#Katz PR

[fenningrya]

War themed hat simulator is a free to join OC-centric TF2 server !! Share your art, writing, and other crafts to your hearts content and meet our lovely members. We occasionally host game nights, drawing sessions, and other fun events like Secret Santa! We also have custom roles, sounds, stickers, emojis, and a Minecraft server. Put on your hats and jump into the fun here at War themed hat simulator!

Server owned by @doctor-katz !!

This server is +16 only, but there is no NSFW content allowed!

Be kind to members and their creations.

Pr*ship content is prohibited.

[moongreenlight]

Insane reader my beloved. Literally my babygirl.

@katz-chow been ruminating on this one just for you <3

CW: Gore and violence

Reader who shows up late to their first meeting with the task force. Rolls up in their dark sedan with blacked-out windows and one too many dents on the front bumper wearing civvies instead of the uniform they were given and instructed to wear.

Reader who is a privately hired detective with a talent for interrogations. Not officially a member of the task force or the military because the tactics they use are far less than legal. More a secret weapon on retainer for when doing things by the book doesn’t do the trick.

Reader who gets on the good sides of the task force boys by being sugary sweet and barely hiding their true colors. Skins and bleaches the skulls of interrogations gone South and gives them to Ghost insisting they’re better than the costume store shit he’s got on now.

Gifts Price expensive cigars tucked between the fingers of a severed hand. Drops them off in large pink boxes with delicate ribbons and giggles when he asks a thousand questions about why and how and what the fuck he was supposed to do with this.

Tosses Gaz new knives on the field when they’ve landed a kill or just wrenched them out of someone’s stomach. They make a game out of chucking the gore-slicked blades at one another’s heads to see if they can dodge in time.

Starts playing dodgeball with Soap where they toss his less-stable bombs and unpinned grenades back and forth. Only stops after they’ve accidentally blown up the camp two missions in a row. (Also heavily rumored they have tramp stamps of each other’s names because they’re both too stubborn to back down from a dare but that’s just for vibes)

Reader who gets flown out on specialty missions where a hostage really refuses to talk and takes matters into their own hands. Sometimes hopping on radio when they’re in transit and requesting the force pulls extra men so they can play a live game of operation. They’ve been watching videos on the dark web and the first two seasons of Grey’s Anatomy from their military issued laptop so it’s like an 80% chance all the hostages live.

Reader who stops being allowed to train rookies because the first and only faux-deployment they led they told the group they ran out of rations three days in to a two week long training and they had to play rock-paper-scissors to create a bracket of people to eat first. The mission gets called early when Price gets word that there was actually a field amputation done. Reader doesn’t even apologize, just laughs their way through a barely reasonable explanation. I didn’t think they’d actually do it.

Reader who begs the boys to let them play kill, kiss, marry, kill in the middle of a boring interrogation and when they get told no or to focus on the task at hand, they throw such a fit that they end up sending a screwdriver through the eye of the person they’re supposed to be interrogating.

Reader who brings their own kit to interrogations. Lugs around pincers, rusted blades, rotary bone saws, and dull axes in a flamingo pink toolbox. Sets it up on a small table in front of the hostage and unboxes it like an influencer showing off PR.

Reader who also stops being able to run conditioning and drills with rookies because they pitted the privates against one another during a sparring session. Saying something about whoever could sheath a blade in the other first got a bonus check before tossing a few knives on the mat and walking away. Gaz had to run over and tell them you weren’t serious when he saw blood.

Reader who insists on being able to puppeteer the decapitated head of an enemy grunt they took down and reciting a few lines of Shakespeare to the boys. Dragging the mission out because they know as well as the boys do that everyone is on their timeline.

Reader who dances around hostages that have been zip tied to chairs and beat within an inch of their life. Singsonging threats and having the boys drag the limp bodies of their chain of command across the floor.

Reader who pouts when their victims pass out during questioning after a few of their fingers have been chopped off with a butcher’s knife. Huffs like they’re being put through a massive inconvenience and fishes smelling salts out of their toolkit to wake the poor sap back up.

[meraki-yao]

RWRB: The Awardist Podcast Interview Thoughts

Alright after listening to the podcast giddily while aggressively stomping on the cross-ramp machine to work out my extreme happiness and excitement to the point that I burnt through twice as many calories than usual and soaked through my shirt, I'm here with thoughts

Pippin @pippin-katz, who sent me a voice message at 3 am my time to tell me to brace myself and be prepared for what's happening and what I'm going to wake up it, did their own version of a summary+thoughts with timestamps here, go check that one out

So my list of thoughts is gonna be a little more all over the place

Immediately burst out laughing with the "mouthful" joke, even more so when the boys both caught it lmao

"I am not happy to see Taylor's face" and "I have a Post-it I'll stick it over your face now" that is peak bestie behaviour

Nick honey I love you but I... do not believe you don't look through online stuff lmao we literally caught you likely fan content and edits you posted two Henry edits and referenced another one

I love how unintentionally in sync they are??? For the first question they started talking at the same time, and for the second they both started nodding and stayed silent forgetting this was an audio interview

"mate, mate, mate, MATE" and the last one being said in sync oh my god this is so much fun

The whole comment on the signing wars: what Pippin said, we were literally calling Taylor "that little fucker" yesterday when he started taunting us with more BTS (EVERYONE KEEP VOTING PLEASE)

"What possessed you? What have you got against me?", the same energy as "Why do you dislike me?"

Taylor's explanation of signing on Nick's face and how it started made me laugh and scoff a little because I translated that fucking moment: the first time it happened, Taylor was in China, it was the firstprince PR photo not the GQ magazine, he was on a boat, and he was the one to ask for the photos to sign lmao

Again, need to see them sign stuff in the same time and space: FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!! :D

"Take it Nick" Nick's little snicker in response

A little heavy and personal but I wish I could talk to them and tell them how much the book, the movie, the characters and the boys mean to me and how it kept me somewhat afloat last October when I was drowning every single day, and how this story made me want to change myself and break out of my status quo

I know I've been saying Taylor knows Casey's pronouns and he gets them wrong when he's nervous, and I stand by that, but God the sigh of relief I let out when he used they/them

"Right Nick?" is so oddly comforting?

Oh my fucking God the "Top to Bottom" joke was a low-hanging fruit but it made me laugh

Also even the order was right! "Top to Bottom", "Taylor and I" (jkjk lmao) 😜

I really fucking hope that the "that's what I'm known for now, doing intimacy work on screen" is an offhand joke and that people don't genuinely label Nick as that

"Why don't you speak for this, Taylor" again, unexplainably comforting

"Seeing my mate at all these awards shows" made me remember a Chinese phrase "頂峰相見·", literally "meeting again at the peak", meaning "I'll see you when we're both at our best"

Nick's burst of laughter at the "who's a better kisser" comment

Taylor I swear to God 🤣 he combined the "is nick a good kisser" and the "who has your heart joey or Nick" questions together and said "I don't know, I don't know how to answer that question, I have no idea" DUDE YOU LITERALLY ANSWERED THE GOOD KISSER QUESTION WITH "YOU KNOW WHAT HE IS A GOOD KISSER WE HAD TO PRACTICE A LOT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT" WITH ZERO HESITATION (that answer, on that day, was first thing in the morning for me, and I lost my sanity for the next two hours)

I'm so fucking happy and Matthew comes from a theatre too, speaking as a theatre person and someone who has been dissecting this film since its release

I really think there's gotta be more improvised scenes? Or at the very least stuff like the morning after V&A that was a last-minute decision to add in and wasn't in the script, or maybe scenes where there wasn't specific lines written and they just reacted and spoke based on the scenario? Or even little moments, the shoulder kiss or something?

"Tay" OH MY HEART

Ok I can make an argument on both how Nick is like and not like Henry, but Taylor is so ACD that he basically fell out of the book? How does he not see that? (personally think Taylor's very similar to Alex with a bit of Marco?)

Oh my god the whole segment of the DNC/getting caught scene and Taylor's ass

"I will take this one" "yeah"

"I love working with her, we both love working with her" That's sweet- hang on Nick you just have this one scene with her

I have so many more questions about this scene: Was Nick actually in the closet for that one shot? How many takes did it take?

Taylor referencing a detail in Bottoms from like a 30-second scene in the movie!!! Yes!!! We love seeing friends being supportive of each other (suddenly want to hear Taylor's opinions on M&G lmfao)

"And I'm not even going to get into M&G"

The text question is kind of the only question that made me think "Why would you ask that?" because that was definitely more of a directing/editing thing

Nick really freaking loves the cake scene, he mentioned that as his favourite scene three times at this point, all times on audio, twice on video

Aw Taylor's story about Jack... 🥺

But somehow everyone knowing it lmao, and Taylor's fucking awful British accent

And at this point Nick starts swearing lmao

Awww Nick's compliment to Taylor

Tangent: what the fuck is a fuel museum?

Oh I just love hearing them finishing each other's sentences when one of them forgets the word

Lmao imagine just recovering from Covid and then needing to make out for two hours

"Next to a witchcraft shop" What the fuck lmao

Tangent again but I could write a sociology essay on what Taylor said about architecture and history

I swear to God, Nick's "go on Taylor" somehow being softer, you can fucking hear that that little shit is smirking

Taylor saying that he wants a second book from Casey and me immediately going "BOTH OF YOU QUIT YOUR FUCKING JOBS" (I have complicated feelings about the bonus chapter)

"What-if world" exactly!

Taylor pulling out the stats about the queer population: did he fucking calculate that on the spot or he just casually have that information in his head?

the little wrap-up by the hosts was so sweet but somehow talking about Taylor's ass again oh my god (his body hair being digitally edited, it was minx right?)

"it's so sweet and nice and we need more of this in our lives right now" YES WE DO, WE FUCKING DO

"he's gonna be second-guessing his booty" is not a sentence I thought I'd ever hear but here we are

Culture shock moment: the number to call the podcast/American phone numbers is 3-3-4 which caught me off guard for a second cuz here it's 4-4

And that's it for now! God, I need so much more of this, like, if this is what we get out of a half-an-hour podcast interview what would press and promo be like?

Now that we're back for awards I really freaking hope these new RWRB content will be coming back, maybe like once a week or something

WE'RE BACK WE'RE FUCKING BACK WE'RE FUCKING WINNING

EVERYONE GO VOTE GO VOTE GO VOTE

[monkey-network]

Good Stuff: Primos

It was the summer of 2023. We got the opening to Disney's new cartoon. Then it was bullied into releasing next year. Primos is one of those cases where culturally, you could smell the Americana from it in spite of intentions, and when you get around to it the hate wasn't fully deserved. It was funny, but to me this was like if Japanese Americans shitted on Dragon Ball Z for characters being named after veggies. Then again, nobody hates shit harder than Mexicans and Latinos and the PR wasn't the best, Tater's VA definitely didn't help. But, I'm grateful Disney didn't pull a Zaslav and shelf this as if this was the damnedest thing to ever happen to Hispanics. Now that the wait is over, is the show good?

it's far better than Latinx Loud House Cleveland Show, credit where due

The comparison to Loud House/Casagrandes isn't far off, but Primos has the advantage of it feeling like the time Tater spends with her extended family will have a start and end to it. We're in the same headspace as Latka who's not only adapting but revaluing her perspectives regarding her family. Nothing groundbreaking, but reminds me of Clarence where it has that messier but more homey charm as opposed to Loud House where over time it felt too plain and overstayed its welcome. Primos I feel will work as a limited season show like Gravity Falls as you can see well paced progress with both Spud's self-discovery mission and her familial relationships to not too overstay as if it needed to be Disney's answer to Loud House. I overall appreciate DTVA for looking to do less inherently story heavy shows.

We could've had a Katz Cafe too, Disney

Now to get a tad personal, I am Mexican American (Afro-Hispanic specifically) and I can relate to Tuber to a minor extent, given this is based on the creator's own life. Primos doesn't really hit those deep cuts though when despite the heritage I bear, making your show about growing up a gringo or gabacho is not a mirroring experience I'm that into watching. This show isn't like Victor and Valentino or the Puss in Boots cartoon where its representation is purely into its core elements like the folklore and presentation. It's more akin to saying you proudly grew up on Del Taco joints and the ability to grasp subtitles. This is more Disney's overall ethnocentric MO when it comes to other cultures: more for those who want to feel aware than anyone that lived or is living it. I'm not here to chastise Natasha's authenticity in producing this nor act like this is a very patronizing kids cartoon. I'm just saying relatability only goes so far here and we otherwise have a very okay cartoon that had intentions on a perspective we're well aware.

And c'mon, nothing has overthrown the GOAT

Again, I appreciate the small shift to more episodic and grounded shows as opposed to serial adventures to keep track off. While not unique, Primos has a sweet blend of comical and comforting to be worth a watch. French Fry is an enjoyable protag (while Nellie is better) among a good, less archetypal family that overall makes episodes feel as easy-going as Kiff. I won't pretend to say I hated this originally nor did I ever hold any resentment to say this doesn't now deserves more of a chance.

7 Out Of 10, like your average stoner trip to Taco Bell

[and-so-he-rambled]

(A little Kaz centric Elite Force drabble I kinda finished but not really. Don’t think I’ve posted it yet.)

“Do you ever wonder why no one objected to a sixteen year old dropping out and moving away?” Kaz only talked about his feelings out of the blue.

“No, wasn’t Oliver’s mom arrested?”

“Yeah, his family is gone.” Katz shrugged. “But my family doesn’t care much. My older brothers are in jail, so’s my dad, and my younger brother is back in juvie. My older sisters don’t talk to me, and the youngest is already causing trouble. My mom is just happy I’m not in jail too. Oliver and I are alone, Mighty Med was all we had.”

“They were my family. And someone killed them. Oliver is all I have left.” Kaz’s eyes had a red tinge to them as he stared ahead, jaw set. “I like being here, but I will not lose my family again.”

Kaz was strange. Chase didn’t know how the super stuff worked, but he had a feeling that Kaz had never been a normal person.

“You won’t.”

“Good, and just so you know…” He turned to face him. “I’m the only one that gets to insult him.” For someone shorter and younger, there was a hardness in his eyes that made a shiver crawl up Chase’s spine.

“Is it weird that I think you’d be a good villian?” Chase took a step back and Kaz smiled, immediately reverting back to his goofy self.

“Funny, that’s what my probation officer used to say.”

.

Kazimeras was weird.

He reminded Chase of Adam, dumb and clueless, but there was something else. Kaz held the weight of the world on his shoulders.

The boy that had saved him last year was different. He stared off into the distance now, clenching his fists as he tried to rein himself. He tossed and turned all night, often only sleeping once he blearily snuck into Oliver’s bed.

They shared a trauma, but Kaz, for some reason, had been shattered by the loss of Mighty Med.

Chase thought about it all a lot, replaying recordings of Kaz talking as he tried to make it all make sense.

He always talked about comics and how it was all he read. About how being a doctor gave him a purpose.

And that purpose was now gone.

He found Kaz in the kitchen in the early morning, when the moon was still out.

He was hunched over the counter, surrounded by crumpled comic books that had worn edges.

“Kaz?”

The younger boy jolted, the temperature kicking up a few degrees as his shoulders went stiff.

“Go back to bed Chase.” His voice was thick with emotion, gone was the carefree light one that practically echoed his lazy smirk.

“What? No! What are you doing?” He looked closer to see he was holding pictures.

Kaz was silent before he took a shaky breath.

“Know what? Fine, sit.” He motioned at the seat next to him. “If you’re awake I’m forcing you to sit and listen.”

There were pictures of people and strange outfits smiling at Kaz while he made a face at the camera. Pictures of him and Oliver standing with blank expressions wearing scrubs and other things.

“So let me tell you about Benny.”

The stories he told never made sense, but he had this soft look on his face when he told them that made it okay. He talked about the nurses and recurring patients he knew well. It was weird how smart he could sound, able to recall every single comic book he had ever read down to the footnotes.

“I saw them. We went back, and I saw them. They looked funny.” His voice cracked a bit, even as he smiled, tracing the face of a lizard person. “All of them did. And we couldn’t fix them. It’s funny, we’re doctors, and we couldn’t fix them.

After a few more minutes Kaz calmly packed his comics away with more care than he had ever shown anything else. Chase had a feeling that the backpack he zipped up never left the building.

He followed him to bed and pretended not the notice Kaz slipping into Oliver’s bed again.

-

Kaz learned to love flying.

He had never liked heights, but ot was an escape from the chaos. Mighty Med was far from normal, but that chaos was work, and after he went home to a house full of tension and eggshells. Some days he very presence was irritable, other days he didn’t exist at all. Still, it was home, and it had always been that way.

But now Mighty Med was gone, and the people who saved people were beyond saving.

He had a new family now, all he had ever wanted, but they paid too much attention. Don’t touch that, don’t do that, where were you. Questions he wasn’t used to.

Up in the sky he was free from it all, unable to be reached by anyone but Oliver. Even high in the clouds he never got cold, laughing as moisture sizzled against his skin. This was his escape.

[bridgertonopinions]

Respectfully, here’s what I have to say:

If Luke Newton continues to remain with Antonia, publicly or privately, after the immature behaviour displayed by her and her Mum, that will be extremely telling of Luke and who he is as a person. We can only blame his friends and Antonia so much, but ultimately, Luke is the celebrity tethered to the fans, whether thats willingly or unwillingly. The statement “when someone shows you who they are, believe them” will ring true.

I have to agree with the Anon who said that out of all of the Bridgerton cast, Luke Newton is the only one who’s personal life is talked about this much. That’s cause he and his PR have made is so. No one needed to know last year that he was Single and on Raya. That likely came from his team. People are not intruding in his life if all the activity is on his public account. His and Antonia’s whatever dynamic is informed by their public profiles. Had Luke done this through his private account and had her profile been private, no one would have anything to talk about. They’re very much participating in feeding the narrative.

Also, my take on Deux Moi saying that Antonia was in Australia is because Deux Moi had posted earlier that Luke Newton was spotted with an air hostess at the Sydney Hotel. Saying Antonia is his rumoured girlfriend and was there negates Deux Moi’s post. We all know Antonia’s trip to France overlapped the Australia trip, so she was definitely not there. Feels like the tip to Deux Moi came from Luke’s camp too. Likely testing the waters…which did not end well.

The Deux Moi story about the air hostess could also be the one Nicola mentions as being categorically false or Nicola could be referencing Deux Moi’s story about Luke kissing Brynn Whitfield’s neck while at Evan Ross Katz’s Chaos dinner. The latter seems highly unlikely, given Antonia was in NYC with him, but not at the dinner, and that Evan himself shut down that rumour. Wild theory, what if Nicola saw the Brynn Whitfield story, and asked Evan to shut it down?!

.

[pollonegro666]

2023/03/17 Salió a saludarnos un gato naranja. Encontramos una barca de nuestro tamaño para poder navegar por los canales pero la tienda sólo esta abierta las semanas de vacaciones de pascua y verano. E hicimos una amiga que trabaja de relaciones públicas en un restaurante.

An orange cat came out to greet us. We found a boat our size to navigate the canals but the store is only open during the Easter and summer vacation weeks. And we made a friend who works in public relations at a restaurant.

Google Translation into French: Un chat orange est venu nous saluer. Nous avons trouvé un bateau à notre taille pour naviguer sur les canaux mais le magasin n'est ouvert que pendant les semaines de Pâques et des vacances d'été. Et nous nous sommes fait un ami qui travaille dans les relations publiques dans un restaurant.

Google translation into Italian: Un gatto arancione è venuto a salutarci. Abbiamo trovato una barca delle nostre dimensioni per navigare sui canali ma il negozio è aperto solo durante le settimane di Pasqua e le vacanze estive. E ci siamo fatti un amico che lavora nelle pubbliche relazioni in un ristorante.

Google Translation into Portuguese: Um gato laranja veio nos receber. Encontrámos um barco do nosso tamanho para navegar pelos canais mas a loja só está aberta nas semanas da Páscoa e nas férias de verão. E fizemos um amigo que trabalha em relações públicas em um restaurante.

Google Translation into German: Eine orangefarbene Katze kam uns entgegen. Wir haben ein Boot in unserer Größe gefunden, um die Kanäle zu befahren, aber der Laden ist nur in den Osterwochen und den Sommerferien geöffnet. Und wir haben einen Freund gefunden, der in einem Restaurant in der Öffentlichkeitsarbeit arbeitet.

Google Translation into Albanisch: Një mace portokalli erdhi drejt nesh. Ne gjetëm një varkë me madhësinë tonë për të lundruar nëpër kanale, por dyqani është i hapur vetëm gjatë javës së Pashkëve dhe pushimeve verore. Dhe gjetëm një mik që punon në marrëdhëniet me publikun në një restorant.

Google Translation into Armenian: Մի նարնջագույն կատու եկավ մեզ մոտ։ Մենք գտանք մեր չափսի նա��ակ՝ ջրանցքներով նավարկելու համար, բայց խանութը բաց է միայն Զատկի շաբաթվա և ամառային արձակուրդների ընթացքում: Եվ մենք գտանք մի ընկերոջ, ով աշխատում է ռեստորանում հանրային կապերի ոլորտում:

Google Translation into Bulgarian: Една оранжева котка дойде към нас. Намерихме лодка с нашия размер, за да плаваме по каналите, но магазинът е отворен само през Великденската седмица и летните ваканции. И намерихме приятел, който работи по връзки с обществеността в ресторант.

Google Translation into Czech: Přiběhla k nám oranžová kočka. Našli jsme loď naší velikosti k plavbě po kanálech, ale obchod je otevřen pouze během velikonočního týdne a letních prázdnin. A našli jsme přítele, který pracuje v oblasti public relations v restauraci.

Google Translation into Croatian: Narančasta mačka je došla prema nama. Pronašli smo čamac naše veličine za plovidbu kanalima, ali trgovina je otvorena samo tijekom uskrsnog tjedna i ljetnih praznika. I pronašli smo prijatelja koji radi u odnosima s javnošću u restoranu.

Google Translation into Danish En orange kat kom hen imod os. Vi fandt en båd på vores størrelse til at navigere i kanalerne, men butikken er kun åben i påskeugen og sommerferien. Og vi fandt en ven, der arbejder med PR på en restaurant.

Google Translation into Slovak: Prišla k nám oranžová mačka. Našli sme loď našej veľkosti na plavbu po kanáloch, ale obchod je otvorený iba počas veľkonočného týždňa a letných prázdnin. A našli sme priateľa, ktorý pracuje v oblasti public relations v reštaurácii.

Google Translation into Slovenian: Naproti nam je prišla oranžna mačka. Našli smo čoln naše velikosti za plovbo po kanalih, vendar je trgovina odprta samo med velikonočnim tednom in poletnimi počitnicami. In našli smo prijatelja, ki dela v odnosih z javnostmi v restavraciji.

Google Translation into Estonian: Oranž kass tuli meie poole. Leidsime kanalitel liikumiseks meie suuruse paadi, kuid pood on avatud ainult lihavõttenädalal ja suvevaheajal. Ja leidsime sõbra, kes töötab restoranis avalike suhete alal.

Google Translation into Suomi: Oranssi kissa tuli meitä kohti. Löysimme meidän kokoisen veneen kanavaa varten, mutta kauppa on auki vain pääsiäisviikon ja kesälomien aikana. Ja löysimme ystävän, joka työskentelee PR-alalla ravintolassa.

Google Translation into Greek: Μια πορτοκαλί γάτα ήρθε προς το μέρος μας. Βρήκαμε ένα σκάφος στο μέγεθος μας για να πλοηγηθούμε στα κανάλια, αλλά το κατάστημα είναι ανοιχτό μόνο την εβδομάδα του Πάσχα και τις καλοκαιρινές διακοπές. Και βρήκαμε έναν φίλο που εργάζεται σε δημόσιες σχέσεις σε ένα εστιατόριο.

Google Translation into Dutch: Een oranje kat kwam naar ons toe. We hebben een boot van ons formaat gevonden om door de grachten te varen, maar de winkel is alleen open tijdens de paasweek en de zomervakantie. En we vonden een vriend die in public relations werkt in een restaurant.

Google Translation into Norwegian: En oransje katt kom mot oss. Vi fant en båt i vår størrelse for å navigere i kanalene, men butikken er kun åpen i påskeuken og sommerferien. Og vi fant en venn som jobber i PR på en restaurant.

Google Translation into Polish: Podszedł do nas pomarańczowy kot. Znaleźliśmy łódź naszego rozmiaru do poruszania się po kanałach, ale sklep jest otwarty tylko podczas tygodnia wielkanocnego i wakacji letnich. I znaleźliśmy przyjaciela, który pracuje w public relations w restauracji.

Google Translation into Romanian: O pisică portocalie a venit spre noi. Am găsit o barcă de mărimea noastră pentru a naviga pe canale, dar magazinul este deschis doar în săptămâna Paștelui și în vacanțele de vară. Și am găsit un prieten care lucrează în relații publice la un restaurant.

Google Translation into Russian: К нам подошла оранжевая кошка. Мы нашли лодку нашего размера, чтобы плавать по каналам, но магазин открыт только во время пасхальной недели и летних каникул. И мы нашли друга, который работает в ресторане по связям с общественностью.

Google Translation into Serbian: Наранџаста мачка је пришла према нама. Пронашли смо чамац наше величине за пловидбу каналима, али продавница је отворена само током ускршње недеље и летњих празника. И нашли смо пријатеља који ради у односима с јавношћу у ресторану.

Google Translation into Swedish: En orange katt kom emot oss. Vi hittade en båt i vår storlek för att navigera i kanalerna men butiken är bara öppen under påskveckan och sommarlovet. Och vi hittade en vän som jobbar med PR på en restaurang.

Google Translation into Turkish: Turuncu bir kedi bize doğru geldi. Kanallarda gezinmek için bizim boyumuzda bir tekne bulduk ama dükkan sadece Paskalya haftası ve yaz tatillerinde açık. Ve bir restoranda halkla ilişkilerde çalışan bir arkadaş bulduk.

Google Translation into Ukrainian: Назустріч нам підійшов помаранчевий кіт. Ми знайшли човен нашого розміру, щоб плавати по каналах, але магазин відкритий лише під час Великоднього тижня та літніх канікул. І ми знайшли друга, який працює у зв’язках з громадськістю в ресторані.

Google Translation into Arabic: جاءت قطة برتقالية نحونا. وجدنا قاربًا بحجمنا للتنقل في القنوات ولكن المتجر مفتوح فقط خلال أسبوع عيد الفصح وعطلة الصيف. ووجدنا صديقًا يعمل في العلاقات العامة في مطعم.

Google Translation into Bengali: একটা কমলা বিড়াল আমাদের দিকে এগিয়ে এল। আমরা খাল নেভিগেট করার জন্য আমাদের আকারের একটি নৌকা পেয়েছি কিন্তু দোকানটি শুধুমাত্র ইস্টার সপ্তাহে এবং গ্রীষ্মের ছুটির সময় খোলা থাকে। এবং আমরা একজন বন্ধুকে পেয়েছি যিনি একটি রেস্টুরেন্টে জনসংযোগে কাজ করেন।

Google Translation into Simplified Chinese: 一只橙色的猫向我们走来。 我们找到了一艘我们大小的船来航行运河，但商店只在复活节和暑假期间开放。 我们找到了一位在一家餐馆从事公共关系工作的朋友。

Google Translation into Korean: 주황색 고양이가 우리를 향해 다가왔습니다. 우리는 운하를 항해하기 위해 우리 크기의 보트를 찾았지만 상점은 부활절 주간과 여름 휴가에만 영업합니다. 그리고 우리는 식당에서 홍보 활동을 하는 친구를 찾았습니다.

Google Translation into Hebrew: חתול כתום הגיע אלינו. מצאנו סירה בגודל שלנו כדי לנווט בתעלות אבל החנות פתוחה רק בשבוע הפסחא ובחופשות הקיץ. ומצאנו חבר שעובד ביח��י ציבור במסעדה.

Google Translation into Hindi: एक नारंगी बिल्ली हमारी ओर आई। हमें नहरों में नेविगेट करने के लिए हमारे आकार की एक नाव मिली लेकिन दुकान केवल ईस्टर सप्ताह और गर्मियों की छुट्टियों के दौरान खुली रहती है। और हमें एक दोस्त मिला जो एक रेस्तरां में जनसंपर्क का काम करता है।

Google Translation into Indonesian: Seekor kucing oranye datang ke arah kami. Kami menemukan perahu ukuran kami untuk menavigasi kanal tetapi toko hanya buka selama minggu Paskah dan liburan musim panas. Dan kami menemukan seorang teman yang bekerja di bidang hubungan masyarakat di sebuah restoran.

Google Translation into Japanese: オレンジ色の猫が近づいてきました。 運河を航行するのに私たちのサイズのボートを見つけましたが、店はイースターの週と夏休みの間だけ開いています。 そして、レストランで広報の仕事をしている友人を見つけました。

Google Translation into Kyrgyz: Бизге кызгылт сары мышык келди. Каналдарды сүзүү үчүн биз чоңдуктагы кайыкты таптык, бирок дүкөн Пасха жумасында жана жайкы каникулда гана иштейт. Ал эми ресторанда пиар менен иштеген досубузду таптык.

Google Translation into Malay: Seekor kucing oren datang ke arah kami. Kami menjumpai bot saiz kami untuk melayari terusan tetapi kedai itu hanya dibuka semasa minggu Paskah dan cuti musim panas. Dan kami menemui rakan yang bekerja dalam perhubungan awam di sebuah restoran.

Google Translation into Mongolian: Улбар шар өнгийн муур бидэн рүү ирэв. Бид сувгуудаар аялахын тулд бидний хэмжээтэй завь олсон боловч дэлгүүр нь зөвхөн Улаан өндөгний баярын долоо хоног, зуны амралтын үеэр нээлттэй байдаг. Тэгээд бид нэгэн ресторанд олон нийттэй харилцах ажил хийдэг найзыг олсон.

Google Translation into Nepali: एउटा सुन्तला बिरालो हामीतिर आयो। हामीले नहरहरू नेभिगेट गर्न हाम्रो आकारको डुङ्गा भेट्टायौं तर पसल इस्टर हप्ता र गर्मी बिदाहरूमा मात्र खुला छ। र हामीले एक रेस्टुरेन्टमा सार्वजनिक सम्बन्धमा काम गर्ने साथी भेट्टायौं।

Google Translation into Panjabi: ਇੱਕ ਸੰਤਰੀ ਬਿੱਲੀ ਸਾਡੇ ਵੱਲ ਆਈ। ਸਾਨੂੰ ਨਹਿਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਨੈਵੀਗੇਟ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਸਾਡੇ ਆਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਇੱਕ ਕਿਸ਼ਤੀ ਮਿਲੀ ਪਰ ਦੁਕਾਨ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਈਸਟਰ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਗਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਛੁੱਟੀਆਂ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਅਤੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਦੋਸਤ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਜੋ ਇੱਕ ਰੈਸਟੋਰੈਂਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਨਤਕ ਸਬੰਧਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।

Google Translation into Pashtun: یوه نارنجي پیشو ��موږ خواته راغله. موږ د کانالونو د تګ راتګ لپاره زموږ اندازه یوه کښتۍ وموندله مګر هټۍ یوازې د ایسټر اونۍ او دوبي رخصتیو کې خلاص وي. او موږ یو ملګری وموند چې په رستورانت کې په عامه اړیکو کې کار کوي.

Google Translation into Persian: یک گربه نارنجی به سمت ما آمد. ما یک قایق به اندازه خودمان برای پیمایش کانال ها پیدا کردیم، اما مغازه فقط در هفته عید پاک و تعطیلات تابستان باز است. و دوستی پیدا کردیم که در یک رستوران در روابط عمومی کار می کند.

Google Translation into Sundanese: Ucing jeruk datang ka urang. Kami mendakan parahu ukuran kami pikeun nganapigasi kanal tapi toko ngan dibuka salami minggu Paskah sareng liburan usum panas. Sarta kami kapanggih babaturan anu gawéna dina hubungan umum di réstoran.

Google Translation into Tagalog: Isang kulay kahel na pusa ang lumapit sa amin. Nakakita kami ng bangkang kalakihan namin para mag-navigate sa mga kanal ngunit bukas lang ang tindahan sa panahon ng Easter week at summer holidays. At nakahanap kami ng kaibigan na nagtatrabaho sa public relations sa isang restaurant.

Google Translation into Thai: แมวสีส้มเดินเข้ามาหาเรา เราพบเรือขนาดพอๆ กันเพื่อล่องไปตามลำคลอง แต่ร้านเปิดเฉพาะช่วงสัปดาห์อีสเตอร์และวันหยุดฤดูร้อนเท่านั้น แล้วเราก็เจอเพื่อนที่ทำงานประชาสัมพันธ์ร้านอาหาร

Google Translation into Urdu: ایک نارنجی بلی ہماری طرف آئی۔ ہمیں نہروں پر جانے کے لیے اپنے سائز کی ایک کشتی ملی لیکن دکان صرف ایسٹر کے ہفتے اور گرمیوں کی چھٹیوں میں کھلی رہتی ہے۔ اور ہمیں ایک دوست ملا جو ایک ریستوراں میں تعلقات عامہ کا کام کرتا ہے۔

[wearelondonhq]

(ray) welcome to london, NANCY LOOMIS! did anyone ever tell you that you look just like REESE WITHERSPOON? well, no matter, we hear that you are 48 and working as a JOURNALIST. we also hear that you currently HAVE your memories from SCREAM and have a tendency to be PROTECTIVE as well as VENGEFUL. (( pls can i switch out dennis rafkin as i sadly lost muse ))

(ray) welcome to london, LOUISE DALTON! did anyone ever tell you that you look just like AIMEE CARRERO? well, no matter, we hear that you are 36 and working as a PR MANAGER. we also hear that you currently DON’T HAVE your memories from SPEAK NO EVIL and have a tendency to be PRAGMATIC as well as VULNERABLE. (( pls can i switch out beverly katz ? ))

(ray) welcome to london, KANG SAE-BYEOK! did anyone ever tell you that you look just like JUNG HO-YEON? well, no matter, we hear that you are 30 and working as a THIEF. we also hear that you currently HAVE your memories from SQUID GAME and have a tendency to be RESOURCEFUL as well as DISTRUSTFUL. (( pls can i switch out trixie espinoza ))

— WELCOME TO LONDON, nancy loomis, louise dalton & kangg sae-byeok! you look very familiar, do we know you from somewhere? anyways, take your time settling in because whether you want to or not, it looks like you’re going to be living here for awhile! // welcome ray, please be sure to follow our checklist here! ** beverly katz, trixie espinosa and dennis rafkin are reopened!

[ulkaralakbarova]

A wannabe rock star who fronts a Pennsylvania-based tribute band is devastated when his kick him out of the group he founded. Things begin to look up for Izzy when he is asked to join Steel Dragon, the heavy metal rockers he had been imitating for so long. This film is loosely based on the true story of the band Judas Priest. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Chris ‘Izzy’ Cole: Mark Wahlberg Emily Poule: Jennifer Aniston Kirk Cuddy: Dominic West A.C.: Jason Bonham Jorgen: Jeff Pilson Ghode: Zakk Wylde Mats, Steel Dragon Road Manager: Timothy Spall Donny Johnson: Blas Elias Xander Cummins: Nick Catanese Ricki Bell: Brian Vander Ark Rob Malcolm: Timothy Olyphant Tania Asher, Steel Dragon PR: Dagmara Domińczyk Joe Cole: Matthew Glave Mr. Cole: Michael Shamus Wiles Mrs. Cole: Beth Grant Bobby Beers: Jason Flemyng Nina: Carey Lessard Samantha: Kristin Richardson Mason Bell: Jamie Williams Roadie #1: Keith Loneker Amber: Sami Reed Marci: Kara Zediker Bradley: Stephan Jenkins Guitarist in Crowd Outside Mansion: Vitamin C Cream Reporter: Kevin Ryder Melody-Maker Reporter: Gene Baxter Bouncer: Gregory Hinton Nurse: Sonya Stephens Photographer: Neil Zlozower Fan #1: Kirk Enochs Thor: Myles Kennedy A.C.’s Wife: Rachel Hunter Kirk’s Wife: Heidi Mark Ghode’s Wife: Carrie Stevens Jorgen’s Wife: Amy Miller Office Worker: William Martin Brennan Mrs. Andrews: Lorna Scott Auditioning Singer: Ralph Saenz Topless Cutie #1: Jennifer Rovero Topless Cutie #2: Natalie Raynes Scalper: Jamal Weathers Two-Year Old Girl: Hailie Brennand Roadie #2: Eric Weinstein MTV Veejay: Jamie White Metal Head: Jeffrey Wetzel Guitar Tech: Frederick E. Kowalo Girl with P-Pass: Jennifer Uilani Warren Roxy Dancer: Chad Azadan Roxy Dancer: Linda Cevallos Roxy Dancer: Jennifer Edmond Roxy Dancer: Brian Friedman Roxy Dancer: Cynthia Fuhrer Roxy Dancer: Cati Jean Roxy Dancer: Edward Jenkins Roxy Dancer: Kelly Knox Roxy Dancer: Tabbatha Mays Roxy Dancer: Udee McGeoy Roxy Dancer: Ted Napolitano Roxy Dancer: Tomasina Parrott Roxy Dancer: Gabriel Ramírez Roxy Dancer: Ursula Whittaker Roxy Dancer: Zachary Woodlee Concert Rocker: Andrew Wayne Bar Patron (uncredited): Gia Franzia Film Crew: Production Design: Mayne Berke Executive Producer: Steven Reuther Original Music Composer: Trevor Rabin Executive Producer: George Clooney Second Unit Director: David R. Ellis Director of Photography: Ueli Steiger Casting: Sharon Bialy Actor’s Assistant: Eric Weinstein Co-Producer: Michael Fottrell Costume Design: Aggie Guerard Rodgers Screenplay: John Stockwell Stunts: Chad Stahelski Director: Stephen Herek Stunts: Chris Palermo Stunts: Joe Bucaro III Producer: Toby Jaffe Editor: Trudy Ship Stunts: Julie Michaels Stunts: Keith Woulard Stunts: T.J. White Executive Producer: Mike Ockrent Choreographer: Peggy Holmes Music Supervisor: Budd Carr Set Decoration: Casey Hallenbeck Unit Production Manager: Paul Moen Swing: P. Scott Bailey Stunts: Laura Albert Stunts: Mike Gunther Supervising Art Director: Caty Maxey Stunt Coordinator: Brad Martin Stunts: Jeff Imada Still Photographer: Claudette Barius First Assistant Director: Jeffrey Wetzel Actor’s Assistant: Ozzie Areu Production Accountant: Ravi D. Mehta Art Department Coordinator: Joe Walser Leadman: Mark Woods Stunts: Tim Rigby Camera Operator: Thomas Yatsko Stunts: Sean Graham Set Designer: Harry E. Otto Makeup Artist: Donald Mowat Special Effects Coordinator: Paul J. Lombardi Makeup Artist: Jean Ann Black Boom Operator: Carl Fischer Stunts: Damon Caro Stunts: Chris O’Hara First Assistant Camera: Gary L. Camp Script Supervisor: Adrienne Hamalian-Mangine Special Effects: Scott Blackwell Video Assist Operator: David Katz Stunts: Steve Holladay Hairstylist: Johnny Villanueva Set Costumer: Lisa A. Doyle Hairstylist: Kerry Mendenhall Music Editor: Brent Brooks Steadicam Operator: Dan Kneece Location Manager: Curtis Collins Hairstylist: Shari Perry Key Makeup Artist: Michael Mills Key Costumer: Sabrina Calley Stunts: Brandon Sebek Producer: Robert Lawrence Art Direction: Richard Schreiber Costume Supervisor: Bruce Erickse...

[dangerouslyclosetothesurface]

Thursday

I'm back! Gotta update the bike blog because I hate when other blogs suddenly drop off and die. Haven't been biking much lately so nothing to report, but trying to get back on the bike now.

Things I did that I haven't posted:

August 2023 biked around Portland, ME and mid-coast Maine

March 2024 biked to Hakone in Saratoga

Adopted the Mamachari, which was found abandoned in front of the apt building. Fixed the rear flat and now it's my work bike. It has no controls for its electric assist, but it has a rear rack and a front basket, so I just use it as a very heavy (unstealable) single-speed bike when I need to transport plants and such things. It is not easy to ride any grade over 3%. On every other terrain it is fine.

Today we are back in Queens doing a casual ride. Strava here. It was very hot today.

First we went on 20th Ave towards our bagel spot, but Nate went too far and passed it and by then we were at ConEd and we were like let's keep going I don't care about bagels right now. Then my chain fell off right as we got into Astoria Park (at 20th). We biked through AP and then of course we had to ride to Socrates Sculpture Park (it was closed at that time), then doubled back to get on the Triboro Bridge entrance (rode behind a stinky schoolbus for part of that), finally got on the bridge, then crossed to Manhattan via Ward's Island Bridge, which was VERY gross and trashy :(. I would once again like to reiterate how I have previously failed to bike this bridge due to steepness, and this is very much a thing of the past. HA HA!!!!!

After that we went downtown via 2nd Ave and I hated it because too many mopeds, ebikes, potholes, they were repaving from E49th to like E42nd ugh, and too many peds not paying attention who had to be yelled at LOL. We went all the way to Katz's because Nate wanted a pastrami (at 8am). Then I got angry about being in that neighborhood (too hectic!) so we biked across Houston and went on the WSH to eat the sandwich.

Sitting and eating pickles and pastrami looking at New Jersey

Little Island aka Diva Cup Park

Then we kept biking up WSH and went past 125th! Which I've rarely done (the few times documented on this blog for sure)! And I stopped to learn about the Little Red Lighthouse. Nate missed it because he was busy climbing the steep part that comes right after that. We both had to dismount at the next steep part immediately following that.

Then we kept biking and saw that pillar thing that I used to have a photo of on this blog until TinyPic shut down:

Then we kept going until the path led us to this place, and we biked along it until it dead-ended. We also tried to go the other way but it was another dead end. We saw a groundhog! It was moseying along next to the path. I tried to take a photo but it ran away.

What seems to be the end of the WSH bike path?

We got off the WSH bike path, went on Dyckman, then Harlem River Drive (where we saw volcano-mulched trees!!!!), then stopped at Holcombe Rucker Park, and wiggled our way over to the Bronx. My chain fell off for the second time while going towards the Madison Ave Bridge.

After that, finally got back onto Randall's Island where I tried to blast up the ramp up to the bridge. Just checked my Strava and I am literally 1 second slower than my PR and I HATE it!!! wtf!!!! So close to beating it. I knew I could've kept accelerating, too. Dammit.

Then stopped at Lidl for snacks before going home. I had a Zoom interview. (It didn't go that well but who cares.)

After that, we went back outside (Strava here) to go to Kickstand Bicycles and buy pedals/get my chain and potentially chainring replaced. Riding down 2nd Ave for the second time today, yuck! Still too many mopeds. My chain fell off 11 blocks away from destination. Ben and Andrea remembered us and also said the chain would be fine if I just tensioned it by pulling the wheel back. I still bought a bunch of shit from them in case I need it in the future and because I like to patronize their shop. So now I have a spare chainring and chain. I'll bring the cog and tools I have in SF next time I'm here and make the upgrade. Oh and I also bought a front brake :( Yes I am here to admit defeat because it's supposed to rain this weekend and I am not trying to die if my skids or footbrake fails in unfamiliar territory.

Then rode back home; stopped at Athens Park, another must-visit fave.

Who knew this was an actual gift from Greece to Mayor Giuliani (I guess anyone who bothered to read the plaque. It's a good gift.)

Also couldn't resist attempting 75th St Pop but I was 2 seconds slower than my PR! Ugh I will try again.

Anyway we logged a bunch of miles today and I am not that tired but it was very hot today (which only sucks if you stop moving) and I am very sticky from being sweaty and accumulating dust.

[pronoun-arc]

[ PT:

Cat: Feline ID Pack

Names: abby. aina. aislin. amaris. apricity. artemis. aspen. aster. aylin. babi. bell. bella. ben. bennett. benny. boo. bristle. buddy. buttercup. calico. callie. cat. cataka. catalyn. catarine. cataura. cate. catelynn. caterina. catherine. catlyn. catnip. catra. catriel. catrin. catriona. charlotte. chat. chatters. cheshette. cheshire. chompo. citrie. claw. clawrina. clementine. cleo. coco. cole. cozie. critter. dessie. diana. diona. dippin. ditzy. dots. dreametta. drowsette. edur. eira. elara. fang. fausta. faustette. faustina. felicity. felina. feline. felisha. felix. fennec. ferri. fluff. fluffie. fluffles. fluffy. fortune. freya. fur. furayah. furina. furona. gato. gatto. gianna. gigi. ginger. hiraya. hissan. holly. hyacinth. hypnoticesse. iris. izzy. jett. jinx. kalico. kat. kataka. katalyn. katarina. katashi. kate. katelinn. katelyn. katharine. kathayani. katherina. kathi. kathirah. kathita. kathleen. kathrine. kathryn. katika. katilyn. katinah. katinka. katlin. katrina. katsen. katte. kattie. katzchen. katze. kelly. kettlingur. kismet. kit. kitti. kittie. kitty. kizzy. korat. kot. kote. kuting. kyathi. lawler. layla. lee. leo. leon. leonardo. lil. lilith. lily. lioness. lionette. liora. loki. lola. lottie. luckitty. lucky. lucy. lumi. luna. lunar. lunette. lynx. maine. mao. maola. maoli. maolia. maolmin. marie. mau. meowesse. meowli. meowy. mew. mewlina. mewy. midnight. milka. milo. missy. mist. misty. mitten. mittens. mizuki. mona. moonie. morphius. nala. napolean. narcyz. narkissa. neko, nemuri. neoma. neomi. nepeta. nevada. noir. nyamu. nyasia. nyx. olwen. onyx. oreo. orpheus. owen. paris. pawelek. pawleen. pawline. paws. popoki. poppy. prince. princess. pumpkin. purresse. purrette. purriette. purrlina. purrse. ragdoll. ravae. river. ruby. scar. selene. selenia. shade. sleepesse. stitch. stripe. sunny. sunrise. sunshine. sylvester. sylvie. tab. tabby. tabitha. thimble. tigris. tilly. tiny. tom. treat. valorie. vulpes. whisker. whiskers. willow. yue. yume.

Pronouns: (=^･ω･^=)/(=^･ω･^=). /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\//ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ. :3/:3. >:3/:>:3. >:3/>:3. >ww<. ^^/^^. ^^/^^. ^w^/^w^. ado/adore. ash/ash. aw/warm. bell/bell. bit/bit. bite/bite. ble/bless. blizz/blizzard. bow/bow. box/box. ca/cat. calm/calm. candle/candle. car/caracal. carni/vora. cat/cat. cat/nip. caterwaul/cayerwaul. catnip/catnip. cha/chase. chan/chance. chase/chase. chatter/chatter. cheer/cheerful. cher/cher. chew/chew. chom/chomp. chub/chub. cla/claw. claw/claw. claw/clawed. cli/climb. collar/collar. cookie/cookie. cozy/cozy. cu/cute. cud/cuddle. cuddle/cuddle. cute/cute. cute/cutie. dark/dark. des/destiny. dream/dream. drow/drowsy. eep/eepy. ey/em fa/fate. fang/fang. fay/fem fe/line. fel/feline. feli/dae. feli/feline. feline/feline. fi/fish. fish/fish. fleur/fleur. fli/flip. flick/flicker. floof/fluff. fluff/fluff. fluffy/fluffy. for/fortune. fri/friend. fu/fur. fur/fur. fu/fuzz. fuzz/fuzz. ga/to. gloom/gloomy. happ/happy. hi/his. hiss/hiss. ho/hop. hope/ful. hu/hunt. hunt/hunt. hunter/hunter. hy/hymn. hyp/hype. intro/vert. jagu/jaguar. ju/jump. kat/kat. kit/kit. kit/kitten. kit/kitty kit/kitty. knea/knead. kya/kya. lawl/law. lawl/lawl. leap/leap. lion/lion. lu/luck. luv/luv. lynx/lynx. mao/mao. me/meow. meo/meow. meow/meow. mew/meow. mew/mew. miau/miau. miew/miow. mil/milk. milk/milk. mimimi/mimimi. mlem/mlem. moon/moon. mrow/mrow. mrr/mrrp. mrreow/mrreow. mrrp/mrrp. nap/nap. neko/neko. night/night. nip/nip. noct/noct. nom/nyom. nya/nya. nya/nyan. pa/paw. panth/panthe. panth/panther. paw/claw. paw/paw. pawpad/pawpad. pessi/pessimist. pet/pet. petal/petal. pi/pink. pitter/patter. pla/play. play/playful. pou/pounce. pr/prr. pra/prance. prowl/prowl. prr/prr. pup/paw. purr/purr. quiet/quiet. ribbon/ribbon. ro/roll. roll/roll. sca/scratch. scra/scratch. scratch/scratch. sha/shake. shade/shade. shadow/shadow. shy/hyr shy/shy. skit/skitter. slee/sleep. sneak/sneak. sniff/sniff. snooze/snooze. snow/snowflake. soft/soft. spe/speak. spi/spin. squi/squish. sta/stare. swe/sweet. sweet/sweet. swi/swipe. ta/tail. tail/tail. tig/tig. tig/tigri. tiger/tiger. tire/tired. tired/tired. toy/toy. tre/treat. tri/trick. trill/trill. vae/vaem vix/vixen. waf/waffle. warm/warmth. whis/whisker. whisk/whisker. wonder/wonder. ya/yarn. yarn/yarn. yaw/yawn. yawn/yawn. yip/yip. yowl/yowl. zoomie/zoomie. zz/zz. 🍣 . 🐅 . 🐆 . 🐈 . 🐱 . 🐾 . 💤 . 😺 . 🥛 . 🦁 . 🦴 .

/end PT ]

CAT ︰FELINE ID PACK

NAMES ⌇　abby. aina. aislin. amaris. apricity. artemis. aspen. aster. aylin. babi. bell. bella. ben. bennett. benny. boo. bristle. buddy. buttercup. calico. callie. cat. cataka. catalyn. catarine. cataura. cate. catelynn. caterina. catherine. catlyn. catnip. catra. catriel. catrin. catriona. charlotte. chat. chatters. cheshette. cheshire. chompo. citrie. claw. clawrina. clementine. cleo. coco. cole. cozie. critter. dessie. diana. diona. dippin. ditzy. dots. dreametta. drowsette. edur. eira. elara. fang. fausta. faustette. faustina. felicity. felina. feline. felisha. felix. fennec. ferri. fluff. fluffie. fluffles. fluffy. fortune. freya. fur. furayah. furina. furona. gato. gatto. gianna. gigi. ginger. hiraya. hissan. holly. hyacinth. hypnoticesse. iris. izzy. jett. jinx. kalico. kat. kataka. katalyn. katarina. katashi. kate. katelinn. katelyn. katharine. kathayani. katherina. kathi. kathirah. kathita. kathleen. kathrine. kathryn. katika. katilyn. katinah. katinka. katlin. katrina. katsen. katte. kattie. katzchen. katze. kelly. kettlingur. kismet. kit. kitti. kittie. kitty. kizzy. korat. kot. kote. kuting. kyathi. lawler. layla. lee. leo. leon. leonardo. lil. lilith. lily. lioness. lionette. liora. loki. lola. lottie. luckitty. lucky. lucy. lumi. luna. lunar. lunette. lynx. maine. mao. maola. maoli. maolia. maolmin. marie. mau. meowesse. meowli. meowy. mew. mewlina. mewy. midnight. milka. milo. missy. mist. misty. mitten. mittens. mizuki. mona. moonie. morphius. nala. napolean. narcyz. narkissa. neko, nemuri. neoma. neomi. nepeta. nevada. noir. nyamu. nyasia. nyx. olwen. onyx. oreo. orpheus. owen. paris. pawelek. pawleen. pawline. paws. popoki. poppy. prince. princess. pumpkin. purresse. purrette. purriette. purrlina. purrse. ragdoll. ravae. river. ruby. scar. selene. selenia. shade. sleepesse. stitch. stripe. sunny. sunrise. sunshine. sylvester. sylvie. tab. tabby. tabitha. thimble. tigris. tilly. tiny. tom. treat. valorie. vulpes. whisker. whiskers. willow. yue. yume.

PRONOUNS ⌇　(=^･ω･^=)/(=^･ω･^=). /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\//ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ. :3/:3. >:3/:>:3. >:3/>:3. >ww<. ^^/^^. ^^/^^. ^w^/^w^. ado/adore. ash/ash. aw/warm. bell/bell. bit/bit. bite/bite. ble/bless. blizz/blizzard. bow/bow. box/box. ca/cat. calm/calm. candle/candle. car/caracal. carni/vora. cat/cat. cat/nip. caterwaul/cayerwaul. catnip/catnip. cha/chase. chan/chance. chase/chase. chatter/chatter. cheer/cheerful. cher/cher. chew/chew. chom/chomp. chub/chub. cla/claw. claw/claw. claw/clawed. cli/climb. collar/collar. cookie/cookie. cozy/cozy. cu/cute. cud/cuddle. cuddle/cuddle. cute/cute. cute/cutie. dark/dark. des/destiny. dream/dream. drow/drowsy. eep/eepy. ey/em fa/fate. fang/fang. fay/fem fe/line. fel/feline. feli/dae. feli/feline. feline/feline. fi/fish. fish/fish. fleur/fleur. fli/flip. flick/flicker. floof/fluff. fluff/fluff. fluffy/fluffy. for/fortune. fri/friend. fu/fur. fur/fur. fu/fuzz. fuzz/fuzz. ga/to. gloom/gloomy. happ/happy. hi/his. hiss/hiss. ho/hop. hope/ful. hu/hunt. hunt/hunt. hunter/hunter. hy/hymn. hyp/hype. intro/vert. jagu/jaguar. ju/jump. kat/kat. kit/kit. kit/kitten. kit/kitty kit/kitty. knea/knead. kya/kya. lawl/law. lawl/lawl. leap/leap. lion/lion. lu/luck. luv/luv. lynx/lynx. mao/mao. me/meow. meo/meow. meow/meow. mew/meow. mew/mew. miau/miau. miew/miow. mil/milk. milk/milk. mimimi/mimimi. mlem/mlem. moon/moon. mrow/mrow. mrr/mrrp. mrreow/mrreow. mrrp/mrrp. nap/nap. neko/neko. night/night. nip/nip. noct/noct. nom/nyom. nya/nya. nya/nyan. pa/paw. panth/panthe. panth/panther. paw/claw. paw/paw. pawpad/pawpad. pessi/pessimist. pet/pet. petal/petal. pi/pink. pitter/patter. pla/play. play/playful. pou/pounce. pr/prr. pra/prance. prowl/prowl. prr/prr. pup/paw. purr/purr. quiet/quiet. ribbon/ribbon. ro/roll. roll/roll. sca/scratch. scra/scratch. scratch/scratch. sha/shake. shade/shade. shadow/shadow. shy/hyr shy/shy. skit/skitter. slee/sleep. sneak/sneak. sniff/sniff. snooze/snooze. snow/snowflake. soft/soft. spe/speak. spi/spin. squi/squish. sta/stare. swe/sweet. sweet/sweet. swi/swipe. ta/tail. tail/tail. tig/tig. tig/tigri. tiger/tiger. tire/tired. tired/tired. toy/toy. tre/treat. tri/trick. trill/trill. vae/vaem vix/vixen. waf/waffle. warm/warmth. whis/whisker. whisk/whisker. wonder/wonder. ya/yarn. yarn/yarn. yaw/yawn. yawn/yawn. yip/yip. yowl/yowl. zoomie/zoomie. zz/zz. 🍣 . 🐅 . 🐆 . 🐈 . 🐱 . 🐾 . 💤 . 😺 . 🥛 . 🦁 . 🦴 .

[esoutherngolf]

Golf Nation Now Available on VIZIO

Golf Nation Now Available on VIZIO WatchFree+ and On Demand NBTV Channels’ video entertainment network Golf Nation is set to officially debut its Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) golf-lifestyle channel on VIZIO (NYSE: VZIO) Smart TVs. Millions of VIZIO Smart TV users will be the first to stream Golf Nation programming at no cost on WatchFree+ channel 612 and on demand. Golf Nation content was initially previewed in December 2022 on GolfNation.com as a groundbreaking video-on-demand provider of entertaining, commercial-free, golf-lifestyle shows. In the inaugural season of original shows, the following episodes are produced by NBTV Studios and range from five to 30 minutes: - Ambush with David Feherty – Hidden camera hijinks with golf’s most comedic figure - Three Courses – Travel to play, eat and drink with influencers Gabi Powel, Hannah Leiner - Golf Unseen – Adventures to exotic golf locations with cultural experiences, hosted by Carolina Romero and Mike Mason (nine-time X Games medalist) - Tee Shots – Drink, chat, swing, repeat hosted by famous mixologist Bill Binder - Versus – Rotating golf celebrities and influencers compete head-to-head “We are excited to premiere Golf Nation’s line-up of curated content on VIZIO Smart TVs,” says Greg Barnard, Director of Content Acquisition at VIZIO. “And thanks to a major brand sponsor of the channel, Golf Nation will be featured on the VIZIO Home Screen at launch, helping VIZIO users discover live and on demand content at the beginning of their TV viewing experience.” “Thanks in large part to VIZIO, Golf Nation will boast one of the largest golf-oriented audiences in the U.S.,” says Nick Buzzell, Chairman and CEO of Golf Nation. “The significant distribution lift excites our brand partners who authentically sell products featured in our shows.” Golf Nation started with a built-in audience, as more than 60% of Spirits Network viewers indicated a passion for golf. An investor community darling, Golf Nation’s thesis attracted backers Mark Bezos (HighPost Capital), David Nichols (former President of K-Swiss), John Esposito (Chairman of Whistle Pig and former CEO of Bacardi North America), Mindy Grossman, Partner at Consello and former CEO of WW International (Weight Watchers in partnership with Oprah Winfrey and CEO of HSNI, parent company to Home Shopping Network). Company leadership is equally strong, with former President of the PGA of America Suzy Whaley as President, sports media veteran Noah Coslov as GM, Kim Weinstein as President of NBTV Studios (producer of Golf Nation original shows), and golf marketing PR and visionary Rich Katz as an advisory board member. All shows are watched and live perpetually on golfnation.com, its Android app, and Spirits Network, parent company NBTV’s first entertainment vertical.  In upcoming months, they will be available on Golf Nation iOS app, Apple TV and additional streaming services. Read the full article

[tberg-de]

#blogger4natur: Sabine von ferngeweht.de

In meiner Reihe #blogger4natur möchte ich Blogger und andere verrückte Menschen interviewen, denen die Natur am Herzen liegt. Dabei lege ich bewusst Wert darauf, euch eine breite Palette von naturbegeisterten Menschen vorzustellen. Denn Natur schützen fängt meiner Meinung nach mit dem Begeistern für die Natur an.

Heute: Sabine von ferngeweht.de Beschreibe bitte kurz, wer Du bist! Ich heiße Sabine, wohne in der Nähe von Köln und arbeite dort als freie Journalistin und PR-Texterin. Erzähle uns doch bitte etwas über Deinen Blog. Wie ist sein Name, und welche Geschichte steht dahinter? Meinen Reiseblog Ferngeweht habe ich vor viereinhalb Jahren ins Leben gerufen, weil ich schon immer gern gereist bin. Im Laufe der Jahre verschob sich der Fokus immer mehr auf Reisen mit Schwerpunkt auf Naturerlebnissen. Welchen Bezug hast Du zur Natur? Engagierst Du Dich im Natur- oder Umweltschutz? Durch das viele Reisen wird mir immer stärker bewusst, wie einzigartig und wie verletzlich die Natur ist. Auf jeder Reise lerne ich wieder Neues über Tiere, Pflanzen und die unterschiedlichsten Lebensräume. In einer Natur- oder Umweltschutzorganisation engagiere ich mich (noch) nicht, aber ich versuche, durch meine Blogbeiträge ein Bewusstsein für den Natur- und Umweltschutz weltweit zu wecken. Worin liegt Dein Schwerpunkt in der Beschäftigung mit der Natur? Ich liebe Tierbeobachtungen. Am liebsten reise ich in Gegenden, in denen es viele Tiere zu sehen gibt, zum Beispiel nach Afrika oder Südamerika. Aber auch besondere Landschaften finde ich faszinierend, etwa Regenwald oder Wüste. Diese Regionen sind so ganz anders als alles, was man aus der heimischen Natur so kennt. Wie oft bist Du draußen unterwegs? Da ich direkt am Wald wohne, versuche ich, mindestens ein- bis zweimal in der Woche dort spazieren zu gehen. Auf Reisen bin ich möglichst jeden Tag in der Natur unterwegs. Städte sagen mir mittlerweile nicht mehr viel. Dein bestes Naturerlebnis war … ? Puh, das sind wirklich viele. Ich nenne einfach mal zwei Beispiele aus der Heimat: Vor einigen Jahren wanderten so viele Kröten durch den Wald vor meiner Haustür, dass ich beim Spazierengehen aufpassen musste, nicht auf sie draufzutreten. Ihre Laute hörten sich an, als würde der ganze Wald wie eine riesige Katze schnurren. Ein anderes Erlebnis in „meinem“ Wald: Wenn sich im Sommer Millionen von Glühwürmchen in der Dämmerung sammeln, kann ich in einem wahren Glühwürmchenmeer baden. Man muss also gar nicht unbedingt weit wegfahren, um tolle Naturerlebnisse zu haben. Welche Bedrohung ist Deiner Meinung nach die schwerwiegendste für unsere Natur? Ich glaube, dass die Abholzung der Regenwälder für uns Menschen die größte Bedrohung darstellt. Denn ohne Regenwälder bricht der komplette Klima-Kreislauf zusammen: Die Erde erwärmt sich, es fällt immer weniger Regen, Wüsten breiten sich aus, wodurch wiederum weniger Bäume CO2 speichern können. Hinzu kommt der Schwund all der Tierarten, die durch die Abholzung der Regenwälder ausgerottet werden. Wie sieht es mit Deinem persönlichen ökologischen Fußabdruck aus? Leider nicht so gut, allein wegen der Flüge, die eine Reise meist mit sich bringt. Daher versuche ich, auf Reisen an anderer Stelle meinen ökologischen Fußabdruck zu verringern. Ein paar Beispiele: Ich bleibe möglichst lange in einem Land statt über das Jahr viele kleine Reisen zu machen. Flüge nur übers Wochenende gehen gar nicht, finde ich. Vor Ort nehme ich meist öffentliche Verkehrsmittel. Ich bevorzuge kleine Unterkünfte statt große Hotelketten, die einen weit höheren Energieverbrauch haben. Flüge innerhalb von Deutschland sind für mich tabu. Den CO2-Ausstoß meiner Flugreisen ins Ausland kompensiere ich über atmosfair. Als welche Art von Fotografen würdest Du Dich beschreiben und mit welchem Kameraequipment bist Du unterwegs? Ich versuche, in meinen Fotos die schönen Seiten der Natur zu zeigen. Vielleicht animiert das den einen oder anderen dazu, sich Gedanken zu machen, wie diese Schönheit bewahrt werden kann. Ich nutze dazu eine Bridgekamera, weil mir ein großer Zoom vor allem für Tierfotos das Wichtigste ist.  Irgendwann hatte ich keine Lust mehr, eine schwere Spiegelreflexkamera samt Objektiven mit mir herumzuschleppen. Daher der Wechsel vor einigen Jahren auf eine Bridgekamera von Sony, die eine Brennweite von 1200 Millimetern hat. Zeige uns doch einmal bitte Deine fünf besten Naturfotos. Schön wäre es, wenn du ein bis zwei Sätze dazu sagen könntest. Welchen Artikel auf Deinem Blog findest Du selbst am besten und warum bedeutet er Dir soviel? Ich habe vor einiger Zeit zu einem Round-up-Post eingeladen, bei dem andere Blogger Tipps für verantwortungsvolle Tierbegegnungen geben. Ich freue mich, dass 18 Blogger mitgemacht haben. Dadurch ist eine tolle Liste von Orten auf der ganzen Welt entstanden, an denen man das Thema Tierschutz ernst nimmt. Als Reisebloggerin siehst du ja auch viel von der aktuellen Naturzerstörung. Was empfindest Du dann? Ich finde es sehr traurig zu sehen, an wie vielen Stellen die Natur bereits zerstört oder bedroht ist. Vor allem die großflächige Rodung des Regenwaldes in Borneo und Traumstrände voller Müll lassen mich oft sprachlos dastehen. Die Probleme erscheinen oft zu groß, als dass wir sie noch in den Griff bekommen könnten. Meinst Du, dass der herkömmliche Tourismus mit dem Schutz der Natur in Einklang zu bringen ist? Ein Problem ist sicherlich, dass einfach zu viele Menschen reisen und es immer noch mehr werden. Billige Flüge und mehr Wohlstand in der Welt sorgen dafür, dass viele, die sich bisher das Reisen nicht leisten konnten, jetzt Versäumtes nachholen wollen. Aber je mehr Menschen in einen Naturraum eindringen, umso schlimmer sind die Folgen für Tiere und Pflanzen. Ich wäre dafür, in besonders gefährdeten Gebieten Besucherlimits einzurichten. Außerdem sollte weltweit mehr Aufklärung über Natur- und Umweltthemen erfolgen – in den touristischen Gebieten ebenso wie zu Hause. Welches Reiseziel musst oder willst du unbedingt noch (einmal) besuchen? Ich würde gern irgendwann einmal in ein Land fahren, in dem es Eisberge gibt. Leider fürchte ich, aufgrund der Erderwärmung wird es diese riesigen Eisformationen nicht mehr lange geben. Was würdest Du abschließend Deinen Lesern zum Thema Natur sagen wollen? Ich glaube an den Satz: „Nur was Du kennst, kannst Du bewahren und schützen.“ Deshalb: Schau Dir die Natur an, wo auch immer Du kannst! Und dann nenn mir noch einen Grund, warum man so etwas Wunderbares zerstören will. Gern kannst du Sabine im www besuchen und dort weiter stöbern. ferngeweht.de findest du zum Beispiel hier: www.ferngeweht.de Twitter Pinterest Facebook Vielen lieben Dank an Sabine für das Beantworten meiner Fragen! Solltest du noch Fragen an Sabine haben. dann ab damit in die Kommentare. Möchtest du auch in einem Interview befragt werden, melde dich einfach bei mir oder lies meinen Beitrag über #blogger4natur. Read the full article

[meraki-yao]

I hope I don't sound rude because that's absolutely not my intention but I think we should really let this whole "deleted scenes" thing go. Nobody ever releases deleted scenes from their films or shows and we have already had a lot on that front but above all Matthew explained to us why he doesn't want to share any more scene and why it was bad for him to already release what we had. It's useless to ask anything else about a film that was made and finished the way they wanted and they needed and if they made those cutting choices it is right to let it go

Hi! Okay, I'm gonna say this.

I understand your point of view, and of course, there's always gonna be a point where it goes from asking to demanding to harassing and that's always going to be toxic, but I'm just gonna try to explain at least why I think we're so fixated on the deleted scenes.

We lost a lot during the strike. And yes we did get some back during the Emmy campaign, but it's not enough to compensate for what we lost during the strike. There's always going to be the feeling of "we didn't get what we should have gotten" when it comes to RWRB, which is why we ask for bonus content.

It's not unusual to release deleted scenes, albeit it was more common in the past than it is now. The original 2012 Avengers movie released over 24 minutes worth of deleted scenes. We got two, and both the script released and people who attended early screenings revealed there were far more, we're curious.

I actually talked to @pippin-katz about this a while ago. The main reason Matthew said that he doesn't want to release the deleted scenes is that he cuts them for a reason, and he doesn't want fans to argue that those should be in the movie. And that's completely reasonable, both Pippin and I agree that the two released deleted scenes, namely the cornetto scene and the campfire scene, should have been deleted for the sake of the flow of the movie. But here's where I disagree with Matthew, even though I don't think he'll understand this perspective unless we collectively point it out to him: the people asking for the deleted scenes are most die-hard fans of the movie such as myself. Critics or casual viewers wouldn't be this persistent. And the thing is, fans aren't asking for the deleted scenes to disagree with him or criticise his choices, we're asking for those because we want to know what happens in between, the full story. The movie is a movie, and a movie has restrictions in its format, but we've gotten to the point where these character feel so real to us, and we want to know their story. I agree with what's cut that we know of, but it's still very nice and satisfying to watch the PR interview and know what the conversation between them last night; to hear Alex say "nothing will ever happen to you" and to know that he's deliberately using Henry's own words from his campfire monologue against him.

Not necessarily disagree with you, just offering a perspective.

[dasha-through-the-snow]

Mid 10s. There was an attempt.

But things didn't really end there.

All the politicians went their separate ways. Navalny decided to become the de-facto face of the Russian opposition. Kasparov moved to the West and did his own thing. Nemtsov went back to his life as a regular politician. Katz got into the Duma (think: parlaiment/senate) of a Moscow disctrict, had no power and did nothing for a while, before making an opposition YouTube channel.

Navalny was the most active during that time. He tried to become the mayor of Moscow, which is one of the most important political positions in the heavily-centralized Russia. And shit got weird fast.

See, his opponent was Sergei Sobyanin. Sobyanin replaced Yuri Luzhkov, who was one of the last Yeltsin-era politcians with an important role in the country. That was in 2010, so Sobyanin wasn't due for a re-election until 2014.

But he decided to hold elections in 2013 almost specifically to be an opponent to Navalny. In a way that makes sense. A relatively-unknown, but state-supported politician, with the might of the Putin's apparatus behind him. Versus a cocky blogger who thinks he's all that.

A real David VS Goliath story. Great PR.

Navalny assembled a team and got to work. He toured the districts of Moscow, especially the poorer areas on the outskirts. Made pasionate speeches, spread newspapers and agitation pamphlets, put those weird promotional cubes all around Moscow. It was a huge deal.

In his team he had two very important people. First was the aforementioned Katz, who helped with HR and promotion. The second was his social media guru Leonid Volkov.

And, no joke, this is one of the big reasons nothing works in the Russian opposition works anymore.

See, Volkov fell in love with Yekaterina Patyulina, who was working in the Navalny's mayoral campaign. And she didn't return his feelings. So he started stalking her, making grand proclamations and the usual creepy simp routine.

This was eventually somewhat settled by making the two work in separate buildings.

But then Volkov started suspecting Patyulina was dating Katz (which she didn't). So he did his best to get Katz fired.

Navalny tried his best to mitigate the situation but, in the end, was forced to pick a side. And he picked Volkov, whom he had a prior relationship with.

Katz was fired right before the elections. Ironically, he did end up marrying Patyulina, which I'm sure didn't help his relationship with Navalny.

From that point on "team Katz" and "team Navalny" started to hold a GIANT grudge against each other.

Election day comes, Navalny loses, predictably. Both him and Katz to this day are very proud of the entire campaign and especially how they "almost forced Sobyanin into the second round". What that would've changed is anyone's guess.

Katz now mainly focuses on his YouTube channel and a few smaller political projects. Navalny focuses on his anti-corruption crusade.

Khodorkovsky gets released from prison and slowly becomes a strong voice in the Russian opposition. But nothing too major.

Then Maidan happens. Then Russia annexes Crimea.

Opinions on Crimea split. Most sane people realize that what Russia did was an idiotic breach of international norms and Crimea should be returned to Ukraine immediately.

But a lot of regular-degular Russians think this is cool as fuck.

Katz waffles on his position for half a year. Most likely because he didn't want to alienate regular Russians. But eventually cedes that Crimea must be returned.

Navalny says Crimea is "not a sandwich" and that there needs to be a proper referendum with whom Crimeans want to be - Russia or Ukraine.

To this day Ukrainians have not forgiven that. Even though Navalny today does say that Crimea belongs to Ukraine.

Khodorkovsky returns from jail and become a moderately-successful opposition voice. Mostly from abroad, together with Kasparov.

Boris Nemtsov, meanwhile, compiles a BIGHUGE dossier about Russian annexation of Crimea and the start of the war in the East of Ukraine. He is about to publish it, when on a cold night in February of 2015 he is assassinated right in front of Kremlin. Obviously, by Putin. But no one is ever punished.

This is where that era of Russian opposition ends.

A big rant about the Russian opposition

Well, you said you wanted it, so here it is.

Be warned: this will be long, rambly and unfocused. But I will try to split it into several parts.

Where it all began. The 90s.

Following the collapse of the USSR, Russian opposition was left in a weird state. Big Soviet-era opposition figures like Yeltsin now held all the power, yet, at the same time, the government was full of ex-Soviet party members. See, ol' Boris didn't want to do a lustration. I don't have his exact motivations, but, if I was put at a gunpoint and forced to guess, it was because Russia, even without all the states that left was a BIGHUGE country and needed people who knew how it all worked. And all of them happened to be party apparatchicks.

Yeltsin also left the KGB eseentially untouched. This is not well-known, but KGB were actually supportive of the fall of the USSR. Now, late-Gorby KGB is not the same as KGB during Stalin or even Khruschev. They were de-fanged and forced under too much supervision. Which they didn't like. So they were allowed to change their name, had some reshuffling and re-emerged as FSB. Ostensibly, just there to fight crime and protect the state, no disappearing people allowed anymore.

This is important to understand as we go forward.

90s were, overall, a time of terrible, terrible poverty and unimaginably, unprecedented freedom in Russia. If you knew what to do and was willing to do it, you could become a millionaire overnight. If you didn't have a particuarly marketable set of skills or was just unwilling to adapt, you'd be on the brink of starvation. And that's me not even touching the organized and disorganized crime which was absolutely rampant.

Then there was the privatization. Essentially, Yegor Gaidar, the prime minister during Yeltsin's first term decided that the best course of action was to take this lumbering 70-yo communist system and crash it head-first into capitalism. It was even called "shock therapy".

Now, in hindisght, we can say that his policies very much saved Russia and lead to economic prosperity later on. But man, shit was HARD for regular people. Especially hordes of state workers.

His most infamous project, however, was the privatization. Essentially, since EVERYTHING in USSR was state-owned and we were moving towards a capitalist system, someone needed to become the owner of all this state property. Privatize it, so to say. Of course, regular people could privatize their cars and apartments, which most everyone did. But the big bucks were in all the factories and natural resource mines. And this was done in the most ass-backwards way possible. People with connections got to bid on very lucrative property in the dead of the night with only one announcement in the local newspaper nobody read. Shit like that.

Everyone disliked that.

This is how Russia became saddled with it's giant oligarchy class.

I promise all of this is relevant.

Another really important thing happened in the 90s: the 1996 election. Yeltsin wanted a second term and he REALLY didn't want commies, his main opposition, to win. So he played dirty. Unlike what many later said, he didn't outright steal the elections. He did, however, do everything in his power as a prez to ensure a victory.

Everyone disliked that. Which is how we got Putin.

But 90s also saw the rise of several important opposition figures. And there really was actual freedom of speech and very little crackdown on opposition and protests. It still happened, don't get me wrong, but it was so minor compared to what's happening today, that it's barely worth mentioning. Anyway, back to opposition figures.

I will note three main one. Boris Nemtsov was the biggest - he was a favorite of Yeltsin's, was even a Deputy Prime Minister at one point and was considered as Yeltsin's heir at the same point. Things didn't work out. But he was the big face of liberals and democrats of the era. A guy who's "against everything bad and for everything good".

Then there was Mikhail Khodorkovsky. An oligarch and a philantropist, he was genuinely interested in the future of Russia and making it a big important country on the world stage through education and commerce.

Lastly, Gennady Kasparov. Yeah, the chess guy who lost to a computer. He wasn't really political in the 90s, but I still consider him part of the "old guard".

Part 2 in a reblog, because this is getting unreadable.

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Aria Brooks, All That

Actress Aria Brooks took the time to answer some of our questions about All That, her ideal day off, and life in general. Check it out.