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blurredcolour · 1 year

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Extrication in G Major | Part One

Extrication in G Major Masterlist

Summary: Your first encounter with Lieutenant Commander Jake Seresin gives you the impression that he is rude and arrogant, but he is determined to convince you to get to know him better.

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Female Cellist Reader

Warnings: Language, Blood, Reader Injury, Dress Uniforms, Jake Being a Bit of a Jerk, Jake Being a Lot of a Flirt, Alcohol Consumption

Word Count: 3738

The door to your apartment wavered in the slight breeze, the latch broken – likely to never function again. Warm liquid dripped from the underside from your worn kitchen table, bearing the scars of your childhood and its journey across the country in the back of a U-Haul. The droplets hit the linoleum tile with a soft pat, pat at first, before enough of them accumulated to change the sound to a sharper plink, plink.

Your eyes scanned over the hunting knife driven through your ruined hand and into the wood of the tabletop, the blood pooling in your palm. As the bitter taste of fear belatedly flooded your mouth, panic setting in at the gravity of your situation, it was ironic that the fingers of your free hand were reaching for your phone, fumbling across the fractured screen to call Lieutenant Commander Jacob Seresin of their own volition. Or perhaps it was not ironic at all.

Driving cross-country in a ten-foot rented moving truck from Boston to San Diego in January had not been an act born of choice, but one born of necessity. You had needed to leave the east coast. To put more than just a few states between you this time. The opening with the San Diego Symphony, courtesy of an early parental leave, had presented itself at the perfect time. And was geographically ideal in that it was in the diagonally opposite corner of the country from the orchestra you had just left.

Given that it was well outside the top twenty symphonies in the country and maybe, just maybe you would have just a little time to do what you loved before what you had left behind caught up with you.

With your finances in their abysmal state, you barely had enough to make a security deposit on a dubious studio apartment in a neighbourhood the internet indicated you probably should not consider. But San Diego was expensive, and this living situation would hopefully be temporary until you received a few pay cheques in your new position. You were careful, however, to never leave your cello unattended in your apartment; carrying it with you everywhere as you rode public transport and relied on ride shares to get around.

It was with great relief, then, that you happily accepted an invitation to join a few of the other musicians in a performance quartet. They had approached you after string sectionals as their usual cellist was out with the flu and they had a performance booked for that Friday. Four days of focused practice would be more than enough for you to prepare, you assured them, agreeing to stay after ensemble rehearsal to practice together on Thursday evening.

That was, after all, the life of a professional musician – a great deal of your rehearsal time was spent in isolation, perfecting your portion of the piece, learning your cues, and studying the composer, with the expectation of arriving at the final rehearsal able to play flawlessly.

The four of you were roughly halfway through the selection of pieces to be played, when the lead violinist Marco asked you and Haeun, the violist, to the work through a section together to ensure a more complimentary sound. The door to the auditorium opened, immediately bringing your bows to a halt, and sending all of your eyes to your watches. The security guard, Hal, had assured you it would be no issue for you to remain until ten. But it was only half past eight. And the man who strutted in was most certainly not the retired police officer with a shock of white hair sprouting beneath his black security officer’s cap.

No. The man who strolled in was tall and broad, tanned and blonde, dressed in military khakis with biceps that tested the limits of his shirt sleeves. He had a pair of aviator sunglasses dangling from the breast pocket of his uniform, and suspicion in his eyes as he looked towards the four of you on stage.

“Lieutenant Commander Seresin!” Marco gasped and set his violin and bow on his now empty seat before disappearing in the wings, only to re-emerge off stage, meeting the imposing man in the front row.

There were about the same height, just under six foot tall, but next to Marco the width of the man’s shoulders made up from any lack of altitude.

“Good evening Mr. Campillo, just thought I’d come by and see how the preparations are going…” His eyes raked across the stage before settling on you, narrowing slightly. Instinctually, your fingers tightened on the neck of your instrument, knees hugging the sides slightly under his scrutiny before he turned back to Marco. “I see your quartet has a new member…”

You gritted your teeth at the doubt in his voice, trying to keep your face passive as you were really counting on the extra funds this gig would afford you.

“Yes, she graciously agreed to step in for us as Cecily caught the flu this week. We are extremely fortunate to have her on such short notice.”

“You’ll forgive me if I’m not as excited as you, Mr. Campillo, to have a brand-new cellist in the quartet I hired for an event I’ve been personally charged with. Admirals don’t retire every day, and everything must be to the highest of standards.” He cast a glance back at you over his shoulder, hands coming to rest on his hips. “No offence, miss.”

Your spine stiffened as the second violinist Benoit was barely able to contain his gasp beside you.

“Now, Lieutenant Commander, please let me assuage your concerns. She’s Julliard trained and most recently played for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, widely considered one of the top five in the country, truly, I assure you that…”

Marco’s words barely reached your ears, blood rushing through them as you tried to take deep, calming breaths. The fingertips resting on your bow grip were losing colour from how tight you were holding it…from the audacity of this military man waltzing into your practice, insulting your capabilities at merely a glance. You had swallowed more of your pride in the last few weeks than your stomach could manage, and this muscled idiot was more than you could stand.

If the moron needed proof of your worth, then you could certainly deliver that. Fresh in your memory from your audition for the seat, wordlessly you relaxed into a proper playing position began to play Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1: Prelude. It was perhaps the most famous cell solo, mostly due to the efforts of Yo-Yo Ma, and a rather melancholy piece. There was no lack of sadness in your life upon which to draw from and mixed with the burning sense of challenge the Lieutenant Commander raised within you, your fingers flew across the fingerboard, head bobbing slightly with the rhythm of the piece. As you played the higher notes, your eyebrows naturally rose, not unlike that of a singer, and neck extending backward slightly on the longer notes, it was as though the music was being produced from within you rather than through an instrument.

So absorbed in the music, you missed the way the group fell silent until you pulled your bow from the strings, the last of the vibrations fading away, and opened your eyes to find him staring openly at you. You swallowed tightly to clear your throat.

“Will that suffice, Lieutenant Commander?” You asked pointedly.

He supplied you with a vague nod in reply, reaching behind him to fold down the nearest seat before sinking into it. Marco stayed by his side for a moment, hesitating, before jogging back to rejoin the three of you on stage. Lieutenant Commander Seresin remained there, seated in the front row, until nearly ten o’clock, watching the four of you finish your rehearsal. You could not help but wonder if he had more ‘important’ things to do.

You could hear him and Marco making final arrangements as you packed up your cello, pulling out your phone to summon a ride share to make the trip home. You frowned slightly at the jagged crack down the face of your screen; yet another thing that would wait until funds allowed for a replacement. You slung your cello onto your back, making your way out to the parking lot until a blur of khaki halted you in your tracks.

“I really meant no offense, darlin’.” Seresin grinned from much closer this time and you were irritated to note that the pale, jade green of his eyes reminded you of sea glass. “You know how it is…” He shrugged in a way you were certain had previously charmed the undergarments off countless bodies.

“I’m certain I don’t, Lieutenant Commander, being a civilian and all. But your concern is wasted. A musician is accustomed to proving their abilities to anyone and everyone who demands it of them.” No matter how unqualified. You kept the last to yourself and moved to step around him.

You caught the way his eyes shifted to your cello as you hiked it higher upon your shoulder.

“Please, allow me…” He reached for it, and you shook your head firmly.

“No thank you, Lieutenant Commander, I’m fine.”

“Please, darlin’, it’s Jake. There’s no need to be so formal…” He flashed his perfectly straight, white teeth and you had never been more grateful to receive a notification on your phone.

You looked down to see that your driver ‘Andy’ had arrived before the glow of headlights shone through the glass doors ahead.

“Looks like my ride is here. Good night, Lieutenant Commander.” You nodded to him, swallowing back a sigh as he still insisted on holding open each of the lobby doors for you.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, darlin’.” He nodded, undeterred, helping you and your cello into the maroon sedan.

“Tomorrow.” You replied with a nod before he shut the car door for you, sighing heavily and dropping your face into your hand as the car pulled away. San Diego was supposed to be simple, so why had the universe just set this stubborn, gorgeous man in your path?

The ride share driver and you had competed to vacate the parking lot of your building once he had dropped you off. He had won, but just barely. Locking the door behind you, you breathed a sigh of relief to find your meagre possessions intact. You tucked the cello into the back of the closet, inside one of the moving boxes you had saved for just that purpose, to make it as unappealing as possible, and pulled out one of your performance dresses to be sure it was free of wrinkles for the party tomorrow night.

After another dinner of cup noodles, you put on some white noise on your phone and did your best to get as much sleep as possible, forgoing any practice the day of the party to ensure you were as rested as possible. You arrived at the hotel an hour before the party was scheduled to begin, freshly showered and wearing subtle make-up, the breeze from the nearby ocean catching the skirt of your dress as you climbed out of your ride share.

“You clean up nice, darlin’.” You heard the familiar voice and looked up, the moisture in your mouth suddenly evaporating at the sight of Lieutenant Commander Jake Seresin standing before you in his dress whites and…was that a fucking…sword at his hip? How had you not been mentally prepared for the possibility of dress uniforms.

“You, too…” Your lips somehow mustered to ability to move, and you barely heard your voice above the buzzing in your ears as you watched him reach into the car to fetch your cello, too stupefied to protest this time.

“Why thank you, you’re too kind.” He flashed that ruinous smile again. “Follow me.” He jerked his head to the right and turned to lead you inside.

You followed without a word, past the reception desk, down a few hallways, and into a ballroom decked in Navy decorations. Of course, the dress whites meant the Navy. He was a Navy man. Slowly your cognitive skills were returning to you.

“Your fellow musicians are set-up right here.” He led you over to a platform in the corner of the room where the others were just unpacking their instruments and gently set your cello case on the carpeted floor. “You all have programs on your music stands, but please let me know if need anything else.”

“Thank you very much.” You nodded earnestly, nibbling on the corner of your lip as you quickly went about setting up so the four of you could be in place and ready to play before the guests arrived.

He grinned, looking more than a little pleased with himself, before stepping away to take care of other responsibilities. You could not deny that your eyes found him several times throughout the evening during your warm-up, between songs, as the guest of honour arrived, as they served dinner. The military most certainly had numerous lethal weapons in its arsenal and Lieutenant Commander Jake Seresin was handcrafted to bring about your death it seemed.

It was a miracle that you made it through the full set, the evening a true test of professional abilities, taking a bow as the emcee took to the podium to ask those in attendance for a round of applause for the music your quartet had provided. He then announced they would be moving onto speeches as the four of you began to pack up as quietly as possible.

“Hey, thank y’all again that was fantastic.” Jake whispered, shaking each of your hands with a warm grin, a hint of whisky on his breath. “We’ve got some extra dinners from folks who couldn’t come are any of you hungry?”

While Marco and Haeun opted to head home to their families, you and Benoit agreed. Jake got you set up at a table in the back, speaking to one of the waiters who promptly brought out two plates. Jake slid into the empty chair beside you as the speeches echoed through the ballroom, glancing at you happily as you did your best to act like this was not your first proper meal in weeks. You carefully cut and savoured each bite – even the veggies tasted like heaven. When they cut the intricately decorated cake, Jake disappeared only to return with three sizeable slices.

“I’m glad you approve of my meal selection.” He winked and you sipped your water sheepishly.

“It was very good.” You admitted before looking over the cake. “Did you select this as well, Lieutenant Commander?” You tilted your head, enjoying the way his eyes crinkled at the corners in annoyance.

“I’ve told you to call me Jake, darlin’, and yes, yes, I did. Lemon cake with a vanilla bean buttercream but there’s a surprise in the middle. Go on and tell me what you think.” He leaned in watching you expectantly.

Lifting your fork, you used the edge of it to slice through the soft piece of cake, mouth already watering at the promise of something sweet, before stabbing a bite-sized portion and sliding it past your lips. As you chewed thoughtfully, you fought back the urge to moan at the delicious combination of flavours but could not help the gasp that flew from your mouth when the bright tang of raspberry cut through the sweetness of the buttercream.

Jake grinned broadly and leaned back in his chair, nodding heavily with satisfaction. “Raspberry compote.”

“That is fantastic.” You grudgingly admitted before going in for a second bite.

He chuckled richly and watched you enjoy a few more bites, nodding to Benoit as he excused himself for the evening. You swallowed nervously, realizing you were now alone in a room full of dress uniforms, under the intense gaze of one Lieutenant Commander.

“Are you enjoying San Diego?” He asked, breaking the silence as the DJ began to set up for the dance portion of the evening.

You nodded slowly, swallowing your most recent bite.

“Haven’t really been here long but it’s beautiful….” You glanced at him and tilted your head. “So aside from choosing dinners and cakes and musicians, what do you do for the Navy?” You asked, hoping to distract him by getting him to talk about himself.

His lips twitched into a smirk.

“Well darlin’, I’m a Naval Aviator…a pilot…” He replied confidently, tapping the set of golden wings on his chest, making you swallow the last of your cake painfully.

“Fuck me…” You breathed as the DJ introduced herself through the sound system. You tensed and quickly took a deep sip of your water.

“Sorry didn’t catch that?” He leaned in, eyes twinkling with a dangerous mischief.

“F... Fancy.” You said loudly into his ear as the first song of the night began throbbing through the speakers, something from the eighties – the retiring admiral’s heyday.

He straightened with a knowing smirk on his face and offered his hand.

“Dance with me.” It was more of a command than an invitation.

“I should really head home; we’ve got a concert series next week and I…” You swallowed hard as he raised an eyebrow and stood, extending his hand to you once more.

You glanced at your cello beneath the table, loathe to leave it unattended, even in a room filled with commissioned officers.

“Is that the real problem? One moment.” He nodded and squeezed your shoulder before disappearing into the crowd, the heat of his touch lingering through the fabric of your dress.

You had just risen to your feet, prepared to make your escape, when he returned with another officer with wings on his chest but no sword at his hip.

“This is Lieutenant Javy Machado, my wingman. There’s no one else here I would trust to look after your cello.” Jake slapped him on the back proudly and you pressed your lips together trying not to grin at how adorable a picture they presented.

“Your instrument is in good hands ma’am, though might I persuade you to dance with me instead? Hangman is a terrible dancer…” He trailed off as Jake pushed him down into his recently vacated chair and silently accepted defeat as Jake offered his hand to you once more.

“Please?” He asked, raising an eyebrow hopefully and you swallowed, not quite finding the heart to turn him down after he had found someone to mind your cello – despite how complicated this was getting.

“One dance, Lieutenant Commander.” You acquiesced, setting your hand in his, licking your lips involuntarily at the intensity of his responding smile.

He led you out onto the dance floor, sliding his arm around you to rest against your lower back and your heart leapt into your throat as you realized at some point between the table and the floor the music had changed to a slow song. Sinking your teeth into your lower lip at the warmth of his palm seeping through your dress, you set your hand in his, letting him lead. He easily navigated past the other couples, and despite his wingman’s warnings, he was an excellent dancer.

“Why did he call you Hangman?” You looked up at him, startled to find his eyes already fixed down on you.

“It’s my call sign, we use them in the air. Javy’s is Coyote. Still working on getting you to call me Jake first, though. One step at a time.” He smirked and you could not help but laugh softly, shaking your head. “I have to say…” He murmured, leaning in close to your ear. “I’ve never been jealous of a cello before…Wish it was me between those lovely legs of yours.” He breathed against your tender skin, making you shiver involuntarily.

It was by no means an inventive pick-up line to receive as a cellist – had even been successful a time or two during your studies at Julliard, but it had become tired and cliché as you had matured. Yet there was something about the earnest way in which he delivered it. Or maybe it was the Texas drawl, thickened by the whisky you could still smell on his breath. It sent a thrill of desire through you that was altogether dangerous.

Mercifully, as the song came to an end a rather frantic looking individual bustled up to Jake and tapped him on the shoulder. He reluctantly released you and turned to look down at the smaller man.

“Terribly sorry to interrupt, Lieutenant Commander but Admiral Simpson is looking for you…” He fidgeted nervously and you honestly pitied the man for the murderous look Jake was currently raining down on him.

He turned back to you and frowned.

“Forgive me darlin’, duty calls. I hope you might stay but I…”

You shook your head sadly and he all but pouted yet nodded graciously. You took a deep breath, knowing you would probably regret this, but selfishly wanting to see his smile one last time.

“Goodnight, Jake.” You smiled softly and bit your lip painfully as he pressed both hands to his chest, green eyes glittering and smile stretching his lips wide as his face lit up with glee.

“Goodnight, darlin’.” He crowed, walking backward through the crowd towards his beckoning admiral.

You shook your head, ducking your face as more than a few people turned to glance your way. Picking your way quickly across the dancefloor, you returned to your table, smiling fondly to see Lieutenant Machado waiting patiently with your cello.

“Thank you very much, Lieutenant. I hope you enjoy the rest of your night.” You smiled warmly and grabbed your instrument, slinging it over your shoulder and booking a ride as you wound your way through the halls to the front of the hotel. You walked quickly, nearly holding your breath, hoping the admiral would keep Jake long enough, or deliver a request complex enough, that you could make your way out of there before he realized he did not have your number.

Despite your initial impression of him, the evening had more than confirmed that the man did not deserve to be entangled in the morass of your life. It would be best for you to disappear tonight and for him to take that charm and those ruinous good looks elsewhere. Your paths were highly unlikely to ever cross again, anyway.

Read Part Two

Extrication in G Major Masterlist

Image Credit: Devotion (2022)

#jake seresin x reader #hangman x reader #jake seresin x you #hangman x you #jake hangman x reader #jake hangman x you #jake hangman fic #jake hangman imagine #jake hangman seresin #jake seresin imagine #top gun fanfiction

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edisonblog · 1 year

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Chica Barrosa: the black violist in the 19th century sertão who subverted the social order of her time

Ahead of her time, Chica Barrosa, known as "Rainha Negra do Repente", propagated with her voice and her viola the challenges of poetic battles made improvised by a duo in front of the public

Inverting the social order of the time, Chica Barrosa, poetess, repentista, black, born in Paraíba in the second half of the 19th century, was an icon in the field of oral poetics in the Brazilian Northeast. She became known as the “Black Queen of the Suddenly”. If she lived today, she would be an activist for feminist and/or anti-racism movements. In her presentations, she made a point of identifying herself as a daring black woman, and emphasized the pronunciation of the female suffix of her surname, saying herself “Barrosa”, with the letter “A”.

Illustration by Chica Barrosa used on posters of a literary event in which she was the honored author – Illustration: Fundação Espaço Cultural da Paraíba (FUNESC)

source: bit.ly/3KHB0eM

#edisonmariotti @edisonblog

.br Chica Barrosa: a violeira negra no sertão oitocentista que subverteu a ordem social de sua época

À frente de seu tempo, Chica Barrosa, conhecida como "Rainha Negra do Repente", propagou com sua voz e sua viola os desafios das batalhas poéticas feitas de improviso por uma dupla diante do público

Invertendo a ordem social da época, Chica Barrosa, poetisa, repentista, negra, nascida na Paraíba na segunda metade do século 19, foi um ícone no campo das poéticas orais no Nordeste brasileiro. Ficou conhecida como a “Rainha Negra do Repente”. Se vivesse hoje, ela seria uma ativista dos movimentos feministas e/ou do antirracismo. Em suas apresentações, fazia questão de se identificar como mulher negra e atrevida, e dava ênfase à pronúncia do sufixo feminino de seu sobrenome, dizendo-se “Barrosa”, com letra “A”.

Ilustração de Chica Barrosa utilizada em cartazes de um evento literário no qual ela foi a autora homenageada – Ilustração: Fundação Espaço Cultural da Paraíba (FUNESC)

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brechtian · 5 years

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A Guide to Drawing String Players

So I’ve noticed there’s a lot of art of string players that have some issues. I get why; most reference photos off Google someone might use are garbage and a lot of people don’t want to watch videos of actual soloists, or don’t pick up on small details. So here’s a comprehensive list of things to remember when drawing (especially classical) string players. (I spent like two hours on this please read/reblog it)

Violin/Viola:

So one of the biggest issues is drawing correct violin/viola posture. A violin/viola is always resting on the player’s Left shoulder (or the audience’s right). Yes, no matter what their dominant hand is. Also, please no more floating violins; they firmly rest on the shoulder (most players have shoulder rests attached to their instrument to help keep it in place). All violinists/violists also have chinrests. That’s the curved piece of wood the man in the photo is resting his face on. Despite the name, players don’t literally put the end of their chin on the rest, more like the left side of their jaw. These are very important! It’s almost impossible to shift without a chinrest; your instrument will slide everywhere!

The next thing is the wrist. The player’s left hand (the one holding the neck of the violin) should Never have its wrist pressed against the neck or violin. It’s a little hard to see in the picture because of the violin’s shadow, but if you look closely you can clearly see the gap between his wrist and the violin. (Many violin/viola teachers will tell beginners to imagine a small/cute animal (in my teacher’s case a chick) between their wrist and the instrument, and to never “crush the chick”)

Next is bow hold. This is where my knowledge is a bit limited, since I don’t play violin but.. basically just look at this image. The pinky should rest on top, the fingers should be relaxed but not over the bow’s frog, and be sure to notice that the thumb wraps around and supports the inside of the bow.

The main thing to keep in mind about the left hand (other than the wrist) is that in the case of violins/violas (Not cello/bass) is that the thumb wraps around and helps grip the neck of the violin between the index finger and thumb. Also (and this is true for all instruments) fingers should not be flat, but curved in a slight claw-like shape. If someone’s fingers are flat, the sound will come out very poorly.

Another things to remember is that the bow hair (the not wooden part) should always be tilted at least slightly towards the bridge/player. (See how the white part of his bow is facing him?).

Finally, sitting posture. This is true for violin, viola, and cello. Players should never sit on the edge of their chairs, but their backs should be completely straight and not touching the back of the chair. Look at the man completely to the left in this photo, he’s only an inch or two from the back of the chair, but he is not slouching at all and as such is not touching the back of the chair. Also, both feet are constantly planted on the ground. There is No crossing legs or ankles, hence why female players always wear pants or long skirts/dresses (I am Tired of yall drawing female string players performing in Sexy or short dresses)

Viola

The only difference drawing wise between violin & viola players is the physical appearance of the instruments. Compare the ratio of instrument to player here to the first photo I used as reference. The bottom half of a violin is only a little bit bigger than the top, while the bottom half of a viola is considerable larger than the top.

Cello

Cellos Always have their endpins (that metal barb at the bottom that’s adjustable) raised considerably, until the player’s first finger first position (abt.. 3 inches down from the top of the strings/scroll) is at about their chin. Even if the player is a child, the endpin is still going to need to be raised. Also, cellos rest in between knees and do not rest on top of one. They are also tilted slightly to the player’s right (audience’s left).

Unlike violin/violas, both cello and bass don’t wrap their thumbs around the neck, but firmly plant it on the back of the neck. You shouldn’t see the thumb if you’re drawing from a front view, but just so you know, the thumb should generally align with the position of the second (middle) finger. Once again, remember fingers/hands are in a claw shape, and that the wrist/arm is Not touching the instrument.

Cellists hold their bows fairly different from violinists/violists. While the thumb does wrap around slightly, the pinky hangs onto the frog (the black rectangle) and the ring and middle finger hang below the bow. Once again, just look at the diagram.

Bass

This is what I play, so if you want really in depth/detailed answers about this one hmu

The way bass is held is.. interesting and a little difficult to describe. Basically, the instrument rests in the player’s pelvic bone’s left dip. As such, the instrument is always tilted right, as seen in the photo. Also, you’ll notice the bassist has to twist & lean down in order to play (no it is not comfortable) while keeping their right arm straight. Much like with prior instruments, the left arm and wrist are not making any contact with the bass.

The endpin of a bass is Also always raised, though not as much as a cello. It is generally raised until first finger first position is at eye level to the bassist. Also (this is true of cello & to a slightly lesser degree violin/viola as well I just forgot to write it), the bow is completely perpendicular to the bridge. And just in case you haven’t picked it up from all the ref photos yet, a player always bows in between the fingerboard and bridge (the open string section between the black plastic and the white wood thing in the middle of the instrument). Yes, we have to awkwardly drape ourselves over our instruments to reach high notes like this often.

So there are actually two types of bows and bow holds for bassists. The first is the French bow, which has basically the same hold as the cello diagram I showed earlier except the bow is much larger (just.. look up refs online I’m getting tired ok). The second type is German, which is in this diagram. German bows r weird and I’ve never played one for an extended period so hopefully these diagrams get the point across.

Many bass players, especially in concert settings, sit on stools when playing. Note, if a bassist is playing on a stool, their endpin will be raised significantly less or sometimes not at all. Again, it is raised however much for first finger first position to be at eye level while sitting down.

cello/bassists generally use either rock stops or endpin balls/stops to keep their endpin from sliding around and scraping the floor. (Note: endpin stops (photo 2) are more commonly used than rock stops (photo 1) since they can be screwed on & stay instead of having to be carried everywhere as a separate accessory)

Extras

Don’t draw the bow hairs touching the wood of the bow when someone is playing; that means their bow is Way too loose and probably not making any actual sound.

Please watch videos of soloists guys! It’ll give you a better idea for how players hold themselves, move, and breathe.

Also, look up finger charts for whatever instrument you’re drawing to make sure the player looks like they’re actually hitting a note (ex. a bassist rarely uses third finger unless they’re shifting down slightly to do third finger vibrato)

I know I forgot some things, so other classical musicians feel free to add!

#music #art ref #strings #classical music #musicians #guys this took me so long please #i keep seeing inaccurate string player art im trying to do the world a service

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e-minor-mental-breakdowns · 5 years

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How to know if you’re heckin’ cool

You are heckin’ cool if you are:

A musician

A violinist

A violist

A cellist

A bassist

An oboist

An English hornist

A flautist

A piccolo player

A clarinetist

A saxophonist

A bassoonist

A trumpeter

A trombonist

A tubist

A French hornist

A euphoniumist

A baritone hornist

A pianist

A percussionist of any kind

A singer

A conductor

A composer

Not a musician

An artist

A scientist

A historian

A linguist

A writer

A performer

Autistic

Diagnosed with ADHD

Neither

Religious

Not religious

Christian

Jewish

Muslim

Atheist

Agnostic

Buddhist

A member of any other religion that exists

Monolingual

Bilingual

Multilingual

Black

White

Hispanic

Latinos

Asian

Pacific Islander

Desi

Mixed

Tall

Short

Skinny

Not-so-skinny

Male

Female

Nonbinary

Trans

Intersex

Any gender or lack thereof

Gay

Lesbian

Straight

Bisexual

Polysexual

Pansexual

Asexual

Aromantic

Any sexuality you identify as

Cishet and supportive of all LGBT

A straight-A student

Anything less than a straight-A student

Diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder of any kind

Not diagnosed with one

An introvert

An extrovert

Yourself

However, you are NOT heckin’ cool if you are:

A TERF

Homophobic

Racist

Sexist

A supremacist

Religiously intolerant

Intolerant in any way

It’s easy to be heckin’ cool! If you ain’t, GET OFF MY BLOG.

#if there’s another thing that’s heckin’ cool that i didn’t list feel free to tell me

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standbyphoenix · 5 years

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Movie star River Phoenix left musical mark in Alabama by Matt Wake

Outside record producer Rick Rubin’s Hollywood Hills home, drummer Josh Greenbaum sat in a silver Volvo with his friend and bandmate River Phoenix, the film actor.

The rock-star Lenny Kravitz was with them.

On the car’s stereo, Kravitz played Phoenix and Greenbaum a recording of a new song he’d written called “Are You Gonna Go My Way.” This was 1992, before that explosive tune would become the title track to Kravitz’s third album and era-defining music.

At the moment, Kravitz needed a drummer. He’d recently told mononymous Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea he was frustrated trying to find the right fit. Flea later told Phoenix about Kravitz’s predicament, while Flea was having lunch with Phoenix. Upon hearing about the opportunity, Phoenix promptly hooked-up the drummer of his own band, Aleka’s Attic, with an audition with Kravitz - a much bigger gig.

“And that’s how much River loved me as a brother as a friend,” Greenbaum says. “He was like, ‘I don’t want to hold you back from potential success, and if I can hook you up with this audition then I’m going to do it.’ River was incredibly gracious and generous. He wanted to see the people he cared about thriving.”

The South Florida native wasn’t the only drummer auditioning that day at Rubin’s house. There were 25 or so “L.A. rocker dudes” at the “cattle call” that day “decked-out in leather, nose rings and tattoos.” In sneakers, jeans, sweatshirt and short haircut, Greenbaum looked more college-kid than arena-ready. In the end, the gig didn’t go to a dude at all. Cindy Blackman, a virtuosic jazz musician who happens to be female, deservedly became Kravitz’s next drummer. Still, Greenbaum says he got two callbacks to jam with Kravitz over the course of a week.

River Phoenix was a gifted, charismatic movie star so physically attractive he seemed to defy science.

His nuanced performances lit up such films as "Stand By Me," "My Own Private Idaho" and "Running On Empty."

But Phoenix told Greenbaum more than once, “music was his first love and film was his day-job.”

While some actors’ musical projects can be of dubious quality, Phoenix had legitimate singer/songwriter talent. “Music was a need of his,” Greenbaum says. “That’s why he put so much effort into a band, trying to make it in the music business, which of course would’ve come easier for him than anyone else that wasn’t famous already.”

Phoenix’s other passions included environmentalism, humanitarianism and animal-rights. He was one of the most visibly philanthropic young stars of the early ’90s.

Phoenix was the reason Seventeen subscribers knew what “vegan” meant. “He had a heart of gold and was an extremely hyper-sensitive, emotional person,” Greenbaum says. “And that’s why he wound up helping a lot of people.”

The Gainesville, Fla.-based band’s tours brought them through Alabama, including circa - 1991 shows at Huntsville’s Tip Top Café and Tuscaloosa’s Ivory Tusk. Greenbaum recalls Aleka’s Attic performing in Auburn, possibly at the War Eagle Supper Club there, and maybe Birmingham too.

“We had some successful tours,” says Greenbaum, who’s resided in Maui for more than 20 years. “People showed up because they wanted to hear what River’s band was like, but once they got there they were like, ‘Damn this really is a good band,’ and we had some real authentic fans of the music, for the music, not just because it was River.”

Back before social-media and celeb clickbait, Aleka’s Attic tours also gave fans a rare chance to see a massively famous actor in-person, in the wilds of local rock-bars.

Back then, Sandee Curry was attending Lee High School and delivering pizzas part-time. She was also "obsessed with anything Hollywood-related." When she and friend Michelle Woodson heard about Phoenix's band's upcoming Tip Top Café show, they resolved to attend. "River Phoenix is coming to Huntsville, my hometown? This doesn't happen," Curry says. As many people who lived in Huntsville then are aware, in addition to hosting touring and local bands, Tip Top was known for being extremely easy to get into under-age, so she'd been to shows there before.

Curry brought her snapshot camera to the show. The camera was freshly loaded with black and white film, and she took photos of Aleka’s Attic that night. When she got the film developed later, mixed in with random friend pics were onstage shots of Phoenix, singer Rain Phoenix (River’s sister), bassist Josh McKay, violist Tim Hankins and drummer Greenbaum.

At the Tip Top that night, River Phoenix played a Stratocaster guitar and sported facial scruff, a white T-shirt and camouflage pants. Curry recalls the famous actor being somewhat withdrawn onstage. “If I’m remembering correctly, he was mostly doing backing vocals,” she says. “The bassist and Rain were doing a lot of the singing.” Although Greenbaum says River Phoenix was the songwriter and lead singer on most Aleka’s Attic’s material, fans interviewed for this story recall Rain Phoenix being the focal point onstage during the band’s Alabama shows.

Curry classifies the band’s live sound as “psychedelic ’90s alternative-rock.” She adds, “It was a fun show.”

She remembers enjoying the song “Too Many Colors” and McKay’s tune “Blue Period.”

At the Tip Top, Curry purchased one of the cassette tapes Aleka's Attic was selling at the time. "I listened to that tape a lot and it turned me into a fan" of the band, Curry says. She considered herself "a hippie" and her listening tastes also included The Doors. Curry kept her Aleka's Attic tape until about 10 years ago when she gave it to a friend's young sister who was fascinated with Phoenix: "She was really impressed by this cassette."

Christopher Brown was one of several audio engineers who ran live sound regularly at the Tip Top. On the night of Aleka's Attic he was off-work but there hanging out.

“They were a little more artsy than the typical stuff that we had at the time,” says Brown, who works at a local brewery now. “I remember being pretty impressed by them.” Looking for a more-mainstream, stylistically similar act, I mention Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, known for 1988 patchouli-pop hit “What I Am,” to which Brown, replies, “That’s not a bad comparison.”

The Aleka's Attic show had been the talk of the bar for weeks. Vira Ceci was bartending that night at Tip Top. She recalls Phoenix being "so nice" when she asked him to autograph a cocktail napkin for her cousin, and says the actor was "easily the most accessible member of the band." Ceci, currently employed as a technical writer, recalls the Aleka's Attic show being "pretty busy for a weeknight" and thinks the bar probably charged their typical, $5 cover that night.

Lance Church owned, ran and booked the Tip Top during its prime. He remembers the motor-home Aleka's Attic toured in arriving early in the afternoon and parked in the gravel lot across the street. There was some advance promotion and local press coverage and Church recalls "parents were bringing kids over to sign their movie posters."

Church thinks Aleka’s Attic’s guarantee was “maybe a couple hundred dollars.”

In 1991 and several years into his acting career, Phoenix was just 21 years old. Church still keeps a photo of he and Phoenix shaking hands inside the Tip Top. "He seemed like a really good kid to me," says Church, now a manager at a chain restaurant. "He was polite. He didn't come in there like he was too good for the place or nothing. He was humble, a very likeable guy. He was giggly - he was just a kid."

Church says there'd been many phone calls in to the Tip Top in the week leading up to the Aleka's Attic gig, people asking about start time and such. In the end, he thinks about 100 people attended the show, inside the cinderblock building's mechanics-garage-sized interior. The Billiter sisters were among those attendees: Grace, then 18, Becca, 16, and Jo, 14 - all students at Westminster Christian Academy. (Again, the Tip Top was way easy to get into.) That night, Grace drove them to the Aleka's Attic show in her classic pink Volkswagen Beetle. Back at their family's northside Huntsville home, the sisters displayed River Phoenix photos on their bedroom walls, along with images with other hotties of the day, including Mel Gibson and Billy Idol. Other bands back then the sisters liked included INXS.

Expecting to see Phoenix as he'd appeared as a svelte longhaired Indiana Jones in the latest "Raiders of the Lost Ark" sequel, the Billiters were surprised to see him onstage with a haircut Becca remembers as "choppy and punky." Jo says Phoenix's singing voice "sounded good, a little gravely" and had "nice harmony with his sister." But what's really seared into Jo's hippocampus is she was in the same room with "hands-down my favorite movie star." When the band was on break, the sisters got to meet their idol. Phoenix even briefly, sweetly put his arm around Jo. "I think my heart stopped for a couple beats," she recalls. Looking back, Becca says, "I love that it was the three sisters" that got to share resulting, VW-wide smiles that night.

James Dixon, a University of Alabama student then, attended Aleka's Attic's Ivory Tusk show. On the sidewalk out front of the Tusk, he saw Phoenix leaning up against a nearby light-pole, smoking a cigarette. "That was the days before selfies and things like that," recalls Dixon, who works in financial services in Birmingham. "People would say, 'Hey, River,' and the coeds were swooning over him, but he wasn't being hassled. He seemed laid-back."

Inside, the Ivory Tusk was packed. Earlier that day, Kelli Staggs and friend Lori Watts were playing pinball on a machine inside the bar while the band was doing their soundcheck. One Aleka's Attic musician came over and said hello, then Phoenix, recalls Staggs, who now works in Huntsville as a defense contract specialist. Later that night, Staggs says Aleka's Attic performed, in addition to their material, a version of far-out Jimi Hendrix tune "Third Stone from the Sun." After they played their Hendrix cover, the band asked the crowd if they knew that song. "It was like they were trying to weed out who was there for the music, and who was just there to see him because he was famous," Staggs says. Staggs was an art major at University of Alabama, where she'd seen alternative bands like 10,000 Maniacs perform at local venues.

Aleka's Attic drummer Josh Greenbaum recalls the band enjoying their Alabama shows. "I remember good energy, a good crowd. I remember getting treated pretty well." (Greenbaum has a random memory of one or more of these Alabama venues having troughs instead of urinals in the men's room.) He recalls Tip Top as "a dive, and we loved it for that reason. It was very endearing." In Tuscaloosa, he met a friend named Nancy Romine he's stayed in touch with. "During the same Southeast run, Greenbaum says Aleka's Attic did a show in Knoxville, Tenn. that was multitrack recorded and broadcast. In this era, "Lost in Motion," "What We've Done" and "Dog God" went over particularly well live, he says. Greenbaum recalls Phoenix, "loved the creative process of recording. If he had a preference I would say the studio was, probably, because he was a little bit shy and didn't like being in public places so much. But I know he loved playing live too and he did enjoy the touring. He was happy doing both."

Greenbaum was born 13 days before Phoenix. They were just 16 the first time they met, their families were friends. Greenbaum drove his dad's 1977 Chevy van to Phoenix's aunt's house, Phoenix walked out to meet him, then they went inside where Phoenix played him a demo tape of his song "Heart to Get." "It was a cool song," Greenbaum says. "The last of the commercial music that he wrote, as far as I'm concerned." The two teenagers hung out for about an hour then Greenbaum drove back home. A few months later Phoenix called Greenbaum and said he'd met Island Records founder Chris Blackwell backstage at a U2 concert and Blackwell wanted to sign Phoenix to a development deal. Phoenix asked Greenbaum to move to Gainesville - the famously progressive Phoenix family were living in nearby Micanopy - and start a band. He'd get him money each month to help "develop a band, make records and tour." Greenbaum moved to Gainesville in April 1988. He also spent time with Phoenix in Southern California, getting to know each other."

We were sort of like non-blood cousins," Greenbaum says. "River could trust me, A, because he knew each other through family and he knew I wasn't going to just be some starstruck idiot; and, B, because I'm a great musician. And he valued me as a human being and as a musician, highly. And that proof of his commitment to music, that he was willing to support a brother, to have my talents."

At the time, Greenbaum had been playing “Aerosmith-y, commercial blues-influenced metal” in a local group called Toy Soldier, that eventually became semi-famous ’80s rockers Saigon Kick. At one point, Phoenix traveled to South Florida to visit with Greenbaum on a weekend when Toy Soldier was performing. “River had just gotten into (1984 mockumentary film ‘This is) Spinal Tap’ really heavily, and he did a ‘Spinal Tap’-esque video of that weekend, of that gig and the next morning,” Greenbaum says. “It was pretty funny, actually.”

Greenbaum was influenced by populist bands like Van Halen, Bee Gees and Queen. Phoenix introduced him to more quirkier acts like XTC, Roxy Music and Squeeze. As time went on, Phoenix's music became increasingly experimental. "It was deep, for sure," Greenbaum says of his friend's songwriting. "He had a commitment to crafting a masterpiece every time he wrote a song. And it drove me nuts. He was an eccentric person and his method of communication was such he didn't speak in technical music terms. He would speak artistically and metaphorically. He would say things like, 'I want it to sound like a ship on the ocean with the waves crashing up against the hull and birds flying over' or whatever. I would be like, 'OK, can we break that into sixteenth-notes?'"

Aleka's Attic's label, Island Records, was trying to figure out what to do with this music too. Island asked Phoenix to record two new demos to determine if they'd continue backing the project. He was going to be in the Los Angeles area filming the movie "Sneakers" and brought Greenbaum out to help demo songs. The drummer was able to hang on the "Sneakers" set, where he met his friend's costars, including Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier and Dan Aykroyd. After Phoenix turned in the new demos to Island, the label deemed the music unmarketable. Aleka's Attic was dropped.

At a certain point, McKay, who’d “butted heads musically and personally” with Phoenix for a while, Greenbaum says, parted ways with the band. Phoenix put together another band called Blacksmith Configuration, that featured Greenbaum and some new musicians, including bassist Sasa Raphael.

Phoenix was big on palindromes, Greenbaum says. Their song titles “Dog God” and “ Senile Felines” were palindromes and they were working on an album to be titled “Never Odd or Even,” another example.

On the night before Halloween 1993, Greenbaum went out partying with local musicians, “an intense night, for whatever reason.” Early the next morning, he crashed on the couch at a friend’s downtown Gainesville apartment. A few hours later, Greenbaum woke still buzzed to one of his musician pals from night prior knocking on the front door. When the friend entered, he looked pale and sweaty. He told Greenbaum he’d heard on the radio Phoenix had died. “I was in shock, but it just made sense and I knew it was true,” Greenbaum says. “In some way it didn’t surprise me. I didn’t see it coming - I can’t say that - but what I did see in River was his tendency for being extreme.”

In the wee hours of Oct. 31, Phoenix had collapsed and died on the sidewalk outside West Hollywood, Calif. nightclub The Viper Room, then co-owned by fellow actor/musician Johnny Depp. An autopsy determined cause of death to be “acute multiple drug intoxication.” Cocaine and morphine. Jo Billiter, the young fan who watched Aleka’s Attic’s 1991 show in Huntsville, cried when she heard the news her favorite actor died. “It broke my heart.”

Several fans interviewed for this story said Phoenix seemed a little bleary to clearly buzzed when they’d seen his band perform. Asked if he ever saw Phoenix’s partying on tour reach scary levels, Greenbaum says, “It was a typical rock & roll level. Nothing out of the ordinary. It was a bunch of guys in their young 20s playing gigs and having fun, just like any other band.”

When he was off working on films, Phoenix would check in every few weeks with Greenbaum, the drummer says. Phoenix called him from Utah, where he was filming the thriller “Dark Blood.” His next role was slated to be the interviewer in “Interview with a Vampire.”

When Phoenix called Greenbaum from Utah, “that was the most lucid, sane, grounded, understandable, discernible I had ever experienced him sounding. (In the past) there were times when I just couldn’t follow what he was talking about. He was kind of cryptic. And on that phone call he was like completely calm and sounded really together and we had a great conversation, a great connection and it wound up being our last phone call.”

In 2019, Aleka’s Attic music is back in the news. Two of the band’s songs “Where I’d Gone” and “Scales & Fishnails” were released along with a Rain collaboration with R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe (a friend of River’s) on a three-song collection called “Time Gone.” The record’s cover art features a photo of Rain and River, young and beautiful enjoying a sibling hug amid a verdant scene. A prior posthumous push to officially release Phoenix’s music hit snags getting musicians involved to sign off. “At that time, I was just like, 'Yeah, Rain, just get River’s music out to the world,’” Greenbaum says of that earlier effort. “That’s why he signed a record deal in the first place, to share his music with the world.”

As of the reporting of this story, Greenbaum says he hasn’t been contacted about usage of Aleka’s Attic music on “Time Gone.” The drummer found out about the release via messages from Facebook “friends” who are River Phoenix fans. “Rain didn’t consult us, she didn’t inform us, nothing,” Greenbaum says.

At one point during this interview, Greenbaum says he needs to call me back, so he can count out change to pay for groceries. He says he still plays drums with different local Maui cover bands as well as a blues-rock trio and by-day works construction and maintenance jobs.

Kro Records, the label that released “Time Gone,” didn’t respond to an email inquiry to interview Rain Phoenix and/or a label rep for this story.

Regular financial support and fast-tracking the Lenny Kravitz audition weren’t the only times Phoenix helped Greenbaum. He also bought him an electric-blue DW drumkit, among other instances. Outside of playing music, Phoenix and Greenbaum would throw the frisbee together or jump on the Phoenix family trampoline. They liked going to Falafel King and eating tabbouleh salad and humus. The famous actor would often come over for coffee to the mobile home Greenbaum and Greenbaum’s father lived in, on the Phoenixes’ Micanopy property.

These days, sometime random things will make Greenbaum think of River Phoenix. Sometimes it’s something more direct, like playing a gig will make him think of a certain onstage moment with his late friend.

After counting out coins in the checkout line, Greenbaum calls back. I ask if he thinks pressures of growing up famous led to what happened to Phoenix. “I wouldn’t doubt it,” he replies. “I definitely see how fame messed with his head, his heart. I think fame has that effect on everybody, which is why everybody wants to be famous, but you hear about all these famous people dropping dead and they’re unhappy, depressed and have drug and alcohol problems. Because fame is unnatural.”

— via AL.com, Feb 19, 2019.

#river phoenix #river #phoenix #josh greenbaum #rain phoenix #alekas attic

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rivjudephoenix · 5 years

Photo

New Photo and Article: “Movie star River Phoenix left musical mark in Alabama” on al.com

Outside record producer Rick Rubin’s Hollywood Hills home, drummer Josh Greenbaum sat in a silver Volvo with his friend and bandmate River Phoenix, the film actor. The rock-star Lenny Kravitz was with them. On the car’s stereo, Kravitz played Phoenix and Greenbaum a recording of a new song he’d written called “Are You Gonna Go My Way.” This was 1992, before that explosive tune would become the title track to Kravitz’s third album and era-defining music. At the moment, Kravitz needed a drummer. He’d recently told mononymous Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea he was frustrated trying to find the right fit.

Flea later told Phoenix about Kravitz’s predicament, while Flea was having lunch with Phoenix. Upon hearing about the opportunity, Phoenix promptly hooked-up the drummer of his own band, Aleka’s Attic, with an audition with Kravitz - a much bigger gig. “And that’s how much River loved me as a brother as a friend,” Greenbaum says. “He was like, ‘I don’t want to hold you back from potential success, and if I can hook you up with this audition then I’m going to do it.’ River was incredibly gracious and generous. He wanted to see the people he cared about thriving”

River Phoenix was a gifted, charismatic movie star so physically attractive he seemed to defy science. His nuanced performances lit up such films as "Stand By Me," "My Own Private Idaho" and "Running On Empty." But Phoenix told Greenbaum more than once, “music was his first love and film was his day-job.”

Phoenix’s other passions included environmentalism, humanitarianism and animal-rights. He was one of the most visibly philanthropic young stars of the early ’90s. Phoenix was the reason Seventeen subscribers knew what “vegan” meant. “He had a heart of gold and was an extremely hyper-sensitive, emotional person,” Greenbaum says. “And that’s why he wound up helping a lot of people.”

Phoenix formed in Aleka’s Attic in 1987. The Gainesville, Fla.-based band’s tours brought them through Alabama, including circa-1991 shows at Huntsville’s Tip Top Café and Tuscaloosa’s Ivory Tusk. Greenbaum recalls Aleka’s Attic performing in Auburn, possibly at the War Eagle Supper Club there, and maybe Birmingham too.

Back before social-media and celeb clickbait, Aleka’s Attic tours also gave fans a rare chance to see a massively famous actor in-person, in the wilds of local rock-bars.

Curry classifies the band’s live sound as “psychedelic ’90s alternative-rock.” She adds, “It was a fun show.” She remembers enjoying the song “Too Many Colors” and McKay’s tune “Blue Period.”

Christopher Brown was one of several audio engineers who ran live sound regularly at the Tip Top. On the night of Aleka's Attic he was off-work but there hanging out. “They were a little more artsy than the typical stuff that we had at the time,” says Brown, who works at a local brewery now. “I remember being pretty impressed by them.” Looking for a more-mainstream, stylistically similar act, I mention Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, known for 1988 patchouli-pop hit “What I Am,” to which Brown, replies, “That’s not a bad comparison.”

Church thinks Aleka’s Attic’s guarantee was “maybe a couple hundred dollars.”

"We were sort of like non-blood cousins," Greenbaum says. "River could trust me, A, because he knew each other through family and he knew I wasn't going to just be some starstruck idiot; and, B, because I'm a great musician. And he valued me as a human being and as a musician, highly. And that proof of his commitment to music, that he was willing to support a brother, to have my talents."

Phoenix was big on palindromes, Greenbaum says. Their song titles "Dog God" and " Senile Felines" were palindromes and they were working on an album to be titled "Never Odd or Even," another example.

On the night before Halloween 1993, Greenbaum went out partying with local musicians, "an intense night, for whatever reason." Early the next morning, he crashed on the couch at a friend's downtown Gainesville apartment. A few hours later, Greenbaum woke still buzzed to one of his musician pals from night prior knocking on the front door. When the friend entered, he looked pale and sweaty. He told Greenbaum he'd heard on the radio Phoenix had died. "I was in shock, but it just made sense and I knew it was true," Greenbaum says. "In some way it didn't surprise me. I didn't see it coming - I can't say that - but what I did see in River was his tendency for being extreme."

When he was off working on films, Phoenix would check in every few weeks with Greenbaum, the drummer says. Phoenix called him from Utah, where he was filming the thriller "Dark Blood." His next role was slated to be the interviewer in "Interview with a Vampire."

When Phoenix called Greenbaum from Utah, "that was the most lucid, sane, grounded, understandable, discernible I had ever experienced him sounding. (In the past) there were times when I just couldn't follow what he was talking about. He was kind of cryptic. And on that phone call he was like completely calm and sounded really together and we had a great conversation, a great connection and it wound up being our last phone call."

In 2019, Aleka's Attic music is back in the news. Two of the band's songs "Where I'd Gone" and "Scales & Fishnails" were released along with a Rain collaboration with R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe (a friend of River's) on a three-song collection called "Time Gone." The record's cover art features a photo of Rain and River, young and beautiful enjoying a sibling hug amid a verdant scene. A prior posthumous push to officially release Phoenix's music hit snags getting musicians involved to sign off. "At that time, I was just like, 'Yeah, Rain, just get River's music out to the world,'" Greenbaum says of that earlier effort. "That's why he signed a record deal in the first place, to share his music with the world."

Kro Records, the label that released "Time Gone," didn't respond to an email inquiry to interview Rain Phoenix and/or a label rep for this story.

Regular financial support and fast-tracking the Lenny Kravitz audition weren't the only times Phoenix helped Greenbaum. He also bought him an electric-blue DW drumkit, among other instances. Outside of playing music, Phoenix and Greenbaum would throw the frisbee together or jump on the Phoenix family trampoline. They liked going to Falafel King and eating tabbouleh salad and humus. The famous actor would often come over for coffee to the mobile home Greenbaum and Greenbaum's father lived in, on the Phoenixes' Micanopy property.

These days, sometime random things will make Greenbaum think of River Phoenix. Sometimes it's something more direct, like playing a gig will make him think of a certain onstage moment with his late friend.

#river phoenix #music #aleka's attic #josh greenbaum #lenny kravitz #flea #red hot chili peppers #rain phoenix #josh mckay #rick rubin

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byuneebuns · 6 years

Text

Blood Ties (Requested)

Anonymous asked:

“I beg you, please for love of god, do something with vampire baek. Please.”

Baekhyun x Female Reader

Tags: NSFW, Smut, Blood, Very Mild Bondage, Vampire AU

Author’s Note: This was actually super fun to write, thank you for requesting it! There are a lot of directions I could have taken this in so I hope it’s what you had in mind and if not that it is still enjoyable. Sorry for being long-winded ^^;

“Are you sure about this?” You asked in a hushed tone, dragging your feet as your best friend tugged on your arm impatiently. She spun around and you could see her eyes glittering with excitement behind the mask that was covering half of her face. It was bright blue and covered in matching rhinestones with gold accents and peacock feathers along the forehead. Her dress was low-cut and emerald green with black lace to play up the peacock aesthetic, her dark hair piled on top of her head in an elegant arrangement of curls and glittering pins.

“Yes, I’m sure! This is the place. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!” Jia was practically bouncing on her heels with excitement but you couldn’t help surveying the sloping, well-manicured lawns of the manor with trepidation. There were swans lazily floating on a pond to one side, ornate lawn sculptures, statues, and fountains as far as the eye could see.

The manor itself exuded wealth, if the grounds it sat upon didn’t enough on their own. It was all pillars and windows, too many for you to easily count, with ivy winding at the base of most of the pillars, giving it an antiquated charm. Twin staircases led to the front door and you could see other guests, all dressed to the nines, their faces all hidden, making their way up them towards the entrance. Soft ballroom music just barely reached your ears as the front door opened and closed, swallowing guests behind it.

You glanced down at your own mask, which you hadn’t yet put on. It was silvery off-white lace and adorned with several large pearls. It was simple but it somehow suited you, just like Jia’s somehow suited her. Your dress was the same color as your mask, high-necked, backless and sleeveless. The short skirt was a gratuitous amount of layered white chiffon, giving it a very Swan Lake feeling. The top was just loose enough to show a generous amount of the sides of your breasts, the perfect mix of innocent yet sexy.

Both the dresses and masks had been supplied to you and Jia by an unknown designer that was recommended by the person that had invited her. All she had to do was send a picture of both of you with your measurements and an unmarked box had arrived at your apartment within a week.

Jia had thought the entire ordeal mysterious in a fun way, you had thought it mysterious in a concerning way but you didn’t want to dampen your friend’s spirits.

She had just started a new job as a secretary at one of the city’s busiest design firms and evidently one of the executives that had taken a liking to her had invited her here and she was excited beyond control.

The whole thing screamed suspicious but you had to admit that you were impressed so far, and the number of male guests you’d seen in addition to females lessened your concern about human trafficking.

Your pressed the mask to your face, securing and fastening it. You turned to Jia, tugging at one of your loose curls nervously.

“How do I look?”

“Do you need to ask? You look stunning, of course. Now no more stalling, let’s go!” She said, pulling on your arm again. Butterflies swarmed your stomach as you made your way up the stairs and into the entrance hall together.

Your mouth fell open as you entered the ballroom. There were enormous crystal chandeliers covering most of the ceiling, bathing the large room in a warm glittering light. What wasn’t covered with chandeliers was instead covered by gorgeous paintings, but the ceiling was too high to see them properly.

An small sextet of string players, a cellist, a violist, two violinists, a bassist, and a harpist, sat on a small raised platform, playing their hearts out while hundreds of masked couples turned in time with the music. They were playing a waltz that was strangely familiar but you couldn’t quite place it.

You and Jia skirted the along the wall together, avoiding the dancers and trying to take in all of the sights. Everyone was wearing a mask, per the instructions that Jia was given by her invitee, even the cocktail waiters weaving through the dancers with trays piled high with what you suspected was champagne that cost more than you made in a year.

Jia reached out, taking two glasses and handing one to you. You sipped it gratefully, thinking ruefully to yourself that champagne still tasted terrible no matter what price was on the bottle.

A man in a smart black tuxedo approached the two of you from the dance floor. He was tall with broad shoulders and swept back black hair. His mask was made entirely of bronze with large wings of the same material on both sides. Upon closer inspection he was wearing several bronze rings and all of the buttons on his jacket seemed to match as well. He had a commanding presence that made you subconsciously stand up a bit straighter.

“Sehun, is that you?” Jia asked, doing a poor job of hiding her awe.

“Jia, you look even lovelier than usual.” He practically purred, leaning over the kiss the back of her hand. You could see her flushing along the edges of her mask.

“I’m glad you and your charming friend could make it. Are you enjoying yourselves?” His voice was low but still easily audible over the music and chatter of other guests.

Jia was all nods and smiles and you grinned as you nursed your champagne, watching their exchange. She was obviously smitten. Now you knew why she’d been so insistent about coming to this.

Sehun was holding both of her hands in his and whispering in her ear when suddenly she turned to you. She pulled her hands away from him and approached you, somehow still managing to look sheepish despite most of her face being hidden.

“Would you...mind if I danced with Sehun for awhile...?”

“Of course not! Go, don’t worry about me. Enjoy yourself.” You said, flashing her your brightest smile to try and ease her concerns. She nodded once in thanks before turning back to Sehun excitedly.

“Oh, have you met the owner of this manor yet?” Sehun called over to you, Jia’s hands back in his as they started towards the dance floor together.

“No? I don’t believe so.” You replied, unable to hide your confusion. You had assumed this was a rented venue.

“I see.” Sehun said with a cryptic smile, disappearing with Jia in tow before you could ask him to elaborate.

Left alone with your thoughts, you were glad that everyone seemed too preoccupied with their own affairs to pay you any mind. You were enjoying watching the other guests, admiring their outfits and their ornate masks, wondering who could be behind them. You never saw Sehun and Jia in the throngs of people though.

After some time you grew restless and found yourself walking aimlessly through the ballroom. A darkened hallway at the end of the room caught your eye and you felt strangely drawn to it, as if by some unknown force, your feet carrying you towards it before you could really think it through.

You peered down the hall, the massive size of the house you were in becoming apparent when it was too long for you to see the end of it.

You walked slowly, without purpose, examining the portraits on the walls. The low light made them look eerier than they should have, the soulless eyes of people unknown to you staring back without hesitation.

“Are you enjoying yourself? You are a long way from where you belong, little lamb.”

You jumped at the soft voice in your ear, goosebumps immediately crawling up your arms and legs as you spun around to face your new companion, your breath catching in your throat when you saw him.

He was...ethereal.

He was of average height with a lean, well-built frame. His black hair was parted a little to the side and swept back from his face, and his eyes were a bright, piercing blue peeking through the slits of his intricate silver mask. The mask itself was regal without feeling over the top, solid silver with delicate carvings and filigree creeping onto his exposed forehead. The design on his forehead resembled a crown and emphasized his regal presence.

His suit jacket was black with large silver buttons and silver chains draped along his shoulders, the shirt underneath made of expensive white silk and with a long bow tied at his neck. Long silver chains hung from his ears as well.

He cocked his head to one side when you didn’t reply, his shapely lips set in a pout.

“I’m not fond of being ignored.”

You jumped again when he extended one long, cold finger and dragged it down your cheek, holding your chin in his thumb and forefinger.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I was looking for the restroom and I got a little lost.” You said, fumbling over your words and mentally kicking yourself for it.

“Please don’t lie, it doesn’t suit you. There’s nothing wrong with being nosy from time to time. Now may not be the best time though.” He took several steps closer to you as he said this, stopping only when there was a mere inch between your bodies. Even in heels you weren’t quite tall enough to be eye level with him and he felt much, much taller as he stared down at you unblinkingly.

“I’m sorry,” You whispered, thoroughly entranced by him, “I’ll be on my way now.”

You turned to leave but stopped when a tight, icy grip circled your wrist, renewing your goosebumps.

“Please, allow me to escort you. I’d hate for you to get lost again on your way back.” He said, sounding a bit bemused.

You nodded jerkily, overly aware of the feeling of his skin on yours. He linked his arm with yours and started to lead you back up the hall.

“Where does this hallway go anyways...?” You blurted out before you could stop yourself.

Your companion stopped, turning to you with his lips parted, revealing beautiful white teeth as he smiled.

“You are not easily deterred, are you? What is your name?”

Your tongue felt heavy and dry as it formed the answer.

“My name is Baekhyun. This is my home that you’re in, if you haven’t guessed as much. Do you really want to see what is at the end of this hallway?”

You nodded, completely spellbound.

Baekhyun smiled again, his teeth flashing in the dim light, and spun you around with him, linking the opposite arm with yours.

You walked the expanse of the hallway together in silence, passing countless doors. The sound of music and people talking had long since faded and the temperature felt like it had dropped several degrees.

You finally reached your destination, a pair of large french doors marking the end of the hall. Your spine tingled with curiosity as Baekhyun pushed them open and you craned your neck to see what was beyond them.

Inside was one of the most beautiful bedrooms you’d ever laid eyes on. Right in the center of the room against the far wall was a large carved wooden four poster bed with black silk hangings and sheets. All of the furniture looked ancient and like it belonged in a museum instead of someone’s home. You caught a glimpse of a bathtub that more closely resembled a swimming pool through the open door on one side of the room.

You could feel your mouth hanging open but couldn’t seem to find the will power to close it.

Baekhyun chuckled and moved from your side to your back, resting his chin on your shoulder and his hands on your hips.

“This is my bedroom. This is where you wanted to come so badly.” He breathed seductively in your ear.

You said nothing, painfully aware of the small circles his thumbs were rubbing into your hips, trying to ignore the growing heat between your legs.

Baekhyun’s lips were ghosting along your neck, his hands still rubbing your hip bones, and even with the minimal touch you felt like you could come undone any second, you were melting in the palms of his hands and he had you right where he wanted you.

Suddenly his fingers were digging into your hips and pulling you roughly against him, his arms circling around your torso and holding you to him. You could feel his growing erection pressing into your bare back and you felt dizzy with need. His tongue was teasing the shell of your ear and it took everything you had to not start moaning.

“Are you sure that you want to be here instead of the ballroom with the other guests?” He whispered tantalizingly, pausing between words to press light kisses to your neck, his hands tracing patterns on the exposed sides of your breasts.

“Yes.” You replied, your voice faint and shaky. You weren’t sure that you were capable of saying much else.

You could feel Baekhyun’s smirk at your throat as he took your breasts in his hands and starting kneading them, finally earning a breathy moan from you.

He walked you forward towards the waiting bed from behind, his soft kisses on your neck turning into wet, sloppy ones. His tongue was lapping at your throat hungrily, his teeth grazing it, while he rolled your nipples in his smooth fingertips through your dress. It felt like an eternity until your knees hit the edge of the bed, Baekhyun pushing you forward into it until you fell on the mattress, breaking your fall with your hands.

You barely had time to think before he was climbing on top of you and flipping you over on to your back, his knee between your legs while his hands made swift work of the clasp at the back of your neck, causing the front of your dress to fall open, revealing your bare chest.

Baekhyun wasted no time in attacking your breasts with his mouth, nipping and suckling one while the other fell pray to his hand, his other hand supporting his body weight. You threw your head back, propping yourself up on your elbows and fighting the urge to buck your hips into his waiting thigh.

His hand left your breast, his mouth still sucking and biting the other fervently, and traveled south, forcing your legs apart, one slender finger tracing a line across your sex at the same time that he bit down on your nipple harshly, eliciting another gasp from you. You felt him smile against you again and you glanced down, surprised to find him watching you, still behind his mask, blue eyes sparkling while he continued softly stroking your most sensitive spot through your panties.

You reached towards him, weakly pulling at the mask, trying to remove it, earning a low chuckle.

He removed his hand from between your thighs and slowly brought it to his face, removing the heavy silver mask and placing it on the nightstand.

If you had found him beautiful before then he was truly breathtaking now.

His skin was smooth and free of any flaws, like it was carved from marble, his features somehow delicate yet strong. You couldn’t take your eyes from him, like he was sucking you in.

He was watching you expectantly and it took you a few moments to remember that your face was also concealed. You gently pulled the mask from your face and passed it on to Baekhyun’s waiting hand, it soon joining his mask, watching you from the bedside.

He was staring at you more intently now, his handsome features betraying no emotion, making you squirm with nervousness.

“Is there something wrong with my face...?” You whispered, your voice coming out huskier than normal as you looked away shyly.

Baekhyun’s hand shot out and gripped your chin, forcing you to face him once more.

“You are the loveliest creature I’ve ever laid eyes on. Don’t look away from me again.”

He crashed his lips into yours mercilessly, pulling off his jacket while he pressed you further in to the mattress with his body weight. You could barely breathe between his fierce kisses but you wouldn’t have asked him to stop to save your life, everything he gave you left you begging for more.

Finally free of his jacket, unceremoniously tossed somewhere on the floor, he set to work on removing his shirt, tossing it aside to join his jacket. His chest was lean muscle and had a light sheen of sweat that made it look all the more beautiful. His abs tensed with every breath he took and you found yourself wondering how you’d been lucky enough to attract the attention of such a flawless human.

If only you’d known then how wrong that assertion was.

Baekhyun made short work of the rest of your dress and his pants and stood, baring himself to you completely, admiring your nude figure from above.

“Beautiful. Truly stunning.” He whispered, his tone somehow dangerous, sending a series of shivers down your spine and making your hair stand on end.

He turned his back on you then, walking towards the nightstand and rummaging through a drawer silently. You watched with curiosity, gulping when he returned with several lengths of rope. He bent over you, taking your hands in his and kissing each of your fingertips gently before raising your arms above your head and tying your hands together with the rope.

He watched you for signs of discontent but you merely nodded, granting him the permission he sought.

“Lay on the bed properly.” He commanded and you obeyed, climbing towards the headboard as best you could with bound hands. He followed you on hands and knees and you tried your best not to stare too hard at his nude form as he approached. He adjusted your position until he was satisfied and then tied the other end of the rope binding your hands to a gap in the headboard.

He ran his cold finger down your cheek softly once more before leaning back to admire his handiwork.

You laid still, sensing that tugging against your restraints wouldn’t do you any favors.

Baekhyun’s hands found your ankles and pulled them apart, spreading you open for him and running up and down your legs, his lips soon following them, slowly leaving a wet trail up your leg, occasionally sucking down hard and leaving small marks. Your legs were already shaking with anticipation and you struggled to keep them open for him, you wanted so badly to press your thighs together and give your aching clit some semblance of relief.

You could already tell that Baekhyun planned to take his time with you.

His soft lips were sucking a love mark on a sensitive spot on your inner thigh now, making you shake more violently with need. He was so, so close to exactly where you needed him, his eyes still trained on yours, amusement dancing in them while he watched you silently begging him to give you what you wanted. You were biting your lower lip so hard that you were starting to taste blood pooling in your mouth.

Baekhyun finished his conquest of your thighs, seemingly satisfied with the purple and red flowers he’d planted there, and climbed on top of you on all fours, staring down at your face hungrily. He leaned forward slowly and ran his tongue along your cut and abused lips, shuddering a little.

“You taste incredible.” He whispered, his voice lower than you’d thought possible.

“Can I-?”

“You can do whatever you want, I’m yours.” You breathed, interrupting him as your patience grew thin, your head spinning with lust.

He stared at you, suddenly serious.

“Anything?”

You nodded. You were so desperate for him that you were beyond caring, as long as he had you as soon as possible.

His eyes flashed and suddenly he was bent over your neck again, peppering it with urgent kisses and tiny love bites. His hands gripped your hips almost painfully and he pushed into you slowly, stretching you and making you gasp and struggle against your restraints despite your earlier obedience, the material making your wrists burn. You so badly wanted to touch him, to run your hands through his soft hair, to dig your nails into his strong back.

He hissed as he finally bottomed out inside of you, staying still and giving you time to adjust until you started squirming, spurring him into action. His pace was slow and deliberate, yet still rough, each hard thrust of his hips causing him to press directly on your spot. One of his hands found your throat, closing around it like a vice, heightening your pleasure as you tried your best to buck against him and make him go faster.

His tongue traveled along your collarbone, his teeth dragging along the bone as well, and you could feel him breathing heavily through his nose, his thrusts becoming deeper and harder. Your breathing was coming in short, strangled gasps and you were pulling at the restraints in earnest now, rubbing your wrists raw from the friction, but his knots were firm.

You were being folded in half, the lewd sound of skin slapping together getting louder and more insistent as Baekhyun leaned forward, bending your knees and calves against his hard chest, nearly pushing your thighs into your stomach, and started pounding into you ruthlessly. You felt ready to burst, the tight coil that had wound its way in your core ready to snap at any second.

“P-please, Baekhyun, I’m so close-” You managed to whimper. He growled in response and pushed himself as far as he could reach in you, his free hand assaulting your clit, his hips angled just right so he was hitting your spot over and over with every snap of them.

He released your throat just before you could reach your peak and you took in a large gulp of air, one that was quickly stolen from you as you felt white hot pain where his fingers had been wrapped around your throat only moments ago.

His movements inside of you became wild and erratic, his fingers rubbing rough figure-eights into your clit, his lips securely wrapped on your throat, his sharp teeth piercing your flesh, the sound of blood gushing from you and him lapping it up with his tongue filling your ears.

You could barely see, couldn’t move, couldn’t have screamed if your life depended on it. Your body was a bundle of raw nerves, everything you were feeling was too much, you felt like you were being set on fire, like every drop of your blood was rushing to the point in your neck that Baekhyun’s lips were latched on to.

Baekhyun abandoned your neck with a loud pop, dark red liquid dripping down his chin and onto your bare stomach. Your body felt like it was buzzing, your vision was blurred and you couldn’t move, your breath coming in labored pants. He wiped his chin with the back of his hand, licking the remains of your blood from his hand and moaning deeply.

“So fucking good. God, you taste so fucking good.” He moaned again, turned you on your stomach and started lazily thrusting into you from behind, one of his hands threading into your hair as he fucked you further into the mattress. Every thrust felt like you were being electrocuted, your legs were shaking so much that you could hardly feel them moving anymore.

Baekhyun’s grip on your hair tightened as his thrusts became feverish again while he chased his high. He brought one hand down on your ass cheek, a loud smack like a gunshot echoing through the room, making you hiss. He did it again and again, more times than you could have counted, until your bottom started to go numb from swelling.

“Fuck, baby girl, you take me so well. Look at me while I ruin you.” Baekhyun growled, pulling your head up and arching your back, forcing you to meet his eyes while he rammed into your tight pussy.

He buried his face into your neck and sunk his teeth into you again, sucking hard. You felt light-headed and the room went black as you came harder than you ever had, your aching pussy pulsing around Baekhyun’s thick cock, wetness seeping into the mattress beneath you, your eyes rolling into the back of your head as moans of his name mingled with curses spilled freely from your lips. Baekhyun’s hips stuttered as he finally spilled his seed into you, releasing your neck at the same time, gasping and moaning.

You stayed together like that for awhile, him slumped over your back, his softening member still inside of you. He was softly petting your hair and kissing your neck while his breathing slowly returned to normal. He reached up, untying your hands at last, and pulled away to turn you over to face him.

At some point he’d managed to clean most of your blood from his face but his eyes were no longer the clear blue from earlier, they had turned a deep shade of crimson instead and you couldn’t look away.

“Are you afraid?”

You shook your head, making Baekhyun chuckle.

“Humans are always amusing, but you might be the most amusing one that I’ve met in a long time.” He said, smiling down at you sweetly. He bent over and kissed the very tip of your nose, moving some stray hairs out of your face and tucking them behind your ears.

“I didn’t think I’d find the perfect pet tonight, Sehun will be pleased that he was right.” He laughed. Your eyebrows knitted together. Sehun? Wasn’t that...?

“Pet?” You whispered, your voice hoarse and cracked, as your fingers absentmindedly touched the puncture wounds adorning your neck.

He laughed again, stroking your face possessively, making you shudder. He took your hands in his, kissing the angry welts the ropes had left on your wrists gently.

“You belong to me now. You did say that you were mine, after all.”

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ndx94 · 3 years

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[last desire]

I had tried to give my parents a voice. I had bought Mom “The Book of Me” and Da something as well. They were not the students or tutees I most desired to assist or nurture. I felt that they had had their chance; they were satisfied or at bay. The asked reasons but they didn’t really want reasons - they wanted “rationalia.” That was why I just wanted to be a writing tutor again and make something immortal from someone. Long hair, working hard, believing that a narrative would be of value - believing in the future reader. After women gave birth or maybe before they wrote a letter to their child. I was so confident with women in the past, maybe because of Mom. I didn’t know if I was tweaking them a little. I thought of white hair covering her back. A woman could be happy in old age; perhaps she’d write letters to edify and encourage the younger women. That was maybe my wish for _ _.

I remembered Seoul Korean Restaurant 2016; I was fasting and had given up writing and felt humbled. I ordered the special and Waqas’ demon came out of the greyish black bones and I realized that I’d been under attack by revanchist racists since the time that I was 18 if not 5, in these multicultural schools. Korea was a Heaven - just admit that people understand each other when they speak the same language or, in a way, “When love is at home it’s the best.”

I decided to eat a little because St. John Paul II seemed to be saying, “Let your mother see you eat.”

He was casting flowers on the hill - now I remember Amy Klein’s poem about leaving for Iraq, “hillocks of sound” driven from the hammer, like Baudelaire’s “Autumn Song.”

Mom said, “God’s perfect child!”

I lay in bed all the next morning, saying to myself, “I won’t write ‘less it’s a spiritual gift.” I remembered or augured something about playing basketball by the Tancheon - not “Crossing B Street” but something more tame in which the beleagured-indefatigable Moon Jaein-ian Vice Principal / Joint Department Head was thinking of his students. My only mistake was going for a drive after that, drinking “doppio”s and thinking about doctors that smoked; and about having a female mentor so hard-shinned that the “Taxi Called Reliable”-esque maternal self-consciousness or “Mommy as an institution” would be no issue. Stainless steel, kevlas, heart-valve metal with no fissures for bacteria.

“That’s why I wear suits. That’s why I like some pop-music. It’s why I don’t mind being in a mental hospital. Everything seems to become possible but the possibility... ‘Sometimes I think oh yes I could do almost anything I wanted / and it makes me cry.’“ I drank a bunch of coffee then drove to another coffee-place and drank a bunch of coffee. There is an absurdum upper-limit to investing in oneself. There is an ad absurdum upper limit to investing in some others - the whole point is moments, “Readiness is all.” I remembered sitting / talking on the stairs with Taiwan-1 and telling her her father was trying to be the wind beneath her wings. She said I ought to say things like that more often and she was dead-right but that was 2007 and in those days...

The thing about men is they can be loved by being loving.

“When I see JEP with kids I see true beauty” - I was seeing the same thing even when she would reach to “limn” a page on a bookstand with her violinist’s or violist’s sized hands.

“Jesus paid it all / all together

7 geese over the quarry

cloaks of caritas

white garments

I remembered watching “Fulltime Killer” and the scene with Kelly Chen(?), the sunned grasses whereinto they waded. On Livingston Campus of RU, un-built-up, there was the possibility of a new world or at least of new homes. I used to bike around there.

“Lebewohl” - “the good old days / honest man / have a plan / don’t drive fast / don’t go - the sense that Beethoven is always searching for a word-name-face, like maybe he composes too much instead of just living.

It was always one more and one more - easy or difficult. Maybe at the top of my range, my apical goodness, I had become the kind of teacher who would not give up on the worst student. I remembered the days when women’s beauty drew me almost too much, and I had no “mask of command.”

From then on I would wear the mask forever, even though I thought of better love, like how Ko Un had said the character for “ren” was someone bent. I used to lie down retroflex and deadlift 555, good mornings, hyperextensions, development of the “vacuum muscle.” It was not just bodybuilding - I had made a deal with God to be a straight tree in a desert filled with Joshua trees. Then I felt infinitely crooked. I used to sleep on the floor and worry about bending my back at all but in the days I loved “you, and you, and you-oo-oo” I thought what’s my back, the Lord made all these spinal muscles and different vertebra, it’s a Pentecostal test or something, if you wanted it to be ramrod straight fuse the bones.

I wanted to live in Minnesota with Son Seungwan - noble name - or just for someone to live with someone like that.

When the petrol spilled out of my Camry the KwikTrip guy dried it out. I said I’ll wait all night; I’m not gonna blow myself up as a test of ordeal. I said the guy was like a Roman Centurion because he was - a thoroughbred. He as on duty; he was getting paid to be there. I used to write a letter to myself in 2004 on my hardsealed desktop computer saying, “To love is to guard.” That guy had a ponytail and some kind of potbelly or “gut going on” but it didn’t matter; fat people are often steadast ‘cause they’re not trying to make themselves something the Lord isn’t interested in, or they don’t yet have the “exercise equipment” or the “motivation-girl” - if I’m being frank and candid. That’s just reality.

He stood and stood there. He was like an RPG character “in my party.” In Wisconsin I feel like they’d call the fucking Journal Sentinel before they called the Fire Department. The kid at Jimmy John’s wanted to be a firefighter, screaming rap music in his Impala(?), talking about sex-acts that his girlfriends wanted to do, and how to eat a bunch of steak - you’re too small!

Dive-rescue?

“Oh! You went to the bookstore?”

“The answer is YES because I’m sick of reading Jane Austen and I don’t own a PlayStation Classic.

I came back to Milwaukee to get something like a reckoning, it turned in to a planting, light toes, “my son.”

“I think that they are all perfect,” (She said.) - but this woman would eat and drink anything they set before her, that I could see.

She sang “Zombie” and I always wanted her to sing “Dream.”

I felt like Pops was ultimately murdering people out of a self-expression / actualizationism. Did I murder someone? I felt I just blew out my students and my future, 300; 3,000; 6,000. All these followers were only looking at me, not the tree.

“We honestly don’t care that much what you write,”

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gracetrack-higgins · 6 years

Text

I’m literally the worst so here are some tags that I was tagged in and COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT WHOOPS

learn more abt moi under the cut!

I was tagged by @elozable ages ago to do this tag so here it isssss:

nicknames: Gracie, Graciebird, Miss Grace (Idk if that counts as a nickname? but it’s def what people call me the most)

gender: female

star sign: Libra

height: 5′4″

time: 12:08am yikes

birthday: October 3rd

favourite bands: I don’t really stan many bands, I just like a lot of different artists and singles!

favourite solo artist: (ok this one i have a legit answer for) I really like Lauv, Sufjan Stevens, Dessa, Halsey, and like literally any Broadway artist ever tbh (so many of these artists are bc of Claire...you win all the music awards Claire!)

song stuck in your head: Fun Fact About Grace! I get multiple songs stuck in my head at once so right now I have Stupid With Love from Mean Girls Broadway (bc I just binge watched all the Too Grool For School Vlogs), Haydn’s Brahms Variation #8 (from Orchestra rehearsal), and When I Drive from Bonnie and Clyde. My head’s a mess.

last movie: last movie was technically Doubt, which I finished watching in class today. Before that I watched Newsies Live the other night (DUH)

last tv show: Ugh I haven’t watched TV all week. I think the last thing I watched was House Hunters with my dad tbh.

why did you create your blog: I’ve had a tumblr for literally as long as I can remember. It started out as a Star Wars thing but wow hoo boy am I in it for Newsies now lmao

what do you post/reblog: mostly Newsies! Some other Musical Theater things, memes, the occasional Star Wars post so my SW friends don’t think I’m dead.

last thing you googled: Mean Girls Broadway Vlogs, and right before that was “aggravated assault jail time” so do with that what you will??? (it was for writing no worries guys)

other blogs: lmao i used to have a fishblr?? a tumblr for fish??? about fish??? i went through an aquarium phase (I still have 2 spoiled betta fish that live in Too-Big Tanks and i love them)

why url: okay look at it and take a wild guess

i follow: 497 (wow)

followers: 767!!!!!! WOW!!!!!

average hours of sleep: 6 hours?

lucky number: I don’t have one I don’t speak numbers :(

instrument: I’m a violist!! I’ve been playing string instruments since I was 6 years old, first violin and then I switched to viola when I was around 10, and I’ve been playing that ever since. (I literally just got back from orchestra rehearsal as I write this up)

what are you wearing: pajamas! booty shorts and an oversized t-shirt

dream job: ooooooh good question. I really want to work in activism work, mainly with LGBT+ kids and inclusion programs! I’m majoring in human rights so we’ll see what doors open up with that! I also really want to work with the Broadway community somehow. :)

dream trip: highkey want to go to Santa Fe, ngl. I also really want to do a European tour!

favourite food: asdfasdaf I don’t know. Extra Butter Popcorn and Mozzarella cheese (not together, separately, but still). I have very bad eating habits.

favourite song rn: ummmmmmm okay Faking Bright by Saski, I Like Me Better by Lauv, and Brooklyn’s Here from Newsies (of course)

last book i read: I haven’t read for fun in ages. I read my theater textbook the other day, but I don’t think that really counts.

top 3 universes: Star Wars, Newsies (does this count?), Elena of Avalor/Disney Princess-verse!

tagging: anyone who wants to do this!!! :)

OKAY AND TAG #2!! tagged by my dear @wordshakerofgallifrey

What hogwarts house do you belong to ? — i’m a proud hufflepuff baby!

What is your favourite Disney movie? — this is literally an impossible question. my top 5 always change too but as of right now: The Lion King, Aladdin, Meet The Robinsons, Brother Bear, Fantasia 2000

Where are you from? — Sunny South Florida

What is you favourite ice cream flavour? — I have 2 and it depends on my mood: Black Raspberry Chip and Moose Tracks.

Summer or winter? — I guess summer??? I’m a FL baby so I’ve never had a real winter so I don’t know! I’m very used to the heat.

what is the song that makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs? — !!!!! let’s reference my belting playlist. My Petersburg from Anastasia, Watch What Happens from Newsies, Everlasting from Tuck Everlasting, Defying Gravity from Wicked, Monster from Frozen on Broadway, Someday from Memphis, LITERALLY MY ENTIRE BROADWAY PLAYLIST ITS FULL OF JAMS

Cat person or dog person? — both! I love animals!

What is your favorite hobby? — obviously writing, but I also love dancing (tap dancing!) and playing viola!

Which is your favourite book? — Okay I have many but my favorite book growing up was Johnny Tremain. I own like 7 copies of it. other than that I’ve got a List of Star Wars Books that are my favorites.

What is your favorite musical (if you like musicals, obviously)? — Idk if you knew this from the Everything About Me but it’s Newsies.

What is the best gift you have been given? — hmmm I’m not sure. My sister made me a King of New York gag gift for my birthday last year and that was pretty great. Also Claire wins all the gift giving awards too because she’s knocked it out of the park with my Where’s Spot book ;) and the necklace that I wear every day now! (thank you claire!)

okay I’m lazy and i”m not doing the Make 11 Of Your Own Questions thing so if anyone wants to answer those questions feel free!!! enjoy!

#now you know a lot about me #if you ever have random questions feel free to ask i love talking about myself lmao #i super love my friends #idk what i'd' do without claire and her amazingness #same goes for disney and her amazingness #ultimately i just super love them bye #about me #personal #look at all the things you learned about me today #other favorite books of mine are star wars books tbh #i also lied about the cats and dogs thing #i do love animals but i don't want pets right now #i have 2 dogs and they don't like me as much as my other family members #which is understandable but hurts my feelings #and a lot of my side jobs are petsitting #and i'm tired of taking care of other peoples pets #so no animals rn #until i move to santa fe with disney and our 80 therapy dogs who will all love me unconditionally #then that's fine

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altotales · 4 years

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Brand spanking new!

Hi there! Welcome to my fresh, sparkly, new blog. For those of you who are new here, I hope you enjoy your stay, and to those of you who followed musiiki it is so lovely to see your face again. I decided to make this new page as throughout my whole fourth year at the Conservatorium, I didn’t make a single post, and it seemed wrong to reinvent a page that holds so many wonderful glimpses into my student life. As this is my first post on this page, I’ll start with a little (probably a lot let’s be real) about myself before we kick on with the life updates.

My name is Sophie, I was born and raised in Cairns, Far North Queensland, and I’ve been playing viola since 2006. I am classically trained and studied under John Curro AM MBE at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music for four years. I graduated in 2019 and - thankfully - got out of there before that thing came along (you know that virus everyone is talking about). During my school years I was a part of choirs, many string ensembles and was principal viola in my high school orchestra from grade 9 through to my senior year. I also played in community orchestras and occasionally did the odd solo gig!

I moved to Brisbane to start my degree in 2016 and it truly has been a massive journey. Meeting John and his incredible family changed my life in more ways than any of them could know. John was a great mentor and grandfather figure to me and has revolutionised my practice techniques and my performing to a place where I never could have imagined. No, I’m not some prodigy, and I’m nowhere near as good as the top young violists in the country but he taught me how to practice efficiently and intelligently, and my improvement throughout my degree was always surging upwards. He also constantly reminded me to love music, which is something we can forget when we make a career out of our passion, but he instilled that love in me and I will always hold his wisdom and love close to my heart. John was in his eighties and was always battling health issues during our time together. He would often joke about dying and make light of it, but at the beginning of my third year, he sincerely promised me that he would hold onto life until I finished my degree. The day after my final recital he passed away. It hit all of us like a tonne of bricks. He touched thousands of peoples’ lives and truly left his mark in Australian music history. I will write more about John in future posts, and I know this post is meant to be about myself but I couldn’t not include him in this as, especially now that he’s gone I feel that he is a part of me in some way - especially as an artist.

My time at the Conservatorium was on the whole, pretty fucking awesome (there will be some swearing in this blog, if that’s not for you, thanks for stopping by). I made so many lifelong friends and was involved in so many wonderful musical experiences from chamber ensembles, to symphony orchestras, operas, musicals, and solo performance. I was also (and am still) doing the odd Australian Youth Orchestra program and am in the Queensland Youth Symphony - the top orchestra of the Queensland Youth Orchestras (founded by John in 1966!). Over the years, I’ve managed to build myself a network to the point where I am now a core member of Deep Blue, one of Camerata’s Upbeat artists, and occasionally get booked for gigs with String Source and Four Strings. And of course, the more friends I make, the more I find myself in random independent gigs for various events.

The last musical project I insist you must all know about is my folk duo Old Semeil. Made up of myself on viola/vocals and the wonderful Gavin Cook on guitar/vocals/harmonica/banjo/whatever the fuck he feels like playing that day, we have been together for 5 years and JUST RECORDED AN ENTIRE ALBUM IN ONE WEEKEND!!!!! Well, it’s missing a few overdubs, but it’s a predominantly live album so we’re about 70-80% of the way there. This year especially, Old Semeil has become an integral part of my life, and has breathed new energy into my artistry like I never could have expected. As much as I love the classical world, the fantastic repertoire and the power of playing in an orchestra, there is something truly unique and special about creating your own music and sharing it with the world. In a future post, I will talk about my mental struggles but I will say now that Old Semeil often reminds me why I still want to pursue music and why I love it so much. I can’t wait to share our album with you all!

Finally, while music has always been my first love, my wonderful little horse is a very close second. If I’m honest, the line is a little blurred at times. I decided I would own Rockstar before he was even born. I went on my first ever horse camp at Black Mountain Hideaway at the age of 10, and fell in love with this wonderful buckskin mare Verity, who was VERY pregnant. I told Suzie - the owner of the farm and a very pivotal female warrior figure for myself as a teenager - that I would have him one day. After not buying myself literally anything (including new clothes) for the three years after he was born he was mine. I trained him myself, and he helped me through my absolute best and absolute worst times throughout high school. I had to leave him up in FNQ when I moved to Brisbane, but I am so incredibly excited to say next year, he will be moving down here and we will be together, full time once again!

If you made it this far, thank you for your time! There is so much more I could (and will) write, but I think this post gives a pretty good insight into who I am and what I love. I will try my darned best to post regularly, and hopefully keep it interesting! Also, if there is anything you would like me to write about, perhaps compare an experience of mine with yours, or share my thoughts on something you don’t want to share yourself, please pop into my ask box!

#music #musician #musicblog #blog #viola #violist #artist #art #life #writing #writer #story

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