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purrincess-chat · 5 years

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Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s Spite Playlist: Original CH14

It’s my birthdaaaayyy~~ Here is this especially long chapter of everyone’s favorite pile of salt. I hope you all have a wonderful day and enjoy the ride that is this chapter!

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Chapter 14

Marinette chewed her lip, picking at the hem of her shirt as Clara and her manager flipped through her designs. She’d barely slept all night because of nerves, and now she was in overdrive. Did Clara like them? Hate them? Had she let her down? Marinette wished she’d say something.

After a few minutes, Clara flicked her gaze up to Marinette, a smile curling on her lips, and with an amused giggle, she stood up and took Marinette’s hands.

“You can definitely chill because these designs really fit the bill. Choosing you was in good taste; Eloise, send these to my tailor, post haste,” Clara winked, and Marinette breathed a sigh of relief. “Truly, great work, Marinette. I love them.”

“I’m glad. Thank you so much for this opportunity,” Marinette said, bowing politely, and Clara giggled.

“Although your formality is rather cutesy, there’s no need since you and I are friends, you see,” she spun Marinette around then pulled her in for a hug. “I felt a connection with you right away. If you ever need anything, you just have to say.”

Marinette’s chest swelled as Clara pulled away and brushed her nose with a finger.

“Eloise, write her a check for her beautiful mind,” Clara ordered, pacing over to the piano. “I’ve got an idea for a new song that will be simply divine!”

Clara’s manager tore a check from her book and handed it to Marinette as Clara began to pluck at the piano.

“Goodbye, my dearest friend. I’ll miss you until we meet again!” Clara blew a kiss as Marinette was escorted out, and she waved over her shoulder with a small smile.

As the door closed behind her, she glanced down at her check, excitement bubbling up through her core. Clara liked her designs and considered her a friend! She was actually going to wear one of her original designs in a few months!

“I’m so proud of you, Marinette!” Tikki said as Marinette tapped the button for the elevator. “You worked really hard, and it paid off.”

“I’m just happy that Clara liked my designs. It’s not about the money for me. I want to design clothes that make people feel good,” she said, stepping onto the elevator. “I can’t wait to tell everyone!”

“We should celebrate,” Tikki suggested, and Marinette shot her a knowing smile.

“You just want to snack on cookies,” she teased, brushing her kwami’s nose with one finger.

“I want to celebrate your accomplishments!” Tikki shot back indignantly. “If there happens to be cookies there then so be it.”

“Tell you what,” Marinette said as the elevator dinged on their floor. “Why don’t we celebrate now? Let’s go get some ice cream.”

Tikki perked up at that then ducked back down into her purse, and Marinette shut the clasp as she paced out the front doors of the hotel. Starting up the street, she pulled out her phone to look up where Andre was stationed today, and failing to look up as she rounded the corner, she collided with another person.

“Sorry!” She gasped as they both stumbled backward, but upon seeing the face of her victim, her face hardened.

“Finally apologizing for trying to upstage me? It’s about time,” Lila said, flipping her hair, and Marinette rolled her eyes.

“I’m sorry for bumping into you. Nothing else,” she crossed her arms over her chest and stepped around her.

“So, you’re not sorry for abandoning all of your friends then? For turning your back on Alya?” Lila quirked a brow, and Marinette’s shoulders curled.

“Alya made her choice,” she replied flatly.

“And she chose me over you,” Lila laughed. “She even got us matching bff necklaces. She’s so sweet.”

“Congratulations. I’m sure your genuine friendship built on honesty and trust will last a lifetime,” Marinette said before stalking a few paces up the street.

“I’m just glad she finally deleted her blog dedicated to that insect. She has so much more time on her hands to do all of my work now,” Lila examined her nails. “You know, because I’m class representative since you so shamelessly deserted your post.”

Marinette bit her lip hard, hands clenching into fists at her sides. She’d always known Lila was evil, but she really had a way of one-upping herself. Turning back with a sharp retort on her tongue, she drew a breath just as a silver limo pulled up to the curb, and Martin climbed out.

“Hey, Marinette, I saw you, so I had my driver pull over,” he said, flicking his gaze between them. “Do you and your friend need a ride?”

“Ha! She and I will never be friends. I have much better taste,” Lila grunted, and Martin’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Then if you don’t mind, please don’t say mean things about her. She’s my friend, and she’s incredibly nice,” Martin requested politely, and Lila rolled her eyes.

“Lots of people are nice, but not everyone can claim to be the great-grand daughter of the world-famous piano player Victor Laurent,” she said, flipping her hair with a smug grin.

“Victor Laurent didn’t have any children. He died alone at the age of 72 from pneumonia,” Martin said, tilting his head to one side, and Marinette stifled a laugh as Lila’s shoulders tensed. “And anyway, Marinette’s great-uncle is a world-famous chef with his own brand of cookware. My mom loves his knives, so she’s just as connected as you, maybe even more so since she’s honest.”

Lila gasped in offence before shooting a glare at a smirking Marinette and stalking off. Martin turned to Marinette in confusion as she threw her head back with a laugh.

“So, that’s the girl who turned all of your friends against you?” Martin asked, and Marinette nodded. “Wow. No wonder you changed schools. I would have changed cities.”

“I thought about it,” Marinette said, rolling her eyes.

“Well, I can take you the rest of the way home if you want,” he offered, gesturing to his limo.

“Okay, but can we make one stop first?”

Several minutes later, they sat together on a bench with ice cream cones in hand. Martin eyed her a moment, staring blankly ahead though he picked up a hint of something else in her eye. She looked sad.

“Are you okay? Did that girl upset you?” He asked, and she blinked, shifting a little before taking a bite.

“It’s not so much her,” she said after a moment. “It’s just…Do you think it was selfish of me to leave knowing what she is? To let my friends be manipulated while I ran away?”

Martin seemed to weigh it for a moment before replying, “I wouldn’t say so.”

“But I did turn my back on them and left them to be used…”

“That’s a fate they chose.” Marinette’s eyebrows raised at that. “You tried to tell them multiple times, but no one believed you even after you’d proved to them time and time again that you were honest and trustworthy.” She shifted her gaze to her lap so he continued, “You can’t help people who aren’t willing to help themselves, Marinette. I had to learn to do that the hard way.”

“Yeah, I guess,” she pursed her lips.

“You’re not responsible for other people. You were in a situation that was detrimental to your well-being, so you got out. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself when you’re hurting,” he assured her. “You have a good heart, and I know you care about them and would do anything for them because you do that for us, but don’t ever let it get to a point where you destroy yourself to take are of someone else because at some point, they need to wake up and start taking care of themselves.”

“Wow. You really have grown up a lot,” Marinette remarked, a smile curling on her lips. “You were really brave earlier when you stood up for me.”

“It’s all thanks to you that I can now. Before you, I never could have done something like that,” he blushed, rubbing his neck. “You’re the most selfless person I know, so don’t worry about whether your decision was selfish. Taking care of yourself is important too.”

“Thanks, Martin,” Marinette said, leaning against his shoulder. “I almost stooped to her level, but you saved me today. You’re a good friend.”

“I want to keep getting stronger so that I can protect the people that I care about,” he said, and Marinette bit back a smirk, taking a bite of her ice cream.

“Like Macy?” He stiffened under her smug grin, cheeks darkening three shades.

“I- no!”

“Oh, come on. I see the way you look at her,” Marinette said, nudging him with her elbow.

“You’re not going to tell her, are you?” He pleaded.

“Nah, don’t worry,” she assured him. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“Thanks, Marinette,” he relaxed.

“Thank you,” she winked. “I really needed to hear all of that.”

“Anytime,” Martin smiled. “That’s what friends are for.”

***

“So, how are things going on your lonely high road?” Chloe asked as her butler cut her steak for her, and when Adrien averted his gaze, she smirked. “Ready to do things my way?”

“I’m not going to be mean, Chloe,” he said firmly, picking at his broccoli.

“Sooner or later, you’re going to realize it’s the only way,” Chloe said, accepting a bite. “You let Alya delete her stupid blog. I always knew she was a fake fan, but I am enjoying absorbing her followers on my new blog.”

“Chloe, she’s being manipulated, cut her some slack,” Adrien chided as Chloe smiled down at her phone, and she quirked a brow.

“And whose fault is that? She’s turned a blind eye to everyone’s attempts to help her, so she’ll only have herself to blame in the end,” Chloe said, and when Adrien seemed terse, added, “You could expose her easily, you know. Two phone calls max is all it would take. We could get Jagged Stone or Prince Ali to come set her straight.”

“I don’t want to humiliate her,” Adrien said, shifting his gaze down to his plate.

“Why not? She had no problem humiliating Dupain-Cheng and driving her from the school,” Chloe pointed out, and Adrien skewered a cut of meat a little too forcefully.

“Yeah, and Marinette is still hurting from that,” he retorted. “Revenge is not the answer.”

“You’re awfully protective of Marinette,” Chloe remarked, a smirk curling on her lips. “She must be a good kisser.”

Adrien surged forward, spitting his drink a little as it sailed down his windpipe. He coughed, beating his chest with his fist while Chloe looked on in amusement.

“What is that supposed to mean?” He wheezed, reaching for a napkin.

“Don’t play dumb, Adrikins. You two were getting awfully cozy in the garden at that party,” she said, continuing her meal nonchalantly. “It’s a shame those sprinklers turned on all by themselves.”

Adrien’s face fell into his hand with a sigh, and he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Look, nothing happened, okay? We almost kissed, but that was it,” he insisted, and Chloe simply shrugged. “I…don’t know how I feel right now, okay? I’m still trying to figure it out.”

“If you say so,” Chloe relented. “Although in my experience, people don’t try to kiss their ‘just friends.’”

“So, Lila,” Adrien cleared his throat, picking up his fork again and resuming his meal.

He tried to play it off, but Chloe could see the distinct rosy tint burning on his cheeks.

***

“Remember, class, you must all pick a painting to write a report about that will be due next Tuesday, so be sure to take good notes while on your tours today,” Mme. Pierre instructed. “Remember where we are meeting for lunch, and try to learn something today.”

Marinette glanced around at the other museum goers as Mme. Pierre dismissed them, and Macy took her wrist.

“Let’s walk around in a group,” she said, and Marinette noticed Martin on her other side. Several paces ahead of them was Eliott and Lisette walking arm-in-arm, and off to the left was Thomas and his new girlfriend surrounded by their posse. Marinette caught sight of long red hair slinking up the hall alone and pressed her lips into a firm line.

“Let’s go this way first,” she said, tugging Macy’s wrist to follow her.

“Okay,” Macy smiled, following suit with Martin in tow.

“Shouldn’t we invite Eliott and Lisette?” Martin asked.

“No way. They’re spending quality time together as a couple. They’ll meet up with us at lunch,” Macy waved it away. “It’s hard to believe it’s been three months since they got together. Almost five months since you came into our lives too, Marinette, and two and a half months since the epic downfall of little miss bankrupt.”

Macy pointed to Gabrielle jotting down notes in front of a painting with a giggle.

“Macy, that’s mean,” Martin chided.

“So was she. I think she got what she deserved,” Macy shrugged. “She used to torment you, shouldn’t you be laughing too?”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I think she deserves to be miserable,” he curled his shoulders. “She’s been a lot different lately, and I’ve forgiven her. You should too.”

“Aww, Martin,” Macy wrapped her arms around his shoulders, turning the tips of his ears red. “You’re an angel, you know that?”

Marinette bit back a smile watching him falter and fixed her gaze on the painting the tour guide was explaining. Her eyebrows knitted together as she zeroed in on the crowd, a familiar face listening intently.

“Nathaniel?” She gasped, flicking her gaze over to the statue across the room where Kim was mimicking the pose for Max and Alix. Mylene and Ivan were reading a placard, hands twined while Juleka and Rose studied a map.

“Looks like we took the same field trip,” she jumped at Adrien’s voice in her ear, and he placed a hand on the small of her back to steady her. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m-”

“Marinette?” Her spine stiffened as Nathaniel called out to her. “Guys, it’s Marinette!”

“Marinette!”

“Yo, what up?”

“It’s good to see you!”

“I love your buns.”

“We missed you,” Marinette blinked at Rose’s declaration, suddenly surrounded by her old classmates. Her old friends.

“I-” she started, heart hammering in her chest, and she bit her lip to hold back tears. “I missed you guys too.”

“Aww.” Everyone crowded in for a hug, complimenting her hair and expressing their joy of seeing her again.

“Well, well, look who it is. Long time no see, Marinette,” The crowd around her parted at Lila’s voice, and Marinette felt her blood run cold as she laid eyes on Alya who quickly averted her gaze. “Are you enjoying your new school? Why did you transfer anyway? And without telling any of us! We were so heart broken.”

Marinette held her challenging gaze for a moment, and Adrien shifted beside her.

“Lila-”

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” Marinette said, cutting him off and turning to her classmates. “I know I should have told all of you, but it was a sudden decision I made because I wanted to focus on my future. I hope you’re not all mad at me.”

She flicked her gaze back to Alya briefly as everyone processed before Kim spoke.

“How could we be mad at you? You’re like, the best,” he said, and Alix nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, we were all just confused, but we know how important your future is to you,” Mylene added.

“I mean, you could have said goodbye,” Nathaniel said, and Ivan elbowed him.

“We’re just glad to see you again. We haven’t heard from you, so we were afraid to come see you,” Rose said, curling her shoulders. “We’re sorry for being bad friends!”

“Rose,” Marinette laughed, patting her back as she buried her face in her shirt and began to cry.

“But you’ve had some crazy cool adventures at your new school. Tell us about that Jagged concert,” Alix requested, and several classmates echoed their agreement.

“Hey, Marinette, we’re gonna move to the next exhibit,” Macy said, parting the crowd to reach her. “We need to take notes for our report.”

“You’re right. Sorry, I have to go,” Marinette winced, though her former classmates only smiled.

“No sweat, Marinette.”

“Hey, we’re all having lunch in the courtyard, you should sit with us!” Mylene said as Macy toted her away.

“Uh, sure,” she called over her shoulder.

“Martin told me about your run-in with that girl a few months ago, so I wanted to get you out of there,” Macy said once they were safely in another room. “You were being so brave.”

“Do you want us to be your buffer today?” Martin asked, and Marinette smiled.

“Thank you, both of you, but I’m fine. Seeing everyone again has actually put my mind at ease. At least now I know they don’t hate me,” she said, hugging her arms to her chest. “My biggest challenge today will be avoiding confrontation with Lila.”

“Well, you know we’ve got your back,” Macy linked an arm through hers with a smile.

“I’m really good at avoiding people, so I can steer us away from them as we explore,” Martin added, and Marinette felt her hear soften.

“You guys are the best,” she breathed with a laugh.

“You’ve protected us in the past, so now it’s our turn,” Martin said, nudging her with his elbow.

“Yeah, we’re just returning the favor.” Marinette tightened her grip, leaning her head against Macy’s shoulder, reminded what real friendship looked like.

Martin’s stealth proved effective as the morning wore on, and Marinette barely saw any of her old classmates. As much relief as it brought her to know they still thought of her as a friend, she wasn’t ready to dive all the way back in. After all, they were still enamored by Lila, so she needed to tread carefully.

“You know, most people don’t avoid popularity.” Marinette turned over her shoulder to see Gabrielle scribbling in her notebook, and upon noticing Marinette staring, her face fell into a scowl. “Don’t turn around! I don’t want people to know we’re talking.”

Marinette’s eyebrows furrowed, but nevertheless, she turned back to her painting and pretended to study it.

“You ran away from your old friends because you said they ditched you, but they seemed more than happy to see you,” she remarked.

“It’s complicated,” Marinette said, jotting down information from the placard. “They’re being manipulated.”

“By the girl from the café?”

“Yeah,” Marinette pressed her lips into a firm line.

“She is quite the show pony,” Gabrielle smirked. “Your friends are stupid if they buy half of her stories. They don’t even make sense.”

“Lila is very charismatic. She tells people what they want to hear, so they don’t question it,” Marinette replied.

“She’d make a great politician,” Gabrielle said with a laugh, but Marinette remained quiet. “It would be easy to take her down, you know. There are holes in all of her stories. You just have to pick one.”

Marinette paused her writing and lowered her notebook with a frown.

“I’m not getting involved. It’s not my job to save everyone,” she said curtly, and Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders.

“Maybe not, but I think you enjoy it,” she said, and Marinette pursed her lips. “You like playing the hero, not for any glory or self-elevation, but because you like helping people.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because even though I was mean to you and your friends, you still come by my café every Tuesday so I don’t have to walk home alone. Because you talk to me at all when everyone else abandoned me,” she lowered her gaze. “Because you use your light to illuminate others, not just yourself. Martin was a spineless twig before he met you. Eliott was a complacent coward. You can’t help yourself, Marinette. You’re a good person.”

“Do you really think exposing her is what I should do? She’ll end up hurt and alone,” Marinette bit her lip.

“Maybe, but she’ll have brought it on herself. Sometimes you need to lose everything in order to change. If you leave her like this, she’ll never stop, and she’ll never grow.” Gabrielle let out a short laugh. “Take it from someone who knows.”

Marinette lowered her gaze, eyebrows knitted together as she weighed those words. Did she want to help? Of course. But should she get involved again at the expense of her own well-being? She wasn’t sure.

Lila was slippery, and she wasn’t sure she could even take her down completely, and if she did, she’d only cement her as an enemy. She needed a different way, an indirect way to make everyone see without calling her out to her face.

There is one person who would know what to do.

Marinette pursed her lips as Chloe flashed in her mind. She’d requested her help once before, but did she even still want it? Did Chloe even still care about Lila?

“Guess who?” She jumped as a hand clamped over her eyes, and a playful lilt sounded in her ear.

“Adrien?” He lowered his hands, and she turned to find that Gabrielle was gone. Adrien hugged her close, touching his forehead to hers.

“You doing okay?”

“Yeah, I’m…fine,” she said, shaking her head to clear it, and Adrien gently turned her around, hugging her from behind and bringing a flush to her cheeks.

A few times since the night at the party they’d found themselves in compromising situations, but they were always interrupted before anything happened. She didn’t really know what they were, but Adrien grew more affectionate each time they saw each other. He often fretted over her well-being and did anything he could whether it be taking her out for a while to distract her or just listening to her worries. He was always patient and supportive while she worked through everything, and each day she loved him more and more.

“I know you’re avoiding everyone, but let’s walk around together for a bit. It’s been a few days since I’ve had time to see you in person,” he requested, his lips brushing her cheek, and a smile curled on her lips as she turned and twined her fingers through his.

“Okay,” she said, and he glanced down at their hands, a smile tugging on his own lips.

“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay with everyone at lunch?” Adrien asked as they walked.

“I’ll be fine,” she insisted, though Adrien felt her grip tighten.

“I’ll be right there with you if you need me, okay? I’ve got your back,” he promised, and she relaxed a little, nodding appreciatively.

Adrien kept her mind off of everything for a while, discussing various paintings and relaying stories from recent photoshoots and fencing tournaments. He told her jokes and made her laugh, kept her smiling when she started to look sad. But lunch eventually came, and he held her hand the whole walk to the courtyard.

“Marinette!” Macy waved them over to their group, and as soon as she sat down, her old classmates flocked to her.

“So, who are your new friends?” Rose asked, settling in with Juleka.

“Uh…”

“My name’s Macy, and this is Martin, Eliott, and Lisette,” Macy cast her a reassuring smile as her old classmates introduced themselves one by one, and she tried to relax her shoulders.

“Oh, Lila! Over here,” Kim called, flagging her down and causing Marinette’s stomach to flip. Everyone flicked their gazes to her with eager smiles though Marinette felt like she could vomit. “This is Lila. She has an amazing life.”

“Same,” Macy smiled sweetly.

“Last summer she helped save an African village leader from choking,” Nathaniel said, beaming up at her.

“It was the least I could do after he agreed to sign my petition to teach the children how to read,” Lila waved it away.

“Oh, Eliott and I love charity trips. Our parents have an organization that ships out clean water and recycled clothing to third world countries. We visited a few in Africa last summer to help build huts and dig wells for them,” Macy shot back.

“Those kids played a mean game of football,” Eliott nodded with a reminiscent smile.

“She also spent Christmas in Achu with Prince Ali and his family. They’re close personal friends,” Rose gushed.

“Oh, Achu is lovely at Christmas, but we usually spend it in London at the royal family’s Christmas party. It’s a blast! My dad played water polo with Prince William in college, and they’re still good friends,” Eliott chimed in. “That reminds me, Marinette, you have got to come this year.”

“You know Prince William?” Rose gasped, cupping her cheeks.

“I have his number. Sometimes I babysit when we go to visit,” Eliott shrugged as if it were no big deal.

“Ugh, don’t get him started. He’ll brag all day,” Macy rolled her eyes, but the classmates turned their attention over immediately, that is, all save for one.

Marinette took a bite of her sandwich, but it felt like sand in her mouth as Lila glared at her. As much as she should have been happy that Lila wasn’t getting the attention she wanted, she just couldn’t. Because she knew that this was only giving her fuel to come up with better lies and new ways to use her friends.

Alya’s absence from the group only served as a further reminder of how deep Lila’s claws had sunk into her old school, and Marinette knew it was only a matter of time before she got her revenge. Gabrielle was right. She’d never stop.

“You okay?” Adrien leaned into her ear, and she blinked down at the sandwich she was crushing.

“I’m gonna go to the bathroom,” she said, setting her sandwich on top of her bag and getting up.

Macy and Adrien exchanged nods as she scurried back to the museum, and he followed after her as Eliott performed a scene from the Miraculous show he’d been in months prior. When he caught up to her, she was halfway up the hall, and she turned to him with the most tortured of expressions.

“Hey, I’m here, just breathe,” he held out his arms, and she stepped into them without hesitation.

Her shoulders shook as she took ragged breaths, and Adrien rubbed her back, whispering gentle reassurances in her ear.

“Talk to me,” he said once she’d calmed enough.

“Just…They’re all so taken with her, and she does nothing but use them and rub it in my face,” she growled. “And I know that I could expose her in an instant. I have Jagged Stone’s phone number. Clara Nightingale texts me! I could end her reign with a single phone call.”

“But that’s not you,” Adrien said, and she pressed the back of her hand to her quivering lip and shook her head.

“I want to stop it. I do, but I don’t want to play her game anymore. I want to get out and not worry about it, but so long as she has the people I care about, I can’t let go,” she whimpered. “I want to save everyone, but I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m tired of being everyone’s hero.”

“It’s okay,” he soothed with increasing alarm, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re gonna get through this. You’re the strongest person I know.”

“I’m tired of always having to be strong. For once I want to stop carrying everyone’s burdens because they’re too heavy for me,” she clenched her hands into fists, and Adrien flicked his gaze briefly over her shoulder then met her gaze once more.

“Listen to me. Macy, Eliott, and Martin are all here for you,” he said, cupping her face. “I’m here for you. Don’t lose hope.”

“I can’t anymore. I can’t. I can’t-” she stopped short as dark energy washed over her, a cold feeling running through her core.

“Truth Seeker, I am Hawkmoth-”

“Marinette, don’t listen to him, listen to me,” Adrien pleaded. “No one expects you to solve all of their problems.”

“Your friends are all trapped by that liar.”

“You’re stronger than him, Marinette.”

“Wouldn’t you like to set them free?”

“Fight it! Don’t give up!”

“I can give you the power to expose the truth.”

“Marinette, you are not alone.” Marinette blinked, finding his worried green eyes baring into hers.

He held her face in his hands, caressing her cheek with his thumb, and she glanced down at the darkened bracelet around her wrist that Macy had given her. Taking a deep breath, she undid the clasp and paced over to set it on a bench, thinking of each of her new friends individually. Macy, Elliot, Martin, Lisette, Adrien, Gabrielle. She was surrounded by people who loved her, and who had been looking out for her all day. People who were currently looking out for her. She was not alone.

“Not this time, Hawkmoth. I won’t help you. This isn’t the answer to my problem,” she said calmly, and they watched as the butterfly reemerged from the bracelet and fluttered off before Adrien pulled her tightly into his arms.

“You’re okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe,” he said, rubbing her hair as she took deep breaths, clutching fistfuls of his shirt in shaking hands. “I’m here. It’s gonna be okay.”

“Thank you,” she said, pulling back, and he kissed her forehead with a smile.

“You don’t have to do everything alone. We’re here to hold you up too,” he said, and a smile broke over her lips.

“We should probably find that akuma before it gets someone else,” she said, squaring her shoulders, and Adrien smiled with a dutiful nod.

“We can cover more ground if we split up,” he said, retrieving her bracelet and fastening it around her wrist once more before giving her hand a squeeze. “Be careful and stay safe.”

“You too,” she said, and Adrien watched her go for a brief moment, his heart skipping a beat as a warm smile curled on his lips before he too set off, ducking into the men’s room to transform.

“I’m very proud of you, Marinette,” Tikki said as she took cover in a closed exhibit.

“We can talk about it later. We have an akuma to catch. Transform me!”

Ladybug raced back up the hall, nearly running into Chat Noir who seemed surprised to see her.

“There’s an akuma loose in the museum,” he said with a sense of urgency.

“I know. Let’s find it before it can akumatize someone,” Ladybug nodded.

“Ladybug! Chat Noir!” Eliott waved from the end of the hall. “I think my friend Marinette is in trouble. She’s had a rough day, and I just saw an akuma floating toward the Greek and Roman hall.”

“Don’t worry about your friend. We’ll take care of it just get to safety,” Ladybug ordered before they both took off.

Civilians fled across the lobby as they reached it, and they leapt overhead to avoid getting caught in the stream.

“We’re too late,” Chat said, but Ladybug pressed on undeterred until a headless figure with wings flew out at them. “Look out!”

They ducked backward just in time, rolling over as the creature soared above the lobby.

“Looks like Nike is taking a victory lap,” Chat commented as a woman and deer trotted into the mix.

“Diana too. The akuma must be bringing the art to life,” Ladybug determined. “We better hurry and capture it before Paris gets flooded with monsters.”

“And naked people,” Chat added looking a little mortified at the thought.

They raced passed men and women in period clothes, men and women hardly wearing any clothes, most minding their own business until they reached Gericault’s Charging Chasseur, and Ladybug stopped Chat just short of his sword. Behind him were several archangels with spears and numerous other monsters from paintings.

“How many can you take?” She asked, brandishing her yoyo as Chat readied his staff.

“Five, maybe ten,” he sounded unsure, and Ladybug winced before charging in.

Strikes came from all directions, and any attempts to dodge into the air were thwarted by flying creatures and projectiles. They were outnumbered, and there was no sign of the akuma. Ladybug flipped back several paces until she found herself back-to-back with Chat Noir.

“Lucky Charm!” She called, catching a ceramic turtle as it materialized.

“Oh great, maybe they’re all collectors of tiny glass animals,” Chat smarmed as she studied it.

“I think it’s saying we need the turtle for this,” she said, palming the figurine and glancing at the exit. “Can you manage alone for a bit?”

“I can try to give them the run around, but don’t take your time,” Chat said, vaulting over the hoard and landing on the other side of the hall. “Is that all you chumps got? I’m falling asleep.”

Ladybug slipped out as they took the bait and chased after Chat, swinging to Master Fu’s as fast as she could.

“Master, there’s an akuma at the Louvre that’s bringing all of the artwork to life, and the lucky charm told me we need the turtle,” she explained in a rush.

“Very well,” Master Fu said, removing the Miraculous from his wrist and holding it out to her. “Do you have someone you can trust?”

“I have someone in mind,” she nodded, dropping it into her purse. “Thanks, Master. I’ll bring it back!”

“Good luck.”

She only hoped she could find him.

Back at the museum, Nino bravely tussled with an Egyptian mummy, and she felt her heart sink a little, glancing down at the box in her hand. Pressing her lips together firmly, she turned shoulder and started up the hall in search of another boy. Of course, it was possible that he’d already evacuated, but she sincerely hoped she’d find him.

A high-pitched scream drew her around the corner where she found Macy cowering on the floor while Martin shielded her from an angel with his textbook.

“Run, Macy!”

“Not without you!” She pleaded, but Martin’s jaw clenched stubbornly.

“I’ll hold him off. Go find Marinette; I’m right behind you!” He ordered, and Macy eyed him a moment with a worried frown before scrambling from the exhibit.

Ladybug glanced down at the box in her hand then back to the boy fighting with a textbook. Her heart swelled knowing they came back to look for her and realized that this Miraculous wasn’t intended for who she’d originally thought.

With a flick of her wrist, she hooked her yoyo around Martin’s chest and pulled him out of the way of a lethal strike just in time.

“Ladybug!” He gasped. “Have you seen my friend Marinette? We’re worried that she might have been akumatized.”

“Your friend is safe, but I need your help,” she said, and Martin’s eyebrows raised.

“My help?”

“Martin Michel, this is the Miraculous of the turtle which grants the power of protection. You will use it for the greater good and return it to me at the end of the mission,” she held out the box to him, and he stared with wide eyes.

“You’re giving me a Miraculous? But I’m not really built to be a hero,” he flexed his scrawny arms, and she chuckled in amusement.

“It takes more than muscles to be a hero, and you’ve already proven your strength in here,” she tapped his chest. “You are the perfect fit.”

Martin took the box with a gulp, wincing against the flashing light as he opened it.

“Whoa!”

Meanwhile, across the museum, Chat raced down the hall pursued by several horses. He turned the corner into another room, but after shrieks from several women, he turned tail and ran the other way, covering his eyes and spouting apologies. When he lowered them, he found Ladybug and a new ally beside him.

“Been keeping them busy?” She asked with a smirk.

“Yeah, I thought angels were supposed to be good guys,” Chat whined as they ran.

“We need to find the akuma,” Ladybug said as they turned the hall to find a woman sitting calmly on a bench.

“No way!” Chat gasped.

“Mona Lisa?”

“Have you seen the person who did this to you?” Ladybug asked, stepping forward, and she smiled politely, pointing to the other end of the hall. “Thanks!”

“So, who is our new friend?” Chat gestured to Martin as they ran.

“Uh,” he drawled, searching for a name. “You can call me Emerald Shell.”

“Welcome to the team,” Chat smiled as they skidded to a stop in the main lobby where Macy cowered beneath the akuma.

“Macy!” Emerald Shell gasped, racing in to block a hit with his shield, and Chat’s stampede caught up to them.

“You got a plan?” Chat asked, and Ladybug summoned another lucky charm.

“Rubber cement?” She pursed her lips, surveying the scene.

Emerald Shell scooped Macy up and carried her to safety as Ladybug formulated a plan. She screamed and clung to him the whole way up even after he put her down.

“You’re safe now,” he assured her gently, and she blinked, unlatching herself from his neck.

“Wait!” She grabbed his wrist as he stood to leave. “My friend Martin is in the museum somewhere! He protected me from one of those monsters; he could be hurt.”

Emerald Shell smiled, cheeks flushing a little.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure he’s fine. Ladybug will set everything back to normal, so just sit tight,” he patted her hand.

“Emerald, I need you!” Ladybug called, and Macy watched him stand and jump fearlessly back into the fray.

“Get ready to use your power when I tell you,” she said, slathering a tile with the glue as Chat fenced two swordsmen. “Help me drive him back.”

“Got it,” Emerald Shell nodded, and he and Ladybug charged at Flash Photo.

They took turns throwing kicks and punches and deflecting spears from other paintings to cover each other until they got him right where they wanted. He glanced down at his stuck feet in horror.

“No!”

“Chat Noir!” Ladybug called, and he vaulted over to join them, deflecting another spear. “Now, Emerald!”

“Shelter!”

The green barrier encased them, blocking the chaos outside and leaving Flash Photo stuck and alone. Ladybug snatched his camera with her yoyo, pulling it back into Chat’s waiting Cataclysm. Ladybug captured the akuma as Emerald’s power faded, tossing her lucky charm to send all of the art back to their rightful homes.

“There’s a lot of cool art here, but museum rules say no flash photography,” Ladybug said, giving the man his camera back. “Besides, art is best appreciated through your own eyes, not through the lens of a camera.”

“Thanks, Ladybug…” He said, rubbing the back of his neck with a guilty wince before standing up and slumping off.

“Pound it!” The three heroes sang in unison.

“See you later, bug, new turtle friend,” Chat waved before vaulting off, and Ladybug turned to Emerald Shell.

“I wish Marinette could see me. She’d be really proud,” he remarked, examining his suit, and a smile curled on Ladybug’s lips.

“Your identity must remain a secret, even from your friends,” she reminded him. “But I’m sure she’s proud of you anyway. Superpowers or not.”

He smiled at that before letting his transformation drop and removing the bracelet.

“Thanks, Ladybug.”

“I’m sure you’ll find her. She’s probably around here somewhere,” Ladybug said before tossing her yoyo. “Bug out!”

***

“Marinette!”

Her friends slammed into her side as soon as they saw her, and she found herself squished between them.

“We were so worried!” Macy cried.

“Yeah, when we saw that there was an akuma, we thought that it was you,” Eliott said with a wince.

“Well, it was almost me,” she admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. “Adrien talked me out of it.”

“Oh, Marinette,” Macy frowned, pulling her in close. “You know you can always talk to us if you’re feeling stressed.”

“Yeah, you don’t have to face everything alone. We’re here to help you,” Eliott said, offering her, her neatly repacked lunch bag she’d abandoned, and Lisette nodded in agreement.

“You’ve helped all of us in so many ways, Marinette, and we want you to know that if you ever need us, we’re right here,” Martin added, and she felt her eyes water.

“Thank you. I needed that reminder today,” she rubbed at her cheek, and they all snuggled against her once more.

“Oh! Speaking of Adrien,” Macy shot up as she remembered. “His school is about to leave, but he said he would wait at the bottom of the stairs in the lobby for you.”

“Oh, uh,” Marinette winced guiltily, but they all nudged her on.

“Go, Cinderella, before the clock strikes midnight. We’ll meet you at the bus,” Eliott urged, wrapping his arm around Lisette.

Marinette smiled before jogging up the hall. Things between her and Adrien had become more romantic as of late, and his concern for her today told her that he cared about her deeply. They’d almost kissed on several occasions now, and today he’d held her close. She wasn’t sure what they were, but she knew what she wanted them to be, and part of her felt like he wanted it too.

When she reached the top of the stairs, she caught sight of that signature silky, blond hair, a smile curling over her lips. Skipping down the steps, her heart hammered in her chest, and as she drew a breath to call his name, a flash of orange slithered around his arm.

“Adrien! There you are. I’ve been looking for you. You disappeared during lunch, and I was so worried the akuma would get you,” Lila cooed, resting her chin on his chest with a pout.

“I’m fine, so no need to worry,” he said, gently pushing her away, but Lila stretched up on her tiptoes and pulled him in, touching her lips to his. Adrien pushed her away, eyebrows furrowing in annoyance.

“Lila-”

“Aw, hey you two love birds.” Marinette retreated a few steps up as Alya and Nino approached. “The bus is about to leave, come on.”

“Okay,” Lila giggled, taking Adrien’s arm despite how he squirmed when Nino and Alya turned their backs. She cast a purposeful smirk over her shoulder, green eyes locking with Marinette’s as she toted away her prize.

Marinette felt rage building deep in her core, and she bottled it the whole way home, throwing on a stoic mask. Lila wanted her to fight back? Well, she was about to get a full storm.

She pounded on the one door she’d swore to herself never to visit again until a familiar face opened it.

“Dupain-Cheng?” Chloe quirked a brow.

“I changed my mind. I want to help you take down Lila.”

#miraculous ladybug #mdcsp original #ml spoilers #marinette dupain-cheng #adrien agreste #my writing #mdcsp

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brightly-painted-canvas · 5 years

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for the series ‘fic I think about all the time but I’ll never be able write’, I’m honoured to present you:

Band of Brothers’s High School Football (and I mean soccer!) Team AU

featuring:

- the team’s name is Currahee Easy of Toccoa High School (I don’t make the rules... I mean yes I do, but you know...) and they’re basically shit at playing football/soccer - it’s not that they don’t have good individual players or don’t train hard enough, it’s that their coach, PE teacher Sobel, doesn’t know shit about tactics and theory and he’s just too much of a dick to admit it - so the team trains hard everyday under every weather condition, but they still suck in championship games - (it’s by then a well known thing in Toccoa High School) - except this year is senior year for a big chunk of the team and most of them really really want to win at least one game before parting ways and going to college - so some of them basically mutiny against Sobel and go beg Principal Sink for a new coach - (he’s easily convinced after he sees the disgraceful row of defeats the team managed to string in the past three years) (it’s disgusting) - he calls in his office the other PE teacher, Richard Winters (who’s in fact already the coach of the baseball team) and gives Winters the responsibility of coaching the football team as well - thing is: right until that moment Dick Winters knows nothing about football, but he’s not a bitch about it so he buys a lot of books and watches a lot of youtube videos and drags his best-friend-and-maybe-also-more Lewis Nixon (history teacher at Toccoa) to a bunch of games to study - he’s a good student because when he meets the team for the first time and they try some of the tactics out, they seem to work - (he goes with basic 4-4-2 formation but his full backs are fast and both his side midfielders can shift to the attack on the occasion) - so the championship starts and the boys are for once both physically and tactically ready (mentally not so much, but hey can you blame a rowdy team of 20 teenagers?)

- so the team is composed like this: - D. Hoobler as the keeper (2nd keeper: D. Webster, although everyone is secretly glad he never plays because last time he did he was reading books during the game when the ball was on the other side of the field... at least on the bench he can read as much as he wants and pretend to be too precious and literate to play sports) - “Buck” Compton and “Bull” Randleman as center backs (reserves: “Tab” Talbert and “Pat” Christenson) - “Babe” Heffron and Frank Perconte as full backs (reserves: “Popeye” Wynn and A. Blithe) - center midfielders: Joe Liebgott and Johnny Martin (reserve: D. Malarkey) - side midfielders: “Shifty” Powers and “Skip” Muck (reserve: A. Penkala) - forwards: Bill Guarnere and Joe Toye (reserves: “Chuck” Grant and P. O’Keefe) - coach: R. Winters; coach’s alcoholic husband: L. Nixon; 2nd coach: C. Lipton; manager: H. Welsh; assistant and medic: “Doc” Roe; referee: R. Speirs - (everyone is scared of the local referee as there are numerous rumors circulating about him, like the one that says he once stabbed a protesting player in the eye with the red card) - Toccoa also has a student radio broadcast and the designated sportcaster is George Luz, so he also follows the team in away games (and having him around helps with the team’s morale) - the first match is a draw, which is neither a good or a bad thing, but Winters is still kinda proud of the guys and buys ice cream for all of them and says inspirational things like “the best is yet to come” - the second match is a whole struggle against the defending champions of the previous year, which makes the opposite team’s players a bit too arrogant and which causes yellow cards to fly around - to the surprise of absolutely nobody Liebgott is the first to get a red card and gets sent out. To the surprise of everybody except his teammates, he’s double booked because he picks a fight not with the opposite team but with his own (specifically: Guarnere asking for more forward passes and Webster, still on the bench, for seemingly no reason at all). Luz announces that it’s probably the first time in the history of football that this happens (yay for a new embarrassing record for Currahee Easy!) - Easy loses in the last minutes after a struggle to maintain the 0 - 0 and Lipton has to intervene before the whole team riots against the referee (not Speirs this time) who also gives a penalty to the opposite team in recovery time. It ends 2 - 0 for the defenders and in the brawl that follows the three final whistles Heffron loses a shoe, Toye gets a bloody nose and Liebgott sneaks out from the locker room just to throw a few punches - they win the third match. The opposite team never shows up at Toccoa High School so it’s a forfeit win - (rumors say the opponents didn’t want to attend not because they were scared of Easy, but because they were scared of Speirs, the designated referee for the game) - after the sixth match they start to win for their own merits and everyone is ecstatic. The whole school gets involved (all thanks to Luz’s enthusiastic commentaries and sport-related news) and there’s suddenly an high attendance of audience at their games - some of them even gets fans, like some guy starting to admire Guarnere’s technique and some girl suddenly making banners for Christenson or even Webster (though that must be less for athletic merits and more for aesthetic reasons, much to all the other player’s displeasure)(and Liebgott’s absolute rage, though no one gets exactly why)(c’mon guys...) - they manage to end the championship at an average position in the chart and with enough points to access a row of head to head games - the last match of the season is one of those direct clashes and becomes very important not only because it’s the last match ever for the senior students, but also because winning would mean getting an access to summer play-off - everyone is super nervous - coach Winters makes another one of his nice motivational speeches which leaves almost everyone near-tears (even the tough ones)(and especially Lew, who still gets free access to the locker room despite not being directly involved with the team) - things turn bad real soon real fast because during the first half within minutes both Guarnere and Toye get a leg injury and need to be substituted by Grant and, to the whole team’s horror and desperation, sweet innocent O’Keefe - Doc Roe gets helped by Lip and Welsh to get Bill and Joe out of the pitch and most of all to placate their rage and frustration (my poor boys...) - despite the injuries and early substitutions, Shifty manages to score an outside the box stunning volley for the 1 - 0 that makes everyone in the audience literally freaks out - the opponents equalize right at the end of first half with a goal following a contested free kick right outside Easy’s penalty area - the second half ends on a draw despite the team’s best efforts in maintaining their shape and positions as well as their nerves (and everyone is extremely proud of them, but most of all surprised by Liebgott)(considering he’s not even being supervised by Martin, who had been substituted by Malark at some point) - after the first extra time Dick is already thinking about the penalties: to the sudden shock of everyone present at the game (and the delight of his hardcore fangirls), Hoob gets substituted with Webster - (all of Easy, as one man, think they’re doomed) - the penalties are a matter of even more nerves and sweat and tears, but the five kickers get chosen (Grant, Buck, Skip, Heffron and Shifty) and after that, everything is in their preferred foot (and in Web’s hands) - Web saves the first penalty and the whole school gasps in disbelief - (while Dick and Lip share a knowing smile on the bench) - Grant scores, Buck scores, Skip’s shot unfortunately gets saved and they’re back to equality - no one speaks (Luz included!), no one even blinks - Babe manages to score a stunning lob penalty that has the whole field freaking out again - (Bill from the bench points at him and screams: ‘That’s my boy!’ jumping on his uninjured leg) - Shifty scores with cynical precision (and Winters almost sobs out loud) - as Webster takes his position between the posts, silence falls again all around the pitch and tension is so thick it feels like it could be cut with a knife - right before the opponents fifth kicker positions the ball on the penalty spot, everyone takes a deep breath and holds it for seemingly endless minutes - Webster saves - everyone screams - chaos is everywhere - Lieb kisses Web on the mouth - someone cries - (probably Web’s fangirls) - (and also mama!Lip since he’s so proud of his boys) - after that everything is a blur of celebrations and tears and hugs and also other less celebrated kisses (but Babe gets one from Doc and Dick gets several ones from Lew and, to be fair, no one is really that surprised) - Luz loses his voice at some point and completely forgets being on air on the school’s radio as he runs down to the field to celebrate with the team (which results in long minutes of radio silence he’d be scolded for the next day)(and, for what is worth, he does not give a single fuck) - Easy chases coach Winters across the field and lift him in the air to celebrate, then they do the same for Lip and Welsh and (surprisingly?) Nixon - (Doc Roe refuses and hides behind Babe and Bill and everyone loves him too much to force him anyway) - more chaos ensues and rumors say the celebrations went on for weeks - (also some rumors say referee Speirs took part to the celebrations as 2nd coach Lipton’s date, but no one present ever confirmed or denied that) ...and that’s basically it. Sorry for any mistake: I typed this all in one go and my football terminology is strictly Italian-based (just as much as my football enthusiasm lol) so I may have got something wrong. Thanks a bunch to my sister @gaiayukari85 for having helped with the plot (as often happens when we create silly stories)

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orbemnews · 3 years

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Amazon Workers’ Union Drive Reaches Far Beyond Alabama Players from the National Football League were among the first to voice their support. Then came Stacey Abrams, the Democratic star who helped turn Georgia blue in the 2020 election. The actor Danny Glover traveled to Bessemer, Ala., for a news conference last week, where he invoked the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s pro-union leanings in urging workers at Amazon’s warehouse there to organize. Tina Fey has weighed in, and so has Senator Bernie Sanders. Then on Sunday, President Biden issued a resounding declaration of solidarity with the workers now voting on whether to form a union at Amazon’s Bessemer warehouse, without mentioning the company by name. Posted to his official Twitter account, his video was one of the most forceful statements in support of unionizing by an American president in recent memory. “Every worker should have a free and fair choice to join a union,” Mr. Biden said. A unionizing campaign that had deliberately stayed under the radar for months has in recent days blossomed into a star-studded showdown to influence the workers. On one side is the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and its many pro-labor allies in the worlds of politics, sports and Hollywood. On the other is one of the world’s dominant companies, an e-commerce behemoth that has warded off previous unionizing efforts at its U.S. facilities over its more than 25-year history. The attention is turning this union vote into a referendum not just on working conditions at the Bessemer warehouse, which employs 5,800, but on the plight of low-wage employees and workers of color in particular. Many of the employees in the Alabama warehouse are Black, a fact that the union organizers have highlighted in their campaign seeking to link the vote to the struggle for civil rights in the South. The retail workers union has a long history of organizing Black workers in the poultry and food production industries, helping them gain basic benefits like paid time off and safety protections and a means to economic security. The union is portraying its efforts in Bessemer as part of that legacy. “This is an organizing campaign in the right-to-work South during the pandemic at one of the largest companies in the world,” said Benjamin Sachs, a professor of labor and industry at Harvard Law School. “The significance of a union victory there really couldn’t be overstated.” The warehouse workers began voting by mail on Feb. 8 and the ballots are due at the end of this month. A union can form if a majority of the votes cast favor such a move. Amazon’s countercampaign, both inside the warehouse and on a national stage, has zeroed in on pure economics: that its starting wage is $15 an hour, plus benefits. That is far more than its competitors in Alabama, where the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. “It’s important that employees understand the facts of joining a union,” Heather Knox, an Amazon spokeswoman, said in a statement. “We will provide education about that and the election process so they can make an informed decision. If the union vote passes, it will impact everyone at the site and it’s important associates understand what that means for them and their day-to-day life working at Amazon.” The company, which went on a huge hiring spree last year as homebound customers sent its sales to a record $386 billion, recorded more than $22 billion in profit. In Alabama, some workers are growing weary of the process. One employee recently posted on Facebook: “This union stuff getting on my nerves. Let it be March 30th already!!!” The situation is getting testy, with union leaders accusing Amazon of a series of “union-busting” tactics. The company has posted signs across the warehouse, next to hand sanitizing stations and even in bathroom stalls. It sends regular texts and emails, pointing out the problems with unions. It posts photos of workers in Bessemer on the internal company app saying how much they love Amazon. At certain training sessions, company representatives have pointed out the cost of union dues. When some workers have asked pointed questions in the meetings, the Amazon representatives followed up with them at their work stations re-emphasizing the downsides of unions, employees and organizers say. The meetings stopped once the voting started, but the signs are still up, said Jennifer Bates, a pro-union worker in the warehouse. In this charged atmosphere, even routine things have become suspect. The union has raised questions about the changing of the timing of a traffic light near the warehouse where labor organizers try to talk to the workers as they are stopped in their vehicles while leaving the facility. Amazon did ask county officials in mid-December to change the light’s timing, though there is no evidence in the county records that the change was made to thwart the union. “Traffic for Amazon is backing up around shift change,” the public records stated as the reason the county altered the light. Amazon regularly navigates traffic concerns around its facilities, and wasting unpaid time in congested parking lots is a frequent gripe of Amazon workers in Facebook groups. But the retail workers’ union president, Stuart Appelbaum, questioned the timing of the request in Bessemer, coming as it did at the height of the organizing. “When the light was red we could answer questions and have a brief conversation with workers,” he said. Last week, the union questioned an offer the company made to the Alabama warehouse workers to pay them at least $1,000 if they quit by late March. Mr. Appelbaum accused the company of trying to entice employees to leave before the vote ended. “They are trying to remove the most likely union supporters from their work force by bribing them to leave and give up their vote,” he said in an interview. But “The Offer,” as it’s known among employees, was the same that Amazon made to workers at all of its warehouses around the country. It is an annual program that lets the company reduce its head count after the peak holiday shopping season without layoffs. It has been in place since at least 2014, when Jeff Bezos wrote about it in a shareholder letter. “Once a year, we offer to pay our associates to quit,” Mr. Bezos said at the time. “In the long run, an employee staying somewhere they don’t want to be isn’t healthy for the employee or the company.” Mr. Appelbaum was not swayed. He said he believed that Amazon had chosen to make the offer across all of its warehouses when it did in order to help eliminate possible “yes” votes in Bessemer. President Biden stopped short of urging the Amazon workers to unionize, but his statement instantly raised the stakes of an already momentous campaign. “Let me be really clear,” Mr. Biden said. “It’s not up to me to decide whether anyone should join a union. But let me be even more clear: It’s not up to an employer to decide that, either. The choice to join a union is up to the workers. Full stop.” He added, “Workers in Alabama and all across America are voting on whether to organize a union in their workplace. This is vitally important — a vitally important choice.” And it is one, he said, that should be made without intimidation or threats. Despite the union’s suspicions, it has not filed any formal complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, Mr. Appelbaum said. Typically, unions can raise objections to a company’s tactics before an election and the labor board can step in. If a complaint were to be filed, the labor board could potentially determine that the election is invalid because of Amazon’s actions. But after working for months to build support inside and outside the Amazon warehouse, the last thing the union wants is for the labor board to intervene and rule that the election must be held again. The voting has already been taking place in Bessemer for nearly a month. Mr. Sachs, of Harvard Law School, said that despite Mr. Biden’s admonishments of companies’ interfering in elections, the current labor law does allow Amazon to hold certain mandatory meetings with workers to discuss why they shouldn’t unionize and enables the company to post anti-union messages around the workplace. “It is very helpful that the president is calling out these tactics, but what we need is a new labor law to stop companies from interfering,” he said. It is rare for such a large union election to be held by mail. Over Amazon’s objections, the labor board required a mail-in vote after determining that federal election monitors would be at risk of contracting Covid-19 if they had to travel to Bessemer to oversee in-person voting. By pushing back aggressively against the union, Amazon risks angering Democrats in Washington, many of whom are already calling for more antitrust scrutiny of big tech companies, whose businesses have grown even larger in the pandemic. Amazon has mounted a public campaign supporting legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, buying prominent ads in The New York Times, The Washington Post and other publications. In his video on Sunday, President Biden specifically mentioned how unions can help “Black and brown workers” and vulnerable workers struggling during the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic. Ms. Bates, 48, one of the leaders of the union drive, started working at the Bessemer warehouse in May. She said she felt insulted by some of Amazon’s anti-union efforts, particularly the company’s statements to the staff that they would be required to pay nearly $500 in union dues every year. Because Alabama is a right-to-work state, there is no such requirement that a union member pay dues. “It angers me a little bit because I feel like they know the truth and they won’t tell the truth and are taking advantage because they know employees come from a community that is looked on as Black and low income,” said Ms. Bates, who is Black. “It felt really horrible that you would stand there and mislead people intentionally. Give them the facts and let them decide.” Source link Orbem News #Alabama #Amazon #Drive #reaches #union #Workers

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thisdaynews · 4 years

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Garth Crooks' team of the week: De Gea, Lindelof, Baldock, Son, Rashford, Kane

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/garth-crooks-team-of-the-week-de-gea-lindelof-baldock-son-rashford-kane/

Garth Crooks' team of the week: De Gea, Lindelof, Baldock, Son, Rashford, Kane

Premier League leaders Liverpool won again as they beat Bournemouth while Manchester United stunned rivals Manchester City in the derby.

The defeat for City means they are now 14 points behindLiverpooland six behindLeicester,who claimed a club record eighth successive Premier League win with victory atAston Villa.

Elsewhere,Sheffield Unitedcame from behind to beatNorwichwhileTottenhamput in a five-star display to see offBurnley.

Here’s my team of the week – have a read and then select your own below.

Goalkeeper – David de Gea (Manchester United)

David de Gea:It’s in games like Manchester derbies you need nerves of steel and goalkeepers you can rely on. David de Gea is one of those keepers.

Martin Dubravka’s performance for Newcastle saved the day against Southampton and Vicente Guaita was responsible for Crystal Palace keeping a clean sheet away at Vicarage Road. However, neither fixture contained the same temperatures as the Etihad Stadium.

De Gea was the coolest man on the pitch and produced two saves in the latter stages of the game that, under the circumstances, were world class. That’s why he’s a world class keeper.

Did you know?De Gea made four saves during Manchester United’s 2-1 victory at Manchester City, helping the Red Devils to all three points.

Defenders – Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United), Mason Holgate (Everton), Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: I’ve been banging on about Aaron Wan-Bissaka for nearly two years now. I saw him play for Crystal Palace against Fulham at Craven Cottage, and Roy Hodgson didn’t want to talk about the player after the game for fear of attracting too much attention to the lad.

I also said he was a Manchester United player if ever I saw one. His defending in the Manchester derby was nothing short of outstanding. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold might be better on the ball but there isn’t a better defender in the country on his day than Wan-Bissaka.

Did you know?Wan-Bissaka made five tackles against Manchester City, the most of any player in the game.

Mason Holgate:I never saw Mason Holgate as an imposing central defender but I thought he was amazing in the rejuvenated, never-say-die Everton team against Chelsea.

The block in the first half on Christian Pulisic was important but his overall contribution to his team’s efforts was quite brilliant. The question is why couldn’t Everton give Marco Silva some of what they gave Duncan Ferguson? What I did see was a football team playing in the same image of their interim manager. The players clearly understood what was required and boy did they give it to Chelsea.

Did you know?As well as making more blocks than any other Everton player (two), Holgate gave the ball away on fewer occasions (six) than any other Toffees player. Indeed, he also completed four tackles – only once before has he managed more during a Premier League match (five v West Ham in April 2017).

Victor Lindelof:The block by Victor Lindelof on Kevin de Bruyne was crucial if not a game changer.

Manchester United were 2-0 up after 64 minutes when De Bruyne’s shot was destined for the back of the Red Devils’ net, with plenty still on the clock, before the Swede produced the intervention of the match.

This victory for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wasn’t just about winning the Manchester derby but about his survival. Beating Spurs and Manchester City in a matter of days suggests that with a full complement of players, and not filling the team just with kids, Solskjaer has something.

Did you know?The Swedish defender made a team-high four blocks in Manchester United’s win at the Etihad.

Midfielders – George Baldock (Sheffield United), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

George Baldock:I wasn’t sure if it was George Baldock or George Best!

I thought I was seeing things when I saw Baldock drag the ball back, pirouette and strike a glorious shot past Tim Krul. The finish – not to mention the skill – was superb along with Sheffield United’s performance.

Blades fans have been telling me I’ve been a little hard on their team recently and not giving them the credit they deserve. How many players do they expect in my team of the week?

Did you know?Only Liverpool duo Alexander-Arnold (seven) and Andy Robertson (six) have been directly involved in more Premier League goals this season amongst defenders than Baldock (five – three goals, two assists).

Jordan Henderson:This player has been outstanding for Liverpool during the past few weeks and continued his excellent form against a Bournemouth side that were never in Liverpool’s class.

Jordan Henderson’s pass for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to score was sensational. It might have helped the Cherries if they had a player within 10 feet of the Liverpool captain.

Henderson may not be the most adroit practitioner with the ball at his feet but even he will kill you if you give him that much room. The Reds go marching on.

Did you know?As well as registering an assist for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s opener, Henderson recorded the most successful passes in Liverpool’s match with Bournemouth (140) – indeed, that was also his most passes ever made in a Premier League match.

James Maddison:This might have been a completely different result had Aston Villa’s medical team done their job. To let Tyrone Mings back on to the field after he had suffered what was a clear hamstring injury was suicide. By the time Villa had regrouped they were 2-0 down and James Maddison was running the show.

There is no doubt in my mind that the title is going to Anfield but Brendan Rodgers has got Leicester playing better than when they won the Premier League and look odds-on to finish runners-up. Remind me where Arsenal are currently?

Did you know?Maddison created five chances against Aston Villa, with one of those being an assist for Jonny Evans.

Son Heung-min:The last time I saw a goal scored of this quality it was by His Excellency the President of Liberia. He was then of course just George Weah playing for AC Milan.

To run practically the entire length of the pitch, outrun a posse of defenders prior to putting the ball in the back of the net is quite extraordinary but that is what Son Heung-min did.

The South Korea international left a group of Burnley players in his wake and scored what must be an early candidate for goal of the season. Quite an achievement to have something in common with the President of Liberia.

Did you know?Son was directly involved in two of Spurs’ five goals against Burnley, scoring one and assisting another.

Forwards – Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)

Marcus Rashford:The challenge by Bernardo Silva on Marcus Rashford was about as reckless as the player’s social media posts about his team-mate Benjamin Mendy. Silva went crashing into Rashford in the penalty area like a bull in a china shop. If the tackle itself wasn’t a giveaway, the player frantically waving his hand in mitigation to the offence certainly was.

Rashford, nevertheless undeterred by Silva’s bully-boy tactics, got to his feet, brushed himself off, and amidst the white-hot heat of a Manchester derby sent the City keeper the wrong way. Now that’s a top class striker.

Did you know?Rashford has scored 13 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions this season – equalling his best goalscoring return for Manchester United in a single season (13 goals in 47 apps in 2018-19 and 13 goals in 52 apps in 2017-18).

Harry Kane:Two superbly taken goals scored by Harry Kane looks like business as usual. The difference being that Spurs scored five goals and conceded none.

Admittedly Burnley were poor and can’t win a game home or away to save their lives. Jose Mourinho has certainly stopped Spurs from sliding into the abyss but how long is he going to keep up with this utterly facile charm offensive and start turning this Tottenham team into a side that can win the big games away from home?

Hearing Roy Keane even suggest that Spurs lack the ‘mentality’ to win those games is enough to make a Tottenham fan want to lie down with a cold compress on the forehead in a darkened room.

Did you know?Kane netted both of his shots on target against Burnley, while also creating two chances for his team-mates.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin:The lad is not what I would call a natural finisher but Dominic Calvert-Lewin definitely makes things happen.

Everton have had five permanent managers in six years which tells you all you need to know about where they are as a club at the moment. I saw more passion, desire and endeavour against Chelsea than I’ve seen in the past six years. It was like Goodison Park back in the ’80s.

If that is the Duncan Ferguson effect then give him the job at least until the end of the season. You will know then whether he’s up to it. Calvert-Lewin certainly is.

Did you know?Calvert-Lewin scored his first ever Premier League brace in his 92nd appearance in the competition, and his first league brace overall since October 2015 for Northampton Town against Carlisle in League Two.

Now it’s your turn

You’ve seen my selections this season. But who would you go for?

Crooks of the matter

I saw it but I could hardly believe it. Fans hurling missiles and one fan appearing to mimic the actions of an ape towards Fred as he was trying to take a corner. Let’s be clear here, Raheem Sterling plays for that club doesn’t he? I wouldn’t be playing for them much longer if there was a repeat of that behaviour from my fans. I can only imagine what he made of it. I saw what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and thousands of watching football fans around the world saw. We all saw it. The question is what to do about it?

Manchester City have made a good start by insisting they will ban fans for life if found guilty of these actions. We had this nonsense before in the ’70s and ’80s and the game spiralled into decline. We simply can’t afford to return to those days. Football authorities must act now and insist they get help from the government.

#Baldock #Rashford

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wesleyhill · 7 years

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Christ’s Wings

A homily on Philippians 4:1-9, preached at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, October 15, 2017

In the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen:

There’s an old rhyme, often (mis?)attributed to John Bunyan, the author of the Pilgrim’s Progress allegory, that goes like this:

Run, John, run, the law commands But gives us neither feet nor hands, Far better news the gospel brings: It bids us fly and gives us wings.

Notice the contrast Bunyan draws in this little poem. The law—God’s law, the holy expression of his own holy character—demands our obedience. “Run!” the law says to us. “Run in the way of God’s commandments!” On the other hand, the gospel—the good news of God’s action in Jesus Christ on our behalf—promises us God’s grace.

There’s been a lot of talk about that contrast — this year especially, because it’s the five-hundredth anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, which eventually led to an entire theology premised on this contrast between the law and the gospel. God’s law, Luther insisted, was holy, just, and good. It announces to us the moral perfection that God’s own moral purity demands of everyone who would be in relationship with him. But the law cannot enable what it demands. In the terms of Bunyan’s rhyme, it is like an indifferent coach who shouts through a megaphone, “Run! Run!” to a player whose broken legs are in casts that have rendered her totally immobile.

But in contrast to this, Luther equally insisted, the gospel of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection announces the happy news (not the demand) that God has forgiven our sins and promised us a future of love and wholeness. Again, in the imagery of the poem, the gospel is like a miracle that gives that broken-legged player wings so that she can fulfill — times one thousand! — the demands her coach has given her. The gospel unites us to Christ, who is himself our wings. We fly only because he holds us. And thereby he triumphs over the law’s condemnation.

I bring all this up this morning because our epistle reading from St. Paul appears, at first glance, to be all law. Depending on how you tally things up, there are nine commands given in the space of a mere nine verses, and some of the commands sound crushingly impossible to perform.

“[S]tand firm in the Lord,” Paul says, and I immediately think of my friends who have tried, for years, to stand firm in their faith, and then depression or cynicism or worldly passion overtakes them and knocks them down.

“I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord,” Paul says of two women in the Philippian congregation who were apparently at odds, and I think of all the broken friendships I’ve known which the estranged parties have tried — and failed — to mend.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice,” Paul says, and I find myself wondering if he’s ever really spent time with a social worker or a clear-eyed journalist. When you’re working with two-year-old foster children whose bones have been broken through drunken abuse, or when you’re writing about statistics like 40% of Puerto Rico still being without running water, how are you supposed to rejoice? Paul’s words sound almost cruel. We may picture him shouting to a recently bereaved spouse, “Stop your crying and be happy!” In North America these days, as a friend of mine complained recently on her blog, “we’re constantly surrounded by capitalists and Christians with unnecessarily intense dentistry, all yelling at us that We Have a Duty to Our Joy.”

“Do not worry about anything,” Paul goes on, and he finishes this portion of the epistle by saying that we are only to think about what is true and honorable and excellent, apparently forgetting that for some of us that’s pretty much impossible. We have to wake up every day and think about the unraveling marriage we’re in, or the recently evicted clients we’re trying to help land on their feet, or the animal abuse story we have to cover for the local newspaper, or the industry mogul who figured out a way to deny benefits to struggling employees that we have to investigate. In short, much of this reading from Paul does not sound doable, let alone like good news.

But I want to point out something that it may be all too easy for us to overlook at this juncture, and it’s this: Paul is writing these words to people who are already assured of God’s unconditional fatherly love and commitment to them and to the world. Paul is giving these commands, in other words, not to people whose futures hang precariously in the balance. Quite the opposite: Paul is speaking to those who are lodged firmly and securely in the heart of God apart from anything they’ve done, good or bad. He is writing to those who have his promise that the whole world will be remade. And he is inviting his hearers — he is inviting us this morning — to open our eyes to that reality and to enjoy its privileges and to begin, however haltingly, to live in the light of it.

We can see this reality in that little phrase “in the Lord” which Paul repeats three times in this section of Philippians: “[S]tand firm in the Lord.” “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.” “Rejoice in the Lord always.” It’s related to one of Paul’s favorite expressions: we believers are “in Christ.” It’s as though Christ is a safe, welcoming house, and we have taken up residence in him and are sheltered by him. It’s an entirely different matter when you hear a command like “stand firm” in that setting than if you were outside. Standing firm isn’t so overwhelming, it doesn’t sound so demoralizing and depressing, if you realize it more or less means, “Sit down and breathe deeply and close your eyes and remember that you already are standing firm because you’re inside the home of Christ’s love and the wind outside, no matter how fiercely it blows, cannot topple you over.” Rejoicing isn’t perhaps so threatening a posture if we realize we’re not being asked to put on a big toothy grin in the face of loss and heartache but rather to remember, even in the middle of the loss and the heartache, that we are still in the grip of Love himself.

And that brings me to the second indication in our passage that Paul doesn’t want us to hear condemnation this morning. In addition to saying “in the Lord” three times, Paul also gives us three promises in this portion of Philippians. “The Lord is near,” Paul says first. What he means is that the Lord Jesus is standing ready, awaiting the moment of his return to us, when all the things that we rightly grieve over — our own sin and hardheartedness, the awful pain of earthquakes and forest fires and cancer and sexual assault and on and on — will be finally vanquished. As he put it in the two verses immediately prior to our reading for today, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.” That time of our transformation is nearer now, Paul means, than when we first believed.

The second promise Paul offers is this: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That future tense is important to notice: “the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds…” Paul is well aware that he is writing to people — people like us — whose present circumstances are not what they hope for. Perhaps Paul felt a shooting pain in the damaged nerve endings of his own back (which back was pocked and gnarled with scars from the floggings he’d received) as he wrote these words. Paul knew the brokenness of the world in his bones and in his skin. He knew that no joy, no reconciliation and purity of thought, would ever be possible without God’s promise to mend the world. Without that promise, any call to joy can only be a call to close your eyes to the world’s miseries. God, whose life is perfect peace, promises that he will open a future for us in which all wrongs will be righted, all tears will be dried, all wounds will be healed, and all injustices will be overturned. And it is only in the light of that future that Paul dares to say to us, “Rejoice!”

But ultimately, Paul concludes with a third promise that is slightly different than the second: “the God of peace will be with you.” All of Paul’s commands — stand firm, be reconciled, rejoice, don’t worry, think on holy things — are enclosed, so to speak, within God’s promise not only that he will mend the world in the future but also that he will be present with his people even now. God grants us foretastes of the ultimate, universal peace that enable us to go on hoping and rejoicing and working for justice in defiance of the illness and trauma and abuse and inequality we see in our present experience every day. The future peace that God promises — the future peace that God is — is, in a very real sense, with us right now, already, in advance of the Lord’s coming. And it is only in view of that reality that we can do what Paul commands us to do: to be joyful, to give up worrying, to pray, to give thanks, to meditate on holy things.

Only as Christ bears us up, with our broken legs and all, on eagles’ wings, does he bid us smile and look at the horizon toward which we’re flying. The sun is shining on that horizon, and the darkness is being dispelled even now.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

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garden-of-succulents · 7 years

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in love with the hurricane

Patater, 3k words, adult themes; discussion of suicide, homophobic language, violation of secrecy

(I wanted to fill my own prompt, but then realized I’d have to write out everything that I think happened the last time Tater shared insider information on Jack with Kent Parson. Which was… not good things, and affected their relationship a lot.)

Alexei’s reclining in bed after sex, one arm tucked up under his pillow and one around the man with his head on Alexei’s shoulder, feeling pretty good. So of course that’s when Parson draws an experimental line down his pectoral and says, “I should swing by Samwell and see my man Zimms. His agent is leaving it pretty late, if he waits much longer to talk to management he’ll have to take whatever salary they give him.”

Kent Parson does this. Routinely, predictably, wind him up and watch him go; Alexei’s talked it over with his mother and come up with a very solid Rule of Parse. Any form of new or novel intimacy is going to make him lash out. Once he’s used to it he calms down; it’s when Alexei pushes somewhere he hasn’t gone before that Parson goes for the hurtful ammunition. Openly ogling or commenting on other men in front of him; flirting or getting handsy with women where Alexei can see; rubbing his hockey prestige in Alexei’s face; voicing his depression and self-hatred. The first time Alexei took his hand Parse had looked across the room and said, “Oh, he’s cute.”

Now Alexei’s brought Parse home, had sex with him in his own bed, and that’s rebounded back on him with the comment about Zimmermann. The reminder that this is the one Parse has been waiting for, the one Alexei’s known about since they first met; the one, presumably, he’d leave all his other lovers for.

It’s a bit more subtle than when a crazy-scared foster child gets moved in with a nice new family and wrecks their house, because they want to end the pain of suspense as soon as possible. I know you’re going to hate me eventually, so it might as well be now. More subtle because Parse isn’t a child anymore, and anyway Alexei hasn’t told him about this tell. If he tells, Parse might change or mask it.

It’s a behaviour that probably has chased a lot of people away. Of course it should; if Alexei weren’t cast-iron in a place that a lot of people are tender flesh, it would chase him away too, because Parse isn’t a child Alexei’s sworn to take care of, he’s an adult Alexei’s fucking recreationally. An adult who never wants someone to hate him before he’s given them reason, and therefore delights in giving reason. (“Delights” is the wrong word, but he’s not in the mood to be too deeply empathetic tonight.)

Alexei’s matured past the time when he would have loudly proclaimed, I’ll be the one who will love you no matter what you do. He’s learned not to swear that he’ll be the one who’ll never leave, no matter what. Kent Parson has a competitive nature; if Alexei threw a challenge like that in front of him, he would find a way to make Alexei abandon and betray him.

So with all this taken into consideration, he doesn’t rise to the bait. He counter-attacks.

“Aces management?” he rumbles, toying with Parse’s hair. “You think he is sign with Aces? I’m think he sign with us.”

“What, the Falconers? Lexi, I love you guys, but do you seriously—?”

“He is come to our morning skate on Tuesday,” Alexei says helpfully. “Laugh and joke with me, old guys. Well, we laugh. He smile. He is talk with Assistant General Manager, schedule meeting next week.”

Parse is very still for a minute, and then pushes himself up to look Alexei in the eye. He looks a little bloodless. “You’re serious."

Alexei crosses his heart in reply.

"Shit,” Parse says, and pushes himself out of bed. His feet hit the floor with a thump and then he’s squinting around the bedroom floor for his clothes. Alexei turns on the bedside lamp to augment the moonlight coming in the sheers. “Fucking—god—”

A little clinically, Alexei thinks, He really did believe Zimmermann would come back to him. He’s wondered a little over the years whether Parson’s self-delusion really did go all the way down, or if it was just an act to push people away, get a rise out of them. It’s… well, it’s sad.

So he sits up and bed and watches as Parson struggles into his clothes, and then stands there, fully dressed, and meets Alexei’s eyes like he’s just realized that most people would be hurt or enraged or something by this response, by their immediate displacement in his priorities.

Alexei waves a hand. “I know when I tell you, you be upset, worry.” He pauses, then says, “I’m think you get different than what you want, from him.”

Parse shakes his head, and says faintly, “I have to try.” Then he licks his lip and says, “Look, I’m… I’m sorry. I know I’m being an asshole here.”

“You want apologize, you know my number,” Alexei says with magnanimous resignation, and Parson goes.

Parse doesn’t respond to his text a few days later, should I be wishing you congratulations? )) but he does call at the end of the week.

“Alexei,” he says warmly. “Thanks for picking up after what I did to you. That was an asshole move. I’m sorry.”

“I say I pick up,” Alexei says noncommittally, but Parse just rolls right on over him.

“Did I ever tell you what a great guy you were? You’re just so… tolerant. You’re so good to people that way. I’m so glad I met you, man. You’ve been a fuckin’ bright spot all these years.”

“Thank you,” Alexei says. “Party, I like you too.”

Parse laughs. “Party! I love that name. You do the best nicknames. It made me feel special, you know? I just… I want you to know how much you mean to me, Lexi.”

Alexei swallows an icicle, breathes deep, and says, “You want me to know, schedule next time I see you. Maybe I take maintenance day when we play Stars in January?”

“Don’t, ah… let’s not schedule something yet, but I, ah. You gave me so many chances. More than I ever deserved. You know? You wasted so much time on a guy like me… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay that.”

“How did meeting with Zimmermann go?”

“Ah? Uh. Well. He’s got his own... stuff, you know, so I’m trying to take care of…”

“Parson,” he says, trying to make his voice gentle. “What is talk like this? Like you saying goodbye.” The silence on the line crackles, the sound of faraway breathing. The question on his tongue is an awkward one; he doesn’t know how to make it blunt enough without turning it ungainly, abrupt. But he asks. “What is plan here? You want to kill yourself?”

“Look, don’t worry about me,” Parson says. “You worry too much about everyone else, okay? It won’t, I’m not… I’m gonna fix things. Okay?”

“Because if you thinking suicide,” Alexei presses, “I can help, find ways to make you safe.”

“I don’t need your help,” Parse says harshly. “I’m fine. Leave it alone, okay? You’re not my mother. Or my boyfriend. Jesus.”

After he’s hung up, Alexei chews his lip for a couple of minutes, thinking. He calls Parse’s friend Troy, gets his voicemail, leaves a text, and considers calling Vassily. He’s an Ace, so he might have a good perspective, except… Vassily is kind of an asshole, unsympathetic to Parse, and not smart about people. No. Then he checks the time in Russia, and calls home to wake his mother up and run the conversation by her.

“I would worry,” she replies. “A little because of what he said, more because he has tried before, and because this has been his reason not to for years.” And her judgment is the best he knows.

So he pours himself a glass of water, noting that when this is over he’ll have to take off his shirt and shower. He’s sweating with nerves. He calls Georgia Martin.

When he was sixteen, his friend Masha hanged herself in her closet with a length of rope, and it had been the end of the most helpless fight he’d ever had, because at the end of the day he couldn’t change what was in her head. Since then he’s learned a lot about his limits, about what he can’t do, about when he can only step back.

“‘Lo?” Georgia asked, gravelly with sleep.

“Georgia, is Tater,” he says. “I need the number of someone in Aces staff. Who works with players, every day. After hours, cell phone number. Is important. And urgent.”

She doesn’t say anything; he can hear her getting up, walking through the house, hear a computer booting up. As he waits he switches the phone to speaker so he can call up the notepad app.

“Andrew Waterhouse,” Georgia says, after some clicking and typing. “Assistant coach. Got a pen?”

“Yes,” he says, tersely, and types it out standing on the balls of his feet. He reads it back to her when she’s done, to make sure he’s got it right. “Thank you, George. I go call him now.”

“Welcome, Tater,” Georgia says, and as he hangs up he blesses her in his heart, but doesn’t stop. He just dials the next number.

“Mr Waterhouse,” he says, pacing up and down his kitchen when his call connects on the second attempt. “It’s Alexei Mashkov from the Falconers. I need to talk to you about Kent Parson.”

After a moment the man on the other end of the line says, “Okay?”

“Him and me, we have argument last week. He is in Providence. I say okay, you want to apologize, you call me. Is normal. But also, I know he is expecting good news, thing he want very much for years.” He struggles to talk slowly, running his hand through his hair as he paces, wanting to get it all out as fast as possible but knowing he has to take time, marshal his English, make a case, be understandable. “Tonight he is call me. Not about argument, just, 'Oh, Lexi, you such good friend, appreciate what you do for me, want to say thank you for all these years’. Not grumpy like I expect. Is… elated? Calm? Peaceful? Mr. Waterhouse, my mother is suicide counsellor. I am knowing it is… he tell me before, he try sometimes, younger. Has not been for years because he is waiting for this good news. But I ask, did you get good news? And he says no, but…”

“Jesus Christ,” Andrew Waterhouse says. “You think he’s gonna kill himself.”

Alexei swallows and says, “Yes.”

“Do you know when?”

“No, sir.”

“Okay.” The man on the other end of the line takes in a deep breath. “Okay. I’m gonna act on this, okay? Right now. I appreciate you calling me.”

“Thank you,” Alexei says. “Please go fast.”

Waterhouse calls him back the next day to thank Alexei, to say Parse is “being taken care of”. Whatever it means, Parse is out for three games due to “undisclosed injury”.

So it’s with some trepidation that Alexei answers Parse’s call the day of the second scratch, and it’s quickly justified.

“You cocksucker,” Kent Parson spits. “I was fine. I know you’re the one who fucking told them. I should call your GM and get you locked in a fucking mental asylum.”

“Party,” Alexei says tentatively. “Good to hear you alive.”

“Don’t you fucking buddy me. You’re not my friend. A real friend wouldn’t have gone fucking over my head and—”

Alexei holds the phone away from his ear so he can think. He’s not a complete stranger to this form of ingratitude; Masha was an expert at it, and bullied him into keeping silence he regrets now. And the other thing is—he’ll put up with a lot from Parse, but this isn’t a little thing. This is a firehose of venom, and it’ll hurt both of them if he lets it continue.

He does the kind thing by removing Parse’s ability to hurt him in a way he’ll regret later. He hangs up.

I am sorry you are angry, he writes. For not believing you and breaking your secret. I understand if you need to be angry with me. But I am ok if you are alive to be angry. Hope one day you maybe forgive me.

“Mama,” he says later, when he’s told her the whole story, “I want to stop losing friends this way.”

“I know, little kitten,” she says, as warm as her fingers curling through his hair. “But you did good by him, all right?”

Alexei holds onto that. Sometimes he watches Aces games, once they get their star winger back, just to reassure himself that Parson is alive. He holds those things like compresses over the aching void of the man’s absence in his life.

They play the Aces again at the very end of the season, and Parse on the ice is a shitshow—so out-of-control and utterly heedless of his own safety that it terrifies Alexei, the way he’s been since he came back to the ice even though Andrew Waterhouse assures him the Aces are “on” his mental health issues. On the ice, he barely spares Alexei a glance.

The week beforehand, though, Parse had sent him a little funny email, just a macro of Alexei’s least-favourite ref and a joke to his disadvantage, and the note, “Found this on Twitter.” Tears had pricked Alexei’s eyes as he recognized it as the olive branch it was. He’d sent back pictures of his neighbour’s cat doing her morning patrol.

The night after the game Parse leaves the arena with his team, but he texts Alexei, Still want to meet up during the summer? I have some apologies to make.

For a minute Alexei just rests his phone against his lips in a silent prayer of gratitude. Then he summons back up the energy to reply, only if u r teaching me still to surf!!!!

#patater #alexei mashkov #alexei mashkov knows from mental illness #alexei mashkov loves kent parson a whole fucking lot #bpd kent parson #kent parson #stuff i wrote

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sutterbabe · 7 years

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#5 Auston Matthews

Requested by @rxsita-twd

Can you do one where you're Mitch's twin sis and like you're at a game 'cause you live in Toronto and Auston gets really hurt and Mitch gets attacked trying to defend him from more attacks and they have to get both boys off the ice (Mitch can still walk but Auston has to be carried) and you race there trying to find out if your brother is okay and Auston pretty much confesses his love for you to everyone in the room without realizing it because he's pretty much knocked out? PRETTY PLEASE THANKS

You guys always have the best prompts and I love it !

Auston is a meme and I had to stop myself from writing ‘cash me outside howbow dah’

This took so long and i couldn’t figure out how to write the important bit.

Also focuses more on mitch than auston im sorry but sibling relationships are really important to me.

Pre-writing note: I bet this is gonna make me cry

Song suggestion of the day: Life worth living by Laurel

Warnings: I got no brothers but my cousin has acted as a stand in and I’ve been traumatised beyond belief so i think im good. He’s an embarrassment. LANGUAGE WARNING (its not that bad idk why i put it in caps).

“...and if someone in a Canucks jersey tries to talk to you, punch them.”

You rolled your eyes, shaking your head in disbelief as you glanced across the living room at Auston Matthews, who was watching the exchange with an amused expression. “Mitchell, you’re only older by three minutes, stop trying to act like Chris.” you retorted indignantly, turning your attention back to your twin brother who was clattering around behind you in the kitchen.

“Well, in his absence his solemn duty, to protect you from all harm, now falls to me.” Mitch stated, a matter-of-factly as he walked into the room and plonked himself down beside you. Okay, you hadn’t been to a game in a little while, not everyone can have their dream job (or unlimited time off). That said, It wasn’t like you’d never been to a hockey game, you’d probably disowned (at least by your brothers) if you hadn’t. Still, Mitch was being a pain by trying to be overprotective and you hadn’t even left the house yet.

“That is not Chris’ job. At least he knows I can look after myself.” you muttered, throwing your legs over Mitch’s lap as you leaned back on the arm of the couch, watching him struggle with his tie.

“I’m being caring and brotherly.” Mitch whined, as you finally relented, sitting up to help him fix his tie.

“It’s a hockey game not a bar fight.” you retorted, glancing over at the only american in the room, yet again. “Auston, back me up here.”

“No, no, no. Illegal move. He’s my friend, you can’t use him against me.” Mitch protested indignantly.

“So I can’t be friends with Auston because you’re friends with him?” you retorted. “Sharing is caring, Mitch. Besides, your advice is stupid. I’d probably get more hurt than the person I was punching. It’s the easiest way to break your hand, you know.”

Mitch made a face. “You get my point though.”

You had to refrain from rolling your eyes again. “Well, Vancouver wouldn’t be so riled up if you would just shut your damn mouth sometimes.” you retorted. Although he was taller than you (just), on the ice, your twin brother was both tiny and annoying. He was also very good but there was no way you were telling him anything of the sort.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Mitch laughed.

“The fun is not getting ten million phone calls from mum every time someone tries to fight you.” you replied, with a hint of annoyance. Truthfully you were more worried than annoyed. Mitch might be a pain but if anyone so much as yelled at him, you were prepared to fight them yourself.

“Not my problem.” he teased, but sobered up under your frown. “Don’t worry, that’s why I’m friends with this guy.” he patted leaned across to Auston’s knee. “he has a scary war face. I saw it one time when we played the ‘yotes” Mitch faked a shudder. “I didn’t sleep for a week.” Auston shoved mitch lightly at that.

you rolled your eyes. “Auston’s the possibly one of the sweetest guys I’ve ever met, he couldn’t hurt a fly.” You glanced at Auston. “No offence?”

Auston shrugged and shook his head lightly, his cheeks tinted a light pink shade. “None taken.” Mitch laughed at this,waggling his eyebrows and making you elbow his ribs.

you nodded appreciatively at Auston. “Also, do not fight anyone for him.” you warned, glaring at your brother.

Mitch shook his head. “Stop being annoying. We’ll be fine. Now where’s your jersey?” he demanded.

“Right next to you, doofus. Are we going or not?” you replied.

In reply you received a jersey to the face.

You didn’t pay much attention during warm ups, mainly because they usually consisted of your brother goofing off and just generally being embarrassing. Auston, Mitch and a couple of other leafs guys would skate past every so often and slam into the boards in front of you, making you jump in surprise (much to your displeasure).

This was the last of three match-ups between Toronto and Vancouver, and you could already tell it was going to be a hard fought game before it had even started. You could see words being exchanged whenever one player got close to the other team. Unsurprisingly, Mitch had easily seen through your guise of disinterest earlier and would glance over at you every now and again to give you a reassuring smile. You would gave him a half-hearted one and a thumbs up in return and he would nod.

It was a scoreless but not uneventful first period. There were a few hits that had you screaming insults at the ice, and you could see Mitch going about his usual business riling people up, which didn’t help your game anxiety. The second period wan’t much better and you could tell the rest of the crowd were itching for some action. The third period started well for the leafs, Auston was on fire, speeding around and making plays. Mitch had the puck and was zooming down the ice towards you, when out of nowhere a canucks player appeared, slamming him into the boards. You flew to your feet, screaming profanities, Auston was by his friends side in an instant, giving the offending player a hefty shove. You could see him yelling at the linesman, gesturing to Mitch who had clambered to his feet. Auston and mitch were shaking their heads and just generally looking frustrated as they spoke with one of the linesman before skating away looking furious. Meanwhile, the Canucks fans were louder than ever. Auston tapped gently on the glass in front of you with his stick as he skated past while they prepped for a face off, making you smile a little as Mitch gave you a little thumbs up and stuffed his mouthguard back in his mouth. The canucks player from before skated past and muttered a few words to Mitch who glanced at you and laughed. That was one of the things you admired about your brother, his ability to shrug things off. Auston was usually included in this bracket but apparently whatever they were saying was really getting to him today.

“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.” you heard Mitch laugh as he skated by, canuck right up in his grill. Auston eventually got tired of the guy tailing his friend and gave him a shove. The player didn’t take kindly to it, the two guys were staring each other down, each sprouting equally offensive chirps.

“Come on, let’s fucking go.” the canucks player had dropped his gloves and the crowd was going crazy. “come on, hot shot”

Your brother was watching Auston apprehensively, not wanting to intervene just yet.

It was clear Auston wasn’t going to take the bait and the game only got rougher from there. They had eyes on both Mitch and Auston which was making you more than nervous and with no goals, the game was going into OT, or what you like to call ‘oh fuck’. A couple of canucks drove Tyler Bozak headfirst into the boards and from there everything disintegrated. Auston rushed over to make sure Tyler was okay, but instead was met by three canucks who were itching for a fight. Mitch rushed in to help his friend out, but it only made things all the worse. There was blood on the ice and you couldn’t tell if Mitch and Auston were alright since they were trapped right in the heart of a massive line brawl. You were beside yourself with worry, your phone was ringing out and you bet ten bucks it was your mum. As the scrum was broken up by the linesmen, you could finally get a view of the carnage and it didn’t look good. You’d seen a lot of hockey fights in your day, but nothing like this. Your twin brother was struggling to his feet and had to be helped up and off the ice by Matt Martin and Zach Hyman. Meanwhile, Auston was hardly moving, and the sight of a stretcher being rushed onto the ice, really didn’t help your nerves. You didn’t even stay to see them get rushed off the ice safely, you were already sprinting towards the locker rooms get to your brother.

“Mitch!” You cried, flinging yourself into your brother’s arms. He looked worried and very bruised but otherwise alright. You smoothed his hair back from his face to check for any other bruises, still wide eyed and extremely worried. “Are you alright? Did they say you’re okay? Oh my god, I was so.. You scared me! Are you sure you’re okay?” as you continued interrogating him, a couple of his teammates popped in to see how they were doing. Even the news of Mo’s game winning goal didn’t seem to cheer Mitch up. After assuring you that he was alright at least a hundred times over, you finally released him from your bone crushing hug. “You’re a fucking idiot, you know that?” you snapped, shoving his shoulder.

“Y/N,” Mitch protested, stepping back to steady himself as your push had caught him unawares.

“The hell were you thinking! I thought…” to be honest you didn’t really know what was going through your mind at the time, it was all such a blur. “You could’ve gotten seriously hurt.” You glared at him. “I bet you’re fucking pleased with yourself.”

“What did you expect me to do?! I was supposed to fucking sit there while he’s got three guys on top of him?” Mitch yelled, gesturing to the other side of the room where Auston Matthews had lost all forms of mental filter which was much to the amusement of his present leafs teammates.

“I don’t know! I don’t know, okay! You’re not allowed to pull that shit! What the fuck did you say to them?”

“Oh so now this is my fault?” Mitch seethed incredulously.

“I told you if you didn’t shut your fucking mouth-“

“That is not what this is about!”

“Fucking enlighten me then Mitchell because one of your best friends was just pummelled-“

“They said some things and I-“

“What the fuck could they possibly say to you? You laughed in his fucking face!”

“It wasn’t just me! Auston didn’t take too kindly-“

“Oh well done Mitch, blame it on the unconscious guy."

“That is not what is going on here!” He retorted. “If you’d actually let me get a fucking word in.”

You glared. “I don’t fucking care. You gave me a fucking heart attack and Auston wasn’t fucking moving. Excuse me if I’m not as calm as you expected.”

“Austin’s going to be fine.” Mitch snapped, but he sounded unsure.

“Really? Do you know that? I’m no doctor but I don’t think he’s going to jump back out, whoopty-do, and be ready to play.” you replied

“He could.”

You almost screamed at your brother. “Is this a fucking game to you? You could have died!”okay a tad dramatic but to be honest, unconscious Auston Matthews was giving you an indication of how serious this was.

“Y/N!” Mitch cried out, frustrated, grabbing your wrists as you threw your hands up in exasperation. “I’m sorry! What else do you want me to say, okay? I’m sorry!” You sighed in defeat, relenting and melting into him, squeezing him in a painfully tight hug. Mitch chuckled nervously, as he glanced down at you. “Uh,”

On the other side of the room, your harried yells attracted the american’s attention. Will Nylander watched for a moment as Auston struggled to sit up before finally taking pity on him and helping him out.“What’s up, buddy?”

“Is Y/N here?” Auston asked. A giant grin appeared on Matt Martin’s face as Willy frowned a little in confusion. The conversation caught Mitch’s attention and he extracted himself from your bone crushing hug to listen in.

“Yeah, why?” The other leafs watched in amusement as Auston’s cheeks flushed gently.

“I’m so fucking whipped.” he told them with a laugh.You were pretty sure both you and Mitch’s jaws fell open in perfect synch as five expressions ranging from amusement to surprise were directed at you.

“Probably don’t announce that to the whole room, Matts.” Mitch muttered through clenched teeth.

You rounded on him. “You knew!” you gasped. “you little shit!”

“ow!” mitch protested indignantly as you landed a solid punch to his shoulder. “He said you were pretty and I told him to stop hitting on you! OW! Stop it!”

You glared at him before grinning giddily at Auston. “you are literally the cutest thing in human existence.”

Behind you, Mitch made a gaging motion.

#auston matthews #mitch marner #dorks #baby leafs #Toronto Maple Leafs #leafs #maple leafs imagines #Team USA #team North America #Look how big their hands are #also that is not how you hold a baby #writing

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torentialtribute · 5 years

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Jos Buttler on England’s dramatic Cricket World Cup final win

Jos Buttler thinks about what could be. What could have been if England had lost the most dramatic game in cricket history last Sunday.

What could have been if England in India were lost in Edgbaston in the group stage and did not even qualify for the semi-finals.

What people would have said. What I would have done. Where I would have found a rock to crawl under

Jos Buttler produced a decisive run-out from Martin Guptill to win the Cricket World Cup for England "

Martin Buttler produced a decisive Martin Guptill run-out to win the England Cricket World Cup.

The wicketkeeper played a decisive one role in the final, both as a batter and in the field "

]

The wicket-keeper played a decisive role in the final, both as a batsman and in the field, played a decisive role in the final finals, both as a batsman and in the field

He can laugh now, but the idea haunts him. When England stuttered halfway through the tournament, and then again in the days before the final, I looked for England's team psychologist, David Young.

Buttler had convinced himself that it was the destiny of England to win their home World Cup at Lord & # 39; s.

Before the Indian game, "he says," I struggled with processing the prospect of us being knocked out. We were favored, so much wanted by everyone, and there was a danger that playing good cricket for four years would lead to nowhere.

& # 39; Think about what people think about us as a team will say, think about what they will call us chokers, everything they will say. I remember having seen a reaction – perhaps it was the way Jonny Bairstow had ended up – about what it would be the biggest failure because of how much had gone to this World Cup. I struggled with the thought of that

& # 39; I had played in eight finals before Sunday and lost seven. I had played a lot with Somerset, the Champions Trophy with England and when we lost the T20 in Kolkata and I knew how much pain it was when the other team lifted the trophy. I didn't want to feel that pain and regret anymore.

& What scared me when we lost, I didn't know how to play cricket again. This was such a one-off opportunity, a World Cup final at Lord & # 39; s. It felt like fate and I thought, "If it doesn't happen, I won't be motivated to pick up the cricket bat for a very long time." When I was talking to David, I knew the answers.

& # 39; I knew that all I could take care of the things I could take care of, and I had to get into my zone, which enabled me to perform the best I can.

The Lancashire player celebrates the triumph of England with captain Eoin Morgan (left) "

The Lancashire player celebrates the triumph of England with captain Eoin Morgan (left) ) "

The Lancashire player celebrates the triumph of England with Captain Eoin Morgan (left)

Buttler finally found the answer. I made sure it didn't go wrong. He took control.

He sits in a quiet room in the Kookaburra bats factory in Corby and thinks about it. He is a quietly spoken man, whose modesty and balance are sometimes at odds with the extravagance of his shot-making, but one of the reasons why he can be so honest about his fears is because he also has inner strength. It has steel in its core.

I have faced and dealt with his concerns about failure.

In the most stressful, nail-biting, nerve-wracking, breast tightening of cricket, most of us have ever seen, Buttler and Ben Stokes were the most important men. When it seemed like the World Cup was slipping on Lord & # 39; s and someone had to take responsibility, it was Buttler who stepped forward.

Despite a calm tournament with the club, Buttler stepped forward at the crucial moment "

Despite a calm tournament with the club, Buttler stepped forward at the pivotal moment

It was Buttler who set up 110 with Stokes for the fifth wicket, Buttler, who showed breathtaking daring to play a few of his characteristic ramps when the bet on they were the highest and New Zealand tightened the screw It was Buttler who came out with Stokes for the super and closed a limit of the last ball.

And when everything was balanced and New Zealand two of the last their super ship's ball needed to win the ball

In the 1999 tournament, the Herschelle Gibbs in South Africa was called the man who lost the world championship after capturing it a catch against Australia.

On Sunday, at the greatest moment in the history of the English cricket, Buttler was the man who caught him.

Buttler spoke exclusively with Oliver Holt of Sportsmail about the World Cup final "

about the World Cup Final

Buttler spoke exclusively about Sportsmail & # 39; s Oliver Holt about the World Cup Final

& # 39; If you look at the game from the outside, & # 39; says Buttler, & # 39; you should think that all players have to be so nervous when Jofra Archer comes to throw that last ball, but as a cricket player, it's where you want to be, you're in the middle, you're in control, you've done it time and again just because it's end, it is still the same, collecting the ball and taking the stumps.

You are really on the autopilot, I felt very in the moment, Guptill pushed it off his legs and when I saw that he immediately went to Jason, I thought: "If we do this well, we can win this." I knew that G uptill would be a long way off. Nothing is easy under pressure, but I knew it should be simple.

& # 39; When Jason recorded it, there was no thought that he would misinterpret it. None of those thoughts happen. He picks it up, throws it at me and I grab the stumps. I had to cross the field a little, but I knew that as long as I picked up the ball neatly, I would have time to get stumps because it was a long way.

There was no panic or doubt about the execution of the decisive run-out according to Buttler

There was no panic or doubt about executing the decisive run-out according to Buttler

& # 39; Lord & # 39; s is like a billiard table, so you know the bounce will be true. You know where the ball will end up. If I knew that Guptill was coming closer, I might have been frightened or taken by surprise, but I knew I had some time to play with it, so it was as simple as it made it get into my hands.

& # 39; Looking back, you realize the enormous size of the moment. Talk about being able to live with yourself. If I had found that moment. . . we are still a long way from winning the World Cup and I screwed it up.

& # 39; I knew that the moment I gave up, I knew I would get a job, the wicket, that was it. Both gloves went, I threw my hat in the air. I ran around and Moeen Ali was cramming past me and Jofra was miles away. Those feelings justify everything. That time maybe 20 seconds, and it's just the best time of your cricket job.

I did not cry after the game. I thought so, but it wasn't until the next day. I looked at the highlights and I was overwhelmed by what we had achieved. It justifies everything you have worked for, all sacrifices, sacrifices of family and friends, every gym session, every net session that you didn't want to do. It justifies everything.

<img id = "i-8796d513b731577" src = "https://ift.tt/2JQdICy image-m-69_1563650746976.jpg "height =" 650 "width =" 634 "alt =" The 28-year-old spoke to the tournament at the Kookaburra factory in Corby

The 28-year-old spoke against the tournament at the Kookaburra plant in Corby Buttler came into the fold with England struggling with 86-4 after Morgan & # 39; s resignation for nine "class =" a = "> div> <div class = Buttler came into the fold with England struggles at 86-4 after Morgan & # 39; s resignation before nine "

Buttler came to the fold with England struggles at 86-4 after Morgan & # 39; s dismissal for nine

He and Stokes knew that the first requirement was simply to build some kind of collaboration with Steady de innings.

& # 39 The run rate was not applicable, & # 39; says Buttler. & # 39; Ben had a really good shape during the tournament. It felt like I just needed a partner. I felt great in the middle and I felt that I had a partner in him. I felt that we could check it off. I had a lot of faith

& # 39; We were talking about how we wanted to get to where we needed 80 of the last 10 [overs]. And we actually got to the point where we needed 72 out of the last 10. We came to where we wanted to be and I started asking when I should try to be a little more aggressive. It turned eight or nine and older. I knew I had to look at the limits.

& # 39; I started to think I should trust my teammates here. I want it all to me, but we're confused by the four of us. We have Woakes, Plunkett, Rashid and Archer. These guests can beat. It has been one of the strengths of the party for a long time. Buttler was happy to say, "I can afford to take a risk now because I trust the guys behind me."

<img id = "i-e04572ad72bdebc2" src = "https://ift.tt/2XRK0Xy image-a-57_1563649689556.jpg "height =" 432 "width =" 634 "alt =" Buttler was happy with

<img id = "i-e04572ad72bdebc2" src = "https: //i.dailymail .co.uk / 1s / 2019/07/20/20 / 16290334-0-image-a-57_1563649689556.jpg "height =" 432 "width =" 634 "alt =" Buttler liked to take risks with the # 39; s bat because he believed in his team.

Buttler was happy to take risks with the club because he believed in his teammates

was on his way to the penultimate ball of the 45th over, skying to catch fielder Tim Southee on coverage, with England 45 touching the total of the Kiwis. Fear grabbed him again. I sat watching in the dressing room, powerless.

& # 39; Any dot ball, I would kick something & # 39 ;, he says. & # 39; And then I thought, "This is not really useful for the boys who are waiting to braid." You go through all emotions: "Oh my God, we are going to lose and I will think about that for the rest of my life". Then Stokesy would hit four or six and you think, "We could really do this and how good it would be."

& # 39; I was cursing myself because I had to leave. I wanted to be there at the end.

& # 39; Then you will fly out of all your romantic thoughts. away and you feel like you ruined it. And then suddenly a super is over and you have another chance. & # 39;

Buttler grabbed it. He first got on with the bat and then with the last ball. And when it was over, and England was world champion and all that fear of failure in the air over St John's & Wood's had flown away, I realized that something had changed.

certain way, & he says. & # 39; At the last hurdle. I do not mean that we enjoy failure, but it is almost like: "It is good, we have done well, we are never meant to be the team that wins". And it was after the game that I felt sorry for the New Zealanders, but at the same time I was so happy that it wasn't us.

& # 39; It was written in the stars. It was destiny for us as a team. I spoke to Moeen about this: he said it was the intention to fight. It was not intended that it would be easy for the Indian game. We talked about how nice it would be if you had to fight for it and fight for it.

& # 39; We had played in many series in which we shot away big scores and dominated in that way, and that is nice, but setbacks and hardships feel even more special. That gives you so much confidence that good things can happen. & # 39;

<img id = "i-32aa366593b84a7a" src = "https://ift.tt/2JXdOrV -image-a-62_1563650133439.jpg "height =" 435 "width =" 634 "alt =" Buttler is convinced that more success can be achieved for him and his victorious teammates "class =" blkBorder

Buttler is convinced that there is more success can be achieved by both him and his victorious teammates

Before he leaves, Buttler mentions another side of the conversation he had with David Young.] & # 39; I talked to him about how we I don't care what happens in the rest of my career, "says Buttler.

& # 39; I'm 28, and as long as I left in my career just like it enjoy it and think: "That is happened ".

& # 39; But you always know that there is something else. It's there. It is written in history alongside 1966 and 2003, but it is not the best and the last. It is a great relief and I feel enormous excitement for the rest of my career, but even now I see it as a platform to move on to even better things. "

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#Jos Buttler on England’s dramatic Cricket World Cup final win"

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wessonba · 5 years

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I didn’t write a reflection after season’s 4 finale. It is true that I was sick and really couldn’t think clearly enough to write, but if I’m truthful with myself…a part of me really didn’t want to. Then because so much time had gone by and so many had written exhaustively about this season, I really thought I would just pass. But, in the last few days, I’ve had readers asking me where my review is and I guess I owe them at least an explanation. I love this show and it hurts me to have to say negative things. I really am rooting for them. I was holding out hope that my patience this season would be rewarded. It wasn’t. My overall initial feeling after watching the Outlander season 4 finale was one of dissatisfaction. I wasn’t angry just sad. My thoughts wandered to previous finales and I particularly remembered how I felt after season 1. As I watched Jamie and Claire sail away on that ship to France I was tearfully smiling. I can remember thinking that I would miss this couple and overall pleased with the adaptation. I was proud to be a fan. I’m still proud to be a fan, but with a few exceptions, I struggled to write about this season. I would find myself sitting with my thoughts for far too long. I wasn’t inspired. And, I think my writing this season reflects that.

It is telling that my most popular blog posts this season have been when I felt the need to negatively critique an episode. I hate that. I’ve had some time to think and to read other fan’s reactions and I find myself agreeing with bloggers and fans that I usually don’t. I hate that. But, I can’t write this blog if I’m not genuine. My readers trust me to be honest and my conscience would bother me if I was wasn’t. I really love this show and want it to succeed. Let’s be clear, there is still a lot to love about this show. It is beautiful and transportive and I have always believed it was made with obvious love for the story they were telling. It is a remarkable tv experience. What it isn’t …is …the same show.

I’m still not buying into some fans’ intricate conspiracy theories and need to denigrate cast and crew for not giving “fans” what they want. But, something HAS changed. None of us on the outside really know, but there are a lot of theories out there and at least a few make some sense. There were a lot of changes to the TPTB and I have no idea if that resulted in different work relationships and expectations and maybe changes to budgets as well. There were new writers, bad weather, and some really concerning comments from the cast about their characters and the amount of input they would like to have in the writers’ room. I THINK that might be a good idea, but what if their ideas about their characters aren’t what we think they think, lol. I still haven’t forgiven Sam for not letting Jamie “quietly fall to pieces”. Then this week some fans were sent questionnaires. I guess that would indicate that they are trying to listen, but why not just say we hear you? Why send surveys to select fans? What was the criteria? I’ve always felt that the majority of fans are happy with the show, but not as vocal as those who seem to be invested in finding fault. Was this questionnaire sent to a true representative sample of fans?

I’ve been here since the beginning and I don’t think PR has EVER really known who their audience is for this show or how to market it. Can anyone say “the kilt drops”? Are these surveys going to insure that PR and the TPTB will get an accurate picture of what fans want? I think they might offer some insight, but shouldn’t be taken as gospel or as a definitive barometer of fan opinion. Quite frankly, if some fans actually get what they think they want they still wouldn’t be satisfied. I’m afraid it is the nature of the beast that is fandom. As much as fans like to think they know how to adapt Diana Gabaldon’s bible sized tomes, they don’t. Nevertheless, there are some consistent and legitimate concerns played on many of the broken records. Sorting those out from the irritating scratches would not be an envivable job. This questionnaire thing feels like a mistake, one that is undermining the creators. If I was them I’d be looking for another job. And, some folks NEED to stay.

I believe something happened this season that impacted what we saw on our screens. The show has taken a turn and is on a path that is far from the show I love to love. It is a feeling, a change in attitude, and focus. In my humble opinion, Outlander shines when it focuses on relationships. And, that held true for this season as well. Blood of my Blood and The Birds and the Bees were two of this season’s most well received episodes for that very reason. I agree with fans who say that to in order to care about what happens to the characters we have to care about the characters. As wonderful as the Cherokee village and Roger’s rescue were it was far less important than bridging differences and mending relationships in this story. For example, just because you can write an episode of someone trekking wordlessly through a jungle doesn’t mean you should.

Character development just wasn’t up to par this season. The Claire of the Ridge has always been my favorite Claire and after watching this season, I’ll have to reread Drums to remember why. She seemed a faded version of the woman who finally becomes who she was meant to be. She wasn’t the only character that was less than they should have been. Watching Fergus and Marsali I wondered why in the few minutes they were on screen their relationship was so much more dynamic and their persona so much clearer than Bree and Roger. These two are so important to the rest of the story and they just don’t seem to be as clearly developed and/or portrayed in a way to make us care about them as major players. I’ve written before about some choices that I felt were a few “fatal” mistakes that have reverberated throughout the seasons: Loghaire at the witch trial and not allowing Claire to fight Jamie’s demons. I read the explanations, but in truth Roger isn’t the beloved character he should be. I’m hoping Roger’s leaving Bree and not choosing to come directly to River Run will not be one of those fatal mistakes that reverberate throughout the rest of the seasons. I think they dealt with those two previous mistakes as best they could and I’m hopeful that Roger and his relationship with Bree will be righted too.

I’m completely aware that I am just one more fan voice and one more opinion in the ocean that has been written about this season. It feels ironic to find myself saying, I’m criticizing, but I truly just want the show to be better, having criticized that type of critique previously, but I truly just want the show to do better. It isn’t too late to fix what was wrong this season. I just want to write about a show that inspires me, I want the Outlander I wrote this about:

CHARACTER COUNTS … A REFLECTION ON

OUTLANDER EPISODE 1. 11

I was perusing Twitter on Saturday before watching Outlander episode 11 the Devil’s Mark when I came across a tweet from someone who had already watched the episode. Aside from being a little pissed that I hadn’t gotten to watch yet, I found the statement intriguing. The author said,

Because the tweet intrigued me, I re-tweeted it. I felt my excitement to watch the episode heighten. Had they really done it? Had they really shown Claire in all her wonderful nerve-wracken-ly principled glory? I sure hoped so.

The episode was exciting and full of all kinds of wonderful, but per usual there was a theme that stood out for me. Character. In a real-world and TV world full of characters with ambiguous moral character, Outlander has the potential to be something different. Saturday night, I saw some of that potential realized. Our main characters had moral and ethical dilemmas that they solved in ways that have sadly become a-typical. They made selfless decisions. They did the right thing despite knowing the price they would pay would be dear.

I enjoy watching Game of Thrones, a show Outlander has been compared to. In my opinion, this comparison by journalists is weak at best and most often used by writers too lazy to look any deeper. There seems to be a tendency among these types to latch on to what is the most “pop culture” popular thing to repeat. I have nothing against R.R. Martin or the show based on his works. They are what they are, but what they are is a far cry from what Outlander is or tries to be.

Last years’ GOT season was full of characters acting out of warped emotions, values and needs. I don’t expect anything different this year. Lots of titillating stuff to discuss around the water cooler, but I must admit the most shocking thing about this show is how hard it is to find a redeeming character. I wish I could say this trend toward pushing the moral and ethical envelope was the exception rather than the rule on TV, but I can’t. It is all too common.

My reaction to the GOT characters and their actions is very different from what I feel when I watch Outlander. Folks on social media said they used a box of tissues watching this episode. This is very understandable, there is some tear-jerking stuff! I cried some tears myself, but I came to examine my feelings a bit closer and realized there was something deeper going on here. When I watched Claire and Jamie and Ned and even Gellis make their choices, I felt a real connection. My eyes filled with tears for the human compassion I was witnessing. Our characters made unselfish choices. They made me feel proud to be human.

My Twitter author Lady Jane commented that Claire was principled to a fault. I think I understand what she means, if she meant that Claire puts herself in danger by stubbornly remaining a person who cares about others ..then yes…I agree, she does. It’s the “to a fault” part that I find myself still thinking about today. The kind of choices Claire has to make come with risk to herself and others, to say the least. But…I resist the idea that her ethical and moral center is somehow flawed because she chose to be unselfish. I’m pretty sure Lady Jane agrees with me because she loves Claire for it. These are the character traits of the everyday hero who saves a child from drowning, pulls people from a burning car or donates an organ to a stranger. These are the kind of people we should be admiring and celebrating.

Claire would not give false witness, even against a woman who admitted to killing her husband and even if it would save her own life. I cried bittersweet tears for Claire. Under extreme distress and pressure, betrayed by those who should have represented innocence and mercy (Leery and Father Bain) , surrounded by a sea of faces that desired to see her burn, she stayed true to herself.

Sad, but wonderful too.

She is saved at the last-minute by the zealot murderess Gellis who sets aside her own desires to help another. I cried for Gellis’ courage, for her self-sacrifice and for her wasted life. She will not be the last person to give over her thinking and decision-making to a cause nor the last to step over a moral and ethical line for that cause. Once again, it’s all too common.

The evening’s monumental plot twists weren’t over and neither was Claire’s decision-making. In fact, a much harder decision awaits her upon her escape from Cranes Muir in the arms of her 18th century husband Jamie. I’m thankful that the decisions were made back to back. It helped the viewer understand who Claire is and that is a person who will do the right thing despite the pressure to do otherwise. It makes her decision at the stones that much more poignant and meaningful. She did not take the decision to leave or stay lightly. In fact, given her moral center the agonizing choice would have left her shattered. She is married to Frank and finally has an opportunity to return to him and yet,….Jamie.

The other person in this triangle made a few difficult choices of his own. First, he decides to suspend his disbelief for her sake. If I had any disappointment in this episode it was the fact that they chose to let the audience believe that Jamie never doubted her story. He was human, of course he did and maybe part of the reason he took her to the stones was to shatter Claire’s delusions. In the book, when he grabs her back from the rock it’s because she starts to go right before his eyes. I wish they would have kept that part. Despite his extraordinary emotional intelligence this would have seemed the more reasonable reaction to me.

And… then, the audience learns that Jamie has chosen to let Claire go. What this choice reveals about him is nothing short of staggering. This is a man of integrity. Everything he feels tells him to beg her to stay, but he chooses to let her go…why?

He now knows the truth and it cannot be ignored. There is a man…a husband … with a prior claim. Claire is the wife of another man and as a man who honors the vows spoken between two people, he must acknowledge Frank’s claim on Claire. She isn’t his wife because she is still wed to another. He must acknowledge that Claire doesn’t belong here. Her being here and with him is an unfortunate accident. She had no choice. She did what she needed to do to survive. And, after the witch trial, he knows she is a women out of her time and it will place her in danger again. She will be safer if she goes. He knows she has tried to get back to her husband and life over and over again. He will not add himself and his need of her to the equation. He loves her, so he will let her go.

I know I cried at every agonizing staggering step he took down that hill; my heart was breaking with his.

It’s a wonderful story full of redeeming characters who don’t always have to be right or have their own way. My husband is a big fan of old TV Westerns and I think I know why. Even though I complain about their predictability the plots usually center around someone making a moral choice and often those character’s choose the self-sacrificing or ethical/moral high road. The characters learn lessons about doing the right thing for your fellow-man and having honor …like the characters in Outlander.

Somewhere, in TV and maybe our real-life culture, the idea of self-sacrifice as being a noble action has fallen away to the need for self-fulfillment at any cost. Maybe it is because people don’t believe there is anything more to life. If that is so then I guess fulfilling your own desires at whatever the cost to others would make sense. But, “I have to inform you, I am no of that opinion myself”. I’m happy there is a production on TV that isn’t afraid to tell a story of people who wrestle with choices and choose kindness, honor, truth and self-sacrifice.

Looking for the show I loved…a reflection on Outlander season 4 I didn't write a reflection after season's 4 finale. It is true that I was sick and really couldn't think clearly enough to write, but if I'm truthful with myself...a part of me really didn't want to.

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jakehglover · 6 years

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New Study Links Cellphone Radiation to Heart and Brain Tumors

By Dr. Mercola

Mounting evidence suggests electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation from cellphones can trigger abnormal cell growth and cancer.1,2 As early as 2011, the evidence was strong enough for the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization, to declare cellphones a Group 2B “possible carcinogen.”3 Two government-funded studies4 bring renewed attention to this link.5,6,7,8

The $25 million research conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) — an interagency research program started by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 1978 and now housed at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) — includes two separate studies: one on mice and one on rats. The studies, in which 3,000 animals were exposed to the type of radiation emitted by 2G and 3G cellphones, are said to be the most extensive to date.

Cellphone Radiation Linked to Brain and Heart Tumors in Male Rats

The researchers found male rats were more likely to develop heart tumors, while female rats and newborns exposed to high levels of radiation during pregnancy and lactation were more likely to have low body weight. DNA damage and damage to heart tissue was also observed in both male and female rats, but not mice.

Other types of tumors did occur in both types of animals, though, including brain, prostate, liver and pancreatic tumors. According to the researchers, if these results can be confirmed, then cellphone radiation may indeed be a “weak” carcinogen.

The animals in these studies were exposed to cellphone radiation for nine hours a day for two years (basically the full life span of a rat). According to the researchers, this level of exposure is far greater than what humans are exposed to, making it difficult to extrapolate the impact cellphone radiation might have on humans.

Personally, I disagree with this view, as many people, especially the younger generation, have their cellphones turned on and near their body 24/7. Many are literally sleeping with their phone beneath their pillow. Unless your phone is in a faraday bag, airplane mode or turned off completely, it is still emitting radiation, so you’re still exposing yourself to microwave radiation even when you’re not talking on the phone. I believe the fact that this reality is completely ignored is a serious oversight.

As noted by The New York Times,9 the heart tumors (malignant schwannomas) found in male rats are “similar to acoustic neuromas, a benign tumor in people involving the nerve that connects the ear to the brain, which some studies have linked to cellphone use.” The scientists also expressed surprise at the finding of DNA damage, as the conventional belief is that nonionizing radiofrequency radiation cannot harm DNA.

“We don’t feel like we understand enough about the results to be able to place a huge degree of confidence in the findings,” John Bucher, Ph.D.,10 senior scientist at the National Toxicology Program told reporters. Bucher also noted that “The patterns of damage to brain tissues in these animals are not particularly consistent with tumor outcomes.” To me, this statement offers no comfort whatsoever. Brain damage is brain damage, even if it doesn’t specifically lead to cancer!

Brain Tumors Are Not the Most Pressing Concern

In fact, the primary hazard of cellphone radiation is not brain cancer per se but rather systemic cellular and mitochondrial damage, which is harmful to health in general and can contribute to any number of health problems and chronic diseases. An estimated 80,000 U.S. men, women and children are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year.11 Meanwhile, 787,000 people die each year from heart disease.12 The relative rarity of brain cancer may lead you to believe that your cellphone is safe.

After all, when 91 percent of the adult population of the U.S. carries a cellphone13 and less than 0.02 percent14 develop a brain tumor, it may appear that using a cellphone is benign. The evidence shows it’s not. Even these NIH studies reveal DNA and cellular damage, even though the researchers insist there’s no explanation as to why. This, despite the fact that a number of other scientists and EMF specialists have presented evidence for a number of different mechanisms of harm.

For example, research15 by Allan Frey, Office of Naval Research, reveals cellphone radiation weakens cell membranes and your blood-brain barrier. Some of his experiments showed that dye injected into animals was able to penetrate into the brain when exposed to pulsed digital signals from microwaves. This research was done in the 1960s, before the introduction of cellphones. At the time, radar and microwaves were the main focus.

Today, these findings are particularly notable since cellphones are held close to the brain. The take-home message is that radiation from your cellphone weakens your blood-brain barrier, allowing toxins in your blood to enter your brain, and into the cells of your entire body. But that’s not all. Following I will summarize evidence produced by a number of other experts in the field, who claim to have identified one or more mechanisms of harm.

Same Data, Different Interpretations

Before I get into the mechanisms, it’s worth noting that when partial results from the (National Toxicology Program’s NTP) animal studies were initially released two years ago, the findings were followed by a public health warning. In fact, the preliminary findings were released early because the researchers deemed it too important to wait.

Christopher Portier, Ph.D., retired head of the NTP who was involved in the launch of the study, insisted the findings showed clear causation. “I would call it a causative study, absolutely,” he told Scientific American.16 “They controlled everything in the study. It’s [the cancer] because of the exposure.”

In November 2016, David McCormick, Ph.D., director of the Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute where the study was conducted, was equally clear, telling reporters,17 “What we are saying here is that based on the animal studies, there is a possible risk cellphone RF [radio frequency] is potentially carcinogenic in humans. These are uncommon lesions in rodents, so it is our conclusion that they are exposure related."

As noted by Microwave News,18 while some of the pathology data was updated since the initial release in 2016, the changes are minor. The interpretation, however, has changed rather dramatically. Now, even though the findings haven’t changed, the NTP insists it’s “not a high-risk situation” and that the risk to human health is negligible.

Microwave News lists a number of possible political reasons for the sudden turnaround, including new NTP leadership, the current White House administration’s disdain for science that threatens big business, and the fact that the major telecommunications players today are Apple, Google and Microsoft — all major Wall Street darlings. Whatever the reason, it’s clear the NTP is now downplaying findings that, just two years ago, were considered of significant importance for public health.

EMFs Produce Potent Oxidant Stressors

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Martin Pall, Ph.D., has identified and published research describing the likely molecular mechanisms of how EMFs from cellphones and wireless technologies damage plants, animals and humans.19,20,21,22 The process begins when low−frequency microwave radiation activates voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs)23 — channels in the outer membrane of your cells. Once activated, the VGCCs open up, allowing an abnormal influx of calcium ions into the cell.

This increased intracellular calcium and the accompanying increase in calcium signaling appears to be responsible for a majority of the damage that occurs.

The excess calcium activates nitric oxide, and while nitric oxide has many health benefits, massively excessive nitric oxide reacts with superoxide, producing peroxynitrites, extremely potent oxidant stressors believed to be a root cause for many of today’s chronic diseases.24 Nitric oxide is the only molecule in your body produced at high enough concentrations to outcompete other molecules for superoxide and is a precursor for peroxynitrite.25

Inside your body, peroxynitrites modify tyrosine molecules in proteins to create a new substance, nitrotyrosine and nitration of structural protein.26 Changes from nitration are visible in human biopsy of atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, inflammatory bowel disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and septic lung disease.27

Significant oxidative stress from peroxynitrites may also result in single-strand breaks of DNA.28 This pathway of oxidative destruction — triggered by low−frequency radiation emitted from mobile devices — may partially explain the unprecedented growth rate of chronic disease since 1990,29 and is a far greater concern than brain tumors.

EMFs More Likely to Cause Neurological Dysfunction, Heart Problems and Infertility Than Brain Cancer

According to Pall’s theory, the physical locations where VGCCs are the densest are indicative of the diseases you might expect from chronic excessive exposure to EMFs. As it turns out, the highest density of VGCCs are found in your nervous system, the pacemaker in your heart and in male testes. As a result, EMFs are likely to contribute to neurological and neuropsychiatric problems, heart and reproductive problems.

Indeed, studies dating back to the 1950s and ‘60s show the nervous system is the organ most sensitive to EMFs. Some of these studies show massive changes in the structure of neurons, including cell death and synaptic dysfunction. When the VGCCs are activated in the brain they release neurotransmitters and neuroendocrine hormones.

In animals exposed to EMFs there are massive, cumulative effects in the brain. Genetic polymorphism studies also show that elevated VGCC activity in certain parts of the brain produces a variety of neuropsychiatric effects.

Hence, consequences of chronic EMF exposure to the brain include anxiety, depression, autism and Alzheimer’s disease, which Pall details in a 2016 paper.30 Research also suggests excessive EMF exposure is contributing to reproductive problems in both sexes.

Most recently, researchers showed prenatal exposure to power-frequency fields can nearly triple a pregnant woman’s risk of miscarriage.31 According to lead author and senior research scientist at Kaiser Permanente’s research division, Dr. De-Kun Li,32 “This study provides fresh evidence, directly from a human population, that magnetic field exposure in daily life could have adverse health impacts,” adding his findings “should bring attention to this potentially important environmental hazard to pregnant women.”

According to Li, there are at least six other studies, in addition to two of his own, showing this link.33,34,35,36,37 EMF exposure may also play a significant role in testicular cancer and male infertility. Studies have linked low-level electromagnetic radiation exposure from cellphones to an 8 percent reduction in sperm motility and a 9 percent reduction in sperm viability.38,39 Wi-Fi equipped laptop computers have also been linked to decreased sperm motility and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation after just four hours of use.40

Excessive Charges Alter Cellular Function

Alasdair Philips, founder of the Power Watch41 — a British organization committed to uncovering EMFs’ effects on health — believes there’s even more to it than what Pall has discovered. He references Gerald Pollack’s work on the fourth phase of water, so-called exclusion zone (EZ) water, which is the kind of water you have in your body.

“It's a completely different model of how the cell functions,” Philips says. “The cell functions as a gel, if you like, held together by electric charge. The calcium-gated channel is part of that, but actually, it isn't a membrane with a few things sticking through it.

It's actually … electric charges on molecules. Yes, Pall's [hypothesis] is very important and it's probably one of the key mechanisms, but there's a whole lot of things … [T]he cell is just malfunctioning because it's got so much charge… [I]t’s an enormous incoming stream of electrons, and that changes completely what the cells are doing.”

EMFs Impair Proton Flow and ATP Production

Paul Héroux, Ph.D., professor of toxicology and health effects of electromagnetism at the faculty of medicine at McGill University in Montreal, also stresses the impact EMFs have on the water in your body. The mechanism of action proposed by Héroux involves the enzyme ATP synthase, which passes currents of protons through a water channel (similar to current passing through a wire).

The protons have to go through about 20 molecules of water to get through this channel. ATP synthase is extremely ancient and common to all living systems. It basically generates energy in the form ATP from ADP, using this flow of protons.

Magnetic fields can change the transparency of the water channel to protons, thereby reducing the current. As a result, you get less ATP, which can have system wide consequences, from promoting chronic disease and infertility to lowering intelligence. Héroux explains:

“When you impair the flow of protons to ATP synthase, you increase mitochondrial membrane polarization … If you increase the polarization of the mitochondria by 14 percent, you will have a 70 percent increase in the reactive oxygen species coming out of complex one, which is the leading edge of the oxidative phosphorylation chain.

Essentially, my explanation is that by physical action on water, you can change the transparency of the most critical enzyme in the human body, modulate the amount of ATP, increase the escape of electrons from complex one; thereby explaining practically all of the observations related to EMF. Of course, the moment ATP is perturbed in a cell, there are calcium signals being emitted all over the place, because calcium is possibly the most critical intracellular messenger.”

While Pall’s work focuses on EMFs’ effects on calcium ions, Héroux focuses on its impact on electrons and protons, which are far more sensitive to magnetic fields. But although the mechanisms of action are slightly different, the end result is more or less identical and hinges on the fact that EMFs increase oxidative stress and decrease ATP.

In a nutshell, what we’re talking about here is the creation of excess oxidative stress, which in turn can damage cell membranes and proteins, and break DNA bonds. Interviews with Philips and Héroux should be released shortly, so keep your eyes open for them to learn more.

Protecting Yourself From Excessive EMF Is Important for Optimal Health

As you can see, a number of different mechanisms of harm have already been proposed, so the claim that there’s “no evidence” of harm, and that scientists have “no idea” of how harmful effects such as those found by the NIH might occur, simply isn’t true. There’s even evidence suggesting that radiation affects your microbiome, turning what might otherwise be beneficial microbes pathogenic. This too can have far-ranging health effects, since we now know your microbiome plays an important role in health.

France is imposing a complete ban on cellphone use by students during school hours.42 The ban, which takes effect in September 2018, will affect primary and secondary schools. Students will not be permitted to use their phones even at breaks, lunch or between classes. California also recently issued consumer guidance on how to lower cellphone radiation exposure (after initially trying to cover up the hazards).43

There’s no doubt in my mind that EMF exposure is a significant health hazard that needs to be addressed if you’re concerned about your health. Here are several suggestions that will help reduce your EMF exposure:

Connect your desktop computer to the internet via a wired Ethernet connection and be sure to put your desktop in airplane mode. Also avoid wireless keyboards, trackballs, mice, game systems, printers and portable house phones. Opt for the wired versions.

If you must use Wi-Fi, shut it off when not in use, especially at night when you are sleeping. Ideally, work toward hardwiring your house so you can eliminate Wi-Fi altogether. If you have a notebook without any Ethernet ports, a USB Ethernet adapter will allow you to connect to the internet with a wired connection.

Shut off the electricity to your bedroom at night. This typically works to reduce electrical fields from the wires in your wall unless there is an adjoining room next to your bedroom. If that is the case you will need to use a meter to determine if you also need to turn off power in the adjacent room.

Use a battery-powered alarm clock, ideally one without any light. I use a talking clock for the visually impaired.44

If you still use a microwave oven, consider replacing it with a steam convection oven, which will heat your food as quickly and far more safely.

Avoid using “smart” appliances and thermostats that depend on wireless signaling. This would include all new “smart” TVs. They are called smart because they emit a Wi-Fi signal, and unlike your computer, you cannot shut the Wi-Fi signal off. Consider using a large computer monitor as your TV instead, as they don’t emit Wi-Fi.

Refuse smart meters as long as you can, or add a shield to an existing smart meter, some of which have been shown to reduce radiation by 98 to 99 percent.45

Consider moving your baby’s bed into your room instead of using a wireless baby monitor. Alternatively, use a hard-wired monitor.

Replace CFL bulbs with incandescent bulbs. Ideally remove all fluorescent lights from your house. Not only do they emit unhealthy light, but more importantly, they will actually transfer current to your body just being close to the bulbs.

Avoid carrying your cellphone on your body unless in airplane mode and never sleep with it in your bedroom unless it is in airplane mode. Even in airplane mode it can emit signals, which is why I put my phone in a Faraday bag.46

When using your cellphone, use the speaker phone and hold the phone at least 3 feet away from you. Seek to radically decrease your time on the cellphone. I typically use my cellphone less than 30 minutes a month, and mostly when traveling. Instead, use VoIP software phones that you can use while connected to the internet via a wired connection.

from HealthyLife via Jake Glover on Inoreader https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/02/21/cellphone-radiation-linked-to-tumors.aspx

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