#Surf Ave

[doo-wop-city]

Neon Lights 2: North Wildwood

There are so many neon signs around Wildwood that make the island aglow and illuminate the night skyline in the summertime. These photos were taken on Saturday, August 24th, 1968. (…Or, was that 2024?) We concluded our previous entry on John F. Kennedy Boulevard. in North WIldwood. Turning west on 4th Avenue, we encounter the beautiful Jade East, whose neon sign has a decidely oriental…

[ahoraesteblogsellamaasi]

No. No me apetece.

[joegeniusblog]

G.L: HOMELESS?

G.L. is a neighborhood woman I became almost acquainted with about 12 years ago. Our paths crossed at a Fenway CDC meeting concerning the Huntington Ave. branch of the YMCA’s plan to demolish their old gym and enable Northeastern to expand with the blessing of Mayor Menino in spite of the fact that the mandated Institutional Master Plan(IMP) had been circumvented and Northeastern was disregarding…

[new-dinosaurs]

Melanitta kirbori Zelenkov, 2024 (new species)

(Type coracoid [shoulder bone] of Melanitta kirbori, from Zelenkov, 2024)

Meaning of name: kirbori = for Kirill Borisovich Gerasimov [Russian zoologist who passed away in 2023]

Age: Pleistocene (Calabrian), about 1.8 million years ago

Where found: Taurida Cave, Crimea, Ukraine

How much is known: A nearly complete right coracoid (shoulder bone).

Notes: Melanitta is the genus of scoters, a group of stocky ducks in which the males are mostly colored black and have distinctive, "lumpy" bills. Although scoters tend to breed on freshwater ponds and lakes, they often spend the winter on coastal marine waters. They feed mainly by diving for clams and crustaceans.

M. kirbori is the oldest known scoter in the fossil record. It was similar in size and morphology to the extant surf scoter (M. perspicillata) of North America. It also resembles three larger extant species, the white-winged (M. deglandi), velvet (M. fusca), and Stejneger's (M. stejnegeri) scoters, which may suggest that these species evolved from smaller ancestors that were closer in size to M. kirbori.

Reference: Zelenkov, N.V. 2024. The oldest finds of the genera Melanitta, Marmaronetta, and other ducks (Aves: Anatidae) from the Lower Pleistocene of the Crimea. Paleontological Journal 58: 593–603. doi: 10.1134/S0031030124600653

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Surf's up! A 48-inch water main broke during the early morning hours of June 26, 1952, flooding a four-block area of the Bronx to a depth of two feet before the water was shut off. Here, water gushes from the broken main at 176th Street and Jerome Ave. Nearby houses were ordered evacuated until it could be determined that there was no danger of a building collapse.

Photo: Chris Daly for the AP

[sunsetkerr]

HIGH TIDES | s.kerr

summary: a series of posts of sam being your biggest fan during the bells beach longboard comp.

pairing: surfer!reader x sam kerr

notes: surfer!reader I love youuuuu <3

yourinstagram has posted (3) stories !

yourtwitter posted a tweet

yourinstagram

liked by chloecalmon, samanthakerr20 and 3,387 others yourinstagram hopped out of the water this week to come watch the matildas and my love play in the semis 💚💛 so very proud!!!!!!!

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samanthakerr20 not my best angle ↳ yourinstagram every angle is a good angle ↳ mackenziearnold I will literally throw up

user1 y/n's dad straight brick walling it is so funny to me ↳ yourinstagram he fr has no emotion

user2 sam and billy &lt;3 ↳ user3 y/n's two children fr

user4 rare non-surf post from y/n?? ↳ yourinstagram it's all about the balance

alannablanchard such sweet pics!

user5 im coming to watch you at bells!! cant wait!

yourinstagram

liked by samanthakerr20, alannakennedy and 3,827 others yourinstagram I am so incredibly proud of all you have done 💚💛

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samanthakerr20 I love you

yourtwitter posted a tweet

yourinstagram

liked by samanthakerr20, milliebright and 3,109 others yourinstagram prepping for bells, gonna make a surfer out of her

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samanthakerr20 not a chance ↳ yourinstagram you're a natural though ↳ samanthakerr20 no more saltwater in my lungs pls

user1 I would also date y/n if I saw her thighs, drooling

user2 sam's got her sausage roll ready to sit on the beach and watch y/n surf ↳ yourinstagram pretty much her role now that shes on break

alannakennedy those calfs!! ↳ yourinstagram where?!

samkerrupdates

liked by user1, user2 and 280 others

samkerrupdates sam's instagram stories from today, pictures of her girlfriend y/n who is prepping for the bells beach longboard competition! she placed 9th last year, hope she can get up this year- good luck y/n!

samanthakerr20

liked by yourinstagram, matildas and 982,837 others samanthakerr20 bells tomorrow for this one. so proud to be able to support you like you do me, I am already so proud ❤️ shred babe

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yourinstagram im not crying

yourinstagram I love you so very much samantha

user1 SAM BEING SAPPY ON MAIN IS MY FAVOURITE THING

user2 I want y/n for myself I cannot lie

hayleyraso good luck tomorrow champion!!

user3 shes so pretty

maryfowlerrr my idol &lt;3 ↳ yourinstagram I love you maz

matildas our biggest supporter in the stands! we will be cheering you on y/n 💚💛

milliebright go shred some waves (or something like that)!!!!! ↳ yourinstagram THANK YOU MILLIE <3 I'LL SHRED A BIG ONE JUST FOR YOU

yourtwitter posted a tweet

samanthakerr20 posted (2) stories

yourinstagram

liked by samanthakerr20, caitlinfoord and 3,847 others yourinstagram my first ever win. I have so many words that i want to say, but am not quite sure how to. these heats at bells were some of my best sets and I am so proud to have won this competition. I have the best support network ever, so thanks to my sammy, my mumma and my sister for coming out to watch me. I am so grateful 🏆

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samanthakerr20 shes queen of the wa-a-a-aves ↳ samanthakerr20 so fkn proud of you 🏆🏆🏆 ↳ user1 as if sam is quoting barbie right now 😭

caitlinfoord you're a champion!! congrats y/n

user2 she used the board sam got her, im SOBBING

user3 I WENT AND WATCHED IT WAS SO SICK!! ↳ user4 did you see sam? ↳ user3 when y/n came out of the water, she waited for the scores cause she was the last one to surf. hers was higher than anyone else in the heat and sam, her mum and sister all ran over to her. sam put y/n up on her shoulders!!! it was so sweet ↳ user5 omg please send pics if you have them!! ↳ user3 sam literally screamed so loud it was so funny

samanthakerr20 still reeling over this, im so proud y/n ↳ yourinstagram I love you forever sammy

[octuscle]

I've heard you got lost luggages and I'm missing mine. Might have them here though, can I check?

... Oh here you are, well thanks I'm off to SYD airport, thanks man! Meeting my personal trainer to start my new routine.

You slavishly followed your trainer's instructions for packing the bag. But it seems very silly to you to travel to Australia for two months with only a small piece of hand luggage. Allowed were a pair of boarders, a pair of daisy dukes and a pair of workout shorts, two tank tops, two jockstraps, two pairs of white socks, a pair of flip flops. One pair of boxer shorts to sleep in. Razor, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste. And for the flight, shorts no longer than a hand's width above the knee, tank top and desert boots. And that silly bandana. But you put it back in your pocket. You look a little silly.

After the flight, you feel surprisingly fit. Somehow it's as if you've had a few really challenging workouts. Good thing you decided to wear the really short shorts. Your legs need air. And the muscles are coming out really well.

The bloody immigration fawrmalities drag on. But since ya only av a little 'and luggage, it goes relatively fast. 'n luckily ya speak the language of the customs staff. Root, the bloody 'air is annoyin'. Weah is the fuckin' bandana? The bloke at the bloody customs control can't believe that ya ahah not from heah. Ya take that as a compliment.

'n behind the bloody baggage claim, wich ya can just walk past, yah personal trayynah is waitin'. The bloody pictures didn't porkie. A mixtah of natah boy 'n surfah cobber. Ya shake 'ands liyyke fahkin' old buddies. But yah trayynah awrders ya ta take off yah tank top 'n gives ya a chayyn instead. Now ya could be brothers.

off ta the bloody gym, the bloody next trayynin' session awaits. 'n then off into the bloody surf! Fair dinkum cobber.

[lavenderpanic]

My great-grandfather was born in Brooklyn in the 20s and I feel like this fandom needs to read an excerpt from his memoir:

"On Sunday, after doing half a day’s work, I’d go home, wash, and change my clothes and with a couple of my friends, we’d go to Coney Island. The West End or Seabeach line took us from Canal St., Manhattan, to Surf Ave., Coney Island. I’d try not to spend the entire dollar there. I always saved at least one nickel for the train and one nickel for my mother. I never failed to bring Mom a bag of colored popcorn. She loved it and I never disappointed her."

IS THIS NOT SO STEVE CODED 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[remembertheplunge]

Today had other plans

I really had an urge to head for San Fransisco this morning to open water swim in the ocean and to write in the Castro district, but, decided to stay home in Modesto instead. 

A guy I met on line and have met once in person is coming to the house tomorrow. So, 

I planned to do some cleaning in his honor.

Then the phone rang. It was Martin Cantwell. He once lived with me but is now homeless out off Hatch Ave. south of town. He wanted to know if I had his mail. He uses my address for his mail. I said I’d bring his mail and some money to him.

The cleaning would just have to wait. Arriving at Hatch Road, he was standing neath a tree near the McDonald’s. He got in my car and asked if I wanted to meet his friend Tyler, also homeless. I bought coats for Martin and Tyler a few months ago. I said “Sure”. 

We drove to where Tyler and several other people were gathered behind a near by strip mall.

Tyler was very appreciative for the coat that I had given Martin to give rot him.Tyler is maybe 6’ 2”, he is a white guy, large framed, short blonde hair and handsome face. He does not look homeless. Later, I gave Martin $40 to buy a bike that Tyler had for sale. I gave Martin some more money to see hi through for a while and headed out for the Jail, where, I was able to see a client We had a good meeting. We both were in good spirits. In part talked about working out and what books we’ve been reading. I told him that I blog every day. We discussed his case and I departed. It’s 2:15pm and I have barely begun to clean my house. I fear that my new friend is just going to have to take me and the house as is tomorrow! Today had other plans!

The homeless encounter and the jail visit back to back were intense and moving. But, are they really that different than my weekly swims in the sea. A friend who ocean surfs told me that when you are out there  “The Ocean owns you”. It also cleanses and heals you. It adjusts your attitude and your life trajectory. It puts things in perspective. As do a homeless encounter and a jail visit. Plus, they are all great fodder for a journal and or a blog entry!

[perduedansmatete]

dimanche ennui donc liste (certainement pas exhaustive) de moi à moi des artistes que j'ai déjà vu en concert, de ceux que je vois bientôt, de ceux que j'aimerais voir et de ceux que je RÊVE de pouvoir écouter en live un jour:

concerts faits dans un ordre totalement approximatif:

julien doré (petite, j'étais amoureuse de lui et je me souviens d'avoir eu mal au cœur quand il chantait winnipeg)

jeanne cherhal (petite aussi, j'étais absorbée car elle avait chanté quelques chansons suspendue à un cercle en l'air)

olivia ruiz (toute mon enfance)

la grande sophie

the dedicated nothing (ils ont fait un album on en a plus jamais entendu parler et je les avais vu dans une boutique longboard comme c'était des surfeurs mdr)

the dø (dans un festival paumé en vendée, j'étais la plus heureuse)

george ezra

the black lilys

radio elvis 2x

feu! chatterton 3x (j'ai l'impression de faire l'amour quand j'entends arthur teboul chanter en live, un des trois concerts était en plein air vers l'océan c'était beau et poétique)

grand blanc

jumaï

chevalrex

pr2b

clarika (toute mon enfance, dans la voiture avec ma mère)

the limiñanas (inattendu, jamais écouté avant de les voir mais si cher à mon cœur maintenant)

girls in hawaii (souvenirs d'adolescence)

genghar (concert avec mon père dernièrement, j'écoutais beaucoup adolescente aussi)

sallie ford 2x

norma 2x (elle fait fondre mon cœur j'aimerais qu'elle perce)

mattiel

the twilight sad

las aves

prudence (la chanteuse de the dø, on avait gagné un concours avec ma sœur!!)

cate hortl

clara luciani 3x

pomme 2x

franz ferdinand 2x

arctic monkeys 2x (dont une fois catastrophique à rock en seine, des amitiés se sont brisées, des crises d'angoisses, un son merdique)

the strokes (son merdique et problèmes techniques car rock en seine mais j'étais au max)

ledher blue

the cure (que dire de plus??? 3h de the cure en live c'est le paradis)

depeche mode (que des bangers, je m'en remets pas encore)

pi ja ma (choupette, je l'aime depuis la nouvelle star)

delilah bon (à la fin de son concert on a eu droit à tous les chants de manifs de gauchos sans aucune raison pendant 20 minutes et c'était génial)

kalika

fontaines dc (je veux les revoir)

ethel cain (c'était thérapeutique)

angel olsen

lucy dacus (très vite)

tamino 4x (je l'adore de tout mon cœur mais je fais une pause je l'ai trop vu)

ko ko mo 7x ou plus?? (découverts dans un festival paumé en vendée, depuis on les voit tous les ans)

jesse jo stark (trop sexy)

clemence violence

hachiku

jen cloher (lesbiennes australiennes je vous aime)

dynamite shakers

odezenne (j'ai pu chanter je veux te baiser en live c'était fantastique)

georgio (marque le début de la fin d'une amitié mais j'étais tellement heureuse ce soir là)

slowdive

frank carter and the rattlesnakes (ma sœur qui se fait une entorse dans un pogo)

the mysterines

yeule (premier concert toute seule, il m'a fait du bien)

sorry (chanteuse toute timide toute choupi mais génial et j'ai pu crier les paroles de there's so many people that want to be loved)

alexandra savior (écoutez là c'est un ordre)

sarah maison

sextile (concert génial soirée traumatisante)

wunderhorse (de vrais anglais qui s'en branlent de tout c'était cool)

no elevator

emma peters (j'écoute pas mais sympa)

skip the use (j'y allais en mode souvenirs, j'avais jamais écouté ses récents albums et le gars est trop chaud en live)

agar agar

nada surf (le chanteur est trop gentil <3)

hoorsees

adrien gallo (à défaut d'avoir pu voir les bb brunes... et j'étais aussi amoureuse de lui petite)

therapie taxi

nova twins (un de mes meilleurs concerts elles avaient une énergie trop folle)

la femme (mes meilleurs pogos)

tori amos (concert avec ma mère, icone)

l'impératrice 3x (2 fois sans que je veuille vraiment juste ils étaient dans des festivals et j'en peux plus leur scéno c'est toujours la même et c'est mou)

terrenoire

snail mail (mou)

parcels (j'écoute pas mais en concert c'est fou)

tame impala (l'impression d'avoir pris du lsd pendant 1h30)

gaz coombes (le chanteur de supergrass!!)

inhaler

idles (de loin mdr)

foals (mouais)

wet leg (absolument génial premier rang à crier toutes les paroles, tellement qu'il a plu et qu'on a fini le concert dans la boue)

yeah yeah yeahs

izia

the murder capital (amoureuse)

suzie stapleton

maddy street (une copine de ma sœur, c’est trop bien)

origine club renommé bonne nuit (à revoir c’est des vendéens et j’adore les vendéens pas fachos)

alice et moi

prochains concerts:

stoned jesus

dionysos (cadeau de noël pour mes parents, ils nous ont bercé avec)

air

ethel cain (encore)

mannequin pussy

cherry glazerr

lana del rey!!!!!!!!!

ko ko mo (pour la millième fois mdr)

eartheather (j'ai eu une place alors qu'il n'y en avait plus??? yaayyy)

artistes que j'aimerais voir:

yoa

the marias (ils avaient annulé la seule date qu'ils faisaient en france alors qu'on avait nos places avec ma meilleure amie, on leur en veut encore)

anna calvi

bar italia

the last dinner party

coco & clair clair

dora jar

king krule (on m'a empêché de prendre une place la dernière fois car apparemment il chante mal en live)

beach house

lebanon hanover

japanese breakfast

mitski

sally dige

deerhunter

tove lo (je l'ai raté à rock en seine...)

tv girl

sir chloe

hooverphonic

tomberlin

portugal. the man

last train

baxter dury

sophie meier

thao & the get down stay down

fka twigs

elita

yelle (je serai une femme accomplie le jour où je l'aurai vu)

artistes que je rêve de voir dans mes rêves les plus fous:

lush

soko (elle soignerait tous mes maux)

pulp

garbage

fiona apple (c'est beau de rêver)

the smashing pumpkins

courtney barnett (c'est une nécessité je connais tout par cœur)

siouxsie sioux

björk (ratée en septembre dernier...)

eels (mes parents y sont allés sans moi et sans me le dire????)

alt-j (j'écoute depuis trop longtemps pour ne jamais les avoir vu)

cults

pixies

iggy pop (icone, il faut, et je suis amoureuse de lui)

new order

interpol

massive attack (si je craque pour rock en seine...)

emiliana torrini

deftones

she wants revenge

hope sandoval

sigur rós

arcade fire (je crois que le chanteur est un agresseur sexuel. bon.)

the last shadow puppets

the white stripes mais bon... ou jack white

madonna...... mais je suis pauvre

si une âme charitable a tout lu et veut me fournir de quoi me payer des places de concerts je suis preneuse lol merci

[doo-wop-city]

Stella Star visits Panoramic

Come join me as I enjoy my stay at The Panoramic in North Wildwood!

The Panoramic Motel, on 21th Street lock of Surf Avenue in North Wildwood, is one of my favorite mid-era Doo Wop buildings, particularly for its color scheme, spacious windows, and irregular flagrock brick work, all elements of modernist architecture. These photos were taken on March 23rd, 1967. (…Or, was that 2021?) Well, here I am, ready to enjoy my stay at Panoramic. The Panoramic has a nice…

[mantegato]

btw if any of my beautiful neopets mutuals would like to know: flashpoint has a lot of oldass neopets games including ones that are currently glitched onsite or are shockwave so u CANT play them onsite even w ruffle (unless there's a workaround again?? the one i used before to get the pirate caves av doesnt work anymore so idk)

they have ice caves! they have that shenkuu surfing game! they have the last blast (game i was obsessed with as a kid) and also they have an old version of ice cream machine that im kinda loving honestly. the sound design is something however. they do not have kau corral 😔

[ladylamrian]

Fantastic Beasts ✨️

Female Main Character: Alex

Pairing: F!MC × Nik Ryder

Summary: Alex discovers another side of the supernatural world.

Word counting: 3.4K

Rating: General (Fantasy, Fun, Fluff, Magic)

With Harry Potter Hogwarts references added

Warnings: none

-> -> -> Full Masterlist here <- <- <-

Thank you so much to anyone who takes the time to read, like, comment, or reblog my stories/fanfics. It means so much to me! Please inform me if you would like to be added/removed from my new Tag List.

Taglist: @infactnoimmasitinthemiddle ; @lilyoffandoms ; @liviusofpella ; @secretaryunpaid ; @blackcatkita ; @dutifullynuttywitch ; @rosepetals1 ; @mxdanni ; @peonierose ; @hopelessromantic1352 ; @jdstar88 ; @mariemarieohcontrary ; @stars-are-within-me ; @artbyalz ; @choicesficwriterscreations ; @choicesmonthlychallenge for Choices March Challenge (Prompt: Nature, Animals, Awakening)

Thanking @secretaryunpaid for edit beneath

Author's note: An old fanfic rewritten and expanded ✨️🦄🧚🏼‍♀️

After Nik led his girlfriend, Alex carefully through the dark woods, he finally removed the blindfold from her eyes. She gasped at the beauty in front of her. The fields were glade-green and the sound of chirping birds filled the air. Bees are murmuring in that strange cult hum and flit from flower to flower, surfing the short spaces as they go. The bayou was always so special for Nik, but this time he led Alex somewhere else, near the bayou. Mother nature is beautiful, but her eyes were focused on something else.

"Whaaa?! Are these...?"

"Welcome to the beautiful side of the supernatural and magical world, rookie. Forget your fears, nightmares and welcome this great side of this world.", Nik wispered and gently brushed her hair to the side while she got surprised of the sight in front of her.

Trotting towards them were a dozen of the most bizarre creatures Alex has ever seen. They had the bodies, hind legs and tails of horses, but the front legs, wings and heads of what seemed to be giant eagles, with steel-coloured beaks and large, brilliantly golden eyes. The talons on their front legs were half a foot long and deadly-looking. Each of the beasts had a thick leather collar around its neck, which was attached to a long chain, and the ends of all of them were held in the vast hands of a young man, who came jogging after the beasts.

"Nik!! How are you, my friend?"

"Hey Anton, I'm fine and you don't mind if I brought Alex along? She's new in this supernatural and magical world and didn't had the oppurtunity to explore the beautiful parts.", he introduced her to his friend.

Alex slowly stepped closer towards one of the majestic creatures and tried to touch one, but it quickly backed away.

"Are these Griffins?"

"No, Hippogriffs, but they're very similar to the Griffin with the horse rear replacing the lion rear. And that's Anton, my client and a good friend. A few years ago I helped him to track down the missing pegasi which were held captured by the Blight Brothers in Arizona."

"It was a dangerous mission, but you pulled it off. Nik, because of you not only the pegasi, also many other magical creatures were saved and gained back their freedom. I will never forget that.", the friend thanked the young nighthunter.

After hearing what Anton said, Alex gave her boyfriend a sweet smile, showing him how proud she felt. He shyly glanced back at her with a crooked smile on his face. Who knew that a young man giving the bad-boy-vibes with a dark past could be so golden at the same time? His heart, so pure and still he didn't like to show it and kept it hidden from the world. Risking his life to save others... Somehow she felt very grateful to call that man her boyfriend.

"Ummm, well, shall we head a little further to show Alex a few other species?"

"Wait, I want to pet this Hippogriff first before we go. Can I?", she gazed with pleading eyes. The friend immediately agreed.

"Sure. When humans approach Hippogriffs, a proper etiquette must be maintained to avoid danger. Hippogriffs were intensely proud creatures, and an individual must show proper respect by bowing to them, and waiting for them to bow in return before approaching. Eye contact should be maintained at all times, without a single blink. The Hippogriff should be allowed to make the first move. If offended, it might attack. Hippogriffs were tameable, but only by experts in their care like me. I'm a wizard. Although, Hippogriffs could also be fiercely loyal and protective of those who had earned their trust."

"Eeeek, I'm getting Harry Potter vibes from you right now. Nik, your befriended with a wizard which is soooo cool!!! Anton, can you do magic? Are you from Hogwarts?"

Nik chuckled because of the loud excitement of his girlfriend, while Anton got nervous and so did the Hippogriffs, but he quickly managed to calm them down.

"Raahhh!", one of the creatures answered in response.

"I can only do a little magic, because my main job is to take care of these creatures and no, I'm not from Hogwarts. Whatever that is."

"You're really doing a great job, Anton. Uuuhhh, but do I really have to bow to touch them?"

"Don't worry, these ones were well tamed by me. Just pet them, I'll hold them."

Again, she stretched her arm and placed her palm on one of the Hippogriff's feathers while Anton held it near her for support. She softly stroked the creature which stayed calm now and gave her a curious look. Even Nik decides to give it a try to pet it now.

"An amazing creature. Hey rook, you likin' it?"

"I love it, Nik. And I want to see more. Pleeeeeeease?"

Her puppy eyes and one "Please" already melted his heart and he asked his friend to give both of them a tour. The three of them walked further with the gigantic Hippogriffs following right behind until they reached the fields and the tiny house of Nik's friend. In the backyard of the wooden house, he showed them, the magical creatures, he has been protecting and taking care of before releasing them. Even keeping a close eye on them was important when the creatures were in the wilderness. To prevent any danger and to appear quickly for any rescue or help. Some magical animals even decided to visit Anton more often or even stayed with him, especially the way he gently cared about them.

"Anton, the bound between you and the magical animals... it's... it's amazing. Damn, it's outstanding!! And you're not even a fae which are already naturally bound with nature."

"Right said, Anton is the best!!", a mysterious voice answered.

Alex quickly turned around and realized that one of the Hippogriffs just... talked??

"Uhh, can Hippogriffs talk?"

"Uhhh, no. That was just a series of high-pitched whistling or piping notes like eagles always do. Hippogriffs are partly eagle as you can see."

"No, I... I heard real words coming from that bronze colored Hippogriff."

"Is that girl talking about me, Ash?", she heard the bronze colored creature answer again.

"I don't think so. Come on, let's eat something. I'm hungry.", the gray colored hippogriff talked now.

The gray colored beeing pulled at the long chains Anton was holding which were attached to it's thick leather collar and signaled him something. The young man immediatly gave in and got led by the Hippogriffs to see what they wanted. The wizard friend recommended Nik to show Alex a little bit around on his own. Nik's always welcome to his home. Then Anton left the two alone.

"I think Ash was hungry."

"Who's Ash?", Nik asked her.

"That's the name of the gray Hippogriff."

"Okaaaay, I don't remember Anton mentioning the name at all. Well, wanna see the pegasi next?"

She excitedly nodded and both of them were headed towards a field where beautiful winged horses enjoyed the fresh grass of the season and some of them even flew around. Before Alex could let out an excited shriek, Nik quickly covered her mouth with his palm.

"Shhh, we don't wanna scare them. Pegasi are mild-tempered, docile animals, unlike unicorns. A herd of Pegasi used to live in the Bayou, but now they're just a few of them. Since they're imbued with magic from heads to hooves, Pegasi are sometimes poached and sold to collectors or killed to be used for parts in spells."

"That's so sad, I'm glad you went to that mission in Arizona to save them. They're so beautiful and such majestic creatures, Nik. You know, I learned that Pegasus isn't a type of creature, it's actually the name of the winged white stallion from Greek mythology and while Pegasus was one specific creature, his name has often been used as a defining term for winged horses in general. Also, his role was to bring thunderbolts to Zeus."

"Damn, you're good. I love it when you speak intelligent stuff."

"Thanks. Just imagine that one day a pegasus will bring you your arrows."

"That would actually be cool, my intelligent girl."

"Oh Nik, I love it when you call me intelligent."

"Then why did you sometimes played the dumbass last year?"

His girlfriend gave him a playful nudge and he lets out a warm laugh after teasing her.

"But no, really, I like it when you praise me. You even once said that I'm powerful and strong. Like I'm no helpless princess anymore, waiting for her knight in shining armour or prince charming to come for rescue. And what you also said about the faes. That the faes need worship to the ground I walk on. But seriously, that line sounded very cheesy."

But Alex quickly realized that Nik's focus was somewhere else and followed his gaze. A white pegasus carefully trotted towards him. That majestic white stallion got carefully closer, but still watched the two of them from a safe distance. A crystalline droplet appeared out of nowhere and floated in the air beside the creature's eye.

By touching the tear, everything around Alex faded away and she find herself in an animalistic body. Having hooves instead if feet, gigantic feathery wings and the body of a horse. She saw a vision about the creature's past Everything in the perspective of the creature. The night had fallen already.

"Neeigh!"

Tied up with a rope, the pegasus was captured in a small cage in a dark room, seeking for food, fresh water and freedom like many other creatures around . Some of them are also the pegasi from it's own herd. The Blight Brothers have captured the pegasi after it left Anton's backyard to go for a flight.

"Don't worry pegasi of my herd, stallions and mares, I will find a way out of here.", it promised it's pegasi companions.

"We won't get free. I've been captured here for almost a week now."

The pegasi turned it's attention away from it's own herd and focused on the unicorn calling out. She was a beautiful mare, had white fur, a sparkly pink mane and a horn on the top of her head.

"My name is Sunburst, the leader of the pegasi herd in the bayou of New Orleans and I won't let any human steal our freedom from us."

"And as an leader you're still befriended with one human called Anton?! My name is Moonlight and I'm telling you, all humans are the same and..."

Their conversation got cut as a blond haired man suddenly began opening the cages and freeing all the captured animals in a hurry.

"Okay, time for everyone to escape before Scourge and the Blight Brothers catch us. Hurry off, to your beloved freedom!! Anton's going to be happy 'bout this."

"But... Isn't he working with the Blight Brothers?", the female unicorn wondered herself.

A feeling of happiness and hope appeared. One by one the young man released every creature from their cages and they immediately flew or ran towards their beloved freedom. When the last creature got freed, Sunburst, the pegasi leader suddenly discovered several men, the Blight Brothers appearing towards the human.

"You're a traitor, Carl Drogo!!", one of the men yelled at the animal rescuer.

"I'm not Carl Drogo, you bastards! I'm Nik Ryder, a nighthunter and your biggest nightmare!!"

As the Blight Brothers attack, the nighthunter kept fighting, threw punches and shot arrow after arrow to keep the bruisers distracted until the last creature made it's safe escape. But they're too many of them and they slowly began surrounding the bleeding hunter.

"Damn...", Nik silently cursed as he realized that he was in trouble. All the bruisers against him. He was alone.

But then... Sunburst, the pegasi leader came into action. Flying above the dangerous bruisers, it kicked and stomped with it's hooves to buy the hunter enough time to escape before leaving Arizona for good. And it worked!! While the animal kept the bad guys busy, Nik quickly took his chance to escape while looking after the winged horse. Making sure that it escaped too because he wouldn't allow it if it got captured again. And it worked!! Flying across the nightsky with the rest of it's herd, the leader of the pegasi hoped that the rest of the creatures and the mysterious nighthunter will be on their way back home too. Safely.

Then the memory of the underground trading ring dissipates around Alex like a mist and she found herself back in the woods in her own body. Without knowing, she was leaning against Nik. The white pegasi which the two of them were watching was already gone.

"Hey, what's the matter?", Nik, her boyfriend got worried and gently touched her cheek and leaned to make eye-contact.

"Aww, the pegasi is gone. And I couldn't even pet it, Nik."

"They're very shy, so it's gonna be very hard to pet one or even find one. I'm surprised that this one even dared to come that close to us. Well never mind, I can show you other cool creatures if you'd like. Maybe a tiny jackalope or some pixies?"

"How about unicorns?"

Sudden silence hang between them. After a moment he began to speak, but this time his voice heavy, jaws clenched and eyes drowned in her's.

"The hell!! I'm not even letting you near a unicorn, rook. They're dangerous and not like the ones from My Little Pony where everything is sparkle, glitter and rainbow. Unicorns are territorial and they attack whoever comes in their near unlike pegasi, rook."

"Not all are like that..."

"Oh yeah, met one before?!"

"Uhhh maybeeee..."

"Wait what?!! Where? When? Whyyy?"

"Uhhh, last month. But she was a friendly one and she even talked with me, relax. I guess beeing partly fae gives me the abbility to talk with animals and understand them. Isn't that cool?"

Without words, Nik gripped Alex softly by her wrist and pulled her with him through the dark woods, back from where they came from.

"Heyyyy, where are you taking me?!!"

"Headin' home."

"If you want to go home then leave, I want to explore..."

"Rookie, no."

"Rookie, yes!!"

"You never listen."

"You don't understand. Look how great this day begun and now you ruined the whole mood, Nik."

Gggrrll...

The girl bumped into Nik when he suddenly stopped walking after hearing a strange noise. Both of them got alert. A skeletal creature slinked out from behind the bushes and began hissing at the young couple. Nik protectively stood infront of her.

"Nik, what is that?!"

"Shhh, don't worry. These creatures have canine skeletons and are covered with moss or vines. They can be killed if their skulls or spines are destroyed."

"What do we do? You didn't brought your weapons along. How are we...?"

"You run, I'll handle."

"No way, Nik!! Not that again. Seriously?"

Nik tried to calm her down and pushed her away from danger, towards safety as the skeletal creature appeared closer.

"Gggrrll...", the skeletal creature aggressivly snarled.

Time seemed to slow down as it jumped in the air towards the young nighthunter and landed on him. Both crashed on the ground, the creature above the Nik who desperatly tried to escape its grip

"Gggrrll..."

The creature ready to strike...

"Nik!!", Alex panicked.

Without knowing, Alex stretched her arm, showed her palms where a light blast appeared and hit the moss creature hard. First the wood monster hestitated, then it decided to leave Nik and... to hunt his girlfriend down instead. This time, it lets a powerful shriek out while desperatly tried to signal her to run away.

"Ggggrrr..."

"Come here you freaky monster!!! You don't scare me at all. Let him go!"

Before the moss creature could reach her, Nik quickly leaped on the creature, preventing it from getting near her and at the same time letting out several strong whistles by pressing the tips of his thumb and forefinger together up against the tip of his tongue.

"Phhwwwht!"

While Alex got confused why Nik suddenly began to whistle, a majestic falcon appeared from the sky and flew towards Nik and the moss creature. It somehow began to help Nik by peeking angrily on the creature's skulls.

"Kack-kack-kack!"

Both struggling, while Nik and the falcon tried to fight it, but the monster kept biting and snapping to release itself from the hold. Alex had to do something quick before Nik gets more injured, the monster's claws made him already bleeding.

"Run, can't... hold... longer!", Nik desperatly begged her, but she decided to stay.

Alex remembered what had she learned in the fae realm and began to concentrate. Closing her eyes, she pictured a crystalline blade, radiant with golden light. Her fingers abruptly curled around the smooth, glassy warmth of a handle! After a while, as she opened her chocolate-brown eyes, she discovered to see a long, slender blade of light gleaming in her palm! She held her magical weapon with confidence and immediately knew what to do.

Swinging the weapon up and without losing more time, she sprinted towards the monster. With enough strenght while keeping a safer distance towards Nik and the mysterious falcon, she finally brought her sword down. Slashing through the creature's neck with a blow so hard, that the blade bit through the dirty ground.

"Hyyaaa!!"

The moss creature's body crumpled, twitching beneath her sword. Then, she picked up it's snapping head and blew it's glowing eyes like candles, and it's body fell still.

"Damn, that was hot.", Nik got impressed by his girlfriend.

Letting the creature go and letting her golden sword disappear with magic, the girl quickly hurried over to Nik who was still lying on the ground. Alex gently helped her boyfriend on his feet and assisted him to walk while the mysterious falcon flew away.

"I'm fine, it's just a little blood. Are you okay? Why didn't you ran away when I told...?"

"Because we're a team, remember? You told me that last year when I wasn't listening to you, right? And you're not fine, you're hurt! Let's get you somewhere safe. We are not far from Anton his house, right?"

"Yeah. And I'm fine, thanks."

The injured hunter gave her sly smile after she reminded him that they were a team.

"Nik, what was that before?? You whistled and then a falcon came... Uhh, how did...?? That was cool! Awesome!! That... That was... How???!!!!!", she couldn't believe what she just saw and asked him.

After a little silence, Nik finally spoke in a nervous tone while his eyes faced the ground as both of them were strolling towards the wizard's house.

"The thing is... The falcon and I share story. A past. When I was still living in Elijah's house in the woods, I found it. It was a tiny chick. Near it's nest I discovered two dead falcons, it's parents. And well..."

"Oh Nik...", she placed a hand on his shoulder for support. Afterall Nik his birthparents also died when he was a tiny child, so that little falcon chick reminded Nik of himself.

"Soooo yeah, I kinda raised the falcon. I named it, fed it, taught a few tricks and took care of it. Poor little fella' lost it's parents like I did, so I had to something. So just like Elijah took me, I took this falcon. Alex, you're the very first one I'm sharing this. And please don't share this embarrasing story to anyone, especially not Katy."

"But it's not embarrasing, it's heroic. You're a hero, Nik. A protector. But I see... You don't want your tough guy act be ruined, huh? Oh my Nik, you're such a hidden softie and I love you.", she giggled and pinched his cheek with love.

"Ouch. Hey?"

"You're welcome, dear. By the way, what name did you even gave your falcon pet."

"It's not my pet, rook. It's a free living creature, a friend and well... I named it... I named it Arrow."

"Arrow? Just like the arrows of your crossbow??"

"Arrow. Because this bird flies really fast just like a shooting arrow. Like really really fast, rook."

"I see. Not bad actually, Nik. Definitly better than any nicknames you give. Or should I say Nik-names??", she giggled while Nik rolled his eyes after hearing that bad joke.

"Stop it, rook.", he grinned.

"Fine... Oh hey, Nik!!"

"Hmm?"

"Since I met your wizard friend today, I was wondering... What Hogwarts house would you like to belong to?"

"What kind of question is that? From where did you got that idea?"

"Just answer!! I'm curious to know."

"Well, I don't know. Never thought about that. Would a Gryffindor suit me?"

"Oh definitly, but I actually see you more as a Ravenclaw because you know a lot of things."

"Me? Ravenclaw? You think I'm intelligent??", Nik surprised by Alex's opinion, so she decided to explain it more.

Nik Ryder was indeed a very brave man with enough strenght and courage. Life made him tough, but he also showed his knowledge and intelligence. Several times he came up with new ideas, suggested what to do next and got into the leader role very well without noticing. By staying loyal to his companions and thinking about every next step, he lead his friends through adventures. He was the one and only who found out about Alex's missing father, her mysterious benefactor and that she was fae royalty instead of an ordinary human. Mysteries and puzzles solved all thanks to him, she explained.

"So yes, these are the reasons why I think a Ravenclaw would suit you too. Means I have a very clever boyfriend.", she praised.

"Oh yeah? Thanks, my dear girlfriend. And you're definitly a Hufflepuff.", he winked.

Thanking @secretaryunpaid for this beautiful and magical edit above. -> Full view here , when you scroll down beneath to find the monster and hippogriff <-

So credits to @jamespotterthefirst , for these beautiful templates which she created and I was allowed to use for my MC and LI. I also made some changes with the colors and added my own edits/pictures.

[eorziapple]

FFXIV Write Prompt #12: Dowdy

(Character: Pippena Pipp, Sprout safe)

Hilda was wearing a stylish black dress, Pipp kept forgetting that she actually was doing pretty well these days, though perhaps there just wasn't an opportunity to get out the fancy duds before the war ended. In any case, she looked -stunning- and Pipp felt pretty underdressed in her monk robes, probably the most formal wear she owned, sure, but she was beginning to worry she'd have to buy something.

"Look, Pipp, you're me plus one because I righ' legit hate a lot of the people in there and I figgured i'd have fun if you came. Aymeric was too busy with other muckety muckin' so I 'ave ta muckety muck it up fer this one."

"I mean, If it's a party you want I know what to do, but like, i've been almost executed like, 4 times in this city so..." Pipp countered.

"Like they're gonna try tha' with Ishgard's savior, you're kinda untouchable, you know? Now lets get going!" the raven haired woman pushed her out the door, the carriage already awaiting the pair.

Every. Single. Eye. Everyone was looking at her, in their fancy coats and jewels and the freakiest hats around. Like, everyone looked liked stuffed dodos and she was the one being gawked at? The band looked bored, the dancers looked bored. Hell, the food was off the hook and everyone was just like... standing around and chattering, and it seemed the topic was all on the weird lalafell and the half elezen.

Hmph... Hilda wanted to have fun, looked like ol' Pipp was gonna have to take things into her own hands! She grabbed Hilda's hand and dragged her to the dance floor. Time to work some magic!

*A half hour later*

Pipp did a headstand drink from the punch table, having long since been spiked with a myriad of flasks of the partygoers, making for a particularly potent and disgusting brew, which few of the soirée's attendee's cared about at this point. The band was carrying on an exciteable tune, with a heavy percussive backbone and big brassy solos. She finished off the bowl and backflipped into a crowd of onlookers, surfing through the crowd and delivered at the foot of her date.

She flashed a cocky grin up, and matched Hilda's jaunty dance, the two laughing amongst the formerly stuffy crowd. Coats and jackets hand been flung aside, uncomfortable shoes had been disgarded. The dancing was energetic and the crowd was drunker by the minute.

Now this was a party to remember! She assumed the knights would be by any minute to try to execute her again, though.

[slovenlyrecordings]

Tonight! The MONSTERS en La Mezcalli

by Susana Iglesias

(abajo en Español!)

You think about James Dean before you go to sleep, you look at his picture, I know because I do the same thing. I'm walking down the street of Gabino Barreda listening to Elvis. Since April 2016, Born to be Cheap organized wild parties, the first was very close to here, in a space above Numantina, a cantina in the San Rafael neighborhood. Denep Velasco/Denepa Panky & Matt Watson live among thousands of vinyls, they not only collect them, they spin them to exist. The name of their parties comes from a Divine song called that way. And yes, it seems that this pair was not born to do what others tell them, they have been 8 years of intense trash rock'n'roll, they play killer albums, never fillers, garage, punk, rockabilly, surf, blues Denepa is from Azcapotzalco and Matt from London, from a town called Epsom. They are a luxury, the music of their parties has elegance, style, also the beautiful and original turntables made by their ally Dr Tornas, a mysterious character who gives a turntable made by him on each anniversary of the Born to the winners of their traditional annual dance competition.

To celebrate their 8th anniversary they organized several dates with the legendary Swiss band The Monsters. The first was last Thursday the 25th at Gato Calavera, yesterday in Cuautitlán Izcalli at Sham Rock, today they are playing at a venue in the Guerrero neighborhood, tomorrow they will be in Tijuana at the Black Box, from there they will head to Reno, LA, Seattle , Oslo, Amsterdam, Berlin, Greece, Madrid, will not stop dynamiting ears, souls and minds until July 6, accompanies them on the tour playing records with Pete Slovenly who plans to take The Monsters to the We're Loud Fest in 2025 which will be in Kenya. Pete years ago took them on tour in Vietnam. It was difficult to recover after seeing them live at the Gato Calavera, it was brutal. Devastating & precise power, they opened with Search, in seconds the shirts, boots and glasses flew through the air while The Love I never had played, then came Blow Um Mau Mau, their damn rock and roll trash exploded in our faces and hearts , the frantic faces chanted until they almost fainted in the little hell of sweat and screams of wild rockers.

The songs advanced mercilessly and deadly, while Voodoo Love played I saw Brent Amaker smile, yes the famous country singer from the Seattle scene was next to me. Carrion Kids, present. Chav, a rocker, came from San Francisco to see them. Peppers, drummer of Shifters, took the playlist. Too much rock: El Muertho from Tijuana played yesterday at El Kentucky, a rebel space they set up in what was a KFC on Av. Juárez, it was the party of the unique HeYo radio station. There are not many spaces for REAL rock, that which does not whine, nor hypocritically champions anarchy and accepts change from officials. I know you cry when you remember that James Dean is dead. You spin your records thinking there is no tomorrow. Nights like cars at high speed. Please: forever: Stay sick.

Artículo original en Español

[heylabodega]

I am ruled by my body I am in touch with my body I exist in my body and am lucky to consider it not an inconvenience but a treat. Yesterday I woke up at 7:30 and remembered to take my Celexa and scrambled an egg and alternated iced coffee and gatorade for a half hour. I ran 11 miles with Claire, filling our stomachs with sugar gels every few miles, and then I became nauseated and despondent until we found a bodega and bought electrolyte drinks and I picked up along the next few blocks, laughing with relief and energy, apologizing for the dip in my mood, and we ran 3 more. We took ourselves into the rough surf, saltwater easing our aches and rinsing away the other saltwater, and standing up against the pull of the waves reaffirming the strength in our legs. We walked slowly, barefoot, along the boardwalk to salty, ketchupy burgers and hotdogs and a frozen sangria and a lemonade.

Later, at the last performance of Shakespeare in the Park before 2025, I was wedged into a seat, sore 14.5 mile legs aching with the rigidity. Looking out across the crowd, we could see an almost synchronized fluttering of programs to fan faces in the sweatiness of an incipient new heatwave. Crickets and park sounds the background of monologues. I had to pee and knew I'd simply have to wait. We walked after to a bar on Columbus Ave to use the bathroom, and when I came back from it, a four piece band of middle aged men was playing a cover of Margaritaville and we all sang along. I made it home a little before midnight, yawning and legs nearly gone after the long walk from the L, and washed my face and brushed my teeth and fell into bed and immediate sleep. What a thing, to be youngish and healthy and alive in a city and training for a marathon with my friends and able to appreciate all these things and to have enough time to sleep and sleep and sleep in between.