#i always forget that Jenkins IS a fan

[izzyhandsy]

BLACKBONNET SEX SCENE SET TO IZZY SINGING LA VIE EN ROSE IS FUCKING INSANE DJENKS IM IN YOUR WALLS

#LITERALLY SCREAMED AND PAUSED THE SHOW #barking howling gnashing my teeth gnawing the floorboards #steddyhands #blackbonnet #gentlebeard #edizzy #stizzy #izzy hands #edward teach #stede bonnet #ofmd 2 #ofmd #our flag means death #ofmd 2 spoilers #ofmd spoilers #like this is something a fan would edit together from two completely separate scenes #i always forget that Jenkins IS a fan #truly the maddest among us

[thresholdbb]

Voyager dares to ask the question: How many Janeways is too many Janeways?

#just trying to count the timelines and crossovers and Janeway on Janeway scenes #and I love them for it #time and again deadlock year of hell shattered relativity course oblivion endgame #and that’s just off the top of my head #the thaw worst case scenario living witness #11:59 (why not) timeless fury life fast and prosper pathfinder tinker tenor doctor spy #author author even though I always forget the name of the episode but remember she’s captain Jenkins uhhh renaissance man #idk if we count the Tom Paris bodysnatcher incident #uhhhh #muse? #still convinced I’m missing some #memeish #I forgot coda that anon was right I’m a fake fan

[jennaimmortal]

Musings on OFMD Season 2

I’m feeling a bit sad today for the OFMD writers. After rewatching S1 & 2 a couple times, it’s become blatantly clear to me that Izzy’s arc this season was a very obvious love letter to both Izzy fans & the great Con O’Neil. Izzy was very clearly written to be an obstacle to Ed’s healing & personal growth, a snare that Ed needed to be freed from, albeit with plenty of nuance hiding under the surface. It would have been much easier for them to kill Izzy off while he was still the toxic, abusive, sadomasochistic terror of S1E10.

Instead of taking the easy route, though, the writers flipped the trope on its head! They utilized every bit of the potential buried beneath Izzy’s super fucked up shell. This season Izzy got

• a fully fleshed out redemption complete with terrible consequences of his 1x10 actions

• a realization of the possibility of another way of thinking & existing that he’d spent all of S1 running from & trying to destroy,

• genuine love & support from his crew mates which he was actually able to accept,

• exploration of the long abandoned softer side of his nature,

• an apology from Ed w/o first offering one of his own,

• a powerful, devastatingly poignant speech that mentally demolished a new nemesis, and finally

• a beautiful, meaningful death in the arms of the man he’d dedicated so much of his life to, known that he was truly loved by him & completely accepting of the fact that Ed’s love was not in the form he’d always hoped for.

It was so much more than we could have hoped for, and was very obviously done in service to the MANY fans that had fallen in love with Izzy even after S1, as well as to give Con a storyline worthy of his immense talent. Considering the face that Izzy was never going to end up becoming the show’s third protagonist, it was more than we could have hoped for!

OFMD has two protagonists, Stede & Ed. All the secondary character narratives that haven’t directly involved Ed and/or Stede have been icing on the cake, but the cake has always been the Gentlebeard love story. I feel like some people forget this, expecting them to treat the secondary characters as if it were an ensemble show instead of a show with leads.

Izzy’s arc really was an amazing gift! The writers gave us this incredible journey for Izzy this season, and what did a disgraceful number of people do? They attacked David directly, insulted the entire show, the writers, & other characters, even wishing actual harm & misery to other characters or even to David himself!

While I know that comparatively speaking, the percentage of show fans who reacted this way was relatively small, it was still an astounding amount of hatred & vitriol thrown at the people who had obviously worked very hard to give Izzy fans something beautiful to hold on to after his inevitable death. Much of the discourse honestly shocked me, considering the fact that OFMD isn’t even an adaptation of another work.

When fans get angry at shows written as adaptations of books, it’s a bit more understandable for them to have extreme reactions. They’ve had certain ideas and headcanons about characters they’ve felt very strongly about for a long time. It can be really jarring & painful when expectations like that aren’t met, the characters or plots are taken in totally different directions, or even excluded entirely.

OFMD, however, is an original creation. This is David Jenkins’s story. These are David Jenkins’s characters. He knows his story, his plotlines, his characters far better than anyone else does because they came from HIS brain! So while we as fans can have our own interpretations & head canons, they are always going to be at risk of being proven totally wrong by the ACTUAL canon.

One of the worst aspects of fandoms, in my opinion, is the way people become so proprietary over the story & characters, insisting that their own interpretations & theories are the only correct ones, which is exactly what happened with Izzy. Fans’ individual & collective interpretations, theories, hopes, & other head canons became concrete & true in their minds. So much so that when the actual story didn’t meet those expectations, so many of them lashed out in some truly unpleasant, sometimes hateful ways.

My only hope is that the rest of the fandom’s love, appreciation, constructive criticism, heartbreak, pain, joy, & excitement has been enough to drown out the deluge of vitriolic comments directed at David & the other writers.

If you stuck with me through this unintentionally long diatribe, thank you! Maybe take a moment to give the writers some comments or replies on social media, showing your love! I know I will!

#our flag means death #ofmd #ed teach #ofmd s2 spoilers #ofmd season 2 #ofmd s2 #ofmd izzy #izzy hands

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

Hi, I have huge gratitude and admiration for your posts and updates on OFMD, I always find them so comforting and informative! Especially as I'm only on Reddit and got a Tumblr account 4 days ago to keep track of OFMD (Twitter/X is just too overwhelming for me lol). What was your take on Rhys Darby's Cameo video in regards to making you feel more hopeful/less hopeful/neither but it was still lovely? With the deafening silence from David Jenkins and worrying that the morale is dropping, it's irresistible not to start feeling a bit of doom, you know? Any response appreciated, but regardless, thank you so much for the work you're doing ❤️

Hello my dear! Welcome to tumblr, we're so glad to have you! I really should get on reddit sometime (I get notifications when certain posts get busy but I just always forget to check them). I totally get that Twitter is overwhelming, it's a tornado of information--and thank you! I'm so glad you're getting something out of the updates!

My take on the Rhys Darby cameo, ay? Well I'll be honest, I thrive on even a little bit of feedback so I was 100% pumped after that yesterday. It sounds silly but I went and cried in the shower for 20 mins because I was feeling torn between the sadness for Rhys and what he lost and was feeling and then also the beautifully kind and positive advice he was giving us.

After that-- I basically felt like someone called Gondor for aid and I was a raging pile of need for action. I actually feel more hopeful now, but I think Rhys has that affect on people. Like that man could tell me the sky was blue and I'd grin like a toddler with a lollipop and nod and feel like I could take on the day.

I do totally get that doom and gloom feeling that comes with the silence. We need that feedback from the people we're fighting for to keep morale up. That being said though--- I've noticed a trend over the past few weeks since cancellation, and that is that when we start feeling down, someone in the cast/crew starts poking their nose out. Usually its Chaos Dad (David Jenkins) but all of a sudden when things are slowing down again this week, Rhys puts himself up on Cameo, two days before the UK launch of s2? I just don't believe in coincidences in most cases, especially when we're all watching things so closely. It may make me sound like a conspiracy theorist but I do truly believe that a huge chunk of the cast and crew is watching our actions and reactions to things very carefully (Hell, Alex Sherman is over on twitter liking a bunch of fan art and porn, so at least we have our little perverted guardian angel!). They just seem to keep popping up at the exact right moments to help rally the troops for them not to be.

The difficulty with negotiations in any industry is the whole Non Disclosure Agreement that comes along with people potentially taking on new clients/funding new projects. Legitimately, there could be a contract in the works right now with a network and we already have our s3, but we just can't know about it because that would damage / threaten negotiations. It could be the other way too, but with how supportive Chaos Dad and Rhys and the rest of the crew have been just popping in and out like little bubbles of positivity, I really feel like we have still have some hope here. It's just really hard to be patient when we're all pushing so hard-- which is why breaks are so important. Anywhoooo, I've had my coffee so I'm obviously rambling at this point-- thank you so much dear for writing into me! I hope that answers your question... I am feeling overwhelmingly positive after Rhys' videos and feeling very mama bear on wanting to protect that man by doubling down on efforts, lol. So glad you're will us on tumblr friend! Always feel free to reach out :D <3<3<3 Ty!

[littleragondin]

9 Fandom Peeps to Get to Know Better:

I have been tagged by @my-rose-tinted-glasses and @troubled-mind, thank you both! (っ˘ω˘ς )

3 Ships You Like: Currently, I am still basking in the warmth and kindness of Kasuga and Nomoto from She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat (probably going to be stuck there for a while ngl).

I am also still quietly invested in Zorro x Luffy from the One Piece Live Action, in a way I haven’t been since I read the first two dozens volumes of One Piece about… twenty years ago …

And I have restarted Khun Chai so the itch is back for Tian and Jiu.

First Ship Ever:

Not sure about first ship ever, but I saw something about Peach Girl the other day, and I was reminded of how hard it was for me to decide if I wanted her to end with Toji or Okayasu lol (this and Evangelion were my first manga ever)

Otherwise in the first ones, there is GaaLee from Naruto I guess. I think that’s the first story where I really started shipping/writing and reading fics/and swapping the characters around.

Last Song You Heard:

It's a Fry and Laurie kinda evening. Gosh, I still know the lyrics by heart...

Favorite Childhood Book:

I used to read so much (where has all that reading time gone etc…) so it changed often. But I was a huuuuge fan of Artemis Fowl (he was a genius! And a villain! And he loved his mom!! and Holy was so badass!).

There was also a french SF series for kids, Kerri et Megane, that I loved SO much (they were ‘orphans’ who in the first volume hide in a spaceship to try to find Kerri’s parents), and it had gorgeous illustrations and I was obsessed.

Currently Reading:

I am in a terrible reading slump I’m afraid. I need to finish Love in the Big City (part 3 kinda broke my heart so I’m having trouble getting back on the saddle), as well as Flux by Jinwoo Chong, and I have started Textual Poachers by Henry Jenkins. So instead of reading any of that, I restarted Escalier C by Elvire Murail – that I have read a dozen times already but what can you do.

Currently watching:

Same thing, I guess. Things are going slow here too. Week to week I am keeping up with Sukiyanen kedo do yaro ka and 23.5 degrees (yes yes there is only one episode out but it still counts). I am also slooooowly catching back up on Ossan’s Love Returns, Kamen Rider Revice, and Pale Moon, as well as working my way through Leverage (I’m halfway through season 4). And I am binging Khun Chai again right now, for comfort.

Currently consuming:

I just finished a cassoulet (sponsored by my brother who seems to always worry that I will forget the taste of French food and sent me home with cans of food this year) and am eating a yogurt to top it off.

Currently craving:

Some sushis (unattainable) and some mango ice cream (more attainable once I go grocery shopping I guess).

If you feel so inclined (but of course no pressure) I will tag @benkaaoi @sparklyeyedhimbo @petrichoraline @gillianthecat @bengiyo @isaksbestpillow and also @scienceoftheidiot and @coquelicoq .｡.:*☆

#tag games #start of the year has been so busy with work #(which sucks) #and on top of that I keep getting sick #(also sucks) #so my media enjoyment has been put on the backburner I'm afraid #(it mega sucks) #but that's where we stand as of today lol #Youtube

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

The Girl He Left Behind [Epilogue]

Fandom: American Actor, RPF, Elvis Presley, Elvis Movie 2022

Pairing: Elvis Presley x Original Female Character

Characters: Elvis Presley, Addison Goodwin, Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley, Minnie May ‘Dodger’ Presley, Red West, Sonny West, Gene Smith, Billy Smith, Original Female Characters, Colonel Tom Parker, Billy Smith, Marci Cunningham, Steve Cunningham, Jerry Schilling, Mary Jenkins, Alan Fortas, Marty Lacker, Original Male Characters, Mona Goodwin, Joe Goodwin

Word Count: 2952 // Rating: Mature

Summary: When Elvis returns home to Graceland from the Army he’s followed by the headlines ‘The Girl He Left Behind’ but what the media don’t know is that Priscilla wasn’t the first. No, that title belongs to someone Elvis will never forget.

Tags/ Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Graceland, Poverty, Friends to Lovers, 1950s Elvis, Bad Parenting, Surprise Surprise the Colonel Is a Colossal Prick, Parental Loss, Grief, Fun Fairs, Kissing, Vaginal Sex, Oral Sex, Movie Nights, Arguing, Tension, Denial of Feelings, Age Gap Romance, Underage, Addison is 17 Elvis is 22, Guilt, Betrayal, Extortion, Blackmail, Jealous, Army Elvis, American Draft, US Army, Lying, Time Shift with Elvis moving to Memphis, Flashbacks, Caught

Notes: Fin! 

Thank you all so much for reading! I have absolutely LOVED writing this series even if it did end on a sad note. Not to worry though I’ve already started thinking about writing the follow on series so keep your eyes peeled! Xx

LINK TO ALL PARTS // AO3 LINK // PINTEREST LINK

@girlblogger2002 @sania562 @caitlin1996 @literally-just-elvis-fics @notstefaniepresley @artlesson8892 @18lkpeters​

‘Damn Memphis heat,’ the Colonel mumbled exasperatedly as he blotted his brow with his hanky once more. Tom Diskin looked at him apologetically even though he had no control over the weather, it wasn’t even his fault they were driving with the windows rolled up that had been the Colonel’s choice, a way of avoiding the fans crowded by the gates. There were always fans gathered there and most of the time the Colonel did engage with them out of courtesy but today was not the day for niceties.   ‘It sure is busy,’ Tom said as he navigated the car through the poorly parked vans and cars that littered the driveway. ‘Just drop me out front and find somewhere to park it,’ the Colonel said gesturing for Tom to pull up at the base of the steps which he did obediently. As the Colonel opened the door a rush of warm air hit him once more making those beads of sweat he had batted away not moments before return in an instant. He climbed out, taking a minute to mop his brow once more before he started to head inside. Before he could however a voice shouted his name, ‘hey Parker when is he coming out?’   The Colonel’s gaze travelled to the group of men standing just to the side of the steps, various pieces of equipment strewn around their small group from where they had gotten tired of waiting. At their friend’s words they all stopped to look at him.   ‘Yeah, we’ve been here hours,’ another man said, flicking his cigarette onto the lawn angrily which was followed by a murmur of angry agreements. The Colonel straightened up, offering them his most understanding look. ‘Soon gentleman,’ he said and before they could ask any further questions he carried on walking towards the house. A flurry of whispers broke out behind him, his name interspersed in the conversation frequently, though he didn’t let it phase him. After all, he had just as many questions as they did. That was why he was here.     He could still hear them as he reached the front door but once he stepped inside and shut it behind him they were gone. In fact, every noise was gone for a moment so much so he thought he was alone for a second but as he turned around he realised there were people inside, yet everything was still. People were sitting in the living room talking quietly amongst themselves though they looked up as he entered, both parties exchanging that uneasy sympathetic smile that everyone did when no one knew the appropriate greeting. Mary was bustling quietly in and out of the kitchen, laying out food for whoever wanted it though from the looks of things most of it remained untouched. And then sitting there on the stairs in front of him was Vernon.   He was slumped against the banister as if he needed that support to keep him upright. His face was ruddy and tear-stained, his shirt damp from where they had rolled off his chin and landed on his chest. He didn’t move when the Colonel entered. He didn’t even say hello. All in all, he looked like a broken man. And the Colonel could tell why. As he walked into the house he could hear it, heart-wrenching guttural sobs and wails coming from down the hall – Gladys and Vernon’s bedroom.   ‘Vernon,’ the Colonel said softly hobbling towards the man with his cane. Vernon looked up at him, not a flicker of energy to be seen on his face. Nevertheless, the Colonel pressed on, ‘Vernon, there are some fine folks from the press out front.’ ‘Are there?’ Vernon said indifferently. ‘Yes, and I was thinking...a few words…pictures…then they will leave us alone,’ the Colonel said trying to sound as sympathetic as possible, but Vernon didn’t do anything but shake his head gesturing to where Elvis’ inconsolable sobs were coming from down the hall. ‘He won’t,’ he said shakily, ‘I can't get him to do anything. No one can. He won't sleep. He won't eat. I keep asking myself what would she do?’ ‘Yes, he trusted her like nobody else and now she’s gone what does he have?’ the Colonel murmured. Vernon looked up at him exasperatedly as if he was missing something. ‘I don’t mean Lovie,’ he said as if it was obvious. The Colonel’s eyes narrowed for a moment before the meaning of what the other man was saying set in. ‘Vernon,’ the Colonel said shaking his head. ‘You have to admit it Colonel. She’d know what to do. He could do with her-’ ‘We agreed,’ the Colonel said angrily, ‘you agreed-’ ‘I know what we agreed but my wife wasn’t dead then!’ Vernon snapped loud enough a couple of heads turned away. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment before he looked back at the Colonel pleadingly.   ‘I know what I said…but that was months ago. Everything’s different now,’ Vernon said holding in the sob that was inside him from fear it would reignite another round of crying he simply didn’t have the energy for, ‘I’m just asking you to try Colonel. Just try.’ ‘And if I can’t get hold of her?’ the Colonel asked stiffly. ‘Then you better hope he’ll listen to you,’ Vernon said flatly standing up. The two men looked at each other for a moment before the Colonel nodded ever so slightly signalling he had conceded. As Vernon walked into the living room and sat himself down next to his mother the Colonel sighed and started to head up the stairs towards Elvis’ private office. If he was going to do this, he was going to do it out of the way of any prying ears.   He had almost been home free. Elvis had adjusted to army life relatively well and the tabloids had eaten it up much to the Colonel’s delight. Not to mention that by the time the Colonel’s ‘no contact’ ban had lifted Elvis had been so preoccupied with his mother he’d barely had time to think about anything else. He had asked questions of course as the Colonel had anticipated but he’d been so malleable with worry the Colonel had been able to navigate through them with more ease than was he expected.   Now he was going to ruin it all. He supposed he didn’t have to but he couldn’t be sure Vernon wouldn’t come poking around after him. If the situation was going to be dealt with he was going to be the one to deal with. Besides he doubted she’d even still be there even if he had picked a school that let her board until the end of the year.   He sat down at the desk and reached into his pocket for his address book flicking through it to find the number he needed to call. He found it scribbled on a page at the back and though there was no information listed with it should anyone have cause to look through his book he knew that was the number. With a sigh, he picked up the phone and dialled. It rang for a while which didn’t surprise him, the offices were sure to be deserted given the time of year something that made him smile. Oh well, he could always say he tried and got nowhere but just as he was going to hang up the line clicked on a sweet southern voice answering.   ‘St Bernadette’s Boarding School for Girls, Mary-Ann speaking how can I help?’ the girl on the other of the phone said. ‘Uh, hello,’ the Colonel said gruffly as if he was annoyed that she had the audacity she had to answer the phone, ‘I was wondering if you could help me. I’m trying to get a hold of one of your students.’ ‘Well sir most of our students will have returned home for the summer by now I don’t know how feasible that will be,’ Mary-Ann replied. ‘It’s important,’ he said. ‘Oh, well I can have a look at our records. Some of them do remain on campus but I won't promise anything,’ she said, ‘could I have a name?’ ‘Addison Goodwin,’ he said. ‘Just bear with me for two seconds,’ she said. He muttered an agreement but he could hear she was already away from the phone. He could hear her flicking through pages of a book as she sat back down at her desk. After a moment he heard her pick it up and place it back to her ear.   ‘I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t have an Addison Goodwin listed here. Are you sure she was one of our students?’ she asked. ‘Well I've been paying her tuition since Christmas so I would hope so,’ the Colonel said snidely. ‘Oh,’ she said uncomfortably, ‘well just give me a second I’m sure there’s some explanation here.’   The Colonel sighed again and glanced at his watch. He didn’t have time for this. He had things to be doing, his mind drifting to reporters gathered outside waiting for any scrap of news though he supposed if he couldn’t get Elvis to go outside it didn’t matter much anyway. After a moment or so he heard her utter a soft, ‘oh.’ ‘What is it?’ he asked leaning forward at her tone. ‘It appears she was here,’ she said. ‘Yes, I know that silly girl but that’s not what I’m asking. I need to know where she is now,’ he snapped. ‘That’s the thing,’ Mary-Ann said nervously, ‘see she hasn’t been here since before our Easter term.’ ‘Do you know where she went?’ the Colonel asked hoping she wouldn’t have an answer. That had been what he had been hoping for all along, that she had taken off just like her mother. ‘It says here she was transferred,’ she said making nerves bubble inside him. ‘Transferred where?’ he asked. ‘I don’t think it’s my place to say,’ she said tentatively. ‘Is it your place to explain why your school has been cashing cheques for students that are no longer attending,’ the Colonel said angrily. ‘It’s not like that, she’s been transferred to our sister…school. I think it’s best I just patch you through they should be able to explain everything better than I can. Just don’t hang up the line,’ she said hurriedly and before the Colonel could protest he heard her click off, a series of buttons being pressed as she transferred the call. He should’ve just hung up. After all, he had tried to get hold of her, was it his fault if she was no longer there? But he was too curious to leave it be, so he held on.   ‘Hello,’ another voice said. She sounded older than the last girl, more matronly. ‘Hello who am I speaking to?’ he asked. ‘Sister Teresa. Can I help?’ she said. ‘I hope so. I’ve just been patched through here from St Bernadette’s I’m trying to locate one of their students. She informed me she’d been sent to your school instead,’ he said. ‘That’s not possible Sir,’ Sister Teresa said. ‘That’s what the girl told me,’ he said feeling irritation bubble inside him. ‘Well I don’t know what she’s told you but we’re not a school,’ she said sternly. ‘Then what have I been paying tuition for?’ he snapped. ‘Sir, if you have an issue with St Bernadette’s I suggest you call them back and take it up with them but this is not a school,’ she said. ‘Then what is it?’ he said. ‘This is a mother and baby home,’ she said, ‘hello? Sir?’   After one more call for him to answer she gave up, the dial tone ringing out as she hung up on him. The Colonel was silent. He had questions, millions of them, but they couldn’t make it past his lips his throat so dry they were stopped from escaping him. Mother and baby home. Baby.   The word didn’t seem real.   Dozens of scenarios whizzed through his mind. Could it be true? Was the woman from the school mistaken? He thought about it, trying to do the mental maths in his head. If there was a baby it would’ve more than likely been born and surely she would’ve come back by now if she intended for Elvis to know. No, if she hadn’t come back yet there was a good chance she was going to stay away for good. At least that was what he hoped. Whatever good PR Gladys’ death would bring would surely be washed away at the sniff of a baby out of wedlock.   After a moment he seemed to realise that he was still holding the phone and though he didn’t know how long he’d been sitting there in shock but the fact that the dial tone was no longer there signalled a while. He placed it back on its nook and paused pondering what he was going to do. It didn’t take him long to decide.   When he got downstairs Vernon was by the living room door mid conversation with someone but he looked towards the Colonel expectantly all the same. The Colonel didn’t say anything but he shook his head silently making the hope in Vernon’s eyes snuff out immediately though he nodded in recognition his gaze flickering up the hall towards his bedroom.   The Colonel nodded.   He headed down the hall pausing at the door to the bedroom for a moment before he ducked inside. Though Elvis’ sobs were still able to be heard from inside the bedroom they were no longer the wracking inconsolable ones that the Colonel had walked in on. He pushed the closet door open gently. Elvis didn’t even look up as the door swung open, his face buried in one of his mother's dresses, his body practically curled around it as if he was trying to let the scent of her consume him. At this, the Colonel faltered.   He looked broken. Utterly and completely wrecked and it was heart-breaking to watch.   He was broken from his thoughts as Elvis mumbled something. He didn’t know if it was directed to him, he didn’t even know if Elvis had registered he was even in the room but he heard it all the same, ‘come back Satnin.’   ‘My boy,’ the Colonel said sadly. Elvis looked towards him, finally acknowledging he there though he didn’t say anything, the tears continuing to fall silently down his cheeks. The Colonel didn’t know where to put himself. Tough love seemed like the wrong approach. In fact, any approach seemed like the wrong approach but he had to do something. He had to get him out of this room.   ‘My boy,’ he repeated moving tentatively towards him and offering a hand out, ‘my boy you need to come out of here.’ ‘I can’t,’ Elvis said shaking his head as he buried his face back in his mother’s dress once more. ‘Your daddy needs help. He’s trying the best he knows how to but he is overwhelmed. He needs you out there,’ the Colonel said. ‘No, I can't go out there,’ he said looking up at him with tears in his bloodshot blue eyes before he added brokenly, ‘I just wanna stay in here forever.’ ‘Oh I know, I know you feel like this right now. I know you feel as though you will never be right again but things will get better. They won't be easy but I will be there to help with whatever it is you need. Tell me and I’ll make it happen,’ he said. ‘Bring her back,’ Elvis whispered. ‘If only I could,’ he said leaning down to place a hand on the boy's shoulder, ‘anything else I can do I will. Whatever you need.’ ‘Addison,’ he whispered quietly. The Colonel paused the words of the nun popping into his head once more. ‘I don’t think,’ the Colonel said hesitantly. ‘She mustn’t know. If she did, she’d be here. I know it,’ Elvis said looking at the Colonel imploringly. ‘Or maybe she does and she’s choosing to stay away,’ the Colonel said making Elvis’ face crumple once more, ‘after all it is times like these where we see who truly cares for us. Now your mother, she cared for you like no other and I know if she had a choice she would not have left you. And whilst I know no one could ever replace her I promise that from now on I will try my best to do everything she would’ve done. Anything she would have done; I will carry out in her name. While you are overseas I'll stay home, and I will work and I will worry while you serve your time in the Army.’   Elvis looked at him and though he didn’t respond he allowed the older man to guide him to his feet, ‘but you also have your part to play. You must stand by your [papa, comfort him, comfort your friends, family, and even your fans. Because if you don't, then all your Mama sacrificed for you will have been for nothing... Trust me.’   Elvis seemed to let his words digest for a moment before he nodded gently and then in a move that surprised the older man he lay his head on his shoulder. ‘No matter what happens, stay with me through thick or thin, okay?’ he said in a heartbroken whisper. The Colonel hesitated for just a second before he moved his hands to the boys back holding him as gingerly as he could as the boy continued to weep.   ‘I don’t have anyone else,’ Elvis said quietly. ‘You have me my boy,’ the Colonel said, ‘you have me.’

#my writing #elvis #elvis presley #elvis fic #elvis presley fic #elvis x oc #elvis presley x oc #Addison goodwin #the girl he left behind

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Saturday, April 27th

XANDER: For I am Xander, King of Cretins. May all lesser cretins bow before me.

~~Witch~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Forget I Asked by NotASlayer (Xander/Anya, T)

Happy Birthday, Bottle Blonde by Bellavision (bellavision) (Buffy/Spike, not rated)

how you were inverted by CallMeVampy (Giles/Ethan, T)

A Balance of Angels by InMyOwnHeadItGoesLikeThis (Giles/Ethan, Good Omens crossover, G)

Mask by Enigmatist (Angel & Fred's parents, not rated)

Spike and Buffybot text chat by scooby-group-texts (0)

Inner Demon = Literal Cat by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Raven, Chapter 13 by sparrow2000 (Xander & Spike, G)

… A Stranger I Go Hence, Chapter 13 by MalkMcJorma (Faith/OC, M)

Sunnydale Serenade, Chapter 15 by TheRealJeanGenie (Buffy/Spike, T)

With Arms Wide Open, Chapter 33 by jaybird023 (Buffy/Giles, E)

Shadow Over Hellmouth, Chapter 109 by Tuxedo_Mark (Buffy/Tara, E)

Thirty-ish Days (and Thirty-ish Years), Chapter 28 by Dynapink (Buffy/Giles, T)

Wish Granted, Chapter 10 by faewm (Anyanka, Harry Potter crossover, T)

Sanguinaccio Dolce, Chapter 3 by SarielLunar (Xander, Hannibal crossover, M)

In Case You Haven't Noticed... Chapter 10 by Sdhuskerfan (Buffy/Giles, E)

Raven, Chapter 13 (complete!) by sparrow2000 (Xander & Spike, G)

No Going Back, Chapter 20 by Tru2urheart (Willow/Tara, M)

Greatest Love Story Postlude, Chapter 15 by FalseGinger (Angel/Spike, M)

The Reason Why, Chapter 8 by Xyex (Buffy/OC, M)

The Boring Stuff: Reptile Boy, Chapter 6 by missfiggy (Buffy/Angel, M)

In the Company of Witches and Slayers: Chapters 18-19 by VladimirHarkonnen (TheLightdancer) (Willow/Tara, E)

You’re my always, Chapter 9 (complete!) by Shipper_wlw (Willow/Tara, T)

If I Could Turn Back Time, Chapter 3 by Tropicmorningnews (Buffy/Angel, M)

Dusk Rising, Chapter 43 by HappyWhenItRains (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Army Wife, Chapter 3 by though_you_try (Buffy/Spike, R)

Afterburn: In The Dark, Chapter 4 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Centerfold, Chapter 5 by all choseny, Passion4Spike, MissLuci (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

A Ripple In Time, Chapters 11-12 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Secret Obsession, Chapters 8-9 by Maxine Eden (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Guitar Villain, Chapter 2 by RavenLove12 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Masquerade, Chapter 1 by Holly (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Spike's Bloody Awful Poetry, Part Deux: A Tortured Poet, Chapter 1 by BewitchedXx (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Animal I Have Become, Chapter 1 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, R)

Exquisite Chaos: Part 1, Chapter 1 by yellowb, JayeMaru, bewildered, DeamonQueen, ClowniestLivEver, VoronaFiernan (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Yellowstone: A Safe Harbor, Chapter 5 by Buffyworldbuilder (Buffy, Yellowstone crossover, FR7)

Early One Morning, Chapter 36 by all choseny (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Love Lives Here, Chapter 54 by Passion4Spike (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Sculpture of Dance, Chapter 15 (complete!) by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, R)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: Der Kinderstod by linguini (worksafe)

Coloring page of Aud/Anya Jenkins in "Selfless" by amazzyblaze (worksafe)

Comic: Connor, Gunn and Spike by genericaces (worksafe)

Fanvid: Buffy Summers | The Horror by Jasmyne Peck (0)

Fanvid: Spike - Ugly Side by CaptainBlondieBear (0)

Fanvid: El Tango de Buffy (Roxanne)- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Bangel and Spuffy) by Bobblehead89 (0)

Fanvid: Buffy Summers - Look What You Made Me Do by starryeyesxxmasterclass (0)

Fanvid: Buffyverse | Out of My League by genericaces (0)

Fanvid: buffy & spike | you’ll never be friends | btvs spoilers by graey13 (0)

Fanvid: Buffy & Dean • Genie In A Bottle by Holly (Supernatural crossover)

Fanvid: Buffy and angel- Ashes by Movieandtvshows 2 (0)

Fanvid: The Prophecy | Buffy Summers by leticia (0)

Music: Buffy The Vampire Slayer OST theme fan-cover by Night-Lee (0)

[Reviews & Recaps]

BTVS/Angel Rewatch Chronicles: Seasons 6/3, Part Two by QualifiedApathetic

Rewatcher's diary: season 1 by jonaskoelker

Video: Angel, Season One, Episode Fifteen: The Prodigal by Slayed! The Buffyverse Revisited Podcast

Video: Dead Things-Slayer Sunday by Jane Talks Buffy

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3 Review! (Spoilers!) by SundayScariesReview

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer SFX - A Video Essay by TheRealZahyra

Video: The Re-Watcher's Council | "Lie to Me" Buffy the Vampire Slayer S02E07 Spoiler Review by LGRN - Entertainment

Podcast: 69 - Buffy The Vampire Slayer [movie] by The Contrarians

Podcast: Angel S4E2: Ground State by Booze & Buffy

[Search & Recs]

Fic search: Looking for a [Spuffy] fic! by Identity__Crysis

Fic rec: [Rhapsody in Oil by Eurydice11] Best Spuffy Story I Ever Read! by Ok_Wheel7960

Vid rec: Throwing it back to this iconic Fuffy vid [Whispers in the Dark by Sam] recced by patwrites

[Community Announcements]

Shoebox Diorama Contest: Buffy Edition! by The Sunnydale Diaries - A Buffy Podcast

[Fandom Discussions]

They get all kinds of mileage out of Xander having memories of being an army guy, but ... by nicnacsnonsense

Joss' favoritism of the most horrible mediocre white men aka riley, xander, and angel is never more apparent than in Into the Woods by raisedbythetv89

I think it would’ve been way cooler if Drusilla and Ms. Calendar had been related by theredpharaoah

Wouldn’t it be messed up if some known potentials where just kidnapped? by finalgirl1984

[Spike's clarification about his crypt in Potential] by littlenastieswewhispered

Dawn deserves more credit continued by thetopher

Seth Green leaving , was it dodging a bullet storywise continued by semiurge

Was Angel hypocrital for having different attitudes towards Lindsey and Faith? by The Whirlwind

Rewatch thoughts and questions continued by multiple posters

American Cinematographer Article on Michael Gershman by Priceless

Reasons for being the Slayer continued by American Aurora

If you could put one F-Bomb in the whole series [AtS], where would you put it? by asiantorontonian88

Willow in Season 7 and Angel season 4 by TheAgeOfAdz91

Sarah Michelle Gellar's best crying moment of these choices? by jdpm1991

Did Spike apologize? by Icy-Morning6813

Were you on Doris' the social worker side? by brwitch

S4E7 - The Initiative [Spike's chip] by _isopale_

What episode would you show a friend to get them to watch the show? by stnkykermie

How far do y'all think Sunnydale is from these cities? by No-Intention-1948

The Trio! by Sculder_1013

Full Series Rewatch Accomplished: Whose got time to explain the scythe to me? by Fine-Grapefruit-4193

What if it had been Buffy [whom Wesley had asked to catch Angelus]? by FoxIndependent4310

Cassie and Cassandra (the mythical figure who foresaw the fall of Rome) by nota-banana

What happened to Willy the Snitch update by PiperFett

For you, who is the best fighter in the series? by FoxIndependent4310

"Chosen" final battle by Emergency_Self_3607

Buffy's neighbours by Al_Bee

Theory About Seeing Red [Warren shooting Buffy and Tara] by Past-Throat-6788

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

#buffy the vampire slayer #btvs #angel the series #ats

[my-chaos-radio]

Release: December 5, 2022

Lyrics:

Mama, I'm callin', I've got some news

Don't ya tell daddy, he'll blow a fuse

Don't worry, I'm doin' okay

I know you raised me to know right from wrong

It ain't what you think and I'm still writin' songs

Just never thought I'd see the day

I've never felt this way

I met somebody and he's got blue eyes

He opens the door and he don't make me cry

He ain't from where we're from

But he feels like home, yeah

He's got me doin' things I've never done

In Georgia, they call it a sin

I'm wearing Tennessee orange for him

Took me to Knoxville last Saturday

And I wore the hat on his dash to the game

It sure wasn't Athens but I

Fell for him under those Neyland lights

I met somebody and he's got blue eyes

He opens the door and he don't make me cry

He ain't from where we're from

But he feels like home, yeah

He's got me doin' things I've never done

In Georgia they call it a sin

I'm wearing Tennessee orange for him

Mama, forgive me, I like him a lot

Hell, I'm learning the words to Old Rocky Top

And he's got a smile that makes me forget

I've always looked better in red

But I met somebody and he's got blue eyes

He opens the door and he don't make me cry

He ain't from where we're from

But he feels like home, yeah

He's got me doin' things I've never done

I met somebody and he's got blue eyes

He opens the door and he don't make me cry

He ain't from where we're from

But he feels like home, yeah

He's got me doin' things I've never done

Songwriter:

In Georgia, they call it a sin

And I still want the Dawgs to win

But I'm wearing Tennessee orange for him

I'm wearing Tennessee orange for him

Ben Williams / David Fanning / Megan Moroney / Paul Jenkins

SongFacts:

"Tennessee Orange" is a song by American country music singer Megan Moroney. The song was released in December 2022 as her debut single, and is included on her major-label debut album Lucky. Moroney wrote the song with Ben Williams, David Fanning, and Paul Jenkins.

The song gained popularity while Moroney was still an unsigned artist, due to social media posts in which Moroney was wearing a Tennessee Volunteers T-shirt that fans speculated belonged to Morgan Wallen. At the time, she was recording music produced by Kristian Bush, one-half of the duo Sugarland, who serves as producer on the track. Due to the song's popularity online, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2022 based on downloads and streaming, and led to her signing with Arista Nashville by year's end. The label serviced the song to country radio until March 2023, when parent company Sony Music Nashville closed the Arista Nashville division and transferred Moroney to Columbia Records' Nashville division.

The song is a love story about college football, portraying a relationship between a narrator who is a fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and a man who is a fan of their rival, the Tennessee Volunteers. Moroney released a music video in January 2023 which features Moroney wearing Tennessee Volunteers apparel. As of July 2023 the song reached top on Country Countdown USA, making it her first single to reach the top of the charts.

#Youtube #Spotify #Megan Moroney #Tennessee orange #hit of the day #music #music video #video of the day #youtube video #chaos radi o #good music #2020s #2020s charts #2020s music #2022 #pop #folk #world & country #country pop #country #lyrics #songfacts #350

[fogsrollingin]

Interview: David Jenkins On Making ‘Our Flag Means Death’ an Escape

Here's some topic highlights and their timemarks

First question 0:00-3min : Jenkins' career summary and how his fam - especially his Dad - had great taste in comedy.

Jenkins explains he grew up watching horrible, dark, things growing up. They were 'scarring but in a good way.' And also you can't really tell what's gonna age well. ~3mins in

How did you come about the story of Stede Bonnet, Gentleman Pirate? "I love men in existential freefall and having identity crises" 7mins in

Did you always want this to be a romance between Stede and Ed? 8m50s "Oh it was definitely because they had a romantic relationship." and "To me it didn't seem like it could be anything other than that."

9-11 mins in: wanting the series to be so character- and relationship-driven that you could pull them out of the pirate world and into another universe and you could still tell the same/similar character- and relationship-driven story

12 mins in : on when Taika got involved as EP and when Rhys got involved. Taika as 'star EP' is very hard to pull off. But he's a smart businessman and so busy, so he pairs with people whose sensibilities he trusts to make big choices, and then he goes away, and he came back to OFMD and got fully behind it.

The virtues of "Yes, and" when it comes to creative collaboration (it's not a bunch of people saying "No, but" frustrating each other) 17 minutes in

What showrunners do; how your brain makes you forget how much pain was involved (yes they're related topics haha) 18 mins in

20 mins in praising Rhys Darby! 22mins in Jenkins does an impression of him/his Kiwi accent. Also fascinating that "Rhys in particular really disappeared into the role." Which led into appreciation for Rhys and Taika accepting and performing his comedy dialogue so well

26 mins What's the show's secret sauce? HBO doesn't seem impressed by the fandom but then he goes online and they have more likes on HBO's season 2 renewal announcement vs. HBO's new GoT spinoff. Fans picking up on and loving details that you came up with on a Tuesday sleepy with a migraine = amazing; lightning in a bottle.

32mins Jenkins anticipating mean/nasty tweets. The host saying there's too much negativity in the world, hold back on nasty tweets and Jenkins actually goes "ehhhh the mute/ignore button is great, I'm not gonna lose that much sleep over it." So much love for that. "With the hellscape we're living in right now, this show has become something of a refuge and I think that's why the fans have been so gentle."

34mins in with a diverse writer's room, this time period, do we incorporate slavery? The writers of color in the room asking "Can we not make this show about trauma?" Also OFMD "is more about falling in love than coming out." - "Made me realize how many people only see themselves onscreen when the trauma of x, y, or z is attached to their character as an anchor and they can't just be a character." (This is absolutely brilliant)

38mins your casting beyond Taika and Rhys? They really lucked out! The ways celebs get cast, everything's very up in the air but it's exciting.

40 mins Favorite eps? Eps 8, 9, and 10 are tied; where the show really found its footing. Break the Chain. Rhys and Taika's performances. Bonnet 3 words: lost, kind, adventurous. BB: troubled, lost, and fragile.

Sauce

>Fogs' OFMD Interviews, Behind-the-Scenes, etc. Archives

#david jenkins #ofmd #our flag means death #taika waititi #rhys darby

[atlantisblasebl]

THE GEORGIAS BRACKET: SEMIFINALS

The time has come to decide our finalists. The winners of these polls will represent their respective half of the bracket, and determine who the Fan-favorite Georgias player is. (or at least, the Fan-favorite as far as the people on Tumblr voting in this bracket are concerned).

Our final four candidates are all Georgias OGs from the Expansion Era, including Rigby Friedrich (one of the league's all-time best performers), Niq Nyong'o (arguably the most important player in our lore), Flattery McKinley (a magnet of misfortune that caused many of our most memorable stories), and Neerie McCloud (who spent so long Elsewhere, her name pretty much became synonymous with it). (More in-depth summaries are on the poll posts themselves.)

If you want to bring your favorite to the very end, then don't forget to #Vote!

But first, some Semifinals Statistics!

Both Rigby Friedrich and Niq Nyong'o dominated their respective polls, getting 77.1% each out of 35 votes, and leaving Randy Dennis and Frankie Hambone in the dust! Will they be able to keep this momentum going all the way to the finals? Or is this their final hurrah before they get taken down by more formidable opponents?

You know who didn't dominate their respective poll? Flattery McKinley, who only narrowly beat out Fish Summer with 51.6% of the vote, officially marking the closest poll of the entire event! This was also the poll with the most votes, getting 64 votes total.

The final four players are, in fact, seeds 1-4, showing I probably did something right with my seeding process.

As always, anyone is allowed to participate in voting, whether or not you're familiar with the Georgias (or even Blaseball in general). Just vote for whichever player you like more in each pair, and winners will progress to the Semifinals! And don't be afraid to do a bit of campaigning for your favorites, if you feel like it.

You can find all matchups under the #georgias bracket semifinals tag on our blog, or in the list below:

Rigby Friedrich vs. Neerie McCloud

Niq Nyong'o vs. Flattery McKinley

Current placements for eliminated players are under the cut!

64. Goodwin Morin II - 0%, 0/37 votes 63. Basil Ball - 0%, 0/35 votes 62-61. Nagomi Mcdaniel III/Vernon Glump - 5.6%, 2/36 votes 60. New Megan Ito III - 8.1%, 3/37 votes 59. Poseidon - 10%, 4/40 votes 58. Jenkins Ingram - 11.8%, 4/34 votes 57. Cote Loveless II - 17.6%, 6/34 votes 56. Khulan Kebede - 18.8%, 6/32 votes 55. Alexander Horne - 19.4%, 7/36 votes 54-53. Dickerson Morse/Justin Alstott - 21.2%, 7/33 votes 52. Wyatt Mason III - 23.1%, 9/39 votes 51. Montgomery Bullock - 25.7%, 9/35 votes 50. Lance Serotonin - 26.1%, 12/46 votes 49. Jon Tumblehome - 29.0%, 9/31 votes 48. Goobie Ballson - 30.3%, 10/33 votes 47. Jessica Twolephone - 31.3%, 10/32 votes 46. Pitching Machine - 32.6%, 14/43 votes 45. Kit Ratoon - 34.4%, 11/32 votes 44. Jelly Burgertoes - 35.1%, 13/37 votes 43. Erin Jesaulenko - 35.3%, 12/34 votes 42. Agnes Caster - 35.5%, 11/31 votes 41. Lachlan Shelton - 37.1%, 23/62 votes 40. Gita Biscuits - 39.4%, 13/33 votes 39. Knight Triumphant - 41.2%, 14/34 votes 38. Angelika Aufdiscord - 41.9%, 13/31 votes 37. Mckinney Vaughan - 43.3%, 13/30 votes 36. Zephyr McCloud - 43.8%, 14/32 votes 35. Sosa Hayes - 46.4%, 13/28 votes 34. Doc Cash - 46.7%, 14/30 votes 33. Wyatt Mason IV - 47.5%, 29/61 votes 32. Juan Murphy - 27%, 10/37 votes 31. Jan Canberra - 31.9%, 15/47 votes 30. Geraldine Frost - 32.4%, 12/37 votes 29. Waverly Mori - 33.3%, 12/36 votes 28. Yurts Buttercup - 33.3%, 14/42 votes 27. Emmet Atomic - 35.3%, 12/34 votes 26. Manu Candle - 35.5%, 11/31 votes 25. Son Jensen - 37%, 20/54 votes 24. Norman Muggins - 37.9%, 11/29 votes 23. Hercules Alighieri - 38.5%, 15/39 votes 22. Hiroto Wilcox - 42.3%, 22/52 votes 21. Chorby Soul V - 42.6%, 20/47 votes 20. Mint Shupe - 46.4%, 32/69 votes 19. Ortiz Lopez - 46.7%, 21/45 votes 18. Penelope Video - 46.9%, 15/32 votes 17. Siobhan Chark - 48.3%, 29/60 votes 16. Mordecai Kingbird - 13.9%, 5/36 votes 15. Steals Chark - 5/34 votes 14. Daisuke Witless - 25%, 7/28 votes 13. Ankle Halifax - 26.2%, 11/42 votes 12. Ji-Eun Clove - 45.7%, 16/35 votes 11. Slosh Truk - 46.4%, 13/28 votes 10. Nanci Grackle - 46.8%, 22/47 votes 9. Beck Whitney - 48.8%, 21/43 votes 8-7. Frankie Hambone/Randy Dennis - 22.9%, 8/35 votes 6. Lady Matsuyama - 37.3%, 19/51 votes 5. Fish Summer - 48.4%, 31/64 votes

#blaseball #atlantis georgias #georgias bracket #georgias bracket semifinals

[troubledontlast1]

God’s goodness is not dependent on our situation. He is good. It’s is the essence of who He is. That doesn’t change every time the wind blows in a different direction. #thankinggodforlife Our circumstances don’t change God’s character, His heart, His plan, His purpose, or even His goodness. #godisgood Too often we seek a reason to thank God, when in reality we should be praising Him for every breath we take. #praisegodalways Be grateful to God no matter what situation you encounter in your life. #thankinggodforlife God is good, even when my day is not. #gratefultogod Good is not always God's will, but God's will is always good. #godisgoodalways God doesn't stop being good, because the world is full of evil. #godsgoodness I find joy in every day, not because life is always good, but because God is. #godsgood Regardless of our circumstances, regardless of what we feel, regardless of what we think, God is good. #godisgoodallthetimeandallthetimegodisgood God is good and His goodness has nothing to do with our circumstances. Our situations, no matter how difficult, do not change God’s character. #godisgoodallthetime Never forget that God is good even when life is not. God never promised you an easy ride through life. Only that He will be with you every step of the way. #godisalwaysgood We can be thankful no matter what we’re facing, because God is worthy of our thanksgiving. #andallthetimegodisgood 🔥FOLLOW MY SOCIALS🔥 1. YouTube/podcast: Uplift Past Crossroads 2. Facebook/LinkedIn = Sean Christopher Jenkins 3. 📸/Twitter/👻/TikTok = @troubledontlast @my_daily_bible 4. Fashion = @glamourmeetsgq Subscribe - Turn on Post Notification - Like - Comment - Share - Save ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ . . FAN PAGES: YouTube/podcast👉🏾@upliftwithdrj @upliftpastcrossroads👈🏾 . . 👤 Tag others ⬇️ ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ #allthetimegodisgood #thankinggoddaily #thankinggodeveryday #thankinggodforeverything #thankinggodforanotherday #thankgod #thankgodforlife #thankgodforlife #thankfultogod #thelordisgood #allthetimegodisgood #godsgoodallthetime #godissogood #godissogoodallthetime #goodgod #godissogoodtome #godhasbeensogood #godhasbeensogoodtome #godhasbeengood #godgood #godisgoodnomatterwhat (at Nashville, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpsJigyLFyA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#thankinggodforlife #godisgood #praisegodalways #gratefultogod #godisgoodalways #godsgoodness #godsgood #godisgoodallthetimeandallthetimegodisgood #godisgoodallthetime #godisalwaysgood #andallthetimegodisgood #allthetimegodisgood #thankinggoddaily #thankinggodeveryday #thankinggodforeverything #thankinggodforanotherday #thankgod #thankgodforlife #thankfultogod #thelordisgood #godsgoodallthetime #godissogood #godissogoodallthetime #goodgod #godissogoodtome #godhasbeensogood #godhasbeensogoodtome #godhasbeengood #godgood #godisgoodnomatterwhat

[atcollection]

the seven husbands of evelyn hugo - review

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This is a historical fiction book that was quite an easy read. Everything flowed together and I was completely hooked on it. It kept me turning the page at the end of every, single chapter.

The plot is obvious (a woman talking about her husbands and marriages) but there is so much more than that. There is a slight twist that I thought was unexpected but admire deeply. I think that this book truly shows how things worked in the older days, especially Old Hollywood, and even present day still. Famous people always have two sides- the side that they want the public to see and the side that is private. Most people know this (there are so many accounts of fans meeting famous people and being ignored/treated poorly because there are no cameras around) but almost everyone forgets it. Fame is such strain on a person’s personal life because everything they do is in the public eye. This book is a good reminder that famous people are people and they have private matters that they most likely want to keep private.

The ending was a conclusive one. All questions were answered and I gasped loudly at one answer in particular. My eyes were watery at the end but I felt happy for reading this book.

This book was an easy and quick read that reminded me that famous people often live a double life and no one will truly know who they are unless they say it themselves.

This will be on my book shelf and I’ll reread it again.

5/5 hearts

*A good partner to this book is My Policeman by Bethan Roberts

#the seven husbands of evelyn hugo #seven husbands of evelyn hugo #evelyn hugo #taylor jenkins reid #fiction #historical fiction #book #book review #romance book #historical fiction book #fiction book

[literateish]

books i’ve read in august

1. a court of thorns and roses by sarah j maas

this book was okay! honestly wasn’t that interesting until the last third of the book when the plot suddenly picked up and with feyre being under the mountain.

3.75 / 5 stars

2. a court of mist and fury by sarah j maas

so much better than the first book!! i loved it, there was a good ratio of plot to romance. it was interesting. not the greatest thing i’ve ever read but i had no issues with it.

4 / 5 stars

3. a court of wings and ruin by sarah j maas

think i may be one of the very few people who prefer thing book to acomaf? absolutely loved the plot with this book, so much more tense due to the war

4.25 / 5 stars

4. a court of frost and starlight by sarah j maas

i did not like this book. it was basically a fanfic of acowar? also it kept switching between first person and third person. which was driving me insane. the only good parts was that there was just a lot of fluffy found family content.

3 / 5 stars

5. a court of silver flames by sarah j maas

the sexual tension in this book >>> nesta and cassian as enemies to lovers was impeccable. my only issue with this book was that there was hardly any plot for the first half and so it got kinda boring

4.25 / 5 stars

6. book lovers by emily henry

least favourite emily henry book but it wasn’t a bad book? i related to nora a lot and it was just a good romance book. nothing too special

4 / 5 stars

7. sorcery of thorns by margaret robertson

it was a good book and the characters were great but i feel like i needed a lil bit more world building because i got slightly confused at times

3.75 / 5 stars

8. malibu rising by taylor jenkins reid

honestly not as good as tshoeh or daisy jones, but it was still amazing. i loved literally every character and got so invested. i love tjr’s writing

4.75 / 5 stars

9. the poppy war by r. f. kuang

this might be my favourite fantasy book. i loved it so much. i love every character - they’re all amazing. and the plot >>> i need to read the other books in this series asap

5 / 5 stars

10. forget my twice by carina taylor

i was given this ARC to review and it was great! just a regular rom-com book, nothing special about it but it was a good easy read

3.5 / 5 stars

11. love on the brain by ali hazelwood

this was a great enemies to lovers rom-com. personally one of my fav romance books - i especially loved the fact that the main character has dysautonomia as i have a chronic illness that causes me to faint a lot and i loved seeing the representation

4 / 5 stars

12. finding audrey by sophie kinsella

not a massive fan of this but i loved the depiction of anxiety, my main issue with it was that it slightly promotes the idea that mental illness can be cured by getting a boyfriend

2.5 / 5 stars

13. pride and prejudice by jane austen

i love this book so much. it will forever be a favourite of mine. mr darcy and elizabeth’s romance will always be the blueprint for enemies to lovers. it’s perfection.

5 / 5 stars

link to my bookstagram post about the books i’ve read in august

#i’ve never read this many books in a month before lmao #my fav book of the month is a tie between the poppy war and pride & prejudice #han’s books #booklr #book recommendations

[imagine-fight-write]

BANANA FISH REVIEW - Vol 1., PART 8

Hello, Everyone!

Banana Fish time!

#it's been too long

As always, remember Banana Fish has no real chapters, so who knows when this post will end. #it will be long

Also, I will get sidetracked. That is a given.

And there's spoilers, I guess.

So last time, we found out who the poor, mysterious banana fish guy is who Ash found wayyy back at the beginning & kicked off the plot.

#reporting can be deadly kids

We also found out what banana fish is! (Mostly).

#that's from Batman: The Animated Series #it's the best

But not how banana fish got started, who made it, or what it was doing over in Vietnam & how Ash's poor brother Griffin got involved. Or even the full effects of what it does to you & how. #but maybe we don't want to know

#biting your nails is a terrible habit

Or why Dino #the murdering worst

# I'm not forgetting those kids he casually murdered #and they're prob. not the first #not to mention Ash

Ahem, or why Dino the murdering worst is involved & what he plans to do with banana fish #apart from something terrible, because he's the worst.

Also, I forgot to mention, on pg.75 when Charlie is like, "well, um, Max (your contact) is in jail." to Eiji & Ibe, he blushes in this adorable, totally related way.

#it's important

Now in the next scene, pg. 83, Eiji & Ibe enter the police station to talk about contacting a gang for their story about youth gangs.

#were they going to compare / contrast their own youth gangs?

#who I know exist because of Fruits Basket & YuYuHakusho.

Eiji fan-girls over being in an actual police station. Or maybe an American police station? #unclear #it's so cute

He quotes Kojak, (not this exact quote tho)

#It's true!

but don't smoke kids, it's bad for you #PSA announcement

#my boxing coach resembled this guy ; D

Eiji also thinks Inspector Jenkins looks like Columbo, another popular police detective story at the time.

#which I've also seen & it is glorious #so is Kojak

#we never see his wife but he talks about her all the time it's so adorable

I don't think Jenkins looks that much like Columbo tho, apart from untidiness. #must be the coat

On the next page we're introduced to Inspector Norris, who's not important except to point out, if you haven't noticed Yosida's tendency for face-sameness, you might notice it here.

#but who cares, I can't draw that well #tho I can draw

#I blame the manga industry which drives artists on terrible schedules #please give them more time

for their health & for better art!

Then I relate to Eiji so hard, because everyone thinks he's so much younger than he actually is (19). Inspector Jenkins thinks Eiji looks like he's in grade school.

I mean yes, he does look young, but not grade school young.

#did Jenkins mean high school? #translation questions

And Eiji lampshades it by thinking, "Okay, some surprise. Not that much."

He's annoyed by it #probably because people treat him like a kid

Everyone's expressions are great tho. Whenever anyone laughs they look so cheerful, it's great.

Maybe they're just really bad at telling people's ages in general. But they're cops! Isn't that sort of a requirement ? So you can look for criminals or describe them later based on their characteristics?

Ibe & Jenkins have an interesting discussion about how even Japanese think Eiji is younger than he is. Jenkins says, "It's hard to tell the age of Asians, isn't it?" which sounds racist?

Is it harder telling someone's age if they're from another country / race? #idk #why does it matter anyway

#this is the eagle from the movie Rescuer's Down Under

#I recommend

Anyway. Norris says Eiji looking young is actually good, because, I quote, pg. 85 "They don't trust adults. But with you they might just relax a little and open up. And they like to show off to people their own age." #because of course they do

Ibe asks if they're dangerous, and gets an Elvish "Yes, but also no" response. Violence is their life, because "they're younger, they're also more impulsive, more unpredictable." pg.86

But also, "The flip side is they take their honor seriously. Even absurdly. They feel it's what separates them from the . . . well, I guess you could say, the grown-ups in organized crime." pg.86

#grown-ups are the worst #sick burn

Then we get confirmation that Ash is the best #we know this already, but it's great to hear because he's a gang leader, which means he has to - rule isn't the correct word, I guess "keep order" is more what they're going for, but also not be afraid to lay down the law if necessary #as we saw. Of the aforementioned, violent but honorable & volatile kids & teenagers Norris just mentioned.

#sounds tough #they sound kinda like samurai but not as cultured

#or maybe Vikings

Jenkins has this great quote about Ash, top of pg.87,

"This kid Ash is smart as they come, tough as hell, but also full of presence."

Ibe asks if Ash is also a "young boy" which Jenkins confirms, and also mentions that he (Ash) is Caucasian. Which is supposed to be surprising for some reason? But also, in true 80s fashion, Ash has managed to unite some Black and Latino kids into his gangs, "racial harmony".

#I do like the inclusion of Black & Latino people in Banana Fish #tho they're not always drawn respectfully

#surprisngly the (few) ladies in Banana Fish are drawn respectfully

#but not always respected #Ash needs to apologize to the doctor's secretary, Ms.Brandish #secretaries have tough jobs

#go racial harmony #let's respect each other #but don't join gangs they're bad for you #Banana Fish is all about that

#also Caucasian has Asian in it #which is strange #also funny? #what is English

Eiji thinks, "Ash. I'm going to meet him soon." And we get a lovely picture of him wondering about Ash at the end of pg. 87

And then we cut to Ash talking to Dino #the murdering worst.

Duh duh duh!

Going to stop here, it's late.

Next time, a lovely convo battle of wits between Ash & Dino, I question Dino's dress choices, lots of lovely framing shots, 2 lowlifes plot terrible plots, and maybe we will finally get to when Ash & Eiji meet!

#random #banana fish #banana fish review #part 8 #vol 1 #manga #columbo #kojak #film #anime #burn #fruits basket #yu yu hakusho

[merelythenextword]

Where do I begin?

How do you squeeze in the emotional complexity of reading something larger-than-life into a few paragraphs?

How do you grapple with a tale that leaves you with withdrawal symptoms?

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is primal, evocative and honest, so honest that it might give you heart-burn. Let me begin with that. Taylor Jenkins Reid has herself a new fan, simply for her ability to approach complex subjects in a fictional tale that is so well-spun, so powerful and so insightful that it might as well be reality.

As is my norm, I will not give out any spoilers. Just know that everything about this book is something you shouldn't miss.

Fortunately, I had no clue what this book was about when I started reading it. Unfortunately, I did myself a disservice by judging it by its cover, and its title. Having just finished it, I will admit that it was a brilliant strategy of Reid's to call it that; juxtaposing elements always stand out due to their stark contrasts. Intrigued? You should be.

Some pages turn themselves, while others feel too heavy for your fingers. This book has cemented its place in my list of the former. Reid's tale of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the price of fame, and the seemingly luxurious lives of the stars is what you expect. You get that, but so much more.

Love is such a multi-faceted, complicated emotion that sometimes, I wonder whether it's a set up for failure if you're not sure about whether who you're choosing to love is worth it. This book has shown me that perhaps, it might not be up to us to choose the people or even the circumstances in which we love, but we can certainly choose what we do to keep it. To sustain it. To let it grow in the face of, well, reality. Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but the thing about love is that ultimately, it should lead to contentment. So perhaps it's a two way road, but crossing it is a solitary (not lonely, mind you) effort, more than we realise .

This was a book that I devoured in a day-and-a-half. The plot kept me hooked, the characters were well-rounded and offered me enough to become attached, the story arc was captivating. Reid has picked some literary choices very well, such as narrating one part of the story in third person and hence conveying a sense of raw detachment, the kind that breaks your heart. The writing is crisp - at times tantalizing, always engrossing. To spin a story about topics that are so relevant and therefore have the power to affect the way people think is a gift, and I'm quite envious of it.

All in all, Hugo's memoir isn't something I'd forget in a hurry. She has my admiration, my respect, my awe. And the fact that she's fictional makes it better. Kudos, Reid!

#booklr #words #evelyn hugo #the seven husbands of evelyn hugo #taylor jenkins reid #fiction #book recommendations

[terastalungrad]

BB20: Wednesday 8 November

This morning, the housemates are woken up by The Prodigy's Firestarter. I love that song. But as Noky says, it's an ominous song to wake up to.

But it's okay, it's just because there's a dancing challenge today. Vaguely 90s outfits are provided. Throughout the day, housemates must dance in the garden. If they win, they will be provided with ecstasy and glue to sniff. I think. Not sure. Some kind of treat anyway.

Fair play, that ITV money has improved the experience of Big Brother by allowing more licensed music.

Jordan likes Megan from Suits and Noky likes Megan from Suits' husband. If you're going to like any English Royals, they're the correct ones to go for. And, as Matty says, Diana. She appealed to everyone, says Noky - "the gays, the blacks, the ill people". The big three.

Big fan of the MeganFromSuits love. Noky, Trish, Jordan and Matty are all in favour.

Big Brother summons everyone - punishments need dishing out for discussing nominations.

And it's very funny, as Big Brother reads out a transcript of the conversation, and it's a tangled knot of half-sentences. But the meaning is clear.

Big Brother considers Chanelle and Olivia (but not Jenkin or Tom) of breaking the rules.

Chanelle deals with the fallout badly. Trish says the conversation makes her feel paranoid, since she may have been one of the people discussed by Chanelle. Chanelle confirms that it WAS Trish, and only Trish, being discussed. Great.

I do think Chanelle deserves to be called out here. Yesterday, Jenkin, Tom and Olivia all had nice things to say about Trish, and were ready to move on. It was Chanelle who shot this down - with the memetic phrase, "I'll forgive but I won't forget", which we've heard repeated by both Tom and Olivia since.

Trish removes herself to calm down in the toilet. Noky comes to find and comfort her.

Trish says that what really gets her is the fact that the rest of the house chooses not to process what's happening here. If Trish had been called out for rulebreaking, they'd have gone hard against her. But since it's Chanelle, it's apparently fine. And Trish feels she can't even be angry, or she'll be accused of being aggressive.

Yinrun joins Trish and Noky, and says this kind of thing serves as a reminder that they're not part of the friend group.

It's powerful, this. Yinrun, Trish and Noky are part of the largest friendship group in the house - it's six against four. And yet, the Four have power, by operating under the presumption of privilege. The Six's coalition of queer men and women of colour still struggle, because the Four are given more benefit of the doubt, and the Six are more likely to be misread and judged.

Chanelle defends herself. What she said is that her best friend - Jenkin - faces eviction, and she'll stand by him (by nominating those who put him up). And of all people, Jordan confronts her! He points out that he (along with Trish and Yinrun) nominated Jenkin, and that Chanelle made it clear that those are the people she's coming for.

In four rounds of nominations - five if you include Noky and Trish's Halloween nominations - Chanelle has only ever received two nominations. She probably would've been safe today, even if she wasn't immune.

But this will change things, I reckon. And listen, I'm always going to stan the Welsh housemates. But she's not being misread here. She was trying to influence her friends' votes.

Jenkin nominates Jordan for being sarcastic and dismissive, and Trish for dismissing him when he suggested wiping the slate clean.

Trish nominates Chanelle for double standards and snakiness, and Tom for consistently misjudging Trish.

Matty nominates Olivia for being loud and annoying, and Jordan!! for being spiky and mean and ghosting Matty. Shocked!

Tom nominates Trish for making him feel uncomfortable with debates, and Noky for cosying up to the more powerful group in the house.

This is very unfair in my opinion. There's a clear, genuine friendship between Noky and Trish. Noky has bonded with Yinrun over the weeks by always comforting Yinrun when Noky sees she's upset. It's hard to think what Jenkin, Tom or Chanelle offer Noky.

I suppose Olivia's the spanner in these works. Noky and Olivia were close, and Noky did disappoint Olivia in the Halloween nominations. It's hard not to see that as Noky prioritising Trish over Olivia.

Yinrun nominates Chanelle, who she thinks has closed her door to Yinrun, and Noky for being the source of conflict with Paul. Yinrun feels Trish took too much blame for a conflict that wasn't her fault.

This is ALSO unfair I reckon! Paul really upset Noky. She removed herself because she was really sad. Trish did end up getting attacked for arguing with Paul, but that's not Noky's fault - it's the fault of the people who attacked Trish.

I'm really surprised and saddened by this nomination.

Noky nominates Chanelle for being insensitive to Noky's feelings, and Tom for being negative and showing an "us versus them" attitutde.

Olivia's feeling low. She has to write 600 lines as a punishment, while wearing a suit that occasionally gives her an electric shock. Worse, she feels she's been made out to be the worst person.

A nice moment as Matty - who finds Olivia annoying, and whom Olivia knows has nominated her in the past - comforts her, pointing out that nobody judges her badly on this occasion.

Olivia's really taking it hard, though. As housemates dance to S Club 7 outside, Olivia feels abandoned and friendless, and even talks of choosing to walk rather than wait to be nominated and evicted.

Chanelle nominates Trish for calling Chanelle and her friends snakes, and Yinrun.

In the Hunger Games, Yinrun was one of three people to nominate Jenkin, causing him to automatically face eviction. Afterwards, Yinrun was overwhelmed and cried. Chanelle feels Yinrun shouldn't have done this - that she should've "read the room".

Henry nominates Noky - he's suspicious that she used Henry's friendship group cynically in order to have allies in the house. He also nominates Olivia for being one-sided in conversations.

Jordan nominates Chanelle for being a voice in the ear of Jenkin, whom Jordan sees as the leader of the rival "group" in the house (though Jordan's opposed to the idea of groups altogether). He also nominates Olivia, since he doesn't feel connected to her, and thinks her group is becoming paranoid.

This has been a fascinating round of nominations. For all the talk of the groups in the house, the Four are a much stronger alliance than the Six.

The Four (or rather, the three of them allowed to nominate) all nominated members of the other group. All three nominated Trish - but their second nominations were more scattered, with one nomination each for Jordan, Yinrun and Noky.

Only three of the Six used both nominations to choose members of the other group. Matty picked Jordan with one nomination, and both Henry and Yinrun nominated Noky. Any one of them could've got Tom up by nominating him instead of choosing someone from their own group.

And this demonstrates the truth of the matter. Jenkin/Chanelle/Tom/Olivia operate far more as a unit than the Six do. And onto the Six, the Four project the idea of a clique, an alliance.

This is worth remembering about human nature. We assume everyone else are living their life the same way we live ours. And that isn't always the case! It's always the most cliquey people who call out other people for cliquey behaviour.

Trish is at breaking point. When she finds out she's nominated, she says she has more haters in the house than outside of it. She goes to the bedroom.

"I feel like Trish just assumed that I was talking about her, but I could've been talking about anyone," says Chanelle.

And NOOOOO Chanelle, this is the opposite of what happened! Trish explicitly kept an open mind, and then you confirmed you were talking about her!

Jordan and Trish talk, and Jordan says something very true.

Jordan: They think we talk about them all the fucking time.

Trish: I think whenever we laugh, they think we're laughing at them.

Jordan: But we're not! They're not funny!

The Four definitely feel excluded. They've definitely interpreted laughter as being at their expense in the past.

Mexican party as a reward for dancing. Yinrun has her first ever tequila - with salt and lime. She hates the taste, which is the correct response.

Trish is very astute. She believes Olivia's part in the rule-breaking conversation was sincere, but that there's no scope for building bridges with Chanelle. I agree with her on both counts.

Chanelle's had a very tough day, though. She feels very alone. Matty comforts her.

#bbuk