#I literally walked past this building during a protest on Sunday

[nowshesdoingitallthetime]

This is literally our country’s equivalent to notre dame burning what the fuck did I just wake up to

(Pictures below are of the building and fire) ((Tw: Fire!!!!))

[southeastasianists]

Last September, I drove for four hours from Jakarta to a small town in western Java, staying one night in a Javanese-styled hotel at the foot of Mt. Ciremai, a 3,000-meter volcano on Java. When I got to Cisantana, I journeyed down a stone path, looking for the Mother Mary shrine. It was a welcome surprise to see this Catholic shrine, equipped with a tropical version of the Via Dolorosa—the route believed to have been taken by Jesus through Jerusalem to Calvary—and supported by electricity coming from a nearby Islamic boarding school.

The presence of such a shrine was all the more surprising in West Java, one of Indonesia’s most conservative Muslim provinces, where attacks against Christians, Ahmadis, and other religious minorities frequently make headlines in local news. Attacks against women’s rights, private gay parties, and transgender crowds are not uncommon.

I continued walking past avocado farms, a banana plantation, and cornfields and finally came upon an open space where a handful of Sundanese women and men were working to construct a tomb.

They were very pleasant. “It’s a quiet day today,” an elderly man said to me. They were taking a break and welcomed me to sit in their bamboo hut with a fire stove.

A woman showed me phone videos of the work they did with more than 100 volunteers, who used wooden poles and bamboo to bring several huge stones from a nearby river to this spot, which is inaccessible by road. They called the tomb “Batu Satangtung” or the “Human Stone,” intended for their elderly religious leader and his wife.

I imagined the makers of Stonehenge might have used similar methods two or three millennia ago in England.

The Sundanese people are from West Java, a province of about 40 million. They are the second largest ethnic group in Indonesia, after the neighbouring Javanese. The volunteers I met are not only Sundanese but of the ethnic-religious group Sunda Wiwitan. The name literally means “early Sunda” or “real Sunda.” Its practitioners assert that Sunda Wiwitan has been part of the Sundanese way of life since before the arrival of Hinduism and Islam.

Why were they building the tomb here? Ela Romlah, the woman with the videos, told me that in 1937 and 1938, when Mt. Ciremai was expected to erupt, Pangeran Madrais—then the leader of this group—and his followers climbed the mountain, carrying a set of gamelan instruments. He and hundreds of his musicians played the gamelan on the mountain for months. They believed their music and prayer stopped the eruption. “They then set up a camp at the foot of the mountain. It was here in Curug Goong.”

Madrais was an inspirational cleric, interpreting old Sundanese and Javanese beliefs. He helped establish the community in 1925.

The Dutch colonial officials in charge at the time were not amused to see this kind of independent behaviour. They tried to prevent hundreds of Sundanese people from staying at Curug Goong. But they said nothing when Mt. Ciremai calmed down.

In August 1945, at the end of World War II, Indonesia’s independence leaders adopted a constitution that vowed to protect all Indonesian citizens equally. But they also reached a political compromise with conservative Muslims, including Wahid Hasjim, the chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama. The agreement, designed to avoid setting up an Islamic state, established the Ministry of Religious Affairs to be “the bridge” between Muslims and the state. The compromise was called Pancasila.

In Garut, about four hours’ drive from Curug Goong, Islamist militants were not satisfied with this and declared the Darul Islam (Islamic State) movement in August 1949, vowing to implement their version of Sharia in Indonesia. From 1950 to 1958, Darul Islam conducted a failed guerrilla campaign in West Java that nonetheless attracted some popular support. They attacked not only the Indonesian military but also religious minorities.

In response, Wahid Hasjim, the minister of religious affairs, adopted a 1952 decree to differentiate between “kepercayaan” (faith) and “agama” (religion). In Indonesian vocabulary, “aliran kepercayaan” is officially used to cover multiple minor religions and spiritual movements. Hasjim decreed that “aliran kepercayaan” are “dogmatic ideas, intertwined with the living customs of various ethnic groups, especially among those who are still underdeveloped, whose main beliefs are the customs of their ancestors throughout the ages.”

Meanwhile, “agama” was defined according to monotheistic understandings. If a community is to be recognised as “religious,” it must adhere to “an internationally recognised monotheistic creed; taught by a prophet through the scriptures.” In this way the decree discriminates against non-monotheistic religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Bahaism, Zoroastrianism and hundreds of local religions and spiritual movements in Indonesia.

In West Java, the Sunda Wiwitan people faced two serious challenges: the Darul Islam militants, who repeatedly intimidated and attacked them, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which actively tried to align “underdeveloped religions” such as theirs with Christianity or Islam.

In 1954, Darul Islam militants attacked the Sunda Wiwitan base in Kuningan. “They managed to burn our paseban (communal spaces) including the kitchen and the garages but fortunately not the main hall,” she said. “They forced our members to convert to Islam,” said Dewi Kanti, a great granddaughter of Madrais.

Similar intimidation and violence took place in neighbouring regencies Tasikmalaya, Banjar, and Garut. Dewi’s grandfather, Pangeran Tedja Buwana, who succeeded Madrais, fled Kuningan to Bandung.

Darul Islam also sent militants into Jakarta. On November 30, 1957, President Sukarno attended a school function at which a Darul Islam militant threw a grenade. Sukarno was unharmed, but six schoolchildren died.

Even after Darul Islam had been militarily defeated, eight Darul Islam militants mingled with a Muslim congregation during a prayer service inside the State Palace on May 14, 1962. They fired shots at Sukarno but missed, hitting one of his bodyguards and a Muslim scholar instead.

Muslim conservatives continued their opposition to smaller religions and spiritual movements. To placate hardliners, Sukarno banned the Indonesian Freemasons (Vrijmetselaren-Loge) along with six so-called “affiliates,” without providing evidence of any illegal links: the Bahai Indonesia organisation, the Divine Life Society, the Moral Rearmament Movement, the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, the Rotary Club and the Democracy League, a non-religious organisation considered to be critical of Sukarno. The Rotary Club was accused of being a Zionist group; this was essentially  a conspiracy theory intended to connect the Freemasons to the six organisations.

In June 1964, the Kuningan authorities declared Sunda Wiwitan marriages illegal. The Kuningan prosecutor’s office later detained nine believers—a priest and eight young grooms who married in Sundanese Wiwitan rituals—for several months.

Anticipating increased hostilities, Tedja Buwana, who had returned from Bandung, left the Sunda Wiwitan faith, joined the Catholic church and used their paseban as a church. His move prompted 5,000 Sunda Wiwitan believers to convert to Catholicism, according to a researcher, Cornelius Iman Sukmana, himself a Catholic in Kuningan, who wrote a book about the Sunda Wiwitan and the Catholic church.

“It was an important decision. My grandfather saved thousands of our members from accusations of atheism,” said Dewi Kanti, referring to massacres of the communists between 1965 and 1969. “We can’t imagine what would have happened if he didn’t do it.”

Decades later, when the situation finally calmed down, many of these Sunda Wiwitan people, including Dewi Kanti, openly, but not offficially, re-converted to Sunda Wiwitan. Many who converted away from Christianity still go to Sunday mass and wear a cross around their necks. But inside their pockets, they also have Sunda Wiwitan pendants (a mountain, an eagle and two snakes).

“It is common in Kuningan to meet a single family with several religions,” said a vendor near the shrine.

As I walked down from the tomb, I wondered if these conversions and re-conversions prove that religious identity is not a zero-sum game. Identity is somehow imagined like a container with a fixed volume; if you have more of one identity, you have less of another. The Sunda Wiwitan people showed me that they could expand the container and have multiple identities. Thinking of it from this perspective, it is no surprise that I found a tropical Via Dolorosa and an Islamic boarding school near the tomb construction.

The 1965 Blasphemy Law

In downtown Kuningan, I drove to the paseban area, looking at the beautiful wooden hall and sipping a smooth ginger-lemon tea while chatting with Okky Satrio Djati, a Catholic Javanese, who had married the Sunda Wiwitan leader Dewi Kanti almost two decades earlier.

Djati and I used to work together in a newsroom during the Suharto era, publishing online samizdat and managing a mobile internet server. He went to Kuningan in 1998 when President Suharto was facing the mass protests at the height of the Asian economic crisis and helped hide political activists fleeing trouble.

Djati is now a Sunda Wiwitan member, speaking Sundanese, burning incense and sometimes performing midnight prayers in a nearby mountain. “He seems to be more Sundanese than me,” said Kanti, with a giggle.

Djati helps his wife deal with the discrimination that many Sunda Wiwitan members face. “My husband chose Catholicism as his official religion,” Kanti said. “But he practices Kejawen faith. If we insisted on marrying with our own (real) religions, we wouldn’t have birth certificates for our children, or at least, not with my husband’s name on them.”

Under Indonesia’s legal system, an ethnic believer cannot put their kepercayaan on the agama column of their national ID cards and thus cannot legally marry unless they change their kepercayaan to a recognised religion. In these cases, they leave a blank space in the religion column of the card and the civil registration office does not recognise paternity because the couples are not officially married.

Problems for religious minorities escalated in January 1965 when President Sukarno issued a decree that prohibited people from being hostile toward religions or committing blasphemy, which is defined as “abuse” and “desecration” of a religion. Sukarno decreed that the government would steer “mystical sects … toward a healthy way of thinking and believing in the One and Only God.” The decree, which gave official approval only to Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism, was immediately incorporated into the Criminal Code as article 156(a), with a maximum penalty of five years in prison. This has had disastrous effects until the present.

After deposing Sukarno, Suharto and his regime enforced the 1952 decree, which also requires a religion to have a holy book, leading to many bizarre stories of “religious alignment.” In Kalimantan, Dayak tribal leaders created the Panaturan –a collection of Dayak ancestral wisdom compiled into a single “holy book.” This required the creation of a clergy, so Dayak priests were trained. Religious rituals once held in fields and homes were moved into new worship halls called Balai Basarah. But most importantly, Kaharingan religious leaders had to choose a permitted religion to align with. They chose Hinduism, and thus became “Kaharingan Hindu.” But do not ask them about Ganesh or karma!

President Suharto’s wrote about his own Javanese Kejawen faith and Islam in his 1989 authorised biography. He described the syncretism common among the Javanese, conducting his Islamic prayers and celebrating Islamic holidays while also meditating in the sacred places of the Javanese traditions when he wanted to make major decision.

On September 7, 1974, three months before the East Timor invasion, Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam met Suharto in a villa in Mt. Dieng, Java Island, where Suharto was meditating in the Semar Cave, which is named after a mythical Javanese character with whom Suharto identified. That cave is still regarded as sacred. When I visited in 2019 it was locked—the villa is now a museum where photos of the Suharto-Whitlam meeting are displayed. Showing a more open mind towards religious minorities, in 1978, Suharto created a directorate within the Ministry of Education and Culture to service these local religions, telling the Indonesian parliament, “These kepercayaan are part of our national tradition, and need not to be opposed to agama.”

Yet even under a strongman, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, technically in charge of religions, resisted and maintained its opposition to local religions. They have refused to include kepercayaan within their domain and have promoted the inclusion of these believers into monotheistic realms. One reason Muslim groups refuse to recognise kepercayaan is their concern that the percentage of Muslims (88 percent) in Indonesia may decline, threatening their majority status.

In Kuningan, the new atmosphere under Suharto prompted the Sunda Wiwitan to re-convert to their native faith. Some of them legally left the Catholic church. Some maintain the practice of two religions, living with multiple identities. In 1982, the faith registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture’s directorate, seeking government services along with President Suharto’s accommodation of ethnic believers.

During the weekend I spent talking with Kanti, Djati and other Sunda Wiwitan believers, young and old, women and men, I witnessed the pain of the discrimination they faced and the cost of religious intolerance to people full of tolerance themselves.

It is fascinating to see a small religion resisting the power of the state. While Suharto took some important steps to protect religious freedom, it would have been better still if he had shown the moral courage to rescind the blasphemy law and the idiosyncratic and dangerous definition of religion from the Sukarno era. Sadly, Suharto’s successors have also failed to find the necessary political will.

Post-Suharto Discrimination

Jarwan is the only Sundanese man who stays overnight to guard the Sunda Wiwitan tomb in Curug Goong. He is a well-built man, keeping a motorcycle and several guard dogs in the bamboo hut.

“Someone has to stay here,” he said. “I am the youngest of the elders.”

In July 2020, the Kuningan government sealed off the tomb, declaring that the Sunda Wiwitan group had no permit to build “a monument.” Dozens of Sunni Muslim militants accompanied government officials to seal the tomb, saying that “the monument” is idolatrous.

Sunda Wiwitan members argue that the construction is not a “monument” but rather a “tomb” prepared for two of their elders, Dewi Kanti’s parents, Pangeran Djati Kusumah, and Emalia Wigarningsih. “It’s built on their own land. There is no regulation here to ban anyone to have cemeteries on our own land,” Djati said.

This is not an unfamiliar scene in many Muslim-majority provinces in Indonesia. Rights monitors have recorded hundreds of incidents like this involving Sunni militant groups, whose thuggish harassment and assaults on houses of worship and members of religious minorities have become increasingly aggressive. Those targeted include Ahmadis, Christians, and Shia Muslims. To give just one grisly example, on May 13-14, 2018, Islamist suicide bombers detonated explosives at three Christian churches in Surabaya. The bombings killed at least 12 and wounded at least 50 people. Thirteen suicide bombers also died.

In 2006 the government introduced regulations for building permits for houses of worship, prompting Muslim protesters to demand the closure of “illegal churches.” Hundreds of churches were closed. Some Christian congregations won lawsuits allowing them to build, but local governments simply ignored  court rulings. GKI Yasmin Protestant Church in Bogor was shut down in 2008. The congregation won the case at the Supreme Court in 2010 and then-President Yudhoyono asked the local government to reopen the church, but the city government defied the orders, without consequence.

By contrast, in 2010 the Religious Affairs Ministry listed 243,199 mosques throughout Indonesia, around 78 percent of all houses of worship. Recently an ongoing government census using drones and photography has registered at least 554,152 mosques, suggesting that the number of mosques has more than doubled in a decade.

The hardline Islamist preacher, Rizieq Shihab, has just returned to Indonesia from self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia. He then called on his supporters “to behead blasphemers;” on November 27 an Islamist group attacked a village in Sigi, Sulawesi island, beheading a Salvation Army elder and three of his relatives. The attackers also burned a Salvation Army church and six other Christian-owned houses. No action has been taken against Rizieq for inciting violence, although police arrested him for breaking coronavirus restrictions.

Threats and speeches that incite violence are facilitated by Indonesia’s discriminatory laws and regulations. They give local majority religious populations significant leverage over religious minority communities. Compounding this, institutions including the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Coordinating Board for Monitoring Mystical Beliefs in Society (Bakor Pakem) under the Attorney General’s Office, the Religious Harmony Forum, and the semi-official Indonesian Ulema Council have issued decrees and fatwas (religious rulings) against members of religious minorities, and frequently press for the prosecution of “blasphemers.”

Recent targets of the blasphemy law include three former leaders of the Gafatar religious community, prosecuted following the violent, forced eviction in 2016 of more than 7,000 members of the group from their farms on Kalimantan. A more prominent target was former Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Purnama, sentenced to a two-year prison term for blasphemy in a politically motivated case in May 2017. His longtime friend and ally, President Joko Widodo, simply stood by, afraid of the wrath of radical conservatives.

Violence against religious minorities and government failures to take decisive action negate guarantees of religious freedom in the Indonesian constitution and international law, including core international human rights conventions ratified by Indonesia. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Indonesia acceded to in 2005, provides that “persons belonging to…minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion.”

Throughout there have been occasional and modest examples of progress. The Rotary Club began operating again in 1970 after Sukarno died. In 2000, President Abdurrahman Wahid, the eldest son of Hasjim Wahid, cancelled President Sukarno’s 1962 decree banning the Freemasons and alleged associate organisations. After more than a dozen members were detained under the law during the New Order, the Bahai community has since been able to revive their network; however, they have been denied permission to build a temple so they continue to worship in private homes.

A major reform took place in 2006 when President Yudhoyono signed the Population Administrative Law, which no longer requires kepercayaan believers to convert to official religions to be listed on ID cards. But many civil servants are still not aware of or ignore the law, so religious minorities face problems if they refuse to choose one of the six religions that these officials recognise. “They simply say you’re a godless woman if you want to keep the [religion] column blank,” said Kanti, whose ID card has a blank space after the word agama.

In Kuningan, Indonesia’s Ombudsman finally helped mediate the dispute between the Sunda Wiwitan community and the local government, prompting the local authorities to lift the seal on the site and permitting the group to continue constructing the tomb.

The Ombudsman’s Office also helped the Dayak Kaharingan, pressuring several local governments to drop decades of discrimination. Ombudsman Ahmad Suaedy said in a webinar: “The key issue is that they [local religious groups] should get public service. The religious minorities should take courage to report their difficulties.”

In 2017, four Indonesian citizens petitioned the Constitutional Court, demanding the right to have their religions listed on their ID cards. They represented four Indigenous religions including the Marapu  (Sumba ), the Sapto Darmo (Java ), and the Parmalim and the Ugamo Bangsa Batak (Sumatra). On November 7, 2017, the court ruled in their favour.

But the Ulama Council objected to the decision. The Ministry of Home Affairs, which issues and manages ID cards, has since failed to implement the court decision. The Ulama Council argued that the ruling “hurts the feeling of the Islamic ummah,” but it is not clear on what legal grounds the ministry refuses to do its duty.

Separately, the Constitutional Court rejected three petitions to revoke the blasphemy law between 2009 and 2018, declaring that religious freedom was subject to certain limitations to preserve public order (former President Abdurrahman Wahid joined the lawsuit in 2009). Those limitations, the court stated in its 2010 decision, were to be defined by “religious scholars,” thereby outsourcing the rights of minorities to unelected members of the majority religion.

There are more than 180 ethnic-religious communities spanning from Sumatra to the smaller islands in eastern Indonesia. They are estimated to encompass around 10 to 12 million people, although the 2010 census recorded only 299,617 people or 0.13 percent of Indonesians claiming to be exclusively ethnic believers. It is still hard and even dangerous to publicly declare one’s religion in Indonesia.

Indeed, it is gruelling work to battle against both government officials and the Sunni ulama. Spineless politicians, feckless government bureaucrats, and narrow-minded ulama officials hamper the development of democracy and human rights in Indonesia.

Jarwan in Curug Goong knows very well that he cannot rely on the government or anyone else to protect the tomb he stands guard over. “We have seen this mistreatment and intimidation for decades. We must guard our sacred places ourselves.

[starship-squidlet]

Twelfth Night: Chapter Eleven, Pipers Piping

Summary: Back to work after Christmas! Things are a little tense, but everyone is just ready for the show to end...

Word count: 1,722

Disclaimer: Twelfth Night Preface

Tag list: @the-cowbi @prettyinlimegreenboots @fifty-for-the-racer @aggressive-bucky-barnes-stan (ask to be added/removed!)

A/N: Second to last chapter! This story has flown by so fast... I’m going to post the preface to the next story (The Green Fields of France, which will start posting 1/14 probably) I’m working on either tonight or tomorrow, so if you’re interested in being tagged in that please let me know!!! The sequel to Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will becoming at some point towards the end of February/early March, so keep an eye out for that as well!!! (Also coming soon: Space Pirates AU, and the New Music spinoff #2 and sequel!) Feel free to reach out and chat if you’re interested in knowing more about any of those, or if you want to be tagged when they’re posted!!!

Anyways, I hope this chapter isn’t too boring! It’s a lot of exposition and internal monologue because... at this point in a show... that’s about all you feel like doing 😂

Joke of the Day: What’s black and white and black and white and black and white and black and white and black and white? A penguin rolling down a hil!!!

Previous chapter: Lords A-Leaping

Next chapter: Drummers Drumming

No-one wanted to go to work on the twenty-sixth. Since Christmas Day had been so drowsy, they’d all had a hard time sleeping that night, so dragging themselves out of bed to get ready for work had been challenging. There was no lack of envy for Will, Alden, and Alan, who didn’t have to be in until two hours later than the others, although they still got up at the same time in a show of solidarity. Jack, Crutchie, and Elaine had to drag themselves down the block to the parking lot, almost completely silent save for the odd yawn or wordless grumble that escaped as they drove to the theatre. Inside, everyone else was just as still and quiet as they were—a “Christmas hangover”, as Race put it.

Jack moved through his pre-show preparations like he was moving through soup. Everything seemed more difficult than it should be, even simple things like rolling the cart-mounted carousel horses across the wagon house or rigging the carnival games. Elaine trudged through the wagon house, dragging the z-rack full of freshly-pressed dress shirts and scowling as the first performers began to arrive and fill the wagon house with their chatter—although even they weren’t as loud as normal. Not that anyone on the crew was complaining about that.

The only group that had even close to its normal level of energy was the child and teenage performers, who burst through the door in small packs, each one its own explosion of noise and color and force. Behind one of the little groups—the one containing one Leslie Jacobs—Jack had to hide a grin at the sight of an utterly exhausted-looking Davey Jacobs. When Davey caught sight of Jack, he perked up and smiled, giving the other man a small wave, before vanishing into the stairwell. A few minutes later, he was back, and sat down next to Jack on the bench by the stage right door with a sigh.

“How was your break?” Jack laughed.

“Well, we kind of crammed everything about Hanukkah—besides the candles; we did those during Hanukkah, but didn’t have time for anything else between working and finals and everything—into the past three days, and spent a lot of time on video chat with our parents. They wanted to come home, but decided it was probably best to just wait until the show closed because a lot of the time a second round of sick goes through in the last week just because everyone’s exhausted.”

“Great,” Jack groaned.

They watched Albert and Elaine walk past and pointedly ignore each other. Both of them arched their eyebrows at the odd interaction—or, rather, lack thereof—and watched the two head their separate directions.

“That was weird,” Davey observed.

“Yeah… I’m not really sure what it’s about. They were fine earlier.” Jack looked around and waved JoJo over. “Hey, what’s up with Albert and Elaine.”

JoJo shrugged. “Who knows. We’re all exhausted. They always fight when they’re tired. It’s probably nothing.”

Before the break, Jack had thought that the final Sunday’s show had been the slowest of the run. He had been wrong. The first show back was the slowest one—literally and figuratively; not only did it feel like it was dragging on, but, upon checking the time on his phone (repeatedly) he realized that was actually taking longer than normal to get through the show.

“Does the music sound slower to you?” he asked Race and Albert at one point as they moved the stage right house into place for a scene.

“Definitely,” Race grumbled.

“Even the band is out of patience with the show,” said Albert.

The second act, despite the high-energy start with the dancing and singing elves, things seemed to get even slower. From Race’s headset, Jack could hear the stage manager complaining about the lack of energy and speed—very loudly—and had to laugh. There was nothing to be done about it, after all.

The second show wasn’t much better, although the tempo picked up a little bit. They were still a few minutes longer than their normal run time, but had halved the amount of time that the day’s first show ran over.

For the rest of the week, things slowly moved closer and closer to normal. Everyone was still quiet and a bit lackluster, but the onstage energy picked up considerably the more shows they did—and the closer to closing they got. No-one ever figured out why Elaine and Albert were mad at each other, and Jack had a sneaking suspicion even the two of them wouldn’t have been able to answer if asked, but they were back to their normal scheming selves in a few days. Jack and Race decided to thank Mike, Ike, and JoJo for that, as another snowball war had been started—although this one was a stealth version that involved sneaking up on people before, after, and between shows; during intermissions; and even during lulls in the shows themselves and snipe-shotting one’s opponent with one of the little stuffed snowballs. Elaine always had a snow-puff in one of her apron pockets, and Albert kept at least one in the cargo pockets of his pants at all times. Jack guessed that Mike, Ike, JoJo, and Romeo—who was drawn into the war a little later—kept them on their persons most of the time as well. He never quite got used to the sight of fist-sized balls of fluff flying past his face in the middle of carrying props across the wagon house, usually followed by a startled yelp.

To everyone’s surprise, Elaine was the best participant in the war, and, when they were scolded by Weisel and called the competition off, she was declared MVP. Despite self-professed bad aim and poor depth perception—which the others could confirm, as other accuracy-based games that were played amongst the crew had illustrated her poor performance in these categories over the past months—she was scarily accurate with the light snow-puffs. It became common for her opponents to be in the middle of a conversation only to have a small ball of fiberfill and faux fur hit them in the back or head and to see a giggling, grinning Elaine dart around a corner or into a stairwell on the far side of the wagon house.

As they counted down to their final show, it was almost like everyone’s breath was held at the same time. The shows started to get faster now, and the protests by the stage manager over headset became pleas to slow down rather than speed up. Even the dancers commented on the increase in tempo, coming off from the tap number and elf sections breathless, sweaty, and laughing. A new energy seemed to be building up amongst both cast and crew, and Jack felt himself getting caught up in it without even noticing, the sort of energy that came with a storm on the horizon, with a wave about to crest in the ocean—with any sort of impending change.

Yet, with that nervous energy came an odd undercurrent of sorrow. As awful as so many of the parts of the show and its run had felt, as draining as the experience had been, as much as Jack wanted to be able to take a few days and just sleep—even though he knew that half of January was packed full of concerts and tours so he wouldn’t be able to do so for long—he was sad to see the show ending. Les Mis hadn’t felt like this, at least not that he could remember. He had felt ambivalent to tear that set apart after the final show, and happy to run his track for the final time. He wasn’t sure if it was because he had spent more time and energy working on the Christmas build, or just because he had grown so much more attached to the people he worked (and lived) with during this run, but he was truly sorry to see it go.

December 29th, 2019 was the second-to-last night of shows. Most of the performers spent more time than usual in the dressing rooms after the show, collecting personal belongings to take home with them. Many of them would be leaving the city or even state the next day, after the final show, heading for jobs at other theatres, as most of them weren’t permanent residents—the exceptions being two of the male singers, along with Alan, Alden, Will, and the show captain—of Santa Fe. One of the kid casts had had their final show the day before and had said tearful goodbyes to the adult cast members, each other, and even some of the crew. Some of them had returned tonight to see some of their friends on the other cast, and another round of tears went through the wagon house. Tonight’s kids cast had laid out their show t-shirts on the wagon house carpet and asked everyone to sign them. To his surprise, even Jack had been asked to sign several, and had reluctantly given in and done so.

Another reason that the ending of the show was particularly bittersweet, for Jack and his roommates, was that Will had told them, a few weeks earlier, that he would be moving back home to London in January, after accepting a job there. Despite jokes about having more space in the apartment and one less person to share the bathroom with, everyone was sad to see him leave, even Jack and Crutchie, despite only having known him for a few months. As the penultimate show drew to a close, Jack couldn’t help but notice Alan, Alden, and Elaine’s misty eyes as they prepared to say goodbye to their long-time friend and partner. He swallowed a lump in his own throat. It would certainly be strange to not hear Will’s accent somehow always discernible through the chatter of the entire cast, or run into him heading for the bathroom in the middle of the night at home. He’d be around for another week before leaving—it wasn’t like he was flying out after the last show, like most of the others, but quite suddenly it felt very much like he was going to be gone before they knew it. Maybe, Jack thought, that the show they had almost felt would go on forever was finally coming to an end…

[kumkaniudaku]

No Nut November

A/N: Shoutout to the anon that requested this. I hope you enjoy!

"Stop it!"

"No, you stop!"

"You were saying don't stop earlier today. Which one is it?"

"Shut up!"

Like high school sweethearts, CoCo and Chadwick sat together in their therapist's office, giggling and sharing small touches. Things had been almost perfect as they counted the days until their wedding. Aside from minor spats that were handled using the tools they learned in therapy, the friends turned lovers were enjoying the fruits of a healthy relationship.

Dr. Barea quietly walked into the office, unbeknownst to her favorite couple before stopping to observe their conversation.

"Ya know, when you two are on the same page, it's a beautiful thing to see." She smiled as Tasha timidly pulled away from Chadwick only for him to scoot closer and drape an arm around her shoulder. "Oh, don't stop on account of me. Continue the love fest!"

"We're just trying to make you proud. You've done a lot for us."

"Always a pleasure," Andrea laughed. "Well, since we're all smiles, it's only right that we have a free session. What's going on in the lives of my favorite, almost married couple?"

Tasha looked over at Chadwick and smiled, "We're thinking about moving in together early. It feels right. We're happy and spending every day together." Finally, looking away from her fiancé's loving gaze, she gave Andrea her full attention. "What do you think? Are we ready?"

"I think you're on the right track. How've you two been dealing with disagreement lately?"

"We're applying the listen, learn, level approach," Chadwick gushed while gripping Tasha's knee.

Andrea quickly jotted the small gesture in her notebook as she took in his statement. "Great. And how has that helped? Any discoveries?"

"I learned that Tasha just needs a moment to blow off steam before we talk."

"And I learned that Aaron prefers to solve problems in the moment, no matter how long it takes."

Dr. Barea watched Tasha's hand float to Chadwick's inner thigh and rest for a moment before her thumb began a gentle stroke. Noting the third instance of PDA, she sat forward in her chair.

"Tell me, how often are you two having sex?" Chadwick let off a surprised cough while Tasha's eyes bulged from her head. "What? We're cool here. I would guess maybe 3-4 times a week?"

"Higher," Tasha suggested.

"More than five?"

"Try twice a day."

It was Andrea's turn to be surprised as she forced herself into taking a sip from her coffee mug. "Wow. Okay. Um...woah. Where do you find the time?!"

"Before work, after work, getting dressed... Sunday's are usually empty."

"There was that one time during your lunch too."

"Oh yeah! I forgot about that."

Their therapist sat in stunned silence, mentally taking notes for both their file and her husband at home. She allowed them to run through several scenarios before lifting her hands in surrender.

"Okay! Shouldn't have asked," she laughed. "So, that's what's been keeping you two happy."

"I mean, we like each other too, now. Sex is just the cherry on top."

"Right. Of course. Out of curiosity, though, how often do you hang out? No sex at any point together."

"Last weekend," Tasha proclaimed. Her proud smile soon dissipated once the realization hit. "Wait, no. We had sex later that night."

"What about dinner with your friends last month?"

"No, we had sex in the car when we left."

Chadwick whispered, 'oh yeah' before sitting back to think. "Maybe when we had lunch on Monday. But then again…"

"Do you see my point," Andrea laughed. "Is sex the only way to enjoy each other? Trust me; I understand the bliss of engagement. Still, I'm afraid that your relationship's entire existence is wrapped in physical pleasure instead of the genuine enjoyment of your partner. Would you agree?"  

CoCo and Chad sat in silence, understanding Andrea's sentiment but not wanting to admit she was right. She could sense the smoldering stubbornness which fueled her next move.

"Let's cut this session short so that you guys can jump on what might be my favorite homework assignment to date." Dr. Barea stopped short to drink from her mug amid protests from her clients. "Today is November 1st, and I want you two to cease all sexual activity until the end of the month. That includes solo fun."

"What!"

Andrea laughed at Chadwick and Tasha's simultaneous response and decided to show some mercy. "Okay, until Thanksgiving. But you'll get extra moral points if you can hold out for the entire month. In that time of abstinence, you are not allowed to decrease the time spent together. Carry out your routines as normal. I suggest you test out your moving in theory. Spend some time together outside of the bedroom and see what happens. I guarantee you'll be rewarded."

After several minutes of bargaining that ended in disappointment from the couple, Tasha and Chadwick left the office angry and strangely aroused. The mere sight of each other doing otherwise mundane tasks heightened the sexual tension between the two as they settled into Tasha's condo to live together for the month. Silent prayers as they piled into bed and attempted to cuddle were sent to God to ask for strength to keep their hands to themselves.

It was going to be a long month.

WEEK ONE

Chadwick stood at the bottom of the stairs in CoCo's condo, holding her heels and keys to help her as she rushed out of the house. Sleeping in the same bed without touching was beginning to affect her sleep pattern, leading to several restless nights and late starts.

"Oh my God, babe, I am fucked." Both of them caught the unintended second meaning and shivered at their sad sex life. "Well, shit, at least if I were literally fucked, being late would feel better."

"Only two more days left in the week before we make it to week two."

"Which means only two more weeks until you can take me to pound town."

Shaking his head at her joke, Chadwick extended his hand to provide balance for CoCo to slip into her shoes.

"I can't wait. But for now, you need to go to work."

It wasn't abnormal for them to leave each other with a quick kiss in the mornings, but today felt...different. The hard lines spanning Chadwick's body seemed to create the perfect grooves for the soft curves of Tasha's body. Their lips lingered a bit longer than usual as they fought an inner battle for restraint.

CoCo let go of a small moan and a shaky breath before pulling away. "I...I have to go. I can't suck your dick right now. I can't! Stop asking!"

"Wha…?" Chadwick started as she dashed to the front door.

Looking back, she bit her lip and shook her head, "I said, stop asking!"

The door slamming shook the coat rack beside it and left Chadwick in total shock with a small smile on his face. "Wow, I'm in love with a crazy woman."

WEEK TWO

"Babe, can you bring the shrimp over here? The pan is ready."

Following instructions, Chadwick navigated the quaint kitchen to deliver the cutting board to its destination. In two weeks of living together with no sexual contact, Chadwick suggested an indoor date night in an attempt to reduce the tension in the house. He knew it was time for a change when watching CoCo clean the kitchen counter one night made him more excited than he should've been. Being in the same room and smelling her perfume would make him tingle with excitement until he realized that he wouldn't be able to get any closer.

Making his way across the kitchen, he stopped short when he reached the stove.

"Co, I can't bring this to you. I'm sorry."

"Boy, stop playing and bring me the damn food. This butter is gonna burn!"

Chadwick found himself in a pickle. He could refuse to bring the item a second time, but that would end in anger and an empty stomach. Or, he could slide past Tasha's backside as risk losing all sense of himself once their bodies came in contact. Taking a deep breath, he told himself to choose the latter option to prove that he could withstand the temptation.

He planned to move quickly without looking down. If he couldn't see the forbidden fruit, he wouldn't feel the urge to bite. He nearly succeeded until a sudden shift in CoCo's stance left him butt to crotch with filthy thoughts tormenting his brain.

"Shit," he whispered as the bowl roughly collided with the countertop, sending some of the shrimp tumbling onto the counter.

"Are you okay? Did you trip?"

As CoCo attempted to turn around, Chadwick anchored his hands on the counter and shook his head. "Don't move! Stay right there. Give me a moment." Another shift on her heels made his body stiffen at the sensation. "Baby, please! Stop moving!"

"What do you want me to do!"

"Moan my name," he breathed out.

"What?!" Craning her neck around, she found him with his eyes clamped shut and lips parted to draw in shallow breaths. "Are you aroused right now?"

"I'm aroused all day, Co! Now moan my name."

"You know what, you can finish cooking. I'm going back to the living room."

Tasha made it a point to press her body into his as she left the area, forcing him to deal with the pain of rejection and an unattended erection alone.

WEEK THREE

The sexual energy in the house was at an all-time high to match the building tension. Small infractions would create an argument in seconds that forced them to institute the listen, learn, and level method more than before. As the end of the challenge approached, they found that they were spending time together without thought of sex, forcing them to cut physical contact short.

With Twister spread across the living room floor, Chadwick and CoCo's Friendsgiving game night raged on with the lovers locked in a winner takes all battle of bending prowess.

"Okay, Tash," Devin hollered over the noise. "Right hand on green!"

Looking around the board, CoCo smiled and began to move her hand, "You gone have to come harder than that, this ain't nothin' but a little lunge."

Her move placed her in a comfortable position with her feet shoulder-width apart and her palms on the ground a few spots ahead of her body.

"Tasha has assumed the position. Chad, your turn. Left hand on yellow."

With both of his feet on separate red dots, Chadwick searched for a comfortable spot to place his hands. Those watching the game sat in silence while he made his decision. Finally, his hand landed on the dot behind Tasha's left elbow, forcing him to hover over his fianceé slightly. Instantly, they were transported into a moment that featured fewer people and even less clothing.

The downward dog variation made them shiver with the contact. Tasha could feel the weight of Chadwick's body on her back, the same weight that would trap her to the bed as he explored the depths of her body. His touch made her light-headed and sent her body collapsing to the ground. Her sudden fall caused him to tumble on top of her with a thud.

Sprawled across the floor, the lovers fought to catch their breath.

"So, does that mean both of them lost?"

"I think it means we need to let them have a moment."

Slowly, the crowd began to thin out, leaving them on the ground in separate dazes. Tasha was the first to snap out of her trance and turn her head to address Chadwick.

"In one week, I want you back on this floor without those pants."

Smiling, he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. "It's a date."

WEEK FOUR - THANKSGIVING

A long day of family friends and food kept Chadwick and CoCo away from home until the wee hours of the morning. Both of them wore a goofy smile as they used each other to stumble into the condo buzzing from the Rose served at their final stop.

"I'm gonna go put this pie in the kitchen," Tasha announced as she made her way across the room. "You want water?"

"Yes, please. My mouth feels like cotton."

Chadwick made short work of securing the door before joining CoCo at the kitchen counter. Her growling stomach overruled her plan to save the sweet potato treat for the next day. She was so into her food that it took her several moments to notice her partner staring at her.

"What," she asked with her mouth full of food.

"I'm excited for us to have Thanksgiving in one house one day soon. Our families under one roof with some kids that look like us running around."

CoCo chuckled before shoveling another bite of food into her mouth. "And you coming to the kitchen to steal food. I see your vision."

"Speaking of, let me taste some of that."

Tasha watched Chadwick lean across the barrier between them with her lip trapped beneath her teeth. He moved with the type of smooth confidence that made her heart flutter every time. When his face was close enough to feel the warmth of his breath on her skin, CoCo lifted her fork to feed him a piece of her dessert.

Watching his tongue escape his mouth to accept the food before using it to lick his lips was a moment that became far more sexual than intended.

A glimpse of the clock across the room made the gears of Chadwick's mind turn. "What time is it?"

"2:00 am. Why?"

Taking a swipe of sweet potato from atop the crust, Chadwick held it between their lips and smiled. "We made it to the finish line. How should we celebrate?" His index finger slowly swiped pie filling across CoCo's bottom lip to watch her repeat his earlier display. The moment she finished, he pulled her face closer to taste for himself. Sparks flew behind their eyelids as they settled into the significance of the moment. Pulling away left them breathless and ready for more.

A split second sent them in a race to throw clothes and shoes around the room and meet each other and around the counter until they were tangled on the cold tile of the kitchen floor.

"Babe, wait," Tasha panted, breaking the kiss to make sure her words were heard.

"What's wrong?"

Smiling, Tasha pressed her lips against his and pointed up at the counter.

"Grab the pie."

---------

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[architectuul]

Three Hours of Kiev’s Modernism

With only three hours to spare, Evan Panagopoulos rushed through Kiev’s complex Socialist Modernist architecture and 20th century history last winter. This is the account of his brief emotional journey in the Ukrainian capital.    

The former Institute of Scientific, Technical and Economic Information in Kiev.

As the chilling wind numbed my face on that cold February morning, I accepted that Kiev was no small town by any measure. I found it to be a gritty and often overwhelming modern metropolis that would keep challenging me. There’s nothing more attractive than a city full of opportunities to push boundaries and ask questions.

The ghostly ferris wheel in Pripyat.

Dwellers abandoned the buildings in Pripyat.

It made perfect sense to invest most of my winter’s daylight inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, that was the plan. The overarching purpose of my trip to the Ukraine was to experience the abandoned magnificence of Pripyat. My visit to the irradiated ghost town was a humbling experience: it’s a testament to man’s occasional failure to command nature.

The abandoned coach station in Pripyat.

But Kiev, which I’d mostly seen through fogged car windows and the sine-qua-non short stroll down the nearest pub, hadn’t ceased beckoning to me from the background. I thought that I’d never forgive myself if I’d miss out on an opportunity to record its extraordinary architecture, and perhaps get a cursory glimpse of its complex past and present along the way.

A vacant apartment block in Pripyat.

I have neither time nor energy left at the point where I commit to rush through Kiev. I’d already spent an incredible 4 days in the Exclusion Zone, ploughing through deep, knee high snow and dodging radiation hot spots. I’d endured freezing temperatures, scaled rusty Soviet radars, and explored crumbling factories and high rises. My body had been screaming for a rest on the long way back to Kiev, but I wasn’t prepared to make an excuse yet: despite having to catch an early afternoon flight next day, I remained determined to see as much of Kiev as I could squeeze into what little time I had left.

It’s 06.30 in the morning as I venture outside. The fog is thick, the temperature is sub-zero, my body is aching, and as the cold wind hits me, I’m questioning my sanity. A few nights before, I found myself trapped for over an hour inside a cab, stuck in one of Kiev’s frequent gridlocks: a contingent of angry young men in military fatigues, brandishing torches and black flags had blocked the entire downtown, marching the streets in protest. Helplessly stuck in traffic, I had plenty of time to ponder the many complexities of Kiev: An entire city unable to commute. An entire nation unable to move on. Stuck in a post-Soviet impasse, the enduring clash between Ukraine’s European aspirations and its many dependencies with Russia has had the country grinding to a halt. Caught in the political crossfire of a simmering state of war, many Ukrainians choose to escape via the obvious side streets: call it ultra-nationalism, call it even worse. But who but the luckiest ever got home faster by venturing into the side streets in a standstill? One of us decides to get out of the taxi and walk. He’ll probably make it home before the rest of us. The smart, decisive minority – it’s always there. I’m hoping there’s one for Ukraine too. 

The hotel Salyut was built in 1984 by the late Avram Miletsky, the most celebrated son of Kyiv when it comes to Socialist Modernist architecture.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to see everything I wanted, so starting location matters. I was lucky to have been repairing at the Hotel Salyut the night before, since it is an agreeable Socialist Modernist marvel, and a well-regarded landmark. It was built in 1984 by the late Avram Miletsky, the most celebrated son of Kyiv when it comes to Socialist Modernist architecture, and it’s incredibly easy to scratch that itch by simply staying the night there. I am standing outside it now, the streets are empty, and it’s dark, foggy and bitterly cold. But it’s definitely worth it: there’s not a living soul around, and here I am, enjoying an exclusive, unobstructed view of Salyut’s modernist majesty as my reward. As it is often the case with visionary architecture, the original, unrealized design was supposed to be a sky scraping three times taller, but funding problems and political bickering meant that the resulting building eventually fell short of Miletsky’s original ambition.

The outdoor terrace of the Palace of Pioneers was destroyed in 2000. | Photo via © Edvard Bilsky

Next to the hotel, Avram Miletsky created together with Edward Bilsky the Palace of Pioneers, another Socialist Modernist gem. The Palace was a place for learning and creative pastime, and consequently also a center for the indoctrination of Soviet youth to communist ideals. These ideals had been transliterated to its internal and external architectural language, through Socialist Realist murals, and Futurist spaces and flourishes.

Today, the Palace is retaining this educational character as Kiev’s Palace of Children and Youth. But despite the sensibility of utilizing the space according to its original function, an unfortunate clash with Ukraine’s new character persists. I’ve heard that the government is determined to further alter its utilization, and is seeking to turn it into a business or conference center. This kind of forcible interrupt with the past is a common manifestation of the post-Soviet conundrum of Eastern European democracies. Buildings perceived as carrying a stigma are being alienated, rather than given a chance to assimilate. Could they ever commit to enhance architectural function and memory in a constructive way, rather than seeking to disrupt it?

I have to make the hard choice to move on and postpone the Palace visit for another time, not least because its daybreak, and it’ll be another 2 hours before it even opens. But just across the road from Salyut and the former Palace of Pioneers, one can find the entrance to the Memorial Park of Eternal Glory, dedicated to the victory over the Nazis and built during the late 1950’s, although a memorial space existed here since 1894. Its imposing 26 m obelisk is approached through a path lined with the graves of 34 Heroes of the Soviet Union. The Eternal Flame honoring the Unknown Soldier at the base of the obelisk was reportedly lit at its inauguration in 1957 with light brought in from the Eternal Flame at the Mamaev Kurgan Monument in Stalingrad.

Commanding attention : The Memorial of Eternal Glory

The adoptive Soviet narrative of the monument has so far eluded the effects of Ukraine’s strict decommunization laws, since all WW II related monuments fall short of its scope. It is after all, a monument commemorating the struggle of Ukrainians against invaders, but it’s also very much a Red Army memorial. Therefore, it’s a space that divides public opinion in Kiev. But it's also a monument that commands attention, and perhaps can be received in a less politicized way: military monuments can be about how men die, and not necessarily about why.

The Memorial Park has been expanded beyond the Eternal Glory obelisk to include the Monument to the Great Famine known as the Holodomor. It is a result of misguided Soviet economic policies of the time. It resulted to a catastrophic loss of life: millions of Ukrainians starved to death, marking one of the darkest pages in the history of the country. It is a desperate, haunting space, heavy with symbolism.

The Candle of Memory at the Holodomor Monument

This is an overwhelming location. This is where I feel compelled to ask why. For me, memorials to men, women and children as victims of ideology evoke the most powerful of emotions. I see these as spaces enabling us to pass judgement, and I find it meaningful to erect this counter-memorial to those who suffered as a result of Soviet callousness, so close to another seen to exalt Soviet military prowess. It is such contrast that stimulates thought and provides us with critical responses to events through a visual narrative. In my mind this approach is superior to re-purposing monuments, and definitely better than destroying these while attempting to relate a historic account.

But the clock is ticking, and I have to keep pushing on towards the prize asset: it’s the astonishing Motherland monument. This is surely the pièce de résistance when it comes to monumental architecture in Kiev. But between the Holodomor monument and the Mother, one encounters the sprawling religious complex of Pechersk Lavra, with its golden domed cathedrals and monasteries. An important piece of advice here: if you’re aiming to get straight to the Motherland Monument, don’t go through the Lavra. Trying to reach her as the crow flies is just the wrong way to go, as I had already found on my first day in Kiev.

And speaking of crows, there are literally thousands of them perching on the trees surrounding the Lavra. Their sight is mesmerising, although I should have listened to their ominous cawing and changed direction earlier. Instead, I ended up spending an inordinate amount of time trying to grind my way through the monasteries without result. The many nooks and crannies, steep slopes and dead ends had me hopelessly lost, stuck in a cemetery next to its wall without a visible through exit to the Mother. 

I was better prepared on that Sunday morning, and quickly powered my way past the churches, toward the entrance to the War Museum. Immediately past the Lavra, the open spaces on either side of the grand pathway toward its main entrance are lined with all sorts of equipment: tanks, warplanes, artillery, even a mobile ICBM launcher. It hurts me to have to rush past this uniquely interesting collection of materiel in a hurry, but I have to stick to my commitment, I am now aware that over an hour has already flown by.

Tanks in the courtyard of the War Museum

But the curse of the crows had not worn out yet. Kiev can become extremely foggy, especially in the early hours of the morning. It makes for intense atmosphere and great photography, but it also means that visibility is extremely low. You might have guessed it already: despite my best efforts, I found the Mother of Ukraine shrouded in thick fog. So thick, that not even the base of the statue was visible from the entrance of the museum she’s standing atop. All I could make was the blurry outline of her monumental proportions as she remained obscured into the cold, milky atmosphere. Taking into account my previous failed attempt, this was the second time we have been prevented from acquaintance. It’s was exasperating.

Despite my disappointment over this part-failed interaction, not everything is lost. The cavernous main entrance to the War Museum is a satisfying combination of well poured concrete and Socialist Realist reliefs portraying the Red Army in combat. The piece closest to the museum stands out: an evocative statue of troops crossing the Dnieper to liberate Kiev in 1943. The lingering fog adds volumes to the heroic character of this ensemble, bringing it to life: there’s already an inherent fluidity in the sculpture, and looking at it through the blur, the bodies, limbs and firearms of the soldiers appear to be in motion, rendered in epic proportion. It is a visceral scene, engaging the viewer at a primal level. It’s so alive, to the point it emanates presence, and therefore its very existence elicits disapproval among locals. The daily encounter with powerful Soviet art still stimulates a fight or flight response to the trauma, or danger it can be considered to represent for Ukrainians today.

Crossing the Dnieper; an evocative socialist realist monument.

My thoughts are arrested as I am gripped by frost, and time is running out. I hop on a taxi to rush towards my next stop. I find it hard to explain where I want to go to the taxi driver: He’s not aware of an Institute of Scientific and Technical Information, a flying saucer. It is a sign of the changing times: an impressively Modernist cultural centre overshadowed by a non-descript temple of consumerism in the collective short term memory of those who claim the knowledge of the city.

It was conceived by Florian Yuryev, a controversial painter, composer and architect. In the mid 1950’s he developed a new art theory revolving around the phenomenon of Synesthesia, in particular about the sensory perception of sound through colors. To that end, he created an experimental light and music orchestra, and imagined a suitable auditorium equipped with a system of light and sound transmission for the realisation of his art project. 

Kyiv’s Flying Saucer was an experimental space. | Photo © Alex Moore

I am not certain as to the point when the ensemble was named The Institute of Scientific and Technical Information, but rumour has it that the KGB sponsored its construction, allowing Yuryev to deploy his futuristic design. Could they see a potential military or intelligence application in his art project? It’s difficult to tell, although I like this theory. It is known that the auditorium was eventually used as the Institute’s cinema and lecture hall, which means that the original Synesthesia project might have expired, or maybe axed by the powers that be at some point. As the cranes of yet another shopping mall rise ominously behind it, the now boarded up Institute awaits its new fate. It said that it may be turned into one of the malls entrances, even demolished. It would be a harrowing fate for the site of such an ambitious and futuristic project.

A stream of early Sunday shoppers are crowding the mall already. They appear somewhat indifferent to the Flying Saucer, and more intent to the discount shopping opportunities on offer. I hardly have one hour left, and I feel like lamenting this impending loss. I hop on another taxi and make my way to the nearby Memory Park, inside Kiev’s main cemetery. It is yet another complex space, and the result of a precarious balance between the architect Avram Miletsky, and the artists Ada Rybachuk and Vladimir Melnichenko. Although Miletsky is usually credited with the photogenic Crematorium masterpiece atop the Balkova Hill, it was Rybachuk and Melnichenko who were involved in conceptualising the space as a landscaped Memory Park, including features like the Wall of Memory, a now defunct relief aiming to soothe mourners through the use of a visual art narrative. The Wall of Memory took almost 10 years to accomplish, but was concreted over in 1982 at the orders of the Communist Party leadership. I am not aware of the reasons, but can’t help thinking that this is a great excuse for today’s government to do their utmost to uncover it. I notice the massive head of a statue protruding through the concrete shroud: I’ve never hoped for cement to be so brittle as in the case of the Wall of Memory.

Death is only the beginning at the crematorium.

Cremation as a funerary solution was not a popular concept in post-war Ukraine. With memories of the horrific massacres at nearby Babi Yar still vivid, public opinion had been apprehensive towards the idea of creating a place for the ceremonial incineration of bodies in Kyiv. This must have been an emotional journey for Avram Miletsky too, a man of Jewish heritage. I can witness a tidal wave of this emotion in the flowing shapes of his Crematorium, built in the mid 70’s. It is a poignant building designed to provide visual succour, and I discover it to almost be like a gateway to another, better world. When seen contextually within the greater Memory Park and Wall of Memory concept, the entire ensemble functions as a space for healing and contemplation, something like a departure station to a mystical final destination. This reminds me that Miletsky, Rybachuk and Melnichenko were actually involved in the building of another modernist departure terminal before: the Kyiv Central Bus Station which is very close to the cemetery.

Hetman Bohdan Khmelnitsky at Sophia Square.

But it is with regret that I realise that I have ran out of time and I won’t be able to visit the Central Bus Terminal. My last stop is Kiev’s central Sophia Square, dominated by the historic Cathedral of Saint Sophia, and the statue of the Cossack Hetman (Chief) Bohdan Khmelnitsky from 1888. I take a few moments to think about the important context of this space. It is one of the oldest parts of Kiev, with significant connections to Ukrainian heritage and independence, not least the monument of Khmelnitsky, the creator of the first independent Ukrainian Cossack state, and for many the founding father of Ukraine. 

Despite its direct links with Ukrainian national identity, this is a statue whose existence had once been encouraged by the Czar of Russia, funded by Russian public subscription, and cast at a foundry in St.Petersburg. And despite its nationalist character, the statue seems to have survived Soviet times: Khmelnitsky had sponsored the eventual union of his Hetmanate with Imperial Russia, so that might have been an excuse for its preservation. Can similar excuses still be made in the course of preserving Kiev’s significant ex-Soviet heritage? I think there is space for that, and even offered some perspective on how this might happen. The fog becomes Kiev, but I have great expectations for much clearer skies next time I visit.

---

Text and photos (unless stated otherwise) by Evan Panagopoulos

Evan Panagopoulos is the urban storyteller behind the alternative travel site explorabilia and the Abandoned Sector blog. He’s an avid fan of brutalist and mid-century architecture, a knowledgeable WW2 and Victorian era enthusiast, and likes engaging with abandoned spaces and obscure history. He has a knack for rediscovering forgotten and unseen spaces hiding in plain sight, and expresses what he’s passionate about through writing, photography and interviewing people with a fascinating story to share.

[sarahtaylortraveladventures]

Week 3 (Jan 21 - 27)

Dzień dobry! Not German - keep reading to find out what language! :) 

This post isn’t as long because I’ve actually been doing a lot of schoolwork (really putting the “study” in study abroad) and getting into a routine, which is really comforting. But I had some great experiences this week that I’m excited for you guys to read about!!

On Monday I mainly did some homework and went to class, but that night my friend Steph from Elon and I had dinner. She is on a J-term trip and they spent a night in Berlin so we got to meet up! It was so so wonderful to catch up and spend time together and definitely the piece of home I needed!!

On Tuesday, a few friends and I really wanted to check out the thrift and vintage stores in our neighborhood. There was so much stuff in them and one of them was so well laid out it felt like a museum you could touch. The clothes and other items were from all kinds of decades and was really interesting to look it. Tons and tons of fur coats too - guess they used to get fashionable for the cold Berlin winters!

On Wednesday, my International Finance class got to go to the Deutsche Bundesbank, which is the central bank of Germany. The head of their Political Relations department spoke with us about the role of the Deutsche Bundesbank in Germany in addition to the EU money market. It was very interesting to learn more about how their banking and money system is different than the US and his opinions on the economy. And, they had a pretty nice set-up for us with coffee and a bunch of snacks!

That night, one of my friends and I decided to try a Korean place nearby. He knew that I love different asian foods and I’ve never had Korean so I was super excited. I got Bi bim bap, which is apparently a pretty common dish, and it was so!!!!! incredible!!!! It’s a rice dish with beef and different vegetables on top and I'm pretty sure it’s my new favorite asian dish (except for Taipei - don’t worry.) They also serve kimchi beforehand and it was like a spicy sauerkraut and it was also so good. Hite is a Korean beer, which was also good :)

On Thursday, two of my friends and I went to the Kennedy Museum in Berlin. The museum is all photos and focuses on JFK’s visit to Berlin in 1963 where he did his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech. I am so glad we went - the photos were fascinating and it gave such an interesting perspective in terms of Cold War history. They had a lot of photos of JFK in Berlin, but they also had a lot of photos of his entire life which was also fascinating, including a lot on Jackie whom you all know is one of my role models. The reason we went, though, is because they had a special exhibition on First Ladies with pictures and information on not only Jackie O, but also Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama. This was so so cool for me becuase I admire them all and loved seeing all the great things they accomplished through photos. They didn’t allow us to take pictures, but I did take a photo outside of vines growing on some buildings that I thought was cool!

Afterward, we went to this cafe near my dorm. I got a friend chicken sandwich with mangoes on it, and I had to talk about it on the blog because those are two of my favorite foods combined and it was amazing. Also I was so excited about it that I forgot to take a picture until halfway through, so here’s a picture of a half-eaten but very delicious sandwich. 

On Friday, I unfortunately had to go to two classes. Usually I don’t have class on Friday, but twice a block we have to go an extra day of the week and this was the day. BUT IT STARTED SNOWING THAT MORNING!!! It hasn’t snowed since we’ve been here and it was a beautiful, light, powdery-dusty snow.

My History class went on an excursion to the Topography of Terror, which is a museum housed in the former headquarters of the Gestapo. Inside, they have pictures and information about the Nazis in Germany and around Europe, concentration camps, and WWII in Berlin. The museum is laid out very well - they show all of the major cities and towns in Germany and give information on what they call “the survivors, the perpetrators, and the aftermath” for each place. They also give information about each country in Europe that was affected by WWII, which allowed us to see how far reaching the war was. One of the things I have been the most interested to learn about here is how Germany has handled their past in terms of the Holocaust and WWII. This museum is a perfect example of how the country pays homage wherever they can to the victims of the holocaust and WWII in an informational and respectful way. In my opinion, they have done an incredible job of making their memorials and museums educational and interesting, not just heavy, sad monuments that people forget about or don’t want to accept as they walk by. In class, we also read an article about what Germany has done with all the buildings that were prominent Nazi establishments. They country has worked really hard to turn almost all of them into some sort of educational memorial/museum, in an effort to "accept the burden of our history but we also intend to write a new chapter in our history," as the article stated. In no way does it feel like they’re trying to erase or cover up their past, but it’s very evident that they want you to learn from it. I don’t have any pictures from the exhibit, but it was a really great experience. 

On a lighter note of German history, that night we went to a traditional Bavarian beer hall. It’s based on a famous one in Munich and I think they now have the same one in different parts of Germany, so it was kind of touristy but definitely fun. I don’t think they sold anything less than a liter of beer, but I actually really liked the beer I got (which was good because a liter is a lot.) They have big communal tables, live music, and all the waiters wear lederhosen and traditional Bavarian clothing.

And then, I got the currywurst of all currywursts. It was amazing.

Poznań, Poland

On Saturday we took a bus to a small Polish town called Poznań. It was about a 3.5 hour bus ride, but the bus was a coach bus, so I got homework done while riding and it was actually really nice. 

This little town was one of the cutest and coolest places I’ve been. Poland is such an interesting country with a lot of history, and Poznań was a perfect place to just do a one-night weekend trip. Once we got there, we went to the Rugalowe Museum. Rugalowe is a croissant-like pastry that Poznań is known for and the museum shows you how they’re made and gives a little history about the town. The guys who did the presentation were really funny and we had so much fun. They let the audience help with the different steps of making the croissants, and my roommate and I got to roll the croissants! We did a pretty good job, in my opinion. The croissants look a lot like regular croissants, but they have a raisin, cinnamon, almond filling and a glaze on top and are so yummy!!

The sample:

Afterwards we walked about the Old Town Square, which was absolutely beautiful. It snowed the morning before we got there, so there was little dusting that made it even more gorgeous. And we went around sunset so the lighting was really cool.

We had dinner at a local Polish restaurant. I got the fried pork, which was basically schnitzel. The Polish and German foods are pretty similar. Afterwards we walked around the square at night, which was also really nice. And then we went to a really cute cafe for expresso. I know, so European of us :)

On our way back to our Airbnb, we wanted to walk past this big castle that was built by the Germans during 1905, making it the youngest castle in Europe. It was then supposed to be one of Hitler’s residences but renovations were stopped in 1943 because Germany wasn’t doing well in the war. It was later turned into barracks used by the Polish People’s Army. They also have a memorial on the outside for three mathematicians who were students at Poznań University. They were working with the Polish government and basically cracked important parts of the Enigma code, which was a complex cipher used by the Germans so that the Allies couldn’t read their messages. It’s the same basis as The Imitation Game movie, but these three students don’t get any credit even though they made really important strides before the guy in the movie. It was really interesting and cool that it happened in this little town! There was also a statue of the numbers 1956, which symbolizes the year of the Poznań Protests, which were against the communist government of the Polish People’s Republic. 

Sunday morning, we went to a really cool cafe with records on the wall. 

Then we walked around the square a little more to see it in daylight. We also went inside the pink church, which was much larger than I was expecting!

We promise we didn’t intentionally plan to match each other or the church!! :)

That afternoon, we went to a really cute place that served only Pierogies, which is a traditional Polish dumpling. The ladies were making them right there in the store and they were so so sooooo good. I got a traditional potato one, a duck one, and a pumpkin filled one. 

After that, we took the bus back to Berlin. It was such a great trip and I’m so glad we got to experience another culture for the weekend! I really loved seeing a smaller town and learning a little more about Poland. 

It was a great week! I miss you all!!!

[firstumcschenectady]

“Protest Parade and State Sponsored Violence” based on  Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and Mark 11:1-11 for Palm Sunday

Because of the work of Marcus Borg and John Dominic Cross in “The Last Week” I have been convinced that the first “Palm Sunday” parade was an intentional protest in response to increased military presence in Jerusalem of the Roman Empire for Passover.  

Those who have been listening to me preach for years are familiar with this concept, and this year I'll be taking it in a new direction, but first I want to bring everyone else on board with this idea, as it can sound quite different from what I learned in Sunday School as a kid.

I think the key to understanding the protest is to think about Passover, and what it is.  Passover is a Jewish holiday celebrating God's work to free God's people from oppression from a foreign government when they felt powerless to help themselves.  

So it might not be surprising that the Roman Empire, which had power and control over the Ancient Jewish lands, got a little bit uncomfortable when the city was overrun with devout Jews celebrating Passover.  Nor would it be particularly surprising that Passover was a time when people tried to reclaim autonomy, the faith of their ancestors, the sanctity of their Temple, and the right to the fruits of their labor. After all, the Hebrew Bible itself sets a rich vision for a just society, and the ways that wealth flowed from the poor to the rich in the Roman Empire (and every empire before, during, and since) was the OPPOSITE of that vision.

It might even be good to remember that in 66 CE the was a revolt by the Jewish population that lasted for 4 years.  The final result was the destruction of Jerusalem along with the Second Temple, and hundreds of thousands of deaths.  So the Roman Empire's perception of threat wasn't actually wrong.  The city and its many many Passover pilgrims were primed for revolt.

And that's why the Roman governor came to Jerusalem from his normal digs on the Mediterranean along with horses, flags, music, and a significant number of soldiers prepared to take down riots. It was an intentional show of force, meant to tamp down revolutionary enthusiasm as well as efficiently deal with anyone who dared to start anything.  All of this is not unlike crucifixion itself which was a particularly horrid form of capital punishment done in public to those who lead VIOLENT REVOLTS against the Roman Empire to attempt to discourage others from doing so.

The Governor's procession came in the West gate, as the Governor's home was to the west of the city.  The big shiny military parade was an annual event, something easy to anticipate.  So, Jesus and his followers staged a counter-parade coming in from the East gate. Instead of flags with the golden eagle of Rome, the people waved Palm branches – the symbol of ancient Judea.  Instead of “Hail Caesar, prince of peace” the people shouted “Hosanna” which means “God save us!”  And let's be clear, “God save us from our oppressors.” (The name Jesus and the word “Hosanna” come from the same Hebrew root.  Jesus literally means “God saves.”)  They went on to say, according to Mark, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!   Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"   Instead of being passively awed by the display of violent capacity as in the western parade, the people put their lives on the line by laying their outer garments (often the only protection they had from the elements) on the road for Jesus's colt to walk on.  

So, to cut to the chase, Jesus appears to be staking a claim to the rightful kingship of Israel, which suggests that then the Roman Empire is not the rightful king.  Jesus is having a protest against the Empire.  BUT, it was a NONVIOLENT one, just so we're clear.

According to the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus also engaged in a protest at the Temple complex.  Both protests appear to have been wildly popular, and the people were following Jesus and claiming him as God's deliverer (read: save-r).  Thus, the authorities got scared.  Thus, they started to work to take him down, disperse his movement, and threaten any who would try to follow in his footsteps as leader. Thus the death on the cross even though the protests were NONVIOLENT.

Not to give the ending away, but the presence of Jesus followers remembering and embodying this story 2000 years later is a good indication that the Roman Empire may have had the power to kill Jesus, but it didn't have the power to stop the Body of Christ.  But, alas, I get a week ahead of myself.

Most years I like to contrast the ways of God from the ways of Rome, and to clarify that there was nothing particularly wrong with the Roman Empire – it is the way that pre-industrial agricultural domination systems work – and at the core it is the way ALL domination systems work, and for reasons I don't entirely understand, humanity was WAY into domination systems.

But this year, the story of Jesus engaging in acts of public protest, and as a result having the authorities of the day send a violent guard to grab him in the middle of the night, convict him based on false testimony, and kill him in a way the State itself said was unjust (PEACEFUL revolt) is all just hitting too close to home.

Last summer the Governor put in place an executive order, in response to Black Lives Matter protests,  requiring each local government in N.Y. State to adopt a policing reform plan that will maintain public safety while building mutual trust and respect between police and the communities they serve. I have been paying attention to what has happened in Schenectady and it is NOT GOOD.

Here in Schenectady, well after activists had release 13 demands1 that included an end to knee holds on people's heads or necks, a video was released of a police officer using a knee hold during an arrest.2 In response to outcry, the police banned knee holds.  

What followed was a fraught process that added up to the police pushing through the police department's OWN ideas of what police reform should look like.  Which a problem.  No one can claim things are OK here.  We are not, after all, a city without a record of our own – Andrew Kearse was a man of color who died in police custody in 2017. We know we have parts of our city that are profoundly over-policed. We know that the police end up being called into situations with mental health crises, and are not trained or capable of responding, and things go very badly. That is why there is a desire to move some of the police funding to social workers who can respond with training!

This past week, our city council passed the police reform report put forward by the police department.  Upon careful inspection the ban on knee holds on people's heads and necks …. as been revoked.  Knee holds are, apparently, back in.  Similarly, there is something called “pain control” that I didn't even want to google, but refers to controlling people by hurting them.  I'm quite confident that this isn't the way humans treat people that they see as fellow humans, much less God's beloveds.

It all feels to me to be far too familiar to the Jesus story.  Jesus was inconvenient to people in authority.  He empowered “nobodies.” He helped the community work together.  He questioned authority, including questioning economic practice.  He stood up for God's visions, God's people, God's dreams of justice.  And it was so threatening that they killed him to silence him.

Friends, I have on some of my worse days, had to hold down a person who was in the midst of a crisis to prevent the person from harming self or others.  I hate it.  It turns my stomach, even years later, to think about it.  But we were able to stop him without harming him, or putting pressure on his head or neck.  

And many, many, MANY times in my life I have responded to people in the midst of crises, people hijacked by their amygdalas, people out of their own control.  And 99.something% of the time, people can regain control with just TALKING.  There is ABSOLUTELY NO NEED to dehumanize anyone, accused of any crime, by seeking to control their actions with pain or with a knee on their head or neck.  EVER.  We need to keep talking about this – to each other, to the police chief, to the mayor, to city council, AND to the governor's office.  The plan submitted by our city is NOT sufficient police reform for our community.

Next week we will be celebrating Easter, God's incredible powers of life that overcome even death.  But this week we need to be unsettled by the world's powers of death, and violence, and who they're used against.  

Jesus was the victim of state sponsored violence.  Who else is like him, today?  Amen

1http://www.allofusuntitledandfree.com/

2https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/09/us/schenectady-police-officer-knee-on-man-video/index.html

Rev. Sara E. Baron First United Methodist Church of Schenectady 603 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305 Pronouns: she/her/hers http://fumcschenectady.org/ https://www.facebook.com/FUMCSchenectady

[scornedlove]

Chapter Six

CHRIS

“That was a nice service this morning. I’m glad you made it” mama smiled as she unlocked her front door. It had been so long since I’ve even thought about making it to anyone’s church, but when she called me yesterday and told me I was going, I didn’t fight it and today, I was glad I made it. Pastor Mike talked about resetting your life and after everything I’ve been through this year, it felt like he was speaking to me personally. 

“Thanks for making sure I made it to church this morning, that was exactly what I needed” I admitted plopping down on her living room sofa as soon as we walked in. With all the drama being dissolved, it felt good to have nowhere to be and no one to worry about, but mama.

“and you better make it next Sunday too. It will do you some good, I don’t know how you ended up falling off in the first place. We used to go every week” she stressed.

“I’ll be there from now on, especially if it means I get to spend more time with my favorite lady” I teased winking at her, only for her to roll her eyes.

“Oh, I’m your favorite lady now that you’re all out huh?” she laughed. “Speaking of ladies, I saw how Miss Renee was checking you out.”

“Really ma? The pastor’s daughter?” I replied following her into the kitchen. Instantly I spotted the apple pie she had sitting on the counter.

“Maybe she’ll be a good influence on you” she smirked. She made herself a glass of water and swallowed a handful of vitamins. Minus all the soulful cooking she will never let go, she was literally the healthiest woman I know.

“Don’t they say preacher’s kids are the wildest?” I retorted. “Why are you sticking your nose in my love life anyway?”

“Apparently I should have been sticking my nose in your damn love life. You had a good woman. No a great one, and you ruined that with a liar who was trying to trap you. Have you talked to your attorney? You need to sue that girl” she frowned at the huge piece of pie on my plate. Before she could protest, I immediately began to dig in.

“Ma, please don’t start, I’m just glad I’m done with that situation. I know I fucked..messed up” I quickly corrected myself. “I don’t need a reminder. I’m still trying to forgive myself too”

“I’m sorry Christopher. I just think you should try to fix it, as much as that girl loves you...it doesn’t go away overnight” she replied handing me a couple of napkins.

“I don’t know...how do you come back after everything we’ve been through” I asked with a mouth full.

“I haven’t been through what you have, so I don’t know, but what does it hurt to try? You should at least think about it.” she replied. “And you better stop eating all that junk if you want your teeth to last!”

For the next couple of weeks, all I could do was think about it. I knew I was still in love with her, that wasn’t the problem. I just also knew a person could only take so much, and after everything, especially losing Christian, I figured Robyn may have reached her breaking point. I was afraid of rejection. I knew I couldn’t handle being rejected by her, so I chose the safe way out. But that didn’t stop me from watching from afar.

A couple of times, I found myself in front of Robyn’s during her lunch hour. I just wanted to see her. The first time, it was a fluke but the second time she happened to be outside with Ollie and another dog. The dogs ran around chasing each other while she leaned against the building and watched. The  bruises from the accident were practically gone now. Besides how noticeably small she had gotten, she looked healthy again.

Still, there was no mistaking the sadness about her entire demeanor, and I couldn’t help but feel like that was all because of me. I almost worked up the nerve to talk to her, but as soon as I did, the dogs had finished their business and she was heading back in. So instead of showing up unannounced out of nowhere, I went back to work.

“I think that is a horrible idea” Trey exclaimed. It was the fourth of July and he and Lala were having a cookout. He was grilling while I watched and asked for his opinion about what mom suggested I do when it came to Robyn, he practically barked his disagreement.

“Nothing against you bro, but do you even realize everything you put that woman through; whether it was intentional or not.” It definitely hurt hearing that, even from my bro.

“Yeah, I know I made some dumb ass decisions, but after the way everything played out, I feel like we have a chance at a fresh start”

“Exactly. A fresh start, but not with each other. Really, you should probably be single for awhile. Enjoy being free. Your luck hasn’t been great with the ladies lately”. Even though I didn’t want to admit it, he was making perfect sense.

A moment of silence went by as I took everything he said in. “Look at this shit” he said breaking me from my daze. He placed the cover back on the grill and came closer, pulling a black box from his pocket. He flipped it open and there sat a diamond about half the size of the one I’d gotten Robyn.

“I’m going to ask her to marry me” he grinned, quickly closing it and shoving it back in his pocket.

“Aww shit! I’m proud of you man, but are you sure you're ready?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything. Honestly, I have you to thank. No disrespect, but I’m not letting my good thing slip away”

“I can dig that” I replied bumping his fist.

Just then, Lala and her sister came out with a cooler, stereo speakers, and a pan with more meat for Trey to grill.

“Hey Chris” Lala smiled. She introduced me to her sister Danielle, who’s smile was just as big as hers.

“Nice to finally meet you. I’ve seen you in a lot of pictures with Trey.” she explained with a huge grin.

“Yeah, that’s my brother from another mother” I replied, shaking her hand. She was eyeballing me like I was dinner and clearly didn’t want to let my hand go.

She had the shortest skirt on and her cleavage was jumping right out of her shirt. Everything about her screamed sex, you can tell she used to be a stripper.

“Damn girl, let the man breathe” another voice called out.

“Ugh, Alexis. Why are you here?” Danielle asked rolling her eyes then sashaying over to sit in the patio chair directly across from me. When she sat down, her skirt rose to the top of her thighs.

“Because my best friend invited me. Why don’t you have any clothes on?” she smarted back and Trey and Lala went from kissing all over each other to cracking up.

“Bitch I’m grown and I can wear whatever the fuck I want. Stop hating because you’re all skin and bones”

“Enough” Lala interrupted “Damn Lexi and Dani..do ya’ll always gotta argue?”

“She always got some slick shit to say” Dani grunted in Lexi’s direction.

“I can’t stand her hoe ass” Lexi stated bluntly. Just then, Danielle stood up abruptly and walked to the cooler, pulled out a coke, and drank half of it in one big gulp.

“Thirsty?” Lexi asked and we couldn’t help but laugh. I thought she was going to get slapped, but Dani walked straight past her and into the house. Lexi just shrugged.

“You gotta chill out on her she’s turned over a new leaf and trying to do better” Lala explained before going to check on her.

“Sure” Lexi mumbled sarcastically. “Anyway...how you been Chris?” she asked turning towards me.

“Nah, how have you been? Still feisty I see”

“Hey somebody has to let her know when her hoeness is leaking all over the place” she giggled.

Soon everyone started to pour in, the food was done, and the bottles were poppin. Everyone was having a good time and with Lexi and Danielle competing for attention, I was even able to put Robyn out of my mind for a little while.

When 11:30 hit, I decided to call it a night, I didn't want to be up all night, since I had to be at the office in the morning. I'd had quite a bit to drink so I stopped in the restroom to make sure I didn't appear wasted, plus I had to take a leak.

On my way out, I smacked right into Lala, literally.

 "Damn Chris!" she exclaimed after the cup in her hand went flying, ending up all over the both of us.

"My bad, I didn't see you coming" I replied picking up the cup while she scrambled into the bathroom to grab some towels.

"I just had these floors waxed" she complained, tossing me a towel and using the rest to soak the liquor up. "What are you rushing for anyway? You must be tryna sneak out before Dani  finds you huh?" she giggled.

"Oh, you got jokes now too?" I replied shaking my head.

"Well you have nothing to worry about, Lexi won't let her get too close" she smirked, letting off that she knew all about the little rendezvous Lexi and I had a few years back.

"She told you about that?" I asked surprised.  I assumed neither of us said anything, although I knew Trey knew, considering he was in the other room when it happened. They weren’t even together at the time but apparently someone has been talking.

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me" she nodded, still cheesing, her deep dimples on display. "Let me grab one of Trey's t-shirts for you"

She disappeared to their bedroom and was back in a couple minutes with a new top on as well. She handed me one and I gladly accepted.

"Thanks, I do gotta get outta here though, so ya'll be good tonight"

"Wait" she called out, right on my heels. "I just have a quick question" she stated playing with the long braid in her hair.

"I saw the ring already...I already know." she admitted  then immediately started pacing.

"And what's the problem...wait, don't tell me you about to dip out on my boy" I sighed wondering why I have to be the one she confesses to. "I don't understand ya'll women, one minute ya'll wan-"

"Shut up! Let me talk." she interrupted. "I do wanna marry him, but everybody and their mama knows this man wants a shit load of kids, and I can't give him that."

She was right, this is one thing he has always stood by. He hated being an only child and promised he wouldn't do that to his children, he always said he wanted at least 5.

"How do you know until you at least try?"

"See that's the thing, I've been off my birth control for a little over six months now, still nothing."

"Wow, he didn't even tell me ya'll were trying"

"He doesn't know"

"Wow, Lala. That's some foul shit...even for you"

"It's all he ever talks about, I wanted to surprise him, as crazy as that sounds"

"Yes, it sounds very fucking crazy. Surprise him with dinner, some new cologne, or shoes, not a fucking kid" I replied astonished. 

"Anyway, I just don't want to be the one to take that from him, I was thinking of something he might consider but I wanted to run it by you. You're his best friend, so I thought you could pick his brain for me and see if he would consider having a baby with Dani...I mean it would be cheaper to do it the natural way. Plus it’s not like they didn’t already fuck" she added nonchalantly, as if it were no big deal.

I didn't know how to respond so I just stared, wide eyed, and in shock.

"Just test the waters for me...please. I know he loves me, and I love that man to pieces. I don't wanna lose him" she repeated sadly.

"Ok, I'll talk to him" I finally gave in and she gave me a big hug. I was upset she brought me into their shit, but she was the love of his life, and as long as he had her back, so did I.

 ROBYN

"What the fuck did I agree to?” I groaned as I walked towards the front door of Jay’s mansion. Rayven had Jay send his driver for me in a damn limo. I wasn't complaining though, it came equipped with champagne, so I got the party started early.

His house was big enough to fit at least three families and there were enough cars outside to start a dealership. Truth is, I wasn’t excited about being here at all, but it was Rayven’s 20th birthday and I was the only family she had here. 

“Robbie!” I heard Rayven call out just before I reached the door. I didn’t notice her and Jay coming up behind me, clearly already wasted.

“Hey birthday girl” I replied, and she smiled widely.

“This is the best birthday ever. You will not believe my fucking day” she slurred as she leaned on him for support. 

“Come on now, we got company. Pull yourself together” he grunted as he helped her regain her balance.

“Chill the fuck out! I’m good. It’s my birthday” she cursed him, and he backed down. 

“I’m just saying, there’s a lot of people here. Don’t embarrass me” he ordered and she rolled her eyes.. 

“Oh yeah, come on Rob. I have to introduce you to Naomi” she grinned, grabbing my arm and taking the lead. After pushing through all the people in the front room, we found our way to the patio outside, where there were just as many people. Ray had only been here a short time, there was no way she knew even half of these people. 

“I just know she didn’t leave already. I told her I wanted to introduce you two” she pouted. Then I noticed her. Naomi fucking Campbell.

“What?!” Rayven yelled when I wouldn’t stop tapping her shoulder. I was fan girling and couldn’t get a hold of myself.

“NAOMI FUCKING CAMPBELL!!” I shrieked.

“Get yourself together Rob, you gotta get used to seeing famous people if you’re going to be around me” she laughed.  I brought my excitement down and we walked over so she could introduce us.

“Naomi!” Ray squealed, and they gave each other a quick embrace. 

“Happy Birthday Rayven, you look gorgeous” she smiled as she looked her up and down.

“Thanks, this is my cousin Rihanna that I’ve been telling you about” Rayven smiled as she pulled me closer. “She’s a fashion designer and her shit is always fire. That dress and the two piece you loved-all by her”

“Wow, talented and pretty” Naomi smiled as we shook hands. “Do you model as well? Are you working with anyone I would know?” 

“Oh, no..no” I shook my head nervously. “Everything so far has been on my own” How could Rayven not tell me she knew Naomi Campbell and that she was interested in my work. I was mad and excited at the same time. 

“Well, you should join us for fashion week in London. I would love to introduce the both of you to Stella Mccartney, a good friend of mine. She hasn’t been to London fashion week in sixteen years, so it’s definitely a big deal. Plus, somebody will be willing to snatch up some of your designs”

“Consider her there” Rayven chimed in. I was in complete utter shock, all I could do was nod.

“Why didn't you tell me you were going to fashion week bitch?! I exclaimed after Naomi was gone.

“She invited me today , I was going to bring you either way. I know how you are about this type of shit Rob, geez” she rolled her eyes.

The rest of the night was just as interesting. I met some of Jay’s family and friends, including Usher, Kanye West, Outkast, and Lil Wayne. I was high, figuratively, as I sat, and people watched. For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed being out and had a great time. I was in the middle of texting Mel about what she was missing out on just because she couldn’t stand Rayven, when someone tapped my shoulder.

“I knew I’d see you again, I just didn’t expect for it to be here” a familiar face smiled at me, unfortunately I wasn’t sure where we met.

“You dropped your wallet and I returned it” he refreshed my memory, guess he could tell I had no clue.

“Oh yeah” I snapped my fingers. “Thanks again for being honest. Most people aren’t like that nowadays”

“So, are you one of the models? I don’t remember seeing you in the video” he quizzed, inviting himself to sit next to me.

“Nope. My cousin Rayven is though, plus she’s the birthday girl”

“Oh, Jay’s girl? I should’ve recognized the similarities. I’m Jay’s cousin” he grinned showing his pearly whites.

“I’m Robyn, nice to meet you...”

“Jacques” he finished my sentence before kissing my hand. He was sweet. We sat talking and smoking as we watched everyone else get shitfaced. Turns out, he was a rapper too and these parties were the norm for him. He was cute and funny and obviously used to being around beautiful women all the time. Every so often, one would try to pull him away, but he didn’t go with them. I don’t know if it was him or the weed, but he was interesting and kept me laughing. By the next time I looked at my phone it was after midnight. 

“I have to get going” I informed him as I stood to leave.

“Already? Can I at least get your number this time?” he asked pulling me close to him.

“Jacques, your super nice-”

“Shootin’ me down again?” he asked shaking his head.

“I’m just not interested in dating anytime soon, and besides, I’m not like the girls your used too.”

“That’s what I like about you” he smiled licking his lips. There was no use in repeating myself over, and over so I gave him a quick hug, said my goodbyes and told Ray to call me when her hangover was gone. We had some shopping to do.

[gingerandwry]

Birmingham, Alabama

For my next trip... I’m taking a three week road trip through the American South to some parts familiar and others unknown. My trip began in a part unknown (to me anyway): Birmingham, Alabama, a city perhaps best remembered for its brutal opposition to blacks’ civil rights in the 1950s and 60s. I’ve heard good things about it since, but the past seemed like a good place to begin.

I started my first day at the cute Red Dog cafe, the kind of place filled with millennials and MacBooks that you can find in gentrified neighborhoods the world over. While this globalized hipster culture is somewhat lamentable, it’s reassuring as well and a sign of Birmingham’s economic progress. From there I headed to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. It’s in an historically very significant area. The neighborhood was a black exclusionary zone (one of the few areas of the city where blacks could live, work and own property and businesses). It’s between the Gaston motel (a black-owned motel that became a headquarters for civil rights leaders) and the 16th Street Baptist Church, a popular meeting place for the movement made infamous when a bomb there killed four young girls in 1963. And across the street is Kelly Ingram park, the site of many marches and protests, including a youth-led one where the police and fire department set dogs and high-pressure water houses on hundreds of adults and children.

The museum starts with a short film describing the city’s history. Interestingly Birmingham was founded after slavery, in 1871, as an iron producing town. It grew and prospered quickly, largely on the backs of black labor who were given the worst jobs for a pittance. And despite having never known slavery, the city became renown as one of the strictest and brutalist enforcers of segregation. The next few displays depict life under Jim Crow and some truly stomach-churning artifacts of black stereotypes and white supremacy. It then shifts to the long struggle to end segregation and win the vote and equal rights. It’s a familiar story but the resonance is so local here. As I’ve learned about the civil rights struggle throughout my life, I never really put together how much of the most intense fighting happened in just the one small part of the South. Rosa Parks and the bus boycott in nearby Montgomery. Dr King’s Birmingham home bombing and his famous letter from the local jail. Governor Wallace who won election-- and even carried five Southern states during his 1968 presidential campaign-- with his promise of “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever”. Police beating up peaceful marchers in nearby Selma. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. The city’s Police Chief, Bull Connor, and his notorious attack dogs and water cannons. Freedom Riders being beaten and killed across the state. Of course people fought for civil rights all over the South (and later all over the country), but Alabama-- and especially Birmingham-- were the epicenter. All the familiar speeches, history, newsreels and photos felt devastatingly real seeing them there.

The problem that all history museums face is deciding when and how to end because history never ends. In this case, by the late 60s the segregationists started to accept defeat (Wallace’s campaign notwithstanding), and the action moved away from Birmingham and Alabama. The Civil Rights Movement itself splintered into countless factions espousing varying goals and methods, the chaos of which helped spur a backlash and the election of Nixon by his “silent majority.” The museum kind of rushes through the late 60s and ultimately ends by celebrating the 1979 election of Birmingham’s first black mayor, Richard Arrington, Jr (depicted with an entirely pointless recreation of the mayor’s office). While that is an achievement to be lauded and the curators probably felt compelled to leave visitors feeling uplifted, it parallels (and foreshadows) the “problem solved” mentality that followed Obama’s election. Gaining legal equality was a first step (or second, after ending slavery), but I think it would have been powerful for the museum to highlight some of the many ways racism still persists: in politics, government, urban design, economics, business, education and health, not to mention in many hearts and minds. (Arrington’s election was followed three years later by Wallace’s re-election as governor to a fourth term.) A final, more uplifting display could depict the ways that blacks’ civil rights struggles inspired others like women, gays, Native Americans and immigrants. (There actually are some colorful displays honoring a few civil rights causes around the world, but they seem more random than anything.)

After seeing the museum I walked over to the church (which was closed) and through the park, which has several haunting sculptures depicting the violent crackdown on young protestors there. It’s all so calm and quiet now, it’s almost hard to believe what was happening there in my parents’ living memory.

(For the surprising backstory on the above statue and the photo on which it’s based, check out this podcast of Revisionist History.)

From there I went to the Birmingham Museum of Art. I actually just wanted to see the sculpture garden which had a good sampling of thoughtful and whimsical works. After a quick lunch stop at a middle eastern place (which still managed to be brown, fried and greasy since this is the South), I went up to Vulcan Park. It’s the site of a massive statue of Vulcan, the god of fire, and it’s the largest cast-iron statue in the world. The museum next door is an ode to Birmingham and iron, the metal that built the city literally and figuratively; iron mining and production was the dominant industry for the city’s first 100 years. While I liked learning some of the city history and seeing the old photos, the generally unqualified enthusiasm raised doubts about how fairly the story was being told. It was at least a stark contrast to the unflinching, ugly history lesson I experienced earlier.

That evening I visited a couple gay bars, Chapel (housed in a former church and up until a few months ago, a leather bar named Spike’s) and Al’s. Chapel’s crowd was thin but admirably diverse. They felt like the high school outcasts who had all banded together. And the drag show (featuring queens and kings in equal number) was cute but decidedly low-rent DIY. The host was wearing a Star Trek costume.... Al’s was the opposite, the popular clique in high school. It looks like your standard pop-fueled gay dance bar, and their drag show was much more polished. (Apparently Birmingham gay bars are all about drag shows.) The star that night was Trinity “The Tuck” Taylor who grew up in Birmingham and is now in the final four on RuPaul’s Drag Race. So that was probably exciting to anyone who cares.

On Saturday I slept too late again, but eventually got up and made my way to brunch at Five in the hip little Southside area (near the gay bars). I then drove to Sloss Furnace, a massive dormant ironworks, originally built in the 1880s. Much of the machinery and infrastructure is still in place (tho rusted away), and you can walk around and explore. It’s captivating, like walking around an ancient ruin, but one which was still in use only 50 years ago. It’s a lot to think about as you wander through the deserted behemoth: how massive this operation once was, how many resources it sucked up, how much iron it produced, how many people died working it, how much it grew Birmingham’s economy and how it’s now literally a shell of its former self just 150 years after it was built. Along with the Civil Rights Museum, Sloss is another reminder to Birmingham just how quick and difficult change can be.

The mini-museum at Sloss unfortunately is not so inspiring. Obviously it’s very pro-iron, like the one at Vulcan Park, but its white-washing of history is both comical and offensive. There’s no mention of the environmental impact. The factory towns sound like great places to live (they were not). The (mostly immigrant and black) workers are described as pioneers seizing opportunity, not exploited labor. The only mention of the racist division of labor was an admission that the factory had separate baseball teams for whites and blacks (but supposedly they would all go to each others’ games anyway so it was all good). In one confused sentence we learn that Sloss had a “decent safety record” but injuries and deaths were also very common. In fact we learn the best protection a worker could get was from having good coworkers (not from, say, adequate gear, precautions and risk reduction, all of which cost money). And, by the way, the state’s whole iron industry went into decline after the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970 and the removal of tariffs on foreign iron. (No mention of how these events impacted the quality of air or the cost of iron to builders and consumers.) The ingenuity, hard work and rapid success of the city’s iron industry is very impressive but it’s worth remembering the cost.

For dinner Saturday night I went to Hot & Hot Fish Club, one of the city’s finest. It was delicious but didn’t seem especially distinctive. I’m not sure why it’s on so many must-do lists. I figured some sleep would do me good so I stayed in that night.

For my last day I visited the popular Five Points South and Homewood areas. Five Points is (or was) a hip area (it’s near the University), but that’s hard to see, especially on Sunday when most businesses are closed. It has some lovely Spanish Revival and Art Deco buildings, but it’s very small and a bit run-down. Homewood is better kept-up, kind of like a quaint 1950s main-street but with yuppie boutiques selling linens and children’s toys. It has a lot more shops and restaurants, and I found a good lunch at Real & Rosemary and a friendly coffee at Henry’s.

After that I visited the Botanical Gardens. As one would expect in early February, not much was in bloom, but the gardens were still very nice. They’re sprawling and serene, with a good mixture of design styles. Half the gardens are built into a hillside, and the terraced paths offer ample opportunities to get lost and discover. And of course there are lots of gazebos because this is the South. The evening was chill. I had dinner at a Southern burger ‘n beer chain called Jack’s (pretty good but small burger) and stopped at Chapel for a drink. The tiny crowd was once again eclectic and this time watching the Grammys.

Birmingham is definitely a small city in Alabama (especially for the gays). I sensed racial and socioeconomic stresses beneath the surface-- or rather around the edges. (I spent my time in the center between downtown and some very fancy neighborhoods, and I hardly saw any black people although they are 75% of the population here.) And yet it has a hard-to-define appeal. By all logic it should be a cultural backwater, but it’s not. Despite its origins as essentially a factory town for iron producers, its deeply disturbing racial history, and its on-going racial and socioeconomic divides, it seems determined to persist, to accept its past and celebrate the openness and diversity that came out of it. In the city’s early days, its rapid growth and economic success earned it the nickname “The Magic City.” During the Civil Rights era, it was re-dubbed “The Tragic City.” But Birmingham’s drive to prosper despite-- and because of-- its past has brought back much of the magic.

[wetrumpfeed]

Afternoon MAGAthread: YOUR WEEKLY PRESIDENTIAL RECAP!

HAPPY SATURDAY PATRIOTS!!!

This is u/Ivaginaryfriend here to help kick off your Saturday recap style! Before we get started on that I would like to remind everyone that we are having a r/The_Donald Christmas Header Contest next Tuesday!! Bring us your dankest Christmas OC and you might just see it at the top of our DOM for this Christmas season!

As always, if you happened to miss any past recaps you can check those out here!

Sunday, November 25th:

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

Victor Davis Hanson was a very good and interesting guest of Mark Levin on @FoxNews. He wrote a highly touted book called “The Second World Wars” and a new book will soon be coming out called “The Case For Trump.” Recommend both. @marklevinshow

I will be in Gulfport and Tupelo, Mississippi, on Monday night doing two Rallies for Senator Hyde-Smith, who has a very important Election on Tuesday. She is an outstanding person who is strong on the Border, Crime, Military, our great Vets, Healthcare & the 2nd A. Needed in D.C.

The large and violent French protests don’t take into account how badly the United States has been treated on Trade by the European Union or on fair and reasonable payments for our GREAT military protection. Both of these topics must be remedied soon.

Would be very SMART if Mexico would stop the Caravans long before they get to our Southern Border, or if originating countries would not let them form (it is a way they get certain people out of their country and dump in U.S. No longer). Dems created this problem. No crossings!

So great that oil prices are falling (thank you President T). Add that, which is like a big Tax Cut, to our other good Economic news. Inflation down (are you listening Fed)!

Mississippi, Vote for @cindyhydesmith on Tuesday. Respected by all. We need her in Washington!. Thanks!

General Anthony Tata: “President Trump is a man of his word & he said he was going to be tough on the Border, and he is tough on the Border. He has rightfully strengthened the Border in the face of an unprecedented threat. It’s the right move by President Trump.” Thanks General!

Europe has to pay their fair share for Military Protection. The European Union, for many years, has taken advantage of us on Trade, and then they don’t live up to their Military commitment through NATO. Things must change fast!

Clinton Foundation donations drop 42% - which shows that they illegally played the power game. They monetized their political influence through the Foundation. “During her tenure the State Department was put in the service of the Clinton Foundation.” Andrew McCarthy

.@60Minutes did a phony story about child separation when they know we had the exact same policy as the Obama Administration. In fact a picture of children in jails was used by other Fake Media to show how bad (cruel) we are, but it was in 2014 during O years. Obama separated.... ... ....children from parents, as did Bush etc., because that is the policy and law. I tried to keep them together but the problem is, when you do that, vast numbers of additional people storm the Border. So with Obama seperation is fine, but with Trump it’s not. Fake 60 Minutes!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

We're supposed to believe that this person dragged those poor, pantless children 2888 miles in 45 days? Walking ~20 hours a day? And we're supposed to believe it is a totally organic thing, not paid for by anyone?

Hundreds of migrants apparently try storming California point of entry, as Trump threatens to close entire border | Fox News

Mexico To Deport Hundreds Of Migrants Who "Violently" Rushed US Border

US closes border between San Diego and Tijuana, fires tear gas

This is why we will continue to win

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Come on Mexico! ¡Sí Tu Puedes!

Who the fuck else with power had the balls to stand up for us, the US, more than him? Unapologetic Nationalist.

HEY CUCKS:

PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT: Pedes, I live 40 miles north of the Busiest International Border in the WORLD. Christmas came Early. WE'RE CLOSED!

Monday, November 26th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

Presidential Memorandum on the Delegation of Authorities under Section 1757 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration Posts

2018 Christmas Decorations at the White House

President Trump Participates in a Roundtable on the FIRST STEP Act

President Trump Delivers a Statement Upon Departure

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

Mexico should move the flag waving Migrants, many of whom are stone cold criminals, back to their countries. Do it by plane, do it by bus, do it anyway you want, but they are NOT coming into the U.S.A. We will close the Border permanently if need be. Congress, fund the WALL!

When Mueller does his final report, will he be recommending action on all of the crimes of many kinds from those “on the other side”(whatever happened to Podesta?), and will he be putting in statements from..... ... ....hundreds of people closely involved with my campaign who never met, saw or spoke to a Russian during this period? So many campaign workers, people inside from the beginning, ask me why they have not been called (they want to be). There was NO Collusion & Mueller knows it!

On the ten-year anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack, the U.S. stands with the people of India in their quest for justice. The attack killed 166 innocents, including six Americans. We will never let terrorists win, or even come close to winning!

While CNN doesn’t do great in the United States based on ratings, outside of the U.S. they have very little competition. Throughout the world, CNN has a powerful voice portraying the United States in an unfair.... ... ....and false way. Something has to be done, including the possibility of the United States starting our own Worldwide Network to show the World the way we really are, GREAT!

Brad Raffensperger will be a fantastic Secretary of State for Georgia - will work closely with @BrianKempGA. It is really important that you get out and vote for Brad - early voting.... ... ....starts today, election is on December 4th. @VoteBradRaff is tough on Crime and Borders, Loves our Military and Vets. He will be great for jobs!

(Retweeting The GOP) “I need the great people of Mississippi to send a message to… the radical Democrats by electing @cindyhydesmith.” -@realDonaldTrump

(Retweeting The GOP) “Only with a strong Senate GOP majority can we defend your tax cuts, defend your Second Amendment, protect your Medicare and Social Security, and confirm judges who will interpret the Constitution exactly as written.” -@realDonaldTrump

(Retweeting The GOP) “Tomorrow, the voters of this state will cast their ballots in one of the most important Senate elections of your lives—of all of our lives”—@realDonaldTrump in Tupelo, MS.

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

CNN gets BTFO by San Diego Border Patrol Chief - "vast majority are adult males" "push women and children to the front" "throwing rocks" "assaulting our agents" "majority don't meet qualifications to get asylum"

Obama Administration Used Tear Gas At Border Once A Month

MSNPC gets rek't by own reporter

🌶️🌶️ KEK!!! Former US Border Agent interviewed by Newsweek defends border invasion tear gas use...."It's pepper spray. Literally, water/pepper...You could actually put it on your nachos and eat it." HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

WATCH: This is what we are trying to avoid!! Map visualization of world "Refugee" migration from 2000-2016....Europe is DOOMED!! INVADERS!!!

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

When your country just landed ANOTHER mission on Mars and the rest of the world is screeching

Welp, looks like r/The_Donald was right again...

Found a redpill on the front page this morning 😂

Libtards and globalists be like..

Don't know who he is, but he needs a raise...

Tuesday, November 27th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

Executive Order on Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Nicaragua

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

The Phony Witch Hunt continues, but Mueller and his gang of Angry Dems are only looking at one side, not the other. Wait until it comes out how horribly & viciously they are treating people, ruining lives for them refusing to lie. Mueller is a conflicted prosecutor gone rogue.... ... ....The Fake News Media builds Bob Mueller up as a Saint, when in actuality he is the exact opposite. He is doing TREMENDOUS damage to our Criminal Justice System, where he is only looking at one side and not the other. Heroes will come of this, and it won’t be Mueller and his... ... ....terrible Gang of Angry Democrats. Look at their past, and look where they come from. The now $30,000,000 Witch Hunt continues and they’ve got nothing but ruined lives. Where is the Server? Let these terrible people go back to the Clinton Foundation and “Justice” Department!

Polls are open in Mississippi. We need Cindy Hyde-Smith in Washington. GO OUT AND VOTE. Thanks!

Very disappointed with General Motors and their CEO, Mary Barra, for closing plants in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland. Nothing being closed in Mexico & China. The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get! We are now looking at cutting all @GM subsidies, including.... ... ....for electric cars. General Motors made a big China bet years ago when they built plants there (and in Mexico) - don’t think that bet is going to pay off. I am here to protect America’s Workers!

The Mueller Witch Hunt is a total disgrace. They are looking at supposedly stolen Crooked Hillary Clinton Emails (even though they don’t want to look at the DNC Server), but have no interest in the Emails that Hillary DELETED & acid washed AFTER getting a Congressional Subpoena!

Brenda Snipes, in charge of voting in Broward County, Florida, was just spotted wearing a beautiful dress with 300 I VOTED signs on it. Just kidding, she is a fine, very honorable and highly respected voting tactician!

Congratulations to Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith on your big WIN in the Great State of Mississippi. We are all very proud of you!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

Miles of cars lined up today for the funeral service for Stanley Stoltz, the Vietnam veteran who passed away with no family. Regardless of your affiliation, we all came together to honor this patriot today. From all of us here at T_D, thank you for your service Mr. Stoltz. RIP.

4,300 VA Employees Fired, Demoted, or Suspended for Negligence Under Trump

FAKE FUCKING NEWS!!!

Latest WARNING from Homeland Security.... Build the Damn Wall already....

BREAKING: @WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange has instructed his lawyers to sue the Guardian for libel over fabricated Manafort story and launched a legal fund to boost the action

PRESS BRIEFINGS, INTERVIEWS, RALLIES:

Press Beating

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Aww. Someone brought our Border Patrol a party favor. Should we open the gate?

Liberals Went Full Retard Today

Why did Obama issue a stand-down order in the summer of 2016 to his cyber security chief to stop investigating Russian hacking? Was he hiding something or obstructing justice?

Dr GEOTUSs

TFW you spend a year and $30,000,000 torturing Trump's former campaign manager to get him to lie and say there was Russian collusion, he agrees to cooperate in a plea deal but then tells you the truth -there was no collusion- so you say he lied to the FBI, and now your key witness is gone

Wednesday, November 28th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

President Trump and the First Lady Participate in the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

President Trump and the First Lady Participate in the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

While the disgusting Fake News is doing everything within their power not to report it that way, at least 3 major players are intimating that the Angry Mueller Gang of Dems is viciously telling witnesses to lie about facts & they will get relief. This is our Joseph McCarthy Era!

(Retweeting The Trump Train🚂🇺🇸)

(Retweeting The Trump Train🚂🇺🇸) If GM doesn't want to keep their jobs in the United States, they should pay back the $11.2 billion bailout that was funded by the American taxpayer.

(Retweeting The Trump Train🚂🇺🇸) Illegals can get up to $3,874 a month under Federal Assistance program. Our social security checks are on average $1200 a month. RT if you agree: If you weren't born in the United States, you should receive $0 assistance.

(Retweeting The Trump Train🚂🇺🇸) Will CNN ever ask Border Patrol agents how they felt having large rocks chucked at them by criminal illegals?

(Retweeting Dan Bongino) What the hell is this? 👇🏻

(Retweeting Charlie Kirk) WOW - if a conservative said this they would be boycotted and not allowed back in the public arena — Hillary said “all black people look the same” - incredibly racist thing to say Hillary! RT!

The reason that the small truck business in the U.S. is such a go to favorite is that, for many years, Tariffs of 25% have been put on small trucks coming into our country. It is called the “chicken tax.” If we did that with cars coming in, many more cars would be built here..... ... .....and G.M. would not be closing their plants in Ohio, Michigan & Maryland. Get smart Congress. Also, the countries that send us cars have taken advantage of the U.S. for decades. The President has great power on this issue - Because of the G.M. event, it is being studied now!

Steel Dynamics announced that it will build a brand new 3 million ton steel mill in the Southwest that will create 600 good-paying U.S. JOBS. Steel JOBS are coming back to America, just like I predicted. Congratulations to Steel Dynamics!

On behalf of @FLOTUS Melania and the entire Trump family, I want to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! May this Christmas Season bring peace to your hearts, warmth to your homes, cheer to your spirits and JOY TO THE WORLD! #NCTL2018🎄

Sebastian Gorka, a very talented man who I got to know well while he was working at the White House, has just written an excellent book, “Why We Fight.” Much will be learned from this very good read!

So much happening with the now discredited Witch Hunt. This total Hoax will be studied for years!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

WaPo places story on Kavanaugh returning to coach girls basketball in 'public safety' section

Clintons Face Empty Seats As Trump-Trashing Speaking Tour Kicks Off With A Coughing Fit

Ted Cruz: "We've also seen Twitter recently getting bolder and bolder, blocking Conservatives all together from speaking, and just banning them from the platform because what they were saying was inconsistent with Twitter's political views."

GM CEO Mary Barra was on the shortlist for Clinton's Vice President slot.

Melania Trump brushes off Christmas decoration critics: 'I think they look fantastic'.....

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Thank you Mr. President of the Senate Mike Pence! He just broke a tie in the Senate for the 10th time (7th all-time now) to invoke cloture on District Judge nominee Thomas Farr. The left is TRIGGERED by Farr I think on the same level as with the President.

WINNER!! Alex Jones Announces the INFOWARS NPC Meme Contest Winner!! THANK YOU ALEX!

Graduating from basic training tomorrow. Missed my The_Donald family these past 10 weeks!

Help! Pepe is sick from reading POTUS twitter comments. He didn't know leftist memes can cause cancer.

Thursday, November 29th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

Presidential Memorandum for the Secretary of State

Presidential Memorandum for the Secretary of State

First Lady Melania Trump Delivers Remarks at Liberty University

First Lady Melania Trump Visits the Red Cross

Vice President Pence Delivers Remarks at the White House World AIDS Day Event

President Trump Delivers a Statement Upon Departure

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

General Motors is very counter to what other auto, and other, companies are doing. Big Steel is opening and renovating plants all over the country. Auto companies are pouring into the U.S., including BMW, which just announced a major new plant. The U.S.A. is booming!

Did you ever see an investigation more in search of a crime? At the same time Mueller and the Angry Democrats aren’t even looking at the atrocious, and perhaps subversive, crimes that were committed by Crooked Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. A total disgrace!

When will this illegal Joseph McCarthy style Witch Hunt, one that has shattered so many innocent lives, ever end-or will it just go on forever? After wasting more than $40,000,000 (is that possible?), it has proven only one thing-there was NO Collusion with Russia. So Ridiculous!

Billions of Dollars are pouring into the coffers of the U.S.A. because of the Tariffs being charged to China, and there is a long way to go. If companies don’t want to pay Tariffs, build in the U.S.A. Otherwise, lets just make our Country richer than ever before!

Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting.... ... ....in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin. I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!

.@SteveScalise has written an absolutely fascinating book (BACK IN THE GAME) on the world of D.C. politics, and more. He has experienced so much, in a short period of time. Few people have had his bravery or courage, and he has come all the way back. A big power and great person!

.@StephenMoore and Arthur Laffer, two very talented men, have just completed an incredible book on my Economic Policies or, as they call it, #TRUMPONOMICS.... ... ....They have really done a great job in capturing my long-held views and ideas. This book is on sale now - a terrific read of a really interesting subject!

.@DBongino’s new book, "Spygate: The Attempted Sabotage of Donald J. Trump," is terrific. He's tough, he's smart, and he really gets it. His book is on sale now, I highly recommend!

With all of the new books coming out you can't forget two of the great originals written by @GreggJarrett and @JudgeJeanine Pirro. Their books both went to #1. Go get them now, the phony Witch Hunt is well explained!

We have been working hard on this - and it’s only going to get better!

As RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel oversaw history defying gains in the Senate and unprecedented fundraising strength. I have asked her to serve another term for my 2020 re-elect, because there is no one better for the job!

Just landed in Argentina with @FLOTUS Melania! #G20Summit

“This demonstrates the Robert Mueller and his partisans have no evidence, not a whiff of collusion, between Trump and the Russians. Russian project legal. Trump Tower meeting (son Don), perfectly legal. He wasn’t involved with hacking.” Gregg Jarrett. A total Witch Hunt!

Alan Dershowitz: “These are not crimes. He (Mueller) has no authority to be a roving Commissioner. I don’t see any evidence of crimes.” This is an illegal Hoax that should be ended immediately. Mueller refuses to look at the real crimes on the other side. Where is the IG REPORT?

Arrived in Argentina with a very busy two days planned. Important meetings scheduled throughout. Our great Country is extremely well represented. Will be very productive!

Oh, I get it! I am a very good developer, happily living my life, when I see our Country going in the wrong direction (to put it mildly). Against all odds, I decide to run for President & continue to run my business-very legal & very cool, talked about it on the campaign trail... ... ....Lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia. Put up zero money, zero guarantees and didn’t do the project. Witch Hunt!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

CJ Pearson, a 16yo black conservative with -verified- account banned by Twitter. Reason given...users have to be 13yo.

After Obummer claims responsibility for increased oil production, FORMER SHELL OIL PRESIDENT SAYS OBAMA HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT

Migrant caravan on border growing, contains 600+ criminals including MS-13 & 18th Street gang members

Glenn Greenwald: 7/ In less than 48 hours, we went from "MANAFORT SECRETLY MET WITH ASSANGE 3 TIMES IN THE EMBASSY" (Guardian) to "MAYBE THE RUSSIANS TRICKED THE GUARDIAN INTO PUBLISHING A FALSE STORY" (Politico's CIA writer). Next: why do people not trust news outlets??? It's so unfair!

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Current state of Redacted

GAS PRICE DOWN 17c IN 2 WEEKS! GOD BLESS YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP!

Imagine

GM Disassembly Line

Donald Trump goes full Whomp on the caravan at the border.

Friday, November 30th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

Presidential Proclamation on World AIDS Day, 2018

President Trump Participates in the USMCA Signing Ceremony

President Trump Participates in a Photo Opportunity with the President of the Argentine Republic

President Trump Meets with the PM of Japan and the PM of the Republic of India

President Trump Participates in a Meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan

President Trump Participates in a Meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia

Presidential Proclamation on National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2018

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

#USMCA🇺🇸🇲🇽🇨🇦

Just signed one of the most important, and largest, Trade Deals in U.S. and World History. The United States, Mexico and Canada worked so well together in crafting this great document. The terrible NAFTA will soon be gone. The USMCA will be fantastic for all!

To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a “big one.” Please follow the directions of the highly trained professionals who are there to help you. Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL!

Great reviews on the USMCA - sooo much better than NAFTA!

Great day at the #G20Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Thank you!

Watch @seanhannity on @FoxNews NOW. Enjoy!

(Retweeting The Office of President Moon Jae-in) President Moon (@moonriver365) and President Trump (@realDonaldTrump) reaffirmed their commitment to closely coordinate so as to achieve their common goals at an early date.

(Retweeting 安倍晋三) アルゼンチンでＧ２０サミットが開幕��ました。この機会を活かし、トランプ大統領、モディ首相と、初めてとなる日米印三か国による首脳会談を行いました。「自由で開かれたインド太平洋」という共通の目標に向かって、緊密に連携していくことで一致しました。

(Retweeting Enrique Peña Nieto) En mi último día como Presidente, me siento muy honrado de haber participado en la firma del nuevo Tratado Comercial entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá. Este día concluye un largo proceso de diálogo y negociación que consolidará la integración económica de América del Norte.

Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

FBI Raids Home of Uranium One and Clinton Foundation Whistleblower

Asylum seekers waiting at U.S. border begin hunger strike

Google staffers discussed burying conservative news outlets, but tech giant claims talks didn't amount to anything. I love how I complained about this 2 years ago, search a trending news story and always at the top is CNN, MSNBC, Huffington Post, Vice, LA Times, BBC, and on the 3rd page is FoxNews!

Brad unleashes on fake news, "muh Russia" lies, and the war on Trump. Wow!

Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

TOLD YOU!! NO FREE SHIT GO AWAY!

REEEEEEEEEEE

Holy shit, what are they feeding that boy?

BREAKING: A payment of $500k from a Russian bank was made to Trump

When your post gets stickied on the_Donald

Saturday, December 1st:

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all!

I was very much looking forward to having a press conference just prior to leaving Argentina because we have had such great success in our dealing with various countries and their leaders at the G20.... ... ....However, out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush we will wait until after the funeral to have a press conference.

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

FAKE NEWS ALERT: False claim of Trump Jr. legal jeopardy forces NPR to issue correction

Based Kid Rock BTFO Joy Behar

U.S. Troops Could Remain on Border Into 2019

Tijuana mayor says arrest caravan organizer, vows to stop funding migrants

Conservative Mexican Live streamer exposing the caravan

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Time to wake up and kick some ass

Dec 1st: Today in History

He's done it all!

It was him, the whole time!

WEEEEEEEEEW LAD, WHATA WEEK!

Of course, no recap is complete without some tunes to get you jamming through all this WINNING:

Inside Out

Santeria

Slide

Shimmer

Drive

Badfish

MAGA ON PATRIOTS!

submitted by /u/Ivaginaryfriend [link] [comments]

[robgrayofficial]

HAPPY SATURDAY PATRIOTS!!!This is u/Ivaginaryfriend here to help kick off your Saturday recap style! Before we get started on that I would like to remind everyone that we are having a r/The_Donald Christmas Header Contest next Tuesday!! Bring us your dankest Christmas OC and you might just see it at the top of our DOM for this Christmas season!As always, if you happened to miss any past recaps you can check those out here!Sunday, November 25th:🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:Victor Davis Hanson was a very good and interesting guest of Mark Levin on @FoxNews. He wrote a highly touted book called “The Second World Wars” and a new book will soon be coming out called “The Case For Trump.” Recommend both. @marklevinshowI will be in Gulfport and Tupelo, Mississippi, on Monday night doing two Rallies for Senator Hyde-Smith, who has a very important Election on Tuesday. She is an outstanding person who is strong on the Border, Crime, Military, our great Vets, Healthcare & the 2nd A. Needed in D.C.The large and violent French protests don’t take into account how badly the United States has been treated on Trade by the European Union or on fair and reasonable payments for our GREAT military protection. Both of these topics must be remedied soon.Would be very SMART if Mexico would stop the Caravans long before they get to our Southern Border, or if originating countries would not let them form (it is a way they get certain people out of their country and dump in U.S. No longer). Dems created this problem. No crossings!So great that oil prices are falling (thank you President T). Add that, which is like a big Tax Cut, to our other good Economic news. Inflation down (are you listening Fed)!Mississippi, Vote for @cindyhydesmith on Tuesday. Respected by all. We need her in Washington!. Thanks!General Anthony Tata: “President Trump is a man of his word & he said he was going to be tough on the Border, and he is tough on the Border. He has rightfully strengthened the Border in the face of an unprecedented threat. It’s the right move by President Trump.” Thanks General!Europe has to pay their fair share for Military Protection. The European Union, for many years, has taken advantage of us on Trade, and then they don’t live up to their Military commitment through NATO. Things must change fast!Clinton Foundation donations drop 42% - which shows that they illegally played the power game. They monetized their political influence through the Foundation. “During her tenure the State Department was put in the service of the Clinton Foundation.” Andrew McCarthy.@60Minutes did a phony story about child separation when they know we had the exact same policy as the Obama Administration. In fact a picture of children in jails was used by other Fake Media to show how bad (cruel) we are, but it was in 2014 during O years. Obama separated.... ... ....children from parents, as did Bush etc., because that is the policy and law. I tried to keep them together but the problem is, when you do that, vast numbers of additional people storm the Border. So with Obama seperation is fine, but with Trump it’s not. Fake 60 Minutes!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:We're supposed to believe that this person dragged those poor, pantless children 2888 miles in 45 days? Walking ~20 hours a day? And we're supposed to believe it is a totally organic thing, not paid for by anyone?Hundreds of migrants apparently try storming California point of entry, as Trump threatens to close entire border | Fox NewsMexico To Deport Hundreds Of Migrants Who "Violently" Rushed US BorderUS closes border between San Diego and Tijuana, fires tear gasThis is why we will continue to win🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Come on Mexico! ¡Sí Tu Puedes!Who the fuck else with power had the balls to stand up for us, the US, more than him? Unapologetic Nationalist.HEY CUCKS:PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT: Pedes, I live 40 miles north of the Busiest International Border in the WORLD. Christmas came Early. WE'RE CLOSED!Monday, November 26th:TODAY'S ACTION:Presidential Memorandum on the Delegation of Authorities under Section 1757 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration Posts2018 Christmas Decorations at the White HousePresident Trump Participates in a Roundtable on the FIRST STEP ActPresident Trump Delivers a Statement Upon Departure🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:Mexico should move the flag waving Migrants, many of whom are stone cold criminals, back to their countries. Do it by plane, do it by bus, do it anyway you want, but they are NOT coming into the U.S.A. We will close the Border permanently if need be. Congress, fund the WALL!When Mueller does his final report, will he be recommending action on all of the crimes of many kinds from those “on the other side”(whatever happened to Podesta?), and will he be putting in statements from..... ... ....hundreds of people closely involved with my campaign who never met, saw or spoke to a Russian during this period? So many campaign workers, people inside from the beginning, ask me why they have not been called (they want to be). There was NO Collusion & Mueller knows it!On the ten-year anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack, the U.S. stands with the people of India in their quest for justice. The attack killed 166 innocents, including six Americans. We will never let terrorists win, or even come close to winning!While CNN doesn’t do great in the United States based on ratings, outside of the U.S. they have very little competition. Throughout the world, CNN has a powerful voice portraying the United States in an unfair.... ... ....and false way. Something has to be done, including the possibility of the United States starting our own Worldwide Network to show the World the way we really are, GREAT!Brad Raffensperger will be a fantastic Secretary of State for Georgia - will work closely with @BrianKempGA. It is really important that you get out and vote for Brad - early voting.... ... ....starts today, election is on December 4th. @VoteBradRaff is tough on Crime and Borders, Loves our Military and Vets. He will be great for jobs!(Retweeting The GOP) “I need the great people of Mississippi to send a message to… the radical Democrats by electing @cindyhydesmith.” -@realDonaldTrump(Retweeting The GOP) “Only with a strong Senate GOP majority can we defend your tax cuts, defend your Second Amendment, protect your Medicare and Social Security, and confirm judges who will interpret the Constitution exactly as written.” -@realDonaldTrump(Retweeting The GOP) “Tomorrow, the voters of this state will cast their ballots in one of the most important Senate elections of your lives—of all of our lives”—@realDonaldTrump in Tupelo, MS.SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:CNN gets BTFO by San Diego Border Patrol Chief - "vast majority are adult males" "push women and children to the front" "throwing rocks" "assaulting our agents" "majority don't meet qualifications to get asylum"Obama Administration Used Tear Gas At Border Once A MonthMSNPC gets rek't by own reporter🌶️🌶️ KEK!!! Former US Border Agent interviewed by Newsweek defends border invasion tear gas use...."It's pepper spray. Literally, water/pepper...You could actually put it on your nachos and eat it." HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!WATCH: This is what we are trying to avoid!! Map visualization of world "Refugee" migration from 2000-2016....Europe is DOOMED!! INVADERS!!!🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:When your country just landed ANOTHER mission on Mars and the rest of the world is screechingWelp, looks like r/The_Donald was right again...Found a redpill on the front page this morning 😂Libtards and globalists be like..Don't know who he is, but he needs a raise...Tuesday, November 27th:TODAY'S ACTION:Executive Order on Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Nicaragua🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:The Phony Witch Hunt continues, but Mueller and his gang of Angry Dems are only looking at one side, not the other. Wait until it comes out how horribly & viciously they are treating people, ruining lives for them refusing to lie. Mueller is a conflicted prosecutor gone rogue.... ... ....The Fake News Media builds Bob Mueller up as a Saint, when in actuality he is the exact opposite. He is doing TREMENDOUS damage to our Criminal Justice System, where he is only looking at one side and not the other. Heroes will come of this, and it won’t be Mueller and his... ... ....terrible Gang of Angry Democrats. Look at their past, and look where they come from. The now $30,000,000 Witch Hunt continues and they’ve got nothing but ruined lives. Where is the Server? Let these terrible people go back to the Clinton Foundation and “Justice” Department!Polls are open in Mississippi. We need Cindy Hyde-Smith in Washington. GO OUT AND VOTE. Thanks!Very disappointed with General Motors and their CEO, Mary Barra, for closing plants in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland. Nothing being closed in Mexico & China. The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get! We are now looking at cutting all @GM subsidies, including.... ... ....for electric cars. General Motors made a big China bet years ago when they built plants there (and in Mexico) - don’t think that bet is going to pay off. I am here to protect America’s Workers!The Mueller Witch Hunt is a total disgrace. They are looking at supposedly stolen Crooked Hillary Clinton Emails (even though they don’t want to look at the DNC Server), but have no interest in the Emails that Hillary DELETED & acid washed AFTER getting a Congressional Subpoena!Brenda Snipes, in charge of voting in Broward County, Florida, was just spotted wearing a beautiful dress with 300 I VOTED signs on it. Just kidding, she is a fine, very honorable and highly respected voting tactician!Congratulations to Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith on your big WIN in the Great State of Mississippi. We are all very proud of you!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:Miles of cars lined up today for the funeral service for Stanley Stoltz, the Vietnam veteran who passed away with no family. Regardless of your affiliation, we all came together to honor this patriot today. From all of us here at T_D, thank you for your service Mr. Stoltz. RIP.4,300 VA Employees Fired, Demoted, or Suspended for Negligence Under TrumpFAKE FUCKING NEWS!!!Latest WARNING from Homeland Security.... Build the Damn Wall already....BREAKING: @WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange has instructed his lawyers to sue the Guardian for libel over fabricated Manafort story and launched a legal fund to boost the actionPRESS BRIEFINGS, INTERVIEWS, RALLIES:Press Beating🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Aww. Someone brought our Border Patrol a party favor. Should we open the gate?Liberals Went Full Retard TodayWhy did Obama issue a stand-down order in the summer of 2016 to his cyber security chief to stop investigating Russian hacking? Was he hiding something or obstructing justice?Dr GEOTUSsTFW you spend a year and $30,000,000 torturing Trump's former campaign manager to get him to lie and say there was Russian collusion, he agrees to cooperate in a plea deal but then tells you the truth -there was no collusion- so you say he lied to the FBI, and now your key witness is goneWednesday, November 28th:TODAY'S ACTION:President Trump and the First Lady Participate in the National Christmas Tree Lighting CeremonyPresident Trump and the First Lady Participate in the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:While the disgusting Fake News is doing everything within their power not to report it that way, at least 3 major players are intimating that the Angry Mueller Gang of Dems is viciously telling witnesses to lie about facts & they will get relief. This is our Joseph McCarthy Era!(Retweeting The Trump Train🚂🇺🇸)(Retweeting The Trump Train🚂🇺🇸) If GM doesn't want to keep their jobs in the United States, they should pay back the $11.2 billion bailout that was funded by the American taxpayer.(Retweeting The Trump Train🚂🇺🇸) Illegals can get up to $3,874 a month under Federal Assistance program. Our social security checks are on average $1200 a month. RT if you agree: If you weren't born in the United States, you should receive $0 assistance.(Retweeting The Trump Train🚂🇺🇸) Will CNN ever ask Border Patrol agents how they felt having large rocks chucked at them by criminal illegals?(Retweeting Dan Bongino) What the hell is this? 👇🏻(Retweeting Charlie Kirk) WOW - if a conservative said this they would be boycotted and not allowed back in the public arena — Hillary said “all black people look the same” - incredibly racist thing to say Hillary! RT!The reason that the small truck business in the U.S. is such a go to favorite is that, for many years, Tariffs of 25% have been put on small trucks coming into our country. It is called the “chicken tax.” If we did that with cars coming in, many more cars would be built here..... ... .....and G.M. would not be closing their plants in Ohio, Michigan & Maryland. Get smart Congress. Also, the countries that send us cars have taken advantage of the U.S. for decades. The President has great power on this issue - Because of the G.M. event, it is being studied now!Steel Dynamics announced that it will build a brand new 3 million ton steel mill in the Southwest that will create 600 good-paying U.S. JOBS. Steel JOBS are coming back to America, just like I predicted. Congratulations to Steel Dynamics!On behalf of @FLOTUS Melania and the entire Trump family, I want to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! May this Christmas Season bring peace to your hearts, warmth to your homes, cheer to your spirits and JOY TO THE WORLD! #NCTL2018🎄Sebastian Gorka, a very talented man who I got to know well while he was working at the White House, has just written an excellent book, “Why We Fight.” Much will be learned from this very good read!So much happening with the now discredited Witch Hunt. This total Hoax will be studied for years!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:WaPo places story on Kavanaugh returning to coach girls basketball in 'public safety' sectionClintons Face Empty Seats As Trump-Trashing Speaking Tour Kicks Off With A Coughing FitTed Cruz: "We've also seen Twitter recently getting bolder and bolder, blocking Conservatives all together from speaking, and just banning them from the platform because what they were saying was inconsistent with Twitter's political views."GM CEO Mary Barra was on the shortlist for Clinton's Vice President slot.Melania Trump brushes off Christmas decoration critics: 'I think they look fantastic'.....🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Thank you Mr. President of the Senate Mike Pence! He just broke a tie in the Senate for the 10th time (7th all-time now) to invoke cloture on District Judge nominee Thomas Farr. The left is TRIGGERED by Farr I think on the same level as with the President.WINNER!! Alex Jones Announces the INFOWARS NPC Meme Contest Winner!! THANK YOU ALEX!Graduating from basic training tomorrow. Missed my The_Donald family these past 10 weeks!Help! Pepe is sick from reading POTUS twitter comments. He didn't know leftist memes can cause cancer.Thursday, November 29th:TODAY'S ACTION:Presidential Memorandum for the Secretary of StatePresidential Memorandum for the Secretary of StateFirst Lady Melania Trump Delivers Remarks at Liberty UniversityFirst Lady Melania Trump Visits the Red CrossVice President Pence Delivers Remarks at the White House World AIDS Day EventPresident Trump Delivers a Statement Upon Departure🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:General Motors is very counter to what other auto, and other, companies are doing. Big Steel is opening and renovating plants all over the country. Auto companies are pouring into the U.S., including BMW, which just announced a major new plant. The U.S.A. is booming!Did you ever see an investigation more in search of a crime? At the same time Mueller and the Angry Democrats aren’t even looking at the atrocious, and perhaps subversive, crimes that were committed by Crooked Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. A total disgrace!When will this illegal Joseph McCarthy style Witch Hunt, one that has shattered so many innocent lives, ever end-or will it just go on forever? After wasting more than $40,000,000 (is that possible?), it has proven only one thing-there was NO Collusion with Russia. So Ridiculous!Billions of Dollars are pouring into the coffers of the U.S.A. because of the Tariffs being charged to China, and there is a long way to go. If companies don’t want to pay Tariffs, build in the U.S.A. Otherwise, lets just make our Country richer than ever before!Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting.... ... ....in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin. I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!.@SteveScalise has written an absolutely fascinating book (BACK IN THE GAME) on the world of D.C. politics, and more. He has experienced so much, in a short period of time. Few people have had his bravery or courage, and he has come all the way back. A big power and great person!.@StephenMoore and Arthur Laffer, two very talented men, have just completed an incredible book on my Economic Policies or, as they call it, #TRUMPONOMICS.... ... ....They have really done a great job in capturing my long-held views and ideas. This book is on sale now - a terrific read of a really interesting subject!.@DBongino’s new book, "Spygate: The Attempted Sabotage of Donald J. Trump," is terrific. He's tough, he's smart, and he really gets it. His book is on sale now, I highly recommend!With all of the new books coming out you can't forget two of the great originals written by @GreggJarrett and @JudgeJeanine Pirro. Their books both went to #1. Go get them now, the phony Witch Hunt is well explained!We have been working hard on this - and it’s only going to get better!As RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel oversaw history defying gains in the Senate and unprecedented fundraising strength. I have asked her to serve another term for my 2020 re-elect, because there is no one better for the job!Just landed in Argentina with @FLOTUS Melania! #G20Summit“This demonstrates the Robert Mueller and his partisans have no evidence, not a whiff of collusion, between Trump and the Russians. Russian project legal. Trump Tower meeting (son Don), perfectly legal. He wasn’t involved with hacking.” Gregg Jarrett. A total Witch Hunt!Alan Dershowitz: “These are not crimes. He (Mueller) has no authority to be a roving Commissioner. I don’t see any evidence of crimes.” This is an illegal Hoax that should be ended immediately. Mueller refuses to look at the real crimes on the other side. Where is the IG REPORT?Arrived in Argentina with a very busy two days planned. Important meetings scheduled throughout. Our great Country is extremely well represented. Will be very productive!Oh, I get it! I am a very good developer, happily living my life, when I see our Country going in the wrong direction (to put it mildly). Against all odds, I decide to run for President & continue to run my business-very legal & very cool, talked about it on the campaign trail... ... ....Lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia. Put up zero money, zero guarantees and didn’t do the project. Witch Hunt!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:CJ Pearson, a 16yo black conservative with -verified- account banned by Twitter. Reason given...users have to be 13yo.After Obummer claims responsibility for increased oil production, FORMER SHELL OIL PRESIDENT SAYS OBAMA HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ITMigrant caravan on border growing, contains 600+ criminals including MS-13 & 18th Street gang membersGlenn Greenwald: 7/ In less than 48 hours, we went from "MANAFORT SECRETLY MET WITH ASSANGE 3 TIMES IN THE EMBASSY" (Guardian) to "MAYBE THE RUSSIANS TRICKED THE GUARDIAN INTO PUBLISHING A FALSE STORY" (Politico's CIA writer). Next: why do people not trust news outlets??? It's so unfair!🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Current state of RedactedGAS PRICE DOWN 17c IN 2 WEEKS! GOD BLESS YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP!ImagineGM Disassembly LineDonald Trump goes full Whomp on the caravan at the border.Friday, November 30th:TODAY'S ACTION:Presidential Proclamation on World AIDS Day, 2018President Trump Participates in the USMCA Signing CeremonyPresident Trump Participates in a Photo Opportunity with the President of the Argentine RepublicPresident Trump Meets with the PM of Japan and the PM of the Republic of IndiaPresident Trump Participates in a Meeting with the Prime Minister of JapanPresident Trump Participates in a Meeting with the Prime Minister of AustraliaPresidential Proclamation on National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2018🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:#USMCA🇺🇸🇲🇽🇨🇦Just signed one of the most important, and largest, Trade Deals in U.S. and World History. The United States, Mexico and Canada worked so well together in crafting this great document. The terrible NAFTA will soon be gone. The USMCA will be fantastic for all!To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a “big one.” Please follow the directions of the highly trained professionals who are there to help you. Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL!Great reviews on the USMCA - sooo much better than NAFTA!Great day at the #G20Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Thank you!Watch @seanhannity on @FoxNews NOW. Enjoy!(Retweeting The Office of President Moon Jae-in) President Moon (@moonriver365) and President Trump (@realDonaldTrump) reaffirmed their commitment to closely coordinate so as to achieve their common goals at an early date.(Retweeting 安倍晋三) アルゼンチンでＧ２０サミットが開幕しました。この機会を活かし、トランプ大統領、モディ首相と、初めてとなる日米印三か国による首脳会談を行いました。「自由で開かれたインド太平洋」という共通の目標に向かって、緊密に連携していくことで一致しました。(Retweeting Enrique Peña Nieto) En mi último día como Presidente, me siento muy honrado de haber participado en la firma del nuevo Tratado Comercial entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá. Este día concluye un largo proceso de diálogo y negociación que consolidará la integración económica de América del Norte.Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. BushSIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:FBI Raids Home of Uranium One and Clinton Foundation WhistleblowerAsylum seekers waiting at U.S. border begin hunger strikeGoogle staffers discussed burying conservative news outlets, but tech giant claims talks didn't amount to anything. I love how I complained about this 2 years ago, search a trending news story and always at the top is CNN, MSNBC, Huffington Post, Vice, LA Times, BBC, and on the 3rd page is FoxNews!Brad unleashes on fake news, "muh Russia" lies, and the war on Trump. Wow!Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:TOLD YOU!! NO FREE SHIT GO AWAY!REEEEEEEEEEEHoly shit, what are they feeding that boy?BREAKING: A payment of $500k from a Russian bank was made to TrumpWhen your post gets stickied on the_DonaldSaturday, December 1st:🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all!I was very much looking forward to having a press conference just prior to leaving Argentina because we have had such great success in our dealing with various countries and their leaders at the G20.... ... ....However, out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush we will wait until after the funeral to have a press conference.SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:FAKE NEWS ALERT: False claim of Trump Jr. legal jeopardy forces NPR to issue correctionBased Kid Rock BTFO Joy BeharU.S. Troops Could Remain on Border Into 2019Tijuana mayor says arrest caravan organizer, vows to stop funding migrantsConservative Mexican Live streamer exposing the caravan🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Time to wake up and kick some assDec 1st: Today in HistoryHe's done it all!It was him, the whole time!WEEEEEEEEEW LAD, WHATA WEEK!Of course, no recap is complete without some tunes to get you jamming through all this WINNING:Inside OutSanteriaSlideShimmerDriveBadfishMAGA ON PATRIOTS! #robgray

[idadayalla-blog]

Brazil’s emotional election period got me emotional ...

So it has already been two weeks since the elections and the news about Bolsonaro have spread globally meanwhile. On the night of that election Sunday, I had actually been very calm. I picked up the result at the counter of a bakery as a cashier quietly updated another cashier and it was just my turn to pay my bill. I was on my way home by bike from a little hike with friends. Some cars honking had been passing me and I heard noises of firecrackers justifying me that Bolsonaro had won. This behavior of victory celebration, like after soccer games, personally matched my notion of Bolsonaro voters.

The week before the second ballot I had become very emotionally touched because of all the news considering street violence linked to the elections, conversations with friends about politics and experiencing the effort at my university to demonstrate resistance against an anticipated far right shift for the country. I became extremely worried about what is actually going on in the world right now. Right-wing populism isn’t just a phenomenon in Brazil; it is gaining more and more popularity in many countries of the world right now and has already settled within positions of power. If I am thinking of going back to Germany, I would certainly not return to a soil not being infected by that cancer yet having the AfD as the third strongest party right now within the Bundestag (German parliament).

Well, I literally felt that major bricks regarding democracy are breaking right now. Usually I used to not take myself and the world I am living in too serious, however these days something just felt so profoundly serious about this planet leaving me literally unable to focus on stuff I wanted to do during the day like writing this text.

The internet totally consumed my mind shortly after the election Sunday.

- The Pittsburgh shooting (to me: a brutal evidence of anti-Semitism and basically hate)

- Angela Merkel’s (Germany’s chancellor) speech to announce her retirement after the current election period (although I am not an elector of her party, her speech left me impressed on her rhetoric capability and honest attitude regarding the current government’s work. But the intention of her speech also left me sad.)

- chatting with my mom and my former host dad from the states regarding politics, as my host dad writes that they would “joke (for now, at least) about civil war between far right and the left, problem is, the far right has all the guns!” (right after that message, I saw and read a then recently posted vice article with the headline “A new American Civil War feels closer than ever after Pittsburgh”)

- youtube documentaries on Brazilian politics

- the usual random madness within the facebook feed: Seeing the latest news on post elections violence in Brazil: A kid being killed by a gun during Bolsonaro victory celebrations, vandalism in indigenous communities, people wearing T-Shirts with the number “64” which dates the initial year of the past military dictatorship in Brazil (comparable to Neonazis wearing shirts with the number “88”.). But then also videos plopping up about positive thinking vibes, a kitten drinking milk “to brighten your day”, some holiday pics from long forgotten classmates, a video about an American motel trying to give shelter for people which are basically totally lost in their life, a video collecting all homophobe statements of Bolsonaro and so on… within the mess theres had also been a call to sign a petition to attack the plan of a pro Bolsonaro student deputy (as far as I understood the news) who wants to led professors be videotaped while holding lessons. The student deputy says: ‘what do they say which society is not allowed to hear as well?’

By the time I saw news that the “Nigerian army is using Trump’s words to defend gunning down dozens of protesters” (vice), I’ve luckily already made my way out of this depression trap called internet. However, when I was walking along my street for instance and passing neighbors I just felt so little trust in the faces I saw. Like I was thinking meanwhile: “Oh she/he probably voted for Bolsonaro as well”. And many of them did so for fact, as there is apparently a lot of arguing going on in my street’s groupchat on WhatsApp, which is what my hairdresser neighbor told me the other day while giving me a new look. Gosh, am I glad that I am not in that group. I am hating group chats in general. But anyway she voted for him as well, as she didn’t really answer to my concerns and criticism on Bolsonaro except “He might had been kidding a lot” and “Well let’s see”, in Portuguese ‘vamos ver’, also belonging to one of the most outspoken sentences over here and expressing the uncertainty within the Brazilian mentality pretty much on point. Well, she might had voted for a radical candidate but during my appointment she had been a bit afraid and hesitating in giving me, as she said, a ‘radical haircut’. I was asking her to do me a very straight-lined hair. “Do many people have that haircut in Europe?” Me: 🙄. Well, back to the group chat misery:

A guy I met at a friend’s birthday said that the group chat of his apartment complex is full with pro Bolsonaro content and he wouldn’t dare to text something contra. Most of the people he is sharing the building with are apparently evangelic. “I’d be probably screwed leaving a red scarf or so on my door handle”, he was joking. Because the Pro Bolsonaro side argues/d that the left-wing would want to turn the country communist.  

So now, post elections, many people are very afraid, especially the ones belonging to minorities or being activist. Uruguay is a considered country among those and professors and artists and maybe other people as well to emigrate to. Some of them have already left the country prior to the elections because the victory of Bolsonaro had been a pretty save prediction. A friend of mine told me that he basically doesn’t see a future for him. On election day he held a specific meditation, to mentally prepare himself for a new era. Within the WhatsApp group of my university, ‘UDESC against fascism’, a five screen long guide with security advise in fascist times had been dropped immediately after the result was final. And last week in my ceramics class I could definitely feel a despondent mood capturing the studio.

But how am I feeling eventually? First of all, the major voting motivations seemed very ridiculous. At the second ballot, the majority of people would vote for one of the two candidates to not let the other win. I mean, voting for a party based on being supportive on their political plan is totally left out in this sort of voting scheme. In general, many people voted for Bolsonaro as a matter of protest against the past year’s corruptive politics by the PT. On the other hand, had many Haddad voters (in the second ballot) not been convinced by him or his party, but basically voted for him to save democratic values in their country. A fact that made me very angry is that many people of my social environment haven’t gone vote because they didn’t transfer their voting region in advance. They moved to Florianópolis within the past years, e.g. to go to university here, but they didn’t officially change their location of residency to then be able to vote at the polls here. They are all against Bolsonaro and saying that his voters are ignorant but to me this way of letting the election just happen is ignorant as well and letting shine through a pretty lazy attitude on top. Some people drove back home over the weekend to go vote but many whose parental residency are farer away, like outside of Santa Catarina or its bordered states, didn’t due to the travelling effort and expenses.

Postal vote isn’t possible in Brazil which is what I am usually doing in Germany. Thus I suppose all the Brazilians living in the exterior, which certainly aren’t just a few, didn’t influence this election at all. So, I guess there could have been a chance on flipping the result if left orientated people would have made use of their right to vote having been more urgent than ever to make use of, and if the voting conditions for people living outside the country would be sorted out in some way. I mean, ultimately the voting difference had only been 10% and something between the two candidates.

Above all it is kind of crazy to already feel that this election will very likely divide the country’s society in two sides, as already happening in the United States. Over here, the two mindsets clash with each other even within inner family circles. In many families the older generations, parents and grandparents, are pro Bolsonaro and the children contra.  And so it is in the family of my former flat mate, thus he decided to not travel back home for Christmas this year.

In general, it is very disillusioning to see another success of an election campaigning targeting to create fear and anger within the people and doing this mainly via social media platforms. It feels nasty that there is a specific agency supporting Trump, AfD, Bolsonaro and surely many more right-winged politicians and parties in other countries besides USA, Germany and Brazil, and thus supporting that antidemocratic and inhuman behavior becomes accepted again. It is kind of ridiculous to see that people turn very nationalist again while everybody is making use of a globalized world on a daily basis. And yes, here you can receive a “Go back to your country” as well, as this sentence became very common to hear in public in Germany after its refugee wave in 2015.

Well, but Ida come to a point: I realized that living in a democracy had been something very unquestionable for me. I guess people of my generation take it very much for granted. And so far, my political interest had been very low or not there at all. But I can feel that the circumstances over here and the emotions I am absorbing are making me aware to become more involved. We, the generation Y and close by generations, are spending so much time by dealing with ourselves. We are so busy in discovering ourselves, finding the sense and fulfillment for our lives. But meanwhile, the shelter to do so, to develop our personalities freely, is losing its power. And that is frightening me. I surely do not want to live in an environment where repression is ruling, where being oneself, being authentic in public, is in danger.

[jenmedsbookreviews]

Views at Attingham Park

So last week I had a bit of a mini melt-down when it came to reading. Couldn’t get my head in the zone at all. I put it down to being more than a little bit tired (which I still am) but at least I have had a long weekend to pretend to get over it. I say pretend because in reality I’ve tried to be very active this weekend with a nive three mile walk in the deer/cow park on Saturday and then a mere seven miles or so up and over the Long Mynd on Sunday.

Cardingmill Valley In Shropshire

Now the canny (and local) will spot that the big loop walk around Cardingmill Valley is actually only a little over five miles, the rest of you will probably neither know nor care. However, Mandie and I took a slight detour while on our walk as we spotted a sign at the edge of a footpath which holds a key link to our ancestry and decided to go and take a little look.

Medlicott is a very (very) small hamlet in Shropshire, set back in the shadows of the Long Mynd, and part of the reason that Jen Med’s is Jen Med’s and not Jen Luc’s. Medlicott is a family name, my Nan’s maiden name in fact, and our ancestry can be traced right back to when the little village got its name way back in 1100 and something, when old Llewelyn de Medlicott (or Modlicott) was awarded the land by some King of some variety for doing something loyal to the crown-ish.

A wild horse on the Long Mynd

I do actually have all of the details, courtesy of one my Great Uncles who researched the family tree many moons ago. He was able to race our lines all the way back from my Nan’s family circa 1900, through to the 1100’s, but this is a book blog not ancestry.com so I’ll spare you. Still pretty impressive though and Mandie and I were thrilled to see the signpost. Unbelieveably, after forty years living in the county, this was actually our first time atop the Long Mynd so the first time we had ever been this close to Medlicott. We didn’t quite have time to make the walk this weekend, but we will go back sometime soon and make the trip all the way down the hill to take a look at what was once family land. We’ll probably try and pop over to Wentnor Church too which is the final resting place of many of our family from years ago. I know – pretty cool right?

View at Pole Bank – the highest point on the Long Mynd

The biggest problem with walking up a very big hill is that at some point you have to walk back down it. Now it’s not the exercise that does me in – I can handle that. But I should probably explain that if there is one thing in this world that I am truly scared of, it is heights. Like all phobias, mine is severly irrational in how it presents itself. I don’t have the slightest problem with being high up, standing on top of a hill and looking out over a valley. I don’t have a problem making the craggy climb up the nice wide path to begin with. I do, however,  have the slightly less irrational fear of plummeting to my death, which is why I don’t like sanding on high bridges all that much, especially bouncy ones, can’t always walk to the edge of barriers, no matter how safe they are and can only go outside at the Empire State Building if I go out the North Manhattan side as South is far too windy and I am worried about being blown over the impossible to be blown over barriers that surround the viewing floor. Yes – I know. Irrational…

Now while the climb up Cardingmill Valley, if you go a certain way, is occasionally steep, with absolutely breathtaking (literal and metaphorical) views, it is also a nice wide path. What Mandie and I didn’t know is that the path down the other side, past Townbrook Hollow, is equally as steep but a lot less wide. And there are sections that you have to climb over really craggy bits of rock and round tree roots which doesn’t sound too bad – unless you have a crippling paranoia about plummeting to your death. With legs like jelly, I mostly walked, occasionally inched down on my arse, but ultimately tackled the impossible (for me) and made it to the bottom. Totally glad I did it but by god it was a long way. Very few people die on this route (to my knowledge) and I know the worst that could have happened was I ended up sliding down a fairly high hill a little way, but I still hated it. So, with a near constant soundtrack of ‘I’m going to die’, ‘I hate this’, ‘I can’t see round the corner – I hate this – I’m going to die’, ‘I can’t do this’ and ‘Stupid, stupid, stupid hill’, we made it down this from top to bottom (see path on the right)

From top…                                                               to bottom

along a path which was only occasionally as generous as this

but which was mostly steep bank or rock to the left and steep bank or drop to the right.

On the plus side, all of my protestations kept Mandie’s mind off the fact that she too hates heights, although she did on occasion nearly fall off the path from laughing at me so much.

We’ll be heading back again soon. The views were amazing.

The Wrekin and the sheep shelf

None of this was remotely bookish but it was a nice distraction on a sunny Bank Holiday weekend. All of this walking seems to have had an impact on my reading too as I’ve been way more productive. Waaaaay  more productive. Like a 250% increase in output. Yes folks – i read 3.5 books. Much more respectable than last weeks 1.5 i think.

Oooh. I lie. I actually read an apocalyptic type of book set largely in South Shropshire, only a stone’s throw from Cardingmill Valley so it was a bookish retreat after all. And we could see Stiperstones from the top which features in Mark Edwards’ The Lucky Ones so most definitely bookish. And yet, despite my assertions about my impending death, no apocalypse had occured by the time we left, which was a touch disappointing to be fair as it took ages to get out of the car park…

I got a little bit of book post this week. Three little bits in fact. One was my purchase of a signed copy of Yesterday by Felicia Yap from Goldsboro Books. I also got a copy of Payback by Kimberley Chambers from Harper Collins for helping out on a Readers Room survey and Nothing Stays Buried by PJ Tracy from Penguin Random House as I’m on the blog tour next week. I also received a lovely e-arc in the shape of Dead Lands by Lloyd Otis which again I’m on the blog tour for in October.

Purchase wise I have been very well behaved, mainly because I had already been pre-order crazy. I pre-ordered a copies of Silent Lies the forthcoming release from Kathryn Croft, The Secret Mother by Shalini Boland and All The Little Children by Jo Furniss.

You’re impressed with my restraint aren’t you? I can tell. As I’ve read three of these books already, it’s barely an increase in my tbr at all really …

Books I have read

Untainted Blood by Liz Mistry

An unmissable new crime thriller

In a city that is already volatile, tensions mount  after a Tory MP in Bradford Central is discredited leaving the door open for the extreme right-wing candidate, Graeme Weston, to stand in the resultant by-election. 

However, Graeme Weston is not what he appears to be and with secrets jeopardising his political career, he must tread very carefully.

Meanwhile, a serial killer targets Asian men who lead alternatives lifestyles and delivers his own form of torture. 

As DI Gus McGuire’s team close in, the deranged killer begins to unravel and in an unexpected twist the stakes are raised for Gus.

Are the murders linked to the political scandals or is there another motive behind them? 

DI Gus McGuire and his team are back and this might be their toughest case yet.

I’ll be sharing my review on this book later in the week. It’s the one I started during my London break last weekend but didn’t quite finish. Remedied that this week and very happy I am too. A great story set against a backdrop of racism and intolerance. YOu can buy a copy for yourselves here.

…

Nothing Stays Buried by P.J. Tracy

Nothing Stays Buried is the eighth book in P.J. Tracy’s addictive and internationally bestselling Monkeewrench series

There’s a search for a missing girl, and another for a serial killer: death holds all the cards . . .

When Marla Gustafson vanishes on her way to her father’s farm, her car left empty on the side of an isolated country road, even Grace MacBride and her eccentric team of analysts are baffled.

Meanwhile in Minneapolis, homicide detectives Gino and Magozzi have a serial killer on their hands – two women murdered in cruelly similar fashion, with playing cards left on the bodies. But one card is an ace, the other is a four – it seems the killer is already two murders ahead.

With both teams stumped, it slowly becomes clear the evidence is inexplicably entangled. And they have little time to unravel the threads: a twisted killer is intent on playing out the deck…

This was my first taste of the Monkeewrench team but it won’t be my last. Sadly one of the people behind the mother daughter writing team passed away, but her daughter has committed to carry on writing and I’ll be looking forward to reading more, as well as going back to read the first seven books when time allows. In this instalment cases surrounding drugs, serial killers and a missing woman all collide while the Monkeewrench team come face to face with their deadliest ever foe – Mother Mature. You can get a copy of the book here.

…

All The Little Children by Jo Furniss

When a family camping trip takes a dark turn, how far will one mother go to keep her family safe?

Struggling with working-mother guilt, Marlene Greene hopes a camping trip in the forest will provide quality time with her three young children—until they see fires in the distance, columns of smoke distorting the sweeping view. Overnight, all communication with the outside world is lost.

Knowing something terrible has happened, Marlene suspects that the isolation of the remote campsite is all that’s protecting her family. But the arrival of a lost boy reveals they are not alone in the woods, and as the unfolding disaster ravages the land, more youngsters seek refuge under her wing. The lives of her own children aren’t the only ones at stake.

When their sanctuary is threatened, Marlene faces the mother of all dilemmas: Should she save her own kids or try to save them all?

Now this is a book I’ve actually had sat on my kindle for a while after the author contacted me in regard to the round the UK challenge I started at the beginning of the year. Being set in my home county I couldn’t resist and from the very beginning I was pulled straight into this apocalyptic mystery. It held me from first page to last and I powered through in just a few hours. This and Monkeewrench totally helped me find my reading mojo again. You can bag yourself a copy here and find out why.

…

The Girl Who Came Back by Kerry Wilkinson

Thirteen years ago Olivia Adams went missing. Now she’s back… or is she?

When six-year-old Olivia Adams disappeared from her back garden, the small community of Stoneridge was thrown into turmoil.  How could a child vanish in the middle of a cosy English village?

Thirteen years on and Olivia is back. Her mother is convinced it’s her but not everyone is sure. If this is the missing girl, then where has she been – and what happened to her on that sunny afternoon?

If she’s an imposter, then who would be bold enough to try to fool a child’s own mother – and why? Then there are those who would rather Olivia stayed missing. The past is the past and some secrets must remain buried. 

An absorbing and gripping psychological thriller that will have you holding your breath until the final page.

Another read for a blog tour, you’ll have to wait just over a week for this review. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and trying to piece together what really happened to Olivia when she went missing all those years ago. You can pre-order a copy of the book here.

…

Three and a half books. I feel like I’m back. Which is just as well as I need to read three books a week between now and mid November to hit my reading targets and be ready for the Christmas feature throughout the month. No pressure…

Blog wise another full on week. I’ve had some booklove, some reviews and even a cover reveal.

#BlogTour: The Ashes of Berlin by Luke McCallin

#Review: 99 Red Balloons by Elisabeth Carpenter

#BookLove: Mike Sahno

#CoverReveal: Shalini Boland & Bookouture

Review: All The Wicked Girls by Chris Whitaker

Reblog: #TheSister by Louise Jensen

Review: The Last Resort by Steph Broadribb

Review: Three Weeks Dead by Rebecca Bradley

#Booklove: CJ Harter

Review: The One by John Marrs

This coming week is another busy one. I’ve got blog tours galore this week, every other day, starting today with Witch Dust by Marilyn Messik. On Wednesday it’s my turn on the Nothing Stays Buried blog tour. Friday sees me sharing my thoughts on Untainted Blood and Sunday I finally get to set free my feelings on Richard Parker’s latest offering, Hide and Seek.

I’ll also be sharing a little more #booklove, this time with Claire Brown. Do hope you can join me.

Have a fabulous week of bookishness all

JL

Rewind, recap: Weekly update w/e 27/08/17 Views at Attingham Park So last week I had a bit of a mini melt-down when it came to reading.