#yes broadway era counts

[pezberrywhoreee]

teen neé for everyone to devour

[lovedianagrey]

hello!!do you have skk fic recs?

Introduction

Yes, I do. I’m sorry it took so long to give you a reply, but I wanted to give you a comprehensive list and was busy preparing for my last day in high school, and then I got a job 12 hours later, and then I traveled to New York for a couple Broadway workshops. But now that today’s been dealt with, I have my wonderful notes.

So here’s the gist of it. I have three focused reviews on some of my favorite Soukoku fanfics ever, but I felt like copy pasting it would kill you a little, so I’m going to use a simplified format that echoes what I once did for two other ships years ago.

Canon Space

Here I compiled four fanfics that take place in main canon spaces (so not BEAST). While I encourage you to read, I also ask you to make sure to check the tags of the actual work for any possible triggers. Furthermore, the styles these characters are written in, and the way they are portrayed, vary from writer to writer. Some are more “canon” based than others, but they all carry the essence of this ship. And if they don’t in your eyes, then you’re just reading a great novel with Japanese names. 

i'll bleed out for you by StarshipDancer

Synopsis: After getting impaled together, basically dying in each others arms in a joint mission with the Port Mafia and the ADA, and getting brought back by Yosano, this shattered Soukoku is asked to go into hiding. In this time, things seem to start healing. But the impending call asking them to return to their positions in their groups haunts them, and when it arrives, things fall apart all over again.  

Tags: Caretaking, PTSD, A Singularly Important Rat Is Present, Canon-Divergence, Post-Port Mafia Days, Love Confession, Pet Co-Parenting, Angst

Word Count: 71,848

Notes: Rattata is the best character. You cannot negate AbsoluteNegation’s incredible skill. I remember reading this fanfic between the airport and my flight, and when chapter four ended, I had to board the plane, with my shaking hands and quiet sniffles. Please read this one.

If you kiss me (I might let it happen) by encsiimomo

Synopsis: Chuuya’s done watching this. Dazai’s literally dating a new girl every week. He dates based on who asks him first that Monday, he breaks up with them that Sunday, and it goes on again. And again. And again. It’s driving him insane. So he does the only thing he can think of to earn himself a break – He asks to date him for that week’s cycle. Dazai’s surprised. Chuuya’s exhausted. But once the sparks fly, they’re unable to be put out. 

Tags: Canon Divergent & Kind of Canon Compliant, Dark Era, Smut, Mutual Pining, Light Angst, Silly

Word Count: 52,127

Notes: I loved this fic because it encapsulates a pretty carefree tone that isn’t associated with Dark Era. It’s pretty smutty, but it’s really lovely to read them. It’s not a reflection of what these characters canonically represent. And while it definitely stays as a loose interpretation of these characters, it keeps the essence that makes this ship so sharp and wonderful. I loved Oda’s appearances too, they made me laugh.

A Doll's House by Abyss_In_WonderLand_likes_sexy_cannibals

Summary: After coming to contact with an ability-powered artifact, Dazai and Chuuya are forced to work together to overcome the ability’s trials, and face the bubbling sentiments they keep trying so hard to ignore. 

Tags: Teamwork, Ability Loss, Poisoning, Denial of Feelings, Confessions, Light Angst

Word Count: 45,288

Notes: While definitely not a character study, this fic goes and shows how wonderfully warm a Double Black fanfic can be. You’ll giggle in some moments, be entranced in others, and it’s just fun. This is for those that aren’t scouring for the angst. This was the first fic that sunk me into a skk fanfiction hunt all throughout the winter holidays.

On Deathless Feet by AbsoluteNegation

Synopsis: Chuuya always knows the monster can get out of control, but it doesn’t get any less surprising when Arahabaki powers through him. For a while though, it’d been comforting to know Dazai could always reign it in, make it go quiet. Because he did when they recently met, when they rose through the ranks, and at the brink of their end. But after years of disconnection, and the consistent waves of betrayal, is Chuuya capable of trusting him? And is Dazai capable of letting him?

Tags: Caretaking, Controlling Arahabaki, Port Mafia, Post-Port Mafia, Mistrust, Non-Linear Storytelling

Word Count: 71,848

Notes: This story is just breathtaking. The writing style is incredibly vast and detailed, which may seem scary when described, but it flows so easily when you read it. The story takes place in an event where Chuuya loses control of Arahabaki in a  Post-Port Mafia Soukoku time. But because of its non-linear style, one gets to understand their past experiences with each other in a manner that contextualizes and weighs in the events of their reunion. 

Fanon Spaces

Before I begin, I’d like to note that there are so many AUs in this fandom, that I had to really search for the canon ones in my list. So understand that if you want more of these, I DEFINITELY have more of these. Also, again, while I encourage you to read, I also ask you to make sure to check the tags of the actual work for any possible triggers. 

I’ll crown your inner child with laurel by acuteguwu

Synopsis: Chuuya has worked in a Michelin Star restaurant. So he really has no place in losing this cooking competition. But a sudden newcomer, who seemingly has no previous experience in the field, seems to want to tell him his bechamel sauce isn’t ready. And really, who does he think he is?

Tags: Chef Competition AU, Character Study, Slow Burn, Chuuya Is A Blunt Perfectionist, Dazai Is A Culinary Genius

Words: 197,090

Notes: I read this in two days, and I finished by waking up at four in the morning to finish up before going to a drag queen brunch. So really, my experience was incredible. You get to really know these characters, who are very themselves, and it’s lovely. Please read, it’s so worth it.

music for our funeral by itotypes

Synopsis: Dazai has always been lost on what exactly he wants to be. Chuuya knows exactly what he wants. Working with such incredible differences proves to be a difficult challenge, ending in at least a little bit of violence multiple times, but they make it work. Because their music sounds beautiful. Because they’re better geniuses beside the other. And maybe because once it started, they can’t seem to process this journey can ever end.

Tags: No Smut, Angst, 70s, Musicians!AU, Drug Abuse, References to Child Neglect, Lowkey Pretty Violent, Emotional Cheating (w/ Main Ship)

Word Count: 67,723

Notes: Look, there’s a whole genre of Soukoku music AUs. And I could tell you to read the famous “still, still, still” by icedlightroast, or the even more famous “I Was Screaming Your Name Through The Radio” by ElectricSplatter. Which really, they’re both INCREDIBLE fics that I think you should read (IWSYNTTR literally inspired me to try and write music, which led me to do an album for a school project, so I’m not kidding when I say they’re life changing), but I also know that these are famous fanfics that you can find in almost any big skk reader thread. So disregarding the following recommendation, I try to give you fanfics I found through a long scrolling process. 

Everything or Nothing by Wellthathappened (Cataclysmic_Calamity)

Synopsis: Chuuya has never been able to experience much. So when he meets Dazai on the night of orientation, he lets himself explore. And as lips sink into his, and he lets himself be free, Dazai lets him know how unimportant he is by walking away when kids walk in on them. Cut to a month later, they’re paired as roommates, Chuuya’s gotten what Dazai insists is a douchey boyfriend, and Dazai Osamu has to recognize it wasn’t true. It wasn’t a night’s fluke. He really, definitely isn’t straight.

Tags: College AU, Pinning, Chronic Illness, Creation & References Of Illegal Panini Rings,  Confessions, Miscommunication, Past Sexual Abuse, Bad Parenting, Cute Dates, Dazai’s Really Rich

Word Count: 264,937

Notes: I recognize I just put in my notes that there’s no major point in recommending these big fanfics, but I just read this because the person that introduced me into the fandom in the first place really loves this one. And it’s incredible. Worth every moment. I laughed a lot, and cried a lot. It’s those pieces of work that resound with you that keep you engaged. This one builds off of that.

Inseparable by milwritescausewhynot

Synopsis: Dazai and Chuuya have been joined to the hip since day one. But they’re not best friends. Or enemies. Or, worst of all, lovers. They are, however, great at pranking each other. Until one goes close to dangerous, and things begin getting complicated afterwards. 

Tags: High School AU, Pranks, Light Angst, Denial, Pining, Confessions, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Crazy Kouyou, Childhood Friends, No Smut

Word Count: 107,804

Notes: I hadn’t saved this one in my compilation, but I couldn’t not find it. This fic is so charming, and I most enjoy how the characters move through the story. Definitely recommend.

In Conclusion

Again, I’m sorry for such a late response. I’m literally falling asleep right now but I felt too guilty leaving this for tomorrow morning. If you have any questions, notes, or looking for something specific for your reading, we cna talk about it. 

Anyways, thanks for asking! Hope you love them, and sorry for any mistakes

[angel-of-hunky-doryness]

The Conflicts of Disney's Hercules (Part 2): Hercules vs Hades

Or as I like to call it: why Hercules and Hades are the best example of a literary foil muddled and lost in its own movie.

LONG POST, sorry not sorry.

The hero vs villain dynamic is a Disney staple inspired by the many fairy tales and folklore from which Disney has long based their movies on. However, this dynamic went through a glow-up when Disney started their Renaissance period kicking off with The Little Mermaid (1989).

This era of Disney brought in much more personality and character to their protagonists, but also bringing in a new type of villain. Now this was a sharp departure from your atypical evil stepmothers and wicked villainesses that Disney was known from in their early days.

That's why when Disney decided to adapt Hercules (1997) the writers needed a formidable foe for Hercules to throws hands with to fit in to this new era where you had the likes of Ariel vs Ursula, Aladdin vs Jafar, Simba vs Scar, etc.

And in the Renaissance, Disney started leaning more into their Shakespearean influences. Nowhere is this more evident then Lion King (1994) and to a lesser extent- based on deleted scenes, the broadway version, and live action remake- Little Mermaid.

The reason I'm bringing this up is b/c, my dear reader, now we're getting to the Evil Uncle Trope.

Or at least a failed execution of it, b/c Disney did not utilize it well in Hercules. It's just barely touched upon.

Yes, yes, I know who the real villain is in the original myth of Herakles and that could be a reason it doesn't work. But Herakles vs Hera doesn't work well on paper when you remember that Herk was the affair baby and Hera is actively trying to smite him and this is a film meant for children. And something, something, she doesn't carry the kind of raw emo goth energy a walking-talking Bunsen burner can provide.

Jokes aside and the accuracy of the Greek Mythology presented, I think Disney Hercules was adapted well to a modern audience.

HOWEVER!

Now I've made it no secret in the past that I don't really view this hero/villain pair as the central conflict of Disney's Hercules.

That is mostly because whatever antagonism Hades and Hercules had going on it's very one-sided, and almost surface-level. Hades is over here having the biggest blow to his ego with a little bit of existential crisis thrown in for good measure.

While Hercules is absolutely vibing to the Muses singing the greatest mind-melting musical number of the film.

Not once do we get a character moment where this corn-fed farm boy ever stops to think, "Hey, Phil, I know Thebes is a bad place and all, but where do these mildly inconveniencing monsters keep coming from?"

In all two of his interactions with Hades(I'm not counting the opening scene, Hercules is a baby, fight me), Hercules never realizes in the entire movie how he was wronged by this tall glass of daddy issues.

Which are:

Flambe man kidnapped Baby

Lil sun spot is mortal now for plot relevance or smth

Attempted murder via the goon squad

Monsters keep coming out of nowhere after Herc saves the sassy lady from the Centaur(TM).

And Hades, to his credit, really doesn't care enough to tell him.

Why?

Because it literally never bothered Hercules. Hades is the obligatory monster of the week to Wonder breath. That kind of revelation wouldn't bother him, Hercules doesn't even know there's a prophecy about him. Hecc, home boy barely struggles with the Titans at the climax.

This is basically the Wanda-Thanos meme but the roles are reversed.

And I would like to emphasize, Hercules isn't bothered by the monsters Hades sends at all. He gets over it fairly quickly once he gets over his first battle jitters. If anything, the biggest issue Hercules is facing post-Hydra is that even though society has finally embraced him for his strength, he's still extremely lonely.

Which leads to this pivotal moment in the film:

What is the point?

He's still a freak, but this time after years of training he's finally useful. My pal Rudolph the Red-nose reindeer understands this predicament rather well. And the loneliness that Hercules feels b/c of his superhuman abilities is such a fascinating angle the writers of Disney Hercules go with that isn't emphasized enough.

And I can't stress this enough: The internal war Hercules grapples with, of being caught between two worlds, struggling with something he was born with and of doing everything in his power to fit into both of these worlds? Now that makes for a compelling demigod.

What's more, the strange shift in how society view his strength is such a interesting element that could have made a better antagonist than Hades was and I bet if this movie was made in this new era of Disney films (2015-Present) it would've executed it with this premise in mind. Since Disney has moved away from mustache-twirling villains and focusing on things like generational trauma and internal issues.

The fear and scorn Hercules once felt is now being turned to adoration, but wait, that's not what he wanted!

He just wanted to be treated like a person.

Take the discus scene, Hercules tries to play frisbee with the other teens in his neighborhood, but he immediately gets told to buzz off.

His goal of reaching Olympus isn't to reunite with his real family it's to finally be around others who are just as powerful as him, somewhere he wouldn't be out of place.

And the funny part about all of this is how well it ties in to Hades. Because Hercules upholding his duty as a hero is essentially what Hades did in his respective career until the moment he had his very own What's the point? moment.

Now first and foremost, I'm here to say Hades did his job. Regardless of how respectfully he did that in his later years....

No zombie apocalypses as far as I can tell, so kudos to you babe.

And that kind of job isolated him pretty badly when you consider Hades is with the dead instead of the other gods, almost making Hercules' dream the same as Hades'. However that dream has long since distorted and twisted from centuries of bitterness and anger.

Which adds another layer to their similarities. The dedication they had for their jobs isolated them even further.

And funnily enough, Hades and Herc were both assigned to this task by Zeus.

Now that we've established how similar H&H are let's see if we can glean how it played out for Hades by looking at Hercules' beginning. Hercules started out with so much determination and hope as can be seen in I Can Go the Distance (reprise). And as we follow Hercules to seek a teacher, to undergo years of training, and to follow through with all that he had been taught, Hercules never lost hope that he would finally be with people like him.

Well that is until Hercules' talk with Zeus.

And we learn Hercules has been putting himself through tons of risks and labors for nothing...?

He could've accomplished being a true hero back in his old farm town, and before you argue Zeus never explicitly told him to walk the path of a hero- then why did he send him to Danny DeVito???

And I'd like to make it clear I adore that Herc is being told off by his dad. Being Superman in Metropolis can go to one's head at his age especially now that he has proven time and time again how useful his strength is. Hubris is a major character flaw associated with greek mythology even if it isn't the flaw Herakles has in myth, keep this in mind for later as I explain what his flaw really is and how we see instances of it in the Disney film.

With that kind of journey mapped out, I bet about two drachmas and my 4 pound sponsor that Hades did the same as Herc. And as a result invested too much in his job for him to realize that he became disconnected to Olympus as a result.

Yeah, okay this is more conjecture and veering into fanfiction territory here and since I've been writing a fanfic on this guy for the past 6 years I tend to do that w/o meaning to. So if I ever start being a little too sympathetic on Mr. Brimstone Breath over there, take it with a grain of salt.

However, it is my personal headcanon since Hades did help Zeus in the original Titanomachy that my mans became extremely distant in his attempt to become a feared and respected god of the underworld.

And that came with its own reputation as mentioned in Gospel Truth Part II. Hades can get one-track minded and that applies very well to Hercules too.

So in the end, everything Herc and Hades were doing wasn't getting them any closer to what they really wanted: social acceptance.

And this was a big thing in Ancient Greece. The worst punishment a person could receive in those times was being exiled. Outcast. Permanent hermitage.

Let that sink in.

It can be argued that Hades always vied for Zeus' position, but I personally believe he did so because every other attempt he's made to change his circumstances after his What's the Point moment he kept hitting a road block either from Zeus or his arrogance to continue ruling a kingdom even if it isn't the underworld. Until he basically reasons, yup gotta take down the resident thunder dunder head.

And I think it's this factor of loneliness that both these guys share that really exemplifies or differentiates why each one is a great foil to each other. Hades is the dark reflection of what Hercules could be if he continued to toil after godhood/accepted into Mount Olympus to no avail for years and years and years.

It's a very similar trope we see in Kung Fu Panda with Tai Lung vs Po. And where Zeus fits into the role of Shifu.

Remember, both these two were serving their people, but Hades has been around far longer. After centuries, Hades grew sick and tired of serving ppl for basically nothing so he decided to put all his anger and frustration to force the world to bend to him instead.

But this is all hidden in between the lines so it doesn't hit home to the audience unless you take a deeper look into these two characters.

And all that I've talked about above is not even what we see in the film.

So, let's talk about what we do see.

Exhibit Alpha: All Hades Breaks Loose

As always, Hades is a showstopper. Don't tell him that btw he doesn't deserve it.

After executing a perfect 9.8/10 gymnastic spectacle, Hades shows up ready to pounce and do what he does best: Wheel and Deal with a trick ace up his sleeve.

It's so funny seeing Hercules talk to this guy, b/c he just had a falling out with his mentor and he's absolutely not in the mood to talk to this fast-talking flame head.

And Hades was ready to mop the floor with the guy, but b/c he can't get Wonder Bread's attention he has to whip out Meg a lot faster then he wanted to. He couldn't even savor the moment- it's like wasting a fine cigar.

But Hades doesn't skip a beat and like any mob boss, snaps his fingers, does a bit of blackmailing, and my beautiful boy catches on that if he loses his powers for 24 hours- talk about the confidence on Hades' part here- ppl will get hurt.

Hades, naturally, assures him things will be fine. I mean it's not like they're living in Greek mythology or anything. And after all, Hades assures him, Meg will be safe from harm.

They even shake on it. With left hands.....

And as soon as the two break apart, Hades doesn't hold back on telling his nephew how badly he screwed up.

Leave it to your estranged uncle to sucker you into a terrible deal and then outline why that was the worst mistake of your lifetime. Grade A uncle-ing I say. Wonder if he learned that from centuries of putting up with Zeus' offspring.

And while I have discussed this scene before in Meg vs Hades, we see here the same betrayal Meg had gone through with her ex, but now Meg is taking on the role of her ex. So let's look at it from Herc's perspective.

Anyone else feel their heart breaking when Hercules accuses Hades of lying????

But this is what makes the scene for me:

Despite everything, Hercules still chooses to fight.

You can really see the strength of Hercules' character here. Cuz despite his stupid decision, he still bares the weight of his responsibility even without his god-like strength.

Hercules faces the Cyclops as a normie. Hades would never.

This is the moment where Hercules rises above Hades in humility and upholds his duty despite the odds against him. This moment cements Hercules as a hero.

Finally the cycle of similarities is broken by Hercules' unselfish act. And it should've been in my opinion the moment he gained godhood and not the one below:

Yes, I know how important it is for Meg's redemption and to show how pure and true their relationship is. They're my emotional support OTP, okay, but what's more compelling?

Hercules being saved by the woman who just betrayed him, or Hercules risking his life to save the city of Thebes now that he's just like everybody else? He doesn't have his plot armor anymore, he's facing a giant that's already going ham destroying the populace while everyone is trying to escape. Isn't that true hero material? To stand and face the threat and buy the people time to escape?

But I digress.

And oh man, when Meg gets crushed we see a side of Hercules that was hinted at after Phil called out Meg for being a fraud:

We see Hercules' flaw.

In fact, the same flaw that Hades has as well:

Wrath.

Exhibit Beta: A Swell Consolation Prize

Hades loses. Big surprise there. I'm not covering the Titan scene since Hades and Herc just trade frowns and smirks, so imma leave that one be for this post.

But Hades really does sign his death certificate when he starts running away and reminds Johnny Beefcakes that he still managed to get him where it hurts:

And boy oh boy, when Meg died in his arms, Hercules has murder on his mind.

This is the first time Hercules has a vendetta against Hades (with 10 minutes left). A true, true vendetta. He was willing to let go tricking him by using Meg, but now b/c Hades knocked over the domino that led to Meg's death and the job title he holds, he's ready to go kick ass.

And Lord, the writers knock a home run to the impulsiveness that sits at this central character flaw of Herakles.

Hercules, our Disney version, is ready to cheat death, beat Hades to a pulp and do anything to get Meg back. Alcestis and Admetus style, baby.

So Herc grabs Cerberus and forces the bloodthirsty puppy to take him to his master.

And now realizing that he still has a chance of pulling one over on Zeus, Hades is willing to look over the abuse upon his pet and gets ready to use the wheeling and dealing technique.

And while Hercules does *convince*, and I use that word very loosely, to trade places with Meg, Hades agrees. While some have pointed out to me how clever Hercules can be this was not one of those moments.

Wow the son of my greatest rival??? Hercules made a really easy bargain that Hades was gonna propose anyway. Meg is insignificant in the grand scheme of things so who cares if she got a 'Get out of Jail' free card.

But, Hades messed up. Dude should've had his cake and eaten it too and just fished Meg out so Herc could take that dip and avoid what was coming to him.

Y'see Hades wasn't aware of the true hero clause Zeus randomly made up just like how Hades randomly made up a god-to-mortal potion.

So we get this ending with Herc's debt remaining unpaid.

I joked to myself as I was writing this post to include a post in my Hercules Conflicts series where it's Hades vs Hades b/c let's be real, Hades caused all of Hades' problems.

Self-fulfilling prophecies babyyyyy

Oy... Can you believe that now that Herc and Meg are alive and kicking as mortals they still owe a debt to Hades? Not the best ending, mind you. Sure, Hades isn't getting out anytime soon, so does it matter in the grand scheme of things?

But it is a sweet and well-deserved ending for our boy Hercules. Bc despite everything, Hercules realizes that the ppl who love him and know him for who he is: his adopted parents, his coach, and his girl that he would rather live out a mortal life with them instead of one with his bio parents. He knows now that the acceptance he has always been longing for has been realized and he'd rather have the life he knows than risk it all for a life that might make him all the more miserable.

And just like Hercules, Hades is now permanently stuck in the world he was forced into. Funny how they both ended up in the place they were actively trying to leave. It's a well-deserved punishment even if the dead are screwed without someone to keep the underworld in tip-top shape.

It's a shame Hades didn't meet Hercules sooner in the film because there is tons of material here that could've really had them be a formidable villain/hero pair up there with the likes of Aladdin vs Jafar. To have them actively oppose each other and force Hercules to grapple with the knowledge that this god is doing everything in his power to keep him off balance. imagine if Hades showed up early on just to gloat and mock the kid and confirm everything Zeus had told him?

Hercules could've grown up with that chip on his shoulder, wanting to be a fighter and a warrior just so he could take Hades on for realzies and take on the hoard of monsters he's sending to doom humanity. Just so it culminates in the classic: We're not so different conversation to mentally mess with the hero about his morals and life choices.

Could've been great.

Regardless, thanks for making it to the end, dear reader.

Till next time.

[iwanthermidnightz]

70s music is my number 1 genre. My 2nd is Philadelphia Sound RnB.

70s singer songwriters were a rare breed. They could take an emotion or experience and make it relatable...craveable even. That would be considered cringey today, but damn it was magical then.

Jerry Rafferty, Jackson Browne, Carole King, James Taylor, Van Morisson, Billy Joel, Dan Hill, Loggins & Messina, Janis Ian, Don Maclean, Michael Martin Murphy, Kris Kristopherson, Bill Withers (yes, he especially should count).... they just have this way of distilling a story or emotion in just a pure way. Been teaching the kid about this genre and she *gets* it. In turn, our tween is teaching me Broadway musicals and feminist artists like Jax.

Music really is the very best. 🥰

Yes! Thanks for sharing, that’s nice you’re teaching your kid 😊 I’m naturally a curious person so I find myself watching a bunch of videos and performances from the 70s and it’s just amazing to see how differently everyone held themselves.

There’s different levels of the 70s era and each genre is fun to dive into. It’s kind of interesting how the 70s faded into the 80s and it was a whole other world of sounds.

It really makes me appreciate all types of music. Especially when I heard sounds of the 70s in newer songs. I’m like oh I see what they did there!

[imhereforbrownies]

my pronouns;  she/they

My personality traits: funny,random,out going kind, shy

my hobbies: is musical theater, acting and singing

my movies/songs/food/places/books: movie: coraline song: bad habit food:pasta place: probably my house. Book: counting with you

if i have any pets: yes i have 2 dogs 2 hamsters 2 turtles and 1 cat

My dreams and aspirations: my dream is to be in Broadway and i dont know what my aspiration is yet.

zodiac sign/MBTI: aries

your aesthetic: it changes from time to time but atm i’m at my softie aesthetic era.

the group i would like you to pick from: stray kids

You are my first ship, I'm so so exited for this omg! 💗 So first of all, thank you so much for participating! Second of all, I absolutely love that your dream is being on Broadway and I'm definitely gonna keep my fingers crossed for you bb!

Now let's get to it!!!

-

So personally I wasn't really sure who to pick at first and I really had to think about this one but then it hit me.

From the information you submitted, I can definitely see you with Chan.

My reasoning behind my choice:

- you're an Aries, which makes Chan's Libra a perfect match for you

- you said you're kind, funny and outgoing yet shy, which I think is something that goes along well with Chan's personality (we all know how shy he can get so I think he'd be very understanding and honestly I can see him finding it cute?)

- you wrote that you're in your softie aesthetic era... THIS IS LITERALLY MY FAVORITE - like Mr. I only wear black Bang Chan and someone with softie aesthetic??? Big yes yes from me!! <3 Opposites attract, you can't change my mind

- and honestly I think Chan would be so supportive of your dreams and hobbies, always around to help you (if you need it that is) and maybe the two of you could even do a little secret collaboration (a song or two, ya know?)

- also he would definitely love all your pets and would probably spoil them rotten (btw I love that you have so many of them omggg)

-

"So, what do you think?"

You put down the headphones, turning around in Chan's chair dramatically, a smile that you weren't able to suppress appearing on your face.

"I love it," you murmur, making the boy sitting opposite you on the couch grin widely, dimples appearing on his cheeks.

"I'm glad. You know how much I value your opinion," he states, giving you a little smile that along with his subtle praise makes your cheeks heat up.

Chan does this quite often, inviting you over to his studio to let you listen to some beats he came up with or showing you some unreleased stuff that he's been working on and you love to be a part of it.

Today is no exception, except for the fact that this is no small part of a song, this is the whole thing. And to your surprise it's not one of the 3racha rapping masterpieces, this is a love song, made by no one else but the boy with soft curly hair and huge black hoodie on that now gazes at you with a sheepish smile on his stupidly handsome face.

"It's something new. I'm- I'm not used to such stuff from you," you voice your thoughts, avoiding Chan's gaze as turn to the monitor again.

"Yeah, I wanted to give this a try. Is it too much of a change?" He asks and you shake your head, smiling.

"No, not at all. I think it's perfect," you state, glancing at him and watching as he looks down at the bottle of water he's been nervously playing with while he let you listen to the song.

"I think it's missing something though," he murmurs and you frown a little, not understanding where's he headed with this.

"What?" You ask, turning around to face him again, genuinely confused since in your opinion there's nothing the song could be possibly missing.

"Wouldn't you- I don't know- wouldn't you like to have a part in it?" He offers, looking up at you nervously, his eyes all big and hopeful and you stiffen.

"A- a part in it? Are you serious?" You blurt out, your heart suddenly picking up pace at his proposition.

Chan often complimented your abilities whenever he caught you singing to yourself and he knew well about your dream to make that along with your acting skills into a full time job but never in a million years would you think he would like you to have a part in his work, let alone in a love song of his.

"Only if you're comfortable with it, of course. I don't mean to pressure you, Y/N. I just- I just kinda thought our voices might match well, yeah?" He explains and you hum, nodding your head, still not able to fully comprehend that this is real.

"As I said, you don't have to though," he emphasizes and you realize you didn't give him any solid answer and so you push back your nerves and finally get the words out.

"Yes. Yes, I'd love to have a part in it," you state with a bright grin that Chan mirrors almost immediately with a hint of surprise on his face.

"Really?" He assures and you nod vigorously.

"Definitely. I think you're right. Our voices might match well," you say, your cheeks warming up at the admission and he smiles.

"Perfect. Let's get straight to it then, if you don't have any better plans," he offers, standing up and approaching you just to lean against the table right next to you, making you look up at him shyly.

"No, no better plans. I got one condition though," you state, making Chan raise an eyebrow at you playfully.

"Pasta first."

[stephenjaymorrisblog]

Trump! The Movie!

(“Today’s news, is tomorrow’s movies.”)

Authur Lee 1967

Stephen Jay Morris

©Scientific Morality

8/20/23

Are we in historical times? We sure are! For the first time in history, a president of these United States is being prosecuted for crimes ranging from treason to rape!

Yes, I know. You have your own life to live, and your existence is the center of the universe. Well, take some time off from your miserable existence, and enjoy the show. After all, it’s free!

No matter how you feel about Trump—hate him or love him—you must confess, he is an historical figure. He is a very flawed human being, but not dull. Every demon has his/her fan club. This guy has people believing he was sent by God! Maybe God is not really that all-knowing or all-powerful. Or maybe he was just a prankster who sent him to punish America for being boastful. Best country in the world? Didn’t God create Israel? Didn’t he create ALL of the countries? Will there be Wal-Marts in heaven??

No matter how this Trump saga ends, it’s guaranteed that a movie will come out of it. A multi-billion dollar mega-hit. On second thought, though, a two hour feature may not be enough. It could turn out to be a multiple season series on Netflix or Max. But can you adequately portray a person’s entire life, even in a lengthy series? It would require at least 25 hours just to scratch the surface of his life.

You must begin with his childhood, then cover his school years, his relationship with his father and mother. The real estate era followed by his years in television. There are his failed businesses—he was bankrupt six times. His sexual relationships and failed marriages. His foray into politics and his campaign for the U.S. presidency. Of course, there was his four years as President, followed by his re-election campaign. There was the pro-Trump insurrection upon the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Still to come are the criminal trials for the 91-and-counting criminal indictments against him.  And through all of this, I haven’t even mentioned 50% of his life’s activities. Whew! Let me catch my breath! 1-2-3-4. Okay, back on track.

If Hollywood did opt to make a movie about Trump, the big question is…who would play him? All right, let me take a crack at it:  How about Jeff Goldblum? Bad choice. Remember, Trump is half Irish, and German! Jeff Goldblum is too Jewish. What about John Travolta? Look, since he didn’t get the part of Jim Morrison, portraying Trump would be a big feather in his cap! But the physicality and body type of this character would require a lot of prosthetics and make up. Travolta would be in makeup for hours! Jon Voight? Too old. Johnny Depp? Too young! How about the actor who played President LBJ on Broadway and in film: Bryon Cranston? Though a great character actor, his voice couldn’t imitate Trump’s. Daniel Day Lewis? Nope! Allegedly, Trump never drank alcohol. (It’s hard to believe he is half Irish!)

Well, my number one pick for playing Trump would be Alec Baldwin! He played Trump several times on the comedy sketch show, Saturday Night Live. He was almost perfect.

Here are a few more casting tips: Gary Busey should play Eric Trump. What about Melania? It’s a shame Eva Gabor is dead. Ivanka Trump? That’s Easy—Paris Hilton! Mary Trump? Well, the great Merly Streep! As for Donald Trump Jr., I think it would be a challenging role for Jon Hamm. As for Barron Trump: Justin Bieber. Who should play Rudy Giuliani? Quentin Tarantino! Enough of this casting stuff.

If this movie should come to fruition, it will cost billions of dollars. Who would finance this endeavor, George Soros Jr.? The Koch brothers? Harvey Weinstein? None of the above! The taxpayers of America should front the bill, as punishment for letting this black mark in history happen in the USA! USA! USA!

Say, I want to be an extra in this movie. Whoops!!! I mean, “Background Artist.” Can somebody hook me up?

[bopinion]

Book of the month / 2021 / 08 August

I love books. Even though I hardly read any. Because my library is more like a collection of tomes, coffee-table books, limited editions... in short: books in which not "only" the content counts, but also the editorial performance, the presentation, the curating of the topic - the book as a total work of art itself.

Through a different Lens

Stanley Kubrick (& Sean Corcoran, Donald Albrecht, Luc Sante)

Photography / 1997 / Taschen Publishing House

Every now and then, I sentence the kids to watch movies that I think are relevant - whether from a personal or a cinematic point of view. While my little son tends to be served light fare like "Blues Brothers," my big daughter sometimes has to chew a little harder, as happened the other day with "2001: A Space Odyssey." Her enthusiasm was a bit restrained, even if I exclaimed about 23 times, "That movie is from 1968. There were no special effects then, it's all actually built!".

Even regardless of that aspect, this epic can be considered groundbreaking. From the genre reference of the classical music background and the excellent script, to the technological authenticity and the almost psychedelic color scheme, to the revolutionary camera work. Above all, the visual composition of this film is the true mastery of director Stanley Kubrick, who is not considered one of the most important filmmakers of all time for nothing. Of course, I also have the matching book in my library ("The Making of Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey'", also from Taschen, of course), but this time it's about another work of this visually powerful creator: his early work, photography.

"In the Streets of New York" is the title of the publisher's documentary "Through a different Lens" on the occasion of an exhibition of the same name at the Museum of the City of New York. For it was there that Kubrick, just 17 years old, went on his first stalk of optical impressions. In 1945, he signed on as a photographer for the magazine "Look," for which he photographed stories with a human touch in the streets, clubs and sports arenas of New York City for five years. In the process, he captured with his camera just about everything that made up life in the Big Apple in that era: People in the laundromat, the hustle and bustle at Columbia University, sports stars, showgirls in their dressing rooms, performers in the circus, Broadway actresses rehearsing their lines, cab drivers changing a tire, couples kissing on the train platform, shoe shine boys, boxers reconsidering their career choice in the ring corner, patients in their dentist's waiting room, prominent businessmen, politicians, children in the amusement park, and commuters on the Subway.

Even these photographs from Kubrick's younger years reveal a startling sense of composition, tension, and atmosphere, and seem like film stills to never-shot dramas from the jungles of the big city. "This exhibition reveals how (Kubricks) formative years laid the groundwork for his compelling storytelling and dark visual style. They also show a noir side of New York that's no longer around." (Vanity Fair) "Photography, and particularly his years with Look magazine, laid the technical and aesthetic foundations for a way of seeing the world and honed his ability to get it down on film. There, he mastered the skill of framing, composition and lighting to create compelling images," explains Sean Corcoran, curator of the exhibition "Through a different Lens" and co-author of the book. Apparently, it was clear to the young man from the very beginning where his talent lay and how he was able to hone and master it.

Stanley Kubrick was born in New York City on July 26, 1928, as the first of two children. His parents came from Jewish families, and all of his grandparents had immigrated from Austro-Hungarian Galicia. His early passions were excessive reading, cinema and chess. He was first gifted a camera, a Graflex, from his father when he was 13 years old. And he immediately took off as a photographer for the William Howard Taft High School student newspaper. After graduation, he turned his hobby into a career and at the age of 18 became a full-time photographer for Look, to which he had previously sold amateur photos. As early as 1950, Kubrick directed his first documentary, "Day of the Fight", about life in and around the boxing ring, which he had already explored photographically. Although only 16 minutes long, the film was already considered a sensational study at the time. His future career path was set, the rest is history.

"Through a Different Lens" was an extremely successful exhibition, which subsequently also went on tour. Not only Kubrick fans were impressed by the mastery of optical staging that was already visible at an early stage. Corcoran: "Kubrick learned through the camera's lens to be an acute observer of human interactions and to tell stories through images in dynamic narrative sequences. (His) ability to see and translate an individual's complex psychological life into visual form was apparent in his many personality profiles for the publication. His experiences at the magazine (Look) also offered him opportunities to explore a range of artistic expressions. Overall, Kubrick's still photography demonstrates his versatility as an image maker. Look's editors often promoted the straightforward approach of contemporary photojournalism at which Kubrick excelled. It's clear he always got the photographs that were needed for the assignment, but that he was also unafraid to make pictures that excited his own aesthetic sensibility."

Beyond the 100 photographs in the exhibition, the book presents 300 of Kubrick's images, including unpublished shots and outtakes. Annotated by Corcoran, his colleague Donald Albrecht, and renowned writer and critic Luc Sante, who has published most notably in Interview and Harper's. They place the motifs in their context, refer to stylistic aspects, and thus point to Kubrick's (imminent) artistic career. Above all, in contrast to the exhibition, the book offers all friends of photography - whether fans of Kubrick or not - a rare insight into the proverbial pioneering early work of a brilliant artist. And into one of the most interesting eras of the "city that never sleeps" - yes, even Frank Sinatra was photographed by young Kubrick.

From the extensive, mostly euphoric reviews of the book "Through a different Lens" or the oeuvre documented in it, let's take one example each from a professional and an amateur:

"The man who later led a genre to its lonely high point and at the same time to its final point with each of his films knew already at the age of barely 17, that's how old he was at the time, that expression and form shape every impression." (Die Welt)

"I can't praise this book enough. Wonderful collection and very informative. An absolute must for those wishing to understand more of how Kubrick valued the frame." (Yvi on amazon.com)

P.S.: Just for the sake of completeness, let's mention Kubrick's cinematic output after his breakthrough: 1960: Spartacus / 1962: Lolita / 1964: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb / 1968: 2001: A Space Odyssey / 1971: A Clockwork Orange / 1975: Barry Lyndon / 1980: The Shining / 1987: Full Metal Jacket / 1999: Eyes Wide Shut. No, this is not a selection of greatest hits, this is a complete listing. And thus the proof that he has indeed realized a significant peak in the respective genre. His great influence on the history of cinema is also shown by the fact that he is the only director to appear a total of five times in the list of the 100 films with the best critics' ratings.

In addition, two side notes: Kubrick spent several years preparing a film biopic about Napoleon Bonaparte. The preparations were so far along that he could have started production at any time. However, the release of "Waterloo" (1970) and its poor financial results dissuaded him and the film studio from the project. The project has since been known as "The greatest Movie never made". He also dealt intensively with the subject of the Holocaust. After the release of "Schindler's List" (1993), however, he discarded these plans explaining that Steven Spielberg had already told all the essential.

Stanley Kubrick died of a heart attack on March 7, 1999, in his home at Childwickbury Manor near London, where he had lived in seclusion since the 1960s and had set up studio and editing rooms in the former stables.

Here's a short trailer for the exhibition "Trough a different Lens":

https://youtu.be/EgPlnjeBs7E

[iamanartichoke]

Thoughts.

One thing that strikes me about the end of the Betrayal run is just how many people have been affected by it. I’ve seen some gifs of Tom getting emotional at the close of the final performance, though I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch the videos because it feels very sad and I am but a delicate flower.

It feels sad because it feels like something is ending for me, too.

I look at the pictures from behind-the-scenes the last few days: the actors having fun, hanging out with the crew, sharing their lives on Instagram and writing little goodbyes on their captions.

I look at Tom’s before-and-after picture outside of the theatre, and there’s this sense of melancholy that radiates from the pixels and settles in the hearts of so many fans.

And I think about how this has, obviously, been this emotional, life-changing, goal-achieving experience for Tom (and for Charlie and Zawe, too) but I wonder if they realize that there are so many fans whose lives have also been changed, vicariously through them.

I look at my own experience – from deciding to take the plunge and buy a ticket back in July, to counting down the months, weeks, days, to actually boarding a plane and flying to New York City and finding myself in that theatre – and it certainly impacted my life, if not changed it.

My life is very mundane, as far from Tom’s glittering existence as it’s possible to get – but, for awhile, I got to share in something special. I stood on that sidewalk outside of the theatre and watched him smile and greet his fans. I sat in that seat inside while the lights went down and the curtains rose up and I remember my heart in my throat when I saw him – in person, in front of me – on the stage.

I remember losing myself in the story, in the performances, feeling not only so blessed to be able to see Tom but also feeling so blessed to experience Broadway. The only other plays I’d ever seen were all just local things – university plays, or performances at the community theatre that’s had a few big names sweep in but mostly exists as small-town entertainment on any Friday night.

Broadway was a concept to me, not actually a real place I’d ever imagined I’d experience. But I did. And while I watched that performance, I thought of how lucky I was to be able to see, first-hand, these professional actors performing their hearts out on stage. They were so talented, and the story was so raw – but, it was funny, too. The stage was sparse and bare, but they made it intimate. They pulled the audience into the story with them.

I watched. I drank a Hiddle Me This. Afterward, my playbill got damp and wrinkled from standing in the drizzling rain at the stage door, but Tom came out and he smiled and breathed and existed, and it felt like we were the same. We were people who’d been brought together by a love of story-telling, a love of character complexity, a love of fiction (for isn’t it his wonderful portrayal of Loki that drew us in in the first place?).

This desire to experience a story – the play, certainly, but also the narrative around which the play would revolve, the stories we would tell our friends afterwards about how it felt – transcended miles and states and even oceans to rest on ten square feet of New York City pavement.

And at the end of the night, he got into his fancy SUV with his dog and his bodyguard and I got on the subway with my wrinkled playbill and my damp coat, but I took that experience with me. I hugged it to my chest and folded it at the seams and put it in my pocket.

I did this amazing thing (amazing for me, who never strays too far outside of her comfort zone) and I got to take some of Tom’s life home with me. I’ll place it on a shelf and smile when I see it.

And that’s just my experience and my take-away. Millions of people, from all over the world, between the Broadway run and the London run, have similar stories. So I think about that. And it makes me feel so very sad to see the end of the play – the end of an era – but, I feel valid in sharing Tom’s sadness.

His experience – his choice to do this play, his decision to make the effort to meet fans at the stage door – changed his life, I’m sure. He came alive this year, ending 2019 looking so much happier and healthier than he has in a long time. He had his reasons for saying yes to the play, his own goals, his own desire to tell a story.

But in changing his life, he changed ours, too. Not on so grand a scale, of course; the rest of us return to our normal jobs and our pets and our clothes and the world spins on – but, for the rest of our lives, we’re able to look back and say, I was there. Betrayal is mine, too.

[chunkecheeks]

Orange and purple!

Orange:

what makes you feel warm inside?- really specific songs, one of them is Summer Breeze by Seals & Croft and the other songs are the same genre. Idk why they make me feel warm but they do, warm and safe

what’s your favorite halloween tradition?- OOH gosh i have so many... obviously dressing up i have to dress up and then me and my friends had a tradition for a while of going to see whatever horror movie was out at that time and that was so fun, but ofc work schedules have made that kinda hard so now i just hang out with whoever is available

what’s the last thing you learned?- the last thing i learned was that Marlene Danielle has the big tire from the Broadway production of Cats on her lawn 

when’s the last time you felt obsessed?- Every Single Day since I saw Cats 2019 dfdgfsf the Cats obsession has not halted once

what’s your favorite article of clothing?- My Barbie Swirly Cue dress! it’s a life sized replica of a mod era Barbie dress and it’s gorgeous

Purple:

what’s your astrological sign?- Pisces 

what’s the best piece of advice you ever received?- I can’t remember any actual advice I’ve been given so i’m gonna go with “take it easy man, but take it” which i got from a gif 

when’s the last time you followed your instincts?- the other day when i decided to make the meme that i have pinned rn I guess? Idk if that counts as instinct but i was like hm yes i will make this and then i did it without any thought

what’s your favorite food?- cheeseburger stuffed with fries

what’s your secret dream?- I wanna be an actress or a singer, I’m talented in neither but that’s always been the thing that i daydream abt. One time I tried to apply for disney channel but i was one year (technically i was only a month past tho) past the cutoff age :(

[blackkudos]

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker (born Freda Josephine McDonald, naturalised French Joséphine Baker; 3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975) was an American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in her adopted France. Baker was the first African-American to star in a major motion picture, the 1927 silent film Siren of the Tropics, directed by Mario Nalpas and Henri Étiévant.

During her early career Baker was renowned as a dancer, and was among the most celebrated performers to headline the revues of the Folies Bergère in Paris. Her performance in the revue Un vent de folie in 1927 caused a sensation in Paris. Her costume, consisting of only a short skirt of artificial bananas and a beaded necklace, became an iconic image and a symbol of the Jazz Age and the 1920s.

Baker was celebrated by artists and intellectuals of the era, who variously dubbed her the “Black Venus”, the "Black Pearl", the "Bronze Venus", and the "Creole Goddess". Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she renounced her U.S. citizenship and became a French national after her marriage to French industrialist Jean Lion in 1937. She raised her children in France. "I have two loves, my country and Paris", Baker once said, and she sang: « J'ai deux amours, mon pays et Paris ».

She was known for aiding the French Resistance during World War II. After the war, she was awarded the Croix de guerre by the French military, and was named a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by General Charles de Gaulle.

Baker refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States and is noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. In 1968, she was offered unofficial leadership in the movement in the United States by Coretta Scott King, following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. After thinking it over, Baker declined the offer out of concern for the welfare of her children.

Early life

Freda Josephine McDonald was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her mother, Carrie, was adopted in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1886 by Richard and Elvira McDonald, both of whom were former slaves of African and Native American descent. Josephine Baker's estate identifies vaudeville drummer Eddie Carson as her natural father despite evidence to the contrary. Baker's foster son Jean-Claude Baker wrote a biography, published in 1993, titled Josephine: The Hungry Heart. Jean-Claude Baker did an exhaustive amount of research into the life of Josephine Baker, including the identity of her biological father. In the book, he discusses at length the circumstances surrounding Josephine Baker's birth:

The records of the city of St. Louis tell an almost unbelievable story. They show that (Josephine Baker's mother) Carrie McDonald ... was admitted to the (exclusively white) Female Hospital on May 3, 1906, diagnosed as pregnant. She was discharged on June 17, her baby, Freda J. McDonald having been born two weeks earlier. Why six weeks in the hospital? Especially for a black woman (of that time) who would customarily have had her baby at home with the help of a midwife? Obviously, there had been complications with the pregnancy, but Carrie's chart reveals no details. The father was identified (on the birth certificate) simply as "Edw"... I think Josephine's father was white – so did Josephine, so did her family ... people in St. Louis say that (Baker's mother) had worked for a German family (around the time she became pregnant). He's the one who must have got her into that hospital and paid to keep her there all those weeks. Also, her baby's birth was registered by the head of the hospital at a time when most black births were not. I have unraveled many mysteries associated with Josephine Baker, but the most painful mystery of her life, the mystery of her father's identity, I could not solve. The secret died with Carrie, who refused to the end to talk about it. She let people think Eddie Carson was the father, and Carson played along, (but) Josephine knew better.

Josephine spent her early life at 212 Targee Street (known by some St. Louis residents as Johnson Street) in the Mill Creek Valley neighborhood of St. Louis, a racially mixed low-income neighborhood near Union Station, consisting mainly of rooming houses, brothels, and apartments without indoor plumbing. Josephine was always poorly dressed and hungry as a child, and developed street smarts playing in the railroad yards of Union Station.

Josephine's mother married a kind but perpetually unemployed man, Arthur Martin, with whom she had son Arthur and two more daughters, Marguerite and Willie. She took in laundry to wash to make ends meet, and at eight years old, Josephine began working as a live-in domestic for white families in St. Louis. One woman abused her, burning Josephine's hands when the young girl put too much soap in the laundry. By age 12, she had dropped out of school.

At 13 she worked as a waitress at the Old Chauffeur's Club at 3133 Pine Street. She also lived as a street child in the slums of St. Louis, sleeping in cardboard shelters, scavenging for food in garbage cans, making a living with street-corner dancing. It was at the Old Chauffeur's Club where Josephine met Willie Wells and married him the same year. However, the marriage lasted less than a year. Following her divorce from Wells, she found work with a street performance group called the Jones Family Band.

In Baker's teen years she struggled to have a healthy relationship with her mother, Carrie McDonald, who did not want Josephine to become an entertainer, and scolded her for not tending to her second husband Willie Baker, whom she had married in 1921 at 15. Although she left Willie Baker when her vaudeville troupe was booked into a New York City venue and divorced him in 1925, it was during this time she began to see significant career success, and she continued to use his last name professionally for the rest of her life.

Though Baker traveled, then returned with gifts and money for her mother and younger half-sister, the turmoil with her mother pushed her to make a trip to France.

Career

Early years

Baker's consistent badgering of a show manager in her hometown led to her being recruited for the St. Louis Chorus vaudeville show. At the age of 15, she headed to New York City during the Harlem Renaissance, performing at the Plantation Club, Florence Mills’ old stomping ground, and in the chorus lines of the groundbreaking and hugely successful Broadway revues Shuffle Along (1921) with Adelaide Hall and The Chocolate Dandies (1924).

Baker performed as the last dancer on the end of the chorus line, where her act was to perform in a comic manner, as if she were unable to remember the dance, until the encore, at which point she would perform it not only correctly but with additional complexity. A term of the time describes this part of the cast as "The Pony". Baker was billed at the time as "the highest-paid chorus girl in vaudeville".

Her career began with blackface comedy at local clubs; this was the "entertainment" of which her mother had disapproved; however, these performances landed Baker an opportunity to tour in Paris, which would become the place she called home until her final days.

Paris and rise to fame

Baker sailed to Paris for a new venture, and opened in La Revue Nègre on 2 October 1925, aged 19, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

In a 1974 interview with The Guardian, Baker explained that she obtained her first big break in the bustling city. "No, I didn't get my first break on Broadway. I was only in the chorus in 'Shuffle Along' and 'Chocolate Dandies'. I became famous first in France in the twenties. I just couldn't stand America and I was one of the first coloured Americans to move to Paris. Oh yes, Bricktop was there as well. Me and her were the only two, and we had a marvellous time. Of course, everyone who was anyone knew Bricky. And they got to know Miss Baker as well."

In Paris, she became an instant success for her erotic dancing, and for appearing practically nude onstage. After a successful tour of Europe, she broke her contract and returned to France to star at the Folies Bergère, setting the standard for her future acts.

Baker performed the "Danse Sauvage" wearing a costume consisting of a skirt made of a string of artificial bananas. Her success coincided (1925) with the Exposition des Arts Décoratifs, which gave birth to the term "Art Deco", and also with a renewal of interest in non-Western forms of art, including African. Baker represented one aspect of this fashion. In later shows in Paris, she was often accompanied on stage by her pet cheetah, "Chiquita", who was adorned with a diamond collar. The cheetah frequently escaped into the orchestra pit, where it terrorized the musicians, adding another element of excitement to the show.

After a while, Baker was the most successful American entertainer working in France. Ernest Hemingway called her "the most sensational woman anyone ever saw." The author spent hours talking with her in Paris bars. Picasso drew paintings depicting her alluring beauty. Jean Cocteau became friendly with her and helped vault her to international stardom.

Baker starred in three films which found success only in Europe: the silent film Siren of the Tropics (1927), Zouzou (1934) and Princesse Tam Tam (1935). She starred in Fausse Alerte in 1940.

At this time she scored her most successful song, "J'ai deux amours" (1931). At the start of her career in France, Baker met a Sicilian former stonemason who passed himself off as a count, who persuaded her to let him manage her. Giuseppe Pepito Abatino was not only Baker's management, but her lover as well. The two could not marry because Baker was still married to her second husband, Willie Baker.

Under the management of Abatino, Baker's stage and public persona, as well as her singing voice, were transformed. In 1934, she took the lead in a revival of Jacques Offenbach's opera La créole, which premiered in December of that year for a six-month run at the Théâtre Marigny on the Champs-Élysées of Paris. In preparation for her performances, she went through months of training with a vocal coach. In the words of Shirley Bassey, who has cited Baker as her primary influence, "... she went from a 'petite danseuse sauvage' with a decent voice to 'la grande diva magnifique' ... I swear in all my life I have never seen, and probably never shall see again, such a spectacular singer and performer."Despite her popularity in France, Baker never attained the equivalent reputation in America. Her star turn in a 1936 revival of Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway generated less than impressive box office numbers, and later in the run, she was replaced by Gypsy Rose Lee. Time magazine referred to her as a "Negro wench ... whose dancing and singing might be topped anywhere outside of Paris", while other critics said her voice was "too thin" and "dwarf-like" to fill the Winter Garden Theatre. She returned to Europe heartbroken. This contributed to Baker's becoming a legal citizen of France and giving up her American citizenship.

Baker returned to Paris in 1937, married the French industrialist Jean Lion, and became a French citizen. They were married in the French town of Crèvecœur-le-Grand, in a wedding presided over by the mayor, Jammy Schmidt.

Work during World War II

In September 1939, when France declared war on Germany in response to the invasion of Poland, Baker was recruited by the Deuxième Bureau, French military intelligence, as an "honorable correspondent". Baker collected what information she could about German troop locations from officials she met at parties. She specialized in gatherings at embassies and ministries, charming people as she had always done, while gathering information. Her café-society fame enabled her to rub shoulders with those in the know, from high-ranking Japanese officials to Italian bureaucrats, and to report back what she heard. She attended parties and gathered information at the Italian embassy without raising suspicion.

When the Germans invaded France, Baker left Paris and went to the Château des Milandes, her home in the Dordogne département in the south of France. She housed people who were eager to help the Free French effort led by Charles de Gaulle and supplied them with visas. As an entertainer, Baker had an excuse for moving around Europe, visiting neutral nations such as Portugal, as well as some in South America. She carried information for transmission to England, about airfields, harbors, and German troop concentrations in the West of France. Notes were written in invisible ink on Baker's sheet music.

Later in 1941, she and her entourage went to the French colonies in North Africa. The stated reason was Baker's health (since she was recovering from another case of pneumonia) but the real reason was to continue helping the Resistance. From a base in Morocco, she made tours of Spain. She pinned notes with the information she gathered inside her underwear (counting on her celebrity to avoid a strip search). She met the Pasha of Marrakech, whose support helped her through a miscarriage (the last of several). After the miscarriage, she developed an infection so severe it required a hysterectomy. The infection spread and she developed peritonitis and then sepsis. After her recovery (which she continued to fall in and out of), she started touring to entertain British, French, and American soldiers in North Africa. The Free French had no organized entertainment network for their troops, so Baker and her entourage managed for the most part on their own. They allowed no civilians and charged no admission.

After the war, Baker received the Croix de guerre and the Rosette de la Résistance. She was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by General Charles de Gaulle.

Baker's last marriage, to French composer and conductor Jo Bouillon, ended around the time Baker opted to adopt her 11th child.

Later career

In 1949, a reinvented Baker returned in triumph to the Folies Bergere. Bolstered by recognition of her wartime heroics, Baker the performer assumed a new gravitas, unafraid to take on serious music or subject matter. The engagement was a rousing success and reestablished Baker as one of Paris' preeminent entertainers. In 1951 Baker was invited back to the United States for a nightclub engagement in Miami. After winning a public battle over desegregating the club's audience, Baker followed up her sold-out run at the club with a national tour. Rave reviews and enthusiastic audiences accompanied her everywhere, climaxed by a parade in front of 100,000 people in Harlem in honor of her new title: NAACP's "Woman of the Year". Her future looked bright, with six months of bookings and promises of many more to come.

In 1952 Baker was hired to crown the Queen of the Cavalcade of Jazz for the famed eighth Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles which was produced by Leon Hefflin, Sr. on June 1. Also featured to perform that day were Roy Brown and His Mighty Men, Anna Mae Winburn and Her Sweethearts, Toni Harper, Louis Jordan, Jimmy Witherspoon and Jerry Wallace.

An incident at the Stork Club interrupted and overturned her plans. Baker criticized the club's unwritten policy of discouraging black patrons, then scolded columnist Walter Winchell, an old ally, for not rising to her defense. Winchell responded swiftly with a series of harsh public rebukes, including accusations of Communist sympathies (a serious charge at the time). The ensuing publicity resulted in the termination of Baker's work visa, forcing her to cancel all her engagements and return to France. It was almost a decade before U.S. officials allowed her back into the country.

In January 1966, Fidel Castro invited Baker to perform at the Teatro Musical de La Habana in Havana, Cuba, at the 7th-anniversary celebrations of his revolution. Her spectacular show in April broke attendance records. In 1968, Baker visited Yugoslavia and made appearances in Belgrade and in Skopje. In her later career, Baker faced financial troubles. She commented, "Nobody wants me, they've forgotten me"; but family members encouraged her to continue performing. In 1973 she performed at Carnegie Hall to a standing ovation.

The following year, she appeared in a Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium, and then at the Monacan Red Cross Gala, celebrating her 50 years in French show business. Advancing years and exhaustion began to take their toll; she sometimes had trouble remembering lyrics, and her speeches between songs tended to ramble. She still continued to captivate audiences of all ages.

Civil rights activism

Although based in France, Baker supported the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s. When she arrived in New York with her husband Jo, they were refused reservations at 36 hotels because of racial discrimination. She was so upset by this treatment that she wrote articles about the segregation in the United States. She also began traveling into the South. She gave a talk at Fisk University, a historically black college in Nashville, Tennessee, on "France, North Africa And The Equality Of The Races In France".

She refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States, although she was offered $10,000 by a Miami club. (The club eventually met her demands). Her insistence on mixed audiences helped to integrate live entertainment shows in Las Vegas, Nevada. After this incident, she began receiving threatening phone calls from people claiming to be from the Ku Klux Klan but said publicly that she was not afraid of them.

In 1951, Baker made charges of racism against Sherman Billingsley's Stork Club in Manhattan, where she had been refused service.Actress Grace Kelly, who was at the club at the time, rushed over to Baker, took her by the arm and stormed out with her entire party, vowing never to return (although she returned on 3 January 1956 with Prince Rainier of Monaco). The two women became close friends after the incident.

When Baker was near bankruptcy, Kelly offered her a villa and financial assistance (Kelly by then was princess consort of Rainier III of Monaco). (However, during his work on the Stork Club book, author and New York Times reporter Ralph Blumenthal was contacted by Jean-Claude Baker, one of Baker's sons. Having read a Blumenthal-written story about Leonard Bernstein's FBI file, he indicated that he had read his mother's FBI file and, using comparison of the file to the tapes, said he thought the Stork Club incident was overblown.))

Baker worked with the NAACP. Her reputation as a crusader grew to such an extent that the NAACP had Sunday, 20 May 1951 declared "Josephine Baker Day". She was presented with life membership with the NAACP by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Ralph Bunche. The honor she was paid spurred her to further her crusading efforts with the "Save Willie McGee" rally after he was convicted of the 1948 beating death of a furniture shop owner in Trenton, New Jersey. As the decorated war hero who was bolstered by the racial equality she experienced in Europe, Baker became increasingly regarded as controversial; some black people even began to shun her, fearing that her outspokenness and racy reputation from her earlier years would hurt the cause.

In 1963, she spoke at the March on Washington at the side of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Baker was the only official female speaker. While wearing her Free French uniform emblazoned with her medal of the Légion d'honneur, she introduced the "Negro Women for Civil Rights." Rosa Parks and Daisy Bates were among those she acknowledged, and both gave brief speeches. Not everyone involved wanted Baker present at the March; some thought her time overseas had made her a woman of France, one who was disconnected from the Civil Rights issues going on in America. In her powerful speech, one of the things Baker notably said was:

I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. And much more. But I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee, and that made me mad. And when I get mad, you know that I open my big mouth. And then look out, 'cause when Josephine opens her mouth, they hear it all over the world ...

After King's assassination, his widow Coretta Scott King approached Baker in the Netherlands to ask if she would take her husband's place as leader of the Civil Rights Movement. After many days of thinking it over, Baker declined, saying her children were "too young to lose their mother".

Personal life

Relationships

Josephine Baker was bisexual. Her first marriage was to American Pullman porter Willie Wells when she was only 13 years old. The marriage was reportedly very unhappy and the couple divorced a short time later. Another short-lived marriage followed to Willie Baker in 1921; she retained Baker's last name because her career began taking off during that time, and it was the name by which she became best known. While she had four marriages to men, Jean-Claude Baker writes that Josephine also had several relationships with women.

During her time in the Harlem Renaissance arts community, one of her relationships was with Blues singer Clara Smith. In 1925, she began an extramarital relationship with the Belgian novelist Georges Simenon. In 1937, Baker married Frenchman Jean Lion. She and Lion separated in 1940. She married French composer and conductor Jo Bouillon in 1947, and their union also ended in divorce but lasted 14 years. She was later involved for a time with the artist Robert Brady, but they never married.

Children

During Baker's work with the Civil Rights Movement, she began adopting children, forming a family she often referred to as "The Rainbow Tribe". Baker wanted to prove that "children of different ethnicities and religions could still be brothers." She often took the children with her cross-country, and when they were at Château des Milandes, she arranged tours so visitors could walk the grounds and see how natural and happy the children in "The Rainbow Tribe" were. Her estate featured hotels, a farm, rides, and the children singing and dancing for the audience. She'd charge admission for visitors to enter and partake in the activities, which included watching the children play. Baker used her children as metaphors: living examples of what humanity should look like, and her diverse children were used in a sort of attack against racism. She created dramatic backstories for them, picking with clear intent in mind: at one point she wanted and planned to get a Jewish baby, but settled for a French one instead. She also raised them as different religions to further her model for the world, taking two children from Algeria and raising one Muslim and the other Catholic. One member of the Tribe, Jean-Claude Baker, said:

She wanted a doll.

Another, Akio who was adopted from Japan, said

She was a great artist, and she was our mother. Mothers make mistakes. Nobody's perfect.

Baker raised two daughters, French-born Marianne and Moroccan-born Stellina, and 10 sons, Korean-born Jeannot (or Janot), Japanese-born Akio, Colombian-born Luis, Finnish-born Jari (now Jarry), French-born Jean-Claude and Noël, Israeli-born Moïse, Algerian-born Brahim, Ivorian-born Koffi, and Venezuelan-born Mara. For some time, Baker lived with her children and an enormous staff in the château in Dordogne, France, with her fourth husband, Jo Bouillon.

Later years and death

In her later years, Baker converted to Roman Catholicism. In 1968, Baker lost her castle owing to unpaid debts; afterwards Princess Grace offered her an apartment in Roquebrune, near Monaco.

Baker was back on stage at the Olympia in Paris in 1968, in Belgrade and at Carnegie Hall in 1973, and at the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium and at the Gala du Cirque in Paris in 1974. On 8 April 1975, Baker starred in a retrospective revue at the Bobino in Paris, Joséphine à Bobino 1975, celebrating her 50 years in show business. The revue, financed notably by Prince Rainier, Princess Grace, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, opened to rave reviews. Demand for seating was such that fold-out chairs had to be added to accommodate spectators. The opening night audience included Sophia Loren, Mick Jagger, Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross, and Liza Minnelli.

Four days later, Baker was found lying peacefully in her bed surrounded by newspapers with glowing reviews of her performance. She was in a coma after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. She was taken to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, where she died, aged 68, on 12 April 1975.

She received a full Roman Catholic funeral that was held at L'Église de la Madeleine. The only American-born woman to receive full French military honors at her funeral, Baker's funeral was the occasion of a huge procession. After a family service at Saint-Charles Church in Monte Carlo, Baker was interred at Monaco's Cimetière de Monaco.

Legacy

Place Joséphine Baker (48°50′29″N 2°19′26″E) in the Montparnasse Quarter of Paris was named in her honor. She has also been inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame, and on 29 March 1995, into the Hall of Famous Missourians. St. Louis's Channing Avenue was renamed Josephine Baker Boulevard and a wax sculpture of Baker is on permanent display at The Griot Museum of Black History.

In 2015 she was inducted into the Legacy Walk in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Piscine Joséphine Baker is a swimming pool along the banks of the Seine in Paris named after her.

Writing in the on-line BBC magazine in late 2014, Darren Royston, historical dance teacher at RADA credited Baker with being the Beyoncé of her day, and bringing the Charleston to Britain. Two of Baker's sons, Jean-Claude and Jarry (Jari), grew up to go into business together, running the restaurant Chez Josephine on Theatre Row, 42nd Street, New York City. It celebrates Baker's life and works.

Château des Milandes, a castle near Sarlat in the Dordogne, was Baker's home where she raised her twelve children. It is open to the public and displays her stage outfits including her banana skirt (of which there are apparently several). It also displays many family photographs and documents as well as her Legion of Honour medal. Most rooms are open for the public to walk through including bedrooms with the cots where her children slept, a huge kitchen, and a dining room where she often entertained large groups. The bathrooms were designed in art deco style but most rooms retained the French chateau style.

Baker continued to influence celebrities more than a century after her birth. In a 2003 interview with USA Today, Angelina Jolie cited Baker as "a model for the multiracial, multinational family she was beginning to create through adoption". Beyoncé performed Baker's banana dance at the Fashion Rocks concert at Radio City Music Hall in September 2006.

Writing on the 110th anniversary of her birth, Vogue described how her 1926 "danse sauvage" in her famous banana skirt "brilliantly manipulated the white male imagination" and "radically redefined notions of race and gender through style and performance in a way that continues to echo throughout fashion and music today, from Prada to Beyoncé."

On 3 June 2017, the 111th anniversary of her birth, Google released an animated Google Doodle, which consists of a slideshow chronicling her life and achievements.

On Thursday 22 November 2018, a documentary titled Josephine Baker: The Story of an Awakening, directed by Ilana Navaro, premiered at the Beirut Art Film Festival. It contains rarely seen archival footage, including some never before discovered, with music and narration.

In August 2019, Baker was one of the honorees inducted in the Rainbow Honor Walk, a walk of fame in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood noting LGBTQ people who have "made significant contributions in their fields."

Portrayals

Baker appears in her role as a member of the French Resistance in Johannes Mario Simmel's 1960 novel, Es muss nicht immer Kaviar sein (C'est pas toujours du caviar).

A character loosely based on Baker is featured in an episode of Hogan's Heroes titled "Is General Hammerschlag Burning?", which originally aired on 18 November 1967. The character Kumasa (played by Barbara McNair) is a chanteuse based in Paris. She later reveals herself to be Carol Dukes, a high-school classmate of Sergeant James Kinchloe (Ivan Dixon), on whom she had a secret crush.

The Italian-Belgian francophone singer composer Salvatore Adamo pays tribute to Baker with the song "Noël Sur Les Milandes" (album Petit Bonheur – EMI 1970).

Diana Ross portrayed Baker in both her Tony Award-winning Broadway and television show An Evening with Diana Ross. When the show was made into an NBC television special entitled The Big Event: An Evening with Diana Ross, Ross again portrayed Baker.

A German submariner mimics Baker's Danse banane in the 1981 film Das Boot.

In 1986, Helen Gelzer portrayed Baker on the London stage for a limited run in the musical Josephine – "a musical version of the life and times of Josephine Baker" with book, lyrics and music by Michael Wild. The show was produced by Baker's longtime friend Jack Hocket in conjunction with Premier Box-Office, and the musical director was Paul Maguire. Gelzer also recorded a studio cast album titled Josephine.

British singer-songwriter, Al Stewart wrote song about Josephine Baker. It appears in album "Last days of the century" from 1988.

In 1991, Baker's life story, The Josephine Baker Story, was broadcast on HBO. Lynn Whitfield portrayed Baker, and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special – becoming the first Black actress to win the award in this category.

Artist Hassan Musa depicted Baker in a 1994 series of paintings called Who needs Bananas?

In the 1997 animated musical film Anastasia, Baker appears with her cheetah during the musical number "Paris Holds the Key (to Your Heart)".

In 2002, played by Karine Plantadit in Frida.

A character based on Baker (topless, wearing the famous "banana skirt") appears in the opening sequence of the 2003 animated film The Triplets of Belleville (Les Triplettes de Belleville).

The 2004 erotic novel Scandalous by British author Angela Campion uses Baker as its heroine and is inspired by Baker's sexual exploits and later adventures in the French Resistance. In the novel, Baker, working with a fictional black Canadian lover named Drummer Thompson, foils a plot by French fascists in 1936 Paris.

Her influence upon and assistance with the careers of husband and wife dancers Carmen De Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder are discussed and illustrated in rare footage in the 2005 Linda Atkinson/Nick Doob documentary, Carmen and Geoffrey.

Beyoncé has portrayed Baker on various occasions. During the 2006 Fashion Rocks show, Knowles performed "Dejá Vu" in a revised version of the Danse banane costume. In Knowles's video for "Naughty Girl", she is seen dancing in a huge champagne glass à la Baker. In I Am ... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas, Beyonce lists Baker as an influence of a section of her live show.

In 2006, Jérôme Savary produced a musical, A La Recherche de Josephine – New Orleans for Ever (Looking for Josephine), starring Nicolle Rochelle. The story revolved around the history of jazz and Baker's career.

In 2010, Keri Hilson portrayed Baker in her single "Pretty Girl Rock".

In 2011, Sonia Rolland portrayed Baker in the film Midnight in Paris.

Baker was heavily featured in the 2012 book Josephine's Incredible Shoe & The Blackpearls by Peggi Eve Anderson-Randolph.

In July 2012, Cheryl Howard opened in The Sensational Josephine Baker, written and performed by Howard and directed by Ian Streicher at the Beckett Theatre of Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York City, just a few doors away from Chez Josephine.

In July 2013, Cush Jumbo's debut play Josephine and I premiered at the Bush Theatre, London. It was re-produced in New York City at The Public Theater's Joe's Pub from 27 February to 5 April 2015.

In June 2016, Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play starring Tymisha Harris as Josephine Baker premiered at the 2016 San Diego Fringe Festival. The show has since played across North America and had a limited off-Broadway run in January–February 2018 at SoHo Playhouse in New York City.

In February 2017, Tiffany Daniels portrayed Baker in the Timeless television episode "The Lost Generation".

In late February 2017, a new play about Baker's later years, The Last Night of Josephine Baker by playwright Vincent Victoria, opened in Houston, Texas, starring Erica Young.

Baker appears as a recruitable secret agent with French citizenship in the 2020 DLC La Resistance for the WWII grand strategy game Hearts of Iron IV.

Film credits

Siren of the Tropics (1927)

The Woman from the Folies Bergères (1927) short subject

Zouzou (1934)

Princesse Tam Tam (1935)

Fausse alerte (The French Way) (1945)

Moulin Rouge (1941)

An jedem Finger zehn (1954)

Carosello del varietà (1955)

[insanityclause]

Just months ago, following a critically acclaimed run at London's Harold Pinter Theatre, the four-person cast of Betrayal all made their Broadway debuts. One of the four was Eddie Arnold.

With poetic precision, rich humor, and an extraordinary emotional force, Betrayal charts a compelling seven-year romance, thrillingly captured in reverse chronological order. Arnold brings humor to the revered Pinter play, not only starring as the Waiter, but also understudying 'Jerry' and 'Robert'- roles played by stage and screen stars Charlie Cox and Tom Hiddleston.

Before Betrayal, Eddie starred in stage productions of Hamlet, The Vote, Journey's End, Jumpy, Saki. His film credits include: Mary Queen of Scots, Dead in October, Guardians, The List. Television credits include: "People Just Do Nothing," "Sticks and Stones," "De Infiltrant," "Man in an Orange Shirt," "The Vote."

As the play begins its final weeks on Broadway (closing on December 8, 2019), Eddie checked in with BroadwayWorld to reflect on the show's journey so far and how he is preparing to say goodbye to Broadway.

I know that a lot has happened in the past year, from opening in London to coming here... has it all hit you yet that you're really on Broadway?

I don't think it will hit me until it's too late and I get back home and say, "Oh no, it's over!" [Laughs] I feel like I'm living in this hyper-reality of the world that I used to be in. London was so incredible and such a lucky experience to get to share the stage with these three geniuses, and to be directed by Jamie [Lloyd], and to speak Harold Pinter's lines. But to then have the opportunity to come to New York, which I've only been on holiday to, and be able to come and offer it up to a new set of eyes is incredible. The American audience gets to experience it in a different way now. It was all so incredibly lucky. I feel like i've been floating on this bubble of happiness the whole five months I've been here. I've fallen in love with this city.

You're now a few months into the run. How has it been going at the Jacobs since opening night?

We are definitely all counting our lucky stars every night that we got this lovely, beautiful theatre that we've been invited to perform in. The audiences have been so receptive and so responsive. The funny thing is that the play has so many different threads that you can follow throughout, that an audience can be laughing hysterically one night and almost silent the next night... and yet they are just as into it at the end. They end up getting lost in the words and liking or disliking one of the characters for whatever reason. Or the next night someone else becomes vilified or loved or pitied. Each time it is so different.

It's really beautiful to see that every night, because I get to listen to it through the relays for about two thirds of the show. I get to watch how the audience is gauging it and how the actors are honing in on parts of each scene and working it in a different way. It really pumps me up. Like a football team has "Eye of the Tiger," I get to listen to Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Cox and Zawe Ashton perform scenes 1-6.

The magic of live theatre! Every time is something different...

Coming into the show in a later scene, in a production where the other characters don't leave the stage, I always get this beautiful feeling as the audience turns and watches me walk on. They're going, "Who the heck is that guy and why is he on stage?" And then it moves to, "Oh, ok! Here is a new dynamic that we haven't seen that will spice things up." They warm very quickly. I think Pinter has written it in a really great spot, where all of these characters that have been onstage before have been firing at each other constantly. Now suddenly, they have this new person who they can direct all of their anger and sadness and annoyance at. He's not going to beaten down that easily though!

This being a drama, with some comedic moments, you're the biggest moment of comic relief in the play. Is there pressure in that?

There's never any pressure going on because you've got to live in the reality of the moment- there are these very angry, posh men in front of you, who are trying their best to conceal their feelings for each other, especially with the information and power they hold over each other. So I've been caught up in this very awkward conversation and how do I talk my way out of it as quickly and effectively as possible? And of course they keep going in berating me. The comedy is really written into it already. So I just try to go into it as naturally as possible. Sometimes people laugh! At the end of the day you just have to be truthful to what you're playing and hopefully the writing and direction will help you out when you're not firing on all cylinders.

Were you intimidated at all at the beginning of the rehearsal process in London?

I had seen a lot of Jamie's work before. Three Days of Rain was such an incredible production and I had seen lots of the Pinter stuff as well. Obviously he is very big director who has done a lot of acclaimed work in London. Then the other guys, if you don't know who they are, you've been living with your head in the sand. At the end of the day I just wanted to nail the part as much as possible.

And luckily for someone like myself and others in this industry, between jobs, you serve at bars or restaurants. It's part of being a gigging actor. I made sure that I brought all of that experience- how many times I've bitten my lip at someone dropping their food and looking to me to pick it up... I thought, I can do this. I've done it before. It's actually a lot more pleasant this way because I can do it with lovely people and we can have a laugh about it in the end.

So intimidated wasn't it... more like honored. I'm so happy to have been allowed to perform and learn. You learn so much just from watching actors of this much talent and ability. Hopefully some of it will seep in and I'll be able to take it to my next job.

Have the four of you become close?

Oh yes, we've had a lovely time!

Your Halloween costumes were incredible.

Oh! They were great, weren't they? Captain America fit the bill for me. And I had to come out first as the leader of the Avengers. But we had so much fun dressed up like that. It was pure laughs backstage.

You've got a lot of time offstage throughout the course of the play. How do you occupy yourself?

I've read quite a few books! Right now I'm halfway through Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. It is about 800 pages and people call it the most remarkable achievement of the modern era of novel-writing. Then I've got another called A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. That one is about 700 pages long! So I'm trying to eat my way through both of those.

Then Dylan [S. Wallach] and Jesmille [Darbouze] are right above me. We get to hang out and catch up, which is lovely. We watch the show and run lines once or twice a week. Then I get to chill in pants and wait for my turn to go on.

So you have your own dressing room?

Yes! I bought a couple of plants to zhuzh it up, but I'm going to be really sad to leave it. It's been home for the last five months and it feels very much a part of me. I have very quickly adapted to life here.

What have you enjoyed the most about being a New Yorker?

Everyone is so incredibly welcoming. Also, New York has the best Italian food ever- I love Italian food. I still haven't bee to the Bronx, where I'm told the proper, old-school Italian restaurants are. That is definitely on my list of things to do before we finish.

Also, there are all these sports that don't even exist in England, like basketball and American football, baseball, ice hockey. I've been to see the Knicks and the Mets! I'm really trying to soak up every but of this American lifestyle before it gets taken away from me. [Laughs]

Have you gotten to see any other shows?

Oh goodness, yes! We saw Sea Wall/A Life, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge. That was incredible. In the same way as our play, it felt so natural and timeless. It was so beautifully acted. I went to see Dear Evan Hansen as well. That was phenomenal. Tom and I went to see it and then we've been singing the songs ever since. We're backstage singing our hearts out! That kind of acting, where you come on and sing for two and a half hours... it seems like an alien thing to me. I cannot imagine ever being to do that. How do they do that?

So doing a musical is not on your bucket list?

It might be on my bucket list, but I don't think that anyone would come to see it! [Laughs]

With just a few weeks until the end of the show's run, what are you most looking forward to in the time you have left?

I want to eat as much American food as I can! [Laughs] No, it's about not taking anything for granted. Everything becomes so happy and easy until these last few weeks and now I have to start saying goodbye to people. I need to make sure I've said thank you to about 500 people who have made this experience what it is. I need to seek them out and tell them personally. Any of my free time will be spent hunting people down to show my appreciation.

[ohnoshefell]

Getting to know me: Quarantine Q & A

Tagged by @sneetchstar thank you angel 💗

1. Are you staying home from work/school? Yes, from work :) I go back to school in the fall since I took a break this semester.

2. If you’re staying home, who’s there with you? My parents, my four siblings, my sister in law and nephew. Just a whole lot of people in this house haha

3.Are you a homebody? Yes I am.

4. What movie have you watched recently? Last night I watched this god awful scifi movie called ‘species’. But I’ve also been deep into my funny rom com’s like ‘Just Go With It’, ‘13 going on 30′, and I had a twilight marathon with my sister.

5. An event that you were looking forward to that got cancelled? I had a concert for ‘The Driver Era’ that I was supposed to go to in April :( and a week in Florida with my two best friends in early May. I know it’s still technically not May yet but I don’t see this ending any time soon plus our lockdown here is until bare minimum the end of April.

6. What music are you listening to? Miss Anthropocene album by Grimes as well as her Art Angels album, Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa, calm by 5sos, Blackpink, and a lot of broadway soundtracks.

7. What are you reading? I haven’t really been reading as often as before, I’ve sort of taken a pause from reading for a while now and have just been watching youtube videos mostly from buzzfeed unsolved to the kill count. I want to read but videos have just been my source of joy for the time being. 

8. What are you doing for self-care? I’ve mostly just been sleeping, doing makeup for fun, watching videos. Mostly just keeping myself distracted.

tagging @towalkinyourlight @frankcastle @gizkasparadise  @syfygirl1998 and anyone else who would like to do this

[blankdblank]

Hobbit-Soulmate Pt 17

. Using details on Chicago - basing this off the film since I haven’t seen the musical myself. .And let’s just pretend Raul Esparza was in it once.

Pt 1 - Pt 2 - Pt 3 - Pt 4 - Pt 5 - Pt 6 - Pt 7 - Pt 8 - Pt 9 - Pt 10 - Pt 11 - Pt 12 - Pt 13 - Pt 14 - Pt 15 - Pt 16 -

.

Months you had to duck and dodge Jordan, and yet the full way today there was no sight of him bringing a smirk to your face seeing the effect of Richards warning. Straight to your first class you headed only to catch a curious addition to your pathway. Mr Tarl, a tall sweater vest clad man with grey slacks matching his dress shirt and loafers grinning at you in his usual silent request to speak to you.

“Mr Tarl? I thought you were out for the rest of the year.”

He nodded, “Yes, that is why I’m here. To speak to you.” Swallowing dryly you nodded and hoped that this drama with Jordan and your falling asleep in your classic lit class the other day. “Oh nothing like that.”

Around you the curious students passing paused to listen in forming a growing crowd. “Now, you remember that you had agreed to be the under understudy for the show I am choreographing?”

“Yes.”

“Well one of the leads has dropped out this morning taking their understudy with them, and the curtain rises in four days. I was hoping you might be interested. It’s only a two month run, up to your graduation, we have to be out for Lion King’s return, and it pays well, just over $2000 a week.”

At that your jaw dropped as he said, “The director gave me a two hour window to find out if you would take the part if not we have to cram another three months of prep and auditions into four days. You’re the only person I know that could soak it all up on a deadline like that. You’ve helped me out so many times before and I know you’d be perfect for it.”

“Wow, Just, sure. I, um, just finished reading through the step outline book last week.”

He smirked and turned guiding you towards one of the dance halls to a usually empty rehearsal room filled with a small group of chorus dancers and a band all looking you over curiously in his explaining the role in the new musical, Chicago. A depression era jazz fueled show full of mischief and scandal. “Now for this role you’ll need to sing alto, but it is the second lead, Velma Kelly. I’ve talked to your teachers and you’ve been cleared for the day. I also have the chorus dancers for your main numbers with me, you can give the first number a once over while you’re being measured.”

With that final door opening into the rehearsal room you set your things down and pulled from your bag the book of pages filled with the moves for each scene along with copies of the songs you had already nearly memorized. Focusing on that while a pair of women hurried over to take your measurements, fully pleased there would be little alterations on the final costumes to fit you. After his call Mr Taln returned finding you speaking with the other dancers on the opening scene for final touches and he queued the band to give a starting count for your first run through.

.

All the way to eleven you rehearsed and eased the worries of the chorus at least that you were well passed qualified and prepared to join the show so soon. Just a few kinks had to be worked out, minor details and surely the following day you would have to work through the talking portions the following day with the director. Rehearsals here had ended and Mr Taln had approached you again when he felt comfortable you were ready to see the director, “Now, we just have to head over to the main stage to meet up with the Director for the final walk through and to get the paperwork signed. You live close, correct?”

You nodded, “Ya, not far. Um can I bring my Mate along? Depending on how long if he wants to come?”

He nodded, “Of course. I’ll let you drop off your things and fetch him, here is the address just in case, but I’ll be waiting outside to walk you in.”

You nodded again and his smile grew at your creeping grin, “I’ll see you there. Won’t take long.” Hurrying out the room he chuckled along with a few of the dancers and band members all grouping around him to follow him back to the theatre.

A subway stop later and you raced through the street and into your apartment building passing your landlord as you called out, “Can’t talk now I’ll explain later!” Up the steps you raced straight for your apartment where you spotted Richard stepping into your sights from the kitchen with a curious raised brow, “Rich! Richy Rich, oh I have so much to tell you!”

His grin spread seeing you set your violin and bag down still in your knee length sweats and converse from your rehearsals under your baggy sweater added haphazardly over your tank top. “Class called early?”

You shook your head and raced over to hug him excitedly making him chuckle then grin at you when you pulled back, “ok, you remember the email I sent about the under understudy role I got?” He nodded, “Well the lead and understudy dropped out this morning! My teacher’s the choreographer and brought a crew to help me rehearse and now I have to head out to meet with the director for his final seal of approval.”

He hugged you again tightly with a chuckle, “That’s wonderful!”

Pulling back he chuckled at your poking him in the stomach, “Go ahead, ask me where it is?!”

In an excited pure he asked, “Where is it?”

In a squeaking bounce from you his jaw dropped at, “Broadway!! It’s only a two month run but I’m one of the leads, in a show, on Broadway!” Again you squeaked bouncing from foot to foot only to be wrapped in his arms again in a crashing kiss.

“That is wonderful. When does it start?”

“Four days.” His jaw dropped again, “I know! But I’ve memorized it all, just gotta run through it the costumes aren’t that off to fit me so easy tucks there that they said would be done by tomorrow.”

“Four days though?!”

You shrugged, “I’ve had worse surprises, like Oxford, only got the news with enough time to spare for my flight and chips.” After a nip at your lip you rocked from side to side, “So, did you wanna come?”

“Of course! I can?” You nodded.

“We can eat after. Something special, to celebrate.”

He nodded, “Three minutes, I can hop onto something.” In his turn to get dressed you found your purse from the closet big enough for your binder and your jeans to change back onto when you were done. And in your final check for a few other things Richard showed up in a dress shirt he was covering with his sweater with his jacket in hand smiling at you, “All done.” You squeaked again and took his hand he offered to head through the door you opened and locked behind you starting the trip out to the stairs and subway after, with just a paused moment to share the bare minimum that you had gotten a part on Broadway widening his smile.

Anxiously on the subway you wiggled and nipped at your lip under Richard’s arm until you exited out on the bustling corner of Broadway. Down the sidewalk you followed the crowd then approached your teacher after he’d sent away another curious band of people assuming he was selling something based on the new show. His smile spread and he extended his hand to greet Richard on the trot inside. Through the halls when the door was locked behind you by the smiling guard watching you hurry your way back to meet the director.

Gregory stood with his arms crossed in the audience and a few rows behind him Richard accepted your bag and took a seat by the other friends, producers and relatives with a few reporters in between. Straight up to him Mr Taln led you and after a quick chat a disbelieving glance was shared between the men as you trotted up to the stage to join the chorus again to run through the opening number ‘All That Jazz.’

From the first note hit he ignored you, locked in his discussion until your voice sounded out in an alto alluring tone with a growl mingled with it halted his arguments and turned his head. The innocent bubbly girl he had just spoken to now stood confident, demanding of attention flawlessly flowing through the number.

Your warning of the Jazz tone of the musical came as a warning to Richard in hopes that he wouldn’t laugh, because as you’d done with Lee watching you perform in classes before if he laughed in the rehearsals you would be reduced to giggles at how nervous you were. But flawlessly you fit into each number and especially stood out and even egged the other women on to push a bit more in the ‘Cell block Tango’ number. In which Richard smirked seeing the director inch closer in your opening lines, so carefree and flirtatious with the stand in photographers interviewing you, only to sit back and swallow in your line, “It wasn’t until later, till I was washing the blood off my hands, I even knew they were dead!”

The sheer growl of the chorus beginning again and even out of costume chills ran through the silent seating section watching your trio perform your personal tango. That led to you back behind your rolling set of bars marking your cell you would exit again to join the chorus on a group number partially choreographed to floor work sure to look incredible in the final stages fully dolled up.

All the way to the final number you rivaled the more famous flapper bodied actress playing Roxie. Her movements having to be more emphasized than your restrained ones due to your even sweats covered hips required at your already present curves sure to be all the more emphasized in the final costume. It was a running game of contrast you seemed all to prepared to take on due to years of reminders on restraint in ballet and modern dance shows.

.

In the final pose you relaxed from the final pose lowering your fake bejeweled rifle from your shoulder to watch the director hurry up onto the stage dragging Mr Taln with him. From his eager handshake to his guiding you back to sign the papers his smile held and with the comment that the costumes had been altered already you were taken back to try them on for the promo posters bringing back the actress playing Roxie and even the actor playing Billy Flynn. With a grin of his own Raul joined you in the changing room hall extending his hand, “Hi, I’m-“

With a grin you answered, “Raul,” he chuckled as you said, “I’ve seen you perform before a few times. Mr Taln’s gifted me tickets to some of his shows before to keep me going.”

His brow arched up, “Keep you going?”

You nodded, “My dad works on an oil rig, we don’t get much time so I’m out here alone in school when I’m not at Oxford. Sometimes it’s harder than others.”

“Oxford? You study here and Oxford?”

You nodded and giggled, “Dad said I needed a backup plan so going for science degrees too.”

“Wow, you are just a bundle of mysteries aren’t you?” Making you chuckle and turn to head to your changing room to try on your costume.

His lips parted and you turned in the doorway guessing his question saying, “Jaqi, by the way.”

He nodded and watched you close the door to face the pair of women while he turned to enter his open changing room, through which he could hear your giggles and comments on the outfit.

Easily you stripped to your underwear and out of your sneakers and socks revealing a few bruised toes to the women taking them back for a moment along with the few band aids around the sides of your feet showing that you had blisters or cuts on them making your flawless steps all the more surprising.

Full pantyhose with dark lines down the backs of your thighs were covered with a black leotard layered with a silver and black sparkling shaggy vest top making you giggle and go, “Ooh.” Making the women chuckle around you at the opening number outfit they folded around you lifting and framing oh perfectly. After adding the heels they had given you a turn in front of the mirror was stolen and you mumbled, “Wow these makes my ass look fantastic,” chuckles were heard from the ladies and again outside from the makeup team waiting for you.

The door was opened and they saw you straightening your back to drop the curve of your ass to be less suggestive in your normal stance. Mumbling, “Ok, straight back on side views.” Turning again you hopped off the platform passing Richard, whose eyes scanned over you hungrily in your path after the pair to the makeup team.

Up into your chair you hopped and crossed your ankles looking in the mirror while one undid your bun to wind your hair back properly under a stocking cap for your black bob wig and the other started on your makeup after removing the little you had around your eyes already.

Passing Richard Raul worked his tie together and flashed him a grin then paused, “I saw you watching, you came with Jaqi.”

Richard nodded taking his hand, “Yes, Richard. It’s a great show from what I’ve seen so far.”

Raul chuckled saying, “Well we are fortunate to have such an amazing under understudy. Do you perform too?”

“Um, not musical theater anymore. Mainly plays and few bits on film and shows.”

Raul nodded, “Which was your last musical?”

Richard chuckled, “Cats.”

Raul, “Cats! Wow. Incredible show!” His name was called and he said with a grin, “I hope you show up again for the shows or dinners, we can share stories on our battle scars.”

Making Richard chuckle and lean against the wall peering in at you being transformed into Velma. Each stroke of the brush he could see your mental switch into her, no longer his previous mate but the vivacious murderess fighting to make it to the top of the world, and he truly couldn’t be prouder. Sure he’d done and mostly hated the musical portion of his career but you had such a passion and talent for it he couldn’t feel anything but overwhelming pride for you in all you were achieving and rightfully so in his eyes. It seemed you happened to stumble your way into acquaintances and jobs like a deer on ice and gracefully you took the jarring experiences in stride.

He could tell your feet were hurting, he’d seen you patching them up from class the other day after some jerk on the street had ran over your foot with a cart and yet you still powered through it with a smile, or smirk, depending on what the scene or your surroundings had called for. The struggle was real and painful for you, always restrictive and your practice in it showed as you posed with the cast in that outfit and another contrasting it from the final number with sheer stockings and a white sparkly shaggy mini leotard dress complete with white shoes to match your bejeweled rifle beside Roxy in her matching outfit. The image with you, Roxie and Billy together with you and Roxie in black around Billy in his suit and hat, you would be told would act as the new poster images to be posted by the morning for all the world to see complete with your name.

Papers, photos and the first rehearsal was down, the following day you would be back to go through your lines and stage cues for those scenes Richard was more than welcome to join you at as well. In your path to the door you caught the backers and producers speaking with Gregory excitedly about the talent you had turned out to be. One that one of producers had believed to be a better score than the original choice, especially due to your demeanor and effort to strive for perfection, not just for you but for the show in all. A major key in your winning factors for their choice for Velma was your ability to morph into her and actually vamp the other women up by performing as you had today only giving them hopes of a successful two month run they had been given for this show.

Having brought one of the disposable cameras you had gotten for him to record his time in New York with the blessing and joining in of Raul and Roxie you had your first reminder of your first big ticket show your name would be in lights for. Changed again with your face washed your hand was claimed by Richard who was smiling ear to ear leading you back out to the street after you had told everyone you’d see them tomorrow bright and early after hearing the voicemail on your cell phone from your teachers that you were given the week off and that if you needed to test out even earlier they would help you arrange that for you at your convenience after all sharing their compliments on how proud they all were of you.

Squeaking giddily in waiting for the crosswalk Richard chuckled at your lean into his side stealing a big hug earning a kiss from him in your glance up at him. Lowly he hummed against your lips, “You were fantastic.” He glanced down at the phone you were easing back in your pocket, “Family call?”

You shook your head, “No, my teachers, they said I can have the week off and if I have to test out early so I can keep up with the show they said they’ll help me set a good time for them.”

“What do you think? You can do both?”

You nipped at your lower lip for a moment then answered, “According to Raul they do have double shows twice a week, in the week, so I might have to. I love school, but I really love this show and want to give it my all.” His grin inched wider, “It just feels right to focus on it.”

Richard nodded, “I get that.” He glanced forward and you both crossed the street with the rest of the crowd, “To get my credentials I had to work in the circus for months, oh I was miserable, but I had to, so I understand. Plus, if you had the days off you could get more rest.” In the hum growing in his voice he playfully added, “And some more time for us to cuddle.” Making you giggle again.

“My two dance teachers did say my performances last Saturday morning would be my final, both said I should be resting my legs. And I still have the My Girl Friday presentation for tomorrow, but it’s set up for four so plenty of time after rehearsals. For my vocal coach they said my performance last week was being counted as my final grade so I can rest my voice. Violin, I have to be in on Saturday then that can be my final.” Richard chuckled at your nip at your lip to pause, “I think that’s it, the others can all be arranged. My others can just be essays or written.”

“I know you can handle it. I am glad they are so willing to fit your needs.”

You giggled again and said, “They do expect the best, and for the ones that work so hard and excel they want to help out, especially Mr Taln, he liked to hand out tickets to his best students as a sort of prize. Me most of all when I’m having hard times. Besides, it is one of the best school so it wouldn’t help anyone to hold us back from opportunities.”

Chuckling lowly he added, “Plus, Broadway. It is so impressive and you more than deserve it. Now, where are we celebrating?”

You giggled again saying, “I know a little place around here.”

He smirked and joined you for the walk to the little cozy family owned eatery you cozied up in a back booth enjoying the meal through hushed flirtations stemming from his comments on how he thought you looked in your costumes. From there you took the subway back home again and after sharing with your landlord you joined him upstairs, where he was chatting with his brother sharing all the news after his hearing Chris had checked in on his house. While he talked you went to your laptop and opened it firing off an email to your dad and grandparents along with a text to Lee sharing the news and asking how he was feeling.

Your arms draping down from around the back of his neck widened his smile and he took a hint that Chris had to go to end the call with his love and hung up to pull you around onto his lap to kiss you.

..

Fresh and early you were dressed and ready to go along with Richard after a stolen few extra moments of snuggling before breakfast. Today at least you could dress a bit warmer and the trip went easily and in a back rehearsal room you ran through your scenes with a few of the understudies and the assistant director while the main cast ran through the scenes around yours. A couple hours in you were out to run through your own scenes with the main cast, who loved to help you morph into the full role with shared comments on each scene before and after you went through them. From 7 to 2 you ran through everything, as many details at possible were absorbed and noted in your binder they all stole glances at smirking at your notes already before you had even practiced with them.

.

Into the cold again loose plans to have a meal after your first performance in two nights and you made your way off to school with your dress, heels and makeup in your bag. Through the halls again you passed through the excited students all asking random questions and sharing what you had missed between glances and smiles up at Richard, who settled into the auditorium anxious to see your performance after you had been stolen away by your group, who was more than thrilled to see you were still able to give the presentation. In your changing Richard glanced down at your phone he pulled from your coat pocket to read ‘Lee’ on the screen and without thinking he answered the call saying, “Hey Lee.”

On the other end of the line Lee froze in the doorway of the auditorium, “What?” His heart racing at hearing a man’s voice on the other end of your number.

“Jaqi’s changing for her performance.”

Lee wet his lips, “And you would be?”

“Richard.”

Again Lee inhaled to cover his moment of panic not knowing how he or when he had gotten to New York let alone how he had fit into your days since he had gotten injured and pulled away from your daily life in his try to explain things. “When did you get to New  York?”

Richard wet his lips then turned his head to the door behind him hearing the announcement playing through the phone, “If you’re here to see Jaqi you can sit by me, got a decent spot and she should be on in a bit.”

Lee exhaled then said, “Sure, you’ll have to wave or something I need my hands.”

Richard smirked, “Ok.” Wetting his lips he hung up and propped his arm on the back of his seat peering at the door waiting to see the young fool who let you go not once but twice for someone as ridiculous as Jordan.

After a few calming breaths Lee thanked the guy opening the door for him to make his way through the slanted walkway scanning over the crowd. It didn’t take much to figure out who your Mate was, out of the large group of students and familiar family members his eyes fell on the clearly standout man with your coat under his arm and his fingers raised. Every detail you had shared fit him to a T, and those bright blue eyes and resting stern expression under brown hair softening the expression, the long legs stretching nearly to the seat before him marked the pair to nearly the same height with similar builds only worsening matters.

At the end of the row Richard got an even better view of Lee, someone a bit sturdier than he was when he was that age, forcing back his insecurities of his time as a living string bean he flashed the teen a quick grin and eyed the scrapes and bruises visible outside of his baggy jacket and shaggy hair. “How’s the leg?”

Lee’s head tilted and he shifted his crutches to hop over to the second seat in beside Richard to sit down leaving his crutches on the seat to his left, “Sore, but better. Just a sprain.” He wet his lips, “When did you get in?”

“Jaqi must have taken the whole park incident hard,”

Lee, “That’s not-,”

Richard cut him off, “Our marks bruised over.” Lee’s lips parted, “I already had a plane ticket to talk to her and it took a few times to call her to get her to answer while she was getting you to the hospital. I landed about 15 hours later, managed to calm her down.”

Lee’s eyes dropped to Richard’s hand saying, “Your marks healed though?”

Richard nodded showing him the mark, “Yup. Jaqi thinks her heart might have skipped, or maybe it was a near death thing like my brother suggested. I thought you were on bed rest.”

Lee grumbled and shifted in his seat, “My parents are working, managed to sneak out,” making Richard chuckle, “I’ll be back by their lunch.” He glanced at Richard again who was glancing at the students setting up a few decorations on the stage, “You’ve been staying with Jaqi then?”

Richard nodded glancing at him again, “Did she tell you the news?”

Lee nodded, “Ya, texted me about the show.” He wet his lips, “You’ve seen the rehearsals?” Richard nodded, “She as good as I think?”

Richard chuckled saying, “She is phenomenal.”

Lee nodded, “How long are you in town?”

“Through to the end of next week, so I get to see just over a week of the show. Heard about your show and film, congrats.”

Lee nodded, “You have anything lined up?”

Richard nodded, “I have a spot in spot as Angus in a Shakespeare for tv that we’re going to put on stage closer to winter,” Lee glanced at him, “There’s a few shows lined up before then that have been planned for over a year, big names and all that, have to fit their schedules. In the meantime I have a few extra spots on some good series back home lined up.”

Lee wet his lips then asked, “So, how is Jaqi going to fit into all that out there while she’s dancing and going to school?”

Richard smirked, “The play would be the longest stretch of work for us to juggle through, besides, the London Ballet is only contracted from April to September, no telling where the world will lead her next.”

Lee, “And you’re good with that?”

Richard smirked at him, “The job comes with travel and new surroundings and acquaintances, I’m not going to hold her back from following where her path leads. If I can I’ll bend mine to be close to hers but even if we have to work apart we’ll make it work. What would you do,” Lee’s brows inched up, “If you got sent to one corner of the world and she got sent to the other, you’d just drop her as a friend?”

Lee, “She’s always my best friend.”

Richard nodded then said, “Don’t forget that.” Lee’s lips parted readying to say he understood you were dating now only to fall silent at Richard’s saying, “You don’t see how big an impact your friendship has on her. You’ve had history and there’s some to get through for you, but you could be friends for your whole lives, sharing all your good and bad news. You have no idea how rare that is. I didn’t have that till I met her, and I’ve almost ruined it a couple times but I won’t do that again, you shouldn’t either.”

Lee nodded then looked forward saying softly, “And here I thought you’d want to hit me or something.”

Richard chuckled, “I think the ground did enough damage to you.”

Lee couldn’t help but smirk and smooth his uninjured hand through his hair when your group was announced.

.

After you had finished your show you caught a glimpse of the pair seated together and your stomach clenched wondering what they had spoken about. Though after you had changed Lee was glad to accept your hug and to chat with you both on the way back to his home you walked him to ensuring he didn’t fall down or anything. Another stolen hug and he groaned by your ear at the sting in his ribs, “Save me a ticket for that opening night. I won’t miss it for the world.”

You smirked up at him, “Get back in bed you walking bruise.” Making him chuckle then glance at Richard who he traded nods with before his turn to climb the steps and head inside, when he closed the door behind him you turned with Richard who leaned down to kiss your forehead, “Come on, let’s go get you off your feet, Love. I’ll give you a rubdown to one of our films.”

“Ooh.” Lowly he chuckled in your snuggling walk down the street, in the subway however your curiosity got the best of you, “What’d you talk about?”

He smirked at you in your glance up at him, “You,” Your brow inched up, “How I got here, how long I’m staying, and I made sure to tell him he’d be a fool to stop being your friend if work takes you off to different corners of the world.”

“Really?”

He nodded, “I’m never going to make that mistake again, pushing you away. I’m so sorry I ever hurt you, I thought I’d lost you, and I won’t, ever again.” Snuggling more against his side his arm tightened around your back kissing the top of your head.

Back home again in his heating up some hot water to soak your feet in you checked your email and beamed at the email your dad had sent you that you read aloud to him spreading his smile in return as you said, “He’s coming out in three weeks to see me!”

Richard replied, “That’s fantastic!” Carrying the soaker into your bedroom and after you replied he carried you in as well to set you on the end of the bed while he started rubbing your neck and back through the opening credits of the film you had picked. “Any plans for when he gets here?” You nipped at your lip and he chuckled loving that you would be with family again after he had left to tide you over until you could be together again.

All –

@himoverflowers​, @theincaprincess, @aspiringtranslator​, @sweeticedtea​, @ggbbhehe4455​, @thegreyberet​, @patanghill17​, @jesgisborne​, @curvestrology​, @alishlieb​, @jogregor​, @armitageadoration​, @fizzyxcustard​, @here2have-fun​, @lilith15000​, @marvels-ghost​, @catthefearless​, @imjusthereforthereads​, @c-s-stars​

X all Rich. A - @abiwim​, @deepestfirefun​, @thestorybookmistress​

@evyiione​​, @deepestfirefun, @rhaenaatargaryen

Pt 18

[posthumanwanderings]

while I was on the train to Nakano Broadway to collect more Heisei era Godzilla toys, I thought I’d make a personal list of the best to worst Godzilla films (up until Godzilla 2000 cause that’s around the time I stopped caring, I’ll try again tho) since the new Godzilla film is around the corner and maybe some of you are interested in giving the Big G’s archive a shot (you can delete this caption too if you just like the pic! and yes Morrigan counts as a kaiju, a beautiful one at that)

1. Terror of Mechagodzilla - last of the Showa era, ending with one of Godzilla’s most deadly foes. and I love how fucking big Titanosaurus is, god damn. the cyborg girl was cool too, loved her arc and how she controls both monsters.

2. Godzilla Vs. Mothra (90′s) - Mothra’s Heisei debut, and looking more dazzling than ever and also alongside her evil twin Battra. the fight in Yokohama (after its real life modern expansion when Japan’s economy was at its best) was a nice fresh setting for the climax. this one perfectly balances campyness and just a good kaiju film altogether. 3. Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster - Ghidorah, besides Mothra and Mechagodzilla is probably the next most recognizable kaiju even to nonfans. One of the best moments in Godzilla history is when Mothra desparately tries to convince Godzilla and Rodan to team up against an even bigger menace, then they can get back to their typical kaiju businesses. 4. Godzilla Vs. Destroyah - like how T.O.M. ended the Showa era with a bang, this is the one that ended the 85-95 era with a monster that really beats the shit out of zilla who is already on the cusp of exploding like a nuclear reactor... it ties together the very first Godzilla movie too for plus points. for those looking for a more serious, borderline horror movie kaiju experience.  5. Godzilla Vs. Mothra (60′s) - yup two Mothra movies in the top 5. Mothra fights with Godzilla are always so tense, since Mothra being a giant graceful butterfly appears so delicate against big boi Godzilla, plus her kids are under his threat as well. and on top of that Godzilla moves and fights like a drunkard the whole time. 6. Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla (70′s) - Godzilla faces his robot clone for the first time who has one of the largest movesets of any other kaiju, a true force to be reckoned with. instead of Mothra being summoned by an ancient race, we have King Caesar, a stone guardian puppy dog lion to team up with zilla against the bigger baddie. fun fact: this was filmed right after Japan gained back Okinawa from America since WWII, and makes once again another fresh setting.

7. Godzilla 1985 - I’ll be honest, the lone Godzilla movies with no other kaiju weren’t the top of my interest especially being an ADHD kid, but from a film perspective this is shot really well, the miniature city set had a nice upgrade since T.O.M. from a decade before, and I love the laser beam special effects from the upgraded Japanese Defense Force in this.

8. Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah (90′s) - Not to be confused with the other 5ish Ghidorah encounters, this was the Heisei debut of the 3 headed monster mixed into a time travel plot since movies like Terminator were all the rage in the early 90′s. The tie in plot about WWII had more to be desired and felt very nationalist, but as a kaiju film the special effects were top notch especially with Mecha Ghidorah.

9. Destroy All Monsters - the ULTIMATE Showa era kaiju crossover fest has just about every giant monster Toho made up until the point because why not? It’s another typical story about mysterious aliens mind controlling kaiju to destroy Earth, but this time when they say Earth (and not just Tokyo) they mean it. Plenty of things get destroyed, nice big battle at the end, only thing lacking is they gave Baragon and Varan 3 seconds of screen time and they both are some of the coolest looking kaiju there are out there. big shame

10. Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla (90′s) - in this Heisei take on MechaG, his role goes from super deadly alien robot menace to kinda still deadly robot guardian built by the EDF. he looks cool but just seems more weak compared to the more sinister alien engineered one. Rodan makes a long awaited return and basically has a custody battle with Godzilla over a mysterious kaiju egg. no spoilers

11. Godzilla Vs. Hedorah - probably the scariest Godzilla movie with Destroyah placed next. he fights an alien pollution monster who has been taking big rips from factory smoke stacks only making him bigger every time. Japan’s take on an environmental awareness film and I see nothing wrong with it one bit.

12. Godzilla Vs. Biolante - zilla sees another type of counterpart to himself, this time essentially a ‘PlantZilla’ after a scientist thought it might be a good idea to merge Godzilla cells with a plant for some reason. the story is a bit odd, but this remains in middle ground territory because it debuts Miki Saegusa, the super adorable psychic girl who appears in every 90′s film afterwards and the special effects of Biolante in final form are sick.it also has a disco version of the zilla theme for some reason.

13. Godzilla: King of The Monsters - someone would bash me big time for having this any lower on the list, but this is the one that started it all, grimly filmed in black & white a decade after the end of WWII. fans know this already but it’s the atomic bombs themselves which devastated Japan that influenced the idea for Godzilla, a force of mutated nature that lashes back on humanity for making really bad decisions. I like this and all but it lacks zero charm or kaiju style ‘fun’ but for good reason, since it was meant to be more of a horror flick. 

14. Godzilla Vs. Gigan - for those that do want the campiness, this is one of the best the series has to offer along with a couple more below. Godzilla’s ol pal Anguirus returns for his last Showa effort as they team up against space monsters Gigan (who is edgy af) and once again Ghidorah (who sadly has been fighting on his own the whole time while other monsters always team up to bash him). being in the 70′s, it’s got shades of James Bond / spy films in it and the fashion is on point. we get to hear Godzilla talk for the only time ever too.

15. Godzilla Vs. Megalon - probably out camps #14 for several reasons: this entire time there have been an ancient race of humans living below the Earth who feel enough is enough between pollution and expansion of society and finally unleash their protector, a giant cockroach monster with drills for arms to destroy just Japan all modern civilization (where was he during Hedorah’s visit tho?). 2nd reason is there’s copycat Ultraman who also looks like Jack Nicholson, then there’s the edgy middle-school bully like relationship between Megalon and Gigan and then lastly the infamous Godzilla dropkick you might’ve seen in GIF form, if not well here you go:

16. Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero - probably the 1st 90% campy zilla flick because of the Godzilla victory dance alone, but this was also because as time went by more kids cared about the movies and not the original target audience of war torn adults. the aliens (at least in the dub version) speak super monotone even when they are being huge bad asses, and we get to see G and his on-and-off lover buddy team up again but this time IN #&$%#% SPACE. the setting on Planet X was real cool to see as a kid, but sadly we haven’t seen any kaiju fighting back in space ever since. the NES Godzilla game fixes that itch.

17. Son of Godzilla - well I’ve only ever seen this movie twice, which means it maybe just isn’t that good, even for G fans. it debuts, of course, the son of Godzilla who looks like a cross between the Cookie Monster and Michelin Man. I’ll give this movie credit for distancing zilla away from the city setting in replace with his tropical home territory in Monster Island which only gets glimpses in the other films. the ending shot is real sweet too.

18. Godzilla Vs. SpaceGodzilla - back to spaciness, we do see one last alien monster come to Japan in the 2nd to last 90′s Godzilla movie, appropriately called SpaceGodzilla. while he lacks agility (when not flying on his giant meth crystal) he makes up for it with telekinesis and other long range attacks. the story / acting / mostly everything is pretty so-so and we all know deep inside the only reasons to watch it still are the scenes with baby Godzilla stepping on land mines and more Miki Saegusa wardrobe changes, but the final battle in a crystal filled Fukuoka is really awesome. 

19. Godzilla’s Revenge - wow well I just noticed I put 3 baby zilla focused movies all in a row near the very bottom of the list, my bad. this one takes the cake tho for pure cringe. but it’s better than the last 3 so it can’t be super terrible, right? once again no spoilers but the only thing that bumps this stock footage filled movie more up then from being the worst of all time are the super silly fight scenes against baby Godzilla’s bully Gabara. you know Godzilla has to do it to em.

20. Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster - even tho the former movie just reviewed uses stock footage of almost all the fight scenes of this one, it is somehow worst than #19 because it focuses way too much on a 60′s party cruise, and Godzilla gets a lil King Kong-ish during a scene with the love interest of the movie, and the giant lobster monster with no lasers / projectile claws just doesn’t seem as threatening as all the previous monsters zilla has fought since.

21. Godzilla Vs. King Kong - I’ll admit, I never liked King Kong and probably never will, and because he moves faster than Godzilla they had to use non-slowed down footage to make the monsters fight like kids on a playground slapping each other, and just looks weird. real talk, Godzilla would beat the shit out of Kong with a single radioactive blast and the movie would end right there. but that’s not the ending we got.. let’s start a patreon to rewrite the movie we all wanted.

22. Godzilla Raids Again - alright we finally made it, thee very worst Godzilla movie of all time according to the loser typing this. why? because it went against everything the first Godzilla movie represented, but like... suddenly, since it’s the sequel to the movie and the big G was never meant to return after, which luckily wasn’t the case. it’s superrrr campy but on the acting side, and the fights with newcomer Anguirus are super sped up even more than the Kong fights, and just seems tacky overall in a non-funny way. the suit for Anguirus is honestly one of the coolest kaijus ever tho, and they made little changes to him every time he came back cause it was just that good. 

anyways, thanks for coming to my TED Talk. if I were to recommend just 3 Godzilla movies to someone who has never seen them before to represent each side of the series, I’d pick Terror of MechaGodzilla for the serious pick, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster for the balance / kaiju fest pick, and Godzilla Vs. Megalon for the most campy and fun one overall. hope this big list can help those who are curious! next up: Godzilla game reviews :)

[the-newsies-justice-for-zas-blog]

Ben Cook x Reader - Tuck Everlasting

A/N I don’t usually do actor/real person x reader fics or real person x real person fics because of the whole ‘they’re a real person’ thing. But still, enjoy.

~

Era: Modern

Ship: Ben Cook x Reader

TW: Pre-show anxiety, unsupportive parents

Word Count: 1.2k

Genre: Hurt/Comfort

You were sitting on the stairs leading down to the stage in the beautiful Broadhurst Theatre in New York. You were there because your show, Tuck Everlasting, was only in the second week on Broadway and your anxiety was playing up really badly and you just needed to be alone and that was where you went to calm down before shows.

You were just about to start to over catastrophize even more, when your dance partner, Ben, came and sat down on one of the steps below you. Well, almost next to you. You just sat there in silence for about 10 minutes, listening to the sounds of the theatre. He knew that you were very nervous and he was the only person that knew how bad your anxiety could get. Ben had always been your best friend in the cast and he was the only one you trusted enough to talk to about your problems; and he came to you to talk to as well.

"Hey (Y/N). You OK?" He said quietly, laying a hand on your shoulder. You didn't turn to look at him, but you could tell that he was looking at you and you knew that he liked you. You could read him like a book, and you kinda liked him too, but...it was complicated. Anyway, he kept you grounded and you liked that.

You finally turned you head and saw his handsome face half-smiling at you. 'You are especially cute today.' You caught yourself thinking.

"Yeah. I'm fine." You said smiling. Your face was smiley, but your voice was off slightly and Ben picked up on that.

He just looked at you in that way he did when he could tell you were lying, and you just broke and burst out crying.

"No! I'm not fine! I'm so scared!" You managed to say in between sobs.

"Why?" He asked. He sounded so concerned and you hated it.

"My family is in the audience. I'm scared that they are going to hate me if I mess everything up, seeming as they are already disappointed in me for dropping out of school." You said, again, in between sobs.

"Oh, it's fine if you mess up. Come on! Think about how many times I messed up last Monday! It was terrible!" He said, in an effort to cheer you up. It worked a bit because you laughed and you could see that he was happy with himself for making you laugh.

"OK, that's not true, you're always perfect!" You said. I was true and it was then that you just couldn't take it anymore. You were just so frustrated that you couldn't have Ben when he clearly like you. You admitted to yourself that you loved him and you decided to tell him.

"Ben...I really like you and...You know what, I don't really like you. I love you, and I can kind of tell that you like me too, but I am sorry, if my parents find out that I like you they will disown me and I am poor enough anyway. I just can't stand seeing you every day, being your dance partner, being the first decent person I see in the morning and the last decent person I see at night, and I can't stand not being able to say that I like yo-"The words just spilled out of you and you couldn't stop it. Well, until he kissed you softly on the mouth. That shut you up.

"(Y/N)...I ha-" Ben started to talk, but he was cut off by...

"This is your 10 minute call. 10 minute call for Tuck Everlasting." The announcer on the loud speaker said, interrupting your moment.

"Come on, we should go now." You nodded in silent agreement, feeling quite stupid for saying everything you did. You both got up at the same time and you followed him down the stairs, along the many crowded corridors and to the stage entrance. The whole time his hand was entwined in yours and he didn't let go until you reached the stage entrance where there was a small group of about 5 other people. You had just remembered your new ritual. Called the 'Orange Peeler'. It was supposed to help calm us down and prepare us for the show, and by god, did it work!

You didn't want to let go of Ben's hand but you had to do the Orange Peeler. He glanced over at you and he could see that you were still anxious, so he went all out making himself look stupid and cute at the same time and it made you laugh. Laughing made it feel like a slight weight had been lifted off of you.

Then you heard the places call and you prepped for the start of the show.

TIME SKIP ~ AFTER THE SHOW

"Hey (Y/N)! You were amazing tonight!" Ben said as you rushed into his arms after the show; even though you had seen him only a few minutes ago, you felt like it was too long.

"Thanks, Ben! You were too, again!" You replied with a huge smile on your face.

"See you later! Oh wait, are you going to Stagedoor?" He asked. You shook your head.

"Too tired." You replied.

"Oh, good. That means I can walk you home." Ben said, with his signature goofy, cute grin on his handsome face.

You part in the corridor, get changed out of your costumes and then, once you are ready to go home, you meet up again in the same place you parted.

You took his hand you left the theatre, then the worst thing that could possibly happen to you at the present moment, happened. You family walked up to you, led by your mother and father. Ben could see you hyperventilating slightly, and squeezed your hand reassuringly.

"(Y/N)..." Your father began. "We all saw you in the show tonight. And, well let's just say that we are incredibly sorry that we didn't believe in you. I mean, look at where you are now. You got here on your own and we are sorry for now supporting you up until now. We all agree that we are going to make up for all the support that we didn't give you on your journey here and we are now your biggest fans and your biggest supporters. And we completely respect your choices." That shocked you and all you could do was stand there like a fish out of water, just gasping for air as your little brother, Jack, and your little sister, Kathy, came up to you and gave you a huge hug.

"Thank you." That was all you could say while hugging your siblings back. You looked your parents in the eye and you could tell that they meant it this time. You exchanged a few words after that and eventually, you parted ways.

"So..uhhh...Now that is cleared up." Ben took a deep breath in..."Are you free anytime soon?" Was he asking me out on a date?

"Are you asking me out on a date?!" You asked.

"Yes!" He replied, slightly nervously.

"I'd love to." You replied. He smiled his goofy-cute grin and you copied it, making him laugh.

"Can I walk you home?" He asked.

"Of course." You replied, staring lovingly into his strikingly beautiful blue eyes. They seemed to sparkly like little gems or like sunlight shimmering off a sapphire ocean.

Ben took your hand and together you walked slowly down the streetlight lined road.

Happy and madly in love.

[leggigoesabroad]

we’re only here on borrowed time

Sitting on a lovely, smooth, high-speed train from Nuremberg, Germany to Paris.  Yesterday was a day from hell which I'll lightly get into but not dwell on, but for now, I'm so happy.  I'd be remiss to not mention why!!  Part of the reason I decided to book the train instead of flying from Prague to Paris was for many uninterrupted hours to listen to this new book my doctor recommended for me, called "Stress Less, Accomplish More" but Emily Fletcher.  It obviously sounds like a typical self-help book, but I have a crush on my doctor and she really sold it for me.  (BTW she's no older than like, 32, is married with two kids, super pretty, and totally gets me.  She's very female-centric and one time said 'I'll never let you leave here without a prescription for more birth control, we will never let the system be the reason you're struggling with something' after asking if I had enough for the foreseeable future.  Joke's on her, I'm single AF, but it really spoke to me.)  She said it's a book about meditation and although I've tried meditating before, I am a little bit of a natural skeptic as to allllllllll of its listed benefits.  She said this super simple technique helps you sleep better, greatly reduces anxiety/depression, get sick less often, be more effective at work, eliminate jet lag, on and on.  She said she honestly can't say enough about it and it completely changed her life.  I took this as a way to be more like her and immediately bought it.  Also because I wanted her to like me.  Incidentally, she texted me a few days ago inviting me to a new women's group she's developing for people in my demographic who are going through the same things.  Because like of COURSE she did!! She also tells me to call her Casey instead of by "Doctor" and man I should stop now this is getting weird.

Anyway, this book is by an ex-Broadway performer who noticed she was going grey at age 28 (cough cough I am too) and was sick of all the medications she used to treat these symptoms and wanted to get more at the root.  She talks about how simple this meditation method is - 15 minutes twice a day - and how it is literally the best thing she's ever done for herself in her life.  After her course, she asks people how much money it would take to stop meditating.  They all say something between "500 million dollars" and "no amount of money in the world, because what would be the point without everything else meditation gives me?"  I booked the train so I could set aside several hours to listen to the book, especially on this trip, because we all know from the Thailand blog era that being far away in new countries is often what helps me make decisions in life and really self-reflect.  Yes, I hear how extra that sounds, but I'm fine with it.  I'm only on Chapter 5 and I keep intermittently crying!!  We haven't even gotten to the part where she tells me HOW to meditate!  Just her background on why it works and the entire theory behind it.  The author talks about one case in which a guy with advanced Parkinson's started her sessions and after literally the first one, his tremors disappeared during the entire 15 minutes and for 5 minutes after.  She said when they both opened their eyes he asked if she had noticed, and she said she did, and started crying because it was arguably the most profound moment of her career.  I'm crying typing this.  Ugh.  She doesn't claim that meditation will cure chronic illnesses of course, but rather that it's the best thing one can possibly do to supplement medical instruction and for some ailments, it can indeed end up replacing them.  She said after she started the practice, she didn't get sick again (cold, flu, anything) for EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS!!  Because when the body can use sleep at night to fully rest and not just as a band-aid for stress relief, your immune system can work at its intended level and not allow any of these small things to come into play.  You'd think I'd be getting paid for this post, but alas, I'm only 5 chapters in and get ready for me to be even more insufferable than usual when I get home.

Onward.  Last I left off I was in a cafe with Lizzy in Prague.  We stayed for a few hours and actually got a lot of work done!  Turns out my freelance deadlines don't disappear when I go to Europe, hmm.  We then walked to an area called Petrin, which from afar just looks like a tree-covered hill.  It's actually an uphill path in an expansive park that ultimately overlooks the entire city of Prague.  The more we went up, I kept thinking "we must be at the top by now" and then new buildings and castles and paths and orchards would appear.  It felt like a hidden fairyland with twists and turns and new beautiful sights along the way.  I posted a pic on the gram, but at one point we came to a clearing and there was a picture-perfect snapshot of the entire city through the trees.  With the red roofs and striking architecture I again almost felt like crying.  Also saw a bunch of couples making out in the orchards with no shame all, so that was something.  Good on 'em, ay.  We stopped for a glass of wine at the top (duh) and ended up chatting about work/management styles/feelings about jobs/etc.  Something great about Lizzy is that it turns out for everything I'm interested in, she's in grad school for.  I felt like she was the manifestation of all things fascinating to me.  Kinda like when you meet someone really smart who is able to vocalize all the things you feel about things, but better.  Like Hilary, but not my sister.  Like Jay Wong, but not my boss!  We talked about Kitty and her job search and then got into the concept of finding a job by figuring out what you love and what comes naturally to you, and then seeing how you can get paid for it.  She loved hearing about Kitty and SpotX and the proposal she had to do about team-building and customer engagement, and we chatted all about different marketable skills.  I remember crying to Hil many years ago (Hil if you read this, do you remember??) about how I *thought* I was smart but I hated studying/learning/school and my grades reflected that, and how I've squandered all my potential, I'm actually really dumb, etc.  BTW in retrospect I now see a lot of that as my undiagnosed ADHD and I wish I had understood it earlier to get ahead of it, but it's okay.  Hil at the time told me that she may have great grades and a good job, etc., but that she can't walk into a room and command attention or just become friends with everyone, and that skills come in all shapes and sizes and one isn't better than another.  I'M GETTING EMOTIONAL AGAIN.  Remember when my blogs used to be carefree and funny?  Me either.

After that, Lizzy and I walked all through the grounds of the Prague Castle and wound our way down the hill to the Charles Bridge, and stopped for another drink.  Then we got into a whole discussion about relationships and sexuality.  Later, when we were hanging out with her husband, Rob, I found myself saying over and over: "It's like what Lizzy and I were talking about earlier..." and he was like "how did you guys somehow talk about EVERYTHING today?!"  Females, man.  Eventually she went back to her place to shower and I checked into my Airbnb across the street.  Got SO EXHAUSTED and almost fell dead asleep while waiting for her before dinner, but rallied, and so glad I did.  We took the tram up the hill to a nice restaurant for dinner, then went to an Irish pub to watch the Liverpool/Barcelona game.  No one there remembered the epic call from 2010 World Cup that Ned and I quote all the time, but hey, we do and that's what counts. ("AND YOU COULD NOT WRITE... A STORY LIKE THIS.")  We got there at halftime and were ordering drinks at the bar when a guy sitting at the bar was a real dick and says to me and Lizzy, "just so you know, when the game's on again, you've gotta move.  I sat here on purpose for a good view, so make sure you move." Then turned to his partner and we could clearly hear him saying things like, "Fuckin' ridiculous they're standing right there during the game... I'm not going to let that happen... no fuckin' way" Um, a) it's half time. b) it's a bar and we're at the bar ordering drinks. c) WE KNOW. d) fuck off.  He kept talking about us after we moved and she and I briefly thought about starting shit but you know, foreign country and all that.  Luckily he was cheering for Liverpool and they got stomped in the second half to lose the game and we rejoiced. :)

Went to a weird, dark "Books" bar after that and we were almost the only people there.  There were condoms in the bathroom and I took one as a joke to show Rob and Lizzy, but now it's still in my bag and freaks me out every time I reach for my Chapstick.  We went back to their house afterwards and I kid you not, just watched Harry Styles videos.  Turns out they both love him, especially Rob, which is so rich to me.  He was like "this guy is just like coolness personified and he's so talented and he's weirdly attractive in kind of a feminine way but also masculine and he has such a nice voice and swagger...." you'd think I planted Rob to say this to me, but no.  We watched the entirety of his Carpool Karaoke as I told them all of my favorite parts ("I was back middle." "Why am I always Julia Roberts??" "I cry in like, a cool way.")  It's like when someone says to me, "you know, I'd love to know more about the meanings behind Taylor Swift's songs but I never learned, what are all of the albums about?" And I look around expecting that I'm being Punk'd.  Parted ways with them and thanked them for everything and told them I was very grateful for our summer camp relationship.  You know, the kind that is intensely strong, and very brief.  I may never see them again and yet we spent 15 hours straight together on Wednesday and I had one of the best days ever.  See you in another life, brotha.

A series of hiccups led to a very stressful morning on Thursday that I won't fully get into because my poor family already lived through it with me via WhatsApp... but it started with extreme random nausea, (the kind you have a serious internal talk with yourself about: "no.  you are okay.  take deep, slow breaths.  do not throw up here.  you are completely fine, this will pass.  breathe.  you're not sick.  this is just random.  you cannot throw up here.") and then I got on what was supposed to be a train from Prague to Nuremberg with a stop in Schwandorf, but there was a service interruption on the first leg and everyone knew but me.  Probably because everyone speaks Czech and I, ya know, do not.  BTW so far Czech is the least intuitive language I've ever come across.  I could read an entire book in it and wouldn't be able to give you even the slightest context, like you can with French/Spanish/German.  I know, romance languages and all that, but man I really underestimated how important it is to know some of the language when you're traveling through remote towns.  I notice everyone in Plzen has gotten off the train and I think "well that's weird, but maybe they're all local commuters."  A lady comes by and yells at me to get off, I say, "English?" She says, "NO.  Bus." and shoos me off.  In the panic I forget my suitcase from where I stored it - thank the heavens above, it was still there when I realized 15 minutes later and fought my way back on a closed train.  I have such PTSD today and can't fathom what would have happened if the train had left.  Imagine my suitcase just taking off on a train to the Czech countryside by itself.  Zero percent chance I get that back.  Work computer, my treasured leather jacket from Kathy that I swear I'd save in a fire, all of my toiletries and pills and prescriptions...ugh I can't even think about it.

No one spoke English except for a kind man at the info desk who spoke very little, and gave me directions ("directions" is a loose term here, I did a lot of critical thinking and problem solving to vaguely understand what I was supposed to be doing next) to take a bus in an hour that would take me to Stod, where I could then catch my train to Schwandorf and hopefully ultimately Nuremberg.  After a series of mishaps and incredible uncertainty, eventually all of that happened.  I walked into the hotel in Nuremberg and almost kissed the floor.  I had big plans to wake up early and explore, but alas, I'm embarrassed to admit that all I did in Nuremberg was buy some wine/chocolate/gummy bears and stay in all night and sleep late this morning.  Bodies need rest, y'all.  My audiobook author would tell me that my body is in recovery mode after releasing an unnatural amount of adrenaline and cortisol.  NEVERTHELESS SHE PERSISTED!

I'll be staying with rig friend Angie and her family in Paris, and seeing rig Aaron there too.  He messaged me yesterday and said, "so do you want to see museums and such? Or I can show you my favorite brasseries?" I said, "I've been to Paris, I'd just like to day drink honestly."  Luckily he is on board, shawoooooooo.  Oddly there's no WiFi on this train like they said there would be, but it's not that bad because it's so smooth and comfortable and I still have my audiobook.  Will post this blog sometime later when the WiFi shows up.  Cross your fingers that I get the romantic countryside train ride I pined for.  And happy weekend!!!