#California Professional Firefighters

[reportwire]

The oldest Black church in California's East Bay burns in three-alarm fire | CNN

CNN  —  The oldest Black church in California’s East Bay was devastated by a massive fire Sunday night that the church’s pastor said gutted its interior structure. Video showed heavy smoke and flames shooting from the roof of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Oakland, where the fire erupted shortly before midnight, according to a tweet from the Oakland Fire Department. It quickly…

[reasonsforhope]

"Legislative momentum against PFAS has surged this year, as at least 11 states enacted laws to restrict the use of “forever chemicals” in everyday consumer products or professional firefighting foam.

The legislation includes bans on PFAS in apparel, cleaning products, cookware, and cosmetic and menstrual products. Meanwhile, lawmakers in some states also passed measures that require industries to pay for testing or cleanup; order companies to disclose the use of PFAS in their products; and mandate or encourage the development of PFAS alternatives, according to Safer States, an alliance of environmental health groups focused on toxic chemicals.

In total this year, at least 16 states adopted 22 PFAS-related measures, according to the group. Since 2007, 30 states have approved 155 PFAS policies, the vast majority of them in the past five years.

The thousands of chemicals categorized as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, do not naturally break down and are found in the blood of 97% of Americans. Some PFAS compounds can harm the immune system, increase cancer risks and decrease fertility...

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released new standards limiting PFAS in drinking water. Water systems have five years to comply with the rules. Even before the EPA action, 11 states had set their own limits on PFAS in drinking water, starting with New Jersey in 2018.

Water utilities and chemical manufacturers are challenging the new EPA standards. But states also are heading to the courthouse: So far, 30 states have sued PFAS manufacturers or key users for contaminating water supplies and other natural resources, according to Safer States...

Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States, said one reason states have been so successful in enacting PFAS limits is that more companies are willing to stop using the chemicals.

“When California restricted PFAS in textiles, all of a sudden you saw companies like REI saying, ‘We can, we’re going to do that. We’re going to move to alternatives,’” Doll said.

In Vermont, state lawmakers in April unanimously approved a measure banning the manufacture and sale of PFAS in cosmetics, menstrual products, incontinence products, artificial turf, textiles and cookware.

“The same as everyone else, like Democrats, we want to make sure that we remove PFAS and get it out of products as soon as we can,” said Vermont Republican state Rep. Michael Marcotte, who said his district includes cosmetics manufacturer Rozelle Cosmetics, in Westfield.

Democratic state Sen. Virginia Lyons, the chief sponsor of the Vermont bill, said it is particularly important to get PFAS out of products that are essential to consumers.

“There are some consumer products where you can say, ‘I don’t need to buy that, because I don’t want PFAS,’” Lyons said. “But it’s really tough to say that [about] a menstrual product.”

California’s latest PFAS measure, which Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last month, specifically bans the use of PFAS in menstrual products. Democratic Assemblymember Diane Papan, the author of the bill, said it was particularly strong because it covers both intentional and unintentional uses of PFAS, so “manufacturers will have to really be careful about what comes in their supply chain.”

While more states enact laws focused on specific products, Maine is preparing to implement the world’s first PFAS ban covering all consumer goods. The Maine law, which is scheduled to take effect in 2030, will include exceptions for “essential” products for which PFAS-free alternatives do not exist. Washington state has also taken a sweeping approach by giving regulators strict timelines to ban PFAS in many product categories.

[thatdisasterauthor]

@teagantheamazing Hope you don't mind, but I wanted to pull this reply out to talk about a little more in depth, because I think it is important that people understand this as we move forward.

Also, I am speaking as a private citizen here, not as an employee of the Forest Service.

In the United States, wildland fire response is handled at three basic levels: Federal, State, and Local.

Federally, it is further broken down into the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. (Some parks have their own fire crews as well, but that varies from park to park, and they're usually still technically Forest Service.) There's really not a ton of difference between the two aside from whose name is on your paycheck. Pay is the same across each, structure is the same across each, training is the same across each. Federal crews and resources are, generally, the main and biggest responders to wildfires because wildfires tend to happen primarily on federal lands.

At the state and local level things vary a lot from state to state. You can have things like the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control in Colorado and Cal Fire in California, and you can have local structure departments that also have wildland divisions and/or training. Some of the local departments will be volunteer. State and local responders also work closely with federal responders, but how much and for how long varies from fire to fire.

Then, on top of all of that, you have private/contract crews. They are what it says on the tin: private crews of firefighters. Some of these crews are great! Very professional, very skilled. Others are...ah...not.

Now, what I am concerned about specifically as we head into this new administration is what is going to happen at the federal level. As I mentioned in the original post, the Forest Service is already struggling. It has ALWAYS been struggling. Without giving you a whole huge history lesson, the Forest Service was founded in the early 1900s by Teddy Roosevelt to protect public lands and preserve them for future use. People threw a FIT about it, specifically people who wanted to basically strip mine the forests for every single available resource. Taft was elected after Roosevelt and basically started undoing everything his predecessor had done. The budget for the Forest Service was destroyed, protections were rolled back. The only reason the Forest Service survived was because in 1910 there was a MASSIVE fire. It was, at the time, unprecedented and the Forest Service was able to use it to lobby for better funding going forward. But the same cycle has repeated ever since. An administration that doesn't value conservation will come in, shred the budget, there will be deadly consequences that make the next administration pad the budget some, and then it will start again.

It's a lot like people who stop taking their medicine because they think they're cured since they feel better, but they only feel better because they were taking their medicine.

So what happens now? Well, it's already happening and it happened under Biden, and will only get worse under Trump. To keep it simple, there are two kinds of federal employment: seasonal, and year-round. Most of the federal Forest Service jobs are seasonal, because the work is seasonal. This includes firefighters, but it also includes things like park rangers and trail maintenance crews. From late spring to early fall there are tooooons of people working. Then, the rest of the year, its a skeleton crew of year-rounders doing mostly maintenance work, controlled burns, paperwork, stuff like that.

Now, with all of that said, here is where we stand at this specific moment: the decision has already been made that the Forest Service will not be hiring seasonal workers outside of firefighting next year. This means no seasonal park rangers, no seasonal maintenance people, none of that. This means next year parks are going to be a MESS. Bathrooms will not be cleaned regularly, campgrounds will not be maintained, trails will not be maintained, and a ton of other stuff. The year-rounder skeleton crew will be all we've got. And, crucially, there will be less professionals monitoring the woods looking for new fires. Rangers, even ones not working directly on fire stuff, are a crucial level of protection for spotting and reporting fires.

Secondary to that is the pay issue. Even if you're a year-rounder, the pay is abysmal. Your average out the gate, newbie wildland firefighter is going to make around $17/hr base pay if they work for a federal agency. Now, there's a ton of random stuff that can bump that pay up even without the retention bonus we're currently getting. You get a night differential and a Sunday differential for starters, and hazard pay when you are actively working a fire, plus there's ALWAYS overtime, sometimes an insane amount of it. Then there's per diem if you are traveling for a fire, and that can be a nice little bump too. But the point/problem is that the pay is VERY unpredictable. You can have a massively busy season and be swimming in money, or you can have a slow as fuck season and end up scrapping by because the base pay isn't enough. The Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act is supposed to fix this by bumping up the base pay, but that can has been kicked back and forth in the government for yeeeears now.

Now, as you mentioned, people CAN transfer their federal qualifications for fire to state and private crews. It generally pays better if you do. But we do not want to privatize fire response. Given the size of this country, given the spread of the population within it, we have to have a federal firefighting force. Leaving it to the states and private companies will not be enough.

That is where we are starting the new administration: abysmal pay, failing departments, and slimmed back hiring. Given Trump's repeated insistence on slimming down the government, on withholding aid in blue states, on getting rid of things like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (which is also crucial for firefighting), and other things in that vein, I think we are staring down the barrel of a very, very dangerous time.

So, some action items if you want to help:

Call your local representatives and insist they pass the Wildland Firefighter Protection Act NOW, before the new administration comes in. The new administration could still screw it up, but we've gotta at least try.

Be patient and understanding with Park Rangers in the coming years. They are doing their best with what they've got.

Take responsibility for your use of public lands. Clean up after yourself, pick up litter when you see it, and donate if there is a way for you to do so.

Educate yourself and your community on wildland fire even if you don't think you are in a wildland fire prone area. Learn about and implement defensible space around your homes and communities. I'll be doing a lot of education around this going forward, so if you have questions or want help please ask me!

[laf-outloud]

As we approach Fire Country’s premiere on the 2024 TV schedule, I spoke with Thieriot and Napolitano about what’s in store for Season 3. Obviously, that meant I had to ask about the news regarding Padalecki that broke over the summer. In response, the Bode actor told me during our interview for CinmeaBlend that this all stemmed out of the sweet fact that he’s really good friends with the Walker actor:

"Jared and I have been friends for a long time. You know, we've never had the opportunity to work together. Our families have spent a lot of time together. We've spent New Years together. And finally, we had an opportunity where, you know, unfortunately, his show came to an end, but the silver lining was we got this opportunity to finally try and figure out how to work together. And you know, the folks over at CBS are big fans – [CBS Studios President] David Stapf, and everyone…So it was, in a weird way, kind of easy to say, like, ‘Hey, Jared and I are good buddies. Like, what does everybody think?"

Well, everybody thought it was a great idea, and as Thieriot explained, casting him felt like “a no-brainer.” Showrunner Tia Napolitano confirmed that for me during our interview ahead of the premiere as well. She explained that the enthusiasm surrounding bringing the Gilmore Girls actor on was palpable, and they couldn’t wait to have him:

"He was a name that everyone was just immediately very excited about, and then it's definitely Max and Jared are friends. So Max is saying ‘He's a great guy. I'm so excited about this.’ We sat down with him, and, you know, it was just the chemistry. We were so excited to get him over here. He's also a really nice guy, like, just a professional sweetheart, so good, so talented, and he and Max, their chemistry as friends working together and on-screen was just off the charts. So we got very lucky. I was also a huge fan of his all the way back to Gilmore Girls. So it just felt like iconic TV opportunities."

From there it simply took a few conversations, Thieriot recalled, and then Padalecki was on the show.

Notably, this role also wasn’t pre-written before the Walker actor signed on, it was created specifically for him. So, it was imperative that he said yes, as the showrunner told me:

"This was written for Jared. So, if Jared didn't come play with us, we were gonna get our hearts broken."

To that point, the Bode actor explained that his friend’s character is a thrilling addition, because he’ll show off a totally different side of Cal Fire. Camden is a firefighter from Southern California, and as Thieriot said, in his world the “Wranglers and boots” are traded for “flip flops and tank tops.” So, he’ll bring a new fun energy to the show, and the SEAL Team actor’s words about that have me very excited:

"He just brings such a different energy to the show. And his interactions with all the characters are fun. He definitely comes in and makes a big impact. So I'm excited. I'm excited for everybody see it. I think the arc that he came in and did is really exciting. And, you know, we'll see where it all goes from here. But he certainly adds a lot to the world."

What a cool interview! I love the enthusiasm everyone has for Jared, from the top brass at CBS to the showrunner and Max!

(Tank tops and flip flops???)

[the-ace-with-spades]

little snippet from a buddie outsider pov future fic that i probably won't ever finish because its part 3 of a series, or aka the Bobby-fication of Buck

"I was told to report to Captain Diaz?"

The man, with Diaz clearly written on his name tag, stares. It's not the most friendly of stares but it's not that kind of a stare and Kori had his fair share of them as a brown boy who consistently used public transport and worked night shifts. He'd expected to have a welcome that wasn't the warmest but he at least wanted some kind of verbal acknowledgment. 

Well, this is awkward, he thinks, why is he not saying anything?

Kori woke up bright and early today, excited and anxious for his first day, over an hour before his alarm started blasting, and then made sure he had his bag packed with all the essentials he would need on a twenty-four shift. Four different sets of clothes, five meals in Tupperware, protein bars, a book, headphones, towel, shampoo and shower gel, the basic firefighting manual from the academy and his paramedic textbooks. He prepared to be too prepared rather than embarrass himself by asking to borrow shampoo on his first day.

He arrived at the firehouse via Uber because public transport in LA couldn't be reliable and he also couldn't afford a car and then he had stood panicked on the side of the truck bay for about fifteen minutes before checking his email again for the right names — Captain Diaz, 118 Ladder Company — all along to the schedule in his head.

And now the guy, he's just—standing there. Staring at Kori like he's debating whether he should eat him alive or roast in the oven beforehand.

The thing is, Kori knows he’s disappointing for a firefighter. He’s barely five foot seven, five foot six without the boots, really, and he’s lean and slim, in a way that would make some people doubt whether he can carry a person out of a burning building — he can — and he’s, well, he’s average.

But the One-Eighteen is stuck with him for the year, he might be average and disappointing, it just doesn’t matter. Because they are stuck with him.

He still hasn’t seen Firefighter Buckley.

"Are you Captain Diaz?"

He looks a bit young, for a captain, but he is pretty sure there have been younger ones in the history of LAFD. And Diaz is a common surname, in California, or common enough that it wouldn’t be impossible to have two people with it in the firehouse even if still a bit improbable.

"Oh," he says, looking down at the nametag on his chest, finally noticing where Kori's been glancing at the whole time. "Sorry, kid, that would be my husband. I'm Lieutenant Paramedic Diaz."

Kori, he must admit to himself, blinks at him like he had just spoken in Mandarin and not English. Because there are two Diazes in the firehouse. And both of them are his officers. And they’re married.

The—The lieutenant crosses his arms over his chest, puffing up like a peacock, and narrows his eyes. “Do we have a problem?”

“No, sir,” he says, immediately. “I didn’t know they allowed married couples to work together, that’s all.”

The lieutenant still looks at him like he's trying to assess the deepest secrets of his soul and raises one eyebrow at him like he expects a fight but his shoulders fall slightly. He's, uhm, very handsome, even this angry, in that foxy dad kind of way that Kori's never been interested in but knew it was a thing.

"My husband and I worked together for seven years before we married, I think we've proved we can stay professional," he says and it sounds a bit like a threat. "He's in the office downstairs. You should report to him before you're late to your first shift."

He smiles but Kori has a feeling it's a mean smile.

Kori does go back downstairs, passes the rest of the loft and walks past the kitchen where he sees three other firefighters, quietly eating breakfast. The conversation stops and they all collectively look up at him. He probably should say something or wave or anything so it's not awkward but no, he just speed-walks into the narrow corridor that — he hopes — leads to the offices.

He passes two doors before he finds the right one. There is a brand new plate hanging on the side of it, shiny and not dusty at all, with Capt. Diaz and Lt. Diaz written on it and the door is wide open — someone is in the closet in the back, from what it seems, going over documents or something that makes a similar rustling sound. Kori moves into the doorframe, going for a knock, when he realizes.

There's no door. Nothing, just an empty door frame with taped down hinges. There's no way for him to knock.

He clears his throat as loudly as he can.

There are two desks inside, one with a brand new plate of Capt. Diaz and one with slightly less shiny Lt Diaz on it. It looks like any other office, slightly bare on the shelves but also full of diplomas and official pictures of past officers hanging on the walls. There's also a framed drawing made by an elementary school kid, or Kori guessed it was an elementary school kid, of a firefighter in bunker gear, dead center on the wall behind the captain's desk, and a couple of photos of what he assumes is the station's crew, all in their dress uniforms — he can't see it very well.

The captain's desk is full, with another frame standing on the edge, three pencil holders filled to the brim, multiple kinds of colorful stationery, and stacks of documents and folders cluttering the countertop. There's even a freaking fidget spinner on it — he hasn't seen one since freshman year in high school. It's a mess but Kori knows that even being a probationary firefighter would mean way too much paperwork for a job that was technically blue collar. The new captain wasn't just a new captain, he was also newly-qualified to be a captain so Kori suspects he probably is barely keeping up with the forms and documents as of right now — it's a learning curve.

The lieutenant's desk also holds a couple of frames but there's only a small pencil case and a neatly arranged stack of folders lying in an even more neatly arranged corner.

And wow. That's Firefighter Buckley, even more awe-inspiring than he was eleven years ago

He looks at Kori with a half-smile stuck on his face but with a frown on his forehead. There are wrinkles around his eyes, forming like laughter lines. He tilts his head and Kori thinks—Kori thinks this is it, he remembers me, he—

"Khorshed Patwari, was it?" he asks and his grin looks the same, almost — there’s more wrinkles, around his eyes and on his forehead, and his face seems a bit softer, but it’s like a memory refresher. "Am I pronouncing it right?"

It's stupid — Firefighter Buckley saved probably hundreds if not thousands of people, he's been a firefighter for at least twelve years, probably, and Kori is just one of those faces he had seen for a minute or two. Easily forgotten. Average. It's understandable that he doesn't remember him, he would probably be more surprised if he did remember him.

"Everyone calls me Kori," he says, after clearing his throat. He knows he’s gaping like a fish, a bit, but he can’t help it — Firefighter Buckly looks almost unchanged and he can’t believe he’s here.

"With the h?"

He blinks. "Sorry?"

"Do you keep the h in Kori?" he clarified, huffing a small chuckle out.  "I want to know how to spell it correctly in the future."

"Just Kori, uhm, K-O-R-I, is okay," he explains, still star-struck.

"Uhm," he says eloquently. "I'm looking for Captain Diaz? I was supposed to report to him?"

"That would be me," Firefighter Buckley says and—Oh. He’s a captain and he’s—he’s married to a man that’s the station's lieutenant. He's not really Firefighter Buckley anymore, is he? "Although most people just call me Buck, or Cap, if you really must."

[creativeashproductions]

Hung the Galaxy // Jake Seresin

IN WHICH: Your fiancé's betrayal sets on a course to meeting someone new after fleeing your wedding. Years later you return to LA with a new fiance

Pairing: Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x f!reader, ex!Evan Buckley x ex!reader

Warnings: Swearing, cheating/affair (not Jake), reader and Jake have a child but can be read as non-biological child, angst, and fluff

Words: 2.3k

A/N: Hi. I love doing crossovers, so I'll probably do a lot of these.

Masterlist

Los Angeles, California, 2020

The bulky planner that had become a staple on your kitchen island would be retiring to a storage bucket. It had served its purpose and would become a momentum of this big step in your relationship. Wedding planning was stressful when your fiancé was a firefighter.

Your hand glided over the material of your wedding dress. Tailored perfectly to your body and the dream dress when you thought of walking down the aisle. You were incredibly excited to get the dress professionally cleaned and stored away. 

You also were excited for the two-week honeymoon Buck had planned to relax after months of intense planning. Buck had been tight-lipped about the honeymoon itinerary other than letting you know it was in Bali. However, he’d gotten discounts after having lived and worked there shortly.

“You’re gonna be gorgeous.” Your eyes lifted from the dress to Athena standing at the entrance. You knew from the beginning you wanted her to be part of getting ready for the day, partially because of how calm and levelheaded she was.

“I hope so.” You murmured, stepping across the room barefoot to hug her tight, “It took a lot of planning. Buck and I didn’t get to spend much time together with him working and all the appointments for planning.”

“At least Taylor’s photographer friend agreed to a discount.” Athena nodded, “Which reminds me, I need to make sure May’s got the Polaroids ready to go.”

You grinned, “I have to meet Taylor with the photographer, and then it’s officially time to begin the process of that dress.”

Taylor Kelly had been the roommate of a friend from college, and when your friend had to drop out unexpectedly, you’d asked Taylor. She’s been a great help in keeping track of everything, and you considered her a close friend; she’d joined game nights with Buck, Albert and Josh. She was a good friend and support to both Buck and you. Had even been your shoulder to cry on when communication had suffered in your relationship with Buck. Had offered sage advice.

The sound of the wedding march you hummed brought a smirk to your lips on the trip to the meeting room. Finally, you had time before your aunt and uncle arrived from San Diego for the wedding. Beau had juggled work around at the naval base to make it in time to walk you down the aisle. Not that they would miss this for the world with how deeply involved they were in your life.

“-married Buck. She’s my friend!” Taylor’s voice snapped through the crack of the door. Your hand hesitated in pushing it, “I can’t believe we’ve done this.”

“We’ve been-“

“Having communication problems? I’m aware of that, Buckley. I’m a bridesmaid in your fucking wedding. Sure, we haven’t slept together, but arguably we’ve done worse!”

“It’s not an affair.” Buck was firm in his response, and you could just imagine the crinkle in the skin between his eyebrows as he said that.

 “Look up an emotional affair.”

It was silent for a moment other than the sound of Buck tapping away on his phone, “Okay, well, we’ll just stop or take time away to get over- “

Your heart shattered because even in the face of his wrongdoing Buck still wanted her in his life long-term. Your mind slingshot through the last year with how distant he had gotten and how Taylor behaved when you brought him up. She sidestepped the conversation when it came to her love life.

“That’s the thing, Buck. I don’t want to. I don’t want you waiting at the end of the aisle, and maybe that makes me the biggest bitch.”

You didn’t comprehend shoving the door open to reveal the two of them standing so close together, “Absolutely hilarious. The groom is being seduced by the bridesmaid! Tell her she’s delusional. That you wouldn’t waste thousands of dollars and peoples time for a selfish bitch looking to stomp on anyone for a news story.”

Your eyes focused on your fiancé. His blue eyes struggle to stay on your form.

“I can’t.” Buck quietly responded, shrinking in on himself, “I love her too.”

In the crisp morning air flowing in from the open French doors your heart audibly and cruelly shattered. Your soul shrivelled up, and you stumbled back, unable to look away from the wreckage of your relationship. Sure, Buck had always been immature and cowardly indecisive, but a cheater? You’d never expected that.

It took everything in you to tug the ring from your finger, “Fine. But you can march out to the room full of guests and tell them the wedding is off. That you decided that the redhead skank that took advantage of the 118 for a story is the reason you threw away a life with someone you love.”

You could read devastation in his eyes, but at the core of it, Evan Buckley, staunchly and often at the risk of self-destruction, yearned for respect and acceptance. And who was firmly in the centre of that? Bobby Nash.

“Bobby is going to be disgusted by your actions. And thank god we used your credit card, and everything is non-refundable.” You sweetly told your very much now ex-fiancé and turned to the bitch, “You seemed like such a pretty and smart woman Taylor, but your mind does not seem to work well. Must be lonely being the type of person you are to make games of destroying relationships.”

You had even fully turned on your feel when your eyes caught the group of surprised people just outside the French doors. Your lips quirked, noticing Hen and Karen’s son had been very obviously recording the scene.

“Enjoy the food and the open door on Buck and Taylor! But, unfortunately, I have a wedding dress to burn and an emergency appointment for STD testing.”

You strode through the crowd finding Athena holding up the duffle bag of your things, “I thought it was best I grab this and keep Buckley from attempting to stop you.” 

“Thank you, Athena.” You murmured, squeezing her arm on your way to where your Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Beau were waiting. You heard the whispers of people as Buck attempted to move through the crowd.

The wall of firefighters kept him from making it to the car pulling from the curb. The moment the car turned the corner, the strong front you’d had splintered in the arms of your aunt.

San Diego, California, Present Day

You hadn’t stepped in Los Angeles since the day your life fell apart, all thanks to a two-faced bitch and weak fiancé. You cut off contact with the friends you’d made with Buck and build a new life. You had changed your phone number, blocked Buck on everything and removed a lot of people from your social media.

You knew through the grapevine the short-lived relationship with Taylor had ended. May had mentioned roughly the last time you spoke to her a year ago that Taylor had reported on a story Buck had confided her on.

Your response to her was indifferent to the breakup news, and you only asked if Hen and Chim were okay. You refused to answer any personal questions and hesitantly agreed to consider having May visit during the summer.

You had worked hard with a therapist to navigate grieving for the life you had thought you’d have with Buck. You’d slowly put yourself back with the support of your family. And what you attested to be kismet stumbled into someone a year after settling into Miramar.

You huffed, stumbling into a solid form and scrunched your eyes closed, waiting to hit the deck, but it didn’t come. Cautiously your eyes opened to meet the jade-green ones of a lieutenant aviator going off from the gold wings pinned to his shirt.

“Whoa. Sorry there.” The husky voice caused the breath to catch in the back of your throat. You could hear the subtle but unmistakable drawl of a Southern accent.

“It’s okay.” You softly murmured, releasing your grip on his arms when he levelled you back on your feet, “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

“Jake.” The stranger offered both his name and hand. His grip was firm but not suffocating as he shook your hand, “Can I help you?”

“My uncle Beau forgot his phone at home. So I was sent with it. I was barely walking the last time I was here.”

It took a while for Jake to wear both you and Beau down to take you out on a date, and the rest is what they call history. He was everything you wanted and weren’t looking for. His emotional maturity was astounding, and his firm expectancy of honesty and talking things through was welcomed.

Honestly, it was the healthiest relationship you’d ever been in. 

So it wasn’t a surprise when a year later, you’d gotten engaged and moved in together. Being with Jake was easy, and it wasn’t just because of how steady and solid he was, like the Allegheny River you visited not that long ago. You adored everything about him. From the old hand-me-down Bible, his grandpa gave him the day he got the Naval Academy acceptance letter to his weekly phone call with his parents.

You were ever grateful for how supportive Jake was when he cleared his schedule to join you in LA when Eddie invited you. Usually, you would have said no to your old friend, but he’d gotten crafty by having Chris ask you.

“You got this,” Jake murmured against your temple. Then, like it was second nature, you guided Jake around the house’s side to the backyard’s open gate.

The entire area was flooded with friends and family of the Diaz duo. You could see every one of the 118 and felt more than saw Chris slam into you.

“You’re here!” Chris beamed as you pushed one of his curls off his forehead, “I didn’t think you’d come!”

 “And miss watching your dad’s existential crisis at you becoming a teenager? Never.” You joked, kissing his head, “Chris, I’d like you to meet Jake and Ellie.”

Chris’s inquisitive eyes moved to the tall stranger standing with one hand on your lower back and the infant cradled on his chest. Chris had a feeling that Buck’s plan would burst into flames with how close you and this Jake guy were standing.

“Oh,” Chris murmured, looking over his shoulder to where Buck was chatting with Maddie and Chim.

Your smile softened at the blue tone, “I know it’s weird that I left LA after being with Buck and came back with someone new. I get that and take all the time you need, but you are still important to me, Christopher.”

Athena quickly snagged you from Jake’s side and dragged you to Hen and Karen beaming at you. Jake had already fallen into a conversation with Eddie about everything to do with Texas. You had a feeling football would be brought up. 

“I’d ask who he is, but I feel he’s not just a friend.” Buck had taken the first opportunity to approach you. You’d volunteered to get more napkins from the kitchen, and Buck had used a flimsy excuse.

“Hello, Evan.” You declared from behind the open cabinet door to the cupboard above the stove. Your eyes caught the blue napkins of Chris’ favourite show at the moment.

“How’re you?” 

You leaned back from the coverage of the cabinet to stare at him, stumped at his sudden question.

“Are you expecting me to burst out in song and dance to confess some sort of undying love for you?” You inquired, looking between his blue irises that made you uncomfortable with their evident love, “Because Buck. I don’t love you. I don’t even hate you, to be honest. I’ve moved past what happened.”

Buck couldn’t help but perk up when you admitted to not hating him like he had anticipated. He glossed over the part of your words, saying you didn’t have feelings for him because that tiny little hope fanned.

“If I had to put a name to what I feel when the odd time you’re brought up, it would be indifference. I have more important things now.” You informed your ex-fiancé with a perfectly timed movement to close the cabinet. It revealed the new ring sitting where the one he gave you used to sit.

Buck’s stomach dropped.

“Sweets?” Jake called as he entered the room. He barely gave Buck a glance because what did it matter? Jake had no reason to feel threatened by him, “Ellie-belly here is down for the count. We should head for the hotel and rest before we fly out.”

“My sweet girl.” You cooed leaning into the baby cradled on Jake’s hip to kiss her chubby cheek, “We’ll say our rounds and give Chris his present.”

You shot Buck a smile on your way back out to Eddie’s backyard to find the birthday boy in the mass. Jake split off back to Eddie while you made the rounds to the people you used to see almost every day. Your eyes fluttered back to him, listening to Eddie and cooing at your daughter.

“You look happy, Kid,” Bobby spoke upon joining Athena. His words brought your attention back to him, “You look at him like he hung the moon. And he looks like you did the same for him.”

Your lips quirked, “You say he hung the moon, but Bobby, I’d say he hung the galaxy.”

“I couldn’t help but notice the bling.” Karen grinned, gesturing to the ring on your finger, “When did that happen?”

 “A little over a year ago. We were in the middle of planning when Ellie came around, so we’re having a small wedding in Jake’s hometown. We fly out from LAX tomorrow. So you should all come down to San Diego for the party our friends are throwing us.”

With a hug from Athena and Bobby and a long one with Chris, you leaned against the car door as Jake carefully juggled your daughter into her car seat. It was quiet. It was peaceful. It was perfect.

Tag List:

@websterss

[try-set-me-on-fire]

OLDER BUDDIE FIC OH MY GOD

That’s the one from this post (with an opening scene here) but to summarize; outsider pov of a new recruit learning about Captain Buck Diaz’s legendary rivalry with another station’s Captain Diaz but uh oh oops wuh oh I got my angsty little hands all over it and got too attached to the probational firefighter I made up and gave her family drama. She grew up in Boron, California (Buck is enthusiastic when he learns this and starts spouting facts about the town [Named after the element! Second largest source of boric acid in the world!] and she’s like how in the fuck did you know that and he claps her on the back and says I think I’ve probably read about half of Wikipedia at this point in my life) and her dad was a firefighter there, she was going to UCLA to get a chemical engineering degree to work in one of the refineries or other industry in her town that’s sprouted from the mines, but when she gets word that her dad died she drops out to become a firefighter. She also grew up gay in a small town and could never get femininity to sit right on her but god she tried so hard, and it was fine when it was this open secret but when she actually came out to her dad he did not accept her. I picked Boron because I googled “town furthest away from hospital California” asdfgsdfg he had a heart attack and the firefighters got to him in time but they couldnt get him to the hospital fast enough. Anyway now at the 118 she talks about him like he’s still alive and leaves him voicemails about LA and the team and everything, and Buck has started calling her John, which is a nickname her dad called her when she was little, and she cuts her hair short and has a bit of a gender crisis as she slowly accepts herself as butch and more comfortable presenting masculine, and Buck is just so happy and supportive and eventually she breaks down and admits her father is dead and she’s following in his footsteps and it breaks her heart that he wouldn’t be proud of her he never wanted her to be a firefighter he didn’t think it was a girls job but she loved him so much and he loved her so much and god now shes weeping in the back of the engine and Buck is very gentle about it all (you KNOW he’s been telling Eddie all about this kid, you KNOW he calls home after this like Eddie is it legal to adopt a full adult. How mad would you be if I brought a probie home) and then we wouldn’t even see Eddie till the end of the fic where they all work the same scene and John is like shit the rivalry are they gonna fight?? There’s certainly some kind of energy between them… and then Eddie gets his shoulder dislocated and Buck is calm and professional getting him out of the building but but as soon as a paramedic has popped it back in they collapse into each other a little and theres some tasteful kissing and like imagine both of them with gray in their hair and really good at their jobs after doing them so long and still so in love and bantering with each other… John is flabbergasted and Buck is like literally if you accepted my invitation to the family barbecues you would have found out about all this much sooner

[indynerdgirl]

Topgun AU Ideas

As I was scrolling through the Topgun tag on AO3 the other night, I realized that I was starting to see the same tropes and AUs over & over again. And while not a bad thing at all, personally, I'm just starting to get a little bored of reading the same story over & over.

So I started thinking about what kind of AUs I would love to see in the Topgun fandom and then I started making a list and it kind of spiraled out of control. Oops. 😆

I now present to you all my somewhat organized list of AU ideas! And feel free to use them for any fandom, I was just thinking about Topgun as I came up with them all. It's also by no means an exhaustive list so I probably missed some obvious ones.

Military AU ideas: Pentagon/Joint Chiefs/White House Advisor (think The West Wing but for the military - this is the one I've been dying to see someone tackle!) Navy JAG NCIS Blue Angels Air Force Instead of Navy Astronauts/NASA Test Pilots Naval Academy Instructors Adversary/Aggressor Squadron Office of Naval Intelligence Sailors Instead of Pilots Submariners Instead of Pilots Naval Flight School Instructors (Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, Primary Flight Training, Intermediate Flight Training, and/ or Advanced Flight Training)

Character AU ideas: Natasha is Maverick's daughter/niece  Bob is Maverick's son/nephew  Natasha is Ice's daughter/niece Bob is Ice's son/nephew Maverick is Amelia's father Penny Is Also a Pilot Penny’s Father Is An Air Force General Obligatory Goose/Carole/Ice Lives AUs Maverick’s Dad/Mom Lives Any of the younger pilots is the kid of one of the other 86 boys

And a whole lot more under the cut!

American Historical AU ideas: Colonial/Revolutionary War Post-Revolutionary War Lewis & Clark War of 1812 Mexican-American War/The Alamo Wild West (good guys or bad guys) Organ Trail The Gold Rush (California or Alaska) Pony Express Civil War/Reconstruction Transcontinental Railway Cattle Drives Industrial Revolution/The Gilded Age WWI Bootleggers/Rum Runners/1920s Jazz Age Great Depression/Dust Bowl WWII Korean War Vietnam War 1950s/Greasers Moon Race/1960s NASA 1980s/The Cold War

Other Historical AU Ideas: Ancient Greece/Rome Middle Ages Renaissance Tudor Elizabethan Georgian Regency Napoleonic Victorian Edwardian

Fandom AUs: The West Wing Firefly The Avengers Agents of Shield Star Wars Star Trek Harry Potter Percy Jackson Ocean's 11 Mission Impossible Bourne Tom Clancy/Jack Ryan Jack Reacher John Wick Friends New Girl Supernatural How I Met Your Mother Chuck Downton Abbey CSI Jurassic Park Indiana Jones The Office Parks and Rec Pacific Rim

Other Profession AU ideas: Coffee Shop Book Shop Bakery/Candy Maker Winery/Distillery Restaurant/Chef Bartender/Bar Mechanic/Car Repair Shop Doctor/Medical/Hospital Firefighter/Police Officer/Detective Wildfire Firefighter Florist Tattooist Gardener/Gardening Horse Racing Motorsports (NASCAR/F1/Motocross, ect) Professional Sports (baseball, football, hockey, soccer, basketball) Rodeo/Bull Riding Olympians Air Racing (it’s a real thing!) Actors (movie or stage)/Celebrity Ballet Dancers Teachers College Professors Lawyers/Judges National Park Ranger Cruise Ship Pet Groomer/Veterinarian Farmer/Rancher Banker/Financial Bodyguards Zoo Museum/Living Museum Musician/Band Mall (everyone works at different stores at the same mall) Marketing Archeologist Spies Reporters/Journalist News Anchors Lifeguards Assassins Criminals/Thieves/Heist Bounty Hunter

Misc AU Ideas: Royalty/Lost Royalty Time Travel Fae/Fairy Mermaids/Selkies Witch/Wizard Werewolves/Vampires Fantasy/Magic (including modern/urban settings) High Fantasy Dragons Soulmates (color blindness, first words, timestamps, matching marks, can share emotions, Red String of Fate, can share dreams, can see/talk to each other in dreams, can write on each other's skin, telepathic, Soulmate Goose of Enforcement) Omegaverse/ABO (not everyone’s cup of tea, just putting it out there!) Roommates Pirates High School College Mob/Mafia Fairytale Arranged Marriage Accidental Marriage Fake Dating/Engagement/Marriage Superhero/Villain Apocalypse/Post-Apocalypse Forbidden Love Boarding School Space/Sci-Fi Road Trip Summer Camp Immortal/Reincarnation Hallmark Movie Amnesia Pen Pals Resurrection Animal Shapeshifter May this list inspire all of you amazing fanfic writers out there! 💜

[taralaurel]

Title: coming down

Relationship: Bobby Nash & TK Strand

Rating: T for themes

Word Count: 6.5k (chapter 1)

Summary:

When TK goes to rehab in California, he doesn't expect to meet a fellow firefighter. He also doesn't expect to get trapped in an elevator with the guy.

"Well, at least you're stuck with a trained professional."

"No," TK grunts, "you are."

"Right." Bobby chuckles. "Mind if I check your pulse?"

"I mean," TK waves a hand, "what else are we gonna do to pass the time?"

For Discord 9-1-1: May Writing Challenge: stuck in an elevator + "can I tell you a secret?"

Read on AO3

[angelenohq]

Welcome to ANGELENOHQ, everyone! Under the cut, you will find all the accepted applicants. For those of you who have been accepted, you have TWENTY FOUR HOURS to get your account to the main page. Once you have it made, send in a message letting us know, and we’ll get you connected to the discord chat. Take a peek at the NEW PLAYER’S CHECKLIST. Information regarding the opening event, End of the Trail Music Festival can be read HERE. Now that acceptance is officially posted, the group is open for interaction!

California, here we come...

CHLOE BAILEY – Asha Dean, exotic dancer, OnlyFans model, and waitress. | Penned by Jay.

MICHAEL EVANS BEHLING – Josiah Carrington, actor and model. | Penned by Steph.

DYLAN O'BRIEN -- Romanyuk Konstenko/Roman Kon, professional dancer, concentration ballet for the Los Angeles Ballet Academy | Penned by Danii.

MELISSA BARRERA – Barrett Valentina, firefighter. | Penned by Lydia.

CHASE STOKES – Theodore “Theo” Lewis, photographer. | Penned by Lindsey.

OLIVIA COOKE – Nicolette “Nicky” Johansson. freelance graphic designer. | Penned by Cake.

CAMILA MORRONE – Diana Kirby Aguero, part time bar tender, former pro surfer.  | Penned by Alyssa.

CASEY DEIDRICK – Emmett Warden, owner of 360 gym. | Penned by Rose.

JACOB ELORDI – Alex Novak, drug dealer. | Penned by Jam.

LEE DO-HYUN – Kim Dong-yul/Don Kim, actor and stunt coordinator.  | Penned by Mel.

MEGHANN FAHY – Darcy James, musician, part time bartender and record store manager.  | Penned by Hannah.

SUKI WATERHOUSE – Aurelia “Paisley” Carter, singer/songwriter, musician | Penned by Ellie.

RILEY KEOUGH – Jolie St. Clair, musician and producer.  | Penned by Em.

FRIDA GUSTAVSSON – Thea Ellis Barlow, actress.  | Penned by Kate.

ZURI REED – Noemie Wilson, stand up comedian. | Penned by DJ.

BEN BARNES – Jacob Hartland, cardiothoracic surgeon, medical researcher/part time professor at UCLA. | Penned by AJ.

ZION MORENO – Renata Cortes, model and social media influencer. | Penned by Kit.

TOM HOLLAND – Dale “DJ” Jagger, personal trainer and personal chef.  | Penned by Ale.

NYLE DIMARCO – Owen Mason, ER nurse.  | Penned by Meranda.

[theprimeheadline]

Wildfires on the East and West Coasts: A Growing Crisis

Main source: Wildfires on the East and West Coasts: A Growing Crisis - theprimeheadline.com

Overview of the Current Wildfire Situation

Geographic Scope: Wildfires are currently affecting multiple states across the United States, notably in New Jersey and California.

Severity: These fires have prompted evacuations, caused significant property damage, and severely impacted air quality.

Recent Developments: As of November 2024, fire crews are actively battling blazes on both coasts, with notable incidents reported in New York, New Jersey, and Southern California.

Key Areas Affected

California

Mountain Fire: Located northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County, this fire has burned approximately 32 square miles and is currently 26% contained. The fire's rapid spread is attributed to dry conditions and Santa Ana winds.

Destruction and Damage: Over 130 structures have been destroyed, with many more damaged. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Evacuations: Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the threat posed by the fire.

New Jersey and New York

Jennings Creek Fire: This fire has burned around 3,000 acres in West Milford, New Jersey, and is only 10% contained. It has threatened more than two dozen structures.

Fatalities: An 18-year-old New York State Parks employee, Dariel Vasquez, tragically lost his life while battling a forest fire in Sterling Forest, New York.

Air Quality Issues: The smoke from these fires has led to unhealthy air quality conditions across the New York City area, prompting health officials to issue air quality alerts.

Impact on Communities

Evacuations have been ordered in various regions, with local authorities working to ensure public safety.

The fires have disrupted community events, including the postponement of Veterans Day parades in affected areas.

Property damage is significant, with over 130 structures reported destroyed in California alone.

Local governments are urging residents to conserve water and avoid activities that could exacerbate fire risks, such as grilling in parks.

Environmental Conditions Contributing to Wildfires

Drought Conditions

Both coasts are experiencing historic droughts that have created ideal conditions for wildfires.

In New Jersey, three counties are classified as experiencing "extreme" drought, while others face severe or moderate drought conditions.

Climate Change Factors

Researchers indicate that climate change is exacerbating wildfire risks by increasing temperatures and decreasing humidity levels.

The Northeast is seeing a rise in fire weather days compared to previous decades, making wildfires more common.

Firefighting Efforts and Challenges

Firefighting crews from multiple states are collaborating to combat these blazes.

Over 200 local volunteers joined professional firefighters in New Jersey to assist with containment efforts.

The challenging terrain and underground burning complicate firefighting strategies, requiring extensive manpower and resources.

Fire crews are working tirelessly to contain the wildfires, with some areas receiving much-needed rain that has aided suppression efforts.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed condolences for the loss of life and emphasized the bravery of those fighting the fires.

Health Risks Associated with Wildfires

Poor air quality due to smoke has led to health warnings for residents in affected areas.

Reports indicate that the AQI in New York City reached levels classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and even "very unhealthy" in some areas.

Residents have been advised to limit outdoor activities and wear masks to mitigate health risks associated with smoke inhalation.

Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues, are particularly at risk.

Historical Context and Trends

Increasing Frequency of Wildfires:

Drought Conditions:

Recent Developments and Future Outlook

Some rain has fallen in affected areas; however, it is insufficient to fully mitigate the wildfire threat.

Experts predict that wildfires will continue to pose a significant risk as long as drought conditions persist and climate change impacts worsen.

Also, read about the recent Hurricane Helena that caused 220+ deaths.

Conclusion

The ongoing wildfires on both the East and West Coasts highlight the urgent need for effective wildfire management strategies and community preparedness.

As conditions remain dry and winds persist, the threat of wildfires continues to loom large, necessitating vigilance and proactive measures from both authorities and residents.

[jcmarchi]

US Department of Education honors three Lemelson-MIT student affiliates

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/us-department-of-education-honors-three-lemelson-mit-student-affiliates/

US Department of Education honors three Lemelson-MIT student affiliates

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, three student inventors affiliated with the Lemelson-MIT Program (LMIT) shared their stories of what inspired them to invent with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and employees of the U.S. Department of Education attending a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. 

The panel discussion, entitled “Spotlight on Latino Student Innovators & Aspiring STEM Leaders,” was part of a larger event (“Creando Futuros Brillantes”) sponsored by the White House Initiative for Hispanics.

Elias Escobar Argueta, a high school junior from Calistoga, California, spoke about his LMIT InvenTeam’s DulceTemperatura, a patent-pending invention designed to help farm workers keep cool and warm when working outdoors, and another device to help cool firefighters. Also participating were two former Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam students: Katia Avila Pinado from Pomona, California, who holds a patent for her team’s invention, Heart and Sole; and Lesly Rojas of Salem, Oregon, whose team developed an adaptive flow rate cup for people with dysphagia. Avila is now pursuing a degree in networks and digital technology at the University of California Santa Cruz. Rojas is pursuing a degree in electrical and computer engineering at Oregon State University.

Cristina Saenz, invention education manager with LMIT, also participated in the celebration and had an opportunity to speak with Secretary Cardona about the students’ achievements. Saenz notes, “We had this incredible opportunity for three young Latino inventors to amplify their experiences and share their inventions with members of the U.S. Department of Education. While this celebration of Hispanic Heritage enabled these three students to shine, one-in-four students in the U.S. school system are Latino who also need access and opportunities to showcase what they bring to their local and national communities. Si se puede!”

LMIT’s executive director, Stephanie Couch, says, “I am incredibly grateful to these students for sharing their stories of the power and promise of invention education. I hope that one day many more young women and people of color will be accessing invention education programs like ours, including learning how to protect their good ideas with a patent. These students offer glimpses into the life-changing nature of participation on an InvenTeam and/or LMIT’s other invention education offerings that are led by Dr. Saenz.” 

The InvenTeams initiative, now in its 21st year, has enabled 18 teams of high school students to earn U.S. patents for their projects. Intellectual property education is combined with invention education offerings as part of the Lemelson-MIT Program’s deliberate efforts to remedy historic inequities among those who develop inventions, protect their intellectual property, and commercialize their creations. LMIT’s ongoing efforts empower students from all backgrounds, equipping them with invaluable problem-solving skills that will serve them well throughout their academic journeys, professional pursuits, and personal lives. Their work with 3,883 students across 296 different teams nationwide these past 21 years includes:

developing the Inventing Smart Solutions curriculum;

connecting with intellectual property law firms to provide pro bono legal support;

collaborating with industry-leading companies that provide technical guidance and mentoring;

providing professional development for teachers on invention education;

assisting teams with identifying resources within their communities’ innovation ecosystems to support ongoing invention efforts; and

publishing case studies and research to inform the work of invention educators and policymakers and build support for engaging students in efforts to invent solutions to real-world problems.

LMIT is a national leader in efforts to prepare the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs. Its work focuses on the expansion of opportunities for people to learn ways inventors find and solve problems that matter to improve lives. Their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion aims to remedy historic inequities among those who develop inventions, protect their intellectual property, and commercialize their creations.

Jerome H. Lemelson, one of U.S. history’s most prolific inventors, and his wife Dorothy founded the Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT in 1994. It is funded by The Lemelson Foundation and administered by the MIT School of Engineering.

[nedsecondline]

California firefighters' union says Trump should 'be ashamed' - Los Angeles Times

The president of the California Professional Firefighters union said this weekend that former President Trump “should be ashamed” of his threat to withhold federal firefighting aid to the state if he were elected. Brian K. Rice, president of the California Professional Firefighters union, which represents more than 35,000 firefighters, said in a statement Saturday evening that it “is shocking…

[brookston]

Holidays 8.18

Holidays

Air Force Day (Belarus, Russia)

Armed Forces Day (Macedonia)

Arbor Day (Pakistan)

Aviation Workers’ Day (Russia)

Bad Poetry Day

Bee Hoon Day

Birth Control Pills Day

Border Guard Day (Kazakhstan)

Butch Appreciation Day

Day of Inventors and Innovators (Tajikistan)

818 Day

Gambrinus Night (Ireland)

Geographer’s Day (Russia)

Healthcare Professionals Day (Tajikistan)

Helium Discovery Day

Janmashtami (a,k.a. Sri Krishna Jayanti or Sri Krishna Astami; Parts of India)

Jesse Robredo Day (Philippines)

Long Tan Day (Australia)

Mail Order Catalog Day

National Angela Day

National Aspin Day (Philippines)

National Badge Ribbon Day

National Couples Day

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence (Australia)

National Independent Worker Day

National Jaden Day

National Science Day (Thailand)

National Tree Planting Day (Pakistan)

National Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day

Never Give Up Day

19th Amendment Day

Percy Jackson Day

Plum Day (French Republic)

SB19 Day (Vancouver, Canada)

Scott Pilgrim Day

Serendipity Day [also 8.28]

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Awareness Day

Texas Chainsaw Massacre Day

Vietnam Veterans Day (Australia)

Virginia Dare Day (Roanoke Island)

World Breast Cancer Research Day

World Day of Forest Fire Prevention

World Pleasure Day

Write a Bad Poem Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Darwin Beer Can Regatta 2024 (Australia) [Date Varies]

National Fajita Day

National Ice Cream Pie Day

National Soft Serve Day

National Pinot Noir Day

Independence & Related Days

Afghanistan (Jeshen; Anglo-Afghan Treaty; 1919)

Constitution Day (Indonesia)

West Bengal (India; from UK, 1947)

3rd Sunday in August

Action Indonesia Awareness Day [3rd Sunday]

Children’s Day (Argentina) [3rd Sunday]

God’s Preeminence Day [3rd Sunday]

Our Lady of Girsterklaus (Luxembourg) [1st Sunday after 15th]

Rushbearing (Cheshire, England) [1st Sunday after 12th]

Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]

World Helicopter Day [3rd Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning August 18 (3rd Full Week of August)

Anchor Steam Week [Begins 3rd Sunday]

Minority Enterprise Development Week (thru 8.24)

National Aviation Week [Week of 8.19]

National Management Training Week [3rd Full Week]

Festivals Beginning August 18, 2024

Central Avenue Farm to Fork (Nebraska City, Nebraska)

Crawford County Fair (Meadville, Pennsylvania) [8.24]

Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta (Darwin, Australia)

The Flavor Experience (San Diego, California) [thru 8.20]

Heritage Fire (Napa, California)

Japanese Obon Festival (St. Paul, Minnesota)

Moors and Christians Ontinyent (Ontinyent, Valencia, Spain) [thru 8.26]

New Hampshire Food Truck Festival (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)

Phase Fest (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

Troy Pig Out (Troy, New York)

Feast Days

Adamson-Eric (Artology)

Agapitus of Palestrina (Christian; Saint)

Alberto Hurtado (Christian; Saint)

Alfred Wallis (Artology)

Brian Aldiss (Writerism)

Brian Michael Bendis (Artology)

Carl Rungius (Artology)

Clare of Monte Falco (Christian; Saint)

Cook (Positivist; Saint)

Cousin Monster (Muppetism)

Daig of Inniskeen (Christian; Saint)

Evan (a.k.a. Inan; Christian; Saint)

Fiacre (Christian; Saint)

Florus and Laurus (Christian; Saint)

Helena of Constantinople (Roman Catholic Church)

The Oath of Úgaine Mór (Celtic Book of Days)

Pendle Witch Trial Anniversary Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Poetry Day (Pastafarian)

Richard Wagner Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Robert Hitchcock (Artology)

Shango’s Day (Pagan)

Toge-Pogling Season begins (Shamanism)

William Porcher DuBose (Episcopal Church)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Tu B’Av (Holiday of Love; טוּ בְּאָב) [14-15 Av]

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Festival of Hungry Ghosts (China) [15th of 7th Month]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Unlucky 18th (Philippines) [2 of 3]

Premieres

Accepted (Film; 2006)

Blue Beetle (Film; 2023)

The Cat Came Back, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1944)

Chocky, by John Wyndham (Novel; 1968)

Cold Feet (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

Deliverance (Film; 1972)

Devil Without a Cause, by Kid Rock (Album; 1998)

Everlong, by the Foo Fighters (Song; 1997)

Goofy Goofy Gander (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1950)

Half-Fare Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1956)

The Hitman’s Bodyguard (Film; 2017)

Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov (U.S. Novel; 1958)

Louvre Come Back to Me! (WB LT Cartoon; 1962)

Morning Glory (Film; 1933)

Mrs. Bridge, by Evan S. Connell (Novel; 1959)

Nine Perfect Strangers (TV Series; 2021)

ParaNorman (Animated Film; 2012)

Red Hot Chili Peppers, by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Album; 1984)

Shake It Off, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2014)

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (TV Series; 2022)

Snakes on a Plane (Film; 2006)

Snappy Salesman (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

The Snows of Kilimanjaro (Film; 1952)

Take the Money and Run (Film; 1969)

The Tick (TV Series; 2016)

Uncle Buck (Film; 1989)

The Usual Suspects (Film; 1995)

Weather Map, by NOAA (1st Televised Weather Map; 1926)

Today’s Name Days

Claudia, Helena, Helene, Rainaki (Austria)

Florije, Jela, Jelena, Jelka (Croatia)

Helena (Czech Republic)

Agapetus (Denmark)

Elina, Heleene, Helen, Helena, Helene, Hell, Hella, Helle, Hellen, Helli, Ilona (Estonia)

Leevi (Finland)

Hélène, Laétitia, Laëtitia (France)

Helene (Germany)

Flora, Floros (Greece)

Ilona (Hungary)

Elena (Italy)

Helēna, Liene (Latvia)

Gendvilė, Ilona, Mantautas, Saulenė, Saulenis (Lithuania)

Tormod, Torodd (Norway)

Agapit, Bogusława, Bronisław, Bronisz, Helena, Ilona, Klara, Tworzysława (Poland)

Elena, Helena (Slovakia)

Agapito, Alberto, Elena (Spain)

Ellen, Lena (Sweden)

Flora, Laura, Myron (Ukraine)

Aileen, Eileen, Elaina, Elaine, Eleanor, Elena, Eliana, Ella, Ellen, Ellie, Helen, Helena, Iliana, Lena, Leonora, Nell, Nellie, Nelly (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 231 of 2024; 135 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of Week 33 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 16 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 15 (Jia-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 14 Av 5784

Islamic: 12 Safar 1446

J Cal: 21 Purple; Sevenday [21 of 30]

Julian: 5 August 2024

Moon: 98%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 6 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Cook]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 11 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 60 of 94)

Week: 3rd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Leo (Day 28 of 31)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 8.18

Holidays

Air Force Day (Belarus, Russia)

Armed Forces Day (Macedonia)

Arbor Day (Pakistan)

Aviation Workers’ Day (Russia)

Bad Poetry Day

Bee Hoon Day

Birth Control Pills Day

Border Guard Day (Kazakhstan)

Butch Appreciation Day

Day of Inventors and Innovators (Tajikistan)

818 Day

Gambrinus Night (Ireland)

Geographer’s Day (Russia)

Healthcare Professionals Day (Tajikistan)

Helium Discovery Day

Janmashtami (a,k.a. Sri Krishna Jayanti or Sri Krishna Astami; Parts of India)

Jesse Robredo Day (Philippines)

Long Tan Day (Australia)

Mail Order Catalog Day

National Angela Day

National Aspin Day (Philippines)

National Badge Ribbon Day

National Couples Day

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence (Australia)

National Independent Worker Day

National Jaden Day

National Science Day (Thailand)

National Tree Planting Day (Pakistan)

National Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day

Never Give Up Day

19th Amendment Day

Percy Jackson Day

Plum Day (French Republic)

SB19 Day (Vancouver, Canada)

Scott Pilgrim Day

Serendipity Day [also 8.28]

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Awareness Day

Texas Chainsaw Massacre Day

Vietnam Veterans Day (Australia)

Virginia Dare Day (Roanoke Island)

World Breast Cancer Research Day

World Day of Forest Fire Prevention

World Pleasure Day

Write a Bad Poem Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Darwin Beer Can Regatta 2024 (Australia) [Date Varies]

National Fajita Day

National Ice Cream Pie Day

National Soft Serve Day

National Pinot Noir Day

Independence & Related Days

Afghanistan (Jeshen; Anglo-Afghan Treaty; 1919)

Constitution Day (Indonesia)

West Bengal (India; from UK, 1947)

3rd Sunday in August

Action Indonesia Awareness Day [3rd Sunday]

Children’s Day (Argentina) [3rd Sunday]

God’s Preeminence Day [3rd Sunday]

Our Lady of Girsterklaus (Luxembourg) [1st Sunday after 15th]

Rushbearing (Cheshire, England) [1st Sunday after 12th]

Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]

World Helicopter Day [3rd Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning August 18 (3rd Full Week of August)

Anchor Steam Week [Begins 3rd Sunday]

Minority Enterprise Development Week (thru 8.24)

National Aviation Week [Week of 8.19]

National Management Training Week [3rd Full Week]

Festivals Beginning August 18, 2024

Central Avenue Farm to Fork (Nebraska City, Nebraska)

Crawford County Fair (Meadville, Pennsylvania) [8.24]

Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta (Darwin, Australia)

The Flavor Experience (San Diego, California) [thru 8.20]

Heritage Fire (Napa, California)

Japanese Obon Festival (St. Paul, Minnesota)

Moors and Christians Ontinyent (Ontinyent, Valencia, Spain) [thru 8.26]

New Hampshire Food Truck Festival (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)

Phase Fest (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

Troy Pig Out (Troy, New York)

Feast Days

Adamson-Eric (Artology)

Agapitus of Palestrina (Christian; Saint)

Alberto Hurtado (Christian; Saint)

Alfred Wallis (Artology)

Brian Aldiss (Writerism)

Brian Michael Bendis (Artology)

Carl Rungius (Artology)

Clare of Monte Falco (Christian; Saint)

Cook (Positivist; Saint)

Cousin Monster (Muppetism)

Daig of Inniskeen (Christian; Saint)

Evan (a.k.a. Inan; Christian; Saint)

Fiacre (Christian; Saint)

Florus and Laurus (Christian; Saint)

Helena of Constantinople (Roman Catholic Church)

The Oath of Úgaine Mór (Celtic Book of Days)

Pendle Witch Trial Anniversary Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Poetry Day (Pastafarian)

Richard Wagner Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Robert Hitchcock (Artology)

Shango’s Day (Pagan)

Toge-Pogling Season begins (Shamanism)

William Porcher DuBose (Episcopal Church)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Tu B’Av (Holiday of Love; טוּ בְּאָב) [14-15 Av]

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Festival of Hungry Ghosts (China) [15th of 7th Month]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Unlucky 18th (Philippines) [2 of 3]

Premieres

Accepted (Film; 2006)

Blue Beetle (Film; 2023)

The Cat Came Back, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1944)

Chocky, by John Wyndham (Novel; 1968)

Cold Feet (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

Deliverance (Film; 1972)

Devil Without a Cause, by Kid Rock (Album; 1998)

Everlong, by the Foo Fighters (Song; 1997)

Goofy Goofy Gander (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1950)

Half-Fare Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1956)

The Hitman’s Bodyguard (Film; 2017)

Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov (U.S. Novel; 1958)

Louvre Come Back to Me! (WB LT Cartoon; 1962)

Morning Glory (Film; 1933)

Mrs. Bridge, by Evan S. Connell (Novel; 1959)

Nine Perfect Strangers (TV Series; 2021)

ParaNorman (Animated Film; 2012)

Red Hot Chili Peppers, by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Album; 1984)

Shake It Off, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2014)

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (TV Series; 2022)

Snakes on a Plane (Film; 2006)

Snappy Salesman (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

The Snows of Kilimanjaro (Film; 1952)

Take the Money and Run (Film; 1969)

The Tick (TV Series; 2016)

Uncle Buck (Film; 1989)

The Usual Suspects (Film; 1995)

Weather Map, by NOAA (1st Televised Weather Map; 1926)

Today’s Name Days

Claudia, Helena, Helene, Rainaki (Austria)

Florije, Jela, Jelena, Jelka (Croatia)

Helena (Czech Republic)

Agapetus (Denmark)

Elina, Heleene, Helen, Helena, Helene, Hell, Hella, Helle, Hellen, Helli, Ilona (Estonia)

Leevi (Finland)

Hélène, Laétitia, Laëtitia (France)

Helene (Germany)

Flora, Floros (Greece)

Ilona (Hungary)

Elena (Italy)

Helēna, Liene (Latvia)

Gendvilė, Ilona, Mantautas, Saulenė, Saulenis (Lithuania)

Tormod, Torodd (Norway)

Agapit, Bogusława, Bronisław, Bronisz, Helena, Ilona, Klara, Tworzysława (Poland)

Elena, Helena (Slovakia)

Agapito, Alberto, Elena (Spain)

Ellen, Lena (Sweden)

Flora, Laura, Myron (Ukraine)

Aileen, Eileen, Elaina, Elaine, Eleanor, Elena, Eliana, Ella, Ellen, Ellie, Helen, Helena, Iliana, Lena, Leonora, Nell, Nellie, Nelly (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 231 of 2024; 135 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of Week 33 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 16 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 15 (Jia-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 14 Av 5784

Islamic: 12 Safar 1446

J Cal: 21 Purple; Sevenday [21 of 30]

Julian: 5 August 2024

Moon: 98%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 6 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Cook]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 11 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 60 of 94)

Week: 3rd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Leo (Day 28 of 31)

[petr1fy]

meet  eddie hume.  the  biology teacher  at  glen ellen high school  is  glen  ellen's  very  own   icarian, who  has  been  in  town  for  twelve  years, and while  they  are  only  forty seven,  they  can  be  very  escapist  but  if  their  friends  mentioned  them,  you'd  think  they  were  more  compassionate.  in  a  town  where  every  one  knows  everyone,  it's  hard  to  keep  a  secret,  but  i  think  the  killer  knows  that  [ redacted ],  and  it's  bound  to  get  out  sometime  soon.

content warning : mentions of alcoholism and death

𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪.

full  name  :  edward martin hume also  known  as  :  eddie birthdate  :  16th  october  (  47  ) hometown  :  glasgow, scotland gender  +  pronouns  :  cis  man  +  he/him orientation  :  unlabeled zodiac  :  libra occupation  :  high school biology teacher face claim  :  david tennant

𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗬.

edward  hume  has  always  lived  a  quiet  life.  his  parents  were  school  teachers,  and  they  lived  in  a  small  town  where  everyone  knew  everyone.  the  youngest  of  five,  he  flew  under  the  radar  and  hid  in  the  shadows  of  his  more  substantial  older  brothers.  he  didn't  mind,  mostly  kept  to  himself  and  stayed  out  of  trouble. though  it  was  comfortable,  eddie  wanted  more  to  life  than  what  he'd  been  offered,  and  he  got  his  ticket  when  he'd  gotten  accepted  into  a  university  in  california.  his  family  had  their  doubts  at  first,  letting  their  youngest  leave  alone  in  unfamiliar  territory,  but  eddie  was  nothing  if  not  adaptable.  he  took  up  business,  not  because  he  wanted  to  but  because  he  didn't  know  what  he  wanted. after  graduating,  eddie  became  a  bit  of  a  vagabond,  travelling  from  coast  to  coast  and  taking  up  a  variety  of  jobs  to  make  a  living.  he  was  happy  with  the  unpredictability  of  his  life,  every  day  was  different  and  he  was  sure  he  had  enough  stories  to  tell  his  kids  one  day.  becoming  a  paramedic  had  never  crossed  his  mind,  until  an  earthquake  impacted  his  former  workplace  and  put  the  lives  of  his  colleagues  at  risk.  instincts  kicked  in,  and  he  did  his  best  to  take  care  of  them  until  first  responders  arrived.  at  that,  one  of  the  firefighters  had  told  him  of  his  potential. as  fate  would  have  it,  problems  upon  problems  began  piling  up  in  his  once  quiet  life. the  trauma  of  being  a  first  responder  eventually  took  a  toll  on  eddie,  and  he  turned  to  alcoholism  to  cope.  it  put  a  strain  on  his  relationships,  both  personal  and  professional,  and  it  all  culminated  on  one  fateful  evening.  he  was  drunk  while  on  call  —  something  he'd  never,  ever  done  —  and  it  cost  him  everything.  slow  reflexes,  hazy  brain.  he  fucked  up.  simple  as  that.  a  victim  passed  due  to  his  own  negligence,  and  then  his  partner  smelled  the  whiskey  on  him.  in  the  blink  of  an  eye,  the  career  he'd  been  cultivating  for  years  came  crumbling  down.   he  didn't  tell  anyone  he  was  fired.  '  i  wanted  a  change  of  pace,  '  is  what  eddie  told  people  —  family  and  friends,  people  who  trusted  him  —  and  they  believed  him.  he's  taken  a  job  as  a  biology  teacher  at  the  local  high  school,  and  has  been  sober  since  then,  but  the  memories  of  his  mistakes  and  the  consequences  will  haunt  him  for  the  rest  of  his  life.