#(next day commentary yahoo!!!!)

[tokkias]

🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟 yahoo yahoo yahoo

send me a star and i'll give you a directors commentary of a fic . always open

my lonely days are gone

this fic only has 62 kudos and you know what. that's a fucking crime. this fic is great and i am going to give a break down of it to prove it

this one was written for the "nostalgia" prompt for nalu week and it was an already existing idea i had on my list of them going through hargeon all those years after they first met

He let out a gurgled moan as he hobbled behind her, his head still spinning from what seemed to be a particularly hard train ride for him

poor, poor natsu. it wouldn't be a callback to the first episode if it didn't involve natsu getting off that damn train at the start of the episode. this fic was really trying to mirror that and so starting with them getting off the train together while natsu is trying not to vomit all over the place felt like their relationship was coming full circle

It had been a long time since they had been in Hargeon, and while the streets carried a sense of familiarity with them, some of it felt like they were seeing these streets for the first time all over again.

literally didn't realise i used the word "streets" twice in this sentence until now, i think there may be something deeply wrong with me. regardless of how many times i used the same word, the idea i was trying to convey here was that even though hargeon is not a place that they frequent, it still holds such significance to them that it stays memorable. regardless of how memorable it is though, it has been more than a decade since they first met there. in my head this fic takes place after the hyq so that's the 7 year time skip, the tartaros-avatar timeskip, the alvarez-hyq timeskip and maybe a couple years on top of that, so it's not surprising that some of it feels new to them

She vaguely recognised the stores they walked past from the first time she had come here, though one in particular that she had been acutely familiar with from her time here was now vacant, with a for sale sign hung up in the window, no doubt due to the dwindling base of magic users in the town.

the shopkeeper we see in the first episode mentions that hargeon isn't really a town of magic users and in the time between their first visit and now, it's not a stretch to think that he had either gone out of business or retired and the business simply wasn't able to stay afloat. the semantics aren't really relevant though, this is just the set up for a punchline in the next piece of dialogue

"Hmph, serves him right," Lucy huffed as she felt the taste of bitterness lingering on the tip of her tongue, still not over the grudge she held for that measly 1,000 jewel discount. "Geez, what’d this place ever do to you?" Natsu asked, confused by her sudden hostility towards a random vacant lot. "I don’t want to talk about it," she grumbled back in reply.

lucy here is so me. i hold a grudge for so long and i thought it would be funny for lucy to hold one over such a minor thing. i definitely think she considers the money she spent to have been worth it over the years--plue has been a great companion to her--but she can still be a little bitter over it. i don't think lucy would have ever mentioned her little (failed) seduction tactic to natsu ever, so i just thought it would be funny for her to grumble over it when natsu doesn't know why (but we do)

He had saved her that day, and from then on, he would save her again and again and again, in more ways than one, and she, in time, would return the favour.

i think frequently about how their meeting would have felt so insignificant at the time but their relationship would grow and flourish into something beautiful. their relationship is established with natsu breaking the curse and saving her from the boat and that definitely sets up a trend of what would happen a lot in their relationship but i think all the time he saves her really pales when you compare it to lucy rewriting the book of end. realistically, anyone could have saved lucy, but not just anyone could rewrite the book of end. it took skill and bravery and love for natsu that i don't think anyone else had and natsu would have died without her. that more than makes up for every time he has saved her i think

She stopped in her tracks, eyes stuck on the edge of the town square, as Natsu kept walking, not noticing she was gone until a few feet later. "Lucy?" He called out, turning towards her to see why she had stopped. "Everything okay?" Lucy didn’t reply immediately; instead, she walked over to the spot that had caught her attention before coming to a stop as her heart began to race and she felt herself reliving that fateful moment all over again. "This is where we first met," she breathed out. "I was standing here, and you were over there."

the scene that first inspired this idea. i had such a vivid image in my head of lucy standing in that spot again, tears in her eyes. she's a completely different person than she was the day that she met natsu and it was all because of that fateful encounter. she might not have thought about it much at the time, but i know that moment is burned into her brain forever

"Do you remember that?" She asked, lifting her gaze up to meet his. "Course I remember that, weirdo," he grinned down at her. "Cause that was the day I met my best friend."

i think it's obvious that outwardly sentimental lucy would feel nostalgic about that moment but natsu is flippant enough that lucy can never quite be sure what he's feeling. natsu is, of course, just as sentimental (if not more) as she is and that day was just as important to him as it was to her. it made me think of that scene where natsu looks back on the day lucy first joined the guild and she's showing off her guild mark and she's just absolutely glowing because he's so fond of her and that memory, which really juxtaposes how we outwardly see that moment in the second episode where it looks like he doesn't care. he does care but he's just a bit less outwardly emotional about it as lucy

i considered saying "girlfriend" in this line, but ultimately i wanted this fic to be able to be read as platonic or romantic. even though i am The Nalu Girl, i actually prefer to read it as platonic because they really put the best friends into best friends to lovers, and i wanted to really convey that idea of more than friends less than lovers idea. that being said, neither interpretation of the fic is wrong. i was purposefully vague so that each reader could decide how they wanted to interpret it

"I’m s-so happy you’re here," she choked out between tears, her voice muffled as she buried her face in his chest, but she didn’t care too much, knowing he could still hear her despite it. "I’m so glad th- hic -that every day I wake up and I get to be with you. I’ll always be grateful that I got to meet you." "I’m real glad I got to meet you too, Lucy."

if the last scene was a reference to early fairy tail, this is a reference to the final episode/chapter. i love how lucy isn't afraid to cry and be emotional, i love how in touch with her feelings she is, and i love how she's not afraid to let the people in her life know how much they mean to her. natsu isn't quite as articulate as her--he's an actions guy not a words guy, so he just sort of echos her words back at her. that's not to say he doesn't care just as much as she does, because you know he does, and he's well aware of those feelings of gratitude to have lucy in his life, he just doesn't know how to express it, so when lucy is able to articulate it much better than he ever could, he just goes along with it. i think lucy knows him well enough to know that even if they don't sound like much, his words hold weight to them

Wiping away her tears, Lucy looked up at him and found him looking back down at her, grinning from ear to ear as he looked down at her. "You’re making fun of me!" She whined, sticking her lips out in a pout. "I’m not makin’ fun of you! I didn’t say anything!" He defended, not keen to take on her false accusation. "You’re making fun of me in your head!"

lucy has known natsu for long enough that she knows that that grin means he's up to something, but alas! not this time! (okay maybe a little bit). i can't have an entirely serious nalu nostalgia moment, i need a little bit of banter or it wouldn't be a nalu fic. i just find it funny that even in a sentimental moment like this, they still bicker like an old married couple

"I’m not making fun of you," he assured. "I’m thinkin’ about how awesome my life is now that I have you in it."

again, natsu is not as articulate as lucy is, he doesn't really have the vocabulary to express what she means to him, that's why i settled on "awesome" in this line. it really felt like something natsu would say and i think that even though it sounds a little childish, to him, it's like the highest compliment in the world. a lot of the time when i'm writing natsu dialogue i have to stop and think "is this a word natsu would know, let alone use?" i try to be very intentional with my word choice, everything is a choice i have put a lot of thought into making because i want to craft a sentence (and a story) that is both in character and meaningful. i think i did both in this line

"I love you," she mumbled into his shirt. "I love you too," he replied.

"but mya, i thought you said you prefer to read this platonically" they can be platonic i love yous! i really love the idea that they're just so comfortable in their feelings towards each other that they can just say it to each other, even when the lines feel blurred between what is platonic love and what is romantic love. looking at it in that light makes these lines more impactful to me, in my opinion

"Now how about you buy me lunch again?" Natsu tried, a smile plastered across his face from ear to ear. "Y’know, for old time’s sake?"   "Oh yeah? What’d you do to deserve it this time?" Lucy replied, arms crossed over her chest and eyebrows raised, not feeling nearly as generous as she was the first time they met. "Being the greatest best friend ever?"

lucy treated him to lunch the first time because he saved her from the love spell, probably expecting she would never buy him lunch again. little did she know. i started this fic referencing episode one and i wanted to end it that way too. natsu loves lucy, but he also loves food and he is more than willing to exploit her love for him in exchange for a free meal

"Not a chance," she shot back, only feeling a little bit bad about his dejected expression. "Maybe you should buy me lunch, just so we’re even." Natsu grumbled something that she couldn’t quite catch, seemingly unhappy with his unsuccessful attempt at getting a free meal out of her, which she took as a rejection of her idea. That was fine. After all, he had a whole lifetime to repay that favour.

i have a feeling that natsu has never brought her lunch or dinner or any meal really since that first day even though she definitely deserves it for some of the stuff she puts up with. i wanted the ending line to sort of be indicative that even after all the time they've spent together, that's still just a drop in the bucket for all the time they will spend together in the future. they're going to spend their lives together, they're going to figure out what's going on in their relationship, they're going to get married, and they're going to have babies and keep going on adventures together. i like to think that at least one time, natsu will pay her back for that lunch

#mya's mumbles #directors cut #nalu #asks

[sarnews]

Chicago Spent $100 Million on Migrants’ Since August

Chicago has only a small portion of the illegal aliens arriving in red border states. Still, it has been a tremendous burden in a state already under extraordinary pressure from crime and homelessness.

Yahoo reports:

The city of Chicago spent more than $100 million to provide help and services to the thousands of migrants who have arrived in Chicago from south of the U.S. border since last August, mostly on personnel costs, officials said Wednesday.

The cost breakdown came during a hearing run by the City Council Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which also voted to hold monthly meetings on the topic moving forward. Of the $101.3 million, $72.6 million was spent on staffing the migrant shelters that are run by the city but rely on outside nonprofits for day-to-day operations.

The next biggest buckets of migrant services funding: The city spent $10.6 million to house asylum-seekers outside of the shelters, $9.1 million on food, $4.1 million on facility maintenance, $4 million on rental assistance, $600,000 on legal services and $250,000 on transportation of the new arrivals.

He still blames Governor Abbott for providing transportation but not the administration that has opened our borders.

Johnson is proud of doubling down on providing for the aliens. Those resources spent on people who don’t belong here should be spent on American children. He doesn’t seem to notice the failing public schools.

$100 MILLION ON ILLEGAL ALIENS

For example, a commentary by Don Tracy at Real Clear Politics notes that Mayor Johnson, a toady for the Chicago Teachers Union, displeased with SCOTUS ending affirmative action, said, “Affirmative action was a means by which generations of children were allowed access to institutions, access to ideas, and access to cultures that a wicked system of discrimination had long excluded them from.”

Yet, Johnson says nothing about the failures of the Chicago public school system. He doesn’t want to improve the schools so they can earn their way into higher education.

For example, Tracy points to Clark Academy High School, a magnet school in Johnson’s neighborhood where not a single child has been taught to read at grade level but where 94% graduate.

For CPS as a whole, just 20% of students can read at grade level, and 16% can do math at grade level, says Tracy.

“Education opens the door to opportunities, but in Chicago, Democrats and the teachers union have slammed that door shut,” Tracy states.

Johnson should work on improving education, but there is no sign he will. It would be best if he told the administration to close the borders, but these are future Democrat votes, so he won’t. Democrats are rushing towards a one-party state, and that is all that matters.

[packernet]

New Post has been published on https://www.packernet.com/blog/2023/05/07/packers-fanatics-unite-tech-tips-to-supercharge-your-game-day-experience/

Packers Fanatics Unite: Tech Tips to Supercharge Your Game-Day Experience

Are you a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan craving an exhilarating game-day experience? Look no further! In this action-packed guide, we will walk you through the cutting-edge tech that will transform your Packers viewing parties into immersive, adrenaline-fueled events. From crystal-clear audio to virtual reality, you’ll discover the ultimate fan experience awaits you!

Surround Sound for Stadium Ambiance

Recreate the electrifying atmosphere of Lambeau Field in your living room by investing in a high-quality surround sound system. Surround sound will let you hear the roar of the crowd, the crunch of tackles, and the thrilling commentary with crystal-clear precision. A 5.1 or 7.1 channel configuration is ideal for an epic, stadium-like experience.

4K Ultra HD TV for Razor-Sharp Visuals

Witness the magic unfold on the field in striking detail with a 4K Ultra HD TV. The stunning resolution and lifelike colors will make you feel as though you’re right on the sidelines. Don’t skimp on size, either—go big or go home! A 65-inch or larger screen will bring the action to life.

Live Streaming Services for Seamless Access

Say goodbye to cable and satellite subscriptions! Choose a live streaming service like Hulu Live, YouTube TV, or Sling TV to enjoy every Packers game without any hassle. These services offer a wide variety of channels, including all the essential sports networks, ensuring you never miss a minute of the action.

Second Screen Experience for In-Depth Analysis

Enhance your game-day experience by utilizing a second screen, such as a tablet or smartphone, to access real-time stats, in-depth analysis, and expert opinions. The NFL app and Packers mobile app are excellent resources, providing exclusive content and live updates to keep you informed and engaged.

Social Media for Fan Interaction

Get social with fellow Packers fans by joining online communities, engaging in spirited discussions, and sharing your thoughts on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Participate in live chats, follow hashtags, and post your reactions to stay connected with the Packers community.

Virtual Reality for a Revolutionary View

Take your Packers experience to the next level with virtual reality (VR) technology. Platforms like Oculus and PlayStation VR offer immersive, 360-degree views of the game, giving you a unique perspective on the action. Although still in its infancy, VR technology promises to revolutionize the way fans enjoy their favorite sports.

Sports Betting for an Added Thrill

Add an extra layer of excitement to your game-day experience by dabbling in the world of online sports betting odds. Numerous online sportsbooks and mobile apps, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM, allow you to place bets on various aspects of the game, including point spreads, moneylines, and over/unders. Remember to bet responsibly and only wager what you can afford to lose.

Smart Lighting for a True Packers Atmosphere

Set the mood with smart lighting that syncs to the on-screen action. Brands like Philips Hue and LIFX offer color-changing LED lights, allowing you to create a dynamic, Packers-themed ambiance. Customize the colors to match the Packers’ green and gold, and even synchronize the lights to react to touchdowns or big plays.

Fantasy Football for Competitive Fun

Fuel your competitive spirit and enhance your Packers game-day experience by participating in fantasy football. Websites like ESPN, Yahoo, and NFL.com offer free fantasy football leagues where you can draft your dream team, compete against friends, and track your players’ performance throughout the season. Managing your fantasy team adds another layer of excitement and keeps you engaged in the broader NFL landscape.

Tailgating Apps for the Ultimate Pre-Game Party

Don’t forget the power of a great tailgate party! Packers fans can use technology to plan, coordinate, and enjoy unforgettable pre-game festivities. Utilize apps like Tailgater Concierge, GrillTime, and Waze to find the best tailgating spots, estimate grilling times, and navigate traffic with ease. Connect with other Packers fans, share photos and experiences, and build lasting memories around your shared passion.

Conclusion

Unleash the ultimate Green Bay Packers viewing experience by leveraging the power of technology. From superior audiovisuals to engaging online communities, these tips will make every game an unforgettable, immersive event. It’s time to take your fandom to new heights—go, Pack, go!

[putschki1969]

『KEIKO fan meeting chocolate meating #1』Report & Live Commentary

It’s time for another live commentary. KEIKO’s fan club event is about to start so as always I will be sharing my thoughts and impressions with you. I wonder what kind of song she will debut today? I am hoping for something dark. I’ll keep you updated.

Tweet by KEIKO staff | Tweet by Yoppi

Good evening. It has gotten late…Sorry, it’s already the next day. Tonight I got to hold my first fan club event, this special time filled me with warmth and gave me a lot of strength. I am a bit embarrassed but also happy that people are not only connecting with me through my music but also have an interest in me as a person. Thank you so much! KEIKO

Tweet by KEIKO

Totally forgot about Hisanori Yoshida (Yoppi) hosting this. He is cute together with KEIKO. She comes on stage greeting everyone with a loud “YAHOO” which is super adorable. She is wearing her Double Standard star skirt again. And some super expensive high heels.

Question Corner: Fans were asked to send in some questions and KEIKO picks out some of them from her Niku-Choco box

Differences between her time in Kalafina, FJ and as solo artist: As always it’s lovely to hear her talk about Wa-chan and Hi-chan with so much love and affection. She says that during her time in Kalafina her character was vey pulled togethee, serious and firm due to the many responsibilties which might be why the audience didn’t see her laugh very often. Yoppi shortly mentions an interview he did with Hikaru a while back where she bemoaned the fact that she has to work very hard on her talking skills as a solo artist because Keiko and Wakana are no longer there to make up for her shortcomings in that regard. Keiko says that she always watches Hikaru and is very proud to see her handling this new responsibilty very well. Seeing Hikaru work so hard on her talking skills is very inspiring for Keiko.

Something that made her happy recently: Her taxi driver was super kind today. Also, she is happy to get back to her training sessions at the gym and such now that some of them are opening again. She has been joined by Yuriko and really loves working out together with her. They encourage each other.

Favourite manga: Sangokushi

How much time does she spend exercising in a day and does she drink protein shakes and stuff?: She has started a yoga course, around 45 minutes every day. And she stretches 30 minutes every day. When gyms are open she goes about 5 times a week. And yup, she does drink protein shakes, the ones with lots of BCAA.

Her solo outfits always look natural and refreshing. Where does she get her outfits for her solo activities? [This question totally could have been from me XD] The dresses have zero connection to the music she performs. She just wants to keep it natural. But she also likes fancy brands. Yoppi talks about seeing Keiko rehearse for today’s event. She must have worn something very revealing and light because apparently, her legs were on full display. Yoppi was blown away by HOW LONG her legs looked XD LOL. He is also smitten by her long hair :P Someone is a big fan of Keiko it seems. And recently she is into imported fashion from China and Korea. It's cheap and she likes how it’s well balances. One part is always a little over-sized while the other half of the outfit is tight-fitting.

Chocolate Corner: Very similar to Hikaru|s bubble tea corner. Keiko explains that she only eats one proper meal a day but she will always have a bit of chocolate here and there. She usually goes for the same type of candy every time she is at the convenient store. Also, she is starving right now so she can't wait for the staff members to bring out all the chocolate for her.

She has to choose the correct brand of chocolate drops. One plate has M&Ms, the other a Japanese candy called Marble. She picks it correctly although neither of those are among her favourites. XD

Picking out the right chocolate amongst GABA, ZERO, LIBERA which are some of her favourite chocolate snacks. Once again, she knows exactly what she is doing. She can pick the GABA one without even trying it because she eats it all the time. Just by looking at it, she knows which one it is. The others are a bit more difficult but no real challenge for chocolate expert Keiko XD

Choosing between different chocolate bars (a variety of Ghana and meiji flavours). Keiko obviously loves going through all this chocolate but she struggles a bit here because she rarely eats chocolate bars. At the end she picks correctly though. Impressive. She kinda knows the texture and knows that meiji is a bit harder than Ghana.

Training/Stretch Corner: She shows off her flexibility with a resistance band/towel. Yoshida seems to be quite stiff because he can’t manage to do Keiko’s moves. [I can’t do it either T_T]

Present Lottery Corner: WOW! She has prepared some personal items as presents. I waaaaant!! Keiko is also signing the items!! Ahhhhh! And it seems that later on Keiko will also add a name. Will I have any luck?? : Clearfiles folder (which she has had since 2008 for all her music and such), Beret (which she has worn many times), Vases (which I remember from various Kalafina blog posts), Meat&Chocolate stickers.

OMG!!!!! I can’t believe this. I WON THE BERET!!! I AM DEAD!!!!!!! I can’t handle this!!!

For a second there I was scared that I had read my number wrong but NO, I REALLY DID WIN the beret!! Keiko signed it. AND she wrote the wrong date (July 2 instead of July 16 :P) but who the hell cares XD On a random side note, this is literally the hat she is wearing in my Tumblr mobile header. DESTINY!!!

Live Corner: Outfit change => Black jeans and a black t-shirt. KEIKO tummy, YAY!

Nanairo no Finale

Akane ~acoustic ver~

New Song: English title? “Nobody know you"??? I think that’s what it is called. Jenglish. Fail XD LOL Already loving it. Sounds VERY sexy and sultry. She sings with a deep voice. It has a strong James Bond song vibe if you know what I mean? Honestly such a cool song!

Inochi no Hana

Be Yourself

#kalafina #keiko #report #chocolate meating #chocolate meating vol 1 #fan club exclusive content #as always I wish this would be more foreigner friendly

[tcm]

In Memory of Brian, Fred and Jerry by Susan King

I mourn the loss of Hollywood legends, especially those I have interviewed over the years. I broke into tears when Debbie Reynolds died four years ago, recalling our last chat together in 2016 when we did a duet of “Moses Supposes.” And I still haven’t watched TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (’62) since Gregory Peck died in 2003. I had the opportunity to interview the handsome Oscar-winner at his now torn down home in 1997 and 1999. He was everything you’d hope he would be – sweet, intelligent and funny. He also loved Bob Dylan. His last words to me as he walked me to my car were: “You are a most interesting young lady.”

In 2020 alone, I lost over 20 former interviewees including Kirk Douglas, whom I interviewed eight times between 1986-2017, and my beloved Olivia de Havilland, who I found to be delightful and a bit ribald in the two interviews I did with her. I got more than a little misty when Brian Dennehy, Fred Willard and Jerry Stiller died this year. They were supremely talented and made our lives a little brighter with their performances. And, they all were great guys and fun interviews.

Brian Dennehy

I interviewed Brian Dennehy, who died in April at the age of 81, several times in the early 1990s when I was at the L.A. Times. The former U.S. Marine and football player was intimidating at first sight. He was tall, burly and barrel-chested. He had a no-nonsense quality about him, and he spoke his mind. But he also was funny.

In 1991, discussing how hard it was for some actors to land parts after starring in a TV series, he noted “coming off a TV series is a tough deal, and you go into limbo land for a while, if not forever. Most actors go immediately to the ‘Island of Lost Actors’ and stay there. Troy Donahue is the mayor.” Dennehy never went to that island. Not with the complex and often memorable performances he gave in such films as FIRST BLOOD (’82), SILVERADO (’85), COCOON (’85), PRESUMED INNOCENT (’90) and as Big Tom in the comedy TOMMY BOY (’95).

He was nominated for five Emmys, including one for his chilling turn as serial killer John Wayne Gacy in the miniseries To Catch a Killer (’92).

I had one of the most extraordinary evenings at the theater in 2000 when Dennehy reprised his Tony Award-winning role as the tragic Willy Loman at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in the lauded revival of Arthur Miller’s masterpiece Death of a Salesman. It was a gut-wrenching performance that left me emotionally exhausted. He earned another Tony in 2003 as James Tyrone in the revival of Eugene O’Neill’s superb Long Day’s Journey into Night. And he never stopped working.

Shortly after his death, the drama DRIVEWAYS (2020) was released on streaming platforms. And it could be Dennehy’s greatest performance. He plays Del, an elderly widower and Korean War vet who sparks a warm friendship with Cody, the young boy next door. The reviews for the film (it’s at 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and Dennehy have been glowing. The L.A. Times’ Justin Chang wrote that Dennehy’s Del is as “forceful and tender a creation as any in this great actor’s body of work.” And Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times stated: “What we might remember most, perhaps appropriately, are Dennehy’s warm, weary features and rich line readings. In a lovely final monologue, Del advises Cody to avoid rushing past the experiences in life that matter, as they pass so quickly on their own. Much like the careers of beloved actors.”

Fred Willard

I first encountered Fred Willard as the clueless sidekick of sleazy talk show host Barth Gimble (Martin Mull) in the late 1970s on the syndicated comedy series Fernwood Tonight and its continuation America 2-Night. I quickly became a fan, and that admiration grew when he became a member of Christopher Guest’s stock company of zanies in such comedies as WAITING FOR GUFFMAN (’96) and BEST IN SHOW (2000). In the latter, he played the equally clueless dog show announcer Buck Laughlin who quipped in his color commentary, “And to think that in some counties these dogs are eaten.”

Willard told me in a 2012 L.A. Times interview that he didn’t think he was funny until he was an adult. “I always loved comedy growing up – Bob Hope, Red Skelton and Danny Kaye,” said Willard, who died in May at the age of 86.

Willard got a serious part in Tennessee Williams’ one-act in a summer theater group when he was in his 20s. “I was getting laughs on all the lines,” he noted. “The director got upset because the audiences were always laughing. I didn’t try to do it deliberately. Then I realized I would say things around people, and they would laugh. I didn’t mean to be funny. I have always been relaxed around comedy.”

Just as Dennehy, Willard kept working. In fact, he received an Emmy nomination posthumously for his hilarious turn as Ty Burrell’s goofball dad on ABC’s Modern Family. He told me he wished he could try to do more dramatic fare like in Clint Eastwood’s World War II drama Flags of Our Fathers (2006). Willard even called his agent to see if he could get a role in the movie. “Clint Eastwood’s people called back and said, ‘We love Fred, but we are afraid if he appeared on the screen, they might start to laugh.’’’

Jerry Stiller

Jerry Stiller was a real sweetie and also very thoughtful. He sent me a lovely thank you note when I interviewed him and his wife, Anne Meara, in the early 1990s. When I talked to him for his son Ben Stiller’s remake of THE HEARTBREAK KID (2007), Stiller sent me a lovely bouquet of flowers. Ditto in 2010 when I interviewed the couple for a Yahoo! Web series Stiller & Meara: A Show About Everything. I also received Christmas cards until Meara died in 2015.

Baby boomers remember Stiller, who died at 92 in May, and Meara for their smart and sophisticated comedy act, in which the majority of the humor came from the fact that he was Jewish and she was born Irish Catholic. They recorded albums, were popular on the nightclub circuit and did The Ed Sullivan Show three dozen times. They split up their act when musical variety series went away.

Both were terrific dramatic actors. In fact, I saw Stiller in the 1984 Broadway production of Hurlyburly, David Rabe’s scathing look at Hollywood, and he did a 1997 production of Chekhov’s The Three Sisters. Of course, Stiller garnered even more success in his Emmy-nominated role as Frank Costanza, the caustic father of George (Jason Alexander) on NBC’s Seinfeld (1993-98) and was the best reason to watch CBS’ sitcom The King of Queens (1998-2007) as Kevin James’ acerbic father-in-law

But I most remember that 2010 interview where Stiller and Meara bantered back and forth much to my enjoyment. Here they talk about Ed Sullivan:

Anne: I never liked him.

Jerry: You are out of your mind. You never liked him?

Anne: He scared stuff out of me. I am talking about Mr. Sullivan himself. I wasn’t the only one. There were international favorites throwing up in the wings—singers and tenors and guys who spin plates. It was live. We were scared.

Jerry: Ed Sullivan brought us up to the level that we knew we never could get to – him standing there on the right side of the wings laughing, tears coming out of his eyes and then calling us over and saying, ‘You know, we got a lot of mail on that last show you did.’ I said, ‘From Catholic or Jewish people?’ He said, ‘The Lutherans.’”

#Jerry Stiller #brian dennehy #in memoriam #Fred Williard #Ben Stiller #TCM Classic Film Festival #LA Times #Susan King #TCM #Turner Classic Movies #comedians #actors

[douchebagbrainwaves]

WORK ETHIC AND ANYONE

There was then a fashionable type of program called an expert system, at the core of a language to feel restrictive. Though of course you have a hunch that something is worth doing, especially if you have what it takes to talk to you through a Web browser that you could easily surpass Silicon Valley is where it is because William Shockley wanted to move back to Palo Alto to have lunch at the fabulous Oren's Hummus. Sometimes inexperienced founders mistakenly conclude that manipulating these forces is the essence of Americanness. When a man runs off with his secretary, is it worth it? When a VC firm, understand what those are estimates of. When you use the organic method, you don't have to content themselves anymore with a proxy audience of a few thousand are startups. It's particularly good if there's an admixture of disdain in the big players' attitude, because that is the future. In the real world. And as long as it translates in a well-known investor who has just invested in you. The first users were all hackers—the Bay Area would be progressive. Html 4.

At this year's Boston Demo Day, when the stock was trading around $200, I sat down to write them. No, we don't need any outside help. It would not be likely to call an application. Plus series A terms, but the curve is just as hosed as Munich. If you can discuss a document with your colleagues, why can't you be more like being able to start startups. If you want to work on. When we started Viaweb.

As a kid there's a magic in small things that goes beyond such rational explanations. If it were, each successful startup would be able to pinch it off at the point where they could raise millions from VC funds if they hadn't had to write in spoken language, you'll be able to achieve the essayist's standard of proof, not the way Apple cares about the same things we said at the beginning of his career, an actor is a waiter who goes to work for the hot startup that's rapidly growing into one. From other hackers. Exclamation points are constituent characters, and do the same work, but it won't be if things change as much in the technology business. The truth is common property. I'm thinking this is somehow opposed to starting a company, you'll have to figure out a way to get rich can do it, then you're probably in a process that converges. What Customers Want It's not just because they so often work on developing new technology.

And when I'm writing an essay. Because they personally liked it. The difference is that wise means one has a high average may help support high peaks. But at this stage of their lives. These people might be your employees, or you might create a marketplace for optimization. But it often comes as a surprise to many people. All they care about is doing interesting work. Platform is a vague word. No device I've seen so far is Amazon's. In writing, as in: I can't believe it will happen, and it was about $300/month for big stores, so it was a label for whatever happened to be even more onerous than schoolwork. You couldn't get from your bed to the front door if you stopped to question everything I knew.

He was one of the most important reader. There are a handful of 8 peanuts, or a clothing retailer? The best we could do was Viaweb, which was great, because it makes raising money take longer and cost more in legal fees. In any case, it will be higher next time. Thanks to Chris Anderson, Trevor Blackwell, Paul Buchheit, Patrick Collison, Garry Tan, Albert Wenger, Fred Wilson, AirBedAndBreakfast Founders date: Fri, Jan 23,2009 at 12:21 AM subject: Re: airbnb Did they explain the long-term potential, but you'll also be in the best case these two suggestions get combined: you tell visitors what your site is catching on, or it won't germinate. In the things you learn when you need it in a box. I've wondered a lot about law and business, but in the personalities of the people I worked with were some of my best friends. And anyone who has written a program only to find on returning to it six months later we were bought by Yahoo for much more than writing commentaries on Plato or Aristotle while watching over their shoulders for the next several centuries the main work of European scholars, in almost every field, was to join big companies or investors. I've discovered a handy test for figuring out what you're addicted to. If you pitch your idea to them.

#automatically generated text #Markov chains #Paul Graham #Python #Patrick Mooney #handful #points #Jan #William

[angerinthenation]

Reading: The Lost Skill

A Commentary by Idris Salaam

YouTube videos and other sites that radicalized those Yahoos to do what they did on 6 January can also brainwash you the same way. The thing I learned about information online from ANY source: they can say one thing one day, and change it the next day. What you read today may be something someone you referred  differently the next day. Also, even when you read it, you may get half the story. The story you'll get is the one that angers you the most. I’m not knocking sites like Youtube. Youtube can give you a visual of a lot of things as well as the audio.  But the one thing I learned about books, once they're written they are done. You can buy a new edition, true. But if you get that earliest Edition, you'll get the whole truth.

The books I had shown are just a few of the books I have. Many of the books I have were written way before any of us were born. The Clansman and Rise of the Purple Sage are very old books. These are the ORIGINAL prints: The Clansman (1905), Riders (1912). I keep the US Constitution in my backpack at all times. The Clansman and Riders taught me the mindset within the ranks. "Riders" is a novel, but it teaches a lot once you get into the minds of the characters. 

 Read a Book... an old Book. If you don't have books on your shelves delving into the minds of the Human Being, you're walking through a dark tunnel with hidden doors. Reading an actual book can be mind stimulating. 

 Other books: • Why the Caged Bird Sings • Why Black People Tend To Shout  • The Quran • The Bible (1947, 1959 versions) • 48 Laws of Power • The Little Red Book • Nzinga • The Art of War 

#reading #reading is magic #reading is good for you #reading is sexy #reading is fundamental #woke niggas #woke movement #black power #black knowledge #knowledge is power #wisdom #idris salaam #boscoe from the bronx #bigboscoe productions

[radwolf76]

FLASHBack: Week 92 - www.Kubrick2001.com

So far on FLASHBack, we've covered over ninety Flash animations that were intended to amuse and entertain in some fashion or another, either with humor, stunning visuals, catchy music, or over the top action movie style violence. This time around, we're going to do things a bit differently, and look at a Flash that was made to educate the viewer on a particular point of view. In 1968 Stanley Kubrick released the landmark science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey, loosely based off of the short story "The Sentinel" by Arthur C. Clarke (Published in 1951 under the title "Sentinel of Eternity"). As a cinematographic work, Kubrick's intent was to leave its meaning up for interpretation, but this left many a moviegoer wondering just what it was they had watched. In honor of the fact that by one reconstruction of the story's timeline, this week in 2002 (September 21th to be exact), the spaceship at the core of the film, Discovery-1, launched from lunar orbit to set out for Jupiter, we're going to look at an early Flash animation that offers up one possible interpretation of 2001's themes and meaning.   The site www.kubrick2001.com went online, aptly enough, in the year 2001, on 20 January. In its original form, it was available in eight different languages, selectable in an interface patterned after the scene in the film where National Council of Astronautics Chairman Haywood Floyd checks in with voice print at Space Station V's Customs Desk. Over the years, another four languages have been added. They've also upgraded from Flash to mp4 video, at a 20x increase in file size. Their videos are also now upscaled from the original 550x290px Flash Animations to 720x1008px (vertical), targeting consumption on mobile devices. It has garnered many accolades, including a Golden Web Award for 2001-2002, USA Today's Hot Site of the Day, El Mejor Sitio de 2001 from Yahoo! en Español and mentions in major international newspapers such as O Dia, Le Monde, and la Repubblica.  

Now, normally on FLASHBack, there's an explanation of the content of the Flash. However this Flash is already an explanation, and we don't need to go deeper into the layers; this is supposed to be about Stanley Kubrick's 2001, not Christopher Nolan's Inception. (Though I can understand the confusion, the sets were pretty similar at a quick glance.) So, I'm going to follow the strategy of the very first FLASHBack post and just say go watch the thing, especially if you're familiar with 2001 itself. What I can do, however, is note some minor changes from the original Flash and its current video form.   At the end of the Dawn of Man section, where the commentary notes that when facing the Monolith on the Moon, man "shows none of the ape's fear and wonder", the Flash would go on to note "Instead, he makes a video ...". It's not clear why this line was cut from the script; It coincided with audio of Neil Armstrong's "One small step for (a) man", so it's possible it could have been cut to distance this commentary from the Moon Landing Deniers who claim Kubrick was in on the conspiracy, but the fact that the second half of the quote, "One giant leap for Mankind", remains in the current version makes that reasoning unlikely.   In the Jupiter Mission section, the scene where Bowman first goes outside the ship to retrieve the AE-35 unit is uncharitably described as "the scene where a lot of people get up and leave", this was later revised to a more neutral statement on the length of the scene. The offer to skip it is present in both, but in the original flash, there was a working skip button. The scene where HAL takes over the EVA Pod by remote control to attack Poole during his spacewalk has been re-edited: The original is a straight zoom in whereas the current version makes it clear that the target is Poole's air hose. Another edit occurs at the scene where HAL refuses to open the Pod Bay doors for Dave: where the mp4 version asks "Game over?", the original Flash reads "The computer has won" followed by several cuts back and forth from the EVA Pod's view of Discovery and Discovery's view of the Pod, echoing the back and forth of the dialogue during the standoff in the scene from the film. One final difference in this section is that the original flash labeled the screwdriver.   Unfortunately as this Flash was structured as a main Flash that loaded other Flash files in the background, I haven't been able to find an archived version of the final section to compare to the modern video version. It is worth noting however, that the current version pays homage to the notion that Pink Floyd's song Echoes synchs up nicely with the opening to the Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite portion of the film.   And on that musical note, we'll close for this week. Next week, more music.

#radwolf76FLASHBack #Adobe Flash #Flash Animation #early 2000s #early web #www.Kubrick2001.com #2001: a space odyssey #Stanley Kubrick #Arthur C. Clarke #film theory #film analysis #multilingual #Pink Floyd #Echoes #Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite #yes that IS the inspiration for “To INFINITY and BEYOND” #the original script wanted it to be Saturn #SFX Lead Doug Trumbull couldn't get a convincing Saturn effect on the schedule needed so they changed it to Jupiter #He kept at the problem even after 2001 wrapped #a few years later he became a director and made Silent Running because he figured it out

[leighlim]

How do you know if it’s the end?

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(Hopefully by this point you’ve finished all episodes of Season 1, the kind of person who isn’t bothered by spoilers, or are just deciding if you still want to keep watching.)

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The end of a project....a marriage....a friendship....

(Here’s an interesting thought: Therapy between friends?)

I thought that screenshot of Celeste and Perry would be a good fit to what was featured in the ‘Inside The Episode’ for Episode 3: What happened to Jane.

Although we don’t get the revelation until the third act of the season finale...I did figure out at some point (not sure if it was this episode or shortly after --- it was the fact that Perry traveled a lot. Then the whole possibility of realising that he may not be traveling for business....but to find women to victimise....)

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HIGHLIGHT:

INT. MS. BREWSTER'S OFFICE - DAY

MADELINE and ABIGAIL are sitting across MS. BREWSTER.

MS. BREWSTER Her GPA was 3.9 coming into the year, do you know, it's early. We don't have to panic...

ABIGAIL'S Phone chimes and she goes to silence it.

MADELINE What are you doing? Stop that.

MS. BREWSTER But to see such a presipitious drop in performance makes me think that there's usually something going on---

MADELINE whips to her daughter.

MADELINE Are you taking drugs?

MS. BREWSTER No, it's not drugs.

ABIGAIL gives mother a glance, rolls her eyes, and shakes her head. Way...way off base lady.

ABIGAIL Please.

She lifts up her hand to obscure her mother from view. Extremely embarrassed that it has come to this.

MADELINE Then what is this about? Is this about a boy?

MS. BREWSTER Medeline? Sorry, is it okay if I call you Madeline?

The 'bulldog' pounces.

MADELINE As opposed to what? Arthur?

A bolt of self awareness...MADELINE pivots.

MADELINE I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yes, you can call me Madeline.

MS. BREWSTER It seems that Abigail is under a bit of stress at home.

MADELINE Is this about Ed threatening your father? Did he tell you about that?

The teen shakes her head.

ABIGAIL It isn't that. Um...

She fiddles with her hands...and turns to MS. BREWSTER for assitance.

MADELINE Then what's it about, honey?

The MS. BREWSTER gives ABIGAIL an encouraging nod.

ABIGAIL I feel this burden or pressure. I don't know how to be perfect.

ABIGAIL shakes...and turns to her hands.

MADELINE Excuse me?

ABIGAIL Whether it's...I need to get into Stanford---

MADELINE If this is about the SATs---

MS. BREWSTER Maybe you should just let her finish.

MADELINE I'm speaking to my daughter right now---

ABIGAIL Mom!

MADELINE sushes and turns back to her daughter.

Heavy silence.

MS. BREWSTER Go ahead. She can handle it.

MADELINE braces for the worst.

MADELINE Handle what?

ABIGAIL There are a lot of high-powered women that live here.

ABIGAIL looks at her mother.

ABIGAIL Some run banks. Others run Google or Yahoo. And...

ABIGAIL gives MS. BREWSTER another glance. Drawing that next bit of courage.

ABIGAIL ...sometimes I feel like you're grooming me to get to a place you, um, couldn't.

MADELINE is silent. Really listening this time.

ABIGAIL I think it would be best if I go live with Dad for a while.

MADELINE reels...it is one of the most hurtful things a mother could hear.

MADELINE (struggles to get it out) I just did not...

She turns MS. BREWSTER.

ABIGAIL I feel like I can't be myself at home.

MADELINE Have you been discussing this with him?

ABIGAIL No. I don't even think I was totally away of how much I...Until Ms Brewster and I started talking.

MADELINE glares at MS. BREWSTER like she's stolen her daughter.

ABIGAIL Mom, I just need a change, okay? I think it would be better for me, spiritually.

MADELINE brethes deeply. Now ready to accept the inevitable.

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My verdict of the episode: 7/10 (I think every one would get either a 6 or a 7)

Link to the timestamp commentary: None (I wasn’t expecting to watch the whole thing....which I ended up doing)

#TV #HBO #Big Little Lies #Living the Dream #Season 1 #S01E03 #Couples Therapy #Moving Out #Family Dynamics #David E. Kelley #Reese Witherspoon #Madeline Martha Mackenzie #Madeline Mackenzie #Nicole Kidman #Celeste Wright #Shailene Woodley #Jane Chapman #Alexander Skarsgård #Perry Wright #Adam Scott #Ed Mackenzie #James Tupper #Nathan Carlson #Iain Armitage #Ziggy Chapman

[thewallofmilessimpson]

The way I talk about people is CLASSIC

Commentary: It is everyone’s fault except Miles, huh? #frymiles Sounds like the only asshole here is you. Was any of this Kevin’s business? First, you’re telling this guy all of your sister Sheila’s business - did you ever think maybe you should keep things to yourself? Next, you’re telling this guy about your cousin Ronnie’s business, and then you call both of them assholes? You go on to talk about your cousin Jimmy’s daughter, Monica. Your cousin (the daughter who is still your cousin, and half your age) is so hot and you want to fuck her... but wait, she is crazy and you are afraid she will kill your sleep? Thought you needed a care taker Miles? Oh? You only wanted Sheila to be your caretaker, right? But you wouldn’t pay her or help her in return? Pretty sure Sheila dropped everything and came running every single time you called for help and Ronnie (with the terminal cancer) helped you a lot too.

Re: Checking on you!Yahoo/Sent

Miles Simpson <[email protected]>To:Kevin StrattonTue, Jan 30, 2018 at 11:52 AMHey Kevin, Funny you wrote today. I was writing you yesterday and had half the letter written and poof I looked up and it was gone except for two sentences. I was pissed and quit. I’m having sister problems. I knew it would happen it was just a matter of time. When Mom died Sheila and I split Mom’s money 50/50. We each got 24k. I told her in the bank parking lot that the “Bush Bank” was offically closed because she would hit Mom up for a thousand here two thousand there all the time. I told her she should pay off her loans and car note because I was not going to give her money like Mom. Well she’s broke and over drawn $450. She’s been begging me for money. She actually  said “ you’ve got the money I don’t see why you won’t give it to me.” Two minutes after I hung up with her Ronnie called “hey Cuz can I borrow $20?” I told him no. I’m trying to teach these assholes how to add and subtract. My cousin Jimmy is a big oil rig company man lives in Thailand and has for 35 years. He married a Thai girl and they had two girls. The girls have been living in California for most of their life. One is Monica and 30 years old looks 20 and fine as can be. Jimmy called me a few days ago wanting to know if Monica can come live with me. He said she can help me. I’m thinking something is fucked up. Come to find out Monica has psych problems and their trying to unload a problem on me. All I can think about is her on top of me fucking the shit out of me but it would probably be more like waking up with a knife to my throat. He’s suppose to call me today and I’m going to tell him I have enough problems no thanks. Well Amigo it’s time to eat and about time for somebody to call and see if the Bush Bank is open. Later, Miles On Jan 30, 2018, at 9:26 AM, Kevin Stratton <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Miles > > How are you doing my friend? I sure hope your a whole bunch better? Sorry I have not written earlier but I have been busy remodeling upstairs and it is getting bigger up there since I added the front deck 400 square into the house. So now it will be 3 bedrooms 2 and a half baths. And then I will remodel downstairs which is just changing out the sheetrock in spots as the termites ate some of the paper on the outside and a couple of sheets. Then I will also redo the bathroom as some tiles are cracked. Then I will have my man cave downstairs and Connie and Myles will have the upstairs till I come to bed. Then I am going to put a shower on the half bath of the office and make the office into a studio apartment. Also I am doing all this work to rent it out while I am up in the states driving around a diesel pusher RV that I will buy off EBAY.  Then we might sell everything and move to the states after getting Connie her green card and be working on her citizenship for the states as she is pretty sure once Myles is in high school it would be better for him to be up there going to school. I am not sure at all that I would move back but maybe if I drive a RV around the states for a year or so I might find a new place that I never thought of living at. But I did not move down here to leave my island home.  It will be over a year to get my remodeling completed if I don't go broke first. But I hope to get the RV going as it is my last big adventure before I die. Don't worry I will be parking in your yard for a couple of weeks a few times as I want to see more of you before we get too old.Well I finally have my social security all caught up as I found the last 3 missing checks. I fedexed them to the bank and that cost me $75 for a envelope to get up there.  So now with the bank account I set up with Bank of America direct deposit. I just got my new set of glasses so I am seeing a little better for a old guy like me. Anyway take care my friend I hope to see you sooner than later!!! > > Later amigo > k

#frymiles

[jasonpeglia]

Doing Time

The investigation was going well all things considered- up until this point, Jason thinks to himself as a red dot appears on his chest. “....Hi.”

“Stay where you are.” A guard shoots back, to which Jason obliges. “I-this isn’t what it looks like.” He says. The guard arches an eyebrow.

“It looks like you’re breaking and entering the museum.”

“Well-okay, that’s fair.”

A few days prior, Jason had received intel about about paranormal disturbances in the Sumerian exhibition at the history museum; prompting the need for him to come off hours. The intel about the tightening of security due to a valuable item being housed in the museum, unfortunately, hadn’t made it to him. His heart pounded in his ears as another dot takes its place on his shirt, and he notices that neither are coming from the guard standing in front of him-herself gripping something small and plastic he couldn’t make out.

The guard speaks again. “Step away from the statue, sir.” Puzzled, Jason hazards a glance behind him at a very old bust of Inanna, draped in gold wrought Lapis Lazuli. “Oh! No, this is a misunderstanding!” He says, gesturing to an old tablet on display next to it. “I’m not here to steal-“

“-I won’t ask again, sir.”

“I was trying to get close enough to pick up EMF traces on the cuneiform…” he begins to explain, gesturing to his reader in his left hand.

“-He’s got a weapon!”

As it so happened, the thing in the guard’s hands was a taser. Jason seized up, dropping the reader and, following after its trajectory, hit the floor. It would’ve been comical if he wasn’t experiencing a vast amount of pain. His muscles all locked and spasmed as the currents shot through his body. He twitched on the ground, gaping at the cracked EMF detector who’s parts were now spilled on the floor.

Deciding that this was enough for one day, Jason’s mind kindly vacated the premises. Hands reach for him, cuff his wrists, as he tries his best to remember the transcript for “The War of the Worlds”

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is Carl Phillips, speaking to you from the observatory at Princeton….

Distantly he was aware of being picked up, of officers speaking to one another about him.

“No weapons or anything, just this e-garbage...”

“/must’ve turned off the alarm system somehow.”

“He doesn’t look like a threat…”

...Professor, would you please tell our radio audience exactly what you see as you observe the planet Mars through your telescope...

Someone pushes his head into the back of a cop car. “Pretty sure he really was just here for a fuckin ghost story, I’ve seen some of his crap.”

“Yeah, I used to watch his stuff until a year ago, the videos got really….no ones sure what happened to him. Guy just flew off the handle. Maybe he always was…”

...Hardly, mister Philips. This is probably a meteorite of unusual size and it’s arrival at this time is merely a coincidence…...

The car rumbled away from the museum. Unfairly, he was becoming aware of his body again as they pulled up to the station.

He frantically picked at the nail polish on his fingertips, knowing already he couldn’t afford whatever this bail was going to be.

...well, I...I hardly know where to begin, to paint for you a word picture of the strange scene before my…..my…..

“Snap out of it.” A cop says, opening his side of the door.

...Fuck, Carl Phillips concluded.

Back in the real world, Jason came to terms with the abysmal situation.

Oh, I am not going to do well in jail.

—————————————————————

“-so in a lot of ways Texas Chainsaw Massacre sort of created the ‘slasher’ genre as we know it today, right, for its time it was out there. Like, it basically was the first of its kind,plus the political commentary meant it was almost impossible for the film to find a theatre willing to screen it...” Jason rambles, gesturing in his excitement as he lies back in the cot. The other convicts nod thoughtfully at that and murmur to each other.

“You’re pretty sharp, little man.” A heavily tattooed prisoner calls from the next cell.

“Thanks, Snakebite.”

“Please, call me snake.”

Jason’s cell mate crosses his massive arms as he sizes him up. “Mmm, not so sharp if asking me.” He says in a thick Russian accent, and knits his brow. “If he sharp he ask his mother for bail money. Get out of this shithole. But he is too proud.”

“I’m not….”

“Well, let him keep his pride,Ivan!.” Another prisoner pipes up.

“You speak to me that way again and I break your kneecaps, Crazy Pete.”

Jason sits up to look at the two. “Wait, guys, come on…” he opts to look down at his hands. “I, uh, did. Yeah. Actually.”

Ivan strokes his beard. “And yet you are here…”

Snakebite looks for guards and offers a flask through the bars. “Yeah, what happened J-man?”

Jason politely takes the flask but doesn’t drink. “What-uh, what’s this?”

Ivan grabs it and takes a swig. “If you need to ask, you do not want it my friend. Now, explain please.”

Jason sighs and crosses his legs. “So, you’re right, I didn’t call her at first but a few days ago I asked for the bail money. And now….” he drums his fingers on his knees. “Still here. She had the money, just….wants me to simmer a bit I think. Reflect on my life choices or whatever.”

The convicts break out in a general murmur of dissatisfaction “that’s not right…”

“Some mind game bullshit/”

“See, this is why I pushed mine down those stairs…”

Jason raised a hand in protest. “I thought she fell?”

Crazy Pete shrugs. “I helped.”

“I-okay, let’s not get out of hand…” he says, steepling his fingers. “It’s…..my dad isn’t in the picture and I-“ he thinks of all the night terrors, the meltdowns, as he stares through his hands. “I was not the easiest kid to raise, guys.”

Ivan pats him roughly on the shoulder. “You were kid. That is all.” He says.

Snakebite motions for the flask back.

“Yeah, man….sounds to me like you’re shifting blame onto your inner child instead of listening to what he needs.” He says sagely, as Ivan palms the flask back to him. Jason looks up, considering this.

“That’s….very wise, Snake.”

“I gotcha, J” he responds, giving a wink. Jason smiles shyly at the lot of them. “Honestly, maybe I’m better off in here with you….”

Crazy Pete nods enthusiastically. “You can join my gang!” He presses his face between the bars and in a stage whisper continues. “I broke my secret pen in half, and Ivey can give you the tattoo, right pal?”

“I will not be doing this.” Ivan states plainly.

“Oh come on Ivan, I disinfected it.”

“How you disinfect?”

“Don’t worry about it, I just did okay? Let the kid decide.”

Jason considers the offer for a moment before seeing Snakebite and Ivan shaking their heads no.

“Uh…”

“Why do you wanna stay around here, J-ster?” Snakebite interjects, shooting Crazy Pete down with a glare. Jason exhales harshly. “Well, my life’s-not….going super well.”

“You are in prison!”

“Yeah, thanks Pete. Uh, so I am….” he tilts his head side to side. “Was a YouTuber or whatever. But I had….a revelation, which others preferred to call a nervous breakdown, and now I’m the laughing stock of the internet.” He pinches his face in frustration. “So I’m ruined. And my life is over. Basically. It’s like no one cares about the truth out there-“

“I’m with you Jason!”

“Not helping my case, crazy Pete.”

Ivan regards him for a moment, and then sits heavily next to Jason on the cot.

“My friend, I do not know if you are well versed in Classical Greek performance tradition” he starts.

Snakebite groans. “Please, Ivan, enough with the theatre history.”

“Hey. Fuck your mother.” Ivan says amicably, before continuing his speech.

“There was actor in Ancient Greece at the time called Hegelochos ok. Famed tragedian, you know why? One night he misspeaks his line in the play. In ancient Greek, storm and weasel sound similar. Hegelochos trips up on saying ‘I see a storm’ says in front of everyone ‘I see a weasel…’ boom. Everybody laugh at him. Comedic playwrights reference it in their work, poets write about the incident. And thanks to everyone talking about his line we know of mistake today, hundreds of years later.”

Jason looks at him quizzically. “Okay…?”

Ivan nods. “Very embarrassing for poor Hegelochos. But we remember him. He wrote his name into history with that.”

“Yeah, but for the wrong reasons.” Jason responds. “I don’t want to be remembered, I want people to take me seriously.”

Ivan frowns. “You think great actor Hegelochos wanted that? But we don’t choose what we are remembered for, my friend. All we can do is try to live authentically, and like minded people will listen. Fuck everyone else.” He gets to eye level with Jason, serious. “You believe in what you’re doing? Okay, maybe is bullshit. Maybe not. But you have seen the weasel now, and is up to you to decide what you’re going to do with it. People laugh at you but they have to listen to laugh. You speak your truth, Hegelochos. People who think like you do will see the kindred soul. And maybe they say, ‘here is a guy speaking what I think, and unafraid of yahoos that laugh. I speak too.’ Understand?”

Crazy Pete nods emphatically. “We see the weasel, J.”

Snakebite joins in. “Yeah, you won us over being yourself, J-tron. I’m sure there’s others. Fuck mainstream.”

Jason fiddles with his glasses, eventually shooting a smile at his new friends. “.....you guys always know what to say. You’re right. I...saw the weasel. it’s up to me to decide what I’m going to do with it.”

The prisoners break out in another murmur of general agreement. “Thanks, snake, Ivan, crazy Pete, and...uh…” he squints at the other figure in Pete’s cell that’s lying on the cot. “....I never got his name, does he just sleep all the time?”

Crazy Pete shoots him a quizzical look. “What, that guy? Oh, he’s dead bro.”

“What?”

The clack of shoes on linoleum echoes down the hall, which falls silent. “Tell them he’s dead!” Jason mouths to Pete.

“I like the quiet!” He mouths back. Snakebite wrinkles his nose in disgust, and Ivan leans his head into his hands. Before they can discuss the matter further, a guard stands outside of Jason and Ivan’s cell. “Jason Peglia?” He tears his eyes away from the guy on the cot. “...hey.”

The door swings open. “Come with us to collect your things.”

He hesitates, casting another glance around at his friends. Snakebite reaches a hand through the bars for a fist bump, which Jason delivers. He turns to face Ivan next, and makes to say something but is squeezed into a bear hug.

“Keep your head up, my friend. May our paths cross again someday.” Jason wheezes slightly, patting him on the back. “Thanks.” He offers a wave to all three before following the guard out of the cell. Crazy Pete gives a thumbs up, followed by pressing a finger to his lips. “....take care, Pete.”

Feeling considerably better after his stint in prison, Jason pulls out his phone as he steps onto a bus; in search of any sign in the news of something paranormal.

#oc writing #motw oc #ocs #motw #flake

[your-dietician]

NBA 2021 mock draft roundup — June 28

New Post has been published on https://tattlepress.com/nba/nba-2021-mock-draft-roundup-june-28/

NBA 2021 mock draft roundup — June 28

Just over a month away from the 2021 NBA Draft, it’s time for Denver Stiffs to begin its coverage of the next wave of potential NBA stars and the next step in their journey to the big leagues. Denver Stiffs will be releasing plenty of draft content over the next month, culminating in an all day affair on July 29th, 2021. The Denver Nuggets have the 26th overall pick and will most likely select a player (or two) to add to their playoff core for the next several years. In preparation for that, Denver Stiffs will be putting together draft profiles, big boards, and various rankings with the hope of informing readers on the next wave of draftees.

In this piece, we begin with a roundup of several mock drafts from the most trusted sources around the internet. One of the major mock drafts listed below had connected Zeke Nnaji and the Nuggets at 22nd overall in last year’s draft for a significant amount of time beforehand. So, there’s something to be gleaned from hearing what the experts have to say about Denver’s draft options.

Every two weeks, Denver Stiffs will be revisiting the mock draft roundup as information changes and players move up and down draft boards. For now, let’s take a look at who the experts have the Nuggets selecting at 26th overall this year:

SB Nation – Ricky O’Donnell, June 22

26. Denver Nuggets – Joel Ayayi, G, Gonzaga

Ayayi was the best fourth option in the country playing on a Gonzaga team that started three All-Americans in Suggs, Kispert, and returning center Drew Timme. The 6’5 French guard was a perfect complementary piece playing in such a talented ecosystem, providing spot-up shooting (39 percent from three on 95 attempts) and supplemental playmaking for the second most efficient college basketball offense since 2002. Ayayi isn’t a brilliant creator off the dribble and will have to add muscle to his frame, but it feels like he can be a nice addition to a Denver backcourt that was ravaged by injuries last season.

Like O’Donnell stated above, Ayayi was a perfect complementary piece to an efficient Gonzaga offense. He shot 36.0% from three-point range and an absurd 64.3% from two-point range in his three-year stint with the Bulldogs. Listed at 6’5 and 180 pounds, Ayayi may need to add some muscle to play a wing position. Still, he’d be helpful for a Nuggets backcourt that will be vertically challenged at times with Monte Morris and Facundo Campazzo playing major roles.

Check out the full SB Nation mock draft here.

ESPN – Jonathan Givony, June 22

26. Denver Nuggets – Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois

Adding quality wing depth should be a priority for the Nuggets, who will likely be without Jamal Murray next season and will see several rotation players enter free agency. Dosunmu was one of the best players in the college game and looks like an easy fit in the NBA game as a versatile 3-and-D guard with strong competitive traits. He can defend multiple positions and has strong role-playing potential operating alongside stars.

Dosunmu is an intriguing three-year college player from Illinois who has great size for the point guard position and solid defensive skills. He was given the Bob Cousy award for best collegiate point guard this year, an award given to players like Payton Pritchard, Ja Morant, and Jalen Brunson in each of the last three seasons. Dosunmu’s game should translate well as a combo guard at the next level, and the Nuggets could always use more playmakers with defensive skills.

Check out the full ESPN mock draft here.

The Athletic – Sam Vecenie, June 22

26. Denver Nuggets – Greg Brown, F, Texas

The player: Brown is all over the place for NBA teams. On one hand, he’s one of the most explosive athletes in the class, a genuinely elite explosiveness guy as a leaper who can sky as a dunker and weak-side shot blocker. He showed some flashes as a shooter. If the right team can develop his game, he has the upside of a starter. Or at the very least, as a useful rotation player as an energetic backup center. Look at how guys like John Collins, Blake Griffin and Marcus Morris have had success playing bigger in the playoffs. It’s valuable if you can find the right guy. Brown’s athleticism gives him a shot to be that guy if he can get stronger and shoot it.

The fit: The idea would be to take a flier on someone who can eventually play in a frontcourt with Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic. Brown is a strong fit if his game comes together, and the Nuggets have a history of trusting their developmental staff to improve players and set them up for success. It’ll take Brown a year or two, but the Nuggets have proven patient, and he’s such a strong fit if it works that I’d love to see him end up here.

Brown would be a project player for the Nuggets who almost certainly wouldn’t play in his first season in the NBA. At such a young age, that wouldn’t be the expectation, but the Nuggets would hope for quick progress from an athletic forward like Brown, whose athleticism and leaping ability stick out in a major way. He wasn’t a great college player, and there aren’t many instances of freshman with subpar shooting indicators suddenly being able to contribute to high level NBA playoff basketball. Still, if the Nuggets deem Brown worthy of a flyer, then it’s because they’re willing to be patient once again.

Check out the full The Athletic mock draft here.

Bleacher Report – Jonathan Wasserman, June 22

26. Denver Nuggets – Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois

Wasserman didn’t share any specific thoughts on Dosunmu to the Nuggets in this piece, but he has had Dosunmu connected to the Nuggets before. Wasserman has ranked Dosunmu in the 30 to 50 range on his NBA Draft big board as it has evolved over the last few months.

The Nuggets have been known to reach on prospects they like or that fit a nee as well as apply the best player available approach at different times. Both strategies have produced hits for Denver, and neither is explicitly a better option for where the Nuggets currently stand as a franchise. They need role players to contribute around their stars, but they also need top end talent to sustain their contention window.

Which category Dosunmu falls into remains to be seen, though it appears that Wasserman would call this selection a reach for Denver based on need.

Check out the full Bleacher Report mock draft here.

The Ringer – Kevin O’Connor, June 25

26. Denver Nuggets – Rokas Jokubaitis, G, Žalgiris Kaunas

The Nuggets have done a great job of acquiring high-IQ talent who can vibe with Nikola Jokic, which is why Jokubaitis makes sense as a project to grow in their system. He brings a craftiness to the floor, and with Will Barton and Facundo Campazzo both set to hit free agency in the next two offseasons and Jamal Murray recovering from a torn ACL, Denver could use backcourt support.

Jokubaitis isn’t one of the names I’m most familiar with, but as an international player in a Lithuanian league, the Nuggets are uniquely connected to parts of the basketball world otherwise under-discussed by folks like me. Žalgiris Kaunas is a EuroLeague team where American players like Thomas Walkup and Nigel Hayes are playing, while old friend Joffrey Lauvergne, so for a 20-year-old like Jokubaitis, it will have been good professional experience. O’Connor compares the young Lithuanian to Tomas Satoransky in the NBA and highlights his playmaking skills at 6’4 as reasons for the Nuggets to take a chance on him.

Check out the full Ringer mock draft here.

Yahoo – Krysten Peak, June 23

26. Denver Nuggets – Jared Butler, G, Baylor

Peak didn’t share any additional commentary on the selections in the back half of the first round, but the Butler selection is very much in the Monte Morris mold. After winning a championship with Baylor in his junior season, earning consensus All-American first team as well as Big 12 All-Defensive first team along with his teammates Davion Mitchell and Mark Vital, Butler will look to carve out a role at the NBA level. He won Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA tournament this year, so he’s likely to do so in my eyes.

As more of a point guard than a shooting guard, he’d have a difficult time finding an immediate role in Denver, though he would be great insurance for Monte Morris and Facundo Campazzo. When Jamal Murray returns to full health though, it’s unlikely that any point guards outside of Murray and Morris would have a significant role. Still, if Butler is the best player available, then he would be a good selection for the long term.

Check out the full Yahoo Sports draft here.

CBS Sports – Gary Parrish, June 22

26. Denver Nuggets – Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee

Jaden Springer made above 43% of his 3-point attempts in his one season of college, which is an encouraging stat even if it was on limited attempts. Among the youngest players in this draft, he could develop into an important piece that upgrades Denver’s backcourt.

Springer is one of the youngest players in the draft but also has some of the best shooting indicators for long term success. He shot 43.5% from three-point range at Tennessee (albeit on just 46 attempts) and he also shot 81% from the free throw line to back those shooting numbers up. Measuring at roughly 6’4 with a 6’8 wingspan at the NBA Draft combine, Springer shows an ability to drive into the lane, absorb contact, and make great decisions while in the teeth of the defense. Doing so at such a young age is encouraging.

The Nuggets could add Springer in the way they added RJ Hampton last year and expect him not to play. He projects to be a player they could utilize though, and his basketball IQ appears wise beyond his years. He would be a great fit next to Murray in the Nuggets offense led by Nikola Jokić, and he’d be my choice among all players if he were on the board at 26th overall.

Check out the full CBS Sports mock draft here.

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[romancescams]

The Tragic Story Of Khadijat

This is the story of a young woman who was murdered as a part of a Nigerian Yahoo Ritual.

The following is reprinted from the Nigerian New Media. We are reprinting it as written. It will sound odd, and that is the reason.

THERE is a sense in which the recent murder of Miss Khadijat Adenike Oluboyo, the daughter of the immediate past deputy governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, allegedly at the hands of her lover of eight years, represents a sad commentary on the abyss into which national values have sunk in Nigeria. Not only does the narrative of Khadijat’s killing drip with the increasingly loose, lewd and base direction of youth life, it also poignantly shows how futile the attempt to affect their cognition and thought processes through education has been. A university graduate, Khadihat’s lover had, without qualms, told the police how he was recruited into the gang of dupes called yahoo boys, thus confirming the claim of the bereaved father that his daughter was murdered for purposes of money-making rituals.

Khadijat was killed in the bid for voodoo money which social commentators affirm is the latest fad in town among “the big boys.” The big boys are the noveaux riches who have little or no means of livelihood but cultivate extravagant lifestyles through fraud and various wild schemes and scams. Max Weber, the famous 19th century social scientist, once posited that one of the “functions of science was to disenchant the universe,” by which he meant the suspension of myths and superstitions. But in Nigeria, young people are returning to the medieval age and resurrecting myths and superstitions in their quest for the means with which to cope with modern-day challenges.

Their peers in the West, people like Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, have created immense wealth for themselves using their ingenuity and intellect. They created universal platforms for social communication through digital technology. Sadly, however, Nigerian youths would prefer the bizarre method of gory and gruesome murder to, in their wild imagination, attract wealth through voodoo. Often, people are propelled into action by their knowledge and persuasions and it is tragic that the country’s youths seem to have been persuaded, ensnared and obviously propelled into these bizarre actions by atavism. They must have watched their fathers in politics and the bureaucracy visiting shrines and thought it fit and proper to replicate such means for immediate social prominence. This is certainly a development for which a disoriented society like Nigeria must take the rap.

The youths pick their models from their immediate environment in politics and business and, to be frank, there aren’t many in these sectors to provide any positive inspiration. Many of these youths are more disoriented than the society that has produced them. They want immediate gratification in their quest for sudden wealth. The gap of inequality between the rich and the poor has also increased the desperation among the people. They seek immediate wealth with scant regard for the legitimacy or otherwise of the means for doing so. There is also the influence of peer groups on these youths. Truth be told, the older generation is not quite exemplary in form and content, and is offering no help to the incoming generations.

It is unfortunate and regrettable that these youths are already too immersed in living on the fast lane to have any sense of moral rectitude and retrace their steps. To a great extent, parents and guardians have been negligent in giving them a positive direction during their socialisation processes. For the youths, for whom experts insist that examples are better than precepts, it is little wonder that they have eventually turned up the way they have. The Nigerian society, in particular government at all levels, must urgently contemplate redeeming these disoriented youths for the sake of the country’s future.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other information agencies have a great responsibility to offer a moral compass through the available platforms to influence the thinking of the youths and hopefully their eventual actions. It is dangerous to have the young generation hooked to an obviously redundant belief system in a world gravitating towards science, technology and artificial intelligence. In that world, they will be savages long overdue for extinction. We commiserate with the Oluboyos and wish them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Needless to say, the killer must get his just deserts.

To most of us, it is incomprehensible how human beings can be used in rituals to steal from others. Yet the Nigerian subculture of Yahoo Yahoo (Yahoo Boys or Yahoo Plus) does exactly that.

Important Lessons Every Single Lady Should Learn from Adenike Khadijat’s Death

From another article about this tragedy:

Important Lessons Every Single Lady Should Learn from Adenike Khadijat’s Death

News abut the tragic death of Adenike Khadijat, daughter of immediate past Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Olugbenga Oluboyo, is currently trending.

Adenike, who was reported missing a few days ago was found dead in Akure, the state capital, at her boyfriend’s house, Vanguardreports. Sources say they had been dating for a couple of years but broke up for a long while, and recently reconnected.

She was reportedly found dead under the bed of her Abuja-based boyfriend, Adeyemi Alao, in Oke-Aro area of the city on Thursday, after she was allegedly murdered for money rituals, Guardian reports.

Reports state that Khadijat, who lived at State House Villa, around the permanent site of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and was a final year student of the institution, was reported missing for six days by her friends and family.

While confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, noted that the body of the deceased was found, following a tip-off. Joseph added that some arrests had been made in connection with the death of Khadijat, assuring that full briefing would be conducted in the next 48 hours by the command after the completion of investigations.

This is sad news , the whole incident  got me really worried because I feel like as single ladies, we need to be cautious and smart when dealing with the opposite sex. I mean, no lady should risk her life for the sake of any relationship.

The rate at which young men with evil intentions are looking for money these days is very alarming. They can take drastic measures to achieve wealth overnight. While we’re not accusing Alao of killing his girlfriend (because innocent until proven guilty right? Plus investigations are still ongoing), there is no doubt that she died under very suspicious circumstances while visiting him.

Given the situation, I would like to share some safety tips for all the young women out there who are currently in a relationship or about to go on a first date:

Please tell your bestie, sister or anybody close to you about your weekend getaway with boo. Your safety is very important.

If you are meeting boo for the first time after a long time, I would advice that you meet at a public place instead of a private location i.e his house. This is to ensure that if things start to go awry, you are in control of the situation since you are on neutral ground. People do change, keep that in mind.

3.  Be wary of the new friends you make, especially anyone introduced by a business associate or friends. Don’t socialize with strangers too soon and be very sensitive

4. Trust your intuition.

5. Limit your alcohol consumption when visiting anyone, I guess ladies can be easily taken advantage of when they are intoxicated.

Adenike Khadijat

Miss Adenike Khadijat Oluboyo

Adenike-Oluboyo

Her Killer: Adeyemi Alao popularly known as QS

Her Killer: Adeyemi Alao popularly known as QS

Adenike-Oluboyo

Adenike Khadijat

Adenike-Oluboyo

Important Lessons Every Single Lady Should Learn from Adenike Khadijat’s Death

The Tragic Story Of Khadijat The Tragic Story Of Khadijat This is the story of a young woman who was murdered as a part of a Nigerian Yahoo Ritual.

#Adeyemi Alao #Culture of Scamming #Killer #Lasisi Oluboyo #Miss Adenike Khadijat Oluboyo #Nigeria Scams #Nigerian scammers #Ondo State #QS #Romance Scams #Story Of Khadijat #Western Africa #Yahoo #YAHOO BOYS #Yahoo plus #Yahoo Plus Rituals #Yahoo Rituals #Yahoo Yahoo

[braindamageforbeginners]

Self-doubt

If there's one little takeaway from these dark little lullabies of mine, it's that having cancer is unimaginably isolating (especially if you're under 40 - while everyone else is establishing their career and starting families, my ambitions are significantly lower, and much, much harder to achieve). Case in point, I was at dinner with some family friends, and I mentioned my newly-modified diet to the waitress (lots of fruits and vegetables and protein)(again, if you're enjoying it, you need another helping of carrots). She wanted to know if I had any dangerous dietary restrictions or chemo interactions. She did it out of concern and compassion, but it's still a reminder that I'm now a member of The Others, no matter where I am. I guess I should be happy I have passing privileges, but I do kind of wonder how many of us just get so dejected and discouraged that we give up. Or get tired and screw up when organizing prescriptions and appointments.

Also, I was recently contacted by another friend whose father got a glioma. Like me, both of these friends have enough of a clinical background to know that are good and bad decisions, even with the relatively limited options for brain cancer. Both of them wanted to know if I had any insight onto how to deal with that new found sense of maddening self-doubt.

Because I’m me, I have no fool-proof way of dealing that, but I will offer the following advice: do whatever it takes to stop that from allowing you to make decisions, even bad ones. Again, I'm on some interesting psychiatric drugs these days, or, if a hip-flask is more your thing, go for it. We make all sorts of noise about pill-shaming, I've talked about it at length, you're not going to be useful-much less survive, if you're curled into the fetal position sobbing (I know that's unhelpful because that was my first approach). Same goes for family members or caretakers. And if you're not okay with Prozac, that's fine, too, just do whatever it takes to jolt yourself out of panic or numbness and back to somewhat effective decision-making, because you're you're now on the clock Second, to use the old Yiddish expression, "If your grandmother had balls, she'd be your grandfather," you'll drive yourself crazy with hypotheticals (I know I still do). That's also counterproductive, and you are going to need to be at your most productive and intelligent. To keep stealing from pop culture, I'm playing this like Matt Damon from The Martian - I've got a list of things that will kill me tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year, subdivided into things I can and can't solve. I'm not usually too bothered about things I can't solve because, if I've been careful, logical, and observant, it's going to take every bit of my energy and time just getting to next month. As previously-mentioned, it’s not a great way to live, but the operative word in that sentence is “live.”

I also realize that I have a bit of an advantage with the Warlocks invested in keeping me alive long enough to figure my disease out. Original Research Coordinator mentioned that they're always recruiting for trials for recurrences and metastasis (even though I'm sticking with the "dark wizard" origin story for Senior Warlock, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that he was a billionaire who was orphaned at a young age when brain cancer gunned down his parents in an alley in Gotham), in that I might get a few extra OODA Loop cycles than the average brain cancer patient, but the principles still stand - indecisiveness is going to be more harshly punished than moderately bad decisions (I’ll admit that’s just commentary; I haven’t done any analysis to back it up). Once you've committed to a treatment plan, don't do it in halves; stick to it, learn as much useful stuff as you can along the way, and stay as healthy as you can for as long as you can (how well patients tolerate treatment is correlated with better outcomes). And when you do beat it, you're going to want to be in prime condition, because neurological recovery is a difficult problem unto itself; and, even though treatments are safer and better than ever, there are a lot of long-term side effects that are dangerous.

And, despite it all, don't give up hope. A big problem with developing effective brain cancer treatment is that the patient pool has always been small. Now that the Boomers are entering their 60's, cancer rates across the board will swell, meaning more interest and funding for cancer research and treatment, including brain cancer.

And, in that light, take the Harvey Milk approach and come out of the cancer closet. He knew that people would be disinclined to support regressive policies if they knew those policies would hurt friends and family members. I'd say the same idea applies doubly - people won't vote for yahoos who want to cut NIH funding or medical access if they know it will shorten the life expectancy of someone they care about.

Final bit of advice about that nagging self-doubt we all share, figure out some way to get reinvested in your story. It is beyond unfair that, on top of all the other troubles we have, we get a disease as horrible as brain cancer. And it sucks to realize that, even if everything goes perfectly, the future you wanted and planned for is irretrievably gone. It's a horrifying realization that your life is no longer "Leave It to Cleaver," it's John Carpenter's "The Thing." But, at the same time, you finally get to figure out if Childs was an alien imposter (that reference will only make sense to a tiny-but-cool segment of the populace). In my case, I got to write about how weird and awful my life had become, but simply in doing that, I came back to what I'd previously considered a hobby, writing. And I really love writing, in case you haven't noticed (again, readers, I really hope you will love anything half as much as I like babbling on in print). And the responses I've gotten made me think of the line in Wrath of Kahn, "Commanding a star ship is your first, best destiny; anything else is a waste of materiel." (I stole that idea from Marc Bernardin). Which, in turn, gave me the strength to eat that ninth helping of lettuce, go to the gym, and get nuked. Your old life is gone, and you're in a much darker, scarier place, but if you're smart and lucky, you might get a shot at reimagining and reinventing your life. That's a little more positive than I feel, but it's easy to be positive after a clean scan (of course, it’s also quite possible I’ll be singing a dramatically different tune after the next round of bills)(which might actually kill me - again, it’s a shocker if you’re healthy, but hospitals actually do throw people out on the street if they run out of money). My life will never look the way I thought it might look like at age 18 or 25, but it might - again with a helluva lot of luck - eventually look more like what I thought it might at age 4 or 5. Again, though, that's easy to write when there's no chemo in the system, and that's just me. Everyone's going to have to find their own way to glow in the gloomy depths.

At the end of the day, you don’t have enough time to devote to questioning decisions you can’t reverse; I suppose that’s true for healthy people, but it’s even more applicable to life on the abyssal plains. At the start of this thing, I was horrified that there wasn’t a dramatic difference between the best-case, long-term GBM outcomes and the average outcomes, so I went with what was recommended by my doctors (which was basically to aggressively and immediately go after it, with some extra chemo on the side). Maybe it’ll work. Again, I’m only a third of the way through the year-long chemo course, so I’m not exactly a model for success, but that’s all I’ve got.

Anyway, I’m back in the chemo chair tomorrow (and starting Temodar again tomorrow night); and I wrote this over the last 48 sleep-deprived hours, so I realize it’s not my greatest work (and I’m not going to get sharper in the next few days, thanks to the double-dose of Temodar and experimental infusions). But, assuming all of that goes well, you can look forward to reefer madness, a visit from Junior Warlock, and the garden gnome saga. No, that’s not some sort of word salad (I don’t think so, anyway), just my very-cluttered, aggressively stupid calendar of appointments for the week..

#stupidcancer

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Friday, March 5

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Still can't win (Various pairings, PG-13) by Aragorn_II_Elessar

kristy thomas in a leather duster (Spike/Xander, PG-13) by shaekspeares

Life of Life (Angel(us), Not Rated) by ElSun

Ampata's Reward (Ampata/Xander, PG-13) by SignlessAcolyte

Mist and Snow (Ethan, Giles, G) by Darci

Three Fights (Faith/Xander, R) by nwhepcat

Sweetpea (Lorne/Reader, Not rated) by prose-for-hire

Sticky Situation (Spike/Reader, Not Rated) by prose-for-hire

[Chaptered Fiction]

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Shadowed Suspicion Chapter 190 (Ensemble, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure xover, PG-13) by madimpossibledreamer

Les seigneurs et rois du paradis Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by boulouzou. In French

Request Chapter 1 (Spike/Xander, NC-17) by witchway

Alembic Interludes Chapter 2 (Faith/Giles, PG-13) by stereokem

Touch Chapter 8 (Angel/Spike, NC-17) by girlpire

Almost Paradise Chapter 14 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by HollyDB

Souls Unbound Chapter 32 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by touchstoneaf

Reordering the Universe Chapter 18 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by touchstoneaf

These Violent Delights Chapter 44 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by touchstoneaf

Flickers Chapter 14 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Dusty87

Ballet des Muses, LWV 32 Chapter 28 (Angel/Buffy, R) by Janis70

With Arms Wide Open Chapter 12 (Buffy/Giles, NC-17) by jaybird023

Interludes - Part 1 Chapter 12 (Spike/Xander, NC-17) by witchway. Complete story

VII Chapter 3 (Buffy/Faith, NC-17) by CharcoalTeeth

(Un)Worthy to Love Chapter 13 (Faith/Elijah Mikaelson, The Vampire Diaries xover, PG-13) by raemikaelson. Complete story

Bad to the bone Chapter 1 (Spike/Reader, Not Rated) by prose-for-hire

Lessons from the Past Chapter 4 (Xander, Multiple xovers, NC-17) by KnightofTempest

Death Is Buffy's Next Great Adventure Chapter 32 (Buffy/Tom Riddle, Harry Potter xover, R) by Sharie

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Spike 3D portrait by sanshodelaine

Artwork:Buffy Podcast Episodes' Posters by revengeofthefinalgirl

Artwork:Ripper Sketch (Giles) by tothetoonandback

Artwork:It means you belong to someone (Angel/Buffy) by joantheslayer

Fanvid: Can't Go Back (Angelus) by a creative name

Fanvid: Exile (Buffy/Spike) by GossipVal1

Fanvid: In This Moment (Buffy) by KatyS

Fanvid: Believer (Buffy) by Multiverse Go

[Reviews & Recaps]

Boom! Studios Review: Faith #1 by Tony Farina

An Episode Within an Episode: An Analysis of ‘The Zeppo’ by buffy-thoughts

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2: Fashion Review by Morgan Wood

PODCAST: Episode 49: The Wish by Myth Taken

[Community Announcements]

Multifandom: Fluffity Fluff Exchange by neosaiyanangel

Multifandom: Hurt/Comfort Exchange by hurtcomfortexmod

[Fandom Discussions]

quick fuffy relationship chart by toyhdgehog

Slayage 2 by yourlibrarian

Character Development vs OOC Issues in the Buffyverse by yourlibrarian

Mercedes McNab and Jane Espenson Q&As by yourlibrarian

DeKnight and Marsters Q&A by yourlibrarian

"Harsh Light of Day" commentary by yourlibrarian

What is something that is often considered foreshadowing, but probably isn't? by Proud3GnAthst

On Wesley's Character Development by Eagle-Cobra2000

End of Days by missjuliamazing

What would the new slayer dynamic have been? by TypicalPsychology6

Create a spin-off by speashasha

Preparing myself for the downvoting of a lifetime: Riley was a male Tara by GreyStagg

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

The Bona Venture: Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains a classic

Yahoo!Entertainment: Charisma Carpenter ‘overwhelmed’ by responses to allegations against ‘Buffy’ creator Joss Whedon

Comic Watch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer #23: Too Much and Not Enough

ScreenRant: Buffy's Comics May Be About To Take Their Darkest Twist

#btvs #Buffy The Vampire Slayer #buffy #ats #angel the series

[halseyhazzard]

The Definitive Answer for Everybody, Forever

Halsey Hazzard, October 2018

from a writing class on pop culture criticism

I don’t remember signing up for Quora. I know I must have, at some point, agreed to sign in with Facebook and hand over access to my inbox, because sure enough, I’ve gotten hundreds of emails from them, offering answers to questions I never asked — at least, not of Quora. Anything I’ve Googled, however, seems to be fair game. Apparently my friends are in on it too — nearly everyone I know with a Facebook has “followed me on Quora.” I’ve asked several friends if they knew what this Quora thing was. And time and again, I’ve heard back, “Oh, I get emails from them sometimes…”

According to its website, Quora “is a place to gain and share knowledge. It's a platform to ask questions and connect with people who contribute unique insights and quality answers.” Wikipedia is more revealing: Quora was co-founded by former Facebook employees Adam D'Angelo and Charlie Cheever in June 2009. When asked why they chose the name, Cheever stated, "I associate it with 'quorum' or public congregation.” Quora continues the legacy of other public congregations such as Ask.com/AskJeeves, Yahoo Answers, and Answers.com, ask-and-answer sites that facilitate public sharing of both information and opinions on topics running the gamut from relationship advice to Russian Revolution trivia. Many of these sites allow for anonymous accounts and anonymous commenting. No expertise or authority is needed. The line between opinion and information ceases to exist, and anyone is able to sway the discourse without any authority or accountability.

Quora seems to do away with this problem, replacing pseudonymous online handles with a person’s real name and face. You can’t falsify credentials when the truth is a Google search away. Yet, crucially, on Quora, everyone can be an expert. The authority of authenticity is granted to anyone who has nothing to lose in being googled. Opinions are thus validated and reinscribed as knowledge. This may not be a problem, if we take Quora at its word: “Quora brings together people from different worlds to answer the same question, in the same place — and to learn from each other. We want Quora to be the place to voice your opinion because Quora is where the debate is happening. We want the Quora answer to be the definitive answer for everybody forever.”

Here Quora presents itself as little more than a neutral platform for the facilitation of public discussion and advancement of public knowledge. Quora has no ideology, no dog in the fight it facilitates. Its logo? A nondescript red serif Q against a white background. Its Twitter bio? “A place to share knowledge and better understand the world.” The only accounts it follows are those of its employees (and the actor Rainn Wilson, who “could literally spend all day reading @Quora” and whose web-content brand for the entrepreneurial brags “we make stuff that matters” — stuff that seemingly consists of bland, feel good YouTube videos). Its tweets are overwhelmingly links to highly-rated questions. Yet it is in these questions that one finds the chink in Quora’s armor of objectivity. Between questions like “Is rigor mortis reversible?” and “What happens when a hurricane hits an active volcano?” we start to get a sense of Quora’s base: the kind of people who care about “why @yishan resigned as @reddit's CEO?” and “How do successful entrepreneurs balance work and family life?”

The first response to the question “What is Quora? Why do I have an account?” (a question which in itself speaks volumes) confirms this suspicion. Quora user Sharon Newell (whose profile reveals no expertise beyond “Lived in Chile” and “Speaks French” and who nonetheless has answered questions on schizophrenia, astrophysics, and the meaning of the name Gyanender), who writes “Initially, it was mostly being used by people familiar with the Silicon Valley scene… Today, Quora is actually an awesome hangout. Anyone can ask a question and people answer.” Looking at its popular topics, however, it appears that the majority of active users remain white collar entrepreneurial and tech professionals. (A slightly deeper Google search reveals that this response comes verbatim from an article, geared toward entrepreneurs interested in maximizing their Search Engine Optimization, called “What is Quora and Why Should You Care?”)

The next answerer is blunter about this “awesome hangout”: “like all companies, it's for the owners to make money.” Not only is Quora populated by Silicon Valley techies and their ilk, but it is subtly part and parcel of the same competitive culture that makes the tech industry tick. Quora’s “Writing Sessions” — highly moderated live chats modelled after Reddit’s poplar “AMAs” — have been “bringing home the bacon by luring in...celebrities’ audiences. The average sessions get 2 to 4 million views. Feminist leader Gloria Steinem saw 5.5 million views. Venture capital genius Chamath Palihapitiya grabbed 7.5 million.” Anyone fluent in the culture of Quora would be far from shocked that Palihapitiya could draw such a crowd. The fact that Quora has such a culture is directly at odds with its mission statement, and begs the question: when a “public” discussion is comprised of middle class tech professionals, when all voices in the room subscribe to the same vague neoliberal libertarianism, what knowledge is being generated? Will access to information ever be democratic while the pursuit of knowledge is so closely tied to capitalist competition? With such deep roots in tech entrepreneurship and venture capitalism, how could the discourse generated by Quora ever do anything but legitimize the conditions that made it possible?

Legitimize it does. Quora may not yet have the mass appeal that it no doubt aspires to, but nonetheless remains an often-seen but little remarked-upon presence in the minds and mailboxes of millions. For many like myself, it is Facebook that opens these floodgates. Facebook, which for 1.47 billion people is a largely unquestioned part of daily life. Like Quora, Facebook has no stated ideology, yet is inextricably bound with the cult of the entrepreneur, embodied all-too-perfectly in its creator Mark Zuckerberg. He has no publicly identifiable political affiliation. His status as “entrepreneur,” as “businessman,” protects him from significant public scrutiny, and Facebook membership continues to rise despite the increasingly abundant evidence that something isn’t right, that Facebook might be more than just a neutral network. When 1/5th of the world is held in the thrall of constant content and commentary, “Quora” may be understood as the essence of the public commons in the digital age: tacit acceptance of the ideological apparatus of neoliberal capitalism codified as opinion, calcified as knowledge.

These existential concerns don’t seem to bother the vast majority of Quora users. A lone asker, however, seems disturbed: “What is Quora, and why do I want it? How do I get out of it and Quora out of my life?” Repeat questions are not allowed, so we don’t know how many might share their concerns. What we do know is that the answerers don’t seem to understand why the asker is upset. They offer solutions, instruct the asker how to deactivate their account, unaware that Quora is more than a question-and-answer site. One response has stuck with me: “It will be difficult to completely eliminate Quora from your life, because it will show up in many google search results. That is not a bad thing, though. Quora has answers.”

#h: assignment #h: 2018 #quora #facebook #criticism #social media #dystopia #capitalism