#I sometimes wonder what abby's favorite food would be in a world where she was playable | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

yayeetsonny · 4 years

Text

“I’m sorry, What?”~ USWNT x Baby Reader

Prompt: Team finds out Baby R has a girlfriend.

Requested by: @rainbowpants27

I know you requested this ages ago, sorry about the wait!

No ones PRO//

The players on the USWNT were some of the best in the world, there was no doubt about that. On the field they were a force to be reckon with and when doing interviews or press conferences they made sure to maintain a certain degree of professionalism. Off the field and away from flashing cameras and microphones was a different story…

Their fanbase often knows just how crazy they can be and they often exhibit “crackhead” behavior. The age range of the team is from 36 to the youngest at 17. When it comes to their young teammates they get extremely protective and sometimes a little nosy. One such example of this was the day they found out their youngest teammate Y/N L/N had a girlfriend that she hid from them for an entire year.

Alyssa PRO//

I was heading down to the bus because we had practice soon and they told all of us to start boarding. When I got there I noticed that almost everyone was there, everyone except the youngest Y/N.

“Hey, guys?”

“Yeah Lys?”

“Where’s Y/N?”

Everyone stopped talking and began looking around for her but when they realized she was no where to be found they started to worry.

“Has anyone seen her today?”

“Yeah, just before I left our room.” Abby said

“Was she okay when you left?” Tierna asked worriedly

“Yeah, she said she’d be down in a sec and to not wait for her.”

“How long ago was that?”

“10 minutes?”

“We have to leave in 5, I’m going to look for her.” I said throwing my stuff on the bus, getting the card to her room and sprinting back into the hotel.

I made it to the floor our rooms were on and used the key card Abby had given me to open the door. When I did I heard Y/N talking quietly to someone, she didn’t seem to know I was there but what I heard her say next had me extremely worried.

“No, I can’t tell the team.”

The was a pause before she spoke again.

“Because they’ll freak out and get all protective.”

Another even longer pause.

“I just… I can’t. I- ”

“Y/N?” I decided to interrupt and make my presence known.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard me and she looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

“I gotta go, sorry!” She rushed out before quickly hanging up on the other person.

“Hey Alyssa! What’s up?”

“I just came up here to see if you were okay since we have to leave in 5 minutes and Abby said you told her you’d be down over 10 minutes ago.”

“Oh, yeah sorry about that. I just had to make a quick phone call.”

“To who?” I asked as we started running to the elevators to get back down to the bus.

“Just a friend.” She said a little too quickly

I Just nodded in acknowledgement as we made it down just in time and got on the bus.

“Jesus, there you guys are. What took so long? We almost left without you.” Alex said from her seat next to Kelley.

“Just got caught up on the phone.” Y/N replied

I could tell she was nervous and so could everyone else, she was avoiding eye contact and fidgeting quite a lot.

“Everything okay?” Christen asked concerned

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Everything is fine.”

We all let it go after that but I knew everyone was still sending worried glances her way. I needed to tell the others about the conversation I overheard and we would need to find a way to get her to tell us what was going on. Normally I would stay out of things and mind my business but when it concerned our youngest player, someone who I considered a little sister to me those rules were null and void. I knew the rest of the team felt the same, the older players even more so.

We got to the practice facility after a short ride and after getting off and going to the locker room to deposit my stuff I went out onto the field and joined the circle of players that had gathered in the middle.

“Are you guys worried about Y/N too or is that just me?” Abby asked

Everyone said that they too were worried and began talking about what could possibly be going on, some imagining some really bad scenarios and others reminding everyone that she was a nervous kid and that whatever it was, was probably not as bad as they were thinking. I had stayed quiet for the most part but finally decided to tell everyone what I heard earlier.

“Guys wait. Okay so before I tell you what I am going to, I need everyone to take a deep breath and let me finish talking before asking questions, okay?”

They all agreed and then I told them about what I overheard her say on the phone.

“And you’re sure she said “I can’t tell the team.”?” Mal asked

“Yes positive.”

“And you absolutely sure she said we’d “Freak out. And get all protective?” She said those exact words?” Alex asked

“Yes, guys I swear that’s word for word what she said to whoever was on the other line.”

“Well now I’m even more concerned.” Tobin said

We all knew that sometimes when something bad was happening or she was in trouble at school she didn’t tell us right away. Her home life wasn’t the greatest so our reasons for concern that she was keeping something from us were understandable.

“Okay, everyone listen up.” Carli said, using her “Captain voice”

“I know you’re all worried, and so am I but we have to let her come to us and we can not… I repeat can. Not. Jump to conclusions. Understood?”

We all agreed and went about our usual practice routines. Y/N emerged for the locker room shortly after Carli finished talking and joined the circle on the field.

“What did I miss, guys?” She said completely oblivious to what we had been talking about.

“Not much kid, just asking anyone if they had seen my shin guards.” Carli said, ruffling her hair.

“Come on, kid, come do some passing drills with me.” Alex said whisking her away.

We continued on through practice and the younger players were goofing around with Y/N when given the chance, she seemed more at ease than before. When we finished and headed back to the hotel we all decided to do a game night in Abby and Y/N’s room.

After much convincing Vlatko and the other coaching staff agreed to let us order pizza and eat other junk foods. “but this counts as your cheat day for this week.” He told us and we agreed that, that was a fair sacrifice to make. We ordered a bunch of pizzas and sent Megan, Becky and Allie on a snack run. When they returned that brought with them everyones favorites, ranging from candy, chocolate and ice cream to different kinds. Of chips and cookies. The hotel staff probably thought we were having a party and regret letting 23 teenagers/childlike adults into their hotel.

We played all of the stereotypical party games such as spin the bottle, truth or dare, never have I ever and so on. We also split into different groups to play cards or board games, making bets on who would win or lose the most and some also took to playing Mario kart and other games on the Nintendo Switch Tobin brought along. All in all it was pretty fun night but I could help but still worry and wonder about Y/N. I noticed that while she was having a lot of fun, she was also spending a significant amount of time looking at her phone, sometimes she would get this really big cheesy grin on her face and other times she would look slightly worried or anxious, it was slightly confusing and I could tell Ali and Ashlyn had caught onto it too.

Things took a turn however when Lindsey noticed Y/N lost in her phone and she snatched it out of her hand.

“Hey! Give that back!”

“Who are you talking to that’s more important than us?”

“No one. Just give me back my phone.”

“No, don’t think I will.” She said while laughing, getting up to run away.

“Lindsey! Give it back!”

Y/N got up and jumped on her back trying to wrestle it out of her hands. At first we thought it was funny but when we saw that Y/N was actually upset we started to try to get them to break it up.

“Guys, stop it!”

“Then tell Lindsey to give me back my phone!”

“I just wanna know who you’re talking to!”

“None of your fucking business Horan!”

Becky, myself, Julie and Tobin all stood in between them as Alex, Christen, Mal and Rose pulled Y/N away and Crystal, Emily, Jessica, and Megan did the same for Lindsey. Everyone else just stood and waited.

“Everyone needs to settle down. Now.” Carli said leaving no room for anyone to argue.

“Okay but she fucking- ”

“Hey watch your mouth.” Alex chided

“No! She took my phone and I want it back.”

“Y/N, calm down. Take a deep breath.” Christen said

She and the others were still holding Y/N back, Alex had a firm grip on her waist so she couldn’t go anywhere and everyone else stood in front of her, trying to block her from seeing Lindsey. Jessica and that group were doing the same on the other side of the room.

“Lindsey, give her back her phone.” I said sternly

“Why? You were the one who told us about her weird phone call and you know she’s been being weird and secretive all day.”

“What are you talking about?” Y/N asked

“Oh, so you weren’t having some super secret phone call earlier with someone?”

“I mean… I wouldn’t say it was “super secretive.” How much of that did you hear Lys?”

“Just the part where you said you “can’t tell the team.” And that we’d “Freak out and get all protective.”

A look of realization took over her face and she slowly pushed her way out of Alex’s grip and passed the group of people to get to Lindsey.

“Please give me my phone. I’ll tell you guys the truth.” She said

Lindsey complied and when Y/N had her phone again she took a deep breath and said

“Okay now before I go any further I want you all to know that I am okay and nothing bad is going on. I promise. I also would appreciate if you waited to ask you questions until after I’m finished talking.”

We all nodded in agreement and she began ti tell us what that phone call was really about.

“Okay, I have a girlfriend. Now you guys didn’t know about it because I hid it from everyone except my really close friend back home and some of my cousins. We’ve been dating for the past year and I said I couldn’t tell you guys because I know you’ll go crazy and want to have the talk with her.”

There was a beat of silence before Kelley was the first to speak.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I have a girlfriend.” she repeated

“Our baby has a girlfriend! Holy shit!”

After her outburst several other people began talking over each other.

“No way! Dude what the heck?”

“How did you guys meet?”

“Did you ever plan to tell us?!”

“Can we see pictures?”

Y/N PRO//

“Okay, Okay! Guys, take it easy. Let her breath.” Alex said coming up to hug me from behind.

“To answer you questions, Yes it’s true. We meet at one of my school soccer games, yes I was planning to tell you eventually and yes you can see pictures.”

“You know, you don’t have to let us in on your relationship just yet. If you’re not ready that’s okay.” Ashyln said

“No, it’s okay. I was talking to my girlfriend today and she was wanting me to finally tell you guys and I knew she was right but I wasn’t sure how and I was nervous because of that. But I’m okay now.”

“Only if you’re sure.”

“I am.”

I ended up telling them everything from the day we met, to how long it took for us to start dating, who kissed who first and everything in between. I felt relieved that they now knew about my relationship and was glad not to have to hide it anymore.

“Can we get a name?” Sonnett asked

“Yeah, who is this lucky lady?” Mal joined in, everyone else following

“Her name is Y/GF/N.”

“Oooo. I love her already.” Julie said giggling.

“The real important question is... how is she in bed?”

“Okay, nope! absolutely not!” Ali said slapping Sonnett upside the head

“What?! Curious minds would like to know.”

“For both your guy’s sake, you better tell me you aren’t having sex yet.” Alex said sternly

I was beet red now and the younger players were laughing at me and teasing me while the older ones looked ready to kill.

“No, no we haven’t had sex.”

Several of them let out big sighs of relief while the others looked disappointed.

“Well, when you do, I want an in detail account of everything.” Sonnet said, dodging another head slap, this time from Julie

“Emily!”

“What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal is, she’s far too young for that.” Alex said pulling me into her and covering my head

“I’m turning 18 next month!” I said indignantly

“Doesn’t matter, you’re still a baby.”

“Well once she’s 18 she’s, technically...”

“No.” All the veterans of the team said at the same time.

“Sorry kid, guess you’ll be a virgin for your whole life.”

“Damn right she will.” Julie said.

“Guyssss” I whined.

“Aw, we’re only kidding kiddo. You’ll only have to a virgin until you’re 30.” Ali said laughing when I pouted at her.

We decided to send a group selfie to her to tell her that the team knew and the text I sent along with it read “Surprise! You have 22 “moms” and sisters dying to meet you! They love you already!”

She responded quickly by saying

“I’ll prepare myself for the talk then haha. Tell them I can’t wait and I hope we meet soon! I love you!”

I spent the rest of the night showing the girls our best (and worst) pictures together, silly videos we took and just overall gushing about my lady. I was a little worried they would ambush her when they met her in person but I also knew that they were all super happy for me and excited to meet the girl I love.

Sorry for any mistakes, mostly unedited.

-N

#uswnt #uswnt imagines #uswnt x reader #alyssa naeher #carli lloyd #christen press #alex morgan #tobin heath #emily sonnett #mal pugh #abby dahlkemper #rose lavelle #megan rapinoe #ashlyn harris #ali krieger

377 notes · View notes

emeto-things · 3 years

Text

You Will Be Okay ❤️

Whatever you’re panicking about right now, know that you will be okay.

You will not be s*.

You are stronger than your emetophobia, and you’re in control of your emotions - even if sometimes it feels like you aren’t.

I’ve dealt with emetophobia for over 13 years, starting at just age 5.

Over the years, I’ve gathered many, many tips and tricks that I would love to share with you :)

Remember, everyone handles their anxiety/emet differently, so don’t be discouraged if any of these techniques don’t work for you, over time, you ultimately end up finding what works for you ❤️

•Videos/Songs/Apps•

1. Anti N* frequency on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/E8Ea159nx2g

I find that really helps.

2. “Emetophobia Panic Attack Help”

https://youtu.be/YtifvkN0U4w

Jona is the sweetest soul and I can’t even count the amount of times I’ve watched this video and felt instantly calmer afterwards. She’s the reason I found this blog! ❤️

3. “Weightless by Marconi Union”

https://youtu.be/5b1BKt_3Ag8

This song has been proven to reduce anxiety, and it really does! This version is 8 ½ hours long with no ads and a dark screen, it’s perfect for bedtime anxiety! But it works during any time of day ❤️

4. The App “Calm”

I always use the “breathing exercises” part of this app, and I find that it always calms my panic and relaxes me. You can do the breathing exercises for free, and you can set the time of how long you want to do them, and repeat as necessary :)

5. Bob Ross

https://youtu.be/HCsCatvigtw

This is just a random video of his, but he has a very calming voice and watching him paint is also very relaxing. I love watching him before I go to sleep to get me in a calm, happy state of mind. There’s tons of full length episodes on YouTube that you can watch of his!

•Food/Drink•

1. Spearmint/mint chewing gum.

I find that mint gum opens my throat when it feels like it’s closing in. Chewing gum is also a distraction from your anxiety, and I find that the mint flavors soothe any stomach discomfort. It also relieves n*! The perfect, easy solution for us emets!

2. Ice cold water

Sipping ice cold water helps bring me back to reality when my anxiety has taken me to another world. It also soothes the stomach, and if you’re sweating as panic sometimes causes, it can help you cool down.

3. Bread

Plain bread is one of my favorite things to have when my emetophobia is high functioning. I feel like it’s really easy on the stomach and coats it - we emets don’t eat as often or as much as most people, and tend to feel empty stomached often. Eating something small such as bread, can really help fill up your stomach without making us more anxious.

•Extra tips & tricks•

1. Ask yourself, “what would make me feel better right now?”

This is so simple, yet so effective. When panicking, it’s so easy and common to forget all the tips you’ve learned and forget what you really need in the moment. Make a conscious effort to ask yourself, “what would make me feel better right now?” It could be a glass of water, talking to someone you trust, going home if you’re out, taking a shower etc. And if for some reason you can’t do what you feel you need to do, choose the second best option that you CAN do. Remember, there is ALWAYS something you can do to feel better, even if it’s small❤️

2. Being alone/being with others

This one is completely up to personal preference. Some find that they’re less anxious when around other people, and some find that they’re less anxious alone.

This ties into the first tip. I personally prefer being alone when I’m anxious, so I always try to find somewhere to step aside, calm myself down and then go back to where I was. But some people feel that the complete opposite helps them, see what works for you! Ask yourself if you’d be more comfortable around others right now, or alone. Or with just one person you trust! - And remember, If you are anxious in a situation where you’re alone and nobody is with you, you WILL be okay. You will make it through. You will not be s*.

And if you are anxious in a situation where you’re around others and have to be, you WILL be okay. You will make it through. You will not be s*.

3. Temperature shock

I find sometimes if I’m sweating with anxiety, a quick change in temperature can really distract me and calm me down. Maybe go outside if it’s cold out, or splash cold water on your face. If you’re cold, try going into a heated room or standing by a fireplace, or wrapping up in a blanket with a heating pad.

3. Heating Pads!!!

I can’t emphasize enough how much heating pads help me. With as much stomach discomfort as us emets have, they’re a miracle worker on stomach aches, stomach discomfort and just about any stomach sensation, the heat of the heating pad really seems to help. Not to mention, it’s great for when you’re shaking and cold from panic, it works for that too!

4. Creating a playlist of calming music to listen to when you’re anxious

I always do this, and it always helps me calm down. I’m planning on making a Spotify playlist to share with you guys, for you to listen to when you’re anxious. But feel free to also make your own! Different music calms different people in different ways :)

5. Talk to a trusted friend or family member

You don’t have to talk to them about the anxiety you’re experiencing - unless of course, you feel that would help you in the moment. Having someone to talk to that you trust can be a real anxiety buster. It’s always good to laugh and have a good time with someone you can truly be yourself around.

I really hope some of these tips can help you guys, and just know that you are never alone in this phobia.

It’s a difficult phobia to endure, but it just shows us how truly strong we are. We are so much stronger than our anxieties, fears, OCDs, depression and any other battle we come across.

Believe in yourself, and try not to beat yourself up over having a panic attack, or having this phobia in general. It’s not something we can control, and we are so much stronger than we even realize.

Your anxiety and emetophobia doesn’t define you. Even with anxiety and emetophobia, you’re still a wonderful, beautiful, strong, brave person who can achieve anything in this world that you put your mind to. Your anxiety only limits you as much as you’ll let it.

You’re deserving of love, family, friends, health and happiness - you are a beautiful human being inside and out and don’t ever let other people, or your own inner anxieties and fears tell you otherwise.

You are not s*. You are perfectly healthy, and you will be okay❤️

Anyone on this blog is here for you and understands you, and we all love and care about you and are so proud of you for the progress you’ve made and are continuing to make. Stay strong, loves! You will be okay❤️

THIS IS AN AWESOME POST! THANK YOU SO MUCH ABBY! - Kaitlyn

21 notes · View notes

sweetestrequiems · 4 years

Text

Out of a Book Headcanons

actually posting these today! i’m really happy with some of these, and feel free to add on to them once you start reading the fic.

. / -. / .--- / --- / -.-- (this is just gonna be a thing i do now and no one can stop me.) (there’s also images for every queen. or rather, who i’m basing appearances/voices off of.)

you may look under the picture for your headcanons (aka the cut!)

Tag List: @watercolored-lemonade

Catherine Parr (Maiya!Parr)

~She swears by coffee. It does not matter if it’s black coffee or flavored, she will drink it. ~When she’s writing for hours on end to not lose her train of thought, she puts on special blue-light filtering glasses to help reduce the strain on her eyes. ~In those moments, Cathy doesn’t really leave her room. If it’s the weekend, and Aragon is home, Aragon will bring her food inside of her room. ~She’s an insomniac, but she tries to sleep every night. If she’s unsuccessful in falling asleep, she’ll curl up in her bed with a book and have soft music on until she dozes off. ~Despite being praised for her writing, Parr doesn’t talk much about her awards. She finds humility to be a much better quality than bragging. ~Catalina is her closest friend. The two met during their university days as dorm mates, and hit it off from there. Despite the different majors, the two found common ground to bond over. ~They are literally inseparable. If Catalina goes out in public, Parr is always with her. ~On her first date with Anne, she barely talks. She’s in such awe that someone so beautiful actually asked her out on a date to begin with. (When they do start dating, Parr loves giving Anne a lot of hugs. She loves the fact her girlfriend enjoys said hugs too. She’s very soft with Anne.)

Catalina de Aragon: (Grace!Aragon)

~Parr’s best friend. Quite literally, the two are always together at some point in the day. ~A high school teacher! She teaches Spanish, and loves all of her kids. Except for when she doesn’t, which is the one day they go rowdy and drive her insane. ~If it weren't for her being home on the weekends, Parr would probably not eat because of her hyperfixation on writing. ~Want a killer paella recipe? Ask Aragon for it. She will give it to you. ~Aragon loves her job. She will always brag about her kids and she will praise them until the end of the time. ~She tends to come home late because of said kids, though. She tutors groups after school to help them and the woman comes home exhausted. ~Part of her will always wonder how Parr is not dead from drinking so much coffee.

Anna of Cleves (Nicole!Cleves)

~Parr’s publicist. She helps Parr coordinate and prepare for press interviews, helps her maintain her social media image, and loads of other things. ~Cleves and Parr met through Parr’s editor, and Cleves immediately loved the positive energy Parr gave off. ~The two originally started with a strictly professional relationship, but grew to be very fond of each other and became friends. This also ended with Cleves meeting Aragon. ~When Parr is about to go on a talk show or something, Cleves always has her back. If she's nervous, you bet the woman is grabbing a cup of coffee for Parr to drink. ~SHE IS THE HYPE WOMAN PARR NEEDS. She will get Parr all pumped up and excited for something. ~Especially when Parr is about to go on her first date with Anne. She sits Parr down in front of the mirror and showers her in encouragement. Cleves will not hesitate to literally shake the nerves out of her, either. ~Aside from being her publicist, Cleves is a food blogger. She’s a home cook, and loves sharing her ideas with other people.

Jane Seymour (Abby!Seymour)

~The very proud owner of the bakery right next door to the café Parr visits. In fact, she knows Parr because of Catalina. ~Jane and Catalina both met at a park. Catalina was having trouble walking because of her ankle and Jane offered to help her get to the nearest bench. The two sat down for a while and ended up talking, to discover she was owner of the bakery and Catalina LOVES her baking. ~Jane always has a special box for Catalina when she comes to pick up her order. That box is for Parr. Parr, however, does not know this until they meet. ~Catalina drags Parr out of the apartment for a walk and takes her to the bakery, and that’s how she meets Jane. Jane turns out to be very fond of Parr because her adopted daughter, Katherine, finds her to be a very positive influence. ~Parr will always show up once a week to the bakery to buy something. She does not care. She just wants sweets. ~When Parr came up to Jane asking for a special cookie cake for Anne, Jane was elated to be able to help. She even helped Parr give it to Anne. ~Parr was beyond grateful for Jane’s help. Jane also decided to teach Parr how to bake, just so she could surprise Anne whenever she wanted to.

Katherine Howard (Sam!Howard)

~When Kat first meets Parr after coming home for her winter break, she almost cries. She looks up to Parr and is super happy to have someone she considers a huge influence in her life before her. ~All of her books get signed by Parr. All of them. Even the Polaroid Kat takes of them both. Jane honestly loves seeing Kat happy, and this was beyond Kat’s dreams. ~She remembers hearing Parr coming in asking Jane for help with the cookie cake. Knowing she could offer some help, she’s the one who decorates it. She helps Jane around in the bakery when she’s home just because she loves her mom. ~Kat teaches Parr how to decorate cupcakes. She also gives Parr her red velvet recipe. ~When the café starts doing open mic nights, Kat is there to sing. And everyone is there to support her. EVERYONE. This includes Anne. ~Upon finding out Parr was dating Anne, Kat almost started crying. She also looks up to Anne, because Anne is super comfortable in her body and unapologetically herself. ~And Kat swears she died the day she met Anne because of Parr. It made her little heart happy. Anne ends up stealing Maggie’s camera and giving Kat a taste of her daily life. It can go without saying that Kat was super happy to have such amazing women as influences in her life.

Anne Boleyn (Millie!Boleyn)

~If the saying “looks can kill” were a human. Anne is the textbook definition of a femme fatale by looks. She’s a model, and the internet knows this. Look at her Instagram. She’s really fit. ~Secretly, though... she’s just a huge nerd. She loves curling up with a book on a rainy day, and she loves spending time alone. This time alone can go from books to cooking, or just sleeping. She actually doesn’t do too much on her free days. ~Her childhood best friend, Maggie, always visits. Maggie is also her photographer. Anne and Maggie always spend time together. ~She’s about as big of a fan of Parr’s books as Katherine Howard is. No questions asked. She will not hesitate to say Catherine Parr is her favorite author. ~The amount of brands that sponsor her is something she still struggles to grasp. Anne, although she likes the attention, has her days where she struggles to comprehend it. She’s eternally grateful for her blessings, but sometimes, she does ask herself if she deserves them. ~On her first date with Parr, she was super nervous. Before that, she had sat in her apartment with Maggie, trying to figure out what would be the right things to say. Hell, she was struggling with coming up with a look. The nerves and excitement got to her for a good while until Maggie managed to reel her back into reality. ~When her and Parr started dating, she was excited to get to know more of Parr’s personal life. This leads to her meeting Catalina, Anna, Kat, and Jane. The group of six women all get along, and they all go to open mic nights to support Kat. ~In private, Anne is very cuddly, and tends to cling on to Parr when they’re together. She loves showing affection. Anne is also not afraid to give her girlfriend all of the kisses in the world.

#Out of a Book

12 notes · View notes

richincolor · 6 years

Photo

Need a Little Comic Relief?

When stress levels rise, humor can be an excellent way to ease the tension. Perhaps you’re ready to reach for some fun reading that could bring a smile to your face. Here are a few books I’ve read this year that have inspired laughter just when I need it.

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee Amulet Books [Jessica's review]

The struggle to get into a top-tier college consumes sixteen-year-old Genie Lo’s every waking thought. But when her sleepy Bay Area town comes under siege from hell-spawn straight out of Chinese folklore, her priorities are suddenly and forcefully rearranged.

Her only guide to the demonic chaos breaking out around her is Quentin Sun, a beguiling, maddening new transfer student from overseas. Quentin assures Genie she is strong enough to fight these monsters, for she unknowingly harbors an inner power that can level the very gates of Heaven.

Genie will have to dig deep within herself to summon the otherworldly strength that Quentin keeps talking about. But as she does, she finds the secret of her true nature is entwined with his, in a way she could never have imagined…

Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Lara Jean’s letter-writing days aren’t over in this surprise follow-up to the New York Times bestselling To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You.

Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding.

But change is looming on the horizon. And while Lara Jean is having fun and keeping busy helping plan her father’s wedding, she can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make. Most pressingly, where she wants to go to college and what that means for her relationship with Peter. She watched her sister Margot go through these growing pains. Now Lara Jean’s the one who’ll be graduating high school and leaving for college and leaving her family—and possibly the boy she loves—behind.

When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

American Panda by Gloria Chao Simon Pulse [Author interview]

At seventeen, Mei Lu should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents’ master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.

With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can’t bring herself to tell them the truth—that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.

But when she reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?

From debut author Gloria Chao comes a hilarious, heartfelt tale of how unlike the panda, life isn’t always so black and white.

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon Simon Pulse [Audrey's review]

spiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2.

When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she’s fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.

Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she’s got is not the one she’s scripted. But will it be enough?

Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, with Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you.

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith Candlewick Press [Crystal's review]

When Louise Wolfe’s first real boyfriend mocks and disrespects Native people in front of her, she breaks things off immediately and dumps him.

It’s her senior year, anyway, and she’d rather spend her time on her family and friends and working on the school newspaper.

The editors pair her up with Joey Kairouz, the ambitious new photojournalist, and in no time the paper’s staff find themselves with a major story to cover: the school musical director’s inclusive approach to casting “The Wizard of Oz” has been provoking backlash in their mostly white, middle-class Kansas town.

From the newly formed “Parents Against Revisionist Theater” to anonymous threats, long-held prejudices are being laid bare and hostilities are spreading against teachers, parents, and students—especially the cast members at the center of the controversy, including Lou’s little brother, who’s playing the Tin Man.

As tensions heighten at school, so does a romance between Lou and Joey—but as she’s learned, “dating while Native” can be difficult. In trying to protect her own heart, will Lou break Joey’s?

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo Farrar, Straus and Giroux [Jessica's review]

Clara Shin lives for pranks and disruption. When she takes one joke too far, her dad sentences her to a summer working on his food truck, the KoBra, alongside her uptight classmate Rose Carver. Not the carefree summer Clara had imagined. But maybe Rose isn’t so bad. Maybe the boy named Hamlet (yes, Hamlet) crushing on her is pretty cute. Maybe Clara actually feels invested in her dad’s business. What if taking this summer seriously means that Clara has to leave her old self behind?

Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi Viking Books for Young Readers [Crystal's review]

Scott Ferdowsi has a track record of quitting. Writing the Great American Novel? Three chapters. His summer internship? One week. His best friends know exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives, but Scott can hardly commit to a breakfast cereal, let alone a passion.

With college applications looming, Scott’s parents pressure him to get serious and settle on a career path like engineering or medicine. Desperate for help, he sneaks off to Washington, DC, to seek guidance from a famous professor who specializes in grit, the psychology of success.

He never expects an adventure to unfold out of what was supposed to be a one-day visit. But that’s what Scott gets when he meets Fiora Buchanan, a ballsy college student whose life ambition is to write crossword puzzles. When the bicycle she lends him gets Scott into a high-speed chase, he knows he’s in for the ride of his life. Soon, Scott finds himself sneaking into bars, attempting to pick up girls at the National Zoo, and even giving the crossword thing a try—all while opening his eyes to fundamental truths about who he is and who he wants to be.

Not Your Villain by CB Lee Duet Books [Jessica's review]

Bells Broussard thought he had it made when his superpowers manifested early. Being a shapeshifter is awesome. He can change his hair whenever he wants, and if putting on a binder for the day is too much, he’s got it covered. But that was before he became the country’s most-wanted villain.

After discovering a massive cover-up by the Heroes’ League of Heroes, Bells and his friends Jess, Emma, and Abby set off on a secret mission to find the Resistance. Meanwhile, power-hungry former hero Captain Orion is on the loose with a dangerous serum that renders meta-humans powerless, and a new militarized robotic threat emerges. Everyone is in danger. Between college applications and crushing on his best friend, will Bells have time to take down a corrupt government? Sometimes, to do a hero’s job, you need to be a villain.

#humor #YALit

53 notes · View notes

clarkegriffintitties · 6 years

Text

Another Taggy Tag Thing

Answer these then tag 10 followers you’d like to get to know better! I was tagged by @talistheintrovert trAITOR WHOM I LOVE. (for ratting my out to P at times)

• 1. have you ever been in love? I think so.

• 2. who is your favorite artist? I don’t think I have one.

• 3. what is your favorite music genre? I love all genres but right now, r&b soul.

• 4. have you ever had a penpal? Yes, for some school project ages ago.

• 5. are you single or in a relationship? I am single.

• 6. what color are your eyes? Green/Hazel

• 7. what is your favorite word? Maybe squishy?? I’ve never really thought about it before.

• 8. do you play any instruments? I do not.

• 9. what is your favorite color? As a wise nonnie declared for me, it is purple.

• 10. do you have any nicknames? Oh gosh, yes. Most commonly Jules, but also J, Jhulamando, Jatle Batle, Juju, Juju bean, etc.

• 11. what is your favorite flower? I frankly have no clue.

• 12. what qualities do you find attractive in a person? I absolutely adore people who are honest and true to themselves. People who are lovers of he world and spread positivity and radiate light are those I’m most drawn to.

• 13. do you have any pets? My puppers Taj and kitty Spunky!

• 14. have you ever traveled outside of your home country? Wow okay, Talis. Way to make me jealous with your answer. I’ve only been to a few countries in Central America. Guatemala is an absolute wonder.

• 15. what language(s) do you speak? English.

• 16. who was your first crush? TALIS THAT IS SO SAD. OH MY GOSH BABE LET ME WRAP YOU IN BLANKETS AND HOLD YOU FOREVER. My first ever crush was on my third grade substitute teacher who was there for half a year. Mmmmmmmmmmmm, yes.

• 17. do you wear glasses? Yes indeed!

• 18. what is your favorite pastry? Thank you for making me hungry, Talis. What classifies as a pastry, yikes? *quickly googles* Okay! It would be fried dough. (does that count, I have no idea)

• 19. do you prefer swimming in a pool or in the ocean? Oceaaaaaaaan. I love feeling creeped out by the seaweed :P

• 20. bright, dark, or pastel colors? Pastel

• 21. what is your favorite social media app? .....sadly this

• 22. what is your sexuality? Talis is an icon. I love her. I am pansexaul!

• 23. do you have any siblings? Two sisters.

• 24. what is your favorite scent? Cow manure, but it has to be the right ratio of feces to urine. Sometimes the farmers will mix in a little too much urine for my taste and it will be wayyyy to potent. So it’s gotta be just the right amount of both. Will I ever be ashamed of this? Probably not.

• 25. where do you want to travel to? To your bedroom.

• 26. what is your favorite film? Tommy Boy or Tremors

• 27. who do people say you look like? My mom and oldest sister!

• 28. who is your best friend? My mom, of course, as well as my precious Jill (@bellamyblakearms) and my girl Abby (not on here).

• 29. what is your dream job? A marine biologist.

• 30. do you know how to drive? Yes.

• 31. who is/was your favorite teacher? So cool because I was just thinking about this today! It’d be a tie between my fifth grade English/History teacher and my junior year Visual Culture teacher. The first one was just the coolest chick one could ever know. She was so personal and was actually the only person I ever opened up to that year. She immediately could tell how I was feeling without me saying anything and just wow. I loved that woman. She just retired to so lots of love for you, Mrs. Garrey! The second one didn’t even feel like a teacher. She was more like a friend. The class was by far my most favorite in all my years of school. We studied all forms of art and it was a tiny class of only four so we were all super close. She put her entire soul into that class and completely made the year for me.

• 32. are you a feminist? For sure.

• 33. what is your zodiac sign? Sagittarius.

• 34. do you enjoy reading? Yes, I just have to be in the mood for it.

• 35. do you have any hidden talents? Lol no.

• 36. have you ever dyed your hair? No.

• 37. what is your favorite thing in your bedroom? My Freddie Mercury wall decal.

• 38. what is your biggest fear? Car accidents. I am a horrible person to drive with.

• 39. can you whistle? Yes.

• 40. do you make your bed every day? Never.

• 41. do you have any tattoos and/or piercings? Just one tattoo. The buffalo on my wrist. But I’ll be getting another one in a few months (I think?) And my ears are pierced.

• 42. have you ever been on a roller coaster? Yes. However, I love to psyche myself out for whatever reason and went on a binge searching for footage of a bunch of roller coaster accidents. Now I’m petrified and refuse to step on one :))

• 43. surfing or skateboarding? I’ve never been but I’ve always wanted to surf!

• 44. are you a dog or a cat person? Animal person all around.

• 45. what is your favorite animal? American bison.

• 46. do you have a skincare routine? AHA

• 47. what time do you typically go to bed at and what time do you wake up at? I was going to bed around 11 pm, but then season five started so I fall asleep around 2 am. I get up at 6-6:30 am.

• 48. what is your favorite memory? The day I found my Spunkers in my backyard.

• 49. how tall are you? 5′10″

• 50. what is the best gift you’ve ever received? My sister made me her own version of the Jim Halpert teacup present. It was amazing.

• 51. do you have a garden? A small one!

• 52. do you like bugs? I wish. Sadly, I am horrified of all bugs.

• 53. what is your natural hair color? Ash blonde.

• 54. what is your favorite food and drink? Nachos and water.

• 55. do you want kids? No.

• 56. what is/was your favorite class? As mentioned above, my Visual Culture class.

• 57. what color shirt are you wearing? Red and grey.

• 58. if you could time travel, what year would you go to and why? 1813 to meet Jane Austen and talk, or 1606 to meet Shakespeare and talk, or 1926 to meet Agatha Christie and talk (also to ask her where she was when she went missing because that is a mystery that I NEED to solve). I just need to talk to my favourite dead authors you guys.

• 59. what is your skin color? Pale. Just… pale. (Talis speaks my mind)

• 60. hugs or kisses? Completely depends. Hugs over kisses but sometimes even a hug is a bit much for me.

• 61. have you ever drank alcohol? Yes.

• 62. have you ever done drugs? No.

• 63. netflix or youtube? Netflix.

• 64. ice cream or frozen yogurt? Ice cream.

• 65. succulents or flowers? Flowers.

Yikes I don’t know whose been tagged so let’s just say everyone.

#about me #tag games

13 notes · View notes

thestagthatlovedthewolf · 6 years

Text

I finished reading The 100 today and it wasn’t that bad… I went into this book with the lowest of expectations, because there’s no Abby or Kane (and they are my joy on the show), I’ve heard not so good things, and the other two books I’ve read from CW shows are some of my least favorite of all time.

So it ended up being more interesting that I expected, it gives us a curious background on the Ark (or Colony here), and to it seemed like fanfic – it’s a different take on this idea and these characters (and there’s the realization that all the fic I read for this fandom is Kabby and here there’s none). And I really wonder how people who were more invested in these books feel about the show, because it’s really completely different – the only thing in common is this general idea of people living in space after the apocalypse and that one hundred delinquent kids are being sent to the ground; and I think over all I like the show better.

Under the read more, spoilers for the book and spoilers for the show up to where we are now (season 5, episode 6). And talking about Kane and Abby way too many times when they aren’t even in the book

First thing, something that definitely makes more sense in the book and that’s that they’ve been up there for 300 years instead of 97. And 300 years is way longer, to allow them to develop this society and to really not remember the Earth, while 97 is not that much, they’re barely into the generations that have heard no stories directly from people that were on the ground.

Another thing I really appreciated in the book was the exploration of class difference. That’s always underlined on the show, the different perspectives of someone like Clarke, Abby or Jaha, comparing to the Blakes or Kane, especially on that first season and the way the delinquents saw Wells and Clarke; and then with Farm Station, we saw that again, or even Diana Sydney using this to her advantage. And while we know the difference in opportunities and treatment for classes, here we see more – how the hot water reaches different stations and how the quality of food varies – and I think this was such an interesting way to see the resentment these people can hold over each other. But then I feel it got too far – it became more Capitol in the Hunger Games – they were really living it up, with balls and everything while the others barely eat; while in the show, there’s still the differences, but for example Abby still uses old clothes with holes (reason why it always annoys me that with the shocklashing, they ripped her shirt when they could just have pulled it up, because there’s not an infinite supply of clothes)

These were the things I really liked on the sense of world-building and even making look for other things on the show. But there are still other few things I want to cover.

The thing I was most looking forward to was getting to know Wells in a deeper way, but this is a very different Wells – less sweet, more rigid in a way, but still very much cares for Clarke. Now, I was very pissed at his crime to get into the skybox, because my Vera Kane doesn’t deserve that (also headcanon that Marcus didn’t join the guards and is still taking care of Eden with his Mom – so totally exists), but having now finished the book, it makes sense – so very smart of him, but still poor Kanes… Also interesting how much bigger and more important the cult is, which makes sense since it has been 300 years instead of 97, and the ground and a tree is even more of a myth

And I also really liked the goodbye between Wells and Jaha and how it parallels with Abby and Clarke’s in the show. The Jaha’s relationship was definitely more complicated and painful, and you really see why he chose Clarke above his father, and the moments about missing his mother and that relationship being so strong in him were really good.

Finally he was actually the person who gave up Clarke’s parents here and it’s really nice the show changed that (and the crime in general – I’ll talk more later on). And really I wasn’t a fan of the romance with either him or Bellamy – it was too much drama sometimes and just not really what I wanted to see of those characters. But really like Wells and Glass’ friendship and how they thought of each other, but especially liked his interaction with Octavia – that scene was my favorite interaction between characters over all.

Still on the theme of Jaha – changing how he was shot on the show was such a good decision. Really it led us to all the Ark storyline on the first season that I loved so much and a bit of mystery about who got Bellamy to shoot Jaha. But besides this Bellamy not shooting Jaha on purpose completely changes him, and it’s so interesting to see his guilt here and even how he honestly tells Wells that he hopes his father makes it. Bellamy does not resent Jaha and it’s a nicer Bellamy for sure (comparing to season 1 for sure), that is completely different from the asshole leader we first met

Before I move to the other things that will just be Kane and Abby things again, let me just go over a few plot things.

First, Glass’ baby is alive right?? – I’m pretty sure the book is tricking us to think this. Also I haven’t understood what are these unregistered kids and why is it a crime for Glass to have a baby? It’s her first. What are the rules besides the only-child one? Also her relationship with Luke is one of the reasons I was saying that the class difference was taken too far for my liking

And now why kill Thalia?! I loved her and her friendship with Clarke. She was probably my favorite character… Also I really liked that in this Clarke didn’t need detention, so she made friends!!!

And finally Octavia’s addiction… Before that she’s also so young in this, also very innocent, and the backstory is very different, with being raised around people in the center and Bellamy not being her only person… Aurora strangling her was so shocking… But moving to the addiction, I just started having Abby and Kane feelings – she was arrested for what she almost killed Kane for!! All the feels over this, no matter that these are completely different universes and storylines, because it still felt like a gut punch. And I wonder how they will handle this in the later books, comparing to how they’re handling Abby’s…

And if I didn’t know this story was pitched by Paige Turco, I would think it was another little homage to the book. There were a few through the book, my favorite is probably the use of Arkadia, which was one of the stations – the one we learn less about – and it’s now their home on the ground

This is the perfect moment to move to the other Kane and Abby thoughts, my first is that at first I was thinking that maybe Vice Chancellor Rhodes could be a bit of Kane, there’s a feeling there when he was first mentioned by Glass’ mother, but definitely not – but yeah, there’s that cold asshole feeling you get with Rhodes and Kane pre-culling, but as you find out more they are so different. Kane is cold, but he was all about falling the rules – he sadly he wouldn’t pardon Glass, he wouldn’t consider it until her birthday, and of course he would never go behind the rules to do that study. Kane is just all about rules in that first season, and always believing he was doing the best for humanity (which Rhodes maybe still was with the research)

Now the research, I have so many thoughts about that!! First I’m so glad they changed the crime, because Jake’s story is so beautiful!! And I want more Jake in my life – mentioned him this season, please… But now Abby was testing radiation effect on people and she was doing it because Rhodes was threatening Clarke, and she was doing it on children – my poor Abby… and Jake… and Lilly… And now last season, she was testing it, this time for the good of the humanity and she couldn’t, and it broke her so much that she stopped wanting to live. In how much pain was Abby living in the Colony?! Just having my heart ripped apart by this.

But then the aftermath with actual trial worked for me. Can’t believe Rhodes got away. And I know every crime is punishable, but no trial on the show bother me. How quick was Kane going to float Abby? Like the next day… but the one that bothers me the most, and I still try to not believe it, is Callie – because if Kane was the one who chose to float her, that is not ethical, since they had a personal relationship, and he definitely shouldn’t have that decision when the person was Callie – that thing just doesn’t really fit well with me (and I need a better reason for Callie’s disappearance)

And now finally the killing is different as well, here it’s less painful with the lethal poison, but the choice to go with floating on the show really works – it’s so visually awful – Jake being pushed, his air out of his lounges … Awful, but it really works for the show. And it gives you a “fuck you” expression without swearing which is useful

After all this, I can say I like the show better, but the book was okay. I like how it very much centered on the kids surviving on the Earth, not yet with the impact of the grounders, but that last scene. Definitely curious about what comes next, probably going to read a few comics now and then moving to the next one.

This book, and the other two I’ve read from CW shows, really makes me see why this is the perfect to adapt superhero comic books. They very often only pick the general premise of a book and then run with it the way they want, and with all the reboot in comics, that’s the way to go with superheroes – so CW was the ideal choice

#the 100 #wells jaha #clarke griffin #bellamy blake #abby griffin #marcus kane #glass sorenson #octavia blake #thalia #jake griffin #book #books

4 notes · View notes

easyfoodnetwork · 4 years

Text

The New and Old Food-Adjacent Shows We’ve Been Streaming This Week

HBO/Curb Your Enthusiasm

Looking for something delicious to watch this weekend? We’ve got you.

Like most people living under shelter-in-place orders or voluntarily socially distancing because of COVID-19, Eater staffers are watching a lot of TV right now. Coming from series past and present, here are the best food-related scenes, episodes, and shows that we used to cope this week.

Party Down (Seasons 1 and 2 streaming on Hulu)

youtube

The gist: The failed dreams and enduring delusions of a Hollywood catering company’s employees are all on excruciating, glorious display in this criminally underwatched 2009 comedy series, which ran for two brief but glorious seasons on Starz. Each episode is set at a different function where the crew has been hired to sling hors d’oeuvres: a funeral, a college conservative union caucus, a preschool auction, a singles seminar, Steve Guttenberg’s birthday party, and one spectacularly unsuccessful orgy night.

While food and booze give the show its reason for existence, it’s the personal struggles of the caterers — and often their clients — that provide its brand of satirical, irreverent, and often very biting humor. Almost all of the company’s employees — the failed actor, the aspiring screenwriter, the stage mom, the struggling comedian — have been chewed up (or at least teethed on) by the Hollywood system, which lets the show examine and skewer the industry’s class struggles and pretensions with a hilarious lack of remorse. That said, Party Down wouldn’t be nearly as effective without its cast, which includes Jane Lynch and Megan Mullally, along with the then-relatively unknown Adam Scott, Lizzy Caplan, and Martin Starr. Watching them grimly work a room armed with cheese platters and shrimp puffs is one of life’s more specific pleasures, and also among its most reliable. —Rebecca Marx

The original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (available to purchase on Amazon Prime)

I’ve been getting real joy out of watching Ted Allen on the original run of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which upon second watch is hilariously antagonistic toward the straight guys. Unlike Antoni, who tries to meet these men on their level by having them make avocado toast or pancakes, Allen basically cooks everything himself and gives his subjects busywork. Men can assemble crudite, if they want, or whip egg whites while Allen has already infused cream with vanilla beans and has it melting with expensive chocolate on the stove. In one episode, Allen orders his subject $50 jars of kosher foie gras to make armagnac-infused mousse, to be served with shaved black truffle, because “people are pretty accustomed to” pâte (???). And then, when the guy’s girlfriend doesn’t seem to like it, he bemoans “that’s $150 of foie gras!” like it’s everyone else’s problem for having bad taste. This is not about teaching men a new skill. There is nothing practical about most of Allen’s cooking, and it’s thrilling to watch men who have never set foot in their kitchens pretend like this is the sort of entertaining they’ll be doing from now on. —Jaya Saxena

Project Runway (Season 10, Episode 2, available on Hulu)

youtube

I’m going to admit outright that I had embarked on a journey to rewatch all the Project Runway seasons available on Hulu even before this pandemic started, but now that a lot of us are confined at home for the indefinite future, there are few better background-television choices I can recommend than the original drama-filled fashion competition reality series. One standout episode is the second in Season 10. In “Candy Couture,” the designers raid boutique candy store and New York City staple Dylan’s Candy Bar, snagging licorices, gummies, and jelly beans to create outfits that range from “wow!” to “not bad” to “that?” To hear snatches of catty comments and catch glimpses of a lively, bustling NYC in between footage of designers burning their fingers with hot glue guns — ah, different times. —Jenny Zhang

ZeroZeroZero (Season 1, Episodes 7 and 8, available to stream on Amazon Prime)

ZeroZeroZero, an Amazon Prime series that follows a shipment of cocaine through four countries, has some predictable drug cartel narrative arcs — double crossing, violence and cruelty, me softly saying “it’s just not worth it” over and over again — but one nice change was the Calabrian mob’s dining table mainstays: a hunk of cheese, salami, bread, and wine. When the going gets tough for these guys, they just need a hit of carbs, cured meat, and some salty, creamy dairy, washed down with adult grape juice. Who among us can’t relate?

I wonder who out of the mob grunts makes sure they’re stocked. Are there wheels of cheese in the trunk of their car? Salami hanging from the coat hooks in the back seat? Are they kneading their own sourdough, letting it rest, firing up the wood oven that they just built after feeding some poor sod’s corpse to the pigs? Who cares! These guys are committed to the “simple ingredients, done well” philosophy, and for that, I commend them. — Pelin Keskin

Playtime (available to screen on the Criterion Collection)

I cannot say that I’ve ever experienced a true restaurant shitshow. The closest I’ve come is perhaps witnessing a bartender slip and fall at a restaurant where I received no service for an hour and then got up and left. I sometimes envy my colleagues in New York, who used to regale readers with tales of ninja servers and tunamatos during their annual Shitshow Week (may it rest in peace). But now I can safely say I’ve experienced a shitshow, thanks to the 1967 Jacques Tati film Playtime, currently streaming on the Criterion Collection. This movie is, on its surface, toying with sound editing (if you’re into that sort of thing) and poking fun at the strangeness of midcentury aesthetics and American tourists in Paris. But it’s the second half of the movie where Playtime really hits its comedic stride, at a restaurant opening where just about everything goes wrong. The kitchen runs out of food. The air conditioning stops working. The harsh metal chairs leave marks on the backs of the patrons and rip the pants of servers. The ceiling falls in. While it’s billed as a comedy, it’s the Criterion Collection, so we’ll file it under amusing. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this for anyone missing restaurants — even truly bad ones. What I wouldn’t give for an uncomfortable metal chair right now. — Brenna Houck

Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 10, available to stream on HBO GO)

Absurdist times call for the comedy of Larry David, so I’m particularly grateful that he brought back his HBO hit Curb Your Enthusiasm just in time for an election year and global pandemic. Season 10, which premiered in January after a two-year-plus hiatus, is a comedic buffet of food riffs: Larry reignites his rivalry with coffee-slinger Mocha Joe when he opens a “spite store” called Latte Larry’s directly next door to Mocha Joe’s cafe; Larry realizes he’s consistently seated in the “ugly section” of a trendy Italian spot with a condescending host (played to smarmy perfection by Nick Kroll); Larry and Jon Hamm fight with Richard Lewis about the appropriate allotment of appetizers; Larry wears a MAGA hat to lunch so that his dining mate will cut the meal short; Larry gets a sweaty server (Abbi Jacobson) fired after she shamelessly declares that she’s suffering from diarrhea, then gets diarrhea himself from his favorite licorice; Larry offends the staff of a Catalonian restaurant when he knocks out his tooth and pronounces everything with an unnecessary “th” sound. Then, of course, there’s the season-long debate: What makes a good scone?

If you worry that Curb Your Enthusiasm would seem particularly trite while the world is figuratively on fire — well, it is trite. And it always has been. Nitpicking on life’s small annoyances to the point of embarrassment is kind of the point. — Madeleine Davies

John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch (available to stream on Netflix)

youtube

John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch is a very tender and funny one-hour comedy special on Netflix lightly satirizing Sesame Street, and everyone with a soul should let it gently touch them. Mulaney stars alongside a cast of impossibly cute child actors and guests like David Byrne, and it’s all built around musical numbers like “Grandma’s Boyfriend Paul,” which will probably make you cry, and “Sacha’s Dad Does Drag (and the Act Needs Work!),” which might also make you cry. There are two great food tie-ins, not including the sack lunch of the title. There’s a brief stub of a song called “Let’s Play Restaurant,” in which — when Mulaney plays along — the restaurant is closed for a private event, sorry, you should have checked their website. And then there’s an instant classic of a song that’s near and dear to my heart as a once-upon-a-time very plain-eating child, called a “Plain Plate of Noodles,” in which Orson Hong, a little boy, explains his gastronomic limitations in song and dance. The lyrics! The choreography! Thirty out of 10. — Caleb Pershan

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/3aIhVEC https://ift.tt/3dT5esI

HBO/Curb Your Enthusiasm

Looking for something delicious to watch this weekend? We’ve got you.

Party Down (Seasons 1 and 2 streaming on Hulu)

youtube

The original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (available to purchase on Amazon Prime)

Project Runway (Season 10, Episode 2, available on Hulu)

youtube

ZeroZeroZero (Season 1, Episodes 7 and 8, available to stream on Amazon Prime)

Playtime (available to screen on the Criterion Collection)

Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 10, available to stream on HBO GO)

John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch (available to stream on Netflix)

youtube

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/3aIhVEC via Blogger https://ift.tt/2R85sCc

#Blogger #cooking #Eater #food #recipes

0 notes

jackieswift · 7 years

Text

That Album Part 11

Hello you guys. It’s been awhile since the last part. And I must just say WOW our girl did it. I'm so proud over her! Also, I was two freaking meters away from my favorite Swedish artist, a person I look up to as much as Taylor. She hugged and talked with people and I was so close to get to do that. Well, that sucked. But I’m gonna see her next week again, so maybe then. Anyway, here you have the story, I hope you like it <3

Part 1: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/162440799402/that-album

Part 2: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/162487913687/that-album-part-2

Part 3: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/162839150932/that-album-part-3

Part 4: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/162876753722/that-album-part-4?is_related_post=1

Part 5: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/163046959457/that-album-part-5

Part 6: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/163180508312/that-album-part-6?is_related_post=1

Part 7: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/163573890577/that-album-part-7

Part 8: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/163711276792/that-album-part-8

Part 9: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/163711388377/that-album-part-9?is_related_post=1

Part 10: https://jackieswift.tumblr.com/post/163998188572/that-album-part-10?is_related_post=1

-------------------------------------

*Adam's pov*

I was worried that something had happened to her. And I was scared of how much this actually affect me. It just showed me how much I truly care about her, and how afraid I am to lose her.

8.15, the door clock was ringing. Please be Taylor, please be Taylor, I kept saying to myself. I was scared that it would be Ellie or Emil, that one of them would show up to tell me that she's hurt or that she decided this wasn't a good idea.

When I opened the door I could see those beautiful blue eyes, that I loved more than anything in this world, and that beautiful blonde curly hair.

"I'm so sorry I'm late! I just had a hard time deciding what to bring you." She said. A part of me was pissed of, because she left me here wondering, but mostly I was just really happy that she was okay, and decided to come.

"It's okay" I said and swept my arms around her, to welcome her. She had that sweet perfume on, the one that she knows how much I love. And I really wished we could stand there forever, but like the other hug, I know it had to end sometime, and this time she was the one who pulled away.

“Here you go” she said and gave me a bottle of something non alcoholic and also a box with chocolate. “Thank you so much, that’s sweet, you didn’t have too” I said. She smiled and answered “I know”.

She left her coatee in the hallway and we walked into the kitchen. “Adam” she said when she walked in and felt the fragrance and could see her favorite food in front of her with a lit candle. “I promised you something nicer than pizza” I told her and pulled out the chair for her. “Thank you” she said and sat down. I sat down on the other side of the table and I couldn’t do anything but smile. She was sitting here, in my house. She looked so damn beautiful.

“You look beautiful” I told her, after fighting with myself if I should or shouldn’t tell her. Her cheeks turned the lightest shade of red “Thank you, you too” she answered. She could never just take a compliment, she always had to give something back.

“I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit worried that you wouldn’t show” I told her, just when she started to place some food on her plate. She looked up at me and asked “Why wouldn’t I?” Because you broke up with me, because I wasn’t good enough for you, because you’ve dated someone else since we broke up, and around 30 other “because” showed up in my brain. “You’re never late” I said. “Well I’m sorry, again” she said, and almost sounded a bit pissed off. That wasn’t what I wanted, I just wanted to make small talk until we started talking about the important things.

“It’s okay, I just, I was worried that something had happen to you” I said, and I could see that her eyes went from a bit coldish to sweet in a second. “Well, you worry too much” she said and smiled.

She took a bite of my food and then said “mhhh, no one really does this dish like you do” I smirked. “Well, I’m glad you like it” I then said.

We ate and talked, everything went back to easy pretty fast, but then just when we had finished the meal something weird happened.

“Can I use your bathroom?” she asked. “Yeah sure, you know where to find it” I answered, smiling.

I removed the dishes and put on some music. I got a text from Emil saying “So I know you’re probably having way toooooo much fun for reading this ;) But you’re playing tomorrow night at 10, just wanted to tell you. Have a nice evening and night you two. And water is important, sex is training, don’t forget about that mate.” I rolled my eyes at his text. Of course I wanted nothing more than for her to stay the night, but I know that probably wouldn’t happen.

From nowhere I could feel her hands around my body. And her breathing against my neck. “Hey you” I said, a bit confused. “I want you” she whispered in my ear, which made me think back to our old days. That’s what she used to say when she wanted my love. I turned around to face her. And what I saw was something I didn’t expect. “Do you like it?” she asked and then bit her lip. I kept looking up and down. Her body was beautiful, and seeing it in that little clothes, well I hadn’t done that in over a year. “Taylor” was all I answered. I wanted her so badly, but just because I had the world's most beautiful girl in just underwear in front of me, I couldn’t do whatever she wanted. Sleeping with her could destroy the whole thing, but I wanted to, I really did.

A few hours earlier

*Taylor’s pov*

I facetimed with Abbi. “You want him, so go for it” she told me. I wanted him so much, she was right, but I was also scared. Scared that he would hurt me like he had done before. Stop caring about me, like he did before. Getting jealous, like he did before. “But I just don’t know….maybe he hasn’t changed.” I said and could feel my eyes tear up. “I have an idea.” she said and I could hear her excitement on her voice. “Okay, what?” I asked. “You wanna give him a second chance, because you still think he could be the one, right?” She asked me. I nodded my head, that Adam was the one, well that was something I had been pretty certain about since I laid my eyes on him the first time, in real life. “But you’re also afraid that he’s gonna break your heart, right?” she asked. “Yeah, I guess I am.” I said.

That’s when she told me about the plane. We would have a nice dinner and then I would go away, fix myself and put on some sexy underwear and come back, to basically tell him I wanna make love with him. If he let it happen, when he knows having sex if you’re starting over isn’t a great idea, I get to have good sex and then I say goodbye to him. Because he hasn't changed. But if he tells me no, which will take a lot of him to do, well maybe there’s a chance for us then. Because then he proves that he take the whole thing serious.

I walked over to my wardrobe and took out some new, hot underwear. I put them on and looked in the mirror “Well, he has seen me naked before” I said out loud. I then put on a black, pretty short dress with flowers. It was a mix between hot and sweet. I let my curly hair out of my ponytail and smiled. “Well, I really hope he has changed” I then said to myself. I put on a golden necklace and some earrings. Then I put on a jacket and went out to shop for something to bring him, more than my body in way too little underwear. This was probably the weirdest thing I had ever done, but it could really show me how he felt about me.

Back At Adam’s House

“Well?” I asked him. He only stood there and looked at me. Now was his time to show me, if he had changed or not. I took a step forward, against his body and that was when he reacted for real. And I guess I have to say that I was a bit surprised.

-----------------------------

Okay I know, that’s probably not something Taylor would do, but it’s a story okay? And to find out Adam’s reaction and if he will destroy it all or save the situation you just have to wait a few days. (Also, I’m writing about this Saturday, that’s kind of weird. We are so close and my story will probably not be reality. Sad moment....)

#taylor swift #calvin harris #tayvin #tayvin fanfiction #tayvin fanfic #tayvin drama #that album #funk wav bounces vol.1 #faking it #adam wiles #ellie goulding

13 notes · View notes

soldiiermade-a · 7 years

Note

day 791. she's staring at the sky. the wind blows & her heart clenches. "please be alive."

this got really long, so it’s under the cut. prepare yourself

The world is still dying below and Bellamy can’t breathe. Thishappens to him sometimes — the feeling of suffocation.Of burning in his lungs. The itch of his body. Picturing what his death would’vebeen like had he stayed on Earth with her. She would’ve died like Maya had, herskin peeling off in chunks, burns marring the beauty. She’ll be bones or less by the time they make it back tothe ground. He won’t be able to tell which ones are her — she’s not the onlyone that got left behind. Pushed outa bunker. Drank the tea. Sliced on a battlefield. There will be the remains ofhumankind littering the dirt and Bellamy will never find her.

It’s one of those days he’s sure of her death. Tomorrow mightbe something else — convinced she somehow stayed alive. The nightblood workingthrough her body like a blessing. But even if she could’ve fought the radiationlike Luna, the death wave still would’ve taken her out. Bellamy knows this, but two years without her have driven his mind a little bit crazy. Use your head, Bellamy, she’d remindedhim as though she knew she would die. And so that’s all he’s been trying to do.Limit his heart because, when he feels it all, it’s too easy to break.

The routine is easy now. Wake up, check the algae farm, makesure the air filters are running correctly and aren’t in need of a cleaning,mess with the radio to try and reach the bunker, let himself a moment of angerwhen he doesn’t hear his sister’s voice, get to work. Always work. When heworks, they survive. And it’s not like he doesn’t join in on the games theArkers had left behind when their ship broke away from the ring and plummetedto Earth. He plays chess with Monty and trains with Echo. Emori is the reigningping pong champion, which has been a surprise to everyone. Bellamy didn’t fallinto the trap of becoming a shell of himself like he could’ve and it’s theirsurvival that keeps him alive.

You inspire them.

Maybe they just inspire him to keep moving. She didn’t die invain unless he lets himself die, too. Which is why, when he pushed the buttonto the airlock door three days ago to let Raven out for her twenty-seventh spacewalk( somethingmechanical on the outside needs repairing — lots of big, technical words thatBellamy had stopped listening to the moment Raven had spewed them out; hetrusted her to get it done ) he let his gaze linger on the doorfor only a moment before closing it again. He’d been safe behind the barrier,but it would’ve been so easy to juststep out into the container. The same place his mother had stood before beingreleased into space. Maybe he would’ve floated all the way back to Earth. Disintegratedand dead, but they’d be equal again, at least.

It’s her words that draw him from whenever those dark momentsoccur, but it’s Octavia that forces him to step away from whatever threat he’senvisioning. Because he’d made a promise to his sister that they would meet again — and he’s alreadybreaking one promise he gave someonein that bunker. He’d told Abby he wouldn’t let anything happen to her daughter.That they would take care of each other.

The least he can do is keep his word to see his sister again.He’s proud of her, for what she’s become. And it’s his desire to see how muchshe’s changed that had caused him toclose the airlock door and wait patiently for Raven’s signal.

He’s not thinking about that now, though. Just looking at theruined Earth and wishing he’d appreciated its beauty when he had the chance. Evenduring their first moments on the ground, he’d overlooked it. Trying to provethat a leader was the guy with the bullets. He hadn’t touched the trees or laidin the grass or caressed the surface of the water. He’d been too worried abouthis sister and fighting the grounders. It won’t be the same when they go backand he regrets not taking in moremoments to see. He regrets a lot ofthings.

It’s funny, though. Because it’s been seven hundred and ninety-one days and he’s lived up here longerthan he even knew her. If he evenknew her. He knew her looks and what she needed from him. He knew when shewanted him to shoot or act or hold still. They were a team, the head and the heart. But he’s realized during his longwalks around the perimeter of the ring when he can’t sleep — or when he can, but the nightmares have proven tobe too powerful to really try — that he knows little about her. He neverlearned her favorite color or food. Never knew what kind of games she liked toplay on the Ark. If her parents gave her a nickname as a child or if it wasalways just Clarke.

He sucks in a breath because her name fucking hurts. If he had one more day, these are the kind of thingshe’d ask her. Make a point where it wouldn’t be about responsibility and choices, but just simply something to let himknow the person she was. His fingerstighten around the bottle they never got to drink together. He still hasn’topened it; can’t have that drink without her. Or maybe he can. Or maybe hedoesn’t really know what he can doanymore.

Raven walks by and leans against the other wall of thewindow, but she doesn’t join him on the ledge. This won’t be a long visit. ❛ The doors on Sector 9 aren’t working again. We need to closeit off for good and stop wasting our resources on trying to fix it every coupleof months. ❜

Bellamy nods. She’s right. It’s not an importantarea of the ship and there is nothing behind it for their survival. ❛ Have Murphy seal it up like he didthe others. If it’s useless, we might as well stop the airflow to that area. ❜

There’s something off about his voice,though. He can hear it himself, almost like he’s underwater. He knows what itmeans and so does Raven and he wonders how long he’s been sitting here. It’sgetting to be too much again and ifhe doesn’t get up and move soon, he’ll get irritable and take it out on them.They don’t need that. His panic and pain and grief turned to the one emotionthat he’s always been more comfortable with. His anger is not their problem. The dark corridor his thoughtssometimes travel down are hisresponsibility. He’s got this.

❛You good? ❜ Raven’svoice breaks through the fog and he swallows, jaw clenching, before nodding.

❛ Yeah, I’m good. ❜ She takes his word for it because therecan’t be anything else but trust onthis ship and turns to leave. He calls out, a little louder, forcing her tostop. ❛ Raven, I don’t think I eversaid it… but I’m sorry about Finn. ❜ Hecan see her stiffen and she looks back at him a moment, a shield over her face,though confusion in her eyes. He doesn’t know what made him say it, but maybehe understands what she felt that day when she watched that knife go throughFinn’s stomach. Bellamy remembers the raw pain when he thought he lost Octavia.He remembers the numbness after it. He feels it all now again, only in adifferent way.

Raven must’ve loved Finn.

She doesn’t say anything, but her lookturns almost understanding beneath the hard exterior she creates for herself.They lead alongside one another now and he knows he can rely on her. There’sboth a distance and a closeness with Raven. It’s good, for up here. It works. Stilldoesn’t make up for the fact that, sometimes, he’d rather be down there. She nods and there’s a sadsort of shine to her eyes. Almost like tears, but something else. And hewonders if he should regret saying the words as she turns to walk away fromhim.

But he’s too tired to worry about that now.He’s got work to get back to before he breaks again. Without a second thought,he cracks open the lid of the bottle for the first time and stares at it. Eyesshift to Earth again, where his sister is waiting for him and Clarke isn’t.There’s nothing to say because there’s no one to hear him, so he just raisesthe bottle to the burning world in silent resolution.

And takes a drink.

#bellarke fanfiction #sort of??#it's kind of subtle #and could be taken non-romantically too #bellarke #and as always with anything i write #o is important too #number one on bellamy's list is his sister always #long post for t's #tw suicidal thoughts #( &. drabbles )#( &. character study )#six years tbd #hoperisen #( &. radio )

2 notes · View notes

instantdeerlover · 4 years

Text

The New and Old Food-Adjacent Shows We’ve Been Streaming This Week added to Google Docs

The New and Old Food-Adjacent Shows We’ve Been Streaming This Week

HBO/Curb Your Enthusiasm

Looking for something delicious to watch this weekend? We’ve got you.

Party Down (Seasons 1 and 2 streaming on Hulu)

The original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (available to purchase on Amazon Prime)

Project Runway (Season 10, Episode 2, available on Hulu)

ZeroZeroZero (Season 1, Episodes 7 and 8, available to stream on Amazon Prime)

Playtime (available to screen on the Criterion Collection)

Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 10, available to stream on HBO GO)

John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch (available to stream on Netflix)

via Eater - All https://www.eater.com/2020/4/3/21207182/what-to-watch-food-tv-netflix-hulu-hbo-amazon-prime

Created April 4, 2020 at 07:36AM /huong sen View Google Doc Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xa6sRugRZk4MDSyctcqusGYBv1lXYkrF

0 notes

gleasonfamilyadventure · 6 years

Text

What’s a wife to do when her husband says. “Let’s go on an adventure to Maine! Can you be ready in 4 hours?” Of course I say, “Yes, but I’ll need more than 4 hours.” Being the miracle packer that I am, I had us ready in about 6 hours and headed out when the sun broke the sky the next morning. We had the general idea of heading to Acadia National Park and meandering our way home. The amazing thing about winging a vacation is that you never know where you’ll end up or where you will stay. It brings about a true sense of adventure. (sometimes anxiety on my part because I am a natural planner, it breaks down my grip on control and helps me just trust that it’s all going to work out.)

The trip there was LONG, a mere 16 hours. We stopped in Springfield, MA for the night where we stayed at the Sheraton Monarch Place. It was just ok. It was pretty far off the freeway and in the downtown area, I would probably NOT stay there again. As with any LONG trip we were up again traveling. Dunkin’ Donuts coffee was to the rescue for us.

We found some great places to stretch our legs as we traveled. My favorite stop was at the Portland Head Light. We were just driving along the coast and looking for a place to picnic when I saw the sign off the road about this location. The weather on this whole trip was FOGGY and so it was really amazing to pull into the parking lot and look for the lighthouse and barely be able to see it. You “GET IT” about needing lighthouses on days like that! There was ample parking and plenty places to picnic. There were also food trucks available with lobster rolls and ice cream. This was a great stop and we really enjoyed the up close and personal views of the lighthouse.

This was still considered a travel day as we were trying to make it to the Acadia National Park area BUT who can go to Maine and not head to Freeport,ME and shop at the L.L. Bean Outlet? Heck, we knew if stopped we would not make it to our destination until the sun had set but we had to go. It was totally worth it! I learned how L.L.Bean supports and helps so much in the environmental areas of the state. I really feel buying from L.L.Bean is like spending money to get what I want and to support environmental issues! Thanks L.L. Bean!

Abbie, our T1d, was not feeling the best after our stop at the outlet stores and began to slowly have a diabetic crash. It was the kind that ruins a day (the week actually) , makes everyone stop and remember that she really does live with a terrible, life threatening illness. She was unable to speak, feel her hands and there seemed to be NOTHING we could do to get her blood sugar levels up. We found a nearby exit that had a hospital and sat at a Friendly’s parking lot watching to see if we could get some positive glucose response. Thankfully, I was able to speak to her doctor and we got a slow trend upwards. That took 2 hours out of our travel northwards but I’d stop the world to help my girl!

If you’ve read this far you know we had no lodging plans. Uh, we stopped at a lighthouse, outlet stores and had a major diabetic crash, it’s probably a good thing we were winging it! I got on my KOA app and found the KOA Woodlands. They had a glamping cabin available and I snagged it! We were dead tired when we made it to the KOA and honestly, I was nervous about booking something I had never seen or stayed in. We had no idea what to expect. IT WAS AWESOME!! Seriously, I was so happy with it.

We walked into a screened in porch with a picnic table. The tent had heavy duty Velcro and a zipper to enter into the living space. The floors are made of wood and the tent was canvas. It was set up with a master bedroom, bunk room and living room area. There was plenty of space for the family to spread out and get much needed breathing room away from each other after the 2 long travel days! The only thing this glamping tent lacked was a bathroom but even that was just short walk away. BONUS feature: the Kerig coffee maker!! I would recommend this KOA style of glamping.

The next morning was Acadia National Park! We were so excited to finally make it to this destination. Due to how much I have to say about Acadia I am writing a separate blog about it and you can read that here. Acadia National Park

Abbie struggled with T1d lows our whole time in Acadia NP and sadly was unable to any of the “hiking” trails. It was a real downer. She told me I should crowd fund her way back there so she could actually enjoy all the facets of it.

Bar Harbor, ME has sooooo much you could do and enjoy. We are the outdoor, adventurous types so we left those things for others to do, but there is whale watching, boat rides, and shopping on the quaint streets. If we would have had more time in the area we would have certainly enjoyed trying out some of those things. (I really wanted to whale watch but the tours were full because the prior day was cancelled due to weather.)

**ONE THING YOU HAVE TO DO IN BAR HARBOR! ** You MUST go out and explore the tide pools at low tide. If you park on West Street and walk out on Bridge Street you can access the sand bar. REMEMBER, YOU CAN ONLY DO THIS AT LOW TIDE. You can walk out to the island and wade in the pools using the sandbar.

We were on a mission to find some starfish. We are from Ohio and had no idea what to look for, so prior to going we asked some park rangers how to find sea life. The ranger told us to wade out to at least our ankles/mid-calf and lift up the rocks and look under them. It took us awhile but we found one!! This was a highlight of our trip!

Who can go to Maine and not have some lobster? Maine lobster is certainly something you have to try when you are in Bar Harbor, Maine! We had it two times while we were there. The first time we tried it, we ate at Peekytoe Provisions. I can’t recommend this location to you. The food was just ok and expensive for what you got. The service was marginal and the atmosphere was cafe’ style. It was very disappointing.

Our second time was JUST YUM! Down East Lobster Pound was a perfect spot to grab some lobster. We got 2 lobsters, corn on the cob and slaw for $19.99. I did ask them about the price and it is MKT PRICED daily so call before you go if you want the current market price. The family has been in business for quite sometime and they are willing to share their knowledge with you. We asked them tons of questions about lobsters and crabs and they were willing to give us all the skinny on the how and why of lobster fishing. A++ service and friendliness.

We were sad to be leaving the Acadia NP area but we had the notion to hit Niagara Falls before we got home soooo we had to start that meandering home thing.

Honestly, we got onto the road as said, “Shall we take the coastal road or the main freeway?” We opted for Route 1 down the coast. Since we had no plans and were just road tripping, we took our time cruising down the coast checking out the sights. We came to this point in the road where we were crossing a LARGE suspension bridge. Curiously we were taking in all the parts about it, thinking WOW this is in the middle of NO WHERE and it’s amazing! As we crossed the bridge we saw a sign about Fort Knox and decided, “Hey, lets stop and check it out!”

Penobscot narrows bridge and observatory and Fort Knox is a MUST STOP for any family! We love history and this was just the place to give us that history fix we needed. The bridge in and of itself is amazing, and is taller than Lady Liberty! They have an elevator that takes you to the top where you get spectacular views of Maine.

Fort Knox Historic Site is full of nooks and neat historical things to see. It has amazing architecture and the structure is massive. I was really intrigued about the Hot Shot Furnace, while this one was never used I learned about how these were utilized in the protection of territory. This was one of the best forts I have explored in awhile and it was really fun to be able to check it out. I ALWAYS give a good scare to one of the kids if I can in old spooky forts! Lord, please forgive me.

Every night since we left we had no idea where we were going to be staying and this night was no different. We had spent A LONG time at the Bridge and Fort and time was ticking. It dawned on me that it was a Friday night in Maine during high tourist season. I quickly started to google and map out some locations we could stop and would you believe we found a cottage by the sea? Yeah, me either! It was not the cheapest night we had on the trip but it was a lovely stop.

Colonial Gables Cottages in Belfast, ME, were just a wonderful place to rest after all our adventuring in Acadia NP and the fort area. We were able to kick back and use a full kitchen, shower in a bathroom INSIDE our cottage, and sip coffee on the porch while we watched the fog roll in and out. I can’t tell you how refreshing this stop and stay was at this property. While it is not the Ritz Carlton, it is clean, updated and relaxing. Heather at the front desk was informative and helpful about the area and gave us some great tips for our evening. Sometimes those little mom and pop places can be just what your road weary traveling soul needs.

After our restful night and hearty breakfast cooked on a real stove we loaded up and headed to Niagara Falls and Canada! We were sad to say good-bye to Maine and all the beauty and adventure we had there. I am certain we will return to this WONDERFUL state where adventure can be had on every corner! #visitmaine

You can read about Niagara Fall here and how the rest of the trip went!

Happy Adventuring,

Brandy

Maine Adventure : Acadia National Park and the Maine Coast What's a wife to do when her husband says. "Let's go on an adventure to Maine! Can you be ready in 4 hours?" Of course I say, "Yes, but I'll need more than 4 hours." Being the miracle packer that I am, I had us ready in about 6 hours and headed out when the sun broke the sky the next morning.

#adventure #climbing #diabetes #family #Family vacation #hiking #history #homeschool #homeschooling #light house #maine #National Parks #travel

0 notes

envirotravel · 7 years

Text

Summer in San Francisco

Last summer, while planning my now-annual visit to California to visit my dad, I added in a new stop that I hope becomes a regular one — San Francisco. One of my hometown best friends had recently moved cross-country to settle in Lower Pacific Heights, and I couldn’t wait to explore the amazing life she’d created for herself out west.

After a long flight from Albany, where I’d barely caught my breath after my Boston and Martha’s Vineyard trip, I couldn’t wait to give Michelle a squeeze — and enjoy four days in a city I hadn’t properly explored since a school trip when I was thirteen.

After losing my mind at the amazing-ness of Michelle’s brownstone apartment (she lucked into the third bedroom of a rent-controlled apartment her two sweet roommates have rented for more than eight years), we headed out for drinks. San Francisco, I’d learned, isn’t huge on rooftop bars — so the heated “roof-ish” patio at Jones was a pretty big deal.

I was immediately glad Michelle had insisted I bring a sweater. You know that famous Mark Twain quote, “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco?” THAT DUDE KNEW WHAT WAS UP.

We continued our reunion celebration with dinner at Hops and Hominy and bar hopping what felt like all over the Bay Area. As someone who is often in serious trip planning and logistics coordinating mode, there’s nothing I love more than visiting my friends and just blindly following them around for a few days with little to no awareness of where I actually am. Makes blog writing difficult in retrospect (ha!) but it’s such a treat at the time.

The next day, Michelle had an amazingly fun itinerary planned with hiking and brunch and so many of my favorite things. Unfortunately, I was feeling sicker than I have in ages and so was basically a useless blob the entire day — more on that later. But leave it to this super host to find the perfect activity even for an invalid houseguest: a feel-good movie at the fancy Kabuki 8 theater.

The following morning, though still feeling pretty weak, I couldn’t stand the thought of wasting another day on Michelle’s lovely itinerary, and so we set off for a gentle walk through Crissy Field. It was a chilly and windy morning, and fog dramatically clung to the bright red Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

At the base, we climbed up the Fort Point tower for better views, and could only take our hands out of our pockets long enough to snap quick selfies before they felt like they were freezing again! I could not believe that it was June in California and I was so cold (and yes, in fact, I am writing about this trip nearly a full year later — whoops.)

Thankfully, things started to warm up by the time we got back to the car. The walk had wiped me out but also worked up the first bit of appetite I’d had in over 36 hours, so I was pumped for our next stop — Chestnut Street in Pac Heights.

We could have spent all day strolling this too-cute neighborhood. After evaluating several options, we settled on lunch at Tacolicious, where I nodded in agreement to their signature tagline, “fingers over forks.”

When we emerged from the restaurant, I was shocked by what awaited us outside — bright blue skies! I never would have guessed based on the morning that our day would turn out this way. Michelle was kind enough to drive me back to see the bridge from another vantage point so I could obsessively take photos with this beautiful gift of sun. Ah, tourists.

But seriously… how beautiful is this?!

We ended up going for another wander, this time down to the harbor. The views looked familiar — they were the same I’d seen from my Alcatraz Cruise, my one little pop-in to San Fran since my last proper visit almost fifteen years prior.

But sometimes, when you’re catching up with an old friend, it doesn’t really matter so much where you are or what you’re doing… it’s all just background to a great conversation, anyway.

The morning’s activities left my still-rough-self pretty wiped, but Michelle knew just what to do: a driving tour! I did get out of the car at our two main destinations, but mostly I was quite happy to watch the city go by from the car window, listening to my friend’s narration about her new home.

Perhaps my favorite stop was the Painted Ladies. This famous row of Victorian Houses got its big break in the opening credits of Full House, but fame hasn’t gone to its head.

A little less overwhelming was Lombard Street. In theory, the world’s second windiest road sounds very cool, but in reality it’s actually pretty hard to appreciate (or photograph) unless you’re taking in an aerial view. Still, we drove down it, which was cool, and it was fun to see the huge tour group all angling for the best photo.

That night, we went to Tony’s for pizza and the Warrios game. While the waits are notoriously crazy at this popular eatery, we beat the system by sitting at the bar — a trade off I’m almost always happy to make when dining as a pair.

The next day was the first that I truly had my appetitive back, a terrible thing to lose in a city so famous for its cuisine. Michelle was working from home this day and it was so nice to just have side-by-side laptop time. As someone who often works alone, it really makes you appreciate the silent company of someone else doing the same. Other than a quick lunch outside on the street at The Grove, we chilled from our office on the couch all day.

And suddenly, it was my last night in San Francisco. We ran around town meeting up with various friends — dinner with Michelle’s roommate, drinks with my childhood neighbor and friend — and discovered two gems in the process. The first was Smuggler’s Cove, an intensely-themed pirate bar that would put most tikis to shame. While the night we visited was a little weird (there was no music playing, which I hate in a bar), I’ve had enough personal recommendations for this place to conclude that we just had an off night. I’d love to give it another chance and really work my way through the rum menu someday!

And our next stop was Chambers Bar, which looked like it was made for Instagram. Though we arrived not long before closing, this was one of my favorite finds from the whole trip, and also left me itching for a return.

We turned in after, as the next morning Michelle was back to the office, and I was on to San Jose for a night with my friend Abby before flying to Los Angeles. I always love visiting Abby — when travel bloggers get together they do boring stuff like go to the gym and go to nondescript restaurants and sit on the couch and watch TV and basically do nothing but catch up and gossip about our weird and wonderful industry. Well, at least these travel bloggers do. (And clearly, based on the zero evidence I have of these 24 hours with Abby, we don’t take many photos either.)

Five days in Northern California flew by.

They did so in large part due to the illness I mentioned before… which wasn’t just a bug.

I really hesitated on if I wanted to write about this or not, but I am pretty sure that I was drugged on our first night out. I have many reasons for thinking so, the primary one being that at our last stop for the night, Michelle and I were approached by a sketchy guy who tried to sell us drugs. We laughed off his dancefloor sales pitch (um yeah NO THANKS) but he wouldn’t quite leave us alone. Michelle says she noticed I started acting funny and the guy started speaking to me in Spanish, and I replying in it, so she couldn’t follow what was going on. I don’t remember any of this — because him buzzing around us like a fly you just can’t swat was my last memory of the entire night.

And so I also don’t remember that shortly after, as Michelle was putting us in an Uber, that same man muscled open the door or our car and forced himself into the vehicle just as we were pulling away. Michelle screamed that he wasn’t with us, and our driver screeched to the side of the road, yanked the guy out of the car and onto the curb, and hightailed us home to safely.

I was violently ill for two days; nauseous, weak, and unable to keep food or even water down. While I definitely considered the possibility that I was having a very weird hangover (for better or for worse, at this point I know my body’s reaction to excessive partying pretty well, and vomiting just isn’t party of the equation) but a call to my doctor back east confirmed that my symptoms were in line with those of date rape drugs. He encouraged me to go to a hospital for testing and treatment and to file a police report, which in retrospect I wish I had done. But I didn’t have health insurance at the time and was worried what it all would cost, and I was also fearful of the reaction of whoever I might report what happened to, considering nothing really happened.

It was a reminder that with all the far flung, exotic destinations I travel to, terrible things can happen anywhere and women especially must always, always be vigilant when it comes to their personal safety. While it was a very unsettling experience and I can’t remember the last time I felt so physically terrible, I am so grateful to have escaped the situation relatively unscathed and to have had Michelle take such good care of me while I recovered.

As for all the things I missed while I was healing… I’ll just have to go back. I’ve got the perfect host to crash with, after all.

Till next time, San Francisco…

Summer in San Francisco posted first on http://ift.tt/2k2mjrD

0 notes

easyfoodnetwork · 4 years

Quote

HBO/Curb Your Enthusiasm Looking for something delicious to watch this weekend? We’ve got you. Like most people living under shelter-in-place orders or voluntarily socially distancing because of COVID-19, Eater staffers are watching a lot of TV right now. Coming from series past and present, here are the best food-related scenes, episodes, and shows that we used to cope this week. Party Down (Seasons 1 and 2 streaming on Hulu) The gist: The failed dreams and enduring delusions of a Hollywood catering company’s employees are all on excruciating, glorious display in this criminally underwatched 2009 comedy series, which ran for two brief but glorious seasons on Starz. Each episode is set at a different function where the crew has been hired to sling hors d’oeuvres: a funeral, a college conservative union caucus, a preschool auction, a singles seminar, Steve Guttenberg’s birthday party, and one spectacularly unsuccessful orgy night. While food and booze give the show its reason for existence, it’s the personal struggles of the caterers — and often their clients — that provide its brand of satirical, irreverent, and often very biting humor. Almost all of the company’s employees — the failed actor, the aspiring screenwriter, the stage mom, the struggling comedian — have been chewed up (or at least teethed on) by the Hollywood system, which lets the show examine and skewer the industry’s class struggles and pretensions with a hilarious lack of remorse. That said, Party Down wouldn’t be nearly as effective without its cast, which includes Jane Lynch and Megan Mullally, along with the then-relatively unknown Adam Scott, Lizzy Caplan, and Martin Starr. Watching them grimly work a room armed with cheese platters and shrimp puffs is one of life’s more specific pleasures, and also among its most reliable. —Rebecca Marx The original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (available to purchase on Amazon Prime) I’ve been getting real joy out of watching Ted Allen on the original run of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which upon second watch is hilariously antagonistic toward the straight guys. Unlike Antoni, who tries to meet these men on their level by having them make avocado toast or pancakes, Allen basically cooks everything himself and gives his subjects busywork. Men can assemble crudite, if they want, or whip egg whites while Allen has already infused cream with vanilla beans and has it melting with expensive chocolate on the stove. In one episode, Allen orders his subject $50 jars of kosher foie gras to make armagnac-infused mousse, to be served with shaved black truffle, because “people are pretty accustomed to” pâte (???). And then, when the guy’s girlfriend doesn’t seem to like it, he bemoans “that’s $150 of foie gras!” like it’s everyone else’s problem for having bad taste. This is not about teaching men a new skill. There is nothing practical about most of Allen’s cooking, and it’s thrilling to watch men who have never set foot in their kitchens pretend like this is the sort of entertaining they’ll be doing from now on. —Jaya Saxena Project Runway (Season 10, Episode 2, available on Hulu) I’m going to admit outright that I had embarked on a journey to rewatch all the Project Runway seasons available on Hulu even before this pandemic started, but now that a lot of us are confined at home for the indefinite future, there are few better background-television choices I can recommend than the original drama-filled fashion competition reality series. One standout episode is the second in Season 10. In “Candy Couture,” the designers raid boutique candy store and New York City staple Dylan’s Candy Bar, snagging licorices, gummies, and jelly beans to create outfits that range from “wow!” to “not bad” to “that?” To hear snatches of catty comments and catch glimpses of a lively, bustling NYC in between footage of designers burning their fingers with hot glue guns — ah, different times. —Jenny Zhang ZeroZeroZero (Season 1, Episodes 7 and 8, available to stream on Amazon Prime) ZeroZeroZero, an Amazon Prime series that follows a shipment of cocaine through four countries, has some predictable drug cartel narrative arcs — double crossing, violence and cruelty, me softly saying “it’s just not worth it” over and over again — but one nice change was the Calabrian mob’s dining table mainstays: a hunk of cheese, salami, bread, and wine. When the going gets tough for these guys, they just need a hit of carbs, cured meat, and some salty, creamy dairy, washed down with adult grape juice. Who among us can’t relate? I wonder who out of the mob grunts makes sure they’re stocked. Are there wheels of cheese in the trunk of their car? Salami hanging from the coat hooks in the back seat? Are they kneading their own sourdough, letting it rest, firing up the wood oven that they just built after feeding some poor sod’s corpse to the pigs? Who cares! These guys are committed to the “simple ingredients, done well” philosophy, and for that, I commend them. — Pelin Keskin Playtime (available to screen on the Criterion Collection) I cannot say that I’ve ever experienced a true restaurant shitshow. The closest I’ve come is perhaps witnessing a bartender slip and fall at a restaurant where I received no service for an hour and then got up and left. I sometimes envy my colleagues in New York, who used to regale readers with tales of ninja servers and tunamatos during their annual Shitshow Week (may it rest in peace). But now I can safely say I’ve experienced a shitshow, thanks to the 1967 Jacques Tati film Playtime, currently streaming on the Criterion Collection. This movie is, on its surface, toying with sound editing (if you’re into that sort of thing) and poking fun at the strangeness of midcentury aesthetics and American tourists in Paris. But it’s the second half of the movie where Playtime really hits its comedic stride, at a restaurant opening where just about everything goes wrong. The kitchen runs out of food. The air conditioning stops working. The harsh metal chairs leave marks on the backs of the patrons and rip the pants of servers. The ceiling falls in. While it’s billed as a comedy, it’s the Criterion Collection, so we’ll file it under amusing. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this for anyone missing restaurants — even truly bad ones. What I wouldn’t give for an uncomfortable metal chair right now. — Brenna Houck Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 10, available to stream on HBO GO) Absurdist times call for the comedy of Larry David, so I’m particularly grateful that he brought back his HBO hit Curb Your Enthusiasm just in time for an election year and global pandemic. Season 10, which premiered in January after a two-year-plus hiatus, is a comedic buffet of food riffs: Larry reignites his rivalry with coffee-slinger Mocha Joe when he opens a “spite store” called Latte Larry’s directly next door to Mocha Joe’s cafe; Larry realizes he’s consistently seated in the “ugly section” of a trendy Italian spot with a condescending host (played to smarmy perfection by Nick Kroll); Larry and Jon Hamm fight with Richard Lewis about the appropriate allotment of appetizers; Larry wears a MAGA hat to lunch so that his dining mate will cut the meal short; Larry gets a sweaty server (Abbi Jacobson) fired after she shamelessly declares that she’s suffering from diarrhea, then gets diarrhea himself from his favorite licorice; Larry offends the staff of a Catalonian restaurant when he knocks out his tooth and pronounces everything with an unnecessary “th” sound. Then, of course, there’s the season-long debate: What makes a good scone? If you worry that Curb Your Enthusiasm would seem particularly trite while the world is figuratively on fire — well, it is trite. And it always has been. Nitpicking on life’s small annoyances to the point of embarrassment is kind of the point. — Madeleine Davies John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch (available to stream on Netflix) John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch is a very tender and funny one-hour comedy special on Netflix lightly satirizing Sesame Street, and everyone with a soul should let it gently touch them. Mulaney stars alongside a cast of impossibly cute child actors and guests like David Byrne, and it’s all built around musical numbers like “Grandma’s Boyfriend Paul,” which will probably make you cry, and “Sacha’s Dad Does Drag (and the Act Needs Work!),” which might also make you cry. There are two great food tie-ins, not including the sack lunch of the title. There’s a brief stub of a song called “Let’s Play Restaurant,” in which — when Mulaney plays along — the restaurant is closed for a private event, sorry, you should have checked their website. And then there’s an instant classic of a song that’s near and dear to my heart as a once-upon-a-time very plain-eating child, called a “Plain Plate of Noodles,” in which Orson Hong, a little boy, explains his gastronomic limitations in song and dance. The lyrics! The choreography! Thirty out of 10. — Caleb Pershan from Eater - All https://ift.tt/3aIhVEC

http://easyfoodnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-new-and-old-food-adjacent-shows.html

#EasyFoodNetwork #ComfortFoodRecipes #EasyRecipes #GoodFood #BestComfortFoodRecipes #TastyFoodv

0 notes