#Cape Town street art

[lelopatienceklaas-blog]

10 Awesome Things You Must Do in Cape Town City Centre

https://pixabay.com/photos/city-cape-town-south-africa-morning-2096093/ Welcome to the heart of Cape Town, where history, culture, and fun vibes collide! The City Centre is packed with amazing things to do, so whether you’re a local rediscovering the magic or a visitor exploring for the first time, you’re in for a treat. Let me guide you through 10 must-do activities that will make your time in…

[ascen-sion]

Street art in South Africa 🇿🇦

[intotheunknownworld]

[mo0dyjewel]

Observatory, Capetown

[afrotumble]

Mural titled 'Ahead' by Ilya in Cape Town, South Africa.

[victoriadallonfan]

Alien vs Predator vs Parahumans

So, recently, I decided to check out Alien vs Avengers because that art is gorgeous and I was curious about how an author could write a xenomorph outbreak in the Marvel Universe, and what wacky interplays they can do with various aliens, superpowers, and magical stuff.

It was... disappointing. Not to go all power levels on us, but it had Hulk struggle with a single drone and Spider-Man be caught off guard by a face hugger. And randomly immune to magic.

Not great.

So I got to thinking... what would be a cool way to handle Alien, Predator, and the Parahumans franchise?

Spoilers beneath the cut for Ward Spoilers

I think the one that gives the least amount of headaches would be post-Ward, so I'll be going off that timeframe.

They way I envision it, is that Weyland-Yutani (Or just Weyland at this point I suppose) is a wealthy organization focusing on colonizing other Earths, seemingly working with the Wardens, Auzure, and Mortari in helping refugees and allied colonies to have viable successes.

They aren't squeaky clean, obviously, but all their marks against them seem small potatoes when the city of Perpetuity had to deal with winter, anti-parahumans, Shin and Cheit terrorists, supervillains, the Machine Army, and Titans over the course of Ward itself.

So the company grows in power and influence, eventually funding a colony they call Jericho on a pretty barren Earth, claiming to use it as a test bed for more hostile environment technology. Not many people give the useless rock and it's colony much of a glance, beyond noting the oddity of 2000 residents going over there.

Quite a lot for merely scientist and personnel families, but again, bigger issues.

During the epilogue of Ward, the Majors are made up of Sveta (Coach/Mentor), Victoria (assistant coach/mentor), Withdrawal, Caryatid, Finale, and Limerick. The team as a whole has made waves with their travels across the multiverse, protecting colonies from supervillains, monsters, and natural disasters.

With Victoria flying off to Japan to help with the cape resurrection project, The Majors are content with doing a final lap of known colonies when Withdrawal picks up an SOS from Jericho on his scanner, only for the signal to cut out.

Curious, the team heads out to the portal leading to the colony... and are met with Weyland Yutani security and a Project Executive, who greet the heroes with artificial cheeriness ("Server malfunction, you know how the tech acts with these wacky powers!" "Oh the armed security? Well, you know, can't be too careful with the wildlife and all that supervillain nonsense." "Oh, you want to check in with the colony? Uhhh, wow, hm, I'll need to bump it up to my bosses boss - paperwork am I right - and I'll need to see about permits and gosh- Oh, what was that? You... You know the Mayor personally? Oh you're going to call her to grease the wheels? Well, you know what, I don't want to bother her with such a small issue so how about you stick around and you don't tell on me that I'm looking the other way a bit wink wink hahahaaaa.....")

The tension is not quite high, but everyone feels a bit on edge with each other as they go through the portal. The security team leader explains the colony is actually several miles away from the portal to better work with the natural earths hostile environment, so it's not uncommon for some issues to come up and these check-ups are mandatory (though it's clear she's upset that the Executive is on the ground here with his own goons). The Majors aren't quite used to the military types beyond Limerick, but they do their best to try and bond with the group.

Tensions don't lessen when radio contact continues to be unreciprocated by the colony as they drive in, though it's still explained away with bad reception from the harsh Earth.

This quickly changes when the colony is abandoned. A ghost town. Ruined cars are in the street, windows busted and interiors ruined by the harsh conditions of Earth. Shell casings randomly across the colony, along with discarded guns.

Checking the databases finds that the records - all of them - have been deleted.

Yeah, this is a problem now.

There's more tension, more arguments about what happened and what to do, but the Executive eventually reveals that there is technically another site further off in the distance: an archeological dig site for what they thought were past Earth inhabitants.

The group heads there and finds the dig site ruined, thrashed apart at the opening of a massive tunnel leading into the earth below.

The story from there follows the Majors and WY team exploring the cave and running into the Xenomorphs, the cave morphing and activating various traps or leading into biomes that make no sense for existing underground.

Meanwhile, a trio of young predators are being led to the ritual site by an Elder, and find these superpowered humans to be the perfect chance to hunt new prey....

[mostlysignssomeportents]

All the books I reviewed in 2023 (Graphic Novels)

Next Tuesday (December 5), I'm at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC, with my new solarpunk novel The Lost Cause, which 350.org's Bill McKibben called "The first great YIMBY novel: perceptive, scientifically sound, and extraordinarily hopeful."

It's that time of year again, when I round up all the books I reviewed for my newsletter in the previous year. I posted 21 reviews last year, covering 31 books (there are two series in there!). I also published three books of my own last year (two novels and one nonfiction). A busy year in books!

Every year, these roundups remind me that I did actually manager to get a lot of reading done, even if the list of extremely good books that I didn't read is much longer than the list of books I did read. I read many of these books while doing physiotherapy for my chronic pain, specifically as audiobooks I listened to on my underwater MP3 player while doing my daily laps at the public pool across the street from my house.

After many years of using generic Chinese waterproof MP3s players – whose quality steadily declined over a decade – I gave up and bought a brand-name player, a Shokz Openswim. So far, I have no complaints. Thanks to reader Abbas Halai for recommending this!

https://shokz.com/products/openswim

I load up this gadget with audiobook MP3s bought from Libro.fm, a fantastic, DRM-free alternative to Audible, which is both a monopolist and a prolific wage-thief with a documented history of stealing from writers:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/07/25/can-you-hear-me-now/#acx-ripoff

All right, enough with the process notes, on to the reviews!

GRAPHIC NOVELS

I. Shubiek Lubiek by Deena Mohamed

An intricate alternate history in which wishes are real, and must be refined from a kind of raw wish-stuff that has to be dug out of the earth. Naturally, this has been an important element of geopolitics and colonization, especially since the wish-stuff is concentrated in the global south, particularly Egypt, the setting for our tale. The framing device for the trilogy is the tale of three "first class" wishes: these are the most powerful wishes that civilians are allowed to use, the kind of thing you might use to cure cancer or reverse a crop-failure.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/11/your-wish/#is-my-command

II. Ducks by Kate Beaton

In 2005, Beaton was a newly minted art-school grad facing a crushing load of student debt, a debt she would never be able to manage in the crumbling, post-boom economy of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Like so many Maritimers, she left the home that meant everything for her to travel to Alberta, where the tar sands oil boom promised unmatched riches for anyone willing to take them. Beaton's memoir describes the following four years, as she works her way into a series of oil industry jobs in isolated company towns where men outnumber women 50:1 and where whole communities marinate in a literally toxic brew of carcinogens, misogyny, economic desperation and environmental degradation. The story that follows is – naturally – wrenching, but it is also subtle and ambivalent. Beaton finds camaraderie with – and empathy for – the people she works alongside, even amidst unimaginable, grinding workplace harassment that manifests in both obvious and glancing ways.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/14/hark-an-oilpatch/#kate-beaton

III. Justice Warriors by Matt Bors

Justice Warriors is what you'd get if you put Judge Dredd in a blender with Transmetropolitan and set it to chunky. The setup: the elites of a wasted, tormented world have retreated into Bubble City, beneath a hermetically sealed zone. Within Bubble City, everything is run according to the priorities of the descendants of the most internet-poisoned freaks of the modern internet, click- and clout-chasing mushminds full of corporate-washed platitudes about self-care, diversity and equity, wrapped around come-ons for sugary drinks and dubious dropshipper crapola. It's a cop buddy-story dreamed up by Very Online, very angry creators who live in a present-day world where reality is consistently stupider than satire.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/22/libras-assemble/#the-uz

IV. Roaming by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki

The story of three young Canadian women meeting up for a getaway to New York City. Zoe and Dani are high-school best friends who haven't seen each other since they graduated and decamped for universities in different cities. Fiona is Dani's art-school classmate, a glamorous and cantankerous artist with an affected air of sophistication. It's a dizzying, beautifully wrought three-body problem as the three protagonists struggle with resentments and love, sex and insecurity. The relationships between Zoe, Dani and Fiona careen wildly from scene to scene and even panel to panel, propelled by sly graphic cues and fantastically understated dialog.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/11/as-canadian-as/#possible-under-the-circumstances

Like I said, this has been a good year in books for me, and it included three books of my own:

I. Red Team Blues (novel, Tor Books US, Head of Zeus UK)

Martin Hench is 67 years old, single, and successful in a career stretching back to the beginnings of Silicon Valley. He lives and roams California in a very comfortable fully-furnished touring bus, The Unsalted Hash, that he bought years ago from a fading rock star. He knows his way around good food and fine drink. He likes intelligent women, and they like him back often enough. Martin is a—contain your excitement—self-employed forensic accountant, a veteran of the long guerilla war between people who want to hide money, and people who want to find it. He knows computer hardware and software alike, including the ins and outs of high-end databases and the kinds of spreadsheets that are designed to conceal rather than reveal. He’s as comfortable with social media as people a quarter his age, and he’s a world-level expert on the kind of international money-laundering and shell-company chicanery used by Fortune 500 companies, mid-divorce billionaires, and international drug gangs alike. He also knows the Valley like the back of his hand, all the secret histories of charismatic company founders and Sand Hill Road VCs. Because he was there at all the beginnings. Now he’s been roped into a job that’s more dangerous than anything he’s ever agreed to before—and it will take every ounce of his skill to get out alive.

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865847/red-team-blues

II. The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation (nonfiction, Verso)

We can – we must – dismantle the tech platforms. We must to seize the means of computation by forcing Silicon Valley to do the thing it fears most: interoperate. Interoperability will tear down the walls between technologies, allowing users to leave platforms, remix their media, and reconfigure their devices without corporate permission. Interoperability is the only route to the rapid and enduring annihilation of the platforms. The Internet Con is the disassembly manual we need to take back our internet.

https://www.versobooks.com/products/3035-the-internet-con

III. The Lost Cause (novel, Tor Books US, Head of Zeus UK)

For young Americans a generation from now, climate change isn't controversial. It's just an overwhelming fact of life. And so are the great efforts to contain and mitigate it. Entire cities are being moved inland from the rising seas. Vast clean-energy projects are springing up everywhere. Disaster relief, the mitigation of floods and superstorms, has become a skill for which tens of millions of people are trained every year. The effort is global. It employs everyone who wants to work. Even when national politics oscillates back to right-wing leaders, the momentum is too great; these vast programs cannot be stopped in their tracks.

But there are still those Americans, mostly elderly, who cling to their red baseball caps, their grievances, their huge vehicles, their anger. To their "alternative" news sources that reassure them that their resentment is right and pure and that "climate change" is just a giant scam. And they're your grandfather, your uncle, your great-aunt. And they're not going anywhere. And they’re armed to the teeth. The Lost Cause asks: What do we do about people who cling to the belief that their own children are the enemy? When, in fact, they're often the elders that we love?

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865939/the-lost-cause

I wrote nine books during lockdown, and there's plenty more to come. The next one is The Bezzle, a followup to Red Team Blues, which comes out in February:

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865878/thebezzle

While you're waiting for that one, I hope the reviews above will help you connect with some excellent books. If you want more of my reviews, here's my annual roundup from 2022:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/01/bookishness/#2022-in-review

Here's my book reviews from 2021:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/12/08/required-ish-reading/#bibliography

And here's my book reviews from 2020:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/12/08/required-reading/#recommended-reading

It's EFF's Power Up Your Donation Week: this week, donations to the Electronic Frontier Foundation are matched 1:1, meaning your money goes twice as far. I've worked with EFF for 22 years now and I have always been - and remain - a major donor, because I've seen firsthand how effective, responsible and brilliant this organization is. Please join me in helping EFF continue its work!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/01/bookmaker/#2023-in-review

[slytherhys]

Noctis Florere

Vampire AU - An Elriel Short Story

AN: Happy Halloween! 🎃

AO3

Chapter One: Bad Omens

In a village like Velaris, where the winters were deadly, and the nights deadlier still, there was no such thing as being too cautious.

Every afternoon, as the streets went from gold to cobalt, the echoes of locks clicking into place could be heard ringing through the village – such a definite sound, legend says, that it could too be heard across the Illyrian Mountains. As soon as the sun set, there was no window left open, no door left unlocked. To keep the cold away, of course, but something else as well. 

As it was, everyone in the kingdom of Prythian knew just how strange Velaris was – they heard the tales of people going missing under mysterious circumstances, of houses that seemed to move during the night. They heard whispers of how no animal seemed to ever cross the village's borders, other than the occasional bat or two. It was why no visitor ever lingered for too long, why their carriages seemed to pick up speed as soon as the rusty brass sign announced the name of the town (Velaris, city of starlight). Why their gazes turned unfocused, their horses restless, no one really knew - some said it was fear, some said it was something older than fear itself. It was why no one ever moved to Velaris – you were simply born here, and then you never left.

That is until, merely 6 years ago, the Archeron sisters came. Their carriage – an old wooden coach that seemed a few miles away from collapsing on itself, pulled by a stubborn, stocky horse they tenderly called father– stopped in front of a small cottage just shy of the city limits.

Their arrival had been odd enough to raise some eyebrows, but that they had arrived just as the sun fled from the sky, clear-faced and a spring in their steps, had driven even the more sceptical into lightening three extra candles. 

That night, not even the bravest dared look outside their windows. Nothing good ever graces the streets of Velaris at sundown, they would say, and so they ignored the wind that seemed just a bit more incessant against their windows, the noises that went beyond the arrival of three young girls. They simply turned off their lights, muttered three quick prayers to the Mother and rushed the youngest children to bed. 

There was simply no need to show bad luck a curious eye. Not when it could stare back.

That the youngest Archeron sister – a pretty little thing with stars in her eyes and a talent for the arts – disappeared no longer than a fortnight later didn't come as a surprise. The people knew what had lurked in the shadows as the young girls made Velaris their new home. They knew it was just a matter of time until one of them would be taken away, gone as if she never were in the first place. She hadn't made a sound - not a scream, not a gasp - but everyone knew exactly who had gotten to her.

The older sister, however, ignored such tales. Only a few days later - the amount of time it had taken her to gather enough supplies to face the cold of the mountains - Nesta Archeron left home, a too-large wool cape around her shoulders, a too-heavy burlap sack on her back, and a determined look on her beautiful face. A quiet conversation had taken place between her and sister, Elain Archeron, which had ended in a hushed goodbye and a resentful agreement. What they had discussed had stayed between them and that cursed horse that always seemed to be paying entirely too much attention.

Don’t know how that girl thinks she’ll survive, the villagers had said as they watched her leave, bitter words hidden beneath soft voices, not when they crawl the streets at night. Elain Archeron had heard their whispers, but she hadn't need to ask who they were. She knew - just as everybody knew - exactly what lived in the mountains.

The Wicked - the only name the Velarians ever allowed themselves to utter when talking about the terrible creatures that lived in the Mountains of Illyrian– the very same creatures they claimed had stolen Feyre Archeron, the ones they believed would take Nesta Archeron as well. With their keen sight and their sharp fangs, there was little that could defeat an Illyrian - they were honed by centuries of survival, predators in the purest form. And as the weeks went by and no one word ever came about the sisters' whereabouts, the villagers grew sure of what it meant, even if Elain Archeron refused to accept it.

Still, no matter how cursed – how marked – the sisters seemed to be, what with their night travels and their eerie disappearances, nothing so stop the people of Velaris from asking Elain Archeron to tend their gardens. 

The more cynical ones would say it was pity – the poor thing had lost both her sisters in a matter of days (something Elain still refuted ardently, that pitiful child) and all she had left was a rude horse and a small cottage to tend to. But the wisest ones - the people that were too smart to shrug it all off as superstitions - knew talent when they saw it, and there was no one more talented that Elain Archeron at keeping the Illyrian bastards away from their homes.

They hadn’t questioned how she knew, how she had learned such things, but it mattered little when, in just a matter of months, every single house in Velaris was surrounded by rosemary, thyme and just enough bushes of lavender. Purples and greens and pinks covered every garden in a lush display that ought to mock the vampires lurking in the shadows - and mock they did, for their wings weren't heard as often, for curses and hisses could be heard during the night, as if they kept trying to cross into places they weren't welcome in. Their fragrances, the people gathered, seemed to keep those damned fangs away from their backyards. 

And so, Elain Archeron – sisterless, innocent, as lovely as she was lonely – became revered in the village of Velaris. Ivy seemed to grow in every corner, the sickeningly sweet smell of the flowers tainting even the foulest booths of the market. No one left their homes after dark – no one was stupid enough to - but now they seemed to breathe a little easier. To sleep a little more deeply.  

Such was the relief, the glee, that no one ever remembered to ask why, exactly, the Archeron cottage seemed so different from all the others - instead of rosemary,  there were evening primroses, blooming only from sundown to sunrise. Instead of thyme, thistles, their prickles as sharp as teeth. And instead of lavender - sweet, innocent lavender - poppies, as scarlet as fresh blood. You need only to open an ancient tome on Botany to find out exactly what they did - who they summoned.

Which explained why, when the people of Velaris seemed to finally lay down to sleep, the door of the Archeron cottage would open and Elain would emerge - ever so lovely - her hands bare, her smile innocent, her voice as sweet as dew as she hummed an old tune about lost souls and tended to her little garden. And she smiled even as the thistles bit into her skin, and she hummed even as the air behind her seemed to stir. 

Yes, Elain was well respected for knowing how to keep the beasts that haunted the streets of Velaris far away, but had they ever wondered if maybe - just maybe - she knew exactly how to call to them as well? 

Elain raised her head slightly when she felt the air around her go still, a curious tilt to her head as she felt a presence behind her. Still, she remained silent, the blood slowly dripping down her fingers, waiting for him to talk first.

And he did. He always did. 

"Miss Archeron," A deep voice rumbled, dark as midnight and just as promising. Elain still didn't dare move. "I believe you called for me?"

[han11dh]

•A Chance Encounter•

- hello, please keep in mind that i'm a begginer with writing stuff. If there's any mistakes or something that doesn't make sense, please do tell me. I really appreticiate it, thank you. <3 -

Dottore x fem!reader

The streets of Sumeru were alive with the vibrant energy of the bustling city. The sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow upon the cobblestone pathways as people hurriedly made their way through the narrow alleyways. Among them was a young woman named (Y/N), a talented medical student with a passion for history and a heart filled with curiosity.

On this particular day, (Y/N) found herself wandering through the famous Sumeru City, mesmerized by the grandeur of the sculptures that adorned the town. Lost in her own world, she hardly noticed the crowd that had gathered around a street performer. Curiosity piqued, she made her way closer to see what the commotion was all about.

As (Y/N) pushed her way through the crowd, she caught a glimpse of a man with a striking appearance. He stood tall and proud, his light blue hair neatly combed back, and a mischievous glint in his eyes. He was dressed in a traditional Renaissance outfit, complete with a flowing cape and a feathered hat. It was none other than the famed street performer, Dottore.

Dottore was known throughout the city for his remarkable skills in science and his uncanny ability to captivate his audience with his wit and charm. His performances were filled with laughter and awe, leaving the spectators wanting more. Intrigued by his reputation, (Y/N) couldn't help but feel a magnetic pull towards him.

As Dottore continued his act, (Y/N) watched in amazement as he effortlessly injected a needle, then watching his poor victim. The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers echoing through the square. (Y/N) couldn't help but join in, clapping her hands together with enthusiasm.

Caught up in the excitement, (Y/N) didn't notice Dottore's gaze shifting in her direction. The applause died down, and as the crowd dispersed, she found herself face-to-face with the charismatic performer. His eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and curiosity as he observed her.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Dottore's voice was smooth and velvety, drawing (Y/N) further into his enchantment. "A beautiful maiden lost in the maze of Florence, perhaps?"

Flustered by his sudden attention, (Y/N) managed to find her voice. "Oh, I... um, I'm not lost. Just... captivated by your experiments."

Dottore chuckled, a melodious sound that made (Y/N)'s heart skip a beat. "Ah, I see. So, you are one who appreciates the fine arts, then?"

She nodded, her eyes never leaving his captivating gaze. "Yes, I've always had a deep admiration for the arts and the wonders they bring."

Dottore tilted his head, a playful smile dancing upon his lips. "Well, my dear, you have piqued my curiosity. How about we take a leisurely stroll through the streets of the Sumeru? I could show you some of the hidden gems this city has to offer."

(Y/N)'s heart raced at the thought of spending more time with Dottore. She couldn't resist his charming offer. "I would be honored, Dottore."

And so, together, they ventured into the labyrinthine streets of Florence, their laughter and conversation blending harmoniously with the city's rich history. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow upon their surroundings, (Y/N) couldn't help but feel that this chance encounter was the start of something extraordinary.

TIME SKIP

The sun began its descent, painting the sky with hues of gold and orange, as (Y/N) and Dottore strolled through the narrow streets of Sumeru. The city seemed to come alive with whispered secrets and hidden wonders as they weaved through the labyrinthine alleys.

Dottore's knowledge of Sumeru's history was unparalleled. He regaled (Y/N) with captivating tales of the city's past, bringing the ancient architecture and famous artworks to life. With each step they took, (Y/N) found herself falling deeper under the spell of Dottore's words and his infectious enthusiasm.

They arrived at the famed Apam Woods, it's elegan branches reaching deep into the starry sky. The caves buzzed with activity as merchants displayed their interests, and the tinkling sounds of laughter and adoration filled the air. Dottore leaned against the stone railing, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"(Y/N), my dear, let me show you something truly extraordinary," he said, extending his hand towards her.

(Y/N) hesitated for a moment, the weight of the unknown mingling with anticipation. But there was something about Dottore's charisma that drew her closer, melting away her reservations. She placed her hand in his, and together they walked towards a hidden cave beneath the cliff.

As they stepped into the quiet sanctuary, Dottore reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, weathered notebook. Its pages were filled with sketches, notes, and cryptic symbols. He flipped through its worn pages, stopping at a particular drawing.

"Behold, the lost legend of the Dendro Archon," Dottore proclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "Legend has it that beneath this cave lies a hidden passage, a secret tunnel leading to a forgotten world."

(Y/N)'s eyes widened with wonder. She couldn't believe she was about to embark on a journey into the unknown, all in the company of this enigmatic scientist. Her heart raced with anticipation, and she nodded, ready to uncover the mysteries that awaited them.

Dottore led (Y/N) through a concealed entrance, and they descended into the depths of the underground passage. The air grew cooler, and the echoes of their footsteps reverberated through the stone walls. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows, painting the tunnel with an ethereal glow.

As they ventured deeper into the unknown, Dottore's voice filled the silence with tales of ancient civilizations and lost treasures. (Y/N) listened intently, her imagination running wild with the possibilities that lay ahead.

Finally, they emerged into a hidden chamber bathed in soft candlelight. The room was adorned with artifacts and relics, each holding a piece of history within its grasp. Ancient manuscripts and maps lined the walls, and intricate artworks adorned every available surface. It was a treasure trove of knowledge and beauty.

Dottore's eyes shone with a mixture of pride and affection as he observed (Y/N)'s awe-struck expression. "This, my dear, is my sanctuary. A place where the past intertwines with the present, where stories come to life."

(Y/N) approached one of the illuminated manuscripts, her fingers tracing the delicate script. "It's... breathtaking," she whispered, her voice filled with reverence.

Dottore stepped closer, his presence comforting yet electrifying. "It is yours to explore, to unravel the mysteries of the past, and create new stories that will resonate for generations to come."

In that moment, (Y/N) realized that she had stumbled upon more than just a chance encounter with a captivating scientist. She had found a kindred spirit, someone who shared her love for history, adventure, and the magic of the world.

As the candlelight flickered, casting shadows upon their faces, (Y/N) and Dottore exchanged a knowing glance. Their hearts danced to the rhythm of shared dreams, and in that hidden chamber beneath the Sumeru city, a bond was forged that would defy time itself.

[scotianostra]

17th August 1871 saw the death in London of the Scottish landscape painter Patrick Naysmith.

Patrick was the eldest son of the more well known Alexander Naysmith, known as ‘the father of landscape painting in Scotland’. Patrick was named after his father’s friend Patrick Miller of Dalswinton. He was taught the rudiments of drawing and painting by his father before moving to London in 1807. He suffered from poor health and an accident to his right hand when he was young meant that he had to learn to draw left-handed.

He studied under his father, and travelled to London in 1807. Nasmyth was a landscape painter and although his subject matter was usually found in the countryside around London, his style was modelled on the Dutch seventeenth century artists, especially Meindert Hobbema, he was wrongly given the nickname “the English Hobbema, having said that from what I can gather he spent most of his life down south.

His landscapes are described as “pleasing and conventional” and achieved considerable success in their day, I’m not an expert, but enjoy some art, to me his work seemed boring and all the sameish, unlike others Scottish artist like Allan Ramsay Jnr, David Roberts or, in my opinion, the best of them all Henry Raeburn.

Naysmith exhibited at the Royal Academy, Suffolk Street and the British Institute and was one of the founder members of the Royal Society of British Artists. Many of his brothers and sisters were also painters, which led to much confusion about the family and their work he was one of eleven children, of whom Patrick was the eldest. Of the other ten Jane (b.1788), Anne (b.1798) and Charlotte (b.1804) were all landscape painters.

His studio sale was held at Christie’s 18th June 1831. Titles exhibited at the Royal Academy include “View of Windsor Castle”, “A View in the New Forest” and “A Windmill on the River Don, Yorkshire”. His works can be found in museums in: Cape Town; Edinburgh; Glasgow; Hamburg; Liverpool; London, National Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum; Montreal; New York and Sheffield.

Pics are of the artist, Valley of the Tweed and Edinburgh from Craigleith

You can find a more detailed bio and more pics on him here http://www.thefamousartists.com/patrick-nasmyth

[lilllithdraagon]

PART 10: Gorgeous world

MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR DRAGON AGE THE VEILGUARD. READ AT OWN RISK.

Main Post Link

Thedas has never looked better.

I mean it. Have you stopped to watch the waterfalls in Arlathan Forest? Have you looked down at Treviso from the rooftops? The amount of times I just paused to soak in the scenery... I wish I could forget the first time my Rook stepped out from the bar and into the streets of Minrathous so I can experience it all over again.

I’m not exaggerating when I say I kept going to new locations and forgetting to breathe.

Every few steps if you stopped to take a photo you’d be haunted by the most breathtaking scenery or horrifying atrocities. I would unironically live in that topsy turvy forest called Arlathan. Fight me. I have filled a folder with images of altars and aravels, lakes, and floating ruins.

I want to have a cup of coffee at a cafe in Treviso. I want to stick my legs in the water off the Dock Town pier. I want to... No actually I never want to go to Lavendel. It has really pretty flowers though. (Lunadys: yeah no the Anderfels can go die in a fire there is so much blight.)

The art department outdid themselves. The hair textures move so fluidly. The armour’s capes have motion. The water! God, the water. You can see droplets on the statues in the rain.

Some of the amour sets are goofy and dragon age will always be the silly hat franchise, but even if they aren’t my cup of tea, you can’t claim they’re poorly modeled.

It’s gorgeous. Not in a slapped together in a terrain generator and call it a day sort of way. In a someone took the time to add just the right touches at the corner kind of way. Even the gross stuff is done with a meticulousness that we can’t help but admire. That first, jarring, transition in D’meta’s crossing from abandoned village to absolute train wreck of the gods will never leave us.

Speaking of D’meta’s Crossing.

[thotsofsolidary]

I took this photo in March of last year while in staying in Salt River, Cape Town. I ashamedly knew very little concerning the the 75 yr struggle that Palestineans had endured up until that time, and more importantly how its presence in Salt River revealed particularly sinister reminder of the global and interconnected struggle against neocolonial apartheid. Ahead of the ICJ hearing today, I began to reflect on my experience as a humble visitor of CT, a space that had resisted apartheid and persecution for 50 years at the hands of the same forces that are bombing Gaza at this very moment. I realized last year that my education up until that point was successful in conceslinv Salt River’s history of forced segregation, economic exploitation, and purposeful elimination of a community that was just one of many in SA. Apartheid isn’t just an abstract concept left to for historians to define or humanitarians to resolve. It’s a series of continued choices and policy changes brought down by our elected politicians all over the world as they work to maintain the demented and racist lie that one group of souls must enjoy the fruits of this earth at the violent expense of another.

Dehumanization campaigns on behalf of the state will never fail to do its job effectively, and us as a collective will continue to believe that these actions of violence are common and even necessary. These were the same campaigns that conceal/distort the history of my own ancestors as revolutionaries who were able to rise above the western imperialist project in 1804 as citizens of the first free black republic 🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹 I’ve had to weep at the stories of my relatives and the conditions of my ancestors as they continue to pay the price for daring to escape from a sinister, systemic, and never-ending violence under the cruelest form of apartheid, chattel slavery. Resistance has and always willl be a continuing struggle against western hegemony and their hunger to reproduce the same value as the Transatlantic Slave Trade once did! We are fighting against the will of empires that view the labor, land, minerals of the global south as spoils of the game to win and not intrinsically tied to the indigenous that have/will continue to live there. Since columbus crossed into these shores and shifted the global order in favor of mass migrations and conquest, the world has never seen a turning tide in favor of restorative justice. We live in an age of globalized aparthied whether that therm is recognized or not by the state.

The place where I was set to study apartheid as it was EXPERIENCED, not as it was written after the fact, was itself a historical rembrandt of the Continuous Struggle. story having the familiar ending of spirits young and old gone in seconds by the “wrong” missle, or a “mistakenly”dropped bomb, or a “stray” bullet. Spirits so quickly taken away and never seen again in this realm. Imagine my shock when I passed the Statement of Significance (ZOOM IN) that welcomed visitors of the center. in CAPE TOWN SA, upholding its legacy as the literal first colonial outpost the slave trade for centuries! 30 YEARS AGO the imperial DA Party felt that the safety of the state could only be ensured though the dropping of a bomb here in 1987(Read Above). Despite this, I was able to enjoy a building that was standing tall and continued to be a center for education and community gathering despite this!

Crazily enough I was graciously given a tour of Salt River shortly after hearing the history of the SR Community Center and it’s activists, and was given incredible retelling of the street art located here. Not only fighting the hisotry of apartheid era violence, street artists of today’s time are struggling with state sanctioned gentrification efforts simultaneously eliminating the freedoms of expression and collective action calling for the end to Palestinean apartheid. Despite this, the level of Palestinean solidarity displayed so clearly across the homes of SR residents was incredible to witness despite hearing their bloody history of their oppression and continued resistance.

Bottom line, not only does the struggle persist, it is carelesslessly replicated and repackaged until it is acceptabe enough for us stomach on our TLs or news channels years after the fact. Genocides, ethnic cleansing, slavery, all exist and are being documented live! If you are so blissfully unaware…could you look back at your present self and take that as an excuse? if your children asked you where you were and asked what you stood for years from now, would you want to answer ‘I had no idea?’ You know what’s going on. you know that the carnage that has taken place is unconscionable!!! the people we elect, the state, whatever you want to call it at this point, has never atoned for their collective sins of the past few centuries. Not with actual fucking reparations, we’re far beyond expecting anything close to receiving back the value of systemic violence that was never contained. all that the opressed ask is to LEAVE US ALONE!!! it’s that simple. Stop sending your bombs! Stop sending your diplomats! Stop sending your twisted policies. This is only my second election cycle and I refuse to play these fucking mind games. Not that I belive voting really matters atp, but we must take back power where we can get it. I am of the opinion that this only comes from demanding MORE from OURSELVES than the people that end up on our voting ballots! How have you genuinely re-examined your position in this world and used the thinkers of today to challenge your position?

All I can ask of this world is for us to question where our collective allegiance rests. Are you fighting for or against western neocolonialism it’s quite literally that simple. the other side is clearly operating under delusion. this delusion…no this privilege…clearly knows no bounds! Our collective consciousness has long been shattered. From 🇭🇹 to 🇿🇦 to 🇵🇸 no land on this earth has been untouched by the dropping bombs and destroying community/culture in the name of successful western diplomacy. What can be changed is our individual alignment towards rge support of the oppressed, the dismantling of global apartheid, . Youtube/Google/Public Libraries are free belovedss 💔 If you have an iphone you can take a couple hours to hear the other side for maybe the first/only time in your life. play it in the background of whatever you need to do but even at 2x speed if you have to! challenging your own mind is the bare minimum…

[tangentburd]

~ Oh So Fly! ~

From the rockin’ street doves to the coo-l Capuchines We’ll pick and peck apart every piece of bird-based bling Warmers, collars, capes… Gramma’s cornbread cowls? You might as well go back home with your head in a towel!

~ A nonsensical poem I wrote on pigeons and their Fabulous! Bread! Necklaces! for the recent "Toasty Mart" bread x animals zine hosted by @bycmykae. Thanks for the pun fun-filled experience!

Shoutout to @katsuayumu too for making all the super cute and delicious pigeon character art for this piece :D

🕊 [ Read the full poem on AO3 or under the cut! ]

🍞 [ Read the free zine via itch.io! ]

Greetings! Salutations! Birds of a feather! Welcome to the Bread Derby, sisters and brothers! The name’s Pasquale and I’m your host for today— Colomba of keen eye for fashions of the day ~✦

It’s party pigeon time down here in the square Where every-birdy’s decked in their fanciest neckwear Where the have-its flaunt it! And the have-nots want it! Where upper crusts and lower crumbs clash in showers of grit!

From the rockin’ street doves to the coo-l Capuchines We’ll pick and peck apart every piece of bird-based bling Warmers, collars, capes... Gramma’s cornbread cowls? You might as well go back home with your head in a towel!

We’ll see who’s the boss in their oven-baked best! And who’s burnt toast that’s only good for lining nests! Beaks up and b-ready, we’re starting the show Coo! Here’s our first lady—let’s fluffin’ go!

———

Behold! This uppity—I mean, blue-crowned royalty: The Duchess of Dovershire, come to visit from her county With her pearl-tipped crest as though dipped in icing And draped with a most exquisite braided bread ring Such graze! Delicacy! (Maybe a hint of power?) The air and flair of fresh-milled flour—

“How do you do? Your reds and greens are lovely!” Hold up, did... she just say something to me? Why yes ma’am, thank you! I adore them too! It’s just avocado bruschetta, nothing too frou-frou~ She chortles, nods; then away she struts: A portly, pleasant presence in her posh, plaited doughnut.

———

Kerfuffle from the crowds! Cue the world’s favourite Frillback: Pop idol Pae-Dae, in a cushy cape of flatbread Luscious curls of feathers bronze all across his wings A dishy dove indeed: he’s every fledgling’s prince! His shuffling feet pause, his misty eyes find mine I wonder what words might leave a beak so sublime...?

“Wish I could sleep, Mister Host, but I’ll do my best Ask me about the dramas I’ve been filming without rest Or how everyone thinks my wings are hazelnut flakes...” Sigh, a celeb’s life! You can’t ever get a break I’ll interview you next week! Now go and catch some Z’s Your tortilla blanket should be cosy—but don’t let your fans see!

———

An emerald dove patters by, sleeves shimmering green Donning the airiest, fairiest sourdough I’ve seen: Scored like a flower, flour dusted like a lace veil Aw, she’s proud of it! Look at her bobbing tail~ “My name’s Paige Pidgerton, I baked it just today I hope to open my artisan beak-ery someday!”

You’re a natural, miss, this here’s a work of art! But really, is that all you dream of deep inside your heart? She flusters, she flushes, her white headband askew The rosy eyes of a heroine’s fairytale come true! “Maybe... if I can’t bake for everyone in town Then at least for some-birdy I’m happy to be around.♥”

———

You hear them before you see them: Two lean, rugged doves Squabbling, squawking, crash-landing (on the) square from above “I told you to hurry, old man, now we’re late for the parade!” ‘Why don’t you stop by a corner shop again, you ingrate!’ Good day, gentlemen! I might have seen you somewhere, sir Aren’t you G.I. Low, that decorated war officer?

‘Some eye you’ve got, chap! Sharp as this one I’ve got left Better than my grandkid here who thinks he’s bloody EMS.’ “If this thumbdrive don’t reach later, I’ll be toast-er than my toast! Name’s Payload Swift, mister, I’m a racer turned pigeon post.”

(Aha! Do I sense a glorious generation gap? A question trap to set their wings and tempers aflap!) Living life in the fast lane? Your intake must be insane! Care to share with us your go-to holy grains?

“This grilled tuna sandwich melt from Leaven-Eleven’s Is the best thing since sliced bread—a taste made in heaven!” ‘It IS sliced bread, for heavens’ sake! See the junk this boy is eating? Not like this chipped beef on toast from back when I was serving It’s provisions! Nourishment! Blessings for the whole flock!’ “Yeah sure, if only you can eat it without a fork...”

———

A zig-zagging, a tango-ing, a high bird-song and dance A kererū, post-dine-and-wine, down on the bench in a trance That passé office plumage versus bland-as-heck handbag— Lady, your tastebuds are wrecked! And that fruit loaf’s a big red flag!

She waves her bottle—budget Pigeot Noir!—before my eyes “I’ve seen your shows on CooTube, you’re that real fly guy! That Nicobar fella who’s gone way up the pecking order...” Lady, your tastebuds are just fine! Ignore what I said earlier—

“Can you tell me how you’ve been eating every-birdy’s lunch? You’re now rolling in dough, but I’m just rolling off the branch... How can a common quill-pusher like me, Karolie Flee Fly to the top, eat all I want, and still be this carefree?”

Oh Miss Flee, let’s first put my inspiring haute coo-ture aside No matter what you’re doing, you should do it with pride! Push all the quills (and your bosses’ too) until you’re seen and heard But remember: there’s more to you than just this corporate bird!

Sure, your whites, greens and purples may not be the hottest stuff But if you’re a better you than yesterday then that’s good enough~★ That said, please just toss that brick of cursed candied fruit Get a loaf that tastes more chic! With marmalade to boot!

———

So there we go, folks—our roundup of this Derby: A true-blue cross-section of our bling-based society I’ve seen a future star baker, courier, wine connoisseur Stay inspiring, inspired and well rested, you youngsters!

Boast your bread-lace loud and proud, bake it till you make it The true slice-of-life is how you wear it and what you make of it! And to every-birdy else who’s stayed with us throughout— Beak thanks to you all! This is Col. Pasquale, signing out~♫

~ end ~

[inside0ut-dotnet]

As Pride Month approaches, many in the LGBTQ+ community are looking for welcoming destinations to celebrate their identities. Whether you're looking for a vibrant city experience or a relaxing beach getaway, there are plenty of amazing destinations to choose from. Let's explore some of the most welcoming states for the LGBTQ community and kick off your summer with flair and pizazz!

What Makes a Destination LGBTQ-Friendly?

When considering travel destinations, it's important to look for places that are inclusive and welcoming to all. LGBTQ-friendly destinations are those that have anti-discrimination laws, vibrant LGBTQ communities, and a variety of LGBTQ-owned businesses. These destinations often host Pride events and have a strong sense of acceptance and diversity.

Top LGBTQ-Friendly States

According to recent surveys and studies, some of the most LGBTQ-friendly states in the US include California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington. These states have a long history of supporting LGBTQ rights and have vibrant LGBTQ communities. Cities like San Francisco, New York City, and Boston are known for their inclusive environments and diverse populations.

Amazing BEACH Destinations to Consider:

Provincetown, Massachusetts:

Looking for a summer getaway that's as fabulous as you are? Consider heading to Provincetown, Massachusetts, a charming coastal town known for its LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere and stunning beaches. Whether you're flying solo, with your partner, or with a group of friends, P-Town has something for everyone.

Provincetown, or P-Town as the locals call it, is a vibrant and welcoming community located at the tip of Cape Cod. It's a place where you can truly be yourself, surrounded by like-minded individuals who celebrate diversity and inclusivity. From the colorful houses lining the streets to the lively nightlife scene, Provincetown is a place where you can let your hair down and have a good time.

One of the biggest draws of Provincetown is its beautiful beaches. Whether you're looking to soak up the sun, take a dip in the ocean, or simply relax with a good book, P-Town's beaches have got you covered. Race Point Beach and Herring Cove Beach are two popular spots where you can unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of Cape Cod.

When the sun goes down, Provincetown comes alive with a vibrant nightlife scene. From drag shows to dance parties, there's always something fun happening in P-Town. Grab a cocktail, hit the dance floor, and let loose with new friends and old. You never know what kind of wild and wacky adventures await you in this lively town.

Aside from the beaches and nightlife, Provincetown offers plenty of other activities to keep you entertained. Take a stroll down Commercial Street and browse the unique shops and art galleries. Visit the Provincetown Art Association and Museum to admire the work of local artists. Or hop on a whale-watching tour for a chance to see these majestic creatures up close.

So, if you're looking for a summer getaway that's as fabulous as you are, pack your bags and head to Provincetown, Massachusetts. With its LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife, P-Town is the perfect destination for a fun and memorable vacation. Get ready to make some unforgettable memories in this charming coastal town!

Key West, Florida:

Key West, Florida, is not just your average beach destination. It's a vibrant LGBTQ paradise with a lively nightlife that will make you want to stay forever. So, what makes Key West so special? Key West is a small island city that packs a big punch. It's known for its inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, making it a haven for the LGBTQ community. The colorful and eclectic vibe of Key West sets it apart from other destinations, making it a must-visit for anyone looking for a good time. Key West has a long history of embracing diversity and celebrating individuality. The LGBTQ community has found a home in Key West, with numerous bars, clubs, and events catering specifically to them. From drag shows to pride parades, Key West knows how to throw a party that everyone is invited to. When the sun goes down, Key West comes alive. The nightlife scene in Key West is legendary, with bars and clubs lining the streets, offering everything from live music to drag performances. Whether you're looking for a wild night out or a laid-back evening sipping cocktails by the beach, Key West has something for everyone. Key West is more than just a destination; it's an experience. The laid-back attitude, stunning sunsets, and welcoming community make Key West a place like no other. Whether you're looking to party all night or relax on the beach all day, Key West has it all.

So, pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to experience the magic of Key West. You never know, you might just fall in love with this quirky little island at the southernmost point of the United States.

For those seeking an urban city vibe, consider exploring these destinations:

 New York City, NY:

Are you ready to dive into the vibrant and diverse world of New York City? From the bustling streets of Manhattan to the trendy neighborhoods of Brooklyn, the Big Apple has something for everyone. Let's explore how this iconic city offers a mix of culture, history, and LGBTQ-friendly attractions that will leave you wanting more. New York City is a melting pot of cultures, with residents from all corners of the globe calling it home. From world-class museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art to Broadway shows that will leave you speechless, the city is a treasure trove of cultural experiences. Don't forget to sample the diverse culinary scene, where you can find everything from authentic Italian pizza to mouth-watering dim sum. New York City has long been a haven for the LGBTQ community, with iconic landmarks like the Stonewall Inn and the annual Pride Parade drawing visitors from around the world. Explore the vibrant LGBTQ-friendly bars, clubs, and events that make NYC a welcoming and inclusive destination for all.

So, whether you're a culture vulture, history buff, or simply looking for a good time, New York City has something for everyone. Pack your bags, hit the streets, and get ready to experience the magic of the city that never sleeps!

San Francisco, CA:

San Francisco, the city by the bay, is known for its eclectic mix of culture, history, and LGBTQ-friendly attractions. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the vibrant Castro District, there is something for everyone in this diverse and welcoming city. San Francisco is a melting pot of different cultures, making it a mecca for art, music, and cuisine. Whether you're exploring the colorful murals in the Mission District or sampling dim sum in Chinatown, you'll find a rich tapestry of experiences waiting for you. With its storied past as a Gold Rush boomtown and a hub of counterculture in the 1960s, San Francisco is steeped in history. Take a stroll through the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood or visit Alcatraz Island to uncover the city's fascinating past. San Francisco has long been a beacon of acceptance and inclusivity for the LGBTQ community. The Castro District, known as the heart of gay culture in the city, is home to rainbow flags, vibrant nightlife, and the iconic Castro Theatre. The annual Pride Parade is a must-see event that celebrates love and diversity.

So, whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or a member of the LGBTQ community, San Francisco has something special to offer. Come explore this city of contrasts and discover the magic that makes it truly unique.

Seattle, WA:

Are you ready to dive into the vibrant and eclectic city of Seattle? This Pacific Northwest gem is not your average urban experience. Seattle offers a unique blend of culture, history, and LGBTQ-friendly attractions that will leave you wanting more. Seattle is not just known for its rainy weather and coffee culture. This city is a melting pot of creativity, innovation, and acceptance. From the iconic Space Needle to the bustling Pike Place Market, there is something for everyone in Seattle. Seattle is a haven for the LGBTQ community, with a plethora of inclusive and welcoming attractions. Whether you're strolling through Capitol Hill, known as the city's LGBTQ+ hub, or attending the annual Pride Parade, Seattle embraces diversity with open arms. Step back in time at the Museum of History & Industry or explore the rich Native American heritage at the Burke Museum. Seattle's cultural scene is as diverse as its population, offering a wide range of museums, galleries, and performing arts venues to explore.

Make sure to visit the iconic Space Needle for panoramic views of the city, indulge in fresh seafood at Pike Place Market, and take a leisurely stroll through the lush greenery of the Washington Park Arboretum. Seattle is full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.

So, if you're looking for a city that offers a little bit of everything, from culture and history to LGBTQ-friendly attractions, look no further than Seattle. This dynamic city will capture your heart and leave you wanting more.

Wishing you safe travels & a fun journey:

Whether you're looking to relax on the beach, explore a new city, or attend a Pride event, there are plenty of amazing destinations to choose from. So pack your bags, grab your rainbow flag, and kick off your summer with some flair and pizazz in a welcoming LGBTQ-friendly destination!

[ryanhamiltonwalsh]

The first Velvet Underground show in Boston - 10/29/66

In Astral Weeks: A Secret History of 1968 I devoted many pages in service of fleshing out just how important Boston was for VU in the late sixties. But what I didn't get to talk about was the very first time the band appeared in the city on 10/29/66, which happens to be 57 years ago this week. It's a fine excuse to briefly stop thinking about the ceaseless horrors of the larger world and collate/post a bunch of info I've collected about that show as well as their first show in Massachusetts all together in Provincetown a few months prior.

The Exploding Plastic Inevitable—Warhol's multimedia bombardment of lights, film, live music, performance, and dance—was less than a year old when it was scheduled to appear in Boston. This EPI, featuring the music of the Velvet Underground, was to serve as the culmination of Warhol's exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art (the ICA), which at this point was located at 100 Newbury Street (where H&M currently resides). This was only Warhol's second museum exhibition and the mere booking of it at the ICA led to robust conversation in local art cliques. Boston was titillated and ready to have strong opinions about the new pop sensation whom some were calling genius and others a charlatan. More on that in a bit.

But before that exhibit even opened, Massachusetts had gotten a preview of the full Warhol experience late that summer at the Chrysler Art Museum in Provincetown, the coastal resort town located at the very tip of Cape Cod.

The Chrysler Art Museum is the large white building in the background of this postcard on the right.

Since the late 1800's, Provincetown had been in contrast to much of Puritan-singed Massachusetts, welcoming artists and writers as residents and visitors, presenting experimental theater, and supporting thriving art colonies. In 1916, the Boston Globe wrote that Provincetown was 'the biggest art colony in the world.'" By the time the Warhol entourage rolled through, it was also quickly becoming known as a safe haven for LGBTQ folks as well. "There had been a gay presence in Provincetown as early as the start of the 20th century as the artists' colony developed, along with experimental theatre. Drag queens could be seen in performance as early as the 1940s in Provincetown." This, far more than Boston, was the kind of environment you'd imagine the Velvet Underground would be welcomed with open arms. But that's not how things panned out at all.

The Boston Globe previewed the event in late August:

By the time the EPI was set to come to Boston, the Globe preview of that booking (published 9/18/66) was far less dismissive; the write-up noted how the Exploding Plastic Inevitable grew out of Warhol's statements to the press that he had given up on painting (which was a terrific lie):

But back to Provincetown and the Velvets. Save for album opener "Sunday Morning," the debut VU album was already complete at this point, but would not be out until March of next year. Earlier in the summer, the band's first single had been released with Nico on lead vocals on both the A & B side. This no doubt frustrated Lou Reed if not all of the other Velvets. Warhol had convinced VU they needed a mysterious chanteusse in the mix, and they reluctantly, begrudgingly agreed to facilitate Nico's membership in the band while always simultaneously keeping her at arm's length (though both Reed and Cale also eventually both had affairs with her).

On the single version of "All Tomorrow's Parties," the six-minute prepared piano tour-de-force fades out after the 3 minute mark, undercutting its power substantially. The single did not chart. Reed claimed "All Tomorrow's Parties" was about the scene he witnessed at The Factory ("I would hear people say the most astonishing things, the craziest things, the funniest things, the saddest things," he explained) while Cale contends it's about a woman named Darryl they were both pursuing. In any event, it's highly unlikely anyone in Provincetown had heard the single before these performances but, factually, there *was* recorded VU music available out in the world at the time.

The complete EPI entourage in Provincetown featured all the Velvets—John Cale, Sterling Morrison. Nico, Lou Reed, and Maureen Tucker—Warhol himself, dancers Gerard Malanga, Mary Woronov, and Eric Emerson, road manager Faison, and Warhol assistants Paul Morrissey and Ronnie Cutrone. Relatively new to the group was Susan Bottomly (aka International Velvet) with David Croland, her boyfriend.

While it's certainly been mentioned that Susan Bottomly was from Boston (well, Wellesley, specifically), I haven't seen anyone chronicling the VU story or its primary players note that she was also the daughter of John Bottomly, who was not only the State Assistant Attorney General but also the chief of the special “Strangler Bureau," aka a key player in the infamous Boston Strangler saga.

International Velvet's father had never conducted a criminal investigation before heading up the bureau created in order to capture the phantom-like serial killer who had been terrorizing Boston for years, murdering over a dozen women. Bottomly was criticized for the interrogation methods he used on lead Strangler suspect Albert DeSalvo, guiding him directly towards certain ideas and details, for instance, and even more so when he became a paid consultant on the 1968 film The Boston Strangler. Between Bottomly's controversial Strangler hunt being recounted in Gerold Frank's best-selling '66 book, The Boston Strangler, and working on the Tony Curtis-starring-film of the same title, his daughter danced in the EPI, had flings with Lou Reed and John Cale, and appeared on the FEB '67 cover of Esquire sitting in a trash can. Being able to draw a direct line from the Boston Strangler case to the Velvet Underground is truly a hallucinatory, peak-1960's kind of footnote.

But according to Warhol, this was not how the Bottomlys actually felt about Susan's trashcan cover turn and current direction in life: "Her parents weren’t happy with her new ‘career’ - modeling in New York - and later on, when she was on the cover of Esquire, photographed in a garbage can (‘Today’s Girl, Finished at 18’), they were really upset... but they went on supporting her, and she went on supporting lots of her friends.”

Along with Nico, Bottomly was one of the few performers in Warhol's Chelsea Girls film that actually lived at the Chelsea Hotel. Bottomly also appears in the Andy Warhol 1966 film "The Velvet Underground and Tarot Cards" in which, over the course of 65 minutes, all members of the band get their tarot read (there's more on VU's unlikely interest in astrological signs and other occult topics in my book). The film is extremely difficult to screen, but here's a short silent clip featuring Susan.

"I'd be dying to go to bed with Susan Bottomly (International Velvet)," whom Lou was also fucking on the side," Cale wrote in his 2000 autobiography. "Unfortunately [Lou] caught me in bed with Susan and he threw us both out of the apartment." How much of this had already transpired by the time the New Yorkers landed at the curled edge of Cape Cod is unclear.

"Everyone is uptight for amphetamine," Gerard Malanga wrote upon the crew's first impressions of Provincetown and the lack of connections to a dealer in the area. "We're all waiting in front of the museum to go to the beach." Enjoying the beach might have been the last good thing to happen to the EPI team in Provincetown. For starters, apparently, the toilets in the house Warhol rented did not work and members of the entourage were "throwing shit out the window."

Next up, one of the EPI entourage stole various items from a local shop for the show, and the police arrived on stage during one of the performances. They "untied Eric Emerson from a post (which he was strapped to in preparation for being whipped by Mary Woronov) in order to retrieve some belts and whips that were stolen from a leather store." (Source: Up-tight)

Additionally, Gerard Malanga was running out of patience with how little control he had over any visual aspect of the EPI and having to compete for the literal spotlight with the Velvet Underground. In Provincetown, Susan Bottomly refused to dance where Malanga instructed her to and then, during "Heroin," she blocked the spotlight that provided him with any source of light to navigate the space. "I'm in total darkness. Mary is also in total darkness," he wrote in his diary. "Andy seems oblivious to the situation and to my personal feelings."

In a letter written to Warhol but never sent, Malanga griped about the Cape Cod performance: “I thought the Provincetown show got off to a rough but very good start, until you were so kind enough as to let Susan and everyone else not directly connected with the show to get involved with Mary and I on stage…You are slowly taking this away from me by allowing outside elements to interfere with my dance routines…From my vantage point on stage to have more than two dancers the show becomes a Mothers of Invention freak-out.”

Even worse, new dancer Eric Emerson tried to steal a priceless piece of art from the museum "just to see if he could get away with it" and negotiations to return the art without charges being pressed were only narrowly achieved.

Finally, to tie a bow on the cursed Provincetown engagement, the large photograph on the back of the debut VU album was taken during one of the Chrysler Museum performances, and that particular image led to a legal issue which severely affected the impact the first VU LP was able to have with the listening public. It all has to do with the head above the projection of Lou's head, both hovering above the band. That upside down man is would-be art thief and EPI dancer, Eric Emerson.

The best, succinct explanation of the debacle comes from Richie Unteberger's excellent White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground day-by-day book:

“Seeing how no one asked [Eric Emerson] about putting his picture on the jacket, he asked Verve for a lot of money,” Morrison later explains in M.C. Kostek and Phil Milstein’s critical Velvet Underground discography. “Verve got scared and airbrushed it out.”

As an immediate consequence, The Velvet Underground & Nico – which has only just entered distribution and the lowest levels of the charts – has to be pulled from stores while Verve/MGM alters the artwork. The delay effectively kills the record’s chances of rising up the charts – not that it goes very far, peaking at a lowly Number 171 on Billboard...When the album finally reappears, Emerson’s image has been airbrushed out, leaving a murky, yellow glow where his face once appeared. Even worse, some copies simply paste an ugly, black-and-white sticker with the album title and Warhol’s production credit over where Emerson’s face had been. There are no winners in this battle.

But how was the music? The Boston Globe's Ray Murphy covered the event and his specific references to the Velvet Underground sound more like how you might describe different shades on a painter's palette than an innovative rock band comprised of five unique individuals:

The performance ended when "all the fuses in the room blew out under the strain of all the projectors, amplifiers, and lights. The quiet made you dizzy."

"It was a wild affair and difficult to analyze," Murphy concluded.

"They got run out of Provincetown on a rail," Cutrone said in summary.

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Less than two months later, the EPI/VU gang marched right back into Massachusetts for a rematch, this time in Boston proper.

Andy's appearance at the ICA in early October for the opening of his exhibit kicked off the Beantown version of Warhol-mania. The Globe reported:

Guess who this chic hangman was? That's right...

The Boston Globe spelled her last name incorrectly here, but other articles about her get it right.

Warhol, as he often did, just stood there and let people project their ideas onto him.

The paper declared Warhol "the hottest living art personality since Picasso and Dali." Then it was off to the races, with droves of Bostonians visiting to see what all the fuss was about, making it the most popular exhibit in the ICA's history.

Future Fletch novelist Gregory Mcdonald covered the phenomenon weeks into the exhibit for the Boston Globe. Mcdonald conjectured that it's not just people who love his art and hate his art, but also a third category of person who knows it's a fraud but finds it delightful that he's pulling one over on the sophisticated art world.

"His work has the limited future of a soup label," Mcdonald writes, unaware how wrong he'll eventually be proven, but then again, Warhol felt the same way. "My work has no future at all," he told the reporter, "I know that." Outside of a good caption joke about an older patron confused about whether she was at the supermarket or an art gallery, the Mcdonald piece concludes in what can only be described as the writer spiraling out trying to put the artist's ethos and its consequences into words:

"What are you currently reading exists this morning in 600,000 copies," he declares, "but by 2:30 this afternoon will not exist at all." And yet, here I am, reading those words and thinking about that same artist. No one saw what was coming.

The EPI event promptly sold out and an additional performance was added for 11PM on October 29th at the ICA. In the lead up to the show, the Velvet Underground are referred to in the press as a "cultural mafia," a preview of the event says the band will be "unleashed," and that "Boston has not seen anything like it." Admission was five dollars.

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Just like the Provincetown trip, Boston had its own unique roster of ancillary players involved with the EPI and VU, and a few of them had some connection to a scene that was just starting to develop up on Fort Hill in Roxbury. The Mel Lyman Family, or Fort Hill Community, like Warhol, would soon receive reams of press coverage in an attempt to figure out who/what/why they precisely were. For now, Lyman and Co. had just acquired several dilapidated houses on Fort Ave. in the wake of Mel's initial audacious claims that he was God. Their alternative newspaper, Avatar, would start the following year in June of '67.

Ronna Page, who would dance in the EPI that night, had previously done a Warhol screen test and is the co-"star" of one of the most infamous scenes in Chelsea Girls in which an amphetamine fueled Ondine slaps her after she calls him a phony. It's a real, unscripted moment. It's also one of the most exploitive, squirmish moments in all of Warhol's work. Warhol said the unexpected violence made him uncomfortable and he had to leave the room while it was happening but Mary Woronov, in her memoir Swimming Underground, reported that privately the director said, "it's our best film yet. It's so beautiful."

The description of her screen test: "Ronna Page, lit only from the left, stares hard at the camera without blinking, until her eyes tear up halfway through the roll."

It was Page who introduced filmmaker Jonas Mekas to Mel Lyman at the Paradox Restaurant in New York, a connection that would lead to Lyman's first book, Autobiography of a World Saviour. It's unclear if she was ever a full time member of the Lyman family or just a friend on the periphery. In 1967, a member of the Fort Hill Community wrote of Page in the pages of Avatar:

The darkly voluptuous superstar, Ronna Page's metier is seducing swamis, and there's more and more work for her every day. Everyone's off to see the Master these days. The Beatles, Shirley MacClaine, Mrs. Frank Sinatra (that's Mia), Kandy Kane, Bobby Vinton are all looking for someone to help them on the journey to spiritual salvation. Can't you just see it! In a few years everyone will be going to their "psychia-christ" to the tune of seventy love — dollars an hour. But as long as our lovely Ronna is around, she'll weed out the swamis who are not bent on salvation but are bent over something else.

The subtext of this gossipy blind item is unknown, and whether this is in praise of Page or a dig is hard to say. In the 1966 "Expanded Arts" issue of Film Culture, Mel Lyman is listed as available for "A full evening show alone or together with Eben Given, Ronna Page, Jonas Mekas, light, images, voice, human presence" (Film Culture 43 [1966]: n.p.).

Also part of the Warhol entourage in Boston is artist and future art critic Rene Ricard, who was actively trying to avoid the Cambridge police for living illegally on Harvard property "and numerous flower thefts - from gardens, flower shops and particularly an alleged heist of one of Andy’s flower paintings."

In a November '67 article in Avatar, apparently Rene wrote an anonymously disparaging piece about himself:

A raging, high-pitched, red-eyed little transvestite called, get this, Rene Ricard, attacked Mel Lyman the other night in the back room (the place) of Max's Kansas City. Mel, slightly startled, but always the Master of the situation, just shut the little thing up by slapping his face. It turned out the reason for his attack was somehow everyone in New York thinks he's ME and he feels that I am ruining his name — YOUR name, you little bitch, think what you're doing to MINE!

Uh, ok. Sure. Maybe you had to be there.

Some of the NY entourage stay with Gordon Baldwin, others with Ed Hood, and because Nico only appears with the Velvet Underground a few times in Boston, this date is a fairly good candidate for one of the times the band stayed in the houses of the Mel Lyman Family. From AW68:

On one such occassion, when Nico simply helped herself to someone’s bed, the German singer was bluntly instructed to find somewhere else to catch some sleep. Personnel from the band and a Fort Hill Community member had certainly crossed paths at least once before; Faith Gude and VU’s whip dancer Gerard Malanga had a brief affair in the early sixties.

At 9PM, Saturday, October 29th, the first Velvet Underground show in Boston began.

Gerard Malanga sets the scene in Up-Tight:

In Jack Bernstein's review of the event for MIT's The Tech newspaper, he knew he had seen something ahead of its time:

To borrow a phrase, "it's the shape of rock to come." Andy Warhol's Expanding Plastic Inevitable featuring The Velvet Underground with Nico performed their new 'psychedelic rock' at the Institute of Contemporary Art Saturday. The biggest difference between this music and the stuff you get on 'frantic forty' radio is that you have to see this to believe it.

Bernstein describes the disorientating nature of the opening of the EPI with its lights, films, and a sense something was about to happen. And then:

Their first number, 'All Tomorrows Parties,' which, incidentally, has been released by Verve records, featured Nico singing, and the Underground, electric bass, electric guitar, electric piano, and supersonic drums, providing the most driving backing I've ever heard...the technical armament of Velvet Underground is something fantastic to behold...the most starling of all was two huge gas-discharge lamps which would flash in syncopated time as the music reached its climax. The only aspect of the performance which could been improved upon was the group's tendency to rely on the background material for too long between numbers, but once the music started, all was forgiven.

It sounds like an unadulterated win, but just like Provincetown, apparently, the New Yorkers left feeling down about the gig. EPI entourage member Susan Pile had a fairly grim assessment of how it all shook out in the end in a letter to her friend:

"Boston’s reaction was an incredible rejection. The thing is, those who do not get involved with the show tend to react in loud objection; those who do get involved are too overcome with the experience (capital E) to do much of anything. And the show in Boston was beautiful--it was a stage show in the auditorium - no dancing by scum on the floor."

But Pile also noted, "the Velvets are getting so much better--their album is done, but everyone is becoming disenchanted with the idea of touring." In truth, it wasn't quite done, and it was going to be awhile before it came out, and even then, it wasn't going to get the praise and adulation it deserved for decades, arguably. A long, long wait was ahead for the band, as an entity and even as a name. Think of the anticipation and crazed majesty of this first performance compared to the final Boston VU show, at Oliver's on Lansdowne St in 1973 with no original members and Doug Yule leading a competent bar band through a set that included some Velvet Underground songs. There would be a long free fall towards obscurity before they would be crowned one of the greatest to ever do it.

"One of the more celebrated rock groups..." indeed.

As would become tradition, the post-VU-Boston-show after party was held at Ed Hood's place in Harvard Square. Pile recalled, "A totally paranoid party - millions of people at Ed Hood’s in total isolation, everyone stoned beyond belief and uncommunicating."

The EPI in Boston generated an avalanche of stimuli, information, and discussion. Maybe everyone had done enough communicating for the night.

[sophiyastar2022]

A Journey to Remember: Exploring Cape Town's Wonders

Introduction:

Cape Town, a city where the mountains meet the sea, is a destination that captivates travellers from around the world with its natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. From the iconic Table Mountain to the scenic Cape Winelands, there's no shortage of attractions and experiences waiting to be discovered in this South African gem. If you're planning a Tour to Cape Town, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as we dive into the wonders that await you in the Mother City and its surrounding regions.

Table Mountain:

No visit to Cape Town is complete without a trip to Table Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Whether you choose to hike to the summit or take the rotating cable car, the panoramic views of the city, coastline, and surrounding landscapes are simply breathtaking. Be sure to visit at sunrise or sunset for an unforgettable experience and don't forget your camera to capture the stunning vistas.

Cape Peninsula:

Embark on a journey along the scenic Cape Peninsula, where rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and charming coastal towns await. Drive along the breathtaking Chapman's Peak Drive, explore the Cape Point Nature Reserve, and visit the adorable African penguins at Boulders Beach. Don't miss the opportunity to take a dip in the refreshing waters of the Atlantic Ocean at one of the peninsula's many beautiful beaches.

Robben Island:

Delve into South Africa's rich history with a visit to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former political prison. Take a ferry from the V&A Waterfront to the island and tour the prison complex, where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists were once incarcerated. Hear firsthand accounts from former political prisoners and gain insight into the country's struggle for freedom and democracy.

Cape Winelands:

Indulge your senses with a day trip to the Cape Winelands, where lush vineyards, historic estates, and award-winning wines await. Explore charming towns such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, and sample a variety of wines and gourmet cuisine at some of the region's finest wineries. Don't forget to savour the stunning scenery of rolling hills and mountain ranges that make the Cape Winelands a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens:

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Located at the foot of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch boasts an impressive collection of indigenous plants, including rare and endangered species. Take a stroll along winding paths, discover unique garden sculptures, and enjoy a picnic amidst the breathtaking natural surroundings.

Township Tour:

Gain insight into Cape Town's diverse cultural landscape with a township tour, where you'll have the opportunity to visit vibrant communities such as Langa, Khayelitsha, or Imizamo Yethu. Meet with residents, learn about their traditions and customs, and support local businesses as you explore the streets, markets, and cultural centres of these dynamic neighbourhoods.

Cape Town City Tour:

Discover the rich history, vibrant culture, and iconic landmarks of Cape Town on a city tour. Visit historic sites such as the Company's Garden, Castle of Good Hope, and District Six Museum, and explore the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap with its distinctive Cape Malay architecture. Whether you're wandering through bustling markets or admiring street art in the city's vibrant neighbourhoods, there's always something new and exciting to discover in Cape Town.

Conclusion:

Cape Town Tours Packages promises an unforgettable journey filled with breathtaking scenery, rich history, and vibrant culture. Whether you're hiking to the summit of Table Mountain, exploring the charming coastal towns of the Cape Peninsula, or indulging in wine tasting in the Cape Winelands, the experiences that await you in the Mother City are sure to leave a lasting impression. So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in Cape Town, South Africa.