#Aurora Ice Museum

[livinginbeauty-net]

Airstreaming to Alaska - Chapter 18: North Pole to Chena Hot Springs

Daylight hours had shortened and campgrounds were preparing to close for the season. Yet, here we were, juggling the details of nomadic life in a strange land as we continued, Northbound.

Posted June 11, 2023 – Narrated by Carmen To listen to the podcast, click the play button Show your true colors      and glow with excitement. Keep looking up.      Have a magnetic personality. Get a charge out of life. Stay full of wonder      and lighten up.“Advice from the Northern Lights,” posted at Chena Hot Springs Moose Lodge. Alaska’s growing season may be short, but the flowers are…

[bluerosefox]

Summoning the Summoner

Another summoning/long lost family au but with twist!

So Damian and his class are at Gotham museum for a small field trip for a school project. Thing is none of them knew until it was too late that the new museum curator was part of a cult that had plans to kidnap and sacrifice this class of kids for some ancient god/deity/spirit.

Damian barely manages to send a message to one of his brothers and to the cave before being knocked out when he sees his classmates dropping from knocknout gas.

When he wakes up the preparations for the sacrifice are almost ready. Damian being the most prominent person in the class is going to be the one chosen first. He is then taken to the alter and it begins after the whole villain speech. Damian does manage to get out of his bindings and tries to fight back, does lead them on a merry little chase to get more time for his family to come, nothing to Robiny though, but is forcibly restrained again.

Just as they bring Damian back to the alter none of them notice, or rather, care that Damian was bleeding from getting hit when they recaptured him. None of them notice when the blood dropped from his chin onto the summoning circle because the Batclan (any) just dropped into the room.

They did notice however when the summoning circle started glowing beneath them however.

And none of the cultists had time to finish the summoning chant.

Meaning the summoning circle was not under their control.

And before any of them could do anything, they are all ripped away from the Mortal Realm and everyone, Damian, his class, the cultists, and the Batfam in the room are pulled into the Infinite Realms.

They are no longer in the warehouse they were about to be sacrificed in but in a throne room. Surrounded by glowing floating people and some don't even look human.

And sitting on the throne was a teenager with a shoulder wrapped cape made of stars and galaxies, a crown of ice, stars, and aurora borealis lights shifting in between them, about Damian's age, with white hair and glowing green eyes who looked rather shocked.

The reason? Both him and Damian shared the same face.

-x-x-

Danny was annoyed as heck.

Ever since his crowning it was like every magic user from legendary to mediocre got a notice that a new Infinite Realms King had been crowned and that gave them the go ahead and try to freaking Summon him!

Luckily refusing a summons was well within Danny's Ghost King rights, he's King now he does what he wants (Sam's wise words), and the only summonings Danny answered were his friends and family (Dani is such a troll with it though, butttttt it does get him out of those annoying meetings sometimes and they get to hang out wherever she decided to stop at), sometimes he'd answer the odd teenage morons just to scare them (it's always fun)

Although there were a few summonings outside of that, that he had answered. Thankfully he could sense what kind of summoner was summoning him and intent was always a huge thing. And those that didn't feel like insane fruitloops well... Danny's curiosity often took over.

So imagine his annoyance when he felt another summon happening in the middle of a meeting with his council. But also imagine his surprise when the normally tight demands on the summoning wasn't there...

That meant...

Oh Danny was going to have a lot of fun with this.

This meant they summoning but don't have control on which way the summoning was going to go. Meaning, Danny could reverse summon them to him instead.

With a wide grin he instantly waved his hand and the meeting room shifted to his throne room, might as well pull out all the stops and play the "Big Bag Ghost King"

He could see his council (and good friends and allies) raise their eyebrows at him or tilt their heads but could also sense the attempted summonings power of him and knew he had something planned.

With a short laugh, Danny raised his hand, grasped on the invisible summoning line, and pulled.

Now he was expecting a good amount of people, the summoning felt large so that normally meant cultists but he was expecting so many! Heck some looked to be teenagers his age, and a few oddly dressed people besides the cultists! Oh boy did that mean sacrifices?! Well he'll be happy to put those cultists in their place if that was the case.

But first, find the summoner. Separate them from the group and -

Oh... why... why does he have Danny's face?!

Danny took a quick look at the normally invisible to everyone but him Summoning line and almost choked when he saw it was a sibling line, a blood sibling line.

[quantomeno]

Professor Layton and the Raiders of the Lost Legacy

aka "I've finally pinpointed exactly what's wrong with Azran Legacy and it's Indiana Jones"

(spoilers for all the layton games. Not many for Indiana Jones films but there are some mostly to do with the Last Crusade)

(also sorry this is such a long post I got carried away)

So, the other day I was rewatching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (it was new years eve and I had nothing better to do and it was on tv) and as a Layton fan I chuckled a little at the opening where Indy talks about how archaeology isn't about hunting for buried treasure etc because as we all know, Layton spends even less time being an archaeology professor than Indy and honestly even less time doing anything remotely related to archaeology.

And as the film progressed, I had Layton in the back of my mind. I was a massive Indiana Jones fan around the same time I was a massive Layton fan but since Layton in the original trilogy is hardly an archaeologist I don't think I ever really made the connection between the two series.

So, the problem I've always had with Azran Legacy is twofold. One is the story letting you do the different locations in any order, because it forces the overarching plot to stagnate and is what I think is a big factor in the rushed revelations at the ending (where we have like five different things going on and like everyone dies and comes back to life like woah, slow down). The other is that it just doesn't feel 'Laytonesque'. Now, Miracle Mask also has this issue, and in that case it's kind of the point because of the move to a new console and the new graphics and the series was getting repetitive by then. And some of the things I'll discuss later will be true of MM but I think they're more pronounced in AL.

The thing I realised watching the last crusade was that there's something else: AL is an 'Indiana Jones game' (in a sense).

OK there are a few key features of an IJ film for those who haven't seen them:

Indy meets someone who wants him to track down a valuable artefact that has some sort of mystical properties (e.g. the Holy Grail)

He discovers that some bad guys are after the treasure for evil purposes (it's often nazis)

What follows is an often violent chase across countries as he tries to piece together the mystery

In the end, Indy discovers the secret but just before he can get to the treasure, the bad guys get there first

He typically gets betrayed at a pivotal moment by someone he trusted

Indy has to help the bad guys under duress (e.g. his dad is shot and can only be saved by the Holy Grail)

The bad guys get the treasure but then do something stupid because of their greed/pride/ignorance and then they get killed by the magic power of the treasure (and the myths around it are thus proven true)

Indiana Jones rejects the allure of the treasure's power and either returns it to its rightful owners, leaves it alone or it ends up hidden away in a storage facility and forgotten (despite the fact much is made of his catchphrase 'it belongs in a museum', most of the major treasures don't actually end up in a museum)

Now, if we look at Azran Legacy:

Layton meets a guy (Sycamore) who has found a mysterious girl frozen in ice who is tied to some greater legend

He soon finds out Targent is after the girl and then they discover the second clue (the Azran eggs) and realise Targent want the 'Azran Legacy'

What follows is an occasionally violent chase around the world as Layton tries to piece together the mystery and find the eggs before Targent

Layton puts together the key from the Azran eggs but it gets stolen by Descole (his 'arch nemesis' who who was disguised as Sycamore)

Everyone chases Descole to the Azran sanctuary but then Layton gets betrayed by Emmy who was secretly working for Targent

Bronev (Targent's leader), in his desire to get the Azran legacy at all costs, sacrifices the frozen girl (Aurora) by stabbing her with the key

Laputa Castle in the Sky happens robots are unleashed on the world and to stop them everyone present must sacrifice themselves

Aurora (she got better) resurrects everyone with Azran magic science and then dies herself (she was a robot so she wasn't really alive anyway)

The Azran sanctuary and the robots crumble to dust and Layton, having rejected the allure of power and so on, returns home (after dealing with some family drama but that's a whole other story)

But you see the point? Azran Legacy is a stereotypical treasure hunting plot. Which is of course The Point, but it really shows just why it doesn't feel like a Layton game.

Compare Lost Future which is often the target of criticism for its over-the-top final act. Why is LF still a Layton game? Because we don't have the 'magic' elements Azrran Legacy has. Because the location is quite fixed and isolated. Because the evil guys aren't chasing us around the globe. Sure, they appear every time we go onto their turf, but 1) that's their turf and 2) they are no chase scenes. There isn't this final act where the villain wins the prize because there is no McGuffin.

And that is the other key thing: Layton games actually very rarely have McGuffins that are actual items.

CV's golden apple is really Flora.

PB has the box, obviously and that one I concede.

Last Specter has the flute? I guess. But the golden garden is the real treasure everyone's hunting for but that's not a 'thing'.

LF has the time machine? Maybe that counts?

Eternal Diva has Ambrosia/the secret to eternal life, but Ambrosia is again a place and the secret isn't a thing either.

MM has the mask (duh).

And AL has the eggs and later the key. The point being that there's an actual hunt for the eggs. Unlike in Last Specter where the flute never really changes hands.

The next point that then arises is why don't PB and MM suffer from this problem?

PB has only got Don Paolo as the 'villain' who wants the treasure. The other treasure seekers are either the real owner (Anton) or his brother who is kind of just hanging around grumpily and leaves after being told off by a hotel clerk. There's no 'chase' and the treasure doesn't physically appear until Don Paolo drops it and then leaves the plot entirely. Also its 'magic' is explained scientifically in a (somewhat) believable (or at least comprehensible) way.

MM avoids it because it is actually a Scooby Doo plot and not an Indiana Jones plot: the villain is a guy with a grudge in a costume, the magic item had no powers and was just a key to some weird contraption that lifts up the city (for reasons) and all the 'magic' was just circus tricks. The fact it mirrors the Last Crusade's "other hand" scene is hardly relevant. Even the ruins segment is decidedly not Indiana Jones since, again, there's no race against time aspect and there are no bad guys chasing them. MM definitely takes a lot of cues from IJ but overall the game is still Laytonesque. It is a character study more than an adventure.

And for people who complain about the weirdness of Last Specter. That's not that weird. Dinosaurs existed once it's not completely insane that a big aquatic animal was hiding in the town's reservoir.

I think this even ties into why I dislike the AL 'finger point' scene: all the other games build up to that moment because it answers an important mystery at the core of the story (or leads to it). Because a Layton game is a mystery game, but AL is hardly a mystery story, or it's really just a bunch of mini mysteries embedded in a treasure hunting chase story. Like, there is the 'what is the legacy' mystery, but that's not something you solve the same way you do the hallucinations of PB or the identity of LS's spectre. It just appears by itself at the end.

In trying to make a big, exciting, globe-trotting game, Level 5 overlooked the fundamental features of a Layton game, in particular the overarching mystery, and supplanted them with treasure-hunting tropes. AL is the least Laytonesque game of them all as a result and while this is not inherently a bad thing (we all know the original trilogy's twist was getting a little stale the fourth time they did it), it does change the flavour of the game to such a degree that I personally don't love it to the same degree as the other games.

Also the whole Layton I am your brother and also Bronev is our father bit was way too rushed and I can't forgive it for that. Honestly that's actually 75% of why AL is my lowest-ranked main series game but that's less fun to talk about than all this.

[inspofromancientworld]

Archaeological Dating

Babylonian “Astronomical Diary“ mentioning a lunar eclipse on 13 Ulūlū in the 5th year of Darius III [20 September 331 BCE], ten days before the battle of Gaugamela (British Museum, London; tablet BM 36390)

This post won't talk about relationships among archaeologists, but rather how they figure out when things happened. There are several methods they use, as well as dating systems. We'll go through them from the most recent to the farthest back.

With the advent of writing, people began recording things based on the reign of the current monarch and the calendar they used. Most calendars were lunisolar, combining the lunar month with an added month in irregular years to keep the various holidays in the appointed season. That these cultures were in contact with each other, through war and diplomacy, gives us an interlaced system of knowing when these reigns were. This allows us to figure out when things happened that were recorded that include a reference to the current monarch.

By Ángel M. Felicísimo from Mérida, España - Retrato de Julio César, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91281949

It wasn't until the Julian calendar was implemented in 46 BCE that a definitive calendar that had a 'leap day' every four years and was 365 day year. That Rome came to control a large portion of the old world and traded with the far East, this calendar was helpful in calibrating other calendars to one we have a definitive date on. However the solar year is 11 minutes less than 365.25 days, leaving the calendar to drift one day off 1 day every 400 years. The Gregorian (our current) calendar corrects for this by skipping the leap day every century not divisible evenly by 4 (for example, 1700, 1800, and 1900 did not have leap days, but 2000 did). This lead to 'skipping' eight days in 1582, when it was initially decreed by Pop Gregory (making the 4th of October the 15th). This calendar was not accepted widely, some countries not adopting it until 1923 and some countries still using their own calendars along within their borders.

From the hoard known as the “Bodmer Papyri,” consisting of nine Greek papyrus scrolls, 22 papyrus codices and seven vellum codices in Greek and Coptic.

Other ways we figure out when things were written is the material it was written on and which writing system. Clay tablets, leather scrolls, papyrus codices (books) all give us clues as to a rough time period when a document was written when they're not dated. How letters are formed in particular writing systems also give us a clue to when things were written, for example, paleo-Hebrew resembled Phoenician until about 400 BCE, when the letters became less prong-shaped and more square.

The growth rings of a tree cut horizontally to the ground can be used to date the tree and wooden objects made from it. Ollikainen / iStock / Getty Images

Before writing, we have a few other ways of figuring out when things happened. One of those is carbon 14 dating. Carbon 14 is a type of carbon that has extra neutrons and gradually loses them and becomes carbon 12 (the 'normal' carbon) at a predictable rate. Carbon 14 is produced by an interaction between the solar winds and our atmosphere, similar to how the auroras are produced, so the rate it's produced is a bit variable, but we have found ways to recreate the 'wiggles' (actual scientific term) of its production. Tree rings let us know how much carbon 14 is in the atmosphere in a given year, letting us figure out these wiggles for 12594 years ago. All living things take in Carbon 14 by the act of breathing and eating other things that breathed. This intake stops when they die. Ice cores also give us a rough level of carbon 14, as well. Carbon 14 lets us date things to about 52800 years before the present, though prior to 13000 years ago, it's difficult to give a more exact level of carbon 14 in the atmosphere, which lets us know how much carbon 14 a living creature would take in. For water-dwelling creatures, which take in dissolved carbon 14, we don't have a solid record, so dates for them are approximated.

The right images shows fluorite glowing after being heated on a hotplate. Mauswiesel / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

For things that can't be dated with radiocarbon dating but have been heated (like pottery), thermoluminesence is a method that can be used to date them. When certain minerals are exposed to the sun, they gather that energy into their crystal matrix. When they're heated (like firing pottery), they lose all this energy. With thermoluminesence, these items are exposed to heat (between 400-500°C), we can measure how much energy is given off and compare that to minerals that have never been heated. We can also tell when these these minerals last were in the sun (such as the interior blocks of walls and buildings that haven't been destroyed [think insides of the pyramids, for example]).

Curator Geoffrey Hargreaves inspects core samples from the Greenland ice sheet. They are stored in a freezer at -33F. The cores are vital to understanding changes in atmospheric carbon levels in the past. Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis/VCG / Getty Images

Other methods we have of dating things is figuring out what layers things are in. This gets complicated because things might have been buried in deeper layers, but we can get a rough date for things left in these layers. Decorations on pottery and how it's made also help us figure out when things were made as different civilizations made their pottery differently and decorated it though there were trade networks from very early in history.

When writing dates, archaeologists use a few systems, depending on what they're dating and where they're writing for. BCE and CE refer to 'before the common era' and 'common era', which is an attempt to be more culturally inclusive than BC and AD, even though they're calibrated to the same change over year. BP is 'before present', which is complicated as the present year changes every year. RCYBP and calBP refer to radiocarbon year before present, though the later refers to the calibrated (accounting for wiggles) date. TLYBP refer to dates calculated by thermoluminesence.

Resources:

What Does cal BP Mean? Accounting for Atmospheric Wiggles in Radiocarbon Dating

BP: How Do Archaeologists Count Backward Into the Past? What Do Archaeologists Mean by BP, and Why Do They Do That?

Introduction to dating documents

How Is the Age of an Ancient Manuscript Determined?

[naomitours]

Tromsø, Norway: The North Above the North

I am not a "cold-weather" person, both in personality and in personal inclination. So you might wonder why someone like me would go to Norway in December. And if you asked me this after I actually got there, it would've been a damn good question! But I had a single reason, and a good one:

That's right, I went to see the northern lights. The green lady. "A-AURORA BOREALIS??", in the words of Superintendent Chalmers. People much smarter than me say this is caused by the sun's upper atmosphere emanating a solar wind that reaches *our* upper atmosphere. While not the most consistent place in the world to see it, Tromsø is one of the easiest and largest to try your luck.

Disclaimers from the Top of the World

The first thing you should know about Tromsø is that the sun doesn't come up for most of winter. You'll have light for a few hours, sure, but it's not the same. The meaning of darkness is different when it's ever-present, and those brief few hours of light mean everything. I found myself wanting to shed my coat and soak the light in through every pore of my body.¹ Depression is a real problem here, so is alcoholism. (I was even told by a local that they track alcohol purchases via card, to make sure nobody is drinking too much in the dark months!)²

The "sunset" over the Tromsø harbor, 1:35 PM.

The second thing you should know is that you need traction on your footwear. Pack your snow boots, or buy some shoe spikes because otherwise you'll be spending a good chunk of your time here on the ground, cursing the ice. My dumb-ass had decided to come to Norway on a whim, without thinking or preparing, so I showed up in my Doc Martens slipping and sliding. I almost couldn't make it to my Airbnb, my host having to come down and help me up the hills!! Thankfully I was able to borrow boots from my, again, incredibly lovely host³, but my god you've never appreciated gravel so much!

The Tromsø Troll Museum

That's right, the main attraction in the city, the reason you flew hundreds, perhaps even thousands of miles! This tiny museum with a bunch of trolls scattered all around!

It's a cozy space, and if you're as fascinated as mythology as I am, it's really a must-see if you're in town. Also, there's a replica of a hulder. According to local lore, these were beautiful women who would often try to lure men away from their human homes, to live in otherworldly pleasure with them⁴, or they would marry human men and join our world, retaining their otherworldly strength⁵!

Aurora Borealis

The biggest disclaimer I'd offer for the northern lights is this, you are never guaranteed to see them, even if you do everything "right". This was such a huge source of anxiety for me until I finally had a good sighting, then I was able to relax. I recommend doing some guided tours, these are not necessary (I saw them once right outside my Airbnb!) but it's going to maximize your chances by getting you away from the city's light pollution. There's many different modes of transportation for this, I myself took a bus and a boat, but I saw advertisements for planes, helicopters and even dog sleds*. The first time I ever witnessed the northern lights was on a sleepy little boat tour, New Year's Eve 2023.⁶

The interior was very cozy, more importantly it was warm, essential on a night with subzero wind chill. I enjoyed cookies and coffee and hot chocolate with marshmallows!

The lights don't look like the pictures, that should be stressed. The vast majority of aurora borealis photos are taken via long-exposure, and our eyes just don't work the same way. But on a good night you can see a faint green distortion in the sky, as if a riff into another dimension. It's like you expect an alien spaceship, or the giant hand of a monster to come ripping out of it, changing our world forever.⁷ But for the natives of Tromsø, it's just a day like any other.

View of the Aurora Borealis, from my Airbnb the next day.

I also recommend booking a few different tours, if you're like me and only really need to see it once, many will let you cancel on 24hrs notice if you pay extra. I recommend this as a good way to save money, but I'm kinda a cheapskate, so what do I know?

Also, please don't be discouraged if you don't see the lights on any given tour, you still do get some really beautiful photographs. It's important to keep a sense of relativity about you, you are standing at the top of the world, in the freezing cold. And in this moment you are having a novel human experience, regardless of whether or not you see some pretty lights on top of it.

What I Ate

Now, you might think the food is very bare-necessities in this sleepy arctic city, but you'd be surprised! One of the first things I had was something I had actually failed to find in Oslo, a delicious Norwegian donut called a skolebolle:

With a custard center and coconut flakes trimming the top, it's a deliciously sweet treat that I found in a Eurospar for the equivalent of a dollar. I recommend enjoying it with black coffee! Not pictured are the other things I got from the store, including paprika-flavored potato chips (highly recommended) and a large bar of Freia milk chocolate, which you'll not be disappointed by.

There's also an abundance of little convenience stores that will get you hot meals for relatively cheap (Northern Europe is expensive!) On the right you'll see a pepperoni calzone that was pretty good, along with a Norwegian soda that was less so. But if you're looking for a finer taste of Tromsø, stay with me:

This is a sampling I did of Aquavit, the signature liquor of Scandinavia. All of it was made right here in Tromsø, and I had a lovely guide for this tasting. To name a few, lingonberries and reindeer meat, not to mention a small slice of grapefruit.⁸ It's a little skimpy, however the point isn't to eat, but to taste!⁹

Conclusion/Takeaways

It can be a very scary thing, to be so far away from home. In all my years of travel, though that uncertainty has diminished, it never truly goes away. Maybe travel is just like any other experience, your tolerance to it builds until you only feel the original high when you get even further out of the world as you've known it. In this way, travel is much like a drug. But what moves me most about travel is its capacity to help us understand not just the planet we live on, but our own place within it. And if you ever feel lost for purpose, I might recommend standing on top of the world, hunting for otherworldly apparitions in the sky //

Footnotes:

¹ Of course, if you actually try to walk around in Tromsø without a coat, you will a)freeze to death and b)look stupid

² LITERALLY 1984

³ Of course, I had to return the boots when I left for the airport, meaning I fell not once, not twice, but THREE times trying to get down the hills to the bus stop. Seriously, you can't wear your Docs, no matter how fashionable and punk rock they are!

⁴ But why would you want to do that, when society is sooooooo good?? Like, who wants to live in a fantasy world where there is no suffering or want when we have Pizza Hut here, right now?

⁵ A hulder also features prominently on the cover of that one metal album by the murderous Nazi that your friend still listens to, despite knowing he's, you know, a MURDEROUS NAZI.

⁶ I would later go on to watch a man in lederhosen play The Weeknd, Cher, and at midnight ABBA's "Happy New Year", all on a keyboard. Dude was a one-man entertainment MACHINE, the vibe was immaculate.

⁷ As seen in Avengers 17: We Saved the World Again, in theaters this summer! Go watch it. Right now. The corporations demand it. DO IT. CONSUME.

⁸ Make sure your meds don't interact with grapefruit. Grapefruit may cause side effects including sour taste. Ask your doctor if grapefruit is right for you.

⁹ You know, like, a tasting menu or something!!

[iruludavare]

{Main team: Briar}

Species: Aurorus (Rock/Ice) Nickname: Briar Gender: ♀ Height: 270 cm / 8'10"

Nature: Docile Characteristic: Strong willed

Ability: Refrigerate Moveset: Stealth Rock | Hyper Voice | Ancient Power | Earth Power Held item: Focus Sash

Met at:  Ambrette Town, Kalos. During X

Prior to her fossilisation, Briar was an Amaura who lived over 100 million years ago. After a tragic accident that resulted in her mother's passing, Briar quickly followed suit and succumbed to the elements, unable to fend for herself.

Her fossilised remains were discovered in the depths of Glittering Cave, and were originally intended to be put on display in a museum alongside another extremely well-preserved specimen.

The value of these fossils, however, resulted in them being targeted by Team Flare, prompting the palaeontologist who found the two to run off with them, eventually being chased into the Glittering Cave.           

As thanks for driving Team Flare out and keeping the fossils from falling into their hands, Serena was offered to pick one of the fossils with the suggestions that to stop this from happening again, they should try to restore the pokemon.

The decision to try reviving Briar from the fossil was not an easy one for Serena to make from a moral perspective. On the one hand, if the process failed, a rare and important finding would be lost. On the other, what right had she to make the final call on whether or not a living being should be brought back to life?

Ultimately, and after lengthy talks with the palaeontologists and scientists at the facility, she agreed. It worked, and armed with whatever research they were willing to give her on how they believed the species to function, Serena happily accepted responsibility of the newly brought back Amaura. And, much like the few other trainers who have an Amaura/Aurorus, the heroine still sends back observations about how Briar behaves, her quirks— anything that might help understand the line better.

Briar evolved into an Aurorus at night while travelling through Laverre Trail (Route 14).           

Briar, herself, is a very gentle creature, despite her intimidating stature and appearance. Passive but filled with an unshakable sort of curiosity. The world is so different now, compared to the icy tundra she was born in, and she wants to see everything.

Very affectionate, very common to see her draping her neck around Serena in an odd sort of hug. It would be no stretch to think that Briar sees her as a motherly figure.

Her mood can be vaguely assessed by looking at the colour of her sails. Anything yellow is neutral, green is happiness or excitement, red/orange is annoyance/anger, and blue is sad or tired. The speed and number of aurora-like waves in the indicates the level these emotions are being felt, increasing with intensity.

Briar is very much aware of being revived, but more in the sense of falling asleep a long, long time ago, and waking up. She remembers her life back then, and her mother, but not her original death.

The air around Briar is always cold. This is due to the crystals on an Aurorus sitting at a constant temperature of 150°C/-270°F, both to keep the air around her at an appropriate temperature for proper function and to reduce the time needed to fire off ice-based attacks for defence. Much like pokemon amie suggests in-game, you cannot touch the crystals on her without whatever came into contact with it immediately freezing. Her sails, on the other hand, are safe (with permission)

If Serena needs to traverse over very rocky terrain or places will excessive snowfall, Briar is her go-to pick. She is, quite literally, built to tolerate extreme and harsh environments that do not involve heat.

[aurorabayrpg]

we've added new locations and occupations!

Black Cat Cafe

Aurora Bay Museum of Art

Fire and Ice Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar

Stunning Styles Salon (Hair & Nails)

A big thank you to our mun, Quinn for coming up with the Fire and Ice Steakhouse! This is a new elegant restaraunt located inside of the Seascape hotel. There is a dress code and the prices are high but it's worth every penny. There's also a cocktail bar with no reservations needed.

Black Cat Cafe is a new add-on to Seaside Animal Rescue! Here is where you can come in and have a nice cup a coffee or tea and then go to a separate room to visit all the cats up for adoption! You can even walk out with an adopted cat after signing some papers and giving a 75 dollar donation to the animal rescue!

Aurora Bay Museum of Art has a large collections of pieces from all over the world, along with a gift shop for little trinkets and souvenirs.

Stunning Styles Salon is the best place to get your hair or nails done! There are two rooms separated by a glass wall. On one side you can get your nails done, on the other you get your hair styled!

We've also added a managerial position to the Seascape Hotel!

We are slowly adding new locations so if you have any ideas or suggestions, please let us know!

[cowabummerbatman]

My first big post on this blog and it's gonna be about -you guessed it- OBSCURE SONIC CHARACTERS!

These are my silly little headcanons about The Hooligans because I love them dearly :>

TRIGGER WARNING for the following things mentioned or explicitly stated in this list: Death, murder, unintentional self-harm, and swearing!

Oh, right, before reading this you should know that my idea of what Bean's mom looks like is adokle's version of her! You can see her here and here, along with Bin, Pin, and Lucy. And a few of my ideas for Bark are pulled from this fic, here! Now that we have that out of the way...

Let's start it off with the leader of this illustrious group of ne'er-do-wells, Fang the Sniper! Or Nack the Weasel. Whatever you wanna call him.

I believe he is a Jerboa/Wolf/Weasel mix!

He gets his Jerboa/Wolf genes from his mother and his Weasel genes from his father.

He had a really messed up childhood. Man's was not okay.

Was raised by his sister, Nic, for the majority of his childhood.

Fang was born on January 1st and Nic was born on December 31st. They were born five minutes apart.

He and Nic stayed together for a surprisingly long time, despite the fact that they absolutely despised each other.

He got his hat from his father on one of his earlier birthdays. He cherishes that hat more than everything else he owns.

Yes, including the Marvelous Queen. Awesome bikes are an easy fix, but a hat from the only family member that he actually loved? That's priceless.

He used to hold a very, very minuscule soft spot for Nic before he killed her.

He still hasn't processed that the two dumbasses he got stuck with have miraculously found their way into his heart (If you ever asked him, he'd probably shoot you).

Bark's moral compass actually has ended up rubbing off on him, more or less.

Bean beats him in soccer all the time. Fang will forever be bitter about this.

Despite how much he bitches and moans, he actually really enjoys hanging out with Bark and Bean. Even if their versions of fun include boring museum visits or blowing up bingo clubs.

He's Bisexual and Aromantic (either that or AroSpec, I'm not too sure).

He thinks that wearing cologne is just a "faster way to shower". He will not take criticism (Also, he wears the cheapest cologne he can find).

He always smells at least a little bit like gasoline.

Now onto the silent softie, Bark the Polar Bear!

You don't see many Polar Bears around, even in places like North Island or the Aurora Ice Fields. The species is largely thought to be extinct.

This leads to a lot of people being shocked/stunned whenever Bark comes around, either that or just not knowing what species he is (Only one of the reasons he has anxiety around people he doesn't know).

He refuses to talk about his family; the only person he's ever opened up to about them is Bean (And Fang to a considerably lesser extent).

He speaks Russian!

He's an extremely avid listener, he loves listening to people talk-- which is one of the reasons he and Bean get along so well.

He runs surprisingly cold, like, all of the time. Bean thinks it's magic but Fang is pretty sure it's just a polar bear thing.

Either way, it's heaven in the summer and hotter climates but absolute hell during the winter and in frigid climates.

This is also a good time to mention that Bark is a huuuuge cuddle bug. Bean loves it, Fang used to hate it but he tolerates it now.

Yes, he does think Bean is the funniest fucking person alive. What about it.

Smells like strawberry shampoo and campfire smoke.

He is Demiromantic and Asexual.

And last but most definitely not least, the dynamic dynamo, Bean the Dynamite!

Was raised by his uncle Pin and grandma Lucy.

He does have a wind-up punch like his father and uncle, but he rarely uses it.

His parents, Bin and Rin, were archeologists/explorers.

Pin is well-renowned in the wrestling industry and works a lot of odd jobs.

And Lucy is a gardener/librarian (Also a former wrestler).

He got his bomb-throwing ability from his mom! Well, not her exactly, but her side of the family.

He calls Pin and Lucy at least twice a month to catch up on stuff (He deliberately leaves out the part where he's been running with a renowned mercenary).

He also visits Lucy whenever he has the time or if he's in the area.

He has ADHD!

Of which he doesn't take meds for, whoops.

He's built up a lot of emotional walls throughout the years. He could count on one hand the number of people that have seen him cry.

Funny Man™

He always smells like burning chemicals covered in a layer of cheap cologne and strawberry shampoo.

He stims by pacing, flapping his hands, biting himself and tugging on his feathers.

He tends to cause harm to himself without realizing it. Pulling out feathers, scratching himself too hard, etc.

He wears black fingerless gloves with gold ring cuffs and black & yellow sneakers.

He got his bandana from his mom and his gloves from his dad.

Yes, he has done the cartoon anvil thing to someone. And the comically large hammer.

He can speak 13 languages: English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Welsh, German, Norwegian, Italian, Barese, Vietnamese, Swedish, Russian, and Portuguese.

He is Aromantic and Asexual.

Alrighty, that's all of the ones I can think of right now.

If you want to hear more specific headcanons about any of them, or just any sonic characters in general, then shoot me an ask!

Either that or you can tell me some of your headcanons! I like hearing other people's thoughts on characters. :D

[katalytickate]

Day 10 was windy and rainy so I switched my Blue Lagoon session to tomorrow and instead went to three indoor locations today. The first of them was Perlan, a nature museum with 3 main exhibits. The first is an amazing planetarium video about the Aurora, second is a video and exhibits about the Volcanos and lava, and the third is an underground, human made ice cave below the complex.

Well worth visiting. There are other exhibits about the environment of Iceland and the impact of climate change. All very well done. I also found my ice throne.

The second place I went was the Lava Show. They use basalt, collected from pass volcanic eruptions to educate on how lava works. They re-molten (yes that is a word, because I said so) the basalt and then demonstrate how it behaves. It was fascinating and amazing.

I strongly recommend this show! The final place I ended up was the Flyover Iceland. It had a 3 part show, which ended in a video of a flyover of iceland in a rig that moved around with the video and blew air and sprayed water on you for effect. It was okay, but if you get motion sickness, I would not recommend it.

Well only 2 days left, boo!

[gemwing1988]

Snow White: I think my strongest virtue is my creativity because I have a great sense of imagination, I like to draw and write stories.

Cinderella: I don’t go out at night very often but I do enjoy going out somewhere nice to have dinner with my family on special occasions. As for indoor activities, I like to read, draw, watch my favourite movies, roleplay with my online friends, write fanfictions, or play video games on my Nintendo Switch Lite or PS5.

Aurora: The only time I’m tired if I don’t get a good night’s sleep.

Ariel: My favourite… well, I have a handful of possessions I value greatly but I would have to say my silver locket I got from my nana at Christmas.

Belle: Again, a tough question. I would have to guess the Disney Twisted Tales series. The what if scenarios and plot twists really had me on the edge of my seat.

Jasmine: I had always liked the idea of visiting Japan because it has a lot of amazing anime merch, most especially Pokémon. I would also love to visit Disneyland California someday too.

Pocahontas: I would like people to understand those with autism a bit more. Being autistic myself, I often feel like I’m always misunderstood.

Mulan: I’m not sure.

Tiana: I would have to say my nana’s recipe for home baked goodies such as chocolate cakes and chocolate scones. I would also love to learn the recipes for red velvet cake and coconut brownies someday. 😋

Rapunzel: While most of my art isn’t museum worthy, but as long as I enjoy showing off my artistic side, I certainly am. I’m also good at embroidery in my cross stitching since I like to make mostly Poké Ball themed bookmarks and occasionally friendship bracelets.

Merida: Nope.

Anna: With my older sister, it’s decent. With my younger half-sister, it’s kinda complicated but deep down we love each other.

Elsa: I have a HUGE list of many good magical powers to have. Flying is a good one as teleporting or even rewind time to undo past mistakes. Having snow and ice magic would be just as cool (pun not intended 😅).

Moana: No, but I would like to be one.

Princess Ask

Snow White: What is your strongest virtue?

Cinderella: What sort of night out/in do you need?

Aurora: Take this as an excuse to just talk about how tired you are

Ariel: What is your favorite possession?

Belle: Name a book that changed your life

Jasmine: What’s a country you want to visit?

Pocahontas: What’s something you wish people understood more?

Mulan: What’s unexpected about you?

Tiana: What’s your favorite recipe?

Rapunzel: Are you artistic?

Merida: Ever turned anyone into a bear? Or other large mammal?

Anna: What’s your relationship with your sibling(s) like?

Elsa: What would your superpower be?

Moana: Are you a princess?

[itsnothingbutluck]

VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:22 Chena Hot Springs 2:16 Aurora Ice Museum 2:26 Aurora Borealis Tour 3:25 Large Animal Research Station 4:37 Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum 6:08: Fairbanks Visitor Center 6:45 NorthPole 7:40 Summary

[yellowknifetourguideexpert]

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Yellowknife This Year

Dance of the Aurora : Nature's Most Spectacular Light Show

Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories, is renowned for its breathtaking displays of the Northern Lights. As one of the best places in the world to witness this natural phenomenon, visitors flock to Yellowknife Tourism for a chance to see the aurora borealis paint the night sky with vibrant colors. Moreover, the city's location under the auroral oval provides optimal viewing conditions, making it a must-visit destination for aurora chasers.

Wilderness Adventures Await : Immerse Yourself in Nature's Playground

Yellowknife offers an abundance of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. From hiking through pristine forests to canoeing on crystal-clear lakes, adventurers will find themselves spoiled for choice. Additionally, the city serves as a gateway to the vast Canadian wilderness, providing opportunities for camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Whether you're a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or a curious beginner, Yellowknife Tourism natural wonders are sure to captivate you.

Embrace the Arctic Chill: Thrilling Cold-Weather Adventures

When winter blankets Yellowknife in snow, the city transforms into a winter wonderland. Visitors can try their hand at dog sledding, ice fishing, or snowmobiling across frozen lakes. Furthermore, the annual Snowking's Winter Festival showcases an impressive snow castle and hosts various events, adding a touch of magic to the winter season.

Connect with First Nations Heritage: Learn from the Keepers of the Land

Yellowknife Tourism is steeped in Indigenous history and culture. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the Dene, Métis, and Inuit peoples who have called this region home for thousands of years. By participating in cultural workshops, visiting museums, or attending traditional events, travelers can gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage of the Northwest Territories.

Reel in the Big One: Angler's Paradise in the North

Fishing enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise in Yellowknife. The surrounding lakes and rivers teem with trophy-sized fish, including northern pike, arctic grayling, and lake trout. Whether you prefer ice fishing in winter or casting a line during the summer months, Yellowknife's pristine waters offer unforgettable fishing experiences for anglers of all skill levels.

Land of the Midnight Sun: Endless Summer Days

During the summer months, Yellowknife Tourism experiences the phenomenon of the midnight sun, where daylight extends for nearly 24 hours. This unique occurrence creates a surreal atmosphere and allows visitors to enjoy outdoor activities well into the night. From late-night golf games to midnight hikes, the extended daylight hours offer endless possibilities for adventure and exploration.

Savor Northern Flavors: A Culinary Journey Through the Arctic

Yellowknife's food scene is a delightful mix of traditional northern fare and modern culinary innovations. Visitors can sample local delicacies such as caribou, Arctic char, and wild berries. The city's restaurants and food festivals showcase the unique flavors of the North, providing a true taste of the Arctic.

Celebrate Northern Style: Year-Round Festivities

Throughout the year, Yellowknife Tourism hosts a variety of festivals and events that showcase the city's vibrant culture and community spirit. From the colorful Folk on the Rocks music festival to the exciting Long John Jamboree winter carnival, there's always something happening in Yellowknife to entertain and engage visitors of all ages.

Golden Legacy: Unearth Yellowknife's Rich Past

Yellowknife's history is deeply intertwined with gold mining, and visitors can explore this fascinating heritage at various sites around the city. The Giant Mine, once one of the most productive gold mines in Canadian history, offers tours that provide insight into the city's mining past and its impact on the region's development.

Best of Both Worlds: Urban Comforts in a Wilderness Setting

Despite its remote location, q offers a perfect blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. Visitors can enjoy comfortable accommodations, diverse dining options, and a range of cultural attractions, all while being surrounded by pristine wilderness. This unique combination makes Yellowknife an ideal destination for those seeking adventure without sacrificing comfort.

In conclusion, Yellowknife Tourism offers something for everyone, from nature lovers and adventure seekers to culture enthusiasts and foodies. With its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, Yellowknife is truly a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. For an unforgettable northern experience, consider booking your trip with Yellowknife Tours Ltd. Contact them at (867) 873-4600 to start planning your Arctic adventure today.

[travelwithmeapp]

Fairbanks, AK USA

March 10, 2017 - March 12, 2017

On March 10 - 12, 2017 I traveled with two of my sisters and my brother-in-law to Fairbanks Alaska as my first attempt to see the Aurora Borealis. While we weren't able to see the lights on this trip, we got to see the Fairbanks Ice Museum with a wide array of interesting and unique ice carvings.

We went to the Chena Hot Springs Resort to go on a tour to see the lights in the nighttime. During the day while waiting for the tour to leave we were able to go for a ride on the trails around the resort on a dog sled.

The next day, cold and disappointed from not being able to see the lights, we went to North Pole, Alaska to visit Santa's workshop. That evening we ate at the Northernmost Denny's in the world and returned home.

[naturecoaster]

Group of Exemplary Students Honored by East Pasco Chamber Foundation

The East Pasco Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Greater ZephyrhillsChamber of Commerce recognized 10 students from local Zephyrhills schools. Group of Exemplary Students Honored by East Pasco Chamber Foundation The students were honored as the Greater Zephyrhills Student Citizen of the Month for February. The ceremony took place at Chick-fil-A in Zephyrhills on the morning of February 21 st This month’s special guest was Melonie Monson, Mayor of the City of Zephyrhills. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplaryeffort, achievement and contribution to their school, family, and community. The students receiving honors were: - Luke Gagnon (11th grade, Academy of Spectrum Diversity) - Parker Lucciano (3rd Grade, Children’s Educational Services Elementary Campus ) - Yuridia Vega (7th grade, Children’s Educational Services Secondary Campus) - Faith Gut (5th grade, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School) - Morgan Hahn (5th grade, Heritage Academy) - Jacoby Ellis (6th grade, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School) - Aliya Farrell (4th grade, West Zephyrhills Elementary School) - Aurora Robinson (Kindergarten, Woodland Elementary) - Anthony Moon (6th grade, Zephyrhills Christian Academy) - Lizandro Alzugaray (11th grade, Zephyrhills High School) Sponsors and supporters of this year’s program are as follows: - AdventHealth Zephyrhills - The City of Zephyrhills - Chick-fil-A of Zephyrhills - IR Staffing - San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union Spotlight sponsor of month Suncoast Credit Union. The event is supported by: - U.S. Congresswoman, Laurel Lee - Senator Danny Burgess, District 23 - Florida House of Representatives Randy Maggard, District 38 - Pasco County Clerk of Court, Nikki Alvarez - Zephyrhills Mayor, Melonie Monson - Pasco County - Sheriff, Chris Nocco - Bahr’s Propane Gas & AC; BGE, Inc - Culver’s - East Pasco YMCA - Faithful Friends Pet - Cremation; Jarrett Ford of Dade City - Kona Ice; Pasco-Hernando State College - Pin Chasers Zephyrhills - Pioneer Florida Museum & Village - Sonny’s Bar-B-Q - SouthState Bank - The Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel - Ministerial Association - Trax Credit Union - VITIS Realty. If you are an area business and would like to support this impactful program, please contact VickiWiggins at the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce at 813-782-1913. The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce advances economic growth and prosperity for thecommunity. The Chamber of Commerce is incorporated in the State of Florida as a 501(c)6 nonprofitorganization. Membership is comprised of businesses, government agencies, public-private corporations,nonprofit organizations, and individuals with a shared interest in preserving and enhancing the quality oflife in Zephyrhills.  The Chamber seeks to promote a vibrant and active business climate supporting economic growth through leadership and active involvement by the membership. The East Pasco Chamber Foundation is incorporated in the State of Florida as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The East Pasco Chamber Foundation is dedicated to advancing the quality of life in EastPasco through education, leadership, economic development, and community enhancement. Read the full article

[pialaslot]

seems like there may be a slight misspelling in your request. If you are referring to Sweden

1. Stockholm:

The capital city of Sweden, Stockholm, is spread across 14 islands connected by bridges. Explore the historic Old Town (Gamla Stan), visit the Vasa Museum, and stroll along the waterfront in Djurgården.

2. Gothenburg:

Gothenburg, located on the west coast, offers a charming mix of cultural attractions, parks, and a lively culinary scene. Visit Liseberg amusement park, explore the Haga district, and enjoy the canals.

3. Kiruna and the Icehotel:

Located in the far north, Kiruna is known for the Icehotel, a unique accommodation made entirely of ice and snow. Experience the Northern Lights during winter and explore the Arctic wilderness.

4. Gotland:

The island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea is known for its medieval architecture, charming villages, and beautiful beaches. Visby, the main town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Abisko National Park:

For a chance to witness the Northern Lights, visit Abisko National Park in Swedish Lapland. It offers stunning landscapes, hiking trails, and the famous Aurora Sky Station.

6. Malmo:

Malmo, situated in the south, is a modern city with a rich history. Explore the Turning Torso skyscraper, visit the Malmo Castle, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Lilla Torg.