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papaver-decervicatus · 1 year ago

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Headcanons- Enzo Reyes

Hello everyone! I am still swamped with college work but I wanted to post something so here's a little HC page I have had brewing for a while. Expect Rudy and Nova's soon! Also, I have discovered I absolutely love Reyes, and it's a shame he gets so forgotten about. God, I love a strong nose on a person, fan-freaking-tastic. Cura Ut Veleas! ~ Ceadis

Born November 13th, 1987, in Regina, Canada.

His parents were never married and had a contentious co-parenting relationship throughout his life

He moved with his mother to Alberta when he was 7, so he mostly saw his father over breaks and such

He is ¼ Tsuut'ina on his father's side (his father is half Tsuut'ina and half Spanish,) the two bonded over trapping and hunting. When he’s home, he will stay with his cousins on the reserve to go hunting with them.

Complex relationship with eating meat: believes you should only hunt/kill an animal ethically and for sustenance. Morally opposed to food waste.

Can skin a deer in record time and not waste any meat/material from it.

Complicated relationship with Catholicism, but both his mother and father are, at least partially, Roman Catholic.

Both of his parents married others, he has a year older step-sister on his father's side and two younger half-brothers (3 years younger and 5 years younger) on his mother's side.

At age 13 he got into a massive fight with his mother over something silly (he forgot to turn in a take-home math quiz,) so he hitchhiked his way to his father over the course of 5 days. This is when he picked up his forgery skills from a truck driver he got a ride with.

He accidentally evaded the police who were searching for him until he showed up at his father's house unharmed.

Extremely proficient in hunting tracking and forgery.

More than anything the police were just impressed he evaded them so well once he was delivered home safely. Was recommended to join the military by one of the deputies that brought him home.

His first language was French (his mother speaks mostly French), second was Spanish (under his father.) Didn’t speak any English until he was 6 or so. Barely speaks French anymore unless with his mom. Is still fluent in Spanish. Also knows minimal Tsuut’ina to communicate while staying with his family that only speaks it.

Terrible alcohol tolerance, 2 drinks and he’s wasted.

Incredibly emotionally drunk.

Chuy once convinced him to watch a nature documentary while drunk. He cried for thirty minutes when a baby seal got eaten by an orca.

The least braggadocious guy ever, will never volunteer his skills or talk about them.

That being said, he never backs down from a challenge. Just humbly accepts it and usually wins.

The only person who can hunt/track a target better than Price.

Price fucking hates it.

Best friends with Chuy. Package deal.

Enzo is incredibly shy but extroverted, he loves to talk to others and be involved in the action but it’s hard for him to initiate.

Chuy is confident and introverted and acts as a good barrier for Enzo to feel more comfortable when talking with others.

They bonded over a love for the outdoors/hunting, Reyes helped Chuy when his rifle broke down one mission and they’ve been besties since.

Has a tendency to talk back, but not out of a challenge to authority, more out of curiosity.

The “Excuse me teacher, but isn’t it…” kid all grown up and never kicked the habit.

The biggest nerd ever. Warhammer 40k, DND, wildlife fun facts, doesn’t matter.

Trivia legend, he’s read a book on just about everything.

Had to be banned from trivia night because he always wins.

He always has a pack of waterproof playing cards on him, his favorite is a set he got from the Alberta Airport that have wildlife fun facts on every card.

Did you know that Caribou have 4 chambered stomachs and can swim up to 6 miles an hour?

Reyes did.

Reyes told you.

About 4 times.

This past month alone.

But who's keeping count, really?

Reads over a hundred books a year, easily.

Mostly nonfiction focusing on history, he will write out notes to better remember what he’s read.

Is not opposed to fiction books, but does not typically seek them out.

Is in a makeshift book club with Gromsko and Nova

It is a poorly kept secret that he will do weapon mods/maintenance in exchange for books, the issue is finding a book he hasn't read yet.

Is on a first-name basis with his hometown's librarians.

Has been working on and off on a Ph.D. in history through an online/long-distance program.

It is about the purposeful destruction of the Canadian governmental records relating to First Nations regiments in the army during the 19th century. The process has been incredibly slow because he works on it remotely and, as stated, many of the records either do not exist or were intentionally destroyed.

Teddy Bear. Gives great hugs, sweetheart of a man, loves to cook for others, and always volunteers to help people. Just generally a great dude.

This does not extend to his job.

He doesn’t have a weak stomach when it comes to his work.

He is ruthless, he is calculated, he is damn good at what he does.

He gets along well with his comrades, sure, but he’s not letting himself get killed in the field for something stupid.

Incredibly capable. Do not mistake his affability for weakness.

#navigation -> headcanon tag #enzo reyes #enzo reyes cod mwii #reyes mwii

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saleintothe90s · 1 year ago

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478. 93 things about 1993, part 4

(part 3)

(source)

18. ValuJet flies for the first time (October 26)

ValuJet's first flight was from Atlanta to Tampa on October 26, 1993. By 1994, the planes with their silly mascot on them had made 15 emergency landings! 1 On June 8, 1995 one of their ancient planes had an engine fire on the tarmac in Atlanta.

We all know what happened to ValuJet just 2 1/2 years later.

19. Kenneth Junior French kills 4 because of "gays in the military". (August 7th)

He got four life terms + an extra 35 years tacked onto his sentence.

Newsweek, February 8, 1993

20. Socks Mania

People went absolutely feral over Bill Clinton's cat, Socks. There was merch:

Such as this Socks cat food container (eBay seller passalong)

This Socks watch that I still remember seeing at my local Kmart in 1996. Yes, the battery was dead. (eBay seller ha-340226)

This socks doll I also remember seeing at Kmart on a family vacation in Ohio that I desperately wanted. (eBay seller 13navybeans)

I don't have the date on it, but here is a clip of kids petting Socks at Christmas.

21. Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett get married (June)

When Roberts returned to the set of The Pelican Brief following her wedding, the cast and crew (including co-star Denzel Washington) threw her a party in which they all wore shirts that read: "He’s A Lovely Boy … But You Really Must Do Something About His Hair" on the back. 2

They only lasted til 1995, but they were cute together.

22. Base Closings (March)

Growing up, I thought this was the first time bases closed in the U.S., ever. No, a whole bunch closed just a couple of years prior!

(source)

23. Florida tourists killed

The state government ordered that all company logos be removed from rental cars, and it abolished special license tags for such vehicles. Rental car agencies now give customers detailed safety brochures in English, Spanish, German and other languages, and they play tape recordings with similar messages over the public address systems in their rental offices every five minutes. 3

There was even a bit in the SNL episode (hosted by Shannen Doherty) where Phil Hartman played Disney's Michael Eisner, alerting tourists that you'll won't get murdered in northern Florida where Disney is:

Hi, I’m Michael Eisner, speaking to you from the Magic Kingdom here in Orlando. You know, for the last few months, Florida has been victim to a terrible tragedy: the horrific murder of nine foreign tourists in Southern Florida. We here in Northern Florida express our sympathies.. to the families of those murdered hundreds of miles away.. in Miami, the capitol of Southern Florida.

8 tourists were killed in 1993. 4

24. Miller Clear

Faced with lackluster sales, the Miller Brewing Company has ended its market test of Miller Clear, the brewing industry's first clear beer. "We're not manufacturing it any longer for the near term," Eric Kraus, a spokesman for the Milwaukee-based brewer, said on Tuesday. "We had a tremendous initial trial, but repeat business was not necessarily as good." The beer that has been made will be sold, but no more will be brewed, Mr. Kraus said. In April, Miller began test-marketing its clear beer in Richmond, Minneapolis and Austin, Tex. 4

(there's some more about it on Weird Universe)

25. Tonya Harding's dress pops (January)

Earlier this year, a snap on her costume broke at the United States championships. At the 1992 Olympic trials, her blades were mounted slightly out of position, leaving her stranded with a broken axel. Skate problems also delayed her arrival at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France, where she finished a disappointing fourth. By 1993, fourth was the best she could do at the United States championships. 5

“ValuJet - Airlinefiles.” n.d. Accessed October 13, 2023. https://airlinefiles.com/valujet?showall=1.

“TBT: Lyle Lovett and Julia Roberts Got Married After Dating for Just a Few Weeks.” n.d. InStyle. Accessed October 14, 2023. https://www.instyle.com/news/tbt-julia-roberts-lyle-lovett-relationship.

Rohter, Larry. “Tourist Is Killed in Florida Despite Taking Precautions.” The New York Times, September 9, 1993, sec. U.S. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/09/us/tourist-is-killed-in-florida-despite-taking-precautions.html.

Clary, Mike. “Woman Confesses to Killing German Tourist, Police Say : Crime: She Reports Being Angered When the Couple Targeted for Robbery Would Not Stop Their Rental Car. A Third Suspect Is Held.” Los Angeles Times. September 11, 1993. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-11-mn-34072-story.html.

Longman, Jere. “FIGURE SKATING; For Harding, Not All Sequins and Music.” The New York Times, October 26, 1993, sec. Sports. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/26/sports/figure-skating-for-harding-not-all-sequins-and-music.html. https://archive.ph/G5T63

#1993 #1990s #bill clinton #socks the cat #tonya harding #Julia roberts

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best-in-manassas-va · 2 months ago

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All Clean Power Wash in Manassas, VA

Do you want to know more about a commercial pressure washing Manassas, VA company? What about the popularity of All Clean Power Wash? Basically, you can research about the company online. After all, they educate their customers about roof cleaning and house washing. All Clean Powerwash is a top choice for homeowners in Northern, VA looking to have their property professionally cleaned. In addition, their team of experienced and trained technicians uses high-quality equipment and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to provide the best possible results. With All Clean Powerwash, their clients can expect their property to be protected and look like new again. Isn’t it amazing?

Manassas, VA

Are you planning for a vacation? If you’re looking for pre-scheduled activities in Manassas, VA, it is essential to check out online posts. Here are some examples. First, there will be a free event named BSM Wingfest this coming Thursday, September 19, 2024, at around 10:30 AM at Building Supply of Manassas. Second, the Beer Mile Run is scheduled on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at around 2:00 PM at Heritage Brewing Co. Lastly, you can also opt to attend the Belt Graduation September 27th & 28th (Manassas) on Friday, September 27, 2024, at around 5:00 PM at 9231 Sudley Road.

Manassas National Battlefield Park in Manassas, VA

For many years, the Manassas National Battlefield Park in Manassas, VA is well-known. If you enjoy exploration, it is also one of the best places you can visit at the present time. Basically, the Manassas National Battlefield Park encompasses nearly 5,100 acres of land and includes more than 40 miles of hiking trails. Apart from that, the park has developed a series of loop trails that traverse key areas of the First and Second Manassas Battlefields. Moreover, many of these recommended routes include trailside interpretive markers describing the battle action that occurred in that area and highlight the experiences of soldiers and civilians alike.

2024 General Election Candidate Profile: Allie Forkell for Manassas School Board

There are many interesting news reports in Manassas, VA area these days. One of the stories has something to do with Allie Forkell. Based on the news, as Manassas residents cast their ballots for president and Congress, the November 5, 2024 general election in the City of Manassas features local races as well. In the Manassas City School Board election, eight candidates are running for four seats, including Allie Forkell. Aside from that, it was mentioned in the news that four at-large Manassas City School Board seats are up for election on November 4, 2024. Lastly, the candidates include Christina Brooks, Diana Brown, Allie Forkell, Javanese Hailey, Zella Jones, Dayna-Marie Miles, Suzanne Seaberg and Maidy Whitesell.

Link to Map Driving Direction

Manassas National Battlefield Park 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA 20109, United States

Get on VA-234 S/Prince William Pkwy from Groveton Rd and Balls Ford Rd 5 min (2.4 mi)

Continue on Prince William Pkwy to Purcell Rd 12 min (9.6 mi)

Continue on Purcell Rd. Take Kahns Rd to Forest Oak Ct 6 min (2.7 mi)

All Clean Power Wash 12794 Forest Oak Ct, Manassas, VA 20112, United States

#pressure washing service manassas va #power washing manassas va #house washing manassas va #roof cleaning manassas va

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bike42 · 5 months ago

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PAWs Old World Wisconsin Ride

Monday, June 3 thru Wednesday June 5, 2024

The forecast for the next couple of days continued to look dismal, so we’re planning around weather-dot-com, and it looked like we could get out early and beat the rain on Monday as we rode from Whitewater to New Glarus.

At 6:30am we were packed up, and walked across the street for decaf latte and egg sandwich at Starbucks versus the questionable sanitation of the breakfast “buffet” at the hotel. I’m trying to not be a hotel snob here, but the crusty cheap hotels are the downside of the PAWs rides. Next to Starbucks was a nice new Marriott Fairfield where I’d have rather stayed!

Luggage truck opened at 7am, and we were riding by about 7:15am. As usual, we have a few stops and starts as we get going - stop to adjust the mirror, bug in the helmet, take off jacket, etc … but soon we were into a rhythm and heading towards Milton. I recognized a few of the roads from the IAT, pretty sure we roadwalked a similar path. The other tandem on the ride blew past us on an uphill, and we noted that they’d had a retrofitted motor on board. Hmmm.

The food stop was in a park in Milton, at about 14 miles - earlier in the day. We filled our pockets with snacks and didn’t stop long, conscious about the weather. Hal left the rest stop with us, Kendall told him he’d catch up (he’s younger and a strong rider). But outside of Milton, we had a long stretch on Cty Road M with a smooth, wide shoulder and we really moved with Hal drafting us. We had a fun 10 mile stretch going 15-20 MPH, slowing just a little on the hills. Fun for us to do that, but that’s about as long as we could sustain it. We approached Evansville from the NE and the hills started to roll, Kendall caught us just outside of town.

I needed a break off the bike, and we zoomed past “K’s Clean Eats and Treats” and saw riders on the patio so we turned around. We’d walked past there on the IAT but it was closed. We had a smoothie and listened to a fellow riders stories as we relaxed on the comfy patio chairs in the sunshine. We knew better than taking too long of a break, but we did it anyway.

We continued through Evansville, and headed NW out of town, into rolling hills. Yup, too long of a break. About 30 minutes later, the sky grew dark and it started raining. We stopped to don rain jackets, but it was still pretty warm (high 80’s), so I just put on my old rain jacket with the sleeves zipped off to make it a vest. We rode on Hwy 92 for about 5 miles in the rain, the most unpleasant part of the ride. The rain subsided, and we were back in familiar IAT territory just south of Belleville. I saw “Tunnel Road” on our route and knew that was a tough climb (as were the 3 or 4 after that). We approached New Glarus from the SE, so I was turned around and the last 5 miles felt like agony and that we wouldn’t ever get there!

The rain had let up, so we checked into the hotel, stashed our bike in the shed, and went to join Hal & Kendall and others on the patio. We’d arrived at 12:30pm, and we were hungry. There was no lunch available at the hotel, so people were walking to the BP station for snacks. I walked over there and bought some sandwiches, chips and a six pack of New Glarus Brewing Co Bock 40 beer. It started to rain again, but we were covered on the patio and it was a fun place to hang out for the afternoon. The rooms weren’t ready for many people so some had no choice. We headed up to our room, where I had a hot bath and then napped until the group dinner started at 5:30pm (that’s what happens when I drink beer in the afternoon)!

We had a nice dinner - good food, and met another couple from Arizona as well as two ladies from Iowa. After dinner, we walked around town, very quiet on a Monday night, and then walked to Culver’s for a small custard.

56.8 miles, 1981 ft elevation gain

3 hours of riding time (5.25 hours elapsed time)

Tuesday

There was an optional bike loop today, but we were ready for a day off the bike. We slept in, I got up and did some yoga, then we headed down for a really nice breakfast buffet in the hotel restaurant - eggs, potatoes, sausages, yogurts and cheeses, and really yummy pastries. After breakfast, we set off for the 1+ miles walk up the hill to the New Glarus Brewing Company. We really enjoyed the self-guided tour, amazing story of the couple who started it, their vision and their belief in giving back to the community and taking care of their employees really resonated with us. We hit the gift shop (we will have to head back there to buy the sign “Totally Naked” for our sauna as it was too fragile to fit into our suitcases).

Back to the hotel, it was time for lunch - beers and brats on the patio. It was a warm day, and that proved to be a great place to watch riders come in. We sat with a couple from Florida, Gretchen and Brent, and enjoyed their company. Then it was back to our room for a work zoom, some email to catch up on, etc.

We were back down for 4pm Happy Hour, featuring New Glarus beers. About 4:30, it starting drizzling, which thinned out the crowd a bit. We stayed until after 5, then walked down the path towards town with lots of others. We stopped at the pizza place, where we had salads and pizza, with leftovers for tomorrow. Of course, we had a cap off the night with a walk down to Culver’s for some custard! As we left Culver’s, the sky was dark with fast moving clouds. We speed walked back to the hotel, with the smell of the rain surrounding us. When we got to the hotel, people were coming out to watch the magical clouds - unlike any I’d ever seen. I stayed and watched until the heavy rain came, then went up to our room for the night.

Wednesday

We planned to get up and going early, but a check of the weather after the six am alarm showed = rain! Just a brief shower passing through. I got up and stretched a bit, dressed and finished packing, then had a leisurely breakfast. By 8am, the pavement was mostly dry and we headed out. It was a beautiful morning, and the scenery was lush and breathtaking … Wisconsin in June is really spectacular!

About 18 miles of mostly rolling hills, but a long climb as we approached Mt Horeb. The food stop was set up on the Military Ridge bike trail, nice facility, and access to a bike shop which was apparently overwhelmed with cyclists from our ride! Jeff went over there and bought a new mirror (some assembly required, so it was a longer break for us).

From there, the roads were very familiar to us, and I knew we had another big climb before we reach the WI River valley near Arena. The day was warm, and also quite windy. We were wiped out when we got to Arena, so we joined others at the gas station there and split a coke and a snickers bar. Just 10 flat miles to go, but into the wind. We were just peddling in a daze, until Hal, Kendall and two other guys came along - somehow we always do better with a challenge (or at least my captain does)!

The group is split into two hotels - most of us at the Spring Valley Inn, about 5 miles from Springs Green, and some at the Round Barn on Hwy 14 near SG. We arrived at our hotel about 1pm, time for left over pizza, showers, writing, reading, etc before a school bus picked us up at 4pm for Happy Hour at the Round Barn. This evening we met and enjoyed talking to a couple from Oklahoma - Lynn and Terry. Always fun comparing notes on other adventures, plus it’s their first time to Wisconsin and Lynn was so excited that tonight’s group dinner was at a supper club (Arthur’s). Since our dinner was our typical PAW group dinner buffet, it wasn’t the true supper club experience, but I went to the bar and bought a round of Old Fashioned’s and those were yummy!

There was a Culver’s next door and I’d hoped to get a custard, but it started raining cats and dogs again, so we piled into the school bus for transport back to our hotel.

45.8 miles, 1390 ft elevation gain

3.5 hours of riding time (4.75hours elapsed time)

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nwbeerguide · 7 months ago

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In celebration of National Beer Day Public Coast Brewing is releasing three news beers.

image courtesy Public Coast Brewing Press Release CANNON BEACH, Ore. (April 3, 2024) - Public Coast Brewing Co. has released three new beers in celebration of National Beer Day, April 7th: the vibrant Raspberry Tart Ale, A Little Bit Lager Now Cold IPA and A Little Light on the Schwarz Cold Red Ale. “In celebration of National Beer Day we’re excited to release three new brews–the vibrant Raspberry Tart Ale, a crisp Cold IPA and light bodied Cold Red Ale” said Ben Christianson, Public Coast’s brewer. “Each beer offers something a little different, but still delicious and approachable. The Raspberry Tart Ale is a bright, fruit-forward beer that has a light body, a touch of tartness with malts playing off the subtle sweetness from raspberries. While the Cold IPA offers notes of earthiness and floral aromas and the Cold Red Ale is a hybrid that blends our NW Honey Red with roasted malts.” Raspberry Tart Ale offers the vibrant essence of freshly-picked raspberries, with each sip harmoniously layering tangy sweetness balanced by a delicate tartness. Its effervescent body and subtle malt undertones provide a refreshing canvas for the bright, fruity notes and a citrus finish. Brewed with malted wheat, lemondrop hops and raspberry purée, Raspberry Tart has a 5.7% ABV – perfect for jumping into the liveliness of spring. Raspberry Tart Ale is part of Public Coast Brewing Co.’s Sour Series. A Little Bit Lager Now Cold IPA offers aromatic notes of earthiness, is medium bodied with an initial juicy taste and a quickly dissipating finish, ushered by a touch of sweetness. This beer was brewed at temperatures of an ale, and fermented at lower temps with a long lagering time. The Cold IPA has a 5.1% ABV and is a limited special-release beer. With notes of chocolate and toasted coffee, A Little Light on the Schwarz Cold Red Ale is a light bodied and an experimental hybrid that blends the Public Coast Farm NW Honey Red with roasted malts giving Schwarzbier vibes and lager feels. The Cold Red has a 5.1% ABV and is part of Public Coast Brewing Co.’s Farmstand Series. All three of the beers are available on tap at the Public Coast brewpub in Cannon Beach, with the Raspberry Tart Ale also available as a canned 4-pack. For a full list of beers on tap or order online for curbside pickup, visit: publiccoastbrewing.com/beer/. … About Public Coast Brewing Located just 70 miles west of Portland in Cannon Beach, Ore., Public Coast Brewing is named after the only true public coastlines in America: the Oregon Coast. The brewery features a 10bbl Brewhouse with two 30-barrel fermenters, two 20-barrel fermenters, and four 10-barrel fermenters. Public Coast Brewing also offers fresh and delicious fare from local farms and ranches, including their own - Public Coast Farm. Boasting a large pet-friendly patio, large community-style outdoor fire pit, and an open brewhouse easily viewed from the bar, Public Coast Brewing offers a relaxed and welcoming spot for the whole family. For more information please visit, http://publiccoastbrewing.com/. About Public Coast Farm Oregon’s historic Route 26, known to Portlanders as the Sunset Highway, has welcomed generations of families traveling to and from the coast on its forested byway. Now Public Coast Farm sits on that very route, straddling West Dairy Creek at the base of the Coastal Range, on a 40-acre site lush with blueberry bushes, beehives, fruit orchards and hops. The farm is fertile ground for the farm’s sister properties - the Stephanie Inn and Public Coast Brewing Co. - each of which incorporate Public Coast Farm’s fresh ingredients into delicious dishes and seasonal beers. from Northwest Beer Guide - News - The Northwest Beer Guide https://bit.ly/3U8kF7y

#Craft Beer #Beer #News

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fatehbaz · 4 years ago

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Thirty years ago Wednesday, on March 3, 1991, the Line 3 oil pipeline ruptured in Grand Rapids, Minn., spilling 1.7 million gallons of crude oil onto the frozen Prairie River.

It's still the largest inland oil spill in U.S. history.

Because the river was covered with ice, crews were able to keep the oil from reaching the Mississippi, 2 miles away. "There would be people on the ice, squeegeeing oil on top of the ice, which was weird, everything was weird, it was like some kind of gross landscape,” Scott Hall, a reporter for Grand Rapids public radio station KAXE, told MPR News in 2018 [...]

The Lakehead Pipeline Co. owned Line 3, which was built in the 1960s to carry oil from Canada, at the time of the spill. And the company that succeeded Lakehead, Enbridge Energy, is now replacing that same Line 3 with a new pipeline along a different route across the state.

Construction on the new line began in earnest in December [2020]. But Native American tribes and environmental groups continue to fight the $4 billion project, on the ground and in court.

At least 50 people gathered at the Prairie River near the spill site in Grand Rapids Wednesday. Law enforcement issued citations to dozens of protesters after they blocked traffic on U.S. Highway 2.

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Headline, images, captions, and text published by: Dan Kraker and Kirsti Marohn. “30 years later, echoes of largest inland oil spill remain in Line 3 fight.” Minnesota Public Radio News. 3 March 2021.

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Context:

From: Alan Macleod. “Could the Next Standing Rock Be Brewing in Northern Minnesota?” MintPress News. 22 December 2020.

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nice-bright-colors · 2 years ago

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So this is nice:

Within 1/2 mile from me (walking distance):

Snooze AM Eatery

Mod Pizza

Rusty Taco

Caribou Coffee

AMC Theater

Chuy’s

About a little over 1 mile away:

Target

99 Floyd’s Barber Shop

Hacienda Colorado

Starbucks

Panera Bread (soon to be)

Between 1.5 and 2.5 miles away:

Westminster Brewing Co

4 Noses Brewing Co

The Colorado Keg House (75 taps!!!!)

Rails End Brewing Co

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery (if we can count that one since it’s a chain)

Honorable mention: near that AMC was (now closed) Rock Bottom Brewery. I could’ve walked to it had it survived the Pandemic. I have a long and detailed history with all (4) Illinois RB locations. Those were the days.

I’m sad to report that my beloved Total Beverage is now 3 miles away, and no longer within walking distance.

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pedalnorthvatome · 2 years ago

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Maine delivered on our last day of riding.

I was up and sitting on the porch at the Inn by 6am. I saw a flock of ducks landing and taking off on the river. I also saw a seal pop up as it swam towards the sea. The sun was bright, the sky crystal clear, and the air brisk at around 50 degrees.

Philip and I took our time leaving. We had a slow breakfast, several cups of coffee/tea, and even napped a little. We were waiting for the temps to get just a little warmer. Besides, our ride was to be our shortest at about 32 miles. We actually extended it from 26 miles to take the scenic route through Cutler.

Last day’s route.

After our goodbyes, we were on the major road to Lubec for about a quarter mile. We made a right turn over the Middle River and onto the Cutler road. Very quickly the views started to open up. It was low tide so we were looking at mostly empty marshes and later mud flats and the sea beyond. Traffic was light so it was easy to pull over to take pictures and admire the view.

Middle River behind us. 1/4 mile into our day.

Tide was out. Hope you can zoom to see the ocean in the distance.

Yes, that is a car on the mud flat. Zoom to see the guy digging for clams next to the car.

In the harbor town of Cutler we saw about a half dozen trucks with trailers loaded with lobster traps. They were waiting for their turns to roll down the ramp to the water to load their boats. We didn’t see any actual loading. That would have been interesting considering it was low tide and I couldn’t figure out how they would transfer from trailer to boat. Regardless, the harbor made for some good sightseeing.

First view of Cutler harbor.

Cutler pano.

After Cutler we spent more time away from the ocean views. The road was smooth and without traffic so we made good progress. At around mile 22 we stopped at the Lubec town line as the “ten miles to finish” countdown began.

We came into town on a major road but had no issues. I think we cling to the outskirts of town so I have yet to see is Lubec is quaint. Whether or not, it’s water views are simply spectacular!

Along the way I saw a sign the said Canada with an arrow point the way. We followed it and in a couple minutes we were at the border. Done. All that was left to do was celebrate at the only open restaurant in town.

Philip completes his coast to coast, Key West to Canada.

I complete my longest bike tour and visit Maine for the first time.

I’ll wrap today’s blog by saying that we did meet several interesting people in the restaurant. One woman, Sarah, said that doing a ride like ours was on her bucket list but time and money were an issue. We told her to just do it. She was also thinking about starting a foundation for other people who want to do adventure trips but can’t afford it. She wanted to call it the Now Or Never Foundation. We suggested a different name… The Now NOT Never Foundation.

Cheers!

Last addition to the beer list:

Johnson Bay IPA - Lubec Brewing Co. - Lubec, ME

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grailfinders · 3 years ago

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Fate and Phantasms #163

Today on Fate and Phantasms we’re making the Alter Ego of Pleasure, Meltryllis! This one’s easy, all we gotta do is make a vampiric ballerina A.I. out of water and strap knives to her feet. In vaguely medieval times.

Yep, real easy.

Nothing to it, really.

Won’t even break a sweat on this one.

Tootally not stalling here.

Fine, we’ll really do it. Build breakdown below the cut, character sheet over here.

Next up: She’s got huge... tracts of hand.

Race and Background

So, uh... tackling the big questions first, I guess. The obvious answer here is just Custom Lineage, but we’re trying to make someone made of acid here, and slightly reflavored human just isn’t going to cut it.

Instead, we’re going with Water Genasi because let’s be honest literally nothing would actually fit here, and we already set a precedent with Arjuna and Karna. This increases your Wisdom by 1 and your Dexterity by 2. You also get resistance to acid damage because melting acid is dumb, you’re Amphibious, allowing you to breathe air and water, you can swim, and you can cast Shape Water for some fancy ballet visuals thanks to your Call to the Wave.

Your background is... complicated to integrate into D&D, but you do get a lot from your mother, so we’ll modify the Inheritor background and make you an A.I.nheritor, giving you proficiency with Arcana (the closest thing to tech in D&D) and Performance thanks to your obsession with pirouettes.

Ability Scores

You’re good at spinning around and stabbing people with swords while spinning around, so make sure your Dexterity is as high as possible. Bending yourself into a pretzel is only half the battle though, so keep your Charisma high too. Your Wisdom also isn’t that bad, you’re usually hooked into the universe’s admin systems whenever you pop up, so you’re pretty aware of things, even if you can’t feel them. Your Intelligence isn’t that bad, you’re literally a hyper-advanced A.I., I bet you’re good at calculus. This means your Constitution and Strength are pretty low. You’re canonically built for offense, and while I would’ve dumped Constitution instead of Strength normally I checked out how much HP you’d be left with and that’d just be cruel, even for me.

Class Levels

1. Monk 1: We’re starting off as monk right away so you can have Unarmored Defense to make your Armor Class good even in a leotard. You also get Martial Arts, giving you a bonus action attack, dexterity based attacks, and a d4 minimum for monk attacks.

Just saying here that we’re reflavoring your heels as short swords. This lets you dual-wield for two shoes (though it is kind of redundant since you already get bonus action attacks with your kicks anyway) and they’re pointy and already monk weapons.

You also get proficiency with Strength and Dexterity saves, as well as the physical skills Acrobatics and Athletics to make your dance moves flashier and your routines longer.

2. Monk 2: Second level monks get Ki which you can use to Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or attack twice as a bonus action by spending a ki point. You get Monk Level ki points per short rest.

You also get Unarmored Movement, making you a bit lighter on your feet.

3. Sorcerer 1: It’s been said that eldritch abominations are just outside context problems for the universe, and it doesn’t get more outside D&D’s context than a sentient AI. That’s why you’re an Aberrant Mind sorcerer, which gives you Psionic Spells for free (most of which we’ll be swapping out) and Telepathic Speech, giving you the ability to tap into Seraph’s chat system to speak telepathically with another creature for Sorcerer Level minutes, as long as you stay within Charisma Modifier miles of each other. I don’t know how you could get two miles away in less than a minute, but have fun figuring that out.

Also also your Call to the Wave improves, and you can cast Create or Destroy Water once per long rest.

Speaking of Spells, you can cast those now by using your Charisma modifier. You get the first steps of the Melt Virus thanks to your Acid Splash and Tasha’s Caustic Brew to soften up even the toughest of enemies. You also get Blade Ward because seriously try to cut water. Message is just another chat program, and Sword Burst lets you try spinning. It’s a good trick!

You also get Arms of Hadar, Dissonant Whispers, and Mind Sliver for free from your psionic spells, but we’re going to replace DW with Detect Magic right away. You’re jacked into the system, magic shouldn’t be hard to figure out.

4. Monk 3: Bouncing back to monk real quick to become a Drunken Master. You can Deflect Missiles by kicking them back as a reaction, reducing their damage and launching it back if they’re reduced to 0. You also get a Drunken Technique, making yourself even faster when you start hurting people. Using a flurry of blows lets you disengage for free, and your walking speed increases by another 10 feet.

5. Sorcerer 2: Second level sorcerers are a Font of Magic, giving you sorcery points that can be spent to recharge spell slots, among other things that don’t unlock til next level.

You can also cast Comprehend Languages now, and you should replace Arms of Hadar with Identify. Just stick it in your inventory and read the name, it’s not hard.

6. Sorcerer 3: Thanks to second level spells, you can now Blur the edges of your body to become harder to hit. You also get Calm Emotions and Detect Thoughts as freebies, though neither one is really justified, which is unfortunate.

Thankfully all your other spells get cooler thanks to Metamagic! Spend sorcery points to change a spells damage type with Transmuted Spell or make it harder to save against thanks to Heightened Spell!

7. Monk 4: Bouncing back to monk again gives you your first Ability Score Improvement, so bump up your Charisma for stronger spells. You can also Slow Fall as a reaction to avoid fall damage because all those heels kind of act like shocks. You also get Quickened Healing to spend ki points to heal yourself as an action. This probably isn’t canonical, but trust me, you’ll need it.

8. Sorcerer 4: Now that your spells are okay, use this ASI to get the Elemental Adept feat for Acid spells. Your spells now ignore resistance to acid damage and all your dice count as at least a 2 for damage. Considering how much Acid spells love d4s, this is a serious upgrade.

This level, you can use Green-Flame Blade (Green-Acid Blade?) and Enhance Ability to make your dance moves even better.

9. Sorcerer 5: Fifth level sorcerers can autocorrect thanks to their Magical Guidance, spending a sorcery point to re-roll a failed skill check. You also get a proper Melt Virus upgrade thanks to Vampiric Touch, dealing necrotic damage and healing yourself. Sadly you can’t turn this into acid damage, but it’s still pretty good on its own.

You also get more freebies from Psionic Spells, Hunger of Hadar makes for a pretty good Sarasvati Meltout vortex for at a low level, creating an area of difficult terrain that deals cold and acid damage on creatures that start and end their turn in it, respectively. You also get Sending, another chat client that can work even with people in other servers (planes).

10. Sorcerer 6: Your brand new Water Walk will let you stay on top of your own Meltout.

You also get Psionic Sorcery, not to be confused with Psionic Spells, that lets you cast Psionic Spells without verbal or somatic components if you spend sorcery points. You can also ignore material components if they’re not consumed by the spell.

On top of all of that, your Psychic Defenses firewall kicks in, giving you resistance to psychic damage and advantage on saves against being charmed or frightened. Lets be real, your mother is way scarier than any dumb goblin could be.

11. Monk 5: Fifth level monks get an Extra Attack each action, so now you can kick with both legs without using your bonus action! Your Stunning Strike can also be used by spending a ki point to force a constitution save on a creature you hit with a monk attack. If the target fails, they’re stunned for a round, giving you the perfect opening to torment them even more.

12. Monk 6: Sixth level monks get Ki-Empowered Strikes, making your fists magical weapons. You’re kind of a magical construct, so that just makes sense. Since you’re a drunken master, you also get your Tipsy Sway, speeding up how much speed you need to stand up and letting you turn your pleasure into another creature’s pain by redirecting attacks that miss you.

13. Sorcerer 7: For your fourth level spells, you can use Vitriolic Sphere for even more Acid, possibly even taking more damage on the next turn unless they pass their dexterity save. You also get more Psionic Spells, but I’ll save you the headache and just tell you what we’re swapping them with. Get Arcane Eye this level, and Locate Creature next level. One benefit to being an AI; access to the world map.

14. Sorcerer 8: Grab the Piercer feat to round up Dexterity, boosting your AC and attack power. You can also re-roll a piercing die once per turn. You also deal an extra die of damage on critical piercing attacks. You also get a Watery Sphere to restrain creatures within... drumroll please... a watery sphere. A great way to hold enemies in place while you pelt them with acid.

15. Sorcerer 9: Your fifth level spells include Enervation for a longer lasting Melt Virus, as well as Psionic Spells Rary’s Telepathic Bond for a whole chatroom, and Legend Lore. Tune into the BB channel to learn about your favorite subjects!

16. Sorcerer 10: Grab Quickened Spell as your third Metamagic option to add extra power to your rounds. Attack twice as an action, then Green-Acid Blade for even more pain!

You also get Skill Empowerment to give yourself expertise on skills you’re already good at for the greatest dances you’ve ever seen. We’re also pretty much set on good cantrips, so grab On/Off for the flavor. You can now turn nearby electronic devices on or off as an action. Honestly you could probably use a lot of the Modern Magic spells if your DM allows for it.

17. Sorcerer 11: Tasha’s Otherworldly Guise gives you a fancier outfit that makes you immune to fire and poison or radiant and necrotic damage depending on what role you choose to play. You’re also immune to being poisoned or Charmed, respectively. Your weapon attacks are now magical, and you get +2 to your AC. You get a flying speed for truly impressive jumps. You can also use your Charisma instead of dexterity to attack, but your dexterity’s better, so...

18. Sorcerer 12: Use your last ASI to bump up your Charisma. Stronger spells are always good.

19. Sorcerer 13: With your new seventh level spells, you can fully unleash your sadism thanks to Power Word Pain. If the target has fewer than 100 HP and it can be charmed, it becomes wracked with crippling pain. It can only move 10 feet per round, it has disadvantage on attacks, checks, and saves (aside from constitution saves). It also has to succeed on a constitution save to not waste the spell slot. At the end of each turn it has to try and make a constitution save, otherwise, the spell is indefinite.

20. Sorcerer 14: Your capstone level turns you into a Revelation in Flesh. As a bonus action, you can transform yourself for 10 minutes using 1 sorcery point for each ability you want to activate. These options include:

Truesight on invisible creatures (6/10 canonicity, might as well with all the divination spells you’ve got)

A flying speed (8/10 canonicity, can justify with sick jumps)

A swimming speed and underwater breathing (5/10 canonicity, but you already have these abilities so it doesn’t really matter)

Your body becomes basically liquid, able to squeeze through inch width gaps and escape from grapples and restraints. (10/10 canonicity, this is literally why we’re here.)

Pros:

With deflect missiles, a decent enough AC of 16/18 with Tasha’s Guise, and your Psychic Defenses, you’re decent enough at dealing with ranged attackers.

This is especially useful, as your mobility will keep you one step away from the melee fighters, letting you pick and choose your fights. You’re fast, and you can fly or run on water for extra escape options.

For most damage types, elemental adept is a nice addition, but nothing game changing. Not so with acid spells. So many acid spells use d4s, meaning the difference between 1 and 2 is greatly appreciated, as is the ignored resistances.

Cons:

If something can catch up to you, it’ll find out real fast just how squishy you are. Those sorcerer hit dice did not do you any favors, leaving you with only 75 HP. Be careful around high level casters with a good antivirus (Power Word Kill), or they might just delete you. Also literally any fighter.

While elemental adept helps, Acid Immunity is also pretty common in D&D. While Transmuting your spells (and just hitting people) will help keep you from being a sitting duck in those fights, it’s still a glaring weak point.

Outside of your spells, your physical attacks aren’t particularly powerful thanks to being stuck with short swords. So if you start running out of spell slots, retreating might be a good idea. A glass cannon without the cannon is just a bad thing to be.

#fate grand order #fgo #D&D 5e #DND #Meltryllis #Sorcerer #Monk

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malikmata · 3 years ago

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Notes from a Brown Boy - Kansas Diaries

*Author’s Note: Some people’s names have been changed to protect their identities

The rain was the first thing to greet me when I landed in Wichita. Overhead the gray clouds loomed, shadowing the farmland that yawned in the distance. Distance. At first glance, the city seemed like one long stretch of prairies and cracked parking lots, occasionally punctuated by billboards of grinning injury lawyers and lit up restaurant road signs.

If you spend enough time here amid the crumbling old buildings, watching the weeds sway in the vacant lots, you’ll feel the slow, inevitable creep of dread or something like it.

It’s easy to feel lonely here.

But, if you’re receptive enough, you’ll run into many friendly folks. Sometimes too friendly.

For example: During my first week, I went to Freddy’s, a local fast food chain, and ordered a crispy chicken sandwich with fries. The cashier, a young woman with glasses and short blonde hair, suddenly started confessing her fear that her 8-year old chihuahua wouldn’t live a long life.

“I still think of him as a teenager,” she said.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “He’s a chihuahua. They live long lives.”

Out here, in the most middle-of-the-road cities, you sometimes get a chance to show an act of passing kindness. While waiting in line at one of the hip, new cafes downtown, a place called Milkfloat, a tall elderly gentleman recommended which coffee and pastry to get.

“My wife says this place has the best cold brew in town.” Afterwards, grabbing his pastry and coffee, he wished me a good day. Most folks here always do and you better hope it comes true. Because here, like elsewhere, a day is filled with ordinary heartbreaks.

I will simply call her “Tita.” She works as a tailor at a department store, the only tailor working there, hemming and tapering racks full of suit pants under fluorescent lights. The nature of the job requires exact measurements and a keen eye for detail. She works hard, often skips lunch, and comes home dead tired. Her husband is recovering from 4 broken ribs after a car repair job went awry. Nothing can be done but wait until he gets better.

They live in a languid suburb on Wichita’s east side, a street with few sidewalks but plenty of lawn.

And noise. Plenty of noise. The neighborhood sits next to a car dealership. The skies overhead rumble continuously with airplanes and thunderstorms. Dogs bark at anyone who gets too close. A pickup truck blasts a corny country song as the cicadas and frogs belt out their lonely mating calls. Occasionally, a child’s laughter rises above it all.

Gossip is one of the great pastimes in towns like these. Even if you shut yourself up in your home, stories trickle in.

The neighbor across the street shot himself in the head.

The elderly couple that used to live next door got committed to a nursing home.

A fellow around the corner is on his third attempt to grow weed.

A college student starves himself morning to night so that he can save money for college.

Down the street, a kid lifts weights and punches the heavy bag hanging on his front porch.

Here, dumb luck seems, more so than in the big cities, the providence of God.

A man told me he got a job installing new carpets at a friend’s house. He was in desperate need of money, having sent most of it to his mother back home, who proceeded to gamble it away. When he ripped out the old carpet, he found a bundle of $10,000 dollars just lying there. His co-worker said, “We should split it.”

“No, no, we can’t take it.” the man said. He gave the money to his friend.

Sometime later, he went to the casino and couldn’t stop winning jackpot after jackpot. He brought home close to $16,000 in one night.

“So, if you do something good,” he told me, “God will remember that.”

Many people have come to live and die here, all of them wrapped up in the melancholic churning of faded ambitions and familial obligations.

Some people here have found something that returns them to the placidity they once felt in their youth. Sometimes that’s enough to keep them going.

For example:

I met Phil Uhlik, the namesake of the music store on E Douglas. He heard me playing an old Martin acoustic in one of the rooms. He shuffled in slightly hunched over, wearing a blue paisley shirt and brown shorts. He looked at the sunburst guitar in my hands and said, “It’s got a little beauty mark there.” He pointed to a small nick just above the sound hole. “All girls have beauty marks.” He pointed to his cheeks and smiled.

Uhlik started this music store 51 years ago and enjoys every moment of it.

“When you go to work for Boeing, that’s work,” he said. “But this, it doesn’t feel like work.” He motioned to the instruments all around him.

“How’d you get started?” I asked.

“I started off playing one of these,” he said, taking one of the accordions off a nearby shelf. As he strapped it on, all the years seemed to disappear. With a big crooked-teeth grin, he breathed life into the old accordion, his hands dancing up and down the keys. The smile never left his face as we bid farewell to each other.

I wish everyone in this world were as lucky as Phil.

I’m always seeking indie bookstores when I travel. Eighth Day Books provides much needed shelter from the summer heat. The shop was built 33 years ago and used to be located about half a mile east, in Clifton Square Village. About 17 years ago they moved to their current location, a 1920 Dutch-style colonial house on the corner of E Douglas and N Erie. Its blue trimmed windows peek through the foliage of neighboring trees.

When you walk in, you’ll see shelves of books on Christianity and Theological studies, most notably in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. I’ve never seen a bookshop with a section dedicated to Iconography.

Wichita, despite its size, feels like a small place. And with that cramped spaciousness, you’re likely to run into someone you may remember or who may remember you. Here I ran into my girlfriend’s 8th grade English teacher. A bald, bespectacled man with a gentle demeanor. After a bit of catching up, he said to us with a smile, “I hope all your dreams come true.”

The short story writer, Raymond Carver, once wrote: “Dreams… are what you wake up from.”

Wichita is a land that hypnotizes you; it makes you dream, dream of something beyond the miles of strip malls and airplane factories, beyond the shocks of wheat and windswept plains, beyond the doldrums and ennui. But it also shakes you awake, reminds you that you’re in it, that you better stop dreaming.

I’m not the religious sort anymore, having survived the regime laid down by my Catholic parents. But there is something enthralling, maybe even inspirational, when I look at the rows of beautifully painted portraits of saints and martyrs. Such solemn faces surrounded by golden halos. According to the Eastern Orthodox tradition, such paintings transcend art; they’re supposed to be windows through which you can glimpse the divine. They remind me of my grandparents with their judging eyes and moral seriousness.

My book haul for the day:

Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata

The Diary of Anne Frank

Earthly Signs: Moscow Diaries by Marina Tsvetaeva

Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector

In that last book, I found this lovely little passage:

…”in the Revolution, as always, the weight of everyday life falls on women: previously--in sheaves, now in sacks. Everyday life is a sack with holes. And you carry it anyway.”

From Earthly Signs, P. 40

According to the 2019 United States census bureau, 15.9% of Wichita's population lives below the poverty line. That’s higher than the state average, which hovers around 11.4%. That’s not the lowest nor is it the highest in the country. As befitting its location, Kansas is right in the middle.

The minimum wage in Kansas is still $7.25 despite efforts to increase it to $15. When Covid-19 hit, city and service workers bore the brunt of the impact. You can keep all your empty slogans like “We Love Our Frontline Workers.” Congratulate me all you want for my hard work but where’s my pay?

When you see that business here has returned to normal--people freely walking around without masks, no longer socially distancing--it still feels all too strange; we spent an entire year under lockdown. There’s still a pandemic by the way.

Loved ones fell ill, died alone, hooked up to ventilators in closed off hospital rooms. I believe every interaction now carries the weight of all those deaths. My family, like so many others, didn’t escape unscathed from the pandemic. My grandpa, Amang, caught Covid. Since he was an elderly citizen (and suffering from emphysema to boot), he was among those considered most at risk. We all feared the worst. Somehow he survived. The doctors called him a “trailblazer.”

Now, with businesses back to 100% capacity, I’m afraid that, just like the 1918 Flu epidemic, the past will fade like a nightmare upon waking. But it was so much more than that; it was an avoidable tragedy.

If you want to know what this pandemic has done to people and their livelihoods, is still doing to them, take a ride through downtown.

Things were already going bad before Covid hit. Back in 2004, the writer Thomas Frank wrote,

“There were so many closed shops in Wichita… that you could drive for blocks without ever leaving their empty parking lots, running parallel to the city streets past the shut-down sporting goods stores and toy stores and farm implement stores.”

What’s the Matter with Kansas: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America, P. 75

What led to all this blight? Frank attributes the decline to:

“the conservatives’ beloved free market capitalism, a system that, at its most unrestrained, has little use for smalltown merchants or the agricultural system that supported the small towns in the first place.”

-P. 79

The same story happens in a lot of places. A megacorporation keeps eating everything around it and leaves nothing else at the table.

The people are left hurting, a pit in their stomachs, and some asshole somewhere profits off of it.

While at the DMV, I overheard this:

“You have a good day now,” the security guard said.

“I’ll try my best,” a woman said.

My girlfriend heard them too and laughed.

“You really do have to try your best in order to have a good day here.”

At some point, we hit the town with a couple friends: Monica, and her boyfriend Will. Both are musicians trying to carve out their niche in a place that, on the surface, seems apathetic to creative pursuits.

It’s impossible to not be captured by their energy. As soon as we walk into their house, Monica, with her dark blonde hair draped over her shoulders, reached in for a hug. Will, a tall and bearded fellow with a bear-like presence, also went in for the hug.

“Ready to experience some Wichita nightlife?” Monica asked.

What is the nightlife here like? A group of high school punks wanted to fight us over a couple movie theater seats. Bored kids play rounds of “Chinese Fire Drill” at stop lights. I heard a nazi biker gang rolled into town at some point during my stay. Regular things like that.

At a low-key bar downtown called Luckys, I met a guy named Cory. He told me how he met a 15 year old kid loitering here, looking lost and forlorn.

“I don’t know what kind of advice I can give you but I’ll do the best I can,” Cory said.

This is the spirit I’ve often come across during my stay: A sort of slightly intrusive compassion. For a cynical Californian like me, the behavior seems a little strange, maybe even a little annoying. But I’ve come to appreciate the candor of it.

“Guaranteed we’ll know half the people here,” Will said.

Right away, he shook hands with the bartender—a high school friend of his—and asked him how his band was doing. Afterwards, we sat down and talked. Talking, after a year of pandemic lockdown, has become a lost art to me. But a little alcohol loosened the lips and suddenly I talked as though I’d known these people my whole life.

Will sipped his whisky on the rocks and told me:

“If everything in this world is meant to break down eventually, then any act of creation becomes an act of defiance.”

It may sound naive but to me, it’s true. I think about the words of the writer, John Berger:

Compassion defies the laws of necessity. To forget yourself and identify with a stranger has a power that defies the supposed natural order of things.

--The Shape of a Pocket, P. 179

Making art has to be, in some way, a compassion act, because it involves letting the environment and the people you meet speak for themselves, allowing a collaboration.

“When a painting is lifeless it is the result of the painter not having the nerve to get close enough for a collaboration to start… Every authentic painting demonstrates a collaboration.”

--The Shape of a Pocket, P. 16

You need to open yourself up, feel what someone is saying behind their words, and hopefully, feel what they feel.

Art, like Compassion, is defiant.

Among the 4 or so Asian markets here, you can find all the ingredients you need to cook up something good. During my first week, I stopped at a place called Grace Market. Like a lot of small Asian markets, it’s family run. A father from Taiwan. A mother from Korea. The son usually helps out when he can. Today (June 23), On this warm Wednesday morning, the son is manning the cash register.

“You’re from California? I’m from there too,” he said.

“Where at?” I asked.

“Sacramento. How about you? So Cal?”

“Nah, Bay Area.”

“Funny. That’s where my parents met.”

“Small world.”

On a different day, we met the father, a jovial man who never fails to say hi when you walk in. He came here over a couple decades ago from California, doing work for the US Army in Garden City. Once his service was over, he decided to stay in Kansas.

“I think you know why,” he said.

More and more young folks these days are leaving California. The high cost of living is presumably what’s driving this exodus. I told him I was also thinking of leaving the Golden State, as much as I love the place.

“Well, a town like this has a lot of potential if you want to save money,” he said. “If I tried to start this business in California, I don’t think I could’ve done it.”

The summer heat can, with the suddenness of a lightning flash, give way to thunderous storms. Speaking as someone from California, whose home has gone through excruciating periods of drought and wildfire, these nightly downpours are a startling yet relaxing sight.

The distant boom of thunder in the distance reminds you of how much of our lives depend on the weather, how small we are in comparison, how we are never separate from the goings-on of nature. The rain doesn’t come down lightly here. At night, it smacks and drums against the window pane with all the force of an animal trying to get inside.

But I don’t find myself frightened by it so much as awed by the combined power of wind and rain colliding against our rickety old house.

Kansas lies in the Great Plains, where layers of cool and warm air often combine into a low-level jet stream. Unimpeded by any natural obstacles on the wide flat plains, the wind roars across the expanse. Thunder growls over the prairie. And lightning flashes on the horizon in a fearsome red tinge.

The storm rages throughout the night, the only source of light in an ocean-sized plain.

“In general, the gods of the Wichita are spoken of as "dreams," and they are divided into four groups: Dreams-that-are-Above (Itskasanakatadiwaha), or, as the Skidi would say, the heavenly gods; and (2) Dreams-down-Here (Howwitsnetskasade), which, according to the Skidi terminology, are the earthly gods. The latter "dreams" in turn are divided into two groups: Dreams-living-in-Water (Itska-sanidwaha), and the Dreams-closest-to-Man (Tedetskasade)”

From The Mythology of the Wichita, P. 33

If you go downtown, you’ll see a sculpture called “The Keeper of the Plains.”

It’s almost 9 o’ clock when I get there, so large crowds have gathered to watch the ring of fire lit around its perimeter.

The statue was designed by indigenous artist and craftsman, Blackbear Bosin. Born in Cyril, Oklahoma, but living much of his adult life in Wichita, Kansas, Bosin was of Comanche and Kiowa descent and almost entirely self-taught as an artist.

When you come upon the Keeper of the Plains, standing tall on the fork of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers, you can’t help but feel a mix of admiration and sadness. It’s a striking statue, especially when set against the beautiful orange and lavender hues of the setting sun. But monuments like these end up reminding you of the Wichita peoples who were killed, displaced, driven from their land, and left to die in reservations, forgotten. The tribes that once lived here along the southern plains still show traces of their culture but now, you’ll see it mostly as a memory in a museum or as art hanging on the walls of a library.

I learned from a video by the Wichita Eagle that the last speaker of the Wichita language, Doris Jean Lamar, died back in 2016. It must be indescribably lonely to be the last speaker of a language. There is no one to have a conversation with, no one to whom you can confess your hopes or your regrets. But in the video, Lamar, even knowing that she is the last speaker, expresses hope that future generations will know what the language sounded like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ScPkN_xGRI

Is forgiveness even possible when injustices are still committed today against native peoples everywhere?

Not enough can be said about the skies here, which seem at times so brilliantly marbled with peach and lavender colors that you begin to walk with your head perpetually craned upwards.

It’s this aspect, the overwhelming sense of the sublime, that will probably stay with me long after I’ve left Kansas.

I think again about the nature of dreams. It isn’t such a sin to dream about things, about things that haven’t happened yet, and about things that have happened. To quit dreaming seems too cynical, like admitting from the outset that everything is screwed, that you should stop trying.

During my stay here, I’ve met many people who aren’t so irony poisoned yet, people who are achingly sincere and kind. They haven’t stopped trying. There isn’t much room for cynicism here. I appreciate that a lot.

Farewell to you, Kansas, you and your clumps of cumulus and vast fields of cows and grass. I’ll see you again.

Check out Will’s music! It’s gloomy, melancholy, and LOUD!: https://teamtremolo.bandcamp.com/album/intruder

#diary #photoblog #photo diary #midwest #kansas #travel diaries

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pandemicperipatetics · 3 years ago

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Two Weeks in Denver

The Verdict:

We spent 13 nights in Denver (well actually, just south of Denver in Greenwood Village). With the beautiful outdoors, friendly people, and the best/chillest drivers of anywhere we've driven in the U.S., it was our favorite stop so far! It seems like a wonderful place to live. Denver is large and seems to have lots of stuff to do in the city and surrounding areas, so this post covers just a fraction of the options.

Things to Do:

Hiking (Ranked in order of our most to least recommended)

Rocky Mountain National Park (~2 hrs drive): Check out our RMNP blog post!

Boulder (45 min drive): We didn't have a chance to hike in Boulder, but we hear it's awesome. We had hoped to stop by Chautauqua Park to check out the trails (we read that Enchanted Mesa Trail was a good 4-miler) or El Dorado Canyon State Park. We did enjoy walking along Pearl Street, where there are plenty of tasty treats (we enjoyed smoothie bowls) and appreciated the free parking in the city's covered parking garages (we parked at 1500 Pearl, which was a perfect location). Logistics: Waze told us there was a toll on the Interstate to Boulder, but Google Maps thought it was a toll-free drive. The answer? There is an optional toll lane on the highway, but you can make the trip in the toll-free lanes.

Red Rocks (30-40 min drive): This is a naturally occurring amphitheatre that is best known for evening concerts against an incredibly scenic vista. While we weren't looking for a crowded concert during the pandemic, we visited in the morning and were blown away by how beautiful the amphitheatre was (and how many stairs there were to get to the top!). We also walked the beautiful 1.4 mile Red Rocks Trading Post Trail loop, which also had a moderate amount of uphill/downhill. It was VERY hot and sunny when we got there around 10:30 a.m.; though the weather app said it was below 80 degrees, the sun was really beating down. Next time, we'd go earlier in the day (later can be tricker due to concerts in the evenings) for better weather and hopefully smaller crowds. Logistics: We just entered Red Rocks into Google Maps and it took us to a parking lot near the amphitheatre. The trail was just a couple minutes' walk from the parking area, near the Trading Post building. Parking was free and not too hard to find.

Vail/Breckenridge area (~90 mins drive): We didn't have a chance to visit, but it sounds like there's very nice hiking around here in the summer.

Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs (~1 hr drive): When we got a nail in our tire and had to get the tire replaced, the nice guy at Firestone highly recommended we visit these areas for beautiful scenery. While we didn't make it, we read that Garden of the Gods can get very crowded, especially with Instagram-focused tourists more so than a hiking acrowd. We also read that it's not quite as nice as the Utah National Parks or Sedona. Pike's Peak also sounds touristy; there is a coveted tram that takes you to the top, at 14K feet of elevation -- after moderate altitude sickness at RMNP, we decided to sit this one out.

Denver Neighborhoods & Sights (Ranked in order of our most to least-recommended)

Denver Botanic Gardens (free with American Horticultural Society membership): This is one of the most beautiful botanic gardens we've ever seen, anywhere. It was also excruciatingly crowded on a Saturday morning and a very un-fun experience to find parking. Despite how stunning the gardens are, we preferred the much less crowded walk through Cheesman Park and the cute surrounding neighborhood. Logistics: If the Botanic Gardens parking garage and parking lot are full, park for free at nearby Congress Park, Cheesman Park, or on a random side street a 5+ min walk from the gardens. Be observant of street signs to make sure you haven’t parked in a residential area that requires a parking permit.

RiNo (River North Arts District): About a 10 minute drive from downtown, RiNo is a hip area full of breweries, street art, and run-down looking houses. On a Saturday around 2pm, street parking was sparse (but free) and the breweries seemed packed with people. We read that the street murals are at their best on 26th-31st streets between Larimer & Walnut, and we weren't blown away in comparison to Plaza Walls in Oklahoma City or The Mission in San Francisco. Due to the extreme heat we didn't stick around, but we were interested in checking out Finns Manor (cocktails + food trucks), Denver Central Market (High Point Creamery apparently offers an ice cream flight?!), and a few breweries. Maybe next time! Logistics: Street parking is free.

Washington Park: This is very nice park for a stroll. When we went on a Saturday evening around sunset, it wasn’t very crowded. The surrounding neighborhood looks very nice, and there seem to be good places to eat nearby (our friend suggested Sushi Den, though we didn’t have a chance to try it out). We saw someone paddleboarding on the water, which looked picturesque! Logistics: There are parking lots and ample street parking around the park.

Sloan’s Lake (near Highland neighborhood): The park has a beautiful lake with a sizeable trail going around it. It reminded us of Lake Merritt in Oakland. When we went on a Sunday evening, it was somewhat busy with people running, walking, biking, and on scooters/skateboards/roller blades, and there was lots of goose poo everywhere. The surrounding area wasn’t quite as nice as that around Cheesman Park or Washington Park, but we still liked the lake. Note there were no water activities allowed -- signs indicated the water sometimes gets too unclean to enter. Edgwater Market is a few minutes away (we recommend driving as the walk isn’t very nice) and has a cute outdoor patio and lots of different types of ethnic food to try out (we especially liked the veggie pesto crepe at the crepe stand). Logistics: There are parking lots at the lake and the market.

LoDo (Lower Downtown): The downtown area is meh, you can skip it if you're short on time. If you go, you can walk through Larimer Square, a small, cute block of shops and eateries with outdoor seating that is roped off from cars; check out Union Station, where the Amtrak goes and there are a bunch of places to eat/get coffee (including the overrated Snooze AM eatery - reserve your spot in line 1-2 hrs in advance if going and be sure to get the sweet potato pancake); walk the 16th Street Mall, a very touristy street of more shops and eateries (not as cute as Larimer Square, but a pro is there is a free bus that takes you up and down this long street); and walk by Coors Field if you're a baseball fan. Logistics: Parking lots are very expensive, but we didn't find it too difficult to find 2-hour street parking ($1/hour, you can pay by card at the meter or with the PayByPhone app; free on Sundays and holidays).

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (free, 20-30 mins from city center): This is a beautiful area in northeast Denver that you can drive through, listen to their excellent guided podcast, and spot some neat wildlife. The area is known for bison, deer, prairie dogs, and birds; we saw some of these animals. This was a great option to stay in our air-conditioned car on a very hot day, rather than being out for a hike. Logistics: There is a Visitor Center that you can stop by if you’d like (we didn’t), otherwise just download the Rocky Mountain Arsenal podcast on your phone and start the drive!

What to Eat (Vegetarian Edition)

We did not take advantage of Denver’s food options, so what we are sharing here are mostly recommendations from our friends / places we would love to try if we had more time here.

Safta (Mediterranean) - Upscale; close to downtown. Appears to have outdoor seating and advance reservations are recommended

Uchi (Japanese) - Upscale; close to downtown. Has a separate vegetarian menu including a multi-course tasting. Reservations can be hard to come by if you don’t book well in advance. They also accept walk-ins, and they do have outdoor seating if you’re COVID-conscious (or just like eating outside!)

Brunch places with hype: Snooze AM Eatery (multiple locations, get on the Yelp waitlist at least an hour in advance, known for excellent pancakes), Sassafrass (we didn’t try it), and Root Down (we also didn’t try it)

Markets: Denver Central Market (in RiNo), Edgewater Public Market (by Sloan Lake / Highlands neighborhood; we loved the crepes and thought the Ethiopian food was mediocre), Stanley Marketplace (Aurora)

Other places that were recommended to us were Ash Kara (Mediterranean), El Five (Mediterranean, good views), Sushi Den (Japanese), and Vital Root (which is apparently by a lot of good vegetarian-friendly restaurants + breweries near Berkeley/Tennyson Street), Sputnik

Dessert: I very much wanted to try High Point Creamery (multiple locations) as it seems to have many vegan options and an ice cream flight! Little Man Ice Cream also came recommended

Where to Stay

We're definitely not experts on this, but here are a few thoughts based on our trip!

Near Cheesman Park and Washington Park seem like a lovely areas to stay -- the parks are really nice and the surrounding neighborhoods seem pretty safe and upscale. We didn't come across any available airbnbs in this neighborhoods.

Greenwood Village (~20 mins drive south of Denver, close to Centennial, CO). We stayed in the Marriott Residence Inn Tech Center (the 2 bed/2 ba is good for two people working from home during the week) and loved the area. Within a 5 minute drive there are cute parks for a morning jog, plenty of fast casual eateries (we were partial to the Torchy's and Schlotzsky's nearby), and even the excellent Peak View Brewing Company (okay so it’s a brewery in a suburban strip mall, but the outdoor patio is great and the jalapeno pretzel and the peanut butter porter were a hit!). Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Safeway are within a ~10 minute drive.

#denver

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wiff-waff · 3 years ago

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If this chip on my shoulder gets any bigger it'll be the size of a Maris Piper!

We departed the farmer's field early because we just knew there would be a bunfight for moorings in Henley. Not wrong there.

But first we had the wind to contend with. Luckily we only had 1 lock to negotiate but reaching the landing pontoon was an absolute nightmare and wasn't helped by 4 expensive plastic pigs waiting and barely enough space for us to land. Of course it would have helped if everyone had moved up but selfish bastards think only of themselves. We made the pontoon just but hit it with an almighty bang before the wind pushed the stern astray.

STRESSFUL.

Round the final corner and Henley lay 1 mile ahead and as it is 2 weeks to the regatta every motherfucking rower and his wife were out on the water practicing. By the time we reached the first of the moorings my nerves were cut to shreds and of course we had the customary gaps between the plastic pigs to upset me more but we eventually found a space and sneaked in gratefully.

Henley is a very handsome town and the buzz around the river is highly addictive but the gaff reeks of wealth, elitism and snobbery hangs in the air. Get over it Ian and enjoy.

We're here for a couple of days cos there's a storm brewing today. Ben has an appointment at a local vets (keeps biting his bum) and I'm gonna hunt out a sympathetic pharmacist who will sort out my poorly stomach.

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aphrodites-law · 5 years ago

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A Bit of Clarity 🍂 (5/?) The visions had started last autumn, a year ago now. It had caused a bit of chaos for some, a bit of clarity for others. Two days ago, Clarke Griffin had been perfectly fine managing both her Café and her stress. But now she was curious - so deeply curious about the vision of herself entwined with the aloof Lexa Woods that it was leading her to complete distraction.

[part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4]

If there was someone or something overseeing their lives, pulling the strings of their destiny and purposefully nudging them toward specific paths, then Clarke wanted a fucking word with them.

It was a surprise, if not a shock, when she saw Lexa stroll into the shop with her laptop bag slung over her shoulder. It was barely a week after Clarke had resolved not to think about her anymore, a plan that hadn't always been successful. Lexa walked toward the counter with a proud chin, as if nothing had changed.

"Good morning," she said.

Clarke could have thrown a mini Bundt cake at her if Wells hadn't nearly burnt his apron making them.

"It was," she answered, deciding that professionalism was not in the cards today.

“I’ll have some pie, please."

“Humble?”

Lexa set her jaw. “And what would that taste like?”

Clarke smiled sardonically. “Bitter.”

Lexa held her stare before looking at the display. "I think I'll try the mini Bundt."

"For here or to go?" Clarke asked as she rang it up.

Lexa seemed disappointed to see that her usual seat by the weeping fig was occupied.

"Looks like it's busy."

"Faithful clientele," Clarke retorted, and then, "for the most part."

Lexa exhaled sharply before pulling out her wallet to pay in cash. "No problem, I'll have it to go."

Clarke put the mini Bundt in a paper bag. "No coffee?" she asked, though she didn't care much for the answer.

"Not today."

"I'm sorry we're fresh out of kale juice." It was a snippy comment that Clarke knew she was above making, but Lexa's sudden reappearance had touched a nerve.

Whatever Lexa wanted to say, she visibly stopped herself. She grabbed her mini Bundt and then pulled out a sheet of paper from her bag.

"Would you mind if I put this up? It's the ad for interviews."

"I offered, didn't I?"

"Offers change."

"I don't go back on my word," Clarke answered stubbornly.

Lexa challenged her stare before nodding and walking toward the board. She scanned over each flyer, seemingly trying to figure out which one she could put hers next to. Finally she pinned it near the middle right. It was a sober flyer; no bold colors or giant fonts, but eye-catching in its minimalism compared to the busier ads surrounding it. As always, Lexa stuck to the basics.

Carrying her mini Bundt, she gave Clarke one last look before leaving. Clarke noticed the tip she'd left and hung her head before going back to her doodles. It was going to be a slow, rainy day.

* * *

It was a slow, rainy week. The wind came first; strong gusts that swept up old leaves and knocked down hats. A downpour followed on Wednesday, unrelenting and miserable. Customers came into the shop drenched, sticking their umbrellas in the already full rack by the entrance before rubbing their cold hands together.

Clarke liked watching their faces; the expressions of relief at finally finding some shelter and comfort from the brutal rain. It was gloomy outside but the café was everyone's home for a little while, the colors still warm and the plants still thriving. She couldn't help but enjoy these moments regardless of the cold, remembering this feeling was exactly why she'd gotten into this business in the first place.

Still, Clarke was human. An hour before closing time she was already fantasizing about hot tomato soup and the comfort of her bed. She'd finished chatting with a regular when Wells came in looking like he'd run a mile to get here. He usually left much earlier than she did, but sometimes swung back to check on things before driving to meet Raven at the theater.

"You want to read this," he told her with barely contained excitement, clutching his phone against his soaked raincoat.

He rounded the counter and showed her the screen. It was an article from the Costial Gazette with a damning title:

Finn's Coffee & Bagels: Neither Fresh nor Clean

"What is this?" Clarke asked, skimming the article. There were mentions of false advertising, misleading business practices, trouble brewing with the Federal Trade Commission, mentions of artificial preservatives despite claims of the contrary, and, to top off the proverbial shit cake, an anonymous employee detailing horrid management. It was a scalding report - one Clarke had dreamed of writing herself.

Understandably, Wells couldn't stop grinning. "This is good, right? Especially the FTC stuff. Bad for him, good for us."

Clarke was about to answer when a thought struck her. She quickly scrolled back up: By Echo Blake and Lexa Woods.

Clarke shut her eyes closed. So maybe she'd jumped to conclusions when she'd seen Lexa at his shop. Maybe she'd made it personal. Who wouldn't? Lexa was still… Lexa. Impossible to read and impossible to understand.

"Titus will drop him for sure," Wells mused aloud. "How the hell did Finn get the old man to carry his brand anyway?"

"Money. Connections. Empty promises." Clarke had no doubt about that. "That's mostly how Finn gets what he wants."

Wells was still smiling from ear to ear when he texted Raven a link to the article. "Looks like it finally bit him in the ass. We should send the Gazette a Thank You cake."

Clarke leaned her elbows on the counter and let out a noncommittal grunt.

"What's wrong?" Wells asked. "I thought you'd be happy about this."

"Oh I'm happy. Just thinking about the humble pie I'm gonna have to eat myself."

* * *

Naturally, Clarke had to wait another week before Lexa dared show up again. She'd noticed that her ad had attracted some attention - curious customers reading it and then pocketing a tear-off tab - and was anticipating Lexa would come in to either replace it or take it down.

When she did, it was during the usual afternoon lull and Clarke felt nervous. Now that she knew her anger had stemmed from… well, a combination of things but also an overreaction, she was embarrassed by the way she'd previously spoken to Lexa.

When Lexa walked in, Clarke was cleaning one of the coffee machines. It was her distorted reflection that she saw in the nozzle; her discreet gait as she walked toward the board and unpinned her ad. Clarke figured she would leave immediately, but Lexa approached the counter. Her eyes scanned over the display glass.

"Can I get you anything?" Clarke tentatively asked.

Lexa looked up and readjusted the strap of her satchel. "Are there any baby Bundts left?"

Clarke shook her head. "All out. It's pecan tartlet week. But Wells liked making them, burnt apron aside - we could put them back in the rotation this month."

Lexa seemed surprised Clarke even suggested something that would please her. "That's alright; I'll just wait."

"Regular coffee?" Clarke asked.

Lexa nodded while looking away. "Sure."

As Clarke poured Lexa's regular in a paper cup, she couldn't help but feel like this was their first conversation all over again. Odd and stilted but also one that she didn't want to end so soon. Clarke capped the coffee and turned to her.

"I read your article on FC&B. It's really good." She gave her the cup. "Personal bias aside."

A small smile graced Lexa's face and Clarke felt a thrill. "My co-writer did most of the investigative work."

"But you did some too," Clarke remembered, knowing Lexa would also recollect the time Clarke had spotted her in Finn's shop. "Tried their juice and everything."

Lexa's nose scrunched subtly. "If that's what you want to call it. But still, Echo deserves the credit for the piece. It was her story from the beginning; I was mostly a sounding board."

Something about Lexa dismissing her own work bothered Clarke. "Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"I've read your stuff before; I know there was some of you in that article. Just take the compliment, Lexa."

There was that fierce light in Lexa's eyes again. "It's not fully mine to take."

"I guess they just put your name on there to fill space?"

Lexa pressed her lips together, unimpressed with the sarcasm.

Clarke huffed. "Why are you so-" She couldn't even finish her question, unsure where to start. Why couldn't they communicate normally? Why did every sentence feel like a mountain to climb? And how on earth did Lexa push her buttons without even lifting a finger?

"You're frustrated," Lexa pointed out.

"I am."

"With me?"

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"No. I've been told I can be frustrating before."

She said it with such a jaded expression that Clarke couldn't help but laugh. "God, how could I ever think…"

"Think what?" Lexa asked without skipping a beat.

Clarke shook her head and walked to the end of the counter. "Nothing."

Lexa followed. "You know, I'm not the only one who sidesteps questions."

There was something unnerving about her tone, like she was challenging her, and Clarke wasn't known to be a graceful loser.

"You don't want the answers."

"Try me. You might be surprised."

Clarke scoffed, then decided she wouldn't back away any longer. "What do you really want to ask, Lexa?" It was the same turn of phrase Lexa had used on her at the bar; the frustration of unspoken truths reaching a boiling point.

"What did you see?" Lexa inquired, never once looking away from her.

Clarke hesitated. They couldn't do this here, now… could they?

"Clarke," Lexa said, almost like a plea.

Clarke wasn't sure she'd ever heard her name said that way. She waited a beat. "Fine. I saw you."

Lexa visibly swallowed. "What about me?"

"You're a journalist. Guess."

"Good journalists don't guess. I would need some information to first form a hypothesis and then-"

"You kissed me," Clarke interjected, fed up with logic.

Lexa's mouth clamped shut, so Clarke continued:

"And I mean you kissed me everywhere. Is that enough to form a hypothesis?"

Lexa processed for a moment, her cheeks a shade darker. "It explains… things."

"Why?" Clarke paused, thinking it through. "Did you have…"

"Yes."

"The same?"

"Not exactly."

"Well? Spit it out."

Lexa looked around them, but no one paid them any attention. "I was making coffee. In my underwear.”

Clarke frowned, unsure she'd heard her correctly. "You're kidding, right? I make coffee every day, how is that so embarrassing you couldn't tell me?"

"No, you don't understand," Lexa weakly said. "I don't… like… coffee. Hate it. Any hot beverage actually."

"You hate coffee," Clarke repeated incredulously, eyes going to the very cup Lexa was holding.

"But I was making it," Lexa reiterated. "In an apartment that wasn't mine. With doodles framed everywhere. After recognizing the style, I figured… I was making it for you."

Clarke stepped back, bewildered. She had never once thought that Lexa might've seen the same thing she had, or something close, or even seen her. She wasn't even sure what that meant, if anything at all.

"Oh."

"Yes."

It was like everything had shifted in the span of a few seconds, the before and after she had revealed what she'd seen. It was different now. Lexa knew, and she knew, and everything that had brought them here took on a different meaning. Lexa starting a dialogue; Lexa inviting her to a play; Lexa catching her eyes from across a room. She had been trying to solve a puzzle too; trying to understand what she might've missed before.

But.

Something between them never quite… locked. For the first time, Clarke realized that Lexa was just as wildly out of her depth as she was. Even in her anger she'd put Lexa on a pedestal; seen her as the diligent journalist with the clever words and the impenetrable stare. Now she saw Lexa as someone looking for answers just as she was. They'd both been trying to form a connection based on a vision - maybe that was the problem.

"Well, that kind of takes the surprise out of it," she said, finally exhaling.

Lexa opened and shut her mouth, unsure where to go from there. She settled on a mute nod while Clarke fiddled with her hands, glancing toward the front door and praying for someone to walk in. No such miracle happened quickly enough.

"Thank you for telling me." Lexa had gone quieter; introspective in the way Clarke was used to.

"Yep." Clarke rubbed the back of her neck. "It's probably for the best that- I mean, it's a relief actually."

"It is. I'm sorry if I acted strangely," Lexa said. "I was confused."

"Right. Because we barely knew each other."

"Exactly."

"And I mean… we were both clearly trying to see if there was something… there, and, I don't know that-"

Lexa's eyes flashed to hers. "No, of course not. I'm just a customer."

Clarke frowned. "I didn't say that."

"But it's true. We were drawn to each other because of something out of our control. It's something I've heard a lot in recent interviews. A guy walking up to a woman after he had a vision of her dress. A wife divorcing her husband because she had a vision of herself accepting a drink from a stranger."

Lexa seemed to have gone back into business mode and Clarke didn't know if it was some sort of deflecting mechanism. Regardless, Clarke had never felt this awkward in her life. Like she might trip on her own feet if she even moved.

"So the visions push us to act a certain way," she tried to catch on.

Lexa nodded. "I'm exploring the theory that they're just one thread among hundreds of others. No one is forced to pull that one specifically. Nothing is ever inevitable."

Clarke didn't know what else she could do but nod in acknowledgment. That was it? People got life-altering information from their visions but she got a theory from the woman she shared the supposedly most exciting event of her life with?

"I'm glad we could clear the air."

"Absolutely," Lexa agreed.

Silence stretched for what felt like a minute before Lexa looked at her watch. "Speaking of interviews, I have a phone call soon."

"Great. Hope it's helpful."

"I'm sure it will be."

When Lexa started to leave, Clarke suddenly remembered something. "Wait!"

Lexa looked at her with wide eyes, practically in disbelief Clarke would want to prolong the excruciating moment.

"One more thing," Clarke said.

"Yes?"

Clarke took a deep breath. "Was it a date?"

Lexa frowned. "What?"

"When you offered me a ticket to Lincoln's play. When you mentioned the after party. Were you asking me out?"

"You'd mentioned wanting to see a play," Lexa stammered. "I had the spare ticket."

"Did you want to pull the thread, Lexa?" Clarke asked, feeling a surge of confidence. Now that the secret was out, she needed to know everything. She needed their bizarre back-and-forths to have an explanation.

Lexa froze. "I'm a journalist; I investigate. You were my only lead."

It affected her more than it should have, considering Clarke had promised herself she wouldn't let Lexa Woods get to her again.

Lexa must've noticed. "I didn't mean - you're obviously not just-"

"It's fine. I get it. I wanted to be sure too." Clarke turned to grab a towel for the counter. "It's like you said: nothing is inevitable. I'm glad we got it squared away."

Lexa nodded weakly. "So everything can go back to the way it used to be."

"Sure."

"I look forward to tomorrow's new batch," Lexa told her politely before leaving.

Clarke dropped her towel and sat on the stool they kept behind the counter. Lexa was back in her life, but somehow it felt worse to return to normal. Somehow all Clarke could think about was that Lexa wanted to pull their damn thread but something was keeping her from it.

And maybe it was time to admit she might’ve hoped Lexa and her were inevitable.

[part six]

#clexa #clarke x lexa #clexa fic #f: a bit of clarity #w

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nwbeerguide · 1 year ago

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Celebrating their 10th year of collaborations, Gigantic Brewing and The Unipiper re-release Unipiper Hazy IPA.

Press Release

Portland, Ore., May 23rd, 2023 –

It’s back, and weirder than ever! Gigantic Brewing Company and Weird Portland United (501c3) are keeping the celebration of Portland’s weird wonders alive by returning to where it all started, with the revival of the much-lauded Unipiper Hazy IPA as the next release in their ongoing Weirdtastic Beer Series collaboration.

With a blend of Citra, Mosaic, Crystal, and the Unipiper’s own Cascade hops, Gigantic’s Unipiper Hazy IPA was specifically designed as a riotously refreshing tropical blast with notes of passioinfruit, mango, guava, and orange, all thanks to the masterful work of the Cosmic Punch yeast, unleashing thiols that amplify the tropical aromas to eleven. On the occasion of the Unipiper Hazy IPA’s return, Gigantic brewmaster and co-owner Ben Love said “Unipiper beer in Portland has a cult-like following, and we’re honored to be carrying on the tradition. With the Unipiper Hazy IPA, we created a beer that people were excited to drink and talk about. The demand for its return was overwhelming and we were more than happy to oblige.” And in the same vein, the Unipiper himself quipped, “I am so happy for all the buzz this beer has generated for Weird Portland United. Beer is the lifeblood of this city and this beer series is our megaphone, broadcasting Portland’s unique charm to the world. Making beer brings me such joy, and getting to share it on this scale is a dream come true.”

Since the introduction of Unipiper Hazy IPA in 2022, Gigantic and WPU have gone on to produce an array of Weirdtastic brew celebrating the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby, the work of beloved local artist and public joy creator, Mike Bennett, and most recently, drag icon and Guinness World Record holder, Darcelle XV. Through this work, the team have raised over $5,000 in support of Weird Portland United’s efforts to sustain what is considered a normal level of weird for the Rose City. Their latest project is the construction of the Weird Portland Hall of Fame, set for a grand opening late summer 2023.

This release also marks 10 years of community driven beer projects involving the Unipiper, Portland’s legendary fire-breathing, bagpipe-playing, kilt-donning, unicycle-riding marvel. Beer and the Unipiper go hand-in-hand in Portland, and over this time, the Unipiper has worked with multiple local breweries to produce unique beers featuring everything from bagpipe roasted peppers to pickled pipers. For his work with the Oregon Brewer’s Festival, the Unipiper was even honored in 2019 as the event’s Grand Marshal.

Unipiper Hazy IPA Special Delivery Contest

Fans looking for the ultimate Unipiper Hazy IPA experience can enter to win a special delivery of the beer including a basket of unique gifts delivered directly to their house by the Unipiper himself! For full details, keep an eye on Gigantic Brewing and the Unipiper’s social media on 5/21 when the contest officially begins.

Unipiper Hazy IPA Beer Release

For everybody else looking to get in on the revival celebration, they should plan to attend the official ALL AGES Unipiper Hazy IPA release party at the brand new Gigantic Hawthorne Pub on June 2nd from 4-7pm. Admission is free and the Unipiper will be on hand providing entertainment, selfies, and signatures on souvenir bottles. Following release, Unipiper Hazy IPA will be available on draft and on store shelves everywhere Gigantic is sold, including New Seasons Market. Home delivery of Unipiper Hazy IPA is also available within 18 miles of Portland through the Gigantic website.

Unipiper Hazy IPA Release Party and Bottle Signing

June 02, 4-7pm | Gigantic Hawthorne Pub, 4343 SE Hawthorne | Portland | Join the Facebook Event

###

About Gigantic Brewing Company

Gigantic Brewing Company is an independent, artisanal brewery located in the Southeast quadrant of Portland. We hold ourselves to a simple principle – Never Give an Inch. We vow to start small and (stubbornly) stay small, focusing our efforts on making exceptional beer, rather than a lot of beer. When you drink Gigantic, know that we didn’t just put our names on the label – our effort, imagination, and dry wit are in every bottle. Enjoy Gigantic at the Gigantic Brewery (5224 SE 26th Ave), Gigantic Robot Room (6935 NE Glisan), on tap or in bottle at your favorite grocer, bottle shop, bar or restaurant in Oregon. As always, Gigantic beer is packaged in BottleDrop Refillable bottles. BottleDrop Refillables are sorted, washed, inspected, and delivered back to Oregon’s craft beverage producers to be refilled. By choosing beverages in refillable bottles, you help keep our air clean, our beaches, parks and roadsides litter-free, promote a circular economy, and set a model for future generations.

www.GiganticBrewing.com

About the Unipiper

Legends abound in Portland surrounding the antics of a unicycle riding, flame spewing bagpiper. Six times crowned as Portland’s ‘Best Local Celebrity’, The Unipiper, also known as Brian Kidd, has become synonymous with the Rose City’s offbeat sensibilities. With great power comes great responsibility however, and in 2019, as the city’s unofficial ambassador of weird, The Unipiper fulfilled a longtime dream with the formation of Weird Portland United, the city’s first nonprofit dedicated to Keeping Portland Weird. In recognition of his longtime contributions to Portland’s craft beer scene, The Unipiper served as Grand Marshal of the 2019 Oregon Brewer’s Festival where he was honored with the ‘Spirit of Craft Brewing’ award. When he’s not wheeling around town, the Unipiper co-hosts a podcast about movies filmed in Portland, appropriately called ‘Portland At The Movies’.

www.unipiper.com

About Weird Portland United

Founded in 2019 by Portland’s Unipiper in an effort to curb the growing homogenization and sanitization of the city’s image, Weird Portland United exists to discover, promote, and nurture the dreamers, creators, and risk-takers that keep Portland weird. Current and past initiatives include the establishment of the Weird Portland Hall of Fame, organization of Portland Weird Week, and hosting of many events such as Weird Portland Creatives, the Weird Portland Gala, and the Portlandia Mermaid Parade. In 2020, WPU awarded over $5000 in grants to Portland creatives through the #KeepWeirdAlive campaign.

www.weirdportlandunited.org

from Northwest Beer Guide - News - The Northwest Beer Guide https://bit.ly/3OBxN2G

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