#and adam voice not particularly. i want to go to mcdonald's :)

[adammilligan]

sorry i've been thinking about this for two years straight and it's still funny i think adam should lose his patience with someone and snap at them. just a little bit. it's so gentle-sounding that it barely even sounds like he's snapping but you get my point. and i think michael should be in the back of his mind going YES WOO MURDER CHOMP BITE KILL KILL KILL KILL and adam's on the verge of throttling him to get him to shut the fuck up

#i think if adam snapped and killed the winchesters michael would be his number one supporter. i'm SORRY did you guys see the look on his #face when he was like 'don't tell me. tell HIM' like what he was he expecting adam to do?? HE SEEMED SO SMUG ABOUT IT WHAT WAS HE EXPECTING #adam does his little :D face and michael's like babe no what. come on. i thought you were gonna tear them a new one :/ #michael voice aren't you tired of being nice? don't you wanna go apeshit. #and adam voice not particularly. i want to go to mcdonald's :) #girl help the archangel in my body wants me to commit acts of violence against those who wronged me because he thinks it'll help with #my inability to properly express my emotions #YOU KNOW???? #kate rambles #midam

[fuckyeahaldishodge]

Press: Aldis Hodge Is A Real-Life Superhero, So Give This Man What He Wants

After years of dramatic roles, the “What Men Want” star wants to make you laugh and fulfill his dreams of being a super-powered badass

    BET – Legend has it that Aldis Hodge worked cheap early in his career. Really cheap. Like, McDonald’s Happy Meal cheap. The pre-schooler was tagging along on a photo shoot for Ebony Magazine, where his older brother, Edwin, was working. The producers had a last-minute need for another cute kid and Aldis’ mother convinced him to take the gig in exchange for a coveted Batman toy. Thanks to mom’s quick thinking, Hollywood has been gifted one of its most intense and versatile acting talents.

Hodge has amassed a colorful acting resume that includes stints on shows like A.T.O.M.: Alpha Teens on Machines, Friday Night Lights, Supernatural and Leverage. But it was his moving portrayal of a restless slave named Noah on WGN’s Underground that made viewers sit up at attention and cheer with their fingers across social media. In the same year his appearance in Black Mirror as a somewhat single father named Jack living with his girlfriend’s voice literally in his head, allowed him to blend his piercing stares with subdued comedic timing. But now Hodge gets to go for the full belly laughs in the R-rated comedy What Men Want as the bartending, romantic, very single father named Will, who gets caught up in Taraji P. Henson’s mind-reading male-strom.

During a stop at BET, Hodge is adorned in gold, beads and denim fabrics that accent flawless skin that has benefited from the sun’s full attention. He walks with squared shoulders inherited from his retired Marine parents. His cape is invisible. If not for the disarming laughs cracking his intense looks, you might think he’s one cartoonish horn blare away from taking off through the ceiling to catch a meteor hurtling toward earth. Between bites of his lunch we talk about the comedy of sex, his fascination with controlling time, engineering the perfect date and being a champion for the people.

I didn’t cross reference it until just today. I just recently did an interview where I was like, “Dang, she was inside my head, too! What’s going on?” But it was pretty cool. The synergy was awesome. But with each role, I come at it with a clean slate and figure out where the tones are. I had been out of comedy for a long time, not my choice, but for the past five to seven years my career has been swinging up into the drama area. But most people don’t realize comedy is a big part of my life. I started stand-up when I was 11. When I was 13 I used to host a room at the L.A. Improv and I did that ‘til I was 17 or 18 years old. Then on Leverage we did five seasons of that. It was an action caper show but I still got to flex my comedic muscles. We killed that in 2012, so it’s been a minute. I was happy to reintroduce people to my idea of humor. Will is not inherently the braggadocios funny one. He’s not the big personality in the room. He’s reactionary. He’s gonna have a sense of realism, so his comedic timing is subtle. The tones and notes are a little more subdued, and that’s a different tone to play. But our director, Adam [Shankman], took so many different types of comedians with very different timing and put as all together and kept us on the same note. We were always on the same page. You had Josh Brenner, who most people know from Silicon Valley, Pete Davidson from SNL, Wendi McLendon-Covey from Bridesmaids, Tracy Morgan, obviously. Everybody has a different style that they’ve been hitting for a minute, and he just figured out how to weave together. And there are some people you’re not gonna expect to be funny but are hilarious, i.e. Erykah Badu. She’s hysterical. And then I’m there in the mix. As an actor, I’m always hungry for fresh challenges. I don’t like to feel like I’m sitting in a box, and when this opportunity came up, naturally I was nervous at whether or not I could still be funny, and I was hoping. But I just let Adam take care of me on that one.

Speaking of your comedic side, you pranked Taraji with honey buns on the set of Hidden Figures. Did anything else like that go down on set for What Men Want?

Nah. The prank for us was getting through the sex scenes. We wanted to get through those as fast as possible. It’s tough. It’s always a nervous environment when you’re doing scenes like that. But the biggest thing is, because it’s physical comedy, how do you do that without looking stupid? You want people to laugh with you and not at you. But thank God for Adam and Taraji. It’s easy to keep a straight face when you have nerves. We had fun with it. You let yourself fall into it. And Taraji’s a pro. If you see the movie, I took a couple of those hits for real. Some of them reactions are real!

Is it worse to know she knows your thoughts, or is ignorance bliss?

Better not to know, of course. I would not want to know who knows my thoughts. I wouldn’t want anyone to be in my head like that, but if you did know, imagine how anxious you’d be all day. You’d be like Brandon, Josh Brenner’s character, all day. Just rambling to keep people out of your head.

If you had to disguise your thoughts, what would you think about?

Man, most of my thoughts on a regular basis go to design. As soon as I step into a room I’m taking in the square footage, I’m measuring in distances, everything is art to me. Or I’m putting my engineering cap on to see how it’s built. So I don’t think anyone would want to be in my head, because it’s pretty boring. I’m a nerd, bruh.

Speaking of engineering, horology sounds like something men do after a breakup. How did you get into watch making?

I’ve been doing that since I was 19. I just love building things. I’ve always had a natural inclination to create and build, and it satisfies a necessary art. It got to a point in my career, I think I was 13 or 14, where I didn’t have enough life experience to add gravitas to some of these characters I’m trying to play. I started drafting blueprints for my dream house when I was 12. I always loved designing and building, because that’s where my imagination lives. Art is my language, and acting is just an emotional exposition of my art. So, it’s the same thing to me, just a different conduit. But the other side of me is like building, I love crafting things. Horology satisfies a lot of different things. I wanted to be an architect in school but that would mean I’d have to quit acting, and I’m not gonna do that. I’m gonna die in a director’s chair when I’m 110 years old. But what I found about the intricacy of horology and watch design is that it was architecture and painting and mechanical engineering. It satisfied so many points for me, and I could do it at my own pace.

You rarely hear of men discussing their dream house. What did yours look like?

I like space, I like nature. I like to bring the outside inside. There’s a couple of architects that I really love. I grew up on the work of John Lautner, Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Gehry. But one of the firms I love now is Olson Kundig, particularly Thomas Kundig’s work. His houses are machines. He’ll cantilever a side or a roof and all you gotta do is crank it and you’re lifting the side of your house off. I can’t afford that in New York, but one of these days I’ll have to partner with him for a house.

Your son, Ben, in the film is adorable. What was it like working with him?

Auston Jon Moore. He’s a fun kid. I’m excited to see what happens with his career. He was five years old when we were doing it. Really spunky, good instincts. We had a good time. I was actor-parent-child wrangler. When we were shooting the rooftop scene, we had all this food out, and he kept eating the food. “We need continuity, baby. You gotta put the food back.” He’d say OK, and then we’d come back and he’d have a mouth full of chips. He was awesome.

He had one of my favorite scenes with the panties. Was your “don’t breathe” line ad-libbed?

Yes, that was ad-libbed. I was like, “The baby! What do you do?’ What would I say?” We had fun with that scene because Adam just let us be free and add as much color to the characters as possible. That was a fun day, trying to get him to put on the underwear. When he realized what it was he was like, “Hold up, fam.” So, I had to put the underwear on my head to show him it was cool.

You pulled a Mars Blackmon?

Yeah, yeah. I sacrificed [laughs].

There are two scenes in What Men Want that you’re not in, the card scene and the wedding. Which would you be in if you could?

I definitely would have loved to have worked with Erykah and have a little Taro reading. She was just pouring herself into that character. That’s her imagination splayed out on camera. But I would have loved to see Will have a session with Sistah.

What about the poker game with the athletes?

I think Will might be a card shark, but I don’t know if he got the chips to sit at that table. That was a very high-stakes game, and he’s too smart to bet his rent money. But if he had the chips, I think because of his bartending skills he could read people really well and take home a nice healthy pot.

You’ve been the subject of a lot of wish-casting, particularly to be Green Lantern. Have you ever thought of playing a superhero?

I’d love to be a superhero. I’ve been trying to be a superhero for 12 years. If that opportunity came that way, I’d eat it up immediately. I got into this business as a kid because I loved Batman. I was trying to get my Batman toys. I grew up on Marvel and DC.

Noah from Underground definitely was a superhero. How do you feel about that role years later and the impact he had?

I took it as a grand opportunity just because of the fact, when the initial idea of the show came to me, I was like, “If this is a series about enslavement, how does it work for five or six seasons? Do we want to see our people in persecution for that long? Where is the gratitude that comes out of this for the audience?” But when I read the pilot I was like, “Oh, it shows us in the situation, but not made of the situation.” It showed people in bondage, not slaves. It gave us dignity. It gave the people who went through that an actual identity. They didn’t bring slaves to America, they brought engineers and doctors, brilliant people. So, for me to be able to expose that they had hopes and dreams and still had the strength to find love in those times was immensely powerful, because we’d never see it in our history books. Our schools failed us in that. So the opportunity to add to the dignity of our people was a high honor. I look at all of those characters as superheroes. They actually added the show to curriculum in schools. This is the effect that you can have as an artist. That’s what I love.

With Valentine’s Day is coming up, how would you engineer the perfect date?

That’s tough, man, because you gotta work off the person. It depends on who she is and what she wants. Some ladies want dinner and flowers and some ladies just want to kick back and watch a movie. My ideal date would start with a little dinner, some champagne, maybe some chocolates. Then we’re gonna go to the movie theater, we’re gonna see What Men Want, I’m not even lying. Get her laughing, feeling good, then probably go dancing. Then if I really feel like I’m on my mack-ness, I’mma be like, “Hey, boo. Real quick though, I just wanted you to know that I got your mom a ticket to the movie, too. I wanna let her know it’s her Valentine’s Day, too.” And that’s my ideal date: Dinner, What Men Want and a little dancing.

What Men Want starring Taraji P. Henson and Aldis Hodge is in theaters now!

Press: Aldis Hodge Is A Real-Life Superhero, So Give This Man What He Wants was originally published on Aldis Hodge Online | Est 2010

#aldis hodge #leverage #underground #WGNUnderground #Underground WGN #WGN Underground #straight outta compton #supernatural #turn

[hale-of-stiles-heart]

starry-eyed surprise

A continuation of ‘falling for you like a meteor shower’! For the sentence starter: “You made me a pie!” (also on ao3!)

Kirishima was right about the meteor shower. Bakugo had never known that space dust could be so beautiful.

The dark night sky, black as ink and dotted with starry pinpricks, was streaked with ephemeral light from the meteors. They danced across the sky, bright and breathtaking and befitting of the misnomer of shooting stars.

Bakugo had never had any interest in stargazing before, viewing it as he did many things as a waste of time. Something that wouldn't help him achieve his goals and therefore irrelevant and stupid.

But he was starting to understand it now. If only because of Kirishima's reactions.

With his head on Kirishima's shoulder, Bakugo could hear each and every small sigh and gasp the redhead made while watching the sky. Kirishima was clearly entranced, pointing out every meteor with childlike glee.

Bakugo briefly wondered if Kirishima had done this with his mother. If they had sat up on their roof or laid out in the backyard and stargazed together, if that was when his mother had told him that she knew he would be a hero because of the constellation he had been born under.

But Bakugo didn't linger long on those thoughts considering another drifted to the forefront of his mind. One that he immediately voiced, startling Kirishima from his excited stargazing.

"When the fuck is your birthday?" He practically growled, tipping his head to the side to look up at Kirishima's face. Kirishima sent him a thoroughly confused look in response, frowning to himself.

"Uh, the sixteenth," Kirishima answered warily, brows drawing together. Bakugo raised a brow of his own, telling him to go on without saying a word. Kirishima sighed and reluctantly continued, "...Of October."

Kirishima's wariness was immediately validated when Bakugo sat up sharply and whipped around to glare at him. Arms crossed over his chest, out of both frustration and because it was fucking freezing, Bakugo snapped, "Your birthday was last week?! What the fuck?!"

Kirishima glanced around nervously, waving his hands around awkwardly. He desperately shushed Bakugo, frantically whispering, "Dude, be quiet! You'll wake someone up!"

"Don't fucking shush me, you asshole!" Bakugo hissed, swatting Kirishima's hand away. He didn't give a shit if he woke anyone up. He had more important things to worry about. "Why the hell didn't you tell me?! We could've done something! I don't know, we coulda celebrated!"

Granted, Bakugo had never really seen the point of making a big deal about birthdays, but he wasn't that shitty of a boyfriend to not want to celebrate Kirishima's birthday. Especially since the idiot deserved the best fucking birthday ever.

Every time there had been a birthday for someone else, Kirishima was adamant that they celebrate, something about not wanting anyone to feel left out. Even before they had been dating, Kirishima had made sure they had all celebrated Bakugo's birthday.

And Bakugo hadn't even known when his birthday was.

"We did do something for my birthday," Kirishima insisted, immediately freezing Bakugo in his tracks. At Bakugo's skeptical look, he explained, "Remember? We went to see that new movie and then you took me out to lunch."

Bakugo did remember. They had gotten Principal Nezu's approval to leave the school grounds to go see the new All Might movie that Bakugo had been wanting to see for weeks.

They had held hands in the dark theater throughout the movie, squeezing each other's hands during particularly intense action sequences. Bakugo had managed to ignore his usual misgivings about public displays of affection throughout the movie, running his thumb over Kirishima's callused knuckles.

After the movie, Bakugo had been in such a good mood that he had taken Kirishima to have lunch at a nearby fast food restaurant. Over vanilla milkshakes and French fries, they had ranted and raved about the movie between flirting with one another.

It had quickly turned into a genuine date without Bakugo even intending it. Not that he had been complaining.

Once they had returned to UA, they had spent the rest of the afternoon making out in Kirishima's room, ignoring Kaminari's invitation to play video games in the common room. They had only stopped in favor of squeezing in a bit of tutoring interspersed with brief breaks for more kissing and some snacks.

All in all, it had been a pretty good day. But now that Bakugo knew it had been Kirishima's birthday, he wished he could do it all over.

He wished he would have let Kirishima pick what movie they saw. He had seen Kirishima's eyes lingering on a poster for some indie road trip movie, he should have taken him to see that one instead.

He wished he hadn't brought Kirishima to some shitty McDonald's for lunch. There had been an actual restaurant only five blocks away where he could have brought Kirishima for a lunch worthy of a birthday meal.

He wouldn't change the enthusiastic makeout session once they had gotten back to school since he knew that Kirishima had been a thousand percent into it. But he never would have insisted that they actually study; Kirishima shouldn't have had to get tutored on his birthday.

Worst of all, Bakugo knew that he couldn't even say anything. He couldn't apologize or offer to make it up. Because he knew that Kirishima would insist that he'd had a great time, that it was the best birthday he'd ever had, just because he got to spend it with his boyfriend.

Sometimes Bakugo wished that Kirishima was just a little more selfish. But it didn't matter now. Because Bakugo was going to make it up to him.

He was going to give Kirishima the best fucking birthday ever. Even if it was a week late.

But for now, Bakugo just grumbled his assent and turned back around, leaning back against Kirishima's broad chest. Kirishima instantly curled his arms around Bakugo's waist, tugging him closer as they turned their attention back to the stars.

Bakugo had always been a good cook. Hell, he was a fucking great one.

He could trace it back to when he was a little kid, helping his dad in the kitchen while his mom was at work or her book club or whatever the hell it was his mom did all day. With a lack of anything else to do and the ravenous hunger of a little kid, it had been a win-win situation all around.

Especially for his dad. He had always had a love of cooking, having gone to culinary school for a few semesters before changing his major and going into fashion.

At home, the DVR and Netflix queue were both full of various cooking shows ranging from more competitive shows like Chopped and Iron Chef to educational programs like Good Eats. His dad was pretty much obsessed with Alton Brown.

Throughout his childhood, Bakugo had dutifully helped his dad cook dinner nearly every night after school. On the weekends, he would help his dad make huge breakfasts fit for a family of twelve, including everything from chocolate chip banana pancakes (his dad's favorite) to eggs Benedict (his mom's favorite).

Cooking had always been calming for Bakugo. The monotony and routine of it enough to refocus his energy on something less destructive than exploding everything in sight when he was upset.

The summer training camp (before it had gone to complete shit) had given him an opportunity to show off his culinary skills, delighting Kirishima to no end. The redhead had sung Bakugo's praises when he had made a simple beef stew, moaning into his bowl and practically begging for seconds.

So, Bakugo already knew Kirishima liked his cooking. Which set his plan in motion.

A few days after their little trip up to the roof to stargaze, Kirishima kissed Bakugo on the cheek before leaving dorms to train and then hang out with Tetsutetsu. The second he was gone, Bakugo immediately set to work cooking him the best birthday dinner ever.

Gyu kushi with a homemade Worcestershire dipping sauce, beef tataki with ponzu and wasabi on the side, a giant slab of flank steak marinated in soy sauce and Dijon mustard and served with white rice, and Wagyu korokke were all made with the intention of satisfying Kirishima's love of meat.

The rest of the veritable buffet of food consisted of miso soup made with yellow miso, onigiri with sha-ke and umeboshi fillings, yakisoba, and vegetable tempura. He even made some gyoza in case Kirishima wanted some pork, too.

Never one to half-ass anything, once he had finished the savory dishes, Bakugo turned his attention to dessert. He fried up a large batch of sata andagi with a side of chocolate side and grilled skewers of mitarashi dango.

It wasn't until he was finished mixing the sweet soy sauce glaze that he realized that he had completely forgotten the most important thing for a perfect birthday celebration: a cake.

Bakugo kicked himself for the oversight while growling at Kaminari to get away from the korokke, smacking his hand with a wooden spoon for good measure. Turning towards the common room, he called to Ashido who was decorating the common room at his behest. "Yo, Pinky! What kind of cake does Kirishima like?"

When Bakugo had started cooking Kirishima's birthday dinner, it had immediately drawn a crowd. The rest of the class had smelled food and rushed downstairs to circle the kitchen like a flock of vultures.

Growling at them all like a lion fending off his kill from a pack of mangy hyenas, Bakugo had explained that the food was for Kirishima, to celebrate his birthday. The others, none of whom had been aware that Kirishima's birthday had passed the prior week, had immediately volunteered to help.

While continuing to cook, Bakugo had barked out orders, directing people left and right. He would never admit it but having the others help set things up made everything a hell of a lot easier.

Now, held up by Tokoyami's Dark Shadow to hang red streamers from the ceiling with Uraraka who was floating beside her, Ashido turned to Bakugo. Pursing her lips, she tapped her chin and reported, "I think he likes chocolate! With chocolate buttercream!"

Bakugo nodded to himself. He could make the most chocolatey cake Kirishima had ever eaten, with a chocolate mousse filling and ganache topping. It would be amazing.

"Yeah, but he likes pie in the fall!" Sero added, taping up the large banner Yaoyorozu had made. Beside him, cradling his sore fingers, Kaminari nodded decisively.

"I don't know," Ashido hummed, gesturing for Dark Shadow to lift her a bit higher. "A birthday pie instead of a birthday cake?"

"He'd probably think it's manly!" Kaminari pointed out, picking up one of the red balloons Shoji had blown up. He released just the slightest bit of static electricity, handing it to Uraraka who stuck it to the ceiling.

In the courtyard, Todoroki was lighting a large bonfire while Iida rushed around setting the tables Sato and Midoriya had moved outside. The commotion outside briefly distracted Kaminari who trailed off while mumbling, "He said something about his mom's apple pie awhile ago. Maybe he'd like that..."

Frowning down at the kitchen counter, Bakugo swore to himself. Of course, Kirishima liked pie, that fall-loving fucker. He just had to like the one dessert Bakugo had never made before.

Swallowing his pride, reminding himself that it was for Kirishima, Bakugo tugged his phone out of his pocket and pulled up his contacts. When his dad answered, he solemnly asked, "How do you make a pie?"

Bakugo Masaru's apple pie recipe was the most well-guarded culinary secret in all of Musutafu, Japan.

As a child, Bakugo had never been allowed to so much as watch his dad make his famous pie. He was always exiled from the kitchen whenever his dad decided to bake it, stuck watching TV until his dad let him put it in the oven.

The pie was usually reserved for special occasions; holidays, birthdays, graduations, Bakugo's acceptance into UA, et cetera. Though there were times his dad simply made it because he was craving pie.

Bakugo had grown up eating his dad's delicious apple pie, could trace all of his fondest childhood memories back to the taste of apples baked in caramel sauce with a brown sugar crumb topping. It had always been his favorite dessert, the one sweet treat he let himself indulge in, in contrast to his usual affinity for spicy, savory foods.

He had always wanted to know the recipe but his dad never revealed it, keeping it a beloved secret. But two hours after Bakugo called him, there were three piping hot caramel apple pies cooling on the only part of the kitchen counter that wasn't occupied by other food dishes.

Bakugo had pulled out all the stops. There was a bowl of extra caramel sauce sitting in the microwave, ready to be warmed up at a moment's notice, and a tub of Kirishima's favorite brand of vanilla ice cream waiting in the freezer.

The tables outside were all set, the bonfire was blazing, and a mountain of presents had materialized on the coffee table after the rest of the class had rushed to the mall while the pies baked. They had somehow managed to drag Mr. Aizawa along so they could get permission to leave campus, bringing him back to the party with the promise of food.

Everything was ready. The only thing missing was the birthday boy himself and his metallic escort who had agreed to distract while Bakugo set up for the surprise party. Sometimes Bakugo's threats were rather effective.

"Yo, Tetsutetsu just texted!" Kaminari called from the common room as Bakugo washed his hands for the umpteenth time that day since he started cooking, scrubbing dried dough and brown sugar off his fingers. "He said they're almost here!"

In an instant, everyone (including Aizawa who was actually smiling) was ducking behind the common room couches or slipping out into the courtyard to hide. Bakugo dried his hands on a dish towel while crouching down behind the kitchen counter, waiting patiently for his boyfriend to arrive.

Everyone waited for the perfect moment as the front door swung open and Kirishima walked in, followed by Tetsutetsu. Bright smile in place, Kirishima animatedly claimed, "Yeah, man, the movie's awesome! Bakugo took me to see it last week."

On Bakugo's mark, a loud snap of his fingers, everyone stood, bursting out of their hiding places. At the top of their lungs everyone, even Koda as shy as he was, yelled, "Surprise!"

Kirishima was completely caught off guard, taking an instinctive step backwards and triggering his Quirk. He immediately raised his arms in an attempt to shield himself and Tetsutetsu, always a selfless hero.

A moment later, he registered the sound of party horns and people laughing, slowly dropping his arms to look around the room. He glanced around the common room, taking in the sight of the heavily decorated walls with a small gasp.

The room was transformed from a regular living room to a bright crimson tribute to Kirishima. Red streamers covered the ceiling and walls like scarlet spider webs brightening the drab beige walls to the same shade as his hair.

Red and black balloons covered both the floor and the ceiling, the light filtering through them from the overhead lamps casting red shadows throughout the room. Hanging from the ceiling in the center of the common room, a large banner drew his attention as it proclaimed, Happy Belated Birthday, Kirishima!

Around him, all of his friends were gathered with wide, happy smiles. They were all cheering and clapping and celebrating.

Kirishima continued looking around, spotting the tables covered in red tablecloths in the courtyard where even more balloons and streamers were set up around a roaring bonfire. Various shades of shiny wrapping paper drew his eye to the coffee table and the massive Jenga tower of presents that had amassed there.

He turned back to his friends who were all still cheering for him, his eyes wide and his jaw slack. Taking a tentative step further into the room, he softly asked, "You... You guys put this all together...? For me?"

"It was Kacchan's idea!" Midoriya excitedly announced, beaming at Kirishima. Gesturing around the room, indicating all of the various decorations and the buffet of food in the kitchen, he explained, "He put this all together!"

For once, Bakugo didn't even bother snapping at Midoriya. He didn't think Kirishima would particularly care for him yelling during his birthday celebration. He'd just kick Deku's ass some other time.

Rolling his eyes, Bakugo carefully balanced one of the pies in his hand and walked over to greet Kirishima. Holding out the pie so Kirishima could blow out the candles, he mumbled, "Happy birthday, shitty hair."

"Aww, babe...!" Kirishima cooed, eyes widening even more at the sight of the pie in Bakugo's hand. "You made me a pie!"

But instead of rewarding Bakugo with a smile, Kirishima started tearing up, his bottom lip wobbling. Sniffling a bit, he murmured, "You did all of this for me? Oh, Bakugo..."

Panicking a bit, Bakugo hastily handed the pie off to Sero and nodded towards the courtyard. Sero seemed to take the hint, motioning for everyone to follow him as he led them outside to the table of food, leaving Bakugo and Kirishima alone.

Bakugo curled his arms around Kirishima's waist as the redhead rested his forehead against Bakugo's collarbone, hiding his face in his boyfriend's chest. He tangled his fingers in the fabric of Bakugo's shirt, tugging him closer.

Not sure what else to do, Bakugo rubbed Kirishima's back with one hand, burying the other on Kirishima's hair to scratch his nails over his scalp. Swallowing heavily, he asked, "Hey, what's wrong? Did I do something?"

"No. No, it's just..." Kirishima started, voice muffled a bit. He cut himself off with another sniffle. Wiping his eyes, Kirishima lifted his head, giving a watery laugh. "I just can't believe you did all of this for me. Thank you."

"You deserve it," Bakugo said, pressing a kiss to Kirishima's temple, keeping his arms around him. Hugging Kirishima tight, he continued rubbing his back, hushing him gently.

"My dad let me use his secret apple pie recipe," Bakugo told him, earning another a small laugh. Smiling to himself, he quietly admitted, "There was just one condition."

"Yeah?" Kirishima hummed, reaching up to run his fingers through Bakugo's hair. Setting his chin on Bakugo's shoulder, he asked, "What's that?"

"He wants you to meet him and my mom," Bakugo hesitantly answered. "Think you're up for it?"

"Definitely," Kirishima agreed, raising his head to wipe his eyes and peck Bakugo on the lips. Grabbing his wrist, he started dragging Bakugo towards the courtyard. "I can't wait to get your mom to show me your baby pictures! Now c'mon, let's eat!"

Send me Kiribaku prompts!

#kiribaku #my fic #kiribaku fic #amber writes #fluff #kirishima's birthday #bakugo is a good boyfriend #kirishima eijirou #bakugo katsuki #bnha #bnha fic #queued post

[mollyraesly]

Love Drought -- My Thirsty Lily Fic, Chapter One

Hey everyone! Here is chapter one. I don’t think this will be a very long fic, and I’m not taking it too seriously. But I hope you enjoy it.

Two years ago, Lily used to tell herself that her little habit of lusting after James Potter was not a big deal.

They were both only in their fourth year at Hogwarts. He was still stick skinny, and she was still barely fitting into her A-cup bras and recovering from a horrible spur-of-the-moment-regret-it-for-months decision to cut her own fringe. They were only intermediate students, still children really. Her fantasies were all very tame based less on her own meager sexual experiences and more on stories that the sixth-year Hestia Jones would tell them about her trysts with Benjy Fenwick.  

Lily mostly just cared about James Potter’s eyes. They were hazel, but really they were green and gold and brown, like blooming sunflowers surrounded by blades of grass. This information was not easy to come by, because his eyes were often covered by spectacles, as he was more or less blind without them. On rare occasions, though, he would remove the spectacles, and if Lily were lucky enough to be near by, she would sneak a peek at those eyes. His sunflower-grass-hazel eyes.

And his lips were worth watching because they were always breaking into smiles. And he had the best smiles. They made his eyes glow and his lips twitch. James was one of those rare people who when they smiled the corners of their lips turned down instead of up.

And his hair. His stupid hair that could not stay in one place. His hair that fell into those eyes of his. His hair that looked perfect for grabbing onto and made her question if it was as soft as it looked.

And his hands were good too because his fingers were long--much longer than hers--and she sometimes wondered what they would feel like against her skin. Some nights she would stay up late squirming against her sheets and thinking about his fingertips trailing up her thighs.

Lily had still never been properly snogged, but she often imagined James Potter’s lips on hers and his hands on her skin and his eyes closed and her fingers in her hair. And the fantasy of that felt so good and made her spine tingle just so that she wondered if maybe it was better than an actual kiss. It was certainly better than the actual kisses she had experienced thus far.

 But all things considered, her habit was manageable because she was able to stop thinking about James Potter’s eyes and lips and hair and hands when she needed to. More often than not, she could focus on the spectacles and not the eyes behind them. She could ignore his smiles and do her best to forget about his hair. She could force herself to stop thinking about his hands.

So she did. Lily loved being a student at Hogwarts, and she took her school work seriously. She did not spend every minute in the library, but she did her assignments and received good marks. She had a great group of close friends and many acquaintances. Yes, she snuck into the kitchens every now and then, and once in a while she brewed illegal potions so long as she gave Slughorn his favorite crystallized pineapple. And she might have gotten more than a little bit drunk on firewhiskey after the last Quidditch match and then puked in Mary McDonald’s shoes. No one was perfect.

Still, she wanted to be made a Prefect. That meant cutting down distractions. That meant doing excellent work, always being seen as following the rules (even if not actually following them), and occasionally sucking up to McGonagall. It also meant ignoring the buffoons who teased her for being Muggleborn, taking some Calming Solution every time a letter from her sister arrived, and resisting the urge to hex her roommates when they woke her up from a perfectly good dream. She managed easily enough.

However, when they came back to school for their fifth years and Lily was actually given that Prefect badge, life became more difficult. Whereas Lily returned feeling proud that she was proving herself at school -- and that she finally had advanced to a B-cup--James had returned having grown what seemed to be another four inches and yet somehow having also filled out. Gone were the knobby knees and overly large Adam’s apple. In their place, were broad shoulders, a slim waist, strong legs, and muscled forearms.

Lily had never known that thinking about the length of someone’s arm from the wrist to the elbow could drive her to distraction, but fifth year was a brand new world. A brand new world of marveling at the genius that was a men’s button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

She had learned on the train that he had been made Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor and had spent the majority of the summer with Sirius running drills.

Upon hearing this news, Lily did not know whether she wanted to weep for joy or from frustration. But she bit her lip so hard she almost broke the skin.

Now, it was not just James Potter’s eyes and lips and hair and hands. It was also his forearms and his shoulders and his voice, which seemed to have deepened by an octave.  

As James got more attractive, he also seemed to become more and more of an insufferable git. James Potter had always been popular, for good reason. He was attractive, wealthy, well-bred, bloody brilliant, and dead witty. He and his close knit of friends were also infamous pranksters. Everyone, including Lily, looked forward to their pick-me-up hijinks during exams and the parties they threw after Quidditch matches.

Lily might have worked hard to appear to be a rule-follower and someone who would make for a good role model for younger students. If McGonagall were walking by, she would be sure to give ruler-breakers a stern talking to. But she loved nothing so dearly as a well-thought out prank. Something clever, something harmless. Something unexpected. Something a little bit naughty.   

After catching her sneaking back into the Common Room six hours after curfew, Sirius Black had once called her an “absolute rogue in disguise.” Lily bore that title as a badge of honor.

But in fifth year James’s pranks became more than naughty; they became mean, personal, pointed. Particularly when the butt of the joke was Severus Snape.

James strutted around the halls like Dumbledore himself had made him Headmaster. His antics increased, his cheekiness grew, but his popularity only further escalated.

Lily recognized that James usually only ever targeted those who themselves tormented others, but she still did not approve. Particularly concerning Snape. He was no victim; he provoked James and threw out the first curse more than half the time. He was not even Lily’s friend anymore. She was doubtful that he could ever go back to being a decent person now that he had spent so much time with his Pureblood friends--if he ever was a decent person to begin with. But she did have some sympathy for him; at least, she thought she had. She was not so sure anymore, if she were honest with herself. But she was good and rid of him, at least.

Before she ended their friendship, Severus had accused her of liking James Potter. She had denied it at the time, to save face, but Snape had been right.

Lily was furious during their confrontation at the end of fifth year by the lake. But sparring with James was more thrilling than she felt comfortable admitting. James Potter might be a git, but there was something about his increased bravado, even when he was being an absolute berk, that was dead sexy.

He had asked her out then, but Lily figured it was just a joke--just something to rile her up even more. Afterward, though, Mary McDonald had asked her about it. Repeatedly. Wanted to know if James had ever done anything to make a move before.

The answer: an astounding no. She got off to thoughts of James Potter on nearly a daily basis. If he had showed sincere interest in her, Lily damn well would have noticed.

Mary had only sighed in disappointment. She had said they would make cute babies.  

Merlin, Lily had imagined just how they would make those babies. At least a thousand ways since. She was particularly partial to the fantasy where he took her against the door of the Trophy Room after she snuck into his detention wearing nothing but his Invisibility Cloak.

After fifth year, things had only become worse. She could not look at him without imagining him licking up her thighs. She mentally kept track of his class schedule and the girls he smiled at in the halls. She had all the dates of the Quidditch matches in her diary, and planned to be in the Common Room when the freshly-showered team got back from practice. She knew his favorite food was treacle tart, that his favorite color was three shades darker than Gryffindor red, and that his favorite shop at Hogsmeade was Zonko’s. She knew when his birthday was and always made sure to look nice on that day, in case he would notice and ask if she dressed up for him, so she could shrug and say she forgot it was his birthday.

Lily Evans was an absolute tart with an unhealthy obsession with James Potter.

Not that she had ever acted on it. She still had kissed only two lads, and both times she had pulled way first. And then wiped her mouth.

And not that she would ever admit her obsession to anyone. Most days, she refused to even admit it to herself. She was only in lust with James Potter in her mind. And that’s where she wanted the obsession to stay.

Lily told herself that these were just normal observations that anyone with half a decent memory would note after having spent five years in the same house as someone.

But she could not list nearly as many facts about Peter Pettigrew--or even Remus Lupin, her fellow Prefect.

James Potter could make her completely lose her train of thought during a Transfiguration class just by sitting there and taking notes. She would make sure that her observation of him was not too obvious, but as she took her own notes, she was acutely aware of what his body was doing--and how that made her body feel.

One day, she spied him lick his fingers to turn a page, and she nearly fell off her stool.

As a general ethical principle, Lily was strongly opposed to house-elf enslavement and thought that they should be allowed to live however they wished and properly compensated for their efforts, should they choose to seek employment. She had mentioned to the Head Girl more than once that she thought that as students they should do more for the creatures who took care of their basic needs without ever being seen or heard or paid.

But because of the embarrassing number of wet panties Lily had needed laundered during her fifth year, she was tremendously grateful that the house-elves kept to themselves.

Lily was not ashamed of her desire. She was a teenager, surrounded by teenagers, with--let’s face it--very little adult supervision. Half of the upper-level students seemed to be shagging on a regular basis.

On days where she was more willing to be honest with herself, she saw her lustful fantasies as normal. Yet, that recognition did not make her happy.

It was not the lust itself but the object of her lust that troubled her.

James Potter was one of the fittest blokes in all of Hogwarts, so she could admit that she wanted his body. Specifically, she wanted his naked body on top of her body--or beneath her, or thrusting into her from behind, it varied from day to day. This image could make even the dullest History of Magic Class pass by in an instant.

What bothered her was that while she could daydream about his eyes and his lips and his hair and his hands and his shoulders and his forearms and the tenor of his voice for hours, actually paying attention to the words coming out of those lips in that low voice made her, at best, roll her eyes and, at worst, want to put an everlasting silencing charm on him.

Because James Potter was an absolute git.

An absolute git whom she desperately wanted to have sex with.

And what was the worst part? The absolute worst?

They were in their sixth year now, and he wasn’t even a git anymore. He was smart and considerate--even sweet. Two days ago, she caught him helping a first-year boy with his Transfiguration homework. And the entire time she watched the exchange, Lily wondered what he kind of father he would be like if the boy were their child. And that’s when she knew: it wasn’t purely physical. She didn’t just want to have sex with James Potter or bite his lip to force that devastating smirk off his face or ride him like a broomstick. Lily liked him--as in she wanted to knit him sweaters, meet his parents, and actually listen to him as he told her about his day.

And with that realization, Lily knew she was truly fucked.

#jily #james potter #lily evans #jily fan fic #jily fan fiction #jily fic #jilylife #thirstylily #lovedrought #mollyraesly #Molly Raesly

[blackkudos]

Audra McDonald

Audra Ann McDonald (born July 3, 1970) is an American actress and singer. She has appeared on the stage in both musicals and dramas such as Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun and Porgy and Bess. With her full lyric soprano voice, she maintains an active concert and recording career performing song cycles and operas as well as in concerts throughout the U.S. She has won six Tony Awards, more performance wins than any other actor, and is the only person to win all four acting categories. She starred as Dr. Naomi Bennett on the ABC television drama Private Practice.

Early life and education

McDonald was born in West Berlin, Germany, the daughter of American parents, Anna Kathryn, a university administrator, and Stanley McDonald, Jr., a high school principal. At the time of her birth, her father was stationed with the U.S. Army. McDonald was raised in Fresno, California, the elder of two daughters. McDonald graduated from the Roosevelt School of the Arts program within Theodore Roosevelt High School in Fresno. She got her start in acting with Dan Pessano and Good Company Players, beginning in their junior company. "I knew I wanted to be involved in theater when I had my first chance to perform with the Good Company Players Junior Company." "The people who have had the most impact on my life: Good Company director Dan Pessano and my mother." She studied classical voice as an undergraduate under Ellen Faull at the Juilliard School, graduating in 1993.

Career

Theatre

McDonald was a three-time Tony Award winner by age 28 for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, and Ragtime, placing her alongside Shirley Booth, Gwen Verdon and Zero Mostel by accomplishing this feat within five years. She was nominated for another Tony Award for her performance in Marie Christine before she won her fourth in 2004 for her role in A Raisin in the Sun, placing her in the company of then four-time winning actress Angela Lansbury. She reprised her Raisin role for a 2008 television adaptation, earning her a second Emmy Award nomination. On June 10, 2012, McDonald scored her fifth Tony Award win for her portrayal of Bess in Broadway's The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, thus tying Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris. Her 2014 performance as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill earned McDonald her sixth Tony award and made her the first person to win all four acting categories.

McDonald appeared as Lizzie in the Roundabout Theatre Company's 2007 revival of 110 in the Shade, directed by Lonny Price at Studio 54, for which she shared the Drama Desk Award for Best Actress in a Musical with Donna Murphy. On April 29, 2007, while she was in previews for the show, her father was killed when an experimental aircraft he was flying crashed north of Sacramento, California.

McDonald is known for defying racial typecasting in her various Tony Award-winning and -nominated roles. Her performances as Carrie Pipperidge in Nicholas Hytner's 1996 revival of Carousel and Lizzie Curry in Lonny Price's 2007 revival of 110 in the Shade made her the first black woman to portray those (traditionally white) roles in a major Broadway production. Of her groundbreaking work in encouraging diversity in musical theatre casting, she said in an interview for The New York Times, "I refuse to be stereotyped. If I think I am right for a role I will go for it in whatever way I can. I refuse to say no to myself. I can't control what a producer will do or say but I can at least put myself out there." In a 'Talk of the Nation' interview on NPR, Asian-American actor Thom Sesma said McDonald's performance in Carousel "transcended any kind of type at all", proving her to be "more actress than African-American."

McDonald appeared in a revised version of Porgy and Bess, at the American Repertory Theatre (in Cambridge, Massachusetts) from August through September 2011, and recreated the role on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, which opened on January 12, 2012 and closed on September 23, 2012. For this role, McDonald won her fifth Tony Award and her first in a Leading Actress category. This American Repertory Theater production was "re-imagined by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray as a musical for contemporary audiences."

She appeared at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, Massachusetts, in Eugene O'Neill's play A Moon for the Misbegotten in August 2015, co-starring with her husband Will Swenson.

In 2016, McDonald starred on Broadway as the vaudeville performer Lottie Gee in a new musical titled Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed about the making of the 1921 musical Shuffle Along. McDonald left the show on July 24, 2016 to begin maternity leave. Shuffle Along closed on July 24, 2016.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill

McDonald played Billie Holiday on Broadway in the play Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill in a limited engagement that ended on August 10, 2014. After previews that began on March 25, 2014, the play opened at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 13, 2014. Of the play, McDonald said in an interview:

It's about a woman trying to get through a concert performance, which I know something about, and she's doing it at a time when her liver was pickled and she was still doing heroin regularly...I might have been a little judgmental about Billie Holiday early on in my life, but what I’ve come to admire most about her – and what is fascinating in this show – is that there is never any self-pity. She's almost laughing at how horrible her life has been. I don’t think she sees herself as a victim. And she feels an incredible connection to her music – she can’t sing a song if she doesn’t have some emotional connection to it, which I really understand.

McDonald won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for this role, making her the first person to earn six Tony Award wins for acting (not counting honorary awards) and the first person to win a Tony Award in all four acting categories. In her acceptance speech, "she thanked her parents for encouraging her to pursue her interests as a child." She also thanked the "strong and brave and courageous" African-American women who came before her, saying in part, "I am standing on Lena Horne's shoulders. I am standing on Maya Angelou's shoulders. I am standing on Diahann Carroll and Ruby Dee, and most of all, Billie Holiday. You deserved so much more than you were given when you were on this planet. This is for you, Billie." This performance was filmed at Cafe Brasil in New Orleans and broadcast on HBO on March 12, 2016. McDonald received a 2016 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her role in the broadcast.

McDonald had planned to make her West End debut as Holiday in Lady Day in June through September 2016, but after becoming pregnant she postponed these plans. She will perform in Lady Day in June 2017 through September 9, 2017 at the Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End.

Recordings and concerts

McDonald has maintained ties to her classical training and repertoire. She frequently performs in concert throughout the U.S. and has performed with musical organizations such as the New York Philharmonic and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Carnegie Hall commissioned the song cycle The Seven Deadly Sins: A Song Cycle for McDonald, and she performed it at Carnegie's Zankel Hall on June 2, 2004. She sang two solo one-act operas at the Houston Grand Opera in March 2006: Francis Poulenc's La voix humaine and the world premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's Send (who are you? I love you). On February 10, 2007, McDonald starred with Patti LuPone in the Los Angeles Opera production of Kurt Weill's opera Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny directed by John Doyle. The recording of this production of Mahagonny won two Grammy Awards, for Best Opera Recording and Best Classical Album in February 2009.

In September 2008, American composer Michael John LaChiusa was quoted in Opera News Online, as working on an adaptation of Bizet's Carmen with McDonald in mind.

McDonald has recorded five solo albums for Nonesuch Records. Her first, the 1998 Way Back to Paradise, featured songs written by a new generation of musical theatre composers who had achieved varying degrees of prominence in the 1990s, particularly LaChiusa, Adam Guettel and Jason Robert Brown.

Her next album, How Glory Goes (2000), combined both old and new works, and included composers Harold Arlen, Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Kern. Her third album, Happy Songs (2002), was big band music from the 1920s through the 1940s. Her fourth album, Build a Bridge (2006), features songs from jazz and pop.

In May 2013, Audra McDonald released her first solo album in seven years, Go Back Home, with a title track from the Kander & Ebb musical The Scottsboro Boys. To coincide with the album's release, McDonald performed a concert at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City that aired on the PBS series Live from Lincoln Center titled Audra McDonald In Concert: Go Back Home.

At the 2010 BCS National Championship Game on January 7, McDonald sang America the Beautiful for the sold-out stadium fans to celebrate the final game of the college football season.

In May 2000, Audra McDonald appeared as "The Beggar Woman" in Lonny Price's concert version of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, performed at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, New York, with the New York Philharmonic with George Hearn and Patti LuPone. She reprised the role in some performances of the March 2014 Lincoln Center concert production, again directed by Price, this time opposite Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson. She performed three concerts, titled "Audra McDonald Sings Broadway", in the Sydney Opera House in November 2015, which also included "The Facebook Song" by Kate Miller-Heidke.

Television and film

McDonald has also made many television appearances, both musical and dramatic. In 2001, she received her first Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for the HBO film Wit, starring Emma Thompson and directed by Mike Nichols. She also has appeared on Homicide: Life on the Street (1999), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2000), Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years (1999), the short-lived Mister Sterling (2003), The Bedford Diaries (2006), and Kidnapped (2006–2007), and in the 1999 television remake of Annie as Daddy Warbucks' secretary & soon-to-be wife, Miss Farrell. She sang with the New York Philharmonic in the annual New Year's Eve gala concert on December 31, 2006, featuring music from the movies; it was televised on Live from Lincoln Center by PBS. In 2013, she appeared in the HBO documentary Six by Sondheim.

McDonald appeared as Naomi Bennett in Private Practice, a spinoff of Grey's Anatomy. She replaced Merrin Dungey, who played the role in the series pilot. McDonald left Private Practice at the end of season four, but returned for the series finale at the end of season six to bring closure to Naomi's storyline.

In films, McDonald has appeared in Beauty and the Beast (2017), Ricki and the Flash (2015), Best Thief in the World (2004), It Runs in the Family (2003), Cradle Will Rock (1999), The Object of My Affection (1998), and Seven Servants by Daryush Shokof which was her film acting debut in (1996).

McDonald played Mother Abbess in the 2013 NBC live television production of The Sound of Music Live!.

Since 2012, McDonald has served as host for the PBS series Live From Lincoln Center, for which she shared an Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program with the show's producers.

Personal life

McDonald married bassist Peter Donovan in September 2000. They have one daughter, Zoe Madeline Donovan, named after McDonald's close friend and Master Class co-star Zoe Caldwell. McDonald and Donovan divorced in 2009. She married Will Swenson on October 6, 2012. On October 19, 2016, they became parents to a girl, Sally James McDonald-Swenson.

McDonald attended Joan Rivers' funeral in New York on September 7, 2014, where she sang "Smile".

McDonald lives in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.

Discography

Solo recordings

Way Back to Paradise (Nonesuch, 1998)

How Glory Goes (2000)

Happy Songs (2005)

Build a Bridge (2006)

Go Back Home (2013)

Featured recordings

Dawn Upshaw Sings Rodgers & Hart – duet on "Why Can't I?" (1996)

Leonard Bernstein's New York – duet with Mandy Patinkin on "A Little Bit in Love" and "Tonight" (1996)

George and Ira Gershwin: Standards and Gems – sings "How Long Has This Been Going On?" (1998)

George Gershwin: The 100th Birthday Celebration – sings Porgy and Bess selections (1998)

Myths and Hymns – sings "Pegasus" (1999)

My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies – sings "The Webber Love Trio" (1999)

Broadway In Love – sings "You Were Meant For Me" from The Object of My Affection (2000)

Broadway Cares: Home for the Holidays – sings "White Christmas" (2001)

Bright Eyed Joy: The Songs Of Ricky Ian Gordon – sings "Daybreak in Alabama" (2001)

Zeitgeist – sings "Think Twice" (2005)

The Wonder of Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (2004)

Barbara Cook at the Met – sings "When Did I Fall In Love?" and "Blue Skies" (2006)

Jule Styne in Hollywood – sings "10,432 Sheep" (2006)

Sondheim: The Birthday Concert – sings Too Many Mornings and The Glamorous Life (2010)

Stages – duet on "If I Loved You", 2014

Cast recordings

Carousel (1994 Broadway Revival Cast Recording) (1994)

Ragtime (Original Cast Recording) (1998)

I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky by John Adams (Studio Cast Recording) (1998)

Wonderful Town (Berlin Cast Recording) (1999)

Marie Christine (Original Cast Recording) (1999)

Sweeney Todd Live at the New York Philharmonic (2000)

Dreamgirls in Concert (2001 Concert Cast Recording) (released February 2002)

Wonderful Town (Studio Recording) (2005)

110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast Recording) (2007)

Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (Concert Cast Recording) (2007)

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Allegro (First Complete Recording) (2009)

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (New Broadway Cast Recording) (2012)

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2014)

Video recordings

Audra McDonald – Live at the Donmar London, VHS (1999)

My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies("The Webber Love Trio"), DVD & CD (1999)

Bernstein – Wonderful Town with Kim Criswell, Thomas Hampson, Wayne Marshall, Simon Rattle, and Berlin Philharmonic, DVD (2005)

The Wonder of Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, DVD (2005)

Weill – Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, DVD (2007)

Sondheim! The Birthday Concert, Blu-ray DVD (2010)

Audio books

Alice Walker, By The Light of My Father's Smile (1998)

Connie Briscoe, A Long Way From Home (1999)

Rita Dove, Second-Hand Man (2003)

Wikipedia

#Audra McDonald #07-03

[stageandscreen]

Bruce McDonald Talks About Making His Latest Film Dreamland

Bruce McDonald is one of Canada's most original filmmakers. His latest movie features a narcissist, a hitman, a vampire, and Chet Baker. Sound Bizarre? Well, get ready to enter the world of Dreamland. Mark Gordon: how would you best describe Dreamland? Bruce McDonald: well, you know, it’s a strange one. I would sometimes describe it as a euro trash jazz western. Or it’s kind of a midnight movie. That’s sort of the vibe of it. Mark Gordon: are you a big fan of Chet Baker? Bruce McDonald: I like the mythology and the broken down romance of Chet Baker. I’m probably more of the Miles Davis fan in terms of the trumpet men. Chet is a strange and spooky cat. Mark Gordon: I saw the movie Let’s Get Lost, and I loved Chet Baker, so I went out and bought a bunch of his records. Bruce McDonald: I was turned on years later through a short film about Chet Baker called The Deaths of Chet Baker. It was made by a filmmaker named Robert Budreau. The film tries to imagine how Chet Baker died in that Amsterdam hotel room, found down below on the street. Was he pushed? Did he nod out after a particularly strong dose of his favorite juice? It’s a really fun movie because they play up this scenario three or four times, and each time it’s a bit different. Mark Gordon: how did you develop the concept for Dreamland? Bruce McDonald: One of the things that inspired us was that short film, obviously the let’s get lost material and I had read somewhere, and I heard from a number of people that to make a Chet Baker movie was very problematic because when he was alive, he’d sold his life rights to many people. Of course, all conflicted with each other. There’s been a lot of musical biopics made about all kinds of people like Johnny Cash, but it was a rare event to see one about Chet Baker. So, we thought maybe instead of going the biopic route, we would kind of imagine a movie that late-career Chet Baker on a big dose of heroin might cook-up or a movie he might write. So, this opened the doors to our movie Dreamland. Mark Gordon: What I found interesting about your film is I didn’t know what to expect. It goes from being a gangster movie then all of a sudden there’s a vampire, blood dripping from a tree, and you have some social issues too, you’ve got human trafficking, mixing all these elements and it just works. Bruce McDonald: We tried to capture the experience of having a dream. And I don't know about your dreams, but in my dreams, the oddest things co-exist and it seems quite normal until you think about it, until you wake up and you think about the strange collisions that seemed quite every day and quite natural in your dreams seem quite ludicrous and illogical when you think of them from afar looking at them. The idea of mixing in a vampire, with a film noir, and having a little bit of euro trash plus a little art film, with a little bit of jazz, seemed like a dreamy concoction. One of our guiding principles was the mind of Chet Baker, who our trumpet player is modeled after. Instead of doing a biopic on Chet Baker, why don’t we try to sit inside him during a heroin rush in the later stages of his life and try to be inside Chet Baker and write a movie that he might enjoy? So that was one of the guiding principles, I suppose, of this unusual collage of genres and characters, and the high world, the low world and it was really fun to turn off the logic machine and the rational part of ourselves and open up the door to the unconscious and allow things to be beside each other or on top of each other and to be just as curious, almost, as to the audience. Hopefully, we hold on to the audience until the end, but see what that ends up communicating or what it means. Because I think like a dream, analysis probably means different things to different people.

Stephen McHattie as Trumpet Player in the horror/crime/thriller, “DREAMLAND,” an Uncork'd Entertainment/Dark Star Pictures release. Photo Courtesy of Uncork'd Entertainment/Dark Star Pictures   Mark Gordon: I didn’t get the Chet Baker reference until midway into the film. Bruce McDonald: One of the reasons we don’t call him Chet in the movie is because we wanted to avoid having to ask someone for permission because the estate was such a tangle. So we just called him the trumpet player or the maestro. The actor, Stephen McHattie, inhabits the vibe of Chet Baker so beautifully, his posture and phrasing, and that fragile voice. It was really lovely to see Stephen conjure . So we were kind of happy to have the spirit of Chet Baker in some way, along for the ride. Steven often plays characters that are much more pushy, they're much more driven, much more active. They drive things. Where is in this, it was interesting to see him play this kind of isolated, lonely, broken, haunted man. It was beautiful to see the lights on in his eyes, and that fantastic face of his. Yeah, it was a treat for me to have a front-row seat. Mark Gordon: What was your biggest challenge in making Dreamland? Bruce McDonald: The biggest challenge was finding the right music. When you’re editing a movie, it’s often done where are you use what is called a temp score, and you put in bits and pieces of music from different albums and movies and that sort of thing. So when you show the to the producers for the first, or you show it to a little test audience, movies generally have music, or often do, so it’s a way to make the first viewing experience palatable, and make it feel like a full movie because music is such a big part of a lot of films. In this case, I think the biggest challenge was, once you leave the temp score and you hire the composer, and you begin to work, and then the next time you screen the film you show it you realize what happens is that the producers and the other people close to the production have gotten so used to the temp score they can’t listen to the new score. They don’t like it because it’s different from what they’ve been hearing for the last three or four months. It can be a great barrier and a great hurdle and in this particular movie, not quite sure why it was this one, but it was a challenge to get people to hear it because all they could hear was what was in before. There’s a phrase for that in the film business people call it temp love where are you fall in love with this temporary placeholder music. And it’s often music you can’t afford anyway, even if you wanted to, you are using Bowie tracks, and you are using stuff from Low or you are using stuff from Radiohead. My lesson on this was not to use temp music anymore and get the composer to begin much earlier. Mark Gordon: I’ve spoken to some composers about this, and they call it temp death. Bruce McDonald: That’s good. It’s very much like that. I always feel terrible for composers because it’s such an awkward and horrible place to put them in. I mean, it’s just so unfair because you’re starting with this monkey on your back. The composer should start along with the designer and start at the beginning. I don’t know what it’s like in Hollywood movies or other productions, but I know often in Canadian independent features, the composer is often in a much later stage of the game, and by that time, a lot of the resources have already been gobbled up, and there’s not enough left for that. The nice thing about having gone around the track a few times, you start to put in place at the beginning what you’ve learned at of the last , and that can be very productive.  Mark Gordon: You came up with a group of filmmakers which was called a new wave of cinema in Canada. Bruce McDonald: Sure, Peter Mettler, Atom Egoyan, Ron Mann, and many people, mostly out of Toronto. Canada has the English and the French side. The French were kind of cooking along quite well through the 70s and the 80s. The English Canada, because English Canada is kind of a cultural providence of the United States, and so these filmmakers that started to percolate, and I’m not quite sure why in that time, but up until that time, it has been kind of an aberration to make a film in the English Canada. It was something that had been done, but not in a regular way or not in a kind of in a big way. There was not much of an industry. Here we are outside the gates of Hollywood, and we love movies. We love American movies. We love German movies. We love French movies. Some of us went to film school. Some of us worked in the theater. Maybe the draw to the filmmaking spirit is this communal effort and a kind of a nice. There is a nice thing that happened at that time. This was sort of the late 80s, 90s, and the time was right. There was just a little bit of support in cultural industries for filmmaking. The industry was just beginning to take off, where Toronto and Vancouver we’re becoming bigger and bigger production hubs. The industry, especially the independent film industry, was supported. We would work on big productions, and then we would liberate materials for our productions, or we would always find a way to hatch our own stories, and we would use what we had available to us. It was a very integrated group of people. I would edit for Adam, or I was Peter Mettler’s camera assistant. I would edit for Ron Mann, and people traded and were very supportive and competitive. I think when you’re starting, and I’m not sure how it is for other people, but I know for myself, the idea of being part of a community was almost essential. It’s one of the essential ingredients for being able to go forward because you had people that you could count on. You had people that you could bitch too. You had people who could help guide you or to be a critic of what you’ve done. I really value that beginning time. Mark Gordon: In 1992, you got the highest rating on rotten tomatoes, 100% for Highway 61. Then you did a movie called Hellions, which got a 27 score, but what was the one to watch from bloody disgusting. Bruce McDonald: it’s funny, but you realize at a certain point that you’re not going to please everyone. I remember that we premiered Hellions at Sundance, and I remember the night we were very excited to be invited. It was part of the Midnight Madness series. The guy that programs the series gave us the best introduction. Like you couldn’t have asked for a better thing. He was like, not only is my favorite film of the series this year, but it’s my favorite of the last five years. And I think the audience was there to see another film. They were just not expecting that one. They were expecting something very different. Anyway, so, it didn’t go very well. But sometimes, it takes time for a film to find its audience. Or, the audience to find the film. Pontypool was a good example of that because when that came out, it barely, kind of raised a blink. And over time, over, whatever ten years or so, for certain people, it’s become a kind of well-loved part of the Zombie genre. The most important thing is you get people talking and hopefully, a little debate. My friend Tony, who is the writer of Pontypool and Dreamland, made a couple of other movies. And one of his critics named a film that he wrote, I’m not sure what the publication was, but he picked Tony’s film Septic Man as the 17th worst movie ever made. And Tony’s quite proud of that. Quite an accomplishment. I don’t know the other ones that are the total worst, but he feels like he’s made some kind of list, and he’s proud of that accomplishment. Mark Gordon: With that in mind, what constitutes success for you?  Bruce McDonald: Well, I guess in the simplest way, it is the ability to go on and make another one that’s the thing. And then, when I’m walking down Queen West in my neighborhood, and a car goes around the corner and somebody yells out the window, Hey man I like your movies, that to me is a success. It feels good. Success is the platform or the ability or the privilege to continue on because if you weren’t able to for some reason or you were prevented or stopped, that would be a tragedy. You always go into it thinking, it’s about the next one and it’s the next one, you learn something on this one, and you think OK, well now I know what’s going on, and now I will put that in to play on the next production one like the way we talked about the composer. OK, I learned a lesson on the last one, and you hope the next time, God willing there’s a next time, and you can be better, and you work hard to try to become good at what you do.  There’s a position on a film set called the assistant director, and they are the lieutenant, the right-hand man or woman of the director. And they are kind of the straw boss, the organizer of the whole circus. There was a fellow named David Webb, who was my assistant director on our first three films, Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, and Atom’s films, and I still see David. David gave me a call last year. He was in town with a new thumb that he worked on called  Joker, and he just finished up with Martin Scorsese on the Irishman. So exciting for me to go oh there’s one of our boys, David Webb, who is kind of the best in the world, I think, at what he does. And to see him flying at the top of his ability, working with the real masters and working on really exciting projects, it’s just a great marker in terms of how long it takes to kind of become a master and that it can happen to a friend of yours. It’s exciting, it kind of charges the rest of us up, gives us hope. Mark Gordon: What did you learn from Dreamland? What did you learn about yourself and about making movies? Bruce McDonald: I think I’ve learned to trust my instincts a little bit more and the instincts of my collaborators. I learned that you don’t always need your home team to score a victory or to complete something. Going to Dreamland, which was shot in Europe, it was pretty much me and my A.D. Keith White. Everybody else was kind of brand new. So it was a great lesson for me and trust, instinct with pleasing and surprising results. And then to be reminded of the magic and the power of a great performer, things that aren’t on the page come out and that’s where the fairy dust is. That’s what I learned, just a deeper appreciation of the performer, and openness to trust new people, new allies, and fellow travelers.

(L-R) Behind the scenes photo of Bruce McDonald and Keith White (1st AD) on the set of the horror/crime/thriller, “DREAMLAND,” an Uncork'd Entertainment/Dark Star Pictures release. Photo Courtesy of Uncork'd Entertainment/Dark Star Pictures Mark Gordon: What advice would you give to a young filmmaker just starting? Bruce McDonald: Have a gang, get a gang. Whatever that gang is. It could be two people, four people, but it’s got to be more than just yourself because filmmaking is a communal effort. It's a communal art form. It’s not like painting. It’s not like novel writing or photography. It’s very much a game-related kind of expression. It’s fantastic to have all the technology that we have available to us, but in some ways and I’m talking more in the independent circles, it’s kind of atomized people a little to do everything themselves. I think there’s a great power in the band or in the gang to say, OK, I’m going to focus on the editing, and you're going to focus on the writing, and I am going to focus on the producing. It’s a group thing. So that to me is extremely important to be talked about. My community, growing up, I had that. I was lucky to find that. The second thing I would say to a young filmmaker is story, story, story. A lot of young filmmakers, through necessity, are riding their screenplays, and some are OK, but often I find, that’s the weak link in the production is the structure and the craft of the screenplay. And I think if I were a young filmmaker starting again, and I was going to write my script, I would seek out a senior person. It could be a playwright or just a great storyteller. It could be an actor, someone who has a sensitivity to character and story. Because when you’re starting, I mean if you’re gifted you’re good with the story, but often you’re just full of the beans of wanting to do something and prove something maybe make a genre film or make a whatever film. You’re kind of possessed, and you need that, but I think within that possession if you could just get help with your script. Like the way people will have a rough cut screening for their first cut or second cut, or the third cut of their movie and they show it to friends, and they show it to some other filmmakers, and they show it to their mentor if they have one. I think the same should follow through for a screenplay because if the story doesn’t work, nothing will work, well somethings will work. So I can’t stress that enough. Seek out people that are better than you because people love nothing better than to tell you what they know. We’ve all had to help when we were starting. If you approach people in the right way and thank them and reward them, I think you’ll find your screenplay or story will become infinitely better. Not always, I suppose, but I think it will be stronger and sharper. And that’s the map that everybody follows. So it’s very important that that map is made as good as it can be at the writing stage as opposed to in the editing room when it’s a bit too late. Mark Gordon: When you look back on your career, is there one touch-tone that you have, or one moment, one film, that resonates with you? Bruce McDonald: I was approached by, none other than, Norman Jewison, who is famous for making Rollerball, In the Heat of the Night, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Fiddler on the Roof, and Moonstruck. He’s a Toronto guy that’s moved away to Hollywood and Britain and then came back to Canada. He saw Highway 61 at the Toronto Film Festival and sought me out and presented me with this script about native Indian teenage kids on a northern reserve, based on a series of short stories by a writer named W. P. Kinsella, who is best known for his book Field of Dreams. And so that began this kind of amazing kind of adventure. Probably one of the most fun times I’ve ever had on a set. We shot it in the autumn in North Ontario with a bunch of native actors that were just amazing in this beautiful landscape with Norman Jewison as our mentor. He was off in Italy shooting, so he would just phone in once in a while. It was one of the most magical shooting times, the crew was all there, we were all on location, they were all away from their homes, so they were love affair is going on. And there's drinking mushroom tea on the beach, and there’s getting good at your craft of filmmaking. We had, for the first time, a little bit of support. We had a little bit of design. We had a little bit of costuming. I felt like it was the first real grown-up production. And I think fondly of that movie and Norman Jewison and some of the things that he taught me. I guess it was the film that made me think I like this business. I think I’m going to try to make a go of it. Mark Gordon: What was the lesson that Norman Jewison and taught you? Bruce McDonald: One of the things he taught me, he said if it’s not about love, it’s not worth doing. He knows, more than anybody, it’s a tough road out there in Movieland. It’s a fun job. It’s not an easy job, and it takes up a lot of time. So it’s not so much about the money that they pay you because you can make good money doing things. But I think he was trying to say that the gold will follow if you do good work. It’s such a long engagement. People are often shocked when I tell them how long something takes from that first inception in your mind or with your writing partner to the time . It’s a long-distance run, so if you are not passionate and in love with the thing that you are doing it's not hard to run out of steam or put it aside because it’s a very grueling, long-distance run. Mark Gordon: You were speaking in front of a group of people, and you were telling a story about something that changed your life when you were 14 and it was a Bob Dylan record. Bruce McDonald: The name of this song was Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan, off of the great record Highway 61 Revisited, and that’s the record, one of them anyway, that changed the course of my life. Mark Gordon: What was it about that record that changed your life? Bruce McDonald: Music has always been really important to me. I grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, a middle-class kid, always figuring the world was somewhere else, other than where I was. And when I think of that song in particular, I clearly remember the day hearing it come over the radio. I had no idea who Bob Dylan was or where the song came from, but it was kind of like someone kicking open the door in your mind or your heart and suddenly the wind rushes in and the sunshine and you are like wow, where’s this from? And you start on a journey. For different people, it’s different wakeup calls. Maybe it's a book or a poem, or a person or a trip. For me, that song introduced me to Bob Dylan and introduced me to Arthur Rimbaud. It was a road towards Patti Smith. It was a road towards a great French film called Children of Paradise, which is a favorite film of Bob’s. It took me to concerts. It took me down to the real Highway 61, which runs right through the center of America, down through Minneapolis, St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans. It was the road all the great jazz and blues guys took up to Chicago. When I look back, maybe my memory isn’t completely accurate, but I do remember that song being a marker in the road that changed my direction and led me to some amazing places. Anyone that is an artist or a writer or creator, you need your master, you need to look at the people who have come before, and they propel you forward. So I think fondly of that. I often think fondly of Mr. Dylan and I'm always hoping that he’s feeling all right. Mark Gordon: Bob Dylan’s voice, David Bowie described it as Robert Zimmerman, a man with a voice like sand and glue. You once said something to the effect, that if a man with a voice like that can make it, and there was something about that, that if he could do it, someone who is not the greatest singer in the world, but there was something about him that told you, as it giving you permission to strike out and follow your dream. Bruce McDonald: Well, I think that’s very true. Bob Dylan doesn’t seem like Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby or Michael Bublé, but he doesn’t wait around for permission. He puts it out there with what he has. I think it was a US general Patton, he once said, you never go to war with what you want you to go to war with what you got or lose your country. I think that people like Bob Dylan like an early proto-punk; he became an original voice. I think a lot of the punks like Patti Smith and probably the Ramones and Joe Strummer from the Clash did that same thing too. Where they like we’re not virtuoso guitar players. We’re not particularly handsome. We’re not particularly gifted, but we have something to say. We are going to use what we’ve got and hit the road. I found that tremendously inspiring because it’s a tall order for a suburban kid growing up way outside the gates of Hollywood, it’s a tall order to think you can play in the movie business. Mark Gordon: What would you do if you didn’t make films? Bruce McDonald: Good question, I’ve always ask myself that and the only thing I could come up with was making pizza at Giovanna’s, which is a restaurant across the street from us. I was lucky at a young age to fall into this, I never really had to think too much about what I wanted to be or do. It was something that felt interesting, and it just seemed to fit and was lucky enough to live in a world where that became possible.  Mark Gordon: What would you like an audience to away with after they see dreamland?  Bruce McDonald: I think I made this for the people that used to go to the .99 Roxy and watch Eraserhead. Mark Gordon: That movie freaked me out. Bruce McDonald: It’s one of the freakier movies. I adore that movie. It was a mind-blower. We were formed by those movies, El Topo, and Eraserhead, and The Song Remains the Same. These are all the midnight movies that we would watch on the weekend till three in the morning. So, it’s a kind of salute to those people and those late-night weirdos that have an adventurous palette and kind of embrace that sort of strangeness and those kinds of shadows. Lovely people, when you are sitting in a crowd at midnight, watching these sorts of films. So it was our way to salute that time in our lives and salute those people. I hope that they are still out there. I’m very curious about how people will interpret it, or what they think it is. How they will join the dots or how they will process it and what they will call it. It doesn’t matter to me whether they embrace it or they like it or don’t. What I’m curious about is what they think it is and how they decode it. It’s not so much an issue of like or not like. It’s more of like what is this? I feel like I’m having a dream, and the audience is Dr. Freud, or whoever that says, 'Well, Bruce, think that this is a manifestation of your inherent mischievousness and your love of the vampire.' I’m hoping that the audience will take and guide me and Tony, the writer, to the next station.  Read the full article

#Interviews #Filmmakers #Movies #Film

[mf-despair-queen]

Tech Support - Stuart Twombly

Author: @mf-despair-queen​

Characters: Stuart Twombly/Reader

Word Count: 4619

Warnings: NSFW, 18+, Skype Sex, Masturbation, Oral (Female Receiving)

Notes: Shhh. I told @rememberstilinski and @ninja-stiles I would write them some Stuart stuff. Because Stuart is a babe and I couldn’t stop starting at him while I wrote other things. I guess Stuart is slowly beating out Stiles as my favorite since I write more for Stuart than anyone else? 

Stuart wasn’t particularly happy that he had to cover at the Google Helpline for a few weeks. He knew it was selfish to be mad at the guy he was filling the spot for. The guy who normally worked this spot had gotten into a car accident and was in the hospital. The doctors didn’t want to release for a while (Stuart wasn’t really sure why), which meant that someone needed to fill the spot until he returned.

Stuart also wasn’t sure why they had chosen him for the job. He wasn’t exactly the most social person at Google. Sure, he knew he was smart and could answer any question that came his way, but he was almost completely socially inept.

Stuart collapsed into the chair, putting his headset on. He dreaded the next few hours. This was exactly how he wanted to spend the day. Note the sarcasm, of course.

The phones rang off the hook, Stuart groaning each time he ended a call. Some of these questions were plain idiotic to him, and he wondered how people could even manage to work a computer properly. As his phone rang again, he rubbed his hand over his face and leaned his elbows on his desk.

“Thank you for calling Google Helpline. This is Stuart. How may I help you today?”

“Um…Hi Stuart. My name is Y/N. I’m having some trouble with my Gmail account…” your soft voice filled his ears and his heart jumped a little in his chest.  He wasn’t sure why, but a smile graced his lips.

“Well then, Y/N. Talk me through what’s going on and I will see how I can help. How does that sound?” He heard a soft giggle from you as he went about trying to help.

“Well…” You hesitated briefly, hoping not to sound stupid to Stuart. “My Gmail won’t load. I’ve never used it on my computer before. It always worked fine on my phone but I accidently threw my phone as this guy at McDonalds because he was being an ass.” You mentally slap yourself for telling him something like that. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”

Stuart laughed louder than he meant to, earning a couple of glances from the others in the room. “It’s fine, Y/N. I will go ahead and walk you through some steps and we will try to find the reason for this.”

He walked you through things, all while making small talk with you. He seemed like a nice guy, but it could always be an act because this is his job after all.

“Hey Y/N, if you don’t mind me asking, why exactly DID you throw your phone at that guy at McDonalds?” Stuart asked, while you were attempting to follow the instructions he previously gave me.

“He grabbed my ass while I was standing in line then pretended he didn’t know what I was talking about when I called him out on it. He followed me around the store and even sat at my table with me. When I tried to leave, he wouldn’t leave me alone so I threw my phone at him to get him to go away. It was the only thing in my hand and I didn’t even think about it till I was on the tile, crying over my shattered phone.” You told him, ashamed of the story you had just told him. It was not your proudest moment, that’s for sure.

He chuckled over the phone at you. “You must have nailed him pretty hard if it shattered your phone to the point that you can’t use it for your Gmail. But I’m sure he deserved it.”

I blushed, smiling into the phone. “Yeah, he did.” You swallowed the lump in your throat, not sure what else to say to him. “Oh look at that. Got Gmail working. You’re the best, Stuart. Thanks for all your help.”

Stuart frowned, not wanting the call to end so soon. “It’s no problem at all, Y/N. Please give us a call anytime you need help. I will be here all week to help you with your issues.”

You smiled into the phone, leaning back into the couch you were sitting on. “Definitely, Stuart. Have a great day.”

Stuart frowned as he hung up the call, removing the headset and dropping it onto his desk. He rubbed his hands over his face. He was crushing on a girl he had never met. This could not be happening to him. He shook his head, almost running from the room. He desperately needed air after that call.

You called every day for the next week and a half. You may have been purposefully causing issues just so you could call and talk to Stuart. Whenever he didn’t answer your helpline call, you requested to talk to him, giving the excuse that “Stuart has helped with this problem in the past, so he will know how to help me the most.” Luckily, no one ever questioned your pitiful excuse and transferred you to him on the spot.

Stuart wasn’t complaining. He enjoyed being able to talk to you every day. He felt like he was getting to know you little bits every time.

Today, you were having problems with your google wallet. Yes, you had entered some bogus information so it resulted in an error. You needed some reason to call and talk to him.

As you worked on fixing the issue per Stuart’s instructions, he was rather silent today. “Hey Stuart. Why are you so quiet today?”

“No reason really,” he replied shortly. “Just thinking.”

“Oh…ok. I got my wallet fixed. I appreciate you help Stuart.” You frowned, wiping a stray tear that escaped your eye. You weren’t even sure why you were crying. It’s not like you even knew the guy. “Have a great day.”

“Wait!” You jumped at the sudden reaction and dropped your phone on the ground.

“Shit!” You scrambled for the phone, falling off your bed in the process. Stuart heard the thump over his headset, and a long string of curses coming from your mouth. “I am so sorry Stuart! I dropped my phone. Did you need something?”

“I um…” Stuart gulped, his Adam’s Apple bobbed slightly with the action and his hand wrung the bottom of his shirt, nervous to even ask. “I was wonder…if I could actually get your phone number. I can’t see your phone number through the helpline and…I want to be able to talk to you outside of work too. I could even help you with all your technical difficulties too. If that’s ok with you of course! I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or anything. I mean um…”

Stuart trailed off, embarrassed he had even asked. He should just start apologizing now.

“Sure. Do you have a piece of paper ready?” Stuart blinked, unsure he even heard you right. He scrambled to find a piece of paper and a pen, digging through every drawer he had. Once he had found one, he happily wrote down your number. “Just let me know it is you whenever you text me. I can’t wait to hear from you then. Bye Stuart.”

“Same here. Bye Y/N.” Once he hung up the phone, he fist pumped the air, letting out a silent cheer. It was ridiculous to him that he liked you as much as he did. He had never seen you in person or knew who you were aside from the short phone conversations you had over the Google Helpline. He was happy, however, that he had gotten your number.

He texted you as soon as he got home that evening, and you guys spent hours texting each other. You wanted to know everything about each other.

You glanced at your phone as it vibrated for the millionth time that night.

[12:05 AM – From Stuart] So you never did tell me where you live exactly. Is it nice there?

[12:06 AM – To Stuart] Oh I didn’t? Well excuuuuuuse me princess. I live in San Fran of course!

[12:09 AM – From Stuart] Oh shit. Really??? So do I! We should totally meet up some time in person!

You bit your lip, hesitating on a reply. He was this close to you, and you never even realized that.

[12:19 AM – To Stuart] How am I supposed to meet you if I don’t even know what you look like?

You blushed and smacked yourself in the face. “What the hell did I just text him? I can’t believe I did that. He’s never going to want to talk to me again!” When your phone dinged again after a few minutes, you glanced at the display to see what he had sent.

[12:24 AM – From Stuart] -One image attached-

You dropped the phone in shock, landing with flop on your bed. He sent you a picture? Your shaky hand picked up the phone, clicking on the attachment he sent.

It was definitely a picture of Stuart. He was standing in from of a full-length mirror, showing off his full body in the picture. He was shirtless, his toned stomach in full view for you to drool over. His toned biceps were flexed slightly in the picture. The sweatpants he wore hung low on his waist, his v-lines distinct to you. A trail of hair led down his stomach, into his sweats, and you could only imagine what it led to. He had black rimmed glasses covering his eyes, but you could make out the distinct whiskey color behind them. His hair was sticking up in different directions, almost like he had just woken up to take the picture for you.

You stared at the picture a bit, the blush growing on your cheeks every time your eyes ran over it. Heat pooled between your legs and you rubbed them together where you sat, trying to relieve the pressure that was building. Your fingers flicked over the keyboard to respond, and you were grateful for autocorrect because you couldn’t spell properly at this point.

[12:29 AM – To Stuart] Holy shit. Fuck me man. Who knew the nerd that has been helping me on the Google Helpline was drop dead sexy?

[12:31 AM – From Stuart] I will take that as a compliment, even though you called me a nerd. And if you wanted me to fuck you that bad, you could have just asked.

You collapsed on your bed, your panties soaking wet from the last bit of that message. You couldn’t believe that he would say that.

[12:32 AM – From Stuart] Now do I get a picture in return? I want to see the beautiful face that matches the beautiful voice from the phone.

You glanced down at your outfit, wondering if it was acceptable to send to him. Your top was slightly see through so you could see your black bra with red lace under it. Your shorts barely covered your ass. You didn’t have any make-up on, and your hair was wrapped in a loose bun on the top of your head.

You took a deep breath before you stood in front of your mirror to take a picture for him. If he was going to send a sexy picture your way, you would return the favor.

[12:36 AM – To Stuart] -One image attached-

You chewed anxiously on your nails while you waited for a reply. You had never done anything like this, let alone with a guy you had never actually met in person before. You weren’t sure how he would respond to something like this. As soon as your phone dinged, you stopped breathing completely.

[12:44 AM – From Stuart] Holy fuck. You’re more beautiful than I would have ever imagined. I’m so hard for you right now.

You let out a small moan, before covering your mouth. Your thighs rubbed together more than before. You couldn’t take this guy seriously anymore. He was either fucking with you, or actually wanted to fuck you.

[12:48 AM – From Stuart] Do you have skype? Because I really want to talk to you right now, not just over texts.

You panicked, not sure if you should or not. You were flustered because of the texts this past hour, but you wanted to talk to him more as well. You texted him your skype name and grabbed your laptop off the table. You positioned it in front of you and tried to calm down before he called.

When his call finally came through, you were met with him slowly palming the tent he sported through his sweats. He groaned as soon as he saw you smiling at him. “Damn girl. Why are you so fucking pretty?”

You leaned forward, giving him a slight view down the front of your top. “I don’t know Stuart. You’re pretty eye catching yourself.”

He moaned, his eyes fixated on your chest. “Do you want to do something crazy?”

You eyed him slightly, shifting where you sat. “What would that be?”

“Masturbate with me.”

Your jaw dropped. “S-Stuart! You…” You swallowed, trying to think of what to say back to him. “You haven’t even had dinner with me yet. Why would we do something crazy like that?” Really? That was the best you could think of on the spot?

He groaned, his hand disappearing into his sweats. “We can change that. You can come over to my place tomorrow night and I will make you dinner. Now, please Y/N. Will you do this with me? I know we haven’t known each other long but…I can’t stop thinking about you.”

His words were sweet and sexy as the same time. Your hand unconsciously drifted to you clothed heat, feeling the wetness through your shorts. “I guess we can if you’re going to treat me to dinner tomorrow… But you’re going to have to tell me what to do. This is new to me…”

“I can do that babe.” He pushed his sweats down to his ankles and adjusted his computer into his lap. You could see his throwing cock resting on his stomach, the slightest bit of pre-cum dripping from the tip. He grabbed it gently in his hand, rubbing up the shaft with a grunt. “Start by taking off your shirt and shorts. I won’t make you jump into a full pussy shot yet.”

You blushed, your fingers finding the hem of your shirt. Lifting it over your head, you dropped it to the side of your bed. Stuarts groans got loud, his fist pumping his dick more. Your hands slipped down to your shorts, pulling them down your silky legs slowly.

“You’re trying to torture me, aren’t you?” His words were erotic, and you felt the wet liquid dripping down your legs. You sat with your legs spread out in front of the computer, your fingers rubbing over yourself. “Hot damn. You’re wet. I can tell. You should touch yourself for me.”

Your fingers slipped into your panties, rubbing themselves over your dripping core. You let out a moan and laid back into your pillows, almost forgetting that Stuart was watching you. You slipped a finger inside of yourself, your moans turning into pants.

“That’s right, baby. Just like that,” Stuart told you, his voice raspy. You glanced at the computer, his eyes boring into yours. He pumped his dick fiercely, not letting up for a second. “You should take off your panties so I can see you work yourself. I’m sure your fingers are graceful.”

You didn’t bother to protest as you slid from the wet fabric and resumed fingering yourself. Your other hand slipped up your chest and under your bra, grabbing at your breast. You moaned loud, clenching around your fingers. “Stuart, I think I’m gonna cum.”

“Do it baby. Let go. If rub your clit some, you might get there faster.” You watched as Stuart pumped, his free hand grabbing his balls tightly. Your thumb swiped at your clit, the hardened nub sensitive to your own touch. “Keep going. You can do it. I want see your juices flow out all over your fingers.”

His words finally got to you, as you came all over your fingers. Your vision went white as you let out the loudest moan you had ever done, Stuart’s name rolling off your tongue. Stuart’s breath hitched in response as his cock twitched in his hand, shooting his load all over his stomach.

You both laid back on your beds, panting softly. “That was probably the best orgasm I’ve had. Ever,” He told you, grabbing a tissue from his bedside table.

You chewed on your lip, feeling unsatisfied with this. “Hey Stuart?” You heard a soft ‘mmm’ from him as he cleaned himself up. “I know it’s late, but I think my computer is having some issues.”

You glanced at him, seeing his eyes darken at your words. He dropped the tissue into the trash can and leaned over to look at you better. “Do you want me to come over and fix it?”

You took a deep breath, whispering a barely audible, “Yes.”

He smirked, the lust in his eyes evident. “Text me your address and I will be out the door in five.”

He didn’t bother to wait for a response as the skype call ended. You grabbed your phone, falling face first onto the floor. “Fuck. Why am I so clumsy because of this guy?” You texted him the address and ran into the bathroom. You threw the bra you were wearing into the hamper and slipped on a robe. You wanted to be ready as soon as he arrived.

You heard the quick raps on the door and hurried to open it, Stuart standing on the other side. His hair was disheveled, his shirt on was on backwards, and he was barefoot, leading you to believe he rushed to get out the door.

As soon as he saw you, his lips were on yours in a messy kiss. He kicked the door closed behind him, fumbling to lock it as you dragged him towards your room. The kiss was heated, your tongues fighting already for dominance. Your teeth clashed, your noses brushing against each other.

You couldn’t lie. This was the best kiss you ever had. Your stomach was in knots, the spark tingling your lips every time your lips met his. Your lips seemed to fit each other just right, like a jigsaw puzzle.

You tugged at the bottom of his shirt repeatedly before he tugged it over his head, throwing it haphazardly onto a nearby lamp. You pushed him back onto the bed, and sent a wink his way. He propped himself up on his elbows to watch you as you undid the sash on the robe, dropping the entire thing to the floor. His stare caused you to blush and cover your body with your arms, feeling self-conscious about it.

“Oh baby. Don’t cover up. You’re absolutely breathtaking. Now come over here and kiss me,” he said in his sexy voice.

You shuffled over to him and straddled his waist. Your arms remained clasped around your breasts, hiding them from his view. He grabbed your hands and gently removed them from your body, running his thumbs over your soft skin. “I wasn’t lying. I may be a sarcastic asshole when you get to know me, but I am no liar. You shouldn’t be afraid to show off your body. You are beautiful.” He proceeded to lean up, pulling you down to meet his lips halfway.

You moaned into the kiss, gripping to shoulders to keep yourself upright. Grinding your hips into his own, he groaned into the kiss. His hands found your breasts, kneading them repeatedly.

He broke the kiss, his lips remaining close so you could feel his lips move as he talked. “Can I suck them, baby? They look delicious.” You just nodded, letting him flip you guys so he was on top. He kissed his way down your chest, flicking his tongue over one of your nipples. You let out a gasp as he blew on the perky bud in front of him and took it in his mouth. He swirled his tongue around it, letting you tangle your fingers in his hair.

“Stuart, how did you get so good at this?” You moaned out, barely getting the words out of your mouth, watching him switch between your breasts often. He started licking his way down your stomach as he responded.

“No idea. I’m not much for the dating front. I know I’m not a virgin because I had drunk sex with my coworker once. I don’t remember it though.”

“Oh…Well keep doing whatever you’re doing then. Because it’s working.” You giggled, feeling him smile against your stomach. He spread your legs, moving so he could kiss your thighs. Kissing each one a couple times, he moved to you core and licking it a couple of times. Your fingers twisted into the sheets. “Just like that, Stuart. Keep doing that.” He licked faster, his tongue occasioning finding its way into your core and licking your walls. When his tongue found your clit, and nibbled on it, you couldn’t stop yourself from screaming. Once the first scream erupted from your throat, Stuart’s hand covered your mouth.

“Shh, baby. As much as I love you screaming my name like that, we don’t want to wake your neighbors.” You nodded, biting your lip to suppress the noises you knew you would make. He continued working on your clit, running a finger through your folds and into your core. You had to cover your mouth to muffle the noises you were making, though it was getting hard to as he continued his magic. His finger pumped you a few times before he slipped a second finger in, scissoring your walls and curling his fingers into your g-spot.

You had to grab a pillow to cover your string of curses and he sucked and pumped your nethers. You were in heaven now, your stomach swirling with anticipation. Your walls clenched around his fingers and you pushed your face further into the pillow as you came. Stuart groaned and replaced his fingers with his tongue, lapping up the juices that leaked from your core. Your chest heaved at a great pace, trying to relax from your orgasm.

Stuart moved the pillow from your face and placed a sensual kiss to your lips. You could taste yourself on his lips and tongue, clawing at his arms to hold yourself together. He kissed over to you ear, whispering into it, “I want to be inside you now. Will you let me, princess?”

You nodded, helping him kick his sweats and boxers off, letting them rest on the foot of your bed. You felt him rub his cock through your folds before pushing on his chest, halting his movements. “Wait. Condom. We can’t forget the condom.” You hand searched blindly for the bedside table, knocking the alarm clock to the ground in the process. Stuart got the hint and opened the drawer, pulling a foil packet from the box inside. Tearing it open with his teeth, he pumped his shaft several times before he rolled the condom on.

Lining himself up at your entrance, he glanced at you for permission to continue. His eyes bore into your own, the answer he was waiting for evident in your lust-filled orbs. He eased in, hearing you wince as he stretched your walls. “I’m sorry babe. It’ll be worth it though. I’m going to please you so much, your eyes will roll back into your head. You’re going to have the finest orgasm you’ve ever had, unmatched by any before.”

He let you adjust before pulling out and slamming his dick back into you. A wave of pleasure washed over you, your hands finding their way around Stuart’s back. He continued to thrust into you, the tip of his cock already prodding your g-spot every time. Your nails raked down his back, leaving bright red marks in their wake. Your moans made his cock twitch inside of you, and each clench of your walls elicited a gasp from his lips.

“Fuck. You are so tight for me princess. Do you like this?” You nodded your head, feeling lightheaded from the massive amounts of pleasure he was causing you.

“Go faster. Harder. Please Stuart.” Your words were choppy, a gasp escaping between each word.

“As you wish, baby.” He complied with your wished, slamming his cock into you harder, at an ungodly speed. Your mewls met his ears, your back arched to his touch. One of his hands held your waist, the other grabbed your thigh, shifting it in a way that would allow him to reach deeper into your depths. He would roll and rotate his hips into yours, the sensational rush of pleasure filling your body with each movement.

His motions started to get staggered and sloppy, telling you he was near his peak. Your wrapped your legs around his waist, pulling him closer to you. “You can cum, Stuart. You don’t need to hold back.”

He let out a groan, rubbing your clit as he neared his orgasm. A knot formed in your stomach, the rubbing drawing you closer to your end. Your walls clenched around his cock one final time, milking him as he released his load into the condom, filling it to the brim with semen. Your eyes rolled back as your orgasm hit you for the second time that night, Stuart’s name falling from your tongue once more.

Resting his sweaty forehead against yours, he kissed your lips sweetly before pulling out. The removed the condom and tied it off, dropping it into the trashcan you had by your bed. You let out a sigh and curled up against his side. Stuart pulled the blankets over you both and kissed your forehead.

“That was the best, Y/N. Way better than drunk sex I can’t remember.” You giggled, placing sweet kisses along his jaw. “We’ll get to do it again sometime, right?”

“You want to keep seeing me?” Your eyebrows furrowed at his questioned, unsure why he was still interested. “Why would you want to do that? I’m not smart like you. I’m clumsy. And I can’t even handle my computer sometimes.”

“Of course I want to keep seeing you.” He frowned at you, confused by what you were telling him. “I know it’s crazy, but I have really strong feelings for you already. I’ve only been talking to you for what? Nearly two weeks? But I want you to be my girlfriend. I don’t care if you’re clumsy or can’t handle a computer. It just means I can be your own personal tech support.”

You sniffled, a couple of tears escaping your eyes. Stuart got worried, seeing the tears, and sat up quickly. “I didn’t mean to make you cry! Fuck. I fucked up, didn’t I?”

You shook your head, your smile beaming at him. “No you didn’t fuck up. I just thought that was really sweet.” You leaned in and kissed him, your hands resting on his cheeks. “Of course I want to be your girlfriend. I want you to be my very own tech support.”

“Good,” he stated, smiling at you and running a hand through your hair. He paused, staring at you and blinking a few times. “You are still coming over for dinner tomorrow, right?”

You let out a laugh and nuzzled your face into his chest, cuddling his warm body closer to yours. “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way, Stuart.”

He grinned, closing his eyes. “Thanks for calling the Google Helpline, Y/N.”

#Stuart #Stuart twombly #stuart x reader #Stuart twombly x reader #stuart twombly smut #smut #dylan #dylan o'brien #dylan obrien #dylan o'brien smut #dylan o'brien x reader #the internship #dave hodgman #thomas #stiles #stiles stilinski #teen wolf #maze runner

[eastoaksdalestreet]

Chapter 5

WARNING CONTAINS SEXUAL SCENES AND BAD LANGUAGE PLEASE ONLY READ IF YOUR 18+ ALSO CONTAINS SIMS3/SIMS2

Glenda Mitchell had recently moved to Albert Square upon hearing the news that her ex husband Archie had been murdered, the murderer, unbeknown to everyone, was Stacey Branning whom he raped the year before. Glenda believed that she was his wife but Peggy and her girls had thought otherwise. She had missed her girls and wanted a relationship with them but they didn't want to know, believing that she had deliberately abandoned them.

She hadn't got herself acquainted with anyone yet but she had liked the look of the male population and she was determined that she would get her hands on one of them.

As she continued cooking, she glanced at her phone and saw a text of “Danny” and sighed heavily. She did think about getting back to him but decided not too at the moment. She wanted to settle down first. She thought about Ronnie and Roxy and decided to have a word with them, she knew there was a possibility they would reject her but she was willing to take that risk.

Jackson Walsh had recently moved to Emmerdale with his mother Hazel, he had instantly made friends with both Adam Barton and Aaron Livesy, the latter whom he was secretly attracted too. Aaron had been on his mind constantly since he arrived and he wanted the opportunity to get to know him. That night while Hazel had gone to the woolpack, he dialled Aarons number.

“Hey Aaron, I was wondering if you was free this weekend.” He said, Aaron paused for a moment but then he said,

“Sure what time?” He asked and Jackson smiled to himself,

“8:00 at the cinema.”

“Ok, Ill tell Paddy to feed Clyde.”

Jackson was delighted with the result, he couldn't wait for Saturday.

Glenda walked into the Vic, sure enough Roxy and Ronnie were not happy to see her.

“What do you want?” Roxy snapped, clutching a glass of vodka, Glenda sighed heavily,

“Ive come to talk.” Glenda said and Roxy scoffed,

“Talk? Talk? Its far to late for that!” She shouted, coming from behind the bar. Glenda looked at her younger daughter,

“You walked out on us when we needed you the most! When you left our lives, you left us for good! I might not be mother of the year myself but I've been there for Amy since day one!” Roxy shouted, while Ronnie, who had returned from a workout looked on. Amy was sitting on the floor playing with her teddy while Glenda felt her temper rise,

“Do you have any idea how hurt I was when I left you, watching your dad manipulate Ronnie, take her baby away and I couldn't do anything about it! Your dad was a monster and I couldn't bare it seeing what he was doing to you both. I missed you every single day and I wanted to come back and take you both away but I couldn't!” She shouted and she walked out, bursting into tears.

Glenda continued walking up the street till she reached Emmerdale, her feet hurt her and she knew she had walked a long time but she needed to clear her head.

“You alright love?” John called out and Glenda looked up,

“Yeah Ive just been walking.” She said with a sniff and John, taking pity on her, allowed her inside. Hannah and Adam watched as Glenda walked in, wondering who she was.

Moira watched as Glenda sat beside her,

“Hello, you ok?” She asked as she saw Glenda’s tear stained face. Glenda nodded,

“Just a family argument. It will blow over soon.” Glenda said sadly as Adam gave her a cup of tea. She found that she was revelling in the sympathy that the Bartons were giving her, particularly John and Adam. When she left later that day, she decided that either man she wanted to see again.

The next day, John, who was still concerned about Glenda and her state of mind, got her address from her neighbour and decided to see if she was ok. He waited for her to come to the door and she came downstairs, she smiled when she saw him,

“Hello John.” She said and He nodded,

“Just come to see if your alright.” He said and she smiled,

“Thank you. I do feel better. Its nice to know that people care.” She said and John nodded.

“Anytime you need someone to talk too, were always here for you.” And he left and Glenda watched, grinning to herself.

Abi Branning was doing her homework on her front garden, the weather was warm and there was a festival in the square but she couldn't go because she was too young and she had school the next day. She often complained about her life as she wanted to do well but the fact her parents had split up and her sister was often causing trouble, she found it hard. She loved her family despite their faults and wished that she could make them proud, she looked out at the festival and sighed. She knew that Lauren had snuck out to attend but still hadn't said anything and had told Tanya that she was staying at a friends. As she headed back inside, she vowed to make a good go of her life.

John was attending the festival with Peter and Andy who was having a drink in the background, Moira was working late and the kids had gone to their friends. He was having a good time and felt slightly tipsy while Peter danced with pearl who was in attendance.

It was then Glenda arrived and she saw John and spoke to him,

“Hello Stranger.” She said jovially and He smiled,

“Hey you ok?” He asked and she nodded as she sipped her drink,

“I'm fine and I'm having fun!” She called out, she was already drunk.

Suddenly she pulled him towards her and kissed him and he did nothing to stop her. He was flattered by her attention but he felt bad all the same. Peter, who had watched what happened, said to Glenda,

“Listen Love hes married. Go away.” He said and Glenda walked off with a satisfied smirk on her face.

“What were you thinking?” Peter said to John who looked down. “Your supposed to be solid with Moira.” John didn't say a word and decided to head home.

Steve and Becky McDonald were in charge of the Rovers Return, Liz was away till the afternoon so they had the place to themselves and they revelled in it and there was another reason to celebrate: Amy, Steve’s daughter was going to become a McDonald. They were due to have a visit from the social worker and Becky was nervous.

“Stop fretting will ya? Youll be fine!” Steve said and Becky looked at him with fear in her eyes,

“I sure hope so, I love Amy like shes my own.” She replied and Steve rubbed her shoulder,

“Everything will all work out.” He said softly and they embraced.

The day after the drunken kiss and the realisation that Glenda had played him, John decided to pay her a visit, he was hungover and angry by her games and he stood waiting for her, she said smugly,

“Knew you couldn't stay away.”

“Listen Lady you may have other people fooled but last night you played me like a fool!” He shouted and Glenda scoffed,

“Didn't stop you putting your tongue down my throat did it!” Glenda yelled back,

“So unless you want me to tell your darling wife what happened I suggest you come clean first or I will!” She shouted and she saw the fear in Johns eyes.

“You keep away from me and my family!” John shouted and he walked away, the guilt hanging over him more than ever.

Ronnie was in the kitchen looking after Amy for Roxy who had been helping in the bookies, she was expecting to see Jack later that day, he had a surprise for her.

“You spoken to Mum?” Ronnie asked and Roxy shook her head,

“No way.” She said and Ronnie knew not to ask anymore.

Roxy picked up Amy and took her to her bedroom, jack was Amys father and Ronnie often thought why she had forgiven him for cheating on her with own sister but she loved him so much and would forgive him anything.

John was milking the cows as his mind was all over the place, he feared that Glenda would twist things and Moira would believe it was an affair. He felt sick and wished the ground would swallow him whole. The kids had gone out and he had time to think about confessing, it didn't help that Cain had threatened to tell Moira himself as he had also been at the festival that night and saw the whole thing. Just as John finished, Moira called him in,

“John can I have a word please?” She called and John stood up and headed into the house.

Moira was sitting on the sofa her arms were folded and her face was unhappy, John feared the worst,

“Glenda spoke to me today.” She said in a low voice and John nodded,

“She tells me you and her had a moment at the festival in Albert Square, did it happen John? Did you kiss her?” She asked, her voice was breaking and John slowly nodded. Moira didn't say anything for a moment then she leapt up in anger.

“How could you do this to me?! I didn't come to the festival because I was ill!! It wasn't out of spite! You and that old slapper behind my back?!” She shouted as she took deep breaths. John sighed,

“I was drunk Moira, I didn't know what I was doing, there is no one Id rather be with other than you!” John shouted back and Moira sat at the kitchen table.

“I cant believe you went behind my back and kissed another woman and I bet you would've slept with her if you had the chance.” Moira said and she felt the tears start forming in her eyes as she blinked them away, John felt ever so guilty as he went to cuddle her but she pushed him away and stood up.

“I'm going to work.” She snapped and headed out the door while John watched her go.

Billie and Whitney were in the playground near the flats, it was their special place and Whitney cherished every moment she spent with him. Billie was a nice person who although rebelled from time to time, had his heart in the right place.

“You fancy going out this weekend?” she asked as they walked in front of the block of flats and Billie sighed,

“I cant babe. I'm already out with mates, maybe another time eh?” he said as he pulled her for a kiss, Whitney kissed him back and they headed home hand in hand.

Moira was working her shift at the woolpack, there was hardly any customers and the fact that Glenda was in with Carol, whom she had recently made friends with, didn't help the situation. It was then she realised the full extent of what John and Glenda had done. She made an excuse to Diane that she wasn't well and walked out but she didn't go home.

Michelle was watching television with Ryan when the front door went, sighing heavily she paused the program and opened the door to find an upset Moira,

“Moira, whats happened? Are you ok? Moira?” Michelle asked and slowly Moira broke down and Michelle put her arm round her, Ryan headed upstairs while Kirk, who had popped in to retrieve the mobile he left behind, headed quickly out.

“John kissed another woman and nearly slept with her.” Moira sobbed and Michelle sighed heavily.

“What a bloody idiot, what did he do that for?” She asked and Moira wiped her eyes,

“He says he was drunk and that Glenda threw herself at him.”

“Oh Moira. Look you can stay here tonight and tomorrow go home and talk to him.” She said softly as Moira cried silently.

Jack Branning called the Mitchells into the living room and Ronnie was intrigued by what he was about to do. Peggy couldn't contain her excitement nor could Roxy, Phil sat with no expression,

“Ive called you all here because I have a question for a certain beautiful lady whom I want to spend the rest of my life with.” Jack announced before getting down on his knees and producing a small box from his coat pocket,

“Ronnie Mitchell will you marry me?” He asked and Ronnie and the mitchells gasped.

“Yes I will.” She said softly as Jack put the ring on her finger while the mitchells congratulated the happy couple, feeling that they were finally back on track.

Adam watched as John cleaned out the cows and felt an urge to strangle him for the upset he had caused Moira. The fact that he was avoiding her rather than talk to her was annoying and the fact that Moira was now distressed the past few days was hard for Adam to watch. “Dad why don’t you talk to Mum? She’s upset.” He said as he came over to help, John sighed heavily, the guilt was unbearable, he had made a mistake, a meaningless mistake and Moira wasn’t hearing him out. “I will talk to her when she calms down, I tried speaking to her yesterday but she pushed me away.” John said sadly, Adam rolled his eyes. When the work was done, John stood up. “I’m going for a bath, watch the barn for me.” He said and he headed to the farm, “Well that’s one way to sort your problems out. When in doubt go for a bath.” Adam mumbled sarcastically before finishing his fathers work.

Moira was milking one of the cows, the hurt that she had been feeling the past to days was still in her mind and though she wanted to move on, she kept getting unpleasant visions that she found impossible to shift. After she finished milking the cows, she decided to head up for a bath, unaware that it was already occupied.

When Moira headed up she realised that the bathroom was occupied and sighed angrily then she saw that the door was slightly open and she saw that John was in there and decided to have a sneak peak of him washing himself, she used to do it when they were younger and knew that John used to do the same to her. She watched as he ran the hot water over his chest, stomach and back and knew he washing down below and bit her lip as she watched him. He started relaxing and resting his head on edge of the bath, feeling his eyes close.

Moira slowly walked in and caressed Johns wet chest and stomach causing John to wake up and look at Moira who was smiling at him. John smiled back and realised he had been forgiven, he passionately kissed Moira and got out of the bath and began undressing her, getting her wet, he then picked her up and took her to the bedroom, he had entered her already and the pleasure that was rising between them caused them to get on the floor. John moved inside her and her moans of pleasure echoed and they felt relived that the kids were outside and couldn't hear them. Their moans of pleasure got louder as John got harder and faster before finally ejaculating and collapsing beside her, he picked her up and lay her in bed.

“I love you babe.” He whispered, “Ill never hurt you again I promise.” Moira smiled at him as she fell asleep, while John cuddled up to her and nibbled her earlobe, their love enveloping them.

Deidre Barlow was organising the return of her mother Blanche from Portugal and was enlisting the help of Liz, her best friend.

“Bet your excited to see Blanche aren't you?” Liz said with a smile and Deidre said,

“Yeah it will have done her some good, she said that she had so much to tell us, she stayed on longer because of her friend breaking her leg so hopefully things are ok now.”

Deidre watched Ken cook the hot dogs and smiled at him, pleased that he had made a huge effort for Blanche’s homecoming, Amy and Simon were playing upstairs excited to see their Nanny Blanche and hoping for presents.

However When peter went to go and collect her, she wasn't there.

“She better have a flipping good excuse!” Deidre said furiously as Ken went to call the hotel where Blanche was.

Ken was on the phone for half an hour and his face fell as he was talking to the son of Blanche’s friend and after he ended the call, he went to Deidre.

*Deidre, there is no easy way to tell you” Ken said softly, holding her hands, “Blanche is dead.”

Deidre looked dumbfounded and then the tears started running,

“What happened?” She asked

“She was found this morning having died in her sleep, shes gonna be flown home tomorrow, it appears that her friend left Portugal months ago.” Ken explained and Deidre was inconsolable as she told Peter and Leanne and Liz.

Later that afternoon after telling John and Andy about Blanche’s death, Peter came home with Leanne, Leanne was in her second trimester and couldn't wait to meet the baby, who was gonna be a girl. Leanne loved the idea she was gonna have a daughter and in light of Blanche’s death, decided to give her the middle name of Blanche.

“I cant believe shes gone, she had so much fighting spirit.” Peter said sadly while a devastated Simon went to his room. Leanne rubbed his arm,

“I know babe. She will have the best send off money can buy.” She said and she kissed him as they headed into the flat.

The funeral took place on Sunday and everyone was saddened by the loss of a woman who never had any fear and told it like it was. After the funeral, Moira and John went upstairs, Holly had gone to the cinema while Hannah and Adam were in their beds asleep.

“Poor Blanche and I feel so awful for Deidre bless her.” Moira said sadly and John rubbed her arm,

“I had to stay with Peter, particularly after the drama with Tracy. She's a nightmare.” John exclaimed as he began undressing, Moira nodded sadly as she did the same.

Peggy was upstairs in the Vic, feeling happy with the turn of events that had happened with Ronnie and Jack and was pleased that Ronnie was having some happiness after everything she had been through with Danielle's death and Archie and the misery he caused her. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door, it was well past closing time and she headed downstairs, hoping not to encounter a burglar. She didn't.

It was Sam, her only daughter.

Peggy was lost for words as she believed that Sam was still in prison and she was further shocked to see that Sam was heavily pregnant.

Aaron and Jackson had finished their date at the cinema and they had a good time, they enjoyed each others company and they liked each other a lot.

“I enjoyed tonight.” Aaron admitted and Jackson smiled,

“So did I.” Jackson said,

“You can come round soon and meet Paddy, My mum and Clyde the dog.” Aaron suggested and Jackson smiled,

“Great and you can meet my mum. Youll love her.” Jackson said with a laugh and Aaron nodded. They looked at each other for a few moments and they slowly leaned in on each other before locking lips tenderly, wrapping their arms around each other.

When they broke apart Jackson said goodbye and Aaron waited for Paddy to arrive, then he saw two people outside the cinema and looked at them more closely as he recognised them.

It was Holly and Billie and they were kissing each other, Aaron was shocked as he knew that Billie was seeing Whitney. Billie headed home while Holly watched him leave before she headed back into the cinema, Aaron secretly followed her and saw her head into the toilets, he looked through a gap in the door.

He was shocked when he saw her take out a small bag containing what looked like white powder, she lay some on the counter and snorted, pinching her nose while Aaron looked in Shock.

The question was...

What was he going to do???

End of Chapter.

Next time- Hollys addiction escalates causing friction for the Bartons, Leanne goes into labour and Carol makes a friend while the Mcqueens start a feud with the Mitchells.

#Eastenders #sims2 #sims 3 #fanfic #emmerdale #Coronation Street #Hollyoaks

[project-look-after-even]

Intervju med: Even Bech Næsheim

Chapter: 1/?

Summary: A slow-burn chaptered fic about Even falling for Mikael, and Even’s story before Isak. Each chapter will be titled based on a song. Please enjoy and let me know if you like it!

Song inspo: Fallingforyou by The 1975

Pairing: Even Bech Næsheim/Mikael Overlie Boukhal, Even/Sonja

Words: 1,287 (incomplete)

Rating: this chapter is pretty PG, later chapters may be Teen & Up.

(Author’s note: If Julie isn’t going to tell Even’s story properly, I’m going to try. Also I don’t have AO3 yet because this is the first piece of writing I’ve done in this fandom besides my requested drabbles so it’ll just be posted here for now….but it’ll be on AO3 asap! Please enjoy!)

Chapter 1: Fallingforyou

There was always something different between Even and Mikael, something deeper than what Even had with the other boys. Even knew it, and Mikael knew it, he thinks, but he had convinced himself it’s just because they’re best friends.

Plus, he’s dating Sonja. And Sonja is beautiful and funny and smart and everything he had ever hoped for in a girlfriend. But something still feels wrong, it feels like there is something aching to escape from him, some deep secret that his own mind is keeping from him.

They have film class together, and the teacher is going on and on about some project they have to turn in by the end of the week, but Even can’t concentrate. He unconsciously draws a small picture in the corner of his notebook paper; a boy with flowers in his hair. In fact, now that Even looks at it, it kind of looks like-

“Even!” the loud whisper comes from behind him. He turns around to see Mikael, who passes him a note. In scribbled handwriting:

Meet after school, your place? Let’s work on the project together.

Even turns back to Mikael’s expectant face and gives a quick nod, stuffing the note in his pocket. He has no idea what the project is about, but regardless, he knew he would be working with Mikael. Just the two of them, hanging out, laughing and getting nothing done. Those are Even’s favorite times and fondest memories.

The class bell rings, and Even grabs his things, says a hurried “see you later, text me” to Mikael, and off he goes to his next class.

But he can’t concentrate the whole rest of the day. Not when he’s meeting Mikael later.

 As soon as he gets home, he starts cleaning. This alarms his mum somewhat, and rightfully so. Even never cleans.

“Is something the matter, dear?”

“No, why?”

“No reason, I’ve just never seen you clean.”

Even laughs and says he’s fine, and then continues picking up in his own room. Soon enough, he hears the doorbell ring, and it feels like a surge of electricity travels from deep in his chest and out to his fingertips. He looks in the mirror, fixing his hair a little bit and straightening his shirt. He walks out into the entrance hallway where Mikael is greeting his mum, then Mikael follows him into his room. Why does Even feel so nervous?

“Sorry it’s a mess,” Even sighs, picking up a few stray things he didn’t get around to putting away before Mikael got there.

“It’s totally fine, dude. My room looks way worse than this,” Mikael says, laughing. “Wanna get started on the project?”

“Sure, only….I have no idea what it’s about.”

So Mikael explains the project, and Even watches him intently. He watches his soft brown eyes, his hands that move while he’s explaining things, and his soft pink lips. Then his phone buzzes.

Text from Sonja:

Wanna meet up at Kaffebrenneriet?

Even sighs.

“What is it?” Mikael asks, a bit confused by the interruption from his explanation.

“It’s Sonja, she wants to meet up at KB.”

“Oh,” Mikael looks a bit disappointed. “Well, we could always cut this short and work on it another day, if that’s what you want.”

That’s the last thing Even wants.

“No,” he says, locking his phone, turning the ringer off and setting it face down so there are no more distractions. “So, we have to make a mini-movie?”

 They start planning the mini-movie they have to make for their project, and somewhere around 17:30 Even’s mum comes in to bring them pizza for dinner. While they’re eating, they talk.

“I guess Yousef kissed some girl at a party last friday, something about spin the bottle,” Mikael says, laughing.

“No way! I heard the same thing happened to Adam, and the bottle landed on this girl 3 times, so they had to go into the closet together. He said it was the most awkward thing to ever happen to him,” Even laughs, and Mikael shakes his head in second-hand embarrassment.

All this talk about kissing has Even looking at Mikael’s lips. Had Mikael ever kissed anyone? He knew Mikael had never had a girlfriend, and he didn’t think he’d ever heard about Mikael kissing anyone either. He and Mikael are sitting on his bed, cross-legged, so close to each other their knees are practically touching. They’ve both finished their pizza, and something occurs to Even while Mikael is talking about yet another kissing misadventure.

He wants to kiss Mikael.

Even shakes his head to clear his thoughts and forces a polite laugh at whatever Mikael had said, but on the inside he was freaking out. He can’t actually want to kiss his best friend, right?

Even stands up from the bed quick. “Actually,” he says with a bit of an edge to his voice, trying to keep calm while his mind is racing, “I think I am going to meet Sonja.”

Mikael looks taken aback by Even’s sudden announcement.

“Oh…..okay.”

“I can walk you out, I’m leaving now anyway.”

“Okay…”

So Even walks Mikael out. His mind is running through everything that he wanted to tell Mikael but he knew he couldn’t. The second Mikael was out the door, after a particularly awkward “goodbye”, Even called Sonja.

“Hey, babe. KB’s closed now, but Mcdonald's is open. Still want to meet up?”

 About 20 minutes later Even and Sonja are sat at a booth in Mcdonald’s, Sonja with a milkshake and Even with an order of medium fries. Even’s mind is still racing, but he’s staring at Sonja, thinking over and over, I love her. She’s beautiful, and funny, and smart, and she’s everything I’ve ever hoped for in a girlfriend. I can’t blow it. But I can’t keep this from her.

“Sonja?” Even manages, after a long period of silence.

“Yeah Even?”

Even takes a deep shaky breath.

“What if I like girls and boys?”

Sonja is silent for a minute, but to Even it feels like forever. He’s desperate for her to say something, anything.

“Then you do.”

“....huh?”

“Then you like girls and boys. I don’t care who you’re attracted to, Even, as long as the only one you want to be with right now is me.”

Even lets out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding in.

“Thank you.”

They walk home from Mcdonald’s in silence, Even’s hand in hers. He texts his mother saying that he’s sleeping over at Adam’s, and soon enough they’re in Sonja’s room, making out. Sonja’s parents aren’t home.

He kisses her passionately while she leans against the back of her door with his hands on her waist, and Sonja has her arms around his neck. She has to stand on her tip-toes. Even picks her up and she squeals laughing, telling him to put her down, and Even laughs and lies her down on the bed. He’s looking down at her, the blue light of the moon coming in through the curtains of her window. She looks beautiful, and Even sighs. He loves her. He really does.

They cuddle, Even as the big spoon with a long arm draped over her. She falls asleep first, and soon enough Even does too, playing over and over the day’s events in his mind.

While he’s fast asleep he dreams of one thing; Mikael, lying on his bed, a soft smile on his face, which is draped in blue moonlight.

#skamfwn #slow burn #skam #Skam fanfic #honkettes #tessalabessa #in case you wanna read it #skam fanfiction #skam writing #skam chaptered fic #even #even bech næsheim #mikael #mikael øverlie boukhal #mikael boukhal #even x mikael #mikael x even #balloon squad #bakka boys #evak #isak #isak valtersen #even x sonja #sonja x even #N writes #Intervju med: Even Bech Næsheim #skam season 3 #skam s3 #skam sesong 3 #skam sesong 4

[weekendwarriorblog]

WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND February 8, 2018  - THE LEGO MOVIE 2, WHAT MEN WANT, COLD PURSUIT, THE PRODIGY

Well, folks, this week I’m travelling down to Oxford, Mississippi for the 16th Annual Oxford Film Festival (and my third time there as a juror), so that’s really what I’m most excited about this week, although there are a whopping four movies released Friday then another three wide releases next week, so I’ll be looking forward to when things slow down again.

You’ll also notice a pretty major change in this week’s column, and that’s because I’m happy to report that I’ll now be previewing and reporting box office for my good friend Heidi McDonald over at The Beat (Comicsbeat.com), so you’ll be able to read my box office stuff there but still get some insight into the new movies coming out here, especially if you’re interested in the lower-profile limited releases, streaming and repertory stuff.  But I’ll still write about the wide releases, and this is most likely where I’ll be reviewing many of them still, since I haven’t been asked to write reviews for The Beat just yet.

Either way, as long as I still have time to write a modified version of this column focusing on the limited releases, I will do so, including a link to my column over at the Beat every week, so you won’t miss out on what I know some people read the column for, which is my box office analysis. If for some reason, you don’t care about anything besides the studio releases, please let me know, since it’s a lot of writing if nobody is writing. THIS WEEK’S BOX OFFICE ANALYSIS AT THE BEAT

THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART (Warner Bros.)

Directed by Mike Mitchell (Trolls) Written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (with story by Matt Fogel) Voice Cast: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Tiffany Haddish, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman, Charlie Day, Maya Rudolph, Will Ferrell MPAA Rating: PG

This is one of the easier movies this weekend to talk about, since it’s the year’s second sequel after M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass, and it’s not exactly reinventing the LEGO wheel, as it follows shortly after the events of 2014’s The LEGO Movie, which became another hit for Phil Lord and Chris Miller after having hits at Sony with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (plus its sequel) and 21 Jump Street.

In the five years since that hit, the Warner Animation Group released The LEGO Batman Movie, which also did fairly well, but Lord and Miller are coming off their recent animated hit Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which seems to be heading towards an Oscar in the Animated Feature category at the end of the month.

Reviews for the movie have been great, just like the original movie, but as seems to be the case with me a lot lately, I’m the outlier as I really didn’t care for the sequel at all for reasons you can read in my review linked below.

MY LEGO MOVIE 2 REVIEW

WHAT MEN WANT (Paramount)

Directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray, Bringing Down the House, Rock of Ages, The Pacifier) Written by Tina Gordon, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Erykah Badu, Max Greenfield, Peter Davidson, Kellan Lutz, Shaquille O’Neal MPAA Rating: R

Offering the first bit of counter-programming is the latest movie from mega-producer Will Packer, who has had hits with Girls Trip, Think Like a Man, Ride Along and many more (including sequels to two of those). This one is a reenvisioning of the 2000 Nancy Meyers comedy What Women Want, starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt, which scored an astounding $182.8 million over the holidays that year.

This remake switches genders as well as races as Taraji P. Henson plays a woman who can suddenly hear what men think… and I feel very badly for her to be subjected to that, although it’s bound to lead to a lot of funny moments, some of which you can see in the trailer.  Helming the movie is Adam Shankman, who has had great success in the comedy realm with movies like Bringing Down the House, which paired Steve Martin with Queen Latifah, and mixed results with musicals. (I actually didn’t like Hairspray very much, compared to the John Waters film, and was also kind of disappointed with Rock of Ages, having seen the musical on Broadway.)

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to see What Men Want in time to review – and most reviews probably won’t show up until Thursday either -- but I do hope to see it down the road sometime, as I’m definitely a fan of most of the cast and the cast.

COLD PURSUIT (Lionsgate/Summit)

Directed by Hans Peter Molland (In Order of Disappearance) Written by Frank Baldwin, Kim Fupz Aakeson Cast: Liam Neeson, Laura Dern, Emmy Rossum MPAA Rating: R

Also hoping to appeal to older guys who might not be interested in the above two movies, this is the second remake of the weekend and fourth for the year as Norwegian filmmaker Hans Peter Molland transports his 2016 film In Order of Disappearance to Colorado with Liam Neeson as a father getting revenge for the murder of his son. The original movie was quite innovative but didn’t get much attention when it was released by Magnolia a few years back, but one presumes Neeson’s fanbase, who have supported him in similar high concept action-thrillers, will give this one a look as well. I’m not even sure I want or need to mention the trouble Neeson faced recently with a few controversial statements, but I have a feeling those who might be interested in a straight-up revenge movie like this won’t be upset by Neeson’s confession.

Shockingly, reviews for this have also been great, right up there with The LEGO Movie 2, and of course, I hated it! Incidentally, I interviewed Molland for In Order of Disappearance along with original star Stellan Skarsgard, which you can read here.

Mini-Review: Normally, I am not one to trash a remake merely for being a remake, although so far this year, none of the English remakes I’ve seen have stood up to the original foreign language films on which they were based.

I was kind of wondering why Norwegian filmmaker Hans Peter Molland would make the same movie over again with different actors, but maybe he had some ideas of how to reimagine it to rural snow-covered Colorado with Liam Neeson as snowplow driver Nels Coxman. Nels has just learned that his son has died of an overdose, so he goes after the men he thinks is responsible.

There’s quite a few changes from the original movie but few of them are any good, especially the number of unnecessary characters added like a couple local police officers, one played by Emmy Rossum, who just make this seem more like a straight-up Fargo rip-off than the original movie did.

There are plent of other problems with Molland’s attempt to reenvision the original story, including how erratic it is in its storytelling. For one thing, Nels immediately goes after his son’s killers, brutally killing three men after getting information from them, then dumping their bodies in a roaring river. Obviously, Liam Neeson seems more than capable of handling his revenge, so one wonders why he would bother to waste money hiring a hitman to go after Tom Bateman’s Viking, the head druglord in the region who may have ordered his son murdered.

It’s sad that Americans might watch this movie and think anything positive about Tom Bateman’s awful performance, but it’s even sadder when you realize how extraordinary Pal Hagen was in the original role of “The Count” – Bateman just doesn’t have a handle on the character at all.

Worst of all is how the film is fairly misogynistic with Laura Dern (barely in the movie as Nels’ wife) and Rossum being two of the only women in the film not depicted as hateful shrews but really not given very interesting roles to play.

Cold Pursuit never seems as clever or innovative as the original movie, and many of the jokes just fall flat compared to the original where the Scandinavian quirkiness added so much to the film’s dark humor. Cold Pursuit just doesn’t offer anything particularly interesting beyond the typical Hollywood revenge flick with the film’s better action setpieces being taken almost verbatim from the original movie. Rating: 4.5/10

THE PRODIGY (Orion)

Directed by Nicholas McCarthy (The Pact) Written by Jeff Buhler Cast: Taylor Schilling, Jackson Robert Scott, Colm Feore, Brittany Allen MPAA Rating: R

But wait, there’s more! And it’s this high concept horror film that exists within my favorite sub-genre of horror: evil kids! This one stars Orange is the New Black star Taylor Schilling, whose son (played by Jackson Robert Scott) is the prodigy of the title, but he also might be an evil killer.  I also won’t have a chance to see this movie before heading down to Mississippi on Wednesday, so not sure I have much more to add, although I did like the trailer when I finally had a chance to see it.

Furthermore, STX and Alibaba released the Chinese animated PEPPA CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR, based on the British sensation seen on Nick Jr., into 65 theaters across the country Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and I hear that many showings sold out!

FESTIVALS

Sadly, not many of my readers will be able to join me down in Oxford, Mississippi where I will be one of the jurors for the 16thOxford Film Festival, but I might try to write something about my experiences, as I have in previous years, because it’s often one of my favorite annual experiences involving movies.

Besides the Oxford Film Festival, the annual Berlinale runs from Feb. 7 through Feb. 17 AND Lincoln Center’s Film Comment Selects runs from Feb. 6 through 10… but like I said, I’ll be at Oxford, so that’s what I’ll be covering. Got it?

LIMITED RELEASES

This weekend begins the annual OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS (separated into four programs with the short docs split into Part A and B), playing at the IFC Center in New York and at the Landmark Nuart in L.A. If you want to do well in your office Oscar pool at the end of this month, you’ll make an effort to see all fifteen of the nominated short films, as that often is the make or break for most predictions. I know that I will try to watch and write something about them (although most of my shorts-focus right now is on the ones I’m judging for Oxford, to be honest).

Two-time Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi returns with the Spanish language film EVERYBODY KNOWS (Focus Features), starring Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Argentine actor Ricardo Darin (from The Secret in Their Eyes), which involves Cruz playing a woman named Laura, who returns to her childhood home for her sister’s wedding only for her teen daughter to get kidnapped by people who think her husband (Darin) has lots of money.  To find her daughter, Laura calls on her former lover (played by Bardem) and secrets start being exposed about their relationship. I liked this film quite a bit, as it employs much of what has made Farhadi’s Iranian films so special – he’s a fantastic writer who really pulls many emotions out of his actors while slowly building a story into a third act full of interesting developments. Everybody Knows opens in select cities Friday, and likely will expand over the next couple weeks.

The Audience Award winner from last year’s Tribeca Film Festival, Shawn Snyder’s TO DUST (Good Deeds Entertainment), stars Geza Röhrig (Son of Saul) as Hasidic cantor Shmuel, who recently lost his wife and tries to find solace by looking into how her body would decay. In order to learn this, he partners with Albert, a community college bio professor played by Matthew Broderick, to perform experiments about body decomposition.

Just a couple weeks after Netflix streamed his movie Polar, Jonas Akerlund’s previous film LORDS OF CHAOS (Gunpowder and Sky/Vice Films), which premiered at Sundance last year, will open in select cities and On Demand. It follows Norwegian black metal band Mayhem whose new singer (played by Jack Kilmer) goes by the name “Dead” … and then he actually kills himself. Fun! The very dark comedy stars Rory Culkin, Emory Cohen (Brooklyn), Sky Ferreira, and it’s pretty entertaining in the vein of the doc Anvil: The Story of Anvil. I’ve seen a lot of hilarious movies about the music biz with This is Spinal Tap and Tapeheads being two of my favorites, and I have a feeling this has the potential to become another cult classic that will be found on almost every band’s tour bus for years to come. In other words, significantly better than Polar.

The next film in the series of anthology films based on major cities around the world is BERLIN, I LOVE YOU (Saban Films), a series of ten fairly humorous and romantic shorts set in Berlin starring Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, Luke Wilson, Mickey Rourke, Diego Luna, Jim Sturgess and many more.  The directors involved in this one are a mixed bag including German filmmakers like Til Schweiger and Mexico’s Fernando Eibecke (Duck Season) and even Glee star Dianna Agron making her directorial debut.  It opens in theaters as well as on VOD and digital HD, similar to most Saban Films movies.

From Berlin, we move to Paris as Veep star Matt Walsh stars in Archie Borders’ Under the Eiffel Tower (The Orchard), playing Stuart, a man dealing with a mid-life crisis after losing his job, so he tags along with his friends’ family on a vacation to Paris. After embarrassing himself, he heads off to the French countryside with “ladies’ man” Liam (Reid Scott, also from Veep) and cross paths with a vineyard owner, played by Judith Godrèche from The Overnight.

Following its world premiere at last year’s Fantasia Film Festival, Robert D. Krzykowski’s directorial debut The Man Who Killed Hitler and then the Big Foot (RLJE Films/Epic), starring Sam Elliot, will open in select theaters and on VOD/Digital HD Friday. In the comedy, Elliot plays Calvin Barr, a man who… well, read the title. It’s fairly descriptive. Calvin did indeed kill Adolf Hitler and now the government has called on him to kill Bigfoot before the legendary creature spreads a deadly plague to the populace. In other words, Elliot can expect another Oscar nomination this year. (it also stars Ron Livingston, Aidan Turner and Caitlin Fitzgerald.)

A long-running horror franchise returns with The Amityville Murders (Skyline Entertainment), written and directed by Daniel Farrands, who previous directed a History Channel documentary about the 1974 murders when Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed his entire family as they slept, saying that “voices” commanded him to commit murder. This dramatization stars John Robinson, Chelsea Ricketts, Diane Franklin (who appeared in Amityville II: The Possession!) and Paul Ben-Victor from various Netflix shows.

Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher’s doc The Gospel of Eureka (Kino Lorber), narrated by Mx Justin Vivian Bond, looks at the town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas in the Ozarks where pious Christians mingle with the queer community in a local gay bar, breaking down the divide we’re currently seeing in the country.

“NFL player turned actor” Thomas Q. Jones (Luke Cage) stars in Matthew Berkowitz’s A Violent Man (GVN Releasing), playing an unknown MMA fighter who beats the undefeated champ (played by actual MMA champ Chuck Lidell) at a local gym and gets a shot at a fight for the title until a female reporter covering the story is found dead with him as the main suspect.

Lastly, Emma Forrest wrote and made her directorial debut on Untogether (Freestyle) stars Jamie Dornan as a writer who has an affair with his teen prodigy (Jemima Kirke from Girls), while her real-life sister Lola Kirke (Mistress America) plays her younger sister, who has an affair with an older man (Ben Mendelsohn). 

STREAMING

One week after Dan Gilroy made his Netflix debut, Steven Soderbergh continues his run of low-budget indie films with HIGH FLYING BIRD, starring André Holland from Moonlight as sports agent Roy Burke, who is caught in a dispute between the pro basketball league with the players. It’s also written by Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney, who wrote Moonlight.

Also, the Netflix series One Day at a Time returns for its third season, while Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj also returns this Sunday.

REPERTORY

Before we get to the repertory regulars, I just want to share that BBQ Films, a fantastic group of film fanatics who create unique cinema events around films like Beetlejuice and Blade are kicking off their new program  GREEN SCREEN this Sunday, Feb. 10, with a screening of  David Chappelle’s 1998 movie Half Baked at the Chelsea Music Hall on West 15th, which will include pre-show entertainment, stand-up comedy and more.  I won’t go into details about the all-encompassing theme of Green Screen, but you can probably figure it out by clicking on the link. Next show is March 3 with Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, which actually celebrates its 30thanniversary on February 17.

METROGRAPH (NYC):

I haven’t been to my favorite local theater in a while but hopefully that will change soon.

This weekend’s Late Nites at Metrograph offering is Luis Bunuel’s 1972 film The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoise, while Playtime: Family Matinees  screens Tom Moore’s 2014 Oscar-nominated animated film Song of the Sea.

THE NEW BEVERLY  (L.A.):

Tarantino’s theater will show the Spencer Tracy-Katherine Hepburn film Woman of the Year  (1942) on Wednesday, Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II  (1974)will screen from Weds. through Sat. with The Black Godfather (also 1974) screening at midnight on the same nights. The weekend matinee is the 1968 Carol Reed musical Oliver!   Sunday and Monday, the theater screens double features of Paul Wendko’s Battle of the Coral Sea (1959) with Angel Baby  (1961), as well as screening Robert Townsend’s Hollywood Shuffle Monday afternoon. Tuesday’s “Grindhouse” double feature is Shark!  (1969) and Shamus (1973), both starring the late great Burt Reynolds!Oh, and Tarantino’s own Oscar-nominated film Pulp Fiction (1994) will screen on Friday at midnight.

FILM FORUM (NYC):

Far Out in the 70s: A New Wave of Comedy, 1969 - 1979  celebrates one more full weekend with Albert Brooks’ Real Life (1979) on Thursday, as well as a double feature of Smile (1979) and Stay Hungry (1976), starring Jeff Bridges, Sallly Field and one Arnold Schwarzenegger. Friday is a double feature of The Late Show (1977) and Harry and Tonto  (1974), then Saturday sees a single screening of Peter Yates’ 1972 film The Hot Rock, plus a double feature of Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H with Brewster McCloud, both from 1970. Sunday’s amazing line-up is Burt Reynolds’ Smokey and the Bandit, Bread and Chocolate (1974), Hal Ashby’sThe Landlord (1970) and Shampoo (1975)… sadly the latter two aren’t a double feature. Monday is a double feature of Mike Nichols’ The Fortune (1975) and Jack Nicholson’s Going South (1978), and then the rest of the week is mainly repeats.

EGYPTIAN THEATRE (LA):

Luchino Visconti: Cinematic Nobility kicks off on Thursday with Burt Lancaster in The Leopard  (1963)  and Ludwig (1973) on Sunday.  (There’s a Happy Death Day double feature with Happy Death Day 2 U on Saturday night but that’s not quite “repertory” even if it sounds cool.)

AERO  (LA):

The one and only Norman Jewison will be appearing in person for A Tribute to Norman Jewison with a number of double features through the weekend. On Friday night, there’s a double feature of Moonstruck  (1987) and …And Justice for All (1979), followed by The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming! (1966) with Jewison joined by Carl Reiner and Eva Marie Saint, plus a separate screening of 1971’s Fiddler on the Roof and then on Sunday, there’s a double feature of The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) and The Cincinatti Kid  (1965).

QUAD CINEMA (NYC):

Actor Jeff Goldblum is getting the retrospective treatment with The Goldblum Variations featuring a wide variety of the actor’s work running through Feb. 23. Some of the highlights this weekend include The Big Chill  (1983), David Cronenberg’s The Fly  (1986), Invasion of the Body Snatchers  (1978) and Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou  (2004).

BAM CINEMATEK(NYC):

Beginning Wednesday, the Brooklyn Arts Museum (or at least that’s what I think BAM stands for) begins a series called Race, Sex & Cinema: The World of Marlon Riggs looking at the work of the filmmaker who brought a voice to gay black men, which includes a 30thanniversary screening of Tongues United, as well as his documentaries Ethnic Notions  (1986) and Color Adustment (1992) as well as more, including a screening of  Barry Jenkins’ Oscar-winning Moonlight, which was inspired by Riggs’ work.

IFC CENTER (NYC)

Weekend Classics: Early Godard  takes the weekend off, but Waverly Midnights: The Feds  shows one of my favorite Ridley Scott films, Hannibal, starring Anthony Hopkins and Julianne Moore.  Late Night Favorites screens Tom Hanks’ popular favorite Big (1988), directed by the late Penny Marshall.

LANDMARK THEATRES NUART  (LA):

This Friday’s midnight movie is David Lynch’s Blue Velvet  (1986).

FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER(NYC):

Most of the Film Society’s repertory screenings this weekend are part of Film Comment Selects, including a rare screening of Jerry Schatzberg’s Honeysuckle Rose (1980) with Schatzberg in person for a QnA.

MOMA (NYC):

Modern Matinees: Sir Sidney Poitier screens 1962’s Pressure Point on Weds, the 1966 Western Duel at Diablo on Thursday and Paris Blues (1961) on Friday. Cinema of Trauma: The Films of Lee Chang-dong also continues through Saturday with 1999’s Peppermint Candy on Friday afternoon and Lee’s latest Burningon Saturday night.

MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE (NYC):

MOMI begins its latest retrospective series Poets of Pandaemonium: The Cinema of Derek Jarman and Humphrey Jennings  with Jarman’s 1993 film Blue (paired with the short Listen to Britain) on Friday, 1985’s Angelic Conversation andThe Last of England  (1987) on Saturday and In the Shadow of the Sun  (1981) with The Birth of the Robot on Sunday. It runs this weekend and next. Also, See It Big! Costumes by Edith Head (which started last week) continues this weekend with Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity (1944) on Saturday and To Each His Own  (1946), The Heiress  (1949) and Roman Holiday  (1953) on Sunday.

That’s it for this week, but time-permitting, I’ll write something about the new movies coming out next week, which includes the sequel Happy Death Day 2 U, the Manga adaptation Alita: Battle Angeland the rom-com Isn’t It Romantic?

#WhatToWatchThisWeekend THeLEGOMovie2 ColdPursuit WhatMenWant #TheProdigy Movies Reviews Repertory Streaming

[brajeshupadhyay]

COVID-19: Workers face retaliation for demanding safety

In early June, Lizzet Aguilar went on a four-day strike. She demanded that the McDonald’s location in Boyle Heights where she worked provide employees with adequate protective equipment and enforce social distancing to fight the coronavirus.

Aguilar, 35, said that a supervisor treated her more harshly after the strike in retaliation for her activism, telling her to work faster and instructing other employees not to help her.

“She was tougher with me, stricter, and started to yell more,” Aguilar said.

Coronavirus cases have surged in California over the last two months, fueled by the reopening of the economy. Though public health officials say making workplaces safer is essential to slowing the virus’ spread, fear of retaliation is preventing many employees from voicing safety concerns, workers and labor organizers say.

The toll has been particularly hard on essential workers, a sizable percentage of whom are people of color toiling in factories, hospitals, retail establishments, hotels and agricultural fields across the state. Many who are reluctant to speak up are low-wage workers in the country illegally, who don’t qualify for unemployment benefits. They worry that if they are fired, they may not find another job in a hard-hit economy and won’t have a safety net.

“They’re not willing to risk their job security even though they’re risking their own health and their own safety … in a workplace where an employer is not providing the proper protections,” said Nicole Marquez-Baker, director of policy and legal services at the advocacy group Worksafe.

California law protects workers against retaliation for voicing safety concerns or refusing to engage in hazardous work. Those who feel they have been targeted can file a lawsuit or submit a claim with the state labor commissioner’s office.

Since Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order March 19, the office’s Retaliation Complaint Investigation Unit has received more than 300 claims that mentioned the coronavirus. Of those, at least 95 are under investigation for health and safety issues, such as failure to enforce mandates on masks and physical distancing.

The number probably reflects “a fraction of the total claims out there,” said Amie Bergin, a senior deputy labor commissioner who works in the unit.

“Many of the workers we are seeing who are filing complaints are essential workers, many of them are undocumented workers, and they really are on the front lines of the pandemic,” she said.

The issue of retaliation has been brought to the forefront as government agencies ask workers for help holding business accountable for safety violations. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors recently passed a motion to consider creating public health councils composed of workers who would report noncompliance. Such councils might provide a more secure forum for employees fearing retaliation. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis also has encouraged residents to report businesses they suspect are not disclosing positive cases.

The coronavirus surge among Latino workers has alarmed public health officials, with many saying the pandemic has heightened preexisting inequities and workplace exploitation. From garment factories in Los Angeles to food processing facilities in the Central Valley, workers have said safety rules are not always followed. When the coronavirus swept through the Los Angeles Apparel factory this summer, workers staged a work stoppage to demand better sanitation.

But the power dynamic — and the financial ruin of losing a job during the pandemic — has made such activism risky.

Aguilar has not returned to work at McDonald’s since workers staged another strike in early July, worried about getting her husband and 5-year-old son sick.

The Service Employees International Union, one of the country’s largest labor unions, has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming that McDonald’s punished Aguilar “by assigning more onerous tasks and enforcing rules more strictly against her, in retaliation for her union activity.”

In a statement, McDonald’s franchisee R&B Sanchez, which operates the Boyle Heights location, said Aguilar’s allegations of retaliation and safety problems “are not true and do not at all reflect what is happening in our restaurant.” The business, it said, provides gloves and masks to employees, adheres to physical distancing guidelines and sanitizes regularly.

Mary Mueller-Reiche, a cashier at a Ralphs store in Mid-City, said she was disciplined after raising concerns about overcrowding.

(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

As alarm about the virus grew this year, Mary Mueller-Reiche suffered panic attacks while working as a cashier at a Ralphs store in Mid-City. The sight of customers crowding around checkout aisles made her feel trapped.

In late March, she brought up her concerns to the store director and was “basically just dismissed,” Mueller-Reiche, 34, said. After returning from medical leave in April, she asked the director about closing every other cash register but said she was accused of “creating drama.”

Mueller-Reiche then took two more weeks of medical leave, and upon returning to work, she said, supervisors and store management told her that customers had complained about her being rude when asking them to maintain physical distance.

In late May, she was told she was suspended and presented with a written warning that cited “inappropriate comments to management member,” “inappropriate behavior” and “previous inappropriate behavior by bringing spouse into the breakroom.” There was no elaboration.

“I believe they don’t want to deal with me … that it’s too much of a hassle to respond to safety concerns,” said Mueller-Reiche, who received help from her union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770, in filing a retaliation claim.

In a statement, Ralphs said it has “taken extensive measures to safeguard our associates, customers and supply chain” — including limiting store capacity to 25% of normal. Ralphs did not answer questions about the alleged retaliation, indicating that the company is handling the grievance according to its policy.

Other workers have claimed that their hours were reduced as punishment for going on strike.

Carlos Contreras, a 62-year-old delivery driver at a Domino’s location in West Adams, and his co-workers went on strike in April after they learned about several coronavirus cases in their store.

Domino’s “didn’t say absolutely anything,” Contreras said.

The strikers asked for a deep cleaning of the restaurant, adequate protective equipment and notifications for exposed workers so that they could quarantine. During the strike, which lasted about three weeks, Contreras was hospitalized with COVID-19. He later isolated himself in a hotel because he worried about infecting his family and took out a loan to cover the $1,300 stay.

Upon returning to work in early May, Contreras said, his hours — and those of other employees who had gone on strike — had been cut by about half.

In a statement, franchise owner Brent Hamill said he has established safety precautions that include advising sick workers to stay home and checking employees’ temperatures. He said claims that the restaurant had not alerted workers who may have been exposed to the virus were false.

As for reducing workers’ hours, Hamill wrote that the restaurant was short-staffed before the pandemic and that some employees had been scheduled for more than their typical hours. “Since COVID-19, with millions of people being laid off from their job, we have been able to fully staff, which reduces employee fatigue, creating a safer workplace, and allows new team members to provide for their families,” he said. “We try to evenly distribute hours to all employees, we simply have more team members now.”

Labor advocates said workers should be aware of the risk in speaking out.

Renee Amador, legal director of the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, a statewide watchdog group that supports janitors, said it may be advisable for employees to raise concerns in writing, such as a text message to a supervisor, or to bring a witness when confronting a boss in person.

Workers alleging retaliation need only to assert they had “a good-faith belief” that working conditions were unsafe, said the labor commission’s Bergin. Retaliation can include termination, a pay or hours cut, or a move to a less desirable shift.

The issue is harder to address among domestic workers, who are excluded from protections provided by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. A bill pending in the state Legislature would provide them those rights.

Cruz, a 35-year-old Mexican woman who cleans houses in Beverly Hills, requested to be identified only by her last name because she’s worried about losing work for speaking out. Many employers expect domestic workers to provide their own protective equipment, she said, and amid the pandemic want their homes disinfected with stronger chemicals.

“It’s better to keep quiet so that you don’t suffer consequences,” Cruz said. “You need more protections, but you also need to work.”

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[blkwidowsweb]

Chicago Spotlight: A Conversation with Artist, Jon Pierce

Chicago native, Jon Pierce is a singer, songwriter and actor with an amazing baritone voice.  At just the impressionable age of 11, he realized his deep love and sheer passion for music.  Having been exposed early on to such musical giants as Stevie Wonder, Fela Kuti and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. At age 12, Jon remembers his mother giving him a Walkman along with a Luther Vandross cassette tape that he would study for hours, getting lost in the melodies of the rifts and vocalizing the intricate harmonies. It is the soulfulness of these and many other influences that helped shape Jon Pierce’s personal full-energy sound, which is filled with a hint of jazz, hypnotic house rhythms and his natural fit, R&B.  A professional singer since age 15, Jon Pierce has been a consistent performer with both stage and vocal projects ever since. Fueled by his drive to, “take a set of songs and turn them into memorable moments for the audience,” Jon engages his unique style and creativity to deliver lasting impressions that have not only made him a permanent fixture in Chicago’s diverse house, soul and theatre scenes, but they have catapulted him globally with tours and performances throughout Germany, Japan and the UK.

He's worked withTerry Hunter, Louie Vega, Sean Ali, and Ralf Gum just to name a few.  His single “Never” is a fan favorite and his artistry is heard on dance floors all across the world.  His first EP is the poetic rhythms titled “The Love Take Over”, which is a vibrant and up-tempo dance collection produced by Chicago-based DJ Sean Ali for Sounds of Ali Recordings. Already a fan favorite, this project is a true testament to Jon’s vocal capabilities and the authenticity of his unique sound.

I recently had an opportunity to speak with Jon about his career and creative process and his future.

A CONVERSATION WITH JON PIERCE

 Black Widow:  How would you describe yourself as an artist?

Jon: I’m ever growing, always looking to learn in my genre.

 Black Widow:  How long have you’ve been writing?

Jon Pierce: I’ve been singing since I was 15 but I didn’t start writing until I was in my 20s.  I was surrounded by singers and songwriters and just wanted to try my own melodies and write my own lyrics.  I was learning songwriting by watching them. 

Black Widow: How would you describe yourself as an artist?

Jon Pierce: Inspirational, all about human connection, and relatable.  Having a background in gospel music, I’m an artist who is spiritually based. I want lyrics that inspire.   My music is about the human experience. I want to connect with the humanity within each of us.

Black Widow: What is your writing process? How do you come up with a concept when writing songs, particularly house music?

Jon Pierce:   I’m emotional and passionate. I usually start with the melody and build from there.  It’s all about the synergy of the song.  I have to be moved.  It’s a spiritual experience for me.

                            Black Widow:  How do you feel when you hear your songs played in the club?

Jon Pierce:  I get emotional.  When I’m in the studio creating music, I’m feeling it. It’s a spiritual experience for me so when I’m out and I get to see other people feeling what I felt, I feel nothing but gratitude. It makes me so grateful to get to touch people in that way.

Black Widow:  You are known for putting on a great live show.  What elements do you think are necessary in creating a total experience for your audience?

Jon Pierce:  My stage show is an opportunity to take what the song does to another level. I get to literally touch people.  You get to see the fruit of your labor.  Every element is important when I get ready to do a live show.  It’s the song selection, the sound, the message in the music, it’s every little detail.  I watch a lot of concert performances and I think about what moves me when I watch the masters preform.  It’s all about being unselfish on the stage.  It’s you but completely vulnerable.  It’s not about you; it’s about energizing the room. 

 Black Widow:  When do your ideas come to you?

Jon Pierce:  It varies but if you want to get real about it, my best ideas come when I’m in the club and the DJ is banging it.  I get so inspired watching DJs like Terry Hunter, Louie Vega, Mike Dunn, Joe Claussell, etc.   When they (The DJs) are in a zone and playing completely unselfish, I’m totally inspired by that.  I get inspired by the music they play and the lyrics I’m hearing.  When I see some DJs who can’t move a crowd ,the first thing I think is they are selfish and self-serving.   The best DJ’s give the audience what they are looking for.  They are all about the music and take themselves out of it. That’s the magical moment when the crowd is feeling what the DJ is giving them.  House music is so inspiring to me.  It’s freedom. It gives people a place to belong. We say house is a spiritual thing and it is because in some ways, we were searching for Church and the DJ’s are ministering to the crowd with sound.

Black Widow:  Do you have a favorite song? If so what is it and why?

Jon Pierce:  I love all my songs. I really do...but I love, love, "Never" because when we were making it in the studio we knew it was something special. I also love my first EP, Love Takeover because it’s just some good writing and arrangement on that EP. It was the moment I realized I had a writing style. I was a writer and I was telling stories.

Black Widow:  How long did it take to do Love Takeover?

Jon Pierce:  It took about 2 months. I actually was in Japan performing when I wrote all the songs.  Being in Japan at that time pushed me and made me want to do my own thing.   

Black Widow:  Have you ever struggled with writers block?

Jon Pierce:   Yes of course.  I figured it out though, whenever I have moments of writer’s block, it’s when I’m trying to force a feeling or a moment.  I’m blocking something and not allowing the spirit in me to move.  Once I get out of the way and just allow it to flow, I’m good.

Black Widow:  As an artist, we set different goals for ourselves. What goal have you achieved that has meant the most?

Jon Pierce:  Most of the things I’ve envisioned for my life, I’ve achieved so far;  but I’m so grateful to be a full time artist and to make a living doing what I love most.  I’ve always said that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to fund myself and my dreams. I don’t care what it is, Uber, McDonalds etc.… (LOL), but I haven’t had to do that and for that I’m thankful.  I don’t take it for granted or take it lightly; being able to create for a living is a blessing.

Black Widow:  What Chicago Artists inspire you and why?

Jon Pierce: Earth St. James and Adam Ness are two of my favorite singers. They are just so dope.  They are amazing true artists. They are no holds barred…completely authentic in their artistry and I love everything they do! 

Black Widow:  Creating house music usually is a collaboration of creatives.  The DJ/Producer and the artist. What would you say is the key to a successful collaboration?

Jon Pierce:  The Collaboration starts in the paperwork! Once the business is handled correctly, then you can really see people’s true intention.  The best collaborations for me have been where the business was correct and when I was valued and respected as an artist. You know, you have to listen to the artist and don’t try to make them someone else or try to force something out of them that isn’t there.  You have to allow the artist the freedom to be themselves. 

Black Widow:  What does it mean to represent Chicago to the world?

Jon Pierce:  Chicago is so rich. Our music is so well known around the world and people love hearing that I’m from Chicago.  It’s such an honor really, to be able to contribute to this genre in my own way.  It’s how we keep the culture alive.  When the legends begin to pass the torch and support the newer artists who are coming up, it continues this legacy.   I’m honored and humbled to represent Chicago. I really am.  

Black Widow: ok, last question. What’s next for Jon Pierce?

Jon Pierce:   Oh so much! I have a new EP coming out soon that I’ve been working very hard on. It’s called "Supermoon" and I am so excited about it.  It’s going to be new and innovative and I’m working on some remixes that are going to be so dope.  The first single is called “Together” and should be out at the end of June.  I plan on having a release party at the end of June too. I’m excited about it.  I’m working on some art and really taking my career to the next level. 

Black Widow: Jon thank you so much for taking a moment to chat with me. I love your insight and appreciate you as a fellow artist doing positive things in this scene. I can’t wait to hear your new single and support your projects!

Jon Pierce:  It was my pleasure, you know I love and support you as well! 

Until next time, see ya on a dance floor!

Black Widow.

Contact & Connect with Jon Pierce:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonpierceplanet

Instagram.com: www.instagram.com/jonpiercehouse

Youtube:  www.youtube.com/jonphouse

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonneptune

Check out his discography on Traxsource! :   www.traxsource.com/artist/10455/jon-pierce

#Chicago House Music #Chicago House Artists #Chicago Creatives #House Music #Soulful House

[callmehawkeye]

Watched in 2017

Kids For Cash (2013): It’s easy to sit here as someone without a personal stake in this documentary’s focus, but, what I took away from it is the Luzerne County scandal contained nothing but very human individuals working out their own perspectives and self interests within justice and school systems set up to fail; or those holding office who don’t have proper insight. People fighting shades of grey with black and white theories. Children’s lives were disrupted during peak development years and even though their records were expunged, you can see the damage being impossible to reverse.

Capturing the Friedmans (2003): An introspection of a family in crisis; I believe in the 14 years since this documentary released there’s enough information available for armchair detectives to see through any biases this film presents and displays the depth trauma and denial can go.

The Jinx (2015): A miniseries focused on the life and crimes of Robert Durst where the man himself is interviewed and occasionally forgets he is wearing a hot mic.

Hannibal Buress: Comedy Camisado (2016): A great standup special that made me smile and cackle. Can’t wait to see more of Buress.

Other People (2016): Sure, it’s another cancer movie, but the family relationships and performances make this such a lovely film to watch.

Fences (2016): Play-turned-film about a family in the 1950s and the metaphorical fences they put up to keep each other safe but also to stop from connecting. Lots of great monologues put in by the cast.

Westworld (Season 1): Called all the big twists, but it’s still a great show with wonderful storytelling, scenery, and acting.

The Straight Story (1999): Best film I’ve seen by David Lynch. Poignant and moving.

Suicide Squad (2016): UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I’m not much of an original storyline purist, but if there’s a strong story handed to you ready-made on a silver platter -- why make it weaker? Why not attempt to understand the context at all?

American Honey (2016): Gorgeously shot, but I really found the story content to be a bit cliché and done before but better.

Vampire’s Kiss (1989): I don’t know so much about the comedic part of this labeled black comedy when it really comes off as a quite disturbing account of a lonely, mental ill man’s downward spiral. But fun, bizarre, and unique nonetheless. 

Pete’s Dragon (2016): Not the best kid and their dragon story. Not the worst. Not the best Disney remake. Not the worst. Eff gritty reboots. I want the kid to stay with their dragon.

Killer Legends (2014): Documentary uncovering the true stories behind urban legends; the man with a hook for a hand, the babysitter with a call coming from inside the house, poisoned Halloween candy, and a killer birthday party clown.

The Lego Batman Movie (2017): While I liked The Lego Movie, I was more about Batman and how he was voiced by Will Arnett. This movie is a cesspool for in-jokes and references and I was crying nearly the entire time with laughter.

Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016): Oh my god. Oh my god, why.

Tokyo Godfathers (2003): A moving story about three homeless individuals who discover an abandoned baby in the snow around Christmastime. Their search for the mother displays beautiful animation and storytelling.

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017): I’m so happy the sleeper buzz of the first one got to me a few years ago. I’m so beyond thrilled with the product of this sequel that doesn’t lose its self-awareness and bite.

Train to Busan (2016): Best zombie movie I’ve seen in years and years.

Newsies Musical (2017): A lot of missteps and overacting; but still the lovely show I know and adore with flawless dancing.

Hidden Figures (2016): A film showcasing the overshadowed and overworked women of color NASA employees. Superb acting all the way.

Night of the Demons (1988): 100% ‘80s horrible, but I kind of loved it?

Michael Bolton's Big Sexy Valentine's Day Special (2017): I want to write individually, uniquely written thank-you cards to everyone who made this possible.

Get Out (2017): Gorgeously shot, acted, and written; full of detail, homages, symbolism, and foreshadowing. I’m obsessed. I’m so proud of Jordan Peele and cannot wait to see what he does next.

La La Land (2016): More like Blah Blah Land.

Moonlight (2016): A gorgeously shot character study of a young man’s dichotomy of black masculinity and homosexuality.

The Belko Experiment (2017): A clever and funny horrorfest of a desk jockey company locking its employees in and pitting them against one another for a battle to the death.

Logan (2017): THIS is the Wolverine we’ve wanted. My creyes. Thanks or all the years of dedication, Jackman.

A Monster Calls (2016): For such an imaginative story as a boy’s imagination assisting his grief, it’s rather dull and removed.

The Imposter (2012): A documentary of a French national faking the identity of a missing, and much younger, American boy.

Best in Show (2000): This is literally my life now.

Tangled: Before Ever After (2017): Such a cute continuation I’ve always wanted from one of my favorite Disney films. Sweet songs, characterizations, and animation.

Ordinary World (2016): Billie Joe Armstrong in his first starring role as a man hitting a midlife crisis. It’s been done. But there’s something particularly charming about its cast and execution.

Beauty and the Beast (2017): ...Eh. It’s pretty? Some of the additions are cute and thoughtful. But it feels like a shot for shot remake.

Christine (2016): A dramatization of the real life story of Christine Chubbuck, a news correspondent who committed suicide while live on-air.

Arrival (2016): Amy Adams was robbed from a nomination. In my opinion, this is her best work ever.

Beware the Slenderman (2016): HBO documentary covering the true crime of the Slenderman-inspired stabbing and the young girls who conspired together to commit it.

The Fits (2015): A young girl in Cincinnati observes others around her spiraling into epileptic-like episodes as she joins a dance team and undergoes many pre-teen milestones. 

The Queen of Katwe (2016): The true story of the chess world’s Woman Candidate Master Phiona Mutesi.

The Love Witch (2016): I love literally everything about this ridiculous movie? With its purposeful presentation acting and romantic aesthetic? 

Jackie (2016): Natalie Portman was spellbinding.

An American Wereolf in London (1981): Took me forever to watch, but reignited my love for werewolves.

Loving (2016): True story of interracial couple Mildred and Richard Loving who got married in the late 1950s.

The Edge of Seventeen (2016): I’ve lived this genre. I grew up with this genre. I devoured hundreds of films, television series, and novels about this genre. If it were the first I ever saw, maybe I’d have liked it better. It’s fine. Just not for me.

 The Founder (2016): What a wonderfully expensive and affective commercial for McDonald’s. Now put Michael Keaton in more movies!!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016): I’m excited for the extensive look in Rowling’s universe. While hard to not compare to Harry Potter and lacking the groundwork of connection to a book series I grew up with since 11 years old, it certainly grew on me.

The Boxtrolls (2014): Late to the game on this one, but another fine film from the Laika company. I’m becoming a huge fan of theirs.

The Lost City of Z (2017): A refreshing movie to watch that’s driven by characters more than plot and with minimal CGI. Gorgeous acting. Gripping motivations and convictions. Beautiful scenery and set designs. Reminiscent of an old Hollywood epic.

Tickled (2016): Frustrating documentary about the online “competitive tickling” community and the shadiness of key players.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016): I’d probably have enjoyed this more if I hadn’t watched the Lego Batman Movie first, but I got thorough amusement from the in-jokes and returning cast of talent.

Cat People (1942): Oh look, it’s the most I can hope for in my near future.

Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017): HBO documentary about Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose Blancharde.

Drag Becomes Him (2015): I fucking love Jinx Monsoon.

A Star is Born (1954): Judy at her best.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 3): I wish this season was more focused, but it gave me some moments I’ll never forget.

Wonder Woman (2017): I already plan to go see this again and make it my theme for my 30th birthday this year. I love it that much.

The Girl on the Train (2016): Zzzzzzzzzzz

House of Cards (Season 5): You can always tell when a showrunner leaves. Robin Wright saved this show for me.

Bo Burnham: Make Happy (2016): I don’t know many comedians who can make me instantly switch from laughing to crying.

Papillon (1973): There’s something captivating about this film that you don’t see every day. True storytelling epic.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (1976): Sidney Poitier is charming, and the behind the scenes turmoil for Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy had me sobbing.

Who Took Johnny (2014): The true crime story of the abduction/disappearance of Johnny Gosch.

Master of None (Season 2): There was something so maddening about Dev this season. Well, not “something.” He fucked up a lot and was quite unlikable. The directing and international film homages were second best to Denise’s single background episode.

The Beguiled (2017): Quite beautiful, great acting. Typical Sofia Coppola and entertaining enough. Not necessary for me to view again.

Baby Driver (2017): This is a standout film for me this year. It made me incredibly happy and so proud of Edgar Wright.

Orange is the New Black (Season 5): Justice for Poussey.

Excalibur (1981): I hear this is both the best and definitive version of the King Arthur myth. But everything else is really bad, and this is acceptable. It has some strong elements and covered the largest span of the myth’s time.

The Old Man and the Sea (1958): The most simply shot and presented film I’ve ever seen. Spencer Tracy is an absolute dear.

HitREcord on TV (Season 1): Such a satisfying and inspiring series to watch.

Atomic Blonde (2017): A lot more spy noir than I expected, but the action I went in anticipating was thrilling and impressive in its choreography. Loved the aesthetic and loved the soundtrack even more.

HitREcord on TV (Season 2): It’s really motivating to watch people go through the creation process in this.

Adam’s Rib (1949): Such a silly story, but Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy’s dynamic is ev. er. y. thing!

BUtterfield 8 (1960): The behind the scenes story is much more compelling and interesting.

What a Way to Go! (1964): This is honestly the most perfect movie I’ve seen in years. There is nothing about it I didn’t love nor recommend.

Detroit (2017): Not exactly the best thing to watch after Charlottesville, but it is a story that needs to be heard and not forgotten. Nothing has changed.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): The runtime felt too long. But it’s still the best portrayal of Peter Parker so far. Such a refreshing Marvel movie to watch in the midst of my over-saturation outlook on their films. A smaller spec story was very-much needed.

T2 Trainspotting (2017): Most sequels made 20 years later aren’t anything to write home about. But man. This exceeded expectations.

Hurricane Bianca (2016): Just the kind of movie I want from a drag queen. Just the right amount of camp, message, humor, and fabulousness. 

Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017): I don’t think there’s anything that makes me consistently laugh this hard.

Ma Vie de Courgette (2017): Stop-animation about the connection and imagination of orphaned children in a healthy home environment.

Brigsby Bear (2017): The most unexpectedly unique and heartfelt movie I’ve seen all year.

Smokey and the Bandit (1977): Oh, so that’s why people like this movie so much.

Shameless (Season 5): More Ian, please.

Cat Women of the Moon (1953): Masterpiece. Aesthetic. My future.

Last Action Hero (1993): I feel like I unwittingly wrote this exact story as a teenager. Loved it.

The Bodyguard (1992): I will always love Whitney.

Table 19 (2017): Legitimately charming.

Kingsmen: The Golden Circle (2017): Not as good as the first, but plenty of strong ideas that I enjoyed with a lovable cast.

mother! (2017): Fucking horrifying and sent me into an anxiety attack that lasted longer than a day -- ethereal and quite the theater-going experience.

Sunshine on Leith (2014): Proclaimers musical. Pretty by the numbers, but very eagerly genuine and sweet.

The Powder and the Glory (2007): PBS documentary about Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. -- I’m Team Rubinstein, by the way.

It (2017): A great retelling of the original story with a strong and likable cast. I’m excited to see who they cast as the older counterparts in Part 2.

The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017): An interesting perspective of who is left behind during wartime. 

Sgt. Pepper’s Musical Revolution (2017): PBS documentary on my boys.

Fist Fight (2017): 90 minutes of line-o-rama comedy. But I love the lead actors.

Gilda (1946): My, my, my Hayworth. Finish him.

I Am Heath Ledger (2017): A retrospective of Ledger with interviews by those legitimately closest to him. Very touching and insightful.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017): The most visually stunning film I’ve seen in a long, long time.

Personal Shopper (2017): Kristen Stewart stars as a woman living in France, waiting for a sign of life from her deceased twin brother.

Gifted (2017): I’m here for Evans and Evans alone.

XX (2017): Four horror shorts directed by women, each uniquely shot and told.

The Promise (2016): The movie was sold short by a misdirection in advertising; it’s more -- and interestingly so -- about the Armenian genocide than just another wartime love triangle. Come on, guys. Polyamory. Polyamory is always the answer.

The Circle (2017): Unwatchable. The film itself doesn’t even know what it’s trying to say.

The Public Enemy (1931): Mostly watched this because of the closing of The Great Movie Ride, above all else.

Leverage (Season 1): Race to finish all 5 seasons before it’s taken off of Netflix. I love this team.

Leverage (Season 2): I have so many feelings about these characters and their relationships with each other.

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017): Polyamory. I told you. The answer is always polyamory. And bondage.

Stranger Things (Season 2): I’m so happy this is finally here, and so mad I’m already finished.

Leverage (Season 3): I love the slow development and bonding the team has gone through.

Leverage (Season 4): The more ridiculous and implausible the mission, the more I love the episode.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017): I don’t care that it was “too funny.” It was exactly what I wanted out of a Marvel movie.

Leverage (Season 5): Well. It’s official. I’ve been Stockholm-syndromed by a show.

The Foreigner (2017): It was fine. It was another misleading trailer, so not what I was expecting. But it was fine.

The Thing (1982): Mmm mmm mmm ‘80s Kurt Russell in a solid John Carpenter thriller/horror.

To Have and Have Not (1944): Bogart and Bacall is goals.

Alien: Covenant (2017): Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017): This is actually a solid sequel I greatly enjoyed. It’s been a few years since I’ve enjoyed a Marvel movie, and now I have two!

The Librarians (Season 1): Okay, this is a good Leverage replacement.

The Librarians (Season 2): This show is super endearing and I’m pleased it exists.

Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer (1992): Going to the My Favorite Murder live show encouraged me to finally watch this.

Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003): An update and deeper delve into Wuornos. Super upsetting to watch her mental deterioration unfold onscreen. 

The Librarians (Season 3): All caught-up for season 4 in December!!

Sleight (2016): I had a difficult time watching this movie. There was something about the sound-mixing that triggered some anxiety and auditory stress. But I liked what I could see of it.

Cujo (1983): Probably my second-favorite King movie now. Very simple, yet effective.

Lady Bird (2017): I’m happy to have seen this before the hype got too big. It was so relatable and enjoyable.

Christine (1983): Quite entertaining, great music, top camp.

Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie (2017): Mostly made up of callbacks, but I DO NOT CARE. Such a satisfying nostalgia bookend.

Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri (2017): Fantastic dialogue and performances. I feel so many side stories and characters were meant to build up the main storyline and give context, but I feel it left a lot of characters wanting and left used. 

Novitiate (2017): I had no idea the Catholic church did the sisters so dirty with Vatican II. Very tense film and makes you quite sympathetic for the women in it.

Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016): Spectacular HBO documentary of my goddess and the mother goddess. I cried a lot.

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012): Documentary follows Chinese artist and figure, Ai Weiwei, as he uses social media and activism in his art and to hold the government accountable.

Shameless (Season 6): Needs more Ian. Tired of everyone else’s bullshit. Will I last much longer?

Calamity Jane (1953): Casting Doris Day as the butch Calamity Jane is the most hilarious and gay thing I’ve ever seen and I love it.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017): It’s beautiful, but such a terrible adaptation that guts any tension, stakes, and even mystery as well as gives little for the talented cast to cut their teeth on.

Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang (2016): The attempts and execution of a 1,650 foot ladder made of fireworks.

Monster (2003): Ohhhh, THAT’S why Charlize won the Oscar...

The Big Sick (2017): So charming and such a legit romantic comedy.

The Disaster Artist (2017): I watched this in the same way I watched the room: Through my fingers, curled up on my side, and whispering, “Stop. Stop. Stop.” I loved it.

Coco (2017): Well, Pixar fucked me up once again.

My Friend Rockefeller (2015): Documentary about con artist and murderer Christian Gerhartsreiter.

A Series of Unfortunate Events (Season 1): De. Light. Ful.

Shameless (Season 7): Finally caught up!

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017): Yes. I see the faults. I understand. I just don’t care. I absolutely loved it. 

The Greatest Showman (2017): Probably my biggest disappointment of the year. The cast and musical numbers were great, but everything in-between was so weak and uninteresting. For a non-diagetic musical, they never earned their musical moments. I’d rather have watched a non-Barnum circus movie all about ZEfron and Zendaya for 2 hours with Jackman in the Master of Ceremonies role. It felt like every non-musical scene was trying to sprint through to get to the next song.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017): I didn’t expect to adore this as much as I did? Jack Black was the standout and was so endearing and respectful towards teenage girls!

The Little Hours (2017): My forever mood/aesthetic in film form.

Gook (2017): Black and white film about the ‘92 L.A. riots from the perspective of two Korean-American brothers.

Carnage (2017): Mockumentary made by Simon Amstell told from the future where veganism is the norm.

Good Time (2017): An epic told over the span of 24 hours of a bank robbery gone wrong.

Dave Chappelle: Equanimity & The Bird Revelation (2017): Chappelle’s latest Netflix specials, back to back. I don’t agree with a lot of what he said and didn’t always laugh. But when he reached me, he did it right.

Battle of the Sexes (2017): That haircut scene helps fuel my Emma Stone fantasies. 

I, Tonya (2017): While I do believe Harding never takes responsibility for herself when she should, I still can’t begrudge her place in media history.

The Shape of Water (2017): This movie was fucking everything to me.

2016 | 2015 | 2014

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In early June, Lizzet Aguilar went on a four-day strike. She demanded that the McDonald’s location in Boyle Heights where she worked provide employees with adequate protective equipment and enforce social distancing to fight the coronavirus. Aguilar, 35, said that a supervisor treated her more harshly after the strike in retaliation for her activism, telling her to work faster and instructing other employees not to help her. “She was tougher with me, stricter, and started to yell more,” Aguilar said. Coronavirus cases have surged in California over the last two months, fueled by the reopening of the economy. Though public health officials say making workplaces safer is essential to slowing the virus’ spread, fear of retaliation is preventing many employees from voicing safety concerns, workers and labor organizers say. The toll has been particularly hard on essential workers, a sizable percentage of whom are people of color toiling in factories, hospitals, retail establishments, hotels and agricultural fields across the state. Many who are reluctant to speak up are low-wage workers in the country illegally, who don’t qualify for unemployment benefits. They worry that if they are fired, they may not find another job in a hard-hit economy and won’t have a safety net. “They’re not willing to risk their job security even though they’re risking their own health and their own safety … in a workplace where an employer is not providing the proper protections,” said Nicole Marquez-Baker, director of policy and legal services at the advocacy group Worksafe. California law protects workers against retaliation for voicing safety concerns or refusing to engage in hazardous work. Those who feel they have been targeted can file a lawsuit or submit a claim with the state labor commissioner’s office. Since Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order March 19, the office’s Retaliation Complaint Investigation Unit has received more than 300 claims that mentioned the coronavirus. Of those, at least 95 are under investigation for health and safety issues, such as failure to enforce mandates on masks and physical distancing. The number probably reflects “a fraction of the total claims out there,” said Amie Bergin, a senior deputy labor commissioner who works in the unit. “Many of the workers we are seeing who are filing complaints are essential workers, many of them are undocumented workers, and they really are on the front lines of the pandemic,” she said. The issue of retaliation has been brought to the forefront as government agencies ask workers for help holding business accountable for safety violations. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors recently passed a motion to consider creating public health councils composed of workers who would report noncompliance. Such councils might provide a more secure forum for employees fearing retaliation. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis also has encouraged residents to report businesses they suspect are not disclosing positive cases. The coronavirus surge among Latino workers has alarmed public health officials, with many saying the pandemic has heightened preexisting inequities and workplace exploitation. From garment factories in Los Angeles to food processing facilities in the Central Valley, workers have said safety rules are not always followed. When the coronavirus swept through the Los Angeles Apparel factory this summer, workers staged a work stoppage to demand better sanitation. But the power dynamic — and the financial ruin of losing a job during the pandemic — has made such activism risky. Aguilar has not returned to work at McDonald’s since workers staged another strike in early July, worried about getting her husband and 5-year-old son sick. The Service Employees International Union, one of the country’s largest labor unions, has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming that McDonald’s punished Aguilar “by assigning more onerous tasks and enforcing rules more strictly against her, in retaliation for her union activity.” In a statement, McDonald’s franchisee R&B Sanchez, which operates the Boyle Heights location, said Aguilar’s allegations of retaliation and safety problems “are not true and do not at all reflect what is happening in our restaurant.” The business, it said, provides gloves and masks to employees, adheres to physical distancing guidelines and sanitizes regularly. Mary Mueller-Reiche, a cashier at a Ralphs store in Mid-City, said she was disciplined after raising concerns about overcrowding. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) As alarm about the virus grew this year, Mary Mueller-Reiche suffered panic attacks while working as a cashier at a Ralphs store in Mid-City. The sight of customers crowding around checkout aisles made her feel trapped. In late March, she brought up her concerns to the store director and was “basically just dismissed,” Mueller-Reiche, 34, said. After returning from medical leave in April, she asked the director about closing every other cash register but said she was accused of “creating drama.” Mueller-Reiche then took two more weeks of medical leave, and upon returning to work, she said, supervisors and store management told her that customers had complained about her being rude when asking them to maintain physical distance. In late May, she was told she was suspended and presented with a written warning that cited “inappropriate comments to management member,” “inappropriate behavior” and “previous inappropriate behavior by bringing spouse into the breakroom.” There was no elaboration. “I believe they don’t want to deal with me … that it’s too much of a hassle to respond to safety concerns,” said Mueller-Reiche, who received help from her union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770, in filing a retaliation claim. In a statement, Ralphs said it has “taken extensive measures to safeguard our associates, customers and supply chain” — including limiting store capacity to 25% of normal. Ralphs did not answer questions about the alleged retaliation, indicating that the company is handling the grievance according to its policy. Other workers have claimed that their hours were reduced as punishment for going on strike. Carlos Contreras, a 62-year-old delivery driver at a Domino’s location in West Adams, and his co-workers went on strike in April after they learned about several coronavirus cases in their store. Domino’s “didn’t say absolutely anything,” Contreras said. The strikers asked for a deep cleaning of the restaurant, adequate protective equipment and notifications for exposed workers so that they could quarantine. During the strike, which lasted about three weeks, Contreras was hospitalized with COVID-19. He later isolated himself in a hotel because he worried about infecting his family and took out a loan to cover the $1,300 stay. Upon returning to work in early May, Contreras said, his hours — and those of other employees who had gone on strike — had been cut by about half. In a statement, franchise owner Brent Hamill said he has established safety precautions that include advising sick workers to stay home and checking employees’ temperatures. He said claims that the restaurant had not alerted workers who may have been exposed to the virus were false. As for reducing workers’ hours, Hamill wrote that the restaurant was short-staffed before the pandemic and that some employees had been scheduled for more than their typical hours. “Since COVID-19, with millions of people being laid off from their job, we have been able to fully staff, which reduces employee fatigue, creating a safer workplace, and allows new team members to provide for their families,” he said. “We try to evenly distribute hours to all employees, we simply have more team members now.” Labor advocates said workers should be aware of the risk in speaking out. Renee Amador, legal director of the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, a statewide watchdog group that supports janitors, said it may be advisable for employees to raise concerns in writing, such as a text message to a supervisor, or to bring a witness when confronting a boss in person. Workers alleging retaliation need only to assert they had “a good-faith belief” that working conditions were unsafe, said the labor commission’s Bergin. Retaliation can include termination, a pay or hours cut, or a move to a less desirable shift. The issue is harder to address among domestic workers, who are excluded from protections provided by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. A bill pending in the state Legislature would provide them those rights. Cruz, a 35-year-old Mexican woman who cleans houses in Beverly Hills, requested to be identified only by her last name because she’s worried about losing work for speaking out. Many employers expect domestic workers to provide their own protective equipment, she said, and amid the pandemic want their homes disinfected with stronger chemicals. “It’s better to keep quiet so that you don’t suffer consequences,” Cruz said. “You need more protections, but you also need to work.” window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : '119932621434123', xfbml : true, version : 'v2.9' }); }; (function(d, s, id){ var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "https://ift.tt/1sGOfhN"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post COVID-19: Workers face retaliation for demanding safety appeared first on Shri Times News. from WordPress https://ift.tt/3g2bbTI

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