Cynthia rodriguez movies and tv shows
MoviesAndTvShows_
2022.04.06 08:45 shalomstopics MoviesAndTvShows_
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2012.07.14 10:01 appydays Moviesinthemaking: A behind-the-scenes look at the wonderful world of film
A behind-the-scenes look at the wonderful world of movies
2023.04.02 07:07 purple_carnations TV Shows and Movies
TV Shows & Movies Hub. A place to discuss your favorite shows and movies. View the community info or the about section on your phone and you will see the series & movies that are being developed and some that have already premiered.
2023.06.01 15:30 wescowell AA BookClub Meets Tonight ZOOM 7:00 PM Central
AABookClub meets TONIGHT, Thursday, June 1 at 7 PM Central Time. Zoom ID 867 6227 5378
Tonight we will watch a short clip from Neil Simon's 1981 film "Only When I Laugh."
The movie begins (we'll skip this part but I include this explanation for context) with a montage of newspaper headlines and photographs depicting Georgia Hines' rise to stardom as a successful actress. It highlights her achievements and accolades in the theater world. The montage also provides a glimpse into Georgia's glamorous lifestyle, showing her attending parties and events with other notable figures in the industry.
As the montage concludes, the scene transitions to a hotel room where Georgia wakes up, disheveled and clearly hungover. This sets the tone for the film, establishing Georgia's battle with alcoholism and the challenges she faces in her personal and professional life. The room is cluttered with empty bottles and other remnants of her excessive drinking.
This opening scene effectively introduces the audience to the central character and her struggles right from the start, setting the stage for the emotional journey that unfolds throughout the film.
The scene we'll watch (2:49): The movie then cuts to Georgia's intake interview at a rehab facility and is good fodder for an AA meeting topic.
OUR NEXT BOOK: We just finished our last book, Walter Tevis's "The Queen's Gambit." We'll choose a new book -- probably a memoir bathed in alcoholism/addiction (we usually alternate between fiction and memoir) to review at the end of July.
Please join us. We skip the liturgy of readings at the beginning (no How it Works, no Daily Reflection, no Thought and Prayer for the Day, etc.). We don't collect money. We just introduce ourselves and start talking about the book, video clip, audio clip, whatever; we share what we were like, what happened, and what we're like now.
We hope to see you there.
Zoom ID 867 6227 5378 no passcode
submitted by wescowell to u/wescowell [link] [comments]
Tonight we will watch a short clip from Neil Simon's 1981 film "Only When I Laugh."
The movie begins (we'll skip this part but I include this explanation for context) with a montage of newspaper headlines and photographs depicting Georgia Hines' rise to stardom as a successful actress. It highlights her achievements and accolades in the theater world. The montage also provides a glimpse into Georgia's glamorous lifestyle, showing her attending parties and events with other notable figures in the industry.
As the montage concludes, the scene transitions to a hotel room where Georgia wakes up, disheveled and clearly hungover. This sets the tone for the film, establishing Georgia's battle with alcoholism and the challenges she faces in her personal and professional life. The room is cluttered with empty bottles and other remnants of her excessive drinking.
This opening scene effectively introduces the audience to the central character and her struggles right from the start, setting the stage for the emotional journey that unfolds throughout the film.
The scene we'll watch (2:49): The movie then cuts to Georgia's intake interview at a rehab facility and is good fodder for an AA meeting topic.
OUR NEXT BOOK: We just finished our last book, Walter Tevis's "The Queen's Gambit." We'll choose a new book -- probably a memoir bathed in alcoholism/addiction (we usually alternate between fiction and memoir) to review at the end of July.
Please join us. We skip the liturgy of readings at the beginning (no How it Works, no Daily Reflection, no Thought and Prayer for the Day, etc.). We don't collect money. We just introduce ourselves and start talking about the book, video clip, audio clip, whatever; we share what we were like, what happened, and what we're like now.
We hope to see you there.
Zoom ID 867 6227 5378 no passcode
2023.06.01 15:30 necrogoddess Need help sorting out my chrome book which im trying to use through my tv
So my chrome book screen is smashed up and you can’t see what’s going on on there, I’ve connected it to my tv with a Hdmi but it’s on the setting where it’s just a extension of the screen rather than showing what’s on the screen, I don’t know if there’s a way I can change the setting using the keypad or something ? I’m pretty stuck and kind of thinking I won’t be able to use it at all
submitted by necrogoddess to techsupport [link] [comments]
2023.06.01 15:29 lazymentors What Changed in Advertising, Agencies & Marketing May 2023?
And this push is also delivering results for Top Advertisers in the space. This fund was launched alongside a new Tiktok Ad format, PulsePremiere. These Ads currently in beta are shown after a trending piece of content.
For Music Marketers & Artists, Tiktok launched #newmusic to support upcoming artists.
And after that boom, we got smashed with the TikTok US state ban in Montana. There is a huge controversy around it but this news isn’t affecting marketing spend.
Executional Angles 🎬
Tiktok’s Ad platform and creator marketplace are getting better. The updates aren’t public. I have tracked a few cheeky practices from the Tiktok product team to gather more user data and better their Ad platform. Expect better location-based targeting in the upcoming few months.
For organic, With the new creator fund. Many long-form content creators are seeing an engagement hike for their content. You can experiment with long-form content as a business to connect longer with the audience.
And a nice sign is TikTok is now pushing more content from “people you follow” to the For You page. As mentioned in my Tiktok marketing post, this is something new and encouraging for brands.
Upcoming: Tiktok is testing an AI Chatbot similar to snapchat. This launch will help them keep users more engaged.
A great callout here is “Gen-Z is on Pinterest”. Every single platform mentions that they have Gen-Z users on their apps to attract advertisers. But data from different research shows that Pinterest has a growing Gen-Z user base, especially for diverse and Female audiences.
Bring back to the latest content ranking system and algorithm changes to Pinterest. Earlier this week, I shared this blog post from the Pinterest engineering team about the latest updates to the platform.
Executional Breakdown of Algorithm
First of all, how the Pinterest algorithm ranks content is very simple and it's all based on user interactivity.
All different engaging elements like comments, save, share, and like give the content system a signal to rank your content for relevant topics. As revealed by their engineering team in this post and by the previous product manager at Pinterest on Lenny’s podcast.
The new changes to Pinterest are very simple:
Diversifying your content, Pinterest is making changes to the content system to make sure the content it ranks on the app isn’t too sensitive toward a demographic. That is why they want Pinterest businesses and creators to diversify their Pinterest boards and content strategy.
This affects niches like Beauty, Fashion, and other lifestyle-related brands. Don’t try to sell the idea of clear skin or a perfect body shape. Pinterest is looking to provide a better and healthy space for young audiences.
The second change is “keyword search”. In the blog post, there are mentions that the algorithm will try to show more of the content that includes identical keywords & sentence structure to “user search queries”. To promote more relevancy and better content to users.
These are the main changes, I will share more on Pinterest in my upcoming blogs to help you overall with Pinterest marketing.
Platform Changes: Pinterest users can now add links to every single Posting format. And added a new platform analytics feature for better insights.
Besides advertising, Twitter continues to launch new services and features for Blue subscribers. And decreasing creator monetization requirements, increasing the video upload limit to 2 hours. The other focus is on attracting more advertisers to the platform.
A lot going on forTwitter. But the biggest issue is that Bot spam is at its peak, removing bots was one of the biggest promises made by ElonMusk. Still not delivered.
I have my fingers crossed for June.
Execution Considerations:
Twitter is getting better at recommending relevant tweets under the original tweets you read. And as you know it is mentioned on Github that the Twitter connection network plays a huge role in getting content discovered.
I recommend refining your network and networking with the right audiences. Kinda old advice but the platform is testing new prompts related to this. That is why you should click on it.
Shorty Awards took place in May and here is the full list of winners. Have a look and get inspired for next year.
VCCP, a London-based creative agency, is launching an AI-creative agency. The usage of generative AI is increasing very fast and adaptation is the key now. Link!
This month was filled with brand and marketing events. I found a curated list of brand marketing events that took place in May. Link!
The New Bud Light is “The North Face”. The new campaign featuring a drag queen is catching negative attention like Budlight. Link!
Jaskaran: I started tracking agency news for the newsletter last week, for future monthly recaps you will find more and better recaps.
Besides that Instagram made a huge spark as the information about a new Twitter viral came up. Meta is expected to launch a new decentralized Twitter-like app for their users in June. Many are excited about it. It could be a great opportunity for businesses as many find IG very hard to scale.
Decentralized means your followers can follow you on the new app with one click. This app can help you reach more existing followers on IG & FB.
Other than these two, there was a list of updates including a new creator fund announcement. But not much impacting your organic growth.
Google and Walmart both took steps to make media buying and Ad creative creation easier. You can read here about Google’s new approach to media buying and how Walmart here is trying to help businesses with Ad creatives.
Microsoft is moving fast with Bing Chat Advertising, You can now use Chat Ads API to integrate ads within Bing AI. Link!
There were a few other marketing product updates for Microsoft in terms of improving targeting and utilizing AI. One of my favorites is the recent UET update to their analytics dashboard.
For more information, I recommend revisiting our last emails & read this recent Google marketing live recap.
At the same time, Meta is having huge issues in the EU & UK with their data usage. The platform Received a $1.2B fine and now UK representatives are limiting data usage for Meta. Good for privacy but points to a huge problem for paid media marketers.
Meaning Meta’s future is bright due to AI research & frameworks but data issues are like close friends showing up every single day.
Other than this, Meta is launching AI tools to help marketers create better Ad creatives. Link!
In April, Meta increased its involvement in AI to push organic content and in May was focused on utilizing AI for paid media offerings.
Facebook: New Lead generation forms features and a few updates to Facebook reels were key product updates.
WhatsApp: New Updates to WhatsApp Chat features with the addition of Chat Lock, sharing with captions & new polls feature.
Many SEOs are predicting a 70-80% traffic drop in the upcoming months. But many experienced SEOs believe changes are good and the traffic for the future will be more quality-oriented.
These insights linked below are from the best SEOs and their opinions on recent search engine marketing changes.
11 Realizations from testing search generative experience. Link!
Aleyda Solis on new Google Changes. Link!
The AI takeover of Google Search. Verge
The technical SEO world is going through many changes. My advice is to keep your focus on the content strategy part for a while. And improve that!
Youtube: New Ad Formats & Algorithm
After doing $40B in revenue last year. The platform announced new Ad formats at IAB Newsfront. With the launch of 30-second unskippable Ads on Connected TV.
Where Youtube is headed with Unskippable Ads is the future of online movie & content streaming. Either platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and other services have to give up a share of revenue. Or they need to go back to unskippable Connected TV Ads format to pay the writers.
Coming back to Youtube, Every week on their “creator insider” channel they announce various new updates. The highlight was the recent update of community post creation for all users.
Partnering with Influencers and using community posts to target core audiences is one of the best strategies based on this new update.
LinkedIn is embracing AI in May with new AI features to help with messaging, job descriptions, and other hiring processes.
All that growth doesn’t mean everything is great. As the platform laid off 700 employees this month.
Overall, LinkedIn is doing good and viewers are loving their new marketing campaign. Watch!
While many believe that the nature of Reddit doesn’t fit e-commerce offerings. Many product reviews and conversations take place on Reddit and users get the ability to integrate products from other businesses within the content. It could work very well.
Using these features to self-promote is impossible but with the right execution. It can do a charm.
Others: Reddit is going through a bot followers scam.
Peacock’s Twitter strategy and latest viral tweet. (Read)
Snapchat continues to develop its AR offerings with recent updates. Brands can take advantage of AR even more. (SMT)
Lulumelon’s Tiktok page is an inspiration board for SMMs. (Watch)
PS: Due to sub-reddit rules, no links. You can subscribe to my newsletter for linked insights and weekly marketing recaps.
submitted by lazymentors to advertising [link] [comments]
Tiktok: Changes Affecting Creators & Advertisers
Tiktok made major changes to its platform. With the launch of their new creator fund “creativity program beta”. They have encouraged the top 4% of creators to push more long-form content.And this push is also delivering results for Top Advertisers in the space. This fund was launched alongside a new Tiktok Ad format, PulsePremiere. These Ads currently in beta are shown after a trending piece of content.
For Music Marketers & Artists, Tiktok launched #newmusic to support upcoming artists.
And after that boom, we got smashed with the TikTok US state ban in Montana. There is a huge controversy around it but this news isn’t affecting marketing spend.
Executional Angles 🎬
Tiktok’s Ad platform and creator marketplace are getting better. The updates aren’t public. I have tracked a few cheeky practices from the Tiktok product team to gather more user data and better their Ad platform. Expect better location-based targeting in the upcoming few months.
For organic, With the new creator fund. Many long-form content creators are seeing an engagement hike for their content. You can experiment with long-form content as a business to connect longer with the audience.
And a nice sign is TikTok is now pushing more content from “people you follow” to the For You page. As mentioned in my Tiktok marketing post, this is something new and encouraging for brands.
Upcoming: Tiktok is testing an AI Chatbot similar to snapchat. This launch will help them keep users more engaged.
Pinterest: Affecting Organic Content
In April, Pinterest got into huge issues with user safety on the platform because many users were targeting young audiences. After that Pinterest made a few changes and at the beginning of May, launched their transparency report showcasing how they are filtering harmful content.A great callout here is “Gen-Z is on Pinterest”. Every single platform mentions that they have Gen-Z users on their apps to attract advertisers. But data from different research shows that Pinterest has a growing Gen-Z user base, especially for diverse and Female audiences.
Bring back to the latest content ranking system and algorithm changes to Pinterest. Earlier this week, I shared this blog post from the Pinterest engineering team about the latest updates to the platform.
Executional Breakdown of Algorithm
First of all, how the Pinterest algorithm ranks content is very simple and it's all based on user interactivity.
All different engaging elements like comments, save, share, and like give the content system a signal to rank your content for relevant topics. As revealed by their engineering team in this post and by the previous product manager at Pinterest on Lenny’s podcast.
The new changes to Pinterest are very simple:
Diversifying your content, Pinterest is making changes to the content system to make sure the content it ranks on the app isn’t too sensitive toward a demographic. That is why they want Pinterest businesses and creators to diversify their Pinterest boards and content strategy.
This affects niches like Beauty, Fashion, and other lifestyle-related brands. Don’t try to sell the idea of clear skin or a perfect body shape. Pinterest is looking to provide a better and healthy space for young audiences.
The second change is “keyword search”. In the blog post, there are mentions that the algorithm will try to show more of the content that includes identical keywords & sentence structure to “user search queries”. To promote more relevancy and better content to users.
These are the main changes, I will share more on Pinterest in my upcoming blogs to help you overall with Pinterest marketing.
Platform Changes: Pinterest users can now add links to every single Posting format. And added a new platform analytics feature for better insights.
Twitter: Regaining Advertiser Trust & Bots
With the new Twitter CEO coming in, One of the Top Advertisers mentioned their comeback to advertise on the Bird app. But mid-micro advertisers are still not loving the Ad platform.Besides advertising, Twitter continues to launch new services and features for Blue subscribers. And decreasing creator monetization requirements, increasing the video upload limit to 2 hours. The other focus is on attracting more advertisers to the platform.
A lot going on forTwitter. But the biggest issue is that Bot spam is at its peak, removing bots was one of the biggest promises made by ElonMusk. Still not delivered.
I have my fingers crossed for June.
Execution Considerations:
Twitter is getting better at recommending relevant tweets under the original tweets you read. And as you know it is mentioned on Github that the Twitter connection network plays a huge role in getting content discovered.
I recommend refining your network and networking with the right audiences. Kinda old advice but the platform is testing new prompts related to this. That is why you should click on it.
Agencies & Brands: Who got the best campaign?
Starting with the world's biggest marketing agency will get even bigger with a new partnership with Nvidia. WPP is partnering with Nvidia to use its AI technology to level up its campaigns. Link!Shorty Awards took place in May and here is the full list of winners. Have a look and get inspired for next year.
VCCP, a London-based creative agency, is launching an AI-creative agency. The usage of generative AI is increasing very fast and adaptation is the key now. Link!
This month was filled with brand and marketing events. I found a curated list of brand marketing events that took place in May. Link!
The New Bud Light is “The North Face”. The new campaign featuring a drag queen is catching negative attention like Budlight. Link!
Jaskaran: I started tracking agency news for the newsletter last week, for future monthly recaps you will find more and better recaps.
Instagram: Targeted Advertising!
Believe it or not. Meta is moving fast with Instagram now. Tiktok announced their search ads will roll out slowly to marketers, and last week Meta came in clutch and announced “Instagram search Ads”. You can access them through the Instagram marketing API. Link!Besides that Instagram made a huge spark as the information about a new Twitter viral came up. Meta is expected to launch a new decentralized Twitter-like app for their users in June. Many are excited about it. It could be a great opportunity for businesses as many find IG very hard to scale.
Decentralized means your followers can follow you on the new app with one click. This app can help you reach more existing followers on IG & FB.
Other than these two, there was a list of updates including a new creator fund announcement. But not much impacting your organic growth.
PPC: New Policies Kicking In
For the second half of 2023, Advertisers in the UK & EU need compliance with these new Google Ad requirements. Link!Google and Walmart both took steps to make media buying and Ad creative creation easier. You can read here about Google’s new approach to media buying and how Walmart here is trying to help businesses with Ad creatives.
Microsoft is moving fast with Bing Chat Advertising, You can now use Chat Ads API to integrate ads within Bing AI. Link!
There were a few other marketing product updates for Microsoft in terms of improving targeting and utilizing AI. One of my favorites is the recent UET update to their analytics dashboard.
For more information, I recommend revisiting our last emails & read this recent Google marketing live recap.
Meta: Data Limitations & AI for Marketers
Meta is stuck. Yes, because they have developed one of the best AI languages and structures to benefit marketers. For example, this new engineering blog showcasing its new AI content structure is golden. Link!At the same time, Meta is having huge issues in the EU & UK with their data usage. The platform Received a $1.2B fine and now UK representatives are limiting data usage for Meta. Good for privacy but points to a huge problem for paid media marketers.
Meaning Meta’s future is bright due to AI research & frameworks but data issues are like close friends showing up every single day.
Other than this, Meta is launching AI tools to help marketers create better Ad creatives. Link!
In April, Meta increased its involvement in AI to push organic content and in May was focused on utilizing AI for paid media offerings.
Facebook: New Lead generation forms features and a few updates to Facebook reels were key product updates.
WhatsApp: New Updates to WhatsApp Chat features with the addition of Chat Lock, sharing with captions & new polls feature.
SEO: It's all changed but…
With multiple announcements, Google search page structure & how content is ranked will be changing. The new interface is expected to prefer AI-generated results but for June. This new feature is opt-in, users on the desktop can choose to get AI results within a search. Changing their Google page experience.Many SEOs are predicting a 70-80% traffic drop in the upcoming months. But many experienced SEOs believe changes are good and the traffic for the future will be more quality-oriented.
These insights linked below are from the best SEOs and their opinions on recent search engine marketing changes.
11 Realizations from testing search generative experience. Link!
Aleyda Solis on new Google Changes. Link!
The AI takeover of Google Search. Verge
The technical SEO world is going through many changes. My advice is to keep your focus on the content strategy part for a while. And improve that!
Youtube: New Ad Formats & Algorithm
After doing $40B in revenue last year. The platform announced new Ad formats at IAB Newsfront. With the launch of 30-second unskippable Ads on Connected TV.
Where Youtube is headed with Unskippable Ads is the future of online movie & content streaming. Either platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and other services have to give up a share of revenue. Or they need to go back to unskippable Connected TV Ads format to pay the writers.
Coming back to Youtube, Every week on their “creator insider” channel they announce various new updates. The highlight was the recent update of community post creation for all users.
Partnering with Influencers and using community posts to target core audiences is one of the best strategies based on this new update.
Marketing Research: What Changed?
- Don’t stress out about AI. More than 40% of Americans have never heard of ChatGPT. And only 14% have tried it. (PewResearch)
- Watch out for Podcast Ads, the Ad spend on podcasts is increasing and revenue is up 26% YoY. (IAB)
- Gartner’s research on How ChatGPT is useful to CMOs. (Gartner)
- CTV Ad fraud is increasing with the usage of Bots. (Double Verify)
- Are Twitter users planning a comeback or leaving? (Pew)
- Where is the media spending moving? It is decreasing for a few industries, but only moving to other channels for many. (Insider)
LinkedIn: Continued Organic Growth
As the round of layoffs is not stopping, LinkedIn is having its best time. The in-app activity continues to increase and now the platform has 930 million monthly active users, closing in on the 1 billion mark very soon.LinkedIn is embracing AI in May with new AI features to help with messaging, job descriptions, and other hiring processes.
All that growth doesn’t mean everything is great. As the platform laid off 700 employees this month.
Overall, LinkedIn is doing good and viewers are loving their new marketing campaign. Watch!
Reddit: E-commerce World
I wrote about this in my updated social media trends post. Reddit is working on various new e-commerce features.While many believe that the nature of Reddit doesn’t fit e-commerce offerings. Many product reviews and conversations take place on Reddit and users get the ability to integrate products from other businesses within the content. It could work very well.
Using these features to self-promote is impossible but with the right execution. It can do a charm.
Others: Reddit is going through a bot followers scam.
Mini-Bites: Snapchat, Airbnb & Others
Airbnb did the social listening well to steal the attention of an influencer’s audience. (Business Insider)Peacock’s Twitter strategy and latest viral tweet. (Read)
Snapchat continues to develop its AR offerings with recent updates. Brands can take advantage of AR even more. (SMT)
Lulumelon’s Tiktok page is an inspiration board for SMMs. (Watch)
PS: Due to sub-reddit rules, no links. You can subscribe to my newsletter for linked insights and weekly marketing recaps.
2023.06.01 15:28 ImpartialHawk My Apple TV (4K, 2021) briefly pauses when I stand up. Why?
Last month, I got a new TV. Went from a 'dumb' LG HDTV to a 'smart' HiSense 4K TV. Like on the old TV, my Apple TV 4K (2021 model, or 2nd Gen) is plugged into HDMI (4K 60FPS port), plugged into a wall outlet, and uses WiFi connection.
I do notice that every time I turn on the Apple TV box, I'm greeted with a blank screen that says Dolby Vision in the corner. When I go to calibrate the screen, it says it doesn't need to because of Dolby Vision. The UI is noticeably lightebrighter than it was on the HDTV. This isn't an issue, but it is relevant.
When I stand up, the Apple TV pauses, the screen goes black, and the Dolby Vision logo shows up again.
All the cables are securely attached, nothing is loose or coming loose.
I have Apple TV apps on the 'smart' part of the TV itself (which is powered by Google Home) as well as on my Xbox. Neither of them behave like this at all (nor do they say Dolby Vision when they play content). The Google Home/TV version of the Apple TV doesn't seem to be quite as nice as far as the player goes, so I prefer to watch Apple TV stuff on the Apple TV box itself.
Other information... everything's on WiFi. The only thing physically connected to my router via Ethernet is my desktop PC, because they sit together... opposite side of the room from the TV.
TV has three things hooked up to it. Apple TV and Laptop on the two 4K60 HDMI ports, and an Xbox Series X on the first of two 4K120 HDMI ports. No sound bar or any external speakers.
Nothing has a camera on it (to see me get up), except for the laptop, and I keep the lid closed. If I'm using it, I just use the mouse, and I have the on-screen keyboard pinned to the taskbar (it runs Windows 11) for the few times I need a keyboard. Or I can open it and type.
I'm guessing the best answer is a grounding issue relating to static electricity, but all the plugs are secure.
submitted by ImpartialHawk to appletv [link] [comments]
I do notice that every time I turn on the Apple TV box, I'm greeted with a blank screen that says Dolby Vision in the corner. When I go to calibrate the screen, it says it doesn't need to because of Dolby Vision. The UI is noticeably lightebrighter than it was on the HDTV. This isn't an issue, but it is relevant.
When I stand up, the Apple TV pauses, the screen goes black, and the Dolby Vision logo shows up again.
All the cables are securely attached, nothing is loose or coming loose.
I have Apple TV apps on the 'smart' part of the TV itself (which is powered by Google Home) as well as on my Xbox. Neither of them behave like this at all (nor do they say Dolby Vision when they play content). The Google Home/TV version of the Apple TV doesn't seem to be quite as nice as far as the player goes, so I prefer to watch Apple TV stuff on the Apple TV box itself.
Other information... everything's on WiFi. The only thing physically connected to my router via Ethernet is my desktop PC, because they sit together... opposite side of the room from the TV.
TV has three things hooked up to it. Apple TV and Laptop on the two 4K60 HDMI ports, and an Xbox Series X on the first of two 4K120 HDMI ports. No sound bar or any external speakers.
Nothing has a camera on it (to see me get up), except for the laptop, and I keep the lid closed. If I'm using it, I just use the mouse, and I have the on-screen keyboard pinned to the taskbar (it runs Windows 11) for the few times I need a keyboard. Or I can open it and type.
I'm guessing the best answer is a grounding issue relating to static electricity, but all the plugs are secure.
2023.06.01 15:28 throwawayacc82730 24 [M4F] Melbourne/Anywhere - Looking for a Serious Relationship
Hi! I'm Aidan. 😊 I'm looking for a serious relationship (open to long-distance). About me:
If you feel there may be a spark between us, feel free to reach out and I'd love to talk with you. :) Thanks!
submitted by throwawayacc82730 to r4r [link] [comments]
- I'm a 24-year-old white male from Melbourne, Australia.
- I'm 6"0 (183cm) tall, relatively slim and athletic. I eat healthily and look after myself.
- I have a Law/Science degree.
- I have numerous hobbies and interests, and I enjoy meeting new people!
- Learning new things (I was on TV on a trivia show)!
- Socialising and meeting new people.
- Watching and playing sports - especially football (soccer) and tennis.
- Going out on adventures with people - hiking, exploring museums, etc.
- Watching movies - especially action and comedy.
- Being creative - I enjoy graphic design!
- Exercising, staying fit and healthy.
If you feel there may be a spark between us, feel free to reach out and I'd love to talk with you. :) Thanks!
2023.06.01 15:27 Camouflageman200 I’m don’t feel normal I have so many mental problems and disorders idk what to expect for the future
Hi guys I don’t know what answer im looking for I kinda just want to express myself. Im 13 and just finished the 7th grade and im just kind of worried if I’ll always be like this. I have had really bad turrets that I’m getting less control of at school it’s a physical thing not a noise I make or anything.
I also have adhd which I think might be the reason why I have lived in my head for 13 years. I got prescribed adderall recently and I can’t lie I’m on it right now I’m hyper focused while typing this and feeling emotional but extremely calm.
I also have horrible anxiety which I don’t even like saying cuz everyone and they’re mama has anxiety now, but I think it’s gotten better after I’ve lost like 40 pounds and no it’s not from the adderall. I was on the most strict way to lose weight I think anyone has done without anyone else making them at my age. I haven’t had one cheat meal and I started June of last year.
Sorry for getting off topic this feels good to get out though but anyways the reason I said I think my anxiety’s better is because I’m probably more confident even though I punch my stomach when I look at it even though I would have killed to have been at my weight not even a year ago I weighed 150-165ish idk, at 5”2-5”3 at 11-12 and I am now weighing 123 at 5”5-5”6 at 13 and im still not good enough in my own mind to have a cheat meal because my stomachs not flat how I’ve wanted since the 1st to second grade damn that’s weird it sound like I’ve only been chubby to maybe obese for like 5-6 years even thought I’m positive it was my whole life. Anyways my fault I’m rambling but let me move on tothe last problem which is my ocd. I had this problem where I would have to touch everything or if I scratched something I would have to wipe the wall or whatever it was with my hand until I was satisfied idk how to explain it 🤷♂️ and I have more stuff but this post isn’t to explain every little problem I have even thought that’s what this has been. But I think it could be the adderall but when I would take it in school at first my tics kind of went away but then it came back bad I felt like my 8 year old self with bad ocd again and my turret which I haven’t explained and I haven’t told anyone except family who’s seen it, but I would bring my chin to my fist it’s like I need chin pressure really hard. I feel emotionless right now but I think that’s hella laughable and prolly confusing but it’s gotten worse and now it’s not just my fist.
Anyways, I have questioned if I’m autistic etc. this feels wrong to post this maybe hardly anyone will reply but I just feel scared for how I will be when im an adult and idk how to end this post I kinda just gave out a life’s worth of shit in the back of my mind I mean im not depressed or anything expect in 6th grade when I felt like everyone hated on me even thought I wanted to be nice to everyone . but there is another thing I want to mention if you noticed I said I punch my stomach sometimes when I look in the mirror or I’m not satisfied but another horrible habit I have is I smack myself in the face when I feel bad for something that’s usually not my fault or sometimes I just kinda feel like it. I felt dark after righting that last sentence I hope you guys don’t get extremely concerned with me saying sometimes I just feel like it. But that kinda just how it is and maybe I’ll regret posting this but god damn this is the most I’ve felt the adderall i just feel like a robot typing this dosent feel natural💀 but anyways I guess I just want y’all to have honest responses and maybe a lot of people will keep scrolling because this post is the size of my vulnerability right now lmao.
Another thing I forgot to mention is I have really bad anger issues but I don’t know how uncommon it is for kids at my age because for example if I just woke up and turned on the tv and my mom lectures me and tells me to do some chores I’ll sometimes sigh and get up and go do it but a lot of the other times (I’ve been doing this since like I wanna say at least 2nd grade) In my head I would get so up seat and say HORRIBLE things that I would never dream of saying out loud but in real life when this happens it sound like im whisper scream and mumbling but anyways im just saying I forgot to mention how bad my anger is mentally and im not sure where it comes from maybe it’s built up inside. Also this sometimes happens every day and other times like this weekend I’m fine. It’s not like I get away with so much and it made me a spoiled brat my mom is Mexican and on the stricter side. But also could some of these problems have been triggered from when I was a little kid from emotional trauma? Because my relationship with my mom know is pretty good but my first memory is getting screamed at by my mom and I think that’s where my low self esteem came from I mean one time I wanted to go to my dad house and she eventually got so mad she just dropped me off on the road Infront of my dads house and just sped off leaving me crying because of how mad at me she was and how much she was screaming at me I was like 6 or 7. I won’t lie I was kind of a brat around that time and would wine a lot but one time I was crying at my moms door when she trying to sleep and she picked me up by the throat and pinned me against the wall. God I got scared just typing that idk what is going on if didn’t take the adderall I doubt I would be doing this but for some reason I keep exposing myself to random people on the internet LMAO I know those stories didn’t add anything but I already spent so much time typing I’m just gonna leave it. Thanks again y’all. Just to add to the trauma stuff one time I was wining really bad and my dad got his phone out and threatened to post me on Facebook and i think he was actually recording and said yeah look at my son and was yelling at me and was telling the camera how I was a brat. I know every child has bad memories so maybe I just took it more personal than other people but these some of the ones that I that I think about that still make me want to confront them and let them know I haven’t completely forgiven them but I won’t be doing that except maybe telling my dad when I’m older
Another edit: I know I said i live in my head but it’s true, I don’t know the last time I’ve gone an hour without thinking a scenario/random song that I haven’t heard in while playing in my head/ another thing I used to do a lot is imagine entire movies in my head and I don’t think that’s super weird just something I’m saying/just overthinking in general, I zone out a lot when all this happens and I know kids probably look at me funny. This just another thing to add to the list thanks tho also another thing is my parents divorced when I was 1 and I’ve always been moving around houses back then sometimes I only saw my mom 2 days at a time and now I pack my clothes like a vacation every week and Im prolly just over analyzing because right now im fine how things are but just something to add just in case
submitted by Camouflageman200 to Tourettes [link] [comments]
I also have adhd which I think might be the reason why I have lived in my head for 13 years. I got prescribed adderall recently and I can’t lie I’m on it right now I’m hyper focused while typing this and feeling emotional but extremely calm.
I also have horrible anxiety which I don’t even like saying cuz everyone and they’re mama has anxiety now, but I think it’s gotten better after I’ve lost like 40 pounds and no it’s not from the adderall. I was on the most strict way to lose weight I think anyone has done without anyone else making them at my age. I haven’t had one cheat meal and I started June of last year.
Sorry for getting off topic this feels good to get out though but anyways the reason I said I think my anxiety’s better is because I’m probably more confident even though I punch my stomach when I look at it even though I would have killed to have been at my weight not even a year ago I weighed 150-165ish idk, at 5”2-5”3 at 11-12 and I am now weighing 123 at 5”5-5”6 at 13 and im still not good enough in my own mind to have a cheat meal because my stomachs not flat how I’ve wanted since the 1st to second grade damn that’s weird it sound like I’ve only been chubby to maybe obese for like 5-6 years even thought I’m positive it was my whole life. Anyways my fault I’m rambling but let me move on tothe last problem which is my ocd. I had this problem where I would have to touch everything or if I scratched something I would have to wipe the wall or whatever it was with my hand until I was satisfied idk how to explain it 🤷♂️ and I have more stuff but this post isn’t to explain every little problem I have even thought that’s what this has been. But I think it could be the adderall but when I would take it in school at first my tics kind of went away but then it came back bad I felt like my 8 year old self with bad ocd again and my turret which I haven’t explained and I haven’t told anyone except family who’s seen it, but I would bring my chin to my fist it’s like I need chin pressure really hard. I feel emotionless right now but I think that’s hella laughable and prolly confusing but it’s gotten worse and now it’s not just my fist.
Anyways, I have questioned if I’m autistic etc. this feels wrong to post this maybe hardly anyone will reply but I just feel scared for how I will be when im an adult and idk how to end this post I kinda just gave out a life’s worth of shit in the back of my mind I mean im not depressed or anything expect in 6th grade when I felt like everyone hated on me even thought I wanted to be nice to everyone . but there is another thing I want to mention if you noticed I said I punch my stomach sometimes when I look in the mirror or I’m not satisfied but another horrible habit I have is I smack myself in the face when I feel bad for something that’s usually not my fault or sometimes I just kinda feel like it. I felt dark after righting that last sentence I hope you guys don’t get extremely concerned with me saying sometimes I just feel like it. But that kinda just how it is and maybe I’ll regret posting this but god damn this is the most I’ve felt the adderall i just feel like a robot typing this dosent feel natural💀 but anyways I guess I just want y’all to have honest responses and maybe a lot of people will keep scrolling because this post is the size of my vulnerability right now lmao.
Another thing I forgot to mention is I have really bad anger issues but I don’t know how uncommon it is for kids at my age because for example if I just woke up and turned on the tv and my mom lectures me and tells me to do some chores I’ll sometimes sigh and get up and go do it but a lot of the other times (I’ve been doing this since like I wanna say at least 2nd grade) In my head I would get so up seat and say HORRIBLE things that I would never dream of saying out loud but in real life when this happens it sound like im whisper scream and mumbling but anyways im just saying I forgot to mention how bad my anger is mentally and im not sure where it comes from maybe it’s built up inside. Also this sometimes happens every day and other times like this weekend I’m fine. It’s not like I get away with so much and it made me a spoiled brat my mom is Mexican and on the stricter side. But also could some of these problems have been triggered from when I was a little kid from emotional trauma? Because my relationship with my mom know is pretty good but my first memory is getting screamed at by my mom and I think that’s where my low self esteem came from I mean one time I wanted to go to my dad house and she eventually got so mad she just dropped me off on the road Infront of my dads house and just sped off leaving me crying because of how mad at me she was and how much she was screaming at me I was like 6 or 7. I won’t lie I was kind of a brat around that time and would wine a lot but one time I was crying at my moms door when she trying to sleep and she picked me up by the throat and pinned me against the wall. God I got scared just typing that idk what is going on if didn’t take the adderall I doubt I would be doing this but for some reason I keep exposing myself to random people on the internet LMAO I know those stories didn’t add anything but I already spent so much time typing I’m just gonna leave it. Thanks again y’all. Just to add to the trauma stuff one time I was wining really bad and my dad got his phone out and threatened to post me on Facebook and i think he was actually recording and said yeah look at my son and was yelling at me and was telling the camera how I was a brat. I know every child has bad memories so maybe I just took it more personal than other people but these some of the ones that I that I think about that still make me want to confront them and let them know I haven’t completely forgiven them but I won’t be doing that except maybe telling my dad when I’m older
Another edit: I know I said i live in my head but it’s true, I don’t know the last time I’ve gone an hour without thinking a scenario/random song that I haven’t heard in while playing in my head/ another thing I used to do a lot is imagine entire movies in my head and I don’t think that’s super weird just something I’m saying/just overthinking in general, I zone out a lot when all this happens and I know kids probably look at me funny. This just another thing to add to the list thanks tho also another thing is my parents divorced when I was 1 and I’ve always been moving around houses back then sometimes I only saw my mom 2 days at a time and now I pack my clothes like a vacation every week and Im prolly just over analyzing because right now im fine how things are but just something to add just in case
2023.06.01 15:26 trogenta Netflix Cancelled These 6 TV Shows After They Were Already Previously Renewed EG, Extended, Netflix, Slideshow, Television Just Jared: Celebrity News and Gossip
 | submitted by trogenta to videovelly [link] [comments] |
2023.06.01 15:26 trogenta Netflix Cancelled These 6 TV Shows After They Were Already Previously Renewed EG, Extended, Netflix, Slideshow, Television Just Jared: Celebrity News and Gossip
| | submitted by trogenta to u/trogenta [link] [comments] |
2023.06.01 15:24 No-Veterinarian-7976 Giddy
Hi everyone. First, I would like to thank everyone in this sub. Seeing how this show has impacted everyone has truly been wonderful. I have just finished the finale and it made me as giddy as I was the first time I watched the show, which makes it a perfect 10/10 in my book. I don’t think I have ever been this satisfied with an ending to a TV show and I would be perfectly content if we never got a follow up. I would still love to see something come out of it, however it will not bother me if not. I think the show has mastered show don’t tell. Overall, this show was beautiful and now I am in desperate need of merchandise. Unfortunately, I live in the UK which means I cannot get the official Merch which Nike is selling. Does everyone have any advice ?
submitted by No-Veterinarian-7976 to TedLasso [link] [comments]
2023.06.01 15:22 FreeOcalan78 Sterk TV shared the third part of the new program called SENGER (Position - military way), that talks and shows the historical resistance of the guerrilla in the Medya Defense Zone during the invasion operation of the turkish fascist state in 2022.
 | submitted by FreeOcalan78 to capitalism_in_decay [link] [comments] |
2023.06.01 15:22 FreeOcalan78 Sterk TV shared the third part of the new program called SENGER (Position - military way), that talks and shows the historical resistance of the guerrilla in the Medya Defense Zone during the invasion operation of the turkish fascist state in 2022.
| | submitted by FreeOcalan78 to red_irl [link] [comments] |
2023.06.01 15:22 FreeOcalan78 Sterk TV shared the third part of the new program called SENGER (Position - military way), that talks and shows the historical resistance of the guerrilla in the Medya Defense Zone during the invasion operation of the turkish fascist state in 2022.
| | submitted by FreeOcalan78 to red_irl [link] [comments] |
2023.06.01 15:22 FreeOcalan78 Sterk TV shared the third part of the new program called SENGER (Position - military way), that talks and shows the historical resistance of the guerrilla in the Medya Defense Zone during the invasion operation of the turkish fascist state in 2022.
submitted by FreeOcalan78 to EZLN [link] [comments]
2023.06.01 15:22 FreeOcalan78 Sterk TV shared the third part of the new program called SENGER (Position - military way), that talks and shows the historical resistance of the guerrilla in the Medya Defense Zone during the invasion operation of the turkish fascist state in 2022.
| | submitted by FreeOcalan78 to Anarchy4Everyone [link] [comments] |
2023.06.01 15:21 TotalTerm538 [TOMT] [ANIMATED TV SHOW] [2000s] Tv show with a teen and a robot/alien sidekick that ended with the sidekicks species coming to earth.
[TOMT] [ANIMATED TV SHOW] [2000s]
Hey everyone,
I'm trying to remember the name of a 2000s animated tv show that featured a teen with a small alien/robot sidekick, the show ended with the sidekick's species (very evil) coming to earth on a fleet of ships and the protagonist and co fly up to the ship to take them on.
submitted by TotalTerm538 to tipofmytongue [link] [comments]
Hey everyone,
I'm trying to remember the name of a 2000s animated tv show that featured a teen with a small alien/robot sidekick, the show ended with the sidekick's species (very evil) coming to earth on a fleet of ships and the protagonist and co fly up to the ship to take them on.
2023.06.01 15:20 theducksystem a contrapoints supercut for "ya dadTM"
so I have a lot of boomers in my life who "just don't get the whole trans thing" and I would like to introduce them to contrapoints ideas, however getting them to sit down to a series of full length movies involving a woman in elaborate drag wigs is a hard sell.
which clips should I add together for a trans/GNC 101. Its either this or taking mia mulder's advice and showing them the danish girl so ... ... ...
disclaimer: I'm a cis passing genderqueer person, its not my place to lead the conversation as a gay dude doing the drag gender hokey cokey
submitted by theducksystem to ContraPoints [link] [comments]
which clips should I add together for a trans/GNC 101. Its either this or taking mia mulder's advice and showing them the danish girl so ... ... ...
disclaimer: I'm a cis passing genderqueer person, its not my place to lead the conversation as a gay dude doing the drag gender hokey cokey
2023.06.01 15:19 Snay_Rat TONIGHT (6/1/2023) @ 7PM ET - Lespecial - East Windsor, CT 4/1/2023 (Full Video) - on Twitch
Hey guys!
Tonight’s show is viewer-picked Lespecial in East Windsor, CT! It’s Lespecial’s debut on our Transcendent Thursday stream, and it’s been a really long time since I’ve listened to these guys - been about 5 years since I last saw them at the Adirondack Music Fest in 2018, where they absolutely killed it! Can’t wait to dive into this one!
https://twitch.tv/snayrat
Hope to see you there!
submitted by Snay_Rat to jambands [link] [comments]
Tonight’s show is viewer-picked Lespecial in East Windsor, CT! It’s Lespecial’s debut on our Transcendent Thursday stream, and it’s been a really long time since I’ve listened to these guys - been about 5 years since I last saw them at the Adirondack Music Fest in 2018, where they absolutely killed it! Can’t wait to dive into this one!
https://twitch.tv/snayrat
Hope to see you there!
2023.06.01 15:17 Phallus_Maximus69E Hitman: Codename 47 - The beginning of an Era
Recommended.
Hitman: Codename 47 is the game that started a whole franchise and presented one of games' most recognizable characters: Agent 47. This game has great ideas impaired by technical limitations, both from the technology of the time and the budget, but counters it by having fun gameplay and a flawless story.
It is amazing how intelligent games were back then, detailing storylines and interesting characters displayed with an easy-to-follow presentation. At the beginning of every mission you go to a briefing where you learn about your target and the details surrounding the hit you are going to perform. This is presented all in text and all you have to do is read it. One of the most interesting aspects of the game is the video of the target filmed by an ICA agent - which gives us an idea of how organized the Agency is.
After the briefing you have the mission map and the equipment list of what you want to bring with you in order to complete your mission. So read the briefing, study the map and pay attention to your surroundings - patrolling paths, NPCs you can talk to, different entry points etc. The game almost always gives you several different courses of action, but it is much more linear than its sequels. There is always one strategy that was clearly the one intended by the developers and level designers; if you are having a very hard time in a mission, or if you take much longer than 10 minutes, chances are you're on the wrong track. Missions take around 5-10 minutes to complete, provided you know what you have to do. You might be able to complete missions in a different way, but it will usually be a much, much harder way.
Hitman: Codename 47 is a stealth game and, therefore, discourages shootouts - but they do happen as part of some missions. This one is a feature I like, even if the moving and shooting mechanics are clanky, as killing a few guards shows how heavily protected your targets are. You have to do that in the Ochoa mission and the Rotterdam missions; and I dread how this feature was abondened in later games. Agent 47 was cloned through the DNA of his French Foreign Legion fathers not to be just an assassin, but to be the perfect soldier; so he knows how to handle himself in a firefight.
This game also has some great details, such as the greatest voice line ever uttered in a video game: "I need to use the BATHroom".
You have to chat with NPCs in order to gather intel, so pay attention. Some voice dialog are weird and somewhat funny, but Lei Ling's best voice is in this version. You will mostly hear “He’s packing!” and “This guys is loaded!” at first, but dialogue such as Ort-Meyer's provide needed context.
The most enduring feature of the Hitman series is the collective of creative kills and approaches, and many of those came from movies (as the game itself). The hit on the Chief of Police took the idea of planting the pistol in the bathroom from the God Father. Ochoa's character is taken from Al Pacino's Tony Montana (Scarface) but the mission looks really based in Sniper (1993) - the targets in both game and movie are called Ochoa - and the soldiers really look like a South American drug army.
One of the most creative missions is "Traditions of the Trade" (the best version), where you have to talk to NPCs and have many different ways of killing Fritz - plus an emblematic hit on Frantz.
Ochoa is the most wronged of the fathers in the series: Colombia has a more military feel, already opening with 47 looking like a jungle warrior king in the loading screen and then rappeling into the middle of the jungle by helicopter. Plus exotic natives, leaf physics and Ochoa's threats during the gunfight - that are hilarious. With all 5 fathers having served in Indochina, the jungle setting is a nice touch and should have been remade (albeit smaller and self-contained in one mission).
Cutscenes and loading screens are great: the cutscene of Tzun protecting Lee Hong from Agent 47 and the killing of Fritz Fuchs in the pool or the sauna.
Given this game was first conceived as a Chinese mobster action game, it is no surprise the Hong Kong missions are so memorable. The presentation screen of Lee Hong, the Lei Ling character arc, saving Agent Smith, and getting the jade figurine.
While people make some constructive complaints, some of them are not - like not having a command for dropping a body, even though all you need to do is hit the right mouse button, something I got right the first time I played (back in the day).
This game is not hard if you're well informed but it's punishing; its main flaw being the faulty AI, with an awereness problem and very thick skin. The guards' AI has only two modes - idle and combat - and sometimes they simply "know" 47 is bad news. Nowhere in this game is this more evident than in Ochoa's hit, with guards attacking you for no reason, and that's why so many people hate it.
Add to that the poor knife mechanic where you can easily slit someone's throat with it, but if he moves you go into a thrust mode. One or two strikes is something you can do before being shot, but needing 4-6 stabs to kill a target is simply too much.
Another complaint about the Colombian missions is the "bad design" of the enemy camp, where you need to run all over the other side of the fence to enter the camp; but this is misplaced, as the design both serves to show you the size of the camp with its many guard patrols, showing how well-guarded the drug lord is, and also because you sneaked from behind said camp.
The main strengths of this game are the story and the atmosphere. The soundtrack made by Jesper Kyd is simply amazing and conveys a perfect immersion to the different settings - action, suspense, fear. My favorites are the Hong Kong and Colombian settings, with their exotic themes. Maps are quite big and populated. The henchmen in each mission are also expertly done and genuine: they range from Chinese Triad members to Colombian drug soldiers, biker gangsters and masked gunrunners. The NPCs are also diverse, with bartenders, hotel staff and sex workers. The presentation is near flawless with unique signature kills and different approaches to make the perfect hit, giving Agent 47 a solid entry into the assassination business.
submitted by Phallus_Maximus69E to videogames [link] [comments]
Hitman: Codename 47 is the game that started a whole franchise and presented one of games' most recognizable characters: Agent 47. This game has great ideas impaired by technical limitations, both from the technology of the time and the budget, but counters it by having fun gameplay and a flawless story.
It is amazing how intelligent games were back then, detailing storylines and interesting characters displayed with an easy-to-follow presentation. At the beginning of every mission you go to a briefing where you learn about your target and the details surrounding the hit you are going to perform. This is presented all in text and all you have to do is read it. One of the most interesting aspects of the game is the video of the target filmed by an ICA agent - which gives us an idea of how organized the Agency is.
After the briefing you have the mission map and the equipment list of what you want to bring with you in order to complete your mission. So read the briefing, study the map and pay attention to your surroundings - patrolling paths, NPCs you can talk to, different entry points etc. The game almost always gives you several different courses of action, but it is much more linear than its sequels. There is always one strategy that was clearly the one intended by the developers and level designers; if you are having a very hard time in a mission, or if you take much longer than 10 minutes, chances are you're on the wrong track. Missions take around 5-10 minutes to complete, provided you know what you have to do. You might be able to complete missions in a different way, but it will usually be a much, much harder way.
Hitman: Codename 47 is a stealth game and, therefore, discourages shootouts - but they do happen as part of some missions. This one is a feature I like, even if the moving and shooting mechanics are clanky, as killing a few guards shows how heavily protected your targets are. You have to do that in the Ochoa mission and the Rotterdam missions; and I dread how this feature was abondened in later games. Agent 47 was cloned through the DNA of his French Foreign Legion fathers not to be just an assassin, but to be the perfect soldier; so he knows how to handle himself in a firefight.
This game also has some great details, such as the greatest voice line ever uttered in a video game: "I need to use the BATHroom".
You have to chat with NPCs in order to gather intel, so pay attention. Some voice dialog are weird and somewhat funny, but Lei Ling's best voice is in this version. You will mostly hear “He’s packing!” and “This guys is loaded!” at first, but dialogue such as Ort-Meyer's provide needed context.
The most enduring feature of the Hitman series is the collective of creative kills and approaches, and many of those came from movies (as the game itself). The hit on the Chief of Police took the idea of planting the pistol in the bathroom from the God Father. Ochoa's character is taken from Al Pacino's Tony Montana (Scarface) but the mission looks really based in Sniper (1993) - the targets in both game and movie are called Ochoa - and the soldiers really look like a South American drug army.
One of the most creative missions is "Traditions of the Trade" (the best version), where you have to talk to NPCs and have many different ways of killing Fritz - plus an emblematic hit on Frantz.
Ochoa is the most wronged of the fathers in the series: Colombia has a more military feel, already opening with 47 looking like a jungle warrior king in the loading screen and then rappeling into the middle of the jungle by helicopter. Plus exotic natives, leaf physics and Ochoa's threats during the gunfight - that are hilarious. With all 5 fathers having served in Indochina, the jungle setting is a nice touch and should have been remade (albeit smaller and self-contained in one mission).
Cutscenes and loading screens are great: the cutscene of Tzun protecting Lee Hong from Agent 47 and the killing of Fritz Fuchs in the pool or the sauna.
Given this game was first conceived as a Chinese mobster action game, it is no surprise the Hong Kong missions are so memorable. The presentation screen of Lee Hong, the Lei Ling character arc, saving Agent Smith, and getting the jade figurine.
While people make some constructive complaints, some of them are not - like not having a command for dropping a body, even though all you need to do is hit the right mouse button, something I got right the first time I played (back in the day).
This game is not hard if you're well informed but it's punishing; its main flaw being the faulty AI, with an awereness problem and very thick skin. The guards' AI has only two modes - idle and combat - and sometimes they simply "know" 47 is bad news. Nowhere in this game is this more evident than in Ochoa's hit, with guards attacking you for no reason, and that's why so many people hate it.
Add to that the poor knife mechanic where you can easily slit someone's throat with it, but if he moves you go into a thrust mode. One or two strikes is something you can do before being shot, but needing 4-6 stabs to kill a target is simply too much.
Another complaint about the Colombian missions is the "bad design" of the enemy camp, where you need to run all over the other side of the fence to enter the camp; but this is misplaced, as the design both serves to show you the size of the camp with its many guard patrols, showing how well-guarded the drug lord is, and also because you sneaked from behind said camp.
The main strengths of this game are the story and the atmosphere. The soundtrack made by Jesper Kyd is simply amazing and conveys a perfect immersion to the different settings - action, suspense, fear. My favorites are the Hong Kong and Colombian settings, with their exotic themes. Maps are quite big and populated. The henchmen in each mission are also expertly done and genuine: they range from Chinese Triad members to Colombian drug soldiers, biker gangsters and masked gunrunners. The NPCs are also diverse, with bartenders, hotel staff and sex workers. The presentation is near flawless with unique signature kills and different approaches to make the perfect hit, giving Agent 47 a solid entry into the assassination business.
- I wrote this review on Steam, if you like it give it a thumbs up there.
- A compact guide (by Anamon), the best guide out there.
2023.06.01 15:16 Fizzlespin Father Figures
Hiya, my favourite trope (I guess the word would be) is Father Figure, but I find they tend to be a feature of the story, rather than the focus. I understand that a whole father figures story might be a bit... Saccharin, but if anyone can recommend a book where it's prominent, I'd appreciate it, please! I tend to read fantasy, but I'll take almost any suggestions (ghost/horror may be a bit much). LGBT welcome! Smut not so much. Bonus points it it's found families (my other favourite trope) and/or it's gruff scary guy being adorable with his daughter.
I thought you might appreciate some examples of my favourite relationships so:
BOOKS To Kill A Mockingbird - Atticus and Scout Goodnight Mr Tom - Tom and Will Jane Eyre - Rochester and Adele
TV/FILM NCIS - Abby and Gibbs Mandolorian - Din Djarin and Grogu The Last of Us - Joel and Ellie Stranger Things - Hopper and Eleven Veronica Mars - Keith and Veronica Game of Thrones (sorry, I've not read it) - Ned and Arya Gotham - Alfred and Bruce Enola Holmes - Sherlock and Enola (yes, I know they're siblings) Les Miserables (specifically the stage show, I do not acknowledge the film exists) - Jean Valjean and Cosette Kingsman - Harry/Merlin and Eggsy
submitted by Fizzlespin to booksuggestions [link] [comments]
I thought you might appreciate some examples of my favourite relationships so:
BOOKS To Kill A Mockingbird - Atticus and Scout Goodnight Mr Tom - Tom and Will Jane Eyre - Rochester and Adele
TV/FILM NCIS - Abby and Gibbs Mandolorian - Din Djarin and Grogu The Last of Us - Joel and Ellie Stranger Things - Hopper and Eleven Veronica Mars - Keith and Veronica Game of Thrones (sorry, I've not read it) - Ned and Arya Gotham - Alfred and Bruce Enola Holmes - Sherlock and Enola (yes, I know they're siblings) Les Miserables (specifically the stage show, I do not acknowledge the film exists) - Jean Valjean and Cosette Kingsman - Harry/Merlin and Eggsy
2023.06.01 15:15 CallMeStarr I'm the Host of a Terrifying Game Show: Let's Make a Deal with the Devil
Season 2 Finale
“You look worried Bruce,” my producer jokes, moments before going live. “Even for you.”
This gets a chuckle from the crew.
“Quiet on the set!”
I’m already shaking in my shoes. Not a good sign. Working for the Devil is extremely stressful. And dangerous. And certainly not for the faint of heart. Why I took this gig is beyond me.
(Cue creepy music)
“Going live in five…four…three…”
I get the nod.
(Cut to camera one)
“Greetings Hell Beings and hell raisers. Welcome to the Season 2 finale of….”
(Cue the audience)
“LET’S MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.”
I wave my arms in the air.
The audience jumps to their feet.
Someone heckles.
“Alright. Knock it off.”
I serve up my best game show-host grin. It looks as fake as this cheap Hollywood studio.
“As you probably know, my name is Bruce Davie, and I’m the host of…”
(Cue audience)
“LET’S MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.”
There’s a disturbance in the audience. A crew member forcefully removes someone. The commotion settles, and I get the go-ahead.
“Phew! A feisty crowd tonight!”
My painted-on smile takes up the entire screen. So does my gleaming bald head.
“Now I know what you’re thinking. What’s the Devil got in store for us this evening?”
The audience rumbles.
I shrug.
“Honestly, I wish I knew!”
This is true. But I’m sure it has something to do with me spending an eternity in Hell. It’s right there in my contract, which runs out after this episode.
(Cut to camera two)
“So, without further ado, let’s bring out tonight’s contestants, shall we?”
The audience roars.
“And yes, you heard me correctly. Tonight, for the first time ever in this show’s defamatory history, we’ve got two contestants!”
Audience is on their feet, whooping and hollering.
(Cut to camera three)
(Cue music)
A middle-aged couple promenade towards the podium. They’re dressed like cowboys, and walk with a sense of purpose.
(Split screen)
“Welcome, both of you.”
More like: Welcome to your funeral.
“Tell us a wee bit about yourselves, why don’t you?”
(Cut to camera four)
The woman speaks first. Her hair is amber, her completion as pale as light beer.
“Well, Bruce. My name is Tammy. I’m a stay-at-home mom. This here’s my partner, Tex. He owns his own gun shop. We live in Austin Texas, with three beautiful children, who are with us here tonight.”
She points.
(Cut to overhead camera)
Two tall boys and a young girl, each dressed head-to-toe in denim, stand and bow.
The audience applauds.
(Split screen)
The other contestant approaches the microphone. He’s as tall as an ivory tower, with a voice like a banjo.
“Howdy Bruce. Good to be here.”
He tilts his cowboy hat. His square jaw and rugged good looks give Chuck Norris a run for his money.
I salute them.
(Cut to camera two)
“Well then, now that we’re finished with the formalities, I do believe it’s time to…”
(Cue audience)
“BRING OUT THE DEVIL.”
(Cue creepy music)
(Cue pyrotechnics)
The stage fills with fire and brimstone. Pentagrams slice through the air. The Devil appears suddenly, dressed in a shiny new devil suit, tailored specifically for tonight’s show. It’s jet-black, and leaves little to the imagination. His pitchforked tail follows closely behind him as he approaches the podium.
(Cut to Camera five)
The Devil wraps his arms around the two contestants, kisses them both on the cheek.
Tex, clearly perturbed, winces, then grudgingly wipes his cheek.
The Devil snarls, then looks him up and down.
“Looks like everything isn’t bigger in Texas,” the Devil teases. Suddenly, he’s grown over eight-feet tall, and is looming over the tall Texan.
(Cut to camera three)
The bright lights and furious makeup make me look like a cartoon.
“What an exciting night this promises to be!”
Tammy steps forward.
“You bet it is, Bruce. We’ve watched every episode. We just love…”
(Cue the audience)
“LET’S MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.”
(Cut to camera three)
“Of course!” Damion boasts. “This is Hell’s most popular show. And for good reason.”
He slaps the woman’s backside with his tail, then raises his eyebrows mockingly.
The cowboy puffs out his chest, fists clenched, daring him to touch his wife again.
“Woah, easy their pardner.”
Damion nudges Tex.
Tammy is flushed. “Don’t mind Tex. He’s the jealous kind.”
“Oh really?”
Damion’s tail is now shaped like a lasso. With it, he snags Tammy and pulls her close. Her face turns tomato-red.
The cowboy grunts, pulling it off with one strong swoop.
The audience boos.
The Devil snickers.
I feel sick. If this is to be my last episode (or final day on Earth), I don’t want it spoiled by this denim-clad dude whose hat is bigger than his brains, or by Damion, who seems extra feisty tonight. Even for him.
(Cut to camera one)
I clear my throat.
“Tell us, Tammy and Tex…no, tell all of Hell…what it is your beating hearts desire?”
The audience is on the edge of their seats.
(Split screen)
The Texans exchange doubtful looks.
The wife takes charge.
“Well Bruce,” Tammy says. “We don’t want anything that might get us killed. Being from Dallas, we were raised with some common sense.”
The audience hisses.
(Cut to camera five)
The husband steps up.
“That’s right, Bruce. Simply put, we want to be famous for a day. That’s it. Then we can write a book and live off the royalties.”
The audience erupts into a frenzy of catcalls.
(Cut to camera three)
The Devil’s eyebrows touch the top of his head. His voice slithers like a snake.
“Is that so?”
My heart plummets. These Texans are flirting with disaster. If they’d stuck to the script, they might be safe. They were supposed to ask for a lifetime’s supply of Super Bowl tickets. Easy-peasy. Who do these cowpokes think they are? Do they really think they can outsmart the Devil?
“Well then,” I say, shakily. “I’m sure Damion can arrange that.”
I raise my arms.
“What does the audience think?”
The audience goes ballistic.
(Cut to camera three)
The Devil, still towering over the Texans, leans into the camera.
“Famous, eh?”
His lips smack against his face. When he touches the dude’s shoulder, the cowboy swipes his arm away.
The audience boos. Someone tosses an egg onto the podium, narrowly missing the contestants.
“Woah! Easy does it!” I spurt out.
All hell breaks loose.
(Cut to overhead camera)
The crew gets busy, disposing of both the egg and the agitator.
(Cut to camera one)
I wipe my sweaty forehead.
“Tough crowd.”
The audience hoots.
The Devil sneers.
“SILENCE!”
Flames flash across the room.
People shriek, including me.
(Close up of Damion)
The Devil, boasting his gambler’s grin, turns to the contestants.
“Yes, yes. You WILL be famous. But just for one day.”
The audience roars their approval.
I shudder. Never in all my years, have I felt so much animosity from an audience. I’ll be lucky to make it out alive.
(Split screen)
“Sounds like the Devil has a plan.”
I try to sound cheerful. But cheerfulness is the opposite of how I feel.
(Cut to camera one)
“Tell us Damion…and all of Hell…what you’ve got cooked up?”
The audience leans in.
(Cut to camera three)
The Devil winks at Tammy.
“Well, I do believe it’s time for those two cowpokes to become famous. Am I correct?”
The audience jumps to their feet, chanting: “FAMOUS.… FAMOUS…. FAMOUS.…”
(Split screen)
Tammy looks pleased. Her partner, on the other hand, is showing concern. His shoulders are tense, he’s swallowed his bottom lip.
Damion dazzles the audience.
“Famous, y’all shall be.”
He snaps his fingers.
BAM.
The studio goes dark.
Someone in the audience screams.
Tammy gasps.
Tex grunts.
(Cut to camera one)
I shrug.
Is this Damion’s latest trick? Or did they finally cut the power? We give the impression that this show is hugely popular; but in truth, outside of Hell, this show is a dud. Cable and internet companies avoid us like the plague.
(Cut to overhead camera)
The contestants vanish under a cloud of fog.
A flaming pentagram floats across the stage.
“Well, isn’t that just dandy!”
The Devil points to the large screen behind the audience.
“Mister and Missus Cowpoke are about to jump the falls!”
He snaps his fingers, then he disappears.
My legs go weak. My heart is beating irregularly again. I still don’t know he does it. How any of this works. Suddenly, I’m alone on stage, shaking in my fine Italian boots, while the audience grows rowdier by the second.
Cameras mounted on drones are pointed at Tammy and Tex, who are trapped inside a large, steel barrel, with Niagara Falls looming below them.
Damion flies across the falls, lands next to Tammy and Tex. He taps the barrel.
“Ain’t she a beauty?”
The audience hurrahs.
The barrel is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Although it’s huge, and probably weighs a ton, it barely contains the two Texans, who are kicking and screaming, cursing up a storm.
“Get me the hell out of here!” Tammy’s voice rips through the noise of the falls. “NOW!”
Damion frowns.
“You wanted to be famous. Am I right?”
The audience chants, “FAMOUS…. FAMOUS.… FAMOUS….”
Tex pokes his head out of the barrel, cowboy hat and all.
“Now wait one minute, Damion. That’s unfair. We wanted fame. Not death.”
The Devil chuckles.
“The two are synonymous, am I right?”
The audience agrees.
Damion checks his watch.
“Well then…”
He slams the lid shut.
That’s the end of the Texans, as far as I’m concerned.
(Close up of Damion)
“Whatcha think? Should they jump the falls?”
The audience shouts, “JUMP…. JUMP…. JUMP….”
(Cut to camera two)
My insides are melting. I’m petrified. You’d think working with the Devil would get easier over time. You’d be dead wrong.
“Looks like the people have spoken!” I hear myself say.
The audience continues their chant.
(Cut to overhead camera)
“Excellent,” Damion says, fiddling his fingers.
He looks over the cliff, and makes a sour face.
“Wowsers. That’s a long way down!”
“JUMP…. JUMP…. JUMP….”
“And so much water!”
(Cut to camera one)
My worried-sick face appears on the screen.
I straighten up.
“Once they jump, Tam and Tex will surely be famous!”
Except of course, they won’t be famous. Not in this world anyways. They’ve been duped. Why these people sign up to die is beyond me. Perhaps we’ve reached a spectacular level of stupidity in human evolution.
(Cut to overhead camera)
Damion’s lips stretch across his reddened face, his arms flex like a weightlifter.
“I’ll give them a helping hand.”
He rolls the giant barrel to the very edge of the cliff, ignoring the banging and hollering coming from within the steel coffin.
“Tammy, Tex…” His lips stretch into a snarl. “Prepare for fame!”
The audience is on their feet.
Damion shoves the barrel over the edge.
(Split screen)
The barrel tumbles down the falls, disappearing into the fast-moving water.
The audience holds its breath.
(Cut to spy camera)
Inside the barrel, the Texans are shrieking. Their heads and arms and legs collide. Chunks of puke pour across Tammy’s sickening face, who’s calling Tex every name in the book, and it’s a big book. Meanwhile, Tex is like a frog in a blender. His face is green, his nose is broken; blood is leaking from every orifice.
There’s a loud crash as the barrel plunders underwater.
(Cut to overhead camera)
The barrel resurfaces, traveling dangerously downstream.
The audience is back on their feet, fist-pumping.
(Split screen)
What troubles me is how the pedestrians and tourists, crowding the streets, remain oblivious. To them, this is nothing out of the ordinary. Nobody watches, or even takes a pic. I’m starting to suspect foul play. Somehow, Damion is controlling this. He’s using dark magic. A spell. Maybe none of this is real. Except of course, it is real.
(Cut to camera one)
I’m trembling.
“What a jump!” my voice ricochets off the studio walls. “They’ll be famous in no time!”
The audience chants:
“FAMOUS…. FAMOUS…. FAMOUS….”
(Closeup of the Devil)
“Yes, yes. An excellent jump, I must say.”
He peaks over the edge.
“Looks like they could use some help.”
(Cut to overhead camera)
Damion flies towards the barrel, which is bouncing off rocks and debris.
(Cut to spy camera)
Blood. So much blood in such a tight space. Tammy’s hair is in disarray. Her face is beyond repair. Tex swallowed his hat. One of his eyeballs is bouncing like a Superball. His left arm is flapping nonsensically. It isn’t attached.
(Cut to camera four)
The Devil scoops up the barrel, then flies to shore. When his feet touch the ground, he shakes off the water, cat-like, then glares at the camera.
“What a jump!”
He cranks open the lip.
(Split screen)
Tammy spills out. So does Tex’s left arm.
The audience gasps.
Damion applauds.
“Such valor and swagger!”
(Cut to camera five)
Tammy is flopping fish-like, barely clinging to life. Her mouth is full of blood and brains.
The Devil puts his foot on her head.
“SAY CHEESE.”
From out of nowhere, a photographer appears.
SNAP.
Damion, looking pleased with himself, is suddenly holding a newspaper.
(Closeup of newspaper)
The headline splashes across the screen: IDIOTS JUMP THE FALLS.
(Cut to camera four)
Damion shoves the newspaper in front of her face.
“Looks like Tammy and Tex are famous.”
Tammy's eyes twitch. Clearly, she needs medical assistance. I’m surprised she’s still alive. Her husbands brains are splattered across the inside of the barrel.
The very sight of this makes me gag.
Tammy tries to speak, but fails. Her eyes are filled with rage.
Damion tosses the leftover arm into the water, then shrugs.
“Sorry about your hubby.”
(Cut to camera two)
With wobbly knees, I face the audience.
“Looks like the barrel got the best of Tex!”
The audience bellows.
I continue to talk involuntarily.
“Gosh dolly. Look at all that blood!”
“MORE BLOOD…. MORE BLOOD…. MORE BLOOD….”
I find myself chanting along.
Suddenly, my vision blurs. I clutch my chest. Maybe I’ll suffer a heart attack on live TV. Hell waits for no one, I suppose.
(Cut to camera four)
Tammy spits blood on Damion’s boot.
“Devil be damned.” I blurt.
Damion’s face twists into a ball of fury.
“Now, now, Tammy. That wasn’t very nice.”
He crushes her fingers with his boots.
Tammy yelps.
“I was gonna save your long-limbed partner over there,” he points. “Not anymore!”
The audience is bloodthirsty. Paper airplanes and rotten eggs whizz past me. I duck just in time.
(Closeup of contestant)
Tammy’s tongue is leaking from her bloodied face. She’s missing her front teeth. Damion digs his spiky heel deep into her blood-soaked abdomen.
“I reckon you’ll need medical assistance.”
He snaps his fingers.
Suddenly, they're back in the studio.
Damion is as happy as a filthy pig. Next to him is Tammy, who’s caked in blood and gore. Her corpse-of-a-husband spills from the gigantic steel barrel, taking center stage.
(Cut to overhead camera)
The contestant’s children rush the stage. They’re delirious.
The crew hurry out and drag them aside, along with Tammy, who's rushed to the hospital, where she will certainly die.
“Now that’s what I call speedy service!”
My voice appalls me. So does this job. If only I’d listened to my mother, and got into politics.
Damion snaps his finger, then disappears under a plume of dusty smoke.
(Cut to camera one)
“Well, there you have it folks. That’s the last you’ll see of Tammy and Tex. But fret not, they had their moment of fame…in Hell!”
The audience is tossing trash onto the stage.
I narrowly dodge a projectile.
“Hope you’ve enjoyed Season Two as much as I did.”
I hated it.
“And, unless the Devil strikes me down,” and he very-well might, “I hope to see you this Fall, for Season Three of…”
(Cue the audience)
“LET’S MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.”
Season Two
Season One
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“You look worried Bruce,” my producer jokes, moments before going live. “Even for you.”
This gets a chuckle from the crew.
“Quiet on the set!”
I’m already shaking in my shoes. Not a good sign. Working for the Devil is extremely stressful. And dangerous. And certainly not for the faint of heart. Why I took this gig is beyond me.
(Cue creepy music)
“Going live in five…four…three…”
I get the nod.
(Cut to camera one)
“Greetings Hell Beings and hell raisers. Welcome to the Season 2 finale of….”
(Cue the audience)
“LET’S MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.”
I wave my arms in the air.
The audience jumps to their feet.
Someone heckles.
“Alright. Knock it off.”
I serve up my best game show-host grin. It looks as fake as this cheap Hollywood studio.
“As you probably know, my name is Bruce Davie, and I’m the host of…”
(Cue audience)
“LET’S MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.”
There’s a disturbance in the audience. A crew member forcefully removes someone. The commotion settles, and I get the go-ahead.
“Phew! A feisty crowd tonight!”
My painted-on smile takes up the entire screen. So does my gleaming bald head.
“Now I know what you’re thinking. What’s the Devil got in store for us this evening?”
The audience rumbles.
I shrug.
“Honestly, I wish I knew!”
This is true. But I’m sure it has something to do with me spending an eternity in Hell. It’s right there in my contract, which runs out after this episode.
(Cut to camera two)
“So, without further ado, let’s bring out tonight’s contestants, shall we?”
The audience roars.
“And yes, you heard me correctly. Tonight, for the first time ever in this show’s defamatory history, we’ve got two contestants!”
Audience is on their feet, whooping and hollering.
(Cut to camera three)
(Cue music)
A middle-aged couple promenade towards the podium. They’re dressed like cowboys, and walk with a sense of purpose.
(Split screen)
“Welcome, both of you.”
More like: Welcome to your funeral.
“Tell us a wee bit about yourselves, why don’t you?”
(Cut to camera four)
The woman speaks first. Her hair is amber, her completion as pale as light beer.
“Well, Bruce. My name is Tammy. I’m a stay-at-home mom. This here’s my partner, Tex. He owns his own gun shop. We live in Austin Texas, with three beautiful children, who are with us here tonight.”
She points.
(Cut to overhead camera)
Two tall boys and a young girl, each dressed head-to-toe in denim, stand and bow.
The audience applauds.
(Split screen)
The other contestant approaches the microphone. He’s as tall as an ivory tower, with a voice like a banjo.
“Howdy Bruce. Good to be here.”
He tilts his cowboy hat. His square jaw and rugged good looks give Chuck Norris a run for his money.
I salute them.
(Cut to camera two)
“Well then, now that we’re finished with the formalities, I do believe it’s time to…”
(Cue audience)
“BRING OUT THE DEVIL.”
(Cue creepy music)
(Cue pyrotechnics)
The stage fills with fire and brimstone. Pentagrams slice through the air. The Devil appears suddenly, dressed in a shiny new devil suit, tailored specifically for tonight’s show. It’s jet-black, and leaves little to the imagination. His pitchforked tail follows closely behind him as he approaches the podium.
(Cut to Camera five)
The Devil wraps his arms around the two contestants, kisses them both on the cheek.
Tex, clearly perturbed, winces, then grudgingly wipes his cheek.
The Devil snarls, then looks him up and down.
“Looks like everything isn’t bigger in Texas,” the Devil teases. Suddenly, he’s grown over eight-feet tall, and is looming over the tall Texan.
(Cut to camera three)
The bright lights and furious makeup make me look like a cartoon.
“What an exciting night this promises to be!”
Tammy steps forward.
“You bet it is, Bruce. We’ve watched every episode. We just love…”
(Cue the audience)
“LET’S MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.”
(Cut to camera three)
“Of course!” Damion boasts. “This is Hell’s most popular show. And for good reason.”
He slaps the woman’s backside with his tail, then raises his eyebrows mockingly.
The cowboy puffs out his chest, fists clenched, daring him to touch his wife again.
“Woah, easy their pardner.”
Damion nudges Tex.
Tammy is flushed. “Don’t mind Tex. He’s the jealous kind.”
“Oh really?”
Damion’s tail is now shaped like a lasso. With it, he snags Tammy and pulls her close. Her face turns tomato-red.
The cowboy grunts, pulling it off with one strong swoop.
The audience boos.
The Devil snickers.
I feel sick. If this is to be my last episode (or final day on Earth), I don’t want it spoiled by this denim-clad dude whose hat is bigger than his brains, or by Damion, who seems extra feisty tonight. Even for him.
(Cut to camera one)
I clear my throat.
“Tell us, Tammy and Tex…no, tell all of Hell…what it is your beating hearts desire?”
The audience is on the edge of their seats.
(Split screen)
The Texans exchange doubtful looks.
The wife takes charge.
“Well Bruce,” Tammy says. “We don’t want anything that might get us killed. Being from Dallas, we were raised with some common sense.”
The audience hisses.
(Cut to camera five)
The husband steps up.
“That’s right, Bruce. Simply put, we want to be famous for a day. That’s it. Then we can write a book and live off the royalties.”
The audience erupts into a frenzy of catcalls.
(Cut to camera three)
The Devil’s eyebrows touch the top of his head. His voice slithers like a snake.
“Is that so?”
My heart plummets. These Texans are flirting with disaster. If they’d stuck to the script, they might be safe. They were supposed to ask for a lifetime’s supply of Super Bowl tickets. Easy-peasy. Who do these cowpokes think they are? Do they really think they can outsmart the Devil?
“Well then,” I say, shakily. “I’m sure Damion can arrange that.”
I raise my arms.
“What does the audience think?”
The audience goes ballistic.
(Cut to camera three)
The Devil, still towering over the Texans, leans into the camera.
“Famous, eh?”
His lips smack against his face. When he touches the dude’s shoulder, the cowboy swipes his arm away.
The audience boos. Someone tosses an egg onto the podium, narrowly missing the contestants.
“Woah! Easy does it!” I spurt out.
All hell breaks loose.
(Cut to overhead camera)
The crew gets busy, disposing of both the egg and the agitator.
(Cut to camera one)
I wipe my sweaty forehead.
“Tough crowd.”
The audience hoots.
The Devil sneers.
“SILENCE!”
Flames flash across the room.
People shriek, including me.
(Close up of Damion)
The Devil, boasting his gambler’s grin, turns to the contestants.
“Yes, yes. You WILL be famous. But just for one day.”
The audience roars their approval.
I shudder. Never in all my years, have I felt so much animosity from an audience. I’ll be lucky to make it out alive.
(Split screen)
“Sounds like the Devil has a plan.”
I try to sound cheerful. But cheerfulness is the opposite of how I feel.
(Cut to camera one)
“Tell us Damion…and all of Hell…what you’ve got cooked up?”
The audience leans in.
(Cut to camera three)
The Devil winks at Tammy.
“Well, I do believe it’s time for those two cowpokes to become famous. Am I correct?”
The audience jumps to their feet, chanting: “FAMOUS.… FAMOUS…. FAMOUS.…”
(Split screen)
Tammy looks pleased. Her partner, on the other hand, is showing concern. His shoulders are tense, he’s swallowed his bottom lip.
Damion dazzles the audience.
“Famous, y’all shall be.”
He snaps his fingers.
BAM.
The studio goes dark.
Someone in the audience screams.
Tammy gasps.
Tex grunts.
(Cut to camera one)
I shrug.
Is this Damion’s latest trick? Or did they finally cut the power? We give the impression that this show is hugely popular; but in truth, outside of Hell, this show is a dud. Cable and internet companies avoid us like the plague.
(Cut to overhead camera)
The contestants vanish under a cloud of fog.
A flaming pentagram floats across the stage.
“Well, isn’t that just dandy!”
The Devil points to the large screen behind the audience.
“Mister and Missus Cowpoke are about to jump the falls!”
He snaps his fingers, then he disappears.
My legs go weak. My heart is beating irregularly again. I still don’t know he does it. How any of this works. Suddenly, I’m alone on stage, shaking in my fine Italian boots, while the audience grows rowdier by the second.
Cameras mounted on drones are pointed at Tammy and Tex, who are trapped inside a large, steel barrel, with Niagara Falls looming below them.
Damion flies across the falls, lands next to Tammy and Tex. He taps the barrel.
“Ain’t she a beauty?”
The audience hurrahs.
The barrel is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Although it’s huge, and probably weighs a ton, it barely contains the two Texans, who are kicking and screaming, cursing up a storm.
“Get me the hell out of here!” Tammy’s voice rips through the noise of the falls. “NOW!”
Damion frowns.
“You wanted to be famous. Am I right?”
The audience chants, “FAMOUS…. FAMOUS.… FAMOUS….”
Tex pokes his head out of the barrel, cowboy hat and all.
“Now wait one minute, Damion. That’s unfair. We wanted fame. Not death.”
The Devil chuckles.
“The two are synonymous, am I right?”
The audience agrees.
Damion checks his watch.
“Well then…”
He slams the lid shut.
That’s the end of the Texans, as far as I’m concerned.
(Close up of Damion)
“Whatcha think? Should they jump the falls?”
The audience shouts, “JUMP…. JUMP…. JUMP….”
(Cut to camera two)
My insides are melting. I’m petrified. You’d think working with the Devil would get easier over time. You’d be dead wrong.
“Looks like the people have spoken!” I hear myself say.
The audience continues their chant.
(Cut to overhead camera)
“Excellent,” Damion says, fiddling his fingers.
He looks over the cliff, and makes a sour face.
“Wowsers. That’s a long way down!”
“JUMP…. JUMP…. JUMP….”
“And so much water!”
(Cut to camera one)
My worried-sick face appears on the screen.
I straighten up.
“Once they jump, Tam and Tex will surely be famous!”
Except of course, they won’t be famous. Not in this world anyways. They’ve been duped. Why these people sign up to die is beyond me. Perhaps we’ve reached a spectacular level of stupidity in human evolution.
(Cut to overhead camera)
Damion’s lips stretch across his reddened face, his arms flex like a weightlifter.
“I’ll give them a helping hand.”
He rolls the giant barrel to the very edge of the cliff, ignoring the banging and hollering coming from within the steel coffin.
“Tammy, Tex…” His lips stretch into a snarl. “Prepare for fame!”
The audience is on their feet.
Damion shoves the barrel over the edge.
(Split screen)
The barrel tumbles down the falls, disappearing into the fast-moving water.
The audience holds its breath.
(Cut to spy camera)
Inside the barrel, the Texans are shrieking. Their heads and arms and legs collide. Chunks of puke pour across Tammy’s sickening face, who’s calling Tex every name in the book, and it’s a big book. Meanwhile, Tex is like a frog in a blender. His face is green, his nose is broken; blood is leaking from every orifice.
There’s a loud crash as the barrel plunders underwater.
(Cut to overhead camera)
The barrel resurfaces, traveling dangerously downstream.
The audience is back on their feet, fist-pumping.
(Split screen)
What troubles me is how the pedestrians and tourists, crowding the streets, remain oblivious. To them, this is nothing out of the ordinary. Nobody watches, or even takes a pic. I’m starting to suspect foul play. Somehow, Damion is controlling this. He’s using dark magic. A spell. Maybe none of this is real. Except of course, it is real.
(Cut to camera one)
I’m trembling.
“What a jump!” my voice ricochets off the studio walls. “They’ll be famous in no time!”
The audience chants:
“FAMOUS…. FAMOUS…. FAMOUS….”
(Closeup of the Devil)
“Yes, yes. An excellent jump, I must say.”
He peaks over the edge.
“Looks like they could use some help.”
(Cut to overhead camera)
Damion flies towards the barrel, which is bouncing off rocks and debris.
(Cut to spy camera)
Blood. So much blood in such a tight space. Tammy’s hair is in disarray. Her face is beyond repair. Tex swallowed his hat. One of his eyeballs is bouncing like a Superball. His left arm is flapping nonsensically. It isn’t attached.
(Cut to camera four)
The Devil scoops up the barrel, then flies to shore. When his feet touch the ground, he shakes off the water, cat-like, then glares at the camera.
“What a jump!”
He cranks open the lip.
(Split screen)
Tammy spills out. So does Tex’s left arm.
The audience gasps.
Damion applauds.
“Such valor and swagger!”
(Cut to camera five)
Tammy is flopping fish-like, barely clinging to life. Her mouth is full of blood and brains.
The Devil puts his foot on her head.
“SAY CHEESE.”
From out of nowhere, a photographer appears.
SNAP.
Damion, looking pleased with himself, is suddenly holding a newspaper.
(Closeup of newspaper)
The headline splashes across the screen: IDIOTS JUMP THE FALLS.
(Cut to camera four)
Damion shoves the newspaper in front of her face.
“Looks like Tammy and Tex are famous.”
Tammy's eyes twitch. Clearly, she needs medical assistance. I’m surprised she’s still alive. Her husbands brains are splattered across the inside of the barrel.
The very sight of this makes me gag.
Tammy tries to speak, but fails. Her eyes are filled with rage.
Damion tosses the leftover arm into the water, then shrugs.
“Sorry about your hubby.”
(Cut to camera two)
With wobbly knees, I face the audience.
“Looks like the barrel got the best of Tex!”
The audience bellows.
I continue to talk involuntarily.
“Gosh dolly. Look at all that blood!”
“MORE BLOOD…. MORE BLOOD…. MORE BLOOD….”
I find myself chanting along.
Suddenly, my vision blurs. I clutch my chest. Maybe I’ll suffer a heart attack on live TV. Hell waits for no one, I suppose.
(Cut to camera four)
Tammy spits blood on Damion’s boot.
“Devil be damned.” I blurt.
Damion’s face twists into a ball of fury.
“Now, now, Tammy. That wasn’t very nice.”
He crushes her fingers with his boots.
Tammy yelps.
“I was gonna save your long-limbed partner over there,” he points. “Not anymore!”
The audience is bloodthirsty. Paper airplanes and rotten eggs whizz past me. I duck just in time.
(Closeup of contestant)
Tammy’s tongue is leaking from her bloodied face. She’s missing her front teeth. Damion digs his spiky heel deep into her blood-soaked abdomen.
“I reckon you’ll need medical assistance.”
He snaps his fingers.
Suddenly, they're back in the studio.
Damion is as happy as a filthy pig. Next to him is Tammy, who’s caked in blood and gore. Her corpse-of-a-husband spills from the gigantic steel barrel, taking center stage.
(Cut to overhead camera)
The contestant’s children rush the stage. They’re delirious.
The crew hurry out and drag them aside, along with Tammy, who's rushed to the hospital, where she will certainly die.
“Now that’s what I call speedy service!”
My voice appalls me. So does this job. If only I’d listened to my mother, and got into politics.
Damion snaps his finger, then disappears under a plume of dusty smoke.
(Cut to camera one)
“Well, there you have it folks. That’s the last you’ll see of Tammy and Tex. But fret not, they had their moment of fame…in Hell!”
The audience is tossing trash onto the stage.
I narrowly dodge a projectile.
“Hope you’ve enjoyed Season Two as much as I did.”
I hated it.
“And, unless the Devil strikes me down,” and he very-well might, “I hope to see you this Fall, for Season Three of…”
(Cue the audience)
“LET’S MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.”
Season Two
Season One
2023.06.01 15:14 throw-away22334455 Hey there, Hot Stuff…
I know you’ll never see this letter, and I suppose I should be grateful for that, but I still feel so stupid for writing it. Stupid because there’s no reason my feelings should be this strong and my heart should hurt this badly. We were only talking for a few short weeks but, man, I fell HARD and I fell FAST. But now it’s all over and I’m left here to pick up the pieces. I’m sure you’re happy with her, and that’s great. I want you to be happy. But I want to be happy too. So, in an attempt to help heal my broken heart, I just wanted to write down (almost) all the things I’ll never get to say:
-When you first messaged me after we matched for the 4th time in as many years, you said “the universe just wants us to be together.” I responded by saying “and who are we to tell the universe it’s wrong?” Well, we called the universe’s bluff and now I feel like I’m the one paying the price for it. You get to move on and fall in love and I get to sit at home, too afraid to go out anywhere in case I run into you. If I need to drive through your neighborhood to get somewhere, I’ll take a longer route just to avoid the possibility of seeing you.
-I still walk the dog on that nature trail and by the park where we had our first date. I feel safe there because you didn’t know it existed before I told you about it, and there’s a very slim chance you’ll ever go back. It’s the dog’s favorite route to walk along though, so I still take him every day after work. But it breaks my heart to be there because all I can think of is you, and our conversation, and the way my head rested perfectly on your chest when we hugged because you’re so tall, and the way your lips felt pressed against mine.
-the dog is on a diet and I hate that every time I feed him, the sound of kibble and chicken falling into his bowl is replaced with your laughter as you said “aww no look at him, he ain’t missing no meals!” He was wary of you, but oddly enough I think he misses you. When we pass by someone on our walks that looks even remotely like you, his tail will wag uncontrollably and he tries to jump on them. He still growls a bit, but he just seems sad when he realizes it’s not you. I do too.
-I hate doing laundry now because doing laundry means I need to open the closet door where the washer and dryer are. The same door you picked me up and pressed me up against, my legs wrapped around your waist, when you did everything you could to turn me into putty in your hands. I want to pull those doors off the hinges so I don’t have to look at them every day.
-You ruined chocolate chip cookies for me. They were my favorite midnight snack and now all I think about is baking late-night, post-sex cookies with you. I’ve been fortunate to live my entire life without any allergies, but now it feels like just one cookie will kill me. Even when I pass by the pre-made dough in the grocery store, I can feel my heart constrict and my throat close up.
-You ruined Star Wars for me. I thought it was so cute how you, a chemistry nerd, never saw the penultimate nerd series. I was excited for our plans to have a movie marathon. I was excited to show you to the galaxy. Now I stop the microwave before the timer hits 0:00 because it sounds like R2-D2 and it makes me lose my appetite.
-I bought new lingerie I was hoping to surprise you with. It arrived in the mail after we stopped talking. I can’t even force myself to try them on to make sure the sizes are correct. They’re just sitting in a drawer with the tags still on, collecting dust. I used to feel sexy and confident in my underwear. Now I feel like a sheepish little girl, too afraid to undress in the locker room before PE class.
-I told you I didn’t want kids, and that only one man in my entire life truly made me consider starting a family, but that he hurt me so badly I was completely sworn off. That was a lie. Maybe not at first, but it became a lie. When I found out you had a kid, after the shock and hurt subsided, after you spoke of how much you love your child, there was a second man I could see holding my child in his arms. You. A gorgeous little creature who would be the best parts of you and me put together. Now I fear that if I ever have children, I’ll resent them because they won’t be half of you.
-I hate that every time I see a car like yours, my heart skips a beat. I almost got into an accident the other day because I thought I passed you on my way into town. I’m afraid to drive now because all I do is look out for your car, wondering if you’re looking out for mine.
-I hate how deeply I care about you, and how I wish you nothing but the purest love and happiness. I hate that I can’t hate you. It would all be so much easier if I hated you. I wouldn’t be hurting so much. I could chalk this all up to the fact that you’re an asshole. A player. You used me and threw me away. But that’s not you. You’re kind and caring and gentle and, if I had only given us a proper chance, I could have known what it would feel like to be truly loved by you.
-I hate that I swallowed my pride and apologized, when I honestly didn’t have much to apologize for, only to be met with silence. My pride was all I had left, and now that’s gone too. And I especially I hate how pathetic and desperate this all sounds. After my last serious heartbreak, I put so much time and effort into myself, and I reminded myself that I am amazing and anyone is lucky to have me. Now I’m back to apologizing for using up oxygen.
-I hate that I believed you when you said you still wanted me, desired me, even though I could feel the distance between us growing larger. And I hate that now you’re so cold, so indifferent. I hate that you act like it was all just in my head. Even if it was, I wish you would just say that instead of leaving me with radio silence. It would be easier to understand that maybe I really am just obsessive or crazy, than to be left wondering how it all went wrong. But I know there’s nothing to wonder about. You said that if you didn’t want to talk to me, you wouldn’t. It appears you are a man of your word. I just wish I took you at your word when I still had the chance.
-You said I don’t know you or understand you, and I hate that you’re right. I hate that you don’t know or understand me either. We never gave each other the chance to. And I hate that we’ll probably never get that chance again.
-I want you to be happy, and I hope she does make you happy. But, like I said, I want to be happy too. I want to be with you. I want to hear your laugh again, see your perfect smile again, hear your heart beat as I lay on your chest again. I want to feel you in me again, holding me tightly. I want to sit on the swing with you, my legs across your lap as I listen to you tell me all your wildest stories. I want to feel your lips press against my forehead as you slip out of bed. I just want to feel like you care again. Even if it was all in my head.
I know we may never speak again, but I want you to know that I will always want you. And I hate that. But I don’t hate you. Not even a little bit.
Yours, always.
Baddie
submitted by throw-away22334455 to dating [link] [comments]
-When you first messaged me after we matched for the 4th time in as many years, you said “the universe just wants us to be together.” I responded by saying “and who are we to tell the universe it’s wrong?” Well, we called the universe’s bluff and now I feel like I’m the one paying the price for it. You get to move on and fall in love and I get to sit at home, too afraid to go out anywhere in case I run into you. If I need to drive through your neighborhood to get somewhere, I’ll take a longer route just to avoid the possibility of seeing you.
-I still walk the dog on that nature trail and by the park where we had our first date. I feel safe there because you didn’t know it existed before I told you about it, and there’s a very slim chance you’ll ever go back. It’s the dog’s favorite route to walk along though, so I still take him every day after work. But it breaks my heart to be there because all I can think of is you, and our conversation, and the way my head rested perfectly on your chest when we hugged because you’re so tall, and the way your lips felt pressed against mine.
-the dog is on a diet and I hate that every time I feed him, the sound of kibble and chicken falling into his bowl is replaced with your laughter as you said “aww no look at him, he ain’t missing no meals!” He was wary of you, but oddly enough I think he misses you. When we pass by someone on our walks that looks even remotely like you, his tail will wag uncontrollably and he tries to jump on them. He still growls a bit, but he just seems sad when he realizes it’s not you. I do too.
-I hate doing laundry now because doing laundry means I need to open the closet door where the washer and dryer are. The same door you picked me up and pressed me up against, my legs wrapped around your waist, when you did everything you could to turn me into putty in your hands. I want to pull those doors off the hinges so I don’t have to look at them every day.
-You ruined chocolate chip cookies for me. They were my favorite midnight snack and now all I think about is baking late-night, post-sex cookies with you. I’ve been fortunate to live my entire life without any allergies, but now it feels like just one cookie will kill me. Even when I pass by the pre-made dough in the grocery store, I can feel my heart constrict and my throat close up.
-You ruined Star Wars for me. I thought it was so cute how you, a chemistry nerd, never saw the penultimate nerd series. I was excited for our plans to have a movie marathon. I was excited to show you to the galaxy. Now I stop the microwave before the timer hits 0:00 because it sounds like R2-D2 and it makes me lose my appetite.
-I bought new lingerie I was hoping to surprise you with. It arrived in the mail after we stopped talking. I can’t even force myself to try them on to make sure the sizes are correct. They’re just sitting in a drawer with the tags still on, collecting dust. I used to feel sexy and confident in my underwear. Now I feel like a sheepish little girl, too afraid to undress in the locker room before PE class.
-I told you I didn’t want kids, and that only one man in my entire life truly made me consider starting a family, but that he hurt me so badly I was completely sworn off. That was a lie. Maybe not at first, but it became a lie. When I found out you had a kid, after the shock and hurt subsided, after you spoke of how much you love your child, there was a second man I could see holding my child in his arms. You. A gorgeous little creature who would be the best parts of you and me put together. Now I fear that if I ever have children, I’ll resent them because they won’t be half of you.
-I hate that every time I see a car like yours, my heart skips a beat. I almost got into an accident the other day because I thought I passed you on my way into town. I’m afraid to drive now because all I do is look out for your car, wondering if you’re looking out for mine.
-I hate how deeply I care about you, and how I wish you nothing but the purest love and happiness. I hate that I can’t hate you. It would all be so much easier if I hated you. I wouldn’t be hurting so much. I could chalk this all up to the fact that you’re an asshole. A player. You used me and threw me away. But that’s not you. You’re kind and caring and gentle and, if I had only given us a proper chance, I could have known what it would feel like to be truly loved by you.
-I hate that I swallowed my pride and apologized, when I honestly didn’t have much to apologize for, only to be met with silence. My pride was all I had left, and now that’s gone too. And I especially I hate how pathetic and desperate this all sounds. After my last serious heartbreak, I put so much time and effort into myself, and I reminded myself that I am amazing and anyone is lucky to have me. Now I’m back to apologizing for using up oxygen.
-I hate that I believed you when you said you still wanted me, desired me, even though I could feel the distance between us growing larger. And I hate that now you’re so cold, so indifferent. I hate that you act like it was all just in my head. Even if it was, I wish you would just say that instead of leaving me with radio silence. It would be easier to understand that maybe I really am just obsessive or crazy, than to be left wondering how it all went wrong. But I know there’s nothing to wonder about. You said that if you didn’t want to talk to me, you wouldn’t. It appears you are a man of your word. I just wish I took you at your word when I still had the chance.
-You said I don’t know you or understand you, and I hate that you’re right. I hate that you don’t know or understand me either. We never gave each other the chance to. And I hate that we’ll probably never get that chance again.
-I want you to be happy, and I hope she does make you happy. But, like I said, I want to be happy too. I want to be with you. I want to hear your laugh again, see your perfect smile again, hear your heart beat as I lay on your chest again. I want to feel you in me again, holding me tightly. I want to sit on the swing with you, my legs across your lap as I listen to you tell me all your wildest stories. I want to feel your lips press against my forehead as you slip out of bed. I just want to feel like you care again. Even if it was all in my head.
I know we may never speak again, but I want you to know that I will always want you. And I hate that. But I don’t hate you. Not even a little bit.
Yours, always.
Baddie
2023.06.01 15:13 subredditsummarybot Your weekly /r/Comicbooks recap for the week of May 25 - May 31
Thursday, May 25 - Wednesday, May 31
submitted by subredditsummarybot to comicbooks [link] [comments]
News
Discussion
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 989 | 39 comments | The charm of this art style :) |
| 574 | 102 comments | The Killing Joke (1988), by Alan Moore |
| 329 | 210 comments | The colour of their clothes changed? (Excerpt from TASM #26) |
Excerpts
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 2,852 | 211 comments | No masks. [Batman (2016) - Issue #82] |
| 2,223 | 68 comments | The Simpsons?! (New Warriors [1990], #27) |
| 1,391 | 118 comments | Bendis pokes fun at how Silver Age comics were written [Powers #27] |
Fan Creations
Shelfies
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 136 | 12 comments | Completed Today |
| 24 | 9 comments | [Recommendations] I'm on a mission to collect Post-Crisis Batman trades up to Flashpoint, any suggestions on books with key continuity events I should pick up? |
| 14 | 9 comments | Finally catalogued all my comics! |
CovePin-Up
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 1,148 | 140 comments | Catwoman #50 unused cover vs. edited / published cover. Art by Tula Lotay. |
| 1,116 | 36 comments | Batman & Rogues by Dan Hipp |
| 801 | 24 comments | [CovePin-up] Catwoman #57 variant cover. Art by Joshua Swaby. |
Other Posts
Top Comments
Awarded Posts
| score/comments | awards | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 428 - 14 comments | 1 Silver | [Fan Creation] Captain America by me |
| 28 - 1 comments | 1 Silver | [News] The Cartoonist Cooperative is building a brave new world for comics |
Awarded Comments
| awards | score | comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Starry | 56 | Particular-Gate-898 said Ryan north f4 is bumpin |
| 1 Gold | 298 | Garlador said My favorite thing about Kamala is just how full of life she is. |