tell me about how it happened?

Choi: When we talk about a new project, we talk about manga, novels or original stories. One project, Eizouken, came up and surprisingly [Yuasa] knew the title. I said, "Oh, you don’t really read manga because we don’t have enough time to check every single title." But he said, "Oh I know Eizouken." I asked how he knew, and he said "I do 'Ego Search.'" Like, searching for your name. In Japanese, we say "Ego Search." Then he’s looking for his name, Masaaki Yuasa and then Eizouken came up and he said: “What is Eizouken?” Somebody said like, Masaaki Yuasa should make an Eizouken anime, and then he knew about the manga. It was a nice surprise, you know? He knew the title and then said ok, let’s check it out, and then maybe make an Eizouken anime?

I love that story. Thank you so much for everything you shared. This was fantastic, I’m really glad we got to talk to you today.

Choi: Thank you.

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[aerotimeairportlimotaxi]

Enjoy The Beautiful Destination of Toronto – Tour With a Tour Guide By Your Side

Canada is home to a much sought after lovely vacationer destination – Toronto. The land is in reality a wish come true for almost any traveler. An event for merry-making and delight is what your holiday at Toronto means. It has several theme parks where you can spend the whole day and still not get enough of it. A number of the famous traveler sights in Toronto are the well-known CN tower, the picturesque Harbour the front, the Zoo, The Royal Ontario Museum and the stunning sky dome. You can find more than a few festivals and events which could be held throughout the year. All these events boost the flavor and pleasure of the Toronto tours. A vacation at Toronto is certainly one large party and you are sure to definitely have a fantastic time.

A well developed town that continues to grow at a fast pace, Toronto is just what you had been trying to find on your personal vacation. The town plays the ideal host to over one million visitors all through the year. The famous CN Tower which is the primary landmark in the town is the tallest recognized free standing Building in the world. The CN Tower absolutely stands tall at 1815 ft. The elevator tour is a must in your Toronto tour. The view from the elevators is definitely breathtaking. There is a view place from where you’re able to get the view of the city. You will fall in deep love with Toronto at the first glance from here. You will additionally take a walk on the glass floor place and benefit from the view of Toronto right under the toes well away of 1100 ft. The rotating restaurant on top of the CN Tower is an event really beyond words.

Toronto Harbour – A New Tour Vacation spot

Toronto Harbour is located in Canada on the north part of Lake Ontario. The waves of Lake Ontario do not have an effect on this harbour as this harbour is guarded by the island. If you are visiting Toronto alongside your family you then can’t afford to overlook this place. In Toronto, that is one of the most loved tour spots.

But all of this qualities sounds pretty common, does not it? However, what if you get an area which is peaceable and joyful too? This kind of harbour is actually well-recognized for its various leisure games and activities. So you probably can make your tour filled with fun by visiting this place.

Other than sports activities, some other features that make this harbour so fascinating are its numerous festivals. A few of the festivals just like the Toronto International Film Festival are such a kind of pageant. Here you can watch some of the best of films as well as the events. Not only this, the winter city will absolutely boost your experience.

In case you are smitten by events and in search of some fascinating events at Toronto Harbour then you can enjoy in the Caribana festival with your family and youngsters. This pageant will make you forget all sorrows and you will just get social and dance. The best and easiest way to cover Toronto is by using a limo, cab or taxi services that are easily available on one phone call.

If you’ve got a taste for artwork and tradition then you definitely ought to go to the Canadian exhibition hosted on the harbour. Here you will see some of the excellent works. If you want to spend the night at the center of the sea then absolutely you can choose boat cruises. There you’re able to enjoy your evening with some very nice food together with your household.

In case you’re someone who just loves shopping then additionally Toronto Harbour is the right place for you. You will find some of the greatest market locations where you can shop and more. Also, you can go for different cruise rides as well. If you are a food lover then here you will get numerous opportunities to enjoy some truly scrumptious dishes at restaurants on the harbour.

So the next times you visit Toronto do not forget to go to the Toronto Harbour because this place won’t let you to down in any respect. And you will cherish every moment you spend here.

[camdenfringe]

Changes to the Printed Programme

Bump! Buckle Up Theatre Winner 'Best Comedy Show' Greater Manchester Fringe 2015 In this fast-paced, highly physical new play, Eliana and Ian appear to move in harmony. Watch their happiness and struggles at close range in an intimate setting. Become a part of their lives as their innermost thoughts are shared directly with you, even in their private moments. Are they on the same wavelength or at odds? Words overlap, intertwine and tangle throughout this quickly propelled story. Bump! is a unique new comedy packed with twists, turns and surprises. "Intricately choreographed" ***** TheatreFullStop. "Funny, endearing and surprisingly deep" ***** Mumble Theatre. "Fun, witty and thoroughly delightful" **** Edfringe Review. "Extremely taut" **** Quotidian Times. Tristan Bates Theatre Mon 31 Jul - Sat 5 Aug 2017 at 9:15pm £9 (£8 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1045

Jilberto Soto: Even God Knew I was Gay Jilberto is a comic from Seattle who has brought his talents to London. Even God Knew I was Gay will reveal the struggles of the gay dating scene for a Catholic Mexican. Overall, it’s about the journey for self-acceptance. The Bill Murray Thu 3 Aug 2017 at 6:30pm £5 http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1215

Be Longing Follow Through Collective & Co. Every home is as individual as the people inhabiting it. Home is a drawing of the Self. So what is it that makes us feel at home? The FTC approaches these questions by the means of dance & film, thus making personal reflexion tangible.The two dancers indulge in a sensible interplay of dance & Film while the viewer is invited to change perspectives. Shows at Etcetera Theatre Fri 4 Aug 2017 at 2:30pm £6 (£5 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1231

Sezar Alkassab: Moronic Glaswegian comedian Sezar Alkassab brings his conversational storytelling comedy to The Camden Fringe with his Moronic show and brings his audience together through laughter, with his unique perspective, silly stories, and friendly audience engagement “Great material... strangely refreshing and funny” - Cheeky Monkey Comedy Club "Confident delivery... informed material with an endearing edge" - Jester Jesters Comedy Club “Confident... can deliver a wide range of comedy... can adapt his set to meet the needs of his audience.” - The Comedy App The Bill Murray Sun 6 Aug 2017 at 5:00pm Sun 13 Aug 2017 at 5:00pm Sun 27 Aug 2017 at 5:00pm £5 http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1220

Eden Aelfa Centauri Theatre Company In a post apocalyptic bunker, Eva, is held against her will by Snake and The Genesis Project. Humanity as we know it extinguished and Eva's DNA, without consent, is the future of a new cloned and fully compliant human race. Can Adam, a rebel footman find a way to bring her hope that nature and free will still exists in the form of a single apple. Hen and Chickens Mon 7 Aug - Tue 8 Aug 2017 at 9:00pm £10 http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1219

Double Bill: Landings: There She Is & The Tropicalia Island Physicality, songs and make-believe in a double bill where words challenge accents and humour defies reality.THERE SHE IS, by Gabriela Flarys is an attempt to get ‘there’, but if there’s a whale blocking the way, the path must change. THE TROPICALIA ISLAND, by Fernanda Mandagará is about an exotic place receiving refugees after a world catastrophe. Etcetera Theatre Tue 8 Aug 2017 at 12:30pm £10.00 (£8.00 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1232

Jazz is Joy Nicola Mac and Tiffany Ford Featuring some old time favourite tunes combined with choreography to show stopping hits, this showcase embraces Jazz in some of its various forms, specifically vocals and movement. Explore and enjoy the joyful and romantic side of Jazz and feel empowered. Etcetera Theatre Tue 8 Aug 2017 at 2:30pm £6.50 (£5.00 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1233

FEET Emma and Lawrence wrote a play Lucy can’t pay the bills. For quick money, she joins a Foot Fetish website. However, when the cash starts rolling in, Lucy begins to question her choices and her identity. A black comedy, FEET asks if compromising your integrity and giving in to being objectified is worth selling yourself – or your feet – in order to survive. Etcetera Theatre Thu 10 Aug - Fri 11 Aug 2017 at 4:30pm £8 (£5 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1214

Nick Horseman: Hip Hop Happy Hour The guy who was once 50% of acclaimed musical comedy duo Horse & Louis and is now 100% of rapping comedy man Nick Horseman brings you a fresh'n'funky hour of jokes and bangin' hip hop tunes. "An excellent hour of comedy" **** British Comedy Guide "Very funny" **** ThreeWeeks Camden Comedy Club Thu 10 Aug 2017 at 9:30pm £5 http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1211

Nick Elleray: Just Happy To Be Here A stand-up show from renowned happy camper Nick Elleray. Family, Kim Jong-Un, dentistry - this one's got the lot. “An engaging stand-up with an inventive mind.” The List “Quality downbeat comedy... could almost be Louis CK played at the wrong speed” Chortle Winner - Old Comedian of the Year 2017 As heard on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4 Extra Camden Comedy Club Sat 12 & Sat 19 Aug at 5pm £7 (£5 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1229 The Bill Murray Wed 15 Aug at 9.30pm £5 http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1230

Robert Jones - Just the Start If there is anything that could bond an entire room and that is the fact is that everyone has failed at something, whether it be at work, at love or even as simple as trying to get from place to place and if that is true Robert Jones is the key to world peace. If you are going to fail you might as well get a good story out of it and Robert has a few. Camden People's Theatre Sun 13 Aug - Wed 16 Aug 2017 at 9:00pm £7 (£5 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1223

What I Really Wanted To Say Was... Shtoom Productions What I really wanted to say was... is a LOL social-satire where we revisit and stage our most awkward, inappropriate conversations. Society's reliant on political correctness so where do you stand? How would you react? What would you have said? Thought provoking punchlines and ruthless, rough and ready rhymes- Will you wince, laugh, cringe or cry? Etcetera Theatre Mon 14 Aug 2017 at 4:30pm £6.50 (£5 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1207

Broken No Photos Please Productions Boy meeteth girl. Boy loseth girl. Boy bareth soul. Set in London and centred on the end of a relationship, Broken fuses Shakespeare with modern dialogue and is an expressionistic satire on the highs and lows of falling in, and inevitably out, of love. "Pretty much everything that's spoken in Broken is quotable" M Davis, Breaking the Fourth Wall. Shows at Etcetera Theatre Mon 14 Aug - Thu 17 Aug 2017 at 6:30pm £10 (£8 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1234

So You Say Different Theatre When ex-lovers meet after many years, what can we believe about the stories they tell? ‘So You Say’ explores two unreliable and diverging narratives. A fast-paced emotional ride through past and present - funny, shocking and bittersweet. Shortlisted for Best New Play, Brighton Fringe “Outstanding in its simplicity and honesty” Broadway Baby **** Tristan Bates Theatre Tue 15 Aug - Sat 19 Aug 2017 at 6:15pm £10 (£8 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1208

Joe Bor: A Room With A Jew An hour of stand up from award winning comedian and Jewish Comedian of the year Joe Bor. TV credits include Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You. "Joe Bor is a must see" Alan Carr Camden Comedy Club Wed 16 Aug - Thu 17 Aug 2017 at 8:00pm £5 http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1206

Ophelia: Madness (in blue) Stem Collective Ophelia remembers the three men she loves; brother, father, lover. Numbed by grief she swallows herself with madness. Celebrating the other story of Shakespeare's poetic, passionate heroine, this intimate work re-imagines Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' in song, combining jazz and classical vocals, Elizabethan verse and cello and piano accompaniment. The Swiss Church Thu 17 Aug - Fri 18 Aug 2017 at 7:30pm £10 (£8 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1222

Brett Goldstein: What Is Love Baby Don't Hurt Me Brett Goldstein fell in love. He wouldn't recommend it. Award Winning Stand Up, Comedian and actor Brett Goldstein returns with a brand new show about love, primary relationships, living in a post porn world, and why Shakespeare can go xxxx himself. A work in progress. (A mess) Camden Comedy Club Fri 18 Aug - Sun 20 Aug 2017 at 8:00pm £10 (£7 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1205

Sorry I Killed Your Cat Lost Fragments Productions When a new couple move in to a north London apartment block their neighbours are quick to invite them over for dinner, though not all is as it seems. Packed full of laughs, drama and dead animals, Sorry, I Killed Your Cat, is a hilarious piece of new writing about keeping up false appearances, broken relationships, alcohol an Shows at The Cockpit Sun 20 Aug 2017 at 5:30pm Mon 21 Aug - Tue 22 Aug 2017 at 7:00pm £8 (£6 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1212

Under the Skin Tik-Sho-Ret Theatre Company ‘Under the Skin’ is a play set both during the Holocaust and the Gulf War. It tells the story of the love affair between a Nazi officer and one of her female Jewish prisoners. It is based on Kohlmann's Belsen trial protocol, and also on Holocaust survivors' testimonies. The original production has had a successful two year run in Israel. Shows at Etcetera Theatre Tue 22 Aug - Wed 23 Aug 2017 at 4:30pm £8 (£6 conc) http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1224

Paul Ricketts' West End Story Libellously funny storytelling show, set in the 1990's London, explaining how to find outrageous nightly adventures on a budget of £5. It’s a storytelling show about storytelling, creating scenarios to create a social life in the heart of London. "beguiling storytelling ” Chortle "go hear his story" Three Weeks Shows at Camden Comedy Club Fri 25 Aug - Sat 26 Aug 2017 at 6:00pm £5 http://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=1209

CANCELLED SHOWS Scientology The Musical 7-12 August at Lion & Unicorn Blow 8-10 August at Lion &Unicorn The Monument of Portland Place 14-17 August at Etcetera Theatre We Fly By Night 18-20 August at Etcetera Theatre

[trentteti]

The Logical Rose-ning Section: Your Recap of The Bachelorette, Episode 3

Rachel Lindsay is a practicing attorney who once took the LSAT. And you, dear reader, are an aspiring attorney who will soon take the LSAT. Rachel Lindsay is also an aspiring married person, serving as the bachelorette on this season of The Bachelorette, the love story these depraved times deserve. And you, dear reader, may also be an aspiring married person? Either way, you definitely have at least a few things in common with Rachel. So every Tuesday, we’re going to be tracking Rachel’s romantic journey on The Bachelorette, and see what we can learn about love, loss, and the LSAT. Welcome back to the Logical Rose-ning Section.

Last time: Rachel tested the contestants’ abilities in “husbandry.” Most of the guys are awkward dorks. There was a boring controversy over whether a catchphrase-spouting guy who was literally wearing a tank top he’s trying to sell to you is there for, you guessed it, the “right reasons. Kareem Abdul Jabbar showed up to watch some of the guys play ball, but considering the appearance of DeMario’s side girl Lexi, you wonder if they had Kareem confused with Wilt Chamberlain. Rachel showed some impressive lawyer skills when mediating between DeMario and Lexi, and then dismissed DeMario with righteous fury. Obviously DeMario respected her wishes and the legal concept of res judicata and left. JK, he showed up again to plead his case.

DeMario shows back up

We pick up right where we left off last week, with the opposite-of-triumphant return of DeMario. Rachel deigns to meet with him. And, to his credit, DeMario starts off pretty well with a polite handshake and an explanation about how he should have been more truthful to Rachel, whose motto is to “always keep it 100.” He drops a quote about how life’s joy requires experiencing pain. He explains how he hope joy will come from this painful experience. But then DeMario gets increasingly desperate and starts rambling about his Uber driver’s advice and completely loses the thread. Know when to end closing arguments, dude.

Rachel, whip-smart as she is, sees through all of this. She says, “I need a man who, when confronted with a difficult situation, doesn’t lie about it.” She can’t get passed DeMario’s initial response to seeing Lexi on the group date, which was basically the live equivalent of dropping a “New phone who dis?”

Then Rachel really drops some fury. My episode notes at this point just read “Dayumn girl.” Rachel tells DeMario that his quote about needing pain to experience joy was cute, but that his hypothetically joyful future is not in the Man-sion. “Forward isn’t that way, it’s that way, outside of this house,” she says.

After Rachel dropped the mic on a dumbfounded DeMario, the remaining guys are all like, “We’re here for you, Rachel.” And she just responds, “I’m good. I’m great.” She is. Rachel doesn’t need you guys. Let’s just kick all the guys off and have a show about Rachel and her dog traveling the world. A Travels with Charlie for the digital age.

Rose Ceremony

The rest of the cocktail party really just shows how not up to Rachel’s level these dudes are. Jonathan wears giant hands? Alex does a Rubik’s cube? Will dunks on a Playskool hoop. Dude, she just kicked off a dude who can dunk on a real hoop.

Blake continues to freaks out about Whaboom. The Whaboom guy tells a bizarre story about Blake standing over Whaboom guy’s bed sensually eating a banana. Blake’s defense is that he doesn’t eat carbs. These guys.

This all a prelude to the rose ceremony, where Rachel will take an axe to some of the chaff remaining in this group. At the ceremony, she apologizes for the DeMario sitch. But she doesn’t apologize for sending these jokers home. And she shouldn’t! Bryan, Bryce, Eric, Anthony (literally don’t remember this guy, he must be new), Will, Jonathan, Jack, Matt, Alex, Adam, Pretty Boy Pitbull Kenny King (who adorably accepts his rose offer by saying, “How Kenny say no?”), Brady (also don’t remember this guy), noted racist (which should not be surprising given his penchant for Richard Spencer’s haircut) Lee, Iggy, Fred the bad little summer camp boy, and Diggy get roses, joining Piggo Mortensen and DeanBot2000, who received roses on their dates last week.

This leaves Blake, and Whaboom out in the cold. And frankly, that’s fine by me. During the entire ceremony both Whaboom and Blake freak out about how each is much more deserving of Rachel’s affection than the other. Even when Blake is saying his goodbyes to Rachel, he brings up Whaboom. After their confessional interviews, they get into an argument that is literally the exact argument the protagonists of a romantic comedy have before declaring their love. These guys just need to kiss and get it over with. Maybe they’ll leave this show, discover their unbridled passion for each other, and make Whaboom every night under the stars. If and when they do though, it’ll be away from the watchful eye of The Bachelorette cameras. They’re gone. Anyway, drum roll for aspirant drummer Blake and a 12-Whaboom salute for Lucas.

Group Date Number 1

And with that, we are on to the episode’s first group date. The date card invites Bryan, Jonathan, Peter, Alex, Will, and Fred along for the ride. The card reads “Lights, Camera, Action. Come join me on the set of Ellen.” They’re going on your mom’s favorite show, Ellen.

On the set of Ellen, Rachel calls Ellen her “spirit animal.” Ellen follows Rachel’s creed of keeping it 100, and gives her unflinching assessment of these clowns. When Rachel tells Ellen about the creepy tickling Jonathan pulled during their first impression meeting, Ellen says, “I don’t like that. Why is he still here?” When Rachel tells Ellen about Will’s Urkel cosplay, Ellen says, “I don’t like that either.”

Once filming of the Ellen show begins—which again, your mom definitely saw, since it is her favorite show—Ellen implores the guys to take their shirts off and dance with the crowd. The guys could not be more eager to oblige her request. Alex, who possesses the physique and Russian heritage of peak Ivan Drago, goes especially crazy, dancing on woman of all ages. Hell nah, Alex, don’t discriminize.

Once things settle down, the guys play “Never have I ever” with Rachel and Ellen. Poor Fred can’t catch a break. He’s already playing at a disadvantage, having been a bad little boy at the summer camp Rachel went to. On syndicated television, Ellen asks about him being a bad little summer camp boy. During the game, it’s revealed that most of his fellow contestants on the date have already kissed Rachel. Later, he awkwardly asks her permission for a kiss. He uses a cheesy pick-up line about how she might catch feelings after the kiss. Rachel then tells him that she still sees him as the bad little summer camp boy, and for that reason, she can’t reciprocate these feelings. She knows all about reciprocity, given that she has that word tattooed on her ribs. Fred is left packing. Alex then gets the group date rose. Sometimes the Russian villain wins.

One-on-One Date

Anthony, who is apparently a human being who has been on this show the entire time, gets the coveted one-on-one date. “Meet me at the Rodeo,” the date card reads. He’s thinking bulls and rodeo clowns and cowboys and horses. Turns out she meant Rodeo Drive (pronounced “Roe-day-oh,” a street in Beverly Hills that’s literally a gilded ode to the conspicuous consumption demanded by late capitalism). But she’s on a horse. Because rodeo. They’re spelled the same. Get it? Get it? You get it.

They take horses around Rodeo Drive as tourists gawk. They buy cowboy boots, tacky shirts, and visit a cupcake ATM. Anthony is very buff and handsome, wears size 13 shoes, and looks very commanding on a horse. But he’s basically a cipher. He feeds a horse a cupcake, and hopes the horse doesn’t defecate in the store. The horse, of course, does. At dinner, he talks about being an “old soul.” That’s about the extent of the banter these two have. I don’t see them going far. Or maybe I’m actually falling for Rachel and view Anthony as a threat? Who can say? Anyway, he gets the rose and they re-enact a scene from memorable Oscar loser La La Land.

A Break for Some LSAT Studying

We’re having fun here with The Bachelorette. Hopefully we’re feeling like we’re unwinding from a hard day of studying for the upcoming LSAT. Taking care of yourself is an important step in the study process, after all. But with the LSAT less than a week away, I know the time spent on The Bachelorette can feel like, at best, a frivolous distraction. At worst, the show can make you feel like it’s actively making you dumber.

But it’s not! In fact, The Bachelorette can help you study for the LSAT. It’s especially helpful in reviewing the common fallacies, a super important skill for Logical Reasoning. Just take a look at all the fallacies committed by the dudes on this show!

Blake: After being booted by Rachel, Blake said, “I really thought that I was going to get the chance to spend more time with Rachel.” Looks like you’re committing a perception vs. reality fallacy, Blakey. Just because you think something is true, doesn’t make it so. And that weak logic is why you’re going home.

Chris Harrison: The nominal host of this program, who got literally five seconds of screentime this episode, said, “Get ready for a date that you can only do in LA” in reference to the Ellen taping. There’s actually two fallacies here. First, Chris Harrison relies a false equivalence. Ellen actually films in Burbank, which, although located in Los Angeles County, is a city separate and distinct from the city of Los Angeles. So that’s an equivocation fallacy. Second, Chris also commits an exclusivity fallacy in assuming that the greater Los Angeles area is the only place Ellen films her show. Ellen has taped her show in New York before.

Alex: In flirting with Rachel, our 80s Russian villain contestant says, “Your left eye goes to your emotions; your right eye goes to logic.” Despite being able to solve a Rubik’s cube, Alex doesn’t display sound logic here. Alex is actually committing an exclusivity fallacy, in assuming that these functions are mutually exclusive.

Anthony: During the one-on-one date on Rodeo drive, Anthony says, “I’m just thinking, [the horses] ate the horse cupcakes. I just hope they don’t let it loose in the store. That’s bad for business.” Here, Anthony is assuming that the cupcakes will cause the horses to defecate in the store. But of course, the cupcakes didn’t necessarily cause the horses to defecate in the store. Actually, the horses are devout Marxists and were merely expressing their displeasure with the store’s vulgar paeans to capitalism. This, of course, is a causation fallacy.

Group Date 2

Back to the show! For the second group date, Brady, Dean, Adam, Kenny, Bryce, Lee, Jack, and Eric all get invitations. Iggy is left out in the cold. The card reads, “Sometimes in relationships, the women have to take charge.” These numnuts immediately get sexist, and assume the “charge” is referring to charging items to a credit card during a shopping spree. Women be shoppin’, am I right?

Before the date, Eric begins his slow descent. He’s never been in a relationship before, and he feels like he’s making himself emotionally available to Rachel, but hasn’t seen her live up to her reciprocity tattoo and given herself to Eric. Eric wonders if her heart is in it. Eric then gets into a little tiff with Iggy when Iggy offers unsolicited advice.

On the date, Rachel brings Raven, Corinne, Jasmine, and Alexis—her fellow contestants from last season of The Bachelor. They’re going to give advice to Rachel, despite the fact that Rachel is older, smarter, and more self-assured than all of these women. But hey, they’re her “girls” so they’ll come along for the ride. Raven asks Dean and Lee who is here for the “wrong reasons” and the both say Eric.

For the second week in a row, the group date to be strongly tilted to professional-wrestler-slash-doting-father Pretty Boy Pitbull Kenny King. They go to a honky tonk where the boys mud wrestle. And for the second week in a row, Kenny doesn’t win. Bryce somehow manages to the muzzle the Pitbull, and takes home the chintzy championship belt that the producers managed to find.

Rachel consults with her “girls” about the contestants, and the girls bring up concerns about Eric. Rachel then bids her girls adieu. Corinne, upon realizing that her time on camera is coming to a sudden and certain end, makes this face:

After the wrestling it’s the after wrestling, and the guys get cleaned up and meet Rachel at a ranch in Agoura Hills for drinks and “deeper” conversation. The plea for “deeper” conversation means different things to different contestants. For Kenny, it means admitting to being a Chippendales dancer and giving her a taste of what he dished out to Bachelorette parties for many years. The other guys have super boring conversations in comparison.

Eric, who has been marked as a “red flag” by the boys and girls of The Bachelorette, admits to being vulnerable. Rachel then goes into lawyer mode again, and refers to statements made by Bryce and Lee about Eric’s “bad motives.” Any 1L could tell you that this evidence is objectionable as hearsay and conjecture, but Eric mostly looks dumbfounded and, increasingly, angry.

After this conversation, Eric confronts Bryce and noted racist Lee. Eric determines that Bryce’s concern genuine, but that noted racist Lee is being very suspicious. Eric says Lee has a lot of snake in his DNA. I mean, do you disagree?

Despite all this, Eric gets the group date rose.

Rose Ceremony

During the second rose ceremony, Iggy and Lee both realize that they’re captaining sinking ships on this show, and try to bring down Eric with them. They both bring up their issues with Eric to Rachel. Namely, that Eric brought up issues about whether Rachel was being genuine about the process. Rachel then wonders if she should have given Eric the rose. She ultimately lets Eric keep the rose, but tells him her “antennae are up” and she’s onto him. Eric then confronts the entire group, and when Lee gets smug in a very serpentine way, Eric gets a little heated. Just when the dramas about to get real, they hit us with the TO BE CONTINUED …

What we learned about love

For Blake, loving Whaboom is the greatest love of all.

What we learned about loss

Being a professional wrestler does not guarantee that you will win a wrestling competition. But Pretty Boy Pitbull Kenny King, you’re still a winner in our hearts.

What we learned about the LSAT

Despite getting a nice common fallacy review this episode, we still don’t have any idea how well Rachel did on the LSAT. However, some internet sleuthing uncovered that the median LSAT score for the Fall 2008 entering class at Marquette Law School—the class that included 2011 graduate Rachel Lindsay—was 157. However, Rachel is a +75-percentile human being if we’ve ever seen one, so our guess is that she scored between the high 150s and mid-160s. We’ll keep you updated on this story as more details become available.

The Logical Rose-ning Section: Your Recap of The Bachelorette, Episode 3 was originally published on LSAT Blog

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20 Halloween Songs To Rock Your Costume Occasion

Just in time for Halloween, this is a cute kid's model of the African-American spiritual song, Dry Bones (or Dem Bones). I especially benefit from the lyric, You go to work as we speak, you may go to work tomorrow, stfaced tonight, you'll brag about it for months.” If your Halloween occasion is any good, this will probably happen! There have been monsters in rock songs before Alice Cooper surfaced in the early ‘70s with songs like The Ballad of Dwight Fry,” Lifeless Infants,” and Killer,” But there weren't monsters in rock. Be taught the pre-school nursery rhymes for kids and very good visualize 3D animated multiple cartoon animals dinosaur finger family rhyme for youths by my superhero rhymes. In style Nursery Rhymes - Read and look at the images of those wacky rhymes and songs. There are very pretty performances equivalent to The Souling Track recorded by John Langstaff, on the Jackfish CD; and by the youngsters's refrain on A Child's Christmas Revels CD. Another good model is the Souling Music by the Watersons on the Frost and Fire CD which has the subtitle A Calendar of Ritual and Magical Songs.” This has the sharp change in tempo which is not marked on the notated music. My college students are thrilled once I give them music printed on coloured pages, so at Halloween time, I am going for darker paper - so long as the notes can be learn. On this first ESL social gathering vocabulary exercise it's essential to choose which option (A-D) has the proper definition of the phrase that's given in the question. Songs for Scouts and Scouters - The MacScouter's Songs for Scouts and Scouters collection contains some good old campfire songs, silly songs, and chants and songs for leaders.

In actual fact, even you possibly can write your own new nursery rhymes, and it's not that onerous. It made the highest a hundred in 1962 and there have been plenty of covers since however either method, this is the unique and it's one that it is best to certainly have in your playlist this Halloween. Bounce Patrol make movies for youths - from toddlers and preschool, through to kindergarten and elementary college age. Halloween books are one other solution to share language with children at this time of the 12 months. The refrain of the track options an interactive name and response part where children can sing alongside. This Halloween song is from the soundtrack of The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas, a film neither of my kids have seen yet. Set to a dreamy Halloween backdrop, the video begins with our characters out to trick-or-treat. Purchase these Halloween occasion games and actions, hand-picked by the Spaceships and Laser Beams Crew, will add simply the correct quantity of spooky for ghosts and goblins of all ages. Alice coppers I really like the dead” released in 1973 is without doubt one of the songs that still terrifies individuals. WHY?: You must by no means converse to a woman like that, particularly when you're utilizing your scary Tom Waits voice. It comes after the show banned killer clowns and scary outfits forward of the dwell present. The present will consist of two semi-finals, taken place on the 25 February and the four March 2017 in Háskólabíó, the final of the competition is scheduled to happen on 11 March 2017 in Laugardalshöllin, the nationwide indoor area. Despite the East Coast being destroyed by Hurricane Sandy a mere 24 hours ago, individuals are nonetheless desirous to trick or deal with and social gathering the night away of their favourite Halloween costume. That is from Peter Kennedy collection recorded on Subject's Folk Songs Of Britain, vol #9 Songs Of Ceremony 1961. A sweeping journey, this six-minute Unbearables rock song infused with baroque pop is solely about zombies. This dance classic was been given a monster makeover and remains a agency favourite with many http://us.wow.com/image?s_it=middle_tabs&q=frozen songs people&s_chn=44&s_pt=source2&v_t=aolsem membership-goers. High off your spooky mise en scène with our 40-monitor set, beneath, and be sure you subscribe to the Marie Claire Spotify profile for all the very best playlists. Here we offer you a list of High 5 Halloween songs and the songs for kids which make you today more memorable and Joyful. There is an grownup-solely celebration and costume contest scheduled for every Halloween on the High Seas cruise. This is a Halloween adaptation of The Night time Earlier than Christmas, and over 50 years after its original release, songwriter Invoice Buchanan's gloomy voiceover is still delightfully creepy. Most people most likely do not understand there's a complete trunk stuffed with Menken & Ashman songs out there that have been deleted from Disney's Aladdin. This superb piece of music by Michael Jackson has been extremely in style amongst listeners due to its fantastic lyrics and the creepy feel which is hooked up with it. It was produced in 1982 however it is nonetheless thought of as some of the amazing songs of the period. Halloween is a particularly fun time of year, when for just a few moments we relish in the creepy and the scary. Little Jack Horner lived within the 1530's, the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the course of the reign of Henry VIII Jack Horner was steward to Richard Whiting, the last of the Abbots of Glastonbury It is said that the Abbot, hoping to placate King Henry, sent His Majesty an enormous Christmas pie containing the deeds of 12 manors.

A few months ago, I shared an inventory of my favorite foolish songs for preschoolers It has since become my most considered submit here on The Many Little Joys, so as I started planning the songs I wished to use with my boys for our Halloween-themed preschool, I assumed I'd share the best ones with you, too. Trick-or-treating is the ritualized begging for candy by costumed-clad children.

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Enjoy The Beautiful Destination of Toronto – Tour With a Tour Guide By Your Side

Canada is home to a much sought after lovely vacationer destination – Toronto. The land is in reality a wish come true for almost any traveler. An event for merry-making and delight is what your holiday at Toronto means. It has several theme parks where you can spend the whole day and still not get enough of it. A number of the famous traveler sights in Toronto are the well-known CN tower, the picturesque Harbour the front, the Zoo, The Royal Ontario Museum and the stunning sky dome. You can find more than a few festivals and events which could be held throughout the year. All these events boost the flavor and pleasure of the Toronto tours. A vacation at Toronto is certainly one large party and you are sure to definitely have a fantastic time.

A well developed town that continues to grow at a fast pace, Toronto is just what you had been trying to find on your personal vacation. The town plays the ideal host to over one million visitors all through the year. The famous CN Tower which is the primary landmark in the town is the tallest recognized free standing Building in the world. The CN Tower absolutely stands tall at 1815 ft. The elevator tour is a must in your Toronto tour. The view from the elevators is definitely breathtaking. There is a view place from where you’re able to get the view of the city. You will fall in deep love with Toronto at the first glance from here. You will additionally take a walk on the glass floor place and benefit from the view of Toronto right under the toes well away of 1100 ft. The rotating restaurant on top of the CN Tower is an event really beyond words.

Toronto Harbour – A New Tour Vacation spot

Toronto Harbour is located in Canada on the north part of Lake Ontario. The waves of Lake Ontario do not have an effect on this harbour as this harbour is guarded by the island. If you are visiting Toronto alongside your family you then can’t afford to overlook this place. In Toronto, that is one of the most loved tour spots.

But all of this qualities sounds pretty common, does not it? However, what if you get an area which is peaceable and joyful too? This kind of harbour is actually well-recognized for its various leisure games and activities. So you probably can make your tour filled with fun by visiting this place.

Other than sports activities, some other features that make this harbour so fascinating are its numerous festivals. A few of the festivals just like the Toronto International Film Festival are such a kind of pageant. Here you can watch some of the best of films as well as the events. Not only this, the winter city will absolutely boost your experience.

In case you are smitten by events and in search of some fascinating events at Toronto Harbour then you can enjoy in the Caribana festival with your family and youngsters. This pageant will make you forget all sorrows and you will just get social and dance. The best and easiest way to cover Toronto is by using a limo, cab or taxi services that are easily available on one phone call.

If you’ve got a taste for artwork and tradition then you definitely ought to go to the Canadian exhibition hosted on the harbour. Here you will see some of the excellent works. If you want to spend the night at the center of the sea then absolutely you can choose boat cruises. There you’re able to enjoy your evening with some very nice food together with your household.

In case you’re someone who just loves shopping then additionally Toronto Harbour is the right place for you. You will find some of the greatest market locations where you can shop and more. Also, you can go for different cruise rides as well. If you are a food lover then here you will get numerous opportunities to enjoy some truly scrumptious dishes at restaurants on the harbour.

So the next times you visit Toronto do not forget to go to the Toronto Harbour because this place won’t let you to down in any respect. And you will cherish every moment you spend here.

from Aerotime Toronto Airport Limo & Taxi http://torontoairportlimotaxis.com/enjoy-the-beautiful-destination-of-toronto/ via IFTTT