#there are like one dozen fans of Case 63

[foxilayde]

Any interest in a Peter Roiter fic about him attending his parents wedding in 2023— thirteen months before his own birth—where he meets someone (*ahem* YOU) and things get sci-fi sexy?

#there are like one dozen fans of Case 63 #i swr2gd i feel Iike someone from the silent generation listening to radio plays in the parlor of my family home #doing embroidery while we all listen on the family Zenith #I am almost 4 thousand words into this fic and just now getting to the smut lmao #i don’t write for glory i write for the girlies who want that time travel d*ck

[papermoonloveslucy]

DESILU DOG POUND

Canine Companions on Lucycoms!

Woof!  Open the kennels and take a look at all the dogs, pups, and canine pets in the Lucyverse!

In Annabel Takes a Tour (1938), Annabel (Lucille Ball) has a Terrier named Elmer. 

In The Big Street (1942), Gloria Lyons (Lucille Ball) has a lap dog she calls Baby. Pinks (Henry Fonda) rescues Baby from being run over by a car. 

Probably one of the most famous dogs on television was Fred the dog. Little Ricky's friend Billy Palmer gave him a puppy to take home in January 1957 and he became part of the Ricardo family. Landlord Fred Mertz tells Lucy and Ricky their lease prohibits pets, but he bends the rules when Little Ricky names his puppy Fred. 

LITTLE RICKY: “I always name my pets after people I like.”

Fred the dog was played by a Cairn Terrier named was Danny. He was trained by Bob Blair and was owned by Frank Inn. Danny also played Fremont, Mr. Wilson's dog on "Dennis the Menace" (1959-63). In films, he was Snuffy in Pal Joey (1957), Muffy in Anatomy of Murder (1959), and Pepe in the final Three Stooges short Sappy Bullfighters (1959). Fred the dog would make the move to Connecticut with the Ricardos, but is not seen or mentioned during “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” episodes.  While he was the most popular, Fred was not the only dog seen on “I Love Lucy”...

At the end of “Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her” (1951), the very first episode of “I Love Lucy” filmed, a dog act makes an appearance.  An established vaudeville act, Hector and His Pals was also seen in the film Easter Parade in 1948. The dog trainer Hector, calls one of the dogs by its real name ‘Yorkie’. In the episode, the dogs are named Ann, Mary, Helen, Cynthia, Alice, and Theodore. Lucy hears the dogs’ names and thinks they are women Ricky is having an affair with - until she hears Theodore! 

In the third episode aired, Butch, Fred’s mutt (as far as we can guess) stays under the table hoping for scraps in “The Diet” (1951) and then never heard of again. Unbeknownst to the others, a starving Lucy crawls under the table with Butch to intercept any tasty morsels meant for the dog. 

Butch looks quite alarmed by the crazy lady under the table!

Sneaking into Richard Widmark’s mansion in “The Tour” (1955), Lucy hides under a bear rug - which just happens to be the favorite spot of Widmark’s St. Bernard Cap. 

In “Second Honeymoon” (1956), a lonely Lucy asks Rocky the Bloodhound if he wants to play ping pong. Randy Rocky is tempted away by a French Poodle on a stroll. 

Lassie, the most famous canine in Hollywood history, turned up on “The Desilu Revue” in 1959. The series was filmed at Desilu Studios. Lucy and Desi enlisted the participation of all the Desilu stars in their Christmas special. Lassie was first mentioned by Lucy Ricardo in “The Young Fans” (1952).

In the very first episode of “The Lucy Show” in 1962, Tiger the dog belongs to Lucy's neighbor and boyfriend Harry Connors (Dick Martin), who we will meet in episode two. A dog named Tiger was also featured on TV's “The Brady Bunch” (1969-1974). Here Tiger serves more as a plot device than pet. This is his one and only appeareance on the series. 

When “Lucy and Viv Learn Judo” (1963), the Carmichaels dogsit with Alvin, played by Hey!  The dog belong’s to Jerry’s friend Amy Schaffer. 

The final scene of the episode features a dozen dogs of various breeds, who come running at the silent sound of a dog whistle! 

In the first frame of the June 1963 “The Lucy Show” Gold Key comic book, Jerry brings home a shaggy dog which Viv mistakes for a monster!   

“Kiddie Parties Inc.” (1963) features Thunderbolt, a basset hound with more folds than an oragami swan. 

In “Lucy is Her Own Lawyer” (1964) ~ Lucy complains when Mr. Mooney’s barking sheepdog Nelson (played by Lord Nelson) keeps her up all night. He tells her to sue him, and she does. After making a mockery of the court proceedings by acting as her own attorney, she finally wins her case by cross-examining Nelson. The neighborhood canines include: 

Howard McAdams’ Pomeranian

Audrey Simmons’ Beagle 

Grandma Sutton’s Airedale

The Hamilton’s Police Dog

Nelson is the only dog to appear on screen, with voice actor Pinto Colvig providing the off-screen barks for the other dogs.

Lord Nelson (Nelson) makes his first appearance as Mr. Mooney’s dog. He will also appear in “Lucy’s Contact Lenses” and would go on to appear on “Here’s Lucy” as Bogie in “Lucy and the Bogie Affair”. From 1965 to 1967, he played Ladadog (aka Lad) on “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” and reprised the role of Nelson on “The Doris Day Show” from 1968 to 1971.  

To keep Nelson in check, dog trainer Bob Blair plays the Bailiff. 

In “Lucy and Clint Walker” (1965) Lightning, a lethargic Basset Hound, has a propensity to fall asleep, much like his master did Frank Winslow (Clint Walker) in “Lucy and the Sleeping Beauty”.  

“Lucy Meets Mickey Rooney” (1966) has Lucy playing Charlie Chaplin in an acting school recital. The sketch features a mutt befriending the Tramp for his sandwich. 

“Lucy at the Drive-In Movie” (1969) has Lucy searching through the passion pit cars for Kim and her new boyfriend. She mistakes an Afghan Hound for a long-haired woman. 

In “Lucy and the Bogie Affair” (1969) Kim and Craig bring home a stray sheepdog (played by Lord Nelson) which they call Bogie because it has the same sad look standing in the rain as Humphrey Bogart does at the end of 1942's Casablanca.  

When Bogie turns out to be a she and gives birth to a litter of puppies, the Carters must find a home for the baby Bogies. 

Lucy tries to give one of the pups to exercise guru Jack LaLanne, but only ends up taking one of Happy’s pups. Happy was LaLanne’s real-life dog appearing with him on many of his television shows.

“The Bow-Wow Boutique” (1973) has Lucy, Kim and Harry opening a dog grooming business.  Their clients include: 

Louie, a French Spaniel

Winston, a Bloodhound

Teddy, an English Bulldog

Tiger, a Yorkshire Terrier

Tinkerbell, a St. Bernard

and an un-named Daschund

LUCY THE PUP

#Lucille Ball #Dogs #Pups #Puppies #Canine #I Love Lucy #The Lucy Show #Here's Lucy #Gale Gordon #Lucie Arnaz #Desi Arnaz #Vivian Vance #William Frawley #Lassie #Desi Arnaz Jr. #Jack LaLanne #Keith Thibodeaux

[imabeautifulbutterfly]

I posted 645 times in 2022

237 posts created (37%)

408 posts reblogged (63%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@ladykatakuri

@firstofficerwiggles

@monako-jinn-stories

@ulchabhangorm

@theroguesully

I tagged 455 of my posts in 2022

Only 29% of my posts had no tags

#star wars - 127 posts

#echo - 113 posts

#upside down - 91 posts

#din djarin - 87 posts

#tbb hunter - 83 posts

#tbb - 82 posts

#tbb crosshair - 78 posts

#bad batch crosshair - 68 posts

#bad batch tech - 67 posts

#captain rex - 64 posts

Longest Tag: 66 characters

#then in that same sentence im like what the hell were you thinking

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Late - Part Two

Summary: Dr. Myrica and Bond find themselves in another tricky situation

A/N: Hello Lovelies,

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week and will be having a splendid weekend coming up. This was written, when a very lovely mutual @valeriegreyy​ asked for a sequel. I am happy to provide it. I hope it’s everything you wished for. 

Thank you to the lovely @mrskenobi19​ and @firstofficerwiggles​ for being beta readers.

Love oo

Warnings: Innuendo, unwanted flirting, dead bodies (slight description: slit throat, gunshot), canon-typical violence, fluff, kissing, angst, I think that’s all of it, if I missed any warnings please let me know.

Thank you all for always letting me know how much you love these stories. I hope you all have an amazing day and a wonderful weekend.

Feel free to drop some love, a comment and/or a reblog, it’s always appreciated.  If you would like to be tagged on any future Bond fic, Star Wars fic, or any future writings, let me know.   Love oo.

AO3 Link   |   Words: 6,012   |   Part One

DC Characters Master List   |   Main Master List

“Dr. Myrica?”

“Yes” I looked up from my laptop to see my assistant standing there holding a vase of flowers. I hid the smirk that was threatening to break through, it had to be James, he was out on assignment, but he said he’d be home soon.

“You have a delivery” he advised with a cheeky grin on his lips as he stepped closer to my desk, the flowers were gorgeous, there were a dozen yellow tulips my favourite, sprinkled throughout with anemone and forsythia, both indicating anticipation. I couldn’t hold back my smile anymore, clearly this was classic James.

“Who are they from?” Like I even had to ask.

“Richard, Richard Ingwa. Here’s the card” Davis handed me the little white card, I did my best to hide the shock on my face, the smile falling away. I guess James wasn’t going to be home as soon as I thought, ‘Can’t wait for our evening together,’ ugh, now my tulips were tainted by this man. 

“Why is this man sending me flowers?”

“Maybe he thinks you’ll like them”

“Maybe he thinks he’ll get into my pants”

“Want me to send them back?” 

I looked from the card to Davis, shaking my head ‘no,’ “No, let’s not. Seeing as how he’s supposed to be here for our meeting in an hour. Why do we have to put up with that man? I mean honestly can’t we get a contract with another physicist? Someone who doesn’t make my skin crawl?”

“I just don’t understand why you hate him so much, he’s charming” Davis smirked, “handsome, and the way he fills out those pants, lord of mercy” Davis fanned himself. 

“Then you date him, I am quite happy with my man, thank you”

“You know if you put the two …”

“Stop!” I held up my hand, “I don’t … no!”

“I’m just saying”

“Please don’t ruin James with the ideas of Richard being anywhere near him”

“Speaking of James” Davis leaned against my desk, “where is the man?”

“Business trip”

“He works for a bank right?”

See the full post

51 notes - Posted February 4, 2022

#4

Knight for a Day

SUMMARY: James takes Izzy on a Knight and Princess day, when everything falls apart.

A/N: Hello Lovelies,

Oh man, I know this is a bit of a delay, but I really wanted to take my time to do this part justice, I just love the idea of James with a daughter, so I really wanted to show case that bond (no pun intended, hehehe). I hope you guys love it. 

Love oo

Bold - Comm conversations 

Warnings: Fluff, angst, kidnapping, drugged, violence against a child (nothing explicit), canon-typical violence, explosions, buried alive, crawling through rubble, deaths, mentions of blood, kissing, I think that’s it, if I miss any please let me know.

FINALLY HOME (PART ONE)

AO3 Link   |   DC Characters Master List   |   Main Master List

“You don’t have to do this you know” 

James turned to look at you, there were many things that he knew he’d never be able to do for you; he’d never be able to give you a normal life, well not at first, but he’s been working on it, doing his best to try to be a normal civilian, but some things were just hard to shake. However, the last thing he’d ever want is for Isabella, his princess, to ever feel she couldn’t have what she wanted. He couldn’t help smiling at you, as he closed the distance, he was wearing his tailored suit that he usually wore when he was on assignment. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you in closer, “I know I don’t have to, I want to” he nudged your nose with his. 

“I know, and I love you all the more for doing it. However, I also know you’ve been in a lot of pain lately, and I don’t want you to overdo it. She’ll be a little disappointed but …”

“Love” he gave you that tone, the one that told you there was no point in arguing.

“Alright, fine. I guess I’ll just have to make sure that I have a hot bath waiting for you when you get back” you teased.

He pulled you in closer, as his lips grazed yours, “As long as you join me,” you mumbled an agreement against his lips as he deepened the kiss. 

“Dad, I’m ready!” came Izzy’s voice from the front entrance. 

You both couldn’t help breaking out into a little chuckle at knowing your daughter was ready for her outing; it was a shock to the both of you when one day, she called James, dad, he was completely taken aback at that statement. In fact both of you were completely taken aback, but the way Izzy clung to James since he came into her life, had surprised the both of you, and truly in her eyes, he was her dad, plain and simple, just like Richard was her dad. “Guess that’s my cue” James stated as he looked into your eyes, “we’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Alright, I expect you both back, in one piece please.”

“You have my word, ma’am”

“Mmhmm”

James watched as you headed out to your daughter, he couldn’t believe where his life had led him to; not only had he been blessed enough to find someone who would not only love him for who he was and put up with all his nonsense, but he also gained a daughter he absolutely loved with every fibre of his being. 

He always did his best to try to not let his nightmares, his aches and pains, his dark moods at times, affect you and Izzy. You both needed to be protected even from him, yet somehow you always knew when he was having a dark day. They were becoming less frequent, but you wouldn't hesitate to ask Richard to take Izzy for the day or have her spend time with her uncle Q, allowing you to take care of him, helping him with his own trauma. That was something he never expected, but appreciated immensely, how you always took care of him. It was only right to show how much he loved you, but making sure he did everything in his power to take care of the both of you. Honestly, he never thought he would've been able to love anyone, much less two people as much as he loved the both of you. 

He took a moment to look himself in the mirror, this was the most important day for him and for Izzy, this was a day he was hoping would live on in her memory, in both your memories. He rechecked to make sure he had Izzy’s present in his pocket, made sure he was looking his best in his three piece dark blue suit that you loved so much on him, he cleared his throat pushing away the nerves that were fluttering as to what he was hoping would be a memorable day for everyone. He was adjusting his tie, when his phone buzzed. He looked at the text.

‘Your driver will be arriving in five minutes’

A smirk appeared on James' face, he couldn’t wait to see the expression on Izzy’s face when she saw what he had pulled off for her. He headed out of your shared bedroom, making his way downstairs. When he got to the front door, he didn't find either of you, he wasn’t even sure where you had taken Izzy, but that’s okay, this would work out perfectly. He stepped outside, waiting by the curb as the horse drawn carriage pulled up. The man driving was decked out in complete regalia as per James' request. 

“Thank you for coming”

“Of course, Mr. Bond, so I understand this is a special trip, you planned?”

“Yes …” James couldn’t help the smile that appeared on his lips, “my daughter and I planned a princess and knight day, so I am her knight.”

“Well in that case, good Sir, I have provided some hot chocolate, a blanket, and a variety of snacks.” The man motioned towards the basket that rested on the floor, “Now you hadn’t mention if either of you had any allergies, so I tried to keep it as neutral as possible, there are apple slices, grapes, some chocolates, shortbread cookies, but I am always happy to stop somewhere along the way and pick up something that would be high end, for the princess and her knight” the driver gave James a kind smile, yet there was something about him that made James uneasy. 

He brushed the thought aside, chalking it up to just a lifetime of always being on guard. “Thank you, that is very kind of you. Now I just have to go and make sure the princess is ready.”

See the full post

52 notes - Posted March 18, 2022

#3

Payback - Part 1

Summary: Benoit x F!Reader (with name) take on a new case

A/N: Hello Lovelies,

This is my first attempt at a Benoit Blanc fic, it’s a three part series, I hope you guys like it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. @mrskenobi19 and @firstofficerwiggles​ Thank you for being my beta reader, you’re just lovely. Tell me what you guys think, I know it’s not a Bond fic, but it is Daniel Craig adjacent, lol. Don’t worry this is another Bond fic coming, it’s all typed up and ready for you guys. This is a special thank you for the 175 followers!!! 

Love oo.

Warnings: Unwanted flirting, awkward flirting, murder, attempted murder, poisoning, police action, kidnapping, threats, slight description of physical illness, medical procedures, drowning implied, grief, shock, I think that’s it, if I miss any warnings please let me know.

Feel free to drop some love, a comment and/or a reblog, it’s always appreciated.  If you would like to be tagged on any future Bond fic, Star Wars fic, or any future writings, let me know.   Love oo.

WORDS: 8,382 - Sorry first part got away from me, hehehehe.

PART TWO   |   PART THREE

AO3 Link   |   DC Characters Master List   |   Main Master List

“Mr. Blanc, your next appointment will be here shortly,” I looked to the man who sat behind the desk, taking a moment to admire his form. Not only was he a handsome older southern gentleman, but the man knew how to wear a suit, he was wearing his glasses, his ‘old man glasses’ as I called them, which always earned me a chuckle. His dress shirt sleeves were rolled up, and who could forget his suspenders that matched his socks and shoes. I loved that look of his, of course I’d never admit that to him, same way I would never admit how I’d fallen in love with him since the moment he walked into my life.

“You have worked with me for how long now, Emi?” He looked up at me from the newspaper he was reading, his blue eyes piercing into mine.

“Six years, Monsieur Blanc,” I couldn’t help teasing him, as a smirk appeared on my lips.

Blanc couldn’t help but admire you, there was always something so special about the way you looked into his eyes. He always did his best to remain as professional as possible, especially when you agreed to be his assistant after he had your previous employers arrested for fraud. 

He still remembers the day, when the police left with them in handcuffs, he found you sitting on the steps of the office. Your tears were streaming down your cheeks, upon seeing your dejected face, his heart began to break. You had no idea what they had been doing, but when you found out your conscience plagued you, telling you that you were the one to blame for being so naïve. When he helped you to realize it wasn’t your fault, you were resolved to make it right, to help all those who had been affected by your employers, intent on returning all the money to the clients they had defrauded, and see what could be done to appease the others. 

He stayed by your side for months helping you sort it all out, and when you had done all you could, you were left unemployed, penniless, and with a ruined reputation. That’s when a protective feeling began to appear deep within his core, it was small at first, his first concern was to make sure he could help you out, even if it was in the smallest way possible. He told himself it was just until you got back on your feet, until you found another job. At least, by helping you he would feel he had eased his own conscience, you were as much a casualty of your employers’ actions as any of their clients. 

Six years later, you were still by his side and he wouldn’t have it any other way, you’d become an integral part, not just to his investigative process but also to his life. 

“Well, Mademoiselle Emi, will there ever be a time you’ll call me by my first name?”

“Possibly, but that’s for me to know, and for you to find out,” I teased him, there was a subtle grin on his face. Despite the 10 year age difference, we got along like two peas in a pod. When he offered me the job, I was sure he was just taking pity on me. I was also certain that as soon as my six-month contract with him was up, he would have been excited to get rid of me, but after our first two cases together, I realized there was no job I would ever want to do, unless it was working with Benoit, and after three months, I was prepared to convince him to let me stay. I had rehearsed my speech at least a thousand times, but when I finally had the courage to talk to him, he beat me to it and told me that I could stay as long as I want.

“You’ll have to actually allow me an opportunity to figure that out,” Blanc teased back. This had also been part of their relationship, it had started completely by accident the flirty nature between the two, but it soon became one of his favourite things about the relationship you two had.

“Unfortunately, not right now. As I stated, your next client will be here shortly.” I grabbed my iPad looking at the details, for the next client.

“Do I want to take this person on?”

I shrugged, “His story is quite an interesting one, you did say that when he first contacted us a week ago.”

“Remind me.”

“James Hammond, single, 40-year-old male, has been receiving threats of a deathly nature for the past few weeks. At first he thought it was nonsense, some sort of joke or prank, but when he nearly died after having his brake line cut, and then when he found shattered glass found in the food that had been delivered, he started to take the threats more seriously.”

“Yes, I remember, did he say why he waited so long to see me?”

“He said he needed to finalize a business deal first, which took place out of the country. He arrived back Stateside yesterday, today was the soonest he’d be able to see you.”

“Hmmm”

“Mmhmm” I heard the front door to the office open, “that should be him, I’ll bring him back.”

“One second” Benoit stood from his seat as he rolled down his sleeves, if I happened to linger my gaze a little longer than necessary, who was to know? I watched as his hands shifted to straighten his tie, before putting on his suit jacket. Good lord, that man knew how to fill out a suit. “You know a picture lasts longer.”

See the full post

54 notes - Posted January 7, 2022

#2

DANIEL CRAIG CHARACTERS MASTER LIST

AO3 LINKS

BOND, JAMES BOND 

Finally Home   |   Knight for a Day

Wake Up

Late   |   Part 2

Saying Goodbye

Lighter   |   Part 2   |   Part 3   |   Part 4   |   Part 5   |   Part 6

 BENOIT BLANC

Payback   |   Part 2   |   Part 3  

AO3 Link   |   DC Characters Master List   |   Main Master List

87 notes - Posted January 8, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

The Betrayal

Summary: The war ended but now you have deal with a trauma you weren’t expecting. (Wolffe x reader)

A/N: Hello Lovelies

This came to me after learning a sad news about a friend of a friend. It’s never easy dealing with betrayal. Quick pause, I just want to clarify Wolffe is not the betrayer, here. Okay, continuing on, I wrote this with a specific person in mind, so it might be a little character heavy. If this has happened to you, I am truly sorry, and I hope this story brings you some comfort. Just know that after the pain, starts the healing and eventually each day gets better.

Thank you @firstofficerwiggles for being my beta reader, you’re awesome bestie!

Italics - flashback

Warnings: Pain, grief, mentions of drinking, marital betrayal, violence (mild), fluff, angst, I think that’s all of it, if I miss any please let me know.

AO3 Link   |   Words: 5,801  | 

One Shot Master List |   Main Master List  

You just had to get through tonight, that’s it, just get through the next few hours of celebrating the end of the war, and then you could go home and cry your eyes out. Just keep up the happy face. Smile, nod, joke, repeat.

I should have known something was up, the way they pulled away from me, the way they kept coming up with excuses to spend time anywhere but with me, however I didn’t want to believe it, how could I? How could I believe that my husband, the one I dedicated myself to, the one I loved unconditionally would have turned his back on me.

Was I not enough? Not pretty enough? Not adventurous enough? Was it something about my skin? My eyes? Maybe it was my hair? Maybe I wasn’t funny enough? Not kind enough?

“Hey” I turned to look at Sinker, his face was full of concern, “you okay?”

“Yeah” I gave him my best fake smile, “why wouldn’t I be?”

“You sure?” Sinker looked as though he didn’t fully believe me, but took my nod as an answer and focused back on the table. We were all drinking, all laughing, joking, but I wasn’t really listening.

“Anyone want a refill?” I asked, to the table, a few of the guys raised their hands, I nodded, taking their order and headed to the bar. I motioned to the droid behind the bar, gave our order as quickly as possible, I was focused on my hands remembering what just happened hours ago, when we landed.

“Honey, I’m home” I noticed his shoes by the door, I couldn’t help the smile that graced my lips. Thinking I’d never have to leave his side again, I was home and this was it. We could start our lives.

“Did you hear?” I asked as I left my bag by the door, it still felt weird, even after all these years calling his place, our place, especially since oftentimes I was on the Triumphant with the 104th. I walked further into the apartment. “Turns out Chancellor Palpatine was behind the whole thing” I continued talking, despite the nagging feeling in the back of my head, “Fox apparently found out evidence, and turned it into the Jedi, isn’t that great! All our plans …” my voice caught in my throat at the scene that was before, it took me a minute to understand the motions I was seeing belonged to my spouse and his co-worker.

They just sat there looking at me, “Babe …” silence permeated every inch of the apartment, suffocating me, choking me, “you’re home sooner than I thought?”

“How … how …” were the only words that came out, as tears began to prick my eyes. He got up from the bed, donning a pair of pants, he walked towards me, I took a step back. Until my eyes locked on their co-worker’s, I don’t know what came over me I lunged for his coworker, ready to scratch out their eyes, I’m not sure who screamed, whether it was them, him, or me, all I know is he grabbed me by the waist dragging me away from the bedroom, closing the door behind us. I turned to face him, my fists pounding on his chest, tears streaming down my face, “How could you! Why? WHY!”

“I’m sorry!” Is all he said, as he held me, trying to prevent me from hurting him.

“WHY!?”

“Really!” He finally stated, as he pushed me onto the chair in the living room.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re never here! When you are, it’s for two weeks, maybe a month and then you’re off again, with your boys”

“What!”

“Come on, you care more about those clones than about me!”

See the full post

153 notes - Posted March 3, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review

[man-kills-everything]

21 and 63 for ask game

21 - If your life was about to become like Cheaper By The Dozen and You Were Saddled With 12 Children, What Would You Name Your 6 Girls and 6 Boys?

Boys

Trent (had to)

Jason

Jonathan

Anton

David

Paul

Girls

Shiloh

Victoria

Robyn

Sara

Zooey

Ellie

63 - Share 7 Facts About Your Childhood

1 - I have ptsosis which means I was born with one eyelid closed and had to have surgery as a toddler to get my eyelid raised. I had to wear eyepatches to train my effected eye for quite a while

2 - My first trip to the cinema was to see Rugrats Go Wild (aka Rugrats Meet The Wild Thornberrys)

3 - I live a town or two away from one of England's few mass shooting cases. Not a pleasant fact but still a fairly interesting one due to the rarity

4 - I have lived in my family home for my entire life and partly own the house

5 - I used to be a fairly big speedway fan and met several of my local teams riders a number of times

6 -  My ultimate goal in life ever since I was a child is to write a feature film script

7 - A more funny one is that when I saw the Smashing Pumpkins Today music video, I never knew that was James Iha in the dress at the start and sorta had a crush for a while. It wasn't until I became a teenager and finally looked into the band and the video that I realised. The power of androgyny and childhood innocence I suppose

Thanks for asking 🙂

[go-redgirl]

Ellen DeGeneres Loses 1 Million Viewers After Apologies for Toxic Workplace

When Ellen DeGeneres returned from a summer hiatus to open the 18th season of her daytime talk show in September, she came armed with an apology. “I learned that things happen here that never should have happened,” she said. “I take that very seriously. And I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected.” Those remarks came in the wake of reports of workplace misconduct at “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

Viewers tuned in for the apology: This year’s season opener had the highest ratings for an “Ellen” premiere in four years. And then they tuned out. “Ellen” has lost more than a million viewers since September, according to the research firm Nielsen, averaging 1.5 million viewers over the last six months, down from 2.6 million in the same period last year.

The decline has come at a time when workplace behavior, in Hollywood and elsewhere, has come under intense scrutiny against a backdrop of protest and social change. It is a startling setback for one of daytime television’s most successful franchises and for Ms. DeGeneres, who was at the forefront of an earlier cultural shift when, as the star of a prime-time network sitcom in the 1990s, she announced that she is gay.

The show’s loss of more than a million viewers translates to a 43 percent decline, representing a steeper drop than any of its competitors. This TV season, “Ellen,” the winner of dozens of Emmys since its start in 2003, is no longer in the same league as traditional rivals like “Dr. Phil” (3.1 million) and “Live: With Kelly and Ryan” (2.7 million). Now it finds itself uncomfortably close to shows hosted by Maury Povich (1.4 million), Kelly Clarkson (1.3 million), Rachael Ray (1.2 million), Tamron Hall (1.1 million) and Jerry Springer’s former security guard Steve Wilkos (1.1 million).

The loss of viewers includes a 38 percent decline in her core audience, adult women under 54, according to Nielsen. And it appears to have put a dent in the show’s ad revenue. From September to January of the 2019-20 season, “Ellen” brought in $131 million from advertisers, according to the research firm Kantar. That has fallen to $105 million for the same period in 2020-21, a drop of about 20 percent.

Ms. DeGeneres, 63, has publicly mused on the possibility of leaving the show in recent years, and the spotlight on her workplace troubles has added to the questions about her future. Her talk-show contract runs through next year. Warner Bros., the division of AT&T’s WarnerMedia that produces “Ellen,” confirmed that the show would return for a 19th season in September, after her usual summer hiatus. A spokeswoman for Ms. DeGeneres declined to comment when asked if the 2021-22 television season would be her last.

“‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ remains one of the top three highest-rated syndicated talk shows this season,” David McGuire, an executive vice president of programming at Telepictures, a Warner Bros. subsidiary, said in a statement. He suggested other reasons for the decline, like changing viewing habits during the pandemic.

“While broadcast is down across the board and Covid has been challenging for production, we are looking forward to bringing back our live audiences and a 19th season filled with all of the hilarious and heartwarming moments that have made ‘Ellen’ one of the longest running and most successful talk shows in history,” he added.

Whether or not the next season of “Ellen” is its last, WarnerMedia and Ms. DeGeneres are together for the long haul. In 2019, the company made a deal with her to produce four programs for its HBO Max streaming platform, including a home-design challenge series; a dating show; an animated show, “Little Ellen”; and a documentary series on inventors made in conjunction with the Albert Einstein estate. (In another deal, she recently signed a multiyear pact with Discovery to produce natural history documentaries and series.)

Public perception of Ms. DeGeneres started to change in July when BuzzFeed reported that several of the show’s former and current staff members said they had confronted “racism, fear and intimidation” on the set. Several staff members also said producers had sexually harassed them. Warner Bros. investigated the workplace and found “deficiencies.” Three high-level producers were fired, including Ed Glavin, an executive producer; Jonathan Norman, a co-executive producer; and Kevin Leman, the head writer. Ms. DeGeneres apologized to her staff before addressing her viewers in September.

Some observers believe the accusations may have weakened Ms. DeGeneres’s relationship with her audience. The host built her show as an oasis from the outside world, a place of goofy dancing, light jokes, cash giveaways to surprised audience members and high-wattage celebrity guests. Several years ago, she adopted “be kind” as her motto, in response to the suicide of Tyler Clementi, a gay college student who took his own life after being bullied.

“Her brand is not just being fairly nice — it is ‘Be Kind,’” said Stephen Galloway, the dean of Chapman University’s Dodge College of film and media arts. “She’s chosen two words to stamp herself. You cannot have hypocrisy better defined than when you’ve chosen those two words to define yourself and everyone is seeing the opposite is true inside your show.

“The reason the incident with the producers was such a difficult and perilous moment is it’s the first time where something surfaced to indicate that a family — Ellen’s own professional family — was dysfunctional,” he continued.

Ms. DeGeneres referred to her motto in her on-air apology. “Being known as the Be Kind Lady is a tricky position to be in,” she said. “So let me give you some advice. If anyone is thinking of changing their title or giving yourself a nickname, do not go with the Be Kind Lady.” She added that she was indeed the cheerful person she appeared to be on television, but was also someone who experienced moments of sadness, anxiety and impatience.

In addition to her daytime show, Ms. DeGeneres is also a prime-time star for NBC — and her show for that network, “Ellen’s Game of Games,” also a Warner production, has lost 32 percent of its viewers this season, as well as 35 percent in the adult demographic important to advertisers.

Even with the complications affecting all talk shows during the pandemic, “Ellen,” with its loss of 43 percent of its audience, has suffered a steeper decline than its rivals. “Dr. Phil” is down 22 percent, and “The Kelly Clarkson” show has lost 26 percent of its viewers. Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest’s show has just lost 3 percent, and “Tamron Hall” is down 9 percent.

Ms. DeGeneres beat the odds to make her show a success. There is a television graveyard filled with the comics, actors, anchors and reality stars who have taken a crack at syndicated talk shows only to be yanked off the air because of low ratings. And when “Ellen” premiered, she also had to overcome the hesitancy of affiliate managers who thought an openly gay person could not connect with the women who make up most of the daytime audience. Her quick wit and approachable manner earned her millions of fans and ultimately a plum late-afternoon slot in most markets. As recently as a few years ago, the show was drawing roughly three million viewers an episode.

As Ms. DeGeneres fights through a loss in popularity, she has turned to celebrity friends to help her make the case that there is not much difference between the on-camera Ellen and the real Ellen. When Michelle Obama was a virtual guest last week, she spoke warmly about the time she went to Ms. DeGeneres’s house and they played a piano duet together. A video clip of the pair at the piano was shown.

Another recent guest, Jennifer Garner, also appearing remotely, raced to her hotel room balcony at the host’s request to tell passers-by how much she adored Ms. DeGeneres. “I love her!” Ms. Garner shouted. “She’s kind! She’s a humanitarian! She loves animals!”

By John Koblin

The post Ellen DeGeneres Loses 1 Million Viewers After Apologies for Toxic Workplace appeared first on New York Times.

[ritacaroline]

Starshine                              Ch. 62       Jimmy Page     Fan Fiction

The next day, the band was busy with sound checks and a light rehearsal for the evening concert. Jill had been with Clare in the pool, relaxing and having a drink.

Once done, she returned upstairs. When Jill entered her room, she was very startled to see someone in one of the chairs, with their back to Jill. Leaning far backwards in the chair, long dark hair hanging down. Jill stopped dead in the doorway, wondering if she possibly had the wrong room. But the key had easily opened the door.  A voice spoke out loudly, a woman’s voice,… “Is that you Jimmy, my darling ?”

Jill : Excuse me ? You must be in the wrong room, miss.

Woman : No, I don’t think so. I’m here for Jimmy. Jimmy Page. He’s my boyfriend.

Jill : Is he really ? I wasn’t aware.

Woman : Well, we’ve had sex plenty of times when he was here on other tours, and he told me he’d be back to see me again one day. So - I’m simply holding him to his word.

She put her hand out, as she lowered her chair to the floor. A very attractive and sexy lady. Long beautiful hair.

Woman : I’m Leeza. And I assume you’re Jill ?

Jill : (shaking her hand,) How would you know that ? 

Leeza : Because these flowers here on the table were addressed to you, originally. But as you can see, I’ve crossed out the name, Jill and replaced it with my name. Here, look, …see,  I wrote “For Leeza, (not Jill.) Love of my life. Most spectacular woman on earth. What a great year we’ve had. I love you, eternally, Jimmy" 

Jill observed the tremendous vase on the desk there, containing at least three dozen glorious red roses. Accentuated by other types of white flowers and greens, and leaves. Jill realized it had been just about a year now, since the day she and Jim had met. It was at Jill’s work at New York General Medical.  She was thinking now, Jimmy was so incredibly sensitive, to have remembered the day that they met. And to go to the trouble to get her flowers, yet, for the occasion. And to do so while they were on tour, here in Germany.  She was also completely freaked out by this intruder to their room.

 But Jill had been accosted in the past, by other women on tour, who either lusted after Jimmy, or were in the process of trying to snatch him away from her. This case was a bit different, because this one claimed to be an old girlfriend. Which stung a little. But Jill could let it go, because she knew Jimmy loved her, and she herself had had other lovers, boyfriends in her past, as well. Can’t be jealous of what’s happened in someone’s past life before they knew us. If it was going to be real, then they’d still be together now.

 So Jill realized she may be in danger here, and began backing out of the doorway. As she was walking steadily backwards, she heard voices approaching the room, “Hi Sweetheart, why are you walking backwards ?”

It was Jimmy and Percy. Jill let the door swing closed in front of her. Jimmy had his arms opened to her, and she stepped into them. He was kissing her mouth and petting her hair. She spoke quickly, “Jim, there’s an intruder in our room, but maybe you know her. She’s an old lover of yours, she says. Leeza. ”

Jim : Oh my God, yeah, I know her, from years past. Pushy woman, never could handle taking no for an answer, even when I insisted it was over. Here, let me go in and handle this. I’m sorry, my Jill. That you had to deal with this. So sorry, my love. 

And he pulled her into his arms and kissed her, like he meant it. He held the back of her head and whispered a few words of passion against her ear for a moment. 

Percy : Let me join you in there, in case it gets ugly.

Jill stood outside in the hallway, out of the way but could pretty much hear all that was being said in there. Jimmy had opened the door, stepped in and Percy closely followed. Leeza gasped in delight and leapt out of her chair at the sight of Jimmy. She ran to him, nearly knocking him down in her attempt to grab him. She had her arms around him and her mouth all over his face, as he and Percy tried pulling her off. 

Jimmy : Alright, alright, let go. Calm down, easy now.

Leeza : Jimmy ! My love ! Finally, you came back for me ! I knew you’d be back. I knew you loved me.

Jim : Leeza, how did you get in here ? You know I’m not here to see you. It was over between us a very long time ago. I made that clear to you, years ago. You can’t just sneak into my room and shock people. And, oh no ? What did you do with this card ?  (Jimmy said quietly, on the side to Percy - “Call security mate.”)

Leeza was hanging onto Jimmy like he was a playground climb set. Kept kissing him, and grabbing him. Hands and arms all over him. She ignored all that he had said as if it didn’t even happen. Obviously delusional.

Leeza : Oh Jimmy ! I’m so thrilled you’re back. Let’s go get dinner then come back here and make love like we used to do. We had so many fun times, didn’t we ?

Jim : I can’t understand where your mind is at, girl. But it’s over. And you need to move on. For one thing, I’m engaged. And you can’t just break into a person’s room like this.

Within a few minutes, security arrived and gently carried and escorted Leeza out of the building. It was kind of sad. Jill felt a jolt to her heart - feeling that she hoped that that wouldn’t be happening to herself, in a couple of years.

Jimmy got on the phone to the hotel manager, and had quite a word with him, regarding how Leeza may have gained entry to his room. He learned that she had manipulated her way around the desk clerk at reception. Considering she had remembered a code name Jimmy had used for himself years ago, that he still used on occasion with hotels. Jimmy received heavy apologies from management for the mess up. And he was forced to change his code name at once. The hotel immediately sent up four gorgeous bottles of champagne on ice as an apology.  Along with crystal stemware, and a dozen plates of various hors doeuvres. Jimmy was a little shaken still, and Jill was lightly troubled but trying to stay calm. She didn’t enjoy confronting another woman claiming she was Jimmy’s lover. 

Jill was a bit unhinged about this happening. Jim tried to comfort her, saying these type of incidents happen sometimes and she need not be upset. He held her lovingly on his lap and hugged her and cuddled her. He was telling her that the woman wasn’t his love ever, and that she practically had forced herself on him years ago, and he just let it happen. Mostly because, he said he was so fucking lonely and really needed some warmth. But he was not looking for forgiveness of any type. He was single then. And free. Completely uncommitted, available to do as he liked. And he wasn’t attempting to claim he didn’t enjoy it nor that he didn’t deserve to.

Jim : Angel, don’t let it make you feel awkward, please.  Everyone has a past. It happened. And I was never in love with her. You’re my true love.

Jill : I can’t say that I don’t feel awkward. But you’d probably feel this way too, I think. If we encountered one of my lovers from the past.

Jim : I guarantee that would be true. I would be beside myself. With jealousy.

Jill just lay quietly in his arms, letting him kiss her and caress her for a very long time. She told him that she loved the flowers, even though Leeza had scratched her name off of the card and changed it.  Jimmy smiled, thrilled to hear that she loved the flowers.

Suddenly, Linda was at the opened door, asking if everything was alright ?

Jim : yes, Linda, fine now. But, c’mon in, sweet. We have champagne and a few snacks, so join us.

She came right in with a smile and she immediately changed the room’s atmosphere from awkwardness to lightness. The mood of close friends, enjoying a holiday of sorts. Percy cracked open the champagne and began serving glasses. Soon Clare and John Paul were there as well.

Jimmy gently lifted Jill from his lap excused himself. He stepped over to the desk and crumpled up the old card from the flowers. Tossed it into the fire. It was gone in a moment. He grabbed some hotel stationary and began to write something on it. When done, he kissed the bottom of the note and folded it into an envelope, then handed it to Jill. He sat again and softly directed her into his lap again, hands on her thighs. 

She opened the note, which read, 

“For Jill, you’re the one and only love of my life. I found the Garden of Eden when I met you. This has been the most happy and rich year of my life, thanks to you. All my love, forever, Jimmy.

___________________________________________________

Next chap. 63 : https://ritacaroline.tumblr.com/post/189365348851/starshine-ch-63-jimmy-page 

Chapter Index for “Starshine” is located at bottom section of Ch.1 ,  click here :

https://ritacaroline.tumblr.com/post/184383708541/starshine-ch-1-jimmy

Link to “In The Light” - original fan fic -https://ritacaroline.tumblr.com/post/173286165501/in-the-light-jimmy-page-fan-fiction

JimJam Mistresses :      @tremble-and-shake @ledoftherings @gimmeeshelter @adonna1964 @justanotherzosofangirl @starchild0985 @girlofthemoon75 @bonscottintheimpala @12909168 @jjullz @cherryfloyd @tenementcrazylittlefruitcake @save-me-from-the-gallows-pole @soy-laprincessa @marauderofworlds @ultrabitchystudentperfectionus @satanspizzadeliveryguy @misspenylane @zi-zidane @catherine0627 @strangerspassinginthestreet @ thezeppelinbeatles @pour-some-sugar-on-mee @carryfire18 @j-james-thlk @70shoney​ @page-daddy @nadianad1337 @yerawizardjimmeh @jimmyypagey @magnetacuddles84 @rock6880 @ledxzeppelin @kinkyspice @thelandofnevermore @my-golden-lion @itsblackbetty @luvejimmy  @how-many-more-times-blog @loveinher-eyess @rocknrollababes-blog @princesssofpeace @frauweide @miniaturewinnerwonderland @http-jinx @wanna-be-groupie @where-the-hot-springs-blow @basementmermaid @crying-over-rock-legends @cherrrywitch @scarletrossetti @sixpackonthefrontseat @miamorjimmypage @jimmypageismylife @pennylane1968 @jlmmypage

*Please advise if you would like to be tagged or untagged

#Fan Fiction #submission #jimmy page fan fic #jimmy page fanfiction #jimmy page fan fiction led zeppelin

[signutai]

63 for stinger/max? they’re so cute

Stinger’s never understood the idea that a comfortable love is a lesser love. The repeated, defeated reassurances that one day the passion will be gone, that the bright fire that once was will be nothing but ash and memories and obligation, makes absolutely no sense to him.Maybe it’s because he’s a farm boy at heart and the strange customs of city folk still confuse him sometimes, but as he lays in bed and watches Max sleep, he can’t imagine ever loving him less. Not even when he’s snoring like a buzzsaw and cocooned in all the blankets, including the emergency auxiliary one Stinger put aside just in case the others were stolen.He’s almost angelic in the single, hazy stripe of early-morning light shining into the room, his face peaceful in sleep and his hair a messy golden halo on the pillow. He’s beautiful and perfect and sounds like there’s a train going straight through the house.Stinger smiles and slips quietly out of bed.Shower. Coffee. Breakfast. The routine is familiar and stable, but not dull. Max joins him, in time, fresh out of his own shower, ready to go, and smelling pleasantly of soap and hairspray and just a hint of cologne over the ever-present tang of gunpowder that clings to his clothes and shoes and hands. Stinger lowers his mug to let him wind his arms around his neck, and turns his head to give his sleep-clumsy lips easier access to his cheek. The press of his body is a comfort; the warmth of his breath is balm to his soul. He offers him a sip of his coffee over his shoulder, and the appreciative hum he gets, he decides, is adequate payment for draining half the mug.Then Max departs to lay claim to his own coffee--like clockwork, he passes Stinger a fresh cup and his pills--and settles down with it, a protein shake, and the rest of the eggs in the pan, to work on the crossword in the morning paper.They make small talk as they eat--”Where are you headed today?” “The farmer’s market hired me and a couple other guys to keep the peace during the big sale.” “Ooh, that means--” “Yep, I’ll get a cut of anything they don’t sell when they close.” “You’ll have to tell me about your haul later. We can do a big dinner.” “Mm, I was thinking the same thing.” “You know, it’s been a while since we’ve patrolled together.” “It has, hasn’t it. I’m free Wednesday after lunch, if you want me to--” “You don’t need to ask, hun. You’re always welcome.” “It’s a date, then.” and the way Max looks up and just glows when Stinger titters at him makes his breath catch--before he has to get ready for the day in earnest. He leaves his dishes in the sink, Max, not raising his eyes from the paper, offers him his temple for a kiss, and then he pads back into the bathroom to get into uniform.Max is gone by the time he’s done, leaving clean dishes, an empty coffee pot, and a mostly-finished crossword in his wake. Stinger sits down, taps the pen against his teeth, and fills in the rest; Max recycles another his his playful insults when he texts him a picture of the completed thing, and Stinger laughs in the quiet of the kitchen.With the sun on the rise, he heads out to prepare his spear for the day and make his commute into the city.He greets some fans, pals around with a couple of his fellow Class-As during the market, apprehends a few petty thieves, is pulled away--leaving sale day in the capable hands of the sweet, nervous guy with the big gun whose name he never actually learned--to handle a bank robbery, and tops it all off with a grueling battle against a very large and very annoying and infuriatingly durable shark monster. By the time he gets home, laden down with the spoils of his victory, courtesy of a few dozen extremely thankful farmers, and much less drenched in seawater and guts than the sweet, nervous guy with the big gun whose name he knows now, the sun has started to set and he’s so tired it’s all he can do to dump his haul on the counter and slither his way to the couch.Max is dozing in front of the television and halfway through the original Justice Man movie, but still, when he feels Stinger heave himself onto the couch, scoots himself to the edge of the cushion and lets him wiggle in behind him. Stinger wraps him up in his arms, drinking in the heat of his wonderfully solid body, and, anticipating him, Max cranes his head to the side to let him drop his face into the join of his neck and shoulder. He peppers him with little kisses until he sighs contentedly and leans back, neatly molding himself against Stinger like their bodies were made to fit together.They stay there, for a while, basking in each other and speaking a million silent I love yous into the warm and familiar air, and Stinger could never ask for anything more perfect.

#OPM #One Punch Man #Stinger #Lightning Max #drabble #long post #abbaccha

[nostalgiaultrame]

A relative unknown at the time, Jon Hopkins emerged as an artist in his own right on his fourth full-length release with an album that broke down the significant wall dividing electronic/techno music from a mainstream audience. It feels difficult to comprehend the impression that Immunity left upon me when I first heard it back in the summer of 2013. That impact exists now as a collection of thoughts and emotions, linked to experiences from a personally tumultuous year. It became my long player of the year; not only my favourite release but the one that got the most consistent play as the months went on and winter approached. Despite dozens of other albums competing for my attention, Immunity continued to linger in the mind. I know I’m not alone in regard to that impact. Immunity is an album whose reputation precedes it, now even more so than it did during that long summer. At the time, you might’ve checked it out because a friend of a friend was singing its praises, or you’d glance over someone’s shoulder on the tube in morning rush hour to see them listening to it (my wandering eye spotted this on several occasions). Or better yet, how its slow-burner status was confirmed once it bagged a Mercury Music Prize nomination and the predictable spike in sales solidified a burgeoning love for an album that already had the formations of a stone cold contemporary classic. Immunity bulldozed virtually every other album released in 2013 in its ability to straddle that revered space where artistic vision and commercial success amalgamate without even so much as a whiff of compromise. That it resonated as much as it did was mostly a surprise, not least of all to Hopkins; it appeared seemingly out of nowhere and only built on its success as time went on. I can think of perhaps no other electronic release this decade that has achieved the same success without intentionally playing to the kind of audience the label might market it to. (Grimes’ Visions has arguably a more enduring legacy than Immunity, but not even the most hardcore Claire Boucher fan can say the superb Art Angels wasn’t conceived as more accessible in response to Visions’ breakthrough success.) Compare some of the other releases of 2013 with Immunity and it’s easy to see how it stands alone as a sort of outlier, hallmarked within strict perimeters of Hopkins’ fascination with sound design, a technique he employs throughout every track that can only be described as a ‘sensory overload.’ There are most likely two caveats when it comes to finding a worthy 2013 release to compare to Immunity’s reputation. In my experience (cross-referencing to jog my memory of a specific time, place and even an album’s cultural clout in 2013), all came up short. Firstly, there are those that no doubt matched the artistry of Hopkins’ larger than life ambitions, yet quite understandably, were too obtuse to make ripples beyond the pool of those within esoteric earshot (Amygdala, R Plus Seven, Tomorrow’s Harvest). Secondly, there are those albums that felt borne of the weight of commercial expectation and succeeded, managing to deliver healthy sales, news features and, by 2018, reverence as cult albums amongst a select group of devout diehards (The Bones Of What You Believe, Random Access Memories and, most notably, Settle). All of these releases were big news in some way in 2013, the final three managing to achieve particular acclaim for crossing over genres and blurring the distinction between indie, rock, dance and synth-pop. What can we learn from Immunity by comparing it with these other albums and Hopkins’ ability to communicate beyond the usual artist/audience relationship? Was it all pure luck? Usually a couple of the hits from Settle or Random Access Memories will find their way onto most people’s Spotify playlists; a Latch here or a Get Lucky there. It might be less common for those listeners to know the albums back to front, and almost certainly not in the case of R Plus Seven. Even Immunity falls into that trap, yet there are a number of clues as to its enduring appeal and why such a relatively large audience connected with an hour-long electronic album almost devoid of vocals. Hopkins is a classically-trained pianist and his piano playing comes to the fore on numerous tracks on Immunity, the most arresting of which is Abandon Window. Technically the album’s showstopper, it takes a heartbreaking piano motif to its core and fuses it with the sound of distant erupting fireworks in its second half. It’s difficult to know what kind of emotional reaction we’re meant to take from Abandon Window, but maybe that’s the whole point? We can take what we want from an album that is more concerned with pushing the boundaries on sound content, leaving us to focus purely on our emotional response. The lack of vocals throughout the majority of the album feel in part responsible for creating this strong reaction in a large number of listeners. Devoid of that most instantaneous and human of responses to popular music, the listener is forced to have an internal reaction over an external one. We cannot sing along to Immunity; we may nod and hum or tap our feet, but its cerebral and hypnotic rhythms reflect a desire to solve one of its most common themes; the harmony that arises from the discord of its rhythmic melodies and archaic stop-start programming. Within it evolves a kind of beauty out of madness. It’s like solving a mathematical problem in our heads and slowly making sense of its garbled information overload, problems that become more familiar as we learn how to trapeze through Hopkins’ den of mystery and intrigue. Hopkins is fascinated with the pure essence of sound and how it can be manipulated. Immunity was recorded over a nine month period in his east London studio and the confident, jagged instrumentation of most of the album’s ‘upbeat’ tracks reflect not only a remarkable tactility but pure joy in the power of creation. Second track Open Eye Signal is arguably Hopkins’ most popular and enduring song. It captures perfectly the album’s technique of sustained delay and release, accruing tension ever so slowly with each passing wave of noise until it become so strong that everything building up behind it cascades forward, tumbling down in a glorious, shimmering mess of glitchy, fragmented distortion. Its melodies are distinct and minuscule, yet our brains are wired to group them together into larger blocks that click together like a Jenga tower. Working better as a motif, they function like small shards of glass reflecting light at an infinite number of angles, repeating and recurring with emphasis placed at key points to drive forth a particular mood or feeling. Hopkins manages to sew them together so intricately and so beautifully that they work just as well as modern pop music. It’s impossible to listen to Open Eye Signal (or its sister track Collider) without thinking about Hopkins’ intentions in the same way one might feel Kubrick or Scorsese lurking in their mind whilst watching Barry Lyndon or Taxi Driver; the director’s vision is so apparent that it affects every frame, even more so at intervals where a pinnacle thought or idea begins to crest. Immunity’s position as a landmark album this decade is thrown into even starker contrast when we consider its successor, Singularity. Released a few weeks ago, the weight of expectation surrounding Singularity was intense, so much so that it landed within the top ten of the official UK album charts (Immunity peaked at 63). Reaction has been strong with critical accolades aplenty (no doubt a Mercury Prize nomination will follow), yet Singularity feels like more of a shuffle than a stride forward. It’s a product of the reactionary effect of Immunity’s surprise word-of-mouth success. To be fair to Hopkins, Singularity contains many moments of awe, it’s just that they feel indebted to Immunity’s jackpot-hitting formula. As with Grimes, how could it not be? Immunity felt like it had the power to change your life, but no one’s life was changed more so by its success than Hopkins’. Even the titles have an uncanny similar...ity, along with the artwork, and the fact that the first half contains the heavier techno numbers before giving way to more ambient soundscapes. Over time we must come to view both albums as separate works and allow Singularity the distinction of its own merit. Would we be satisfied with anything less than what Hopkins has bestowed upon us? Would we be happier if Hopkins had taken an entirely left turn? Most of us have been waiting patiently for a follow-up to Immunity that captures that same lightning in a bottle, so it feels particularly unfair to criticise him for continuing its sound. His style is one that is hard to pick faults with and Hopkins has stated that Singularity actually contains many studio advancements. Whether you can spot them or even care doesn’t matter. We know that lightning never strikes twice in the same spot and if Singularity feels mildly underwhelming, it stems from the relationship I’ve built with Immunity over the years. Had Immunity never existed, Singularity could be taken of its own accord and we would be freer to make up our own minds about all the same things we did five years ago, but since it is indebted to its predecessor in style and content, we can never know what that might feel like. It will be interesting to see how time continues to shape Immunity and its reputation as a landmark electronic release. Singularity has thrown that into sharp relief this year. If we can deduce anything at this early stage, it’s that the sound Hopkins has carved out across these two albums hints at a bigger picture, something that could be blown wide apart on his next release, and that is definitely an exciting idea to mull over whilst we wait for the next chapter of his journey.

#jon hopkins #immunity #singularity #open eye signal #disclosure #daft punk #dj koze #oneohtrix point never #martin scorsese #stanley kubrick #techno #electronic #music #chvrches #grimes #visions #art angels

[xcvfgt]

A girl in grey on a dying horse

“A girl in grey on a dying horse. The Englishman's 63 goals in the 1927 28 season helped the Toffees win the league championship. I should be with them … but no, I had to have a whore. The latest planes from companies such as bottines cloutees femme Boeing Co and Airbus Group SE which cost tens of billions of dollars to develop will meet the new emissions standards. The new rules didn't have a positive spin for all the previous champions in the field. Stifled by the blockade, Gaza produces very little on its own, and poverty and unemployment Mens JORDAN Hoodie have soared. You want to make sure no air can leak through any of the brass fittings.. I have a clear conscience before my God, which is my greatest comfort and support through all my troubles and afflictions. When first she left home she had lived for a time with Alyosha in a very nice flat, small, but pretty and convenient, on the third storey of a house in Liteyny. 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To me.” The direwolf shook the snow from his back and trotted to Jon’s side. And as the arctic grows warmer at a rapid rate, cold snaps like the one sweeping half the country will become more frequent. Those two in furs were Hornfoot men, as savage as they were scrawny, barefoot even in the snow. But if he wants them to remove things, how will I know?". Achilles stretch. Three more turned up yesterday at the gates, a dozen the day before. Hong Kong's property developers are scaling down, way down, for younger, middle class buyers, offering micro sized upscale apartments with eye popping price tags. “She was making for Braavos, but a gale swept her into the Bite and she smashed up against some of my rocks. That's pretty cool.'". The Trustees then went over the latest Press Ganey Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) in patient survey for the Sept. Too well, I fear. 238The process was carried on during that stormy and convulsed period of society which succeeded the breaking up of the Roman empire. The only caveat is that you will have to lower settings depending on the game. I think I get why, that is an amazing looking toy. I went to look. He could have gone to Boston or Chicago if he needed a stronger school in Neuroscience. At her forecastle stood a grotesque figurehead, some worm-eaten wooden eminence with a constipated look and a scroll tucked up under one arm. It could not be for a moment supposed that such men as Judge Ruffin, or many of the gentlemen who figure in the debates alluded to, would ever think of availing themselves of the savage permissions of such a law. Stamattina centinaia di manifestanti la maggior parte polo raflorene dei quali provenienti dalla piazza della Nazione, cuore della protesta anti Compaor avevano preso d anche la sede dello Stato maggiore delle forze armate burkinab chiedendo le dimissioni del suo capo, il generale Honor Nabere Traor considerato troppo vicino al presidente . I was on the spot then, I flattered her again. O that she had once spoken! What said the Presbyterian Church? She said nothing, and the thanks of political leaders were accorded to her. The damage does not appear to have been caused by a gun. The board threw an error every time I tried to boot with OC Genie enabled. Combined with industry leading origination and servicing platforms and capital market solutions, this turnkey package of products and services has enabled the company to achieve this significant milestone.. These sleeve bearing fans have been designed with silence in mind, with a maximum speed of 1300RPM.. 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[bigyack-com]

The Week in Business: Coronavirus Sends Markets Into a Panic

I coughed on the subway the other day and almost caused a stampede. Which is a fitting metaphor for the stock market this past week, except that the stampede really happened. Given the extraordinary circumstances, we’re dedicating most of today’s newsletter to the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak so far, along with the usual top stories in business and tech for the week ahead. Stay safe, everyone. — Charlotte CowlesImage

Credit...Giacomo Bagnara

What’s Up? (March 1-7)

Coronavirus Hits HomeAs new coronavirus cases fanned across the United States, the Federal Reserve announced a surprise interest rate cut in a sudden attempt to curb the economic fallout. It’s the first emergency cut (and the biggest) that the Fed has made since the 2008 financial crisis. Jerome H. Powell, the Fed chair, said that he was ready to take further action to bolster the economy if the markets kept nose-diving, and investors are expecting another cut later this month. But rates are already so low that the central bank is running out of room to slash them if things get worse. And the real problem is, fiscal policy cannot do much if factories are closed, workers are quarantined and consumers are scared to leave their homes.The Buck Doesn’t Stop ThereContainment costs money, and Congress rushed to pass an $8.3 billion bipartisan spending bill to fight the virus on Thursday. The funds will be used to expand health care access to the elderly, who are dying at a higher rate from the illness, and to help provide medical supplies for state and local health agencies — like testing kits, which are still disturbingly scarce. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has yet to make them widely available in all areas, and they can take days to process. It is also unclear how affordable they will be for people without health insurance.Businesses Hunker DownMany industries will feel the squeeze as the coronavirus disrupts trade routes, production and consumer spending around the globe. But some are already hurting more than others — particularly airlines. An aviation trade group said the virus could wipe out $63 billion to $113 billion in worldwide airline revenue this year. One company that certainly did not need another hit was Boeing, which was already a disaster before the outbreak, although its new chief executive is promising to overhaul the company’s problematic culture.Image

Credit...Giacomo Bagnara

What’s Next? (March 8-14)

Bloomberg’s Out, but His Billions Are NotMike Bloomberg may have dropped out of the Democratic presidential race, but his multimillion-dollar campaign operation isn’t just packing up and going home. Instead, the billionaire businessman is morphing his well-funded team into an anti-Trump machine focused on six battleground states, and redirecting his money to back Democrats across the board — including congressional candidates and former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who now holds a narrow lead in delegates over Senator Bernie Sanders. (As Mr. Biden’s comeback solidified, Wall Street donors rallied around him, too.) Mr. Bloomberg is also continuing to throw money at his vast digital ad agency, which aims to outpace and out-target Mr. Trump’s.Taking Tech Companies to TaskLegally, tech companies are pretty much unaccountable for photos that are traded on their platforms, even when sharing those images — particularly those depicting child sexual abuse — is a crime. But that could soon change. A new bipartisan bill, introduced on Thursday, could take the step of removing legal protections for tech companies that fail to police online child sexual abuse material, commonly referred to as child pornography. Despite strong support in Congress, the legislation faces criticism from tech companies, which say its requirements are too broad and incompatible with their encryption services.More Scandal in Car CountryThe former president of the United Automobile Workers union has been indicted on charges he embezzled money and misused it for exactly what you would expect — golf outings, cigars and fancy dinners. The criminal filing is part of a larger investigation into the troubled organization, which has already seen more than a dozen officials ensnared in the corruption inquiry stretching back over a decade. (One man used funds that were designated for a union training program to buy a Ferrari.) A federal prosecutor argued that the latest findings could justify a federal takeover of the union, although its new president insists that he is cleaning things up.

What Else?

Jamie Dimon, the longtime chairman and chief executive of JPMorgan Chase, had emergency heart surgery on Thursday. A memo sent to employees said that the procedure was successful and that the bank would be run by two senior executives while he is recovering. And Facebook — which normally takes a strictly hands-off approach to political content — removed a series of ads financed by Mr. Trump’s re-election campaign that featured misleading information about the 2020 census. Ready to really get out of here? You can still buy two seats on a trip to the International Space Station. They cost $55 million each.Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here. Read the full article

#1augustnews #247news #5g570newspaper #660closings #702news #8paradesouth #911fox #abc90seconds #adamuzialkodaily #atoactivitystatement #atobenchmarks #atocodes #atocontact #atoportal #atoportaltaxreturn #attnews #bbnews #bbcnews #bbcpresenters #bigcrossword #bigmoney #bigwxiaomi #bloomberg8001zürich #bmbargainsnews #business #business0balancetransfer #business0062 #business0062conestoga #business02 #business0450pastpapers

[immedtech]

The tech you need to stay warm this winter

The holiday season is creeping up on us, and baby, it's cold outside. Sometimes it's cold inside too, and the chill spreading throughout your body can really kill your holiday buzz. Instead of chugging eggnog or doing 50 jumping jacks to generate body heat, why not get an electric blanket and snuggle up? You can never have too many gadgets, right? Right?!

Whether you live in your own house or in a shared apartment, temperature control can be tricky -- not everyone has the same tolerance for the cold. Thankfully, you'll find plenty of options to keep you nice and toasty even if your roommate insists on keeping the temperature set at arctic levels. Or if it's the middle of winter and your building still hasn't turned your radiators on. (New York City problems.)

Keeping warm indoors

But first, here are some options for those who live alone. Obviously, the best way to keep warm when you're at home is by adjusting your thermostat or cranking up the heater. Yes, we know you know this, but stay with us: There are ways to make all this a little easier. If you're able to install a thermostat (i.e., you own your place or don't have a strict landlord), we recommend the Nest Thermostat E. It's the industry favorite, and for good reason. The physical controller is easy to use and set up, and the Nest app lets you set your home's temperature remotely. You can also create schedules to turn off the heat when you don't need it, which can ultimately save you money. Apple fans might consider the Ecobee 3 Lite, which plays nice with Siri.

If you're unable (or don't want) to install a thermostat, you can still have home-temperature control in the form of standalone heaters. Depending on your budget, you could opt for something as high end as the Dyson Pure Cryptomic air-purifying heater. It blows hot air all around your room while also removing allergens, pollutants and formaldehyde, which can cause irritation. If you don't have $750 to spend on Dyson's device, consider a WiFi infrared heater like the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX ($146) that will still give you smartphone control over the device. You can also go even cheaper and pick one of dozens of space heaters available, including this one from Bayka ($40). Just don't expect to be able to get super precise temperature control or be able to heat up a room before you get there.

Pro tip: If you get a dumb space heater (or dumb anything on this list), you can use a smart plug to easily add remote controls, schedule setting and, in some cases, voice-assistant integration. There are plenty of options available, and they generally cost less than $30. Make sure you look for ones that don't need a hub -- like the Belkin WeMo ($22), SmartThings smart plug ($17) and TP-Link products. Amazon's own Smart Plug ($25) works with the Alexa phone app, so you don't need a separate speaker to ask the assistant to turn your heater on.

Buy Heat Storm infrared on Amazon -- $146

Buy Bayka heater on Amazon -- $40

Buy WeMo smart plug on Amazon -- $25

Buy SmartThings plug on Amazon -- $17

Buy Amazon smart plug -- $25

If cold feet are of particular concern, consider floor heating. You can get an under-rug warmer for extra comfort for your feet like the $220 Woo Warmer. And since hot air rises, this has the added benefit of making your entire space a little warmer.

But if you live with other people who prefer colder environments, they might not appreciate you cranking up the heat in common spaces. You can still keep yourself warm and cozy in these areas by getting a heated blanket. There are plenty of options available, including this $40 microplush throw in a variety of cute patterns. Spend a little more money and you could find a bigger heated blanket like Biddeford's ($63) that can cover your queen-size bed (or your giant sectional).

Buy Woo Warmer on Amazon -- $220

Buy Biddeford heated microplush -- $40

Buy Biddeford heated blanket on Amazon -- $63

That said, if your problem is feeling cold in bed, you'll be better off with an electric mattress pad or connected mattresses from a company like Eight Sleep or Sleep Number. These will let you adjust the temperature of your side of the bed so you and your partner don't get mad at each other when you get too hot or cold in the middle of the night.

For something a little more mobile, bundle yourself up in an electric shawl. Bed Bath and Beyond sells a heated wrap for $25, and you can find a cute poncho-like scarf for $47 on Amazon. Whatever you decide to get, it's a good idea to find something machine washable.

One more place it can get uncomfortably cold is the bathroom. Unless you're taking a hot shower, taking a trip to the toilet can be chilly. Make the whole experience a little easier on yourself (and your tushy) by investing in a heated toilet-seat cover. Toto is the industry leader when it comes to bidet add-ons, and its Washlet series is a little pricey, starting around $248. Kohler has a slightly cheaper option with its PureWarmth heated toilet seat ($187), but that doesn't include bidet functionality. These are definitely only a purchase if cold bums are a real problem in your household or you're feeling like splurging.

Buy Therapedic Warm Me Up -- $25

Buy Beautyrest Sherpa on Amazon -- $47

Buy Toto Washlet on Amazon -- $248

Buy Kohler heated seat on Amazon -- $187

Venturing outside

Leaving your warm, comfy home can be a real drag in the winter, especially if you have to rely on public transit. But the holiday season means parties with loved ones that you can't miss. Make the trek a little more bearable by bundling up in the hottest wearables. If you're lucky enough to be able to snag a Pizza Parka, that thing will keep you super toasty even in the middle of a bitter snowstorm. But Pizza Hut never mass-produced the jacket, so you'll most likely have to find other options.

Keep your torso warm with a selection of Under Armour's infrared sweaters or jackets, featuring a thermo-conductive inner layer that better retains your body heat. Or consider Levi's smart Sherpa Trucker jackets, which are great for crisp fall and prewinter weather. The touch-sensitive fibers on the cuff make use of Google's technology, allowing you to control music playback or have Assistant read out messages without you to have to reach for your phone. That's a blessing for when you're frozen and rushing to get home. And yes, you can use thermal underwear, but get a high-tech upgrade via ThermalCore's infrared heated clothing, which has a base layer series with heated pads stuck in strategically located pockets to spread warmth throughout your body. Columbia also has an Omni-Heat series of electric clothes that are designed to defend you against the cold.

It's not only your core that needs protection but also often our extremities that are the most susceptible to the chill. Keep your fingers and toes toasty with heated socks, insoles and gloves (like the ones from Columbia's Omni-Heat series). Those who frequently suffer from cold feet will appreciate Digitsole's products. At around $220, they're quite steep, but at least you're not limited to a particular style of footwear, since you can place them in whatever shoes you want to wear that day.

If your fingers don't get cold enough to warrant shelling out for battery-powered gloves, it's still a good idea to consider touchscreen-friendly options. That way, you won't have to expose your fingers just to dismiss a call or reminder on the go. Most major brands offer such options, like the North Face Etip gloves ($45), Gap smartphone gloves ($15) or Polo Ralph Lauren Touch gloves ($40), so you just have to look for something that fits your style and needs. Our friends at Wirecutter recommend the Black Diamond HeavyWeight ScreenTap and the Moshi Digits ($30), as they offer the best combination of keeping your fingers warm while offering enough flexibility to type on your phone.

Buy Digitsole Warm series -- $220

Buy Etip gloves -- $45

Buy Gap smartphone gloves -- $15

Buy Polo Touch gloves -- $40

Buy BlackDiamond gloves on Amazon -- $45

Buy Moshi Digits -- $30

The 2019 Engadget holiday gift guide

The best gifts for the home

The best audio gifts, from headphones to DJ gear

The media streamers and soundbars to buy this holiday season

The movies and books we'd give as gifts

The best smartphones, tablets and smartwatches to give as gifts

The best gifts and games for console gamers

PC and mobile accessories that'll make great gifts

The best laptops and 2-in-1s to give as gifts

Subscriptions and gift cards that make great last-minute gifts

The best gifts for PC gamers, from laptops to GPUs

The best cameras, accessories and bags to give as gifts

The best fitness gadgets for the athlete on your list

The best tech toys and STEM kits

- Repost from: engadget Post

#ITlive #engadget #The tech you need to stay warm this winter

[dippedanddripped]

Secondhand clothes are the rage right now. Many young people, especially those millennials who do not want to own anything of value, like to acquire secondhand designer clothes at substantial savings.

In the past, physical stores that sold secondhand merchandise were often tied into nonprofits and other charitable organizations. More recently, we see resale shops all over the internet as well. And now, as I have reported, Macy’s and J.C.Penney also will have secondhand clothes for sale.

Then, there’s the new, fast growing concept of rental and subscription sales. It started in a big way with Rent the Runway apparel, now being followed by Bloomingdale’s new LINI department offerings and Urban Outfitters’ Nuuly service—both are similar monthly subscription services of clothes worn by others that have been refurbished to look like new and offered for rent for a limited time. (Or if you love it, you can buy it and own it forever). Similarly, Neiman Marcus bought Fashionphile this April; it sells vintage accessories and handbags.

How big is this resale market?

Global Data PLC believes that the resale market for apparel was around $24 billion last year. There seems to be plenty of opportunity for this business to grow. Last week, the Wall Street Journal credited the Boston Consulting Group for stating that by 2030 the GDP per capita will rise about 2% in developed countries and 4% In developing countries. If these estimates are right, and we do not change our consumption habits, the world will collectively buy 63% more clothing – from 62 million to 102 million units. The article even points out that you can pick up an entire new wardrobe at some airports and purchase a tailored suit from a vending machine in Tokyo. That should keep the secondhand shelves very full.

But are the secondhand designer clothes really real?

That is a hard question, and I have asked several experts. Of course, the quality of a garment can be a giveaway as to whether it is authentic. While some designer copies are really quite acceptable and good looking, they may still infringe on the designer’s ability to sell their creations. I have been advised that one should look at the stitching, brand of zippers used, buttons, and maybe serial codes that identify some garments and products to ensure their authenticity. (There was a Gucci handbag that was around $225,000; it had a serial number that distinguished it.)

Many designers take steps to protect their property. Balenciaga sneakers have four stripes on their heel to assure buyers and fans that the shoes are real. Hermes handbags have a heat stamp inside the bag that is either in gold or silver, depending on the hardware on the bag. (But there are always a few ‘exceptions;’ the 2004 had a black heat stamp despite the silver hardware.) Certainly, there are date codes, service tags, and some holograms that protect designer bags. Louis Vuitton fully supports the need to share responsibilities along the value chain. They feel that everyone should conduct their business with due diligence to protect consumers from the harm of fake products. Since 2003, Louis Vuitton has pioneered a fight against counterfeiting targeting “intermediaries” such as landlords, courier companies, and others. It has been very effective in certain counterfeiting hotspots such as New York’s Canal Street.

The Louis Vuitton Intellectual Property Department manages over 18,000 intellectual property rights including trademarks, designs, and copyrights with support of 250 agents around the world. Thanks to this dedicated team of lawyers and former law-enforcement professionals, based in Paris with offices around the world, thousands of anti-counterfeiting raids are performed each year. In 2017, as a result of their actions, 6,000 litigious websites were shut down and more than 120,000 auctions were terminated.

Business of Fashion’s Chavie Lieber interviewed Renée Richardson Gosline of MIT’s School of Management. Gosline, who has studied the counterfeit industry, said that, “brands should be looking at all opportunities and touchpoints beyond the functionality of a product to stand out. Louis Vuitton handbags are the most counterfeited item in the world, but the real products are still in high demand because the customer experience cannot be replicated by counterfeiters.”

Bottom line, there is a large market for secondhand products, but a buyer must be aware. In case you are looking, there are dozens of sites on the internet that sell secondhand clothes and accessories. And, I see that handbags and athletic shoes are very much in demand. Many are consignment stores, which take high-priced designer merchandise in the hope that someone will love it, buy it and allow them to make a hefty commission.

Some sites do take steps to only sell legitimate merchandise. The RealReal (a business that went public in June) is very open that they inspect merchandise. They guarantee the sale. LXRand Co., who sells beautiful vintage handbags, state that they “they will not sell or buy reproductions. Some of these sites now have brick-and-mortar stores, too. (For instance, The RealReal has 3 units.)

I am sharing some secondhand/resale sites below. Consignment sites that I could identify are marked with a “C.”

#second hand clothes #thrifting #streetwear blog #fashion blog #counterfeit fashion #knockoffs

[eucatastrophe--x]

I was tagged by @laetiindisguise and I am apparently having a Writing Break (TM) tonight so here we go :)

rules; answer these 85 statements and tag 20 people

THE LAST

1. drink: hot blackcurrant 2. phone call: one of my favourite clients 3. text message: if we’re talking strictly a text message then the same client, but my last message of any kind was @brionyjae being appalled at the fact that my colleagues do not have the same healthy appreciation for Inception that we do 4. song you listened to: Easy by Lionel Richie (I have it on the brain atm and have just worked out how to loop videos on youtube which is...more than a little mortifying but a great discovery all the same) 5. time you cried: about three weeks ago 6. dated someone twice: if you count pathetic 13-14 year old “relationships” as “dating” (lollll) then sure, but otherwise no 7. kissed someone and regretted it: yes (the same guy twice because clearly I’m a slow learner) and it meant I had to make a pretty major decision but I’m reasonably confident I made the right call 8. been cheated on: emotionally yes, physically not that I’m aware of 9. lost someone special: yes and if we’re talking about life-changing moments then that was probably the single biggest of my life (and not just bc of the death itself) 10. been depressed: hoo boy, don’t even get me started 11. gotten drunk and thrown up: nnnnyes but not for a very long time 

THREE FAVOURITE COLOURS

12. blue 13. yellow 14. green

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU

15. made new friends: depends on the point at which an acquaintance becomes a friend (including internet acquaintances to friends) I think 16. fallen out of love: no 17. laughed until you cried: a few times 18. found out someone was talking about you: ahh yeah probably, but I don’t recall a specific occasion (most likely to be my boss so nothing Dramatic) 19. met someone who changed you: I don’t think so 20. found out who your friends are: I knew already 21. kissed someone on your Facebook list: every day :P GENERAL

22. how many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: I think there are only a couple who I haven’t met in person but I talk to them more than most of the people I do know in person so I feel like they don’t really count :P 23. do you have any pets: no D: 24. do you want to change your name: not currently although I’m not fond of my surname 25. what did you do for your last birthday: saw Wonder Woman and then had a meltdown and went to bed at 5.30pm (I am such a well-rounded and mentally stable person)

26. what time did you wake up: today? My alarm went off at 6.30 but I’m not sure you could fairly say that I “woke up” then 27. what were you doing at midnight last night: sleeeeeeeping 28. name something you can’t wait for: going to bed, the weekend (yes I am aware it’s only Monday), HOLIDAY IN 24 DAYS HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT. Also visiting family this weekend and hopefully seeing some very very little lambs! 29. when was the last time you saw your mom: about two months ago but I’ll see her this weekend :) 31. what are you listening to right now: why are you asking me this again?! Same song as before :P

32. have you ever talked to a person named tom: of course 33. something that is getting on your nerves: not having enough to do at work which means I can’t concentrate on the stuff I actually do have to do and just end up reading fic on my phone... which is enjoyable but not really helping my case for a salary increase at the end of the month! 34. most visited website: tumblr and AO3 35. hair colour: sort of a dark blonde/a little bit copper in the right light

36. long or short hair: longggg 37. do you have a crush on someone: I think we’re a little bit past the crush stage but sure

38. what do you like about yourself:  ummmm. I have very long eyelashes? I’m not much of a fan of my personality so best stay away from that one ha 39. piercings: ears x2 40. blood type: O+ 41. nickname: Steph, Stephy (although use of this is limited to approximately half a dozen people, half of whom are related to me by blood) 42. relationship status: can’t think of a witty way to put this so let’s just go with LTR

43. zodiac: cancer 44. pronouns: she/her

45. favourite tv show: Castle 46. tattoos: none - I think about getting one periodically but I don’t know what or where it would go 47. right or left handed: right 48. surgery: depends what counts as surgery? Let’s just go with 5x general anaesthetics and leave it there 50. sport: rugby, rowing 51. vacation: I do not appreciate how ambiguous these questions (and they aren’t even really questions) are! Favourite to date would probably be Sydney in Jan 2016, followed by London when I was a teenager (although I was too incoherent with exhaustion to enjoy it as much as I should have), but I think both will be eclipsed by my trip in September :) 52. pair of trainers: white Keds (they make my feet look so small!)

MORE GENERAL

53. eating: had pumpkin and spinach lasagne for dinner and a falafel kebab for lunch 54. drinking: hot blackcurrant (still) 55. I’m about to: theoretically, try and fill some gaps in the next chapter of How The Other Half Summers bc I want to try and post it in the next week or two 56. waiting for: bedtime, the weekend, holidays, etc 57. want: this repetition is getting a little out of hand :P 58. get married: yeah, I’m a sucker for that unfortunately 59. career: apparently objectively I’m considered a “professional” (christ) but I still have no idea what I want to do long term...

WHICH IS BETTER?

60. hugs or kisses: both 61. lips or eyes: eyes 62. shorter or taller: taller (always!) 63. older or younger: doesn’t matter 64. nice arms or nice stomach: mm probably arms (although now I’m trying to decide if I like Seb’s arms or stomach more and am having quite a lot of difficulty) 65. hookup or relationship: relationship

HAVE YOU EVER:

67. kissed a stranger: my first kiss! 68. drank hard liquor: actually no 69. lost glasses/contact lenses: I don’t wear either 70. turned someone down: yes 71. sex on the first date: no 73. had your heart broken: not in a romantic sense 74. been arrested: no 75. cried when someone died: buckets 76. fallen for a friend: yes

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

77. yourself: no 78. miracles: I suppose 79. love at first sight: no 80. santa claus: no 81. kiss on the first date: definitely 82. angels: not really?

OTHER

84. eye colour: blue 85. favourite movie: depends on the mood! Wonder Woman is quite high up the all-time list to be quite honest :D

Okay, I’m tagging @wirkmood @brionyjae @biblionerd07 and anyone else who is equally bored and wants to do this :)

#tag games #about me

[newstfionline]

Saturday, June 5, 2021

Global food prices (Bloomberg) Global food prices extended their rally to the highest in almost a decade, heightening concerns over bulging grocery bills as economies struggle to exit the Covid-19 crisis. A United Nations gauge of world food costs climbed for a 12th straight month in May, its longest stretch in a decade. Higher food costs can accelerate broader inflation, complicating central banks efforts to provide more stimulus. Drought in key Brazilian growing regions is crippling crops from corn to coffee, and vegetable oil production growth has slowed in Southeast Asia. That’s boosting costs for livestock producers and risks further straining global grain stockpiles that have been depleted by soaring Chinese demand.

US traffic deaths up 7% last year, highest number since 2007 (AP) U.S. traffic deaths rose 7% last year, the biggest increase in 13 years even though people drove fewer miles due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government’s road safety agency reported Thursday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration blamed the increase on drivers taking more risks on less-congested roads by speeding, failing to wear seat belts, or driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol. An estimated 38,680 people died in traffic crashes last year, the most of any year since 2007, the agency said in releasing preliminary numbers. The increase came even though the number of miles traveled by vehicle fell 13% from 2019.

Report does not confirm, or rule out, UFOs in unexplained aerial events (Washington Post) A soon-to-be-released government report on unexplained aerial phenomena finds no proof of extraterrestrial activity, but cannot provide a definitive explanation for scores of incidents in which strange objects have been spotted in the sky, officials said on Thursday. The findings of the report, due to be provided to Congress by the director of national intelligence as soon as this month, will offer no firm conclusions about what the objects—repeatedly detected by military pilots and others in recent years—might be, according to two officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to address a document that is not yet public. That the report does not rule out extraterrestrial activity is likely to further stoke what has become a highly unusual national discussion about the possibility that unknown life-forms are visiting Earth.

Peruvians to pick new president (Foreign Policy) As the presidential campaign enters its final days, Peru’s voters have the opportunity to send their country in one of two very different directions. Sunday’s runoff pits Pedro Castillo, a socialist newcomer, against the right-wing Keiko Fujimori, who is mounting her third presidential bid. Fujimori has dubbed the vote a choice between “markets and Marxism,” while Castillo has described it as “a battle between the rich and the poor, the struggle between the … master and the slave.” The candidates’ respective backgrounds are as polarized as their views. Castillo, a rural schoolteacher and the son of illiterate peasants squares off against Fujimori, the daughter of former dictator Alberto Fujimori. She is a polarizing figure due to her father’s record and her own political career, which has been marred by accusations of corruption. Rather than face the uncertainty of a Castillo victory, Peru’s business elite have piled their support behind Fujimori. Corporations have slipped pro-Fujimori leaflets into food parcels to distribute in needy neighborhoods, the Guardian reports, while the Financial Times has highlighted the pressure media owners have placed on journalists “to demonize Castillo and play up the idea that he represents a Marxist menace.” Sunday’s winner is unlikely to change the country overnight, and will have to deal with a fractured Congress eager to disrupt the path of any new legislation.

Brazil’s dismal decade (Economist) The country’s hospitals are full, favelas echo with gunfire and a record 14.7% of workers are unemployed. Incredibly, Brazil’s economy is smaller now than it was in 2011—and it will take a lot to repair its reputation. Brazil’s death toll from covid-19 is one of the worst in the world. The president, Jair Bolsonaro, jokes that vaccines might turn people into crocodiles. Unfortunately, during the commodities boom, the left-wing Workers’ Party, in office in 2003-16, gave in to short-termism and put off economic reforms. In their efforts to shield themselves from the fallout of Lava Jato, a huge anti-corruption probe, politicians have resisted reforms that would curb graft. And Brazil’s political system is a millstone that protects incumbents from voters and the courts. Brazilian democracy is more fragile than at any time since the end of the dictatorship.

Argentina inflation soars as hazy future drives price hikes (Reuters) Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, put on the spot to explain a damaging and stubborn inflation rate that is soaring towards 50%, turned to the punk rock musical genre of Patti Smith and the Ramones for inspiration. “Argentina is a punk nation,” the center-left president, who plays the guitar and named his dog after Bob Dylan, said in reference to the rebellious spirit of the musical movement born in the 1970s. “Everything is today, there is no tomorrow. Everything is in the short-term because there is no future.” The South American nation, he explained, had over years of runaway prices built up a national psyche so imbued with inflation that it had become a self-perpetuating vicious cycle. “People increase prices just in case,” he said. The lyrical answer underscores a concrete and major issue for his Peronist government, which had set its sights on inflation under 30% this year but has been surprised by runaway prices that sap savings, wages and consumer spending power.

Afghan war enters more brutal phase as U.S. troops begin pullout (Washington Post) The fight between Afghan government troops and the Taliban is entering a more brutal phase as a reduction in airstrikes against the militants by withdrawing U.S. forces has largely shifted combat to ground engagements, many on the edges of densely populated urban areas after some recent Taliban advances. The country’s south, specifically Helmand, has witnessed some of the militants’ most striking advances. Battles have dragged on for weeks rather than days, and both sides are using heavier weaponry. The battle in Helmand could indicate how the war in Afghanistan will evolve once the United States and other NATO forces completely withdraw from the country. Over the past month, violence has escalated significantly. The Taliban carried out a wave of attacks on provincial capitals, initially triggering a collapse of government forces at several bases and outposts. Now, where the Afghan military is pushing back, both sides are increasingly turning to harsher tactics. Taliban fighters are blanketing territory with roadside bombs and booby-trapped explosives. And Afghan government forces on the offensive are waging exhausting ground operations covered by intense Afghan air support.

More cyclones than usual forecast for east Asia by September (Reuters) Half of the roughly 20 tropical cyclones expected to form in the western Pacific Ocean through September this year are predicted to hit land in east Asian nations, forecasters said on Friday, making for a season that is busier than usual. Tropical cyclones, also known as typhoons and hurricanes, can pack wind speeds ranging from 63 kph (39 mph) to 250 kph (155 mph), and the accompanying rain and storm surges can devastate coastal regions. Such storms have wrought havoc running into damages of more than $175 billion across Asia in the past decade, international disaster database EM-DAT shows. Five storms each are forecast to hit land in the regions of Eastern China and Taiwan, southern China and Vietnam, and the Philippines, said weather forecasters at the City University of Hong Kong, while Japan and Korea may only experience two.

‘Tracked for life’: China relentless in erasing Tiananmen (AP) The ruling Communist Party’s deadly 1989 crackdown on the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests never ended for Fan Baolin, who served 17 years in prison and says he sneaked out of China last year to escape surveillance that included cameras trained on his apartment and pressure on his family to deter him from more activism. Fan, who took part in the demonstrations and later worked for the party’s vast security apparatus, was arrested in 1999 for giving activists abroad confidential documents about surveillance of Chinese pro-democracy exiles. Released in 2016, he became among those who still are watched by the party a generation later in an effort to erase public memory of the protests in the heart of Beijing. “Once you are on the Chinese government’s blacklist, you will be tracked for life,” Fan told The Associated Press ahead of Friday’s anniversary of the June 4, 1989, military attack on protesters. He spoke in another Asian country and asked that it not be identified while its government considers his request for asylum. Party leaders have imprisoned or driven activists into exile and largely succeeded in ensuring young people know little about June 4. Still, after more than three decades and three changes of leadership, they are relentless in trying to prevent any mention of the attack that killed hundreds and possibly thousands of people.

Jerusalem evictions that fueled Gaza war could still happen (AP) A long-running campaign by Jewish settlers to evict dozens of Palestinian families in east Jerusalem is still underway, even after it fueled weeks of unrest and helped ignite an 11-day Gaza war. An intervention by Israel’s attorney general at the height of the unrest has put the most imminent evictions on hold. But rights groups say evictions could still proceed in the coming months as international attention wanes, potentially igniting another round of bloodshed. The settlers have been waging a decades-long campaign to evict the families from densely populated Palestinian neighborhoods in the so-called Holy Basin just outside the walls of the Old City, in one of the most sensitive parts of east Jerusalem. The settlers are using a 1970 law that allows Jews to reclaim properties lost during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation, a right denied to Palestinians who lost property in the same conflict, including Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Our ability to focus may be limited to 4 or 5 hours a day (Washington Post) Many productivity experts support the idea that humans max out their ability to focus and churn out productive work after four to five hours. While some types of work don’t require us to be at our sharpest and most creative, not allowing the brain to rest—ideally for about 20 to 30 minutes after about two hours of focused work—can dampen our motivation as well as our productivity. So it’s important to give yourself these blocks of time to rest, says Kalina Michalska, a neuroscientist at the University of California at Riverside.

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