#Gibson the Little Lamb

[aloysiavirgata]

Thanks to @numinousmysteries for tagging me! I had never checked these stats before!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

92

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

484,620

3. What fandoms do you write for?

I’ve written for Hannibal, Battlestar Galactica, The Fall, and The X-Files, but only The X-Files at this point.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

The Parting Glass (smut)

Animus Possidendi (dark smut)

The Common Fate of All Things Rare (casefile, cowritten)

Lacuna (casefile)

This Her Fever (cancer arc)

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yes and no. Not like I should. I am so deeply, truly grateful for every single one.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Well, I killed William in Inhaling the Different Dawn, but that wasn’t at the end.

Maybe Where The Vines Cling Crimson? Scully’s cancer comes back and her fate is ambiguous. And I had Scully kill Emily in Alabaster Stones. But I think that was the right ending for both of them.

As a mother? A Basket of Reeds, where Scully gives William away. I can’t even reread it without a lump in my throat, man.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Tent of Shelter is fluffy and lovely gets a lot of love, and was inspired by a STUNNING manip by @avocadoave but I personally think In The Gale. It’s the one that, to me, feels the most like a grownup relationship of two people processing some trauma. I think that’s an ending that’s happy and also real - like “I don’t love being broken, but I can survive being broken with you.” Two abeyances that lean…

Foxfire for similar reasons. I real love that little story, which I wrote thanks to @perplexistan

I’m 43. I’ve been married for well over two decades and let me tell you that young love is a gift and mature love is a craft.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Some! And that’s really great too, that people read words I wrote and felt so passionately that they left me words about those feelings. What a strange but profound compliment!

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I do. PWP isn’t my personal taste so even though I wrote a LOT of smut for the old pornbattles at LJ I wanted the smut to still tell a story.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I can’t say it’s especially crazy, but Fern Hill is a Mulder/Stella Gibson crossover. There are a few little ficlets with XF/Silence of the Lambs crossovers in my Inbox Prompts series.

Oh fuck! Wait! I wrote a Fall/Hannibal/XF crossover called Anthemoessa where Stella, Scully, and Bedelia all meet. Okay that’s it. That wins.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Years ago. God, isn’t that sad? To need positive reinforcement that much?

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! It was SUCH a compliment!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I have - The Common Fate of All Things Rare

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Mr. Virgata and me. Followed by Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who literally invented the word. ❤️

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

The Fisher King

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think I do pretty good banter and my education makes me pretty good at the sciencey bits.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I get too lost in descriptions and I try too hard to be clever. I do my best to self edit but sometimes I reread things and I’m like oh my GOD SHUT YOUR PRETENTIOUS ASS UP.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I’ve done it for Bedelia and Hannibal in Italian. I’m not sure I understand the question?

19. First fandom you wrote for?

TXF, my one true love.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

I don’t know that I have a favorite per se. I am most proud of the ones that challenged me to do something outside my comfort zone. Samson is one of mytop fives even though it’s Mulder/Diana. I think I did a nice job. I also wrote Pair of Aces/Double or Nothing which is Scully/Byers.

But I do really love the world of Petrichor and Singing of Mount Abora, and I like the cases.

#tags #ao3 #writing memes

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

My Faves As Preacher’s Daughter

Family Tree (Intro) - Helaena Targaryen

Jesus can always reject his father/But he cannot escape his mother’s blood/He’ll scream and try to wash it off of his fingers/But he’ll never escape what he’s made up of/The fates already fucked me sideways/Swinging by my neck from the family tree

American Teenager - Luna Lovegood

Grew up under yellow light on the street/Putting too much faith in the make believe/And another high school football team/[…]/And I feel it there/In the middle of the night/When the lights go out/And I’m all alone out here/Say what you want/But say it like you mean it with your fists for once/A long Cold War with your kids at the front/Just give it one more day then you’re done, done/I do what I want/[…]/I’m doing what I want and damn I’m doing it well/For me

A House In Nebraska - Shosanna Dreyfus

You and me against the world/You were my man and I your girl/We had nothing except each other/You were my whole world/[…]/And I still call home/That house in Nebraska/[…]/And you might never come back home/And I might never sleep at night/But God I just hope that you’re out there somewhere/I just pray that you’re all right/And I feel so alone/And I feel so alone out here

Western Nights - Evelyn Evernever

I’d hold the gun/If you asked me to/But if you love me like you say you do/Would you ask me to?/[…]/Trouble’s always gonna find you baby/But so will I/[…]/I’m never gonna leave you baby/Even if you lose what’s left of your mind/Cause you know I’ll be right there beside you/Riding through all these Western nights

Family Tree - Peter Gordon

These crosses all over my body/Remind me of who I used to be/Give myself up to him in offering/[…]/I’m just a child but I’m not above violence/My mama raised me better than that/[…]/So take me down to the river/And bathe me clean/[…]/I’ve killed before, and I’ll kill again/Take the noose off, wrap it tight around my hand/[…]/And Christ, forgive these bones I’ve been hiding/Oh, and the bones I’m about to leave

Hard Times - Laura Palmer

Tell me a story about how it ends/Where you’re still the good guy, I’ll make pretend/Cause I hate this story/Where happiness ends and dies with you/I thought good guys get to be happy/I’m not happy/I am poison in the water and unhappy/Little girl who needs her daddy real bad

Thoroughfare - Mantis

I met you there in Texas somewhere on the thoroughfare/On the side of the road in some torn up clothes with a pistol in my pocket/I didn’t trust no one, but you said “baby don’t run, I’ll take you anywhere”/So I hopped right in, outta luck to spend, and at least your truck beats walking/And you said “hey, do you wanna see the west with me?”/[…]/But in these motel rooms I started to see you differently/Cause for the first time since I was a child/I could see a man who wasn’t angry

Gibson Girl - Georgina Sparks

He’s cold blooded so it takes more time to bleed/Obsession with the money, addicted to the drugs/[…]/“Baby if it feels good/Then it can’t be bad”/And if you want it good/Downright iconic

Ptolemaea - Max Mayfield

I followed you in and I was with you there/I invited you in twice, I did/[…]/Suffer does the wolf, crawling to thee/Promising a big fire, any fire/Saying I’m the one, he’s gonna take me/I’m on fire, I’m on fire, I’m on fire/Suffering is nigh, drawing to me/Calling me the one, I’m the white light/Beautiful, finite/Even the iron still fear the rot/Hiding from something I cannot stop/Walking on shadows I can’t lead him back/Buckled on the floor when night comes along/Daddy’s left and Momma won’t come home/You poor thing/Sweet mouring lamb/There’s nothing you can do/It’s already been done/What fear a man like you brings upon a woman like me/Please don’t look at me/[…]/Stop, stop, stop, make it stop/[…]/Blessed be the children/Each and every one come to know their god through some senseless act of violence

August Underground - India Stoker

Televangelism - Beth March

Sun Bleached Flies - Laura Lee

What I wouldn’t give to be in church this Sunday/Listening to the choir so heartfelt all singing/“God loves you, but not enough to save you”/So baby girl good luck taking care of yourself/[…]/And I just prayed/And I keep praying, and praying and praying/If it’s meant to be, then it will be

Strangers - Cassie Ainsworth

Thinking back to what I was always told/“Don’t talk to strangers or you might fall in love”/[…]/I tried to be good/Am I no good? Am I no good? Am I no good?/With my memory restricted to a Polaroid in evidence/I just wanted to be yours/Can I be yours? Can I be yours? Just tell me I’m yours/[…]/Don’t think about it too hard or you’ll never sleep a wink at night again/Don’t worry bout me and these green eyes

#Cassie for strangers is a stretch but oh well #Ethel Cain #preacher’s daughter #helaena targaryen #luna lovegood #shosanna dreyfus #evelyn evernever #also this is Evelyn from season 3-4 not 7 #Peter gordon #laura palmer #mantis #Georgina sparks #max mayfield #india stoker #beth march #Laura lee #cassie ainsworth

[digitaldiscipline]

Not sure that dreamshit was worth the wait, but almost.

Last night was a doozy, even by my standards, but tossing and turning for hours first, even with the help of some melatonin and chamomile gummies, was deeply unneccessary.

We begin with me walking back towards my house from the vicinity of my high school in the company of one of my coworkers, who answered my sensible but pointed questions about why she parked a mile and a half away by pointing out it was how she was able to walk a lot more for health reasons. I point out that there's no reason she should give me a ride once we get to her car, since we'll be two blocks from my place, and we decide to duck into a little shops-and-restaurants plaza that doesn't exist in reality so she can pick up some stuff she ordered, and then go to the Mediterranean restaurant next door for some dinner, and that's where shit got unreal.

The restaurant was of the sort where the two-tops are all pushed together to fit whoever's there, so we end up seated in an impromptu eight-top with some NPCs and place our order. In the time between then and when the food arrives, we moved to a separate table of our own closer to the back wall.

My order was for some dolmas (rolled grape leaves stuffed with rice and lamb); what I got was a styrofoam soup bowl full of pistachios and an assurance that my dinner "will be right out." Reader, it was not. Everyone else had their meal served, eaten, and cleared by the time my second "course" came - a handful of ghost peppers (which looked more like white cayenne peppers than the real thing, and tasted surprisingly good - hot but sweet) and an apology for the terrible service.

Fine, whatever. Where's the bathroom?

Through an unmarked door, down a flight of stairs, and into what was basically a fruit cellar with badly-hung doors and the general atmosphere of the shitter from Trainspotting.

Uh, no. Next?

Through an entirely different restaurant (homestyle Southern by butch lesbians), up another flight of stairs, and... open to the landing. It was just a toilet seat over a hole in the floor, and the proprietor, standing there with a hose, on bidet duty.

Uh, no thanks. Is there another one?

Three flights of rickety stairs down, around a corner, and into a very fancy Ethiopian joint (marble floors, staff in black and white, the whole shebang). Their bathroom was both crowded and somehow no better than either of the previous ones.

Whatever. Maybe my food is ready.

It was tamales. And by that point, they were already down to room temperature, so I got them and the remaining peppers to go, and decided to head for home.

Unfortunately, a call went out - there was an active shooter outside, which caused the expected amount of chaos and panic among all and sundry.

On the upside, it meant skipping out on the dinner bill.

Doubly unfortunately, my subconscious' love of going Dark City on me had awakened, so there was no longer a door out (thanks, Edward Hopper), so it was back down to the butch nook and out, into the recently-resolved crime scene, where several dozen cops in riot gear were standing around a lump of meat and two twitching hands that had apparently been the shooter, and which they referred to as "Grasshopper."

Hm. There isn't a double trolley line anywhere near my place, nor is there a slope nearly this steep leading to an underpass filled with women's college students heading back from class to a partially-flooded underground pseudo-commune slash permanent rave.

William Gibson's characters from the Bridge series would have felt right at home. I did not, but taking a modicum of initiative, I asked if they had a bathroom.

They did, but it was no better than any of the other ones, and, getting lost on my way back to the surface, I found myself in a small bistro, where I was very, very happy to discover that a new recurring character has decided to make an appearance in my dreamshit - a young woman known to dream-me as "Hottie" (a sluttier version of Fairuza Balk circa The Craft, and who referred to me as "Mister Bad"), and an unknown friend of hers, who she was in the middle of pranking by ordering... a pint glass of Ouzo that she said was water.

I don't normally get sexytimes in my dreams, but we made out briefly and with much vigor before I decided once again to make my way home.

But first, I apparently had to play the part of the world's worst school bus driver, and flush several children down a slightly-less-disgusting bidet to yeet them towards their homes. Unfortunately, the last kid got stuck, rendering my hopes of finally being able to relieve myself dashed once more.

I still got cold water sprayed up my ass despite not trying to use it.

Rude.

Remembering my Hitchhiker's Guide minutae, I realized that I needed to get out of the first building via a different opening than I'd entered, so I had to do a lot of backtracking, and eventually found myself standing in the middle of the main street (which in reality is literally called Main Street), waiting to cross and get the last bit of the way to my destination. A regular cop gave me the stink-eye as he drove past. I raised my middle finger at him (thank you, Raven D'Arkness Dementia Way).

I heelied down the hill towards my house.

Then, and only then, did I finally wake up and pee.

#dreamshit

[outoftowninac]

LADIES’ DAY

1920

Ladies’ Day is a three-act satire by Edward Peple. It was originally produced and directed by H.H. Frazee. 

A breach of promise case comes to trial before the first jury ever seated in any courtroom In the the United States consisting entirely of women, and is argued pro and con by two women lawyers.

The cast consisted of 30 performers, 21 of which were speaking roles. 17 of them were women. 

In 1920, the fight for women’s rights was fought on a state-by-state basis. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, women were not allowed on juries until 1921, a year after the play was performed. 

“Studies in Expression. When Women are Jurors”, drawn by Charles Dana Gibson in 1902.  The idea of women sitting on juries in the United States was subject to ridicule up until the 20th century. 

The following year the same artist followed up with "The Jury of the Future. One that Might Temper Justice with Mercy" (1903). It was thought that women were more compassionate than men, an idea that still exists today. 

H.H. Frazee had previously produced Edward Peple’s hit play A Pair of Sixes, which scored 277 performances on Broadway in 1914. Peple’s next play on Broadway, Friend Martha in 1917, was a flop, closing after 15 performances.

Ladies’ Day premiered in Atlantic City at the Globe Theatre on the Boardwalk on April 26, 1920. It shared the front end of a split week with All Souls Eve, a supernatural play by Anne Crawford Flexner. 

Like so much about the play, it is unclear whether the above listing as Ladies’ Night was a title variation, an error by the Globe Theatre, or a typesetting error at the newspaper. The official title, however, was Ladies Day, not Night. It is ironic considering a play by that title went on to great success on Broadway - something not in the cards for Peple’s play. 

Sadly for Miss Bristow, the play never reached Beantown or the Big Apple. 

It appears that the ‘futuristic’ idea of a play with an all-female jury and lawyers was greeted with winking derision by the press. 

“The play is the best example of real satiric comedy our stage has seen in a long time.” ~ ATLANTIC CITY PRESS

“While the author has not written a great play here, he makes us all grateful for a clean, bright travesty that comes as a grateful relief to the bedroom type of risqué farce that has held our stage for so long.” ~ ATLANTIC CITY PRESS

Shortly after Ladies’ Day premiered in Atlantic City, Frazee made headlines by purchasing Fenway Park in order to save it from bankruptcy. In January 1920, as owner of the Boston Red Sox, Frazee sold their prize player, Babe Ruth (above), to the New York Yankees, thus initiating the legendary ‘Curse of the Bambino’ for the Red Sox. It was well known that Frazee’s baseball dealings helped finance his theatrical endeavors, most notably the play that inspired the musical No, No, Nanette, My Lady Friends (1919). Coincidentally, both plays are partly set in Atlantic City NJ. 

Even more coincidentally, the term “ladies’ day” in a baseball context was generally when women spectators were encouraged to attend ballgames, sometimes using promotions or give-aways. 

Before leaving the Garden State, the play did a night in Paterson at the Lyceum on May 1st. On May 4th it played also single night at the Lyric in Allentown PA. On May 5th, the play was seen in Wilkes-Barre PA at the Grand Theatre. 

This gig at the Grand appears to be where the play closed and all involved turned to other pursuits: 

In June 1920, playwright Peple contributed his one-act play “The Golden Egg” to the Annual Lambs Club Gambols in New York City. On June 28th, his new comedy Maggie opened in Rochester.

In August 1920, a film version of Peple’s 1905 play The Prince Chap was released. That same month, a play opened on Broadway titled Ladies’ Night, also titled Ladies’ Night in a Turkish Bath. It was a huge hit. 

In August 1922, it was announced that Frazee would produce Peple’s play The Little Visitor in Boston, a play set in Virginia just prior to the Civil War. It is unknown if this play was related to or inspired by his 1911 play The Littlest Rebel, which was later made into a successful film starring Shirley Temple.  

#Ladies' Day #Edward Peple #H.H. Frazee #Babe Ruth #Baseball #1920 #Atlantic City #Globe Theatre #Jury #Suffrage #Satire

[iamanathemadevice]

Slow Horses

Gary Oldman is not a nice person. He’s a former alcoholic, been accused of spousal abuse, he’s  misogynist and thinks Mel Gibson’s behaviour falls within acceptable guidelines. Everything I’ve ever read about him says he’s a creep in real life.

He’s also a brilliant actor.

When you have someone who’s an utter prick playing an utter prick, it turns out that they are very convincing in that role. Oldman’s character, Jackson Lamb, in Slow Horses needs to be convincing, but you don’t need to like him, which is good, because I don’t.

Yet, amazingly enough, despite the fact he apparently never bathes or uses deodorant, eats “like a dying horse”, chain smokes and drinks, and treats everyone he works for or who works for him like garbage, Jackson Lamb isn’t the biggest prick in the series. He’s not even the worst prick in his little enclave at Slough House.

He just gets the best of the one-liners. It’s quite something to see :)

If Slow Horses’ appeal rested on Oldman, I wouldn’t watch it, and to be honest, if I hadn’t got 3 months’ free Apple TV subscription with my new iPhone, I wouldn’t have paid to see it because Oldman is just so vile. But being able to see it for free, I’m glad I did watch it, because the cast is amazing - come on, Saskia Reeves, Jonathan Pryce, Sophie Okenado, Jack Lowden and Kristin Scott Thomas all in the one show? - the writing is very, very sharp, there is zero bathos, and it makes John Le Carré look like a writer of cosy mysteries.

There are two more seasons to come, not yet available to view, and the preview indicates that the makeup people got the order that Oldman didn’t quite look gross him up, so let’s make him look even more revolting.

Highly recommended, even though I think Gary Oldman needs to be dropkicked off the face of the earth. I’ll sit back and wait for more anonymous abuse for liking something problematic like I got after daring to enjoy the latest Strike series.

#slow horses #Gary Oldman #problematic faves

[gena-rowlands]

jean's read in 2022

hello! so as university reading will take up a lot of the rest of my reading for the year, i thought i'd give a full wrap up here! i may update a few times, but this is my almost-comprehensive reading list of 2022! (insp. by @adamronans)

books in red come with moderate< trigger warnings so feel free to ask on/off anon for more info or please look up the tw's before reading!

non-poetry:

Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh (★★★★★)

The Dumb House by John Burnside (★★★★★)

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata (★★★★)

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu (★★★½)

Heaven by Mieka Kawakami (★★½)

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (★★★★★)

It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror (★★★★½)

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca (★★)

Clementine #1 by Tillie Walden (★★★)

Fragments of Horror by Junji Ito (★★★★)

Bliss Montage by Ling Ma (★★)

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (★★★)

The Sluts by Dennis Cooper (No Rating)

We Have Always Lived in The Castle by Shirley Jackson (★★★★)

Heartstopper vol.1 by Alice Oseman (★★★★★)

Queers: Eight Monologues by Mark Gatiss (★★★★½)

Heartstopper vol.2 by Alice Oseman (★★★★★)

The Harpy by Megan Hunter (★★★★)

Politics and the English Language by George Orwell (★)

Little Weirds by Jenny Slate (★★★★½)

Alcestis by Euripides (★★★★)

Medea by Euripides (★★★★½)

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (★★★★½)

Pew by Catherine Lacey (★★★½)

Pine by Francine Toon (★★)

Slow Days, Fast Company by Eve Babitz (★★★★★)

Normal People by Sally Rooney (★★★★)

poetry:

The Book of Women by Dorianne Laux (★★★★½)

Flux by Orion Carloto (★★★)

Sweetdark by Savannah Brown (★★★★½)

Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass by Lana Del Rey (★★★½)

Life of the Party by Olivia Gatwood (★★★★★)

She Felt Like Nothing by R.H. Sin (★½)

Madness by Sam Sax (★★★★½)

soft magic. by Upsile Chisala (★★)

Stag's Leap by Sharon Olds (★★★★★)

The Perseverance by Raymond Antrobus (★★★★)

The Boys I've Loved & The End of the World by Catarine Hancock (★★)

Night Sky With Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong (★★★★½)

Portrait of my Body as a Crime I'm Still Committing by Topaz Winters (★★★★)

There Should Be Flowers by Joshua Jennifer Espinoza (★★★★½)

Grit by Silas Denver Melvin (★★★★½)

Voyage of the Sable Venus and Other Poems by Robin Coste Lewis (★★★★½)

Wild Embers by Nikita Gill (★★½)

Lunch Poems by Frank O'Hara (★★★½)

God I Feel Modern Tonight by Catherine Cohen (★)

Diving Into the Wreck by Adrienne Rich (★★★★★)

Salt by Nayyirah Waheed (★★½)

Lord of the Butterflies by Andrea Gibson (★★★★½)

Incarnadine by Mary Szybist (★★★★)

Firstborn by Louise Glück (★★★½)

Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth by Warsan Shire (★★★★)

Mules of Love by Ellen Bass (★★★★½)

What Is This Thing Called Love by Kim Addonizio (★★★★)

New American Best Friend by Olivia Gatwood (★★★★)

At Least This I Know by Andrés N. Ordorica (★★★★½)

Rail by Kai Carlson-Wee (★★★★)

The Asylum Dance by John Burnside (★★★★½)

War of the Foxes by Richard Siken (★★★★)

I Would Leave Me If I Could by Halsey (★★★★)

Bloodsport by Yves Olade (★★★★)

American Melancholy by Joyce Carol Oates (★★½)

The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman (No Rating)

#hope someone gets a new rec out of this! or just enjoys seeing what i read lol #literature #long post #text post

[chrancecriber]

Antenne Vorarlberg Chillout Lounge (August 07, 2023)

23:59 Schiller - Harmonia 23:55 Passenger 10 - Voices In Her Head 23:50 Elderbrook & Bob Moses - Inner Light 23:46 Twocolors & Anna Naklab - Dust (Extended Mix) 23:42 Laniia - Fireflies 23:39 Avaion X Vize X Leony - Pieces 23:35 Karen Gibson Roc - Painted Room 23:30 Tinlicker Feat. Roos Jonker - Come Back Home 23:27 In Lonely Majesty - Sing In The Dark - Alle Farben Remix 23:24 Blank & Jones Feat. Mick Roach - Magnolia 23:20 Ac Venture - Rain In Spain (Roberto Sol Remix) 23:16 Nora En Pure - Diving With Whales (Daniel Portman Radio Mix) 23:09 Armen Miran - Nani Jan 23:05 Golden Tone Radio - Glück 23:01 Dead Composers - Starlight 22:53 Kygo - Freeze 22:49 Christopher Von Deylen - Heliotrope 22:46 Alan Walker Feat. Gavin James - Tired 22:43 Amely & Lvndscape - Losing My Mind 22:41 R3hab, Timmy Trumpet, W&w - Distant Memory 22:36 Nicos - Secret Love 22:29 True & Berger - Imprint Of Pleasure 22:25 Thomas Newman - Any Other Name 22:22 Robin Schulz Feat. Alida - In Your Eyes 22:19 Lost Frequencies, Zonderling & Kelvin Jones - Love To Go 22:15 Ayoe Angelica - Dr. Jekyll 22:12 Lost Frequencies & Mathieu Koss - Don't Leave Me 22:09 Le Shuuk Feat. Xilions - Goodbye 22:05 Smoke City - Underwater Love 22:03 Mount & Illian - Fool 21:57 Anrey - We Are The Mirrors (Extended Mix) 21:53 Anna Naklab Feat. Alle Farben - Supergirl 21:50 Lstn - Thoughts 21:46 Loud Luxury - Cold Feet 21:43 Loud Luxury & Bryce Vine - I'm Not Alright 21:40 Dante Klein & Jordiz Feat. Megan Brands - Life 21:34 Aim - Cold Water Music 21:31 Nora En Pure - Sign Of The Times 21:27 Ck West & Sassi K - C Song 21:24 Tom Walker - Just You And I 21:22 Vize & Tom Gregory - Never Let Me Down 21:18 Daniel Portman - Vulnerable 21:14 Justin Robertson Presents Revtone - Love Movement 21:11 Alle Farben & Flynn - I Need To Know 21:08 Lost Frequencies Feat. Love Harder - Beat Of My Heart 21:00 Underworld - 8 Ball 20:57 Blank & Jones Feat. Coralie Clément - Cest Mieux 20:52 Valante - Rissa 20:47 Atb With Enigma - Enigmatic Encounter 20:44 Alan Walker Ahrix - End Of Time 20:41 Disciples - On My Mind 20:37 The Alan Parsons Project - Old And Wise 20:31 Lamb - Wonder 20:28 Bossasonic - Wicked Game 20:18 Moby - Too Much Change 20:13 Exstra - Comet (Extended Mix) 20:05 Levitation - More Then Ever People 20:03 Nora Van Elken - Let It Go 19:55 Le Roy - See The Light Ahead (Extended Mix) 19:47 After Sunrise - Deep Breath (Extended Mix) 19:40 Blond:ish Feat. Shawni - Wizard Of Love 19:36 Nora En Pure - World Of Rules 19:31 Dj Skillmaster, Deep Dive Duo - Hey Little Girl (Slow Motion Mix) 19:28 Dimitri Vegas - Pull Me Closer 19:25 Schiller & Schwarz - Avalanche 19:21 Lucy Neville - Shameless 19:19 R3hab X Lukas Graham - Most People 19:15 Remady & Manu-l - Another Day In Paradise 19:11 Clément Leroux - Memories 19:04 Soul Button - Circadian Rhythm (Hraach Remix) 19:00 Paul Kalkbrenner - Part Eight 18:57 Magnofield - Lupino 18:50 Hraach & Armen Miran - Nowhere 18:46 Naomi - Avenue L'amour (Lemongrass Remix) 18:43 Topic, Robin Schulz, Nico Santos, Paul Van Dyk - In Your Arms (For An Angel) 18:34 Christopher Von Deylen - Heaven Can Wait 18:29 Chris Coco - Before Sunset (Original Mix) 18:25 Monolink - Harlem River 18:21 Blank & Jones - Flaming June 18:18 Martin Trevy Feat. Hedara - Talking To The Silence 18:16 Avian Grays & Azteck - Endlessly 18:11 Velvet Lounge Project - Dimelo Tu (Mix And Magix Remix) 18:07 Mousse T. - Boyfriend (Alle Farben Remix) 18:04 Kygo & Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It 17:57 Chicane - Offshore 17:55 Fedde Le Grand Feat. Vince Freeman - Devils 17:48 Beyhude - Rüzgar 17:45 Tokkoi - 45 Minutes (Original Mix) 17:42 Daniel Steidtmann - Pigeon Lake 17:38 Nora En Pure - Epiphany 17:32 Sherrie Lea - No Ordinary Love (Arnold T Chill Mix) 17:30 Colorblast - Message In A Bottle (Colorblast Version) 17:26 Bob Marley - Sun Is Shining 17:20 Shakedown - At Night (Afterlife Remix) 17:17 Armin Van Buuren & Garibay - Phone Down 17:13 Thomas Jack Feat. Nico & Vinz - Rivers 17:10 Tiscore - Fire To Smoke 17:05 New Age Kings - Illusion (Instrumental Remix) 17:00 Disco Meets Bossa - Could It Be Magic 16:57 Schiller - Once Upon A Time (Cahill Remix) 16:54 Wave Wave Feat. Lena Sue - Repeating 16:47 Popmode - Moonrise (Original Mix) 16:44 Hypnosis - Pulstar 16:39 Eelke Kleijn - Woodstock 16:34 Disclosure - You & Me Ft. Eliza Doolittle (Flume Remix) 16:32 Sum Wave - Passing Clouds 16:28 Kadebostany - Save Me 16:26 Nora Van Elken - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) 16:20 Anrey - Lost Lands (Extended Mix) 16:16 Dj Shah & Adrina Thorpe - Who Will Find Me (Acoustic Mix) 16:13 Brando - Don't Call Me (Galantis Remix) 16:09 Melokind - Tiefgang 16:04 Matvey Emerson - Luna 16:01 Tiësto - The Motto 15:58 Jerome & Neptunica - High On Music 15:54 Fous De La Mer - Soledad 15:48 Jens Buchert - Cocoon 15:41 Miyagi, Sascha Braemer, Dan Caster, Jan Blomqvist - Woodpeckers Love Affair 15:37 The Underdog Project - Summer Jam 15:30 Armen Miran Feat. Jivan Gasp - Lost Memories 15:24 Faro - Dreaming In Orange 15:21 Milk & Sugar Feat. John Paul Young - Love Is In The Air 15:18 Dennis Kruissen Feat. Liza Flume - Another Soul 15:13 Massive Attack - Teardrop 15:09 Arty Feat. Cimo Fränkel - Daydreams (Sultan Shepard Echoes) 15:05 Julian Wassermann - Painfully 15:01 Light Of Aidan Feat. Note For A Child - Loving You 14:59 Ten Tonne Skeleton - Feel So Bad 14:56 Kygo With Avicii & Sandro Cavazza - Forever Yours (Tribute) 14:51 Maestro & Cabal - Rocklands Beach 14:47 Shallour & Riah - Lie 14:45 The Holy Santa Barbara Feat. Madugo - The Sailor Song 14:38 Insilent - Emagination (Layback Mix) 14:35 Armin Van Buuren Feat. Angel Taylor - Make It Right (Trinix Remix) 14:32 Lost Frequencies Feat. Axel Ehnström - All Or Nothing 14:26 The Last Atlant - Twin Of The Sun 14:23 Matoma Feat. Jonah Kagen - Summer Feeling 14:15 Hansi Lang - Perfect Day (Smacs & Patrick Kong Remix) 14:12 Neptunica & Lunax - We Don't Even Talk Anymore 14:09 Lucy Neville - Ransom 14:05 Jasmon - Sanpo Suru 13:57 David Hohme - Fear Less (Hraach Remix) 13:54 L'imperatrice - Peur Des Filles (Montmartre Remix) 13:50 York - I Need You 13:44 Sirius & Nyla - Infinity (Remastered Remix) 13:40 Schiller & Peter Heppner - Leben... I Feel You 13:37 Sixth Finger - If I Can't Have You 13:34 Blank & Jones Feat. Zoe Durrant - Erase Rewind 13:29 Ingo Herrmann - Sundown 13:22 Worakls - By The Brook 13:17 Rìfìs Du Sol - Next To Me 13:11 Best Of Chillout Lounge - White Beach (Crystal Blue Sea Mix) 13:07 Nora En Pure - All I Need 13:04 Dizkodude & Dj Antoine - Your Eyes (Dj Antoine Vs Mad Mark 2k21 Summer Mix) 13:01 Daniel Steidtmann - Annecy 12:54 Jean-michel Jarre - Equinoxe, Pt. 4 12:52 Ofenbach & Ella Henderson - Hurricane 12:49 Sans Souci - Twin Lakes 12:46 Vinai - Hide Away 12:44 Christopher Von Deylen - She Never Told Him Her Name 12:40 Kygo Feat. Sandro Cavazza - Happy Now 12:38 Alok & James Arthur - Work With My Love 12:34 Hagen Feetly - U Got Me 12:31 Mike Candys, Sb Mont & Salvo - Turned To Dust 12:27 Dj Antoine Feat. Craig Smart - Good Vibes (Good Feeling) (Dj Antoine Vs Mad Mark 2k19 Mix) 12:22 Moca - Kleine Träumerei 12:19 Mahalo - High Life 12:12 Nora En Pure - Oblivion (Extended Mix) 12:05 Andain Feat. Kastis Torrau & Donatello - Beautiful Things 12:02 Junge, Junge Feat. Jamie Hartma - Wicked Hearts 11:56 Rodriguez Jr. Feat. Liset Alea - What Is Real 11:51 Marc Puig - To Start Anew 11:47 Sound Nomaden - The Morning After 11:41 Dale Anderson Feat. Anil Chawla - Pimento Grove 11:38 David Guetta Feat. Sam Martin - Dangerous 11:35 Bolier - Another Blue 11:30 Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy 11:26 Nore En Pure - In Your Eyes 11:21 Enui - Adieu (Arielle Lb Remix) 11:17 Schiller - Der Tag...du Bist Erwacht (Mit Jette Von Roth) 11:13 Stepha Schweiger - When I Was A Bird 11:10 Vize & Alan Walker Feat. Leony, Edward Artemyev - Space Melody (Edward Artemyev) 11:06 Mario & Vidis Feat. Jazzu - I'll Be Gone 10:59 Hraach Feat. Iveta Mukuchyan - Sarer Jan 10:55 Winona Oak & Robin Schulz - Oxygen 10:52 Liberdade - Otra Vida 10:43 Super Flu - Mygut (Solomun Remix) 10:40 Kungs Feat. Jhart - Dopamine 10:32 Burudu - Sun Theory (Original Mix) 10:30 Yves V X Bashkar - Halfway (Feat. Twan Ray) 10:26 Nora En Pure - Homebound 10:23 Edx Feat. Jess Ball - Take Me Home 10:16 Airstream - Your Tears (Del Mar Mix) 10:11 Fous De La Mer - Clairs De Lune 10:07 Olga Scheps - How Much Is The Fish? 10:04 Backstreet Boys - Chances (Instrumental) 09:57 Chris Zippel - Around, Arrived 09:53 Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd - Lost In The Fire 09:45 Dino Lenny Feat. Artbat - Sand In Your Shoes 09:41 Jp Juice - Cette Planete 09:38 The Hitmen - Turn Off The Lights 09:34 Kygo Feat. Will Heard - Nothing Left 09:28 Mic Max - Como El Viento 09:26 Armin Van Buuren Feat. Rbvln - Weight Of The World (Feat. Rbvln) 09:22 Rìfìs - Like An Animal 09:19 Raffa Fi - Ritmo 09:12 Beyhude - Terso 09:09 Armin Van Buuren Feat. Josh Cumbee - Sunny Days (Original Mix) 09:06 Jeremy Loops - Til I Found You 09:02 Thomas Gold Feat. Bright Sparks - Seventeen 08:58 Mikael Delta - The Last Storm Of Words 08:53 Blank & Jones - Twilight Moon 08:50 Mike Candys & Jack Holiday - The Riddle Anthem Rework 08:45 Gary B - Let You In 08:39 Sans Souci - Venice 08:36 Eelke Kleijn - Midnight Affair (Samaha Slow Edit) 08:31 Lenny Ibizarre - Smooth Temptation 08:29 Luca Schreiner Feat. Johnny Chicago - Its All Gonna Be Good (Junge Junge Edit) 08:25 Fine Young Cannibals - Johnny Come Home (Mousse T. Cocktail Mix) 08:18 Nora En Pure - Thermal (Extended Mix) 08:14 Shapov & Avian Grays Feat. Kifi - Light Up The World 08:11 Alphawezen - 4043 08:08 Dize Feat. Aurii - Wenn Ich Nicht Mehr Weiss 08:02 Christopher Von Deylen - Euphoria 07:58 Emma Carn, Magic Wand - Sunset 07:54 Cats On Bricks Feat. Zach Alwin - Planes Over Ushuaia 07:50 Mefree - Horizons 07:47 Tiesto - Everything (Acoustic Version) 07:43 Zoe - C'est La Vie 07:42 Sons Of Maria - A Kiss Like This 07:38 Matt Simons - Catch & Release (Deepend Remix) 07:36 Dj Antoine Feat. Chanin & Jona Xx - Dancing In Tulum 07:28 Tapesh And Dayne S - How I Do (Original Mix) 07:25 Klangperlenspiel & Puzzls - Kyoto (Wish You'd Move On) 07:18 Röyksopp Feat. Susanne Sundfør - If You Want Me 07:10 Trinidad - L'oiseau (Original Mix) 07:07 Sans Souci - Fenton 07:00 Beyhude - Akasha 06:53 Troels Hammer - Trans/ For/ Mation 06:49 Above & Beyond - Out Of Time (Original Mix) 06:46 Purple Disco Machine - Hypnotized 06:40 Soho Lounge Feat. Dea Li - Chiaro Di Luna 06:35 Thomas Lemmer & Andreas Bach - Embracing Love 06:33 Felix Jaehn & The Stickmen Project Feat. Calum Scott - Rain In Ibiza 06:26 Adana Twins - Strange 06:23 Blank & Jones - Swept Away 06:18 Moby - The Sky Is Broken 06:14 John Summit & Hayla - Where You Are 06:11 Carstn & Ten Tonne Skeleton - Safety Dance 06:04 Humate - 3.2 (Bedrock Ambient Mix) 06:01 Felix Jaehn Feat. Zoe Wees - Do It Better 05:58 Italobrothers - Stay 05:52 Enfant De Luxe - La Tete Dans Les Nuages 05:49 Kamrad - Feel Alive 05:47 Pulsedriver & Tiscore Feat. Anna Grey - We Are 05:44 Braaten - Enjoy The Silence 05:41 Alex Zind Feat. Lisa Schwab - Cruel Summer 05:36 Schiller - Der Goldene Engel 05:31 Beatkonexion - On Air 05:28 Nora En Pure - Fibonacci 05:23 Cinemascope - The 7th Dream 05:20 Together Alone - Ain't Nobody 05:16 Moby - My Only Love 05:13 Lost Frequencies Feat. Flynn - Recognise 05:09 Alex Breitling - Faith 05:06 Paul Oakenfold, Bolier, Luis Fonsi - The World Can Wait (Bolier Remix) 05:02 Galantis Feat. Onerepublic - Bones 04:58 Above & Beyond Feat. Justine Suissa - Little Something 04:55 Tom Staar & Cedric Gervais - Playing Games (Mixed) 04:52 Hailee Steinfeld - Capital Letters 04:47 Arden - Open 04:45 Kamrad - I Believe 04:41 The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This 04:39 Gamper & Dadoni - My Lovin' 04:32 Chuva Speaks Arab - Reckless Girl 04:29 Alina Baraz & Galimatias - Fantasy (Felix Jaehn Remix) 04:25 Sneaker Pimps - 6 Underground 04:22 Filous Feat. James Hersey - How Hard I Try 04:15 Boral Kibil & Gulec - Lost Language 04:12 Panama, Satin Jackets - The Future 04:06 Antennasia - First Flight (Lemongrass Remix) 04:01 Kid Massive, Yuji Ono, Dtale - Pray (Wolf Krew Remix) 03:57 Klangkarussell And Givven - Follow 03:52 Morcheeba - Trigger Hippie 03:49 Nora En Pure & Lika Morgan - In The Air Tonight (Sons Of Maria Remix) 03:40 Blond:ish Feat. Bahramji - Omnipresent 03:35 Espresso Del Lago - Ballet Or Sauna 03:32 York - On The Beach (Kryder & Jenjammin Sax Edit) 03:27 Ganga - The Wind 03:23 Jean-michel Jarre - Oxygene, Pt. 4 03:17 Blank & Jones - Into The Sun 03:15 Cookin' On 3 Burners, Henri Purnell & Revelries - Force Of Nature 03:09 Goa Foundation - (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight 03:06 George Geccoo Feat. Maik Pinto - Dolce Vita 02:59 Tom Novy & Milkwish - Dream Catcher (Extended Mix) 02:55 Blank & Jones Feat. Zoe Durrant - Adios Ayer 02:52 Sam Feldt & Sam Fischer - Pick Me Up (Vavo Remix) 02:43 Deep Dive Corp. - Django 02:39 Thomas Lemmer & Andreas Bach - Deep Ocean 02:35 Bronson Feat. Lau.ra - Heart Attack 02:32 Dynoro Feat. Gigi D'agostino - In My Mind 02:29 Gestört Aber Geil & Anna Grey - Thank You 02:25 Robin Schulz - Sugar (Feat. Francesco Yates) 02:22 Reece Lemonius, Munich Monstrs - Miss You 02:18 Chicane - Capricorn (Back Pedal Brakes Remix) 02:13 Mahoroba - Soft Breeze (On Air Mix) 02:10 Parov Stelar - Fire 02:06 Jean-michel Jarre - Equinoxe, Pt. 5 02:01 Daniele Mastracci Feat. Allegra - Something Great 01:58 Alle Farben & Fools Garden - Lemon Tree 01:55 Nora En Pure - Stop Wasting Time 01:48 H. Garden Feat. Joi - Gentle Rain 01:43 Lazy Hammbock - Surround Me 01:39 2raumwohnung - Wir Werden Sehen (Paul Kalkbrenner Remix) 01:35 Emmit Fenn - Lost In Space 01:32 Pretty Pink Feat. Mark V - Don't Dance 01:27 Armin Van Buuren, Sharon Den Adel - In And Out Of Love (Lost Frequencies Remix) 01:25 Bernward Koch - Flowing Colors 01:21 Robin Schulz & Alle Farben & Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World 01:17 Eelke Kleijn - The Big Chill (Original Mix) 01:11 Good Guy Mikesh Feat. Filburt - Place Of Love (Mp Edit) 01:08 Gamper & Dadoni - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! 01:03 Alphawezen - Into The Stars 01:01 Deepend & Graham Candy - Belong (Deepend Edit) 00:57 Gardenstate & Bien - The Best Part 00:52 Martin Böttcher - Old-shatterhand-melodie (Orbient Mix) 00:48 The Ocean Piano - Piano Mi Camino (Blue Wave Mix) 00:45 Robin Schulz - Never Know Me (Radio Mix) 00:39 Owen Ear, Stereoteric - Screaming Heart (Original Mix) 00:36 Nora En Pure - Tantrum 00:31 Jaques Raupe, Stereoact, Peter Schilling Feat. Peter Schilling - Terra Titanic 00:29 Tiësto & Ty Dolla $ign - The Business, Pt. Ii 00:25 Mike Candys & Jack Holiday - Saltwater (Rework) 00:22 Lenny Bizarre - El Viejo Pescador 00:15 Armen Miran & Hraach - Gravitation 00:11 Alex Breitling - Lilie 00:07 Lemongrass - Comme Toujours 00:03 Bolier & Leandro Da Silva - Floripa (Extended)

#Antenne Vorarlberg Chillout Lounge #Chillout #Lounge #Downtempo #Ambient #Trance #Deep House #2023 #August 2023

[jellycatadventures]

Gibson and I had a sweet drink today with our lunch

#food #jellycats #plushblr #plushcore #stuffiecore #plushies #stuffed animals #jellycat #stuffies #jellycat stuffies #plushiecore #plushieblr #safeplush #safestuffie #sfw interaction only #Gibson the Little Lamb

[x--daughters-of-darkness--x]

HALESTORM: Behind-The-Scenes Footage From Making Of 'Back From The Dead' Video

HALESTORM has shared behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the official video for the band's new single, "Back From The Dead". The track is taken from the group's upcoming fifth full-length album, due in 2022. Directed by Dustin Haney (Noah Cyrus, Luke Combs) and produced by Revolution Pictures, the clip features frontwoman Lzzy Hale and the rest of the band in a morgue and cemetery somewhere between life and death.

Lzzy says: "'Back From The Dead' is about survival, not in a physical sense, even though I know we all have been touched by death especially these last few years. This song is personal and written from a mental health perspective. I wanted to give myself and the world a hard rock song we could shout out loud as the gates opened again. I was on the edge of this world getting completely lost in oblivion, but even though it was the harder of two choices, I didn't just let the darkness and depression in my mind dig me an early grave. I didn't just sit and let it take me. I've erased my name from my headstone, so save your prayers, I'm back! I hope this song, as I pass it on to you, reminds YOU of your strength individually and that you are not alone."

She continues: "The video was so much fun to film! Dustin Haney is an amazing director. Dustin and his team really helped bring my words to life and the video is one of the most cinematic pieces we've done in years! I hope this song, as I pass it on…reminds YOU of YOUR individual strength and that you are not Alone. Raise your horns!"

By breaking rules, bucking trends, and busting down doors, HALESTORM has surged through rock 'n' roll on a singular path without compromise or apology. Along the way, the Pennsylvania-bred and Nashville-based quartet — Lzzy Hale (vocals, guitar), Arejay Hale (drums), Joe Hottinger (guitar) and Josh Smith (bass) — has collected a Grammy Award, scored successive number ones at radio, garnered multiple gold and platinum certifications, and performed to sold out crowds on five continents.

Going against the grain again in 2021, the band weathered the flames of chaos in 2020 and returned stronger than ever with their most empowering and undeniable anthems to date.

"Throughout the pandemic, I was writing a lot of melancholic and hopeless songs about the ups and downs of the world," admits Lzzy. "I've been in this group longer than I haven't been in it. We've always had shows. Even when I was 13 years old, we had a couple of bowling alley gigs once a month. This was the first time I didn't know if we would ever play again. However, I started to use music in the same way I did as a teenager—to get myself through this situation that was plaguing us all. I sidestepped and said, 'Let's keep our heads up, get our attitude back, be a light in the dark for a second, and celebrate the fact we're surviving and there's hope for the future.' So, we started to write songs that were a reminder to ourselves of who we are and what we're capable of. That became the mission statement."

In a way, it's always been the mission statement…

Since roaring to life in 1998, HALESTORM has uplifted audiences with a combination of sonic ass-kicking, provocative songwriting, and unshakable hooks. The four-piece received a Grammy Award in the category of "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" for "Love Bites (So Do I)". The song also minted them as the first female-fronted band to hit #1 on the Active Rock radio charts. Thus far, their discography spans two gold albums "Halestorm" and "The Strange Case Of..." , a platinum single "I Miss The Misery", and two gold singles "Here's To Us" and "I Get Off". Between surpassing one billion cumulative streams worldwide, they've notched two consecutive Top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 with "Into The Wild Life" (2015) and "Vicious" (2018). The latter represented a critical high watermark with Rolling Stone citing it as "a muscular, adventurous, and especially relevant rock record." In its wake, "Uncomfortable" emerged as their fourth #1 at rock radio and earned their second Grammy Award nomination, while Loudwire christened HALESTORM "Rock Artist Of The Decade" in 2019. Not to mention, they have supported everyone from HEAVEN & HELL and Alice Cooper to Joan Jett on the road.

Even as the world went dormant during 2020, Lzzy remained prolific. She lent her voice to collaborations with everyone from Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER, IN THIS MOMENT, APOCALYPTICA, and Mark Morton of LAMB OF GOD to EVANESCENCE, Cory Marks, and Mongolian phenomenon THE HU. Additionally, she joined forces with a trio of legends — Corey Taylor of SLIPKNOT, Scott Ian of ANTHRAX and original SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo — for the theme song to Netflix's "Thunder Force". Plus, the group contributed a cover of THE WHO's "Long Live Rock" to the documentary of the same name. Expanding her presence across television, she hosted the AXS TV "A Year In Music" series, joined the cast of Hit Parader's "No Cover" as a judge, provided the singing voice for Bella Thorne in the Prime Video hit "Paradise City" and launched her own show "Raise Your Horns" on Rolling Live. On the channel, she appeared in Mike Garson's David Bowie tribute with a performance of "Moonage Daydream" alongside Broadway star Lena Hall. She also participated in the platform's Ronnie James Dio tribute, supporting the Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund.

At the same time, she remained a huge proponent of encouraging the dialogue around mental health. She participated in a Grammy Mental Health panel and empowered the next generation of rock musicians as the keynote speaker at the Little Kids Rock Modern Band Summit. She also made history as Gibson Guitars' first-ever female ambassador.

"I've learned a lot about myself through all of these different projects," she admits. "I said 'yes' to various adventures, and it made me a better artist."

Working out of her home studio in Nashville, Lzzy and the band channeled this renewed spirit into the music at the onset of 2021. Collaborating with Scott Stevens of THE EXIES, the musicians hit their stride and cooked up the single 'Back From The Dead'. Dramatic distortion and drums rumble as she screams, "I'm back from the dead!" HALESTORM come out swinging as punchy verses give way to a call-and-response chorus shocked to life with a searing solo and thunderous groove.

"We needed a reintroduction," she exclaims. "We needed something that simply said, 'Hey, we're back'. The live show is the time we feel as truly alive as we can be. When you walk out on stage with your guitar strapped on, your guys are next to you, and you have an audience looking at you, it's everything. We're celebrating the fact we're all back together again. Whatever it is that was trying to destroy that part of myself and my bandmates that our fans need couldn't do it. It failed miserably. We're fucking back."

From the moment the band graced the stage at a secret Nashville gig, they were indeed "back," albeit louder, heavier, and emboldened by an unbelievable year. Amped up to jump back in, their tour schedule took shape with festival dates followed by a co-headline run with EVANESCENCE in the fall.

Readying their fifth full-length album, they're delivering the soundtrack for a world ready to roar again.

"We've lost a lot of people, but we can start healing again," she leaves off. "I appreciate the little things even more. I don't only feel this confidence in myself, but also in every one of my band members. We're not the same people, none of us could ever be. HALESTORM is my source of my joy. It's my connection. It's the closest thing to my religion. We're moving forward. With this next album, I hope we're able to create a greater sense of community. We have a beautiful opportunity. When you listen to it, I want you to feel like you can walk through any fire."

#lzzy hale #Halestorm #Back From The Dead

[sweetcircuits]

👀 I'm curious to see what you've been working on for the MBK au!

End of the year WIP meme: from the “Hidden Fortress” chapter of MBK. I don’t have much written for this chapter yet, since it’s a little far off in the story, but I wanted to try and get down Amber’s feelings on Chiro going off to the Citadel of Bone to rescue the team!

_

“Gibson,” she said at last, addressing the Monkey who would hopefully be able to convince Chiro that he was out of his mind. “Gibson, you can’t… we’re sending the sacrificial lamb out into the lion’s den!”

Gibson plugged the cable back into the back of the panel. “Yes… that is correct, for all intents and purposes.”

Amber made a distressed noise and scrubbed the heel of her hand into her forehead. “We can’t… we can’t let him…”

Gibson sat back on his heels and looked at her with tired eyes. “Amber, the fact remains that the rest of the team needs to be rescued. And the fact remains that I cannot perform such a dangerous task alone. As much as I would prefer that Chiro remain out of harm’s way, he has since made it quite clear that he is going to head the mission. We tried to hide him already and it did not have the effect we intended.” Gibson shook his head, the corner of his mouth lifting up. “He is going to go whether we want him to or not, and the best that I can do is be by his side.”

Amber’s fists clenched. The blue Monkey was right, as much as she hated to admit it. They couldn’t leave the rest of the team in Skeleton King’s clutches, there was no telling what kind of tortures he was submitting them to. And if anyone was going to be able to rescue the team… it was probably the leader of that team.

*     *     *     *     *     *

Chiro had his pressure suit on and his helmet in his hand. Gibson was running the last minute checks for emergency power. Amber shoved her hands in her pockets and leaned against the wall, watching the two of them. She couldn’t go with them, and deep down in her heart she didn’t want to. As much as she loved her brother and wanted to go with him to help and protect him, she knew it was beyond her ability. It was way too dangerous for her - she was outmatched against Skeleton King’s raw dark magic. And he had the home advantage. She shook her head, dislodging the thought. Chiro was more than capable, and she knew it. He had the skills, the power, the determination, a good plan, everything he needed and more. He could do it. He could, and she had to believe in him.

No matter if it scraped against every big sister instinct she possessed.

#srmthfg #a tiny bit of angst for you! #but as in the show it all works out all right #i did really like exploring amber's overprotective feelings #and at this point she has been told of chiro's destiny and chosen one status #which is why she refers to him the way she does #she's so scared for him! even more than usual now that she knows he's important #wip game #amber rinelli #mbk au #answered asks #anonymous

[warriorteam1924]

As far as the eye can see - Chapter 4

Author note : Hey my beauties !! Here we are eventually for Chapter 4. We had a some little issues last week, thus this little delay, but here we are. I won’t give up on this one, but you know sometimes life happens.... I hope you still enjoy it !! Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate. You know now, English is not my mother tongue, sorry for the mistakes. A huge thanks to my beta reader, @thosequeenboys, a big thanks to @eileen-crys for the help, thank you both for your support. You know it means a lot to me. Love you both so much. Yet, the biggest thanks goes to my sis. Love ya !!!

Summary : Rusper, 1975. Lizbeth’s life is going to change and new challenges are coming to her.

 Word Count: 3,232 words

 Warnings: certainly still some mistakes, a tiny bit of cussing, but nothing too bad, hopefully.... ^^

 Permanent taglist : @anotheronebitesthedick, @reavenedges-lies, @thosequeenboys, @orionis8689, @roger-taylors-car​, @queenlover05​ (sorry if I got it wrong and you didn’t want to be tagged hun, if so let me know ^^)

 If you wanna catch up, it’s here : (X)

Dedicated to my babies 💖💜

Chapter 4

 Lizbeth was not the kind of person to be rude and to listen to a conversation in which  she had not been invited to participate. At the orphanage, the tutors and the teachers taught  her good manners. Back then, when she was still a young girl, if they found out someone listened  to a conversation on purpose, there would be a severe punishment. One time had been enough for Lizbeth to remember this lesson.

Being blind had allowed her to develop her capacity to hear very well. As a result, she sometimes would hear something she was not supposed to know. It was not like she wanted to listen, she merely could not help it. Maybe it was just like deaf people being able to read lips and it would become a habit, something they would do  without even realizing it. Blind people would hear many things even if they were not supposed to. Lizbeth had once ruined a surprise birthday party, revealing the secret when everyone in the know was supposed to be quiet about it. When thinking about it, she would still feel really guilty about this incident.

Lizbeth was still standing at the door of the main entrance of Ridge Farm. Rusper was a very typical English village, and it often rained, like it was this very day. She had left her umbrella at home since she had been rushing to make sure she would not be late for this appointment. Thus, waiting outside while the men on the other side of the door were apparently having an argument, she was already soaking wet. And she was getting quite cold.

She knocked again on the door, trying to remind them of her presence.

“I’m really sorry, but it’s still heavily raining out there and I’m already soaking wet. And let me tell you I can hear everything you’re saying”, she let them know.

She heard the door open again and felt a hand on her wrist, guiding her inside.

“Thank you.”, she said, trying not to move too much to avoid spreading water all over the floor.

“Look at this poor lamb.... I'm gonna get you a towel, sweetheart.”, Brian said as he headed to the bathroom, rushing upstairs.

“Thank you.”, Lizbeth said again, shivering. She was freezing cold. John carefully came closer to her and gently said :

“I'm John Deacon. I'm the one who made arrangements with Mister Gibson. Nice to meet you.”

“I'm Lizbeth. My pleasure, Mister Deacon.”, the young woman replied, putting her right hand in the mid air. Deaky smiled and they politely shook hands.

Freddie heard Brian come back with two big, soft towels, so he approached the woman as well.

“I'm Freddie Mercury.”, he introduced himself, taking Lizbeth's hand to gently kiss it, making her blush a little. “May I take your coat? I will make sure to hang it. It needs to dry now....”

“Thank you, Mister Mercury. That’s very nice of you.”, Lizbeth replied, as she took her coat off and handed it to him. Freddie nodded and he headed to the bathroom to hang her dripping cloth above the bathtub.

“Here we are, sweetheart.”, Brian handed her a towel but Lizbeth did not move, obviously not seeing what he was showing her. The guitarist frowned, slightly surprised.

Trying to be very quiet, John taped on his shoulder, trying to catch his attention. Brian looked at him and the bassist put his hands on his eyes, making Brian read his lips 'she is blind.'The tall man seemed surprised, but nodded, now understanding what was happening.

“I'm Brian May. Do you mind if I help you, Miss?”, he gently proposed.

“Thank you, Mister May. I really appreciate it,.”, she replied as Brian put a towel on her shoulders. Lizbeth took it and tried to get a little bit drier, putting the tips of her dripping hair inside the towel.

Roger was staring at her, unable to move. He did not know what to do. With young gals, he usually was very confident, already using his charms when he opened his mouth for the first time. But something was different with Lizbeth. He could not explain it but he was somehow impressed. It was as if she had some kind of immunity, allowing her not to be under his spell. This was new to Roger and he clearly had no idea how to proceed.

There was also obviously the fact that Lizbeth was the young woman he had pushed, twice, earlier in the café. He was no longer sure of anything.  What would happen if she actually recognized him? The drummer suddenly rolled his eyes at his own thoughts. How could she recognize him? She was blind. He was clearly worrying too much.

Freddie came back, letting the guest know her coat was properly hung and was drying. Lizbeth thanked him again and Brian proposed a hot beverage to make sure she would not catch a cold.

“I wouldn't mind a cup of tea, thank you.”, she replied, nodding. “But excuse me, I think I've heard they were four of you....?”, she carried on, suggesting she had not met the fourth member of the band.

The three men looked at Roger, who was still standing by the door. Not wanting to appear rude or even more suspicious, he stepped towards Lizbeth, kindly took her hand and shook it, introducing himself as well.

“I'm Roger Taylor. Welcome to Ridge Farm.”, he eventually said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mister Taylor.”, Lizbeth told him, trying to sound very casual.

‘So this is why he didn’t want to open the door’, she thought to herself, still kindly smiling to the young man. ‘I’m surely blind, but once I’ve heard a voice, I’m not likely to forget it.’

‘It seems she does not recognize me.’, Roger reckoned, visibly relieved thus firmly shaking the young woman’s hand. ‘Good for you Rog. Very good for you Rog.’, he congratulated himself.

‘Okay, Lizbeth. You know this jerk pushed you in the café. Twice. But Mister Gibson really needs you on this one. He’s been such a good boss, you can’t let him down now. It was an accident after all. Come on, let’s move on and carry on the day.’, Lizbeth tried to convince herself. She wanted to tell the drummer she had obviously recognized him, just to hear his reaction and how his band mates would react. But she was aware it would lead nowhere and might turn the situation unpleasant, or worse. She had to move on and pretend nothing had happened.

Brian looked at the two of them, suspecting something. Yet, as Lizbeth and Roger were politely shaking hands. Both were really convincing in pretending they were actually meeting for the first time, he tried to bring them back to reality.

“Tea it is then. Rog, would you mind helping Mrs ....?”, he stopped his sentence for Lizbeth to give her last name.

“Lizbeth is fine, thank you Mister May.”, she politely replied, trying to face him.

“Very well. Rog, would you mind helping Lizbeth to the kitchen, please?”, the guitarist gently asked him.

The drummer tried not to look daggers at him, making sure his band mates would still think the situation was normal.

“Sure.”, he casually said, shrugging.

He very gently took Lizbeth’s arm and guided her to the kitchen and ensuring  she would know where to sit.

After Brian  served tea, there was a very awkward silence.  The musicians quietly sipped their beverages, staring at the blind woman. Freddie started the conversation.

“So, John. Why did you bring Lizbeth to Ridge Farm?”, he asked.

“Well. I’ve told you. She’s my teacher.”, John smiled at him.

“You’ve studied electrical engineering, you’re a bass player, you’re Queen’s bassist but you need a teacher....?”, the lead singer questioned him.

“To compose songs, I need to learn the piano. Lizbeth will be my teacher. She’s been highly recommended by….”, the bassist announced, making the blind woman blush.

“What??”, Freddie was clearly shocked.

The three other men stared at him in surprise.

“Deaky’s got a point here, Fred. Learning the piano will surely help him to be a better, and hopefully faster, songwriter. I do know the instrument myself, a little....”, Brian hastily added before anyone could interrupt him, “and I have to admit it’s very helpful.”

“I totally agree on the piano thing, darling. I’m just surprised Deaky didn’t come to me to learn. I mean I know how to play the piano as well. It’s a waste of money.”, Freddie elaborated. . “No offense to you, Lizbeth.”, he carried on, gesturing his hands above the table, turning his head a little. The singer was quite offended.

“Fred, don’t be mad. You say it’s a waste of money, but let me tell you the price is very reasonable.”, Deaky tried to reassure him. He turned to Lizbeth who cleared her throat to speak:

“If I may, Mister Mercury. Perhaps see things this way. Mister Deacon needs lessons and the four of you have to record an album, right? Teaching him the piano instead of composing and playing your other instruments and recording will not only be a waste of your time, but also a waste of money. Invest in me and I can assure you Mister Deacon will be able to write a song, not only for this album, but also for the following records that might happen.”. She tried to sound very professional and wise.

John looked at her and smiled. He could not be happier with his choice. He had known the woman for less than an hour and he already liked her. She had been very polite and very determined in her tone. Even Freddie seemed to be thinking about her words.

“She’s right, Fred.”, Brian told him, very gently.

“And you know your patience is quite limited regarding those things.”, John tried to joke. “I think it’s better for you compose and create and leave the teaching to those who are tempered enough not to throw the piano at me if I mistake the notes.”, he laughed.

Roger and Brian laughed as well, and Freddie looked at them, pretending to be upset.

“See, Lizbeth.... This is how I’m treated in this band.”, the singer tried to let the others know all was fine for him. “Alright, alright. Let’s see if Lizbeth can do wonders with you.”, he told his band mate. “This is going to be a real challenge for you, darling.”, he added to the blind woman.

“A challenge I’m willing to take up, Mister Mercury.”, she smiled and nodded.

“What about a little demo, then?”.  The tone was challenging.

Freddie, Brian and John looked at Roger, who was also surprised by his own sharp remark.

“I mean, we have a piano here. I’d love to hear Lizbeth’s talent.”, he added, trying to sound interested in the way she would play.

“Why not?”, she said. Lizbeth was not impressed at all. She had been playing the piano for so many years.

“Let’s go then.”, Rog’s sudden enthusiasm for the piano made Deaky frown at him. Yet, he tried not to be rude to Lizbeth and proposed to guide her to the instrument in the other room. She politely nodded and gently took his arm.

Ridge Farm was quite a large place, with many rooms. There were the ordinary bedrooms, kitchen, living room, and bathrooms, but there also was a relaxation lounge with a pool table, as well as recording rooms, what seemed to be storage rooms, full of instruments and equipment, and rooms with sofas to cozily write songs. There also was a huge garden with a nice green lawn, a tennis court and a swimming pool. Yet, Lizbeth tried to focus on her steps and on where the bassist was leading her, making sure to remember her way. The room with the piano would be her second work place after all.

“I don’t want to interrupt this procession, but I think I have not been introduced to this charming lady.”, Lizbeth heard a quite unpleasant voice behind them.

They all stopped and turned to face the man who had spoken.

“Oh, sorry, Paul. This is Lizbeth. She’s going to be teaching the piano, here.”, Freddie told him, smiling. “Lizbeth, this is Paul Prenter, our.... assistant.”, the singer said after a pause.

“A pleasure to meet you, Mister Prenter.”, the young woman smiled and offered her hand, even if John was still firmly holding her, maybe fearing she might get lost.

“Why haven’t I been informed of this?”. Paul’s voice sounded bitter as he shook her hand. “I would have taken arrangements and cleaned a bedroom for the young lady.”, he added.

“It’s  fine, Mister Prenter. I won’t be here all the time. I’ll just be giving Mister Deacon his lessons and then, I won’t be annoying or distracting the band.”, Lizbeth replied, “Very well, then.”, Paul said after a pause.

“And if we need you, we know we can always whistle.”, Rog said and laughed at his own joke. Lizbeth could not see the glares between the two men, but she could clearly feel the atmosphere was really tense.

“Shall we?”, Brian interrupted everyone, trying to make them focus again on why they were all heading to the other room.

Everyone nodded and they all carried on walking, quite slowly, even in Lizbeth’s point of view. John guided her to the piano, where she sat and placed her hands on the instrument, enjoying the familiarity of the keyboard. The four men gathered around her and stared at her in silence.

She thought about her next move for a few seconds. She was hired by John Deacon. Mister Gibson had already made  arrangements. Yet, she wanted to impress them. Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart. All those pianists were great, and she knew many of their symphonies. There was also Liszt. There was one thing she particularly enjoyed playing. For herself and for the audience as well. Something she considered to be a masterpiece. A rhapsody she had been practicing for months before being eventually able to present it in front of a jury. She smiled as she recalled she wanted to come back to the orphanage with the first prize from the competition or nothing. One of her very first challenges.

This was an Hungarian Rhapsody.

Lizbeth took a deep breath and relaxed her muscles, placing her feet on the pedals and her hands on the keys. She suddenly appeared taller and her face was not exactly the same either. She seemed more at ease. Entering into her own world. A world of music and notes. Her world.

She began to play and the four band mates stared at her in silence. They were mesmerized by the motions of her fingers, her arms crossing above the keyboard from time to time. The rhythm getting suddenly faster and then slower again, Freddie almost forgot to breathe. Music at its best. What a pleasant, wonderful feeling. Sure, it was not the kind of music Queen would be producing, but it was very inspiring.

Brian was also very impressed. He was not ashamed to say he was now a very good guitarist, the audience quietly listening to his solos during the gigs. He had learned a little bit of the piano, but he could not help but be amazed. The young woman playing before him was about his age, and she had such a dexterity. It was as if the music was no longer coming from the piano but from her fingers.

John suddenly felt anxious. He was a good bassist. He had performed  gigs all around the world. He was now married with a kid. He was ready to face many challenges for his new family, trying to be a responsible husband and father despite his rock star lifestyle. But was learning the piano something he would be able to do? Was he going to be good enough to be able to write a song? A good song?

Roger on the other hand was speechless. He was staring at Lizbeth and could not help but think the young woman playing the piano right now was the same he had pushed, twice, that morning. That morning, she had seemed dull, almost transparent. Now, she was standing straight in front of her instrument, the small of her back being suddenly attractive with her hair waving above it. He suddenly realized he was blinking like an idiot and shook his head to clear his thoughts.

The song came to an end and Lizbeth was satisfied. She obviously could not see the four men, but she had the feeling she had made a very good impression. When they realized she was no longer playing, they politely and generously applauded.

“I must say Lizbeth, this was very impressive.”, John said, trying to hide his sudden stress.

“Thank you very much, Mister Deacon. But don’t you worry, this song is very difficult. We’ll begin with much easier things for you.”, she nodded. “And I’m sure one day, you will of course, you’ll be able to play this very rhapsody.”

“Oh, this is a rhapsody, then.”, Freddie interrupted her.

“Yes, Mister Mercury. An Hungarian Rhapsody, by Franz Liszt.”, she quietly replied.

“Very interesting….”, the lead singer seemed suddenly lost in his own thoughts. “If you’ll  excuse me....”, he said before leaving the room, rushing to his notebook.

“I’m very sorry to interrupt, but Brian there is someone for you on the phone. John, I’d like to see you regarding.... finances.”, Paul entered the room without knocking.

“Excuse us.”, John politely said, as he and Brian stepped towards the door.

Lizbeth stood there, not knowing what to do, since she was a guest. Roger was still staring at her, not knowing what to say. He cleared his throat, passing his hand through his blond hair.

“Eghh.... I don’t want to kick you out or something but I think John’s going to spend his afternoon with Prenter, so if you want me to .... I mean, maybe you need a ride home?”, the drummer suggested.

“This would be very nice of you, thank you Mister Taylor. But there is something else you could do for me.”, Lizbeth replied, trying to face him.

Roger suddenly felt very ill-at-ease. Had she been waiting for them to be alone to tell him about his behavior that morning? He felt his cheeks redden.

“Yes?”, he casually replied.

“I’m sorry to say, I’m not sure I’m familiar with your music. I mean Queen music. Would it be possible to have some of your records?  I’ll quietly listen at home this afternoon and tomorrow I’ll bring them back to you of course.”, she added.

“Oh. Sure, sure no problem. Just wait for me here, I’ll be  back in a minute.”, Roger said, sounding  relieved.

He rushed to gather her belongings and Queen’s  first three albums. He came back, heavily breathing, making her smile when she heard his panting.

“Everything is ready. Let’s go?”, he awkwardly proposed.

“Thank you, Mister Taylor.”, she replied, offering her hand for him to guide her.

They headed to his car and he helped her in. Even if driving with a young gal next to him was one of his favorite hobbies, this ride was the most silent and uncomfortable one Roger Taylor had ever had in his life.

#warriorteam1924 writes #as far as the eye can see #AFATECS chapter 4 #queen #queen band #freddie mercury #John Deacon #roger taylor #brian may #queen x ofc #freddie mercury x ofc #john deacon x ofc #roger taylor x ofc #brian may x ofc #queen fic #queen fanfic #queen imagine #queen fanfiction

[ferylcheryl]

I am actually way more excited about writing Hickey and Gibson than I expected.

“What business takes you to Irewood?” Billy asks, looking into the luminous face of the stranger. It is the time of afternoon when everything blazes with a light so fierce it seems the world is illuminated from within, the young flowers like cups bearing flame. There’s a purity to how the sun falls on all things, a cleansing chill to the air. Does one wear one’s coat or take it off? For the moment Billy leaves it on, for when the breeze picks up the air flashes nervily cold. Heaped pewter clouds skate across the western horizon.

“Not business,” Cornelius Hickey grins crookedly. “Pleasure.” His arm brushes the back of Billy’s hand as he speaks; his eyes dance. “Tell me, Billy, that your father back there?”

“Bridgens? No—my employer only.”

Cornelius nods. The breeze has drawn his blood to his cheeks: it’s lovely. He’s lovely, Billy thinks distantly, but with no real agenda. To work an agenda calls for hope, something Billy doesn’t quite manage. But God, does he want this small, sharp, glittering thing. He would go to his hands and knees right here for him if only he would ask, right in front of the church and the little heap of stones in the yard. The crosses and the lambs and the chipped obelisks. Let the dead see, and the living too—old parson Franklin with his face like a tarnished spoon, Bridgens so fretful and prudish as though he did not share his bed with a lad more than half his age. “Truly,” Billy adds with a soft grin, eyes downcast. “There is no other connection between us.”

“Good,” Cornelius beams, letting his fingers alight ever so briefly on Billy’s delicate wrist. (They burn like a brand.) “That’s what I was hoping to hear.”

He doesn’t ask, in the end. He thrusts Billy against the splintered wood of the abandoned barn at the edge of the village and takes. It’s as though he’s peered into Billy, felt out the hulking shape of his heart with his long and elegant fingers; as though he’s scried in the cringing, gentle rhythm of his glances and body language the kind of loving Billy craves. And it is not, strictly speaking, loving at all. When Billy returns to the inn after one minute shy of an hour, his left cheek is scraped raw from the dirt floor of the barn and bite marks garland the base of his neck.

“You’ll wear your coat until these heal,” Bridgens says to him, his voice soft with worry. “And tell anyone who asks, you were in a fight.” Billy nods, but his eyes have a dreamy cast about them, and the line of his mouth—normally a fretful half-pout—wears a voluptuous looseness. Ravished. And all night he glows, as though illuminated from within. As though gilded.

[freakscircus]

♡ summer reading list! ♡

i recommend these books if you’re going away or if you’re looking for something to read over the summer. they go from most to least approachable, and the ones closer to the top i recommend for if you haven’t read for a while and would like to get back into it! books with an asterisk beside them are extremely long and will probably take a whole summer to finish. i apologize if some of these synopses are a little off, some of these books i have not read for a while.

flowers in the attic - V.C. andrews           after the death of their father, a group of young children are whisked away to their grandparents mansion in virginia so that their mother can win back the favor of her wealthy father after being disinherited. however, because the children were a product of incest, they must hide in the attic and pretend they do not exist until their mother can convince her hyper-religious family to accept children that they see as a product of sin. beautiful and bizarre, my personal favorite on this list. carrie - stephen king           a story about a girl who is ruthlessly bullied at school, and psychologically abused by an extremely religious mother at home. however, when she discovers she has psychic powers, the tables begin to turn. to kill a mockingbird - harper lee           a quintessential southern gothic book about a young girl in a small, poor southern town during the great depression. she is forced to lose her innocence and see her neighbors and friends in a new light when her father chooses to defend an innocent black man against the accusations of a white woman. dolores claiborne - stephen king           a woman accused of killing her husband recalls the events that led her to do it. silence of the lambs - thomas harris           a young FBI investigator must work with notorious serial killer dr. hannibal lecter in order to find out the identity and location of an uncaught serial killer who is becoming more dangerous as time passes it - stephen king*           a group of children must face their own personal demons as a monster manifesting itself as a clown terrorizes the small town of derry, maine. a personal favorite of mine and a very intense reading experience like no other. recommended especially for summer, as summer is a big theme in the book. the stand - stephen king*           the world as we know it has ended because of a superflu that has wiped out 99% of the world’s population. the survivors must rebuild, but are challenged by a separate group of survivors who aim to destroy what’s left of the world. gabriela, clove and cinnamon - jorge amado           this might be slightly niche. i love it because amado is a classic brazilian author, and i am a latin americanist who loves the themes of “progress” and the changing face of small town latin america in the face of modernization. a story of the effects of a cash crop (cacao) told alongside the story of a romance between the owner of a bar in said town, and his cook who hails from the seemingly “backwards” interior of brazil. neuromancer - william gibson           also slightly niche. arguably one of the books that defined cyberpunk, along with do androids dream of electric sheep? the story of a cyber hacker in the future who is drafted as a mercenary for a mysterious wealthy employer.

[aliveandfullofjoy]

Oscar Predictions 2019: Pre-Fall Festivals

oh shiiiiiiiiit

So I usually post my first predictions of the year around August, and I was actually curious as to what my success rate has been, because at this point, everything is conjecture. So just real quick, for whoever cares:

August 2018: 6/8 in Best Picture (missed Green Book and Bohemian Rhapsody, LMAO); 4/5 in Director (missed Pawlikowski); 14/20 in acting categories -- so surprisingly not bad!

September 2017: 7/9 in Best Picture (missed Lady Bird and Phantom Thread); 2/5 in Director (missed Gerwig, Peele, and Anderson); 12/20 in acting categories 

July 2016: 5/9 in Best Picture (missed Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures, and Lion); 2/5 in Director (missed Jenkins, Lonergan, and Gibson); 8/20 (WHOOO) in acting categories -- this year was rough, clearly.

August 2015: 1/9 in Best Picture (Jesus Christ, I literally only had The Revenant); 1/5 in Director (missed everyone but Iñarritu); 8/20 in acting categories -- BRUTAL

So chances are, most of these will be a bit wrong. But it’s still fun to try!

* All nominees listed in alphabetical order, NOT in order of likelihood *

BEST PICTURE 01. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood  02. The Farewell 03. Harriet  04. The Irishman  05. Jojo Rabbit  06. Little Women  07. Marriage Story  08. 1917  09. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood  10. Parasite 

I know, I know, ten nominees never happen in Best Picture anymore, but truthfully, I can’t decide what movies to drop. Harriet and Beautiful Day feel like they’re in similar boats, in that they’ll probably make good money (at worst) and get good-not-great reviews (at best) and could potentially make a play for an acting winner (Erivo and Hanks, respectively). The Farewell could end up being A24′s easiest push this year, especially since reviews are glowing and it’s doing really well commercially (and the narrative of being the first ever Best Picture nominee directed by an Asian-American woman is pretty strong). Little Women could be the #MovieEvent of the holiday season. Parasite is a wildcard, but I’m banking on Hollywood’s deep love for Bong Joon-ho (which is very real) and the film’s absolutely insane word-of-mouth potential. 

As for a winner: maybe Marriage Story? It seems like Netflix is gonna go all in on it this year, and both of its leads are potential winners in their categories. Maybe we have our first Big 5 winner since Silence of the Lambs. 

BEST DIRECTOR 01. Noah Baumbach, Marriage Story  02. Bong Joon-ho, Parasite  03. Martin Scorsese, The Irishman  04. Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood  05. Lulu Wang, The Farewell 

Kind of going all-in on The Farewell and Parasite here, only because the next two contenders I can see breaking in are films that I’m not entirely sure about: Jojo Rabbit (Taika Waititi) and 1917 (Sam Mendes). Waititi has never had a film in the Oscar race before, but this could absolutely be his ticket, and considering he’s Fox Searchlight’s main priority, that bodes well. I’m not sure about if Mendes will feel like Dunkirk redux, but word on the street is that the direction is super flashy and made to look like one shot. 

Wang and Bong are, again, wildcards. Not certain Tarantino will last until awards season. Scorsese and Baumbach are only out if the movies are absolute bombs. 

BEST ACTRESS 01. Awkwafina, The Farewell 02. Cynthia Erivo, Harriet  03. Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story  04. Saoirse Ronan, Little Women  05. Renée Zellweger, Judy 

Weird year for this category! I can absolutely see a scenario in which Erivo sweeps, but if Marriage Story takes off (and especially if Harriet ends up being an acting-only movie), I wouldn’t count out ScarJo. Not sure anymore about Awkwafina contending for the win. Ronan should be filler. Zellweger gets a “welcome back!” nomination for a movie with a yellow Metacritic score. 

BEST ACTOR 01. Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory  02. Robert De Niro, The Irishman  03. Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood  04. Adam Driver, Marriage Story  05. Joaquin Phoenix, Joker 

Yeah, I have no idea what to do about Joker. I personally don’t care about it right now, but it seems unwise to write it off. Banderas is a bit of wishful thinking, mostly because he’s never been nominated before and I’d love to have another Almodóvar movie at the Oscars, in whatever capacity. No clue who wins this thing -- Driver if Marriage Story is the real deal?

Next in line: Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 01. Laura Dern, Marriage Story  02. Scarlett Johansson, Jojo Rabbit  03. Margot Robbie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood  04. Meryl Streep, The Laundromat  05. Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell 

Alright, I know Zhao isn’t gonna happen, but this category is weird right now, so let a fella dream! Really not sure what to do about Streep or The Laundromat, but it’s generally a bad idea to count her out when she has a movie in eligibility. If Erivo wins in leading, Johansson could win here, especially if Jojo takes off as a top BP contender. 

Next in line: like?? Florence Pugh, Little Women; Octavia Spencer, Luce; Annette Bening, The Report; Janelle Monaé, Harriet; Anna Paquin, The Irishman ????? I have no idea, lmao. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 01. Willem Dafoe, The Lighthouse  02. Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood  03. Al Pacino, The Irishman  04. Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood  05. Taika Waititi, Jojo Rabbit 

I don’t expect the Academy across the board to embrace The Lighthouse, but Dafoe has spent the last two years being the only nominee from his movies (and last year was a pretty big surprise), so I kind of see a scenario where he could actually end up winning, especially if Hanks gets snubbed (again) and Hollywood loses steam. I’m not gonna bet on that though, lol. 

And just for fun:

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY 01. The Farewell  02. The Lighthouse  03. Marriage Story  04. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood  05. Parasite 

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPALY  01. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood  02. The Irishman  03. Jojo Rabbit  04. The Laundromat  05. Little Women 

#no1curr #oscah talk 2020

[less-than-triggery]

   WELCOME to my VERY UNOFFICIAL, ACTUALLY SPOOPY

        INKTOBER PROMPTS

   FOR THE MONTH OF HALLOWEEN 2019

Take the iconic horror movie character and render them in an art style you choose from the Style Cloud!  When an iconic monster has a group (such as Lost Boys), you can choose your fave.  When there are multiple movie depictions, you can choose your fave.

01  Jason Voorhees - Friday the 13th

02  Nosferatu - Nosferatu

03  Carrie White - Carrie

04  Beetlejuice - Beetlejuice - Beetlejuice

05  Jigsaw - Saw

06  Chucky - Child's Play

07  Godzilla - Godzilla

08  The Children - Village of the Damned

09  Pennywise - It

10  The Tethered - Us

11  Freddy Krueger - Nightmare on Elm Street

12  Erik - The Phantom of the Opera

13  Candyman - Candyman - Candyman - Candyman - Candyman

14  The Saeki Family - Ju-on

15  Michael Myers - Halloween

16  The Wolfman - The Wolfman

17  The Xenomorph - Alien

18  Pinhead - Hellraiser

19  The Nun - The Conjuring 2

20  Ghostface - Scream

21  The Creature from the Black Lagoon

22  Audrey II - Little Shop of Horrors

23  The Lost Boys - The Lost Boys

24  Gorilla Wolf Mofos - Attack the Block

25  Leatherface - Texas Chainsaw Massacre

26  The Mummy - The Mummy

27  Regan MacNeil - The Exorcist

28  Hannibal Lecter - Silence of the Lambs

29  Bride of Frankenstein - Bride of Frankenstein

30  Frankenstein's Monster - Frankenstein

31  Dracula - Dracula

    the Style Cloud

When a certain artist is named, they are just a stand-in for their style or spirit.  You can make take Kazuo Umezzu for Junji Ito, Lucian Freud for Egon Schiele.  Some categories are inclusive enough, you could range Hannah Barbera from Scooby Doo to the Flintstones.  Or choose a style not on the list.

Ghanaian Poster Art    Urban Art    Rap CD Art    Outsider Art    Looney Tunes    Rococo    Roman Dirge    Robert Crumb    Hernandez Brothers    Daniel Clowes    Saul Bass    Gibson Girl    Winsor McCay    Popeye    Stoner Art    Hanna Barbera    Caricaturist    Tumblrized    Furry Art    Disney Art    Mascot    Pee-Chee    Harry Clarke    Dictionnaire Infernal    John Tenniel    Struwwelpeter    Klasky Csupo    Max Fleischer    Spongebob Squarepants    Tim Burton    Batman: The Animated Series    Cartoon Network    Stevens Universe     Rage Comics    Egon Schiele    Surrealism    Chuck Tingle Cover    Romance Novel Cover    Jack Kirby    Rob Liefeld    Garfield    Strip Comics    The Far Side    Sailor Moon    Pokemon    Alfonse Mucha    Yoshitaka Amano    Cave Art    GrecoRoman Statuary    Faerie Art    Pop Art    Kitsch    Cubism    Mannerism    Impressionism    German Expressionism    Americana    Hieroglyphics    Ukiyo-e    Hindu Art    Mesoamerican Art     Paracas Art     Bayeux Tapestry    Illuminated    Saint Art    High Renaissance    Noir Comics     Dr. Seuss    Little Golden Book    Patrick Nagel    Lisa Frank    Airbrushed Van    Goosebumps Cover    Jack Chick    Audrey Kawasaki    Junko Mizuno    Junji Ito    Keith Haring    Louis Wain    James Audubon    Mad Magazine    Rumiko Takahashi    Nintendo    Castlevania    Joshua Timbrook    Jhonen Vasquez

#inktober 2019 #rebellion #give me the true spirit of halloween #or fuck off

[writingdotcoffee]

#87: A Walk From the Library

The traffic is heavy at Midland Road when I saunter out of the large iron gate at the back of British Library and join the small crowd at the junction, waiting for the green man. The tube station is around the corner. I could catch a train and be home in 45 minutes. But today, I go straight past it and head into the quiet side streets of Bloomsbury. I’m going for a walk.

After several miserably cold and rainy April days, the weather is finally turning for the better. It’s almost 8 p.m. The sun is about to set, imbuing the pale blue sky with a gradient of orange and red. The trees have sprung fledgeling leaves that will soon fill their majestic crowns. A young couple, probably students from the nearby UCL campus, walks past, holding hands, talking animatedly about their day.

At Judd Street, a barista flips a sign on the door of a cafe from open to closed and carries a blackboard sign with the day’s specials inside to be updated for tomorrow. Chairs are upturned on the tables inside the bistro next door which closed an hour ago. The city is slowly winding down.

My route takes me under a row of tall planes along the grey slab of concrete that is the fashionable Brunswick Centre. Amongst the townhouses of Bloomsbury, the shopping centre looks as if an alien ship landed in the middle of Victorian London. There goes an idea for a story.

I turn into a narrow passage which leads straight to Queens Square Gardens and lets me avoid the crowds at Russell Square. Then I round the corner into Great Ormond Street and carry on past the ubiquitous cast iron railings that set apart the pits of lower ground floor flats.

My mind is tired, and as I go, I let it wander wherever it pleases. I’m not in a rush. I’ve done my work for the day, and the leisurely walk with the sun setting behind my back is my reward. Sometimes, I listen to music or podcasts. Sometimes, I ponder ideas for stories or brainstorm new ones. Lately, walking from the library has been one of my favourite things to do.

The last golden reflections disappear from the windows on the highest floors. The sun has set, the sky becoming deeper, darker blue. The street lamps come on shortly and flood the pavements with yellow in perfect synchrony.

Lively conversation seems to be going on inside The Perseverance at the corner of Lambs Conduit Street. I don’t particularly fancy a drink today, so I head on. A runner overtakes me in Northington Street which is closed for traffic because of construction, but that’s really all that’s going on around this neighbourhood.

It fascinates me how, if you take the right turns, walking through the centre of one of Europe’s largest cities can be almost as serene as walking down a meadow. Tens of thousands of shoppers may be streaming down Oxford Street while you watch squirrels eating acorns in a deserted park two blocks away.

Somewhere in the distance, a faint howling starts. It’s not the police or paramedics, but it does sound urgent. I keep going, and it becomes significantly louder until it’s clear that it’s coming from a restaurant down the road which appears to be closed for the night. When I walk past the front door, I see a man outside with a backpack on, talking on the phone in distressed Italian. He’s the last man out, probably did all the cleaning, and they didn’t show him how to arm the alarm properly. Poor guy.

At Chancery Lane Station, where Grays Inn Road meets Holborn, the brindle-brick Georgian terraces with large sash windows become concrete and glass office blocks with cavernous lobbies made of polished marble and beeping security gates. Mainstream food chains replace the cosy independent cafes of Bloomsbury that wouldn’t be able to accommodate the throngs of office workers from the nearby high-rises during the lunch hour rush.

Soon, I’m walking past the sombre Old Bailey where Charles Darnay was tried for treason in Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. Further down the road, the majestic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral looms above the glass facades of modern office spaces.

From there, I venture down Cheapside—a thoroughfare with boutiques on either side, selling suits and shirts to bankers. I imagine it’s anything but cheap. There’s a branch of Daunt Books across the street which I remind myself to check out every time I pass by and always forget. The buildings grow higher and flashier again. I’m in the skyscraper area where the lobbies are even larger with stone-faced security guards and a couple of automatic revolving door. When someone rents an office up on the highest floor, they clearly mean business. The views must be incredible.

Several new buildings are under construction around here at any given time with huge cranes towering above them. The sound of grinding and hammering echoes along the backstreets. Although it’s dark and getting late, the builders will be working until dawn, and the workers sweep in like high tide once again.

I've been walking over an hour now. At Old Broad Street, I take my final turn towards Liverpool Street Station. I saunter across the pleasantly quiet concourse and make my way to the platform to catch a train home.

Inside the carriage, people watch Netflix on their phones and scroll down their bottomless Instagram feeds. Even though my eyes are closing, I’m on my phone too, typing up the first draft of this story, hoping that one day, I’ll be able to look back at all the work I’ve done today and see it one of the thousands little stepping stones that eventually led to something bigger.

Hope is all I’ve got.

What I Am Reading

I’m near the end of Amy E. Weldon’s The Writer’s Eye. The author, who is a Professor of English at Luther College, touches on a range of topics including observation, descriptive writing, drafting and editing. There’s the occasional tangent, but nothing prohibitive. Overall, it felt quite advanced, and I would only recommend it to writers with some experience to get the most out of it.

On the side, I’m also reading a collection of short stories by William Gibson called Burning Chrome. The cover is freaking me out a little bit, but the stories are great.

To be honest, I’m not even sure what I’ll be reading next. I have several candidates on my desk and will pick one at random. I’ll let you know next week.

Short Stories

I read these short stories this week:

Eleanor by Chuck Palahniuk

The Gernsback Continuum by William Gibson

Fragments of a Hologram Rose by William Gibson

How monkey got married, bought a house, and found happiness in Orlando by Chuck Palahniuk

The Belonging Kind by John Shirley and William Gibson

The Hinterlands by William Gibson

Red Star, Winter Orbit by Bruce Sterling and William Gibson

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Past Editions

#86: The Person Behind the Story, April 2019

#85: Airplane Mode as a Way of Life, April 2019

#84: It’s an Excavation, March 2019

#83: The Bookshop Anxiety, March 2019

#82: On Regularity, March 2019

#writing #writers #write #writing tips #writing advice #writing life #writeblr #amwriting #personal #me #update #writing update #writingcoffee #writingdotcoffee #personal update