#you know i actually had to go into the game to check kelly's full design because the wiki only has her bust

[magicalmyu]

i like the idea of kenny and nathaniel being close but also i think it would be funny if they had the pettiest beef with each other

[cosmicbash]

One the angsty prompt ideas I’ve been thinking about is Kells practicing how to cook for weeks so he can surprise Em by cooking him dinner, maybe for an anniversary or something, and on the day Kells has planned to surprise him, Em is hours late, leaving Kells alone for the evening. If you’re interested maybe you could write something like this? 🥰

3 years together. One thousand and ninety five fucking days between him and this old dorky man.

It's insane. Downright impossible to believe but Colson knows it's as real and true as the 2 year sobriety chip he's got hung around his neck on the gold chain Marshall gifted him with it this morning.

Both their relationship and his sobriety are as intertwined as their lives are now. Marshall's like the glue that holds all of his pieces together. Picking Colson back up, time and time again whenever he shattered in the beginning and filling in the gaps with his own loose pieces until it was Colson's turn to do the same. Which, by then, it only made sense to combine their puzzles and broaden the picture.

Now Marshall swoops in for Casie's PTA meetings he can’t make during tour. Holding the phone and helping him FaceTime for soccer games and school conferences when flight delays or bad luck keeps him late.

Colson tags along to Whitney's first few dates out in LA, weaving through the public spaces Marshall never could without drawing attention just to make sure she's safe and respected.

They tag team any situation involving the girls, even though Alaina and Hailey both still snicker at him from time to time, and Casie rolls her eyes at Marshall's rules. They're more than just dating now.

They're family.

And even just thinking about that brings tears to Colson's eyes.

Or maybe it's the onions. Baze said chewing gum helped mitigate this fucking problem but goddammit does it burn-

"Fuck!"

He has no idea how he got it in his mind that he could actually cook a meal, let alone a full anniversary dinner for Marshall but here he is. A pot and pan already cooking on the stove and his fingers knicked a dozen times in his rush to cut up more veggies for the sauce. 

It's insane.

But Colson's following through with it anyway, because he fucking loves Marshall and that bastard cooks dinner for them every single holiday or occasion so it's about time he stepped up to the plate and did it himself. 

Plus he's been secretly practicing for weeks with Baze over both FaceTime and a few in person lessons. Perfecting his simmering styles and meat seasoning to make the tastiest meal he can manage all on his own.

So far the last three times he's made the dish his bassist had given stellar reviews so there's little chance he'll somehow fuck it up tonight knowing it's for Marshall…..at least, he hopes.

The minor setbacks his butchered fingers have brought aside though, so far everything was coming along perfectly. His noodles are boiling (never over the rim, thank you wooden spoon trick), his meats marinating, and as soon as he tosses these sliced onions in his sauce will be cooking down beautifully.

All in all the night is starting to look like it just might be perfect.

Until 6 o'clock passes by and Colson's ears never pick up the click of the front door knob, or the hum of Marshall's escalade pulling up front outside.

The food's still simmering, minutes away from being actually done so he doesn't worry too much. Sure he was hoping to have a sweet moment where his boyfriend comes home and catches him cooking at the stove like a traditional housewife, but seeing his face when the food's done and plated promises to be just as cute.

Besides, Marshall has always fit the housewife role so much better than him anyway. Even the apron Colson's wearing is one of the older rapper's, stolen from his small collection in the pantry to protect his designer sweater.

Colson doesn't start to worry at 6. Traffic can be a bitch.

7 though? And then 7:30 when his texts go unread and his calls ring all the way through to voice-mail? That's when the blonde starts to fret. 

He's luckily put off plating because some brief flash on uncertainty had run through him after the food finished so it's stayed warm and simmering on the stove. But even that had to come to an end before 7:30 because his sauce would singe or his noodles might squish, so now Colson's trying to keep busy by perfecting the presentation. Shaky fingers swiping around the edges of Marshall's plate to clean up a splatter of sauce. Every Chopped Judge rambling off feedback in his head until he has it looking like something he's certain even Gordon fucking Ramsey would ask for a bite of.

By 8 the dinner table is set. His plate, Marshall's, the bucket of low alcoholic wine they both love chilling as a centerpiece. Colson even lights a few candles and adds some flowers from this mornings gift exchanges to keep himself from screaming.

There's a pit in his stomach that's steadily been growing though. Every passing minute and glance to his phone where he finds no change only carving it deeper. 

Marshall should be home. He never runs this late at the studio without a call, let alone without a message. He's treated his work like any other 9-5 job since before they ever even got together, always strict about his routine and careful to make up for over run hours by leaving earlier the next day. Usually Colson likes to bust his balls and insist he live a little more spontaneously but tonight isn't the one to pull that.

Especially not if it means Marshall's going to completely forget to check his fucking phone and leave him trying not to think the worst.

Colson only males it another 5 minutes before he caves and texts Paul. Fingers tapping fast across his screen to draft multiple desperate sounding messages before he finally settles on a "Em bust his phone again?" That feels just casual enough to not embarrass him in the off chance Marshall decides to burst through the front door seconds after it sends.

The door stays closed though and Paul doesn't open the message at all. 

Now Colson can't even start passive aggressively eating dinner on his own if he wanted too. The pit in his stomach has torn itself open wide into a nauseous chasm. Every scary possibility he wanted to avoid thinking about spilling forth from the dark trench like ghouls.

He's dead. Some crazy fan broke into the studio and shot the whole place up. No one's gotten around to tell him yet, that's all. They're too busy dealing with the fallout.

No, Em's security is beyond top tier, and with how close Colson and his current bodyguard are he knows the guy would call him immediately. Marshall's fine.

Unless… what if he was in a car accident? Or some road rage incident gone fatal? Colson's seen Marshall's short temper flare up while driving. They've made dozens of jokes about it in the past, so is it really that unreasonable to believe?

Colson's pacing in the front haul when he calls Porter. Phone tucked between his ear and shoulder while he fights his shoe laces, heart racing in his chest. Prepping to fly out of the house the second Denaun tells him what fucking hospital Marshall's staying in, praying it's at the ICU section and not some fucking morgue.

"Kelly?" The older man sounds confused when he finally answers. Voice high and tone light like he's expecting this to be a butt dial. "What's up man?"

The lack of rush or worry in Denaun's voice almost soothes Colson's panic right on the spot. Surely he wouldn't sound so casual if something had happened. 

It's enough to keep Colson from immediately pleading for Marshall's safety at the least. "H-hey, uh nothing really-" Maybe Marshall is even with him right now, realizing how fucking late its gotten and how shit of a boyfriend he's been and that's why Denaun sounds awkward too. "Just uh, waiting for Marsh to get his slow ass home ya know? Sorry, aheh, I'm probably sounding like a fucking needy girlfriend right now, calling his friends and shit-" the longer Colson rambles the more embarrassed he actually feels in the moment.

God he must sound pathetic right now. Panicking over Marshall being a few hours late.

"Waiting? Didn't Marshall head out like 2 hours ago?"

"W-what?"

Colson's blood feels like actual ice in his veins.

"He isn't home? I mean, I know he was gonna stop at- fuck is it already half past 8? Marshall seriously isn't home?" Denaun's sudden panic only heightens Colson's own, but he can't get any more words to come out. Not with how a rock feels like it's jumped up his throat. "Shit, Ryan are you getting through to him? Try Paul-"

Ryan's there too? 

"What? Paul's gotta fucking answer-"

They can't get ahold of Paul either?

"Kelly have you-"

Marshall's missing. Colson's been standing around making dinner for hours, worrying over the portion sizes and appearance of his plates and Marshall's been fucking missing. What kind of partner is he? What will he even tell Hailey? Alaina? And fuck Casie is supposed to be coming up this weekend so they can all go vacation together before his next tour-

The front door bumping into his shoe startles Colson out of his frozen panic. Denaun's angry shouting dropping from his ear, as he twists and meets a pair of sheepish blue eyes peeking around the hardwood.

"Hey." 

Marshall's…..

"Is that my apron?"

So fucking dead.

"Is this your--" Colson's fingers are curling around the edge of the door so fast he doesn't even care that it makes his phone fly to the floor. "That's what you want to fucking say to me!?" His anger is boiling fast, replacing the cold in his veins with lava. "You fucking piece of-"

Marshall stumbling inside with the yanked door is expected, but the flash of bandages and a sling douse Colson's flames like a bucket of water. "Ow, fuck just give me a second to explain-"

He's hurt.

Now with all of Marshall visible Colson's hyperaware of dry blood splattered on his white graphic tee and scratches partially hidden within the rapper's beard along his cheek. "I got in an accident out on the M-8, it was minor but-"

Colson really can't handle all these rapid mood switches Marshall is putting him through today.

“You fucking idiot-“ Tears are bubbling up in his eyes and it’s like his hands can’t reach his partner fast enough. Pulling Marshall into his arms for a tight hug despite the pained noises his actions inspire. “Stupid, old asshole-“ Marshall’s hurt, the cars probably wrecked, but he’s home and that’s enough of a relief to finally smother that pit weighing down his stomach. “Don’t ever scare me like that again!”

A moment passes before he’s hugged back, shock more than likely freezing his partner up but when Marshall does loop his good arm around Colson he pulls him close. So close Colson is the one who’s bones feel like they might ache. “Can’t make any promises about that,” The older rapper’s palm feels warm when it climbs to cup his neck, Marshall’s face turning to press a kiss into Colson’s throat. 

That brush of lips is the final crack to release the flood gates.

"I love you."

"I know."

"I really really fucking love you."

"I know baby."

"I don't care how old your ass is, you better hold out and fucking die after me like a proper goddamn boyfriend, you hear me Marshall?" He's getting snot all over the older rapper's shirt. Full on smearing it across his own cheek and the fabric with every pointless rub of his face. "I love you so fucking much. Can't do this without you."

"Told you I'm not dying after you unless you kill me first, and I'm chasing you into the afterlife once you do go too. Fuck all the marriage shit, death ain't parting us either you brat." Marshall's tone is light and his palm is doing wonders to comfort him by rubbing circles into his back. It's enough to slow his hiccupped breathing down a few notches. "I dunno if you noticed but, I'm a little obsessed with you."

That drags out a wet snort. "Y-yeah?" When Colson pulls back to meet Marshall's eyes he swears he can see a wet shimmer starting to glaze over his partner’s as well. "Prove it then."

There's a flicker of something in blue eyes, so fast that Colson almost thinks he hallucinates the emotion altogether. But then Marshall's wrapped up arm wiggles between their bodies. The dark blue of the sling catching and sliding so his scratched up fist can shimmy its way partially out. "Planned on it-" There's something clutched tight there, black peeking out from between Marshall's finger and thumb. It's got Colson's heart dropping down into his stomach all over again. "What do you think I was driving so late on the M-8 for?"

"Marshall-" It can't be.

"Colson." But his shithead of an accident victim boyfriend is pulling back, both his good arm and slung arm awkwardly flailing in the air for a moment as he drops down on one knee. The visible wince not hidden as well as Colson imagines the man wants it to be. But Marshall's eyes are softening, and the blonde feels completely cemented in place. The only part of him moving being the uncontrollable shaky quiver of his bottom lip. "I had a whole moment planned, there were flowers, balloons, and those stupidly expensive alcoholic chocolates you love, but they all got absolutely trashed in the crash. Like, half of Detroit is probably going to think the Macies Thanksgiving parade started early. Paul called to have it all replaced, and honestly some intern is probably going to come banging on the door in about 20 minutes but I don't want to wait-" There's a flash of genuine worry that's furrowing the skin between Marshall's brows as he continues. "So I'm sorry this isn't gonna be that fancy perfect proposal you've always dreamed of-"

"Shut up." Colson's voice can't go above a whisper. His tone quick and clipped from how anxious he is to hear the man finally finish. "Just- shut up, ask me. Ask me Marsh, please-"

"Fine, always need to rush me."The rapper's lip quirks at the corners. Hands transferring the small box between eachother with a bit of fumbling. "Will you, Colson Baker-" Until Marshall can finally get it open with an audible clunk. "Legally commit to being with my annoying old ass forever?" 

[willowistic22]

Famous!newsies

Ok so here are my famous!newsies headcanons from an a modern au i thought of if newsies were celebrities/famous yknow bcs I couldn’t get this idea out of my head and idk what to do with it other than making a headcanon list nabsnzbsvsnsbz anyways hope yall validate me after not posting any original content for like…. awhile now hehe

btw it got longer than expected. And I mean r e a l l y long. So if yall wanna read this better sit down and buckle up! 

Jack

He’s an artist on youtube

Like a modern day bob ross ig??

If yall know zhc on youtube just imagine that but not so rich (I don’t watch zhc btw but i do know that he does custom art on iphones and stuff and that is definitely not jack kelly)

Anyways Jack simply goes by Jack Kelly.

So jack does art challenges. Like does the weirdest requests from his fans left in his comment section and stuff

Or maybe challenging himself to make art from a specific theme or a specific media

Sometimes he vlogs too but his art videos are what his fans like the most

His merch is amazing because he designed the pattern/drawing/whatever yknow. It’s printed/sewed/whatever on the clothing and it’s good quality. It’s pretty lowkey for a youtuber’s merch bcs jack doesn’t like those merch that just smacks his logo on a hoodie

Davey

He’s a fantasy, YA, romance writer (he mixes it wisely ok?)

And goes by David Jacobs

Listen he’s a hopeless romantic and i’m pretty sure yall agree too

He wanted to stick to YA romance. The classic high school lovers yknow

But he wanted to challenge himself since he’s been writing about high school lovers since he was in high school

Thus the fantasy genre came in mind

So yeah he likes creating love in his own universe

Whether it’d be different worlds, universe, species, time periods, whatever.

He wanted to direct the movies based on his books, but he’s actually lowkey terrible at leading on his own. But he did stick to being the script writer and co-director (look idk how it works in the film industry i’m just making shit up)

Crutchie

He’s a solo jazz singer

Crutchie gives off Michael Buble and Jason Mraz vibes tho

And maybe a bit of frank sinatra? Yknow ‘cause he sings jazz

Also he riffs thank you very much :)

He goes by Crutchie Morris to everyone

He usually plays the acoustic guitar or piano on stage

Ok but he’s like really good with the piano

Makes the best jokes on stage too. Some are just sarcastic comments.

Crutchie asking through the microphone : “Oh, straight?”

A fan he’s talking to from the crowd : “Uhh… no, gay”

Crutchie : “no not you, the vodka”

Everyone at the concert : *laughs*

Crutchie, jokingly : “Oh, you’re drinking vodka! Straight? No gay”

(yes that was indeed inspired by that one video of Harry Styles and a fan in one of his concerts yall can’t stop me)

Kathrine

She’s a crime mystery writer

Think like the modern day Agatha Christie

Okok but she goes by Kathrine Plumber on her books :D

She chooses that genre bcs she’s a huge fan of Agatha Christie

Her favorite book from Agatha is Murder on the Orient Express

Oh and her books are sometime very gruesome alkjsfhakjsfb

Nobody check her browsing history, she’ll look like a murderer

Ok but I feel like she also has a youtube channel about books and stuff and sometimes like to vlog

She also has a writing tips series on her channel where she shares tips on some of the frequently asked questions about writing or her fans leave a specific question in the comment section and thought she could expand more to it in a full length video

Also she likes to vlog while she’s in a book convention

Her books are also turned into movies and she has done a great job directing it

Race

Yall would be lying to me if you don’t think this kid would end up being a twitch streamer and youtuber (like vlogging yknow. I feel like his gaming stuff would strictly be on twitch)

And ik it’s widely agreed by everyone in the fandom that he’s a dancer of some sort so yeah he’s also simultaneously a dancer

I don’t think I need to explain any further bcs it’s just so in character

He goes by Racetrack Higgins

Ok so he likes to vlog on his youtube channel

Sometimes does stupid challenges

Maybe he’d drag Albert to do a challenge which he always says no

“I’ll just be your cameraman dude, dw”

Race : *angery*

Since Al and Smalls are the skateboard peeps™ race is the rollerblade dude™ bcs I say so

He has three cats named Racecat Higgins, Spot Clawlon, and Romeow (i’ve mentioned it before and I will mention it again hehe) and his fans loves them endlessly

Albert

You don’t think this kid would also end up being a twitch streamer and youtuber like his bestie up there?? Lmao you thought wrong (again, gaming is strictly on his twitch)

He just goes by Albert DaSilva on the internet

And yes he’s also a dancer because I say so

On his Youtube channel he also vlogs

Half of his vlogs starts with him riding his skateboard

“Hey, guys! Welcome back to another vlog-” *falls off his skateboard for not paying attention to a curb*

It happens way more often than he’d like to admit let’s be real. His fans make a compilation of it and memes on reddit

Always wear a snapback

Snapbacks are an important element to him so his merch store is really boosting his snapbacks

And just for the wormsie discord server he has one with the word ranga on it after it being born from a stupid inside joke he, race, and both of their fanbases combined share (@ my wormsie fam thank me later)

Oh yeah, his youtube besties are Race and Smalls just so we’re clear here :) (I’ll get to Smalls in a bit)

So I always headcanon Albert having two big dobermans. So his fans always want to see a doggy update because Zara and Zoey are everything to them.

Doggo vlogs are fun. It’s usually Albert taking the two good girls to Central Park for playtime or teaching them new tricks

Spot

He’s a solo rock singer

Is an amazing singer like wow none of the newsies expected him to have that sort of pipes to reach high notes

And he does it amazingly with no sweat

Also his instrument is the electric guitar to go with his amazing singing ajsfhasjfhajhf

Anyways he goes by Spot Conlon still

And his songs are very lyrical. Like very.

A lot of metaphors. No one knows what most of his songs means.

So basically Taylor Swift songs if it switched genres to rock. And not even like songs from speak now or red. But like if evermore and folklore songs were to turn into rock songs with a little bit of reputation vibes sprinkled on top. And his concerts has the reputation era vibes but make it spot conlon (hey non swiftie fans reading this i’m so sorry i’m pretty sure yall don’t understand wtf i’m talking abt)

That is also the only way i know to describe his vibe i’m sorry but i don’t really listen to a lot of rock alkjhfasjk

Anyways it’s a known fact that he wears tank tops daily that it becomes his signature look. And also an inside joke among his fanbase

Now just picture the merch booth from one of his shows and there’s like endless tank top designs for his fans to pick and choose

He’s also crowned to be the King of Brooklyn bcs of obvious reasons

But the joke is he’s a pretty tough hardcore guy that’s a cat person

Sarah

She’s a badass female solo singer

Mostly does pop but the badass type of pop

Yes, she does go by Sarah Jacobs

Fans were really surprised Davey and Sarah are related

Because one is a hopeless romantic while the other is a total badass

Anyways she gives off Little mix, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez vibes

That is literally the only way I can describe it

She’s very lyrical, with a lot of metaphors

When she dances on stage, she d a n c e s

All while holding a mic to sing. And she hits all those high notes like it’s no ones business (a literal queen i tell you)

She and Spot are besties and has been known to have done a few collabs together

Their fans were hesitant about their collabs since their genre is pretty different from the other but they make it work and it slAPS

And among all her boppy songs with full choreography and backup singers, she always have a few songs she sings while only being accompanied by piano or guitar (Either electric or acoustic) which she plays on her own

Finch

He’s an indie pop artist with his trusted acoustic guitar by his side

Just think of music by Wallows and Lewis Capaldi were to be blended in together and Conan Gray for the cherry on top

But it has a little bit of Ed sheeran, Lorde, and Lauv vibes to it too

His concerts are simple but his songs are mostly very boppy so his fans still have fun either way

And it’s usually in small venues but there are times where he had a concert in a huge stadium

He goes by FINCH (yeah all caps btw)

Finches are a very on brand thing for him obviously

Has been known to collab with Crutchie and they actually make a very good team

Somehow was able to combined both genres to produce a few boppy songs

Ok ok but Finch and Crutchie have made a collaborative album (and maybe they went on tour????)

Specs 

He’s a history fiction writer

Yes this is inspired by the fact that he’s 100% a history nerd (no one change my mind i love this headcanon aight)

And he explores a lot of different histories from different parts of the world

He actually helps a lot of students understand history even further for school through his novels

Anyways he goes by Specs because I say so

No one knows why that’s his pseudonym and Specs isn’t interested in explaining either. No one other than the newsies need to know it was born from a stupid nickname the newsies gave him :)

His research mostly comes from history books because of his genre which wouldn’t be a problem since he has loads and will voluntarily buy more if needed

Also yeah he makes a great director for the movies taken from his books

Mush

He’s a chef on youtube

Goes by Mush Meyers

So think if Gordon Ramsey and his youtube channel but make it mush

Yeah that’s it really

Ok but Mush is a jolly and friendly person

Other than just food vlogging he does cooking challenges and cooking tips too

Sometimes he does the cooking challenges with a friend (mostly henry but i’ll get to him later on in the list)

But he also vlogs his life

Which isn’t really often but he likes to sometimes

He’s that big of a foodie he has a food blog too

And also a seafood restaurant so that’s cool :D

Henry

Like Mush, he’s a chef on youtube

Goes by Henry on the internet and in general

Ajkfhajfjska I’m thinking about how ppl would address him as Chef Henry kajhfkjlashfjklasfjklsf

He mostly does the same thing like Mush actually

Food vlogging and cooking challenges (they do it together so) sometimes cooking tips

But Henry vlogs his life a lot

And instead of a food instagram he has a food blog

He has a sandwich restaurant

Yeah it is inspired by his pastrami on rye with a sour pickle line from KONY get mad about it why don’t ya (well if i’m not mistaken henry was the one that said it but idk i have horrible memory) 

Blink

He’s a youtuber

Ok so I have a specific headcanon that Blink majored in psychology but didn’t end up being a psychologist

So instead he becomes a psychologist on youtube

Who often vlogs jhgasjlfhs

The guy looks like he could cut you but his sense of humor once you get him talking is just *chef’s kiss* amazing

Which is why he also has a podcast because he’s also secretly great at talking

He just thinks mental health is very important, okay?

Romeo

He’s an actor

Mostly on Broadway but has worked with Hollywood before

He’s usually a supporting character but has been known to understudy for main characters

Ok ik these bullet points are getting shorter and shorter but these are mostly bcs some of these stuff are pretty self explanatory since it’s very in character

Like are you telling me a kid named Romeo isn’t gonna be in some way very dramatic and end up turning that personality trait into his career?? Plus he’s very good at that?

Yeah you’re lying to me

Also he’s a pretty frequent vlogger on youtube

Look he’s a fun guy, what did you expect?

Just goes by Romeo on youtube

Elmer

He’s an actor

Has done his fair share in Broadway and Hollywood but started in Broadway

He can dance but thinks he’s pretty average in it yknow

Which his fans has no idea what he’s talking about because on stage he can do flips and turns like it’s no ones business yknow

But he can sing really good and takes pride in it

Elmer would play characters that is really far off from his own personality that fans couldn’t believe that Elmer played that character

He has done his fair share in main characters and supporting characters on Broadway

In Hollywood he usually does indie and rom-com movies

Buttons

He’s a fashion youtuber and basically an influencer 

Let’s be real this boy is a fashion icon

He’s not really a model but more like a fashion influencer and also kind of a fashion designer

His clothing line is very *chefs kiss* amazing

He designed it all and sometimes likes to design for his friends as well

He also does fashion tips on his youtube channel

His instagram game is god tier level (along with Tommy Boy and Sniper I’ll get to them in a bit) 

But yeah he also vlogs

And goes by Buttons Davenport

Jojo

He’s an actor

Mostly on Broadway but has done a few movies in Hollywood

He radiates main character energy and he does become the main character most of the time (on hollywood at least)

On Broadway he mostly enjoys being apart of the ensemble because this boy loves dancing

But he does play a few supporting characters

He has released one or two albums too because his singing is top tier

But isn’t interested in doing a lot of live concerts with his albums

Since no one has the time to say Josephino Jorgelino De La Guerra he turned it into Jojo De La Guerra (so much for ‘a special nickname only for friends and family’)

Mike and Ike

They’re a pop boy band and bcs of my lack of creativity it’s called Mike and Ike

At the start of their career :

“My name goes first because I’m older than you!” - Mike

“You’re only older than me by 13 minutes, holy shit!” - Ike

But Ike slowly accepts the fact that it’ll be like this yknow

Anyways they’re pretty great singers

They have one direction and new hope club vibes

Tho unlike one direction they can dance (i love the boys alright but i really think it’s funny that they can’t dancelkhjjlh)

They like to switch from the guitar (electric and/or acoustic) to the piano

The amount of times their name is confused by the candy is too many 

But they like it like that lol

Anyways i’ve mentioned a headcanon where Mike has tattoos (not like from head to toe but it’s fairly noticeable to everyone) and Ike has piercings

So the only way their fans tell them apart is by that

But there are times where Mike has his tattoos covered or Ike took his piercings off in public alone. A fan mistakens them for the other twin but they still respond to the other name because they don’t feel like there’s a need to correct them since they’re mostly known by Mike and Ike anyways. When the fan posts it on instagram and tags the twin they thought it was the twin that was tagged would comment “wrong twin but nice pic you two”

Happens wayyyyy too many times. Their fans are officially scared to approach one of the two in public alone without their differentiating indicators on which is which

And yes it is widely known that they argue a lot when it comes to writing songs

Nothing out of the ordinary sibling squabble yknow but it’s a lot

But they do end up finding a solution to the topic of their argument and make a good team at the end of the day

Hotshot

He’s an actor

On Broadway, he’s one of those actor’s that is mostly good in just the acting and singing

He can’t dance to save his life sjdfghaf

So Jeremy Jordan yknow asj;oghajshf

No not really. He can dance a little bit

So he’s mostly the main character

But he’s widely known for his works in Hollywood

He does a lot of drama. Think stuff like Elite and Designated Survivor. Yeah those kinds of heavy drama (well idk i think those two are pretty heavy)

He wants to release his own music because he’s a pretty good singer but he can’t write songs to save his life either jgnjafjasf

And all the demo songs he was suggested by producers isn’t his cup of tea

So he’s no singer ladies and gents ://

The name Hotshot is used to name his social media platforms. He always adds a description in his bio’s that Hotshot is a nickname his friends and family use so his fans and the media refer to him with his name

I headcanon Hotshot’s real name is Tyler or some sort. No don’t ask me what’s his last name is because idk either lol

Sniper

She’s a model, beauty and fashion youtuber (I’m pretty sure those are two different things tho idk i don’t watch youtube religiously anymore), and just an influencer in general

Instagram game on p o i n t

I know most beauty youtubers go by their names but uhh… i don’t think i’ve ever thought of a first name for Sniper but I really think she really would just go by Sniper Wah on the internet (Idk she seems like an Ashley in my head but feel free to recommend headcanon names to me)

Anyways she’s very fashionable

Tommy Boy (i’ll get to him just wait aight?) and Buttons are her fashion besties

The three of them pretty much appear in each other’s Youtube video not Tommy’s tho bcs he doesn’t have one lol

Sniper’s brand are huge sun hats

I have no idea how or why but that girl has sun hats vibes I can’t explain any further I’m sorry

Doesn’t have a clothing line but does have a make up brand of her own. She calls it Sniper. Yeah that’s it akjfhjf

Smalls

She’s a twitch streamer and youtuber like race and albert

They’re a youtube trio everyone loves it

And yes she does go by Smalls

Oh and she also dances like her two stupid besties thanks for asking

Bubblegum is her brand (idk how to explain she just has the vibe)

She is skateboard chick

I’m imagining a video collab of her and Al on a skatepark doing stupid challenges

It’s her most viewed video

Tommy Boy

Ok ok he’s a model, influencer, and dancer

So think a male version of Gigi Hadid that dances

No he doesn’t have a youtube channel but frequently has made an appearance on Buttons’ and Sniper’s videos

Yes his instagram feed is also very amazing

He goes by Tommy Boy

People genuinely thinking ‘Boy’ is actually his last name and kinda think it’s strange but doesn’t complain

Tommy literally didn’t think people would think it was his last name. But they did anyways

Les

Let’s just get straight to the point : he’s a famous tiktoker 

And yes, ppl are surprised at the fact that him, Davey, and Sarah are related to each other 

To the people that made it through this entire list. Congratulations and thank you for your validation. Have a wonderful evening and stay hydrated 

i will write at least one oneshot out of this au i promise!!

[livesincerely]

it’s written in bold letters, ch. 2

The Letterman Jacket fic. Chapter one here.

Also on Ao3

00000

The 2nd Street Diner is a popular choice for post-game meals and it’s already packed to the brim when they get there, students wedged into every available seat.

“All of our larger tables are full,” the hostess says, frowning, when they walk up to her. “We don’t have a six-seater open.”

“Is there anything available?” Katherine asks, ever persuasive. “Really, we’re not picky.”

She checks her list again. “We’ve got a booth free,” she says dubiously, “but it’ll be a pretty tight squeeze.”

“That’s fine,” Katherine assures her. “Anything will do.”

The hostess leads them back and, okay, yeah, the booth is on the small side—probably designed for four people, max.

“We’ll make it work,” Katherine says, nodding decisively. “Spot, Race, you go… and then I’ll... Crutchie you just— great! And then Jack, um, wait, maybe Jack should—”

“Davey, you’re gonna have to sit in Jack’s lap,” Racetrack says, smirking at Jack, “so that there’s room for Crutchie’s leg.”

Jack’s expression falters. Katherine’s eyes light up with unholy glee.

“That’ll work,” Katherine says, saccharine sweet. “You don’t mind, right?”

Usually Jack would jump at the chance to hold Davey in his arms for any amount of time—especially when such a good excuse has been handed to him. But by this point Jack is genuinely afraid that if he has to spend much longer in close proximity to Davey, he’s gonna have an aneurysm. Still, there’s nothing he can do about it—there’s no excuse he can come up with on the fly for not wanting to share that won’t make Davey suspicious—so a minute later they’re all squeezing into the booth: Racer and Spot nested together, then Katherine all on one side, then Crutchie, Davey, and Jack on the other.

Jack makes a note to murder Racetrack extra hard when he gets the chance.

Davey arranges himself sideways across Jack’s body so he doesn’t completely block Jack’s face, which means that most of his weight is resting on just one of Jack’s thighs instead of squarely over Jack’s lap, thank god. Davey leans against Jack’s chest like it’s no big deal, sure of his welcome, which is incredibly gratifying and incredibly distracting, and throws an arm over Jack’s shoulders to balance himself. Jack’s heart skips, then beats even harder in his chest. 

Davey opens a menu and positions it so they can both look at it, but he may as well not have bothered. All Jack can think about is the way the heat from Davey’s body is seeping into his skin, how if he wanted to, he could count every one of Davey’s eyelashes.

If Jack moved his head slightly, they’re close enough that he could just— 

“Do you want to?” Davey asks, and Jack has a moment of insanity where he almost blurts out, ‘for the love of god, yes,’ but he’s able to stop himself at the last second.

“...What?” Jack says, when he’s sure he won’t say something psychotic. Davey blinks at him. 

“Fries?” Davey repeats. “Do you want some? We can split a plate.” 

Jack attempts to get a fucking grip. “Uh, no, I’m good.”

At some point the waitress comes over and takes their orders; Jack is vaguely aware of ordering a burger or something, he’s not really sure. Davey fits perfectly against him like they’re a pair of puzzle pieces slotting together, relaxed and warm in his arms. Jack really wishes he could enjoy it more as it’s actually pretty nice, except for the fact that his dick is absolutely determined to get involved in the situation no matter how desperately Jack tries to control it.

There’s nowhere safe to rest his eyes, nowhere safe to put his hands. His only saving grace is that there are several layers between them⁠—if Jack can just keep it together a little while longer, Davey’ll be none the wiser to his… predicament. Still, Jack shifts slightly, trying to find a better, less perilous position just to be safe and⁠— nope, nope, that’s worse that’s worse.

He can feel the others laughing at him: Racetrack’s shit-eating grin, Crutchie sniggering quietly under his breath, Spot and Kath’s judgmental smirks. Jack takes a moment to flip them all an emphatic middle finger from behind Davey’s back. 

You know what? Fine. It’s fine. Jack is fine. 

Sure, any second now he’s gonna pop a blood vessel or six, and he can feel the rumble of Davey’s voice reverberating through his chest from where they’re pressed together, which is a soft and strange type of intimacy that Jack really isn’t emotionally sound enough to deal with right now, and every time Davey moves one of his thighs just barely, torturously, grazes Jack’s dick, which is getting harder and harder by the second⁠—  

Food appears, a blissful distraction. Jack eats his burger one handed⁠—chewing robotically and tasting nothing⁠—as at some point he’d shifted the other hand up to Davey’s waist and he can’t bring himself to pull it back.

He goes to grab a napkin and makes the mistake of looking at Davey out of the corner of his eye.

Jack freezes, dumbstruck.

Davey is steadily working his way through his order of fries, which is fine, except that it’s absolutely not fine. See, ‘cause the last thing Jack needs is a reason to watch Davey⁠—he already finds Davey utterly enthralling, even under the most innocent of circumstances. But he’s only human. And the way Davey is eating those fries is fucking obscene.

Jack is staring, he knows he’s staring, but he can’t turn away. His eyes are caught on Davey’s mouth, on the pink flash of tongue behind his teeth, on how his fingers linger against his lower lip after every bite.

Davey notices his gaze and throws him a curious look. “Did you change your mind?” he asks, lapping up one last hint of salt from his fingertips with a little flick of his tongue. “You can have a taste, if you want one.”

Jack wordlessly shakes his head, throat impossibly dry. Jesus fucking Christ.

Davey just shrugs and goes back to his fries, completely oblivious to the way he’s just sent Jack’s blood pressure skyrocketing. 

“Hey, Davey,” Racetrack pipes up suddenly with a sly smile, “can ya pass me the ketchup? I can’t reach it from here.”

Davey leans over and the roundest curve of his ass grinds right against the tip of Jack’s dick. Jack fights the urge to rock up into the sensation but he can’t help the sharp hiss of breath that escapes him, his hands clamping down on Davey’s hips to keep him from shifting any further.

“Oh, sorry, Jack,” Davey says, apologetic. “Did I hit a bruise?”

Jack longs for the sweet release of death. His fingers clench and flex against the divots of Davey’s hips, and there’s a moment where he genuinely wonders if it’s possible to combust from sexual frustration.

“You okay, Jack?” Crutchie asks, and maybe he’d be more convincing if Jack couldn’t hear the laughter in his voice. “That sounded like it hurt.”

“Eh, I’m sure Jack’s just sore,” Spot interjects, smirking. “You’re good, aren’t ya Jack?”

“Oh, I’m swell,” Jack says through gritted teeth.

“Are you sure?” Davey asks, biting his lip. “Because I could maybe—” and he starts squirming around in Jack’s lap.

Jack suppresses a groan, hands going vice-tight around Davey’s hips; Davey mercifully stops moving. “Dave, it’s fine,” Jack all but begs, voice strangled. “Just leave it.”

Davey looks at him, head tilted consideringly, but lets it go. He has to be suspecting something by this point⁠—Jack can only hope he buys that Jack’s hurting from the game, not aching for… other reasons. 

Finally it comes time to close the check and clear out. Jack pays for his and Davey’s food: partially because it’s his turn and also because he knows that Davey’s wallet is in his back pocket (it’s digging into Jack’s thigh from where they’re pressed together) and the last thing he needs is Davey reaching a hand down between them.

Then there’s the process of getting out of the booth. It takes some maneuvering for Davey to get off of him: at one point he ends up facing Jack, all but straddling him as he tries to slide out of his lap, and there’s a moment where they’re so close that Jack can feel the whisper of Davey’s breath on his face⁠—one last hellish temptation. Jack stiffly clambers up after him; he’s spent so much effort restraining himself over the last hour that his joints have locked up in protest. 

“I’m gonna run to the restroom,” Davey says. “I’ll be right back.”

Jack watches as he turns and walks away and fuck, seeing ‘KELLY’ stamped across his shoulders is no less devastating now than it was the first time. He waits a second, just to be sure that Davey is properly out of earshot, then he rounds on the others.

“You guys are fucking assholes,” he says vehemently. 

“Oh my god,” Racetrack laughs, clutching his stomach as his shoulders shake, "that was the most entertaining shit I’ve ever seen: 10/10, best fucking idea.”

“Watch your back, Racer,” Jack hisses. “I know where you sleep.”

“Your— your face,” Crutchie chokes out, and of course he’s laughing too because Jack is surrounded by traitors. “Your face when Davey moved—“

“—sounded like a murdered cat—“ Spot adds, just to really rub it in

“—it was so fucking obvious—“ Racetrack chimes in again because he can’t help himself.

“—and then Davey said, ‘did I hit a bruise?l’”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up,” Jack says, crossing his arms over his chest. “Get it all out ya bunch of dipshits.”

“This wouldn’t be an issue if you’d just get it together and ask him out,” Katherine says without a bit of sympathy. “Or, alternatively, if you had even an ounce of chill.”

“It’s Davey,” Jack insists. “What the fuck do you want from me? Christ, I’m going outta my mind⁠—I can’t stand to be around him, can’t hardly look at him. I deserve a fucking medal for the shit I’ve dealt with tonight, jesus, get me outta here before I lose it completely. Or fuck, just strike me down and put me outta my misery because I’m actually, genuinely gonna die if he so much as breathes in my direction again tonight.”

There’s a sort of stunned, uneasy silence following his rant. Then Jack realizes that his friends aren’t looking at him anymore: they’re looking at something over his shoulder.

Jack turns around, heart sinking. Davey’s standing just behind him and the expression on his face is fucking awful. He stares at Jack for a moment. Then he turns on his heel and storms away.

“Oh, shit. Wait⁠— Davey, wait!” Jack calls, chasing after him, but Davey’s got long legs and between one second and the next he’s outside the restaurant and cutting through the mess of cars in the lot, seemingly determined to get as far away from Jack as possible.

Jack catches up to him on the far side of the parking lot⁠—the empty half of the parking lot⁠—which is probably for the best: at least there aren’t any witnesses to Jack’s spectacular fuck up.

“Wait, Dave, slow down a second, let me explain⁠—”

“Leave me alone,” Davey says shortly, and he won’t look at Jack, still marching away at a steady clip, forcing Jack to half-jog next to him to keep up. “I don’t wanna hear it.”

“No, Davey, it’s not what you think⁠—”

“Save it!” Davey snaps. “Just go away! Get out of here before you lose it completely.”

Jack winces when Davey throws his words back at him: fuck, yeah, okay that sounds really bad. He tries to salvage the situation. “No, really, Dave, you’ve got it all wrong⁠—”

“Oh, I’ve got it wrong?” Davey hisses back, finally whirling around to face him. “Enlighten me then, because there really aren’t that many ways to interpret ‘I can’t stand him,’ or ‘put me out of my misery.’”

Jack falters in the face of Davey’s obvious hurt, his mouth opening and closing uselessly as he tries to think of something to say. He starts again: “Davey, I swear, I promise I didn’t mean it how it sounded⁠—”

But Davey won’t give him a chance to talk. 

“You should’ve said something sooner, if I was annoying you so much,” Davey spits out, and he’s trying to sound derisive but there are tears starting to well up in his eyes. “No need to fucking suffer on my account.”

He scrubs a sleeve roughly across his face, then seems to remember that he’s still wearing Jack’s letterman jacket. He lets out a humorless snort. 

“Here, I’m sure you want this back,” Davey says, gesturing down at himself, and all Jack can see is the bitter twist of his mouth, the anguished, defensive set of his shoulders, the way his arms are wrapped around his body—like he's trying to physically hold himself together. “I don’t know why you even bothered, when you obviously can’t fucking stand it, can’t fucking stand me⁠—”

His voice breaks on that last part, and that’s it for Jack. He steps closer, then reaches out and takes Davey’s face in his hands, carefully wiping away the couple of tears that have fallen with his thumbs. The suddenness of the movement seems to shock Davey into silence: he looks up at Jack with watery blue eyes, his mouth parted ever so slightly, too surprised to push Jack away.

“I don’t understand how you don’t see what everyone else sees,” Jack says, and his voice is rough with tenderness. “How you can’t take one look at me and just know, you know? Anyone else would’ve figured it out by now, everyone else has figured it out. I mean, it’s a fucking game for them at this point: how many ways can we torture Jack with his obvious feelings? How many ways can we make him squirm by dangling what he wants most right in front of his nose, knowing that he’ll never have the guts to actually reach out and take it.

“‘Course, the idiocy is all me, don’t got an excuse for that,” Jack continues, shaking his head ruefully, “and there’s no excuse good enough for making you cry. I’m real sorry about that, Davey. I’m sorry, period.”

He leaves it at that, giving Davey a second to process. As he’s been talking Davey’s hands have come up to sit on Jack’s shoulders; one them goes tight around the material of his shirt. 

“I know this is you trying to apologize,” Davey says, sniffing a little, and though he’s moved through his upset, he’s still got that confused little furrow in his brow, “but I still don’t really understand what the hell’s going on so can you please just say whatever it is you’re trying to say and⁠—”

Jack closes that slight distance between them and kisses him. It’s nothing fancy, just the barest press of his lips against Davey’s, but even that brief contact sends his heart racing all over again.

He pulls away. Davey’s eyes have gone impossibly wide. 

“I’m trying to say that I’m absolutely, knock-’em’down, drag-’em-out, head-over-heels in love with you,” Jack says. “It’s kind of a major aspect of my personality, and, like, my fucking life, really. Literally everyone knows, everyone can tell, the only reason you didn’t is because you’re fucking oblivious and have, like, no concept of how incredible you are which is a damn shame⁠—”

Davey lurches forward and kisses him. It’s soft lips and shuddering breaths and thundering hearts. It’s intent and heated and slow and savoring. 

“You love me too,” Davey says with a delighted little laugh when they part that second time. “You really, actually…” He trails off and the smile he graces him with lights Jack up from the inside out and threatens to take his breath away. 

And if there’s one thing Jack’s proved tonight, it’s that he is helpless to resist that which is Davey Jacobs. He leans back in for another kiss. And another. And another.

“Wait, if that’s what was… then what happened at the restaurant?” Davey pants eventually, and Jack would be a little offended that he’s thinking of other things while they’re making out, except that he’s got his arms thrown around Jack in a way that makes Jack suspect that he’s gone a touch weak in the knees. Jack fucking loves it. “Why were you being all weird…?”

Jack shakes his head, crushing their mouths back together. “It’s you… in this fucking letterman jacket,” he gets out between kisses. “It’s been driving me crazy, you look so fucking good in it, it’s goddamn criminal.”

“You… like me in your jacket?” Davey asks.

“I like you too much in my jacket,” Jack corrects. 

Jack nips at Davey’s lower lip. Davey lets out a soft, breathy noise that Jack files away as something to be thoroughly explored later. Jack’s starting to deepen the kiss, his fingers curling in Davey’s hair for better purchase, when Davey suddenly pulls away, wide eyed.

“Wait, oh my god, that was your dick, wasn’t it?” Davey asks incredulously. “I thought it was your cell phone but it was your fucking hard-on pressing against my⁠—”

“Jesus Christ, shut up and let me kiss you,” Jack mutters, pulling him back in.

And there’s not much conversation after that.

[radramblog]

Ninty Direct Feb 2021 Thoughts

That was uh. Kind of disappointing, actually.

I suppose it was inevitable that we weren’t seeing Pokemon since they’re gonna do their own announcement. But like. Coulda done better here.

(oh no you’re now introduced to my awful awful handwriting, is this better or worse than my cursed interests? you decide)

Anyway I wrote down everything they announced so here we go

Pyra/Mythra in Smash: I don’t give a single shit about the Xenoblade series, but it’s one of like 2 IPs Nintendo has had in the last decade so sure whatever they can have second a character as a treat. I’m mostly just annoyed this wasn’t a third-party character.

Fall Guys Switch: This feels inevitable. It also feels about 5 months too late.

Outer Wilds Switch: I’ve heard some absolutely excellent things about this game, so fair enough. I’m not sure I’d buy it on the Switch, but I haven’t bought it at all yet, so.

Famicom Detective Club: This looks like a Ren’py game if it had an actual budget, but still used Ren’py for some reason. Prooobably not biting on this one chief.

Samurai Warriors 5: The only Warriors game I’ve played is the first hyrule warriors, and the only Nobunaga game I’ve played was Pokemon Conquest (it’s a trip), so. I don’t understand the obsession they have over there for this bloke, like imagine if Australia made like a tv series a year and a large handful of video games about Ned Kelly or something.

Legend of Mana: Shit I should go play Octopath Traveler huh

Monster Hunter Rise: Those monster designs looked pretty kickass, and those human designs made me crack up laughing. I’ve never played Monster Hunter, and I don’t think this is gonna change that.

Mario Golf: Hey look they confirmed Waluigi as playable ahead of time so people wouldn’t complain, good job guys. The multiplayer of this looked silly as hell, but I’m not spending 80 bucks on wii sports tennis for a multiplayer mode ill drag my mates to play all of once before we go back to playing Beetle Adventure Racing.

Tales from the Borderlands: Wait telltale is still around? Ok…? I haven’t played Borderlands and don’t really care for the Telltale style so nah

Capcom Arcade Stadium: They could have made a peripheral like the NES/SNES mini, but they didn’t, and it’s for the best. The fact that one of the games is free implies to me that the rest are going to be overcosted, though.

Stubbs the Zombie: What the fuck am I looking at. Apparently this is a remaster of an old Xbox game, but I’ve never heard of it. Weird as fuck, but sure.

No More Heroes III: No more Heroes is a franchise that I’ve never played, but always wanted to. It seems right up my alley aesthetic-wise, and the gameplay looks pretty solid too- probably gonna try one of the older ones first, though.

Neon White: Speaking of aesthetic. This looks anime as fuck and edgy in a good way, and the gameplay looks real fun. I actually really want to check this out, and no, it’s not just because of the skull masked goth gf on the cover. (Doesn’t hurt, though.)

DC Super Hero Girls Teen Power: Jesus, this looks like a bad tie-in game from the mid 2000s. Not like Battle for Bikini Bottom, more like a Jimmy Neutron. And while I really liked the Jimmy Neutron game as a kid (shame about the show), this doesn’t look like it’ll stand up to that…high bar. Listening to this trailer made me want to die a little bit inside.

Plants Vs Zombies: Battle for Neighbourville: I miss PopCap. Peggle 3, never.

Miitopia: This looks cute, and will probably lead to the same sort of 3am DMs that happened with Tomodachi Life. If it’s a full priced game, it probably won’t sell at all.

Animal Crossing New Horizons Mario items: uhhh sure. Don’t have that game, so.

Triangle Strategy: Aww fuck it’s a final fantasy tactics that looks like octopath and it might have an actually good story, shiiiiiiiiit. I’m gonna give the demo a try before I land on this, but I’m optimistic.

Star Wars Hunters: When was the last time we had an actually good Star Wars game? And don’t say Fallen Order. Yeah, didn’t think so.

KO City: Ah, the bottom of the barrel. Didn’t think it would take this long. At this point, the pseudo-cartoony style everything has because they’re trying to ape Fortnite is extremely grating on me. (I definitely thought this ad was for Fortnite stuff at first)

World’s End Club: OK this one has me actually hyped. I knew that Kodaka (director/writer of the Danganronpa series) and Uchikoshi (director/writer of the Zero Escape series) were working on a joint project, and we’re finally seeing the results. Both of them have multiple excellent games under their respective belts, and this new game looks like a fun spin on what I’m sure a lot of people were expecting from the pair. Literally both of them have made a game where (spoilers I guess, Keara stop reading here you haven’t played VLR yet) there’s a death game going on while the characters are unaware the world fucking ended, so to see the idea of the death game getting interrupted and the characters actually having to live in the dead world is really cool. I’m paying cloooose attention to this one.

Hades (Physical Release): Dang now if I buy hades I can choose to have some of my money go to EB games or JB hifi or something. Cooooooooooooool.

Ninja Gaiden Collection: This just made me wonder why Ryu Hayabusa isn’t in Smash yet. Is it because there’s already a Ryu?

Age of Calamity DLC: I don’t think I mentioned this in my post yesterday, but I would have put money on DLC for this game coming out. I still haven’t played it, but the first Hyrule Warriors had so much fucking DLC so this was inevitable in my eyes.

Bravely Default 2: Uhhh its another JRPG man idk what you want me to say. Didn’t play the first one, apparently its good.

Ghosts n Goblins Resurrection: Kinda funny having this next to the free original in the Capcom Arcade Stadium. Capcom is reviving old franchises, I guess? Where’s Mega Man Battle Network, cowards?

SaGa Frontier: I’ve heard good things about the SaGa series, but this looks awful. Not like gameplay wise, the style for the models and shit in game just disinterests me.

Apex Legends: Is anyone still playing this game?

BOTW 2 (no news): I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed. Next Direct, I guess.

Skyward Sword HD: I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.

Seriously though, I was expecting 3 of the best Zeldas ever made to get ports, and we got the one that I wasn’t interested in. Fuck you too, I guess.

Splatoon 3: I actually was super interested in this, seeing as the trailer looked like it was gonna be for some like… side game, 3D RPG or something, exploring the origins of the Splatoon world? But then it’s just Splatoon 3. And like, I know people really like that series, but it never appealed to me. The world is neat! But I’m not interested in the series as it is.

And that’s the tea.

ADDENDUM:

shit that’s this weekend? huh ok -New Hearthstone expansions revealed, kinda like WOTC does with magic every so often, just like “here’s the next couple sets btw”. Since they do nothing but plagiarise off each other and MTG is having a set based on another WOTC property this year (D&D), there’s going to be a Starcraft set. -Diablo 4 release date that will not be stuck to since COVID is still a thing -people are hoping for starcraft 3. Blizzard to announce Starcraft 2 Episode 1. -New WoW expansion announced, determined objectively to be “worst ever” before trailer is even finished

[emma-what-son]

(Echee post) Emma Watson has stalkers and a bodyguard

Posted on March 23 2014

From dailymail.co.uk March 2014, "Harry Potter star Emma Watson has hired a former NYPD officer as  a bodyguard to protect her from obsessed stalkers. The actress – thought to be worth £23  million – is believed to be paying the female officer £90,000 a year after a number of incidents of threatening behaviour towards her. The latest came as Emma, 23, right, was working on her new movie Noah, when an over-zealous ‘fan’ duped studio security staff and got on to the set. Emma, was left screaming, believing she was in danger, and filming had to stop. The British actress, who played Hermione Granger in the Potter films, is now constantly shadowed by blonde former New York Police Department officer Denise Morrone. A source said: ‘The  one person Emma is never without is Denise. 'Emma has had problems with stalkers in the past and, because of her wealth, there is always the threat of kidnap. 'She pays for her bodyguard out of her own pocket and Denise accompanies her everywhere, even when Emma is out for dinner. Denise is always there, making sure she is safe.’ Another source said: ‘Denise is on high alert for one particular stalker who tracked Emma down on the set of her latest film. ‘She is very discreet and very good at her job. She is always there looking after Emma, but you wouldn’t know. ‘She makes sure Emma has plenty of space and freedom. If they are at dinner, Denise is part of the gathering, but is always on duty.’ The new arrangement marks a departure for Emma, who has seemed determined to try to live a low-key, normal private life unencumbered by a security detail. Post-Potter she went to Brown University in Rhode Island, New England, and Worcester College, Oxford, to study for a degree. When she has appeared in public she has had no visible entourage. A spokesman for Miss Watson, who has homes in  London and New York, declined to comment." ^That's what the dailymail says but here below is what Emma said at the time.

From fansshare.com October 2012, "There was a lot of fuss made recently about the fact that a man who has been stalking Emma Watson managed to get onto her set before being chased off into the woods. It was claimed that Emma was terrified by the incident and feared for her safety.  However, it appears that the claims were not true, as Emma has spoken out about the “incident” stating that nothing of the sort happened. Emma felt that she needed to let everybody know what’s what and hoped to clear up any confusion about the stalker situation. Watson took to her official Twitter account to say, “Ok. Few things to clear up. I was not terrified by a stalker in the woods. And he was not fought off by martial arts experts.#whowrotethisstory”. I don't get this DM article because Emma has had this bodyguard for ten years. I think this might be a great big dose of media sensationalism or maybe a planted story so everyone will go, "Aww poor Emma" because she has said some really dumb things lately. I've seen photos of Denise (the older blonde lady we always see her with) with Emma as far back as 2005 Here they are outside the Regis and Kelly show (USA) in 2005 and to the right currently in 2014

^She still looks 15 doesn't she? I've seen one or two candids of Denise with Emma at Brown. I've read an article from a Brown website (thank anonymous for tipping me off) where they were talking about her bodyguards on campus that followed her around. Here's Emma, some guy and Denise at Brown in the fall of 2010 (I can't find the others)

Here she is talking about stalkers in her GQ interview from last year From gq-magazine.co.uk May 2013, "Did you have stalkers? 'Yes. I do have people who show up from time to time in different parts of the world. I've never really known how to respond; I've never really known if I should be afraid or not. This is how I put it into perspective: thousands of women all over the world have to deal with feeling afraid when they walk home from the Tube, on their way to work, when they go out for a drink. Feeling not safe isn't something that is singular to me or my experience as a woman, and I don't think any of these people mean me any harm. They just tend to be people caught up, who don't really realise what they are doing, and I think it is very important that I don't allow it to isolate me further, to be another reason why I shouldn't go out and meet people or walk down the street. Weird guys sometimes take it too far, and that is it. I just keep a friend with me. I don't have a full-time security guard or anything like that. Even at university I went everywhere completely alone, which looking back was probably a pretty ambitious thing that I tried to do there, but somehow I got away with it. There were times when I did feel stressed and anxious and could probably have done with a bit more support. At the same time I would rather make my own mistakes and learn what I need. I think it is so easy when you get famous to just disengage from having a life and that can make some things really dangerous.'" Remember she told rookie magazine she used to lie about walking to places but had a car waiting for her? She was trying to make it seem she has this normal life. I reckon this could be another little white lie about not having a full-time guard because we've seen Denise with her for years. She's the woman that pushes people away and pulls her from signing autographs and even refuses people. How about other instances like Glastonbury where that big muscular man tailed her everywhere. At airports when Denise is not there she has men which looks to be bodyguards to me. When she went to the Box Night Club she had a bodyguard. They're rare shots because most candids are just of Emma and Denise or Emma and a friend or boyfriend. You really think Emma travels alone? For example

Last photo from 2011: Check this out and seethe altercation You rarely catch her bodyguards photographed other than Denise who looks more than just a bodyguard. I think she's more like a bodyguard/assistant. I bet they are always around but you wouldn't know it. I'd go as far as saying they probably follow her from a distance to make it seem like she's really by herself. Here's something she said in 2009 and it was really stupid From wonderwall.msn.com July 2009 (interview with Dan, Rupert and Emma. she started brown in Sept 09) In this film, Ron has sort of a stalker girlfriend. Has it ever gotten strange where you're dating people who are more interested in dating Harry, Ron or Hermione rather than yourselves? Emma Watson: "I'm dating my stalker, actually." It's dumb to even give a stalker the time or day in a magazine discussing them. It will probably embolden them by fueling whatever twisted fantasies they have in their head. If it were me I would not even mention it. In 2010 she said this From digitalspy.com November 2010, "Emma Watson has revealed that she and her Harry Potter co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint used to hide from their security guards. The actress admitted that she "hates" having bodyguards and prefers to deal with the attention she receives on her own. Watson explained: "I hate having bodyguards and when we were younger, Dan, Rupert and I used to try to hide from the people trying to keep an eye on us." The 20-year-old went on to say that she now feels comfortable traveling on public transport by herself. She added: "Now it's like, 'Really, I'm fine'. I take the train and the bus and, if I don't dress up too much, I'm usually fine. Occasionally people stop me but I'd rather deal with that than not go out at all. That'd be really tragic." In her most recent interview for Elle she said this From snitchseeker.com March 2014, “So while Radcliffe reportedly rarely leaves his house without a bodyguard, Watson memorably began her college career by moving into the freshman dorm-the very definition of exposed. She lopped off her hair, appeared in a student production of Chekhov. There were moment, she says, when she thought, “I don’t know if I can do this. Or if this is sensible anymore.” But she held firm, turning down high-profile work that would interfere with her studies. “I just don’t want a life where I can’t have a life, “she says. “And so I’ve been just unbelievably stubborn about it.” ^Peculiar and then this article comes out about her hired bodyguard. Could it have been Radcliffe's people saying, "Hey, wait a minute" and then ratted Emma out? That last quote, the newer one, is of course a total contradiction from what she said about Brown before. I don't know it's that's the truth or this is some rouse to plant the idea she was heckled out of college life. I don't know but one thing is for sure I don't believe most of what comes out of this girls mouth. I'm like those towns people that had it with the games of the little boy that cried wolf. As for the stalking it's the only thing I'll give her sympathy for. I think it would suck. If it's an over zealous stan or a weirdo I don't think it's cool. If you like or even dislike her there are still lines you should never cross and that includes invading her space. She's just one fake ass actress that lives in her own head that plays make believe and makes millions off it. Then of course she complains about it and manipulates the media and her fan base to cover up "the real Emma Watson". She's a prettily weaved illusion designed to trick you. There is no such thing as the perfect person and just because she is pretty it does not make her perfect girlfriend material. Stans and weirdos please understand this.

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

So 5x18...

...Well hot d*mn.

Man when Supergirl fires on all cylinders...HOO BOY.

Case in point: *gestures to all of 5x18*

To be clear: I liked this one.

A WHOLE LOT.

Not that I disliked 5x17, necessarily. It’s just that 5x18 was more... Entertaining? ...I dunno. I dunno how to explain it.

...Okay yes I do and that explanation is: Someone remarked on Kara’s use of language and Kara overcompensated on the ‘NOooOOooOO I’m totally 100% normal!’ AND there was a musical quote AND it was WHILE TEAMING UP WITH ALEX TO FOLLOW A LEAD.

But I’m getting ahead of myself let’s backtrack...

TO THE TOWER! WITH ALEX! NIA! KARA! AND M’GAAAAAANNNNN!!!!!!

June Foray voice: WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY FOREVER?!?!?!

I know I’m not the first person to make that reference but it’s always fitting and, for real, recurring character status WHEN. (I mean. Obviously I would prefer series regular but that feels like a big ask considering that all future TV production is...uh. Ah. Erm....

...Up in the air. At the moment.)

And then we check in with the Luthors and Non Nocere isn’t working???

I am shocked! Shocked, I say!

And then we’ve got Obsidian doing something ill-advised which is basically the company’s MO at this point but KELLY AND WILLIAM ARE ON THE CASE REGARDLESS.

(So that’s kinda the one thing I’m sad about re: the Crisis reset; Andrea’s character development. But she’s sticking around for next season so I’m not too upset that she remains...kinda...one note for now.)

And THEN the library scene. 

It was so gooooood.

Then Leviathan and okay. Alright. Okay. Huge points in this episode’s favor: Rama Khan feels like a far more significant threat. And I feel like 80% of that is the fact that they just let him wear normal clothes. Thank you, show. Thank. You.

Also the rock effects were way better in this episode because they weren’t footing the bill for a giant crossover episode this time around

I am a little confused, though, by what has and has not happened with regards to Rama Khan on Earth Prime. Did the pre-Crisis stuff...happen? The dialogue...kinda made it hard to decide one way or the other. ‘He hasn’t been seen on this Earth for 100s of years’ but then also, ‘a chilly place you know quite well.’ So...he...did go to the Fortress. And fight Kara? But...all that stuff before Crisis...???

...Not gonna bother with that right now.

POINT IS...Leviathan is finally like...invested in killing Supergirl* and menacing in a very real way which both raises the stakes and makes it personal and that’s way more interesting than ‘nebulous evil organization that must be stopped.’

*I know they kinda sorta already did the whole, ‘let’s kill the Kryptonian!’ and invaded the Fortress but I don’t know what to tell ya, it was just lackluster.

J’ONN AND M’GAAAAAANNNNN

I am firmly in camp: I don’t care if they’re never green again I love seeing them in the super suits with their human faces IT’S GREAT.

Love that Nia’s snoring interrupts the moment.

Also love the deck of Rama Khan playing cards, that must’ve been a fun project for the graphic designers.

Then we’ve got William and Kara at CatCo and it’s baked goods! A hilarious line delivery by Staz! A ridiculous fabrication involving a shy, violent cat!

...Now I want Alex to actually own a shy, violent cat!

“Cats love me, for some reason.” “Of course they do.”

Side note: Love Kara’s blazer.

And then it’s ALIEEEEEENS TO THE RESCUE!

WHAT A TEAM UP, FOLKS.

We love to see it.

The interrogation scene is good n’ tense and ramps up to a very impressive showdown in the DEO (but BEFORE the sparks really start flying we get that rad shot of Kara leaping through the window and doing the superhero landing and it’s just

Perfection.)

Also perfect? Lex playing a game of transmatter pickle with the prisoners.

Then we jump back to the DEO where things are not going well!

Like, really really bad! 

But J’onn and M’gann save the day! If not the building!

RIP DEO. 2016-2020

Obituary: The DEO headquarters is survived by its elder sibling, the DEO desert base.

Look none of the favs work there anymore save for Kara and Brainy and they’re both gonna be better off working freelance for J’onn but I do expect Brainy to at least pick up some additional cash by working as a Lyft driver next season.

Me, watching the characters struggle to make it in the gig economy: I feel so seen.

The final portion of the episode is just ALL ACTING and I must say...good stuff.

Like. This cast, man. They take the plot points I’ve been ‘meh’ about all season and they turn in some stellar performances and suddenly I’m like STANDING OVATION, CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHERE THIS GOES.

Also, reason #342 I love Jon Cryer’s Lex: that scene with Lena.

Terrifying.

Full disclosure: I went in to this episode fully prepared to be really annoyed with whatever was going to happen with Lena and I still don’t...love the trajectory of this season, being so tied up in her personal drama but. 

But.

Katie McGrath’s performance...went an awful long way here. In making this...not as bad as it could have been.

Like tearfully admitting she was hurt? And that hurt was the basis of all the nonsense she pulled? Finally owning up to the fact that this was never truly about the greater good but that it was all rooted in some personal issues and OUTRIGHT STATING SHE WAS BEHAVING LIKE A VILLAIN????

I am. Extremely impressed.

EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE THOUGH: Kara remaining distant both physically and emotionally throughout that scene! Not in like, a cold uncaring way, but in a, ‘I have emotions and I have a right to feel them and set boundaries in regards to my trusting you right now given all that has transpired’ kind of way.

GOOD. YES. GOOD.

(Lex’s outburst has that kind of same Nice Guy undertone--albeit more pronounced and rage-y--as Lena’s in the Fortress. Like, ‘I supported you and you still rejected my plot to take over the world’ and ‘I was kind to you and you still messed up my mind control’ which...I dunno I might just be digging in too deep here in order to further justify the character turn but I think Cryer’s performance regardless is a really sobering wake up call for Lena, different than Lex stuff we’ve seen before. It’s close and intense and uncomfortable in a way that really sells the motivation.)

“You’re a monster...but that doesn’t mean I have to be one too.”

Wow. Might be...the first time I’ve liked Lena all season.

...whispers: might be the first time I’ve liked her ever at all

For real: credit where it’s due, that was an excellent line read.

*insert applause here*

CUT TO ADORABLE J’ONN AND M’GANN MOMENT 

D’aaaawwwwwwwwww

But, look, it’s a little undermined by the fact that they both gotta try and embrace in those bulky super suits, I’m sorry, it’s true

...Maybe it’s more endearing that way?

HEY remember how I foolishly assumed that the now-unemployed Alex would simply continue to work with J’onn in an investigative capacity and, ya know, NOT jump straight back into costumed badassery? 

HA. HAHA HAHAAAA.

Those leaked set photos make sense now.

OH NO, WILLIAM!

Real glad Staz confirmed he’s returning. Otherwise I would not be able to DEAL WITH THE STRESS.

I already talked a little bit about the loft scene but some additional points! Beautiful lighting. Wonderful score. Excellent performances all around.

A truly great end to a truly great episode.

Like, it makes me retroactively sad, that we’re only getting 5x19, as opposed to 5x19 and 5x20 because I wish that the crew/writers/actors had a little more space to let all of this good work they’ve done settle and breathe. 

(But also, it was good that they stopped production, from a safety standpoint, so. Can’t be too upset.)

And, regardless of how the next episode goes down (b/c I’m gonna be real, SG always does really great set-ups for their season finales and then kinda...rushes to the finish line and that can only be further exacerbated in this particular case) I’m just really impressed with this effort here.  

...but also LET’S TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME WILD GUESSES. Specifically, what is Alex’s vigilante name gonna be??? 

...

Alright I generally try to avoid addressing specific fandom complaints in these things b/c I generally try to avoid the fandom itself but of course some stuff has already leaked through all of my blocks/muting so:

‘Lena didn’t apologize!’ The words ‘I’m sorry’ were not said, sure, but 1.) season’s not over and 2.) for Lena, admitting she was wrong is huge. HUUUUUUUGE. It’s solid character growth and I really wish various subsets of fandom would recognize that it’s not fun, when fans hold on to negative stuff from characters’ past and refuse to acknowledge that the characters have changed.

‘Brainy should have seen this coming!’ This one is kind of more down to personal preference I guess but I feel like they’ve established that Brainy’s got a bit of a blindspot due to his feelings about his friends, so I don’t take this as a knock against his intelligence so much as him being stretched fairly thin because he’s playing all sides, and worried about the people he loves. YMMV, though. 

All the ‘fix-it’ stuff re: the last scene, by making Kara immediately forgive Lena. Lose me with that nonsense, bleh. 

[davidmann95]

I haven't been able to tolerate a comics news site since ComicsAlliance shut down so what news out of SDCC is actually worth knowing about?

I’ve gotten so many questions regarding SDCC-related news that I figured I’d just do one big post, and this seems as opportune an ask to build that off of as any. To kick off, in terms of news that’s not for me but is a big deal, there’s a trailer for the next season of Doctor Who, and Star Wars: Clone Wars is shockingly coming back for a final reduced season years after the fact. Congrats to the fans of both franchises! Plus yesterday we got the announcement of Orlando and Foreman’s Electric Warriors for DC (as well as Orlando’s Dead Kings with Matt Smith at Aftershock Comics) and the Wonder Woman/Justice League Dark October crossover.

So first and foremost in terms of the reaction it picked up, OH MY GOD:

It’s like the Bat In The Sun team handed over their production to their shitty kids but made them work off a third of the budget. I kept seeing the jokes about it on Twitter, and I kept thinking they were surely hilarious exaggerations, AND NOT A ONE OF THEM EVEN SLIGHTLY WAS. At least it now makes sense why Hawk and Dove is here, given the Liefeld connection: this is 90s as helllllllllllllllllllllll, and while a part of me hopes it swerves unexpectedly in a couple seasons into Fun 90s DC with Starman and Wally West and an Electric Blue Superboy and Titans One Million, I can’t pretend I wouldn’t gleefully hatewatch this if it wasn’t behind a paywall. What it really comes down to is that, as I saw someone mention, the over-the-top content warning at the beginning isn’t actually by any means to get rid of anyone under 18, but specifically to appeal to them over anyone over it: there is nothing about this show not precision-crafted to appeal to teenagers watching something they technically aren’t supposed to, since anyone older than that will just laugh until the stars grow cold. And while it’s one line in particular that’s rightfully drawn all the attention, to me the clear defining moment is Beast Boy taking his big goofy dramatic leap, and you expect him to transform, but that ain’t happening (I fully expect he’ll just have claws and growl and do assorted Wolverine shit instead), because that kind of thing is for STUPID KIDS, whereas this is RAD. 

RAD, dare I say…to the EXTREME.

Also, the pilot Robin’s scene was presumably drawn from was written by Akiva Goldsman, Greg Berlanti, and Geoff Johns. So was it the guy behind Batman & Robin, the guy behind the CWverse, or the recent President of DC Comics who ushered FUCK BATMAN into the world? Because all three of those possibilities are equally hilarious. In any case, the rubicon has been crossed: easily one of the top ten, probably one of the five or so most iconic superheroes of all time said fuck in a piece of mass media. Where we go from here, nobody knows. But at the very least I’ll take the L for my original certainty that this would take place in the CW DCverse, because that clearly isn’t going to be the case. Though boy, imagine if it was. Personally I like to imagine this is a totally normal DCU, and suddenly going full 90s and murdering a bunch of people is their universe’s version of normal teen rebellion.

Additionally, it’s now seemingly set in stone that the fourth DC Universe live-action show alongside Titans, Doom Patrol, and Swamp Thing will be a Stargirl show where Courtney Whitmore learns about her legacy and tries to track down the Justice Society, described as in the flavor of Superman ‘78 and Wonder Woman. Again, if it wasn’t behind a paywall I’d check it out.

And before turning to comics proper, we learned from WB itself that there are no plans to idiotically pour millions into making a functional Justice League Snyder cut a thing, unsurprisingly making some of the worst people on the internet be just the absolute worst (I’m interested myself in it artistically even if I don’t think it would be very good, but at this point it would feel like a validation of some really rotten people’s behavior if this happened). Meanwhile the first trailer for the Dragon Ball Super movie dropped, and yeah, I’m still happy to see Broly. This looks big in a way Dragon Ball for all its action rarely gets, and seeing Paragus suggests Toriyama understood what worked about the original flick, which is a very good sign. Did they swap out Vic Mignogna as Broly though? Wouldn’t blame him, I know he’s said he hates the part, but surprising nonetheless. And the Spider-Man game dropped another trailer, along with a ‘Velocity’ bonus suit designed by Adi Granov.

The big comics news of the day was of course the long-awaited confirmation that Green Lantern is being relaunched - apparently as The Green Lantern - in November by Grant Morrison and Liam Sharp. What’s surprising is that Morrison’s currently insisting that since the last decade or so of the franchise has dealt with constant upheaval and cosmic apocalypse, his run is going to scale back down to a character-focused study of Hal (“He’s a loner and a drifter and he’s an unreconstructed man. It was nice to do that and to go a little bit old-fashioned with it. He doesn’t belong here at all, you know? He’s longing for the heavens, and to be back up as a Green Lantern. We’re doing Hal Jordan where, you know he’s a good cop, but is he really a good guy? And we’re looking into his relationships and how he deals with people. And also the fact that, if you’ve got a job as a space cop, it’s hard to be stuck on the planet Earth. He has other lives on other planets.”) amidst him going about his duties and dealing with weird alien crimes and space threats, such as stopping aliens from ‘parking’ a planet-sized artificial megastructure near a sun and causing damage to nearby worlds, and solving the murder of a gaseous lifeform.

I doubt it’ll necessarily stay there forever - his Batman and Action Comics runs, after all, were both initially marketed as staying on the smaller side by his standards, and the one idea we know of Morrison having once had for the Green Lanterns back in the day was making them a multiversal force. But it’s remarkable how, well, normal this sounds coming from Morrison. Clearly this must be a passion project if he’s doing a monthly again for the first time in 5 years, especially since DiDio mentioned he had to be persuaded (ultimately persuading himself as his attempts to brush off the proposition led to him thinking about the possibilities and rapidly talking himself into it) to make time for this amidst an incredibly busy schedule of surely more profitable and creatively unshackled projects, but on the surface level? This sounds like the closest Morrison has come since his JLA days to writing a regular superhero comic. At this point in his career, I’m very, very curious what that’s going to look like. Just hoping he read the King/Shaner oneshot on whatever reread he surely went through to catch up on current continuity. And also hoping this guy was right that it’ll turn out “the REAL construct that was limited by our willpower and imagination all along was…REALITY.”

On smaller notes:

* Kelly Sue DeConnick and Robson Rocha are taking over Aquaman, with an opening arc that shows him washing up amnesiac on an isle of forgotten sea gods. DeConnick seems to be like the Jeffs Lemire and Parker where my appreciation of their work is limited to very, very specific slivers: none of her Marvel superhero stuff I’ve read did anything for me even if I could see the talent behind it, but her Lois story in the last issue of The Adventures of Superman was pitch-perfect (and also had a great Aquaman bit!). This gets at least an issue from me.

* DC announced new titles for DC Ink and DC Zoom, including Cassandra Cain, Oracle, Dick Grayson, Creeper, and Wonder Woman books, while also announcing some artists for the existing titles.

* Geoff Johns is doing (ugh) Shazam with Dave Eaglesham, who showed off a really great, fun cover suggesting the possibility of a tonal shift away from Johns writing the absolute worst version of that character imaginable. On the likelihood of said possibility though, I think @intergalactic-zoo put it best. I might just check it out in trade if word of mouth is overwhelmingly positive, but then, lots of otherwise rational people liked or at least saw merit in his original crack at it with Gary Frank, and you were all deliriously, impossibly wrong back then, too.

* And finally, speaking of Johns, he’s doing Batman: Three Jokers as a 3-issue mini with Jason Fabok, a smart move given that is precisely as much as I’m willing to invest in this out of morbid curiosity. What’s really baffling though is that it’s being released under Black Label. It would seem to destroy the stated purpose of the line by immediately releasing Very Important Continuity Comics under it, but maybe this means Batman’s gonna follow in his protege’s footsteps and say a fuck. Anyway, I’m mostly just hoping it isn’t revealed Fun Golden Age Joker is actually not the original in order to rub out the prospect that he was ever truly anything but a terrifying sidekick-butchering murder machine at the center of very serious stories, because that feels to be like a real possibility. And absolute no question one of the three is gonna turn out to be the lost child of Marionette and Mime in Doomsday Clock.

[3wisellamas]

Character Creation Tag

Tagged by @the-golden-ghost​

I...don't talk a lot about my OCs on here.  ^^;  But, for the purposes of this thing, think I'll rant about Kelly, since I just think she's neat.  If you don't know her (and you probably don't), uh...think big blob alien.

1) What was the first element of your character that you remember considering?

To be honest, she kind of came out of me trying to think about how her species would really work, or especially how they'd interact with the humans that had taken over their planet, back when the plot happened after a SUCCESSFUL human invasion.  Since I was still figuring out the characters in general I didn't have any aliens yet, it was actually mostly about the robots, so I just...made her up, to have a way of exploring that stuff.

2) Did you design them with any other characters from their universe in mind?

Admittedly, not really.  She was just...some rando, a test character that I figured I would end up plugging into a tiny part of the story eventually, after finally coming up with it.  Her having any real development or even being a major character wasn't a consideration for a while!

Heck, she still clashes with the non-gel characters a lot, kind of on purpose, to show how alien she is -- or, rather, how alien THEY are compared to her!

3) How did you chose their name?

Uh...picked it at random?  ^^;  Okay, I actually did have a thought process.  I came up with her full name, Alkeli, first -- a little play on the word "Alkaline", since she's made of an extremely basic/low-ph material.  Kelly was just a cute nickname for her that stuck.

4) In developing their backstory, what elements of their world played the most influential part?

Hoo boy, here we go.  Like I said, she was originally a VERY inconsequential character that I was just using for playing with concepts, but then I changed the plot to deal with the consequences of a FAILED human invasion of the aliens' planet rather than a successful one.  So, since the aliens were still top dog and actively trying to wipe out the few humans left, the human characters needed some leverage in order to survive.  I reworked Kelly as a character with connections to both worlds -- she's an alien, but was raised by the humans.  And I thought it'd be especially funny for her to technically be considered one of the main humans' "twin" sister as a part of that (I get a lot of joke mileage out of reactions to that little fact.)

5/6/7) Is there any significance behind their hair color/eye color/height?

Well, she doesn't have hair, so that's a problem.  She also doesn't actually have eyes, though she does have fake ones as part of her translator device -- them being blue really isn't too significant, other than her dad just picking it because it's his favorite color.  :P

Her height actually is kinda significant, though!  Most gel who interact with humans do so via translator devices, which give them a "face" and shape them to look a tiny bit more humanoid as part of it, but they usually still stay kinda blobby and close to the ground.  Instead, Kelly is super tol and intentionally tries to look more human-ish with hers, to show that she literally considers herself more human than gel.

8) What do you relate to within their character/story?

Let's see here.  Zero social skills, doesn't relate to really anyone at all, and is often a jerk to others without realizing it?  Check.  Forced by her parents into their own future plans, with her own dreams pretty much disregarded?  Check.  Low-key wants to be an artist even though she has exactly zero talent?  Check.  Total weeb loser who mostly just hides in her room playing video games all day?  Triple check.

9) Are they based off you in any way?

She might actually be the closest character in the whole thing to a self-insert.  ^^;  Which is saying something...

10) Did you know what your character’s sexuality would be at the time of their creation?

Nope.  I still don't even know.  Her species doesn't actually...reproduce, like at all (that's even a major plot point, since Kelly's birth and existence is VERY unusual!), but that's as far as I went in thinking about it.  Like to think of her as ace/aro nowadays though.

11) What have you found is the most difficult art form in creating your character?

She's actually pretty easy to draw in my usual 2D cartoony style, but...I honestly have NO idea how she'd work in 3D space at all, so if I ever tried to render her in any 3D medium it wouldn't go well.  ^^;  And neither does anything more realistic either -- did I mention she's literally a mass of semitransparent goop?  Trust me, I've tried.  It doesn't work.

12) How far past canon events that take place in their world have you extended their story?

I typically have my characters' ENTIRE lives planned out.  So...yeah.  All of it.  Not elaborating though, because spoil.

13) If you had to narrow it down to 2 things you MUST keep in mind while working with this OC, what would they be?

1.  Even if she's pretty much a human culturally, she is NOT one physically.  She works very differently from the other non-gel characters; she can only see in certain circumstances, for instance, and her other senses all work differently too, including ones humans don't actually have.  Her physical capabilities are also very different, too, which I gotta keep in mind for the various shenanigans the cast get into -- if everyone has to jump off a thing she can't follow them, but if they need anything underwater they'd be stupid not to go right to her!

2.  Her manner of speaking is also VERY different from the humans and robots, because like all gel she doesn't have a mouth and all her speech has to be translated -- can't slip up and accidentally have her use a contraction!  (until the plot twist that she's totally faking it for reasons and CAN speak like everyone else, hehe...)

14) What is something about your OC that makes you laugh?

She's definitely one of the snarkier characters, always taking shots at my more ridiculous characters and plot points.  ^^  Plus, take away her mask and she's...literally just a big angry blob of jello.  That sleeps in a tiny fishtank.  There's just something inherently funny about that.

15) What is something about your OC that makes you cry?

Just...a lot of her backstory, and how it shapes her attitude as an adult.  I put a LOT of the shit I've been through into her, good and bad, and sometimes it's...a bit much for me admittedly.

16) Is there some element you regret adding to your OC or their story?

She can be TOO standoffish and aloof, REALLY taking after her father, and her character development goes along some pretty dark routes.  It fits her, and is totally appropriate for her role in the story, but...unlike her dad, she isn't always a lovable asshole, and writing those scenes is NOT fun or easy, when she ends up making mistakes and hurting my other OCs and especially her family because of it.

17) What is the most recent thing that you’ve discovered about your OC?

Um...  oO  Not 100% sure what this means.  The newest thing I added to them?  Probably that she'd totally make a kickass spy if she actually went for it.  She's definitely got the stealth and detective skills!

18) Favorite OC fact?

She considers herself a white hat hacker.  Well, as long as she's hacking the people she cares about -- to her enemies, she can wreak a surprising amount of havoc, and is the main source of info on the villains' plots from all the data she steals from them early on in the story (and continues to be, as she starts decrypting it throughout...)

Tagging:  Nah.  If you wanna steal and gush about an OC, go for it.

[theonyxpath]

Above you can see two of the sentient species in Cavaliers of Mars, illustrated in lovely b&w line-art by the multi-styled talent of Andrew Trabbold. That was a decision we made a couple of years ago, actually: to have all the interior art in Cavs by rendered line-art. The style works just right as it references both the old pulp-era illustrations and the early art in the tabletop RPG hobby.

Is going black and white line-art going to alienate current day gamers who are used to and demand full-color interior art? Well, it probably does limit the appeal of Cavaliers of Mars in terms of a more broad-based audience, but we knew that would happen with this sort of game anyway.

When Rose and I first started throwing ideas at each other the Gen Con after she pitched me the “canals/Venice” line, as explained last week, we were kind of brainstorming, kind of riffing off each others’ ideas. It became clear to me as the ideas started clicking together organically, that Rose had a very specific vision that she wanted to give full reign to rather than holding back for “business” reasons.

In fact, the label “Fantasy Heartbreaker” was mentioned pretty early in our discussions as a point of pride. (Note Rose’s Patreon page.)

For me, I tend to think of games like Cavs as beautiful jewel-boxes where every design decision is made to reinforce the overall feel and themes of the game. The world, the rules, the system, the visuals – all given consideration as an intrinsic piece of the whole.

This was a huge part of the appeal to me for publishing Cavaliers of Mars. If you look at Scion or the Trinity Continuum, they are designed to enable a lot of access points and ways to play, with built-in ways we can further expand the game to appeal to more people. (WoD, CofD, and Exalted, are also designed to “go big”). I like that Onyx Path can publish Cavs, apply our high production values as always, and help Rose create the focused game she imagined.

As we have done before, you can check out whether that approach to Cavaliers of Mars works for you by reading the KS page and the ongoing Updates, or by backing the project and you can read the complete text via a link in Backer Update #1.

    VtR: Half Damned illustration by Felipe Goana

    Besides discovering our jewel-box of a game, backers of the Cavaliers of Mars Kickstarter also discovered the newest member of the Onyx Path team in the person of our Kickstarter runner, Jammin’ James Bell, when they read their first Update. James will gradually be taking on more and more of the extremely varied responsibilities of running our Kickstarters – which is a huge weight off my shoulders and greatly appreciated!

Since James is entirely focused on our Kickstarters, we’re looking forward to his many years of customer service and business management experience to really pay off for our backers.

Hiring on James was one of the awesome things to come out of GenCon this year, much as with bringing Fast Eddy Webb on full-time as announced last month. I was really busy finalizing a lot of ideas for improving Onyx that we had been putting together all through the year, and we have a bunch more of them to reveal in the months to come.

Now, this announcement didn’t really come out of GenCon, but Steve Wieck and I did discuss a bit what was the best way to handle the Scarred Lands game-line with the passing of Stew Wieck. It was after the con that I tendered an offer to purchase Nocturnal Media‘s half of the rights, and last week that offer was accepted. Onyx Path now owns Scarred Lands outright, and we are all absolutely thrilled to be able to continue to create new projects for one of the very best settings to come out of the d20 days.

Onyx and Nocturnal are still linked together to fulfill the SL Kickstarter, but after that is all achieved, we’ll be moving forward into the Scarred Lands based on the plans I was developing with Stew, but on our own.

    Wraith20 illustration by Mark Kelly

    Finally, I just wanted to shout out to Mighty Matt McElroy, who flew out at the last minute to the studios of Geek & Sundry last Friday to join a taping of their One Night Only show focused on tabletop game publishing. Matt represented for Onyx Path, together with a panel of fellow game creators, and he says the whole thing was absolutely polished and fascinating. I understand you can find the show on their ProjectAlpha site with a 30 day free trial: http://ift.tt/2fBHzlF

If you check it out, let us know what you think and we’ll pass your feedback on to the Geek & Sundry folks!

Until next week:

Many Worlds. One Path.

    BLURBS!

ON SALE!

KICKSTARTER:

  The Cavaliers of Mars Kickstarter funded and has been rolling along nicely past 500%, including a variety of Stretch Goals! For more on the thinking behind the game see above, and here is the link: http://ift.tt/2jF6HdQ

  ON AMAZON:

  We’re delighted to announce the opening of our ebook store on Amazon! You can now read our fiction from the comfort and convenience of your Kindle. Our initial selection includes these fiction anthologies: Vampire: the Masquerade‘s Endless Ages, Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition‘s Rites of Renown: When Will You Rage 2, Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition‘s Truth Beyond Paradox, Chronicles of Darkness‘ God Machine Chronicle, Mummy: The Curse‘s Curse of the Blue Nile, and Beast: The Primordial‘s The Primordial Feast!

And now you can get these books in the Barnes and Noble Nook store too!

Vampire: The Masquerade: The Endless Ages Anthology

Werewolf: The Apocalypse: Rites of Renown: When Will You Rage II

Mage: The Ascension: Truth Beyond Paradox

Chronicles of Darkness: The God-Machine Chronicle Anthology

Mummy: The Curse: Curse of the Blue Nile

Beast: The Primordial: The Primordial Feast Anthology

  And here are six more fiction books:

Vampire: The Masquerade: Of Predators and Prey: The Hunters Hunted II Anthology

Werewolf: The Apocalypse: The Poison Tree

Werewolf: The Apocalypse: Songs of the Sun and Moon: Tales of the Changing Breeds

Vampire: The Requiem: The Strix Chronicle Anthology

Werewolf: The Forsaken: The Idigam Chronicle Anthology

Mage: The Awakening: The Fallen World Chronicle Anthology

  Andand six more more:

Vampire: The Masquerade: The Beast Within Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Werewolf: The Apocalypse: W20 Cookbook (Kindle, Nook)

Exalted: Tales from the Age of Sorrows (Kindle, Nook)

Chronicles of Darkness: Tales of the Dark Eras (Kindle, Nook)

Promethean: The Created: The Firestorm Chronicle Anthology (Kindle, Nook)

Demon: The Descent: Demon: Interface (Kindle, Nook)

And even more books are going up on Amazon and the Nook store on Wednesday!:

Vampire: The Masquerade Dark Ages: The Cainite Conspiracies

World of Darkness: Strangeness in the Proportion

Vampire: The Requiem: Silent Knife

Mummy: The Curse: Dawn of Heresies

Scarred Lands: The Walled Warren

    We’re working with Studio2 to get Pugmire out into stores, as well as to individuals through their online store. You can pick up the traditionally printed main book, the Screen, and the official Pugmire dice through our friends there!

http://ift.tt/2w0aaEW

    Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books? Here’s the link to the press release we put out about how Onyx Path is now selling through Indie Press Revolution: http://ift.tt/1ZlTT6z

You can now order wave 2 of our Deluxe and Prestige print overrun books, including Deluxe Mage 20th Anniversary, and Deluxe V20 Dark Ages! And Screens…so many Screens!

And you can now order Pugmire: the book, the screen, and the dice! http://ift.tt/1pOsnTb

  ON DRIVETHRURPG.COM:

  EX3 Music Suite #1: Fanfare for the Chosen sounds off long and proud on DTRPG on Wednesday!

We’re also releasing the five EX3 Electronic Wallpapers only previously available to EX3 Kickstarter backers on DTRPG on Wednesday! And you completely underline this Exalted day: our monthly dose of creatures from the Thousand Devils Night Parade will also be releasing!

      From out of the Dreaming, the C20 Jumpstart: Yours To Keep PDF and PoD are now live on DTRPG.com: http://ift.tt/2fmlF3s

There is magic hiding everywhere. You just need to know where to look.

You are a changeling, a faerie soul hiding in a mortal body, fighting the chill of Nightmares and the oppressive weight of Banality with the pure creative power of Glamour. You have lived many lives, but the story of this one? It outshines them all.

In this hidden world, knights in steel and leather clash sword to sword outside the homecoming dance, dragons fly between skyscrapers, and fantastic castles rise from suburban lawns. A world of magic, intrigue, and adventure, and now that your fae side has awakened, it’s your world too.

“Yours to Keep” includes a rules and setting overview, as well as pre-generated characters and a complete introductory scenario for Changeling: The Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition. It’s perfect for jumpstarting a new Changeling chronicle!

    The PDF and PoD versions of C20 are now on DriveThruRPG.com: http://ift.tt/2w4Eq2m

Twenty years ago, White Wolf published Changeling: the Dreaming, the fifth of their promised five game-lines that together comprised the World of Darkness. Seen by some as a lighter, more fantasy-based setting in the modern-day, and by others as the darkest game White Wolf had yet created, players had to face the question of what happens once creativity and magic fades from their world.

This 20th Anniversary Edition of Changeling: the Dreaming returns to that deceptively bright yet terrifying world and both compiles and completes the concepts of the previous two editions. Led by veteran White Wolf and Onyx Path developer “Blackhat” Matt McFarland, our writing team consists of longtime Changeling creators like Ian Lemke, Jackie Cassada, Nicky Rea, and Peter Woodworth, as well as familiar names such as John Snead, Maggie Carrol, Matthew Dawkins, and Krister Michl. One and all are dedicated to making Changeling: the Dreaming Twentieth Anniversary Edition the most playable edition yet – while not losing the wonder, awe, and majesty that Changeling is known for.

A revised and up to date look at the World of Darkness through the eyes of the Kithain – what has happened to the Dreaming in the last 20 years, and what is the state of Glamour and dreams?

Rules for all of the kiths including in 2nd ed, plus fan favorites from other books: selkies, piskies, clurichaun, and both Arcadian and Concordian sidhe.

Rules for the Gallain: The inanimae, the hsien, the Nunnehi, and others!

An overhauled and reimagined system for fae magic, including new Arts and the powerful but dangerous practice of Unleashing!

New full-color beautiful artwork as well as classic Changeling illustrations including remastered full page pieces of the kiths by Tony Diterlizzi.

      Now available, this all-new Trinity Continuum: Aeon poster, featuring the art we used for the cover of the StoryPath Booklet at this year’s GenCon! http://ift.tt/2y2MOkm

And this version for art lovers is without the logo: http://ift.tt/2xt4ngk

      From the massive Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras main book, we have pulled this single chapter, Dark Eras: After the Fall (Demon: The Descent Constantinople 1453-1458). The Ottoman conquest shatters Constantinople…and also the God-Machine’s grip on it. Unchained flock from all over the world to seek their fortunes in rebuilding the city. But is the Machine really gone, and if it is, can the Unchained face the horrors it drove into the shadows?

On sale in PDF and physical copy PoD versions on DTRPG! http://ift.tt/2y1ZoAe

      Calling all Good Dogs! The Pugmire Core Rulebook PDF is now available on DTRPG.com!

http://ift.tt/2wAaAp3

And the actual physical book, screen, and dice, are available to order on the IPR and Studio2 websites!

Studio2: http://ift.tt/2w0aaEW

      From the massive Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras main book, we have pulled this single chapter, Dark Eras: A Grimm Dark Era (Changeling: The Lost Grimm’s Tales). With the publication of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, the Lost find themselves subject to the strength of stories, to a degree never before seen. As numerous stories reach greater audiences, the power of tales redefine what it means to be a changeling. Here, we explore a shift in the veil between fiction and reality, and find changelings who escaped by embracing the odd rules of the fantastic.

http://ift.tt/2iD3wTu

On sale in PDF and physical copy PoD versions on DTRPG!

        Satyr Phil Brucato beckons you once more into the Annex of Mage: The Ascension with this 300 page follow-up to M20. The M20 Book of Secrets is NOW on sale in PDF and PoD versions at DTRPG.com! http://ift.tt/2tKyJtb

More Than Magick

For mages who think they have everything, this trove of treasures expands upon the wealth of material presented throughout Mage: The Ascension’s 20th Anniversary Edition. New Traits, new rules, essays, answers, information… the Secrets are revealed within.

Enter the Annex

Building upon the M20 core rulebook, this Book of Secrets features updated rules and setting material, such as…

An M20 FAQ Genres & Resources

Matters of Focus Justice & Influence

New Abilities, Archetypes, Merits & Flaws

Expanded Rules for Combat, Resonance, Wonders, Computer Systems, and More

This Ascension Continues…

        What dark secrets do the eldest vampires hold? Find out in Thousand Years of Night for Vampire: The Requiem! Advance PDF version available now on DriveThruRPG.com. http://ift.tt/2sV8lZR

You may think that with a multitude of people coming, going, dying and running away, we’d be tired, done, or ready to give up. Instead, I find myself restless, looking for the next thing.  There’s always a next thing, and I for one am not yet ready to die.

– Elder Kincaid, Daeva Crone

This book includes:

• Detailed instructions on creating elder vampires, including how to base chronicles around them

• A look into the lives of elders, how they spend their nights, who they work with, and why including their roles in both their clans and covenants

• New Devotions, Merits, and Rituals for elder vampires

• The kinds of creatures that pose a threat to elder vampires, including Inamorata, Lamia, Sons of Phobos, a new elder conspiracy, and more!

          CONVENTIONS!

Fast Eddy Webb will be running Pugmire during the online convention Gauntlet Con: http://ift.tt/2sSctbs which runs from Oct. 20 – 22. Here is the sign-up link for the event which will be live-streamed. Currently three of six seats are still open: http://ift.tt/2xt3HaM

  In November, we’ll be at Game Hole Con in Madison, WI. November 2-5: http://ift.tt/2xsOnuzMonica Valentinelli (Hunter: the Vigil 2e, Dark Eras), Manda Collis (Exalted 3e), Scott Holden (Scarred Lands), Matt M McElroy (Operations Manager) and other folks from the OPP crew will be there!

  Also in November, the Onyx Path crew including Rich, Matt, Lisa, Neall, Dixie, and Meghan will be at the first ever PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia, November 17-19. http://ift.tt/2kBzmfv

  Planning ahead for 2018, we’re heading back to Midwinter Game Convention in Milwaukee, January 11-14, where we’re going to be bringing a big crew of many of your favorite Onyx Path designers and we’ll be running demos and making some special announcements at the show!  http://midwintergamingconvention.com

  And now, the new project status updates!

DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM ROLLICKING ROSE (projects in bold have changed status since last week):

First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)

M20 Gods and Monsters (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

M20 Book of the Fallen (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

C20 Novel (Jackie Cassada) (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)

Monarchies of Mau (Monarchies of Mau)

Night Horrors: The Tormented (Promethean: The Created 2nd Edition)

Deviant: The Renegades (Deviant: The Renegades)

They Came From Beneath the Sea! Rulebook (TCFBtS!)

  Redlines

Kithbook Boggans (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)

Hunter: the Vigil 2e core (Hunter: the Vigil 2nd Edition)

  Second Draft

WoD Ghost Hunters (World of Darkness)

Tales of Good Dogs – Pugmire Fiction Anthology (Pugmire)

Exalted 3rd Novel by Matt Forbeck (Exalted 3rd Edition)

  Development

Signs of Sorcery (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)

SL Ring of Spiragos (Pathfinder – Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)

Ring of Spiragos (5e – Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)

Pugmire Pan’s Guide for New Pioneers (Pugmire)

Scion: Origin (Scion 2nd Edition)

Scion: Hero (Scion 2nd Edition)

Trinity Continuum Core Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)

Trinity Continuum: Aeon Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)

GtS Geist 2e core (Geist: the Sin-Eaters Second Edition)

The Realm (Exalted 3rd Edition)

  WW Manuscript Approval:

Dragon-Blooded (Exalted 3rd Edition)

  Editing:

Ex Novel 2 (Aaron Rosenberg) (Exalted 3rd Edition)

DtD Night Horrors: Enemy Action (Demon: the Descent)

  Post-Editing Development:

W20 Changing Ways (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)

Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition, featuring the Huntsmen Chronicle (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)

C20 Ready Made Characters (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)

  Indexing:

    ART DIRECTION FROM MIRTHFUL MIKE:

In Art Direction

W20 Pentex Employee Indoctrination Handbook – Art at WW for approval.

Cavaliers of Mars

W20 Changing Ways

Ex3 Monthly Stuff

Scion Origins

Ring of Spiragos

VtR Half Damned

Book of Freeholds

DtD Enemy Action – AD’d… contracts and notes sent out.

C20 RMCs – Finished with sketches.

  Marketing Stuff

  In Layout

Prince’s Gambit – Remaining art is arting.

Beckett’s Jyhad Diary – Layouting.

Wraith 20

Beast PG

M20 Cookbook – Working on it after Beckett is done.

  Proofing

VDA Jumpstart – At WW for approval.

Ex 3 Arms of the Chosen – 1st proof.

Becket’s Jyhad Diary – First half proofing with Dawkins.

  At Press

Beckett Screen – Shipped to shipper.

Scarred Land PGs & Wise and the Wicked PF & 5e – On a boat to the US. PoD files processing (see above).

Dark Eras: God’s Own Country – PoD proof on the way.

VTR: Thousand Years of Night – Errors discovered at GenCon, getting fixed.

Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition) – Deluxe Edition cover and Screen in the works.

C20 Jumpstart PDF – PDF and PoD versions on sale this Wednesday!

CtL Huntsmen Chronicle Anthology PDF

Art of Mage – Prepping for PoD this week.

Pugmire Trick, Condition, and Initiative Cards – PoD proofs ordered.

Exalted 3rd Music Suite #1 – On sale this week.

  TODAY’S REASON TO CELEBRATE: A couple of days ago, our friend Murray the pug, inspiration for Pugmire and Eddy Webb’s very good dog, passed away suddenly. Let us salute and celebrate his life, and the long shadow cast by a very little guy.

[clockworkfromspace]

The Book v2 Chapter 8

-the twins head to their Ultra Being class-

Chris walks there

*jeff’s already in his desk, playing with some water floating above it*

-Jolly Johnny and a beat up girl with tears in her eyes appear in front of the class-

Chris: zoey?

-Jolly Johnny turns to their teacher- "Hello there Mr. Taio. This girl here needs a favor from you."

Mr. Taio: Huh!? Who are you!?

"Zoey....McChevy...sir"

Mr. Taio: McChevy.... Related to Chris McChevy?

She nods

Mr. Taio: If you want me to release another spirit, you'd need to give me something in return.

Jolly Johnny: Life for a life?

"N-not him someone else"

Mr. Taio: That will do.

-Jolly Johnny uses Jeff's power to teleport Neon here-

Jolly Johnny: Hi brother.

Chris looks at the girls confused

Jea: What's happening? -she falls asleep-

-Jolly Johnny stabs Neon-

"Ok then"

-he takes out the knife then slits his throat-

-students in the class look horrified-

"WHAT THE HELL"

Jolly Johnny: there ya go.

"Could i see cyberblast please?..."

Mr. Taio: The Cyberclad who recently died? Sure.

"Yes"

-Cyber blast appears as a phantom-

"C-cy?...."

Cy: Zoey? -he looks at his hands- I actually died?

She nods

Cy: Have you told Cheenato and Kelly yet?

"T-they know"

Cy: How well are they taking it?

"V-very well actully..."

Jenifer: Anyone else extremely confused?

sorta

Chris: yes

*popcorn appears in his hand*

-Neon's body vanishes along with Jolly Johnny-

-Jea wakes up-

Mr. Taio: Do the two of you mind? I wish to return to my lesson.

Cy: Where are we Exactly?

keaton city

*pops over to him* i’m jeff

you are?

Cy: You live in Keaton City and you don't know who I am?

no

Jea: That's Cyber blast. One of Skull City's most famous heroes and that girl is Foxy Clockwork. His girlfriend and one of the members of his team.

Jea: They helped fight off the cyberclads years ago.

Jea: But... Why do you look like a ghost?

-she gets a worried look-

Cy: My jobs dangerous enough on it's own. That with the fact that I'm seen as a traitor to my own planet meant I had a high chance of being killed. Guess I couldn't beat the odds.

Jea: A cyberclad did this? There's still bad one's on this planet?

Cy: There's at least one thanks to that guy in the fucking bow tie. (Jolly Johnny)

-Mr. Taio looks at Jeff and Zoey with glowing white eyes-

Mr. Taio: Both of your souls are blinking. One of you will become the Divine Guardian of teleportation at some point.

Mr. Taio: At the moment. Jeff... You are in the lead.

"WHAT"

what?

-he turns back to Zoey- "It's either because he is better or because your other powers are getting in your way"

Mr. Taio: a Divine Guardian's soul is different from most. Their soul glows brightly. Both of yours are slowly fading between a normal soul and a Guardian soul.

"Cy can you teleport as a ghost"

well how do i become one?

Mr. Taio: He cannot. He can vanish, fly quickly, and phase through solid objects but he cannot teleport.

"I protect skull city and i will coutine to do that!"

Mr. Taio: No one truly knows all the rules of becoming a Devine Guardian. I'd suggest you prove that you have better mastered your ability than Zoey has

Mr. Taio: Once you prove you're the best, I'm sure you will become a Divine Guardian. Though to be honest there's nothing that special about it.

still seems awesome

so who are the divine guardians right now?

Mr. Taio: Depending on your power, it will either become easier to control or more powerful. Divine Guardians also reincarnate after death. Their memories are blank at first but slowly come back during adolescents and adult hood.

Mr. Taio: I only know of a few current Divine Guardians.

Mr. Taio: There's me, that guy who was just here, a criminal who's currently locked away at a SCOPE facility, Blue Rebel, and Shadow Walker.

Cy: I'm going back to check on the kids.

-he flies away-

Zoey goes with him

well i guess we got out ultra beings lesson for today. *smirks* you want me to clean up this blood?

Mr. Taio: What blood? [Neon's blood vanished along with his body]

ummm... o-kay...

-the dismissal bell rings-

Chris runs home

-he twins walk to their bus-

*jeff pops into the seat behind the twins* hey

Jenifer: Hey.

that was crazy

why does johnny always put you to sleep *looks at jea*

Jea: How should I know

Jenifer: It's for the best. She's far too innocent to have seen what he did.

Jea: I've seen him do many horrible things in the book.

Jenifer: Seeing him kill some random person in your book is different from seeing him killing his own brother with a knife.

Jea: WHAT!?

Jea: Neon? Noooo he was my favorite character!

Jenifer: Probably shouldn't have said that.

-the bus get to their stop-

-the girls walk to the house but see their dad's car parked out front-

Jenifer: He's home already?

Jenifer: I just realized. Dude, Jeff, you could totally build your own house will your ability. Hell, you could be rich dude.

Jea: Think of what that would do to the economy.

Jenifer: It's just one guy doing it. The economy will be fine

sounds like fun

what should we do first?

-Jenifer pulls up google maps on her phone- We'd need to find a place to build it.

Jea: He'd have to own the land to legally build a house there and we're not old enough to buy property

Jenifer: Shit, she's right

Jenifer: you think that Jolly Johnny guy could help us?

i doubt it but he might

-Jolly Johnny appears looking like a phantom- "What's in it for me?"

i don’t know. whatcha want? he said i might be the divine guardian; is there anything i can do for you when that happens?

Jolly Johnny: Nope. Hmm.... I'll do it and we'll just say that you owe me one. Both of you

Jenifer: So long as it doesn't get me arrested, sure.

ok

already ripped a girl’s heart out so sure

Jolly Johnny: Look at you stealing young girl's hearts like a true lady killer

*busts out laughing*

-Jea walks home-

so... where do you recommend johnny

-he points out a spot near the edge of the city. Its about 40 miles from Skull City while still on one of Keaton High School's bus routes

ok

what now?

Jolly Johnny: I'll go and buy the land. I'll get back to you when I'm done.

-he vanishes-

*looks at jenifer* you gonna help me build it?

Jenifer: What do you expect me to do?

Jenifer: Mr. Godly teleportation

you could help me design the layout

Jenifer: True

Jenifer: Alright.

-Jenifer walks into her house-

Mr. Kon: Hey sweetie, who was that guy you were talking to outside?

Jenifer: a friend from school. Mind if he comes in?

-Mr. Kon looks out the window and examines him- "sure."

-Jenifer walks out onto the porch- "Come on in."

ok *follows jenifer*

Jenifer: Him and... His god father are having a new house built and he asked me to help designing it.

Mr. Kon: Oh cool. A buddy of mine is an architect. I could give him a call if you want.

thanks, but we’re doing it as kind of a family project

Mr. Kon: oh, okay.

Jenifer: Hey dad. How come you're home so early?

Mr. Kon: Day off.

Jenifer: Oh. Okay. -she turns to Jeff- ready to get started?

sure

-the next day-

-saturday-

Jolly Johnny: the land is all yours kid.

awesome!

where would you recommend for me to get the resources?

Jolly Johnny: Sheldon Forest is full of pre-chopped lumber. Some Ultra being goes there whenever he's upset and kills off trees left and right.

that’s no fun

i could just steal a house

or pieces of some and fuse them together

Jolly Johnny: You could do that too I suppose.

Jenifer: What about SCOPE? Surely they'd notice.

Jolly Johnny: SCOPE's anti-teleportation devices are handy but I doubt they'd be much use against Jeff.

Jolly Johnny: Anyways, I'll leave the building to you guys. I own this place but as far as I'm concerned, its all yours.

this is gonna be fun... thanks johnny

Jolly Johnny: No problem. -he walks off-

so... what’s first jenny?

Jenifer: Game room.

oh yeah!

you know... since ur helping, this’ll be ur place, too.

Jenifer: In that case, I'd like my room to have a view of the back yard where we could have a pool.

Jenifer: I guess I could come here during nights that my dad is out late.

if you want, you can just tell him you’re going to bed and then signal me somehow. then i could teleport ya up here

I guess that could work.

Jenifer: *

just call me whenever you have time to come up here

Jenifer: Alright.

-looking at what's already been completed- "This place'll be great for parties."

Jenifer: Best part is, no neighbors.

hell yeah!

-Jea calls Jenifer-

oh i got an idea

Jenifer: Hello? Hold that thought.

-she puts Jea on Speaker-

Jenifer: What were you saying Jeff?

Jea: You're with Jeff? Where are you guys?

i can shift this hill around a bit and make it steeper and we can get one of those infinity pools that looks like it goes forever

Jenifer: Were working on his new house.

yeah she’s with me. why, is that bad?

Jea: It's not bad. I just don't trust you.

oh... thanks. that makes me feel good. *smiles*

Jenifer: He's not gonna kill me or anything Jea. Relax.

Jea: Just keep your guard up

-Jea sends her a text reading "he likes you"-

-Jenifer returns a text saying- "he knows I'm into girls"

Jea [aloud]: does he?

do i what?

-Jea hangs up in a mini panic-

-Jenifer shows him her phone-

what, know you’re into girls? no i didn’t know that. thanks for informing me, i guess?

Jenifer: I've said it before

i don’t pay attention

anyway, about the pool idea

Jenifer: Sounds like a plan to me

nice

you might wanna stand back a bit. this is probably gonna cause a small earthquake!

-she hops up onto a branch of a nearby tree-

"Seems strong enough"

*puts his hands out and begins to concentrate. the hill begins to lose pieces, and then those pieces reform into a cliff, extending the hill about 100 feet, then dropping off*

nice. now we got more room to build.

Chris scratches on jea's door

-jea opens her door-

Jenifer: Sweet

Jea: Hey there Chris

jenny, you can get down now. we should make secret passages through the house that i can use when in snake form

-she picks him up-

Jenifer: Dude, that could lead to some great prankd

Pranks*

He licks her face

Jenifer: We could pretend to have a snake problem if we had any guests over and you could freak them out

Jea: What's with you and licking faces? -she laughs-

*there is a knock on the door*

ok so what else should we add. we got a game room, three bedrooms with bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room.

-Jea goes to answer it-

Jenifer: Mini gym?

Jenifer: I usually don't work out but we could have it just cause

A man pushes her aside and looks for Chris the man grabs him and runs out

sure

Jea: DADDY!

-Mr. Kon comes out of his room and runs after him-

Mr. Kon: HEY! THAT'S NOT YOUR DOG!

-Jea calls Jenifer-

-jenifer answers-

"hello?"

Jea: Some guy stormed into the house, pushed me, and grabbed Chris!

Jea: Dad's chasing him right now.

what’s wrong?

Jenifer: Some asshole pushed my sister and is trying to dog nap Chris

Jenifer: I need you to teleport me home.

oh shit. hold on... *grabs jenifers arm and they both teleport back to jenifers house*

-she looks around. When she spots her father she runs after him-

The man throws a knife at him

*jeff teleports in front of the attacker* boi put my friend down

He pushes him

-the knife barely scratches Mr. Kon's face-

Mr. Kon: the hell?

*teleports chris into jenifers arms and teleports the guy into the sky above jeff*

*jeff teleports up there too and they both just sit there*

excuse me sir

why did you take that dog?

Jenifer [shouting]: Thanks!

He shoots jeff and mr. kon

-she walks back home petting Chris-

Jea: DAD!

*jeff teleports the bullets away*

sir that’s not nice

-Jenifer turns her head-

Chris whimpers

-she looks back at Jea-

you see, if you hurt me, i stop keeping you here

Jenifer: Why'd you shout?

and you fall to your death

Jea: That guy shot at him.

He teleports down and shoots mr. Kon

"That dog is a person and beat up my family"

who are you

"Sam"

sam who?

chris wouldn’t hurt a fly so why would i believe you?

*teleports chris up there with them* chris who is this guy?

"You don't know his past"

Jenifer: 😐😑😐

"A friend from school"

why is he saying you hurt him?

ok well should i put him down or kill him? because he’s annoying the shit out of me

"Put him down"

*looks at sam* are you gonna try to shoot anyone else? if you do i will remove your kidneys and put them where your eyes go.

"O-o"

you can ask chris... that’s not a joke

so are you gonna refrain from shooting at people?

"Yes....."

ok... *they all appear back on the ground*

guys... this is sam

he said he won’t shoot anyone

He runs off

should i bring him back?

or kill him?

Jenifer: I say kill him

Jea: NO KILLING!

what do you say, mr. kon?

Mr.Kon: I don't support murder

ok

i guess i’m not killing him

*whispers to jenifer* yet

Mr. Kon: but you can bring him back though.

*sam appears in front of them*

sam stop running bro

eh i kinda wanna leave. *a metal cage appears in front of the house and sam gets teleported inside*

there ya go

jenifer wanna go back to working on the house?

Jenifer: Sure.

aight *grabs jenifers hand and they teleport back to the hill*

*a gym appears along with an infinity pool* what now?

Jenifer: Now, I guess we're done. Until we want to add more at least

noice, we have our own house now

Chris sleeps in jea's door way

-Mr. Kon texts Jenifer-

Jenifer: Gotta head home.

-Jea picks Chris up and brings him inside so she can close the door-

He groans

-she lays him down beside her bed before going to sleep-

ok. *teleports jenifer home and goes inside the newly constructed house*

He climbs on the end of the bed and sleeps

-the next day, Sunday-

Chris sleeps in

*jeff pops to the front door of the house and knocks on it*

-Jea opens it "Jenny, it's for you."

well, can i come in?

Jea: Oh yeah. Sorry, thought that was implied.

Jea: If I'm being honest, it's kinda strange hearing you ask permission to enter when you'd pop into my room unannounced.

i have some morals... jeez.

Chris groans

Jea: says the guy who literally stole a heart and put it in a girl's shirt.

that’s why i said some... duh... *walks inside*

He falls jea's bed

Jea: What was that thud?

Jenifer: Came from your room. Hey Jeff.

sup

-Jea goes to her room to see what she heard-

Chris groans in pain

Jea: Was that you Chris?

"Ya"

jenny, wanna head up to the store so we can pick out some shit for the game room?

Jenifer: Sure

*grabs her hand and they both vanish, appearing at a furniture store*

Jenifer: Follow me. The best games are in the back.

ok

*follows behind jenifer* we need a really big tv and some awesome chairs!

Jenifer: Indoor theatre?

i think we should go with that but also get a few flat screens

Chris calls jenny

-she answers-

Jenifer: Hello?

"Could i help design?"

Jenifer: Help design what?

Jenifer: Did you mean Jeff's house by any chance?

[bharatiyamedia-blog]

Ryan Kalish, Lars Anderson seek for life after baseball

http://tinyurl.com/y5usvem7 I used to be launched to Ryan Kalish this winter at a spot in Santa Monica, California, identified for respectable burgers and chilly beer. I recalled he’d had greater than a little bit promise as a participant. I additionally hadn’t heard a lot of him for some time. He was staying within the space with mates and he nodded towards a desk the place a handful of women and men had been selecting chairs and hanging their coats. He mentioned he wasn’t taking part in ball anymore and that he was educating pilates and had a stake in a startup firm known as Birdman Bats. He appeared enthusiastic about each, and we agreed {that a} story in regards to the bats, an enterprise that had begun with a single lathe in a storage in Northern California, could be worthwhile. His buddy, Lars Anderson, was a co-founder, he mentioned, and for the second time that night time I used to be struck by a reputation and profession I knew existed however couldn’t fairly place. He mentioned Lars had performed abroad in recent times however had retired as effectively, and that I’d like Lars, who was clever and humorous and had an attention-grabbing means of taking a look at issues. The place was getting louder, my burger colder, my beer hotter, and we shook palms, promising to remain in contact. My 26-year-old son, sitting beside me, mentioned, “Who was that?” A man who used to play ball, I informed him. “Used to?” he mentioned. “How previous is he?” I tapped at my telephone. Thirty. I tapped once more. Lars was 31. A number of months later, this time at a Thai place in an El Segundo, California, strip mall, Ryan recalled that night time in Santa Monica and mentioned, “Man, I used to be so rattled then.” He checked out Lars, who smiled. “Inform him about your routine,” Lars mentioned. “My routine?” Ryan mentioned. “Oh, yeah. Get up, cry, pilates, cry, cook dinner, cry. It was like every single day. Each single day. Listening to those songs that I, I really needed to flush it. You understand, I knew it was taking place. So I placed on these songs that might sort of set off it, simply let it out. You understand?” It wasn’t precisely the baseball working out of him, however maybe the since gone imaginative and prescient of who he’d be in baseball, what he would do in baseball, how the 2 of them — the gifted younger man and the sport, his sport — would have grown not less than a little bit older collectively. Certainly, by now, he’d have carried out nice issues, created higher moments, stood in physique and soul with the participant he’d all the time imagined. As a substitute, a little bit greater than a yr in the past, he’d talked himself into the spring coaching lineup of the impartial New Britain Bees, requested his ineffective knee to carry for a couple of extra minutes, flared a single, breathed that in and surrendered. The bat didn’t make it. They had been drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2006, Lars 9 rounds after Ryan. Lars was from Northern California. Ryan from New Jersey. They turned mates late in that very same summer time in Fort Myers, Florida, and within the coming summers had been street roomies and bus mates. Ryan reached the massive leagues in July 2010, Lars a couple of month later. They had been 22. The sport that they had performed since they might hardly bear in mind, since Christmas mornings meant toy bats and balls, since they’d begun to see they had been possibly just a bit higher than the opposite youngsters, was solely simply starting. Staying was the onerous half, everybody mentioned. Getting there, although, that was one thing, too. Over elements of 4 seasons unfold over seven summers, Ryan performed in 153 main league video games. If his swing and arm and foot velocity and instincts had been keen, they usually had been, his physique was not. His knees, his shoulder and his neck took turns sending him to medical doctors and trainers and, ultimately, a actuality that his profession could be these 153 video games, and people could be surrounded by the types of experiences that has a person schedule into his day a great cry. Lars performed in 30 video games over three seasons, all with the Crimson Sox. His first profession hit — a single towards the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park — additionally noticed the runner forward of him flip recklessly at second base, get back-picked from proper area and tagged out. So Lars stood at first base within the second he’d labored his younger life to expertise whereas a full home booed Invoice Corridor. He’d get seven extra big-league hits, then almost a decade later strike out on a baseball area in Germany, pack his gear bag yet another time and head residence for good. “I don’t have disappointment or despair over my profession as a baseball participant,” Lars mentioned. “I believe I’ve extra nervousness about what lies forward. I’m not mourning not having the ability to play. I don’t even take into consideration taking part in baseball. I performed sufficient. I miss batting observe. For me, the disappointment and the fear and the nervousness and the worry is extra primarily based on possibly the lack of id. Simply feeling such as you’ve abruptly slipped into anonymity. You’re not related anymore. It’s like a sure dying of this projection that you’ve got of your self. How individuals determine with you. Which isn’t essentially wholesome. … I’ll recover from that. “However, I assume for me, the factor is, I’ve had one job my complete life. I’m certain some issues will begin to emerge. I’m thinking about plenty of issues. … However this can be a dying. We’re going by means of a dying. You don’t know what occurs if you die. I’m in that interval the place it’s like, ‘Oh rattling, I don’t know what’s coming.’ And that’s actually scary.” ‘Twice as more durable than hell’ to remain within the majors Roughly 60 p.c of gamers who log at some point within the main leagues don’t attain the service time required (about three years) for wage arbitration, in line with Steve Rogers, the previous main league pitcher who heads the Main League Baseball Gamers Affiliation’s profession transition program. The common main league profession for these gamers, he mentioned, is about 1 ½ years. Of the remaining, the 40 p.c who do play lengthy sufficient to safe the monetary features of wage arbitration and past, the common profession is 7 ½ years. Primarily based on the union’s analysis, Rogers mentioned, the common main league profession is about 4 years. Given minor-league salaries barely cowl meals and grooming merchandise, and the foremost league minimal wage is lower than $600,000, and most gamers don’t end school if they begin it in any respect, the fresh-out-of-work ballplayer would appear significantly susceptible in a job market that usually requires schooling, expertise and, effectively, expertise past hitting or throwing a fastball. The presumed path, maybe, is a minor-league teaching job, if the sport nonetheless runs deep sufficient and choices are few. To that finish, an entry degree, A-ball hitting coach may count on an annual wage of about $50,000, and there’ll be loads of competitors for it, and that sort of cash may be simply sufficient to get a coach to his offseason job. Steve Rogers retired in 1985, the top of a profession during which he’d received 158 video games and been an All-Star 5 occasions for the Montreal Expos. He had a petroleum engineering diploma from the College of Tulsa and had plans to enter the oil trade. Within the first 9 months of his post-baseball life, the price of a barrel of oil fell from $70 to $10. He went to work for the Gamers Affiliation. Former Montreal Expos pitcher Steve Rogers now heads the Main League Baseball Gamers Affiliation’s profession transition program. (Getty Photographs) Extra Fifteen years later, he started work with others on a pilot program that might help gamers — some lively, others retired — in profession transition. A brand new iteration of that program shaped in 2008, close to the ultimate days of Don Fehr’s management and the start of Michael Weiner’s, and the present multi-phased program took form about six years in the past. This system is partnered with the Ayers Group, a division of Kelly Companies. Roughly 100 gamers have taken step one in that course of, which is to satisfy with and endure an analysis by a profession coach and design a path ahead, often persevering with — or restarting — their schooling. (MLB funds the Persevering with Training Program, which financially assists retired gamers as effectively, and lots of drafted highschool gamers have school tuition written into their contracts.) The primary part is supplied without spending a dime by the union and the Main League Baseball Alumni Affiliation. On the finish of final week, Rogers was in Miami, the place he distributed program data to the New York Mets and Miami Marlins. The week earlier than, he mentioned, three gamers, all just lately retired, contacted him. “It isn’t rocket science,” he mentioned. “The reality of the matter is, it’s more durable than hell to get to the foremost leagues. And it’s twice as more durable than hell to remain there. So the whole focus is on getting there and staying there and ‘I’ll take care of the remaining later.’ And ‘the remaining’ hits nearly everybody. And ‘the remaining’ lasts longer. … It’s comprehensible. It’s not a damaging. It’s the character of the beast.” So he goes clubhouse to clubhouse and leaves folders for gamers who imagine the life-changing cash is coming and the baseball won’t ever finish and possess neither the time nor the top house to contemplate the options. And he screens a program designed to clarify what may very well be subsequent, in English and Spanish, when essentially the most urgent query in these clubhouses is — and needs to be — what’s now. The remaining, effectively, that’d be anyone else’s drawback, till it isn’t. ‘I favored performing for the world’ Virtually earlier than that final hit fell, Ryan Kalish was on the telephone with John Baker, a good friend and former teammate and, at the moment, a coordinator within the psychological expertise program for the Chicago Cubs. Although his physique ached and his baseball was unaffiliated and he’d left his twenties behind, and although he’d had an concept today was coming, Ryan knew he was in for a troublesome experience. “I actually needed it,” Ryan mentioned. “I put myself by means of plenty of ache to try to play. This man” — he nodded to Lars — “can attest to a few of the surgical procedures that I had, the rehabs, the shoulder, the knees. The knees had been the worst of it. Having neck surgical procedures, two of them. A variety of ache. And proving, quick, that I may play on the highest degree. So it was onerous for me to just accept, wow, I’m actually not going to get to show what I believe I may present everybody I may very well be. Everybody. As on the planet, man.” He laughed regardless of himself and continued, “I favored performing for the world. I favored to be on the stage. I needed to do cool issues. And ultimately, I needed to turn into an inspiration, too. I assume in some methods I’m. However it could have been larger on an even bigger stage. I favored that. Inspiration only for a combat. Simply to attempt. Like in no matter it’s that you simply wish to do exactly preserve attempting. Like, if you’d like one thing dangerous sufficient preserve going. I don’t know. I actually pushed the boundaries of how far I may go. “Hear, I do know individuals have had it worse. Ryan Westmoreland, that man, I all the time take into consideration him. I roomed with him throughout his mind surgical procedures and all that. So I do know I don’t have it the worst. However I took it fairly far. I had it fairly dangerous within the damage division. In order that was actually onerous to just accept, that I’m not going to play anymore. I by no means bought that likelihood. That was what was onerous for me.” Baker was raised in Northern California, performed baseball at Cal, was drafted within the fourth spherical in 2002 by the Oakland A’s and performed seven main league seasons as a catcher. He went residence at 35. Former catcher John Baker performed for seven seasons within the majors. (Getty Photographs) Extra “It’s like being thrown out of a helicopter into an ocean that’s the actual world,” Baker mentioned. “Earlier than that, you’re in perpetual Peter Pan-hood. You get to be a baby. You reside in a locker room. You’re round individuals who aren’t all that superior from highschool.” These are all good issues. Ok, anyway, that hardly anybody needs to go away, to go to a spot the place the sport modifications, the place you make the schedule, the place what’s subsequent is a thriller and possibly not all too comfy. “He known as me from the dugout,” Baker mentioned. “After the hit. He mentioned he was carried out. The very first thing, I needed to verify he was sure. Man, when he was wholesome, he wasn’t only a good baseball participant, he was top-of-the-line baseball gamers on the planet, a extremely particular expertise with a physique that couldn’t stand up to what a physique may do.” Ryan’s plan was to go to Europe for some time, watch Lars play in Germany, then bounce round, see the world and put far between himself and the earlier 13 years. After that, he’d transfer again to New Jersey, begin over there. He signed a one-year lease on an condominium in his hometown, broke that in two months, bought in his automobile and headed west till he reached Gilbert, Arizona. John and Meghan Baker’s home. They shared a bunch hug on the entrance door and began the rebuild. When the baseball goes, Baker mentioned, three issues go together with it. First, the previous participant now not has an apparent ability to grasp. “Hitting might be essentially the most addictive factor on the planet,” he mentioned. “You get a success and there’s a chemical launch. You’re so pleased. After which it’s the driving drive to stand up the following day.” Second, he mentioned, there isn’t a extra collaborative aim. No extra group. No extra scoreboard. “Once I first went residence I used to be destroying my 3-year-old in tic-tac-toe,” he mentioned. “That will get previous.” Then, he mentioned, the ex-player has nowhere to place his thoughts. “The quantity of stress they endure when taking part in, 50,000 individuals screaming, an enormous image of your face, your silly face, subsequent to your crappy file,” he mentioned. “We miss being beneath stress.” So there was Ryan Kalish. Adrift. Scheduling cries. Refusing eye contact. Asking for assist. For all Baker knew, Lars could be driving up any minute. He didn’t. He may’ve. “Ryan was looking,” Baker mentioned. ‘No matter occurred to that Lars man?’ Lars Anderson sat this spring on a inexperienced knoll behind a backstop at Camelback Ranch exterior Phoenix, the place the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare. He’d kicked his footwear into the grass in entrance of him. He watched batting observe, the a part of baseball he missed, and he watched a Dodgers coach flick floor balls with a Birdman Bat fungo. From a methods again, he’d seen afternoons like this one coming. Possibly from the primary time his identify made the waiver wire right here, or when he was launched, or possibly from Japan or Australia or standing at first base as a Solingen Alligator of Germany’s Bundesliga. The breeze, the clack-clack-clack of BP, the music from the close by ballpark, a case of recent bats at his aspect, he mentioned, these had been sufficient. He was a salesman now, a type of buoyant souls who units up a row of bats close to the cage or exterior the clubhouse and fights the earnest combat of the start-up. He’d grown Birdman internationally. He’d help in Birdman’s intentions to discover a place among the many company bat giants within the U.S. There was a protracted solution to go and that was OK by Lars. He had the time. He had the curiosity. He had the sport expertise. “I used to be not a man who swung one bat,” he mentioned. “I sampled all of them. I used to be very sanguine in my bat life, like a butterfly flying from department to department. So I bought to know loads about it simply accidentally. “Generally you get a vibe about it. My dad, when he would take me to purchase bats as a child, he’d say, ‘Lars, if you choose it up it has to say ‘Sure’ in your palms.’ I sort of saved that with me all through my profession. The issue was plenty of bats mentioned sure after which typically they’d say sure for a month after which begin to say no.” Ex-Crimson Sox infielder Lars Anderson co-founded the Birdman Bats firm. (Getty Photographs) Extra The bat firm, like their friendship, like their life paths, binds them. They went searching for an condominium just lately, pretty sure Southern California would maintain them for now. Ryan is gaining traction as a pilates teacher and part-time minor-league coach with the Dodgers. His brother, Jake, is a left-handed pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, pitching in Triple-A. Lars composes dance music and has written a number of first-person items for The Athletic. They nonetheless fret over their futures. They snigger about their pasts, the great elements and the not-so-good elements. Additionally they have switched roles in latest weeks, Ryan now the settled one, pretty sure he’s on strong floor, Lars questioning what’s on the market for him. Possibly a e-book about his travels in baseball. Possibly enterprise college. And there’s nonetheless all these bats to promote. Once I requested him who was most pleased with the profession he did have, he grinned and mentioned his grandfather, who’d just lately died. “Any article about me, he’d print it out and also you’d go to dinner with him and he’d hand the hostess that article,” Lars mentioned. “I’m like, ‘She doesn’t care.’ He was simply so stoked. He’d come to spring coaching, he’d come go to me through the season. “However I used to be considering, since he handed, all of the individuals within the service trade are going to be like, ‘No matter occurred to that Lars man? I haven’t bought an replace shortly.’ ” He’s nonetheless engaged on that. So a lot of them are. What comes of those that made it, however didn’t fairly make it? What occurs when the final half is left undone? The place’s that sit of their heads? Of their hearts? Of their pockets? “As soon as I knew there was an expert baseball, that you would do this to your job, that was what I needed to do,” Lars mentioned. “So, at Three years previous. I didn’t consciously select my career out of school or one thing. That’s what I’m doing now. Nevertheless it was by no means even a selection. It was simply, I’m doing it. Prefer it selected me. It wasn’t a 12-year profession, it was a 31-year profession. As quickly as I may hit socks that my dad pitched me when he was folding them in the lounge, that was it.” Ryan grinned. Being an ex-ballplayer hasn’t been straightforward. Possibly it by no means might be. Nevertheless it was inevitable. And it’s nonetheless higher than the choice. “It all the time follows you, man,” he mentioned. “Yeah,” Lars mentioned, “I don’t assume that’ll ever go away, truthfully.” “It by no means goes wherever,” Ryan mentioned. “I’m curious,” Lars mentioned, “to see how that goes.” Extra from Yahoo Sports activities: Source link

[dorothydelgadillo]

18 Reasons to Start Working Remotely Right Away

Simply put: Working remotely is the best. But what is it that makes remote jobs so great exactly? In a word: freedom. “Whether you want to enjoy some stunning scenery on a daily basis, need to be near family to help out or keep connections strong, are looking to cut down on your cost of living, or have always dreamt of truly nomadic lifestyle, remote work makes it possible,” says Skillcrush people ops manager Kelli Smith.

Here at Skillcrush, we’re a completely distributed company, meaning we have no central office and our remote workers are all over the world. “Thanks to being distributed, we have team members enjoying paragliding in Italy, weekends hiking in the Adirondack Mountains, and even travelling around the world for a year—not to mention those of us who simply want to build a life in a place that’s affordable and near the people and places that are near and dear to us,” Smith says.

Want in on the action but feeling on the fence about making the jump to remote life? Don’t hesitate! Here’s 18 reasons to work remotely—and why you should start ASAP!

1. You can actually focus.

Eliza Barry, marketing director at Amata Solutions, says “the office became totally unproductive for me due to constant interruptions that would turn into long conversations. It was not uncommon to have an employee send an email with a quick question about a marketing idea they had, and then follow up that email within minutes by dropping into my office to chat about it. I simply did not have time to deal with the influx of requests and repeated conversations about frequently asked questions that had been covered in emails.” Now, she can maintain her focus, fend off distractions—and Get. Stuff. Done.

And Barry isn’t alone: A study from Stanford University showed that working from home increased productivity by 13 percent. So, want to get more done and ditch the interruptions? You know what to do.

2. Naps are a serious option.

“I own an office in town, but I work remotely four out of five days per week, so I can take a nap halfway through the day,” says Max Robinson, owner of FishTankBank. “Since I started working naps into my daily work regime, it has totally changed my productivity for the better. Unfortunately it’s not quite socially acceptable to take naps in offices, so I choose to work remotely from home and have them here instead!”

3. You can prioritize your mental health.

Checking out is key to keeping your mental health in check, and “there are some days you wake up and need to recharge,” says Levi of G2 Crowd. “Certain personality types need that more than others,” he says, so if you’re the type that needs some time to refuel, remote work is for you.

4. You can save money.

Alex Robinson, General Manager at Team Building Hero, works with people who live in high cost cities like New York City, Boston, and San Francisco, but Robinson says “I prefer to live and work from small cities where my rent is less than 50 percent of those major cities. This lower rent means I have more room in my budget for travel.” Want to travel like Robinson, save for an emergency fund or house, or simply have more fun money? Remote work is the answer.

5. It’s easier to be a working parent.

“I can easily navigate school delayed openings, half days and holidays, and be at school to pick up a sick child in ten minutes. I can get back to work on an unfinished project after the kids go to bed, or while waiting for them at sports practice,” says Cynthia Meyer, resident financial planner at Financial Finesse. “The guilt of putting family in the backseat due to work commitments is something I have never come across thanks to my remote work. I would never want to miss my daughter’s first steps because I was caught up in a work meeting!” says Sireesha Narumanchi, founder at Crowdworknews.

6. Your access to the job market isn’t limited by where you live.

“I live one hour south of Boston. Being someone who is into writing, SEO, and marketing, it means all the jobs are there. The question basically comes down to, am I willing to commit two to four hours a day of driving, on top of my work hours, for a job? What does my life look like if I do that five days a week?” says Nicholas Rizzo, Training Research & Writer, RunRepeat.com. The answer was clear for Rizzo: Go remote and stop being limited by where he lives.

The same goes for Michelle Klieger of Stratagerm Consulting, LLC. “My education, experience, and passion is in the field of agriculture. However, I recently moved to New England to be close to my family. The New England agriculture industry is small and niche, with limited openings. So, working remotely provides me the best of both worlds, access to great career opportunities and a closeness to my family,” she says.

7. You can escape the open office plan.

Open offices seem like the future, but they’re a pain for productivity. Lauren Morley, chief marketing officer at Techvera, says that her company’s open office “was a nightmare [in terms of] getting anything done. My train of thought was always flying off the tracks and it was hard to be as productive as I wanted to be.” Maybe you can relate: “I would frequently leave an eight hour day feeling like I barely accomplished anything,” she says. But remote work changed everything: “I’ve noticed I’m much calmer and less stressed, and my output and quality of work has improved. I feel and look healthier. I’ve learned how to be a better self-motivator and effective communicator. I absolutely love working remotely and I don’t know if I could ever go back to office life,” Morley says.

8. You can work from wherever you want.

“I spent many years working in a windowless hospital office with fluorescent lights and felt very disconnected from the outdoors. Now, I am living in my teardrop camper traveling across the U.S. with my Verizon hotspot for internet access. And best of all, in my downtime I get to explore the beautiful outdoors with my husband. Right now, we’re in upper Michigan and we’re heading to Colorado and Southern Utah next. I love working remotely and will never go back to the old way of doing things!” says Sarah Stromsdorfer, occupational therapist and founder of My OT Spot

9. You can meet your physical needs more easily.

“I work remotely because as I get older, I need to manage my energy levels and workload more,” says Neil Pope, CEO of Game On Music. “If I feel like sleeping in and starting late I can, which gives me the freedom to work with maximum efficiency when I am at my most productive,” he says.

10. You can make your own schedule.

“Working remotely gives me freedom over how I spend my time,” says Danielle, UX/UI Designer at Studio Moku. “I often work four hours in the morning, enjoy the day and work four more hours at night.” Work best at 2:00 a.m.? It’s within reach!

11. You can live wherever you want.

Annie Pagano, marketing coordinator at Interpreters and Translators, Inc., says “I work remotely because I get to live in a state that I love (Colorado) while continuing to work for a company that I love and have worked with for seven years. They are based in Connecticut which is where I am originally from and my family still lives. Whenever I travel for meetings or to work out of the home office, I get to visit with my family and friends. It’s a complete win/win!”

12. Your office is your own.

“It’s great to work remotely, because it allows employees to create a work environment that is conducive to putting out their best work. You’re also typically able to control the noise level and concentrate in your own home,” says Shilonda Downing of Virtual Work Team LLC. Don’t just stop at noise level: Go for temperature, soundtrack, and office decoration. You’re in charge!

13. Avoid the commute.

“In a major city a commute can easily be 30-90 minutes, and I prefer to use this time for productive work at my home office, says growth marketer Michael Alexis. Commuting isn’t just bad for you (and it is: long commutes have been shown to be detrimental to your health and increase stress levels), but those drives negatively impact the environment, too. Extra bonus: The time you save as a remote worker is yours to use on anything you want. “I’ve used these sessions for side projects that help push my career forward and work toward promotions,” Alexis says.

14. You can travel all the time.

There’s good news if you’ve got the travel bug. Being a remote worker means you’re completely untethered. “Working remotely gives me the opportunity to travel full-time. I can explore any place with good internet access, which in today’s world is almost everywhere. I love that I can take my job with me anywhere in the world and combine my passion for teaching with my travel ambitions,” says Nicola Rae, English teacher at VIPKID.

15. You can better serve your customers.

Substance use counsellor Annina Schmid works remotely and “can offer specialized services such as eating disorder and substance use counselling to people in remote areas that wouldn’t otherwise have access to this kind of support.” This allows her to help more people, and opens up a client base all over the world.

16. You can work alone.

“I’m an introvert, and like all introverts, I couldn’t stand open office plans,” says Lucio Buffalmano, founder the ThePowerMoves. Are you similarly averse to small talk? Working remotely can make socializing a non-issue.

17. You can keep things interesting.

“I work remotely because it gives me the opportunity to meet new people and see new things every day,” says journalist and content creator Hilary Sheinbaum. “Having a change of atmosphere also keeps me on my toes. I’m never bored with the same old environment,” she says. “This kind of ‘pattern disruption’ can boost creativity and inspire new ideas, says Remote Bliss’ Rebecca Safier. “As a result, employees might be more innovative and take more initiative, which benefits their personal growth and the company they work for alike,” she says.

18. Ditch the professional clothes.

Career coach Jill Ozovek points out that “there is no need for a dress code” when you work remotely, so you can spend all day in athleisure—or even pjs—is that’s your thing. Bonus: You’ll save money on a work wardrobe, since professional clothes do not come cheap.

from Web Developers World https://skillcrush.com/2018/09/13/reasons-to-work-remotely/

[paulsenhealy22-blog]

Discover Effective ways to Shave Like Your Grandpa

The music symbol who is actually blocked created the comparison throughout a job interview with after his Venture out The Ballot gig for Hillary Clinton on Friday in Philly. Viewers Jake Warner suggested Russian post-apocalyptic unfamiliar Region 2033: It's a little bit difficult to discover in English, but Dmitry Glukhovsky's Region 2033 is an excellent post-apocalyptic book." The name comes from heirs of a nuclear holocaust pulling back to region train passages, where they start their brand new way of life. Select an other workout each time as well as your muscles are going to remain excited (consequently will definitely you). In some way more healthy consuming choices adhered to during that selection knowing just how poorly I would like to boot butt in the Doozy Seawheeze this moment around! However in relations to purposefully aiming to create humour in a novel that is actually fundamentally terrible, for an audience that is actually mainly YA, I have a hard time.

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Or are you locating your judgement on ineffective RGB Youtube evaluations along with hefty video clip compression to suit this down your ISP's pipe, that makes every little thing look the exact same. http://blog-modasport.info hate that it talented me along with so much Giggling, Smiles as well as Snickers when I was actually expecting to find one-on-one along with catastrophe at any moment ... this modified my expec I HATE this manual. Por lo tanto boy ya catorce los personajes confirmados por el momento, ya que a estos ocho se sumarán los ya consabidos Capitán Marvel, Iron Man y Capitán América (Marvel) así como Ryu, Morrigan y Ultra Man X (Capcom). First of all, definitely you need to have a finger print scanning device on your phone and also the second thing is it does not deal with all camera applications, however lots of are supported, including prominent ones like Google.com Cam, Retrica, Z Electronic camera and also Open Cam, along with more likely to be added eventually. 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Rites of passage you develop on your own typically aren't as reliable, because they lack the re-incorporation" period from the procedure - where a neighborhood recognizes your new condition and manages your in a different way as a result of this. This recognition makes a responses loophole where you take action differently given that you are actually right now a guy, as well as folks expect additional from you because of this, which stimulates you to always keep living the code.

[farmasteanimalsanctuary-blog]

A superior day on the trail

I sat in the living room of the rented house, sipping coffee and nervously glancing at the sky outside and refreshing the radar map on my phone, where it appeared we were under attack by a crab monster (I was staying near the BFW).

It was the last full day of a “guys trip” to northern Minnesota with my friend Dan before he and his family move out to Seattle. Though we’ve known each other since college - well enough that I was one of the groomsmen in his wedding, and he and his wife were two of the four non-family members at attendance at my wedding - it had been several years since we had spent any amount of time together. In theory Dan was working on a draft of a novel. In theory, I was there to run and drink beer. 

Except I had hoped to already be into the “running” portion of the day by 8 am, but with the Crustacean Sensation bearing down on our location, I decided to wait out the initial onslaught of the storm (Dan, who thinks running is terrible, had graciously agreed to drive me to a trail head 17 miles away and was looking forward to some coffee and his manuscript)

And so we waited, continuing the conversation from the past several days - some talk about our respective families, current events, disagreements about the best Jurassic Park movie - as the rain began to pelt the windows, the trees flailing in the wind like the thing outside a used car dealership.

And then it stopped. Go time.

We drove to the trail head and he watched in what I can only describe as bemusement as I tinkered with straps on my backpack, checking the weight distribution of the 100 oz of water, energy gels, and a Vega protein shake. It was 10:16 by the time I finally left the car. We were planning on meeting for dinner (and the beer portion of my day) at 6. I ended up squeezing in 27 miles and stumbling in the front door at 5:33 pm after 7 hours on the trail.

If you’ve never spent time on the Superior Hiking Trail, it is a fascinating place. (Also it’s called the Superior Hiking Trail because of Lake Superior, not because we Minnesotans think that it’s clearly the best trail. Though it is a pretty superior trail). Over the 300 miles of trail - I’ve been on about a third of those miles - the composition of the trail changes dramatically.

There’s sweaty climbs to the top of ridgelines looking down on the waterfall where you were just moments earlier.

Tree roots spread across some sections like tentacles, intent on grabbing your foot and sending you sprawling to the ground. Other sections are dominated by rocks, some lying in wait under a tuft of grass like a mechanical mole in a carnival game. Others there in plain sight, along with approximately 5273752 of their friends, turning each step into an awkward shuffle as your feet find themselves pointed in different directions.

Some sections feature wide open vistas, tiptoeing across plank bridges. 

Others a mere suggestion of a trail through knee deep grass as branches claw at your arms and face, requiring you to punch them out of the way like an Olympic slalom skier banging into gates in the quest for the shortest possible distance. All the while trying not to think about the zillions of snakes that are inches from your feet.

Which is why my first mile was 24 minutes (well and I stopped because I had put the water bladder in my backpack in upside down meaning that I was able to get a whole lot of air out of the plastic tube at the top of it, but none of the water down at the bottom).

It didn’t help that…well…I kinda suck at trail running. I’ve never mastered that ability to look 20 feet down the trail (to plan your path) and two feet down the trail (to execute that plan) and so I find myself taking short choppy steps, pulling my feet high into the air like in back in marching band, waving my arms like an excited Kermit the Frog as I’m flying through the air in the hopes of shifting my weight enough that I miss that rock that I didn’t notice before but not going too far left because that’s a tree root that would awkwardly send my momentum towards a 3 inch deep mud puddle.

(This is usually followed by me landing in a bush)

But, friends, for every time on the trail where I tweak my ankle or discover that what looks like solid ground is actually shin deep water, there are moments where things come together.

Though the crab monster had moved on, the weather couldn’t figure out what it wanted to do, and fog clung to the hillside and the air had the wet, heavy feeling that rain was moments away. I slid my water bottle back into my hydration vest as the trail opened up into a forest, silent except for the raging of the wind.

With no one around for miles, I still spoke my first words since starting off “Holy shit.”

For the first time all day, the trail was completely clear. No rocks, no roots, no basketball-sized piles of snakes. Just the remains of last year’s leaves, and who knows how many years ago’s pine needles blanketing the floor. Each step was met with a solid thump, seeming to reverberate out through the ground like the rings that appear when you throw a rock into a pond.

The trail ran for nearly a half mile, gently swooping down the hill in lazy curves, each one seemingly random, yet also perfectly designed. I whooped at one point, startling myself with how loud my voice seemed in the quiet of the soggy morning. At the far end of the wood, I shrugged off my backpack, pulled my Farmaste running shirt off over my head and began to walk back to the start.

Along the way I thought about how lucky I was. To be out here doing this. To have the love and support of my family, like my wife Kelly. To have friends like Dan. To feel so happy, content, connected to nature.

At the top of the hill, I turned and started to run as raindrops fell on my shirtless back. I picked up the pace, consumed by the feeling, wanting to live in the moment.

Primal.

Wild.

Free.

It felt…

It felt like this:

It felt like Moolan running through the fields of Farmaste.

Primal.

Wild.

Free.

Tears began to fall as I ran on, closing my eyes and tilting my head back, my arms stretched out to my sides, palms up as the rain intensified, silence except for my thudding steps. 

It was a moment that was beautifully simple. 

Magical. 

Perfect.

All animals - whether two legged like me, or four legged like Moolan - should have the opportunity to live life like this. Most of you are probably familiar with what life is like for most calves (if you’re not, let’s just say there’s not much playfully running through wide-open fields), and we have a choice to make about how the Moolan’s brothers and sisters will live their (much too short) lives. 

I opened my eyes a few seconds later, tearing myself away from the moment of perfection and slowly exhaling as I slowed to a walk. It was a moment - a magical, primal, free, wild, simple, connected, passionate moment - that filled me with a sense of calmness and purpose.

I walked over to my bag, slipped on my shirt, and with a last look at the woods, continued on down the trail.

[takenews-blog1]

Professional Athletes: Wealthy And Retired, However What Occurred Subsequent?

New Post has been published on https://takenews.net/professional-athletes-wealthy-and-retired-however-what-occurred-subsequent/

Professional Athletes: Wealthy And Retired, However What Occurred Subsequent?

Being an expert athlete may be exhilarating. The cash and the celebrity are intoxicating. However what occurs when professional athletes retire? Sports activities Illustrated as soon as reported that 78 p.c of NFL gamers file for chapter simply two years after retirement. That statistic is staggering. Check out some former professional athletes, what they did with their lives after retirement and recommendation they’ve for others. Some make sensible choices, whereas others find yourself in deep monetary bother as you’ll discover out. One athlete invested in 240 Wendy’s and 120 Chili’s eating places whereas one other ended up working at Starbucks after retirement.

Kobe Bryant performed for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 seasons. He retired in 2016 and notes that like him, many athletes retire of their 30s, and they also must watch out about their spending habits. He advised CNBC: “When you retire, you don’t have that supply of earnings. Even if you happen to save over a 15-year profession, in case your spending habits stay the identical, ultimately the nicely will run dry.” Bryant is holding afloat by investing in 15 companies with a accomplice. They’ve launched a $100 million enterprise capital fund to make use of for companies centered on know-how, media, and information. Feels like Kobe has it found out!

Shaquille O’Neal was utterly glad being a retired basketball participant till he met Magic Johnson, who suggested him to suppose larger and make investments. One in every of basketball’s best gamers, Shaq performed for six NBA groups throughout his 19-year profession. He retired in 2011. Shaq has since dropped 4 rap albums (one even went platinum) and starred in a number of movies in addition to actuality TV reveals “Shaq’s Massive Problem” and “Shaq Vs…” He’s additionally a savvy investor, with pursuits in companies corresponding to Google, Krispy Kreme, and 24 Hour Health. At one level he owned over 150 5 Guys franchises and 17 Auntie Anne’s shops.

Magic Johnson advised Shaquille O’Neal the primary time they met that it was okay to be well-known, however in some unspecified time in the future, he needed to begin proudly owning issues. Johnson performed level guard for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 seasons. He performed on an off earlier than retiring for good in 1996 after revealing in 1991 that he had contracted HIV. Johnson based Magic Johnson Theaters, which Loews Theatres purchased in 2004. He was half proprietor of the Lakers for a number of years and has massive pursuits in each the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Sparks. He’s an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and motivational speaker.

Three-time NBA All-Star Antoine Walker raked in additional than $108 million throughout his 12-year profession. It was all gone simply two years after he retired. In 2010, Walker was pressured to file for chapter. Though he owned about $four million in property, his money owed totaled greater than $12 million. Walker spent an excessive amount of cash, gambled an excessive amount of, and made some poor actual property investments. He determined to assist others be taught from his experiences by teaming up with the Morgan Stanley International Sports activities & Leisure monetary literacy initiative. He teaches faculty and professional athletes about managing cash and methods to be taught from his errors.

NFL star Nnamdi Asomugha performed for 11 years within the league earlier than he retired in 2013. When a detailed pal’s profession was minimize quick, it was a get up name for him. Asomugha advised investing web site Wealthsimple: “I discovered early in my profession that I needed to be ready for all times after soccer since you by no means knew when it might finish. One thing clicked, and I used to be like, ‘I gotta be ready. This might finish at any time.’” He centered on filmmaking and after retirement began performing and producing. The previous athlete attended the Sundance Movie Pageant in 2016 to indicate three of his movies: “Patty Cake$,” “Crown Heights” and “Ready for Hassana.”

Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan gained six NBA championships and was awarded Most Beneficial Participant 14 instances. The legend retired in 2003 however was not accomplished with the sport. In 2010 he turned the bulk proprietor of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. Jordan can also be a member of the NBA’s Labor Relations Committee and its Competitors Committee. He and his companions make about $100 million per yr by way of sports activities model endorsement offers, corresponding to his Nike-branded basketball footwear. He made such good enterprise choices that he was included on Forbes’ “World’s Billionaires” checklist in 2015 and 2016. He additionally makes time for his 5 youngsters, together with his twin toddler daughters.

Maintain studying to see what former professional golfer Jack Nicklaus needed to say about Tiger Woods’ future!

Through the course of his profession, Greg Norman gained 91 worldwide tournaments, together with 20 PGA Tour tournaments and two majors. He retired in 2012 and is chairman and CEO of the Greg Norman Firm. He’s additionally a philanthropist. On the eve of his 60th birthday, Norman suggested others on a publish on Instagram to, amongst different issues, “Set excessive requirements. They may drive you to succeed. Study the worth of preparation. Be keen to alter with a purpose to succeed. Embrace failure, be taught from it and transfer on. Search the recommendation of others. Keep in good bodily situation. It can make a big distinction in your psychological outlook.”

Soccer star David Beckham retired in 2013 after taking part in the game for 21 years. He was 38 years outdated. That very same yr, he was listed as England’s wealthiest sportsman, with earnings of greater than $46 million. In 2014 he purchased an MLS enlargement for $25 million as a part of his contract with LA Galaxy. In 2016, he and his companions bought the land wanted to construct a Main League Soccer stadium in Miami, Florida. He additionally deliberate on launching a males’s skincare line and has offers with firms corresponding to International Manufacturers Group in Hong Kong and cosmetics agency Coty, which sells Beckham-branded fragrances.

Michael Strahan was the defensive finish for the New York Giants for 15 years. He retired in 2007 and have become an analyst for Fox NFL Sunday and a co-host on “Reside! with Kelly and Michael” earlier than becoming a member of the workers full time at “Good Morning America.” He additionally hosts the sport present “The $100,000 Pyramid.” When selling his guide “Wake Up Joyful,” he urged others to maintain a optimistic outlook irrespective of how powerful life may be. He famous: “There’s nothing so huge that you could’t overcome it if you happen to put your thoughts to it and get up completely happy. That’s how I stay my life—which is to search out the nice in every little thing.”

Jerry Richardson performed two seasons within the NFL and retired as an expert athlete in 1960. He then turned the founder and majority proprietor of the Carolina Panthers of the Nationwide Soccer League. In December 2017 he was accused of “office misconduct.” When the NFL stated it might look into accusations in opposition to Richardson, the 81-year-old introduced shortly afterward that he would promote the group. He stated in an announcement: “I consider that it’s time to flip the franchise over to new possession.” Through the time he labored, Richardson was very influential within the enterprise. He oversaw many committees and took part within the league’s 2011 labor deal.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr., competed in skilled boxing from 1996 to 2007 and 2009 to 2015. He took half in a one-fight comeback in 2017 in opposition to MMA star Conor McGregor. In a 2017 interview, he advised reporters: “I actually wish to inform these younger fighters my fundamental focus, all I actually ever needed to be was the best.” He added, “Every little thing I ever needed in my profession. I bought. However I needed to go on the market and produce, It didn’t come in a single day.” The assertion emphasizes that his drive, ardour, and motivation made him the profitable athlete he turned. He wouldn’t be the place he’s right this moment with out these elements.

Jack Nicklaus gained a document 18 profession main championships and is taken into account one of many best golfers of all time. He retired in 2005. Nicklaus has designed a number of golf programs, written a number of books, together with the educational “Golf My Means”, and took half in charity work. The previous professional golfer runs the Memorial Match as a part of the PGA Tour. After Tiger Woods was arrested for DUI in 2017, Nicklaus advised USA At present that the golfer had extra to fret about than simply his again and different bodily points. He commented, “His issues are extra life issues than they’re golf issues proper now.” Ouch!

Maintain studying to see which former professional athlete ended up working at Starbucks!

Mike Tyson was as soon as the undisputed world heavyweight champion and is the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title. After spending three years in jail for rape, he retired from skilled boxing in 2006. In 2003, he declared chapter despite the fact that he earned $300 million throughout his profession. In retirement, Tyson spent a lot of his time caring for his 350 pigeons and showing in movies corresponding to “The Hangover” and “Ip Man three” and a one-man present on Broadway. He has a YouTube channel, has written two books and launched Mike Tyson Health and Boxing Academy franchises all around the world. Since bouncing again, Tyson’s estimated internet value is now $1 million.

Junior Bridgeman spent 12 years within the NBA, principally with the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s value roughly $600 million attributable to investments in over 240 Wendy’s eating places and 120 Chili’s eating places. His jersey was retired in 1988. He advised nwi.com that teamwork is important in succeeding: “Should you went out of a group, they didn’t care if you happen to performed or not, you simply couldn’t give up. Should you have been the final individual on the group, you have been going to be there the entire yr supporting your teammates.” He added, “It was all the time about ‘we.’ That set the tone, the blueprint, for occurring in life.”

Vin Baker performed within the NBA and 4 consecutive All-Star Video games earlier than his profession was broken attributable to substance abuse. He earned $100 million throughout 13 seasons however misplaced all his cash 10 years following retirement and needed to work as a supervisor at a Starbucks franchise in Rhode Island. He turned an assistant highschool boys basketball coach at St. Bernard Faculty in Uncasville, Connecticut, in 2011. Three years later he joined Dennis Rodman and performed an exhibition match in opposition to the North Korean Senior Nationwide Workforce. In 2017, Baker was appointed the pinnacle of the basketball division at Camp Greylock.

Huge receiver Terrell Owens was a six-time Professional Bowl choice who performed for the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Payments and Cincinnati Bengals. He performed 15 seasons for the NFL and was value about $80 million however filed for chapter in 2012 following a rash of unhealthy investments and owing quite a bit in little one assist funds. He appeared on season 25 of “Dancing With The Stars” in addition to the MTV actuality present “The Problem.” He advised Enterprise Insider in 2017: “My recommendation to any fan or athlete on the market: Simply don’t stay past your means. You undoubtedly must be sensible.”

Allen Iverson was an eleven-time NBA All-Star and earned over $200 million throughout his NBA profession. However whereas going by way of a divorce in 2010, it was revealed he was broke and in debt, presumably attributable to habits corresponding to shopping for new garments whereas touring as a substitute of carrying baggage. He additionally had some monetary ideas for NBA rookies in 2017: “Discover out who your mates are to start with. And don’t be afraid to say no. And perceive and notice that basketball shouldn’t be going to final endlessly. These checks are ultimately going to cease. Luckily for me, being an icon worldwide, my face is bringing in checks.”

Sheryl Swoopes was a three-time WNBA MVP and three-time Olympic gold medalist, however girls’s basketball salaries in comparison with males are paltry. Regardless of this, she revamped $50 million by being the primary feminine basketball participant to endorse a sneaker: Air Swoopes by Nike. Dangerous investments and crooked legal professionals and brokers resulted in her chapter in 2004. When she was minimize from the Seattle Storm in 2009, she couldn’t even pay the $300 a month she owed on her storage unit. ESPN anchor Hannah Storm directed a movie about Swoopes and stated: “To me, one of the crucial spectacular issues she did was speak about her monetary woes and say, ‘You understand, I don’t have anybody responsible for this however myself.’”

Darren McCarty was a four-time Stanley Cup winner who earned greater than $15 million throughout his 15-season profession within the NHL because the Detroit Pink Wings enforcer. Scuffling with medication and playing, he filed for chapter in 2006 and retired in 2009. He additionally had issues with the IRS. In 2012, he appeared in a number of episodes of “Hardcore Pawn” on TruTV. For a short time, he frolicked because the lead singer for the arduous rock band Grinder. He’s at the moment the vp of enterprise improvement for the true property agency Cushman & Wakefield. He nonetheless skates in video games to boost cash for charity.

Photograph: Jesse Grant/WireImage

Former skilled soccer participant Warren Sapp had a profitable profession that introduced in additional than $75 million. Nevertheless it solely took a number of years earlier than Sapp had burned by way of all of his NFL earnings after retirement. The previous Buccaneer and Raider tried to do a very good factor by investing in low-income housing in 2006, however the venture failed. Then in 2010 Sapp’s authorized and private issues continued with a cost of home battery and later arrested on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute and assault. He additionally went bankrupt that yr, owing $988,000 to PNC financial institution and $853,000 to the IRS.