#Isla Gie

[meandhisjohn]

Poison, mystery, and Martin Freeman.

New project!

Read all about shooting, books, and a dream like cast.

Special thanks to @safedistancefrombeingsmart for being the best news agent a community can wish for.

[benedettabeby]

I'm not crying, you're crying (we're both crying)

[television-overload]

Losing my mind over how adorable and talented our little Tali is 🥹

[ghostfacerseffect]

FLAVIA MOVIE CONFIRMED.

[ncisfranchise-source]

EXCLUSIVE: Before Tony and Ziva return to TV screens, they’ll be hopping on a flight to French Riviera.

Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, the pair who play former special agents Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David in the upcoming NCIS: Tony and Ziva, will join Paramount Global for an informal press breakfast at MIPCOM next month.

Weatherly and de Pablo will also join Cohen, Paramount’s Chief Content Licensing Officer, on stage during his Media Mastermind interview on Tuesday, October 22.

The pair are starring in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which picks up several years after the two characters reunited in an NCIS storyline. In the new show, they reunite to raise their daughter Tali (Isla Gie), who Tony has been fathering on his own, believing Ziva is dead. When Tony’s Paris-based security firm is attacked, they are forced to go on the run to figure out who’s after them, and whether they can trust each other again. Shooting is currently taking place in Budapest, Hungary.

The Paramount+ original series comes from CBS Studios and is being shopped at MIPCOM through Paramount Global Content Distribution. 

The Tony and Ziva on-off relationship formed a major multi-season arc in the earlier era of CBS’s long-running crime procedural NCIS. De Pablo left the show in 2013 after 11 seasons, but unexpectedly returned in season 16 and 17. Weatherly left after 13 seasons, but returned earlier this year in an episode dedicated to Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard. David McCallum, who played Ducky, had passed away in 2023.

[minihotdog]

The Lass Next Door

Pairing: John "Soap" Mactavish x OC Isla

OC Appearance: Isla (aye-lah) is a Latina with curly brown hair.

a/n: Proofread like shit. I always imagined Soap having a wonderful mom <3

Word Count: 800

***

“Oh ma dear Johnny, ye’ll loe her!” John’s mom gleams into the phone. She stands next to the phone with a hand on her hip over her red flowery apron. A massive cheetah print clip pulls back her black curly hair.

“Aye, maw?” He smiles, happy to hear his mother’s warm and loving voice for the first time in months.

“She jist moved intae the toon and she’s a pure gem. I invited her fur yer dinner.”

“I cannae wait tae meet her, maw.” 

She pulls away to yet at the two fighting kids running through the kitchen.

“Youse bairns are ower auld tae be carryin’ oan like the mad beasts! Tak’ a seat!” She huffs before putting the phone back to her ear.

“Yer wee nephews are drivin’ me aff ma heid.”

He chuckles, his oldest sister’s kids were the sweetest kids he’s ever met but when their mom isn’t around they could terrorize a village.

“So, whin will ye hae some weans o’ yer ain?” She probes.

“A’ll be there braw soon tae gie them a guid skelpin.” He says, ignoring the question she’s been asking for years. 

***

“Oh, love, ah’m that excited fur ye tae meet ma ain, Johnny. It’s not often that he’s home.” She motions for you to sit at the table while she finishes up the cooking.

“Why’s that?” You question. With the way Ms. Mactavish speaks of her son, you’d imagine they’d hate being apart.

“He’s SAS, ye ken? He’s a pure success, Ah’m sae proud o’ ma boy.” She smiles really big. You can’t help but smile with her. The way she talks about him is so heartwarming.

Suddenly a loud thud erupts from the backyard. Ms. Mactavish goes running outside.

“Aye! Didnae I tell ye wee yins tae calm doon wi’ yer games?!”

Just then the front door swings open.

“Maw, I’m home!”

“Oh, Johnny!” She cries out, rushing inside. They embrace each other, he bends down to rest his head on her shoulder.

“Oh, how I missed ye!” She grabs his stubble-covered cheeks, giving them a pinch as he protests.

“Come oan, come an meet oor new neighbour, Isla.”

You stand to shake his hand with a friendly smile. Once he comes into the kitchen you’re a wave of shock washes over you.

This is the darling baby boy she’s been talking about?!

He’s massive. He towering over you, his ice-cold eyes match every member of his family present along with his black hair that was shaved at the sides into a mohawk. His shoulders are wide, his arms are muscular and covered in dark hair. Your eyes drop to his boyish grin and just below his lips a scar running along his chin. He’s all man, rugged as can be. His black shirt is a little too tight around his biceps and his jeans stretch over his thick thighs.

Oh dear god.

His massive hand takes your small one in a gentle shake. The callouses on his palm leave your skin buzzing and wanting more.

***Johnny’s POV***

I walk past the old door spotting the dents I’d made in it with a BB gun when I was about 12 years old. A smile glues itself to my face once the familiar scent hits my nose. It smells like home.

“Maw, I’m home!”

She comes running around the corner.

“Oh, Johnny!” She wraps me in her arms.

“Maw,” I mutter.

“Oh, how I missed ye!” Tears brim in her eyes. I try to shake her hands off when she pinches my cheeks like I’m still her wee boy.

“Come oan, come an’ meet our new neighbour, Isla.” She grabs me by the arm, dragging me to the kitchen. Upon turning the corner I see a lass-

Steamin’ Jesus-

Her long brown curly hair falls down her shoulders and back. A perfect background to contrast her figure, slim hourglass falling into her wide hips and a behind I couldn’t wait to peek at when she wouldn’t notice.

She’s wearing these big geeky glasses and behind them, I almost melt at the sight, two warm brown eyes. Her plump lips, little round chin, bone structure of a goddess with just enough roundness to her cheeks to keep her as cute as a doll, and her sunkissed skin unlike anyone I’ve seen in this town. Her t-shirt sticks to her figure and her jeans look like they’d only come off if they were cut.

I try to keep my eyes from wondering too much.

Oh fuck. This lassie is gonna pure make me keel ower.

“Eh! Isla?” I take her hand in mine, dwelling on how soft it feels and fits so perfectly in mine.

“Nice to meet you.”

Her voice, tha’ perfect smile… I may as well ask fur forgiveness now, maw, ‘cause I’m gonna start wheezin’ like a dog.

“Can I call you Johnny?” She asks me so politely.

Fuck’s sake, call me a bastard if ye like.

“Aye, bonnie, that’ll dae fur me.”

“Bonnie…?” She gets cut off by my rambunctious nephews running inside.

“Uncle Johnny!” They yell in unison and jump on me.

“Hey! I was talkin’ tae ma new pal ye scunners!” I laugh at the two, lifting both of them in separate arms.

“Hand on noo. Gie yersels intae yer seats, it’s time tae eat!”

[free-martinis]

finally a new project for Martin announced. I like what I read about it so far

[gbhbl]

Dark Fantasy Short - Villain ft. Bella Ramsey - Now Available to Watch via Omeleto

Written and directed by Sparky Tehnsuko, starring Bella Ramsey and Isla Gie, Villain is a dark fantasy short, now available to watch via Omeleto.

Written and directed by Sparky Tehnsuko, starring Bella Ramsey and Isla Gie, Villain is a dark fantasy short. In the countryside of Iron Age Britain, teenage Georgia makes the unwise decision to seek revenge on the dragon that torched her home and killed her mother; however, her mission is upended when she unexpectedly discovers a scaly child, Sabra, in the unfazed beast’s lair. The short is now…

[soul-wanderer]

“Mommy and Daddy told me to go away. So, here I am in the old bone orchards. Nobody understands me. Nobody cares. Nobody understands but Chantal. Chantal comes along, shows me, she's my soul sister. Me and her are gothic heroines, secret brides to the faceless, slaves of the nameless night of the castle of dread desire.”

[willstafford]

Phat Lot of Seuss

Phat Lot of Seuss

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – The Musical

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tuesday 3rd December, 2019

  Dr Seuss’s Christmas classic is given the Broadway treatment in this vibrant musical version by Timothy Mason (book and lyrics) with music by Mel Marvin.  As the years pass, I feel a growing affinity with the Grinch, a hermit-like, curmudgeonly Scrooge of a creature who begrudges the simple…

[lizisshortforlizard]

Living Dangerously - Chapter 13

Jurassic Park’s animal handlers: none of them ever mentioned by name in Michael Crichton’s original novel. Who were they? What were their lives like on Isla Nublar? Did any of them survive the disaster?

A year in the life of those responsible for the care of the dinosaurs. Many people would kill to have their jobs.

But would they die for it?

Jurassic Park novel/Jurassic Park film (1993)

Viewpoint: 3rd person female oc

Warnings: Alcoholism is a theme in this chapter. Also the 1st part is very dark, it’s a flashback to Lizzy’s difficult childhood. Serious injury (no blood), physical and verbal abuse by a parent. Sexism and racism run rampant.

Word count: ~30.4k (13 Chapters) [incomplete]

Tagging: @howlingmadlady @heresthefanfiction @ocfairygodmother hit me up if you want added to the list

Back from an unplanned hiatus with an EXTREMELY LONG chapter! Also the first part is in Scots dialect, I hope it makes sense!

Read on Ao3

Chapter 12 | Chapter 14

Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac

Govan, Scotland

1973

“Mam’s on the sauce again.” Isla rolled her eyes at Lizzy while she helped plate up sausage rolls and packets of crisps onto mismatched, chipped crockery. They were both standing in the cramped galley kitchen, jostling for space. “We’re doon a bottle of Buckie, or as she calls it ‘whit the feck are ye lookin’ at?’. She snuck it intae her room.”

“Gie it a rest, would ye?” Lizzy snapped at her younger sister. Her heart sank, hurt that her mother couldn’t even keep it together for a few hours. “It doesnae matter. At least she’ll be oot the way when everwan comes o’er.”

“Is yer da coming?”

Lizzy tried not to look bothered and shrugged. “Ah dinnae ken. Ah hope so.”

“Cannae be a bad thing if Mam’s passed oot when he gets here.” Isla poked an errant cube of cheese back onto a plate with a powder-blue polish tipped finger. “Daft idea, ha’en a pairty, ye eejit.”

“It’s no’ a pairty.” Lizzy insisted. She had turned fifteen that very day. She wanted something more grown-up than just going down to the Clydebank to get mashed with her friends like she usually did.

First, a gathering. Food and drink that she’d spent several months paper round wages on, maybe some board games. Then she would go down to the river with her friends once night fell. She’d invited boys from school too. Lizzy had spent all morning cleaning their dingy ground-floor tenement flat in preparation, but she was worried it wasn’t enough. Poor. They were poor. It was obvious. Even in her best clothes that would soon be hand-me-downs for Isla. Maybe her sister was right. Maybe it was a daft idea.

But all that went out of her head when her friends began to arrive. Lizzy kept glancing at the door to the hallway, keeping half an eye her mother didn’t resurface, and hoping that her father would.

Around four the bell rang and Lizzy leapt up to answer it. She was surprised her mother had even agreed to the party- sorry, gathering, but it was the perfect excuse to see her father on her big day. She’d been praying for ages that she would see him again soon.

Please please please. Let it be him.

“Ah thought ye’d fergotten.” She said shyly once she opened the door.

“How could ah ferget ma wee girl’s birthday?” Her father pulled her in for a hug. “Well, yer no’ sae wee anymair.”

“Are ye’ stoppin’?”

He glanced past her. “I, eh-“

“Mam’s no’ aroond.” Lizzy said tightly, half-lying. It’s was unlikely she’d appear any time soon. “Please.”

Her father nodded. “Aye, just a quick wan then.”

They went straight to the kitchen, Lizzy plucking at her blouse nervously. Her best friend Maisie came bustling in with an empty plate, on the hunt for more sausage rolls.

“Everwan’s haein’ a right laugh. And Connor cannae stop gawkin’ at you, Liz-“ Maisie smiled. “Oh, hi Mr Armstrong.”

“Connor, eh?” Her father raised an eyebrow. “Future son-in-law?”

“He’s no even asked me oot yet Da. An’ keep it doon, or he never will.”

“Aye, right enough. Got something for ye. Open it.”

Wrapped in brown paper that smelled suspiciously like fish and chips, was a sterling silver necklace with the initial L on a thin chain.

So like her father. Intention, flawless. Execution, questionable.

“Oh, that’s bonny!” Maisie said, peering over Lizzy’s shoulder, genuinely impressed.

She could never wear it. She’d have to hide it, or it might mysteriously disappear and return in the form of a shopping bag whose contents would clink together.

“Thanks, Da.” Lizzy’s smile faded. “Did ye nick this?”

“As if I’d dae a thing like that! Nah, I saved up, for ma wee Busy-Lizzy. The best thing I ever made. Happy Birthday he-“

There was a thump and crash as Lizzy’s mother appeared in the kitchen doorway, knocking a picture frame to the floor, clutching an empty bottle.

“Whit the fuck’s aw’ this racket?” She slurred, eyes heavily bloodshot, clothes stained.

Maisie was instantly apologetic. “Sorry, Mrs. McTavish. We’ll try an’ keep it doon.”

Lizzy slowly stepped in front of her father to block him from view, but it was too late. Her mother’s expression darkened worse than winter rainclouds over the shipyards.

“Get oot ma hoose, ye bloody rocket.” She scowled, eyes swimming in and out of focus.

“Nae danger.” Her father replied coldly, apologetically rubbing Lizzy’s hand. “Sorry hen, I’ve been given my marching orders.”

“But ye just got here! It’s bin weeks-“ Lizzy faltered, unsure what to do, but her father slipped past her mother with barely a glance, lucky that he wasn’t clobbered over the head with the bottle.

Maisie pushed Lizzy forwards, whispering. “Go oan efter yer da. Me and Isla’ll tidy up and get ye under the brig later.”

Lizzy nodded gratefully and made to leave.

“The fuck ye think yer’ gaun?” Her mother demanded to know. “Ye cannae leave the kitchen in that state.”

“No’ now, mam.”

“Elizabeth. Yer goin’ naewhere. No’ after lettin’ him in the hoose. Dae ye think ahm simple?”

“Definitely no’. Da, wait-“ Lizzy tried to push past her mother to run after him, already out of the door into the street.

Her mother fumbled and somehow managed to grab her hair, making Lizzy yelp in shock. “If ye leave this hoose, yer no’ comin’ back.” She switched her grip to her daughter’s elbow, still somewhat impressively managing to keep hold of the empty bottle.

Maisie looked horrified. “Uh- Isla, can ye’ come oot here, please…” she called out, backing away against the sink.

“Ooyah bugger, mam-“ Lizzy became frantic, raising her voice, starting to struggle as her mother tightened her death grip on her arm.

“Mrs McTavish, it’s awrite, I’ll sort it oot- just let her-“ Lizzy’s friend tried to defuse the rapidly escalating situation but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

“Mam, mam, honestly, stop! Mam, you’re twisting my-“ Lizzy hissed loudly, now very afraid.

“Fer Christ’s sake, mam! Stop it, yer hurting her!” Isla came barrelling into the hallway, trying to dodge the bottle their mother violently swung at her as the rest of the house fell into dead silence.

Lizzy made a final attempt to wriggle free but her mother jerked her backwards with seemingly superhuman strength at the exact same moment. There was a gut-wrenching crack as Lizzy’s left shoulder popped out of its socket.

She looked down dumbfounded at the arm that she could no longer seem to control, dangling limp. Then came the pain.

The tiny flat erupted as her friends rallied to help her, more voices shouting, bawling at her incensed mother, begging her to let go. Her younger brothers wailed amongst the commotion, not understanding what was happening.

But the one person Lizzy really wanted to come back and make her mother stop, he didn’t even turn back to look as her screams of agony echoed around the dirty red brick buildings and the all-too-familiar blue flashing lights appeared around the street corner.

By the time the police van pulled up outside, her father was long gone.

***

Sure, I like to live dangerously.

“Thought you’d never ask.” Lizzy replied, sliding her legs out of the Jeep door, ready to hop down. “Here I was, thinking these dinosaurs were easy.”

The faint prickling on her skin was so familiar, the static before lightning strikes. The fear of something lying in wait in the long grass. The narrow choice of staying put or running, knowing that if you chose wrong, you might very well not see the next dawn.

Such had been life in Namibia. God, she really did miss it.

It was hard to get used to the danger being contained behind fences instead constantly watching your back, living and working alongside it. Lizzy had an inkling the other handlers didn’t feel the same way.

But now, down the slope she could see the gate to the tyrannosaur paddock was wide open. Though the enclosure was currently vacant, the sight gave her chills. She felt drawn towards it, her mind wandering off into the gloom beneath the canopy of jungle trees.

She found herself debating: Now, with a tyrannosaur, should I run or stay still?

Lost in thought, she started when Muldoon spoke sharply to her. “Forgetting something?”

She looked around, eyebrow quirked. “Am I?”

“We didn’t get the tranquillisers ready just to take them for a drive.” He tapped the metal doorframe of the Jeep to drive his point home. “Sharper. From now on. Remember.”

“And I need an office. Remember.” Lizzy wagged a finger.

“Hmmm. We’ll see.”

“So, this is for me? People will talk.” Lizzy said dryly as she shouldered one of the tranquilliser guns.

“That one’s for Harding. Take it and a few canisters down the hill to his Jeep, then go and wait with the other handlers.”

“What are we supposed to do?”

“Watch and learn for now. Safety on, yes?”

“Yes. Got it.” Lizzy checked and slammed the Jeep door, starting to walk down the hill, picking her way over tree roots.

“And Armstrong?”

“Yeah?” She turned back, chewing her lip again.

“Don’t tell Baker about this behavioural business. Or anyone. Not yet.”

But I tell Kathy everything. Even if her friend might be put out at Lizzy’s chance to get ahead.

I’ll tell her as soon as I can, it’s only been two weeks. She’ll understand. Maybe I’ll need a research assistant…

“Office.” She said again to cover for her lack of agreement, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She would figure out how to avoid blabbing to Kathy later. “Or at least a desk in yours.”

“Christ, people really will talk then. Card table, out in the hall.”

“Alright, alright, we can share a desk. All you had to do was say so.”

“Even worse. Bamileke table in the cleaning cupboard.”

“Colonel Mustard in the ballroom with the candlestick.”

“Damn woman.” He grumbled with finality.

“There it is.” Lizzy was trying not to laugh. As far as she was concerned, she’d won. “Look, just make sure I have a constant supply of coffee and I’ll sit wherever you like. Deal?”

“Sounds like fun.” The Southern drawl came from over Lizzy’s shoulder. “How do I get in on that?”

She shuddered and turned around. Tom had an infuriating smirk on his face, just daring her to say something provocative in return. She gave him a saccharine smile. “Ah, so nice to see you. Whose arse have you just crawled out of?”

“Never mind me. Where’ve you been?” Tom glanced at Muldoon then back to Lizzy, looking her up and down. He leaned in close, squinting at her face and then tapped the side of his mouth. “You’ve got something, there…”

Lizzy didn’t take the bait, just shot him a look of pure venom and kept a tight grip on the tranquiliser gun.

Tom nodded downwards at her occupied hands. “Know how to handle one of those?”

“Better than you do, I’ll bet.”

“Just to be clear Liz, I’m talking about the gun.”

“So was I.” She ground out each word deliberately.

“C’mon, give it to me. It’s way too heavy for you. You’re so short.”

Lizzy shook her head firmly, scowling at him. “Back off. This is for Gerry.”

The tranquilliser was still empty but she was taking no chances. Anyone with any sense knew to always treat a gun like it’s loaded. Then again, Tom was from Texas.

“Kennedy, pack it in. You can patronise her after the tyrannosaur’s in the paddock, not before.” Muldoon cut them both off, not a moment too soon.

Tom looked very put out, but just shrugged and turned his back. Desperate to have the final word, Lizzy muttered under her breath, not caring if he heard. “Your family tree is a goddamn wreath.”

Muldoon gave her a look that quite plainly said enough and she was forced to hold her tongue. Lizzy took herself off down the hill, marching towards Harding’s Jeep before she did something she regretted.

“Merry Christmas.” She presented the gun to the veterinarian.

“And a Happy New Year. Not every day a pretty girl brings me a weapon with a smile on her face.”

Lizzy had discovered that Gerry was totally harmless, but a recent divorcee and an outrageous flirt.

“Better not get any ideas about making me Sarah’s mother-in-law.” Lizzy stopped to chortle. “But that would really piss her off, so how ‘bout it? I’m sure Simon will understand.”

“Maybe once I’ve finished paying off the second Mrs Harding.”

“I’d like a spring wedding.”

“Sure, sure. You stick around, I might need some help in a while.”

Kathy and Isaac came strolling over to join Lizzy. “She made it!” Kathy slyly observed. “I was this close to calling Ray to go wake you up.”

“A lot happened this afternoon, actually.” Lizzy defended.

“Oh yeah, like what?”

Lizzy fumbled in her shorts pocket and held out Kathy’s new nametag while pointing at her own.

“Shit! Now way! How did you get these?” Kathy had ripped the old one off quick as a flash.

“Told you, a lot happened.” Nearly outed herself, but thought better of it.

Kathy took her arm and turned her to one side for as much privacy as they could manage. “Did you get in trouble? I was late this morning!”

“I definitely got a talking-to.” Lizzy glanced back at Muldoon. “And my head hurts something chronic. I think I’ve had too much coffee.”

Don’t say anything. Not yet.

Shit, I hope she doesn’t find out before then.

Kathy groaned. “At least it was your day off! I really hope I haven’t blown my chances at that promotion.”

“You’ll be fine. It happens. Nobody died.” Lizzy reassured her.

“You wouldn’t think so, the way Mike keeps staring at me, like I’m-“ Kathy spoke low. “-trash.”

A distant rumbling reached them in the forest clearing. Everyone simultaneously ceased talking and cocked their heads. A very large, heavy vehicle, moving slowly closer. Headlights through the trees, the crunch of rocks on the gravel road above.

Eventually, a trailer carrying the prone body of a rather enormous creature lying on its side reversed carefully down the hill.

Every single one of the handlers gasped in awe as the ambiguous outline of the dinosaur came into focus.

“Christ, she’s big. She’s huge. Those teeth.” Lizzy breathed. Much bigger than she was expecting. Had to be approaching fully-grown. “Oh Lord, that smell.”

Having arrived trussed up like a joint of meat from the butcher, once the trailer was backed inside the paddock gate and halted, a veritable army of workmen swarmed the tyrannosaur. The network of straps and iron bars were untangled and the animal was lowered to the ground by crane on a sling large enough to entirely cover Hammond’s bungalow like a Big Top.

Harding moved in to do his necessary health checks, the rest of the staff crowding around the gate to get a better look at the dinosaur, but nobody daring to get closer.

All except for one.

Her hands twitching, desperate to know what dinosaur skin felt like, Lizzy turned to Muldoon. Now or never. “Can I touch her?”

“Any reason in particular?”

Lizzy nodded earnestly. “I’ve just got to. When will I get the chance again?”

Muldoon had a feeling she’d sneak her way over there anyway. At least she’d asked first.

“Don’t see why not. Just don’t go getting attached to the damn thing.”

“As if.” Lizzy scoffed.

“Can I go too?” Kathy asked shyly.

“No.”

“Aweso- hey, what the Hell?”

“I’m pulling your leg, Baker. Go ahead.”

Lizzy smiled to herself as she walked ahead. The conversation continued behind her.

“How about you Harris, are you feeling brave today?”

“I’m fine, thanks. Kathy’s the carnivore girl around here anyway-“

Good lad, Isaac.

Lizzy wrinkled her nose as they got closer. “Phew, she really does reek.”

Kathy shrugged. “She might take first prize for the worst thing I’ve ever smelled. And I’ve been ankle deep in jaguar shit. Luckily I always keep Vaporub on me for such occasions.” The younger woman patted the cargo pocket on her shorts.

Lizzy’s hand was outstretched before she was even aware of it, and came to rest on the warm, dry scales of the tyrannosaur’s shoulder. Not cold like she imagined, given the time of day. Different somehow from the snakes and crocodiles she’d held. Interesting.

Harding appeared from the far side of the animal, stethoscope around his neck, halfway through his medical assessment.

“Sorry, let us know if we’re in the way.” Lizzy apologised.

“You’re both just fine there. In fact-“ He held a small torch out to her. “Check her pupillary response for me, would you? I’ll be waking her up from nap time shortly.”

It took everything Lizzy had not to turn and bolt. She managed to play it cool. “Oh sure, send me down to the end with the teeth. Is my street cred with your daughter at stake by any chance?”

“Very much so.” Harding winked at her. “And it’ll look really good if either of you would be, ah…looking for a promotion, perhaps?”

The two women hesitated, looking at each other expectantly. You go first. No, you go first, I insist.

Muldoon said getting closer was fine, he didn’t say anything about messing around with an eyeball.

Harding smiled reassuringly. “She’s snoring, very deep under. It’s perfectly safe. And believe me when I say you’re being watched, should anything happen.”

Sure enough, the tyrannosaur was inhaling loudly and exhaling with big puffs and snorts. Positively thunderous in comparison to anything, human or otherwise, they’d ever heard before.

“Alrighty then.” Lizzy made up her mind, nodded and grabbed the torch from him. “Give me a hand, K.”

Kathy, who had been staring at the veterinarian with her mouth hanging open, hurried to join her at the business end of the tyrannosaur. “My God. My God. This is so cool.”

“Does it ever get old? Being this close?” Lizzy’s work in the bush had been to simply observe, not to interfere. She tended to do everything she could to avoid close encounters. A rhino or leopard would let you know very quickly that they weren’t at all happy to see you.

“No.��� Kathy, who had been up close and personal with big cats for most of her career, shook her head. She had monitored the breathing of powerful, deadly animals while they underwent procedures on the operating table, marvelling at their massive paws which engulfed her small hands, claws as long as her own fingers that could knock her flat in one swipe. “It never gets old.”

Meanwhile, back at the paddock gate, there was a heated debate about who would be munched first. Tom had just placed a rather hefty bet against Lizzy.

“Quiet.” Muldoon cut him off. It looked like Harding had just given the women instructions, what the Hell was he playing at?

He watched Armstrong march without hesitation up to the tyrannosaur’s eye and use both hands to pry the heavy lid open, torch held between her teeth.

Baker was right behind her, totally focused on the dinosaur despite the activity around the gate. She had a firm grip on Armstrong’s belt ready to pull her back out of harm’s way should anything go wrong.

“All good, Liz?”

“She’s fine, Gerry!” Armstrong yelled back from around the torch.

Brilliant.

Really need the pair of them on Carnivores. Look at that.

He already knew that for all of their hard work, unfortunately neither of them would be a Team Leader. They never had a chance. According to Richardson, Baker lacked authority while Armstrong was a loose cannon.

Which was probably code for ‘I don’t know how to handle either of them’.

Muldoon kept his hand hovering over the safety of the tranquilliser gun, ignoring Kennedy and his remarks, just in case.

He still had no doubt that Blacklaw wouldn’t hesitate to hunt him down with a machete if anything happened to Armstrong on his watch.

She’s alright. They, they’re alright. They’re fine, they know what they’re doing. Can hear the damn thing snoring from back here. I’ve got them covered.

Richardson whistled and muttered under his breath. “Never thought I’d admit I was envious of a torch. Using both hands at the same time too, maybe she has got some talent after all.”

Tom sniggered.

“Probably not wise to say that when I’m armed.” Muldoon didn’t quite manage to keep the disapproving edge out of his voice.

“Goodness me, bit extreme. You wouldn’t happen to be feeling territorial over that one, would you?”

“No more than usual.”

Richardson looked sceptical. “Bit young for you, and she wants to be on Herbivores. Not to mention the fiancé situation. Shame.”

“Nothing to do with that.”

“Of course, of course. You’re obligated, although that’s not fooling me. Who let them get so close to the damn animal anyway?”

“I did.”

“Then it’s on you if Elizabeth gets injured. Serve her right, that girl could do with being brought down a peg or three. The black one too. Mistake bringing the pair of them out tonight, they didn’t need to be here.”

The black one. Jesus Christ. It was worse than he thought.

They were standing off to the side. Nobody was looking. Richardson was just asking for a broken nose, talking about Baker like that.

She really reminded him of his daughter, back in Kenya. Same contagious smile with perfect teeth, same mannerisms. If his daughter grew up to be half as put-together and pleasant as Baker was, he’d be happy.

But equally he knew what he’d do if anyone spoke about her that way. They’d be in better shape if they got pummelled into the earth by a buffalo.

“If the men are here, they should be here too. And the women have been far more useful.” He looked pointedly at Kennedy, standing with his hands in his pockets, scuffing his boots back and forward through the dirt.

“If you mean useful as in nice to look at? Though between you and me, I’d like to stick something other than a torch in Elizabeth’s mouth.” Richardson guffawed loudly. “That should shut her up.”

Christ, he definitely didn’t want to think about that at a time like this. Muldoon knew what he was doing, of course, trying to rattle him.

And damn him, it was working.

He tightened his hands on the stock of the tranquilliser to keep them from shaking. God, he needed a drink…

Richardson was still going. “And Elizabeth helped you bring the tranqs down here? On her day off?”

“She wasn’t doing anything else.”

He shook his head. “Careful. You don’t want to be accused of having favourites.”

Meanwhile Kennedy’s practically the son you never had. Muldoon liked Armstrong, but he couldn’t pretend they were already closer than was professional. She was too comfortable. Maybe keep more distance between them in future.

Lizzy had just finished carefully replacing the dinosaur’s eyelid. The tyrannosaur snorted sharply, a blast of pungent steam from her nostrils, causing both women to jump, then laugh and point at the other’s reaction.

“Christ, almost got me!” Lizzy put a hand over her heart. “You know CPR, right?”

“Holy cow.” Kathy choked. “Good thing she didn’t do that when you were elbow deep in her eyeball.”

“There would have been a me-shaped cloud of dust beside you. Gone.”

“Batter-batter-swing, batter. Home run from Armstrong.” Kathy elbowed her gently in the ribs, eyes growing wide as Harding happily brandished a needle with a gauge so large that even an elephant might object to it. “Er, let’s get clear. I don’t like the thought of being stuck by that thing.”

***

All that remained was to wait on the all-clear from the control room that the tyrannosaur was up and about before they retired for the night. Harding was the only person left inside the paddock. Mist was falling heavy, as the clouds rolled in from the sea.

Lizzy wasn’t watching the gate anymore. She was watching Muldoon, a tad uneasily.

He seemed distinctly unhappy, was it something she had done?

Hell, it was normal to be on edge while Gerry was still in there by himself with the dinosaur, but the normally impassive Muldoon was beyond that.

Is he alright? Doesn’t look alright.

Lizzy was standing too far away to sidle over and ask. She clicked her tongue to get his attention.

“You okay?” She mouthed, concern written all over her face.

Tell you later. He didn’t say it but she just knew what he was telling her. Lizzy ran her fingers through her hair and briefly did a thumbs up while her hand was behind her head.

“What the hell is that?” Kathy noticed.

“What was what?”

“That weird silent communication thing you just did with Muldoon. You had a whole conversation without even speaking!” Kathy laughed, only half-joking. “What happened today, girl?”

Don’t tell Baker.

“Like I said, a lot.” Lizzy chose to keep her secret, for now.

Richardson clapped his hands, really a very annoying habit he did whenever he made an announcement. “Right everyone! Let’s get this show on the road!”

Lizzy and Muldoon exchanged another look from opposite ends of the clearing. Each could tell the other was thinking exactly the same thing.

The recumbent tyrannosaur was now starting to grumble and stir, flexing her limbs as Harding slipped outside the paddock gate just before it shut with an electric hiss.

The show.

The whole damn park was one big show.

***

Thanks for reading! I found it upsetting writing the first part, but it’s important to know that Lizzy came from literally nothing, in one of the most poverty-stricken areas of Glasgow in the 1970s.

If any of the Scots dialect didn’t make sense hit me up, I’m Scottish and lived in Glasgow for a while so this is hoo ah tawk.

I also mean no offence to Texans. Lizzy has one or two prejudices of her own, and the first Texan she met didn’t exactly endear himself to her.

[reviewsphere]

How The Grinch Stole Christmas @ Festival Theatre

THEATRE REVIEW: How The Grinch Stole Christmas @ Festival Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️ @captheatres @GrinchMusicalUK #TheGrinch

Whether it’s a bout of Scrooge-itis or a dose of Brexit-eria, the manic excitement with which the brightly-dressed and shrill-voiced Whovillians celebrate Christmas – think munchkins on crack or to be more polite wind-up dolls on their fastest setting with their volume up to the max – risks infecting the audience with the same bah humbug sentiments espoused by the small-hearted Grinch who after…

[benedettabeby]

1 so ok probably next year

2 I'm scared she says Tali has drama even tho we knew already 😂

[ckgiejktravels]

...breathtaking sunset view at Isla Bonita, San Juan La Union, Philippines

We stayed here for 3 days 2 nights costing roughly around P7,000 in accomodation for 4 adults and 1 child. Courtyard room floor area was good to fit us all during our 1st night but was not as spacious as the Twin Queen Bed Room we had the 2nd night, since it had it's own living room and dining area.

For a Filpino family, one of the most important questions would be... does the resort allow you to bring cooked food and/or do they allow you to cook food/grill food? - luckily for us there both allowed, in return would save you more money for other needed expenses during the trip.

Travel time from Angeles City, Pampanga to San Juan, La Union passing through SCTEX,TPLEX took roughly 3.5hrs one way including light traffic.

Experiencing the sunset and sunrise is truly breathtaking. The sand is not that fine compared to Patar Beach at Bolinao, Pangasinan, but it is also pretty good. Waves are perfect for surfing, although they might be a little too rough for the kids at times and some adults too. But you can always hang-out or swim close to the shore.

I love it here, given the chance I’ll definitely come back.

For details of the resort: https://islabonitabeachresort.com/

youtube: ckgiejktravels facebook: Ck Gie Jk Travels instagram: ckgiejk twitter: @ckgiejktravels tumblr: ckgiejktravels

[ncisfranchise-source]

Several new actors are joining Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly in the upcoming Paramount+ series NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which has officially begun production in Budapest. 

In addition to de Pablo and Weatherly starring in the titular roles, the new series regulars joining the CBS Studios drama are:

Isla Gie (Foundation) as Tali: Tony and Ziva’s precocious 12-year-old daughter who is sick of being treated like a child. She’s more intuitive and vigilant than the adults around her give her credit for and she’s ready to prove this to them.

Amita Suman (Shadow and Bone) as Claudette: The Chief Technical Officer at Tony’s private security company and the only reason the place runs as smoothly as it does. There’s no problem Claudette can’t solve or code she can’t crack.

Maximilian Osinski (Ted Lasso) as Boris: A Russian ex-pat and a brilliant computer hacker, one of the best and most elusive in the world. Boris lives outside the law and polite society and enjoys the anonymity and freedom that affords.

Nassima Benchicou (Emily in Paris) as Martine: A former French intelligence agent with the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE). She is elegant and cunning, playing both sides of any conflict masterfully to protect her own self-interest.

Julian Ovenden (Bridgerton) as Jonah: A former computer programmer for the NSA and now the Secretary General of Interpol. Charming, decisive and confident, Jonah sees the ways in which the world is broken and knows he can fix it.

Terence Maynard (Coronation Street) as Dr. Lang: A deeply experienced therapist, gentle and probing, Dr. Lang treats patients with severe traumas and helps them find comfort and agency.

Lara Rossi (The Watch) as Sophie: A highly skilled professional with a background in the Special Air Service (SAS), Sophie brings a unique blend of maternal warmth and hyper-vigilance to her role as a caretaker for Tali.

James D’Arcy (Agent Carter) as Henry: A high-ranking official at Interpol, Henry has spent his career in law enforcement chasing international criminals. Career-focused with no wife or family of his own, Henry has always been happily married to his job.

NCIS: Tony & Ziva picks up after Ziva’s supposed death when Tony left the NCIS team to go raise their daughter. Years later, Ziva was discovered alive, leading her to complete one final mission with NCIS before she was reunited with Tony and their daughter in Paris. Since then, Tony and Ziva have been raising their daughter, Tali, together. When Tony’s security company is attacked, they must go on the run across Europe, try to figure out who is after them and maybe even learn to trust each other again so they can finally have their unconventional happily ever after.

NCIS: Tony & Ziva is executive produced by John McNamara, Weatherly, de Pablo, Laurie Lieser, Christina Strain, Shelley Meals and Mairzee Almas. The CBS Studios series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

[culturizando]

#UnDíaComoHoy: 17 de noviembre en la historia

El 17 de noviembre es el día 321º día del año. Quedan 44 días para finalizar el año. Estos son algunos de los eventos más destacados que ocurrieron un día como hoy 17 de noviembre.

-Hoy se conmemora el Día Internacional del Estudiante. El 17 de noviembre de 1939 un grupo de jóvenes checoslovacos, decididos a liberar a su tierra natal del yugo hitleriano, protagonizaron una heroica resistencia en las calles de Praga, la capital de ese país. Por todo el mundo corrió rápidamente la noticia de los sucesos ocurridos en Checoslovaquia. El 17 de noviembre se convirtió en un símbolo que inspiró el accionar del estudiantado en todo el mundo, en un día de solidaridad con la lucha contra el fascismo, por la libertad, la democracia, el proceso social y la paz. Por eso, en memoria de su valiente gesto, el Consejo Estudiantil Internacional —que más tarde se convirtió en la Unión Internacional de Estudiantes (UIE)— declaró esa fecha como Día Internacional del Estudiante, efeméride que se celebra en más de 114 naciones.

-1659: España y Francia firman la paz en los Pirineos. El Tratado de los Pirineos (o Paz de los Pirineos) fue firmado por las coronas de las monarquías española y francesa en la Isla de los Faisanes (sobre el río Bidasoa, en la frontera franco-española), para poner fin a un conflicto iniciado en 1635, durante la Guerra de los Treinta Años (conflicto religioso entre reforma y contrarreforma dentro del Sacro Imperio Romano Germánico). El acuerdo fue el resultado de largas y difíciles reuniones entre el plenipotenciario español don Luis Méndez de Haro y Guzmán (Duque de Montoso y Marqués de Carpio y sobrino del primer ministro francés, el cardenal Mazarino). Se acordó también, que los ciudadanos de las respectivas naciones debían atenerse con más importancia a las leyes y designios de sus respectivos gobiernos en lugar de a las leyes y designios de los poderes vecinos, ya fuesen religiosos o seculares. Esta certidumbre contrastaba mucho con los tiempos precedentes, en los que el solapamiento de lealtades políticas y religiosas era un acontecimiento común. La devastación causada por la guerra ha sido durante mucho tiempo objeto de controversia entre los historiadores. Las estimaciones de pérdidas civiles son tratadas ahora con cautela. Es casi completamente cierto que la guerra causó un trastorno serio a la economía de la Europa Central, pero según los expertos en el tema, es posible que no haya hecho más que exacerbar los cambios en términos de comercio.

-1796: muere Catalina La Grande, zarina rusa. Durante sus 33 años de reinado absoluto, logró la unificación y expansión del imperio ruso y la economía rusa creció considerablemente y se fundaron ciudades como Sebastopol y Jerson. Sus reformas fueron de carácter aristocrático favoreciendo el inmovilismo de las estructuras tradicionales de la sociedad, erigidas en la servidumbre del campesinado.

-1831: Ecuador y Venezuela se separan de la Gran Colombia.

-1869: en Egipto, se inaugura el Canal de Suez, el cual es un canal artificial de navegación que separa África de Asia y une el mar Mediterráneo con el mar Rojo. Su longitud es de 163 km entre Puerto Said (en la ribera mediterránea) y Suez (en la costa del mar Rojo).  Se estima que un millón y medio de egipcios participaron en la construcción del canal con máquinas especialmente diseñadas. Unos 125.000 murieron durante la construcción principalmente a causa del cólera. Unos 21.000 navíos atraviesan el canal cada año, lo que supone un 10% del comercio marítimo mundial. El trayecto dura unas 15 horas aproximadamente.

-1925: nace Rock Hudson,  actor de cine estadounidense famoso por sus papeles de galán del cine clásico moderno estadounidense. Hudson tuvo la connotación de haber sido uno de los primeros casos publicitados de sida en los Estados Unidos, en los inicios de la pandemia, a principios de la década de los 80.

-1928: nace Armand Pierre Fernandez, más conocido como Arman, fue un pintor y escultor francés, nacionalizado estadounidense. El gran aporte de Arman, fueron las llamadas Acumulaciones. Estas obras consistian en agrupar cosas del mismo tipo, desubicadas de su lugar natural y presentadas en conjunto. Siempre realiza acumulaciones de objetos pero no a la manera dadá, es decir, no se predispone al azar, sino que dentro de sus obras, realiza composiciones, un reflejo de la sociedad consumista de usar y tirar.

-1942: nace Martin Scorsese, director, guionista, actor y productor estadounidense de cine, ganador de un Óscar, tres Globos de Oro, dos premios BAFTA, un Primetime Emmy, y un premio del gremio de directores de Estados Unidos, además de ser uno de los fundadores de World Cinema Foundation. Fue condecorado con la Legión de Honor francesa en 1987. Las obras de Scorsese abordan principalmente los temas de la vida italo-estadounidense y los conceptos de culpa y redención de la Iglesia católica, así como en la corrupción y la violencia endémica en la sociedad estadounidense. Scorsese es ampliamente considerado como uno de los directores más influyentes de su generación.

-1944: nace Danny DeVito, actor, director y productor estadounidense. Premiado con los premios Globo de Oro y Emmy por su participación en la comedia de situación Taxi. Destacado por su trabajo en los filmes Twins, La guerra de los Rose, Hoffa, Erin Brockovich y Man on the Moon, entre otras.

-1947: en Estados Unidos, el Screen Actors Guild (sindicato de actores cinematográficos) implementa un juramento anticomunista.

-1950: en Nueva York la ONU reconoce la independencia de Libia.

-1950: Tenzin Gyatso (15), el decimocuarto Dalái Lama es entronado como rey absoluto de Tíbet.

-1966: nace Jeff Buckley, cantautor y guitarrista estadounidense considerado una de las mejores voces de la música de todos los tiempos. Es reconocido por haber sido un intérprete muy virtuoso, por su potente rango vocal cuatro octavas y media; y por su primer y único álbum de estudio Grace de 1994 que es considerado una obra maestra de todos los tiempos, especialmente por su sensibilidad interpretativa única, siendo reconocido tanto por la crítica como por músicos como Bob Dylan y Radiohead, y la crítica lo consideró uno de los artistas más prometedores de su generación. Sin embargo, en la cima de la popularidad, muere ahogado el 29 de mayo de 1997, mientras nadaba en el Río Wolf (Tennessee) a la altura de la ciudad de Memphis.

-1966: nace Daisy Fuentes, modelo y actriz cubana.

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-1978: nace Rachel McAdams, actriz canadiense. Conocida por su participación en films como The Notebook, Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Strange, Mean Girls, The Vow, entre otras.

-1993: en Sudáfrica, acaba el dominio de la minoría blanca (apartheid) con la firma de una Constitución interina.

-2006: en Estados Unidos sale a la venta la PlayStation 3.

-2010: muere Isabelle Caro, modelo francesa imagen de la campaña publicitaria llamada ‘No anorexia’. Sufría de anorexia nerviosa desde los 13 años de edad. Isabelle Caro falleció en el hospital Xavier-Bichat de París; su causa fue neumonía, después de pasar cerca de dos semanas en el hospital con una enfermedad respiratoria aguda. Su familia no reportó la noticia a los medios hasta pasado más de un mes, el 29 de diciembre de 2010. En enero de 2011, su madre, Marie Caro, aquejada por la culpa, se suicidó.

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