RP meme from Scream Queens Ep 1 "Pilot" & Ep 2 "Hell Week"(Note: Offensive content, use at own discretion)

Something really bad happened.

Did you just get your period all over yourself?

This isn't my blood.

Who told you you could have a baby here tonight?

I'm sure I can walk if I can just get some Gatorade.

I don't care if you can walk.

How are we supposed to get you to the front door without everyone seeing you all gross and postpartum?

No one wants to see that at a party.

This is super embarrassing.

I didn't even know I was pregnant.

You guys, they're playing "Waterfalls."

Is that a baby? Amazing.

I am not missing "Waterfalls" for this. "Waterfalls" is my jam.

Give the baby some mojito to quiet it down.

How do you know she's dead?

These are my minions. I don't know their names. I don't want to know their names.

I have a colonic at 10

Life is a class system.

Oh, still a lot of puke to scrub.

Yeah, you have an amazing skill at telling people what they need to hear.

I'm sorry. Did I ask you to pull down my panties and blow a compliment up my butt?

I hate sororities, and I hate you.

First of all, I'm not a lesbian.

You see, out in the real world, people just don't talk that way to other people. It's not normal.

Well, that sure sounds suspicious.

No one forced that goat to get as drunk as it got.

Historically, short people are sneaky backstabbers, like Napoleon or Paul Shaffer.

I could actually handle that you're built like a Thai ladyboy, but what I can't stand is that you think you're my heir apparent.

Don't you want me to spray-tan you?

I would honestly rather not have you around.

The police still can't figure out who filled that tank with hydrochloric acid.

It's good enough for me, and the D.A., who, last I heard, considers the case closed.

What is that skirt?

Your organization might want to find a lawyer.

I'm a pretty smart cookie.

I would not get personal with me, sweetheart.

I don't fight fair.

I am sentimental.

Look, girls are vicious, okay?

I don't have any of my own memories.

Just like we planned. Three-second silent hug, and then you leave.

Ooh, somebody call CSI, because there was a murder scene in that bathroom.

Someone puked in the sink and I'm pretty sure I saw an actual ringworm climbing up the wall. I'm not afraid of anything, but that bathroom scared the crap out of me.

This is gonna be a year of infinite possibilities.

Hold this. It's too heavy.

You didn't knock!

Look at them. They're the dregs of society.

Each one of these gashes is worse than the next.

She smells like hot dog water, and probably sprained her neck giving blumpkins down at the local bowling alley.

Look, I'm not saying that all heterosexual sex is rape. I'm saying all heterosexual sex is gross, and that deep down, every woman knows this.

All that girl's after is a whole lot of bikini burger.

Hey, girl, can I just ask you, what's up with your outfit?

God knows what they're talking about, basic bitches.

What fresh hell is this?

I need you to stay popular, 'cause if you want to stay at the top of the list of the pieces of ass I'm getting, there's criteria. And the criteria is you got to be popular.

Okay, I'm gonna stop you right there, because I'm getting really pissed off.

Stop fake crying.

Anyone you dated would be popular. I mean, they would be popular because they're dating you.

My ego, it's super strong, ok, but it's not strong enough that I can just go around dating garbage people.

Like, yes, I could find a random girl who wasn't popular, and, yes, if I started dating her she would then become popular.

But you said you loved me.

I do sort of love you.

I would love you a lot more if other people loved you, too.

Okay, I need you to leave because you're bumming me out

We're just trying to have a nice day hitting golf balls at hippies.

Pretty girls, like you and me.

That's why I'm gonna burn your face off.

Ugh! You burned the milk!

Next time, I get you fired, or worse.

Actually, I just want a regular coffee. Those white girl pumpkin spice lattes annoy me.

I like to think of myself, uh, as an investigative reporter.

I had to get a restraining order.

I tend to get a bit passionate about things.

Look, you intentionally led me on.

You kept acting like you liked me just so you could humiliate me.

Enter, ye who dare.

I love a creepy collage.

It's about kicking the living crap out of someone when they disrespect you.

I was just in your room, where I noticed you have a sizeable shrine with evil burning candles, photos of me with my face scratched out and pairs of my stolen panties.

How about I just drown you in it?

Well, of course she's dead! You just burned her face off!

You don't die from getting your face burned off.

There's a dead woman in your kitchen.

I'm going to the authorities.

That's not how I saw it. And my witnesses agree.

You're an awful person.

Who wants cocktails?

How did my life turn into this?

Have you seen the way girls dress on this campus?

I'm sitting in the same office I used to throw bricks into.

You're awful in bed. Are you aware?

I'm gonna take a pair of your panties.

I'm gonna barf on your face unless you get out of here.

Try to figure out who gave you such disgusting mommy issues.

You loaded a dead body into a freezer.

What are you proposing?

I want to help you with your exposé, secretly feed you info.

You need eyes on the inside.

I don't know what to do with the body.

Are you saying dead bodies don't turn you on?

You are so lame, you know that?

God, I love all that death stuff.

Show me the body.

Show me the dead body.

This blood oath will ensure solidarity among us. We are all related now.

I just Googled "blood oath" and this is what came up.

What does this oath even mean?

I just need you all to not say anything about what happened, and I figured a blood oath was cheaper than buying you all presents.

Wait, what about STDs?

Idiot, you don't get STDs from blood oaths.

You get STDs from dirty toilet seats and drinking the water in Mexico.

Um, "STD" stands for "sexually transmitted disease," which means that it's transmitted sexually.

When were you in Mexico?

You know what, forget the blood oath.

I can't stay silent!

I'm calling my mom, and I'm going home.

Okay, Pissy Spacek, you and I have a few differences we need to iron out.

I want you to be one of my minions.

It's the gateway to the top of the heap.

You put on a good front, but you're miserable.

Don't you think any of that has anything to do with the fact that you've created an atmosphere based solely on negativity and raw ambition?

Can we talk for real for a second, please?

I mean, you're so confident without being mean. What antidepressants are you on?

Don't you see that all that's happened isn't a crisis? It's an opportunity.

Yeah, no, I tried. See, I really tried. But all of this flowery, peace-on-Earth crap, it makes me want to puke.

You haven't even seen half of what I'm capable of!

Totally spit in your coffee, bitch.

I don't mean to be a contrarian, but I'm enjoying this.

Is that killer noises or am I hallucinating?

I'm gonna ask one more time, will you speak up?

What can you tell us about the murder?

There's an exodus right now.

The risks are real, but we need to close ranks.

I don't feel comfortable with a man protecting me. It's representative of the patriarchal, post-colonial culture that encourages violence against women.

We buy a pig and feed it the body. Pigs will eat anything.

Don't go skating on those poop lagoons, because if you fall in, you'll drown in the poop and come springtime, there'll be nothing left of your body.

Here's what you should do. Pulverize her teeth, burn off her fingerprints, and disfigure her face. Once her body is unrecognizable, we can create an incision on her inner thigh and drain out all of her bodily fluids. That'll give us more time to deconstruct the body.

Truly grinding down a body takes a lot of work. You need a really good food processor, and you run the risk of fouling the plumbing, which is why you should only do it if you know how to clear out meat and bones from a drain pipe.

I'm willing to help in any way possible.

You're obviously a psychopath and those ideas are insane!

Why are you trying to terrify us?

Can I call you Mom?

I feel so loved and protected by all of you.

Actually, it's a new pop culture trend where young women desperately in need of role models call other girls they look up to Mom.

I thought you'd be cool with it.

I mean, I did just give you several ways to dispose of a body.

Okay, fine. Just stop talking.

You are so friggin' creepy!

Someone just mowed off a deaf girl's head in our backyard.

I mean, as you can see, I'm not licensed to carry a sidearm.

Wait, so you don't have a gun?

I have pepper spray. And I have a walkie talkie that I can use to call the police, who do have guns.

What good are you?

Get the hell out of there. Run away, real fast.

Now, I would give you my number, but my cell phone is off right now.

If you want the place clean, maybe you shouldn't have burned the maid's face off.

Don't you wonder what's in there?

People have been whispering about that house for years, that it's haunted, that something really bad happened. I mean, there's no way there isn't some real-life story behind it, right?

I'm gonna have to break in.

I mean, I don't think anyone's gonna get killed in the 30 minutes we make out, right?

Can you stop talking?

You're kind of ruining whatever was good about it.

Please try to understand the situation I'm in.

I don't give a rat's ass about your job.

You know, I find good parenting incredibly attractive.

You're a snoopy little bugger.

Whose bloody clothes are those?

Supposedly, it was a super fun party.

We're all gonna pay for this.

I think it's all crap. Just a myth.

What happened to the baby?

Sometimes I picture myself like Derek Jeter, you know?

I'm gonna choke you out.

There's a serial killer on the loose.

Please don't say you want to choke me.

I'd love having sex with your corpse.

I'm sorry. This isn't working for me.

Well, I sort of am your boyfriend, and I'm protecting you by having sex with you.

No! I don't need a man to protect me.

How could I have wasted this much time?

Is my self-esteem really that low?

I'm sorry. I think we need to take a break.

I need you to leave right now!

You know, it would really help me feel better if I could just crawl into bed with you for a few minutes.

Are you gonna touch my wiener, or you gonna leave my wiener alone?

I'll leave your wiener alone.

Where are your hands?

He has a huge boner!

Why don't you go in there and ogle his big old boner?

Okay, uh, first of all, I'm not gonna go ogle his big old boner, because I'm not gay.

Look, I'm sorry everybody wants to have sex with me. Okay? I can't help that.

I'm hot. Everybody wants to get with this. Women, men, animals in the zoo, plants, probably.

You're gonna have to go right now, 'cause I am breaking up with you.

Excuse me, I broke up with you!

I regretted what I said, and I just wanted to come here and tell you that I am so sorry.

Well, I accept your apology. And now I'm breaking up with you.

Do you know why I'm breaking up with you?

You can't deal with how hot I am.

Sorry, I just broke up with you.

Can you please put some clothes on?

Um, they said, uh, I shouldn't be alone, you know, in case I fall asleep and die.

Can I just get you a robe or something though?

So you're saying I'm the killer?

Okay, this isn't about me thinking you're boyfriend material.

God, I was so gonna go to third base with you tonight, too.

What if we stapled their earlobes?

Private like the parts on a man you like putting in your mouth?

I want to publicly come out as gay on my own.

I mean, you guys have to accept everybody, right?

I actually think that's illegal.

I will come after you, do you understand that? I will destroy you.

I trust you'll consider my offer.

Name one bad thing that ever happened at a Best Buy parking lot.

You're just, like, super attractive.

Um, well, I was trying to be inconspicuous.

It's better than losing your life.

I have a thing for playlists.

Someone's got a poo belly.

Sweet Yeezus, I don't even know where to begin with you.

Bitch, I'm about to smack you so hard, your tampon's gonna pop out.

I heard screaming.

So you think the serial killer is still up there?

Upstairs to get the killer before he gets away!

You just said that you think the killer is up there, and that's where you want to go?

This is freakin' terrifying!

The killer is in the house! You hear me?

I need my damn inhaler.

What, am I supposed to be scared?

Don't even come out. We plan on getting drunk, and I don't want your bad attitude ruining it.

We're headed down to White Stallion to pick up some sluts, baby!

Yes, okay, I burned her slightly, but stop saying that I killed her.

That was a tragic accident.

I am a kind and devoted and loving friend to all.

I'm not some crazed psychopath.

Maybe you're the killer.

I will not be put on trial.

The truth is we don't know who the killer is, and, yes, I suppose it could be someone in this room.

You want to go first?

I banged, like, 50 chicks.

What took you so long?

My Reaction to “Birds of Prey“

*in best Roman Sionis impression*  WHOOO!

Figured I might as well FINALLY watch it.  On with the show!

*silently jams to the opening logos*

This animated intro is great.

*snorts at the little animation of how an egg gets fertilized*

Why is this animated Joker a different (and actually better) character design than what we got in Suicide Squad?  Were we robbed of Letoker in full Joker suited glory?  I think we were.

“Behind every successful man is a badass broad.”  *points at screen in agreement*

I love Harley’s freaking rainbow apartment

The hyena!

This movie has the same amount of color saturation as “Pulp Fiction”

Freaking Bernie the Beaver is holding her tissues!  We stan supportive friends!

*gasp* Cass!

This guy [Roman’s driver] looks an awful lot like Jon Hamm and that is never gonna go away

“It’s not a party without a little drama!”  I love Ewan McGregor

*snorts in hilarity when Harley turns to address the audience about how much she doesn’t like Roman in front of Roman*

“Do give the Joker my [Roman] best.”  Uhhh....

*jams the crap out to “Boss Bitch” by Doja Cat*

*laughs at Harley drunkenly giving relationship advice to a female bust in the club*

“Some people have the Eiffel Tower.  Or Olive Garden.”  Can we please hear the stories about Gotham’s Olive Garden?

Oh that shot [of Harley walking away from the Ace Chemicals explosion] is great

[Four Minutes Ago]  *snorts in hilarity*

So far I actually really like Rosie Perez as Montoya.

Huntress!

*Huntress kills the mob people in the flashback*  That was awesome.  And the way Montoya steps back and forth to investigate the body is great.

“Harley Quinn just called open season on herself.”  And oop.

God, seeing Ewan as Black Mask is really gonna throw me off but man this is gonna be a great performance.

*jaw drops in horror when Zsasz removes someone’s FACE*

JESUS CHRIST HOLY SHIT RATED “R” HUH?!?

“Is that a snot bubble?”  Shit!

OHHHHH THAT SHOT OF ROMAN WITH THE MASK ON!!!  AAAAAAHHHH!!

The SATURATION IN THIS MOVIE

Also the soundtrack and aesthetic in this movie is very... “Suicide Squad”-esque

Man that sandwich looks good

*jaw drops when Harley accidentally throws her sandwich into the road*

Also they de-saturated everything again hahaha

Oh my gosh that guy [”Happy”] is HUGE

[GRIEVANCE:  COSMETIC VANDALISM]  Yeah, that sounds about right

“Par-ley??”  *snorts*

Her [Montoya’s] shirt....

Also why is she wearing that shirt at work?

This movie is giving me huge Tarantino vibes

Why does the actor that plays Montoya’s boss looks familiar?

Oh!  He’s Rufus in “Supernatural.”  Bobby’s kinda buddy!

“Ms. Montoya, we do have a dress code.”  There we go.

They are really just going back and forth in the timeline to cover everything, aren’t they?

Harley’s using nonlethal rounds?

The action set pieces in this movie so far are awesome.

*says “Run, piggy, run!” along with Harley*

Of course Dinah is singing “This Is A Man’s World”

Also I’ve seen like a 20 second Twitter compilation of Roman saying the f-bomb and it’s glorious

“We could make our own family.”  Oh snap.

WAIT THAT’S THE GUY WHOSE FACE ZSASZ REMOVED!

Does... Roman... like Dinah?  Like... that?  Or is this manipulation?

*chuckles when drunk Harley slides up next to Dinah at the bar*

*gets very uncomfortable at a guy trying to take advantage of a drunk Harley*

C’mon Dinah...

What’s the song playing here [when Dinah’s beating up the guys in the alley]?

Uh whatcha doing in the corner there, Zsasz?

“Oh sooongbirrddd?”  Noo...

Did I just see a street sign that said “ANUS”?

So is Cass faking a broken wrist or does she actually have a broken wrist?

So far my favorite characters are Montoya and Dinah.  Not gonna lie.

*has to muffle laughter when Roman does the mmkay hand sign* 

“I mean, I like crossbows!”  *giggles*

Holy shit, Zsasz is jealous of Dinah.

“Look at his little ears, the little haircut...”  *insane giggling*

ZSASZ IS DYING IN THE BACK I LOVE THIS SONG

Dinah is clearly rethinking some life decisions while looking at that statue of Roman

*jams out to “Sway with Me” by GALAXRA*

*Cass robs Zsasz of the diamond*  WHOOP!

*winces when Roman does acupuncture*

“SHE’s a chILDDD!!”  *laughs*

ZSASZ

Ho shit that shot of Roman on top of the stairs looking down at Harley

“VOTED FOR BERNIE” HAHAHA

*Harley completely derails Roman’s villain monologue*  THIS IS AMAZING

HE [Roman] GOT A BOWL OF POPCORN

*Zsasz licks Harley’s cheek*  EEUUUGGGHHH!!

Did that goon just pull a tampon out of Harley’s pocket?

I’M SORRY CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE PICTURE OF NUDE ELEANOR ROOSEVELT?

*gasps when Roman backhands Harley across the face*

OH HERE WE GO

HOLY SHIT THIS IS GREAT

ROMAN IN THE STRIPED SUIT

THE CHOREOGRAPHY

WHY WAS IT SO SHORT I LOVED IT

Where is this cover at on the official soundtrack?!?

“I’ll give you ‘til midnight.”  Hold on, hold on, what’s the timeline for this movie?

Harley’s just booking it in the background

Aaaand we’re back at the beginning!

Aaand there’s Harley!

Wait there’s about an hour left and we just now got to Harley meeting Cass?

CONFETTIIIII!!

Is she just using paint bombs on all the guards?

Harley, trying to enter the cells:  I AM PRESSING.  EVERY BUTTON.  I CAN FIND.

Why would they put Cass in the cell block with all the adults?

OH HALSEY!  COME THROUGH!

*Harley slides across the floor to knock a guy down*  OHHHH!!!

Daniel Pemberton’s orchestral score for this movie is reminding me an awful lot of “Into the Spiderverse”

Is that Katana’s sword?!?  How the hell did it get there?!?

WAIT SHE’S GONNA HUFF THE COCAINE?!?

Jesus, now THIS is Harley’s fighting style!  Holy crap!

*gasps when Harley gets kicked back and knocks off a car door off its hinges*

*jaw drops*  SHE JUST SET THAT DUDE’S BEARD ON FIRE

How does everyone seem to know where Harley is?

*Smash cut to Harley buying laxative for Dinah in the store*  Hahahahahaha!

“I do not care that you’re [Cass] a kid.”  Yeah, Harley, didn’t you uh... assist in the murder of Jason Todd in this universe?  Hmmm???

Wait so how long ago have Harley and the Joker been together?

Doc calls Harley “lotus flower”!

Those are the nuns from the school in the beginning!

She is actually... talking to the beaver

“[Joker] Sounds like a dick.”  I mean, yeah.

Also I just realized that Harley drew an actual dick in the Joker drawing’s mouth

HUNTRESS!

OH NOW WE’RE GETTING INTRODUCED TO HELENA!

*eyes widen in shock at the Bertenelli massacre*

*chuckles at the smash cut to Helena practicing in the mirror*

*Roman sees someone laughing in the club*  Oh no.

“Get on the table.”  Uh.

Oh no what is he doing?

“DANCE, ERICA!”  Ohh.  Shit.

“Take your dress off.”  *jaw drops in horror*

God, I cannot watch this.  Holy-

*has to avert eyes*

*Roman stops Dinah from leaving*  NO.

“You soothe me, little bird.”  AHHHHHHHHHHHHH-

OK, I can take a breather now.  Ohhhh my God...

They’re [Harley and Cass] really just having a girl’s night

BRUCE, NOOOOO!!!

“No one knew we were here except-”  DOC SOLD THEM OUT!

“This next bit ain’t very pretty.”  Oh boy.

“I [Roman] own this town.  You have my protection.”  Mmmmm... no?

Whoa this super dramatic cover of “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”

OH HE’S [Zsasz] GONNA SEE THE TEXT SHE [Dinah] SENT [to Montoya]!

*Roman starts to break down*  Oh.  Shit.

OH THIS MUSIC

*Roman puts the mask on*  OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

OH THIS IS GREAT

Also of course Joker and Harley had a hideout in Amusement Mile

*winces when Montoya punches Harley right in the boob*

*Harley kicks Montoya out the window*  Oh she dead

*gasps*  Zsasz!

Man that sideways shot of him is terrifying!

OH FRICK NO

JESUS I DON’T LIKE THIS

So is it implied that Zsasz only kills women or what?  I thought he was an equal opportunity killer?

“That’s why he [Roman] needs me [Zsasz] to look after him.”  Dude.

...did they just kill Zsasz?

Everyone except Harley is pointing guns at each other and all I’m thinking of is that scene from “The Office”

*snorts in hilarity for Harley clapping for Helena completing her kill list*

Oh Roman just brought a whole freaking army

OHHHH HE’S GOT THE MASK

Oh this music *chef’s kiss*

Oh my God is Roman gonna find Zsasz’s body?

Oh that crane shot out of the lair and back outside?  That’s some good shit.  Cathy Yan, I see you.

“I [Helena] DON’T HAVE RAGE ISSUES!”  DINAH’S FACE!

*Helena pounces on a goon in the slide down and kills him*  Geez that’s awesome

This whole set is great

*Helena gives Cass her old toy truck*  THIS MAKES ME SAD

Yeah when did Harley have time to put on her skates?

Some dude just gets shanked then leaps back up

That fight scene just went by real quick

*gasps when Roman shoots Montoya*

*jaw drops when Dinah does the Canary Cry*

*Harley gets sideswiped by one of Roman’s goons*  Yeah no there’s like half a rib cage gone

*Harley works on overtaking one of Roman’s goons’ car*  CRAZY TOWN BEEP BEEP!

*Harley backflips onto the top of Roman’s car*  OHHHH!

Founders Pier... geez that looks great

Wait are those all Roman’s goons just lining the dock or are those just statues?

Oh they’re all statues.  That’s creepy.

“exCUUSEE me?!?”  *snorts in hilarity*

*jaw drops when Cass tucks a grenade in Roman’s coat and activates it*

*still shocked when he FREAKING EXPLODES*

I’M SORRY THEY JUST KILLED OFF BLACK MASK

*Cass finally goes to the bathroom*  Finally!

“Does she always [Montoya] talk like the cop in a bad 80s movie?”  *laughs*

Guys Helena is great

*laughs when Helena laughs at the fact that Harley stole Dinah’s car*

“They call themselves the Birds of Prey.”  Yay!  Lemme see them again!

Harley’s jacket has a bedazzled vagina on the back of it

Look at Cass with her jacket and sunglasses!

“Yeah, I made the kid my apprentice.”  Yeah, that’s not gonna last long.

Sims 4 Patch Notes

UPDATE: 4/16/2019 – PC 1.51.75.1020 / Mac 1.51.75.1220

Happy April, Simmers. Nice to meet you! Maxis hired me as a freelance writer to work on these game update notes. (Side note — if you find a problem, blame SimGuru Graham — he’s my editor.) In all honesty, it’s a pretty sweet gig. I got to see the new Expansion Pack, Game Pack, and Stuff Pack that the team is working on, and did you know that they bring in bagels on Fridays? But hey, enough about me. Being a freelancer, I’ll be gone again before you know it.

Anyway, funny coincidence; there’s actually a brand-new Freelancer career arriving in this update that’s free for all players. I was playing around with it earlier, and go figure… my Sim self earns more money as a freelance writer than I do! Geez; guess I’ll have to live out my fantasies of getting rich through The Sims again. Looking beyond the new, free features though, I’ve got to say… those SimGurus really knocked it out of the park with this one. Just look at all those lovely fixes to many of the top discussed community issues!

Well, let’s get to it, shall we? Here’s everything you’ll find in this April update. Have fun!

Yours truly,

Sue D. Nym

Freelance Writer Extraordinaire

NEW CONTENT

Freelancer Career

Freelancer is a brand-new type of career. Sims can choose to be a Freelance Artist, Programmer, or Writer, and will work through an agency that will connect them with a variety of gigs. Unlike other careers, there’s no defined work schedule to worry yourself over. Need some extra Simoleons? Smash through a few gigs in a single day and get paid! Need some time off? No problem – plenty of gigs will be waiting for you when you’re ready to get back to work. Your office is wherever you want it to be. Perhaps a quiet corner in the local library, or maybe you’d prefer a home office decked out in the new set of office furniture? You’re your own boss, so the choice is yours! Completion of gigs across the different agencies will lead to a variety of rewards, and ever-increasing pay. Really, it’s the best Sims career Maxis has ever made. [Sue, please… remove this. No editorializing. – SimGuruGraham]

New Objects

This free set of home office furniture and decor is ideal for your burgeoning Freelancer Sims!

Bookcase: Edgier LadderCase

Desk: Anglette Desk

Desk Chair: The Professional

End Table: A Cute Anglette

Decor: Not So Simple Pen Holder

Decor: Hand Reference Model

Decor: Robo, The Friendly Circuitry Kit

Decor: The Note Book

Laptop: FreeRoam Portable Computing Device

Wall Decor: Better As A Pair Of Paintings

Wall Decor: Supreme Freelancer Award

New Clothing

Freelancers tend to want comfy, but professional outfits. We’ve got them covered with the following new pieces of clothing.

Women

Men

A cable knit cardigan outfit

A sweater and skirt outfit

A layered sweater

A pair of flats

A collared sweater

A button up shirt

A crewneck sweater

A pair of drawstring pants

Moschino

In collaboration with Moschino, your Sims can now enjoy an item from the Moschino X The Sims Capsule Collection. The new Freezer Bunny hoodie can be found in the Create a Sim catalog.

Immaculate White Shelf

I could have buried this down in the Fixes & Updates section, but… it’s kind of a big deal. There’s now a plain white version of “The Immaculate” shelf available in Buy Mode!

[Note to self: Sue seemed super excited about this. It sure seems like something we should do more of… – SimGuruGraham]

FIXES & UPDATES

The Sims 4

Sims will travel to the correct venue when invited out to an event by a NPC Sim.

Fixed an issue where the UI would occasionally indicate that a Sim was at work, when they were actually at home, which would block access to the Sim’s inventory.

Sims will no longer receive random phone calls from other Sims between the hours of 8pm and 10am, allowing them to enjoy a full – and speedy – night’s sleep.

Fixed an issue where multiple music tracks could end up looping and playing simultaneously.

Expecting parents will once again be able to “Take Family Leave” via their phone to take time off from work.

Fixed an issue where a Sim who had cheated with another Sim romantically, were then unable to successfully propose to that Sim and get married.

Fixed an issue where Sims in the eSport Gamer branch of the Tech Guru career were not earning money when programming video games.

The Pick Up Serving Together interaction will no longer cause one of the Sims involved to fail to route to the food.

Fixed an issue where interactions on the Digitalistic Sketchpad object would disappear if a Sim’s actions were canceled while they were picking up the Digitalistic Sketchpad.

Updated the Digitalistic Sketchpad object so that creating paintings on it will satisfy Aspiration goals and work tasks that involve painting.

Fixed an issue with the Lin-Z Smart Speaker, where the interaction to hire a Gardener would remain unselectable, even when the home had a garden that needed tending.

Sims will now look at the Lin-Z Smart Speaker when speaking to it.

The “Pre-Owned Painter’s Easel”, that’s unlocked via the Painter career, will now provide an Inspirational emotional aura, instead of a Focused emotional aura.

Fixed an issue where staircases were not rendering properly while held by a mouse cursor.

Updated positioning of overlapping Search & Reset buttons in a player’s catalog within the Gallery.

Adjusted icons of Lunar New Year recipes to better display what food you’re looking at within an inventory.

The children’s Yin & Yang Necklace will no longer clip into their neck when wearing a shirt that’s tucked in.

The “CleanRoom” wall pattern, which was previously missing a name for its 5th color variant, has now had that specific color variant named “Like Sand”.

Added the ability to click through different pack art on the main menu for any of the packs you currently have installed.

A new content alert icon has been added to individual careers within the Select a Career panel, to help players find new careers that have been added to their game.

Note: If a save file created prior to this update contains a Sim that’s already in this bad state, simply traveling to another lot with that Sim will permanently fix this issue.

As far as I’m aware, this is the only instance in the game where a color variant has been given a unique name. Huh… neat!

Mac

Fixed an issue for Mac users with Intel integrated graphics, where the mouse cursor would not move properly after adjusting the shape of a Sim’s body in Create a Sim.

Removed an outdated file that was causing a false error message to appear for 64-bit Mac users that said, “The Sims 4” is not optimized for your Mac and needs to be updated.”

Get To Work

Scientists will once again wear an appropriate outfit when going to work even if StrangerVille is not installed.

The “Chemical Analyzer” object can now be purchased from Build Mode without having to use a cheat.

Fixed an issue where selecting the Randomize from Gallery option until receiving an alien Sim, and then further randomizing that specific Sim, could result in a naked alien Sim.

Made updates to the list of valid objects that can be selected as the outcome of the SimRay’s “Transform Object” interaction.

City Living

Fixed an issue where objects from multiple festivals were appearing on top of each other in the neighborhood simultaneously.

Apartment landlords will now leave the apartment immediately after addressing a tenant’s complaint.

Added the ability for Sims with the Vegetarian trait to hire a Vegetarian Caterer by clicking on Stoves or Refrigerators.

Vegetarian Sims will no longer enjoy eating Mud Carp.

Cats & Dogs

After installing this update, Sims who adopt an animal after befriending them will be able to become companions with them and lecture them for misbehavior.

Fixed an issue where hungry pets would not eat from food bowls autonomously.

The pet toy box will no longer have its position rotated in a random direction when a Sim returns home from an active career.

Fixed an issue where the “Litter-Matic Scoop-Free” litterbox wasn’t looking clean after cat poop had been removed.

Fixed an issue with the Pet Adoption Agency, where they would occasionally show up at a Sim’s home without any pets to adopt, and would simply stand at the home’s front door and not do anything.

Note: Sims who have already adopted an animal after befriending them, in a save file created prior to this update, will continue to experience this issue. We’re investigating a separate fix for this issue in existing save files.

We’ve placed the magic gnomes responsible for this in the naughty box alongside SimGuruNinja.

Seasons

Updated the Gardening career so that Sims will earn more than 10 Simoleons per completed work shift.

Fixed an issue where on days where no holiday was set to occur, a Sim’s work schedule would update to falsely indicate that the day was a Holiday just prior to going to work, causing the Sim to stay home for the day.

Fixed an issue where NPC Sims were not autonomously using the skating rinks that appear in certain neighborhoods.

Toddlers will no longer attempt to queue up behavior to “Run Inside” during bad weather conditions if they’re already inside.

Fixed an issue where Sims voices could not be heard when Singing Together around a Holiday Tree if City Living was not installed.

Get Famous

The Acting career task to “Get Into Hair and Makeup” can be successfully completed once again.

Fixed an issue where celebrity Sims who had been set to use their normal walkstyle were switching back to using the celebrity walkstyle after traveling to certain types of venues.

Three star celebrity Sims will no longer use the celebrity walkstyle.

Dine Out

Players who have City Living installed can now add the Siopao and Ensaymada dishes to their restaurant’s menu. Yum!

Vampires

Vampire Sims created after installing this update will be able to continue to gain points after reaching the rank of Grand Master.

Fixed some circumstances where Vampire NPCs could appear at a venue and prevent the player from being able to save the game.

Fixed an issue where NPC Vampires would have their Vampire Energy drained after completing a load, which was causing them to idle in place instead of performing their expected autonomous behavior.

Note: Vampires that already exist will continue to experience a problem with gaining points after reaching Grand Master. We’re investigating a separate fix for Vampires in existing save files.

StrangerVille

Fixed an issue where Sims that had been shared to the Gallery after completing Act 1 of the StrangerVille Mystery would be blocked from progressing in the mystery when downloaded from the Gallery into a new game.

The following environment objects, which were created for StrangerVille, have been added to the Build Mode debug catalog to allow placement on lots. Players must enter the bb.showhiddenobjects cheat before they can be seen in the catalog.

Added proper images to the Officer and Covert Operator branches of the Military career.

Removed the “Question about Spores in Lab” interaction for Sims who have already acquired the Modified Hazmat Suit.

Removed the “Heart of the Pack” styled look from Create a Sim, as it was authored using clothing that’s only available to Sims that have joined the Military career.

Updated the pack information panel on the main menu to not display world objects under the Build Mode Items.

10 different cacti

3 different Joshua trees

3 different RVs

2 clusters of rocks

2 junked cars

A group of desert flowers

A military truck

A tire

A parking stop

My First Pet Stuff

Fixed an issue where deleting/selling the rodent habitat could cause the game to become unresponsive.

Holiday Celebration Pack

The Crown Roast platter will now show a partially eaten state when half of its servings have been taken.

I’d like to adjust the wording here, as this issue was not specific to stray pets and there may be confusion. The bug was happening if you became Friends with the pet before using the Adopt interaction. You HAVE to become Friends for Adopt to become available on a stray, but some users were encountering this by petting their computer-adopted pet a bunch of times before hitting Adopt.

The Sims 4: New Game Patch (April 16th, 2019)

There’s a new Sims 4 PC update available via Origin!

Remove all MODS and Custom Content before updating your game!

UPDATE: 4/16/2019 – PC 1.51.75.1020 / Mac 1.51.75.1220

Happy April, Simmers. Nice to meet you! Maxis hired me as a freelance writer to work on these game update notes. (Side note — if you find a problem, blame SimGuruGraham — he’s my editor.) In all honesty, it’s a pretty sweet gig. I got to see the new Expansion Pack, Game Pack, and Stuff Pack that the team is working on, and did you know that they bring in bagels on Fridays? But hey, enough about me. Being a freelancer, I’ll be gone again before you know it.

Anyway, funny coincidence; there’s actually a brand-new Freelancer career arriving in this update that’s free for all players. I was playing around with it earlier, and go figure… my Sim self earns more money as a freelance writer than I do! Geez; guess I’ll have to live out my fantasies of getting rich through The Sims again. Looking beyond the new, free features though, I’ve got to say… those SimGurus really knocked it out of the park with this one. Just look at all those lovely fixes to many of the top discussed community issues!

Well, let’s get to it, shall we? Here’s everything you’ll find in this April update. Have fun!

Yours truly, Sue D. Nym Freelance Writer Extraordinaire

NEW CONTENT

Freelancer Career

Freelancer is a brand-new type of career. Sims can choose to be a Freelance Artist, Programmer, or Writer, and will work through an agency that will connect them with a variety of gigs. Unlike other careers, there’s no defined work schedule to worry yourself over. Need some extra Simoleons? Smash through a few gigs in a single day and get paid! Need some time off? No problem – plenty of gigs will be waiting for you when you’re ready to get back to work. Your office is wherever you want it to be. Perhaps a quiet corner in the local library, or maybe you’d prefer a home office decked out in the new set of office furniture? You’re your own boss, so the choice is yours! Completion of gigs across the different agencies will lead to a variety of rewards, and ever-increasing pay. Really, it’s the best Sims career Maxis has ever made. [Sue, please… remove this. No editorializing. – SimGuruGraham]

New Objects

This free set of home office furniture and decor is ideal for your burgeoning Freelancer Sims!

Bookcase: Edgier LadderCase

Desk: Anglette Desk

Desk Chair: The Professional

End Table: A Cute Anglette

Decor: Not So Simple Pen Holder

Decor: Hand Reference Model

Decor: Robo, The Friendly Circuitry Kit

Decor: The Note Book

Laptop: FreeRoam Portable Computing Device

Wall Decor: Better As A Pair Of Paintings

Wall Decor: Supreme Freelancer Award

New Clothing

Freelancers tend to want comfy, but professional outfits. We’ve got them covered with the following new pieces of clothing.

Women

Men

A cable knit cardigan outfit

A sweater and skirt outfit

A layered sweater

A pair of flats

A collared sweater

A button up shirt

A crewneck sweater

A pair of drawstring pants

Moschino

In collaboration with Moschino, your Sims can now enjoy an item from the Moschino X The Sims Capsule Collection. The new Freezer Bunny hoodie can be found in the Create a Sim catalog.

Immaculate White Shelf

I could have buried this down in the Fixes & Updates section, but… it’s kind of a big deal. There’s now a plain white version of “The Immaculate” shelf available in Buy Mode!

[Note to self: Sue seemed super excited about this. It sure seems like something we should do more of… – SimGuruGraham]

FIXES & UPDATES

The Sims 4

Sims will travel to the correct venue when invited out to an event by a NPC Sim.

Fixed an issue where the UI would occasionally indicate that a Sim was at work, when they were actually at home, which would block access to the Sim’s inventory.

Sims will no longer receive random phone calls from other Sims between the hours of 8pm and 10am, allowing them to enjoy a full – and speedy – night’s sleep.

Fixed an issue where multiple music tracks could end up looping and playing simultaneously.

Expecting parents will once again be able to “Take Family Leave” via their phone to take time off from work.

Fixed an issue where a Sim who had cheated with another Sim romantically, were then unable to successfully propose to that Sim and get married.

Fixed an issue where Sims in the eSport Gamer branch of the Tech Guru career were not earning money when programming video games.

The Pick Up Serving Together interaction will no longer cause one of the Sims involved to fail to route to the food.

Fixed an issue where interactions on the Digitalistic Sketchpad object would disappear if a Sim’s actions were canceled while they were picking up the Digitalistic Sketchpad.

Updated the Digitalistic Sketchpad object so that creating paintings on it will satisfy Aspiration goals and work tasks that involve painting.

Fixed an issue with the Lin-Z Smart Speaker, where the interaction to hire a Gardener would remain unselectable, even when the home had a garden that needed tending.

Sims will now look at the Lin-Z Smart Speaker when speaking to it.

The “Pre-Owned Painter’s Easel”, that’s unlocked via the Painter career, will now provide an Inspirational emotional aura, instead of a Focused emotional aura.

Fixed an issue where staircases were not rendering properly while held by a mouse cursor.

Updated positioning of overlapping Search & Reset buttons in a player’s catalog within the Gallery.

Adjusted icons of Lunar New Year recipes to better display what food you’re looking at within an inventory.

The children’s Yin & Yang Necklace will no longer clip into their neck when wearing a shirt that’s tucked in.

The “CleanRoom” wall pattern, which was previously missing a name for its 5th color variant, has now had that specific color variant named “Like Sand”.

Added the ability to click through different pack art on the main menu for any of the packs you currently have installed.

A new content alert icon has been added to individual careers within the Select a Career panel, to help players find new careers that have been added to their game.

Note: If a save file created prior to this update contains a Sim that’s already in this bad state, simply traveling to another lot with that Sim will permanently fix this issue.

As far as I’m aware, this is the only instance in the game where a color variant has been given a unique name. Huh… neat!

Mac

Fixed an issue for Mac users with Intel integrated graphics, where the mouse cursor would not move properly after adjusting the shape of a Sim’s body in Create a Sim.

Removed an outdated file that was causing a false error message to appear for 64-bit Mac users that said, “The Sims 4” is not optimized for your Mac and needs to be updated.”

Get To Work

Scientists will once again wear an appropriate outfit when going to work even if StrangerVille is not installed.

The “Chemical Analyzer” object can now be purchased from Build Mode without having to use a cheat.

Fixed an issue where selecting the Randomize from Gallery option until receiving an alien Sim, and then further randomizing that specific Sim, could result in a naked alien Sim.

Made updates to the list of valid objects that can be selected as the outcome of the SimRay’s “Transform Object” interaction.

City Living

Fixed an issue where objects from multiple festivals were appearing on top of each other in the neighborhood simultaneously.

Apartment landlords will now leave the apartment immediately after addressing a tenant’s complaint.

Added the ability for Sims with the Vegetarian trait to hire a Vegetarian Caterer by clicking on Stoves or Refrigerators.

Vegetarian Sims will no longer enjoy eating Mud Carp.

Cats & Dogs

After installing this update, Sims who adopt an animal after befriending them will be able to become companions with them and lecture them for misbehavior.

Fixed an issue where hungry pets would not eat from food bowls autonomously.

The pet toy box will no longer have its position rotated in a random direction when a Sim returns home from an active career.

Fixed an issue where the “Litter-Matic Scoop-Free” litterbox wasn’t looking clean after cat poop had been removed.

Fixed an issue with the Pet Adoption Agency, where they would occasionally show up at a Sim’s home without any pets to adopt, and would simply stand at the home’s front door and not do anything.

Note: Sims who have already adopted an animal after befriending them, in a save file created prior to this update, will continue to experience this issue. We’re investigating a separate fix for this issue in existing save files.

We’ve placed the magic gnomes responsible for this in the naughty box alongside SimGuruNinja.

Seasons

Updated the Gardening career so that Sims will earn more than 10 Simoleons per completed work shift.

Fixed an issue where on days where no holiday was set to occur, a Sim’s work schedule would update to falsely indicate that the day was a Holiday just prior to going to work, causing the Sim to stay home for the day.

Fixed an issue where NPC Sims were not autonomously using the skating rinks that appear in certain neighborhoods.

Toddlers will no longer attempt to queue up behavior to “Run Inside” during bad weather conditions if they’re already inside.

Fixed an issue where Sims voices could not be heard when Singing Together around a Holiday Tree if City Living was not installed.

Get Famous

The Acting career task to “Get Into Hair and Makeup” can be successfully completed once again.

Fixed an issue where celebrity Sims who had been set to use their normal walkstyle were switching back to using the celebrity walkstyle after traveling to certain types of venues.

Three star celebrity Sims will no longer use the celebrity walkstyle.

Dine Out

Players who have City Living installed can now add the Siopao and Ensaymada dishes to their restaurant’s menu. Yum!

Vampires

Vampire Sims created after installing this update will be able to continue to gain points after reaching the rank of Grand Master.

Fixed some circumstances where Vampire NPCs could appear at a venue and prevent the player from being able to save the game.

Fixed an issue where NPC Vampires would have their Vampire Energy drained after completing a load, which was causing them to idle in place instead of performing their expected autonomous behavior.

Note: Vampires that already exist will continue to experience a problem with gaining points after reaching Grand Master. We’re investigating a separate fix for Vampires in existing save files.

StrangerVille

Fixed an issue where Sims that had been shared to the Gallery after completing Act 1 of the StrangerVille Mystery would be blocked from progressing in the mystery when downloaded from the Gallery into a new game.

The following environment objects, which were created for StrangerVille, have been added to the Build Mode debug catalog to allow placement on lots. Players must enter the bb.showhiddenobjects cheat before they can be seen in the catalog.

Added proper images to the Officer and Covert Operator branches of the Military career.

Removed the “Question about Spores in Lab” interaction for Sims who have already acquired the Modified Hazmat Suit.

Removed the “Heart of the Pack” styled look from Create a Sim, as it was authored using clothing that’s only available to Sims that have joined the Military career.

Updated the pack information panel on the main menu to not display world objects under the Build Mode Items.

10 different cacti

3 different Joshua trees

3 different RVs

2 clusters of rocks

2 junked cars

A group of desert flowers

A military truck

A tire

A parking stop

My First Pet Stuff

Fixed an issue where deleting/selling the rodent habitat could cause the game to become unresponsive.

Holiday Celebration Pack

The Crown Roast platter will now show a partially eaten state when half of its servings have been taken.

Gender shit

Just trying to come to terms with a few things. It'd be nice to have them written down somewhere, especially somewhere no one I knew irl would have access to.

I've been struggling with my gender identity for a while now. Most recently, I started seriously coming to terms with my gender back in March of this year. The questioning became really... stressful, for lack of a better word. Anxiety-producing maybe? I ended up having an actual anxiety attack and it took me days to recover once I realized I just really didn't feel as if I was female.

For a while I've struggled with a few things: whether I was bi, a full on lesbian, or even being asexual. My sexuality just didn't seem to make sense. I couldn't figure it out! I thought it was maybe a version of the "bi cycle," but honestly it just felt as if I found people physically attractive but could not see myself engaging in any sexual activity with anyone at all. It's not that I found sex disgusting, it was just... I didn't think I could actually enjoy it or give actual pleasure to someone else.

I didn't understand what the fuck was going on. And something that's always felt off is really enjoying mlm stories/relationships. I've even been called out on it for fetishizing these relationships (which, fucking fair, I know that is something that happens and not knowing what was happening myself means I'm sure it seemed at least cringe if not fully gross from an outsider's perspective), but it was never about the sex for me.

I wasn't out here seeking mlm shit because it was my kink or something. Most of the media I consumed surrounding mlm relationships wasn't sexual in nature.

Then, enter Yuri!!! On Ice. Yes, goddamn YOI.

It kind of made it click in my head. It's like I've always been attracted to men, but not as a woman. With YOI, it made me realize that if that's the case, it's also not a lost cause for me because it's okay to be feminine even while being/presenting as masc? The flash of Victor's genderfluidity with long hair helped me understand. I've never wanted to chop my hair off, but I'd like to grow out a beard. I like feminine looks, but I'd also like to cut my tits off. It's okay to be both. Actually, it's okay to be neither. It's a goddamn spectrum, not black and white. Despite knowing and accepting the spectrum, it just didn't feel accessible to me until YOI.

I'm unsure if I'm explaining this logically, but the show made things click for me. I don't know if it's just the roles I've been brought up thinking about, but when I try to envision myself with a guy I don't like it. But now I kind of do if I'm thinking of it in terms of... Al.

Al, Alphonse, the name I've given my more masculine presenting form. And Al becoming partners with women also makes sense to me. Me, Melissa, the woman, with romantic partners? Gross. Me, as Alphonse, with romantic partners? Hell yes. It makes sense now.

While Victor's outward presentation with long hair was the visual I needed, Yuri's journey on YOI helped me understand this the most. Yuri, the ice skating champion who just absolutely sucked during his last competition and goes home defeated. He chalks it up to his anxiety, saying he let the pressure get to him. Yuri, gentle and goofy and lovely. He goes back home where everyone is proud of him but he's feeling so defeated.

The skater he most looks up to decides to coach him. He gives him the task of performing on "love: eros", sexual love. Yuri struggles; he's never really had a lover before and gets flustered and feels like there's no way he can understand the assignment. He tries to use how pork cutlet rice bowls make him feel as the source of his desire (and uh lmao same bro), but he still doesn't feel super confident. He then comes to the conclusion that he can't perform as the playboy; that's never been his style or his personality. For this performance, he has to play as the woman who tries to seduce the playboy. He lets himself tap into his femininity and focuses on mimicking what he feels how a woman may use seduction. I think what resonated with me the most (other than feeling like Yuri even before the gender stuff was incredibly relatable, from his weight gain to his insecurity about college/work, etc.) was that he didn't really understand nor explore nor even care about his sexuality until he tapped into his feminine side. It's only then that we see him start to open up to Victor and tune into his feelings.

Just to wrap up a little bit...

While I've always known this was a possibility (and have accepted others who are this way), YOI awakened a part of me that accepted myself as fluid. It's okay to keep my long hair but still want the beard and a flat chest. It's okay to like floral prints but hate wearing dresses. It's okay to want to be called Alphonse but still find myself yearning for semblances of femininity. It's okay, because all of these "it's okay ... but ..." statements don't need the word "but" in them. It's not either/or. This fluidity can be me. This fluidity is me. And that's okay.

Mid-Semester; chapter three.

A/N; I just want to apologise in advance. I am so sorry. So very sorry. Enjoy! xoxo Lau

Pairing: ScottMccallxProfessor!Reader

Author: thelittlestkitsune

Warnings: none. for now.

Word count: 4,926.

Listen to me.              Mid Semester Masterlist               Let me know?

                                Just listen to me okay? Don’t question it. 

WEDNESDAY.  

You sat back, relaxing into your chair as you shut your laptop, picking at the pomegranate seeds in a ceramic bowl on your desk as students flooded through the doors, cheeks reddened after the trek up the stairs. You smiled, popping seed after seed into your mouth, the scuffling of feet on linoleum calming as they settled into their seats. “How is everyone?” You asked as you heard a chorus of groans, yawns and mumbles. “Oh that good huh? I guess you guys need to get a load off?” You heard chuckles from some of the more immature students in your class. You licked over your lips, folding your legs underneath yourself as you pulled at your shirt, closing away the sliver of skin you had on show; away from prying eyes. “Not like that you pervs. But kind of like that-” You paused, clearing your throat as you leant against your desk, your hands folded beneath your chin. “-I mean you guys are probably so stressed huh? What with midterms and job prospects?” You finished as almost every head drooped. “So how about we take it easy this week? I can’t be fucking bothered grading a paper, so instead we’re just going to do a discussion that okay?” You could practically feel the room vibrate with excitement, cheers whispered underneath breaths as the room sighed collectively.  

“So what are we talking about this week Salt?” You heard Cat refer to your nickname, gifted to you by the class. “Well Yankee-” You smiled as you continued. “-I was being kind of figurative when I said get a load off. I was also hinting at who we’re going to savage this week.” You sighed as you lifted the bowl of pomegranate seeds, half empty due to your absent minded picking. “Um, Persephone?” Audrey piped up, her blonde hair falling in curls around her face, cheeks flushed pink as she leant forwards. “Close enough Aud One.” You joked, scanning the crowd for the other Audrey. “Where’s Aud two?” You asked as you furrowed your brow, not coming across her familiar smile. “She’s not well, she’s snowed under with a cold right now.” You frowned, leaning back. “Someone should sent her hot soup and a hot boy. No one should be ill at this time.” You shrugged, looking for someone else to pick on for an answer. “Todd. Who do you think we’ll be talking about?” You asked as he looked up, his eyes red rimmed, his face sleepy. “Um, knowing you probably Zeus.” He answered nonchalantly as you shook your head, a sheepish smile on your face.  

“No fucking way.” Em muttered, her hands wrapped around her jaw as she doodled on her notebook. “Don’t fucking swear! I can talk about other things! Kinda-” You laughed as you placed the bowl back down, unaware you were still gripping at the rim. “- think of someone who is just as salty as I am and probably had the dead sea named after them.” Students seemed to pause deep in thought before Cat’s head shot up, her unusually smart shirt sticking out in comparison to the normal baseball merch she wore. “Hera. His wife and sister right?” She questioned, vaguely unsure of herself as her brows knitted low over her green eyes. “DING DING DING. Yes!! We’re talking about the Cersei and Jamie of Ancient Greece and how her spite and fury made something we are still heralding about to this day.” You licked over your lips as you pinched some seeds between your recently manicured fingers. “Okay you guys, it’s time to make like the great R&B songs of the nineties and talk about sex. Mainly about Succubi and Sirens.” You raised your brows as your lip quirked, excited chatter filling the room.  

“Weren’t sirens just mermaids with a higher sex drive and a penchant for driving men mental?” Em spoke up, her british slang confusing some of the other students as you sat there, chewing over her question. “Well, yes and no, they liked to take the lives of hapless sailors that had not blessed their voyage by praying to poseidon. They also did it for the bants. But they weren’t always seen as mermaids per se, some were half chicken?” You spouted off a useless fact as some of your students broke out into laughter. You followed suit, your lungs aching as you heard comments of chicken fucker going through the air. “But what has a half chicken woman got anything to do with the succubus.” Kenzie asked, pulling her caramel blonde hair behind her ear as her nose scrunched quizzically. “THANK YOU KENZIE.” you sighed dramatically as you flung your arms in the air, not catching them before you let your hands slap back against your legs. The slap echoed through the uncharacteristically quiet room as you swore under your breath.  

“Ow, fuck fuck fuck fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck-” You caught yourself, looking up at flustered smiling faces as you collected yourself. “What I was going to say was thank you for asking that. So you know myths are connected? Every myth nicked bits and bats from other countries and legends, but never cited their sources much like the most of you-” You looked at certain students, their eyes guiltily averting away from your gaze. “-and most of what is believed to be a succubus could easily be tracked back to the siren. They were often seen on land, gorgeous insta models of women.” You soothed over your stinging skin as you cleared your throat. “Basically they were the epitome of female beauty, super gorgeous women that would lure men to sleep with them. However upon actually doing the nasty she’d suck the life force from him, leaving him a husk of a man.” You sighed, your skin calming as you leaned back. “That’s kinky.” Todd laughed, looking at his friends as he covered a grin. “Not really, if you’re doing something right any man is left a husk at the end.” Maddie giggled as she high fived Kenzie, her head turning back towards you.  

“Neither of you are wrong. Either way, we should get this lesson actually underway cause I have somewhere to be after class.” you laughed as Cat looked at you, a questioning look in her narrowing eyes. “Where you going?” She asked as you smiled, thinking of the evenings activities. “Well if you must ask, I’m heading to my best friends engagement party.” You looked down at your own hands, wondering when you’d get a ring like hers. “Congrats to them.” Cat spoke, her accent barely noticeable as you nodded, your lips pressed together firmly. “Yeah, congrats to them. Anyway, let’s talk about boats and hoes.”  

WEDNESDAY NIGHT.  

“Look I’m not saying dress like a hoe, I’m just saying you have a cracking set of tits and you should get them out!” Mal laughed as she nudged at you, her ring sparkling in the low lighting of the restaurant. You sipped at your wine, lowkey wishing it was something stronger. “She’s right you know!” Thomas spoke, his whiskey brown eyes skating over you quickly as Camile looked at him, her mouth hung open in shock. “What? I’m just saying! Remember, I only look at you that way.” He smirked as she smiled, pressing her lips to his cheek as you wished even more that you were drinking anything other than wine. Bleach? Too far. You placed your glass in front of you, looking around the table as all your friends had coupled off, arms slung over their partners, doe eyed looks on happy faces as you frowned slightly. “Cheer up buttercup. I saw the dude you’re going out with tomorrow. You won’t have that frown on your face forever.” Mal spoke cheerily as you smiled, your eyes not quite meeting hers. “Thanks!” You gripped the stem of your glass as Camile turned to you again, her lips finally leaving Thomas’. “So, what are you going to go with?” She referred back to your conversation as you shrugged. “I’m going straight from the office so I have no idea. Maybe some trousers and a shirt?”

Her head shook vigorously as she sipped at her drink, mulling over her response as she gazed off into the distance. “What about that green dress? You know the backless one? With a blazer over top for when you’re in the office?” You gulped, mouthing no as you pushed around the food on your plate. “Oh! What about the red one? The tight and short one?” Mal put forward, spooning some ramen into her mouth as the korean bbq sizzled in front of you. “It makes me look like slaggy barbie. Maybe not the best if I have a student meeting tomorrow.” you bit at your lip as you thought of Scott, quickly squashing any feelings that bubbled up. “Purple is always a nice colour?” Stuart spoke, unusual for the quiet reserved guy. “I don’t know if I have a purple dress. But I like that idea!” You smiled, giving him a small wink as he blushed behind thick rimmed glasses. “I have one you can borrow. However, if you’re going to get laid in please for the love of all that is holy; get it dry cleaned.” Camile laughed as you play slapped her arm. “Are you insinuating that I’m going to sleep with him on the first date?” Your lips quivered as you laughed.  “A man like that? You drop your panties or forego them all together. If you strike out that’s on you boo boo.” She cheersed you as you smiled, uneasy butterflies swarming in your stomach as you looked forward to tomorrow. Just got to get through tonight first.  

THURSDAY AFTERNOON.  

The dress you wore slid up your thigh as you walked across campus, your head ducked as you tried to cover yourself up. I should’ve worn something else. You bit at your lips, dry skin pulled off as you walked, nerves bubbling up as you headed to your office. At least I have my blazer on, and flats. You mentally thanked your morning self for deciding to put on the blazer rather than the leather jacket you had planned on wearing. Coffee first. You walked through throngs of students, heading to the coffee shop for your daily fix of caffeine. Your earbuds hung around your neck, your head whirring with thoughts too loud to be drowned out even by the likes of real friends. You clutched at your bag as you ascended the steps to the coffee shop, your footing uneven as the tight dress didn’t move much with your legs. Finally when inside you glanced at your phone, noting the time and how little of it you had until Derek was picking you up.  

As you ordered your phone vibrated in your hands, your poker straight hair pushed behind your ear as you smiled at your phone like an idiot.  

Sourwolf: I can’t wait to see you again, pick you up at 8?  

Smartass: Sounds great, I’ll text you when I’m finishing up my lesson okay? Can’t wait!  

Your thoughts were briefly distracted as your fingers clicked over the keyboard on your phone, only thoughts of your impending date occupying your mind. “Y/N?” A young guy spoke as he held out a takeout coffee cup, his fingers curled around the blue cardboard. You looked up, the concentration on your face evaporating as you smiled at him, handing over the cash that you owed him. You glanced out the window, cursing quietly as clouds hung low in the sky, your mood diminishing as you scurried from the warmth of the small shop, back out into the square. Students teamed the large area as you navigated through the masses of people, almost cheering as you hit a stretch of land that was barely populated. You walked fast, wanting to get to your office as quickly as possible, almost speeding through the walkways of the crowded college. You bit at the plastic lid on your coffee as you walked, deep in thought as your heels drummed against concrete, your building coming up on the left as you banked towards it. “Hey Y/N, you look nice!” Kenzie and Maddie passed you, textbooks clamped in their arms as they headed towards their psych class.  

“Thank you!” You smiled as they paused, looking as though they wanted to ask a question. “What’s up girls?” You asked, gripping your coffee a little tighter as you turned to talk to them, the sun lowering in the sky as you shivered. “We were just wondering what the mid terms are going to be like?” Kenzie looked at you with wide eyes as Maddie stiffened. “You don’t have to worry, it’s an overall paper and by both of your guys work so far; you’ll ace it.” You smiled as they both exhaled, clearly relieved. “Well hope you enjoy whatever you’re all dressed up for!” They smiled as you nodded, scurrying away through the door to your building as coffee lapped over the lip of your cup. Unlocking your office you threw your bag down, grateful you hadn’t bothered to bring your laptop. 5pm. Scott should be here soon. You had emailed him the night before, pulling the normal time forward so you wouldn’t be knackered when Derek picked you up. You slipped your shoes off, opting to pad about your office just in your stockings as you tidied away the mess.  

A knock on the door came as you bent over to put away files, your dress stretched over you almost looking like a second skin as you shouted for Scott to come in. “Hey Y/N!” Scott sang cheerily, his footsteps halting as he coughed awkwardly. “Sorry did I interrupt something?” He sounded flushed as you stood up straight, your face red as you looked at him. “No? Why? Does it look like I was doing something inappropriate?” You blew your hair from your face as you realised how short your dress was, the hemline barely skirting the curve of your ass. “Oh my god Scott, I’m so sorry! I had no idea; I pretty much just completely flashed you I'm so sorry-” You gushed, turning quickly as you pulled the bodycon material further down, his eyes twinkling as a smile played on his lips. “It’s okay Y/N. You look nice.” He blushed, his smile spreading as he gave you a crooked grin. “Why thank you Scott, that’s really nice of you to say!” Your skin grew hot as his eyes trailed over your plunging neckline, shivers spreading wherever he looked. “What’s got you all dressed up? And in colour for that matter?!” He joked, a personal jab of the lack of colour in your wardrobe. “I have a date I’ll have you know!” you smiled, suddenly shy and guilty as his face dropped.  

“Oh, that’s great!” He spoke despondently, crossing the room in a few bounds, his long legs carrying him swiftly across the small room. He took his normal place in the leather chair, his legs stretched out in front of him as you took him in properly, allowing yourself one indulgent moment. Baggy jeans coasted over his long legs, a leather belt strapped around his hips. Peeking over top was a band of white, stark against his caramel coloured skin, the hints of ink sprawled across hard muscle. You tore your eyes away as you travelled up his body, his chest hard as he sat up, the light grey henley he wore tight across his chest as it gaped open; his neck stiffening as you sucked your lips between your teeth. His arms flexed as he reached into his bag, your eyes almost glued to his forearms as he pushed the sleeves of his shirt up, bunching the material at his elbow. His skin almost shone as he looked at you, your eyes tearing away from him as you became flustered, your cheeks burning as you smiled.  

“So who’s the lucky guy then?” Scott asked his brows knitting together as something shone behind his eyes. “Just an old friend. I’m probably reading far too much into this, he probably just wants to catch up, it’s been like a decade since we saw each other last.” You sighed, settling into your chair as you undid your blazer; the material sticking to your hot skin. “Wow.” Scott sighed, regret blazing in his eyes as he looked over you. The plunging neckline of your dress skated down your chest, the delicate eyelash lace covering your freckle dusted shoulders. “He’s a really lucky guy anyone would be lucky to go on a date with you.” He breathed as you hid your smile, clearing your throat awkwardly. “Thanks, it’s really sweet of you to say.” You let your smile break free, the simple act of happiness breaking over your face as his eyes softened. “I mean it, but that’s enough of that, how about we get on with this?” He averted his gaze from you as you nodded, breaking yourself out of the bubble you had wrapped yourself in. “So what bullshit are we breaking ground on?” He asked as you rolled your eyes. “Succubi and Sirens.” You spoke, your voice slightly hushed as he looked at you with a pointed brow.  

“Succubi? We’re actually covering this?” He asked incredulously a laugh on the tip of his tongue as he ran his fingers across his chin. “Yeah, why is that hard to believe?!” you responded, confusion tinging your words. “Nah, it’s just rather random you know? You were telling me last week how you knew werewolves are real and now we’re talking about succubi and I know they’re real; it makes me wonder if vampires are lurking about somewhere in the shadows.” You laughed before his words processed, your mind reeling back to what he said. “Wait, you said succubi are real!??” You leaned forwards, your shoulders pressing your tits together as he tried to avoid looking at them. “Yeah, I knew one back in Beacon Hills. She dated my friends.” You smiled as you leaned back, an oh leaving your lips. “Friends? As in plural?” you asked as he nodded. “My best friends in fact. Derek and Stiles. She was with Derek originally and then Stiles got involved and it was all confusing cause she had no idea what she was and oh god it was a mess.”  

It was almost as if your blood ran cold at the mention of Dereks name. “You alright Y/N? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Scott waved in front of your face as you zoned out, your heart beating faster as you pieced things together. Of course they know each other. Fuck. I’m going to be sick. I should cancel. I am definitely going to be sick. This was a mistake, their both werewolves for fucks sake. IT’S OBVIOUS THAT THEY KNOW EACH OTHER. Beacon Hills isn’t that big? Maybe I’m over reacting, maybe it’s a different Derek. “Hello? Earth to y/n?” Scott called as you blinked, shaking your head as you paid attention to the wolf in front of you. “Are you okay? You went really pale?” His eyes softened as he reached for your hands, his fingers pressing tentatively against your forehead.  

“You’ve gone cold are you okay?” Scott spoke, his voice soft as his fingers trailed down the side of your face, his lips slightly parted as you looked at him. “Yeah, just got really nervous all of a sudden, sorry!” You smiled slowly, unsure of yourself as you pulled away from his touch. His hand paused where it was, retracting back slowly as he coughed. “You’ve no need to be nervous, you’re gonna kill it.” A half smile played on his lips as you mouthed a thank you, something itching inside your throat. “I’ll tell you what, how about a drink?” the words spilled from your lips as you tapped on the desk. “Coffee?” Scott asked, his hands gripping at the arms on the chair as you shook your head slowly. “Whiskey. I know it doesn’t affect you but it tastes good?” You licked over your lips as he nodded, twiddling a pen in his fingers. “Sounds good, seems like you need it anyway.” Your eyes widened as you stood, smoothing over the wrinkles in your dress. You tugged at the material, slowly pulling it down your legs as you crossed the room, your stockings snagging on the corner of your desk.  

“Oh for fucks sake.” You studied the ladder going straight down your left leg, the thin material ripping just by standing there. “The curse strikes again!” Scott laughed, covering his smile as you threw your head back. “I’m gonna make myself a double.” You sighed, bending at the hip as you unlatched your stockings from the clips that held them up. “You want one?” You asked Scott, your question unanswered as you slowly rolled your stockings down your legs. “-Yeah, a double sounds good.” You snapped up quickly, gathering the ripped material in your hands as you balled them up. “Guess I won’t be needing these anymore.” You lined up your eyes with the bin near the door, aiming your arm as you threw them across the room. They somehow bounced off the rim of the bin as you let your arms drop to your side. “I guess I’ll never make the basketball team.”  You sighed, a chuckle on your lips as you stepped forwards to pick them up, your dress riding up as you felt Scott’s eyes on you.  

“You’re too short for that anyway!” he joked as you turned to him, putting your hands on your hips. “I am not! I’ll have you know that I am above the national average height!” You smiled before turning around, heading to your bar cart in the corner by your kettle. “And how tall is that?” He asked, his voice sounding closer than before as you shrugged. “I dunno, I just know I’m not that short.” You admitted, grabbing your decanter as you poured two double whiskies. “You’re short compared to me.” His breath coasted over your neck as you stiffened, his cologne filling your nose as you shook your head. “That’s because you are the size of a rather large tree.” You laughed, your skin sizzling as he reached one arm around you, gripping at the glass on your right. You shivered as his skin brushed over yours, your lips caught between your teeth. Reaching for the other glass you turned, your body almost completely pressed against his. Okay, just breathe. “To calming down.” his voice was deepened as his chocolate brown eyes bored into yours. “To calming down.”  You smiled, clinking your glass against his before lifting it to your lips.  

HALF AN HOUR BEFORE YOUR DATE.  

“I’m just saying she’s definitely a succubus, there is no way in hell that you can look like that and not be?” Scott laughed, trying to prove his point. “You said that your friend back in Beacon Hills was a succubus out of being lonely. AT WHAT POINT IN TIME DO YOU THINK THAT GAL GADOT WAS EVER ALONE. THE WOMAN WAS FUCKING WONDER WOMAN.” You joked, your spirits lifted as you sipped on the last of your drink. “I’m just saying, the woman could get away with anything.” Scott shrugged, a cheeky smile on his face as you nodded, your eyes glancing at the clock. “You’re probably not wrong-” Your phone vibrated for the ninth time that hour as you paused, finally picking it up. “Sorry Scott, my group chat is insane right now.” You flickered through your chat with Malissa and Camile, laughing at the gifs they had sent you. Your phone vibrated again as you checked the chat, confused when a new notification didn’t pop up. Clicking back to your home screen your lips parted as you read over the texts from Derek.

Sourwolf; Hey! Sorry to drop this on you last minute but I’m actually going to be early, I got out of my meeting early and I couldn’t wait. I’ll be there around about half seven?  

Sourwolf; Sorry again y/n but I just didn’t know if you got my messages! I know you’re in a meeting right now, just gonna wait in the Camaro, if you’re late then i’ll just drop by your office!

You looked back at the clock, scrambling as you read the time. Seven fourty five. “Hey Scott, we’re going to have to leave it there, my date just texted me and he says he’s picking me up from the office!” You rushed your words, panic rising in your chest as he leaned forwards grabbing his bag. “Yeah, no worries!” He smiled reaching out to grab your hand as he calmed you down. “Don’t sweat it. Enjoy your night Y/N.” His words were tinged with sadness, guilt washing over you as you remembered he knew Derek. Please don’t cross paths. You wished as Scott stood, slinging his backpack over his shoulder, the golden hour sun hitting his skin. “I’ll try!” You smiled, grabbing your heels from your bag as you slipped them on. You stood shakily, your head rushing as you smoothed over yourself, taking your hair from the ponytail you haphazardly had it in. “I’ll see you in a few weeks then!” He spoke, his hand on the handle of the door as you finger combed through your hair. “A few weeks?” You stuttered, your lips pouted as you ran a gloss over them. “Spring break? I’m heading home for a while, thought I should try and see my friends.” He smiled, his eyes drawing over you once more.  

You felt shy under his examining eye, your body singing at the mere thought of him looking at you like that. “Well enjoy yourself. I’ll be heading home to Paradise for a while, maybe we’ll see each other.” You smiled as he laughed, dipping his chin to his chest. “Yeah, I’d really like that-” Your heart fluttered as you grabbed your phone and your leather jacket, a knock at the door making your heart plummet into your stomach. “Do you want me to get it?” Scott asked, pointing to the door that he stood beside as everything in you wanted to tell him to wait here whilst you left. “Sure-” You breathed, readying yourself as you grabbed your bag. “Hey man, sorry I’ll get out your way, I was just finishing a lesson with Y-” Scott gushed, finally looking up at the dark haired guy in front of him. “Derek?” He asked confused as he stepped to the side, letting Derek in the room as you stood there frozen. “Hey man, what you doing here?” Scott asked as Derek smiled, his stubble thicker than the last time you had seen him. Werewolf or not that stubble grows thick.  

“I’m picking up Y/N for our date.” He smiled, his pearly white teeth flashing as he looked at you. “Beautiful as ever of course.” He looked at you appreciatively, crossing the room as he placed his hand on the curve of your back, pressing a small kiss to your cheek as you glanced at a rather broken looking Scott. You swallowed thickly, trying to suppress the feeling of your heart breaking into a trillion pieces as he pressed his lips together slowly. “So this is your date huh?” Scott plastered a fake smile on, his eyes showing how he truly felt as Derek’s hand still pressed against you. “Yeah, me and Derek go way back!” You could almost hear how thick you were laying on the happiness, a little too much to be believable. “Well I hope you guys have a great time.” He waved, chucking Derek something. Derek lunged to catch it, his fingers gripping at the silver key. “Don’t be back too late okay?” They nodded at each other as Scott gripped at the strap of his bag, biting his lip as he left the room. You felt sick as you stood there, your fingers gripping onto the leather of your jacket as you felt your stomach lurch. “You ready to go?” Derek asked as you thought of the look on Scott’s face. Maybe it isn’t one sided. “Sure, let’s go.” you smiled, the corners of your lips not quite reaching your eyes as his hand laced with yours.  

You walked outside, the late California sun setting over the skyline, your eyes darting about as you looked at Derek, your stomach still unsettled as you walked to his Camaro. It wasn’t a long walk by much, but by the time you reached the black car your feet were on fire. “You hungry?” Not at all. Derek paused by the passenger door, opening it as you ducked your head, ready to climb in as you saw him. The look on Scott’s face in that moment both made your heart soar and fall into a pit. Mutual or not. I can’t be with him. I made my bed, now I have to lie in it. Your eyes fell from his as you climbed inside the car, your head slamming against the head rest as Derek rounded the car, sliding in next to you. “You okay?” He asked, smoothing over your hand as your head swam with thoughts. “Yeah, just really hungry.” You lied, the truth skirted as he revved the engine, peeling away from the college as you saw Scott in the rear view mirror, finally turning away, his head downturned. No matter how much it sucks.  

@thisrandombitch  @honeymoonmuke @sincerelystiles @sammyrenae68 @fillthevoid-stilinski @5sospoplikerock @lovefilledtragedy @ellie-bee242 @cobrienkai1972@dumbass-stilinski @maddie110201 @rememberstilinski @sweetmisseddreams2002@random-fandom-fangirl2112 @obrosey-af @sammwhiches @parislight @mf-despair-queen @7e6205 @stilinski-stydia-obrien @disagreetoagree @slow-bee-at-play@minhosmeanhoe @redstringlovers @werewolfmutant @itsall-inmy-head @susybird@hirafth @all-alone-he-turns-to-stone @wydobrien @sokkasbae255 @we-are-like-a-timebomb @girlwiththerubyslippers @fan-child @fuckwhateverfuck @itsbilescallmebiles@relentlessgame @ninja-stiles @sumcp @obrienswxlf @lovelymalira@mixedupsammy  @sarasmismyonlydefence @cuillere @vixsyncynco @sumcp@fuckwhateverfuck @bluskai @lovelymalira @pentatontits  @teenwolves-ahead@skepticalstilinski @sarcasticallystilinski @apollogirl13 @savage-stilinski@montanagirlatheart @alexhmak @cathobs @blairscott @l4life

Christmas in the City // A Veronica Lodge imagine

REQUEST: V-5-G RIVERDALE

SUMMARY: Veronica and R spend their holiday in New York

You sighed as you opened your eyes, soft orange light hitting your face, you pulled the blanket up over your arms when a chilly breeze hit you. You realized you were alone in the bed, Veronica had fallen asleep beside you. So you sat up, looked around the room until you realized the french doors were open, she was leaning against the metal railing. You walked out onto the balcony, joining your girl friend of six months. She sat next to you on the couch, slid a mimosa towards you, not taking her eyes off of the view of Central Park below her. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Veronica said, dreamily, still in her blue silk pajamas. "I've never seen it like this, I've only ever been in the park like three times." She chuckled. "Are you cold?" You asked. She looked over at you. "A little bit." "I'll grab a blanket real quick." You said standing up to re-enter the hotel room. As you were pulling a white fleece blanket from the closet, there was a knock at the door and it was pushed open. You held the blanket up, fearing it was Veronica's father, but it was just Hermione, so you lowered it again. She was already dressed to the nine's, make up and hair done and in heels. You felt completely underdressed as you stood before in her a pair of pink and white pajamas. "Good morning, Mrs. Lodge, Ronnie is on the balcony." You told her. She called for Veronica to come back into the room. "I need you girls to be ready by eleven, we are going to brunch, I have not had a proper brunch in months. If you need us girls, we are just down the hall." When Hermione left, you and Veronica returned to the couch on the balcony over looking the city to finish your mimosa. Veronica pulled you up, tugging you back towards the bed. You reached forward and pinched her side, she yelped and playfully pushed you on the bed, you collapsed, laughing as you did so. Veronica jumped on the bed beside you, laying on her stomach. "It feels so great being back in the city." She said, her finger tips dancing over your arm, her chin in her palm. "Too bad we have to go back tomorrow." She said with a pout. "We should take advantage of this freaking huge bed and-" "I like the way you're thinking." She said, her voice dropping. You giggled. "I meant go back to sleep." You pointed out, she laughed loudly. "I like my idea better." She said as she crawled over you, playfully biting at your shoulder. Brunch was amazing, you knew you'd have to leave out a lot of details when telling your parents about it, if they found out that Hermione let you and Veronica get buzzed off of champagne for breakfast they would have freaked out. You had borrowed one of Veronica's dresses for the outing and you some how still felt underdressed compared to half of the women in the room. As you ate, you and Veronica made plans, Hermione and Hiram suggesting things for the two of you to do while they enjoyed their day. They reminded you to be back to the hotel by ten, they had tickets to Anastasia at eleven. Your girlfriend decided you would go shopping on Fifth Avenue first. You picked out presents for your family at Macy's and Veronica insisted you have have coffee in Stumptown's. "You haven't lived until you've tried one of their lattes." She promised as you walked in. The cups were almost bigger than your hands. You and Veronica made eyecontact as you were taking your first sip, you found yourself trying not to giggle into the glass. You moaned as you set the cup down. "Ronnie, you were right." You said. "That is the best thing I've ever drank." The location of the cafe was perfect, you could see the Empire State Building from your table, the whole restaurant had a 50's Paris cafe feel to it, the soft lighting could make anyone look like an actress in a foreign film. You held your camera up, taking a picture of your girlfriend over her coffee. When you left there with a hot cocoa to go, took your bags back to the hotel as you figured what else you wanted to do. You wanted to go ice skating but Veronica had different plans, ran a warm bath, ordered a bottle of champagne to be ordered to the room with chocolate covered strawberries. At the foot of the tub was a black out window overlooking the city. With your hair up, the two of you stayed in the water, kissing, giggling drunkenly and trying to make plans until the water got cold. "We could go ice skating. The rink at Rockefeller Square is always beautiful this time of year." "Oh, we could do that." You said as you redressed. 

"And then afterwards we could get lunch near Central Park, do some more shopping, then come back here for dinner on the balcony before the show." "That sounds like a wonderful plan, Veronica Lodge." As the two of you stumbled back into the hotel room, your body bruised and sore from falling repeatedly, Veronica was laughing as she recounted watching you nearly face plant. "We should dress up super fancy, order the most expensive thing on the menu and pretend we are here on our own. Like it's just me and you." She had suggested while you were shopping, so the two of you picked out floor length, tight fighting dresses, Veronica's a solid black, your's a sparkly gold. You flipped through the room service menu as she turned on music, Audrey Hepburn's voice pouring through the speakers. The two of you completely re-did your makeup and Ronnie curled your hair. Veronica ordered a seafood dish that you had never heard of before as you reclined on the bed, feeling absolutely lavish. She joined you on the bed, interlacing your fingers. "This is awesome right, like this is possibly the best date we've ever been on." You giggled, turning into her side. "Absolutely.  You're going to have to work real hard to one up this one." She sighed dramatically. "I set the bar too high, I should have kept it at Pop's, now we are going to have to honeymoon on the moon." You laughed, she jumped up when room service was announced, the attendant pushed the rolling tray out to the balcony on the raven haired girl's command. He waited til you were seated to serve you, placing a large bowl of salad, breadsticks and the main dish between you and Veronica. He began pouring two glasses of Sauvignon Blanc while you and Veronica stared dreamily into each other's eyes. As you ate, the lights on the Central Park tree were turned on. From the balcony, you heard footsteps entering your room, the Lodge's peeked outside, wondering if you were ready to go. That night you fell asleep in Veronica's arms, the silence of the room, the sound of her breath, lulling you to sleep over the sounds of car horns and tries squealing.

My continuation of yesterday’s post, celebrating feminist ally Charles Schulz ✊🏽❤️ “I have a vision, Chuck… I can see the day coming when women will have the same opportunities in sports as men!” – Peppermint Patty, 1979 - My personal favorite is Patricia “ Peppermint Patty” Reichardt, whose friends called her “sir.” Out of all the Peanuts she was by far the best athlete. She was a known jock or tomboy, who played football, ice hockey, golf, motor biked, figure skated, and was a camp counselor. She rocked a striped green polo, black soccer shorts and wore sandals. She was always comfort over style. She was inadvertantly a member of the women’s liberation movement, confronting every gender role in Peanut land. In sports you can hear her screaming at Charlie Brown, “We women aren’t gonna keep quiet any more Chuck! No Sir! We’re recruiting all kinds of people to help us achieve equal opportunity in athletics…..We have been silent for seventy years about the unfair treatment of women athletes, Chuck.” She wasn’t afraid to put up her middle finger to femininity when a boy was sitting in her seat at school, which rightfully annoyed her. “Watch for you and me on TV, kid...the program is called "bowl a pupil." She was also full of confidence when speaking to authority, like when she tells her teacher, “Ma'am? What kind of test are we having today? Multiple choice? Good! I choose not to take it! “ Next up is Marcie. Her mom was an engineer that designed freeways so it makes sense that she was a super smarty pants. She played the organ, loved cinema, video games, and although she didn’t excel in sports she still played, and she loved Billie Jean KIng. She wore boys shorts and polo shirts and has coke bottle glasses. Marcie seemed to always be in control unless her buttons got pushed. Like when she is caddying and throws a set of golf clubs and then kicks them, stunning Patty. She was kind, loyal and was a great friend to have….( I wrote this piece for @victoryjournal - more tomorrow! Go see @battleofthesexesmovie ) #theunsungheroines

It was so hard to pick out of 75 questions so I hope this is ok 😬💦 2, 13, 18, 19, 25, 28, 29, 30, 33, 39, 42, 46, 47, 54, 58, 67, 71 (Doesn't have to be the romantic kind), 73, and 75

Oh wow, jeez. haha. OKAY I’mma do it, but I’mma put it under a cut bc this can only be long.

2. Who is your hero?

You know, I feel like I learn about amazing people all the time?? There are so many people in history who have done so many cool things. I love the information age we live in where we can here about heroes every damn day. But if I had to pick one that means a lot to me specifically, possibly Helen Keller. Like sure she did the whole learning to talk while blind/deaf thing, but she also became a hardcore social activist! If you read her writings, she was not even in the vicinity of fucking around, and I’m here for that.

13. What is your favorite book to read?

Hmm. My comfort read used to be Howl’s Moving Castle, but I haven’t read it in years. That’s...a bummer... Maybe I should reread it soon.

18. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

Hmm... I mean, if we’re talking on like a magical level, then a pain-free, exhaustion-free day would be swell. I’d be happy doing just about anything. If you mean in a more normal way, then I think I’d be happiest traveling somewhere really cool with a friend and having a nice meal and seeing beautiful sights.

19. What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?

Hmm. I mean, I don’t play/watch sports that often. Disability and all. But I used to do tae kwon do and karate fairly regularly, and I really enjoyed that. I usually really only watch games/sports during the Olympics, but I enjoy speed skating, figure skating, gymnastics, archery, women’s weight lifting... Um... I watch the Super Bowl for the commercials? lol. Honestly, my favorite part of watching sports is watching the winners cry haha. That’s why I like the Olympics best.

25. Who is your favorite author?

Probably either Diana Wynne Jones or Neil Gaiman. I’ve read a lot of books by a lot of authors that I’ve liked (and admittedly both of them have some stuff in their work that makes me raise my eyebrows now) but I feel like both of them really shaped me from a young age. I was devastated when DWJ died.

28. In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?

Most of my reading energy is taken up by school stuff now, but hopefully I’ll start to get to read again come graduation. In the meantime, I like to watch movies best. I livetweet them a lot haha.

29. Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why?

WELL I have actually gone to Alaska before! I really liked it, honestly. It was beautiful up there. And nice and cold! Which is good for the POTS, haha. But I think if I had to choose a future vacation I’d choose Hawaii just because I’ve never been there! And there are some shrines I’d love to visit.

30. Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? And why?I mean... The job I’d really like to do now certainly wouldn’t pay as much as the lottery, but it’d keep me comfortable. I mean. I guess it’d be great to win the lottery so I wouldn’t have to worry about working (which, as a PWD, can be...stressful) but not to put too fine a point on it, my current living situation is one where I don’t need to worry too much about money. I’m incredibly lucky on that front, I know. If I were as poor as I was about ten years ago, this would be a much easier choice. XD Though research does show that a lot of people who win the lottery end up getting fucked over by taxes, friends, etc. so. maybe not.

33. If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?

I MEAN... I’m a gay, disabled woman. Going back in time probably wouldn’t be great for me, haha. But I guess I’d love to hear some of the old jazz musicians I love play live...

39. List two pet peeves.

Motherfucking DISCREET and DISCRETE which are TWO DISCRETE WORDS. There was a moment once when someone tried to assure me that “discrete” was just the British spelling and I just. I JUST!! Like if I were in the Cell Block Tango, that would probably be my prison origin story. I also hate it when strangers ask about my cane/disability.

42. If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?

uhhhhhHHHhhhh teleportation powers which I would mostly use to get to class on time but also maybe catching babies when they fall out windows or whatever. That happens, right?

46. If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be?

Geez. I mean, on a big scale? Like Hitler? Bro, don’t put that much pressure on me!!! If you just mean in my own life, I’d probably just tell little!me what POTS is haha. If I have to change like. A personal decision?? I might have decided to do a different program while I was in Japan. It was very expensive (through my school) and I didn’t get to do a lot of the things I really wanted to do.

47. If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?

HONESTLY, a lot of the major heads of religion. Like. I just think it’d be so interesting to talk to them about philosophy and what they’d think about where their religions are at now. Like even if you don’t believe in the religions, people generally believe that people like Jesus, Mohammad, Siddhartha Gautama, etc. lived.

54. What's your favorite holiday?

HALLOWEEN, BY A COUNTRY MILE!!! I love Halloween! Lots of great spooky stuff and yummy treats and fun parties. I love Halloween SO MUCH.

58. What's your favorite type of foreign food?

I LIKE A LOT OF THINGS... In Japan, I think I loved curry and takoyaki and onigiri best. Some of the octopus and lemon chicken/soup/etc. in Greece was delicious. I loved like ALL the food I had in Barcelona. Tomato bread and jamon iberico and olives and everything was just high quality and delicious?? We just ate our way around La Boqueria (a giant market) one day and I loved it. I like poutine from Canada and pasties from the UK and basically anything cooked in red wine from France. haha. I’ve only had Thai food and Moroccan food in the US (so who knows if it’s accurate) but I love massaman curry and bastilla and Moroccan lemon chicken. I am a big fan of sweet and savory meat dishes, haha. Oh, and Afghan Palow!! Delicious.

I PROMISE I ALSO EAT FRUITS AND VEGGIES... I also like lots of international alcohols haha. Ouzo and absinthe (taste similar), champagne/prosecco/cava (cava was SO CHEAP in barcelona, rip), sake (especially nigori sake)...

67. What is your favorite childhood memory?

Jeez, that’s a hard one. I feel a certain nostalgia for the natural vibe from where I lived as a kid. (In other words, the people and buildings and stuff were fine, but I feel nostalgic for the natural phenomena.) Like the smell of fresh soil and the sound of the woods and rustling fields of corn. But like a specific memory... Long before we moved to FL, my parents did surprise us with a trip to Disney World when I was about 8! We were visiting a Floridian friend (who we later moved in with when we lost our house) and driving down and thennnn my dad “made a wrong turn” and checked us into the Wilderness Lodge just outside the Magic Kingdom. We drove up like RIGHT as the fireworks started over at MK so my sister and I were kind of in shock haha. It was really fun.

71. What's the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?

I WENT TO THE MUSICAL CATS. I kid, Loo. (Mostly.) I’m not really the kind to do big OTT things for love, but I think I am the kind to hurt myself for it, unfortunately. I loved a girl for a long, long time, and in retrospect, I realize that I allowed her to devalue me in ways that I’m still trying to undo. We were never together or anything -- I have a habit of falling for straight girls -- but boy did I get fucked up. Like...viewing this through my current lens, I can’t believe I let that go on for so long. It was crazy. There are a lot of reasons why I believed I was lesser and unlovable because of my disability, and I realize now that some of that started with her and another friend of mine. I just kind of wished that I’d figured that out before they ditched me for good and told me it was because I always “made everything complicated”. (I’d been late to a get-together because I was at the doctor...) I...cried a lot. haha. But I ended up becoming closer to my best friends today as a result, and learning a lot about myself. So I guess maybe it was for the best, even if it hurt at the time.

OH I’VE ALSO GOTTEN IN FIGHTS FOR LOVE but that was more for friends. I’d kick anyone’s ass in high school, or if we weren’t in an avenue where I could do that, I’d yell a lot or say stuff that was just, ah, really cutting. haha. I have...a protective streak. And I was frustrated about a lot in high school. Our school had martial arts classes, which was a good outlet. I was known as someone who could, uh, get things done. Um.

73. What was your favorite subject in school?

Uhhh. If we’re just talking high school, maybe math?? English if I had a really good English teacher. I love reading/writing. But math was comforting, in a way. Math is very solid. I also enjoyed French. And I enjoyed a lot of fibercraft techniques in that class, but hated the teacher. Womp womp. I liked making things with my hands. I found batik particularly comforting.

75. Do you collect anything?

I collect tarot decks! I’ve studied the history of tarot before, and I’m always really fascinated with the way that people attach meaning to mundane objects. I kind of love how tarot was basically just playing cards for rich people until a series of weird events and people started using them for divination. Now people rarely use them for anything else. That kind of applied religious/personal meaning is super interesting to me. PLUS a lot of them are very pretty. Haha.

Here are more than 350 things to do in Memphis in February 2020. Most of the free and family-friendly events are marked! If you like this, you’ll probably love the big list of 2020 events. If you want to add your event, submit here. Photo by Phillip Van Zandt Saturday, Feb. 1 Tigers v. UConn at FedExForum (Men’s Basketball) family Bluff City Polar Bear Plunge at Tiger Lane  family Harlem Globetrotters at FedExForum  family Beginner Square Dance at Bartlett United Methodist Church Toy Train Show at St. George’s  family Skate School at Society Skatepark  family Family Day at the Dixon  family Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton at GPAC Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Sunday, Feb. 2 Family Metalsmithing at the Metal Museum family Crappie Madness Kids Weekend at Bass Pro Pyramid family VIBE: An Afro/Island House Party at Green Goddess Vegan Foods PuppyBowl Watch Party at Loflin Yard family Drag Brunch at Alchemy Bluegrass Brunch at Loflin Yard family B-Side Bowl at B-Side (Minglewood Hall) Super Bowl After Party at Tin Roof Superb Owl Party at Celtic Super Bowl Sunday Funday at High Point Pub Super Bowl LIV Party at Horseshoe Tunica Super Bowl Party at Mr. P’s on Hacks Cross Big Game Potluck at Mississippi Ale House in Olive Branch Super Bowl party atPicasso’s on Macon Road The Hi-Tone shows the game and raffles off a Crock Pot full of meatballs. Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Monday, Feb. 3 Beginner’s Improv Workshop at Theatreworks Grizzlies v. Pistons at FedExForum family Visual Arts Exhibit: Danny Broadway—The Chosen Ones at GPAC (through March 5) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Tuesday, Feb. 4 An Evening with Jason Alexander at GPAC Shoot & Splice at Crosstown Theater free MidSouth Pride Open Meeting at OUTmemphis Wines For Your Valentine at Buster’s free TN Songwriter’s Week Showcase at Rock ’n’ Soul Museum Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood at the Cannon Center family Tiffany Harmon at Bar DKDC Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Wednesday, Feb. 5 City Hall Indoor Tour at Memphis City Hall free, family Tigers v. Temple at FedExForum (Men’s Basketball) family Let’s Practice Spanish at Maciel’s free, family Earth movie screening at Malco Ridgeway Figure Drawing Class at Brooks Museum Scribble February at Midtown Crossing Grill free A Closet Collective vintage shop at 2230 Evelyn Ave. Riff Raff at Growlers Graham Winchester Song Swap at Bar DKDC The Play That Goes Wrong Broadway musical at the Orpheum (through Feb. 9) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Thursday, Feb. 6 Food Truck Thursday in Court Square family Expungement Clinic at Memphis Urban League Memphis Hustle v. OKC Blue at the Landers Center family Take Your Dog to Trivia at Memphis Made free, family Anime Night at Black Lodge Family Is Feudin’ at Railgarten free, family Best In Black Awards at Central Station Galentine’s Day at Sweet Lala’s Bakery Kevin Walters at The Green Room Kristen Becker Comedy Tour at Dru’s Place Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) The Play That Goes Wrong Broadway musical at the Orpheum (through Feb. 9) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Friday, Feb. 7 Firepit Fridays at the River Garden free, family First Fridays: Growing From Seed at Palladio Garden free Sweet Street: First Fridays on Broad Avenue free, family Notable Black Memphians talk at Woodruff-Fontaine House Heart to Heart Cocktail Party + Bridge Lighting at Wagner Place Chocolate and Art at Phillip Ashley Chocolates A Night at the Pawscars at The Cadre Building Blackwater Trio at Crosstown Brewing free, family The Dopolarians at The Green Room Freeloader and Faux Killas at Bar DKDC Moniker: Ft. Cntrlla et al at Black Lodge Love Doesn’t Hurt Benefit Concert at Growlers South Main Sounds Songwriter Night free, family Silent Disco at Loflin Yard Improv Underground VIII at the Brass Door Jana Jones Art Opening Reception at Art Body Soul free Opening Reception: Sheltr at L. Ross Gallery free Art Reception: Jerry Plunk at My Memphis View Art & Gallery free Tyler Perry’s “Madea Farewell Play Tour” at FedExForum What Becomes Of A Broken Heart: The Stage Play at Evergreen Theater (through Feb. 9) Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) The Play That Goes Wrong Broadway musical at the Orpheum (through Feb. 9) Saturday, Feb. 8 Volunteer at the Old Forest at Overton Park Pre-Valentine’s Day Pop-Up at Wild Nutrition Small Shop Saturday w/ Wilson’s Woodwork at Ghost River family, free Herbal Work Study: Herbs for Love at Memphis Botanic Garden free w/ volunteer hours Indie Memphis Free Youth Workshop at Cloud 901 family, free Skate School at Society Skatepark family Tigers v. USF at FedExForum (Men’s Basketball) family Foundations to the Enneagram Workshop at Jason’s Deli Conference Center Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating Fun! at Muddy’s family Chinese New Year Celebration at the Children’s Museum family A Fancy Little Flea Market at Avon Acres Sabato Sociale at Bari 5th Annual No Show Ball benefitting the Forest Spence Fund family The Power Of Black Love at Kukutana African American Museum Exhibition Opening Party—Negritude at Art Village Gallery free Draft & Laughs at Memphis Made free Winter Festival of Lights at 409 S. Main Retro Drinks Reimagined at ARRIVE Hotel (Bar Hustle) Adults Only Twilight Tour at the Memphis Zoo Speed Dating In The City at Premiere Palace Ballroom Collage Dance Winter Show at GPAC Spyro Gyro at GPAC I LOVE MEMPHIS Variety Show (no affiliation) at Wolfgang Manor 10th Annual Forever Loving Marley at Railgarten Don’t Be Afraid Comedy at Midtown Crossing Folk All Y’all: An Evening With Snaps for Sinners at the Green Room Lee Brice at Graceland Live JSU Alumni’s Mardi Gras on the River at Balinese Ballroom Marcella & Her Lovers at Bar DKDC What Becomes Of A Broken Heart: The Stage Play at Evergreen Theater (through Feb. 9) Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) The Play That Goes Wrong Broadway musical at the Orpheum (through Feb. 9) Sunday, Feb. 9 Love and All That Jazz at The Church of the River free Women Who Rock at Wonder Cowork Lecture: Entertaining in the Gilded Age aka Downton Abbey at the Brooks Seed Swap at Central Library free Low-Cost Microchipping at Hollywood Feed Southaven Dirty Dozen Brass Band at Buckman Arts Center Blooms and Brews at Everbloom Designs The Day Party at Jamrock Lounge Oscars Watch Party at Rec Room free Tinglers at Alex’s Tavern free Speed Dating at Crosstown Brewing Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) The Play That Goes Wrong Broadway musical at the Orpheum (through Feb. 9) Monday, Feb. 10 Celine Dion at FedExForum Mary Gagz at Bar DKDC MicroCinema: Best Friends Forever Shorts at Crosstown Theater My Chemical Monday Emo Night at Growlers Frankie valet at the Hi-Tone Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Tuesday, Feb. 11 AutoZone Park Hiring Event Kendra Scott for Beer, BBQ, and Jewels at Saddle Creek The Beach Boys at the Orpheum UAC Artists’ Happy Hour at Urban Arts Commission free Modern Masters Jazz Series at Crosstown Arts “Mighty Roar” Book Signing at Novel free Romantic Comedy Trivia at various locations free Crescendo film screening at Malco Ridgeway Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Wednesday, Feb. 12 Beale Street Music Festival lineup announcement Museum After Dark: Silentine’s Day at the Stax Museum Galentine’s Day Shopping party at Kendra Scott Saddle Creek Umphrey’s McGee at Graceland Soundstage “Pretty Strong” Film Screening at High Point Climbing family Grizzlies v. Trail Blazers at FedExForum family Jubu Smith at The Green Room After Parkland film screening at Powerhouse Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Thursday, Feb. 13 Food Truck Thursday in Court Square family How To Be An Antiracist at Rhodes College free Cupcakes and Crafts: Galentine’s Day Macrame Class at Muddy’s Valentine’s Eve in the Museum Store at Metal Museum Will Kimbrough at The Green Room Graham Winchester Song Swap at Bar DKDC Galentine’s Day at Loflin Yard Blind Date Gameshow at Rec Room Thirsty Thursdays w/ Ima at Dru’s Place Heartbreaker’s Ball/Steppin’ Night at Marlowe’s Robert Randolph and the Family Band at Lafayette’s Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Friday, Feb. 14 Firepit Fridays at the River Garden free, family Valentine’s Day Weekend at Palladio Home & Garden Valentine’s Day “Charcuterie and Chocolate” Event at Primas Whiskey, Wine, and Chocolates at the Memphis Botanic Garden Opera Memphis’ Puccini Double Bill at GPAC Valentine’s Day Skate at Mid-South Ice House Valentine’s Day Dance at Blue Suede Ballroom Alvin Ailey at the Orpheum Black Love Live at Esplanade Memphis An Intimate Evening w/ Will Graves at 1524 Madison Valentine’s Day Duet Karaoke at Rec Room free Valentine Night at Soulz Cafe Ballet Memphis Winter Mix at Ballet Memphis family 90s Prom Night at Crosstown Brewing free if you wear a costume The Love Boat’s Valentine’s Day Cruise / Valentine’s Dinner at Lafayette’s Valentine’s Day at Celtic Crossing Karaoke at the Casual Pint Kristi & Misti White / Thelma & the Sleaze at Bar DKDC Marcella & Her Lovers et al at Black Lodge Valentine’s Date Party at Rumba Room Love Sucks! Show With the Dixie Dicks at Doghouzz Love is a DRAG at Dru’s Place PJ Morton at Minglewood Hall Bitter Ball at Tin Roof Area 51 at Alfred’s on Beale Valentine’s Day 2020 Celebration at Wild Bill’s Olivia Jean at Railgarten Sad Valentine’s Deep Dish at Zinnie’s Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Saturday, Feb. 15 Skate School at Society Skatepark  family Memphis Modern Market at Loflin Yard family Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating Fun! at Muddy’s family World Bonobo Day Celebration at the Memphis Zoo family Jazzy Family Day at the Dixon family Galentine’s Day Brunch at Knife Bird All In For Animals Charity Poker Tournament at Humane Society Valentine’s Dance Class at Blue Suede Ballroom Bears For Beasts at Memphis Made 28th Annual Works of Heart at MCA Ballet Memphis Winter Mix at Ballet Memphis Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at The Orpheum Opera Memphis’ Puccini Double Bill at GPAC Transmission: Broken Hearts Party at Bar DKDC Flower and Chocolate at Wiseacre Brewing #LetsGetLoud Beat Battle League Season Opener at TDC The Kickback at the Hi-Tone Rec Room Rumble (Armored Fight Club) at Rec Room Romantic Live Music at Soccer City 901 Delta Joe Sanders CD Release Party at B-Side Memphis Whiskey & Wings Bar Crawl at Atomic Rose Love Sessions at Club Paradise Valentine’s Day 2020 Celebration at Wild Bill’s Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Sunday, Feb. 16 9th Annual TEP Gumbo Festival at the Pipkin Building Bring Your Dog To Bingo Day at Loflin Yard Current Event Art + Music Show at Knifebird Presidential Sunday Funday at Tin Roof Memphis Reggae Sunday at Brinson’s Love Celebration at The Venue Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at The Orpheum Balley Memphis Winter Mix at Ballet Memphis Robbie & The Cartel Lightning at the Hi-Tone Comedy Laugh Fest at the Landers Center Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Monday, Feb. 17 Parent’s Day Out at the Memphis Zoo President’s Day Playdate at TransforMama Collierville’s 150th Anniversary Kickoff at Collierville Town Square Monthly Open Mic Night at Huey’s Midtown Paul&Co. at Lafayette’s Music Room John Paul Keith at the Guest House at Graceland Mary Gagz at Bar DKDC Abe Screening at Malco Ridgeway Tuesday, Feb. 18 February Volunteer Blitz Night at Habitat for Humanity Tori Kelly at Minglewood Hall Beautifully Adorned: Head Wrapping Class at Knowledge Quest Wine Tasting and Tutorial at Highlander Pub Wider Angle Film Series: Winter Flies at Central Library Tiffany Harmon Band at Bar DKDC Wednesday, Feb. 19 February Insiders On Tour at TN Welcome Center Art Village Gallery Bus Tour  Cafe Conversations at the Brooks Museum A Novel Book Club at Novel Memphis Hope Lodge Dinner & Game Night Rooftop Workout + Yoga + Cocktails at Old Dominick Graham Winchester Song Swap at Bar DKDC Beanpole screening at Malco Studio on the Square Jubu Smith and Black Cream at Growlers Memphis Hustle v. Sioux Falls Skyforce at the Landers Center Tigers v. ECU at FedExForum (Men’s Basketball) Thursday, Feb. 20 Food Truck Thursday at Court Square family Al Chymia 78th Annual Shrine Circus at the Agricenter Showplace area family African-American Read-In at the Central Library February Student Day at High Point Climbing Harriet Tubman: One Women’s Journey at Elmwood Cemetery Artspace Immersion: Spotlight Memphis at Playhouse on the Square Garden-To-Table Dinner at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens Tanya Tucker w/ Brandy Clark at Graceland Soundstage Trivia Night at Miss Cordelia’s free 10th Annual Memphis Monologues at 11 West Huling Downtown Drunk Art at Railgarten Nurse Appreciation Night at Mollie Fontaine Lounge Friday, Feb. 21 Ameripolitan Awards Weekend Al Chymia 78th Annual Shrine Circus at the Agricenter Showplace area family Firepit Fridays at the River Garden Galentine’s Sip + Shop at Propcellar Ballet Memphis Winter Mix at Ballet Memphis Wine for Wishes at the Cadre Junior Brown & Dale Watson at Hernando’s Hide-A-Way Trio Plus Band at Marlowe’s Calum Graham at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts South Main Sounds Songwriter Night Moses Crouch and Mississippi Medicine at Loflin Yard Lost Dog Street Band at 1884 Lounge at Minglewood Hall Steve Selvidge and Band at Bar DKDC Legends Karaoke Tribute Night at RockHouse Live Midtown Saturday, Feb. 22 Ameripolitan Awards Weekend Civitan Frosty 5K at Overton Park Al Chymia 78th Annual Shrine Circus at the Agricenter Showplace area family Introduction to Energy Healing at Somos Un Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D Movie opens at the Pink Palace Fine Silver Metal Clay Basics at Memphis Botanic Garden Crosstown Brewing 2nd Anniversary  Tigers v. Houston at FedExForum (Men’s Basketball) Trolls Live at the Cannon Center Vivaldi and Piazzolla Four Seasons at The U of M’s Harris Concert Hall Mardi Gras at the ‘Garten at Railgarten Native Blood and Sunweight at Black Lodge Video Neon Mooners at The Bluff 2020 American Advertising Awards at 616 Marshall Ave Collage Dance Collective Presents: RISE at GPAC Coalescent Saxophone Quartet in The Green Room World Heavyweight Championship Viewing at Rec Room Ameripolitan Weekend Beale Street Showcase Will Sexton Band + Jimbo Mathis (Fat Possum) at Bar DKDC Sunday, Feb. 23 Ameripolitan Awards Weekend Soup Sunday 2020 at FedExForum Willy Wonka Party at Primas Brunch w/ Chef Fran at Footlose Enterprises Al Chymia 78th Annual Shrine Circus at the Agricenter Showplace area family The Plagues of Early Memphis Tour at Elmwood Cemetery Brewskis and Books Third Edition at Memphis Made Brewing Trolls Live! at the Cannon Center Collage Dance Collective Presents: RISE at GPAC Forever Abbey Road Beatles Experience at Lafayette’s Ballet Memphis Winter Mix at Ballet Memphis Southern Literary Salon at TN Shakespeare Company Endless Love Music Showcase at Memphis Slim House Monday, Feb. 24 Ameripolitan Music Awards at the Guest House at Graceland EPL Soccer at Celtic Crossing Puzzles & Pints at The Casual Pint Mike Doughty at Bar DKDC Mary Gagz at Bar DKDC Bluff City 901 at Lafayette’s Bad Omens at Growlers Tuesday, Feb. 25 Tesla at Graceland Soundstage Tiffany Harmon at Bar DKDC Mardi Gras Celebration at Crosstown Concourse Mardi Gras Party at Celtic Crossing 8th Annual Mighty Fat Tuesday at Bayou Bar & Grill Mardi Gras Celebration at Sister Supply Black History Month Celebration at the Rose Theater Wednesday, Feb. 26 February Lunch & Learn at A Step Ahead Foundation Disney’s Aladdin at The Orpheum Theatre (through March 7) Streeter & The Tribe at Crosstown Arts Graham Winchester Song Swap at Bar DKDC Nerd Nite at Highland Axe & Rec Secret Comedy Show at Local Gastropub Downtown Breeze Cayolle & New Orleans at Lafayette’s Vitalina Varela at Malco Ridgeway Thursday, Feb. 27 Food Truck Thursdays at Court Square Disney’s Aladdin at The Orpheum Theatre (through March 7) Memphis Women’s Summit at U of Memphis Underground Railroad with Candacy Taylor Allison Kasper at Bar DKDC Caritas Chef Dinner at Caritas Village Passport to Oregon 2020 wine dinner at 409 S. Main Pot Still Irish Whiskey Tasting at Celtic Crossing The Toasters w/ CCDE at the Hi-Tone Afro- Puerto Rican Bomba Dance Workshop at Cazateatro Bilingual Theater Friday, Feb. 28 Disney’s Aladdin at The Orpheum Theatre – through March 7 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend at Graceland – through Feb. 29 Firepit Fridays at the River Garden I AM MEmphis at 3795 Frayser-Raleigh Road Saturday, Feb. 29 – Leap Day! Disney’s Aladdin at The Orpheum Theatre – through March 7 Madonna Learning Center Gala at Hilton East Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend at Graceland Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” at The Cannon Center Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

https://ilovememphisblog.com/2020/02/things-to-do-in-memphis-in-february-2020/

BackBeatRags, a L.A.-Based Vintage Brand That Counts Cara Delevingne and Amber Heard as Fans

http://styleveryday.com/2017/07/10/backbeatrags-a-l-a-based-vintage-brand-that-counts-cara-delevingne-and-amber-heard-as-fans/

BackBeatRags, a L.A.-Based Vintage Brand That Counts Cara Delevingne and Amber Heard as Fans

BackBeatRags founder Isadora Alvarez shares her favorite L.A. destinations for vintage and talks environmentally friendly fashion.

It may seem that people like Cara Delevingne and Amber Heard spend their life in couture and straight-off-the-runway ready-to-wear, but they, too, wear — and shop for — “normal” clothes. One of their go-tos for the model-off-duty look: BackBeatRags, a made-in-L.A. brand for sustainable, low-impact basics, vintage tees (starts at $39) and sweatshirts.

Isadora Alvarez, 31, is the brainchild of the label that had its start at the Melrose Trading Post. Her love affair with fashion and vintage in particular stemmed from her teen years in the Philippines (she’s from the dreamy beach town of El Nido, Palawan), and only intensified after moving to San Francisco to study fashion merchandising, and later moving to L.A. What led to the BackBeatRags was in part her growing disillusionment with the amount of waste created by the fashion industry.

We talked to the entrepreneur — whose latest addition to the line is a range of retro-inspired graphic tees — about being kind to the environment and where and how to buy vintage in L.A.

You started BackBeatRags after working for an off-price retailer. How did that lead to this epiphany?

The products were very cheaply made, and were only meant to last a couple of months. After realizing I did not want to be part of an industry like that, I set out to start my own company, starting off with selling vintage first — the greenest way to buy new clothes — until I could figure out how to make clothing that had a lower impact on the environment.

In what ways are your pieces environmentally friendly?

We only use sustainable fabrics such as hemp, organic cotton, recycled cotton and Tencel, which have a lower impact on the land and resources they use. We also produce in Los Angeles, in factories that are less than 15 miles from our studio, so we have a low travel footprint as well. Everything is produced in small batches, so we only reorder once an item sells out, eliminating a lot of extra wastage on unsold styles.

What is your secret to buying vintage?

It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you! Really, there are a lot of vintage wholesalers out there who have vast amounts of clothing to pick from. It requires long days of going through hundreds of items. And of course, flea markets, swap meets and estate sales. Vintage picking is a constant hunt for stuff — it’s never ending!

What has the journey been like of selling at the Melrose Trading Post and now online? 

Melrose was where we first started selling vintage, and where we really built up our clientele. We were basically one of the go-to places for great vintage tees and sweatshirts. Once we started the BackBeatRags line it was a great way to introduce it to a large amount of people who we might not have been able to reach if we just sold online. We are a very, very small company, so our budget is very lean, but fairs and markets are a great way to sell and market with a lower overhead. As the company grew we transitioned into online to reach a wider audience. Melrose has been really amazing, and we will be going back for surprise pop-ups!

Why do you think you’ve attracted such a great audience?

The beauty of our clothing is that anybody can wear it — at the core they are just super dope, super comfortable basics, so we tend to attract all sorts of women (and men). We’ve attracted customers young and old. We’ve had Cara Delevingne, Amber Heard, Amanda Seyfried and a bunch of models and influencers drop by and gush about the softness of our clothes in our pop-ups. Also, rad basics are core items in every model’s off-duty look. A good tee and jeans are staples, so it’s no surprise our pieces speak to that look.

What inspired the retro graphic tees?

We were super inspired by the feel of the Venice Beach skate and surf culture from the ‘70s and ‘80s, so we used a lot of graphics and the overall vibe of those times when we were designing them.

So give us some of your secrets. Where do you find the best vintage in L.A.?

Melrose Trading Post for sure! Best people to score some vintage from there are No Grand Rituals, Babes on Legs, Possession Vintage (they also have a store in Highland Park) and the Japanese guy on the corner by the men’s bathroom. Of course the Rose Bowl is the ultimate place for vintage in L.A. There’s also the Bearded Beagle in Highland Park and Please and Thank You, who have their own showroom on the Eastside they open to the public every so often. I also go to Goodwill stores whenever I’m in a small town — that’s usually where you find the best ones.

Any pro vintage-hunting tips?

Don’t sleep on it. There’s only one, so if you love it, get it.

Source

#Amber #BackBeatRags #Brand #Cara #Counts #Delevingne #Fans #Heard #LABased #Vintage

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Interview by Paul Salfen” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-pencil” i_color=”custom” style=”shadow” border_width=”7″ add_icon=”true” i_custom_color=”#ff0000″][interactive_banner_2 banner_title=”Tyler Shields: Provocateur” banner_desc=”Edgy. Dark. Controversial. Risque. Shocking. These are words often used to describe the work of “Hollywood’s Favorite Photographer” Tyler Shields. But when the man behind it appears to not be living in theme with his work and has a rather sunny disposition, how his mind works seems even more intriguing. For a man that calls Marilyn Manson a close friend and often creates suggestive and thought-provoking work, one might expect a brooding or odd creature to be behind it. Instead, the 34-year-old is charming, engaging, and quite funny. ” banner_image=”id^31383|url^http://www.amfm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/TYLER-SHIELDS-Orchid.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^TYLER SHIELDS-Orchid|description^null” banner_style=”style7″ image_opacity=”1″ image_opacity_on_hover=”1″ banner_title_font_family=”font_family:Abril Fatface|font_call:Abril+Fatface” banner_title_style=”font-style:italic;,font-weight:bold;” banner_title_font_size=”desktop:70px;” banner_desc_font_family=”font_family:Abril Fatface|font_call:Abril+Fatface” banner_desc_style=”font-style:italic;,font-weight:bold;” banner_desc_font_size=”desktop:30px;”][vc_column_text]Born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1982, Shields didn’t get into photography until 2003 – but then published a book just two years later. Since then, his work has been shown in exhibitions all over the world. After starting a decade ago directing music videos, he moved on to photos and has done striking work with the likes of starlets Emma Roberts, Lindsay Lohan, Ashley Greene, and Abigail Breslin.

His next endeavor is film. He directed the thriller Final Girl and has another, Outlaw, that is finished, and another called The Wild Ones in production.

In between those, though, his bread and butter are these art gallery exhibitions like the one currently at the Samuel Lynne Galleries in the Design District in Dallas. “I actually lived here a bit when I was a kid,” he reveals. “There was a skate park that I used to come to Eisenberg’s. So Arlo Eisenberg, who was a big pro skater, was a friend of mine, so I uscalleded to come see him and I met JD [Miller, the gallery owner and fellow artist] and them and they wanted me to come do a gallery and I met Gina [Ginsburg, entrepreneur and Dallas socialite] and I just kept coming back.”

But it’s not just a full gallery he desires while in town. “I like to eat about my body weight in steak. I’ve eaten enough steak to feed a small army at this point,” he laughs. “Literally last night I got off the plane and I said, “Steakhouse. Let’s go!” We went to this place, Al Biernat’s. Gina takes me there every time.”

Shields then looks around at his work surrounding him and begins to recall the great moments with a proud look on his face.

AMFM Magazine: I can’t imagine what it takes to get one of these images to happen, much less a gallery – or a book – of them. Which shot pained you the most?

Tyler Shields: Oh, man. The Marie Antoinette shots took a long time because we built everything. The sets, they made the champagne glasses, the wigs – I had a team of 20 women making wigs. Then we took sledgehammers to it at the end. That one took the most time. The most interesting one was the KKK one [where a naked black man appears to be hanging a Klan member]. I don’t know if I’ve ever told anyone this: when we were doing it, we were doing it in a swamp and I’m in the swamp as well but you can’t see me because there are all of these bushes because there was a hill above it. But there was a family hiking and so they’re hiking by and my assistant and everyone is hiding in the bushes so they can’t be seen in the shot. I’m literally up to here in the swamp and I see the guy and the guy holding the rope says, “There’s a dude up there. What do I do?” and I said, “Act natural.” It was so ridiculous that I said that that he just didn’t do anything and so he’s still holding him up. Because if he lets the rope go, the guy is just going to fall down. So the guy is hiking and he looks down on us and he looks down and he goes, “Come on! Come on!” and he’s got kids out there. So somewhere out there there’s a guy that got an eyeful of us taking that but not me – just that moment. Imagine him calling the park ranger: “I don’t know what is happening but…”

AMFM: You’ve got a lot of people talking about your work with each new set. How do you continue to top yourself?


TS: Well, when we did “The Dirty Side of Glamour” my friend said, “Well, we did it. You’re not going to top that.” We did the next thing and he said, “Alright, you’re not going to top that.” And now he doesn’t say that anymore. He just says, “OK, do that. You’ll figure it out.” There are so many ideas. I had the idea for the Marie Antoinette stuff so many years ago but it just takes time to get it together sometimes – like the orchid shot. It took three years for me to get that right – the color and orchid.

AMFM: How many frames would you have to go through to get that shot?

TS: Oh, no…there’s only, like, two. Once we had it – I probably spent 30 minutes getting her just to play with the tongue before I even took the picture. And then shoot a couple and that’s it.

AMFM: So where do you find your inspiration? Do you find it just walking around and you just see stuff different than, say, I do?

TS: One hundred percent. It’s interesting because people say, “Oh, you must have seen this from this” and they’re always trying to connect it to something but I just…I remember with this one there was a girl I was shooting and it looked nothing like this but she was just blow-drying her hair and I thought it would be funny if she put it in her mouth and was blow-drying her hair. Those two things had nothing to do with each other at all, but that’s just what I see when I see that and then with the car one I always loved the idea of the woman kind of crushing the car but I saw a Lambo and a woman walking by with her dog and I thought, “Oh, what if the woman could just take her heels and smash the car?”

AMFM: It is amazing how many images we see and ideas we have in our heads in a day and sometimes it’s hard to tell where the inspiration comes from after a while, right?

TS: Of course. And now we’re so inundated with images. When I started out, I didn’t know much about photography or photographers and most of them didn’t have websites or a photography book collection so every once in a while you would see a Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, or Vogue cover but you wouldn’t see stuff like this but now every day so many photographs are just posted alone on Instagram, so there’s just so, so much out there.

AMFM: Is it interesting to see when people post and repost your photos and what they say about them?

TS: Yeah. It’s really cool to see when people repost what they actually say about it and the ones that take on their own life. I’ll get messages like, “Oh, Gigi Hadid posted this photo.” And she doesn’t even know that I took it but they’re just posting it because they love the photo.

AMFM: And some become memes. Is that an honor?

TS: Yeah! I think if you make something that gets turned into a meme you’re hitting a certain point of the zeitgeist, which is fun. I’ve seen the ballet one and the one of the girl that’s got the really crazy attitude and there’s like 20 memes for that one, which I think is awesome.

AMFM: In your book, the celebrities aren’t credited underneath the images. Most people would want to use their names to help create interest but you don’t do that.

TS: You could take a photo of Kate Moss and they would buy it because it’s Kate Moss but the idea for me is to use people that create the photo I want to create and they’re acting in it but it’s not about who’s in it. That’s when you really hit the best thing. [Points to an image of a naked woman covering herself but with no face shown]That girl is an actress. I’m not going to say who she is but she was just playing that part. It doesn’t matter who it is – it’s about the photo. That being said, I’ve shot people where it’s all about them but the stuff in here, it’s not the goal.

AMFM: Which photographers influenced you?

TS: It’s weird because like I said, I knew who Annie Leibovitz was, Ansel Adams, but when I started doing the auctions, that’s when I started to understand the power of Helmut Newton, the power of [Robert] Mapplethorpe, Irving Penn, [Richard] Avedon, and people started comparing to me to Helmut Newton back in the day and I thought, “OK, let me look this guy up” and he’s a character. He’s hilarious…one of the funniest people. As you see what these people do – we’re awarded so much more now. Helmut was great and he worked for such a long time and did commercial stuff but didn’t want to do that anymore and he just started shooting for himself and that wasn’t really a thing back then. You couldn’t make a living selling prints in the ‘60s and ‘70s whereas if he was doing it today, he wouldn’t need to work for anybody.

AMFM: But now you can do it and you don’t have to shoot Super Bowl commercials or anything.

TS: Without those guys like Mapplethorpe…those guys forged the way for this kind of value in photography – which I obviously appreciate! [Laughs]

AMFM: You have a lot of aspiring photographers looking up to you. What advice would you give them?

TS: You know, one of my assistants – I explained it to him like this: when you start out in photography, you see what you can be – but it takes time. You could pick up a camera today and you could copy an Instagram style and have a bunch of followers on Instagram – you could have 10 million followers on Instagram and not sell one print. You just have to understand who you’re making the work for. You’re making the work for a gallery, for a wall. I have some photos that may not get the most likes on Instagram but people buy them. You have to figure out what you want and make the work that people want. I’ve talked to a lot of people that say that’s what they want but they’re afraid that their mom won’t like it or they’ll be judged for it and that’s the worst.

AMFM: And sometimes you just need to get out of LA and see what everyone else says about your work.

TS: Yeah! I just did a show in like this Ohio and we had 800 people come on opening night and they’re excited I’m coming there.

AMFM: I know I’d never be a subject of yours but how do you find the subjects? Do you just look at someone and know that’s who you want to use next?

TS: It’s funny because you’ll meet someone sometimes now but it’s usually a referral. “Oh my God, you gotta shoot my boyfriend,” “You gotta shoot my friend,” and sometimes people are emailing you and sending you photos. Sometimes I’ll see someone and it doesn’t look anything like what I would do with them but that’s part of the fun of it. You have to see the potential of what someone can be rather than who they are. You can use anybody for anything if the theme fits.

AMFM: And now it looks like your next medium is film. Of course we saw Final Girl, but you’ve got a few pending.

TS: I’m working on film that will be done I’ll say at the end of February and I’m working on a script that my company got that was on the blacklist – so I’m working on those now and I’m doing a new project with [Marilyn] Manson. He’s a wild man. He’s funny – but the nicest guy. Literally we talk every day. He’s the funniest texter. Just ridiculous.

AMFM: What do you want people to get out of this exhibition when they walk out?

TS: My biggest thing with making this type of stuff is I want to allow someone to form their own opinion. I had some people ask – one in an interview – “You did this because of this, this, and this” – they were so sure of it and I said “I’m not going to argue with you” and they said, “Because I’m right” and I said, “No, it’s not because you’re right and that’s your opinion.” I make stuff and I won’t think it’s controversial at all and people will freak out and I’ll say, “What’s the big deal? It’s a flower! I don’t know why you think it looks like something else. To me it’s just a flower!” But that’s part of the fun – you allow the interpretation of it.” When you start to explain it, you take away the fun of it because the conversation is why you make it. When the KKK image came out, this guy came up to me and said, “This image really affects me” and I said, “OK, that’s awesome.” And he goes, “Yeah, it’s crazy that the guy is saving the guy” and I hadn’t heard anyone say that that before. If I had said beforehand, “No, this is what it means and this is what you have to think about it,” there’s no fun in that. You have to leave mystery.

The Tyler Shields: “Provocateur” exhibition is on view at the Samuel Lynne Galleries in Dallas through February 11, 2017.

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Tyler Shields: Provocateur Born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1982, Shields didn’t get into photography until 2003 – but then published a book just two years later.