#with the uncle who also stayed home from family thanksgiving this year. and it was fantastic and I wouldn't trade that for the world

[brown-little-robin]

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[complicatedchelsea]

Fallen Through Time For You Masterlist:

Synopsis: Eddie Munson had his life turned upside down, literally. While he and the gang are dealing with the aftermath of Vecna, a new problem literally falls into their laps. Sydney Thompson, a twenty-year old from the future. The only explanation? The soulmark on her wrist tying her to Eddie. The only problem? There are no soulmarks from she's from. How will Eddie and Sydney interact? Will she stay or will some other power ruin the only good thing to come into Eddie's life?

Prologue: She Fell From The Sky

(Our group of mismatched heroes meet Sydney Thompson. What happens now?)

Chapter One: A Phone Book From The 80's?

(Sydney wakes up and the party discovers why she might have fallen into their laps.)

Chapter Two: It’s Kind Of My Thing To Pick Up Strays

(Hopper and Joyce show up. Sydney learns more about the group and learns that maybe landing in the past wasn’t so bad.)

Chapter Three: I Hate Pickles

(Sydney spends more time with the party. How hard is it to let someone in when you've spent your whole life pushing them away?)

Chapter Four: Can I Hold Your Hand?

(Is it really a night with the party if crazy shit doesn’t happen?)

Chapter Five: Conspiracies for Breakfast

(Is Sydney who she thinks she is?)

Chapter Six: Cafeteria Confessions and Palace Punches

(Sydney meets a new face in Hawkins. Will this person be friend or foe?)

Chapter Seven: A Little Bit of Government Hush Money and a Lot of Self Doubt

(Eddie is scared and has doubts. Sydney's trying to ground herself in the new life she has. A sprinkle of our favorite Uncle Wayne.)

Chapter Eight: Meeting the Parents, Meeting the Uncle

(Sydney finally gets to meet Uncle Wayne. A sprinkle of self doubt and plenty of fluff that will give you an overdose. Also both of our babes gets flustered.)

Chapter Nine: So You Think You Can Read Me?

(Sydney learns about Eddie's scars and gets to meet the famous Murray. )

Chapter Ten: Ladies and Gentlemen, Steve Harrington

(Sydney and Steve spend the day together. Slight angst that we all know and love.)

Chapter Eleven: Is It Illegal If She Deserved It?

(Sydney and Eddie get harassed in a supermarket. Will Eddie try to push her away?)

Chapter Twelve: We Built This House of Memories

(The story of the holidays with our lovely two characters. Sydney gets to spend Halloween with Eddie, Thanksgiving with an actual family, Christmas feeling like she finally has a home, the New Year with the man she loves, and a new look on her birthday. )

Chapter Thirteen: You Won't Embarrass Me Again

(Sydney has an altercation with Jason while waiting for Eddie. What happens? Will he retaliate?)

Chapter Fourteen: He's Not Going To Touch You Again

Eddie’s POV of the attack. How bad is she?

Chapter Fifteen: A New Normal

The aftermath of the attack. Sydney and Eddie have their first big fight.

Chapter Sixteen: It's Been A Year Now

Chapter Seventeen: A Place She Shouldn't Be

Chapter Eighteen: Through His Eyes

Chapter Nineteen:

Chapter Twenty:

(Chapter Length about 40 Chapters!)

(All links should be up and working!)

[perpetuelledaydreaming]

Are we still friends? | chapter six

summary: Ice knows best.

listen to: you belong with me -tay swift (playlist here)

word count: 1.9k

series masterlist + read the next chapter early on my ko-fi!!

“Has he told you?”

You flinched at the voice, your head snapping towards Iceman as he leaned on the door from the patio of his house and you watched Rooster playing with his grandchildren. Sarah was talking with Penny while Mav was talking with Ice’s kids, Tom and Vivian with Tom’s husband 

“What?” you asked him, furrowing your eyebrows at the question. “Does he have a mission or something else?” 

You thought he was talking about Maverick. He always had a mission that you never knew about until he was about to leave. Mav didn’t like goodbyes but as Iceman smiled you immediately knew he wasn’t talking about Mav. 

“Has he told you he loves you?” he asked once more. 

You snorted, although, in reality, you’d wanted to chuckle bitterly at Ice’s question. It had been a while since he’d brought it up, not even in your last dinner you’d talked about it. When Mav met Ice, at least what you were told since you were a kid, they didn’t get exactly along. But after everything that happened while they were in Top Gun, incluiding Goose’s death, they became close. 

So close that ever since you could remember you’d called him Uncle Ice, Rooster did too. You grew up like that, dinners at Ice’s place in San Diego the first Saturday of every month, and even Christmas or Thanksgiving were celebrated there too. You were all a family and you appreciated it, especially when Mav had to go to missions or tours, you were always left to be taken care of by Carol or Sarah and Ice, they were your second home. 

Therefore, as Ice watched you grow up there was always something he’d notice and that he’d let you know once you turned twenty-one. 

He was certain that Rooster was in love with you, against all evidence. 

“The only person who thinks that is you, old man,” you answer with a smile while walking toward him. 

“So, you’re not dating?” you winced as you detected the strain on Ice’s voice, even though you tried to ignore it for his sake, it still made your heart sink the thought of him being sick. 

“Nope,” you don’t hesitate for a minute. “You know I would’ve told if he did,” 

It was true. You knew that if your wildest dreams came true, he would’ve been the first one to know and you wouldn’t have wasted a second calling him to tell him. He’d been waiting for it for years, just like you. Although you’d given up a long time ago. 

“Is he dating anyone?” Ice asked, breaking the silence. 

You swallowed while shrugging your shoulders, turning to see Rooster carrying the small toddler while he laughed uncontrollably. “He’s dating everyone as much as I know,” you muttered. 

“You?”

You looked up at Ice as he raised his brow, your lips quirked up slightly as you thought of Jake, he had actually been someone you started to rely on, even discussing a few techniques in order to improve each one’s control on the mission. 

“I got the first date,” you breathe out. 

Hangman, apart from being an actually good colleague, had also been stealing glances from you the last days after you’d talked that day on training. He would murmur how pretty you look too, everything on the down low so no one noticed. 

“Navy?”

“Yeah,”

Ice squinted at you. Then, a smirk spread across his face. 

“He’ll tell you soon,” he answered calmly. 

You chuckled at how sure he seemed, a little bit too confident and a little bit too cocky, just like your father described Ice when he was younger. 

“Why would he tell me soon?” you asked, amused by how sure he seemed. 

Ice laughed as he placed a hand on your shoulder and squeezed it affectionately. “There is no greater terror than watching someone you love fall right in front of your eyes,” he says. 

You stayed there for a second as you ponder his words. Tom ‘Ice’ Kazansky was rarely wrong in your book, you’d always asked him about many things, in school when you didn’t know something you could call him, if you needed life advice then you would also call him, if anything happened after Mav and Rooster (or sometimes before) he would be the first one you’d call. You couldn’t remember a thing that Ice had said to you that wasn’t right or true. 

Except this. 

Then, you looked back at Rooster, his amber curls and honey burnt eyes, his sunkissed skin, and his laugh. The sunset washes him in a golden light that perfectly captures his personality. He was literal golden sunshine for you. Then, his eyes met yours, honey burnt eyes gazing at you, raising his eyebrows and lips quirked up. For a second you felt like crying because it wasn’t fair that your feelings were crashing the wall that you’d built like the wave of a tsunami. 

You swallowed hard, realizing that tears were pooling around your eyes before looking at Ice while shaking your head, pretending that the whole notion of whatever may happen between Rooster and you didn’t touch a nerve. 

 “You know you’ve been saying this for years and it hasn’t happened, it’s getting kind of embarrassing,” you muttered while you placed your head on Ice’s chest and he hugged you softly while laughing. 

“Don’t ruin a nice moment,” he replied and you smiled at him again. 

Soon, the wind got too cold for the kids to be out as the sun came down. The rest of the night you spent it talking with Vivian about her new job at a Law firm in Los Angeles before going to talk with Tom Jr. and his husband about the kids, they were practically your nieces and nephews and you’d barely seen them since they were born because of how often you spent on your missions. Then all of you helped to put the place together, washing the dishes as you always did when you finished a nice family dinner, dancing with music from the 80s as you dried the dishes and put everything in place. 

It wasn’t until then that Rooster got a chance to talk to you when you took your purse and checked messages, there were a few from other friends, including Bob and Phoenix, and one from Hangman. You flinched as you heard Rooster’s phone, hiding your phone in your purse. 

“Hard deck?” he asked softly while you smiled up at him. 

“No, I think I’m going home to rest a bit,” you replied as your eyes scanned the room.“Where did my dad go?”

Rooster smiled as he got some of your hair out of your face, his fingertips on your cheeks so soft that it felt as if he was touching porcelain. 

“He’s got a hot date with Penny,” 

You laughed. “I see,” you muttered softly while watching him, his eyes lit up as he watched your lips quirking up into a soft smile. 

It was easy, it was so easy to get lost in his touch and his smile. You swallowed hard, finally looking away from him and pointing at the door, finally making his hands drop from your face as you gave a step back. 

“You’re coming?”

Rooster watched you softly, a puzzled look in his eyes but before he could speak, Iceman placed a hand on Rooster’s shoulder and smiled at him. You blushed as you looked at how Ice’s blue eyes went from Rooster to you, raising his brows. 

Rooster looked at Ice for a second and then nodded as if there was an underlying and unspoken agreement between them. 

“I'll stay with Ice for a little longer,” Rooster said softly before you looked at eyes with furrowed eyebrows. 

“Sure,” you replied before you kissed Ice on the cheek while giving him a look, hoping he would be discreet with your conversation but Ice simply smiled at you before Rooster followed him into his office. “See you home,” you muttered before the door closed. 

Rooster didn’t arrive until much later at night as you were still studying some of the instructions and replaying every one of your trials wondering how you could still do the mission without fucking it up as you usually did in the last few days. 

“Weren’t you talking about how you were going to rest?” his voice interrupted you. He laughed a bit as he saw how you raised your head, hair bunched up in a ponytail. 

“I can’t believe you bought that,” you chuckled as you made space on the couch for him to sit down and Rooster quickly followed your orders. 

He sat there quietly for a few minutes as you continued replaying another video, you enjoyed his presence there, Rooster was always there. Nonetheless, you were too focused on the video to notice Rooster smirk and then he snatched the Ipad from your hands while you yelped. 

Rooster was soon placing the Ipad over his head while he looked at you with a mischievous grin, you glared at him from the couch while raising your brow.  

“What do you think you’re doing?” you said through gritted teeth. 

Rooster just giggled like he did when he was younger, you tried not to smile but you knew that Rooster was aware that you’d failed. 

“You’ll drive yourself crazy,” he says, ending the sentence with a yelp as you try to tackle him, failing miserably as he laughs. A mischievous glint in his eyes. 

“Rooster, it isn’t funny,” you growled as he nods, still managing to avoid your hands as he raises his Ipad ever higher than before. “Oh, you’re acting like your sixteen,” you bite back. 

“You’re acting like your sixteen,” he mocks you while you glare at him, nostrils flared up and red in your eyes, the twinkle in his eyes made you want to scream. 

“It’s on,” you mutter as you finally tackle him. 

Both of you fell to the couch, laughing as you tumble with the pillows and rolling as you wrestled for the Ipad. Someway, in between Rooster’s laugh and your yelps, you were straddling him and his hand slowly clasped around yours as both of you lay on the couch, you over him. Soon, the laughs died down as you sated at the other. He reached up and rested his thumb along your cheek and then your bottom lip as you stared at Rooster. It suddenly dawn on you how warm his body was against your skin, how he always ran hot in comparison to you, and how especially now, as you pressed your body against him, you found comfort more intimately than with anyone. 

You could feel Rooster’s breath on your face as he gazed at you while you stare into his eyes. Was he feeling how erratic your heartbeat was? Could he read in your face how nervous you were? Would he say how wrong this seemed? How friends didn’t act like that?  

Then, you heard your phone ringing, causing the two of you to spring apart. 

You ran away from the scene as if you were escaping something while you looked for your phone and answered your dad while Rooster stared at you. Neither of you said anything that night, not even when both of you fell asleep on the couch together. 

Bodies fitting perfectly together, as they always did. 

***

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @thehouseofevangelista @sergantbarnesbitch @tallrock35 @maverick-wingman @notanordinaryprincess95 @hey-its-kayla-claire @lonelywitchv2 @abaker74 @tallyovie @shadowsndaisies

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author's note: as always thank you for reading. this was a soft chapter but next one is angstyyy.

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feedback is always welcomed!!!

donate: help me pls with a glass of wine?

[cecexwrites]

28, phone sex / sexting?

I'm so not good at sexting material lmaoooooo but here we go

Also yes Sam is OOC but most of my fandoms don't exist in a world of texting.

Sam: I miss you : (

Liv: I miss you too

Liv glanced up from her phone, so far Thanksgiving had been a total bust. She and Emma had come all the way to their parents house just to find out they had to get a hotel. Their parents had turned Liv's childhood bedroom into a craft room for Rose and Emma's was now a guest room that was being occupied by Rusty's parents.

And of course the only place where they could get a room on such short notice was a dinky little motel that felt like the backdrop to a horror movie.

The turkey was dry, the stuffing was made with some weird sausage and Emma hadn't touched a single bite because the forks were all in a cup that everyone was reaching into. When Liv suggested Emma just… wash the fork she wanted to us, Emma shot a look at Rose and said it was okay, she wasn't hungry anyway.

The only light in the nightmare that was this day had been the texts from Sam.

“So, Olivia, when are you going to introduce us to this man your parents have told us about?” Liv quirked an eyebrow at Uncle Joe and looked at her parents, who were across the room walking to Aunt Lisa.

“Um- Not this year.” She shook her head. Her eyes scanning the room until she saw Emma, who was within ear shot. She could see the guilty gleam in her sister's eyes and that told her right there who spilled the beans to their parents about her relationship.

Liv had learned from a young age that the best way to deal with her parents was to just- not deal with them. She told them nothing about her and her life and in return they didn't ask. The moment Liv turned 18 and didn't have to worry about them dragging her back to live with them, she stopped calling. They didn't seem bothered.

Of course Emma, who still cared about what they thought, told Rose just about everything in their daily calls. Liv should have known that eventually the subject would turn to her and Emma would not hesitate to mention the fact that Olivia had a boyfriend, and no that boyfriend was not a red head.

Liv felt her pocket vibrate and she reached in, her hand wrapping around her phone. She excused herself from the conversation and walked away, going to the table of food. Liv herself had never had a problem with germs in the way that Emma did, but something about having a full buffet out while people and a dog milled about, talking and grabbing with bare hands- suddenly she understood it more than she ever had before.

Sam: When do you come back?

Liv: Not until Saturday. I'm going to try and talk Em into leaving tomorrow but no promises.

Sam: : ( and you're for sure staying in that creepy ass motel?

The moment they got to the motel and saw the state it was in, Emma ran back to their parents house for cleaning supplies- their room was now the cleanest room in the entire motel, and Liv had taken pictures to send to Sam, that way if they didn't come back, he had a detailed look at where she spent her last miserable hours.

Liv: Yeah, the only other option is my parents livingroom floor and I don't really wanna share with Kevin.

Sam: WHO THE HELL IS KEVIN?

Liv laughed, walking away from the food and hunting down Kevin. She took a picture of the dog who was happily licking leftover gravy from a discarded plate and sent it to Sam.

Sam: Oh- well I wouldn't mind that too much.

Liv: He stinks. I'll pass.

Sam: I wish you could be here with us.

Sam was doing Thanksgiving with his family. His parents had recently managed to get back on their feet and were renting a place. Sam was still helping out with rent but he was doing it with paychecks from jobs where he didn't have to take his clothes off.

Liv: Me too, Tell Stacey I said her dress is adorable.

Sam had sent her a picture of the whole family together, and of course they were coordinating.

Sam: I will. Hey if you can talk Emma into bringing you home tomorrow- my parents are taking Stevie and Stacey to see our grandparents, they should be gone all night

Liv: Oh yeah? But what would we do with all that alone time? I suppose it would be long enough for a game of Monopoly.

Sam: Only if it's strip Monopoly.

Liv laughed again- this time loud enough to alarm Kevin who scrambled away from the plate. She wandered back into the living room where everyone was chatting and plopped down on the ottoman, crossing her legs.

Liv: Oh Please Mr. Monopoly, I don't have any money, however can I pay you back for landing on your hotel square?

Sam: And that is when the stripping starts… wait that might hit too close to home.

Liv: Yeeeeeeah bit of a mood killer huh?

Sam: Wait- no I didn't say that. Definitely nothing killed over here.

Liv: Samuel, it is Thanksgiving.

Sam: And I am thankful for long sweaters and that video you sent me last week, since I can't have the real thing.

Liv: Oh? And what exactly do you plan on doing with it?

She pressed her lips together to hide her smile, her eyes darting around the room to make sure no one was paying attention to her. When she had told him she was going to be going to see her parents and would be gone for most of the weekend, she'd made a little video of her... taking care of herself.

Liv: In detail.

Sam: I'm going to go up to my room, lock my door and fuck my hand while I watch your video over and over.

Liv blushed, quickly looking around, as if someone might be able to tell what was happening based on that alone.

"Liv Honey-"

"Excuse me." Liv jumped up and hurried past her mom, running up the stairs. She shut herself into the bathroom, making sure to lock it behind her.

Liv: I'll talk Emma into going home tomorrow.

Sam: Yeah? And you'll come here?

Liv: Yes, I miss you. All of you.

Sam: Are you alone right now?

Liv glanced back and forth as if someone might have snuck into the bathroom with her.

Liv: Yes, I'm alone

She sat on the edge of the tub, pressing her knees together.

Sam: Are you wet for me, Liv?

Liv knew her entire face was bright red as she answered.

Liv: Might be for you, might be because of the memory of making myself cum.

Sam: Oh yeah? Hmmm I can't wait until you get here. I'll remind you who really leaves you soaked. It's not those tiny little fingers doing it, babe.

Liv: My tiny little fingers do just fine thank you.

Sam: Oh yeah? So does that mean you'll take care of yourself tomorrow? you don't need my cock.

Liv: Well- I might want it.

Sam: Is that so, you want my cock baby? I want you to say it.

Liv: Sam

Sam: If you want it, Liv, you have to say it.

Liv: I want your cock.

Sam: That's my girl. I'll see you tomorrow babe, have fun spending the rest of Thanksgiving with that soaked pussy.

Liv huffed, adjusting as she realized he was right, and she was going to have to wait until tomorrow to do anything about it. Lord knows she wasn't about to do anything to relive her need in a motel bed in a room with her sister.

Thanksgiving sucked.

[invisibleraven]

Come here hold my hand / I'm washing the dishes / ...I can do both

Feels so Reggie to me 😂 rulie or peterpatterlina?

Also for @innytoes who sent: “come here, hold my hand.” “you’re washing the dishes.” “..i can do both…”  is 100% a Rulie vibe.

When Reggie and Julie got their first home, a real home, not a crappy apartment or leased condo, they decided that they wanted to go all in. Gardens full of vegetables and flowers, a porch with a real swing for them to watch the sunset in. Reggie delighted in filling their yard with decorative gourds come the first day of fall, turning their home into a spooktacular marvel that ended up with him having to do several more candy runs come Halloween.

Once it came closer to Thanksgiving, Julie suggested hosting it in their home this year. Giving her father and aunt a break.

"Are you kidding? Tia will be here the crack of dawn to make sure we cook everything right," Reggie joked.

"You leave her to me."

So Reggie did, and apparently Victoria would love the break, though she did promise to bring her famous pumpkin pie, so everyone would be happy. Everyone else volunteered their own dish, leaving only the turkey and vegetables to Reggie and Julie, which suited them fine.

It had been a lovely meal, full of camaraderie and a moment of silence to remember those who couldn't be there with them. Most everyone was relaxing in the den, the parade on the TV as they waited for their stomachs to settle before dessert. Julie rubbed her stomach, feeling overly full, but happy with how it had all went. All she needed now was her husband to snuggle. But Reggie was conspicuously absent.

Wandering into the kitchen, she found him with his hands almost elbow deep in soapy water, scrubbing the stubborn gravy pan.

"Hi darlin', everyone in a food coma already?"

"Pretty much," Julie conceded, sharing a soft look with him, feeling proud of hosting their first big holiday together.

"Come here and hold my hand," Reggie requested, holding out his soapy hand for her to take.

"You're doing the dishes," Julie replied, staying far away from his wet and wrinkly fingers.

"I can do both," Reggie said, straining his hand out to her. Julie shook her head playfully, and Reggie got a devious smirk on his face, taking his other hand out of the sink and stalked closer.

"Come hold my hand Julie! It's only soap!"

Julie giggled and dashed away from him, grabbing a drying towel to flick at him in a vain effort to keep him at bay. "No way, I like this dress, I don't want it all soapy!"

Reggie stopped at that, taking in the soft looking sweater dress, the way it hugged her curves and looked so soft and warm. "It is a nice dress," he conceded. "Hope it still fits next year."

"I think next year we'll be too tired to get all dressed up, let alone host Thanksgiving dinner," Julie replied.

Reggie dutifully dried his hands, and wrapped his arms around her from behind, one hand landing on her stomach. "Still wanna tell them tonight?"

"Well I'll probably be showing by Christmas," Julie reasoned. "So might as well."

Reggie nuzzled their noses together, and pressed a tiny kiss to her lips. "Okay, let's go tell them all they're about to be uncles and grandparents."

Julie smiled, and once detangled from his arms, held her hand out to him, wiggling her fingers. Reggie beamed and took it, the two of them walking out together. Ready to tell their families they were going to be adding one more.

Their reactions turned out to be even more delicious than the pie.

[purplesurveys]

1601

Which season is your part of the world currently experiencing? Uh. Cold? Hahaha we don’t have seasons in the usual sense. I believe we’re currently in the dry season which basically just means we’re in the clear from typhoons, but it does get quite cold here until February. 

Do you ever read your texts and forget to respond to them? This is the case with Viber messages because I hate opening that app. But text is generally used for urgent matters so I respond almost always immediately. What was a show that you enjoyed watching a kid when you were home sick? Well, I never really felt homesick as a kid.

When’s the last time you traveled out of state/province? Where to? Christmas Day when we traveled to Tagaytay for a family reunion on my dad’s side.

Does anything on your body cause you chronic pain? Any chronic illnesses? Yeah, my shoulders and back are in discomfort every minute of the day.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? I don’t celebrate that.

Would you prefer cake or pie as a birthday treat? I’ve never gotten one for my birthday but I am more likely to eat pie. I like how it can be either sweet or savory, and pie crust is also great!!! Filipinos like to get cake for every occasion and even for no occasion so at this point I’m just so sick of them all unless it’s cheesecake.

Have you ever been in a band with your friends (not the class) I never had any musical talents, so no.

What is something annoying about the person you like/love? There is no such person.

At what age did you get your first period/have your first wet dream? I was 10 when I got my first period but don’t think I got my first wet dream til like high school.

What is something that makes you feel old? When my sister tells me about TikTok trends or personalities I have no clue about. Like I do go through TikTok and have a good topline idea of what prompts or dance challenges are trending (only because I have to know, for work), but I’m not a deep-diver. Couple of weeks ago she told me about Noodle the Pug’s death and I couldn’t react the way she probably wanted me to because I didn’t know who he is.

Do you remember where you were on 9/11/2001? I was 3 years old and had no idea that it was happening on the other side of the world. Do you think that snow days won’t exist now that we have virtual learning? Idk what snow days are. Whose wedding did you last attend? My uncle’s...back in 2008.

How often do you change/wash your bedding? Monthly.

Do you have much of a sweet tooth? It is not a big sweet tooth at all. I’ll have like a brownie here and there but I quickly get sick of the sweet taste. Have you ever had to call 9-1-1 for someone else? Nope. What do you dip your French fries in? Mayonnaise.

What’s the last book you started reading but couldn’t finish? Bret Hart’s book. I only downloaded it online, and so the only reason why I couldn’t finish it is because the formatting was a bit fucked and it felt like I was missing some chunks from the book.

When’s the last time you experienced a panic attack? Over what? My mom was nagging while I was dealing with an errand that I was anxious about.

--

Have you ever used anything unusual to masturbate with before? If so, what? Naw.

What’s your favorite sports ball? Like. Just my favorite ball??? I don’t have one. I like playing table tennis though if you meant to ask about my favorite ball sport. Have you ever peed in the water at the beach? No. I feel like I’d only ever do that as a last resort if I get stranded at sea...but at the beach? When I can easily come back to shore and look for the nearest restroom? Pretty gross and I also honestly find it a little disrespectful.

How long do you think you could tread water for? Like 5-10 minutes. We had to tread as a final exam for swimming classes in high school. I remember how many of my classmates stayed at the deep end to challenge themselves, but I had to stay in the kinda-shallow side just in case my legs gave out from the treading.

Have you ever been the victim of a hate crime? No, at least not yet. Kind of sick how the color of my skin and the language I speak makes me a target 24/7 in certain countries.

What would you rather be doing, other than this survey? I’d love to be having breakfast rn at some mountaintop restaurant.

Have you ever scored a winning goal for a team you played for? No. I’ve won a few table tennis games that have made my team advance to the next tier of a tournament, but there aren’t any goals in that sport.

Would you be interested in creating a street mural? Only if there was a template to follow and if I was doing it with a group of people.

Have you ever participated in LARP'ing? That term is very familiar but I can’t remember what it means, and I can’t be bothered to check. So probably not.

Have you ever gotten a divorce? No.

How young do you feel is too young to get married? Anytime below 25, for me. Of course that’s just what I personally think; at the end of the day you still do you.

At what age would you let your child start picking out their own clothes? Whenever they want to start. < This is true. My mom was a bit of a control freak and always liked getting clothes for me even well into high school, which made me super super super struggle with figuring out my personality for a long time. What did I REALLY want to wear? What’s my style? What colors suit me? I didn’t know the answers to these for a while. If I had a kid, I’d do the complete opposite and let them explore whatever the fuck it is they’re into as soon as they want to start deciding for themselves.

What is one thing that you would never pick up from the supermarket? Fruits.

What’s the last food that you prepared for yourself? A sandwich with our leftover Christmas ham.

What’s your favorite type of cheese? Feta.

Do you prefer “regular kissing” or French kissing? Both are fine.

Did you used to bite others as a child? No but I knew a kid who did.

Are you more likely to give a hickey to someone else or get one? Get one, but somewhere hidden plz.

What is something you fail at, no matter how hard you try? Finishing a paint-by-number haha.

--

1. Do you have any big plans for November? That was last month, and no I didn’t have any grand plans. We had one family vacation which turned out great, but apart from that I was really busy with work.

2. What upcoming event are you most looking forward to? New Year’s Eve! My dad is actually here to ring 2023 with us and I’m really happy about that. All the money I’ve spent so far for our media noche spread also translates that happiness LOL

3. What was the last song you heard? On - BTS. I’m watching PTD LA on Disney + while I take this. < Literally the same song that’s playing on my end right now, except I’m mass-streaming it with others on Stationhead.

4. Quote something from last night: “You might have to sleep [on the couch] tonight.” - from my dad. My room is getting renovated at the moment and the paint fumes are still pretty glaring, so I have to call the sofa my home for the time being. 5. What time did you wake up today? Around 8:30.

6. What does your last incoming text say? It was just a text notification of my last e-wallet transfer.

7. Is there a vase in the room you’re in? There isn’t.

8. Any plans for today/this evening? Ideally I crash for 12 hours because I’m exhausted from all the painting and lifting I did for my room rehaul...but I do have a deck to work on tonight and have no other choice but to power through with that stupid thing.

9. Have you recently been insulted? Yes, I’m pretty sure my mom has recently as we’ve gotten into a few spats this past couple of days. I just can’t remember any of them as I block her out as soon as her temper flares up.

10. What is the radio in your car tuned to at this exact moment? It is most likely set to some easy listening station since that’s my mom’s preference and she drives my car on weekdays.

11. Compared to someone else of your age and gender; do you feel that you have a lot to offer someone? I mean I’m by no means an overachiever, but I also think I’ve done and achieved a fair share of things.

12. How many days a week do you work? It’s the usual Monday to Friday, 9-6 job.

13. Are there people you feel more connected to than others? Well, of course.

14. Is there ONE person you feel more connected to than others? Yes. 15. Are you more like your mother or your father? Probably my mom as I have spent more time with her throughout my life. Not necessarily because we’re closer, but because my dad has been periodically working overseas for as long as I can remember. 16. Where did your eye color come from? Both my parents. But also because I am Southeast Asian lol.

17. Describe the pants you are wearing: They are gray shorts that have now-dry paint splatters all over. 18. Have you ever been in a recording studio? Yes, once. I was interning at this hotel/resort when they asked me to come with for the voice recording of their upcoming radio ad. The studio was as professional as it gets and looks just like those studios you see on Hollywood documentaries and stuff. 

19. The myspace picture you’ve had up the longest? I never regularly used Myspace.

20. Are any of your myspace pictures alcohol related? ^ Same.

21. What is your worst relationship quality? In my previous relationship I was too dependent to and clingy with my partner. I didn’t know how to be on my own, which was why the effects of my breakup were as destructive as they had been. I’ve learned from those mistakes, but since I haven’t been in a relationship since then I wouldn’t know what my ‘red flags’ today, badly put, would be.

22. What was your most recent serious injury? Sprained ankle.

23. What were you most recently happy about? Getting my loft bed!

24. Are you happy with the way the Yankees are playing? Is this baseball? I don’t watch it.

25. Are you a fan of cake? Just cheesecake.

26. What shirt have you not worn in a while that you would like to? Idk, if I wanna wear something I just look for it so I never really get this feeling.

28. When was the last time you were hit on? Years ago. I’m not interested in the dating/flirting scene at all, so tbh I try to look intimidating/unapproachable when I’m somewhere I’m likely to be approached.

29. What is the next concert you are going to and where are you seeing it? Probably BTS in 2025/2026, if not Beyoncé or Paramore if they come back any time before those years.

30. Name someone you know who is most likely to be found at a bar on Wednesday night? Andi.

[ausetkmt]

Have we decided what the problem with Thanksgiving is going to be this year?

We could start with the base-level perennials — the godawful travel, the risk to one’s diet, the cousin who is loudly certain that someone has slipped gluten into the gluten-free stuffing. There’s typically a grievance against the potatoes: the format, mashed or casserole, whether or not to marshmallow, why is there never enough. Someone has canceled at the last minute; someone nobody invited shows up anyway. At least one child refuses to sit at the kiddie table, the teenagers refuse to put their phones down at whichever table, an uncle insists on watching the football game at the table. The table itself looks nothing like tables on Instagram.

But in recent years, we’ve had particular reason to squabble over the holiday.

For four unforgiving years, from 2016 to 2020, the problem was breaking bread with your political nemeses. Advice columns bristled with agita. How do you handle your Trump-loving father-in-law or the out-of-towners who show up in MAGA gear? “No baseball caps at the table” was USA Today’s Rule No. 7 for avoiding political food fights in 2019. In some other neck of the woods, aggrieved citizens despaired about their Occupy nephew storming in unshaven from his sophomore year at some college “back East.”

No sooner was Trump voted out than we had a new thing — the threat of death — to antagonize the proceedings. With the government urging Americans to stay home, Thanksgiving 2020 was a potential superspreader event extraordinaire — and one reserved exclusively for family members. Were you inviting that great-aunt because you enjoyed her company or because you wanted her dead? Into 2021, the challenge persisted as the vaccinated squared off against the anti-vaxxers, with divided families worried about the full immunological spectrum of their extended entourage.

Also last year and just in time for its 400th anniversary — though one could hardly suggest the issue was new — some raised the pesky question of Thanksgiving’s celebration of genocide. This forced people intent on their pumpkin pie to confront the fact that Thanksgiving is, at root, a commemoration of conquest and subjugation. It is, after all, a day that the United American Indians of New England observe as a day of mourning. The original Native American “helpers,” the Wampanoags, have expressed regret for helping the Pilgrims out in the first place.

Or maybe it all just makes you angry and resentful! What has happened to your cherished American tradition, you wonder? Must everything be problematic?

Nearly every holiday — with the possible exception of April Fools’ Day, but just you wait — has become some kind of political football. The Republican right has been catastrophizing about an alleged war on Christmas for over a decade, though nobody has alerted the pharmacy chains whose aisles are already laden with red-and-green candy. Meanwhile, one poorly chosen wig on Halloween, fraught with potential cultural offenses, can result in social disaster. Please, let it not be your kid who winds up the wrong kind of Disney character! Also in autumn, Diwali, a major occasion for Indians at home and abroad, has lately become a huge celebration across America. But who, some wonder, is allowed to put on a sari?

Ye olden holidays, they are a-changin’. For the past two years, President Biden has issued a proclamation naming the second Monday in October, also known as Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day in order to “celebrate indigenous history and our new beginning together, honoring Native Americans for shaping the contours of this country since time immemorial.” The obvious question there is, what took so long?

So let’s consider the nominees for this year’s chief Thanksgiving gripe: We could make a big deal out of the turkey shortage, for example. Both bird and side dishes have gotten notably more expensive, and with an impending recession, now really isn’t the time. After a summer of exorbitant and overbooked flights that got canceled just as its passengers straggled out of security, travel this year looks to be particularly crowded and unpleasant. And there’s always contagion to fall back upon. With Covid, R.S.V. and the flu all going around, a full-fledged gathering should provide ample opportunity to spread ill health.

But would it be a problem to suggest that maybe Thanksgiving not be a problem this year?

Boiled down to its essentials, Thanksgiving is a holiday about shared gratitude. We could just think about the “thanks” in Thanksgiving for a change. That gratitude may have originally been intended toward God and those Native Americans who helped the newly arrived colonists survive — and for whom atonement may have been more appropriate. But even for us secular humanists, Thanksgiving offers a moment to appreciate whatever good this year wrought, even if by accident or chance.

I can think of a few things to feel thankful for. As vexing as this country can be, the midterms ended with a semblance of democracy still intact. The Democrats retained the Senate, striking a necessary blow against insanity. And while Sarah Huckabee Sanders was somehow considered a suitable person to run an entire state, Wes Moore, the accomplished author of five books and a promising leader, was elected to lead another. Elon Musk has sent Twitter twisting and shrieking toward the hellish oblivion where it belongs. Every year, more people seem to recognize the wisdom of spatchcocking their turkeys. And the Little Pie Company, whose sour cream apple walnut pie I’ve been worshiping since high school, now ships nationwide. If nothing else, for many Americans, it’s a four-day weekend. I’ll spend mine grateful for any leftovers.

[jaceeverett]

MERROCK TASK #3 THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WINTER

let’s start with an easy one… how does your character feel about winter? Jason very much so understands that every season has its place, which means that he doesn't complain about it. Besides, he thinks that there's not much prettier in the world than some freshly fallen snow.

are they more of an indoor, by the fire or outside, running wild kind of winter person? Outside, running wild kind of winter person. It's his job to tell people to stay off of the trails... it's his passion to be on them.

speaking of the fire, do they have any fireplaces in their home? No, but someday when he builds his cabin, he will.

what is your character’s go-to outfit when they are heading outside for a day in the snow and wind? He has several snow suits, just in case, but thick, weather-proof pants and a coat, multiple layers underneath, probably some thermals just to be on the safe side. And warm, winter boots. You get cold in your feet first!

and what about food, is there a comfort food they have to warm themselves up? Soup. Any and all kinds of soup.

what drink just screams ‘it’s the winter holidays’ to them? Hot cocoa, more than likely, especially once people break out the whipped topping and sprinkles to go with it.

when there’s a snow day, what is your character’s favorite thing to do outside? Hike. But he's determined to help Rosalyn build a snowman this year, and maybe pelt Riley and Lilly with some snowballs... in a friendly uncle kind of way.

how about inside, something they do to occupy themselves? Watch a movie on his laptop while sketching.

and what about the crazy nights when the power goes out – how do they handle themselves in that situation? Light a few candles, pull on some warmer clothes, and curl up under warm blankets, if he's truly at home. But he also has the responsibility of making sure everything and everyone is okay at the park.

what does your character do to warm up after a cold day outside? That aforementioned soup starts looking pretty good... and a hot shower, too.

moving into the holidays… what winter holidays does your character celebrate? If it counts, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, too.

how does their upbringing shape the way that they celebrate the holidays? Jason is so far removed from his childhood, and has changed so much about his life that he doesn't think it's shaped his current lifestyle all that much. But he does think that the holidays should be spent around family, and hopes to see as much of his as possible during them.

what is their absolute favorite part of the holiday season? He's a secret sucker for Christmas decorations, and has even decorated several trees around the park's office and out buildings.

do they have a least favorite part? something that they dread? Until returning to Merrock, every year Jason dreaded the idea of spending the holidays alone, and not being able to be around people who cared about him. As a fireman, he dreads the calls that they get from bad electric wiring and dangers people aren't aware of, too.

when it comes to decorating, what’s their style? do they go all in, or do they keep it easy? Living in the camper, he tends to go with more of a minimalist style -- a little table top tree, some garland and lights, a few pieces he's picked up at thrift and antique stores. It's definitely more vintage than anything, and not a lot, but each piece fits well.

if a tree is part of their holiday traditions, do they get a live one, or haul the artificial out of storage? Live, but again, it's little. Only a couple or few feet tall.

does your character get together with family on the big day? He hopes to! Jason hasn't had a Christmas with family since he was eighteen years old, because of leaving home.

time to give some gifts – how does your character do with wrapping gifts? does everything go in bags, or are they meticulous with paper and bows? He's pretty good at wrapping things, but he isn't against putting it in a bag if it's going to end up being a hassle. The wrapping isn't what matters.

and the gift themselves, do they tend to go with homemade things, or splurge and spend a pretty penny on presents? He doesn't spend a lot on gifts, but he doesn't typically make them, either. Instead, he tries his best to get something useful, something that's not wasteful -- he wants the other person to be able to actually use and appreciate it.

what is the best or most memorable gift that your character has ever received at this time of year? His book about the state parks when he was younger.

getting a little personal, how does your character feel during the holidays? are they they happy and bright type, or do they get a little sentimental? Definitely more sentimental than anything. Jason would definitely fall under the 'seasonal depression' type, and his friends used to know to drag him out and do something festive and fun to try to get him out of it when he lived out west. But he's really hoping to change that, now.

what is one tradition that your character has to experience for it to finally feel like the holiday season? Putting up his tree.

how about we talk treats? starting with cookies… what is your character’s favorite kind of cookie this time of year? Ricotta cookies, hands down.

if they’re presented with a gingerbread house, how does it turn out? Not horrible -- he does have a little bit of an artistic eye, and does his best to put things together in a pleasing, aesthetically nice way, but it's probably not going to take home first place. Maybe second!

… and be honest, do they sneak eat some of the pieces? Are they into seasonal candies in general? He's not a huge candy person all the way around, but obviously he has to sample a gum drop or two. He does like Andes mints, though. And eats the candy canes, rather than hanging them on trees.

whether they are cooking themselves, or going to a big dinner, what do they want on their plate the day of the big holiday? Ham, potatoes, mac and cheese, a yule log for dessert... maybe some kind of cheesecake.

do they have a favorite holiday movie? one they know word for word, and will watch over and over again? Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

how about a favorite holiday song that gets put on repeat? Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, but only if he wants to devastate himself emotionally.

as the end of the year starts rolling in, does your character start feeling sad, or more optimistic for the year ahead? It fully depends on the year that he's had, but for the most part, optimistic.

any new years or new years eve traditions that they feel like they have to do to ring in the new year and say goodbye to the old? Jason has always, regardless of where he's lived, had some sort of outdoor fire on New Year's Eve, and drinks his glass of champagne outside while counting down to the new year. Normally, he burns slips of paper with things that he wants to let go of.

lastly… any resolutions for the year ahead? No. Long ago, Jason's given up on setting goals and resolutions; if he wants to change something, do something different, he just does it. Life's too short for lofty goals, just chase it now.

[deadnightcoffeetime]

The Monster Of Willow Creek (Tales Of Horror Segment 2) (COPY RIGHT) Page 2

Wayne and the young adults, exits the forest. Wayne introduces himself. “By the way, I’m Wayne, Wayne Getty.”. As Wayne takes the young adults to Roger and Bob, the young adult’s introduces themselves. I’m Sarah, Sarah Denton.”. Sarah Denton is a young Native American, in the age of 20. “I’m John Denton.”. John is another young Native American, in the age of 20. “You two are siblings?”, said Wayne. “Yes.”, said John. From the distance, Roger and Bob, sees Wayne walking along with Sarah and John, From the distance, Roger and Bob, sees Wayne walking alongside with the siblings. “Who’s your friends, Wayne?”, said Roger. “We’ve bumped into each other in the woods. This is Sarah and John Denton. Anyway, they said about a tall, hairy, creature, was chasing them.”, said Wayne. “A creature?”, said Bob. “Was it a real Bigfoot?”, said Roger. “No! It wasn’t Bigfoot, Mr…”, said Sarah. “Patterson, Roger Patterson. And, this Bob Gemlin.”, said Roger. “Well, Mr. Patterson, I assure you, it wasn’t a Bigfoot!”, said John. “Well, what was it that you saw?”, said Bob. The siblings are getting annoyed. “We don’t know! All we know it’s tall, hairy, humanoid, and honey figure with antlers.”, said Sarah. “That’s the truth, sir!”, said John. Wayne looks at Roger and Bob, as both are having a tough time to believe if the siblings are telling the truth, or if both are on shrooms. “Listen, why don’t we give these kids a ride back home, and…”, said Wayne. Wayne is cut off by the the tall monster’s hairy hands with long sharp nails, grabbing Wayne’s head and snapping his neck. Sarah and John starts running towards the horses, while screaming. The monster exits out the the trees, revealing itself to Roger and Bob. Now believing the siblings, Roger pulls out a gun from his jacket pocket, and shoots it at the monster. The shot had no affect towards the monster, it still stands. Both also starts to run towards the horses, leaving Wayne’s lifeless body with the monster. The siblings and the cowboys, gotten up on the horses, and ran off. The monster stayed behind, watching them running off, then drags Wayne’s body through the entrance of the woods

35 years have passed, it’s present day in 2002, a really beautiful, young, college freshman, Native American female, studying at the .university of San Francisco. She’s is in class learning about Native American mythology, and is between the ages of 19 to 20. It’s her last day of school, before thanksgiving break and is dozed off in class. A middle age man, in the age of 55, sees the young female adult sleeping. Her Native American professor notices her sleeping on her desk, while giving his lesson. The professor raises his voice. “I’m sorry, am I boring you , Ms. Denton?”. She startling wakes up, then replies. “No..No, you’re not professor.”. “I know, it’s the last day before thanksgiving break, but, it doesn’t mean you get to doze off. Remember, you students have a test as soon as you adults come back from break. So, this lesson is crucial to your exam.”, said the professor. “Yes, sir!”, said the student. The bell chimes, letting the students know that class is over the students are packing up and leaving class.. “Alright, have a nice two week thanksgiving break, and study during your break. Remember, you’re going to be tested in two weeks. But, still have fun, not too much fun.”, said the professor. The young female is the last to exit the classroom. “Alyana, can I speak with you?”, the professor. “Yes, professor?”, said Alyana. The professor chuckles. “Class is over, call me uncle, Ezhno, or uncle Ez, whatever you want.”, said Ezhno. Alyana chuckles too. “Okay, yes uncle?”, said Alyana. “Listen, I know you’ve been sleeping in my lectures, is there something going on? Are you partying roo hard? Having problems outside of school, or family?”, said Ezhno. “Oh, god, you’re not lecturing me about life are you?”, said Alyana. “No, it’s just been sleeping in my close for the past week, and I don’t want to fail you and tell your folks.”, said Ezhno. “Well, I guess..I’ve been working and studying too hard, that my friends have been taking me out late..just having fun.”, said Alyana. “Well, It’s good to have fun, just set limits on having fun. Remember, you have more years to come in this school, and you signed up for this new chapter in your life.”, said Ezhno. “I get it, uncle. Just don’t have too much fun.”, said Alyana. “Yep…And I’m not saying this to harsh, or whatever, I just want to see you succeed. Plus, you’re my niece, and I love and care about you.”, said Ezhno. “Thanks, and I know. I love you you too, uncle.”, said Alyana. Both hug each other. “Do you need a bride back home?”, said Ezhno. “No, I’m gonna go meet up some friends.”, said Alyana. “Okay, I’ll see you on Thursday.”, said Ezhno. Alyana walks towards the exit, while speaking to Ezhno. “See, you on Thursday too, uncle. Oh, say hi to aunt Atina and your kids for me.”. “I will.”, said Ezhno. Alyana is exiting the classroom, as Ezhno yells on the background. “REMEMBER!!”. She yells back. “YES DON’T HAVE TOO MUCH FUN!!”

[thedaveandkimmershow]

When Jacquie passed away this morning, the news took us by surprise. At the same time, the news didn't take us by surprise. After all, Jacquie's body and mind have been in a steeper decline over the last month and a half.

On the other hand, no one expects that day to be today. Especially when the person in question has been confounding our expectations for quite some time now... to the extent that, even as we observed her decline, we also entertained Thanksgiving with Jacquie. We entertained Christmas with Jacquie. Because with Jacquie...

You never know. 

She proved that over and over again.

The other problem with today being the day is that today's her brother's birthday.

Today.

Is her brother's.

Birthday.

Now, Jacquie's dementia seemed to rob her of the people in her life. One by one we were removed from her recognition until the only one left was her husband. But then...

But then he died in the early morning hours of the last day of last year. He and Jacquie were in the same hospital at the time although in separate rooms. And that separation, when they were no longer together 24/7, seemed to let slip that final bond. He didn't come up in conversation after that. To the end of her life, he wasn't part of her reality.

But you know who was? 

Her brother.

I'm not sure the mechanisms underlying Jacquie's experience... but after her hip surgery she regained memories and knowledge. She knew Kimmer's name again. And she knew her brother's name.

Bill.

On whose birthday she finally departed this life.

It's a sweet juxtaposition. It really is.

One we'll always remember.

I asked Kimmer about her earliest memory of Jacquie and she remembers a family trip to her aunt and uncle's house in Huntington Beach when she was four. And then when she was eight. And then when she was twelve.

Her family took these trips every four years and, from the very first, Kimmer felt Jacquie's energy and personality. And she knew her aunt was her champion. A fellow Creative. Prone to laughter. A talker. Social. Gregarious. With an unforgettable personality.

That last bit about personality, by the way, will stick with me for awhile.

Why?

Because even as Jacquie receded into herself this last month or so, we could still recognize her in there. Even when she was at home with her husband when he was alive, her dementia may have derailed her access to memory and knowledge and the people closest to her... it did not, did not, rob her of her personality. A personality that insisted on revealing itself even as her eyes stayed closed most of the time, even as the words became fewer. There was a Jacquie-ness even in her movements, her behavior, her expressions.

She was still there, as far as we could know. Expressing her Jacquie-ness to the outside world in every which way she could. Every way that remained available to her.

And we will definitely, always remember that about her.

She passed away this morning.

😔

[alifurt]

2020. Who can forget 2020?

January started off normal - I went to a photography convention in Nashville, then my aunt and uncle came to visit. February brought a fun weekend trip to Portland and another two photography conferences but in Vegas and Atlanta this time. Then on March 8, 2020 I got home from the photography conferences and the world shut down. I remember traveling and worrying about the start of COVID-19 since we had the first infected in Seattle and I was traveling (feeling fine) but concerned I'd be unaware and bringing something elsewhere. It was a strange feeling - but not nearly as strange as coming home and having that be the last contact with the outside world for quite some time. March 2020 we got the kids all desks and our upstairs turned into a schoolhouse with 3 kids trying to remote learn with two remote working parents.

So catching up on 2020. My mom still came to visit in March because things were not FULLY shut down around the country (if only we knew what was coming...) We did lots of reading, daily walks, and youtube yoga. Viv's exploration of baking began and April brought more crafts, zoom meetings, engineering projects, a simple easter at home, and a plethora of wine and sunsets on the deck.

May 2020 included puzzles, butterfly kits, hiking, swimming, rollerblading, driveby birthday celebrations. It was the first time my parents didn't get to come out for a birthday (Conner's).

In June, we were hesitantly over the whole quarantine thing. We did some serious quarantine and testing in order to finally have some fun. We went to Chelan with the Gonens to celebrate Ari's birthday then later that month we snuck away to Seabrook with the Gilberts who was had been quarantining with.

Finally, just in time for Claire's birthday we also did make it back to Michigan and stayed for the first few weeks of July since there was nothing going on back in Washington but we did make it back to celebrate Dottie's first birthday.

August 2020 we had an amazing day trip to Westport and this was the beginning of our dream to have a plot of land on the ocean. Claire learned how to ride a two-wheel bike. We spent a ton of time down at the lake keeping cool and the dog park running around.

September brought our annual Labor Day camping trip after missing Memorial Day with friends, we were all so excited to be together outside. Then entry back to the torture of remote school from home. We put Claire into a full-day in-person preschool because the spring taught us that we could not work, parent and teach 3 kids from home in different grades. It was the best decision we made.

October we went to a pumpkin patch and celebrated halloween and Lucia's birthday.

November we experienced the most isolated Thanksgiving ever but we made the best of it with zoom.

We did end the month with our tree hunt and we ended up with a perfect crazy COVID tree that went all over the place and was as unpredictable as the year was.

December we celebrated Vivian's birthday at home with my parents and brother in town but without our usual visit to Snowflake Lane for the first time ever. We also celebrated at a cabin with friends after family took off.

This was when we started getting into skiing regularly and enjoying it as a whole family. As we entered 2021, we went about three times a week. It was the perfect COVID-safe activity outside and masked because of the cold.

[msclaritea]

Review: What's the point of the Golden Globes anymore?

"The Golden Globes came back last night. We were better off without them.

Yes, I'm talking about that awards show that's like the Oscars, only drunker, cruder and crasser. The Globes are like your least favorite uncle at a family Thanksgiving – everyone has to tolerate the show as a part of the Hollywood adulation machine, but they're also a bit embarrassed by it.

I wouldn't fault you for not even knowing that the awkward third wheel of awards season aired Tuesday night on NBC. That's because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which bestows the awards, was embroiled in scandals over the past few years over the lack of diversity in its membership and bribery and corruption allegations. Hollywood turned swiftly on the organization and its famously alcohol-fueled awards show, with Tom Cruise returning his three trophies and studios and publicists threatening a boycott of the group. The 2022 pandemic-era Globes unfolded without an audience, a network home or nominees in attendance.

But all's well that keeps the money flowing in Hollywood, apparently. After the HFPA added 21 new Black, Latino, Asian and Middle Eastern/North African members last fall and promised other reforms, the Globes escaped from their time out. (NBC extricated itself from a deal that cost it $60 million a year for a one-year commitment at a sharply reduced price.) So on a rainy Tuesday in Los Angeles (a weekday chosen because of an extended NFL season), Hollywood put on the glitz and glam and turned out for the red carpet.

More:Jerrod Carmichael skewers HFPA in Golden Globes opening monologue: 'I'm here 'cause I'm Black'

But there wasn't much in the 2023 Golden Globes that really justified its return. At a time when ratings for awards shows are crumbling, when the TV and film industries are going through major upheaval and when diversity and inclusion efforts in Hollywood are nowhere near accomplishing their goals, the Globes no longer feel like they have a place. The show is a relic, as cheaply gilded as the gaudy statues the HFPA hands out.

Tuesday's broadcast was an awkward affair, hosted by comedian Jerrod Carmichael, a huge talent who was completely out of place on the stage of the Beverly Hilton Hotel (which at one point he somewhat tastelessly referred to as the building that "killed Whitney Houston."). Carmichael's opening monologue addressed the racial controversies the HFPA faced ("I'll tell you why I'm here, I'm here 'cause I'm Black") but ignored the rest.

He popped up too frequently all night, making barbs at the expense of Tom Cruise and "The Little Mermaid" a bit too casually. It felt as if, at any moment, the buzz of audience conversations and clinking of glasses would drown out his attempts at jokes. The speeches were way too long at the start and droned on longer from there, pushing an already interminable event well over the three-hour mark. If Carmichael's jokes landed only sporadically, the presenters' barely touched the ground.

And sure, there were more winners of color than in the past few years, a few good speeches and standing ovations and lifetime achievement awards handed to Ryan Murphy and Eddie Murphy. Yet it all felt more fake and more hollow than the already curated, gilded production of other awards shows. It's just hard to believe that the actors and producers and directors from Colin Farrell to Michelle Yeoh to Steven Spielberg – who were oohing, ahhing and weeping over winning a Globe – were really that emotional being honored by a group they shunned a year ago.

When HFPA president Helen Hoehne came onstage late in the show to boast about the organization's changes, the response from the crowd was muted. And it should have been. The HFPA remains a small, mostly white, inscrutable, scandal-prone organization that wields an outsized amount of power in Hollywood. A few new members doesn't change that.

Perhaps the loudest statements were made by those who didn't say anything. Many major winners, including Cate Blanchett, Zendaya and Amanda Seyfried didn't even show up. When HBO's "House of the Dragon" won for best drama television series, only three members of the cast and crew were even at the ceremony to walk onstage for one of the biggest awards of the night.

At the end of her long, winding speech, which was in many ways a repeat of her speech at the more-prestigious Emmy Awards in September, "White Lotus" star Jennifer Coolidge said "this is fun!" But fun for the people in the room isn't enough. Three good jokes in a three-a-half-hour broadcast isn't enough.

Many times over the past two decades, awards shows proved must-see TV, when the producers and hosts and presenters crafted something nearly as entertaining as the movies and TV shows that were being called the best of the year. "Titanic" and "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" won best picture at the Oscars. Neil Patrick Harris danced and sang at the Tonys. Jennifer Lopez wore that dress to the Grammys. Even at earlier Globes ceremonies, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler spat out jokes that cut like a knife whether you were in the room or watching from home.

Those days are over. Maybe it's time to rethink the awards show as an event altogether. The Globes would be a good place to start."

Hollywood has made it clear through Academy members like Whoopie and completely ignoring regional film critics that the public's opinions on films don't matter, that only select films are of their personal choosing are worthy. Add to that all of the negativity coming out of the Industry in various forms: crime, trafficking, blatant theft of ideas, cults and endless attacks on stuff people do enjoy, it's no wonder that people are losing interest. They want to make films just for themselves, no one has to watch.

[zentloper-xmas]

Merry Christmas, all!

It’s time for another year’s wrap-up. Already? Already! Let’s start with old news and work forward. Technically, I proposed to Neil November of last year in 2017, but we were on a camping trip in the woods (Pinnacles National Park) all alone in the wilderness, so word has gotten out more or less gradually. Folks keep asking us “When’s the wedding?”; I’ll let you know when we know, haha. Our finances are pretty tied up in future plans, and the wedding is one of them.

To that end, the two of us were quite agreeable to temporarily moving into Neil’s folks’ place in Santa Clara in early May of this year. They recently acquired their new retirement home up in Rohnert Park in anticipation of eventual retirement, and thus have been staying partially there and partially here, and while they’re away we take care of the place. We both really appreciate the lower cost of living and the room to spread out a little. (Julie jokes I own more stuff than they do... and maybe she’s right; I’ve always been a pack rat. Thanks, Dad.)

David and Julie also recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in September with a delightful frolic (they’re big into the Contra dance scene in the Bay), which also gave us the chance to visit with his sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Chase, who came for the occasion. Matt and Val (Neil’s uncle and aunt) visited us for a Thanksgiving banquet with his grandmother Jane, and Ruth (Neil’s other aunt) shortly thereafter for Hanukkah. We also had a nostalgic trip to Wente Scout Reservation with my parents over Labor Day Weekend, enjoying kayaking, sailing, and even stand-up paddle boarding on the lake. So it’s been a good year for seeing family, which is always nice. Another memorable event that allowed us all to gather was my brother’s wedding to his fiancée Shawna in June, at a gorgeous garden venue in San Andreas. Since then they’ve moved up north to Washington state, where some of the rest of my extended family resides. The distance makes me miss them, but technology (texts, apps, and social media) at least keeps us “close.” =)

Speaking of, I convinced Neil to finally get a iPhone. His old one wasn’t cutting it on the job; since he assumed “Acting Manager” at his Schwan’s depot, he’s been handling a lot more calls and general communications among staff. It’s a lot to handle, but I know he’s doing a stellar job and I’m super proud of him. With any luck they’ll give him the promotion he deserves! Meanwhile my ex, Mike, managed to score himself a gig at none other than the mighty Facebook! Wow! He and I like to keep in touch and hang out from time to time, including attending D&D games with our pals. I recently changed jobs myself, I’m now a Student Assistant at the Global Leadership Advancement Center at SJSU. Just part-time administrative/clerical work for while I’m still in grad school. We’re in the midst of finals right now (and I can’t wait to put Finance behind me, lemme tell you!), but then I’ll officially be halfway through the program. I’m set to graduate May 2020.

I’ve also still been indulging my creative side. In April I took a weekend-long pinstriping course— you know, those nifty multi- colored intertwining lines you see on classic cars and hot rods? I bought a lot of brushes and paint to continue practicing at home (you should see the old family van), and I even attended a convention where I got to sell some knick-knacks I’d “striped.” And in November I took a class on Mosaics. If you want to check out some of my work, you can visit this URL: https:// bayareapinstriper.tumblr.com

Sorry, not sorry, for the shameless plug. LOL. Hope everyone is well this holiday season!

-Rick and Neil

[flyingcookierambles]

rant ig

in recent news last week on wednesday my idiot sister and her borderline anti-vax boyfriend got covid and now my mom is getting sick and we’re worried that it’s covid instead of a normal seasonal cold or mild allergy and im just hgioehgaoieh i hate it here no matter what i do to keep myself safe the issue is coming from within the house in my case my sister and her boyfriend stayed had dinner and stayed overnight 2 fridays ago ughghghgh i hate this i hate her literal deadly trash taste in men ghroeahgorehgreog i have asthema my mom has diabetes the idiot trash taste sister also has asthema and a lot of people in my family are 50-60+ year old boomers with various health issues from hard manual labor all their lives as blue collar workers plus my 84 year old grandma ghrueagihreuoghreaoghreio gheriogheovhdfovhav hgorehgaoeh agho plus we’ve started inviting my maternal grandma and her sister to our family parties and they’re like 70-ish or so and my grandma’s sister is only here now bc her husband literally died of covid bc some idiot step-uncle that i’ve never met apparently went to thanksgiving last year without being vaccinated and gave the entire family covid and killed his uncle im just hr igohreaoihraeioghaeoighraioheog ifoahgoheg i hate it here we’ve kicked my sister out to be with her boyfriend bc of the sickness but they were still here in my house i hate it i hate it so much plus the idiot borderline anti-vaxxer boyfriend is a carpenter and he insists on going to work going into people’s homes and businesses while getting angry at the mere suggestion of wearing a mask or doing an at home test and then whenever my sister talks on the phone with my mom she said that her boyfriend said that “she really ought to go back to work even though she’s sick” (puzzlingly her employers also agree despite it being a private nanny job for rich people on the rich side of town watching literally babies (2 kids under 4 years old, idk if they’re even old enough for a ovid shot) plus the employer’s mom died of covid just a few months ago wtf???) and that “my boyfriend’s coworkers all agree that we’re just overreacting about covid “and im just like yeah duh they’re all also constuction workers/carpenters probably who believe in some weird libteratiarn toxic masculinity where other peoples’ lives dont matter to them and grejaigerioaehoe hrgoaho ghreoag seriously im so sick and tired of thes i wish all stupid anti-vaccers a very get polio measles tuberculosis and die if you want to so so so badly bc youre a fragile little snowflake who either thinks that your “special macho dna will out-manliness literal bacteria” or “bill gates is putting microchips in our bodies for the (insert some most likely anti-semitic conspiracy theory about robot lizard alien overlords living in the sewers of atlantis)” and leave the rest of us reasonable folk who listen to science and doctors alone

in other news if i somehow get covid at least my steam deck came in + im literally working my temp office job + my retail job, so i can have an excuse for a break from my 7 days a week, 45-50 hours work that allowed me to afford a steam deck in the first place + we have an excuse to not go to the cousin that we don’t like’s wedding next weekend in ohio so gihiroeahgeorihgoe eh :/

im so tired

when the idiots stayed over it was in my sisters’ childhood room that shares a cold air vent with my mom’s room next door

ughghghghghghghg if we don’t get it at this point its a miracle

like 3/4 of all covid scares that happened to my family so far have been from my sister’s dumb libertarian anti-vaxxer/anti-covid boyfriends im just like kick her out of the house go away i cant take it anymore

if i have to call off work i want my sister to pay for my doctor’s appointment to get my inhaler prescription, my inhaler, and all the days i have to call off work, i would never get this normally, ive literally worn a mask all this time since like 2020 march when going to work even now i am the only one both my work places that consistently wears one and with this scare im eating outside in the cold windy autumn at the picnic tables for the smokers bc i dont want to be *that guy* who infects the entire office

ughghghghghgh i hate it here

[jennarae1001]

18 months later & almost SIX.

LOTS of changes for my family. We moved to Virginia.  I started kindergarten AND I am going to have a baby sister in a couple of weeks!

Here’s a few highlights from the last 18 months...

2021

April- We visited family in Missouri. I also started dance and t-ball!

May-we found a church in Maryland we really liked, celebrated my sister’s second birthday, and did some local traveling (National Harbor, National Zoo, and camping on Solomon’s Island).

June-I started piano lessons and my parents think I am super good for only 4 years old!!

July-GranMare and my cousin Sam flew in for the Fourth of July holiday. We had so much fun together. I also went to my first symphony performance at St. Mary’s College.  My grandpa Ed visited me this month too! I also got another haircut! While this isn’t my first haircut, it was the most I have ever had cut at one time--5 inches! 

August--My family drove to Alabama.  We were able to visit family in Mobile (Rollo clan) as well as my Missouri cousins for a fun week at the beach!

September- Granni and Papa came and visited me and my parents went on a trip to Charleston, SC. I roller skated for the very first time. We also went to the St. Mary’s county fair and got to see a ton of farm animals. The weather started cooling down and we did a lot of biking on the Three Notch Trail. 

October--we celebrated my fifth birthday with special appearance by Elsa! My Granni, Papa and GranMare were able to be there for my special day, too! This was our first year doing a family theme Halloween costume-Little Mermaid.  Daddy was King Triton, Mommy was Ursula, I was Ariel and Madi was Sebastian. 

November-We flew back to Missouri for thanksgiving! It was great to see my grandparents and cousins again. I also got my first Brazilian jijtsu promotion.

December- We stayed home for Christmas and celebrated with neighbors. Santa brought me a brand new bike! We spent New Year’s Eve at the Richmond Zoo for the very first time.

2022!

January-SNOW, SNOW, SNOW! we got a big snow in Maryland that was fun to play in.  I also started t-ball for the second year and got to do my very first sports clinic.

February-DISNEY WORLD!!  We drove 12 hours down to FL and had the week of our lives! My grandpa Ed came and visited us too! I asked my momma this week if we can go back next year! We also found out I was going to be a big sister again!

March- This was a month that was spent mostly at home.  We did not have any trips planned but I stayed busy with preschool, tball, and jijitsu. My momma also started a new job where she gets to work entirely from home.

April-HOPPY easter! We had some fun Easter egg hunts between church, school, and our neighborhood.  GranMare and Auntie Roz came and visited us while mommy and daddy went to Bahamas to see Uncle Blake and Aunt Mandi get married. 

May- This was a BUSY month. We celebrated sister’s 3rd birthday with Paw Patrol theme and a water bounce house.  Granni and Papa were able to come visit us again in Maryland and we went strawberry picking and to Busch Gardens. We flew to Missouri at the end of the month to celebrate Grandma Rita’s birthday and to visit grandparents and cousins. We also go to be apart of Blake and Mandi’s wedding reception in Nebraska.

June- SWIM SEASON!! The community pool in our neighborhood officially opens and we visit almost daily. We also find out we are having a baby...SISTER!  Sadly, one of our dogs, Atlas got sick and we had to say goodbye to him. Daddy never let him have table scraps or human food but his last meal was Chick-Fil-A. <3

July- We celebrated our last holiday, Fourth of July, with our Maryland neighbors and moved to a new state, VIRGINIA! It was a hard transition initially for me. I was sad to leave my best friends in Maryland, my house, and my preschool.  We met several of our new neighbors who are now our friends. We went to the beach, Busch Gardens, and Water Country. 

August-I completed swimming lessons and can now swim confidently without a life jacket. Granni and Papa visited us and brought their camper. Mommy and Daddy went on a trip to Outer Banks, NC.   We spent A LOT of time at Busch Gardens and Water Country before I started kindergarten!!! I really like my new school, too!

September-Last days of Water Country! My daddy also went back to work fulltime outside of the home for the first time since February 2020!!  He will be working on an aircraft carrier in Newport News. I started soccer for the first time in Virginia. 

Later this week I turn SIX! Mommy told me that the last time my birthday was on a Saturday was the day I was born.  I did not want to have a big birthday party this year so my family and I are going to Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate! 

[letarasstuff]

Unbreakable Bond

(A/N): This is based on this post and this tiktok

Summary: A big age gap between Aaron's children doesn't have to mean that they are unable to form a strong bond

Warnings: Mentions of Haley's death and failed relationships

Wordcount: 1.8k

✨Masterlist✨

_________________________________

His life took turns Aaron never expected. It’s not the “Oh, mh, well that was unexpected”-type of turns, I talk about the “God played Cards Against Humanity with angels and decided to make it happen for someone”-type. But looking back he would not want to change a thing.

After Haley and Beth he was convinced that God, the Universe, something out there shared the opinion that romantic love isn’t the right thing for him and Aaron accepted that fact. Even more when he and Jack went into witness protection. I mean, when you are worried about the life of your family being in danger because of a stalker, you don’t think about the beautiful neighbor, who lives next door, right? Right?

Well, without going into too much detail, Hotch did think about her and she about him and vice versa. Everything went good until Aaron received the message that the team found the stalker and that it was safe to come back. He decided to come clean to his girlfriend. They talked about the possibility of moving back to Quantico.

In the end they decided in favor of the move, the final argument was the surprising announcement of her being pregnant. Hotch wants to raise their youngest where his and Jack’s roots are located. But he decides against taking a position at the BAU, instead taking a desk job in order to be more at home. He also has the opportunity to work from home after little (Y/N) was born and continues to do so until she is old enough to go to Kindergarten. Even then he takes two days the week where he stays home. Aaron learned from his decisions and mistakes he made in the past and wants to live up to them and be a better father and husband than before.

And Hotch keeps it to this day, six years later. It’s (Y/N)’s first day of school, while Jack just graduated high school and goes off to college in a few weeks. Even though they have an age gap from twelve and a half years, their parents are sure there are no other siblings with such a strong bond.

Ever since his baby sister’s birth Jack is her biggest supporter, protector and friend. Her first word was his name, though it was more of a “ACK!”, but that’s the best nickname he ever got. As soon as (Y/N) was old enough to comprehend the concept of movies, he introduced her to Star Wars. Since then lightsaber wars out of cardboard pipes are not uncommon. Last Halloween they even dressed up as Chewbakka and Han Solo. You get three guesses on who was who.

“JACK!” (Y/N) runs into her big brother’s room with an excited expression on her face. “Daddy promised to buy me a real lightsaber after I read ten books! With lights and sounds and all! Isn’t that cool?” Jack smiles. Aaron did a similar thing with him. For a certain amount of books he got a reward they discussed beforehand. This way he felt motivated to read and improved writing and reading skills.

“This is awesome. I think that means we have to go book shopping together, what do you think?” (Y/N) is not only the cool kid that has an older brother, she is also the cool kid, whose older brother has a drivers license, a car and a part time job. She nods with big eyes, speechless, because the offer sounds like heaven to her. Getting books and one on one time with Jack after he was really busy with school for weeks? This has to be heaven.

“Ok, then you put your outside clothes on and I’ll tell Dad about our plan.” At that the little girl rushes to her room, not wanting to waste any more time. Jack makes his way down to the kitchen, where Aaron wipes the table from lunch down.

“Dad, I take (Y/N) to this bookstore in DC and we’ll probably go eat ice cream after that. Is that alright?” Hotch looks up at his son. It still feels like yesterday as he told Haley that Gideon is a big no as a baby name. Now he is all grown up and just a few weeks away from the next big chapter in his life.

“Of course, just let me get my wall-” Jack cuts him off. “No need, I want to use this as a kind of goodbye thing. At least until Thanksgiving.” Aaron knows what he means. It’s his last day before he goes off to college and just a couple more until the first classes begin. The family still hasn’t told their youngest exactly what’s going on. Else she would refuse to go to school and go on with her day, insisting on using all the time they have until Jack drives off.

Two hours later the siblings leave the bookstore, both of them having a bag in their hands. Of course Jack's heavier, but both he and the cashier assured (Y/N) that they lift the same amount of weight.

“Uncle Spence will be excited when I tell him that I read Harry Potter, he told me so many good things about it”, the girl gushes. Jack nods, indicating that he is listening. Of course they also picked books that are not that advanced. Still, no sister of his shall grow up without knowing the beauty of the wizarding world. Also, secretly he is hoping for her to turn out as nerdy as he is so they get more things to talk about. His next step is superheroes, especially the Marvel ones.

They converse until they get to an ice cream parlor and order both their usuals. “Do you think you are ready for me to tell you something important?” The older one asks after they sit down at a table. (Y/N) nods, confusion taking over her face.

“Uhm, you know how I graduated from high school? I’m done with school, but I want to get a degree, but for that I have to go to college. It’s pretty far away so I can’t come home for a few months. But I’m back home when Thanksgiving is and also for Christmas.” It doesn’t matter what Jack says, a sad frown has formed on the little one’s face. “Oh. And after Christmas, will you leave again?” He nods and explains when he is off from college and when not.

“We can always skype and write letters. How does that sound? And when you get your first phone, we can even text.” That (Y/N) lights up a bit. For her first year of school she got a stationary set and is eager to use it to this day.

“I’m going to miss you so much”, she says hugging her big brother. Jack pats her back. “I’ll miss you, too.”

The goodbye the next day is a heartfelt matter. Everybody cries, especially (Y/N). She can’t fathom a scenario where her brother isn’t there for her all the time.

The following weeks are also hard for the family. The youngest refuses to sleep alone for the first three days after Jack’s leave. She is more closed off and mainly just does her school work or reads the books he bought for her. By the time Thanksgiving is only away for another two weeks, (Y/N) has read through all of them at least two times.

Her father already ordered the lightsaber he promised her. Unfortunately shipping takes several months, so the little girl still has to wait patiently for her reward to arrive. In the meantime she works on getting the next and she is already pretty close to the comic book collection she wants.

“Sweetheart, can you set the table, please? Your Mom will be here soon from grocery shopping and she will need help getting them from the car into the house”, Hotch calls for his daughter while stirring in a pot.

The little girl nods, putting her stationary set and pens aside to do as her father asked. She is in the middle of answering her brother’s last letter, telling him that she is now the one that usually has to read aloud for the class because of her advanced skill for a first grader.

Just as she sets the last piece of silverware down the doorbell rings. “Sweetie, can you please open it? This should be your mother.” Happily (Y/N) runs up and turns the door knob. Over the last few months she hit a small growing spurt and is finally tall enough to reach it without standing on her tippy toes.

“Mo-” She nearly chokes on her own saliva. The one at the door is definitely not her mother. “JACK!” (Y/N) runs up to him and jumps onto his leg. “Hey Princess. I thought now that you read your books, we need to hold the most amazing lightsaber fight in history.” With a mischievous smile he pulls two from his back, giving one to his baby sister.

It is the most epic fight in history between an elementary schooler and a college boy. They can only be stopped by their parents announcing that it is a tie between both of them and that they have to sit down, else the food gets cold.

The following weeks mostly consist of (Y/N)’s joyous laughs and cuddling with her big brother. She even insists on him sleeping with her in her much smaller bed. On his last night before going back to college, the little girl turns to him in the middle of watching her favorite movie in the living room.

“Do you promise not to forget me when you are away? Because I alway think about you and tell my friends so much about you. I told them you are a hero, my hero, just like Daddy. They wanna meet you because of that.” Jack has to hold back tears at her statement.

“I also think of you so much. All of my friends at college are pretty jealous of me having such a sweet baby sister. Maybe one time you can visit me and I can introduce you to them.” The thought of that makes (Y/N) smile and is a little consolation to the thought of her brother leaving again.

Aaron watches the interaction going down, happy to see the strong bond between his children, despite their age gap. This is nothing like he and Sean were and that is a relief for him and the worries he had in the beginning. It is a sign that he did do some things right as a father.

Taglist:

All works:

@dindjarinsspouse @big-galaxy-chaos @jswessie187

Criminal Minds:

@averyhotchner @mggsprettygirl @herecomesthewriterwitch @ash19871962 @ellyhotchner