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darklingichor · 11 months

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Dave Gorman Vs. The World, by Dave Gorman

A bit late this week, I feel like there is an experiment going on at my office, where in they are testing what it would take to burn out the ringer on the phones.

I've read and watched some of Dave Gorman's other stuff after stumbling across Are You Dave Gorman? on BBC America when I was 17 or so.

I like that he is something of a documentary style comedian, the observations of the sometimes wacky sometimes serious situations and his perspectives are really cool to me.

This one was written in 2011.

As with the other projects, this one is documenting something that Dave sort of fell into that then took on a life of its own.

His work week being pretty short, he found himself with a lot of free time and a need to fill it.

He reflected that he liked to play games, but although as a kid you could go to a friend's house to ask for a game, it wasn't something you did as an adult. Why not?

So, he took to Twitter (which was less of a dumpster fire back then?) And asked if anyone was up for a game, any game, that wasn't computer based.

It's an interesting premise, but I have never been much of a game player, aside from solitaire

It's hard to play games when you're an only child. I would play connect four and monopoly with my grandpa, but we both got so good at the former that it would nearly always end in a cat's game. The latter was boring for both of us and we would eventually end up forgetting it and just talking or singing while he played his guitar. I played Go Fish and Old Maid with my mom, but after a couple of rounds I would suggest we read a book.

With friends I would sometimes play a board game, but we would be more likely to run around outside, rain not being much of a deterrent to most kids growing up in the PNW.

Homestly, I am remarkably uncompetitive. I'll play a game, but I don’t really care if I win or not.

So, I can't relate all that much to the competitive drive that Dave has, but it was very much an interesting read.

Some of the games themselves were ones I've never heard of like Khet qhich is sort of like chess, but played with lasers. Or Toad in the Hole which sounds kind of like Corn Hole but with only one hole and played with metal disks.

But as usual, it was the people that were the most fascinating. Like the rich lady he played monopoly with who told him that once a year she and her husband played the game with their friends, and used real money.

And the Electronica band he played darts with.

His fiancée did express concern that it could be dangerous meeting up with random strangers alone. This is something that Dave says he never really considered. I find that in and of itself really interesting. He's met up with a lot of strangers often far from home and on his own and from what he has written and performed, he has never had a bad encounter with any of them up to the point that his fiancée brought it up.

This suggests that most people are decent and that's comforting. It also suggests that Dave Gorman is very lucky.

And he continued to be lucky, having a couple of weird meet ups, including one where he had to hide it a guy's attic, but all in all meeting some cool people and playing new games.

The last game that was fully described was different, and it was scary. I don't want to go into spoilers, but the Dave did come out of it all right, though it did shake him up.

The story ends without an ending. He says that although he was nervous after that encounter, he decided not to let it change him, and so the offer he put forth on Twitter still stands and he would continue to play games as long as it was fun.

I don't know, if over a decade later, he is still doing this, but it was a nice way to wrap up the story.

All in all, I prefer The Googlewack Adventure or America Unchained, but this book was pretty good.

#dave gorman #Dave gorman vs The World #books #book #book blogging 2023 #nonfiction #humor

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okeymakeydude · 4 years

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Sorry sorry and sorry for responding too late.

I refer S/O as They/their

Request by @thewinterflagforever .

Engie. (Inspired by this post made by @snoozyhooter )

If they had free time, Engie would propose to do a picnic. He doesn't want something too boring or simple but also, exaggerated. He'd offer to make the food, and look for the best place to eat, surely chooses one where they can see almost everything. He doesn't hesitate to bring his guitar to sing them some songs.

They have to stay in the base? No worries! That won't stop them. Both can be working in the garage and keep talking about how their day was while they are doing their business. This man loves helping his S/O and spend time with them.

"Hey hon." "Yes?". They looked at him and smiled, he was with his arms open, waiting for a cuddle. Engie being a extrovert person and even touchable, the hug is something different and important for him, only for the people who really he cares about and one of them is his S/O. Prefers face-to-face to see their face.

Sniper.

He will take his S/O to a place where the sun is the protagonist, why? 'cuz he loves seeing how the sun is falling and giving permission to the night. Near his camper, they would prepare a campfire, to cook something and just, talk about how their day was. Like Engie, he prefers easy plans without exaggerating.

If they have to work, Sniper will be watching that no enemies approaches to the base and his mate doing their job, and at the same time, protect him from spies. They both would be in a room, only for Sniper, but he'd invite his S/O. It'd be more silence but that doesn't mean they're unsure, just on the alert.

Being honest, Sniper is not a big fan of cuddles (excepting his parents). He's like a 'suprise hugger', because no one will never know when he's gonna do that. S/O is surprised when they feel arms around them from behind and, a head resting on their shoulder. Then a soft voice near their ear "Don't know how much i love ya."

Demo.

Does his S/O love party? Hope so 'cause this man does! They would spend the evening going to bars or nightclub; Dancing and drinking. However, if there is a quite place, like a beach with few people or none, they would sit and talk about everything and, i mean, everything.

Nothing keep him away from fun, with a few bottles bought and the only thing left to do is to have the party in any part of the base. Second option? When he makes bombs, he has to see if they really explode, what could be better than throwing some to the opposing team? Without doubts, he'd ask his S/O to come, they are the one who gives him more entertainment.

Demo'd hug them every 5 mins if he could, he wraps his arms around their waist, warmly towars him, looking each other. He loves seeing their face. God, he said once "I got a manky eye, i'm a black Scottish cyclops drunk!", what he did to deserve them? What did they see in him good? S/O would respond his questions and he'd happily listen.

Scout.

A walk through the nearest town or city is enough. Holding hands, they go to look at the things there; they buy sweets (or buckets of chicken), go to the shops or even play in the park. If there's a funfair nearby, Scout will do the 'puppy-dog eyes' so he can go and suggest paying for both, the first traction would be... well, the tunnel of love.

Near base, he has an area where he can do whatever he wants, mainly sport, they can pass the evening practicing and challenging each other or, sitting on the grass and letting nature be the protagonist, Scout'd bring what is needed to draw and be happy to tell about his comics!

Sideway hug. At first nervous, unsecure, he prefers to start with an arm around S/O's neck and get them close to him 'discreetly', "it's getting cold, yeah?" just give him a second before he decides to completly cuddle them and hides his face on their shoulder.

Heavy.

When his family moved to U.S.A, near him, he'd like to pay them a visit and more with his S/O. Yes, it may sounds boring but he really cares that they know his love perfectly and is sure his mother will love them. Clearly they'll have some privacy at some point, "This is for you, со́лнышко" he'd use it that moment to give them 13 flowers, all possible colors except yellow and 3 kisses each cheek. A tradition for someone he would give even his heart.

If they have to stay in the base for any attack, Heavy would be reading a book while his S/O is relaxing by his side doing something else, even teaching them some russian words if they're interested o translating the story. Another option would be Heavy cleaning his weapons while he shows them and yes, even he likes to brag about it.

Bear man? Bear hugs! He does everything he can to put his arms around them, carefully, like a shield. Wants to make them feel protected, nothing is gonna hurt em, not in Heavy's watch. He doesn't forget the soft kiss on their head.

Pyro.

Well, the name already say it, they (Pyro) would be trying to burn everything they can all the evening and proudly show it to their S/O. They would be holding hands and going everywhere without wasting time, until Pyro saw the sun and decided to stop moving, he sat down and rest their head on S/O's shoulder, completly in silence.

Sleepover. Being inside of the base isn't gonna prevent them to have fun, with a lot of food, fluffly toys and makeup, it's enough to stay in their room for all the evening. Pyro would paint the nails of their love while they're talking how their day was and eating all the candies. Later they go to Medic because stomache.

A tight, strong, loving, breath taking embrace, a way to say how much they love their partner. A bear hug but a bit different, applying a powerful pressure, and making S/O immobile. Luckly not enough to hurt them and just for a few seconds.

Medic.

"Look, schatz! We can use its organs for—" "Oh, don't you dare! I swear - No!". Wasting all his time in his laboratory, makes him a bit umconfortable staying outside, but he'd accept if it's S/O, a walk near base. Ngl he adores talking about himself about the progress he's doing, the ideas he has or what Archimedes did, he laughs and then... He apologizes, but his love assures they won't never get bored listening to him. Only got scared when he saw a roadkill and started to approaching.

He needs an assistant while he's working, an excuse he often uses when he wants to spend time with his love, and it works. Loves seeing Archimedes rubbing his head against their check and will whisper "Why you...?", because he also doesn't know what he did to deserve someone like them. Likes to observe how the sunlight creates different perspectives on their beauty while they're talking.

Another nonfan hugger, he usually does it unconsciously and when he's very happy, jokes aside, he's really strong, enough to lift his partner with his arms around their waist and leaning against his body. When he realized it he didn't help but blush.

Spy.

A hot air balloon trip? Spa? A meal at the best restaurant and hotel in town? Going to a concert or theatre? He just looks for anything to surprise his amour, he likes the exaggeration and extravagance of dating, to show that he's determined to use his time and attention for them. He has already prepared everything that will be done during the afternoon until nightfall. However, he'll change plans if they have another idea, he'll try to please them.

In his private room, S/O is free to do whatever they want, read a book? Look at the fireplace? Take a nap? Talk? Go ahead. "Mi casa es tu casa" he's say with a smile, he's not that talkative but with them, he's confident to do that until someone have to stop. By the way, did you know Spy is good at giving massages?

Being someone who stabs from behind, doing back hugs, means a lot, he doesn't like giving 'em but trusting his loved one, wants to say that they're safe and protected by him. He hides the head and give a quick kiss on the back of the neck.

Soldier.

"See those submerged logs over there? That is The Beatles! Do not stop running!" "Okay...—wait what!?". He's able to sum up a 1600 hour tour in just one afternoon, holding their hand and with a big smile, he will show them everything he knows and be proud of that. Has anything caught his love's eye? Don't worry! He'll get it for them, if they're happy, he's happy too! Everything gangsta until there's is a neck snap.

In his "secret" space, he'd love to show them how good he is teaching the students (Ignoring that they are decapitated heads), and may sounds weird, he would be able to talk quietly when there is a debate or a talk. He will be happy to teach rocket jump if S/O is interested and any moment, he'd let them see a beautiful place where they can watch how the sun falls.

A bear hugger too. When he's joyful, when he won a match or because he wants, his S/O will be the first one to know it. He will put his arms around their waist and bring him closer to his body, placing his face on their chest. Don't miss this opportunity and respond him in the same way! His cuddles are gold.

Masterlist.

If there is any mistake, please, correct me.

#team fortress 2 #tf2 scout #tf2 spy #tf2 engineer #tf2 sniper #tf2 medic #tf2 demoman #tf2 heavy #tf2 pyro #tf2 soldier #tf2 request #tf2 headcanons #sorry xd #tf2

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dreamofawonderfullife · 7 years

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Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir: "You don't get through an Olympic season without tension"

The Canadian couple started their Olympic season with the Autumn Classic International and won. Then they danced at their first grand prix assignment, Skate Canada and not only won again, but also set a record score. At the post event press conference Scott explained that they had been a bit nervous, because the choice they made for their free program [set to the Moulin Rouge soundtrack] has a personal connection for them and they really wanted it to translate to the audience and judges. It turns out it did and that promises well for the upcoming NHK Trophy, as well as the rest of the season.

Taking a break after the last Olympics the couple is back on the scene since the last competitive season. Just one day after gaining their third World title, they attended a group interview. They are punctual, polite (when they noticed there were less chairs than journalists, they immediately offered their own chairs for the journalists until their press manager found more chairs in the Helsinki mixed zone) and extremely professional. Some athletes mistake professionalism for saying long but empty sentences with a committed facial expression, however, this is not the case with Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. They think about their answers, they don't avoid the unpleasant questions, but they don't miss any chance to say something funny.

You changed your coaching team before your competitive comeback. What has it brought to your skating?

Tessa : I think it was certainly time for a fresh environment, a new energy. We have had, sort of, three phases in our career. One was the inception, the first seven years of our career, and then ten years in Michigan was the next chapter. So I think it was a natural evolution for us to make a change. The dynamic Marie-France [Dubreuil], Patrice [Lauzon] and Romain [Hageenauer] have developed is incredibly unique. Technically they are so strong, so they helped us to raise our level technically and keep up with the top teams, which we needed in this comeback. There is also a vision of melding the artistic part with that, and making sure that we are also telling a story with those elements and transitions.

Did it add something specific to your skating, something that you didn't have before?

Scott: It's hard to say. We've always tried to improve our skating, throughout our career. They just have the whole package, so they helped our skating in many ways. They are so supportive, they are coaching with their hearts, so we feel very connected to them.

Previously you trained together with your biggest rivals Meryl [Davis] and Charlie [White], now you train with your biggest rivals again, this time Gabriella [Papadakis] and Guillaume [Cizeron]. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a situation?

Scott: We see very little disadvantage, to be honest. We love training in places where there is a high energy, we find it motivating every day. The trickiest part is the competition, because often you are back to back to back [in starting order], and I think it's harder on our coaches than it is on us. The biggest advantage of training with Gabriella and Guillaume is getting to see them everyday - they are pushing and inspiring us. While we really try to focus on ourselves, it's nice to have this motivation we found with Meryl and Charlie and now we find with Gaby and Guillaume.

Do you remember the first day you met each other?

Scott: Not really.

Tessa: I don't remember it specifically. I guess it was at the first summer skating school that we did together. He played a lot of pranks on the girls.

Scott: That was the best part!

Tessa: And we had really intense ping pong tournaments.

Scott: I think lot of skating fans would laugh if they saw us in the first five or six years. It's funny to see young kids coming to the sport now, they are so serious. We never really had that, we always loved skating, we always wanted to be the best, but we were not so serious.

How has your relationship changed through the years?

Scott (laughing): Which chapter do you want to hear?

Tessa: It's changing even week by week. Not unlike many other teams we have to work very hard and we are grateful that we have such a solid foundation. We appreciate one another in a great sense of respect, but we are continually working on our communication, making sure that we are always working effectively together and we are supporting each other appropriately. We just try to raise that level. Because the stronger we are as a unit, the stronger our skating is.

At the Worlds we saw some mistakes in the ice dance competition. How hard is ice dancing compared to single and pairs skating?

Scott: A lot of the pressure in the ice dance comes with the moment you want to create. We try not to let it affect us, but mistakes do happen. It also shows how demanding the elements are. It was a odd night for a world championships, but we relied on our training and we earned enough points to become world champions. We are proud of the year we had. And we like that now there are lot of changes in the order, it doesn't stay the same from the short dance to the free dance, it just shows that the competition is so thick and so competitive. Everyone is going for it and there comes lots of risk with this. I think it is great for the sport. We think it's going in the right direction; that is one of the reasons why we are back. A sport always has to evolve and to change. It's tough to look back when you are in it, but from our point of view as athletes we are pretty pleased.

New world records are set often. What do you think about this?

Scott: I used to hate that, but I really feel that if you are a fan and you see the men really pushing it, the ladies doing crazy things, the pairs with all those twists and stuff… It is amazing.

Tessa: [In Helsinki at the Worlds] I was really tuned to see the results from the all the other disciplines, it was extraordinary, with so many great performances.

Scott: For us a world record is fun, but we are always looking for a season's best performance, and we know that in the ending position we are not going to see the points. It is about the moment and feelings.

How much has ice dance changed since you were last competing?

Tessa: We knew what we are stepping into because we watched the world championships in Boston from a broadcasting standpoint. We knew that the level of talent is quite deep and strong. Technically the skaters are executing the turns much clearer. But also the tech panel is observing things differently. They know exactly what they are looking for and they are extremely critical. That means everyone has to step up and raise the level to match up. As for skating, I feel that there is a little bit more freedom, from the creative point of view. I think it is evident when you watch the free dances.

What was the hardest to get used to again?

Tessa: We were so well-prepared and our training was fantastic, very consistent from the beginning to the end. But when you take to the ice for a competition, there come different expectations. For us this season was to learn to compete again, to simulate what next season will feel like. Everything is to set up ourselves to that moment at the Olympic Games. The most challenging thing was probably just channeling that fresh energy, the nerves, the pressure and reminding ourselves why we wanted to come back in first place, that we wanted to enjoy skating.

Could you describe each other? What kind of a partner is Tessa and what kind of a partner is Scott?

Scott: Oh, we don't have enough time for that! There is one thing about Tessa that people might not see, and this is how funny she is. She has a great sense of humor. It's something that takes people by surprise. Because I'm so hilarious… (laughing) But it was such a cool moment, when I almost fell in the free dance at Worlds, and I got back up and Tessa said a really funny joke to me, it automatically put me back on track and I just kept going. But I also can talk about her determination. She is really motivating me, I want to just keep up with her. But she is so fun, she can say jokes that could save a life.

Tessa: It's undeniable what kind of an athlete Scott is. People see that determination and that drive. I've never seen someone so committed to excellence and pushing to be better. But more than that, he is the most generous person on earth. And that passion you see on the ice exactly translates how he is off the ice.

What did you discover about yourselves during your two years out of the competitive world?

Scott: A lot! During this journey since our last Games we learnt a lot being out of the sport and then we learnt a lot being back in the sport. Being away has given us a fresh perspective, just to realize we've been very fortunate to have this ride and to have this together. We realized how much we still enjoy working together.

After the Olympics in Sochi, where you earned the silver medal behind Davis and White, you said at the press conference that you sometimes felt like your coach Marina Zueva wasn't in your corner. Do you regret that you hadn't changed coaches earlier?

Scott: All we look back on now is how thankful we are. We still use so many lessons that Marina [Zueva] and Igor [Shpilband] taught us. When you get into a special situation, you remember those things. We've always been honest with the media. We just said how we felt [after the free dance in Sochi]. Not that we are taking that back, we are just really thinking about positive things they gave us. As Tessa said earlier, after ten years we needed a fresh change but there is no regret. If we could go back and play it again, would we do it differently? I don't know. We were very proud of our Sochi moment and I don't think we would want to trade that for anything. We had two great skates and we had our moment. That's all we can ask for as athletes.

Do you think the tension that you felt cost you the gold?

Scott: We've played it in our minds what cost us the gold, for a long time!

Tessa: The decision that made us come back and compete was knowing that we can do better. We watched the video and analyzed how we can change our speed and power, or the way we move our bodies, or the way we interpret music, or the music we choose… There were probably a couple of reasons why we didn't win.

Scott: I don't think tension was one of them, to be honest.

Tessa: You don't get through an Olympic season without tension. That's just part of the competition.

Scott: So get prepared for it!

You are one of the favourites of the Games in Pyeongchang and if you medal there, you could be the most decorated ice dancers in the Olympic history.

Scott: Wait, be careful with that!

Tessa: Don't jinx us!

Scott: To be there is an honour. We feel happy to be part of the ice dancing family and we are still surprised to be mentioned in the same sentence as Torvill and Dean or Shae-Lynn [Bourne] and Viktor [Kraatz]. But we are not chasing that, we are chasing our moment.

Tessa: This world title means a lot to us and we are very excited about it. But there is a journey leading to moments like this and it's a good reminder that we have to enjoy the process, every single day, every training. That moment fades away so quickly. We can't set ourselves to be happy based on the outcome of Pyeongchang. There has to be something deeper, something personally satisfying.

Titanilla Bőd, Absolute Skating, November 9th, 2017

credit photo : @danielleearlphotography, Askar Ibragimov and MG

#tessa virtue #scott moir #article #long article #but so fun

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