#someone get Marc off Facebook

[nerdetiquette]

I think until this episode, I was under the impression that Marc would come around but with the most recent episode it looks like that’s not happening. I get that he finally was able to win in the system that beat him down for so long, but I just kinda thought he’d do the right thing eventually for the sake of all his friends. I mean really, his basically sister is dating the people he’s trying to kill. The venom in his voice right before he left settles everything though. He never even tried to change, not really. Prejudice is something you need to unlearn, and everyone is a casualty of their upbringing, but they all gave him ample time. No wonder they weren’t talking to him season 4.

[romanarose]

Misunderstanding

Marc Spector x fem!reader

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Summary: When the boys come home early and see boxes all packed and furniture on the street, Marc jumps to the worst option. Clearly, you're leaving him.

Warnings: PIV sex, wall sex, oral f!recieving, manhandling, rough needy smut but loving and passionate, anxiety attack, Marc's self loathing but reader adores him. Calling Marc all kinda of cute nick names.

Immersability: Reader is fem, afab. Reader can be largly supported against the wall by Marc's strong arms <3

A/N: Commission done for @minigirl87 thank you SOOOOOOO much for your patience!!! Next time I do commissions i need to not do them right before moving. Left me quite behind. Anyway appreciate you so much!

Support creators! Reblog!

2.2k words

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Chaos made Marc anxious.

So, that’s why you decided to do spring cleaning while he and the boys were at work, hoping to get most of it done before the boys returned from work. What threw all your plans out of whack was a chance spotting on facebook marketplace. The prettiest furniture you’ve ever seen in your life was for fucking free. The owners were cleaning out the house from their mom who just passed, and just wanted the furniture to go to someone who’d love it like their mom did. And boy did you love it. The style was French Louis XVI. Fucking beautiful. So, you were making room. 

A lot was going to be given away with permission from your boys, and you’d be doing a lot of reorganizing of Steven’s books. A lot of trash, oh my god so much trash. Marc sure did love take out, even if it drove Jakey crazy. Then your old furniture was hauled out into the street for the garbage on tuesday, or some desperate soul. You hadn’t quite gotten to organizing Steven’s books and papers, but the trash was picked up, floors swept and mopped, and the old furniture was out. You needed to pick up your dream furniture, so you hopped into your car.

Steven was elated he got to go home early. It was only an hour, but that’s an hour more with you!!! You loved extra time with you!! There was a spring in his step, happily humming along to some song on Jake’s playlist on their phone. 

Until he saw it.

‘Aye, ¿que es?’ Jak asked, interrupting Steven’s happy thoughts.

Marc. ‘Is that… our furniture?’ 

“Oh my god…” Steven murmurs, slowing his steps. All their things were on the street.

‘She’s leaving us.’

“Oh, will you calm the hell down.” But Steven was a little nervous. He walks up the apartment stairs, ready to find you and get it all sorted out but… you weren’t there. The place looked so bare, so empty… The pictures on the walls were taken down, all the memories together, clothes were half-sorted in the bedroom and sheets off the bed…

You were gone. You didn’t want them anymore.

Marc took the body, pulling out his phone and calling you multiple times, but you went straight to voicemail.

“She’s done with us” Marc groans, backing against the wall. “I knew it was too good to be true.”

‘Mate, you need to calm down’ Steven tried to assure Marc, but he was nervous too.

Marc slid down the wall, beginning to panic. “Not this again…”

Jake and Steven attempted to tell him there’s another reason, logically.

‘She wouldn't just us… leave us’ Jake insisted. ‘She’s not like that. She’d tell us if there was an issue.’

None of this helped calm Marc, and he mentally checked out, sitting against the wall on the floor staring out the window.

That’s how you found Marc, dissociating and mentally checked out when you got home.

“Marcy Marc? Baby? Are you okay?” You toss your keys onto the counter and approach him, but stop when he suddenly jerks towards you like a scared animal.

Marc looks up, eyes wide and mouth agape as he scrambles to stand up. “Holy shit, you’re here…” He mutters, dashing over to you. “Baby, whatever it is, I swear to god I’ll fix it-” Marc hugs you so tightly it knocks the breath out of you with the force of him, strong arms wrapped tightly around you. Normally, you loved his bear hugs, they made you feel safe and oh-so loved, but right now his actions warned you he was upset. You always knew when your man was in distress, even when he tried to hide it. He wasn’t as slick as he thought he was. “Whatever I did, I’m sorry, I’m so fucking sorry-”

You hug him right back. “Marc, honey, what’s going on? You didn’t do anything wrong.” That you know of, but honestly you couldn’t foresee Marc, Jake or Steven doing anything bad enough for you to be upset about. Only thing would be… Gently, so he knows you aren’t rejecting his affection, you nudge him away so you can look in his eyes. However, you keep hold on his arms. Marc’s love language was physical touch, so you always showed your love to him this way.

“Baby…” You look into his eyes, keeping your tone and facial expressions soft. “Have you heard from Khonshu lately?”

Confusion spreads on Marc’s face, his already large eyes widening. “No! Nonononono is that what this is about? You thought I was with Khonshu again?”

You were confused too. “I didn’t think anything was happening until I came home and you were against the wall. Marc, sweetheart.” You search his face for answers. “Can you just tell me what’s going on? I’m confused.”

He sputters a bit, trying to find the words. “Y-you’re leaving! You’re leaving us…”

You blink at him. “Huh? I’m not leaving you, god Marc, whatever got you this worked up? Sweetie, I’ve never been happier than with you three…”

“The furniture is on the street… Things are packed up… And, and and- the pictures! The pictures, they’re are taken down, our whole life together is off the walls-”

Ah. “Marc…” You realize what happened now. “Oh sweetheart, sweetie pie… I’m not leaving you. I’m doing spring cleaning. Remember, last week we went over what I could give away?”

The recognition slowly starts to spread across his face. “But… the pictures…”

“I took them down to wash the walls.”

“Oh… and the furniture?” It was beginning to click for him. This was all a misunderstanding.

You smile softly. “I found the coolest furniture. Steven will love it.”

He blinked. And again. “So… you don’t hate me?”

Your heart nearly broke at his words. “Oh Marc, no!” You gather him up in your arms again. “My sweet, sweet man I could never!”

You see his lip quiver a bit, but instead of crying Marc crashes his mouth into yours, large hands groping at your body with a fevur, like he couldn't believe you were real, that you were still here, still wanted him.

And he needed you.

“C’mere-” He grunted, gripping your asscheeks and pulling you towards him as he kisses you, mouth claiming yours in desperation.

Instantly you were filled with desire; Marc tended to do that to you. He was so handsome, so kind, so gentle you couldn’t help giving your all to him right away. Marc backed you up against the wall, the hand behind your head preventing you from smacking it against the plaster. He always looked out for you like that. You could feel his hardness as his wide hips ground into you, his plump pressed stomach against yours. You love how he’s softened, still so strong, but the safety of your home and the very idea that he wasn’t on the run and living in storage units… His body felt as safe as his mind did.

Marc’s mouth consumed you, licking into your mouth as his knee rid up between your legs. In loose, thin basketball shorts you felt his thick, manly thighs and sigh and pleasure.

“Marc…” You moan for him, unable to control the sounds of pleasure from escaping your mouth as you work yourself on his body. Hitching a leg up against his side, you cling to Marc for stability as he uses his grip on your ass for leverage, dragging you up and down on him. Marc’s kisses are insatiable, you feel as if he is attempting to breathe you in with heavy pants, kissing your lips and neck. Your face is wet from the open-mouth kisses.

Suddenly, and without warning, just as you are approaching the precipice humping his thigh, Marc pulls away and for a moment you think he got in his own head again, but then you are turned, face pressed against the wall but not painfully. Marc pulls your hips out, bends down to pull down your shorts and fucking picks you up by your pressed together legs to pull the shorts away. If that wasn’t sexy enough, he then kicks apart your ankles forcing your legs open. You aren’t even sure when Marc undid his pants, but before you know it, he is thrusting into your pliant and waiting body.

“M-Marc…” You repeat, his name the only thing on your mind is his name and his cock. Okay and maybe his hand wrapping around your front and snaking up your body. He plays with your grunts, grunting with his breaths hot against your ear and in time to the slamming thrusts of his hips. You brace against the wall, pushing your ass out more to take more of his length inside you.

“Thought I lost you…” He mutters, face tucked into your neck. 

“Never, never Ma- AH!” You cry out when he  squeezes a tit hard, pressing bruises through your shirt. “You-mmmph-you’re stuck with me.”

He pounds your core, rough thrusts mixed with soft kisses. You tilt your head back, desperate for his mouth, his love, his affection yours. He obliges, always knowing what you need and meeting your mouth to sloppily make out with you like horny teenagers. It was needy, it was desperate, it was Marc’s complete and utter relief that he was not going to be left shattered. He filled you over and over and again, the fat tip of his cock pressing up against that beautiful spot inside you. When you came, it was hard, pulsing on his cock again and again and again. Marc wrapped his arm under your middle as your legs began to feel like jell-o. 

“Mine.” He growls, spilling his cum inside you. “Fucking mine. Don’t every fucking scare me like that again.”

You want to tell him you didn’t that he jumped to his own conclusions but you were barely standing when he twirled you around again. Dropping to his knees, Marc looked up at you, large and wet brown eyes gazing at you in adoration. He was beautiful, so fucking beautiful…

“I won’t…” You whisper down to his hopeful face. “I promise. I love you so much.”

With a relieved look on his face, Marc smiles at you and god is it nice to see him smile. “I love you too, baby.” With that, he hitches a leg over his shoulder and dives into your pussy. Between his cum and yours, it’s a mess down there and that’s further evidenced by the absolutely obscene sounds coming from his mouth as he sluuuurped up the evidence of your time together. Marc was eager, eating his own cum out of you while keeping your supported against the wall. You knew he wouldn’t let you fall. His tongue swirled against your clit, making you buck against him so one hand pinned your hips to the wall. He ate like this was his last meal, like his salvation came from your pleasure.

When he sucked on the sensitive nub, you cry out his name and dig your fingers into Marc’s dark curls, keeping him close to you. As if he’d ever leave. You were close again, the whirling swirling feeling deep inside you continuing to build like a twister into a tornado as you chant Marc, Marc, Marc like the repetition of a Rosary. His tongue flicked inside you, one hand keeping you upright against the wall and the other playing with your clit, making you come apart directly into his mouth.

You pull on his hair so hard you worry you’re hurting him but the way Marc shoves his face into you even harder spurs you on. You can hear and feel him moaning into you as he laps up your release, a soft mmmmmm reverbating against your pussy and prolonging it as you ride his face. Your left leg is so tired, so sore, starting to wobble and Marc notices as he finally pulls away. Marc helps you slide down the wall, landing you safely on your bottom.

On his hands and knees, Marc Spector crawls to you, kissing your lips tenderly but you can see his own exhaustion too. Cupping his face in both your hands, you kiss Marc as you lay him down on your naked lap. You’re surprised with how quickly Marc’s full lashes flutter closed, his head resting between the crux of your thigh and stomach.

You play with his hair. He seems so tired, today must’ve taken it out of him. After a whole day of work, coming home to thinking you were gone. You know how anxiety can physically drain you.

“That really scared you, huh?” You say, petting him like a cat. You swear you can hear him pur.

Marc talks soft, sleepy, eyes never opening. “Yeah. Thought I lost you… I can’t do that.”

“I’ll never leave you, sweetie. And I’d certainly never leave like that… But I know how anxiety can be.”

His voice was groggy with sleep, quiet and muttered. “Yeah, it fuck’n sucks.” 

You can’t help but chuckle. “It does, baby, it does. But I’m here, and I ain’t going nowhere. Can’t get rid of me if you tried, Spector.”

He hums constantly, and in another moment, Marc is snoring softly. He’s so cute.

Then, he’s snoring loudly.

Why didn’t Steven and Jake snore? Made no fucking sense.

Sighing, you settle back against the wall and maneuver enough to grab your shorts without waking your sleeping, tuckered out little boyfriend. You pull out your phone, take a few cute pictures (some with flowery or silly snapchat filters) then go play Candy Crush. He needed to rest.

Mostly, because he had a long day and was so so adorable when he was sleeping even if he was loud as all goddamn hell.

But also, you still had several pieces of furniture sitting in your car and there was no way you were going to move all of them yourself.

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

We love a reader who can take care of an anxious baby <3

Thank you so much for reading!!!! This is my first marc, or any moon knight in a few months. I MISSED HIIIIIIMMMMMMMM

My beloved one <3

MY MOON KNIGHT RETURN IS HERE!!!!!!

I got a dark reader x marc coming up IF I OULD EVER GET A GOOD KNIGHTS SLEEP follow @romana-after-dark for that

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[lovequinn]

how did you get your hands on those scripts? do you think there’s any chance you’ll be able to get any other ones?

for finding scripts in general, the best bet is a) creep ebay, and b) to get really involved in the entertainment memorabilia community. collecting prop/wardrobe/crew stuff from shows i like is my little niche hobby that i don't get to talk about that often haha, so being involved with facebook groups/prop sites/getting to know people lets me get my hands on things that never make it onto ebay. a lot of times crew members from a production will also pop their heads in and offer up some of their personal stuff (that's how i got the copies of the scripts i have)

supergirl is an interesting one because the cw is very very touchy about releasing scripts so there aren't TOO many floating around, but i know marc guggenheim sold off some of his copies a few years ago for charity so you'll see bits of certain episodes (like 3x17 and 3x12, i've seen excerpts from both of those on twitter) making the rounds from the people who bought them, and now and then the physical versions are passed around for resale.

right now i have 2x05 (which is what i posted from the other week) with some notes in it from the writers, an early draft of 3x01 (i didn't post anything from this because i know someone else way back when had another copy so i wasn't sure if y'all had already seen the good stuff in it but if i'm wrong and you want me to share some of it, give me a shout!), and some s1/2 episodes sans lena. i POSSIBLY will be getting copies of 2x12, 2x21, and 4x16 soon. i'm exhausting every relationship i have to find some s5 scripts but i'm at the point where i'm convinced the cw burned them all lmaoooooo

[vickiabelson]

 Anthony Fedorov Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

I’m still smiling and I’m not sure I’m gonna stop any time soon. What a blast I had with American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov. It’s been a minute since last we met and Anthony is even more spectacular than I remembered.

He opened the show with That Someone, his new song from his new musical, Proud Marys. I loved it! Can’t wait till Sunday when he does it in person at his long-awaited return engagement at the Catalina Bar & Grill. In LA? Please join me! https://bit.ly/3LkJTusHey 

We talked Anthony’s early childhood in Russia, his scary, years-long medical situation, hoping to talk, let alone sing… and for a living… to worldwide acclaim… crazy!  The trauma of getting out of the country and then getting to the USA sans English. The obstacles Anthony has overcome in his young life are astounding, his accomplishments are as well.

We talked the American Idol journey, Simon’s advice that changed his life and career, meeting his Idol, Marc Anthony, barely noticing J.Lo, Ellen, or Mariah Carey. Great story! And, the aftermath which led him to the theatre, something he’d never considered, but where he spent the next many years and thrived from off-Broadway in The Fantastics to most recently in Love Actually Live at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. How the hell did I miss that? 

We talked about the three, count ‘em three musicals Anthony has in various stages of development. Artist, activist, singer/songwriter, dad, and lovely human, everything Anthony does is with intention to impact positive change in the world.

Anthony closed with his first monster hit song, I Poop, inspired by fatherhood and a diaper changing. Another great story! It’s garnered over 22 million streams to date. Not counting the 20+ I’ve added in the last hour. Tell Alexa to play it for fun and… well, it’s paying the rent! 

Anthony has the voice of an angel and writes killer pop/rock songs with lyrics that are socially and politically important. He’s a beautiful man to behold, hear, and hold dear. And damn, he’s sweet and fun! Hope to share the Fedorov experience with y’all on Sunday at the Catalina Bar & Grill. 

Anthony Fedorov Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, Sept 13th, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET 

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

[novumtimes]

Marc Cucurella hoping England star stays on bench in Euro 2024 final with Spain | Football

Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer could lock horns in the Euro 2024 final this weekend (Picture: Getty) Marc Cucurella says he has been in contact with Cole Palmer and hopes his Chelsea team-mate stays on the bench for Spain’s Euro 2024 final with England. The 25-year-old left-back endured a difficult season at Chelsea last term but has been instrumental for Spain this summer, starting all but one of his nation’s games en route to Sunday’s spectacle. After starring in Spain’s semi-final victory over France on Tuesday, La Roja’s sixth successive win at the tournament, Cucurella is widely expected to continue his run in Luis de la Fuente’s starting XI. Spain have been far and away the most convincing team in Germany and enter their first major final in 12 years as the favourites to get their hands on the trophy. Cucurella could come up against his club team-mate Palmer in Berlin, though the attacker – Chelsea’s Player of the Season – has so far been limited to substitute appearances by Gareth Southgate. Palmer made a huge impact off the bench in the Three Lions’ semi-final victory over the Netherlands, though, providing the assist for Ollie Watkins’ stunning 90th-minute winner in Dortmund. ‘I spoke with him, but it was over a week ago. We talked for a while in the previous rounds,’ Cucurella told Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. ‘For me, it’s much better if he doesn’t play and stays on the bench.’ Cucurella hopes Southgate keeps Palmer on the bench (Picture: Mundo Deportivo) Asked if De la Fuente had asked him for any inside information on England’s players, Cucurella replied: ‘Today we had our first talk and we discussed it a bit. ‘But he has Rodri, who knows more about English football than I do. ‘I suppose that if he has doubts, we can give him different points of view. ‘We are going to approach the game as we have done for every other match so far. If we are at our best level, we have a good chance of winning.’ Palmer has been limited to substitute appearances in Germany (Picture: Getty) While Cucurella has shone at the Euros and proven many of his doubters wrong, the full-back found himself the target of boos and jeers during Spain’s semi-final defeat of France in Munich – leaving many viewers confused. It subsequently became evident that the culprits were not disgruntled French fans, rather neutral German supporters venting their anger after Cucurella escaped punishment for a shout of handball in last week’s quarter-final. Asked whether he was surprised by the booing, Cucurella replied: ‘At first, yes, a little, because I didn’t really understand it. ‘But I quickly saw that there were a lot of people in white and I understood why. ‘Spending money to be in the semi-finals of the European Championship and then to boo… they could have given the ticket to someone who would have enjoyed the match. More Trending Read More Stories ‘The important thing is that we are in the final and the people who were angry or bored are watching it at home.’ Earlier this week, Cucurella’s girlfriend claimed the Chelsea star had ‘promised’ to dye his hair bright red should Spain beat England at the Olympiastadion. ‘If we win, if we win… I can’t play in a final with red hair,’ he responded. ‘I have to do it and I’ve been thinking about how so that I don’t end up with red hair like the character in the Little Mermaid. We’ll do something.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE : Alan Shearer names England’s ‘player of the tournament’ ahead of Euro 2024 final with Spain MORE : Wayne Rooney makes prediction for England’s Euro 2024 final against Spain MORE : Chelsea star training away from first-team ahead of potential summer exit This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Source link via The Novum Times

[deafblindshorty]

What do you suppose Layla's life was like before she met Marc?

I imagine her mom died when she was really young. She had a small group of friends, did well in school, read a lot of poetry, and went to Cairo University (or is it University of Cairo?) before she dropped out due to her dad's death. She wasn't involved in the Egyptian Civil War (which was from 2011-2014), but she followed it religiously and commented on some social media posts about it. After her dad died, she went into a tailspin, trying to find out who murdered him, alienated most of her friends, met Mogart who befriended her and hired her to work for him in Madripor. Then it got scary (and illegal) and Layla abandoned him. She didn't have a ton of options after that, so she started stealing from thieves. She made her way to London where she met Marc. Marc started off as an older brother figure to her, but then she fell in love with him and vice versa.

Also, how did Layla's name "piss off a few people in Cairo"? I'm guessing it wasn't wearing tank tops (which women aren't allowed to do in Egypt except at beach resorts, apparently).

For Marc, sometimes it can take more than just a day or two to "track someone down". Marc probably didn't know the names of any of the archeologists until their deaths were announced somewhere like on the news (seems pretty news-worthy in my opinion) and he could have remembered maybe one of the archeologists (Dr. El-Faouly) saying something like "Please, I have a daughter. I'm all she has!" before he died and searched for someone called "El-Faouly" on social media, or read El-Fauoly's obituary (Unless Layla's name isn't mentioned in that obit, it probably said "survived by his daughter and several friends....")

Or he could have read in the obituary or on the news that El-Faouly left behind a daughter. After finding Layla's facebook or twitter or LinkedIn account, what would he even say without sounding like a creeper? Also, her personal info (address and phone number) wouldn't be posted online. However, her school and place of work could have been posted on her profile page. Cairo University and some store or restaurant in Cairo. Great. But the university and business wouldn't be allowed to reveal personal info on their students/employees, so he stakes out the school and the business, asked around and discovers that she dropped out of school and quit her job.

Great. Now what? I guess hire a private investigator, but what would he tell the PI when he asks why he wants him to find her? Meanwhile, he's also getting used to his newfound powers and killing evil people for Khonshu. So, it could have taken a while for him to track Layla down.

Whew. That was long. I apologize. I overthink things sometimes. lol

[bewitching-elizabeth-olsen]

Press/Gallery: How Elizabeth Olsen Brought Marvel From Mainstream to Prestige

“The thing I love about being an actor is to fully work with someone and try so hard to be at every level with them, chasing whatever it is you need or want from them.”

  GALLERY LINKS

Studio Photoshoots > 2021 > Session 008 Magazine Scans > 2021 > Backstage (August 19)

Backstage: Elizabeth Olsen grins widely over video chat when recalling many such moments on set with her co-stars. Yet, she can’t bring herself to divorce such a lofty vision of film acting from the technical multitasking it requires. The camera sees all.

“But then you move your hair, and you’re in your brain, like: OK, remember that! Because I don’t want to edit myself out of a shot. I know some actors are like, ‘Continuity, shmontinuity!’ But the good thing about continuity is, if you remember it, you’re actually providing yourself with more options for the edit.”

That need to balance being both inside the scene and outside of it, fully living it and yet constantly visualizing it on a screen, feels particularly apt in light of Olsen’s most recent project, “WandaVision.”

The mysteries at the heart of the show grow with every episode, each fast-forwarding to a different decade: Could this 1950s, black-and-white, “filmed in front of a studio audience” newlyweds bit be a grief-stricken dream? Might this ’70s spoof be a powerful spell gone awry? Could this meta take on mockumentary comedies be proof that the multiverse is finally coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

The series’ structure, which branches out to include government agents intent on finding out why Westview has seemingly disappeared, calls for the entire cast to play with a mix of genres, balancing a shape-shifting tone that culminates in an epic, MCU-style conclusion. What’s key—and why the show struck a chord with audiences during its nine-episode run—is the miniseries’ commitment to grounding its initial kooky setups and its later special effects-driven spectacle in heartbreaking emotional truths. It’s no small feat, though it’s one that can often be taken for granted.

“I was thinking how hard it would have been to have shot the first ‘Lord of the Rings,’ ” Olsen muses. “Like, you’re putting all these actors [into the frame] later and at all these different levels. All the eyelines are completely unnatural. And yet the performances are fantastic! And technically, they are so hard. People forget sometimes that these things are really technically hard to shoot. And if you are moved by their performance, that took a lot of multitasking.”

As someone who has learned plenty about harnesses, wirework, fight choreography, and green screens (she’s starred in four Marvel movies, including the box office megahit “Avengers: Endgame,” after all), Olsen knows how hard it can be to wrap one’s brain around the work needed to pull off those big, splashy scenes.

“​​If you think about it, it’s, like, the biggest stakes in the entire world—every time. And that feels silly to act over and over again, especially when people are in silly costumes and the love of your life is purple and sparkly, and every time you kiss them, you have to worry about getting it on your hands. Those things are ridiculous. You feel ridiculous. So there is a part of your brain that has to shovel that away and just look into someone’s eyeballs—and sometimes, they don’t even have eyeballs!”

The ability to spend so much time with Wanda, albeit in the guise of sitcom parodies, was a welcome opportunity for Olsen. Not only did it allow the actor to really wrestle with the traumatic backstory that has long defined the character in the MCU, but having the chance to calibrate a performance that functions on so many different levels was a thrilling challenge.

“It was such an amazing work experience,” she says. “Kathryn [Hahn] uses the word ‘profound’—which is so sweet, because it is Marvel, and people, you know, don’t think of those experiences as profound when they watch them. But it really was such a special crew that [director] Matt Shakman and [creator] Jac Schaeffer created. It was a really healthy working environment.”

Related‘WandaVision’ Star Kathryn Hahn’s Secret to Building a Scene-Stealing Performance ‘WandaVision’ Star Kathryn Hahn’s Secret to Building a Scene-Stealing Performance Considering that the miniseries spans several sitcom iterations, various layers of televisual reality, and a number of character reveals that needed to feel truthful and impactful in equal measure, Shakman’s decision to work closely with his actors ahead of shooting was key.

“We truly had a gorgeous amount of time together before we started filming,” Olsen remembers. “Our goal was—which is controversial in TV land—that if you wanted to change [anything], like dialogue in a scene, you had to give those notes a week before we even got there. Because sometimes you get to set, and someone had a brilliant idea while they were sleeping, and you’re like, ‘We don’t have an hour to talk about this. We have seven pages to shoot.’ And so, we were all on the same page with one another, knowing what we were shooting ahead of time.

“Matt just treated us like a troupe of actors who were about to do some regional theater shit,” she adds with a smile.

That spirit of camaraderie was, not coincidentally, at the heart of Olsen’s breakout project, Sean Durkin’s 2011 indie sensation “Martha Marcy May Marlene.” As an introduction to the process of filmmaking to a young stage-trained actor, Durkin’s quietly devastating drama was a dream—and an invaluable learning opportunity.

“It was truly just a bunch of people who loved the script, who just were doing the work. I didn’t understand lenses, so I just did the same thing all the time. I never knew if the camera would be on me or not. There was just so much purity in that experience, and you only have that once.”

The film announced Olsen as a talent to watch: a keen-eyed performer capable of deploying a stilted physicality and clipped delivery, which she used to conjure up a wounded girl learning how to shake off her time spent in a cult in upstate New York. But Olsen admits that it took her a while to figure out how to navigate her career choices afterward. In the years following “Martha,” she felt compelled to try on everything: a horror flick here, a high-profile remake there, a period piece here, an action movie there. It wasn’t until she starred in neo-Western thriller “Wind River” (alongside fellow Marvel regular Jeremy Renner) and the dark comedy “Ingrid Goes West” (opposite a deliciously deranged Aubrey Plaza) that Olsen found her groove.

“It was at that point, when I was five years into working, where I was like, Ah, I know how I want it. I know what I need from these people—from who’s involved, from producers, from directors, from the character, from the script—in order to trust that it’s going to be a fruitful experience.”

As Olsen looks back on her first decade as a working actor, she points out how far removed she is from that young girl who broke out in “Martha Marcy May Marlene.”

“I feel like a totally different person. I don’t know if everyone who’s in their early 30s feels like their early 20s self is a totally different human. But when I think about that version of myself, it feels like a long time ago; there’s a lot learned in a decade.”

Those early years were marked by a self-effacing humility that often led Olsen to defer to others when it came to key decisions about the characters she was playing. But she now feels emboldened to not only stand up for herself and her choices but for others on her sets as well.

“[Facebook Watch series] ‘Sorry for Your Loss’ I got to produce, and I really found my voice in a collaborative leadership way. And with ‘WandaVision,’ Paul [Bettany] and I really took on that feeling, as well—especially since we were introducing new characters to Marvel and wanted [those actors] to feel protected and helped,” she says. “They could ask questions and make sure they felt like they had all the things they needed because sometimes you don’t even know what you need to ask.”

It’s a lesson she learned working with filmmaker Marc Abraham on the Hank Williams biopic “I Saw the Light,” and she’s carried it with her ever since. “I really want it to feel like we’re all in this together, as a team,” Olsen says. “That was part of ‘Sorry for Your Loss’ and it was part of ‘WandaVision,’ and I hope to continue that kind of energy because those have been some of the healthiest work experiences I’ve had.”

If Olsen sounds particularly zealous about the importance of a comfortable, working set, it is because she’s well aware that therein lies an integral part of the work and the process. As an actor, she wants to feel protected and nurtured by those around her, whether she’s reacting to a telling, quiet line of dialogue about grief or donning her iconic Scarlet Witch outfit during a magic-filled mid-air action sequence.

“Sometimes you’re going to be foolish, you know? And [you need to] feel brave to be foolish. Sometimes people feel embarrassed on set and snap. But if you’re in a place where people feel like they’re allowed to be an idiot,” she says, “you’re going to feel better about being an idiot.”

This story originally appeared in the Aug. 19 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.

Press/Gallery: How Elizabeth Olsen Brought Marvel From Mainstream to Prestige was originally published on Elizabeth Olsen Source • Your source for everything Elizabeth Olsen

[miraculous-romance]

Random headcanons for:

Adrien Agreste, the straight ally:

Bi wife Energy

his mother is the reason he's very open about being an ally - she told him about how people hate queers just for being who they are and he always wanted to make their lives easier

during Pride Month, he does his research on what brands are truly supportive and personally advertizes their products on his Instagram

loves educating people on different types of attraction and gender!

the reason Marc and Nathaniel are openly dating after being incredibly supportive of them.; Juleka and Rose appreciate the love and support they get from him

still not sure whether or not he should use gender neutral terms for his future children (mainly because he wishes to call his baby girl his princess), but he will try his best to show his kids that they're allowed to be whichever gender they choose

Marinette Dupain-Cheng, bisexual:

learned about different sexualities a little after her and Adrien started dating - she had no idea Rose and Juleka were a couple!

found out about being bisexual after getting into college, but it didn't matter to her cause Adrien is her love

always awkward around beautiful girls ie when she measured the girls for their prom dresses

during sleepovers, she always looked away when her friends were changing; she thought everyone does that until the girls talked about their cute underwear or silky skin and whatnot

when she came to terms with being bisexual, whether near or far, she openly complimented women and blushing furiously if they complimented her back

Adrien's idea on using gender neutral terms for their future children made her plan out what colors to use for their clothes.

Rose Lavillant, pansexual:

Rose never thought she was different; she thought everyone could be attracted to any gender like her!

when she found out about the word *pansexual*, she was more than happy to explain her feelings to her friends

her favorite colors become the colors from her pride flag; she bought one for herself (and a lesbian one for Juleka) and saved the site in her site Bookmarks, in case someone comes out

She's the rowdiest in Pride Parades and gay bars! Her positivity helped many who were struggling with friends and family members abandoning them

She is one of the admins of a French LGBT group and chatroom on Facebook! Her co-admin is a friend she met in real life before she decided to make the group

Juleka Couffaine, lesbian:

The second person to come out from the Couffaine household. Seeing as if how rowdy her mother is, she was thrilled to hear that and the fact that her and Rose are dating

Luka was more than ready to hear her out when she wanted to sort out her feelings for Rose; he was the one who told her about the label

She didn't come out to her friends per say, but everybody knew she was queer after her and Rose got together

Juleka Googled LGBT hate crimes so much so that she was too anxious to put her flag up until she moved out at the age of 25

The guys from her class are the only guys she doesn't feel uncomfortable with (besides Luka ofc)

Luka Couffaine, bisexual:

The first person to come out from the Couffaine household. Anarka caught him kissing another boy, a friend from his class; he didn't even try to hide it because she was open about being pro-queer, however he did come out that day as bi to both his mother and sister

started doubting his sexuality when his classmate came out as gay (the guy he kissed)

never had a type - he went from rocker guys like himself to cutecy girls like, well, Marinette. Whatever the case, he always found rebellious and adventurous people.

Rose and him hit it off pretty well after they started talking about various queer people they've met online; Luka was one of the first people Rose invited to the French LGBT group and chatroom.

He treats his queer guitar pics like they're treasure sent from above

When Luka and Kagami started dating, she knew Luka was bi without him saying anything; they both admitted to like Adrien's smile

Kagami Tsurugi, omnisexual:

In theory, Kagami isn't the type to label herself but she still wanted to understand her feelings towards Marinette; once she found the term omnisexual, she thought it fit her like a glove

She kept this discovery a secret from everyone for a while; she came out to Adrien first, Luka second and to the rest of the friend group last.

Her mother is homophobic, so sometimes during a sparring match with her, Kagami would swing harder than usual, as if taking revenge on her for not being supportive.

Thanks to Adrien, she joined Tumblr and is freely posting her art - especially queer art since finding her inner peace with being one. She loves making secretive pride flag artwork (ya know, the ones where the artist uses a certain flag color and makes something creative with it??)

Marc Anciel - gay + trans enby

knew for a long time that they were gay; they found out they were trans and nonbinary when Nathaniel commented on their OC being enby; to Nathaniel's surprise, that was how Marc pictured themself! (themselves? which is correct? I'll edit this once someone helps me out)

still unsure if they're trans, would they want to do a surgery of some kind i n the future; for not they're just thriving on being gay and enby

became more social when they came out as nonbinary to their classmates; they didn't really mention that they're gay until someone caught Marc and Nathaniel kissing at school

On the other hand, they were so open to coming out to the art club, the teacher told everyone to make something for them (Marc was the first one to come out, let alone twice, later it became a tradition)

Their parents didn't really understand about them being nonbinary, but they noticed that they tried their best

They wear a lot of pride shirts (kinda a headcanon but also canon)

Nathaniel Kurtzberg, bi-demisexual + demiboy

he/they pronouns, let's his closest friends use he/him

knew he was bi after falling hard for Marc; he accidentally found an "are you a demisexual?" quiz and everything made sense after that

doesn't care about the labels, he just wanted to understand how he felt

always challenges himself to make a character for every label during Pride Month; he likes making some queer designs for Marinette to print them on her shirts

Alix Kubdel, aromantic:

never knew there was a label for how she felt and didn't let it define her either; she always said to people that she just wasn't cut out for romance

hates romantic comedies, loves listening to her friend's problems

doesn't like babies, likes kids after they grow up a bit; aspires to be the cool aunt for her friend's kids and teach them to count on themselves first... and, you know, how to conquer the world like all aces and aros do

doesn't care if there's an aphobe attacking her; bites back if someone spreads their homo-, trans- or any kind of queerphobia to any of her friends, especially Nathaniel and Juleka

has a pact with Max to be in a queerplatonic relationship if he doesn't find anyone by the age of 40

Max Kante, asexual:

doesn't care about the label; still likes the small ace merch because it makes him feel seen and valid

wishes to have a wife and kids; the one that proposed the pact to Alix, to marry if he's still single by the time he turns 40

literally wants to conquer the world with his technological advancement

likes spouting facts on why asexuality is natural from a scientific standpoint

... I needed to share this, I got to invested!

[saltymiraculer]

Ceremonial Kisses (Part 1 of 3)

Part 2

So I decided to try my hand at the “Marinette, the princess of China” trope and see how I did! Tell me what you think?

Also, the first chapter is going to be fluffy, the second chapter’ll have a sprinkling of salt, and the third chapter will be a mix of piles and piles of salt and some fluff. Be warned!

.

“I’ve got a big, big, big announcement for you today, class!“ Bustier chirped, clapping her hands to get their attention. “China’s princess will be coronated in a week and a half, the day she turns 18, as many of you know, and one class from the school will be selected to travel to China and watch the ceremony. Guess which class it was?“

“Uhhh…Mme. Mendeleiev’s!“

“Ooh, M. D’Argencourt’s? They’ve wanted that trip for weeks!“

“No, class, it’s ours! In three days, we’ll board the plane to Asia and have a few days to sightsee and explore, then attend the coronation on the second-to-last day!“

“Wow! Why our class?“ Kim asked.

Marinette knew exactly why. Marc had told her that the entire school was sick of Lila’s lies and wanted to enjoy the coronation without her butting in in the middle of the assembly to tell a ‘story’ about herself.

But she couldn’t just say that.

“You know, I actually know the princess,“ Lila said, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room. “But her identity is being kept a secret for now. That’s how we landed the trip!“

“Wow, Lila!“

“That’s amazing!“

“So cool of you.“

“They know that’s stupid, right?“ Alya stage-whispered, earning a glare from Lila’s new puppy–more commonly known as Kim. She shrugged. “I’m just tellin’ the truth!“

Alya, who was now her only other supporter next to Nino (and technically Adrien, but she’d discuss that later–it was very complicated), had decided to Google Lila’s name during a sleepover and found…some rather incriminating Facebook posts.

After that, she was 100% team Marinette and an amazing friend, along with Nino, who had decided that he needed a theme song. No one knew why.

But they loved him anyways!

So while Bustier was rattling off facts about Chinese emperors and kings and queens, Nino was showing them his latest idea to expose Lila.

“Okay,“ he started. “First, we go to China. Then we do our sightseeing and shit, and then. I did some research, and we can ask the princess questions if we’re with a national news channel. Alya’s blog counts. For real, we can talk to the princess of China. And we ask her if she knows Lila.“

“Brilliant plan, Nino. I wonder how the princess will react to a few teenagers in the middle of a crowd of famous people.“

Nino frowned. “The princess is only, like, 17. She’ll probably notice us, Als.”

“Oh, that reminds me, your birthday’s on the same day as the coronation, Marinette! Weird, isn’t it? That you and the princess have the same birthday?“ Alya asked, pulling out her phone and swiping through something.

“Huh, yeah. You’re right. Maybe we can invite her to my birthday party?“

“Ooh, the wiki page says she likes custard buns, and I’m not sure how they know that,“ Nino chuckled. “but make sure to stock up on those.“

“Noted,“ Marinette said drily as Bustier turned to them with a condemning look on her face. “Alya! I hope what you’re doing on that phone relates to the lesson!“

“China’s princess’s identity is being kept a secret because the last two were sent death threats, dangerous items, highly innapropriate items, and several other things that prompted them to not reveal the princess until it was necessary.“

“C-correct, Alya. Good job.“

“Nice!“ Marinette mouthed, high-fiving Alya, who flipped her phone around to reveal a website about the princess.

                                                           -🌸-

The final bell rang as several of the students cheered. One school day until the trip over, three more to go. Alya swung her bag over her shoulder and bumped Marinette’s elbow. “We goin’ to your place to hang out?”

“Yeah, my dad’s out anyways and mom closed the bakery for the afternoon. let’s go!“ Alya took Nino’s hand and walked the short distance to Marinette’s house. They entered and immediately felt something off.

Ah, there it was.

Sabine was leaning over the counter with a cup of very strong-smelling peppermint tea beside her. She was rubbing her temples and muttering to herself in rapid Mandarin.

“Maman? Are you alright?“ Marinette asked worriedly. Alya and Nino stood by the door–they had only seen her like this once before, when her cousin had been run over and killed.

“Yes, dear, everything’s okay, it’s just–there’s something I need to tell you.“

“Oh, no, did something happen to someone?“

“No, no, everyone’s just fine. I can’t not tell you without there being serious problems.“

“So what is it? What’s so important you had to close the bakery?“

“You’re the princess. China’s princess. The one nobody knows about.“

“I’m what?!“ Marinette screeched, grabbing at her hair. “I’m the heir to the throne of the most populated country in the world, and you waited until a week before the coronation to tell me?!“

“Holy shit.“ Alya and Nino said simultaneously. Sabine stared at them, likely just realizing they were there.

“Oh. They know now, too. Perfect, that’s just what we need, a reporter knowing who–“

“Maman! Alya wouldn’t tell a soul, I know she wouldn’t.“

Sabine turned to Alya. “I’m sorry, dear, I’m just stressed. With that trip to China in a few days and all that, we’ll have to close down the bakery for about a week.”

“And we never close down the bakery.“ Marinette finished, putting a steady hand on her mom’s shoulder. “But I know just the person to run it while we’re gone.“

As she was about to say who exactly would run the bakery, Nino backed into the door, wide-eyed.

“Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit. My best friend…holy shit.“

“Nino, I know this is a lot, but we’ll have to stay calm,“ Alya said, grabbing his hand. “So we don’t spill her secret. That’s top priority, all right? Don’t–tell–anyone.“

Nino sighed. “Sorry, babe. This…“ he turned to Marinette. “Do you have any cookies?“

Marinette grinned and led them into the kitchen. “Of course! Chocolate chunk or raspberry frosted?“

“Raspberry, all the way!“

“There’s the Nino I know!“

After a quick cookie interval, Marinette pushed her plate away and sighed. “Anyone up for an impromptu sleepover? You all left a bunch of your clothes here the last few times.”

“Marinette. If you know us, you will know our answers.“ Alya said solemnly.

“Hell yeah. Wanna go choose which terrible rom-com to watch this time?“

They ended up settling on The Kissing Booth, one of Marinette’s personal favorites (”To lighten the tension, you know?” Alya had said. “Although the tension in here probably weighs the same as an obese hippopotamus at this point.”) and made a bowl of caramel popcorn, with a tiny bag of sea-salt Skinny Pop for Nino.

“Sugar on popcorn is a crime, man. I ain’t touching that.“

“You’ve tried it once, Nino.“

“Yes, and I hated it. Is there anything else to be said?“

So they spent the next two hours in a blanket fort that was made almost entirely of throw pillows laughing over Elle and Noah and Lee being idiots, with a few highlights such as the iconic “Ninth grade skirt, eleventh grade body” scene, where Alya snorted and said “You know, Lila’s skipped so much school, might as well be ninth grade brain, eleventh grade work.”

“Too true,“ Nino agreed. “The other day, she called Chloe’s mom Aurora Bourgeois. That was a pretty major mess-up.”

“Shhh! Let’s just watch the movie!“ Marinette said, effectively quieting them down.

They watched the rest in silence with the usual laughs., ending up falling asleep halfway through the second movie, snuggled up on their respective couches. Marinette mother shook them awake the next morning, telling them to take showers and eat breakfast and get dressed and for god’s sake, Marinette, finish your homework.

“Crap, crap, crapcrapcrap! Nino, we’re going to be late if we don’t get ready fast!“ Alya shouted as Marinette ran up the stairs to change. “Can I use your shower, M?“

“Sure!“ was the muffled reply.

After about 10 minutes of running around and shoving waffles in their mouths, they grabbed their bags and ran off to school.

They burst through the door in the nick of time, the bell ringing just as they plunked down their things.

Bustier wasn’t there five minutes into the class, so they started talking.

“Marinette, you have to listen to Nino’s latest track, it’s–“ Just as she was about to describe Nino’s latest track, a bouncy-ball the size of a walrus snashed through the wall, nearly taking off Kim’s head.

There was a cackle from outside. “I am Gradack! You will all feel the same sorrow that I did!“

                                                          -🌸-

The fight was over relatively fast, and everything was calmed down and restored before their next class. Turns out Chat Noir didn’t show, so Marinette had to ask Alya for assistance.

In hindsight, she probably should have picked a better place to transform.

“Tikki, spots on!“ After she transformed, she was about to go to Fu to get one of the Miraculous, when she heard a strangled gasp.

“…shit.“

“My best friend is the princess of goddamn China and Ladybug? What the fuck?! Who are you? How did I not know? When did–“

“Alya, I know the feeling, but you can’t tell anyone. Got it?“

“Nino?“

“Well,“ Marinette paused to think. “Yeah, I guess. I trust him enough. Now, take this and transform!“ she tossed Alya the hexagonal box, and after a quick transformation, they ran off to defeat the saddened graduate of an akuma.

As she said, it was an easy fight.

They comforted the victim with four minutes (each) to spare, then ran back to the locker rooms to transform back.

                                                   Time Skip!

It was the morning of the flight to China, and she was ecstatic. Of course, she had to get up at 3:45 in the morning, but it was worth it–the flight took off at six in the morning, of course.

She could see the logic of wanting to arrive at 12:00, but she would’ve much preferred a red-eye.

Then she wouldn’t have had to stay up all night reading, because no way in hell would she just wake up at 3:45 in the morning.

The alarm would’ve had to go off for hours.

But back to the morning, she poured herself a sasquatch-sized mug of coffee, with about a gallon of cream and enough sugar to put an entire city of diabetics into shock, she started getting dressed.

Trudging around and haphazardly pulling out shirts, she finally decided on a simple red-and-orange flannel, a white t-shirt, and a pair of cropped jeans.

The she downed the rest of her coffee with an apathetic “Bottoms up!” and slapped her cheeks.

She grapped her suitcase and walked outside to where her mother was typing away on a laptop in the pitch-black night.

“Mom, why are you up?“

“Because I have to drive you to the airport, that’s why. And no alarm would be able to wake me up at 3 in the morning.“

“Preach. I’m ready to go, so can we get in the car now?“

After driving to the airport and saying goodbye to her mom, she walked into the airport and immediately saw the group of sleepy teens (and a certain disheveled teacher) leaning on their suitcases, trying not to fall asleep.

Nino and Marinette were already there, their eyelids drooping. The only person who looked properly awake was Sabrina, who was–inevitably–holding a saucer out to Chloé, who was sipping from a teacup.

Alya rolled her eyes and walked over to Marinette and Nino. “Who’re we missing?”

“Kim and Rose. They’re carpooling, so they should be here any minute.“

Just as Marinette had said, a few seconds later, Rose and Kim walked into the airport. Kim was still wearing pajama pants.

                                           Another Time Skip!

“Marinette.“ Alya groaned, shaking Marinette’s shoulders. “Marinette, wake up, we’re here.“

Marinette’s eyes fluttered open. “No. Five more minutes.”

“Everyone else is already off the plane!“

“Shit. Let’s go!“ Marinette said, jumping up, grabbing her purse (which she had recently learned concealed a kwami) and scrambling out the door.

Alya picked up the mini-backpack she now carried (which held Trixx, cookies, and some grape jelly) and followed her out the door.

Almost as soon as they stepped off the plane, they heard a loud wail.

“Great. She’s back on her bullshit.“

“I just can’t believe she would steal that, Lila! It’s so unlike her!“

“M-maybe, but there’s p-proof! Look!“

“Oh, great, what did we do this time?“ Alya asked exasperatedly. They watched as Lila held out the remains of–from what they could see from a meter away–a sketch of an orange mermaid gown with a black lace collar, ripped into quarters and laid out on the ground.

Marinette gasped beside her.

“That’s your dress, isn’t it?“

A small tear made its way down Marinette’s face. “It was going to be for you,” she said softly.

Alya threw her arms around Marinette and rubbed her shoulders. “It’s okay, sweetie. Once you’re princess, we’ll sue her for all she’s worth.”

Marinette detached herself from Alya and wiped her eyes. “Yeah. Yeah, thanks, Alya.”

                                                         -🌸-

Nino stormed up to where Alya and Marinette were standing with a furious expression on his face.

“That fox,“ he seethed. “that bitchy little fox of a liar stole your drawing.“

Marinette chuckled wetly. “Yeah, we know.“

“Are you okay? I know how important they are to you.“

“I’m fine, Nino, and o–who the hell are you?“ A man in an oddly formal suit was standing next to her, holding out a small red envelope.

Marinette plucked the envelope from his fingers, opened it, and read the contents. She looked up and nodded at the suit-wearing guy.

“Good. In that case, Miss Dupain-Cheng, I’m going to need you to come with me.“ Alya and Nino immediately stepped in front of her in a protective shield.

“She’s not in trouble, is she?“

The strange man looked surprisingly amused. “Not at all–but you might want to come with us, too. You as well, headphone-boy.”

Nino put a hand on his chest and gasped in offense.

“Nino. He’s going to drive us to the palace. You’re coming, too, ya doof!“ Nino made a noise of realization and followed them out to where a black limousine was waiting.

They climbed in and drove off.

About five minutes into the drive, he moved his foot to the side, accidentally kicking a black box.

Just as he was preparing his final goodbyes, it sprung open, and inside was a junk food lover’s heaven.

“Dude.“

[giftedsupport]

Telling good friends from bad

HERE ARE 7 THINGS A GOOD FRIEND DOES DIFFERENTLY

1. THEY ACCEPT YOU – FLAWS AND ALL

A good friend is going to accept you for who you are, no matter what, even if you’re really bad at showing up on time, or if you tend to accidentally say the wrong things. “Trying to change a person never works. People know when they are not accepted in their entirety, and it hurts.  A real friend is someone who truly knows you, and loves you just the same,” says coach and author Marc Chernoff.

A good friend is going to adore you even if you have a couple of flaws that need to be worked on. They won’t ever make you feel bad for being human, and they’ll even help you work on your flaws by being so kind and compassionate to you in the first place.

2. THEY HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD

A good friend is always going to be there to support you in all of your endeavors. They’re going to push you forward toward your goals no matter what. Even when things seem tough, you never have to worry about a good friend leaving you behind. They’re always going to be your number one cheerleader and they’re always going to help you move forward.

3. THEY NEVER JUDGE YOU

Good friends may try to give you advice and guide you, but they’re never going to judge the choices that you ultimately decide to make. You’ll know a good friend from anyone else because you will always feel safe telling your good friend the things going on in your life.

You won’t ever have to worry about being judged secretly, because a good friend cares about you enough not to judge you for what you do. Good friends know that “they are not in your shoes and may have no idea what you are experiencing,” adds life coach Sharon L. Mikrut.

4. THEY’RE THERE THROUGH THE HARD TIMES

When things get tough and life stresses you out, you can always count on a good friend to be there for you when you need it.

Pastor Justin Jahanshir says, “… a good friend aligns their schedule with the priority of friendship. Developing meaningful, lasting friendships is not a by-product, but is built through intentional, purposed time and energy. Thus, the starting point for any ongoing friendship will simply be time invested into the relationship.”

Even if you end up getting into a disagreement, you’ll know that a good friend is going to be there for you after it’s all over. You don’t have to be afraid of arguments ruining your friendship. They’ll stick it out through the good times and the bad times.

5. THEY’RE HONEST

Little white lies don’t exist between good friends.  “… a true friend doesn’t simply support our every action, but will challenge us to greater ways of thinking and action. This means there will be times for tough conversations,” adds Pastor Jahanshir.

A good friend is going to always be honest with you, even when it’s not something that you want to hear. However, they’re always going to be kind and compassionate with their honesty. You won’t feel bad after having a real talk with a good friend. Their honesty is going to be something that you always value from them.

“If it’s a superficial friend or a new friend, they’re not going to say anything that may be off-putting. But if it’s a real friend — someone you truly trust — they know they can tell you exactly what’s on their mind. People who are open and straightforward are some of the most important types of friends to have,” says psychiatrist Robert Rowney, D.O.

6. THEY’RE A GOOD LISTENER

We all know those friends who seem to be listening with one ear while ignoring you with the other. A good friend is going to listen to you and really, really hear what you’re saying.

“Whether you are relating a good or bad experience, friends listen. They don’t interrupt or try to make suggestions or recommendations. They simply listen, letting you get everything off your chest,” says Mikrut.

You won’t ever have to repeat yourself or feel like you’re just being humored when you talk about your feelings or the things going on in your life. A good friend will listen to you and you will feel listened to.

7. THEY ALWAYS MAKE YOU SMILE

When life gets you down, you know exactly who to go to when you’re looking to get a pick me up. Your good friend is always going to be the person that you’re not afraid to talk to when things are getting tough. They will know just how to make you smile when it feels impossible.

(source)

Are they really your friend? 15 signs that suggest otherwise

1. They only call when they want something

All friendships should be equal – which means that you should receive as much as you put in, it’s all based on reciprocation and mutuality. If you’re putting in more than you’re getting out, you should think twice about what they are asking from you.

2. The conversation is never equal

Do you find that you just spend your whole time focused on them when you’re hanging out? Yeah, that’s not cool – we all have problems and things we’d like to talk to somebody about.

3. They put you down or make fun of you in front of others

A definite no-no. Usually, people do this because they feel bad about themselves and want to use somebody else as a distraction. Draw a line over any friendships like this immediately.

4. You feel bad about yourself when you’ve spent time with them

Sometimes it’s difficult to analyse behaviour, but your emotions never lie. Friends should make you feel good, empowered and uplifted. If you leave them feeling like crap then you should probably re-evaluate the benefit you’re getting from the friendship. Some people, unfortunately, just like to bring others down.

5. They are aggressively competitive

It’s good to be a little competitive now and again, but like most things – you can have too much of a good thing. A friendship based on competitive behaviour is NEVER healthy or a true friendship.

6. They aren’t happy for you when good things happen

This is one of the most common tell-tale signs and it’s also based on competitive behaviour. A true friend will want to see you succeed and be happy.

7. They bring drama into your life

It’s usually the people who spend their time moaning about drama who are the ones causing it. You don’t need that negativity around you.

8. They bitch about you behind your back

An absolute no-no. Friendships need to be based on mutual respect and trust. Don’t put up with that crap.

9. Your relationship feels like it’s built on conditionality

This is likewise for all relationships in your life. You should feel like they are unconditional and not based on you being or acting in a certain way.

10. They bail on you

Sometimes it happens and that’s fine, but if it’s consistent then it obviously shows that your friend is unreliable and much less invested in the friendship than you are. Maybe it’s your turn to bail on them, permanently.

11. They use your secrets against you and share them

This is malicious and absolutely nothing a true friend would ever do.

12. They are a bad influence and make you do things that get you into trouble

Nip this in the bud before you end up getting yourself into trouble. Friends don’t make friends do bad things… or text when drunk, but we’ll turn a blind eye to that one… for now.

13. They talk about their other friends behind their back

If they do this, the chances are, they do it to you too. It’s fine to have a moan occasionally, but anything malicious would probably indicate that they aren’t as genuine as they’d like you to believe.

14. They bail when you need them the most

So there are friends, who are, well… friends and there are friends who are still your friends at 3am on a Wednesday morning in the midst of your breakdown. The latter are your friends for life and it’s important to know that you can rely on a few select individuals to be by your side through thick and thin.

15. They exclude you from things with mutual friends

If it’s on purpose and happening often, despite you bringing it up then we’d suggest you created some distance. It is important to remember that sometimes it can happen accidentally so try and talk to them about it before jumping to conclusions.

It’s not me, it’s you: breaking up

Firstly speak to somebody about it, make sure your response is rational. If it is, then deal with it, accept that it isn’t your fault and mentally move on. Once you’ve done this, you have 1 of 2 options:

Let the friendship naturally fade out

Stop making arrangements, stop replying and distance yourself from them. Eventually, you’ll become increasingly distant until you’re officially no longer friends on Facebook.

Or…

Confront them

There are 2 schools of thought surrounding this: confrontation can be good if you’d like to hopefully try to resolve things, but on the opposite end, confrontation can be incredibly empowering if you’ve felt particularly suppressed or upset by somebody. Arguments can be healthy, provided that they don’t put anybody at risk and won’t make situations worse. We’d recommend a mediator to help keep an argument balanced. [I would personally add that some people are so toxic that they’ll never accept their own bad behavior: in which case, confronting them might end up making you feel WORSE instead of better. Only you can decide what is the right approach for you!]

Afterthought

People come and go and it is rare that a friend will be by your side for life. It’s hard to go through but it’s just part of growing up. It can be scary confronting or walking away from somebody who you once considered a friend but your esteem and integrity are much more important than trying to keep somebody happy who doesn’t give a damn about you.

[douchebagbrainwaves]

YOU CAN EITHER DIG A HOLE THAT'S BROAD BUT SHALLOW, OR ONE THAT'S NARROW AND DEEP, LIKE A WELL

Investors are pinched between two kinds of fear: fear of investing in startups that fizzle, and fear of missing out on startups that take off. And the answer is, surprisingly far. Two of our three original hackers were in grad school, a lot of startups—probaby most startups funded by Y Combinator—the biggest expense is simply the founders' living expenses. You can assume the cook isn't going to try something weird and artistic. We had office chairs so cheap that the arms all fell off. Isn't it wiser, sometimes, not to maximize the company's chances of succeeding, not to destroy the IPO market was practically dead when it passed, few saw what bad effects it would have meant taking on a newscaster—someone who, as they say, can talk Wall Street's language when they did their IPO, and Wall Street didn't buy. Google, but I'm thinking this is going to end badly. Just as trying to think of startup ideas. She writes: Hilbert had no patience with mathematical lectures which filled the students with facts but did not teach them how to frame a problem and solve it. In fact, the way things work in most companies, acquisitions still carry some stigma of inadequacy. If you build the simple, inexpensive option, you'll not only get market price, but it fits this situation well.

They are doubly hosed: the general partners themselves are less able, and yet they have harder problems to solve, and the fear of jumping onto a turd that results? And the use of these special, reserved field names, especially __call__, seems a bit of a hack. Not spend it, that's what. It's so common for both a and b to be true of a successful startup is going to beat them. As Marc Andreessen put it, software is eating the world, and this trend has decades left to run. A crowded market is actually a good sign, because it wasn't going to be possible to invest it all. The most obvious is valuation: they'll take less of your company.

Usually it prevents people from starting startups is currently like the plumbing in an old house. Thanks to Sam Altman, Trevor Blackwell, David Hornik, Jessica Livingston, Robert Morris, who is one of the top 20 YC companies by valuation have the. Why? Last year one founder spent the whole first half of his talk on a fascinating analysis of the limits of the conventional desktop metaphor. It had been an apartment until about the 1970s, and there are leaks in every joint. They raise their first round fairly easily because the founders were terribly overworked. To them the company didn't exist before they invested in it. It works, but you feel like you're lying when you call it one.

A round, because VCs worry there will not be enough stock left to keep the founders motivated. A Plan for Spam, and what progress you've made so far. But when you make a conscious effort to insulate the other founder s from the details of the process. When the company goes public, the SEC will carefully study all prior issuances of stock by the company and demand that it take immediate action to cure any past violations of securities laws. 88, just under the threshold of. Well, founders aren't much better. The danger of behaving arrogantly is greatest when you're doing well. 7% more data about their trajectory.

The Aeron came out during the Bubble, that drastically increases the regulatory burden on public companies. So some or all of the friends quit their jobs or leave school. Wall Street is collectively kicking itself. Experienced investors know that, so ignore it. In a typical VC funding deal, the capitalization table looks like this: shareholder shares percent—VCs 650 33. What do I mean by good people? They had to want it! You can just abandon that one and skip to the next. 9999 free! Prices are so much higher now that if you build a facebook that works at Harvard, it will sound plausible to a lot of money. You usually shouldn't go out and hire 8 people as soon as you raise money from VCs, and Sequoia specifically.

[sassyduckqueen]

30 Days of Lukanette- Protection

My take on Oni-chan. Hope you guys like it

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Marinette smiled as Luka strummed the guitar. He looked up and smiled back at her as she worked on the last details of her outfit. She had found so much inspiration since he started coming to their art class. She just felt so more at ease. Luka stopped playing for a second and wrote something down before trying out the new notes. She looked back at him and smiled softly as he stuck his tongue, concentrating on the new song. She noticed she wasn't the only one, watching him as Marc and Nathaniel were both watching him dreamily. She giggled to herself as he failed to notice anyone watching but then everyone's phones went off. Marinette picked up hers and gasped as she saw a picture of her and Lila.

 "I'm glad Lila is making friends but isn't Adrien with Kagami?" Marc asked as he looked at the picture. Marinette frowned deeply as she looked at the picture. It looked like Lila had taken a selfie with Adrien and posted it on her Insta, her Facebook and had even sent it as a message to everyone and anyone she could. Luka walked over and showed her the picture that he even he had received.

 "I'm not impressed that she has my phone number," He muttered, clearly annoyed. 

 "How did she even get it?" She asked, knowing full well Luka did not like Lila and therefore would not give her his number.

 "I think I might have to have words with Rose and Juleka," He muttered, looking in their direction. Juleka gulped a little before Marinette took his hand.

 "I think we should check on Kagami first," She stated, causing him to nod before the two of them grabbed their stuff and left the art studio. They ran as fast as they could to where Kagami practiced her fencing but found no wonder there. Luka frowned to himself as he noticed a tree sliced in half. He knew down and picked up the broken training sword. Marientte frowned as she noticed the scrapebook on the floor. She picked it up and saw an impression of a rose on it's pages but the rose itself was missing.

 "We need to find her," She gasped before the two of them ran as fast as they could to the most obvious place she would be. Adrien's home. Once they arrived there, it looked nothing was too out of place but Luka suddenly pushed her against the wall, shielding her as a horned girl jumped over the wall and ran off down the street. A few seconds later, Cat Noir followed. "Oh no. Don't tell me that's Kagami,"

 "At least, her miraculous didn't get infected," Luka muttered. "An akumatized Kagami is easier to deal with then an akumatized Ryuko,"

 "But it does mean we're down on team member," Marinette pointed out before grabbing Luka's hand and hiding behind the pillars, out of sight. "Tikki! Spots on!"

 "Sass! Scales Slither!" The two turned into their superhero counterparts and jumped into the sky before heading to where the villainess had gone. They looked around and saw her fighting Cat Noir as Lila Rossi stared in shock and fear. Ladybug jumped down and grabbed Lila as Viperion joined Cat in fighting her.

 "I didn't need your- aah!! Are you insane?!" Lila gasped as Viperion almost landed on her. Cat Noir followed shortly. Viperion got up and dusted himself down.

 "What is this even about?"

 "That ugly horned girl is just jealous that I got to hang out with Adrien Agreste," Lila swooned. "And can't accept that she doesn't stand a chance with him and that we're perfect for each other,"

 "You are aware that Adrien Agreste is dating someone?" Cat Noir asked, raising an eyebrow.

 "W-what? I had no idea," Lila gasped. "He told me he was single!"

 "How dare you try to make Adrien the villain here!?" The girl growled, pointing her sword at her. Lila gulped. "You will give him up! He is mine!"

 "I swear I'm telling the truth," Lila gasped. 

 "Adrien is perfection! He would never lie and I will destroy anyone who tries to sully his name! For I am his guardian, Oni-Chan!" She screamed before charging at Lila. Viperion and Cat jump in front of her but are easily knocked down before she fought against Ladybug. She kicked her out of the way and swiped at Lila, placing her thorned sword on her forehead before Ladybug threw her yoyo at her, wrapping it around the sword, pulling it away. Lila took the chance to run off but Oni-chan didn't seem too bothered, merely smirking. "It's no use running. Wherever you go, I'll find you,"

 "Not before we've captured your akuma," Cat smiled as Viperion flipped his bracelet before charging at her. He ducked and blocked her sword but she got the upperhand as Ladybug swung at her.

 "Kagami, please stop!" She tried to reason with her. "This is what Lila wants to happen. You can't give in!"

 "I am trying to protect Adrien from that wretched girl!" She screamed as the three of them jumped towards her but her horn glowed and suddenly, she disappeared in a red light before been replaced with Officer Roger. The three of them couldn't stop knocking him into the wall but Viperion flicked his head back, going back to moments before. 

 "Not before we've captured your akuma," Cat Noir stated but Viperion stopped him.

 "Wait, her horn is going to glow and-" Before he could finish, her horn glowed and Officer Roger appeared in her place. Ladybug looked confused. "She can teleport,"

 "Oh that is so not cool!" Cat Noir sighed as Officer Roger looked around, confused.

 "Where's the horned teenager?"

 "Lila?" Ladybug asked.

 "But she doesn't have a horn!" Cat Noir declared but Viperion shrugged. 

 "She must do now! Come on!" He replied, running and jumping across the buildings. Ladybug and Cat Noir followed before coming across the police car. Oni-chan was sat in it, calm and collected. Viperion frowned. 

 "Kagami, I know you want-"

 "That is not my name anymore, Snake!" She declared as Ladybug and Cat joined him. Ladybug sealed her into the cat but to their surprise, the red light appeared and replaced her with Sabine, who gasped in surprise as Ladybug stared.

 "Ma-"

 "Ms Dupan-Cheng?" Viperion gasped as Ladybug unwrapped the car, rushing over.

 "I was in the bakery when this teenager with horn came in, saying a supervillain was after her,"

 "Lila?" Cat questioned.

 "Oni-chan must be there already,"

 "Stay here!" Ladybug ordered before the three of them rushed over to the bakery. They jumped down in front of Lila as she rushed to leave. 

 "Lila, are you ok?" Cat asked.

 "You're rushing to my rescue after all those mean things I said?!" Lila gushed before hugging Ladybug. "I really misjudged you, Ladybug! You're the only one who can help me!"

 Viperion rose an eyebrow as he saw her horn grow before Ladybug gently pushed her away. Cat, however, didn't notice it. 

 "I knew she would wind up liking you in the end,"

 "Her horn grew," Viperion pointed out as Ladybug's phone vibrated and the horn glowed. She flipped it open and frowned.

 "What kind of message is that?!" She asked before suddenly disappearing and been replaced by Oni-chan.

 "Hey, not cool! The girls were just starting to get along!" Cat replied, charging at her as Viperion clicked.

 "That's it!" He gasped before rushing into the bakery. Ladybug was stood there, dusting herself down. "Ladybug! She's using the horn as a becon,"

 "Like a cell phone tower. I know," She smiled. "Mr Dupan-chang helped me work it out. Come on. I have a plan,"

 "After you, bug," He grinned before the two of them joined Cat, just as he went flying into a bill board. Viperion rushed over and  helped him up before the three of them looked around. They jumped down on the ground and continued to look around before noticing Lila with Oni-Chan. Viperion rose an eyebrow as it looked Lila had said something to her before Oni-chan grinned and suddenly charged at Ladybug, causing her to jump back. However, she was relentless as she continuously tried to attack Ladybug. Cat blocked her sword and knocked her out of the way as he stood with her while Viperion landed on her left side, ready to fight. 

 "If anyone recieves a text message, don't let them open," Ladybug informed, making the two of them nod. "That's how Oni-chan teleports herself!"

 As if on cue, Oni-chan jumped at them slamming her sword into the ground when they jumped away. She swung it, causing Viperion and Cat Noir to jump out the way before Viperion landed a kick, knocking her back. She stabbed at him but he jumped over her as Cat charged at her, dogding her swipes before back flipping and land on his feet. 

 "Oh, Cat Noir! It hurts so much!" Lila gasped suddenly, stealing Cat's attention. "I think I might have broken something,"

 "Mi'lady, I got an emerency. I won't be long," Cat Noir gasped, buying her tale.

 "Seems like she's pulling your tail, Kitty," Viperion gasped, backflipping away from Oni-chan as Ladybug did the same. 

 "She wouldn't do that now. She really looks like she's in pain," He gasped, rushing over to her before he carried her away. Viperion rolled his eyes before looking at Ladybug as she dodged Oni-chan.

 "Summon your lucky charm while I keep her busy!" He stated, charging at her. "You know all you girls are fighting over this Adrien Agreste but no one's fighting over me. I'm just as charming as him and better taste in fashion!"

 "How dare you compare yourself to Adrien, you sly snake! He's perfection personified" She screamed as Viperion dodged her. 

 "And I'm not hm? Well, I prefer it that way! Perfection is overrated! I prefer the rough but ready to fun type of charm!"

 "I'll say!" Ladybug grinned. "Lucky charm!"

 A hose pipe appeared out of thin air but before she could catch it, Oni-chan grabbed them and wrapped them around both her and Viperion, tying them both to a lamp pole.

 "Looks like I caught myself a snake and a bug," She smirked before reaching out for Ladybug's earrings. Ladybug kicked her back.

 "Kagami, listen to me. Lila is man-" Ladybug flinched as she placed her hand on her shoulder before a fireman suddenly appeared in front of her.

 "Ladybug? Viperion?" He questioned, confused before he started to untie both of them. "You two should be really careful. These things are extremely hard to untie. It once took us two hours to free a kid who had gotten himself tangled in these,"

 "Great," Viperion sighed but rose an eyebrow as Ladybug took out her yoyo. "Bug?"

 "I got a plan," She grinned, phoning Cat Noir. "Hey, bring Lila to us,"

 "Sure thing, mi'lady," Cat replied before hanging up. A few minutes later, he arrived followed by Oni-chan. Lila's horn glowed and suddenly, Ladybug and Oni-chan switched places. Ladybug grabbed her sword and threw it up in the air. 

 "Catacylm!" Cat shouted as he caught it, destroying it and freeing the akuma. She purified it before walking over to Viperion and Oni-chan. Ladybug smirked at Viperion playfully, freeing the two of them before she threw the tubes up in the air.

 "Miraculous ladybug!" She shouted, restoring everything to normal. Oni-chan turned back into Kagami as Cat Noir gave her the rose. 

 "Kagami," He muttered, picking her up as Ladybug rushed over. "Keep an eye on Lila. She's as sly as a fox,"

 "Oh my gosh. You guys are the greatest right? You saved me and had this wicked plan-"

 "Your leg looks better," Ladybug smirked, knowingly as Viperion crossed his arms with a disapproving look. 

 "Oh, been around you heroes is paying off,"

 "Well, you won't need us then," Ladybug smirked before her and Viperion jumped on the roofs and ran off. "I knew she hadn't let her lesson,"

 "Of course not but I think it may be worst then we realized,"

 "What do you mean?"

 "First, Marc now Kagami. Both akumas were caused by her so I'm wondering who's next?"

 "You think she's doing it on purpose?" Ladybug asked, frowning. 

 "I think so," Viperion replied, frowning. "It makes sense to me. Hawkmoth has lost his queen so he's gonna look for a new one,"

 "Lila would be a good choice," Ladybug mumbled, nodding in agreement as they landed on a roof top. 

 "Should we tell the others?"

 "I think we should tell Cat and Ryuko but just those two for now,"

 "Alright," He nodded before gently kissing her cheek. "Good night, Bug,"

 "Night, Viper..." She mumbled softly, touching her cheek where he kissed as he jumped off the building and headed back home. She turned on her heel and jumped across the buildings before jumping through her skylight. "Spots off!"

 She landed on the floor and caught Tikki before walking over to her dressing table and taking out a macaroon for Tikki, who happily took it and started to eat

 "I think Luka is on to something, Marinette," She mumbled after swallowing a mouthful. "Lila would be a powerful tool for Hawkmoth to use and it can't be chance that she caused both Marc's and Kagami's akumas,"

 "I think he's right too," She replied, getting changed into her PJs before she climbed up to her bed and flopped down as she sighed dreamily. Tikki floated up to her and curled up in the bed. Her phone vibrated and she checked it, smiling softly when she saw it was Luka wishing her sweet dreams. She texted back, wishing him the same before she curled up and closed her eyes, allowing sleep to claim her. 

[this-lioness]

Another bullshit update on life in general

Work has kept me busy, and I’ve been trying to get more done creatively and around the house, as well.

This was the first weekend in awhile I didn’t do any (or much) meal prep, since we had enough in the freezer to last us for all the dinners this week, and even a few lunches for Marc.  I made a dozen eggs, cut up and roasted almost 5 lbs of potatoes, and called it a day.

I cancelled the physical therapist, because between work, gym, housekeeping and trying to do something other than being a machine I did not have time for an additional two rounds of exercises every single day.  We were getting up at 5 AM, leaving for work at 6:30 AM, leaving work for home at 5 PM, getting home from the gym around 7, then eating for a half hour.  It was not going to happen.

We ended up cancelling the gym membership, because -- as much as we want to go -- we are just too tired and hungry after an hour-long commute to be like, “Yay, let’s do something tedious and exhausting for a half hour!”

The long term goal was to cancel the membership anyway, however.  I told Marc I want us to concentrate on finishing the sheetrock in the former “cat room” this coming weekend so that we actually use it for its intended purpose, which was exercise.  I have that barre I bought last year that I haven’t had time or room to use even once, and the treadmill and hand weights is just sitting and collecting dust.  So anyway, that’s the plan for next weekend.

We will also be fostering two cats in the next couple weeks, and trying to find them a home.  Long story short we met an artist at one of the galleries downtown, very nice guy, and his friend or nephew or I forget has recently knocked up his girlfriend and decided, “Well, we need to move and get rid of the cats I guess!”

So they’re two year-old sisters, and he wants them to stay together, which is fine.  Like Rosie, they actually look very young, like maybe only 5 months old.  They have never been to the vet in their life, so no shots, and neither of them are fixed, which means it will be on us to take care of all that before they get adopted out.  I’m sure he’s going to be a great Dad [/sarcasm].

When Marc found out that the cats needed a full vet workup, including spay, he was initially resistant due to the cost.  I said okay, if you’re not comfortable with it you’re not comfortable with it, and went upstairs to investigate our options.  The Walmart just opened up a “Vet IQ” clinic that does basic veterinary care, and we can utilize a local spay clinic for about $50 per cat, so on that end alone we’d be shelling out less than $300 (there’s always food and litter, of course).

After awhile Marc came up and was like, “I think I was a little hasty, I’m sure we can make it work.” After I told him the anticipated costs he was much more into it, so that’s good.  Hopefully we won’t have any trouble finding a home for them.

Rosie is doing well at feeding time in her crate!  It has not stopped her from being an absolute maniac spaz about food, but there is almost no growling at all while she eats now.  She goes in her crate, Marc covers it up with a towel, and she eats with seemingly less hysterical anxiety.  I’ll call it a tentative win.

Rosie, by the way, loves Bones. Bones can usually take her or leave her, although his tolerance level is much higher when she’s not acting the spaz, although you see moments of affection for her as well.  She greets him with a nice long body rub when they cross paths, and yesterday Marc caught him grooming her head.  It does my heart good.

At the risk of jinxing myself, I’ve been doing much better at bowling for the past few weeks!  I did decently at league on Friday, and when we went for our Sunday practice I had a series of something like 145, 106 and 140.  Considering I was lucky to break 100 a couple months ago I’m feeling very encouraged.

What has worked for me, honestly, is throwing out a lot of convention wisdom.  Marc has always been very patient with me, explaining game theory and approach and all that, but no matter how much I tried to put it all together it just wasn’t working.  And I was really, really trying.

Then, a few weeks ago, I was chatting with someone about Dyscalculia, and did a bit more casual reading about it.  I was reminded that it often causes issues with spatial awareness, something I can absolutely vouch for (I actually suspect it’s part of what’s caused me to have such persistent problems with perspective and anatomy over the years, although that’s a discussion for another time.)

So I started keeping that in mind when we play: I used the techniques that I knew were helpful, but in any aspect where I was supposed to do one thing, but consistently got unexpected and problematic results, I tried to go more by “feel”.

It’s hard to explain why this works, but it has so far.  Basically, I had to throw out the notion of bowling at “angles”, and became more of a straight-shooter, keeping in mind that my ball does have a tendency to hook left.  I got something like 3 or 4 strikes in one game on Friday!

Which is not to say that I’m suddenly a good bowler, because I’m not, but I’m better, which is what I wanted.  What’s annoying is when (admittedly well-meaning) people are like, “Here’s what you’re doing wrong!” and try to teach me about techniques which I already know, but which just don’t work for me.

This happened two weeks ago I think, and I’m sure the lady meant well, but she also was ignoring me when I said multiple fucking times, “I understand, but I have spatial awareness problems, that doesn’t work for me.”

Like, repeating something at me over and over is not going to make it any more true.  I hear what you’re saying, you’re just wrong.

So in other news I finished two more of the Mori Girl Cats, and that dumb little werewolf thing that was strictly for my own amusement.  (Someone was like, “That would make a great t-shirt,” and haha, I’m not fucking falling for that one again.)  I also organized the office / computer area of the Geek Room, we stashed away the last of the convention stuff, and it feels much more clean and open and neat.  A place I actually want to hang out, and not anxiously work while avoiding the pile of shit sitting behind me!

Last night I also installed Sims 3 and treated myself to a handful of expansion and “stuff” packs.  I only had enough time to create one Sim last night, but I already look forward to giving him a cold.

…*cough*...

Unrelated, but I meant to talk about something that happened last Wednesday, when I was out running my Mom around to her appointments and whatnot.

So… for anyone who didn’t follow me on Facebook or my old Tumblr, the short version is that my Mom and I have a very long and complicated history. She was not a very good mother, she is a textbook covert narcissist.  She was an alcoholic for many, many years which caused serious and life-altering problems for me as a teenager and young adult, and after she got sober she transitioned to a prescription drug addiction which further deteriorated our already tenuous and fraught relationship, and landed both her and my stepfather in financial ruin.

About a year and a half ago, to help save them from the road to homelessness, we helped them sell their old house and moved them to Bucks County to live about 10 minutes from us, in a mobile home park.  We helped them get it fixed up, we help with maintenance, running errands, etc.  It’s a very cute little house, and although it took some time I think they see that now, and that their lives are better off.

When they first moved up here my mother was still on prescription drugs, but she very quickly found that it was impossible to find a new doctor to continue prescribing her the same pharmaceutical cocktails she wanted.  And boy did she fucking try. She’s already changed doctors at least three or four times since moving here, whipping out her favorite refrain of “I don’t think this doctor knows what they’re talking about!” every time they’re like, “Yeah, you don’t need to be on a steady stream of opiates.”

Eventually the lack of drugs caught up with her, the withdrawal passed, and for the past year or so she and I have actually gotten along okay.  She is still, and always will be, a difficult person, and I worry about whether or not she’ll find a doctor to start filling prescriptions again, but until then things are… okayish.

Anyway, that’s the long back story.

Back when they were still living at their old house, Marc and I would periodically go to visit them.  My Mom was always drugged out of her gourd, so I fucking hated going, but I had to do my duty, and she made every excuse imagineable for why she couldn’t come visit us.  So once a month we’d pack up, trek over to her house, order take-out, hang out for a while, then go back home again.

Except my Mother would do this thing where, after the food arrived, she would put the plates out, and then she would continue to gather plates and reorganize the kitchen while everyone was sitting down, serving themselves and eating.  

Like, the food would be on the table, we’d all be halfway through our meals and well on our way to being done, and my Mom would still be in the kitchen sorting around in the drawers for a mystery spoon or bowl that she needed, then finding it, washing it out, drying it, realizing it was the wrong one, putting it away, etc.

Eventually she would come out while everyone else was finishing up, serve herself a tablespoon of food, eat half, and then talk about how full she was.

For a while we would be like, “Mom… everyone is eating. We have everything we need. We literally don’t need anything else. Just come in and eat,” and she would ignore us.  Eventually I just stopped caring, and let her do her thing while the rest of us ate.  The sooner we finished the sooner we could leave.

I don’t know how else to describe her behavior apart from manic.  Like, when it was time to order, if I asked her for a menu, she would bring me the menu, and for fifteen minutes after I had called to place the order she would still be rooting through the drawers looking for more / other menus.  She would get herself so worked up that sometimes while we were sitting downstairs hanging out she’d have to go up and be sick.

All this just to give you a sense of what she used to be like.

Anyway.  I’m driving her home from an appointment on Wednesday, and she’s commenting how all of us just naturally turn into their mothers as we get older, even though we don’t want to.  In that I stayed dead silent through this observation I think she recognized that I disagreed.  So then she moved on to how different some daughters are from their mothers, especially in the kitchen.

And she said to me, “Like when I cook, I have to clean as I go along, I can’t just put everything in the sink until later.  Remember when you used to come over to eat, and you’d say to me, ‘Mom, come and eat, the food is ready!’ and I’d be so busy cleaning up that I wouldn’t even realize!”

And I’m like, “....”

Because that’s not what happened.  That’s not even fucking remotely what happened.  So she has spun the reality where she is an out-of-control manic drug addict and spun it into a funny story about how she’s such a neat freak that she doesn’t realize it’s time to eat.

I was sorely tempted to correct her, but at the last second realized it wouldn’t make a difference either way.  She is never going to look back on her behavior with any kind of clarity, and trying to force her to do so would just make the day end on a sour note.  If she wants to live in delusion, that’s on her.  I can tolerate it, but I’m certainly not going to feed into it by saying something like, “Yes, that’s precisely how it happened.”

She’ll have to learn to interpret the silence on her own.

Anyway, I guess that’s it.  Greatly looking forward to getting home and having a nice night on the couch, or maybe playing Sims some more.  I may even make some tea.

I hope all of you are doing well <3

[lockdownuk]

Lockdown Diary Part 1

A personal account during the lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

23/03/2020 8:30pm Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, gives a live address to the nation to, effectively, put the country on lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain, Covid-19.

Many of us have been self-isolating for days but this latest development within the UK in reaction to the pandemic feels very serious and very scary. I decided to keep a simple diary and where better but online.

Day 1: Last night Boris called it, today we’re doing it. I had started working from home (wfh) yesterday as had most people at my work (RCI)..last week I had been preparing laptops as fast as poss for everyone. Even just today, the idea of going into work seems alien and dangerous. Now lockdown (ld) means that it would soon be illegal to do so unless utterly necessary.

Online, FaceBook (fb) especially, is awash with reaction…a lot of calling out people who are out and about in greater numbers than 2, which is against ld rules.

Day 2: Just trying to let work occupy my thoughts and time which is easy enough ‘cos everyone I support (IT engineer) is new to wfh and is having teething problems with all the new laptops. Meanwhile, I keep abreast of comings and goings online…actually socially interacting more than I might otherwise, weirdly

Day 3: Highlight of the day is an online quiz organised by a chap called Jay Flynn on fb…a bunch of us took it as individuals while chatting on Messenger while Jay streamed quiz over fb live and YouTube. It was a good crack and I had two cans of Coors Light which got me pissed!

Day 4: Work is still mad - so many people with IT issues wfh…it’s challenging trying resolve all these probelms remotely but I am rising to it. I actually enjoy it. It satisfies my want for problem-solving.

The ld is in full swing but it’s very early days. The news is dominated, obviously, by Covid-19 and the ever changing stats of infections and deaths. Today, for example, the USA took over, from China, as the country with the most infections. I know there will be an end to all this and I am determined to be there, going out, getting pissed down the pub, gigging, shaking hands with my mates, hugging anyone and everyone who’ll let me - it’ll be a proper party. But I am filled with a dread that it’s going to be a fucking long time coming.

This evening was spent virtually with Foggy, Ham and Andy P…doing a quiz - a rehearsal for Foggy in the hope of doing one to a wider audience next week. It was good fun and great to have a few beers chatting with everyone, Later I video called Fog and we drank ‘til gone midnight, putting the world to rights. I was well pissed.

Day 5: First non-work day of the ld. Housework, daily walk, out for supplies (drop a script order off…queuing outside boots for 15 minues!, bread, baccy and booze). This evening, I’m listening to the next album in NME list of 1985 albums I’m working through - Grace Jones Slave to the Rhythm…fucking pain in the arse ‘cos it’s not on Spotify so I am searching for each song, in order, on YouTube. Plus eating and drinking, of course. Quick video chat with karen and Grace, Dan in the background. I wanted a tin of kidney beans for chilli but Karen hasn’t got one ffs. Burger it is. They are all playing scrabble - I’d love to join in…

Day 6: A quiet day…housework, cooking, daily walk. Highlight was a half hour chinwag with dad who, as I would expect, despite his 84 years, is coping and doing just fine. Most other people with a dad that age would have, on top of their own concerns, something more to worry about during this crisis….for me, it feels like I’ve got someone to turn to, should I need to.

Day 7: Work is starting to feel more routine but it’s a long way off being in the office, which is never routine anyway. That may seem surprising since I do IT support but it’s a varied role, especially at the modern dinosaur of an organisation that is RCI. I try to be as disciplined as possible but I miss not dressing for work, not driving to work, not needing to actually prepare lunch (until lunchtime). I don’t actually need to shower every morning. I don’t think I have to ordinarily but do because I’m mixing with others in the office. I certainly don;t need to now. I only mix with me, so showering becomes a chore but I’m doing it every other morning in the name of the aforementioned discipline. I am worried how long RCI can keep going before laying staff off. I dread being out of work full stop, let alone during this ld, or even thereafter. I think the economies of the world will need time to recover so finding work will be tough à la 2008. I think, if lay-offs were to occur, I’d be in real danger. Last in first out and all that. But, I’ll cross that bridge if and when I come to it.

Day 8: At work there was a large online meeting whereby the MD told us that RCI are going to furlough some staff. The UK, and Ireland staff will be consulted this coming Thursday and Friday (it’s Tuesday today). I shall be reading up on what the furlough arrangements are in the UK due to Covid-19. I know the government have set aside some money, I need to know what I might get paid and how to claim it. In the past, when I’ve been out of work, I’ve been entitled to jack shit other than JSA, This time around, should I be laid off as I expect, I might not have to eat into my savings, fingers crossed. Meanwhile, I have decided to knock up another blog with a photo of myself each day of the ld (from now on) - it’s a sister to this diary.

Day 9: Actually typing this on day 10. Yesterday was a strange day as I contemplate being furloughed (hope for the best, expect the worst)…I’d be paid 80% of my wage according to what the government have said to assist in the Covid-19 crisis…so, were that to be true, I’d be OK money-wise, although still earning way less than I want to prepared for retirement (I am currently still waiting for feedback on a pay increase request I put in at work last year!) I’m more worried about how I would fill my day if I wasn’t working. So, that being said, I flopped and moped about all yesterday evening after my daily walk and, without achieving much at all, didn’t find time to write this entry on the right day…so maybe I can fill my days without much effort!

Day 10: I was furloughed today, starting 5pm tomorrow (Friday 3rd April) and it’s fucked me off. I know it’s not personal but, actually, do I? They’re cutting back the Kettering Desktop team by one, redacted It seems obvious to do this by the ‘last in, first out’ maxim but what about money? others are on more than me (redacted). What about offering it voluntarily - others might go for 80% pay for fuck all - others have family at home to occupy the day  (redacted) . A little bit of me thinks it might be preferable furlough me  (redacted) …others seems to be a favourite and that annoys me. It annoys me because I think I shoot myself in the foot too often. I’m too vocal about some of the (redacted) decisions and practices at work, plus other reasons that I know but can’t be bothered to type. But, my point, is I don’t play the politically correct, corporate game and therefore forget to look out for my own best interests. FUCK.

So, as of tomorrrow evening, I’ve no work to do. The challenge will be to find a way to occupy my day. I’ve already registered to volunteer for the NHS during the ld…let’s see what becomes of that. And I’ve signed up for web development course. I’m going to get fucking pissed this w/e, starting early tomorrow evening.

Day 11: It’s day 12 as I am writing this entry…that might tell any reader, and remind me, that I did as I promised and got pretty drunk. I spent the day geting my work affairs in order i.e. clearing down support tickets assigned to me. I did a good job, nothing left to handover to the remaining team (Jim, Cristina and Mark) and onky one ticket put into the assigned pool. Some nice converstaions were had with associates, many of whom are, too, being furloughed. Nice words were said and Jim and Mark both were supportive in conversations and messages - they both know I don’t wnat this and, I think, they are both relieved it’s not happening to them. 5 pm arrives and I shutdown my work laptop for the last time for at least 12 weeks. After my daily walk, I video chat with Karen, crack open a beer, make Chinese chicken curry (fucking loads, fucking tasty), finish watching The National Theatre stream of One Man, Two Guvnors (really good, see twoinchreview) and the caught up with, and talked bollocks with Andy, Marc and Ham - we tried getting Rog in on it, no dice. I then watched The Heat (I fucking love that film), ate some more, smoked several single-skinners, drank, in total, three cans, seven bottles. I went to bed shortly after 4am. I felt resigned to my furlough and pleasantly wasted.

Day 12: A subdued day…didn’t wake until gone 1:30pm. Jaded but not really suffering. Mooched about, social media, listening to music, watching telly, farting about on the iPad. My daily walk, over the last fews days, has taken a twist…I am trying to run parts of it. Mainly short distances, 80-100m (I estimate) three, maybe four times. It’s fucking knackering me out. I used to run everywhere when I was a teen. Attempting to run now just makes me feel fucking old. Well, I am, so that’s about right.

Day 13: Another day like yesterday except I got up at 10:30 and didn’t feel jaded. The subdued feeling comes from the realsiation that the ld isn’t being treated as seriously as it should be across the board. The news and even posts by locals on FB (Oundle chatter group) suggest groups still meeting up. The weather this w/e has been a factor - 17°c today. I think a total ld will be enforced soon and that would fuck me off. My daily walk is pretty essential for me nowadays not least for the ‘good for your soul’ benefits that dad has always mentioned. Even today’s walk saw a car parked at the gates to the field on the way to Ashton and people on a blanket soaking up the sun, dogs off their leads and people (looked like a family) playing footy on South Road field. Individually they are not presenting any danger, what with the fact they are either living together or far away from others. But they are flaunting the rules and the more that happens the less likely they’ll carry on getting away with it, which will mean total ld for all! I finished the 50 1985 albums today. It mostly confirms to me that I only listened to two albums released that year (Kate Bush, The Waterboys) any other vinyl I spun would have already been in my collection pre-85.

The sausage casserole I made for tea was fucking lush - 4 birdeye chillies. I saw and spoke with Dan and Grace this morning, they were just coming back from a walk. I am pleased to fuck they are together and sorted out the issues they had earlier this year.

Day 14: My first day proper of furlough. Finished my two inch review of the NME 50 albums. Long chat with Rita, quick one with dad. Messaged Sam about Romiley’s present - she’s 10 on the 9th April (Thursday) - ordered some Lego thing from Amazon. Turned the car engine over (reminded myself the driver-side wing mirror is fucked) and moved it to another spot in the Co-op car park - bumped into Matt T. He’s struggling - no work coming in and he can’t claim any of the money on offer ‘cos he’s not being totally honest about his circumstances - made me realise I’m not that bad off…..but I feel depressed about it all, especially with the news that Boris has gone into intensive care.

Day 15: I began a diploma (?) course on web design with Shaw Academy (it was free). They have actual classes (which are recorded) which you schedule yourself. The first one was, I have to say, really interesting - I look forward to continuing. On my walk today, I saw a car parked at the gate to the field at the bottom of Riverside Close; it was branded with Cunninghams Estate Agent with a 01536 number. I am pretty sure I saw the driver walking her dog (unleashed) on the field. I took a photo and rang the number. Yes, I ratted the culprit out…fucking annoys me that I had to. Better than reporting to the police, all round. Hopefully her work will put a stop to her doing it and, the more people that adhere to the rules without the police getting wind of infractions, the more likely we’ll be able to continue to exercise away from home.

Day16: More online learning including checking out other sites (pluralsight) for more learning opportunities. Coded my first web page, basic but mine, in HTML and CSS. A few beers & smokes and watching White Boy Rick in the evening, interspersed with the usual social media / messaging shit, incuding this entry, of course!

Day 17: Typing this on Day 18. After a few beers last night while chatting with Fog (twice - the first chat ended with him ‘having’ to go to bed. Later, I noticed he was commenting on FB, so I video called him…round two of chatting!). I got quite fucking pissed. Bed around 4am.

Day18: Up at 1pm. Long walk today, 7 km. Anything over 40 minutes, I’ve realised, results in a hypo.

Day19: Well, having gone to bed at gone 5am I got up at nearly 1pm feeling far better than I should have. Breakfast followed by a walk, spoke with Karen (mowing her front lawn) and Dan. He and Grace have split up which is sad news but he seems OK. Went shopping (milk and sweets) and ended up with a shit load of booze, the post of which on FB was quite amusing. Homemade burgers for tea (they’re in the fridge as I type) - gonna try and make Five Guys…

Day20: The Five Guys burger attempt didn’t go as well as I wanted. I think less than 5% fat mince just doesn’t bind that well. However, I managed to get something resembling a burger into the bun and, with cheese, hot sauce and jalapeños, it was tasty enough. More of the same when I finish typing this entry. Strange Easter Day today, as I knew it would be. The best thing I saw today was a video Tom posted on FB of him and Molly doing a mashup of Starsailor and George Michael - Tom on guitar singing the former, Molly singing the latter. It was fucking fantatstic.

Day 21: Easter Monday. Surreal…it’s feeling very surreal now, this lockdown.

Two things that bother me right now:

i) The political point scoring on FB. I get it, I really do…people like to bring up ‘obvious’ failings in the party’s mistakes. For example, Marc posting comparisons between UK and Germany’s figures of cases and deaths due to Covid-19. I doesn’t make impressive reading for the government and it should be held accountable. But not fucking now!

ii) Will they introduce rotational furloughing at RCI? It’s only been a week, 11 to go. And, it bothers me that I was furloughed rather than Mark. Pathetic of me, I know! But, should it last the 12 week stretch, I want to go back to work and let someone else have the chance to have fuck all to do all day! That being said, I’m still learning web design through Shaw Academy. Even today, bank holiday, I revised Lesson 2.

Day22: Nice catchup with Dad today - he and Rita seem to be more than OK with lockdown. I actually cannot wait until we can meet up at The Farmers again!

Day 23: While I had a Corvee engineer come to the house today to do a gas safety check (I waited upstairs while he was here, self-isolation and all that), and had the fourth online web design lesson, had a trip to Boots to pick up insulin, got milk from Tesco’s, saw American Rachel and had a chat (while we both queued to get into Tesco’s) and had a very nice walk along a different route from the norm, in the pleasant sunshine and watched Contagion on Netflix - all today - I AM STILL BORED AS FUCK!

Day 24: I had plans for today - revise the last two lessons of Shaw Academy’s web design course, investigate a ethical hacking course, do some washing, clean upstairs (or at least the bathroom) plus all the usual stuff. Then, as a reward, have some beers. Well, guess what. I am not having beers this evening. I managed the laundry. Plus I manged to subtitle my YouTube perfect snabby video (something I have been meaning to do for a while, but, come on!) It took me fucking ages. But it is funny! So, a fucking far from fruitful day. Plus the government announced at least 3 more weeks of lockdown. There’ll be loads more, I reckon. Tomorrow…I promise I’ll be better tomorrow…

Day 25: I did do better! Firstly the Corveee man fucked the boiler which I only noticed late yesterday but still managed to get sorted today. I did some excellent revision and learning of HTML (tags) and CSS. I cleaned the bathroom and hall. And I discovered TikTok (fucking excellent dancing and funny vids) plus discovered a new FaceBook word game (Sam sent me an invite) called WordBlitz and I am pretty good. Having beers now (nearly 11pm).

Day 26: Today I found myself calling 111. I had a pain in my side last night, I thought it might be constipation! That not being the case (!), today I went to 111.nhs.uk and, following their questions, it recommended I seek out a GP straightaway. Once I let the website know that is not possible, it directed me to visit walk in centres. I spoke with Karen thereafter - for advice about whether it’s a good idea to enter such an establishment - I really don’t want to increase me chances of catching the Covid-19 virus. Karen recommended ringing 111 since the website does not take into account my diabetes (so bloody sensible a suggestion!)

After ringing and answering many questions, the lady said she’d get an OOHS GP to call. The doctor called soon after and it seems most likely I have a grumbling appendix (chronic appendicitis) and to ring again (well, 999) if the pain becomes unbearable.

I now have a bag at the ready for hospital which I really hope I don’t have to use. Today, I  have, therefore, done fuck all - not even a walk - but I am having a beer now (midnight) and shall attempt to sleep as well as possible and hope this pain subsides naturally…

It occurs to me that I turn to Karen when things become flumoxing - my excuse, this time, is she works at the surgery but that was mere convenience.

Day 27: My ‘appendicitis pain was the same when I woke up (10:20) but no worse. I managed to change bed clothes and clean my bedroom but didn’t risk a walk (in case something drastic happens when I’m in a fucking field).

People’s responses and questions online have been heartening (Rachel Harris, Susie Grange, Bethan, Jo, Tracey Weber, Debbie De Prisco and, not least Dan). As the day progresses, I feel better but not right. I spoke with Dad about it and, as I told him, I shall ring Oundle GP tomorrow. Meanwhile, I did Sam Clew’s FB Live quiz, which was good, and am now having a beer or two.

Day 28: The pain in my side has definitley diminished. I called the Oundle surgery today to talk about what treatment I should have for ‘grumbling appendicitis’. The reseptionist organised a call back from a GP - Dr. Cash. Basically, he said he didn’t believe the condition existed, that acute appendicitis doesn’t happen after the age of 35, and ‘his gut felling’ is it will all just clear up.

I shall seek a more sensible diagnosis after lockdown and hope it doesn’t flare up again before then.

Day 29: I sent an email to the team at work today (Jim, Mark, Cristina and Sueanne). I hadn’t heard from them and I wanted to check in and, also, make a point that I will be posing the ‘rotational furlough’ question to HR at some point. It was as I wrote the email that I realised it’s only been two weeks and two days of furlough, and that includes Easter! Seems so much fucking longer. Anyway, everyone replied and it was good to hear from them….Mark came off his bike and broke ribs and collarbone! Lesson 5 of the Web Design course with Shaw Academy. It’s becoming apparent that, if you don’t pay for the course ‘toolkit’ it’s all rather patchy! The instructor dives into lines of code (HTML, CSS and Java) with no explanation….I feel like I did on the ifrst lesson of further maths ate Stamford School! I shall soldier on and beef up the missing parts with W3Schools (a great website and learning aid for coding). Two quick points. I am no longer running any part of my daily walk; hurts too much. I am addicted to Wordblitz and TikTok. Day30: I am writing this on day 31, I just forgot yesterday! It was a non eventful day. I did watch Midnight Run (again!) and had a couple of midweek beers though.

[weekendwarriorblog]

RIP Lynn Shelton --  A True, True Tragedy

When is this going to end? I certainly didn’t think I’d be spending any of my time today writing about one of my favorite directors and the fact that she died suddenly at the age of 54. I mean, I just saw her last week on an IG Live with Indiewire with current boyfriend, Marc Maron. They were an absolutely adorable couple who we got to see work together on Netflix’s GLOW and in what will now be Shelton’s final film, Sword of Trust.

Lynn and I go way back, and she’s one of the few filmmakers who I had no problem reaching out to friend on Facebook since I first met her way back on Humpday, when I had a fun interview with her, her regular collaborator Mark Duplass, Josh Leonard and Alycia Delmore, the third part of the odd love triangle in that comedy. I remember we did the interview at the Magnolia offices, where I’ve done many interviews, and it was a fun interview where I took a picture of the four of them before I left.  That year, Humpday was all anyone was talking about at Sundance, and I did finally get to see it there but my real journey learning about Lynn came with her next film, Your Sister’s Sister, once again with Mark, but this time joined by Emily Blunt and Rosemarie Dewitt. I interviewed Lynn and the two actresses, possibly at the Park Regency, but that was after going to not one, not two, but THREE premieres for the movie. The first was at TIFF, the second was at Sundance and the third was at Tribeca. 

I spoke to Lynn a third time for her movie Laggies, paired with Keira Knightley, and then again, over the phone, when I was fighting cancer in Ohio in 2013 when she had Touchy Feely, one of her rare scripted dramas, and honestly, not my favorite film. But I did get to see her next movie, Outside In, at TIFF and got to talk to her again at the Orchard offices when that was finally released. By last year, I didn’t have a regular gig to interview her for Sword of Trust, but thankfully, Matt Neglia at Next Best Picture let me run it there.

In between all those movies, Lynn started having quite a bit of success on television with shows like Fresh Off the Boat, and then Netflix’s GLOW (where she first started working with Maron) and her Hulu mini-series, Little Fires Everywhere, something she was very excited about when we spoke last year -- it was the first thing for television she exec. produced and directed about half the episodes. Little Fires Everywhere just aired so it was still very fresh in everyone’s mind, but honestly, I have seen almost all her movies, other than maybe Touchy Feely more than once

I probably owe a lot to Adam Kersh for all the times I got to speak with Lynn over the past ten plus years, as he was publicist on both those movies and then continued to work with her as he went into personal publicity. He knew that I have been a fan of Lynn both as a filmmaker and director and as a person from all the times i’ve talked with her. It definitely had been enough times that by Laggies, she knew me by name, and we actually spoke quite a bit over social media in between official interviews. 

I would say the same thing if she was still alive right now, but she had such a wonderful personality that made you feel special that you were allowed to spend time with her, and maybe that came from her time in Seattle, creating her own film scene. Kersh used to have a joke about it when I mentioned how much I love talking to her... he called it “Meltin’ for Shelton” and I could totally see how anyone who met her must have had at least a little bit of a crush on her. 

I’ll even go so far as to say that I had been working on a script about my brother coming to get me in Vegas when I got stranded there in 2013 after being diagnosed, and she was the only director on my list to direct it. I had told her about it, and I kept pushing myself to get something finished that she could read because I really wanted her to be involved, whether it be as director or even executive producer. I knew that what she could bring to the table as a filmmaker and storyteller could help make up for my shortcomings and inexperience in writing a narrative feature. 

I’m still going to keep writing it, and I have a few ideas of others to direct, but I just don’t think it will be the same without having her thoughts on it... even if she ended up hating it.

I’m really just shocked by how fast her life was taken from us and for her family and loved ones, which honestly, has to be everyone she’s ever meet and worked with. I can’t imagine for a second there being a single person on the planet who had anything but love and respect for her. She was just that kind of person... and then super-talented on top of everything else! I can’t even imagine what Marc Maron is going through, and I hope he’s taking a break for a bit to deal with those feelings. (They spoke about a project they had been working on for many years on that Indiewire IG Live last week, which was something I refused to miss.)

Lynn Shelton was only 54, and she had so much more to offer the world, as a filmmaker, as a storyteller, as a director and as a human being. I know I probably didn’t know her as well as others but to hear that she was taken out so quickly by a “blood disorder”... it’s absolutely devastating. I’m going to try to get through the rest of my day, but this one is very, very tough. 

Rest in Peace, Lynn Shelton.. if there is an afterlife, I hope you’re making lots of new friends who will love you as much as your friends down here on earth.

[Note: In general, I hate to use someone’s death to promote my own writing, but I wanted to share some of my interviews, so hopefully you can understand how I feel right now while also learning more about what a fantastic filmmaker and person Lynn was.]

https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/56593-exclusive-lynn-shelton-the-cast-of-humpday

https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/91364-interview-the-ladies-of-your-sisters-sister

https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/108176-interview-lynn-shelton-gets-all-touchy-feely

https://www.tracking-board.com/outside-in-filmmaker-lynn-shelton-returns-to-the-movies-after-four-years-of-tv-directing-interview/

https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/interview-with-sword-of-trust-director-lynn-shelton

[thebandcampdiaries]

AP Project introducing brand new EP: "Out Of The Blue."

A kaleidoscopic collection of 8 tracks, each exploring different ideas and breaking the usual genre definitions.

One of the most amazing things about music as a form of expression is that it is more than the sum of its parts. Music is not notes, instruments, and people. Music is about elevation. It involves mastering a craft to tell a story, and share feelings with the world. AP Project's new release, "Out Of The Blue," is an exemplary personification of this remarkable attitude towards creativity and music. With their sound, the Italian combo set out to explore many different genres and ideas. The EP unfolds gently, but surely, from the sophistication of jazz to the warmth of R&B and the lush textures of ambient.

Neapolitan guitarist and composer Arcangelo Pezzella, the mastermind behind the project, had an ambitious vision. He wanted to push his limits as an artist, and he wanted to accomplish something special with his songwriting. The expression "Out Of The Blue" is a rather elegant name for an album with such a distinctive flair. On one hand, the title could be intended as something happening all of a sudden, perhaps something that you wouldn't expect. On the other, it could represent a passage from a state of mind to another. Much like clouds floating in the summer sky, these songs are malleable and extremely eclectic, each bringing something different to the album.

Arcangelo joined forces with Guido Foi (piano and keyboards), Alessandro Petricciuolo (bass), and Francesco Pellegrino (drums), as well as vocalist Angela Addezio. These musicians developed undeniable chemistry and the ability to seamlessly bounce off each other's different influences and musical upbringings. The opening number, "Hi. Ro. Mi." kicks off with a silky piano melody and an understated drum part. However, the song quickly morphs into a sophisticated modern jazz composition. It combines complex playing with minimalistic melodies and beautifully restrained lead guitar work. Arcangelo knows not to overplay, letting each note be more expressive and eloquent. "Brighter" has a one-of-a-kind flavor, which makes me think of artists as diverse as Marc Ribot and Julian Lage. This song tips the hat off to tango, while still retaining strong jazz foundations. "Dancing In The Dark" is the first song on the album to feature vocals. Angela Addezio has a deep and sultry tone, which matches the candle-lit atmosphere of this song.

Later, the title track brings a touch of rock to the EP. The swell sound at the beginning, as well as the epic progressive guitar parts, might remind you of iconic acts such as King Crimson. The challenging tempo, as well as the sustained guitar notes, showcase the band's edgier side, while still retaining its nuanced feel. "Memories" is perhaps one of the most introspective songs on the record, and it also features Angela on vocals. The drumbeat is the star here, incorporating influences as diverse as jazz, funk, and neo-soul. The track makes me think of what it might sound like if TOE, D'Angelo, and Sam Prekop had a massive jam session!

"Desperate Love" will take you back in time with its more traditional flavor. This is a stunningly romantic track, with an impeccable feel and a touching vocal performance from Angela.

"Miss Bibi" starts with a lonely, beautifully emotional guitar segment, combining lead phrasing with suspended chords and various effects to achieve an emotional sound. The rest of the band joins in seamlessly, with a very dreamy beat and one of the coolest bass lines on the EP.

Last, but not least, "Before You Leave" serves as a perfect curtain closer for this release. The song's introduction features some tasty overdriven electric guitar leads, and after a tense moment of silence, it delves into a bittersweet melody. Although you can hear the band's jazz influences, the sound of this release reminds me of seminal math rock groups such as American Football, as well as Owls and This Town Needs Guns, only to mention a few. I love the somber atmosphere of this song, as well as the progressive nature of its structure.

Ultimately, what I love about this EP is the fact that it's not trying to be anything specific. From the get-go, the band will tell you that this isn't an attempt to fit into any given genre, but rather the culmination of a desire to make music that matters, unrestrained by the usual constraints. Who says that you cannot have a rock guitar in a jazz album? Why can't you feature songs with vocals, as well as instrumentals? This EP pushes all the right buttons and it stands out as a big statement against musical stiffness. Somewhere between the avant-garde and the traditional, the songs on this EP have one thing in common: they feel like a spontaneous flow of music. From the moment you hit the play button, you can't help but notice the excellent care and attention to detail, which went into the making of this composition. Today, genre barriers don't mean much anymore, and this is a trend that is even affecting music on a mainstream level (just think of artists like Billie Eilish, who can't be thrown into an easy category). In Fact, it would not be a stretch to say that "diversity" is definitely a strong keyword when it comes to describing the sound of this release from Italy's AP Project.

This is a must-listen for any fan of spontaneous music that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The album's setlist is also well-arranged, with every song sitting exactly where it should be to transport the listener someplace else.

Find out more about AP Project, and listen to "Out Of The Blue," which is now available through the web's major streaming platforms:

https://open.spotify.com/album/7MoaTvTBfJdelCcoOlJ46p

https://music.apple.com/it/album/out-of-the-blue/1466879464?l=en

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/approject/out-of-the-blue

We also had the chance to catch up with AP Project for a few questions: keep reading to learn more.

I love how you manage to render your tracks so personal and organic. Does the melody come first, or do you focus on the beat the most?

Answer: There’s not really a difference when it comes to my personal way of composing. During the writing process of Out Of The Blue, it was sometimes a melody, sometimes a groove and other times a particular harmonic progression! It depends on how I feel the very moment of composing.

Do you perform live? If so, do you feel more comfortable on a stage or within the walls of the recording studio?

Answer: Yes, we have. I must say that the thrill of the stage makes everything more interesting, both for the audience and us musicians. On the other hand, being in the warmth of the studio has also its charms and benefits on the music we play.

If you could only pick one song to make a “first impression” on a new listener, which song would you pick and why?

Answer: I would definitively choose Hi. Ro. Mi., but Memories would be a good choice as well. As for the first one, I feel that it reflects the beginning of the journey the album/EP represents: having the listener accepted to embark in it, no part of it will have been spoiled and every track will feel like a new stop, an end, and a new beginning.

What does it take to be “innovative” in music?

Answer: I suppose that innovation is all about using already used materials and forging new music, delivering renewed emotions, as well as exploring new sonic territories, possibly by defying genre-related boundaries.

Any upcoming release or tour your way?

Answer: I’m currently working on finding someone to help us organize a series of concerts and possibly a tour. On the other hand, I’m already working on new music, trying to push myself even more into experimentation.

Anywhere online where curious fans can listen to your music and find out more about you?

Answer: You can find us on IG, Facebook, and Twitter, while our music is on every streaming platform!

https://www.instagram.com/_ap.project_/

https://twitter.com/arcangelo_ap

https://www.facebook.com/AP-Project-476824673056590/

Releases (choose your streaming platform through the link): https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/approject/out-of-the-blue