#re — control rodriguez.

[usafphantom2]

Operation Allied Force

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) carried out an aerial bombing campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. The air strikes lasted from 24 March 1999 to 10 June 1999. The bombings continued until an agreement was reached that led to the withdrawal of Yugoslav armed forces from Kosovo, and the establishment of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, a UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. The official NATO operation code name was “Operation Allied Force” whereas the United States called it “Operation Noble Anvil”; in Yugoslavia the operation was incorrectly called “Merciful Angel” (Serbian: Милосрдни анђео / Milosrdni anđeo) as a result of a misunderstanding or mistranslation.

NATO’s intervention was prompted by Yugoslavia’s bloodshed and ethnic cleansing of Albanians, which drove the Albanians into neighbouring countries and had the potential to destabilize the region. Yugoslavia’s actions had already provoked condemnation by international organisations and agencies such as the UN, NATO, and various INGOs. Yugoslavia refused to sign the Rambouillet Accords which was offered as an initial justification for NATO’s use of force. NATO countries attempted to gain authorisation from the UN Security Council for military action, but were opposed by China and Russia, who indicated that they would veto such a measure. As a result, NATO launched its campaign without the UN’s approval, stating that it was a humanitarian intervention. The UN Charter prohibits the use of force except in the case of a decision by the Security Council under Chapter VII, or self-defence against an armed attack – neither of which were present in this case.

An important portion of the war involved combat between the Yugoslav Air Force and the opposing air forces from NATO. United States Air Force F-15s and F-16s flying from Italian airforce bases attacked the defending Yugoslav fighters, mainly MiG-29s, which were in poor condition due to a lack of spare parts and maintenance. Other NATO forces also contributed to the air war.

During the night of 24/25 March 1999: Yugoslav Air Force scrambled five MiG-29s to counter the initial attacks. Two fighters that took off from Niš Airport were vectored to intercept targets over southern Serbia and Kosovo were dealt with by NATO fighters. The MiG-29 flown by Maj. Dragan Ilić was damaged; he landed with one engine out and the aircraft was later expended as a decoy. The second MiG, flown by Maj. Iljo Arizanov, was shot down by an USAF F-15C piloted by Lt. Col. Cesar Rodriguez. A pair from Batajnica Air Base (Maj. Nebojša Nikolić and Maj. Ljubiša Kulačin) were engaged by USAF Capt. Mike Shower who shot down Nikolić while Kulačin evaded several missiles fired at him, while fighting to bring his malfunctioning systems back to working order. Eventually realising that he could not do anything, and with Batajnica AB under attack, Kulačin diverted to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, hiding his aircraft under the tail of a parked airliner.[91] The fifth and last MiG-29 to get airborne that night was flown by Maj. Predrag Milutinović. Immediately after take-off his radar failed and electrical generator malfunctioned. Shortly after, he was warned of being acquired by fire control radar, but he eluded the opponent by several evasive manoeuvres. Attempting to evade further encounters, he approached Niš Airport, intending to land, when he was possibly hit by an 2K12 Kub in a friendly fire incident, but more probably he was shot down by a KLU F-16AM flown by Maj. Peter Tankink and forced to eject.

In the morning of 25 March, Maj. Slobodan Tešanović stalled his MiG-29 while landing on Ponikve Airbase after a re-basing flight. He ejected safely.

During the war Yugoslav strike aircraft J-22 Oraos and G-4 Super Galebs performed some 20–30 combat missions against the KLA in Kosovo at treetop level causing some casualties. During one of those missions on 25 March 1999, Lt. Colonel Života Ðurić was killed when his J-22 Orao hit a hill in Kosovo. It was never firmly established whether an aircraft malfunction, pilot error or if enemy action (by KLA) was the cause (NATO never claimed they shot it down).

In the afternoon of 25 March 1999 two Yugoslav MiG-29s took off from Batajnica to chase a lone NATO aircraft flying in the direction of the Bosnian border. They crossed the border and were engaged by two US F-15s. Both MiGs were shot down by Captain Jeff Hwang. One MiG pilot, Major Slobodan Perić, having evaded at least one missile before being hit ejected, was later smuggled back to Yugoslavia by the Republika Srpska police. The other pilot, Captain Zoran Radosavljević, did not eject and was killed.

DATE CALLSIGN UNIT PILOT AIRCRAFT SERIAL/BUNO TARGET(S) ORDNANCE

24 Mar 99 KNIFE 13 493 FS/48 FW Rodriguez F-15C 86-0169 MiG-29 AIM-120

24 Mar 99 EDGE 61 493 FS/48 FW Shower F-15C 86-0159 MiG-29 AIM-120

26 Mar 99 DIRK 21 493 FS/48 FW Hwang F-15C 86-0156 MiG-29 AIM-120

26 Mar 99 DIRK 21 493 FS/48 FW Hwang F-15C 86-0156 MiG-29 AIM-120

Departing on their first operational mission “Allied Force” from Cervia AB, Italy on the 24th March 1999. From left to right Cesar “Rico” Rodriguez (element Leader), Anthony “K Bob” Sweeney (Wingman), “Wild” Bill Denham (wingman), Robert “Criket”Renner (Flight Leader) 493rd Fighter Squadron Grim Reapers

Colonel Jeff Hwang just after his last flight in the F-15C Eagle in 2014. “Claw” Hwang, as the green stars show, destroyed two (Serbian) MiG-29s during Operation Allied Force in 1999. At the time of this picture, Colonel Hwang was flying with the Oregon ANG

[onenettvchannel]

BALITANG LOKAL: Lee Super Plaza and LP Hypermart sets to reopen in the early mid-February 2024 under its New Management

DUMAGUETE, NEGROS ORIENTAL -- The retail landscape in Dumaguete City, Bayawan and Dipolog is poised for a significant transformation as Lee Super Plaza (LSP) and LP Hypermart (LPH) prepares to reopen their doors under new management. Dynamic Development Corporation (DDC) has relinquished control to the newly established 1PRIME Retail Corporation (ORC), helmed by Mr. Edgar Chan, marking a new chapter for these prominent shopping destinations.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Balita Karon ni Choy Rodriguez Gallarde / From left to right: Edgar Chan, new owner and operator of Lee Plaza & Atty. Mac Gordon, Corporate Legal Counsel for ONEPRIME and and founder of Gordon Mora Diamante Law [GMDL])

The announcement shows up with an unexpected surprise in the Press Conference on Tuesday (February 6th, 2024), including those linked to LSP and LPH, has sparked anticipation among local residents in Negros Oriental and in the province of Zamboanga del Norte. The transition to ORC, knowingly as ONEPRIME (a Cebu-based company) signifies a strategic move aimed at revitalizing the shopping experience and injecting fresh energy into these establishments.

Scheduled for this Sunday morning on February 11th, 2024, the simultaneous reopening of Lee Super Plaza in the said cities of Dumaguete, Bayawan and Dipolog promises a blend of familiarity and innovation. Mr. Chan's stewardship brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to enhancing customer satisfaction, ensuring that patrons can expect an exciting array of offerings upon the grand re-opening.

(STOCK PHOTO via Google Images & Scanned Local Newspaper Copy via The Negros Chronicle)

The decision to re-launch Lee Super Plaza and LP Hypermart comes at a pivotal time, aligning with the post-Chinese New Year festivities on Saturday (February 10th, 2024) in China. With anticipation running high, residents eagerly await the unveiling of the enhanced shopping experience promised by the ORC.

However, a slight delay has been encountered in the process. As of Thursday (February 8th, 2024) to be previously noted that Lee Plaza in Negros Oriental was yet to be closed for the impending transition. Similarly, the Lee Plaza in Dipolog City is scheduled for closure on Sunday (February 18th, 2024), a week later than initially planned.

While the closure may inconvenience some shoppers temporarily, it underscores the meticulous planning and attention to detail accompanying the change in management. The brief hiatus is aimed at ensuring a seamless transition, allowing for the implementation of upgrades and improvements to optimize the shopping environment.

(PHOTO COURTESY: Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong / Photojournalist and News Presenter of OneNETnews)

In the interim, patrons are encouraged to keep an eye for further updates regarding the closure and subsequent reopening of Lee Plaza in Negros Oriental and Zamboanga del Norte. The management of ORC assures the community that these measures are geared towards delivering an unparalleled retail experience that reflects the vision and commitment of the said newly-owned company, and its esteemed proprietor, Mr. Chan.

(PHOTO COURTESY: Lee Super Plaza - Dumaguete via FB PHOTO)

As anticipation builds and preparations continue, residents on both individual regions in the Visayas and Mindanao eagerly await the dawn of a new era for Lee Super Plaza and LP Hypermart under the dynamic leadership of the ORC via ONEPRIME, as the grand re-opening draws closer for the Negrosanon people.

PHOTO COURTESY: HUSKI via FB PHOTO Fan-made Logo for ONEPRIME by Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong

SOURCE: *https://www.facebook.com/100082816189242/posts/379689454801591 [Referenced FB News Article via DWFH-FM 97.7mhz's K5 News FM: Dumaguete - Bhoy Jubane Pilonggo] *https://www.facebook.com/100064930805130/posts/780534870787533 [Referenced FB News Article via DYYD-FM 106.3mhz's Yes! FM: Dumaguete] *https://www.facebook.com/100083255232996/posts/363800446405127 [Referenced FB News Article via Hukad Updates] *https://www.facebook.com/100000275210200/posts/7499242963428136 [Referenced FB News Article via DYEM-FM 96.7mhz's Bai Radio - Choy Rodriguez Gallarde] *https://www.facebook.com/100050636672555/videos/1050453389541914/ [Referenced FB VIDEO via Headz! Up NegOr News - Roy August Bustillo] *https://www.facebook.com/100063914941668/posts/813522224121602 [Referenced FB PHOTO via HUSKI] *https://www.facebook.com/100064520867165/posts/764210409072981 [Referenced FB Captioned Image Post via Lee Super Plaza - Dumaguete] and *https://www.facebook.com/100016147575806/posts/1555406281674276 [Referenced FB Mini News Article via Neil Cerino Rio]

-- OneNETnews Team

[ebergeaud2]

Notes on Filipinising colonial gender values:

Having never delved into a topic as extensive as this, going into the project, it had not come to mind that the reason why most countries under colonial occupation change to Eurocentric standards is through re-education. As obvious as it sounds, it is not apparent when you have been educated in that system for a while, and anything from “your” culture is deemed normal, when in actuality was just another way to empower one over the other. The same can be said for the Philippines. It’s strange to think that such biases and traditions that we are raised with aren’t usually associated to their colonial origins, however with this extract, I found myself re-examining what it means to live by certain standards of gender. The means of how they were implemented in the country in the first place, from schools to culture and eventually through its political system.

The book ‘Filipinising colonial gender values’ (2022) by Rodriguez A.M.L.R focuses on the sector of education, that has inadvertently created a culture of hegemonic masculinity. Naturally beginning as a gender-fluid population with the “babaylan”, soon became a Spanish colony with highly patriarchal power imbalances. In their extract, Rodriguez details the origins of Spain’s relationship with the Philippines through the introduction of Christianity, with the subtext of superiority over the ritualistic practices of the indigenous people.

Spain’s takeover of the Philippines, it soon established a government, solidifying the formal capital as Manila. Shortly after, it became arbitrary, after delayed consideration for over several decades, that more schools were built across the country, in the hopes to reform and civilise the Filipino people. this particular section of the article interested me, as at this point, Rodriguez highlights the gradual segregation of genders. Due to the distaste of the Spanish to the fluidity of gender values held in the Philippines, influenced by western imperial practices, the Philippines was shaped to be a country like Spain in how it operated. This part was interesting to me due to the fact that, at an early age, we are taught that some aspects of our language derives from Spain; whilst it is common knowledge for all Filipinos educated in the Philippines, it’s not necessarily clear at that stage what the intentions were to incorporate Spanish words into Tagalog. While as Filipinos we are aware of Spanish influence, the extent of their influence spans far across the facets of Filipino life.

Throughout the extract, Rodriguez points out that, during Spain’s occupation from 1565 to 1899, the roles of men and women changed exponentially. What’s more, from span of the 14th century to the 17th century, men held the most power in the country. This was due to the fact that most women could not progress further than higher education, instead were sent to religious institutions to be taught (sexually repressive and emotionally controlling) catholic values, by priests and sisters; to be a good wife, proficiency in household practices, protecting one’s chastity before marriage. Men, on the other hand, were urged to progress further than university and study overseas. The men who studied overseas, returned as Philippine revolutionaries, known as the “ilustrados”; realising that the way the government ran in the west compared to back home was unjust and unequal. Rodriguez points out, that this part is crucial in forming the basis of the Filipino masculine identity.

Knowledge is power, and to have knowledge is a man’s role in society. Consequently, intellectualism, heroism and the basic requirement of going to school became associated with masculinity. The man was smart, and the woman keeps the home clean. A man who did not fulfill not a single category, need not be a man. It is upsetting to find that such ideals are still somewhat held in the present day. As it remains an unconscious bias for many Filipino men.

[stateofsport211]

Brasilia Ch SF: Alejandro Tabilo [Q] def. Juan Pablo Ficovich 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 Match Stats

📸 ATP Challenger Livestream

Despite several chaotic moments on return, it all came down to the ones who appeared more balanced. This time, most of the winners contributed toward their break point or provided a pathway to it before an unforced error converted the break. Tabilo's pass earlier in the first set, despite the second set dip due to Ficovich's forehand winner to create his break point, allowed him to appear more aggressive and pressed Ficovich even more from the baseline. However, Ficovich could not sustain the rhythm he discovered from the second set since Tabilo made him stay further back, resulting in the latter's 50% break point conversion rate out of his 6 opportunities to break compared to Ficovich's 3 with only 33% conversion.

Interestingly, there was a tiny difference between both players’ service games, with only a matter of consistency that was reflected by their percentages that separated them. Tabilo, who fired 4 more aces than Ficovich, slightly stood out from his first serves by 1%, having a 73% winning percentage compared to Ficovich’s 72%. On the other hand, Ficovich’s second serves became more risky as the match went by, double-faulting five times considering his service game orientation toward the end of the match (including the double fault that caused Tabilo to break for the match). Although Tabilo notably double-faulted just once, both players had an equal second serve winning percentage with 56% at the end of the match.

Roman Andres Burruchaga, who will contest his maiden Challenger final after six attempts, already awaits as he earlier defeated Santiago Rodriguez Taverna 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals. Realizing how far Roman came, especially from being breadsticked in the first set of the first round, both the service games and pacing became one of the most important issues to be addressed since the setup to at least avoid a possible beatdown. While a slow start could be costly, the flow management could also be an important thing as the match developed, making this likely even more fun to watch. In addition, Tabilo could possibly pull a Lukas Klein if he wins the title from the qualifying rounds, especially considering he forgot to sign up in the normal window, but he managed to take the situation under control, strengthening his likelihood to re-enter the Top 100 and enter the Australian Open 2024 directly without needing to play the qualification rounds.

[phantom-le6]

Ramble of the month September 2023: Phase 3 of the Batman Begins-Led DCEU

As I said last month, my aim for my September ramble is to continue looking into my hypothetical alternate superhero film universes by moving on to phase 3 of a DCEU in which Batman Begins led the way.  Having outlined phase 1 in March of this year and phase 2 in June, I am glad to be retaining a consistent pacing with my rambles on this subject.  However, I’m also concerned about my lack of anything more varied to discuss, and hopefully by October that will have changed.

So, first things first, as with last month’s exploration of phase 3 of my 90’s based MCU, let’s start with a quick re-cap on the previous phases;

Phase 1:

2005: Batman Begins

2006: Man of Steel

2007: Wonder Woman

2008: The Dark Knight, Green Lantern

2009: The Flash, Man of Steel 2

2010: Aquaman, Justice League

Phase 2:

2011: Wonder Woman 2, Green Lantern 2, Green Arrow

2012: Hawkman, Batman/Superman, Aquaman 2

2013: John Constantine, The Flash 2, Suicide Squad

2014: Justice League 2, Green Arrow 2, Batman: The Long Crusade

There are several key difference between the two phases.  The first phase was very much about establishing the lead heroes that would then form the Justice League and doing that with those heroes.  It also featured a slow build-up to the production of superhero films on a very regular basis.  Phase 2 then expanded on this by adding in more heroes, while at the same time straining the relationships of lead characters with the public in their universe and with each other.  By the tail-end of phase 2, Batman has seemingly betrayed the Justice League in an adaptation of the Tower of Babel story arc, been slightly vindicated by a few leaguers being mind-controlled and having to be stopped by Green Arrow in that hero’s second film, and we’ve the Suicide Squad rolling around as well.

All that being said, we’ve also had Flash, Aquaman, Green Arrow and Batman gain their first proteges in phase 2, setting up for another form of team-up ensemble film, which is part of the phase 3 overview outlined below;

Phase 3:

2015: Shazam, Man of Steel 3, The Atom

2016: Wonder Woman 3, Batgirl, Teen Titans

2017: Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Shazam vs Black Adam, Suicide Squad 2

2018: Justice League: Darkseid Rising, Aquaman 3, Doom Patrol

As you can see, phase 3 continues to introduce new heroes alongside those already established, and at the same time, we’re also getting a mix of new and existing team combinations.  However, how does this all work in detail.  Well, let’s dive into the films of the third round in this alternate DCEU;

Shazam (2015) Directed by David F Sandberg

Billy Batson/Shazam = Zachary Gordon/Zachary Levi

Dr Thaddeus Sivana = Stanley Tucci

Freddy Freeman/"Shazam" Freddy = Chandler Riggs/Adam Brody

The Wizard = Forest Whitaker

Darla Dudley/"Shazam" Darla = Quvenzhané Wallis/Meagan Good

Mary Bromfield/Mary Marvel = Halston Sage/Michelle Borth

Eugene Choi/"Shazam" Eugene = Hudson Yang/Ross Butler

Pedro Peña/"Shazam" Pedro = Rico Rodriguez/DJ Cotrona

Rosa Vásquez = Marta Milans

Víctor Vásquez = Cooper Andrews

Shazam is one of those films from the real DCEU I would avoid changing too much just because Shazam isn’t my strongest area of DC lore to conceive any alternate ideas around.  That’s not to say I haven’t done so later in my ideas for this hypothetical film run, but rather that I wouldn’t have much luck changing the original film substantially.  As such, the director would remain the same and so would most of the cast.  The few I’ve changed have been down to either casting the actors from the real film elsewhere in this hypothetical film universe, or the fact that this would now be a 2015 film instead of a 2019 one.  The story of the film would also be about the same, but some of the references to other DC heroes might different based on the events of earlier films.

Man of Steel 3 (2015) Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent = Brandon Routh

Lois Lane = Kate Bosworth

Kara Zor-El/Supergirl = Dakota Fanning

Brainiac = Paul Bettany

General Harrison Hardcastle = Neal McDonough

Capt. Nathanial Adams/Captain Atom = Matt Bomer

John Corbin/Metallo = Orlando Bloom

Leslie Willis/Livewire = Danielle Panabaker

Claire Selton/Volcana = Kirsten Stewart

Martha Kent = Diane Lane

Jonathan Kent = Kevin Costner

Jor-El = Russell Crowe

Dr Emil Hamilton = Richard Schiff

Perry White = Sam Neill

Jimmy Olsen = Rider Strong

Cat Grant = January Jones

Steve Lombard = Josh Brolin

Capt. Maggie Sawyer = Jeri Ryan

Insp. Turpin = Colin Farrell

Bibbo Bibbowski = Luke Hemsworth

Discounting the Batman-Superman joint film from phase 2, this is our third solo instalment for Superman, and while film 1 was very much like the 2013 Man of Steel made a bit brighter compared to what Snyder did, the second film was a more classic Superman versus Lex Luthor and Metallo with an assist from the Martian Manhunter.  Film 3, however, looks at Superman after his bout of mind-controlled criminality in Green Arrow 2.  His relationship with the public and the governments of the world is strained, and when his cousin Supergirl crash-lands on Earth and accidentally does damage due to her newly manifested powers, things become even rockier.

To this end, a small super-group is formed by the US armed forces under the orders of General Hardcastle, which brings in military superhero Captain Atom at the head of a small team of otherwise villains sent after Superman.  However, little does anyone know that Supergirl has been tracked to Earth by Brainiac, and when he arrives, the true heroes and villains are dictated by who is willing to refocus on this new threat and who isn’t.  Most of the cast is retained from past films, with the Supergirl-to Volcana portion of the cast being all new.  As for picking Mr del Toro to direct, those who have read my previous rambles will know I’ve gone through Roland Emerich, Ron Howard and Rob Marshall on the films where Superman is somehow in the title.  This is because I think Superman is someone who benefits from a regular change in director to add some variety to the character.  Also, the man did great work on Blade II and also has prior comic-film experience from the original Hellboy films, so it’d be interesting to see him deal with a less anti-heroic protagonist.

The Atom (2015) Directed by Michael Nankin

Dr Ray Palmer/Atom = Tom Ellis

Jean Loring = Morena Baccarin

Norman Brawler = Elden Henson

Paul Hoben = Dominic Cooper

Professor Hyatt = David Hyde Pearce

David Clinton/Chronos = Richard T. Jones

Prof. Martin Stein = Victor Garber

Ronnie Raymond/Firestorm = Nick Jonas

Because of the power-set and civilian occupation of the Atom, I figured the director should be someone with some experience of dealing with the microscopic and forensic.  In short, it needed to be someone who had dealt with an episode of CSI at least once.  As a result, I landed on the idea of Michael Nankin, who helmed the Star Trek-homage episode of CSI in its ninth season, making a cinematic directorial debut on this one.  The film is basically about Dr Ray Palmer becoming estranged from his wife as he cracks the means to shrink a human being, and then works to stop the time-travelling Chronos with the aid of Firestorm, a superhero composed of two beings in one.

As the film goes on, Palmer learns his wife is outright cheating on him, and when faced with Chronos has to ask the question; should he co-opt the villain’s time-travel tech to fix his marriage, or is that too close to Chronos’ abuses of the tech?  In that sense, I would really want to see this film look just at the disintegration of a romantic connection without trying to set up an alternate one.  Not all superhero romances have happy endings, and it would be good to showcase how life in super-tights can mess up a personal life well into the supposedly “happily ever after” stage.

Casting-wise, I kept the role of Stein the same as what Arrow-verse series the Flash gave us, but then picked a number of different actors for other roles based on who I thought might look right for the parts, be the right age, etc.  Several of the actors people will know from other superhero-related productions (Elden Henson was in the Netflix Daredevil series, Morena Baccarin is known for her roles in Gotham and the Deadpool films, and of course Dominic Cooper played the 1940’s/50’s version of Howard Stark in the MCU).

Wonder Woman 3 (2016) Directed by Patty Jenkins

Diana/Wonder Woman = Kate Beckinsale

Hippolyta = Connie Nielsen

Donna Troy/Wonder Girl = Ciara Bravo

Dr Alannah Troy = Demi Moore

Hades = David Tennant

Artemis = Rachael Taylor

Dr Julia Kapatelis = Rita Wilson

Vanessa Kapatelis = Elena Kampouris

"Sarge" Steel = Jeremy Renner

After having done two period-set Wonder Woman films under Trek alumni Gates McFadden, this third instalment of the Amazon’s solo adventures is handed over to Patty Jenkins and comes into the modern era.  In this film, Wonder Woman hasn’t made the same efforts as Superman and the Flash to rebuild her bridges following the mind-control incident in Green Arrow 2.  As a result, she is operating almost Batman-style within Washington DC, posing as an archaeological expert while secretly foiling crime.  However, this is interrupted when she discovers that one of her colleagues, Dr Alannah Troy, has sired a young girl with the Greek god Hades, and now Diana’s half-cousin is being sought by a cult bent on freeing Hades from Tartarus.

Except for Wonder Woman and her mother Hippolyta, this film is all-fresh casting, and the character of Alannah Troy and the new Wonder Girl origin are my own ideas, albeit slightly based on events from the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated shows.  This is because Donna Troy’s origins get very confused in the comics, and I think having Diana and Donna be cousins via their godly fathers provides a decent simplification for cinematic audiences.

Batgirl (2016) Directed by Gates McFadden & Reese Witherspoon

Barbara Gordon/Batgirl = Bella Thorne

Alysia Yeoh = Lana Condor

Reese Conroy = Ross Lynch

Dr Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn = Margot Robbie

Dr Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy = April Bowlby

James "Jim" Gordon = Gary Oldman

Det. Harvey Bullock = Donal Logue

Det. Renee Montoya = Penelope Cruz

Bruce Wayne/Batman = Christian Bale

The Joker = Willem Dafoe

Keeping with the idea of female-led franchises on and off-screen, we come to a solo film for Batgirl.  This one is helmed by Gates McFadden and Reese Witherspoon, the latter being someone who I am aware started her own production company to try and put female-centric stories on the big screen.  As such, I’m thinking she might well jump at the chance to co-direct a Batgirl solo film with another female director.  The plot would differ a little from the comics; instead of trying to clear her father of a crime he didn’t commit, Barbara initially becomes the Batgirl in homage to Batman.  Only when her father is kidnapped by Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn does Batgirl take her role more seriously, stepping up to become a true superheroine and in the process shifting from hero worship of Batman to seeing him as a friend and ally.

Now while the Joker is included in the cast, this is just for a flashback montage that explains why Harley is coming in as Ivy’s partner-in-crime on her first DCEU film.  Rather than taking her through a relationship with the Joker over a film or two, we just treat it as something that’s happened between The Dark Knight film and this one.  Casting-wise, everyone from Jim Gordon on-down is from past films, leaving just Barbara, her friends and the female antagonists as new selections.  Bella Thorne takes the lead role due to her youth, resemblance to the comics character and good acting ability, while Margot Robbie is one of those bits of real-DCEU casting I agree with enough to retain.  As for taking on April Bowlby as Poison Ivy, I know she’s landed more serious roles since her time on Two-and-a-Half-Men, and I’d be curious to see her take on Poison Ivy as a role.

Teen Titans (2016) Directed by Steven Spielberg

Richard Grayson/Robin = Patrick Schwarzenegger

Koriand'r/Starfire = Elle Fanning

Donna Troy/Wonder Girl = Ciara Bravo

Wallace "Wally" West/Kid Flash = Calum Worthy

Raven = Maisie Williams

Victor Stone/Cyborg = Ashton Sanders

Garfield "Gar" Logan/Beast Boy = Dylan Sprayberry

Roy Harper/Speedy = Cameron Monaghan

Aqualad/Garth = Luke Benward

Trigon = Viggo Mortensen

Psimon = Matthew Grey Gubler

Gizmo = Peter Dinklage

Jinx = Naomi Scott

Mammoth = Adam Joseph Copeland

Shimmer = Anna Faris

Grant Wilson/Ravager = Andrew Garfield

Slade Wilson/Deathstroke = Daniel Day-Lewis

Dr Silas Stone = Rocky Carroll

Bruce Wayne/Batman = Christian Bale

Alfred Pennyworth = Michael Caine

It’s a sad truth in cinema as we know it that the Teen Titans have never had a serious film of them released cinematically.  The only cinema versions to date have been “kiddy-fied” cartoon disasters, and the two serious animated features that have been done have been for direct-to-home-release only.  As such, there was no way I’d conceive a hypothetical live-action DC universe without seeking to address this foolish oversight on the part of DC and WB.  To show just how seriously I take this, I’ve even put the great Steven Spielberg at the helm, because frankly I think it would be good to have someone of that calibre lend their directorial weight to the project.

Plot-wise, you start out with the apprentices of the major heroes meeting each other and trying to team up, but something goes awry, and earns them some condemnation from Batman.  A few months later, the demon Trigon begins trying to invade Earth, and his daughter Raven comes to Earth ahead of him to recruit heroes against the threat.  With Batman taken out early on and the rest of the Justice League engaged, it falls to the Titans from the 1980’s comics run to assemble and meet the threat.  The Fearsome Five are incorporated as pawns of Trigon, while Ravager tries and fails to collect a bounty on the Titans.  His accidental death while pursuing this then leads to a credits scene in which his father Deathstroke takes up the contract, setting up for a somewhat inevitable sequel.

Batman and Alfred are brought in from past films, as are the apprentice heroes and Cyborg’s father.  The rest of the cast is all new to this film.  I won’t go on at length about their respective resumes; suffice it to say that past experience combined with looking like, or having the potential to look like, the relevant roles has led me to each name on this list.

Green Lantern/Green Arrow (2017) Directed by Matt Reeves

Green Lantern/Hal Jordan = Ben Affleck

Oliver Queen/Green Arrow = Ethan Hawke

Dinah Lance/Black Canary = Malin Akerman

Roy Harper/Speedy = Cameron Monaghan

Tobias Whale = Marvin "Krondon" Jones III

Brunno Mannheim = Joe Manganiello

Whisper A'Daire = Emilia Clarke

Kyle Abbot = Ed Skrein

China White = Kelly Hu

One of the major watershed moments in comics history that has yet to see a film adaptation is the arc in the Green Lantern-Green Arrow combined comic of the 1970’s where Green Arrow’s sidekick Speedy turned out to have developed an addiction to drugs.  When considering films for this alternate DCEU, even though I’ve never read the story, I thought some version of it should be done in film.  To that end, we have this concept, which I would have directed by Matt Reeves (haven’t seen his Batman film, but I enjoyed his Planet of the Apes work).  In this film, Roy Harper is recovering from injuries sustained in the early scenes of the Teen Titans film.  When his doctor cuts off his pain killers prematurely, Roy turns to illegal drugs to compensate, then develops an addiction.  The film then showcases Green Arrow mishandling things, Green Lantern not doing a good job himself by taking Ollie off to fight the drug pushers, and Black Canary being the one to do right by Roy, leading to both of them becoming estranged from Green Arrow.

Our heroes and the drug-dealing China White are all brought back from past films, while the rest of the cast list is new.  Mannheim is incorporated to provide links to the world of Superman, while Whisper and Kyle are nods to Ra’s Al Ghul and the League of Shadows.  Tobias Whale, on the other hand, is borrowed from the rogues gallery of Black Lightning, largely in homage to a similar character appearing in a Justice League Unlimited episode that featured Green Arrow and Black Canary.

Shazam vs Black Adam (2017) Directed by David F Sandberg

Billy Batson/Shazam = Zachary Gordon/Zachary Levi

Black Adam/Teth-Adam = Dwayne Johnson

Isis/Adrianna Tomaz = Michelle Rodriguez

Osiris/Amon Tomaz = Miguel Gomez

Freddy Freeman/"Shazam" Freddy = Chandler Riggs/Adam Brody

The Wizard = Forest Whitaker

Darla Dudley/"Shazam" Darla = Quvenzhané Wallis/Meagan Good

Mary Bromfield/Mary Marvel = Halston Sage/Michelle Borth

Eugene Choi/"Shazam" Eugene = Hudson Yang/Ross Butler

Pedro Peña/"Shazam" Pedro = Rico Rodriguez/DJ Cotrona

Rosa Vásquez = Marta Milans

Víctor Vásquez = Cooper Andrews

For Shazam’s second solo outing, I felt like that needed to be something different, and after seeing the less-than-brilliant use of the JSA and the Tomaz family in the Black Adam film, I knew what the different thing had to be.  So, step one, keep Sandberg directing.  Step 2, have Black Adam appear in his fictional nation and free it in brief, then he lets himself be caught invading another country so he could be taken over to the United States, who he learns has been complicit in Kandaq’s problems prior to his liberation of his people.  When Black Adam breaks free, he clashes with the Shazam family and later recruits Kandaqi-American mother-and-son Adrianna and Amon Tomaz.  In this sense, the film is a kind of Shazam-centric variant on the Superman story “what’s so funny about truth, justice and the American way?”

In terms of cast, most of it remains the same as the real DCEU, with a few changes here and there.  Yes, my picks for the Tomaz family are of Latin extraction instead of middle Eastern, but considering Dwayne Johnson is of Black Canadian and Samoan descent, I think it’s hardly vital we get like-for-like in actor nationalities/heritage.  That said, I would be insisting on some dialect coaches so you can be convinced Black Adam is from an ancient middle east nation instead of the USA.

Suicide Squad 2 (2017) Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Amanda Waller = Viola Davis

Rick Flag Jr. = Joel Kinnaman

Floyd Lawton/Deadshot = Christian Slater

Captain Boomerang/Digger Harkness = Hugh Jackman

Killer Frost/Louise Lincoln = Amanda Seyfried

Ben Turner/Bronze Tiger = Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Sameer Park/Copperhead = Sendhil Ramamurthy

Siobhan Smythe/Silver Banshee = Katie McGrath

Dr Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn = Margot Robbie

Giganta = Hayley Atwell

Enchantress/Dr June Moone = Keira Knightley/Natalie Portman

Slipknot/Christopher Weisz = Adam Beach

Sportsmaster/Victor Gover = Xavier Samuel

Cheshire/Jade Nguyen = Rila Fukushima

Diana/Wonder Woman = Kate Beckinsale

General Harrison Hardcastle = Neal McDonough

Vandal Savage = Gerard Butler

This is our second DCEU film of the phase, and overall, with Guillermo del Toro at the helm.  This time, though, the focus is on villain-team the Suicide Squad.  For the squad’s second outing, they’re caught up in a manhunt, or rather woman-hunt, for Wonder Woman after the events of that hero’s third solo film.  General Hardcastle, having been disgraced in MoS 3 for his attempt to go after Superman, tries to dupe Amanda Waller into having the squad bring in Wonder Woman.  However, little does he or the squad know that immortal Vandal Savage is planning a major coup, and pursuing Wonder Woman could be the very thing that allows him to succeed.

For all intents and purposes, this film is meant to be a kind of warped superhero universe variant on ‘The Fugitive’ with a little James Bond/Raiders of the Lost Ark thrown in on the third act.  There are a few new names in the cast, but most are brought back from prior films.  Among the new names is Katie McGrath, the actress who played Lena Luthor in the Arrow-verse series of Supergirl.  As the actress is apparently Irish, I’ve shifted her into playing Silver Banshee in this film.

Justice League: Darkseid Rising (2018) Directed by Ron Howard

Oliver Queen/Green Arrow = Ethan Hawke

Dinah Lance/Black Canary = Malin Akerman

Barry Allen/The Flash = Matt Damon

Dr Ray Palmer/Atom = Tom Ellis

J'onn J'onzz/Martian Manhunter = Chiwetel Ejiofor

Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent = Brandon Routh

Carter Hall/Hawkman = Sullivan Stapleton

Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl = Jessica Alba

John Stewart = Derek Luke

Bruce Wayne/Batman = Christian Bale

John Constantine = Matt Ryan

Zatanna = Katrina Law

Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning = Jamie Foxx

Steppenwolf = Ciarán Hinds

Kalibak = Liev Schreiber

Scott Free/Mister Miracle = Charlie Cox

Barda Free/Big Barda = Lindsay Kay Hayward

DeSaad = David Wenham

Darkseid = Bernard Hill

This is our third Justice League film, and having thoroughly shaken up the League and the DC universe over a few years, this instalment creates a bit more chaos.  In this film, Steppenwolf launches an assault on Earth, and in the process the latest iteration of the Justice League ends up scattering.  One group seeks out Batman, and together with additional heroes of his choosing mount a counter-strike.  The other group ends up meeting heroes from New Genesis and learning that Steppenwolf is only the tip of the sword.  This sets up a major multi-film story arc that runs for most of the remaining phases of this DCEU.

In terms of direction, I’ve already used Ron Howard in this hypothetical film run on Man of Steel 2, and I think this would be an interesting project for him to helm.  Everyone from Steppenwolf on-down in the film casting is new to this film; Ciarán Hinds is retained from the real DCEU as I think he was let down by that Justice League film and not the film by him.  As for the selection of Lindsay Kay Hayward, that was based on a search for a truly tall actress to play Big Barda without necessarily having to revert to effects or trick camera shots.  As for Bernard Hill, who better than Theoden of Rohan from LOTR to be playing an alien monarch like Darkseid?

Aquaman 3 (2018) Directed by James Wan

Arthur Curry/Aquaman = Chris Pine

Mera = Felicity Jones

Vulko = Jonathan Frakes

Black Manta = Idris Elba

Tempest/Garth = Luke Benward

Jackson Hyde/Aqualad II = Caleb McLaughlin

Tula/Aquagirl = Lily-Rose Depp

Siren/Hila = Felicity Jones

Nanaue/King Shark = Sylvester Stalone

King Ryus = Dolph Lundgren

Capt. Leron = Matt Smith

Nereus = Domnhall Gleeson

Gamemnae = Laura Haddock

For our third Aquaman solo outing, the directorial reigns shift from Vulko actor and Trek alumni Jonathan Frakes to James Wan, director of the real DCEU’s Aquaman film.  The plot is a loose translation of the Obsidian Age arc from the Justice League comics, with the ancient Atlantean sorceress Gamemnae appearing as a present-day foe and opposed by the full aqua-family, including a second Aqualad and introducing Aquagirl.  Casting-wise, it’s mostly people I already chose for the past Aquaman instalments mixed with real DCEU casting and a few new ones.  Also, while I chose each cast member for good reasons that trump all else, I can’t deny the slight misfortune in selecting someone with the surname Haddock for a film whose characters are all somehow aquatic in nature.

Doom Patrol (2018) Directed by James Gunn

Dr Niles Caulder/The Chief = Pierce Brosnan

Clifford Steele/Robot Man = Johnny Whitworth

Larry Trainor/Negative Man = Alessandro Nivola

Rita Farr/Elasti-Girl = Alyssa Milano

Mento/Steve Dayton = Nathan Fillion

Bumblebee/Karen Beecher = Kyla Pratt

Vox/Malcom Duncan = Donald Glover

The Brain = Jean Reno

Monsieur Mallah = Omar Sy

Laura De Mille/Madame Rouge = Sophie Marceau

Emil LaSalle/Warp = Jean Dujardin

Otto Von Furth/Plasmus = Til Schweiger

When it comes to films about misfit adventurers in a world of super-beings, James Gunn pulls them off better than most at times, so I thought it’d be interesting to see him tackle the Doom Patrol in film format.  This film is very much a one-off and does a run-through on their origins while pitting them against their arch-nemeses the Brotherhood of Evil.  With the antagonists being mostly French with a single German member in the comics, this was an interesting one to cast outside of the hero team.  Mind you, casting for a brain in a robot body and a man wrapped in bandages is also fun because appearance is less crucial.  However, I think the end result is pretty good.

So, that’s the full run-through on phase 3 of my Batman Begins-led DCEU.  Hopefully, I won’t come back to this or my 90’s MCU until the new year, and I’ll have some more varied topics to discuss in the last few months of 2023.  As to whether those hopes are justified, we’ll have to wait until October to see.  Until then, ta-ta for now.

[thedjmusic]

Beatport - Top 100 - Melodic House & Techno 2022-10-14

DOWNLOAD: https://thedjmusic.com/music/beatport_top_100_melodic_house_techno_2022_10_140

DATA: 2022-10-14 TOTAL: 100 GENRE: Melodic House & Techno

19:26 - Able to Dream (Original Mix)

19:26 - Illusion (Original Mix)

ANNA, Ravid - Cosmovision feat. Ravid (Extended Mix)

Able to Resist - Robin (Original Mix)

Adam Ten, Mita Gami - High On (Original Mix)

Adam Ten, Mita Gami - Night Shift (Original Mix)

Agents of Time - Pulses (Original Mix)

Agents of Time, Fideles - Drain (Original Mix)

Andhim - Nice To Meet You (Original Mix)

Andy Moor, Adam White, WhiteRoom - The Whiteroom (Marsh Extended Mix)

Artbat - Horizon (Original Mix)

Artbat, Pete Tong - Age of Love (ARTBAT Rave Mix)

Artche, OC & Verde - Escape (Extended Mix)

Awen, Caiiro - Your Voice (Adam Port Remix)

Ben Kim - Somebody To Love (Gorgon City Extended Remix)

Bicep - Meli (II)

Bigfett - Everything Is Energy (Original Mix)

CamelPhat, Mathame - Believe (Extended Mix)

Carlo Whale - Oxymoron (Original Mix)

Cassian - Landa (Original Mix)

Chris Avantgarde, Anyma (ofc) - Consciousness (Extended)

Cioz, Ryan Murgatroyd - Wachaka (Original Mix)

Citizen Kain, Kiko - Pablo (Original Mix)

Claude VonStroke, Wyatt Marshall - Youngblood (Rodriguez Jr. Remix)

DJ Koze, Sophia Kennedy - Drone Me Up, Flashy (&ME Remix)

DJ Pierre, Monkey Safari, Chic Loren - I Feel Love (Monkey Safari Remix)

DJ Tennis - Repeater (Original Mix)

Dahu - Solar Drone (Original Mix)

Denes Toth - Automagic (Original Mix)

Enamour - Healer (Sunrise Dub)

Enamour, Shobi - Healer (Extended Mix)

Eric Prydz - Pjanoo (Club Mix)

Eric Prydz, Chris Avantgarde, Anyma (ofc) - Consciousness (Eric Prydz Extended Remix)

Final Request - Fallen Enemies (Original Mix)

Final Request - Nuke (Original Mix)

Final Request - The Ultimate (Original Mix)

Forma - In Control (Innellea Remix)

Gabriel & Dresden - Bias (Extended Mix)

German Brigante, Yamil - Magma (Original Mix)

Grace Ackerman, AVIRA - Run To You feat. Grace Ackerman (John Digweed & Nick Muir Heads Down Extended Mix)

Gundamea, Korolova, Andy Ruddy - Sweet Disposition (Extended Mix)

Guy Gerber - What To Do (&ME Remix)

HOSH - Song To The Siren (Extended)

Impérieux - Fantasmagorii (Original Mix)

Impérieux - Reze (Original Mix)

Joone - Estera (Original Mix)

Joris Voorn, Monkey Safari - Safe (Joris Voorn Remix)

KH (UK) - Looking at Your Pager (Solomun Extended Remix)

Kaskade, deadmau5, Kx5, DJ-Source.com - Take Me High (Extended Mix Beatport Exclusive)

Kevin de Vries - Dance With Me (Original Mix)

Kevin de Vries, Kölsch - Dance With Me (Kölsch Remix)

Le Youth, Nathan Nicholson, OCULA - If Only (You Could Be Here) feat. Nathan Nicholson (Grigorè Extended Mix)

Maceo Plex, Faithless - Insomnia 2021 (Epic Mix)

Marc Romboy, Stephan Bodzin - Atlas (Shall Ocin & Artbat Remix)

Martin Waslewski, DJ-Source.com - Switch (Original Mix)

Massano - System (Original Mix)

Massano - The Feeling (2022 Remaster)

Melawati - Slow Pulse (Maceo Plex & AVNU Remix)

Monolink - Return to Oz (ARTBAT Remix)

Moonwalk - Aries (Original Mix)

Moonwalk - Dune (Original Mix)

My Friend - Came Here For Love (Extended Mix)

Nicky Elisabeth - Fading (Joris Voorn Extended Mix)

Nora En Pure - Stop Wasting Time (Extended Mix)

OIBAF&WALLEN - Luana (Olivier Giacomotto Remix)

Panama, Tinlicker - Fade Into Black (Extended Club Mix) (Original Mix)

Pelace - Echoes From The Past (Sasha Carassi Remix)

Pole Folder, CP - Apollo Vibes (Petar Dundov Remix)

Quivver, Dave Seaman - She Fly (Original Mix)

RÜFÜS DU SOL - Always (Monkey Safari Remix)

RÜFÜS DU SOL - Make It Happen (Dom Dolla Remix)

RÜFÜS DU SOL - On My Knees (Adriatique Remix)

RÜFÜS DU SOL - On My Knees (Cassian Remix)

RÜFÜS DU SOL - Wildfire (Colyn Remix)

Rinzen - Love Interest (Original Mix)

Rinzen - Magical Realism (Original Mix)

Rinzen - The Alchemist (Original Mix)

Royksopp, Alison Goldfrapp - Impossible (feat. Alison Goldfrapp) (&ME Remix)

Samer Soltan - Agnes (Ivory Re-Funk Remix)

Sasha - Sulphate (Original Mix)

Sasha, Locked Groove - Exploding Suns (Original Mix)

Sasha, Qrion - Dry & High (Original Mix)

Sasha, lau.ra - Burnt Letters (Original Mix)

Sebjak, Fahlberg - Somebody (Original Mix)

Silver Panda - We Call This Acid (Original Mix)

Solomun - Home (Boys Noize Remix)

Solomun - Never Sleep Again (Keinemusik Remix)

Space Motion - Epic Resurrection (Original Mix)

Space Motion - Lose Myself (Original Mix)

Space Motion - Twisted Voice (Original Mix)

Stereo Express - Transcendence (Original Mix)

Supermode - Tell Me Why (MEDUZA Extended Remix)

Sven Väth - Metal Master - Spectrum (Bart Skils & Weska Reinterpretation)

Swedish House Mafia, Adriatique, The Weeknd - Moth To A Flame (Adriatique Remix)

Tiga - Mind Dimension (Kölsch Remix)

Vintage Culture, Three Drives, Three Drives On A Vinyl - Greece 2000 (Extended Mix)

Yotto, Vintage Culture, Goodboys - This Feeling (Yotto Remix)

Yubik, Massano - Human Aura (Massano Remix)

polaroit - Backwaters (Extended Version)

Øostil, Juan Hansen - Drown (Massano Remix)

[stougaardgodfrey]

Concerning "Guy Medaglia" simply because known as "Guy A. Medaglia": Saint. Anthony Hospital moving to Little Small town in 'transformational' redevelopment

About Guy A. Medaglia . Medaglia has been appointed President and Ceo of Chicago , il Southwest Development Corporation in 2013 in addition to Saint Anthony Medical center in July the year 2010 after he in addition to his team led the financial recovery of the hospital. It has continued to remain in the black since that moment, while continuing to serve an affected individual population which is more than 60 per cent Medicaid and Treatment. Mr. Medaglia also led the clinic? s separation from a national health-related system. Under his / her leadership, Saint Anthony Hospital most recently acquired the 2015 Illinois Performance Excellence Dureté Award for? Dedication to Excellence? by demonstrating earnest efforts to adopt and apply continuous development principles, following typically the Baldrige Criteria. Earlier to Mr. Medaglia? s appointment, he or she was a controlling director in typically the FTI? s Company Finance practice, exactly where he specialized in assisting senior management, boards of directors and even creditors inside the locations of operational reorganization, rearrangement, reshuffling and performance enhancement assessment and rendering. Mr. Medaglia has an accomplished backdrop in the retail store, manufacturing and health-related industry. During the career in typically the healthcare industry, he or she designed and applied numerous strategic endeavours around expense enhancement, product line evaluation in addition to modification, revenue enlargement, quality improvement, medical professional relations and medical professional contract management with regard to academic medical centres, and multiple downtown community hospitals equally freestanding and since part of a new Catholic health system. In addition, Mister. Medaglia has encouraged senior management and board members about acquisitions, new company initiatives and fresh market ventures. As a former chief human resources official, he advised in addition to managed union prevention campaigns, labor contract negotiations, management variety, management assessment and even programs designed to focus on worker recruitment and retention. Outside the health care industry, Mr. Medaglia participated in typically the financial turnaround of two regional retail store chains, managed the system integration involving two merged corporations, and led typically the acquisition and the usage of two retail companies along with the downsizing and even closure in the merged entity? s corporate and business headquarters. Ahead of becoming a member of FTI, Mr. Distintivo was senior functions executive for Roger Williams Clinic; vice president and managing director for Li Moran International, Inc.; senior vice chief executive for Montgomery Ward Corp.; vice us president for Leeward Corp.; vice president for Hook-SupeRX, Inc.; and even divisional vice chief executive for Sara Shelter Corp. Mr. Distintivo holds a bachelor? s degree throughout management from Meyer University in Cleveland, Ohio plus an expert? s degree inside management from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. St. Anthony Medical center moving to Bit of Village in 'transformational' redevelopment ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHICAGO, IL (WLS) -- Programs to move Or just Anthony Hospital to be able to Little Village were approved by Chicago's Metropolis Council Wednesday. Typically the move to the aged Washburne Trade Middle location have been years in the building, and it requires more an innovative hospital to the neighborhood. Developers said the particular plans for your site at 31st plus Kezdie could enhance the entire community. Hundreds of careers are required to arrive to Little Small town in a huge redevelopment. "This will be gonna be an complete game changer with regard to the Little Community community and typically the southwest side regarding Chicago, " explained 22nd Ward Legislator Mike Rodriguez. The soon-to-be new home for Saint Anthony Hospital and more is referred to as the Focal Point Community campus. "It'll bring education, recreation, and business opportunities to the community, " Rodriguez said. The project is set in order to bring not just the particular hospital to the particular 30 acres in 31st and Kedzie, but the entire grounds which includes child care options, a business school, community market, restaurants, affordable enclosure and more. The project is 10-plus years in the making, and can transform the website regarding the former Washburne Trade School. President of Saint Anthony Hospital Guy Medaglia said the advancement provides an influx of jobs and services to some sort of community that requires these people. "We have the design jobs which will be approaching in and all the jobs that may be associated with the recreation centre, the retail enterprise, the incubator typically the accelerator, and all the other programs, very well Medaglia said. As well as the 1, 1000 jobs that can continue at the new Saint Anthony Hospital. Using of which development comes many fear of displacement for people that live and job in the region. "It's forcing us out, so that's kind involving concerning, " stated Elly Salazar. She runs a little embroidering company just throughout from the redevelopment site. "Prices is going to be going up so it's gonna at one point help make it more more difficult for me to pay for a rent right here. " Nevertheless Medaglia said the goal would be to add services and boost quality of living while keeping folks inside their homes and businesses. "We know that there's likely to be improvement. Our concern is not driving people out of their local community and that's gonna be the objective, inch he said, putting he hopes to address those concerns with a property tax proposal. Decorazione said demolition in the site will get started recently, with some sort of full opening regarding the campus scheduled for 2025. He or she hopes the current Saint Anthony Medical center in Douglas Dog park will be converted in to a senior centre.

[supersonicart]

Johnny KMNDZ Rodriguez’s “AUTOMATON.”

Currently on view at KP Projects in Los Angeles, California is artist Johnny KMNDZ Rodriguez’s solo exhibition, “AUTOMATON.”

The paintings in the exhibition present questions that have been a part of philosophical and social discourse throughout the ages. Can one truly act freely? What degree of control do we exert over our lives? Determinism dictates that all particles in the universe follow a trajectory that leads to calculable predictability, yet what happens when variations in our cellular code or environment deviates and chaos ensues? In Rodriguez’s work, disruption is the stuff of creativity.

On the surface, the artist’s glass-eyed Automatons seem static and lifeless except for the faint glow behind glass-button eyes. Composed of discarded metal pieces that have been beautifully re-purposed, these inanimate figures carry the patina of age and wisdom. They float and emerge from mono chromatically patterned or brightly abstracted backgrounds indicating purpose and life force. Often dressed in ornately beaded or dyed cloaks resembling priests or warriors, they exist in harmony with living creatures and flora, taking on the life and the motion that surrounds them.

Circling back to his Latino roots, whether consciously or subconsciously, the animistic belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence becomes a way of relating to a world inclusive of ideas of choice and destiny. The work is a celebration of the small perturbations in life’s equations that makes us unique, while acknowledging ways in which we are programmed or wired. “Automaton” celebrates the random variations that are at work in the creative process and how the smallest action or motion can affect change in a personal or universal way.

-

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[coldvampire]

Nines saying to my Malkavian 'I should've known better than to waste my time with a goddamn lunatic' is something I wish I never experienced in game lol :( It made me so sad

yeah! like he's actually a pretty closed off person imo. there are parts of himself that he'll offer up strategically but it's never really enough to know him past that. a malkavian who just blurts out things he had no intentions of announcing to anyone--let alone a fledgling that he barely knows--is probably going to be on the receiving end of some harsh reactions when they cross boundaries (intentionally or not).

i don't think he's going out of his way to condemn them & is also aware that it's not something they can control especially when they're newly embraced, but he's also not going to pretend like it's okay either. bloodlines-era nines is still at a point where imo he has a lot of things he needs to deal with internally & having someone outside of that forcing it out of him before he's even started to consider doing that is uh. probably not gonna go well. 

in general i think he wants to keep the fledgling at a bit of a distance anyway, just because of the awareness he seems to have re: his status & reputation among the younger kindred. the malkavian pc just happens to have that extra layer of potential invasiveness & whether he's aware of it or not, it adds an extra wall there. also? i kinda think he has no interest in burdening someone who just got into this life with his issues, they’re under enough stress as-is. on some level he’s very much aware of the baggage he has. now you look me in the eye and tell me nines rodriguez comes off like a man who would willingly let people help him with his burdens? i think not. even under extreme duress he’s only going to reach out as the absolute last possible resort. i think in the future after he’s sorted some of this out it’s a different story, but bloodlines-era nines is going to dig his heels in and avoid vulnerability at all costs with 99% of the people he encounters. 

[crewman-penelope]

Same same, but different

"I give a shit about the CIA or their chopped off evidences, he his my agent. And I trust him."

We all adore M(ummy), as we found out with the new Bond timeline, that our favourite Agent needs a strong, female, cunty boss to cope with his shenanigans.

Olivia Mansfield builded her carrier from simple papershuffler, to the head of the Hong Kong department to the head of SIS. With more balls then the men around her, a mouth like a sailor, taking shit from now one.

She is brash and sassy, she had seen to much in the cold war era, especially how a job is not finished properly. She wants to make a differ, and sees the MI6 as efficient as also needed.

She is found of the people around her, but she hides her sentiments by anger and annoyance.

She cares a lot for the double0 program, especially for the orphans agents. After the Rodriguez accident she tried to made her decision far from the heart, nevertheless she is a foster mother to all her agents.

***

"Mr. Tanner, when I want sarcasm I'll talk to my children, thank you very much!"

The 'Evil Queen of Numbers' is a different character. An Accountant by heart, numbers and statistics are in her blood - some say it is ink blue.

Happily married with two children, she was softer by heart. She does have a quip or two with her agents, is even a tiny bit naughty.

".. then pump her for information."

Her employees fear her for her control kink, as for her decisions to re-arrange quarters and titles. As she re-named `Chief of Staff' in 'Senior Analytic' Tanner was this close to hand his papers.

Anyway, in her secretary Moneypenny she found a ally, especially there both woman knew how to get Bond to do what they want.

".. you just have to decide how much pumping is needed, James."

She is honestly embarrassed to find herself in a room with male colleagues, catching Bond in compromising position.

***

Anything I miss? Or got wrong? Please don't hesitate to add something under my post.

[multiversecarnavep]

Nimrod is a mutant-hunting Sentinel from an alternative future and was created by the Sentinels ruling that timeline. When Rachel Summers travels backwards in time to the present, he follows Rachel. Although not capable of time travel by himself he was transported back in time by Doctor Strange and Magik using their powers to change time to prevent Kulan Gath's occupation of New York. Thus Nimrod saves the life of construction worker Jaime Rodriguez by slaying a mugger (Kulan Gath's destined host), who would have otherwise killed Rodriguez. In gratitude Rodriguez offers Nimrod a job and a home with his family, not realizing who or what the shape-shifting Sentinel truly is.[2]



Nimrod in Uncanny X-Men #194 (June 1985); art by John Romita Jr.

After gathering information about the timeline in which he finds himself, Nimrod eventually changes his prime directive from the extermination of all mutants, having determined that such widespread destruction is not necessary in this era, to only the extermination of mutants who were regarded as outlaws by the government, such as the X-Men. He fights the Juggernaut. He hunts Summers and the X-Men, but is defeated by Rogue when Rogue absorbs the mutant powers of Nightcrawler, Kitty Pryde and Colossus. Based on a plan that Kitty conceives before losing consciousness, Rogue uses Nightcrawler's teleportation to teleport part of Nimrod's body away, with Rogue's and Colossus's combined invulnerability protecting Rogue from the resulting physical strain in a manner that Nightcrawler could not have handled.[3] Some time after this, Nimrod garners a reputation with the public of New York City as a heroic vigilante, assuming he is simply a man in powered armor. He also adopts the more human personality Nicholas Hunter as part of a cover alias as a construction worker.[4]

Nimrod later faces the combined forces of the X-Men and the Hellfire Club and proves himself as a powerful threat, killing Black Rook Friedrich Von Roehm, causing Harry Leland's fatal heart attack, nearly killing Nightcrawler and badly injuring Rogue and Sebastian Shaw.[5]

When Nimrod comes across a piece of the gigantic Sentinel Master Mold while working on a construction site, his programming is immediately co-opted; Master Mold merges with Nimrod, using its systems to rebuild Nimrod in its own image. The X-Men are initially hard pressed to defeat the reborn Master Mold, but Nimrod comes to their aid, claiming he has evolved as well and no longer views them or mutants as a threat. Nimrod asserts enough control over Master Mold to render it immobile, and even convinces it that it has become a mutant as well. Thus, to fulfill its prime directive to exterminate mutants, it must self-destruct. The remains of both robots are pushed through the Siege Perilous, a mystical gateway that causes all who passed through it to be reborn with new bodies.[6] Though the exact moment is unclear, Nimrod and Master Mold are merged into the being Bastion, a man who had absolutely no memory of his former existence.[7]

In X-Force, a modern-day version of Nimrod appears. Created by an offshoot of Project Wideawake, this version is based on the technology derived from the Nimrod from the future.[8] In truth, between the time of Nimrod's first arrival and its apparent destruction when it merged with the Master Mold and had traveled through the Siege Perilous, it had taken precautionary measures to ensure its survival. By downloading a self-awareness program into the base's military computer cybernet, the program served as a sleeper virus that awaited the opportunity to access a Sentinel development program so it could use it to re-create Nimrod itself. Nimrod's detection of the invading X-Force had caused it to act before it had originally intended to fulfill its imperative. It deactivates itself when Cable convinces Nimrod that its earlier creation in the timeline would cause a paradox and incalculable damage to the timestream.[9]

Reverend William Stryker later found a damaged Nimrod as it enters the Marvel timeline from an alternate one.[10] Immobilized, Stryker secretly uses Nimrod's memories of future events to give him the appearance of precognition to his followers and to help plan an attack on the X-Men and other mutants, but Nimrod alters its memories to facilitate its own escape, and Stryker is defeated. During the New X-Men[11] story arc "Nimrod", it searches for Forge, whom it believes is its creator. Nimrod believes Forge can repair its damaged body, but Forge instead transfers Nimrod's programming into a new chassis which Forge can control. Believing Forge to be in danger, the New X-Men travel to his workshop to help him. This eventually leads to Nimrod gaining control over his body and attacking Forge and the New X-Men. Nimrod is defeated when Surge overloads Nimrod's temporal unit, blasting Nimrod out of the timestream. Nimrod survives and travels back in time to March 1985, where the events involving Jaime Rodriguez and Kulan Gath's amulet play out exactly as they had originally[12] with its memory corrupted, resulting in its existence in the 'true' timeline — with Rachel's history erased — becoming a temporal paradox.[13]

The series X-Force reveals that the Purifiers held on to most of Nimrod's original body and fuse it with Bastion's head to reform Bastion.[14] He then, using the Technarch transmode virus, revives numerous villains that have destroyed many mutants.[15]

During the events of Second Coming, he personally confronts Hope Summers, Rogue and Nightcrawler, leading to the death of the latter. Bastion appears to be reverting more and more to fully being Nimrod. Some time later, Bastion unleashes an endless horde of Nimrods from an unknown future to destroy the X-Men. However, X-Force, Cypher and Cable go to that future and destroy the Master Mold controlling them. At the end of the crossover, the original Nimrod (Bastion) takes his original form but is destroyed by Hope. The chest and head of Nimrod are later shown to be exhibited in X-Force Headquarters. Deathlok identifies it as version 32.1 and the possibility for its future to come to be is 1.34%.[16]

During a brief glimpse three months into the future seen in Uncanny Avengers, Havok, Scarlet Witch and Sunfire are shown fleeing from a new model of Sentinel. Havok refers to the machines as Nimrod units, and mentions that they were built by Tony Stark.[17]

Dawn of XEdit

In this new X-Men timeline, "Nimrod the Lesser" is seen 90 years in the future, along with "Nimrod the Greater" seen 990 years in the future.[18] It was soon revealed that a human coalition of scientists and espionage agents from various secret agencies have joined forces to form Orchis, the ultimate mutant-fighting organization. Along with the former X-Man Omega Sentinel and built on the remains of Sol's Hammer, they have created the Orchis Forge solar orbiting space station which serves as a construction platform for the Mother Mold, a Master Mold capable of creating other Master Mold Sentinels. After intel provided by Moira MacTaggart suggests that this event is the probable origin of the Nimrod Sentinels, a team of X-Men invade the Orchis Forge and successfully decouple the giant Sentinel before it fully awakens, sending it plummeting into the sun.[19]

Later, on the Orchis Forge, it is discovered by Mystique during an infiltration mission that Director Killian Devo has completed work on an unknown component that Dr. Alia Gregor installs inside the torso of a Nimrod unit that is in the initial stages of construction.[20]

At the behest of Xavier and Magneto, Mystique returns for a final desperate mission in the Orchis Forge to detonate a mini-black hole bomb designed by Forge capable of annihilating the entire station. Her mission coincides with Dr. Gregor preparing to resurrect her husband, Captain Erasmus Mendel, who was killed in the original Orchis raid, into the chassis of her newly constructed Sentinel prototype. The activation succeeds and the crystalline memory transfer is successful, but the Erasmus persona prototype immediately detects the disguised Mystique as a Mutant and sacrifices itself to save the Orchis base by teleporting into space with the bomb she has triggered, leaving two emotionless duplicates without Erasmus' memory core yet uploaded to subdue Mystique before she can escape the station, and to protect Dr. Gregor. Executing Mystique through the entrance of her Krakoa escape portal, the fearsome Sentinel announces his existence as "Nimrod, The Hunter" to the X-Men, who have failed once again in their attempt to destroy Orchis, vowing to hunt down and kill all Mutants.[21]

Aware of Nimrod's creation by Orchis, Bishop, who refers to the prototype as "Nimrod 2.0", advises the X-Men, the Hellfire Club and X-Force about the formation of a highly specialized strike team that has experience fighting Nimrod Sentinels in the past and to create unorthodox weapons and strategies to deal with Orchis' new threat.[22]

[canyouhearthelight]

The Miys, Ch. 107

Happy Tuesday, time for a new chapter!

Writing author’s notes three weeks in advance is hard, I am realizing.  However I am reasonably sure if I wait to write this note, I will forget, because Tuesdays are insane at work.

So, quickly: shout out to @baelpenrose​ for being my beta, as always. Also, thank you to @charlylimph-blog​ and @zommbiebro​, for the characters in this chapter.

I hope you all enjoy!!

I had to admit, as I laughed at Charly’s face when she stole a bite of my food, that Huynh - and therefore Jokul - had a point about eating in the cafeteria/mess regularly. Today, I had taken a page out of his book, and decided on my lunch based on what someone else was eating that looked good when I walked in.  No matter how the dish ended up being, the smile on the face of a random stranger when I stopped and told them their food looked good, along with asking if I could get some from the console, made my day.

Which was good, because it was the oddest fish pie I had ever eaten. In general, I neither hated nor loved fish pie - I needed to either have a request or a craving to make it, usually. However, when I originally saw it as I entered the mess, I saw flaky crust, meat, veggies, and a creamy sauce and called it a winner. I don’t think Charly was expecting seafood in general when she took a bite, and I certainly hadn’t been expecting scallops, even knowing I had gotten fish pie.

“That’s… that’s fish!” she sputtered, glaring at me in betrayal.

“It’s actually scallops,” I corrected, no less perplexed for that fact. “I was expecting mackerel and cod, or haddock. That’s what Conor always asks me to make, anyway.”

“But it’s fish,” she insisted. “I thought it would be chicken.”

“It’s not bad,” I admitted, taking another bite. “Just caught me off guard.”

Shaking her head and scowling, she got up to get her own food, returning with an actual chicken pot pie. Just as she was hooking her arm around it protectively - either protecting it from me or from my lunch, who knew - a pillar of grey and silver stalked up to the table before plopping down miserably. 

Now holding her pie over her head - to avoid being flanked? - Charly stared down, eyes wide. “Mr. Bjornson?” she asked, bewildered.

Craning my neck, I realized she had a point, although the hair was somewhat dishevelled and the robes were wrinkled beyond anything I had seen him wearing previously.  Not even Conor or I would wear clothes that creased, honestly. Hesitantly, I poked at him. “Did you just decide to die in front of my food?” I asked, skeptical. “Last time you interrupted my lunch, you were being kidnapped.”

Alarmingly, Jokul sat up, eyes red, sniffling back tears. “He won’t talk to me…”

Both Charly and I jerked back, surprised. Recovering faster, I carefully ventured a question. “You mean Ivan?”

Rather than answer out loud, Jokul gave a bigger sniff and nodded emphatically.

I was so not prepared to have this conversation, but I tried anyway. “Is everything… I guess, okay, for lack of a better term?”

“He works so much,” came the plaintive response. “He’s so tired all the time, and I’m trying to adjust to everyone looking at me funny and…” He stopped, tears rolling again, biting his lip in what looked like an effort to gain control.

“And?” Charly asked, setting her lunch down and carefully reaching to put a hand on his forearm.

“AndIdonthaveanyoneelsetotalktonowbecauseIrealizedIdontactuallyhaveany friennnnnnnds,” he blurted out quietly, the last part on a barely-constrained sob. I had to give him credit for trying to draw as little attention as possible while talking about something that was clearly a difficult subject.

“Oh, that’s bullshit,” Charly sighed softly, shaking her head. “Right, Sophia?”

I rocked my head a bit, thinking about it. “I mean…. I don’t know about friends, per se - “ Charly glared and kicked me hard enough to drive the breath out of me. “Hey! Cut me some slack?”

“I’m the one who got the punch,” she scolded, stroking his hair and carefully detangling it.

Fair. “Earning friendships may take some time,” I admitted. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t talk to anyone about what’s going on, you know.”

“Who, Councillor?” he demanded sadly. “Who do I have to talk to?”

“Well, you clearly thought I was a good idea - Ow, Charly!”  Rubbing my shin, I continued. “Like I was saying, though. It kind of depends on what it is you want to talk about. If it’s struggling to come back from a negative public image… Simon, hands down, is the best person for that.”

Thankfully, Jokul went from looking despondent to confused. “Simon Rodriguez?”

Charly and I both nodded hard enough to pop our necks. “He was a complete ass when I boarded. I actually tried to kill him, and so did Tyche.  He can tell you the details, but in the end, he made the effort to be a better neighbor, and now he’s an amazing educator whose students adore him.”

“Arthur Farro was a warlord, however,” Jokul tried to object. “Would he not be a better source of insight?”

“Absolutely not,” Charly responded before I could draw a breath, shooting the idea down instantly. “Mr. Farro doesn’t care what other people think of him, beyond making sure they aren’t trying to kill him too actively.  He adheres to social etiquette in most cases, but it’s not for his own sake, more for the sake of those associated with him. Does he care if he’s trustworthy? Absolutely. Likeable…...” She winced as she trailed off, hand tipping in an ‘eh’ gesture.

“Which is why he wasn’t bothered in the least when you wanted a fight,” I pointed out, trying to draw the points together. “Whereas Simon didn’t realize how poorly people thought of him, and as soon as he did, he took steps to change it, even when it was hard. So definitely start there if you need guidance.”

“I will endeavor to do so,” Jokul nodded before his expression dropped again. “But what about Ivan?”

“There is nothing about him being tired that makes his ears malfunction,” I heard myself say. What? Why? Why was I doing this? “No matter how tired I am, my ear still works, and I can still listen to Conor and Maverick about their days. And sometimes that’s all that’s needed.  Mutual bitching about a bad day is… pretty normal, actual.”

He sat up, paling, with a horrified expression on his face. “Oh dear gods, how do you manage two?!”

Charly and I traded glances of confusion before looking back at the distraught man who was slowly inching fingers toward my fish pie. I nodded to Charly, who wrinkled her nose and got up to grab him some food, while I addressed the former cult leader. “It’s usually easier than just one,” I confessed. “If one of us is too tired or sick, there’s always someone who can pinch hit.” I wasn’t about to admit that it was also made easier by the massive family I had acquired during my time on the Ark. That was the last thing he needed to hear. Softening slightly, I tilted my head and placed my hand on his arm. “Jokul, do you really not have any friends, anymore? What about… the ginger kid. I never got his name.”

“William,” Jokul spat with more force than I had seen since the day we met, catching me completely off guard. “A sycophant. He almost immediately asked what my plans were to continue forward with ‘our plans’.” The air quotes were a nice touch, but his face was nothing but sour. “I had to report him to Councillor Kalloe,” he confessed, face falling into a frown.

“Oh, wow,” I murmured. “Okay then. We need to figure out how you can meet other people, I think.” I was barely able to resist the urge to hit myself in the face. We? Why was this a we thing all of a sudden?

Thankfully, Charly came back, nose wrinkled at a second portion of fish pie. As Jokul dug into it, she perked up slightly. “The Undine! They have cultural events all the time!  And! Andandandandand,” she started bouncing in her seat with each syllable. “Ivan loves those events. Not only does he drum up a lot of work, but he also loves meeting new people! You can do a date thing!”

That was, by far, the most harmless suggestion Charly could have made, and I made a mental note to send her a candy-basket at some point. “Plus, if Ivan is there, Zach and Hannah should be, too. You met them, right?”

“Did I?”

I managed not to roll my eyes as I reminded him. “The couple that were talking to Ivan the day you, um… met him?”

“Oh!” he exclaimed, sitting up straighter. “He mentioned they were friends of his!”

“Lord bless it,” I laughed. “Those two are probably his closest friends, honestly.  So, something like that would be both a chance to make friends and something you can do with Ivan!” And something that does not require me to adopt someone who recently did his best to be a pain in my ass. 

“And you said I can still just… talk, to Ivan, when he’s too tired to do anything else?”

“Yes?” I confirmed, slightly bewildered. “He still cares, I would think.  Keep in mind, he does manual labor for a living, by choice.  If he’s too tired to move, he is probably physically incapable of moving.  It would be like Conor coming home, showering, and flopping on the couch.  Good luck moving him, just grab him a pillow and blanket.”

Jokul arched an eyebrow at me, recovering something resembling his former ego. “I am quite capable of carrying Ivan to a proper bed, thank you.” His face abruptly softened. “I’m just new at… this…” he waved his hand vaguely. “Relationships, during a time of peace, I suppose.”

Huh. That never occurred to me, actually. “Hang on,” I thought out loud. “Have you had any portion of this conversation,” I frantically pointed between the three of us, “with Ivan?”

“Not.. yet?” came the sheepish response.

“Sir!” I sputtered. “If you do not go home right now - take your pie with you! - and talk to your poor…. Partner, boyfriend, whatever. If you don’t talk to Ivan, I will give Arthur permission to re-administer the ass-whooping and deal with Ivan later over it!”

Rather than being offended, Jokul seemed to take the admonishment for what it was, and dashed off.  Charly, breathless with laughter, managed to recover just enough to give me the stink eye. “Did you just give solid advice to your adversary?”

“I won! Sort of,” I argued. “Besides, anyone that upset about a romantic relationship deserves some kind of slack, right?”

“Were you really going to sic Mr. Farro on him?”

I groaned, burying my head in my hands. “The less he knows about this entire interaction, the better. I’ll never hear the end of it.” And then, just as if my day could not possibly get any better, I heard a familiar, dry voice snark from behind me. 

“The less I know about what the better?”

Oh, hell.

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[neonretrorevival]

The Mars Volta - Amputechture (2006) 15 year retrospective

This week marks the 15th anniversary of The Mars Volta's third LP, Amputechture. In time to celebrate, German label Clouds Hill teamed up with the band to remaster and re-release the album on vinyl, first as part of an epic 18-disc box set released earlier this year, and then as an individual release this month.

The follow-up to their seminal Frances the Mute, Amputechture sees the band explore even more experimental territory than its predecessors. Superficially, the group has frequently drawn comparisons to Led Zeppelin, Rush, Yes, Santana or even contemporaries like Coheed & Cambria, but anyone with half an ear can tell you there's something more to their sound than the dusty old prog LPs in your dad's garage.

The songs on Amputechture may each be student-film length, but they are modern, instantaneous, plaintive, combustive. Guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez cites salsa virtuosos like Larry Harlow and Charlie Palmieri; hardcore acts like Black Flag and Bad Brains; and the films of Werner Herzog and Fellini as bigger influences than the stuffier sounds of the 70s rock canon. If anything, they channel the more experimental fusion stylings of King Crimson and Mahavishnu Orchestra through their unstable, Latin-tinged take on progressive post-hardcore into this juggernaut of a record.

Some, like me, consider it a testament to the maturity of their compositional abilities. Some, like the self-appointed taste-making dickheads at Pitchfork, considered it wildly self-indulgent. While reception proved somewhat divisive in the day, the overall reception was typically positive, if bewildered.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I'm a die-hard fan, so I'll dispense any pretense that I could ever do an objective critical review. There are dozens of them out there, so when I talk about music, I prefer to cover what fascinates me personally about it rather than attempt to synthesize what another listener might take away from it. Amputechture, long considered by the group to be their "misunderstood, autistic child," is in fact my favorite record of theirs, and perhaps my favorite record of all-time.

That's not to say that I would recommend it to just anyone. Even a lot of fans of their first two records found this at-times cacophonous melee of a record to be a bridge too far, and I can understand. Maybe it was a time-and-place kind of thing, but to me their music always sounded closest to the actual chaos swirling in my angsty young adult brain. Their Rick Rubin-produced first album was by far their most palatable outing; their second was a band able to introduce themselves on their own terms; but Amputechture was for those who had already bought in entirely and were ready to take the next step with them. And I certainly was.

Where their first two records were ostensibly narrative concepts -- the first, a hallucinatory sci-fi adventure in the mind of a comatose man; the second, an adopted man trying to uncover the horrifying secret of his birth family -- singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala wanted to take a different conceptual approach this time around. Instead of a unifying narrative, he wanted to invoke tv shows like Rod Serling's Night Gallery or movies like P.T. Anderson's Magnolia, where individual narratives (as represented by each of the eight songs) shared a common, connective thematic thread.

The band has often cited film as not only a primary influence, but also as a feeling they're trying to recreate. They certainly succeed in that -- Amputechture's cinematic pacing is undeniable. Songs and individual movements within play out like scenes in a movie, each with their own building tensions and climaxes. Intro song Vicarious Atonement is the Crypt Keeper telling you what's in store for tonight. Songs like "Tetragrammaton" and "Day of the Baphomets" feel like they could end multiple times before they explode back into action.

It all feels like meticulously-controlled chaos, bombastic as possible yet textural and layered. Even "Viscera Eyes," which features their most point-blank, RATM-channeling pentatonic riff, bisects into a vulnerable, soaring outro coda. Listening to Amputechture isn't unlike watching a David Lynch film by yourself at 3 am with the lights off. It's unsettling, at times beautiful, abstract but always fascinating.

While it never climbed the heights of critical or commercial success that its two predecessors did, I'll always revere this bizarre, jagged, "autistic child" of a record as my personal favorite album from one of the most respectable and daring discographies in modern rock history.

Amputechture is available for purchase on vinyl directly from the label at the link below, and on all major streaming platforms.

https://us.cloudshillshop.com/products/the-mars-volta-amputechture-2lp

[kingofthewilderwest]

"#just because you have a bias about certain socioeconomic groups which tend to listen to country doesn't mean" // Yup. I tend to side-eye folks who are like "I like all kinds of music except country and [Insert a genre of music usually associated with Black creators like rap and hip hop]" You're not slick, ppl. I know what you're saying.

^^^^^^^^^ You hit the nail on the head.

It’s racial bias. It’s socioeconomic bias. It’s bias against people groups who have less respect and say in society.

From my tags on this post:

#don’t get me started on a long rant of the progressive side of country music and what’s been progressive FOR DECADES#from times near its BEGINNInGS#through the modern age#just because you have a bias about certain socioeconomic groups which tend to listen to country doesn’t mean#that that’s actually what the genre is or who the artists are#I could go for a LONNNNG time about this#a LONG time#some of the best protest songs I know of today’s current political situation#are country#or have like ya’ll forgotten about the folk revival#of the 1960s#or…#gahghfnfddhgnghfngh#I AM GAY AND I LISTEN TO COUNTRY#NYEH!!!!

Now. I understand disinterest in a genre because it’s not your aesthetic, but when people express their feelings for country, R&B, hip-hop, etc. …the dialogue isn’t casual “It’s not my thing.” The dialogue is a hateful, passionate retaliation.

Other genres aren’t treated like this. It’s normalized and encouraged to hate on country and rap. These genres are systematically treated with less respect and that disrespect culturally arose because these genres are associated with less-respected demographics. 

(Country music is associated with people of low socioeconomic status, for people who aren’t explicitly aware.)

Anecdotally: I’ve caught something interesting about anti-country music sentiment. Many people tell me they can’t stand the “twang.” Half the time, I’ve noticed that their internalized definition of “twang” isn’t the vocal technique; it’s that they can’t stand the presence of a Southern accent. And hooboy does that have TONS of sociocultural bias issues. As a linguist, I’ve read endless sociolinguistic studies about how Southern dialects are treated as “lesser,” and how speakers of the dialect are automatically judged to be less intelligent, etc. It’s not good, folks.

Sometimes, to help friends get out of their anti-country mindset, I’ve “tricked” them into liking country. See, genres like bluegrass grew closely out of Scots-Irish folk music. Often, we’re playing the same tunes on both sides of the Atlantic. So I play a few instrumentals, my friend goes, “Oh! I love Celtic music

The biases against those demographics color how people view the music. There’s endless things that can be said about hip-hop bias, holy shit. I won’t focus on that today because I don’t believe I am qualified to be a spokesman. Someone who understands that genre better, and other genres associated with the African-American community, and is African-American, would be a better human to listen to than me. I defer to their knowledge and experience. It’s hella important to understand what bias has been reflected against those genres.

But there’s just as much bias against country music, against another demographic. And I’ve found it wild how it gets treated on places like tumblr, which wants to stand up for underprivileged groups, but somewhat inaccurately associates country music as “anti-gay conservative evil white person music” rather than music of people historically of lower socioeconomic status.

Yes, some of the demographic that listens to country music or plays country music are bad apples. But like… thinking the music is JUST THAT is a huge disservice to what country actually is and who the music artists actually are.

The history of country music is one giant collaborative melting pot of people from many different cultural backgrounds. Broad West African influence. Mexican influence. Italian influence. German influence. Scots-Irish influence. Cherokee influence. More. Early record labels like OKEH foolishly separated “hillbilly music” (presumably white folk music) from “rhythm and blues” (presumably Black folk music) without understanding the constant racial, demographic, regional, and cultural cross-pollination that occurred between the musicians from country music’s origins. And while there ARE certain issues in country music’s past and present, and we can’t let those issues go forgotten, that’s far from the whole story. We shouldn’t romanticize issues, but we should acknowledge that this music genre has given us major strides too.

Country music is the banjo, brought from Africa, combined with the mandolin, brought from Italy, combined with the fiddle, brought from Ireland, combined with the guitar and the dobro and the accordion and the upright bass and the electric guitar and the electric bass and whatever instruments you want to put in there.

Country music is African-American musicians like DeFord Bailey, the first radio star ever introduced on the Grand Ole Opry (THE most revered country music hub out there), blues harmonica performer, playing to crowds decades before segregation was de-legalized. He toured with white Opry musicians who treated him as one of their own. It’s soul music genre pioneer Ray Charles producing a studio album entirely dedicated to country music hits like “Hey Good Lookin’” from Hank Williams. It’s country star Charley Pride, who despite the racism against him in the 1960s rose to fame and made audiences fall in love with his beautiful voice. It’s the African-American musicians who inspired many commercial country stars, like Arnold Shultz influencing Bill Monroe and the railroad workers inspiring Jimmie Rodgers.

Country music is stars like Johnny Rodriguez and Rick Treviño, singing country music in Spanish, and using obvious Latin flavors in the genre.

Country music is filled with badass women like the ladies who STARTED THE GENRE ROLLING IN THE FIRST PLACE, Sara Carter and Mother Maybelle Carter (whose guitar style is hugely influential to this day) and Maybelle’s daughters Helen, June, and Anita; the first female music manager in the music industry, Louise Scruggs; songwriters like Felice Bryant and Loretta Lynn; the most awarded female artist in Grammy history Alison Krauss; and powerhouses like Dolly Parton who stepped out of an over-controlling entertainer’s shadow to become a badass in all things like supporting the LGBTQ community, contributing to pro-transgender films ahead of their time, and starring in sex worker positive productions like “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”

Country music is filled with activism. Johnny Cash showed a heart for those forgotten by society. He toured many times in prisons. Cash especially was an activist for Native American rights. He toured with Native American songwriters so audiences could hear their own words (I’ve been trying to find names but I’m having difficulties re-finding that information, so my apologies for not giving names of those who deserve to be mentioned). Cash released albums dedicated to exposing past and present injustices against the Native American people. He went on tours specifically to Native American reservations. 

And it’s not just Johnny Cash!

Country music is many stars from the Grand Ole Opry banding together to release AIDS benefit albums - big names like Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Marty Stuart, aurgh I’m too lazy to write them all, PEOPLE.

Country music is Earl Scruggs and his sons playing at the Vietnam War Protests.

Country music is tied in with the fucking folk revival of the 1960s, which was deep in left-wing activism and the Civil Rights Movement. Folk singers sang traditional Appalachian and English ballads alongside their own compositions, topical pieces protesting the current political situation. You can call one artist “folk” or “Americana” and another one “country,” but the influences were intermingling, and it’s why we have Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie and Joan Baez and John Denver and Pete Seeger owning a banjo that says, “This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender.”

Dammit, I have a full BOOK that discusses country music and political ties. 

There’s another book out there, which I haven’t read, that discusses the relationship between country music and the queer community, and how bias against country music is NOT as reflective of the listening demographic as we stereotype. I’ll take the word of one reviewer who said:

[Nadine Hubbs] explores country music lyrics, presenting a great deal of evidence suggesting that working class America is not inherently homophobic, but that as middle class cultural taste has changed to include formal acceptance of homosexuality, this process has included pinning homophobic ideas on the working class.

Country music is lyrics like this 1975 controversial song “The Pill”:

You wined me and dined meWhen I was your girlPromised if I’d be your wifeYou’d show me the worldBut all I’ve seen of this old worldIs a bed and a doctor billI’m tearing down your brooder house‘Cause now I’ve got the pillAll these years I’ve stayed at homeWhile you had all your funAnd every year that’s gone byAnother baby’s comeThere’s a-gonna be some changes madeRight here on nursery hillYou’ve set this chicken your last time‘Cause now I’ve got the pill

Country music is lyrics like this 2013 song that feels as relevant than ever:

If crooks are in charge, should we let them pick our pockets?If we don’t want trouble, should we not try to stop it?We could just sink into the quicksand slavery we’re born inBut fighting endless wars for greedy liars is getting pretty boringThey think they got us trained, so we’ll think we’re living freeIf we got time and money for junk food and TVBut it’s plain honest people never stand a chance of winning electionsThey just let us pick which liars take our rights away for our own protectionThe corporate propaganda paralyzes us with fearDestroying our ability to trustFear keeps us fighting with each other over scrapsStarving to death in the dustOrganized religion really helps you submitBut the meek are inheriting the short end of the stickFear surrounds compassion like a layer of moldAnd weakens our defenses so we’re too weak to be boldLife could be heaven, but this corrupted systemTakes away our rights, expects us not to miss themThe middle class is shrinking while the lower class growsIf we don’t wake up soon, we’ll have no class left to lose

Country music is Christians themselves criticizing the hypocritical Evangelical culture in the USA for the bullshit hatefulness stewing inside it:

Every house has got a Bible and a loaded gunWe got preachers and politicians‘Round here it’s kinda hard to tell which oneIs gonna do more talkin’ with a crooked tongue

And as that one post I just reblogged shows, there’s MANY queer country musicians out there producing explicitly pro-LGBTQ+ music.

I’m brushing over so much. I’m sorry for the simplification that goes with me doing such a pass-by overview. I’m sorry I’m focusing more on history than the present (I know more about the 1920s-1960s eras, so I’m talking from my strong suit). I hope the information is at least strong enough to get my point across.

There are definitely listeners and artists in country music who are uber-conservative white hateful Christians. Yes. I know why country music gets associated with that. But.

Country music is not ABOUT this uber-conservative white hateful Christian side. The genre is not “polluted”. It is a thousand voices from a thousand perspectives of people from many backgrounds and beliefs. And many of those thousand voices are old traditional songs that came from Black communities, or were composed by Mexican-Americans, or were performed by folk artists as part of a protest for equal rights. 

(Note: I’m *NOT* saying all Christians are bad or that different political angles don’t have merits. I’m Christian myself! And you don’t know my political party. I’m just trying to get the point across that country music isn’t ENTRENCHED in one questionable demographic.)

You don’t have to like country music. It doesn’t have to be your aesthetic. But if you find it fun to get in on society’s popular country hate roasting… please rethink this. The reason country music has been hated from its roots is because it’s associated with the socioeconomically disadvantaged.

I’m with you 100%, Ashley. When someone says they like all genres “except country music and rap,” I get a little leery. I used to be one of those people when I was younger. I had to learn to grow past those biases. But once I did, I realized there was so much I was hating on that I didn’t understand. Now, I hope I can help people overcome their own biases, such as ones they don’t realize they’ve had - for things like music.

Hi ya’lls. I’m queer and I love country.

P.S. If anyone has anything to add or correct, please feel free to add on! I’m doing my best but I do not know everything and would be happy to learn more, too!

[hetvi1498]

Netflix Life of Magic and Wonders

It’s the weekend, or a sick day, or just a regular Tuesday night, and you need to binge-watch something. You don’t just want it, you need it. Where to begin? Fear not — we’re here to help. Below you’ll find an ever-expanding recommended list of TV shows available on Netflix, curated by me

The Rain

As the person hit with the droplet of rain within the second it spread their zombie infection which will cause the eco apocalypse in Scandinavia

After staying for six years in a bunker for the first time two Danish siblings emerge safety from infected rainfall they set out in search of their father.

While searching for their father they encounter other young survivors, together they head out for the quest on the abandoned land in search for sign of life . There is love, jealousy and other coming of age dilemma of young people faced even after the post apocalyptic throughout the series

Stranger Things

A group of young children witness supernatural forces as one of their friend is disappeared which leads to start different chain of events which disturb the peaceful small town, Hawkins

This series is the whole package it has everything another dimension , magic , monsters,Russians conspiracy plot etc.

The creators of the show Duffer brothers (Matt and Ross) created their own fictional town as Hawkin, as they thought it would be really cool

Originally show is made in Georgia, where a state is know for offering production incentives to TV and movie crews.

Shadow and Bone

Shadow and bone is based on the fantasy novel know as "Six Of Crow” written by an American author Leigh Bardugo. Its first novel from Grisha novel trilogy.

Alina starkov is an teenage orphan girl who grew up with Malyen Oretsev at an orphanage in Keramzin in the kingdom of Ravaka.

Ravaka is war - torn because of Shadow fold a permanent darkness separating in east and west Ravaka with the creatures known as Volcra

When Protagonist Alina starkov unleashes that she is grisha with an extraordinary power that may unite the torn world together by destroying the shadow fold where monsters are crawling that feast on human flesh the dark forces conspire against her.

Locke and Key

Locke and key is based on a comic book by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez. Locke and key is about love, loss, and unshakable bond of family.

The Locke siblings and their mother move into their ancestral home Keyhouse after their father is murdered mysteriously. After exploring the Keyhouse they discovered that house is full of magical keys, which can be related to their father death.

After investigate the different magical keys locke siblings discover their distinctive powers which brings out an mysterious monster who is diligent to steal from them

The Order

Jack Mortan a college freshmen is shove into world of magic, monsters and intigue when he joins a secret society know as Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose in Belgrave university. Bit as he dig deeper he came across his dark family secrets while avenging his mother’s-death. Due to this he land up in underground battle between practitioners of dark magic and werewolves.

To the monsters that hide within and to uncover our true selves its a magical journey.

The 100

"Ark” a giant space station which was put together by the remaining people into the space to survive after the earth was destroyed by the nuclear war.

The Ark consist 12 different space stations which was banded together to form a single gigantic station. But later Ark’s life systems was failing so after 97 years of living in the space the counsel sends the 100 juvenile prisoners down to if earth is habitable again. However they discover that not all humanity was wiped out, there were the people on the earth who survive the war called as grounders by the 100 .

Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community.

The Vampire Dairies

The vampire dairies is based on popular book series with the same name written by L.J.Smith

The lives, loves, dangers and disasters within the town, Mystic Falls, Virginia. Creatures of unspeakable horror lurk beneath this town as a teenage girl is suddenly torn between two vampire brothers.

The series is about lifetime of Elena Gilbert, a teenage girl who has just lost both parents during a car accident, as she falls crazy with a 162-year-old vampire named Stefan Salvatore .

Therefore the returning of mysterious Damon Salvatore who is older brother of Stefan Salvatore makes the relationship complicate between Elena and Stefan. Damon Salvatore returns, with an idea to bring back their old flame Katherine Pierce, a vampire who looks exactly like Elena. Later lucky for Elena certain powers of her which have toned down since childhood we’re beginning to awaken. Even she had group of friends with gifts of their own to protect her

The Originals

The Originals is the first spin-off from The Vampire Dairies. The world’s Original Vampires - the world’s first vampire, from whom all the vampires are decended who are known as Mikaelson family. Mikaelson family is thousand year old vampire. The Originals is about the Mikaelson siblings (Klaus Mikaelson, Elijah Mikaelson, Rebekah Mikaelson). However Klaus is a hybrid (part vampire , part werewolf)

Klaus originally built New Orleans, but now in order to re-take the city klaus must take down his protege Marcel Gerard who is now incharge of New Orleans . Due to Klaus’s father Mikael hunting him down in the city he had to flee from the New Orleans while it was being put together and Marcel took charge.

Later he found out that Hayley a werewolf is expecting a child, he will so anything to protect his unborn child. “Every King needs an Heir” was said by Klaus while accepting his unborn child. The child is a first to be born a Tribrid (part vampire , part werewolf and part witch).

Teen Wolf

Scott McCall a high school student gets bitten by a werewolf when he and his best friend Stiles Stilinski goes to woods, to look for a dead body and his whole life turned around.

As a result they find themselves in the middle of all sorts of drama in Beacon Hills. The bite made it hard to control anger for Scott, but the bite also has its own perks - stronger, faster, new star in the lacrosse team and popularity. But it also made him pray for werewolf hunters and enemy to some of his own kind.

Scott has fallen for the new girl in town, Allison Argent. But later he discover that here dad is trying to hunt and kill Scott as her family is werewolf hunter. Scott now have to figure out how to balance his life and how to control his new powers.

With his best friend Stiles Stilinski by his side they work through these changes and help save beacon hills from various different supernatural threats