#the duffers made me proud today

[thisisvalid3]

My sweet little guy 🥰🥰🥰 happy day to my lovely son Will 💙 💛 and that HAIR 😳 Hes got the bowl cut² and I love it!

[mikesmelodrama]

this is the dumbest argument ever... shipping a lesbian with a man is obviously different than shipping a gay guy with his love interest 😭

[steddieas-shegoes]

I just had this idea and I had to share it with someone, okay?

Steve seeing himself in Mike and how much of an asshole the twerp is turning into. Sees him trying to be a good boyfriend to El before she dumps him, like going all in but to Steve it looks like he's overcompensating. Overcompensating playing straight boy doting boyfriend because his father has tore into him about the disgusting f-words and how they're going to hell. Steve knows because Steve's been there, part of the reason he was such a jerk was because he thought he was broken and damaged because he liked boys just as much (if not more) as he does girls. So he tried playing hyper macho jock boy but then...

Then Nancy and "bullshit", then meeting his gremlins, his kids. Then getting parents in Hopper and Claudia Henderson, then meeting Robin and finding that there's a word for him and that he isn't alone. Then...then meeting Eddie and actually letting him fall for a boy when before he stubbed it out.

For the first time Steve is surrounded by love and support for who he is (Claudia just held him close and told him he was perfect just the way he is, that his heart was made to love freely and she won't stop him being happy. Hop just gave him a squeeze and told him spots he could sneak around to if he wanted to take a boy for proper dates, because of course the former police chief know gay friendly businesses, his future step son is gay and his two other boys aren't all that straight either) so he feels the need to help a boy before he puts himself through what Steve did.

So Steve takes Mike aside and just talks to him, tells him that he isn't broken and it's okay to like both. Steve likes both and he's very happy with his boyfriend.

Just Steve being a bi mentor to Mike because he had to figure it out himself and he doesn't want that pain on anyone.

Eddie calls him a bleeding heart with the proudest and softest look in his eyes.

(It takes weeks but Steve sees Mike and Will with pinkies linked and lovesick smiles watching the other talk, Mike with a relaxation to his body of someone comfortable in their skin finally. Steve almost cries in happiness for his boys)

Okay you win you’ve made me cry more today than I’ve made me cry today and that is impressive

But seriously, this is beautiful and canon because I said so and I took over when the Duffers screwed up.

To add to this: I think Mike probably started realizing stuff when he met Eddie. Sure, he idolized him, but he reached a point where he did the classic “do I wanna be him or do I wanna be with him?” And that just caused him to be WORSE.

And naturally, Steve notices. But it takes him actually being comfortable with himself, with Eddie, with everyone knowing for him to be able to do anything.

It takes Will crying on his shoulder about how he can’t keep watching Mike and El and he loves them both but doesn’t know what to do to like being around them.

So Steve intervenes, talks to Mike, makes it sound like a casual talk about himself. Talks to him the way he wishes his own dad had.

When he finally sees Will and Mike together, he’s proud of Mike, but he’s also proud of himself.

He’s proud that he grew up enough to be himself. He’s even more proud that he grew up enough to help Mike grow up before he made the same mistakes he did.

Thank you so much for this please write this 🥹

[waterghoulcalamity]

when i first watched stranger things i was 15 or 16 and, being honest with you, i don't remember many things from those times and i certainly don't remember what if first thought of the things that were happening. in fact, watching vol1 made me realize that it had been so long since i first watched s1 that i barely remember a lot important parts of the plot so i decided to rewatch stranger things from season one.

this is something i like to do (going through media i've already consumed a long time ago, except i'm older and maybe a little wiser), it gives a new and different insight to situations i maybe didn't even bat an eye at before.

with this in mind, i was actually very surprised and a little sad about mike kissing eleven so soon, and i couldn't help but think he was being unfair to her.

let me explain, first off i want you to know that i am aware mike was just a kid like 11 or so and i am positive he couldn't have possibly be aware of the consequences of his actions, but i believe this was a conscious decision by the writters to develop the plot to where it is today though. eleven was i believe 12 when the show started, however she had lived in almost complete isolation from other kids and even adults, other than brenner, for 3 years after the 001 events, also none of those kids even before that were nice to her, let along have it in them to start little romances 🧐

now back to mike, he was the first kid her age that had been good to her, and then he kisses her like less than a week after they meet, again i don't blame mike, he was a literal child and innocent and probably thought it'd be cool to date a superhero (this, we know, hasn't changed much, sadly), but for el that was everything, and she didn't know better. and that precisely is what snowballed into her having a hard time having interests besides mike and her relationship with him.

don't want to make this longer so i'll come back to it if i feel like adding something more, but after all that what i meant to say is

i would love to see el break up with mike, i would love to see her in a journey of finding herself, just what max wanted, i want to see her be happy on her own, be proud of something she did herself, by herself. see her enjoy things, she deserves so much, so so much, and i know that in many shows, most shows, the main characters are supposed to end up with someone, but i don't think that will be the case here.

i believe that in season 5 she is to break up with mike, find herself, no boyfriend, just friends, love herself with powers or without, because as the duffers said, that's what'd feel right for her character and delivery a satisfactory ending.

[theangrypokemaniac]

There's a sneering attitude that the dub is inherently inferior solely for being a dub, and when I say 'dub' I mean the American one. No one attacks the South American interpretation, funnily enough, or the variety that exist globally.

Why not if foreign languages are so abhorrent?  Do you think it's kewl to hate America?

That's so original you know.

If the moan centres on the dub changing certain things, well that's a pointless stance, because it's impossible to do otherwise.

What's accepted in one country is not always permitted elsewhere, so either you make those alterations or it's never shown. I'd prefer seeing a slightly toned down version rather than have it never reach the West at all.

This is without considering the technical obstacles that a direct translation brings. The words do have to fit the mouth movements, and if they don't, truncation must follow.

America and Japan are different; the population of the former are not going to comprehend the references to the latter's history and culture, which necessitates some divergence from the original to give it mass appeal.

Anime is a branch of entertainment. It has to attract the public's good will to stay in business. If impenetrable, it'll fail, with all the resulting unemployment and finacial losses that brings.

Those in charge of dubbing understandably think they're on safer ground promoting familiarity rather than the strange, but that's not to say Pokémon was stripped of its identity. On the contrary, it was like nothing I'd ever encountered before.

I may have watched Western cartoons then, but the idea of doing so now is silly. I won't give time to any modern animation unless it's Japanese. Growing up on the dub has not produced an ephemeral fan less serious or 'true'.

The 4Kids dub had wit, humour, deep emotion, suggestive comments and flights of fancy. The voices fitted the characters well.

Unlike the current one, where everyone sounds on the verge of vomiting, but then they're clearly working with substandard material on a miserly budget. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear after all.

Dubs can be bad, but the very state of being a dub doesn't confer worthlessness automatically. Considering the work gone into them, attempting to gain your favour, it seems rude not to appreciate the time and energy spent in production.

Knowing a little about history, sub-only fanatics remind me of the kind of folk who opposed an English Bible, because it was too good for the oiks to read the word of God.

Of course it was alright for them, rich enough to be taught Latin, but not so much the ordinary man.

It amuses me how dozens dismiss the dub, but see no hypocrisy in using its evidence to further their ship or anti-ship arguments, so it can't be that revolting.

It's also bizarre that so many hold sacred the sub of a series currently in a frenzy to shed every aspect of its anime and Japanese origins, leaving a vague, rootless ghost, supposedly making it easier to slip down the gullet of the masses.

Pokémon I've seen referred to as a 'gateway drug', as in the anime that introduced a generation to the entire concept. This means the dub. You would not have got enough kids in the late Nineties to read a screen rather than watch it, and even today most would lose interest rapidly.

Where would you be without that dub? Unless you're Japanese, your first experience of Pokémon will have been a dub, and if not the American, the one where you live, which was only made because there was the funds available.

You may have then progressed to watching the sub, but only because that dub stirred love in your soul.

Where would the franchise be without that dub? You think Pokémon would've grown to be a world-wide obsession raking in billions by itself? No, it'd still be a solely Japanese phenomena, and most likely never lasted this long.

Its decades of supremacy rests on the quality of that dub. It sold games and merchandise to kids by the ton, giving an incentive to keep the series going. If you're not a fan from the first wave, then your favourite era would have never existed had it not been financially attractive carrying on.

The team who wrote the first film actually preferred the dub, moved to tears by its emotive use of music, therefore they aren't so precious as the fans.

Where would anime be without that dub? Pokémon brought it to the West. A handful slipped through previously, but made minor impression.

To those who would dismiss Pokémon entirely in favour of more 'worthy' output such as Studio Ghibli, I would say that Pokémon, first the games, then the programme they inspired, must have an integral quality to have caught on in Japan, which isn't exactly short on similar concepts.

To have gained popularity in a crowded market, and so fervently a dub became an option, can only have come about because it held a certain magic.

It was the dub that smashed a hole in the cultural barrier, setting free the tidal wave to engulf the world. In Pokémon's trail followed Digimon, Cardcaptors, Monster Rancher, Yu-Gi-Oh! et cetera.

Without Pokémon, I doubt they'd have been translated, and definitely never broadcast on mainstream television. That came about as channels desperately hunted down anything Japanese to serve as the next craze.

I really appreciated the effort made by 4Kids in converting every aspect of the series to suit American tastes, including changing text on signs, letters and books into English. I assumed this was standard practice until I watched others.

I could never be as involved in them as I was Pokémon because of that block. It was like being denied access to the deeper waters, fenced into the shallows, and implied a rushed dub, with little care shown but to chase the same crowd and money.

If personified, the dub 'n' sub wouldn't be one human being, but rather identical twins: the same to a casual observer, but easy to tell apart by the more attentive.

It's like the games: Red and Blue are versions of a single adventure, but not totally one. Take the dub and the sub the same way. They are parallel dimensions running on separate rails, and beyond reconciliation, and that's before we consider that, sub and dub alike, each generation has only a faint relation to its predecessor, working on its own whims.

Everyone has a favourite, or can like both, and there's nothing wrong in that, but so many are proud of the fact they hate the dub, as if it conveys a revered status of supremacy.

When Disney films are shown abroad, they too are translated, and I'm sure references and jokes are redesigned to make sense to the locals. It's no use selling yourself as a comedy then being surprised when the audience refuses to laugh, having no idea what you mean.

If people prefer that one, for being what introduced them to Disney as a whole, or as a fond memory of childhood, then so what?

I don't mind if their view of a character is minutely at odds with mine, having seen the original, because what they think is canon to their version, so can't be wrong.

I don't go round declaring every Disney dub to be pathetic by its nature, that viewers of them are of a lesser breed of fan for preferring their own tongue, even though more of the world's population understand English than they do Japanese.

If you enjoy one tailored to your country there's no crime in it, just as I like one at least comprehensible to mine. It's not even my culture, but I pick it up mostly.

The choice must be made on which to follow, and this blog runs on dub canon, as that has a claim on my heart. Just because I don't acknowledge what takes place in the sub doesn't mean I'm unaware of it, but it has no bearing on what I write.

The idea that the dub alters things willy-nilly without rhyme nor reason is also mistaken. Often it does it because the original does not make sense.

In the sub, I know Nanny and Pop-Pop are just a couple of old duffers taken at random and dropped in to a castle, supposedly as James's far away nannies.

Oh yeah, that's a cushy position. You doing a lot of child care from miles off?

Mind you, it used to describe 'em as 'caretakers' on Bulbapædia, as if Nan serves as housekeeper whilst Pop tends to the garden.

That's right. Ma and Pa finally got some work out of this pair of freeloaders.

They're not related, remember? No, no, absolutely not, no way. Of course their style reflects that. They just gave Pop a 'tache, thick eyebrows and a bigger nose, and Nan got a bun and lines in her hair, but there's certainly no connection. Oh no. Such a thing is ridiculous.

They're NOT family. No. Yet Hoenn James still panics they might learn he's joined Team Rocket, spending the whole episode trying to hide the truth.

Why? Who are servants to criticise the son of their employers? Why should their opinion be of any consequence to Hoenn James, especially when his parents, fiancée and butler are cognizant of reality?

Children of aristocrats are usually brought up by governesses, thus develop a stronger attachment to these figures rather than their parents, but that isn't the case here.

James lived with Ma and Pa, not the codgers minding the castle. He would have very little contact with distant employees compared to those who waited on him daily, so why seek out their approval?

Hoenn James apparently was permitted visits to Nan 'n' Pop, which is strange considering they're not relatives. Why them and not any other house-stters?

That's right, Ma and Pa sent their son to one of their properties without them, entrusting him to the care of two shrivelled pensioners of his size that he barely knew, and who could keel over at any minute. There are no other servants present. Apparently Nan and Pop clean an entire castle by themselves.

Oh, and they run a makeshift Pokémon sanctuary, but since it's not their home it has to be done with Ma and Pa's blessing, who also have to pay for it, but they're eevul aren't they?

The idea that somehow Nanny and Pop-Pop have not cottoned on to James's occupation by now is risible.

Servants gossip about their masters. I bet the entire household of his home know, and so in turn does the county. That Nan and Pop remain oblivious proves how isolated they are, for no one's thought to inform them.

When it came to dubbing it, they were made his grandparents, removing all the above nonsense. Of course he visits his nan and granddad, it's their gaff and their money funding the place, and it is likely his mother or father would keep James's job a secret, for fear the shock would finish 'em off.

It should do really. If they're not bothered by it that's a sign of where his rapscallion ways were inherited.

They aren't facially akin to Ma and Pa, but display the same additions, so if staff it's bloody lazy, as if nannies have to resemble your parents, but inventing a blood link excuses the slothful characterisation.

Every reference I've seen on Tumblr relating to the coffin-dodgers calls them Nanny and Pop-Pop. Apparently the dub decision is met with universal approval. It does have redeeming aspects then.

Now the sub writers, rather than ignore this development, took to it too. They aren't exactly bursting with ideas these days and are probably grateful for the lifelines offered.

Remembering James had parents, they forced a likeness between them and Nanny and Pop-Pop. How else do you explain the inexplicable ageing, even when Sinnoh Ma and Sinnoh Pa are younger than Ma and Pa?

I've also known for years that the sub has this woman as Jessie's foster mother, not Ma Jess, but that's stupid.

I can grasp the idea that Jessie and Ma might have endured extreme deprivation, considering that's what Team Rocket has brought to Jessie anyway, and that they may have lived at the bottom of Mew's mountain prior to Ma's death.

What I find difficult to take in is that social services (or as they're known where I live, the S.S.), however notoriously awful they are, would give a child to a mad bitch in a shack with no running water.

Come on, they have to at least pretend to be concerned for Jessie's welfare.

As Jessie is very young, bereavement can't have befallen her in the distant past, so how can she be happy this soon after becoming an orphan? How could the grieving period be a cherished memory?

If that woman's creaming off the money, why hasn't she fixed the place up by now? Where do the payments go, sniffing glue?

Then there's the depiction. If this is just some daft bint never to be mentioned again, why do they conceal her face? Who cares what she looks like when she's unimportant?

Here's another figure from Jessie's past. She isn't disguised, and why not when she too briefly appears and is then forgotten?

Who was she?

The only sort of characters they tended to hide were other members of Team Rocket:

During the early scenes featuring Giovanni, he was enveloped in shadow, adding both intrigue and a sense of menace.

Madame Boss also got this treatment, even though there was probably no intention to ever feature her in the anime. What's the use in keeping an appearance a mystery if it'll remain masked?

With that pattern, it implies this woman is in the same category, like Ma Jess.

When it came to animation, it definitely was intended to be a foster mother. Not her real one. No.

What did they do?

They gave her Jessie's skin tone and purple hair hanging down her back!

You know, like Ma Jess?

Any colour would've done. Any at all, and being anime I do mean any colour, but no. The choice was made to give her the looks of the exact person she's not meant to be!

Is it that surprising the dub simplified things?

I don't mind if you like the dub, sub, both, or any from around the world, but I'm tired of the smug condescension, as if we all agree the sub is the only one that counts, and that dub fans are grunting troglodytes, or not 'proper' aficionados.

None of us would be here were it not for the dub. Pokémon would not be here. I think it deserves some respect for how much of a difference it made, to my life and to yours.

[slut4supersoldiers]

Vegemite

Summary: Billy thinks you really like really love Vegemite but he wants to know if you really like really have a thing for him too. OR the one where some strange series of events push the reader to find a side of Billy Hargrove she didn't know existed.

Pairing:  Billy Hargrove  x Newby Fem reader

Words: 2k+

Warning: Brief mention of PTSD in the form of nightmares and SOFT!Billy.

A/n: I do not condone Billy Hargrove’s behaviour in Stranger Things. (That being said this is just how I imagine he would have been had the Duffers not done him dirty and shown him as a one dimensional douche bag). Sorry its long! I OWN NEITHER STRANGER THINGS NOR THE GIFS.

I woke up again drenched in sweat with my heart beating at an uneven pace. With shaky, clammy hands I pushed the blanket off of my body and looked over at the clock on the bedside table. 3:05. There was no point in tossing and turning as I knew that sleep would not take over me till the snippets of the nightmare completely disappeared. So as per usual I walked to the kitchen to get some cold water in hopes of calming my nerves.

After chugging down the third glass of water, I set the glassware down and rested my forehead against the wall. The moment of peace however was short-lived as somebody whispered my name making me spin in around in surprise.

Will was standing before me in his pajamas looking as a pale as a ghost. The bags under his eyes looked prominent.

“Will. Why are you up this late?” I asked as I walked towards him and smoothed out his hair.

“Couldn’t sleep.” He whispered in a frail voice, the trembling of his lower lip did not go unnoticed.

“Hey buddy, come on lets tuck you in bed, yeah?” I couldn’t think of any other logical solution.

When he nodded I led him to his bed. We passed Jonathan who had passed out on the couch in the hall. Will and Joyce still had their own rooms while Jonathan decided to give me his room when Joyce took me in their house. 

After tucking Will in I switched off the bedside lamp and decided to head to my room but I stopped when Will suddenly grabbed my hand.

“(Y/n) do you miss him? Your dad?” He asked me; softly and cautiously.

“Yes bud. I do.” I smiled at the boy and ran my hand over the drawing that Will had made. 

Sighing I bid Will goodnight and walked to my room. He already blamed himself for half the things that had gone down i didn't want to make him feel guiltier. Finally I shut my eyes hoping for sleep to takeover but all the while I lied awake thinking about how different life would have been if my dad would have been alive.

Like every morning the Byers and I got ready in a haste. Joyce came over to me like she did every day, kissed my forehead and said, “Bob is watching over us and he is proud of you. So am I.” She smiled through her tears muttered a sorry and ran towards her car. Jonathan had already left as he was busy with yearbook duties. That left Will and I. We finally made our way to school in what used to be my dad’s car.

My dad, Bob Newby’s death was hard on all of us especially Joyce and I. After his death I knew I couldn’t stay in my dad’s house. Staying in the old house only brought back memories that once I held close to my heart but now the same memories had began to prick at my heart. Joyce took me in and nobody objected. Since then I grew close to the Byers and everyone around them but especially to Will. So much so that I could instantly read him based on his behaviour. That’s how I figured out something was bothering him.

“Hey Will? You okay there?” I glanced at Will who sat on the passenger’s seat looking out of the window.

“Yeah.” He murmured half-heartedly.

“Is it the nightmares?” I asked cautiously.

“Yeah, no it’s just some school stuff.” He shook his head.

“Anybody giving you a hard time?” I briefly looked at him.

“No.” He replied quickly. That was a tell-tale sign that he was lying. But seeing as we had approached school I decided to let it slide.

I just gave him a smile and promised him that we would talk about it after A/V club when I’d pick him up. He nodded and ran towards the entrance of the school. As usual I waited till he entered the doors. However, instead of going to the door he walked to a car, a blue car. Wait, not just a blue car it was a blue Camaro with a California number plate. Had it not been the first ring going off drawing my attention, my eyes would have fallen out of the sockets after looking at Will interacting with none other than the notorious Billy Hargrove. I gripped the steering wheel tightly. Is this the “school stuff” that Will was referring to? I decided to confront Billy about this in school later. 

Unfortunately the later never came. Billy and I had no period in common save math but he mostly always skipped it and I was not surprised when I saw that his seat was empty today as well.

Billy was known for being a nuisance. But rumour had it that he had mellowed down a little. He would still come to school some days with bruises on his cheeks but surprisingly his knuckles were free of any wounds. Sometimes he would even nod at Steve in hallways like a civil person and had stopped bothering him completely. He had actually started to work hard and managed to get Bs in all of the subjects (even in maths he consistently scored B-) better than an F and D anyway. Much to everyone’s surprise he even stopped “chasing anything and everything that had boobs and legs.”(Nancy’s words). Instead of constant partying and hooking up Billy had started working at an auto-body shop in Hawkins. Everyone was shocked to see this side of Billy.

Did I find Billy attractive? Yes. Was the fact that he was probably turning into a better version of himself making him more attractive? Yes. But when it came to Will I was very protective and I eyed everyone with suspicion when it came to his safety maybe that’s why I still had my doubts about Billy. So I decided to finally confront him after the A/V club meeting where I was sure he’d come to pick up Max .

As the end of the day neared I grew restless. I was never good with confrontation let alone confront Billy Hargrove. But with my head held high and an unshaken resolve I walked to the middle school building as soon as the bell signalling the end of the last period went off. Skimming through the parking lot I realized there was no sign of Billy so I quickly marched to the A/V room. I thanked God silently when I saw him outside the A/V room but I suddenly halted around the corner when I saw what he was doing. He had cornered two boys against the locker and was pointing his finger threateningly at them. The two boys who looked younger- but were slightly taller and bigger for their age- looked down at their feet as if they were being scolded by their mother for stealing cookies out of the jar. I furrowed my eyebrows and tried to identify who the boys were but it never occurred to me. Instead of standing in the shadows, I walked to Billy and pulled at the collar of his jacket forcing him to turn around. As soon as Billy turned around the two boys scurried away.

Billy simply rolled his eyes and looked at me. The anger in his eyes and frown lines were suddenly replaced by an emotion very foreign for him. He almost looked sincere and alert.

“Hi (Y/n).” He smiled. It was really weird to see Billy Hargrove do anything other than smirk.

“Keep your ‘hi’ to yourself. What do you think you were doing threatening those boys like that?” I jabbed my finger in his exposed chest.

He only raised his hands and looked at me with an amused expression. “Look (Y/n) I-

“No I am not done yet. What were you doing with Will today? Threatening him too, huh? I swear to god if you so much as look at Will I will pu-

“(Y/n)” I suddenly stopped my verbal assault when Will came out of the A/V room followed by all the kids. “What are you doing?” He asked.

“Nothing. She is here to pick you up.” Billy interrupted. Looking at me one last he began walking out, Max followed shortly. As all the other kids began leaving the building I stood their dumbfounded till Will reminded me that we needed to get going.

When we reached home the house was empty. Instead of retreating to my room I decided to make sandwiches for Will and I. As the both of us settled before the tv and began eating when Will spoke up, “Why were you fighting with Billy? I overheard your conversation.”

I almost choked on my sandwich when I heard the question.

“I wasn’t fighting we were just talking.” I shrugged.

“(Y/n) if I tell you something will you promise you won’t freak out?” He asked putting his plate down. I nodded slowly mimicking his actions.

“When I went back to school after the incident, the teasing and bullying somehow got worse. People started bullying El and Max as well because they hung out with us. One day when Max was teaching me how to skate Troy and James came over and began teasing me and calling me names. Troy came over to me and pushed me to the ground. He raised his hand to punch me but the hit never came. When I opened my eyes Billy was standing behind him and was holding back Troy’s hand. After that day, after dropping Max off sometimes Billy would wait back and ask me if the boys were bothering me. I guess that’s who you saw him talking to today after school.” Suddenly it made sense. Joyce always complained about how much she hated the two menacing kids and wanted to give them hell for troubling Will.

Before I could recover from the previous shock Will decided to surprise me even further.

“Also Billy keeps asking about you. Things like what you like and if you’re dating. Max told me she told him you like intelligent guys who care about their future. She also told him you really like really love Vegemite.” Will muttered the last part while stifling in his laughter. Through the shock even I somehow managed to laugh. All the cleaning up his act and constantly talking about “how swell Vegemite is” while looking at me whenever Australia was mentioned during Geography suddenly made sense to me. And suddenly I could feel my heart swell with happiness. Was he really doing this for me?

That night while dropping Will off at the Wheeler’s I decided put in some extra effort. I wore my favourite red sweater and tucked it in my white skirt. I even borrowed Joyce’s lipstick and tied my hair in a ponytail. I knew Billy would come to drop off Max and I wanted to ask him about everything Will told me, might as well look a little presentable while doing it. 

Even Will noticed my excitement when I saw the blue Camaro right behind us as we pulled into the Wheeler’s driveway. Giving me a smile he ran inside followed by Max. As I saw the kids running in the nerves started to take over. What if this is a joke? Surely Will wouldn’t lie but what if Billy was fooling him? 

I had no time to think any further as I suddenly heard a knock on my window. Startled I looked out only to see Billy asking me to come out.

I got out and looked at Billy who was leaning against the hood of his car. I slowly trudged towards him and sat on the hood of his car next to him.

“I am sorry for today. Will told me everything.” I said trying to cut through the silence.

“Yeah, I was bullied a lot in school and as much of an asshole as I’ve been I realized that no kid should go through it. Especially Will.” His words warmed my heart. I admit I always had a tiny crush on Billy (in spite of all the things he has done) and the fact that he was actually being kind was making that crush grow a little bigger. 

After a long pause I heaved in a breath and said, “Billy he told me everything.” I repeated my words. Billy suddenly looked at me. The same sincerity as earlier present in his eyes only this time he looked a little nervous, almost vulnerable.

“Is it true?” I asked.

“Yes, (Y/n) Newby. I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time. But after what happened that night with Steve and Lucas I thought you wouldn’t want to go out with a fuck up like me. So I apologized to Steve and all the kids. It was a little hard but not as bad as studying. I even tried Vegemite. It was a little difficult to find it but I tried it anyway.” He rambled as he jumped off the hood.

“Billy I don’t like Vegemite.” I stifled my laughter at the confused boy.

“But Max said…wait… that little

“Hey. It’s okay.” I reached out to grab his hand. I ran my fingers over the multiple scars on his knuckles that had almost healed. He intertwined our fingers and walked closer to stand between my legs.

“But I like all that you’ve done. I am proud of you.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my hair and looked down. The adoration in Billy’s eyes suddenly made feel shy.

“Hey, hey look at me please. Is this okay?” He slowly placed two fingers under my chin. Billy was known to be rough and violent but who I saw before was completely opposite. I nodded.

“If this is okay then would you like to go out with me sometime? Its fine if you don’t wanna.” Billy asked softly.

At a loss of words due to the proximity between our bodies I only nodded. Billy grinned wide and took a hold of my hand.

“As long as we don’t have to eat Vegemite.” I laughed. Billy playfully glared at me before picking me up to embrace me. 

[paceypeternathanslawyer]

Tim Ives Interview With Collider

(Collider) You’ve been with Stranger Things from the beginning, having shot the first two episodes. I was curious how the show was first pitched to you, and what those initial conversations were like with the Duffer Brothers about what the show would look like.

TIM IVES: Well, so first I got the outline in this little packet that they sent out. It was beautifully made, a little booklet on the films that they loved, and a lot of those references. We looked at reference films like E.T., Stand By Me, Close Encounters, and when we got together, we talked about them some more and I talked about certain lighting styles that say Allen Daviau did in E.T. for Steven Spielberg, that really contributed to that movie’s feeling and ambience. And some of those techniques I think aren’t really—if I lit something like that today on a modern show, it wouldn’t really be appropriate, but we really wanted the show to feel like it was made back then. At least in the first season we really wanted that. So we looked at a bunch of references, and I did everything I could in my power to use the techniques and what was popular, in lighting, by some of my cinematic heroes back then.

(Collider) I’m sure that was a pretty fun challenge for you then, to emulate some of these classic films.

IVES: It was a gift. It’s a gift to be able to do that, especially from my early heroes. It was my first real movie-going decade, as well. I guess it’s mostly Spielberg, including Indiana Jones as well, Temple of Doom and the first one, especially.

(Collider) Season 2 feels a bit more colorful, a little more dynamic, and certainly darker. So what did you guys discuss in terms of making Stranger Things 2 visually distinct from the first season? Were there different films that you were looking at?

IVES: It did progress. We talked about filmmakers like James Cameron and John Carpenter and it was gonna be a pretty dark season for poor little Will. But we did want more color. The guys always said that they wanted the series to be fun. When I first read it I was like, “What’s fun about a kid being kidnapped?” But the reality is, there was a great story there, obviously, and there’s a little bit of safety in the way we did it, so that it’s more geared toward families than it is towards people who just want to get the bejeezus scared out of them.

(Collider) You shared DP duties with two other cinematographers this season. So I was curious, how does that collaboration process work in terms of ensuring that the aesthetic is consistent across the board?

IVES: So the first season, I was going to be shooting all of them, and the Duffers were gonna direct all of them as well. So when they got a little behind on writing, we had Shawn Levy come in and direct episodes three and four. And I needed to keep prepping for five and six, so I called Todd Campbell, who had just been doing the first season of Mr. Robot, which I did the pilot for. I met him in Austin at the premiere of Mr. Robot at South by Southwest, and I like Todd a lot. He was an up and coming, great cinematographer, and I felt like he did such a great job on Mr. Robot, taking what I did in the pilot and moving it forward, that it just seemed like it would be a good fit if he were available and he was, luckily for us. So he came in and filled in on Seasons 1 and 2, in that same slot, which opened up our ability for the Duffers and I to really prep and get some of the other episodes done. We also had David Franco in Season 2. He did episode seven, which was sort of a bottle episode with Eleven. He was hired by the Duffers, and that episode was meant to be, as far as I believe they were concerned, a bottle episode, one that didn’t really have to have the full aesthetic of Stranger Things. They were out of town in a different environment, and so there was that. But that’s where we were at, for the first two seasons.

(Collider) In Season 2, you got to shoot two episodes with Andrew Stanton, who I’m a big fan of. I was curious what it was like working with him as a director.

IVES: Andrew is the greatest guy in the world. He is also really devoted, selfless, and he was a pleasure to work with. I think for scheduling reasons it didn’t work out that he came back this year, but ever since we started with him, we’ve remained very friendly. We both love literally the same music from a bunch of different decades. It’s uncanny how similar our tastes are. I don’t feel there’s a week that’s gone by since I filmed a year ago with him that we haven’t texted some new song, or tried to get together for breakfast, or to do something. It was a great collaboration. The Duffers were super happy with what came for episodes five and six from last year, and just to work with somebody who has done such incredible work for Pixar was pretty mind-blowing for me.

(Collider) You also shot I think the best set piece that the show has ever done, which is the Snow Ball. That was just the cherry on top of a really great season. What was it like shooting that and how did you go about planning out that aesthetic?

IVES: Really good question. There were big decisions to be made, and there were some thoughts of going very slick with it, and doing something really cool. And even though I haven’t really embraced the Stand By Me aesthetic too much in the show, it felt like that was the one point where we needed to simplify it, and not hit it over the head with too slick a thing. So we designed it with Jess Royal and Chris Trujillo, to incorporate Christmas lights into the set. And really the idea was, in 1985, if you were in charge of throwing the Snow Ball, how would you decorate it? What would you do? What would you use? So, that was the mantra for it. We also looked at a bunch of John Hughes movies too, who continues to be an influence for us. But it was really fun, because I really wanted to simplify it. We actually rigged a huge disco ball in the ceiling, off camera, and had a bunch of lights built on a truss around it, that gave us the twinkly look all the way around it. And then I actually thought it would be fun, at one moment, to have snowflakes fall, as a magical moment, not thinking that maybe it might look a little bit like the flocking we use when we’re in the Upside Down.  So we did one take, and we were getting ready to do some snow. And the one take was so amazing, and the kids were so amazing, that I ran over to the Duffers and we both shook our heads and were like, “We don’t need any snow.” It was very funny, because we were just trying to add something to it, and then at the last second we were like, the performances are so good, so rock solid. Gaten Matarazzo, as Dustin, your heart just falls for the kid. So he killed it, and so did Natalia, and all the kids did. It was so fun to shoot. It was hard, because we were up against the clock with all these kids, as we usually are, and that last shot we got of that, the big crane shot coming out, we see the Snow Ball Dance banner, we thought we weren’t gonna make it. We had 45 seconds left and we moved that crane over to the back super fast, and we just said, “Go, go, go.” The ADs were freaking out, and we were like, “Just do it, we gotta get the shot! It doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.” And it wound up, that one take, working beautifully. It’s the last take inside the Snow Ball before it goes outside. But I’m proud that we got that one.

(Collider) It’s a great shot, and I just love that sequence so much. One of the things that you do so well with the show is playing with light sources, specifically the Christmas lights, and then you had the light above Will in the shed in Season 2. I was wondering if you could talk about integrating these actual light sources into the frame, in Stranger Things, and how big of a role they play into the visual aesthetic there.

IVES: Well I’m a big fan of lighting with practicals anyway. You walk into someone’s home, or any interior place, there’s always gonna be a light source, whether it’s artificial or whether it’s a big window light that comes in. You need to at least suggest that there is something lighting this house, that’s either natural or artificial. I not only like to see lights in the shot, but I like them to actually have some use, and work in the set. As far as the shed in Season 2 goes, it was an interrogation scene, and I also like pushing—when we used to shoot film, I liked pushing film to the extremes, and I don’t mind doing it on the digital cinema as well. So those lights that you see, in the interrogation of Will, those are the same lights we used on reverses. I cleaned them up a little bit so it looked a little bit nicer on their skin, with some diffusion. But there was just a little bounce in the ceiling and that. I wanted it to be super hot, because he’s supposed to be under the lights. And it actually served us very well, because what I did when we were looking back at Clay and Winona, and that light is hitting Will, and it’s pointed right at the camera, Will is there, Noah Schnapp is the actor, he’s actually got a little piece of white fabric on his shirt, off camera, that’s bouncing back into Winona’s face, to light her. So literally the light is bouncing off the actor, and I think he just kept his eyes closed or we may have given him sunglasses or something But I think a lot of the aesthetics that I tend to like tend to be simple. If I can do it with one light or so, I try to, or at least try to make it feel like it’s not a lot of too complicated sources

(Collider) I think you just wrapped the first block of Stranger Things 3, and I know you can’t say anything specific about it, but I was wondering if you could tease aesthetically what fans can expect, this season? I know the Duffers like to look at them as sequels, so I imagine things will change up a bit this year.

IVES: Yeah. They do change up, there’s some new cast members that have been published as well, and we just finished up the first two episodes. I think the show is more fun and more thrilling than it’s ever been, right off the bat. It’s super, super fun, and funny, and scary at the same time, which is probably my favorite combination of things. So, I know the Duffers want to surprise the fans, and give them things that they didn’t expect and such. But I can say the production design as well has been remarkable. So it’s super exciting. We’ve had more fun than we’ve ever had in the last two months making the first block. And everybody that’s been part of Stranger Things in the production process agree that it’s gonna translate well to the episodes. So, we couldn’t be having more fun, and working harder, and really having a blast with the season. It feels really fresh and fun.

(Collider) Were there any specific films you guys talked about influencing Season 3?

IVES: We’re not gonna change our look so drastically that the show looks like a different show. I think that it just is evolving. I’m as proud as I’ve ever been of the show as far as my contributions to it, but no, I think we’re still taking about that James Cameron thing, and that John Carpenter thing, and moving it forward. And really, we found our own thing now, and we always laughed at it when we reference ourselves, as just, “Oh, who do we think we are?” But we’re having fun, and if it feels right, we do it.

(Collider) Has filming during the spring and summer months changed the look and feel of it at all?

IVES: We have more green trees (laughs)

(Collider) That’s fair.

IVES: We have a lot more green trees, and the weather is less cooperative. But as far as the look of it goes, no. We’re uncompromising with that, so we’re not gonna be affected by anything, except what we want it to look like.

[calamity-bean]

Stranger Things 2.01 & 2.02

Do you know how much I've been looking forward to Stranger Things? I’ve been looking forward to Stranger Things so much that today, October 27, I got up at 4 a.m. so that I could watch as many episodes as possible before I had to go to work — and, more saliently, before y’all started flooding my dash with gifsets and untagged spoilers galore. Am I rather exhausted now? Yes. Was it worth it? Also yes. Will my sleep-deprived reaction ramblings even be comprehensible to better-rested minds? I’ll let you be the judge.

Not too much fancy meta or analysis here yet — mostly just my in-the-moment reactions to each ep. And uh, needless to say, spoilers below the cut!!! Like, do I even gotta say that? There are. Obviously. Spoilers below the cut.

Chapter 1: MADMAX

— Aaaaand we are right into the action with a cold open confirming — yepp! Eleven’s not the only experiment subject walking around. I suppose we’ll see whether this scene is just to communicate that little revelation, or whether these merry bandits will themselves tie into the main plot.

— And ah yes, the new kid! The eponymous Mad Max! I will admit that I’ve been a little bit uncertain about her. So far she seems cool in and of herself, but I guess I’ve just been wondering what her role is going to be, you know? New friend? New love interest? An attempt to balance out the boy–girl ratio? Maybe even connected to the bad guys?? From a writing perspective, I just feel like it’s always tricky to introduce a new character into an established group dynamic, so I’m curious to see how she’ll fit into the group and the plot.

— PS: I love how Dustin and Lucas are already getting heart eyes, Will has way too many other worries to be concerning himself with girls ... and then there’s Mike. Mike, just scowling there like he ain’t got time for any woman who can’t literally murder people with her mind.

— Speaking of Mike, he’s a wild child now! He’s neglecting his schoolwork! Stealing from Nancy’s piggybank! Cussing out teachers!!! Richie Tozier would be so proud. It’s like the Duffer brothers are trying to give us all even more reasons to crossover Stranger Things and It.

— But on a more serious note, poor Mike. I appreciate that they’re showing that El’s disappearance has really affected him. :(

— I do not trust Joyce’s new boyfriend. “BOB.” What kind of a name is BOB. A palindrome, that’s what kinda name it is. I don’t trust palindromes. And he works at RadioShack? HM. HMMMMM.

— Anyway, putting down a non-zero chance that Bob will turn out to be like ... a spy or something. Because maybe I’m just paranoid, but he seems far too mundane for Stranger Things / Hawkins right now.

— One thing I’m super appreciating even as it rips my heart out: ALL THE BARB.

— It would be so easy for Stranger Things to just forget about Barb. Lots of other shows would simply forget about Barb. Her disappearance hardly made a ripple in Hawkins to begin with, so why should anyone care a year after the fact, right? But no. No! Instead, we see Nancy still distraught, we see her parents grieving yet still tragically hopeful, we get Steve and Nancy visiting them as a regular thing ... Far from being ignored or tiptoed around, her absence — and the community’s apathy — is faced head-on. Barb will always have deserved better, but I’m glad that at least she’s not been forgotten.

— In conclusion, #JusticeForBarb, and ... ELEVEN!!! ❤

Chapter 2: Trick or Treat, Freak

— FIRST OF ALL, THIS. THIS RIGHT HERE WAS THE TRUE HORROR OF THIS EPISODE. The fucking impenetrable, inescapable, unutterable MORTIFICATION of being the only kids to show up in costume. This part honestly had me hiding behind my hands like no Demogorgon ever could. That said, their costumes are super well done. Color me impressed, boys.

— Hey yeah quick question though, why are bullies in 80s-based media always litERALLY FUCKING HOMICIDAL

— Eleven is so precious with her curls and her flannels ten sizes too big. I’m torn, though. On the one hand, Hopper raising Eleven as his own, feeding her Eggos and caring for her like the daughter he lost, is everything I have ever wanted. But on the other hand — so she’s been with Hopper all this time?? AND THE BOYS DON’T KNOW??? MIKE DOESN’T KNOW????? THIS IS UNBEARABLE, I NEED MIKE AND EL REUNITED AT ONCE

— In lieu of Mike and El, though: MIKE AND WILL BONDING!!! Oh my god let me collect myself, I gotta scream about Mike and Will bonding

— Okay, so: Earlier this week, I was talking to a friend about what we were excited about for this season, and she surprised me by admitting that she just doesn’t really care about Will nearly as much as she does Mike, Eleven, Dustin, and Lucas. And like, okay. Fair enough: Will didn’t have a ton of screentime in season 1. But the result of this conversation is that I’m going into this season paying extra attention to whether Will is given enough characterization to catch up to the characters we’re already more familiar with. So that he can be more than the damsel in distress / MacGuffin this time — a fully developed agent in his own right.

— So with that in mind: I am SO THRILLED to see this bonding between Mike and Will. As Dustin and Lucas are kind of going one way, focusing on Max and the present, Mike and Will are both stuck in the past, still deeply affected by s1 in different ways, and what a good way to connect them, honestly, I love it. And what a good way to make sure Will’s trauma gets adequately explored and that he’s got real, fully developed relationships within the group.

— I’m really liking Max in this episode, too. The cool skateboard gamer persona was a good start, but this episode is bringing out a lot more depth and revealing the loneliness under her stony facade.

— Oh and hey, here’s another thing to RIP MY HEART OUT—

— “You’re not in love with me?” “...BULLSHIT. ;_;”

— For the record: I don’t really take a side in Nancy/Jonathan vs. Nancy/Steve. I love all three of them. I like both relationships in different ways. But Steve’s obvious heartbreak here broke my heart. And I’m dreading what I’m absolutely certain is gonna be an influx of people screaming that Nancy is such a bitch in this scene, but like, chill, okay, things don’t always work out, and she’s still so distraught over Barb, and it’s all just ... bullshit. :(

— On a lighter note: So Mike’s cussing out teachers, and Joyce’s new Bobfriend wants to move to MAINE??? WILL THE CROSSOVER POTENTIAL NEVER CEASE.

{Calamity Watches Stranger Things}

[salfordelim]

Neil’s Reflections

One of the advantages of growing up as a member of the Salvation Army is that as soon as you have grown your front teeth, you are given a chance to join one of their brass bands. The instrument you learn largely depends on what spare instrument is kicking around in the storeroom. I got a cornet. I looked a bit like this:

Cute, eh?

When lockdown began I made a list of goals: I would brush up my French with the Duolingo app, I’d read some of the books that have sat on my shelves for 20 years unopened, and I would try and see if I could still play the cornet.

Coming out of lockdown, these are the results: I lasted 2 weeks, I read some, I can’t!

But I can remember what it was like being part of the band when I was learning at the age of 8. There is nothing like the feeling of being at the top of your musical game – playing solos, carrying the tune, reaching the high notes. But let me tell you, there is nothing worse than being on the bench with the other 3rd Cornets. For those that wonder – there are only 3 rows. And you sit with the other duffers.

And what makes it worse is that you only get to play the offbeats. For those who have never reached these heights it means you play the pahs of the ‘um pah, um pah’ for what seems like hours on end. No hint of a tune, and no one wants to hear a solo of the offbeats.

It’s good for the soul though.

You learn that if a band is going to play music that has depth and texture, someone needs to play the pahs.

When you read the book of Acts it’s not hard to notice who the heroes are – those that play the solos that get all the attention.

First place has to be Saul/Paul: so good they named him twice.

Then Peter: the spokesman on the day of Pentecost, involved in remarkable healings.

Maybe then Stephen: a martyr deserves a long chapter – and he gets one.

And then Philip: engaged in a pretty amazing cross-cultural mission.

But there are others who pop up for just a scene and then disappear again. People like Ananias and Barnabas in Acts 9 (we will meet Barnabas again – but nor for long!). It’s clear that Saul, soon to be Paul, has got a big part in God’s drama ahead of him, but it needs these two to play their parts for that drama to have the colour it deserves. Ananias and Barnabas have to be brave, risk takers, alert to God’s direction, attentive to what is happening, aware of the moment they are and ready to act. Whatever others might think.

Would Paul have stayed in the dark without Ananias? Would he have been left out of the church’s circle if Barnabas hadn’t paved the way for him? They played their part, but we don’t know that much about them.

They were playing the ‘pahs’. Living lives of quiet faithfulness, doing what they were asked and willing to take the backseat. But without them, where would we be today?

You might feel like that. It’s easy to think that no one would miss you if you didn’t turn up, if you didn’t play your part, if you stopped praying, if you stopped speaking.

But those ‘pahs’ are vital if the band is to play something that will move others. Play your pahs – loud, proud, with pizzazz. We are lost without you.

Interview

Frank has been keeping rhythm for us for decades. But he’s also made films for us, been part of the Governing Body, been through some of the best times and as well as the trickiest with us.

This is a chance to know little more about him.

And we don’t mention Manchester United once!

Connecting

1. Our Gatherings

Sunday gathering

The link to this Sunday’s Gathering is here:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/836810848

Meeting ID: 836 810 848

Midweek Gatherings

This week we have 2 prayer meetings during this week:

On Wednesday between 1-2pm we offer prayer ministry.

You may feel anxious and just need someone to pray for God’s peace over you. You may be ill or be concerned about someone who is sick; we can pray with you for God’s healing. You may feel low or confused; we can pray with you to know God’s joy and guidance in these strange days. Whatever your reason, we would love to pray with you and for you.

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/91853590251?pwd=ZnFPWkNWOTZoK3p4eTgxY0Zxc3ZwQT09

On Friday 10.30-12.00 there is a prayer meeting that doesn’t need Zoom! We use Whatsapp and it works great. If you want more information contact Corinne Baines or Gill Oldham or Neil and they’ll make sure you are able to connect.

Home groups meet on Thursday at 7.45pm.

The link for home groups is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/998857193

Meeting ID: 998 857 193

2. Stay Connected: ‘Virtual Vine Wednesdays’

‘Virtual Coffee Morning’ – Wednesday 10.30-11.30am

Since closing we’ve missed chatting to people and we know some of you have missed popping in for a brew and a catch up too. So, whilst it’s not as good as the real thing, we thought we would try meeting up online instead. So, grab yourself a brew and join us. There may even be games and live music!

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/94930624852?pwd=dlI0SnhwY3RaNnUrUGpSMTkrWm5hZz09

If in doubt

All the links to the meetings are in Church Suite and on the ‘Calendar’ section of our church website: http://www.salfordelimchurch.org/events/

3. You’re not alone

There is a group of people in the church who form the Pastoral Team. They are the ones who at the beginning of lockdown said they would contact you from time to time to make sure that you’re doing ok. Each of them have around 10 people to connect with from time to time and to pray for every week. It’s good to know that someone is coming to God for you – asking for his blessing for your life. This is the team:

Debbie King

Ian Peacock

Julian Gittings

Gill Oldham

Lorna Plura

Charlie Blundell

Paul King

Alex McGregor

Maggie Hudson

Janet Downs

Judith Thompson

Nev Plura

Just letting you know:

Neil and Maggie will be away on holiday from 18-26 July.

Links and Resources

1. Children’s Resources

Morag and Ian have put together a couple of films for children at different ages. Having said that, whatever your age you might want to take a look!

But if you have children that fall into these groups, I know that they will really value your feedback.

You can watch them here: http://www.salfordelimchurch.org/kids-resources-acts-920-31/

2. Activate Conference

Some of you may remember that Ian and Morag led worship at the Activate conference last year. You might also remember Ian raving about it. This year it’s online so you can be part of it from your front room. It’s on Saturday 25 July 9.30-12.00 or Wed 29 July 7-9.30pm. Tickets can be bought here.

3. Keswick Convention

Many of you might know about the Keswick Convention. It’s a Bible teaching conference that normally runs over a few weeks in the summer. This year, like everything else, it will be online from 27-31 July.

There’s more details on their website and you can watch a trailer here:

4. Just a thought

On Sunday we read from Acts 8:26-40 and how the treasurer of the Candace royal household came to faith in Jesus. The Candace queens were royal rulers of an ancient, very prosperous empire. If you want to read about them you can do so here. It’s a really good website if you want to get background information on things that happen in Biblical times.