#psychopathics from outer space part 3 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lovelykhaleesiii · 3 years

Text

Newcomer: Chapter 2

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x fem!Reader

Words: 2.3k

Summary: The Outer Banks was a place you’d only heard of until recently. The unfolding changes in your life had led you to this very moment, and it appears you still have much to learn...

Warnings: swearing, (***) minor time jumps

A/N - sorry for the delay, had a huge assignment due and work <3 I know this is a slow ass start to the series, but trust I’m trying to build momentum LMAO

It had been just over a week, and seemingly still trying to settle in. Majority of your belongings, clothes and other sentiments have now been unpacked and neatly placed away in their new space, although you felt the hardest part wasn’t over just yet. Yourself, Caleb and Anya still struggled to find your way around town, mostly succumbing to the help of Topper, who despite initially being ever so welcoming, had grown slightly agitated from the coercion of having to always help. He’d be dragged out of whatever event or plans he had made, just to help out, especially during the grueling days of the unpacking stages of moving. Not to mention the not so discrete argument you’d overheard, just a few days ago, that he had with his mother, complaining about not being able to enjoy his own summer break.

You couldn’t deny that your presence did somewhat impede on his break, therefore, the guilt was there. You knew you’d have to start taking on some accountability, with or without Topper’s help.

“Y/N, can we just run to the store real quick, I need to grab a few things and you know how hopeless I am with directions…Please, come with, or else I’ll have to get Topper and we both know how much he loves-”

“Yeah, yeah-”

With a reluctant sigh, you tagged the page you’d just turned over in your book and propped yourself off the bed, adjusting your midi skirt before nodding in agreement.

One of the most convenient things about the Outer Banks was that nearly everything was within walking distance. It gave you a chance to explore the scenic landscape and water front, and perhaps even chat with a few of the locals you hadn’t yet properly met.

“So, how are things looking with that JJ guy? He seems pretty cute,” You intrigued, nudging your sister’s shoulder into conversation.

“Yeah he’s great actually, he's a really funny guy. He, uhm, he wants to meet but-”

“But what, Anya? That’s exciting! We sure could do with someone else’s company that isn’t Topper.”

“Yeah, I know but, I, well we, don’t really know him that well. Who’s to say he isn’t some sociopath, Y/N.”

“I highly doubt anyone around here is a psychopath, Anya. Look around, this is a place people come around to relax or retire.”

“Don’t speak too soon, Y/N…”

For some odd reason, you hesitated in a response. Anya was right, you had no familiarity with the people of Outer Banks, although it just seemed like an outrageous place for crime. Ever since arriving, you felt some unexplainable ease here.

“But I mean yeah sure. I’ll probably meet up with JJ some time… In public though, and you need to promise me that you’ll be on the lookout. Not like you’re busy with any plans at the moment, huh,” Anya remarks, as you appeasingly roll your eyes: God she could be so paranoid.

“Yeah, yeah. I promise. Think we turn right up ahead-”

Continuing right on the pathway, you could just faintly decipher the movement of people bustling in and out of the stores, and with that a wave of relief settled over you. Seemed like you knew your way around after all, having doubts along each turn of the walk.

“Make this quick, Anya, the sun’s starting to set, okay.”

“Whatever, Mum!” Anya quips, before rushing off into the convenience store, leaving your lonesome self outside waiting.

You watched the crowd across the street at the diner, enjoying their dinner, as you observed the locals in action, contemplating who was who, as you heard Evelyn exchange many names with your father over endless dinner conversations.

One name that stuck by you was “Cameron.”

Evelyn mentioned it countless of times, although you’d simply assumed they were one of the many well-known families that had established themselves in town. There wasn’t much else you knew, or wanted to know. You hardly met anyone else outside of the house, nor were you in any rush to.

“Hey!-”

Instantly snapping from your extensive thoughts, the familiar voice dragged you back to reality, as you turned your sight to its direction.

“It’s Y/N, right? Anya’s sister! It’s me, JJ, the waiter-”

“Yeah, of course, I remember you-”

As formal and proper as your manners from childhood were, just as you’d gone in for a handshake, JJ wrapped his arms around you, pulling you in warmly for a friendly embrace, before letting you go.

It had caught you off-guard, although not at all in a distasteful way.

“How are you? How’s Anya?” He asked, folding his arms as he leant against the wooden post of the front deck.

“Yeah we’re good! I’m sure Anya’s kept you posted, we’ve pretty much moved in now. How about you? I haven't seen you around.”

“Yeah, I’ve been pretty good! Oh that’s great to hear, that would mean you guys are free to come to the Boneyard tonight!”

“The what?”

“The Boneyard? Where we have this party with a kegger, Topper didn’t tell you?”

By the puzzled expression reeked across your face, JJ knew to take that as an immediate no, not questioning it any further.

“Well if you’d like, I could meet with you guys later and escort you there myself. There’s a few friends of mine I’d like to introduce you guys to.”

“Yeah, sure. That would be lovely, JJ-”

And as perfect as the timing could get, Anya returned from her little store run, stunned by JJ’s unexpected presence.

“Anya- I was just telling Y/N, I’d love to take you guys out tonight to the Boneyard, I was going to text you about it before, but something with my Dad-”

“That’s fine, but we just don’t know where exactly the Boneyard is.”

“That’s okay, JJ’s got us covered,” You exclaimed, before exchanging a friendly wink to JJ who just managed to catch it.

***

“You texted JJ our address right?” You persisted, growing anxious by the thought that perhaps JJ might’ve forgotten about you two.

“Yes, for the last time Y/N could you just relax. He should be here any minute now!”

And just on cue, in the close distance, the roaring sound of an old engine with dull headlights belonging to one of those old, retro “hippie” vans had pulled up through your drive-way. JJ’s head popped out excitedly by the window, waving for you guys to join, and immediately you both walked over.

It was difficult to convince your father of going out tonight, in fact, he’d been pestering you both to get out and mingle. As soon as you’d both approached him with the idea of heading out to some party, he leaped with relief, and encouraged you both to take up the offer. He was easy going like that, trusted you both knowing how well he’d raised you both. Of course, he covered some basic ground-rules: no drinking, no drugs, no smoking.

By the time you’d both arrived to the van, you could just make out the silhouettes of some figures inside the van through the grimey windows. JJ was out of the van, as the courteous man that he was, pulling the side door right open.

“John B-” Pointing to the boy on the driver’s seat, who gave you a friendly wave, made himself known.

“Kie-” A lovely, young girl, exchanged a gracious smile and nod to both Anya and yourself, before JJ finally introduced “And this is Pope-”, a young, pleasant man sat beside Kie.

“Guys this is Anya, and her older sister Y/N. They just moved here like a week ago.”

“Nice to meet you all, thanks for letting us join you guys tonight-” You warmly proclaimed, before gesturing Anya into the van with you following her behind.

As JJ was carefully closing the door behind you, John B mentioned how JJ spoke of you two, confessing you to be the “mystery newcomers” before kindly welcoming you to the Outer Banks.

You felt Kie’s over gaze fall between yourself and Anya, and felt somewhat intimidated, although it there was no threatening intent to it, however more of a protective sentiment.

“So you guys are Kooks, huh?” Kie blatantly questioned, before Pope nudged his elbow into her, as though to signal her to stop whatever interrogation she had planned.

“Sorry, what?”- Anya questioned in response, frowning as she looked around the van, back to you.

“Kie, stop. They don’t know about any of that stuff. Just drop it, okay!” JJ insisted, as he ran his fingers through his blonde locks, almost in frustration.

“We really have no idea what this whole Pogue-Kook business is, but perhaps you could enlighten us one day, Kie-” You suggested, as amiable as possible, not wanting to already cross the line with the few locals you’d just met.

“I sure will, I just can’t believe you guys live with Topper. He’s such an-”

“Ass?-” Anya intervened, finishing off Kie’s sentence precisely the way she intended, making Kie smile in agreement.

“Yeah, I don’t think he likes us very much,” Anya confessed, and as much as you hated “gossiping”, you couldn’t deny this one.

“Well Kie, you’re on to talk… What about your Kook year?” John B laughingly mocked, as Kie infuriatingly shoved his shoulder.

“S-So what exactly is the difference between a Pogue and a Kook?” You intriguingly questioned, shifting your gaze from Kie to Pope.

“Well, to put it short, Pogues live on the Cut, which I assume Topper would rather die than enter. Whereas yourselves and our Kie here, live on Figure 8,” Pope answered.

“So it’s just a social class thing?” You quipped, being reminded again of how very unprogressive things were around the Outer Banks.

“Exactly!-” Kie shouted, a hint of relief, as though finally finding someone who’d shared mutual understanding with her cause.

“I mean there’s more to it-” JJ added.

“But it’s best if you guys don’t get as involved, your only just new here-” He calmly reassured.

“Just keep an eye out for the Kooks, they usually come to these sort of events anyways for the booze they can’t afford-” Kie ridiculed.

“Yeah, especially Rafe-” Pope uttered, his tone reeking of bitterness to the name.

“Wait-Who exactly is that? The name just sounds familiar-” You brush off, not wanting to vex Pope any further.

“Good God, he’s the worst of the worst-” Pope scorned.

“An asshole-” Kie provoked.

“He’s the older brother of Sarah Cameron, I’m sure you’ve met her. She’s Topper’s girlfriend,” John B confessed.

“HA! Topper has a girlfriend, since when?!” Anya broke out mockingly laughing: as Kie and JJ chuckled to her comedic outburst.

“He must be that bad, huh?” You uttered, as the rest began to settle themselves.

“He’s a terrible person, Y/N. If I was you guys, I’d avoid him at all costs,-” Pope insisted, although by the seriousness of his voice, it seemed more of a warning than anything.

***

The Boneyard was a secluded location of the island, where the ashy white trunks of dead logs were arranged in a way to accompany large crowds, and rowdy parties far from the complaints of the adults. As you’d all arrived, kegs ready at the hand, the party had already commenced, as people from which John B described had consisted of Pogues, Kook and tourists. Regardless, all strangers to you.

As you finally eased yourself into that party mood, you found yourself enjoying the company of the Pogues, they were quite the friendly bunch. And it seemed ANya was letting loose as well, no thanks to her new-found companions: it always seemed like an impossible mission for Anya to enjoy herself, although witnessing her from the standpoint of a bystander, you felt comforted.

“I’m just going to go grab myself a drink-” You assured John B, as he nodded in agreement.

As you crammed yourself through the crowd, you felt a tight grip pulling on your elbow, making you topple in the direction of whomever it was that grabbed you.

“Topper, what the fuck?”

“How the hell did you get here, let alone find out about this?” He exclaimed, by the faint smell of the beer oozing with each breath, you could tell he was slowly becoming intoxicated.

“No thanks to you-” You snapped, before jolting your arm out of his strained grip.

“Seriously, Y/N. Does your Dad even know you’re here?”

Before you could even respond, some sort of internal sixth sense, felt an intense pair of eyes on you. As you shifted your gaze, to a bunch of people standing behind Topper, you’d immediately recognised his face.

For some odd reason you felt a shiver crawl down your spine, as though in fright of seeing some ghostly figure. His intense, blue eyes just fixated on you and only you, as he took sips of his drink, with one hand snugged away in a front pocket. It seemed he was in conversation with a bunch of other guys, all dressed quite similarly to one another in their polo shirts and summer shorts, and yet he was not at all engaged... Only to you.

“Earth to Y/N!” Topper loudly interjected, stirring you to snap back, as you fixed your view on him.

“Y-Yes, yes he does. Now could you just let me be?”

And before you knew it, you instinctively stormed off, before Topper had the chance to drunkenly question you any longer. As you disappeared into the crowd, heading for the kegger, your mind persisted in contemplation.

That was Rafe, surely. You vividly remembered the whole, minor incident during your first encounter with him.

After what the Pogues had confessed about him, and by his looming nature, you’d never felt so unnerved by someone, you’d in fact, never even met.

But why?

TAGLIST - @juliep7654 @foggybanditgardenprune

108 notes · View notes

hmspogue · 3 years

Text

Outer Banks season 2 Official Trailer shot-by-shot rundown

A comprehensive post where I scream about analyze the entire trailer frame by frame for clues, theories, and plot. Just my own opinions and general tin foil-hatting

These are screenshots from Netflix’s trailer for Outer Banks season 2. I do not claim or own any of these.

note: this post is tagged as a long post if you wish to avoid having to scroll until your thumbs break.

“My old man used to tell me, ‘it’s best to never say you’ve hit rock bottom’.”

(Putting all of these shots together since they’re scenes we already know but-) Holy shit, okay let’s just....start off like this I guess, damn.

“'Trust me’, he said...”

Kiara looking back and forth between the boys like this really just feeds the headcanon I have that her form of grief this season is going to be her trying to hold it together for their sakes (and eventually just snapping).

JJ just looks fucking furious someone give these kids a hug? I already know this scene is going to ruin me.

“You can always go...”

JJ back working at the hotel. He looks literally so angry again in this scene I could see him self destructing at work and losing his job? (Please do not be isolating yourself you beautiful son of a bitch even though I know you’re going to).

Pope in the Twinkie (costuming wise they all are in warmer looking clothes for some of the shots, so just confirming it’s a little bit into the school year when this all takes place).

“Lower”

Big John was real big into pep talks, I see. (seriously can you imagine Big John having this conversation with like 8 year old John B after he fucking dropped his ice cream cone or some shit I shouldn’t be laughing).

I’m just-

These poor kids, I wanna know how the police all the way down in the Bahama’s knew about them?

Their calves....

“RUN!”

Are going to be so fucking jacked by the end of this season I stg.

Fuck you.

“The gold from the Royal Merchant....it’s here.”

For a while, I had thought that maybe they didn’t even make it to the Bahama’s at the front of the season and ended there (because everyone had been filming in there). But I guess they’re going to be making two trips.

If I were a bird from this POV I’d shit right on that house no questions asked.

oooooh ho hokay. Just so we’re clear. Ward Cameron not only get away with murder and about two dozen other felonies, but-

“Half a billion.”

HE STILL FINDS THE GOLD IN THE CRAIN HOUSE AND GETS TO KEEP IT?

Not the polo with the snap back, I just know this man has a playlist called Sad Boi Hours that is just Juice WRLD’s top 5 songs on Spotify and he tells his friends they wouldn’t know the underground artists he listens to.

Sh, you have lost screaming privileges. Go inside and take a nap maybe.

“John B, we are fugitives in a foreign country.”

So, previously, I was talking about how I was confused how they would still be trying to find him is everyone thought he was dead, but here the wanted poster clearly says “presumed lost at sea”. I think that will be interesting to see how the Pogues all interpret that.

Especially because they already had a memorial for John B and everything, I wonder if there will be any part of the Pogues holding out hope that they both could still be out there OUCH.

I’m going to circle back to this, but it looks like John B and Sarah are going to get separated for a little while in this man hunt, I could see my idiot himbo son trying to sacrifice himself so Sarah can get away but in reality just....stranding her.

“Promise me you won’t do anything stupid?”

Oh, sweetie....

“Well, Sarah Cameron, I do stupid things all the time without realizing it.”

The volume of his self awareness is astronomical. sir, that is your whole character summed up in your own words.

GOD, IT’S ME AGAIN. PLEASE LET THEM LEAN INTO COMPLETE HIMBO JOHN B THIS SEASON I’LL DO ANYTHING-

nyyooooOOOOOOOOOOOOM-

“Hold on!”

The complete abject terror I would feel having John Booker Routledge driving get-away and then saying the words “Hold on” while reaching fro the gear shift? The english language fails me.

Sarah, bestie, I’m so sorry.

I just wanna know-

what the plan or objective was in this situation. What was the reason for being this dramatic.

Rest in piss, bozo <3

“Ward’s still out there...”

Okay, same conversation they were having as before. I wonder what makes them decide they need to get back to the OBX for this tho.

“I can clear my name. This can all be over in one shot.”

It looks like Topper watching this but way more concerningly, correct me if I’m wrong but this 100% looks like....John B gets caught. And the DEATH PENALTY?! He did have a mug shot for the fliers in s1 and the one above but he was never brought in? Plus he just looks super dirty and dishevled in this one so I-

Jail break anyone?

I also still want to know if they’re going to go with a Topper redemption arc this season. like, does he know more than he should just from being around Rafe and his big fat mouth? Is he going to help out the Pogues even if it’s just for Sarah?

This shot just suddenly made me really sad. The thought of this all started because Big John left one last thing for his son to find, his literal life’s work. And when it all started, it was just a fun adventure John B and his best friends were going on together and having fun with. Then it all got dragged to absolute shit and turned into what it did, including the remaining 3 Pogues thinking that this treasure hunt took their two best friends away from them. And it’s nothing like Big John intended it to be.

Why my eyes wet?

Now we’re edging into what I was talking about earlier with John B and Sarah getting separated.

“If you think there is anything I wouldn’t do...”

Once again, John B is no where to be found. Also, just in case y’all didn’t already know or forgot Ward is an actual psychopath.

I believe this one of the new character, played by Jontavious Johnson (Stubbs). Based on the voice over it lowkey sounds like they’re implying Ward maybe hired Stubbs and Cleo to find and bring Sarah back. My theory would be I bet they do go to retrieve her, but she somehow convinces them that it would be more beneficial for them in the end to be on the Pogue’s side instead.

Miss Girl you gotta be keeping your head on a SWIVEL. Especially when you’re a FUGITIVE of the LAW-

“...you haven’t been paying attention.”

My guy, who are you clarifying this for?

It’s what you deserve for monologuing.

in all seriousness, the idea of them coming to face to face with Ward in Nassau after thinking they finally escaped him is genuinely terrifying.

“SARAH!”

It kind of looks like they’re either hiding their faces or covering their noses? I don’t know maybe it was from some tactic to get away from Ward.

What did I literally jsut say about yelling privileges, you unhinged mother fucker?

“I’m calling the shots now. I’m driving.”

The following progression of scenes made me actually snort-

“I can’t drive stick.”

PLEASE THE FINGER GUNS LAUNCHED ME INTO ORBIT I LOVE THEM, YOUR HONOR.

Alright, so now it looks like we’re in Charleston. This is the same scene with Heyward’s truck that got leaked from BTS (read: JJ and Kie shoulder touch).

One of the main things that stuck out to me in the following scenes which, you will see, is it lowkey looks like Pope is kind of heading up this part of the operation, or even going in alone? The following clips are just very Pope focused.

I don’t know what it means, it’s just an observation.

“John B was not the only one that Ward double-crossed.”

LIMBRY-

Bro, we have been hearing about this woman for literal months and I just have....so many questions?

Who the hell is she? How is she connected to Ward? Why is she in South Carolina instead of the OBX? How do the Pogues even learn about her and how to track her down? How is she meant to “help” them? GAH I JUST WANNA KNOOOW. I already know I don’t trust her though and no I will not be offering up supporting evidence.

Sir, that is my son please unhand him.

“I think you know what I want.”

.......no? But feel....free to explain yourself?

The print on the paper is the same one that’s on the ceiling tiles in the following scene. Obviously, with a key on it that most likely goes to the place a few shots from now.

Hell yeah, son, let’s get SLEUTHING.

“The treasure belongs to the Pogues.”

DAMN STRAIGHT.

Bestie’s I’m not going to lie, I stared at this frame for a solid 10 minuets and I have no idea what it says on there I’m sorry. Someone in the comments is welcome to enlighten us.

“We gotta find it first.”

I can’t tell if that’s just dirt or if he hurt his head? But he look GOOD right now for one thing. For another, same outfit as the one in the Twinkie from the beginning of the trailer.

Look at her. LooK AT HER! LOOK! AT! HER! I MISSED HER SO MUCH even in that damn smiley face top that continues to haunt my waking hours she is in it so much and it stresses me out for literally no good reason I’m sorry-

I could literally cry right now and I think that speaks volumes to how little we actually see him genuinely happy. Have I mentioned how much I love that red hat?

Also, probably not that important, but this is not from the same scene as the shots of Pope and Kiara were. This is from the next one-

“Woogity-woogity?”

“Give me some woogity, baby!”

Yeah, this pushed me over the fucking edge, the way that they’re actually happy and laughing? The fact that they kept woogity-woogity and made it A Thing? Yes.

I am, however, going to be intentionally ignoring what appears to be the very intentional stagingof having such an obvious space between where Kiara and Pope are sitting adn where JJ sits, even including the level they’re sitting on because I don’t have the emotional capacity to face those implications right now. Thank you for your time.

Yes yeeeeEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

GIVE ME ALL OF THE SCENES OF THEM ACTUALLY GETTING TO BE TEENAGERS AND JUST BREATHE AND LAUGH AND HAVE A GOOD TIME AND NOT BE RUNNING FOR THEIR FUCKING LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!

before Rafe comes in and literally starts shooting because they can’t breathe for more than 7 seconds but we’ll....get to that.

They refer to Sarah as a Pogue this season or I burn Netflix to the ground. Your move, Jonas.

50 bucks says John B is driving the Twinkie again for the first time since being back.

I deadass think the Pogues JUST got Sarah and John B back and they’re just having the time of their life. Kie was in her smiley face outfit when Pope was in this one a few clips ago, and I still hold to the belief that that one still they released of JJ and Kie hopping over a fence is the Pogue reunion so-

Ward? I have no idea what he’s looking at behind the wall paper and I’ll be so honest I don’t care my eyes are only seeing Pogue content right now.

“This is a map of the whole island.”

This fit, when will John B learn how to operate buttons, stay tuned for season 5. Also my previous theory of this being their reunion outfits and stuff because Pope is in the back in the same jacket as before.

The plot thickens and so has JJ’s hair, Rudy drop the shampoo brand.

Please, dear God, tell me they’re back in the sex church. For @jiaaraa sake.

Kiara, your Madison is showing.

Okay, I really did try but all I can make out is Something to the tomb begin something something.

You’re welcome.

I am no expert but I do not believe boats operate on land.

John B looks like he is in the same outfit here that is in his mug shot we saw on the TV screen so I have a sneaking suspicion this is where he gets caught.

“John B is back-”

Once again with the damn sexual tension that’s always between Barry and Rafe in every scene they do are we about to kiss right now?

“-it’s him or me.”

First of all, no.

Second of all, I’m just....so very confused about this time line this season. It kind of looks like Ward and Rafe follow and find Sarah and John B in Nassau (unless those scenes by the truck were actually back in the OBX). So did they....go to Nassau, then just come right back when they did? I’m just confused.

Put that thing back where it came from or so help me.

Literally when will you stop at this point I am begging you.

This looks like the same scene the Pogues were, ya know, literally just having a good time at so fuck me, I guess.

Yeah, no, it’s going to be a no from me, I’m just going to pretend like I’m not seeing this and moving on.

I have simply no idea what is going on here or who that is on the bike but maybe JJ? Maybe Luke even? I think that’s JJ’s bike.

The sewer scene. The SEWER SCENE-

For months sicne that tiktok leaked this damn scene has been genuinely all I could think about. So (obviously) it seems like they’re sending Kie down into the sewer to go do seomthing and things go horribly, horribly wrong.

If you haven’t seen the tiktok, essentially all it was was JJ and Pope screaming and trying to lift up the man hole cover while Kie is begging for them to hurry from inside. I’m cheating a little bit as this isn’t a shot from the trailer but this picture was posted and it’s from the same scene.

I’ll just....leave this here. Back to the trailer shots.

Nice. Also, same shirt as mugshot.

Hey, um, what?

Kiara’s car, she’s driving, I can’t tell who’s in the back seat or the front.

Holy God what is going on and how can I as an audience member put a stop to it?

So, same scene as we will see and was in the teaser but, for some reason, they’re all jumping off of a giant ass boat into the little life raft where it looks like JJ gets hurt later but don’t you worry we’re getting to that.

JJ AND KIARA WITH THE POGUE HANDSHAKE JJ AND KIARA WITH THE POGUE HANDSHAKE THEY BOTH LOOK SO DAMN GOOD AND THEIR LITTLE SMILES SPARE ME-

Cleo 🥵

I’m so excited to see her arc and what it brings this season you guys have no idea.

Please for the love of God be about to get Ward Cameron’s ass like he deserves literally punt him into jail right from Tanny Hill.

Sarah at My Druther’s with what looks like a bloody bandage on her side? Same outfit she’s wearing when they’re running from the police on the beach and she has the bandage there too so. Interesting.

Topper hugging who I’m pretty sure is Sarah, being a general douche because he’s clearly looking at John B like 😏

Clips like these serve to remind me just how many of my worldly posessions I would gladly give up to be able to punch Topper Thorton in the throat one time.

I think this is Cleo jumping off the boat with Pope after John B and Sarah.

Absolutely busting a lung at Pope’s form in this one.

John B and Sarah waiting in the life raft, still Cleo and Pope coming after them. The obvious next question is where are JJ and Kiara. The scene I’m sure you all have been waiting for is coming up and clearly takes place in the life raft as well.

So, I really think JJ and Kie get left for last, something horrible happens as they’re trying to jump (my head instantly goes to JJ maybe like pushing Kie out of the way and getting hit on the head instead or even just some accident).

And, oh my GOD a scene of him falling off the boat after it happens and Kiara diving in after him immediately, having to desperatly try to stop him from sinkingand get to the life raft holy shit-

Girl CATCH HIM?????

Because why wouldn’t this be Rafe’s fault. Part of me wonders if this isn’t related to JJ being hurt.

I am going to try and unpack this as calmly as possible because behind my computer screen I am vibrating at a frequency that could shatter glass but respectfully.

WHAT IN THE FUCK IS TIAUEWFHLAILA

Okay, so scene wise, JJ’s hit his head somehow (probably while he was jumping with Kiara) it looks like and now they’re back on the raft.

In my opinion, this is either:

A) JJ is in really, really bad condition after getting hurt in the jump and they’re not sure he’s going to make it. So this is a “Please stay with me, stay awake, please don’t die” hug OR

B) They very narrowly just avoided a deadly situation (my first thought is JJ hits his head while jumping, passes out in the water, maybe almost drowns but Kie and the others get him onto the life raft in time) and this is more of a “Oh my God, you’re okay, you’re safe now, we’re okay” hug.

I honestly lean more to the second one based on the little bit of Sarah’s face we saw in the background. To me, it almost looked like she was smiling thru tears, which, fits way more with the second option than the first.

Anyways. Moving on before I burst a lung again.

(also, before anyone comes at me, no, I’m not happy JJ is hurt, obviously.

(Once again, arrest outfits). You can still see the bandage but it looks like Sarah’s limping now too so...good Lord give the girl a break maybe?

Everything in this trailer just went to shit so fast I think I have whip lash, can we go back to the Pogues hanging out and being happy now pkease I liked those scenes.

“I get it. You guys are scared.”

“No.”

She’s cute but, uh, hello sewer scene outfits. Seems like them planning to do whatever the hell they were going to do in the sewers but the boys are starting to get cold feet as maybe they should but hind sight is 20/20 I suppose.

“It’s kind of cute.”

“I’m not scared.”

“You should’ve just led with that.”

I will never be able to express how much I adore Pogue banter and general dumbassery and I have a feeling this season will not be lacking in either department

I high key don’t think these two are actually going to be there for this scene to go down but I’ll let it slide this time because-

They do be kinda cute.

It both feels like I’ve been waiting for this damn show for 3 years and also like I just watched season 1 last month explain that to me.

Either way holy shit. I missed this dumb show and these dumb kids so much it physcially hurts and WE GET THEM BACK IN T-MINUS 16 DAYS.

Also. Where The Hell Is Wheezie Cameron And When Will She Have The Rights She Deserves.

194 notes · View notes

welcometomy20s · 4 years

Text

February 8, 2021

Welcome to the final part of the Introduction of Nijisanji. Thanks for going through all of them, if you did. It was pain to work with so much and so little. This part would cover everyone who has debuted in the year 2020.

Nijisanji IN 1st Gen

Aadya - The name means beautiful. 21 year old, who likes to play games and sing. Does dancing as a day job, so acts as a gaming nightingale. She has a knack for games in my cursory view, but that might be just the competitiveness.

Vihaan - The name means breaking dawn, kind of. Likes gaming very much, and plays them very loudly and complaining... which to be expected from this crew.

Noor - The name means light. Likes BL, coffee and beer, BL to the point she learned chinese from watching a BL drama. Basically a middle-aged man at heart, including a very nice husky voice. Does talks and games. Sings randomly and looks up to Rion, of all people. Ange mentioned her, Ange likes to mention foreign people.

Nijisanji KR 1st Gen

Min Suha - Knows the culture through their parents and has a nice voice. Sister Claire likes him, and who doesn’t? He’s freaking cool, man!

Shin Yuya - College student in virtual Seoul. Always has a smartphone at hand, does self-searching on a constant basis. Definitely has otaku knowledge, likes singing, drawing and cute things. Doesn’t like horror games, but played a lot on stream.

Plays a lot of different games, including FPS like Apex, and this is where she gets to collaborate with Japanese senpais, which is always fun to see.

Gaon - Originally Moarin’s brother, but Moarin left, so the lore changed. Has a twintail for attention purposes. Only member of Nijisanji KR to work as a job, but quit as the end of 2020. He’s pretty cool. Not nice, but definitely not a mean person either.

Han Chiho - He’s a time-displaced psychic, and so speaks with a high register. High register is usually seen as old, people don’t use it anymore, but it’s usually perfectly understandable... it’s an interesting quirk. Other than that, pretty normal streamer.

2020 Part 1 (Jan-Apr)

Furen E Lustario - During debut, expressed a liking choking oneself... so we know who we are dealing with. Has to add using fingers, as to illustrate her math prowess. But overall a fun person to watch, and has a pretty good variety of streams.

Melissa Kinrenka - Wants to be a songwriter, but still needs help. But she is a great singer, and can write and mix songs. Usually called Meli. Has a deep side, basically.

Ibrahim - Originally an oil prince, but now runs an onsen. Acts like a child at times due to his supposed past, and he is muslim, as the lore and name implies. But overall, fits right in with the child-like male of Nijisanji... kind of.

Nagao Kei - He’s an exorcist, but really does any job. Pretty good at all kinds of fighting. Pretty old in terms of human member at the age 26. Very much like Ibrahim, but much more bishonen, which melts a woman's heart. Oh, he’s good at learning stuff. Like he tries to learn morse code, and completely memorized the KTANE manual. Just to make Fumi, one of his seniors, happy for a while. That’s some big dedication.

Genzuki Tojiro - Works as a secretary for the gods. Has that unmatching haircut. Very good at making songs and does mixing for Nijisanji events.

Kaida Haru - A demon researcher, but too lazy. Quiet and nice voice leading the viewer to see him as a mother figure, but as you guess, he doesn’t like it due to the work. Oh, said a slur on stream but got banned less than Yumeoi, which is quite sus.

Nijisanji ID Gen 3

Azura Cecillia - An alien angel. Has a sword with a really long name, but calls it Chonsuke for short. She’s pretty cute and a little bit ditzy, from what I remember. Got mistaken as a boy, which is such an odd thing, but maybe it’s the deep voice?

Nara Haramaung - A princess of a tribe. Originally released as part of 1st gen, but got delayed here, but the gen mates fit together very well. Sings spontaneously sometimes.

Layla Alstroemeria - Time-traveling history major. Definitely more airheaded of the group and most child-like of the generation. But she’s pretty fun to watch, regardless.

Nijisanji KR Gen 2

So Nagi - Traveling virtual Japan, speaking fluent Japanese with a nice clear voice. Likes Ange Katrina, which she readily repriocates. Seen as the top seed in Nijisanji KR.

Lee Siu - A female kitsune, and yes from the same illustrator as Fubuki. Likes dad jokes and an endurance player and does speak three languages. Roha likes her. Occasionally can hear the apartment announcement, which is always a fun moment.

Chae Ara - She’s an angel, and a great singer. And likes to people-watch. Has a cute voice, and good at hosting. I really liked her in the streams that I watched. There’s something about her personality that speaks to me.

2020 Part 2 (May-August)

Sorahoshi Kirame - Made her name through twitter, and traded fan art with KR members. Has the same illustrator as Kanata. Couldn’t stream due to money purposes for four days, got his PC after a month of hard work. Overall a poor and diligent girl.

Asahina Akane - 1st year high-schooler. Very energetic and follow people well. Likes a Jpop band, and likes to travel as well. Also does a lot of collabs with senpais.

Suo Sango - The youngest member of the theater club, which is the theme of the latest generation. Has a wide range, and likes Sanrio and tomato. Very motherly calm voice.

Like girly anime, you know Pretty Cure and stuff. Likes western pop music as well.

Todo Kohaku - Third-year high schooler. Said she’s a lady, but she’s definitely just a normal girl. Had a good cover of Mela, and overall a decent streamer.

Kitakoji Hisui - Middle-school transfer student. Likes a lot of different things, but Minecraft is what she is most known for... I guess it makes sense.

Nishizono Chigusa - She’s the troublesome one of the theater group. Very frequently makes sexual quips. Also I thought she was a boy when I first saw her. Definitely my favorite of the newest group, and also did a stream with Matsuri as well.

And that actually has a history. You see this is not Chigusa’s first rodeo... as it is apparent, and during her previous life Matsuri and her did a sleepover, and was quite close as well... so this is actually a really nice reunion. I didn’t know that until now.

Nijisanji KR 3rd Gen

Nun Bora - A second-year high schooler, likes drawing and playing the recorder which she has a battle with So Nagi. Quick learner, apparently. Plays APEX and Fall Guys, but is competent in pretty much any game. Definitely top tier APEX player.

Akina Ray - Japanese streamer who streams in virtual Seoul. Does a morning talk show, likes baseball, since she’s from Hiroshima, and Shadowverse. She’s actually an art student and a meat lover. But overall, the most seiso art student of Nijisanji.

Lee Roha - Idol trainee from outer space, a mixed race. A bit of a ditz, with the appropriate thumbnails. Streams in Japanese on YouTube, in Korean on Twitch. Does a lot of League of Legend on twitch, and does evening piano stream. Likes Lee Siu.

Nijisanji ID 4th Gen

Etna Crimson - Half supernatural, likes to make everyone happy. Definitely not Amber from Genshin Impact, because Amber is Kizuna Ai. Okay, bad joke. Yeah, she’s good.

Bonnivier Pranaja - Originally a fisher, but quit after being swindled. Usually appears with KR streams, actually. Maybe likes Hana? Who knows.

Siska Leontyne - Security officer for shady company. Pretty good at games involving killing... make sense considering her profession. Pretty cool and laid-back.

Nijisanji KR 4th Gen

Ryu Hari - Likes to collect nightmares, likes reading and playing the electric guitar.

Shin Kiru - A 25-year old NEET, has an odd way of speaking and strange topics. Likes Rock and horror movies. He seems pretty laid-back as well.

Yang Nari - 19-year old girl from a different world who now lives in the countryside. Pretty good at hosting with her cute voice. Likes sewing, and talks in high status. She has a thing of suffering, and that kind of comes out from lore.

Oh Jiyu - She’s a female vtuber, although she looks and sounds boyish. Third-year college student representative. Speaks Korean and Japanese, and like gacha and also singing... so maybe a boyish Suisei? I’m sure she’s more normal, though.

Nijisanji ID 5th Gen

Nagisa Arcinia - Wannabe fashion designer, speaks a bunch of languages... but that’s normal for ID... yeah, she’s cute and might be a little psychopathic. Typical.

Derem Kado - 16 year old girl going to magical school, always looking for a cat, but a special cat that makes contracts and stuff. High pitched scares and gets lost.

Reza Avanluna - He’s a world chronicler, he visits and chronicles worlds in his dreams. Has a ship going on with Hana, I think? I’m not sure. Please correct this, if untrue.

There you go! All 139 extant members as of February 8th, 2021, which is the third anniversary of Nijisanji... that was a long post... even though it was in three parts. Sorry for filling the days with this... I have been busy with collecting data and so on. But I hope you have a good inkling of the landscape that is Nijisanji.

#nijisanji #vtuber #long post

17 notes · View notes

the-courage-to-heal · 4 years

Photo

Step 5 in Recovering From a Relationship With a Narcissist or Psychopath:

Mindfulness in Recovery From Toxic Relationships

Mindfulness meditation is another important psychological tool which can help a person get in touch with and eventually heal the trauma a psychopath caused them. In a formal sense mindfulness relates to performing certain meditations to non judgmentally tune oneself into feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations in the present moment.

It is a gradual, subtle practice whereby regular meditation over a longer period of time can help a person slowly come to terms with and let go of unpleasant experiences which have happened in their lives, including psychopathic or narcissistic abuse and toxic relationships in general.

The meditations usually involve focusing on a central phenomena or “anchor point”, most often the movement of the breath in and out of the abdomen or nostrils. The object is simply to focus on this central anchor point, and whenever the mind wanders, notice where it went and bring it back to the anchor point.

Through regular practice of this simple exercise, focusing initially on the breath and then other outer (and inner) phenomena such as body sensations, sounds, thoughts and feelings, a surprising peace and clarity can come in relation to past experiences. Over time people find they can see more clearly and make peace with their past, even extremely distressing events like prolonged, toxic relationships.

We should emphasize here that mindfulness meditation is a very slow and gradual process and will not deliver results overnight. Whilst it often delivers some kind of benefit almost immediately, to reach the stage of fully letting go of past trauma will likely require regular meditation practice over a number of months or years.

For this reason, the person has to be in the process for the long haul and should not expect quick results. They should ideally be willing to set some time aside every day for meditation and be willing to wait and be patient for results. Mindfulness is perhaps best used in conjunction with other methods such as exercise and psychotherapy, as well as reducing emotional flashbacks.

That said, the benefits of mindfulness are that it is a totally free, portable, holistic method of healing that does not require any medication and is simple to take up. One does need time and commitment, but that is all they need and survivors can therefore see meditation as a free form of healing they can take with them anywhere they go.

If you are looking to give Mindfulness a try then an excellent way to get into meditation is the 8 week introductory course given by Mark Williams. This comprises of a series of 8 short meditations that run on a weekly cycle.

Practice these meditations once or twice a day for the 8 weeks and you will almost certainly gain some benefit.

Week 1 - Breathing Anchor

Week 2 & 3 – Body Scan

Week 4 – Breath and Body

Week 5 – Sounds and Thoughts

Week 6 – Exploring Difficulties

Week 7 – Befriending

Week 8 – 3 Minute Breathing Space

See also Yutthadhammo Bhikkhu’s brief 3 part introduction to meditation

How to Meditate I – What is Meditation?

How to Meditate II – Sitting Meditation

How to Meditate III – Walking Meditation

Click here for step 6

Steps: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

source

#emotional abuse #abusive relationship #narcissistic abuse #npd #narcissistic personality disorder #healing

19 notes · View notes

prettymuchdeadalready · 5 years

Text

100 Important Character Questions

Here’s looking at you kid, @wexarethewalkingxdead !! XD They’ll be below the cut due to length. {{ I despise ‘read mores’ except that it’s so fucking long! XD }}

1OO IMPORTANT CHARACTER QUESTIONS

taken from beth kinderman and nikki walker’s the 100 most important things to know about your character. a good list to help develop a character’s background, personality, and general aspects.

PART 1: THE BASICS

· What is your full name? :: Bobby Autumn Monroe

· Where and when were you born? :: Atlanta, Georgia at Grace Memorial at 4am on a Sunday.

· Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.) :: Maryann JoMarie Monroe (nee Tippins) and Franklin Roosevelt Monroe ;; mama was a stay at home mother who became an addict to opiates and papa was a worker at the mill in Powder Springs, which was a HUGE (in his mind because he always resented it) drive from where they lived on the outskirts of Atlanta in a little cabin home one a sparce patch of land just outside a trailer park beside the woods. Mama was a strong woman who grew weak after nears of being beaten and bloodied by her drunk mean husband; having 3 kids kept her strong to a degree, however, for as long as she could be, trying to keep his attention on her and away from her kids. When she died (Bobby who was the eldest of them by 15 minutes) that all changed; Michael trying to draw the majority of the brutality because he was the boy and his father always was trying to beat on the girls when given little to no reason at all, even.

· Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like? :: Michael Henry Monroe and Katherine Emberlynn Monroe, in chronological order of birth after Bobby. Michael is an EMT on staff with New York Presbyterian Hospital, which is also Columbia University’s training hospital. Katherine is an aspiring actress in the LA area of California.

· Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people. :: Bobby has never left Georgia. The only time she does is when the group moves on after season 4. She doesn’t know why she’s never left before, not even to visit her siblings that left her behind, but she always feels like, as the big sister, it’s her job to maintain a home for them to come back to, should they ever need it.

· What is your occupation? :: Bobby is an ER nurse with Grace Fulton Memorial Hospital and regularly assists with trauma cases.

· Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks. :: Height is 5’4. (Smol but mighty!) Weight fluctuates from 115 to 120 pounds depending on the time of year and stressors in her life; okay, maybe 124, but not an ounce more! She swears. Bobby is Caucasian American. Hair is an auburn brunet. Eyes are chocolate brown; when she is angry they appear almost amber in tone, and when sexually aroused they usually darken to an almost black. Her fashion sense is usually tomboy, wearing jeans and tee shirts; sometimes a little sporty with tight running pants, spandex or loose shorts, and tank tops. Bobby only has one tattoo that transcends any and all verses she might have: a black rose with three drips of blood on the petals, one at the end nearly ready to drop off, at the small of her back which reminds her of the fragility of life and death and the ever presence of the latter, the pain and struggle symbolized by the blood droplets on the petals. She has a long scar that runs the length of the space between where the band on her bra would rest down to her love handle, on the edge where her side meets her back – given to her by an abusive ex that was just like her father when drunk, only worse because he was legitimately a highly functioning and violently brutal psychopath and burn marks on her upper back/right shoulder blade and left outer thigh from where her father and her ex had their fun using her as an ashtray.

· To which social class do you belong? :: Middle class. Working class.

· Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses? :: Maryanne had carpal tunnel and severe arthritis in her left arm from it being broken a couple times by her lovely husband. After her mother died Bobby was cooking dinner one night and her father, who had been drinking all evening from end of work until right that moment, picked up his hammer and hit Bobby in the upper left arm twice, hard. She had to wear a cast for two months (part of that time an extension after being thrown against the wall another separate night that shattered the first incarnation of the cast) to heal the broken bone. Thus, sometimes when its too cold she has bouts where her left arm is weak, not able to carry heavy things, and there was minimal nerve damage in the hand as a result which means she can’t always feel too hot, or too cold. This does not impair her job as she isn’t responsible for surgery where the steadiest of hands are needed; thankfully Bobby’s aid in the field is at most a needle and thread for mending/stitches, of which she can do with her dominant hand.

· Are you right- or left-handed? :: Right handed.

· What does your voice sound like? :: Natalie Portman.

· What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently? :: Y’all. Jesus Harold Christ on crooked crutches. Jiminy Christmas. Calm down there Satan.

· What do you have in your pockets? :: A pocket knife with combination of other fold out tools. Mini canister of mace. Car and house keys in some verses. Apocalypse verses she sometimes carries car keys.

· Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics? :: Bobby doesn’t consider anything she does as strange or annoying but just ask one of the people she considers family and he would say she talks too damn much. At least the other man in her life appreciates that she knows how to turn out the lights…

PART 2: GROWING UP

· How would you describe your childhood in general? :: Stressful. Her days were constantly spent fearing what would happen when daddy got home, what mood would he be in, what would he do, would he just hurt mama or would he come after her and her siblings too…? Bobby grew up worrying about things no child should ever have to worry about or fear.

· What is your earliest memory? :: Bobby doesn’t know for sure if this is a memory or some part of her subconscious trying to bring her peace, but in the quiet moments when she closes her eyes she can hear her mother’s voice softly singing to her as she’s being held, cradled in safe arms with worn delicate hands gently rubbing her back. “Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night and wouldn’t you love to love her…? Takes to the sky like a bird in flight and…who will be her lover? All your life you’ve never seen a woman…taken by the wind…”

· How much schooling have you had? :: Bobby went through two years of high school before she was forced to drop out to care for her other siblings and make sure they got the best lives possible. It wasn’t perfect anyway, but she tried. She went back and got her GED when she turned 21. Immediately upon her father dying ( when she turned 19 ) she began putting some money away toward furthering her own education, enrolling in community college once her GED came through. She got a bachelor’s degree in science and biology, and earned certification and licensure as an EMT and trauma nurse.

· Did you enjoy school? :: Bobby loved school. It was the only thing she could do outside the house that was usually constant and unbreakable, a schedule that the state decided for children and one her father couldn’t stop. This was she could be free of the worries and fears that usually plagued her days and simultaneously learn things about the world at large, all around her and beyond. It was refreshing and awe inspiring.

· Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities? :: Anything she didn’t learn from her mother and her father ( positive or not ) she learned from school and the teachers and children in that environment.

· While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them. :: The only role model Bobby had growing up was her mother, Maryanne. Mama taught her the strength and the tenacity she needed to make it in the world, both in her father’s house, and later.

· While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family? :: Bobby and her mother started as adult to child relationship and then at the end when her mother was dying Bobby became an almost equal to her mother, taking care of her and herself and the siblings she had. Likewise, with her siblings, it was mostly a jovial peer to peer relationship ( and what sibling relationship was complete without the occasional fight and attempted murder ), which eventually merged into a motherly feeling over them, protective of them when their mother passed. Her relationship with her father was always strained, always wary and tumultuous and it only worsened when Maryanne died. He became more possessive of the kids and Bobby feared being raped or sexually abused by him after a time ( she looked more like her mother than Kath did ) as he would get drunk and beat her, yelling things like ‘how dare you leave me’ and ‘I’ll show you something to cry about you weak whore.’ That relationship was strained and haunted until the day he died.

· As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? :: She wanted to be an astronaut or a pirate. Anything that could take her far far away from where she was and keep her safe, eventually far enough to make her happy in life.

· As a child, what were your favorite activities? :: Anything Bobby could do outside the house. She spent AGES outside in the woods, roaming with nowhere in her mind to go in particular; she could sit on a stump deep in the sea of green and just space out, let her mind wander for hours. She would try to fish. She made friends with small woodland creatures like something out of a Disney film. She sometimes sat alone out there all night, looking up into the moon under a blanket of stars and a bed made of fallen leaves and long grass.

· As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display? :: As a child, Bobby was pretty devoid of personality; at least when she was at home. At home and when she was alone she was quiet, too quiet. A mousy brown haired brown eyed little girl with nothing to say and who would lay low on purpose, anything not to catch her father’s attention. Outside of the house she often put on a brave face, smiling and laughing and acting like nothing was wrong. Sometimes she could even forget that she was a victim of domestic violence and forget her usual invisible act, coming out of herself and being herself, talkative ( almost too much talking for some ) and bright. Her light shines bright from within her and her strength and perseverance really show in her eyes.

· As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like? :: Bobby was not a popular kid at school. She often sat alone or with her siblings. Even the losers didn’t want to sit with them because everyone knew what the Monroe home life was like and who their father was, what he did to them and their mother. No one would claim them as friends, at least not outwardly or in public.

· When and with whom was your first kiss? :: Daniel Dunn was her first kiss in most all her verses. He was a messed up kid, a psychopath that was highly functioning and much too sadistic, even as far as most psychopaths are concerned. He used her and abused her for most of her young adult years, as her father had her mother. ( What was it they said about emulating what you saw as a child and being doomed to repeat it…? ) In one of her verses she has known Daryl Dixon all of her life and he is her first kiss…her first everything.

· Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? :: Same as the question above to be honest. Most of her verses features Daniel Dunn in that role, as fucked up and cruel as that is, and in the one it’s Daryl Dixon.

· If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today. :: Bobby was definitely informed by her childhood and her mother’s and father’s relationship as far as what kind of person she wanted to become. She would consciously always pick a path that led her to be her mother, kind and sweet and a pure heart with passion despite being regularly beaten down and broken by outside influences because of her goodness. She was also inspired to become a trauma nurse thanks to all the times she had to help fix up her mom, her siblings and herself over the years, some of the things she’d come into schooling being self-taught after a bad couple of nights.

PART 3: PAST INFLUENCES

· What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? :: The night Dan almost killed her and she survived, barely, to be present and the star witness at the trial that would send him to prison for at least 20 years for attempted premeditated murder. And every so many years when probation is brought before the review board, release for good behavior, she makes sure she’s available to speak. She even takes the day off work to make sure she can go down and make herself and her story with him heard.

· Who has had the most influence on you? :: Mama.

· What do you consider your greatest achievement? :: Bouncing back from being a high school dropout ( even though her reasoning was perfectly acceptable and understandable ), getting her GED and her degrees. Putting herself first. Finally.

· What is your greatest regret? :: Bobby blames herself for her mother’s death. Obviously her mother became addicted to opioids and died of an aortic rupture, which were things no little girl could have realistically been able to help or prevent. Nonetheless she thinks, and has believed all her life that maybe she wasn’t strong enough to help her mother through the worst of their lives, to survive past it and watch her babies grow up and succeed in the way their mama had always wanted and hoped.

· What is the most evil thing you have ever done? :: Bobby pulled the wings off a fly once. Another time she pulled the back legs off of a grasshopper. It was, in her mind ( at least as a pretense ) all for science, but some psychologists and therapists might think otherwise.

· Do you have a criminal record of any kind? :: Bobby has gotten arrested a couple times, all for misdemeanor things like stealing a candy bar from a convenience store and for indecent exposure in her small town when she was caught with her pants down around the bend, side of the road, peeing in the brush while drunk.

· When was the time you were the most frightened? :: Bobby was frightened to the same extent twice in her life. The first when her mother was being beaten for the last time ( which was also the night she died ) and when Bobby herself was being beaten and broken and nearly killed by Dan.

· What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you? :: When she was 15 ( which is not a legal age of consent and no, I do not condone anything happening to minors, this is just FICTION ) she was being diddled by Dan in the back seat of his car ( he was older than she was by 2 years as well ) when she opened her eyes to find the window down and a couple of Dan’s older friends jerking themselves off to what Dan was doing to her, turning her on and playing with her. She immediately wanted to stop and thankfully there were other people walking by when she started screaming or she most likely would have been forced to continue against her will. It was both embarrassing for her and equally as dangerous and twisted a situation.

· If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why? :: Bobby often wishes she was older and stronger than she was when her mother died. She wants to be able to go back and take her siblings out of that environment altogether. She wants to have been able to maybe even save her mother.

· What is your best memory? :: The ones alone in the woods. Anything where the woodlands creatures accepted her as a part of their world, knowing inherently she wouldn’t hurt them.

· What is your worst memory? :: The way her mother died, in her arms, at home. There were no police and no ambulance until it was too late to save her, much too late.

PART 4: BELIEFS & OPINIONS

· Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic? :: Optimistic.

· What is your greatest fear? :: Being powerless and out of control of her own life.

· What are your religious views? :: She’s spiritual but does not ascribe to any one particular religious sect or view. She tends to take a little of this and a little of that from various religions, whatever she feels she can identify with in the moment and incorporate into her lifestyle.

· What are your political views? :: Progressive Liberal Independent.

· What are your views on sex? :: The more the better. Well, provided it’s the right person and it’s consensual. Also, sometimes a little kinky if she trusts the person she’s with implicitly.

· Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable? :: In any verses where the apocalypse doesn’t exist ( or not yet ) she could only kill if it was someone threatening her life or the lives of her family/spouse/kids. In the apocalypse, she begins just as they all did, saying they would never kill the living, then only if she had to, and progressing until doing it regularly because she had to and there were rarely other options. Not to say there are moments when she should kill and doesn’t, for one reason or another, but she makes sure to weigh the call. Taking a life, being a healer as she is and continues to be, isn’t an easy call to make.

· In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do? :: To abuse physically, emotionally, mentally, and/or sexually a child. To Bobby that is the most reprehensible crime.

· Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? :: Yes.

· What do you believe makes a successful life? :: The impact one has on the world around them, whoever or whatever they touch/influence. What a person leaves behind, their legacy.

· How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)? :: Bobby is pretty honest about her feelings now, almost to a detriment. She’s brutally honest about thoughts and feelings and has been pretty intense in all aspects of her life since her father died and set her free from the binds of her past.

· Do you have any biases or prejudices? :: Bobby has biases against rapists and child molesters, child abusers and domestic violence offenders. Really, she feels as though anyone who breaks the law for more than stealing some food ( if a person is desperate to eat or feed their family ) they should do the time applicable to the crime.

· Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it? :: Bobby doesn’t like to lie. She won’t do it. If asked to lie she will retreat from the conflict altogether, saying nothing to either party. If asked for the truth, therefore, she would have to tell the truth. Her replies at being asked to lie always include some formulation of ‘if you want to propagate lies and slander then do it in your name.’ Her refusal stems from years of her mother and her family lying to the authorities, to medical professionals, to the world about what they went through at her father’s hands. ( Whether they knew or not otherwise wasn’t the point. )

· Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)? :: Family and friends that have become family. Her spouse, her partner, the person she’s chosen to spend the rest of her life with. Her children, adopted or natural, blood or not.

PART 5: RELATIONSHIPS W/OTHERS

· In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how? :: Bobby is always guided by the other person. She will usually begin friendly and polite, if a bit wary and gruff depending on the circumstances. It always depends on the first impression and expression of the other person how she reacts and treats them from there, forward. Sometimes a rude or dislike situation can be changed over time if both parties work toward making it positive or a catalyst turns the dynamic around. Likewise, if someone starts off friendly with her it can turn to dislike and even hatred if given the right cataclysm. She read this quote once that she lives by : ‘if you feel it necessary to judge me by my past, don’t be surprised when I put you in it.’ Most often, however, if a person is able to get past all the walls she’s built over time against being hurt viscerally by someone intimately, they’re in her heart and they’re usually there for good.

· Who is the most important person in your life, and why? :: It depends on the verse. Sometimes all she has left are her brother and sister. Other verses are dependent on her family/attachments/spouses/significant others. Rick, Shane, Daryl, Charley, etc. Family is important to Bobby, especially at the end of the world. Her children are first and foremost the most important people in her life in the verses in which she has them.

· Who is the person you respect the most, and why? :: Carol. No matter what verse is concerned, this holds true. She sees a lot of her mother in Carol. A lot of the same strengths and hopes and dreams that have been tramped down by a man with a heavy hand and an awfully small constitution. Of all the people Bobby has the pleasure to meet in all her travels and all her realities, Carol is the one person she loves and supports and looks up to the most.

· Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people. :: Bobby has very few friends in the real world. As stated before she was never a popular kid growing up and only got any recognition for her beauty by boys or girls with one thing on the mind. The only people she considers as true friends she made after the world as she knew it already ended. Carol. Daryl. Rick. Shane. Maggie. Glenn. Enid. King Ezekiel. Jerry. Jesus. Aaron. Etc. The only exception to this is the verse where she’s known Daryl all her life; in that case she’s always had him. He is her best friend. And her cat, Patches, a gray and white tabby cat with darker gray almost black ears, definitely constitutes as a best friend.

· Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person. :: Daryl – nickname Tracker; annoyed and frustrated with how much she talks but loves her for it anyway and finds it kind of endearing despite himself; afraid of intimacy in the same way that she is and was and what makes them a good fit is their willingness now to grow together solely with one another; can’t live with her and can’t live without her; hillbilly grump with the most honest, pure, innocent heart of anyone she knows. Shane – nickname Deputy; knows who the real boss of the house is; is probably afraid of Bobby…maybe…like a lot; strong willed, passionate, and has an easy anger reflex; they fight a lot about the silliest things but it always come back to love; the thing he probably loves the most about her is that she knows how to turn the damn lights off. Rick – no nickname as yet; he really stepped into the leader role over the time they’ve known each other; Bobby never expected to follow him as closely as she does now; they don’t always agree but they rarely actually fight; he’s the epitome of calm and problem solving in dire situations; he’d walk through Hell and all its fire for her and his kids and probably everyone else he cares for and that’s the one thing she loves the most above all else about him. Mac – nickname Cupcake; strictly a fanfiction/headcanon ship at this point; used to ship this pairing exclusively with macxtheanimal way back when; a meth head, rapist, murderer, criminal, muscle and enforcer for his father’s crystal meth operation; he’s a villain that makes no apologies for his actions but she can see the broken little boy in him, abandoned by his mother so long ago to his father’s lifestyle; kept her hostage as a sex slave for a long time until they had an intimate exchange one night and she whispered to him that she just wanted to be free to make the choice; he let her go, saying she was free and he knew she’d always leave because they all did if given a chance; she stayed. {{ All are subject to change based on verse or partner writing this with us. Mostly these listings as spouses or SO’s are exclusive right now to wexarethewalkingxdead and macxtheanimal. }}

· Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened. :: She’s only been in love a couple times in her life. ( Verse dependent. ) It almost always ends in pain and suffering for her, be it physically or emotionally, but there are a few over the verses/years that she’s found true happiness with.

· What do you look for in a potential lover? :: Connection. Chemistry. Sexy/pretty eyes. Rough pads of their hands and they have to be steady and firm. Stable.

· How close are you to your family? :: Bobby and her siblings are VERY close, even though they don’t live in the same place anymore. Sometimes herself and her sister Kath haven’t always been as close as they should have been. Those moments are almost always based on imagined slights of some kind because Bobby is and always has been an outspoken person; she never sugar coats things that should be communicated. It follows in the same vein as her always being truthful. Hence, sometimes hurt feelings. Bobby and the people she’s come to think of as family are likewise, VERY close with these same issues of hurt feelings now and again, resulting mostly in a short time of silence or avoidance between the parties.

· Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not? :: This is dependent on her verses. In some she does make a family with someone special. In others she hasn’t, whether because she hasn’t found that someone yet or because she’s afraid of finding a man like her father and subjecting herself to the same life her mother lived prior to her death – not to mention subjecting any children they might have to that lifestyle.

· Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help? :: Bobby would turn to her siblings first, provided it was something they could solve realistically. If they aren’t available or they can’t fix it because they live out of state, etc, the next stop would be her chosen family, friends she’s made along the way that would go the extra mile for her, and she for them.

· Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? :: Very few people and they have to prove themselves to her with their deeds, not just words and promises coming off lips and tongues that have lied so many times they probably don’t even know they’re doing it anymore.

· If you died or went missing, who would miss you? :: Her family ( her brother and sister ) have been living in different states from her for quite a few years now but that doesn’t mean they’ve become distant. They would definitely miss her. Also any of the family she’s made in the apocalypse. Obviously this is verse dependent.

· Who is the person you despise the most, and why? :: Actually, I think Bobby despises her mother the most of anyone she’s ever known in her life. It’s a very complicated relationship. Bobby still loves her mother; while she was alive she was the only kindness Bobby and her siblings knew. She was strong and endured a lot but that same strength could also be considered weakness. Why couldn’t she have left their father? Why couldn’t she have taken them away and made a go of it on their own? Maybe she’d be alive today. Maybe a lot of things. So Bobby is constantly fighting with love and hate for the woman that bore her.

· Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? :: Bobby has a good sense for whatever a situation calls for, usually. In most circumstances she will listen and hear someone out before saying her piece. But she is southern and strong willed, a stiff backbone, and sometimes the outrage comes dripping off her teeth like venom before she can stave them off. In moments when she can’t be smart and hold her tongue, and even when she does, Bobby is a woman who is definitely not afraid of conflict if she feels the situation calls for it.

· Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? :: Bobby is strong enough to take the weight of the world on her shoulders. It certainly depends on what the situation is, but in the case of her primary verse – in the Walker apocalypse – she doesn’t hold back. As a healer, a nurse, she will absolutely take on a leadership role if one is needed. If another leader is present, and she respects that person, they will only gain support from her; likewise, if they do not have her respect, all they will get it push-back until they either utilize her and her ideas to their potential or she potentially replaces them as the leader. She’s very strong but she is versatile. She knows when to step back and let things shake loose.

· Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? :: Bobby has always been a little bit of a loner. She’d personable but she also likes her alone time. As previously discussed, there wasn’t a lot of silent time in her home and she much rather would have been somewhere alone with her thoughts instead of lined up ready to catch a beating. Large crowds do tend to make her a little anxious. She’d much rather only deal with a few people at a time.

· Do you care what others think of you? :: Bobby does care what other people thing of her, to an extent. She doesn’t dwell on it, however, and if there are ever opinions that are misconstrued or wrong she will make sure not to ever think on those things again. The only thing that usually can get to Bobby is when people she loves and is devoted to make comments to her that can be considered derogatory or hurtful, judging.

PART 6: LIKES & DISLIKES

· What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes? :: Hiking and taking walks in the lush green forests. Photography. Reading. Her grandma taught her mother how to sew and thus, taught Bobby enough to get by; those nursing lessons on stitching wounds up didn’t hurt either.

· What is your most treasured possession? :: Patches. He is a grey and white tabby cat with dubious bloodline origin with black ears. She’s had him with her for a long time and she’d walk through fire for him if she had to.

· What is your favorite color? :: Blue.

· What is your favorite food? :: Seafood boil.

· What, if anything, do you like to read? :: Bobby is an always will be a fan of anything she can get her hands on. She does go through moods, however, devoted to certain genres over the others. Predominantly she reads works of fiction about murder and crime, who done its and thrillers. Horror novels are a must as well. A favorite series of hers is the By The Numbers novels about Stephanie Plum and her life fumble bumbling through the Bounty Hunter business by Janet Evanovich. Romance novels, unless well written with a predominant plot encompassing one of the aforementioned genres, can go suck lemons!

· What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)? :: Bobby is mostly a music person. Movies are fine and television can captivate her attention if its done well but there’s nothing better than putting in a CD, or plugging her headphones into her phone’s jack and playing some tunes on the digital frequency. It sets the mood, no matter what that mood is, 100% of the time.

· Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit? :: Bobby used to smoke. It was something to do with her hands and a nervous tick that she adopted mostly in crowded groups of people to help calm her nerves in those situations. Social smoking. Whether or not she still does it verse dependent. Bobby also drinks alcoholic beverages but within reason and rarely ever to excess.

· How do you spend a typical Saturday night? :: In the apocalypse there is a lot to do, all of the time. There’s never a dull moment. Saturdays are usually reserved for whatever needs doing that wasn’t done the day before, as well as making time for family and friends trying to reclaim what was stolen from them by the world as it exists now. In the other verses where the world is normal, Saturdays are usually reserved for family time, the park, the zoo, barbecues with family and friends, etc. On the rare occasion work comes calling – she is an emergency room nurse – she will sometimes go in. And sometimes not.

· What makes you laugh? :: Stupid jokes, dad jokes, horrible puns. Her husband. Her kids. New airings and reruns of America’s Funniest Home Videos.

· What, if anything, shocks or offends you? :: Racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, slurs and swear words used in conjunction with said slurs and behavior, etc. Anything that could be considered along the same vein by small minded people who are afraid of anything they don’t know and haven’t bothered to become educated about/in.

· What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself? :: Insomnia does sometimes strike. It happens in those moments when something exceptionally traumatic happens at work or there happens to be a scare with her husband, kids, or siblings/family, those moments when she’s in the dark of the night, sometimes alone, with her own thoughts and fears. Sometimes there is no amusing herself. Sometimes she has to talk herself down off a very high ledge. Sometimes she has to wake up her significant other ( if present ) just to know they’re there, they’re alive. Sometimes the heartbeat and the steady breathing isn’t enough.

· How do you deal with stress? :: Bobby reads. She keeps her hands busy cooking, cleaning, and caring for her family. Killing Walkers in the apocalypse, keeping a tight perimeter. Yoga and pilates in the verses where the world hasn’t changed.

· Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan? :: Bobby is usually a very plan oriented person. She’s learned over the years that the only way to be is concerned, vigilant, if a bit controlling. That isn’t to say that she’s a control freak, but she does have strong opinions and will be heard on them. She wishes she was more spontaneous and sometimes makes attempts to purposely exit her comfort zone in certain situations she deems it appropriate, such as her sex life, dates, etc.

· What are your pet peeves? :: People who can’t follow directions or laws of an ordered society. People who lie or steal unless circumstances are such that would overwrite the negative or somehow make an allowance for it. People who judge others or presume to tell other people their business when they don’t even have their lives together.

PART 7: SELF IMAGES & OTHER

· Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted? :: Regardless of what her work schedule works like ( days or evenings ) Bobby gets up around 5 a.m. daily. She makes coffee through the slits of her eyelids. She then returns to the bathroom where she showers and brushes her teeth. By that time she usually is ready to start breakfast for herself and whoever else is present. Morning shifts she works until 3 p.m. She will usually run any errands she has to do at that time before coming home and making dinner. Night shifts she works until 11 p.m. doing the errands and prepping dinner before leaving for the night for her shift. If her routine happens to be interrupted or subverted in any way, she usually gets a little perturbed, might make a dramatic comment about everything being a mess, and carrying on with things as best as she can.

· What is your greatest strength as a person? :: Her heart and her generosity. It helped her overcome a lot of odds that were stacked against her from the beginning.

· What is your greatest weakness? :: Her heart. Sometimes she’s loyal to a fault even though the people she let inside of it use her and abuse her. Also her stubborn as a mule attitude and her stiff backbone. When she’s made up her mind there’s very precious little that can change it.

· If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? :: How her past shaped her to be numb and emotionless in certain situations that require feeling. She doesn’t always respond in the right ways to tragedy or loss. Sometimes not responding at all. It’s a more calloused wounded part of herself she wished she didn’t have.

· Are you generally introverted or extroverted? :: Generally extroverted but in small doses. Large gatherings or venues kept to a minimum.

· Are you generally organized or messy? :: Organized.

· Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at. :: Good – 1) Problem solving, 2) Nursing/healing, 3) Being a wife and mother. Bad – 1) Spontaneity, 2) Letting go, 3) Cleaning vomit.

· Do you like yourself? :: Yes. For the most part.

· What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons…) :: It’s a choice you make. When things get difficult, what kind of person would you want to be? If a child cries in the dark, scared, alone; would you help them? Or would you turn away? Tell yourself it’s not your concern. If a mother and father are fighting for their child’s life as the child is being physically removed from their arms, wounded, killed before them. Would you intervene if you could? Or turn your back? Would you do everything you could because you have the ability, because you have the choice or do you do nothing, make the choice not to, and perhaps blood be on your hands…? It’s a choice she makes every day to do better, to be someone she could be proud of, that her family would remember and be proud of long after she was gone. Her sacrifice, if needed, would not be in vane.

· What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime? :: Leave the world a little better than she found it.

· Where do you see yourself in 5 years? :: She can’t say. She hopes to be alive and well, actually living a life and happy within its confines. But she knows that may never come. Not even tomorrow is guaranteed…

· If you could choose, how would you want to die? :: Old and grey in her sleep. In the apocalypse, if she could choose and she was bitten/injured beyond the ability to be healed, she would want to shoot herself in the head before changing. She wouldn’t want to leave it for any of her loved ones to do; she doesn’t want that burden to be on their soul.

· If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left. :: 1) Write little notes or letters to those she loved who would miss her and feel her loss the most. 2) Love on and spend a lot of time with the children, 3) Clean, load, cock and ready her gun and wait.

· What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death? :: Her kindness. How many people she helped. How far out of her way she sometimes went to make that happen.

· What three words best describe your personality? :: Brave, Generous, and Loyal

· What three words would others probably use to describe you? :: Bold, Daring, and Realistic

· If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice…) :: Bobby. You are without a doubt the biggest pain in my ass, second only to Shane and Daryl. You are the most generous, kind, loyal person I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. You’re also one of the most stubborn. A word of advice might be you think too much. You plan and you organize and you get shit done. I get it. But sometimes, you’re a little too extra. Learn what it’s like to be a girl. Let your hair down more. Unscrew the dick sometimes. It’s fun being a girl. And I know that you know that but you’re too afraid to lose control because you think if you do you’ll lose everything good you ever had. And I know it’s because you don’t think you deserve all the good you have received over the years. You’re beauty. You’re grace. You’re the kind of person I wish I could be sometimes; but you need to be a little less afraid of what you could lose and more willing to risk it all. A man in my life asked me once if a moment of happiness was worth a lifetime of anything else. And the answer is yes.

#ic #about Bobby #• you got some beach ball sized lady nuts on you • { bobby monroe }#character development

2 notes · View notes

mrnerdteacher · 5 years

Text

Every “Universal Studios Hollywood: Halloween Horror Nights 2019” Maze, Ranked

This year Universal has put together a varied and entertaining set of mazes, and although it has more than ever before, the cracks are starting to show as the park attempts to pack more and more people into its biggest event. Here are all the mazes, ranked from worst to best.

Note: My friends and I purchased the front-of-the-line passes, and even though we went on a Sunday night, we still would not have been able to complete every maze without it. Expensive, but the only way to get the full experience.

Honorable Mention: All Hallow’s Evil Not a maze, but rather an outdoor enclosed scare zone that is harvest and autumnal theme. Some great costumes and a cool premise.

Dishonorable Mention: Toxic Tunnel

In years past, a short tram ride took you to remote parts of the lower backlot. Now, you hoof it on foot for about a quarter mile, walking through a wide-open tunnel filled with strobe lights and rejects from the Toxic Avenger. It’s as annoying as it sounds.

On to the list!

#10 The Curse of Pandora’s Box Easily the worst maze of the night, the designers attempted to create a sense of chaos by contrasting dark hallways with neon colors, but the costumes felt generic and the scares non-effective.

#9 The Walking Dead Attraction

Familiarity is the enemy of this maze, but if you’ve never done it before, it makes a good first impression. I just wish they would add something new, or at least increase the number of scare actors during HHN.

#8 Stranger Things 2 & 3

The surprise flop of the night, this maze at times had a queue that was 4 hours long. But once you finally get inside, you are treated to the same easily telegraphed jump scare about 8 times (not an exaggeration). There are some nice set pieces, but overall it lacked wows and scares.

#7 Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Nothing technically wrong with this one, but it failed to create many memorable moments. If you know the story of either character, you know exactly what to expect, and the maze delivers on that promise and little else. (Note: the finale in which the monsters literally jump off the screen was pretty damn clever).

#6 House of 1000 Corpses

This maze originally made its debut years ago, and while this year’s iteration delivered on tension and scares, it was missing several elements from its original incarnation. A thrill, but a slight step down from its former glory.

#5 Creepshow

This maze had an uphill battle, as the original film is slightly obscure and the new series hasn't been released yet. Despite these limitations, it delivered several effective scares and featured a well-developed premise.

#4 Killer Klowns from Outer Space

This maze, perhaps better than any other, authentically recreates iconic moments from its titular film (even before you enter the maze proper). The scare actors also wore full-body costumes that were imposing due to size alone. One complaint though: enough with the squirt guns!

#3 GhostbustersAs a life-long fan, I thought this one would take the cake, and it was indeed quite good. However, some missed opportunities and an over-reliance on static figures kept it from soaring to the #1 spot. Spooky, not scary, but very very fun.

#2 Us

It starts with an impressive, full-size facade at the entrance, and from there the immersion goes even deeper. I wondered how Universal would convey the terror of a clone attack, and their delivery is truly one of their better tricks; instead of giving scare actors masks of Lupita Nyong’o, they hired a dozen or so women who look remarkably like her. The end result is the feeling that the scissor wielding psychopath really is everywhere. And their eyes will haunt you all the way home.

#1 Holidayz in Hell

The surprise hit of the night, this brand new original maze is a concept that I have seen attempted before: holidays run amok. However, what sets this maze apart is the amount of thought and creativity that went into it. From “champagne bubbles” that rained from the sky to the simulated fireworks, this maze kept surprising me. My favorite part, however, was the end. You think the maze is over, when all of a sudden you realize that the final part of the maze IS out in the open streets. And it’s a mad dash for safety through a gauntlet of killer Christmas gifts. Oh what fun.

11 notes · View notes

ultradeliciousstudentworld-blog · 6 years

Photo

You can’t keep a good character down in Hollywood — even when that character has spent most of its existence as one of Marvel Comics’ most notorious villains. The Venom movie based on the popular Spider-Man spinoff character has an action-packed new trailer showcasing the film’s wild alien effects, and now the movie has a few new posters, too.

MORE SUPERHERO MOVIE NEWS

Aquaman

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Wonder Woman 1984

Directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) and set to hit theaters October 5, Venom

will feature Mad Max: Fury Road and The Dark Knight Rises star Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, a journalist who becomes the host of a powerful, symbiotic alien that gives him superhuman abilities. The movie’s

supporting cast members

include Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Jenny Slate, and Woody Harrelson.

Here’s everything we know about the movie so far.

ALL TEETH AND TONGUE

Just a few weeks before the film’s premiere, Sony Pictures released a set of new posters for Venom that puts some of its titular star’s most memorable features front and center.

View image on Twitter

What big eyes you have, What big teeth you have, What a BIG TONGUE you have. What a big screen @IMAX has for all of the #Venom

248

98 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

View image on Twitter

New poster for #Venom has been released.

292

120 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

These posters were preceded in July by a new, Japan-specific poster for Venom that just might be even more terrifying than any of the footage released so far.

View image on Twitter

日本発ポスター解禁これが #ヴェノムだ！ヤツらには＜最悪＞が良く似合う。 11月2日（金）最も残虐な悪、誕生。#venom

14.2K

8,342 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

From the multiple rows of teeth to the tentacle-like tongue and dripping saliva, Venom is looking as scary as ever in the Japanese-language poster.

VENOM … FOR KIDS?

Throughout much of development and production on Venom, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Sony Pictures would follow the example set by Deadpool and make the violent character’s solo debut an R-rated feature. That conclusion proved wrong, though, when the film’s official rating was confirmed to be the more kid-friendly PG-13.

#Venom is officially rated PG-13. Hearing from studio sources the reason is so that Venom and Spider-Man can face off at some point down the line. If the movie is R, it’s hard to do that.

513

260 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Rumors first began circulating in August (via Variety) that Venom probably wouldn’t be Sony’s first R-rated film based on a Marvel Comics property.

“Some members of Sony’s brain trust believe that the film should push the very limits of PG-13 without crossing over into a higher rating,” stated the report, which cites unidentified studio sources.

A BIG CAMEO?

The rumor machine shifted into high gear in January when a Collider host reported that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man — the star of Spider-Man: Homecoming and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s youngest star — might show up in Venom.

Damn @JonSchnepp dropping bombs and saying he knows that Spiderman will be in #Venom on #collidrmovietalk Tom Holland's Spiderman!

593

102 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

The report was denied by various official sources in the months that followed, but the shared status of the Spider-Man character — who became part of Marvel’s cinematic universe via a partnership with Sony Pictures — kept the report from being completely dismissed. The rumor regarding a Spider-Man cameo resurfaced in August when Venom director Ruben Fleischer gave a conspicuously noncommittal response to questions about the character appearing in the film.

“I honestly don’t know what I’m allowed to say,” Fleischer during an interview with The Los Angeles Times. “I mean, I know the answer — I’ve seen the movie. But I don’t want to get in trouble for saying something I’m not supposed to.”

And just like that, the rumor mill began turning again.

A LATE ARRIVAL

The end of filming didn’t stop the flow of casting news, with Luke Cage and This Is Usactor Ron Cephas Jones announced as one of the actors making an appearance in Venom just a few months before the film hits theaters.

The Hollywood Reporter made Jones’ presence in the film official, but his role in the feature has yet to be revealed.

NEW TRAILER, NEW SYMBIOTES

Another trailer for Venom (see above) arrived online July 31, and it offered the most action of any preview of the film so far. Along with showcasing quite a bit of Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock and his symbiotic alien alter ego, the trailer also offered a peek at some of the other symbiotes and their hosts — including a shot near the end of Hardy and Riz Ahmed’s characters engaged in battle while enveloped in their respective alien partners.

The trailer also debuted some of the footage that was shown at Comic-Con earlier in the month, finally providing everyone who couldn’t make it to San Diego with a peek at the much-discussed preview.

VILLAIN (AND MORE) REVEALED

Sony confirmed quite a bit about Venom during the studio’s Comic-Con panel in July. Not only did the studio show off some new footage from the film, but it also confirmed that Venom would face off against another alien symbiote named Riot in the film.

Ruben Fleischer confirms the other #symbiote seen in the #SDCC2018 footage was Riot. "He has a unique trait. You don't know where Riot is going to turn up." #Venom #SonyAtSDCC

225

85 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Ahmed’s character will reportedly be the human host for Riot, but that could change, given the alien’s ability to shift between hosts.

Although the footage that debuted during the event hasn’t been released online, The Hollywood Reporter has a detailed description of the clips, which include a scene that depicts “Venom’s head stretching out of Brock’s body to have a conversation with him, similar to what might happen in the comics, and Venom making axes with his own hands.”

Sony also released a new image of Venom on Twitter.

View image on Twitter

We are #Venom. #SDCC2018 #SonyAtSDCC

3,487

1,112 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

LIFE AND SYMBIOTES

The character played by Rogue One actor Riz Ahmed was also confirmed — with some new details — during Sony’s Comic-Con panel.

Ahmed will portray Dr. Carlton Drake, a billionaire inventor and head of the Life Foundation, who believes humanity’s future lies in outer space. His interest in cosmic exploration brings him into contact with the powerful alien symbiotes, and Ahmed confirmed that he would end up becoming host to one of the shape-shifting creatures.

It appears certain now that Venom will be a tale of two (or more) symbiotes.

CONSIDERING CARNAGE?

The film’s high-profile cast got substantially bigger with the addition of two-time Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson (True Detective, Natural Born Killers) late in 2017.

The initial report of Harrelson’s attachment to Venom didn’t identify the role the veteran actor would play in the film. Variety simply indicated that he would play “a henchman of sorts,” but now the actor himself has offered some clarification.

Speaking to Collider, Harrelson revealed that his role in Venom will be a small one — but will likely increase significantly in the sequel.

“[It’s a] roll of the dice, because I’m just … I’m in a little fraction of this movie, but I’ll be in the next one, you know?” he said. “So I haven’t read that script, but anyways, just rolled the dice.”

It’s unlikely that Harrelson would play the traditional, lower-tier henchman role in any film these days, and rumors have suggested that he might play Cletus Kasady, a serial killer who became the villain Carnage in Marvel Comics lore. His description of the role as a small one and indication that he’d be in a sequel suggests that his character could be introduced in Venom before becoming the primary villain of the second film.

First introduced in a 1992 issue of The Amazing Spider-Man, Carnage is an offspring of the Venom symbiote that bonded with Kasady and lacks any moral foundation whatsoever. One of Spider-Man and Venom’s most dangerous, unpredictable foes, Carnage is a superpowered psychopath who wields all of the same powers as Venom and embraces — rather than fights to control — the bloodlust brought on by the alien symbiote.

Whatever role Harrelson plays in the film, it will be a reunion for him and Fleischer, who directed Harrelson in Zombieland.

ANIMATED HOMAGE

It’s not officially sanctioned by the studio, but a video making the rounds online offers a decidedly different spin on the second trailer for Venom.

YouTube user Darth Blender posted a remix of the trailer that replaces the live-action footage with clips from the popular 1990s television show Spider-Man: The Animated Series. The result is a surprisingly well-synchronized version of the trailer that should evoke some serious nostalgia for fans of the early incarnations of Spider-Man’s famous foe (and occasional ally).

We are Venom, indeed.

AT LONG LAST … VENOM!

After the first, Venom-less trailer for Venom received a less-than-stellar reception, Sony Pictures made up for past mistakes with a second trailer that went all-in on the fiendish black symbiote.

The trailer debuted after the studio’s presentation at CinemaCon in April, and it reveals quite a bit of the story that will connect Hardy’s journalist character, Eddie Brock, with the sentient creature that turns him into the powerful antihero known as Venom. Most importantly, however, is that the trailer offers the first good look at Venom in toothy, tongue-curling action.

The trailer was accompanied by a new poster for the film that depicts Eddie Brock in mid-transformation to Venom.

FROM WAKANDA TO SYMBIOTE CITY

Sony Pictures has reportedly recruited a prominent composer to provide the musical component to Venom’s solo feature. According to Deadline, Black Panthercomposer Ludwig Goransson will score the Venom movie.

The arrangement will be a reunion of sorts, as Goransson previously scored Fleischer’s 2011 comedy 30 Minutes or Less. Goransson is best known for his recent work on Black Panther and his frequent collaborations with that film’s director, Ryan Coogler, having scored both Creed and Fruitvale Station. He is also a frequent collaborator with actor-musician Donald Glover on his Childish Gambino music albums.

FOOTAGE, FINALLY!

After promising that something big would debut February 8, the studio followed through with the very first teaser trailer for Venom, offering audiences a sneak peek at the tone of Tom Hardy’s spin on the popular character.

The teaser (see above) features Eddie Brock (Hardy) prominently, but doesn’t reveal much of his lethal alter ego. There’s a scene depicting the squirming, black symbiote that — in Marvel Comics lore — bonds with Eddie and gives him his powerful abilities, but that’s about it as far as any look at the film’s namesake.

FIRST POSTER

The first, official poster for Venom was released February 7, and the image — which features the character’s iconic white eyes against a black background — was accompanied by a tease that something big will debut “tomorrow” (meaning February 8).

View image on Twitter

Tomorrow. #Venom

56.4K

30.3K people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

THAT’S A WRAP

In late January, Hardy posted a photo on Instagram to announced the conclusion of filming — for him, at least — on Venom.

PICTURE PREVIEW

The first official photo from Venom was released by Sony Pictures in January 2018, offering an early look at Hardy as Eddie Brock, complete with his reporter notebook.

Posted on IGN, the photo was accompanied by a video from the Venom panel that was held during the Brazil Comic-Con Experience in December. The video features a look at the set of the film with some commentary from the film’s director and cast.

Hardy posted a few additional, behind-the-scenes photos from the set of the film in recent weeks on Instagram, often showing the film’s comics-inspired promotional art on his clothing or members of the film’s creative team.

POSTERS, WE PRESUME?

Some of the first promotional material for Venom appeared to have finally gone public in early December 2017, with Collider and Argentinian fan site MarvelFlix both posting photos from the Brazilian convention Comic-Con Experience (CCXP) of promotional images for Venom posted at the Sony Pictures booth there.

Primeras promo a de #Venom me gusta el logo che

380

202 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

There was no official confirmation from Sony that these images are officially tied to the film, but the “in theaters soon” line certainly gives them some legitimacy.

CAMERAS ROLLING

Given how long it took for the Venom movie to make any forward progress, it’s understandable if some people didn’t believe it would actually arrive in theaters until they saw some photographic evidence of production.

Well, that’s exactly what the film’s Twitter account provided on October 23.

View image on Twitter

Day 1. #Venom

15.7K

7,764 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Captioned “Day 1. #Venom,” the photo features Hardy looking on as production begins on the film. Appropriately enough, it’s also the first post on the movie’s Twitter account.

CHARACTER QUESTIONS

First announced as the star of the film in May 2017, Hardy confirmed his involvement in a photo posted on Twitter by Sony Pictures.

View image on Twitter

Tom Hardy is Eddie Brock in #Venom, the upcoming film from Sony’s Marvel Universe releasing October 5, 2018 – production starts this fall.

18.1K

14.6K people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Along with teasing Hardy’s attachment to the film, the photo also revealed which incarnation of Venom the actor will bring to the screen: Eddie Brock.

In Marvel Comics lore, Eddie Brock was a photographer who became the host of the alien entity known as Venom — which imbues its host with powerful abilities but also increases its host’s bloodlust and violent tendencies. Its previous host, Spider-Man, realized the danger it presented and managed to separate himself from it after a struggle both psychological and physical. Over the years, the character has spent time outside the traditional villain role and even went through a period in which he acted as a vicious, criminal-chasing vigilante while bonded with Brock.

Venom’s first big-screen appearance featured Topher Grace in the role of Brock, who bonded with the alien in director Sam Raimi’s 2007 film.

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

Along with Hardy in the lead role, the cast of Venom also includes four-time Academy Award nominee Williams, who is expected to portray the film’s female lead.

According to a September 2017 report from Variety, Williams will likely play a district attorney and possibly the love interest of Hardy’s character. Also attached to the film in supporting roles are Slate and Veep actor Reid Scott, with Mully actor Scott Haze also rumored for an unidentified role. Slate is rumored to be playing a scientist in the film.

DARK AND DISTINCT

Although Spider-Man: Homecoming was firmly set within Marvel Studios’ cinematic universe, Venom will reportedly be set in its own, separate Sony Pictures universe, despite the character’s ties to Spider-Man. The script for the film was penned by Scott Rosenberg (Pain & Gain), Jeff Pinkner (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), and Kelly Marcel (Fifty Shades of Grey).

The notion of distancing Venom from Spider-Man and the Marvel Studios universe came as a surprise to fans when it was first rumored in March 2017, and continues to be the subject of much debate among comics fans and movie industry pundits. Given the critical and commercial success of Spider-Man: Homecoming and the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe up to this point, there is plenty of incentive to tie Venom to those films, but all signs point to Sony positioning Venom as the first film in a new cinematic universe based on Spider-Man spinoff properties.

Updated September 17 with new posters for the film.

Editors' Recommendations

Comic-Con 2018 highlights: From Star Trek spinoffs to a Star Wars revival

‘Captain Marvel’: Everything we know about the movie so far

‘Aquaman’ movie: Everything we know about it so far

‘The Predator’ movie: Here’s everything we know so far

Roll out! New ‘Bumblebee’ trailer is filled with old-school Transformers

#venom #venom movie

14 notes · View notes

brin-guivera · 7 years

Photo

It Chapter 1: Review

Well guys, I’m just back from seeing IT (for the second time) at the cinema and I think I have organized my thoughts enough to type out a coherent review.

I have been looking forward to this movies for years. It’s absolutely true – the movie has been in development hell for at least seven years and has gone through many iterations (and a couple of directorial and cast changes) but was finally, FINALLY, released in theatres on Friday. Was it worth waiting for? HELL YES. Was it a faithful adaptation? Mostly. Was it perfect? Nope, but I doubt anything would live up to my sky-high expectations.

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we…

it: the beginning

I first read IT by Stephen King when I was little more than a nipper. ‘Tis true, I was (barely) twelve years old when I first read King’s masterpiece and it absolutely scared the ever-living-shit out of me. Sorry for the colourful language but in this case I believe it to be completely justified.

IT is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most if not THE most terrifying books I have ever read. Seriously, I had to sleep with the light on for about two months afterwards. I was in no way easily frightened as a kid either. I loved horror (both in books and movies) and had an impressive constitution when it came to scares… or so I thought at least.

IT changed everything for me. I really related to the characters (who were roughly around the same age as I was during the flashback portions of the book) as I was bullied as a pre-teen and they felt real to me in ways a lot of other book characters didn’t.

I read IT over the span of a few days and although it definitely had a few WTF moments (the *ahem* orgy sequence where the kids move from childhood to adulthood by indulging in a bit of underage sex – yep, you read that right) but overall it was a fairly realistic depiction of childhood.

These kids were losers like I was. They were bullied and ignored like I was. I related heavily to them and the trials they go through and although I was never pursued by a child-eating malevolent creature (that I am aware of anyway) their transition to young adulthood felt about as turbulent as my own.

IT was a revelation to me. Although the adult portion of the novel was slightly less relatable to me, I still enjoyed seeing the characters mature and face their demons.

it: the miniseries

Not too long after reading the book, I discovered the television adaptation which I also really enjoyed even though it never quite reached the heights of the book for me.

Tim Curry was a tour de force as Pennywise and I very much enjoyed the kids section of the miniseries although the less said about the adult portion, the better. I am in no way dissing the adult actors (they really did their best to add some gravitas to the proceedings) but the storyline for their half of the tale was disappointingly scripted and veered on the camp rather than scary.

Although it was clearly limited by budgetary constraints, it was a satisfactory adaptation if not completely faithful to the original novel. Even then though, I often wondered what could be accomplished with a movie version rather than a somewhat sanitized TV adaptation. I would wait a long time for this vision to be realized.

it: development hell

As I mentioned above, the movie lingered in development hell for years. Originally, True Detective creator Cary Fukunaga was signed on to direct (he still has a scriptwriter credit) and I was intrigued by what he would bring to the table especially as he had casted Will Poulter (an actor whose career that I have followed since he was a young ‘un) as Pennywise.

After some disagreements with New Line, the studio funding the project, Fukunaga stepped aside and it looked as though the movie would never come to fruition. Luckily, Mama director Andrés Muschietti felt up to the challenge of taking on the immense role of adapting this monster of a book into a workable film.

it: the movie

Now, finally we come to the movie itself. Muschietti has brought a brand new vision to IT. From what I can gather, it is fairly different to Fukunaga’s original concept. It added in a lot more of the book and is overall a more faithful adaptation.

But, the age-old question remains, is IT any good?

Well, I am happy to report that IT is a pretty damn good movie in its own right. A lot of the elements from the book are retained and the changes such as moving the setting from the 1950s to the 1980s (and cashing in on the trend that the 80s is cool again that Stranger Things had going for it) works for the most part.

The movie opens with the iconic sequence of young Georgie Denbrough pestering his older brother Bill for a boat to sail in the storm that has kept him stuck indoors. This instantly sets the tone and the interplay between the two brothers is both dynamic and realistic. This then makes the following scene where young Georgie becomes IT’s first victim all the more heart-breaking.

The movie then shifts on to approximately eight months later, where the kids are finishing up school for the long-awaited summer holidays and making plans. For Bill Denbrough and his three young chums Eddie Kaspbrak, Stan Uris, and Richie Tozier – this means starting the search for Georgie whom Bill is convinced is still alive and alone and hurt somewhere within the town sewer system.

Their search will lead them to fellow outsiders Ben Hanscom, Beverley Marsh and Mike Hanlon and the seven of them form the ‘Losers Club’ who band together to not only try to ascertain what has happened to Georgie but to also find the other missing children of Derry. One by one, each of them will come to realize that there is a menace far beyond the uncaring adults and psychopathic bullies that dog them, that there is something far more evil in the town of Derry and IT is hungry…

The kid actors in the movie are beyond fantastic. They are such a great group and they really do feel like friends. There is a slight Stand by Me vibe at times which really works to the movie’s benefit. I was very impressed by Sophia Lillis who plays the young Beverley Marsh and Finn Wolfhard who plays Richie ‘Trashmouth’ Tozier (my favourite character from the book incidentally) but they were all excellent.

I was actually most concerned about Bill Skarsgård being able to convincingly pull off Pennywise (especially after the always-amazing Tim Curry) but I needn’t have worried because he brought a whole new meaning to word ‘terrifying’. He wasn’t Tim Curry but didn’t try to be which definitely was the right choice. He made the role his own.

The story was tweaked in places and there were some changes, but overall it retained the feel of the book which I think is much more important than being a direct word-for-word, scene-for-scene adaptation.

I thoroughly enjoyed IT and after viewing it a second time round, think it is definitely a contender for my favourite movie of the year. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is successful enough that to warrant Chapter 2 (which is wholly contingent on the success of Chapter 1 unfortunately).

it: some other thoughts

Now, I have a theory *that it’s a demon, a dancing demon… gotta throw in a Buffy reference now and again dontcha know!* that there is a good reason why Sophia Lillis was cast as Beverley, she really looks like a young Amy Adams. Could it be that Muschietti is maybe courting Amy to play the elder Beverley Marsh?

A particular scene in IT where the creepy pharmacist likens the young lass to Lois Lane (played by Amy Adams in the latest adaptation of Superman) could perhaps lend credence to this theory. Or it could just be me spit-balling wildly here but I think I may be on to something…

This movie didn’t have as many allusions to other Stephen King works like The Dark Tower movie did, but it certainly made up for that with a lot of 80s nostalgia such as the Gremlins and Beetlejuice posters on one of the characters bedroom walls and Nightmare on Elm Street 5 playing at the local theatre in the film.

They also managed to squeeze in a reference to the Turtle that plays a role in the book (though wisely, not in this movie as it would probably be a bit too fantastical and that it is taking into account that IT literally is about a killer clown from outer space!) and where would an 80s-themed movie be without a New Kids on the Block appearance??

it: some fun facts

Fun fact 1: the Duffer brothers wanted to direct IT once upon a time but were deemed too inexperienced. They later would go on to create the genre savvy Stranger Things which was an unexpected hit.

Fun fact 2: IT shares a cast member with Stranger Things in young Finn Wolfhard who plays wise-cracking Richie in the film.

Fun fact 3: The entity IT makes an appearance every 27 years where it gorges itself on children (literally feeding itself on their fear) and goes into a sort-of hibernation until the next cycle is up. The miniseries was released in 1990. The movie has been released in 2017 – exactly 27 years later. Spooky coincidence? I think not…

Fun fact 4: The only cast member to have been cast in both the unfilmed Fukunaga version and Muschietti finished movie was Finn Wolfhard.

Fun fact 5: The scenes where Pennywise’s eyes move in different directions was not aided by CGI – actor Bill Skarsgård is actually able to do this. Also, the scene where Pennywise unfolds himself from a refrigerator was also Skarsgård; on set he was given training by a professional contortionist in order to perform the scene himself. Dude really does go ‘method’ to get the right result!

Fun fact 6: Stephen King fully endorsed the film – he saw an early screening and gave the project his approval.

12 notes · View notes

ashyhippo · 7 years

Note

1-150 for the Hella cute questions

There are 150 questions asked for, and two asks you asked. So, 74-5 per ask it is!1. Who was the last person you held hands with?- Not a clue, actually. I don't hold hands often. 2. Are you outgoing or shy? Depends. I'd like to believe I'm shyly outgoing. 3. Who are you looking forward to seeing?- My friend Tay, she's been a blessing to me lately. 4. Are you easy to get along with? -Typically? Yes. 5. If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you? Not a clue. I'm kind of trying to get over the last person I liked, they are not interested. 6. What kind of people are you attracted to?- Nice ones, good people who show heart and just genuinely care and smile. 7. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now?- HAH, I wish. I barely have a few friends, a relationship is v v v v doubtful. 8. Who from the opposite gender is on your mind? -Currently? These Cutthroat Kitchen chefs that are actually accidentally helping more than sabotaging, it's great. 9. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?- Sometimes. Like, if it's actual sex talks, I'm grossed out but if it's sex jokes, I'm only embarrassed or repulsed. It depends. 10. Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?- Tie between Tay and my newest support person who I actually do not know their name off the top of my head, but they know who they are. 11. What does the most recent text that you sent say? - Ahhhh, thank you. ^~^ 12. What are your 5 favorite songs right now?- I'm claiming Dear Evan Hansen as top 2, but I'll list 4 others all the same. 3-I know it's today 4-Whatever It takes 5-Walking the Wire 13. Do you like it when people play with your hair? - Sometimes. It depends on if I like my hair, but often, yes. 14. Do you believe in luck and miracles? - Yes. But Ik sometimes they aren't likely ;3 15. What good thing happened this summer? I got a lot more support over this last few weeks, two people I trust a lot.  16. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? - If I kissed a person? Probably. 17. Do you think there is life on other planets?- Nah. 18. Do you still talk to your first crush?-No, he was a jerk. Is a jerk. 19. Do you like bubble baths? - Never tried. 20. Do you like your neighbors? -Don't really know them. 21. What are your bad habits? Self-depreciation, eating a ton, losing my temper  22. Where would you like to travel? Ohio or New York. I'd love to see broadway if I had money and ohio has the hippoquarium. 23. Do you have trust issues?- Yes.  24. Favorite part of your daily routine?-Music! 25. What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with? -My Stomach 26. What do you do when you wake up? - Wonder what time it is and what I even feel like doing today  27. Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker? A bit darker, I don't want to be a vampire  28. Who are you most comfortable around?- Tay, Gates, Preston (Tay's random friend I just met) 29. Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up? -No 30. Do you ever want to get married? -Maybe 31. If your hair long enough for a pony tail?-... Is that meant to be is? If so, no. 32. Which celebrities would you have a threesome with? -No one :D I see v little point in this kind of thing that would only be drama 33. Spell your name with your chin.- It's hard. But let's say I did. 34. Do you play sports? What sports?-No. But Basketball and football are two I've seen some of. Now the Olympics is a dif story  35. Would you rather live without TV or music?-.... Music. I love TV, but music does so much. 36. Have you ever liked someone and never told them?- Yes, actually. Twice, same person. 37. What do you say during awkward silences?- Anything I can to help that doesn't actually help. 38. Describe your dream girl/guy? -Accepting, loving, caring and trusting. They don't have to be close to perfect, they have to try. 39. What are your favorite stores to shop in? -Target. They have everything. 40. What do you want to do after high school?- Not. A. Clue. 41. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?- I did, once. But there are some people and mental mind sets that physically stop it sometimes (Psychopath, Sociopath, Abuser). 42. If your being extremely quiet what does it mean?- Typically either deep in thought or trapped in an anxiety or depression attack mood. 43. Do you smile at strangers?-I try. 44. Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean? -Outer Space. Stars fascinate me. 45. What makes you get out of bed in the morning?- Duty and curiosity. 46. What are you paranoid about?- People and whether they actually like me, whether they joke about me. 47. Have you ever been high?-No. 48. Have you ever been drunk?-No. 49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about?-Yes, I think. 50. What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore?-I don't own one. 51. Ever wished you were someone else?-Yes 52. One thing you wish you could change about yourself? -(Everything) my body or my illnesses 53. Favourite makeup brand?-Not a make up fan 54. Favourite store?-Target 55. Favourite blog?-idek  56. Favourite colour? -Red or Pink 57. Favourite food? -Mac n Cheese 58. Last thing you ate? - Potato chips 59. First thing you ate this morning?-carrots  60. Ever won a competition? For what?-I won a class spelling bee somehow  61. Been suspended/expelled? For what?- Nope. 62. Been arrested? For what?- Nope. 63. Ever been in love? -Yep. 64. Tell us the story of your first kiss?-nothing lol 65. Are you hungry right now? -Yes. 66. Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends? -Once upon a time, but I do love Tay. 67. Facebook or Twitter? -No. 68. Twitter or Tumblr? -No. 69. Are you watching tv right now? -Yes. 70. Names of your bestfriends?- Gates and Taylor 71. Craving something? What? -Chicken nuggets 72. What colour are your towels?- Any color 72. How many pillows do you sleep with?- one to two. 73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?  Yes, hippos.74. How many stuffed animals do you think you have? Tons. 75. Favourite animal? HIPPOS.

1 note · View note

nicolesqueloquence · 7 years

Text

So it dawned on me.. yesterday. At dawn.

That there’s this cliche little conspiracy thing for us in our mid-20’s that 25 is THE worst age, ever.

And while I can attest to 2017 so far being more ambivalent in its extent of BS compared to others (2009, 2012, 2015?!!?!?)….

I have to say that I agree, and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with 26.

Suddenly I saw the last ten years weave itself around my mind, counting all of the victories and tragedies and it made way too much sense.

Of course I’m lost right now, as any child byproduct of the dysfunctional American household is going to be. I’m a fucking millennial inheriting nothing but a broken economy and a bullseye painted on my back for everything from financial ruin, emotional self-destruction, and potential kidnapping to a terrorist attack, psychopath killer from my past, and potential Armageddon as we may know it soon.

I think, a lot of other people would feel pretty fucking lost, anxious, and depressed too.

And for the most part, I don’t feel that bad. Maybe it’s my meds zombifying me, maybe it’s just blind optimism because I’ve been too drained of the energy to feel anything stronger than that, or maybe since everything passes- that includes all the negative stuff too.

But I’m fine. I’m on my way to better. I’m almost there. For the first time, I kinda feel it.

26 sounds like a paradise, in fact. And I’m one that HATES getting older. HATES my birthday. I break down. I relapse. I turn into a human tornado of self-destruction. It’s bad, like Marilyn Monroe level of bad.

But not this year. I’m building an empire for myself, just like I have for the past ten years even if I keep breaking it down like the U.S. did to their own towers (oops).

What I did for myself in the midst of all the chaos and ruin was established myself as a writer. I found my words, or they found me, and then they found themselves on paper. Whether it was some mediocre essay project that my teachers inevitably A’d and hailed me for, or my Dragonball Z fanfiction that I still fuck with but with a lot of intermittent adult absences due to my grown up writer’s block from all the imagination that’s left me in my dry and cynical 20’s.

I also got published in both UNLV and my high school’s newspapers. Luckily these are the first things to come up with a google of my full name, and not any mug shots or crazy things like that because those things can stay in the MF past okay.

This is all while my parents divorced, my mom dated and remarried, and I got exiled to my dad’s place all the way across town to another high school- effectively killing the dead end that way my destructive social life at the other school, which was somewhat of a great thing and a terrible thing. I didn’t have people fueling my already turbulent home life with more drugs and alcohol, but then I didn’t have anybody at all either unless they existed in the chat room I dominated as a teenager.

Ahhhh, yes. I will always be proud of such a minuscule feat, with my social anxiety establishing itself and all, because I came up with the MOST LIT AF nicknames. Nikkachu, VenerealCereal, and my very first, Lovily_Lili17- my daughter’s name that I discovered at 13.

Oh yeah. That too. READING. I couldn’t stop. I was addicted to those huge adult novellas like Lace, Where the Heart Is, and anything Stephen King once I had my way with R.L. Stine and his many endeavors to placate his teen base.

Wow. The nostalgia. I can’t.

I still have almost every book from that era. I went and bought a ton of them off of Amazon, but I’ll have to replace some that arrived less than the library form that I originally read them in. I can’t do paperback, they’re much too small.

But that library smell.. My favourite is the one by my mother’s house, where I looked down at my Converse at 12 years old and realized that I was becoming a woman already.

HAHA. Seriously. 12. A woman. Okay.

That moment was just me feeling myself because I had a lot of older male fans that I’m quite sure held a rap sheet for child-related sex crimes, okay.

In that moment, I felt sheer power. My dying self-esteem that had wilted from years of verbal abuse and a total lack of male attention minus that of bullying was suddenly blossoming from the attention I would get from old men. It was exhilarating, and just as addictive as anything else I decided to get my all too curious hands on for the next decade.

At the end of this decade though, I can say I’m no longer phased by it. I get all kinds of attention now, and it’s more of a burden than it sounds like I’m making it. It comes from guys with whole entire relationships waiting for them at home and at work, guys who have kids already (ew), or guys I’m just not into. Period.

So I have a drought of a love life, but I knew this was coming once I recycled my ex’s as much as I could without anyone getting killed. It came close… LOL, but we’re all okay and we’re all separated thank God.

Everybody went their own way to something better, hopefully. Moreso hopefully for me once this drought is over and I can stop losing sleep with all of the PTSD I’ve mustered through the years with all the nightmarish shit I’ve put myself through.

I really went through the ringer, especially my early 20’s. Before I could even legally drink, I had charges. But that’s the territory, right? Being a human Tasmanian devil will do that to you. Having the most unstable self-image will put out a red flag to society that you are disposable, trouble, a force to be reckoned with, etc. So I don’t recommend it.

I’ve really calmed down though. Especially in the past few weeks. Normally after an event like the one I just suffered, I’d be halfway back to my early grave again just like countless times before. But I’m actually way more okay sooner than I thought. It only took a good 3 or 4-day binge of unhealthy, toxic, and intoxicating substances for me to snap into a depression and then somehow snap out of it completely averse to that stuff.

That’s how you know you’re adulting, when life knocks you over for the thousandth time and you just… lay there.

And I type all of this with a huge grin on my face, because it’s great. I can enjoy being sober and feeling like shit at the same time. I can enjoy going to the store at almost 11 o’clock at night for bagel bites and taquitos and feel accomplished for leaving my apartment for all of twenty minutes. I can enjoy binging YouTube, laughing at memes, and obsessing over current event stories in my favourite forum message board places.

So, I’ve moved into my phone. Big deal. My dopamine receptors have to be stimulated by something other than the sun blinding me through my window.

I will say I am neglecting the Tindr app for my own sanity. I think last time I tried to venture it, I got a really fussy man-baby throwing a fit over my very delayed and very mundane response. Okay. That was that, then.

I have a feeling that I can’t rely on electronics for this one. It’s going to have to be some sort of divine intervention to get my love life back on track. I really won’t settle for less, either, because we don’t have the technology advanced enough yet to weed out the assholes, the fuckboys, and the lazy have-nots that I simply can’t build anything with.

There’s always med school. Some very savvy ladies attend just so they can enter the meat market of medicine and date an up and coming doctor. I know I would. Medical terms during foreplay? Needles and a papoose during roleplay? Hell yes.

Okay maybe not anything with phlebotomy but you catch my drift. I think overall, even if they don’t share all the same quirky interests of mine, I would just want someone who is in love with me and stays in love with me. Even if I can’t stay in love with myself.

But I’m trying. This is me trying. This is me giving myself a fucking break because the last ten years have kinda sucked, right? On and off. Sure. But it doesn’t matter. All of the friendships, the relationships, the scandals, the stories.. My God, do I have a story.

I want to publish it, but not in its raw form of pure sugar and salt just piled up in the middle of the table. I want it to be in the form of fiction, set in outer space, in the dark corners of an emotionally dysregulated teenage girl’s mind…

Yep. I got the ideas spinning in my head and everything, it just won’t form a tangible shape.

And it won’t make any money because I’m fucking insane and no one will get it: the big picture, the metaphor, what actually went down.

So I have to make it make money and make sense. Two very difficult things in a day and age where something as basic as Fifty Shades of Grey is hailed as top-notch. Wtf.

At least Twilight is over, thankfully.

And finally my last contribution to this planet and this life of mine in the past ten years is…

BUTTONS.

Yes, my cat. Why?

Because I adopted the most beautiful, loving, playful, and stubborn salt-loving creature on this planet.

So even if I died right here, today, this second.. I will have known true, unconditional love just because of him.

And even if it’s single chick cliche AF… I adore him to death.

So there’s that.

Looking forward to the next 6 months coming and going by so I can be a whole year older, and a whole lot wiser with a lot more laidback to me than before.

But so far, enjoying the ride at 25… (and a half).

Thanks for reading a random rant of mine again! :)

Nostalgic ramblings & revelations about being 25.5 on the way to 26, and much much better. So it dawned on me.. yesterday. At dawn. That there's this cliche little conspiracy thing for us in our mid-20's that 25 is THE worst age, ever.

3 notes · View notes

bluewatsons · 5 years

Text

S. Clelia Sweeney, Probing the Public Wound: The Serial Killer Character in True-Crime Media, Creating Knowledge 8 (2015)

It is two weeks before Halloween and I’m standing inside a tent with a man in smeared clown makeup shouting at me: “Are y’all ready to see some sick, twisted shit?” This is Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare, an attraction of three haunted houses set up in Villa Park, Illinois, and the last house on the tour has a serial killer theme. The outer façade is resplendent in sensationalistic Americana, with hay bales, jack-o-lanterns, rusted metal, a sharp-toothed taxidermy monkey, and gaudy signs advertising attractions inside. One painted clapboard sign reads, “SEE—the PSYCHO of PLAINFIELD—A TRUE CANNIBAL.” Inside, an actor portraying that “psycho” leers from a workbench piled with eviscerated plastic bodies, helping to create a recreational thrill based in real-life tragedy, a thrill that also oddly evoked hints of an (almost) nostalgic 1950s Americana. Ed Gein is the famous killer the sign is referencing and the actor is portraying; in bucolic 1950s Plainfield, Wisconsin, Gein robbed graves, murdered two women, and allegedly cannibalized corpses. He is most notorious for making taxidermy-like items out of human bodies. As psychologist George W. Arndt recounts from photographs of the farmhouse interior, “Ten human skulls neatly arranged in a row, books on anatomy, embalming equipment, pulp magazines, furniture upholstered in human skin, and dirty kerosene lamps completed the macabre scene.”1 Those grisly photographs, published as part of a Life magazine 6-page cover story about the crimes on December 2, 1957, circulated the depraved inner world of Ed Gein (later referred to as “The Ghoul of Plainfield”) across the nation.

A sign almost exactly like the one outside Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare was once hung outside a carnival tent in 1958 to advertise a strikingly similar exhibition of serial killer entertainment. At the 1958 fair, a reconstructed murder scene featured wax dummies in the actual car Gein drove when he committed his crimes. As Harold Schechter recounts in his biography of Gein, “The ‘Ed Gein ghoul car’ made its first public appearance in July 1958 at the Outgamie County Fair in Seymour, Wisconsin, where it was displayed for three days inside a large canvas tent covered with blaring signs—‘SEE THE CAR THAT HAULED THE DEAD FROM THEIR GRAVES! YOU READ IT IN ‘LIFE’ MAGAZINE! IT’S HERE! ED GEIN’S CRIME CAR! $1,000 REWARD IF NOT TRUE!’”2 The exhibit was soon shut down by public outcry, but Ed Gein endured as a celebrity monster in America, inspiring iconic horror movies such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and Psycho (1960).3

Serial killers—both real and fictional—proliferate in lm, television shows, true-crime novels, magazines, internet culture, and in the lexicon of Americana. True-crime entertainment commodities the tragedy surrounding serial killers, and often makes them into scapegoated representations of human “evil.” From the 1980s to the 1990s true-crime media representations of serial killers radically shifted. In the 1980s, the serial killer was generally cast as an irredeemable freak; by the 1990s the media framed serial killer entertainment almost as scientific inquiry whereby spectators were invited to delve into the killers’ psychology, to understand what made them tick and why they killed.

I argue that this shift can be attributed to the advent of therapy culture during this decade, as well as to the appearance of likable serial killer protagonists in lm. Therapy culture, a term coined by sociologist Frank Furedi, describes the phenomenon whereby unusual momentous events are processed in a collective psychological way and understood in terms of their emotional impact and influence on individual mental health.4 Furedi notes that when therapeutic analysis enters the public sphere, “it ceases to be a clinical technique and becomes an instrument for the management of subjectivity.”5 In other words, because the therapy is public it is not meant to bene t a “patient” so much as to influence how the audience perceives the subject. Moreover, therapy culture can be used to describe a culture wherein psychiatric principles have become generally normalized in the public sphere, encouraging more empathetic understanding of the once-unknowable other; it can also be used to describe the psychological conventions of confessional television.

In terms of confessional television in the 1990s, therapy culture was visible on tabloid talk shows such as Oprah Winfrey, Jenny Jones, and Jerry Springer. These shows encouraged participants to lay bare the pain of their lives for an audience, ostensibly to encourage healing and resolution but in reality more for voyeuristic entertainment. Media historian Mimi White provides an astute critique of this in her book on television-as-therapy: “In relation to television’s therapy programs the terms of the debate are relatively obvious: Are the programs helpful and educational or harmful and distorting? Do they promote more openness and understanding about emotional problems or turn real human suffering into television spectacle for the sake of profits?”6 White places the origin of this confessional talk-show television-as-therapy trend at the end of the 1980s and connects it to the idea of social therapy, meaning an attempt to heal the public wound caused by social trauma and crime:

. . . there is a sense that participating as the confessional subject is part of the therapeutic ethos projected by television: telling one’s story on television is part of the process of recovery (and repetition). At the same time this confers on participants a sense of celebrity. Their stories are told on national television, and they get to participate as actors and expert witnesses. . . In certain of these shows...there is also a sense of a socially therapeutic mission, as exposing unsolved crimes on television has led to the apprehension of a number of criminal suspects.7

Often true-crime shows interview victims’ families who discuss their own pain in relation to the crime and often cry on camera—which suggests that televised interviews can be cathartic and healing. Victims’ families have served as the “expert witnesses” that White refers to, but so have serial killers themselves, which plays to the audience’s empathetic engagement with the crime-story narrative.

Rather than the mainstream, normalized sphere of the talk show, serial killers have tended to occupy the space provided by true-crime television shows such as Blood, Lies & Alibis, Born to Kill?, and Most Evil. Such shows capitalize on public interest in the grotesque and present murderers as socially deviant subjects, appropriate for study. These shows, Most Evil in particular, employ psychopathic rhetoric in order to frame the serial killers as born freaks with psychological disorders. The audience is trained as armchair detectives and armchair psychologists, with serial killers made into case studies. These celebrity monsters help maintain the social dichotomy of normalcy and deviance, placing the audience in the authoritative, “normal” role of diagnostician, trained—vis à vis true-crime television—to look for clues as to how deviancy may have developed through experiences in the killers’ childhoods.

While public fascination with gruesome crimes is nothing new, psychiatric media representations of serial killers shows a cultural need to unmask the monster and prove him/her human. The television viewer can disavow the serial killer of some of his/her power and mystique when they subject them to psychological analyses. This process also functions as a cathartic experience for the television viewer, partaking in what cultural critic Mark Seltzer has termed “wound culture,”—that is, the social phenomenon of gathering around a site of public trauma to look at, experience, and process its tragedy collectively. While wound culture describes a human need to collectively process and congregate around a site of trauma, therapy culture defines the form that processing can take. Seltzer also situates wound culture in the culture of the 1990s: “The crowd gathers around the fallen body, the wrecked machine, and the wound has become commonplace in our culture: a version of collective experience that centers the pathological public sphere. The current à-la-modality of trauma—the cliché du jour of the therapeutic society of the nineties—makes this clear enough.”8 This kind of response may be at its most intense in the immediate aftermath of the crime, but the media that ensues carries on this ethos. In this way, true-crime entertainment and endless news coverage can be seen as poking at the wound, probing it for further reactions.

Drawing on analyses of two documentaries on crime and murder from the 1980s (Murder: No Apparent Motive and The Killing of America), a televised 1.5-hour 1994 interview with Jeffrey Dahmer, and an archetypal episode of the 2006-2008 show Most Evil, this essay shows how the serial killer character has been used in American media as a psychological deviant, or freak of consciousness: a figure assigned with the role of deviant Other in order to assert the viewing public’s feelings of normalcy. With the advent of disability rights, it is currently much more acceptable to exhibit freaks of consciousness than freaks of body9 (as would populate a traditional circus freakshow), and serial killers are in some sense the ultimate end-result of this framing of the freak. Modern true-crime media about the serial killer makes spectacle seem acceptable by psychologizing the subject and emphasizing the emotional, psychic impact of crimes on the psychic sphere. This is a distinct shift from the 1980s, where the question posed by this strain of media was much more about the what than the why. Handling serial killers in the mode of 1990s confessional television, which continues to the present, strips these murderers of some of their frightening mystique. They are still sensationalized as monsters, used for thrills-and- chills shock value, but also framed as “sick,” “psychotic,” “disturbed” individuals who can be pitied and studied in a psychological manner.

The 1980s: Serial Killers—Who Are They and How Can They Be Caught?

In the late 1970s there was a tremendous sense of fear in the country, with new killers seeming to appear every couple of years. For example, 1978 alone saw the arrest of three serial killers: Richard Chase, Ted Bundy, and John Wayne Gacy. Soon after, in 1983, the FBI publicized their serial killer profile, which framed serial murder as a contemporary American epidemic. Of course serial murder is not a modern, nor an exclusively American, phenomenon. Nor did the FBI coin the term “serial killer,” as it had already been in circulation in the criminological community for over a decade.10 Nevertheless, the FBI popularized the term along with their profile, which defined the serial killer as “public enemy number one” in America and elected FBI profiler Robert Ressler as the ultimate authority on the subject.

In the emotionally grueling documentary lm The Killing of America (1982), made up entirely of real footage of crimes, the serial killer emerges as the ultimate fear—a senseless, random, brutal killer. The film is filled with scenes of panic and disorder, shouting, violence, urban decay, and punctuated with a voice-over from an unseen, hard-boiled male narrator. The narrator intones things like, “An attempted murder every three minutes. A murder victim every 20 minutes.” And, “Bodies and more bodies. All day, every day. Guns. And more guns.”11 The lm does not incorporate emotional nuance or psychological elements, but drums its message of fear into the audience through stark, disturbing facts. The experts are all police officers and FBI profilers, and FBI profiler Robert Ressler appears prominently. There is no psychological intrigue in The Killing of America, which frames the serial killer as one symptom of a larger cultural degeneracy. The film traces a downward arc from John F. Kennedy’s assassination to the the “epidemic” of senseless sex-maniac killing. There is an extensive interview with serial killer Edmund Kemper, but that interview is not presented as a psychological study. For example, although Kemper experienced an abusive childhood, the interview does not focus on his formative history, but instead focuses on the details and circumstances of Kemper’s crimes. This focus on the what rather than the why exemplifies this period of true- crime media, and early perceptions of the serial killer. While a 2007 episode of Most Evil presents Kemper first with a child actor staring into the camera, The Killing of America does not linger long in the killer’s mind nor attempt to humanize him in any way, despite appearing “in person” for the documentary. Kemper’s opening line is, “I’m an American and I went off the deep end.” He makes some effort to humanize himself, but the lm does not help him do so. The ominous, deep music and deadpan narration accentuate serial killers’ irredeemable violence and work to instill fear in the audience—not aid us in psychological understanding.

This fear-mongering is only brought further to the forefront in the documentary Murder: No Apparent Motive (1984).12 The serial killer is again framed as incomprehensible in this documentary, akin to a destructive force of nature rather than an individual human psyche. Robert Ressler is also featured in this film; lecturing to a college classroom, he stresses the “motivelessness” of serial murder, and creates a sense of urgency in needing to capture these dangerous deviants. Murder: No Apparent Motive creates fear in the audience by emphasizing the vital importance of apprehending serial killers, and the difficulties that come with that. Robert Ressler falsely claims that “The crimes you’re seeing today did not really occur with any known frequency prior to the ‘50s,” possibly suggesting that serial murders were the result of the social upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s.

Of note, Murder: No Apparent Motive shares the same aesthetic conventions as its predecessor, The Killing of America, including an ominous, droning soundtrack and a gravel-throated narrator. Social historian Joy Wiltenburg, in her essay on true-crime, writes that, “Sensationalist crime accounts build their emotional potency in both a visceral response to violence itself and the quasi-religious dilemma posed by transgression of core values.”13 In Murder: No Apparent Motive, the visceral emotional response is pure dread. We are urged to take the role of armchair detectives by listening to police officers and profilers discuss the techniques used to catch these modern monsters. The goal is fairly straightforward: define the enemy, display the enemy, outline their deviancy, and scare the audience into believing this constitutes impending danger to their own personal safety.

The 1990s: Jeffrey Dahmer—The Sympathetic Face of Serial Murder

At the start of the 1990s, the serial killer began to be probed psychologically. Shows like America’s Most Wanted—hosted by John Walsh, whose 6-year-old son was viciously murdered in 1981—proliferated in true-crime entertainment. The first day in the year 1991 saw the arrest of Aileen Wuornos, the only female serial killer to enter the 20th-century canon of serial killer celebrities. But one serial killer arrest that can be said to have shaped the decade was that of Jeffrey Dahmer in July of 1991.

Titillation and narrative intrigue in true-crime television can come from dangers inherent in the serial killer passing as normal through his/her outward appearance. This absence of physical freakishness may actually enhance the effectiveness of the serial-killer-as-freak: “More than destroying the peace, the psychopath shatters our complacency that comes from not knowing that dangerousness cannot be detected by body type. . . ”14 The boy-next-door psychopath character takes its emotional potency from this idea, and plays o of pervasive fears about one’s own security in a society capable of producing the serial killer. This narrative lens is especially pervasive in the coverage of Jeffrey Dahmer, dubbed by tabloids as the Milwaukee Cannibal. Dahmer’s crimes were highly sensationalized because of their bizarre nature, but also because of his appearance and personality; Jeffrey Dahmer was polite, soft-spoken, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, and deferential. In his 1994 interview with Jeffrey Dahmer, NBC’s Stone Phillips intones to the camera, “How could a seemingly normal Midwestern boy grow up to commit such terrible crimes?” The cultural anxiety resulting from this difficulty in spotting such deviant people in our midst—the freak of consciousness who keeps his/her perversion hidden—arguably generates wider interest in serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer. Moreover, Dahmer wholeheartedly embraced the television talk-therapy offered to him by NBC and Inside Edition (who also televised an interview with him), thereby creating an extensive and intimate media portrait of himself.

The Stone Phillips interview is essentially structured like public family therapy for Je rey Dahmer and his parents (Lionel Dahmer and Joyce Flint, divorced). The purpose of the interview is emotional truth, with Dahmer being continually urged to elaborate on his feelings about his past and his crimes. In contrast to the focus on the what of the crimes that we saw in the 1980s, in this 1.5-hour- long interview the criminal actions are mentioned far less than the killer’s childhood and feelings. It might have been that the case was already so widely publicized that this program was focused not on straight reporting, but on letting Je rey Dahmer tell “his side of the story,” so to speak. Talk therapy becomes a discursive strategy to get more luridly personal details out of Dahmer and also to encourage public preoccupation with the memory of his case—probing private wounds from his past that have become public. Allowing Je rey Dahmer televised family therapy has the potential to generate feelings of radical empathy in the audience on his behalf; alternately, it increases dramatic pitch in the absence of breaking news and makes for better television.

Towards the end of the interview, Stone Phillips turns to Je rey with an expression of overly-contrived earnestness and says, “Your father told me one of the reasons he wrote this book [A Father’s Story, a memoir] was in order to put down on paper what he has been unable to say to you in words, kind of reaching out to you. Is there anything you want to say to him, having read this?”15 Je rey then apologizes to his dad, they exchange a one-armed hug, and the camera zooms in on Lionel resting his hand comfortingly on Je rey’s arm. Phillips mediates between the two men in the way a family therapist would, asking “pointed questions” (his term) about Je rey’s crimes while also probing for emotional reasoning and humanizing details from Je rey’s life. Despite all of this seemingly sympathetic, gentle emotional prodding, Dahmer is still framed as a freak as well as an “unnervingly normal” man. In his closing statement Phillips mentions Dahmer’s weak handshake, bringing up a gay stereotype to magnify his social deviance, and describes the whole interview experience as “eerie.”

Of note, Dahmer’s arrest coincided with the release of The Silence of the Lambs, a blockbuster lm featuring an anti-hero cannibal killer. Although Silence of the Lambs’ Hannibal Lecter was not modeled on Jeffrey Dahmer, their collision in popular consciousness caused their cultural presences to play off of each other. But fictional Hannibal Lecter offered a much more acceptable portrait of deviancy than Dahmer did, more akin to a dashing noir villain than a sad, lonely murderer. Lecter, portrayed by acclaimed Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins, offered a compelling portrait of a serial killer protagonist as guru to Clarice Starling (played by Jodie Foster) and charming psychopath whose performance arguably steals the lm. Notably, Hopkins had only 16 minutes of screen-time, the shortest amount of time ever to win an actor an Oscar.16 Hopkins’ Lecter powerfully influenced the serial killer character in American culture.17 The urbanity, genius, and high-functioning psychopathy of a character like Lecter combined with the theatrical air of Hopkins’ gleefully evil performance enhanced the kind of awed respect generated by the serial killer. Furthermore, part of Hannibal Lecter’s backstory is that he was a practicing psychiatrist, giving him insight into how to best manipulate people to his own ends and characterizing him as an “evil mastermind” serial killer. Fictional characters such as Hannibal Lecter (or more recently, Dexter), arguably contribute as much to the public-consciousness image of the serial killer as their widely-publicized real-life counterparts. Both are contained within a star text that feeds off of the same public curiosity and “mawkish disapproval that is the ip-side of titillation.”18

Serial Killers in the 21st Century: Subjects of Analysis and Americana By the mid-2000s, the primary focus of true-crime shows dealing with serial killers was psychoanalysis and emotional reception. The show Most Evil (2006-2008) centered around the “Scale of Evil” developed by Columbia University forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Stone, and each episode examined a handful of killers’ case files to see where they fell on the scale. There are establishing shots of Dr. Stone sitting at his typewriter, looking through a microscope, and flipping through his filing cabinet to find a folder marked with the killer’s name. The atmosphere of the show is meant to be frightening and creepy, but more subtly so than those we saw in the 1980s. Frequent reconstructions begin with a child actor staring eerily at the camera while a voice-over introduces the serial killer’s (often traumatic) childhood story. The cases are simplified in order to neatly t a diagnosis, allowing a handful of cases to be covered in the course of one episode. The show is framed as edifying and educational by its concluding voice-over narration: “For these criminals, Dr. Stone considers their genetic, constitutional, environmental, and neurological factors when placing them on the scale. He believes that evil is something to be understood and analyzed, with the hopes of one day helping us not only to understand, but to guard against their crimes.” Through their specatorship, the audience is poised to be thrilled at watching re-enactments and in hearing about transgressive violence and perverse crimes; they are also poised to feel morally superior to the killers, and to feel educated on how to guard against these “killers next door.”

To take an example, an episode from Season Two, entitled “Masterminds,” pro les three serial killers at length: Edmund Kemper, Ted Bundy, and Ted Kaczynski. The professed goal of the program is to track their “transformation” into serial killers, presenting each case beginning with a childhood retrospective. The voice- over narrator is British, despite this being an American program, a characteristic usually meant to inject a kind of sophisticated credibility. In contrast to the gravelly, hard-boiled narrator of 1980s true-crime films, this man speaks in a measured, almost conversational tone that could just as easily be applied to a documentary on an entirely non- violent subject. This is not to say that the program is above the occasional jolt of sensationalism: “To find the roots of Kemper’s sadism, Dr. Stone examined his past. He uncovered nightmarish details.”19 Cue commercial break.

In contrast to previous generations of true-crime shows, Most Evil encourages intellectual engagement rather than reactive fear in the audience. The background music is calm and meditative, with subdued single notes played on a piano over atmospheric noises. The atmosphere created is one of delicate tension, occasionally disrupted by a flourish of dramatic cellos. When examining frame composition, the action occurring is subtle. In dramatic reconstructions, the serial killer character (actor) often stares into the camera, playing with an object in his hands; in Kemper’s case, the actor slowly pulls the stuffing out of his sister’s doll. Despite such arguable, eerie scenes, Most Evil presents subtly reproduced violence, depicting serial killers in moments of solitude and relative non-violence, possibly encouraging a more empathetic reaction in the audience. To portray the inner anguish of the killers’ psyches, extreme close-ups from skewed angles are used to jarring effect. A sense of disorientation is created by shooting an image very close and blurry then bringing it into sharp focus, adding to the tense atmosphere of the program.

Most Evil uses real-life footage of serial killers sparingly, preferring instead to provide re-enactments or to share “evidence” drawn from psychiatric and neurobiological studies; in Season 2, Episode 8, for example, studies on brain activity in autistic children who are unable to feel empathy (like psychopaths) are meant to lend insight into Bundy and Kaczynski. Psychiatric professionals (rather than FBI criminal profilers) are centered as authorities, thereby aligning the audience’s perspective with their vantage point of clinical analysis. Pleasure in the show lies in this blatant invitation to be armchair psychiatrists who are equipped (by virtue of their spectatorship) to rank the show’s subjects on Dr. Stone’s Scale of Evil.

One odd feature of true-crime entertainment in the 21st century thus far is the emergence of an American serial killer canon of sorts. This canon comprises approximately 18 serial killers from the 20th century who are used again and again as television subjects and objects of fascination. Although there have been more serial killers arrested since the 2000s, none have achieved the level of fame or impact that these canonical killers have. Biopic programs about these serial killers’ lives are aired on the Biography Channel alongside those of people like Tiger Woods and Marilyn Monroe, in a sense assimilating them into mainstream culture as historical figures and celebrities. This could be because these serial killers are usually no longer a threat— being either dead or incarcerated. By framing them as subjects of clinical psychiatric study and figures from America’s past, the serial killer garners more fascination than fear and earns a place as a figure of Americana. There has been speculation that serial killers already fit seamlessly into American mythology, that they embody an individualistic ethos and have an outlaw/vigilante justice appeal. However misguided this may be, serial killers are undeniably compelling characters and their celebrity seems to have solidi ed into a recognizable mass over the course of the 20th century—confirmed and brought to a narrative conclusion by the criminal crack-down the 1980s and the pop-cultural mass media explosion of the 1990s.

Probing the Public Wound

David Schmid has argued that serial killers have generally been “depicted as monstrous psychopaths, whose crimes tell us little or nothing about the societies in which they live [and that true-crime narratives disconnect these individuals from the social fabric in order to present them as aberrations or freaks.”20 In contrast, I have argued that we can increasingly see true-crime media moving toward a psychological understanding and (slowly) away from mere condemnations of the serial killer as incomprehensible and inhuman monsters. In looking at the depictions of serial killers from the 1980s to the present, we can see how serial killers have come a long way through their media incarnations, from being discussed as an unstoppable epidemic to being considered individually and painstakingly through the lens of psychoanalysis (and pop psychoanalysis).

Whenever we see a reviled social Other being widely used as a stock character in mass-culture entertainment, we can conclude that the dominant culture is attempting to disavow that group of some threatening power or influence it holds. Serial killers’ crimes have tremendous frightening power because they threaten security, anonymity, and public normalcy. The true- crime media we consume about them satisfies a public need to understand and process their crimes while simultaneously satisfying an underlying desire to see violent acts recounted/reenacted, to be emotional voyeurs into other people’s tragedies, and to look at an extraordinarily deviant person who chose to live outside the laws and norms of society. This desire to consume the Other through media representations belongs to a longer history of freak show entertainment and has been incorporated into the modern context of therapy culture by using the serial killer as a freak of consciousness. However shameful or wrong it may seem, the serial killer is part of the Americana lexicon and will continue to occupy public imagination through various media incarnations for a long time to come.

Footnotes

George W. Arndt, “Community Reactions to a Horrifying Event,” in Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, XXIII (New York: Guilford Publications, 1959), 106.

Harold Schechter, Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein, the Original “Psycho” (New York: Pocket Books, 1998), 216.

Dane Placko, “Rob Zombie’s haunted house has John Wayne Gacy room,” Fox News Chicago (Oct 5 2014), http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/26669431/rob-zombies.

Frank Furedi, Therapy Culture: Cultivating Vulnerability in an Uncertain Age (London: Routledge, 2004), 12.

Furedi, Therapy Culture, 22.

White, Mimi, Tele-Advising: Therapeutic Discourse in American Television (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1992), 29.

White, Tele-Advising, 182.

Mark Seltzer, Serial Killers: Life and Death in America’s Wound Culture (New York: Routledge, 1998), 22.

David and Mikita Brottman, “Return of the Freakshow: Carnival (De) Formations in Contemporary Culture,” in Studies in Popular Culture (Louisville: Popular Culture Association in the South, 1996), 100.

David Schmid, Natural Born Celebrities: Serial Killers in American Culture (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 2005), 69.

The Killing of America, directed by Sheldon Renan and Leonard Schrader, 1981. YouTube video (Aug 8 2013) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdfFmTFY_JE.

Murder: No Apparent Motive, directed by Imre Horvath, 1984. YouTube video (Mar 15 2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRv8uOnvRBc.

Joy Wiltenburg, “True Crime: The Origins of Modern Sensationalism,” in The American Historical Review (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), 1379.

Cary Federman, Dave Holmes, and Jean Daniel Jacob, “Deconstructing the Psychopath: A Critical Discursive Analysis,” in Cultural Critique (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2009), 40.

“Confessions of a Serial Killer: Jeffrey Dahmer” Jeffrey Dahmer, interview by Stone Phillips, MSNBC, February 1994. YouTube video, (July 8 2012). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPMBfX7D4WU.

The Silence of the Lambs (Two-Disc Collector’s Edition), directed by Jonathan Demme (1991; Los Angeles, CA: MGM, 2007). DVD.

Philip L. Simpson, “Lecter for President. . . or, Why We Worship Serial Killers,” in Cult Pop Culture: How the Fringe Became Mainstream, Vol. 1 (Santa Barbara: Praeger, 2012), 84.

Lisa Downing, The Subject of Murder: Gender, Exceptionality, and the Modern Killer (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013), 93.

Most Evil, “Masterminds,” Season 2, Episode 8, September 30, 2007. YouTube video (Jan 7 2014).

Schmid, Natural Born Celebrities, 176.

Bibliography

Arndt, George W. “Community Reactions to a Horrifying Event.” Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, XXIII. New York: Guilford Publications, 1959.

Biressi, Anita. “Inside/Out: Private Trauma and Public Knowledge in True Crime Documentary.” Screen, Vol. 45, No. 4. Glasgow: University of Glasgow, 2004.

Brottman, David and Mikita. “Return of the Freakshow: Carnival (De) Formations in Contemporary Culture.” Studies in Popular Culture, Vol. 8, No. 2. Louisville: Popular Culture Association in the South, 1996.

Chemers, Michael M. Staging Stigma: A Critical Examination of the American Freak Show. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.

“Confessions of a Serial Killer: Jeffrey Dahmer.” Jeffrey Dahmer, interview by Stone Phillips, MSNBC, February 1994. YouTube video. July 8, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPMBfX7D4WU.

Conrath, Robert. “The Guys Who Shoot to Thrill: Serial Killers and the American Popular Unconscious.” Revue française d’études américaines, No. 60. Paris: Editions Belin, 1994.

Dovey, Jon. Freakshow: First Person Media and Factual Television. London: Pluto Press, 2000.

Downing, Lisa. The Subject of Murder: Gender, Exceptionality, and the Modern Killer. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013.

Federman, Cary; Holmes, Dave; and Jacob, Jean Daniel. “Deconstructing the Psychopath: A Critical Discursive Analysis.” Cultural Critique, Vol. 72. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2009.

Furedi, Frank. Therapy Culture: Cultivating Vulnerability in an Uncertain Age. London: Routledge, 2004.

Globe Magazine Special Issue: Serial Killers, Display until October 20, 2014.

The Killing of America. Directed by Sheldon Renan and Leonard Schrader. 1981. YouTube video. August 8, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdfFmTFY_JE.

Most Evil. “Masterminds,” Season 2, Episode 8. September 30, 2007. YouTube video. January 7, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXmXj2Hm8pA.

Murder: No Apparent Motive. Directed by Imre Horvath. 1984. YouTube video. March 15, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRv8uOnvRBc.

Placko, Dane. «Rob Zombie›s haunted house has John Wayne Gacy room.» Fox News Chicago, Oct 5 2014. http://www.myfoxchicago.com/ story/26669431/rob-zombies.

Schechter, Harold. Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein, the Original “Psycho.” New York: Pocket Books, 1998.

Schmid, David. Natural Born Celebrities: Serial Killers in American Culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005.

Seltzer, Mark. Serial Killers: Death and Life in America’s Wound Culture. New York: Routledge, 1998.

Serial Killer Culture. Directed by John Borowski. 2014. Toronto, Ontario: Waterfront Productions, 2014. Hulu video. www.hulu.com/watch/664916.

Simpson, Philip L. “Lecter for President. . . or, Why We Worship Serial Killers.” Cult Pop Culture: How the Fringe Became Mainstream, Volume One, edited by Bob Batchelor, 83-96. Santa Barbara: Praeger, 2012.

The Silence of the Lambs (Two-Disc Collector’s Edition). Directed by Jonathan Demme. 1991. Los Angeles, CA: MGM, 2007.

White, Mimi. Tele-Advising: Therapeutic Discourse in American Television. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1992.

Wiltenburg, Joy. “True Crime: The Origins of Modern Sensationalism.” The American Historical Review, Vol. 109, No. 5. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.

#serial murder #serial killers #media #sensationalism #crime #deviance #society

0 notes

newyorktheater · 5 years

Text

Is a show that’s in bad taste necessarily a bad show? Is a tasteful show always better?

The three full productions from the first week of the 16thannual New York Musical Festival suggest some answers to these questions.

Illuminati Lizards from Outer Space

Dani Spieler as the beauty pageant queen and Brian Charles Rooney as David the Janitor, an undercover agent

Dani Spieler, Edward French, Daisy Hobbs, Joshua Hobbs

Daisy Hobbs, Emily Cramer, Celia Mei Rubin, Dani Spieler

Tina is a beauty queen who is dethroned when the pageant organizer accuses her of being an “illegal alien” – she’s from Canada. She winds up at Savra Wellness Centre for Spiritual and Mental Wellbeing, which is actually a front for a group of lizard aliens from outer space who were sent to colonize the planet Earth. They’ve bungled their mission, and their boss lizard back at their home planet has given them just a week more before he sends space ships to destroy Earth. Tina, who is initially unaware they are alien lizards (they’re disguised as human), organizes a pageant for ugly people in order to lure the mass of human beings into the lizards’ lair.

Little evident effort has gone into making the plot even remotely coherent. I suppose this would matter less if more of the jokes were funny, or fewer of the songs (both the pop rock music and the lyrics) were so generic, or if the show’s attempts at parody were pointed. But, with the exception of an unexpected resolution, there is not much fresh or sharp by the creative team of book writer/lyricist Paul Western-Pittard and composer/arranger Yuri Worontschak idea; their idea of political wit is a passing reference to “an Orangutan who thinks it’s president.” The quality cast does what it can, especially in some powerhouse singing, but for all their talents, “Illuminati Lizards from Outer Space” feels pointless. It’s also close to witless, and occasionally tasteless. In one song, one of the alien lizards sings:

“Swinging it every which way is really ok,

Trans, kinky, les, and gay

Bi, bi alien all the way

Try try an alien all the way.”

It’s unlikely that the lyricists meant to dismiss gay people and lesbians as equivalent to kinky alien reptiles. They simply didn’t think this through…like most of the show.

It’s hard to understand why NYMF organizers made “Illuminati Reptiles from Outer Space” the opening production of the festival.

Illuminati Lizards from Outer Space, Signature Theatre Center. Remaining showtime: Saturday July 13 at 9 p.m.

Buried

Lindsay Manion,Rebecca Yau,Sebastian Belli

Rebecca Yau, Wilf Walsworth,Lindsay Manion

Sebastian Belli, Lindsay Manion (1)

Lindsay Manion, Sebastian Belli

Talk about bad dates. Rose poisons all of hers – until she meets Harry, who stabs all of his. The two serial killers thwart their mutual assassination attempt, and instead get to know one another: He reminisces that his first kill was the family cat (“they showed him more love than to me”); hers, she sings, was her drunken, abusive father.

“Just like me in another body,” they sing together about each other, in marvel.

They begin dating, together picking up hitchhikers to kill them, but have a lovers’ quarrel when Rose fails to kill a teenage girl who reminds her of herself at that age.

The romantic coupling of two killers is not novel, but previously, the approach has been outrageously dark comedy like the 1985 movie “Prizzi’s Honor” with Kathleen Turner and Jack Nicholson, the 1989 movie “The War of the Roses” with Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas, and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” the 2005 Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie vehicle that doubled as an action thriller. “Buried” instead is a jarring mix of tones. Its nine songs are mostly lilting melodies with well-crafted lyrics that are often poignant. Most would fit any serious love story, which provokes a nagging question: Is that what “Buried” is supposed to be?

The creative team of Tom Williams and Cordelia O’Driscoll at times uses the incongruity in what seems like a blunt and awkward attempt at a large metaphor. Rose tells Harry she is a vegan, and she sees no contradiction in this, launching into a rant about the African children who mine cobalt for cell phones, working 12-hour shifts and dying from the exposure. “From where I’m standing, everyone’s guilty of murder. We’re just the only ones with the balls to enjoy it. They’re the fucking hypocrites. “

Interspersed with the scenes between Rose and Harry (and their victims), are segments supposedly from a television series entitled “The Psychopath Next Door” in which the host and a scientist discuss what sounds like actual research into psychopathology, including whether and how psychopaths can love. But there is a jokey feel to these segments, which is confusing, and they end in a twist that is even more confusing and, yes, in bad taste – offering a more explicit illustration of what’s more subtly problematic in the musical as a whole.

Buried. Signature Theater Center. Remaining showtimes: Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 1 pm.

Ladyship

Ladyship 2 Ensemble Cast photo by Russ Rowland

Ladyship 1 Noelle Hogan (Kitty), Caitlin Cohn (Mary Reed) and Maddie Shea Baldwin (Alice Reed) LadyShip_photo by Russ Rowland

Ladyship 3 Caitlin Cohn (Mary Reed) and Jordon Bolden (Marcus “Finn” Findley) in LadyShip photo by Russ Rowland

Ladyship 4 Maddie Shea Baldwin (Alice Reed), Caitlin Cohn (Mary Reed), Noelle Hogan (Kitty), and ennifer Blood (Lady Jane Sharp) LadyShip_photo by Russ Rowland

Ladyship 5 Trevor St. John-Gilbert (Lieutenant Brandon Adams), Quentin Oliver Lee (Captain Josiah Adams) and Justin R.G. Holcomb (Zeke Cropper) in LadyShip photo by Russ Rowland

Jennifer Blood as Lady Jane Sharp and Quentin Oliver Lee as Captain Josiah Adams

Alice and Mary are teenage sisters from Ireland who are living in poverty in London in 1789. Out of hunger, they shoplift two handkerchiefs, and are sentenced to seven years …in Australia. This, incredibly, was the fate of some 25,000 18th century British women who were deported to Australia for petty crimes under the Transportation Act. At the time the law was reportedly promoted as a humane alternative to incarceration in London’s brutal prisons, but, according to Ladyship, it was a part of a plan hatched between the government and private enterprise to provide brides for the out-of-control men already in the Australian penal colony and thus tame them.

Alice and Mary are sent on a ship with 200 other female prisoners – represented by four actresses portraying a cross-section: a 11-year-old street-smart Scottish orphan, a sassy middle-aged wit, an overworked mother separated from her children, an aristocratic woman done in by her gambling husband. Together they endure hardships during the long voyage, some of it inflicted by the men on board – represented by four actors, who portray variously respectful characters or brutes.

Ladyship is told insome 20 songs, one more lively or lovely than the one before it, accompanied by a trio of violin, guitar and piano. The duets are a particular treat (which makes sense, since the composers/creators are twin sisters Laura Good and Linda Good, who perform as the musical duo The Twigs): I Need An Anchor, between the aristocrat Lady Jane and the decent and deep-voiced Captain; Ready to Begin, between Mary and Finn, the nicest and sexiest of the seaman; and No Matter Where I’m Bound, between Alice and Mary, which reflects what could be called the uplifting, protofeminist solidarity in much of the score:

MARY:

Do you remember running

faster than the river twirling like the leaves as they fell down racing up the hills from the tide and God was on our side

ALICE:

I remember running chasing all the chickens I could never settle down ma said, you’re so strong for a girl

BOTH:

Too strong for this world

I’ll be better as long as you’re around

Stronger together no matter where we’re bound

Those aboard dance at one point a pleasing Scottish reel. The show even includes the most melodic birth scene I’ve ever witnessed.

But the ten-month ordeal that the women face begins to take its toll on me as well. I think I understand why it is that the Goods chose to set their musical almost entirely aboard ship (save for some opening scenes on the streets of London and in a courthouse) – why the show ends before the women reach shore. But it starts to feel claustrophobic, the songs and situations coming off as too much the same. These sails could be trimmed.

Still, “Ladyship” seems sure to travel. If everything about it feels so tasteful – the costumes, the women’s demeanor, the evocative lyrics, even the harshness and despair – good taste turns out to be a good thing.

Ladyship at Signature Theater Center. Remaining showtimes: Saturday at 1 pm., Sunday at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m

NYMF Reviews: Illuminati Lizards from Outer Space, Buried, Ladyship Is a show that’s in bad taste necessarily a bad show? Is a tasteful show always better?

0 notes

sandygoestospace · 6 years

Text

Sandy Goes to Space

The Year 2003

Miss Lucy peered over the classroom and cleared her throat. “Good morning, everyone. I hope you enjoyed your morning walk. Let’s now settle in for today’s lesson. Baxter, stop scratching your rear. Pay attention.”

Sandy watched Miss Lucy intently. She started daycare just two weeks earlier, and Miss Lucy’s morning lesson was her favorite part of the day. Sandy loved to learn.

“Today, we’ll be discussing outer space.” Miss Lucy looked to the window and pointed her stick upward. All the little heads followed, and an object flew by. “That’s a spaceship, everyone. That’s how you travel through space.” Miss Lucy looked over at Bubba. “Except you, Bubba. You should never go to space. You’ll have trouble breathing.” Sandy flipped her ears open. She wanted to hear every little detail.

The Year 2015

My goodness, I hate mornings. I think I get it from my original caretaker. Brigitte always loved sleeping in and cuddling, and when you’re a small Cocker Spaniel, cuddling is not a bad thing. I dare say, it’s a great thing. Brigitte would always wake up at the first sound of her alarm and then shut it off immediately. “Come here, Sandy,” she’d say to me as I laid at the end of the bed. Then, she’d pull me in, and we’d enjoy the last minutes of the morning together in a warm embrace. Oh, how I miss Brigitte. Now, I just sleep outside of her door, and when the sun hits my eyes, I’m up. I’m 84-years-old – 13 in human years – and I can’t sleep like I used to. Anyway, up and at ‘em.

I head downstairs for my morning lady tasks. It’s a bit bizarre to the outside world, but I am currently permitted to urinate and defecate in the home. I have to admit that it’s rather convenient. I hear the ladies at daycare complain about going outside in the rain and cold, and I proudly brag about my living arrangement. You most likely are wondering how this affects the smell of the home. Well, I do these things in the basement. I have my own little corner, and the smell does not travel to the rest of the house. It’s quite wonderful really. Since Brigitte moved away, her parents are my caretakers, and they’re very kind to an old bitch like myself.

All done, and it’s time for my morning news. Brigitte’s father frequently falls asleep on the couch while watching Fox News. This is good because I haven’t been able to master the television’s remote control. Every time I try to press a button, my paw seems to hit four of them. I’ve given up, but if the television is already on, I’m happy to sit and learn about current events. It seems that election season is upon us, and I have to tell you, I am really disappointed with the Republican candidates for president. I tend to lean red, but it would seem to me that there are some backward stances within the party. For example, what’s the problem with gay marriage? I think that a simple homosexual encounter would do these people some good. One time at doggy daycare, I had a bit of a moment with a beautiful French Bulldog. Her name was Yvette, and as it is with the French, she had such a nice coat. It was a spontaneous occurrence, but let me tell you, I’ve never been pleasured like that by a male. Maybe Marco and Jeb should open a nice bottle of chardonnay and ease some of their sexual tension. Donald seems the experimental type. Perhaps he can help Dr. Carson open his mind. Of course, there are some other issues too. How about climate change? I agree with many of the economic plans. For example, trickle-down economics is super. The quality of my treats improved under the Bush administration. But, the Republicans need to join the 21st century on some other issues. Hm, speaking of ladies, Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s legs look phenomenal this morning.

It’s a normal day in Brooklyn. Things are good.

---

I awake from my nap to the sound of Brigitte’s mother on the phone with her daughter. “Ok, fine. I’ll send Sandy to you. I know you miss her. I’m so worried that she’s too old for the move though.”

Yeah, dear. I’m worried too! Where’d this idea come from? I have friends here. I have a comfortable couch here. I get to defecate and urinate in the home! Yes, I miss Brigitte. I don’t deny it. But, she visits, and I see her often enough. As they say in the movies, “I’m too old for this shit.” (Excuse my language, please.)

“I’ll look at tickets tonight.”

Tickets?! This can’t be good. Tickets means one thing – space travel. After we lost Bubba five years ago, I’ve been terrified at the thought. No matter that I’m not engineered with a Bulldog’s flat face; it’s a risk I don’t need. Brigitte’s mother walks over to her computer. I’m in trouble.

---

The car starts, and it’s time for the road to my death. Here’s what’s running through my mind: 1) If I had Hasselbeck’s legs, I’d, of course, be able to reach over and save myself. Those legs come with the pointiest heels. I love Brigitte’s father, but he’d get a stiletto in the arm, for sure. Maybe even the neck; 2) I didn’t get a proper last meal. Even the psychopaths on death row are treated better. If I were given a last meal, it’d be filet mignon cooked medium rare with a fruit salad for dessert. Fruit is my favorite thing in the world, and I really only need two items in the salad – apples and oranges; 3) How will I be secured for space travel? Our friend Twixy the Pomeranian told us that she was permitted to board inside of the ship. Oscar the Great Dane was forced into the cargo hold. I believe that the answer to my question is grounded in the size of the dog. I’m between Twixy and Oscar, but what the “F” does that mean for me? (Again, excuse my language); 4) If I ever see Brigitte, I will bite her.

We pull up to the space station. Ships are taking off and landing. There’s a rhythm to the process. A bit like Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake – peaceful. From my understanding, it’s different when you’re inside the ship. More like Jagger’s Satisfaction – raucous. We park, and Brigitte’s mother leads me by the noose (leash, whatever) to the station. I see no other dogs, which is depressing. It’d be nice to have some companionship in this scary moment. But, I’m a strong woman, and I will face death with courage.

When we get inside the station, it’s straight to a lady wearing a uniform and standing beside a tall podium. She must be important.

“Hi there. I’m sending this dog to Atlanta,” says Brigitte’s mother. “I’m worried about the trip. Can she be kept in the closet inside the cabin?”

“No, ma’am,” the important lady says. “This dog is too large. She’ll have to go in cargo.”

Blast it. To the cargo hold it is.

“And, do you have a cage for her?” asks the important lady.

“No.”

“Ok. Well, I’ll have one brought over.” The lady makes a phone call and then returns to her conversation with Brigitte’s mother. They discuss the details of my space travel, and as they conclude, a cage is delivered. This is my electric chair. The place in which I will perish.

I decide that I won’t go without a fight. I usually put up a moderate battle when it’s time to wash my ears or take my medicine. I don’t like these things. I’m not dirty and I’m not sickly, so I never understand the necessity for squirting cold ooze into my ear canal. The sad part is that I frequently lose this battle. But this time, it’s a matter of life or death; I cannot allow myself to lose. I start swinging my paws as Brigitte’s mother tries to pick me up and move me into the cage. I will not go. I scratch her. This does not bring me happiness, by the way. I like Brigitte’s mother, but I also like living. Living is good. Dying? not as good. She bleeds a bit and spanks me on the rear. I do not relent. I start chomping at her hands. I’m very embarrassed at my behavior, particularly because I am in public. But, the goal and the reasoning are clear. This goes on for a few minutes and then a second human enters the picture. The important lady steps down from her desk and, together, she and Brigitte’s mother surround me. I try to make a break for it, but they catch me. I’m placed in the cage, the door is closed, and the important lady sets me on a black roadway that slowly moves forward. I lost. The trouble continues.

---

At this point, I feel that there is nothing I can do. I’m thrown around a big warehouse like a bag of feces. It’s cold and dark, and in the distance, I hear a howl from a Bassett Hound. I lack the energy to call back. Here’s what I’m thinking: 1) People really have some ugly suitcases. I think my least favorite are the ones with all of the stickers on them. I understand that you’re proud of your travels, but act like you’ve been there before. Oh. Hehe. I can’t help but laugh. Sometimes, I do crack myself up. You get the point though; 2) I’ve never slept with a Bassett Hound. I wonder if there are some kinky tricks that can be played with those ears; 3) How do I get from this warehouse into the spaceship? Will there be any opportunity for escape? If I escape, where do I go? I’ve never been very good at finding home. I once was lost for three weeks after chasing a boy with a hotdog on a hot summer day. I got the hotdog, which was delicious, but I also got rather lost. So, even if I can escape, are the odds of death by escape higher or lower than the odds of death by space travel?; 4) If I ever see Brigitte, not only will I bite her, but I will defecate in her Prada bag. I’m too tired to think about anything else.

Oh, a treat in my cage. I eat it up, and then, in a sense of defeat, I close my eyes. If I have to go, I want to go in my sleep.

---

They drugged me! I hate pills, and I’m rarely tricked by those sneaky pockets. This time, though, they got me. I notice that I seem to already be in the cargo hold. This is interesting because it means I’m not dead. It’s rather loud, and it’s very cold. I’m not happy.

I guess I’ve survived takeoff, and that my death will occur during the flight. Before it happens, let me impart some wisdom that only old age can teach. It’ll do you some good. Lesson #1 – if he looks crazy, he’s probably crazy, so stay away. Ladies, this is for you. Men don’t change, and no, you’re not the one that will set him straight. I had an adventurous period in my life when I had eyes for a Beagle named Freddie. Now, how can I put this lightly? Freddie was a few dog treats short of a picnic. He was always putting his face in the garbage and drinking from the toilet. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a very athletic physique, so I looked past his shortcomings. I tried to train him, but nada, zilch, zippo. He was helpless. Don’t waste your time trying to change animals. They are who they are. Lesson #2 – always keep an open mind to other viewpoints. Let’s talk politics again. Today, I see too many folks entrenched in their own opinions. It’s always good to listen to other people. And, most importantly, while you’re listening, actually listen. Don’t spend the time preparing your rebuttal. We’re not Democrats or Republicans. We’re people, so embrace difference, be respectful, and learn to compromise. Otherwise, move to North Korea. Everyone agrees under a Communist dictator. Lesson #3 – treat your friends with lots of love because friendship is a special thing. You shouldn’t take it for granted. Always be considerate of people that love you and that care about you. Call on birthdays, but also call on other days. Don’t just wait for special occasions. You know, Brigitte really is my best friend. She’s always so caring and kind. I love that she asks her mother about my health, which actually isn’t so great; I’m just stubborn. I love that she takes me for long walks outside when she’s home, because it’s not always great to defecate where you eat. And, I love that she knows my little ticklish spot. I really love Brigitte. Hm. That’s something to think about.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! The ship felt like it just dropped thirty feet. It’s happening. I’m going to die! I hate space! If I ever see Brigitte, I’m going to bite her, defecate in her Prada bag, and snore in her ear. I’m closing my eyes. My opinion has not changed – I want to die in peace.

---

The ship shakes and the contents of the cargo hold start moving. Boom! A big suitcase slams into my cage. My little body rattles around the plastic walls. What’s going on? Did we crash? The ship is extremely loud, and it feels like the speed is changing drastically. I don’t understand.

Then, I hear something very faintly. I perk up my ears. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Atlanta where the local time is 4:45PM.”

I don’t think I’m dreaming. How can I tell though? I nibble myself, and seemingly, I’m awake. This is real. I’ve survived space travel. Let me get a bit Brooklyn on you – I’m the toughest bitch on the block, yo.

The ship starts moving slowly and then stops. The door to the cargo hold opens, and men start taking suitcases and boxes out of the ship. Then, they remove my cage. Daylight! I’m placed on a truck, and I start moving toward the space station. It’s different than the one in New York. Interesting.

---

Well, I’m in Atlanta. Life isn’t so bad, and I have to say, I think I can retire here just fine. Long walks, warm sun, and plenty of tummy rubs. It’s nice to have a best friend who cares, even if I did defecate in her Prada bag. Wipe that look off your face! That broad put me through space.

0 notes