#All Zones Driving School Australia

[wileys-russo]

Currently thinking about what a face time with alessia would be like whilst she’s in Australia and the readers at home because of work. Full of fluff and them just happy they get to talk to each other after a hard day, saying how much they miss each other

last bit of writing from me for a few days while i'm off on holiday! might post a couple blurbs if i have time maybe

time zones II a.russo

it was a warm evening on the east coast of australia and alessia was almost in disbelief it was winter in the foreign country. nearly all of the girls had been happily wearing shorts and tops each day at training, some of them even daring for a late afternoon swim.

alessia though was not that brave and had instead settled herself on the beach, bare legs spread out on a towel and top half kit out in one of your hoodies as she glanced up to watch her friends all race off toward the water, the early evening sun just beginning to dip beneath the horizon.

tucking an airpod into her ear alessia clicked dial on the facetime icon by your contact. the time in australia nearing 5:30pm would make it almost 8:30 in the morning for you back in England, as you'd sadly been unable to accompany alessias family to the tournament due to work.

you were a primary school teacher and alessia more than understood the commitment that meant, your passion and drive for teaching the next generation one of the many reasons she'd fallen so in love with you in the first place.

she had always loved kids, and seeing you speak so dearly about your students and how you interacted with them had meant she'd spent many an hour dreaming about what you would be like if the two of you one day had your own children, something that had never really crossed her mind before meeting you.

it was now saturday which meant you were finally able to speak with alessia freely, not needing to cut anything short to rush off to work. your routine so far while she was away had been the two of you speaking while you got up and ready and then during your drive to school before you'd have to then hang up.

due to time zones it was hard for alessia to stay up to call you once you'd finished which you assured you'd rather she not do anyway, wanting her to be as well rested and ready for the matches as she could be.

so mornings for you and afternoons for her were the perfect time for the two of you to call and catch one another up on what had been missed.

"good evening my love." you accepted the call and sung out happily, alessias smile widening seeing you were in one of her hoodies, and you were quick to make a joke that the two of you had the same thought considering she was currently wearing yours.

"good morning gorgeous, you look lovely." alessia complimented, tucking her knees up to her chest and moving her phone to rest against her water bottle, angling the camera upwards toward herself.

"mm yes with my bed hair, pyjama shorts and puffy eyes i clearly missed my calling as a model." you teased, moving your own phone to lean against the wall as you began to prep yourself breakfast.

"well you're glowing. australia looks good on you baby and so does happiness." you commented back with a soft smile, alessias heart melting at your words and wishing for nothing more than to just wrap you up in her arms and never have to let go.

"did you have a nice day? you had it off from training right?" you questioned, a slight sizzle heard as you tossed some diced bacon and peppers into a pan, intending to make yourself an omelette.

"we did! we went into town and to some local markets, then got some breakfast at a really cute cafe and just explored a little, it's so beautiful here. the coffee is something else! i think i'll need to smuggle some back with me." alessia grinned, indeed having somehow even fallen more in love with the caffeinated beverage since landing.

"some of the girls went whale watching but tooney made me stay back because she gets sea sick." alessia rolled her eyes, having felt immense fomo seeing all of the photos and videos from the outing.

"captain tooney gets sea sick?" you laughed, alessia forever ripping into her best friend for the horrendous time they'd all had when ella decided to drive them all round in a boat last summer on one of their days off.

"apparently so, and then instead she dragged me round shopping with roebuck and g for hours!" alessia moaned, her arms still sore from an afternoon spent helping them haul around their bags.

"that girls gonna need a second house just to store all her trainers!" you joked with a shake of your head, a comfortable silence falling between the two of you as alessia watched you cook.

the familiar domestic scene just made the heart ache that she wasn't with you right now worsen.

the two of you would always cook together and it was often the highlight of your days after grueling training on her end, or wrangling restless nine year olds for you.

since the two of you had started seeing one another this was the longest you would be separated and though it caused the two of you to be given endless grief from your friends you really were normally attached at the hip.

as a pair you were well known for forever making a one person job into a two person task. whether it be something as simple as alessia sitting on top of the washing machine keeping you company as you folded laundry or the numerous occasions you'd sit in the bathroom whilst alessia showered after training, the two of you chatting one anothers ears off about your days.

when you'd have to lesson plan for the week the blonde would always ensure at least one part of her body was touching yours at all times, if that was her head resting on your thigh, your back tucked securely into her front, or your legs draped in her lap as she traced absent minded shapes along the warm skin.

one time ella even swears she saw the two of you holding hands under the stall door while using the restroom, though both you and alessia knew she'd only spread that rumor to wind less up.

but thats not to say the two of you hadn't done other things in bathroom stalls together, never unable to keep your hands off one another for very long, especially when alcohol was involved on nights out.

"i miss you." alessia sighed, resting her chin on her fist as you looked up to meet the sad smile flashed your way, returning one of your own. "i miss you too." you agreed quietly, though as much as it was killing the two of you to be apart you would never ever do anything to hold her back from her career, nor would alessia with you, so sometimes sacrifices like this had to be made.

"i miss you more." alessia challenged perking up a little, playful glint returning to her eyes as you flipped the omelette, taking a bow at your girlfriends cheers. "i miss you most." you cheekily stuck your tongue out and disappeared out of frame to grab something from the fridge.

"i miss you more than the most." alessia countered before calling out for you to hurry up and return on screen. "you're so needy." you teased as the blonde rolled her eyes playfully, both of you well aware you were just as needy as each another.

"also you can't miss something more than the most, so therefore i win." you shrugged, returning to alessias sight as you turned the heat off the stove, moving the omelette over to a plate.

"says who!" alessia challenged, picking her phone back up as her legs began to cramp, standing to her feet and wandering off toward the water. "says the english language, and me." you sat down at the dining table, moving the phone so you were still in frame.

"well you're both wrong." alessia argued with a smile, eyes glancing off with a chuckle as she watched lucy absolutely body ella down and into the water after she splashed her.

"baby i literally teach english for a living, i can't be wrong!" you laughed after swallowing your mouthful of food. "look!" alessia flipped the camera around, showing the dazzling sunset as you squealed happily, alessia well aware how much you adored this time of day.

"take a photo of that for me please." you instructed as alessia promised she would. "it's almost as beautiful as you are." alessia quipped smoothly, grinning lovingly at the blush that spread across your face at the words. "charmer." you shook your head, smile tugging at your lips.

"oh god even on the other side of the world i can't escape youse two and your disgusting lovesick pining!" ella gagged as she appeared beside alessia, you glancing up and bursting out in laughter at the hot pink goggles on your friends face.

"what!" ella frowned, eyebrows furrowing in annoyance as you simply continued to laugh, clearly at her expense. "nice goggles you idiot." you managed to choke out, as the girl basically spent more time at yours and alessias flat than her own the two of you had formed quite the close bond.

"gotta protect the lashes, obviously!" the brunettes frown quickly disappeared as she wiggled her eyebrows goofily. "oh! did less tell you what happened last night?" tooney grinned as your girlfriends eyes widened and she tried to move away but ella snatched her phone, sprinting off away from her.

"we decided to go for a swim in the dark after we went in the spa-" ella started, pausing as she dodged alessia who caught up to her and ran off now in the other direction as the blonde yelled threats after her.

"-cause theres like lights on the beach and stuff and we only just dunked our bodies in and bolted-" a yell was heard and the screen went black for a moment before ellas head popped into frame again, you spotting your girlfriend over her shoulder still avidly chasing after her.

"-and we were running across the road to get back to the hotel and less of course tripped over and her slider went all the way up her leg-" ella continued with a loud laugh before a body hurtled into her, a flash of blonde tackling her to the ground.

"-and she couldn't get her slider off her leg and we had to cut it off!" alessias face now back on the screen you could hear ella dying from laughter on the ground beneath her, your girlfriend hitting her with a loud smack as ella cried out.

"less don't hit her!" you chastised, alessia ignoring you as she grappled with ella with her free hand, the two of them pushing and smacking one another around, their childish behavior nothing new to you.

"girls!" you called out again, firmer this time as alessia glanced to you, ella pushing her off and sitting up beside her inside. "ooo teacher voice!" the younger of the two called out teasingly, alessia joining in with a grin as you rolled your eyes at their sudden change of antics.

"it is not!" you protested with a pout before you heard the rest of the girls call out for the two as they were headed back to the hotel, ella wishing you goodbye before running off to join them.

"i'll call you back after dinner and we can watch a movie?" alessia asked hopefully as she gathered her things into her bag and began to walk off the beach. "it's a date. i love you!" you smiled softly.

"i love you, the most."

[dailyanarchistposts]

Global Warming & Climate Change

Since the 1970s there has been a steady increase in global temperatures as a result of the build-up of heat-trapping pollutant gases in the atmosphere. As evidence of the effects of global warming begins to accumulate, it is absolutely certain that the world is facing a dangerous acceleration of climate change and extremes of weather. These changes will be considerably worse than hotter summers and wetter winters for some and vice versa for others. Whole continents are going to be affected by severe and extended periods of changed climate. Its not just the Saharan region that is experiencing prolonged drought and disastrous fires. Even tropical and temperate regions are suffering, countries like Australia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Cyprus and East Africa. In one year forest fires consumed more than one million hectares of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Agriculture in many different regions of the world will become virtually impossible as desertification spreads in hot areas and rainfall drowns fields and paddocks in the world’s monsoon belt. Storms and ocean swelling will inundate lowlying regions, drowning fishing ports and the hinterlands they feed. Global warming will expand ocean water and raise sea levels two feet by the year 2010: low-lying regions such as the delta portions of Bangladesh, Egypt and Southern China and low-lying islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans may be flooded or even submerged.

This may all seem very academic and the problem of distant peoples. But climate change doesn’t just affect far-off countries we will never visit. Torrential rain and melting in 1998 combined to cause landslides and severe flooding in California, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon. Flash floods forced the evacuation of 125,000 people, and destroyed or badly damaged 24,000 houses and several hundred square kilometres of farmland. Economic losses were estimated at $2billion. Dermatologists in Australia and the United States are witnessing an explosion in cases of the deadly skin cancer, melanoma.

Rising sea levels will drown tourist beaches, coastal wetlands, cultural and heritage sites, fishing centres and other areas and require massive investment in coastal defences, new sewage systems and relocation costs – whole new towns – houses, schools, hospitals, factories — will have to be built as people are forced inland at massive cost. Who is to pay for all this, if not the working peoples of the world? These changes will have major consequences for food production and create many more refugees, with the poorest being most affected, as ever. Changes to the oceans will also drive fish from traditional grounds, making it dangerous or impossible to catch them without using factory vessels and the latest sonar technology. Think of the literally billions of people who live and work in the river and deltas of the great rivers of the world: the Amazon, Ganges, Indus, Mekon, Mississippi, Niger, Nile, Po, and Yangtze. These are hugely productive agricultural reasons and are all at risk from rising sea levels and climate change.

Sustainable agriculture will become more difficult, leading to land being taken by Big Food and peasant farmers being forced into fetid slums beaten down by extremes of heat and rain where cholera, typhus and diphtheria are endemic. Across the world tropical insects are invading temperate zones where people and cattle have no immunity or the means to combat them while at the same time, up to 40% of all plant and animal species alive today are facing extinction. Crops are dying from water shortages and drought causes thousands of cattle to die of starvation or the heat. The coral reefs of the world are dying, unable to adapt to warming seas and the human diseases that enter the seas in sewage and thrive in warmer water. Don’t think these are problems only affecting the Majority World, far away. In 2002 30% of the USA was officially declared drought-affected. The response of Big Money – government and business – is not to tax petrol, reduce carbon emissions or change patterns of consumption to conserve water but build more dams to line the pockets of the corporations responsible for the mess in the first place.

We are often told that climate change is produced by oldfashioned polluting technologies and that – if sufficient money is given to big business and the universities – they will produce the technological solutions that will save the planet. Yet, as this pamphlet shows elsewhere, the nature, speed and scope of technological change is not dictated by human need (or even humanity’s actual survival on this planet) but by the corporations’ ability to make profit from their development, introduction and control. They dictate when products and technologies enter the market, not us. It is the corporations that increasingly dictate what, how and how much we consume by their control of technology and product development. Patterns of consumption, the waste and excess created by capitalism, dictate our methods of production. And it is the total mass of production – which is bound to go on increasing as western patterns of consumption are spread to the developing world by globalisation – that is the problem. What is also being spread – unfortunately – are the grotesquely unfair and destructive inequalities that capitalism creates and fosters. These are not just inequalities of wealth, status or power, though these are scandalous enough in a world that pretends to human equality and rights (and how hollow these must ring as dust sweeps across the farm of your ancestors or floods drown crop, cattle and kin). They are also inequalities in the one of the fundamentals that defines humanity: the kind and quality of our lives and the ways in which we die.

For it is the poor, the marginalized and the weak, who already die in their tens of millions every year who will bear the brunt of global warming and climate change. If the price of flour goes up a few cents a kilo as a result of bad weather or failed crops bread in America will be a little bit more expensive. But if you live on $1 a day in Ethiopia or Brazil then a drought in the maize fields can be a matter of life and death. If the vaccines and antibiotics that helped control endemic disease no longer work and you can’t afford the new drugs from the West, how do you choose who will get them? If the upland peoples have been driven from their land by drought and come armed to your village, will you fight or flee? And where will you go the slums are already full? When the privatised water company turns off the neighbourhood’s water supply to preserve it for the rich who can afford to pay, how will you wash (to avoid disease), find clean water (to cook with) or flush that already stinking toilet where infection is breeding? The inevitable result of global warming is not an ‘English Riviera’ that the media and some scientists like to popularise, it is war, civil war, intercommunal violence, mass poverty, starvation and disease, man-made catastrophe and millions of blighted lives. Even though the consumption-obsessed western economies are the engine of global warming, its effects are largely not felt there. We are content to let international aid agencies provide sticking plaster solutions to the environmental disasters that business has created. Capitalism is blighting the planet; only the free society of the future, made here today, will restore it to health.

[karmaops]

"Unlocking Global Potential: The Power of Outsourcing"

In today's interconnected world, outsourcing services to South Asian Countries isn't just a cost-cutting measure—it's a strategic advantage. Let's explore the facts: Cost-Efficiency: South Asian countries offer high quality work at a lower cost. With a minimum wage of ~$114 USD/month, Nepal offers significant savings without compromising quality. (Minimum Wage of USA: $1,218 USD/month) Skilled Talent Pool: South Asian nations are home to a vast reservoir of highly skilled professionals across various fields. Nepal, for instance, boasts 1.2 million college graduates within its population of 30 million. Proficiency in English: While there's a common misconception about English proficiency in South Asian countries, the reality is quite different, particularly in Nepal. Many Nepalese students are exposed to English from an early age, as a significant number of schools in Nepal use English as the primary medium of instruction. According to the 2021 English Proficiency Index by Education First, Nepal ranked 62nd globally out of 112 countries/regions analyzed. Business Satisfaction: 59% of businesses are pleased with the financial benefits of outsourcing, while 75% report positive relationships with their outsourcing partners. Time Zone Advantage: The time zone advantage of South Asian nations offers real-time communication capabilities with clients across different regions, including the United States and Australia. This allows outsourced employees to complete and deliver processed work by the next business day, ensuring operations run smoothly while the other side of the world sleeps. Market Expansion: The global outsourcing market is set to grow by $40.16 billion by 2025. At KarmaOps, we're proud to be part of this global synergy. We bridge time zones and cultures, connecting businesses with top-tier talent that enhances productivity and drives innovation—all while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Contact KarmaOps to learn more about how you can extend your team without extending your budget.

[iwantjobs]

5/27/2024: The day when humans say, "It's a tragedy that both Hamas and Israel use humans to shield and to be killed" is the say they are on the right side of history. Furthermore, Hamas and Iran never preach themselves as civilized and equal-rights people; however the blame is higher Israel, America, the West, and all ethnic countries who support Israel to say that they are higher than Iran and Hamas while sending bomb, weapons, and money to money Israel and allow Israel to bomb a safe zone last night which tore Gazan child 's body in pieces and burned several bodies into charred while defending land they stole from the Palestinians in the last 75 years right after being rescued from Nazi's gas camps in which the words Palestine region was shown on an old map before the word Israel was placed in the new map. Since I want to be fair and place same blamed on both sides to defend everyone and feel some pain for the 6 millions Jews who died in Nazi's gas camps dying for their own homeland from 3,000 years ago before their people were blamed by the Bible to nail Jesus. All this fighting is taking place in the land where Jesus was born, and where Muhammad died and went to heaven. I consider democracy as evil as autocracy, communism, etc. no system is perfect so I take the good here and there and throw away the uglies. Trang's thinking at 50.16 year. Even though my neck is still dislocated with tight crackhead crippled pain and I still have a little double-chin, belly, fat in middle of my shoulders, I am ready to come out of my van and garage for the world to see who God (Jesus' father)/ Allah/Krishna/Ong Troi, etc. is living as a woman, the female Buddha named Trang or the hardcore heterosexual female with hardcore heterosexual eggs reproductive system philosopher. I am ready to come out with my hardcore heterosexual female fashion with diet exercise , excellent posture by leaning against back on rolling plastic pins, bruch teeth, gums, and tongue with flossing, beauty and youthful tips for humans to look and age to be better looking than the animals we eat. ot's not right that we humans are becoming uglier than the animals that we eat or else if humans become too ugly, God will end humanity eternally.

And because if American as #1 bomb supplier and supporter of Israel's campaign to kill Hamas in a war zone that is packed with 30% is children, karma is punishing now Americans with their own poor American children getting killed and stabbed by adults in the recent white trans female stabbing of 4 teenagers with one being only 9 years old and a young teen or child at a coffee shop with that light skin African African man shooting 2 months ago. In France and Ireland, it happened with children in playground and an 2 Irish little girls walking and it was committed by Muslim looking men. In Australia, a white male stabber stabbed women in a mall and even went after a baby in a baby carriage. Because you whites unfairly deem all Muslim children as terrorists in the Gaza war, these Muslims in return deem your white children as colonists, Zionists, and anti-islamic. I was bullied and sexually harassed in a minor form be a Muslim lesbian boss at Starbucks so I changed my life to not use their oil by driving a cheap electric car like Nissan Leaf and work to promote Christian troops to get out of their land or else they'll impose violence on our land.. Well America,ii could be wrong, but at least I do something to end violence against children in outside places too along with school. Whether it's karma or God's work, what matters is that you Americans and America placed a new values against the lives of the 30% population in Gazan who never voted for the Hamas and you automatically call them terrorists at birth and you send bombs to your bud Israelis yo bomb indiscriminately while you white Godly Americans are also trying to gain Jesus' birthland as your territory even though this is dark people's territory (next to the mouth of Africa and bottom of Middle-East). Your new American action of genocide in killing gazan children and placing the same place you place on their parents who voted for the Hamas terrorist government teaches your troubled adults to now target children in their violence because they learned the same values you set out in sending bombs to your bud Israel. That is why you see angry adults are targeting children outside of schools like they do in Australian mall, French playground, in public in Ireland. If I had children, I teach them to look around everywhere for America's new violence is targeting them too because that's where it hurts the most. That is why my Palestian lawsuit called this new violence as Was against children. Well, if it's worth creating your America as a new violent place for your children in order to gain control of Jesus' birthland as Christians then it's your doing ; however, I am doing what I can to stop the violence on my children if I had any and I am moving out of America eternally for I guarantee you Godly Americans that Jesus would never approve your coming to dark people's territory to steal their land which they have been living for 400 years while calling yourselves freedom, equality people. And that is why God has to sacrifice Jesus' life for his Jesus' people (Israeli included) sins . You Godly Americans and Israelies might win this battle now, but you will love the war with your children and grandchildren and future DND to stay away from your religion because they want a safe and clean Earth and less wars and they will work in boycott Israel to the point Israel returns all the land they stole after 1948 to the Palestinians for Palestine belongs to the future generations (see all those youngsters protesting).

[argroup6]

Exploring the Masters and Cons of Pursuing MBBS in Egypt

Setting out on a journey towards a career in pharmaceuticals is both energising and challenging. For many trying specialists, the choice of where to pursue their MBBS (Lone ranger of Medication, Single man of Surgery) degree is significant. Whereas conventional goals just like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia stay well known choices, an expanding number of understudies are turning their consideration towards nations like Egypt. In this article, we dig into the points of interest and drawbacks of pursuing MBBS in Egypt.

The Masters:

Affordability

One of the foremost noteworthy points of interest of examining MBBS in Egypt is its reasonableness. Educational cost expenses in Egyptian medical schools are generally lower compared to those in Western countries. Moreover, the fetch of living in Egypt is additionally very sensible, making it an appealing alternative for students from differing socio-economic foundations.

Quality Education

Egyptian medical colleges are eminent for giving high-quality education. Many of these teach gloat cutting edge offices, experienced staff individuals, and a comprehensive educational program that meets universal measures. Additionally, a few medical schools in Egypt are recognized by prestigious organisations such as the World Well Being Organization (WHO) and the Medical Board of India (MCI), guaranteeing that graduates are well-prepared to hone medication all inclusive.

Social Immersion

Studying pharmaceuticals in Egypt offers understudies a one of a kind opportunity for social drenching. Egypt's wealthy history, dynamic culture, and assorted populace give a fortifying environment for individual and mental development. Locking in with neighbourhood communities and encountering firsthand the country's healthcare framework can broaden students' viewpoints and improve their understanding of worldwide wellbeing issues.

Clinical Experience

Egyptian medical colleges regularly emphasise hands-on clinical preparing, permitting understudies to pick up important encounters in genuine healthcare settings. From early persistent introduction to internship openings at famous clinics, understudies have adequate openings to create clinical abilities and apply theoretical information in viable scenarios. This introduction is important for future medical specialists.

The Cons:

Language Obstruction

Whereas many Egyptian medical schools offer programs instructed in English, dialect obstructions can still pose challenges for worldwide understudies, particularly those not capable in Arabic. In spite of the fact that English is broadly spoken in academic settings, understudies may experience troubles in ordinary communication exterior the classroom. This will affect their generally learning involvement and integration into the nearby community.

Social Adjustment

Adjusting to an unused social environment can be overwhelming for a few understudies. Egypt's traditions, conventions, and social standards may contrast essentially from those of students' domestic nations, driving to culture stun and sentiments of separation. Besides, exploring bureaucratic forms and altering diverse educational styles may require time and persistence.

Political Instability

Egypt has experienced periods of political distress and flimsiness in later a long time, which can influence everyday life and disturb academic exercises. Whereas the circumstance has moved forward in certain zones, continuous socio-political challenges may affect students' security and well-being. It's fundamental for planned understudies to remain educated approximately the current political climate and survey the potential dangers some time recently committing to examining in Egypt.

Acknowledgment of Qualifications

In spite of the fact that many Egyptian medical colleges are recognized universally, graduates may experience challenges in having their capabilities recognized in certain nations. Licensing requirements for medical practice change over wards, and graduates may have to experience extra appraisals or examinations to meet neighbourhood administrative benchmarks. This preparation can be time-consuming and may prevent graduates' capacity to pursue advanced education or work abroad.

Conclusion

Studying MBBS in Egypt offers an interesting mix of scholastic excellence, social enhancement, and reasonableness. Whereas the prospect of getting a medical degree from a trustworthy Egyptian college is alluring, imminent understudies must carefully weigh the focal points and drawbacks some time recently making a choice. By considering variables such as dialect capability, social versatility, and political stability, students can make educated choices that adjust with their academic and proficient objectives. Eventually, pursuing MBBS in Egypt can be a fulfilling involvement for those who are arranged to grasp the challenges and openings it presents.

[seza-and-her-exo-obsession]

I’m starting to think we need to rethink our driving tests here in Australia because a vast majority of people can’t drive.

Like:

- please remember that’s it’s a speed limit not a speed suggestion

- solid lines mean ‘don’t change lanes here,’ you’re not supposed to cross solid lines

- you will not get a speeding fine for doing the speed limit exactly, so all those people who slow down to ten under when they see a cop or a camera are just causing road rage (bro, you even annoy the cops who get stuck behind you and have somewhere to be)

- I don’t know what some of you learn in science, but the laws of physics say that two stationary objects will not hit each other, so why in gods name are you 5+ metres behind the person in front of you at the lights, you ain’t gonna hit them unless the asshole behind you is somehow blind and can’t see that you’ve stopped and is for some reason speeding his way up your arse (I could go on forever about this particular point)

- if you’re gonna come out in front of someone, you better get up to speed straight away or you’re gonna make someone very very pissed off

- you have to wait for pedestrians to cross before you turn at the lights, so all those wankers who have a penchant for tooting their horn at someone waiting to turn because you wanna go straight ahead, just shut up and have some patience

- school zones are 7am to 9am, and 2pm to 4pm, please remember the speed limit is 40 during those times (also, they don’t apply during the school holidays, so I don’t know why people are doing 40 when there’s no school)

- your indicators are there for a reason, please use them or potentially cause an accident

There are so many other points I could make right now, but I’ll leave it at this.

[noyellingau]

What are the Best Tips to Clear Your Driving Test Gold Coast?

Beginning: For most people, driving is a passion they want to perfect and enhance their road safety skills. However, to ensure 100% clearance of all the driving skills passes, driving tests are done at the end of every driving course. It is essential to pass well to get an assured driving license for the category of vehicle you are tested for or have done the course in.

So, how can you ensure passing the test without failing? And what is necessary to pass the driving test after your driving lessons Gold Coast? Here are a few tips to always keep in mind.

Top Tips to Clear Your Driving Test with Driving School Gold Coast.

(a). Rest well, and avoid nervousness, stress, or anxiety before your test.

The essence of rest is to clear anxiety, stress, and fatigue before your test. If you are tired or nervous, it affects your sense of judgment. You cannot focus on or give 100% attention to the task at hand.

(b). Stay hydrated and well-nourished as it helps your body, especially the eyes.

Our bodies work in coordination to ensure overall good health at all times. The eyes act as our guides, giving us the ability to see where we are going. Hydration and nourishment ensure essential nutrients are supplied to every part of the body. As you drive or take the test, you need maximum concentration and comfort.

(c). Examine traffic conditions in your area and avoid peak traffic times.

Driving in the best road conditions doesn’t make you stressed and anxious. Besides, arriving for the test on time makes you look like a punctual person. It is good to have a time-conscious attitude and disposition.

(d). Have a final lesson with your driving instructor for the day of the test. 

It is good to have some last lessons with your driving instructor on the Gold Coast. It helps point out the basics that may be asked about or tested. Or better still, to remind you of the important things to keep in focus. This will also help settle your nerves or anxiety.

(e). Remember that all is possible, so keep a positive outlook.

It is great to keep a positive, confident attitude. Fear can thwart all your attempts to focus. So come with a desire and determination to succeed. And even if it doesn’t work out the way you expected, failure is a lesson on the path to success. It means that there is something left to work on and perfect. Setbacks are vital in helping us grasp all the mistakes we make in life.

(f). Always comply with school zone speed limits and their precise applicable times.

In school zones, speed limits are enforced to ensure the safety of all within the perimeter. These driving restrictions are meant to caution drivers about what lies ahead. To proceed with care within the set boundaries of speed.

Conclusion: Clearing or passing your driving test Gold Coast is a mix of passion and determination to emerge successfully. And when you rely on the best car driving instructor, you are assured of better outcomes for your driving test.

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[evsacademicessaysblog]

Neo-Liberalism and it’s effect on Choice for Children Essay

EDUC101 Education and Society Looking at choice under two western liberal models of education in Aotearoa New Zealand, specifically how the neo-liberal removal of school zoning towards marketed schools effects  transportation and living choices within students attending schools geographically distant from their homes and comparing the welfare liberal model of centralised ‘public good’ governance to the ‘individual freedom’ model of decentralised board of trustee (BOT) school governance operating under the marketing principals of neo-liberalism with a focus on sexuality education, segregation and student wellbeing.

The move from strict home zone schooling to a marketplace of schools provided more choice in where to attend school, moving from local education as a compulsory right and responsibility to potentially inequitable educational opportunities (Nairn & Higgins, 2011) driven by social, economic conditions as well as individual and community norms, with social factors and offered programmes as driving factors in enrolment (Mandic, me ētahi atu, 2017) over distance or allowance for active transport to school.

Mandic, me ētahi atu (2017), looking at 12 Dunedin secondary schools of the 48.7% of adolescents who were enrolled at distance schools, 68.8% exclusively used motorised transport with only 8.8% getting to school by their own steam with active means, (e.g. walking and cycling.).

Tūtohi 1: Implications of School Choice Decisions on Active Transport to School (Mandic, me ētahi atu, 2017)

This is consistent across western, neo-liberal nations (Foster, me ētahi atu, 2014), a study from Australia shows a change in modes of transport to school from 25% of children being driven in 1974 to 89% in 2005 (Peddie & Somerville, 2005) with the UK seeing four times increase in ‘school run’ traffic between 1975 and 1995 (Tranter & Pawson, 2001)

Motorised chauffeuring to schools being seen as the norm or only safe ‘choice’ by parents creates a perceived stigma against walking to school with perceptions of poverty or neglect on families who do further that large numbers of children no longer walking to school creates empty streets that parent’s fear against allowing children walk to school alone (Foster, me ētahi atu, 2014). This increase in traffic, especially around schools at pick up and drop off times, itself creates dangerous conditions that pressure parents into chauffeuring their children to school as Tranter and Pawson explain “As our roads become more dangerous, more parents drive their children, thus contributing to increased levels of danger for the remaining pedestrian (2001, wh. 30)”.

These forces combine to a situation where independent mobility of children is not seen as an option for parents with access to private cars now must find a school, they can drive their child to, potentially excluding local schools for along the commute to work. Considerations like parking can rank higher as a pressure for school selection over academic success or the child’s welfare. Restricting the choice of mobility and means of transport of the child further contributing to increased rates of motorised transport (Mandic, me ētahi atu, 2017).

Compared to the school home zoning under welfare liberalism which saw children remain within walkability of their schools excepting rural and special circumstances, with the option of independent and active means of transportation, under neo-liberalism these pressures towards distant schools restricts choice of movement to-and-fro schooling, exploring and engaging in their local environments, from active or healthy lifestyle (Tranter & Pawson, 2001).

The move from regional education boards, responsible for providing a comparable education and the same opportunities across all schools in the country, to the decentralised ‘Tomorrow’s Schools’ with responsibility, control of opportunities devolved individual school’s BOT who now also had to control the schools image and reputation to market to school to compete for students in the neo-liberal market place also effect many choices of learners both attending, enrolling and on leaving school (Gordon, 1997; see also Stubbs & Strathdee, 2012; Thrupp, 2007).

Under welfare liberal model of the previous education system all school leavers could be assumed to have had the same opportunities and standards of education, now school leavers could find themselves already denied opportunity by the perceptions of, and disparity in programmes offered by their secondary school, their choices as school leavers limited by school enrolment and course selection.

Course availability, hiring of teachers, school codes, disciplinary actions and much of the oversight and governance of schools was now devolved to individual schools who are manged by BOTs. This placed much oversight and regulation of the school on the body marketing the school to students and its members very people who position, privilege and social capital within the community is dependent on the positive reputation of the school. Creating a conflict of interest whereas the former regional education boards externally intervened to maintain comparative standards and reprimand schools for breaches of conduct from a position of outside authority, the boards under ‘Tomorrow's Schools’ have a vested interesting in building and maintaining a positive reputation for the school and themselves and its ability to compete in the marketplace and thus exist, depend on (Gordon, 'Tomorrow's Schools' Today: School Choice and the Education Quasi-Market, 1997).

Marketability incentives driving governing bodies and schools profoundly effects choices within schools. A school cannot be selected for prioritising student wellbeing, success or fulfilment over the marketability, reputation and competitive as under the neo-liberal system such a school would not be viable, falling behind in the market and relegated to closure. Instead, schools are selected on how they sell themselves, pressures of wider neo-liberalism in society lead in schooling to social stratification as schools able to sell themselves as ‘good schools’ (I.e. as ‘middle class’, diverse enough to be progressive but not enough for mixing with the ‘wrong sort’ and a springboard for future success.) attracted students with more means than schools equal in academic performance were less adept at selling themselves competitively on the market creating a class division in the ‘classless society’ of New Zealand, which quickly became a race division as pākeha students most likely to have to opportunity to attend schools outside of local home zoning (Mandic, me ētahi atu, 2017; Stubbs & Strathdee, 2012; Thrupp, 2007). Creating a situation where pākehā from all socioeconomic backgrounds and Māori and Pasifika students from high socioeconomic backgrounds could browse the marketplace of high decile schools while a majority of Māori and Pasifika students remained at low decile local schools (Thrupp, 2007), students who under home zone schooling would have studied together and contributed to the same community.

In the wake of the 2013 ‘roastbusters’ scandal, attention has been brought to how schools respond to sexual assault and sexuality education in classes. In this was exposed how despite sexuality education being on paper present within all schools as a curriculum subject since 1999 (Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga, 1999), a 2013 inquiry (Hutchison, 2013) along with other studies (Fitzpatrick & Burrows, 2017) and a government review that resulted in updating the policy guide (Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga, 2015) revealed a need for central government to monitor and enforce sexuality education in schools to correct it not being provided or provided at a substandard level (Fitzpatrick & Burrows, 2017). The dearth of sexuality education and the failure to teach consent or bodily autonomy rights in schools has resulted in higher rates of sexual assault and harassment within schools, a growing crisis which continues today with BOTs prioritising protecting the schools' reputations over students' wellbeing in covering up or being unwilling or unable to take action to protect victims or stop perpetrators (Fitzpatrick & Burrows, 2017; O'Callaghan, 2021; 3 News, 2013 Porter, 2021). BOT members by the frameworks put in place by the neo-liberal marketplace approach to education and decentralised governance are incentivised to put marketability and perception of safety ahead of actual safety and have been repeatedly found to be doing so, this restricts the choice of all involved as the system is structured to pressure schools away from responsible choices which strips students of ability to make informed choices for their own safety or their futures and in frequent failings impacts and restricts all future choices for students involved.

The removal of welfare liberalisms central regulation and home zoned schools from education under neo-liberalism has deeply impacted choice and the implications of choice in Aotearoa New Zealand. By placing education at the mercy of market forces, schools have been coerced by market pressures into prioritising marketability and education as a product over education and students welfare in order to compete against each other, parents incentivised to chase ‘good schools’ further afield from home driving up ‘school run’ traffic, socioeconomic and ethnic segregation and school leavers have been left unequal, their choices for their futures defined by their inequal education opportunities, chosen for them by their secondary schools. ‘Tomorrow’s Schools’ opened the choice for what school to attend but in doing so released market forces and pressures to bind those choices for many and make others bound by them.

  References  

3 News. (2013,  November 8). Roast Busters' school did nothing - victim's mother. 3 News.  Retrieved from  https://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/roast-busters-school-did-nothing--victims-mother-2013110818

Alparone, F. R.,  & Pacilli, M. G. (2012). On children's independent mobility: the  interplay of demographic, environmental, and psychosocial factors. Children's  Geographies, 10(1), 109-122.

Fitzpatrick, K.,  & Burrows, L. (2017). Critical health education in Aotearoa New Zealand. Sport,  Education and Society, 22(5), 552-568.

Foster, S.,  Villaneuva, K., Wood, L., Christian, H., & Giles-Corti, B. (2014). The  impact of parents’ fear of strangers and perceptions of informal social  control on children's independent mobility. Health & Place, 26(March),  60-68.

Gordon, L.  (1997). 'Tomorrow's Schools' Today: School Choice and the Education  Quasi-Market. Education Policy in Nei,,v Zealand: the I 990s and Beyond,  65-82.

Gordon, L.  (2015). ‘Rich’ and ‘Poor’ Schools Revisited. New Zealand Journal of  Educational Studies volume, 50, 7-21.

Hutchison, P.  (2013). Inquiry into improving child health outcomes and preventing child  abuse with a focus from preconception until three years of age. Report of  the health committee, 1.

Mandic, S.,  Sandretto, S., Bengoechea, E. G., Hopkins, D., Moore, A., Rodda, J., &  Wilson, G. (2017). Enrolling in the Closest School or Not? Implications of  school choice decisions for active transport to school. Journal of  Transport and Health, 6, 347-357.

Ministry of  Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga. (1999). Health and Physical  Education in the New Zealand Curriculum (1999). Wellington: Learning  Media Limited, Crown.

Ministry of  Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga. (2015). Sexuality education: A  guide for Principal’s, Boards of Trustees and Teachers. Wellington.

Nairn, K., &  Higgins, J. (2011). The emotional geographies of neoliberal school reforms:  Spaces of refuge and containment. Emotion, Space and Society, 4(3),  180-186.

O'Callaghan, J.  (2021, August 14). Teenager leaves school after being faced with alleged  rapist - a fellow student - each day. Stuff. Retrieved from  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/125888025/teenager-leaves-school-after-being-faced-with-alleged-rapist--a-fellow-student--each-day

Peddie, B., &  Somerville, C. (2005). Travel Behaviour Change through School Travel  Planning: Mode Shift and Community Engagement – Results from 33 Schools in  Victoria. Australasian Transport Research Forum, 28, 1-13.

Porter, N. (2021,  July 3). Sexual harassment hits multi generations, with assaults also in  primary schools. Stuff. Retrieved from  https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/gender-and-society/125630038/sexual-harassment-hits-multi-generations-with-assaults-also-in-primary-schools

Stubbs, T., &  Strathdee, R. (2012). Markets in education: the impact of school choice  policies in one market context in New Zealand. International Studies in  Sociology of Education, 22(2), 97-124.

Thrupp, M.  (2007). School Admissions and the Segregation of School Intakes in New  Zealand Cities. Urban Studies, 44(7), 1393-1404.

Tranter, P.,  & Pawson, E. (2001). Children's Access to Local Environments: A  case-study of Christchurch, New Zealand. The International Journal of  Justice and Sustainability, 6(1), 27-48.

[ocean-waters]

The grip this ship has had over my life ever since I started watching free! (Which by now was like, 7 years ago) is insane. I've never been as obsessed with a ship as I have with this one. They live inside my head 24/7. and have pretty much defined my taste in ships and dynamics.

There's just so much to say I'm not even sure how to even begin to cover it or put it into words. So i will just ramble on here, putting whatever comes to mind. Sorry for the mess.

The dynamic they have is something truly unique. When I say I love rivals to lovers, I really mostly mean rinharu. That electric spark that is always present whenever they're together is just so fun to see every time. They light a flame in each other's souls and drive each other forward. They clash and bump heads sometimes, but no matter what they're always drawn back together like magnets. It's literally canon that their futures align and they're destined to always swim together.

The beginning of their history together is also such a fun dynamic. Haru found Rin obnoxious and acted very distant and stubborn with him, but Rin was a determined little nuisance. And he was obsessed with Haru. It was basically love at first sight, lol. So much so that he decides to transfer to his elementary school just to meet and swim with him again. He also gushed about Haru to literally everyone he knew (something he still does even now, and I love it so much. Like, "Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Rin Matsuoka. Anyway, there's this guy I know who has gorgeous blue eyes and a cool personality, and his swimming is...")

Eventually, his charm got to Haru, who finally let him in. But it wasn't just that Haru simply tolerated his presence. He actually became just as obsessed with Rin as Rin was with him. and Haru was also constantly thinking about his smile, saying how being with or thinking about him makes him feel like he has a fever, and also feeling so sad when Rin says he's living. I mean, how dare he? How dare he just come into his life, turn everything on its head, make him feel so many strange feelings, show him incredible sights, talking about their futures together, getting him to open up and try new things,, and then just leave?. And also just the fact that he quit swimming because he thought he'd hurt rin when he won that winter race in middle school against him.

Haru hates seeing him leave. Something he ended up admitting to in FS2 in that one scene (pain)

But even when they're apart, they still remain connected, they feel each other's presence even when they're miles away, and they look forward to their next meeting.

And when they swim together?? It never fails to make me feel so excited. I genuinely treasure the competitive aspect of their dynamic. It's very important to me for them to have that spark. That flame.

They can also be very soft with each other, too, though. Like in the "I've always admired you" talk; the scene where they talk in bed in Australia; "without you, I have nothing to aim for."; the time Haru gave Rin that cherry blossom pool he said he wanted to swim in when he was little; the conversation they had in car date audio drama; the shining poem in the sleepover audio drama; the "Rin, make rainbows again" audio drama; and so many others.

I love their opposites-attract situation and that they kind of compliment each other in some ways. Rin is extroverted, sentimental, and touchy-feely. He externalizes his feelings, and he goes for what he wants. Hadu is introverted, more reserved, and he internalizes his feelings and prefers to isolate. He expresses love more in acts of service. He's not at all a tactile, and yet he welcomes Rin's touch. I mean, he has basically claimed Haru's shoulder as his spot by now.

Rin gets Haru out of his comfort zone. He can be very pushy, but in the end, he always manages to get Haru to achieve new heights. Like when he helped him find his dream by taking him on a sudden trip to Australia, showing him the sights, having a chat about their feelings while sharing a bed, and taking him out for a swim at a tournament pool. You know, as one normally does. Somebody once described it as "Haru gives an inch, and Rin demands a mile." And I think that's an accurate assessment.

And the angst. I like that their relationship is not necessarily perfect. They have had a bunch of misunderstandings, and they each deal with them in very opposite ways. But despite all their differences and past arguments, they manage to stay afloat. They persevere, and their bond strengthens. They have such a special connection. I'm convinced they're twin flames.

They're each other's joy and shining. And they can do amazing things together. And I adore them. I'll forever keep them close to my heart.

A year ago today, we reserved our twitter name and officially became The Night Pool!

Help us celebrate by sharing why you love rinharu & what the ship means to you!

❤️💙

[magniloquent-raven]

that soulmate au where everything you draw on yourself shows up on your soulmate, right. saw a post asking "what if make-up counts" and.

steve always thought his soulmate was a girl.

because when he was nine his nails stained themselves a messy purple in the middle of breakfast. it was exciting, the first time something like this had happened to him. he dropped his spoon into his oatmeal and banged on the tabletop til his nanny agreed to call his mother.

his mother was distracted over the phone, but she sounded happy enough. he went to school with an ear-to-ear grin on his face, staring down at his nails the whole drive there.

by second period the nail polish was gone, but the bubbling feeling in his chest wasn't.

a few months later, late one saturday evening, steve was in tommy's room debating whether the mark they saw on carol's arm really was the dog tommy had drawn on himself in math class, when suddenly tommy stops, stares. and laughs.

and steve is confused until he glances around and catches sight of himself in a mirror. there's a pink smear across his mouth, glossy and shining when he moves his head, but clearly applied with a shaky hand.

steve shoves tommy off his chair, suddenly feeling defensive. it's not funny. make up takes practice. steve's sure he'd be bad at it if he tried.

but thankfully it doesn't stay long. an hour, at most.

it happens again the following saturday. and every saturday for five months. gold eyeshadow and shimmering powder on his cheeks, glittery lip glosses, bright colours all applied inexpertly, and never for more than an hour or two.

then. it stops. one saturday, nothing happens. he stays up all night, unable to stop flicking the lights back on to glance at himself in the mirror just in case, but every time the twisting feeling of disappointment is just worsened.

that morning, exhausted and upset, he grabs a marker, scribbling the first thing that comes to mind across his arm.

i bet you looked pretty

there's no response. he's not sure if this kind of thing is allowed. talking to your soulmate like that. or if it's, like. cheating the system or something. he gets nervous after a few hours. maybe it's the lack of sleep messing with his head, but he scrubs it off in a fit of panic around lunch time.

and years go by. when they're old enough for girls to start wearing makeup regularly he hopes, wonders, glances at himself in the mirror so much, but it's always just his unmarked face staring back at him.

his soulmate doesn't draw on herself. she doesn't wear make up anymore. not even nail polish. steve starts doodling on his hands just to stop feeling so bare. empty. but he also starts carrying a packet of wet wipes in his bag so he can clean them off

and then. he's nearly eighteen, on a date with nancy and her subtle purple eyeshadow. and he's trying not to look too sourly at tommy and carol across the diner, sucking face and smudging the matching hearts drawn on their cheekbones. carol thinks it's cute, when she does her makeup sometimes she'll add hearts or stars by tracing tommy's freckles.

steve resents it. deep down, he does, and always has. he should've just been happy for them, but he's just. lonely.

but nancy gets it, he thinks. she's never gotten marks, she's not even sure she has a soulmate. sometimes steve's not sure he has one anymore either.

except.

except nancy's looking at him funny, and he asks her what the problem is, and--

"are you wearing eyeliner?"

he runs to the bathroom. and. and yes he is. it's smudged, almost artfully messy instead of just clumsy like it used to be. he pokes at his eye, running a finger under his eyelashes, tracing the inky lines.

he's overwhelmed. relieved.

frustrated.

what kind of girl only wears make-up at night? and how the hell is he gonna find her if she doesn't wear it during the day like everyone else. when people can actually see it.

shit, maybe she lives in. like. australia or something. in a different time zone.

steve goes home that night with a whole whirlwind of distracting thoughts. mixed emotions. he tries to cling to the knowledge that at least she's still out there, somewhere, but he can't help but feel even lonelier imagining how much distance might be between them.

six months later billy hargrove blows into town, loud and attention-seeking and annoyingly gorgeous. steve doesn't know what to make of him. not at first.

doesn't know what to do with the way billy's eyes follow him everywhere he goes. or the press of billy's chest against his back during practice. or pretty boy like you. or sparks in his fingertips every time he thinks about the colour blue.

until math class gets extra boring and steve starts to doodle aimlessly, swirling patterns up his wrist and something like waves crashing in the palm of his hand.

the back of his neck starts to itch, like he's being watched, and he looks up, meeting billy's horrified stare from the other side of the room. his arm is held close to his chest like he's injured it, and for one confusing moment steve wonders how the hell billy broke his arm in math class, and why he isn't going to the nurse, but then--

then he sees the corner of a curling line, peeking out from hiding. blue ink staining tanned skin.

steve drops his pen. it clatters to the floor, drawing a couple glares in the silence.

before he can do more than blink and mouth wordlessly, billy bolts. he doesn't even take his text book with him, leaves his notes scattered across his desk. the classroom door slams shut behind him.

steve wants to follow him. wants it so badly he's shaking with it, need and desire and everything in him trying to get him up and moving. but he can't. he's not stupid. he knows how it'll look, and that's the last thing either of them need.

so he waits. waits fifteen agonizing, impossibly long minutes.

and he's out of his seat the second the bell rings, gathering up billy's things before he half-runs out of the room.

it's easier to find billy than he thought it would be. he's in the parking lot, leaning against his car with a cigarette between his lips, staring down at the lines on his arm.

his hand darts into his pocket when he spots steve, and he squints up at the sky with feigned nonchalance.

a smile tugs at steve's lips.

"i brought your stuff," he says softly, quietly, like he's afraid if he's too loud he'll spook billy and scare him off. and. maybe he is.

billy glances at him out of the corner of his eye. "...shouldn't have bothered." he kicks the ground.

steve lays the books on the camaro's hood and shuffles a little closer to billy. the look he gets is wary. a warning. they're still at school. there are people around. there's a million reasons why he shouldn't reach out right now and kiss billy like he's wanted to do since this stupid infuriating asshole rolled into town like he owned the place. so.

he doesn't.

he stands close enough that their shoulders touch, pointedly not looking at him, staring sightlessly out at the parking lot instead.

"i was right, you know."

"hm?"

"about you being pretty."

billy makes a strangled noise. "that...was a long time ago."

"yeah? and?"

"it. it was dumb kid shit. i wasn't. i didn't. i don't do that anymore."

"uhh, few months ago--"

"i made a mistake," billy snaps, shoulders tense, hunching and pulling away from steve's.

steve turns, then, looks at him. sees the fear glinting in his eyes. and it hurts. a visceral pain, right through him. "billy..." his hand twitches at his side and he resists the urge to touch him. "i won't...i won't tell anyone. if you want it to be a secret it will be. i promise, okay? promise." he pauses, with relief, watches billy relax a fraction. "can...can it be our secret though?"

billy raises his eyebrows. "what."

"i wanna see. if. if that's okay. i wanna see you."

for a second steve thinks billy might hit him. shove him away and run again. but the moment stretches on and a flush starts to creep across billy's cheeks. he shifts his weight around. "i...maybe."

it feels like a win. somewhere to start.

and he feels nine years old again, giddy, smiling like a loon, and hopeful for the future.

(edit: pt2 here)

[angel-riki]

Dazed & Dreaming {Ch. 1}

summary: Y/N's life was always quite normal, some may even consider it boring. However, Y/N enjoyed her simple life and the little pleasures it brought. Unfortunately, that all changed the day she found out her best friend's biggest secret. Her discovery leads her down a rabbit hole of a new and confusing world she never knew existed. She must now navigate this new life filled with love, fear, and the supernatural. What awaits her down this path?

pairing: enhypen x reader (vampire au)

warnings: light swearing

word count: 1,435

chapters: [Ch.2] [Ch.3] [Ch.4]

~~~~~~~~~~

The brisk autumn air pricked at your cheeks, making you shiver as you clutched your coat tighter around your body. You picked up your pace as your shoes tapped lightly against the pavement. Walking to school was nice this time of year, you loved the autumn scenery which was full of rich colors and leaves dancing in the wind. Winter on the other hand, was another story. It was also quite pretty, yet much more inconvenient and impractical. However, right now it was a pleasant walk.

Before you know it, you're at the entrance of your school, trudging up the stairs. Oh how you longed to be back in your warm, soft bed, asleep. You begrudgingly continued on your way when you heard a familiar voice ring out,

"Y/N! Wait up!"

You recognize the voice without even needing to turn around, it was Jake. Jake had been your best friend since he had moved here from Australia way back in middle school. He meant the world to you. You've grown so close over the years, he practically knows everything about you at this point. And you know all about him as well. You smiled and waved at the cheerful boy as he jogged to catch up with you. Slightly out of breath and with flushed cheeks, he greeted you,

"Good morninggg!" He drew out the last syllable with a dorky grin on his face. You giggled, he was always so cute without even trying.

"Good morning," you replied, happily.

"Kind of chilly this morning, huh? Did you walk to school again?" He asked.

"Yeah, I did. I always walk to school, you know that," you chuckled at his silly question.

"You knowww," he began,

Oh boy here we go, you thought.

"Heeseung would totally give you a ride to school if you'd like," he stated. Jake had made this offer to you a few times, however, you always declined. Heeseung was a close friend of Jake's yet he was merely an acquaintance to you at best, you would feel bad having him drive you around. Especially since he already gave Jake rides every morning.

Also not to mention, you found Heeseung incredibly attractive and you don't think your heart could handle that...

"No that's okay, I wouldn't want to impose," you politely declined like always. Jake sighed. You were always so considerate, almost to a fault.

"Y/N, Heeseung totally wouldn't mind, he isn't like that, you know." He smiled, trying to convince you to accept the offer. Especially, knowing that winter was just around the corner.

"I know...I just would rather not," you said trying to escape the topic as your cheeks began to heat up. Jake sighed defeatedly and decided to let it go as you both continued your way into the building.

*****

The end of the day couldn't come soon enough as you headed towards your final class; physics. Yay. You've always hated physics and although you were a straight A student, your grades suffered in that class. Thankfully, Jake was quite good at physics and was always happy to help. Over time, he basically became your tutor. You scanned the front board to see what the topic of the lesson was today. Like usual, you couldn't make sense of any of it. God, I wish I had Jake's brain, you thought to yourself.

As much as you tried not to, you ended up tuning out the teacher and his lecture as your mind wandered to anything but physics. Before you knew it, class was over and students began gathering their books and shuffling out of the classroom. Shit. I didn't pay attention to any of that. You mentally kicked yourself for slacking off. Well, at least the school day is over. You headed back to your locker where you saw Jake waiting for you.

"Hey Y/N, how was physics? I know it's your favorite class," he said sarcastically.

"Shut up," you slapped him playfully on the arm, "I actually totally zoned out the whole period. Therefore, I'm lost and you really have your work cut out for you as my tutor," you retorted.

He laughed and shook his head, "Y/N, you're killing me!" He said while jokingly clutching his chest in imaginary pain.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry I should honestly be paying you at this point," you laughed.

"Nah don't worry about it, I'm happy to help," he said. Gosh he's so sweet, you thought. Sometimes you felt like you didn't deserve him. But if you ever dared to say that out loud, you know you would receive an immediate rebuttal from him. Because that's just how Jake is.

*****

*BZZZ* *BZZZ* * BZZZ*

You rolled over and groaned. Ughhh, it's already time to get up? You had stayed up later than usual the night before. You had been facetiming with Jake as he tried to explain your physics homework to you. Unfortunately, it took you quite a while to understand it since you hadn't paid attention in class earlier that day.

Just 5 more minutes...you thought as you lazily snoozed your alarm.

*****

Your eyes fluttered open as you awoke for the second time. Hm, that's weird. Why didn't my alarm go off yet? You grabbed your phone to check the time. You squinted as your eyes adjusted to the bright screen. Oh shit. You had overslept for 45 minutes. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. You mentally cursed at yourself as you scrambled to get ready in half the time you usually do. You frantically threw on your school uniform and hurried to the bathroom to brush you teeth. You gasped as you saw your reflection. You had the worst bed head you had EVER seen. Just my luck. You quickly threw your hair up into a half updo. Guess I'm going for the messy look today. You hurried downstairs and grabbed a granola bar on your way out. You headed down your driveway only to see a car parked on the side of the road right in front of your house. You were a bit confused but as you got closer you were met with two familiar faces. Oh no. This is Heeseung's car. Your stomach did a backflip. Heeseung smiled and gave a small wave as Jake greeted you from the passenger seat,

"Hey, Y/N! Sorry for the surprise, I knew you would never accept the ride but the weather's getting colder and I don't want you to get sick," Jake rambled.

"Jake told me that you walk to school every morning, but I don't mind giving you a ride, it's no problem at all," Heeseung added with a kind smile.

You appreciated the kind gesture, however, you were mortified. Here you were, looking like the hottest mess of the century in front of the hottest boy of the century. This can't be happening. Of all days, why today?!

You smiled meekly, "Wow, uh, thank you that's very kind of you! I guess I'll take you up on that offer since you already went out of your way to come here," you said apologetically. The two boys smiled at you as you opened the car door and climbed into the back seat.

*****

So far, the ride had been fairly quiet until Jake suddenly broke the silence,

"Y/N, did you do something different with your hair?" Jake asked as he turned around to face you.

God, why did he have to bring that up??

"Uh, yeah, I actually woke up late and my hair was a mess so I just tried to make the best of it," you laughed nervously.

"Ohh, well it looks nice!" he complimented.

"Yeah, you look cute." Heeseung added with his eyes still on the road.

You froze. Your brain began malfunctioning as you tried to compute what Heeseung just said. He called me cute. You chuckled anxiously as you felt your cheeks burning up.

"Thank you," you said shyly.

Jake had noticed your abrupt change in body language, which confused him. But then, it all clicked. Oh...She has a crush on Heeseung. He didn't know how he hadn't noticed it sooner. He grinned to himself, amused by his realization. Suddenly, it made sense why you never accepted a ride.

~~~~~~~~~~

Hi, guys! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I know it was a bit slow, but once the introductory part is out of the way, hopefully things will pick up the pace. Regardless, thank you for reading! I am also uploading this series on wattpad, so if you’d like to support it over there, that would mean a lot! I'm hoping to publish new chapters a couple times a week so keep your eyes peeled hehehe

~Elle <3

[x--daughters-of-darkness--x]

Outlanders: How Jinjer survived a revolution and built their own world

Jinjer’s resilient spirit was forged in the civil war that erupted their native Ukraine in 2014. As the groove metal quartet prepare to unleash their fourth and most complex album to date, singer Tatiana Shmayluk relives the turmoil that shaped them. Cue: one of modern music’s most remarkable tales of survival, resistance and sheer determination…

It was when the first fighter jet flew overhead that Tatiana Shmayluk realised she had to run.

For the past few months, the mood in Ukraine had been growing increasingly tense. As a former USSR state, in spring 2014 the country had only had independence from Russia since 1991. Many citizens had wanted then-President Viktor Yanukovych to sign an agreement aligning the country closer with the European Union in November 2013. Plenty of others wanted to stay close to Russia. Protests began across the country. Then violence. Then Yanukovych was ousted from office in February 2014. Then more violence.

“There was a revolution,” says Tatiana. ​“There were huge riots in the main square of Kiev. In the end, our president, his ass was kicked out and he left the country. That was crazy. And then everything turned into chaos. And that’s when people really started hating each other.”

That April, following a highly suspect vote on whether to stay or go which resulted in a widely disputed declaration of autonomy for the region around Tatiana’s home-city of Donetsk in the east of the country, on the border with Russia, armed conflict commenced, involving Russian troops, tanks and air power. So began what Tatiana calls ​“a civil war – Ukrainians attacking Ukrainians”, with those loyal to their former Soviet masters on one side, and those wanting to break free, and have independence and closer ties with the EU on the other.

You may remember news footage of protesters banging dustbin lids at lines of soldiers and riot police. The politics of the situation are obviously layered and complex, but the simple version is: imagine a turbo version of Brexit that actually tore the country in two and resulted in one region declaring an independence that’s somewhat disputed by most of the world that isn’t Russia. And with a lot more violence. And a conflict that’s still piling up bodies now.

Tatiana was having a barbecue when she realised what was about to happen. ​“We were at a picnic, not far away from my building where I lived,” she says today from her flat in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. ​“We were just chilling on the grass, eating food and stuff. And we heard this loud sound in the sky – we looked up and saw a jet. And that was that. We just grabbed our stuff and ran home, and we started figuring out how to leave before it was too late.”

Had Tatiana and her friends – including other members of her band, Jinjer – waited much longer than they did, their passage to Lviv some 1,300 kilometres to the west, where bassist Eugene Abdukhanov and his wife were already living, might have been much more hazardous. Even as they ​“packed all our shit into a van” and made a break for it, the country was starting to change shape around them.

“Already there were borders built being built around our region,” she says. ​“And I remember when we were crossing it, we were met by a guy, a soldier with a weapon. And then we heard [machine gun fire] somewhere very close to us.”

As she describes this, Tatiana makes an almost amusing machine gun noise, but she is painfully aware that even seven years on, the situation remains a serious one. ​“There’s no way out for this problem,” she says, ​“No solution. And that’s really, really sad.” If one needed an example of the lasting effects here, her parents have remained behind in what she calls, with almost mundane succinctness, ​“the war zone”.

“There’s an actual border between Ukraine and the former parts of the country, and it’s all blocked. And due to the pandemic, they have no chance to cross borders,” she explains. ​“They cannot receive money from the government, their pensions. I always tell my mom, ​‘Hey, mom, just try once to do this, make really big effort and cross this border, even [if you have to go] through Russia. Just come here and stay here. I can help you in any way possible.’ But she is old school. And when you have been living on this earth for over 60 years, it’s really hard to change your way of living.”

But that’s what Tatiana and Jinjer have had to do. And growing from such trying circumstances has only made them more rigid in their resolve. Because literally having to run for your life will have an effect on a person. ​“Growing balls, maintaining your balls,” is how she puts it.

“Of course, it makes you stronger,” she says. ​“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Today, Tatiana has lived in Kiev for more than five years. As Jinjer’s singer, she is one of the rising stars of European metal, and made her living visiting countries as far-flung as Argentina, Australia and Japan to play her band’s music. Next week, the band release their fourth album, Wallflowers, a furious, razor-sharp work of metal that will delight fans of Cradle Of Filth and Conjurer alike, and will add nicely to streams that, in total, already sit at over 100 million.

Though she says that she’s only been recognised around town a handful of times, and that she probably gets noticed more for the tattoos that cover her arms and neck (“Old women who were born in the Soviet Union really reject people with tattoos,” she says. ​“They look at you like you’re a prisoner, or a prostitute…”) than for her music, at 34 life for Tatiana is very different to what she knew growing up. As a kid in the early ​’90s, after the collapse of the USSR, her family were, she says, ​“average”, but there were clues that the Shmayluk family were not one of society’s ​‘haves’.

“I remember that we couldn’t afford meat,” she recalls. ​“After the Cold War ended we got a lot of American food, like veggie burgers. It looked like oatmeal with brown [fake] chicken that you make into patties, and then you fry them. You eat them as kind of meat, but it’s not. It’s just some shit, like some very plastic stuff. I realised how poor we were. And I was crying, ​‘Mom, I just want some meat. I don’t want to eat this.’”

Elsewhere, though, Tatiana remembers her childhood as being ​“great”, a time she looks back on with fondness. ​“We didn’t have internet and stuff, so we just played outside all day long. And school was awesome.” The food imports post-Cold War might not have been the most brilliant thing she had ever seen, but the new order also brought with it more western culture. MTV introduced six-year-old Tatiana to hip-hop (“I’d practice dancing like MC Hammer”), but via going through her brother’s room and raiding his tape collection – often bootlegs – she also got turned on to Nirvana, Metallica and The Offspring.

“We had this family tradition that every evening we had supper together around the same table,” she remembers. ​“When I discovered The Offspring, I put Smash on my huge headphones. I was sitting in a chair, eating, and I wasn’t talking to anyone from my family, just listening to music. And then when I finished, I just sat back and just enjoyed the music, doing nothing.”

Her ability to both lose and find herself in music turned into doing something more significant at high school when, after years spent doodling herself playing guitar in a band with other girls in a sketchbook, Tatiana performed her first gig as part of a talent contest, doing covers of songs by Limp Bizkit and German metallers Guano Apes (“No-one voted for us,” she laughs). Her first gig as an audience member, meanwhile, came a few years later, when Soulfly played in Kiev. Despite the fact she didn’t actually get to see Max Cavalera and his band onstage, it was an experience in itself.

“I traveled from Donetsk to Kiev, like, 700 – 800 kilometres,” she says. ​“My parents were very protective, they didn’t want me going anywhere on road trips or anything, and they didn’t give me any money to spend. I only got to watch maybe 30 minutes of the show, because my boyfriend got drunk and started a fight with someone. Security grabbed him and threw him out of the club. It was quite a shitty day!”

In 2010, aged 23, having completed language studies at university, and working briefly at a dating agency, Tatiana joined Jinjer. Two years later, they self-released their debut EP, Inhale, Don’t Breathe. A year after that, they played outside Ukraine for the first time, in neighbouring Romania. ​“That gave us a push to move forward, because we really liked it,” she says. ​“And although we didn’t bring any money back – we didn’t earn anything – we realised that we want to do this, and we’re going to overcome any obstacle that is waiting for us.”

Eight months later, this would be put to the test by fleeing the war. Having moved to Lviv, Jinjer – Tatiana, Eugene, guitarist Roman Ibramkhalilov and then-drummer Yevhen Mantulin – then all moved into what the singer describes as ​“a summer house” just outside the city. Soon, the band became a full-time concern. They still had nothing, but it was a more fun nothing.

“We were all just hoping for the best, touring just with money that we had, earning nothing, like one euro,” she says. ​“Sometimes we didn’t have anything to eat, basically, because we were broke, because everyone had just quit their jobs. We just had some coins to buy a beer. That was intense. But I remember those years only with a warm heart. That was fun. That was a really huge challenge for just people who had never done that before, but we happened to overcome all this shit because we stayed together.”

But as touring became a more regular thing and things for Jinjer seemed to be on the up and up, the band once again found themselves faced with bad luck that most will, mercifully, never know. On tour in 2014, they had a long drive to Russia for the next run of shows. Stopping at a friend’s house in Kiev for the night, Tatiana took a taxi back to her own place, leaving everyone else to continue partying and drinking. At 4am, she got a phone call about Yevhen.

“They said, ​‘You have to come here because he’s broken his spine,’” she recalls. ​“He fell out of the window. Everyone [had gone] to sleep, and he stayed there in the kitchen, sitting on the window frame, smoking. And then he fell asleep, and fell from the third floor. They heard someone screaming in the middle of the night, but they didn’t realise – they thought that it was maybe a dog or something. And then someone checked the kitchen and he was not there. Then they looked down and saw him just lying there.”

By some miracle, he survived, though he no longer has use of his legs. Tatiana says she and his bandmates were ​“in shock for many years”, and that, ​“I remember we were all around him, toured with him, just hanging out, and then he’s just like… bam.” But even this incident, which left him in a wheelchair and unable to return to the band, is talked about in the same spirited, fighty way that Tatiana talks about every challenge.

“He seems very positive,” she says. ​“He’s doing music and he tours around Russia with a band. It’s kind of a hip-hop band, and he plays guitar. He’s still doing tours, so that’s awesome.”

Should you ask Tatiana to describe to you the Ukrainian national character, she’ll tell you that they are “stubborn”, and that as a whole they feel “we have nothing to lose”. She’ll also tell you that, “Ukrainians are very passionate people. Not like Italians [are passionate], for example, or Spanish people. We are passionate with a straight face, you know, not smiling – more like Russians.” When it comes to danger, meanwhile, she says that “we take risks easily”.

Surprisingly, despite the above description matching the impression you get of Tatiana from her story, she doesn’t think of herself as ​“a typical Ukrainian”. She does, though, nod in confirmation when asked if she sees playing music as a form of resistance. Before any of the bigger events and challenges, this spirited defiance started with becoming a musician at all, at home.

“The first time I resisted something that really prevented me from doing what I love was my parents,” she says. ​“Mostly my mom, who didn’t want to see me as a musician. In Ukraine, it’s kind of a big thing. If you’re a musician, it’s not respected. From 17 to 23, I was protesting [her], silently. I didn’t, like, yell at her; I didn’t fight with her. I just said, ​‘Yeah, yeah,’ and I did my own thing. That’s when it started, and it’s still going this way.”

An example: on Wallflowers, there’s a song, Disclosure, in which Tatiana vents about treatment at the hands of certain media outlets in her homeland. Even being used to internet haters, giving the band shit for everything from daring to escape a warzone, to daring to have a female member, to daring to become successful, the experience left her boiling.

“Earlier this year, in March, me and Eugene went to some studio to do an interview with a Ukrainian guy who is a YouTuber, and he used to work on Ukrainian TV channels,” she says. ​“So there was a tense atmosphere, and very angry vibrations between us. And he was so manipulative. We had differences in our political views and stuff, and he didn’t want to accept that. So he really wanted to show us in a very bad, bad way. I was pissed off for three days after that, and wrote the song about it.”

As people with a profile, do you think you’re a target for that sort of thing?

“We absolutely are targets for those people, for haters,” Tatiana says. ​“They hate us for different reasons: for me being a woman, you know. And people think that we pay for [success], like with our money – some of them think that we are hugely rich. My mom is a bookkeeper! My dad worked in coal mining, he was a worker, just working class. But no-one cares. They always find something to blame us for. But at least they don’t do us any harm. Only with words and comments. It’s distant. They’re poison, but it goes nowhere.”

Tatiana Shmayluk is a self-evidently tough woman. She’s also extremely nice. Equally, she’s extremely modest. When she talks about her life’s trials and triumphs, survival and successes, she does so in a manner that almost shrugs these things off, that possibly anyone could do them. Possibly, if pushed by the sight of a war literally kicking off while you have a barbecue, we could. But it’s still surprising that, for someone with more real things to get angry about than most, she describes what she’s putting into Wallflower as simply ​“my whining and insecurities”.

“Every album, I find something to be angry about,” she says. ​“It’s pessimistic, but it’s nothing to do with the pandemic. The pandemic gave me some time to just sit and think about, different stuff that I’ve been going through. And we have to agree that the whole world isn’t getting any better – I put myself into this kind of state of mind that, ​‘Okay, it’s almost the end of the world.’ Maybe the next album will be more optimistic and more positive. Maybe…”

Pessimism or not, none of it makes her story of prevailing against the things she has any less stirring. Never mind the fact that the band she fronts come from a country most tours don’t even stop at. She’s – rightfully – proud of Jinjer’s success, and the work ethic it’s taken to get them where they are, but she’s almost at pains to share the glory with her bandmates. And in part, it’s this that’s carried Jinjer through all this the most. It’s this, she says, that’s helped her both survive, and to thrive.

“I would never do this myself. I wouldn’t be able to work on so many obstacles just by myself,” Tatiana admits. ​“And if I had some type of my own personal career, just a single singer, I wouldn’t even start doing that. I really need those guys. And the guys, I hope they need me. That’s just how it works: all together. Even having nothing in our pockets and empty stomachs, we could work.

“It just depends on how big your dream is.”

[golbrockstar]

Jenna reviews 25x25 2-parter again because I finally got the motivation to watch the 25x25 videos haha. Kind of a long one, here we go!

Part 1: Overcoming my BROKEN BACK Trauma (Cliff Diving)

Okay, let’s just say the DRAMATIC CAPITALIZATION is so click bait-y it’s hilarious.

Ngl it’s been cold where I live and this place looks like literal paradise right now.

Fucking Crackhead Colby starts us off not even a minute in lmao

“We gon be doin’ some of the most richy rich bougie bougie shit ever” We GET it your rich, GOD. No, I’m kidding, but sometimes it does seem like they’re showing off, but I would too tbh.

“Haunted and Abandoned-” Oh, so not so richy rich bougie bougie. Sweet. Excited.

They’re gonna get on a boat and there’s a thunderstorm? What demon did they piss off because they have the worst luck, I swear. God the luck thing needs it own post man because damn. And that is a huge boat.

“I- I don’t know how to...drive it.” I love Nate. I relate to his humor.

Hello, Roxanne, I love your accent.

Side Note: Colby’s random bandana around his arm is random.

“The last time this happened to me, Roxanne, I threw up in an air plane.” God, I just love Nate. His one-liners are great. If 25x25 was a TV show, Nate would be my favorite character, no lie (Sorry Sam, Colby, Justin, and Alex)

Captain Sex Magnet omg, glad you’re not lacking the confidence department there Colbs. Of all the things Colby is know for he goes for “Sex Magnet.” Why not like, Captain Emo or something? 😂

Will the Sam’s nipples jokes ever die? Probably not. It’s been years now.

First challenge looks fun, but they hit that water hard man, maybe it’s just the sound effect but it looks painful. But nobody’s hurt and I’m probably being dramatic lol.

Side Note: Looks like Sam has graduated from his little red swim trunks 

Aw Justin got sick, poor Justin. He’s so positive though, ready to get back at it. I appreciate that boy.

I love how Justin and Nate do these like majestic swan dives and Sam and Colby just fucking SPLASH. And then they keep falling off the board together.

Oh, those are some dark clouds. Sam’s right, they look evil.

Flawless transition there from thunderstorm to fishing. But at least they didn’t fucking get caught in the storm or anything. Thank god.

“We drink responsibly” HA PAST VIDEOS CALL BULLSHIT YOU ALCOHOLICS

Side Note: Justin is a fast swimmer, damn.

Okay, I’d jump off that cliff. Finally, a 25x25 challenge I’d actually attempt.

Serious props to Sam for this one because I bet after breaking his back there’s some serious anxiety there for him. Was it stupid? Probably but considerably less stupid than jumping off your roof onto a fucking bean-bag. My GOD that was so fucking stupid.

Justin is a badass. He just goes for it off that first cliff while the others move to a shorter one and then Colby, Nate, and Sam are like Nah Bro and Justin’s like fuck yeah I’ll jump and flip off this literal slippery slope.

I totally zoned out Sam and Colby’s end monologue for what’s next because a) I know what’s next lol and b) Nate it just messing with his sunglasses and necklace and totally taking my attention.

As always, gotta give the cinematography and editing some love because they are awesome. That one shot of Sam underwater after having just jumped off the cliff and the voice over? Masterpiece. Wanted more areal shots to see the island, but I mean I’d be worried about losing the drone to the ocean to I see why they probably didn’t do that.

Fun Video! On to part 2!

Part 2:  EXPLORING ABANDONED MILITARY SCHOOL (stranded)

Ah, the return of the XPLR thumbnail too. Shocked faces and an arrow pointing to nothing. Wish they would’ve done a “standing in front of *abandoned place* with our arms out” one too, but the scared on is fine lol.

“WHAT”S UP GUYS IT’S SAM AND COLBY” *music plays* “TODAY WE ARE-”

Oh, the sudden wave of nostalgia that gave me for no reason, wow. I didn’t know how much I missed the old videos until this one.

What I didn’t miss? The amount of freaking anxiety they give me. Like this whole video felt like I was there with them, that’s the level of anxiety I had.

They are so like worst case scenario guys too, like I get it, but come on. If it was light outside would you be as freaked out by the other people on the island? Probably not.

I guess that’s all part of the experience though, haha.

This place was really cool. I always think like, yeah, the jungle seems fun but then I remember the fucking spiders and shit that are there and I’m like 100% Nope From Me. 

Side Note: I don’t know how people live in Australia, tbh, that place is trying to kill you.

Colby touching all the animals. He just likes small, strange creatures, I guess.

Also they better be careful with those crabs they will fuck you up. 

The smaller sand crabs I’ve actually seen in person before! I saw them when my family took a vacation to Florida and they were on the beach at night. They bury themselves in the sand like super-fast but my dad was able to catch a few so we could see them up close and it was cool! They range from really tiny, like dime tiny, to like tennis shoe big or bigger.

I just felt so at home with this video. Like the *LISTEN and the sound effects and the camera angles and the running. This video feels like it just catered to old XPLR fans lol.

The ending though, I was so unsure of what was going to happen. I was like “are they gonna end up stranded and leave us on a cliffhanger? Where did the boat go? What the fuck?”

And then turns out Justin just freaked us out for the laughs. Man, I love that guy.

I am excited for more of these videos. Like, don’t get me wrong, I love the new 25x25 style but it feels really good to see some of the older elements come into play too. I hope Sam and Colby continue to edit at least these next few videos.

[365days365movies]

January 30, 2021: Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

So, now that I’ve gotten through the first of these movies, it’s probably time to talk about the director of all four films, George Miller.

Miller’s an Australian director and medical doctor. Yeah, dude went to medical school, and in his last year there, started getting into filmmaking! Nice. He immediately came off as a budding director, and made his official directorial debut with his first film...Mad Max. Yeah. Very interesting guy. Today’s entry is his second film, and he’s since made films including Twilight Zone: The Movie, The Witches of Eastwick, Lorenzo’s Oil, Babe (yes, the pig one), Babe: Pig in the City (yes, the OTHER pig one), Happy Feet (not the pig one) and its sequel, Happy Feet Two. So, a pretty good filmography!

But throughout it all, Miller’s flagship passion was the Mad Max franchise, continuing with this movie, and eventually ending with Fury Road. And from what I’ve heard about these remaining two films, I’m in for a ride. Pun half-heartedly intended. SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Recap

An elderly narrator brings us in, telling the tale of the Road Warrior, Mad Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson). He speaks of the downfall of modern society, punctuated by increased savagery, and the takeover of gangs on the world’s highways. People are ruined and forgotten, and they lose themselves. And these people include Max, who’s wandered out into the wilderness since losing his family. Yeah, Jess from the last movie? Dead. Guess she wasn’t doing so great after all.

Max and his dog are on the roads of Australia, where things have definitely changed. Ho longer around any vestige of civilization, the Road Warrior’s driving the Interceptor, being chased by punks on motorcycles, led by Wez (Vernon Wells), a cray, screaming dude with a bike and a mohawk..

After the chase, Max happens upon a recently-wrecked truck leaking gasoline, a much treasured resource in this post-apocalyptic landscape. Wez leaves, having been defeated, and Max gathers the fuel and goes his way. He drives through the desert until finding a mini-helicopter (a gyrocopter, it’s called), abandoned on the ground. 

After taking care of a carpet python (Morelia spilota; don’t know the subspecies), he finds himself ambushed by the Gyro Captain (Bruce Spence), who holds him up for his fuel. However, using his dog, Max gets the upper hand. Frightened, Gyro tells him of a huge supply of fuel somewhere in the desert. He agrees to show him in exchange for his life. Max agrees, and does this.

Yeah, he tied a string to the trigger of a gun, and tied the other end to Dog’s bone. Fuck yes.

Gyro’s true to his word, and he takes him to an oil refinery in the middle of the desert. It’s being used and guarded by a gang of some kind. Max sets up camp, tying Gyro to a dead tree and spying on the gang. That night, many gang members leave the refinery, and return the next day. I should mention, at this point, that we start to see some of the crazy vehicles I love so much in Fury Road. Which, yeah, HERE for that!

Anyway, the bikers, including good old Wez, go after a guy in a tricked-out buggy, incapacitating him and...taking...his wife. Yeah, these movies are really leaning on that to vilify their bad guys, huh? First it was Toecutter’s gang and the young couple, and now it’s these random people. Not the best gimmick in the world, but...OK?

Well, Max goes down to take their gasoline, and finds that the man has lived. Max brings him back to a small settlement, where they take him in. Meanwhile, a child with a boomerang, called Feral Kid (Emil Minty), watches. Cool.

Max is taken into the settlement, where oil is being refined as well. The settlers definitely don’t accept Max, and are ready to take his car and oust him into the wilderness without fuel. And then, the bikers return. And there are a LOT of them.

These are the Marauders, and they’ve taken some of the settlers captive. They’d gone out, only to be taken captive by Wez and the others. But Wez isn’t their leader. No...no, that would be the Warrior of the Wasteland! The Ayatollah of rock-and-roll-ah! THIS...is Lord Humungus (Kjell Nilsson)!

...Am I in love with this movie? Holy shit, I might be I mean, LOOK at that dude! With his voice and his scraggly-ass hair and Jason mask, he notes that the settlers sent out sentries to find a truck, with which to carry their gasoline and take it out of the desert. And as this is taking place, Feral Kid pops up, throws his steel boomerang, and kills Wez’ right hand man. WHAT

YES. MORE PLEASE. Feral Kid’s boomerang is thrown at him, misses, comes back and severs the fingers of the hand of Humungus’ mouth of Sauron dude, Toadie (Max Phipps). Humungus tries to calm the throngs, Wez included, and ends up putting Wez in a Sleeper. He tells the settlers to “just walk away, and [he] will spare [their] lives. Just walk away.”

...Yeah, I love Humungus. And his inevitable death saddens me more than I can properly say. Anyway, the settlers start debating whether or not they should walk away, and Max uses a little music-maker that he found to befriend the Feral Kid. The leader of the settlers, Pappagallo (Mike Preston) tries to convince them to flee with their fuel to a safe place. They continue to argue, until Max interjects with an offer.

Max can get them the vehicle to carry the tanker of gas that they have, but demands as much gas as he can carry, and the return of his vehicle. They agree to his terms, and Max heads off into the night to get the truck from earlier, with gas canisters and Dog in tow. With a little help from Feral Kid, he escapes the notice of the Marauders waiting nearby.

He catches up to Gyro, who’s managed to break free of the tree (well, mostly), and is quickly caught by Max in order to carry the gas canisters for the truck. They get back to Gyro’s gyro, where someone has died after being bitten by his...nonvenomous snake. Yeah, these films haven’t shown very high knowledge of zoology, huh?

They take to the air in the gyrocopter, and easily fly to the truck from the beginning of the film. They get it started, and Max leaves Gyro behind, although he protests to this, and follows behind in the copter. And then.he drives past Wez, who’s still enraged after losing his partner to boomerang hit.

By the way, I didn’t mention this about the gang, but they’re literally all wearing what looks to me like leather bondage gear? Like...I’m pretty certain that’s exactly what that is; it’s pretty obvious. ESPECIALLY Humungus and Wez’s partner, lemme tell you. Just a note, as this change in visual tone and style is going to carry throughout the rest of the series.

The Marauders run Max down, and Gyro saves the day with his snake, throwing it at one of the cars chasing him. Max JUST makes it into the Settlement, but a couple of the Marauders make it in as well, Wez amongst them. He kills a Settler using his favorite weapon, HIS OWN HEAD (fuck, this movie rules), and makes his was through the compound.

Max climbs the top of the wall, and uses a flamethrower on some of the men. Feral Kid throws a boomerang at Wez, who runs off with the rest of the Marauders. Gyro also arrives, landing in the settlement. Pappagallo, in the process, is shot in the leg with an arrow. Unfortunately, the damage sustained to the truck will take 12 hours to fix.

The Settlers thank Max for his help, but that doesn’t mean he’s staying there. That night, however, Humungus retaliates, and strings up their captured settlers for all to see, torturing them throughout the night. Nobody will make it out alive, by his promise. 

For the time being, Max and Gyro are still in the settlement, waiting for their chance to leave. Gyro tries to sneak away with a young woman, but she opts to stay out of loyalty to the Settlers. Also, her hair looks like a Who from Whoville. It had to be said...it had to be said. Pappagallo berated Max for just leaving, rather than helping the rest of them and driving the tanker. Max shoves aside Feral Kid, and he takes off.

However, this is NOT the best move on Max’s part, as he drives RIGHT THROUGH the Marauder camp, and Wez isn’t far behind him. Using a NOS system (EAT IT FAST AND FURIOUS FRANCHISE), they easily overtake Max and run him off the road, DESTROYING the V-8 Pursuit Special, and injuring Max something fierce. Somehow, though, he manages to escape. But one of them KILLS DOG WHAT THE FUCK MAN

Max crawls away and escapes, but is found by...Gyro! Gyro picks him up with the copter, and takes him back to the settlement. He wakes up in a medical tent, still quite hurt. Pappagallo details the plan: use the tanker as a distraction to allow the others to escape. Max, although still injured, volunteers to drive the tanker after all. He doesn’t say exactly why, but he is now stuck there without a method of egress, and he’s the best chance they have. I’m going to choose to believe that he does it for Dog. JOHN WICK STYLE BABY

The time has come. On both sides, they head for conflict. Gyro’s air support, dropping bombs on them. But he’s quickly shot down. Meanwhile, the settlers get out in vehicles of their own, taking advantage of the distraction of the tanker. And once they’re all out…

Now, all eyes are on Max and the Marauders! With the assistance of Warrior Woman (Virginia Hey), Feral Kid, and a few more settlers, Max tries to outdrive Wez and his group. And a LOT of shit happens here, so do yourself a favor and watch this video!

Rebecca and the other two settlers die, leaving only Max and Feral Kid behind. A LOT of Marauders die in the process, and then Lord Humungus catches up. As they shoot out the tires, Gyro (still flyin’, baby!) and some of the Settlers show up as backup. And...yup, another video. Yes, really.

After ALL OF THAT, Humungus ONCE AGAIN goes the way of Toecutter, and is killed by a head-on collision with a truck. Said truck careens off the road, and Mac and Feral Kid get out. It’s then that we see that the truck NEVER had fuel in it! No, instead it was a decoy! It allowed the vehicles, which actually contained the fuel, to escape to the safe North, away from the gangs.

The Narrator comes back, revealing that he’s the Feral Kid, and that their new leader was Gyro! And the Road Warrior. That was the last they ever saw of him. He lives now...only in his memories.

And THAT...was The Road Warrior, AKA Mad Max 2. WHOOOOOOOO!!! Second verse, same as the first; epilogue at the end of the weekend! LET’S GO PART 3

January 31, 2021: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)