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lupinlongbottom · 4 years

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Burning Bridges pt. 6

Neville Longbottom x Reader

Summary: With the wedding behind them, (Y/N) wants to get back into the swing of teaching. However, there’s a little hiccup in the plan... one that’s been echoing throughout the halls of Hogwarts.

Word Count: 5.8k

Warnings: a few swears

A/N: hold on to yer hats and glasses, cause this here’s the wildest ride from start to finish! I’m joking, but it’s a bit all over the place, for “plot reasons” yeah okay pick a lane chump

Part 1 ... Part 2 … Part 3 … Part 4 … Part 5 ... Part 7

The morning started off normal, as normal as a bleak and gloomy Monday at Hogwarts could be. Classes were starting to get back into the swing of their studies, finally getting over the feeling of the hiatus of the break two weeks prior. Friends had been reunited, students began to learn in their favorite classes and many just enjoyed being back at school.

“Good afternoon, class,” (Y/N) said, welcoming her sixth year class with a warm smile. The class was fairly small, only teaching a handful of students, about fifteen. “I assume you all had a wonderful weekend?”

The class responded in a mumbled mess, answers ranging from ‘sure, yeah’ to ‘not exactly’. Answers (Y/N) was used to, but not entirely immune to.

“Right, I hope it was a good one,” (Y/N) nodded, turning herself back to her blackboard. Scribbled in a tight font was Polyjuice Potion, a crude drawing of a cauldron underneath. She was really never good at doodling.

“How was your weekend, Professor?” a student asked as (Y/N) dotted information down on the blackboard.

“My weekend was uneventful as always,” (Y/N) hummed, turning back around, meeting her gaze with the student who had asked. Maria Hamilton, Ravenclaw. “Continued on my batch of Felix Felicis as I have been for the last four months, hopefully I can get a nice vial out of it for class soon enough,” she smiled, hopefully.

“Really? You didn’t do anything else exciting?” Maria asked again, the tone in her voice raising slightly.

“I mean, I suppose I attended a friend’s wedding—”

“Harry Potter’s wedding, right? It was all over The Daily Prophet yesterday!” a Slytherin added, her unruly curls falling into her face.

“Yes, that friend,” (Y/N) nodded, fighting back a smirk. Any time the famed wizard was mentioned in her class, the students couldn’t get over the fact of their professor’s friendship with the superstar. “And you really shouldn’t be reading that hogwash often, Ms. Deetz, full of slander and twisted words, it is.”

“So you haven’t seen the Sunday edition, then I take it?” Jane Deetz asked, her attention quickly turning to her friends sitting down next to her. “I mean, since you don’t read it?”

“I never said I don’t read it,” (Y/N) said, crossing her arms, growing only the slightest bit annoyed at her student’s pestering. “Does this pertain to our lecture? Polyjuice is an important potion most witches and wizards should know how to brew.”

“No, not lecture,” Maria shook her head, pulling out her copy of the Prophet. “But, you, I suppose,” she pushed the copy across the table, allowing (Y/N) to see the flashing title across the top. Practically Perfect Potters, underneath was a photo of Ginny and Harry, looking as happy as clams. The newspaper must’ve bought the photo from a guest at the wedding, no way did Harry allow the Prophet into their ceremony, much less their reception.

“Pertains to me?” (Y/N) laughed, picking up the paper. “This article seems to be about the happy couple, as it should be I suppose.”

“Flip the page! They have other photos from the wedding,” Jane said, twirling her finger. “You’re in one, at least!”

Surely enough, on the other side were a handful of photos from the reception, many of the famous guests that had attended. Sprinkled throughout were canids of her friends, Luna dancing alone on the dance floor, Seamus and Dean wearing their ties around their heads, an adorable canid of (Y/N) laughing with Harry and Ginny, nothing out of the ordinary of the night.

There it was. She saw it. A grainy, yet still moving photo of the courtyard at the reception hall. Two figures were standing close, the woman’s arms around the mans neck, holding each other gently. It wasn’t close enough to make out the faces of the couple, but it wasn’t hard to realize that the woman in the photograph was wearing the same dress as the one with Harry and Ginny. (Y/N)’s dress. The caption was small and tight underneath the photo; A rendezvous of secret lovers.

“I’m sure Harry and Ginny are having a field day with the Prophet about these photos,” (Y/N) squeaked, trying to hold back her shock. “They didn’t allow press into the reception for a reason. Someone must’ve been sneaking photos throughout the night and sold them off.”

“You didn’t see it, did you?” Maria asked. “The one of the couple?”

“Harry and Ginny? Yes, they look beautiful—”

“The other couple, Professor,” Jane said pointedly. “It’s been the talk of the school since it arrived yesterday. Is it…?”

“Oh,” (Y/N) took another look. Was it obvious that it was her? Of course, anyone with working eyes could see it. Could anyone tell who the man was from this photo? (Y/N)’s eyes scanned the other photos, none featured Neville, fortunately. The only ones who would recognize him would be the attendees of the wedding. “Well, that looks like an invasion of privacy,” (Y/N) said, folding the paper back up.

“But it’s you, right Professor? I mean she’s wearing the same dress as you—”

“I don’t want to add to the gossip,” (Y/N) said, holding her hand up. “Take the information for what you will.”

“Who are you snogging?” a quiet Gryffindor boy piped up, instantly feeling ashamed of asking.

“5 points from Gryffindor for that one, Mr. Traska,” (Y/N) said sternly. She hated taking points from students, felt it was only necessary to do so to prove a point. “I will remind you, class, that my personal life is just that, personal. I don’t try to delve into your love lives, do I?”

“So that is you, right?” Maria asked excitedly. “You can’t hate us for being curious, you said at the beginning of the year the more curious the student, the better the potioneer, right?”

“I did-I said that, yes,” (Y/N) stumbled. “But you’re wise enough to know that it was pertaining to your studies, not your professor’s snogging.”

“So you admit it,” Jane spoke up, only partially. The entire class erupted with chatter, mumbling small words to one another.

“Class,” (Y/N) said, trying to reel her students back in. “Class,” she repeated once more, a bit louder than before. Very little change. Hesitating for just one moment, (Y/N) crossed her arms, hoping her silence was louder than her words. Didn’t work.

“We’re sorry, Professor (L/N),” Maria began, noting the stony look on her teacher’s face. The other students began to pipe down. “We thought that you knew…”

“And I thought that you knew better than to address it to the entire class, Ms. Hamilton,” (Y/N) turned to the Slytherin beside her, confiscating the newspaper. “Ms. Deetz, I expected more of the two of you. Detention, both of you, cauldron scrubbing this evening.”

The two girls hung their head, faces red with shame. “Yes, Professor,” Jane spoke up, her voice squeaky.

“Before we continue with the lesson, it’s clear that you lot won’t pay attention until I bring this matter to a close,” (Y/N) spoke up. “Yes, that’s me in the photo. No, I won’t share who the other person is. I respect your enthusiasm to get to know me and learn more about my life, I do, but please keep it to questions like ‘do you have a pet?’ or ‘what’s your favorite color?’, alright?”

A Gryffindor boy raised his hand, getting a nod from (Y/N). “Do you have a pet? A-and what’s your favorite color?” he asked, almost sheepishly.

“Good questions, Mr. Traska,” (Y/N) smiled. “I have an owl named Edgar, he’s my best mate, I’m sure you’ve seen him around. My favorite color is (Y/F/C), reminds me of home,” the students eased up, smiles returning to their faces. “Any last questions?”

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Jane asked, almost unashamed. “Felt like I should ask, seeing as I already have detention.”

“Cheeky,” (Y/N) clicked, laughing lightly. “But, no—well, not really, I guess. Not yet, anyway,” she smiled to herself. “I hope that changes soon,” the hurried murmurs of the class started again, making (Y/N)’s smile grow ever so slightly. “Now, back to our lesson. Polyjuice Potion…”

The gossip of the castle was hard to ignore, now that (Y/N) knew of the source. It seemed that every pair of eyes was aimed at her figure as she navigated the halls. She could’ve been wearing nothing at all and still had the gossip remain the same. Did Neville know about this? She hardly thought that he still read The Daily Prophet, either, considering their shared distaste for the sad excuse of journalism. What wasn’t hard to ignore, was the feeling of the floor beneath her backside as she slid onto the floor.

“(Y/N), I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you turn the corner,” Lance said, offering his hand.

“No, I should’ve been paying better attention,” (Y/N) shook her head, pulling herself up off the ground. “Sorry that I haven’t had the chance to talk to you, Lance, but—”

“That’s alright,” he shrugged, shoving his hands into his front pockets. “I figured you had better things to do than to entertain me,” his face twisted into a grin. “The Prophet seemed to tell me that was exactly the case.”

“It was a sudden thing,” (Y/N) started, aware of the students slowing their pace, almost to eavesdrop. “I didn’t mean for it to happen the way that it did, hardly meant for anyone to be taking photos of it.”

“But you meant for it to happen, right?” Lance asked, waiting for an answer. (Y/N) nodded lightly, ashamed to look him in the eye. “I see. Were you going to break it off with me after the wedding?” Another nod. He laughed. “I should’ve seen this coming, truthfully, I was ignorant to even think that a pure-blood like you could’ve ever courted a muggle-born anyway.”

(Y/N)’s head shot up like a rocket, startled by his words. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve never once said—”

“Didn’t have to, everyone knows about your blood-status, the (L/N) name isn’t exactly known for much else, is it? Wallace (L/N), famed Death Eater, your father?”

“That’s a low blow, Lance and you know it,” (Y/N) said, feeling the anger bubble in her chest. “I’m nothing like my father, I’ve worked my entire life to be everything he wasn’t, for good reason, too.”

“Please,” Lance scoffed. “You may believe that, truly I believe that you do, but the need for blood purity is practically in your genes. I should’ve known better,” he sighed, almost looking beside himself. “Should’ve known you could’ve never given me a true chance.”

“Your blood-status has nothing to do with it Lance,” (Y/N) said, now noticing the straggling students around them. “Can we please move this to a private setting? Students are watching—”

“So you can break my heart in private? Crush it to smithereens?” Lance’s hand flew to his chest dramatically. “No, I can take it like a man, right here, right now. In front of our students.”

“No,” (Y/N) said, crossing her arms. “This is childish and unprofessional,” she turned around, planning to head back to her chambers to cool down, perhaps enjoy a small snack. “When you want to have an adult conversation, send an owl.”

“It’s because he’s a pure-blood, isn’t it?”

(Y/N) stopped walking.

“I knew it,” Lance laughed. “Why else could you possibly be interested in such a bloke like him? Surely it’s not for his looks, right?” His laughter echoed in the halls. “He’s pathetic, (Y/N), the fact that you are clinging to him because of his blood-status is lowly, but perhaps expected—”

“Professor Knight, I’d stop talking if you knew what was best for you,” (Y/N) warned, almost turning around. She knew he didn’t deserve the right to see her angry, knowing full well he was looking for a rise.

“Best for me?” Lance laughed again. “No, Minty,” the former nickname rolled off his tongue like acid. “You haven’t got the first idea what’s best for me.”

“You’re right, I don’t,” (Y/N) smiled sweetly, turning back around. “Much like you for I,” she said, almost poetically. “If you think that my blood-status could possibly determine who my suitors could be, you’re sorely mistaken. Coming from the Muggle Studies Professor, you seem rather close-minded about that, do you not?”

“It’s been a practice for years, (Y/N), surely you know that much? You yourself told me of the arrangement your father had for you growing up.”

“One that never came to fruition, thank Godric,” (Y/N) sighed. “My mother found it to be barbaric, breaking it off before I even stepped foot at Hogwarts. My father really didn’t have much to say about it, considering the circumstances,” (Y/N) glanced at her watch, noting the time. “Now, Professor, if you don’t mind, I have to go and check on my cauldrons. Wouldn’t want one to overflow, would we?”

“Perhaps not, that wouldn’t be wise,” he shrugged, turning back around. “Let me know whenever that gardener bores you, it’ll come quickly enough.”

(Y/N) stood still for only a moment, feeling the gaze of straggling students. She gave them a pointed look. “Don’t you all have classes to attend?” As if on cue, the bell signal chimed out, leaving the students to frantically run to their intended destination. “That could’ve gone better,” she mumbled, her feet leading her automatically to her chambers.

She stopped at the glittering stained-glass mosaic in the hall, the one of the phoenix. The wings flicked every so often, an enchanting sight to see. (Y/N) tried to focus her eyes on the tips of the feathers, watching the sunlight shine through the edges, trying to calm her running mind.

“It’s breathtaking, no?” A voice behind her spoke out. It was small, calming, warm. She knew it anywhere.

“I love staring at it,” (Y/N) hummed, turning her neck to see the Herbologist standing next to her. “Reminds me of Dumbledore, a bit. I reckon he’s the one who put it in.”

“Yeah,” Neville nodded, eyes transfixed on the swirling oranges and yellows of the window. “Done with classes for the day?” (Y/N) nodded. “Me too. Monday’s are the shortest of lectures but they feel like they drag on forever, right?” (Y/N) nodded again, giving no verbal response. “Hey, are you alright?”

“You don’t think I’m like my father, right?” She asked, turning to face Neville. Tears were glistening in the edges of her eyes, almost threatening to fall. “I mean, not literally, you never knew him,” she laughed, almost pathetically. “Godric I never even knew him.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think I’m just a pathetic pure-blood?”

“Pathetic? You?” Neville shook his head. “I wouldn’t put those two words together, no.”

“Then what?” (Y/N) shrugged. “Some elitist who cares about blood-status?”

“Of course not,” Neville reassured her. “You’re no Malfoy, that’s for sure. You don’t let your blood define you, (Y/N), you never have,” he shrugged, looking at her more closely. “If you did, you surely wouldn’t be working here. You’d be out and married to a pure-blooded suitor, getting waited on hand and foot,” he laughed at the thought. “It’s terribly unlike you at all.”

“You’re a pure-blood.”

“...and?”

“Wasn’t your Gran or anyone on you about your status ever?”

“No,” he sighed. “Gran never made a big fuss about it. Was more focused on me becoming more like my father rather than trying to set me up with other pure-blooded girls,” he cracked a smile. “I doubt I would’ve been anyone’s first choice in that, though.”

“Oh shove it,” (Y/N) finally smiled, feeling the tightness of her cheeks disappear. “Any girl would be lucky to marry you,” her smile faded a bit, realizing her words. A rather bold statement. “I-I mean, I know that I would, at least. Choose you, I mean.”

“T-thanks,” Neville nodded quickly, trying to ignore the red creeping up his face. Merlin was he taken by this girl. “E-even if I wasn’t a pure-blood?”

“Are you proposing to me, Longbottom?” (Y/N) said, pressing a hand to her chest dramatically. “And here I thought we weren’t rushing into anything…”

“We’re not!” He sputtered, waving his hands frantically. “We’re not, honest,” he repeated, as if to prove a point. “I-I’m sorry if it was out of line—”

“No,” (Y/N) shook her head. “You’re alright, I was just pushing your buttons,” (Y/N) turned to look at Neville, pushing his arm slightly. “Just like normal.”

“Yeah,” Neville nodded, swallowing thickly. “Just like normal.”

The two stood in silence, eyes still glued to the glittering mosaic in front of them. The wings of the bird flapped every so often, breathing life into the art.

“You don’t happen to still read The Daily Prophet, do you?” (Y/N) asked, holding her breath.

“So you heard about it too. I was hoping you didn’t,” Neville admitted, pulling a copy out of his back pocket. “I found it on ground in the courtyard and saw Harry’s face, it grabbed my attention,” he shrugged, thumbing through the paper.

“I’ve been the talk of the school, with my mystery suitor,” (Y/N) teased, poking Neville again. “Gave two of my students got a detention over it, they brought it up to the entire class—”

“Maria and Jane?” Neville asked, almost knowing. (Y/N) nodded. “Wonderful students, but terrible gossips they are, they try to chat quietly during class but fail miserably,” he chuckled quietly. “Still, the entire class? That’s rough, I’m sorry…”

“S’not your fault,” (Y/N) shrugged, brushing the matter off. “It’s one of my smaller classes, but no doubt the entire school is talking about me and my ‘mystery suitor’,” (Y/N) winked, poking Neville in the upper arm.

“D-do you reckon they know it’s me?”

“No,” (Y/N) shook her head. “The only people that would know would who it is were the people who attended the wedding,” she sighed, pressing her fingertips to her forehead. “Including McGonagall. She’ll be pleased, I’m sure.”

“Does Lance know?”

“Yeah,” (Y/N) hummed, her mood falling. “He knows. I wanted to talk to him, privately, about it all. I didn’t even imagine that someone was taking photos, let alone found their way out to where we were!”

“You broke it off with him?” Neville asked, his voice unsure.

“Of course I did,” (Y/N) said, staring at Neville like he had grown a second head. “I’ve told you that I wanted to do it before the wedding, but then we… well…”

“R-right,” Neville shook his head. “I remember.”

“He… didn’t take it well,” (Y/N) sighed, wringing her wrist. “Argued with me in front of some students, not many, but enough to cause a little scene…”

“That’s horrid,” Neville said, shaking his head.

“Said some nasty things about—well, it doesn’t matter what about, I suppose,” (Y/N) shrugged lightly. “Just nasty.”

“He’s the one,” Neville said plainly, now staring directly at (Y/N). “The one that got in your head, about the pure-blood thing, right?” (Y/N) didn’t answer, only to look down at her shoes. “Blimey, he blamed it on your status, didn’t he? (Y/N)?” He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his warm fingers taping lightly against her robe.

“Something like that,” (Y/N) nodded. “Yeah.”

“He’s an idiot,” Neville said, tone unwavering. The look in (Y/N)’s eyes was one Neville wasn’t familiar with, almost a flicker of disappointment, maybe in herself? “Tell you what,” he removed his hand from her shoulder. “Do you have plans this evening?”

“I have to oversee detention,” (Y/N) said, shaking her head a bit. “But otherwise, no. Why do you ask?”

“You need a bit of cheering up,” Neville said, placing his hands on his hips. “Come over after detention,” his face twisted into a toothy grin, stretching to his ears. “I’ll cook you something, or we can just have tea, y’know, chat.”

“This sounds an awful lot like a date,” (Y/N) smirked, cocking an eyebrow. “Are you asking me on a date, Neville Longbottom?”

“I suppose I am,” he laughed, almost beside himself. “Yeah.”

“Should I wear something fancy?” She said, hands pulling at the edges of her robes. “A dress, maybe?”

“I-if you feel inclined, sure,” Neville nodded. “Though it’s just me…”

“All the more reason, then,” (Y/N) said, pushing his shoulder lightly, playfully giving it a pat. “The detention shouldn’t take too long, I keep my cauldrons sparkling normally, Jane and Maria will get it done quickly.”

“Great,” Neville nodded again, swallowing thickly. “I’ll see you later tonight, then?”

“It’s a date,” (Y/N) winked, walking back to her chambers with a spring in her step, practically floating across the floor.

“Merlin,” Neville mumbled, clutching his chest, eyes glued to the back of (Y/N)’s robes. “I can’t believe I just did that.”

Neville paced across the floor of his living room. It was small, only large enough for a couch, a coffee table and the fireplace. (Y/N)’s place was bigger, he recalled, bringing back memories of frequent tea breaks and chats. Neville decided he liked the smaller space, it gave it a homey feel, plants surrounding every nook and cranny that he could find.

A quick rap was heard at his door, causing Neville to throw himself into a slight panic. A few short breaths, he bucked up the courage to go and answer it. Upon opening the door, there (Y/N) stood, dressed in a silver gown, length touching just below her knees, the glow of the fabric radiating off the candlelight of his chambers.

“Wow…” was all Neville could make out, feeling his face grow hot to the touch. “You look… just… wow.”

“You think?” (Y/N) said, glancing down at her dress, gripping the sides of the skirt lightly, bellowing it out. “It’s the same dress that I wore to—”

“Slughorn’s Christmas party, yeah,” Neville nodded, recalling the dress. Even then, he thought she looked ethereal, unreal to the human eye. “I remember,” he glanced at the neckline of the dress, touching the bottom of (Y/N)’s collarbone. “You got the lamb sauce out,” he lifted his finger, drawing a circle near the hem.

“I did,” (Y/N) nodded, pulling at the fabric. “It took a few charms and tries, but I managed,” she giggled, recalling the young Gryffindor spilling his plate onto her dress. “I’m still glad you did that, though, even on accident. Managed to get us to leave that dreadful party early,” (Y/N) hummed, rocking onto her toes.

“I’m still sorry,” Neville sighed, rubbing his neck. He had apologized a billion and a half times about the whole incident in the moment, only feeling worse about it after the fact. “I’m glad you were able to clean the dress, though. It looks nice.”

“Thank you,” (Y/N) said bashfully, now feeling a heat trace the bridge of her nose. “Can I…?” she motioned her hand into the doorway, Neville pushing himself to the side.

“Oh! Of course!” He jumped over, allowing (Y/N) to enter.

The living area that (Y/N) was used to was completely transformed, the couch was pushed against the wall, what looked to be a spare bedsheet covered the floor along with various cushions and pillows. The fireplace was roaring, looking to be freshly stoked, candles floating gently through the air of the chamber along with the sweet scent of pumpkins.

“Oh…” (Y/N) stood just inside of the door, eyes floating from candle to candle, watching them almost collide. “Nev…”

“D-do you like it?” Neville asked, feeling smaller than a pygmy puff.

“I love it,” (Y/N) nodded softly, unsure of what else to say. “You did all of this… for me?”

“Yeah,” Neville said, ushering (Y/N) over to the impromptu picnic. They both settled onto the blanket, feeling the flickers of the fire warming their legs. “I mean, you only have a first date with the girl you’ve been mad for—for years—only once, right?”

“I suppose,” (Y/N) smiled, feeling the familiar prickling of tears in the corners of her eyes. “You really didn’t have to go all out though…”

“It’s nothing,” Neville shrugged, handing (Y/N) a glass filled with a sparkling red drink, the bubbles turning blue as they popped to the top. “I got that from Madam Rosmerta today, she said it’d pair well with the pumpkin pasties.”

“You got pumpkin pasties?” (Y/N)’s eyes lit up, a spark of wonder jolting through her very self. They had been her very favorite snack every year on the journey to school, always making sure to bring enough spending money for a few extras to save for later.

“No,” Neville said, shaking his head. He reached over to a trunk—his old one from school, (Y/N) noted—and pulled out a plate of sloppily-made pasties. “I made some, well, tried to anyway…”

“They look wonderful!” (Y/N) said, excitedly. She hesitantly reached out for one, waiting for a small nod from Neville. Feeling the flaking crust under her fingertips brought her back to the train, back to chatting idly with her mates, wondering what adventures and lessons they’d encounter that school year. “They smell the same, too!”

“I hope they taste as you remember, I begged the shopkeep down at Honeydukes for a recipe. He was awfully nice at saying no, but gave me a few tips,” Neville admitted, watching carefully as (Y/N) took her first bite. “Well?”

“They’re delicious, Neville,” (Y/N) said, taking another large bite. They had tasted similar to the ones she’d grown used to, the warmth and cinnamon overwhelming her senses. “You went all the way to Honeydukes to ask for the recipe?”

“I was already in Hogsmeade,” Neville said, fidgeting with his socks, fingers playing with the purple material. “Had to get the wine from Madam Rosmerta… figured I’d stop in, try my luck.”

“Don’t they sell the pumpkin pasties there?” (Y/N) asked, taking another bite.

“Ah… well…” Neville’s face grew red, far quicker than (Y/N) was used to seeing. “T-they do, but I wanted to—uhm—make them myself…”

(Y/N) leaned over, placing a soft peck to Neville’s cheek. “It was awfully sweet of you, going out of your way to do that—this, all of it,” (Y/N) said, gesturing to the scene set before her. “It’s rather romantic.”

“I-I was going for that,” Neville gulped. “Romantic, I mean. You really looked like you could use some cheering up earlier, so I wanted to try hard at it, make you smile.”

“You’ve succeeded,” (Y/N) smiled, taking a sip of the bubbling wine. “Madam Rosmerta was right, this does go well with the pasties. Tastes a bit like honeysuckle,” she took another sip. “Thank you, Neville. I really needed something like this, to get my mind off of everything.”

“What Lance said to you wasn’t right,” Neville said, strongly. “You’re not just some pure-blooded blockhead. If anything, he’s the blockhead for saying those things. I reckon he was trying to overcompensate for something—”

“I’m sure he was,” (Y/N) smiled, noting how Neville’s few freckles danced under the firelight. “He’s so full of himself, I can’t believe I ever thought I fancied him.”

“I didn’t help, I’m sure,” Neville said, going back to his socks. “I mean, I was the one to tell you to go for it.”

“We were dumb,” (Y/N) laughed. “I mean, we did have quite a bit of blockage, emotionally, I suppose.”

“The wedding helped.”

“The wedding helped, indeed,” (Y/N) nodded. “It all feels unreal, sitting here with you now.”

“I know,” Neville smiled, now taking a sip of the wine. (Y/N) was right, it did taste like honeysuckle, a bit. “If you told me that five years ago, I’d probably faint—blimey, I’m close to fainting right about now.”

“I get it, feels like a dream, really, actually sitting here with you. On a date,” (Y/N) smiled. “So… what do people normally talk about on dates?”

“I suppose the normal things,” Neville hummed, tapping his fingers on his knee. “Passions, hobbies, family…”

“I guess I’m not very good at this,” (Y/N) said, smiling lightly. “Because we already know all those things about each other.”

“I guess we do,” Neville chuckled.

“Well, I suppose we could try sharing something we’ve never shared with one another?”

“I don’t think there’s anything about me that you don’t already know,” Neville shrugged, sipping his wine again, reaching the end of his glass.

“I reckon I could come up with something,” (Y/N) mumbled, rocking back and forth lightly. “You know how I had an arranged, pure-blooded, courtship set up? By my dad?” Neville nodded, recalling bits and pieces of the story. “I never—blimey this is hard to say out loud—I never told anyone who it was with.”

“You said that it was broken off before you got to school, right? Your mum called it off,” Neville said, trying to remember. “I guess I never really put much thought at to who was on the other end…”

“I can’t even bring myself to say it,” (Y/N) said, throwing her head in her hands. “You’re going to vomit.”

“It wasn’t… no!” Neville’s eyes widened in shock, nearly tipping over the open bottle to his left. “Not—you’re joking, right? Please tell me it’s not—”

“Malfoy,” (Y/N) nodded, face hiding beneath her fingers. “Yeah.”

“I could’ve gone my entire life without that knowledge,” Neville said, face drawing blank. “I mean, just the thought—you and Malfoy—(Y/N) Malfoy, sounds ridiculous!”

“Alright,” (Y/N) laughed, patting Neville’s arm. “Obviously I was never a fan of the arrangement. My father and Mr. Malfoy made the deal when I was born, they were close friends, colleagues of the Dark Lord,” she recalled, shuddering a bit. “The crossing of our bloodlines would’ve been something ‘extraordinary’ in the pure-blood community, something the Malfoy’s made abundantly clear.”

“I just—wow. Consider me speechless.”

“Enough about my tragic backstory, full of woe and triumph,” (Y/N) laughed, trying to dissolve the tension. “What about you? Got any boggarts in your closet, Longbottom?”

“Not any that can top… that,” Neville admitted, trying to regain his composure. “I suppose there might be one or two things, though…”

“Spill,” (Y/N) chided. “Come on, I shared mine, time to share yours.”

“Do you remember, when we were both in the Hospital Wing after the fight at the Ministry?”

“Can’t hardly forget,” (Y/N) said, pressing her hand to ribcage gently, wincing at the thought. “Still have the scars to prove it, too.”

While Neville had sustained a broken nose, (Y/N) had gotten a few swift kicks to the side, leaving her with a few broken ribs and enough bruising to last a lifetime. The couple resided the next night in the Hospital Wing, recovering.

“That night, when you were sleeping, you were talking—”

“You’ve told me that,” (Y/N) laughed. “I know I say ridiculous things in my sleep, you’ve said that I was going ‘on and on about pumpkin pasties’, very believable of me.”

“Yeah, you were,” Neville chuckled. “But, you also said… something else…”

“Neville, I thought this was a secret about you, not me—”

“I’m getting to it, promise,” Neville said, taking a deep breath. “You were mumbling a bit of things like ‘stop’ and ‘no’, I figured you were having a nightmare. But then, you said, ‘don’t touch him, don’t hurt him’,” a beat of silence. “Then, you said my name. You said it in such a way, so… broken a-and hurt. I reached over to touch you, to make sure you were okay and when I did… you smiled, just a bit, went back to talking about pasties,” Neville’s lips turned upward, his eyes softening. “It was then, I think, yeah. When I knew I loved you.”

“I—wow,” (Y/N) said, her face shining with the brilliance of roses. “That’s… got me beat, for sure.”

“Sorry,” Neville chuckled. “You wanted to hear a secret, it was either that or admit to cheating off you in Potions class.”

“That,” (Y/N) snorted. “That’s hardly a secret, Nev. I let you cheat off me.”

“Still rings true,” Neville said, glancing up at (Y/N), her features highlighted by the firelight. He’d always thought she was beautiful, in any sort of setting and place, but in this moment, the way the warm glow of the fire echoed off her skin just made Neville’s heart soar.

Without thinking, he pressed his lips to (Y/N)’s softly, catching her by surprise. His face was scrunched, ever so slightly, almost preparing for a blow. She settled into the kiss, placing her hand on his jaw.

“Oh,” Neville said, pulling away, just a bit, hands in his lap. “I-I’m sorry, I should’ve asked—”

“Why?” (Y/N) said, pressing a kiss to his nose. “You don’t need to ask permission to kiss me,” she pressed another kiss to his lips, this one softer than the last.

“Feels wrong,” Neville hummed between pecks. “Considering that we’re—”

“Not dating?”

Neville nodded quickly.

“Well, we should change that,” (Y/N) looked into Neville’s green eyes, golden flecks illuminated by the soft light before them. “Yeah?”

“You think? I thought that we weren’t going to rush into anything,” Neville repeated, emphasizing on his words. “Take it slow?”

“Fuck what we said,” she said pointedly, Neville wincing at her use of words. “Obviously we care a great deal about one another, hell, we can’t even have a normal first date because of how much we already knew one another. Surely we already care for one another in that way, why should it matter?”

“I guess you’re right,” Neville chuckled. “It does seem a bit weird that we’re not… official, when you put it like that.”

“It does, doesn’t it? Besides, people are going to find out about the photo anyway, might as well go all in, right?” (Y/N) giggled, noting the way Neville’s eyes scrunched shut in laughter. “Guess it was inevitable, huh?”

“Guess so,” Neville smiled, his hand resting atop of (Y/N)’s, the warmth between the touch was as warm as the firelight around them.

“Well?” (Y/N) pointed an eyebrow upward, turning back to the Gryffindor beside her. “Aren’t you going to kiss your girlfriend again? Or is she going to have to do it for you?”

Neville didn’t need to be asked twice.

General Tag List: @maralisa124 , @leighxlover , @hey-its-me-rai , @missihart23 , @biatheintrovert , @luna-xxxxx , @chocolaterumble, @why-am-i-sad-and-sleepy , @steve-thotgers , @greeneyedthief, @kitkatkl , @thelightsideoflife , @thataudreydork

Neville Longbottom Tag List: @readerbandit

want to be added to a tag list? hmu in the replies or ask box with what characters you’d like to be tagged with! PLEASE BE SPECIFIC ON WHAT TAG LIST YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED ON!

#neville longbottom #neville longbottom x reader #harry potter #harry potter x reader #neville longbottom imagines #I AM SOFT FOR ONE MAN #THIS MAN

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dweemeister · 3 years

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2020 Movie Odyssey Award for Best Original Song (final round)

(Yet again, tumblr has not fixed bullet indentations. So this post doesn’t look as clean on your dashboards.)

TAGGING (among others): @addaellis, @cokwong, @emilylime5, @halfwaythruthedark, @idontknowmuchaboutmovies, @introspectivemeltdown, @maximiliani, @memetoilet, @monkeysmadeofcheese, @myluckyerror, @plus-low-overthrow, @shootingstarvenator, @themusicmoviesportsguy, @theybecomestories, @umgeschrieben, @underblackwings, @voicetalentbrendan, @thewolfofelectricavenue, and @yellanimal.

I would also like to tag some followers/previous participants as well who I also would welcome to participate in this final round: @birdsongvelvet, @bitch-genius, @dog-of-ulthar, @loveless422, @lvl9gay, @mehetibel, @phendranaedge, @poncho-honcho, @sayaf, @shadesofhappy, @thethirdman8, @uncoolforelimb, and @wehadfacesthen. Regardless of whether you were tagged or not, all of my followers can participate if they wish.

Happy Holidays to all! After a fascinating preliminary round, now begins the final round to 2020's Movie Odyssey Award for Best Original Song (MOABOS). This is the eighth time it has been contested and the seventh year it has been open to involvement from family, friends, and tumblr followers. I begin every new year not knowing whether I will be able to share with all of you these songs and the movies they come from around November/December. So on the day that MOABOS becomes viable (usually around mid-year), it's a long stretch of anticipation to this point.

For those who have never participated in this before, my classic movie blog traditionally ends the year by honoring some of the best achievements from movies that I saw for the first time this calendar year (the "Movie Odyssey"; rewatches do not count) with an Oscar-like ceremony. I choose all the nominees and winners from each category, save one: Best Original Song. It is the only category I can think of that does not require you to watch several movies in their entirety. I know some of you wonder why I bother with this quixotic social experiment. But I have always considered it a sort of cinematic-musical thank-you for your moral support in various ways - in the hopes of introducing to all of you films and music you may not have otherwise encountered or sought. A small slice of the 2020 Movie Odyssey, so to speak.

This final will be contested by sixteen songs. As I've mentioned before, for the first time ever, there are no MOABOS entries originating from this year that made the competition - a MOABOS first. I have seen one 2020 film since the prelim (Wolfwalkers... at a drive-in mind you), but this entire final is one of yesteryear. Even without any 1930s songs, this year's final is probably the oldest on average. There are some very recognizable songs that made it straight to the final, bypassing the preliminary; those songs are contained within. Among them, a city anthem and a song that should be a city's anthem. Elsewhere, this is the first final to ever feature two classic Bollywood songs - but no classic Bollywood song has ever cracked the top ten. Elvis has three songs in this final, a MOABOS joint record along with Prince and the Bee Gees (both in 2016). But also appearing in multiple entries are Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday. With five non-English-language songs in the final, this year’s final ties 2017 with the largest contingent of finalists not in the English language.

INSTRUCTIONS Please rank (#1-16) your choices in order. The top ten songs will receive nominations. The tabulation method used in the preliminary round is being used for the final only as the second tiebreaker (the tabulation method that will be used principally for the final - aka "single transferable vote" - is described in the “read more” at the bottom). There is no minimum or maximum amount of songs you can rank, but because of the nature of single transferable vote, it is highly recommended to rank as many songs as possible, rather than only one or two. Those who rank fewer songs run a greater risk of their ballots being discarded in the later rounds of tabulation. Again, this is all described in the “read more”.

Please consider to the best of your ability: how musically interesting the song is (incl. and not limited to musical phrasing and orchestration); its lyrics; context within the film (contextual blurbs provided for every entry for those who haven't seen the films); choreography/dance direction (if applicable); and the song's cultural impact/life outside the film (if applicable, and, in my opinion, least important factor). Imperfections in audio and video quality may not be used against any song. I encourage you to send in comments and reactions with your rankings - it makes the process more enjoyable for you and myself!

The deadline for submission is Thursday, December 31 at 8 PM Pacific Time. That is 6 PM Hawaii/Aleutian Time / 10 PM Central / 11 PM Eastern. That deadline is also Friday, January 1 at 2 AM GMT / 3 AM CET / 4 AM EET. This deadline has been pushed back two consecutive times due to a sizable non-response rate - but I very much do not want to do so again.

I have compiled most of this final round's songs into this YouTube playlist. Please note that neither of Kaagaz Ke Phool’s two songs are contained in the playlist. You will need to access them using their respective links.

Enjoy the music! Feel free to listen as many times as you need, and I hope you discover music and movies you may have never otherwise heard of that you find fascinating. The following is formatted... ("Song title", composer and lyricist, film title):

2020 MOVIE ODYSSEY AWARD FOR BEST ORIGINAL SONG – FINAL ROUND

“Angela”, music and lyrics by José Feliciano and Janna Merlyn Feliciano, Aaron Loves Angela (1975)

Performed by José Feliciano

(English-language version) / (Spanish single version)

Played over the opening credits to this teenage drama that is partly a blaxploitation film, partly an interracial coming-of-age romance. The movie wasn't a hit, but the Spanish-language version of this song was received well in Latin America.

“Blue Shadows on the Trail”, music and lyrics by Eliot Daniel and Johnny Lange, Melody Time (1948)

Performed by Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers

This is the introductory song to the final segment of Melody Time. That segment is dedicated to the legend of Pecos Bill, and this atmospheric song leads into the telling of that story.

“Can’t Help Falling in Love”, music and lyrics by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss, Blue Hawaii (1961)

Performed by Elvis Presley

(film version) / (single version)

Chadwick "Chad" Gates (Elvis) has just returned to his home state of Hawai'i after a stint in the Army. Not wanting to work on his father's pineapple plantation (seriously), he rekindles his relationship with his girlfriend, Maile (Joan Blackman). This song is sung as an accompaniment to a music box he gives to Maile's grandmother (Flora Kaai Hayes, a former Hawaiian Territorial Representative to the U.S. House). This song is among Elvis' best-known and most widely-covered.

“Dekhi Zamaane Ki Yaari / Bichhde Sabhi Baari Baari”, music by S.D. Burman, lyrics by Kaifi Azmi, Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959, India)

Performed by Mohammad Rafi (dubbing Guru Dutt)

Lyrics in Hindi - roughly, "I Have Seen How Deeply Friendship Lies / I Have Seen People Abandon Me One by One"

Part 1 (3:44-8:27) / Part 2 (2:16:29-2:20:42)

Make sure to turn on the video’s English captions

In this romantic tragedy, Suresh Sinha (Dutt) is a washed-up director looking back on his life. In the first part, the song leads into the rest of the film - which is almost entirely a flashback. In brief, Suresh is unhappily married to a woman whose in-laws look down on him because, to them, working in films is contemptible to their social class. Suresh meets a woman, Shanti (Waheeda Rehman), on accident and she is soon cast as the lead for his next film. They fall in love, but it is never consummated for various reasons. Eventually, his career crashes after a box office bomb and her career is ascendant. Leading into the second part of the song, Suresh is penniless and working as an extra at the movie studio. Shanti recognizes him, wants to help, but he refuses to revive his career on the back of her success. Kaagaz Ke Phool has elements of autobiography, and Suresh's fate has parallels with what happened to Dutt after this film was released.

“(Do You Know What It Means to Miss) New Orleans”, music by Louis Alter, lyrics by Edgar De Lange, New Orleans (1947)

Initially performed by Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong and his band; reprised by various

(initial film performance) / (Louis Armstrong single version)

Endie (Holiday in her only appearance in a feature film) is a maid to the affluent Smith family, whose matriarch looks down on jazz as a disreputable genre of music. In secret, Endie frequents a gambling and jazz establishment in the historic Storyville district of New Orleans and performs here with Louis Armstrong (playing himself) and others when she gets the chance. The matriarch's daughter (Dorothy Patrick), an classical operatic soprano, is transfixed by this new music she has never heard before.

“ Exsultate Justi”, music and lyrics by John Williams, Empire of the Sun (1987)

Performed by orchestra and chorus under the direction of Williams

Lyrics in Latin

In this historical epic, affluent British school boy Jamie Graham (a young Christian Bale) is living with his parents in Shanghai when the Japanese invade. Jamie is separated from his parents and placed in an internment camp. Soon before the end of WWII, the prisoners are moved elsewhere, but Jamie hides and stays put. This song plays as Jamie bikes around the empty camp and continues to play as he encounters liberating U.S. troops. Jamie is dirty and malnourished when found; one can argue that this song is used ironically. It plays once more over the end credits. "Exsultate Justi" is a variation on a theme John Williams develops over the course of the film and harkens back to Jamie's past, attending Anglican services with parents.

“Farewell to Storyville", music by Louis Alter, lyrics by Edgar De Lange, New Orleans (1947)

Performed by Louis Armstrong and his band, Billie Holiday, and company

In New Orleans, the Storyville district was a den of drinking, gambling, jazz, and prostitution. The district was the home to a heavily black populace. The U.S. military, about to establish a Naval base nearby, forces the city to close the district for good. This song is a swinging dirge to a center of jazz - a musical genre looked down upon by many of the city's upper-class whites due to its ties (real and imagined) to crime.

“Happy Endings", music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, New York, New York (1977)

Performed by Liza Minnelli and company (that's Jack Haley - who played the Tin Man and was, at the time, Minnelli's father-in-law - roughly seven minutes in)

(use in film) / (soundtrack version)

It is highly recommended one sees how this song is used in the film. Bear with me: this song is part of a movie within a movie. Within that movie within a movie, there is another movie. "Happy Endings" is the title end song to a film called Happy Endings within New York, New York. Singer Francine Evans (Liza Minnelli) has made it big as a recording artist and caps off her hit film, Happy Endings, with this song. We see Francine's ex, played by Robert De Niro, in the audience as the film ends. "Happy Endings" is a homage/deconstruction to midcentury Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) musicals. It serves the film as "The Broadway Melody" does to Singin' in the Rain (1952) or the 17-minute ballet does to conclude An American in Paris (1951).

“Here They Come (From All Over the World)", music and lyrics by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, The T.A.M.I. Show (1964)

Performed by Jan and Dean

The link above provides the entire film. You only need to watch from 0:00-4:11. If you like music from this era or want to hear more, this film is highly, highly recommended.

This is the opening credits song to a concert film recorded over two days in Santa Monica, California on October 28 and 29, 1964. The Teenage Awards Music International (T.A.M.I. - yes, I know it's an awkward name) Show included many of the most popular musical stars of that time - almost all of them name-dropped in this song. Jan and Dean, a surf music duo, served as hosts (and performed during) the show. You folks are lucky that this is the only original song from this film!

“Is There Still Anything That Love Can Do?", music and lyrics by Yôjirô Noda, Weathering with You (2019, Japan)

Performed by RADWIMPS

Lyrics in Japanese (translation)

Weathering with You is a romantic fantasy anime about a high school boy who runs away from his rural home to Tokyo, where he meets a girl who can manipulate the weather. It has been inexplicably raining for weeks without interruption in Tokyo, so they form a business to help clear the inclement weather for special events. The melody of this song is heard throughout the film's score. It does not appear with lyrics until late in the film. The song is played under the boy's seemingly impossible attempt to save her from an unwilling human sacrifice.

There is so much plot in this damn film (it's all Makoto Shinkai's fault) - I can't explain the context of the song or this movie in a reasonable amount of space.

“Moonlight Swim”, music by Ben Weisman, lyrics by Sylvia Dee, Blue Hawaii (1961)

Performed by Elvis Presley

In a musical packed end-to-end with songs, Chadwick "Chad" Gates (Elvis) has taken a job with a tour guide agency. On his first day, he drives his first clients - a school teacher (who not so secretly is attracted to Chad) and four teenagers (one of whom becomes smitten) - to their destination.

“Personality”, music by Jimmy Van Heusen, lyrics by Johnny Burke, Road to Utopia (1946)

Performed by Dorothy Lamour

(in-film performance) / (live radio performance)

In the fourth film of the Road to... comedy series, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's characters have just overpowered two Alaskan thugs with a history of murderous violence. As they enter a saloon dressed up as those two thugs, all of the patrons - in a town that only knows the thugs by reputation - shut up in terror. They are treated to a performance by Sal (Lamour), who is trying to find a map of a gold mine that the real outlaws supposedly have. A visual narrator (Robert Benchley) interrupts the scene before the song briefly.

“Please Don’t Stop Loving Me”, music and lyrics by Joy Byers, Frankie and Johnny (1966)

Performed by Elvis Presley

(in-film performance) / (single version)

Johnny (Elvis) and girlfriend Frankie (Donna Douglas) work on a Mississippi River riverboat as performers. Johnny is addicted to gambling and believes that another woman is spurring on his recent run of good luck. During a fit of jealousy-as-acting, Frankie accidentally shoots Johnny during a bit of musical theater (someone switched out the blanks for real bullets). This song occurs after Johnny has recovered from the accident.

“Theme from New York, New York”, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, New York, New York (1977)

Performed by Liza Minnelli

(in-film performance) / (Frank Sinatra single)

For most of the film, saxophone player Jimmy Doyle (Robert De Niro) is trying to compose a song but cannot figure out the lyrics (this plays out as a subplot). His eventual girlfriend/later ex, Francine Evans (Minnelli) provides said lyrics. Some time well after they have broken up, he finds her singing this song - which he previously brought to the top of the jazz charts - in the nightclub where they first met. This film flopped (musical movies were out of fashion by the mid-'70s, and a musical didn't seem "on brand" for director Martin Scorsese). But the Frank Sinatra single popularized this song, and it has been used in many venues of popular culture.

“Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam”, music and lyrics by S.D. Burman, Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959, India)

Performed by Geeta Dutt (dubbing Waheeda Rehman)

Lyrics in Hindi - roughly, "Time Has Inflicted Such Sweet Cruelty On Us"

Song begins at 1:03:31 and ends at 1:07:51

Make sure to turn on the video’s English captions

In this romantic tragedy told in flashback, Suresh Sinha (Guru Dutt) is a director looking back on his life. Suresh is unhappily married to a woman whose in-laws look down on him because, to them, working in films is contemptible to their social class. Suresh meets a woman, Shanti (Waheeda Rehman), on accident and she is soon cast as the lead for his next film. They fall in love, but it is never consummated for various reasons. This song is the most explicit statement of that love in this film. How much of the scene's set-up is observable by the characters is up to the viewer's interpretation.

“You Make Me Feel So Young”, music by Josef Myrow, lyrics by Mack Gordon, Three Little Girls in Blue (1946)

Performed by Del Porter (dubbing Charles Smith) and Carol Stewart (dubbing Vera-Ellen)

(use in film) / (Frank Sinatra cover)

In this rarely-seen musical (*insert plea to Disney to restore the massive 20th Century Fox catalogue they now own and are almost certainly neglecting*), three chicken farmer sisters decide to travel to Atlantic City in hopes of marrying a rich husband when they learn their aunt's inheritance is not nearly as much as they want. There, youngest sister Myra (Vera-Ellen) - despite the sisters' original intentions of marrying men of wealth - becomes involved with a waiter named Mike (Charles Smith). They go on a date, and they sing this song. A somewhat overly-literal fantastical dancing sequence ensues, complete with Vera-Ellen's dancing skills. This song was popularized by Frank Sinatra years later and has long enjoyed status as a big band/jazz standard.

Contact me however you wish if you have questions or comments regarding MOABOS' processes or something specific about a song or a few. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are having difficulty accessing one of the songs (especially if it is region-locked) or if there is an error in the playlist.

Once more, I thank you all for your support for the Movie Odyssey, the blog, and for me personally - no matter how long I’ve known you or in what capacity. There are no hard feelings if you cannot get to this, although I will be checking in as the deadlines get close. Please wear a mask. Practice social distancing. We'll see each other again on the other side of this pandemic.

TABULATION The winner is determined by a process distinct from the preliminary round. For the final, the winner is chosen by the process known as single transferable vote (the Academy Awards uses this method to choose a Best Picture winner, visually represented here - you should really watch this video if the below doesn’t make sense… which it probably won’t):

All #1 picks from all voters are tabulated. A song needs more than half of all aggregate votes to win (50% of all votes plus one… i.e. if there are thirty respondents, sixteen #1 votes are needed to win on the first count).

If there is no winner after the first count (as is most likely), the song(s) with the fewest #1 votes or points is/are eliminated. Placement will be determined by the tiebreakers described below. Then, we look at the ballots of those who voted for the most recently-eliminated song(s). Their votes then go to the highest-remaining and non-eliminated song on their ballot.

The process described in step #2 repeats until one song has secured 50% plus one of all votes. We keep eliminating nominees and transfer votes to the highest-ranked, non-eliminated song on each ballot. NOTE: It is possible after several rounds of counting that respondents who did not entirely fill in their ballots will have wasted their votes at the end of the process. For example, if a person voted the second-to-last place song as their #1, ranked no other songs, and the count has exceeded two rounds, their ballot is discarded (lowering the vote threshold needed to win), and they have no say in which song ultimately is the winner.

A song wins when it reaches more than fifty percent of all #1 and re-distributed votes.

Tiebreakers: 1) first song to receive 50% plus one of all #1 and transferred votes; 2) total points earned (this was the first tiebreaker in the preliminary round); 3) total #1 votes; 4) average placement on my ballot and my sister’s ballot; 5) tie declared

Previous years’ results for reference: 2013 final 2014 final (input from family and friends began this year) 2015 final 2016 prelim / final 2017 prelim / final 2018 prelim / final 2019 prelim / final

#2020 Movie Odyssey Awards

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christinaengela · 3 years

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There are many reasons why LED lights are better in a car than the older bulbs, starting with their much lower need for power. For example, if you forget your car’s lights on, it’s unlikely to run your battery down as quickly. Heat generation is another – I’ve had to replace more than a few interior light covers made brittle and cracked and even broken by extended exposure to heat from incandescent bulbs over their lifetimes! They’re also tougher and last longer. They also come in different colors, if you’re that way inclined. LED bulbs – if you’ll forgive the pun – are just cooler.

I have a fairly old car, a 1962 VW Beetle, and it’s what some people call “old school” – in fact, most of its equipment is still original factory machinery! You might want to upgrade the old bulbs on your old car to something shiny, brighter and new, and you may be wondering how. Let me tell you what I did.

The only upgrades I performed on this car when I inherited it from its original owner in 2015, was to change the 6 volt electrics to 12 volt so that I didn’t have to push-start it every morning or spend nearly R3000 on a new 6 volt battery! All this entailed was to swap the 6 volt generator with a 12 alternator, and of course, all the light bulbs.

Recently I decided to upgrade the standard, dim incandescent light bulbs to LED replacements. For the most part, this went perfectly fine and without a hitch. I started in the interior of the car – and almost immediately ran into a wall – aside from finding a replacement LED light for the roof light fitting easily enough, I was unable to locate a single LED light replacement for the instrument bulbs! In the meantime, satisfied with the brighter, cooler interior light, I decided to replace what I could with what I could find – and work on the trouble-children later.

The standard indicator, brake/night light bulbs are easily replaced with a wide variety of LED equivalents that you can buy for not much at virtually every car accessory store in PE – and then some!

I even found LED park-light bulbs – but, when it came to the headlights bulbs, that’s where I seemed to hit a wall!

First, the standard three-pin fitting (labeled H4 by the peeps who looked at me like I was from Mars when I asked for a set of LED headlight bulbs with the “regular, ordinary 3 pin plug fitting”) is apparently easily available – when it’s in stock!

As with everything nowadays, LED headlight bulbs are available in a diverse variety – you get the ones that look almost exactly like the original incandescent items, being the same size – and then you get the ones that have fancy heatsinks complete with miniature cooling fans built into the back, with the connector on the end of a short cable behind!

In fact, as it turned out, I had to do a little digging to find some. For example, when I asked around, one car accessory shop (the one everybody seems to think of first and is named after a king with the golden touch) was completely sold out – across town – and didn’t know when they would restock.

Another place I tried had some high-end bulbs for sale – to the tune of nearly R2000 for a pair! “Well, we do cater for people who enter car-shows, y’know.” The guy apologized when he saw me turn pale and lean on his counter for support.

I guess he felt a little sorry for me, because he was nice enough to invite me into his workshop, where he demonstrated the awesome power of the expensive bulb on his test bench!

“Look,” I said, blinking furiously while still seeing spots, “all I want is a pair of nice bright headlight bulbs with the right fitting – LED ones – not something that could be weaponized or fry eggs from across a garage!”

“Ah.” He smiled, and then referred me to a small shoppie on the Bridge that sells everything from snow-globes and mp3 players to train-sets and crossbows. “Try them, they have some Chinese-made ones there for R150 a set. Of course, they’re not as good as these.”

Of course not, Bob, of course not. But I could live with R150 a lot easier than I could with R2000 – even if the fancy ones could probably yset the car in front of Dolly on fire.

So that’s what I got – a set of very nice looking LED headlights for R150 in a neat, stylish box – with the H4 fitting at the back, even though it was attached to a cable on the back of the bulb. They had little heatsinks topped with cute miniature cooling fans too! I went home, feeling very pleased with myself!

That afternoon, I set about taking the bug’s headlight units out in preparation to fit my new acquisitions. Dolly is a 1962 model, so she has the more stylish sloping oval-shaped headlights, and a slightly different bulb-mounting fitting than most later models post 1967. As it turned out, taking the old bulbs out was the easy part. I was in for a bit of a surprise.

The brand new LED bulbs were very shiny and pretty and high-tech looking – but there were a few problems. They didn’t have the right collar plate that seated the bulbs into the reflector opening firstly, and secondly, the heatsink and fan built onto the back was too big to fit through the bulb-mounting ring!

The bulb’s H4 plug worked just fine alright – I plugged it in and tested the lights – they were nice and bright and switched between dipped and beam as they were supposed to… but how the Edgar Allan Poe was I supposed to get them to fit the headlights?

Horrifying visions of duct tape and nightmares involving bits of wire and cable ties filled my head! No, I don’t work like that, I chided myself… Definitely not! Or, wait a minute, or I could just put the old bulbs back and return my hard-won wares to the shop in the hope of a refund? Er… no. I didn’t want to do that either. There had to be a way, I thought.

I took the whole lot inside with me and sat on the couch beside my love to have some coffee while I mulled over the dilemma. How the hell was I going to make this lot work? About half an hour later, after holding this part against that and postulating ‘what-ifs’ and ‘maybe I coulds’, I had an idea or two, and took the first headlight and bulbs new and old with me to the workshop.

The problem was the cable – it came out via the side of the rear of the heatsink unit, as opposed to directly out of the back – where there was a small fan intake to aid in cooling the heatsink. This prevented the ring housing from passing over the top of the bulb.

I overcame these issues by addressing one at a time. I removed the collars from the LED units easily – they slipped off without any fuss. Next I took the correct collars off a pair of old headlight bulbs – you can see how I did it in the photos, using a screwdriver handle and light hammer – and cleared the center holes so that they would allow the LED part of the new bulbs pass through as far as they could without being actually fitted to the bulb.

Why not dispense with the collar entirely? Well, because the mounting ring contains a spring with presses against the back of this collar in order to hold the unit to the reflector housing. Without that, the whole lot would be loose and might need something like duct tape to hold in place – and I didn’t want that!

With that out of the way, I looked at ways to make the mounting ring fit over the heatsink – which was about the same girth as the hole in the center. Trouble was, it wouldn’t pass over it from the rear due to the position of the cable, and for a moment I considered cutting a gap through the ring to allow it to do so, but decided against it. I didn’t want to make any irreversible changes to the originality of the car. Headlights like that are either very rare or very expensive to replace y’know!

Instead, I simply adjusted the edges of the hole in the ring with pliers and did the reverse – inserted the bulb unit into the hole from the back, and adjusted the edges of the hole so that it had a fairly firm grip and wouldn’t just fall out again.

With a bit of tweaking and refitting and more tweaking, I got the first headlight together, and then did the same thing on the second. Both went into the bug without a hitch, despite a reduced gap behind the headlights in the headlight buckets. I wondered how that would affect the new-fangled cooling fans in the back of the headlights… but in the time since I fitted them, several weeks ago now, I haven’t noticed any problems. The best thing about doing it this way, is that it makes no permanent changes to your older classic car – if like me, that sort of thing worries you! If the fancy took me, I could whip out the new LED bulbs and replace them with stock units without a problem.

Incidentally, you might want to remove these little things from your headlights (if they still have them) – they basically serve no purpose other than to make your headlights even dimmer!

Dolly now has nice bright LED headlights, and I feel a lot safer in driving on overcast or rainy days when other road users drive like they’re the only cars on the road! Driving at night is now also much less stressful an experience!

Dolly’s feeling all bright-eyed and bushy tailed – see you later, we’re going for a drive!

Pictures included – enjoy!

Have a DIY day!

Cheers!

#gallery-0-4 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-4 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 16%; } #gallery-0-4 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-4 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

If you’d like to send Christina Engela a question about anything on this site, or her life as a writer or transactivist, please send an email to [email protected] or use the Contact form on her author website.

Show your appreciation for Christina’s work!

Easy DIY Fit LED Headlight Bulbs To An Older Car There are many reasons why LED lights are better in a car than the older bulbs, starting with their much lower need for power.

#adapt #Beetle #cheap #DIY #easy #hack #headlight #innovate #LED #overcome #preserve #upcycle #upgrade #workaround

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igotopinions · 4 years

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Books I Read in 2019

* = Re-read Check out past years: 2012, 2013 (skipped), 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Follow me on Goodreads to get these reviews as they happen. 1) The Right To Be Cold: One Woman's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet by Sheila Watt-Cloutier 2) Nollywood: The Making of a Film Empire by Emily Witt 3) The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi 4) My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh Reads like a more mature Chuck Palahniuk. 5) Of Dice and Men by ME I won't be a dink and give myself a star rating or glowing review, but I gotta get that credit for my annual reading challenge! I'll also say it's a richly rewarding experience to, after all the work of writing & editing & publishing & promoting, to re-read something you wrote and still feel all the strong, positive feelings it gave as you figured out the first draft. 6) Lagos Noir, edited by Chris Abani 7) The Secret Lives of Colour by Kassia St. Clair 8) The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi A really fun, cleverly written coming-of-age story with just the right period touches to it. I gobbled this thing down in a couple of days, having no problem seeing why Zadie Smith spoke highly of it in her latest book of essays. 9) Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice 10) America: The Farewell Tour by Chris Hedges TL:DR This book is not toilet paper, but it sure is shit-adjacent. It gave me strong feelings, which you can read on Goodreads. 11) The Anatomical Venus: Wax, God, Death & the Ecstatic by Joanna Ebenstein Great introduction to the subject with fantastic photos & illustrations. My only frustration was the layout, which frequently breaks up the main text mid-sentence for two or even four pages of images with details captions to read or full page quotes, so it takes a bit more effort to read linearly. 12) The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany I found this through the ol' Appendix N reading list and it's not hard to see how this influenced D&D in many ways, but it has value well beyond that novelty. This is a wonderful fantasy tale in the vein of classic fairy tales, a welcome break from the kind of epics we mostly associate with the genre these days. By the final run up to the ending I was really immersed in what I was reading and I know I'll be looking up more of his books. 13) The Worst Is Yet to Come: A Post-Capitalist Survival Guide by Peter Fleming *14) A Canticle For Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. The first third remains perfect. The middle third is better than I remember, which is to say very good indeed, despite the feeling of inevitability running through it. The final third remains a pretty obvious punchline stretched out over too many pages, something basically predicted by the ending of the middle story. But! Ah! That first third! 15) The Gods of Pegana by Edward John Moreton Dunsany In theory this was an influence on Lovecraft's Dreamlands cycle books. 16) Era of Ignition: Coming of Age in a Time of Rage and Revolution by Amber Tamblyn 17) Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria by Noo Saro-Wiwa 18) 1985 by Anthony Burgess 19) Infinite Detail by Tim Maughan 20) Seasonal Associate by Heike Geissler, Kevin Vennemann (Afterword), Katy Derbyshire (Translation) 21) Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport 22) How To Write Adventure Modules That Don't Suck Edited by Jobe Bittman 23) The Immortal of World's End by Lin Carter 24) This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life by David Foster Wallace 25) My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite *26) Idoru by Oliver Brackenbury 27) Conan by Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter 28) Heroes in the Wind: From Kull to Conan by Robert E. Howard 29) The Postman by David Brin Yes, this is that “The Postman”, the one which was adapted into a universally reviled Kevin Costner film in the mid-to-late nineties. It is, however, significantly different and far more enjoyable. It is an extremely White Straight Guy book with some curious ideas about gender in the back end, a "Rah rah, America!" through-line, and an obsession with describing horses as "steaming". It is also a well-crafted, clear, concise, quickly-moving story that avoids several obvious turns most authors would have plowed right into, and overall serves as a great exploration of the power of lies & myths. Plus, yeah, it is kind of heartwarming to imagine the concept of snail mail & the people who deliver it serving to re-unite us in the post-apocalypse. Unlike the movie, I'd honestly recommend this. Heck, I'm thinking I'll start exploring the rest of his catalog. 30) Beastie Boys Book by Michael Diamond & Adam Horowitz If you're a fan, then you'll like this. If not? I dunno man! The whole thing feels like hearing stories from your favourite old high school buddies when they're at their most honest and interesting. Great stuff. 31) Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen by Brian Raftery 32) Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master by Michael Shea 33) Conan of Cimmeria by Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague De Camp, and Lin Carter. As tends to be the case, the pure Howard stories are best. Carter and De Camp are mostly interested in arranging Howard's work into a larger, more coherent universe...which is fine, I guess, but it has a way of making Conan feel less a legend striding in and out of fantastic situations, more a man - a strong, interesting man, sure, yet still just a man. *34) The Hunter by Richard Stark *35) Beast by Paul Kingsnorth 36) The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline 37) It Came from Something Awful: How a Toxic Troll Army Accidentally Memed Donald Trump into Office by Dale Beran 38) Planetes, Vol. 1-4 by Makoto Yukimura 39) The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan 40) Reawakening Our Ancestors' Lines: Revitalizing Inuit Traditional Tattooing by Angela Hovak Johnston 41) Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq 42) Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott Part life-as-a-writer therapy, part craft, this leans more toward the latter than Stephen King's ON WRITING and that's plenty fine. A nice, light read that holds value for writers at all stages of their career, I reckon. 43) Conan The Freebooter by Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp As tends to be the case with these collections, the pure Howard stories are best. That said, Lin Carter carries himself much better here than in some of the earlier volumes. There are no magical abstractions of good and evil arm-wrestling each other while Conan just stares at them... 44) The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie 45) The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft Pretty good stuff but, as was pointed out on the excellent Appendix N Podcast, this story would have been really something had it been edited down a bit. RACISM METER: Honestly, pretty okay, which is saying something for Lovecraft! No cats with awful names or race theory or any of that. Just a good wholesome story of madness and history. 46) Difficult Men: Behind the Scenes of a Creative Revolution: From The Sopranos and The Wire to Mad Men and Breaking Bad by Brett Martin 47) Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Leiber 48) The Enchantress of World's End by Lin Carter 49) The Barbarian of World's End by Lin Carter These are not terribly good books....but I keep reading them for the goofy ideas and setting. Averaging 180 pages, they're not a big investment so hey why not? 50) The Giant of World’s End by Lin Carter The first is the best. I think because it was written as a complete story, not the literary equivalent of another episode of a Saturday morning cartoon, as the other World's End books read. As with the rest of the series it is enjoyed more on the merits of the wacky ideas than the quality of prose, including a part near the end who may well have been a source of inspiration for the Emperor of Mankind in the Warhammer 40K universe. Its main drawback is the classic scifi/fantasy failing of providing multiple asides to historical background meant to add depth to the world but which is ultimately meaningless to the reader as it has little if anything to do with the story - nevermind the characters! Heck, it's only 140 pages. It's fun. The ending actually got to me a little. It's a good place to pluck out ideas for tabletop roleplaying, if you're into that. Yup! 51) Wonder Tales: The Book of Wonder and Tales of Wonder by Lord Dunsany 52) Outcast of Redwall by Brian Jacques It's a fun little story, clearly intended for younger audiences, and I've no regrets having bought it second hand. BUT You could have clipped off nearly a hundred pages if the author didn't feel compelled to give you a highly detailed account of every single meal - including many feasts - had by characters big and small. Holy mother of God do you come out of this knowing a lot about the diets of the various woodland creatures, with their meadowberry pies and etc. 53) Björk's Homogenic by Emily MacKay 54) DCC RPG Annual Vol 1 by Steve Bean, Julian Bernick, Daniel Bishop, Jobe Bittman, Tim Callahan, Colin Chapman, Michael Curtis, Edgar Johnson, Brendan LaSalle, Stephen Newton, Terry Olson, and Harley Stroh 55) Conan the Avenger by Robert Howrd & L Sprague De Camp This is one of the better collections. Only the third story is a reconstruction from one of Howard's outlines, the rest are undiluted and glorious.That said, the back two stories are a bit cringey re: race, *especially* the reconstruction I mentioned. I'd say I don't know who looks at a Howard story and thinks "Ah, this needs more complex racial hierarchy nonsense!" but I do and that man's name is L. Sprague De Camp, apparently!The important thing is now I'm all caught up for the next episode of The Appendix N podcast, which I heartily recommend. 56) Medallion Status: True Stories from Secret Rooms by John Hodgman 57) Grand Union: Stories by Zadie Smith 58) The Singing Citadel by Michael Moorcock 59) White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo 60) The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson *61) Virtual Light by William Gibson 62) The Dragon Masters by Jack Vance *63) Roadside Picnic by Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky, Ursula K. Le Guin (Foreword), Olena Bormashenko (Translator) *64) Bill, the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison A fun little dunk on Heinlein and his ilk. Very slapstick. 65) Gonzo by Hunter S. Thompson *66) McGlue by Ottessa Moshfegh

STATS Non-Fiction: 23 Fiction: 42 Poetry Collections:0 Comic Trades: 0 Wrote Myself: 1

#birty

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tigerchia · 7 years

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Mark and Jack's Alter Egos

October is around the corner and this got me thinking plus with all the "hints" being throw out by both Mark and Jack, I felt like pouring out my thoughts too^ So, as we all know by now Mark's Alter Egos (Dark, Wil, Google, The Host, Dr.iplier, Ed Edgar, Bim and Silver Shepherd) as in Markiplier TV ARE separate entities of Mark, they do not need Mark as a vessel to be present. While for Jack, Anti seems to be with him, a part of him. Last October in the Say Goodbye video, Jack hears voices around him, sort of like hallucinations that Anti has projected on him. We are not able to see Anti till after he takes over Jack's body by killing him. All of his hints before were ghost like projections of him glitching in and out of videos. I do not know if in the future we will be able to see Anti with Jack together as a separate person, guess we will have to wait to find out more :D Jack's other alter egos, Jackaboy man, Dr.Schneeplestein and Chase Brody with Anti and Dr.Schneeplestein being the most popular now, I'm really curious if Jack is going to team up all of his alter egos in a video. A while before when Jack uploads his video on bio inc., we get to see Dr.Schneeplestein gets a come back. Don't know if this is intentional or coincidence, shortly after this series, Anti related hints starts to come up. So is Anti and Dr.Schneep plotting on something or is Anti pulling the strings here? All hints from titles of videos to dying his hair back to dark green with the caption "return or reborn" to the thumbnails on his video. Jack, what are you plotting for us? Side note, I think that return and reborn could possibly said that Jack is back to take revenge on Anti since Anti has said at the panel, he is not going anywhere, he is always there, always watching. The Jack we known is dead last year, so is the on screen Jacksepticeye Anti in disguise all along? I say this because in some of the videos, Anti's laugh can be heard but without any glitch on screen, it could have been an act to throw us off or maybe I'm thinking too much but sometimes I just couldn't help noticing some of this little hints that could lead to the bigger picture at the end :P Okay now back to Mark. After google gets an upgrade, Dark and the team has gone a bit quiet from there. The is not much activity going on till he started dropping what a lot of people assume as hints on his video titles. Also remember in Markiplier TV where Mark said there is two heads on the table which is referring to Dark and Wilford, both wanted to take control but in a different way. I know some theorist have already connected the dots together but still I wanted to mention it again. Dark, as describe by Mark is a manipulator, he is calm, collective, calculative and smart. He tries to give you something but drops hints along the way to draw the audience in till you are fully under his power but Wilford is careless, wild and only thinks of himself hence in the video where they fight in disagreement of Markiplier TV. Then again, we never get any hints from them in other videos anymore till recently, Mark changes his lights to pink in the yandere simulator video. Maybe is just him fiddling with his lights but also it represents Warfstache. Does that mean Yandere is now under Wilford's team? It doesn't stop there, Mark later changes his lights to red in homeworld and joy of creation. Is that representing Dark? Two of the original alter egos of Mark switching side by side...I really do wish to know more cuz all of this hints IS KILLING ME :3 I know if been rambling for a long time but this is the last one. Now a lot of people have been asking for Dark and Anti collab and believe me, I want it to happen badly too. Yesterday I stumble upon a video by paranerdnicky about the possibility of the collab. In the video she mention the Jack when to LA for the D23 expo for ten days. Ten days is a long time and a lot of things can happen. Also she mention that although Mark and Jack can be together in D23 but they have been very secretive about it. She also mention that in the past they have said that there would be no collab between those two because of time constraints and the amount of editing into it and also some other possible reasonings. Anyways, who knows if they are actually planning out something big this October for us or just me thinking about it too much again. Besides going to the expo, the game grumps live show, possibly planning for his tour and maybe meet up with some friends, what is Jack actually doing in LA? P.S I would really love to see Mark facing Dark, Wil and the gang in a video being Mark either almost getting killed or kidnapped by them. That would be so awesome. P.S.S This is all just my random thoughts because I love the concept of Youtubers alter egos. It's fascinating to see how they take on the roles whether it's from a fan made character or even a cannon character created by them 💕 If one day Mark or Jack decided to publish a book or just a long text about the concept of the characters on how they perceive and think about them I would so gush all over it. Gosh, I'm such a nerd when it comes to theories :P Well then enough from me now, byieee ✌🏻

#markiplier #jacksepticeye #fandom #alter egos #darkiplier #wilford warfstache #the host #googleplier #dr. iplier #ed edgar #silver shepherd #bim trimmer #ramblings

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ciathyzareposts · 4 years

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What’s Your Story – Mr. Sack

Answers: Mr. Sack Introduction and Captions: TBD

And today, we have somebody who sent in their What’s Your Story answers before commenting on the blog. It’s time to welcome the self-described “long time fan, first time caller,” Mr. Sack!

My home country is… USA! USA! USA! Heh, sorry. I’m not jingoistic, but I couldn’t resist.

My age is… 40, but I still feel 23…not physically, but mentally. I remember turning 23, graduating college, 5 years into legal adulthood, expecting to be a full-time adult and yet not knowing if I was ready for that privilege or responsibility. It seemed like I was faking it and everyone else had it together. Now that I’m 40, with a wife, two kids, and a job that isn’t exactly dead-end but isn’t exactly fulfilling, I realize everyone is pretty much faking it; I still feel young and irresponsible, but at least I’m better at faking it.

The first adventure game I played was… Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards…when I was 8 years old. My dad brought home his work computer for my little brother and me to play the casino games and exploring the virtual world (making sure we didn’t wander off into the dirty parts…not that we would even understand it). Years later when we got our own computer, I tracked down just about every available Sierra game both old and new. I ended up playing all the Leisure Suit Larry games before ever having a girlfriend. In a way, the games helped to shaped my attitude towards sex and masculinity (both are HILARIOUS), and taught me to respect women, to see them as people with their own needs and desires that should be fulfilled before I get what I want (and sometimes I don’t get what I want, but I make the best of it).

I’m surprised you can get past the title screen without finding some dirty parts!

My favourite adventure game is… really hard to pick. Growing up, I almost exclusively played Sierra games both out of ignorance for any other quality games from other companies and satisfaction from their catalogue. When I discovered LucasArts games, the whole world opened up and it amazes me I managed to do anything as a kid other than play these games. At one point, I would have said King’s Quest VI was my favorite, though it is my favorite of that series. Leisure Suit Larry 3 is the perfect balance between a real adventure game and Larry’s comedy trope of dating and societal mockery and the best of that series. For a time, Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers could not be dethroned because of its dark story and incredible style. Space Quest V is criminally underrated among that series and I’m surprised it doesn’t get more love. Really, the golden age of adventure gaming, from King’s Quest I to Grim Fandango, those games are the games I remember so fondly.

As for my “gun to the head” answer, when I think of the game that I enjoyed from beginning to end, that was the perfect blend of hilarious sharp writing, visually pleasing, and just plain all around fun, it’s probably Sam & Max Hit the Road. I loved that game so much, it made me a fan of the Steve Purcell comics and visual style. While I enjoyed the Telltale series, the Lucasarts entry is just so good and I lament we never got to experience the cancelled sequel.

A lot of people with guns to their heads pick Sam & Max – I wonder why?

When I’m not playing games I like to… keep myself entertained. I watch movies and online videos like The Spoony Experiment, read books, comics, blogs, cereal boxes, anything that stimulates my mind. Boredom is my worst enemy. Having two young kids has helped me rediscover playing with toys.

I like my games in (a box, digital format)… young me would have said box with all the trimmings of manuals that seemed like they came straight from the game and devices that either served as copy protection or simply cosmetic dressing…but now that I’m older and space is limited, plus having games easily portable on my phone and my Nintendo Switch, I’ve no problem with digital format. In fact, having replayed classics like Day of the Tentacle and Full Throttle on my iPad, not to mention so many new adventure games from Wadjet, Zojoi, and the new Leisure Suit Larry game, I want every single adventure game past, present, and future available on my digital platforms of choice.

Unavowed from Wadjet Eye Games – available now on most digital platforms!

The thing I miss about old games is… the risks of experimental games by big studios. Sierra and Lucasarts brought out some incredible pieces of work in their glory days before they went seriously corporate and eventually disbanded. Even other companies like Capcom were much better when we got games like Darkstalkers, ones that developed cult followings and had real character. With games having blockbuster-sized budgets and a need to recoup such high production costs, they tend to play it so safe and formulaic, especially with things that, for their time, would have been considered bold. Also, I miss the sense that I had so much time to play them all. Becoming an adult has really made me aware of time and responsibilities that must be fulfilled before I can do anything else, and that usually leaves me with little time for gaming.

The best thing about modern games is… the stigma of gaming being for nerds who don’t leave their parents’ basements is gone…for the most part. There are games for everyone, and despite what blogs on both sides of the political spectrum say, we can all unite over our love for them, regardless of genres and flaws. It baffles me that there are those who seem to want to dictate what gaming is, who believe games on phones are not “real games”, or that games from the past are terrible due to either gaming conventions of the time or the lack of inclusion and pandering to the “old guard”. Gaming shouldn’t be so divisive. Preferences in genres will be there, but it’s our differences in preferences that should bring us all together. Also, I love the indie gaming scene that allows for blockbuster games from the big studios and small, experimental pieces from everyone else.

The one TV show I never miss is… Mystery Science Theater 3000, no question. My all-time favorite television show. It pretty much shaped my sense of humor and outlook on life. While it’s never quite managed to evolve past being a cult show (albeit one that has a lot of big name fans and the idea of a bad film being “MST3K-worthy” is parlance I am glad to see), its influence is undeniable in this era of online cynicism and critique. Whether that’s good or bad is up to each person’s interpretation, but for me, the world can take itself way too seriously, and sometimes I just want to hear the riffs of a guy trapped in space with two sarcastic robots. I’ve said that, in the era of DVD commentary tracks, every film, regardless of quality, should have a mandatory MST3K track, complete with silhouettes (the Ghostbusters DVD had this, so it’s possible).

Unfortunately, the MST3K revival was recently cancelled after Season 2

If I could see any band live it would be… Gorillaz, just to see how they pull it off.

My favourite movie is… The World’s End. When I bought it on Blu-Ray, I probably watched it at least once a day for half a year, making it easily my most-watched movie. The dialogue is so sharp (no surprise if you’ve ever watched any other Edgar Wright production) and the fight scenes so impressive, and yet most people mark this as inferior to Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, which baffles me; those two films set the bar very high, for sure, but The World’s End matched it. But again, that’s a gun to my head choice (though a much easier one to declare than my favorite game), I’ve grown up watching movies from all eras, and I’m always up for watching a good (or bad) movie with friends, no matter how many times I see it. In fact, the best way to experience a film I’ve already seen is with someone who hasn’t.

If this is the guy with a gun to your head, I think he was hoping for a different World’s End movie

One interesting thing about me is… I joined a local community theater just to be in a production of Avenue Q, and that pretty much opened up a whole new world of interest for me, allowing me to fulfill an acting bug I never knew I had.

source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/whats-your-story-mr-sack/

#retro games #dos games #retro #crpg #adventure #amiga #oldcomputers #8bit #16bit #blog #repost

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limejuicer1862 · 5 years

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F WORD WARNING

Wombwell Rainbow Interviews

I am honoured and privileged that the following writers local, national and international have agreed to be interviewed by me. I gave the writers two options: an emailed list of questions or a more fluid interview via messenger.

The usual ground is covered about motivation, daily routines and work ethic, but some surprises too. Some of these poets you may know, others may be new to you. I hope you enjoy the experience as much as I do.

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Thursday Simpson

lives between Peoria, Illinois and Iowa City, Iowa. She is a writer, musician and cook. Her work has recently been anthologized in Nasty! Volume 2, Hexing the Patriarchy and Satan Speaks!. She believes in garlic, onions and Feline Satan. Her twitter is @JeanBava and her full publication history can be found at www.thursdaysimpson.com

The Interview

1. When and why did you start writing poetry?

When I was a kid and throughout highschool I always wanted to write. Mostly back then I would listen to Opeth’s album Damnation or Tiamat’s album Prey and try to come up with my own poetry but it never really happened. But eventually in 2008 I was enrolled in community college and playing in about 10 different bands. I wasn’t really happy playing music so I started thinking about writing again. One of the nice things about writing as opposed to film making or playing music is that there is no recording or filming process. It’s like pure expression, no strings, no tuning, no effects or cables. Sure, you need a laptop and there is always so much revision and study involved. And writing is such a more long term thing than music. A manuscript might take more than five years to go from draft number one to publication as opposed to an album getting written, recorded, mixed and released in a year or two. It’s not that one medium involves more or less work, they’re just different. And the process involved with writing really kind of seemed attractive to me back then. I could sit and read and then write on my computer and email my work to publications instead of constantly practicing and trying to get my riffs recorded on good audio and find a label’s mailing address and trying to get their attention and going on the road and all of that.

2. Who introduced you to poetry?

There are several things that do come to mind, though. Growing up in Galesburg, Illinois one hears a lot about Carl Sandburg. He was born here and a lot of things are named after him. I actually won a poetry contest in the 7th grade put on by his estate and his daughter gave me the prize at a ceremony held at his birthplace.

I think also in the 7th grade our class did a poetry unit where we read poets like Nikki Giovanni and Langston Hughes and Lewis Carroll and Edgar Allan Poe. Looking back on that now, it’s so weird. It was a Catholic school, so we were getting all of this militant right wing anti abortion politics, books like Harry Potter were banned.But we also read poets like Nikki Giovanni and learned about Oscar Romero.

Then once I was in public highschool, I think I started to hear people talk about poetry as something one did to express themselves. Or as a valid art form unto itself. Some people from my highschool used to get together both in person and online and workshop eachother’s poetry. They were who told me about Sylvia Plath and poets like that.

But it was really more professors at my community college that made it start to click for me. One guy was an eldergoth from the 80’s and also used to play music before he became a writer. He really helped me take poetry as something I wanted to do and turn it into something that I did. He taught, “America,” by Allen Ginsberg in class one day and I went out and got a copy of Howl. The title poem, Howl, really fucking blew me away. I think that’s the poem that really made me fall in love with poetry.

3. How aware are and were you of the dominating presence of older poets traditional and contemporary?

At first, very much so. That’s all we were taught in community college. The only non intro lit course was a two part Fall-Spring British Lit survey. I really didn’t like Beowulf or Canterbury Tales or the The Faerie Queene. I loved Shakespeare but didn’t really like Donne and Marvel and etc etc.

And after a month or two of the Enlightenment guys, I really fell for Wordsworth and Coleridge and Byron and the Shelley’s. I read their stuff for the better part of Spring 2010. Then a friend of mine that recently graduated from Western Illinois University asked me to help her run a local writing workshop. And while we were hanging out and planning it she showed me all of the texts they worked on at Western and let me borrow Richard Siken’s book, Crush. And after reading him I fell in love with poetry all over again.

Then once I transferred to the University of Iowa to finish my BA I chose a poetry writing course based on the instructor teaching Siken and Frank O’Hara. The Writers Workshop offers a series of creative writing courses for undergrads that anyone can take. And the instructors are all graduate students currently enrolled in the Workshop. We also studied Jeffrey McDaniel and the Dickman Twins and people like that. She also directed me to poets like Sharon Olds, James Wright, Franz Wright.

In other classes in the English literature department we read people like James Baldwin and Marilynne Robinson and Mary Swander and Raymond Carver and Jane Smiley.

During my last Semester there, Spring 2013, I started reading Maggie Nelson. She was around Iowa City for a bit in 2010 or 2011, guest lecturing and things like that, while she was publishing her book, Women, the New York School, and Other True Abstractions, through University of Iowa Press. So by 2013 everyone in Iowa City was reading Bluets. That book really changed my life. I read everything else Maggie Nelson wrote and then read every author she cited in her work, Simone Weil, Eileen Myles, Cookie Mueller.

Then after reading authors like Dodie Bellamy and Kathy Acker and Chris Kraus I started making friends that shared a love for similar writers. And then I more or less started getting plugged into communities of actual contemporary writers my own age doing the coolest fucking shit.

4. What is your daily writing routine?

It varies! I hate doing the same thing every day. But, I do prefer to write in the morning, first thing. I always hydrate first thing every morning. I’m obsessed with drinking water. Then I either make breakfast and a pot of tea or coffee or just start in on whatever project I’m working on. The longer each day goes on the more shit comes up. And I really need to focus when I write. So I like to get it out of the way first thing. Then it always isn’t in the back of my mind as I do everything else during the day.

In general I try to pattern my work ethic after my favorite athletes. Interviews with Kevin Durant or DeMarcus Cousins or Nyla Rose have taught me so much about what it takes and what it looks like to pursue greatness.

5. What motivates you to write?

I think it’s almost always been work that I admire. Sometimes it’s an interpersonal thing, a breakup or a great hookup or whatever. But almost always it’s because I’ve seen a great film or read a great book or watched a great professional wrestling match or athletic contest.

I really like raw, physically immediate work that takes real risks. That’s why I love pro wrestling so much. It’s such a physical, emotional form of storytelling. A great match from Mitsuharu Misawa in a lot of ways reminds me of a novel like The Orange Eats Creeps by Grace Krilanovich or Like Being Killed by Ellen Miller. Or more recently, Tessa Blanchard’s match with Sami Callihan. Tessa really connects with the audience with her tears and really honest cries of pain throughout that contest. That same feeling and emotion is present in Colt Cabana’s recent title defense against James Storm or in just about anything that Pentagón Jr. and his brother, Fénix do in the ring.

Same with the New Day, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods and Big E. I think they’re just about the most talented artists working in professional wrestling throughout this entire decade. There is so much artistic brilliance in their matches with the Uso’s or in Kofi Kingston’s main event work in 2019.

Besides wrestling, films like Night of the Living Dead by George Romero or Living Dead Girl by Jean Rollin really direct my artistic goals. Something raw, real, honest and immediate and emotionally and psychically potent. That’s what I’m always trying to chase and pursue in my own work.

6. How do the writers you read when you were young influence you today?

I think my passion for literature and video games and athletics and film have always been more or less intertwined. When I was about 5 or 6 I started watching the Universal Monster Collection on VHS and got obsessed with horror. I read all of the Goosebumps and Fear Street books from the Galesburg Public Library. I watched the Star Wars films on VHS and then read all of the Star Wars books at the public library. I watched Tales from the Cryptkeeper and Are You Afraid of the Dark and read all of the affiliated franchise novels that the library had.

I first became aware of professional wrestling after renting WWF Royal Rumble on the Sega Genesis. In 1993, 1994 and 1995 the only way to watch wrestling for me was from renting VHS tapes. So anytime I got any money I would rent as many wrestling tapes and horror films as I could afford and watch them over and over.

I didn’t have a computer or access to the Internet until 1999. So mostly every second of my free time was either spent at the library researching films and books or at rental stores reading the VHS boxes.

Crying is a really important spiritual activity for me. Victor Wooten defines crying as something we do when we aren’t able to express our emotions through language. I’ve always cried a lot, regardless of age. My favorite thing to do on my days off is to make a pot of coffee and listen to music or watch a film or listen to an audiobook and cry my fucking eyes out.

The video game Final Fantasy 7 really changed me. I played it fairly soon after it came out in 1997. I became so obsessed with the game. I cried when I played it and I cried thinking about it when I wasn’t playing it. The way it combines such lyrical music with so many incredible greens and blues in the color pallet just really connected with me. I read the strategy guide cover to cover so many times. Video game strategy guides were actually one of my favorite literary genres as a kid. I never owned too many games, but I could afford the strategy guides. So I just read them cover to cover, over and over.

So much of what I do now is born directly out of my obsessions from when I was a child. An interest in Universal Horror led to an interest in the 80’s slasher franchises, that fed into an interest in George Romero’s body of work and so on. Then once I was in college and started to learn about politics and theory and history, horror was such a perfect exploration ground. George Romero’s 1978 film Dawn of the Dead became a renewed obsession. I started thinking of 80’s slasher films as Reagan morality tales.

Coming out of the closet and living publicly as queer and trans for me was very much tied to learning about AIDS in the 1980’s. Reagan’s policies really effected my family in a lot of negative ways. Rick Perlstein wrote a really great two volume work that traces changes in right wing politics from Eisenhower through the 1976 Republican Convention. Those books were such great companions to The Letters of Mina Harker by Dodie Bellamy or I Love Dick by Chris Kraus and In One Person by John Irving. Artists like David Wojnarowicz tie so many things together. My mind has always worked in a language of synchronicity and probability and chance and myth. Things like Baseball statistics have always been incredibly meaningful to me. And the way David Wojnarowicz ties things like country music to masculine queerness really made me feel validated as a thinker for the first time in my life.

And during times when I really thought my writing was over and out, especially in late 2012 and late 2013, watching Are You Afraid of the Dark and some of John Carpenter’s films like They Live and Prince of Darkness really helped get my mind and heart together again. The same with 1931’s Frankenstein. I watched that film over and over as a child. But when I watched it during the fall of 2014 it was like seeing it for the first time. Boris Karloff’s performance is just something special. His unhinged screams during the fire at the end of the film really effected me in a profound way. You can watch that film alongside reading Chris Kraus’ novel, Summer of Hate, and learn a lot about violence in our society.

So yeah, the obsessions and concerns in my work now are very much reflected in my obsessions and concerns as a five year old.

8. Who of today’s writers do you admire the most and why?

There are so many! I think more than anyone, my favorite contemporary writers are Ariel Gore, Tiffany Scandal, Erika T. Wurth, Juliet Cook, Leza Cantoral, Christine M. Hopkins, Kristen J. Sollee, Joanna C. Valente, Nadia Gerassimenko, Juliet Escoria, Ingrid M. Calderon-Collins, Monqiue Quintana, I could go on forever.

Helen Oyeyemi is a genius. Sybil Lamb is a genius. Patrisse Khan-Cullors is a genius.

I also like Koji Suzuki’s novels. Edward Frenkel is another favorite. Karyn Crisis is writing and publishing a series on traditional Italian witchcraft that is excellent. And I do enjoy Haruki Murakami as well. Marisha Pessl is another favorite.

More than anything, I love how publishing is changing. Ebooks and audiobooks and the Internet are opening up so much to so many people. You no longer need to live in New York City or go to college to have access to a life in literature.

Technology is making literature accessible and possible for disabled persons as well. You don’t need a ton of shelving and space to store your books, you can read / listen while you cook or work or whatever. An average SD card can hold about 5 public libraries worth of books.

In general I just love where contemporary literature is right now and hopefully where it’s heading. Art seems more accessible than it’s ever been.

8.1. Why are they genius?

Helen Oyeyemi’s book, “White is For Witching”, is a novel that is as expertly written as it is affecting. I love books that aren’t fixed. Those Comp 101 tropes of, “Reliable narrator, unreliable narrator,” or, “Now class, to write well, we must first prepare an introductory paragraph with our thesis statement,”

Just turn me off.

I love it when an author jumps deep into the psychic mass of human bodies. The psychic and physical realities of humans don’t correspond at all to those 101 concepts.

And Oyeyemi’s, “White is For Witching,” to me is just about the perfect book. Everything in the narrative is always changing. Every sentence just feels so profound and impactful. It really challenges the reader to kind of move beyond the literal text and engage with the narrative more with one’s psychic senses or within one’s innermost being.

Sybil Lamb’s book, “I’ve Got a Timebomb”, is a novel that, to me, recalls Kathy Acker’s non-linear style. But Sybil’s novel specifically frames Acker’s queer, disjointed virtuosity within a transgender, W. Bush era framework.

As with Oyeyemi’s, “White is For Witching,” its rather difficult to get a sense of what’s happening, sentence to sentence. And that forces the reader to both rely on the depth of the language itself and also on their own psychic ability to sense what is happening. And as the novels continue, they each create such a powerful impact and resonance within the reader. Or at least they did with me. They changed my fucking life.

And Patrisse Khan-Cullors book, “When They Call You a Terrorist,” is one of the most profound works I’ve ever read. It’s in part memoir and part contemporary history. I think if someone was only going to read one book published in the 2010’s, “When They Call You a Terrorist,” is a book that person should choose.

I think for a lot of white people in the United States, we really ignore what’s going on around us. We don’t confront our white privilege. We don’t confront that our white privilege is sustained by institutional racism. We don’t confront that horrific violence is forced on people of color.

Throughout her book, Patrisse Khan-Cullors candidly talks about her life and the lives of those around her. And through her writing, she almost kind of gives the reader a choice. By describing the horror and violence of racism, the reader can either choose to be horrified and repent and commit to change or they can continue to block it out.

The narrative also is about the author’s journey as a queer person. She talks about the realities of being queer in highschool and being queer as an adult.

I think, “When They Call You a Terrorist,” is a book that has incredible power. If anyone doubts the ability of literature and narratives to change lives, “When They Call You a Terrorist,” can shake them from that complacency.

9. Why do you write, as opposed to doing anything else?

So, I think for me writing is the most accessible art form. You can do it alone, you don’t have to have a lot of friends or a lot of gear and money and things like that. You don’t have to go buy a guitar and learn how to tune it and replace your strings or learn about what a sine wave and a square wave are and etc etc.

You can go out and read books from your library or find ebooks and audiobooks online and dive in and start getting inspired. Also, libraries carry a ton of ebooks and audiobooks besides physical books. And if there’s something you want that they don’t have, they can almost certainly get it for you.

There’s no equivalent with guitars and drum machines and synthesizers. You kind of have to buy them or maybe at best rent them from a music store. And renting in that context costs money.

But libraries also have laptops you can rent for free and write on. You could base your entire writing career out of a public library if you couldn’t afford books, an internet connection or a computer.

You can just start reading and see what inspires you and go pursue it.

The Internet really helps one connect to other readers and writers and is such an excellent way to find and build communities.

Though, I don’t mean to act like writing is high up on the platonic list of ideal art forms. I live a fairly monastic life and I enjoy that way of living. Writing is a long term game. It takes months and more often than not years to write and draft and edit and revise and get rejected and get rejected and write and revise. It appeals to my temperaments.

And revising is as simple as reading and re-reading, deleting, re-framing, re-stating, seeking clarity and things like that. You don’t have to listen to abunch of audio on abunch of expensive equipment and twist and turn abunch of knobs and worry about re-recording a part or how something’s mixed or anything like that.

10. What would you say to someone who asked you “How do you become a writer?”

More than anything else, one becomes a writer by first reading and then writing and then going back and editing what one has written. The hardest parts about being a writer have more to do with time, money, stress management, real life shit.

When I was living in Iowa City, some of the best advice I got came from reading the memoirs of writers and artists that I admire. Especially Jeanette Winterson and David Lynch and Ann Patchett.

It’s easy to see ourselves as these nobodies and our heroes as deities. But just to share a small part of Jeanette’s story. After she was kicked out of her parents house for being gay, she used to go to the library every day and get books to read. Back then she thought it was required to read every text in alphabetical order, so she started with the first book in the A section and started working her way down the lines.

Eventually a librarian noticed her habits and told her that she can read any book she likes at anytime. That no one is required to only read books in alphabetical order.

I bring this story up because our crisis’ really hurt. When we lose a job, we feel like it’s the end of the world. When we go through a breakup we feel like it’s the end of the world.

And we feel like that because things really fucking hurt.

But one thing we don’t realize sometimes is that our heroes, the pillars of art, have gone through the same things we’ve gone through. David Lynch had to put Eraserhead on hold for more than five years because he was broke. He talks in his memoir, Catching the Big Fish, about going every day to the local Big Boy and drinking a milkshake while he thought about his ideas.

You have to imagine David Lynch not as the creator of Twin Peaks, but as a broke twenty something loser hanging out at the fast food restaurant every afternoon, starring off into space, dreaming about someday making movies.

Professional, capitalist culture teaches us that such dreams are shameful. We’re all taught to laugh and scoff or at best feel sorry for the girl heading out to LA to become an actress or the person living in their parents basement working on their first demo.

The hardest part about being a writer is learning to not give into all of that shame. A lot of people will talk a lot of shit about you. That will only ever increase in its intensity as you publish and do your thing.

Once, I sent a story to a publication and paid 3 dollars to have the editor give me personalized feedback. And this fucking guy sent me his feedback by gleefully ripping my work to shreds, sentence by sentence.

A couple of weeks later, that exact same piece helped me get accepted into a nationally recognized MFA Program with an offer including full funding.

I didn’t accept the offer because I hate college, but that’s a different story.

The point I’m trying to make is that you just have to never give up. Ever.

Read the books that interest you.

When you get an idea for a piece, write it.

And finish it.

No matter what, finish what you start. No matter how hard it is. You can always edit it later.

Then after you finish writing something, read some more books that interest you. Watch films that interest you. Pursue anything that interests you.

And read books that maybe don’t interest you. And read the books that interest the authors you really like. Read people’s bibliographies. Get the books referenced in their research and read them.

And everytime you get an idea, make a note about it. And when you have time, work on it and do the best job you can.

I think doing one’s best is great advice. Whenever you’re writing, just do the best you can. If you don’t have time to write, just make sure you write when you do have time.

Never give up and always do your best.

That’s where editing really comes in. There isn’t a writer that’s ever lived who doesn’t have to revise their work. In the moment, things seem so impossible. Our sentences always feel so bad.

But one thing you’ll notice, if you don’t give up, is that six months or so after you finish a draft, you’ll come back to it and see what you need to change.

And then six months or so after that, you’ll come back to your piece and see more things that you can improve.

Sometimes that six months only takes a few days or a few weeks. Sometimes it might take a few years. Writing can be a very mysterious process.

That’s why no matter what, you should always just do your best each time you’re sitting down to write. Do your best and let the gods sort out the rest.

If you want to go to college to study literature and writing, go for it. If you don’t want to do that, don’t.

If you like workshopping with other people, do it. If you don’t like it, your editors will let you know what you need to change and how to improve your work.

Some of my favorite writers are highschool dropouts and some of my favorite writers have multiple PhDs. The secret to writing is figuring out your own process and investing in it and devoting yourself to the work of reading and writing and editing and revising. And most importantly, the secret to writing is never giving up. Ever.

When people tell you that your work is shit, just move on. Never delete or destroy your own work. Just file it away and revise and edit it later on.

And I think it’s also important to be open to change. Both changes in your style and changes in your methods and changes in what interests and motivates you.

You might find that you start out writing poetry but want to write more fiction. Or you might start out wanting to write scathing, sexy queer non fiction but end up writing high fantasy novels.

Go with your gut.

11. Tell me about the writing projects you have on at the moment.

I’m in the process of finishing up a novel that’s tentatively called, “Like a Razor.” It’s mostly about a young, out of work mathematician dealing with the loss of his primary partner in a polyamorous relationship. There is also a lot of professional wrestling & Satanism related esoterica and mystery involved.

I’m also working on putting together a couple poetry collections. And hopefully also a non-fiction collection dedicated more to examining spirituality and strategies for activism.

And hopefully all of these works will have a soundtrack that I’ve composed and recorded myself.

Thank you so much for this opportunity! I very much appreciate it

Wombwell Rainbow Interviews: Thursday Simpson F WORD WARNING Wombwell Rainbow Interviews I am honoured and privileged that the following writers local, national and international have agreed to be interviewed by me.

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made-from-galaxies · 5 years

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Beto ORourke slams Trumps behavior during El Paso visit

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke didn’t mince words Sunday when asked about President Trump’s recent visit to his community of El Paso, Texas.

“The people of El Paso told me that they didn’t want to see the president, and they didn’t want him to come here. They understand that he’s part of the problem,” O’Rourke told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.”

Trump traveled to El Paso last week after a gunman killed 22 people at a Walmart the previous weekend. Authorities said the shooter told them that he was targeting Mexicans, and a “manifesto” linked to him decried the “Hispanic invasion of Texas.” In his CNN interview O’Rourke noted that Trump had also repeatedly warned of migrant “invasions” and falsely described El Paso as a hub of violent crime.

Tapper also played footage of Trump at the University Medical Center of El Paso, where the president touted the crowd size at a February rally in the city.

18 PHOTOS

Beto O’Rourke throughout his political career

See Gallery

UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 13: Rep.-elect Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, speaks to reporters after a news conference with democratic members-elect in the Capitol Visitor Center. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

**ADVANCE FOR MONDAY, OCT 31** El Paso City Representatives Steve Ortega, left and Beto O’Rourke pose with a backdrop of Downtown El Paso, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005. The two and three other colleagues, all political newcomers under 35, were elected this year to the El Paso city council. The group of young up-and-comers say they took on their public roles to make El Paso the kind of city it should be, the kind it has long struggled to become. (AP Photo/El Paso Times, Victor Calzada)

US Rep. Beto O’Rourke (R), D-TX, speaks during a meeting with One Campaign volunteers including Jeseus Navarrete (L) on February 26, 2013 in O’Rouke’s office in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGANWith the United States days away from billions of dollars in automatic spending cuts, anti-poverty campaigners fear that reductions in foreign aid could potentially lead to thousands of deaths. The world’s largest economy faces $85 billion in cuts virtually across the board starting on March 1, 2013 unless the White House and Congress reach a last-minute deal ahead of the self-imposed deadline known as the sequester. While the showdown has caused concern in numerous circles, activists are pushing hard to avoid a 5.3 percent cut in US development assistance which they fear could set back programs to feed the poor and prevent disease. ‘The sequester is an equal cut across the board, but equal cuts don’t have equal impact,’ said Tom Hart, US executive director of the One campaign, the anti-poverty group co-founded by U2 frontman Bono. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

UNITED STATES – MAY 23: Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, rides his bike after a democratic congressional baseball practice in Northeast. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

UNITED STATES – MAY 23: Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, is pictured at a democratic congressional baseball practice in Northeast. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

US Rep. Beto O’Rourke , D-TX, meets with One campaign volunteers on February 26, 2013 in O’Rouke’s office in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. With the United States days away from billions of dollars in automatic spending cuts, anti-poverty campaigners fear that reductions in foreign aid could potentially lead to thousands of deaths. The world’s largest economy faces $85 billion in cuts virtually across the board starting on March 1, 2013 unless the White House and Congress reach a last-minute deal ahead of the self-imposed deadline known as the sequester. While the showdown has caused concern in numerous circles, activists are pushing hard to avoid a 5.3 percent cut in US development assistance which they fear could set back programs to feed the poor and prevent disease. ‘The sequester is an equal cut across the board, but equal cuts don’t have equal impact,’ said Tom Hart, US executive director of the One campaign, the anti-poverty group co-founded by U2 frontman Bono. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

UNITED STATES – JUNE 14: Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, walks down the House steps of the Capitol following the last votes of the week on Friday, June 14, 2013. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

U.S. citizen Edgar Falcon, second from right, and Maricruz Valtierra of Mexico, second from left, laugh while El Paso congressman Beto O’Rourke, right, and Judge Bill Moody, left, congratulate them after the couple was married at U.S.-Mexico border, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013 in El Paso, Texas. Like many other couples made up of a US citizen and a foreigner, Falcon and Valtierra, who has been declared inadmissible after an immigration law violation, hope immigration reform will help them live together in the U.S. (AP Photo/Juan Carlos Llorca)

Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, stands with his family for a ceremonial photo with Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, left, in the Rayburn Room of the Capitol after the new 113th Congress convened on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, in Washington. The official oath of office for all members of the House was administered earlier in the House chamber. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas., surrounded by border region leaders, human rights experts, and residents, speaks to media on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013., during a news conference to explain what border communities are asking for in the context of immigration reform. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Congressman Beto O’Rourke, center, speaks at a new conference accompanied by Lillian D’Amico, left, mother of a deceased veteran, and Melinda Russel, a former Army chaplain, in El Paso, Texas, Wednesday, June. 4, 2014. A survey of hundreds of West Texas veterans conducted by O’Rourke’s office has found that on average they wait more than two months to see a Veterans Affairs mental health professional and even longer to see a physician. (AP Photo/Juan Carlos Llorca)

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 29: U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, asks a question of former Army Capt. Debra Gipson during a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee hearing on ‘Defined Expectations: Evaluating VA’s Performance in the Service Member Transition Process’ in the Cannon House Office Building, May 29, 2014, in Washington, DC. Ms. Gipson suffered a severe back injury while en route to Afghanistan. (Photo by Rod Lamkey/Getty Images)

Democratic candidate for the US Senate Beto ORourke addresses his last public event in Austin before election night at the Pan American Neighborhood Park on November 4, 2018 in Austin, Texas. – One of the most expensive and closely watched Senate races is in Texas, where incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz is facing Democratic Representative Beto O’Rourke. O’Rourke, 46, whose given names are Robert Francis but who goes by Beto, is mounting a suprisingly strong challenge to the 47-year-old Cruz in the reliably Republican ‘Lone Star State.’ O’Rourke, a three-term congressman and former member of a punk band, is drawing enthusiastic support from many urban dwellers in Texas while Cruz does better in conservative rural areas.

Plucking the Senate seat from Cruz, who battled Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, would be a major victory for the Democratic Party. (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP) (Photo credit should read SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images)

Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, of El Paso, Texas, speaks at the University of Texas at Dallas Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, in Richardson, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, walks during a protest march in downtown Dallas, Sunday, April 9, 2017. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, left, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, take part in a debate for the Texas U.S. Senate, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, in San Antonio. (Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News via AP, Pool)

Texas Congressman Beto ORourke gives his concession speech during the election night party at Southwest University Park in downtown El Paso on November 6, 2018. – After a close race for senate, ORourke conceded to incumbent Ted Cruz in his home town. (Photo by Paul Ratje / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL RATJE/AFP/Getty Images)

Former Democratic Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke gestures during a live interview with Oprah Winfrey on a Times Square stage at “Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations from Times Square,” Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in New York. O’Rourke dazzled Democrats in 2018 by nearly defeating Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in the country’s largest red state. O’Rourke says he’ll announce whether he’ll run for president “before the end of the month.” (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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“It’s an honor to be with you. Look at this group of people, can you believe this? I was here three months ago, we made a speech. And we had a — what was the name of the arena? That place was packed, right?” Trump said in the footage, which was aired by a local CBS affiliate. “That was some crowd,” he added. “We had twice the number outside. And then you had this crazy Beto. Beto had like 400 people in a parking lot.” Tapper asked for O’Rourke’s response.

“Not a single patient at University Medical Center or at Del Sol Hospital, two hospitals caring for survivors of that attack, wanted to see the president. That says it all if you ask me,” said O’Rourke, who represented El Paso in Congress before unsuccessfully running for the Senate in 2018.

“But for him then to focus on comparing political rallies or on himself, on how much people love him, just shows how sick this guy is and how unfit for this office [he is],” he continued. “He should be consoling people, bringing people together, focusing on their pain and improving their lives. Instead, he’s focused on himself.”

This is viewer video of President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS at @umcelpaso meeting with victims and medical staff. Send us any photos/videos of president Trump’s visit to #ElPaso and we may show it on TV. Upload here: https://t.co/UHa4MdGOH4pic.twitter.com/DD5otJtYEg

— CBS4Local (@CBS4Local) August 8, 2019

More from Yahoo News: Bloomberg warns Trump that rhetoric can encourage violence Trump dismisses calls to boycott Equinox and SoulCycle over fund-raiser Here’s the data on white supremacist terrorism the Trump administration has been ‘unable or unwilling’ to give to Congress

Source: https://opengeekhouse.com.br/2019/08/11/beto-orourke-slams-trumps-behavior-during-el-paso-visit/

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gokinjeespot · 5 years

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off the rack #1270

Monday, July 15, 2019

I'm not much of a gardener even though I worked for two years at a garden centre. Penny does most of the work and I am around for the heavy lifting. I try to be a supportive spouse and I assisted with some of the weeding yesterday. I get the same feeling of satisfaction after cleaning up a flower bed as I do after reading a pile of comic books. The added hubby points are a bonus.

Detective Comics #1007 - Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Kyle Hotz (art) David Baron (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). The team-up with the Spectre concludes with the rescue of Jim Corrigan. This was a nice 2-issue story and now the Spectre leaves Gotham City. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice #1 - Jeff Lemire (writer) Michael Walsh (art) Nate Piekos (letters). I thought this was going to be a tam-up story but it's the old switcheroo where the two super hero teams wind up in each others' universes. I'm guessing the rest of this 5-issue mini will be each team trying to return home. This is good exposure for Jeff Lemire's Black Hammer characters which I liked, so you should check it out.

Catwoman #13 - Joelle Jones (writer) Fernando Blanco (art pages 1-14, 19) Hugo Petrus (art pages 15-18) Joelle Jones (art pages 20-22) John Kalisz (colours pages 1-19) Laura Allred (colours pages 20-22) Saida Temofonte (letters). That crazy Creel woman finally gets her hands on the artefact but the rest of the story will have to wait until Selina gets through the "Year of the Villain" (YOTV) tie-in. Catwoman is made an offer that she can refuse, or not.

Thor #15 - Jason Aaron (writer) Mike del Mundo (art) Mike del Mundo & Marco D'Alfonso (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). Four Thors and seven realms ago this whole thing started. Now that it's over find out what happens to everybody in this epilogue to War of the Realms. I particularly liked the fate of Malekith. I am so looking forward to the next story arc with art by Esad Ribic.

Naomi #6 - Brian Michael Bendis & David F. Walker (writers) Jamal Campbell (art) Wes Abbott (letters). Origin story complete. From the looks of things on the cover, Naomi is going to meet up with Young Justice and that's okay with me. This book is every bit as good as Ironheart used to be.

Ironheart #8 - Eve L. Ewing (writer) Luciano Vecchio (art) Geoffo (layouts) Matt Milla (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). Riri goes to Doctor Strange for help in finding out what's been happening in her life for the last few issues. There's s portal of power that she needs to track down so she goes from Chicago to New York City to who knows where else. This is so exciting and I've got to say I like the slightly more mature Riri that Eve is presenting.

Symbiote Spider-Man #4 - Peter David (writer) Greg Land (pencils) Jay Leisten (inks) Frank D'Armata (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). A new and different element is added to make things fun and exciting in this Spider-Man versus Mysterio story. This reminds me a lot of the old Amazing Spider-Man plots where Peter gets ambushed by some super villain while on his way to see Aunt May. Will our boy make it to breakfast? Find out in next issue's thrilling conclusion.

Young Justice #7 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) John Timms & Dan Hipp (art pages 2-3) David Lafuente (art the other pages) Dan Hipp (colours pages 2-3) Gabriel Eltaeb (colours the other pages) Wes Abbott (letters). Lost in the Multiverse part 1. This was a lot of fun. I really liked Doctor Fate.

Second Coming #1 - Mark Russell (writer) Richard Pace (art) Leonard Kirk (finisher earth pages) Andy Troy (colours earth pages) Rob Steen (letters). Holy bible Batman, this is some weird super hero comic book. Here we have a wisecracking God and his hapless son Jesus trying to make sense of humanity. God sends Jesus back to earth to learn from a Superman-like super hero. I like this parody. It reminds me of Herbie and the Inferior Five. I will be getting s second helping of this book when #2 hits the racks.

Invisible Woman #1 - Mark Waid (writer) Mattia De Iulis (art) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Did you know that Sue Storm was a part time spy for S.H.I.E.L.D.? Me neither. That fact sets up her mission to find her former partner, fellow spy Aiden Tintreach. Y'know, I was thinking that this story would have been better suited to the Black Widow and I was right on when I got to the last page. Mattia De Iulis's art was the main reason I read the latest Jessica Jones graphic novel and he's why I will add the rest of this 5-issue mini to my "must read" list.

Batman Universe #1 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Nick Derington (art) Dave Stewart (colours) Josh Reed (letters). There's another Batbook on the racks and this one's a 6-issue mini. I think Bendis is going to throw as many DC heroes and villains into this story as he can with the Riddler starting things off, leading to Jinny Hex. If you don't know who she is you should go read the most excellent Young Justice. The story goes international and this issue ends in Amsterdam with the appearance of Deathstroke and Green Arrow. I want to know why Oliver Queen is way over in Europe. Going to read the rest of this one too.

War of the Realms Omega #1- If you're wondering about the spin-offs and changes wrought by the War of the Realms then this $4.99 US epilogue is the comic book for you.

Daredevil played a significant role while wielding Heimdall's sword and his story continues in "God and the Devil Walk Into a Church" by Jason Aaron (writer), Ron Garney (art), Matt Milla (colours) and VC's Joe Sabino (letters).

The double-page ads for "Jane Foster: Valkyrie" has me looking forward to the first issue hitting the racks so reading "The Job I Have to Do" by Al Ewing & Jason Aaron (writers), Cafu (art), Jesus Aburtov (colours) and VC's Joe Sabino (letters) was a nice prelude.

The God of Mischief and now King of the Frost Giants has been a favourite character of mine for decades so I am also anticipating the release of Loki #1. Daniel Kibblesmith (writer), Oscar Bazaldua (art) David Curiel (colours) and VC's Clayton Cowles (letters) gives us a hint as to how Loki will rule in "Born Small".

Finally, we can't forget Frank Castle the Punisher. His never ending war will continue in "Punisher Kill Krew" and the calm before the firestorm is chronicled in "War Orphans" by Gerry Duggan (writer), Juan Ferreyra (art) and VC's Cory Petit (letters).

Marvel's mega crossover events may be predictable now but I like that this one makes some interesting changes to characters that I have followed for a long time. I loved when (spoiler alert) Jane Foster was Thor. Ditto when Loki was a good guy with the Young Avengers. I'm hoping that their new books are worthy of my time. I doubt that Daredevil having magic Asgardian billy clubs will change much in his book but it would be cool to see what they can do and how he uses them. And as always, the Punisher will continue to kill bad guys.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #8 - Saladin Ahmed (writer) Javier Garron (art) David Curiel (colours) VC's Travis Lanham (letters). When last we left Miles he had been captured by some unknown super villain. This issue details the extremely dangerous predicament that he's in. I know Miles will survive these tests and experiments but boy, they sure put him through the wringer this issue. The creative team did an excellent job of making me feel immersed in the story.

Avengers #21 - Jason Aaron (writer) Jason Masters (art) Jason Keith (colours) VC's Joe "Jason" Caramagna (letters). It's practically an all Jason issue. The team relaxes in the aftermath of the War of the Realms. I don't like She-Hulk speaking monosyllabically but she thinks in proper sentences in her thought balloons so that assuages my annoyance. Black Panther didn't get the memo and confronts Phil Coulson and his Squadron Supreme of America. I think this is Jason Aaron's dig at the current administration in the White House. I'm waiting to see where the next global threat will come from. Will it be domestic or alien?

Batman #74 - Tom King (writer) Mikel Janin (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). "The Fall and the Fallen" concludes. I'm not a fan of Thomas Wayne being in this reality so I hope it's the last we see of him for a while. Comparing what Bruce and "his father" are doing with the story of the animals in the pit was very clever and the inconclusive ending heightens the suspense for the next issue.

Black Cat #2 - Jed MacKay (writer) Travel Foreman (art) Brian Reber (colours) Ferran Delgado (letters). The Cat will burgle while the Sorcerer Supreme is away. Felicia and her crew break into 177A Bleecker Street in this weird heist. Getting in was easy. Getting out will be a problem. There was a double-page spread featuring an M.C. Escher staircase that could have had the word balloons and captions arranged better. I had to read the things a couple of times to get the flow right. Other than that minor annoyance this is another fine issue. The last page by Clay McLeod Chapman (writer), Alberto Alburquerque (art), Brian Reber (colours) and Ferran Delgado (letters) was a bit of a puzzler. Is it a teaser for the next story, or what?

The Amazing Spider-Man #25 - Don't judge a comic book by it's cover. Case in point, this issue looked good so I saved it for last. We've got Spider-Man front and center with Mary Jane, Mysterio, Electro and Kindred in the background. This issue sets up a lot of stuff so let's have a look see.

The main story is called "Opening Night" by Nick Spencer (writer), Ryan Ottley, Humberto Ramos, Patrick Gleason & Kev Walker (pencils), Cliff Rathburn, Victor Olazaba, Dexter Vines, Patrick Gleason & Kev Walker (inks) Nathan Fairbairn, Edgar Delgado, Dave Stewart & Laura Martin (colours) and VC's Joe Caramagna (letters) has a brief appearance by Kindred and Mysterio but it's mostly about Electro (the new female one) holding an actress for ransom at a theatre. Mary Jane is the one who comes to the rescue. The Spider-Man subplot has Peter rescuing Doctor Curt Connors from depression. A set up for future stories happens on the last page where a new team of super villains is introduced called the Syndicate. They want Electro to join. Then we have 5 pages that ends with the appearance of Spider-Man 2099. I wonder where Miguel has been? Then there's a 10 page story leading towards a team up with Doctor Strange. The issue wraps up with a 5-page cartoon for the kiddies by Keaton Patti (writer), Dan Hipp (art) and VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Yes, it's 60 pages of Spider-Mania but even a Spider-Maniac like myself cringed after reading this.

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weeklyrapgods-blog · 5 years

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Underground hip hop phenom Rapper Big Pooh has been consistent with giving the hip hop community dope content. In 2003, I remember checking out The Listening album and it was at that point my love for hip hop was rejuvenated! Especially this joint “Whatever You Say”:

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But you can’t mention Little Brother without touching on the hit album The Minstrel Show.

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North Carolina hip-hop artists changed the dynamics of down south hip hop back then. When 9th Wonder, Pooh and Phonte connected as Little Brother, that was an amazing time for hip hop. More artists emerged from the south with a boom bap appeal. The sound of The Justus League, which consist of Edgar Allan Floe, Cesar Comanche, Legacy, Sean Boog, Khrysis, Pooh, Chaundon, Phonte, Median and 9th Wonder was invigorating. That crew actually motivated me to become the hip hop advocate I am today. I felt that rappers like Big Pooh and Justus League needed a platform to showcase their music. After all, mainstream wasn’t doing it for the culture.

Later on, Big Pooh went on his solo venture. He is still the epitome of style and flair when it comes the flow and delivery, and is always on top of his game. His wordplay is witty and engaging. He released a crazy catalogue of music with standouts like Trouble in the Neighborhood, Words Paint Pictures produced by Apollo Brown, Home Sweet Home produced by Nottz, and Everything 4 Sale.

His latest project RPM is definitely in my top albums of the year. The project consists of 12 bangers featuring artists like Chaundon, Akilz Amari, Ab Liva, Focus, Blakk Soul and many more.

We caught up with Rapper Big Pooh for this exclusive interview. I’m grateful for the opportunity to build with an icon who motivated my involvement in pushing the culture forward!We caught up with Rapper Big Pooh for this exclusive interview. I’m grateful for the opportunity to build with an icon who motivated my involvement in pushing the culture forward!

INTERVIEW

Who are your musical influences?

My musical influences float between Nas and early Ice Cube. Marvin Gaye, Prince, EPMD. It’s a little something I tried to borrow from all of them and put it into what I do.

What made you start rapping?

I’ve always been a writer. Actually tried my hand at rapping when I was 12-13 years old. I wasn’t that good. I just used to mimic the artists I liked.

What are your top 5 hip hop albums?

Illmatic – really started me on this journey. Nas was the first person that made me say, “I want to do what he does”

Amerikkkas Most Wanted – the energy that Ice Cube carried throughout that album was impeccable. The story telling was top notch.

ATLiens – I was already an Outkast fan but this album spoke to me more than any other. The beginnings of their eventual GOAT status.

Reasonable Doubt – The bravado, the story telling, the word play, the production. Perfect.

Ready To Die – Biggie was a God MC. His story telling, the way he floated over beats was so melodic, and he ushered in new wave. Biggie’s album was hard lyrically but the production was so polished.

Extra credit: Doggystyle – I have an affinity for West Coast and funk music and it started with this album for me.

How did you become a member of Little Brother?

Little Brother kind of just happened. We all knew and had been working with each other for a year or two prior. We were just recording songs like we normally did and the first time that the combination of myself, Phonte, and 9th happened to do a joint with just us three, it was magical.

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How did it feel to branch off and go solo?

I was anxious when I first started my solo journey. I only really saw myself as someone that was part of a group. You start having all of these thoughts about failure and not being able to carry the weight by yourself popping up in everything you do. I pushed through the fear believing it would make me stronger.

What was your favorite project to create and why?

My favorite project to record had to be The Listening. There were no expectations. It was just a few guys making music.

Describe your first time going on tour

First time on tour was opening for Hieroglyphics on their Full Circle Tour back in 2003. I was 23 years old and traveling the US for the first time on a rap tour. I had the time of my life. It was part grueling, part educational, all fun!

What was the hip hop climate like in NC when Justus League was thriving compared to now?

The Hip Hop scene was a budding one in NC when we were first forming and moving around. It was lively and active. I wasn’t as involved as Little Brother began traveling the world but it fizzled a little… and started making a comeback with fresh blood. Now NC has talent everywhere you look in the industry.

What are your thoughts on the evolution of hip-hop?

Hip Hop like most things is always evolving. There are things I like and things I don’t but that will always be the case. You can’t control growth.

What do you think of the resurgence of veteran rappers coming back in the game with new music?

I appreciate the resurgence. Older heads like to listen to hip hop that speaks to them just as much as kids and young adults like to listen to music that speaks to their demographic. As long as it’s quality music, I’m all for it.

This year lots of hip hop projects dropped. Are there any in particular that stood out to you?

I can’t keep up. I like to take my time and really sit with projects that I like. I am thankful for getting formally introduced to the Griselda Camp this year. I knew about Conway and Westside Gunn but hadn’t really dove into their catalogue until this year.

Recently Will.I.Am made a bold statement about hip hop. What are your thoughts on his comment?

Will.I.Am has a point. I agree to a certain extent. What he is talking about is corporate driven rap. Rap has been made out to very disposable. Someone can have a big hit in Jan 2019 and then we don’t hear from them again, move on to the next. There is no development, no organic building of stars. It’s a lot of fast food out there. That’s just the way they choose to play it in the big leagues. The indie game it’s something different.

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#TALK2ME: What are your thoughts? Agree, disagree and why? 💭 @iamwill

A post shared by Weekly Rap Gods (@weeklyrapgods) on Dec 3, 2018 at 5:48pm PST

What do you think of these Hip Hop award shows that should reflect the culture?

Once again, corporate driven award shows will never represent like they are supposed to. They aren’t catering to the “culture.” They are catering to sponsors. Watch them to be entertained, not edutained.

After watching The Breakfast Club interview, I had to add this question. Do you think radio stations really have a pulse on authentic hip hop? Do you think everything is about popularity?

Radio stations are definitely in the popularity game. Some of the people there may have a pulse, but we are once again talking about a corporate owned entity. Their job isn’t to nurture the culture, it’s to create ad revenue. What creates ad revenue? Popular artists and headlines.

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Tell us about your recent project. What was the motivation behind it?

RPM was a chance for me to reinsert myself back into the atmosphere as an artist. I had been laying low, managing, but felt inspired to contribute to the creative landscape again. This project is no filler, all substance.

Buy/Stream RPM Here

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Can we expect any more music from you?

I’m not sure when I will release any more music. I just like to go when the spirit hits. The itch isn’t always there and I really enjoy the other aspects of the industry that I have begun to explore behind the scenes.

I would like to include a fun question. If you can form a hip hop supergroup, who would you select?

Supergroups are tricky. Coming from a group, I understand the importance of chemistry and everyone doing something different to make the sum greater than the parts. I would like to see a Royce x Phonte x DJ Premier project though.

Thank you Big Pooh for all your contributions to hip hop. I greatly appreciate how genuine and candid you are when speaking on the culture. Your music has been an inspiration to fans worldwide. We look forward to hearing more from you in the upcoming year!

MUSIC

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More Info:

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Rapper Big Pooh of Little Brother Is In a League of His Own (Interview) Underground hip hop phenom Rapper Big Pooh has been consistent with giving the hip hop community dope content.

#9th wonder #big pooh #boom bap #hip hop #indie hip hop #interview #justus league #little brother #phonte #rapper big pooh #underground hip hop

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mavwrekmarketing · 7 years

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Of the main players in the Inspector Morse stories by Colin Dexter, one remains – the city of Oxford. The character died in The Remorseful Day, published in 1999. John Thaw, the actor synonymous with the role of the curmudgeonly detective, died in 2002. And Dexter himself died earlier this week.

As the Lord Mayor of Oxford once said: “In his novels Colin Dexter has shown our city as having a distinct and separate identity from its famous university.”

The “dreaming spires” and attendant well-to-do academics and eccentrics were important factors in the books, but so were the lanes round the city centre, the arterial Iffley and Cowley roads, the north Oxford suburbs of Jericho and Summertown, and the railway station.

Dexter himself was well aware of the city’s allure for readers and viewers. When the first episode of the television series was broadcast in 1987, he said: “The huge value for me as a writer is that, even if people haven’t been to Oxford, they would love to be in the city.

“I think if the story had been set in Rotherham or Rochdale no-one would be particularly interested to see the streets and side streets, but so many people outside Oxford are delighted to see the High Street, St Giles and the colleges.”

Image copyright PA

Image caption John Thaw, who played Inspector Morse in the television adaptation, pictured with Colin Dexter in 1999

The Randolph Hotel featured prominently in both Dexter’s and Morse’s lives. Morse was often to be found pondering cases while enjoying a real ale or red wine there, while Dexter’s favoured drink in later life – he gave up alcohol for medical reasons – was tonic water.

Staff at the hotel said the writer would often visit various rooms around the hotel to help him get details for a storyline.

“He continued to be a regular at the hotel bar and was so loved by staff, that we renamed the bar after his most famous character – Morse. He was very much part of this hotel and we will miss seeing him perched at the end of the bar or reading a book by the fireside, sipping his drink.”

Image copyright Randolph Hotel

Image caption Colin Dexter poses with some of the staff at the Randolph Hotel in Oxford, where a bar is named after Inspector Morse

Famous haunts from the books and television series, such as the Ashmolean museum and the Bodleian library, have expressed sorrow at his death. But, perhaps more significantly, so have lesser-known Oxford institutions, demonstrating Dexter was very much a man of the people – and a man of the real city.

The writer shared his hero’s affection for good beer, classical music and cryptic crossword puzzles, but by all accounts lacked his spiky nature.

Alcock’s Butcher and Fishmonger in the Summertown area has a blackboard outside saying “Mr Dexter, you will be sadly missed”.

Paul England from the shop said: “He was a lovely guy. Always used to see him early in the morning.

“He used to walk down and get his paper and then he always used to come in for a pork pie and a chat. He used to tell us some good stories and jokes, which I think we’ll always remember. We just knew him as Mr Dexter who bought his pork pie from the butcher.”

Christiane Fagan fondly remembers him “sitting quietly in the The Dew Drop Inn in Summertown. Such a lovely man”, while Carol Maling remembers chatting to him on a bench outside the old Radcliffe infirmary when he was waiting for his wife Dorothy to finish work.

“We used to share biscuits and chocolate,” Ms Maling said.

Although he claimed to know very little about actual police procedure, Dexter was a welcome visitor at Oxford CID. Former police officer Dermot Norridge was a detective in the city between 1986 and 2003.

He said whenever he and his colleagues were investigating any incident related to one of the university colleges, they would say they were “having a Morse moment”.

Mr Norridge claims the irascible character even had an influence on the sounds heard floating through the corridors of the police station: “There were certain offices where the radio was retuned to Radio 3 or Classic FM. The officers involved may well have been aware of classical music before Morse, but I’m completely convinced this listening to it was down to the influence of the programme.

“I met Colin a few times – he used to come with the crew to the station, and once he was invited to our annual dinner to give a talk. If I had to sum up my memory of him, it would be ‘a complete gentleman'”.

Image copyright PA

Sue Howlett remembers the author hopping on the bus from Summertown, and always saying hello, while Sue Parsons said she “used to know him years ago when he would to come in to order stationery from Colegroves in Turl Street. Such a lovely man always having a laugh and a joke”.

Bob Price, the leader of Oxford Council, says the city will always feel the impact of Dexter’s work: “The television programmes, and the way they were filmed, made a huge difference. They really drew people to Oxford.”

In his 13th – and final – book Dexter says:

“Morse had never enrolled in the itchy-footed regiment of adventurous souls, feeling little temptation to explore the remoter corners even of his native land; and this principally because he could imagine few if any places closer to his heart than Oxford – the city which, though not his natural mother, had for so many years performed the duties of a loving foster-parent.”

He said of that paragraph: “For ‘Morse,’ read me”.

Image copyright Getty Images

Colin Dexter is not the only author to have a strong link with a specific city. Here are a few more literary locations and their fictional dwellers

Ian Rankin: Edinburgh

The The Inspector Rebus novels are mostly based in and around Edinburgh and take in such landmarks as Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Palace, as well as Rebus’ flat.

The novels are characterised by the stark and dark depiction of a city characterised by corruption, poverty, and organised crime. Rebus bends the rules and ignores his superiors while battling his own personal issues. But he does solve the mysteries.

You can explore the key locations online.

James Joyce: Dublin

Joyce once claimed of his book Ulysses that if Dublin “suddenly disappeared from the Earth, it could be reconstructed from my book”.

Published in 1922, Ulysses focuses on the stream-of-consciousness wanderings through Dublin of Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom. Ulysses has been summarised as: “Man goes for a walk around Dublin. Nothing happens.” The novel is seen by many as one of the most influential works of the 20th Century.

Jane Austen: Bath

The Assembly Rooms are the setting for many of the evening balls depicted in social satire Northanger Abbey and melancholic love story Persuasion, while the Pump Rooms were the place to mingle with during the day to give off a fashionable air of importance.

Milsom Street, Bond Street (now New Bond Street), George Street and Edgar Buildings are all mentioned in the books.