#did i straight up steal a line from steven king's it

[lady-literature]

Flirting Fish

Hi, I fucking love the gay fish movie and it's currently all I can think about it so rip all my other projects ig.

inspired by 'better than coffee' because I read it and the whole 'Alberto flirting with Luca' thing, kinda as a joke until it's very much not a joke anymore just made me insane so here's this now.

I do not speak Italian so I am sorry for any errors I will undoubtedly make.

They’re a few weeks into the summer the first time it happens.

Alberto has already been up for hours, helping to man the boat with Massimo and then tend to their stall at the fish market after that. After three years of living in Portorosso, he’s long since grown used to waking up before the sun has even thought of rising over the sea.

Once upon a time, Luca had been too. Back when he was un piccolo contadino, tending to schools of fish and living off the reef, instead of being well on his way to a world-renowned erudito.

“Morning, sunshine!” Alberto says laughing, throwing a tanned arm across Luca’s shoulders and slightly jostling the smaller teen. Luca groans and attempts to hide himself in Alberto’s shoulder. “Haha! Well, aren’t you chipper this morning?”

Luca tilts his head just enough to look Alberto in the eye. “It’s too early.”

“It’s almost noon.”

“It’s summer,” Luca retorts, pouting. “You’re supposed to get to sleep in during summer.”

Alberto tsks at the groggy, sleepy-eyed look on his best friend’s face.

Oh, how his fancy schooling has spoiled him.

“I, of course, understand the need for beauty sleep, amico,” he playfully runs a hand through his ruly curls, flashing a charming smile that Luca doesn’t notice since he’s trying to nap on his shoulder. “But perhaps it would work better if you didn’t stay up half the night reading.”

“How can I sleep when the Americani e Russi are revolutionizing modern science?” Luca mumbles passionately. Even half-asleep he can give entire lectures about space and scientific discoveries, the utter nerd. “Luna 2 is the first man-made object on the moon, Alberto! È incredibile! And all the journals are talking about plants and animals being sent into space. If they can return unharmed that means it’s only a matter of time before we send people up there. Riesci a immaginare? Le ramificazioni scientifiche sarebbero-”

Normally, Alberto can listen to Luca ramble on about his crazy nerd stuff for ages. He only ever understands every other word, but it’s not so much the content as it is the way Luca gets when he talks about it.

Alberto couldn’t care less about Saturn or Russian spuds or whatever else. But he does care a damn lot about Luca, so he sits and listens and nods in all the right places cause it makes Luca happy.

But right now, with Luca content and passionate and so completely vulnerable, leaning on Alberto with his eyes closed, so trusting that Alberto won’t let him fall or trip or lead him off the pier, it makes something so intensely warm bubble up in his chest. Brighter than joy, and affection, and the relief he feels whenever Luca steps off the train after months of only letters and the grainy sound of his voice through the phone.

The feeling startles Alberto with its foreignness, knocks him off balance with its intensity. So he does what he always does when he feels unmoored and adrift.

He runs his mouth and does something ridiculous.

Immediately, Alberto drops his arm from around Luca’s shoulders and grabs at both his freckled cheeks instead, pinching them hard like he’s seen Nonnas do to their nipoti.

“Cute, cute, cute!” Alberto croons, shaking Luca’s face back and forth. “Beauty and brains? Santa mozzarella, save some for the rest of us, Luca.”

Immediately, Luca’s pout disappears with a yelp of surprise and he quickly bats away Alberto’s hands.

“Beto!” Luca scolds, hands over his steadily reddening cheeks. “Don’t do that!”

“What?” Alberto laughs, arms spread out wide. He can tell Luca isn't actually mad at him, just pleasantly annoyed and exasperatedly fond. So he keeps going. “I’m not wrong! You keep that up where anyone can see you, and Guilia and I are going to have to start beating the suitors off with sticks.” He mimes whacking someone with a stick to emphasize his point. “Like, I think you might steal my title of Portorosso’s most handsome bachelor. These days everyone wants an adorable brainiac, not a roguish bad boy, you know?”

Luca just looks at him, mouth opening and closing like some sort of guppy. Then, “Roguish bad boy?” he repeats disbelievingly.

“Well,” Alberto huffs, feeling the need to defend his honor, “it’s not like anyone else in this town gets up to as much trouble as I do.”

Luca snorts, finally letting his hands fall from his face. They’re… really red, actually. Maybe he did pinch a little harder than he meant to. Alberto frowns.

“Hey,” Alberto says, grabbing Luca’s elbow and dragging him forward again. “Let’s go get some gelato. Now that you’re awake, we should have enough time to grab some before our shift at the beach if we run.”

There. Gelato makes the best apologies without actually having to say sorry. He’ll even get Luca a double scoop, since, you know, he can never quite narrow down which flavor he wants and the indecision always stresses him out.

***

The good news is that his—well it wasn’t actually a plan per se, but whatever you want to call it, it worked!

Teasing Luca did make the strange, overwhelming feeling in his chest go away. It’s also funny and something Alberto likes doing… a lot, actually.

The bad news is that the feeling eventually came back.

#luca #luca pixar #alberto scorfano #luca paguro #my typewriter #did i straight up steal a line from steven king's it? #absolutely i did #am i sorry about it? #of course not #(is this me saying alberto is richie adjacent?) #(fuckin may b e)

[dollslayer]

Botanical Interest - For Luck

Soft!Mob!Steve Rogers x Florist!Reader

Summary: Steve introduces you to some of the most important people in his life, but are you ready for all that comes with it?

W/C: 4,743

Warnings: Swearing, alcohol consumption, angst, gambling

A/N: When I saw @redhead-wine-and-literature-club was doing a floral based challenge I couldn't pass up the opportunity to add to this series! April 28th - Cornflower - good-luck charm. Even though this is part of a series of oneshots it can be read as a standalone! If you like it please like/reblog/comment and check out my other fics! Cheers!

Botanical Interest Masterlist I Main Masterlist

The sunlight through the windows warms your skin while the breeze of the small fan on the counter gives you goosebumps. Dog days of Summer slowly set in over the city and with them came a slight dip in business. No one wants a rooftop wedding when it’s 100 degrees out and the drinks are watered down with sweat. You didn’t mind though, it let you put in a little extra time and care to the orders you did have.

You picked up a stem of cornflower and nestled it between snapdragons and lisianthus. It was so dreamy you couldn’t help but sigh, you almost wished it was for yourself. It was for an elopement, an eager young couple came in this morning all smiles asking if you could take the last minute order. Feeling a little sappy from your own relationship you couldn’t turn them down.

You started in on the boutonniere when the music you had on was paused. Curious, you looked at your phone to find you had an incoming call. You balanced the phone in between your shoulder and ear as you gathered supplies.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Doll. How are you?” Steve’s warm voice greeted you.

You smiled into the receiver. “I’m good, just working on the last order of the day. What are you up to?”

“Well actually that’s what I called to ask you. You free tonight?”

“You can meet me at the shop in an hour. Sound good?” You promised.

“Sounds like a plan. I love you, doll, I’ll see you soon.”

After returning his affections you hung up and set to work, excited to be finished and see Steve. Despite his involvement with the mob, which neither of you had really addressed head-on yet, things were going really well. Even though he was involved with murky dealings he was sweet to you and you were in love with him. You tried to plan your night with Steve in your head as you worked.

____

The ringing of a bell roused you from your work, expecting to see the young couple here to pick up their flowers. You were instead face to face with Steve’s handsome smirk and playful eyes. Your smile grew wider as he approached the counter. You held the boutonniere up to the lapel of his jacket and eyed it from a distance.

“Do I have a hot date I didn’t know about?” He joked.

“No!” You giggled, “The flowers are for a couple that came in the shop this morning, they’re going to elope and the groom’s got your complexion, thought I’d see how this looks on you before I finish”

“Oh? And how do I look as a groom?” He questioned.

Your cheeks heated instantly and you felt shy. You managed to squeak out that he looked nice before you had to turn away to box up the flowers. You couldn’t help the stupid smile on your face. You and Steve never talked about marriage before but things were getting serious between you. Maybe he just felt extra cheeky today.

“I like the blue, very colorful”

“They’re cornflowers, they’re a good luck charm! I figured they were fitting for their little wedding. So what did you have in mind for tonight? It’s too hot to sit on the patio but I’ve got a pint of ice cream with our names on it in the freezer at home” You raised your eyebrows in offer.

“Well actually, I was hoping you could be my good luck charm tonight. Bucky’s got a few of us getting together tonight for poker and you’ve yet to meet my friends. What do you say?”

Oh. You weren’t sure what to say. You hadn’t met his friends yet because you were uncomfortable with his mob work and you knew they were involved. But you also knew they were his friends and they were important to him. It’s not like you could avoid them forever. Poker with a mob boss? Sure why not?

You put on a slightly uneasy smile and nodded.

“Well I have to tell you, I haven’t played in forever but I would love to meet your friends” You told him.

“I promise, no shop talk. But I’ve been telling them about you. Buck’s wife Natasha has been dying to meet you. I also promise not to make you play poker.” He said with an easy grin.

“Alright, I just have to wait on this couple to pick up their flowers and close up. Shouldn’t be more than 20 minutes. You can wait here if you want but I’ve got no A/C”

Steve nodded and took off his jacket. He rolled up his sleeves and loosened his tie.

“For you? I’ll sweat it out.” He said.

____

After a quick pit stop at your place to change you were on your way. You smiled in the passenger’s seat, still reeling from the look on the young bride’s face when she saw her bouquet. That was undoubtedly the best part of your job, seeing the joy on your customer’s faces when they saw their arrangements. Maybe this feeling could carry you through the night.

The tires of Steve’s Audi crunched under the gravel of the long driveway up to Bucky’s estate. Steve told you he had a townhouse in Brooklyn but for the most part they stayed at their estate outside of the city. You looked up at the facade of the house and admired the ivy that clung to the bricks.

Parking the car Steve got out and quickly made his way to your side to let you out. Just one of the many old-fashioned quirks that he had. You accepted his hand as he helped you out of the car and leaned up to kiss his cheek. His hand traveled down to rub your back reassuringly. You looked up at him.

“Don’t worry, they’ll love you. Natasha can be intense but she means well. Just be yourself and they’ll love you just as much as I do.” He kissed your hair to soothe you and lead you towards the door.

Steve nodded at the man at the door. “Scott. Nice to see you, this is my girlfriend”

You smiled and gave him your name. “It’s nice to meet you, Scott”.

He smiled and greeted you in kind, lifting his hand to shake yours. When he did his jacket rode up and you could see the holster and butt of his gun. You ignored it and shook his hand.

Scott opened the door for you and you entered the house. Mansion, might be a better word honestly. Marble floors, oak woodwork, all the look of any house you’d find in the area and all in line with how you’d think a rich mob boss might live. The foyer was empty but you could hear voices in the distance.

Steve waltzed through the halls like he lived here, when he was at work he probably practically did. The space was teeming with energy as they bantered on with trash talk and promises of beating one another. Men sat at a round table drinking, waiting to deal cards and women standing around sipping on wine.

One man looked familiar from the pictures you’d seen around Steve’s place. His sharp jaw and long dark hair drew your attention instantly; Bucky Barnes, King of Brooklyn. His brows were pinched together in a scowl but he had a playful grin on his face. You steeled yourself the best you could and prepared for your introduction. Just think of him as Steve’s childhood best friend.

“Steve! ‘Bout time you showed up you bastard!” an accented voice belonging to a tall blond man with long hair called. He clapped a hand on Steve’s shoulder. “And are you the enchantress that our dear friend goes on and on about? Now that I’m meeting you I can see why!”

Steve let out an embarrassed laugh and motioned towards his friend. “This is Thor, don’t let the muscle fool you, he’s a total teddy bear”

You gave him your name and extended your hand when he brought you in for a bone-crushing hug. You let out a laugh and hugged him back, grateful for something to ease the tension you felt.

“How’s that for a warm welcome, huh?” A voice sounded from behind you.

Thor released you from your hug and you took a desperately needed breath. He patted you on the shoulder.

“Wanted to make our dear Steven’s girl feel at home, that’s all” Thor explained. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to beating your boyfriend at poker.” You laughed at that and turned to face the man who spoke earlier.

That man was none other than Bucky, who reached out for your hand. You gave it to him and he instead lifted it to give a gentle kiss.

“I can’t believe I’m meeting the one and only. Stevie here won’t shut up about you sometimes. I’m Bucky but I’m sure you already knew that.”

“I’ve heard about you too, it’s nice to finally meet.” You nodded as you took your hand back.

“I’m afraid I need to steal your man, we’ve been waiting on him to start the game but tell you what, why don’t you go find my wife Natasha, I know she’s been dying to meet you.”

Great, not at all intimidating. Okay fine just smile and breathe. Maybe get a drink. You smiled at Bucky. “The redhead, right?” He nodded and sent you on your way. One last look at Steve you shot him a worried look but he only winked at you.

You looked around the room and shrunk in on yourself a bit. You were never the best with social outings or being in new environments. You looked around again and found the very redhead you had been in search of smirking at you from the corner. She was dressed in a sleek black dress and looked effortlessly beautiful but also like she could strangle a man with her bare hands. You steeled yourself with a smile you’re sure she saw straight through.

“So you’re the one responsible for the flowers at my wedding?” You nodded Pleasesayyoulikedthempleasesayyoulikedthem “I loved them! The wedding planner recommended you and I’m so glad she did. It’s so hard to find a good color pallet but you nailed it. Come on, you need a drink then I’ll introduce you to the girls”

She ushered you towards the kitchen where she took the waiting wine glass from the counter and handed it to you. You didn’t like red but you’d drink it anyways. You brought the glass to your lips and took a sip.

You two talked for a bit in the kitchen, maybe she wasn’t as scary as she seemed. You tipped the stem of your glass until there was nothing left. Before you could ask for different wine she was topping you off from the same bottle. Another round of apprehensive sips and hidden grimaces but you thanked her regardless. It was now your goal to find the sociable sweet spot of drunkenness. You could feel blood rushing to your cheeks from the alcohol as tipsiness settled in.

Natasha raised an eyebrow and considered you for a moment.

“So how are you handling the whole organized crime thing? Gotta say, I didn’t peg you as his type but you guys are cute.”

You stopped yourself from spitting the wine in your mouth back into the glass.

“Um, thanks, I guess” You sputtered, “we uh, try to keep things separate. Figure it’s best for both of us.”

Natasha nodded, taking another drink herself.

“That’s probably best but I mean, how long can you keep that up, really?” She asked

You hated to admit it but she had a point. It’s not like the thought hadn’t crossed your mind. You opened your mouth to answer her when a man walked into the room and called your name. You looked expectantly (and slightly gratefully) towards him.

“I believe your man has requested your presence at the table. Somethin’ about needing a cornflower? I don’t know he said you’d get it. What are you two gossipin’ about in here anyways?” He questioned.

Natasha spoke before you could “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that, Sam. We’re right behind you.” Sam nodded and retreated back to the doorway to wait for you.

Natasha touched your shoulder and you looked to her.

“Look, I didn’t mean to come off so brash, I guess I’m just trying to say, I know that being involved in this life isn’t easy. We’ll swap numbers later. Maybe we’ll go to lunch” She winked at you. You couldn’t tell if she was being serious or not but you nodded anyways.

“I-Thank you, I think I’d like that. I’d better go find Steve though” you excused yourself and made your way back to the table.

____

Steve Rogers was having a good night. He finally got to introduce his friends to his girl, she seemed to be relaxing a bit and having a better time, and he was well on his way to getting a straight flush this hand. The only thing that would seal the deal is his good luck charm by his side.

Steve called to Sam across the room and as soon as Sam walked over and bent Steve spoke.

“Sam, could you do me a solid and find my girl? Think she went to get a drink with Nat. Tell her I need cornflowers”

“Man if this is some weird sex thing I’m gonna be mad” Sam said with a mixture of confusion and disgust.

“Oh, please. Nothin’ like that, promise. She’ll know what it means.” Steve pat his friend on the shoulder and paid attention as Thor dealt cards.

A minute later his girl was walking through the door with an uneasy smile on her face. Something is wrong but he can’t gauge how serious it is. Sam says something to make her laugh and he settles on asking her later. Natasha saunters out behind them looking almost amused but cautious. Like she was regretting something. She’d probably just tried to give his girl the third degree when Sam interrupted them. It’s for the best, that’s too much for one night.

His girl smiles as she approaches him, looking slightly more at ease when she takes another sip of her wine. Her smile was a little looser and she moved a bit more freely, definitely tipsy and completely adorable with that grin on her lips.

“How are things going over here for you boys?”

Gauging how tipsy she was, he patted his knee in offering and she took it with a shy smile. Only slightly. But enough not to worry so much.

“Well, sweetheart, I’m about to kick all their asses and I figured I could use a good luck charm to seal the deal.” He boasted.

“Oh,” she said in realization, “Then I’m all yours”. She settled into his lap and watched on.

Her face was nothing short of endearing as she tried to concentrate and take in the game. He remembered she said she hadn’t been good at poker but it was sweet she was trying to pay attention anyways and be there for him.

“What’s the pot?” She asked.

“Nothin’ serious, there’s a pretty nice box of cigars and a weekend at Buck’s place in the Hamptons in the mix but we don’t do cash at get togethers like this, that’s for boy’s nights only.” He explained as he rubbed her back with his free hand. “Tonight’s just about fun”

She nodded as she studied the table some more before resigning to laying her head against his and listening to whatever bullshit Clint was on about. Steve was focused on getting others at the table to fold, he knew he had a good hand and a good chance of winning, he just needed the others to back down to bring it home.

Thor placed the final community card face up and Steve set out a low whistle. Others at the table looked a little miffed but he just knew he was taking it all. He set down his cards to a chorus of groans as he raked all the chips towards himself. You placed a kiss to his temple and he returned one to your cheek.

“Just the good luck I needed” he said loud enough for the table to hear.

“Hey Steve you gotta come see this!”

Steve tsked in annoyance. “Can it wait? I’m up and we were gonna keep playing. I’ll be there after”

“No, you should go. Let her play a hand for you, we can get to know each other better” Bucky suggested.

“Oh, I don’t think you want me playing poker.” She laughed but nervousness was the only emotion he could see on your face. He opened his mouth to protest but was cut off.

“She’ll be fine, we’ll go easy on her, I mean it. If it makes you feel better we’ll even hold the pot. This round is just for shits.” Bucky insisted.

Caught between wanting to ask how you felt about it and not wanting to get flak about being so sensitive Steve tilted his head in silent asking at you.

You gave him the same unsure smile you’d had all night and nodded up at him. “I’ll be fine, Stevie, promise.”

He gave her a reassuring smile and then turned his eye to Bucky who was all smiles. He knew exactly what Bucky was trying to do. Buck knows she doesn’t know anything but he’s gonna turn the screws on her just like he does with anyone new at the table. Steve gave him a stern expression in warning. Don’t scare her off.

____

You could hear your heart beating in your ears as you tried to decide what to do. Take it slow. You told yourself. You looked up to find all the eyes at the table on you and did your best to calm yourself.

“So who’s dealing?” A man you hadn’t previously met swiped the cards and began shuffling.

“Look, I know we said we’d put the pot on hold but Laura’s been bugging me about a vacation and I don’t know that I can pass up this opportunity to steal from Steve so easily, so” The man you’d come to know as Clint trailed off. You did your best not to be offended.

“Shut up, Barton. I promised Steve, we just wanna have a little fun, don’t we?” Bucky asked.

Is he asking me?

You decided to take a sip of your wine instead and he chuckled.

“So,” Bucky turned to you, “I know that you know about what we do, there’s no point in denying it. The question is are you going to be a problem for us or do you know how to keep things to yourself?”

Frozen in fear you could only manage to look at the rest of the table, hoping to find that this was all a joke. Instead, every face looking to you was stony and waiting on an answer. God, this man was made for Natasha, that much is clear. Your eyes darted around the room looking for an out. Where is Steve? Where the fuck is Steve?

You don’t find him, but you do find Natasha looking at you, she smiles and looks to her husband before she shakes her head. She makes her way over to her husband and lightly smacks him in the back of the head.

The look of surprise on his face ruins his silent and aggressive front as he winces in pain. He looks in slight annoyance at his wife as she tsks at him.

“Will you stop already? She’s a smart girl and you don’t need to go scaring her off. In fact, I hope she beats you. I wouldn’t be surprised if she did.” Natasha sounded so confident. You warmed to the fact that she was in your corner when you were practically a stranger in her home.

“Aw c’mon, Babe, I was only messin’ with her.” Bucky turned to Nat and she just challenged him with a smile.

You didn’t know why Natasha has suddenly become so supportive, maybe she felt bad about earlier but you were grateful to her. She pulled up a chair between the two of you to watch and motioned to the dealer to continue. You finished your second glass and prepared yourself for the night ahead. Any chance they had of you going easy on them went out the window.

____

You lost the first hand graciously, saying you hadn’t played poker since you were in college as an excuse for your loss. But when Steve was still busy and Bucky offered another round you accepted. You decided to put your full effort in this time.

Twenty minutes later everyone at the table was feeling confident in their hands, staring at each other like some sort of Mexican standoff, willing the others to fold. You could tell by the way Clint kept scratching the cut on his chin that he was screwed and he knew it. Thor couldn’t go more than 5 seconds without nervous laughing.

But Bucky? He was a tough read but about half way through the round his leg started bouncing. You knew this because he was bumping into Natasha, who’s wine was sloshing around in the glass despite her stillness. These clods didn’t stand a chance.

The dealer, Vision, you’d learned, called for everyone to show their cards. Here goes. One by one everyone set their cards down until finally it was your turn. You set them down but focused on your opponents faces. Everyone looked confused, shocked even. You had laid down a royal flush and handily smoked them all.

“Holy shit”

“Holy shit indeed”

“Told you so” Nat teased.

You smiled at all of them and drank from your newly topped off glass of wine - white this time. A warm pair of hands rested on your shoulders and you looked up to find Steve smiling down at you.

“What’s going on over here, gentlemen?”

“Well, Steve, I think your girl is hustlin’ us. Thought you said you hadn’t played since college?” Bucky turned to you. You couldn’t gauge how angry he was but you decided to be honest.

“I haven’t,” you began, “But when I did I was pretty damn good. You just assumed I didn’t know what I was doing.” You shrugged.

The room was tense, it felt like everyone was looking to Bucky to see what to do next. He broke out into a wide smile and a low chuckle turned into hearty laugh. Everyone visibly relaxed.

“I gotta say, Steve. She isn’t what I expected, but she’s sure somethin’”

“A girl after my own heart” Natasha added.

Steve bent down to kiss your head. You stood from the table and offered him your seat. Nat put a hand on your shoulder.

“Steve I’m going to steal her again, the girls will probably want to hear all about your little cardshark.”

____

He had to admit, he was completely blown away by your little stunt at the table. He thought back to earlier when you watched him play. You weren’t trying to desperately understand the game, you were studying your opponents. He couldn’t deny it was kinda hot. You were full of surprises.

He smiled thinking that you were no different than the day you met, timid but aggressive when you need to be. That’s my girl.

The rest of the night came and went without incident, Steve didn’t end up taking home the pot but he did have a conversation with Bucky.

“She and I don’t talk about work. She knows that what we do isn’t exactly reputable but let’s face it, anyone in Brooklyn would. She doesn’t know and she doesn’t want to.”

Bucky took a long drag from his glass of bourbon and nodded.

“But if she ever did I hope she’s smart enough to know she has to keep what she knows to herself. We can’t afford any slip ups.”

Steve’s fists clenched and he controlled his anger enough not to snap at Bucky. He was his best friend but Bucky was still the boss and Steve knew how much was at stake.

“Not that it’s any of my business but you love this girl, right?” Steve swallowed thickly and nodded.

“Then how the hell are you gonna manage that? Keepin’ your two worlds separate? I mean, you just gonna walk her down the aisle and live happily forever keeping half your life from her? I need to know that if push came to shove she wouldn’t sell us out. Things are fine for now but you know that you’re either in or you’re out. I care about you, Steve, you’re my best friend but you need to see straight.”

Steve looked away, his jaw clenched as he ground his teeth. He knew Bucky was right. He loved you but he owed his life to Bucky, he was his brother. But he loved you. They were careful in their work and he knew any feds that tried to come after them wouldn’t find a thing. He could put this issue into a box and seal the lid tightly, at least for a while.

“I know you’re right. I love her and she’s a good woman. She wouldn’t say anything because she doesn’t know anything. And she never will.”

He left Bucky to stand on his own in search of you. He found you laughing with Laura, Wanda and Nat. He smiled at how welcomed you seemed to feel despite the rocky start.

“You ready to go, doll?”

You turned around and smiled at him. You looked back at the girls and then reluctantly back to him but nodded.

“Guess we’d better go, I’ve got to get down to the flower market at open tomorrow morning”

____

After a very long round of goodbyes you swapped numbers with Nat with promises of future lunch plans. The night had turned out worlds better than you thought that it would. You served a bunch of men their own egos on a silver platter and didn’t get murdered for it and you even made friends.

Still though Nat’s words echoed in your mind ‘how long can you keep that up, really?’ Little did you know but the same thoughts troubled Steve. You knew eventually you would have to make a choice if you ever wanted to get more serious than you were with each other, you just didn’t know what choice you’d make.

The ride home was quiet but not tense. He held your hand a little tighter than usual but you thought maybe he was just excited you had gotten on so well with your friends. He pulled up to your building and put the car in park.

“So do you think they liked me? I mean, other than hustling them at poker I’d say I made a pretty good impression”

Steve chuckled, “Yeah, doll. Gotta say, the whole cardshark thing? Kinda hot, didn’t know you had that in you, you little fiend.”

You rolled your eyes playfully and grinned at him. “I wasn’t gonna but Clint started talking shit.”

“Then he deserved his ass kicked” Steve joked. “I’d come up but I know you’ve got an early morning. Thank you for coming and meeting everyone tonight, I know that you want to keep things separate but these people are family to me, it means a lot that you met them”

You nodded and smiled. You told yourself you didn’t need to make the choice between getting involved with his work and keeping it apart from the other aspects of your life but it seems that by meeting them you had already made one.

Maybe you could talk more to Nat about this, she’d know what your situation is like more than anyone. For now though you decided to focus on the present reality, you had a good night and you had fun and now you’re about to kiss the man you love.

“Of course” you whispered. You kissed him slowly, trying to put off the sleepless night you were surely about to have.

“Goodnight, sweetheart. I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you”

“I love you too, Stevie”

#rwlc love in bloom challenge #steve rogers x reader #mob au #mob!steve x reader #mafia!au #mafia!steve rogers x reader #mob!steve rogers #mafia!steve rogers #marvel au #marvel fic #marvel x reader #botanical interest #fluff #angst

[beepboop358]

A Prom in S4 Theory & Music Coding Predictions

Some leaked set pics indicate that there MAY BE a junior/senior prom at Hawkins High, which they are calling the "Lover's Ball". It's unclear if this prom will be included on screen, or if it will just be mentioned as an event coming up at Hawkins High because this flyer could just extra set decor. Regardless if the prom happens on screen or not, there will probably be some tension about 'who's asking who' to the prom that we will see in s4. Given that this picture was just leaked a few weeks ago, it probably falls closer to the end of the season sequentially.

Having a big school dance in s4 is suspiciously close to how they had the Snowball scene in s2. This would certainly follow the even/odd season patterns, (and actually add to the list of the patterns), which kind of makes me think we will see this prom on screen, or at the very least it will be mentioned in the course of the season.

The Duffer Brothers love Steven King and reference his work and especially 'IT' a lot in the show, but they haven't done anything with Carrie yet so maybe we will get a Carrie moment this season at the prom...

Carrie was on the video store fridays movie inspiration board for ST4.

At the "Lover's Ball", there will be definitely be some music coding relating to Byler. Since music coding is kind of a key thing in the show, I've been rifling through 80's songs to try and find some that may fit with s4's themes/character storylines (and I may do a seperate post about that later), but for this post I'm just gonna focus on what they might use at the prom for relating to Byler.

Since the season is most likely going to take place in 1986, I only selected songs that had a compatible release year so it would be historically accurate. (these songs would also be great for a byler playlist!)

Some strong contenders for the songs that might play at the prom to reference Mike and Will's relationship could be:

"True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper (1986)

This song is honestly too good of an option for them not to use. I'm reallllyyy crossing my fingers for this one.

It's hard to take courage In a world full of people You can lose sight of it all And the darkness inside you Can make you feel so small

"And I see your true colors Shining through I see your true colors And that's why I love you So don't be afraid (don't be afraid) To let them show your true colors True colors are beautiful (you're beautiful, oh) Like a rainbow Oh oh oh oh oh like a rainbow"

If this world makes you crazy And you've taken all you can bear You call me up Because you know I'll be there

"Heaven" by Bryan Adams (1984)

This first verse is literally just the story of Byler... 😭 The rest of the song applies but that verse verse is just sooooo accurate. (I'm crossing my fingers for this one too)

"Oh thinkin' about all our younger years There was only you and me We were young and wild and free Now nothing can take you away from me We've been down that road before But that's over now You keep me comin' back for more

Baby you're all that I want When you're lyin' here in my arms I'm findin' it hard to believe We're in heaven And love is all that I need And I found it there in your heart Isn't too hard to see We're in heaven

Oh once in your life you find someone Who will turn your world around Bring you up when you're feelin' down Yeah nothin' can change what you mean to me Oh there's lots that I could say But just hold me now 'Cause our love will light the way"

"Take My Breath Away" by Berlin (1986)

This song is on Will's Spotify playlist, and I thought it could also be used at the prom since it's a romantic song. I see it as an 'entrance to the prom' moment song, almost like a 'first look' - like the Mike and El moment at the snowball when she first walks in, but with Mike and Will this time. I think the lyrics clearly hint to this kind of 'first look' moment as well.

"Watchin' every motion in my foolish lover's game On this endless ocean, finally lovers know no shame Turning and returning to some secret place inside Watchin' in slow motion as you turn around and say...take my breath away"

Watchin' every motion in this foolish lover's game Haunted by the notion, somewhere there's a love in flames Turning and returning to some secret place inside Watchin' in slow motion as you turn my way and say...take my breath away"

"In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins (1981)

This song was originally meant to be included in the snowball scene from s2, but it ultimately was not used and "Every Breath You Take" was used for this scene instead. Since it was intended to be a part of the s2 dance, that's why I think it may be used at the prom this season. (you can read the scripts on 8flix)

——— I forgot to include this explanation originally BUT, I think this song might be used to show some anger/resentment between the two, and to show a decent amount of tension, depending on their development this season. Like maybe Mike is kind of leading Will on in private by continuing to initiate intimate scenes between them, but in public Mike is still trying to put on his “straight boy act” and kind of being a jackass about it, and this song could be used to show the tension between them that has caused.

"And I've been waiting for this moment, for all my life, (Oh lord)

Well, I was there and I saw what you did I saw it with my own two eyes So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you've been It's all been a pack of lies.

Well I remember, I remember don't worry How could I ever forget It's the first time, the last time we ever met But I know the reason why you keep this silence up

No you don't fool me The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows It's no stranger to you and me"

"In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel (1986)

Some of the lyrics in this song just SCREAMS byler, just look at the 1st, 2nd and 4th paragraphs. I would be suprised if they didn't use this song in either s4/s5.

Love, I get so lost sometimes Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart When I want to run away I drive off in my car But whichever way I go I come back to the place you are

All my instincts, they return The grand facade, so soon will burn Without a noise, without my pride I reach out from the inside

In your eyes The light, the heat (in your eyes) I am complete (in your eyes) I see the doorway (in your eyes) To a thousand churches (in your eyes) The resolution (in your eyes) Of all the fruitless searches (in your eyes)

Love, I don't like to see so much pain So much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away I get so tired working so hard for our survival I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive

"Heroes" by David Bowie (1975)

David Bowie was bisexual. A cover of his song “Heroes” is used in the show twice already, sung by Peter Gabriel. The song plays when they pull Will's fake body out of the water in season one and Mike cries in his Mom's arms, with some very queer-coded lyrics in the background, and after Hopper's letter in s3 (which is very Byler-centric)

"I will be king. And you, you will be queen 'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact. Yes, we're lovers, and that is that. Though nothing will keep us together. We could steal time just for one day We can be heroes forever and ever. What d'you say? I, I wish I could swim, like dolphins, like dolphins could swim I, I can remember (I remember) Standing by the wall (By the wall) And the guns shot above our heads (Over our heads) And we kissed as though nothing could fall (Nothing could fall) And the shame was on the other side. Oh, we can beat them forever and ever. Then we could be heroes just for one day We're nothing, and nothing will help us Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay But we could be safer just for one day"

I just thought the above songs might be some highly likely possibilities given that they fit the year of the s4 and also make references to not only love, but the idea of hiding, pain, shame, longing, etc., and can make some (partially stretching here) references to other things in the show such as:

RAINBOWS and TRUE COLORS, SHINING THROUGH (rainbows imagery is always associated with Mike & Will in the show and a is symbol of lgbtq+ pride, True Colors shining through = who you really are on the inside finally coming out)

IF THIS WORLD MAKES YOU CRAZY ("crazy together", "only love makes you that crazy" and references the "world" motif in the show)

YOUNGER YEARS, ONLY YOU AND ME, YOUNG, WILD AND FREE (references "not wanting things to change" and wanting "to make things go how they were" part in Hopper's letter, and the "But we're not kids anymore" comment during the Byler fight)

ENDLESS OCEAN and SWIM, LIKE DOLPHINS (references water's significance in the show)

FLAMES (Will in front of the burning car in s4 teaser?)

LIES and LYING (Mike lying to El about how he feels)

INSTINCTS RETURNING, FACADES BURNING, WITHOUT MY PRIDE, I REACH OUT FROM THE INSIDE (Mike's feelings for Will are his instincts, the facade is the act he put on in s3 to seem straight, burning could reference Will & fire, and I think the last 2 lines of that 2nd verse reference vulnerability- perhaps in an apology/confession)

I GET SO LOST (confusion about his sexuality, feeling lost without the other) and SO MUCH WASTED TIME (known each other since kindergarten but were unaware the other felt the same way/was dealing with same things, they could have been even closer)

KINGS and QUEENS (the d&d game mike wrote where he has king Tristan give him a medal in s1)

STEALING TIME (references "turning back the clock, to make things go how they were" part in Hopper's letter and the time theme in s4 and time is central to the s4 plot)

AND WE KISS - AND THE SHAME (references the shame they both feel about being gay since it was so stigmatized in the 80's)

Byler @ Prom Possibilities:

If Mike and Will did dance together at the prom, they will probably get bullied because they live in a small conservative town. They will probably either run out, upset, or Eleven will step in to protect them which could lead to the Carrie moment.

Or Mike and Will will not dance together in the actual dance room, but instead sneak off to somewhere else in the school and have a private Byler dance moment where they can't be teased and it's just them together.

OR Mike and Will are still acting weird at this point in the season because neither of them is communicating what needs to be said out of fear, or one of them has confessed or done something to indicate how they feel, but the other hasn’t so everything is weird between them. There would be lots of tension from this and we would get lots of longing looks and adoring moments between the two of them from the sidelines. (I think this one is the most likely)

#byler #byeler #st4 bts pics #st4 spoilers #st4 leak #byler rights #byler is real #byler obsessed #byler is canon #byler theory #byler proof #byler is endgame #will byers #mike wheeler #will byers is gay #mike wheeler is gay #mike x will #will x mike #eleven #stranger things #stranger things 4 #stranger things four #stranger things season 4 #stranger things season four #st4 #st4 theory #byler headcanon #byler playlist #st s4 prom theory #st4 speculation

[doinurmommy]

I Want to Know What Love Is...(I Know You Can Show Me) Ch. 1

Rating: E (for the later chapters)

Words:1,491

Warnings: Swearing

Read it on Ao3 https://archiveofourown.org/works/17500394/chapters/41221109

Steve thinks he’s taking a break from Hawkins when he goes away to college a few towns over, but how is he supposed to do that when local asshole Billy Hargrove turns out to be his room mate? He begs his RA to help him get a different room mate, but all the other rooms are full. It’s Steve’s worst case scenario until one night Billy crawls into his bed one night and nothing is the same after.

Late 80′s (1987) they are sharing a suite style room with two bedrooms and a living area/kitchen.

Steve thought that going away to college might be good for him. Get away from where it all happened, forget about demidogs and conspiracies, and Nancy and John and Billy. Figure out who he is far enough away not to worry, but close enough to race back to Hawkins if any problems arose. 

When move in day came Dustin cried for the whole two hour drive to take his stuff to the dorms and the whole two hour trip back to Hawkins to drop him off. “Dustin, I’ll be back in a few days buddy,” Steve laid a firm hand on his shoulder. 

He eventually got Dustin to let go long enough for them to exchange a tearful goodbye as he got back into the car to leave Hawkins once again. He watched his friend get smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. ‘He’ll be fine. He’s got his friends,’ he repeated the mantra to himself until he could focus on college again. Dustin could pick up a phone and call him whenever he wanted. 

Steve’s mind drifted as he tapped along to whatever buzzed through the radio static. He imagined his room mate would be there by the time he got back, maybe Steve would buy the guy a pizza and make friends. They would be stuck together for the whole semester after all. Steve was looking forward to meeting new people and figured making friends with your roommate was a good start. 

Steve rested the box he had been carrying on his hip as he unlocked the door and pushed it open. He looked around, a few open cardboard boxes scattered about the living room let him know his room mate had arrived. ‘Shit I hope he’s not this messy all the time,’ Steve thought with a huff. He shook his head and yelled out a tentative hello. He could hear his room mate shuffle around and walk toward the living area. 

Shocked, he dropped the box to the floor breaking two expensive bottles of cologne in the process. 

“Am I dreaming or is that you Harrington?” 

Shit. Fuck. Absolutely not. Steve snapped his jaw up off the floor responding with the same words he had the night Billy had punch his lights out at the Byer’s. “Yeah it’s me don’t cream your pants.” If he and Billy hadn’t shook hands and ‘made up’ on the kids behalf he would have screamed right then and there. “What are you doing here amigo?” He asked, stealing Billy’s line. 

Billy smirked, licking his bottom lip, “Same thing you are Harrington. You know Max said you were going to college too, she just didn’t say where. I guess little Stevie just couldn’t stay away from me.” Billy crossed his arms chuckling, “You know, when I said ‘plenty of bitches in the sea’ I didn’t mean me.” He laughed uncomfortably long at his own joke before turning back to his room and adding, “Better clean up that cologne, it’s already starting to smell like the Hawkins High locker room in here.”

Steve brought the box downstairs and tossed the whole thing in the dumpster, shouting curses as he threw it over the side. “Mind your own business,” he snapped at a group of girls passing by. 

He went straight to his RA’s office and begged for nearly an hour to be reassigned to a different dorm. “Come on man. He’s hit me with a plate! A plate!” Steve pleaded, close to getting on his knees and begging.

“And yet, that didn’t happen on campus. Unless you can find someone to switch rooms with you unfortunately you’re stuck with him until at least next semester. All of our available dorm rooms are full and you’re lucky you got on campus housing at all,” the RA merely glanced up at Steve through his thick rimmed glasses before returning to his paper work. “Ask around and see if anyone is willing to switch.”

And boy did Steve ask. He asked people in the laundry room, he asked people in the common rooms, he even offered a guy a hundred dollar bill to switch with him. Not only did he still have to room with Billy, now he had a reputation as the resident weirdo.

He returned to his dorm room defeated, only to find Billy gone. He hoped and prayed Billy had been hit by a car in the parking lot or gotten expelled already. 

His prayers were not answered. The main door opened and he heard Billy mutter something under his breathe. Steve punched straight through his pillow and into the hard wood headboard underneath, he shook out his hand biting his lip to keep from yelping in pain. Billy didn’t look too pleased about the situation either, probably having just come from the RA’s office as well.

Billy slammed his door closed, after a few minutes Aerosmith’s new album ‘Permanent Vacation’ could be heard blaring through the thin walls. He hoped the advisor would let it slide this time as it was only move in day. A visit from the RA was the last thing Billy needed right now. He slammed a fist into his desk feeling the ache in his hand. At least he was away from Neil. Anything was better than living with Neil. He’d just have to make it work with Harrington for now. 

He opened one of the boxes, taking out a photo and setting it on his nightstand. He tried to convince himself this wouldn’t be so bad; that maybe he and Harrington could come to a truce and he could live in some kind of peace for once. 

It seemed his prayers were answered when Steve knocked on his bedroom door holding two hot slices of pizza. “Listen Hargrove. I don’t like this situation any more than you do. It’s shit. Let’s just be honest here, but it looks like we’re stuck here for at least this semester so let’s try our best not to kill each other,” Steve spoke quickly, handing Billy a slice of pizza before darting back into his room. 

Billy could live with that. 

A few days went by without major incident, but Steve wasn’t going to let his guard down so easily. He still locked his room every time he left the dorm and kept a fine eye on Billy. 

Other than his room situation Steve’s first few weeks of college went flawlessly. Everyone seemed to have forgotten about Steve’s strange behavior by the time classes had started. Dustin called almost twice a day to ‘check up on him’ the first week, but the calls lessened to once a day after. The first weekend he went home the kids were shocked to find out he was forced to room with Billy, but the shocked looks soon devolved into giggles as Steve explained his struggles trying to get moved to a different room. 

“Billy hasn’t called home once yet,” Max informed him the third weekend he came back to Hawkins. Steve shook his head, confused. 

“He’s probably just busy,” Steve said piling the kids in the car to go get ice cream. “Don’t you hate him any ways?”

“He kind of grows on you,” She shrugged, pulling her hair out from under the seatbelt. 

“How’s high school treating you guys?”

“Same ole’ Hawkins, minus the conspiracy stuff,” Mike reached over the center console to give something to Dustin.

“It’s been fucking boring Mike, don’t lie to the man,” Dustin grumbled, grabbing the folded up piece of paper. “The most exciting thing to happen to us since last weekend is this home-brew monster we made for our next Dungeons and Dragons campaign,” He shielded the paper from the others in the back seat as he showed the character sheet to Steve. 

When Steve returned to the dorms he found Billy gently snoring on the sofa, a pair of tortoiseshell glasses perched on the end of his nose and a copy of Steven King’s IT laid on the ground under his limp hand. Steve laughed under his breathe and briefly considered snapping a polaroid of him. “Hargrove,” Billy snapped awake, ripping the glasses from his face. “Max wants you to call home,” Steve said, giving Billy a curt nod before retreating to his room. 

That night Steve sat in bed listening to Jump by Van Halen crackle through the radio. He smiled thinking about how much Dustin loved this song. Steve pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket, lighting one and taking a long drag. He settled back onto his bed, nodding his head along gently to the beat. He was looking over at his desk, contemplating starting his homework for this week when Billy knocked on the door and stuck his head in. 

“I called home, Harrington. You’re welcome.” Billy exited as soon as he had entered, leaving Steve to sit back, finish his cigarette, and wonder what the hell just happened. 

#harringrove #stranger things #fan fiction #Steve Harrington/ Billy HArgrove #steve harrington #billy hargrove #stranger things fanfiction #i want to know what love is

[nightmareonfilmstreet]

A Closer Look at CAT’S EYE on The 33rd Anniversary

It’s been 33 years since we first followed a stray tabby cat in search of a little girl in need. This brief synopsis sounds like a heartwarming story. However, anyone who has watched Stephen King‘s Cat’s Eye knows better. The horror anthology, released April 12, 1985, starred Drew Barrymore as our distressed young girl. Barrymore was only ten at the time of the movie’s release, which happened to fall on the same week of my seventh birthday. As a child I rented the Cat’s Eye VHS quite often. Having seen Barrymore in Steven Spielberg‘s E.T., it was fascinating for me to see Gertie in a scary movie.

While the film is adapted from his short stories, King actually wrote the screenplay as well. The first two segments, Quitter’s Inc. and The Ledge both appear in King’s 1977 short story collection, Night Shift. However, King wrote the final segment, General, specifically for the film. Sadly, he does not make a cameo appearance in Cat’s Eye as he has in several other adaptations. Watching the movie three decades after it’s release brings up a lot of nostalgia, especially for kids of the 80s. But for anyone unfamiliar, here are some things to keep an eye out for.

  Here Kitty, Kitty…

  Quitters, Inc. stars James Woods as Dick Morrison, a man desperate to quit smoking for his wife and daughter. However, he doesn’t expect what Dr. Donatti (Alan King) has in store for him. The good doctor has pretty dire consequences lined up for Morrison should he not stay on the straight and narrow. Our feline friend illustrates one of the torturous predicaments Morrison’s family members could face should he decide to pick up a cigarette again.

The Ledge is a sinister story about what happens when you cheat. Kenneth McMillan stars as evil crime boss Cressner, who is willing to gamble on anything. He even puts money down on certain scrappy tabby’s chances of crossing a busy highway without being struck by a car. Cressner discovers that his wife cheating on him with Johnny Norris (Robert Hays) and decides to set a deadly game in motion. If Norris can survive the game, Cressner will give him everything he desires.

The plucky puss then finds himself in the arms of the little girl he’s been looking for all along. Amanda, played by Drew Barrymore, names the cat General. This final segment of the film is easily the creepiest, and most supernatural. Amanda begs her parents to allow General to stay in her room at night to protect her. However, her parents won’t allow it. They are too concerned about the cat stealing her breath or eating her pet bird. Little do they know there is a bigger threat living within the walls of their house…

  “Alan Silvestri’s score sets a distinct mood for the film. Some scenes are more playful, while others are full of dread and Silvestri’s compositions only increase that sense of unease.”

  Beyond the cute cat, one of the first things to draw you into the Cat’s Eye is the music. The score is heavy on 1980s synthesizers, but Alan Silvestri’s score sets a distinct mood for the film. Some scenes are more playful, while others are full of dread and Silvestri’s compositions only increase that sense of unease. Listening to the soundtrack on it’s own whisks me back to being an eight-year-old, giddy off the thrill of a horror movie.

A cover of the 1983 hit Every Breath You Take by The Police is also used to great effect in the film. In Quitters, Inc., the song is a stark reminder of the consequences the protagonist will face if he continues to smoke. In the final story, General, the track refers to trolls attempting to steal Amanda’s breath. Not to mention that (Spoiler Alert for a 33 year-old movie) the record is also partially responsible for the troll’s demise.

  Cujo Nine Tails

  During the first minute or two of the film there are several nods to other works from The King of Horror. From the very first shot we are introduced to a roaming tabby cat. Our homeless hero is chasing a bug down the sidewalk when he suddenly becomes the one being chased! A growling, bloody Saint Bernard dashes from a gated yard and chases the tabby down the street. King fans will not only recognize the Cujo allusion, but also the car that the dog chases the tabby toward. A red Plymouth Fury bearing the bumper stickers: “Rock N’ Roll Will Never Die!” and “Watch out for me. I am Pure Evil. I am Christine.”

The third arrives during, Quitters, Inc. James Woods sits watching The Dead Zone and mutters “I have no idea what’s going on in this damn movie anyway. I don’t know who writes this crap!” In General, Amanda’s mother can be spotted reading a copy of Pet Sematary in bed. Perhaps that is why she has such a low opinion of cats?

Overall, Cat’s Eye holds up well after 30+ years. It mingles dark comedy with suspense and horror, and all with a feline actor! What did you love about Cat’s Eye when you first watched it? Sound off on on Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, and in the Horror Fiends of Nightmare on Film Street Facebook group!

The post A Closer Look at CAT’S EYE on The 33rd Anniversary appeared first on Nightmare on Film Street - Horror Movie Podcast, News and Reviews.

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[enzoseven]

oldie

LyricsYo, shout out to everybody that worked on the album You feel me, son? Yo, shouts out to Ty Dollas Shouts out to Hodgy Daddies, shouts out to Left Brizzle Shouts out to Domyon, shouts out to Frankie Ocean Shouts out to Syd the Dude, shouts out to L-Boy AwkBig eared bandit is tossing all his manners In a bag and wrapping them in seran wrap bandages Tossing 'em in baskets with the rest of those sandwiches So when he says "Catch up, nigga" it looks like an accident Um, flowing like my pad is the maxiest My bitch white and black like she's been mimicking a panda It's the dark skinned nigga, kissing bitches in Canada Then kicking all out like Mr. Lawrence did Pamela Put her in the chamber all against her Wilt Chamberlain I never had a Reason, nigga I was just Ableton Not a fucking Logic contradicting dick head Flyer than an ostrich moshing in a tar pit Semen scented cheetah printed tee In that 'Preme five panel, I'll repeat it for the season Previous items in the present With the normal ass past like I cheated on my team It's me (Tried to get that nigga, but, Golf Wang)To have some type of knowledge that is one perception But knowing you own your opponent is a defeating bonus I'm Zeus to a Kronos, cartilage cartridge is boneless Smiles of cowards in lead showers Dead spouses in red blouses Children who fled houses on Mustang horses and went jousting I'm on my Robin Hood shit, robbin' in the hood Whips, drugs, jewels, and your pet, I'm stealing your rings Coke diamonds and your Vet, soldiers lace the fuckin' boot And salute like the troop when you shoot you gon' poop It's kill Hodgy, nigga, stay the fuck off my stoop And out my Kool aid, JuiceHodgy got the juice, I got the gin Jasper got the Henny, my nigga we get it in Wolf Gang party at the hotel I call a ho, you call a ho, and all the hoes tell You know Left Brain need a freak I need a bitch to go down like a Nitty beat Yup, uh, and her ass fat Don't be surprised if I ask where the hash at Nigga I'm tryin' to smoke, bitch get higher Domo where that Flocka Flame? Talkin' 'bout a lighter Still bang salute me or just shoot me Cause if you don't salute me then my team will do the shooting Yeah my nigga Ace will pull the black jack The king Mike G is in the cut with the black mac Livin' like the Mafia, bitch, don't get to slacking up And if these haters actin' up, throw 'em in the aqueduct Free my nigga Earl, yo, I don't really ask for much But two bad bitches in front of me cunnilingusWhat the fuck is caution? Often I leave you flossin' and cause exes next to coffins Lost in translation, the dreams you chase Got you diving for the plates like you stealin' home base That's great, I'm home alone dreamin' of two on ones With Rihanna and Christina Milian, bring it on And Travis is in the closet organizing and hangin' the tramp Three lettermans that Ace has been making him No strays while we catchin' matinees, huh? I'm gettin' blazed thinking 'bout those days I had the top off the GT3 like toupees One finger in the air, all's fair when crime pays My grand scheme of things is to be attached To the game like bitches to their wedding rings And you don't even need to look cause we gleam obscene In the light, ride slow to my yellow diamond shining Like the Batman logo over Gotham, rock LA to Harlem If you say "get 'em Mike G" then I got 'em One man squadron, nigga I'm a problem From Briggs I got bars and plans to Pimp these Polish bitches into pop stars Humanity kills, we all suffer from insanity still And if I said it then it is or it's gonna be real OF 'til I OD and I probably will, uhIt's still Mr. Smoke-a-Lotta-Pot, get your baby mommy popped With my other snobby bop, do I love her? Prolly not Know your shit is not as hot as anything I fuckin' drop Bitch I'm in the zone, stand alone, like Macaulay Cock I've been runnin' blocks since a snotty tot Big wheel was a big deal with the water Glock Now I'm all grown, sing songs just to give 'em watts Fire what I talk, but still cooler than the otter pop Op Dom neck shit in your wish list Mad sick shit, mad dick for your bitches On some slick shit, your mistress on my hit list And I'm lifted 'til I'm stiff out of this bitch Odd in your motherfuckin' area Blood clots give me five feet 'fore I bury ya Suicide flow, let the big wave carry ya Tyler got the mask like he held Jim Carey up And fuck your team, ho nigga wassup Wolf Gang so you know we not givin' no fucks You know me dog, I'm a chill in the cut so I can Cut it short, break it down, couple pounds, roll it upGet me a Persian rug where the center looks like GalagaRent a super car for a day Drive around with your friends, smoke a gram of that haze Bro, easy on the ounce, that's a lot for a day But just enough for a week, my nigga what can I say I'm hi and I'm bye, wait I mean I'm straight I'mma give you this wine, the runner just brought the grapes My brother give it some time, Morris, and Day Course you know the vibe's as fly as the rhymes On the song, cut and you could sample the feel Headphone bleed, make this shit sound real Used to work the grill, fatburger and fries Then I made a mil and them psychics was liars Now, how many fuckin' crystal balls can I buy and own Humble old me had to flex for the fogs Down in Muscle Beach pumpin' iron and bone Bumpin' oldies off my cellular phone Yeah, bumpin' oldies off my cellular phoneGoddammit, this rapping is stupid and it's hard Gotta do it over and over and over again but here I goHey it's Jasper, not even a rapper Only on this beat to make my racks grow faster Got a TV show, so I guess I'm an actor Pot head, half baked, lookin' like Chappelle Rollin' up a blunt with that fire from hell Still ignorant, still hit a bitch Wolf Gang, nigga, so I still don't give a shit Catch me in the back with Miley on my lap Bong rips as I feel on that little bitch catHah, nigga came through with a 9 bar real quick Just for the bitches, little bit of money in my pocket Fuck it, Wolf GangYeah, fuck that, look, the contrast is a pair of lips Swallowin' sarapin, settin' fires to sheriffs whips (Whoosp, whoosp) fuckin' All-American terrorist Crushin' rapper larynx to feed 'em a fuckin' carrot stick And me? I just spent a year Ferrisin' And lost a little sanity to show you what hysterics is Spit to the lips meet the bottom of a barrel So that sterile piss flow remind these niggas where embarrassed is Narrow, tight line, might impair him since I made it back to Fahrenheit, grimey get dinero type Feral, fuckin' ill apparel, wearin' pack of parasites Threw his own youth off the roof after paradise La di da di, back in here to fuck the party up Raidin' fridges, tippin' over vases with a tommy gun Never dollars, poppa make it rain hockey pucks And 60 day chips from fuckin' awesome anonymous Call him bloated 'til he show 'em that the flow deluxe Off the wall loafers, Four Loko, and a cobra clutch Vocals bold and rough, evoke a ho to pose as drum And let me hit and beat it with a stick until the hole was numb The culprit of the potent punch Scoldin' hot as dunkin' scrotum in a Folgers cup, or Nevada Drivin' drunk inside a stolen truck, shittin' like his colon bust Belly full of chicken and a fifth of old petroleum Supernova, I'm rollin' over the novices I'm roamin' through the forest and spittin' cold as the porridge is Stay gold 'til the case closed and the story end Post mortem porkin' this rap shit and record it To escort it to the morgue again, lord of lips Bored of this, forklift the tippy top, best under 40 list Stormin' the gate, ensurin' the bass, scorchin' ladies Motherfuckers sore in torso and face Get at me with savages, have a pack of Apache Indian pack of niggas who don't give a fuck if we nasty as flatulence As a matter of fact, your swagger is tacky So see me you can't like Crunchy Black catchin' a taxi Back like lateral passin' With that motherfuckin' gladiator manner of rappin' As an addict I let percocets and xannies relax me Fall back if your paddies is Maxi, pleaseOF, shit that's all I got From my bigger brother Frankie to my little brother Tac From that father figure Clancy to that skatey nigga Naks Shredding down 'Fax, Wolf Gang run the fuckin' block Storefront, knee tat Book cover is the same lettering on lettermans and cotton socks And grip tape, and my shoes Um, I was 15 when I first drew that donut 5 years later, for our label yea we own it I started an empire, I ain't even old enough To drink a fuckin' beer, I'm tipsy off this soda pop This is for the niggas in the suburbs And the white kids with nigga friends who say the n-word And the ones that got called weird, fag, bitch, nerd Cause you was into jazz, kitty cats, and Steven Spielberg They say we ain't actin' right Always try to turn our fuckin' color into black and white But they'll never change 'em, never understand 'em Radical's my anthem, turn my fuckin' amps up So instead of critiquing and bitching, being mad as fuck Just admit, not only are we talented, we're rad as fuck Bitches 

I don't own this lyrics I got it from odd future

[rainbow-squirrels-7]

Continuing the Kleos Guild, episode 3... golden moments

-the Contest of Champions began with a talent contest. I wanted to be surprised for what my party’s team talent act was, so I set a timer for ten minuets and left the room

-they took ‘act’ and ran with it, as they put on a little play in game with a rhyming story about heroes defeating a giant monster zombie chicken

-the crowd loved it

-two NPCs, a human named Vincent and a Teifling (who whenever he was described, i insisted that he was the buffest Teifling any of thems ever seen) named Tristian were sports commentators who called out dramatic lines during the fight

-the party’s team name for the Contest was “The Quintessential Quartet”

-the second round was called ‘The Fightin’ Round’

-the party was matched up against a team called The Pink Paladins who entered the ring to the background music of “the Pink Panther”

-they were two Paladins in pink armor and they had two actual pink panthers with them

-to keep them all straight, the Paladins were called Steve and Charles and the panthers were Jacques and Diego

-Jacques was named after the Pink Panther guy and Diego was named after the sabertoothed tiger in Ice Age

-oh and Vincent was named after Vincent Van Gogh and Tristian was named after the character in Stardust

-the Fightin around was supposed to be three fights, but the Pink Paladin fight took too long

-but it did involve one of the Paladins accidentally stabbing the other because my bard put an illusion of himself in between them and the paladin’s halberd went through it and into his partner

-my Druid charmed one of the panthers and it remained her friend for the rest of the fight and didn’t attack anyone

-my Paladin (who’s an ice dragonborn) froze one of the Pink Paladins and at the end of the fight some employees had to wheel him off on a dolly

-my bard turned himself invisible and kept projecting illusions of himself and confusing one of the Pink Paladins

-anyway, after the party won the Contest, the session got fairly serious, as I made the second half to be more of an exposition that set up the rest of the campaign

-the party went off again to find another Hero, Phineas Smith, who was the head Paladin of the city of Paladins, Gods’ Doorstep

-on to way to the Screaming Mountains, where Phineas was said to be seen, they passed Bard City

-Bard City used to be full of music, but now it’s all silent because the city’s Song Crystal was stolen. The party was able to garner this from the citizens, who are trapped in the city and also unable to make noise of any kind, from some sign language and writing. They also learn a little about the Song Theif, who was said to wear a mask that looked like a bird. There was also a dead, gnarled tree in the center of the city that seemed important.

-the rest of the session was a lot of me talking, but basically, there was a cathedral at the top of the mountains, and the party found not only Phineas Smith, but the third Hero, Peregrine Grace. Phineas was depressed and pessimistic because he was the one who couldn’t stop The Song Thief from stealing the Song Crystal. And he left the Paladins to go all Luke Skywalker from The Force Awakens

-Peregrine then says that she has a way to stop the army of monsters. The Kleos Guild, she explained, is a group of bards split into four Divisions across the land who are tasked with protecting the Song Crystals. The Song Crystals (a la the Time Gears in PMD) regulate music and sound, and if they’re removed, so is sound from their area. The Kleos Guild also developed a bard song called The Tree of Life, which is played in symphony by a whole bunch of bards, and it has the power to turn back armies.

-the party then somewhat convinces/drags Phineas along with them. Peregrine leads them to another room in the cathedral and there’s a Steven Universe-type warp panel in there, and they’re all warped back to the Kleos Guild Headquarters in Ferryrock

-they very much startle an orc man named Kristofferson, but then he gathers a bunch of the Guild members to form a small bard army to go and counter the monster army

-the small bard army then goes back to The Town of Heroes and ursurps the king from his position and recruits the bard shopkeeper, Charlie into their bard army. The party also puts the Witch in charge of the Town in place of the King, but she was out on Sundays

-the next day, the two armies met. The monster army was ginormous, I described it as a mudslide coming down the mountains.

-and then, with Peregrine leading (she’s also a bard, she plays a violin), the bard army starts to play The Tree of Life

-Song link

-and as the song went on, the monsters got more and more confused. And at the climax, they all just froze in place, and then turned around, dropping their weapons like they didn’t want to fight anymore. And they went back to the mountains!

-and just like that, they won!

-and there was a celebration, and as his last act as King, the king made the party officially Professional Heroes!

-and Peregrine, who was the only member of Bard City’s Amethyst Division to make it out of the city, inducted the party into the Kleos Guild as well, becoming the last six members of the Amethyst Division.

-and thus ends arc one! Arc two will be the escapades the party has while trying to find the mysterious Song Thief and stop him from stealing any more Song Crystals! Or at least they’ll try...

-next session is in Roots, the old western town, home of the Ruby Division. My players don’t know that, but they know that they’re eventually going to an old west town. And I said that I’ve only seen two western movies, and when they get there, they’ll know which ones. The two are Holes and Rango, so... that’s what’s gonna happen there. Plus were-spiders...

#Hawk plays DND #dnd #dnd 5e #d&d

[monkey-network]

Two Cent Riffs: My Little Pony Movie, BAYBEE

#BackAtItAgain #TSPOILERS #PonyCinemassacre

Julien: Why is it “The Movie”? It can just be “My Little Pony”. We all should know this version and the superior version that was the 80s. Roy: Excuse me? Julien: Hey, the Smooze song made that movie for me.

Roy: Man, I’ll never stop liking stain glass windows. Julien: Hold up. Twilight has wings? ...Okay, I have missed a lot apparently. Roy: Yeah, but it’s nothing to worry............. Julien: I can sense a pause. What’s up? Roy: Oh, I’m just getting flashbacks....of people bitching online [shudders]

Julien: AH YES, MOVE the sun, and MOVE it back. Roy: Doesn’t seem like a big deal for this celebration. We’re just depriving people from some possibly needed sunlight and fucking with the tides to sooth the feng shui of it. Julien: Can I call the “Pony Privilege” card?

Julien: Huh, I forgot Applejack existed. Roy: She’s a main character, bruh. Julien: Yeah, it the background. Am I right lads, or am I right lads? Dom: “You’re all right, lad.” Julien: Cheers lad.

Roy: Guess we know which couple’s getting the focus this time. Julien: Do we really have to ship right now? Roy: It’s been 7 years, dude. Fans practically learned about “shipping” thanks to this show. Julien: Hmm...that sounds pitiful, but I’ve wanted Princess Bubblegum to melt on Marceline since the beginning so what can I say?

Julien: Looks like Pinkie had her climax.

Roy: Okay, I’m all for Sia pony here (does have a lovely voice), but are there any rapper ponies? Julien: They’re an underground niche of pony musicians after 2Pon and Biggie bit the bullet. Roy: What about DJ Pon-3? Julien: Dub is not rap, brother.

Roy: Bowser’s back?! Julien: And we’re only what...12 minutes in? That’s an academy record. Shit, this movie’ll be over in a blink.

Julien: Okay, I’m liking this new villain here. Design wise, very coordinated. Color scheme is on point. Roy: I just wonder how she’ll be forgiven. Julien: Come on, man. Villains aren’t always meant to be redeemed. Roy: Ye, you need watch the rest of the show.

Roy: Oh no, all the other 3D piloted ships are slowly coming this way. Julien: Yeah, Futurama’s done better.

Julien: Oh shit, that is a fucking sweep down and over Pele kick. Roy: She would be great in WWE.

Julien: Well there goes two of the most powerful ponies in this series. Roy: Well hold on. Maybe Celestia, and Luna are only powerful in the fields or cutie marks they’re given. Like yeah, they’re powerful, but only in raising the sun and moon and whatever Cadence does. So really, they probably couldn’t beat Tempest’s rock spells as much as any powerful unicorn could have... Julien: So, they were useless to begin with? Roy: Kinda, yeah.

Roy: Hey, it’s Crissy. Julien: Wha? I thought her named was Derpy. Why Crissy? Roy: Oh no, Derpy is her name; won’t deny that. But Crissy’s just short for Criss Cross, like her eyes that are the ONE DEFINING TRAIT FOR HER EXISTENCE. It feels like a better name, you know? Julien:...You got me there. That does sound better.

Julien: WELL, after a daring escape via a gigantic waterfall, now they’re on their way to go seek the hippos. Roy: Hippogriffs. Julien: Goddammit man! *sigh* I mean what if they were hippos and I could actually see some awesome hippos in this movie or show?....Fuck, you know?! Hippos are cool. They’re big, strong, and awesome and you jus- *sigh* tch, you’re a bastard. Roy: Jesus man, I’m sorry. Julien: No, I’m sorry but it’s like...I just think hippos are neat is all.

Roy: Oh snap. It’s Ray Donovan. Julien: Okay, this may be a screenshot, but I could already tell Liev Schreiber was tap dancing for his check and was just having a blast doing so; like Jason Mamoa in the Justice League movie.

Julien: How I feel about Michael Pena. Roy: Come on, he’s got his good roles. Julien: Name one that’s memorable. Roy: Well..........................................................

Julien: Woo, that place looks like shit. How come the ponies haven’t help them out, they could spare the resources. Roy: Maybe the town didn’t want any help? Julien: Dude, no. How can just ignore a town that looks broken down, industrial, probably impoverished, smoggy, with some pretty disgusting water surrounding it? HOW can any pony worth their riches just ignore this practically desolate area while continuously celebrating whatever they want? Roy: Let’s....never mind all that.

Roy: Oh no, 1/5 of the fanbase. ⁽ᵂᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ʲᵒᵏᶦⁿᵍ. ᵀʰᶦˢ ˢᶜᵉⁿᵉ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶦˢᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒʷⁿˢᶠᵒˡᵏ ˡᶦᵗᵉʳᵃˡˡʸ ᶜʳᵒʷᵈᶦⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵒⁿᶦᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵘʸ ᵃⁿᵈ/ᵒʳ ᶜᵒˡˡᵉᶜᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ. ᴬⁿᵈ ʷʰᶦˡᵉ ʷᵉ ʳᵉˢᵖᵉᶜᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᶜᵒⁿˢᵘᵐᵉʳ ᶠᵃⁿˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉᶦʳ ᵈᵉᵈᶦᶜᵃᵗᶦᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵃⁿᶜʰᶦˢᵉ, ᵗʰᶦˢ ʲᵒᵏᵉ ᶦˢ ᵃ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶦᵈᵉʳᵃᵇˡᵉ ᶠˡᵃᶜᶜᶦᵈ ᵖᵘⁿᶜʰˡᶦⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶜʳᶦᵖᵗ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ. ᴺᵒʷ ʰᵉʳᵉ’ˢ ᵃ ᵏᶦᵗᵗᵉⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵘʳᵉ ʷʰᶦˡˢᵗ ʷᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᶦⁿᵘᵉ.⁾

Awwwww, she’s sleepy

Julien: Oh boy, we got attractive felines in this universe. Roy: Eh, furry love aside, I’m more attracted to the comic’s nubian felines

Roy: Hello “Friend like me” Julien: Oye, don’t go pointing out the better things others have done. We’ll be here all week.

Roy: Can I say, “Suggestive?” Julien: Hey, they’re old enough to get some pussy in their life.

Julien: Okay, best character in the movie. Roy: Eh, I’m not convinced.

Roy: Okay, now I am.

Julien: That...is gonna cost ‘em. Roy: Pfft, like they’re gonna pay for it. Julien: I thought the ignorant rich of America were annoying.

Julien: Okay, there’s one thing that’ll never make sense here. So they’re oppressed and they work under the Storm King’s rule and they couldn’t be pirates. But it takes ONE song and they decide “Fuck it. We’re pirates again.” Roy: Have you ever had a song dedicated to helping you get your confidence and groove back?

[Gasp] The lesbian call.

Roy: I love how they play dramatic angry music over the colorful destruction that is their ship.

Julien: Hey, this reminds me of my Steven Universe fanfic. Roy: What? Julien: I dreamed and started a fanfic about Connie being an Arcane Knight that is seeking the original gems that helped salvage the land from the tyrannical Homeworld generals and this was where Lapis resided because she was originally master of nature but went into hiding after she, Peridot (master of metal) and Amethyst (master of animals) had a fallout.

Julien: When she goes so deep, she’s feeling your sunken place

Roy: WE GOT OUT THE MERCH SELLER, BABY! Julien: WE GOT THE MONEYMAKEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Roy: Now to be fair, she was trying to save her civilization while her friends were fucking around. Julien: Yeah, stealing from a civilization that suffered from the same enemies they’re dealing with now. Why didn’t the ponies help the hippogriffs when they clearly could have? This feels racist in a way. Roy: Specist? Julien: Yes. Thank you.

Julien: Okay, I can see where both sides are coming from, you know? However, I have a neutralizer that, possibly(?), erases both sides of this argument. How did it take them (the ponies) this long to try and stop the Storm King’s reign when it started to affect them personally? Where were any of them when the Storm King’s armada took over the Hippogriffs, the pirates, that city? I mean, I wouldn’t worry about this so much if the movie wasn’t so full of its “Friendship Solves All” theme to drive home how this will resolve when it could’ve been resolved LONG AGO! Roy: Jesus dude, it’s not that big a deal here. Julien: NO BRO, it is a big deal. Because they made 4 comics, so much merch, got good players like Sia, Liev, Emily Blunt, etc. all for movie that barely tries to integrate its new universe to a series that’s been around for 7 fucking years!

Ah good, we’re entered the third act.

Roy: Song time. Julien: I’ll allow it. Tempest is honestly the only best thing about this movie. Also, was Emily Blunt in Chicago???

Julien: So...let me get this straight. This girl stood up to a fucking bear and she gets shunned for her suffering? Fuck those kids! Roy: Yeah, I can see where she’d want revenge.

Roy: Okay movie, these Hippogriff designs are good. You live this time. Julien: This time? It’s still getting the slaughter, honey. [revs chainsaw]

Julien: You know Twilight fucked up when Sia pony is staring you down. Roy: With what eyes? Julien: Eye. Roy: I didn’t know you were Scottish.

I won’t question how they could breath in there.

Roy: Aw jeez, she was out for blood today. Julien: He’s getting creamed out there.

Julien: JESUS CHRIST, they brought flames to the party. Seriously, they are burning these beasts alive without fear.

One got consumed in the flames. Like, damn movie.

Roy: Okay, I get that Storm King’s a playful villain, but now he’s just monkeying around. Julien: Liev just wanted his paycheck. He’s doing just as good as everyone.

Roy: Looks like Pinkie Pie is on her a game this time. Julien: When she’s not yelling all her lines. Am I right lads, or am I right lads? Dom: “You’re all right, lad!” Julien: Cheers, lad.

Roy: Betrayal, I never knew could the Storm King could do such a thing. Julien: All I can think of is Twilight yeeting her into the cloud.

Gone with the wind.

Julien: Jesus christ. Roy: Exactly.

Roy: HA. He didn’t expect somebody to jump in the way of the bomb, only to then tag them and infect them with the spell as well. This doesn’t make sense in a way. Julien: Who cares, he’s fucking dead.

That’s right. Dead. On Screen. Full High Definition. YOUR MOVE, “DISNEY”.

“YEAH, WHO WANNA RIDE THE WHITE THUNDER?!”

Roy: So wait, what if Tempest actually got her horn back? Julien: Mass Genocide, everybody in Equestria incinerated; but hey: SPARKLY, COLORFUL EXPLOSIONS RIGHT?!

Julien: And that’s the My Little Pony Movie, ladies and gentlemen. Final thoughts? Roy: Fizzlepop Berrytwist is one of the worst names you could ever give your child. But other than that, I enjoyed what I got, mediocrity and all. Hell, I’m just glad there’s a 2D animated film in American theaters again. Could spell potential for the 16 mil. it earned at the Box Office. 👍👍 Julien: I thought it was alright and could’ve done better for their story beats than taking stuff from other better movies. A fun romp nonetheless.👍👎 Well, what now? Roy: Well, it’s Halloween. Wanna howl at the moon together? Julien: Sure.

#mlp #mlp:fim #my little pony #mlp movie #my little pony the movie #jokes #roy macintosh #and friend #tv recap #awesome #ye #Two Cent Riffs #rifftrax

[getseriouser]

20 THOUGHTS: Giants Pickett-apart

DID it easy. 

A Qualifying Final against the softest draw recipient in memory, into a Preliminary Final with a completely false minor premier, finishing with a Grand Final facing, well, you saw how competitive Saturday was.

All without Alex Rance, like it didn’t matter in the end.

Great side though, clearly the best team in this three-year period and two flags’ reward is nothing short of what they deserve.

So season 2019 done and dusted, Grand Final in the books, and now we trade.

 1.       Firstly, some self-appeasement. Before you promote others you must be able to promote yourself. It was the night of August 13th, and we quote “Nat Fyfe, if you can get anything over $3 for the Brownlow, just remortgage the house, don’t be subtle”. Not only have we seen many readers cash in, but all the home loan re-financing in doing so has re-stimulated the economy. Brilliant.

2.       174 votes from 173 games now, that’s just insane. Two medals, and then the one he lost to Matt Priddis by a vote even though he lost a week through suspension. In a market that asks “does he win another Brownlow?” I’d happily flutter on ‘Yes’.

3.       Anyway, back to the gratuitous love bites in the mirror section of the column, many said the Giants might make this close, some even picked them. Utter trash. Last week we led with the Tigers by 5 goals plus, and the only reason we didn’t go higher was just to be nice. So for anyone who turned Fyfe winnings into Tigers 39+, well done; this isn’t just a shit hot read each week but looks after your hip pocket as well.

4.       And lastly in this real look at me section of the column, Marlion Pickett. We declared right back the mid-season draft he was a gun, a steal of a selection and would be in the Tigers’ best 22 by year’s end. Nailed that call right out of the screws, that’s four all day, out through extra cover, don’t bother running.

5.       And what a game he played whilst we’re on him, looked assured, looked like he deserved to be out there on such a stage, in such a team. In fact I know the backstory might over-elevate how one could have seen his game, but in that second term I thought he was influential as any, especially getting the ball inside 50 (led all Richmond players on the day pretty sure). I know Martin has a sexy stat line, but for making a real difference, it was Pickett who could have snared the Norm Smith easily for mine.

6.       I get the Martin BOG pick, and what a resume that is now, but the influence Pickett had in getting the ball inside 50, plus Riewoldt who hit the scoreboard just as much as Dusty, I don’t think it was as clear cut. Houli too has now had two great Grand Finals and been pipped for the Norm twice. Shouldn’t go unheralded that.

7.       Mind you, what if Jason Castagna kicks straight, is it his Norm? Seriously influential in the second, very, very noticeable indeed.

8.       Tigers were 9th at the end of Round 14. Without Rance a show of coming back. That’s just a super effort.

9.       And then the Giants, are they the second best team of the year? Probably not. West Coast? Ended up fifth and barely made it out of the second week? Collingwood? On paper, probably, but you don’t feel great about it. Sure, might have been the best opposition for Richmond on the day but it was always going to be a Tigers flag this year post bye, no-one else was going to defeat them Saturday more to the point

10.   And also on GWS, even with all those really poo years when they came into the comp fronting up with teams fresh out of the creche, that was the Giant’s lowest ever score. Incredible.

11.   Justin Longmuir gets the Freo job, yeah mad. I got nothing on that. Scotty Burns looks favourite for the Crows too. Excellent. Top notch. I too have nothing on that.

12.   Bold 2020 prediction, one that doesn’t involve the Tigers coz that’s just too easy? Carlton Collingwood Grand Final. We’re seeing a pattern of teams launching from the bottom six of the table, Richmond, Collingwood, then Brisbane this year – a very talented Carlton with a good trade period could be that next iteration. And we also tend to see a revengeful prelim final loser make amends the year after, could that be the Pies next year, to then set up an almighty Grand Final for the ages? Get around it.

13.   Trades. Now stay woke. We now have beyond saturated press on this stuff now, and most of it will be as relevant as the nutritional information on a maccas cheeseburger.

Firstly. Herald Sun reported “Essendon says Joe Daniher will be a Bomber next year”. The only quote they used from Essendon was “the facts are he’s contracted for next year”. That headline and that quote are by no means joined at the hip. Not even close. And secondly, today, "The Swan to set to push Reid out of Pies", when Ben Reid has actually re-signed for 2020, and the ‘Swan’ in question is the untried Darcy Cameron, never played a game, not the reincarnation of Barry Round. So please, don’t say you haven’t been warned.

14.   That all said, lets see. Seems like Carlton ends up with Jack Martin, Eddie Betts, then one of Dan Butler or Tom Papley. I know it might not seem like much, but with a fit Sam Docherty returning, geez, bet against Carlton making the eight next year at your peril. I know, its Carlton, but you can’t say they’re not due.

15.   Tim Kelly, wants to go to West Coast, can they make it happen, probably not? Freo definitely can, so with the Cat this year actually out of contract, he might be destined for the draft if he doesn’t go Dockers. Could end up in purple after all.

16.   Sam Powell-Pepper and Orazio Fantasia, that ends up being some sort of swap deal for sure.

17.   After all that jazz, I reckon Joe Daniher stays. Story got ahead of everyone I reckon.

18.   Gold Coast, geez, how about that for a rescue package. And it is just that, a rescue. Top of the draft priority pick this year, middle first next year, end of first the year after. Plus they get Darwin as their zone and, when it comes to academy players, they can get them without clubs making bids for them. Massive package. Ludicrous. Here’s why, bear with, I’ll keep this as short as possible:

Last year, lost Tom Lynch, but got pick 3 for it in compo, got Izak Rankine, who I think is the most talented kid of last year’s lot. They also lost Steven May to Melbourne but got pack pick 6, Ben King. So yes, seeing their ex-skipper win a flag 12 months on stings but they’re not the first to see that happen, and they’ve already been really well compensated. We move on.

2017, lost Adam Saad for a second rounder, yeah sure, too lost Ablett back to Geelong after getting him for nothing in the first place, he did give that club a Brownlow. They also had pick 2 that year but spent it on getting Lachie Weller from Freo. Exactly! Their first pick was pick 19, Will Powell, yet Tim Kelly went five picks later.

Lastly, 2016, lost Dion Prestia but got pick 7 back, lost Jaeger O’Meara but got back 10. Went to the draft with 4, 7, 9 and 10, drafted Ainsworth, Scrimshaw (left last year for Hawthorn for squat all), Brodie and Bowes. Potatoes the lot of them. Meanwhile, Richmond got Shai Bolton at 29 and Jack Graham at 53.

Futhermore, in those same three trade periods, the Giants lost Jack Steele, Cam McCarthy, Paul Ahern, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett, Devon Smith, Nathan Wilson, Matthew Kennedy, Will Setterfield, Tom Scully, Dylon Shiel and Rory Lobb. The only player of note they’ve gotten back for losing so many has been Tim Taranto.

And just made a Grand Final.

So there’s three things here, one, its not a Suns issue, the Giants have lost heaps too and been just fine, sure, no-one of Tom Lynch’s quality, but it stacks up. Two, they don’t need more picks or access to picks, look at their track record, it hasn’t mattered any which way. And three, yes losing Lynch stings, but they’ve already been well compensated for that, its not as if they’re not getting back to the pointy end of the draft to restock.

Summing up, the Suns just need to stop making mistakes, or move. Whether they get picks, or go for Shaun Burgoyne, whether they get pick 1 or pick 50, whatever actions they take and decisions they make, they need to be good ones. Remember when retention wasn’t a Gold Coast issue but a Queensland footy issue, funny how that disappeared so quick it kinda makes you question how real a problem it was for Brisbane in the first place? Either Chris Fagan and Luke Hodge are in essence God and Jesus respectively, or it’s a non-issue. And then the Suns package today becomes a joke.

Either the Suns get out of this mess organically and its been a waste of time and way too much hot air, or guess what, they’re still desperately shit in three years post-package and Tassie is knocking on Gil’s door asking how much more than can do.

Anyway, where were we…

 19.   Footy Show Grand Final on Wednesday rated as well in Melbourne as the Front Bar did the following night. Interesting. Watch Nine commit to something for next year, not sure what, maybe it’s the Sunday Footy Show boys or something else, but a prime time offering from Nine next year got rubber stamped essentially off those numbers. Will it work? Let’s wait and see.

20.   And for anyone who thinks rules have ruined AFL, that score review or any adjustments to the laws have made it too hard to stick with after all these years – you’ve got nothing on the Rugby World Cup. The great game of Rugby, that’s always being very hard to referee anyway with all the tackles and rucks, has become impossible and any true-blue Aussie watching the Wales game Sunday, would make any nay-sayer AFL sceptic send Steve Hocking a Christmas Card. There’s always someone worse off, I assure you.

[enthusiastichaikyuufans-blog]

Matchup for B-star!

Appearance: 5"6 Medium length curly hair (it’s dark brown tinted purple and looks like I have a bunch of tiny slinkies on my head), I’m a lil chubby, tan skin, light brown eyes, I always have my makeup on point and selfie worthy (I especially get lots of compliments on my eyebrows) 👌🏼✨

MBTI: ENFP (The Champion)

Star Sign: Capricorn (I act like the exact opposite tho…)

Personality: Really excitable and happy! I’m in a good mood like 24/7 and I’m super friendly. I feel like I kinda make others days brighter too. I’m really open and I tend to tell others TMI about myself ^^“. I really like debate and politics. I use Snapchat (this is where I document my life tbh), Twitter, and Instagram religiously. I usually post dumb memes or selfies. Im super into video games and cartoons! My favorites are Pokemon, LoZ, Steven Universe, and South Park. I watch youtubers like h3h3productions, FilthyFrank, and various video game channels. I’m pretty goofy and I get into dumb shenanigans w my friends a lot. I’m also really concerned about school and I do my best! I treat my pets like my children (two fish, one dog, and a chicken). I make the world’s dumbest jokes/puns but sometimes I say things really clever. I also say lots of dirty/offensive jokes. But I find humor in super dumb things mostly (random dabbing, pointing at ugly stuff and saying "you look like that”, roasting people-but it’s not serious it’s just random insults that usually don’t make sense.) I get along w shyer people easily bc I can tone myself down when needed. But I am loud and have a bit of a potty mouth. I’m kinda a meme too. I can be a little sensitive at times, I can usually brush insults off but if it hits close to home I get hurt. I’m really affectionate too! And I like PDA. I’m kinda needy too..and I just want someone to buy me lunch and smoothies ;-; and drive around with me blasting music.

Likes: ANIMALS, memes, fruit punch, smoothies, rap, r&b, and pop music, rain, snow, hugs, coffee, video games, cartoons, aesthetic stuff, space.

Dislikes: unnecessary rudeness, deliberate meaness, being ignored/forgotten, boring people, close minded people, easily annoyed people, super quiet people.

Headcanons: How we met! Confession! Sleepover (what they would wanna do, eat, talk about)! and social media (like how they react to being posted on my accounts and stuff).

Thank you!!!!!💕

I ship you with Hanamaki Takahiro!

Yo when I saw this it was instant and I just HAD to get to this immediately. It’s the meme king and queen.

First off, your dynamic?? Mwah. Perfection. Memes, debates, odd social media shenanigans and generally shenanigans. You two probably first met because Takahiro dabbed randomly and made you laugh. Then ensues some stupid flirting (and by that I mean pickup lines. Bad ones.). After that you formed an unbreakable friendship filled with roasting each other and his team, text-post humour and many other glorious things.

He was probably the one to confess to you. But he made sure to be serious about it, otherwise you might think of it as a joke? He’d admit his feelings on white day and be all cliché about it. Straight faced, but blushing a lot. He’d give you white chocolate covered strawberries and probably a teddy bear.

Sleepovers, oh sleepovers! There would be trashy movies, snarky comments regarding those movies, lots of food, cuddling (a lot of cuddling), memes, make up challenges (because seriously-), snapchatting photos of each other from bad angles and the list could go on. Having Hanamaki over would be the best time. He’d be very affectionate (like seriously SO affectionate). One thing that you’d talk about is probably politics, cause I imagine Takahiro to be kind of into that. Also, a lot of social media. Lots. He’d probably be bragging about his super cute girlfriend on instagram or anywhere else. You try to pull an all-nighter but ultimately fail and wake up with him spooning you. How adorable!

Social media? You guys would pop up on each other’s accounts NON-STOP. Everybody knows that you guys are together. Takahiro probably steals your phone sometimes and takes photos of himself then posts them. He let you do his make up once and looked fabulous. He made you post it immediately and then did your make up. It was a disaster. But you probably found it funny anyway.

#haikyuu #Haikyuu matchup #matchup #hanamaki takahiro #submission

[mobius-prime]

155. Sonic the Hedgehog #88

Family Matters

Writer: Karl Bollers Pencils: FRY Colors: Frank Gagliardo

The cover of this issue is incredibly misleading. Seriously, I know they're trying to go for drama and all, but I kind of draw the line at straight up depicting things on the cover that literally never happen or even are hinted to happen within the actual story. You'll see what I mean in a minute.

The Freedom Fighters have finally all arrived home after their adventures in Station Square, quite happy to see the familiar landscape of the Great Forest once again. However, as they approach the Great Oak Slide to reenter Knothole, they're stopped by the startling sight of an entire goddamn army marching through the trees, led by the king himself.

The king explains that after Elias overheard the news about his mother's condition, he snuck out of the village, infiltrated Robotropolis alone, and managed to steal a vial of metallic liquid that he just… somehow knew would be able to cure the queen, I guess. Eggman's shadow-bots gave chase, and he was able to pass off the vial to Mina, who happened to be near the slide into Knothole, before being dragged away. She took it to Dr. Quack, and after injecting it into the queen's bloodstream they moved her to surgery. As the story winds down, Sally becomes enraged that she's only just finding out about all this, and storms off. Sonic makes to follow her, but Geoffrey calls him back, saying the army will need him and Sally needs some alone time. Meanwhile, in Robotropolis, Elias is sitting in his prison cell, and attempts to convince Uncle Chuck, who is guarding him, to let him go - but of course, he's still just a mindless robot, and refuses.

The king informs Antoine that he can't come along on the mission due to the injuries he sustained while at Station Square, and Antoine acts all disappointed despite the fact that he's literally on crutches. While Bunnie attempts to cheer him up by saying she'll stay behind with him, Sonic visits his parents briefly, happy to be back and be able to see them. However, Amy rushes up as he and Geoffrey are about to rendezvous with the king, telling them Sally has ordered them to the med-lab to speak with her.

Sally ultimately chooses to stay behind, anxious about her mother, and so the king's army, along with Sonic, Tails, and the Secret Service, begin their assault on Robotropolis. They use Bomb to explode their way in through a concrete wall, and Chuck, realizing there's been a breach in security, orders the shadow-bots under his command to take Elias to the roboticizer immediately. Sonic is, even in the middle of all the chaos, taking his duties to protect the king very seriously, but then things take a turn for the worse…

As Sonic panics and rushes off to reach Elias before it's too late, leaving the king in the care of the Secret Service, back in Knothole Antoine and Bunnie approach Sally with an important request.

Despite giving her blessing, as soon as they're gone Sally bursts into tears, the stress of everything that's happening clearly starting to get to her. Back in Robotropolis, Sonic manages to get to the roboticizer room before Chuck can press the button, only to be tackled by Muttski from the side. However, at that moment Geoffrey shows up and hits Chuck's hand with a bolt from his wrist-mounted crossbow, preventing him from roboticizing Elias. The king charges in, slicing apart shadow-bots with the Sword of Acorns, and when he brings the magical sword near Chuck and Muttski, suddenly they seem to come back to themselves, and recognize him for just a moment. However, to Sonic's horror, a shadow-bot hits a button that shunts the two away behind a rotating wall before he can get to them, and the situation rapidly deteriorates from there.

Honestly, this is just another reason I love that the comics go into Sonic's family and his feelings about them. There's such a raw emotion about how much he cares about his family members that I find to be missing from the games, where he's just a superpowered teenager with an unexplained past. While obviously Sonic's situation and entire life experience is far different in the games from the comics, I still love when the various media really digs in deep into his emotions and relationships like this. It makes him feel a lot more real as a character. A short while later, within Knothole, Dr. Quack emerges from the med-lab to inform Sally that the surgery on her mother is complete, but before he can tell her if she's okay, Sonic appears behind Sally, holding an unconscious King Max in his arms and begging the doctor to help him…

Picking Up the Pieces

Writer: Ken Penders Pencils: Steven Butler Colors: Frank Gagliardo

For whatever reason, this story doesn't bother crediting any of the people who actually worked on it. However, the writing is obviously by Penders, and the art style is pretty clearly that of Steven Butler, so I've gone ahead and credited them anyway. The comics actually start to get kind of bad about crediting the people who've worked on them around this time, so sometimes credits may be incomplete (I don't list things like letterers, inkers or editors usually, since those tend to always be done by the same people and are easily found on the wiki anyway), but I'll do my best, relying on the wiki when my own intuition fails.

Anyway, onto the story. Knuckles finally awakens after a night of unconsciousness, finding himself stranded on a floating bit of debris in the middle of the ocean. He only recalls hazy memories of the explosion on the island that forced him to run for his life, and angrily wonders what he's going to do now, with no direction or help in sight. However, a character we haven't seen in quite a while chooses that moment to make his reappearance. Turns out Mathias isn't the only member of the family who transcended a physical form, as good old Athair has also become an apparition! Remember how he left the tribe saying that the Ancient Walkers called him to a higher purpose or something? Man, I missed this weirdo.

A skeptical Knuckles asks how he's even supposed to get back to Mercia, and Athair simply tells him he already has everything he needs. Unlike most cases in fiction where this is just a bunch of vague bull meant to draw out the plot artificially, Athair is actually right - Knuckles pulls out the guiding star gem that he first got all the way back when he dropped Yanar and the others of the lost tribe off in Albion, and uses it to create an energy tunnel the same as he did back then to teleport himself to Mercia.

So, now, about Rob o' the Hedge. Remember how Mari-An stayed behind with him, and everyone was immediately expecting them to get married and everything? Well, it appears they actually did, and now Mari-An is holding a swaddled baby clone of herself! She and Rob seem perfectly happy as a young family, living in a treehouse in the woods, but Rob finds himself perturbed as he gazes out the window into the starlit forest, and climbs down to investigate his gut feeling in the darkness. To his horror, he sees what he thinks is the silhouette of the High Sheriff of Snottingham, which if you'll remember is Antoine's roboticized father. He fires off an arrow, pinning a shocked Antoine's sleeve to a tree, and rushes forward to demand they "stand and deliver, foul varlets" (yeah, he still talks like that) until Amy rushes up and hugs him happily. At first, he doesn't believe that she's the same Amy as his cousin, noting that his cousin is "but a mere lass," and doesn’t even relax when she explains her rapid aging, still suspicious of her traveling companions.

Man, Rob, you've gotten a lot more aggressive and suspicious than when last we saw you. Knuckles chooses that moment to emerge from the trees and vouch for the entire party, and Rob takes him at his word. They eventually decide that fate must have brought the five of them together here, and Knuckles says that they should all go to Albion just across the waters to find the answers they seek.

#nala reads archie sonic preboot #archie sonic #archie sonic preboot #sonic the hedgehog #sth 88 #writer: karl bollers #writer: ken penders #pencils: james fry #pencils: steven butler #colors: frank gagliardo

[evnoweb]

Who said that? Teacher’s Edition

Earlier this week, I had written a post and pulled a number of comments from this blog. It was fun to look through and grab them. I never figured that I’d write this post so I didn’t formally keep track of who said what when I copy/pasted them although I think I know. I do have someone who is only happy to correct anything I do so I went back and made sure that I got things right. Where the commenter had a website or blog listed beside them, I’ve included a link back if their comment inspires you to read their blogging.

Some folks recognized their writing and responded but there was a request for the answers. So, here goes.

Looking back at 2018, I smile at some of the wonderful comments that have appeared on this blog in response to some of my posts.

Do you see yourself in there? Do you see others?

1 I had forgotten about that commercial! Thanks for the umm… blast from the past, Doug! I was surprised that it did have a “violent” part. That part didn’t stick in my memory, but the “blue” light did! Sorry to hear of your incident! Here’s to more uneventful walks with the dog..  I had a good smile with Andrew’s comment too. I have searched youtube to confirm quotes and lines from TV shows and movies as well… just to be sure   A recent attempt was: “It’s cold enough out there to freeze your Winnebago!” Like Aviva, I have always wondered about how graphic a message needs to be to stick. I worry that it goes too far at times, especially in consideration of young children. I guess there might be individual differences in regards to what will “hit home”, but…

Sheila Stewart – sheilaspeaking.wordpress.com

2 Oh, going to have to try this one out – looks like a lot of fun! (and I will suggest it to some people I know, since I don’t have a classroom to play in right now). Thanks, as ever!

Lisa Noble – madamenoble.wordpress.com

3 Thanks for including me Doug. Still fighting that bug, but class back up to 65%! Listened to the show (twioe) last night…awesome as always. Got a chuckle over Stephen’s mention of “the Good Room” and all the banter between you, as always. Keep on keeping on!

Ramona Meharg –mymonkeysmycircussite.wordpress.com

4 Love the post. It made me think about what my role is. Probably a lot more Bluesman than thought leader I guess. But really I started to think that is just important to do what I can do and let other people think about labels. I’m just a teacher with opinions and a blog. That’s good enough for me I think.

Alfred Thompson –http://blog.acthompson.net

5 Hi Doug, and all:) Here is my addition – if I ever hear the word Wheelhouse again it will be too soon. Also I will probably get in trouble for this but I don’t like all the Like a Pirate business. For heaven’s sake. Pirates are real. They steal and murder people. I am working on another blog post, a more thoughtful consideration of the word “modern” – which really has an existing definition and has been co-opted more recently to mean “contemporary.” I know, I am so fussy:)

Anne Shillolo

6 I like Broadway http://fontsgeek.com/fonts/Broadway-Regular, but I have a weakness for art deco fonts. It’s too decorative to read though, but good for posters and titles. For reading I usually go for arial but recently have been preferring Trebuchet https://www.myfonts.com/fonts/microsoft/trebuchet/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAiKrUBRD6ARIsADS2OLn1B3-UN6EjbTMRsPmw2xTQWIwFrCXNtyTxAmFoh7p_XYxWjXX_lzYaAlJVEALw_wcBit’s nice and clean. Oddly, if I’m going for a computer styled font I use something like Courier which is a web friendly way to imitate those old fixed width fonts https://www.myfonts.com/fonts/microsoft/courier-new/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAiKrUBRD6ARIsADS2OLnfMx1LblHmfXsmRm32zv_x9kHDMf5_ySTNErPWQ_7GmrGvY-qQCsMaApnbEALw_wcB If you’ve never messed around with fonts, you’re missing something.

Tim King-plus.google.com/+TimothyKing

7 My teaching partner and I used to do ‘a theme’, back when themes were a thing in kindergarten, around EGGS at Easter time. We did different experiments with eggs each day – how many books can we stack on a raw egg before it breaks, what happens when you soak an egg in vinegar, sinking and floating eggs, spinning eggs (raw eggs wobble, hard cooked eggs spin) and so on. We read lots of books about animals that hatch from eggs. My favourite was always “Chickens aren’t the only ones” by Ruth Heller. Like you, many of our children didn’t celebrate Easter but they were seeing eggs and bunnies everywhere in stores and on TV.

Lisa Cranston – educationandinspirationblog.com

8 Thank you for capturing two days of amazing learning and connecting for us Doug. It was a pleasure to finally have some conversation time with you and I am glad Steven Hurley didn’t beam us up with his modern day transcorder. Appreciate the power that comes in building bridges in this business and you sir are a bridge builder. Looking forward to our next conversation. W

Will Gourley –escheweducationalist.wordpress.com

9 Our mornings begin with the fragrance of espresso filling the air. Milk is heated, the espresso is added to the hot milk and voilà, the magic potion is ready. When we go out, we seldom stop to buy coffee anywhere. We caddy thermos cups of our home brew. If we run out of the elixir…tea it is. When we have friends join us for a formal meal, we usually end the meal with a demitasse of espresso…except for the tea drinkers. We like it that espresso has a lower caffeine content than drip coffee: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/question645.htm Of course, current science might draw different conclusions.

Noeline Laccetti – nlaccetti.wordpress.comx

10 … that look of betrayal on my wife’s face when I mentioned that I am trying to quit with coffee. She, up to several years ago, hated the stuff. Hated the smell, the taste, the satisfied look on my face as relaxed through my second or third cup in the morning. I guess it was my fault. Someway somehow, she now can’t start her day without it. My attempt at scaling back my caffeine consumption has put my life is in danger. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I shouldn’t have even written this post. If my blog goes dark for a while its because I am in hiding. Tell my wife, I was wrong … oh so wrong …

Chris Cluff

11 Hi Doug, thanks for sharing your learning from the Ontario Summit. To add to this already great resource, here is a link to all of the presenter’s resources from the weekend: https://edtech.team/OntarioResources18 – Lots more goodies there!

Emily Fitzpatrick

12 I saw this presentation at SIGCSE and left with mixed feelings. The session was pitched as ML for CS teachers with little CS knowledge. The pizza app is cool but I left thinking that there was a big missing piece which was the actual under the hood ML. It looks great as a tool where the teacher is already knowledgeable but I don’t know how much serious mileage a class will get out of it beyond being a cool demo if the teacher doesn’t already know the subject.

Mike Zemansky – https://cestlaz.github.io

13 I love to sew, but hardly have the time. I go by feel when choosing fabric for any project or any “already made” clothes. I don’t care what it’s called – I only care about how it feels and how well it will wash. I do not remember the fabric you’re talking about, though I feel as if I should. My mom used to see for me, so I likely had many things made from it.

Lisa Corbett –alotalot.wordpress.comx

14 Morning Doug, this brought to mind attendance tracking of students and how if they are going to leave or walk out consequnces mean nothing. The reason you give them to stay is far more powerful. I think folks need to understand the purpose but more importantly if you leave the impression, regardless of this is it’s purpose that people’s whereabouts are what we are starting with and not the culture of a welcoming, inclusive and non intrusive learning environment, the same thing will happen as it does in a secondary school…they opt out as it is no longer about the them but the system they exist within.

Kelly @thebeastedu 

15 Good morning Doug! (and Jamie) I’m glad you guys keep your eyes open when you’re out for your walks. There’s no doubt that keeping an eye out for other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians (and dogs) is a critical responsibility for motor vehicle drivers. I was pleased to read your “exit, stage left“ quote, And even happier when I saw that you had included a picture of SnagglePuss. You are smarter than the average bear.

Andrew Forgrave

16 I don’t remember exactly when Chrome came out, but I do for Gmail. I went straight to eBay and bought an invitation so I could join. It cost me $5. The invitation also included another new Google service. Do you remember what it was?

Peter Beens –beens.org

17 I noticed this too when watching cartoons with my nephews. There also seemed to be a whole lot of yelling. Okay now I’m sounding like the old guy who just wants the kids to get off his lawn. I loved the old Hanna-Barbara cartoons from the mid-60’s. Space Ghost, Frankenstein Jr. and The Impossibles, the original Scooby-Doo, Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines, The Herculoids, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour – that one was pretty weird, but I did teach some of my grade 6’s the theme song, Jonny Quest and the Jetsons. I kind of thought we’d be living like the Jetsons by now. At least I thought they would have finished repairing all the roads.

Colin Harris –plus.google.com/+ColinHarrisdigitalnative

18 Hey Doug, As always your posts seem so timely. Today on my way home from church I noticed a few trees in the neighbourhood who have started to show your beautiful fall colors. I couldn’t help but recall several projects that I had to complete as a child where we would go out into the neighbourhood and find several fall leaves. We then needed to place the leaves in between two pieces of wax paper and iron them . To be honest, I don’t recall what the intended learning outcome was… But what I do remember was that it was a project that my mom and I needed to do together (hot irons and safety) . Sometimes it is those unintended outcomes (special time with a parent) which are just as meaningful as the curriculum outcomes.

Sue Bruyns –susanbruyns.com

19 I have never heard of Qwant until you mentioned it. I also gave it a try and I must admit that it is a very impressive search engine. I used the Brave web browser in the past; I had no issues with it. In my case, I utilise the Google Chrome web browser, because I use certain extensions. The Brave web browser loads quickly.

Renard Moreau –renardsworld.wordpress.com

20 Hey! This is the fourth time visiting now and I personally just wanted to say I truley enjoy reading your blog site. I’ve decided to bookmark it at reddit.com with the title: %BLOGTITLE% and your Web address: %BLOGURL%. I hope this is alright with you, I’m trying to give your great blog a bit more coverage. Be back shortly.

superstar femme orange (Trick question – this is from spam caught and someone who doesn’t know how to use their software – notice the spam format of the message. I won’t share the URL that they claim to be from)

21 Do you worry about free services going away after a while? = Sometimes. I’m still wounded about the closing of Bitstrips for Schools (which I liked waaaaaay better than Pixton – sorry, Pixton). It went so fast that I couldn’t collect all the old comics I wanted to archive (so Jacob, if you are reading this, please let us grab our files for a quick, one week period, please!) What is your contingency plans in case that happens? = Wish I had one! Do you backup your online presence in case it goes away? = I print my blogs as a birthday gift to myself once a year. I did a Twournal for the first part of my tweeting, but I’d love to back up all my Tweets in a print format. Now you’ve got me paranoid Doug!

Diana Maliszewski –mondaymollymusings.blogspot.ca

Thanks to those who took time to share a comment throughout 2018. I hope that I can write on topics that will continue the efforts in 2019.

So, how many did you get right the first time?

Who said that? Teacher’s Edition published first on https://medium.com/@DigitalDLCourse

[flauntpage]

Here's Who Will Play for the Stanley Cup

Welcome to the third-round preview. In round one, our predictions went an impressive seven-for-eight. In round two, uh, we reflected on the success of round one. Now we're down to four teams. Who'll advance to the Stanley Cup Final? We have no idea, but we're willing to pretend that we do.

Eastern Conference: Capitals vs. Lightning

In this corner: The Washington Capitals (49-36-7, 105 points, +18 true goals differential), who knocked off the defending champion Penguins to finally advance to the conference finals for the first time in the Alexander Ovechkin era.

The history books: This isn't quite uncharted territory for the Capitals, who made (and lost in) the 1998 final. But it's their first trip to the conference final in 20 years since, not to mention the first for any big four Washington team in that time span.

Injury report: Nicklas Backstrom missed the last game of the Pittsburgh series with some sort of hand injury, and we don't know when he'll be able to return. Andre Burakovsky is day to day.

The big question: Now what? The Capitals have been waiting to beat the Penguins and break through to the conference final for so long that you wonder what comes next. Maybe with the monkey off their back, they're just happy to be here and can't offer much resistance against an opponent that, on paper, should be the better team. But maybe not. Maybe with the dragon slain and the pressure finally off, they play the sort of playoff hockey they've always been capable of but never seemed able to summon.

One player to watch: Tom Wilson. You may as well keep an eye on him. We know the referees and the Department of Player Safety will be. All the Lightning players will, too, if they're smart. Wilson's a throwback to an earlier era, a player who still hits to hurt. Sometimes, he does it cleanly. Others, he throws those grey area hits that we all have to debate for days at a time. It caught up to him in round two, when he earned a three-game suspension for a high hit. He's eligible to return to start this series, and no doubt he'll claim that he won't change his style. But you have to figure he'll be second-guessing some opportunities to go for the big hit, if only to make sure he doesn't wind up back in the press box. The question is whether that helps or hurts his overall game.

Key number: 30.9% – The Capitals powerplay success rate through two rounds, good for second among all playoff teams. The only team higher: The Bruins, largely on the strength of going 5-for-12 against Tampa last round. Penalty killing has been one of the only weaknesses in the Lightning's game so far this postseason, so the Capitals will need to take advantage of any opportunities they can earn.

And in this corner: The Tampa Bay Lightning (54-23-5, 113 points, +56), who had a surprisingly easy time with the Bruins while winning their second-round matchup in five.

The history books: This is the Lightning's third trip to the conference final in the last four years, and fourth of the salary cap era. None of those trips resulted in a Stanley Cup; the Lightning last won it all in 2004.

Injury report: They're just about as healthy as a team can realistically be at this point.

The big question: Did we finally just see what this team can do? The Lightning were the league's best team early on, but stumbled as the season wore on. They got the job done against the overmatched Devils, but never looked especially scary. But last round's performance against a very good Boston team was different—this was a team that finally looked like a Stanley Cup favorite. Whether they're peaking at the right time or were just coasting through the second half, this looked like the Lightning's fully evolved form. Or maybe they just got hot for a few days. Let's find out.

One player to watch: Brayden Point. He had a brutal Game 1 against Boston, going -5. But from then on, he had six points and Lightning coach Jon Cooper thought he was the best player in the series. He may be right. All eyes will be Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, but if Point can stay hot then the Lightning will have two lines that will be hard to stop.

Key number: 187:20 – Consecutive minutes that the Lightning held the Bruins without a 5-on-5 goal over the last four games of their series. And both of Boston's Game 2 goals came from defensemen; you have to go back 253:07 to find the Bruins' last 5-on-5 goal by a forward. That would be impressive against most teams. Against an even-strength juggernaut like the Bruins, it's borderline impossible. We already covered the Caps' edge on special teams. But given how reluctant referees have been to call penalties lately, if the Lightning can dominate 5-on-5 like that, they're unbeatable.

Head-to-head: The Lightning took two of three. The two teams haven't met since February.

Dominant narrative: Offensive firepower. Both teams have solid bluelines built around a big star and goaltenders who can steal games when they're on. But the focus will be on all the star power up front. We can start with Ovechkin vs. Stamkos, a pair of former first overall picks who've combined to win 9 of the last 11 goal-scoring titles. Kucherov is taking a run at Ovechkin's status as the league's biggest Russian star, while Backstrom's return would be huge. Then there's Evgeny Kuznetsov, Point, T.J. Oshie, Yanni Gourde… you get the picture.

Whenever you get this much offensive talent in the same series, we usually wind up with a bunch of dull 2-1 games. But maybe, just maybe, these two teams turn the big guns loose and we get some real fireworks. Please, hockey gods. One time.

Prediction: Capitals in six.

Bonus prediction that is oddly specific: We get a game that goes into overtime tied 0-0.

Western Conference: Winnipeg Jets vs. Golden Knights

In this corner: The Winnipeg Jets (52-20-10, 114 points, +57), thanks to last night's Game 7 road win in Nashville.

The history books: This is uncharted territory for Winnipeg, where the two versions of the Jets have never made an appearance in the conference final. They've never even won a game in round two until this year.

Injury report: Dmitry Kulikov is the only name on the list, and he doesn't sound like he'll be returning this year.

The big question: Can a well-rested underdog beat a team that's better but banged up? The Jets' injury report might be a short one, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of guys hurting after a long series that took its toll. On paper, Winnipeg is the better team. But the Knights will have had almost a full week off by the time this gets started. That matters at this time of year.

One player to watch: Blake Wheeler. The 31-year-old captain isn't the team's best player—that's Mark Scheifele. He's not their most exciting—that's Patrik Laine. He's not the highest-paid—that's Dustin Byfuglien. He's certainly not the most important—Connor Hellebuyck, like any goaltender at this time of year, wears that crown. But Wheeler is the team's leader, its heart and soul, and (thanks to a surprising career year) its leading scorer. When he's going, the top line is just about unstoppable and the Jets win. He had four multi-point games in the Predators series and the Jets won them all. If he keeps that up in this series, it may not last long.

Key number: .444 – The Jets' regular season win percentage in games they trailed at the first intermission, the best mark in the NHL. By comparison, the Knights' winning percentage when they lead after one was .750, which placed them right in the middle of the league. The Knights have had some quick starts in the playoffs, but the Jets just aren't a team you can put away early.

And in this corner: The Vegas Golden Knights (51-24-7, 109 points, +43), who swept the Kings and then knocked out the Sharks in six.

Injury report: The pride of every other GM in the league is listed as day to day. Otherwise, the Knights might be missing William Carrier and that's about it.

The big question: How? Why? Does anything make sense anymore? Has parity gone too far? Were the other 30 NHL teams always just incompetent and we didn't realize it until just now? Are we all just living in a simulation where they're trying to see how ridiculous a pro sports storyline can be before we stop buying it? Are there any objective rules to how things work in the universe? Isn't this a lot more than one question? Does it matter? Does anything matter? WHY WOULD ANYTHING MATTER?

One player to watch: Marc-Andre Fleury. It's the obvious pick, but I'm flailing around for something solid to grasp onto. Fleury has been amazing through two rounds, and has already lapped the field in terms of Conn Smythe odds. He's been so good, in fact, that you could be forgiven for forgetting that there was a time when he was considered a terrible playoff goaltender—and rightly so. He was awful in four straight postseasons from 2010 to 2013, and he lost his starting job to Matt Murray in both of the Penguins' last two Cup runs. Now he's 33 and giving off a "Dominik Hasek at the 1998 Olympics" vibe. Nothing matters.

Key number: 34.4 – Shots allowed per game by the Knights in this year's playoffs, easily the most among the remaining teams. That's somewhat misleading, because they've played a lot of overtime. But it still drives home how much this team is relying on Fleury right now. If he goes cold, or even just goes back to hot instead of supernova, they could be in trouble unless the defense can tighten up in front of him.

Head-to-head: The Knights won two of three. The teams haven't met since Feb. 1.

Dominant narrative: The flavor of the month vs. the Canadian old school. Every year around this time, somebody calls on Canadian fans to unite behind the country's last remaining team, and every year those fans tell that person to get bent. When it comes to hockey, we don't do unity up here. But this year could be different. The Jets were already the most likable bandwagon team in the league, and now their path to bringing the Cup home is blocked by… these guys? With their goofy pregame shows and weird gloves and laser shows? This is playoff hockey—it's not supposed to be fun. You have to earn your shot at the Stanley Cup, and Winnipeg has four decades of scars to prove it.

Prediction: Jets in five.

Bonus prediction that is oddly specific: Fleury gets pulled in Game 1.

This article originally appeared on VICE Sports CA.

Here's Who Will Play for the Stanley Cup published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

[junker-town]

The List: 5 reasons the Celtics keep winning

Boston keeps winning. Here are the reasons to keep believing.

Since dropping their first two games of the season and losing prized free agent Gordon Hayward to injury, the Celtics have won 12 straight games. It’s an improbable turn of events for a team that was expected to sink into the muck of mediocrity that is the East, but there are several indications that there’s something deeper happening here.

They’ll go for 13 Tuesday night in Brooklyn before returning home to host the Warriors on Thursday in what will be the biggest game of the regular season to date. How did we get here? Let’s count the ways in this week’s List.

It’s the defense. Back in September when I caught up with Brad Stevens, I was surprised to hear him talk so excitedly about his team’s defense. “We’re way ahead defensively of where we thought we would be,” he told me. “I’m looking forward to this team defensively.”

OK, sure, but let’s talk about that offense again, Brad. With the additions of Hayward and Kyrie Irving, big things were expected on that end of the floor. Our own Mike Prada went so far as to predict the Celtics would have the best offense in the whole freaking league. Without Hayward, the C’s are right around league average offensively, but it turns out Stevens was right about the defense.

They say defense wins games ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ http://pic.twitter.com/f72sQ6eyNE

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 13, 2017

They took over the top spot in defensive rating a few games into the season and have held steady ever since. It starts with Al Horford who’s been sensational. Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier are terrors on the ball and even Irving is engaged. It’s also the scheme. They switch everything they need to switch with long interchangeable forwards, which allows them to run teams off the 3-point line while cleaning up on the glass.

All of this has been frankly astounding. Defense was supposed to be the team’s calling card last season but they were bad early, better in the middle, and good enough at the end. On balance, they were mediocre and inconsistent. Can they keep this up? That’s the key question. It’s the defense that makes them legit.

They are huge. You don’t really think of the Celtics as being a big team. There are no 7-footers on the roster, Horford plays a lot of center, and they don’t have a bruising power forward. Yet it’s their size that opponents mention first when preparing the scouting report.

What they have are hybrid wings who are long and versatile. That presents a number of problems for opposing offenses. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Morris can all guard multiple positions, as can Smart and Rozier.

That allows them to switch at will and keep teams out of the paint where opposing ballhandlers are met with length, length, and more length. They also contest everything and generate a ton of steals. (While not a fast-paced team, they thrive in transition.)

The Celtics go-to counter last season was lineups featuring three guards, Horford, and Jae Crowder that attempted to run larger players off the court. Now Stevens can roll out lineups with both size and speed that don’t leave them exposed physically. They are a far more versatile team than last season.

They are deep. There was so much attention paid to the starting lineup both before and after Hayward got hurt that we overlooked the amount of depth lurking beneath the surface. Even without Hayward, the Celtics are 11-deep. No one plays more than 32 minutes a night and Irving is the only high usage player among them. Beyond the Hayward and Irving additions, Danny Ainge had quite the summer.

Perhaps the biggest revelation has been the center combination of Aron Baynes and Daniel Theis. Baynes supplies nasty brute strength and range out to 15 feet, while the long-limbed Theis offers paint protection and an awkwardly effective offensive game. They can both play with Horford, or hold down the middle without him on the floor making them a massive upgrade over Amir Johnson and Tyler Zeller.

Consider, as well, the contributions of Shane Larkin and Semi Ojeleye. A still-young journeyman who spent last season in Europe, Larkin came up big in a win over Philly that kickstarted this steak and filled in admirably for Irving while leading a comeback victory over Charlotte last week. Ojeleye, a rookie second-round pick, plays like a 10-year vet. He’s handled huge defensive assignments and knocked down 3’s at a respectable clip.

This is where Stevens’ coaching gets lionized and rightly so. No one is being asked to do too much. One night it might be Rozier who sparks the club off the bench, another game might feature Theis. Then there’s Tatum, who is talented enough to be a late-game scoring option, but is one of seven players who takes at least nine shots per game.

That depth has allowed them to compensate for injuries to Horford and Irving during this winning streak. It should also keep them fresh and engaged throughout the regular season.

They rebound. This is, by far, the biggest difference from last season’s team and the best indicator that this run is not as fluky as it might appear. The C’s were such a bad rebounding team last season that Stevens essentially conceded the glass and went small. Without a dominant rebounder on the roster, few saw that changing coming into the season.

This has been nothing short of a complete reversal. Horford, who had the worst rebounding season of his career last year, is gobbling up boards. Morris has been a monster on the glass. The backup bigs are both solid rebounders as are Brown and Tatum. The freakishly athletic Rozier lives to grab defensive boards.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

This is truly a team-wide concern that goes beyond individual contributions. The C’s box out as aggressively as any team in the league and because they switch so much they are rarely caught behind the action recovering from double teams. There are fewer cheap points to be had and they are so fast and athletic that they can still run in transition without leaking out for fast breaks.

It’s all connected, as they say.

The schedule has been kind: Behind every long winning streak is a favorable slate of games and the C’s have played a relatively comfortable schedule. They got the Kings and Knicks at low points and survived poor performances against the lowly Hawks and rebuilding Lakers. They got the Spurs on a well-timed back-to-back and the Raptors on a Sunday afternoon.

The competition will get tougher in December, but they don’t go to the west coast until January and you have to go all the way to March before they play more games on the road than at the Garden in any given month. Still, they have notched a number of impressive wins including an 18-point second half comeback against Oklahoma City, as well as victories over Eastern Conference foes Philly, Milwaukee, Miami, and Orlando on the road. Laugh now, but all four are viable playoff contenders.

We still don’t know how good this Celtics can be, of course. We don’t know whether that defense will hold up in a seven-game series or whether their depth will matter as much in the playoffs when rotations get shorter. We don’t know if the rookies will be able to push through the wall or perform under the harshest postseason pressure.

What this winning streak has taught us, however, is that they are a legitimately good team with the inside track of locking up the top spot in the Eastern Conference again. That’s an amazing turnaround from opening night, but it should no longer be considered surprising.