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burnouts3s3 · 4 years

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Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: The Complete First Season, a review

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(Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit unprofessional blog post written by an unprofessional blog poster. All purported facts and statement are little more than the subjective, biased opinion of said blog poster. In other words, don’t take anything I say too seriously.)

Just the facts 'Cause you're in a Hurry!

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): 12 USD.

Digital Copy (MSRP): 20 USD

How much I paid: 33 USD for both the digital and physical copy (This was when the physical copy cost more).

Animation Studio: David Productions

Licensed and Localized by: Viz Media

Audio: Japanese Audio with Subtitles and English Dub available.

English Cast: Johnny Yong Bosch as Jonathan Joestar, Michelle Ruff as Erina, Patrick Seitz as Dio Brando, Ben Diskin as Joseph Joestar, Wendee Lee as Lisa Lisa, Stephanie Sheh as Suzie Q.

Number of Episodes: 26 Episodes

Length per Episode: 25 Minutes on average. 21 Without Intro and Ending song.

Number of Discs: 3 DVD Discs in Total.

Episodes per Disc: Episodes 1 through 9 on Disc one. Episodes 10 through 19 on Disc two. Episodes 20 through 26 on Disc Three.

Also on: Amazon Video and Crunchyroll, a free streaming service with ads.

Bonus Features: Textless Openings, Textless Ending and Trailers for other Licensed Shows.

Notable Localization Changes: Because Parts 1 and 2 are set in early parts of Britain and America, the characters all adopt thick British accents, particularly Jonathan, Erina and Joseph.

My Personal Biases: I didn’t have any experience with the Jojo Franchise until I came across JStars Victory Vs.

My Verdict: Call it Bizarre. Call it out of this world. Call it slightly homoerotic. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, even before the introduction of Stands was an entertaining ride that included vampires, mad German scientists, Pillar Men and Breathing techniques in a steal of a 12 dollar package. If you haven’t picked this up yet, do yourself a favor and check it out!

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure The Complete First Season, a review

In 2012, David Productions took Hirihiko Araki’s manga, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and adapted it into what would be a worldwide phenomenon. The manga had been adapted previously into a series of OVAs (Original Video Animation) that only covered the most popular part, Stardust Crusaders. The anime starts right from the beginning and begins from the manga’s origins as well as the original character. Unlike other Shounen Manga, the Jojo series is infamous for (among other things) having multiple protagonists each being the different lead in a ‘Part’. For the first part, the protagonist or ‘Jojo’ is Johnathan Joestar while the second part has its protagonist in the form of Joseph Joestar.

I’m going to split this review between the first part, Phantom Blood and the second part, Battle Tendency.

Part 1: Phantom Blood

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In 19th Century England, two very different boys are born into two very different families. Jonathan Joestar is the son of a rich nobleman and known for his kind nature and politeness, but isn’t so much useful in a fight. Dio Brando is born to an alcoholic father and despite his prodigy, he is most likely destined to a life of poverty, had Dio’s Father, Dario have a debt owed to him by Jonathan’s father, George. (This is because George Joestar mistakenly thought Dario saved his life when in actually Dario was in the vicinity trying to rob George’s corpse). In an attempt to pay off the debt, George adopts Dio into his family.

I know a lot of people gloss over the first part because it’s not what made the main core of the series, but there’s still a lot of fun to be had if you let it.

Dio torments and bullies Jonathan by killing his dog, stealing his father’s affection and even kissing the girl Jonathan fancies, Erina. But as the step-brothers grow older and older, they’re prepared to do battle for one another while Jonathan still maintains his gentle nature. However, when George takes ill because of Dio’s poisoning, Dio dons a very interesting Aztec mask that turns him into a Vampire. George, unfortunately, dies in the middle of the battle.

Using his wits, Jonathan sets his childhood home on fire and sets Dio ablaze. Jonathan comes out burned but alive. As Erina helps Jonathan recover from his injuries, a strange man confronts the two of them.

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Zeppeli tells Jonathan that Dio not only survived the incident but has come back and is building an army of vampires. Zeppeli offers to teach Jonathan Hamon, the ability to use one’s breath to stir up the energy inside in order to imbue attacks with sunlight energy in the hopes of vanquishing Dio once and for all.

(Yes, the fact that the same voice performers who played Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki with thick British accents amuses me greatly.)

Though short, the series does have fun action scenes (including one fight with a chain).

Through his chivalrous spirit and quick wits, Jonathan defeats Dio.

Jonathan and Erina finally get married, but all is not well on their cruise to America. The disembodied head of Dio still remains and is causing havoc with its tentacles and laser eyes. Realizing Dio is too great a threat to go unchecked, Jonathan ensures the safety of the other passengers, including his newlywed Erina, and destroys the ship and him along with it.

And so, Jonathan sacrifices himself to save the world from Dio. Erina survives and lives in America.

Viz Media and BangZoom did the localization of the show and for the most part, it sticks closely to the Japanese Script. However, because the show is set in 19th century, BangZoom told everyone to adopt thick, British accents.

And it’s bloody hysterical. At times, I thought I was watching a BBC documentary intercut with a battle shounen.

I don’t know if Patrick Seitz can ever measure up to Takehito Koyasu’s legendary take on the character, but he makes a game effort of it. While Seitz’s voice doesn’t differ too much from his other role, the energy and performance are worthy enough (at least to me) to compare with his Japanese counterpart.

Johnny Yong Bosch is as Johnny Yong Bosch as he’ll ever be. He’s not bad as Johnathan but you can tell he’s struggling both under the accent and giant with a heart of gold persona. It’d be one thing if he were playing an edgy teenager like Ichigo Kurosaki or a kid like Renton Thurston but he’s caught in the role that might’ve been suited to someone else.

Keith Silverstein (who also voiced Hisoka from Hunter x Hunter) is having a grand old time as Robert Speedwagon. Marc Diraison (who voiced Guts in Beserk and ‘Zolo’ in the 4kids dub of One Piece) shows genuine emotion as George Joestar. Also, can we just give a hand to Michelle Ruff? I know she’s done a lot of roles, including ones from Ayako Kawasumi (such as Saber from Fate/Stay Night and Chikane Himemiya from Kannazuki no Miko) but she plays a great Erina both young and old.

With the end of Part 1 and the closing of Jonathan’s story, we move onto Part 2.

Part 2: Battle Tendency

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So, it’s 1928, New York. We follow a black boy named Smokey Robinson as he’s being hassled by the police for being a pickpocket. Before this turns into a docudrama on the History Channel, a six foot stranger with a British accent appears.

Here we meet the Jojo of this story arc, Joseph Joestar, grandson of Jonathan and Erina.

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(Yes, I find the fact that Joseph is played by the same voice performer as Kids Next Door’s Nigel Uno extremely hysterical. He’s even using the same voice!)

But all’s not well in New York. Joseph encounters a vampire that’s somehow resistant to Hamon.

With the rise of Vampires that are somewhat resistant to Hamon as well as the strange disappearance of Mr. Speedwagon, Joeseph sets off on a trip that will take him all over the world from the scorching hot deserts of South America to the beautiful city of Venice and even over a Volcano. The conspiracy leads to the awakening of the Pillar Men, ancient Aztec warriors who are bent on destroying humanity unless Joeseph can team up with the grandson of Zeppilli and stop them once and for all. Kars, however, might be the most difficult opponent of all and when he transforms into an ultimate superbeing capable of not being harmed by Hamon or Sunlight, Joespeh’s wits are put to the limit.

Here we get a distinct difference between the two protagonists. While Jonathan was honorable, kind and courteous, Joseph is devious, scheming and a bit of a trickster.

I really love Joseph. In fact, through parts 1 through 6, he’s probably my favorite of the protagonists. See, Joseph is constantly pitted against more experienced enemies that have a physical advantage over him. Joseph overcomes this by tricking and deceiving his opponents. Sometimes, his bluffs work because of his cleverness. Other times, he’s just damn lucky. Joseph likes to predict his opponent’s next line, say it and basically outsmart them.

At times, Joseph is willing to make a complete idiot out of himself, just for a moment’s opportunity to trick his foe. Such as dressing up in women’s clothing and bribing some enemy soldiers.

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Joseph continues to hone is Hamon skills in order to defeat the Pillar Men. But not before meeting two beauties by the names of Lisa Lisa, a Hamon teacher who might have a secret of two and Suzie Q, a cute Italian girl.

Part 2’s filled with wall to wall exploits, including mad German scientists, Chariot Races and an incredible finish with Joseph facing off against Kars on top of a Volcano.

Joseph defeats Kars and returns in surprise to his own funeral, but not before getting a new metal hand and marrying Suzy Q.

And thus ends Battle Tendency. A lot of people consider this their favorite part and I’m among them. Aside from Joeseph’s antics, there’s a lot of fire and energy you just don’t see nowadays. From battling vampires on top the Brooklyn Bridge to flying a plane over a volcanic island to defeat an Ubermensch, Battle Tenacity had a lot of creativity and seeing Joeseph get out of each situation with his wits and sheer dumb luck is a joy to behold.

Ben Diskin (who also performed Sai from Naruto and Knuckle from Hunter x Hunter) is hysterical as Joseph and the fact that he has this thick British accent the whole time makes it worthwhile. Diskin’s always had a great range but him playing this buffoon makes the whole enterprise a laugh riot.

Wendee Lee as Lisa Lisa is fine (that’s not to say that Wendee Lee gives a bad performance, far from it. It’s just that after voicing so many roles, you can tell which ones she’s pouring her soul into and which ones she’s just putting on a funny accent. This is the latter). It’s also nice to hear Stephanie Sheh as Suzy Q being more of a lighthearted ditz rather than a shy introvert.

Aside from the wackiness and over the top reactions, what really sets this series apart is the animation. Using striking color pallets and digging into the manga aesthetic really sets the tone whether it’s Joseph goofing off or Jonathan fighting a desperate battle. David Productions made their name with this series and it’s no surprise they’ve been listed to do other works such as Fire Force. Even when the anime resorts to using a panning shot or speed lines, there’s a kinetic pace that pulls you in.

But, you didn’t come here for Jonathan, did you? You didn’t come here for Joseph, either. You came for a certain high schooler with a hat and a mission.

Stand proud, true crusaders.

Next time, we’re covering Part 3.

Verdict: Buy it! If you’re unsure, you can watch it for free on Crunchyroll.

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#jojo's bizarre adventure #jojo no kimyō na bōken #jonathan joestar #joseph jostar #ben diskin #wendee lee #johnny yong bosch #michelle ruff

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blackkudos · 4 years

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Bill Withers

William Harrison Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. He recorded several major hits, including "Grandma's Hands" (1971), "Ain't No Sunshine" (1971), "Use Me" (1972), "Lean on Me" (1972), "Lovely Day" (1977), and "Just the Two of Us" (1980). Withers won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for four more. His life was the subject of the 2009 documentary film Still Bill. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

Early life

Withers, the youngest of six children, was born in the small coal-mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia on July 4, 1938. He was born with a stutter and has said he had a hard time fitting in. Raised in nearby Beckley, he was 13 years old when his father died. Withers enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17, and served for nine years, during which time he overcame his stutter and became interested in singing and writing songs.

He left the Navy in 1965 and he relocated to Los Angeles in 1967 to start a musical career. Withers worked as an assembler for several different companies, including Douglas Aircraft Corporation, while recording demo tapes with his own money, shopping them around and performing in clubs at night. When he debuted with the song "Ain't No Sunshine", he refused to resign from his job because he believed the music business was a fickle industry.

Career

Sussex records

During early 1970, Withers's demonstration tape was auditioned favorably by Clarence Avant, owner of Sussex Records. Avant signed Withers to a record deal and assigned former Stax Records stalwart Booker T. Jones to produce Withers' first album. Four three-hour recording sessions were planned for the album, but funding caused the album to be recorded in three sessions with a six-month break between the second and final sessions. Just as I Am was released in 1971 with the tracks, "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands" as singles. The album features Stephen Stills playing lead guitar. On the cover of the album, Withers is pictured at his job at Weber Aircraft in Burbank, California, holding his lunch box.

The album was a success, and Withers began touring with a band assembled from members of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. Withers won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for "Ain't No Sunshine" at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards in 1972. The track had already sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in September 1971.

During a hiatus from touring, Withers recorded his second album, Still Bill. The single, "Lean on Me" went to number one the week of July 8, 1972. It was Withers’s second gold single with confirmed sales in excess of three million. His follow-up, "Use Me" released in August 1972, became his third million seller, with the R.I.A.A. gold disc award taking place on October 12, 1972. His performance at Carnegie Hall on October 6, 1972, was recorded, and released as the live album Bill Withers, Live at Carnegie Hall on November 30, 1972. In 1974, Withers recorded the album +'Justments. Due to a legal dispute with the Sussex company, Withers was unable to record for some time thereafter.

During this time, he wrote and produced two songs on the Gladys Knight & the Pips record I Feel a Song, and in October 1974 performed in concert together with James Brown, Etta James, and B.B. King in Zaire four weeks prior to the historic Rumble in the Jungle fight between Foreman and Ali. Footage of his performance was included in the 1996 documentary film When We Were Kings, and he is heard on the accompanying soundtrack. Other footage of his performance is included in the 2008 documentary film Soul Power, which is based on archival footage of the 1974 Zaire concert.

Columbia Records

After Sussex Records folded, Withers signed with Columbia Records in 1975. His first album release with the label, Making Music, included the single "She's Lonely", which was featured in the film Looking for Mr. Goodbar along with "She Wants to (Get on Down)". During the next three years he released an album each year with Naked & Warm (1976), Menagerie (1977; containing the successful "Lovely Day"), and 'Bout Love (1978).

Due to problems with Columbia and being unable to get songs approved for his album, he concentrated on joint projects from 1977 to 1985, including "Just the Two of Us", with jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., which was released during June 1980. It won a Grammy on February 24, 1982. Withers next did "Soul Shadows" with the Crusaders, and "In the Name of Love" with Ralph MacDonald, the latter being nominated for a Grammy for vocal performance.

In 1982, Withers was a featured vocalist on the album, "Dreams in Stone" by French singer Michel Berger. This record included one composition co-written and sung by Withers, an upbeat disco song about New York City entitled "Apple Pie." The album was not released in North America, although it contains several songs about America.

In 1985 came Watching You Watching Me, which featured the Top 40-rated R&B single "Oh Yeah", and ended Withers’s business association with Columbia Records. Withers stated in interviews that a lot of the songs approved for the album, in particular, two of the first three singles released, were the same songs which were rejected in 1982, hence contributing significantly to the eight-year hiatus between albums. Withers also stated it was frustrating seeing his record label release an album for Mr. T, an actor, when they were preventing him, an actual singer, from releasing his own. He toured with Jennifer Holliday in 1985 to promote what would be his final studio album.

His disdain for Columbia's A&R executives or "blaxperts", as he termed them, trying to exert control over how he should sound if he wanted to sell more albums, played a part in his decision to not record or re-sign to a record label after 1985, effectively ending his performing career, even though remixes of his previously recorded music were released well after his 'retirement'. Finding musical success later in life than most, at 32, he has said he was socialized as a 'regular guy' who had a life before the music, so he did not feel an inherent need to keep recording once he fell out of love with the industry. He has also stated that he does not miss touring and performing live and does not regret leaving music behind. He seemingly no longer suffers from the speech impediment of stuttering that affected him during his recording career.

Post-Columbia career

In 1988, a new version of "Lovely Day" from the 1977 Menagerie album, entitled "Lovely Day (Sunshine Mix)" and remixed by Ben Liebrand, reached the Top 10 in the United Kingdom, leading to Withers' performance on the long-running Top of the Pops that year. The original release had reached #7 in the UK in early 1978, and the re-release climbed higher to #4.

At the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988, Withers won the Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Song as songwriter for the re-recording of "Lean on Me" by Club Nouveau. This was Withers' third Grammy and ninth nomination.

Withers contributed two songs to Jimmy Buffett's 2004 release License to Chill. Following the reissues of Still Bill on January 28, 2003, and Just As I Am on March 8, 2005, there was speculation of previously unreleased material being issued as a new album. In 2006, Sony gave back to Withers his previously unreleased tapes.

In 2007, "Lean on Me" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014, Bill Withers: The Complete Sussex & Columbia Albums Collection, a nine-disc set featuring Withers's eight studio albums, as well as his live album Live at Carnegie Hall, received the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album (sharing the award with The Rolling Stones' "Charlie Is My Darling - Ireland 1965.") The award was presented to Leo Sacks, who produced the collection, and the mastering engineers Mark Wilder, Joseph M. Palmaccio and Tom Ruff.

In 2005, Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In April 2015, Withers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Stevie Wonder. He described the honor as "an award of attrition" and said: "What few songs I wrote during my brief career, there ain't a genre that somebody didn't record them in. I'm not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with. I don't think I've done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia." Later that year, a tribute concert in his honor was held at Carnegie Hall, featuring Aloe Blacc, Ed Sheeran, Dr. John, Michael McDonald and Anthony Hamilton recreating his 1973 concert album, Live at Carnegie Hall, along with other Withers material. Withers was in attendance and spoke briefly onstage.

In February 2017, he made an appearance on MSNBC on Joy Reid's show to talk about the refugee crisis, as well as the political climate in America.

Personal life

Withers married actress Denise Nicholas in 1973, during her stint on the sitcom Room 222. The couple made headlines following reports of domestic violence. They divorced in 1974.

In 1976, Withers married Marcia Johnson, and they had two children, Todd and Kori. Marcia eventually assumed the direct management of his Beverly Hills–based publishing companies, in which his children also became involved as they became adults.

Withers died in Los Angeles on March 30, 2020, from heart complications.

Discography

Studio albumsLive albumsCompilation albumsSinglesOther appearances

A The original version of "Ain't No Sunshine" did not chart on the UK Singles Chart until 2009, 38 years after its release.

Accolades

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are bestowed by the The Recording Academy. Withers has won three Grammys from nine nominations.

Honors

1972: NAACP Image Awards: Male Singer of the Year

2002: Honorary doctorate from Mountain State University

2005: Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee

2006: ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage award

2007: Inducted into West Virginia Music Hall of Fame

2015: Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

2017: Honorary degree from West Virginia University.

#07/04 #03/30

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spideyxchelle · 6 years

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Princess Michelle’s land has been invaded. And to save her country she knows what is expected of her, she knows she is set to marry a man she does not know, hardly respects and hates for forcing her homeland to its knees. Affection cannot grow in the face of war. Not even when the face of that war has the most gorgeous eyes she has ever seen.

She lingered in the corner of the fiercely bright, unforgiving room with her anxious and uncertain fingers clenched in knots behind her back as her ladies and several key members of her father’s government filed into her bed chambers to inspect her wedding sheets. All her life she had been schooled that a royal bedding ceremony was a performance, to be on display for the entire court to scrutinize and for one skeletal and viciously mean holy man to legitimize. Every Sunday since before she could remember the pinched nose priest who enthusiastically inspected her sheets now had sneered down at her from his pulpit and oft warned her that her virginity was the people’s gift. He had told her more times than she could count that she ought not spoil what was not hers to gift. Only her father, the King, could spend it, like some kind of token or treasure.

And so, the little patch of red blood signifying the loss of her virginity was not only required, but glorified. She was less a woman, a girl of flesh and blood, to her father’s advisers than prime stock to be sold and had at the highest price.

When Peter had stood his ground about their bedding being a private affair— instead of the age-old-tradition where a crowd of people watched the royal bedding behind a curtain— she had hoped that the inspection of the sheets would be cast aside as well. The Stark Lands found such traditions gratuitous and vile. Thanosians lived and died by their rituals and rules.

She stood alone, frightened and nauseous, as six men in deep purple robes inspected her sheets.

Her mind reeled with the worst, most terror-inducing thoughts and she suddenly wished that Peter was at her side.

When she had dismissed him from their chambers earlier that morning, Michelle had not thought about the inspection. His words, his lies, had rattled her down to the marrow of her bones that all she could was send him from her sight. He had measured her pressure points and he had unkindly pressed them. It had been a long time since she had thought on her elder sisters. With their disappearance so long ago, their faces were no more than a distant memory. Her father had pulled down the portraits of his sisters and had them burned to spare himself the pain when their bodies had not been found. Her mother had locked herself away for three straight months and Michelle had been left to become the princess and sole heir to her people.

The law forbid their names to be uttered. And Peter, with little care for her wellbeing, spoke their spirits back into existence and now Michelle was haunted by them.

She wanted to know why he his people had invaded her lands. Instead, he teased her with empty taunting of long-dead sisters.

And yet.

She knew she had not imagined his embrace the night before. She knew how he held her and how he kissed her and how he shallowly rocked his body into hers with such restrained and reverent vigor that she felt her fingertips collapse into starlight.

Michelle could feel his very heartbeat in each of his kisses as they lavished and licked the inside of her mouth with precision. She felt his hand press between her damp thighs and find blissful, beautiful peace unlike any she had ever known.

She feared the way he looked at her. It was an open, passionate gaze. He had fixed her with such passions the first day they had met under the false pretenses of Mary Jane and Parker—the day he had pressed the blue ribbon, her token— that she was beginning to question if perhaps he did not lie to her at all.

And such thoughts were far more dangerous than any she had ever conjured. Mary Jane, the knight of her daydreams, could stomach such unpretty wonderings, but Michelle was not Mary Jane. She was the princess of her people, left alone and helpless as a group of old, perverted men sniffed and eyed her bedsheets with barely contained glee.

Ebony Maw preened at Michelle and her skin crawled. “My most noble and royal princess,” he bowed his head and she forced herself to stand tall. “We rejoice. Your bedding has been found a legitimate and holy affair. You are truly a daughter of our great lord, Thanos.”

Michelle dug her nails into the palm of her hands and found some semblance of her speech, “Your holy-“

“Please,” Ebony Maw waved his bony hand and bared his crooked teeth, “Your highness, I have known you since you were a girl. You may address me by true name.”

The princess repeated, “Your holy lordship, if you are quite finished, I have many duties to attend to today.”

Ebony Maw’s jaw ticked but his bit his tongue and bowed deeply, “Of course, your highness. My apologies.” He sent a severe, unforgiving look at his followers and one-by-one each of the figures in purple filed out of her room. Before Ebony Maw took his leave, he remarked, “Your foreign husband must be wanting of your attentions.”

The air in the room chilled. She could not help but imagine her husband’s violent red magic lashing out at Ebony Maw and enclosing around his neck. In this daydream, Peter squeezed and squeezed and squeezed until his holy lordship’s neck hung lamely from his shoulders. A vicious end for a vicious end.

Ebony Maw snarled a smile and with a click of his heels exited the bed chamber.

When the heavy wooden door slammed shut, her ladies all began to flutter around her, preparing her for the day. Michelle stood motionless as they primped and prodded at her. It took nearly an hour before she was presentable. One of her ladies positioned her in front of the mirror and Michelle openly gawked at the reflection staring back at her.

Her ladies had laced her into a forrest green dress with a leather bodice that invoked the Stark Lands’ dragon-riders leathers. They had tightly tied back her hair into a series of braids that piled in a ponytail at the top of her head. She looked fierce and strong and foreign.

She was made a Stark Lands’ lady and now she looked like one.

“We dressed you for battle, your highness,” one of her ladies answered the question Michelle did not voice. “For, make no mistake, this wedding is nothing short of that.”

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, brushing her fingers across the intricate details on the bodice.

“Your husband, the prince, had the dress made for you. He thought it would suit you.”

Michelle bounded down the long, winding steps of her father’s castle without any thought or plan. At last, her feet were taking her to answers, to the truth.

She whipped past council members and courtiers that openly gasped at their princess’ sudden and dramatic change of attire, at the way she whipped down the stairs. There was something of Gamora in her recklessness. There was a twinkle of mischief in her eye like Nebula.

The princess only stopped galloping when she saw him.

Her husband was sparring in the courtyard with his squire and they were not evenly matched. Peter swung his sword high and fierce, while his squire simply tried to keep up with the brutal strikes. He was beautiful.

An unpolished, ruff beauty, but a beauty all the same.

She had seen him spar many times since his arrival in her country and it had never been colored with such abject despair. He often laughed while he sparred. He was a jovial man, a cunning warrior and obviously a fierce member of his riders. There was none of that joy or laughter now.

Their morning was oozing off of him in unpleasant waves.

But her eyes caught something more remarkable then his sour demeanor or the silly curl of his hair.

She spotted a blue ribbon tied around the hilt of his sword. It whipped around in the air like the tail of a dragon every time he struck a blow against his opponent. It was the same ribbon she had granted him the day of the tourney.

He had kept her token.

Michelle’s cautious heart cracked open and she finally let the light in.

“Peter,” she said, her heart thundering in her chest.

Her husband froze and his squire managed to get a point on his master. Peter hissed from the impact, but he did not dare move his eyes from his wife. She tried not to squirm under his gaze but it was piercing.

“Michelle,” his mouth moved around her name like a prayer.

“Take me to my sisters.“

#arranged marriage au #ficlet

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samuelmmarcus · 5 years

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Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Lake House

Doing what you love doesn’t mean that it will always be perfect, nor that some difficulties will never cross your path. But when you love what you do, you have a certainty in your heart that you’re doing the right thing because when you look deep inside, it feels right.

Creating the “Beautiful Homes of Instagram” series has allowed me to share not only inspiring interiors, but also inspiring stories and I am happy to have Pamela of pamela.saumure on the blog today. In fact, I was just talking to Pamela and I thanked her not only for all of the hard work she put into this feature, but especially for truly capturing the essence of this series. This is a space where I want you, the Home Bunch readers, to get to know the homeowner, how they live, how they decorate. It’s an opportunity for us to learn from real people – people like you and me – people that share the same passion for interior design and most importantly, the same goal of creating a happier home. Real people are not looking into creating a home that is perfect, one that looks pretty but feels cold on the inside, and I am a big believer that this series is so unique and original because it showcases homes of people that have a warm heart and create a home equally warm, where not only beautiful decor exists, but where real love grows… Pamela’s home is a good example of that.

“Hello friends, my name is Pam from @pamela.saumure. I can’t express to you how grateful and excited I am to be contributing to this inspiring series. To have our home featured alongside other homes that belong to some of my favourite Instagram accounts is truly a huge honour. I can not thank Luciane enough for this amazing HomeBunch series that not only inspires me, but also inspires so many others with every article she writes.

My husband Chris and I grew up in rival towns about 15 minutes away from each other. We’ve been married for 28 years and have three grown daughters and a golden retriever. We’ve always lived in the area but closer to “his“ town. Building or renovating is not new to us, as Chris grew up in the construction industry. His father began a home building business almost 40 years ago, and now Chris is Vice President of the company which now focuses on commercial development along with our own property development.

In late 2016, we became empty-nesters and it was time to sell our “farmhouse“ style home that we built about 15 years ago and downsize. I had reservations about selling our home that we raised our daughters in and struggled about where would we would move to or what style of house we would build. We had always considered living on the water but finding waterfront property that was “perfect” and affordable is almost impossible, so when the opportunity to purchase this current property with an old cottage on it came up, located on the Big Rideau Lake, in a little village with lots of heart, we jumped at the chance. So, we had the property, now we just needed a style of home to build.

I spent hours looking at all of the homes on the HomeBunch website. I was so inspired by the talent and beauty of so many and fortunately was able to take bits and pieces from each home I loved and give it to our company’s draftsperson, and have him design our own home. I enlisted the help of my best friend Michelle, along with Maire of Elizabeth Interiors, a local interior designer, and her assistant Terri.

I have transitioned from a modern farmhouse look that I had previously designed in our other homes to a traditional lake home look, with a bit of a French feel on the inside that inspired me after several trips to France.

I am pleased to give you a virtual tour of our home.”

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Lake House

Our home is located on a flat waterfront lot at the end of a quiet road on a point. We are surrounded by water and are fortunate enough to enjoy a peaceful lake view from every window in our home.

Meet the Homeowner!

This is Pamela and her beautiful Golden Retriever. Pamela is a wonderful person and I am so happy to have her on the blog today!

You might recognize her porch, recently featured on Home Bunch‘s 2018 Fall Decorating Ideas post.

Front Entrance

What an entrance! Notice the arched ceiling, the arched front doors, and of course, that lake view!

Door manufacturer and colour: Lepage Millwork stained in “Coffee”.

Planters: Wayfair

Outdoor light: Hinkley

Foyer

We wanted our home to have a warm, elegant and welcoming feel without it being too formal or “stuffy”.

Ceiling Color

Ceiling colour: Benjamin Moore HC 171-Wickham Grey

Chandelier: Hinkley 4 light Pendant & Here with 6 lights.

Bench: Van Gogh – Other Beautiful Foyer Benches/settees: here, here, here, here & here.

Rug: Omni Stevens – similar here, here,here & here.

Wall Color

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore OC 11 Clay Beige – Keep this beautiful neutral paint color in mind for future reference! This one deserves a pin!

Mirrored console: Tribeca by Korson (local store) – similar here, here, here & here.

Mirror above console: Ren-Wil

Hardwood Flooring

Flooring: Engineered Hardwood-Tailored Collection Sephia Hickory from Rona – similar here, here & here.

Archway

An archway opens to the living room and frames the lake view.

Kitchen

Our kitchen is the heart of our home. Located on the east side of the of the house, the kitchen enables us to enjoy our breakfast with sunlight streaming in the windows, and the afternoons bring an abundance of natural sunlight.

Utensil Crock: Here.

Kitchen Island

The 5’ x 8’ island is a perfect size for prepping, dining or entertaining around. It contains a Fisher Paykeldouble drawer dishwasher fitted with custom panels, a fireclay undermount prep sink from Franke and special fittings in drawers to allow for adequate storage.

Faucet: Perrin and Rowe.

Backsplash Above Range

Backsplash is Statuary Classique from MSI Stone.

Pot filler: Perrin and Rowe, polished nickel.

Range

Range is Lacanche Savigny. The Lacanche matte black Savigny model was purchased through the French Barn and was an absolute must to our kitchen.

Cabinet Paint Color

Cabinet colour: Benjamin Moore OC-117 Simply White.

The fireclay main double sink is from the DXV collection from American Standard (similar here & here) with Rohl Perrin and Rowe kitchen faucet and soap dispenser in polished nickel.

Dishwasher is a Bosch fitted with custom panel.

Backsplash & Hardware

Backsplash is subway tile – similar here & here.

The kitchen hardware is from Richelieu – Pulls & Knobs.

Blue Ceiling

Along with a Lacanche range, another must for our kitchen was a tongue and groove ceiling, to give the kitchen a country feel.

Ceiling colour: C2 paint -251 Argyle.

Island lights are Restoration Hardware in polished nickel �� similar here, here & here (OMG!).

Counterstools are from Restoration Hardware – similar here.

Inspired by this Look:

(Always check dimensions before ordering.

)

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

Pantry

The kitchen pantry features custom cabinets, painted in Benjamin Moore Simply White, beadboard backsplash and blue plank ceiling.

The pantry hardware is from House of Antique Hardware.

Similar Glass Canister: here & here.

Pendant: Wayfair – similar here.

Dining Room

The kitchen opens to a beautiful dining room. Paint colour is Benjamin Moore OC-24 Winds Breath.

Dining chairs: Korson (local company) – similar here.

Dining Table: Ruff Sawn (local company) – Other Beautiful Dining Tables: here, here, here & here.

Wall art – Celadon

Chandelier

Chandelier: Feiss 6-light chandelier.

Custom Dining Room Hutch

A custom cabinet provides display room for the homeowners’ white collectables.

Hutch Colour: Benjamin Moore – Natural Cream OC 14

The hardware is from Amerock Knobs & Pulls.

Hutch: Volkcraft Cabinets

Host Chairs

Host Chairs: Robert Allen upholstery.

Living Room

We utilize our living room primarily for entertaining during the cold winter months, as it still offers a beautiful lakeside view, while maintaining a cozy feel.

Wall art – Celadon

Ceiling Paint Color

Ceiling and trim colour: Benjamin Moore Simply White.

Coffee table, accent tables and side buffet – Korson (local company) – similar coffee table & side table.

Rug: Omni Stevens – Other Neutral Rugs: here, here, here, here, here & here.

Wall Color

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore OC-24 Winds Breath

Similar Window Pane Wall Decor: here & here.

Fireplace

Anchoring the room is the cast stone fireplace surround from Multi-Cast Design Inc.

Sofa

Sofa and chair: Van Gogh Designs Inc. – similar sofa & chair.

Draperies: Robert Allen drapery fabric.

Drapery hardware: Alendel.

Accent Chair

Spindle chair: Wayfair upholstered with Robert Allen fabric.

Powder Room

The classic herringbone tile design is always in style and effortlessly adds a romantic touch to the floor.

London Console Sink from Crosswater – similar here.

Wallpaper: York Wall Coverings

Bathroom Faucet: Here.

The mirror can be found here and the wall scones are from Wayfair.

Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Clay Beige OC-11

Roman Shades

Roman shades: Maxwell Fabrics

Wall mirror: Korson

Stairway Millwork

Wall paneling painted in Benjamin Moore Simply White.

Lighting

Stair lighting is Hinkley.

Stairway Runner

Stair runner: Elte

Guest Bedroom

This guest bedroom features an inspiring color scheme of soft greys, blue and white.

Wallcovering: York

Bench: Sunpan Modern.

Paint Color

Wall Paint: Benjamin Moore -OC 56 Moonshine

Light fixture: Hinkley.

Bed: Wayfair – similar here.

Nightstands: Wayfair

Lamps: Ren Wil

Blinds: Altex

Bedding: Maspar

Lavender Guest Bedroom

Paint – Benjamin Moore Slip AF 605

Drapery and hardware- Alendel Fabrics Ltd

Blinds: Altex

Bedding and throw: Designer Guild

Dresser: Broyhill

Wall art: Ren Wil

Chandelier

Chandelier: Feiss

Bathroom

In the main bathroom, the lovely freestanding soaker tub is anchored by the heated, chevron-pattern tiled floors.

Cabinet colour: Benjamin Moore -2122-40 Smoke

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore OC-27 Balboa Mist

Ceiling colour: Benjamin Moore HC-171 Wickham Grey

Tile: Sarana Tile

Chandelier and sconces: Feiss

Tub: Maax

Faucets: Delta.

Countertop: MSI quartz, Blanca Statuarietto

Window blinds: Altex

Mirrors: Ren Wil

Heated towel warmer: Amba

Hall Built-in

The hall features a built-in cabinet from Ikea painted Benjamin Moore Whickham Grey finished with Richelieu Hardware. Wallcovering on the cabinet back is from York.

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom has its own balcony that offers a stunning view of the lake.

Ceiling

The tongue and groove cathedral ceiling adds height to the room, while the windows fill it with natural light, creating a relaxing vibe.

Bed: Wayfair Birch Lane – similar here.

Night tables: Wayfair

Lamps and Print: Ren Wil

Bench: local store – similar here, here, here, here & here.

Chandelier

Chandelier: Crystormama

Bedding: Cuddledown – Beautiful Bedding: here, here, here, here, West Elm (best bedding ever!),here & here.

Drapery and hardware: Alendel Fabrics Ltd.

Similar Faux Fur Runner: Here.

Paint Color

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore HC-171 Wickham Grey

Dresser & Chair

Dresser: HomeSense Canada

Chair: Tribeca by Korson

Mirror

Mirror: HomeSense Canada – Other Beautiful Mirrors: here, here, here, here, here & here.

Master Bathroom

The wall colour from the master suite continues into the master bath, where there’s a striking shower area. The small mosaic floor tiles with the soft curve of the shower wall effectively work to enhance the spa effect. The multiple shower heads and jets create an exhilarating and relaxing shower experience.

Shower: Calacatta porcelain – Euro tile and stone

Floor and wall tiles: Euro Stone

Cabinetry

Cabinets: Benjamin Moore simply white

Faucets: Delta.

Door Hardware

Doorknobs are from Emtek, Assa Abloy.

Master Closet

Custom cabinets from Alaska Wood Industries – Colour: Benjamin Moore Simply White.

Light fixture: Wayfair

Cabinet pulls: Richelieu similar here, here & here.

Sunroom

The sunroom lets us not only enjoy the stunning lake views surrounding the room, but also the afternoon sunshine and the gorgeous evening sunsets. We designed this room to have a light, casual feel with a comfortable sectional sofa and chaise lounge (from Perri Fine Furniture.)

Cushions: Robert Allen

Ottoman: Sunpan

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore Simply White

Stone Fireplace

The high vaulted ceilings allowed for a full height traditional heritage stone fireplace. The mantle was salvaged and restored from the original cottage on the property. The white shiplap walls lend nicely to the cottage feel.

Wicker chair: Wayfair, cushion-Maxwell Fabrics

Fan: Monte Carlo

Flooring

The old-world look tile floor is from Preston Hardware.

Mudroom

The custom built-in mudroom cabinets are spacious enough to hold shoes, jackets and miscellaneous cleaning supplies.

Cabinet colour: Benjamin Moore Simply White

Polished Nickel Light: Hicks Pendant

Flooring

Herringbone tile: Euro Tile and Stone.

Bench: Artage International, Robert Allen fabric

Backyard

What a dreamy lake house!

Patio

Loveseat and chairs: Country Living from Sears Canada – similar here.

Loveseat cushions: Pier 1.

Exterior Details

The exterior cedar shake colour is Bar Harbor Blue from Maibec and the stone is a mix of Prestige Ledgestone and Natural Blend from Brampton Brick.

Dining set: Pier 1 Canada

Windows

The windows are from KV Windows.

Outdoor Dining Area

We take full advantage of stunning views and spacious outdoor area by frequently entertaining at our lakeside dining table. The ever-changing sunset views are magnificent, and make every night a treat.

Al Fresco

Dishes: Kate Spade

Placemats: Ikea Canada

Boathouse

Our boathouse is home to all of our lake toys, while complimenting the architectural design of the main house.

Dream Home

This home is truly a place where you really don’t want to leave…

Make a Wish

I would like to thank Luciane once again for this wonderful and exciting opportunity to be featured on her blog. I would also like to thank you for taking the time to tour our home, and hope it inspired you the way I have been constantly inspired by HomeBunch.

Cheers, friends.

Many thanks to Pamela for sharing all of the details above. Make sure to follow @Pamela.Saumure on Instagram for more inspiration!

Photography by Steve Maddock, Hy Fund Studios.

Best Sales of the Month:

Thank you for shopping through Home Bunch. I would be happy to assist you if you have any questions or are looking for something in particular. Feel free to contact me and always make sure to check dimensions before ordering. Happy shopping!

Serena & Lily: Free Shipping. Use code: LETSROLL

Wayfair: Up to 70% OFF – Home Remodel Sale!!!

Joss & Main: Warehouse Clearout – Up to 70% off!

Pottery Barn: 20% off + Free Shipping. Use Code: Refresh

One Kings Lane: High Quality Design Decor for Less.

West Elm: Best time to shop. Up to 40% off Everything!!!

Anthropologie: See the super-popular Joanna Gaines Exclusive line!

Urban Outfitters: Hip & Affordable Home Decor.

Horchow: High Quality Furniture and Decor. Up to 30% off the entire site!

Nordstrom: Up to 40% OFF. New Easter Decor!

Arhaus: Dining Sale. Up to f0% OFF!

Posts of the Week:

Coastal Farmhouse Home Decor.

2019 New Year Home Tour.

Modern Farmhouse with Front Porch.

Modern Coastal Shingle Home.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Fixer Upper.

Neutral Home Interior Ideas.

Florida New-Construction Family Home.

Interior Design: Ideas House Tour.

Southern Beach House with Modern Interiors.

Interior Design Ideas: New Coastal Farmhouse.

Custom Home with Artisan Craftsmanship Interiors.

Traditional Kitchen Reno Ideas.

Interior Design Ideas: New Orleans Home.

Texas Gulf Coast Beach House.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram.

Follow me on Instagram: @HomeBunch

You can follow my pins here: Pinterest/HomeBunch

See more Inspiring Interior Design Ideas in my Archives.

“Dear God,

If I am wrong, right me. If I am lost, guide me. If I start to give-up, keep me going.

Lead me in Light and Love”.

Have a wonderful day, my friends and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”

with Love,

Luciane from HomeBunch.com

Come Follow me on

Get Home Bunch Posts Via Email

Contact Luciane

“For your shopping convenience, this post might contain links to retailers where you can purchase the products (or similar) featured. I make a small commission if you use these links to make your purchase so thank you for your support!”

from Home http://www.homebunch.com/beautiful-homes-of-instagram-lake-house/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

0 notes

dawnjeman · 5 years

Text

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Lake House

I am pleased to give you a virtual tour of our home.”

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Lake House

Our home is located on a flat waterfront lot at the end of a quiet road on a point. We are surrounded by water and are fortunate enough to enjoy a peaceful lake view from every window in our home.

Meet the Homeowner!

This is Pamela and her beautiful Golden Retriever. Pamela is a wonderful person and I am so happy to have her on the blog today!

You might recognize her porch, recently featured on Home Bunch‘s 2018 Fall Decorating Ideas post.

Front Entrance

What an entrance! Notice the arched ceiling, the arched front doors, and of course, that lake view!

Door manufacturer and colour: Lepage Millwork stained in “Coffee”.

Planters: Wayfair

Outdoor light: Hinkley

Foyer

We wanted our home to have a warm, elegant and welcoming feel without it being too formal or “stuffy”.

Ceiling Color

Ceiling colour: Benjamin Moore HC 171-Wickham Grey

Chandelier: Hinkley 4 light Pendant & Here with 6 lights.

Bench: Van Gogh – Other Beautiful Foyer Benches/settees: here, here, here, here & here.

Rug: Omni Stevens – similar here, here,here & here.

Wall Color

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore OC 11 Clay Beige – Keep this beautiful neutral paint color in mind for future reference! This one deserves a pin!

Mirrored console: Tribeca by Korson (local store) – similar here, here, here & here.

Mirror above console: Ren-Wil

Hardwood Flooring

Flooring: Engineered Hardwood-Tailored Collection Sephia Hickory from Rona – similar here, here & here.

Archway

An archway opens to the living room and frames the lake view.

Kitchen

Utensil Crock: Here.

Kitchen Island

Faucet: Perrin and Rowe.

Backsplash Above Range

Backsplash is Statuary Classique from MSI Stone.

Pot filler: Perrin and Rowe, polished nickel.

Range

Range is Lacanche Savigny. The Lacanche matte black Savigny model was purchased through the French Barn and was an absolute must to our kitchen.

Cabinet Paint Color

Cabinet colour: Benjamin Moore OC-117 Simply White.

The fireclay main double sink is from the DXV collection from American Standard (similar here & here) with Rohl Perrin and Rowe kitchen faucet and soap dispenser in polished nickel.

Dishwasher is a Bosch fitted with custom panel.

Backsplash & Hardware

Backsplash is subway tile – similar here & here.

The kitchen hardware is from Richelieu – Pulls & Knobs.

Blue Ceiling

Along with a Lacanche range, another must for our kitchen was a tongue and groove ceiling, to give the kitchen a country feel.

Ceiling colour: C2 paint -251 Argyle.

Island lights are Restoration Hardware in polished nickel – similar here, here & here (OMG!).

Counterstools are from Restoration Hardware – similar here.

Inspired by this Look:

(Always check dimensions before ordering.

)

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

Pantry

The kitchen pantry features custom cabinets, painted in Benjamin Moore Simply White, beadboard backsplash and blue plank ceiling.

The pantry hardware is from House of Antique Hardware.

Similar Glass Canister: here & here.

Pendant: Wayfair – similar here.

Dining Room

The kitchen opens to a beautiful dining room. Paint colour is Benjamin Moore OC-24 Winds Breath.

Dining chairs: Korson (local company) – similar here.

Dining Table: Ruff Sawn (local company) – Other Beautiful Dining Tables: here, here, here & here.

Wall art – Celadon

Chandelier

Chandelier: Feiss 6-light chandelier.

Custom Dining Room Hutch

A custom cabinet provides display room for the homeowners’ white collectables.

Hutch Colour: Benjamin Moore – Natural Cream OC 14

The hardware is from Amerock Knobs & Pulls.

Hutch: Volkcraft Cabinets

Host Chairs

Host Chairs: Robert Allen upholstery.

Living Room

We utilize our living room primarily for entertaining during the cold winter months, as it still offers a beautiful lakeside view, while maintaining a cozy feel.

Wall art – Celadon

Ceiling Paint Color

Ceiling and trim colour: Benjamin Moore Simply White.

Coffee table, accent tables and side buffet – Korson (local company) – similar coffee table & side table.

Rug: Omni Stevens – Other Neutral Rugs: here, here, here, here, here & here.

Wall Color

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore OC-24 Winds Breath

Similar Window Pane Wall Decor: here & here.

Fireplace

Anchoring the room is the cast stone fireplace surround from Multi-Cast Design Inc.

Sofa

Sofa and chair: Van Gogh Designs Inc. – similar sofa & chair.

Draperies: Robert Allen drapery fabric.

Drapery hardware: Alendel.

Accent Chair

Spindle chair: Wayfair upholstered with Robert Allen fabric.

Powder Room

The classic herringbone tile design is always in style and effortlessly adds a romantic touch to the floor.

London Console Sink from Crosswater – similar here.

Wallpaper: York Wall Coverings

Bathroom Faucet: Here.

The mirror can be found here and the wall scones are from Wayfair.

Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Clay Beige OC-11

Roman Shades

Roman shades: Maxwell Fabrics

Wall mirror: Korson

Stairway Millwork

Wall paneling painted in Benjamin Moore Simply White.

Lighting

Stair lighting is Hinkley.

Stairway Runner

Stair runner: Elte

Guest Bedroom

This guest bedroom features an inspiring color scheme of soft greys, blue and white.

Wallcovering: York

Bench: Sunpan Modern.

Paint Color

Wall Paint: Benjamin Moore -OC 56 Moonshine

Light fixture: Hinkley.

Bed: Wayfair – similar here.

Nightstands: Wayfair

Lamps: Ren Wil

Blinds: Altex

Bedding: Maspar

Lavender Guest Bedroom

Paint – Benjamin Moore Slip AF 605

Drapery and hardware- Alendel Fabrics Ltd

Blinds: Altex

Bedding and throw: Designer Guild

Dresser: Broyhill

Wall art: Ren Wil

Chandelier

Chandelier: Feiss

Bathroom

In the main bathroom, the lovely freestanding soaker tub is anchored by the heated, chevron-pattern tiled floors.

Cabinet colour: Benjamin Moore -2122-40 Smoke

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore OC-27 Balboa Mist

Ceiling colour: Benjamin Moore HC-171 Wickham Grey

Tile: Sarana Tile

Chandelier and sconces: Feiss

Tub: Maax

Faucets: Delta.

Countertop: MSI quartz, Blanca Statuarietto

Window blinds: Altex

Mirrors: Ren Wil

Heated towel warmer: Amba

Hall Built-in

The hall features a built-in cabinet from Ikea painted Benjamin Moore Whickham Grey finished with Richelieu Hardware. Wallcovering on the cabinet back is from York.

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom has its own balcony that offers a stunning view of the lake.

Ceiling

The tongue and groove cathedral ceiling adds height to the room, while the windows fill it with natural light, creating a relaxing vibe.

Bed: Wayfair Birch Lane – similar here.

Night tables: Wayfair

Lamps and Print: Ren Wil

Bench: local store – similar here, here, here, here & here.

Chandelier

Chandelier: Crystormama

Bedding: Cuddledown – Beautiful Bedding: here, here, here, here, West Elm (best bedding ever!),here & here.

Drapery and hardware: Alendel Fabrics Ltd.

Similar Faux Fur Runner: Here.

Paint Color

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore HC-171 Wickham Grey

Dresser & Chair

Dresser: HomeSense Canada

Chair: Tribeca by Korson

Mirror

Mirror: HomeSense Canada – Other Beautiful Mirrors: here, here, here, here, here & here.

Master Bathroom

Shower: Calacatta porcelain – Euro tile and stone

Floor and wall tiles: Euro Stone

Cabinetry

Cabinets: Benjamin Moore simply white

Faucets: Delta.

Door Hardware

Doorknobs are from Emtek, Assa Abloy.

Master Closet

Custom cabinets from Alaska Wood Industries – Colour: Benjamin Moore Simply White.

Light fixture: Wayfair

Cabinet pulls: Richelieu similar here, here & here.

Sunroom

Cushions: Robert Allen

Ottoman: Sunpan

Wall colour: Benjamin Moore Simply White

Stone Fireplace

Wicker chair: Wayfair, cushion-Maxwell Fabrics

Fan: Monte Carlo

Flooring

The old-world look tile floor is from Preston Hardware.

Mudroom

The custom built-in mudroom cabinets are spacious enough to hold shoes, jackets and miscellaneous cleaning supplies.

Cabinet colour: Benjamin Moore Simply White

Polished Nickel Light: Hicks Pendant

Flooring

Herringbone tile: Euro Tile and Stone.

Bench: Artage International, Robert Allen fabric

Backyard

What a dreamy lake house!

Patio

Loveseat and chairs: Country Living from Sears Canada – similar here.

Loveseat cushions: Pier 1.

Exterior Details

The exterior cedar shake colour is Bar Harbor Blue from Maibec and the stone is a mix of Prestige Ledgestone and Natural Blend from Brampton Brick.

Dining set: Pier 1 Canada

Windows

The windows are from KV Windows.

Outdoor Dining Area

Al Fresco

Dishes: Kate Spade

Placemats: Ikea Canada

Boathouse

Our boathouse is home to all of our lake toys, while complimenting the architectural design of the main house.

Dream Home

This home is truly a place where you really don’t want to leave…

Make a Wish

Cheers, friends.

Many thanks to Pamela for sharing all of the details above. Make sure to follow @Pamela.Saumure on Instagram for more inspiration!

Photography by Steve Maddock, Hy Fund Studios.

Best Sales of the Month:

Serena & Lily: Free Shipping. Use code: LETSROLL

Wayfair: Up to 70% OFF – Home Remodel Sale!!!

Joss & Main: Warehouse Clearout – Up to 70% off!

Pottery Barn: 20% off + Free Shipping. Use Code: Refresh

One Kings Lane: High Quality Design Decor for Less.

West Elm: Best time to shop. Up to 40% off Everything!!!

Anthropologie: See the super-popular Joanna Gaines Exclusive line!

Urban Outfitters: Hip & Affordable Home Decor.

Horchow: High Quality Furniture and Decor. Up to 30% off the entire site!

Nordstrom: Up to 40% OFF. New Easter Decor!

Arhaus: Dining Sale. Up to f0% OFF!

Posts of the Week:

Coastal Farmhouse Home Decor.

2019 New Year Home Tour.

Modern Farmhouse with Front Porch.

Modern Coastal Shingle Home.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Fixer Upper.

Neutral Home Interior Ideas.

Florida New-Construction Family Home.

Interior Design: Ideas House Tour.

Southern Beach House with Modern Interiors.

Interior Design Ideas: New Coastal Farmhouse.

Custom Home with Artisan Craftsmanship Interiors.

Traditional Kitchen Reno Ideas.

Interior Design Ideas: New Orleans Home.

Texas Gulf Coast Beach House.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram.

Follow me on Instagram: @HomeBunch

You can follow my pins here: Pinterest/HomeBunch

See more Inspiring Interior Design Ideas in my Archives.

“Dear God,

If I am wrong, right me. If I am lost, guide me. If I start to give-up, keep me going.

Lead me in Light and Love”.

Have a wonderful day, my friends and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”

with Love,

Luciane from HomeBunch.com

Come Follow me on

Get Home Bunch Posts Via Email

Contact Luciane

from Home http://www.homebunch.com/beautiful-homes-of-instagram-lake-house/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

1 note · View note

wildflowerfiction77 · 5 years

Text

Tales of Scarcity: Fiction 2

Hunters of the Supernatural

Written by Daniel Vera

Characters created by Ruben Vera

in Tales of Scarcity

Chapter One

El Dia de Corazon

Some things he remembers clearly. Like the day his brother said, “They were after you.” Alfonso Cesar Cortez was a College Professor at the State University. He was teaching full time in Ancient Civilizations. He was going on ten years of teaching there at the age of 38. It was a long trek. He never in his wildest dreams would have believed anything that was happening in his current life would be possible. He never believed in the supernatural.

First off, everyone he knows thinks he is crazy, paranoid or on drugs. A few of

them are trying to kill him. And some of them are possessed. His ex-wife and his 10 year old son are amongst them. But that is a little later in the story. It all started when he found a pair of sunglasses at the used book store in Egypt when on vacation with his then wife, Susan Evans, a famous romantic novelist. He had purchased them, though it seemed like someone had left them there and the store owner gladly took the money. They were a peculiar type glass, almost like a quartz or ruby crystal. His eyes were bothering him, and the glasses seemed to clear his vision.

They did have a changing tint to them. Sometimes reddish, sometimes gold and sometimes aqua green. They visited an ancient church in the desert, and along with some of the locals, they were baptized. They weren’t religious, so they did it for the experience. But something had happened. He was able to see beyond people’s persona. He started seeing beyond their physical selves and into their inner selves. At first he thought he heard some distant conversations, but no one else was there, it was the inner conversation of the people around him, but blurry. He began to have premonitions, like a sixth sense. He thought it must have been the food or the water.

When they returned to the States, it slowed down. But every once in a while, he would see movement when things weren’t there. He finally blamed it on the glasses. He put them in storage and never thought twice, it was some side effects of the substance of the lenses. His wife had finished her newest book and announced she was pregnant. Alfonso was ecstatic. He had just received his Masters and had an opportunity to teach part time at the University. He was sure he would get a full time position as soon as it opened up and they were doing alright financially. Again, life gave him another twist of fate, and he found out Susan was having an affair with her Agent around the first year of their son, Josephs birth.

He couldn’t feel to bad, because he was spending a lot of time with a female co-worker at the college. Andromeda Romanos Vitalis, a Greek clerical secretary in the Admissions department. Soon after they developed a steamy relationship. They were doing well until some bad luck bestowed her family in Greece and she had to move back. They saw each other off and on, but they ultimately decided to end it after a while. During this time, Susan and Alfonso began fighting more about domestic issues and money. She had ran through a few different relationships. The affair with her Agent didn’t last, he liked strip clubs in the city. Her tennis instructor was a summer fling. She was seeing a professional boxer at one point. She decided to live out her books instead of writing them. She had a vodka and powder habit for a moment, but she seemed to kick them when she married a Doctor. Dr. Michael O’Hara. It couldn’t have been written more cliche.

The ten years quickly passed and Alfonso got the full time position and started to settle into his career. Amongst dating some of his well bestowed female students every so often, and frequenting the singles bars, he was a decent father. During that time, he did delve into his studying. He tried to travel as much as possible, at first to meet with Andromeda, then to other locations that had meaning in Ancient History. He started to fancy whiskey and cigars along with guns and other weapons he found through his travels. He became pretty good at hand to hand combat and would use that to clear his mind and zero him out. That was until he found out that he had blundered into an Ancient Curse, in the same book store he had visited 10 years prior. This is where the story begins, that to one that is involved, it does not seems real.

Chapter Two

El Muerto Vivo

Alfonso at the time of his 38th birthday completed his work day like any other day. He woke up in the morning to a strong cup of freshly ground coffee brewing by a girl he met at the uptown singles bar a few weeks ago, Sharen; a redhead that liked to play ruff in the bed. It was good for his cardio. She was wearing his dress shirt and nothing else. She had the body of a dancer. The relationship was purely physical, and they used up the morning proving it.

Grabbing a quick hot pocket, he rushed out of his apartment to pick up his son for school, as his son had a field trip to go to. Alfonso had bought him a special phone watch that had just hit the market. It had all the gadgets technology could afford. He picked him up at his mother’s place. Susan answers the door in her work out clothes. She always gives a condescending smirk when greeting him, just before she uses her full form and enchantress ways to play the seductress role that they both partake. In her best Marilyn Monroe, which is pretty damn good, she sings him happy birthday.

Joseph runs out and is ready for the school field trip to the state capital. He is oblivious to anything but his new shoes and hat. He runs past them and gets in the car, calling for his father to hurry up. He wants to be early. After a long hug from his ex, he drives the Camero to exceeding speeds and gets to the school early like requested. Before the young boy ventures out, his father gives him the new watch. He tries to explain what the watch is, but Joseph says he already knows and thanks his dad before running off.

Alfonso gets to his school a little late, like the whole semester he has been. He runs into his boss on the way up the stairs to his 11 am class. He swears they must be following him. Dr. Mick Clooney, a towering figure always dressed in as much black as he can. He must only own black suits and ties. His accent says he’s from South Africa, but he’s been in the U.S. for quite some time. A blond haired, blue eyed man, most likely a descendant from Germany, around 6’3, 230 pounds. He wonders how this man even got into this profession. He looks like he should be a retired MMA fighter that can still fight. At every faculty function, he just stands there answering any in coming questions and usually sipping a hot tea. He never is the first one to initiate an interaction unless job related, usually to reprimand. They started working at the college around the same time. He was promoted around 5 years ago to Dean of the History Department. The previous Dean had passed away in a car accident. He was an older gentleman, Dr. Henry Shoemaker. He was the person who encouraged Alfonso to apply for the job.

Dr. Clooney says to Alfonso, “Are you late again Mr. Cortez?”

Alfonso replies, “It’s my birthday, I got caught up in traffic.”

Dr. Clooney ends the conversation with, “See me in my office after you finish your class.”

“Shit, and my day started to good.” He thinks to himself as he walks into a classroom full of 35 students waiting to pass a class they don’t want to take, but are required to. He unclips his briefcase with a thumb-drive that has the years lectures safely saved from prying eyes. The computer gives him problems once again. It’s a persistent bug that has plagued the semester. He improvises instead for the hour on the South American Amazon and how the idea of Wonder Woman fits into the lost mythology; ancient civilizations, got to love it.

In front of the class for the whole semester, sits one the most gorgeous 21 year old woman he has ever seen. There seems to be one every year. Most years he has been able to fend them off either by indifference or keeping busy. They usually seem to be persistent, and very persuasive, running into him around town, or at social functions. This year, Misha Michelle, a brunette with green eyes, a sharp tongue and a sure double for Megan Fox, with the body of Salma Hayek, likes to stay after class and ask questions. Normally he answers and does office work, but he ran into her a few weeks ago at an ice cream shop after a night out at the bars, and they had a moment in the bathroom. Since then, he has found it hard to look away when she wears mini skirts and loose tank tops. She gives him a birthday present after class in a broom closet no one frequents.

He quickly finds himself on the way to the Deans office. In transit he runs into a few co workers. Standing at the secretary’s desk is his long time rival, Jason Burgs, a fellow Historian. Jason and Alfonso met a few years ago when Mr. Burgs was hired as an Art History professor. Turns out he is qualified to take Alfonso’s job as well. He seems to be around when things are not going well for Alfonso. The bald head, bearded man, gives him a tip of the hat of his fedora as they pass by each other. Alfonso would quickly beat the tar out this skinny man if he would not lose his job over it.

Chapter Three

Lamentum por el Fin

Alfonso is on a plane to Egypt. It is three months later from when he walked into the office. Dean McClooney had been waiting for him. The conversation started very cold and ended somewhere in the Arctic. He still doesn’t quite understand what McClooney was hinting at. He goes through it in his head as he sits in coach. He was reprimanded for a poor semester performance. There were issues on his lack of enthusiasm, preparation, and not following the syllabus. His long rants on subjects of the supernatural and folklore of Ancient Civilizations had began worrying his co-workers and students. For the life of him, he didn’t know which ones, other than Burgs and a couple of other rambunctious ego driven student; he fails to recall their names. So they agreed to a one year, paid leave hiatus.

So Alfonso decided to make a five week vacation to Egypt to finish a paper he started. More importantly though, to find the shop in which he first picked up the glasses that sparked his interest in the unknown. The summer before his last semester at the University, he found the pair of glasses on his kitchen table. He figured his son had discovered them while burrowing to find some materials for his school projects in the attic. As memorabilia, he decided to wear them every so often. The girl he was seeing at the time seemed to like them. She was into retro culture. He actually thought they were pretty cool. He was going through his midlife crises. He started noticing more symbols than normal in advertisements, movies and mass media in general that pertained to ancient folklore than normal. It was a new wave of glorification for some pretty dark histories and cults. He also started seeing them in city mason buildings. He knew it was a dangerous subject, so he tried to unsee them.

Then he started noticing his dreams were being invaded by an outside source. They started to veer towards subject matter that was abnormal to his normal train of thoughts. Strangers would look at him with recognition, and often be holding those symbols he saw in the media, and now in his dreams. It wasn’t long before his acquaintances would bring up weird subjects, as well as his students and family, like dark matter and time traveling. They started questioning him about his personal life and even his intimate life. He was sure they were watching him on video survey-lance in his bedroom, car and even bathroom. He started losing money in the stock market, in which he usually did quite well. Everything took a serious turn on him, and he thought these glasses might have something to do with it, especially when he started to notice a change in Susan and Joseph.

As he slept on the plane, he again started to have an unfamiliar dream. It was a forced projection of an underground city. The city was abandoned and underwater. He was looking for gold treasure. He was able to breathe underwater and move almost like normal, dressed in a business suit. He started noticing the sea life as he was digging and moving old cars and T.V.’s. At first, they were sea horses and clown fish, turtles and dolphins. Then the dream became more aggressive, with sharks and octopuses swimming around him. He didn’t panic, but rather kept digging and moving man made objects out of the way. Soon he found a golden crown with jewels from around the world inside of a treasure chest of gold. The last thing he remembers is a vast amount of piranhas that began to eat the sharks. Then he woke up.

He had landed and found himself in Egypt. He made his way through the city as he took in the sights. It was still vaguely familiar. He remembered the heat as the taxi sat in traffic. It seems he found the taxi with no air conditioner. He cracks open the wind in hopes there is a breeze. A boy shows up and speaking broken English, shows him a basket of Egypt memorabilia. Included are buttons, flags, key chains, maps, travel guides and toy robots. The robots are programmed with three patriotic saying from Egypt, about the size of a palm. He decided to go with a travel guide, just to have something to mark in as he makes his way to the shop he was anxious to find again.

They finally make it to the Hotel. Famished and jet lagged, he decides to check in and clean up, before ordering room service and taking a nap. When he wakes up, it is around midnight in Egypt. He decides to start working on his paper on Carl Yung. It started off being a dissertation on the connection of the pyramids and dreams. He’s been working on it for a while.

Chapter Four

La Dama

Noon, he arrives at the shop. To his surprise, it is exactly how he remembers. It’s as if nothing had changed. The little old man behind the counter was now missing. The smell of incense fills the air as the low light of candles and sunlight through drapes reveal the many treasures on the shelves. Books, jewelry, small statues made of multiple precious materials, dolls, intricate boxes of craftsmanship, tapestry’s, and crystals fill most of the store. He doesn’t remember it having so many highly expensive commodities.

A woman’s voice pierces the low cultural music’s atmosphere. She is a tall, slender Egyptian beauty unrivaled by any woman he has ever seen. Her slow movement and warm honey voice asks if she can help him in her native tongue. She wears a gown of royalty and the jewelry to match. He is astonished that she would be in such an occupation in such a hidden place. He hesitates to answer, forgetting what he came to do. She smiles and speaks in English, asking the same question. Somehow that breaks his spell, and he quickly fumbles a response. He greets her and complements her on her beauty and her shop. She responds humbly.

He then begins to speak in Egyptian, and asks about the old man, and tells her the story of when he was last in the shop. Her gaze seems to penetrate into his mind. Uneasy, his level of breathing begins to heighten and he accidentally bumps into a relic with his elbow as he was reaching for the glasses to show her. A vase falls, breaking their connection. A man, seemingly from no where appears as he caches the vase before hitting the floor. A tall burly man with a thick beard dressed in traditional Egyptian regalia, stands next to him with a smile, holding the vase. He speaks in English with a thick accent in a deep voice, and greets the American, commenting on how he looks like an Egyptian himself as he sets down the vase in the fallen spot.

Alfonso gathers himself, and returns the greeting. Forgetting about the glasses, he asks if the previous owner was anywhere near. The woman answers, explaining that she is the granddaughter of the man he speaks of and that she is now the caretaker of the shop. The man next to them is her cousin and co-owner of the store as well. She continues about the store, as she talks about the importance of each object and the ancient ties they have to their country. She asks about the glasses, if he had them with him. He decides to lie and say he didn’t, and that he was looking for another pair as a gift. Although her look of disbelief gives him the feeling that he made the right choice, and the shiftiness of her cousin. She smiles and asks for his hand.

Not thinking, he adheres, as she turns it over and looks at his palm. He starts to think he is in some kind of movie. They are interrupted by an FBI looking middle aged white male, a Magnum P.I. look alike, mustache and all. He walks in loud and obnoxious, greeting the other three. Both the men are 6 feet plus tall, with burly builds. They look at each other with a quick size up in who would win in a fight. Alfonso gently detracts his hand and offers a smile and thank you for her time in Egyptian. Everything in his body says to leave and that it was a bad idea to have told them about the glasses. With everything wrong in the States, he sees that all his problems had followed him here; but now worse. She breaks the tension by offering him a gift before he leaves. She gives him an antique watch from WW II. She says, it is a special watch from her grandfather. From reading his palm, she can see that he has an important destiny, and that their paths were meant to meet.

He again is hypnotized by her beauty as she speaks, and he accepts the gift. As he begins to walk away, he gives a nod to her cousin, in a short appreciation manly way and says goodbye in Egyptian. It is returned. He walks by the CIA looking fella and has a greeting moment. The man gives him a grunt and a half smile as they walk past each other. Alfonso’s not sure what to think as he makes his way back to the motel. Now he knows there is more to these glasses, and it might be worse than he thought. He recalls on what she said about Destiny and how they were meant to cross paths. It doesn’t give him any reassurance in his future well being, both physically or spiritually. He forgets all about the watch as he searches for a place to get a strong drink and get his mind off of his troubles.

Chapter Five

Age Si Quod Agis

He drinks a beer and an occasional shot of Whiskey. He thinks to himself how he got into this mess. He’s almost lost his job to his arch nemesis, he’s starting to see things everywhere, like the world went crazy or has always been some kind of twilight zone. How he ended up in Egypt with the American Feds following him, along with some crazy mystical woman doing some spells on him. He’s almost forty with no wife and doesn’t see his son enough. He still hasn’t gotten his Doctorate. His career measures into banging twenty something year old hot chicks and women at bars mad at their husbands or boyfriends, teaching about things that already happened, that will never happen again, seeing humanities dark secrets that somehow invaded his dreams and secretly rule the world in plain sight, and now they are keeping tabs on him. Oh, and his ex is financial, and relationship wise, doing better than him. Not to forget his Greek ex girlfriend that he fell in love with, moved away and got with some Ashton Kutcher looking douche bag with Daddies money. He trying to think if he forgot anything.

Then his self loathing pity party is interrupted by a twenty something year old blonde Swiss model in a red dress, like something out of an 80’s rock video. As he was sitting at the bar, eating chips and salsa, watching soccer on the screen behind the bar, the young woman squeezes in on his left side, pressing her body on his. She smells really good. In her Swiss accent, she orders a Stella and three for her friends. He can’t help but look to see who her friends are. A group of female models, all more gorgeous than the next. He didn’t notice how the bar had gotten full and the crowd was a rowdy one. He starts to hear a live band doing sound check on the patio. The woman makes eye contact with him and gives him a glowing smile, enough for him to forget his troubles. She offers him a shot of Whiskey. She says its her birthday and he should join her and her friends to go see the band.

After everything that he’s been through, he takes the shot with the girl and wishes her a happy birthday, but is about to decline the band, as the other girls surround him and he finds himself helpless to join in the group of giggling European models from France, Russia and Spain. As the night continues, they are dancing, laughing, grinding, kissing and touching. The girls go to the bathroom and he has a moment to realize he shouldn’t be here. He looks around, and realizes he is drunk. One of the girls grabs his jacket sleeve and leads him to the bathroom. They are doing some lines, and he joins in. Now he knows he shouldn’t be there. Two of the girls start kissing as the other two prepare more lines. Alfonso starts talking to himself, weighing the options, and is wondering how his luck has changed. He begins to smile.

Suddenly he hears loud bursts, sounding like gun fire. He thinks it might be the band and it must be the drugs. One of the girls starts arousing him and kissing his neck. She is the french girl with bangs, long legs and mini skirt. As he forgets the band, he notices his refection in the mirror. The only thing is, he only sees his reflection. The door bursts open as that same American agent is dragging three punk rock looking vampires along with him, with his guns firing. Immediately the women turn into monsters, fangs flairing, eyes glowing, claws out. He fucking panics. He has never seen anything like this. He is pushed into the stalls, or jumps in one, he’s not sure, nor cares. He hits his head on the toilet seat. Bleeding from his hairline, he sees vampire heads bursting, people flying into walls, bullets ricocheting, curses blurted, drugs flying, things set on fire. He thinks it must be the drugs. This is impossible, somehow he is having a bad trip.

As all hell breaks loose, the vampire demon french girl sticks her head into the stall and goes to his head off. His reflexes make his legs up-kick her face and jaw towards the ceiling. Her scaled marble skin almost breaks his ankles. Her head explodes as he gets to his feet. The American agent rustles him out of the bathroom as he continues shooting. Alfonso sees that most of the crowd has rushed away, and the bar is left in shambles with a small group of male vampires surround them. They look like the bouncers. He is still not sure if he is hallucinating, but everything in his body is saying that this is real. He picks up a pool stick, breaks it in half, and follows the lead of the Magnum P.I. looking guy with the guns.

They make their way towards the door, taking out vampires left and right. He uses bottles from the bar with lighters and candles on the bartenders vampire face, legs of chairs in hearts and skulls. He finds a gun from one of the dead vampire bouncers. They make it out and get a ride from a female counterpart to palm tree shirt wearing guy. It’s a yellow DeLorean or Lamborgini. He gets stuck squeezing in the middle. The make it to the highway. As he sees out the passenger window, there are flying winged vampires diving next to them. The woman driver makes hast with quick turns and twists through tunnels and alleys to lose or damage the flying guests.

They seem to go through an underground tunnel, and make an entrance to a boating dock. They rush on one of the larger vessels, and are hurdled through some kind of secret doorway shoot. But before they make the door closes behind them, a sailor vampire makes it through. They tussle with the vampire in a mini submarine. They dare not shoot, in odds of damaging the controls or hull. Hand to hand combat with a vampire is never good. The agents use their knives and prowess, but in the end they are only human. In such close quarters, they kill the vampire decapitation, but the Hawaiian shirt guy is dead, and the woman is gravely injured. The death blow came from Alfonso as he used one of their knives that he clenches with closed fist at the end of the battle. She looks at him with the hardened stare of a soldier that has been through multiple wars. They make their way to a Greece.

Along the way, she briefs him on who they are and what their mission is. She explains that a secret war has been going on for quite some time, and there is a world agency that has been dealing with the supernatural, unbeknownst to the normal world. In the last fifty years there has been a steady incline of those ancient beings taking political power and military positions to start a war. Instead of working in the dark, they are casting spells and recruiting humans to their fold through money, breeding, assassinations, social networking, new drugs, food and water contamination. They have become so powerful around the world, that they are starting to openly reveal a sinister government, through black magic, to hypnotize the mass population.

The agency she belongs to has been compromised and the agents are now scattered and trying to regroup secretly. Some of them like herself are operating as mercs, doing black ops and freelance work. They caught wind of Alfonso’s situation by riding a wave of energy leading to him and the glasses. It is a rare energy that is dangerous to the walking dead and possessed. She says they have a strong group in Europe that are descendants of monster hunters. They are the ones that sent them to retrieve him and bring him back to their meeting rendezvous. She doesn’t think she is going to make it, but the submarine is locked on the coordinates, they should be found within the hour. He watches her pass out. He reaches in his jacket pocket and realizes he doesn’t have anything other than his wallet and his glasses.

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davidastbury · 6 years

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Ah, Lundun. Smells of weed, kebabs and sitting next to a man at the bus stop with a big box of economy Daz between his knees trying to crack a coconut on someone's garden wall :)).

Michelle Goldsmith

The Dreamer. 1962

From his bedroom window he could see how summer was expiring and giving way to Autumn. In the early mornings the landscape was obscured by low mists, as if changes were being made and, like in a theatre interval, we aren’t meant to see - and then it lifted and the leaves were a little more golden; the plant stalks were sagging even lower; the distant trees darker and with denser shadows, more blue than green. The wooden fence was slimy and speckled with moss and beyond it the meadow (Buttercup Meadow!) was like wet crushed velvet. Birds were circulating above the trees and thousands of creatures were preparing for the coming cold weather. Every tree, plant and animal knew exactly what to do ... he was entranced by the solemn purposefulness of everything - of the unquestioning and unquestionable perfection of it all. He was caught - hardly able to breathe, giving himself up to the voluptuous thrill of being part of the force driving every created being towards its own correct and individual destiny.

On the Train

Old couple. I bet they would agree with me if I said to them that the popular idea of long married couples ‘growing more alike over the years’ is a load of rubbish. You don’t become the same; you don’t develop a single mind; your souls do not ‘merge’. Instead, if the relationship is good, you actually intensify your individuality; you remain yourself; you do not deviate from what feels natural.

But there is something else - quite the opposite of the popular delusion. People who have been together for a long time take on a duty to each other for which there is no name. The only writer who has tried to illustrate this duty (the only writer I have come across!) is Rainer Maria Rilke, who refers to it as ‘...becoming the guardian of each other’s solitude’.

The guardian of each other’s solitude - magnificent,

Towards a better understanding of Hamlet’s Soliloquy

During the Elizabethan period most sensible folk would do anything to avoid doctors, depending instead on natural remedies for most of their ills. One such all-purpose embrocation was known as Gruffle, a mixture to be applied externally on the affected parts. The three main ingredients were Wormwood, Chamomile and Cowslip, pounded in a pestle and mortar and then stewed in Mead. When solidified it could be smeared, with a warmed spoon directly onto the skin.

Imagine, if you will, an Elizabeth bedroom, where, in the gloom of a seven watt candle, a typical hard-working couple grope their way to the bedstead. They toss off their heavy garments - the doublet and breeches; the corsets and ruffs and peer into the darkness for the pewter pot of Gruffle. The is a noise of small items falling onto the wooden floor - and then a voice rings out loud and clear - ‘Ay, there’s the rub!’

Nearly on the Train

Dad at the wheel and he’s going too fast on slow roads and too slow on fast roads - perhaps because he’s upset. Morning mists over the Cumbria moors and nearly fifty miles to Carlisle. Every visit home gets sadder; it’s like seeing a loved one becoming deaf - you do your best but they aren’t fully with you in the way they once were. The car passed the gate leading up to a farm; an old school friend now runs it - just a glimpse of farmhouse through the window condensation. There was no future for her here; she would never live here again; her childhood days on her friend’s farm, the village school, the church choir, the little shops, were becoming a closed book.

So...she would get the 10.50 from Carlisle to London - and then three days (and nights!) with her boyfriend before traveling down to the South of France. He was nice but couldn’t match the importance of her ambition.

She’s done two years at the Sorbonne and is taking a year of research at the university of Montpellier. Her speciality is C19 literature, particularly the work of Balzac. As the car swept through the villages it never occurred to her that all her life she had been surrounded by Balzac’s stories.

Watched a TV documentary on the life of Steve McQueen. Steve, apparently was deaf, and this added considerably to his sex-appeal. Let me explain. Struggling to understand what people were saying brought about his trademark facial expression - he would cock his head and narrow his eyes, which women found utterly irresistible.

My one good ear pricked up - in no uncertain terms - (as Holden Caulfield would say) - in no uncertain terms!

Ben and Lorna and Ian...........1966

I think I have mentioned Ben before; he was an old chap who, every evening during the working week used to occupy a bar-stool in the Bodega, Cross Street, Manchester. He was a widower, wealthy and weary - good suits and bow-ties, white beard and gold glasses, Coutts Bank, Russian cigarettes, and double measures of Irish whiskey. All the regulars knew him - and liked him.

One night I was drinking with Ian and his girlfriend Lorna. Lorna went to the bar to buy something and got into conversation with Ben. It went on for some time - Ian looking round every so often to see what was happening. Finally she left Ben and went to the toilets - again quite a long time. As soon as she rejoined us it was clear that she was upset. She wasn’t crying but she had that look - you know what I mean.

Ian didn’t miss out on this either; he wanted an explanation and she just sat and shook her head - I began to feel that I should leave them alone. The following week I met Ian and, into our second drinks, I asked him what had happened between Lorna and Ben.

Apparently it had been very difficult for Lorna to put it into words, but she tried. And now Ian, who had struggled to understand what she was on about, had the same difficulty in trying to explain it to me - and I now have the same difficulty, fifty-one years later, writing it.

Essentially - and incredibly - Lorna had felt during her short chat with Ben - that this elderly, elegant, sad old man was the only person, in all her nineteen years, who actually understood her.

Simon B

Simon came to Britain from Berlin in the Kindertransport system set up just before World War ll.

He was taken in by a Quaker couple who looked after him and with that sublime tolerance often found in Quakers, never tried to introduce him to their religion. Later, when it became clear that he no longer had a family, they formally adopted him. He found scholarships for his years through Grammar schools and then studied medicine. His chosen speciality was caring for sick children and he became a Consultant Paediatrician.

I have occasionally met him - the last time was at a Holocaust conference - where he was a guest speaker. I was near him during one of the breaks and caught some fragments of his conversation. He looked like everyone’s idea of the perfect English gentleman; the patient, kindly, slightly humorous voice; the top-drawer manners; the deference to the other persons viewpoint; the quick eye for peoples feelings and all the other qualities that are a delight to experience.

And I heard him say - ‘Yes, I have been back - and guess what? The factory is still standing!’

A Day at the Lakes.

It was a struggle finding somewhere to park the car but by luck and a bit of aggression he squeezed into a slot. For an hour or so they wandered the cobbled streets, drifting into a few shops, and then had afternoon tea in a crowded little cafe with tiny windows. He suggested spending some time ‘on the water’. Everything about the boy involved a story - he had a friend whose dad had a connection to the conservation authorities and....he had arranged to borrow a boat. All they had to do was mention the dad’s name at the marina office.

Soon, she was sitting prettily in a very narrow and elegantly varnished rowing boat. It had steel scrollwork at the passenger end, cushioned seating and all in all she wouldn’t have felt out of place holding a parasol. The boy started to row, enjoying being watched by queues of day trippers, and turned the boat towards the open lake. Her serenity was disturbed when she touched the water and the coldness surprised her. It would be awful to have an accident and have to swim - she would probably be helpless - she would panic and drown. He was rowing expertly, but he was also watching her - it was as if he could read her thoughts.

‘The water is three-hundred feet deep here’ - he said.

She knew he was the sort that would enjoy frightening her - that he might do stupid things, like rocking the boat side to side - and find it amusing.

But he continued rowing - they were a long way from the shore and he kept looking over his shoulder - heading for a small Island. She saw the small jetty and the painted sign with the words - ‘Private Island: Landing not Permitted’.

He said - ‘ It’s fine, don’t worry’.

Together they pulled the boat out of the water, dragging it into the waterside bushes, and then set about exploring the island. The trees took away most of the light and the ground was thick with pine needles. And then the trees ended and they found themselves in a sort of clearing - like someone’s back garden - a neatly trimmed lawn, flower beds and a wooden pavilion.

He tried the door and it swung open. She didn’t even look at him - she was tired of his irritating cockiness and was thinking of what she was going to do next.

once started work for a firm at about this time of year - the run-up to Christmas. It was an open plan office and most of the staff had worked there for years. Everyone knew what they were doing (except me) and there was a lot of proprietorial and territorial rules and customs to be observed - who sat where and who always had the first lunch break etc. I studied the various power groupings of the women and their likes and dislikes. The men, mostly dull and unhelpful, wanted to get through the day and then round to the pub.

Anyway, things were eased up as the holiday approached and the desks became cluttered with greetings cards. These people - or more accurately - these women, who worked together all day and every day, gave each other Christmas cards; and it was important to them that I wasn’t left out. My work surface was taken over by right pictures of robins and jovial Santas - placed surreptitiously on the desk by women I didn’t even know.

Given the chance I would throw this at every writer who has broken our hearts with the great love stories - ‘Yes, yes, yes - but you did not write about the “real one” - it is impossible to write about the “real one” !

Autumn Morning in Whalley Range ......1965

They had met at a party and had left together. They shuffled along, as young people do, jauntily kicking up the leaves, heading towards the main road, hoping that the buses had started. It was misty - the street lights acid yellow against a cold sky. They passed rows of Victorian villas that once-upon-a-time had servants in the attics and kitchens in the basements - now decaying and split up into flats.

You could hear their laughter in the silent street. And then - they stopped and kissed - just at the junction of Mayfield Road and Alexandra Road - near to the pub where there had been a stabbing.

R lost her mother at the age of twelve, and her father quickly remarried. She was the youngest of four; there was a eight year gap to her nearest sister. She left school at fifteen and took a job in a textile company where she learned to touch-type. At seventeen she became a receptionist at a dental surgery - but the job didn’t last because the dentist assaulted her. She was sacked and paid up to the day of the assault. It was around this time that she was also assaulted by her best friend’s dad. Her boyfriend was angry and went to the police. The desk sergeant listened to him and replied - ‘What you’ve got to understand son, is that men only do this sort of thing to women who give certain signals’. So that was that.

I think it was from then onwards that she really did give the ‘certain signals’. She entered and won a glamour contest run by her new employer. The advertising agency sent her to the Lucy Clayton school and she found work modelling. She left our town and as far as I know, never came back.

R. (and her boyfriend)

Following the second assault R’s boyfriend noticed a sharp change in her personality. After such shocks, at a vulnerable age, you might expect to see some sort of mistrust and withdrawal - instead she became aggressively extroverted and as far as men where concerned, very flirtatious. She viewed her exceptional good looks as the means to ‘get the better’ of every man she came across - she knew that she was irresistible.

All this was upsetting to her boyfriend. He was like the boy in the Arabian Nights tale - an orphan who begged in the streets and one day saw a diamond - a perfect diamond - lying in the dust. His joy subsided when he realised that every dealer in the souk would cheat him. R’s boyfriend wanted to keep her for himself, but she wanted to go dancing and drinking in clubs - places where she would make heads turn and provoke words of admiring insinuation.

The boyfriend was utterly unworldly - as innocent and wide-eyed as a lamb on the way to the abattoir. And the good friend advising him to finish with her - who consoled him and said he would soon find someone nicer - who bought him another drink and all the time had a R’s phone number scribbled on a cigarette packet.

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blackkudos · 6 years

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Bill Withers

William Harrison (Bill) Withers Jr. (born July 4, 1938) is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. He recorded several major hits, including "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands". Withers won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for four more. His life was the subject of the 2009 documentary film Still Bill. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

Early life

Withers was born the youngest of six children in the small coal-mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. He was born with a stutter and has said he had a hard time fitting in. Raised in nearby Beckley, he was thirteen years old when his father died. Withers enlisted with the United States Navy at the age of 18 and served for nine years, during which time he got over his stutter and became interested in singing and writing songs. Mr. Withers left the Navy in 1965. Using the $250 he received from selling his furniture to IBM co-worker Ron Sierra, he picked up and relocated to Los Angeles in 1967 for a musical career. Withers worked as an assembler for several different companies, including Douglas Aircraft Corporation, while recording demo tapes with his own money, shopping them around and performing in clubs at night. When he debuted with the song "Ain't No Sunshine" he refused to resign from his job because of his belief that the music business was a fickle industry.

Career

Sussex records

During early 1970, Withers' demonstration tape was auditioned favorably by Clarence Avant, owner of Sussex Records. Avant signed Withers to a record deal and assigned former Stax Records stalwart Booker T. Jones to produce Withers' first album. Four three-hour recording sessions were planned for the album, but funding caused the album to be recorded in three sessions with a six-month break between the second and final sessions. Just as I Am was released in 1971 with the tracks, "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands" as singles. The album features Stephen Stills playing lead guitar. On the cover of the album, Withers is pictured at his job at Weber Aircraft in Burbank, California, holding his lunch pail.

The album was a success and Withers began touring with a band assembled from members of The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band: drummer James Gadson, guitarist Benorce Blackmon, keyboardist Ray Jackson, and bassist Melvin Dunlap.

At the 14th annual Grammy Awards on Tuesday, March 14, 1972, Withers won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for "Ain't No Sunshine." The track had already sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in September 1971.

During a hiatus from touring, Withers recorded his second album, Still Bill. The single, "Lean on Me" went to number one the week of July 8, 1972. It was Withers' second gold single with confirmed sales in excess of three million. His follow-up, "Use Me" released in August 1972, became his third million seller, with the R.I.A.A. gold disc award taking place on October 12, 1972. His performance at Carnegie Hall on October 6, 1972, was recorded, and released as the live album Bill Withers, Live at Carnegie Hall on November 30, 1972. In 1974, Withers recorded the album +'Justments. Due to a legal dispute with the Sussex company, Withers was unable to record for some time thereafter.

During this time, he wrote and produced two songs on the Gladys Knight & the Pips record I Feel a Song, and in October 1974 performed in concert together with James Brown, Etta James, and B. B. King in Zaire four weeks prior to the historic Rumble in the Jungle fight between Foreman and Ali. Footage of his performance was included in the 1996 documentary film When We Were Kings, and he is heard on the accompanying soundtrack. Other footage of his performance is included in the 2008 documentary film Soul Power which is based on archival footage of the 1974 Zaire concert.

Columbia Records

After Sussex Records folded, Withers signed with Columbia Records in 1975. His first album release with the label, Making Music, Making Friends, included the single "She's Lonely", which was featured in the film Looking for Mr. Goodbar. During the next three years he released an album each year with Naked & Warm (1976), Menagerie (1977, containing the successful "Lovely Day"), "Bout Love" (1978) and "Get on Down"; the latter song also included on the Looking for Mr. Goodbar soundtrack.

In 1976, Withers performed "Ain't No Sunshine" on Saturday Night Live.

Due to problems with Columbia and being unable to get songs approved for his album, he concentrated on joint projects from 1977 to 1985, including "Just the Two of Us", with jazz saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr., which was released during June 1980. It won a Grammy on February 24, 1982. Withers next did "Soul Shadows" with the Crusaders, and "In the Name of Love" with Ralph MacDonald, the latter being nominated for a Grammy for vocal performance.

In 1985 came Watching You Watching Me, which featured the Top 40-rated R&B single "Oh Yeah", and ended Withers' business association with Columbia Records. Withers stated in interviews that a lot of the songs approved for the album, in particular, two of the first three singles released, were the same songs which were rejected in 1982, hence contributing significantly to the eight-year hiatus between albums. Withers also stated it was frustrating seeing his record label release an album for Mr. T, an actor, when they were preventing him, an actual singer, from releasing his own. He toured with Jennifer Holliday in 1985 to promote what would be his final studio album.

His disdain for Columbia's A&R executives or "blaxperts", as he termed them, trying to exert control over how he should sound if he wanted to sell more albums, played a part in his making the decision to not record or re-sign to a record label after 1985, effectively ending his performing career, even though remixes of his previously recorded music were released after his 'retirement'. Finding musical success later in life than most, at 32, he has said he was socialized as a 'regular guy' who had a life before the music, so he did not feel an inherent need to keep recording once he fell out of love with the industry. He has also stated that he does not miss touring and performing live and does not regret leaving music behind. He seemingly no longer suffers from the speech impediment of stuttering that affected him during his recording career.

Post-Columbia career

In 1987, he received his ninth Grammy Award nomination and on March 2, 1988, his third Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Song as songwriter for the re-recording of "Lean on Me" by Club Nouveau on their debut album Life, Love and Pain, released in 1986 on Warner Bros. Records.

In 1996, a portion of his song "Grandma's Hands" was sampled in the song "No Diggity" by BLACKstreet, featuring Dr. Dre. The single went to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold 1.6 million copies and won a Grammy in 1999 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

In 2007, "Lean on Me" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

On January 26, 2014, at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Bill Withers: The Complete Sussex & Columbia Albums Collection, a nine-disc set featuring Withers's eight studio albums, as well as his live album Live at Carnegie Hall, received the "Best Historical" Grammy Award (in a tie with The Rolling Stones' "Charlie Is My Darling - Ireland 1965.") The award was presented to Leo Sacks, who produced the collection, and the mastering engineers Mark Wilder, Joseph M. Palmaccio and Tom Ruff.

On April 18, 2015, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Stevie Wonder. Withers was stunned when he learned he had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. "I see it as an award of attrition," he says. "What few songs I wrote during my brief career, there ain't a genre that somebody didn't record them in. I'm not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with. I don't think I've done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia."

On October 1, 2015, there was a tribute concert at Carnegie Hall in his honor, featuring Aloe Blacc, Ed Sheeran, Dr. John, Michael McDonald and Anthony Hamilton recreating his 1973 concert album, Live at Carnegie Hall, along with other Withers material. Withers was in attendance and spoke briefly onstage.

On February 12, 2017, he made an appearance on MSNBC to talk about the refugee crisis, as well as political climate in America.

Personal life

Withers married actress Denise Nicholas in 1973, during her stint on the sitcom Room 222. The couple divorced the following year. In 1976, Withers married Marcia Withers née Johnson and they had two children, Todd and Kori. Marcia eventually assumed the direct management of his Beverly Hills-based publishing companies, in which his children also became involved as they became adults.

Wikipedia

#Bill Withers #07-04

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