Latest news with #Gretchen
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Blind date: ‘I studied Mandarin Chinese in college. He smiled and immediately responded in Chinese.'
GRETCHEN F.: 26 / data scientist What makes her a catch: She thinks about others a lot and values relationships. Her interests: Reading, running 7 P.M. KRASI, BOSTON Lots of Laughs Aldis I arrived early. I reviewed the wine list awkwardly and tried not to look expectant. Gretchen He was sitting in the restaurant as I walked in. He was very handsome and well dressed in a baby-blue pinstripe button-down and khakis. Aldis I remember thinking she was beautiful even before it was clear that she was actually my date. She was wearing a blue dress and had a beautiful smile. I botched the greeting and did this weird handshake-hug-handshake movement that she gracefully turned into a hug. Advertisement Gretchen I mistakenly reached out for a handshake then converted it to a hug, which made us both laugh. Aldis asked if I had been to Krasi before. We laughed when we realized that both of us had requested it — he had been there before, and my friends had recommended it — for our dinner. Greek to Mandarin Aldis From the first moment, there was not a single lull in conversation. Gretchen We talked about his residency program, which launched us into conversations about our ties to the medical world. At some point, we moved on to running. I found it particularly interesting that we both run as a way to release energy and are not very interested in racing, unique in the distance running world. Advertisement Aldis We were there for two hours and talked nonstop. We shared a lot of interests. We both run, are early birds, and carry a book wherever we go. Gretchen I mentioned that I studied Mandarin Chinese in college. He smiled and immediately responded in Chinese. I tried to keep up, but he definitely has a better command of the language than I do. I was shocked we had this in common. Aldis She was a great listener and there was a lot of laughter. I realized I had a crush on her pretty early on. Gretchen What was surprisingly most attractive was how he lit up when he talked about his family and friends. He seemed to really care about other people, something I really value. Aldis We had the Robola white wine. Appetizers included charred eggplant, asparagus, and chickpea fritters. We had a delicious fish dish, as well as souvla — probably my favorite. Gretchen I had never before tasted anything like any of the dishes [we had] and was so impressed. We wrapped up with the rice pudding. In Agreement Aldis The waiter floated the idea of going to a speakeasy nearby, but we are both early birds and had work the next day. Gretchen The time passed so quickly, I couldn't believe that it had been over two hours. Aldis We exchanged numbers. I did ask if she would want to meet up for another date and she said yes. Gretchen We hugged and parted ways. Second Date? Aldis That's the plan! Gretchen I would love to continue our conversations and see what else we may have in common. Grading the Date Aldis / A Gretchen / B+ Advertisement Go on a blind date. We'll pick up the tab. Fill out an application at . Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @dinnerwithcupid.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Law & Order: SVU Finale Recap: Some Surprising News Has Major Impact on a Member of Liv's Team — Plus, Grade It!
If you tuned into Thursday's Law & Order: SVU season finale to find out how the show handled the exits of cast members Octavio Pisano and Juliana Aidén Martinez, you'll have to wait until Season 27 for that reveal. (Sorry about all the bloody eye sockets you had to witness in the meantime!) The Season 26 finale instead focuses on a gruesome serial killer who preyed on mental health professionals. The case of the week kicks off with an attack on a therapist, Gretchen (played by Breaking Bad's Betsy Brandt), who was bludgeoned and raped in her brownstone. Pages from the notebook in which she keeps her session notes were ripped out, causing Olivia & Co. to theorize that a patient or former patient was behind the crime. More from TVLine Law & Order: Organized Crime Recap: Why Is Stabler Purring? and Other Episode 6 Thoughts Poker Face: Natasha Lyonne Explains Steve Buscemi's Surprise Role (and Their Long History Together) Law & Order: SVU Is Bringing Kelli Giddish Back as a Series Regular Benson's team think they know who did it, and they attempt to corner the guy (who, yep, is a former patient) while he's trapped in traffic on a highway on-ramp. But the man sees them coming and starts shooting at them as he hops out of his car and runs. Eventually, Velasco and Bruno get him to put down the weapon… but then the guy hops over the roadway's railing, falling to grievous injury on a car below. He dies on the way to the hospital. Only problem: The guy who died had an alibi, and he wasn't the person who attacked Gretchen. Even worse, another therapist is attacked in the same manner, only the new victim's eyes are gouged out. (Eew.) After an investigation that stretches to Connecticut, the squad finds its guy, who's working as a manager at a rental-car company in Manhattan. Bruno literally hops buildings to follow the perp as he runs, but he and Velasco eventually corner and arrest the man, who is, indeed, in need of serious psychiatric help. In other news, Velasco gets promoted to Detective Second Grade, an occasion that the squad marks with a surprise gathering at a nearby bar. And at the end of the episode, Benson and her officers don their dress blues and attend the ceremony in which Velasco is officially promoted. Now it's your turn. What did you think of the episode? Grade it, and the season as a whole, via the polls below. Then, hit the comments with your thoughts! Best of TVLine Mrs. Maisel Flash-Forward List: All of Season 5's Futuristic Easter Eggs Yellowjackets Recap: The Morning After Yellowjackets Recap: The First Supper
Sunday World
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Irish band Murder Capital have second German gig cancelled over Palestinian flag on stage
"The Palestinian flag itself needs to be on our stage, needs to be as visible everywhere in the world as possible' The Irish band The Murder Capital performed an acoustic set at Rheinpark in Cologne after a second German gig was cancelled over the band displaying the Palestinian flag on stage. The Dublin-based post-punk band was scheduled to play at the Berlin club Gretchen on Saturday, May 10, and Gebäude 9 in Cologne on Sunday, May 11, but both gigs were cancelled. The band said they had hoped 'what had happened in Berlin' when a gig in the German city was also cancelled over the flag 'would be an isolated incident'. "But tonight's venue, Gebäude 9, has also told us that we cannot have the Palestinian flag on our stage,' front man James McGovern said in another video posted to social media. 'We've tried everything we can to find another venue for tonight's show, but it's been impossible. "So we'll be putting on an acoustic show outdoors in a park somewhere this evening.' McGovern continued: "The Palestinian flag itself needs to be on our stage, needs to be as visible everywhere in the world as possible. "These people are being eradicated, being starved, being bombed, and these war crimes and this genocide is being committed by the Israeli state and funded and supported by governments around the world. "Us having a flag on our stage at a rock show is not a political statement, it is a human reaction to a horrific and unimaginable situation. But this is not history, it is happening right now, today. "We stand forever with the people of Palestine. Free the people of Palestine. Love from us." The band later announced the unscheduled park performance on social media, saying "everyone welcome' and urging fans to 'bring acoustic guitars'. The Murder Capital News in 90 Seconds - May 13th The band later shared a clip of them performing their song "Words Lost Meaning." "Free Palestine," the group said in their post alongside the clip. In an video posted to the band's social media accounts on Saturday, McGovern - holding a Palestinian flag - explained what happened in Berlin, "from the band's point of view." McGovern said: 'We pulled into Berlin this morning, we had no idea that we weren't allowed to fly this [Palestinian] flag here today. We found out early this afternoon. "This is from the band's point of view. 'We discussed it for an hour at length, what we should do. We came to the decision that we were not going to take the flag off the stage, that was a decision pretty easily made, but we discussed possible outcomes – what if they decide to cancel the show? We thought about all of you deeply, because we care about you deeply, and I mean that. "And our decision was that we're gonna put the flag on stage.' McGovern said the band discussed whether to switch the Palestinian flag for a banner that said "Free Palestine," but said the venue "wouldn't allow us to do that either." "So it's not just about national flags, it's about political statements," he continued. 'And to us, this isn't just a political statement, it's a humanitarian statement. We've been saying that in interviews for the whole time that we've been speaking about it as people. "It's not all about politics; it's about people who are dying and being slaughtered every day, and that's happening right now. 'So, for us as a band who has had this flag on their stage for countless shows now, it would be the wrong thing for us to do to take it off the stage just so that the venue is kept happy. "We don't agree with that." McGovern continued: 'We wish live music and art and theatre could be free of political discussion and things like that, but as the world as it is, unfortunately, it just cannot be. "That's the way it is. "We'll be back to you as soon as we can. We appreciate all your support deeply, but most importantly, free Palestine.' The Berlin club said in a social media post that they were "very sorry" that The Murder Capital's show did not take place, but said it has had a "no national flag" policy in place for "many years." The Murder Capital has shows scheduled in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France this week and will play their biggest headline gig to date at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens on July 19. In September and October, The Murder Capital is set to play more than a dozen shows between the US and Canada. It comes as several shows have been cancelled in Germany over Irish artists' public support for Palestine. Several gigs by Belfast rappers Kneecap were pulled due to their vocal support of Palestine and an investigation by the counter-terrorism police in the UK over on-stage comments that 'the only good Tory is a dead Tory'. Their headline shows in Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg in September, as well as performances at the Hurricane and Southside festivals in Germany, were cancelled. Irish folk group Lankum had a gig in Leipzig cancelled in November 2023 due to the band's support for Palestine. In April, an Irish citizen was reportedly arrested in Berlin during a pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Irish embassy for leading chants in the Irish language at a demonstration. In the same month, two Irish protesters were facing deportation from Germany after taking part in pro-Palestinian protests. Shane O'Brien (29) and Roberta Murray (31), Irish citizens, were among four, including a Polish and a US citizen, facing deportation.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
48th annual Easterseals Rehabilitation Center Telethon in one week
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The Easterseals Rehabilitation Center Telethon will once again take place on ABC 25/CW7. Pam Kirk joined Gretchen and Joe on Eyewitness News Daybreak one week ahead of the telethon to discuss how the money raised during the telethon can help individuals with life changing therapy. You can view the full segment in the video player above. The Easterseals Telethon will air on ABC 25/CW 7 on April 11 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Times
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
6 Thrilling Novels About Serial Killers
I think every crime and mystery writer has four types of novels they will inevitably write in their career: a murder mystery, a heist novel, a novel of revenge — and a serial killer novel. Serial killers are our modern-day boogeymen (and women). They have replaced the vampire, the werewolf and even the ghost as the harbingers of doom and the avatars of societal degradation. The serial killer is the Red Death wearing the mask of civility and friendship. They are the Other, disrupting the masquerade of order that we collectively agree to maintain. They are the all-too-human monsters that wait for us in the dark. For me, serial killers are a fascinating subject to write and to read about. Through their abominable acts, we see a twisted fun-house reflection of what we could become as a society — or what we already are. Here, in no particular order, are six of my favorites. These Women First, we have a serial killer novel where the killer is the least interesting part. In 'These Women,' Pochoda takes us into the hearts and minds of the people who must face the evil of a pathetic, venal, disturbed man and shows us their strength and the deep reservoirs of their resolve. Told through the eyes of six vastly different but hauntingly complex women in Los Angeles, this book succeeds where a lot of serial killer novels fail: remembering the people who survived. Published in 2020, it is a fearless, simmering hot stiletto of a novel, and an instant classic. Heartsick Archie Sheridan, a police detective, spent years chasing one of the most deranged and vicious serial killers to ever appear in the pages of a book, the beautiful and completely insane Gretchen Lowell. After a decade of cat-and-mouse, Gretchen caught Archie and tortured him for 10 days before mysteriously letting him go and turning herself in to the authorities. Now, a new killer is terrorizing the Pacific Northwest, and Archie must consult the best expert on killers that he knows: his one-time foe. But Gretchen seemed to know that Archie would be visiting her long before the new monster made its presence felt. Inverting the usual investigator-killer dynamic, 'Heartsick' is a dark and moody examination of obsession and trauma that never takes its foot off the gas. Darkness, Take My Hand During a long, brutal Massachusetts winter, the private detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro are hired to protect the son of a well-known psychiatrist. But what starts out as an easy payday soon becomes an unsettling journey into the deepest pits of human depravity. A horror novel couched inside a searing mystery, 'Darkness, Take My Hand' is by turns terrifying, moving and ultimately — as impossible as it may sound — hopeful. It is an example of a writer at the peak of his powers, creating suspense out of such mundane details as a song playing on a jukebox. Lehane stares into the abyss and dares to transcribe what he sees without blinking or turning away. He forces us to confront the worst humanity has to offer — while also showing us at our best. Jar of Hearts Fourteen years ago, a teenage Georgina Shaw helped her then-boyfriend Calvin James dispose of the body of her best friend, Angela Wong. Georgina went on to become a fast-rising executive. Calvin went on to become a serial killer. Now, Angie's remains have been found and Georgina's terrible secret has been exposed to the world. But there are darker secrets yet to come. Using the serial killer as a metaphor for trauma has rarely been done with more panache. This novel takes us on a journey of regret and redemption and dares to ask: What kind of person were you before you became who you are now? The Killer Inside Me From the outside, Lou Ford seems to be every bit the easygoing, aw-shucks deputy sheriff of a small Texas town. But that is just the facade he has created to mask the boundless and bloody black hole of degeneracy that rages within him. Lou is a deeply twisted profligate sadist: While not technically a serial killer, he abuses the people in his town with wild abandon, building to one of the most visceral descents into madness in modern fiction. 'The Killer Inside Me' is crime fiction as philosophical dialogue. Lou presents the face of every killer who is described by his friends and neighbors as 'a nice, quiet guy.' But in that quiet, madness reigns. Red Dragon Will Graham is not the toughest detective ever to hunt human monsters. He might not even be the smartest. But he's without a doubt the best, because he does what no one else has the ability to do: put himself in the minds of the worst people to ever walk the earth. Years after catching and almost being killed by Hannibal Lecter, Will is living a serene life on the Florida coast, working on motorboats and watching the postcard-perfect sunrise every morning. Then his old boss Jack Crawford comes with news that both troubles and excites Will: A new killer is on the prowl, and he may have a connection to Lecter. In the years since this novel was released, popular culture has fallen in love with the urbane, suave and sophisticated version of Lecter that lives in our zeitgeist. But in 'Red Dragon,' Harris never lets us forget that Lecter is a monster — intelligent and cunning, yes, but also repugnant and insane. Will is blessed and cursed with the ability to inhabit that insanity. The price for that skill may be his soul.
