#Bridge capital DC

[corroded-hellfire]

The year is 1986. Eddie is in danger of not graduating (again). Reader is his girlfriend, and she’s tired of him not taking his future seriously, so she breaks up with him. He finally decides to get his sh*t together and buckles down. But is it too late? Will he graduate? Will the love of his life take him back? Up to you, bb!

xoxoxoxo, @munson-blurbs 💚💚 PS ily

Anything for you, my love! I hope you enjoy the way I broke Eddie’s heart. It hurt me more than it did him. ily2💚

Words: 5.2k

“Eddie, we’ve got to study,” you say. He’s kneeling behind you on his bed, pressing soft kisses along the back of your neck as you try to focus on the textbook laying open in your lap. 

“How am I supposed to concentrate, hmm? With you sitting on my bed, looking so beautiful,” Eddie says against your skin. 

“Okay,” you say, letting your book thump onto his sheets. “I’m gonna quiz you on stuff that’ll be on our finals. For every right answer, I’ll take off a piece of clothing. For every wrong answer, it’s an extra fifteen minutes of study time.”

“Fire away, baby.” Eddie lounges back against his wall and tucks his hands behind his head, a sinful smirk on his lips.

“Let’s start with English,” you say as you shift on the bed to face him. “What two Shakespeare plays are written entirely in verse?”

Eddie purses his lips, eyes searching his bedroom ceiling as if the answers were written across it in big bold letters. “Hamlet and…McBeth?” 

“King John and Richard II,” you say with a sigh. Eddie groans and lets his hands fall down to his lap. 

“Ehh, shit,” Eddie says. “But just because it had two answers doesn’t mean that’s half an hour of study time! That was one question, so only one fifteen-minute addition.”

“Fine,” you say, silently knowing this is all in vain anyway. Eddie’s been caring less and less about school lately, to the point where you’re afraid he’s going to fail senior year for the third time. “We’ll move onto biology.”

“Take your clothes off and I’ll give you a biology lesson.”

“Eddie,” you sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose. 

“Fine, fine, sorry. Go on.”

“What part of the brain deals with balance and coordination?”

One of his dark brown eyes squeezes closed and he tilts his head from side to side as if he’s deliberating what he wants for dinner. 

“The left part. No, wait, that’s a joke! I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Um…the frontal lobe?” Eddie winces, knowing that this was just a wild guess—it was the first part of the brain he could think of. 

“The cerebellum,” you say.

“Okay,” Eddie says, nodding his head. “I’ll remember that. The cerebrum controls balance and coordination.”

“The cerebellum,” you correct. 

Eddie groans, rolling the tension out of his neck before letting his head thump back against the wall. 

“Come on, hit me again.”

“Last one,” you say as you adjust your legs tucked underneath you. “History this time. What city was the first capital of the United States?”

“I know it wasn’t DC,” Eddie says, pointing his finger at you. “Hmm, what other cities were important then? Boston, Philly…Philly! Philadelphia!”

At the shake of your head, Eddie slumps down on the bed.

“New York City,” you tell him. 

“Ugh, fuck me.” Eddie rubs his hands over his face, and you give him a pat on the leg. 

“Not tonight, hot shot. Grab your books.”

Spending your free period in the library, pouring over books, you’re jarred out of the world of microeconomics by the chair across the table from you screeching against the floor as it’s pulled out. A dark figure plops down in it, and you glance up to see the dark leather jacket and black Judas Priest t-shirt that you’d sat next to in last period English. Eddie runs a hand over his unruly curls and shoots you a smile.

“Hey, babe.”

“Eddie, what the hell are you doing here?” you get out through gritted teeth. You’re almost certain the pencil in your hand is going to snap in half. “You’re supposed to be in history.”

“Ugh, O’Donnell,” Eddie complains, dropping his head back. “I swear, she was there for half the shit she’s telling us about. God, I couldn’t take it anymore. She’s just droning on and on. Told her I had to take a leak and knew this is where I’d find my best girl.”

“Eddie!” You all but shout his name before remembering you’re in the library and you lower your voice. “Eddie, you’re already in danger of failing her class. Among others. Should you really be skipping class?”

“Babe, it’s been five minutes,” he says with a chuckle, his carefree attitude that you usually love grating on your nerves. 

“Okay. So, go back and pay attention now.” Your tone is sharp and curt, but you’ve put up with this long enough. 

“Trying to get rid of me?” Eddie asks, jutting out his lower lip in what is an admittedly adorable pout. He leans forward on the table, letting his hand slide over to rest on top of one of yours.

“Trying to get you to graduate,” you say, snatching your hand away. Your boyfriend watches you with wide eyes as you slam your book closed and shove it into your backpack. Slinging it over your shoulder, you stand up and nod your head towards the library door. “Let’s go.”

Eddie follows behind you like a lost puppy as you storm out of the library and stalk down the hall. Once you’ve turned down an empty hallway, you spin around to face him. The anger in your eyes takes him aback, and he shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

“You’re mad,” he says softly. 

“Yes, I’m mad,” you snap. “My boyfriend doesn’t seem to give a shit if he graduates high school or not.”

“I care,” Eddie defends weakly.

“If you cared, you’d be in class right now. Or would study with me when I ask—or at all! Jesus, Eddie, I’ve been trying for months to get you to take your future seriously.”

“My future with you is what’s most important,” Eddie says, hand reaching out for you. Hurt flashes across his face when you pull away, and it hurts you too. This isn’t what you wanted. You’ve never wanted to be the reason Eddie’s in pain. But you also can’t just sit by and let him do this to himself. 

“That’s part of the problem, Eddie. You’re so focused on me and not enough on you.” 

“Because I love you,” he says.

“I love you, too, Eddie,” you reply, tears starting to fill your eyes. “That’s why I’m so concerned about you. About your future.”

“I’ll go back to class,” Eddie says, taking a step closer to you. “I-I’ll study with you. Baby, I promise.”

“You’ve said that before.” You squeeze your eyes closed, resolving yourself to what you know you have to do. As much as you don’t want it. As much as it’s going to break your heart. “It’s not enough, Eddie.”

“Then what?” Eddie rests his hands on your upper arms. “Tell me what to do.”

“It’s too late,” you say, shaking your head. 

“W-What do you mean it’s too late?” But the dread in his eyes says he knows exactly what you mean. 

“You’re not taking your future seriously. I’ve tried so hard to help you, but there’s only so much I can push you. At some point you have to do it for yourself. I’m so tired of waiting for you to do it, though. It hurts me to sit here and watch you not care about you as much as I do.” 

“Sweetheart, please—.”

“Eddie, it’s over. We’re over.” 

Tears flood his eyes as his jaw hangs open. Eddie’s hands slip from your arms, and he stumbles back a step. You know the pain on his face must be reflected in your own. And maybe it means you’re a coward, but you can’t look at his broken expression anymore. Tucking your thumbs into your backpack straps, you turn around and walk down the empty hallway, away from Eddie.

Eddie feels numb. He’s walking around school in a haze. Friends try to talk to him in the hallway, but they sound like they’re underwater and Eddie can’t understand them. Gareth waves his hand in front of Eddie��s face, but he doesn’t even blink. Jeff grabs his shoulder, but Eddie doesn’t even feel it, he just keeps walking. It’s not until Dustin grabs Eddie by the zipper of his leather jacket and pushes him up against the lockers that the twenty-year-old snaps back to reality.

“What?” Eddie asks, big brown eyes blinking as he tries to focus on the shorter man in front of him.

“Are you okay? What the hell is going on?” Dustin asks. Eddie’s eyes find the floor and he shakes off Dustin’s hands. 

“She left me,” he mumbles. 

“What?” Gareth asks, leaning in to hear him better.

“She fucking broke up with me, okay?” His friends flinch as Eddie pushes himself off the lockers and runs his hands over his hair. They back away, giving him room to pace the small area around him. 

“Why?” Jeff asks, sounding half afraid to ask the question to his hot-tempered friend.

“She said I’m not taking my future seriously,” Eddie answers. “That I don’t seem to care that I’m failing classes. Again.” Out of the corner of his eye, Eddie can see his three friends share a look. He stops pacing and stares at them. “What?”

“I mean,” Jeff starts quietly, “she has a point.”

When Eddie just continues to stare, Dustin decides to speak up as well.

“She’s been trying real hard to help you, man. You haven’t seemed to care, though.”

“I…I care,” Eddie says. 

“When’s the last time she tried to get you to study?” Dustin asks.

“The other night.” Eddie remembers, thinking about how he failed your quiz. 

“And what did you do?” Dustin asks.

Eddie sighs and rubs a hand over his forehead. “Tried to have sex with her.” 

“This is probably a good thing,” Gareth says, shrinking in on himself when Eddie glares at him. “For you. So you can focus on school.”

Eddie scoffs. “She really think I’m gonna be able to focus on school after she shatters my heart like this? Fuck, I love her so much.”

“I’m sorry, man,” Jeff says. 

“Fuck this shit.” Eddie slams his fist against the lockers and strides down the hall, towards the exit.

When Eddie gets home, Wayne hasn’t left for work yet. He’s sitting on the couch, remote control in his hand as he points it at the small television and clicks through the channels. Eddie wrenches open the front door, dirty black boots stomping into the trailer before banging the door closed behind him. Wayne pauses his channel surfing to raise an eyebrow at his nephew.

“What’s the matter with you, boy?”

Ignoring the older man, Eddie strides down the hallway to his bedroom, footsteps so heavy they rattle the mugs hanging on the living room walls. Wayne was no stranger to Eddie temper tantrums—having raised him through puberty—but this is a level he hasn’t seen since the last time a letter from his father arrived. He gives it a few moments before deciding to see what’s going on with the brooding boy. Wayne hoists himself off the couch, groaning as his bones click and muscles tighten. 

The bedroom door isn’t fully closed, so Wayne swings it open to see Eddie lying flat on his back, staring up at the water-stained ceiling. He hadn’t even bothered to shed himself of the leather jacket or boots before plopping down. 

“I know I may not have taught you much in life, boy, but I know I taught you manners,” Wayne says. 

Eddie stays silent, which is never the case. That worries Wayne more than anything. 

“Eddie?”

“She dumped me.”

Wayne takes a moment to process what his nephew says. He places his hands on his hips and blows out a breath. 

“What happened?”

Eddie rubs his hands over his face before responding. When he does speak, his tone is bitter. “She said that I don’t care about my future. That she’s tired of sitting around while I’m out here being a dumbass.”

“She wouldn’t say that,” Wayne says with a shake of his head.

“Maybe not with those exact words.” Eddie forces himself to sit up, shoulders slumped. “But the same messaging.”

Sighing, Wayne sits down next to him and pats his shoulder. 

“I’m sorry to hear that. She’s a good kid.”

“I always told her that you like her more than you like me,” Eddie grumbles. 

“Only sometimes,” Wayne jokes with a small smile. “Now, you’re allowed to wallow for one day—two at the most. Then you get your ass in gear and get your act together.”

With a low groan, Eddie flops back down on the bed. “Don’t wanna.”

“Well,” Wayne says, pushing himself off the bed. “The girl is either gonna be right about you or wrong. It’s up to you which one it is.”

Wayne makes his way out of the bedroom and Eddie rolls over so he’s face down on his bed. He squeezes his eyes shut as the first of the tears begin to burn his eyes. The way his throat begins to tighten has Eddie gripping his blanket in his fists. Wayne’s words repeat in his head. Would you end up being right? Is everything you said about him true? Of course it is, he thinks to himself. He’s about to fail senior year for the third time—and he didn’t even care. Until now, he decides. Pushing himself off the bed, Eddie yanks his leather jacket off. He tosses it in the general direction of his closet, not caring where it lands as he bends down to pick his biology textbook from the floor. 

“Should be able to read this whole damn thing before finals.”

Eddie’s friends hardly recognize him at lunch the next day. Instead of arguing over Lucas missing another Hellfire meeting for a basketball game and munching on pretzels, he has his nose buried in a book. 

“Now I’ve seen everything,” Gareth says, dropping his tray on the tabletop. His brows pinch together when Eddie doesn’t even lift his head. 

“Is that Eddie Munson reading a book?” Jeff asks.

“And not just a book,” Dustin says as he slides into the seat next to his Dungeon Master. He picks the corner up to take a look at the cover to confirm his suspicions, but Eddie’s quick to slap his hand away so he can keep reading. “Eddie is reading Romeo and Juliet.”

“Look at this cultured man,” Gareth says. Still, Eddie doesn’t lift his head. 

“How far do you think this will go?” Mike asks. “Think we could shit talk Metallica?”

“I’m reading, I’m not deaf,” Eddie says. 

“Is this about—” Lucas starts but Dustin elbows him in the ribs. 

Finally, Eddie raises his eyes from the book and sends a death glare to all of his friends. He slams the book closed and snatches it up before striding out of the cafeteria. Weren’t these the same assholes who had told him that you were right about him not taking his future seriously? But the moment they see him trying to improve himself, they decide to make snide jokes. Eddie grumbles as he makes his way to the library, banging the door open and ignoring the sneer from the librarian as he drops down at a table. With a sigh, he opens the book again and continues where he left off before he was rudely interrupted. 

Two periods later, Eddie’s pretty sure Mrs. O’Donnell is going to have a heart attack after he raises his hand and answers a question correctly. The crone takes a moment before continuing her lecture and Eddie smirks in self-satisfaction. 

Once Eddie gets used to his eyes being tired from reading so much, and his headaches from the information overloads start to abate, he manages to bring his grades up. It takes a couple of weeks for him to finally see the difference, but when he does, he feels something that he’s not sure if he’s ever felt before: pride. Being proud of himself is odd at first, and he smokes a bit more than usual to dull the sensation, but he soon comes to enjoy it and the pleasant buzz he feels has nothing to do with the weed. 

A few weeks out from graduation, Eddie’s lounging on the wall in front of the school, stretched out as the late spring sun warms the afternoon, reading the assigned chapter in The Outsiders. A shadow falls across the pages of his book and Eddie squints as he looks up, finding you standing next to him, thumb hooked in the strap of your backpack, a strained smile on your face. 

“Hey, stranger,” you say. 

Eddie pushes himself into a sitting position, letting his long legs dangle over the side of the wall. He closes his book, keeping a ring clad finger between the pages that he’s currently on. 

“Hey,” Eddie says. This is the first time you’ve talked to one another since that day in the hallway. Neither of you had even contacted one another to give back stuff that was at the others’ houses. Eddie knows there’s a handful of his t-shirts at your place and he’s not sure if it comforts him or causes him pain to wonder if you still wear them to sleep. And he knows exactly where the David Bowie tapes that you left in his room are—one is in his stereo right now. He’s managed to either hide or push down the pain from the breakup, but he still spends most nights falling asleep to Space Oddity or Ziggy Stardust. It even got to the point where Wayne had come into his room and said, “As glad as I am that I don’t have to listen to your screaming music, you’ve gotta stop wallowing in pity. Or at least listen to Elvis or somethin’ while ya do.”

“I saw you in the library last week. And I’ve heard that you’ve been working really hard,” you tell him. “I’m glad, Eddie. That’s amazing.”

“Uh, thanks,” he says, nodding his head. Under the guise of avoiding the bright sun, he ducks his head down and looks at his white sneakers. But really, he’s not sure if he can look you in the eye for more than a second at a time. The sadness had given way to anger, which gave away to an empty, aching pain in the pit of his stomach. “I, um, started because I didn’t want you to be right. Apparently, you weren’t the only one who thought I needed to get my shit together. But, uh, now I’m doing it for me. Trying to put me first.”

“Good,” you say. Eddie looks up to see you giving him a genuine smile. The one not many other people got to see. You’re not attempting to give him a pep talk or play some kind of game with him. Eddie can tell that you’re being authentic and really are pleased to see him succeeding. “You deserve it, Eddie. I’m proud of you.”

The words affect him more than he would’ve thought. His throat feels tighter and suddenly the spring day feels like it’s a blisteringly hot August afternoon. “Thanks,” he manages to get out. 

“And I—um, I’m sorry. I really hope you know that I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I know.” And he does. Now. He’d had moments of thinking you had done it as a way of calling him stupid or pathetic. But once the haziness of the initial heartbreak wore off, he realized you would never think that, let alone be cruel enough to insinuate it. 

“I guess I’ll see you around, Eddie,” you say, offering him a small wave. He nods his head in acknowledgment and tries to get back to his book. But too much of you fills his head for him to be able to focus on what Ponyboy is talking about.

Finals come and they go. Eddie waits with bated breath for the results, feeling more on edge, even with kicking up the pot smoking again. When Eddie sees that he’s passed every single exam, the high he feels is better than he could’ve imagined. Not quite as good as some drug highs and definitely nowhere as near the high you gave him, but it’s still good. For the first time in his life, Eddie is excited to come home and wave a school paper in Wayne’s face. In the past, it’d been a detention slip, a letter of reprimand from the principal, or a failed report card that he needed to have signed and returned. But this is something good. Better than good, Wayne tells him. 

“Looks like you’ve got to get yourself a cap and gown, boy.”

So, he does. When he puts them on the morning of graduation though, he groans at how the shade of green looks on him. Black was his best color, according to him, so something this bright just wasn’t him. 

He strolls over to his stereo near the window and firmly presses the play button. Heroes by David Bowie fills the small bedroom as Eddie takes another look at himself in the mirror. No one would look good in this color, he thinks. Well, he muses, that’s not true. You would look good in this color because it’s impossible for you to ever look anything less than breathtaking. 

I, I will be king 

And you, you will be queen

Eddie sighs and turns away from the mirror. Grabbing his keys off of his bedside table, Eddie clicks the pause button on his stereo before heading down the hallway. 

“See ya at the ceremony, old man,” Eddie says to his uncle before he’s out the trailer door. 

Only the graduates and school faculty get there this early, so the parking lot is relatively empty when Eddie pulls in. He hops out of his van and sees Jeff getting out of his car a few spaces over. 

“Glad to see you look as awful as I do in this shit,” Eddie says as he makes his way over to his fellow Hellfire member. 

“Black robes would’ve been brutal under this sun though, dude,” Jeff replies.

Eddie shrugs because he knows his friend is right. Together they walk towards the football field, a place Eddie actively tried to avoid all the years he spent here. It looks like most of the students are here already. Not long after Eddie spots Jason Carver straightening his tie, even though it’s under the gown, all the students are herded into the gymnasium to wait for the ceremony to begin. The gym smells even worse than normal with the whole senior class shoved inside. Eddie spies you off towards a corner, laughing about something with Nancy. It wouldn’t surprise him if you’re trying to make her laugh to take her mind off of the valedictorian speech she’s about to give. Eyes taking in how you look in the green cap and gown, Eddie knows he was right before; you are the only one who looks drop dead gorgeous in the graduation garment.  He knows his eyes have been on you for too long, but he can’t bring himself to tear them away.

“So, what’s going on there?” Jeff asks, seeing where his friend’s gaze lies. “You did what she wanted, right? Are you going to try and get back together with her?”

Eddie sighs and finally breaks his gaze away from you. Instead, he looks up into the rafters of the gym, squinting as the bright lights shine down.

“I don’t really think this was a ‘if you fix this, we’ll get back together’ type of situation,” Eddie says. “Besides, it’s been months. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s been on dates with a bunch of different guys by now.” 

“You still love her, though.” It’s not a question from Jeff, it’s a statement. A fact that was as obvious as the scuff marks on the floor of the gym. 

“Yeah,” Eddie says, not adding anything further. 

“Shouldn’t you at least try then?” Jeff asks. “You did all that hard work.”

“But I didn’t do it for her,” Eddie answers with a shake of his head. “I did it for me.”

“But you still did it,” Jeff points out. “It won’t be in vain either way, man, because you’re here right now. About to graduate. I’m just saying you should talk to her. See where things stand.”

“Maybe,” Eddie says with a sigh. 

Mrs. O’Donnell bustles into the room—well, as fast as she can at her age. Taking stock of the children around the gym, she claps her hands together to get their attention.

“Okay, okay, everyone. Time to line up. We’ll be starting soon.”

Jeff and Eddie let themselves be herded with the rest of their class and listen half-heartedly at instructions shouted at them as they make their way back outside. 

Once the ceremony starts, it’s long and boring. Nancy’s speech isn’t as bad as Eddie expected, though. But Principal Higgins has to talk, then just about every other school official that Eddie swears he’s never seen in the front office even after all the time he’s spent in there. Then the never ending list of names begins. Of course all the names are familiar to Eddie, but that doesn’t mean he cares enough to watch each of them walk across the stage, shake hands, and get their diploma. There are only a select few people that Eddie actually pays attention for. 

“Nancy Wheeler.”

“Robin Buckley.”

“Jason Carver.” Eddie pretends to gag.

“Chrissy Cunningham.”

“Jeff Donaldson.”

Then it’s your turn. Eddie can’t take his eyes off of you or the big grin on your face as you hop up on the stage and go through the long line of people none of you had ever heard of to shake their hands. Your eyes light up as your diploma is handed to you. Eddie doesn’t even realize he’s smiling along with you until his cheeks begin to ache. That settles it, he thinks. I have to talk to her. 

“Eddie Munson.”

Hearing his own name called over the loudspeaker jars him out of his thoughts. He’s distantly aware of people cheering for him as he makes his way to the stage, but it feels too weird to be real. People didn’t even cheer for him at Corroded Coffin shows. Eddie takes the steps up to the stage two at a time and forces a pleasant smile to his lips as he shakes Principal Higgins’ hand. The rest of the faces become a blur as he moves from person to person until he finally gets his diploma. He grins at the simple rolled up paper in his hands. It’s just a blank piece of paper until his real diploma comes in, he knows, but it means so much more. It’s proof that he did it. That he graduated at long last. The now-familiar pride swells up in him as he heads back to his seat among the students in the green sea of their robes. 

When the ceremony finally comes to an end, there’s hugging and crying and squealing coming from all around the football field. Eddie makes his way out into the parking lot where families are taking photos with their graduates, all smiles and congratulations. Wayne’s truck is hard to miss in the parking lot; by far the oldest vehicle there. Eddie heads in that direction and is greeted by a beaming uncle.

“M’so proud of you, boy.” Wayne pulls Eddie into a hug, which wasn’t a usual occurrence in the Munson household. “You put your mind to something and ya did it.”

“Thanks,” Eddie says, smiling sheepishly. 

“Congratulations.”

The familiar voice coming from behind him has Eddie spinning around so fast he hears his neck crack.

“Uh, thanks,” he says. “You too.” 

“C’mon, let me get a picture of the two of you,” Wayne says, pulling a camera that looks older than Eddie out of his pocket. 

Eddie is about to protest, not wanting to make you uncomfortable or feel obligated, but you’re looping your arm through his before he can even open his mouth. You tilt your head, close to Eddie’s shoulder but not quite touching, and smile prettily for the camera. Eddie musters his best look for the picture as well, but on the inside, he’s cringing as he imagines what that picture must look like.

“Perfect,” Wayne says. He unlocks his truck and tosses the camera inside. “I’ll see you later, Eddie?”

“Okay,” Eddie says.

Wayne pulls Eddie in for another hug before enveloping you in one as well.

“I’m real proud of both of you,” he says.

“Thanks, Wayne,” you reply.

Wayne climbs into his truck and gives the two of you one last wave before heading out of the parking lot. 

“So, uh,” Eddie starts at the same time you say, “So, listen.”

Eddie chuckles and nods his head at you. “You first.”

“Oh, I, um, was just going to ask if you were going to the party tonight. At Cat’s place.”

“I hadn’t really planned on it,” Eddie says as he unzips the graduation robe. “Why?”

“Well, uh, I—I was wondering if maybe you’d want to? I mean, I-I’ll be there. But if you don’t wanna, I totally understand.”

“You want me to?” Eddie asks, raising his eyebrows at you as he slips his hands into the pockets of his black jeans. 

“I do,” you say, a shy look that Eddie is unaccustomed to on your face. “Like I said, I get it if you don’t want to. But I had to at least ask.”

“I guess it wouldn’t kill me to go for a little while. Might be able to sell.”

“You don’t want to celebrate?” you ask. “Dance and drink?”

“Of all people, you should know better than anyone that I don’t dance,” Eddie says with a small smile. 

“But you drink,” you point out. 

“Why do you want to spend time with me?” Eddie asks, tilting his head to the side, like a puppy wondering what it’s human just said. Better to ask bluntly and get a clear answer then try to piece one together in his mind. 

“I need a reason?”

“Kind of. After you dumped me? Yeah, you do.”

“I miss you,” you admit, so quietly that Eddie almost misses it. “I’ve missed you from the moment I left you standing there in that hallway. So many times I almost caved and begged you to take me back. But then I’d see you studying, and it would remind me that you need to focus on you. And you did. Look what you accomplished. I’m really, really proud of you, Eddie.”

“Not bad for the school freak, huh?” Eddie asks, the beginnings of a smirk curling his pink lips. 

“I think you need a new nickname,” you muse. “We’re not in school anymore.”

“Maybe we can come up with one at the party tonight,” Eddie says, causing your face to light up in excitement. 

“Really? You’ll go with me?” you ask, eyes widening in hope.

“I’d be pretty dumb not to.”

“You’ve always been far from dumb, sweetheart,” you tell him. Hesitantly, you reach out and lace your fingers with his. “I think I came up with a new nickname for you, too.”

“Do tell,” Eddie says. 

“No more Eddie the Freak or Eddie the Banished,” you say, imitating Eddie’s Dungeon Master voice. “You are now Eddie the graduate.”

[astra-ravana]

The Power Of Ley Lines

Ley lines are straight lines or tracks, essentially energy grids that stretch across the earth in every direction. The ancients marked these lines with stone monuments and pagan temples. Our ancient ancestors could feel the magick and power emanating from these lines, so they set up natural sanctuaries and called the intersections of the ley lines sacred places.

If we look at some of the world's most important sites on a map, we can draw straight lines between them. These lines form a grid-like pattern across the entire surface of the planet. Stonehenge, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and Machu Pichu are sacred sites the connect, through the lines, with many other sites, including landmarks like Mt. Everest.

You won't find the ley lines on a typical geographical map or in a history book. They are mostly a topic in occult books or folklore. The contemporary concept was developed by Alfred Watkins in 1921, who believed so strongly in ley lines that he organized a group, that gathered in England and walked the countryside in search of them.

Faerie Paths and Corpse Roads

Spirits often travel the earth along ley lines. In England and throughout Europe there is a concept referred to as a 'corpse road'. A corpse road was a path taken by funerary processions to escort the recently deceased to their final resting place. Terrifying stories are told of supernatural creatures on corpse trails that, more often than not, correspond with ley lines.

Faeries, also known as the Fae, the Fair Folk, or the Sidhe, are known to travel along specified paths as well. There are many stories from Ireland and the British Isles that describe Faerie pathways leading into hills or over Fae bridges. These paths also follow ley lines. People are warned not to ever travel a Fae path during twilight hours (dawn or dusk) or at night, for fear the Faeries would steal them away.

The Importance of Ley Lines Today

Though the concept has ancient roots, ley lines are just as relevant in modern practice and very much affect us. The planet is like a living being, in and of itself. It produces energetic vibrations that we can both feel and interact with, if the conditions are right. The ley lines are like earth's veins; sacred sites where the planet allows us to easily tap into her essence.

Of you feel particularly revitalized after visiting your secret hiking spot, swimming in a body of water, or digging your toes into a patch of dirt or moss, then you know a taste of the potency that comes with being near a ley line.

The Affects of Ley Lines

• If your home is on a ley line, it may make thr energy more intense or chaotic.

• You may not be able to relax and sleeping may be difficult.

• You may experience increased paranormal activity, including apparitions, disembodied voices, and encounters with spirits, Faeries, or elementals.

• If your business is on a ley line, you will most likely notice an increase in energy, positive or negative. Your business may be considered haunted.

• When ley lines intersect, any building located on the intersection will have a constant flow of energy. This will cause supernatural occurrences and regular chaos.

• At ancient/sacred sites on ley lines, you will experience spiritual development, enlightenment, awakenings, visions, feelings of peace, messages from beyond or spiritual downloads.

Discovering Nearby Ley Lines

Finding your local ley lines is easier than one wound expect. Think of any historical landmarks in your area. Native, ancient, and pagan landmarks are excellent starting points, as are caves, rivers/creeks, manmade mounds, burial grounds, etc. The ancient natives were very in tune with nature and knew the lines intimately.

In addition, consider local sites with well-known hauntings, supernatural activity, or legends attached to them. Locations with high paranormal activity are most often on or near a ley line. For example, Gettysburg PA, Washington DC, and further, every state capital are located on ley lines.

Locating a Ley Line

After investigating your local sites and finding possible line spots, it's time to make the journey to confirm it in person. This is a sacred journey and you should prepare as such. Cleanse yourself before traveling to any sacred place so you can be as spiritually pure as possible. This will make the energy from the lines easier to sense. It's also a wise idea to bring along a pendulum or dowsing rods. Once there, be open to any sensation. You may feel nervous or excited.

You can dowse and find which areas have the highest energetic charge, test each place with the pendulum/rods, if they spin or swing vigorously, you are very close to the ley line.

Ley Line Magick

In addition to being excellent places for spirit work and necromancy, the energy of the lines can be harnessed to super charge manifestation. Enlightenment is primary. It should go without saying that visiting a ley line give you divine insight, spiritual downloads, and/or a total spiritual awakening.

Healing is another prominent form of magick performed at ley lines. While there, ask the earth and the spirits to send healing vibrations up through your feet and throughout your entire being. Stand still for a while and feel the healing energy pulse through your body. Few sensations match this potent connection.

Other forms of ley line magick include drawing love, abundance, meditation, grounding, cleansing, and charging. You can perform entire rituals on top of ley lines to add primal power to the working and drastically increase the success rate of your spell.

Ley Lines in the US

• Montana Megaliths, MT

• Pryor Mountains, MT

• Bighorn Medicine Wheel, NY

• Sedona, AZ

• Serpent Mound, OH

• Mount Shasta, CA

• Mount Denali, AK

• Tocobaga Indian Mound, FL

• Uinta Basin, UT

• Chicago, IL (Lake Michigan)

• Yellowstone National Park, WI

• Pine Barrens, NJ

[centrally-unplanned]

As a Washington DC resident who frequently uses the DC Key Bridge, I do declare a crusade against all duplicative naming of large infrastructure objects the destruction of which would have strong impacts on the lives of residents that they may assume to be the case if they only casually glance at headlines and do not dig in, aka 90% of people.

Given that DC is the capital I think we get to keep the Star Spangled Banner bridge for ourselves, thank you very much.

[7nsomnia]

can i ask, what’s wrong with dcc? i always hear that they kinda suck as a company, but from the vlogs i’ve seen, they’re one of the better companies. i’m not really as into dreamcatcher as some of the blogs on here even though i consider myself a stan, so i might not have the right information

okay. I feel like this is like opening my personal pandora box so this might be long. I'm pretty tired today so apologies in advance if this isn't very coherent asdkjh

dcc are a pretty decent company on a surface level, they treat the members well (which should be like the bare minimum for any company but I know that in this industry that's something to genuinely praise) and they actually change according/respond to negative feedback from the fandom etc when they or the members mess up (or they used to anyway).

for me it started in 2020 and how they handled handong's return. like the way they handled her absence was fine (good even, I would say), but the lack of hype for her actual return made things feel so underwhelming even though it was supposed to feel like a relief that she was finally back. I can't remember all the details anymore, but I do remember that the first time I felt like things were actually alright with dc was when they did the online concert crossroads in march of 2021. on that note I think most ppl were expecting ttol and dlm to be repackaged with ot7 versions and yet it's 2024 and they still haven't released them.

the handong stuff atp is water under the bridge tho, the group is fine, the members are fine, etc, I'm only mentioning it because that's when things started to feel really off for me.

so now we get into the actual things that happened that have left the fandom feeling burned out/frustrated/disconnected etc etc, whereas this happened to me at the end of 2022, I'm seeing more people now going through what I did back then:

I think the most pressing thing was that dcc didn't capitalize at all on dc's first win. they got their first win in april 2022 and didn't even do anything special in korea to commemorate it. it was a HUGE moment and they did nothing with it. usually after a group gets a first win you'll see them getting more promotions in korea, magazine photoshoots, mc deals, etc but dc just went on ahead to do festivals in europe and have a usa tour, these things are not bad but it was the lack of promotion in korea that in turn just made it all feel useless. that year dc also weren't invited to any end of year awards if I'm not mistaken so it all felt really disappointing and like all of the work we had as a fandom had been for nothing. I have to reiterate, dc/insomnias had been getting screwed over on music shows since 2019 with deja vu to get that first win, like I don't want to talk about the injustices the group and this fandom suffered through the years but it was a true story of resilience, so getting that first win in 2022 was a huge relief. to see it all going to waste was just... heartbreaking honestly.

when it comes to tours...... god I don't wanna get too much into it, but 4 tours in the usa in the span of 2 years is not normal. specially when they're prioritizing that over having a proper asia tour and the likes (AND promoting in korea??). latam tour is practically sold out rn and they're getting no merch or m&g benefits like the usa tour. I don't think doing exclusive things for a specific tour is bad per say, but you have to treat all your fans semi equally at least, specially for a group whose fanbase is majorly international (this will be important later), or it will happen what is happening rn which is ppl will leave the fandom. This is the first latam tour since 2019 (2017 for brazil!)... they've waited a really long time so personally (even tho this doesn't affect me bc I'm european) I feel like it's really disrespectful but wtv, onto other things.

now, speaking of the fanbase being majorly international, if this is the case, you'd think the company would make an effort to stream important events to their fans, like hmm the 7th anniversary concert perhaps? but nop, that didn't get streamed. a repetition of the dumbassery they did in 2022 where they split the concert and the members' solos in 2 days and only streamed one and so intl fans couldn't watch half the solo stages? and don't get me wrong, I think it's important that they have events that are korea only like they have the fansigns etc, but something as major as their 7th anniversary? when they've gotten here thanks to their international fans? that stings a little.

and lastly (maybe), we have dcc's usual lack of promotion during comebacks. fans always paying for ads, intl fans always doing the most for digitals even when it's Not their place (because this is smth that the korean fandom and dcc should be responsible for), fans having to reach out for vendors etc... Justice cb truly has been the culmination of the very worst promotions dcc has done tho and there have been some really bad promotions before... no radio shows, minimum interviews, barely any variety... were there even any ads? usually it's always fans paying out of pocket for ads. it just feels like throwing the members' and the company's work out the window for no good reason? Virtuous is one of their best albums and yet it feels like they just dumped it to go on tour again. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing btw, having short promotions in korea is fine but like... promote for real? give your fandom content that they can watch and rewatch for however long it takes your group to have another cb? specially now that it seems that they're shifting to one album per year (not sure this is their wisest decision tho all things considered), you have to make sure that you promote that album properly? which kinda also goes with like, giving your fandom enough time to save for what you release and put out, specially if you're not trying to grow the fandom anymore. if they're dropping an album then don't announce a tour on top of that, and if they're announcing a tour then don't announce a photobook on top of that, and if they've just released an album then wait longer than a month to announce a photobook, and if they've just dropped a photobook then wait a bit longer until announcing the re print of albums the fans have been begging you for 6 years to re print LOL bc all this does is frustrate fans who can't make that much money in such a short time and it's stupid. like. in 2018 I dropped like 200 euros for like their very first photobook BECAUSE I had time to save that amount from their you and I cb (may) to whenever it was announced (I think it was august), and that was the highest tier (so you could get it for much cheaper) and bc back then it was like. well they barely release anything other than albums, so it's fine (also shipping was sooooooo much cheaper I miss it everyday, ofc this is not their fault tho but anyways).

lastly actually, oh my god. that stupid ass app where fans pay a subscription to message the members privately? has been the fucking worst thing to happen to this fandom and the members imo. if fans weren't respecting their boundaries before, it's even worse now. but it's also like. yeah the members should be reinforcing those boundaries, and I get wanting to at least make a buck of those problematic type of fans but I just don't think it has been good for the members at all. I won't elaborate too much on this because it will genuinely piss me the hell off but bottom line: that app has been hell for everyone genuinely there is no bright side to it other than dcc makes money out of it. and there's better ways to make money :))))))))

anyway this is over 1k words atp and somehow I feel like this all just the tip of the iceberg and I probably have forgotten many things bc tbh in the past year I've just. been trying to make peace with it all and just accept things for what they are because dc have been really special to me for such a long time and I just don't want dcc's decisions to make me throw all of that away (like I almost did). I love their music, I love the members, and so I will continue to celebrate wtv right decisions dcc makes but I'm not going to pretend that they're a good company when it comes to business decisions bc they're really not

[flashfuture]

Do you think Garth not having any close bonds with any of the other titans screwed him over in terms of popularity? I think him and Donna should’ve been closer since of course Atlantis and Themscyria are similar in terms of both being greek and sharing gods not to mention he can just pop up at their island anytime if he wanted while you know…not actually stepping on it.

I think that they didn't figure out what they wanted Garth to be until the late 90s. They didn't even give him the name Garth until 10+ years into his existence. I feel like Aquaman himself was never that popular of a character beyond memes about the cartoon. Donna is also not super popular in the mainstream certainly not like Wonder Woman in any case. But she was the only female cast member of the titans for so long they had to keep her around. Or else Dick's only female friends would be his ex's (Kori and Babs) and Roy's his adopted mom (Dinah). Wally quit the team because he was The Flash and they didn't need him to be with a teen group. They needed him to grow up and hold a title on his own. Like Nightwing getting a Nightwing comic lead to a massive decrease in Titan relevancy. But Roy and Donna they don't have their own titles that were ever super big hits.

Garth on the other hand most people don't even know what he and Arthur had going on. They really could have had a drama series out of it like the Batman shows but they went goofy. But just think underwater royalty. Your father is your liege. He tried to kill you. I digress. The 90s comics also show that Aquaman is standoffish, rude, and doesn't play well with the heroes everyone likes better. In the 94 comic when he's rude to Kyle I wanted him to die a little bit. Garth is the underling to a generally unlikable character. And while the first Aquaman movie was pretty okay for a dcu movie... they did like all of it at once. But without Garth.

Dick becoming Nightwing and Jason being the robin who died is pretty much the best DC will promote as far as teenage sidekicks go.

So I think being an aquaman character hurt garth's popularity. i think them not capitalizing on the potential attractiveness of a sea 'prince' with purple eyes who can do magic hurt his popularity. i think not having garth in a teen titans comic tell someone about arthur's attempted murder hurt his popularity because everybody likes a horrific mentor mentee bond. Have Arthur in a JL comic awkwardly ask Bruce how you rebuild a bridge you exploded.

I think that tying down Garth with Tula so early into his run was boring. I think that Garth should have had some sort of Ariel and Eric romance. I'm not sure a connection to any of the titans would have helped per say. But I do think putting him in a supporting role to Nightwing to the Flash to other more popular characters would have boosted him by likability alone. There are a number of potential avenues they could have gone it to boost Garth's popularity one of which could have been not erasing him in the new 52 and putting some bland magician in his place and trying to exclude him from as many aquafam moments as possible

[blueangeldreamland]

upcoming protests: free Palestine

update oct. 27, 2023

-i found information from online (websites listed) pls make sure to double check a protest is available!! as I don’t follow specific accounts that post protests. * feel free to correct me on info *

-take note of days you are available to go and protests near you

-bookmark pages if you want more reliable updates and info

-SEPARATED BY WEBSITE THEN DATES!!!

via answercoalition.org posted oct. 7, 2023

Saturday, October 28

Brainerd, MN

1:00 p.m.

Intersection of Sixth and Washington Streets (Across from the Historic Brainerd Water Tower)

Sponsored by: Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace (BACP), Brainerd Lakes United Environmentalists (BLUE), and Brainerd Lakes Area Democratic Socialists of America (BLA DSA)

Portland, OR

2:00 p.m.

Lownsdale Square

Sponsored by: AntiwarMN, SJP, AMP

Sunday, October 29

Worcester, MA

3:30 p.m.

Worcester City Hall (455 Main St.)

Sponsored by: JVP Western Mass, Palestinian Youth Movement

via uscpr.org unsure date updated

Friday, October 27

HOUSTON, TX | Friday, October 27th at 4PM at John P McGovern Commons 6550 Bertner Ave

OMAHA, NE | Friday, October 27th at 4PM at 72nd & Dodge

PHOENIX, AZ | Friday, October 27th at 4PM at State Capitol Building 1700 W Washington St.

BOSTON, MA | Friday, October 27th at 4PM at Brewer Fountain, Boston Commons

ALBANY, NY | Friday, October 27th at 4PM at West Capital Park

NEW YORK, NY | Friday, October 27th at 6PM at Midtown Manhattan (register for exact location)

DENTON, TX | Friday, October 27th at 7PM at Denton Courthouse-on-the-Square

Saturday, October 28

HARTFORD, CT | Saturday, October 28th at 12PM at 800 Main St.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA | Saturday, October 28th at 1PM at Harry Bridges Plaza (Embarcadero)

DALLAS, TX | Saturday, October 28th at 1:30PM at Civic Garden 1014 Main St.

ROSEBURG, OR | Saturday, October 28th at 2PM at Fred Meyers on Harvard

MILWAUKEE, WI | Saturday, October 28th at 2:30PM at 920 North Water St.

NEW YORK, NY | Saturday, October 28th at 3PM at Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy

PORTLAND, OR | Saturday, October 28th at 3PM at 121 SW Salmon St.

ATLANTA, GA | Saturday, October 28th at 3PM at Georgia State Capitol (East Steps)

Sunday, October 29

NEWARK, NJ | Sunday, October 29th at 1:30PM at Newark City Hall 920 Broad St.

DENVER, CO | Sunday, October 29th at 2PM State Capitol West Steps 200 E Colfax Ave

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | Sunday, October 29th at 2PM at CO Springs City Hall, 107 N Nevada Ave

AUSTIN, TX | Sunday, October 29th at 3PM at Texas Capitol

WATERBURY, CT | Sunday, October 29th at 3PM at City Hall 235 Grand St.

Saturday, November 4

NATIONAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON | Washington DC, November 4th, 2 PM. Freedom Plaza. Cosponsored by USCPR and other organizations.

cont. (The file is too big to show as a list)

dates protests for 10/28, 10/29, 10/30, 11/4 (my list updated to ones that are now available)

MAKE SURE TO DOUBLE CHECK ON WEBSITE FOR CORRECT DATES, TIMES, AND CITIES + LINKS (underlined cities have links to their info!!!!)

separated by major city and then date (some differences)

by major city

Washington, D.C. MARCH ON WASHINGTON 11/4 -- London, UK 10/28 -- Toronto, ON -- NEW YORK CITY 10/28 -- Austin, TX 10/29 -- San Francisco, CA 10/28 -- Portland, OR 10/28

by date

10/28 SATURDAY

Atlanta, GA -- Dallas, TX -- Champaign, IL -- Roseburg, OR -- London, UK -- NEW YORK CITY -- Orono, ME -- Portland, OR -- San Francisco, CA -- Vancouver, BC -- Roseburg, OR

10/29 SUNDAY

Newark, NJ -- Austin, TX 10/29 TEXAS CAPITOL -- Colorado Springs, CO -- Denver, CO -- Irvine, CA -- London, UK -- McAllen, TX -- Orlando, FL -- Ottawa, ON -- Salinas, CA -- San Antonio, TX --Scranton, PA -- Toronto, ON -- Worcester, MA

10/30 MONDAY

Baltimore, MD --Manhattan, KS -- Albany, NY

11/4 NEXT SATURDAY

Washington, D.C. MARCH ON WASHINGTON

Resources

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-ceasefire-now

https://www.kufiya.org/

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/06/why-protests-work/613420/

boycott starbucks, mcdonald's, disney+ to support palestine

no buying day (economy free) nov. 18th worldwide boycott to free palestine

[amadholes-lostre]

Countries - North America

I currently working on denominations in Califinity, mainly the two biggest ones. However, I hit a snail due to just trying to think up names for it. Like, GRR Martin said he doesn't bother with it for Westeros' names like The North and King Landing, but I am obsessed with namings. If the name doesn't have meaning, or doesn't looks right, I gonna fucking throw myself off a bridge.

Anyways, right now I focusing on North America states because there are a lot more countries than ours today. And I including Central America and the Caribbeans, because it's still part of North America. I will also talk about UNAC, which is a supernational union similar to today EU (EU was already federalized in bhna contemporary) and superseded NAFTA.

United States of Fredoia

I already talked about Fredoia briefly on my last post, only that it superseded the USA. Fredoia inherited the majority of USA lands (there were time they didn't, thanks to Neo-Confedercy). They did lose many lands due to many Native tribes declaring independence (I will elaborate that later).

Like USA before, Fredoia kept it capital city where Washington, DC was, and like Washington state, its name is change (maybe Unionpolis, very original lol). It incorporated Arlington Country and Alexandra City, giving DC a total land area of 270 km². It population should be around 3 million. It administration level will be called a metropolis-state level: it status is equal along with other states (they are represented at congress), but it functions more as a city.

New York City is also a metropolis-state, incorporating counties and cities in its surroundings, including Hudson Country, NJ(yep, Jersey City included). However, it lost being the biggest in the US (being now 18 mil), Metropolis of Los Angeles is bigger, far bigger (24 mil). Also, they rebuilt Penn Station, now called Empire State Central Station.

Also, voting systems and constituents' representation are different. It is a proportional representation by parties, meaning Fredoia has a multi-party system. The head of state and head of government is separated, and its government structure is a parliamentary republic like Germany.

Thanks due to quirks, immigration, civil wars, geographical barriers, and the fact that this takes place hundreds of years later, Western and Eastern Fredoia have very different cultures compared to today. How people differentiate West and East is by geographic barriers like how we do so with Mississippi River. The Rocky Mountains Range helped differentiate the two regions.

For one, Latines are now the majority in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and other Western states (maybe not Oregon nor Washington). There are already articles that projected this will happen. What is unique due to the mixture of Latine and Anglo culture, especially the language, created a new ethnicity called Californians (Kalifornán written as gender neutral). They even developed a unique language called Kalifornán in its native language (Kalidán if you read my other post for Dune). It's a mixture of Spanish and English, mainly that Spanish superceded English phonetics and any words that were originally French. However, many English words still remain, words like ín (and), islán (island), lán (land), ríf (river), and such. Also, some letters change due to pronunciations, like Spanish J is now Hr (Juan will spell Hruan), Spanish and English Ch, along with English J is now Ç. The C that pronunced similar to the word city is now S (reason why Frinsica has an S now). I gonna write a post for this.

One key factor for Californians' ethnicity is that the majority are Califinitans. The majority of Fredoia Califinitans are located beyond the Rocky Mountains, with exceptional of Upland South-

-due to The Great Blooming and the Neo War. Almost all of those in Upland are what I called Deitist: believing that Califia is someway a deity.

There is also a new ethnicity/race called Biras (Birace?Biase?). They are the English version of Mestizos. I was thinking that since interracial is more acceptable, and therefore more biracial children, that will be far more biracial in the future. I will think they will be the majority (maybe 1/3?), though they will likely have different groups depending on their background. Sasha Waybright is likely a Biras, however, this will depend on if her one or both her parents are from the Eastern. She probably will view herself as a Mestiza since she will be a Kalifornana.

I also want to create a different post that focuses only on the State of California.

Native American States

After the Second Civil War, many Native American tribes declared independence. How many, I don't know, and to be honest, I don't think it is more than 10. Right now, I gonna create ones from the US since I more familiar with it. There likely are independent First Nation states in Canada, and there definitely is a Mayan state in the Yucatán Peninsula (and maybe whatever the Zapatistas are controlling now).

Kingdom of Hawaii

This was already a no-brainer as there is already a sovereign movement by Native Hawaiians. Honestly, it is rather they would have a monarchy or republic is the question.

This part is going a bit controversial, but once the USA government kinda just collapsed, there was a lot of chaos in the islands. There was a massive exodus, many who were non-native, who went back to the states. However, there was also an expulsion of other non-native, even those were not white, by Native Hawaiians; there were conflicts between two groups who wanted to either remain in the union or become independent, which led into this. Hawaiia also has a right of return for diaspora Hawaiian like many other countries do.

The capital is still Honolulu. They are a member of UNAC. When Amphibia was transported at the Pacific, Hawaii claimed some islands in its southern water that were uninhibited. There are political tension between the and the Kingdom of Newtopia due to this, and also the fucking megafaunas they traveled to the islands.

Navajo-Hopi Nation

Again, a no-brainer, however, the thing that was a bit shockingto me was that there is another tribe reservation inside Navajo. I was wondering why there was a hole in Navajo until I look at a proper map and saw Hopi in it lol

(Other reservations in the East likely will be incorporated simply because Navajo-Hopi ask them "hey you wanna join us?")

Honestly, it likely they had the most peaceful transition: it isolated thanks to being in a desert (and behind the Rocky Mountains), there is not that many non-native in it to begin with, there are other issue happening for the USA government to worry about, and the most hilarious reason, is that they never publicly declared independence. They decided to ignore DC and acted like an independent country for either half to nearly a century.

I don't know if Navajo-Hopi should be a binational state or not. Binations don't usually last that long, and there are other non Navajo-Hopis that live in the nation. The capital city is Jeddito, an actual place in Navajo that is inside Hopi. Population in the nation should be around 10-15 mil. NH is part of UNEC.

Republic of Lakotah

Likely the biggest Native country if Alaska isn't independent. It is actually based on a proposal state for Lakota.

It capital and largest city is Omaha (will go by a different name). The city is right on the tip, and it is the most important city as it is connected with the Mississippi River.

Even though Lakotah is meant for Lakota, there are other Native tribes who emigrated to it. There is likely ethnic tension between Lakota and the other non-Lakotas, but I don't think it won't be as awful as other places.

Of all the native states, Lakotah was the most violent; the country situated in five Republican states. The likely reason how they managed to gain independence is due other tribes from the surrounding coming over to help (similar to Bleeding Kansas). And anti-quirks were not as pivotal or heated compared to Whites (especially Republicans), so while Whites were fighting among themselves about quirks, quirks and non-quirks Native were teaming up.

There is a unique architecture in Lakotah, buildings which are called Tipi. Tipi are small, arcological buildings that are meant to house either 2,000 to 10,000 people. They primarily house people without hurting the environment. They are small, 1/4 to the size of a square kilometer. What is unique is that it is a commune, allowing people to share and control resources via democratically. It's the only place on Earth where they have true communism. How Tipi interspersed the lands is unique because I got the idea from Not Just Bike on his video of Switzerland. Lakotah is a sprawling country, where half the population lived in 5 major cities, and the other half lived in Tipi in said city's region or somewhere else. Instead of having sprawling suburban like the USA and Canada, Lakotah is sprawled by Tipi.

Lakotah land area is 200,00 km², with a population of 55 mil., and Omaha population is 10 mil.

It is also a member of UNAC

Country around Oklahoma

I know for a fact that tribes in Oklahoma declared independence too, the only issue is I don't know a name for it. There are multiple ethnicities in Oklahoma, and there likely need to have a lingua franca.

I still gonna call it Oklahoma. Oklahoma City is the capital, with a population of around 1-2 mil. The country itself is 15-20 mil. Oklahoma is a member in UNAC.

Maya Republic

Mayas initiated their country during the Dark Age/Vigilant Era, like the four other countries I mentioned. And when i said Maya, I mean Indigenous Mayas , not Mestizos who don't identify as such. The Maya Republic controls Chiapas, Yucatán Peninsula, Belize, and Northern Guatemala.

I don't know where the capital city will be. Either Mérida in Yucant��n, Jovel, or Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Population is likely at 30 million. Maya is a member in UNAC.

The majority of Mayas are likely Califinitans, though I don't know if they will be deitists or nondeitists.

UNAC

UNAC, or United North America Confederacy, is what I said before: a supernational union similar to EU. And I mean similar in many ways.

Border between UNAC members are open, there is a singular currency (called Uneso), no visa required for nationals when working in different countries, UNAC Nationals allowed to vote and stand in office in local government, no restrictions in trading, etc. There is not much standard when it comes to infrastructure. However, they do have major projects for UNAC to feel more connected. Almost all railways in mainland North America are electrified (25kv/50hz), all have standard gauge, have uniformed signals, and are connected. It's theoretically possible to take an hsr (450 kph) line or two from New York City to Panama City. But a more preferrable opition is a Maglev (750 kph) line, which goes directly to either city.

The capital city is at Rio Grande mouth, called Rio Grande City. It picked for a symbolic reason: Rio Grande separated Latin and Anglo culture, the treatment of Mexican, and proxy Latines, by the former USA, and picking the capital on the mouth bonds the two cultures together.

The city population is around 20-25 million. Some interesting things i think up is that there is a lot of bodies of water in Rio Grande City, like what it is today-

-so the city kinda looks like Venice. There are artificial islands similar to I-Island off the coast, though they are much smaller, likely at average of 10-50 km². There is a pro-hero academy meant for UNAC national students. There is also a Triwizard-like tournament for Pro-heros academies, and it is always hailed in the city.

I think the UNAC government is similar to the EU along with Switzerland. It has two legislative, one voted by population, another by it state government. There is also a commission committee that handed making laws, but I too lazy to look it up. UNAC Senate, the one elected by population, has a degressive proportionality when giving each state senator. Let's be honest, Fredoia will fucking out vote every countries due to having the highest population. Mexico comes in second by population, with maybe a population of either 250-300 mil, but even then, adding all the other countries, they still won't outnumbered Fredoia, even if Fredoia did lost many states before. So, small countries (maybe less of 10 mil?) automatically have 5 senators, and the Senate will apportioned senators accordingly. Likely Fredoia only filled 1/3 of the Senate. The executive branch is a council of each countries head of state and government, like the EU.

Amphibia and the Boiling Isles

Amphibia can't be a member due to it government and representation. Even though Amphibians could elect local leaders, non-Newts can't vote for the supreme legislative body, and the kingdom is a semi-constitution monarchy. Like, UNAC is okay with Hawaii being a monarchy (if Hawaiians choose it) as it government is very much a constitution monarchy. The monarch has restricted power, similar to the British monarch. Andrias has far more privileges that will make UNAC very uncomfortable. There is some trade right between the two, and the Amphibians do have an easier time getting a visa (this I imagine how Hop Pop and two kids manage to enter California).

For BI, it is complicated. BI is situated in the middle of the Atlantic, and therefore does not feel connected to North America. Actually, there's likely tension between UNAC and BI (and likely other countries, especially EU and West Africa countries). Many of the islands block shipping lanes, so conflicts between BI and other countries are likely to happen. Doesn't help they are also do magic and far more non-humanoid like.

Not only that, but BIS are very isolationist. Rarely do they connect with the outside world. Even when Belos becomes emperor, it didn't really change its isolational policy other than scaring other countries because now they are united and far more powerful.

There's nothing else much to talk about. In the EU, they have a similar international pro-hero academy for EU national students to learn together -this is the premise for snk/bnha fic, where 104th class are a pro-hero class (Eren was a non-quirk until his father gifted him one, and not only Ymir (freckles) is from a famous and loving pro-hero parents, but she also in an arranged marriage with Historia, her childhood best friend).

Anyways, that's it.

[skyfallscionarc]

james is able to count the number of times he's been to washington dc., on one hand, and those were times he went to work with felix. the recent request, however, had seen him on a (private) jet heading to the american capital. the request itself had been passed through mallory, an attempt to bridge the gap in the intelligence community between the cia, fbi, and mi6. james still wasn’t sure why he had been chosen, but he wasn’t really in a situation to deny any orders. admittedly, he wasn’t sure what to expect when he was ushered to the waiting limousine moments after the plane touched down, but he had heard stories about the woman sitting at the back of the window.

“nice to meet you, madam president.”

@frstwomn​​

[spidori]

Ok, complete crack, but hear me out. Danny as the bridge to the infinite realms has legs! Absolutely!

BUT!

What if? Bridge? Requires connection on both sides?

For DC, nonproblem. Lazarus Pits. People being resurrected every few minutes. Lots of magic capable of making the connection. The above makes perfect sense.

But there's potential for so much MORE crack. Because the bridge between the physical and spirit world? The bringer of capital B Balance. Those titles immediately remind me of someone else who could absolutely act as the other end of a bridge, and who is also a little chaos gremlin who would bounce off Danny in wonderful ways, Avatar Aang.

I'm sorry for hijacking this and running in a completely random direction. I don't even really know where I'd want to go with those two. I just keep seeing the titles and my brain makes the connection and refuses to shut up. And now It's imagining Aang teaching Jason meditation while Tim, Tucker, and an (absolutely enthralled at all these new toys) Sokka go on an inventing binge in the background.

not enough investigations done into the comedy potential of dcxdp. fixing that :D

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 11.1 (after 1950)

1950 – Puerto Rican nationalists Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo attempt to assassinate US President Harry S. Truman at Blair House. 1951 – Operation Buster–Jangle: Six thousand five hundred United States Army soldiers are exposed to 'Desert Rock' atomic explosions for training purposes in Nevada. Participation is not voluntary. 1952 – Nuclear weapons testing: The United States successfully detonates Ivy Mike, the first thermonuclear device, at the Eniwetok atoll. The explosion had a yield of ten megatons TNT equivalent. 1954 – The Front de Libération Nationale fires the first shots of the Algerian War of Independence. 1955 – The establishment of a Military Assistance Advisory Group in South Vietnam marks the beginning of American involvement in the conflict. 1955 – The bombing of United Air Lines Flight 629 occurs near Longmont, Colorado, killing all 39 passengers and five crew members aboard the Douglas DC-6B airliner. 1956 – The Indian states Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Mysore are formally created under the States Reorganisation Act; Kanyakumari district is joined to Tamil Nadu from Kerala. Delhi was established as a union territory. 1956 – Hungarian Revolution: Imre Nagy announces Hungary's neutrality and withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact. Soviet troops begin to re-enter Hungary, contrary to assurances by the Soviet government. János Kádár and Ferenc Münnich secretly defect to the Soviets. 1956 – The Springhill mining disaster in Springhill, Nova Scotia kills 39 miners; 88 are rescued. 1957 – The Mackinac Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge between anchorages at the time, opens to traffic connecting Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas. 1963 – The Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, with the largest radio telescope ever constructed, officially opens. 1963 – The 1963 South Vietnamese coup begins. 1968 – The Motion Picture Association of America's film rating system is officially introduced, originating with the ratings G, M, R, and X. 1970 – Club Cinq-Sept fire in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France kills 146 young people. 1973 – Watergate scandal: Leon Jaworski is appointed as the new Watergate Special Prosecutor. 1973 – The Indian state of Mysore is renamed as Karnataka to represent all the regions within Karunadu. 1976 – Burundian president Michel Micombero is deposed in a bloodless military coup d'état by deputy Jean-Baptiste Bagaza. 1979 – In Bolivia, Colonel Alberto Natusch executes a bloody coup d'état against the constitutional government of Wálter Guevara. 1979 – Griselda Álvarez becomes the first female governor of a state of Mexico. 1981 – Antigua and Barbuda gains independence from the United Kingdom. 1982 – Honda becomes the first Asian automobile company to produce cars in the United States with the opening of its factory in Marysville, Ohio; a Honda Accord is the first car produced there. 1984 – After the assassination of Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India on 31 October 1984, by two of her Sikh bodyguards, anti-Sikh riots erupt. 1987 – British Rail Class 43 (HST) hits the record speed of 238 km/h for rail vehicles with on-board fuel to generate electricity for traction motors. 1991 – President of the Chechen Republic Dzhokhar Dudayev declares sovereignty of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria from the Russian Federation. 1993 – The Maastricht Treaty takes effect, formally establishing the European Union. 2000 – Chhattisgarh officially becomes the 26th state of India, formed from sixteen districts of eastern Madhya Pradesh. 2000 – Serbia and Montenegro joins the United Nations. 2001 – Turkey, Australia, and Canada agree to commit troops to the invasion of Afghanistan. 2009 – An Ilyushin Il-76 crashes near the Mir mine after takeoff from Mirny Airport in Yakutia, killing all 11 aboard. 2011 – Mario Draghi succeeds Jean-Claude Trichet and becomes the third president of the European Central Bank. 2012 – A fuel tank truck crashes and explodes in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, killing 26 people and injuring 135.

[airportspickup]

Premium Taxi and Black Car Services Across Major U.S. Cities

Whether you're a local resident or a visitor, navigating the busy streets of cities like West Point, Washington DC, Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles can be daunting. For those seeking luxury, reliability, and comfort, opting for black car services or limo services is the perfect solution. From timely airport pickups to citywide tours, these services ensure a premium travel experience. This article will guide you through the best options available in each city.

West Point Taxi Services

West Point, home to the prestigious military academy, requires reliable transportation for cadets, staff, visitors, and dignitaries. While standard taxi services are available, opting for a premium taxi service in West Point can elevate your experience.

Key Benefits of Choosing a West Point Taxi Service:

Reliable and Prompt Service: Taxi services in West Point pride themselves on their punctuality, ensuring that you arrive on time, whether you’re heading to the academy or exploring nearby attractions.

Safe and Professional Drivers: Drivers are trained to navigate West Point’s historical and secure areas, offering a smooth and safe ride.

Comfort and Cleanliness: West Point taxi services emphasize clean, comfortable rides, providing a level of service that exceeds expectations for even short trips.

Black Car Service DC

Washington DC is a city where luxury and professionalism are key. For those who require a seamless blend of both, opting for a black car service in DC is a smart choice. Whether you're in town for business, government functions, or simply to explore the nation's capital, these services are designed to provide top-tier transportation.

Why Black Car Services are a Must in DC:

Luxury Fleet: Black car services offer a fleet of vehicles that are modern, luxurious, and meticulously maintained. Popular options include high-end sedans from brands like Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac.

Security and Discretion: In a city where discretion is often paramount, black car services in DC ensure that your transportation remains private, safe, and secure.

Airport Transfers: With daily flights in and out of Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport, black car services offer reliable airport transfers with flight tracking and timely pick-ups.

Limo Service Boston

Known for its rich history and vibrant culture, Boston is a city where every event feels grand. Whether you're planning a corporate gathering, wedding, or special event, using a limo service in Boston adds a touch of elegance and luxury to your transportation.

Top Reasons to Choose Limo Services in Boston:

Tailored Packages: From stretch limousines for weddings to luxury SUVs for business meetings, limo services in Boston offer packages customized to your event.

Professional Chauffeurs: Skilled and courteous chauffeurs ensure that you reach your destination in comfort and style while navigating Boston’s historic streets with ease.

Exceptional Comfort: Limo interiors come equipped with plush seating, privacy partitions, and top-of-the-line entertainment systems, providing a first-class experience every time.

Limo Service San Francisco

San Francisco, with its iconic landmarks and rolling hills, is a city where traveling in style makes the journey even more enjoyable. Whether you're visiting for business or leisure, booking a limo service in San Francisco can enhance your experience.

Why Limo Services are Perfect for San Francisco:

Scenic Rides: Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and other famous attractions from the comfort of a luxurious limousine.

Corporate and Event Services: With San Francisco being a major business hub, many limo services offer transportation for corporate events, conferences, and meetings.

Group Travel: Limousines are an excellent choice for groups, providing ample space and amenities that turn a simple ride into a sophisticated experience.

Black Car Service Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, the city of stars and luxury, opting for a black car service is not just about convenience; it’s about making an impression. Whether you're attending a red-carpet event or need reliable transportation for a business meeting, a black car service in Los Angeles ensures you arrive in style.

The Advantages of Black Car Services in LA:

Celebrity Treatment: Los Angeles is known for its high-profile events, and black car services cater to clients who expect discretion, privacy, and top-tier service.

Hollywood and Beyond: From Hollywood Boulevard to Beverly Hills, black car services offer tours of LA’s most famous attractions, giving you the VIP treatment at every stop.

Airport Transfers: With constant traffic at LAX, black car services provide timely, hassle-free transfers that get you to and from the airport without the stress of navigating LA’s congested roads.

The Benefits of Black Car and Limo Services

Choosing black car services or limo services in any city, from West Point to Los Angeles, offers numerous advantages over traditional transportation options. Here are just a few reasons why these services stand out:

Luxury and Comfort: Both black car and limo services offer an unparalleled level of comfort, ensuring that your ride is smooth and relaxing no matter the distance.

Professionalism: With experienced chauffeurs and impeccable service, you can trust that your transportation needs will be handled with the highest level of care.

Reliability: Whether you need an airport transfer or transportation for a special event, these services prioritize punctuality and reliability, ensuring you’re never left waiting.

Customizable Options: From hourly rentals to event-specific packages, these services offer flexibility that can be tailored to meet your unique needs.

For those seeking a premium travel experience, black car services and limo services across these cities are the go-to option, offering luxury, professionalism, and a memorable journey.

[bllsbailey]

Sen. Cruz Introduces Bill Honoring Jocelyn Nungaray to Enforce Detention and Tracking of Illegals

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks at a news conference to unveil the Take It Down Act to protect victims against non-consensual intimate image abuse, on Capitol Hill on June 18, 2024 in Washington, DC. Cruz introduced the bipartisan “Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act” (TAKE IT DOWN) which would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery and require social media sites to remove nefarious imagery if it is flagged by a victim.

A new bill introduced by Texas Senator Ted Cruz will make it much more difficult for foreign nationals to be released into the U.S. after they are processed at the southern border.

The bill is in honor of 12-year-old victim Jocelyn Nungaray, who was sexually assaulted and murdered by two illegal aliens from Venezuela.

The bill, which was introduced on Thursday and nicknamed the “Justice for Jocelyn Act,” would require Homeland Security officials to exhaust “all reasonable efforts to hold aliens in detention” by determining if “all detention beds available to the Secretary have been filled” before migrants who crossed into the U.S. illegally are released.

Additionally, if officials run out of room in a detention facility, a migrant must then be required to wear an ankle monitor until they complete their immigration court proceedings. The bill also proposes that illegal border crossers be subject to a curfew that lasts from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

If migrants violate any of the proposed rules, federal authorities could have the power to deport them. 

This comes after 12-year-old Nungaray was raped and killed by two illegal Venezuelan foreign nationals, one with criminal history in his own country, who were previously released into the U.S. with future court dates. 

Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, and Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, have now been charged with capital murder. It’s alleged that they lured Jocelyn to a bridge, assaulted her for two hours, both sexually and physically, and then finally strangled her to death and dumped her body into a Houston bayou.

Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungaray, said in a statement that the bill “would have prevented Jocelyn’s death,” adding that “It would have prevented her two murderers from being on the street and it would have meant that Jocelyn would be here with us today.”

It was also reported that Pena Ramos, who initially crossed the border in May, was wearing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) GPS ankle monitor at the time of the attack in June, Homeland Security sources previously told the New York Post.

He was reportedly able to get rid of it by simply cutting it off while running from law enforcement. 

As for Rangel Martinez, who crossed the border on March 14th, he was disenrolled from the tracking program only two months after entering the U.S. because he had no known criminal past and had complied with required check-ins. 

Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts

[future-crab]

Updated List:

Reminder to click the link to see the most up-to-date information

[ID:

February 14, 2024

PHOENIX, AZ | 4PM NE Corner of 7th St & McDowell Rd

PORTLAND, OR | 4:30 PM Pioneer Courthouse Square

SANTA ROSA, CA | 7 PM Courthouse Square, Unity Statue, 4th St.,

OAKLAND, CA | 6PM. ‘The Great Room’ in La Escuelita- 1050 2nd Ave.

ONEONTA, NY | 4PM Muller Plaza

WASHINGTON, DC | 2PM Dupont Circle

February 15, 2024

AUSTIN, TX | 10AM Austin City Hall, 301 2nd St

BURLINGTON, VT | 4PM UVM Davis Center, 590 Main Street- Intersection of University Heights and Main St

RICHMOND, CA | 5:30PM ‘Climate Justice Arts Project Space’ at Bridge Art/Storage Facility- 23 Maine Ave.

PHILLY TO D.C. | Solidarity walk from Philly to D.C. check website for exact locations

WASHINGTON, D.C. | 11 a.m. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. (Lafayette Square Park/White House)

February 16, 2024

BUFFALO, NY | 3PM Lafayette Square

EAU CLAIRE, WI | 5:00PM Corner of Hwy 93 and Golf Rd (Outside Hardee’s)

FRANKFORT, KY | 3PM 700 Capital Ave.

LANSING, MI | 2 PM State Capitol Building front lawn

SAN PEDRO, CA | 5PM 13th and Gaffey St.

February 17, 2024

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL | 12:30PM 625 Lincoln HwY

INDIANAPOLIS, IN | 8:00 PM 200 E. Washington Street

OAKLAND, CA | 10AM-2PM 5543 Telegraph Ave.

SAN DIEGO, CA | 12pm. Sunset Cliffs Blvd and W Point Loma Blvd

SEATTLE, WA | 12 PM Westlake Park

SPOKANE, WA | 12pm, Corners of Wellesley and Division

STOCKTON, CA | 12PM Stockton City Hall. 425 N. El Dorado St.

WICITA, KS | 1PM 21st & Rock Rd.

VIROQUA, WI | 11 AM Corner of Main and Decker Streets

February 18, 2024

BOONE, NC | 3PM Corner of 321 and 105 (near Wells Fargo)

MILWAUKEE, WI | 2PM Location to be announced check link

MISSOULA, MT | 11 AM Missoula Co.Courthouse W. Broadway

NEW ORLEANS, LA | 11:30 AM ARMSTRONG PARK

REDONDO BEACH, CA | 11AM 1815 Hawthorne Blvd

SANTA ROSA, CA | 2PPM Courthouse Square, 3rd St., Santa Rosa

February 19, 2024

ARANSAS PASS, TX | 3PM 123 S Lamont St

CHICAGO, IL | 11AM Chicago History Museum, Children’s Fountain

February 25, 2024

SAINT PAUL, MN | 1 PM 1176 N Mississippi River Blvd, St. Paul, MN.

End ID.]

People in the US: find a protest for Rafah

I found out about my local protest too late to attend (I don't have a car and I live in an area with zero public transportation) so I thought I'd share this list of protests so that other people might be able to go to their's!

[ID:

February 12, 2024

AUSTIN, TEXAS | 5PM 1100 Congress

CHICAGO, IL | 4:30 PM Federal Plaza 230 Dearborn Ave

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON | 6 PM University of Washington Station

MANHATTAN, NY | 4 PM Union Square

SAINT LOUIS, MO | 2:30 PM @ Kirkwood Park 111 So. Geyser Rd.

February 13, 2024

SAN DIEGO, CA | 4:30 PM Federal Plaza

SAN FRANCISCO, CA | 5:30 PM Federal Building

ATLANTA, GA | 7 PM Israeli consulate

PHILADELPHIA, PA | 5:30 PM 1400 JFK Blvd

PITTSBURGH, PA | 5 PM 4100 Forbes Ave

HOUSTON, TX | 4 PM Houston City Hall

February 14, 2024

PHOENIX, AZ | 4 PM NE Corner of 7th St & McDowell Rd

WASHINGTON, DC | 2 PM Dupont Circle

February 15, 2024

AUSTIN, TX | 10 AM Austin City Hall, 301 2nd St

February 16, 2024

EAU CLAIRE, WI | 5 PM Corner of Hwy 93 and Golf Rd (Outside Hardee’s)

February 18, 2024

NEW ORLEANS, LA | 11:30 AM ARMSTRONG PARK

February 19, 2024

CHICAGO, IL | 11 AM Chicago History Museum, Children’s Fountain

February 25, 2024

SAINT PAUL, MN | 1 PM 1176 N Mississippi River Blvd, St. Paul, MN.

End ID.]

[eastcoastboyos]

Storm the Capital

Today was the day we headed to Washington DC. We woke up early, huddled together googling in the lobby, and learned from the receptionist that the best way to Newark airport was a train line south of our hotel. Laden with our duffles bags, we waddled like ducks to the train station, passing Ben's big tent bag back and forth to share its awkward load.

Arriving at Newark, we fetched our rental van, did a full damage inventory like the nerds we are, and headed out. Joel and I volunteered to be primary drivers, as it was $10/person-day to drive, and hopefully this means no one person gets too tired of driving.

The ride to Washington was filled with toll booths, a massive bridge across the Chesapeake, a Popeye's pitstop, and a brilliant podcast about fly fishing thievery that made me miss Ben.

Washington DC has thus far been a blast. We went for dinner at the Hamilton and had a great time talking about Joel's love life and the $15 bounty he has placed for whichever boyo takes the best picture of him. Not sure if it is capitalist America affecting us, but the contest is contentious.

Exploring the main mall of DC, we scoped out croquet spots and wandered from the White House to the Washington Monument (aka a mystery boyo's mom's Dildo - you know who you are), and lastly to the Capital Building.

The Capital Building, by chance had a concert rehearsal going on for the July 4th festivities, and so the boyos quite enjoyed lounging the steps listening to music and cracking jokes in the cool summer air. The city feels safe, quiet, and has these lovely row houses surrounding the main area. A refreshing change from New York.

Derek

[drdamiang]

YES YANIS

YES YANIS

"the surreal colonizing the real"

Yanis Varoufakis

Columbus would have made it

if he had not traded

his ships in for jet skis

and surf boards

would have made it

to the Pacific

if he had not

stopped off in DC

to watch the

Army Navy game

his progress tracked

by GPS satellite, with

constant updates on

FOX, CNN and

alternate media

(outside Columbia and

MIT braves from

the seven nations having

set up

protest encampments)

Zadie so worried

whether her hypothetical

Zionist student would

not be bound

to feel aggrieved, suffer

horrific identity collapse

if hole in your vessel

easy to find a plug in DC

use a member of the house

the Hatter would tell Christopher

as the tenor got weirder

and the teapots all ran out

tea enough

still perhaps

after a previous party

floating in the harbour, but

for a great teapot at

this time of writing, a

wanderer did inform him,

you might

have to consult Boeing and

the military

industrial complex

Ah, the logic, the methodology,

suffice it to say, pure area 51

pure Man Ray,

pure

little girl without arms

bullet

through her head this

tale of Wonderland

is not about

you came to these shores and did

not expect to find palaces

did not expect to

encounter castles

golden dubloons maybe,

perhaps

a golden gate bridge

but not a landscape of

golf course and tenement

and cloud

saturated with capital

dodging those Lakota arrowheads

they said that

here there

would be no King

everybody would be a king

as

many kings on deck

as playing cards

Christopher somehow now

up in the Rockies inside

the Overlook Hotel

ghostly overseer Stanley

whispering in his ear

an adage that

colonization is

the heart

of the horror

colonization

the name

of the original sin

Yes, Yanis

still waiting for the cartoon

version of what I scribbled

down here

have commissioned Salvador Dali

have pleaded with Picasso

[thegaytraveler]

Bourbon & Belonging: Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week set for October 2024

Queer Kentucky, a LGBTQ+ non-profit working to bolster and enhance Queer culture, health and wellness, is proud to introduce Bourbon & Belonging: Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week, a state-wide LGBTQ+ inclusive event, set to take place October 2-6, 2024.

Bourbon & Belonging is launching with the support of eight Kentucky-based Destination Marketing Organizations, which have joined together to showcase the state’s rich Bourbon and hospitality cultures to LGBTQ+ visitors. The inaugural Bourbon & Belonging will feature events in these official sponsor destinations: Bardstown, Bullitt County, Frankfort, Lexington, Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Paducah, and Winchester.

"As an organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ advocacy, we couldn't be more excited to be launching Bourbon & Belonging, the nation’s inaugural Queer Bourbon Week,” said Missy Spears, Executive Director, Queer Kentucky. “It underscores the necessity of creating spaces of acceptance and celebration in regions where it's most needed."

“Bourbon & Belonging will showcase Louisville’s immense diversity, Bourbon culture, and the southern hospitality that brings it all together,” said Cleo Battle, President & CEO of Louisville Tourism. “As the Commonwealth’s largest city, we want to lead the way in championing Kentucky's dedication to inclusion. Participating in events like Bourbon & Belonging reinforces that we are a welcoming and inclusive destination.”

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This event features a growing superstar lineup of Bourbon partners that represent the state of Kentucky: Angel’s Envy, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Barrel House Distilling Co., Bourbon Capital Alliance, Bulleit Bourbon, Evan Williams, James B. Beam Distilling Company, James E. Pepper, Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company, Lux Row Distillers, Maker’s Mark, New Riff Distilling, Old Forester, Ponyboy Slings, Second Sight and Wenzel Whiskey.

“It's more than just bourbon,” said Mary Quinn Ramer, President of VisitLEX. “It's about carving out a space where everyone feels at home. This week will emphasize the genuine hospitality, charm and warmth that Kentucky has to offer to everyone.”

A variety of host hotels have also committed to partnering with the event, including 21c Museum Hotels, Common Bond Hotel Collection and Hotel Covington.

This week-long event was inspired by “Gay Wine Weekend” in Sonoma and “QueerBeer Fest'' in Washington DC. Participants will be offered a range of activities, tastings, and gatherings designed to foster safety, belonging, and togetherness while raising vital funds for Queer Kentucky and other Kentucky-based LGBTQ+ community service organizations.

“Bourbon & Belonging bridges our state's rich traditions with its vibrant future, emphasizing the unity and diversity that make Kentucky special,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of Meet Northern Kentucky.

If you’re interested in attending or learning more about Bourbon & Belonging, visit www.bourbonandbelonging.com and sign up to receive email communications to be the first to know about ticket releases and upcoming events. A schedule of events will be announced this summer.