#eric rodriguez

When YouTube started taking down Nostalgia Critic’s videos because of the clips they used, Doug Walker decided to make reviews with out clips and instead used reenactment skits to get his point across. Similarly, Eric Rodriguez was facing financial trouble when Blip was shut down and his Blockbuster Buster reviews weren’t making as much money. He started up a Patreon, but he needed more views on YouTube to stay afloat. Because YouTube’s copyright system is so notorious, it’s no wonder most of Eric’s reviews were uploaded to Dailymotion and he provided links to them on his main channel. This way barely worked, so he made the drastic decision to reboot his show, using reenactment skits in his reviews much like Doug. In both cases, Doug and Eric have received mixed to negative feedback for these clipless style of reviews with some of their old fans unsubscribing. This honestly baffles me, especially when you consider this was bound to happen the minute they started making videos full time. Really think about it, if Doug didn’t do his Jurassic World review without clips and waited 3-5 months for it to come out on DVD, it would’ve gotten the same treatment as his other videos: copyright claims from people who don’t understand the video falls under fair use. Doug loses money every time one of his videos was claimed, and that effected him as a content creator. Same for Eric; if he continued what he was doing, he’d probably have ended the Blockbuster Buster by now. He said it himself that he had 2 options: evolve or die. Of course, understanding their reasons behind the clipless reviews isn’t an excuse to like them. I can’t begin to tell you how many comments I’ve read where they say “this wasn’t funny” “this wasn’t as good as the old style” and so on and so forth. Doug passes them off as people who didn’t like the change in style and I don’t think he’s far off. If you don’t like these clipless reviews, that’s your opinion and you yourself have 2 options: give constructive criticism in the comments (despite what many people think, they DO read the comments) or simply don’t watch. No I don’t mean “if you don’t like it, shut your mouth,” I mean if this content is not for you, you’re not wrong for clicking that unsubscribe button. For everyone else, if you haven’t already, subscribe to The Blockbuster Buster channel and support him on Patreon if you can: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW2LwfEw0JMqKNdG9oBXiaQ

@createdbyobsidian!

“Okay,” Ashlyn says, her voice the very epitome of seriousness. “Are we ready?”

Evelyn nods. Carter grins. Eric and Steve both give thumbs-up.

“Alright. A steady hand is important here. One slip, and everything’s over.” She stands up. “Let’s do this.”

She grabs the basket of nail polish and plunks it in the middle of the floor. “Operation Pride Polish, commence!”

Carter snatches up the colors of the Ace and Aro flags, all glittery and shimmery. He gets to work, applying the polish flawlessly.

Evelyn grabs the Ace colors. “I can’t do lines, I’m just going to paint each nail one solid color.”

Ashlyn is already making the second stripe of the pan flag on her thumb. “Valid.”

Steve is painting Eric’s nails while Eric paints Steve’s. Steve has his tounge stuck out in concentration. “This way... no screw=ups from doing it with the left hand...”

Carter holds up his right hand. Each nail is decorated with Ace colors. “Lefty gets to be Aro, then when I hold my hands in front of my face it’s in order of Aro-Ace.”

Evelyn is trying to clean up some of the polish all over her thumb. “Cool.”

Ashlyn looks proudly at her thumb. “Ah! Perfect!”

Carter nods in approval. “Doing the same as I?”

“Oh, there is no way in hell I’m going to try and replicate that on every nail. Nope, the others get to be solid colors.”

“Won’t there be an extra nail left over?”

Ashlyn holds up three glitter polishes with clear bases. “Layers, baby!”

Steve hols up his rainbow nails and beams. “These look amazing!”

“My sister is really into nail art,” Eric says, starting on Steve’s other hand. “It’s how we bond.”

Describe your oc's preferred style of clothing. (If you wanted part 4a as well please let me know!)

Evelyn likes the more edgy style, of course. It’s nice if it’s comfy but she is willing to be in some discomfort for the sake of looking fucking awesome.

Ashlyn is more about comfort but not only about it. kinda baggy/loose t-shirts, her hoodie, some jeans that are just big enough to be comfortable and non-restrictive but not so big they fall down, you know. Presentable comfy.

Carter is a fancy lad. He dresses as one. Suits, ballgowns, FANCY is the only requirement. 

Haley likes very feminine and modest clothes, t-shirt dresses and leggings and stuff. 

Malum just likes casual clothes that could also work as being very nice clothes, you know, a nice pair of jeans and a shirt that has a few buttons at the top, but not all the way down. Like a polo, but a t-shirt and no collar.

(Gonna include Eric and Steve too because why not)

Eric just wears whatever is clean. Usually jeans and a t-shirt, just really casual.

Steve does the same but his style includes more bright colors. Not the whole shirt, but like, an accent. Bright blue seam at the neckline, for example.

Which still wears something they had growing up (ex: a large t shirt from childhood, varsity jacket, old jewelry)? (As with the above, if you wanted parts A and B let me know!)

Ashlyn has an old headband that she’ll sometimes wear if it’s windy. It’s just a good-quality headband, nothing special about it other than how long she’s had it.

Evelyn’s had her sapphire necklace since before she can remember. She loves it.

Malum doesn’t remember his childhood. Plus, any possessions he had were lost once he became a demon.

Haley completely replaced her wardrobe when she moved out. The only thing she has that she didn’t buy with Malum is her aunt’s necklace, and she only got that the day she met Malum.

(Whoop okay so character voices are maybe a bit off for some reason I can’t discern, they all sound a little... the same... the adding the names next to the questions is mostly for me though, so I can keep track of where I am better lol)

Do you like spicy foods? (Evelyn)

“I guess. I like showing off how much I can handle more than the flavor, honestly. It’s good, but not as good as people’s faces when I wolf down a bunch of wasabi or hot sauce and they realize that they’re definitely loosing a bet.”

What is your favorite fruit? (Ashlyn)

“Apples! Green apples specifically, but they’re all really good!”

What types of flowers are in your setting? Do you have a favorite? (Leilani)

“I have a plumeria tree in my yard, and my neighbors grow a lot of hibiscuses and pink lokelani flowers. They run a little flower shop and sell a lot of leis. There’s a lot of flowers everywhere, really, and I don’t even know the names of most of them! My favorite is probably the yellow hibiscus, I’m very proud of our state flower.”

Does Ice cream exist in your world? If so, what is your favorite Ice cream flavor? (Malum)

“There’s an ice cream shop near where Ashlyn works that makes really good chocolate with salted caramel ice cream. When I’m just buying a tub from the store though, I usually go for Neapolitan. I like when you get some in each flavor in a bite and they all mix together.”

What is your favorite way to cool down in hot weather? (Haley)

“Popsicles! We usually buy them from the store, but sometimes we invite everyone over and we all make our own.”

What is a smell you really like? (Carter)

“Well, the smell of anything our dear Ashlyn bakes is sublime. Along with that, I find that vanilla and maple scents are quite pleasing.”

Would you say you have a sweet tooth? (Steve)

“Oh, big time. And it’s gotten worse since we met Ashlyn.”

Do you prefer pastel, bright, neon, or dark colors? (Eric)

“Bright and dark. You know, a bright shirt and some dark pants or a dark jacket, something like that. I do like pastel for decoration, a little here and there, just not on it’s own very much.”

What do you like to wear for pajamas? (Liv)

“Any shirt that I can’t wear in public anymore and any loose-fitting comfy bottoms I have! Dee did convince me to buy a pajama set once, so now I wear those on special occasions, like passing a hard test.”

Where do you call home? (Dee)

“Before, it was the campus library. Now, it’s anywhere Liv is.”

Are you a night or morning person? (All)

Malum: Night

Haley: Night

Evelyn: Night

Ashlyn: Morning

Carter: Morning

Steve: Morning

Eric: Night

Leilani: Morning

Liv: Night

I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS INSTEAD OF SLEEPING

So, I've already said that Ashlyn and Evelyn are our angel and demon.

I think Malum would have to be Adam. Haley woukd be a good Wensleydale, I think. I know she should be Pepper, but she's not as... violent. Steve would be Brian. I'll get into my issue casting Pepper in a bit.

Des would be Beelzebub, I think. Or maybe she'd be Gabriel. One of those assholes.

Now, I was thinking maybe Liv could be Pepper. But I thought Dee could be Newt. But that doesn't work, so Liv could be Anathema then. BUT! Then who is left to be Pepper? Carter or Eric. Perhaps Eric could be Pepper, I did replace Wensley with a girl so I could replace Pepper with a boy, I suppose. But I thought Eric would make a good Warlock. But Carter doesn't quite fit as Pepper, does he? No, I think in this I would promote him from god to God.

WAIT

LEILANI

OH YES LEILANI IS PERFECT FOR PEPPER!

Okay... I'm just missing Shadwell, Madame Tracy, Agnes, the other angels, the other demons, and the Horsemen. I suppose they could all stay the same, really. I've got the Main characters covered.

Other differences this AU would have: Ashlyn still has the bookshop, but she also puts out fresh pastries or baked goods on the center table. It's bith an act of angelic generosity, and a way to hopefully distract customers away from the books so she never actually has to sell any.

Evelyn's eyes are mostly like Crowley's, but there is just the slightest hint of blue in them.

Nanny Evelyn being super supportive when Eric tells her he doesn't feel like a girl? Yes please, she's going to support him so much.

Gardner Ashlyn also being super supportive? Uh heck yeah.

Tiny Malum with a crush on tiny Haley? Adorable. Pure. Luv and Leilani tease him constantly and he does not care.

No sex within a minute of Liv and Dee meeting because that's just weird and quite frankly my least favorite part of the whole show? You know it.

Carter as God, going out of his way to assign Ashlyn where he knows Evelyn is? You betcha.

“Ready?”

Ashlyn nodded. “Let’s do this.”

Eric grinned and unrolled the fabric. “Gimme the scissors!”

Ashlyn handed him the scissors and got out the measuring tape. “Solid colors, or are we adding designs?”

Steve watched them work, smiling. “Oh! You should embroider your signatures on it!”

Ashlyn thought it over. “We’ll put Eric’s signature on this one, mine on the next.”

Eric started cutting. “You know, if you let us teach you how to sew you can help out next year.”

“Tempting, but those needles scare me.” Steve leaned forward to watch closer.

“They’re so tiny though!”

“That makes them harder to see! Then they prick you!”

Eric laughed. “You’re such a doof.”

“And proud of it.”

They work for a few hours. Steve keeps up the snack supply and makes sure they take breaks to stretch their fingers. Ashlyn scarfs down potato chips as Eric sips soda through a pride-themed bendy straw. 

Finally, it’s completed. Ashlyn sits back on her knees and looks at it in awe. “I can’t believe we did it!”

On the floor of Eric and Steve’s living room lays a giant hand-made Transgender pride flag. Eric raises his fists. “We’re masters of sewing!”

Steve tsks. “Not done yet! Remember?” He hands Eric an embroidery needle. “You’ve got to sign your masterpiece!”

Eric takes the needle and carefully adds his signature. “Whoo. That was quite the project.”

Ashlyn grins at him. “Ready to make a pan one tomorrow?”