#LST read this three times

[thenightisland]

tagged by the lovely @mellowthorn for a rote Q&A thingy under the cut bc it's long

Favourite RotE Book: assassin's quest and fool's fate are constantly vying for the number one slot and the answer changes day by day

Why: on aq days it's bc that's the book that took this series from "wow i really like this" to "oh i'm going to be obsessed with these for the rest of my life huh." it has, i think, the best ending. it has my favorite chapter (ch 20 jhaampe my beloved). parts of it hit very close to home. on ff days it's bc well ff is insane. no book has ever gotten the reaction out of me that that one did. i do not cry at books; it made me cry seven times. it has such excellent payoff for stuff that was set up in the earliest books (rh queen of playing the long game). most heartwrenchingly beautiful moments on earth just chapter after chapter of them.

Top Three Favourite Characters: i think i am one of the few people whose favorite character genuinely is fitz lol. beloved obv number two. after that the answer also changes every day but i'm very partial to web and kettricken.

Top Three Least Favourite Characters: this may be biased due to me being neck deep in ship of destiny at the moment, but 98% of the men in lst need to be set on fire

Favourite Ship (of the floating kind): paragon

Top Three Favourite Ships (of the people kind): (keeping our venn diagram overlap answers) Fitzloved, Burrich/Chivalry, Patience/Lacey

Would you rather be Witted or Skilled: skilled. it seems so handy with the healing and prolonging your life. and i get traumatized enough by animal death as it is without introducing the wit to that equation.

If you were Witted, what animal would you bond with?: some kind of bird

Would you rather live in the Outislands, the Mountain Kingdom, the Six Duchies, Bingtown, the Rain Wilds, Kelsingra, Jamaillia, the Pirate Isles, or Fool’s Homeland?: practicality says bingtown bc i like being relatively warm and by the ocean and not get fantasy radiation poisoning from where i live but...but kelsingra is so fucking neat

How were you introduced to the books? a friend of mine on here always posted about them and our tastes overlapped so much that despite the fact that at the time i said i didn't like fantasy and wouldn't read it, i figured if this friend of mine liked these books there must be a reason. i read the left hand of darkness bc she posted about it too and when i mentioned reading it to her she was like "lol yeah it's hard for me to separate it from fool's fate" so i thought "maybe it's time to read those books then"

Share a quote you love: somewhat abridged for length's sake, from RA, and was one of those bits i count as early warning sign of my impending obsession lol:

“ ‘Not all men are destined for greatness,’ I reminded him

‘Are you sure, Fitz? Are you sure? What good is a life lived as if it made no difference at all to the great life of the world? A sadder thing I cannot imagine. Why should not a mother say to herself, if I raise this child aright, if I love and care for her, she shall live a life that brings joy to those about her, and thus I have changed the world? Why should not the farmer that plants a seed say to his neighbor, this seed I plant today will feed someone, and that is how I change the world today?’

‘This is philosophy, Fool. I have never had time to study such things.’

‘No, Fitz, this is life. And no one has time not to think of such things. Each creature in the world should consider this thing, every moment of the heart’s beating. Otherwise, what is the point of arising each day?…You create possibilities….I have seen the end of the world, Fitz. Seen it woven as plainly as I’ve seen my birth. Oh, not in your lifetime, nor even mine. But shall we be happy, to say that we live in the dusk rather than the full night? Shall we rejoice that we shall only suffer, while your offspring will be the ones to know the torments of the damned? Shall this be why we do not act?’ ”

also and underrated one from FA:

“Oh, the things we discover and the things we learn, much too late. Worse are the secrets that are not secrets, the sorrows we live with but do not admit to one another.”

i have also thought about "every nuance of his grace as familiar to me as the drawing of breath" literally every day but that's a given if there's a sappy line you can be sure i am thinking about it nonstop without a moment's peace

[ailtrahq]

Whale accumulation boosted Chainlink’s Price amid a bearish Market. Development activity surged, with new collaborations on the rise. Despite a generally bearish Market in the past month, Chainlink [LINK] has displayed some positive movement in its Price recently. This has largely been attributed to the increased accumulation of LINK tokens by whales. Realistic or not, here’s LINK’s Market cap in BTC terms Let the accumulation begin Santiment’s data indicated a significant surge in whale accumulation within Chainlink’s ecosystem. These large wallets, which hold between 10,000 to 100,000 LINK tokens, were particularly active. Their number reached 3,127, the highest recorded since 3 December, 2022. In just three days, these wallets added an impressive $9.6 million worth of LINK tokens to their holdings. Source: Santiment The intensified accumulation of LINK tokens by these key players in the crypto Market held potential implications for the future of the LINK coin. However, it’s important to note that while this development provided a momentary boost to LINK’s Price, the overall outlook for the Cryptocurrency remains cautious. Over the past month, LINK’s Price experienced a decline of 24.43%. Throughout this period, the Price chart exhibited consistent lower lows and lower highs, indicating a bearish trend for the token. Although the recent Price increase is notable, it has not been substantial enough to establish a clear Bullish trend. As of the time of writing, LINK was Trading at $6.1417. Analyzing key indicators, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) was relatively high, sitting at 61.29. This suggested that the momentum in the Price movement favored the Bulls. Additionally, the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator also indicated a strong inflow of Capital into the LINK Market, reinforcing the Bullish Sentiment. Source: Trading View More Developments However, it’s worth noting that the Chainlink network witnessed a decline in both its growth and velocity. This decline could have negative implications for LINK’s overall performance. On a positive note, Chainlink experienced heightened development activity during this period. This suggested that new Updates and upgrades for the Chainlink network could be on their way. Read Chainlink’s Price Prediction 2023-2024 Source: Santiment Along with a growing number of Developments, a rising number of collaborations can also help the protocol grow. The recent integration of Chainlink Price Feeds on Arbitrum by Balancer can potentially attract more participants to the LINK token ecosystem. Partnerships like these can play a crucial role in enhancing Chainlink’s position and utility within the broader blockchain landscape. .@Balancer has integrated #Chainlink Price Feeds on @Arbitrum to help Secure its LST composable stable pool. Explore why Price Feeds are necessary to securely operate a tri-token pool for correlated Assets ⬇️ — Chainlink (@chainlink) September 6, 2023

[mittensmcedgelord]

Mind Games

After a few days of contemplative solitude and the realization that there was more left behind by his predecessor than just research notes, Morgan goes looking for answers. He heads straight to the one person he thinks understands his predicament as well as he does: Alex.

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR PREY

Previous: https://mittensmcedgelord.tumblr.com/post/162346148585/april

“Is there a way to implant memories into someone instead of skills?” I’m sitting in front of Alex’s desk, watching him work at his station. He’s got the same expression as always, the one that clearly says he’s sick of administration. When he finally processes what I said he moves to face me and turns his monitor off.

 “What kind of memories?”

 “Mine.” I pause and amend the statement. “Morgan’s. I only have a few days worth of memory from before Talos. It’s weird.”

 “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

 “Yes.”

 “You want to just be human?” He sounds disappointed. His face is easy to read, open and expressive. It makes my life easier. He relaxes as he looks over the top of his glasses at me. “Or do you want to think you always were?”

“I already do. More or less. Typhon don’t have a ‘self’, not the way you think of it.” I’m suddenly acutely aware of the ticking of his antique clock. It’s almost in time with his heartbeat. I’m talking without thinking. My mind is muddled. It won’t filter between thoughts and voice. “They’re a single self. Never an ‘I’. Always a ‘we’. Before I was who I am now, I wasn’t anything. I was shadow and hunger and some vaguely defined anger. That isn’t a lot to really build on. The only ‘self’ I’ve ever had is this one.”

 “So you want to be Morgan Yu?”

 “That’s who I already am, isn’t it?” I shift in my chair. I can’t read the way he’s looking at me. I think I understand panic now. I’ve gotten used to my new biology, all the little human details. I feel something about them shift. A quickening of movement inside me, like my body is trying to figure out if I should change into something else or move out of the room. I have never felt like this around Alex before, but I’ve also never been inside his office before. I don’t notice I’m tapping my hands against my thighs until I see his eyes drift down to them. Tap, tap, pat. Tap, tap, pat. Fingertips, fingertips, palms. It’s a familiar rhythm, stabilizing.

 “Yeah,” Alex finally says. He smiles at me and tilts his head, some emotion I can’t yet identify flickering across his face. “Yeah, you’re right. In a sense, that’s who you already are. You have all the memories Morgan would have after the tests, minus some of the fundamentals. You respond to situations the way he would. The way the original one would. You’re more like he was when we first started this venture than he was at the end of it. Sometimes I forget you aren’t him, go to talk about Ms. Zhou and her damn yappy dog or rib you about video games.”

 I don’t know what words to say in this situation. I saw the videos of him and Morgan. They looked like they were happy. The way he acts around me a lot of the time is like a sibling is supposed to act. He still laughs when I take the place of his coffee mug, though I’ve probably done it a few dozen times by now. And now he watches intently as I fumble through my mental lexicon of ‘things Humans say in emotional situations’, unable to pick anything out. It’s absurd that this is so hard when picking up Morgan’s research was so easy. I want to ask him why, but I already know the answer to this one: neural synchronization. I studied all of the parapsychological research for the neuromods and I know that you can pick up bits and pieces of the personality of the one that recorded them. The more pieces of Morgan that are put into me, the more I absorb of who he was. I’ve found the remains of January’s programming in the archives and picked apart all the little things that made the operator what it was. The same goes for December. Turns out, the first Morgan wasn’t very good with words either. So, I sit here dumbfounded and hoping Alex knows where he’s going with this conversation.

 “Morgan made some back ups, July through January, but none of them would have what you’re looking for.” Alex takes his glasses off and rubs the bridge of his nose. He doesn’t mention April. I start to ask, but stop. Alex wanted Morgan back more than anyone. If there was an operator, a recent one, that could give him his brother again, he’d have taken that opportunity.  Maybe April never got finished. Maybe he heard it and dismissed it, the ravings of a madman slowly being eaten by his own Typhon mods. I try to steady my hands as I watch him. A scream is building in my chest, the kind that comes from not knowing how much you don’t know. He sees it and disarms me in an instant, reaching across the desk to put a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to tell you. There’s no way to get it all back. I could talk about our childhood or recount Morgan's college hijinks until I’m blue in the face, but all that’d be is me telling you stories. It's not quite the same as real memories.”

 “That’s it?”

 “That's it. The paranoia set in pretty early during the testing, though. It’s possible that a full copy was made, but even then there’s no way it would’ve made it off of Talos 1.”

 “What do I do?”

 “What you’ve been doing. Who knows, maybe you’ll find something in his research.” He slouches in his chair and sighs. “Listen, Morgan, you’re you. I don’t care what anyone else tells you. You’re as human as anyone here. Anyone who’s had a neuromod has Typhon in them and that’s most of the people on this station. For Christ’s sake, you’ve got a higher EQ than half the research division. Not that that’s saying much. You’re a good human. More than that, if the sim was any indication you’re also a good person. I’m honored to have you as part of the crew.”

 I want to believe him. I want to more than anything. Except his thoughts are completely blocked off. My senses are dull, muted, to something almost less than human. And I want to believe Alex, that he has no idea about April and that he considers me part of the crew, but I swear I’ve felt this kind of neural dampening before.

[justalittletomato]

Tuesday Rambles: Maul X Reader on the topic of praise (18+ themes near end)

*Please read content responsibly!!!! 

For anyone who needs something to take your mind of things..here ya go. 

A read more will be placed below as it gets a bit spicy. i will post a similar one without the read more content for those who just want fluff.

 Tagged with lemon 

for a man whose role was once appreciate to the most powerful being it was thankless. Every foe he vanquished and trial he faced was never enough. He broke tooth and nail as well as bone. Never a job well done or approval. Maul’s thanks was that his master did not kill him. At least today.

Positives, just a simple thanks and a kind smile of appreciation that was what he first received from his starlight. it was small things, just something a bit to heavy to move or trying to find the perfect word for a report, it wasn’t grand but his starlight made sure to thank him. A simple little gesture that caused him to momentarily pause. Had he heard you correctly? It sends a pleasant feeling in his chest that remains for some time.

When the two of you had finally ventured into the relationship the tokens of praise were frequent,he would freeze and stare at you like you were a dream. wonderful! Splendid! I couldn’t have done this without you. Your eyes lit up like the stars they were, your hands were often touching him when you Told him these little praises. A hand on his forearm, a shoulder, a brush of a knuckle against his cheek. Each one leaving his hearts beating quickly.

As you two progressed you added kisses to your praises, “perfect.” You’d breath kissing his lips, or against his jaw, maybe near the shell of his ear. He’d close his eyes and commit these to memory, there were so many to recall now. Each one precious.

You saw his reactions, you knew it was a shock to hear such praises. It broke your heart at how he responded to your thanks, his eyes closed and he gripped tight to your hands. A reminder to himself that those words left your lips and were meant for him.

Some of his favorites were the praises you gave accompanied by a kiss to his forehead. his breath stopped and he willed the moment to last forever. You made sure to give him more of these. It became a habit of his to slightly lean down to receive one. You made sure to give one or three kisses, each by one of the horns about his crown.  You place a lst one on his lips and repeat your compliment, making sure to leave else you’d do the same. How could you deny that precious look of awe on his face? 

AND WE END HERE WITH THE FLUFF READ MORE STARTS HERE 

Praise was not restricted to these moments. You discovered Maul loved praise especially when you were intimate. You indulged him, his eyes burned and the kisses grew hotter with each little compliment. As kisses trailed and fingers explored and pleased you gave him more “ My beautiful king you’re perfect. “ and “Maker you feel amazing” each praise spoken in a breathy voice while tangled together.

You made sure to sing your praises each one resulting in Maul lavishing you in thanks, kisses and touches that had you panting. You cry out and moan and ask for more of that, “please! you’re so good to me.” And the cycle began again, praise, pleasure, praise.

“ amazing, extraordinary, stunning.” Words whispered in the dark. Others yelled out as the last few had you fucked so good and deep. each thrust making you see stars. Your legs are trembling and you’ve lost count on how many times he’s brought you over the edge but you can’t stop. Oh he looks gorgeous like this, eyes bright and wide. Tell me more. He begs you, you deliver as always. Breathtaking beautiful. celestial. “ the stars had brought him to you it was only fitting that you give him a praise that exemplified how divine he was.

This could go on for hours until your voice fades from praise as well as crying out with each time you came. Your praises may end but Maul isn’t stopping, each one has fueled him and he will make sure to grant you all the pleasures after your sweet words, all for him. You’ll be sore of course and your body will bare many kisses and marks each one to show what you have said, a reminder of the praise you give him.

[gesternchen]

Just randomly reviewing scenes from the movies no one remembers now. This week: Avatar (2009).

It’s not like everyone forgot James Cameron’s Avatar. Since we’re still getting some footage from behind the scenes of the sequel and news about the cast, at least someone takes pains to remind themselves of this cinematic experience from the year of 2009. It’s already been 84 (just kidding, 11) years and I’m still looking forward to at least watching the teaser (fun fact: I was 11 when Avatar came out, I’m 22 now). I even bought the Darkhorse comic book on Tsu’Tey’s backstory to, you know, investigate one of my favorite characters a little bit better (spoiler: the backstory wasn’t very much eventful but I noticed a nice detail there which I may talk about briefly a bit later).

Throughout the years Avatar has received a lot of backlash and more or less justified criticism, mainly for the plot and its problematic packaging. I believe, it depends on the perspective one watches a movie from. Of course, I wouldn’t call it an absolute gem of exciting storytelling, even though I truly enjoy it, as in majority its twists are undeniably predictable. However, I always disagreed with people saying relations in Avatar aren’t deep at all. Well, romance between Jake and Neytiri, which, let’s be honest, except for the scene of telling the truth, went too smoothly, and this is why I strongly believe clash of interests is inevitable in sequels. Their interaction remained the key one for the whole movie, and nothing is bad about that, people enjoy a nice lovestory, so do I. But 11 years after I’d like to focus on the disturbing conflict everyone prefers to ignore for some reason when recalling Avatar. For me it’s always been Jake versus Colonel Quaritch.

You guys may have already guessed which scenes I wanna talk about. Those really important ones that I consider climactic to the pace of narration. And what is more about them, they give us crucial details in character development and actors’ play to think through. The main message: Quaritch knew it was coming.

Let me firstly touch upon the scene of short conversation between Jake and Quaritch prior to Sully presumably leaving Pandora. While Jake is awating Quaritch in a large empty hall, he hardly seems to be calm about the talk, every nerve in his body is trembling, but why?

The way Jake’s drumming his fingers on the table makes me wonder if he’s okay.

Then Colonel enters the hall, grabs a chair and reminds that it had been more than two weeks since he got the latest report on how the misson was going. He knows, Sully is questioning reality, and no, he’s not ‘doubting his resolve’. He knows, the right moment to ‘terminate the mission’ is missed. He knows, he lost Jake. He knows, he’s talking to the deserter. Yet Quaritch speaks indifferent. He praises Jake’s effort and rewards him for that. With real legs he promised to him when they first talked. Quaritch hoped they’d trigger the realization in Jake. Which doesn’t happen. How sad he looks when Jake openly refuses to accept the reward.

In just one sequence Stephen’s face demonstrates the shift of all four feelings Quaritch goes through: dissatisfaction, melancholy, shame, disgust.

Quaritch sensed the moment when Jake expressed superiority to the mankind. Jake grasped that Quaritch knew everything, he played with fire, and that’s why he felt anxiety. And it lasted all the way until Quaritch stepped back for leaving the hall. But did Colonel really surrender? I doubt that.

The tension between them both feels electric, so it’s explainable why Jake’s transient smile is so awkward. Sam then heavily staring straight at Colonel's back suggests that up until now Jake regarded Quaritch as his enemy. The enemy he knew he would not be able to defeat.

I remember when watching this scene, I couldn’t get myself the answer to one question. The question was: which report did Quaritch refer to? ‘That report from two weeks ago’, but such information wasn’t satisfactory for me. To be honest, this small discovery became the actual reason why I decided to type this study. Let’s assume that this particular report which Quaritch mentioned was the videolog where Jake confessed that Omaticaya wouldn’t leave the Hometree. Here’s why.

The general audience is used to perceiving Quaritch as a cruel short-tempered military man who just waits for the starting pistol’s shot to destroy everything in sight. Again, nothing is wrong about this, the fact that his character was simply meant to be a generic personification of such type doesn’t leave us with any alternative impression of him. Let’s say, if he was given the order to ignite the operation of the Hometree’s destruction to screw the tribe out of the site, he would absolutely go for it (and so he does). He’s a man of his word after all. Let’s also say, if he was pissed off by Jake’s betrayal, he would transport himself to the mountain site in a blink of an eye, turn off the link and put Jake in jail right after the talk in the hall. Instead, Quaritch decided to wait and give Jake the last chance. Jake preffered unearthly wings to those more tangible, so Quaritch chose not to cut them so abruptly.

We’re moving to the next scene, taking place right before a toned down fight between Tsu’Tey and Jake (I’m saying so, because it’s actually one of the deleted scenes that got edited out of the final cut, and believe me, the pressure between two rivals there is way too intense). Quaritch is watching the record of Jake destroying bulldozer’s lenses with a stone. After that Jake’s face is zoomed and we watch Selfridge get frustrated, Quaritch looks pretty annoyed as well but doesn’t seem to be much surprised. What he’s feeling, is bitter disappointment in himself and knowing that he totally failed to persuade Jake to change his mind.

Just observe Stephen Lang’s performance here. He absolutely nails cold-eyed look, the fire burning slow inside of him is so palpable, and guess what, in a flash he flies off the handle.

Now, shall we check the ultimate scene, preceding the destruction of the Hometree. Though Grace versus Parker juxtaposition is central to this scene, the last time Quaritch confronting Jake face to face in his human body is essential to consider for making things clear.

When it comes to revealing to Selfridge the vainness of further negotiations with Omaticaya, isn’t it just interesting how fast Quaritch manages to find the correct videolog? It literally takes him not more than a couple of swipes to produce the proof. Here is why: he’s already watched the record and is completely aware of the Jake’s values having deteriorated.

You can tell, Jake knew he was under control, but he would rather like to ingnore this fact. His pathetic glance at Quaritch, who’s almost impending above his head, causes to think Jake would guess that Colonel could have watched this videolog. Rather, it was a mutual secret between the two of them until a turning point. But the moment of truth came, and Jake didn’t change his mind. Quaritch made sure of that and finally it was his time to triumph.

So how was it even possible to assume Quaritch may have watched the videolog I’ve been talking about for so long? Well, my explanation may be too easy to believe, but still: we can tell by Jake’s appearance and the date of the record that it is the vlog we need.

This telltale videolog was recorded 16 minutes after the another one, when Jake says that he’s uncertain, who he is anymore (LST abbreviation stands for Local Standard Time). Jake might have suddenly felt depressed and hopeless and got back to the camera while being too emotionally instable, and so must have forgotten to delete the final record.

I have one more note for you. If you check the videolog library Quaritch is swiping through, you’ll see that the latest important record, which he actually needs, is made in the interior of the mountain site block and dates back to August, 13. Other recent vlogs’ covers look nothing like Site 26 sequence. Jake may not have done any of these records at the mountain site. I still wonder though where those three or four ensuing videologs were recorded, the location seems to be red lighted, which means it isn’t blue lighting at Site 26. I may even assume he recorded some pieces at Hell’s Gate. Why would I think so? Probably because in those two scenes (dialog with Quaritch and confession at Parker’s office) Jake looks ten times better than before, he gained some weight at least and doesn’t resemble a living sceleton.

Selfridge gave Jake an hour to relocate the tribe, while gunships led by Colonel’s Dragon were already on full alert. Quaritch had no doubt that Jake’s peacekeeping mission would fail. He knew it from the beginning. Hence he sounds so sarcastic seeing Sully’s avatar tied.

Now Quaritch sipping his villain’s morning coffee tasting like fresh genocide doesn’t feel so cringy: he’s celebrating his victory over Jake (still I should agree with critisism on this point, it really is a stupid cliche and wasn’t intended to carry a deep meaning).

Now I should admit, it’s been a long journey to run this investigation and bring it to light by finally posting it. It took me around a day to collect my thoughts and express them by means of more or less readable English. Just would like to make a little side note: English is not my native, so I promise I did my best! Thanks to James Cameron for making a movie, which woke me up in the middle of the night to start reflecting, and to all the fans out there who still exist and remember this movie and so can read this essay. @avatarmovies I found your blog not so long ago and you guys say you enjoy headcanons (and movie reviews probably?..), so it would be nice if you reblogged this but I’m not insisting!!

[reaper-royalty]

Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani)

The entrance is in Viale Vaticano near Piazza Risorgimento. There is also a regular free bus service from Piazza S.Pietro (on the left of Bernini's Colonnades as you face the Basilica). 

The Vatican houses one of the world's great art collections. Its 7km of exhibits will daunt even the most energetic tourist. So if you only have limited time plan to take in what interests you most - and hurry past the rest. 

A oneway system operates for security reasons, so work out in advance what you wish to miss - you cannot go back for example to the Stanze di Rafaello after visiting the Capella Sistina (Sistine Chapel). Remember also that the Sistine chapel is a long walk - about 400m from the entrance along many corridors and staircases.

Popes have been collecting antique art for at least 500 years and today the Vatican contains the largest number of Greek and Roman statues, reliefs, mosaics and inscriptions of any museum in the world. 

The Museo Pio Clementino takes its name from two 18th-century Popes who tried to put some order among the large number of pieces of classical statuary littering the Vatican gardens and palaces.

Note the splendid 4th-century porphyry sarcophagi in the Sala a Croce Greca (hall in the shape of a Greek cross), also a sculpted head (no. 567) that is most likely a portrait of Cleopatra.

In the octagonal courtyard of the Belvedere Palace, which was the creation of one of the main founders of the Vatican collection, Pope Julius II, you can see one of the most famous sculptures of ancient Greece, the Laocoon, a marble group of the 2nd century bc dug up on the Esquiline hill in 1506 (from Domus Aurea). Laocoon, a priest of Apollo, and his sons were suffocated by serpents as a punishment by the gods. Opposite is the Apollo del Belvedere a fine Roman copy of a famous 4th-century bc Greek bronze.

Nearby in the Atrio del Torso is the famous Torso del Belvedere a fragment of a naked figure seated on the skin of a wild animal. The hidden power in this much damaged piece of marble is reputed to have impressed even Michelangelo.

The Braccio Nuovo (New Wing) a 19th-century addition, contains a telling portrait of Augustus (No. 14) at about the age of 40, and a colossal statue of the Nile river god surrounded by sphinxes and crocodiles.

You now penetrate into part of the Vatican Library. In the Sala Sistina is a strange wooden device which was used to fix the Papal seal or 'bollo' on important Papal documents or 'Bulls' as they were called in English. The central reading room is laid out with various valuable codices, or handwritten versions of the Bible, some written on papyrus. 

The Library contains over 70,000 codices, manuscripts and early printed books. On display are a set of love letters from King Henry VIII to Ann Boleyn (evidence used against the sovereign in excommunication proceedings), an illustrated book on falconry by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, and autograph letters of Michelangelo and Raphael.

The Capella Sistina (now undergoing its first major cleaning and restoration) is perhaps the most famous and overwhelming of all Rome's art treasures. The chapel, built by Pope Sixtus IV at the end of the 15th century, was decorated by some of the greatest artists of the day, including Botticelli, Signorelli, and Pinturicchio. But it was Michelangelo's painting of the huge ceiling between 1508 and 1512 and his masterpiece, the LastJudgement painted on the main altar wall 23 years later that set the seal of greatness on the building. 

Michelangelo was at first reluctant to carry out Pope Julius I’s commission to paint the events of the Creation, and had great difficulty in getting paid for his tour deforce. Refusing all assistance, he locked himself away for years, lying on his back suspended from scaffolding in order to paint over 3000sq m 10,000sq ft of ceiling. It is a feat that still takes away the breath of the visitors who pass through the chapel every day.

If the Creation breathes the very spirit of the Renaissance at its height, the Last Judgement is in very different mood. Terribilitd (terribleness) was the quality in Michelangelo's art that most impressed his contemporaries, and here with Christ standing in final judgement over humanity (including many actual portrait's of the artist's friends and enemies), you feel Michelangelo is making his final statement on life and death, honour and ambition, love and hate. 

The Last Judgement did not meet with universal approval. Prudish Popes ordered trousers or loin cloths to be painted on some of the nudes. (They were later removed.) The Sistine Chapel is today used for the election of a new Pope on the death of the Roman Pontiff, and for solemn assemblies of the College of Cardinals.

While Michelangelo was labouring alone on his great ceiling, his rival and fellow artist Raphael was working (with plenty of assistants) on the decoration of the nearby Stanze di Rafaello. (Raphael Rooms). This was the private apartment of Pope Julius II who did not want to live in the Borgia Apartment below, because of its unpleasant historical associations. Two of the rooms, the Stanza della Segnatura, the Pope's study and library, and the Stanza di Eliodoro, his bedroom, are mostly by Raphael's own hand. 

Truth, beauty and goodness are the subjects of the frescoes in the first room. The Disputation of the Sacrament and the School of Athens represent respectively religious and philosophical truth, while Apollo and the Muses on Mount Parnassus represent beauty. Goodness is portrayed by the cardinal virtues, prudence, temperance and strength. The second room contains three superb frescoes; the Expulsion of Heliodorusfrom the Temple in Jerusalem, Pope Leo Stopping the Invasion of Attila the Hun, and the Miracle of Bolsena.

The Museo Gregoriano Etrusco should not be missed as it -contains the Etruscan treasure discovered in 1837 in a tomb at Cerveteri (then part of the Pope's earthly domain).

 The three occupants of the tomb were buried with gold, silver, jewels, and richly decorated table ware. The Museo Profano and the Museo Cristiano (Profane and Christian Museums) used to be housed in the Lateran Palace and were transferred here into a new building in 1970. 

They contain Roman sculpture, inscriptions and sarcophagi dating from the lst-4th centuries ad. The 4th-century statue of the Good Shepherd is an excellent example of the continuity of Mediterranean art forms - the inspiration is clearly pagan and ancient Greek.

If you are not too exhausted, the Pinacoteca or Vatican Picture Gallery contains further riches. It is particularly well endowed with Primitives and 15th century Italian artists.

 The Giotto polyptych in Room II and the Melozzo da Forli Angels in Room IV are worth more than a passing glance. In Room VIII there is a Raphael feast. The Transfiguration, Raphael's last work (it was hung above his bier as he lay in state) has been cleaned recently, revealing unexpected new details. Also on view is a set of tapestries woven from Raphael's cartoons for the Capella Sistina, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The Coronation of the Virgin was the first work of Raphael's maturity - he was 20 years old when he painted it.

[tenspontaneite]

Hi! Can I ask how far along the third chapter of Boundless is? I've just finished reading, and it's AMAZING! The lst update was a while ago, so I thought I'd ask. Though your chapters are seriously long, so I get why it'd take awhile ^^" Love u!

I have 2k of the chapter written, but I’m not certain how long the chapter wants to be so it’s not a great metric.

In any case, my focus is my other TDP fanfiction, and I’m not actively working on Boundless unless the mood strikes me, which it hasn’t in the last week. I personally wouldn’t expect another chapter terribly soon - I work full time, and I have very limited time in the evenings for basically anything, so I can’t really work on two projects at once unless my heart’s in it. It’ll be three weeks off at absolute minimum, I think. Unless freak inspiration strikes.

My recent word count has been very impressive considering I’ve been working full time - 25k in one week. But..that’s basically all for PIAJ, sorry!

[lovelypercent]

NPC Reacts: You losing a your promise ring

Request: Open

Cai Xukun

Xukun was worried when he saw your apartment in such an unsightly condition. He would call out your name to make sure it was you who caused it. When he saw you throwing your pillows around the room screaming the words ‘where is it?”’ over and over, his worry left him. “Are you okay babe?”

You jumped in surprise and put on a fake smile, trying to not get caught. You lost your promise ring which Xukun had given you about six months ago. It was unique and you loved it which is why you couldn’t believe you had lost it, you wore it everyday. “Nothing!”

He let out a laugh. “Sure doesn’t sound like nothing.”

You’re smile fell and his worry arose once more. He quickly rushed over to you asking you what was wrong. “Xukun.. Im sorry…The ring. I lost it.”

After hearing those words he let out a sigh or relief. The ring was expensive but seeing your face filled with so much sadness made him far more scared. “That’s it?”

“Thats it? This is my ring! I lost it!”

“Awww, babe. It has to show up at some point right?” He asked pulling you into  a hug. Xukun then smiled and pulled up one of his sleeves. “Shall we start looking?”

Chen Linong

Linong felt worry when he saw that you cancelled your date. He was worried that he did something wrong so he paid you a visit to you house. He found you scanning your lawn which made him feel a little bad. You would rather be doing this than be on a date with him?  “Y/n?” He called out

You stood abruptly hiding your hand behind you back. You absolutely did not want to explain to him that the reason you cancelled your date was because you had lost the ring he had given you when you started dating. “Nongnong! What are you doing here?”

“I got worried when you cancelled…what are you doing?” He questioned as he took a step closer to you, only for you to take a step back. He raised an eyebrow in shock. He took another step, and you again, took one back. “Y/n, whats wrong with you? What did I do that you don’t even want to be near me?”

“What?” You dropped your hands when you heard his question. That made you feel more guilty than losing you ring. You bit your lip and lifted your hands to show a naked finger. You turned your heard in shame as you uttered the words, “I lost the ring.”

“Huh?” He questioned. He thought he had misheard. You cancelled because you lost the ring he had given you over a year ago? 

“The ring. I lost it. And I didn’t want to go on the date without it. I’m sorry I made you worry.” You rushed your words as you were slightly waiting for him to be mad at you for losing it. 

“Oh….” He sighed with relief filling his body. He looked at your cute sight and let out a chuckle. “Well, lets find it so we can go on our date. Yeah?”

Fan Chengcheng

Chengcheng was shocked when he saw you crying over the bathroom sink at one in the morning. His mind ran through so many thoughts but he asked if you were okay. 

“No….I lost it…”

Cheng sat up from his drowsiness, clearly worried about you. “Y/n, what’s wrong honey?”

“Your ring…I lost it…” A tear dropped from your eye. Cheng had bought you a ring about a month ago to celebrate your one year anniversary and you had already lost it. You lifted you hand to show him your empty finger. 

“Ayyyy, you had me so worried.” Cheng said as he squinted to your hand. He kicked his legs to get the blankets off and then he walked over to the bathroom with you. He grabbed your hand giving it another look. “The ring was ugly anyways-”

“No it wasn’t!” You snatched you hand out of his grasp and gave him a small glare. “It was perfect and beautiful, I love it. You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

He sighed with a smile on his lips. He lifted his hand and placed it on your head to ruffle your hair. “Ay, fine. Stop crying about it and come to bed. We can look for it in the morning.”

You nodded and he grabbed you hand and led you back to the bed with him, still happy on how you loved your ring. Once you had fallen back to sleep, he would wake up and search for your ring so you would’t be worried about it in the morning.

Justin

Justin would notice your ring missing one day but he didn’t question it,assuming that you had just decided to not wear it. But when he saw it happen when you guys were on a date he did ask about it. “Babe, where is your ring?”

You gulped slightly and hid away your finger as if he hadn’t seen it missing already. “Um..you can’t get mad okay…?”

He nodded waiting for you to say what he was thinking. He had always thought you hated it. He waited for the words to leave you mouth but it didn’t happen. 

“I lost it…”

“What?” Justin questioned, sounding a bit harsh which caught some attention from the people around you. You sighed trying to think of a way to explain to him how it had happened. 

“I was swimming and I took it off and I am absolutely sure that I had placed it in my bag but I can’t find it…” You told him. He sighed with anger in his tone which made you surprise. 

“Are you sure you didn’t do it on purpose? I know you hated it…” Justin said to you with his eyes narrowed on your face trying to read your reactions. 

“Are you kidding me? That was my favorite ring! Not because it was expensive, which is what I knew what you were going to say.” You snapped which made Justin shocked. You were never one to get angry over things which made his assumptions absolutely wrong. 

“I’m sorry.” He murmured which made you nod. You said it back to him as well. “You really did like it?”

“Of course, you gave it to me.”

A smile appeared on his face as he grabbed your hand and ran his thumb over your empty finger. “I can always get you another one..” He whispered but you didn’t catch it which made him smile even harder

Lin Yanjun

Yanjun walked into your shared apartment with pure shock as he watched you throw the couch pillow across the room. He placed his keys on the shelf and shrugged off his coat as he asked what was wrong. 

“Oh, babe…You’re home…” You sighed trying to catch your breath as the pillow was rather heavy. Curse Yanjun for having expensive taste. Especially for jewelry which isn’t a problem except for now. You had lost your ring he gave you years ago. It wasn’t the first time it happened  but this is the first time that you hadn’t been able to find it within a day of losing it. 

“You don’t sound to excited about that,” Yanjun laughed as he raised an eyebrow trying to take a gander at what was happening in his apartment. He had no clue but he could tell it was something important to you. “Did you loose something or…?”

“Uh…I didn’t want to tell you but I lost my ring…” You murmured in shame as you felt horrible. You loved your ring which is why your looking in every nook and cranny for it but your search was getting you no where. 

“The very expensive promise ring? Put-a-huge-dent-in-my-pocket ring?” He asked with a smile but when he saw the color drain off of your face, he could tell that you didn’t think it was as funny.  “Hey, I was joking. It’s not that big of a deal, I mean its like three years old anyways…”

“That doesn’t make it okay. I lost the first ring you ever gave me! I loved that ring almost as much as I love you…”You pout as you heard your boyfriend let out a chuckle making you roll your eyes. 

“Well let’s find your little ring!

Zhu Zhengting

Your ring was so beautiful to you which is why you couldn’t believe that you had lost it. You searched any and everywhere possible to find it.  Yet, you had no luck. You also had no choice but to confess to your boyfriend about the lost ring. This worried you more because he seemed more in love with it than your were, which is saying a lot. You bit your lip as you waited for you long-term boyfriend to open the door.  

The door revealed a smiling Ting which almost made all you worries fade in an instant but it soon broke your heart when you realized you had to break it to him about the ring. He let you in and placed a kiss on your cheek as you talked past him. “Zhengting…I have to confess something…”

“Are you cheating on me?” His smile fell and confusion grew largely on your face as you hadn’t meant for it too sound like that.

“No, no. Um….,” You mumbled as you diverted you eyes in order to find the courage to tell him. “Actually, I lost…I lost my ring…”

“Your ring? You lost it?” He asked as his eyes immediately went to your hand trying to see you naked finger. He sighed as he mind was trying to react to the news. “What happened? This was a very expensive ring..”

“I know… I have looked everywhere for it… I don’t know where it could be..” You told him as you lifted your hand to caress his face. “Babe, I’m so sorry.”

“Ah, it’s fine. Things like this happen all the time.” He told you not wanting to make a big deal about this because he knew that it wouldn’t help anything. He put a small smile on his lips as he pulled you into the kiss, it was just a ring after all. “Some things are found when you don’t search for them, so let’s forget it for now and enjoy our time together, yeah?”

Wang Ziyi

You woke up frantically and began tearing Ziyi’s room apart which made him also wake up in a frantic state. He drowsily asked you what was wrong with worry filling his voice as his mind went straight to the endless possibilities that could be happening. 

“My ring!” You yelled as you were throwing the laundry out of the basket in search for your ring. You always took it off before you went to bed because you didn’t want to ruin it but when you woke up it wasn’t  placed on your necklace chain like it usually is. 

Your answer made Ziyi sit up and try to understand what you were talking about. He caught on when he saw you scanning the ground closely. “You had it on lst night…”

“I know! I can’t find it…Im gonna cry…” You whined as you fell to the ground in a sad state. You loved your ring and it made you feel so incomplete without having it with you. Ziyi let out a small breath before walking over to you. He rubbed your back to help soothe you down from your emotions right now. 

“Babe, I can get you a new-”

“I don’t want a new one.” You cut him off. You turned and looked at him from you spot on the ground. “I want my ring. My precious ring which is supposed to be placed on my necklace and it isn’t…”

“We can find it but lets eat first. It will help our brains start up and make a better search for us.” he laughed which made you smile. You were pretty hungry since you skipped dinner last night to go help your friend with moving in. 

“Ah! What if-”

“Let’s eat first!” Ziyi cut you off with another laugh not wanting you to overthink anything or get your hopes up.

Xiao Gui

Xiao Gui was sitting in the studio as he worked. He was pleasantly surprised when he saw that you were calling him. He answered with a smile and a simple hello. “Hey, Gui. Do you think you could drop by after your session?”

“Yeah, no problem babe.” He said . You both said your goodbyes quickly. As time went on he was so curious as to what was the reason behind your call, why did you want him to come over? His mind was all over the place which made him end work a bit earlier than usual. He packed his things into a back of an taxi and went over to your place.

He entered your place with a simple call of your name but he realized he didn’t need to do that since you were already sitting on the couch waiting for him which made him a bit nervous. “Hey babe, what’s up?’

You twiddled with your fingers as you avoided eye contact with Xiao Gui until you built up the nerves to finally say it. “I’m so sorry Gui, I lost the ring you gave me.”

“The ring?” He asked as he thought back on the expensive ring he bought you a couple of months ago. “You lost it?”

You nodded shamefully feeling awful about it. You watched his face as he looked sad, just as you expected. You waited for him to say something, anything really. “Was it because it was too small?”

Xiao Gui had always been worried that the ring was more of his taste than yours but that wasn’t the case at all. You loved your ring and its chic allure. “No, no. I love my ring. It was just an accident. I have no idea where it is and I have looked everywhere for it but I just can’t find it anywhere. I’m sorry.”

Xiao Gui nodded feeling a bit relieved that it wasn’t the ring that made you want to get rid of it. “What me to help you look?”

“Yes! Would you?” You gushed feeling happy that you could get some help looking for such a small ring that could be hiding anywhere.

“Sure thing babe.” He smiled as he was glad that you genuinely love the ring he got you.

You Zhangjing

“Ay…” He let out waving off the statement you had just told him. “This is just a scam for me to get you a new one isn’t it?”

“What?” You asked as you looked through you laundry. “How could you possibly think that? I love my ring, you buffoon!”

“Hey! You’re the one who lost it! I mean yeah it was small but it was expensive you know!” He said as he searched the bed for the small band. Your ring was a band filled with yours and Zhangjing’s favorite jewels, which is what made it so special to you. You were growing axious not liking the outcome of your search. 

“Oh, baby I can always get you another-”

“Don’t finish that sentence Jing. You can’t disrespect my ring like that.” You cut him off which made him huff slightly. 

“I mean, it was ugly-” You threw a pillow at him to stop him from insulting your ring even further. “Hey! What was that for?!?!”

“Don’t call my ring ugly, that’s a representation of your undying love for me.” You told him with a matter-or-fact tone.

“You’re the one who lost it so that shows how much you really care about my undying love, huh?” He joked as he searched the jewelry boxes. Another pillow hit him in the back of his head and he turned to see you pouting. He let out a sigh. “I was joking, gosh! We’ll find the ring and then melt down into your hand so you can’t loose it again!”

“I’m not going to loose it again!” You defended as you went back to searching.

[creativeculturesandcontext]

WEEK 4

Independent

Understanding media - MARSHALL McCLUHAN

Hey if you do read these notes would like to add that this writing reminded me of that They Live by ray Nelson. Is the media we see the true message? Sorry I didn’t add this in class

A lightbulb is not a lightbulb. There is no media in a lightbuld but say if it lights up a message then there is a media.

But… The medium is the message and so the lightbulb is the medium because without it our culture would be very different.

Shakespeare is hard to understand, maybe that’s why he seems so deep..

In other words, cubism, by giving the inside and outside, the top, bottom, back, and front and the rest, in two dimensions, drops the illusion of perspective in favor of instant sensory awareness of the whole. Cubism, by seizing on instant total awareness, suddenly announced that the medium is the message.

 Cardinal Newman said of Napoleon, “He understood the grammar of gunpow-der.” Napoleon had paid some attention to other media as well, especially the semaphore telegraph that gave him a great advantage over his enemies. He is on record for saying that “Three hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thou-sand bayonets.”

Media has power, propaganda and nzi Germany used media to outcast jews.

 kind of massacre of the innocents. Instagram?

 “Their I.Q.’s were much higher than usual among political bosses. Why were they such a disaster?” The view of Rowse, Snow approves: “They would not listen to warnings because they did not wish to hear.” Being anti-Red made it impossible for them to read the mes-sage of Hitler. But their failure was as nothing compared to our present one. The American stake in literacy as a technology or uniformity applied to every level of education, government, industry, and social life is totally threatened by the electric technology. The threat of Stalin or Hitler was external. The electric technology is within the gates, and we are numb, deaf, blind, and mute about its encounter with the Gutenberg technology, on and through which the American way of life was formed. It is, however, no time to suggest strategies when the threat has not even been acknowledged to exist.

Uhh ohhh……

The “content” of writing or print is speech, but the reader is almost entirely unaware either of print or of speech.

I experience this whenever a story is on even if it’s a kids one  I zone in on it and forget about world, I don’t notice any media w words and stuff

 Subliminal and docile acceptance of media impact has made them prisons without walls for their human users. As A. J. Liebling remarked in his book The Press, a man is not free if he cannot see where he is going

 The medium is the message

Innumerable confusions and a profound feeling of despair invariably emerge in periods of greattechnological and cultural transitions. Our "Age of.Anxiety" is, in great part, the result of trying todo today's job with yesterday's tools-with yester-day's concepts.

 10" In the study of ideas, it is necessary to rememberthat insistence on hard-headed clarity issues fromsentimental feeling, as it were a mist, cloaking theperplexities of fact. Insistence on clarity at allcosts is based on sheer s u p e r s t i t i on as to t he modein which human intelligence functions. Our reason-ings grasp at straws for premises and float ongossamers for deductions."—A. N. Whitehead, "Adventures in Ideas."

The "child" was an invention of theseventeenth century; he did not existin, say, Shakespeare's day. He had, upuntil that time, been merged in theadult world and there was nothing thatcould be called childhood in our sense.

This feels v wrong to say how would they know???

Media, by altering the environment, evoke in usunique ratios of sense perceptions. The extensionof any one sense alters the way we think and act—the way we perceive the world.Whentheseratioschange,men change this be deep stuff kindda facts tho

 The discovery of the alphabet will create forget-fulness in the learners' souls, because they will notuse their memories; they will trust to the externalwritten characters and not remember of them-selves . .. Y ou give your disciples not truth but onlythe semblance of truth; they will be heroes of manythings, and will have learned nothing; they willappear to be omniscient and will generally knownothing."-Socrates, "Phaedrus"

Socrates was boss and there are some weird as images in this book..

  Ways of seeing John Berger

 Women troug the lens of dudes w the male gaze is next level. Its everywhere. I mean strip clubs exist. “offereing up her feminity as the surveyed..”

 Im glad there was example of legitimate nude painting where the female was naked and not nude. Nakedness being the natural state and nude being sexualised.

 Good docco made me question everything especially the lst bit..

Draft work:

Design for the Real World

Victor Papanek

  INTRO

Design for the real world is a book written by Victor Papanek about industrial design. In the book Victor Papanek calls out the design establishment for mass negligence and designing for the minority.

 The book is split into two parts the first titled “Like it is” which focuses on the at the time current design world of 1972 highlighting the inadequacies with business as usual. The second Part is titled “How it could be” and digs into specific design examples of what designing for the world instead of profit looks like and finishes with a projection of what the world could look like if designers starting practicing social design for the betterment of humanity.

 Victor Papanek, although a designer himself did not make it a secret that he did not think highly of the design world, especially industrial design as it was in the 1970’s.  He used the book to call out designers who are partaking in “Kleenex Culture” and had a “preoccupation with making things pretty”. This is very clear in chapter 8 after highlighting five myths that underly the current design profession as it was. Followed by 6 areas where design has not yet been focused and where social good would be inherent in the work of the designer. He then ends the chapter with “These are six possible directions in which the design profession not only can but must go if it is to do a worthwhile job. So far the designers have neither realised the challenge nor responded to it. So far the action of the profession has been comparable to what would happen if all medical doctors were to forsake general practice and surgery, and concentrate exclusively on dermatology and cosmetics.” (pg. 184) Sentences like this that very bluntly called out bad behaviours and sometimes even naming specific industry leaders who were promoting profit seeking design for the privileged are throughout the book. What effect this has on book

Modernism

  Sustainability and social responsibility Mana Toanga.

—the book joined a groundswell of important critiques of modernism and postwar excess in architecture, design, industry, and corporate America. https://www.metropolismag.com/ideas/rereading-design-for-the-real-world/

  Looked at the design world and didn’t really like what he saw.

“has been comparable to what would happen if all medical doctors were to forsake general practice and surgery, and concentrate exclusively on dermatology and cosmetics.” Before tree of knowledge

  How the design wrld reacted.

“Form follows function,” Louis Sullivan’s battle cry of the 1880’s and 1890’s, was followed by Frank Lloyd wright’s “form and function are one.” But semantically all the statements from horatio Greenough to the germn Bauhaus are meaningless. The concept that what works well will of necessity look well, has been a lame excuse for all the sterile, operating room like furniture and implements  of the twenties and thirties. A dining table of the period might have a top, well proportioned in glistening white marble, the legs carefully nurtured for maximum strength with minimum materials in gleaming stainless steel. And the first reaction on encountering such a table is to lie down on it and have your appendix extracted.

The function complex is introduced showing the dynamic actions and relationships that make up design.

[techcrunchappcom]

New Post has been published on https://techcrunchapp.com/andrew-andy-g-dziduch-news-sports-jobs/

Andrew “Andy” G. Dziduch | News, Sports, Jobs

Andrew Andy G. Dziduch, 93, died Tuesday Oct. 27, 2020 at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk.

Andy was born in Dunkirk to the late George and Julia Dziduch.

In 1943, at the young age of 17, Andy enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country World War II aboard the LST 993. In 1950, Andy also served in the Korean War aboard the USS Duncan 874. In between the wars, he was enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves. He was a member of the Dunkirk Naval Militia Boxing Team. Andy stayed connected with many friends he served with by traveling all over the country with his wife to attend LST Navy reunions. Andy was an extremely proud veteran and was honored to be chosen as the Grand Marshall in the 2013 Memorial Day parade.

Before leaving for the Korean War, Andy met his sweetheart, Diane, and they became engaged and then were married on May 7, 1952. Andy had a love for carpentry, something that his father had taught him during his young years. He went on to establish his carpentry profession working as an apprentice for Bernett & Strauser, learning everything there was to know about the building trade.

In 1953, Andy and Diane formed Andrew Dziduch Construction Company, where he built and remodeled many homes and businesses in his community. Andy was an expert at his craft, teaching the carpentry trade to his three sons. In 1982, Andy and Diane expanded their business to include a retail lumberyard, forming the ADD Lumber Company. Andy and Diane came up with the name âADDã by combining their initials. He leaves behind a family business legacy with three ADD Lumber locations. Andy continued to work into his 90ás. Five of his children as well as, his son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandsons and granddaughters all continue to operate the family business.

In addition to his strong work ethic and family values, Andy had unwavering faith. He was a devout Catholic and a member of the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish for over 65 years. There he servedas a eucharistic minister, on the parish council, and an advisor for St. Maryás Cemetery. Andy believed deeply in family and helping others. Just like his wife Diane, Andy always saw the best in others. Andy loved reading the newspaper every day and could always tell you what was happening around the world. He was a humble man and although, one of few words, you knew he was always listening. He kept an open and curious mind about the world, even into his older years. Andy will be remembered for his many stories, quick wit and infinite wisdom.

Outside of his family, business and faith, Andy enjoyed horse racing and even owned harness race horses. He would often spend time with his family and friends at Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs to watch his horses race. Andyás other hobbies were completing jigsaw puzzles, watching football (Buffalo Bills) and baseball (Boston Red Sox), golf and wrestling.

Surviving are his seven children: Linda (Leonard) Rao of Syracuse, Frederick (Zoraida) Dziduch and Gerald (Cheryl) Dziduch, both of Dunkirk, Laura (Ricky) Bellando of Fredonia, Kenneth (Karen Gentner) Dziduch of Fairview Texas, Lisa (Rick) Crandall of Dunkirk and Louise (Christopher) Lanski of Fredonia. Grandchildren: Thomas Rao, Christina (Brett) Myles, Leonard (Brandi Doyle) Raom Daniel (Staci) Dziduch, Shannon (Chris) Dantem Jillian and Janelle Bremer, Cory (Aleah) Dziduch, Kellie Dziduch, Zachary and Mackenzie Crandall and Lydia and Claire Lanski. Great-grandchildren: Josie and Jaxson Myles, Dominik and Andrew J. Dziduch, Nicholas Dante and Ellie and Ayden Dziduch. Also survived by cousin, Irene May; and many extended grandchildren and great- grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Andy was preceded in death by his wife, Diane (Gregory) Dziduch, of 63 years; parents; brother, Stanley Dziduch; and sisters: Victoria Mikula, Florence Szopinski, Bernice Dull and infant sister Doris Dziduch.

Following the guidlines and protocals administered by the governor of New York, relatives and friends may call on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 E Doughty St. Funeral Services will be Monday morning at 10 a.m., in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church. Entombment will be in the Assumption Mausoleum in St. Maryás Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (NCCS), 336 Washington Ave., Dunkirk NY 14048 or Roswell Park Alliance Foundation P.O. Box 631, Buffalo NY 14240.

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[bunkershotgolf]

After Half a Season

By ED TRAVIS

With 22 PGA Tour events in the books before the corona virus-induced cancellations and Masters postponement we are now halfway through the 2019-2020 season. Unknowns abound starting with whether more tournaments will be cancelled or will some, as they are saying with the Masters, be played later?

Obviously with what seems like the whole world going into quarantine fans understand the need for this but that doesn’t take away the disappointment of missing out on what was shaping up as an exciting runup to the first major and then golf’s favorite event the Masters itself.

Fans conditioned to the Thursday through Sunday golf telecasts must make do with re-televised past tournaments or be reduced to watching “Wheel of Fortune” and hoping against hope for a “Caddy Shack” rerun.

For someone writing about the game and not wishing to parrot others or engage in the handwringing over the schedule disruption, the list of related but germane topics is a veritable desert. On the assumption most of our readers are affected similarly here are a few clearly unimportant statistics to possibly provide some quiet satisfaction to the golf deprived.

Don’t read too much into any of these numbers but they could come in handy playing the 19th hole.

WYNTK First Half 2019-2010 PGA Tour Season

Two Two-time Winners So Far

Justin Thomas, who is on the Titleist endorsement staff, won the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges and the Tournament of Champions while Brendon Todd carrying a Ping G410 LST driver, Titleist irons and a SIK putter took the top spot at the Bermuda Championship & Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Speaking of Endorsements

Many assume the driver company able to boast the most wins would the same as it has been for several years in the past, i.e., TaylorMade. For the 2018-2019 season players using one of their drivers won 18 events with Callaway users totaling 9 wins and Titleist at 7. In our 2019-2020 half season the somewhat surprising leader is Ping with 9 wins compared with only 5 for all last season. If you’re interested, Callaway which is the bestselling driver brand has but 2 this season, Titleist with by far the largest endorsement staff has 8 and the perennial top driver company TaylorMade has 3 wins in the 22 events.

Winning Golf Balls No Surprise

Five golf ball brands have won in the first half of the PGA Tour season. Taylormade has two victories while Bridgestone, Callaway and Srixon have one each. The remaining 17 events were won by players playing either Titleist Pro V1 (seven) or Titleist Pro V1x (10). In case you’re interested, for last season’s 46 tournaments including the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event, the numbers were Titleist-26, TaylorMade-7, Srixon-5, Callaway-5 and Bridgestone-4.

Scotty Cameron Tops in Putters

Again without putting undue emphasis on these numbers, Titleist’s Scotty Cameron division has racked up eight wins, Ping six, Odyssey (part of Callaway) three as has SIK courtesy of Brendon Todd’s two victories. TaylorMade completes the list with two wins.

Finally, the Money

The Tour’s best didn’t go away from TPC Sawgrass with a total loss for the week. According to PGA Tour regulations if only one round of an event is completed prize money is cut in half and split amongst the players. In the case of The Players Championship, the $15 million purse was sliced so each of the 144 competitors received just over $52,000.

[siva3155]

300+ TOP VISUAL BASIC Objective Questions and Answers

Visual Basic Multiple Choice Questions :-

1. The Visual Basic Code Editor will automatically detect certain types of errors as you are entering code. A. True B. False Ans: A 2. Keywords are also referred to as reserved words. A. True B. False Ans: A 3. The divide-and-conquer-method of problem solving breaks a problem into large, general pieces first, then refines each piece until the problem is manageable. A. True B. False Ans: A 4. Visual Basic responds to events using which of the following? A. a code procedure B. an event procedure C. a form procedure D. a property Ans: B 5. When the user clicks a button, _________ is triggered. A. an event B. a method C. a setting D. a property Ans: A 6. What property of controls tells the order they receive the focus when the tab key is pressed during run time? A. Focus order B. Focus number C. Tab index D. Control order Ans: C 7. Sizing Handles make it very easy to resize virtually any control when developing applications with Visual Basic. When working in the Form Designer, how are these sizing handles displayed? A. A rectangle with 4 arrows, one in each corner, around your control. B. A 3-D outline around your control. C. A rectangle with small squares around your control. D. None of the above. Ans: C 8. The Properties window plays an important role in the development of Visual Basic applications. It is mainly used A.to change how objects look and feel. B. when opening programs stored on a hard drive. C. to allow the developer to graphically design program components. D. to set program related options like Program Name, Program Location, etc. Ans: A 9. When creating a new application in Visual Basic, you are asked to supply a name for the program. If you do not specify a name, a default name is XXXXX XXXXX is this default name? A. Wapplication followed by a number. B. Application followed by a number. C. WindowsApplication. D. WindowsApplication followed by a number. Ans: C,B 10. Which of the properties in a control's list of properties is used to give the control a meaningful name? A. Text B. ContextMenu C. ControlName D. Name Ans: D

VISUAL BASIC MCQs 11. Pseudocode is A. data that have been encoded for security. B. the incorrect results of a computer program. C. a program that doesn't work. D. the obscure language computer personnel use when speaking. E. a description of an algorithm similar to a computer language. Ans: E 12. An algorithm is defined as: A. a mathematical formula that solves a problem. B. a tempo for classical music played in a coda. C. a logical sequence of steps that solve a problem. D. a tool that designs computer programs and draws the user interface. Ans: C 13. A variable declared inside an event procedure is said to have local scope A. True B. False Ans: A 14. A variable declared outside of an event procedure is said to have class-level scope. A. True B. False Ans: A 15. Option Explicit requires you to declare every variable before its use. A. True B. False Ans: A 16. The value returned by InputBox is a string. A. True B. False Ans: A 17. What is the correct statement when declaring and assigning the value of 100 to an Integer variable called numPeople A. Dim numPeople = B. Dim numPeople = Int(100) C. numPeople = 100 D. Dim numPeople As Integer = 100 Ans: D 18. Which of the following arithmetic operations has the highest level of precedence? A. + - B. * / C. ^ exponentiation D. ( ) Ans: C 19. What value will be assigned to the numeric variable x when the following statement is executed? x = 2 + 3 * 4 A. 20 B. 14 C. 92 D. 234 Ans: B 20. Which of the following is a valid name for a variable? A. Two_One B. 2One C. Two One D. Two.One Ans: A 21. Keywords in Visual Basic are words that A. should be used when naming variables. B. are used to name controls, such as TextBox1, Command2, etc. C. have special meaning and should not be used when naming variables. D. are used as prefixes for control names (such as txt, btn, lbl, and lst). Ans: C 22. To continue a long statement on another line, use: A. an underscore character. B. an ampersand character. C. Ctrl + Enter. D. a space followed by an underscore character. Ans: A 23. What is the proper syntax when using a message dialog box? A. MessageBox.Show("Hi there", "Hi") B. MessageBox.Show(Hi there, Hi) C. MessageBox.Show "Hi There", "Hi" D. MessageBox.Show Hi There, Hi Ans: A 24. What will be the output of the following statement? txtBox.Text = FormatCurrency(1234.567) A. $1234.567 B. 1,234.57 C. $1234.57 D. $1,234.57 Ans: D 25. The following lines of code are correct. If age >= 13 And A. True B. False Ans: B 26. Given that x = 7, y = 2, and z = 4, the following If block will display "TRUE". If (x > y) Or (y > z) Then txtBox.Text = "TRUE" End If A. True B. False Ans: A 27. Asc("A") is 65. What is Asc("C")? A. 66 B. 67 C. 68 D. "C" Ans: B 28. Asc("A") is 65. What is displayed by txtBox.Text = Chr(65) & "BC"? A. ABC B. A BC C. 656667 D. Not enough information is available. Ans: A 29. Which of the following expressions has as its value the words "Hello World? surrounded by quotation marks? A. "Hello World" B. Chr(34) & "Hello World" C. Chr(34) & Hello World & Chr(34) D. Chr(34) & "Hello World" & Chr(34) Ans: A 30. Which of the following is true? A. "Cat" = "cat" B. "Cat" C. "Cat" > "cat" D. Relational operators are only valid for numeric values. Ans: B 31. Which of the following is a valid Visual Basic conditional statement? A. 2 B. 2 C. 2 D. (2 Ans: D 32. The three main logical operators are ________, _________, and ________. A. And, Or, Not B. And, Not, If C. Or, Not, If D. False, And, True Ans: A 33. Which value for x would make the following condition true: x >= 5 A. x is equal to 7 B. x is equal to 5 C. x is equal to 5.001 D. all of the above Ans: D 34. Which value for x would make the following condition true: Not (x >= 5) A. x is equal to 7 B. x is equal to 4 C. x is equal to 5.001 D. x is equal to 5.001 Ans: B 35. Which value for x would make the following condition true: (x >= 5) And (x 7 B. Case Is = 8 C. Case Is >= 7 D. Case Is Read the full article

[appliancesreviews]

How to choose a dishwasher

Of course, pactically all modern kitchens have a dishwasher. In fact, this device has long been its indispensable attribute. But high demand stimulates the efforts of companies in this segment. As a consequence, modern market in abundance offers a wide range of various dishwashers. Therefore, the choice of the optimal model is sometimes not very simple. Of course, it primarily depends on the price and functionality of dishwasher. But, the technical values also significantly affect its capabilities. However, the design and control system of the dishwasher affect the usability of this device. Therefore, the totality of all these factors is the main criterion for choosing a model. Of course, dishwasher is selected for a specific kitchen. Therefore, the model dimensions are important. Usally, most of the devices are designed for installation in standard furniture module with a width of 23,6 in, a height of 32,3-33,4 in and a depth of 21,6-22,4 in.

Classification

All models of dishwashers are divided according to size on the following types: - desktop; - compact; - narrow; - full-size. Desktop dishwashers have the very small sizes and fit easily on the ordinary countertop. Typically, the dimensions of these models do not exceed 20 inches in height, width and depth.

The small capacity is the main drawback of these models. Compact dishwashers are divided into embedded and freestanding. The capacity of these models is calculated for 1-5 sets of dishes. But most models are calculated for 4 sets. Standard set includes saucer, cup, fork, glass, knife, spoon and three plates with a various depth. Small size is a major advantage of such models. The relatively small number of installed software functions is their main drawback.

All narrow models refer to floor-stand type. They have width of 17,7-19,7 and a standard height of 33,46 in.

Capacity of these models usually does not exceed 9 sets. Their functionality is almost identical of full-size a model. Dishwasher with a width of 23,6 and a height of 33,46 inches refer to full-size models.

Low power consumption and high performance are the main advantages of these models. Their power consumption and detergent consumption are practically identical to narrow models. But, their functionality differs slightly. Most such models have the electronic controls, delay timer, indicators, adjustable temperature modes, adjustable baskets and many programs. Cookware is stacked in special baskets. Pots and pans are usually placed in the lower part. The upper trays are intended for plates. Models with 2 trays are very popular. This design uses two compartments that can operate autonomously. For example, one compartment may be used to wash dishes, and the second - to store it. The relatively high price is the main disadvantage of these models.

Design

Dishwashers differ in design. They are divided into free-standing and built-in. The design of the embedded models has a specific feature. Partially built-in models have a partially open control panel on the outer panel. For example, Smeg PLA4525X, Kaiser S 45 U 71 XL, Bomann GSPE 774.1 and Miele G 4700 SCi models have such a layout.

Fully integrated dishwasher is closed from front side with the help of a furniture shield and looks like a kitchen cupboard. Control panel in these models is located on the edge of a folding door. For example, such an arrangement of control panel is implemented in the fully embedded Siemens SR 66T090, Hotpoint-Ariston LST 1149 and Whirlpool ADG 145 models.

The use of a metal plate on the table surface for protection from the steam is a feature of the built-in models. Range of built-in models is much wider compared to free-standing due to increased demand. Saving space and unified style of kitchen design are their main advantages. But free-standing dishwashers are much cheaper compared to built-in models. Additionally, the companies often provide an opportunity for integration of their models into kitchen furniture. Typically, these models have a removable top panel to reduce the device height.

Commercial dishwashers

These models have a much higher capacity.

Washing is carried out about 2 times faster. Most devices have a heater for heating water to required temperature. High cost and large energy consumption are their main disadvantages. In recent years, many companies are actively using steam for cleaning in household appliances. American Whirlpool Company offers a model with steam technology that is called AquaSteam. AquaSteam is very effective for washing the fragile or very dirty cookware. This technology additionally provides an antibacterial effect.

Water supply

Most devices have only cold water supply. Simultaneous connection of device to hot and cold water provide very few models. Of course, connection to the hot water supply is more favorable in terms of saving time and electricity. But companies claim that heating up of cold water is safer, and cold water in the water pipe always is cleaner. This video shows a new compact Panasonic desktop dishwasher. Read the full article

[abalonetea]

🏠🛏🐻📖🗑 for the New bostonians?

House – *Scout  lives in a very small apartment building in the bad side of town. There are two bedrooms; the brothers are split between them and his mother sleeps on the pull out couch. It’s crowded and messy and has a very lived in feeling. Scout shares a room with three of his older brothers but actually isn’t in the house very often. It is a collage of many interests.

*Mia shares an apartment with her two younger siblings. The apartment is fairly dark, and they try not to use the lights very often to save on the electric bill. There’s usually dirty laundry thrown over the back of the couch and even though it’s not very full furniture wise, it’s pretty messy. There’s knick knacks all over the place, little glass figurines that Mia has picked up at yard sales and thrift shops. She also collects candles even though she hardly ever burns them.

*Ellie and Jason live in the same house together, and even though their family isn’t rich it’s larger than most of the other New Bostonian’s homes. It’s a little brownstone house in the good side of town, with a small fenced in yard. Jason’s room is filled up with bottles of ingredients and bits of metal scraps all over the place. It always smells like smoke and sulfur and burning things. Ellie likes to keep her room super neat, and she’s got a large sparkling bean bag chair that she sits in while she reads. She has a retro record player that she hardly ever uses.Bedrooms – *Scout shares a bedroom with three of his older brothers. There are two bunk beds crammed into the room. Because Scout is the youngest in the family, he’s stuck with a bottom bunk. All of his personal belongings are kept under the bunk; age relays rank in the household, and rank means you get more space in the room for your stuff. There’s a poster of Babe Ruth tacked up on the underside of the top bunk, along with a picture of Scout’s mother when she was younger, a collectors card for Mechanic, and a group shot of the New Bostonian’s.

*Mia’s bedroom is a cluttered mess. She doesn’t like to get rid of things. There are glass figurines tacked up on all of the shelves and none of the colorations or styles of the room matches. Her bed is piled full of her younger sister’s stuffed animals and there’s always dirty laundry on the floor. She keeps a box under her bed of adult magazines and has a huge collection of death metal and hair metal cd’s. There’s a poster of Nate’s band hanging up on the wall.

*Jason’s room is a mess. There are burn marks on the floor and singed spots on the wall. It always smells like smoke and sour things, from his failed experiments. Bits of metal scraps, screws, and used up herbs always litter the floor. Ellie’s room is a sharp contrast to her brother’s and is super neat. She loves bright colors and it shows in her wall paint choices and the colors of her bed sheets. There’s a box filled up with spare head phones on her dresser.

Toys/Stuffed animals*Scout has a huge collection of toys under his bed! They’re all really small things with a lot of texture, like those sticky hands, slap bracelets, jelly bands, and bouncy balls! He likes things that he can fiddle with and there’s probably a box of Lego’s under the bed, but Scout hardly ever gets a chance to play with them anymore ‘cause his older brothers make fun of him.

*Mia’s bed is filled up with her younger sister’s stuffed animals. Supposedly, they’re in there to “keep watch” over Mia.

Diary – *Scout – Those fuckrs need 2 shut up bfore I get out of bed and kick their asses they’ve been arguing all nite holy shit I just want a little sleep. It’s all stupid shit 2 no one cares who 8 the lst fucking poptart jesus Christ

*Mia – I’m going to do it today. I’m going to tell Nate what I’ve been doing. Yeah, okay, so I’ve said this the last three weeks but – I mean it this time! You know, because I need to defend myself to a bunch of papers. Pretty sure this means I need more sleep.

*Ellie –   Did I make a good impression on them? I’m not sure. I know that Mia likes me, but the others are so hard to read! What if I just came off as stupid? Jason’s got such a good grasp on his magic, and I barely understand how mine works. Is this a mistake?

*Jason – My hands are killing me. It’s a good thing that we’re having a cold snap. I think Ellie might murder me if she realizes that I messed them up again. It’s really not my fault, though! I’ve almost figure out what’s wrong! If I can just get the calibration right…

Trashcan –*Scout: is it wrong to say that the entire house is his trash can?

*Mia: every room has a different trash can, and they’re all those super small plastic colorful themed ones that you buy for children’s bathrooms at Walmart.

*Ellie: a mesh trash can that she keeps under her desk

*Jason: several carefully sorted metal bins that he keeps at his work station and hardly ever empties, because he believes you can find a use for everything

[prayersforpets1org]

RIP Cena, 100's Watch Hero Dog's Final Ride

New Post has been published on http://prayersforpets1.org/rip-cena-100s-watch-hero-dogs-final-ride/

RIP Cena, 100's Watch Hero Dog's Final Ride

MUSKEGON, Mich. — Hundreds of people showed up to a final ride that was organized for a Marine veteran’s bomb detecting dog.

FOX 17 first told you about Corporal Jeff DeYoung’s efforts  to organize the ride for his dog Cena last week.

Cena was recently diagnosed with bone cancer, and a ride in an open top Jeep was at the top of DeYoung’s “bucket list” that he made for his dog.

Several other Jeeps and some motorcycles joined Cena Wednesday afternoon for the ride. The riders left from the USS LST 393 museum in Muskegon.

“It’s overwhelming,” said DeYoung. “Of course, veterans always know you have to be early everywhere, but at the same time the amount of veterans and the amount of family that have showed up, it’s remarkable to say the least.”

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DeYoung was deployed to Afghanistan with Cena and in 2014 he was able to adopt the dog. Cena eventually became his service dog as he battled with post-traumatic stress disorder.

A local business made a set of custom dress blues for Cena, which he would wear before the veterinarian put him down Wednesday night.

“Every Marine has to go out in a set of dress blues,” said DeYoung. “That’s just the way we are. He’s got his ribbons, he’s got his decorations, he’s dressed to the nines. He got a fresh grooming service today and we are ready to make peace with what we have to do.”

After the last moments with Corporal DeYoung, the K-9 hero and his best friend took their final walk as fellow service members and public safety officials gave one final salute.

“I’ll take it one day at a time,” said DeYoung. “It’s the only thing we can do.”

DeYoung has a Go Fund Me page set up for donations to help build a headstone for Cena

Credit: Fox 17

Before Cena’s final ride:

Cena and Lance Cpl. Jeffrey DeYoung, of Muskegon, were separated for four years, one month and eight days.

Celebration of life for military service dog Cena

After serving in Afghanistan together in the U.S. Marines for about six months in 2009 and 2010, the pair were separated without a chance to say goodbye.

During that time DeYoung carried Cena across rivers. Cena kept DeYoung warm during cold desert nights. DeYoung threw his body over Cena’s while under heavy fire from the Taliban. And when DeYoung lost seven friends during the course of three weeks, Cena was there to comfort him.

A final goodbye is being played out Wednesday, July 26 for the reunited Marine and his companion dog. Cena has terminal cancer.

Former marine reunites with dog he served with in Afghanistan

The feeling of excitement and relief seemed mutual as U.S. Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeffrey DeYoung greeted Cena at the Detroit Metro Airport on Thursday morning. Cena, a retiring explosive-detection dog called “Chicken” by DeYoung, licked his former handler a few times on the face before getting in close for a hug.

DeYoung and Cena will be separated for a final time on the evening of Wednesday. But this time, DeYoung has gone to great lengths to make his last day with his “brother” a memorable one.

The 10-year-old black lab was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer after DeYoung noticed he wasn’t putting weight on his front left leg.

DeYoung has worked tirelessly to plan a final day and farewell deserving of the Marine veteran dog.

DeYoung was not available for comment as he spent time with Cena during the dog’s final days, but he did post publicly on Facebook.

“My last night with Cena,” the post reads. “Words cannot convey what I’m feeling and thinking. I want to run away and not face what I must do. But he needs me to be strong and set him free. He has blessed my life with love and admiring. Because of him, I got to have a family. Because of him, I was able to live. May God forgive me for what I do tomorrow. And may the Lord greet you with open arms and a nice ear scratch.

“Goodnight my friend, goodbye my brother. May you rest your head tonight knowing how loved you are and how dearly you will be missed.”

At the top of his bucket list for Cena was a day of riding in a topless Jeep Wrangler.

The request to borrow a Jeep Wrangler garnered an overwhelming response, said LuAnn DeYoung, Jeffrey DeYoung’s sister.

Not only will Cena and Jeffrey DeYoung have a last ride together, they will be joined by multiple Jeep convoys. One is coming from Kalamazoo. Another will ride from Plainwell. A convoy of Patriot Guard Riders will come from around the state to stand in a silent flag line in honor of Cena’s service.

All convoys will meet at 4 p.m. at the USS LST 393 Museum at 560 Mart St. downtown Muskegon. At the museum, there will be a celebration of life and military ceremony, including the playing of “Taps” in Cena’s honor. The ceremony was organized by the U.S. Marine Corps League.

The public is welcome at the ceremony. However, LuAnn DeYoung asked that attendees respect her brother’s privacy in this difficult time by refraining from asking questions.

“They love the community support,” she said. “It’s just getting a bit overwhelming.”

Cena will appear at the ceremony in homemade Marine dress blues. Once the “most happy-go-lucky Marine in Golf Company,” Cena’s illness has made him immobile. He will be seen in a wagon.

Cena is heavily medicated and in a lot of pain, LuAnn DeYoung said.

Following a short, police-escorted convoy ride, Cena and Jeff DeYoung will board the USS LST 393 where he will be euthanized and “Taps” will be played.

His condition is at odds with the “easygoing two-and-a-half-year-old” that sniffed out improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan and earned the nickname “Chicken” from Jeffrey DeYoung.

Marine, explosive-detecting dog to reunite 4 years after service together ended

Cena earned the name during one of his first missions in 2009. Cena had begun to connect the smell of explosives with the subsequent blasts, and didn’t exactly follow protocol when he recognized the smell of an IED.

“He found where it was and shot off in the opposite direction,” DeYoung said with a laugh while telling the story shortly before being reunited with his canine brother in 2014.

Cena should have lay down when he found the explosive.

Not only did the pair spend almost every second together over the six months in Afghanistan, but they also were responsible for each other’s lives and well-being as they headed into Operation Moshtarak, the largest joint militarily operation yet in Afghanistan.

DeYoung and Cena were some of the first marines to step foot in Marjah during the operation to oust the Taliban from their stronghold, he said.

While they no longer had to worry about IEDs and gunshots after reuniting, there were still challenges to face.

Marine shares memories of service with war dog, their emotional reunion

Former Marine Jeff DeYoung and Cena worked as a team to help protect fellow Marines from improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, beginning in 2009 when they were randomly paired together.

“Over the past year and half, this dog, this brother of mine, has sat with me through a divorce, through homelessness, through missed jobs, my PTSD strikes and waking up in my bathtub crying,” Jeffery DeYoung said at a Veterans Day ceremony at Muskegon Community College during November 2015. “He’s always been through that. I can’t think of any other friends that have.”

Credit: MLive

[dartheames]

Eight for Eight Tag Meme

Aaaah! I was tagged by @galadrieljones, thank you! <33

Rules: Answer eight questions and tag eight people.

▪️last movie I watched: Hmm it was probably “Shrek 2″? It was the night after my friend’s wedding and I though I wasn’t drunk but apparently I was drunk enough to watch it at my phone at 2 am :D I love Shrek though. Puss in boots is my favorite! The actual last movie I’ve seen in a theater was “Beauty and the Beast” which was partially lovable (Emma Watson and The Beast) and partially disgusting (everything else).

▪️last song I listened to: Supreme by Robbie Williams. I’ve been stuck on that song for three days already and it doesn’t seem to letting me go.

▪️last book I read: Well apart from all the fanfiction I’m reading instead of sleeping and on my way to work/home I think the lst thing I’ve read completely was “Throne of Glass” by Sara J. Maas. Wasn’t impressed as much as I was after ACOMAF though. Can’t wait for the opportunity to read ACOWAR. 

▪️last thing I ate: Pasta, I believe. And I had a cup of tea. It’s already way past dinner time here :D

▪️where would you want to time travel to?: Future, probably? The time when space travel is availiable for a common folk. I would punch a guy for a chance to be on an actual spaceship.

▪️fictional character I would hang out with for a day: Uhhh... All the options that come to mind canonically end up in a crimescene :D I would hang out with Garrus though, just like friends? We could shoot stuff - I’ve never been able to pass by a shooting range. Or Varric. I like him a lot. I’m not allowed near women since I tend to be falling in love in a span of like five minutes so that’s a pass. 

▪️If I could be anywhere right now, where would I be? I could use my friends’ company so the answer is kilometers away from my home. 

▪️Current fandom obsession? I’m way deep for Cullen these days. Ask me in a month and maybe I’ll be back with my Shepard again. 

Ok it was fun! Tagging @angaran-ryder, @ruskidoll, @shrug-viper, @1nfiltratrix, @right-in-the-vhenan, @pelle-lavellan, @fleschybits and @daravakarian if you feel like it! :)