#theateam

This week's #Featured Article is The A-Team!

The 1980s action-adventure classic followed four Vietnam War veterans framed for a crime they didn't commit, helping the innocent as they evaded the law and delivered some of TV's most unforgettable explosions (and one-liners!).

Originally airing from 1983 to 1987, The A-Team became an icon of '80s pop culture, with its signature black-and-red van, over-the-top stunts, and Mr T's legendary "I pity the fool!". The 2010 movie reboot brought the team back as Iraq War veterans, reigniting old fandom flames and introducing the series to new fans.

Over the years, the fandom has thrived through letterzines, fan clubs, fanfiction, character studies and slash pairings like Face/Murdock and Face/Hannibal (and yes, even the all-team polyship known as H-BAMF).

Curious? Head over to Fanlore to learn more about The A-Team's fandom history, fanworks, and cultural legacy!

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I have something a little different for you today! Here’s a review of an amazing cover of “The A Team” by Ed Sheeran, created by musician Thomas W. Hagan. This was the first song that I heard by Ed Sheeran back in the day, and I love Thomas’ version of it! 

Thomas’ rendition of “The A Team” is familiar yet original with both its vocals and guitar. Thomas clearly has his own vocal style, but he doesn’t abandon the charm of the original song. I think this is most evident in his delivery of the chorus. I love the subtle, artistic changes that he makes. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it :) 

He also uses his guitar to add more of his own style. He scales the song back, and his acoustics aren’t as complex as the original track. In this case, less is certainly more. Thomas delivers a great rhythm and allows for a dynamic flow, especially towards the end of the song for the last few choruses. 

I like covers because it allows listeners to re-experience a song. I enjoyed re-experiencing this one. Thank you, Thomas! @thomaswhagan

The last 2 days as a Krashlyn fan have been huge.

I remember when I became a fan of soccer and the first player I was drawn to was Ashlyn. Naturally ofcourse I was also drawn to Ali and her dedication to Washington Spirit at the time. I remember watching my first women's soccer game on YouTube at night. It was the NWSL championship 2015. Washington lost to the flash and i was so devastated I remember Ali Crying. That moment I realized that little bean and her little bun had my heart. I wanted to see her and the team win.

That's how slowly the shipping started and then the anger started when Ali was transfered to Orlando but at the same time I believed that Krashlyn was real and thought that it's a good thing. Little did I realize in that moment that Orlando Pride would become my baby's and that Ali and Ash would change my life and how I look at life. At the time they hid their relationship and I was only out to my group of friends but I was not comfortable with being gay.

I remember Ali blocking people when people just mentioned the word Krashlyn. I laugh looking back at it really. She grew. And as she grew, I also started growing. Now looking at it I realize I was drawn to her because I knew deep down that she was struggling with her sexuality. So it somehow helped me grow into the woman that I am today.

On the other hand Ashlyn thought me a lot about being herself and not being scared to be yourself. She is and has been an idol to me and has showed me to be me and to not hide it. Her confidence has given me the confidence that I needed and gives me the confidence that I still need. She, the same as Ali, has helped me to become the person I am today.

This is also precisely why I call these two my second mothers.

Yesterday when the pictures and videos of their wedding started coming in I really started crying. I was wheeping my eyes out but not because I was sad. It was because I was so happy for them and how far they had come as a couple. About how open they are now and how unapologetically they love eacother.

Their love and them as individuals has helped so many young girls who are growing up and coming to terms with their sexuality.

And that is why I truly believe it was the Royal Wedding yesterday. The first LGBTQ+ couple who play for the same soccer teams got married on the 28th of December 2019. Mark the date because that day has made history for same sex soccer couples!

And to end this as cheesy as possible I will say that as I continue to grow I will always keep supporting these two and I will always be SO FUCKING GRATEFUL for what they have thought me.