#doug r. burrows
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N.W.A. in 1989, © Doug R. Burrows
#nwa#ice cube#dj yella#dr. dre#mc ren#eazy-e#1980s#80s#doug r. burrows#music#musicians#hip hop#rap#soupy's#pics
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93rd Academy Awards: The List.
Best Picture
· Nomadland – Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey, Frances McDormand, Peter Spears and Chloé Zhao
o The Father – Philippe Carcassonne, Jean-Louis Livi and David Parfitt
o Judas and the Black Messiah – Ryan Coogler, Charles D. King and Shaka King
o Mank – Ceán Chaffin, Eric Roth and Douglas Urbanski
o Minari – Christina Oh
o Promising Young Woman – Ben Browning, Emerald Fennell, Ashley Fox and Josey McNamara
o Sound of Metal – Bert Hamelinck and Sacha Ben Harroche
o The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Stuart M. Besser and Marc Platt
Best Director
· Chloé Zhao – Nomadland
o Thomas Vinterberg – Another Round
o David Fincher – Mank
o Lee Isaac Chung – Minari
o Emerald Fennell – Promising Young Woman
Best Actor
· Anthony Hopkins – The Father as Anthony
· Riz Ahmed – Sound of Metal as Ruben Stone
· Chadwick Boseman (posthumous) – Ma Rainey's Black Bottom as Levee Green
Gary Oldman – Mank as Herman J. Mankiewicz
· Steven Yeun – Minari as Jacob Yi
Best Actress
· Frances McDormand – Nomadland as Fern
o Viola Davis – Ma Rainey's Black Bottom as Ma Rainey
o Andra Day – The United States vs. Billie Holiday as Billie Holiday
o Vanessa Kirby – Pieces of a Woman as Martha Weiss
o Carey Mulligan – Promising Young Woman as Cassandra "Cassie" Thomas
Best Supporting Actor
· Daniel Kaluuya – Judas and the Black Messiah as Fred Hampton
o Sacha Baron Cohen – The Trial of the Chicago 7 as Abbie Hoffman
o Leslie Odom Jr. – One Night in Miami... as Sam Cooke
o Paul Raci – Sound of Metal as Joe
o Lakeith Stanfield – Judas and the Black Messiah as William "Bill" O'Neal
Best Supporting Actress
· Youn Yuh-jung – Minari as Soon-ja
o Maria Bakalova – Borat Subsequent Moviefilm as Tutar Sagdiyev
o Glenn Close – Hillbilly Elegy as Bonnie "Mamaw" Vance
o Olivia Colman – The Father as Anne
o Amanda Seyfried – Mank as Marion Davies
Best Original Screenplay
· Promising Young Woman – Emerald Fennell
o Judas and the Black Messiah – Screenplay by Will Berson and Shaka King; Story by Berson, King, Keith Lucas and Kenny Lucas
o Minari – Lee Isaac Chung
o Sound of Metal – Screenplay by Abraham Marder and Darius Marder; Story by Derek Cianfrance and D. Marder
o The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Aaron Sorkin
Best Adapted Screenplay
· The Father – Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller, based on the play by Zeller
o Borat Subsequent Moviefilm – Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen, Peter Baynham, Jena Friedman, Anthony Hines, Lee Kern, Dan Mazer, Erica Rivinoja and Dan Swimer; Story by Baron Cohen, Hines, Nina Pedrad and Swimer; Based on the character by Baron Cohen
o Nomadland – Chloé Zhao, based on the book by Jessica Bruder
o One Night in Miami... – Kemp Powers, based on his play
o The White Tiger – Ramin Bahrani, based on the novel by Aravind Adiga
Best Animated Feature Film
· Soul – Pete Docter and Dana Murray
o Onward – Dan Scanlon and Kori Rae
o Over the Moon – Peilin Chou, Glen Keane, and Gennie Rin
o A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon – Will Becher, Paul Kewley, and Richard Phelan
o Wolfwalkers – Tomm Moore, Stéphan Roelants, Ross Stewart and Paul Young
Best International Feature Film
· Another Round (Denmark) in Danish – directed by Thomas Vinterberg
o Better Days (Hong Kong) in Mandarin – directed by Derek Tsang
o Collective (Romania) in Romanian – directed by Alexander Nanau
o The Man Who Sold His Skin (Tunisia) in Arabic – directed by Kaouther Ben Hania
o Quo Vadis, Aida? (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in Bosnian – directed by Jasmila Žbanić
Best Documentary Feature
· My Octopus Teacher – Pippa Ehrlich, Craig Foster and James Reed
o Collective – Alexander Nanau and Bianca Oana
o Crip Camp – Sara Bolder, Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham
o The Mole Agent – Maite Alberdi and Marcela Santibáñez
o Time – Garrett Bradley, Lauren Domino and Kellen Quinn
Best Documentary Short Subject
· Colette – Alice Doyard and Anthony Giacchino
o A Concerto Is a Conversation – Kris Bowers and Ben Proudfoot
o Do Not Split – Charlotte Cook and Anders Hammer
o Hunger Ward – Skye Fitzgerald and Michael Shueuerman
o A Love Song for Latasha – Sophia Nahali Allison and Janice Duncan
Best Live Action Short Film
· Two Distant Strangers – Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe
o Feeling Through – Doug Roland and Susan Ruzenski
o The Letter Room – Elvira Lind and Sofia Sondervan
o The Present – Ossama Bawardi and Farah Nabulsi
o White Eye – Shira Hochman and Tomer Shushan
Best Animated Short Film
· If Anything Happens I Love You – Michael Govier and Will McCormack
o Burrow – Michael Capbarat and Madeline Sharafian
o Genius Loci – Adrien Mérigeau and Amaury Ovise
o Opera – Erick Oh
o Yes-People – Arnar Gunnarsson and Gísli Darri Halldórsson
Best Original Score
· Soul – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste
o Da 5 Bloods – Terence Blanchard
o Mank – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
o Minari – Emile Mosseri
o News of the World – James Newton Howard
Best Original Song
· "Fight for You" from Judas and the Black Messiah – Music by D'Mile and H.E.R.; lyric by H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas
o "Hear My Voice" from The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Music by Daniel Pemberton; lyric by Celeste and Pemberton
o "Husavik" from Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga – Music and lyric by Rickard Göransson, Fat Max Gsus and Savan Kotecha
o "Io sì (Seen)" from The Life Ahead – Music by Diane Warren; lyric by Laura Pausini and Warren
o "Speak Now" from One Night in Miami... – Music and lyric by Sam Ashworth and Leslie Odom Jr.
Best Sound
· Sound of Metal – Jaime Baksht, Nicolas Becker, Philip Bladh, Carlos Cortés and Michelle Couttolenc
o Greyhound – Beau Borders, Michael Minkler, Warren Shaw and David Wyman
o Mank – Ren Klyce, Drew Kunin, Jeremy Molod, Nathan Nance and David Parker
o News of the World – William Miller, John Pritchett, Mike Prestwood Smith and Oliver Tarney
o Soul – Coya Elliot, Ren Klyce and David Parker
Best Production Design
· Mank – Production Design: Donald Graham Burt; Set Decoration: Jan Pascale
o The Father – Production Design: Peter Francis; Set Decoration: Cathy Featherstone
o Ma Rainey's Black Bottom – Production Design: Mark Ricker; Set Decoration: Karen O'Hara and Diana Stoughton
o News of the World – Production Design: David Crank; Set Decoration: Elizabeth Keenan
o Tenet – Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Kathy Lucas
Best Cinematography
· Mank – Erik Messerschmidt
o Judas and the Black Messiah – Sean Bobbitt
o News of the World – Dariusz Wolski
o Nomadland – Joshua James Richards
o The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Phedon Papamichael
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
· Ma Rainey's Black Bottom – Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson
o Emma. – Laura Allen, Marese Langan and Claudia Stolze
o Hillbilly Elegy – Patricia Dehaney, Eryn Krueger Mekash and Matthew W. Mungle
o Mank – Colleen LaBaff, Kimberley Spiteri and Gigi Williams
o Pinocchio – Dalia Colli, Mark Coulier and Francesco Pegoretti
Best Costume Design
· Ma Rainey's Black Bottom – Ann Roth
o Emma. – Alexandra Byrne
o Mank – Trish Summerville
o Mulan – Bina Daigeler
o Pinocchio – Massimo Cantini Parrini
Best Film Editing
· Sound of Metal – Mikkel E.G. Nielsen
o The Father – Yorgos Lamprinos
o Nomadland – Chloé Zhao
o Promising Young Woman – Frédéric Thoraval
o The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Alan Baumgarten
Best Visual Effects
· Tenet – Scott R. Fisher, Andrew Jackson, David Lee and Andrew Lockley
o Love and Monsters – Genevieve Camailleri, Brian Cox, Matt Everitt and Matt Sloan
o The Midnight Sky – Matthew Kasmir, Chris Lawrence, Max Solomon and David Watkins
o Mulan – Sean Andrew Faden, Steve Ingram, Anders Langlands and Seth Maury
o The One and Only Ivan – Nick Davis, Greg Fisher, Ben Jones and Santiago Colomo Martinez
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off the rack #1288
Monday, November 18, 2019
Winter arrived early this year and is here to stay. I started a project yesterday going through our photo albums and labelling them to help when we want to look for a particular picture. I ended up scanning a bunch to send to friends and family to share in a bit of nostalgia. It was fun going down memory lane.
The Immortal Hulk #26 - Al Ewing (writer) Joe Bennett (pencils) Ruy Jose (inks) Paul Mounts (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). So Bruce/Hulk has commandeered a Shadow Base site and has declared that he and his supporters are going to change the world. He spends a lot of time arguing with one potential ally while another ally listens in. Meanwhile the media paints Bruce as a terrorist and the far right go on the attack. I have an interest in current world affairs and this book reflects what is happening right now, which makes for a very interesting read. The Hulk isn't going to rampage willy nilly but has a specific target in mind.
Guardians of the Galaxy #11 - Donny Cates (writer) Cory Smith (pencils) Victor Olazaba (inks) David Curiel (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). This is a very quick read since it is mostly good guys fighting bad guys and setting up next issue's conclusion where someone saves the day.
Detective Comics #1015 - Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Doug Mahnke & Jose Luis (pencils) Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne, Mark Irwin & Matt Santorelli (inks) David Baron (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). Mister Freeze successfully resurrects his wife Nora and then throws her into the deep end of crime. I can't blame her for going off the deep end and kicking Victor to the curb. Meanwhile, Batman, Lucius and Alfred race to find a cure for the innocent victims that got frozen. Will Mister Freeze help? The art in this issue really stood out.
Event Leviathan #6 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Alex Maleev (art) Josh Reed (letters). The identity of Leviathan is revealed and it's no one that I know. You're going to have to Google Mark Shaw to learn more. I care more about what he and his minions are going to do next.
Runaways #27 - Rainbow Rowell (writer) Kris Anka (pencils) Kris Anka & Walden Wong (inks) Dee Cunniffe & Jim Campbell (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). The kids don costumes and head out to fight crime with Doc Justice. Cosplayers are happy.
Punisher Soviet #1 - Garth Ennis (writer) Jacen Burrows (pencils) Guillermo Ortego (inks) Nolan Woodard (colours) Rob Steen (letters). Punisher fans rejoice. This is a top notch team telling a two-fisted tale of Frank versus the Russian mob. Throw in a copycat crime fighter and I'm hooked for the rest of this 6-issue mini. Welcome back Garth.
Elfquest Stargazer's Hunt #1 - Wendy and Richard Pini (story) Sonny Strait (art) Nate Piekos (letters). The more things change, the more Elfquest stays the same. I recognised these elves immediately and decided to see what's up with them since I was really into Cutter and Skywise from the very beginning going back forty years. We catch up with Skywise in this new story. He's got a young daughter now and lives in a peaceful fairy land called Starhome. If you like pure fantasy you should give this a try
Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy #3 - Jody Houser (writer) Adriana Melo (pencils) Mark Morales (inks) Hi-Fi (colours) Gabriela Downie (letters). The girls going to the Mad Hatter for help wasn't a good idea. Jervis almost manages to control them for his own nefarious purposes. Now they're on the road again to who knows where. I'm hitching along.
Black Cat Annual #1 - Jed MacKay (writer) Joey Vazquez (art: Felicia & Peter) Natacha Bustos (art: Bruno) Juan Gedeon (art: Dr. Korpse) Brian Reber (colours) Ferran Delgado (letters). This is three separate capers rolled into one big heist. Spider-Man and the Black Cat get married in order to facilitate the robbery. I liked how everything interconnected and how Peter was conned into helping. This is one annual worth picking up.
Catwoman #17 - Joelle Jones (story & art) Laura Allred (colours) Saida Temofonte (letters). Oh man, am I ever glad I didn't bench this book when Joelle went on hiatus. When she writes and draws a book the product is far superior than most. From the cover to the very last page this issue gave me shivers. We're resuming Selina's battle with the crazy Creel woman and Catwoman is going to have a little help from a friend. I can't wait to read the next issue.
Fallen Angels #1 - Bryan Hill (writer) Szymon Kudranski (art) Frank D'Armata (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). The four pages before the credits page absolutely captivated me and then the rest of the issue grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and didn't let go. I was wondering what the heck happened to Psylocke (real name Kwannon) after reading Excalibur #1 and here we have answers. She's leading a new team of mutants going after a very deadly villain by the name of Apoth. So far she's recruited Laura/X-23 and young Nathan/Cable. This title gets added to my "must read" list.
Far Sector #1 - N. K. Jemisin (writer) Jamal Campbell (art) Deron Bennett (letters). This new comic by the award winning science fiction and fantasy author introduces us to Green Lantern Mullein. She's investigating a murder in a city where three alien races co-existed peacefully until now. It's the first murder in 5 centuries in a city with 20 billion citizens. This book lost me right there with that unbelievable stat. The art is absolutely gorgeous but a rookie Green Lantern dealing with this crime is too far-fetched for me. If this were a regular detective in a regular city I might have continued reading. I just don't buy a green Green Lantern in an idyllic world.
The Dollhouse Family #1 - M. R. Carey (writer) Peter Gross (layouts) Vince Locke (finishes) Cris Peter (colours) Todd Klein (letters). This is one creepy comic book about a 19th Century dollhouse bequeathed to a little girl in England in the early eighties. There's magic involved when the girl can shrink and play with the dolls in the house. There's the mystery of where the dollhouse comes from. The creepy part is the Black Room in the house. This issue starts with a crash landing and ends with the punishment of an abusive husband. I am very intrigued.
Morbius #1 - Vita Ayala (writer) Marcelo Ferreira (pencils) Roberto Poggi (inks) Dono Sanchez-Almara (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). Michael the living vampire is back on the racks and he's still trying to cure himself of his bloodlust. This starts off with a dumb costumed mad scientist villain followed by Morbius attacking the bad guy's henchmen all to abscond with the experimental serum that might cure him. They never establish what the bad guy's serum was going to do, which made the effect on Morbius predictable at the end of this issue. The only thing that might get me to read more is the hot blonde vampire hunter who shows up and the art in this was superb.
X-Men #2 - Jonathan Hickman (writer) Leinil Francis Yu (pencils) Gerry Alanguilan (inks) Sunny Gho (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). Boy, Jonathan Hickman isn't coasting with these mutants. First (spoiler alert) he kills off a major character and now he's adding even more intrigue with a mating of Krakoa and another island. All mutants, good and not so good, were brought together on Krakoa but I always wondered when the not so good ones would start to do not so good things. Apocalypse steps to the fore here. I liked how Cyclops and his kids behaved during their mission to explore the new island.
The Batman's Grave #2 - Warren Ellis (writer) Bryan Hitch (art) Alex Sinclair (colours) Richard Starkings (letters). The art does most of the heavy lifting with nary a caption or word balloon in the first 12 pages. Bryan's pages looked great. Warren then weighs in with a summons for Batman from Commissioner Gordon using the Bat signal. A crooked lawyer has been murdered. I like when Batman plays detective.
Future Foundation #4 - Jeremy Whitley (writer) Alti Firmansyah (art) Triona Farrell (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Can the kids keep evil Reed from getting a piece of the Miracle Man? Looks like it. But wait, there's more. Next issue's conclusion to this story should be just as exciting as this one.
Joker: Killer Smile #1 - Jeff Lemire (writer) Andrea Sorrentino (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) Steve Wands (letters). I'm always willing to try a new book when I see Jeff Lemire's name in the credits because he usually manages to entertain me. I'm not a big fan of the clown prince of crime especially after the Joker became darker and started to kill people. This is the story of Doctor Ben Arnell, a psychologist trying to cure the Joker after the killer's most recent incarceration in Arkham Asylum. It's a story of mind games where a good man finds himself succumbing to the influence of evil. This is another good DC Black Label book worth reading.
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The extended play has always been one of the more interesting formats to take a deeper dig into at year's end, as those releases can predict new sounds to watch out for in the future as well as giving us a little more of what we've come to thoroughly enjoy from those already established. This year, though, there was a blurring of the definition in what constitued an EP versus what qualified as an album, and you can blame the "rules" set by streaming overlords for that confusion. Generally, though, Recommended Listen has always adhered to the guideline that an EP contains a minimum of four tracks and maximum of six tracks, meaning anything Kanye West produced this year wasn't eligible, and despite his best efforts to convince us it was an LP for charting purposes, Trent Reznor found himself concluding his multi-year trilogy project right where it initially began. Other than that, this year's best marked a continuation of stories we already heard started playing out last year as well as the very exciting first chapters of others. Here are the 10 Best EPs of 2018...
10. Jouska - From Elson to Emmet [Tiny Engines]
After exchanging suburban scenery for Albany before transplanting to West Philly, Jouska’s recordings have evolved to reflect greater transitions at play on their EP From Elson to Emmett. The effort does so without completely abandoning the band’s roots, with the characters and suburban malaise of past work continuing to permeate the narratives of frontman Doug Dulgarian’s songwriting even as the structural dynamics of their knotty, experimental indie rock has a considerably more ornate audacity to it. Their sound is a weird one – a hybrid-headed monster with Dulderian and John Mongonia’s guitars doubling as limbs, and a core made from drummer Jevan Dollard and bassist Eric Lloyd’s gutted rhythms cranking in mechanical fashion much like their peer oddities Built to Spill and WOMEN -- but with vaguely introspective claw marks hooked into melody that makes them emo by default. Four tracks in total may initially expect brevity from the listen, but at 25 minutes in length with each one sharing equal exposure, they’re lofty fresh impressions with a heavy-lifting requirement from its spectators.
9. Ratboys - GL [Topshelf Records]
2017 was a breakout year for Ratboys, the Chicago country-tinged indie rock band who exhibited fascinated storytelling on their sophomore effort GN in a way that weaved their music into your memories, be it through wistfulness or a rustic roar. Just as understated as they made their presence felt on the scene, they’ve done so again on GL, short for “good luck” and a companion piece of sorts to its predecessor featuring four tracks that continue on in narrative, tone and texture, but starting a different chapter in singer Julia Steiner’s confessional narratives (as they succinctly put it, “about losing faith in your friends & telling the truth.”) It does what Ratboys does so well in balancing Steiner’s introverted grumbles with a chipper energy flowing through rollicking guitars along with a mid-tempo rumble of percussion, getting playful with life’s messiness. It’s hard to find where the light has been shut out, because she and bandmate Dave Sagan have covered up their tracks with another fair helping of positive jams.
8. Russian Baths - Penance [Good Eye Records]
The post-punk supply chain never seems to be in any short supply, but in the burrows of NYC is brooding something way less concrete. Russian Baths differ from the rest of the discordant abyss with how the quartet have bent light through the spectrum beyond surface level on their debut EP Penance. Four tracks makes the most of an intriguing experiment in short order by exploring hidden worlds where bleakness is uncovered in varying degrees of darkness through the shared vocals of guitarists Luke Koz and Jess Rees, with the former oft anchoring disciplined aggression and occasional loss of control, while the latter ascends danger through a dreamy stasis. When their paths collide, Russian Bath’s black matter explodes in slasher riffs and pummeling rhythm ripping through dense layers of shoegaze, hardcore and metal at once. Fitting, considering Penance’s themes highlight the evils lurking beneath the surface of humankind, and it’s only when Russian Baths tear into its skin where all is revealed.
7. Converge - Beautiful Ruin [Deathwish Inc. / Epitaph Records]
The Dusk In Us, last year’s ninth studio effort from Converge, was just more evidence to pile onto the rest of it that the Massachusetts metal and hardcore-melding pioneers are one of the scene’s consistently powerful forces in innovating heavy music. Their music throttles with purpose, and every word Jacob Bannon hurls into the mic is just as much of a raw, existential thought on our human experience. No matter the shape of their sound or the world we live in, the veteran band are fully conscious of the moment. Guitarist and producer Kurt Ballou mentioned there was more of it left on the cutting board, and that rings loudly on Beautiful Ruin, a four song listen that exudes the aggressive energy that has never let up once throughout the band’s sound these past three decades. It’s a brief listen that’s over in just 7 very intense minutes, but serves as an intimidating reminder of how their roots – entwined firmly into the soil – are just as impactful in these boiled down injections as any of their goliath anthems.
6. Miserable - Loverboy / Dog Days [Sargent House]
Kristina Esfandiari’s dark craft is dangerously versatile. Best known for her work as the fronthuman of her metal band King Woman, she wields the heaviest of doom through thunder clouds and supernatural lore, but with her solo outfit Miserable, there are layers upon layers to be discovered beneath her creative skin. This year’s double EP is an introduction to all of this, as it features new songs collected on its A-side under the title Loverboy alongside the reissue of her early 2015 EP Dog Days. It’s a testament to the project’s shape-shifting sound in gauzy experimentation. Light, texture and emotional weight are indulged in and repressed, yet it never fully exits the shadows throughout her latest work, where as those coming into this as a point of entry obtain a fuller familiarization with her sonic depths in seeing its B-side as an early document in Miserable’s songwriting journey from bare bones to fully fleshed. showing how far her growth has stretched itself over these fast past three years,
5. Sudan Archives - Sink [Stones Throw]
Sink is the second EP from rising Los Angeles-by-way-of Cincinnati experimental singer-songwriter Brittany Parks who, through her moniker Sudan Archives, is reshaping the sound of avant R&B by channeling it through electronic waves, subtle hip-hop booms, and pop undercurrents bowing through folky nylons strings. The listen makes for a hypnotic introspection in its sway, but beyond these glimmering facets on its surface skin, the soul and bones of Sink is an exploration into Parks’ evolving identity, be it as a young black woman in a frayed American landscape, or in how she embraces her cultural roots by utilizing her self-taught ancient West African violin tutelage to the fullest. It’s a promising early leg in the 23-year-old artist’s journey as she continues carving out a lane all her own from from the underground up, and build new worlds for listeners to travel in the process.
4. Hatchie - Sugar & Spice [Double Double Whammy]
Aside from the unavoidable flurry of buzz surrounding Hatchie leading up to her breakout EP, something that stands out in glaring fashion of Brisbane musician Harriette Pilbeam’s dream-pop confections is the uncomplicated clarity in its concept. Glassy layers of synths and an effervescent coolness even as she sings of emotional entanglements is not a path that we haven’t heard tread several times over since the style’s star burst during the ‘80s, but perhaps Hatchie’s version of it is surmised by the title of her EP Sugar & Spice – Especially in the former of those two tastes. Instead of pushing her muse beneath the surface of the clouds, Pilbeam pushes the sweet and sour of your everyday tales of love onto her music’s surface level, making their basic nature sound more awe-striking when adorned in textures that swirl and sparkle. If it’s a simple kind of love you’re looking for to no resolve, Sugar & Spice does its best to sort those feelings out for you.
3. boygenius - boygenius [Matador Records]
boygenius blend harmony and storytelling together so naturally that you’d might think its three members had already done so with one other at some point. Featuring the emotive superpowers of Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers as well as the steadfast narratives of Lucy Dacus, that would be easy to believe seeing all three songwriters have had their respective breakouts over the past year, garnering praise and recognition as the faces on the new Mount Rushmore of indie rock’s latest golden age. boygenius’ songwriting clinic of a self-titled EP is evidence that when three artists of their creative intuition are together, their talents only grow not only in degree of perfection, but in heart-bleeding passion as well. It’s as if their unique, already-impressive craft for drawing together melodies is embossed by each other’s presence, and while lyrically, the Venn diagram of all three largely overlaps on tales of broken relationships and self-doubts, their company in one another makes these songs that might otherwise sound burdened by loneliness if left to their own solo voices find strength instead with each other at their backs.
2. Nine Inch Nails - Bad Witch [The Null Corporation]
Since their return in 2013, Nine Inch Nails has been in a state of evolutionary flux. The latest interpretation of the band inside the studio is now dwindled down to just Trent Reznor and his fellow film scoremaker Atticus Ross, and over these last two years, the duo has been in constant motion with a three EP project that finishes on its strongest note, Bad Witch. What’s exciting on this go round is that unlike the familiar dystopian cinema gaze of 2015’s Not the Actual Events and 2017’s familiar turbulence ADD VIOLENCE, Bad Witch is an exploration in experimental industrial soundmaking that we’ve only heard Reznor test the waters with in the far out past. Its production is smattered with a messy granular texture that feels more raw than anything NIN have produced in quite some time, and coupled with a few surprises in Reznor’s sonic arsenal (such as reuniting with his long abandoned sax skills across freaky avant jazz-noise instrumentals “Play the Goddamned Part” and “I’m Not From this World”,) it can be viewed as a restart in the band’s next life as one of the alternative’s last true provocateurs standing.
1. Channel Tres - Channel Tres [Godmode Music]
Compton rhymer and producer Channel Tres was already on his way before he linked up with Godmode Music’s electronic auteur of a producer Nick Sylvester, having worked with fellow Los Angeles rapper DUCKWRTH and R&B futurist Kehlani in the past. The team-up between Channel Tres’ charismatic flow and Sylvester’s studio pro hand succeed in formally introducing the artist to the stage with an instantaneously distinct flavor on his eponymous self-titled EP. Over the course of five listens, we’re entranced by a warm, kinetic aura of energy built on bars of confidence and braggadocious swagger, yet also chilled by steely industrial shimmers, like casting a dark overnight rave into the hazy sunlight where goth kids dance alongside hot couture house enthusiasts in the same shared space. Its production – a blinkering of hot bulbs off a mirror room and a laser rays burning through their surface – is safely bay, allowing Tres to maneuver through the danger zone flawlessly. It’s a lasting first impression for an artist’s promising first where Channel Tres doubles down on making sure you know he’s here, even if his stealth “Jet Black” moves and smooth gliding with the “Topdown” slip by with an effortless cool.
#best of 2018#jouska#rat boy#russian baths#miserable#sudan archives#hatchie#boygenius#nine inch nails#channel tres
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Book 1; Chapter 19
Soft lips brush across my temple, leaving sweet tender kisses in their wake, and part of me wants to turn and respond, but mostly I want to stay asleep. I moan and burrow into my pillow.
“Anastasia, wake up.” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome’s voice is soft, cajoling.
“No,” I moan.
“We have to leave in half an hour for dinner at my parents.” He’s amused.
I open my eyes reluctantly. It’s dusk outside. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome is leaning over, gazing at me intently.
“Come on sleepy-head. Get up.” He stoops down and kisses me again.
“I’ve bought you a drink. I’ll be downstairs. Don’t go back to sleep, or you’ll be in trouble,” he threatens, but his tone is mild. He kisses me briefly and exits, leaving me blinking sleep from my eyes in the cool, stark room.
I’m refreshed but suddenly nervous. Holy cow, I am meeting his folks! He’s just worked me over with a riding crop and tied me up using a cable tie which I sold him, for heaven’s sake and I’m going to meet his parents. It will be Kate’s first time meeting them too at least she’ll be there for support. I roll my shoulders. They’re stiff. His demands for a personal trainer don’t seem so outlandish now, in fact, they’re mandatory if I am to have any hope of keeping up with him.
I climb slowly out of bed and note that my dress is hanging outside the wardrobe and my bra is on the chair. Where are my panties? I check beneath the chair. Nothing. Then I remember he squirreled them away in the pocket of his jeans. I flush at the memory, after he, I can’t even bring myself to think about it, he was so barbarous. I frown. Why hasn’t he given me back my panties?
I steal into the bathroom, bewildered by my lack of underwear. While drying myself after my enjoyable but far too brief shower, I realize he’s done this on purpose. He wants me to be embarrassed and ask for my panties back, and he’ll either say yes or no. My inner goddess grins at me. Hell... two can play that particular game. Resolving there and then not to ask him for them and not give him that satisfaction, I shall go meet his parents sans culottes. Anastasia Steele! My subconscious chides me, but I don’t want to listen to her I almost hug myself with glee because I know this will drive him crazy.
Back in the bedroom, I put on my bra, slip into my dress, and climb into my shoes. I remove the braid and hastily brush out my hair, I then glance down at the drink he’s left.
It’s pale pink. What’s this? Cranberry and sparkling water. Hmm... it tastes delicious and quenches my thirst.
Dashing back into the bathroom, I check myself in the mirror: eyes bright, cheeks slightly flushed, slightly smug look because of my panty plan, and I head downstairs. Fif teen minutes. Not bad, Ana.
Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome is standing by the panoramic window, wearing the grey flannel pants that I love, the ones that hang in that unbelievably sexy way off his hips, and of course, a white linen shirt. Doesn’t he have any other colors? Frank Sinatra sings softly over the surround sound speakers.
Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome turns and smiles as I enter. He looks at me expectantly.
“Hi,” I say softly, and my sphinx-like smile meets his.
“Hi,” he says. “How are you feeling?” His eyes are alight with amusement.
“Good, thanks. You?”
“I feel mighty fine, Miss Steele.”
He is so waiting for me to say something.
“Frank. I never figured you for a Sinatra fan.”
He raises his eyebrows at me, his look speculative.
“Eclectic taste, Miss Steele,” he murmurs, and he paces toward me like a panther until he’s standing in front of me, his gaze so intense it takes my breath away.
Frank starts crooning... an old song, one of Ray’s favorites. ‘Witchcraft.’ Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome leisurely traces his fingertips down my cheek, and I feel it all the way down there.
“Dance with me,” he murmurs, his voice husky.
Taking the remote out of his pocket, he turns up the volume and holds his hand out to me, his gray gaze full of promise and longing and humor. He is totally beguiling, and I’m bewitched. I place my hand in his. He grins lazily down at me and pulls me into his embrace, his arm curling around my waist, and he starts to sway.
I put my free hand on his shoulder and grin up at him, caught in his infectious, playful mood. And he starts to move. Boy can he dance. We cover the floor, from the window to the kitchen and back again, whirling and turning in time to the music. And he makes it so effortless for me to follow.
We glide around the dining table, over to the piano, and backwards and forwards in front of the glass wall, Seattle twinkling outside, a dark and magical mural to our dance, and I can’t help my carefree laugh. He grins down at me as the song comes to a close.
“There’s no nicer witch than you,” he murmurs, then kisses me sweetly. “Well, that’s bought some color to your cheeks, Miss Steele. Thank you for the dance. Shall we go and meet my parents?”
“You’re welcome, and yes, I can’t wait to meet them,” I answer breathlessly.
“Do you have everything you need?”
“Oh, yes,” I respond sweetly.
“Are you sure?”
I nod as nonchalantly as I can manage under his intense, amused scrutiny. His face splits into a huge grin, and he shakes his head.
“Okay. If that’s the way you want to play it, Miss Steele.”
He grabs my hand, collects his jacket which is hanging on one of the barstools, and leads me through the foyer to the elevator. Oh, the many faces of Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome. Will I ever be able to understand this mercurial man?
I peek up at him in the elevator. He’s enjoying a private joke, a trace of a smile flirting with his beautiful mouth. I fear that it may be at my expense. What was I thinking? I’m going to see his parents, and I’m not wearing any underwear. My subconscious gives me an unhelpful I told you so expression. In the relative safety of his apartment, it seemed like a fun, teasing idea. Now, I’m almost outside with No Panties! He peers down at me, and it’s there, the charge building between us. The amused look disappears from his face and his expression clouds, his eyes dark... oh my.
The elevator doors open on the ground floor. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome shakes his head slightly as if to clear his thoughts and gestures for me to exit before him in a most gentlemanly manner. Who’s he kidding? He’s no gentleman. He has my panties.
Taylor draws up in the large Audi. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome opens the rear door for me, and I climb in side as elegantly as I can, considering my state of wanton undress. I’m grateful that Kate’s plum dress is so clingy and hangs to the top of my knees.
We speed up the 1-5, both of us quiet, no doubt inhibited by Taylor’s steady presence in the front. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome’s mood is almost tangible and seems to shift, the humor dissipating slowly as we head north. He’s brooding, staring out of the window, and I can feel him slipping away from me. What is he thinking? I can’t ask him. What can I say in front of Taylor?
“Where did you learn to dance?” I ask tentatively. He turns to gaze at me, his eyes unreadable beneath the intermittent light of the passing street lamps.
“Do you really want to know?” he replies softly.
My heart sinks, and now I don’t because I can guess.
“Yes,” I murmur, reluctantly.
“Mrs. Robinson was fond of dancing.”
Oh, my worst suspicions confirmed. She has taught him well, and the thought de presses me there’s nothing I can teach him. I have no special skills.
“She must have been a good teacher.”
“She was,” he says softly.
My scalp prickles. Did she have the best of him? Before he became so closed? Or did she bring him out of himself? He has such a fun, playful side. I smile involuntarily as I recall being in his arms as he spun me around his living room, so unexpected, and he has my panties, somewhere.
And then there’s the Red Room of Pain. I rub my wrists reflexively thin strips of plastic will do that to a girl. She taught him all that too or ruined him, depending on one’s point of view. Or perhaps he would have found his way there anyway in spite of Mrs. R.
I realize, in that moment, that I hate her. I hope that I never meet her because I will not be responsible for my actions if I do. I can’t remember ever feeling this passionately about anyone, especially someone I’ve never met. Gazing unseeing out of the window, I nurse my irrational anger and jealousy.
My mind drifts back to the afternoon. Given what I understand of his preferences, I think he’s been easy on me. Would I do it again? I can’t even pretend to put up an argu ment against that. Of course I would, if he asked me as long as he didn’t hurt me and if it’s the only way to be with him.
That’s the bottom line. I want to be with him. My inner goddess sighs with relief. I reach the conclusion that she rarely uses her brain to think but another vital part of her anatomy, and at the moment, it’s a rather exposed part.
“Don’t,” he murmurs.
I frown and turn to look at him.
“Don’t what?” I haven’t touched him.
“Over-think things, Anastasia.” Reaching out, he grasps my hand, draws it up to his lips, and kisses my knuckles gently. “I had a wonderful afternoon. Thank you.”
And he’s back with me again. I blink up at him and smile shyly. He’s so confusing. I ask a question that’s been bugging me.
“Why did you use a cable tie?”
He grins at me.
“It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s something different for you to feel and experience. I know they’re quite brutal, and I do like that in a restraining device.” He smiles at me mildly.
“Very effective at keeping you in your place.”
I flush and glance nervously at Taylor, who remains impassive, eyes on road. What am I supposed to say to that? Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome shrugs innocently.
“All part of my world, Anastasia.” He squeezes my hand and lets go, staring out of the window again.
His world indeed, and I want to belong in it, but on his terms? I just don’t know. He hasn’t mentioned that damned contract. My inner musings do nothing to cheer me. I stare out of the window and the landscape has changed. We’re crossing one of the bridges, sur rounded by inky darkness. The somber night reflects my introspective mood, closing in, suffocating.
I glance briefly at Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, and he’s staring at me.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he asks.
I sigh and frown.
“That bad, huh?”
“I wish I knew what you were thinking.”
He smirks at me.
“Ditto, baby,” he says softly as Taylor speeds into the night toward Bellevue.
It is just before eight when the Audi draws into the driveway of a colonial-style mansion.
It’s breathtaking, even down to the roses around the door. Picture-book perfect.
“Are you ready for this?” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome asks as Taylor pulls up outside the impressive front
door.
I nod, and he gives my hand another reassuring squeeze.
“First for me too,” he whispers, then smiles wickedly. “Bet you wish you were wear ing your underwear right now,” he teases.
I flush. I’d forgotten my missing panties. Fortunately, Taylor has climbed out of the car and is opening my door so he can’t hear our exchange. I scowl at Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome who grins broadly as I turn and climb out of the car.
Dr. Grace Trevelyan-Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome is on the doorstep waiting for us. She looks elegantly so phisticated in a pale blue silk dress; behind her stands Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, I presume, tall, blond, and as handsome in his own way as Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome.
“Anastasia, you’ve met my mother, Grace. This is my dad, Carrick.”
“Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, what a pleasure to meet you.” I smile and shake his outstretched hand.
“The pleasure is all mine, Anastasia.”
“Please call me, Ana.”
His blue eyes are soft and gentle.
“Ana, how lovely to see you again.” Grace wraps me in a warm hug. “Come in, my dear.”
“Is she here?” I hear a screech from within the house. I glance nervously at Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome.
“That would be Mia, my little sister,” he says almost irritably, but not quite.
There’s an undercurrent of affection in his words, the way his voice grows softer and his eyes crinkle as he mentions her name. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome obviously adores her. It’s a revelation. And she comes barreling down the hall, raven haired, tall, and curvaceous. She’s about my age.
“Anastasia! I’ve heard so much about you.” She hugs me hard.
Holy Cow. I can’t help but smile at her boundless enthusiasm.
“Ana, please,” I murmur as she drags me into the large vestibule. It’s all dark wood floors and antique rugs with a sweeping staircase to the second floor.
“He’s never brought a girl home before,” says Mia, dark eyes bright with excitement.
I glimpse Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome rolling his eyes, and I raise an eyebrow at him. He narrows his eyes at me.
“Mia, calm down,” Grace admonishes softly. “Hello, darling,” she says as she kisses Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome on both cheeks. He smiles down at her warmly, and then shakes hands with his father.
We all turn and head into the living room. Mia has not let go of my hand. The room is spacious, tastefully furnished in creams, browns, and pale blue, comfortable, understated, and very stylish. Kate and Elliot are cuddled together on a couch, clutching champagne flutes. Kate bounces up to embrace me, and Mia finally releases my hand.
“Hi, Ana!” She beams. “Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome.” She nods curtly to him.
“Kate.” He is equally formal with her.
I frown at their exchange. Elliot grasps me in an all-embracing hug. What is this, hug Ana week? This dazzling display of affection I’m just not used to it. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome stands at my side, wrapping his arm around me. Placing his hand on my hip, he spreads out his fingers and pulls me close. Everyone is staring at us. It’s unnerving.
“Drinks?” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome seems to recover himself. “Prosecco?”
“Please,” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome and I speak in unison.
Oh... this is beyond weird. Mia claps her hands.
“You’re even saying the same things. I’ll get them.” She scoots out of the room.
I flush scarlet, and seeing Kate sitting with Elliot, it occurs to me suddenly that the only reason Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome invited me is because Kate is here. Elliot probably freely and happily asked Kate to meet his parents. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome was trapped knowing that I would have found out via Kate. I frown at the thought. He’s been forced into the invitation. The realization is bleak and depressing. My subconscious nods sagely, a you’ve-finally-worked-it-out stupid look on her face.
“Dinner’s almost ready,” Grace says as she follows Mia out of the room.
Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome frowns as he gazes at me.
“Sit,” he commands, pointing to the plush couch, and I do as I’m told, carefully cross ing my legs. He sits down beside me but doesn’t touch me.
“We were just talking about vacations, Ana,” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome says kindly. “Elliot has decided to follow Kate and her family to Barbados for a week.”
I glance at Kate, and she grins, her eyes bright and wide. She’s delighted. Katherine Kavanagh, show some dignity!
“Are you taking a break now you’ve finished your degree?” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome asks.
“I’m thinking about going to Georgia for a few days,” I reply.
Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome gapes at me, blinking a couple of times, his expression unreadable. Oh shit.
I haven’t mentioned this to him.
“Georgia?” he murmurs.
“My mother lives there, and I haven’t seen her for a while.”
“When were you thinking of going?” His voice is low.
“Tomorrow, late evening.”
Mia saunters back into the living room and hands us champagne flutes filled with pale pink Prosecco.
“Your good health!” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome raises his glass. An appropriate toast from a doctor’s husband, it makes me smile.
“For how long?” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome asks, his voice deceptively soft.
Holy crap... he’s angry.
“I don’t know yet. It will depend how my interviews go tomorrow.”
His jaw clenches, and Kate gets that interfering look on her face. She smiles over sweetly.
“Ana deserves a break,” she says pointedly at Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome. Why is she so antagonistic towards him? What is her problem?
“You have interviews?” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome asks.
“Yes, for internships at two publishers, tomorrow.”
“I wish you the best of luck.”
“Dinner is on the table,” Grace announces.
We all stand. Kate and Elliot follow Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome and Mia out of the room. I go to follow, but Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome clutches my elbow, bringing me to an abrupt halt.
“When were you going to tell me you were leaving?” he asks urgently. His tone is soft, but he’s masking his anger.
“I’m not leaving, I’m going to see my mother, and I was only thinking about it.”
“What about our arrangement?”
“We don’t have an arrangement yet.”
He narrows his eyes, and then seems to remember himself. Releasing my hand, he takes my elbow and leads me out of the room.
“This conversation is not over,” he whispers threateningly as we enter the dining room.
Oh, crapola. Don’t get your panties in such a twist. . . and give me back mine. I glare at him.
The dining room reminds me of our private dinner at the Heathman. A crystal chan delier hangs over the dark wood table and there’s a massive, ornately carved mirror on the wall. The table is laid and covered with a crisp white linen tablecloth, a bowl of pale pink peonies as the center piece. It’s stunning.
We take our places. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome is at the head of the table, while I sit at his right hand, and Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome is seated beside me. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome reaches for the opened bottle of red wine and offers some to Kate. Mia takes her seat beside Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, and grabbing his hand, squeezes it tightly. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome smiles warmly at her.
“Where did you meet, Ana?” Mia asks him.
“She interviewed me for the WSU student magazine.”
“Which Kate edits,” I add, hoping to steer the conversation away from me.
Mia beams at Kate, seated opposite next to Elliot, and they start talking about the stu dent magazine.
“Wine, Ana?” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome asks.
“Please.” I smile at him. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome rises to fill the rest of the glasses.
I peek up at Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, and he turns to look at me, his head cocked to one side.
“What?” he asks.
“Please don’t be mad at me,” I whisper.
“I’m not mad at you.”
I stare at him. He sighs.
“Yes, I am mad at you.” He closes his eyes briefly.
“Palm-twitchingly mad?” I ask nervously.
“What are you two whispering about?” Kate interjects.
I flush, and Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome glares at her in a butt-out-of-this-Kavanagh kind of way even Kate wilts under his stare.
“Just about my trip to Georgia,” I say sweetly, hoping to diffuse their mutual hostility.
Kate smiles, a wicked gleam in her eye.
“How was Jose when you went to the bar with him on Friday?”
Holy fuck, Kate. I widen my eyes at her. What is she doing? She widens her eyes back at me, and I realize she’s trying to make Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome jealous. How little she knows. I thought I’d got away with this.
“He was fine,” I murmur.
Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome leans over.
“Palm-twitchingly mad,” he whispers. “Especially now.” His tone is quiet and deadly.
Oh no. I squirm.
Grace reappears carrying two plates, followed by a pretty young woman with blonde pigtails, dressed smartly in pale blue, carrying a tray of plates. Her eyes immediately find Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome in the room. She blushes and gazes at him from under her lonq mascara’d lashes. What!
Somewhere in the house the phone starts ringing.
“Excuse me,” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome rises again and exits.
“Thank you, Gretchen,” Grace says gently, frowning as Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome exits. “Just leave the tray on the console.” Gretchen nods, and with another furtive glance at Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, she leaves.
So the Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadomes have staff, and the staff are eyeing up my would-be Dominant. Can this evening get any worse? I scowl at my hands in my lap.
Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome returns.
“Call for you, darling. It’s the hospital,” he says to Grace.
“Please start, everyone.” Grace smiles as she hands me a plate and leaves.
It smells delicious chorizo and scallops with roasted red peppers and shallots, sprin kled with flat leafed parsley. And in spite of the fact that my stomach is churning from Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome’s veiled threats, the surreptitious glances from pretty little Miss Pigtails, and the debacle of my missing underwear, I am starving. I flush as I realize it’s the physical effort of this afternoon that’s given me such an appetite.
Moments later Grace returns, her brow furrowed. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome cocks his head to one side... like Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome.
“Everything okay?”
“Another measles case,” Grace sighs.
“Oh no.”
“Yes, a child. The fourth case this month. If only people would get their kids vacci nated.” She shakes her head sadly, and then smiles. “I’m so glad our children never went through that. They never caught anything worse than chicken pox, thank goodness. Poor Elliot,” she says as she sits down, smiling indulgently at her son. Elliot frowns mid chew and squirms uncomfortably. “Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome and Mia were lucky. They got it so mildly, only a spot to share between them.”
Mia giggles, and Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome rolls his eyes.
“So, did you catch the Mariners game, Dad?” Elliot’s clearly keen to move the con versation on.
The hors d’oeuvres are delicious, and I concentrate on eating while Elliot, Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, and Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome talk baseball. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome seems relaxed and calm talking to his family. My mind is working furiously. Damn Kate, what game is she playing? Will he punish me? I
quail at the thought. I haven’t signed that contract yet. Perhaps I won’t. Perhaps I’ll stay in Georgia where he can’t reach me.
“How are you settling into your new apartment dear?” Grace asks politely.
I’m grateful for her question, distracting me from my discordant thoughts, and I tell her about our move.
As we finish our starters, Gretchen appears, and not for the first time, I wish I felt able to put my hands freely on Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome just to let her know he may be fifty shades of fucked up, but he’s mine. She proceeds to clear the table, brushing rather too closely to Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome for my liking. Fortunately, he seems oblivious to her, but my inner goddess is smoldering and not in a good way.
Kate and Mia are waxing lyrical about Paris.
“Have you been to Paris, Ana?” Mia asks innocently, distracting me from my jealous reverie.
“No, but I’d love to go.” I know I’m the only one at the table who has never left main land USA.
“We honeymooned in Paris.” Grace smiles at Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome who grins back at her.
It���s almost embarrassing to witness. They obviously love each other deeply, and I wonder for a brief moment what it must be like to grow up with both one’s parents in situ.
“It’s a beautiful city,” Mia agrees. “In spite of the Parisians. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, you should take Ana to Paris,” Mia states firmly.
“I think Anastasia would prefer London,” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome says softly.
Oh. . . he remembered. He places his hand on my knee his fingers traveling up my thigh. My whole body tightens in response. No... not here, not now. I flush and shift, try ing to pull away from him. His hand clamps down on my thigh, stilling me. I reach for my wine, in desperation.
Little Miss European Pigtails returns, all coy glances and swaying hips, with our en tree, a Beef Wellington, I think. Fortunately, she gives us our plates and then leaves, al though she lingers handing Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome his. He looks quizzically at me as I watch her close the dining room door.
“So what was wrong with the Parisians?” Elliot asks his sister. “Didn’t they take to your winsome ways?”
“Ugh, no they didn’t. And Monsieur Floubert, the ogre I was working for, he was such a domineering tyrant.”
I splutter into my wine.
“Anastasia, are you okay?” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome asks solicitously, taking his hand off my thigh.
Humor has returned to his voice. Oh thank heavens. When I nod, he pats my back gently, and only removes his hand when he knows I’ve recovered.
The beef is delicious and served with roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and green beans. It is even more palatable since Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome manages to retain his good-humor for the rest of the meal. I suspect that it’s because I’m eating so heartily. The conversation flows freely among the Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadomes, warm and caring, gently teasing each other. Over our des sert of lemon syllabub, Mia regales us with her exploits in Paris, lapsing at one point into fluent French. We all stare at her, and she stares back puzzled, until Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome tells her in
equally fluent French what she’s done, whereupon she bursts into a fit of giggles. She has a very infectious laugh and soon we’re all in stitches.
Elliot holds forth about his latest building project, a new eco-friendly community to the north of Seattle. I glance up at Kate, and she’s hanging on every word Elliot says, her eyes glowing with lust or love. I haven’t quite worked out which yet. He grins down at her, and it’s as if an unspoken promise passes between them. Laters, baby, he’s saying, and it’s hot, freaking hot. I flush just watching them.
I sigh and peek up at Fifty Shades. He’s so beautiful, I could stare at him forever. He has light stubble over his chin, and my fingers itch to scratch it and feel it against my face, against my breasts... between my thighs. I blush at the direction of my thoughts. He peers down at me and raises his hand to pull at my chin.
“Don’t bite your lip,” he murmurs huskily. “I want to do that.”
Grace and Mia clear our dessert glasses and head to the kitchen, while Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, Kate, and Elliot discuss the merits of solar panels in Washington State. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, feigning inter est in their conversation, puts his hand once more on my knee, and his fingers travel up my thigh. My breathing hitches, and I press my thighs together in a bid to halt his progress. I can see him smirk.
“Shall I give you a tour of the grounds?” he asks me quite openly.
I know I’m meant to say yes, but I don’t trust him. Before I can answer however, he’s on his feet and holding his hand out to me. I place my hand in his, and I feel all the muscles clench deep in my belly, responding to his dark, hungry gray gaze.
“Excuse me,” I say to Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome and follow Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome out of the dining room.
He leads me through the hallway and into the kitchen where Mia and Grace are stack ing the dishwasher. European Pigtails is nowhere to be seen.
“I’m going to show Anastasia the backyard,” Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome says innocently to his mother. She waves us out with a smile as Mia heads back to the dining room.
We step out onto a grey flagstone patio area lit by recessed lights in the flagstones. There are shrubs in grey stone tubs and a chic metal table and chairs set up in one corner. Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome walks past those, up some steps, and onto a vast lawn that leads down to the bay... oh my it’s beautiful. Seattle twinkles on the horizon, and the cool, bright, May moon etches a sparkling silver path across the water toward a jetty where two boats are moored. Beside the jetty stands a boathouse. It is so picturesque, so peaceful. I stand and gape for a moment.
Doug Dimmadome, Owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome pulls me behind him, and my heels sink into the soft grass.
“Stop, please.” I am stumbling in his wake.
He stops and gazes at me, his expression unfathomable.
“My heels. I need to take my shoes off.”
“Don’t bother,” he says, and he bends down and scoops me over his shoulder. I squeal loudly with shocked surprise, and he gives me a ringing slap on my behind.
“Keep your voice down,” he growls.
Oh no... this is not good, my subconscious is quaking at the knees. He’s mad about something could be Jose, Georgia, no panties, biting my lip. Jeez, he’s easy to rile.
“Where are we going?” I breathe.
“Boathouse,” he snaps.
I hang on to his hips as I’m tipped upside-down, and he strides purposefully in the moonlight across the lawn.
“Why?” I sound breathless, bouncing on this shoulder.
“I need to be alone with you.”
“What for?”
“Because I’m going to spank and then fuck you.”
“Why?” I whimper softly.
“You know why,” he hisses.
“I thought you were an in-the-moment guy?” I plead breathlessly.
“Anastasia, I’m in the moment, trust me.”
Holy fuck.
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( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
whitespeedoblog
White Speedo Blog
six-tooth
:-)
iconkmj-blog
Untitled