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baekhvuns · 1 year

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Omg an essay on meat eating?! How did that go? I watched Terrifier 1 once a few years ago, but went to see the new one and it's definitely bloody, but I'm on my period, some fake blood on the screen won't phase me too much lmao, but it was disgusting and that clown is 💀

That Taemin x Kkoong account is so cute, but they need to release more cartoons 😭 or merch, I'll buy everything

I think all the 94 liners have to go this year/in early 2023 right? 💔 🖐🏻 farewell bald boys...

Syushshshhshshs but why does black salt taste like eggs though it's crazy (egss and soil). You should try some of the stuff if you see them or can order online, there are some misses but to each their own obviously. I'm always searching for new products to try 👀 naaaaaauuuurrrr, but there's fake fish sauce too! If you add enough seaweed/alkgae everything tastes like fish/ocean.

Oooooh congrats on the fic climax then ajheuashshehehsisuegsagaga, hope Hotcheeks will be satisfied!

I noticed the thing with adding members, for bigger groups it's whatever (btw so many people left/got kicked out this year hmmmmm), but Pixy were left with 4.

Bestie I LOVE BOCA SO MUCH "Hold up yeah, I'm a geek the big paradox!!!!"

I saw that people are trying to blame the tragedy on some celebrities who were apparently there and caused people to freak out?! Seriously, that place is full of narrow streets, they need to control it better, but what to do when the government doesn't give a fuck! My friends are fine thankfully, but they were shaken as hell. On the other hand there are people who care more about their kpop content, fucking clowns

Seonghwa looking extra pretty lately - didn't know it was possible - he's glowing and the hair looks so good on him, I'm a blonde Hwa stan rn idc 😭 and his outfits are slaying my existence

So, my friend doesn't even simp or gets wrecked easily, so this brings me so much joy 😍🥰🤗 like I can't believe she's sending me Hwa videos unprovoked or asking for Hwa gifs isysjshdnsjhajsjshashhs she bought one ticket, then changed it for a better one, because she needs to see 👁👁 and shout out to mama Baek I feel you!

Huh Mingo Mango my guy... he's something

Lmao that rap tweet I've never heard that Paramore guy song and I regret it now...

I couldn't open that Sith Hwa photos you sent at first, I have that fansite blocked cause 🔪 but omg he truly is in his villain era

4 years? It seems both so little and a lot 🤨

I wheezed at the name of the quiz: spirit halloween - good thing we don't have those here, so I'm not dying anytime soon (unless I witness Park Seonghwa live)

Btw.... back in October 2019 I attended music shows for Skz and Atz and I CANNOT BELIEVE I SAW WONDERLAND HALLOWEEN STAGE LIVE LIVE 😭😭😭😭 when will my 2019 kpop era come back

I need to boyfriends so I can dress them similarly but it's just Seonghwa

Demon milf vs cute grandpa

Hold on what audusiegesshsvd Park Sieongwa

Look what I saw, Hwa works at LV lol - DV 💖

hi hello!!

i was defending ppl who don’t eating meat <3 some ppl in my class are truly ignorant bc they really think there’s no way theres other food that can provide nutrient and proteins without the slaughter of an animal 😀JDVWNDBSKC girlie glad u had ur period iVE BEEN WAITING FOR MY PARCEL ON IT 🔫🔫🔫 the clown that bad?? 😭😭

That Taemin x Kkoong account is so cute, but they need to release more cartoons 😭 or merch, I'll buy everything

IT LITERALLY IS I FOLLOWED IT SO QUICK IVE BEEN SCROLLING THRU IT WHOLE no ur so right,, if kkoongi drops merch like zero im pulling up to lee taemin’s estate

I think all the 94 liners have to go this year/in early 2023 right? 💔 🖐🏻 farewell bald boys... //// Syushshshhshshs but why does black salt taste like eggs though it's crazy (egss and soil). You should try some of the stuff if you see them or can order online, there are some misses but to each their own obviously. I'm always searching for new products to try 👀 naaaaaauuuurrrr, but there's fake fish sauce too! If you add enough seaweed/alkgae everything tastes like fish/ocean.

bald boys 😭😭😭🤚🏼 i believe they have to go either dec end or like feb but kai said his enlistment is nowhere neAR SO IM HOPING FBFBFB,, NO U ARE RIGHT IT DOES IT ALSO SMELLS LIKE IT TOO !!!! it tastes so fire tho like,, god just decided im about to drop megatron 3000 spice with the fire-est flavour and just left,,, iLL DEF LOOK INTO SOME BC U GOT ME CURIOUS

Oooooh congrats on the fic climax then ajheuashshehehsisuegsagaga, hope Hotcheeks will be satisfied!

hopefully they are 😭 40k here we go 😭😭

I noticed the thing with adding members, for bigger groups it's whatever (btw so many people left/got kicked out this year hmmmmm), but Pixy were left with 4.

yeah!!! so many did,, so many even passed away this year its so crazy 😭😭😭 OHHH I LOOKED IT UP A LITTLE ITS QUITE SADDENING

Bestie I LOVE BOCA SO MUCH "Hold up yeah, I'm a geek the big paradox!!!!"

BESTIE IMFVWKHDQK THE BIGGEST BOCA ENTHUSIAST FBWM I QUOTE IT EVERY DAY WITHOUT FAIL 😭😭😭 dami’s voice is so pretty!! even in beauty full <33

yooo literally???? like what does the celebrity gotta do when the guy who won the election is hiding behind his desk 😭😭😭 NO LIKE DO THEY RLY THINK A CELEB CASUED PPL TO FREAK OUT??? omg i hope they get better soon! it must’ve been really hard to take in what happened,,, no bro some ppl really more worried about the contents they won’t get??? ,,, like u don’t gotta relate everything back to kpop??? crazy mfs truly

Seonghwa looking extra pretty lately - didn't know it was possible - he's glowing and the hair looks so good on him, I'm a blonde Hwa stan rn idc 😭 and his outfits are slaying my existence

EXACTLY I NEED HIS SECRET RIGHT NOW WHAT CONDITIONER AND SHAMPOO HE USES 🔫🤚🏼

u after u introduced her to hwa :

PLSSS FBWMDHSK THATS THE ULTIMATE JOY THE POWER SEONGHWA HAS UR FRIENDS DONE FOR FHFHFH ☺️☺️ oh she got a better one ??? she’s gotta see him in ultra hd 4K 2040p she’s gonna ascend

Huh Mingo Mango my guy... he's something //// Lmao that rap tweet I've never heard that Paramore guy song and I regret it now...

LMFAOOOO NO BC WHAT IS THAT 😭😭😭 WHAT WENT WRONG??? EVERYTHING

I couldn't open that Sith Hwa photos you sent at first, I have that fansite blocked cause 🔪 but omg he truly is in his villain era

omg is that fansite problematic???? ayo??? YEAH EXTREME VILLAIN CORE

4 years? It seems both so little and a lot 🤨

four years and now almost five,,, damn growing old 😭😭😭

I wheezed at the name of the quiz: spirit halloween - good thing we don't have those here, so I'm not dying anytime soon (unless I witness Park Seonghwa live)

LMFAOOOO BDWNBDSK i got this…. in my goblin era apparently

Btw.... back in October 2019 I attended music shows for Skz and Atz and I CANNOT BELIEVE I SAW WONDERLAND HALLOWEEN STAGE LIVE LIVE 😭😭😭😭 when will my 2019 kpop era come back

STOP IT DO U HAVE PHOTOS FJQKDJKW LOW QUALITY I DONT CARE RJKAHDKS NEED SEONGHWA A NEED 😭😭😭😭 nO WHEN WILL THE 2019 KPOP COME BACK THAT WAS A GOOD TIME 😭😭😭

I need to boyfriends so I can dress them similarly but it's just Seonghwa //// Demon milf vs cute grandpa

o-oh.

DEMON MILF FBWMFBAMFBQMDJWK HE THE CUTEST BOBA HEAD 😭😭😭

Hold on what audusiegesshsvd Park Sieongwa

HELP???? THATS SO RANDOM???? PLS ????

Look what I saw, Hwa works at LV lol - DV 💖

OH AND IN PARIS???? 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 its calling for u to go in and buy <3

….

for the first time panchoa is correct 🤚🏼 if u have pink tape im extremely on my way to rOB IVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT BUT 🔫🔫🔫

bestie its concert era now 😭😭😭 the youtube lives 😭😭😭

im gonna need to marry this man

got another one!

#✉️ : ask #dv 💖 anon

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thehereticaldeserthermit · 4 years

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𝕆𝕦𝕥 𝕆𝕗 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣 ℚ𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤

ROLE PLAYER GET TO KNOW YOU PROMPT

Alright TDC Community It’s time for a task,

and this time we’re all going to get to know each other a little better.

Under the cut, you’ll find forty out of character questions split into two parts: OOC about your muses, and OOC about yourself! Answer what you’d like, add more if you’d like.

When you’re done TAG some of your writing partners and keep FUN going.

-there is no pressure to participate

-IF You Are Reading This And You’d Like To Participate Consider Yourself Tagged My Friend!

Much Love,

TheJesseWhoLurks

I tag @lyr-taxidermist @theghostofharar @hurdygurdyskeksis @urskekyagvi @skekmal-the-hunter @skekso-the-emperor @gourdplayer @hedonistschambers @ulvanmaudra @littlebluezoologist @the-wandering-urru @queenofthetides @juliejewel24 @thecastleurru

OOC About Your Character(s)

1. What do you want to get out of playing this character(s)?

The reason I wanted to write for Gra was to meet fellow fans that loved the world of TDC as much as I do, I wanted to find fellow writers. I wanted to steep myself in the fandom. You can easily consider me skeKSis obsessed but I am growing a fondness for their counterparts -slowly ❤

2. Describe your character(s) with three words.

Passionate | Erratic | Trustworthy

3. What made you decide to write this muse?

Originally I was going to pick up The Ritual Master, he’d been my OG fav from the movie BUT Gra kept ... poking me with his scepter? Like; I live in the desert, you live in the desert, Ima recluse, you’re a recluse =we are simpatico. I think The Heretic picked me because he simply would not leave my mind when I considered him as a possibility.

4. If you could change one event in your muse’s life (in their main or canon verse), what would you change?

Canon. I mean they left us kinda hanging there. We really do not know what happened do we? They are simply, just not there anymore. I do not want them to perish, I want them to make it to the finish line and become urSkek. It breaks my heart to think they did not make it.

5. If you could tell your muse one thing, what would you tell them?

I would not say anything, just hug him REALLY tightly and probably not let go until he gives me a chitter-laugh.

6. If you could give your muse one gift, what would you give them?

I would like to give them...ME.

7. If you had to take one positive thing away from your muse, what would you take away?

I do not want to take a positive thing from the fibers that make up Gra. I feel they are very interwoven in his tale. Removing one would make another untether. If I could take away or diminish a bad trait Id have him not be so stubborn and or impatient but then again he would not be Gra now would he?

8. If you could “borrow” one aspect of your muse and apply it to yourself or your own life, what would you borrow?

His determination, passion. Damn son. You get things done.

9. Do you genuinely want your muse to be happy? What do you think would make them most happy in life?

Yes. He’s gotten his ass handed to him, I think he might be owed a slice of peace and happiness. What makes him most happy? He’s already showed me; his relationships whether its friendship, extended family or a lover those are treasures he holds near and dear to his heart.

10. Do you enjoy putting your muse through angst? What do you think would break their heart the most?

Usually I prefer to plot out angst rather then let it completely run a-muck because you never know what your partner is comfortable with, what might trigger them in a detrimental way and simply set fire to a plot unintentionally.

I already know; it literally is ... break his heart.

11. What do you love about your muse?

His dynamic energy, the wild fire, the mystical chaos, the creativity is off the charts. His sharp distinguished features, the way he looks shamanistically feral as compared to his brethren and their Garthic garb. His use of the color red. His scratchy rasp of a voice. His laugh.

12. What do you hate about your muse?

He is a high maintenance muse, he is demanding and screeches loudly for what he wants.

13. What about your muse amuses you?

The fact that he is a skeKSis. This brings a whole slew of challenges to the table for a writer. Case in point, I was writing a reply one day and I went to put something in along the lines of ‘he arched his brow and blah blah’ THEN he hit me! He has no eyebrows to arch, ahhh! I have to stop and think about how to write out expressive traits or reactions that are not of the usual human reaction tone.

14. What about your muse makes you sad?

How fragile his heart really is after all the shit he’s endeared.

15. How would you describe your muse to someone about to meet them, in person, for the first time?

Get Ready For A Wild SURPRISE!

16. Would you like your muse as a person if you met them in real life?

Yes, I like creative souls. I cherish them.

17. In what ways are you better than your muse? In what ways are they better than you?

I do not think I am or he is better than the other.

But I will say he is a handsome devil, for a skeKSis.

18. Why do you think you connect to your muse?

Creative. Outcast.

19. What aspect of your muse’s personality is most important to you? What aspect of your muse’s personality do you think is most important to them? Is it the same? Why or why not?

His passion and drive. I’d say its the same answer for us both. All of the accomplishments he tackled probably had their stacks of obstacles with each to-do. You’d have to have an unending supply of passion and drive to keep going, to complete all. He really is a work-a-holic and a busy body skek.

20. Has your character(s) changed over the time that you have been playing them? How have they changed?

Not yet but I am sure he will, creative liberties will be taken since I only have a a episode or two to work with -am I right?

About You!

1. What is your name?

Jesse.

2. What is your profession?

secret shit.

3. What do you do to relax?

I write. Play video games. Naps are divine. Hot coffee and watch YT videos. DOodle. Desert combing walks. Long hot baths. Organize things xD

4. What is your favorite treat (desert)?

All kinds, I’m not picky. I love me some chocolate lately.

5. Favorite movie

Too many to list. Its October right now. All I want is Hocus Pocus, some Harry Potter and Practical Magick at the moment. Tis the season.

6. Favorite book

I do not think I have a favorite. BUT I will admit that I have a copy of The Dark Crystal that I STOLE FROM A LIBRARY YEARS AGO! I have kept it all this time, its falling apart and its aged with beauty and I adore it ❤ I also have a Jim Henson book about puppetry and his works, there is a page from TDC and if my memory serves me right it has the concept art of skekGra in it sooo sooo I was looking at skekGra YEARS AGO AND HAD NO CLUE the conjunction that would line up in the future! I really neeed to go find this book but its in a storage shed that will be a fresh hell to get to =[ *

7. Favorite vacation spot

Anywhere where its either very green and or by some body of water. Ocean, river, lake. Yes, good. -not very many humans around save for present company reading thiiiis.

8. Favorite Disney movie

Are you kidding me? Too many to list, although I will say The Sword In The Stone did play a part in Gra’s Crystal Skimmer named Archimedes after the grouchy old owl.

9. How did you first get into role playing?

Years ago. I started writing on face book. I wrote for a pirate believe it or not, he was my first muse and he holds special place in my black heart and probably always will. But I am disinclined to acquiesce the gift of further details about this scurvy cursed muse, Ha!

10. What was your first platform? If it was something other than Tumblr, what made you get into Tumblr?

It was face book, before they got all crazy about accounts and security. I moved over to tumblr because writers were incredibly rude and rapid fire RP-ers. One liner sentences and I’m like NOPE I need a novel length.

11. What’s a grammar rule you find yourself breaking or ignoring a lot?

Sometimes I have a touch of dyslexia, sometimes I typo, sometimes I am too tired to proof read, sometimes I make blunders. But I tend to focus on my mistakes rather then other peoples. I just go with the flow, I just write no matter what their level of ‘proper grammar’ IS because I’d like to think that maybe they are just starting out, maybe they will fall in love with writing and maybe they will be the next author who creates a world we all fall in love with and want to immerse ourselves in.

12. Are there any languages besides English in which you think you could comfortably roleplay?

I do not RP in other languages. However I did have a muse at one time who was French, I would throw in little phrases but it was never entirely done in French and I do have a British muse at the moment, so again I will use slang and little sayings to make them well rounded as best as I can. Those are just little details I like to include that many others might skip on but I thrive for deets.

I do however have role play writing partners that are from ALL over the world which is amazing to me.

13. Do you listen to music while your write?

ALOT. I have tracks specifically for skekGra, that take me to his frame of mind. Even TDC soundtrack at times, the puppet show song and the blue flame part 2 are on replay a lot.

14. Are you a morning, day, evening, or night writer?

I am all over the place. My life is very hectic. I’d like to say its usually in the afternoon of evening for me, the house is settled down and things are silent but thats not always how it works out. Oftentimes I will sit down and write a reply or two, then dip to do mundane human things that adults do, then return back for a few more replies.

15. How does tiredness affect your writing?

Kills it. The weekends I work long hours therefor my brain is like WHAAAT.

16. What is your biggest obstacle to writing every day, if time doesn’t count?

It is always TIME. Sometimes stress levels can be an obstacle too, no lie. If something major is going on, I just throw my hands up like ‘I got nothin’’ and thats that.

17. How many drafts is a paralyzing amount?

Oh damn. Been there done that. I am much more picky about it nowadays. I try to limit skekGra to a certain number of replies because he also has to allow room for other muses.

Currently: Gra has ten replies on tumblr -no actually 11 &&& 4 on discord. I am two shakes away from cutting HIM OFF! lol.

18. Is there anything character-wise or writing style-wise that you can’t stand?

I’m open to different characters, I have written with a lot. I love a writer who has style, I appreciate the effort.

Etiquette, manners and consideration are oftentimes LACKING as of late.

19. What kind of anonymous questions are your favorite?

ANYTHING as long as it is not anon HATE.

20. What is your weakest point in writing? Angst, fluff, dialogue, etc.?

T I M E not having enough time to write the angst fluff and dialogue, smut too lets be real. It really is a bummer to me when I do not have the time, I work, I have a a lotta responsibilities, my life is like a hurricane a lot of the time so TIME is my weakness, oftentimes I am super J E L L O of people who are online all day, every day, always there I’m envious and I get writers FOMO which makes me laugh but its so damn true I could ugly laugh cry about it.

#OOC: Post Is Out Of Character #||| Just a lil get to know me thingy |||#the dark crystal #tdc age of resistance #skeksis #skekgra #skekgra the conqueror #skekgra the heretic

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john-taylor-daily · 4 years

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Full text of the article:

Want to feel really old? Oh, go on then. Duran Duran turn 40 this year: the band, that is, not the members. For them it’s worse: Simon Le Bon is 61, John and Roger Taylor, each 59, and Nick Rhodes, the baby, 57.

As you would expect of a pop group who always appeared happiest hanging off a yacht in ruffled Antony Price suits, accessorised with a supermodel and a cocktail, they intend to celebrate in style, coronavirus permitting. So the plan, announced this week, is that on July 12, exactly 40 years since their first gig at the Rum Runner in Birmingham, they will perform in Hyde Park, headlining a bill that includes Nile Rodgers & Chic and their pal Gwen Stefani. Four of the original five will be there: the guitarist Andy Taylor, 59, left the band in 1985 and, after rejoining in 2001, walked out again five years later. In the past, the guitarist Warren Cuccurullo has filled in; this time Graham Coxon from Blur will take his place.

Then in autumn Duran Duran are releasing a new album, their 15th, which they are halfway through making.

Growing up in the West Midlands, I was a Duranie; my first gig was theirs at the NEC in Birmingham. To give an idea of the level of devotion, I had house plants named after each of them. John, his initials “JT” written on the pot in nail varnish, was a begonia; Rhodes, a busy lizzie; Le Bon, a rubber plant; Roger and Andy Taylor were cacti. My memory, foggy on so much, still holds the name of Nick Rhodes’s cat at the time (Sebastian). The household appliance “JT” would choose to be? “A refrigerator, so I would stay cool.”

But despite previous opportunities, I’ve avoided them bar an awkward backstage handshake with Le Bon. In the meantime, they have notched up record sales of 100 million, had 21 Top 20 hits in the UK and, unlike many bands who came to fame in the 1980s, they produce different, exciting, if not always lauded albums, working with new producers and musicians. They’ve had top five albums in each of the four decades they’ve worked. Their last album, Paper Gods (2015), produced by Mark Ronson and Rodgers, was their most successful for 25 years.

Now 46 and with no desire to anthropomorphise greenery, I meet Rhodes, the keyboardist, and John Taylor, the bass player, once described as having the squarest jaw in rock. Rhodes suggests his “local”, Blakes hotel in Chelsea, near the home he shares with his Sicilian girlfriend, Nefer Suvio (he and Julie Anne Friedman divorced in 1992; they have one child together, Tatjana). Taylor, just in from Los Angeles, home to his second wife, Gela Nash, who runs the fashion label Juicy Couture, invites me to his flat in Pimlico. Le Bon, still happily married to the supermodel Yasmin Le Bon with three grown-up daughters, is busy in the studio and Roger Taylor, four children and with second wife Gisella Bernales, is otherwise occupied.

Rhodes, who joins me in the bar at Blakes, has the same peroxide mop and alabaster skin that were always his trademark. He wears black trousers by the English designer Neil Barrett and a Savile Row jacket dressed down with a rock T-shirt from the Los Angeles company Punk Masters.

Four days later, I arrive at Taylor’s flat in a garden square where he greets me at the door dressed in black jeans and T-shirt, with sculpted bed-hair. I’m reminded of the time my brother splashed Sun-In on his to emulate Taylor’s bleached New Romantic fringe.

It’s good to have them back. They started on the new album in September at Flood Studios in Willesden, northwest London, and, as well as Coxon, have been working with three producers: Giorgio Moroder, Ronson and the DJ Erol Alkan. “The whole place is filled with analogue synthesizers, so it’s just joy for me,” says Rhodes, who began life as Nicholas Bates but renamed himself after a make of electronic keyboard.

Rhodes met Moroder — the “godfather of electronica” and the man behind Donna Summer’s I Feel Love — through a mutual friend of his girlfriend. “We talked about music and what had happened to us,” Rhodes says. “He is as sharp as a razor, 79 going on 45.” They worked with Ronson, who has produced Amy Winehouse and Adele, in LA. “The first thing Mark always says is, ‘Let me hear the rest of it,’” Rhodes says with a laugh. “He is quite competitive.”

Taylor, who leads me into a room that’s more gentlemen’s club than rock-star pad with an open fire, armchairs, brown furniture and bad Victorian paintings, says the break of five years has refuelled them. “We have to starve ourselves of creativity long enough that when we do show up we have something to say,” he says. “[The studio sessions] are quite exhausting because we have been down this road. We can finish each other’s sentences and I guess, to some extent, we can do that musically as well. We are working with the same cast; it’s like a soap opera. That’s why collaborators become so important as you need to keep the spirit lively.”

Rhodes, who says the new album is more “handmade” and “guitary”, explains the working dynamics: “John and Roger’s rhythm section often drives a track. Simon, the lyricist, gives all the songs our identity; it’s his voice that tells you it’s Duran Duran. My part has more to do with sonic architecture.” That may be the most Nick Rhodes phrase yet.

We move on to Andy Taylor. “Forty years ago we had Andy in the band and he was a strong flavour and a northerner and brought a rigour,” says John Taylor. “Filling that vacuum has always been one of the major challenges of version two of the band; we did it with Warren Cuccurullo and with Graham on this record. But it’s not the same. Andy didn’t mind telling people what they were doing wrong.”

He pauses. “We had a reunion with Andy [in 2001] and that was enormously difficult, actually.” How so? “That’s a book really,” says Taylor, who has written about the saga, along with his struggle with drink and drugs, in his excellent 2012 memoir In the Pleasure Groove. “Or it’s a mini-series.”

“It was very uncomfortable for us,” Rhodes says of Andy leaving in 1985. “For sure, it had become stressful over the previous year — we were all burnt out from not having stopped for five years — but we didn’t see it coming at all.”

What are relations with Andy like now? “I don’t really have any,” says Rhodes. “I haven’t seen him for many years since he left the last time. I was not even slightly surprised when it did fall apart. I was relieved. As much as Andy is a great musician he is not an easy person to play with.”

I mention to Taylor that Andy has just announced his own UK dates in May, playing Duran songs. “Uh-ha,” he says. He didn’t know. Does he mind? “I don’t mind at all. All power to him,” says Taylor. “I would rather he be out playing.”

Taylor has the sanguine air of someone who has spent decades nuking his demons (he’s currently working on guilt; he had a Catholic mother). He has been sober for 26 years after an addiction which in part led to the break-up of his marriage to the TV presenter Amanda de Cadenet in 1997. Was it hard at first? “It was like turning round an ocean liner,” he says, his voice posh Brum with a California chaser. “I work a daily programme and that’s what keeps me sober. It’s not something that just happens; it takes a lot of attention.”

We move on to the themes of the new, as yet untitled, album. Le Bon lost his mother recently, so we can expect songs inspired by loss. Taylor says he took inspiration from “the challenges of long-term relationships . . . Take a song like Save a Prayer, which personally I think is one of the greatest ever songs in praise of the one-night stand,” he says. “It comes to the point where you can’t write something like that. It’s not age-appropriate; yet it is sexy. So how do you write from the perspective of someone who is trying to keep a long-term relationship together? That is the challenge of any late-age pop star. How do you make it chic, to use one of Nick’s favourite words.”

It is hard to forget how impossibly chic Duran were in the 1980s: from their beginnings in Birmingham (Nick and John, anyway), where they met when Rhodes was 10 and Taylor 12, to a world of famous friends, beautiful partners and exotic travel. Le Bon married Yasmin after seeing her in Vogue, Rhodes was with the shipping heiress Friedman and Taylor the teenage de Cadenet. Andy Warhol was a close friend of Rhodes.

While others were singing about the dark side of Thatcher’s Britain, they were . . . more opaque. “In the 1980s a lot of what we did was somewhat misunderstood because we were living in the same gloomy years with high unemployment and miners’ strikes and civil unrest as everybody else,” Rhodes says. “But our answer to it was we have to get away from this and make it a little brighter because it didn’t seem like a particularly promising future.” Don’t expect that coronavirus torch song any time soon.

Their association with Bond — they wrote the 1985 theme A View to a Kill — only added to the glamour. What do they make of the new one by Billie Eilish? Rhodes admits that he mostly listens to classical music these days but “was thrilled to hear Billie Eilish. I think it’s by far the best Bond song since ours.”

But not better than yours?

“I am very happy that she reached No 1.” Duran’s got to No 2.

Taylor is more critical. “I thought it was lacking in a bit of Billie Eilish to be honest. It could have been madder. It was a little bit too grown up,” he says.

Is it as good as A View to a Kill?

“No!” says Taylor, theatrically. “Although,” he admits, “it was the most difficult three mins that we have ever produced.”

It had a great video, in which the boys slunk around the Eiffel Tower. Taylor frowns. “I hate that video. So stupid. I can’t watch it.” One for the fans, then.

A secret of their longevity, Rhodes says, is not bowing to nostalgia. “I like to keep my blinkers on and look forward.” Having said that, he sounds ready to write his own memoir. “I would do a book yes,” he says. “I haven’t read John’s on purpose. I even wrote a foreword for it for the US version without reading it, but I did own up to it. I think mine would be very different from a lot of the rock biographies. The one that sticks with me is David Niven’s.”

Rhodes featured in Warhol’s diaries and Warhol, the subject of a show at Tate Modern in London that opened this week, would surely feature in his. He “invented the 20th century”, Rhodes says. “Andy was making reality TV in the Sixties. Can you imagine what he would have thought about the internet? It was all his dreams come true, but he would never have got any work done.” Rhodes says he stays off social media for that reason. “It’s not that I don’t like it; I fear it. I am going down a rabbit hole I may never get out of.

They’ve spent twice the time being famous as being unknown. Are they the same people they were in Birmingham 40 years ago?

Rhodes nods. “Yes, yes,” he says. “There have been big changes — marriages, divorces, kids, moving countries in John’s case — but when we are all together we have known each other for so long there is no room for anyone to behave in a way that would be unacceptable. There is no room for divas. We have lasted longer than most marriages; it is like being married to three people but we each get to go home on our own every night.”

Taylor tells me: “Without getting into recovery talk, a lot of that is about scrubbing away the masks that you tend to accrue to cope, so I think I am as close to that person as I was 40 years ago.”

Rhodes says tolerance is the key. “Sometimes when I arrive at the studio it is really bright, maybe someone is writing, and so everyone accepts I can’t cope, and so the lighting comes down.” I tell him I once read he always wears dark glasses before noon. He laughs. “Pretty much. That’s funny. I am hyper-sensitive to light. It’s not just pretentiousness. “

They appreciate they will have to prepare physically for the dates. For Rhodes, a terrible insomniac, that means “fruit and vegetables and grains” and lots of walking. But no workouts (“I am not a big fan of gymnasiums”). Taylor says he needs to start practising bass and the need to get back in shape is “keeping him awake at night”. “I like to run, I do Pilates, I do yoga and I think about everything that enters my mouth, everything. I am 90 per cent vegan. I don’t drink, take mind-altering chemicals. I am on and off sugar.”

Perhaps the greatest sign that they still have it is that their children want to see them play. Taylor just heard from his daughter, Atlanta, who lives in New York and is soon to be married to David Macklovitch from the Canadian band Chromeo.

“It’s a surprise when you get a text from a child and they say, ‘You’re playing Hyde Park — my boyfriend and I want to come.’”

#duran duran #DD40

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blustersquall · 6 years

Text

Only Make Believe // Chapter 28: Aboard the Peraquialus

New chapter for those reading. As always, the chapter is also on AO3 for those who prefer reading on there.

No warnings for this one.

December 29th

The drive from Kinloch to Gwaren took only a few hours with clear traffic and it was late afternoon when Cullen drove the car into port. The harbour in Gwaren was the biggest in Ferelden and was used almost exclusively for commercial travel. Huge luxury liners and ferries came and went at all hours of the day, gathering passengers and dropping them off after weeks on the ocean, sailing warming climates in opulent surroundings with every comfort that money could provide.

It took some time for Cullen to find the dock where their ferry was berthed. There were ships upon ships and not a single one was designed to do anything but impress. Each liner was a behemoth of design and engineering - even the smallest of them was probably the size of a small city.

When Cullen found the correct dock, he stopped the car suddenly and stared up for a few seconds, his mouth hanging open a little.

"This cannot be the right one," he stated, quickly reaching for his phone from the cup holders. "This is..."

"It's the right number," Nevena pointed out, watching him frantically scrolling through what she could only assume was the last-minute booking email for their ferry. "And the right name. You said it was called 'Peraquialus', right?"

"Yeah. But... I was expecting..." Cullen glanced up over the top of his phone, "you know, a ferry. Not... a garish… whatever that is."

Nevena giggled, "You sound like such a snob."

"How so?" he threw her a distinctly unimpressed look.

"Garish?" she teased. "Cullen, it's meant to be the definition of luxury. I doubt they'd appreciate your scathing review before you even looked around."

Cullen shrugged and Nevena saw the tips of his ears grow a little pinker, "I think my idea of luxury and the idea of whoever designed this differ greatly." He returned his phone to the cup holders and gripped the steering wheel. "It's the right dock number, the right time, and the right name," he sighed. "Maybe there's a smaller one tucked behind it?"

"Don't sound so disappointed," smiled Nevena, reaching across to touch his arm, "you'll only have to endure it for one night."

He drove towards a pair of men in high-visibility jackets who checked the booking information on Cullen's phone. After everything was confirmed, they directed them to where they could board the ship with the car and explained what to do once they were parked up.

There were only a handful of cars and three tourist coaches along with Cullen's car inside the onboard car park in the hull of the ship. Even though she doubted many people saw the car park, it was kept neat and clean, if cold. After Cullen grabbed their bags from the trunk and locked up they followed signs for the lift and ascended to the deck level. Once there, they were greeted by a man dressed in a black blazer and white trousers, the uniform of the ship crew. Once more the booking was checked on Cullen's phone for confirmation, and another crew member was summoned to lead them to their cabin on the deck below.

Walking through the halls lined with doors, Nevena noticed they were not alone by any means, and that most passengers were in their later years. Some seemed to be travelling alone, whereas others were in groups or couples. There was music playing over well-hidden speakers, soft, inoffensive jazz to give a relaxed ambience to the brightly lit hallway.

Their guide talked animatedly as he led the way, describing the ship, how long it had been actively taking passengers and what amenities were available - several swimming pools, two onboard gyms, six restaurants, various clubs and games to keep guests occupied. He explained that the ship started its journey in Ferelden and then stopped in Kirkwall to take on many of its passengers before continuing its four-week journey around Antiva, Rivain and Tevinter before the return trip.

When Cullen mentioned he and Nevena were only staying one night, set to disembark in Kirkwall, their guide lost his enthusiasm and carried on the rest of the trip to their cabin in relative silence. Clearly, he was only paid to make a good impression on long staying guests.

Their room was decorated simply, white throughout with red and blue accents. They had a window which looked out over the sea, a double bed with one side tucked up against the wall, and a door leading to an en-suite bathroom they shared with the empty cabin next-door. The crew member showed them how the lights worked, and where there was a call button they could use at any time to contact a member of the crew if they wanted room service. He waited awkwardly in the threshold of the door until Cullen thanked him curtly and ushered him out.

"I think he was waiting for a tip," Nevena remarked, unzipping her bag.

"Well, he wasn't that friendly," replied Cullen, placing his own bags on one side of the room. "Which of the many restaurants do you want to eat at?" he asked. She could practically hear him rolling his eyes.

"Don't be a grouch." Nevena went to him and curled her fingers into his jumper, leaning up on tiptoes to peck his lips, "You can endure all this grandeur for a night."

"I am not grouching," Cullen huffed but wrapped his arms around her waist none-the-less. "We could order room service."

"Or we could make the most of our time on a cruise ship and have some fun," said Nevena, tapping the end of his nose. "Whatever we do, I need to make a video call to Roselyn first. I've been promising her I would for days and we haven't really stopped long enough for me to do so." She extracted herself from Cullen's arms and returned to her bag. "She said she has some news."

"Do you want me to go?" he asked, pointing at the door. "In case it's private?"

"It's up to you." Nevena sat on the bed after pulling her laptop out of her bag. She started to untangle the power cable. "She won't mind if you're here. She's probably curious to know what you look like, actually."

"Really?"

"Well, she's never met you."

"That's true." Cullen tutted. As Nevena powered on her laptop and waited for it to load, she watched Cullen busy himself with unpacking a few items of clothing for the following day. She found herself smiling while he went about his task.

A pleasant warmth settled inside her, like the one she felt in the small memorial chapel earlier that day when he kissed her. It was a sensation that was unfamiliar, but not unwelcome. One she could not recall ever experiencing with Rick or even boyfriends before him - not that there were many in the past anyway. She experienced it whenever she looked at Cullen, let alone heard his voice or felt his touch. A pleasurable flutter in her chest that she'd felt since meeting him, that had only grown over their time together.

At first, it was something she tried to ignore - telling herself it was foolish to be so giddy over an arrangement and a fake relationship. Now... now, though, it didn't feel so foolish. After all, the things they felt, the things they did... they were real, weren't they?

Of course, that begged the question: what, exactly, were they?

The contract was still in place, but it hardly seemed necessary now. They were no longer in the presence of her family, the arrangement that put them together was done, albeit earlier than anticipated, yet neither of them had mentioned or broached the subject of ending their agreement prematurely. Perhaps they were both afraid of the same thing, that the contract was the only thing binding them together. That, perhaps, if they brought it to a premature end they would realise there was nothing really between them. That it was all a daydream. A wonderful rose-tinted fantasy, but a fantasy none-the-less. They would realise that without those words and pieces of paper locking them together, there was nothing but air between them.

Was that true, though?

Nevena nibbled her bottom lip as the screen of her laptop sprang to life. She didn't want to think it was. After everything they'd been through together, after everything they had learned and disclosed and shared - to think it was all a fantasy caused a sharp pain to shoot from the middle of her chest down to her extremities. She didn't want to doubt. She hated the feeling of it looming at the back of her mind telling her she was fooling herself; that Cullen was biding his time and simply waiting for the contract to end and then he would tell her what he really thought of her and her past actions. She hated the part of her brain that filled her with unease and fear, the part of her brain that mocked her for allowing herself to be so vulnerable with him, and that it would be for nothing, or be thrown back in her face.

It was never simple. She couldn't just enjoy this, and let it play out naturally. Allow things to progress and see what happened one day at a time. She had to second guess herself. Worse, she was second guessing Cullen, too. Cullen, who had allowed himself to be as open and honest with her as she was with him. Cullen, who was a gentleman. Who was kind, and warm towards her. Who hugged her when she cried and kissed her without hesitating. Who made feelings she had never felt before starting to awaken. Cullen, who made her feel safe and secure, protected, wanted, heard, desired.

Loved.

That thought jarred Nevena from her spiralling fears and she snapped her eyes to her laptop screen. Loved? She let out a long breath and pushed her fingers back through her hair, tilting her head to look at the ceiling, the light fixture - anywhere until the sudden lurch in her stomach settled and the tightness in her chest relaxed. Where had that come from? And why was she thinking it? It wasn't possible for people to fall in love over the space of a few weeks, was it? Real life wasn't a fairytale. It wasn't as simple and easy as that. Love, relationships, they took weeks, they took work, they took effort. There was no reason for her to think or suspect he loved her. There was no reason for her to think she was in love with him...

Except she was, wasn't she? No matter how she might try or want to deny it or rationalise it - perhaps that was what it really was. The reason for all her doubts and fears and the gnawing sensations that clung to her stomach, maybe it was because she was in love with him. Maybe it was simply her attempts to deny it, to run away and block it out. After all, love was frightening. She wasn't sure how love really worked, or even if she'd be good at it. Could a person be good at love?

Lifting her hands, she dragged them down her face and groaned into her palms releasing her frustrations in little bursts. When she peered over her fingertips, she saw Cullen looking at her from across the room.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

Nevena quickly put a smile on her face, swallowing hard on the thud of her heart at the back of her throat. "Mhm-hm," she managed to nod, "My laptop takes a while to load. Just reminds me I should look at the sales once I'm back in Denerim, look for a new one."

"Ah," Cullen nodded, "I can't help you there, I'm afraid. Laptops are not my forte, but I can certainly come with you when we're back in Denerim."

A flutter in Nevena's chest almost made her lose her breath. "That... that would be nice. Maybe your presence can stop me from being targeted by salespeople. I seem to attract them like a magnet."

Cullen chuckled as he pulled a dress shirt out of his bag and hung it up. "I'm going to have a shower briefly," he said, approaching Nevena and leaning his hands down on the bed beside her. The mattress dipped under his weight. "We've had quite a full day, after all."

"We have."

"Then, I thought, I would go and investigate these restaurants and we'll meet up once you're done talking to Roselyn? I don't know about you, but I'm worn out."

"I am pretty tired," Nevena smiled. "Dinner and an early night seem like a sound plan to me, that way we'll be fresh for our arrival in Kirkwall tomorrow morning."

"Good," Cullen kissed her. One of those toe-curling, spine-tingling, wonderful kisses that made her head swim and made her want to put her laptop to the side and pull him into bed. Her heart was thudding in her ears when he pulled away, brushing her nose with his in an act of pure, unabashed affection. The look he gave her as he pushed off the bed was like the feeling of sitting in front of a fire on a cold day or listening to heavy rain on the window while safe and warm inside. Cullen gave her a sense of home and that… that was an overwhelming realisation. "I won't be long."

Once he was in the bathroom and Nevena could hear the shower running, she sent a quick text to Roselyn while connecting to the ship's wifi to ask if she was around. Almost immediately, Roselyn shot back a reply that she was waiting for her to get online and to hurry up. Nevena put her phone to one side, waited for everything to load up and logged into Skype. Within seconds, she had an incoming video call and answered.

"Finally!" Roselyn gasped over the speakers, swooning back in her chair over-dramatically. "I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever see your face again!"

"I'm sorry," Nevena smiled sheepishly. "It's been kind of... crazy."

"With your family, I'm not surprised," snorted Roselyn.

"Hi Nevena!" A male voice called from off-screen. There was the sound of two dogs barking as well.

"Hey Alistair," Nevena called back. Roselyn turned her head, clearly watching her husband off-screen. "How are you? Did you two have a good Christmas? What's the news you wanted to tell me?"

"So curious all of a sudden!" Roselyn replied, her smile broad. "So many questions! I have questions for you, too. Like, where's this rent-a-date guy? What was the craziness at Ineria's you mentioned? And why did you leave?"

"You answer mine first," Nevena shot back, grinning. "What's this news you mentioned?"

Roselyn's eyes widened, her face lighting up. Alistair came into the frame, sandy brown hair a little mussed, red-faced, and smiling down at Roselyn as he placed his hands gently on her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

"I'm pregnant!" announced Roselyn, throwing her hands up excitedly.

Nevena clapped a hand over her mouth, gasping and then descending into exuberant laughter. "You're pregnant?!"

"I'm pregnant!" Roselyn repeated, her smiling growing. "Finally!"

Nevena screamed, almost rocking back onto the bed and dropping her laptop. "You're pregnant! I can't believe it! Congratulations!"

"Thank you!" Roselyn laughed. "I wanted to wait and tell you when you were back, but I've never been the most patient person. I had to tell you!"

"Do you--"

"I heard screaming," Cullen poked his head out of the bathroom door, hair wet and dripping. "Are you okay? Wait -- why are you grinning?"

"Roselyn is pregnant!"

Cullen blinked, "Oh, uh – congratulations, person I don’t know… beyond a couple of phone calls…” He grimaced.

"Thank you!" called Roselyn. Cullen quickly ducked back into the bathroom, reappearing a few moments later wrapped in a towel. "Is that the guy? The Cullen Rutherford guy? Can I see him?"

"I can hear you," Cullen said, glancing over at Nevena.

"In a second," Nevena said dismissively, fighting to keep her eyes on the screen but finding her gaze drawn to where Cullen was pacing around with nothing but a towel and water still clinging in places to his body. Now she had seen his scars, he must have been feeling a little more comfortable around her, not quite so self-conscious.

She hadn't seen him naked, or nearly naked before - doing so made blinding heat travel through her belly to her face and between her legs. The scars did nothing to detract from his appearance. His broad chest and shoulders, the tight muscles in his back, toned arms and legs, a layer of softness around his trunk. The hair on his chest was darker than that on his head, and the trail leading from his navel underneath the towel was darker still. Her comment about Michelangelo's 'David' when they first met had been spot on.

Cullen began to get dress, either unaware of her eating him up with her eyes, or ignoring it completely. He pulled on his boxer briefs under his towel and Nevena bit her bottom lip. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to turn her eyes back to the screen and Roselyn.

"S-so, uhm -- how far along are you?" she asked Roselyn, hoping the camera wouldn't pick up the flare of colour she could feel on her cheeks.

"About sixteen weeks," Roselyn replied, leaning her cheek in her palm, her lips drawn into a smug smile that made Nevena realise Roselyn had noticed her ogling, even if Cullen had not.

"Sixteen we..." Nevena's attention snapped right back to Roselyn. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I wanted to," Roselyn said, her voice becoming apologetic, "but we didn't want to tempt fate. We wanted to get past the risky stage before we started telling people. Given how hard it's been for us to conceive."

"No, I understand. Makes sense." Nevena glanced over at Cullen, watching him pull a dark red wine colour shirt on and begin to button it up. The fabric formed over the muscles in his arms and his chest in a way she hadn't seen his other clothes do before. He looked smart. And sexy. And she was glad she had her laptop on her lap, and Roselyn to talk to because if not she might have marched over there and ripped the shirt off him - buttons and all. "I'm really happy for you," Nevena said, looking back at Roselyn. "You've been trying for so long. If anyone deserves it, you guys do."

"Thanks," smiled Roselyn.

"Now, Nevena," Alistair bent a little to fit more into the frame, "Perhaps you could tell my wife to stop fussing about the nursery and relax like the doctor ordered. I've tried, and she won't listen to me." He looked almost cross when he looked at Roselyn. She poked her tongue out in reply.

"You heard him," Nevena laughed, "you have to look after yourself a bit better now. Is it a boy or a girl? Do you know yet?" Roselyn's smile grew again. Nevena was sure she had never seen her smile this much before in her life. Except perhaps on her wedding day. "What? Don't tell me you're having twins or triplets or something?" Silence, and more broadening of Roselyn's smile. "Stop smiling so much! You're creeping me out!"

Roselyn gave a bark of laughter, covering her face with one hand and sticking up two fingers on the other. "Twins."

"Twins?!"

"Twins."

"Only you would take four years to get pregnant, and become pregnant with twins," giggled Nevena. "You guys must be so excited!"

"We are." Alistair kissed Roselyn's head as he stood and walked out of frame.

"Excited and kind of terrified," added Roselyn. "But so far so good. The midwife says everything is normal. The babies are the right size. I've just got to take it slow."

"Which must be torture for you," said Nevena.

"Nev?" Cullen called for her softly and she lifted her head. He was fully dressed, hair smoothed and combed back. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows, he wore black trousers and carried a black blazer hanging over his right arm. He was possibly more attractive all smartly dressed than walking around in a towel. "I'm going to head out and look at the restaurants. Text or call me when you're done, and I'll tell you where I am, okay?"

"Okay."

“Waitwait! I at least want to get a look at you!” Roselyn called from the laptop screen.

Cullen gave Nevena an uncertain look.

“Do you mind?” she asked him.

He sighed, “no, go ahead.”

Nevena turned the laptop so the camera would pick up the image of Cullen across the room. “Hi!” Roselyn said.

“It’s nice to meet you finally. Sort of.” Cullen offered a sincere if awkward smile. “Once we’re back in Denerim it would be nice to meet in person.”

“Yes, absolutely.” Replied Roselyn. “How tall are you?”

“About six-one. Why?”

“Just my curiosity, which is now satiated. Turn me back around.”

“Nice meeting you,” Cullen called.

“You too.”

Nevena smiled, small and grateful watching Cullen as adjusted his jacket on his arm, took a breath and allowed his shoulders to visibly relax. He approached Nevena on the bed and kissed her soundly, cradling the back of her neck, before she could speak. She returned it, just barely managing to retain her senses and remember Roselyn could probably see and hear everything. She bit her bottom lip as Cullen pulled away, smiling that tingle-inducing smile of his. He kissed her forehead for good measure. “See you in a bit. Have fun catching up with Roselyn.”

There was silence from Roselyn until the door to the cabin clicked shut and Cullen was gone.

"I heard lip smacking!" Roselyn crowed. Nevena wasn't sure if she was accusing her of something, or simply pointing something out. "I heard lip smacking and definitely saw kissing. He’s gorgeous, by-the-way! But that’s beside the point, it’s your turn, what is going on? Tell me everything."

Nevena sighed, wondering where to begin. "Alright."

She explained, in detail and at length, everything that had transpired since she left Denerim to go to Haven with Cullen. Roselyn listened intently, nodding and asking clarifying questions every so often, but silent for the most part. As she recounted the experiences of the past few weeks, Nevena realised just how much had happened, and how much she had learned and changed in such a short space of time.

She wasn't sure if it was everything she had discovered that had forced the change, or simply having Cullen there as a method of support - but she felt a little stronger in herself. More resilient. She knew if she'd been there alone she would never have stood up to Ineria. She would never have confronted her father about the truth or answered back to Katrin and Clotilde the times she had. She was sure she would have either turned tail and run on Christmas Day if things transpired the same way, or she would have shut up and taken her sister's abuse.

Cullen made her stronger. His presence, or maybe it was just his quiet confidence that she was feeding off. Something of his that he was allowing her to borrow when she was in desperate need of it and failing on her own. She was grateful to him for being with her through all the strife of the last few weeks. He had been a stranger at the start of it all, now she could not consider her life without him in it.

"...and now we're on a ship, heading for Kirkwall to spend New Year with Varric Tethras. We're going to go to Ostwick too, I might find out something about my mother there."

Roselyn's expression was a small, but severe frown and she was staring down at the keyboard in front of her in thought. "Wow."

"Yeah."

"It sounds like you've had quite an eventful time."

"Something like that."

"I'm a little annoyed you didn't tell me what was happening. I could have come and got you. Or helped in some way." She looked at Nevena though the camera. “But, I get it. With all that going on, I doubt calling me would have even crossed your mind.”

"I know," Nevena picked her fingernails. "I just... I didn't know what to say or do, and I didn't want to bother you with it.”

“You wouldn’t have been bothering me,” Roselyn told her with a sisterly gentleness. “I know that’s not how your brain would have seen it, though. I’m sorry you had to experience all that. Especially without a full support system around.”

“It… I had Cullen there, he helped me stay calm and rationalise things."

"Hmmm..." sighed Roselyn. "Well, at least you're not alone. And it sounds like he's not a terrible human being."

"He's not," Nevena felt her heart quicken in her chest, "Rose, he's not. He's... you would really like him. I know you would. He's kind and gentle, and protective. He listens and asks questions. He cares, Rose. He really cares. About me." Hot tears welled up in her eyes and she gulped them back. "I... I've never met anyone like him. I've never felt like this about anyone--"

"You do have it bad." Roselyn leaned her chin on her fist, elbow on the table, and a wry, playful smile on her lips.

"It's..." Nevena searched the cabin with her eyes as if looking for inspiration, "do you remember that night in college when you came back from your first date with Alistair?”

“Hmm…”

“You’d been saying goodnight to him for ten minutes. When you finally came in, you closed the door, you leaned on it, sighed, and said you were going to marry him."

Roselyn smiled at the memory. "I--"

"Did she really say that?!" Alistair's voice came from off screen. "Did you really say that, Rosie?"

"I... yes. Yes, I did.” Roselyn replied, looking across the room to where Alistair was sitting off-screen.

“Aw!” Alistair crowed, “I never knew that! That’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever heard! Thank you Nevena!”

Roselyn laughed, her attention returning to the screen. “I do remember saying that, yes.”

"Being with Cullen... it feels how I imagine that felt to you," Nevena explained, "and I like it. It’s wonderful and freeing, and exhilarating and… the happiest I’ve ever felt. I like him."

"Sounds like you more than just like him," said Roselyn with a playful smile. Nevena blushed and lowered her eyes. "Have you told him how you feel?"

"No." Tucking her hair behind her ear, Nevena shifted for comfort and jiggled her laptop. "It probably sounds stupid, but I'm afraid."

Roselyn pursed her lips. "Given your experience with Rick, I don't think it's stupid of you to be cautious. What is it you're afraid of, exactly?"

"That it's all... kind of... make believe." Nevena tutted to herself. Even she thought she sounded moronic as she searched for how to explain herself. "We met because I was trying to lie to my family. We've been put into this position because of a contract. We've been thrust together because of the contract. What if it's because of the contract and circumstance I feel like this about him? What if it's because of the contract he is the way he is with me?"

"Nev," Roselyn sighed and pushed her fingers through her hair, "listen to yourself. You're over thinking. Letting your doubts get the better of you."

"But--"

"This is the first time I have ever seen you like this. It might be the light, but I'm sure you look different. Happier, glowing somehow. I don't know. Think about it logically, the contract he gave you and wrote up, it stipulates you guys being together while you're with your family, right? And where are you now?"

"On a ship, bound for Kirkwall," Nevena replied in a small voice.

"Exactly," Roselyn said. "The contract became null and void when you decided to leave Haven and take an extended road and boat trip to the Free Marches. The contract is no longer holding you together. It's done. There's no magic spell that's going to break at the stroke of midnight like in Cinderella. What is keeping him near you, is you... Do you really think he wouldn't have gone to all this trouble, all these lengths if you were just a client to him? If he didn't feel something for you?"

"I..." Nevena opened and closed her mouth. "No... no, I guess not."

"I know it’s hard for you to stop doubting yourself, to stop the fear you feel, and I get that you’re scared of letting yourself feel what you feel for him, but I don’t think you have to worry about whether it’s manufactured or not. It's genuine and honest. And he clearly reciprocates," Roselyn's expression softened, "and how could he not? I mean, aside from the fact you're completely amazing, you're one of the kindest and most patient people I know. There's clearly something about you that has him drawn to you, otherwise, I don't think he'd still be there. Accompanying you on this pilgrimage? Introducing you to your favourite author? Inviting you as a plus one to a New Year’s Eve party? Sounds like he has some serious feelings towards you, too."

"What if you're wrong, though?"

"I'm never wrong."

"Rose..."

"In this case, I really don't think I am," Roselyn smiled. "But don't listen to me. Listen to yourself. What do you think he feels?"

Nevena stared at the door to the cabin as if expecting Cullen to walk in and proclaim out of the blue that he was head over heels in love with her. She wanted to laugh. As if that would happen.

Roselyn was right, though. She was over-thinking, over-analysing, the way she always did. She could never just let things happen and be happy with them. She could never allow things to progress naturally and go at their own pace. She always second-guessed herself, worried that she was wrong. Or reading the signs incorrectly. Years of mental torture at the hands of Rick had her well trained, and it was a hard habit to break.

She was certain of only a few things, mainly that she had feelings for Cullen that ran deeper than friendship and mere lust. There was something intense and overwhelming about it. Something that had her dangling over a precipice and all she needed to do was take a leap of faith to find if she would fall or fly. She was certain too - though less so - that Cullen had some feelings for her. Perhaps they didn't run as deep as those she had, but she wanted to believe her own emotions were matched and returned. After all, in the small memorial chapel, hadn't he said he'd 'never felt anything like this'?

Like what? What was the 'this' he was referring to? And why did he have to be so vague about it? Couldn't he have been more specific? Why did everything have to be so confusing and annoying?

With a small groan, Nevena ruffled her hands through her hair. "I don't know what he feels."

Roselyn tutted, "Have the two of you even talked about what you're going to do when you get back to Denerim? You're living in each other's pockets now, but what about when you get back?"

"I don't know."

"Do you think he's realised the contract he wrote is null and void because you're no longer in the location of it?"

"I don't know."

"Do you--"

"I don't know, Rose," Nevena snapped, suddenly. "I don't know anything. That's the worst part. I don't want to talk to him about it, in case it suddenly becomes too real and he realises this isn't what he wants! That I'm not what he wants."

"Nev..."

"I mean, who would want me, anyway? I'm so broken and mangled by past experiences, why would he want me when he could have someone else who is normal and isn't broken or just about keeping it together? Why would anyone want to waste their time with me, when they could have fun with someone who isn't neurotic, who isn't an idiot, and who doesn't have a pile of emotional baggage they have to carry around with them?" Nevena was panting when she stopped talking. Breathing hard, flushed, and overheated. Roselyn was staring at her on the screen.

"Do you feel a little better now?" she asked, her voice sympathetic.

"Yes," Nevena said. She was glad Roselyn understood her, that she didn't mock her for her way her mind worked. The near constant sense of self-deprecation she carried around with her. Roselyn took it all in her stride and did what she could to help Nevena understand herself.

"Good," Roselyn pushed her hair back, "now you listen to me, Nev. Who wants you? Cullen-fucking-Rutherford wants you, that's who. And you want him, more to the point. You have issues, but who doesn’t? And Nev, you're getting there. It's a slow process, but think of where you are now in comparison to three years ago! You need to stop beating yourself up and denying yourself the things you yearn for because you're afraid. Or because you don't think you deserve it. You deserve to be happy, and if Cullen Rutherford makes you happy then fuck the contract that's null and void anyway, pin him down on the bed and ride him until he can't bloody walk!"

Nevena heard Alistair choke on something off camera and begin to clear his throat.

"You're not an idiot. You're not broken. You're amazing. He'd be lucky to have you," Roselyn continued, glancing over at where Alistair must have been sitting. "If you tell him the contract is done because the terms were breached, and he calls it quits, then he wasn't worthy of you. But I don't think he'll do that. From everything you've told me he seems genuine, and determined and good for you. Maybe him taking you to meet Varric Tethras - clearly an old friend - is his version of taking you to meet his parents?"

"Maybe," Nevena chuckled, managing to smile a little.

"Everyone has emotional baggage. You've helped him with his by the sounds of it. He's been helping with yours... You deserve to give him and yourself a chance." With a sigh, Roselyn dropped her shoulders, relaxing her position. "Wait until you get to Kirkwall, settle in, talk to each other, see what you both want from this. Make sure you're on the same page."

Exhaling quickly, Nevena nodded, wiped her eyes and slapped her palms on her thighs. "Okay." She sniffed. "What do I do in the meantime?"

"Tease him until he's within an inch of his life."

Nevena rolled her eyes, "Rose."

"I'm serious," Roselyn waved her off. "I threw in that backless ivory dress we bought last year when you were packing. Wear that.”

“That is more underwear than a dress.”

“Just humour me and try it on.” Roselyn grinned, “What have you got to lose?” "

With another eye roll and a vaguely disapproving look in Roselyn's direction, Nevena did as she asked and climbed off the bed to her suitcase. She began to dig through the clothes inside. Her heart was racing and her blood was thundering around her body as though she'd been running circuits around the ship. For the first time in what felt like days, she was clear-headed. As though a fog she didn't know was there had been lifted and now she could see a path ahead of her.

A path that had Cullen Rutherford as its destination.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I know it's not a long or as hard-hitting as the previous one, and there's a lack of Cullen, but I felt it necessary to have something of a filler chapter, given how heavy going chapter 27 is. I hope you don't mind. Still, I tried to make this chapter interesting and engaging, and it's nice to see Nevena actually admitting how deep her feelings run. Plus, it was nice to demonstrate that Nevena has a support system outside of Cullen and to show some more of her friendship with Roselyn. Although I admit again, I'm a little leery. Worried you all are going to feel she's feeling things too fast.

I certainly hope you enjoyed this chapter. What do you think is going to happen next? Do you think Nevena will actually summon up her courage and tell Cullen how she feels or be brave enough to discuss the contract with him? Or do you think she'll chicken out at the last minute?

Thank you for reading. As always, please let me know your thoughts in the comments/tags/reblogs, and I'll see you in the next chapter! <3

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jafreitag · 3 years

Text

2020

On January 1, 2020, I went to LNHQ. The holiday party had happened a few days earlier – a sorta-epic “booze cruise” with Lana Del Rey off the Catalina coast. Everybody nursed hangovers on flights back home, and then bugged off to celebrate their new years with their people.

The office was spotless – just a few dust motes floating across the afternoon sunlight in the conference room. I grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote “What if…” on the green board. It was intended as a turn-the-page talking point. OM and I had had a sit-down after we got back from Cali. Good talk, honestly. He’s well-versed in stuff that I do not understand, and he’s driving the proverbial bus as the new LN CEO. Lotta heartfelt questions from him, lotta heartfelt idks from me. “You gotta…” and “Yeah, I suck at that, but what about…” Some bourbon later, we adjourned. “Love you, dude” and “love you back, man.” Let’s meet next week and ok.

So that’s why I was there. What are we doing? What if… What if we actually try hard? What if ECM keeps killing it on Instagram? What if Jane and Trevor come back? What if we move to a new location, and the corporate and content wings find a new synergy? What if all of the sponsorships pan out? And O’s settlement with Adidas? Sky’s the limit, right? Let your imagination wander. I mean, what if Fiona Apple puts out a new album in 2020, and it’s not just great, but better than The Idler Wheel, which was the best album of 2012?

Seriously. What if?

Or what if the entire world breaks?

That wasn’t in my head back then.

It’s December now. And we’re in a global pandemic, which is getting worse (or at least not getting measurably better) every day. This year has been indescribably difficult for all of us, particularly the ones personally affected by Covid-19. And it has been difficult for businesses across every sector, particularly entertainment. Seen a show lately? Nope? Me, neither. At the beginning of the summer, I paid Laura Marling to watch a stream of her performance at Union Chapel in London. Seemed cool then, seems irrelevant now.

We can’t help artists/bands, really, until we can see them again. And who knows when that will be? Next summer? Next fall? Maybe 2022 before we all feel safe in massive crowds again (even with masks)? Maybe never? Until then, we have streaming services. And … woof. That’s an Apple/Spotify cart that I’d prefer not to upend, mainly because it benefits me, but it’s worth some words.

I’m a Spotify person. My home team is comprised of six Spotify people. We pay, collectively, $14.99/month to stream almost any music ever recorded and released. That’s around $2.50 per person per month. Pretty good deal, right? For sure. Here’s the problem: Spotify pays $0.003 per stream. That’s 1/3 of a penny. If you’re a Zeppelin or a Beatle or a Stone, that’s just a nice little dividend. (Keith is like, “Hey, baby, I love Spot-ify. I bought this sweet fedorah with that check.”) If you’re somebody else, somebody less established in the Rock-royalties pantheon, you’re probably not buying a hat. You’re probably hoping that Spotify might, might, pick up your next cup of coffee – or one at the end of the year, I don’t know how that works.

Spotify does this year-end Wrapped thing. You get a weird Snapchat/Instagram video that tells you stuff. Your most listened-to artist/band, your also-rans, etc. You also get some pretty sweet virtual (and unearned) affirmation.

My win was this.

911 seems good. It’s better than 11. The green-dotify didn’t specify whom those new artists were, which sucks, but I have a decent idea. And I’m guessing that many of those artists have Bandcamp pages, and I didn’t visit any of those. Actually, that’s not true. I did visit the Car Seat Headrest page because Will put out three different iterations of the new record on streaming, cd, and vinyl. It was mostly the same – alternate sequences and some alternate versions of certain tracks. The alternate versions weren’t on Bandcamp. You had to buy all three formats to get the whole record. Or you had to be ok with the iteration that you got. Or you could just find the alternate versions on YouTube. Sure, they wouldn’t be on your phone, but you got to hear them.

That’s not me being petty or cheap. I could’ve bought the cd and vinyl iterations. And I could’ve bought alot of music on Bandcamp, but I couldn’t have bought 911-new-artists worth. How many could I have bought? Not sure. How would I have decided? Not sure. I’m glad that I discovered that many sounds, and I’m concerned that most of those sounds were produced by real people struggling to create in this challenging (intentionally undersold the adjective there, but “terrible” and “horrible” seemed trite) environment. I’m more glad than concerned, if you follow the dichotomy. And I’m not happy about it. Having identified the problem, however, I’m flummoxed about a solution.

I listened to alot of music in 2020. #WFH #FTW (And two hashtag sentence fragments make a sentence. I just checked the LN style manual. Jane said ok.)

Alessandro Deljavan is an Italian pianist, who was born a few months before I graduated high school. He recorded Erik Satie’s piano works. My best friend and I listened to that alot this year – she calls it “sleeping music.” Miles Davis, obv. Early-covid, I made a chronologically-tight playlist of his pre-Columbia material. Mid-covid, I started a chronologically-tight and still-unfinished playlist of his fusion material. Jenny Lin? I think that’s a holdover from last year, when sleeping music was her Chopin’s Nocturnes. CSH was my lawnmowing soundtrack. Daniel Baremboim? No idea, maybe I hit his Mendelssohn’s Leider ohne Worte too many times during the days.

Minutes listened and top genre are what I want to talk about, real quick, before I get list-y. 115,891 minutes is 1,931 or so hours, and 80.5 or so days. I listened to two and a half months straight of music this year. That’s not a brag or even a humble brag. It’s a fact. And most of that (trust me here, I ran my ass off to playlists) was Indie Rock – the aforementioned “new artists.” How can I help them, besides streaming their amazing work over and over and over, and championing them here? Shouting indirectly at Spotify on social media seems unlikely to change a flawed system. Anybody with more constructive ideas can share them below the line.

Ok, the list.

I did it. I broke the unspoken rule (nobody gets #1 twice), and I’m ok with it. 2020 was a unique year. Up top, that’s Fiona from a Zoom call over the summer. She didn’t really know about Liner Notes, but she was willing to talk while walking her dogs. I wasn’t sure that Fetch the Bolt Cutters would be the album of the year at that point, but it was a nice chat. Tbh, I struggled to finalize the list because any of the Top 10 could’ve been Top. The margins were very fine. (And fwiw, I may tweak things a bit over the next few weeks.) Links to Spotify. And COME ON, Spotify. Pay artists more, and pay indie artists even more than that.

Fiona Apple – Fetch the Bolt Cutters

Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher

Waxahatchee – Saint Cloud

This Is the Kit – Off Off On

HAIM – Women in Music Pt. III

En Attendant Ana – Juillet

Samia – The Baby

Kelly Lee Owens – Inner Song

Adrianne Lenker – songs / instrumentals

Porridge Radio – Every Bad

SAULT – Untitled (Black Is) / Untitled (Rise)

Taylor Swift – folklore / evermore

The 1975 – Notes On A Conditional Form

Car Seat Headrest – Making a Door Less Open

Perfume Genius – Set My Heart on Fire Immediately

Lomelda – Hannah

Fleet Foxes – Shore

Soccer Mommy – color theory

Beach Bunny – Honeymoon

Retirement Party – Runaway Dog

Shopping – All or Nothing

Ela Minus – acts of rebellion

The Strokes – The New Abnormal

Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death

Kate NV – Room for the Moon

Dehd – Flower of Devotion

Gum County – Somewhere

Bad Moves – Untenable

Jeff Tweedy – Love Is the King

Laura Marling – Song for Our Daughter

Autechre – SIGN

Four Tet – Sixteen Oceans

Sorry – 925

Dream Wife – So When You Gonna…

Fenne Lily – BREACH

Margaret Glaspy – Devotion

Jordana – Something to Say to You

Hinds – The Prettiest Curse

Gorillaz – Song Machine: Season One

Tame Impala – The Slow Rush

Tycho – Simulcast

Ólafur Arnalds – some kind of peace

Ezra Feinberg – Recumbent Speech

Slow Pulp – Moveys

Young Jesus – Welcome to Conceptual Beach

Bartees Strange – Live Forever

U.S. Girls – Heavy Light

Empress Of – I’m You’re Empress Of

Charli XCX – how i’m feeling now

Oliver Coates – skins n slime

LN is on hiatus for a little while.

More soon.

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#IFTTT #WordPress

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culturespy · 7 years

Text

Saying goodbye to my hero, Sir Roger Moore. Baby, you were the best!

When I was 15 years old, I wanted to be Roger Moore.

If you saw my bedroom walls back then, you would know. Roger Moore found a place on all four of them. I broke out the Scotch tape to put up full-page magazine photos surrounded by Moonraker trading cards, and of course the Bond film posters. I had Moonraker and The Spy Who Loved Me to start with because those were the films that got me hooked on Roger Moore and James Bond. The For Your Eyes Only poster with those sexy legs came along after a while, and an Octopussy poster went up a few weeks before my high school graduation.

My mother called this the shrine, and she wasn’t far off. Roger Moore was my idol. My teenage life was measured in the two-year periods from one of his Bond films to the next. In between I got my chance to catch up with his two earlier films, Live and Led Die and The Man With the Golden Gun, when they appeared on the ABC Sunday Night Movie. Sure, I was also excited to see the Sean Connery movies for the first time, but completing my Roger Moore 007 experience was more important.

And, oh, that glorious week in the summer of 1980 when a double feature of The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker played at Cinema 18! Cinema 18 was Erie’s sleaziest theater; it used to be a porno house. But not even a questionable cinema floor was going to stop me from seeing Spy on the big screen—the way it was meant to be seen!—for the first time.

Also to mark time between films, I scanned magazines for interviews with Roger Moore and the TV Guide listings for talk show appearances. When Roger was on the Merv Griffith or Mike Douglas shows, I sat in front of the television set with my tape recorder running. Every golden word had to be preserved.

It may sound shallow, but in a large part I am who I am today because I saw The Spy Who Loved Me when I was 13. I’ve written about that momentous first viewing before, but I should point out that Spy was not my first James Bond film. I had previously seen Dr. No, From Russia With Love and most of Goldfinger—the first three Bonds, all starring Sean Connery.

But even though I had seen the films I would later consider Connery’s best, I didn’t connect with him the way I connected with Roger Moore that first time I saw Spy Who Loved Me. So what was it that drew me to Rog? I think that extra bit of cockiness helped. Roger Moore exuded cool invincibility.

The scene that most struck me comes near the end, just as Bond arrives at the oceanic base of the evil Stromberg (Kurt Jurgens). Bond steps inside an elevator with a trap door in the floor. Bond doesn’t know about the trap door, but we the viewers do because Stromberg used it at the beginning of the movie to drop his double-crossing secretary into the shark tank below. The elevator doors close, and Stromberg hits the button to activate the trap door.

The first time I watched this, I was tense. “Oh no!” I thought. I expected Bond to plunge into the tank, where he would fight the shark. But the shark tank on Stromberg’s monitor remained Bond-free. Then the elevator pinged and the door opened and there, to Stromberg’s surprise and mine, was Bond, his feet straddling the trap door. “You were expecting me to drop in,” he drawled.

That was one of those corny lines that sounded so natural coming out of Roger Moore’s mouth. Moore would always undercut his own talent, saying that all he could do was quip and raise his eyebrows, but he made it seem so effortless. If you want proof it’s not easy to deliver a throwaway quip, watch the last two Pierce Brosnan Bond movies. (I don’t like being mean to Pierce, but he got stuck playing Moore half the time and Connery the other half, and the discomfort sometimes showed.)

What I grew to admire above all else about Roger Moore was that he was suave. I wanted to be suave. I wanted to charm ladies with that kind of a deep, smooth voice. I wanted to put on a tuxedo and saunter into a tony nightspot on the Cote D’Azure. I wanted to go to a Cordon Bleu restaurant and order red wine with anything but fish (OK, I did learn a thing or two from Connery.) I never got to do any of those things, but I did teach myself to raise my eyebrow RM style.

One of the benefits of being a Roger Moore fan in the early ‘80s was, thanks to the popularity of Spy and Moonraker, CBS started showing reruns of The Saint late nights during the week. This was my chance to get acquainted with Roger’s other signature role, and I grew to love Simon Templar nearly as much as James Bond and the works of Leslie Charteris soon joined those of Ian Fleming on my bookcase. However, because these episodes ran late on school nights, I tended to fall asleep in the last 15 minutes. I used to joke I had the endings to about a dozen Saint episodes locked in my subconscious. Several decades later I bought the DVD box set to finally learn how those episodes ended.

But it also wasn’t easy being a Roger Moore fan in those days, believe me. We had to contend with the older generation of 007 fans, the ones who condemned Roger Moore for committing the mortal sin of not being Sean Connery. The divide between Connery fans and Moore fans ran deep (nobody really talked much about George Lazenby back then). We Moore fans were constantly told we weren’t true Bond fans, as if we were less able to appreciate Ian Fleming’s novels because we came of age when Roger Moore was carrying the Walther PPK. The early James Bond fans clubs were run by people who hated Roger Moore and let us know it with every newsletter. The only book on the Bond films at the time, simply titled The James Bond Films, was written by a guy, John Brosnan, who also hated Roger Moore but had to grudgingly admit Spy was pretty damned good.

Time and three subsequent Bond actors have made this issue largely irrelevant, but things were heated when I was young and I admit I still have a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I probably don’t appreciate Sean Connery as much as I should because of it, but, truly, I don’t dislike any Bond actor. I appreciate what each of them has brought to the role. I just appreciate Roger Moore best.

When pushed hard enough, I would defend Moore’s Bond as more than a smooth quip machine. It would have been easier if Moore himself had been on my side. A master of self-deprecation, Moore would insist in interviews he never took Bond seriously. Asked how he made acting choices as 007, Moore would reply, “Sometimes I wear a white dinner jacket and sometimes I wear a black one.”

Despite his protestations, Roger Moore did take Bond seriously. He may be remembered for the grins and the one-liners, but he had his tough and poignant moments as well. Listen to calm, assured way he tells Melina, “We’re not dead yet,” before they are keel-hauled in For Your Eyes Only. Watch how he winces when Anya Amasova mentions his deceased wife in Spy. Look at the anger in his face when he discovers General Orlov’s plot to kill thousands with a nuclear blast in Octopussy. These aren’t the only moments. The insouciance Moore projected was what first attracted me to his 007, but on the proper occasion he knew how to make Bond human rather than superhuman.

This leads me to Roger’s greatest 007 moment. It’s one that, curiously, won’t make many of the tribute compilations you can find online these days. It is a moment when he is at once smooth and steely and I can’t imagine Connery playing it so well (sorry, chip on my shoulder). You’ll find it near the beginning of Octopussy—the film containing Moore’s best performance, if you ask me—as Bond first confronts the villain, Kamal Kahn (Louis Jourdan, a dark reflection of Moore’s elegance) at the backgammon table.

Bond’s sharp eyes have caught Kahn cheating with a pair of loaded dice that come up double six when needed. Bond takes the seat across from Kahn and raises the stakes by betting the film’s MacGuffin, the Faberge egg. If Bond rolls anything but a double six, he loses. Bond connives to take control of Kahn’s dice, gives his opponent a cold stare, rolls the dice and—still locking eyes with Kahn—declares, “Double sixes.”

When I first saw Octopussy my good friend and fellow Moore Bond fan Brian Sheridan was seated next to me. “Whoah!” Brian said under his breath, “He didn’t even look down!” We knew we had just seen Roger Moore put proof to an earlier theme song: Nobody does it better.

I went to college and my Roger Moore posters came with me. Dorm rooms need decorations too. A new poster went up as Roger departed Bond with A View to a Kill—one film too late, but we’ll leave it at that. Another fellow came along, and a poster declaring Timothy Dalton as “The Most Dangerous Bond. Ever.” appeared on my wall shortly before I graduated Marquette University.

Roger Moore was no longer James Bond, but I was still his fan. Apartment walls also could use a few movie posters, I found. The burgeoning home video industry meant I could watch his movies pretty much whenever I wanted.

At the urging of his friend Audrey Hepburn (my all-time favorite actress), Roger Moore became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, and I found a new reason to admire him. He didn’t show up on the screen much anymore, but stories of his generosity continued.

When Pierce Brosnan’s first Bond movie, GoldenEye, was released in 1995 I was reading a magazine article about its production. One of the crew members interviewed for the story went off on an unexpected tangent. He said that the Bond film family, the regular crew that Cubby Broccoli had employed for decades, dearly missed Roger Moore. He treated everyone on set, from his co-stars to the grips, as mates and kept them all laughing. As improbable as it may sound, he said, a lot of the regulars would have loved to see Moore return as Bond.

Testimonials like that became common. It seemed no one who had ever worked with Roger Moore spoke an unkind word about him. Sometimes people would go out of their way to praise him. In a career retrospective for the AV Club, actress Nancy Allen started gushing—quite to her interviewer’s surprise—about working with Moore on a mostly forgotten TV movie called The Man Who Wouldn’t Die.

Although Moore was becoming more and more obscure on this side of the Atlantic, I could tell from press reports that the elder Moore was now regarded as a national treasure in the UK. After Desmond “Q” Llewellyn died in 1999, Roger gracefully stepped into the role of unofficial spokesman for the Bond franchise. When Roger became Sir Roger in 2003, I cheered.

In his later years, Sir Roger Moore became something of a magical person. Warmth and kindness and humor just seemed to flow from him. His tweets were hilarious, though he never missed an opportunity to raise consciousness about his beloved UNICEF. His speaking tours of the UK were interspersed with press reports of him grabbing a meal at a local restaurant, or even showing up at a pharmacy, and regaling everyone he met. It cheered my heart to see that my childhood hero was, by all accounts, simply a wonderful person.

In 2012, a dream came true for me. When Moore was promoting his latest book, Bond on Bond, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 007 films, I had the opportunity to interview him for the Chicago Sun-Times. It was just a phone interview, alas, but I still got to talk to my hero of 34 years. He was as warm and funny and gracious as I had hoped as we talked about kicking the car off the cliff in For Your Eyes Only and pulling pranks on Desmond Llewellyn. He broke my heart a bit when I asked about the Lotus Esprit from Spy Who Loved Me (still my dream car) and he said he didn’t like it. “My legs are too long.” Still, when I hung up the phone I was thrilled. It was one of the happiest days of my life. And when I concluded the conversation, I was careful to say, “Thank you for being my idol.”

Those words came back to me the morning of Tuesday, April 23. I had just arrived at the YMCA and wanted to take a quick look at Facebook before heading to my 8:15 aerobics class. Instead of the usual Snoopy cartoon, I got punched in the face by the first report of my hero’s death. I was angry at first. There were no other reports yet, so I assumed it was a hoax even though the source, the London Standard, sounded trustworthy enough. I went straight to Roger’s Twitter page, hoping to find a tweet saying, “Relax. I’m still alive.” Instead I found the statement from his children, and I knew it was real. My childhood hero was gone.

I didn’t make it to my aerobics class. I couldn’t look away from my phone as the tributes trickled in. I was grateful there was a box of Kleenex nearby in the lobby.

Several days have passed, and the Roger Moore tributes have continued. I was fortunate to participate in one on the Spybrary podcast. But of all the words said and written about Roger Moore since he passed, the ones that most struck me came from Ian Ogilvy, who succeeded Moore as Simon Templar in Return of the Saint. In a Facebook post, Ogilvy wrote: “If everybody could comport themselves in the style of Roger Moore, who was beloved by everybody and hated by none, the world would be a nicer place.”

When I was in high school, I imitated Roger Moore because he was suave. Now I plan to imitate him because he was good.

I am 51 years old, and I still want to be Roger Moore.

#Roger Moore #Roger Moore remembered #James Bond #007 #The Saint #Simon Templar #UNICEF #Sean Connery #Pierce Brosnan #Ian Ogilvy #Live and Let Die #The Man With the Golden Gun #The Spy Who Loved Me #Moonraker #For Your Eyes Only #Octopussy #A View to a Kill #RIP

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chinchilla-ocs · 7 years

Text

Jess & Antonio

Jess is a 15 year old kid who is tall as heck and adorable and wears skirts and hoodies and flower crowns and knows magic and can be sarcastic sometimes, but mostly he’s really nice and awkward. They have long curly blonde hair, that they sometimes dye blue, and dark blue eyes. He has really faint freckles that become more obvious during summer. They’re non-binary and use he/him/they/them pronouns. Their father kicked him out when they were little, and he was adopted by someone else who raised him and taught him magic. He likes musicals, fashion, reading, and playing video games. He has an adopted sister named Ryana. His biological sister Jane still lives with their father and eventually gets adopted by Jess’s adopted dad later on.

Antonio is a 16 year old guy who’s a junior in high school. He has white hair (dyed) and brown eyes. He’s involved with a lot of sports (Soccer, track, wrestling and swimming) and does well in school. His favorite classes are history and English and will go on forever about whatever thing he was learning about in class that day if it interested him. He can’t use magic, but his cousin Ophelia is very skilled at it. He has no siblings. He likes reading, motorcycles, classical music and video games. He has anxiety, although he often tries to hide his symptoms from people he’s not comfortable with.

- Jess steals Antonio’s sports jackets and they fit him, although the sleeves are a bit short.

- When Antonio gets a new interest Jess listens to him talk about it even if they would have no interest otherwise (Jess knows an awful lot about random topics that otherwise he would never have known)

- when jess wanted to dye their hair blue the first time, they made a huge mess and Antonio ended up having to help them (“Babe you look like you just killed a smurf or something” “I know I messed up, just help me”)

- Jess shows up to Antonio’s games and practices even though they dont understand some of it ((They still enjoy it a lot) “touchdown!” “Wrong sport” “oh”)

- Antonio listens to musicals with Jess and watches the bootlegs and listens to Jess ramble

- Antonio can pick up Jess easily, Jess is lowkey terrified but also lowkey is like: omg my bf is so strong

- Antonio once tried to figure out how to make flower crowns without Jess to surprise them and ended up with a ton of failed flower crowns and a surprising amount of frustration (“FLOWER CROWNS SHOULDN’T BE THIS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE”) Ophelia was there, although she didn’t help, instead sometimes making sarcastic comments.

- Antonio can’t figure out math to save his life, Jess tries to help him but they don’t use the same methods as the school does and they both end up frustrated

- Antonio gets Jess a Tumblr

- Jess’s Tumblr is Gay, aesthetic, and social justice stuff and some memes. He also has a boyfriend tag where he posts pictures of Antonio (with his permission) and tags stuff Antonio would like. He tags everything and is organized

- Antonio’s tumblr is several years old and a giant mess of gay stuff, sports, and memes. Once he started dating Jess, he made a boyfriend tag as well. He also writes like love letters to jess in the tags of his posts like every night and Jess gets embarrassed but he loves it

- Jess mumbles in his sleep, Antonio likes to tease him about it (“awwwww you were talking about me” “probably cuz you keep hoarding the blankets” “rude”)

- Jess likes hugs and holding hands and cuddling, Antonio doesn’t complain (he won’t admit it but he likes it too)

- they made a playlist and it’s like. 2000’s music from their childhood, classical music, and musicals, and any other random songs they like.

- Antonio also tried learning how to braid hair and stuff, and is slowly getting better at it

- At Halloween Jess gets really into the costumes and they dress up as a couple together

- Both of them have no chill and talk about the other a lot to their friends (Antonio: “I love-”) (Everyone: “you love jess, they’re amazing and adorable, we know.”)

- Antonio gets really freaked out by thunder storms and bugs. Jess and Antonio have a lot of sleep overs, Jess calms Antonio down, if they’re not together he and Antonio text or are on call. Jess usually gets the bugs and takes them outside, he teases Antonio a little about it (“my big tough boyfriend is scared of a little cricket” “IT JUMPS AND ITS CREEPY JESS”)

- Jess likes anime and Antonio watches it with him

- Jess watches sports with Antonio

- Jess pronounces gif like Jif, Antonio pronounces it like gif. They get into arguments about it (not too serious though)

- Antonio sometimes has trouble sleeping, but not when he’s with jess

- Jess convinced Antonio to let them do his makeup (“what’s that pencil” “eye liner” “why is it a pencil” “I don’t know, I didn’t make the makeup, now sit still”)

- Antonio decides the makeup isn’t for him, but he does start painting his nails

- Jess has a love/hate relationship with horror/creepy stuff. (“I can’t sleep” “Maybe don’t watch horror videos before bed?” “….. babe”)

- Antonio loves the ocean, Jess can’t stand it, but he likes looking for shells. (Antonio got them to go in by carrying them and not letting go. Jess would only go in knee deep. Although that is deeper for Antonio than Jess)

- Antonio is 5'4 (“AND 3/4S!!”) and Jess is 5'10"

- Antonio’s birthday is in the summer, Jess’s is in late December

- Antonio loves summer and Jess can’t stand it (“It’s too hot” “it’s only like 70 degrees” “I’m literally melting” “okay”)

- Antonio hates cold, Jess loves it (“babe you’re wearing a t-shirt In below freezing weather you need to put on a jacket” “oh come on, it’s not that cold”)

- Jess puts his hair up a lot (Antonio starts to carry around hair ties for Jess)

- Jess makes 1 inappropriate joke or swears once and Antonio is shocked for like a full 24 hours afterwards

- Jess’s dad refers to Antonio as “Ant farm” especially ironic considering his fear of any and all bugs

- jess can sing, and Antonio can too although he’s not as good at it (Antonio quit chorus in freshman year) Jess makes him sing duets from musicals sometimes

- Antonio’s team mates are super supportive of them

- Jess works in his dad’s shop, and Antonio visits a lot

- “Babe that’s gay” “we’ve been dating for months” “I know!!! It’s great”

- “What’s that musical, the one with the death?” “Be more specific” “the high school one!” “… be more specific”

- Why were you up at 3 AM" “excuse you. It was 2:53 when I messaged you, Not 3 AM”

- Antonio really loves Hamilton because history!!!

- jess uses too many emojis and !!! And ????

- Antonio thinks it’s adorable

- Antonio: *holding a puppy* it’s so small… I love it Jess: I love you Antonio: what Jess: what

I have no chill or self control

#Jess #Antonio #emma rambles #y'all get to listen to this nonsense #I love them #if I think of more I'm coming back to this

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entergamingxp · 4 years

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Paper Mario: The Origami King review

There’s always been something unique in Paper Mario’s wafer thin worlds: a sense of place and personality, an ability to linger and explore, a chance to stop and befriend. In its cardboard castles and papercraft dioramas, Paper Mario’s mix of adventuring and role-playing has always managed to showcase Mario’s surroundings as more than just background scenery, spotlight sidekicks or rivals and make them more than just one-dimensional, and be that rarest of things for video games – frequently very funny. Within its creases and corrugated backdrops, Paper Mario has consistently shaped the Mushroom Kingdom and its inhabitants into something more textured and weighty than its materials might ever suggest. Happily, you’ll find much of the same heart, humour and character once again in The Origami King.

Paper Mario: The Origami King review

Developer: Intelligent Systems

Publisher: Nintendo

Platform: Reviewed on Switch

Availability: Out on 17th July

But Paper Mario has also experienced a tug of war between its adventuring and role-playing mechanics, with recent entries opting to fold away their RPG gameplay and keep it tucked out of sight. For many, this tussle goes beyond simple genre preference – it is central to Paper Mario’s premise, and to its ability to present Mario’s worlds and characters in a way only this series, which comes around rarely, is able to provide. As more of The Origami King emerged during its remarkably short route to reveal and then release, Paper Mario fans (and particularly those of hallowed GameCube entry The Thousand-Year Door) desperately tried to pigeonhole this latest incarnation as one thing or another – adventure or RPG? – to determine the kind of experience it might offer. In reality, it is an odd jumble of both. The Origami King does offer a few welcome concessions to its RPG roots, but it also shies away from growing these further over the course of the game, struggling to ever emerge truly distinct.

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The Origami King’s battle system is a good example of all this. Its turn-based gameplay using well-timed jumps and hammer swings will be a familiar sight for Paper Mario purists, while the addition of a grid layout to rotate and shuffle enemies into more manageable groups adds a fun new puzzle layer. It’s a battle system you will see an awful lot of over the course of the game, but one which continually provides a feeling of accomplishment when you line everything up just right. There are a few items (Fire Flowers, POW Blocks and the like) you can use or mostly ignore, and a neat help system which sees you calling on the assembled Toad audience to jump in and mark out a route for you.

You’ll quickly gain access to 1000-Fold Arms, a special move you can perform either with motion controls or a combination of buttons within certain tougher battles and at specific points in the game’s world to uncover your route forward. But the vast majority of your time battling will still be spent jumping and hammer swinging – the game does not integrate or add further special attacks for the vast majority of its encounters. Boss battles bring in four simple elemental powers, which again can be used at a handful of specific moments in the game’s world, but these are rare exceptions rather than the norm.

A hole new world.

Many of the decisions developer Intelligent Systems has made surrounding the game’s battle systems feel tied to a larger hesitancy around deeper RPG mechanics – one which leaves The Origami King in a place where your health meter is the only stat number to ever appear on screen. Battles earn you coins rather than XP, to be spent on Toad assistance in battles, better gear and collectibles. Levelling is non-existent, though your health is expanded at intermittent moments by specific characters, some hidden and seemingly possible to miss. Your strength increases each time your health is upgraded, which means you carry your starting level boots and hammer to the game’s final boss fight (and also that these are always your default option if your better gear breaks, because of course, that has limited durability).

Mario is sometimes assisted in battle by a party member, but the game features no method of selecting who or how they attack – something which unfortunately reflects on how little companions matter mechanically overall. The return of party allies was interpreted as a major move back towards the game’s RPG origins, but most characters you meet will only travel with Mario temporarily, and even then will decide to sit out certain sections. Apart from Olivia, a chatty Navi-like character who enables Mario’s 1000-Fold Arms attack, only one party member will ever appear on screen in battle at a time, and only then to perform a basic jab at random intervals.

Pyramid scheme.

It’s a shame, as The Origami King introduces and then quickly leaves behind a list of promising party member candidates, some of whom are roped in for a matter of minutes before departing again. Hi Luigi! Bye Luigi. The game’s script is often brilliant, its command of paper-based wordplay continually razor sharp, and yet many of its characters end up feeling underserved by their screen time. There are several cameos from fan-favourite characters and plenty of knowing nods to Nintendo’s history. There are scene-stealing turns from Bowser’s overlooked dogsbody Kamek and the capricious Bowser Jr. But the transient nature of these party members means some arrive too late to make an impression, while earlier characters are never given the chance to properly bed in. There are also a couple of decidedly downbeat story moments which jar with the overall tone of the game – which stand out enough to flag here but are also not worth spoiling.

Over the course of its story, The Origami King will take you to a ninja-themed theme park, an angelic spa resort, an ocean cruise liner, to jungles, canyons and woods. Each has been lovingly crafted in wonderfully tactile paper and cardboard. Each has their own secrets, Toads in need of rescue who will join your battle audience, torn scenery needing repair using your bag of paper confetti. Rarely will you find an area without something hidden in plain sight, and someone with dialogue which will make you smile. These areas are mostly linear – the game has a set story it wants to tell, and apart from hoovering up collectibles there are no side-quests to be found, or reasons to return.

Macho maché man.

Two large open world areas traversed via vehicles are also included – a desert you zoom across in a motorised boot, and a Wind Waker-esque sea you sail in a boat, uncovering islands and marking them on your map. Both of these sections offer a break from the pace of the rest of the game, though also stretch things out considerably, with treasure hunts that will likely leave you with a bit of trial and error. Throughout the game there are moments played for laughs where Mario will seemingly find himself at the end of an area, ready to complete it, only for something to happen and another huge section to unfold. By the end, you may find yourself dreading the next time this happens – such as at the end of one late section where to progress you must take part in one of the series’ trademark game shows, a surprise distraction which sits oddly with the pace of the game’s final few hours.

There’s plenty I’d recommend about The Origami King, a journey generous with its humour, its spread of locations, its continual sense of adventure in Mario’s bid to defeat the evil Origami King (a clever conceit which lets Mario befriend regular paper Goombas and Koopas while also letting him battle evil origami Goombas and Koopas). Its final section especially, while brief, is thrilling to watch unfold. But each time the game changed settings, every time it swapped in a new party member, whenever I cleared another boss, I expected it to grow the shoots it had begun to set out and dig in a little deeper. For all of the game’s sense of personality and place, it never grows into anything weightier.

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2020/07/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=paper-mario-the-origami-king-review

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andrea-cristina-travel-blog · 6 years

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Top “13” Most Haunted U.S. Hotels

(Okay, so 1 in London makes 14, but 13 is spookier.) ? What’sa Matta? U Scurrd? Attention ghost busters and wobbly-kneed chickens, alike. Behold! Here’s your access to the haunted list of lists. Enter at your own risk … Muuuuahahahahaha! Stanley Hotel | Estes Park, Colorado Red Rum!Haunted events have been recorded at the Stanley Hotel since 1911. It was then that housekeeper Ms. Elizabeth Wilson was shocked during a lightning storm. Room 217, where it happened, has become a hotbed for paranormal activity. She may or may not think she is the “gate keeper.” Wha? You say this place looks familiar? Better tighten those boot straps, Pardner. The Stanley was made famous in the movie “The Shining.” And even before the movie, it was known for a deep connection to the paranormal. Haunted events have been recorded at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, as far back as 1911. Be sure to ask for Room 217 (so we don’t have to). Red Rum … Red Rum … Bourbon Orleans Hotel | New Orleans The grand, historic Bourbon Orleans Hotel originally opened in 1827 as a ballroom for glamorous events. By the late 1800s the hotel was acquired by the Sisters of the Holy Family. Their idea was to use it as a school, orphanage, medical ward, and convent. It was then that the yellow fever epidemic struck and leading to the death of many children. It’s said that the ghosts of children and nuns can be seen and heard throughout the hotel. Additionally, there have been several reports of a ghost dancer in the famous Orleans Ballroom. You can book a Ghosts & Spirits Walking Tour, which stops at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel during your visit to New Orleans. Let the creeping begin! Emily Morgan | San Antonio Emily Morgan HotelHoused in a historic neo-Gothic building with a reputation for paranormal activity, the 177-room boutique Emily Morgan Hotel has a prime downtown location across from the Alamo. It also at one time was a medical facility, so the property housed a morgue and a psychiatric ward. Reports of unexplained noises, apparitions, and the feeling of being touched (go ahead and book now if you like) are fairly frequent. If you want to up your chances of a paranormal encounter, book a room on the seventh, ninth, eleventh, or twelfth floors. Also, as a nod to the hotel’s notoriety for paranormal activity, the on-site Oro Restaurant and Bar offers a Psychic Happy Hour with palm readings on Thursday nights – if you DARE! Omni Parker House | Boston Steeped in history, stuffed with ghost lore, and teeming with old-world grandeur, the surprisingly affordable Omni Parker House is the place to stay for a taste of Boston’s literary and political past. The original hotel opened in 1855 and was run by founder Harvey Parker until his death in 1884. Many guests have reported seeing him in their guest rooms, where he’s asked about their stay. After a businessman died in room 303, there were multiple reports of laughter and the smell of whiskey. Stephen King’s short story 1408, which was made into a movie with John Cusack, centers on a writer who experiences a haunted stay at a New York hotel; the story was based on the supernatural activity in room 303. If you plan on staying, do not watch the movie. In fact, you should probably steer clear anyway. It is terrifying … you’re welcome. Langham Hotel | London Not in U.S. – more than creepy enough for this list One of the more notable historical hotels in London, the Langham Hotel has been around since 1865 — when it opened as the city’s first purpose-built luxury hotel. The hotel is a frequent place of lodging for celebrities and royals, and apparently, ghosts. Guests have reported seeing the apparition of a German prince, a German solider and a doctor who murdered his wife and then killed himself on their honeymoon, among others. The spirit of Emperor Napoleon III, who lived at the Langham during his last days in exile, has also been said to occupy the basement. Room 333 is supposedly the most haunted of the guest rooms and is available for booking for any brave travelers and, of course, the unbeknownst (insert creepy laughter here.) The Marshall House | Savannah Built in 1851, the charming 68-room Marshall House accommodated Union soldiers during the Civil War — and some guests say their spirits still walk the hallways. The oldest hotel in Savannah, it also acted as a hospital three times (always a red flag for hotel conversions) — once for soldiers and twice for yellow fever epidemic victims. During renovations, workers found human remains under the floorboards from long-ago surgeries when the ground was frozen and nothing could be buried. In addition to seeing ghosts throughout the property, guests report hearing children run down the halls, faucets turning on by themselves, and the rattling of doorknobs. The Hay-Adams | Washington D.C. Another spooky thing about Washington Quite possibly the most famous hotel in the capital, The Hay-Adams has hosted many a politician, including the Obamas before inauguration. In 1884, best friends John Hay (Abraham Lincoln’s private secretary and later a Secretary of State) and Henry Adams (the author, and descendant of John Quincy) built their homes on the plot of land where the hotel now sits. In 1927, nine years after Adams’ death, the houses were razed and replaced by the hotel that stands today. Adams’ wife, Marian Hooper Adams, committed suicide on the site in 1885 and her spirit reportedly haunts the hotel. Guests and staff say they can hear a woman crying softly, disembodied voices, and doors opening and closing on their own. Hotel Sorrento | Seattle Built at the turn of the 20th century, the upscale Hotel Sorrento is an iconic Seattle boutique property. It’s said that the ghost of Alice B. Toklas, a woman credited with the invention of pot brownies, can often be seen roaming the halls, particularly around room 408 (you would think it would be 420). Guests have also reported their drinks being moved at the Dunbar Room. To honor her, they have a Ms. Toklas cocktail on the menu that includes lucid absinthe, elderflower, chamomile, honey, and lemon juice — so you can get both a trick and a treat at the Sorrento. Of course, all of this could just be absinthe related … Hotel Provincial | New Orleans What isn’t a little haunted in French Quarter? The two-story Hotel Provincial — with 94 rooms in the historic French Quarter — is a retreat into old New Orleans. Like many New Orleans properties, it also claims to be a popular paranormal activity hub. Like other area hotels, the property acted as a medical facility for wounded confederate soldiers and is said to still possess their spirits. From distressed soldiers and operating doctors to pools of blood, guests have reported it all. If actually staying at the property seems too spooky, it’s also a stop on many walking ghost tours of the city. 11. Omni Shoreham | Washington D.C. Built in 1930, the Omni Shoreham Hotel has echoing ceilings, grand chandeliers, and an allegedly haunted suite. The Ghost Suite, a two-bedroom apartment-style suite with a full kitchen, is reportedly haunted; spirits of the original owner, his daughter, and the housekeeper supposedly linger here. Both the housekeeper, Juliette, and the owner’s daughter, Helen, died in the suite. Once the family was gone, reports of unexplained noises, lights being turned on, and the feeling of someone running by, were made. Travelers can book the suite if they’re looking for the chance of a paranormal encounter – or just need someone to jog with, indoors. Le Pavilion | New Orleans Another New Orleans HauntOften called by many locals “The Belle of New Orleans.” The Le Pavilion Hotel offers guests turn-of-the-century charm in the heart of downtown Haunted New Orleans. At one point a few years ago the hotel management hired several local paranormal investigators. They identified several ghosts in the hotel and recorded EVP’s saying “Please, get out” and “Hold on I see you now.” Another team said they documented 100+ individual ghost and haunted hotspots in the hotel. A third team said this hotel was actually a portal to the other side. We hope you don’t accidentally walk through THAT door. Crescent Hotel & Spa | Eureka Springs Guests who want an extra scare can take a nightly ghost tour of the Crescent. And you may want to. This historic Victorian-style claims to be “America’s most haunted hotel.” Members of Historic Hotels of America can watch ghost videos and even learn about Eureka Springs’ unusual history. The “fun” peaks during Paranormal Weekend, a three-day, hands-on paranormal investigation event in January. It even includes and everybody is welcome ghost hunt. While completely unrelated, the French Onion Soup is said to be excellent. Queen Mary | Long Beach We’re Just Gonna Take Their Word for ItThis historic ocean liner in Long Beach is considered one of the most haunted places in the the nation, and even beyond. Visitors can sign up for special haunted twilight tours of the Queen Mary. A guide will take you through the ship, right to the supposed paranormal epicenters. Some visitors claim to experience the ghost of a dead sailor. Others say they see children who drowned in the pool or a woman in white. The Queen Mary’s tours even include séances, for the bravest guests. There is even an option for “dining with the spirits.” Want to save big on your up coming trips? Of course you do. We can HELP YOU BIG TIME at club.mustdotravels.com The post Top “13” Most Haunted U.S. Hotels appeared first on Must Do Travels.

https://www.mustdotravels.com/top-13-haunted-u-s-hotels/

#America #Must Do Travels #Things To Do #Travel Stories #haunted hotels #spooky hotels #U.S. hotels

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andrea-cristina-travel-blog · 6 years

Photo

Top “13” Most Haunted U.S. Hotels

(Okay, so 1 in London makes 14, but 13 is spookier.) What’sa Matta? U Scurrd? Attention ghost busters and wobbly-kneed chickens, alike. Behold! Here’s your access to the haunted list of lists. Enter at your own risk … Muuuuahahahahaha! Stanley Hotel | Estes Park, Colorado Red Rum!Haunted events have been recorded at the Stanley Hotel since 1911, when Ms. Elizabeth Wilson, a housekeeper, was shocked during a lightning storm. Though she wasn’t killed, the room where it happened, Room 217, has become a hotbed of paranormal activity. She may or may not think she is the “gate keeper.” Wha? You say this place looks familiar? Better tighten those boot straps, partner, ‘cause you’re right on point! Made famous in the movie “The Shining,” The Stanley is known for a creepily deep connection to the paranormal. Haunted events have been recorded at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, as far back as 1911. Be sure to ask for Room 127 (so we don’t have to). Red Rum … Red Rum … Bourbon Orleans Hotel | New Orleans The grand, historic Bourbon Orleans Hotel originally opened in 1827 as a ballroom for glamorous events. By the late 1800s the hotel was acquired by the Sisters of the Holy Family to be used as a school, orphanage, medical ward, and convent; a yellow fever epidemic struck at this time and led to the death of many children. It’s said that the ghosts of children and nuns can be seen and heard throughout the hotel. Additionally, several reports of a ghost dancer in the famous Orleans Ballroom have been made. You can book a Ghosts & Spirits Walking Tour, which stops at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, during your visit to New Orleans. Let the creeping begin! Emily Morgan | San Antonio Emily Morgan HotelHoused in a historic neo-Gothic building with a reputation for paranormal activity, the 177-room boutique Emily Morgan Hotel has a prime downtown location across from the Alamo. It also at one time was a medical facility, so the property housed a morgue and a psychiatric ward. Reports of unexplained noises, apparitions, and the feeling of being touched (go ahead and book now if you like) are fairly frequent. If you want to up your chances of a paranormal encounter, book a room on the seventh, ninth, eleventh, or twelfth floors. Also, as a nod to the hotel’s notoriety for paranormal activity, the on-site Oro Restaurant and Bar offers a Psychic Happy Hour with palm readings on Thursday nights – if you DARE! Omni Parker House | Boston Steeped in history, stuffed with ghost lore, and teeming with old-world grandeur, the surprisingly affordable Omni Parker House is the place to stay for a taste of Boston’s literary and political past. The original hotel opened in 1855 and was run by founder Harvey Parker until his death in 1884. Many guests have reported seeing him in their guest rooms, where he’s asked about their stay. After a businessman died in room 303, there were multiple reports of laughter and the smell of whiskey. Stephen King’s short story 1408, which was made into a movie with John Cusack, centers on a writer who experiences a haunted stay at a New York hotel; the story was based on the supernatural activity in room 303. If you plan on staying, do not watch the movie. In fact, you should probably steer clear anyway. It is terrifying … you’re welcome. Langham Hotel | London Not in U.S. – more than creepy enough for this list One of the more notable historical hotels in London, the Langham Hotel has been around since 1865 — when it opened as the city’s first purpose-built luxury hotel. The hotel is a frequent place of lodging for celebrities and royals, and apparently, ghosts. Guests have reported seeing the apparition of a German prince, a German solider and a doctor who murdered his wife and then killed himself on their honeymoon, among others. The spirit of Emperor Napoleon III, who lived at the Langham during his last days in exile, has also been said to occupy the basement. Room 333 is supposedly the most haunted of the guest rooms and is available for booking for any brave travelers and, of course, the unbeknownst (insert creepy laughter here.) The Marshall House | Savannah Built in 1851, the charming 68-room Marshall House accommodated Union soldiers during the Civil War — and some guests say their spirits still walk the hallways. The oldest hotel in Savannah, it also acted as a hospital three times (always a red flag for hotel conversions) — once for soldiers and twice for yellow fever epidemic victims. During renovations, workers found human remains under the floorboards from long-ago surgeries when the ground was frozen and nothing could be buried. In addition to seeing ghosts throughout the property, guests report hearing children run down the halls, faucets turning on by themselves, and the rattling of doorknobs. The Hay-Adams | Washington D.C. Another spooky thing about Washington Quite possibly the most famous hotel in the capital, The Hay-Adams has hosted many a politician, including the Obamas before inauguration. In 1884, best friends John Hay (Abraham Lincoln’s private secretary and later a Secretary of State) and Henry Adams (the author, and descendant of John Quincy) built their homes on the plot of land where the hotel now sits. In 1927, nine years after Adams’ death, the houses were razed and replaced by the hotel that stands today. Adams’ wife, Marian Hooper Adams, committed suicide on the site in 1885 and her spirit reportedly haunts the hotel. Guests and staff say they can hear a woman crying softly, disembodied voices, and doors opening and closing on their own. Hotel Sorrento | Seattle Built at the turn of the 20th century, the upscale Hotel Sorrento is an iconic Seattle boutique property. It’s said that the ghost of Alice B. Toklas, a woman credited with the invention of pot brownies, can often be seen roaming the halls, particularly around room 408 (you would think it would be 420). Guests have also reported their drinks being moved at the Dunbar Room. To honor her, they have a Ms. Toklas cocktail on the menu that includes lucid absinthe, elderflower, chamomile, honey, and lemon juice — so you can get both a trick and a treat at the Sorrento. Of course, all of this could just be absinthe related … Hotel Provincial | New Orleans What isn’t a little haunted in French Quarter? The two-story Hotel Provincial — with 94 rooms in the historic French Quarter — is a retreat into old New Orleans. Like many New Orleans properties, it also claims to be a popular paranormal activity hub. Like other area hotels, the property acted as a medical facility for wounded confederate soldiers and is said to still possess their spirits. From distressed soldiers and operating doctors to pools of blood, guests have reported it all. If actually staying at the property seems too spooky, it’s also a stop on many walking ghost tours of the city. 11. Omni Shoreham | Washington D.C. Built in 1930, the Omni Shoreham Hotel has echoing ceilings, grand chandeliers, and an allegedly haunted suite. The Ghost Suite, a two-bedroom apartment-style suite with a full kitchen, is reportedly haunted; spirits of the original owner, his daughter, and the housekeeper supposedly linger here. Both the housekeeper, Juliette, and the owner’s daughter, Helen, died in the suite. Once the family was gone, reports of unexplained noises, lights being turned on, and the feeling of someone running by, were made. Travelers can book the suite if they’re looking for the chance of a paranormal encounter – or just need someone to jog with, indoors. Le Pavilion | New Orleans Another New Orleans HauntOften called by many locals “The Belle of New Orleans.” The Le Pavilion Hotel offers guests turn-of-the-century charm in the heart of downtown Haunted New Orleans. At one point a few years ago the hotel management was said to have hired several local well known paranormal investigators, who identified several ghosts in the hotel and recorded EVP’s saying “Please, get out” and “Hold on I see you now.” Another investigative team said they documented over 100 individual ghost and haunted hotspots in the hotel. A third team said this hotel was actually a portal to the other side – hope you don’t accidentally walk through THAT door. Crescent Hotel & Spa | Eureka Springs Guests who want an extra scare can take a nightly ghost tour of this historic Victorian-style hotel that claims to be “America’s most haunted hotel.” Visitors at the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, a member of Historic Hotels of America, can watch ghost videos, learn about Eureka Springs’ unusual history and go on a massive ghost hunt during the Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend, a three-day, hands-on paranormal investigation event in January. While completely unrelated, the French Onion Soup is said to be excellent. Queen Mary | Long Beach We’re Just Gonna Take Their Word for ItThis historic ocean liner in Long Beach is considered one of the most haunted places in the the nation, and even beyond. Visitors can sign up for special haunted twilight tours of the Queen Mary, which will bring them throughout the ship and into the supposed paranormal epicenters. Some visitors claim to experience the ghost of a dead sailor, children who drown in the pool or a woman in white. The Queen Mary’s tours even include séances, for the bravest guests, or the option for “dining with the spirits.” The post Top “13” Most Haunted U.S. Hotels appeared first on Must Do Travels.

https://mustdotravels.com/top-13-haunted-u-s-hotels/

#America #Must Do Travels #Things To Do #Travel Stories #haunted hotels; spooky hotels #U.S. hotels

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