#rust belt jessie
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I love how weird shadows get during a solar eclipse.
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Inside the pockets of her tweed coat, they found two condoms, a half-empty pack of Marlboro menthol lights and a half-used tube of frosted pink lipstick. They found a matchbook from the Blue Angel Diner and a plastic wedding ring from a gumball machine. They found her wallet, which contained a torn photograph of her little sister, bank receipts (at least fifty) which showed that she’d overdrawn her account by two hundred dollars, three dollar bills, sixty-two cents in change, a Blockbuster membership card and a fortune cookie fortune, which read You will never step on the soil of other countries.
Rust Belt Jessie, Pockets (from Sad and Beautiful World #6, late 2004/early 2005)
via rustbeltjessie
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Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Doctor Who and Victoria actress Jenna Coleman have been announced as key cast on Northern England-set action thriller Jackdaw, the debut feature of Jamie Childs, whose drama directing credits include The Sandman and His Dark Materials.
Jackson-Cohen, whose recent credits include Emily, The Lost Daughter, stars as a former motocross champion and army veteran, now caring for his younger brother.
Broke, he agrees to do an open water pick up of a mysterious illegal package in the North Sea. A resulting double cross and his brother’s disappearance set him and his old bike on a violent nocturnal odyssey through England’s northern rust belt.
Anton has fully financed the production with the support of North East Screen and will launch worldwide sales at the upcoming EFM.
The company has released a first look of Jackson-Cohen in the film which was shot in various locations across England’s Northeast coast.
Jamie Childs, who also wrote the screenplay, said inspiration for the film grew out of a desire to create a thriller set in in his home region.
“We see so many American films set in atmospheric towns that don’t tie themselves to local, kitchen-sink stories. I thought, why don’t we do this in Britain?,” he said.
“We set out to push the envelope of what was possible stylistically and tonally in the region. Its clash of pastoral and industrial worlds is the perfect setting for an exciting, pulpy chase thriller,” he said.
The film is produced by Sebastian Raybaud (Greenland, Canary Black) and Callum Grant for Anton, Kate Glover (47 Meters Down, Black Mirror) and Jamie Childs. Childs directs alongside his regular DOP Will Baldy (The Sandman, Willow).
“We’re thrilled to be part of Jamie’s feature debut. The calibre of our cast and crew speaks to the unique quality of his script and commercial vision for the project,” said Grant.
“Like Ridley and Tony Scott, Jamie grew up in the post-industrial heartland of this film and we are paying homage to their early work in Jackdaw. As an action piece, it will take audiences somewhere they haven’t been in contemporary British cinema.”
Stunt work on the film is being designed by industry leaders Dave Judge (Dune, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises) and Ian Van Temperly (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan), with production design by Matt Gant (Gangs Of London, Shadow and Bone).
Casting was by Jessie Frost (Triangle of Sadness, Little Planet, Borg vs McEnroe).
Rounding out the cast are Vivienne Acheampong (The Sandman), Joe Blakemore and BAFTA Breakthrough Performer 2022 Leon Harrop.
guess allan mustafah wasn't kidding when he said oliver was playing his carer after all : )
#oliver jackson cohen#oliver jackson-cohen#jackdaw#jenna coleman#jamie childs#thomas turgoose#!!!#finally some official news!#allan mustafah#the sandman
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Today's interview at our site is with Jessie Lynn McMains. Jessie's poetry tape we released, Self-Portrait with Ghosts and Trains, is a whole world of queer post-Beat Generation America. It's beautiful, haunted, modern, fucked-up, and full of truth. They also write a column for our site, the latest of which is here. Find them on social media at @rustbeltjessie and make sure to check out the small press they run, Bone & Ink. Here's an interview Jessie did about the press and here's a review of their latest book, Wisconsin Death Trip. Jessie is a former Poet Laureate of Racine, Wisconsin.
www.helloamericalit.com
#jessie lynn mcmains#rust belt jessie#hello america stereo cassette#punk#authors#books#tapes#audio books
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the next night, i watched a movie - this is england. it’s a fantastic film, and not only did it make me cry, but the soundtrack & the characters made my bones ache for former friends & places, and also my once upon a time chelsea fringe haircut. i used to tell people i had at one point been a wannabe skin byrd, but sometimes faking something turns into actually becoming that thing - i had a chelsea fringe many more times than i had a mohawk, and i had more skinhead (obviously, i am referring to trad/anti-racist skins here, not nazis) and rudeboy friends than punkrock ones because despite all the punk posturing of being so liberal and open-minded, most of the skins & rudies i knew were way more accepting of idiosyncrasies; also, the skins & rudies liked the clash and understood why they were my favorite, whereas the punks always gave me shit and said the clash weren’t really punk, to which my response was: who gives a shit? they’re still the Only Band That Really Matters.
from a journal entry, 1/31/08
#theonceovertwice#rust belt jessie#quoting myself#journal entry#this is england#skinheads#rude boys#the clash#sigh#2008
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Irish-American Proverbs
Jessie Lynn McMains
I’m not as green as I look, too old to play the pin-up but I’ll thrust my tits out and pout my lips in an emerald shower of envy.
Luck exists, but today I read on Ancestry.com that my relatives had unusually short life spans due to rough living conditions.
The landlord can still make me move along, and every time it happens I curse the lust of my wandering youth.
Some days I make eyes at the intoxicants early in the a.m., though now it takes a month of Sundays and a gulp of swallows to drown a bottle, not just one long night.
What I am saying is that I’m so Irish even my organs are haunted.
What I am saying is one day the sea will be lord of all the land; one day the green-eyed ocean will swallow us all.
I used the six-line poem prompt. Because of something else I'm writing, I've been thinking about what it means to be Irish-American, and I wanted to present it in a way that wasn't straightforward but rather poetic and slightly strange.
Jessie Lynn McMains is a writer and zine-maker. Her work has recently appeared in Paper & Ink, Little River, and Chicago Literati. She's the owner/editor of Bone & Ink Press, a small press which publishes limited-edition chapbooks of poetry, prose, and hybrid works, as well as a themed monthly ezine. She was the 2015-2017 Poet Laureate of Racine, Wisconsin, and she teaches workshops on memoir, poetry, and zine-making. You can find her website at recklesschants.net.
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Cake and summer
The heavy rumble of metal brooded along the worn rails, coughing out a black puff of smoke; footsteps stirring up the rich bed of dried pine needles and red earth. A curious purple finch promptly abandoned its foraging ground, shiny black eyes darting wishfully at the choice weevil laid stuck on his back just below the tracks. A fat, languid squirrel offered a halfhearted glance at the old train before continuing to peruse the branches before him.
A pair of scuffed leather boots stood firmly on the side of this scene, rheumy blue eyes intent, though tired. He took a great breath through his nose and scratched at his cheek, moldy with white stubble. “Twenty minutes late,” he observed as the locomotive lumbered off.
The gray and rusted pelt of a fox, which had been lapping at the wind, now sat at rest as it settled against its place, hung from makeshift belt. The man spit out a chewed sunflower seed shell and parted the sojourn.
It was somewhere in the late hours of an afternoon when he arrived at a little crude cabin, golden hues of light now boiling the clearing. The grass had yellowed, now, crisp snapping as the man sauntered to the front door. He was welcomed by the figure of a lady in the kitchen. She was intently studying their wood burning stove, her linen skirt spilling over the floor as she crouched. She fed little slivers of timber with the wrinkled, rough hands of a shepherdess. “Did you catch anything, Jessie?” A low guttural reply. “Mhm. A fox searching about St. Armistead’s Creek. ‘Suppose he must’ve been looking for some food.”
“Blanche’ll be elated about that. We were talking last night about cooking up a nice stew for Sunday supper.”
“Say, the train was unusually late today. Suppose that storm last Tuesday knocked a tree over or so?““I can’t say. I don’t have eyes in the back of my head.”
The man gave a gruff, unamused nod and dropped his straw hat on the table, slumping into the seat. He smelled of piss and bourbon. “Whereabouts is Blanche, anyway? Usually by now she’s feeding the cows.”
She rose from her station and fixed fallen strands of hair. “Down by the orchard,” she replied, murmuring. Her brows furrowed in thought. “Plums, cherries, pears, grapes…about everything is ripe. As a matter of fact: there’s more than enough to dry, so…” “Spit it out, Emma.“ The lady let a small smile crack and her face relax. She removed a pan from the stove, gently setting it to cool. Quite soon after Jessie was cued to lean over and open the window by the quick wave of her hand. In front of Emma was a wheat colored cake laden with pears. It smelt of cinnamon and pecan.
#sophia's writing#nonsims#here you go!#a little short story#creative writing#writing prompt#sorry for the format
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Remember Who You Are
December 1996, just before my fifteenth birthday, visiting family in Ann Arbor. I escaped the familial tension by wandering Liberty Street, escaped the gray sky spitting snow by ducking into Schoolkids Records. I picked out a couple zines, then went looking for Team Dresch’s albums—Personal Best and Captain My Captain. At that point in my life I wanted every riot grrrl and queercore record I could get my grubby, gay little mitts on. I’d heard some Team Dresch tunes on comps and mix tapes, and adored them, but I hadn’t been able to track down their albums yet. I checked the punk and alternative section—where I assumed they’d be—but couldn’t find anything. So I approached the boy at the front counter, and said: “Um, do you have any Team Dresch albums?”
“Oh, yeah,” he said, “we have both of them.”
“I looked in the punk/alternative section, and didn’t see them.”
“That’s cuz they’re in the LGBT section.”
He pointed to a row of shelves near the back of the room. I was stunned—not only did they have an LGBT section, but the boy didn’t bat an eye when directing me toward it. I made my purchase, then stepped outside. As I stood there, deciding where to go next, wishing I had a clove cigarette, two girls walked by. One of them had a shaved head and a silver stud in her nose, the other had cat’s-eye glasses and chipped red nail polish, and they were holding hands. I was so fucking happy—queer zines and records in my hands and a grrl-couple holding hands in public—that I smiled. The girls returned my smile, and my baby-queer heart went boom-boom-bam, a bass drum in my chest.
Personal Best hurts to listen to. It takes me right back to those years, to the trapped feeling of being a queer teen in a midsize midwestern city—that feeling like I’d never get out, never find People Like Me. It takes me back to torturous crushes on unattainable girls. It takes me back to four years of not only questioning my sexual orientation, but tearing myself to shreds over it. “I love girls so much, I’m a lesbian. No, I think I’m really straight, I like boys so much. Fuck it, I like boys and girls, I’m bi. No, no, I’m really a lesbian. No, I’m more straight than queer, no I’m bi…” It hurts to listen to but it’s a good hurt. Team Dresch saved me, maybe more than any other band I listened to back in the day.
Personal Best is a raging punk album, made me wanna slam-dance in my room, all alone and gender/sexuality confused (hella short hair but I like to wear lipstick, am I a girl or a boy and do I wanna kiss girls or boys?). It made me wanna rip my queer heart out in rage and joy.
I could scream along when I was depressed, when I’d spent the last ten days of my life ripping off the Smiths. I could scream along when a straight girl crushed my mind, when F. shared a sleeping bag with me then left to go make out with some boy (or when she said: “I love you too, but I can’t handle it.”) Or after I fucked B., and she made me swear not to tell anyone cuz she didn’t want people thinking she was a dyke, I could sing: She’s not having a thought past thinking about why she was born this way.
When I tried to get over those girls, I sang along to the power pop jangle of “Freewheel”: I don’t need that girl to watch TV with. She’s just the same girl, over and over and over. And you can go back to your boyfriend. Freewheel!
Always, always there was “She’s Amazing,” which is a love song to women who write and sing, and I felt it all the time, I feel it all the time, about every girl and woman whose words have ever meant something to me, including Team Dresch themselves: She’s amazing, her words save me. She holds her head as if it’s truth.
“Fake Fight”—I cry out so my loneliness won’t get the best of me.
“#1 Chance Pirate TV,” an ode to Sinead O’Connor, another woman whose words saved me—Sometimes it feels alright, like when you rip up a picture of the Pope.
And “Growing Up In Springfield” was like growing up in Racine—I had the homophobic, born again friend (she said ‘you have a demon possession’), and my mother cried when I shaved my head.
Captain My Captain (dig the reference to Walt Whitman, queer (grand)daddy of American poetry) maybe didn’t hurt and heal me so frantically as Personal Best did, back in those days, but I have probably returned to it, related to it, more in the years since. It had, it has, so many anthems that sent small shreds of light into my darkest moments.
Like “Uncle Phranc”—My mom says she loves me, but I don’t think it’s love, cuz she only loves me when I act just like she does. And that’s emotional blackmail. But then there’s the complex, emotional, beautiful guitar work, and the hope that I might one day find an ‘Uncle Phranc’ of my own (and I did, from 2001-2003 I had my Uncle Phranc, but she is another story for another time).
Like “Don’t Try Suicide.” (She tells me I'm OK. I don't believe her, but it makes me feel better, anyway.)
“Take On Me,” well, it was less of an anthem in the aspirational sense, more of a feeling of “oh god it’s the story of my life.”—I’ve sat down in the middle of this mess I’ve made of letters & clothes. Wish I was anywhere with you. It seemed like all the girls I loved—at least the ones who loved me back—were across state lines, across the country, across an ocean.
“Yes I Am Too, But Who Am I Really?” is a heavy rocker, another one I danced to (alone in my room), all confused about who I loved and who I was—I’ll turn it around. I’m a contradiction. I don’t want to be a man.
“Musical Fanzine” is the anthem to end all anthems—Queer sex is great, it’s fun as shit. Don’t kill yourself cuz people can’t deal with your brilliance. (Sometimes I couldn’t remember why I wanted to live, then I thought of all the freaks and I didn’t want to miss this.)
Most of all, for me, Captain My Captain was and is about “Remember Who You Are.” When I wrote in my journal and played records, I sang along—I just want a public place where girls can meet each other’s stare. Sometimes that’s what it takes, to know you’re alive—to feel yourself burning just from some girl’s stare.
—
On May 31, both Personal Best and Captain My Captain (as well as a singles compilation), are being reissued by Jealous Butcher, and will be available for purchase and/or streaming across a variety of platforms. (https://lnk.to/teamdresch)
Jessie Lynn McMains is a poet, writer, zine-maker, and small press owner.
She’s also a queer womxn (she/her or they/them pronouns), a mama to two wild kiddos, and a witch who practices a blend of paganism and folk Catholicism. Aside from words, music is her favorite thing in the world. She’s also obsessed with tarot, the Midwest/Great Lakes/Rust Belt, ghosts, and the undying spirit of punk rock. Someone once referred to her as the Debbie Harry of poetry, and she still thinks that’s pretty rad.
You can find her website at recklesschants.net, or find her on Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram @rustbeltjessie.
#riot grrrl#queercore#the smiths#schoolkids records#punk#creative non-fiction#jessie lynn mcmains#punk music#team dresch#LGBT#queer women#gender and sexuality#personal best
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Sure, it's a scorching 83 degrees here in Los Angeles, but those of us sweating it out here at Who What Wear headquarters in West Hollywood aren't going to let a little heat get in the way of discussing one of our favorite topics: fall trends. (ICYMI, here's our breakdown of the biggest fall color trends , our coverage on controversial fall shoe trends insiders are already wearing, and our guide to the hottest fall fashion trends so good even French girls are buying into them.) Although we've already spilled a lot of ink forecasting autumnal trends , we couldn't resist reaching out to Los Angeles-based designers to gain intel on the topic directly from the pros. From puff sleeves and palazzo pants to rust tones and checkered prints, there's a lot to look forward to in the coming months, sartorially speaking. So hold onto your wallet—ahead, Los Angeles-based designers weigh in on the biggest fall trends L.A. girls are going to buy into this season. "We're loving a puff sleeve right now, and we know it's a trend that will continue into fall! We honestly can’t make enough of our Dahlia Dress. It's similar to our Dawn Dress, but the puff sleeve takes it to a whole new level."—Christy Dawn, Christy Dawn Founder/Designer "We're so happy the palazzo pant is making a comeback. (Who doesn't love a wide-leg pant?!) Our new Dawn Jumper features a palazzo pant, and it's the easiest thing to throw on in the morning and instantly feel chic!"—Christy Dawn, Christy Dawn Founder/Designer "As more and more people commit to syncing with Mother Nature, there is a draw to wear the tones of the earth. We expect to see lots of cream, rust, and indigo tones."—Christy Dawn, Christy Dawn Founder/Designer "Buying something that’s interchangeable or multi-wear means you’re getting the best bag for your buck. You can buy a necklace and three charms and then have eight necklaces."—Jessie Andrews, Bagatiba Founder/Designer "Subtle or oversized, the checkered print is making a come back in an elevated way. On tops, jackets, bags, and shoes."—Jessie Andrews, Bagatiba Founder/Designer "You see everyone from Louis Vuitton to Proenza Schouler doing full-fashion knitwear, sweaters, and dresses."—Jessie Andrews, Bagatiba Founder/Designer "Long-sleeve bodysuits like our El Tigre style will be a strong look for fall. The cut is timeless, yet feels fresh. It strikes a perfect balance between feeling comfortable and casual and looking elegantly put together."—Eliana Gil Rodriguez, Gil Rodriguez Founder/Designer "They're insanely comfortable, classic and so so easy. It's basically a whole outfit on its own, but can easily be dressed up with a belt, sweater or coat."—Eliana Gil Rodriguez, Gil Rodriguez Founder/Designer "I love the Diana Half-Zip Sweatshirt for Ffall. It's oversized and super cozy, but the slightly cropped fit and bottom drawcord mean you can wear it with high-waisted pants without having to tuck all the bulk into your waistband. It's sporty but elegant, and the half-zip neckline layers perfectly over a turtleneck."—Eliana Gil Rodriguez, Gil Rodriguez Founder/Designer "A really great straight leg jean! Midheaven just launched our Timberly jean as an amazingly versatile and stylish jean, perfect for any season."—Kathryn Boyd Brolin, Midheaven Denim Founder "We love a great split hem skinny, keeping you warm and cozy but with a bit of a peek-a-boo to elevate your choice of shoe. Pair Midheaven's Tallulah jean with a low heel or boot and you've got a low fuss, high energy outfit."—Kathryn Boyd Brolin, Midheaven Denim Founder "A cutoff denim jacket is a must for keeping warm and cozy while still accentuating your waistline. Pair a high-waisted pant with Midheaven's Gwyneth jacket."—Kathryn Boyd Brolin, Midheaven Denim Founder Up next, 5 controversial fall shoe trends insiders are already wearing .
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TRIGGER WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS VIOLENCE, HORROR, AND COARSE LANGUAGE. YOU ARE ADVISED NOT TO READ IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING AGITATES YOU.
DATE: FEBRUARY 29, 2022
TIME: APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN FIFTEEN O’ CLOCK ANTE-MERIDIEM
LOCATION: RAINESTON, IDAHO
Jessie Armstrong huffed the cigar, then sipped the margarita. She was sleepy and defenestrated. Her eyes drowsily wandered, as she crawled to her rusted monster truck, parked in the middle of the dampened, dimly lit, and busy alleyway. She gripped her daggers holstered at her belt, as a shrouded figure hunched over, and grumbled, “You didn’t follow the rules. You didn’t play the game how it was supposed to be played. Now I’ll have to kill you.” The figure sniffed the acidic scent from the cigar. “Game’s over, bud.” The figure leaned in and snatched the cigar from her. “You a smoker?”
"I’m a smoker,” said Jessie. “What’s your problem?”
He muttered, “You’re a noisy one. Stuffing your nose into personal affairs you shouldn’t concern yourself with. Stay out of my business.” The figure hobbled away, leaving Jessie in the damp alleyways.
LADY OF THE BLADE SEASON 1 EPISODE 2: EAGLE
TIME: TEN O’ CLOCK ANTE-MERIDIEM
President Torres hollered to the eager reporters at the noisy press meeting, “And the kapamilya terrorized the innocent and violated policies. And they robbed us of people and sought terror. Histories date these hoodlums back to the turn of the twenty-first century, 1900-1901, when the corrupt President Damian Torres, my great-grandfather, was in power. He was a notable ancestor shrouded in inseparable debt. But he said something on his inexpensive deathbed that resonates, and he whispered it into my ear, ‘Charity comes second. Power precedes.’ And I agree.” The reporters shouted out with confused questions.
“What’re your new policies?” one reporter asked.
Another asked, “Will your policies retire churches?”
“What’s the most favorable outcome in the pandemic?” asked another.
“Silence!” shouted the president. “I will answer these questions in due time. But today we look to the future, and to its possibilities, and we abolish the detrimental past and the sins of ruthless street gangs and unfavorable criminal acts, and the unchanging dissenters among us punished.” The reporters cheeree, immediately halting before cold, raging guns. “Responsibility and integrity replace kindness and warmth, and a fallible ‘democracy’ is replaced by infallible democracy. Power is presented to our strong, patriotic people, and glory is presented to the infallible gods whom the blasphemous deem sacrilege. And the coldest of hearts will cast shame upon them, and the liars will come to light.” Amongst the crowd of reporters, was Lady Daggers, masked, and cloaked, and a radio concealed in her jacket.
She muttered into the radio, “Armstrong- come in.”
“What’s it like?” asked Jessie Armstrong.
“Enemy snipers line the rooftops in the dozens. Wind currents shouldn’t be a hurdle. Kaz Champagne is positioned at the rooftop adjacent to President Torres, and the SWAT team is four blocks down.”
She uttered quietly, “Where’s Danny?”
“Danny Danielson’s on ground level with American law enforcement,” said Lady Daggers. “If the president’s snipers try to pull a fast one, the boys in blue will surely gun them down.”
“Be on the lookout for thugs. Some crooks robbed a bank nearby, stole five billion pesos. That’s ninety-seven thousand dollars.”
“Jesus, that’s the cost of my monster truck. Crooks know no mercy.” Lady Daggers swatted a red dot off her neck. She produced a blade from her coat, and hurried swiftly.
Harshly she grunted, “Sniper on the roof. Our cover’s blown. Danielson better fire because it’s now or never.”
“Duty calls,” explained Jessie, quickly. “You’re in charge.” Jessie’s voice fizzled out, replaced by a calm static.
Lady Daggers cowered behind shrivelled green shrubs, produced her sniper rifle from her jacket, steadying as she aimed it at the president, and said, “Danielson, on my mark.” Danny produced a magazine from his jacket pocket and attached it to the barrel. His awkward breath fogged up the scope attachment. The president’s elaborate, patriotic speech drew thunderous applause. “Danielson. Prepare to fire.”
Danny uttered, “Just say the word ma’am.” His fingers squeezed the trigger halfway. His hands quaked, his palms sweat rain. Three-fourths through the trigger-pull, Danny hesitated.
The president shrieked, “And the cold-blooded murderers will be gutted and the blood of criminal masses will be spoiled. Our country’s image will not be tainted, nor these hoodlums spoiled.”
TIME: APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN FORTY-FIVE O’ CLOCK POST MERIDIEM
The dim lamp shade illuminated a figure in the corner of the room. Jessie’s hazy eyes darted from the window to the shrouded figure hunched over her. The figure muttered, “Glad to make your acquaintance.”
“Dester Abbetts,” Jessie said harshly. “You’ve returned from the grave.”
“Perception is where the eyes cross the soul. Death is disillusionment from deceptive, ignorant, and false perceptions of life. Then I was reborn.”
LOCATION: THE SUPERPEOPLE HEADQUARTERS
The thunderous, roaring skies turned a gloomy gray hue. Rushing through the pouring hailstorm, a hulking, but panicked man with a white and black suit, black denim jeans, and black loafers, and a black fedora. A neatly clothed deity in layered golden robes, a red velvet scarf, and fine bronze sandals chased him through the storms Ezio screamed vengefully, “I WILL KILL YOU! I WILL KILL YOU FOR KILLING MY FATHER, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!”
The fearful man cried back, “I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT! I SWEAR!” Panicked, the man in the black fedora stumbled into a shed, and barricaded the gate.
Ezio shrieked, “FUTILE!”
“PLEASE! SPARE MY LIFE!” The man hobbled away in trepidation. Ezio stalked after him.
“I WILL TEAR OFF YOUR FINGERS AND CRUSH YOUR THROAT AND GOUGE YOUR EYES. I WILL TEAR YOUR INTESTINES APART AND RIP OUT YOUR HEART. I WILL MAKE YOU SCREAM IN TERRIBLE AGONY, AND YOU WILL BE STARVED AND THIRSTED. YOU WILL REPENT OR THERE WILL BE HELL.” Fear burgeoned, his bones fractured, and the man’s tainted and pale face splintered into webs akin to a spider’s fragile designs at the behest of Ezio’s willpower. The man’s final, tortured screams echoed in the thunderous, roaring skies, turned gunmetal-gray hue.
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First things first. NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day was an almost perfect PPV! A terrific treat for Valentine’s Day, if you will (thanks Dusty!)
Every match delivered in spades. And yes, Eli Drake has returned as LA Knight! We got two new champs in crowning MSK along with Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez as this year’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic winners.
I don’t know how, but Johnny Gargano held on to his NXT Championship in an amazing match over KUSHIDA. Classic, on the edge of your seat stuff here folks!
Io Shirai pinned Mercedes Martinez in the triple threat match that left Toni Storm coming up short in her first title bid and wanting more of Miss Shirai.
Plus, not only did Finn Balor and Pete Dunne put on a masterpiece that celebrated some old school mat skills, but it also saw the return to the evil ways of Adam Cole. Is it truly the end of The Undisputed Era?
Now, one week later, it’s RAW and SmackDown’s chance to shine with the Elimination Chamber PPV and they’ll be hard pressed to put on a show that can equal the passion and back-and-forth action that NXT brought to the table.
Here’s your Elimination Chamber PPV updated card. We’ll have predictions coming up in our parting shots.
• WWE Championship Elimination Chamber – Drew McIntyre vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus vs. AJ Styles
• Universal Championship Elimination Chamber #1 Contender’s Match: Daniel Bryan vs. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn vs. King Corbin vs. Jey Uso vs. Kevin Owens
• Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns vs. Elimination Chamber Match Winner
• United States Championship Match: Bobby Lashley vs. Keith Lee vs. Riddle
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler vs. Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
(As of Saturday morning, Asuka vs. Lacey Evans is still being promoted by WWE on their website, but that one doesn’t appear likely due to Evans’ pregnancy announcement on RAW.)
Star of the Week:
BREAKING: @sanbenito is the NEW @WWE #247Champion on #WWERaw!#AndNew pic.twitter.com/j859CHfxgy
— WWE (@WWE) February 16, 2021
Bad Bunny – 24/7 Champ is taking over the WWE Universe. SNL TONIGHT and then next stop: WrestleMania!
RAW
RESULTS
• Riddle & Lucha House Party defeated The Hurt Business
• 24/7 Championship Match: Bad Bunny defeated R-Truth
• Charlotte Flair & Asuka defeated Lacey Evans & Peyton Royce by DQ
• Kofi Kingston defeated The Miz to earn spot in WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match
• Shayna Baszler defeated Lana
• Gauntlet Match to earn last entry into WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match: AJ Styles defeated Kofi Kingston; Drew McIntyre defeated AJ Styles; Drew McIntyre defeated Jeff Hardy; Drew McIntyre defeated Randy Orton by countout; Sheamus defeated Drew McIntyre
The Good…
#KofiMania 2?@TrueKofi is on his way to #WWEChamber THIS Sunday!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/xBpI1BInav
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 16, 2021
Kofi Kingston – Putting Kofi into the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship makes all the sense in the World. It upgrades the talent for one. Not that The Miz is a slouch, but Kingston if flat out better. Plus, there was no need for The Miz to be in the match when he already has a contract for a championship match anytime he wants. Why fight through five other guys in the chamber to win, right?!
Bad Bunny – With Bad Bunny being the musical guest on Saturday Night Live this week, making him champ to bring the belt to SNL and grab some mainstream media attention is a huge plus. It also takes his tag team with Damian Priest up a notch as they head towards a match with The Miz and John Morrison reportedly set for WrestleMania. He’s been gold for the WWE and now he truly holds the gold!
"In the future……. HE will be reborn." – @AlexaBliss_WWE#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/tWMaPFNiTT
— WWE (@WWE) February 16, 2021
Alexa Bliss – Her short vignette foreshadowing the rebirth of The Fiend was chilling. It’s going to happen of course and I’m mad curious as to how it will happen.
Meh…
"@MsCharlotteWWE… I'M PREGNANT!" – @LaceyEvansWWE#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/9x5Llav9vQ
— WWE (@WWE) February 16, 2021
Baby Mama – Lacey Evans is pregnant huh? Sure, on tv, it’s a twist in the Charlotte Flair-Ric Flair daddy-daughter storyline for sure. But, in reality, it’s reportedly very real that Evans will be having her second child. But does it make any sense the way WWE threw it out there? If she’s truly pregnant, she wouldn’t be wrestling Asuka this Sunday at the Elimination Chamber PPV for the RAW Women’s Championship? When Becky Lynch announced she was going to be a Mom, she left and hasn’t been seen since. The WWE, as of Saturday, still hasn’t let us know if the match was going to happen or not – we’re guessing not but they were still promoting it on the WWE website. So, no clue as to where this leaves Asuka. In the storyline now, is Ric the Dad or just the mentor? We need some details and let’s be honest, how does any of this help put Charlotte over as a babyface? The quick answer is that it doesn’t.
Six entered the #GauntletMatch.@WWESheamus was the one to win it all!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/6syWaC1D7u
— WWE (@WWE) February 16, 2021
Gauntlet Match – To me, if you’re going to have a match take over a third of your show, it has to be dynamic. Unfortunately, the six-man gauntlet match was just ok. Nothing spectacular. We got Kofi and AJ Styles out early which I didn’t like. Randy Orton predictably gets distracted by Alexa Bliss for his countout and of course, Sheamus earned the last spot in the chamber with a win over his former friend Drew McIntyre. It just wasn’t memorable.
Shayna Baszler – A win over Lana. Yawn.
Fun…
Three Amigos – Putting Riddle with the Lucha House Party was an entertaining way to start the night in the ring. Let’s hope that MVP isn’t hurt too badly though.
Missing…
Where was – Keith Lee. Will he still be in the US Championship Match Sunday? Is it COVID-19 related after missing the Royal Rumble? We need answers.
I want in…
Braun Strowman – Please don’t tell me that Strowman’s reaction to being left out of the Elimination Chamber will be to go after Shane McMahon! I have no want to see that match. Is there something I’m missing here?
NXT
RESULTS
• Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart defeated Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
• Leon Ruff defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
• Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter defeated Aliyah & Jessi Kamea
• KUSHIDA defeated Tyler Rust
• Zoey Stark defeated Valentina Feroz
• Finn Balor, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly defeated Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch & Pete Dunne
.@EscobarWWE may have avoided a match tonight, but he'll 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 face @WWEKarrionKross next week or he will be stripped of the #WWENXT #Cruiserweight Title AND suspended indefinitely, per @RealKingRegal! pic.twitter.com/oosg5D5Pof
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 18, 2021
Every Wednesday night, it seems like the performances in the ring are what are truly make NXT stand out. This week, I felt like it was the work outside the ring, in the form of the pre-produced pieces that really told the story this week. Eli Drake, as LA Knight and NXT’s newest free agent, really had that Rock feel to him. He’s definitely going to raise the game. Pat McAfee was dead on in his #PatWasRight moment letting everyone know that he was 100% right on just who Adam Cole was. Cameron Grimes gets better and better (and apparently richer and richer) each and every week. He’s comic gold! Toni Storm took out NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai out at a photo shoot. Each piece had a reason behind it and advanced the storylines without a match. That’s an improvement for NXT and a place they can look to get better at in the future. And how about Santos Escobar and Karrion Kross? Their match was pushed back a week after Escobar went home but now he has to face Kross this week or else William Regal is stripping him of his Cruiserweight title. Tick Tock. The time is now for this reckoning and Kross says Escobar’s destiny has been determined.
#MSK and @TheBethPhoenix have the right idea!!!
@DakotaKai_WWE @RaquelWWE @NiaJaxWWE @QoSBaszler #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/4e5rdjUpPA
— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2021
In the ring, I loved the pairing of the two Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic champions as MSK joined Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez. Wes Lee and Nash Carter proved they have that New Day feel to entertain, eating popcorn with Beth Phoenix while Kai & Gonzalez threw verbal jabs at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champs, Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler. Gonzalez delivered the KO blow, telling Jax she’s was going to shove the Dusty Cup straight up her hole. Brilliant and I’m glad they’re keeping the Jax line going. March 3rd will be awesome with a pair of tag team championship matches on tap.
"Next week, I will purge YOU."
#WWENXT @XiaWWE @Bigboawwe pic.twitter.com/7y5y5jCq1u
— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2021
Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart get a nice rematch win over Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell to start the night. Nothing amazing but nothing bad either.
Is Kacy Catanzaro about to become the next victim of Xia Li? It sure looks like after Li marked her hands. Nice little win too for Catanzaro & Kayden Carter.
Should we be excited about Zoey Stark? Not yet for me. But, I’m willing to give it more than one night.
KUSHIDA and Leon Ruff get victories but I’m not sure it did Tyler Rust or Isaiah “Swerve” Scott any favors, even with Scott’s supposed heel turn.
Déjà Vu. #WWENXT @AdamColePro @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/9kyEl3ODeB
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 18, 2021
There was a ton to parse in that six-man tag team match. For one, Pete Dunne gets a pinfall over the NXT Champ Finn Balor. Adam Cole not only takes out Balor, but also Kyle O’Reilly in an attack that some at the Capitol Wrestling Center thought left O’Reilly suffering from a seizure. He didn’t. So, now we’ve got Balor vs. Cole. Balor vs. Dunne continuing. Cole vs. O’Reilly. Where does Roderick Strong fit in after an accidental hit from Balor? It’s undisputed that there’s a new era in NXT with so many possibilities to come! It was a very well-played out follow-up to NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day.
SMACKDOWN
RESULTS
• Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Apollo Crews
• Tamina & Natalya defeated The Riott Squad
• Rey & Dominik Mysterio defeated Chad Gable & Otis by DQ
• Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens & Cesaro defeated King Corbin, Sami Zayn & Jey Uso
Hail Hydra.
(via @WWE) pic.twitter.com/2FRRiIB6qn
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 20, 2021
Putting Edge and Roman Reigns in the ring together on the mic. Pure poetry. Edge is like Randy Orton, delivering some of the best promos of his career. This time, he’s spot on in that Reigns needs Edge to make it the true main event of WrestleMania. Wouldn’t we all love to hear what Reigns whispered in Edge’s ear? As for the Ultimate Opportunist, Edge is making the rounds with Kevin Owens, King Corbin and Daniel Bryan backstage as he continues to ponder his decision.
"You hear me? It's done." – @WWEBigE to @WWEApollo
Narrator: It was not done. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/cWChNjrv9M
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 20, 2021
Poor Big E! He gets stretchered out by Apollo Crews after Shinsuke Nakamura gets the three count on Crews, frustrating him to the point of nailing the I-C Champ with the ringside steel steps. This one’s far from over! Crews’ heel turn has been in the making for weeks. I wonder if Crews’ appearance on Talking Smack, with a nod and no words to Paul Heyman could mean a new partnership with Reigns and could impact the PPV on Sunday.
50-50 booking give Natalya and Tamina the win this week over Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott. Are either of these teams really headed anywhere or just continuing the dance for another few weeks? I’m guessing just a dance where Billie Kay gets tossed around by both sides as she did Friday night by Tamina & Natalya.
First @LanaWWE finally got her revenge and now @ReginaldWWE pinned her on #SmackDown. It's been a bad month for @NiaJaxWWE. pic.twitter.com/pA7zmsLjnc
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 20, 2021
We love Reggie! It just keeps getting better and better for our favorite Sommelier! This week, he joins forces with Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair to pin Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler and Bayley. My only question is where was Carmella to celebrate with her favorite sidekick? Well, apparently not enjoying the wine she threw in Reginald’s face backstage. For their victory, Banks & Belair got a title match against the champs Sunday at Elimination Chamber.
Seth Rollins with legal notice for the WWE? Really? Cesaro vs. Rollins. Yes, please! Cesaro saying Rollins came back as the same condescending SOB is priceless.
What's wrong with @OtisWWE?!? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/S8t36xWCAq
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 20, 2021
Is Otis turning a corner here? Has Chad Gable got him seeing things a different way? New tights and you know what that means. No more Mr. Nice Guy as he squashes Rey Mysterio. Having Otis turn to the dark side the same night as Crews though seems like it will get lost in the shuffle without some future legwork.
#WWEChamber can’t come any sooner! #SmackDown @WWEDanielBryan @BaronCorbinWWE @FightOwensFight @SamiZayn @WWECesaro @WWEUsos @EdgeRatedR @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/y1an1FtQ1p
— WWE (@WWE) February 20, 2021
As good as the six-man tag team main event was with all six of the Elimination Chamber match participants was, it was almost overshadowed by Edge and Paul Heyman trading barbs at the announce table. Based on the short sample we got Friday night with Daniel Bryan making Sami Zayn tap out to have the good guys going over, Sunday’s chamber match could be something we’ll remember for quite some time. That closing sequence with King Corbin hitting End of Days on Bryan, Kevin Owens stunning Corbin, Zayn giving the Exploder to KO, Cesaro uppercutting Zayn, Jey Uso super kicking Cesaro, Edge spearing Uso leading to the final Reigns spear of Edge was fantastic. SmackDown set up the PPV very nicely and after all, that’s the point.
Parting Shots:
Elimination Chamber PPV Predictions
WWE Championship Elimination Chamber – Drew McIntyre retains title
Universal Championship Elimination Chamber #1 Contender’s Match: Sami Zayn wins
Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns retains title
United States Championship Match: Riddle wins US Championship
WlWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler retain titles
au
Coming up this week:
RAW:
Elimination Chamber fallout
NXT:
Karrion Kross vs. Santos Escobar
SMACKDOWN:
Elimination Chamber fallout
Thanks for letting us share our thoughts! Shoot me an email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions! You can also check out my blog, The Crowe’s Nest as we delve into more pro wrestling, sports entertainment and the World of Sports. My apologies ahead of time – I AM a Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins fan! If you’re not down with that, I’ve got TWO WORDS for you… NEW ENGLAND
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Green Day "Bobby Sox" Pin
Wake up babes, new bi anthem just dropped. And now you can wear this 1.25" metal pin, with a font and a color scheme inspired by Green Day's Saviors album, to announce to the world that you, too, want a girlfriend and a boyfriend. (Or just that you really like Green Day.)
$2 + shipping. Available on Ko-fi, or DM me for other payment options.
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6660.21
Ghosts that live inside maps and atlases, who drift up from the creases and the inky blue scrawls of rivers with a rustle and a sigh
Jessie Lynn McMains, from Rust Belt Jessie’s Taxonomy of Ghosts
from here
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Listen to "Irish-American Proverbs" by Jessie Lynn McMains from our Winter Collection, 2022 mixtape. We love their work and this one is an absolute hit.
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Meteorology Index
Between absinthe and Corinthians,
between linoleum
and Lamanites,
ghosts—what else? Ghosts
and more ghosts.
Ghosts who haunt
the salt shaker and sugar bowl,
who howl like pesos
as you pass.
Ghosts who speak of skulls
in careful English,
who smoke
cigarettes indoors, whose heads
are titled by a toxic lack
of locks.
Ghosts who write love letters
to ghosts, who linger light
as book-pressed
butterflies upon the lips
of the living,
who taste of lye
and lollipop alike, who stand—
who always stand—
behind you
like a lightning-crippled tree.
—Adam O. Davis, from Index of Haunted Houses
#poetry#adam o. davis#index of haunted houses#recently read#ghosts#pairs well with my poem rust belt jessie’s taxonomy of ghosts
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New England!! We're touching down this weekend, October 21 & 22, at the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo at University Hall at Lesley University, 1815 Massachusetts Ave (Porter Sq.). We'll be selling some comics in the Eisner Level (aka the Basement) at table E116. Not only will we be surrounded by a bunch of our new CCS family, but we'll be bumping shoulders with our original fam Jessi Zabarsky, author of the stunning Witchlight. You can find that at Jessi's table, whereas we'll have Ley Lines, Bug Boys, Úlcera, and Fütchi Perf from Uncivilized Books.
This is a super fun show, and as much as the midwest/rust belt defined our landscape for years, now that we're soaking into being New Englanders, this feels a bit more like home.
Be sure to check out upcoming Ley Lines author Evan Dahm ("Weird Territory" dropping next month!) moderating the Worldbuilding in Comics panel on Saturday at 5pm.
See you soon ♥
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