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musiconanironingboard · 4 months

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20 January 2024: The Songs of Bacharach & Costello Super Deluxe Edition, various artists. (2023 Universal expanded reissue of 1998 Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach Mercury release Painted from Memory)

For nearly twenty years, beginning when I was a really young kid and discovered there was music other than The Beatles, Elvis Costello was my favorite artist. This began to wane in the mid-'90s. I remember hearing his 1996 album All This Useless Beauty and it not wowing me, but it was 1998's Painted from Memory where the fissures really began to crack for me. It was an album co-credited to Burt Bacharach, and all songs were co-writes between the two musicians. At 25, I had no interest in Bacharach's music; I found it saccharine and the opposite of what I liked about Costello. I'd know for eons that Costello had been covering Bacharach as far back as 1977; the Live Stiffs compilation I bought as a lad featured Costello and the Attractions going through a sleepy version of "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself," for instance. I bought Painted from Memory and played it exactly once (I have kept track of all my listening since 1993). Over the next four years I tried two more times to play it, and didn't get all the way through either time. It wasn't until 2004 and I was dating a Costello fan that I listened to the album in earnest. It never did anything for me. The album got its first vinyl release in 2017 by the Mobile Fidelity label; I bought that as well, and by that point I could find some value in the album but it was never going to be a favorite of mine.

Last year the album got the super-deluxe treatment. I balked at buying any versions of the reissue, including the 2-CD edition that included a disc of Bacharach & Costello compositions sung by other artists, taken from a planned but never realized stage musical based on Painted from Memory, called Taken from Life and including additional Bacharach/Costello compositions not on the original album. I blew that off completely and decided this would be a rare Costello item I just wouldn't chase. Sometime around Thanksgiving, I was browsing at my neighborhood record store and Erin, one of the staffers, decided to play the reissue and I got to hear some of the material sung by other people. I was surprised by how much I liked it. I knew there were a couple of reasonably priced copies of the new 2-LP set in the bins there, and I wound up buying one. I hadn't done any of my homework, so I didn't realize on the new LP reissue the album proper was spread across three discs with side four being just a sampling of the guest-vocalist material. Once I got it home I was irritated to learn that while the LP had six tracks of this material the CD edition featured sixteen. Now my hastily bought LP felt even more redundant than it already did, considering that I've got the 2017 Mobile Fidelity vinyl (which is just a direct reproduction of the original album with no bonus material). Bah!

I tried to forget about this, knowing it would be years before I even get to the point in my stack where I'll need to be playing it. The holidays came and went, and in January I wound up with a store credit at everyone's most hated online retailer; I don't even know how I found it, but somehow I discovered that the "Super Deluxe Edition" of The Songs of Bacharach and Costello, with 2 LPs (the same ones I'd just bought at my local shop) and 4 CDs, was marked down nearly 70%. I'd never have paid full price for the set, but armed with my store credit that matched the sale price almost exactly it was a no-brainer to order this box.

Above are the front cover (with embossed gold lettering), hype sticker explaining the contents, back cover with credit insert in place (it came packaged with it there under the shrinkwrap), and then the back cover after unwrapping the set.

Below is one shot of the interior of the opened package. You may be able to see a notch on the top left panel revealing the top of a booklet; one of the LPs is also housed in that pocket. More on that later.

That right-hand panel in the photo above is actually a "page" that can be flipped, and when you do so you now see this:

On the left are slots housing the four CDs, and on the right is another pocket with yet another booklet and the second LP.

Below is a picture of one of the booklets. They both look like this on the front, a reproduction of the set's cover art but sans the gold-leaf effect on the lettering.

Next is the back of the first booklet.

Now we see the back of the second booklet. (It was a bit of a missed opportunity to not have different photos on the front of the two booklets.)

Here is a close-up of one of the discs. They all use this same design, with each disc including its individual title (Painted from Memory, Taken from Life, etc.).

Here is a view of one of the LP labels, in its white sleeve. All four labels use this same design.

That's it for visuals of the 2023 box. Now let's look at the 2017 Mobile Fidelity vinyl issue. Below is the front cover.

Next, the back cover.

Here is the 2017 edition's opened gatefold.

And here is side one's label.

Last, let's look at the original 1998 CD edition. Below is the front cover (removed from the jewel case).

Here is the opened case. You can see how these visuals have been repeated across the various editions.

Here is the back cover.

Last, I want to show this. The black-and-red silhouette design used for the CD and LP labels of the 1998 and 2023 editions always remind me of the label design from the Japanese edition of Costello's 1981 album Trust. Below is a photo of my copy of that item. I do wonder if there is any conscious continuity at work here, or if it's a coincidence that even Costello (or his art designers) wouldn't think of.

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kveom · 6 years

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My first follow forever (wOW)!!!! cya 2017!!

It’s so crazy to think that at the start of this year the only Seventeen I knew was the number… and now, whenever I hear the number seventeen, the first thing I think of is the group of 13 boys that brightened up my 2017.

After my introduction to seventeen came my introduction to this fandom and to some really beautiful people. I’m so grateful to all of you for being so welcoming, and filling my dash with posts that are memetastic, creative, beautiful and filled with the awesomeness of 13 precious boys. Oh! Also, thanks for brightening up my dash with awesome tags as well hehheheh. I hope 2018 treats you all with the happiness and love you deserve 💕💕

So for my mutuals I thought I’d write out my first impressions of each of you or the first post I saw from you (i’m really cheesy okay). Most of them I remember, but for the few I couldn’t, I wrote down the post that is most memorable for me or what I love about you/your blog :))

Also, it isn’t in alphabetical order... eep too lazy

@dokyeoms-angel - ’wow she loves dk as much as i do... i love her’

@17dad - i was a bit like ‘lol wut’ at your url because you were one of the first blogs i followed (and i was still getting to know svt) so i didn’t know how much of a dad scoups was

@kwoncoups - i followed you when you were imhobi and i remember thinking your url was for hoshi (even though i’d never heard hoshi being referred to as hobi idk) because i didn’t know hobi was jhope’s nickname lmao

@exxtramint - the first thing i saw from you was this vocal unit gifset and it was an instant follow hehe

@pechajun - i’m pretty sure i started following you when you were lunarjun and i rly liked your username ^^

@powerfulhoshi - this is the first gifset i saw from you and the font and the gifs and everything was soooo clean and nice!!!!!

@bubkwan - i wanted to steal your description

@hoshi-ssi - i’m pretty sure it was hoshi’s palm fairy gifset that made me follow because... yes... that’s the content i’m here for

@junshva - i found your layout so beautiful <3333 esp. that picture of seokmin *-*

@kyoem - i think this was the first i saw from you, but even if it wasn’t, it’s amazinggggg

@mvngyu - ‘heehee the sidebar is so cute’

@swimmingfool - this!!!! freaking!!!! edit!!!!! <3333

@jeong-hanie - beautiful gifs, must follow

@keyboardaegyo - i thought your theme(+ navi page) was really cuteee!!!

@vernons-laugh-is-my-aesthetic - ‘memes??? um YES’

@jeonwoooo - okay, this one is probably the creepiest... i thought ‘ooh i like their name’

@wonnwoo- i loveeee your wonwoo starsign edit

@santascoups - read your desc + about page and thought you seemed cool lmao

@the1the8 - i think the first thing i saw of yours was that simple but gorgeous chocolate edit <333

@woenoo - i thought your tag for wonwoo was so cute wnfnadssndk

@wonshu - will always remember you as the one to tag me in that lethal dk photoset... so there’s a love/hate relationship (jk i love)

@leejhs - tbvh, your love for milk tea is what i remember

@dearseventeen - ’this theme is sooo cuteeeeeeeee... dino!!!!’

@vitaminniedk - ‘they love dk, i love them’

@myungho - tbh your url kept coming up on my dash because of follow forevers/mentions and i was like this person must be really cool lmao (and you are)

@96kwon - your memes 😂

@rappershua- *reads* lee seokmin; you’re my love (on your navi) ‘SOLD’

@jeongahn - i found your layout so beautiful!!!!!

@7unhui - saw this and... yeah...

@jisoostar - this was the first post i saw from you and it was amazing (colours!!!) and i also thought ‘why haven’t i seen that photo of dk, he looks so good skdnfjdfsn’

@wonhuis - i love that you’re a tag talker hehehe

@bbaksu - i love your rocket edit *-* (it also might’ve been the first edit i saw from you but i can’t 100% remember)

@jishua - 'this secret santa is so sweet lfmslmdf’

@pitdae - ‘only an awesome person can write this about page’ (and thank you for awesome gifs ^^)

@pinktomatocat - this edit made me cri follow, it’s so nice!!!

@kwoncity - ’wow they know their stuff’ (was reading your answers about music and yeah)

@chiwoopsie - the ‘types of carats during comeback season’ post was the first one i saw from you. it’s gold <333

@hoshidotcom - ’i like my soonyoungs spicy’ yes okay that’s a follow

@captainoates - thank you for everything you provide for this fandom <3333

@boosonseok - lmao this post

@xiyeonah - ’wow... her dk tags.... are me....’

@zeonghan - i’ve said it before but you’re a cOOL person

@softmanscoups - ’this one’s a riot’ / i still remember when dk was your bias and there was one post about slushies and tongues lmao... i will never forget

@seokmins-thighs - i don’t think you had this url when i followed you but it said somewhere that this used to be your username and i thought ’they should totally go back to seokmins-thighs’ (also, the fact that you have a tag for his thighs... thank you // edit: i’m going through that tag now and your tags are gold 😂😂 i luv dk stans)

@bangtanbombdotcom - this one’s probably the most vague but... it was some sort of text post about seventeen that made me follow you but i can’t remember lol (it might’ve been talking about their dancing or just praising them, but anyway i agreed so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

@cafewoozi - (you were meant to be down there ↓ like a day ago but now you’re here and that’s amazing) ‘pastel everywhere 😍’ *reads description* ‘ahhh’

@sunshine-turkey - ‘sunshine-turkey... interesting url’ lmao

If we’re mutuals and you’re not here, pls let me know!!! and if you’re up there ^ and we’re not mutuals... hope you had fun reading my first impression anyway!!!

I know i’m the worst mutual ever because people scare me but I hope you know that I love and appreciate all of you!!!

The rest aren’t mutuals, but are still blogs I adore <33

@woozzi, @camera-seventeen, @verngyu, @12fools, @incorrect7teen, @svt-laughing, @happydk, @17cuties, @amemericans, @pledisboys, @yoonjeonghannie, @gyuofficial, @17hateblog, @seungkwa, @dokyummm, @juunshua, @adoreu-carat @livelovelunch, @je0nghans + my whole blogroll (also there are some blogs who i constantly reblog from or who make me laugh but i can’t remember the urls so... there’s that // there’s one in particular i tried to find but i can’t remember :(( )

okay, now this is gonna get real extra but here are some special mentions lmao:

@verymerryotl - when i was first getting into svt your analyses were really interesting and helpful, so thank you for writing them ^^

@pabospoiler- your giffing of dk actually made me start giffing because i wanted to make him shine like you do :) (even though i’m doing a bad job of it lmao)

@fyseokmin - *bows down* you really make my dash a happier place (you might not see this bc you’re on hiatus but i hope you’re doing okay <333)

@kristian-do - thank you so much for everything you do for this fandom!!! i know you’ve said before that you’re not sure how long you can maintain your blog for, and i hope that when the time comes, you put yourself first ❤️

@jisoosmeoli - the first person to talk to me on tumblr!! thanks for dealing with this socially awkward weirdo >< you’re awesome 💕💕

@raphamster - thanks for being dk trash with me 💖💕❤️ i’m so glad i made that post about seungkwan being the best person ever :))

Happy new year!!!! Kick 2018 in the behind 😎

The last part is just a cheesy thank you to seventeen, which you don’t have to read if you don’t want to (and i couldn’t put it under a read more, sorry) -- this is kinda something I don’t want people to see but I also do because it needs to be said and I want to show people how wonderful seventeen is

so halfway through the year i found out about seventeen. i’d never stanned a kpop group before and i never really wanted to, just because of the emotional toll it would take on me. but seventeen pretty much said ‘nuh uh, coming through’ and... yeah... and i’m so grateful for that :’)

discovering seventeen this year has helped me a lot. these boys just radiate happiness and love, and you can’t not feel it. i’m a really (negative) emotional person, so if i get one whiff of sadness or anger, either from others or myself, i fall into this dark hole of negative emotions, which i usually just wait out. but now, whenever i’m in that dark hole, i can watch some seventeen videos or listen to their music and my heart will feel a bit lighter. i mostly watch their dance practices idk why?? maybe because it makes me feel so proud??? oh, also their performances!! which shows how much of an impact their stage presence/energy has. anyway, just watching them do anything really fills me with warmth and all these good emotions that override the bad. even just daydreaming about what it’s like to be part of their lives, surrounded by that bubble of joy and love they create gets me through it :)

they also made me realise that i need to surround myself with people who make me love life. i have a circle of friends but we’re not super close and i used to be fine with that, but learning about these boys and how important they are to each other made me realise that i shouldn’t settle for that. i need a friend that i can tell anything to, to lean on when i need to (and who’ll listen to me talk about seventeen all day). they give me hope that i’ll find friends like that, who i’ll treat like family. they also reinforce my belief that everything happens for a reason. can you imagine if scoups or woozi had debuted before the rest?? or if seungkwan ended up in jyp?? but nope, they all found each other and they adore each other so much while creating AMAZING music, so they give me hope for the future :)

i wanted to write another paragraph about dk but i’ll just say this: he reminds me of all the good things in the world and he can make me smile like no other 💖💖

so to sum this up, i want to thank the 13 beautiful boys of seventeen for making my 2017 a bit brighter just by being them :)) go and make 2018 your year like you did 2017, but look after yourselves!! i hope you carry this joy for life and love for one another into the new year 💕💓💖❤️💕💞💘💚💛💙💜❤️💕

#follow forever #wow 2017's nearly over #love to all of you #ok sorry this is reallly long #pls tell me if mentions aren't working #okay i'm just gonna post this now so i don't spend anymore time on it #i've edited it like 100 times #but don't judge me if i come back and change stuf nsf'ds #this will tag everyone right

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lethal-liability · 3 years

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Ari's ranking of Imagine Dragon's discography

Here's something literally no one asked for! Anyway rankings are out of 10 and I'll have album stats at the end. Also any songs in the EPs that would later appear on Night Visions are just going under the album. I know that'll screw with their averages but I don't really care.

Imagine Dragons (2009) average rating: 7.2

I Need A Minute: 6/10 A nice fun song I used to like dancing around my room to. The lyrics are completely incomprehensible but I guess that's the point, I like it. The vocals are just a little bit too low

Uptight: 7/10 Funky beat, I really like the synth. I didn't listen to this one much as a kid but I really missed out this song kinda fucks.

Cover Up: 7/10 Some more funky bass and synth, getting into some of the more poetic lyrics that I like from them. Pretty solid.

Curse: 9/10 This 👏 was 👏 my 👏 favorite 👏 song 👏 back 👏 in 👏 the 👏 day 👏 Here's where my bias comes in cause this one gets an extra point purely for that. The lyrics don't really make sense but I would lay up at night coming up with complex amvs in my head to go along with it :) Still holds up to 11 y/o Ari's love.

Drive: 7/10 Again, another one I never really listened to as a kid. It's a pretty good, relaxing song, really different from the rest of the upbeat songs on the EP.

Hell and Silence (2010) average rating: 6.75

All Eyes: 6/10 Another funky song, nothing really special but pretty solid

I Don't Mind: 4/10 Honestly not a fan of this one, the synth is kinda annoying and the lyrics are kinda irritating

Selene: 8/10 Idk what to say I just like this song :)

Emma: 9/10 Honestly pretty much the same as Selene but with a chiller vibe, I like the raspier vocals. Extra points for that nearly yelled bridge HELL AND SILENCE I CAN FIGHT IT

It's Time (2011) average rating: 4.2

Tokyo: 3/10 Look I'm a sucker for funky synth OKAY. I don't speak Japanese but I don't have to to tell you Dan's pronunciation is really cringy. Deducting points for the kinda fetishy lyrics too.

The River: 8/10 This is one of those songs I like to listen to when I'm sad to make myself sadder so I can cry my feelings out. It's got a pretty, soothing melody and nice lyrics.

Leave Me: 2/10 This song used to make the feminism leave my body as a kid but I just can't bring myself to really do that anymore lmao. Come on Dan, that's two kinda gross songs on one album :/

Pantomime: 2/10 I. Really did not like this song as a kid. Like I had a playlist on youtube of all their music except this song. I was right.

Look How Far We've Come: 6/10 Hearing this song for the first time in like nine years was an experience. Not a bad song but dome of the lines are a little clunky.

Night Visions (2012) average rating: 7.33

Radioactive: 9/10 Ya know this is the song that got them famous and for good reason. It's a good song and great amv fodder.

Tiptoe: 8/10 It's gonna be harder to write about these songs going forward because these are ones I listen to regularly so I know I like them but yeah. Good song.

It's Time: 10/10 Radioactive may have been what got them famous but this was their first real big single and it was my favorite. I'm a big sucker for a mandolin and I think this is where they started to lean more into the folky sound than the synthy sound.

Demons: 9/10 Another one of their songs I used to listen to to cry and I don't listen to it much anymore because of that but it's still a good, poetic song that hits me in the feels.

On Top Of The World: 6/10 My mom had this as her alarm when I was in middle school so I couldn't listen to it for a long time. The lyrics are a little heavy handed sometimes and a little incomprehensible at others but it's an alright little tune.

Hear Me: 8/10 This album is a little confusing because they include some of their older synth heavy songs alongside their newer folky songs, but I won't complain with this song. Frustrated 13 year old me loved this song because I, too, felt that no one ever heard me when I talked. Ya know, 13 y/o things.

Amsterdam: 7/10 I have no idea what this song is about but it's pretty good.

Every Night: 5/10 This was their first and last try at what I call a "first dance bait" song. Ya know like Perfect by Ed Sheeren or Marry Me by Train? It's alright, just really heavy handed.

Bleeding Out: 10/10 Oh emo eleven year old me ate this edgy shit up. Is it a grimdark? Yes. But that's a plus for this song. This song makes me wanna scream every time I listen to it I BARE MY SKIN AND I COUNT MY SINS AND I CLOSE MY EYES AND I TAKE IT IN

Underdog: 6/10 Another cute song, not much to say about this one, it's alright.

Nothing Left To Say: 9/10 ANOTHER another song I cry to, this one still hits home for me. It's pretty and soothing but the lyrics are still heart wrenching. The instrumental at the end is nice and I like to fall asleep to it.

Rocks: 8/10 A nice upbeat song that is a little repetative but it's only about a minute long so it doesn't over stay its welcome.

Working Man: 5/10 This song isn't on spotify so I don't get to hear it often and I actually hadn't heard it in a while when I listened to it to do this. It's kinda trying to be a 9 to 5 type song but it doesn't really do it for me.

Fallen: 8/10 Another song I hadn't heard in a while since it's not on spotify but I'm more of a fan of this one. Another amv bait song to me but one with more of a triumphant vibe to it. I really like the vocals in the chorus.

Cha-Ching ('Til We Grow Older): 8/10 The hook of this song, cha-ching x3, has a big potential to become really annoying like some of their later songs (cough cough, Thunder) but they actually somhow make it work. This song hits me a lot harder now than it did as a kid cause god. Yeah. They're so right. We are all living until we grow older.

Smoke + Mirrors (2015) average rating: 9.06

Shots: 9/10 Hell YES my favorite album finally let's get into this shit. Anyway songs that make me wanna lay in a field of wildflowers. Well the music, the lyrics are pretty depressing. But that's what makes a great song ya know.

Gold: 9/10 Songs about the rich losing their humanity? Hell yeah. I fucking love the percussion and the synth in this one too.

Smoke and Mirrors: 10/10 The under appreciated masterpiece of this album in my humble opinion. Everyone always talks about Dream as the best song on the album but I really think it's this one. That yelled OPEN UP MY EYES gets me all the time I just really really love this song.

I'm So Sorry: 9/10 Real sexy bassline on this one. I can't tell what the fuck this song is about but I don't care because it goes pretty hard.

I Bet My Life: 8/10 I like the gospel vibes, especially the backing vocals, some of them out-sing Dan a little bit. This one also hits a little harder now that I'm grown up a bit.

Polaroid: 8/10 Another one with cool percussion, some of the lyrics are lost on me but I get the overall vibe of it.

Friction: 10/10 I have no clue what that string is at the beginning of the song but man does it fuck hard. God actually everything in this song goes pretty hard, I'm especially a fan of the vocals.

It Comes Back To You: 8/10 Nice chill song, I feel like this is one that's gonna hit in a few years. Not much to say about it tbh besides I like it.

Dream: 10/10 This song really does live up to the hype even if I like other songs better. It's really poetic and well composed. You really just have to listen to it to get it tbh.

Trouble: 8/10 The piano at the beginning is a little grating but it gets better. Again not much to say about this one, it's solid, just not one of my favorites.

Summer: 8/10 Another sexy baseline, another set of incomprehensible lyrics. I like it.

Hopeless Opus: 10/10 This one's a little weird but it was my favorite for a while. I like weird. Idk if anyone would agree with me but this one was kind of a self fulfilling prophecy, this really was a hopeless opus since, in my opinion, they've yet to make album as good as this one. Also. Guitar solo.

The Fall: 10/10 I like to put this song on when we get the first cold snap of the year after summer :) It's just really chill and I like the vibes and the vocals

Thief: 10/10 AAAAHHHHHH SONGS THAT MAKE ME WANNA RUN THROUGH THE WOODS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

The Unknown: 9/10 Cool percussion, I like the intermediate piano, it's a nice touch.

Second Chances: 9/10 I like the strings and the vocals. Another nice chill song.

Release: 9/10 I like that this one is completely acoustic, it's a nice send off for a great album, if a little depressing.

Evolve (2017) average rating: 5.5

I Don't Know Why: 10/10 I have wanted to choreograph something to this song for the fucking longest time oh my god. I really love the vocals and the synth in this one.

Whatever It Takes: 5/10 This one's alright. It's not great but it's definitely not the worst. Perfectly average pop song.

Believer: 10/10 I am a little bit biased with this one because I use it for my OCs a lot but like. It's a really good song. And I don't watch TV so I haven't gotten it ruined for me by commercials.

Walking The Wire: 6/10 I hadn't listened to this song in a while and it's really not as bad as I remember. I guess you can really tell that he was having marital issues when they made this album and that didn't really connect with me back then. But I'm kinda into a little bit of it now.

Rise Up: 4/10 Another really average, inspirational pop song. I like the raspiness of Dan's voice in most songs but it sounds so over processed in this song I can't stand it.

I'll Make It Up To You: 3/10 Wow okay never mind the marital issues vibe is coming back real heavily in this one. Idk it's just such Straight People vibes, I don't like it :/

Yesterday: 1/10 I associate this song with someone I don't talk to anymore and really wanna forget so it's kinda running at a deficit already. But. Um. It's not a good song otherwise. It's another weird song but something about this one just doesn't work.

Mouth Of The River: 7/10 I think I liked this one when it came out, idk why I stopped listening to it. It's pretty good. Not great. But I like the river imagery. Well. I like river imagery in general.

Thunder: 2/10 hhhhhhhhhhhh why did they think this was a good idea. Probably their most notorious song, I know a lot of people cite it when they say Imagine Dragons makes shitty music. I just think it's tragic that this is one of the ones that got super popular for some reason. However as someone who teaches children's dance classes, however annoying you think this version is, you haven't heard anything until you have to listen to the KidzBop version twice a week for a year. Not a complete 0 because I do like some of the vocals that aren't. That Part.

Start Over: 6/10 Another one I hadn't heard in a while, but it's pretty groovy. Not as heavy handed as some of the other songs, and that flute in the chorus is pretty cool.

Dancing In The Dark: 8/10 I like this one a lot, the processing on the vocals is a little wonky but I like the vibes.

Next To Me: 4/10 Yeah this was the "please don't divorce me" song. It's. alright. Really heavy handed, they probably should've waited to release this one but you know.

Origins (2018) average rating: 4.8

Natural: 10/10 Another one I'm biased for because I associate it with a beloved OC. But It's still a good song. I like it.

Boomerang: 5/10 Another song that just has an awkward hook with awkward delivery.

Machine: 9/10 I like this song a lot more now that I know the band is really outspoken about their experiences with mormanism and escaping it. But the irony of a song with a nonconformist message from a pop band is not lost on me.

Cool Out: 5/10 Idk I don't have much to say about this one. It's alright.

Bad Liar: 4/10 Oh boy more divorced dad energy. Hhhhhh I'm getting burnt out on this. For the record I have no problem with people going through things like this, I'm just not into these vibes in my music, especially when they're super desperate like this.

West Coast: 3/10 East coast supremacy. Also why are you trying to be Mumford and Sons.

Zero: 4/10 You know, the Ralph Breaks the internet song? God. That sure was a movie. The song is better, but not by much. It is fun and bouncy but I don't like listening to it too often.

Bullet In A Gun: 5/10 I used to really like this song but now I just associate it with an embarrassing character I used to stan so :/ I do still like the lyrics even if I don't listen to it anymore.

Digital: 3/10 I can't tell if this song is pro or anti technology??? And the electronic melody is annoying.

Only: 4/10 Hhhhhh I'm so tired. I don't like this one.

Stuck: 2/10 idk man. bad.

Love: 3/10 Really trying hard to be the Beatles here. :/ That's really not a compliment.

Birds: 5/10 This one's kinda nice, a little more original but like. I'm so burned out on this theme. hhhhhhhh

Burn Out: 10/10 Speaking of burn out. lmao, no I actually really like this one. I just recently listened to it kinda intently for the first time and I just. Wow. The second verse really gets to me. I feel like this song has a lot of the poeticness I liked from Smoke + Mirrors.

Real Life: 0/10 Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh obligatory "PHONES BAD" song from the folk pop band. At least when Bastille does it they don't literally say "turn your phone off!" in the song. I'm so tired. I'm gonna take a nap before I listen to the next album.

Mercury - Act 1 (2021) average rating: 7.46

Okay I'm still tired but let's do this. Also I've only heard this album like three times so far so this ranking is most definitely gonna change as I listen to it more.

My Life: 9/10 Holy shit this song is fucking heart wrenching and I first listened to it at like just the perfect time for me to ball like a baby listening to it. Literally my only gripe is I wish the tempo would've picked up a little bit earlier.

Lonely: 9/10 This song is equally fucking depressing but it's upbeat and I eat that shit up. The vocals are a little weird sometimes but I really like the pre-chorus a lot.

Wrecked: 8/10 Okay so this album is just gonna be gut punch after gut punch huh? Look, I was really going through some shit when they dropped this album so I like really connected with a lot of it. But yeah I like this song.

Monday: 4/10 Alright. Not a fan of this one. The metaphor is kinda cute I guess, even if it implies that like literally everyone else things your sweetheart is fucking insufferable. Actually. Who tf thinks monday is the best day of the week? Like what kind of person? But, uh, musically, it's kinda annoying.

#1: 7/10 Self-care babie!!!!!!! Okay but this is a nice song. Yes we all need to learn self love it's a fucking journey babe.

Easy Come Easy Go: 9/10 I really like this one, it might be my favorite on the album. My only gripe is the bridge/3rd verse/whatever it's called is a little bit clunky

Giants: 8/10 god DAMN those vocals. This is another kinda weird song but I'm into this one like I am with Hopeless Opus.

It's Okay: 7/10 Honestly I'm kinda tired of hearing "it's okay to be not okay" Like yeah I've been depressed for most of my life now I think I got that at this point. But I am a fan of "I don't want this body, I don't want this voice, I don't wanna be here but I guess I have no choice." Like damn even my gender crisis? Y'all are really just hitting all my nails from the past year right on the head huh?

Dull Knives: 9/10 OKAY ROCK RIFF I HEAR YOU, I just wish it would've lasted through the song instead of going slow again during the second chorus. But yeah, songs that make me wanna scream in the woods in the middle of the night.

Follow You: 8/10 ME AND WHO???????

Cutthroat: 9/10 HELLO AMV BAIT I MISSED YOU I wish it was longer. Also, love Dan's screamo debut I wish he'd just fucking scream his throat raw more often.

No Time For Toxic People: 4/10 okay I think we've established that I'm not a fan of completely unsubtle songs so I don't think it should be a shock that I'm not a fan of this one. The music doesn't really save it either.

One Day: 6/10 M E A N D W H O ? ? ? Not as much of a fan of this one as Follow You though.

Additional Singles but only one's I've already heard because fuck you there are so many of these

Battle Cry: 6/10 I thought this one was from some soundtrack but idk. A transformers movie I think? I can't find anything on it. Anyway, okay song. I like the line stars are only visible in darkness. The rest of the song is kinda repetitive

Born To Be Yours: 8/10 I like this song a lot. I have no idea who Kygo is but I'm a fan of this beat. For the record, this is more something I would use for my first dance.

Destination: 6/10 Another song I haven't hear in a while. I enjoy the vocals from the other band members. But it is an itunes sessions song so it's a little messy, probably could have been better if they'd recorded it as a regular song.

I Was Me: 7/10 A nice sad acoustic song, not much to say, I like it

Levitate: 6/10 This one is from that Jennifer Lawrence Crisp Rat movie no one saw. It's okay. I like the sci-fi vibes.

Lost Cause: 4/10 This one is from the Frankenweenie soundtrack of all things. This is another grimdark edgy song, but it just doesn't have the staying power to me that Bleeding Out did.

Monster: 8/10 This song was my fucking jam as a kid and was the song that got me into Nightcore in middle school so you know it's important to me. Still a big fan of it.

Not Today: 7/10 I actually saw the movie this was from, Me Before You. I would say this is another first dance bait song but I think they were just trying to match the vibes of the movie. The song is better than the movie though. In case you were wondering.

Ready! Aim! Fire!: 7/10 continuing the trend of songs from soundtracks, apparently this song is from Iron Man 3? Seems kinda weird to put a song about rebellion and revolution in a movie about a billionaire 🤔🤔🤔. Anyway it has a more electronic, industrial sound than most of their stuff which i appreciate. Still have to deduct points for being from a marvel movie though oops.

Roots: 10/10 Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh I love this song. Another another biased one because I associate it with one of my OCs but like. It's a good song.

Sucker For Pain: 5/10 Ya know that song from the Suicide Squad soundtrack? The masochist anthem? It's alright, I mean Dan's part is probably the best, the rap is okay I guess, I'm not a huge rap fan so I don't really know what constitutes a good rap. I guess the appeal of this song was all the big names but it just gets tiresome that there's a new voice every 30 seconds. Really gimmicky but Lil Wayne's part is kinda funny so I'll give it that.

Warriors: 8/10 More amv bait, another one I could've sworn this was from some soundtrack but I can't find anything on it. Pretty solid song.

Who We Are: 6/10 This sing is from one of the Hunger Games Movies, I can't remember which one though. Anyway it's fucking incomprehensible but I like it.

Conclusion

Okay so in order from Highest to Lowest ranked the albums and EPs are

Smoke + Mirrors: 9.06

Mercury - Act 1: 7.46

Night Visions: 7.33

Self Titled: 7.2

Hell and Silence: 6.75

Evolve: 5.5

Origins: 4.8

It's Time: 4.2

See and this is completly objective because if you had asked me to rank my favorite albums I would've put Night Visions above Mercury 😠 I did have a good time going back and listening to a lot of old songs I hadn't heard in forever

anyway I'm tired and this post no one asked for is over 3k words so I am going to bed good fucking night

#long post #even with the read more hhhhhh #oh well #anyway #enjoy the most basic band that I like lmao #imagine dragons #ari screams into the void

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lizardrosen · 3 years

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National Theater Live King Lear

Hello, here is a ridiculously long review of this production! I just had a lot of feelings and thoughts!

Setting/Staging/Mood

I really loved the sound design for this one. It’s hard to describe, but the chords gave it a real presence and sense of motion. It was vaguely reminiscent of horror movie music in the way the chords lingered and didn’t blend in seamlessly, but I wouldn’t call it horror music exactly. The BELL tolling while Lear zips up his folder was such a good first image and bit of sound. And there were drinking songs, which I always love to see in a play. Put that Epic Theater technique straight in my mouth!

The circle in the middle that’s red in the first half and white in the second was a really creative detail, and the actors used that space effectively, especially with overlapping exits and entrances to make it feel that scenes happened in different locations while still being thematically connected.

The opulence and ceremony of the first scene gradually gives way to the more sparse and modern staging of act five — formal military dress to fatigues

I love how Lear raises his hand in prayer and command, compelling everyone else to follow suit to show their devotion and allegiance (and is there a difference between their king and their gods in this world?) even when they’re unsure about whether he’s right to be so cruel to Cordelia.

The recurring imagery of money changing hands really fits in well with the theme of love as currency that’s already in the text!

The single tree in the background of act five gave me Waiting For Godot vibes, which works SO WELL with the absurdism and nihilism of Lear.

Thoughts about specific characters under the cut!

Edgar! My SON!!

Luke Thompson is the reason I’ve wanted so badly to watch this production; ever since I saw his standout performance as Laertes in the 2017 Almeida Theater production, and found out he’s also played Orestes and Edgar, I’ve just been rabid about it!

It’s neat to see him actually at the ceremony of the first scene, with Edmund already Literally in his shadow.

He’s a little less hapless and distracted than most of the Edgars I’ve seen, a little more watchful. In 1.2 he’s actually pushing back against Edmund’s insistence that he’s in danger, and then in 2.1 there’s a long moment of just Looking at Edmund’s knife before he flees.

Similarly, his decision to become Poor Tom felt a bit more calculated. It’s not that he isn’t scared and lost and desperate, because he definitely is, but the plan itself doesn’t seem to grow out of that feeling as much as he (sort of) calmly looked at his options.

Of course, he doesn’t stay calm; that agonized scream when he actually cuts himself, and later on when he sees his father blinded and screams “World, world, o world!” really feels like he’s letting something out, and more than usual he seems to have been holding this part of himself back for a long time.

The counterpart to that is the self that does the watching — it’s a part of all Edgars that makes him a really compelling character, with his self-aware asides, but it’s particularly pronounced here — there’s a moment where he says “Bless thy five wits!” in his normal voice, and then catches himself and has to reassert the role he’s playing for his own safety.

At times he’s very impatient and frustrated while leading Gloucester, but he also cares about him a lot and is so terrified that he’s actually died when he “fell” from the cliff, this poor boy’s entire body is trembling!

He instinctively moves to protect Gloucester from Lear when he gets more violent and unpredictable with “find these son-in-laws and KILL KILL KILL” and it was a good moment

Gives into his own viciousness in the fight with Oswald, and then, Hamlet-like, lugs the guts into the neighbor room.

Edgar doesn’t seem to know if he wants his dad to recognize him or not — he puts Gloucester’s hand on his face, but then as soon as he seems about to realize who he is he very quickly takes it away again and gets them moving

He’s even more desperate and reckless than Edmund in their duel, but then once Edmund is fatally injured, he’s right by his side, holding his hand, helping him through it!

He needs Lear to recognize Kent, he needs Lear to not be dying, he’s so sincere, but then he decides if he can’t save anyone here he can at least help Albany to help the country heal and pledges himself to the future.

Lear

Awful but also very pitiable, more like a human losing his grip and knowing it, than just a Vessel for themes that are echoed in other characters.

Lashes out at himself more than at other people, but he definitely still does both.

“But they shall be the terrors of the earth” is just a man who’s terrified to be losing his words.

He has bad knees and everyone knows it but he keeps trying to kneel, and sometimes it feels like he’s mocking his daughters — look how much I’m suffering for you even though you’re ungrateful — and sometimes it feels like he’s forgotten his own body’s limitations.

Spends a lot of time offering physical comfort to other characters, since he can’t be a dad for his real daughters.

His flower crown scene was Just ophelia, and I think that’s beautiful.

aaaaa, his helpless grief for Cordelia! He moves the noose from her neck to his!! and then he takes out a handgun and threatens everyone away from him, but he’s just so helpless and sad!

Edmund! my other son!

I was a little surprised to see that this actor is James Corrigan, because I recognized him as Roderigo in the RSC Othello, and he’s sort of the anti-Edmund, so I was excited to see the contrast, but honestly there wasn’t as much of a contrast as I expected. He had many of the same cringing appeasing mannerisms, but in a way that makes it clear that he’s aware of his unfair situation in a way his Roderigo really isn’t. Despite being a bastard he has a lot more social power and mobility than Roderigo so he doesn’t seem nearly as pathetic.

Other Edmunds are composed and precise in their soliloquies because this is the one place no one will see them planning things out, and this Edmund is babbling and overwhelmed because this is the one place no one will see him feeling things, because feeling things is dangerous.

He’s so! scared! of his dad! It’s painful to watch, and it’s almost as painful to watch how he’s still looking for approval and respect from Gloucester. Someone save this boy!

He gets in WAY over his head, and it feels like he’s scrambling at every turn, but then at some point he just levels up and strides with confidence, and it’s really good to see.

oh my god, oh my god, he saw everything that happened with Gloucester! After everyone else leaves he comes out from his hiding place looking just devastated. He hated his dad, but he never hated him that much, and by the time he couldn’t stomach it any longer there was no way for him to escape, and then he’s still processing it when he sees that the Fool was also there, and he has to kill him because no one can know he was there. I SCREAMED when this moment happened, it was so good!

WOW, he’s so smooth, it’s no wonder both the sisters want a piece of that! It’s more of a power play with Regan, and a little more courtly with Goneril, and he just knows what each of them want and need from him.

When Lear and Cordelia are captured, Lear says “As if we were God’s spies” and he’s still kingly enough that the soldiers drop to their knees and lift their hands in allegiance, and Edmund has to rush in to make one of them stand up while saying “Take them away” sort of impatiently, and then he immediately checks the order he’s written for their deaths, because he’s just seen how dangerous it is for these two to be kept alive. aaaaa, and then when the captain hesitates, he holds a gun to his temple on “Either say thou’lt do’t, or thrive by other means” !! I love that line and I love the sheer range of deliveries I’ve seen for it!

The wonder in his voice at “Yet Edmund was beloved.” is really good! He’s so desperate to do some good by the end, and I love! Edmund of Gloucester!

Kent

Having Kent played by a woman does some really neat things to the character, not least of which is crossdressing Caius! She sort of feels like she overperforms toxic masculinity to fit into the culture of Lear’s retinue. Other Kents seem to be allowing their latent desires and bluntness to emerge with this role, but this Kent isn’t suited to it, and sometimes she gets a little carried away or makes missteps like beating up Oswald, but she has to see it through, for Lear’s sake.

Kent also doesn’t feel Big In Love with Lear, but she’s definitely devoted to him — and even more than that, she’s devoted to the image of loyalty itself.

Her genuine affection for Cordelia, and pride to see how she’s doing as a queen, is really sweet and good!

After she’s been banished, she rushes out of the throne room as Burgundy and France enter, covering her face like she’s desperately trying to hold back her tears.

She’s with the French soldiers looking for Lear, and is the one who tells him “You shall have anything!”

At the end she’s not exactly surprised that Lear doesn’t connect her with Caius, and she’s not upset (about that part of it anyway, plenty of things in this scene are upsetting), but she’s definitely feeling something.

ahhhh, she picks up Lear’s handgun and sort of cradles it to her side when she prepares for her final journey! sweetheart!

Gloucester

he’s just! a terrible father!! simply the worst!

A lot of the time Gloucester isn’t a very good dad just because he’s friendly and careless and just not paying attention to how he’s treating his sons; this one is actively awful and I actively hate him!!

From the very first scene he’s so scornful and dismissive of Edmund and hitting him for no reason, and then turns around to show off photos of Edgar, and that doesn’t even really benefit Edgar either, because he’s held to an unfair standard he can never live up to.

It really shows in how both of them are touch starved but also extremely cautious about being touched. Someone save them!!

(In fact, in the serial killer Claudius AU, a certain Earl does get himself murdered when Edmund is sixteen)

Not a Bad Dad thing, but not really showing Gloucester in a good light: he does think Lear’s age and reverence should be respected, but his motivation seems to be a lot more based in his indignation that Regan and Cornwall have taken over his home and order him around. For this Gloucester it seemed to be less about feeling sorry for Lear, and more about reasserting his sovereignty.

But because this is Lear I don’t just hate him, and he’s not just a bad father, you also feel for him a lot after he’s been blinded and his legs are just trembling and he’s so scared and lost.

Even after he’s blinded he keeps turning to his photos of Edgar in his wallet, and it’s sad and regretful instead of showing off.

He had a really good cliff fall! He goes up to what he thinks is the edge, and then turns around and braces himself to fall backwards, and then Edgar has to rush to catch him, and lay him gently on the ground, and panic that maybe he’s actually died.

Lear Sisters

No one was prepared for Lear’s announcement and the way each of them responds informs so much of how they act through the rest of the play!

Goneril is startled and unsure and fumbling, and I really felt for her and her “hateful life”, and the way she’s stunned in the wake of Lear’s abuse, but then needs to pull herself together again when he returns. For so much of this play she feels small and adrift, but then she’s so happy for once whenever she’s with Edmund. Albany really does seem to care about her and he’s trying to be good for her, so he takes it when she yells at him, and then stays behind to pray for a bit. He’s a little less nice later on but to be fair she is cheating on him and not bothering to hide it very well.

Regan! With her fake tears and her constant flirtiness, and the way she’s always twirling and showing off! She is a hot mess, and she only gets hotter and messier as the play goes on, but she and Cornwall love each other a lot, and she wants to be suited to torture the way her husband is, but she gets into it by the end of that scene. And then!! her hand on Edmund’s throat! W o w

Cordelia is calm and sure and knows exactly what her sisters are, and in that first scene she comes so close to reaching her father and getting him to change his mind about disowning her. And that carries through to the rest of her performance — she’s competent and precise and loving, and France is smitten with her and listens to her and respects her. When she’s reunited with Lear she wants him to wake up, but also isn’t prepared for it to actually happen, and then she’s so surprised when they say she should be the one to address him first.

Cornwall

I first saw Daniel Rabin as Reynaldo in the Almeida Theater Hamlet (ask me about how Reynaldo and Laertes are half-dating whenever he follows Laertes to France, because I have Opinions), and his Cornwall is SO different

He’s not just manipulative, but violent and enjoying his violence, but he’s also sexy and possessive and commanding, and it’s no wonder Edmund falls for him as hard as he does!

TYING HIS SCARF around Edmund’s hand after he wounds himself for love and validation!? The soft tender look of surprise that Edmund gives him in response!? wow! wow, what a MOMENT!

And then he shoves Edmund into the room after he’s been shown Gloucester’s letter, he has to punish the messenger and assert his position. And after “Thou shalt find a dearer father in my love” Edmund HUGS him, and he’s startled at first but half-returns it (and probably thinking about how he can Use this) (and then cornwall/edmund/regan happens, shhh)

Like Daniel Rabin’s Reynaldo, his Cornwall is very Watchful, just stepping back to observe what’s going on, and then quietly making his judgment before he says anything — and when he does speak he absolutely has the other person’s number.

Good commanding headtilts!

Oh, the laugh right before he uses the hook from the slaughterhouse on Gloucester is just terrifying and compelling, and he’s so turned on by this. Good for him because then he gets to die, and he’s so disgusted and vicious when saying the first servant should be thrown onto the dunghill.

Miscellaneous Moments

Lear puts his jacket on Edgar, and Kent puts her jacket on Lear, and then he immediately takes it off and puts it around Edgar’s shoulders and ties the arms together, but while he’s trying to take off his shirt too, Edgar’s already getting on the ground and letting the jackets fall off of him. Just! Jackets and touch as a form of affection!!

When Gloucester comes out to find Lear, he and Edgar see each other, and there’s just a moment where they’re frozen, Edgar terrified that his father will recognize him, and Gloucester perhaps feeling there’s something familiar about this madman but having no idea what.

While Gloucester is telling Kent about how he had a son he loved who betrayed him, Lear and Edgar are in the background sharing a long hug that almost feels like a beautiful dance! It was such a striking moment, I loved it sooo much.

the HUG with Edmund and Cornwall!! Not over it, never over it.

when Cornwall tells Edmund to leave with Goneril, he gives Goneril his jacket and she’s just quietly surprised and pleased, and it’s cute, and I want her to be happy!!

#king lear #edgar #edmund #gloucester #kent #cornwall #goneril #regan #cordelia #my writing #sort of

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surveys-at-your-service · 3 years

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Survey #297

“crushed, damned, and broken; lost, sick, and left unspoken.”

When was the last time you did clay work/pottery? Not since high school when I made an anatomically correct heart. Do you like art, hate it or just not mind it? I adore it. Is crime a big problem in your area? Oh yes. What's the scariest story/urban legend/creepypasta etc you heard? Maaaan, as a cryptic fanatic, that's hard. Maybe the Rake. What personality trait does nearly everyone in your family seem to have? We're some resilient motherfuckers. What is your favorite soda? Well, it's technically strawberry Sunkist, but I do NOT let myself have it because I will fucking chug it and binge on them if available to me. So, I just consider Mountain Dew Voltage my fave. When you're on the beach, do you throw beached sea creatures back? I've never even seen a beached animal. I would, though. Have you ever thrown food at someone? Yeah, small food fights as a kid or joking with a friend. Have you ever been to a bonfire? Yeah. Do you like orangutans? I love them; such fascinating, enchanting animals that act more human than people half the time. When you see a bug flipped on his back, what do you do? It depends on what it is, but I usually try to help it. Is cereal good? Yeah, I love cereal. Do you like spaghetti? Love it. It was my favorite food as a kid. Is there any kind of weapon in your bedroom? No. Do you like snow globes? I love 'em! Be honest, did Fifty Shades of Grey arouse you in any way? I didn't read it and never will. What does your sibling(s) call you? "Britt" or "(little/big) sister." Do you have any close friends that are the opposite sex that your significant other dislikes? N/A Do you honestly believe everything happens for a reason? Why or why not? Nope, because I want you to explain to me why a child dies of cancer. Why the 11-year-old was raped and forced to bear the child. Why a partner is beaten to death by their s/o, etc. etc. Things just... happen. Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not? No, mostly; I DO kinda wonder about it, I just find it unlikely. It would be kinda poetic, though: being given the chance to experience so many unique things. But, I kinda want a conclusion to my mortal life. The Hunger Games or The Maze Runner? I read the first HG and loved it; I started the latter novel while I was in the psych hospital for a while, but I never finished it or got that far in. It did sound pretty good, though. Has anyone you’ve known claimed to be psychic? Well, they believe(d) in tarot readings; does that count? Idk. Did/do you believe them? I wouldn't. Is anything annoying you right now? "Annoyed" is a fucking understatement when it comes to what transpired at the capitol a few days back. Have you ever been ice-skating? No. Does the sound of rain at night help you sleep? It can, depending on how heavy it is. Have you ever seen an albino person, in person? Albino, no, but I knew a guy and his sister in high school who had vitiligo. Have you ever worn a pair of scrubs? Yeah, at the ER and hospital. Have you ever walked into a massive cobweb? I don't believe so. What would you say is your strongest felt emotion right now? Rage. I'm not over "the event." I'm just tired of humanity. Are you talking to anyone at the moment? No. Do you have trust issues? Oh yes. Have you ever found an arrow head? No. Who is with you? My mom's home. What can you not stop thinking about? *points upwards* Then there's Jason because PTSD, that's very normal. Do you forgive easily? I forgive very easily, honestly. In what part of your life so far, have you learned the most about yourself? 2017, when recovery began. I think... or maybe 2018, idk. I've truly come to discover myself quite a lot the past few years. Have you ever been in a fist fight? No. Are your ears pierced? Yeah: my earlobes twice, and then my right tragus has a stud. I want to get my others back... I had to take them all out in the psych hospital, and a lot of my piercings closed up. The only one I don't wanna re-do is my anti-tragus, because mine was *always* inflammed and aggravated. What did you last say out loud? "Okay" to Mom. What are you waiting on? Right now, an opportunity to go to the parlor I'm getting my tat tidied up at to get a price range on it. They just need to be open while we're out of the house. Do you tell people when they get on your nerves? Not really. Are your feelings hurt easily? Yep. What's the most expensive piece of clothing you have? Did you buy it yourself? I dunno... I very rarely get new clothes, nevermind expensive ones. Who is your closest platonic friend of the opposite sex? His nickname is Girt. He's been my best male friend since high school; we even hang out sometimes, but it's been a long while. How do you think your first relationship shaped who you are as a partner now? As a partner, it taught me to not fall head over heels and love more realistically and in a healthy fashion. I don't put my faith solely into them, but myself, too. I also accept "forever" is not always true just because they promise it. Who is your favorite protagonist of the same sex? Oh god, this is hard. I suppose maybe Tyrande Whisperwind from WoW. I love her dedication to her people and that her story has become more interesting in her finally "breaking." I could list so, so many "faves," tbh. Were you popular in high school? What was your reputation like? No; I was just the average teen. Have you always known your sexual orientation or did something happen to make you realize it? Somethings happened. There were a lot of hints building up before I even began to consider the possibility, but a daydream solidified it as fact. What was the hardest part of your last break up? Realizing I still wasn't "ready" or "fit" for a successful relationship. What brought you out of the hardest period in your life? As strange as it sounds, my suicide attempt put it into action. I was obviously hospitalized for a while, and then I was brought into a month-long partial hospitalization program that has a fucking genius psychiatrist, and I also had daily therapy as long as school days during the week. It was the intense help I needed. What's your favorite kind of smiley face? (: Does anybody know your deepest darkest secret? My old therapist and maybe my mom; I can't remember if I told her. Did you ever watch Rugrats? (the babies) I LOVED that show! I even had two of the video games. What about Hey Arnold? Ugh, I hated it, but I think my little sister did, or we just watched it if we couldn't find anything else. Do you like pep rallies? NO. NO. NO. My teachers always understood that they really stoked my anxiety and allowed me to opt out of going. I'd just stay in the classroom and read or something. Have you ever had pneumonia? No. What do you feel about surgeries? Do they worry you? I fear anesthesia awareness, but not to a debilitating degree or anything that makes me panic beforehand or anything like that. Do you play Minecraft? if so, feelings about servers? Never have, and not interested. Do you read creepypastas? Nah. Do you think vlogging in public is scary? It seems awkward as FUCK to me. Even alone. Have you been to an escape room? Was it a success? No. What social class would you say you're in? I think we're actually near the poverty line (or were, idk anymore, Mom slipped it before), so definitely lower. Have you ever recorded a cover of a song? No. How do you feel about guns? They scare me. What's the most traumatizing event that ever happened to you? A very abrupt and poorly-executed breakup while being madly in love to the point of obsession with the person. Are you faint to the sight of blood? No. Do you like spicy food? Yes. Do you have good dreams or nightmares more? Well, considering I was woken up by myself shrieking my lungs out this morning, guess. It seemed for a little bit that my nightmares were chilling out, but I guess not. When was the last time someone insulted you? What was the insult? Does my mother telling me I'm saying too many "f-bombs" count? I dunno otherwise. What’s your second favorite color? Maroon. Do you ever wish you lived in a different country? Hey Canada, mind adopting me? Who’s the last person you “pounded” fists with? Ha, I think my nephew. Have you ever been involved in an affair? No. Wait, maybe? Does the Joel thing count? We never even physically met each other, we were just being idiot kids flirting over text messages. You be the judge, ig. How many times a week do you speak to your boss? I don’t have a job. What do you want for your birthday? Just donate to my tattoo fund lmao. Having to get my laptop fixed fucked up my plans yet again... Have you ever been to a masquerade? No. Is there anybody you think is hot over the age of 40? A handful, yeah. Who in your phone has a heart after their name? Just Sara does. Anything you’re avoiding? Always. After breaking up, what’s the worst? Letting go if you're the one who still has feelings. Does your sibling have a significant other? I don't know if my brother does, or the half-sister I've never met. Another sister is engaged, and two are married. Nicole is single, though. She's smart as hell about who she dates; she's probably pickier than me. Do you use Skype? Just to talk with Sara. Are you a fan of acrylic nails? I wouldn't wear them, but they look fine on some people. Except when they're square shaped. Name one happy song that describes you better than any other. "Get Up" by Mother Mother comes to me first. Name one sad/mellow song that describes you better than any other. Haha I connect with a lot of sad songs and would honestly rather not dig through 'em right now. What is your most used pick up line? None, they're all awful. Do you like the taste of alcohol? Noooooo no no. The only alcoholic drinks I like are very weak and sweet. What kinds of food make you sick? So this probably sounds so stupid, but "fancy" foods, like stuff with a lot of ingredients my body isn't used to, I guess. My stomach is very finicky with foods, so it's easy to make this list.

#survey #surveys #questions #lyrics: ''creatures x: to the grave'' by motionless in white

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mxpseudonym · 5 years

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Ada Is Just Perfect

Pairing: Ada x Reader (femme)

Summary: Ada and Reader meet working at the library. The 1920′s gays amirite ladies?

Length: 2017 words (allegedly)

Warnings: None.

A/N: Wow, she’s finally here and queer and ready to party. I went back in to edit this to be shorter and made it like 500 words longer so... yeah. Also, this piece, like all of my work will not feature violence or shaming of marginalized communities because there’s enough of that in the real world. Use your suspension of disbelief to believe in tolerance.

---

Ada.

Your first impression of her was a reflection of your hope that she wasn't a chatty girl come to London for the excitement, only using the library job to pay for nights out. You thought she was someone to be wary of, but lovely nonetheless.

Your position in the library was a godsend. As your grandmother once scolded you for, you often enjoyed the world you'd built in your head a bit more than what was around you. For Ada, her position seemed to be a godsend for the exact opposite reason. She enjoyed meeting new people and quietly discussing social issues in the corner. Many loved her, and many were skeptical. Mostly the men, like Patrick in the archives, who said she was a gangster and a communist.

You didn't have the opportunity to confirm nor deny rumors as your shifts and breaks never aligned in a way where you could do more than smile softly in passing. It wasn't until the morning Ada volunteered to take over for a bedridden Margaret that you met. You put the kettle on while Peter went into too much detail about the new encyclopedia.

Though Ada worked there for nearly a month, it wasn't until you joined the conversation with your cup of tea that you truly took her in. She was beautiful- cheeks rosy and lips a delicate pink. Her skin was freckled, and you suspected it was soft as well. All of your restraint went to not reaching out and touching. Well, some of it went to deciphering the notes of her perfume without breathing her in.

Ada's eyes flicked to yours and snapped you out of your insensibility. You could feel your own blush as you gave her a small smile. She returned it then rolled her eyes slightly, glancing towards Peter who was going on yet another know-it-all tangent. You stifled a laugh, and no sooner did she make her way over to you.

"You're y/n aren't you?" Her voice sounded so assured as it floated to your ears.

"I am." You nodded. "And you're Ada Thorne?"

"Yes, I'm new." She confirmed it. There was a pause as you grabbed two cups. She cleared her throat slightly, then asked, "Are you also interested in encyclopedias?"

"God, no. You'd think someone surrounded by books all day would learn a thing or two about when to piss off," you said the words without thinking. You nearly spilled the tea you were pouring when you jumped at the sound of Ada's sudden laughter. You looked at her with wide eyes, and she shook her head. A few of your coworkers glanced over in jealousy that someone was actually having fun during Peter's lecture.

"Something tells me you don't get nearly enough credit for wit. Women don't usually though."

"You're right about that." You handed her the teacup, and you both moved towards the hallway.

"Alright, so tell me, what does y/n like to read?"

From then on, you began having more talks. You didn't know when, but at some point, Ada's hours shifted to align with yours. She told you it was because she didn't like leaving too late in the evening. You didn't mind. In fact, you secretly hoped she was a chatty woman after all, and would always stop you mid-shelving to tell you about something in the news about women's rights or the union.

At the next staff outing, a bit of a cocktail party with some academics, you found yourself actually showing up. You never went to these things, and it took the first half-hour for everyone to stop commenting on it. Ada seemed to know her way around well, commanding conversations and working the room. You'd work at the library for nearly over the year and hadn't even heard half of these people's voices.

You could hold your own, but your disinterest in many of the perspectives in the room of men tended to make you grin and bear it while Peter from the archive room explained why women's suffrage was foolish to every woman who didn't have the option to not listen. Your eyes always traveled the place, keeping tabs on Ada. Peter's eyes followed yours when you finally found her.

"Ah, the new girl."

"Woman," you corrected to no avail.

"Heard she's a communist and a gangster." He grimaced.

"How exciting. I'll get to the bottom of things and report back." You shamelessly stole his glass of whiskey and made your way over to the conversation Ada was commanding.

"-It's the power and the power and property of the people," she said. You had to admit that, though it was terrible of you, politics were something you were only shallowly versed in before she showed up. You watched her passion as she spoke, the way her eyes lit up, and her hands moved theatrically. When the men she was talking to got pulled away, she gave you all of her attention.

"You're so passionate." You commended her.

"Well, someone has to be, right?" She shrugged and led you both towards a table that held more wine.

"I would really love to hear your perspective on the strikes." You tried to remain calm as you made your ask. "If you have time one of these days, after work even." Ada turned and caught the gaze that you hoped wasn't as eager as you felt.

"I would really like that. But only if you talk to me about mythology." She bargained. Your eyebrows shot up at her observation. You rarely talked about Greek mythology with anyone but the old man who came to the library every Thursday.

"How did-"

"I saw the way your eyes rolled while Edwin spewed his "Zeus doesn't get enough credit" bullshit." She scoffed, and you couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up in you and spilled out your mouth.

"Your laugh is so lovely," she said abruptly. So abruptly that even her own eyes widened a bit in surprise.

"Thank you." You didn't shy away from the compliment.

It was a dangerous realization, but the more you spent time together, to hang out more, you began to feel that there was no denying you were flirting with one another. You used things that a few friends had once told you on a night out at a bar when they saw a stranger making eyes at you. You were tipsy and let them coach you on flirting like a modern woman. While that had been undoubtedly awkward, this was one of the more natural things you had done in life. Ada was easy to get on with.

She came in one day with freshly cut hair, and you couldn't help but admire it.

"You cut it," you pointed out as you shelved the infamous encyclopedia. You turned fully, to see Ada looking at you in earnest.

"Well? Do you like it?" She asked, bumping the ends.

"You look so lovely with it like this," you told her.

"Short?"

"In a way you like it," you clarified. Ada smiled to herself, turning to the stack of books at hand then back to you.

"Are you going to join the wild girls and chop your locks into a bob?" Ada reached out and toyed with your ends. You blushed and shook your head.

"Oh, I don't think I have the face for it."

"Nonsense, I think you've got the face for just about anything, y/n." Ada's fingers slipped under your chin and tilted your head up. Your eyes locked, and you could feel your brow furrow slightly. It was such a blurry line to walk along, this feeling. She turned once again to help a patron but was soon back at your side with jest in her voice. "You do look lovely today, y/n."

"Thank you, Ada," you laughed lightly. "I feel like there's an ask coming on."

"There is actually. You may or may not know this, but I cherish our friendship very much," Ada placed a hand over yours, and you looked up in surprise, "and there's a very important man in my life that I'd like you to meet." The shock on your face was evident. A look of realization came over her.

"Oh, no," she opened her mouth to address it when there was the most unlikely interruption.

"Hello, Ada." The call was accompanied by commanding footsteps, and you both turned to see who it was.

"Tommy Shelby in a library," she breathed the words in exhaustion.

"I need to borrow a book about the Russian Revolution," the man announced.

"Shelby?" You questioned. You knew the name, but were so far removed from that life that it didn't even register that Peter meant that Ada wasn't a Thorne after all. She was a Shelby, a Peaky Blinder. Her head whipped around and you could have sworn she gulped before sighing dejectedly and walking to help who you assumed was her brother. You made yourself scant, continuing shelving, but Thomas Shelby's refusal to use the proper voice level allowed you to hear just enough as you located a shelf near them.

"He was nice, maybe I'd like to see him again. Would I be able to do that?" Ada looked at her brother, expectantly. You quietly shelved the book, but she noticed you as you turned. Ada closed her eyes, seemingly in frustration, and sighed momentarily. You supposed she was speaking about the man she'd wanted to meet. Perhaps a husband if she was a Thorne.

Unfortunately, you left before seeing her again on your shift, and it was the weekend.

There was a picnic, but the part of you who acknowledged the soreness in your chest at the idea of Ada being married and you flirting so recklessly made you stay home. You were at the tail end of Sir Conan Doyle's latest mystery anyway. For all your love of it, you were a slow reader, and you'd need ample time to finish. That was the end of that, you concluded. But it wasn't. You kept thinking about going when you were working and reading and daydreaming. You didn't go after all, and you felt sad about it. Your apartment you'd worked so hard to afford alone felt too quiet. It wasn't until Monday you realized that it was actually your world that felt too quiet and it was only Ada saying "good morning" that turned the sound back on.

"You weren't at the picnic." She said softly, and almost painfully, as she walked into the small kitchen area where you were alone and waiting for the tea to boil.

"No, I had... something." You stumbled of your words. You were both quiet, and you'd taken a particular interest in your shoes until you got your nerve. "Are you married?"

"No," she answered quickly. When you looked up, you caught the redness of her cheeks as she flushed in embarrassment. "I was. I'm a widow." She answered truthfully. You nodded and digested the answer.

"And that was your,"

"My brother, yes. Thomas Shelby." She answered. You nodded again. Looking at your shoes again, you thought how to word your next question. Before you could, she answered it quietly. "There is no man I'd like to see again. It wasn't how it sounded. I wanted, and still want, you to meet my son, Karl."

"After Karl Marx?" You looked up knowingly with an eyebrow raised. For the first time, it was Ada who seemed more nervous than you. She nodded, letting out a light chuckle. You nodded again in understanding, this time while fighting a smile. "So you used to chase rats with a revolver?"

"As a matter of fact, I did." She laughed as the kettle finished. She brought two mugs over for you to pour into, now seeming more relieved. "So what suits me better? Thorne or Shelby?"

"I think Ada is just perfect," you said. You poured, and when you looked up, you were almost startled by the thoughtfulness in her gaze. It was her turn to ask,

"Tonight, are you free?"

"Yes."

"Fantastic."

#Peaky Blinders Fic #peaky blinder imagine #Ada Shelby #Ada Shelby Imagine #ada shelby x reader #Tommy Shelby Imagine #m-pseudonym scribble scrabbles

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blurry-fics · 4 years

Text

Chapter Ten

Tear In My Heart | Series Masterlist

Warnings: None

Word Count: 2904

Authors’ Note: We hope you enjoy this Beau-free chapter! :) (picture credit)

February 2017 - The Grammys

You couldn’t stop staring at yourself in the mirror as the stylist did the finishing touches on your hair. It was definitely a new experience for you, to be doted on by makeup artists and stylists, but it was something you could see yourself getting used to. The final product - in this case: you - was stunning to say the least.

Next to you, Jenna was pulling on her heels. The bright yellow of her dress kept catching your eye as she moved around the room, occasionally being stopped by her own stylists as they noticed little details that were out of place.

“Ok, you’re done,” the stylist smiled, resting a hand on your shoulder.

You turned your head slightly, admiring the waves in your hair and the elegant bun that the top half had been pulled into. The last time you had felt this beautiful was Jenna and Tyler’s wedding, and that had been years ago.

“Thank you so much,” you smiled, turning to the stylist. “My hair looks gorgeous.”

“You look gorgeous,” she said, returning your grin.

You grabbed your own heels from nearby and pulled them on before getting out of the chair that had been carried into the bathroom for this occasion. Slowly, you hobbled your way over to where Jenna was standing on her phone. Heels had never been your first choice of shoe, even for formal events, but you figured an exception had to be made for the Grammys.

“Are the boys ready?” you asked.

“Just about,” Jenna answered, not looking up from her phone. “But I want to get a couple pictures of us before we head downstairs to meet them.”

She finally looked up from her phone, getting her first proper glance at you. Her eyes lit up as she took in your appearance, from the glossy nude lipstick to your earrings.

“Y/N!” she gasped. “Look at you!”

“Look at me? Look at you!” you said, reaching out to rest a hand on her arm.

“Look at us!” she giggled, turning both of you towards the mirror.

Your eyes widened as you looked at your reflection standing next to Jenna’s. It was weird to see the two of you dressed up like this after so many nights spent at her house in sweatpants with your hair thrown into messy buns. You couldn’t stop yourself from smiling.

“We look like a couple of highlighters,” you said.

“You heard Tyler, we have to wear yellow dresses.”

“What an interesting choice.”

“Hey, at least you’ll match Josh’s hair. Here, let’s take a couple pictures.”

Jenna pulled out her phone and together the two of you cycled through a variety of poses as Jenna took pictures. Even before seeing the final result, you knew at least a few of them would end up framed in your house.

“Alright, enough fun. We should get downstairs before Tyler has a fit.”

You linked arms with Jenna and allowed her to lead you out into the hall. Even from the bedroom, you could hear the commotion downstairs from the boys and their own stylists. Your heart was pounding from the anticipation of seeing Josh all dressed up in a suit again, as well as what had happened the last time he was in a suit.

Jenna stopped you right in your tracks as you reached the corner that led to the stairs. You nearly ran straight into her, you had been so wrapped up in your own head.

“Hey, Ty!”

“Yeah?”

“Josh?”

“What’s up?”

“Are you ready to see us?”

The boys both called back excitedly. Jenna turned to you with a smile before once again leading you down the stairs.

Your eyes automatically went to Josh, who was standing near the bottom of the stairs with his hands clasped behind his back. His suit was tailored perfectly to his frame, and his bright yellow hair looked amazing paired with the plain black and white fabric. You swore that your breath caught a little in your throat when he started smiling.

Jenna automatically went to Tyler and started gushing over him, to which Tyler did the same in return, so you casually made your way to Josh. Even while he was smiling, his mouth was hanging partially open in awe at you.

“Wow,” he said, once you were only a few feet away from him. “You look… wow.”

“Thanks,” you grinned. “I wouldn’t have this dress if it weren’t for you.”

Josh shook his head, “I was just helping because you haven’t been to an awards show before. I didn’t really-”

“Josh, I mean it. And you don’t look half bad yourself, you know.”

Josh finally quieted down and cast his gaze to the floor. His ears had already turned that all-too-familiar shade of pink.

“I, um, got you something,” he finally said.

Your eyebrows shot up, “You got me something?”

“Yeah, you know, because… well, we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you helping us when we were first starting out. And now I’m dragging you along as my date… I just thought I should get you something.”

Josh dug something out of one of his inner jacket pockets and handed it to you. The moment you saw that it was a velvet box, you felt all the color drain from your face.

“Josh… you didn’t.”

“I did,” he grinned.

You pressed your lips together and slowly opened the box, revealing one of the most gorgeous necklaces you had ever seen. It was a simple silver chain with a small diamond at the end; it was prettier - and more expensive - than anything Beau had ever given you. Josh watched as you carefully pulled the necklace out of the box.

“Do you like it?”

“Like it? Josh, this is gorgeous.”

“Here, I’ll help you put it on.”

Josh took the necklace from your hand and you spun around so that he could help, using one hand to carefully pull your hair out of the way. His fingers ever so slightly brushed against the back of your neck as he closed the clasp, very nearly giving you goosebumps all down your arms.

“Thank you,” you smiled as you spun back around. “For the necklace and for helping me put it on, it’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad.”

“Hey, I hate to ruin your moment,” Tyler said, “but our ride is here and we can’t be late.”

“Right,” Josh said, turning to his friend. “You have everything, Y/N?”

You grabbed your purse and rested a hand on Josh’s outstretched arm. “Yep, I’m ready.”

Tyler smiled, “Then let’s get this party started.”

* * *

The beginning of the night had become a blur to you. As soon as you had exited out of the vehicle that brought you to the awards ceremony, you were bombarded by people shouting at you and blinded by constant flashing lights. This was not a life that you were used to and it seemed as though Josh wasn't either, as he made his way down the red carpet with you - Tyler and Jenna in tow. You looked over your shoulder to see that the two lovebirds were easily fitting into the scene, but when you looked back to the yellow-haired beauty beside you, it was easy to see that he was anxious. Walking to his side, you placed a hand on his arm and he looked down to you with a small smile, as though he had instantly been put at ease.

"Josh, your bowtie is looking a little crooked. Mind if I fix it?"

"No, go right ahead."

Smiling back to him, he turned toward you as you reached your hands up to fix his bowtie. You could feel his eyes staring over your face, but you refused to look up at him just yet. Once you were done adjusting it to make sure it sat just right, you decided to let your gaze move up to settle on his chocolate brown eyes. They had a way of immediately captivating you with their depth and his warm smile pulled you in. Just then, a series of flashes appeared and you just knew that that moment had been captured by the paparazzi. That could be a really bad thing in hindsight, but you didn't seem to care in that moment. You just started to go with the flow from then on, your confidence rubbing off onto Josh.

"I think that we should really get them going," you started, a grin appearing on your lips as you spoke as Josh stared at you, a bit concerned by what you had in store. "Let's just give them a bunch of poses. They'll eat it up."

Earning a laugh from Josh, he nodded in agreement and then the both of you decided to pull out every pose in the book. Anything from silly, to serious, to happy and then to... nearly romantic. Tyler and Jenna had seen what the both of you had planned and even decided to join in for a few of the shots. At the end of the carpet, you all were laughing and having a good time with one another, waiting a few moments before going inside. You decided that now was the best time to give the boys a pep talk.

"Once we go in there and settle in, the awards are going to start. So, I just wanted to take the time now to let you know what an amazing and crazy ride it has been being your manager. You guys deserve this nomination and you especially deserve an award. You're amazing and I... I love the both of you. Really."

This earned "aw”s from all three of them, causing you to laugh as Tyler pulled all of you in for a group hug.

Josh looked down to you with a smile after all of you had pulled away, "You're special to us, Y/N. You know that I lo- we love you too."

You, Tyler and Jenna all stared at him with quirked eyebrows for a few moments as his face progressively turned as red as a tomato. You weren't quite sure if what he had just said was a confession or accidental, but regardless, your heart was pounding in your chest.

"Come on, guys. Let's go find our seats," Jenna pointed out and dragged Tyler inside, with you and Josh following behind shyly.

Aside from some issues finding your seats and a brief debate about what order the four of you would be sitting in, the award show was going smoothly. Josh had seemingly relaxed now that there weren’t photographers at every corner, pulling his attention in every which way. Although you were hesitant to admit it, you were enjoying the lack of eyes on you too. It was nice to not have to worry about every touch or glance you shared with Josh being caught by cameras and misconstrued on Twitter.

Tyler leaned over and whispered something in Josh’s ear, which he responded to with a nod. You elbowed him lightly in the side to grab his attention.

“What?” he whispered.

“What was that about?” you asked, nodding your own head in Tyler’s direction.

“He said he thinks one of the awards we’re up for is after this one.”

“Nervous?”

Josh’s mouth curled up into a partial smile, “Yeah.”

Your conversation was interrupted by the room bursting into applause for whoever had just finished giving their speech. You watched as the artist walked off stage and the next set of presenters walked up on stage. Next to you, you could see Josh’s breathing pick up a little.

“Hey, it’s going to be ok,” you said, reaching over to rest your hand on his forearm.

Josh turned and looked at you. His eyebrows were pulled together in concern and worry was written all over his handsome features. Despite never saying a word, both of you knew exactly what the other was thinking. It was just how you and Josh worked.

You kept your hand on Josh’s arm while the presenters did their little intro. Beside Josh, you could see Tyler’s leg nervously bouncing. Jenna had one of her hands wrapped around his arm.

“And the award for best pop duo or group performance goes to…”

Josh moved his arm so that your palms were now pressed together. His fingers slid between yours and curled around your hand. Yours instantly did the same in response, as if this was the hundredth time Josh had held your hand and it was second nature by now. His grip was tight, but you hardly noticed. You were so busy trying to figure out what was going on that you nearly missed the announcement of the winner.

“Twenty One Pilots for their performance in Stressed Out.”

The room erupted in applause once again. Cameras were on the four of you in an instant, monitoring your reaction to the award win. The boys and Jenna had already stood up, so you were quick to follow suit. Josh pulled you into a hug the moment you were on your feet.

“Congrats,” you whispered in his ear, hoping he could hear it over the cheering around you.

“Couldn’t have done it without you,” he answered before pulling away.

You watched as Josh carefully stepped past Jenna, unable to keep the smile off your face as you thought of how far they had come. It seemed like just yesterday that they were playing shows in front of tiny crowds, and now they were accepting an award in front of some of the most influential musicians in the industry. A few tears were even starting to pool in your eyes.

And then you noticed Josh starting to unbuckle his pants.

At least, that’s what you thought you were seeing. It wasn’t until he pulled them down over his legs that you confirmed that that was, in fact, exactly what he was doing. On live television. In front of thousands of people. You looked to Jenna, gauging what kind of reaction you should be having in this situation, but she was acting completely unaffected by this entire chain of events.

As soon as the cameras were off of you, you stepped towards her and leaned close to her ear. “What is happening?”

“This has been their plan for years,” she answered.

“To accept a Grammy in their underwear?”

Jenna grinned, “Exactly.”

You nodded and scooted back towards your chair.

As the boys made their way up to the stage, Josh in his black boxers and Tyler in his striped ones, your eyes were glued to one person in particular. Obviously it wasn't Tyler, because that would just be weird, but the snack next to him was the eye candy that you needed. Initially, you thought this to be a bad idea... but the more that you watched as Josh stood there speaking into the microphone - also making you very proud of him - it was more of a blessing in disguise. Thank goodness the cameras weren't on you and Jenna anymore or else they would zoom in on the drool that you felt almost escape your lips. Your best friend knew you all too well and occasionally would look your direction to see how you reacted to seeing Josh up on stage. Once their speech was over, they picked up their pants and walked offstage with their award so that the ceremony could continue.

* * *

Once the award show’s festivities wrapped up for the night, you and Jenna were finally able to properly congratulate the boys for their accomplishments.

"I'm so proud of you two!" you shouted out to Josh and Tyler, big smiles plastered on their faces. Jenna laughed and nodded in agreement, giving Tyler a big hug and kiss on the lips.

"I knew that you and Josh would be able to do it, Ty."

"I couldn't have done it without you, Josh and Y/N. You guys really helped me through the processes and kept me grounded," he replied.

Your eyes teared up at Tyler's kind words and you then felt a pair of strong, warm arms wrap around you. Looking up, you saw that it was Josh giving you the nicest hug you'd ever received. Finding yourself not wanting to leave that spot, you slightly leaned into his embrace but didn't get to enjoy it before Tyler chimed in.

"Come on, guys! We should head out. We have that after party to get to, right?"

"Yeah! Let's go!" Josh exclaimed.

Removing his arms, to your dismay, and taking hold of your hand as he had earlier that evening, he started leading the way back to your ride. The driver would know just how to get there. You couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in your stomach as you thought about Josh having one too many drinks later to celebrate. You'd never had to deal with drunk Josh before and didn't know what would come of it. There have been many accounts of drunks spilling their feelings or doing things that they regret. Now that you thought more on it, you were scared that you were going to get too drunk. You would definitely hold out on the liquor this time. Piling into the car, you all took turns admiring the award and taking selfies with one another. It was one thing to act like children in public, but it was more than allowed in secret.

* * * * *

Taglist

@topownsmyheart @faceofcontvsions @ohprettyweeper @tylersheavydirtysoul @svintsandghosts @wearebxnditos @breadbinishigh @patdsinner33 @leam-2001

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hlupdate · 4 years

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Harry Styles twirls in the center of the floor of the L.A. Forum, dancing wildly to his new song “Golden.” The venue is deserted. It’s Thursday afternoon, just a few hours before the release of his hotly awaited second album, Fine Line. He’s rehearsing for Friday night’s big album-release celebration show. (Outside the arena, the parking lot is full of tents—fans from around the world have been camping out all week, awaiting a spot on this floor.) After a few hours of rehearsing with his band, Harry cuts loose as the new album begins to blast over the speakers, breaking into a dance of joy. It’s probably the last time he’ll ever hear this song in a room where nobody else is dancing.

Backstage, he lounges on a leather couch in his corduroy flares, a string of pearls and a yellow T-shirt depicting a panda and the words “I’m Gonna Die Lonely.” He and his musical wingman, Tom “Kid Harpoon” Hull, argue over the set list for the upcoming world tour, even though it doesn’t start until April. His mother reaches for an apple; ever the dutiful rock-star son, Harry directs her to the bowl where the tastier apples are hidden. He’s restless with anticipation for the world to hear his new songs, and he’s not doing a great job of hiding it.

Fine Line is the soulful, expansive, joyous pop masterpiece Harry’s been reaching for ever since he blew up nearly ten years ago, as the heart-throb of One Direction. As he sings in “Lights Up,” the single that dropped in September, he’s stepping into the light. “It all just comes down to I’m having more fun, I guess,” he says. “I think ‘Lights Up’ came at the end of a long period of self-reflection, self-acceptance,” he says. “Through the two years of making the record I went through a lot of personal changes—I just had the conversations with myself that you don’t always have. And I just feel more comfortable being myself.”

His life has changed in oh so many ways—some involving the occasional magic mushroom, others involving the even more psychedelic power of a broken heart. The music ranges from the Laurel Canyon hippie soft-rock vibe of “Canyon Moon”—Harry calls it “Crosby, Stills and Nash on steroids”—to the R&B pulse of “Adore You.” Fine Line is a break-up album that’s often sorrowful, but reflecting the introspective evolution of a 25-year-old navigating the seas of Having Sex and Feeling Sad, despite having spent so much of his youth in the spotlight. He’s refusing to follow trends or fit any formula. “The overall arc is just that I tried to redefine what success means to me. I tried to rewire what I thought about it. A lot changes in two years, especially after coming out of the band and just working out what life is now. I feel so much freer, making this album—you get to a place where you feel happy even if the song is about the time when you weren’t that happy.”

The first time Harry played this album for me, back in June, it was a few miles away in L.A.’s Henson Studios, the same room where his idol Carole King made Tapestry—for him, sacred ground. “I look back on the last album,” he said then, referring to his 2017 solo debut. “And I thought I was being so honest, just because there’s one line about having a wank. I had no idea. You write a song that’s pretty open and honest, and you think that’s just my song, but then you hand it over to people, and it’s like, ‘Oh fuck!’ Until people hear them, they’re not even songs. They’re just voice notes.”

Here is Harry’s song-by-song guide to Fine Line—along the creative and emotional journey he took while making it.

“Golden” The first song written for Fine Line, on the second day of the sessions at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu. “That was always the first one I played to people,” he says. “That was just always going to be Track One.” It’s a blast of vintage Seventies SoCal soft-rock, the kind of Laurel Canyon mellowness that suffused his first album, layered in guitars and harmonies. “When we wrote ‘Golden,’ we were sitting around the kitchen in the studio, and I was playing it on guitar. There were five of us singing the harmonies—the acoustics in the kitchen made it sound so cool, so we thought, this song’s gonna work.”

Even in this sunny SoCal pop tune, there’s a tinge of bittersweet loss—as the sun goes down, he pleads, “I don’t wanna be alone.” As he says, “I don’t know much about Van Morrison’s life—but I know how he felt about this girl, because he put it in a song. So I like working the same way.”

“Watermelon Sugar” Harry did this fruit-crazed jam on Saturday Night Live, stretching out with his live band. He wrote “Watermelon Sugar” with producer Tyler Johnson, Tom Hull and guitar sidekick Mitch Rowland; as with the whole album, he worked with members of his tight rotating cast of friends and collaborators, rather than the usual hit squad of pros. “If you’re going in with session writers or something, you spend one or two days there, and there is no way that person really cares about your album as much as you do. Because they’re into something else tomorrow. I know that Mitch, Tyler, Tom, Sammy [Witte], Jeff [Bhasker] wanted the album to be as good as I wanted to be. They don’t care about if it’s their song or not. They’re not concerned how many songs they get on an album. They want it to be the best album it can possibly be. We’ll bond over music we love and things we’re going through. It’s not like there’s one person in the group that’s like, ‘Well, no, I don’t talk about that. I just make beats.’”

A massive influence on the album—and on his life—is his experience on his first solo tour, stepping out without One Direction. “The tour, that affected me deeply. It really changed me emotionally. Having people come to sing the songs. For me the tour was the biggest thing in terms of being more accepting of myself, I think. I kept thinking, ‘Oh wow, they really want me to be myself. And be out and do it.’ That’s the thing I’m most thankful for, of touring. The fans in the room is this environment where people come to feel like they can be themselves. There’s nothing that makes me feel more myself than to be in this whole room of people. It made me realize people want to see me experiment and have fun. Nobody wants to see you fake it.”

“Adore You” “‘Adore You’ is the poppiest song on the album,” he says of the latest single. “This time I really felt so much less afraid to write fun pop songs. It had to do with the whole thing of being on tour and feeling accepted. I listen to stuff like Harry Nilsson and Paul Simon and Van Morrison, and I think, well, Van Morrison has ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and Nilsson has ‘Coconut.’ Bowie has ‘Let’s Dance.’ The fun stuff is important.”

“Lights Up” After kicking off his solo career with “Sign of the Times,” a sprawling glam-rock piano epic, Harry surprised many fans with his first single from Fine Line: a succinct, sleek R&B groove. “When I played it for the label, I told them, this is the first single. It’s two minutes thirty-five. You’re welcome.” It came late in the sessions—“Lights Up,” “Treat People with Kindness” and “Adore You” were written in the final week this spring, in a burst of inspiration.

For Harry it has something to do with stepping out on his own. When he began songwriting, it was as a member of the group. “‘Happily,” that was the first time I saw my name in the credits. I liked that. But I knew I’d only sing part of it. I knew if I wrote a really personal song, I wouldn’t sing it. It was like a safety net. If a song was too personal, I could back away and say, ‘Well, I don’t have anything to do with it.’ The writing was like, “Well if I was going to write a song about myself, I’d probably never sing it.” It’s like story-telling sometimes if you’re like telling a really personal story then the voice changes every few lines, it doesn’t quite do the same thing. As the songs got more personal, I think I just became more aware that at some point there might be a moment where I would want to sing it myself.”

“A turning point was “Two Ghosts,” a ballad from his solo debut. “’Two Ghosts’ I wrote for the band, for Made In the AM. But the story was just a bit too personal. As I started opening up to write my more personal stuff, I just became aware of a piece of me going, ‘I want to sing the whole thing.’ Now I look at a track list and these are all my little babies. So every time I’m playing a song, I can remember writing it, and exactly where we were and exactly what happened in my life when I wrote it. So the whole show is this massive emotional journey, you know? That’s a big difference, rather than every twenty minutes you go, ‘Oh, I remember this one.’”

“Cherry” The most powerful moment on Fine Line—a raw confession of jealousy. His engineer Sammy Witte was playing an acoustic guitar riff that Harry overheard and loved. “That was the moment of saying, yeah, I want my songs to sound like that,” he says. It ends with a female voice speaking French, while Harry jams on guitar. “That’s just a voice note of my ex-girlfriend talking. I was playing guitar and she took a phone call—and she was actually speaking in the key of the song.”

“Falling” A dreamy soul ballad. “Tom had come up to my place to grab something and he’d sat at the piano and I’d just got out of the shower and he started playing, and then we wrote it there. So I was completely naked when I wrote that song.”

“To be So Lonely” “The song ‘To Be So Lonely’ is just really like articulation of Mitch’s brain. Even when Mitch plays to himself, he’s got the swing.” The song was composed on a guitalele—a ukulele with six strings. “They’re really good for writing on, because you can travel with them. I had one of those with me in Japan, so they’re really good for spur-of-the-moment ideas.”

“She” A fantastic six-minute rock epic with a loopy guitar excursion, as if the Prince circa “Purple Rain” jammed with Pink Floyd circa “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.” “Mitch played that guitar when he was a little, ah, influenced. Well, he was on mushrooms, we all were. We had no idea what we were doing. We forgot all about that track, then went back later and loved it. But Mitch had no idea what he did on guitar that night, so he had to learn it all over from the track. That one to me feels really British. I usually sing with a slight American twang, because the first person I ever listened to was Elvis Presley. When I’ve been doing the track listing, and ticking off the ones to definitely make the album, it’s always in the first three to be ticked. That’s a phenomenal song.”

“Sunflower, Vol. 6” An experimental trip with “deep cut” written all over it. “I would love people to listen to the whole album. I want people to listen to every song. Even with streaming and playlists, I love listening to records top to bottom. So I want to make make albums that I want to listen to top to bottom, because that’s just how I listen to music.”

“Canyon Moon” “I was in a pretty big Joni hole,” Harry admits. Inspired by his Southern California surroundings—and his obsession with Joni Mitchell’s 1971 classic Blue—he tracked down Joellen Lapidus, the woman who built the dulcimer Mitchell plays all over that album. Back in the day, Lapidus introduced Mitchell to the wonders of the mountain dulcimer; Joni took it backpacking around Europe and wrote some of her most classic songs on it. Harry and Tom Hull got their first lesson in the instrument from Lapidus herself, at her house in Culver City. He proudly calls this song “Crosby, Stills and Nash on steroids.” When he played Fine Line for Stevie Nicks this summer, she picked this as her favorite—and as you may know, Stevie’s opinion means a lot to the young man she called “my little muse Harry Styles.”

“Treat People With Kindness” This up-with-people sing-along doesn’t sound like anything else on the album. It began after the slogan was featured prominently on Harry’s first solo tour. “I told Jeff, I would love to someday write a song called ‘Treat People With Kindness.’ And he was like, ‘Why don’t you just do it?’ It made me uncomfortable at first, because I wasn’t sure what it was—but then I wanted to lean into that. I feel like that song opened something that’s been in my core.”

“Fine Line” The longest and most eccentric song on the album—one of the first to be written, as a simple folkie ballad, but it kept expanding and evolving. “It’s a weird one,” he says. “It started simple, but I wanted to have this big epic outro thing. And it just took shape as this thing where I thought, ‘That’s just like the music I want to make.’ I love strings, I love horns, I love harmonies—so why don’t we just put ALL of that in there?” It typifies the spirit of the whole project. But he knows he can’t please everyone. “When my granddad first heard ‘Lights Up,’ he was, ‘Yeah, I had to listen to it a couple times to get it. But I’m just glad you’re still working.’ It was funny, but I thought, I’m just glad I’m still working.”

#Harry Styles #fine line #stunt mention

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fly-pow-bye · 4 years

Text

ThunderCats Roar - “Panthro Plagarized”

Co-Executive Producer: Victor Courtright

Supervising Producer: Nate Cash

Producer: Marly Halpern-Graser

Story by: Joan Ford

Teleplay by: Lesley Tsina

Directed by: Jeremy Polgar

A tale of stolen forks.

The episode starts with the ThunderCats looking impatiently at a stack of breakfast burritos spinning in the microwave, with WilyKit and WilyKat asking if they're done yet. Apparently, looking at a timer on a microwave is too much for at least the ThunderKittens and Lion-O. This feels like a similar opening to Prank Call's. However, this time they show the breakfast burritos right at the beginning, so there really isn't a joke here besides them taking this much too seriously.

Eventually, the burritos are done, but, uh oh, when you take a burrito right out of the microwave without letting it cool, it's too hot to handle! All four of them struggle with this factoid as if they were in that part of the infomercial where the family struggles without the brand new and useful product. They may as well have put this scene in black and white, but instead, it's just color with generic one color backgrounds. Cheetara eventually sprays the others with juice to cool them down, that action not ruining the burritos because pineapples.

What can the ThunderCats possibly do with this problem without scalding their hands in the name of breakfast? Could they just wait for the burrito to cool down? Could they just use a paper towel or a fork?

They do use a fork, but not just any fork. Panthro happens to have that brand new and useful product that solves the ThunderCats' burrito problems. That might not be the best term for that, but I am keeping it anyway. It's the Gravity Fork(TM); it allows someone to pick up a hot breakfast burrito without burning their hands. One can do that with a regular fork, but this one makes the burrito float. I can also assume it makes the burrito safe to eat, since I would imagine being able to burn one's hands and being able to burn one's esophagus isn't mutually exclusive.

They all heavily praise Panthro for his amazing invention, and he tells them it's no problem, because he always plays it cool. Lion-O even gets to tell Panthro he saved breakfast, including him walking to a title card that says "Breakfast Open". That could only mean Panthro is going to lose his cool, and that Breakfast will eventually be closed. Otherwise, that title card would be completely pointless.

Missing from the table is Tygra, who barges in the door and asks if anyone wants to go jogging across Third Earth with him. He was apparently just as interested in the burritos as the rest of them are with his jogging offer, as the ThunderCats only nuked 5 of them. Either didn't want the breakfast burritos, which makes more sense, they only had 5 of them, which will be disproven later, or they decided Tygra wasn't important enough to include in their breakfast plans, which is my guess considering what happens next.

As they eat their burritos, Tygra ends up getting beaten up by someone outside. While Lion-O gets out of his seat and calls for the ThunderCats to help Tygra, the rest of them just say "okay, we'll do it" in a way like, as if saving one of their teammates was just like having to pick up their toys. Yeah, it's just one of the ThunderCats getting beaten up, it's not nearly as pressing as that too-hot burrito problem. At least Lion-O seems to care, though it is odd that he's relatively the voice of reason here. He’s supposed to be the Baby King, but it seems like we're just seeing the Baby Jester's Court here.

That someone turns out to be Vultureman, appearing by himself for the first time. Here, he's using his brand new and completely original Gravity Pincer(TM)! With this amazing new weapon, he can pick up cat-like superheroes without any risk of getting pummeled by a bola whip!

Panthro: Vultureman, this is low, even for you!

Lion-O: Yeah, just because Tygra likes jogging doesn't mean he deserves to get beaten up!

Of course, that's not what Panthro was talking about, because nobody cares about Meg Griffin Tygra. Instead, Vultureman's big crime is that he plagiarized Panthro's idea. At least Cheetara seems to come to her senses in this scene, as she's the one who points out they should be focused on saving Tygra. They rush in, and...

...Pincer Crush, ThunderCats Down, womp womp. Unlike a certain other rebooted superhero group, at least it looks like they kind of tried. Even WilyKit had the idea to come up from behind and throw a smoke bomb, but Vultureman's Gravity Pincer was just too strong. It was so strong, it's even able to crush that puny Gravity Fork, which falls right out of Panthro's pockets when he gets crushed by a door. Carrying eating utensils when going outside is normal, apparently. Victorious, Vultureman flies away using his completely original idea.

Panthro: I can't believe it!

Lion-O: Don't worry Panthro, we'll find a way to stop him!

Yes, they just repeated the joke twice in less than a minute. Of course, Panthro's still upset about the plagiarism. However, there is one thing to ponder: Panthro just invented the Gravity Fork, how did Vultureman come up with such a similar idea? He is supposed to be the genius of the Mutants of Plun-Darr, but there’s clearly much more to this story than a mere coincidence.

Panthro flashes back without terrifying the other ThunderCats with the swishing, and we see that he drew up the blueprint for the Gravity Fork, calling it perfect. He then decided to throw that perfect idea in the garbage, because he wants his ideas to be better than perfect. He ends up making that gravity fork anyway, so I can't see how this makes any sense. Did he make an identical blueprint that's slightly better drawn, making it a marvelous blueprint?

After throwing it away, Vultureman pops out of the garbage and plunders the idea. I'm surprised they didn't go with that; he is a Mutant of Plun-Darr, after all. I'm assuming he's thinking about how Vultureman would have stolen the idea and him just dumpster diving it is not literally what happened, but I can see this silly show's version of Vultureman really thinking putting on that little mask is going to fool anyone.

As Panthro tells himself he shouldn't throw away his ideas, Tygra, who is totally fine after his thrashing, points out that Vultureman is invading the Berbil Village, using the totally cool and much better than any fork Gravity Pincer to destroy the village using the Ro-Bear Berbils. Of course, those Berbils don't seem to mind, because, as shown in this series' first episode, they seemed to have no problem getting repeatedly electrocuted for saying Mumm-Ra. Even the ThunderCats themselves can't help but call Vultureman's new weapon cool, not entirely seeing it as a plagiarized weapon.

Them repeatedly calling the Gravity Pincer so cool even when it's used for evil is certainly taking a toll on Panthro's coolness with the situation. He's less concerned about saving the village than he is about showing that he could make a far better gravity weapon than Vultureman could. He even says that if he wanted to, his version of the Gravity Pincers could launch a Ro-Bear Berbil right into the sun, making that ridiculous expression above. At least that expression has more than two frames of animation.

To help these Berbils, Panthro goes to his room to make something that can disable the Gravity Pincer. After a few minutes, in which Vultureman forces the Berbils to begin building a monument to himself, Panthro comes out with some altered Fighting Sticks that can transform to...

...his brand new Gravity Claws! They're so powerful, they can lift the entire refrigerator and crush it without Panthro needing to use any kind of super strength. This is actually a bit of progression with this plot: this started with Panthro helping out with breakfast, and now Panthro, in his hubris, has completely ruined breakfast by breaking their cooling device. Lion-O exclaims that Panthro killed breakfast, and he has to unhook that "Breakfast Open" title card. I told ya!

They go out in the ThunderTank, as the Paw Garage Door opens...only for the ThunderTank to go out of the Cat's Head's mouth, completely negating any purpose for the garage door opening. Can a joke be so silly, it's awesome?

It's also night time now, even though it was all bright skies just a scene ago. There was no indication that him inventing those claws took hours. A day-to-night transition would have really helped here. They make it to the Berbil Village, which had already been ramsacked, and Panthro takes to take Vultureman on himself. He really wants Vultureman to admit his transgression, after all!

Not only does he not admit his transgression, his giant monument, the one that was mentioned but not seen earlier, commemorates that he invented the Gravity Pincer. This shows that he does share Panthro's pride of inventing things, even if he didn't entirely invent them from scratch. This does make Panthro look a little less ridiculous. Emphasis on "little".

Using one of the Ro-Bear Berbils, he even decides to put a giant TM right next to the name, because, in his words, he wants to prevent his ideas from getting stolen by copycats like him. That's a double insult; it's a lie and it's a pun on his race!

If Roar can give us nothing else, at least they can give us a decent fight scene, as Panthro's Gravity Claws are matched up with Vultureman's Totally Original Gravity Pincer. No, really, I really like this fight scene: it shows. In fact, they seem to be evenly matched, with even WilyKit remarking:

WilyKat: I can't tell who's winning.

It's fine; not every battle needs to be one-sided, especially not like the Vultureman battle in the beginning. One of the shots even has him snap his fingers to turn the rock shards into pebbles. Yeah, Panthro's essentially has the Infinity Gauntlet, except it only has powers on space and there's two of them.

Just as soon as it looks like Panthro's getting the win, the Pincers start to work again, moving a giant ball of lava. He then uses the nearby lake to cool that molten rock into a regular but still really, really hot rock. He splits that rock in half, and decides to do the same to the pincer after Vultureman calls it an amateur move. I almost thought he said, "dammit, you", but that's what he actually said. The fight is over!

Except it isn't, as Panthro still wants Vultureman to admit that he stole nifty lifting things, so he would get nothing. He lost, good day sir! However, Vultureman just doesn't want to admit it, so Panthro does what any inventor who hasn't completely lost his cool would do...

Panthro: Oh yeah? Let's see what the moon thinks about that!

This is shown to alter the gravity of Third Earth, as the Ro-Bear Berbils, the ThunderCats, a nearby waterfall, and even a mountain starts to float in the air. I'll admit; this part is actually pretty well animated, too. I guess that's why they weren't drawing backgrounds in that "too hot burrito problem" scene; they were saving money for this.

Vultureman, and the rest of the ThunderCats for that matter, tells him to stop, but Panthro says that he can't. Vultureman starts to cry at this, drawn as ridiculously as possible with him sobbing waterfalls, saying it wasn't worth the possible destruction of Third Earth just to steal Panthro's ideas. He finally gives Panthro an apology, knowing his and Third Earth's life will probably end about ten seconds later.

And, in ten seconds, he just easily puts the moon back in orbit, revealing that he was just lying about not being able to reverse his big mistake. The mountain and all the Ro-Bears fall down too, and the latter are still smiling even if Panthro was destroying Third Earth just to get an apology. They never seem to care about anything, really; they care about as much about what's going on around them as the ThunderCats seemed to care when Tygra was in danger.

There's another The End title card, or just END in this case, coming after Panthro didn't get any flack for his actions whatsoever and him learning absolutely nothing. Sure, he almost destroyed the planet, but at least he didn't steal anything!

How does it stack up?

We get another neat fight scene with two people who can alter gravity with some pretty cool and decently animated scenes. Even with some of the more silly bits, like the entire opening where everyone except for Panthro has forgotten how to enjoy microwavable food, the plot that surrounds it isn't that bad either.

I'm not going to dock this episode for being over-the-top, as that's kind of the entire point of this episode: Panthro taking things way too far over something so minor, and at least Lion-O seemed to be aware of this at some point. There's no real progression with that, from beginning to end, Panthro's totally cool with everything he did. The best I can say for this episode is that it's like Boggy Ben, but it's not as irritating as Boggy Ben. 3 cats.

Next, the Warrior Maidens arrive, and they sure aren't going to knock on the door first.

← Secret of the Unicorn 🐈 Warrior Maiden Invasion →

#fpb tcr #thundercats roar #fpb reviews #cartoon network

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mayphoenix · 5 years

Photo

...with Long Intervals Of Horrible Sanity turned 9 today! Wow -- nine years! Where has the time gone? I should give an update. My life has taken on great changes. I am still living in the same apartment, still going through the same battles with housing and food assistance (they cut the latter and I’m getting $100/mo to buy groceries). My eldest cat has renal failure and pancreatitis and I have no idea how much longer he will be with me, so I am cherishing every day. Not to be outdone, two other cats decided they needed to have costly trips to the vet, one with a middle ear infection brought on by food allergy, which I’m now treating at home, and another who had to have all but four of her teeth extracted. I had to put my ghostwriting on hold for fear of losing rent assistance -- back in 2017, I was told it didn’t count as “regular” income, but then in 2018 I got a new caseworker who said all income counts, but now I’m back to the previous caseworker and she refuses to return my calls or answer my emails, and calling the main number is useless because it routes directly to a voicemail box that’s always full. Back in November 2017, I received Kona, a 2002 Subaru Impreza Sport from a friend who could no longer drive (medically). She knew I needed a car, so she just gave it to me. Original owner, she had put 38K miles on this vehicle. Mechanics everywhere have said, “That car will outlive you!” Yeah, well...unfortunately, this particular make/model/year of Subaru comes with what one website calls The Dreaded Head Gasket Problem. It is inevitable, and last winter I noticed a lot of odd-smelling exhaust coming from Kona that smelled of burning coolant. I had the radiator and thermostat replaced, and was told there was a leak somewhere. A few months ago, another mechanic found this tiny leak. I am told I can still drive as long as I watch the coolant level and temp gauge, and what to do if she overheats. Meanwhile, the Check Engine light is on because the O2 sensor has gone out, and now there is a squealing sound which I know means a bad belt somewhere. And the brakes are getting soft, too. I was quoted over $1800 for the head gasket repair and O2 sensor which entails taking out the engine, fixing it, and putting it back in. I’ve already had to replace two tires (and on an AWD, you have to have all tires matching -- come to find out, they have discontinued this tire so I got two of the last new ones in existence). This “free” car has already required over $1000 in work. And it’s all I’ve got so I have to do what I can to make sure she keeps going. Now, I don’t know if I’ve talked about this, before, but I do have a spiritual side to me. It’s not conventional by any means. I don’t subscribe to any one religion. But I always knew I was a natural healer (laying on of hands, energy work) and came from a long line of witches (going back to my Pictish ancestors and Native American roots; my great-great-grandfather was a medicine man). I used to do this for as long as I can remember, drawn to people in pain and using something inside me to take it away and make them better. I never knew there was a name for it, until one day someone saw me working on a friend’s migraine and asked, “Where did you learn Reiki?” My reply was, “What’s ‘Reiki?’” I had a very dark period in my life about 15 years or so ago where I shut down, though, withdrew into myself, because I was so depressed and suffering from undiagnosed PTSD and anxiety/panic disorder. I was so afraid I would pass my sickness on to someone else, so I stopped healing. Following the end of my marriage in 2010 and being on my own for the first time in my life, I went through several surgeries and was put on different medications for various ailments, some of which nearly killed me. I also had a few TIAs (mini-strokes). The only thing keeping me from ending my life was knowing my cats needed me around to care for them. Also, I found out my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but then six months later during a follow-up, the doctors at U of M Ann Arbor said, “It’s not Alzheimer’s, we don’t know what it is.” (Note: based on her behavior, it may be Vascular Dementia but that can’t be diagnosed until after death -- so for now, we just know it’s dementia.) And then right before Christmas 2017, I got fed up with the repeating cycle of being used and abused by my sister, prompting me to cut ties with her, and my eldest niece told me to go fuck myself, leaving me pretty much on my own. Well, Life has a way of making things fall into place whether you like it or not. After all the shit I was going through with the TIAs and getting my cholesterol under control (I’ve put myself on a low-carb diet), my chiropractor told me out of the blue, “You should go into Reiki.” Damn, there’s that word, again... He said there was a guy named Adam, a massage therapist and Reiki Master, who rented space from him twice a week; I should talk to him. Well, Adam was never in when I would go for my appointments. One day, my friend Keith who volunteers at the local Gilda’s Club said I should look into their free workshops for yoga, meditation, and tai chi. I figured this might be good to help with my stress levels, at the very least, so I checked their calendar -- and there was someone offering free Reiki at the end of the month. I went in and immediately felt something happen, just being in the room with this woman. It was like being inside a Tesla coil. I began telling her things -- about her, like her childhood, etc, that she confirmed. And I began to cry. Not out of sadness but release. She said when I walked into the room I had an entourage of spirits with me -- guides, angels, light beings -- more than she’d ever seen, before. She got me on the table and while she never once actually touched me, I could feel pain, like she was physically pulling on me. What she was doing was pulling things out of me. She found his large cord attached at my solar plexus chakra and said, “You are attached to past trauma.” Oh, yes...yes, indeed. I told her to cut the cord and I felt it. It made me cry out, it hurt so much, but then afterward...I felt different. Something had changed. A week or so later, I went to my next chiropractic appointment, and when I stepped out of the exam room, I turned and saw this young man standing in the hall, looking right at me. I just stopped and said, “You’re Adam.” He said yes. “You’re a Reiki Master.” He said yes. “We need to talk,” I said. And he showed me into his room, where we spent an hour talking. I noticed he seemed nervous. He said, “I’m always nervous in the presence of a great healer.” Who, me? He said he could ‘feel’ my energy. He then recommended I go to Jodi, the Reiki Master who taught him. I found her place of business online and saw that they did monthly “Open Reiki Shares” where people just get together and work on each other in a group, for free. One of these sessions was coming up. I decided to go and see what it was about. What happened that day...it was incredible. Not only was I healing but I was tapping into the minds of these other people, seeing what they were seeing. Then they got me on the table and the Master seated at my head began to shake. She said, “You’re not an Old Soul -- you’re ancient, and you come from a place across the universe.” Well, I already knew that...but no one else had ever acknowledged it, until that moment. Someone picked up on the fact that I’m a writer, and then another Master said, “She is a Storyteller, and she is going to help others with her words.” Cryptic! They also said they saw a mass of spirits around me, and one of them said that there was a guide who had yet to reveal itself to me but would do so soon. I signed up that day to take Jodi’s Reiki I & II course. When the time came, I found myself learning things I already knew, things I already did, and I understood after all these years why people thought I knew Reiki -- because I had been doing it, all along. Even my chiropractor, who is an empath and a healer, sensed it in me. During the attunement, as I had my eyes closed, I “saw” a dragon look down over my head at me while Jodi was behind me. I had been told she had a Dragon guide, so I figured that was him. I even looked up and said, “Hello!” I cannot begin to describe how it felt to be attuned, and how I have felt ever since. I called my friend Seth, a massage therapist and a powerful healer in her own right who is studying shamanism, and she said it sounded like I was tripping. I was seeing everything in such sharp focus, hearing things, aware on so many levels. Jodi had asked me if I experienced anything during the attunement and I mentioned seeing her dragon. She just grinned and said no, he was my Dragon. Now, please note: in the late 90′s, I attended a drumming circle class where we all went on an inner journey to meet different spirit guides, and the one that appeared to me was a Phoenix. Back then, I figured he represented that part of me that was always getting burned up and somehow rising from the ashes. I even got a tattoo of the bird on my back. Well, now I have a Phoenix and a Dragon -- in Chinese, these are the balance of Yin and Yang. Coincidentally, my first tattoo was a yin-yang, and one of the first rings I ever bought was a yin-yang with the OM symbol on either side. It would also explain why, after being attuned, I had a sudden craving for Chinese food... I have since learned the purpose of these guides. The Phoenix is used in long-distance healing when I send Reiki out to others, and the Dragon protects me while I do my work. He will also “encase” me or other people in eggs of protection. The Phoenix takes his duties very seriously, while the Dragon...is a bit of a diva. He’s also a shape-shifter because I’ve seen him in full reptilian form and in human form with wings. I have many other animal totems but these two are connected to my healing abilities and now that I’ve come back to that aspect of who I am, I find that they represent the dual sides of me -- Two-Spirit. The Phoenix is still me as I reinvent myself, refusing to be destroyed. I used to be so timid and when I screamed in anger I sounded like a wounded animal; now when I’m angry, my Dragon roars through me, refusing to take shit from anyone. Life has changed for me so much since this all happened. We are in a time of Awakening and Transition, and I’m seeing it all around me even as I, myself, am going through it. I have people asking for my help -- “Please send me Reiki!” from all over. And I do. I’ve been using it on my cats. I’ve used it on myself. It’s incredible. I have been changing the vibration in my home, making it brighter, more colorful, inspirational. I have been finding old jewelry and wearing it (that’s the Dragon, show-off that he is with his bling!). I have been pushing myself out of my comfort zone and spending more time at Gilda’s, where I hope to offer free Reiki once a month to those who need it. I am also hoping to get a portable massage table so I can do Reiki housecalls. I’ve even joined a local group of professional writers that gets together once a month. I have started to wean off of one of my medications (Klonopin) which has been rough but I knew I had to stop when I began to notice an occurrence of bad side effects and found that it could do a lot of long-term damage to other parts of my body. I am doing meditation, now, which helps. I am also preparing to set up a Patreon in order to fund my writing so I can get my first novel out -- somewhat autobiographical, it has been years in the works and deals with surviving narcissists and finding one’s path in life, it’s called The Dragon in the Garden. (I came up with the title ages ago; little did I know...) I have a sequel plotted, and then another book set in New Orleans with different characters. All of these are mine, not ghostwritten, but I can’t use my own name because two other authors have published under variations, so I’ve come up with something else that will serve. Bit by bit, things are falling into place. But you know the most important part of all of this? I am not stressing out, anymore. I have decided to live in the moment, and see anything ahead of me is positive. Yes, I am concerned about the state of the planet, about the children in concentration camps, about the madman running the country...I am aware. My head is not in the sand nor in the stars. I remain a realist. But I can do that and focus my energy on making things happen for the better. I am being the change I wish to see in the world. I am putting out what I want to receive; instead of calling negativity to me, I am sending out positive energy. I cannot deny the results, the changes that have happened since I started to do this. It’s good. Very good. Recently, I volunteered to make a journey to Mississippi, driving a rental car down to the Gulf of Mexico and back in three days (18 hours driving down, 21 hours driving back), to rescue some kittens that were about to be abandoned and bring them to a local foster group. I saw this as an opportunity to do a Medicine Walk/Spirit Journey. I saw so many signs along the way, received messages, and learned things about myself. I had my eyes opened to people around me, those who would deceive and manipulate. And I had a lot of time to think. I discovered new levels of forgiveness within me, and how to release what is no longer of use or importance. It makes things so much better, so much simpler. I have wasted too many years worrying about stuff and nonsense.

Oh, I still have limitations -- physical and mental. As my Reiki Masters have all told me, every healer is damaged in some way. I envision myself as a work of kintsugi, the Japanese art of putting broken pottery back together with gold. I am not perfect and never will claim to be. But I know that I am One with the Divine, Source, Creator Energy, God/Goddess/All That Is. I am on the right path -- and maybe I always was. I just had to go through some dark and scary places along the way in order to be where I am, now. Namaste!

#tumblr birthday #tumblr milestone #my life #happy tumblr anniversary #reiki #self-discovery #healing

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puroresu-musings · 5 years

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NJPW G1 CLIMAX 29 FINAL Review (Aug 12th 2019, Tokyo, Nippon Budokan)

Yota Tsuji & Ren Narita vs. Clark Connors & Karl Fredericks ***½

Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Jeff Cobb vs. Lance Archer, Taichi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru **½

 Will Ospreay & Roppongi 3K vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Taiji Ishimori & Chase Owens ***1/4

Juice Robinson & Toa Henare vs. Jon Moxley & Shota Umino **½

Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI vs. Togi Makabe, Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano, Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi ***1/4

Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & KENTA vs. Guerrillas Of Destiny & Bad Luck Fale ***

Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr. ****1/4

G1 CLIMAX 29 FINAL: Kota Ibushi (A Block Champion) vs. Jay White (B Block Champion) *****

Photos.

The 29th annual G1 Climax climaxed with an excellent and beyond newsworthy show, which capped off the best Tournament in history. In notable happenings from a jam-packed Nippon Budokan; The L.A. Dojo Young Lions of Connors and Fredericks were victories over the New Japan Dojo Lions of Tsuji and Narita in a great little opener. This was a physically intense, and heated 9:53 encounter, in which it was made apparent that New Japan’s future is incredibly bright with these guys on the rise. Connors locked Tsuji in a Boston Crab for a mighty struggle, before Yota had to tap. Jon Moxley put Juice Robinson through a table in the post match of their brief doubles match, to undoubtedly set up an impending rematch for the US. Title.

In probably the most talked about thing coming out of the show, KENTA turned on Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI, in their Six Man against the Bullet Club Tonga squad, and joined the nefarious B.C. The match was good, but the angle that followed more than elevated this. After jumping off the apron when refusing an Ishii tag, KENTA hit the ring, laying his supposed tag partner out with a Busaiku Knee, followed by the Go 2 Sleep to allow Tama Tonga to get the pin at 8:35. Before KENTA could cut a promo, explaining his actions, his ‘good friend’ Katsuyori Shibata hit the ring like a man possessed and destroyed him with some stiff strikes. The Bullet Club tried to intervene, but Shibata sent them packing, and landed a devastating corner dropkick to KENTA’s face. He locked on a rear naked choke, then went for the PK, but Jado nailed him in the back with his kendo stick, which allowed KENTA to lock his own choke in, then nail Shibata with his own PK. KENTA then sat, cross legged, on Shibata’s chest, as the Bullet Club celebrated their new recruit. This was an amazing angle, probably the best I’ve seen in some years, and the crowd were going crazy for all of this. Obviously, Shibata’s physical involvement (his first of any kind since April 2017) will provoke a lot of discussion as to what happens with him next. The logical conclusion to jump to is a Shibata/KENTA match for WK14, but given the severity of the injury he received (it nearly cost him his life), it could be unlikely we will see him back in the ring. But we shall see. It’s also worth noting that all involved were very careful not to hit Shibata anywhere near the head. My guess is the Bullet Club beating down a retired wrestler, one who is retired because of a serious injury, was to get them over as evil dicks who stooped to new lows. Regardless of where this goes from here, Shibata looked great out there, and it was an unbelievable, and unforgettable moment.

The previous angle was going to leave a lot to follow, but with this being New Japan, they certainly managed to. Suzuki and ZSJ were victorious over the Okada/Tanahashi dream team, in an excellent doubles clash next. This was an all-action contest, which had a great closing stretch. The story here was Zack vs. Tana and Suzuki vs. Okada, both of which are likely to be the top matches at Royal Quest in London on August 31st. The finish saw ZSJ and Tanahashi brawling on the outside, whilst in the ring Okada and Suzuki nailed each other with hard forearms. The King dodged an Okada dropkick, nailed a PK, then went for the Gotch Piledriver, but Tanahashi broke it up with a Sling Blade. Suzuki took an Okada dropkick to the back, then blocked a Rainmaker, and countered another dropkick attempt into an unbelievable la mistica (think about that), and transitioned into a choke. Once he had put Okada sufficiently to sleep, Suzuki turned it into the Gotch Piledriver, as Zack had Tana tied up in submissions, to cleanly pin the IWGP Heavyweight Champion at the 15:27 mark, and firmly stake his claim as the next challenger for the belt. Suzuki looked great here, having quietly waited in the weeds having been snubbed a G1 spot, waiting for the perfect time to strike, and found it here. Suzuki tells Okada it must be pretty embarrassing to lose to a guy not deemed good enough to be in the G1, then informs him he’s coming for his Title. Everything about this was tremendous.

But as tremendous as it all was, it paled in comparison to the absolute wrestling masterpiece that was the G1 Climax Final. Look, I know some people hate Jay White. I know people hate all the heel stuff, all the interference and shenanigans, but that is something New Japan have always done, and will always do. There’s literally never been a period of NJPW history that hasn’t had some no good son of a bitch heel at the top of the card, using nefarious tactics to win. Now yes, I agree that it all gets a bit much when you have three guys in one Block doing this, but only one of those guys is a main eventer, and that’s Jay. And at the end of the day, all of that cheating and chicanery paid off here, helping to weave a masterful story. White came out with the entire Bullet Club, but Red Shoes kicked all of them bar Gedo out of ringside. Not long after, Gedo was ejected too, meaning Switch Blade had to go it alone (nudge, nudge). Jay slowly, and meticulously, worked over Ibushi’s injured left ankle that he helped to destroy the night before, but Ibushi would always battle back. It wasn’t long before Gedo made his way out again, after Jay escaped a Lawn Dart attempt, and bumped Kota into Red Shoes. Jay chop blocked Ibushi’s knee, then Gedo held him down whilst Jay nailed his injured leg with two chair shots, then locked in the TTO, as Gedo rolled Red Shoes back in. After an epic, and totally believable struggle (Jay had beaten Juice Robinson the exact same way in Yokohama), Ibushi finally made the ropes, which popped Budokan. White tries the Sleeper Suplex, but Ibushi escapes by hitting a (one-legged) moonsault kick, finally hit the lawn dart, and scored a near fall with the dead lift German off the ropes. Ibushi tries the Last Ride, but Jay frees himself by hammering Ibushi’s ankle, and slaps Ibushi hard across the face. This brought out “psycho Ibushi”, who devastated White with a flurry of hard strikes. Ibushi goes for the wind-up lariat, but White hits a snap Dragon Screw out of nowhere, tries another, but Kota finally hits his big Lariat for the double down. A (one-legged) Last Ride gets a near fall for Ibushi, who then looks for Boma Ye, but Jay does his collapse gimmick to avoid it. White distracts the referee as Gedo comes in with the brass knucks, but Kota K.O.’s him with a head kick. The distraction allows Jay to hit the Sleeper Suplex, but Ibushi popped up and hit a Boma Ye to the back of White’s head as Budokan goes crazy. Red Shoes instructs Rocky Romero at the English Commentary booth to dispose of the unconscious Gedo, which he duly does, and we’re now down to just the two finalists. Kota finally hits the Boma Ye to the face, then tries Kamigoye, but again White hammers away at the ankle. Ibushi fights back, flooring Jay with two big head kicks, then tries Kamigoye, but White, the master strategist, reverses it into Blade Runner to the horror of the crowd. He’s too beat up to make the cover though, so lifts Ibsuhi up to hit the cross-arm Bloody Sunday, but Kota frees himself with a big headbutt and hits the straight jacket German, rolls through into a Kamigoye attempt, but Jay escapes by hitting two massive Sleeper Suplexes, dumping Kota right on top of his head both times. Jay hits the cross-armed Bloody Sunday, as you can hear everyone in Budokan lose their collective minds at the prospect of White being on the cusp of victory. This was such an amazing atmosphere. White goes for Blade Runner, but Ibushi escapes by hitting a standing Kamigoye, then dodges another Blade Runner attempt, and hits a jumping version. Kota holds on to the wrists and finally waffles White with Kamigoye for one of the greatest near falls you’ll ever see. Kota drops the knee pad and hits a second Kamigoye to end a phenomenal match at 31:01, vanquish the evil heel, and win the whole G1. Wow.

I absolutely loved this. It was just perfect, classic storytelling. Good overcoming evil. White cap vs. black cap. It was just one guy, who everybody wanted to win, against another who nobody wanted to win, it was simple and incredibly effective, and it lead to probably my favourite match of the entire year (it’s either this or the BOSJ Final, but they’re both completely different types of matches). Ibushi looked like the biggest star in the company here, as he becomes the first man to ever win the BOSJ, the New Japan Cup, and now the G1 Climax, and earns his shot at whomever will be IWGP Heavyweight Champion come Wrestle Kingdom. Honestly, it’s going to take some doing to surpass this tournament, and New Japan (and Gedo) surprise us once again by offering us a whole bunch of new directions and scenarios that we never knew we needed. It’s pretty damn great being a New Japan fan in 2019. Long may they reign.

NDT

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moonlightmadnessreviews · 5 years

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Child’s Play (2019): Chucky Come Lately, The New Kid in Town

We’re coming up on a month since the release of Orion Pictures’ Child’s Play remake. In the lead up to the polarizing release, there were two very different teams drawn up: you were either Team Good Guy, or Team Buddi. If you were the former, it was thought you were an elitist, unable to see past your love for the original and too closed minded to admit you were even a little curious as to how the new movie would turn out. If you wore the latter team’s jersey, you were part of what is wrong with horror today, ready to gobble up corporate studio schlock even if it means trampling all over the original. At a time when a remake is announced every other week, I want to discuss why it’s okay to root for the home town hero, while also being curious about what the rookie has to offer.

Child’s Play was originally released in 1988, having been written and directed by Tom Holland from a story by Don Mancini, produced by David Kirschner and distributed by MGM. The film was a hit, drawing enough at the box office to spawn six sequels, and the cult following was immediately under the spell of the pint sized, Voodoo practicing antagonist, Charles Lee Ray. I recently turned 30, and it wasn’t until I was in my early teens that I realized the original trilogy was called Child’s Play and not Chucky, as I’d always referred to the movies. Brad Dourif plays Chicago serial killer Charles Lee Ray, The Lakeshore Strangler. After he’s chased into a toy store and fatally wounded by Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon), Chucky transfers his soul into the body of a Good Guy Doll. The rest of the movie follows Chucky and the first person he reveals his identity to, a six year old boy named Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent), as Chucky murders his way through babysitters, old accomplices and Voodoo mentors! All the while, Chucky preys on Andy’s innocence, telling him they’re “Friends til the end!” simply to make it easier for him to transfer his soul into Andy’s body.

This set up was, and still is, perfect! For much of the movie, Chucky is a stoic rubber doll, resembling one of the Cabbage Patch Dolls that were so popular in the 1980s. It’s clear to see how excited Andy is when he gets the doll as a birthday present, and you feel genuine fear for the kid knowing there’s the soul of a serial killer trapped inside his new best friend! I would give anything to travel back in time to sit in the theater on opening night and experience the moment Chucky finally reveals his true nature to Andy’s Mom! What may seem silly to us now must have made for an awesome group experience in that theater, especially considering the amazing animatronics and Dourif’s fantastic voice over work, his animalistic aggression striking fear into children for years after.

For all the praise we can give Chucky and the lore his movies built up, they did become somewhat formulaic, but Chucky and pals had solidified themselves in the minds and memories of millions. It’s easy to see why fans were hesitant, and confused, when the remake was announced. Some went as far as to write off the movie completely before even hearing what the changes would be. Well, as it turns out, the changes were pretty drastic, in part due to the legal issues of having a remake separate from the Mancini Chucky universe, soon to make a place for itself as a spin off TV show on the SyFy channel.

Child’s Play 2019 has brought Chucky and Andy into the era of asking someone for their WiFi password as soon as you walk through their door. The film is directed by Lars Klevberg (Polaroid) from a screenplay by Tyler Burton Smith (Kung Fury 2) and produced by David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith (IT, Chapter 1 and 2). In our post-Stranger Things world, Andy, played here by Gabriel Bateman (Lights Out), is no longer a six year old child but rather a young teen having trouble fitting in and making friends in his new neighborhood. His mom, Karen Barclay (Aubrey Plaza), is still a single mother working in retail, but the doll she brings home for Andy’s birthday is incredibly different due to the exclusion of one incredibly important character: Charles Lee Ray. Gone is the Voodoo. Gone is the Lakeshore Strangler. Gone is the voice! The new direction is daring to say the least.

In this version, Chucky is a WiFi capable, Cloud connected Buddi doll. As part of their use as an educational tool for children, Buddi dolls learn from their Best Buddies, picking up on their sense of humor, social cues and behaviors. Eventually Buddi could help you keep track of your calendar and even control climate setting in your home. Seems pretty cool, right? Well it would be, except Andy’s Buddi doll was hacked by a disgruntled factory worker who does away with Chucky’s limiters for language, violence, and seemingly even his free will.

What I feel works especially well in the new take is Chucky’s innocence at the start of the movie. A Buddi doll’s only mission is to imprint on their new owner and be the best friend this child could ever ask for. We get scenes of Andy and Chucky playing chess, hanging out, and even looking through scrap books of Andy’s art. Chucky takes a genuine interest in Andy and simply wants to be his Best Buddy, so when Andy is scratched by his mother’s cat, we get the first glimpses into Chucky’s unlocked potential for violence. He wants to punish anyone, or anything, that wishes Andy harm. Chucky hasn’t just imprinted, he is frighteningly obsessed.

One of my favorite scenes plays out as Andy, and his friends Falyn and Pugg (Beatrice Kitsos and Ty Consiglio, respectively) are watching a particularly brutal horror movie. I was genuinely giddy in the theater when the clips started to flash on screen, so I won’t spoil it here. This is where we see Chucky’s gears start to turn. Much like a child who may pick up on violent behavior they’re exposed to, Chucky sees Andy and his friends laughing at the outlandish violence on screen and decides to “entertain” them with a butcher knife.

Through out the course of the 90 minute run time, we see Andy struggling with how to control Chucky, now having gotten the wrong impression of violence and feeling rejected by his Best Buddy. The stakes are raised as Chucky becomes increasingly violent, seeking to please Andy at every turn only to make things worse, like a genie who twists their master’s words, making them sorry for not being more careful with their wishes. Come the third act, we can start to see hints of Chucky’s own fully formed personality, now having been twisted and deranged by the movies events.

This movie was more fun than I anticipated, and it even got my wife’s stamp of approval after I dragged her to the theater with me on opening night! Rather than try to be some incredibly bleak, super realistic take on the story, Child’s Play knew exactly what it was and went all out with the ridiculous concept. The movie’s R rating was also used to its full potential, and though most of the scares are pretty telegraphed, they shower you with so much blood and gore that you can’t help but laugh. Andy’s group of friends, though not nearly as charismatic or fun to watch as the cast of Stranger Things or 2017’s IT, really helped to give the movie some much needed warmth and heart. Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta), who played this movie’s Detective Norris, also gave a great performance, balancing comedy and that detective bravado just right.

The standouts though were Gabriel Bateman and this movie’s Chucky, none other than Mark Hamill (Star Wars and The Joker in Batman The Animated Series, I mean DUH!). Bateman gave a great performance as Andy, carrying a lot of the movie’s emotion, and Hamill helped give this Chucky his own voice. The third act culmination of Chucky’s deranged personality would not have been nearly as effective if not for Hamill’s amazing voice over work. This is not to say though that the movie was perfect. Aubrey Plaza was bland as Karen Barclay, giving every line that classic, so-edgy-it-hurts, Plaza sarcasm. It works on Parks and Rec and even the movie Safety Not Guaranteed, but it feels so out of place here. Thankfully, Bateman was there to sell most of their scenes together, or I would not have been able to buy into their relationship as mother and son, much less care about their survival. In addition to Plaza, there were a lot of jokes in the first and second act that simply didn’t land. The lines fell flat and hardly got more than a chuckle from most of the audience I was with. I’m sure they were after the wit and timing of the young ensemble cast of IT, but that came from time and intensive work building off screen relationships within that cast. Some jerky editing also made the movie feel like it would have benefited from an extra 15 or 20 minutes, leading to certain scenes that were meant to be emotional being brushed over and rushed.

Lastly, let’s address the elephant in the room: Chucky’s redesign. The very first reaction I heard as Chucky’s face flashed on screen was “Ew, what the fu-“. I want to give the effects team credit for sticking to mostly animatronic work once again, but Chucky’s face was simply horrendous. I’d like to think this was intentional, perhaps they wanted to play up the Uncanny Valley effect as much as possible, but I can’t see myself or any other fans saying the design won us over, no matter how fun the movie was.

Did Child’s Play 2019 have to be a Child’s Play movie? No, not at all. In fact, they could have called it “Alexa Gone Wild.” and it would have held much of the same effect. With that being said though, I think I enjoyed it as much as I did because of their new take. It impressed me just enough to leave me thinking “Wow, that was really fun!” I love the original Child’s Play, and Brad Dourif is quite honestly irreplaceable, but the film makers saw the challenge they had with this new version, knew the audience they had to try and win over and they swung for the fences. I may not be able to convince everyone to give this movie a shot, and I’m fine with that, but I think the most important thing to remember is this: If you’re going to update one of my favorite toys, my “Friend til The End”, then make sure the new version keeps me entertained til the end, friend.

Rating: 3.5 Full Moons out of 5 🌕🌕🌕🌗

#Child’s Play #Child’s Play 2019 #Child’s Play Remake #Chucky #Good Guy Doll #Buddi Doll #Brad Dourif #Mark Hamill #Gabriel Bateman #Aubrey Plaza #Horror #Horror Movies #Film Reviews #Movie Reviews #Moonlight Madness #Moonlight Madness Reviews

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segadores-y-soldados · 6 years

Audio

Transcript of a segment from The AIAS Game Maker’s Notebook podcast, from an episode featuring Jeff Kaplan. You can find the full link here. Original start time is approximately 30:35, when Ted asks his question:

Ted Price: Who’s the oldest character? Or what’s the age of the oldest character?

Jeff Kaplan: I think, um...I think it’s Gabriel Reyes, who is Reaper. But it’s kinda not a fair answer, because technically Reaper is dead? But I think that’s a little bit questionable. So Gabriel Reyes was, like, Jack Morrison’s partner - they were Soldier: 76 - and he was in Overwatch, and then he kinda goes bad and there’s a horrific thing that happens and he becomes Reaper.

Important to remember: Jeff Kaplan later corrected himself and remembered that Reinhardt is actually the oldest character in Overwatch. Gabriel Reyes’s canon age of 50 at “Retribution” (and approximately 58 at “Recall”) has not changed. Jeff frequently forgets or misremembers details, especially with numbers. The interview had also been going for 30 minutes nonstop, and this whole particular section - which was focused on exploring diversity in Overwatch - was focused “in context” but occasionally rambled (such as the above audio). You can even notice where he accidentally calls both characters “Soldier: 76″ without bringing up “Soldier: 24″.

Credit: As written above, Ted Price conducted the interview on behalf of AIAS. Attention was brought to this particular clip by @skeletonsock on twitter (you can find Phil’s original tweet here).

Related: @auttoton has audio of Jeff Kaplan giving a lecture about Gabriel Reyes and Jack Morrison from November 2017, which you can find here. Also, Michael Chu’s March 2017 GDC talk, where he describes the relationship between Reaper, Soldier: 76, and Ana Amari, which is here (timestamp is 34:25 for the particular line).

More discussion under the cut.

It’s difficult to provide a full transcript of the entire segment where Jeff talks about the importance of incorporating diversity into the characters, story, world, and gameplay of Overwatch. The whole portion goes over how Blizzard wanted to make each hero feel like “a real person” who did not necessarily represent “an entire group” but rather touched upon unique-yet-universal elements that weren’t always found in video games.

Jeff: What we tried to do with Overwatch was not approach diversity from any sort of way that would feel pandering, and the example I always give is: we didn’t set out to make the game and have a spreadsheet of every group on the planet we thought needed to be represented, and were just trying to put like, checkmarks next to them. We really did want to tell a story about a group of individuals who were people - we didn’t want to generalize anybody, or try to roll up any sort of race, religion, nationality, affiliation - we didn’t want to roll that up into one and say that, ‘All people are like this from that group.’

We wanted these to be like actual people, so like, Tracer is Lena Oxton who was a REF test pilot. And we know that her girlfriend’s name is Emily, and she lives in London and she’s a very real person, but that doesn’t mean that everybody in the U.K. is like Tracer.

Ted: Right.

Jeff: In fact, our U.K. office hates the phrase ‘Cheers, love’ - they’re always teasing me, they’re like, ‘Ah, it sounds so - we don’t say that! It sounds ridiculous!’ And like, the rest of the world loves it.

Ted: (laughs)

Jeff: But that was very important to us, and I try to point out to people like, if our goal was just to represent as many different people as possible, because we felt an obligation to do it, we wouldn’t have ended up with like, two Japanese brothers. It takes too long to make a hero - you know, why spend two of our ‘chips’ on two Japanese brothers, or the Egyptian mother and daughter?

Ted: Which I think is one of the coolest stories you have in the game. I mean that - the fact that you have somebody who is that age as a playable character, and with that backstory is unique.

Jeff: It’s awesome. I think, um...For us...You know, I’m forty-five now, and I think, you know, when you’re in your twenties and your thirties, you think of like, anybody who’s heroic has gotta be in their twenties or thirties, and everybody else is ancient. And now that, you know, I’m a little bit further along that trajectory, I start to have a lot of sensibility towards, you know, there are a lot of badass people at all ages, at all walks of life.

We always remember the moment when we were watching ‘Fury Road’ - the latest ‘Mad Max’ movie - which was so amazing. And they have those women at the end, the women snipers, and we were like, ‘Wow! They’re really, really awesome!’ And so it made it easy for us to have characters like Soldier: 76 and Ana Amari, and just these, you know - there’s nothing wrong with being older, and that doesn’t mean you have to become like this sub-side character.

Ted: Sure

Jeff: You could just be an awesome badass and we could celebrate that.

(Start of clip)

Ted Price: Who’s the oldest character? Or what’s the age of the oldest character?

Like I said in the description above, Jeff completely misremembers Gabriel’s age. Ted goes onto ask:

Ted: And how old is Reaper’s age?

Jeff: Um - oh, Michael Chu’s gonna kill me. It’s between mid-70′s and early-80′s.

So yes, Jeff is off on Gabriel’s age at the time of Recall by nearly 20+ years. The podcast upload notes this, however, by adding the text on the webpage:

**NOTE: In the episode, Jeff mentions how he believes Reaper is currently the oldest hero in Overwatch. He now correctly remembers it is Reinhardt at 61. :)

The conversation on age stops there, and Ted and Jeff go back to discussing the idea of fan-feedback (and how to balance how many “voices” the Overwatch development team has to sort through).

The reason I went to such lengths to show the context of the quote is that...it has no context. The line ��Gabriel Reyes was Jack Morrison’s partner” is stated completely out of the blue, and is almost entirely irrelevant to a discussion on Reaper’s age. There are multiple other identifiers Jeff could’ve “gone to” when describing Gabriel: for example, “Gabriel Reyes was the commander of Blackwatch, he was in Overwatch, and then he kinda goes bad...” or “Gabriel Reyes was one of the founders of Overwatch, and then he kinda goes bad...”

Even as a description of Gabriel’s pre-fall relationship with Jack, “partner” is a...interesting choice. If all Jeff meant was a platonic relationship, phrases like “friend” or “comrade” would have been significantly more appropriate than a euphemistic term for “spouse” or “boyfriend.”

This is the second audio clip where Jeff has described Gabriel’s relationship with Jack in rather deep terms: the first came from Auttoton (linked above) where Jeff gave a lecture and stated that “these guys loved each other” when describing Gabriel and Jack.

However, another interesting “phrase” comes from Michael Chu’s 2017 GDC talk (linked above), where he describes the relationship between Reaper, Soldier: 76, and Ana Amari here:

It’s a relationship that defines the story of Overwatch, and how Overwatch grew as an organization, and even now today, what they’re all up to is important to driving forward the current story of the game. And what I really like about it is that it is a deep, complex relationship that’s not necessarily only driven by romance, and it highlights how different people can see and experience different events.

At the time of the talk, most people believed Michael was talking about a possible romantic relationship between Ana and one of the other two characters. However, since that talk, we have seen things like the Necropolis map (where Ana and Soldier: 76 sleep in separate rooms - according to an unused or broken interaction, this is actually Jack’s choice), the 2017 update to Junkenstein’s Revenge (where Reinhardt makes several more flirtatious or admiring comments about Ana), and the “Retribution” comic, where Ana not only never appears - she does not even show up as a “motivational” aspect to Gabriel’s decision-making process.

But Jack does.

In fact, the “Retribution” comic shows that when Gabriel had to make a heavy decision, it was Jack he turned to for advice and discussion. The comic also goes to extensive lengths to portray both of them as “two halves” of Overwatch. Later, in the actual in-game event, McCree asks how Gabriel is “going to explain this to the Strike-Commander”, and Gabriel replies with “You let me worry about what Jack needs to know.”

There is an increasing amount of information - both in-universe and from the game developers themselves - that the relationship between Gabriel Reyes and Jack Morrison was deeper than a working, professional one, and possibly deeper than just “friendship.”

They were partners.

#reaper76 #r76 #jeff kaplan #gabriel reyes #reaper #jack morrison #soldier: 76 #soldier 76 #podcast #resources #references #audio

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douxreviews · 5 years

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) Review

“This isn’t going to go, the way you think.”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie that defied my expectations as much as this one, in a good way.

This review will be as spoiler free as possible.

I’m going to be up front here, I loved this film, so I’m probably about to gush. Visually speaking, this was a gorgeous movie, from framing to aesthetics, everything from small details to large set pieces were clearly given a lot of thought and effort. The aliens were fun and unique, all the creatures (including the Porgs) made me smile and some inspired some genuine joy. Everything had a Star Warsian feel, which in a lot of ways expanded the universe instead of just existing in it.

Character and story took center stage though, and the action was used to move that story forward instead of relying on empty spectacle. Every moment (save for a few) were tense and full of weight and emotion. Yet there was humor, not poop jokes, but character interactions that were allowed to sit and the produce the right kind of effect. The same can be said of the drama, which felt earned. Death was a major thing in this film, and rarely a punch was pulled. Yet at the same time I left feeling hopeful, and excited about what I'd just seen.

A lot of that has to do with how the characters from the previous films were depicted here. More than just subversion of what we expected, there was a real attempt to answer the hows and whys of these characters, who they had become over the thirty years since Return of the Jedi. Of course I'm speaking about Luke and Leia most of all. Leia commands our attention; whenever she's on screen, she's the focus. She is exactly like I pictured her, and Carrie Fisher brings a real royalty to her bearing and personality. She is my princess, now and forever (I'll miss you, Carrie).

Luke, wow. He is the personification of turning things on their head in this film. Everything he does makes absolute sense in context, but is totally not what I imagined. He is absolutely Luke Skywalker, who has been through everything from the first trilogy, and then lived with those choices for another thirty years. He's changed, and it takes the entire film to really capture why and how those changes were important for the character. This is especially relevant during his interactions with Rey. Their relationship is again totally different from what we've seen before, and I'm so glad that Rian Johnson (the writer and director) and Disney had the courage to explore this kind of story.

Rey's journey through this was a lot of fun. It was the most engaging part of the film for me. It was also so weird and mystical that it felt a lot like the Yoda scenes on Dagobah without being remotely like a copy of those scenes. Beyond the training, exposition and fun light saber antics, there were all the little things about that island that imbued it with life. I especially loved one scene with Chewbacca involving the Porgs that had me nearly rolling with laughter.

On the flip side of Rey was Kylo Ren's journey, which I will not spoil here. He's still the same mildly whiny, emo-goth hot-head from before, but somehow he has been given even more layers. I loved his interactions with Rey, and with the rest of the First Order. But more than that, I think he is now one of my favorite characters in this new trilogy, and that's saying a lot.

The First Order characters had a bit more to do in this. Snoke was finally shown in his full glory, and I wasn't disappointed in any of his scenes. Hux ended up being the butt of jokes more than an important character, but I did like the character. Phasma had more to do, but she still didn't shine despite her armor. I was impressed by ships and equipment of the First Order; it was all mildly different from the Empire but really beautiful in a horrible sort of way.

Finn and Poe both got some minor character arcs, and both grew somewhat as characters. I didn't love all the choices Rian made for Finn and Poe, but they didn't detract from the story that much. Some of the new supporting characters were a lot of fun as well. Specifically Rose, who ended up being a great addition to the team, and her story had a really nice emotional arc to it. Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern), well... the best thing to say about her is she was unique, and special in a way I didn’t expect. DJ was an interesting character, mostly because he was kind of a Han Solo analog without any of Han's more redeeming character traits.

Above it all, this was a good movie, not just a good Star Wars film. Apparently the critics almost all love it, but the fans are divided. I don't think people expected a layered film with meaning, a film that didn't explain things with exposition, but challenged us to form our own answers to the questions. It's what happens when you have a man running the show who is as brilliant as Rian Johnson. This is unequivocally a Star Wars film, and in a lot of ways feels like the first real Star Wars film since Return of the Jedi. But this is more than just a good Star Wars film, it's also a genuinely well made, well written, and well acted film that is more than its related ephemera. It wasn’t flawless, but damn, it’s about as close to a Star Wars masterpiece as I ever thought I would see.

For me this was a four out of four amazing new aliens. Tell us what you thought below.

J.D. Balthazar is a confirmed nerd who loves most things sci-fi or fantasy-related.

#Star Wars #The Last Jedi #Luke Skywalker #Rey #Leia Organa #Finn #Poe Dameron #Kylo Ren #Star Wars Reviews #Doux Reviews #Movie Reviews #something from the archive

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stevecanmakeanythingnerdy · 5 years

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Battle #12

The Vaselines : Sex With An X (Side A)

Vs.

Dead Boys: Young, Loud, and Snotty (Side II)

The Vaselines : Sex With An X (Side A)

The Vaselines are an alternative rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. Formed in Glasgow in 1986, the band was originally a duo between its songwriters Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee, later adding James Seenan and Eugene's brother Charlie Kelly on bass and drums respectively from the band Secession. The band released two short EPs, Son of a Gun, released in 1987, and Dying for It, released in 1988. The latter features two of the band’s most recognized songs, "Molly's Lips" and "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam," both of which 90’s grunge superstars Nirvana would later cover. Though they were not widely known outside Scotland during their short career, their association with Nirvana brought major exposure to the band. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain once described Kelly and McKee as his "favorite songwriters in the whole world". With their songs "Son of a Gun" and "Molly's Lips" covered on Nirvana's album Incesticide and "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" covered on MTV Unplugged in New York, the band gained a new audience. I must admit, it’s totally how I heard of them. And thank goodness for that! Gems all of them! Kelly went on to found the band Captain America (later renamed Eugenius after legal threats from Marvel Comics), supporting Nirvana on their UK tour. RRW fans may remember them going quite far from a previous season of RRW. McKee founded the band Suckle and released her first solo album, Sunny Moon, in 2006. Shortly there after the band reformed on occasions and in 2010 they released this, their second full length studio album. “Ruined “ is the first track and it sounds amazing. More ballsy than the older stuff. Very produced and meaty by comparison. Drenched in melody and feedback. “Sex with an X” is the second and title track on the album. This is more like classic Vaselines. Light and jangling but still catchy like the clap (#seewhatididthere)! Following is the creepy, surf-like riffage that makes up the bulk of “The Devil’s Inside Me”. This has early Sub Pop written all over it. In fact, did Kelly find an old notebook or something?! It’s like they never broke up and we’re back in 1990. The Vaselines do such a good job of being both retro AND fresh...this is minimalist art! Beat Happenings anyone? (#seewhatididthere). “Such A Fool” is an example of another such artistic melody. Floating as if on sugar cube clouds, Frances takes lead vocals on this one. Pretty hooks and looks stunning on wax. “Turning it On” brings back the surf inspired leans into the curl and dreamboat Annies (#seewhatididthere). It’s a call and response song, and my response is brilliance. Morrissey would be proud. “Overweight but Over You” has more bounce to the ounce (#seewhatididthere). Fat man rock. An analogy to going under the knife. This is what makes them so good. Unique perspective and writing from unusual examples. Look, no matter how you slice it, this is their first output in nearly 20 years and it is sounding like they never quit. THAT is a talent all it’s own. Consistent and signature sound is everything in music and these guys have that formula down pat. They were one of the first two piece bands and with boy girl harmonies. Hipsters owe this band a LOT. PHENOMENAL.

Dead Boys: Young, Loud, and Snotty (Side II)

Dead Boys are an American punk rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. The band was among the first wave of punk bands, and had a reputation as one of the rowdiest and most violent punk groups of the era. Dead Boys were formed by vocalist Stiv Bators, lead guitarist Cheetah Chrome, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Zero, bassist Jeff Magnum, and drummer Johnny Blitz in 1976, splintering off of the band Rocket From The Tombs. They released two studio albums, Young Loud and Snotty and We Have Come for Your Children. Dead Boys were originally called Frankenstein, and as previously mentioned, they evolved out of the band Rocket From The Tombs . When the band members relocated to New York City in July 1976 at the encouragement of Joey Ramone, they adopted the Dead Boys moniker which came from the RFTT song "Down In Flames". The Dead Boys quickly gained notoriety for their outrageous live performances in the city that never sleeps. Lewd gestures and profanity were the norm. On more than one occasion, lead singer Stiv Bators slashed his stomach with his mic stand. These antics reportedly discouraged any mainstream rock following despite the relative breadth of their material beyond pure punk. Something tells me the Dead Boys didn’t give two shits about that. They frequently played at the rock club CBGB and in 1977 they released this debut album, Young, Loud and Snotty. Their song "Sonic Reducer" from it is often regarded as one of the classics of the punk genre, being covered by countless bands, some as diverse as Pearl Jam. Well, side two of this incendiary record starts off with “Caught With the Meat in Your Mouth”. That rock and roll riff, combined with Cheetah Chrome’s snot, form an animalistic ballistic statistic on this biscuit! Gimme some butter!! A great punch in the face to start. If you had any doubts if this was a punk rawk band, they are immediately shattered. “Hey, Little Girl” has a live-ish nitro. It’s about as laid back as these punx get. Another scorcher with those metallic guitar chords. “I Need Lunch” is next, and probably one of their more recognized tunes. Love that intro! Such poetic power trips here. It’s raw, uncensored, unapologetically sexist and NOT PC. In fact, it’s unadulterated filth and raunch, crawling straight out of an NYC gutter. This is what Dead Boys are known for. This captured well the short lived and self destructiveness of this band. “High Tension Wire” takes a little departure for the band. About as emo as they dare get in the times they lived in. Some good guitar work and a sad lamenting riff are all this song needs to draw you in. Nothing compares to

“Down In Flames”, though. If you listen to one Dead Boys still no in your life, make it this one. O. M. G!!! This song!! SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD!! Again, the raw power is present and on full display. Guitar tones and fuzz on point! Brilliant screams and bleeds and leads. Even a mental breakdown right in the middle of the song, during the song! Amazing. The guttural throat scrapes are tops!! Look past the sexism and this band IS fucking rock. This is the classic album you always wish your band could write. 2017 re-issue On translucent green vinyl. Think Sex Pistols level greatness but not British, and more underground. The Stooges but on ALL of the drugs. In fact, I think you’ll get a contact high just from touching the record.

The Vaselines came back from the grave to have sex (with an X, apparently) and in doing so, wrote a slew of awesome new tunes. Wow. Re-reading that just now and it sounds pretty gross. Anyhow, They burned 143 calories over 21 minutes and 6 songs. That is 23.83 calories per song and 6.81 calories burned per minute. The Vaselines earned an impressive 15 out of 18 possible stars. The Dead Boys uprooted themselves from Ohio to New York City and became one of America’s most loved punk bands. They’re young, loud, and some of the snottiest punks you’re ever going to hear. Dead Boys burned 113 calories over 5 songs and 15 minutes. That is 22.60 calories burned per song and 7.53 calories burned per minute. The Dead Boys also managed to earn an even more impressive 13 out of 15 possible stars. Looks like those Dead Boys take the cake today!!

Dead Boys: “Down In Flames” (originally a Rocket From The Tombs song)

I just love that vintage footage exists...the audio is shit

https://youtu.be/Z3Cn4z4kYIA

Here is a better audio version

https://youtu.be/ueqTb0_jfMU

If you have half an hour to kill look up the amazing CBGB performance from 1977. It’s like having a time machine.

Oh hell here, I did it for you

https://youtu.be/QOHOM1hVM-M

#Randomrecordworkoutseasonsix

#Randomrecordworkout

#randomrecordworkout #records #vinyl #randomrecordworkoutseason5 #punk #dead boys #stiv bators #cheetah chrome #the vaselines #sub pop records #eugenius #80's music #80s music #80s #70s #70's music

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