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entertainment · 4 years

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Entertainment Spotlight: Sherry Cola, Good Trouble

You may recognize comedian, actress, and writer Sherry Cola as Alice in Freeform’s Good Trouble. Additional TV credits include jewelry maker Natalie on I Love Dick, special agent Lucy Chen on Claws, and the iconic Lil’ Tasty. On the big screen, she can be seen in the upcoming Endings, Beginnings with Shailene Woodley, Jamie Dornan, and Sebastian Stan, and in the indie Sick Girl with Nina Dobrev and Wendi McLendon-Covey. No stranger to ambition in comedy, Sherry is also a successful stand-up comedian, performing regularly at The Laugh Factory, The Improv, and The Comedy Store. Sherry took a few minutes to chat with us about comedy, Good Trouble, and more. Check it out:

What is your experience of portraying comedy-aspiring first-generation Asian-American Alice? Can you talk about any similarities or differences between you?

I’m grateful to play a character that I never saw on TV when I was growing up. The deeper we get into filming these episodes, the more I realize how much it’s been missing. From speaking Mandarin to her best friend/ex-lover to diving into stand-up as a queer Asian female, Alice’s journey is so specific and overdue. Alice is adorably apologetic and she’s still finding her voice.

I’d say I’m more outspoken than she is, but we’re also similar in people-pleasing to the point of getting us in trouble. I heavily relate to Alice because I also have an immigrant mother who wasn’t well-versed about the LGBTQ+ world at first, but the more we show these stories on the screen, the more we can open minds!

Can you tell us about any funny or wholesome moments on the set of Good Trouble?

The scene in the pool for Malika’s birthday was super fun. It was almost 4 AM, and we’d already been floating in the water for 2 hours. I gotta give it up to our incredible crew for nailing all the messy shots of people jumping/falling in. It was hilarious being in that cloudy, chlorine-less human soup, just splashin’ around like little kids. Our entire cast adores each other so we’re always in good company. It’s a celebration when we have those big group moments.

Do you have a routine before you go up on stage to do stand-up? What is it, and how did you come up with it?

I do lots and lots of breathing because I’m nervous right before I hop on stage, no matter what. I also get very thirsty so I find myself going to the bar last-minute to get water. This happens every single time. I never think ahead and have the water prepared! I look over my jokes to remember which ones I wanna do. Then when I get up there, the throwing-up feeling disappears and I’m on cloud nine!

What is something you wish people knew about being a comedian in the industry as it is today?

Sometimes people take comedians too lightly. We deserve more props! There’s heavy stuff happening behind that microphone. We have the power to educate and touch the audience, in an almost brain-washy fashion, but not in a bad way. I can use jokes to shine a light on something like climate change, and people will walk away with a new perspective. Pretty cool!

If you could give any character on Good Trouble some advice, who would it be and what would you tell them?

This is the first time I’m officially saying this, but I’m team Callie and Gael. Y’all have something special, damn it! The fiery chemistry! It was spicy, but also tender...like a chicken nugget! Please give it another try and make some perfect babies!

Can you tell us a funny joke?

I saw this on a popsicle stick when I was in elementary school, and I’ll never forget it:

Q: What did the girl melon say to the boy melon after he proposed?

A: We’re too young, we cantaloupe!

What advice would you give to your ten-year-old self?

STAY TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE! Things that made me self-conscious back then like non-American food that I’d take to school, or the fact that I never wore make-up, and just the general vibe of being unordinary - now I fully embrace it!

Who do you look up to?

I can’t even count on my fingers/toes/teeth/strands of hair how many people I look up to! From Sandra Oh to Lena Waithe… I have respect for all women of color who are pushing the culture forward. They motivate me to keep going so I can make just as strong of an impact.

Who inspires you?

My mom inspires the hell out of me. She came to this country and busted her ass off to make sure I have a comfortable life. Money means nothing compared to the feeling of making her proud. I get all my work ethic from her, from giving 110% to the importance of being on time, so she gets all the credit!

Can you tell us how Lakers-loving, jersey-wearing, Timberland-rocking Lil’ Tasty came about?

Lil’ Tasty is dear to my heart! She was a viral queen in 2016 because she was a breath of fresh air who said the most darn things. My friends Adam Episcopo and Rick Schaberg started a mockumentary-style series on Facebook called “Luber” which showed the lives of drivers who got rejected from Lyft/Uber. They asked me to create a character and naturally, as a lover of hip-hop, I knew this girl had to come equipped with obnoxious freestyle raps. Then I found an old Kobe jersey in my closet (RIP to the GOAT) and the rest was history. We shot these silly videos on a whim. We never expected to hit millions of views. Since then, Lil’ Tasty has built quite a fanbase, and I still have some things up my sleeve, so stay tuned!

If you could wake up as one of your characters tomorrow, who would it be, and why?

Waking up as Nuocki Mum would be dope. She’s an older Vietnamese lady who tries to keep up with the times. She’s completely oblivious but means well. She hits the nightclubs every weekend to stay young. I wouldn’t mind that!

Thanks for taking the time, Sherry! Check out the Good Trouble Tumblr for more.

Photos: Storm Santos

#entertainment spotlight #sherry cola #good trouble

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shadow-assassin-blix · 3 years

Text

Something in Your Mouth

Santiago “Pope” Garcia x reader

A/N: A song fic has been done. This is a Nickelback song (don’t @ me they are my favorite rockband). Warnings: Sex (allusions and some descriptions), BJ, shitty ex. Um. I think that’s it? Maybe some self-esteem issues

Everything tag: @mikeisthricedeceased

Oscar/Triple Frontier tag: @m-123 @artsymaddie @mcrmarvelloki

Got to meet the hottie with the million dollar body

They say it's over budget, but you'd pay her just to touch it, come on!

Santiago Garcia was not a shy man. If a woman was willing, he’d do anything she was comfortable with. Sex in a public bathroom? Done it. Fingering under the table? Yes ma’am. Vibrating panties with him having the remote control? Hell yes.

However, this is the first time he’s ever been with a girl that was so shy. He met her at a local coffee shop that he had become a regular to. She happened to come in one day, needing some long-winded concoction that he wasn’t even sure was actually coffee, for her boss.

When she got it, she had the misfortune of some asshole running into her and spilling the coffee all over her. Santi after yelling at the dude who dared to get in her face about it, bought her a replacement coffee, and strolled out to his truck to grab an old army t-shirt he kept in there.

“It’s clean I swear, it’s a bit a good luck charm I guess,” He awkwardly explained as he handed it to her.

She took it from him running into the bathroom to change. She had to tuck in the bottom of it into her pants since it was bit big.

She stepped back out and quietly asked, “How can I return this to you? Or better yet, repay?”

“If it’s not too bold, may I take you out on a date? And you can give it back to me then?” He questioned hoping she would say yes.

She smiled shyly, nodding her head, as she unlocked her phone for him to give her his number. He quickly typed it in, sending himself a text as he saved it.

She grabbed the replacement coffee and left a moment later. He texted her that evening and that was the beginning of it all.

Needs to hit the big screen and shoot a little love scene

If Hollywood had called her she'd be gone before you holler, come on!

She worked for a fashion company, currently working as a secretary to the CEO, hoping to one day be able to present her ideas as a creator. She loved to draw; it was one of her biggest passions as a kid. As she got older, she realized she loved fashion as well, and combined the two loves.

She had finished up her degree some months ago and got a job working for a local fashion industry. It wasn’t nearly as famous Prada, Gucci, or Hermes, but the name was recognized as a steppingstone for those companies.

Granted, she thought she would be working in design when she applied for the job, not as secretary number 2. A job was a job, however. She decided that she would grin and bear it until she had her chance.

Running into Santi was strange to say the least. She was sure, so sure, that he was just joking when he asked her out. But lo and behold… that night when he texted her details, she was pleasantly surprised.

They had gone out on a few dates, and while he was always respectful of her boundaries, she could tell he was used to more… provocative women. It’s not that she wasn’t interested in exploring his ideas, it was that… he was the first guy she had dated in a long while that seemed interested in seeing her naked.

She was used to guys getting bored with her after the first date, or when they found out she worked in fashion, they mocked her.

Santi, however, thought it was interesting. He would actually listen to her when she would rant about fabrics or colors. He at one point told her he thought it was adorable.

“It shows your passion. I think it’s cute as hell,” He told one day after a rant in which she cut herself off thinking she was being annoying.

She did eventually open up to him that she wasn’t used to having a man be attracted to her for more than 5 minutes.

He was shocked to say the least, “Who the hell were you dating honey?”

She shrugged, “Jerks. So. I mean… I want to do all those things with you… I just… worry I won’t be good at it? I guess?”

Crafty little lip tricks, tattoos on her left hip

She's bending as you're spending, there's no end to it, so baby come on!

When she said that, his jaw dropped. He wanted to beat up whoever had made her feel this way. He found her shyness refreshing, but not at the expense that she worried that he would think she was inadequate.

“We’ll move at your pace, baby. I like you, for you. I’m not going to drop you like your yesterday’s news just because we aren’t having sex every time we see each other,” Santi assured her, with a kiss.

She gave him a look of appreciation and kissed back more firmly. He grinned at that, cupping her cheek as they kissed.

Dressed up like a princess, betting that her skin smells

Better than the scent of every flower in the desert, come on!

It took several months before she was ready to sleep with him, in a more intimate way. By that point, she had met his friends and their significant others. The girls were all too willing to help her when she asked for advice on what to do or wear.

Frankie’s girl was the calmest and took her shopping to get some nice lacey lingerie. While she appreciated the advice from Emma and Maura (Will’s, and Benny’s girlfriends respectively), she wasn’t quite sure she was up for the risqué ideas they came up with.

Valeria was the one who said to keep it simple. “You two have all the time in the world to explore kinks and such. You do not have to jump into that on your first night together.”

So, the two of them shopped, deciding on a dark blue number that Valeria said would make Santi drool at the sight of her.

That night, she had spent a good two hours shaving and primping before slipping on the barely there thong, and matching corset.

She tossed on a silk robe and waited for Santi to come home. She didn’t have to wait long before she heard the door open and close, Santi’s voice calling out for her.

“Hey babe, where ya at?” She heard him ask.

“Bedroom!” She answered waiting.

She could hear him walk down the hallway before opening the door. He stared at her curiously, taking in her robe.

“What’s happening sweetie?” Santi asked as he stepped further in.

She bit her lip slightly, as she undid the robe and let it slide off of her. His jaw drop as he gazed at her.

He sauntered up to her, his hands hovering hesitantly over her waist.

“Does this mean… what I think it does?” He questioned quietly, not wanting to assume anything.

She nodded with a small giggle, as she stood on tiptoes to kiss him. He deepened the kiss after a moment of hesitation.

The two of them crawled onto the bed, not breaking the kiss.

They spent the night, getting to know one another’s bodies. Learning about each scar, each spot that drove them crazy. It was night that fueled the fire in her; she knew right then… no other could ever compare.

She loves the night scene, bar queen, just living for the fun

Taking over every dance floor like she's the only one

After that night, the two of them were far more open about affection than they once were. It used to be she would shy away when he would kiss her in public. Now, she was used to it, and welcomed it far more. She still wasn’t quite used to the idea of doing anything sexual in public, which he was okay with.

He was just thrilled to know that she enjoyed his attention.

The two spent more time talking about previous experiences, mostly to learn about each other.

“In college I was definitely a bit more… wild child. I went barhopping with friends almost every weekend. Had a few one-night stands, if you can believe that. It was during one of my more serious relationships when I kind of lost apart of myself. He… he wasn’t like… physically aggressive or anything. He just… knew how to destroy every bit of my self-confidence,” She had told him one night while they were having pizza on his couch.

“I am sorry that happened to you. If I ever saw him, I would beat the shit out of him. No one deserves to be treated like that,” Santi said to her kissing her cheek softly.

“Hopefully you’ll never have to meet him. He was… the worst I dated. The others were… just… unsatisfactory. Then you come along… rescuing me from that jerk and giving me that shirt… that honestly kinda smelled,” She teased him slightly.

“Sorry, I was… just trying to help,” He cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like… I appreciated it, I truly did. It was better than having iced coffee on me all day. By the way… do you want that shirt back? I just realized I never returned it,” She said realizing that it was in her laundry.

“Nah. Keep it. I enjoy catching you wearing it randomly,” He flirted back.

She turned her head away, scrunching her nose up in slight embarrassment.

He turned her head back toward him to pull her into a short but passionate kiss.

In the spotlight, all night, kissing everyone

And trying to look so innocent while sucking on her thumb

They had been together for almost a year now. She had begun to feel a lot more like her old self. Felt more confident in her stride, and her work. In fact, her boss had informed her that a position had opened up in design and that she had sent her portfolio down to the lead supervisor to review.

She had just gotten off the phone with him and was super excited. She had gotten the job. She ran to Santi’s place and animatedly told him the news. He congratulated her and said that they should celebrate.

That night, the two of them plus the rest of the gang met at their favorite local pub for drinks and greasy foods. They were happily talking when she noticed someone come up to the table.

“Well, well. If it isn’t little Mouse?” She froze as she heard her ex’s voice speak.

“Rob. What do you want?” She asked not bothering to look at him, as she tried to control herself.

She could feel her hands shaking and it was getting a little hard to breathe.

“Not even going to look at me? Now, that’s just rude, Mousy,” His tone was a vicious tease.

“Get away from her. Now,” Santi’s voice cut in, cold.

“Who the hell are you? Her new squeeze?” He questioned with a scoff.

“Yeah. I am. You have exactly 10 seconds to walk away,” Santi warned him as he stood up.

“Or else what?” He dared.

Santi simply moved to stand between them, waiting a moment.

Rob started to laugh, thinking Santi was just all talk.

Santi punched him so hard in the face that he passed out before he hit the floor. Rob’s friends came over quietly to pick him up and carrying him out, not bothering to try and fight.

Santi breathed heavily through his nose once, trying to calm down before he turned back around.

“Hey, my little Lioness, you okay?” He asked her softly as he leaned closer to her.

She had started fidgeting with her fingers, a nervous tick he had picked up on early on.

He sat back down, pulling her hands into his, rubbing his thumb softly over her knuckles.

Conversation between everyone slowly picked back up, and she soon felt comfortable enough to join in again. She wasn’t as excited, but she tried to push past it.

When he eventually took her home, she collapsed into his arms. Her breathing was shaking as she tried to hold back the tears that threatened to escape her.

He whispered to her, “Let it out, my heart.”

She found herself sobbing into his chest.

When you never pull it out

(So much cuter)

He wished he had done more as he held her. Wished he had strangled the bastard. Here was this beautiful woman, whose confidence he had seen bloom over the past few months, crumble because of 2 sentences.

He whispered sweetly to her, telling her how much he loved her.

The tears eventually stopped, and as she pulled away, she apologized for the mess she made on his shirt.

“My shirts have seen worse things than tears. It’s fine honey. How about we get ready for bed?” He proposed as he led her to the bedroom and started strip down to his boxers.

She nodded, walking into the bathroom briefly to wash her face. She came out wearing his army shirt, joining him on the bed with a sigh.

The two of them fell asleep together, within minutes.

When she woke up, she realized it was one of the rare times, she was awake before Santi. She stared at him for a moment. She wanted to thank him for last night and an idea popped in her head.

She slipped her hand down under the covers, playing with the edge of his boxers briefly. When she had built up the nerve to do so, she slid her hand under his boxers, quicky finding his half-stiffened length. She ran her hand up and down it, enjoying the smoothness she felt as it quickly stiffened further. She slowly pulled it out from his boxers, moving under the covers as she did so.

This was something she had only slightly explored with Santi before. It had been a brief act, him claiming he didn’t want to cum in her mouth.

She gently ran her tongue around the head, savoring the slight salty taste of his precum that had beaded. She slowly took him into her mouth, breathing through her nose, to prevent her gag reflex from enacting. She bobbed her head up and down, her hands massaging what she couldn’t fit.

She heard him moan above her, and felt his hips jerk up slightly. The covers were pushed off her head as Santi woke up, looking down. He groaned at the sight before him; it was super sexy to see her like that.

She continued with her actions until he finally exploded in her mouth; she swallowed a couple times as she pulled away. She wiped the corner of her mouth, as she crawled back up him.

“What was that for honey?” Santi eventually asked as his senses came back to him.

“Last night. I wanted to show my appreciation for you being there for me and defending my honor,” She whispered to him.

He simply kissed her in response.

“I’ll always be there for you and defend your honor against assholes. You’re mine, my lioness,” He murmured against her lips.

With something in your mouth!

You're ripping up the dance floor honey

(You naughty woman)

It took a full month before she was able to shake off the experience. Santi was there for her every step of the way. Santi had taken to calling her Lioness, every chance he got. The nickname made her smile each time she heard it, especially when he was the only one who used it.

“Hey Lioness, we going or you goin’ to continue checkin’ yourself out,” Santi asked as he stepped into the bedroom, wondering why she was taking so long.

She had been staring at herself in the mirror making sure everything looked okay for their date.

“I don’t know. I think I look pretty hot, don’t you?” She complimented herself jokingly, twirling a bit.

He hummed as he stepped forward and checked her out in an exaggerated manner, circling her.

“Yeah. You’re pretty sexy Lioness. Now, shall we?” He offered his arm to her, giving her a flirty smile.

The two of them were going to go eat dinner and then go dancing.

Their meal passed by quickly and soon they were entering a club, music blasting.

Santi led her out on the dancefloor and brought her in close, his hands firmly on her hips. The two of them danced and grinded against one another. She occasionally showed off, twirling around him, bending over backwards, and dropping down low.

He laughed a little at first but soon his laughter turned to choked groans as he tried to smother his arousal as she showed off her moves, purposefully grinding against his crotch.

She was having fun, enjoying teasing him and hearing his grunts. They had been dancing for about an hour before he had enough. He took her hand and dragged her outside into the alleyway.

The cool air felt nice on her heated skin, but she wasn’t able to enjoy it for long as Santi pinned her to the wall in a deep kiss. She giggled softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands burying into his hair.

His hand snuck under her skirt, massaging her thigh, hooking it around his hip.

“Been drivin’ me nuts all night darlin’. Where exactly did you learn all that?” He asked as he kissed her neck.

“Told you. I went clubbing a lot. Had to learn some moves, to snag a guy,” She said with a soft moan as he sucked on a particularly sensitive spot on her neck.

“Good to know,” He murmured his hips rocking into hers.

She could feel his hard on that she had caused and tried to hide her grin by biting her lip.

She heard him undo his pants slightly and felt her body tremble with anticipation. He shoved her underwear out of the way as he buried his length into her. The two of them both moaned at the sensation.

Their movements were hurried, neither of them wanting to be caught.

All too soon, the both of them were reaching their peaks with happy sighs. The two of them quickly sorted their clothes out, a moment before a group of people walked out into the alley to smoke.

Her and Santi quickly left before the group could notice anything off with them. Santi took her home, joining her upstairs for a much more thorough appreciation of her.

You shake your ass around for everyone!

I love the way you dance with anybody

(The way you swing)

Another couple of months had passed, and they had taken the next steps and she had moved into his place. The two of them having been together for almost 2 years now.

The only thing she really had to adjust to was just how often the gang come over to hang out. At first, it wasn’t a problem, but it had begun to feel like she never got any alone time with Santi when she wasn’t at work.

Today, she had gotten off early, and was texting Santi to let him know, hoping to have a late lunch with him or just watch something together. She had picked up their favorite orders from a local sandwich shop, drinks, and all.

She stepped into the apartment, freezing slightly when she heard multiple voices coming from the living room.

She walked over to the living room, raising an eyebrow. The guys had arrived early that morning, disturbing the happy mood she was in. Santi and she had woken up early, and she was feeling frisky and wanted some attention from him. Before they could get very far, the front door opened and in came Benny with no hesitation.

Frankie and Will had the decency to look apologetic for barging when they greeted her that morning.

“Still… here… I see. Don’t yall… I don’t know… have your own homes to go to… girlfriends, fiancés that sort of thing?” She asked not particularly happy to see them.

Santi winced as he answered, “Hey, sorry, we have a mission coming up. We have been strategizing.”

She nodded, unimpressed.

“Okay. Well. When you remember you have a girlfriend who wanted to have lunch with her boyfriend, alone, I’ll be in our bedroom….” She said annoyed, tossing his sandwich onto the table with his drink as she muttered. “Making no noise and pretending I don’t exist.”

She strolled into their bedroom, closing the door firmly. She changed into some cotton shorts and his old army shirt, before making herself comfortable on the bed and turning the TV on.

She had taken an aggressive bite out of her sandwich when the door opened to reveal Santi who looked a bit confused.

“Hey… what was that?” He asked her.

She didn’t answer, just pointedly stare at the TV, flicking through Netflix.

He slowly approached her, taking a seat on the bed.

“I understand that they are your friends. Hell, they are basically your brothers. I get it. However, do they have to be here…. everyday at all hours of the day? They came here at 6am and have yet to leave,” She began feeling herself getting frustrated.

She took a breath as she also felt guilty for complaining and shook her head.

“Forget it. Just… go finish your strategizing. Clearly, it’s important,” She stopped, taking another bite as she chose some random animal documentary.

Santi opened his mouth to speak but stopped, sighing heavily.

“It should only be an hour more,” He estimated, as he got up and slowly walked back out.

She made a noncommittal noise in response, focusing on the soothing sound of David Attenborough’s narration.

About halfway through the documentary, Santi had returned, a bag in hand. He took a seat near her again, and quietly unloaded the bag one item at a time. He placed each item in front of her: her favorite candy, chips, drinks. He also placed some flowers and a random plush.

She glanced down at it noticing it was one of those reversible octopus plushie with a smiley face on one side and a frown on the other. The frown side was facing her.

“The guys left. It’s just us. Mind telling me what’s going on in that mind of yours, honey,” He spoke softly.

“I don’t mind the guys being here. I do mind when they just waltz in without knocking. Or are here several days in a row. I get… I get that this is your apartment and I’ve only been living here 2 months but… I feel like I am just… your roommate. Not… your girlfriend,” She explained, pausing the documentary beforehand.

Santi nodded in understanding, “I see… yeah… This place has been… a bachelor pad of sorts for a long while even after we began to date. I will… talk to the guys. You’re right. This should be OUR place.”

“I feel stupid for getting short with you about this,” She whispered softly looking down at the plush, playing with it.

Santi scooted forward, sitting next to her, putting his arm around her.

“Don’t. I… I was excited to see your texts and was trying to hurry up our meeting so we could be alone, just wasn’t going as planned. You are perfectly allowed to be annoyed. Just gotta talk to me baby,” He told her pressing a kiss to her shoulder and her cheeks.

She nodded somewhat shyly.

“Did you really go out and get all of this?” She asked him, motioning to the pile of junk food before her.

“Yep. I did. Now then shall we finish this documentary, and I’ll make dinner to make up for missing our lunch date?” Santi offered kissing her hand.

She nodded once, “Can we watch the next one in the series too?”

Santi chuckled and said, “Yeah. We can watch the next one too. We can watch whatever you want.”

The two of them watched the rest of the one she began, and the next one. As they watched it, she slowly reverted the octopus to the happy side causing a small smile to appear on Santi’s face.

When the second documentary ended, Santi got up to go make dinner. She followed him wanting to help him prep food. He turned on the radio, which made her smile. As the two of them cooked, she danced around him, shaking her hips.

He laughed at her, as she convinced him to dance a little between stirs. Santi slowly realized it had been a while since they had spent time together, just relaxing. He had recognized that she had a point, since she moved in, they hadn’t really spent time together as a couple.

When a slow song came on, he turned the fire on low, and pulled her in close. He swayed softly with her, resting his forehead against hers.

“I’m sorry I made you feel like a roommate and not my girlfriend. That wasn’t my intention,” He whispered to her as they danced.

“Apology accepted. I just… I love you and I was excited to spend the day with you and was disappointed,” She admitted quietly.

“I love you too. Promise me you’ll tell me if something’s bothering you next time?” He pleaded as the song ended.

“I promise. As long as you do the same,” She said back, as they pulled apart and finished up making dinner.

They made their plates and ate, catching up on what’s been going on with work.

Afterwards, they cuddled on the bed, and ate her 20 snacks together. She slowly fell asleep in his arms as they watched another documentary. In the morning, he was planning to talk to the guys about everything. He knew they wouldn’t care too much about setting some rules and would be understanding once her reaction from early was explained.

And tease them all by sucking on your thumb

You're so much cooler when you never pull it out

It took some time but after that, the guys made more conscious efforts to knock and not be there every day. She had apologized to them for her attitude when she saw them again. The three of them waved it off, ruffling her hair.

“We were being annoying. It’s not a big deal,” Frankie said with a shrug.

The boys with their girls plus baby Isabella were over for to watch a football game, a few days later.

“Yeah. We are not upset,” Will chimed in with a half-smile.

Benny bounded over and gave a loud exaggerated kiss to her head, “MWAH. You’re fine, Prada.”

She shook her head at the nickname that the boys had taken to calling her.

The boys piled in the living room to watch the game with beers. Emma, Valeria, and Maura joined her in the kitchen, wine glasses all around as they gossiped.

“So… Prada… have you ever designed a wedding dress?” Valeria asked her.

“Not yet. Why?” She questioned curiously.

“Well. I have everything else decided, but I cannot find a dress that I absolutely love you know? I’ve been to 4 different boutiques. Think you can help me out?” Valeria explained, with a tired sigh.

She held up a finger, telling her to wait a moment. She ran over to the desk in the living room that had her sketchbook, fabric swatches, and pencils. She grabbed all three items, rushing back over to the island.

“Alright. Describe to me what style you want, and then we will work on material,” She stated as she got comfortable with her sketchbook and pencils.

Valeria spent an hour describing the dress she was looking for, including fabrics. Once it was finished, she revealed what she came up with. Valeria gasped then squealed excitedly.

“That’s it! Oh… Now the real question… can it be made?” Valeria asked worriedly.

Prada took a photo of it and sent it to one of the designers, who made dresses as a side job, asking if this could be done. A minute later, she got a response telling her yes.

“Yes. It can be done. I’ll set up a meet so you can get measured and get it started,” She tells Valeria who tackles her in a hug.

“Think they can also do bridesmaid dresses?” Valeria asked hesitantly.

“Probably. I’ll talk with him,” She said with a nod.

The four of them continued to talk about wedding plans while the boys continued to watch the game. When the game ended, they had made their way into the kitchen to collect their wine drunk ladies who had been reduced to giggles.

Santi and she said their goodbyes with everyone and collapsed on to the couch together. She had made cinnamon rolls earlier and they snagged the last one. They shared it, not bothering with silverware, ripping off pieces randomly.

As they ate, she noticed that he had some icing on his thumb and she teasingly licked it off. He raised an eyebrow at the sudden intimate moment she created.

“Darling. You are going to be the death of me one of these days,” He said somewhat seriously as he kissed her, abandoning the last of the cinnamon roll.

“Hmm. Yes. But you see… I had a more nefarious plan…” She said ominously.

He looked at her confused watching as she suddenly shoved the last of the cinnamon roll into her mouth and running away.

“Mine!” She called out, her mouth full.

She heard him chase after her, she chewed quickly, swallowing as she reached the bedroom. She coughed a moment when it got caught slightly in her throat. Santi caught up to her, staring at her incredulously.

“Rude. Very rude. Distracting me to catch me off guard and steal our cinnamon roll? That deserves a punishment of some sort,” Santi teased, shaking his head.

She cleared her throat and asked, “Promise?”

He growled a bit, picking her up and tossing her on the bed, her giggles followed by her moans, filling the air.

Life was full of surprises. Santi wasn’t expecting his Lioness to come into his life, but he wouldn’t trade her for the world.

'Cause you look so much cuter with something in your

#santi x reader #santiago pope garcia #Triple Frontier #song fic

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deehollowaywrites · 7 years

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gwen: the early years

This one’s for @theabhorsen, who knows Jessa Taylor’s mom has got it going on.

1991

White horse owners were easy, because all they wanted was to make money. I put on the facade they liked to see, smile and posture and bearing like pieces of armor, my voice three notches below where it normally resided and my shoulders round, soft. Clothing was armor too: pencil skirt not so fitted as to draw attention to the wrong places, but still feminine; blouse long-sleeved to mask the muscles in my upper arms; heels high enough for stature, low enough for class.

“You changed your hair,” my mother said over Easter dinner, head tilted critically. “Why'd you go and fry it like that, hon? It looked real nice long, don't you think, Alf?”

My father's mouth was full of potatoes, happily, blocking his comment. My brother laughed and filled in, “All office-girl now, Gwen. You think anybody going to be fooled?”

I ate the rest of my lamb and tried not to think about how much money I'd dropped at the salon to smooth the kink out of my hair.

The flight was late, because a meeting like the one I was bound for required some bump in the road. By the time the Delta 747 rolled onto the tarmac at Blue Grass I'd sweated through my blouse, and my eyes were blurred from reading and rereading the breeding records, the lists of wins, the connections these people already had. They didn't need me, so far as I could tell. I had one thing to sell them, and it was something they could get cheaper from a dozen trainers.

I'd been shocked and tried not to show it, on the phone when the bigwig of Honeycomb Hills said she'd send someone to pick me up. Most owners didn't bother, let trainers flying in catch a cab or rent a car, unless the trainer was someone worth wooing. My head wasn't in the proper space to believe that of her. Cars were for Baffert, Zito, O’Neill—definitely not for Gwendolyn Jackson, Eustis-born and Ocala-bred, anonymous but for a string of wins at Gulfstream and a bit of shine at the Grove. Female was bad, black was worse, black and female and single worst of all, the wives of owners believing I was there to fuck their husbands foremost and let their horses lose as an afterthought. That the Hills was run now by a woman was a small mercy, though impressing women owners bore its own set of challenges.

The man waiting with a jacked-up Ford at the exit doors was not who I'd expected, not that I could reasonably expect anyone from a family I didn't know outside of distant views into winners' circles. He shifted the sign reading Jackson under his arm and stuck out his hand as I walked up. “Miss Jackson? Jimmy Hamilton.”

I shook, kept my face smiling, let him open the truck's door for me.

“Want some advice?” he said, pulling into traffic. I didn't and I did, the parts of me that hated having to listen to what white men with superiority complexes said fighting with the trainer at my core, who knew anything Jimmy Hamilton had to say about the sport was worth hearing. “Drop the smarm before we get there.”

I sat up straighter in my seat, finding no good response for that. He glanced at me. “It might work on some people—hell, I know it works on most, but she ain't that breed.” He chuckled as I still said nothing. “Miss Jackson, we all heard about the business with Mason Munro down in Tampa. This--” He waved at me, a broad sweep from my crossed knees to my head. “I doubt that's you. And she's interested in you.”

I had never been prone to blushing, thank God. Mason Munro, that sack of rotten hay with hair plugs on top, who'd be dogging me for the rest of my career, if Hamilton's comment was any indication. It was true, you could do things at the Grove and even at Gulfstream that wouldn't fly in Lexington or Louisville, where the industry liked to play at gentility.

I folded my hands on my knees. If he wanted the real me to show up, that's what he'd get. “She's interested, and I suppose you're resentful.”

“Could be,” he said, and turned into a broad lane. “Right now, I got no reason to be anything but polite.” He squinted at me over his sunglasses. He couldn’t have been five years older than me but the sun was doing its work on his skin. “Truth be told I'd love you taking Dashndot off my hands. He ain't suited to my sterling personality.”

There was a question I wanted to ask him, one he'd probably have a more useful response to than his sister, but we were parked outside the Hills buildings and Iona was on the porch, watching.

Her office seemed a little small. I knew she was still making a name--had barely started, her and her brother--but I also knew she'd inherited a solid foundation of old money and breeding connections. The barns outside were proof enough of wealth and skill. She sat down behind the desk and regarded me. “Thank you for coming up. The flight was all right?”

“Comfortable,” I said. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“I have neither time nor use,” she said, “for—shall we say—horseshit. Let's cut right to it. What can you give me that I don't already have?”

Despite what Jimmy had said my usual apparatus started clicking, the soft tones and empty pleasantries. “I'd find it a wonderful opportunity to work with the Hills, Ms. Hamilton, any trainer would, especially considering you've already got one of the best in-house. I'm serious about the sport and I believe I'd be a good fit--”

“What did I say about horseshit?” She tucked a loose lock of reddish hair behind her ear. She hadn't smiled since I'd stepped onto the front porch. “I didn't ask about your personality and I don't care. If abrasive individuals bothered me I wouldn't be working with my brother. What can you provide that I can't get somewhere else?”

“Florida,” I said. It was the only card in my hand, after all. “You're dug into Kentucky just fine, you'll always attract owners and trainers here, and in Louisville. You have a significant presence in New York already, courtesy of your father's proclivities. Florida...” I spread my hands on the desk. “Gulfstream is the next big thing. Guava Grove is a reliable moneymaker. It's the obvious next step.”

“I have friends in Florida,” Iona said. “Chavez in Miami, Peres in Tampa...a trainer named Andreesen's been recommended to me. So?”

“It's not just the tracks.” I watched her, her blue eyes not narrowed but wide and unblinking, fastened on me. “Even if you do retain multiple Florida trainers—and why wouldn't you—a concentrated effort there will at some point present access issues.”

“How so?”

“Ocala's arguably the best location for breeding Thoroughbreds,” I said, and hoped she wouldn't sit too high on her Kentucky dignity. Lexington people didn't like hearing that maybe central Florida’s limestone turned out stronger babies than their beloved bluegrass. “The Hills is, first and foremost, a breeding operation. You'll want to expand.”

Now she did blink, once, heavily. She wore no mascara, no makeup of any kind that I could see, not that her cheekbones needed it. “And you think you're the key to a breeding farm in Ocala.”

“Not just a breeding farm.” I breathed in. Might as well toss out everything I had. “A training center. Full service. Ocala's an hour from Tampa, four and a bit from Miami. The location would be ideal for training homebreds as well as wintering your runners here. Florida breeders, of course, would love a Hills stud in their backyard.”

Iona propped her cheek against her palm and smiled for the first time. “That's more like it.”

1995

“You're angry,” Victor said, a line appearing between his eyebrows. He traced my cheek with an index finger. “Anything I can do to make you less angry?”

“I'm not angry at you,” I said, which he knew, but which seemed important to confirm. “What a waste! Christ, Vic, I hate waste.”

“Comes of being raised on those starvation rations your dad calls dinner,” he said. He stood up from the kitchen bar and held out his arms. “Somebody tell that man his daughter's a baller and can pay for a night out now and then.”

“Someone tell him his daughter married a baller who can afford a night out every night.”

“Hmmm,” Vic said. He lifted me up from the stool and somehow my legs just found themselves around his waist. He tugged a braid of my hair, drawing it through his fingers. “I forget to mention I love your hair this way? Anyway, I kinda like staying in.”

I kissed him to let him know I agreed. It would've been easy to fall into him, let him carry me to bed and take my mind off things, but the anger steaming beneath my skin didn't want to dissipate. “Listen, if I'm angry, when Iona gets here she'll be twice as furious. I'm almost looking forward to it.”

“Iona,” Vic said, walking us backward up the hall, “is the exact opposite of dirty talk, baby.”

“I'll tell you what's dirty.” I untangled my legs from him and dropped onto the carpet. “That California motherfucker lighting horses up like they're fireworks. I don't know why she--”

He kissed my cheek, then my chin, his lips trailing down my throat. “I know you're right. But Gwennie, she won't be here 'til tomorrow.” He looked at me, eyes soft. “You can tell her all about it tomorrow.”

He was hard to resist when he called me Gwennie. He was always hard to resist, his curls and thighs that could smother a girl and his smile, every bit of him concentrated on me like I somehow deserved him.

In the morning I went to the track earlier than usual, Victor's hand slipping sleepily off my hip when I rolled out of bed. Everything in my barn was in order, thank God for small mercies, the filly who'd been favoring a left pastern the day before performing perfectly in her work-out. I leaned on the fence and waved to her exercise rider. “Bring her up, Frankie.”

When they reached the fence I ducked under and knelt, checking her wind and then her shins. “Excellent. Hand her off and get Touchandgo out here.”

“Yes ma'am,” Frankie said, and then, “Mrs. Hamilton, she looking for you.”

It was interesting to note who tacked on the Mrs. and who realized Iona was eternally a Ms. despite her married status. The nod I gave Frankie was probably more of a jerk of the head. “Noted. Please grab Touchandgo.”

If Iona wanted me, she knew where to find me.

She did find me, maybe forty minutes later, as I clocked the latest sprig of the Paradise Bay tree doing five furlongs in a minute ten. She stopped at the fence next to me and waved toward the colt pulling up. “Looking good, Gwendolyn.”

“He'll be ready for the Pacific Classic.” I looked at her sidelong to gauge her reaction. “If that's still in the works.”

“No reason not to head west,” she said. “I liked him at the Travers, and it's clear he's glad to be back home. He ships well. The weather in California shouldn't be a problem.”

Anything relating to California was making my lip curl lately, but that was my own business. After Bay Laurel's groom walked him off, Iona turned to face me. “Plenty of drama here this week.”

“It'd have been a sight less had that colt been where he belonged.”

“You don't know that,” she said. “The tests--”

“The tests will show exactly what everyone knows,” I snapped. “I'm so glad you need hard proof in black and white, Iona, really just so pleased that my word apparently means shit.”

“Your word has always meant plenty to me, Gwendolyn,” she snapped back. “The tests are gravy, paperwork for the lawyers to play with.”

That gave me pause. “Lawyers.”

“You think I'm here for anything other than to sue the hide off Rick Andreesen's back?” She tossed her head dismissively. “I trust you, I trust your work. I'm not here to check up on the state of your operation...I'm here to get what's mine.”

Some of the heat bled away from my skin. I braced my forearms on the fence. “I think we can agree I don't ask for much.”

“Certainly.”

“My God, Iona, promise me you won't use him again.” I looked at her and repeated what I'd said to Vic last night. “It's wasteful. A fine two-year-old run into the ground for no good reason? I can't work here and watch that.”

“Trust me,” she said. “Andreesen won't be within five yards of our barns ever again.”

“Righteously should've been mine to begin with,” I said, since we were all getting in our feelings. “I had room. I can't think why you went with--”

“You’re overworked,” she said. “There’s more in your string than I like to give trainers, frankly. You’ve had a good year so I let it slide, but Righteously would’ve put you in the weeds with everyone else suffering too.”

“I think I know my own limits.” My hands clenched on the rail, and I forced them open, circling a scratch in the white-painted metal. “I’ve been making you money since we started this little wonderland tour.”

“I’m well aware,” Iona said. The Miami sun was already starting to get to her, I noticed, a flush across the tops of her pale cheeks that would be a sunburn in two hours. “That’s why I want you in good shape. I need your consistency. I need you at the top of your game if we’re going to get South Hills off the ground.”

Whatever I’d been about to fire off died on my lips. “South Hills.”

Iona smiled, crookedly, about as much smile as she ever gave. “A name is always a good starting place.”

I stared at the track, red dirt and green turf like a baseball field scrambled. A pair of horses were galloping around the backstretch turn, too far away for their hoofbeats to be audible. Finally I said, “And you want me.”

Iona gathered her hair off her neck and bundled it into a ponytail. “Time to make good on your big talk. Ready to play real estate shark? We’re looking at a place just north of Ocala.”

I made her shake on it, just to be sure.

1999

Cris and Iona’s daughter was tiny for four years old, bones like a bird and her mother’s hair, mouthy. I hefted her up on my hip and pointed to the track. “See? That’s your momma’s. Do you know his name?”

“Raising Cain,” she lisped. Her eyes followed the colt as his rider galloped him past us. “Mommy says he’s the best.”

“He’s very good,” I told her. She was too young for me to ride my high-horse about how I’d trained him and not her uncle, whom everyone had expected, and in any case it was probably in poor taste to brag in front of a Hamilton, no matter how small she was. “Do we think he’s going to win the Florida Derby tomorrow?”

Felicity nodded vigorously, braids slapping her cheeks. “Duh! Mommy said he would.”

Mommy said this and Mommy said that. The kid was a momma’s girl, that was for sure. I wondered now and then what Iona would do with her daugher, whether there’d be more children or whether this pint-size heiress would inherit the farm and all that it entailed.

The mother in question strode up with her brother in tow. “Gwendolyn. Thanks for watching her.” She took her daughter back and set Felicity on the ground, keeping the girl’s hand in hers. “Only babysitting jockeys and colts for the rest of the weekend, I promise.”

Iona seemed to be in a good mood; her meeting with the Gulfstream stewards must’ve gone according to plan.

Jimmy nodded to me. “Gwen. Looking good.”

He didn’t mean me, but the colt now pulling up a few feet from the fence. I scanned Raising Cain at a distance. He really was something, nearly nineteen hands and muscled like a more mature horse in spite of his new-minted three-year-old status, coat shining nearly black in the sun. His rider, a jockey named Mike Ford, walked him over. We’d had to switch riders a few times in Cain’s two-year-old campaign, but I liked Ford for him. The jock was so quiet you barely knew he was there at all, a personality that seemed to do ok with the colt’s over-the-top antics. Previous riders had tried to muscle him, tell him his business. Only Ford had realized everything needed to seem like Cain’s own idea.

“He can do it,” I said, half to myself. I felt Jimmy move next to me, not quite a shrug and no mutter of disagreement. When I looked at him he wasn’t looking at me, but at the colt and Iona standing with him, one hand on Cain’s chest and the other still wrapped around her daughter’s fingers.

I wasn’t sure I’d let my daugher stand practically under a finicky colt’s hooves, but Felicity wasn’t mine.

“No disagreement on my end,” Jimmy said. “He pays off tomorrow, we all live large for a bit.”

“I know it’s too early to--”

“It’s never too early,” he said with a snort. “Iona’s had the fever for this one since before the Breeders’ Cup. I’m credulous, Gwen, you don’t have to be coy. It’s not hard to imagine that showy bastard going all the way.”

It was a little too easy to imagine. It was something I didn’t let myself imagine too often, every trainer’s dream tucked away in the back of my mind, fearful that speaking it out loud would jinx things. But Lord, how good the roses would look on Cain’s dark coat.

“We’ll see,” was all I said. “I’m not keen on his post position, but at least the weather’s been dry. Mud would’ve been a no-go with that slop monster of Garrison’s running from 8.”

“We going to see Vic around here any time soon?” Jimmy asked. When I looked at him he laughed. “What can I say, Gwen, your old man’s a riot.”

“Uh-huh. Well, this is a little early for him. Look for him in the bar tomorrow.”

“On that note, maybe I should get drunk and stay drunk ‘til the Orchid’s run,” Jimmy said drily. “I swear to Christ, that filly’ll be the death of me.”

“When will you admit fillies are your downfall?”

“We can’t all be as well-rounded as you,” he said. “Or was that a personal remark?”

I remembered a little late that his divorce had just been finalized, a game that wasn’t fun for anyone, even committed womanizers. “Not intentional. I’m sorry about that, Jimmy.”

“Ah.” He pulled his cigarettes out of his shirt pocket, then seemed to remember he was on a racetrack with horses. “The important thing is the boys.” He paused, then peered at me over his shades. “Seems like it’s getting to be about that time for you and Vic.”

My eyes skipped away from his and landed on Felicity, now sitting on the fence. She swung short legs and watched Mike Ford and Raising Cain trot away. I wondered where her father was, whether Cris was at the barn or in Gulfstream’s lounge, or--more likely--chatting up some breeder. There was more of Iona in Felicity, the hair and the shape of her face, the way she stared at people, too belligerent for a little girl. Not much of her father’s softness and humor. It was difficult to look at her and not wonder how any child of mine would turn out, if it would have my skin or Victor’s darker brown, my height or his, my square cheeks or his deep dimples. It was difficult, a little, to look at Felicity and remember the bloody mess of our attempts so far, a miscarriage two years before and another six months ago.

“Apologies,” Jimmy said, jerking my thoughts away from self-indulgent darkness. “Not my business, obviously.”

“It’ll happen,” I said, “or it won’t. Right now the only babies in my life are that diva of a colt and...so I hear...a little something about to pop out of Cubano Espresso.”

“You hear, huh?” Jimmy said, his voice back to its normal gruffness. “I’ll tell you, Gwen, you might have to fight me for that foal.”

“Well then,” I said, and smiled at him as Iona walked back over. “I’ll see you on the racetrack.”

#diana's writing #project: teenage flirtbags #u: honeycomb hills #oc: gwen taylor

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anthonychurch97-blog · 7 years

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MY ALBUM REVIEW OF BIG SEAN’S “I DECIDED.”

Big Sean - “I Decided.” Album Review

After the success of his third album “Dark Sky Paradise” and last year’s “TWENTY88” project with Jhené Aiko, Big Sean has returned with his fourth album “I Decided.”. The concept of the project is Sean viewing his life from an old man’s perspective and getting a chance at a do over in life. After a string of solid releases at the end of 2016 Sean has set up a great campaign for the project and has really built hype around it. It had received praise from many of the industries top names over the past few months as well. A mixture of turn up and story telling is the best way to some up the expectations I have for the project based on what I’ve heard so far. With great producer and artist features including a collab with fellow Detroit MC Eminem this could very well be Sean’s greatest work yet. Here is my track by track review.

Light (feat. Jeremih) - The chill vibe of “Light” is a great starting point for the project. Sean takes it as an opportunity to talk on political issues, oppression, and more trials while at the same time reminding listeners to be true to themselves and never lose site of what’s right in life. Jeremih’s vocals cut through as a great addition and give this intro an added element. The layed back keys will give you chills as well as inspiration. This could be the beginning of a potential classic for Sean.

Bounce Back - As the lead single “Bounce Back” has been making its rounds since October. The track really fits the context of the album as its topic matter really taps into the do over in life. Learning how to take an L is one thing but bouncing back is another and this track does it quite well. With a turn up drum heavy beat Sean finds a comfortable flow and runs with it. Additional vocals by Kanye are just an added bonus to the record. While “Bounce Back” may never be considered a classic jam, I can see it getting many plays for years to come.

No Favors (feat. Eminem) - Over hard production from the likes of WondaGurl, Sean recruits his fellow Detroit alum Eminem for some heavy bars. Sean finds his flow quickly with the hook and first verse. Sean hits on some good points like his grandmothers influence, the water crisis in Flint, and his come up in Detroit. Eminem comes in on his classic aggressive style with some crazy lines about being the Aaron Hernandez of rap and shots at Donald Trump just to name a few. It’s nice to see Em over somewhat of an unconventional style track for him to be on and he fits it very well. This is one you’ll definitely have to hear for yourself but it is for sure a banger and should be on repeat for quite some time. So far it’s smooth sailing for “I Decided”.

Jump Out the Window - When it comes to the second chance theme a great example comes on this cut where Sean is ready to change the past by getting with the girl he never did. He talks to her about her relationship problems with her current partner and how every time he tried to help her she shut him out. Weather this is about a real life situation or now it sure seems like it’s about someone in particular. A bouncy Key Wane beat sets a scene for Sean to tell this story and get off some pent up emotions. It’s one of my personal favorites so far from this album.

Moves - Released in late December “Moves” already has an accompanying video and has caught people’s eye. The heavy bass production from 808 Mafia’s Fuse is a great example of Sean using more modern sounding records while also sticking to some positive topic matter. “Moves” itself serves as what it’s name suggests as more of a dance hit slash banger. However Sean’s lyrical ability is showcased as well with great bars about his aim for success and overcoming struggles. As the shortest song on the project “Moves” might not stand out as much but it is a solid cut and it’s easy upon listen to see why it made the album.

Owe Me - Following a short TWENTY88 track with Jhené Aiko comes the DJ Mustard laced “Owe Me”. A layed back track about finally letting go of a relationship that’s gone on too long. Sean realizes he is done trying and is ready to move on with his life while keeping a carefree attitude. I wasn’t feeling this much on first listen but it has grown on me more and more. Some different mic techniques are used toward the end of the song along with some soft horns and I can feel the Travis Scott influence here. It’s a nice chill record that should catch more air plays as the year progresses.

Halfway Off the Balcony - The production skills of Amaire Johnson show up here with a nice beat and great key work. Sean comes to the realization how important his relationship connections are. He gets that it has more to do with compatibility on a mental level than anything physical. He takes the opportunity to also thank his dad for great advice and hoping he is living life to the fullest. The deep meaning of the song is a perfect representation of the albums theme of doing things right in your life and taking advantage of each day. I believe this track will be one of Sean’s more underrated hits for years to come.

Voices In My Head / Stick To The Plan - This two part banger is one of the more memorable moments from “I Decided”. It features Sean locked in an inner conflict with himself questioning his every move and allowing the voices in his head to affect his judgement. Halfway through however during a crazy Metro Boomin beat switch the attitude switches as well. Sean overcomes the voices to remind himself to stick to the plan and keep moving forward. At the end of the day he trusts his own judgment enough to realize it will lead him to the right place. This is a fantastic record in my opinion and is worth a listen whenever it comes on. This one will catch a listeners attention for sure.

Sunday Morning Jetpack (feat. The-Dream) - The emotional chords on “Sunday Morning Jetpack” allow Sean to speak on his longing for his family again. He talks about missing the simple days with his grandma and mom and the memories they used to share. The-Dream adds guest vocals for a short time toward the end and does a great job as usual. It’s safe to say this could be “I Decided”’s version of Sean’s song “Memories” which is considered one of his classics. Either way this song will tug at your heart strings for sure.

Inspire Me - “Inspire Me” takes the energy from “Sunday Morning Jetpack” and runs with it. In a similar fashion Sean uses this song as an ode to his mom. He gives listeners a flashback of what life was like growing up with his mom and how she has inspired him in everything he has done even if he doesn’t always admit it. It’s Sean’s version of a “Hey Mama” kind of record and similar to that one this is also effective. I’m sure this song makes him mom proud for sure and is another solid offering from this album.

Sacrifices (feat. Migos) - Sean keeps the heavy hitters going on “Sacrifices”. Going in on the crazy beat Sean speaks on giving up so much to achieve his dreams and get to this point of his career. He calls upon Offset and Quavo of the Migos to lay killer verses of the same message. This is another banger that should receive praise from modern rap fans while also carrying a good message to people.

Bigger Than Me (feat. The Flint Chozen Choir & Starrah) - As a triumphant finish to “I Decided.” Is track “Bigger Than Me” which caps off the project in a great fashion. Sean realizes his success has more to do with the people around him than himself at all. He remembers performing for his home town and loving to make them proud. Along with Starrah and The Flint Chozen Choir the song is a new Detroit anthem. Sean ends the track and album with audio of a phone call with his mother where he explains the in a nutshell the albums concept and Sean becomes his older self again. “Bigger Than Me” is in my top three cuts from “I Decided.” at the moment and is recommended if you want some inspiration.

Summary - I have nothing but praise for Big Sean on this new album. He continues to inspire listeners with great lyrics and topic matter and while this album took a slightly different approach with the beat selection it was still very effective. The production was on point from start to finish as well and I was very impressed once again with the rollout of the project. Everything from the artwork to the overall theme behind it was great. To me more people should look at Sean as a top artist especially after they hear this album. He continues to evolve as an artist and make better material with each release. Be sure to support Sean and buy “I Decided.” on iTunes. Thanks for reading.

#big sean #i decided #album review #2017 #good music

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lusciousbeast-blog · 6 years

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219.

Initially, writing about getting married seemed like a GREAT idea. Now, judging by the fact that I’ve barely managed to write once every six weeks or so, the whole thing seems rather pointless. Even now, my brain is really struggling to put a sentence together, due mostly in part to the fact that it’s completely clogged, courtesy of my overconsumption of cheese and eggnog over the past few weeks (if you haven’t tried the Harmony Organic Eggnog, do yourself a favour and get some next Christmas– it’s fucking incredible).

Time feels like it’s racing. Normally, when I have something really big to look forward to, everything seems to grind to a halt. Not so when you’re planning a wedding. We are now officially less than 8 months away from getting hitched. Now, I know 8 months to most people probably seems like a long time, but when I think it’s been more than that since we got back from Zimbabwe, it’s mental to me. While I’m obviously ridiculously excited to be marrying Craig, the anxiety that has come along with all of it, is overwhelming. So much so, that when I started seeing a naturopath recently, she told me that to her, my body seems like it’s in a constant state of Fight or Flight.

(In all likelihood, this is something that has been building for a while, long before Craig asked me to be his forever person).

Most of my adult life has been spent planning the next big event to look forward to, while juggling multiple jobs and constantly changing my mind about what I want to be when I grow up. Not one to settle into one thing too easily, (I get SUPER bored if I’m under stimulated), I think it’s all catching up to me now.

When reading all the magazines and other stuff that is the creation of the gazillion dollar wedding industry, I have yet to see an honest account of the “not so pretty” bits of planning what is often billed as the BIGGEST EVENT OF YOUR LIFE. So that’s going to be my mission today – sharing with y’all some of the things that to date, have almost broken me. In no particular order, here we go.

BUILDING A WEDDING WEBSITE

Back in the summer, Craig and I were at an audition for a show that was looking for a real-life couple to co-host. While in the waiting room, we ran in to some friends of his, and he told them about our engagement. After congratulations were given, the husband offered some advice – enjoy every second of it, and know that you will likely get into one big ‘ish fight during the planning process.

SUPER!

When it came to invites, we decided to scrap the whole paper invite thing. For one, because it seems like such an absurd waste of paper, and two, that money could be better spent on say, the open bar, or our photographer, or our kick ass wedding band, or pretty much ANYTHING.

I’d also perused a bunch of websites and thought it would be a creatively fulfilling process. WRONGO!

After doing the initial research as to what were the most user friendly and aesthetically pleasing sites to use, I started my trial with WeddingWindow. After running into bumps early on (difficulty with picture layout and such), I moved on to (and quickly ditched) WedSite, SquareSpace, Wix and Luvbirds, before finally deciding to bite the bullet and use Riley and Grey, because they were having a Black Friday 50% off sale. All the sites I tried before them were missing key elements, or were annoying when it came to picture layout and such. Riley and Grey looked very promising, and was going very smoothly, until I tried to upload the picture for the Welcome page, and was met with the spinning wheel of death on my computer screen. This went on for several attempts, at which point I sent a very choicely worded, totally passive aggressive email to customer support, outlining my issue, and explaining, “politely” that what was supposed to be a fun part of an even more fun event, was filling me with rage and almost resulted in my basically brand new computer meeting a premature death.

The gentleman from their support team who got back to me fairly quickly, was incredibly apologetic and spewed out a bunch of tech speak the jist of which, was telling me that they’d just switched their photo editing platform, because Adobe (who powered it previously) basically sucked. I responded with a huge thank you, that I hadn’t quite pulled all my hair out yet, and that he’d saved my iMac from being chucked off my balcony.

I’m pleased to report that the website is now finished, filled with loads of fun pictures and information, and that I checked that fucker off my list.

THE DRESS

Hm. The Dress. Turns out that buying off the rack is probably the simpler way to go. I’ll keep it simple here by saying that after my first fitting with the dress maker (thankfully only with a cotton muslin version of it), something wasn’t sitting right. I looked frumpy, and the more I thought about it the more I panicked about moving forward with the current design. After much back and forth with my dressmaker (who is LOVELY) and a huge amount of very constructive input from my step-mother, I’m starting from scratch with a new, similar, but more modern and clean version of the initial inspiration I went in with. I was supposed to have the first consultation for this new look last week, but the good old TTC (Toronto’s transit system) ensured that I missed that appointment, even though I gave myself almost two hours to get there. World Class City, incredibly sub-par public transport.

I will report on the progress in the early part of the new year.

THE TIMELINE

Between all the different weddings I’ve attended and the ones I’ve worked, you’d think I’d have the timeline down. It’s proven to be one of the most anxiety inducing parts. Largely, I think, due to the fact that when I think about things like walking down the aisle with 150 people watching, and giving a wedding speech, I want to throw up a little. My cousin - who is an actor - shared this sentiment when she told me that in spite of her comfort with performing, the thing that she was most unprepared for on her wedding day, was how uncomfortable she felt in the above- mentioned situations. So, I guess it’s normal? Regardless, wanting to make sure people aren’t bored at ANY point, is a big deal. From what I’ve witnessed, most wedding timelines aren’t fully adhered too anyway. This doesn’t change that fact that I think it’s hilarious and sad all at the same time, that someone (me) who organizes the hell out of her life, crumbles at the thought of putting together a timeline, for ONE DAY.

THE GUEST LIST

Craig can confirm, that barely 48 hours after he proposed, while we were on the flight from Harare to Victoria Falls, I’d already done a rough guest list. Initially I think we both thought we’d be able to contain it to 120 or so people. At last count, I think we’d invited 182 (including kids, who may get left behind). Our guest list seems to have exploded, and we don’t even have big families to blame! What we feel very confident about however, is that we have the makings for one of the best parties, ever. We both agreed that looking back we’d be more regretful of certain people not being there, than the money we saved trying to contain things. After all, your wedding day is quite possibly the only other time apart from your funeral, where you can bring all the people you love most in the world, together at the same time, and THAT my friends, is pretty awesome.

QUESTIONING EVERY LITTLE GOD DAMN BIT OF YOUR LIFE

Perhaps it has more to do with the fact that our wedding date is uncomfortably close to when I will turn 40, but the past few months have been filled with self-doubt, fear of the future, questions about my choice (or lack thereof) in career path, guilt over the way I handle certain situations, etc. etc. etc. If it can be doubted, it seems I will doubt it! Thankfully, the one thing I have not doubted, even for one second, is my choice in partner. I am reminded of this on a daily basis. I have managed to find someone who indulges my every impulse (from buying Wally’s World Mugs to drink eggnog out of while watching Christmas Vacation, to immediately agreeing to spontaneous road trips to visit friends, to jumping into the gorge of Victoria Falls attached to a bunjee chord), embraces all my quirks, and stands by patiently, as I anally retentively count every piece of rice his 11 yr has just dropped on the floor while eating take out. That, my friends, is called HITTING THE JACK POT.

ACKNOWLEDGING THAT CERTAIN THINGS MAY NOT GO AS PLANNED

When I wrote this (last week) I was on a train to Morrisburg to start our Christmas rounds with family and friends. On New Years Eve, I barely made it to midnight, was having body aches and chills, and was dealing with an angry back.

The next night, Jan 1st, 2018, I could barely move without feeling like someone was stabbing me in the back.

Here comes the raw truth of what has been going through my mind now, for several months. I’m TERRIFIED of dying. Always have been. Even more so now that I have a wedding date a little less than 8 moths away. Usually an optimist, now that I have a date looming I can’t help but think about all the possible ways the universe might interfere with me actually getting to that day.

On January 1st, I felt like death. Exhausted from all the visiting, and over indulging, and sleeping in older, not so supportive beds, AND dealing with INTENSE back pain, as well as an upset stomach, my mind got flooded with memories of my mother when she was going through chemo. Before I knew what was happening, I was uncontrollably sobbing, because I am SO scared of ever having to go through it too. I don’t know how long this lasted, but I can tell you in that moment, when Craig held me and let me cry so hard I was hyperventilating (at which point he helped calm me down, you know, so I could breathe), I’ve never been more certain that this one part of my life, is super solid. Craig is there with me in my most vulnerable moments, free of judgement, always.

The next morning, after another sleepless, pain filled night, I found out that a contract I’ve had for 4 and half years, was coming to an end, due to a network re-brand. A day I knew would come eventually, just with really sucky timing in this case. Again, Craig was there at my side as I cried. And cried. And cried some more. In my “PLAN,” this job would have kept going at least until the end of the year, allowing me a little breathing room after I got married, to figure out my next move.

It was not to be.

Today, I’m feeling a little more optimistic. I’ve had a few different physical therapy sessions on my back, and am trying to look at the bright side of not being bound to a weekly gig. I’m choosing to put my energy into focusing on what’s next, the possibilities that await, and mostly, that I have the partner I do, to move through all the unknown with.

What has this got to do with the wedding?

We can try and plan the shit out of this wedding, but the reality is, some things might get dropped along the way, or may not go down exactly the way we picture it in our heads, because that’s life.

Chances are the one thing I can guarantee, is that I will be a blubbery mess (tears of joy obvi) because I get to marry Craig , surrounded by most of my favourite people on the planet. Can’t get much better than that really.

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