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#please reno teach me your secrets!!
redvoid-40 · 4 years
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Rufus Shinra NSFW Alphabet - H to O
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I actually posted this a few weeks ago but tumblr screwed up and made it so no one could find it by searching the tags so I deleted the post. I meant to repost this as soon as I figured out the problem (turns out tumblr doesn’t let me add any links to posts anymore) but got distracted by the Gaara asks I’ve been receiving. Sorry Anon! =.=
Anyway, here’s a bit more on the NSFW Alphabet series for Rufus! Let me know what you guys think and if you have any requests. :)
PS: should answer another Gaara ask sometime today. ;)
NSFW under cut, minors begone!
H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)
Super well-groomed. Rufus most likely has periodic laser hair removal sessions to make sure he’s always nice and smooth from his eyebrows down. There’s not a single strand of hair on his torso, and barely a bit of platinum-blonde fuzz on his balls. He keeps a neatly trimmed small patch of blonde hair (slightly darker than his actual hair) above his cock too, but only because when he shaved it all he felt too much like a teenager.
I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)
Depends. If he’s with someone solely for the physical relief of sex, he’s not intimate at all. He’ll fuck them nice and good, leave them satisfied, but there will be no kissing or playful teasing on his part. He’ll get in, get off, and get out.
Now, if he’s in a committed relationship Rufus might show a bit more softness. He’ll kiss them slowly as he gently undresses them. He’ll actually take time to appreciate and caress the expanse of skin he’s about to grope and manhandle, trailing soft lips down their neck, stomach and thighs before even thinking of thrusting his cock in them. There will be lots of intense eye-contact and he’ll be very vocal about everything he’ll do to them and how much they turn him on.
Just don’t expect too much cuddling afterwards. Like I stated in Aftercare (check my masterlist) he’s got too much work to do to spend hours in bed holding his SO after the deed is done.
J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)
Jacks off frequently, especially when he’s particularly stressed with work. When he’s single and feeling particularly pent up he might hire sex workers to take care of his problem for him. When he’s in a relationship he calls his SO to come to his office so he can rail them against his desk.
K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)
Rufus has been around when he was younger so he has a list of things he’s into: anal sex, lingerie and heels, clothed sex, sex toys…
He has a preference for being a dom in the bedroom so, while he’s up to lots of experimentation, he favours the following kinks: power-play, orgasm control and denial, and light bondage. 
I don’t see him as violent though, physically or emotionally. He’ll tease and taunt his SO to his heart’s content, but he won’t degrade or actually hurt them in any way (some light spanking is okay, but more for the face-value of it; nothing that’s going to bruise or cause them pain).
See Dirty Secret for daddy kink.
L = Location (favorite places to do the do)
Inside the bedroom where he has all his toys, handcuffs and structures for anything he might want to do with his SO.
But he does like expensive hotel rooms and fucking in his office too.
And if the opportunity to desecrate his father’s office presents itself when he’s still VP you better believe me Rufus will grab it with both hands without the slightest hesitation.
M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)
Rufus has a naturally high libido so he doesn’t really need something to turn him on. He’s down to fuck any time of the day as long as it doesn’t get in the way of his work.
When he was a teenager his friends (did he have friends?) might or might not have worried about him being a sex-addict, but it got infinitely better after a couple of years, when his hormones weren’t raging inside his body. Now Rufus has a much better grasp of his sex drive, managing to focus his frustration on work more often than not.
When he really wants to blow off some steam and doesn’t have a SO to turn to he’ll more likely resort to sex workers instead of seducing high-class women, if only because it’s much easier to deal with a business transaction than possible emotional complications. But, once he does get a steady SO, he’ll expect sex every night and some office surprises during weekdays. Rufus is not good at cuddling and other forms of affection so not only it’s how he relieves stress, but it’s also the best way he can show he cares for his SO. At first glance he may appear to be a selfish lover, but once in a relationship he won’t be able to rest at night if he doesn’t make sure his SO is completely satisfied with him, inside and outside the bedroom.
N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)
Rufus does not share. Any threesome fantasies? You might as well kiss them goodbye. Doesn’t matter if it’s with another girl or guy, Rufus wants your undivided attention on him at all times, inside AND outside the bedroom.
So if anyone gets a bit too close or flirty with you (cough-Reno-cough) he will set Darkstar/Dark Nation on them.
O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)
Rufus loves receiving oral. Likes to take his time too, allowing his SO to go down slowly on him at their pace for a long while before grabbing their hair and taking charge. He will fuck their throat any way he likes it, and while he can get a bit rough he won’t hold them down and choke them on his cock. Oh no, he’d much rather surprise them with his little surges and then stop, letting them catch their breath as they drool all over his cock and thighs, before starting all over again. He’ll rinse and repeat many times, and when he comes he expects his SO to open wide and stick their tongue out so he can paint the inside of their mouth white with his cum.
That’s not to say Rufus doesn’t like giving oral. Once in a relationship he’s actually a very giving lover and will do everything to please his SO. However, on the beginning of the relationship they might have to be a bit patient and teach him the best way to give oral to them because Rufus would not have much experience on it, if any. He’s Rufus fucking Shinra, he doesn’t go down on any one-night stand that comes his way.
In other words he’s not good at it on the beginning but he’s ready to learn for his SO.
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pinknerdpanda · 6 years
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Secret Santa
Word Count: 1188 Characters: Dean x Reader, Sam Warnings: Dean, Alcohol, Annoyed Sam Requested by: Nonnie
A/N: This was written for my Merry Manda’s Panda Presents celebration. This was beta’d by @hannahindie and @wheresthekillswitch.
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Secret Santa
“You don’t think it could be Jody, do you?”  Dean’s brow creases in concentration as he sips his beer lazily. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Jody. Who doesn’t? Amirite, Sammy?” Dean elbows his younger brother suggestively at the same time Sam is bringing his own bottle to his lips. Golden droplets of liquid spill onto the table and Sam jerks his head to look at Dean, annoyed. Dean’s eyebrows shoot up and he shrugs, “Sorry. I mean, I just don’t think of her like that.”
Sam shoots me a look across the table and I shrug. For the last two days, the only topic of conversation Dean has been interested in discussing is that of the identity of his “secret admirer.” The envelope actually says “Secret Santa” but Dean seems to have made up his own mind as to the intentions of the mysterious benefactor.
As soon as he'd laid eyes on the neatly wrapped package, he started rattling off the names of would-be senders. The list includes every woman Dean has ever laid eyes on, it would seem. Everyone from Donna, to Rowena, the lady in Lebanon that cuts his hair, the waitress at the truckstop in Reno; for a second he wondered if Claire had sent it. But the thought was too troubling for him to think about too long.
Every time he brings up another candidate, my heart sinks a little more. Of course, he doesn’t realize that, because he’s hardly stopped to breathe, much less consider the idea that the only woman he has yet to name may actually be said sender.
Sam knows. He’d guessed before I’d said a word. And now, as I endure another one of his long, deliberate stares, and Dean rambles on, I regret the whole thing.
“I mean, I can’t say I would blame her,” Dean’s lips twist in a cocky smile. I don't even know who he's talking about and I'm not sure he really knows at this point either. “I mean, she’s not the first woman to wish she had another ride on the Dean-train. Woo-woo!” He honest to God holds his fist up, imitating a conductor blowing the whistle on a train.
That’s more than Sam can handle and he stands, beer in hand and makes his way to the furthest pool table. Dean turns to face me, and the knot in my gut tightens. His olive green eyes are sparkling in the light directly above our table and being this close I can count the freckles splayed across his nose and the tops of his cheeks. He smiles, the lines around the corners of his eyes pronounced and his lip curves up on one side. He takes another swig, and wipes his thumb across his lower lip and I swear on everything that is good and holy, it’s in slow motion.
“What do you think, sweetheart?” Dean’s gaze is locked on mine and I can feel my brains scrambling. “You got any ideas?”
My eyes dart to the bottle between my palms and I bring it to my lips, trying to stall for time. I didn’t mean for this to happen. It was just one of those times where you see something and think of someone and just know that they will love it. So you buy the thing. But then, to keep the thing from being misinterpreted as too big of a thing, or to avoid questions like “How did you know I have always wanted this thing? Are you stalking me?” or “What does this thing mean? Does this mean you want this thing to be a thing? Or is it just a thing?”, you take the anonymous route, rather than confessing ten years of unrequited love and hope for the best.
This is not the best. This is the worst.
“Dean,” my eyes roam over every detail of the label on my bottle of beer, refusing to meet his. “I, uh...it’s just that…” I clear my throat. “It was me. I gave you that present.”
There. It’s all out there. For better or for worse, it’s all on the table and there’s nothing I can do to take it back or explain and oh my god is it getting hot in here and the music is just so loud right now, I can’t even…
“I know.”
My mental ranting comes to a screeching halt and I jerk my eyes to meet his. An amused smile is playing at his plush, pink lips and I make a concerted effort to keep from staring at them.
“What?”
“I know it was you.”
All of the anxiety I’d just been swimming in begins to boil in frustration as I gape at him. “How long did you know?”
He licks his lips and looks at the table. “As soon as I opened it.”
“Dean Winchester! You are either lying to me, or you are an asshole,” I roar. He doesn’t look remotely afraid by this, incensing me more. “Actually, the answer is c. all of the above. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Well, you’re probably right. I can be an ass,” his eyes are warm as they find mine again. “I really didn’t mean to drag it out this long. I just kept thinking you would own up to it eventually. After a while it was fun to watch your reactions and so I tried to see how jealous I could make you. You're really adorable when your face turns that bright pink color and your nose scrunches up. Yeah! Exactly like that.”
I look away, my face on fire; whether it’s from the beer or the frustration or embarrassment, I don’t know and it really doesn’t matter.
“Oh come on, don’t be too upset,” he lays his hand on mine and I try really hard to play it cool and nonchalant. But I wrench my head to look at our hands on the polished table. He chuckles. “I loved it, y/n. It’s the best present I’ve ever gotten. Honest.”
I snort, still not trusting myself to speak and risk looking a bigger fool than I already do.
“Actually, since we’re being honest. I guess,” he starts, his hand trailing up my arm, over the curve of my shoulder and up to my face. His rough thumb sweeps across my cheek and it feels like heaven. “I guess it would be a good time to say,” he leans in and presses his lips to mine. He tastes like mint and beer and for a second I feel like I am floating ten feet off the ground. He pulls back enough to look in my eyes. “I love you, y/n.”
He kisses me again and this time, there’s a fire to it that is exciting and sexy and probably grossly inappropriate in a public setting, but I don’t care. This time, when he pulls back, we are both gasping for air.
“Well, since we are being honest,” I begin. Dean grins, his thumb rubbing absently across my jaw.
“Yeah, y/n?”
“I want a 1964 Mustang convertible for Christmas. Light blue, please.”
Like what you see? Want more? My Masterlist is here. Thanks for reading! :)
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memorylang · 3 years
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First Stepfamily Thanksgiving | #47 | November 2020
At this time last year in Mongolia, I celebrated Thanksgiving ‘five times’ as a Peace Corps Volunteer. This year, though, Thanksgiving mostly in quarantine felt more like the Lunar New Year’s I experienced in Mongolia mere days before I evacuated. 
We begin with my tales from Thanksgiving. Then, I pick up from where we left off last month’s blog story, in which I met again the kind neighbor child. I wrap up with some last reflections from November’s holidays then move into December.
Thanksgiving 2020
Our state governor ordered for COVID-19 mitigation before this Thanksgiving, Nevada families could have gatherings of no more than 10 people. Usually, that wouldn’t challenge us. But, with our immediate family having grown larger since Dad’s June remarriage, our gathering totaled 10! 
Well, the Thursday began more mellow than that. With Dad at Tita’s place cooking and my siblings and I having already set the Christmas tree on Wednesday at Tita’s request based on traditions of the Philippines, my siblings and I hadn’t many obligations. So, we spent much of the morning binging “The Last Airbender” on Netflix and the afternoon playing and singing to covers of mostly pop music, like Panic! At The Disco, and oldies. 
For the evening jam session, my sister played her keyboard, my younger brother played guitar and I covered vocals with Sister. Our youngest sister jumped in once because my timing sounded off, but she otherwise kept to her online coursework. Our older brother wasn’t at the house, instead helping his girlfriend and her family with Thanksgiving. He hasn’t done much with music for years, anyway. 
Most every time my younger siblings and I have gathered this year we’ve played music together. Curiously, when we were little, Mom had wanted us to be a family band. We basically rejected that idea. But now, years after she died, we’re pretty much fulfilling her wishes. Fate’s a strange feeling. 
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” Revisited
My older brother and I were huge fans of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” back when we grew up in Indiana. The series had concluded when I was 10 in 2008, so I remembered its episodes well. Our younger sister was only 8 and hadn’t recalled them as clearly. 
Thanksgiving Day, our Sister resumed her marathon picking up from Book 2. I joined her downstairs at the couches after finishing my blog story about American diversity. By then we were going from the “The Library,” all the way past “Crossroads of Destiny,” the season finale. 
Rewatching much of the series from start to finish now a dozen years later, I appreciated better overarching narratives across seasons. I picked up on more subtleties. Having lost my mother, for example, I felt more sympathetic to Zuko and Katara, who’d lost their mothers at young ages. I better appreciated Iroh’s wisdom, knowing how grief about his son shaped his interactions with his nephew. I also identified more with Ty Lee, who pretty well felt cheerful no matter what others thought. 
I did feel a bit irked by the series’ mispronunciation of Chinese words like Tui, Long and Feng. Still, the show was progressive for its time, and its creators have strived even more since then for cultural appreciation. On a neat note, my sister had read that many characters’ outfits were based on Mongolian clothes. Once she said that, I kept noticing clothes that resembled the Mongolian дээл /dehl/. I wish that Netflix still had the show’s creators on for the live-action remake… Well, at least the original and its amazing sequel are still classics. 
First Stepfamily Thanksgiving
Dad with our stepfamily arrived around 6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. We’d celebrated Christmas with them last year when I came home to visit from Mongolia before Dad and now Tita engaged. So, this would be our first Thanksgiving together officially as a family, with everyone present. (At Christmas, Youngest Brother had left for work.) 
This would also be our first year without turkey and stuffing. Instead of turkey and stuffing, we ate Filipino lechon, a large pork belly roll. I felt pretty glad, since I love trying new foods, and turkey wasn’t the most appetizing meat to me. Still, even Peace Corps had made sure that my fellow Volunteers and I got a turkey last year in Mongolia. Dad seemed tempted to still buy turkey this year for ol’ times’ sake. But, we stuck with lechon and fried chicken—no turkey. In addition to Filipino foods, we still had plenty of mashed potatoes, gravy and pies, pumpkin and apple. 
Even before this year, we’d for many years tended to have Asian food among our traditional Thanksgiving offerings. Some of our first friends in Vegas, for example, were a neighborhood family with Japanese traditions. And even when my mom fixed Thanksgiving foods, she or my older brother often made spring rolls or another Chinese-related dish, too. I loved how when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching Mongol students about Thanksgiving, my colleagues and I would explain how Thanksgiving dishes often reflect our diverse families. 
After about 9 p.m., my oldest brother and his girlfriend arrived, so everyone kept masks on and stayed physically distant. Brother had been feeling a little under the weather but had already eaten. He came to say hello, since our aunt, who’d visited before for the national parks trips, had requested that we get a full family photo for the annual Lang calendar. 
Two Sides
Earlier in the evening was a neat moment. At the dining room table, my stepsister about my age my Stepma were flipping through the family calendar while Dad shared stories. So, I invited my stepsisters on the extra couch to the table. Younger Stepsister joined us. Coincidentally at the table then, with my youngest brother, were our step-counterparts. With our dad and stepma were 23-year-old me and 23-year-old Stepsister, 19-year-old Bro and 19-year-old Stepsister. 
Meanwhile, on the extra couch that we’d brought over from the stepfamily’s home was my oldest stepsister whose son would be due in a couple weeks. On the couch that my family had had since my college years were my 21- and 20-year-old sisters joined by our long-time family friend who’d been renting a room in the Reno place (the same friend who’d accompanied my friends and me on our Lassen Volcanic and Burney Falls trip). 
Eventually a handful of us reconvened by the stepfamily’s couch, chatting about family traditions. I felt surprised to learn that our stepfamily didn’t have equivalents to our family’s annual reunions and holiday letter. My younger sister pointed out these are White traditions, mentioning that another of her White friends’ families also wrote an annual holiday letter. Our oldest stepsister explained that they just call relatives every year. This reminded me of what my Chinese side of the family does around Lunar New Year’s. I often feel amazed by similarities across Asian cultures. 
Night’s End
Just after our stepsisters were taking off, my siblings and I were discussing whether to do another Secret Santa this year. We hadn’t had our Foundation meeting that Thursday given that it was Thanksgiving, so we’d adopted informal Robert’s Rules of Order to move to using DrawNames. My motion to also include our stepsisters passed, pleasing me. Then, our tita came inside from wishing her daughters farewell. She said that she could invite her daughters to Secret Santa for us. 
Since siblings and I couldn’t decide whether to play a game together like Pinochle or Jackbox.tv, Younger Sister resumed her “Last Airbender” Netflix marathon, from the start to Book 3. I felt surprised that Dad watched too. 
Social dynamics in narratives feel cool to me. My archival research, including a conference (Nov. 19–21) in Week 38, has led me to feel more certain that I prefer to study the living. So, I still wonder whether I’m cut out for sociology or another social science. I’ve spent much of late October into November emailing and calling about grad school routes. Still, for how far we’ve come, I’m grateful. 
Neighbor Children, Two
About a month after I’d met the 8-year-old that I’m calling Rachel, we met again, Week 35 (Oct. 30–Nov. 5). As during the time before, I was out in the front yard, clipping off palm fronds. It was Sunday, Nov. 1. This time, a boy, also with short blonde hair, curly, seeming to be the girl’s brother, accompanied her. 
The children were across the yard from me, sitting on skateboards, rolling down their driveway into the cul-de-sac. The girl noticed me and said “Hi,” while the boy called her name. Well, he confirmed that this was the same kid. 
A few moments later, the children paused from their play and approached where I worked. 
The little boy said something about how he likes to attend his Sunday classes and likes the story about Jesus’ follower parting the waters. “Moses?” I asked. “Yeah!” he said. I chuckled thinking about the anachronism. (In the kid’s defense, perhaps Moses was one of Jesus’ followers since Christians believe that Jesus was God.) 
The girl to whom I'm referring as Rachel asked my name again. I teased her about how she could have forgotten, then, “Daniel,” I annunciated, smiling. 
I added that if the two forget my name again, they can find it in the Bible. Rachel said that’s like her brother’s. They gave his name, one quite similar to that of a childhood friend of mine. They added that they really liked Daniel’s Bible story. 
“What was your favorite part?” I asked. 
“How God saved them!” they said. 
They asked if I was Christian, too. “Yeah,” I replied. They seemed happy.
With regards to forgetting my name, the brother defended that their family was gone in Georgia—He’d flown for the first time in his life! I replied how I love flying. I wondered what would happen if I mentioned that I’m Chinese. I’ve always had to fly to visit China, I said. I went there a few times when I was attending university. 
The boy said how he’d just told his sister there’s such thing as “university school.” The girl seemed annoyed that her brother rubbed it in. Moving over it, I added that now my siblings were away at university, but I’d graduated. The children looked amazed! 
Probably since I mentioned China, the boy asked if I’ve seen “Mulan” (2020). He said that he really liked it. I replied that it was a good movie [well, personally, not that good]. I qualified my comment, adding that I didn’t like the new movie as much as the old one. His sister agreed, saying that it didn’t have the good music. 
The siblings added how they missed that scene when Mulan climbed the “tall thing.” I agreed, remembering the "Make a Man Out of You" montage. "She really showed those guys!" I said. I felt cheerful that the kids and I agreed. I think that kids should believe that women and men are both capable. 
The 8-year-old had a new question now, inquiring about a big leaf, like a fan. I recalled a fan palm I'd left in the yard of which I'd disposed earlier. 
The kids’ older sister, sitting in their yard, asked what they were doing and commented something about being careful around strangers. 
The 8-year-old protested that we know each other. Meanwhile, I walked over to the fan palm tree, clipped a palm, came back and passed it to Rachel. The flat palm looked as wide as she was tall. Delighted, she ran inside her house, returned with safety scissors, sat down and took to work on the massive leaf. 
Around this time, sun setting, my papa and tita pulled up in the driveway, returning to our house. I paused on trimming to say goodbyes to the kids. 
The little boy had another question, “How old is your dad?” So, I replied. 
He quickly followed with, “How old are you?” I gave the girl a look like, “You mean you forgot again?” but she insisted that she’s not good at remembering these. I smiled saying, “23,” and showed a two and three with my fingers. Content, the boy said that their dad is older than me. 
Hehe, kids’ priorities are funny. I wished the children well, then I helped my folks load up the car for their return to Reno. I came inside and saw the liturgies for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. Then I got on another call with a student in the master’s program that I want to attend in China. Finally, I journaled my joy and readied for rest. 
Joyful Times
Later that week came Election Day in the States. I’d mailed in my ballot weeks before so spent much of the morning inside just watching reports about the counting. Well, I craved a break, so I returned outside to clip more palms. 
At that time, the two neighbor children were playing outside, along with more of their siblings. They introduced me to other sisters nearby and brought their dad from inside so that he could meet me. As usual, we kept our six feet of distance. 
When their dad came, I felt like a little celebrity, the way he greeted me as one about whom he'd heard so much. The man mentioned Shabbat and how his family celebrates Jewish traditions, too. He offered to have me over sometime. I felt touched. 
Since then, the kids tend to greet me whenever they see me outside. They’d reminded me of the Mongol children I knew in my Peace Corps service. Oh, how our worlds feel so alike some days. 
The next week (Week 36, Nov. 6–12) into the one that followed (Week 37, Nov. 13–19), I felt surprised to find that my youngest stepsister’s, Older Brother’s girlfriend’s and Youngest Brother’s birthdays were all just two days apart from each other. November is quite a birthday month for us! I also felt amazed how my first weekend after evacuating from Mongolia, I’d celebrated my oldest soon-to-be-stepsister’s birthday, and now three dozen weeks later I was celebrating my youngest stepsister’s birthday. 
Joyful Times and Mongolia
From mid-November, Week 37, I’d also done a lot with Mongolia again. On Tuesday, I spoke for a FLEX alumni talk about American culture. On Thursday, I spoke at the New York Peace Corps Association’s virtual Story Slam about evacuation. 
The week after, I’d gotten published in the WorldView magazine of the National Peace Corps Association. (This was about my advocacy back in August and September.) In a social media post about the publication, I mentioned how online I’d been helping Mongols in the city where I served to learn English. A few more joined our virtual speaking group! Meanwhile, I’d also been helping the Peace Corps Mongolia cohort below me learn Mongolian.
These activities warm my soul, make my heart happy, as I like to say. I also felt happy that month to learn that the Wasabies’ had released a couple 2020 singles. I listened to them often, in addition to their 2018 single, “Үгүй” /Oo-gwee/, a song my Mongol host sister and I enjoyed. I like music. 
Papa's Birthday and Beyond
My dad doesn't rest much, even on his own birthday, Dec. 1. But, at least we got to get breakfast at IHOP together with his wife. I got oaty pancakes, at which he jested, since I missed the point of eating at a place that sells dessert pancakes. Well, I try to eat healthier. Oh, and Tita gave me some of her eggs and potatoes, which was kind. Besides, I’d made cupcakes that morning for their trip back to Reno. German chocolate, the Lang family flavor. 
A few days later, Dec. 4, Peace Corps informed us that we wouldn’t redeploy until spring. So, from the sounds of it I’ll have been in the States for at least a year since evacuation. Ah, so much to consider. 
That night, I also learned that the Journal of World Christianity is interested in publishing my thesis—It just needs extensive revisions. This is incredibly hopeful news. I’d submitted and resubmitted my revised thesis to a different journal in June 2019 and February 2020 before receiving advice to consider others. I submitted to World Christianity this June (Week 14, June 5–12) and at last heard back! Advisors were sure right that academic publishing takes time. If I finish my revisions by March, the editor wrote that as early as October 2021 I could hear about spring 2022 publication! I’m so grateful that they’d consider publishing my research. Please pray for me. 
Before then, I’ve my permit test this Tuesday followed by a driving test in coming months, I hope. Then, at age 23, after already earning a bachelor’s degree, I might at last earn a driver’s license! God, help me. Being the last of my five siblings to learn to drive, I know Dad wants me driving. It’s a good skill for Americans. 
Still, for me, the thought of driving feels like less charted waters than my religious studies discernment. Teaching, research and outreach feel wonderful—but driving? “That's stressful,” haha. Perhaps by the time I write next, it will feel less stressful. Please keep my quest in your prayers. 
I’m quietly applying to new roles, too, so we’ll see how those fare. 
Years' End
As we enter December and the new Church year with Advent, I reflect on what I'll write in my annual year-in-review letter to friends and relatives. Maybe I’ll try not to mention COVID-19 much… I'd rather share the year's interesting projects, like the memoir and the Latin language studies. I like writing about wonderful and unexpected blessings, like having a stepmom and stepsisters. 
Expect my December story maybe after New Year’s. That ought to give me a chance to include Christmas in the tale. If you’re on my emailing list, look out for my holiday letter soon. I continue to accept that my plans I made before the pandemic will surely play out in ways that I didn't expect. And that's to be expected. I'm grateful to give and share love, and I keep trying to grow closer with Christ. Well, until next time! 
You can read more from me here at DanielLang.me :)
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atypical60 · 3 years
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It’s been a while since I’ve posted.  With early holiday decorating, work, cooking a feast for Thanksgiving dinner for two, Bonaparte and me, and anticipating if we will be home for Christmas due to another possible pandemic lockdown, it’s been the continuation of WTF else can go wrong in 2020.
Goodbye Thanksgiving. Hello Christmas–even though it might be spent “tout seul”–all alone!
I’ve been sitting around pouting over  our cancelled trip to Paris—of which I would have been enjoying this very day as I sit here pounding upon my laptop’s keyboard.  But instead, I bring Paris as well as other parts of France into your living rooms. Or bedrooms.  Or family rooms. Or wherever you enjoy watching TV.  It’s a way of traveling both through time and to another country and can get your imagination going during these trying times.
Same time last year.  I discovered this beautiful pile of croissants at Cafe de Paris on Rue du Buci–our neighborhood hangout.  Not this year….
Let’s face it— those Hallmark Holiday movies can, at times, be a bit of overkill so why not try something different?   French movies–with subtitles for those who don’t speak the language!  Subtitles don’t take away from the movie at all. In fact, I find that subtitles can assist in learning another language.
My bad.  I realize this is a post about French cinema but…I had to get a photo of my favorite French Netflix series in here. Dix Pour Cent.  As I eagerly await the new season  I am BEGGING you to watch the first seasons. It’s the greatest!!
For you, I’ve compiled a listing of some of my favorite French movies. Trust me, if I listed all of them, this post would turn into a novel. And I must resume writing about the weight gloss (I have a lot to say on that) and other subjects.  And Bonaparte has added his very pragmatic listing of French films that he highly recommends.  As my husband is a man of very few English language words, he leaves no descriptions.  Just films he loves that you might love.
I, on the other hand, will list some of my faves and brief descriptions.  Before I do.  Remember a few tips:  Invest in a DVD player equipped to play foreign films.  Seriously.  There’s a difference between many foreign DVD’s and ones in the States.  If you purchase an international DVD player, your life and movie-watching will be much easier.
  Many of these movies can be found online if you wish to purchase.  Many can be found for streaming on YouTube or Amazon Prime or any other streaming venues.  TV 5 Monde shows many films as well.    So here we go—some of my recommendations:
  It’s my favorite movie of all time.  ALL TIME!!
And I double-dog dare ya to not fall in love with Mathieu Kassovitz and Audrey Tautou–it is impossible. They are the most adorable couple ever!
Amelie or “Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amelie Poulain: This is my Number 1 favorite movie of all time.  Yes. ALL TIME!  THIS is what every person who thinks “Emily in Paris” is a great show should watch. They would certainly change their minds about that horrific show after viewing the first ten minutes of Amelie.   The film is delightful and a masterpiece.  Audrey Tautou stars as the lovely but shy Amelie.  A waitress in a Paris café, she feels her mission is to help others, all the while allowing love to pass her by.  She develops a crush on a young Parisien, Nino, and the rest is a wild, bittersweet, scavenger hunt.  All the characters in this movie are perfectly cast and the cinematography is outstanding.  Shot in a greenish filter, the view is almost ethereal—like a dream.  And in the end, when Amelie and Nino finally meet, I guaranty you will be crying like a baby.  Over the years I’ve seen this movie about 30 times, and the ending still get me.  I can’t stop crying.  If you want a feel good, beautifully filmed movie, sweetest story that will have you grinning from ear to ear, please make this a must-watch!
This movie has something for everyone. It’s a great “couples” movie.  It’s got some really intense trench and war scenes and the scenes between Manech and Mathilde pre-war are touching and beautiful.  Hands down, this is one great epic film!
A Very Long Engagement:  As with Amelie, this is another Jean-Pierre Jeunet film.  This has a great deal of sentimentality for me—it’s the first movie Bonaparte took me to see.  This epic drama has everything.  It’s a love story.  It’s a story about World War I.  It’s tragic and beautiful and has a large cast—but the best surprise is Jodie Foster as Elodie, the wife of a soldier and her French is perfect—she is completely bi-lingual.  Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard stars as prostitute Tina Lombardi headed for a bad fate.  It follows the story of Mathilde and Manech, two young lovers who are engaged.  Mathilde, played by Audrey Tautou, due to a bout with polio wears a leg brace but it doesn’t stop her. Manech, played by Gaspard Ulliel, is Mathilde’s fiancé headed for the trenches of war.  When word reaches Mathilde that Manech has been killed, she refuses to believe it and the film turns to her search for him.  It’s an excellent movie that you’ll want to watch on repeat!
The 400 Blows or les Quatre Cents Coups–whichever you prefer, this is one of the greatest films of all time. It’s depressing but hopeful and Antoine Doinel is one of the greatest characters ever. I recommend watching the series of his “life” into adulthood!
The 400 Blows:  This film by New Wave Film maker Francois Truffaut introduces the iconic character Antoine Doinel.  Antoine is Truffaut’s alter ego and much of the Doinel movies are based on incidents in Truffaut’s life.  The 400 Blows has its comical moments, but for the most part is somewhat sad. Doinel doesn’t get much love at home and ends up in a school for truancy.  There are five movies in the Doinel series and I highly recommend watching all of them.  It’s interesting to watch the series as Doinel goes from young teen to adulthood.  Jean-Pierre Leaud is excellent as the brooding Doinel.
I saw this for the first time back in NYC when I was 22 years old. At The Thalia theatre on the Upper West Side.  After seeing Charles Denner, I had such a serious crush on him that I daydreamed about marrying a Frenchman.  OH!  Wait!  I DID marry a Frenchman!
The Man Who Loved Women:  Another Truffaut film, this one, from 1977 was the movie that started my decades-long crush on actor Charles Denner, who plays Frenchman Bertrand Morane in his insatiable pursuit of women.  I loved it—it’s kind of sexist but who cares *French shrug*–its just a great movie!
Many of us are familiar with Jean Reno–he’s been in a lot of movies made in the USA. But..Christian Clavier is another story. He is one of the funniest actors on the face of the earth. I could devote an entire post on him alone.  His face, his emotions–he’s just so funny–and if you love time travel this is such an entertaining movie.  Warning-empty your bladder before viewing because you will laugh THAT hard!
Les Visiteurs: A hysterically funny movie, this is the first of I believe three Visiteurs movies.  It stars Jean Reno, and Christian Clavier, who wrote the screenplay with John Hughes.  It’s a time travel movie about a knight and his sidekick who, through a spell gone wrong find themselves in modern-day France.  This movie has laugh-out-loud moments and Christian Clavier happens to be one of my favorite comedic actors.  You may recognize Jean Reno from many movies made here in the States.  If you are looking for a very sophomoric movie with a ton of humor, this is it!
I’m impressed. Somewhere there’s a video game based on this movie.  But seriously folks–the suave and bumbling Jean Dujardin is great in these movies..
It was like watching The Artist all over again with these two–only with voices and far more laughs!
OSS 117 Cairo, Nest of Spies:  You will definitely recognize two of the lead stars from this movie. Oscar winner Jean Dujardin (his Oscar from The Artist) and Berenice Bejo, wife of director/writer Michel Hazanavicius.  Dujardin also starred in OSS117 Lost in Rio and next year he stars in another OSS 117 movie.   A take on James Bond films, Dujardin is perfectly cast as the suave albeit bumbling spy.  There’s a scene in this movie where he is singing a song in a restaurant and it is, hands down, one of the funniest scene’s I’ve ever viewed in my life.  It reeks of every 1960’s spy, espionage, secret-agent movie and is done so very well!  Enjoy. You’ll want more!
My favorite naughty girl!  And naughty she is!
But put the sexist behavior behind-this WAS filmed in 1956 after all, and watch it for the visuals of old St. Tropez!
And God Created Woman: This Roger Vadim film turned Bardot into a star. It’s so stinking sexist and not in a good way either.  But, it’s so worth watching because of Bardot and St. Tropez. This was filmed in 1956.  Back when St. Tropez wasn’t the St. Trop we know now.  No jet-setters.  No  yachts. It was a simple fishing village.  My husband spent his summers here and his grandmother had a home here.  The stories he tells me fills my head with wishes that St. Tropez was still a small fishing village!  Bardot is so incredibly beautiful and the dancing scene in the bar/restaurant is epic.  Filmed in black and white, it hasn’t really aged that well but I still think it is worth watching.
Gerard Jugnot is so wonderful in this–and it IS an exceptional film! It’s based on a true story and honestly-once will not be enough to watch this. I may watch it again this afternoon!
The Chorus:  Want a good cry?  Watch this movie.  Seriously.  It’s about a failed musician, Clément Mathieu, played by the wonderful Gerard Jugnot, who ends up teaching music at a boarding school for bad boys.  Well, more like boys with issues because there’s only one who is really bad.  But Mathieu starts a choir and the movie takes us on the journey.  It’s loosely based on a real-life story. This is a beautiful movie that keeps you on edge but ends up being such a feel-good film. You’re going to need a box of tissues for this one!
I know. I know. There’s a certain campiness and cheesiness about this movie–but it’s FUN!!  A great little costume dramedy and  Robin Hood frenchie style!
Cartouche:  Got kids? Got grandkids?  Got your kid-at-heart ready? This is such a barrel of swashbuckling fun—it’s impossible not to love this one.  Jean-Paul Belmondo, Claudia Cardinale and Jean Rochefort star in this most entertaining and thrilling movie! Taking place in the 18th century, it’s a kind of French-style Robin Hood movie.  It’s just so much fun.  In 1962, when this movie was made, I was seven years old. Trust me, I would have loved this movie whether or not I understood the language!
I laughed. I cried. I fell in love with Omar Sy…
It was also fun being in Paris at the premiere of this movie . I got to see my favorite French actors in the audience and Bonaparte beamed with pride at his cousin’s son’s success.  It was a nice moment and this movie is just so “feel good”!
Demain tout Commence:  Shameless plug here. This movie was written and directed by my husband’s cousin, Hugo Gelin.  And the title is actually a saying his aunt, Daniele used to say all the time—tomorrow, it begins.  This family-fare film is charming, funny and sweet.  It stars the actor with the greatest smile on earth—Omar Sy.  He’s a rather wild playboy type until one day he receives a surprise in the form of…. a baby.  Is it his daughter or not?  Anyway, the film follows his life with daughter.  It is just such a sweet, sweet movie that will have you laughing and crying at the same time—and I’m sure you will fall in love with this little movie!
How successful was this movie?  Enough so that when we visit Yves Gravesite in Montparnasse, there are buttons placed upon his grave!
Bonaparte’s brothers, Fracois and Martin.  It was so much fun to see them in the movie.  Makes me wish I had someone who would put me into a movie!!
La Guerre des Boutons:  The original. Released in 1962 and directed by Bonaparte’s uncle, Yves Robert, he and Daniele produced this and put their money in this project which was filmed largely on their estate.  My husband’s brothers Francois and Martin play two of the young boys in the movie.  It’s about a war of the buttons. The movie is about two rival teams of kids whose fun combats escalate. The buttons are cut off from clothing in this movie based on the book by Louis Pergaud, who was killed in WWI. It’s also a book and movie with strong anti-military overtones. It was remade in Ireland in the 1990’s and again in 2011 in France.  It is filmed in black and white. It may not be everyone’s choice but I think –especially in these uncertain times, it’s definitely worth watching!
This movie.  It personifies Film Noir.  It was so intense!  Louis Malle created a masterpiece with this dark thriller–and the soundtrack was pretty darn great too!
Elevator to the Gallows:  Whew.  This movie by Louis Malle will have you biting your nails. It’s such a dark thriller.  Starring Jean Moreau who is great, it’s the story of two lovers planning a murder.  And the effect of an elevator. That’s all I’m going to say.  It’s total film noir. And the soundtrack by Miles Davis adds to the darkness.  This is one movie you should not miss!
This movie.  It’s a gem that nobody seems to know about and I love it so much.  This is that movie you watch when you are a bit stressed and the visuals and the story will be so soothing for you.  I freaking LOVE this movie and the reaction from people–even my husband is “What movie are you talking about’?
Les Enfants du Marais:  Set in the very early 1900’s, after WWI. This is just one of those surprise gems.  I came across it a few years back when Netflix mailed movies to you.  There isn’t a lot of action—it’s just a slow, almost laze-like film about life in the French marshland in the Loire Valley.  It follows Riton, a sad-sack sort of guy, played by Jacques Villeret, with a wife and three really badly-behaved children.  Jacques Gamblin plays Garris, who lives alone with his memories of The Great War, and their friends, Tane a train conductor and Amedee, a complete dreamer who basically does nothing but read. Amedee is played by one of my favorite actors, Andre Dussolier.   The movie follows every day mundane life but it isn’t a boring movie. Visually it is beautiful and it’s one of those movies that you remember but can be difficult to find. Honestly, this movie deserves more love than it gets!
The French movie poster for Pardon Mon Affaire.  This movie was so stinking funny. Jean Rochefort was clearly the big star here because everything from his timing to his facial expressions were hysterically funny.   Want a great comedy?  Here you go!
Pardon Mon Affaire:  Alright.  Another shameless family plug. But I swear, this movie is so funny that you’ll thank me for recommending it. Jean Rochefort and Daniele Delorme star as a married couple.  Bonaparte’s uncle, Yves Robert who was married to his aunt, Daniele, wrote and directed the movie and Daniele starred as Jean Rochefort’s wife in the first of two movies. Daniele and Jean play a very happily married couple until one day, Jean is taken and obsessed with a young model wearing a red dress.  There’s a lot of miscommunication and comedy in this film—and Jean Rochefort on a building ledge is one scene that continues to get a ton of laughs.  In fact, this was remade in 1984 as The Woman in Red starring Gene Wilder and Kelly LeBrock.  I’ll take the French version s’il vous plait!
This is another little gem of a movie and if you can find it–you’ve found a lost treasure!
The Hairdresser’s Husband:  This was described as exotic. It was more dramatic than exotic if you ask me.  Another movie starring Jean Rochefort–I’m gonna go on record as saying he’s one of my favorite actors.  This was a quiet little movie about a man obsessed with hairdressers and he marries one. There life together seems wonderfully perfect and full of love–until one night.  It’s really kind of depressing but it’s great at the same time.  Personally, I loved it.  And think it’s worth sleuthing to find it!
One of the sweetest and charming musicals ever.  It never gets old and the music by Michel Legrand is classic.  So are the shoes that Catherine Deneuve is wearing. I want those.
 The Umbrellas of Cherbourg: Did you know that Catherine Deneuve could sing?  She can! The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a semi-operetta. There’s a lot of singing dialogue.  The story centers around Genevieve, a teenaged girl working in her mother’s umbrella shop. She’s in love with Guy, a young auto mechanic. Guy is drafted into the Algerian war.  Genevieve and Guy spend one night together.  She gets pregnant.  He’s away.  In the meantime, Roland, an older man who is in love with Genevieve wants to marry her.  He does.  The rest of the movie is love gone awry.  Guy returns and marries Madeleine.  Both Guy and Genevieve move on with their lives until a snowy night years later when Genevieve stops by the auto mechanics with a bit of auto trouble. Jacques Demy wrote and directed this movie and it’s become a classic.  It’s a great story plot but even better made as a musical.  It’s very touching and Michel Legrand’s music is incredible and well-known.  If you haven’t seen this 1964 classic, now is the time to watch it!
And those are just some of my favorite French imports. There’s an awful lot I haven’t mentioned because I want to move on and write about other subjects for now—but, this is a great narrowed-down start! Check out Bonaparte’s listing below!
FRENCH MOVIE LIST
Most of the films below are available on Netflix and/or video stores.
AMERICAN TITLE                                     FRENCH TITLE                                     
Indochine                                                        Indochine                                            Drama/History
Au Revoir les Enfants                                    Au revoir les enfants                          War Drama
My Father’s Glory (1)                                     La gloire de mon père                         Comedy/History
My Mother’s Castle (2)                                   Le château de ma mère                       Comedy/History
Pardon mon Affair                                          Un él��phant ça trompe …..                  Comedy
Métro                                                              Le métro                                             War Drama
Jean de Florette (1)                                         Jean de Florette                                  Drama/History
Manon of the Spring (2)                                 Manon des sources                             Drama/History
Cousin, Cousine                                             Cousin, cousine                                  Comedy
Camille Claudel                                              Camille Claudel                                  Drama/History
La Cage aux Folles                                         La cage aux folles                              Comedy
Ridicule                                                          Ridicule                                              Drama/History
Cyrano de Bergerac                                        Cyrano de Bergerac                            Drama/History
Amelie                                                            Amélie                                                Drama
Nikita  Woman                                               La femme Nikita                                Drama
The Tall Man with a Red Shoe                       Le grand blond à la chaussure …            Comedy
Cesar and Rosalie                                           César et Rosalie                                  Drama
Vincent, François, Paul and the others           Vincent, François, Paul et …              Comedy
Umbrellas of Cherbourg                                 Les parapluies de Cherbourg              Music hall
400 Blows*                                                     Les 400 coups                                     Drama
Beauty and the Beast*                                    La belle et la bête                               Drama/History
Partners                                                           Les ripoux                                           Comedy
French Kiss**                                                                                                             Comedy
Monsieur Ibrahim                                           Monsieur Ibrahim                               Comedy
The Barbarian Invasions (Fr Canadian)         Les invasions barbares                       Drama
The Closet                                                      Le placard                                           Comedy
Grand Illusion *                                              La grande illusion                              War Drama
Swimming Pool                                              La piscine                                           Drama
Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob                    Les folles aventures du rabin Jacob            Comedy
Story of Adele H.                                            Adèle H.                                              Drama/History
A Heart in Winter                                           Un coeur en hiver                               Drama
The Wages of Fear*                                       Le salaire de la peur                           Drama
L’Auberge Espagnol                                       (Same title)                                         Comedy
The Beat that My Heart Skipped                    (?)                                                       Drama
Elevator to the Gallows*                                Ascenseur pour l’échafaud                 Drama
Mr. Klein                                                        Monsieur Klein                                   War Drama
Rules of the Game*                                        La règle du jeu                                    Drama
Right Now                                                      A tout de suite                                    Comedy
Le Casque d’Or*                                             (Same title)                                         Drama
The Taste of Others                                        Le goût des autres                   Comedy
Touchez pas au Grisbi*                                  (Same title)                             Drama
Classe Tous Risques*                                     (Same title)                             Action
I Would Lie to You                                        (?)                                           Comedy
The Sorrow and the Pity                                 Le chagrin et la pitié               War Documentary
Jules et Jim*                                                   (Same title)                             Drama
Lacombe Lucien                                             (Same title)                             War Drama
La Chevre                                         ��             (Same title)                             Comedy
La Vie en Rose                                               (Same title)                             Drama
Delicatessen                                                   (Same title)                             Drama
Three Men and a Baby                                   3 hommes et un coufin           Comedy
The Man who Loved Women                         (?)                                           Comedy
A Very Long Engagement                             De très longues fiancailles     War Drama
Merry Christmas                                            Joyeux Noel                            War Drama
Two Days in Paris                                          2 jours à Paris                         Comedy
Paris Je T’Aime                                              (Same title)                             Comedy
The Valet                                                        Le valet                                   Comedy
Return of Martin Guerre                                 Le retour de Martin Guerre            Drama/History
Night and Fog                                                 Nuit et brouillard                    War Documentary
Green Card**                                                                                                 Comedy
All The Mornings of the World                     Tous les matins du monde            Drama/History
Caché                                                              (Same title)                             Drama
Count of Monte Cristo                                   Le comte de Monte Cristo            Drama/History
The Children of Chabannes**                        Les enfants de Chabannes      War Documentary
  The Formatting is weird because I can’t add  proper columns to this blog post. Thanks WordPress!
NOTES:
Any movie directed by François Truffaut usually is interesting, at least for the quality of dialogues, which are made in “good French”, i.e. without much slang and clearly said.
Movies made by Eric Rohmer are also in excellent French but stories tend to be very slow.
The “Style” description above is very general.  “History” can refer to true historical subjects but also simply to movies taking place in early 20th Century or before.
* : Black and White movie
** : American made movie showing an excellent description of French life an/or behavior
And there you have it!  French cinema recommendations from The Frenchman and me!
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The Danton Movie theatre in Paris.  I’ve passed this theatre thousands of times!  And there’s always a few hours of treasured cinema time to come by in here!
Shall We Attend French Cinema? Oui? Non? Oui! It’s been a while since I’ve posted.  With early holiday decorating, work, cooking a feast for Thanksgiving dinner for two, Bonaparte and me, and anticipating if we will be home for Christmas due to another possible pandemic lockdown, it’s been the continuation of WTF else can go wrong in 2020.
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Courtenay Hameister Asks: What is Objective Truth, Anyway?
First Draft Episode #227: Courtenay Hameister
Courtenay Hameister, debut author of memoir Okay Fine Whatever: The Year I Went From Being Afraid of Everything to Only Being Afraid of Most Things, and former host, co-producer and head writer of Live Wire Radio.
Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode
Books by Beverly Cleary (author of Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Beezus and Ramona, and The Mouse and the Motorcycle) and and Judy Blume (author of Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, Forever, and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing) and The Crystal Cave series by Mary Stewart were some of Courtenay’s favorites growing up
Create More, Fear Less is an organization in Portland Courtenay volunteers with that works with anxious kids
While Courtenay went to New York University, she had the chance to work with legendary comedy group The State. The State — made up of Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter, and David Wain — was formed in 1998 and had a self-titled comedy sketch show on MTV from 1992-1995. You can learn more about the history of the group in The Union of the State by Corey Stulce.
Members of The State went on to create Reno 911, which is coming back!
“The 7,000 Dollar Pyramid,” is one of The State’s sketches that Courtenay remembers Robert Ben Garant writing
Writing Movies For Fun and Profit: How We Made a Billion Dollars at the Box Office, and You Can, Too! by former State members and co-writers Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant
The Joan Didion quote Courtenay paraphrases is, “I don't know what I think until I write it down.”
Some of Courtenay’s favorite guests from her many years of hosting Live Wire include: comedian, storyteller, director and actor Mike Birbiglia, who is best known for Sleepwalk With Me, which was also a comedy special and a New York Times bestselling book, Sleepwalk with Me and Other Painfully True Stories, and his new comedy special, The New One is also going to be a book, coming out in May 20202, The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad; Carrie Brownstein, guitarist with Sleater-Kinney (who have a new CD in 2019, The Center Won’t Hold), co-creator and writer of TV show Portlandia, and author of memoir Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl; director Todd Haynes (who has directed Velvet Goldmine, Far From Heaven, and this year’s Dark Waters; Cheryl Strayed, author of Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life From Dear Sugar and memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail; and David Rakoff, humorist and author of Fraud: Essays, Don't Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, The Never- Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems
Courtenay’s friend Daniel H. Wilson wrote Robopocalypse: A Novel (which was optioned by Steven Spielberg, but after some delays has now been thrown over to Michael Bay) was the one who introduced Courtenay to his agent, Laurie Fox, who is an author in her own right, of The Lost Girls: A Novel and My Sister From the Black Lagoon: A Novel of My Life.
Jean Garnett at Little, Brown was Courtenay’s editor
Courtenay super recommends Sleepwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer (and, oh my god, would you look at that, he also has a TED talk!)
The Oprah and James Frey controversy which exploded over his memoir, A Million Little Pieces, is an inevitable reference point for a conversation about what “truth” means in the memoir category
Courtenay’s recommendation for David Carr’s memoir, Night of the Gun: A Reporter Investigates the Darkest Story of His Life. His Own, was so persuasive that I bought the audiobook that night!
I admit to being a complete comedy nerd, and having recently mightily enjoyed John Hodgman’s collection of personal essays, Medallion Status: True Stories From Secret Rooms.
Jennifer Pastiloff (author of On Being Human: A Memoir of Waking Up, Living Real, and Listening Hard) and Lidia Yuknavitch (author of memoir The Chronology of Water and Verge: Stories, out Feb. 4, 2020!) teach a class called “Writing and the Body” that incorporates yoga and writing to enrich personal stories.
Humor writer Steve Almond, author of Bad Stories: What Just Happened to Our Country? and William Stoner and the Battle For the Inner Life: Bookmarked.
Writers Samantha Irby (author of We Are Never Meeting in Real Life: Essays, Meaty: Essays and omg she has a new one coming out this year, Wow, No Thank You!) and Jenny Lawson, aka The Blogess (author of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir and Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things), were bloggers before they had books, and they indicate the kind of conversational writing style that Courtenay tends to naturally align with in her writing
Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2009 TED Talk, “Your Elusive Creative Genius”
Dan Harris, author of 10% Happier Revised Edition: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works--A True Story, and Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-to Book
Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking and her TED talk on the subject of introverts
Courtenay admires Michael Ian Black’s evolution as a writer. Especially significant to her was his honesty in the memoir Navel Gazing: True Stories of Bodies, Mostly Mine (But Also My Mom’s, Which I Know Sounds Weird). His newest book, A Better Man, tackles toxic masculinity in the form of letters to his son as he goes off to college.
I have always dreamt of being able to link to an article about Jeff Bezos’s dick pics (just kidding but here we go): this incident was wild - The National Enquirer allegedly tried to blackmail Jeff Bezos, threatening to release intimate pictures of him unless he paid up. Instead, Bezos released the pics himself and told them to screw off. It was wild. It was great.
That incident calls to mind So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson
“To Fall in Love With Anyone, Do This,” the Modern Love essay by Mandy Len Catron, references Dr. Arthur Aron’s study, which included 36 questions to generate intimacy. (And hey, look at that, Mandy has TED talks about love stories, too!)
I want to hear from you!
Have a question about writing or creativity for Sarah Enni or her guests to answer? To leave a voicemail, call (818) 533-1998.
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Every Tuesday, I speak to storytellers like Veronica Roth, author of Divergent; Linda Holmes, author and host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast; Jonny Sun, internet superstar, illustrator of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Gmorning, Gnight! and author and illustrator of Everyone’s an Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too;  Michael Dante  DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender; John August, screenwriter of Big Fish, Charlie’s Angels, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; or Rhett Miller, musician and frontman for The Old 97s. Together, we take deep dives on their careers and creative works.
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