#Three Rivers Golf Course

[fiona-fififi]

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[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - February 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles!

1. Solar farms managed for nature boost bird abundance and diversity, new study finds

“There were more than twice as many farmland birds in the well-managed solar farms compared with the intensively farmed land, and nearly 16 times as many woodland birds. […] Overall, diversity was 2.5 times higher, while woodland birds were nine times more diverse.”

2. Washington judge blocks Trump’s gender-affirming care ban, says it's unconstitutional in multiple ways

“This marks the second time in a week that a judge has stood in the way of Trump’s attacks on trans kids. [… The ruling grants] a temporary restraining order that halts enforcement of provisions in Trump’s directive that would cut off federal funding to medical institutions that provide gender-affirming care to minors.”

3. Fog harvesting could provide water for arid cities

“17,000 sq m of mesh could produce enough water to meet the weekly water demand of [… the] urban slums. 110 sq m could meet the annual demand for the irrigation of the city's green spaces. Fog water could be used for soil-free (hydroponic) agriculture, with yields of 33 to 44lb (15 to 20kg) of green vegetables in a month.”

4. Audubon Applauds Bipartisan Federal Effort to Protect Delaware River Basin with Critical Reauthorization Bill

“The bill would […] ensure long-term conservation and restoration efforts, expand the official definition of the basin to include Maryland, and prioritize projects that serve small, rural, and disadvantaged communities. […] The watershed provides important year-round habitats and critical migratory stopovers for approximately 400 bird species[….]”

5. mRNA vaccines show promise in pancreatic cancer in early trial

“Half of the people in the study — eight of the participants — responded to the vaccine, producing T cells that targeted their tumors. […] Just two of the patients who had a response to the vaccine had their cancer return during the three-year follow- up, compared to seven of the eight who did not respond to the vaccine treatments.”

6. Minn. Lt. Gov. Flanagan Makes It Official; She's running for U.S. Senate

“[Flanagan has] “championed kitchen-table issues like raising the minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, and free school meals.” If elected, Flanagan, a tribal citizen of the White Earth Nation, would become the first Native American female U.S. senator in history.”

7. Federal Funding Restored for Low-Income Alabama Utility Assistance After Outcry

“A program meant to help low-income Alabamians pay their utility bills has resumed two weeks after it was canceled due to an executive order from President Donald Trump. […] “We can confirm the funds are reaching those affected by the previous pause[….]””

8. Modeling study suggests Amazon rainforest is more resilient than assumed

“[Previous] studies were either conducted with global climate models that used a simplified representation of convection [or were on a regional scale….] According to the computations, mean annual precipitation in the Amazon does not change significantly even after complete deforestation.“

9. States are moving forward with Buy Clean policies despite Trump reversal

““Buy Clean is a great example of how states and other nonfederal actors can continue to press forward on climate action, regardless of what the federal government does,” said Casey Katims, executive director of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of two dozen governors.”

10. The rewilded golf courses teeming with life

“A wildflower meadow, ponds, scrub habitat, coastline and even an area of peat bog can be found on this little 60-acre (24-hectare) plot, which boasts roe deer, otters, lizards, eels and a huge array of insects and birds.”

February 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[cakypa120]

Brothers and sisters. Great words. Just not for those who have a brother and/or sister. Billy can speak from experience.

Mary:*holds Billy in a chokehold*

Freddy: Mary! Mary! Mary!

And even in their Champion forms, his dear sister and dear brother don't hesitate to hit him. Billy responds to these attacks, too. And in the end, you can see how the three heroes are clinging to a bunch of arms and legs. Biting, pinching and spitting. The usual.

Except the League thinks that the Captain is their father. And they see how he acts with them.

Junior:*flies laughing under his breath, thinking of something nasty*

Billy:*brother's senses activated*

He throws lightning at Junior, causing him to fall to the ground. As Billy later learned, Freddy wanted to steal Batman's batarangs and hide them in Marvel's room to frame the Captain in front of Batman. Everything would have been fine, but Superman witnessed the scene.

Batman witnessed Captain dragging Mary Marvel by the leg while her face was stuck in the floor. Flash watched as Marvel used Junior as a cannonball to knock down a flying villain. There were many other instances where the heroes saw Marvel abuse his "children." So they gathered and talked to Marvel.

Diana: Brother, the way you treat your children is inappropriate.

Billy: Children?

Barry: Yeah, man, Mary Marvel and Junior, don't play dumb. We figured it out.

Bruce: We want you to give us partial custody of the kids.

Billy: *looks at the League and smirks* Fine. I agree. I'll leave them in your care this weekend since I have some work to do and they won't be supervised.

Barry: What's so hard about babysitting?

A few hours later.

Barry: WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY TRYING TO OPEN A PORTAL TO HELL?!?!

Billy:*calmly sipping juice while playing poker with demons* How did you even get through to me?

Barry: It doesn't matter! ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!

Billy: They do that a lot. Check the ingredients, usually a sacrifice is required to open a portal.

Barry: What?! Nightwing is missing! And Kid Flash too! OH MY GOD!!

Billy: So they didn't get it right the first time. Bye. I have things to do.*hangs up phone*

Demon: You dumped Junior and Mary Marvel on them?

Billy: Yeah. I need a goddamn vacation. All in.

In a few minutes.

Hal: What do unicorns eat?!

Billy: Ambrosia, but you can give them candy. They like that. What happened?

Hal: Mary brought a unicorn to our base! She said you always told her not to bring a unicorn home! Why does that thing look like it came out of hell?!

Billy: Trust me, the unicorns from hell are much prettier than these. Don't let them bite you. The hallucinations are worse than drugs. Bye.

In a few more minutes.

Bruce: Captain. How long will you be gone?

Billy: *on the golf course with Black Adam* Uh, until Monday? I told you I'd leave them to you. If Junior is going to try to create a body for his dead brother again, tell him I forbid him to do so, the laws of magic forbid him to do so, and Kit himself forbids him to do so. Last time it was a mess of bones and flesh.

Bruce: What? No, that's not it. Mary Marvel has been staring at the wall for several minutes now, unmoving.

Billy: That's fine. She's just talking to the Gods.

Bruce: Gods? But which ones?

Billy: I don't know. Bye.

Adam: You dumped Mary and Freddy on them? Did you get them coins to swim across the river? I don't think they'll survive.

Billy: The supernova hasn't happened yet, so we're good.

Billy eventually shows up at the Watchtower, energized and strong. The League is silent as the hellfire burns in the center of the conference room, roasting a hellish boar.

Billy: Mm, barbecue. Why didn't you tell me? I could use some of the tears of sinners. Perfect for that kind of meat.

Barry: Cap, are these really your kids?

Billy: No, these are my older brother and sister. Thanks for looking after them.

He takes the boar and leaves, while the League looks on in mute horror.

[loonylupinblack3]

Powerless

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Reader

Warnings: extremely toxic!rafe, violence, swearing, many threats issued

Summary: you hate being a Pogue. Hate how vulnerable and weak and powerless it makes you. Rafe reinforces this for you.

Word count: 2.1k

A/N: heavily based off of season 1 episode three of obx when pope is delivering groceries and Rafe jumps him. also the ferrari sf90 spider is actually my favourite car so i yapped about it a lil bit :)

You were helping Heyward load the grocery bags onto the boat alongside Pope and JJ, stacking the bags of food and other knick knacks in the middle of the vehicle. 

“You kids get these groceries over to Figure Eight,” Heyward instructed, grunting as he lifted a pair of heavy bags off the dock and moved over to the boat, Pope, waiting at the ready, taking them from his father. “Get straight back here when you’re done.” He gave you a pointed look. “No fishing.”

You grinned at him, saluting him as you grabbed a pair of bags from him and placed it on the boat. JJ was right next to you, with Pope behind, the three of you working in tandem.

“I promised delivery by this afternoon,” Heyward continued. “Rich folk don’t want to wait for you lazy sons-” Seeing JJ with his arms already outstretched waiting for another bag of groceries and a beaming smile on his face gave Heyward pause. “Oh, JJ, thank you.” As soon as JJ grabbed the groceries he continued. “-sons of bitches.”

He glanced at you. “Excusing you, of course, Y/n. You’re always a delight.”

You beamed at him and JJ gave a scoff. “How come you get all the praise and I get nothing?”

You sniffed, flipping your hair to the side. “‘Cause I’m better.”

“Are not.”

“Are too.”

“Are-”

Heyward interrupted the two of you. “Hey, alright enough. No bickering. Get your asses moving and deliver these groceries.”

You all gave the man a salute and entered the cabin part of the boat as Pope started it up. Heyward didn’t trust JJ enough to drive the boat and knew you’d end up going the wrong way with your poor sense of direction, so Pope was in charge of steering the vehicle.

You drove through the river, leaving the Pogue side behind and entering Figure Eight, the Kooks domain. You noted the large houses, clean and tidy, and the smooth way they all seemed to be running with enough electricity and clear running water to their heart's content.

“Doesn’t even look like the storm hit there,” Pope exclaimed in indignation. No doubt he was thinking about your own houses, all of them damaged in some way and not yet fixed.

JJ twirled a pocket knife in his hands. “That’s because they got generators, bro. Get used to it.”

You scowled, shaking your head. “And then they say the juice will be out all summer at the cut.”

Pope shook his head, jaw clenched. “Nice to be a Kook.”

You nodded your head in agreement as JJ said, “lucky bastards.”

“One day I’m gonna become a Kook,” you said. “Dunno how yet, but I’m gonna go full Kook, with a pool, mansion, Ferrari SF90 Spider.”

JJ and Pope both groaned as you mentioned your favourite car, again. Sometimes they found you just never shut up about it, going on about the horsepower, the V8 engine, the fact it was the very pinnacle of Ferrari technology, with the thrill and versatility of open top driving.

“Time for you to stop talking,” JJ said, commandeering the conversation. You didn’t mind, content to listen to him for the rest of the way to Figure Eight, where you docked the boat and divvied out the grocery bags between you.

You and Pope were gonna go together, with JJ taking the rest and heading in the other direction. You bid each other quick goodbyes and hurried with Pope, walking around the unfamiliar streets. Everything looked so much nicer here, from the pavement to the shops lining the streets, everything inside looking like it cost more than a week's worth of your pay.

You took a shortcut, walking through the golf course instead of around it. The employees let you through without a second glance. It was surprising what you could get away with as a Pogue working in Figure Eight. The two of you walked on the side of the golf course, talking under your breaths as you looked around cautiously.

“I’m also going to golf here every week,” you stated, watching a particularly fit woman swing a golf club, her muscles flexing with exertion. 

You could almost imagine it being you, the golf club, hat, skirt, everything. If you really thought about it, the girl almost looked like you, similar hair colour and figure.

Pope laughed. “You hate golfing.”

You shrugged, swinging the bags in your hands slightly as you walked. “Yeah, but it's what Kooks do isn’t it?”

“What is your obsession with being a Kook?” Pope asked. “I get being rich, everyone wants it, but you seem almost obsessed with it.”

You opened your mouth to defend yourself when movement caught your eye. You involuntarily recoiled when you recognised Topper and Rafe heading towards you. Pope noticed too, muttering swear words under his breath and advising you to just walk past and ignore them.

“Hey what’s up guys?” Rafe asked, putting up an innocent facade. He used his golf club to stop your walking, pressing it to the box of beers in Pope’s hand. “Hey how much for one of those beers?”

Pope turned to the side, trying to push past. “They’re not for sale.”

Rafe made a tutting sound. “Wait, wait, wait.” He stopped Pope as he tried to pass, forcing the two of you to stay there. Topper was standing directly in front of you, creating a barrier of sorts across the pathway. “You can just give us one, then, right?”

You wanted to snap at him. Wanted to ridicule him, ask him if he knew what not for sale meant. You were scared though, and you knew it wouldn’t help you or Pope standing up to him like that.

“Or you can order one like everybody else,” Pope replied, again trying to push past.

Rafe was rougher this time, ignoring Pope’s struggles and shoving him back. The coil of fear in your gut tightened. “Listen. Wait, wait, wait, you’re not listening to me. Um…” he gestured with his hands. “You’ve got so many bro, and we’ve got nothing.”

“Got nothing man,” Topper chimed in.

You scowled. “They’re not ours, they’re already paid for.”

Rafe looked at you, surprised you spoke, and then all of his attention was on you. You regretted even speaking, because his attention was like a guillotine, one wrong movement and the blade would fall.

“Oh, already paid for?” Rafe asked. “Knowing you Pogues, you probably stole them, right?”

Before you could stop him he was in front of you, his golf club snagging at the plastic bags in your hands as he pulled. Everything fell to the floor, and you heard the distinct sound of glass shattering.

“What the hell Rafe?!” You cried. “You owe us for that!”

He laughed, getting all up in your space. “Oh I owe you do I? I don’t owe you shit, Sweetheart.” He grabbed your chin, his fingers forcefully curling around your skin.

“Hey, get off her!” Pope yelled, grabbing Rafe’s shirt and yanking him back. You were grateful for the space, rubbing your jaw as the fear weighed you down, down, down.

Rafe spun around, “don’t fucking touch me you Pogue.”

“Come on man,” Topper said from his other side. They had him surrounded. “We just want a beer.” He made a lunge for it. “Just give us one of these.”

Topper and Pope were full on wrestling with the box now, and the fear was in your throat, especially when Rafe joined in, tripping Pope up and making him fall to the floor with a slam, rolling over a few times.

You gasped, going to him, but Rafe got there first. He had a bruise on his head, looking red and scratched. He scrambled upright, a hatred kindling in his eyes as he threw a punch. Rafe was ready though, avoiding it easily and using his golf club to slam into your friend's stomach. When he was bent over Rafe slammed it down again, Pope crumpling to the floor.

You couldn’t watch it anymore. As he raised his club again you moved forward, shoving him to the side. You only managed to move him because he wasn’t expecting it, and even Topper looked surprised, doing nothing to stop you because really, how much damage can a girl do?

You planted yourself in front of Pope, and when Rafe, laughing in disbelief, walked up to you, you were ready. You swung your fist but it was in poor form, Rafe catching your wrist mid-movement. His grip was tight enough to make you wince.

“Getting involved?” Rafe asked you, moving forward until you were chest to chest. “That’s cute.” His voice was low and mocking. “I thought you were smarter than that.”

You yanked your arm back. That was the second time he’d grabbed you and your skin felt dirty, his fingerprints crawling all over you. Rafe just seemed amused, a cruel delight in his eyes. There was no fear in his expression and why would there be? He was a Kook. He had his friend right behind him ready to defend him if needed. His real competitor was still on the floor, pain immobilising him. No, there was no fear in his expression, only a sick satisfaction of knowing exactly how much control he had over this situation.

Pope gave a groan, attempting to pull himself upright but Rafe didn’t even glance at him. His focus was zeroed on you, the intensity of his gaze making your stomach churn. “What’s it like, being a Pogue? Being powerless?”

You opened your mouth to snap at him, to say something humiliating and knock his ego down a few inches, anything to stand up against him. Rafe seemed to know you too well though, grabbing your jaw in a bruising grip, his fingers cold and rough. More threat than affection. “You’d be better off with me, y’know that?”

It wasn’t a flirtation he spoke to you – it was a threat. You could hear the danger in every word, the treacherous promise that he’d never leave you alone, that this sick game of his would only end on his terms. You could see the lines between desire and control blurring, and nauseatingly realised that Rafe’s affection for you might be even more dangerous than his fists. 

You tried to jerk away, revolution surfacing inside you but Rafe only tightened his grip. “Nah, don’t do that,” he warned almost lazily. “Don’t make me hurt you too.”

You wanted to cry. You could feel the tears welling up in your eyes, threatening to fall. You’d hate to give him the satisfaction of seeing them roll down your face. All of this was a game to him, a test to see how much fear he could wring out of you. The worst part was you knew he would do it, just because he could.

Your gaze darted to Pope, your friend just managing to sit upright. Topper was standing to the side, an uneasy expression on his face. You didn’t want Rafe to escalate things any further, because you knew he would, just to prove a point. He noticed your line of sight and forcibly pulled you closer to him so he could whisper in your ear.

“You’re lucky I like you,” his breath was hot against your ear, sending shivers down your spine. An edge of cruelty laced his tone, as did delight, the same one a kid would get from playing with their toys, which was what you were to Rafe. “Otherwise you’d be right there next to him.”

Before you could answer he shoved you back, hard enough to make you stumble. A sickeningly smug smirk was on his face as he picked up two cans of beer off the ground, chucking one to Topper.

“Catch you later Sweetheart,” he called to you, going as far as sending you a wink, acting like everything had just been harmless fun, which you guessed it was to him.

You watched him saunter away, leaving a mess in his wake that he seemed to do everywhere. Except this time it was worse, because with a sickening dread you realised the next thing he’d leave a mess would be you.

And you suddenly had an answer to Pope’s earlier question. Why did you want to be a Kook so badly? It was simple, really. This whole interaction had just reinforced the feeling that you were too vulnerable, too weak. And the answer appeared from the ashes of Rafe’s destruction, a truth you guarded with your heart.

You didn’t want to be powerless.

[justforbooks]

Are Trump’s tariffs for real or an AI hallucination? I’m afraid the answer is both

Amid claims that a chatbot helped shape the key calculations, the president is now off playing golf. He’ll find the world economy in a bunker

There’s a scene in the very first episode of Yellowstone where the casino-owning Native American chief explains the basic financial logic of all casinos to an uncomfortable politician: “The gamblers’ money is like a river – flowing one way. Our way.” Oh no, hang on, wait … Not all casinos. In fact, it could be that when all is said and done, the historians looking for that one key fact to illustrate the eventual legacy of Donald Trump will not go with his two stunning presidential election wins. Instead, they’ll point out that in the 90s, he literally managed to bankrupt casinos. To repeat: this is a man who somehow contrived to bankrupt multiple casinos. Is he the guy to reshape the entire global economic order of the past century? Let’s find out! Either way, only 45 months of his presidency left to go.

Anyway: tariffs. Rather than using actual tariff data, the United States of America this week appeared to have genuinely used a basic ChatGPT-style model to calculate the tariffs it would immediately impose on friends/foes/arctic wildlife. This was called either “liberation day”, or the “declaration of economic independence” (sadly not abbreviated – yet – to DEI).

It was hosted in the White House Rose Garden by ancient gameshow MC Donald Trump, who was accidentally wearing his indoors makeup outdoors. Like many, I’ve tried to mentally detach from the fact that we live in a time when the US defence secretary has a neck tattoo or whatever, but it makes me feel at least partially alive that the presidential paint job still occasionally retains the power to horrify. Trump leered his way through his tariff presentation while appearing to have been made up by the technique that provided the climax to Joe Wilkinson’s RNLI speech on Last One Laughing (If you saw it, you know). It’s not so much foundation any more as cosmetic bukkake.

Forgive me, back to the economics. We know that Trump has always been obsessed with starkly simple numbers. Network TV ratings. The overall trade balance in goods (not services). And – before this week – the stock market. But now, like Bruno, we don’t talk about the stock market, no no no … Certainly not since it dropped 1,679 points in one day alone (the day after Trump announced the tariffs). Although please enjoy the pure hilarious happenstance of scheduling which meant that that day’s opening bell to signal the start of trading on Wall Street had been rung by the staff of wingnut media outlet Newsmax and Rudy Giuliani. Ding, dong – now just watch those stocks crap the bed. Seriously, Rudy – everything you touch! Then again we do have to remember that it was Trump himself who last year declared that “stock markets are crashing, jobs numbers are terrible, we are heading to World War III and we have two of the most incompetent ‘leaders’ in history. This is not good!!!”

Is he still marking presidencies on the same metrics? Alas, reporters are going to need to shout that inquiry over the fairways, as Trump has now repaired to one of his Floridian golf courses to host the first domestic event of 2025 on the Saudi-owned LIV Golf tour. It’s called class: look it up. And no doubt it’ll be fun discussing falling oil prices with whoever is over from Riyadh for the event.

Trump did offer one last comment on the tariffs before donning his big-boy golf pants. “The operation is over,” he said. “The patient lived, and is healing. The prognosis is that the patient will be far stronger, bigger, better and more resilient than ever before.” A speech I am positive I have heard delivered word-for-word on The Simpsons by ultra-shady physician Dr Nick. Meanwhile, in the back of shot, a Frankenfigure with a fish’s head grafted to a man’s body sits bolt upright, convulses wildly and dies within three foot of the operating table. Listen, you can’t save ‘em all.

Incidentally, Trump is not the only one reaching for medical metaphors. Take the chief economist at UBS Global Wealth Management, who this morning observed mildly: “We often hear that when the US sneezes the global economy catches cold. This is not the US sneezing. This is the US cutting off its own arm. The self-inflicted economic cost naturally weakens the dollar.” Mm. One indication that an economic plan is going badly is that there’s no one responding to the above by going “ooh, but is cutting off your arm even a bad thing?”. Different circumstances, of course, but there was a similar mood in the air in the UK after Liz Truss’s “mini-budget”.

Speaking of Blighty, Keir Starmer seems to have continued his policy of not poking the bear, and indeed to pretend to really enjoy it when the bear pokes you really hard somewhere really painful. According to Trump, Starmer is “very happy” about the 10% tariff kick he just took up the UK’s backside.

Still, perhaps there are already signs of slight directional pivots in the West Wing. Having watched global markets tumble while the White House absolutely insisted that the tariffs were not lazy ChatGPT-assisted gambits to provoke immediate trade negotiations, it wasn’t too long before Trump’s son Eric was venturing on to X with a take. “I wouldn’t want to be the last country that tries to negotiate a trade deal with @realDonaldTrump,” gibbered Trump minor. “The first to negotiate will win – the last will absolutely lose,” he continued. “I have seen this movie my entire life …” Weird, because I don’t remember this particular scene in the aforementioned Trump casino movie – or indeed several epic flops in the franchise.

Yet this was also a week where we were reminded that life is not just about the adult sons with whom we are saddled, but the adult sons we choose. Fire up the elegy muzak, then, for there is sadness in the air. Reports – hotly denied, which means nothing – suggest that Elon Musk will fairly soon be leaving his post at the “department of government efficiency” and returning to the private sector. Yeah, let that sink out. And then try to picture his Doge leaving party. “Sorry boys, tariffs mean we can only afford US beer. And, unfortunately, we eliminated spending on paper cups. On the plus side, the president’s makeup artist is just going to spray Bud Light in the general directions of your mouths, and she has a 30% accurate aim. Open wide, victors!”

All of which would seem to conclude this week’s look at Trump’s river, which a) is a river of effluent and b) only flows one way. Our way. What can I tell you? Buy shares in paddles today.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[drewtober]

Hey! Sorry this has taken so long--had a lot of family things come up one after another after another, and lots of work on top of all of it. Been kinda one thing after another these past few months. 🤣

TAGGING AND SUBMISSIONS

I'll open up submissions on October 1st for any pieces if anyone wishes to submit, and I'll check the tags once a day for reblogging. The tag is #Drewtober2024.

LOCATIONS

This list is mainly for quick reference or to spark an idea, but if I’ve forgotten a location in a game that you wanna illustrate go for it! I’m doing this from memory.

SCK - Paso Del Mar High School, Maxine’s Diner, Aunt’s Eloise’s house

STFD - The studio, Dwayne’s apartment, Aunt Eloise’s apartment (this is the only game I've not played, so I'm unfamiliar with all the locations).

MHM - Nancy’s room, the basement, Abby’s room, the library, the parlor, the foyer

TRT - Nancy’s room, the foyer, the library, the locker room, Marie's tower

FIN - The Royal Paladium

SSH - The exhibits, the Henrik’s lab, Nancy’s hotel room, Henrik’s hospital room, Joanna’s office, Alejandro’s office, Taylor’s office

DOG - Sally's cabin, Mickie's speakeasy, the ranger station, the woods, Em’s Emporium

CAR - Nancy’s hotel room, Joy’s office, the security office, Ingrid’s workshop, the various rides in the amusement park, Rolfe Kessler’s workshop

DDI - Katie’s boat, Jenna’s cafe, Whale World, the lighthouse, the beach, the sea caves, the smuggling tunnels

SHA - The ranch house, the stable, the farm yard, Mary’s gift shop, Dry Creek, the cliff dwellings

CUR - Nancy’s room, Linda's room, Jane’s room, the conservatory, the library, the foyer, the alchemy lab

CLK - The Lilac Inn, the tunnels, Josiah's house and barn, the mini golf course, Jim's office, Bogart's pond

TRN - The dining car, the sleeping car, Camile’s car, Jake’s car, the map room car, the dancing studio car, Fatima’s shop, the crypts

DAN - Minette’s workshop, the reception office, Dieter’s studio, the park, the sewers, Cafe Kiki, Jay Jay’s house, Noisette's stained glass safe

CRE - Big Island Mike’s property, the beach, the Hilihili labs, the volcano, Three Finger Rock jungle, Dr. Kim’s base camp

ICE - Nancy’s room + all guest rooms, the fishing shack, the Trapper Dan's Needle, Julius's cabin, the basement

CRY - Renee’s room, Bruno’s room, the library, the miniature’s room, the foyer, the garden, the cemetery, Bernie’s log and swamp, Zeke’s

VEN- Nancy and Helena's room, the ca, the flower stand, the various plazas, Antonio's office, Casa dei Giochi

HAU - The foyer/downstairs, Brendan and Caitlyn’s room/tower, Fiona’s room, the library, the castle grounds, Fiona’s bog hut, The Screaming Banshee Inn, the laboratory

WAC - Nancy and Corine’s room, Mel’s room, Izzy and Leela's room, the basement, the library, the common area, the courtyard

TOT - The basement, the farm house, the barn, the wind mills, Pa’s shop, Pa's museum

SAW - Nancy’s room, the baths, the hidden bath’s, Yumi’s apartment, the gardens, the bento stand, the pachinko parlor, the ryokan foyer, Rentaro's workshop, Takae's classroom

CAP - Nancy’s room, Karl’s office, the gift shop, the security booth, the monster’s camp, the dungeons, the glass blowing studio, the dining hall, the courtyard

ASH - River Heights police department, Toni's ice cream shop, Alexei's antique shop, Brenda's van, Nancy's house, original town hall

TMB - The camp tent, the tomb

DED - Ryan's workshop, Mason and Ellie's offices, the break room, Gray's security room, Niko's office and secret lab, the main lab

GTH - The cemetery, the crypt, the dilapidated house, the mansion parlor, the kitchen, the basement, Charlotte’s room

SPY - Nancy’s hotel room, Bridget's hotel room, Cathedral HQ and server room, Moira’s house, the training grounds, the cookie stand, the train station

MED - Pacific Run camp, the puzzle palace, the Annunaki star cave

LIE - The museum, Melina's office, the stage, the sets, the Niobe's pottery workshop

SEA - The Missti Skip, the Heerlijkheid, Magnus's cabin, the caves, the gift shop

BONUS DAYS/ALTERNATIVE DAYS

MID - Mei and Jason's hideout, the Parry house, Lauren's shop, Olivia's shop, the museum, the courthouse, the Hathorne estate and grounds, the cemetery, the tunnels,

KEY - Hungerkünstler Cafe, Oskar's exhibit, Zlaty Custom Jewelry, Aparát, Radek's marionette theater, Prague castle courtyard, St. Vitus cathedral, the alchemy lab, the astronomical clock

[tavolgisvist]

A rush of unstoppable wordplay was one of Lennon’s inherently Liverpudlian facets, for the city can scarcely express itself in any other way. In the background noise of his childhood, it might be football terrace jeering:

Holy, holy, holy, Ten full backs and a goalie.

Or maybe playground taunts: Oompah, oompah, stick it up yer jumper.

Nautical coarseness: The Mersey banks Was made for Yanks And little girls like Ivy, Yd twiddle with Ivy's flue, wouldn't you?

Or else the ‘sky blue pink’ Surrealism of ordinary conversation. There is a very old Liverpool rhyme (from at least the 1900s), entitled ‘I Went to a Chinese Laundry’. This is how it goes: * I went to a Chinese laundry, I asked for a piece of bread, They wrapped me up in a table cloth And sent me off to bed. I saw an Indian maiden, She stood about ten feet high, Her hair was painted sky blue pink And she only had one eye. I saw a pillow box floating, I jumped in rather cool, It only took me fourteen days To get to Liverpool.

Singing: Ah, Black Sam the Negro, Abajou, abajou, jay, Carder Bungalow Sam.

That was collected by the folklorist Frank Shaw off a man in Woolton. I don’t know if John Lennon ever heard all of those rhymes. But in them, whether by coincidence or influence, are premonitions of so many better-known songs: ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’, ‘I Am the Walrus’, ‘Happiness Is a Warm Gun’, ‘The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill’, ‘Across the Universe’ . . . And, as to music, the rolling, hymn-like piano chords of ‘Imagine’ recall Lennon’s earliest roots, for long before Elvis Presley and rock’n’roll, there was Church of England Sunday school. Aunt Mimi remembered him as ‘a nicely-spoken boy attending church three times on Sunday of his own free will, in the church choir.

The echoes of Anheld and Goodison, church parades and strike rallies, back alley chants and market traders: Lennon’s songs resound with all the din of urban Liverpool. But he also grew up surrounded by the serenity of park lands. In his district there was an extraordinary abundance of green. Calderstones, Sefton, Princes, Reynolds, Woolton Wood, Strawberry Field, even Allerton 'Golf Course - these supplied him with silence and beauty to nourish his imagination.

Around themall, beyond the docks, there was the graceful swveep of the Mersey river’s rustic stretch: a river with nothing to do but mirror the heart-stopping vastness of the sky. This was not the side of his childhood that he often acknowledged. He preferred to say things like, ‘We were the first working-class entertainers that stayed working-class and pronounced it and didn’t try and change our accents.’

Back in Menlove Avenue, though, John’s Aunt Mimi took a more sceptical view: ‘Until John met Paul and the others,’ she told the Sunday People, ‘John spoke what I call the King’s English without a trace of a Liverpool accent. One day I complained when he lapsed into broad Liverpudlian. He turned on me, saying he felt embarrassed by his accent and suddenly ran upstairs in a fit of temper. Leaning over the banisters he yelled “Dat, Dese, Dem and Dose”.’

...

Now, as Paul attains what his father used to call ‘my great venereal age’...

(Liverpool - Wondrous Place by Paul Du Noyer, 2002)

Part (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), (VIII), (IX), (X), (XI), (XII), (XIII), (XIV), (XV), (XVI), (XVII), (XVIII), (XIX), (XX), (XXI), (XXII), (XIII), (XV), (XVI)

[kabillieu]

The golf course on Dominic's base was shut down in 2020. It skirts the Alabama River, and it is way more beautiful grown wild than it ever was as a golf course, but then I like pollinators and I don't play golf.

I've had a wild and crazy week. Driving to Florida and back to vote, meeting with students every day for conferences, holding a 3-hour meeting for my mentorship gig last night. And while I still have plenty to do, I decided to play hooky today, and I joined Dominic for a walk along the golf course, and then we ate at the delightful meat and three in our old neighborhood.

This week has exhausted me, but I got through it, and the week before that, and the week before that too. And I guess I'll just keep going along this way, getting through the weeks one at a time.

[beautifulblooms]

Teaching the star a lesson - Demi human! Montgomery Gator x Male! Reader SMUT

I forgot I had this hidden away and thought I’d post it anyway. It’s literally just smut with Monty, he’s a gator demihuman instead of an animatronic.

CIS Women and Female Aligned people, please DNI, this story and all of my others are for non-binary, masculine aligned and male readers!

It was 15 minutes before showtime, Monty wasn’t down at the platform ready to be lifted onto stage, no one could find him. Every performer had a handler, just to make sure that they got from one place to the next without any issues, such as kids choosing to attach themselves to Freddy’s legs while he was trying to walk back to his room. Monty’s handler, (y/n), wasn’t anywhere to be found either, but he was doing his job and looking for the Floridan performer. Firstly checking his attraction, he loved to swim around the rivers that ran through the golf course, popping up to scare guests. He wasn’t in there, shit, now he was at a loss for where the gator hybrid had disappeared amongst the enormous facility. Where else could this 6’5 muscular man have wandered…His room is the next logical stop. Striding down Rockstar Row towards his room, (y/n) could feel the rage radiating out of the room he was headed towards. Stepping in front of the door he paused, not sure if he should actually open the door. He was taller than Monty, and stronger than him too, but the anger Monty feels in a tantrum is something to fear. Eventually growing the balls, (y/n) knocked on the door, taking a pace back to prepare for Monty yanking the door open and screaming some profanity.

“WHAT?!?!” and right on cue he opened the door and screamed at (y/n).

“Showtimes in 11 minutes Monty, you need to get to the lounge for the lift” the taller male stated before walking ever closer to the gator hybrid.

“I don’t give a fuck about the god damn show, can’t you see I ain’t fuckin’ ready to go out there anyway?” Monty was dripping venom with every word, something he should know better than to do with the man in front of him.

“Monty, I will fix your hair, I will clean up this room, and I will make sure you’re on stage on time if I have to force you. I will not have another issue this week because it comes out of my paycheck as your handler. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear.” it was less of a question from (y/n), a demand of Monty more so.

“You can go fuck yourself if you think I’m getting on stage like this” Monty let go of the door, crossing his arms to set his stance on the matter.

“Ya know what Monty,” (y/n) pushed Monty back through the door. “I’m not here to deal with your shit today.” He closed the curtains. “So you’re gonna behave like a good fucking alligator, or I will make you” The ram hybrid was absolutely done with Monty’s backtalk and attitude.

“Then make me, you ain’t got no power over me,” Monty stepped to stand right in front of (y/n), he had sealed his fate. (y/n) grabbed the shorter male's arms, pushing him against the wall, pining both with one hand. Monty gasped when his back hit the wall, surprised by the force of his handler.

“Monty, I will say this one more time, behave and I won’t have to make you regret destroying this room and badmouthing me for the past three minutes.” (y/n) was determined to get Monty on stage before showtime.

“One condition,” Monty started. “We continue this after the show,” the gator said, trying to take initiative and shoving his knee between (y/n)’s pushing against his crotch.

“Fine, as long as you’re on stage when you need to be.” (y/n) let go of Monty, instead grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the room towards the lounge. Making it down there with less than four minutes to spare, (y/n) got to work on Monty’s hair. Grabbing a can of hairspray, a comb, and a tub of gel, he sat the shorter hybrid down and began the quick mohawk style. Finishing the style with 45 seconds left before showtime, he quickly pulled Monty up and onto the rising platform, handing him the bass he was supposed to play. Monty held a lingering gaze with (y/n) as the platform rose, full of lust and faux dominance. The routine went smoothly, everyone hit their mark on time, no one fell, and there was no one-off beat or off-key. The platform lowered slowly, much too slowly for Monty’s impatience to run back to his green room with (y/n). Once it finally settled and everyone was cleared to move, he sprinted off, gently tossing his bass at Freddy telling the bear he would pay him back later. Monty grabbed the ram’s hand, trying to sprint out of the lounge back to his room, only to be pulled back to a walking pace by (y/n).

“Whatya doin’? I wanna get back to my room *quickly*,” Monty put a lot of emphasis on the “quickly” aspect of his statement.

“Don’t rush, we’ll finish what you started when we get there. You can’t forget that you still have priorities to say hi to guests while walking around, special circumstances or not,” (y/n) was determined to make Monty regret his attitude earlier. The gator whined, only wanting to go back to the position they were in earlier, closed off from the public. Slowly they made their way back to Monty’s green room on Rockstar Row. He opened the door and pulled (y/n) through, slamming the door shut just as quickly as he had yanked it open.

“Now, where were we?” Monty tried to take control once more, failing almost instantly. The ram hybrid grabbed the wrists attempting to pin him against the door, flipping their positions as he returned the two to where they were just half an hour prior.

“I believe we were here, little gator.” (y/n) said, the nickname slipping ever so effortlessly from his lips. Monty licked his lips, trying to speed up the inevitable.

“C’mon, I know you wanna keep going,” Monty pushed his chest off the wall as much as he was able, quickly being pushed back by (y/n).

“Oh sweetheart,” (y/n) muttered close to Monty’s ear, causing him to shiver. “We can’t do that here, it's far too close to the guests, don’t want anyone to hear those pretty little sounds you make now do we?” Pulling his head back, (y/n) let go of Monty, pulling him off the door and opening it.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Monty said, well beyond riled up.

“I said we can’t do that in here, now are you going to follow me somewhere we can or just stay here hot and bothered with your hard on to deal with yourself?” (y/n) wanted Monty as much as Monty wanted him, but he didn’t want anyone else to hear what sinful things the gator would be saying in the next couple hours.

“I ain’t goin’ through those halls with my dick like this, I ain’t tryna traumatize those kids,” Monty was horny, but he still had morals.

“There’s maintenance tunnels around the whole plex, and one leads directly from my room to here, now why don’t you stop being a stubborn brat and follow me.” (y/n) stated calmly in a demanding tone. Quickly realizing that he was getting what he wanted, Monty grabbed the ram's hand and followed him through the door. After walking about 100 feet down the dimly lit hallway, Monty was becoming impatient again before seeing a door less than 10 feet from them. Reaching the door, (y/n) grabbed the handle and pushed it open, revealing a sort of security office…but the monitors only showed Monty’s room, the golf course, and the lounge. They really wanted the handlers to be close to the performers, even when they didn’t know it.

“Have ya been spyin’ on me?” Monty asked, feeling more turned on with an underlying feeling of violation.

“Whenever I notice you come in after a shower I cover the screens. I’m your handler not your lover, I have morals Monty.” (y/n) was a little hurt that Monty thought so low of him.

“Either way, are we finally gonna fuck or am I gonna go destroy my room again because I’m turned on with no way to deal with it?” Monty, once again, impatiently pushes his horniness to the forefront of his mind. (y/n) licked his lips, grabbing Monty’s face and pulling him into a kiss. The ram grabbed Monty’s waist and shoved him against a wall, making the smaller hybrid let out a moan. (y/n) took his opportunity and pushed his tongue into Monty’s mouth, the fight for dominance was short with Monty quickly being overpowered by the stronger hybrid. Pulling Monty off the wall, (y/n) pulled him to the futon in the corner of the room, pushing the gator down onto his back. Climbing atop Monty, the ram hybrid straddled his thighs placing both his hands beside Monty’s head. Leaning down he reconnected their lips, pushing a leg between Monty’s, rubbing on his clothed erection. The gator let out a groan, grabbing the purple curls on the back of (y/n)'s neck, and pulling him closer to the kiss.

“Just touch me already,” Monty growled at the ram above him.

“Beg baby, I ain’t doin’ anything till you beg for me,” (y/n) wasn’t just going to give Monty what he wanted, not after the attitude he had earlier, or destroying his room.

“I’m not begging,” Monty snapped back.

“Either you beg or I’m leaving you here riled up and going back to my other duties as your handler.” (y/n) growled right back grabbing Monty’s face to direct his attention to him. The gator let out a huff before muttering something under his breath. “Try again, this is your last chance, little gator.”

“Please…please touch me” Monty finally said.

“See that wasn’t that hard now was it angel.” (y/n) responded before moving down to face Monty’s erection. Pulling his pants down, the ram palmed Monty’s boner listening to the beautiful groans being let out by the gator hybrid beneath him. Finally grabbing at the hem of Monty’s boxers, he yanks them off to see his leaking cock, fully erect and on display. Monty bashfully tried to hide from (y/n)’s gaze, failing miserably as the ram grabbed his dick and started to jack him off.

“Don’t be so shy baby, you’ll get to see more of me soon.” The ram hybrid promised. Pushing the bead of precum off the tip, he spread it around with his thumb and forefinger, starting to move his hand up and down. Monty let out heavy breaths as the larger hybrid continued his movements.

“Fuck, fuck, please ugh, please don’t stop,” Monty begged (y/n), ever closer to reaching his orgasm.

“C’mon angel, come for me.” (y/n) urged the gator on further, speeding up his hand movements. Monty was almost there, begging even more for the ram hybrid to speed up just a little more.

“(y/n) please, please, oh mY GOD!” Monty screamed one last moan before he came all over himself and (y/n)’s hand. Only able to pant out heavy shallow breaths, he watched the other hybrid lick his hand staring directly at him. Once (y/n) had cleaned his hand of Monty’s cum, he repositioned himself so he could see the smaller hybrid's tight hole. Giving a light smirk, he stood up to take off his shirt and pants, leaving himself in only his boxers. Moving to his desk, the top right drawer was pulled open, and he grabbed a bottle of lube he had in there, right beside the other toys he planned to use on himself or perhaps others. Sitting right back down in front of Monty, (y/n) pulled apart the gator's legs, moving his legs to once again see his puckered asshole.

“Keep your legs spread, I don’t want to be crushed while I'm stretching you.” The ram hybrid warned Monty before grabbing the bottle of lube and pouring some onto his fingers. Slowly moving to lean over the gator, he pushed one finger into Monty’s tight hole.

“Holy fuck-” Monty didn’t know how to react to having a finger up his ass for the first time other than just swearing and moaning.

“Oh baby if that's how you feel after one finger, just wait for my cock.” (y/n) smirked, loving the almost fucked out face that Monty had taken up. Pushing in a second finger gently, he let Monty’s hole grow used to them for a good few seconds before starting to scissor them.

“Oh fuck me!” Monty cried out, tears pricking the corners of his eyes.

“I’m trying to, but I want you to enjoy it so I’m doing this first baby.” (y/n) cooed at the gator continuing to gently scissor him. The tightness slowly started to wear down, and just to be safe (y/n) added a third to his hole. A few moments later the gator finally adjusted to them, moving his hips gently to show the ram that he was ready for the next step. Removing his fingers, (y/n) heard Monty whine at the empty feeling.

“Don’t worry little gator, you won’t be empty for too long.” A gentle smile replaced the smirk that was once on his face as he grabbed the bottle of lube once more. Squeezing some more onto his dick, he spread it over giving it an extra minute to let Monty’s anticipation grow. Climbing back on top of the gator, he positioned his cock at Monty’s stretched hole and slowly pushed in, taking his time to not overwhelm the hybrid below him. Bottoming out he stayed there, just letting Monty get used to the size of his dick.

“Please fucking move, my god fuck me.” Monty begged the taller male, grabbing (y/n)’s biceps in an almost bruising grip.

“Patience baby, I don’t wanna break you.” (y/n) told the gator hybrid, beginning to pull his hips back out before pushing back in, setting a slow pace.

Grabbing the ram’s face he pulled their foreheads together, “I said fuck me, I don’t care if you break me, use me.” Monty growled out in the most sensual voice he could muster. (y/n) quickly noted what he said and picked up the pace, pulling his hips out and slamming back in, hitting Monty’s prostate and making the gator’s eyes roll back and wrap his arms around (y/n). His thrusts were brutal, bruising Monty’s prostate with each movement of his hips.

“Holy fucking shit please, please,don’t stop.” Monty begged (y/n) to keep going, the ram just kept jackhammering his cock deep into the gator's ass. The continuous assault brought Monty close to another orgasm, heavy breathing and moans were all that could be heard in the room aside from the constant skin slapping. (y/n) could only pant as he kept thrusting into the gator hybrid, trying not to let the pain of Monty’s claws sinking into his shoulders bother him.

“Please, please, please, I'm close, so close.” He couldn’t form any other words besides pleading to the taller male to let him come.

“I know little gator, I’m close too.” (y/n) was determined for them both to finish, he didn’t know how much longer he could handle it.

“Oh fuck, fuCK YES!” Monty reached his peak and came all over his chest once more, digging his claws further into (y/n)’s shoulders without realizing it. (y/n) kept thrusting, too close to his orgasm to give the smaller male a break. With a few final pumps, he thrust deep into Monty and came, shoving all of it inside the gator. After a minute of rest, he pulled out of Monty, much to the hybrid's dismay, not wanting to lose the feeling of being full. Walking over to the other side of the room, (y/n) picked up a towel, wiping the cum off of Monty’s chest before tossing the cloth into a basket off to the side. Climbing back into bed with the gator, he grabbed the smaller hybrid and pulled him to his chest.

“So, how are you feeling after that?” (y/n) chuckled lightly, moving Monty’s head up to look him in the eyes.

“Fucking fantastic.” The shorter hybrid was still in such bliss after his first time, and so rough at that.

“Was I too rough on you baby? I tried to be gentle but you wanted me to go faster.” He asked Monty, checking if he was okay after the harsh session they just had.

“No, I’m fine. Oh my god you’re back, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize I was hurting you.” Monty felt across where he had gripped for dear life earlier, swiping through the blood that was dripping out of the 10 shallow holes in (y/n)’s upper back.

“It’s fine baby, I’ll get 'em cleaned up later. Besides, they’re worth it if that means we get to do that a lot more often.” (y/n) chuckled once again, god that sound sent butterflies through Monty’s stomach.

“We will absolutely be doing that again, I loved it….I love you.” The gator looked up at (y/n) with such adoration in his eyes the taller male grew a small blush.

“I love you too baby, I didn’t want to say anything because I thought what we had was purely professional.” Running a hand through Monty’s damp hair (y/n) stared down at the gator with the same amount of love.

“So does that make us boyfriends?” Monty’s look changed from adoring to curious.

“I think we’ve both seen enough of each other to qualify for more than just boyfriends, but yes we’re boyfriend's baby.” The ram hybrid gently caressed Monty’s cheek while he shoved his face into (y/n)’s chest letting out a flustered groan. Cuddled in each other’s arms they fell asleep happily with each other, now sporting a new title of boyfriends rather than just handler and performer. Now the only issue comes when Monty is needed for another performance and no one can find him……or his handler…..anywhere in the building. Looks like the two of them get an extra long, and well-deserved sleep with the person they love.

[borbi-edits]

I decided that after the end of 12 Dancing Princesses the girls were able to use magic and/or the magic flowers to create new magic worlds. My head canon was always that the pavilion was a little pocket universe their mother created just for them. The reason they only got three visits, is because they were meant to build their own. Their mom probably intended to teach them in the pavilion. But I'm sure they find a way to learn magic after she's gone. So, here's what I think each of the girls would create for themselves!

Ashlyn: she's the oldest of 12 siblings, so hers will be a simple, quiet place where she can go to relax. Somewhere comfy she can kick up her feet.

Blair: her world will be the biggest, filled with space to ride as well as some magical horses. I'm picturing dramatic cliffs and pine forests with winding trails.

Courtney: obviously, a beautiful library! With lots of places to read. She's selective about which sisters she shows it to add to not disturb the peace, but she does have books on hand she thinks those sisters would like.

Delia: I'm imagining something almost country cluby, with croquet, golf, and tennis courts with well manicured lawns and gardens.

Edeline: similar to Delia's. I think she would have statues she could play against, like the gold dancing men in the movie, but she instructs them to learn from her and always give her a real challenge.

Fallon: an island, on one side a beautiful beach with white sand and blooming tropical flowers, with one of those pavilion tent things with the gauzy white fabric flowing in the wind. On the other side of the island is dramatic white cliffs with waves crashing onto rocks below.

Genevieve: I imagine hers would be similar to the one in the movie. With the addition of a cat playground for twyla.

Hadley & Isla: yeah I'm lumping them together because I don’t think they're super distinctive. Their's would be a wild jungle full of huge trees to climb, vines to swing on, and maybe a rushing river so they can raft down the rapids.

Janessa: her paradise would be full of bugs, which I don't really want to think about. Uhh maybe a butterfly garden? I could handle that.

Kathleen: beautiful gardens with tons of colorful plants! And of course easels and art supplies.

Lacey: someplace cozy and safe. I'm thinking a peaceful meadow with swaying grass, bunnies, and wildflowers. In the middle is a little clubhouse where everything is lacey-sized.

[beardedmrbean]

A US hitwoman disguised in a hijab who was foiled when her gun jammed during an attempted murder in Britain is still at large after returning to the US, prosecutors say.

Aimee Betro, 44, was recruited by British father and son Mohammed Nazir, 30, and Mohammed Aslam, 56, to conduct a revenge killing against Aslat Mahamud and his relatives after a 2018 dispute at a jewellery store left the father and son duo injured.

Betro, who is from Milwaukee in Wisconsin, allegedly flew in from Chicago for the contract killing in Acocks Green in Birmingham, on September 7, 2019, after arranging to meet Mahamud’s son, shop owner Sikander Ali, to look at a Volkswagen Golf that the family was selling, Birmingham Crown Court was told, but the attempted shooting did not go to plan.

Dressed in a hijab, Betro “calmly” approached Ali, and pointed a gun at his head, the court heard. However, when she went to pull the trigger, the gun became jammed and Ali fled the scene.

The next morning, Betro allegedly went to Mahamud’s house and opened fire three times, before texting Mahamud: “Stop playing hide and seek” and “Where are you hiding?” the court was told. No one was injured.

Betro allegedly later sent Aslat Mahamud another text saying: “You want to rip me off, you want to be a drug kingpin go look at your house. I will show you. Watch your back. I will be shedding blood soon.”

The 44-year-old is said to have flown back to Chicago two days later and is still believed to be at large in the US, with an international manhunt underway.

If Betro is arrested in the US, it is not clear if she will be extradited to the UK to face possible charges.

Under the US’s extradition treaty with the UK, the UK must prove that a crime has been committed under both US and UK law and provide evidence that shows a “reasonable” demonstration of guilt in order for a US citizen to be extradited to the US.

Social media posts by Betro, reported by The Times, appear to show that she documented her trip to the UK from August to September 2019 in great detail.

In one Instagram post, she appears to talk about visiting her “partner in crime” in Manchester. In another post from the day before the first attempted shooting, Betro is seen posing in a picture with devil horns.

In other posts, she talks about attending the Tranzmission Festival in Crystal Palace, London, and going on a boat tour of the River Thames, it is reported.

During her time in London, she stayed at a number of hotels in Birmingham, Brighton, Derby and Manchester, in one case staying at a Raddison Blue hotel, the court heard.

Betro is not a professional hitwoman. She apparently works as a freelance graphic designer and studied early childhood education at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin, graduating in 2005 before going on to work as an administrator for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. In 2003, she wrote a letter to her local paper arguing in favour of free birth control for women.

Nazir and Aslam, of Derby, were found guilty of conspiracy to murder last week for their role in the attempted killing.

Nazir was also found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, perverting the course of justice and illegally importing firearms over a plot to bring guns into the country and then blame it on another person to frame them. Aslam was cleared of a firearms offense.

The guilty verdicts were handed down after the court heard that Nazir and Aslam held a grudge against Ali’s family following a violent dispute at his boutique clothing store in Birmingham, in central England, on July 21, 2018.

The violent incident had left Nazir and Aslam injured, with the windows of their shop left smashed and the interior “trashed”.

In order to seek revenge, the pair allegedly flew Betro over from the States to Birmingham to kill Ali and his family.

On September 6, Nazir and Aslam travelled from their home in Derby to Birmingham city centre, with Nazir spending more than two hours in a hotel with Betro–  who ordered a takeaway from Deliveroo – according to prosecutors.

Betro had apparently arranged to meet Ali the next day on the pretense of buying a car.

Birmingham Crown Court heard how Betro – disguised in a hijab – pulled up in a Mercedes before Ali pulled up in an Audi nearby.

Kevin Hegarty KC, prosecuting said: “As he did, the would-be assassin came from the driver’s side of the Mercedes.

“As she left the Mercedes she left the driver’s door open. She walked quite calmly towards Sikander Ali and was pointing a gun at him at head height.

“As she got closer to Sikander Ali he saw her and he saw the gun and she pulled the trigger to fire the gun at him. Mercifully and luckily for him the gun jammed.”

Hegarty said Ali rapidly reversed his car and drove off, while Betro reportedly abandoned her Mercedes nearby – where it was later found by police.

Nazir flew out to America a few days later, a couple of days after Betro, who he put down as his point of contact on travel documentation, but he was arrested after his return to the UK the following month. Aslam was also arrested.

Detective Inspector Matt Marston, from West Midlands Police, said the pair were “determined to take revenge.”

“The lengths they went to in trying to make sure they weren’t implicated in pulling the trigger are immense,” he added.

“However, thanks to some great police work and support from our Derbyshire colleagues we were able to place them firmly in the middle of the attempted murder plot.”

The Independent has contacted the US Department of Justice and the FBI for comment.

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.

[fun-adventures-travels]

River Rafting in Rishikesh: How Many Rapids Can You Handle?

If you love adventure, thrill, and the rush of whitewater, then river rafting in Rishikesh is an experience you cannot miss! Known as the rafting capital of India, Rishikesh offers some of the most exhilarating rapids, making it one of the best river rafting in India. The Ganges has something to offer for everyone, whether a novice or an experienced rafter. 

Whether you are going to conquer exciting Grade III and IV rapids or simply sailing lazily across picturesque sections, this Rafting Adventure is sure to take your breath away. But before you dive in, let’s take a closer look at how much rapids you can handle and what you need to know before you book your trip.

How Many Rapids Can You Handle?

1. Brahmapuri to Rishikesh (9 km - Easy)

If you’re new to river rafting in Rishikesh, this stretch is perfect for you.It also includes mild rapids such as Sweet Sixteen and Good Morning, the perfect amount of excitement for novice rafters. This stretch is excellent for families and first-time rafters wanting to enjoy the sport but not be pushed to the limit.

2. Shivpuri to Rishikesh (16 km - Moderate)

This is one of the most popular routes for rafting adventure lovers. Featuring thrilling rapids such as Roller Coaster, Golf Course and Return to Sender, this stretch is the perfect blend of fun and challenging. It’s perfect for those who have some experience or those who just want to moderately challenge themselves.

3. Marine Drive to Rishikesh (25 km - Challenging)

If you’re looking for more adrenaline-pumping action, this route is for you! The stretch includes major rapids like Three Blind Mice, Crossfire, and The Wall, testing your endurance and rafting skills. Many consider this one of the Best River Rafting in India due to its thrilling waves and intense twists.

River Rafting in Rishikesh Timing & Best Season

The best time to go rafting is from September to June, as the monsoon months (July-August) bring unpredictable water levels. The ideal months for the best rafting conditions are March to May, when the rapids are at their peak and offer the most exciting experience. 

River Rafting in Rishikesh Price Breakdown

The River Rafting in Rishikesh price depends on the stretch you choose and the package inclusions. Here’s a general breakdown:

Brahmapuri to Rishikesh (9 km) – ₹549 per person

Shivpuri to Rishikesh (16 km) – ₹999 per person

Marine Drive to Rishikesh (25 km) – ₹ 1199 per person

Packages usually include rafting gear, an experienced guide, safety instructions, and sometimes transport to the rafting point. Always check what’s included before booking.

Special Tips for a Safe & Thrilling Rafting Adventure

Choose the Right Stretch: If you’re new to the sport, don’t head straight to the extreme routes — work on easier ones and build confidence.

Wear Proper Gear: Wear a life jacket and helmet at all times, and do as your guide says.

Book in Advance: The best river rafting in India is in high demand, so booking in advance ensures you get the best spots at the best prices.

Check the Weather: The River Rafting in Rishikesh Timing depends on weather conditions. Avoid monsoons when water levels are unpredictable.

Stay Hydrated & Carry Extra Clothes: You will get drenched! Carry a change of clothes and drink plenty of water before you hit the rapids.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a first-time rafter or a seasoned thrill-seeker, river rafting in Rishikesh has an adventure waiting for you. With rapids ranging from mild to extreme, you can challenge yourself and experience the adrenaline rush of the Ganges. 

Just check the river rafting in Rishikesh price, pick the right stretch, and get ready for an unforgettable rafting adventure. So, how many rapids can you handle? Book your rafting trip now from Universal Adventures and find out!

Are you also planning for a Char Dham Yatra? If so, you can check out this Char Dham Yatra Package from Universal Adventures!

[mountainthrills]

First-Time River Rafting in Rishikesh – What to Expect?

Hey fellow adventurers! If you're planning your first river rafting experience in Rishikesh, here’s a quick guide on what to expect:

1. Choosing the Right Stretch

9 km (Brahmapuri to Rishikesh) – Best for beginners, mild rapids.

16 km (Shivpuri to Rishikesh) – Moderate difficulty, includes famous rapids like "Roller Coaster" & "Golf Course."

26 km (Marine Drive to Rishikesh) – For thrill-seekers, has bigger rapids.

36 km (Kaudiyala to Rishikesh) – The ultimate challenge with Grade IV+ rapids like “The Wall.”

2. What to Wear & Carry

✅ Quick-dry clothes (no jeans!) ✅ Water shoes/sandals (no flip-flops) ✅ Sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap ✅ Dry bag for essentials ❌ No valuables (chances of losing them in water)

3. The Thrill of Rapids

You'll experience waves crashing, sudden drops, and adrenaline rush as you navigate through rapids with names like "Three Blind Mice," "Double Trouble," and "The Wall." It’s a mix of fun and pure excitement!

4. Safety First!

Listen to your guide – they’ll teach you how to paddle and handle emergencies.

Always wear a life jacket & helmet.

If you fall out, don’t panic! Float on your back and let the guide help you back in.

5. Extra Perks

Most rafting trips include cliff jumping (optional but fun!).

Some packages include body surfing (floating with the current).

The scenic beauty of Himalayan cliffs, lush greenery, and Ganga’s crystal waters is surreal!

6. Cost & Best Time to Go

💰 Prices range from ₹600-₹2500 per person (depending on distance & package). 📅 Best time: September–June (avoid monsoon season).

Final Thoughts: If you've never done rafting before, Rishikesh is the BEST place to start! It’s fun, safe, and an unforgettable adventure. Let me know if you have any questions or if you've already been—how was your experience?

[heartsoulrocknroll]

Missouri Trip 10/22/24

SDC and all the other parks around were closed on Tuesday, 10/22, so we had to find other activities. We spent the day in Branson. I was constantly amazed at how Branson is just a smaller (?) version of Pigeon Forge, TN, where I have spent many weekends in my life. They both have all the same touristy attractions, with Dollywood and SDC obviously being very similar parks, both having several putt putt courses and arcades, and both having a shopping center with lots of great restaurants in The Island and Branson Landing. There is even a Paula Deen restaurant at both The Island and Branson Landing. Interesting. We went to Branson Landing for lunch, and as tempted as we both were to go to Paula Deen's, we decided to try something different. We ate at the Black Oak Grill. We both had spinach dip with tortilla chips, beef pot roast with cooked onions and carrots and zucchini, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Everything was delicious. I'm obsessed with pot roast, and this did not disappoint. The gravy on the mashed potatoes was particularly great too. They also have sweet tea in Branson, MO, so I was able to have my usual half and half. That was nice. It seems like sweet tea exists in the southern part of MO, but not the northern part. Someone tell me if they know differently. I am working on a map of sweet tea in the US, so I know where I do and don't belong. Lol. After lunch, we went to this place called Grand Country and played their indoor mini golf course. It was too hot for outdoor mini golf. They had three courses there, and we played two of them. It was a nice place, aside from the fact that the bricks were placed in a circular formation at the end of each green around the hole, making bank shots nearly impossible. There were plants everywhere and an indoor waterfall and river. There were clouds painted on the walls, and every now and then, the lights would flicker like lightning and there would be sounds of thunder. It was pretty immersive. We also got a dark chocolate peanut butter cup and some chocolate peanut butter fudge at the candy shop in the same building. Both were good, but the peanut butter cup was the best. They also had "Bob Ross positive energy" drinks in that candy shop. Lol. Next, we went to Table Rock State Park to one of the little beaches on the lake. I think it was Moonshine Beach, but I'm not entirely sure. We walked through a beautiful wooded trail to the beach. It was the perfect time of year for this, with the leaves all changing colors. The beach itself wasn't sandy at all, it was just tons of rocks. The lake was very large though. We sat on the rocks for a while and watched the waves. There is a tour boat or something that goes across the lake, and we watched it pass by. I got a lot of great photos here. You can even see Powder Keg and/or Wildfire at SDC from here, high up above, way in the distance. We stayed there for about an hour. Then we went to this ice cream shop, where I got the best ice cream I think I've ever had. It was double chocolate/double fudge, and it was nothing like any other chocolate ice cream I've tasted. It was so rich and so chocolately. I'll never get over it. After that, we rushed back to the lake for sunset. We found a nice overlook spot, right off the road above the lake for some photos. Then we drove to a parking lot right on the lake to finish watching the sunset up close, and it was beautiful. We stayed there until dark. We then went to this local place called Outback Steak and Oyster Bar for supper. We had their version of a Bloomin' onion, a salad, a prime rib, and a baked potato. The onion wasn't my favorite, but the steak was good. I had a random emotional breakdown in the restaurant thinking of the people I miss. I don't know. We got another ridiculously cheap hotel room where we stayed that night and the following night for $79 per night. What is the deal with Branson hotels?

[greatwyrmgold]

So, apparently there's been a standoff between the Texas National Guard and US Border Patrol for the past couple of weeks, a physical manifestation of political conflicts between President Biden and Governor Abbot that has disrupted local life and caused multiple deaths.

Shelby Park is a park in Eagle Pass, the town in question. It's a pretty significant component of civic life, hosting events that the town's residents enjoy (and the town's government uses to fund its activities).

Unfortunately, it's next to the Rio Grande, so Texas had the park surrounded with concertina wire (razor wire coils that can be expanded to quickly set up a "fence"). Needless to say, that's going to disrupt local activities. The Eagle Pass residents are not exactly happy about this state of affairs.

Things got worse when migrants started drowning in the river. Border Patrol wanted to access a boat ramp in Shelby Park so they could rescue migrants before they drowned, but the Texas National Guard wouldn't let Border Patrol in under any circumstances. Four people were alive in the river when the Border Patrol showed up; two were rescued by Mexican authorities, but the others drowned. They didn't have to.

I'm not going to argue that someone who fails to save a kid from getting hit by a bus should be held responsible for that kid's death. But if they instead stop a third party from saving the kid? Yeah, that's their fault. Saying that Texas caused the (preventable) deaths of those migrants seems pretty straightforward to me.

(Complicating matters are three other people who drowned about an hour before US Border Patrol was informed that people were drowning in the river. These three deaths are often reported as being connected to this dispute, possibly because talking about a mom and two kids who drowned is more evocative than talking about...I don't know anything about the other two dead guys, because hardly anyone reported anything except their deaths.)

Anyways, the Biden administration sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding that federal agents should be given free access to the park. Texas claims it's still open to the public, even though they're only allowing access for media personnel, golfers at the golf course within, and "a memorial".

Texas plans to ignore that sternly-worded letter. The attorney general defends the state's decision by saying that the feds weren't properly enforcing US immigration law, which apparently gives them the authority to...further impede Border Patrol activities...? He also invoked the state's right to self-defense, which is already absurd when we're talking about the general "threat" of people crossing borders, but becomes even sillier in the specific case of blocking Border Patrol from saving four people from drowning.

Biden told Abbot to remove the razor wire. Abbot ordered more razor wire. The Supreme Court agrees with Biden (despite being primarily composed of Republicans). Twenty-five Republican state governors side with Abbot.

Several sources describe the physical standoff between the Texas and Federal forces unprecedented. I'm not sure that's true, or at least not true in the way that's implied; remember the Little Rock Nine? But it's definitely unusual, and if Republican figureheads keep rallying their bases by insisting that “The feds are staging a civil war," it could grow into something worse.

But hopefully it doesn't. It's an ongoing story, and Abbot has two more days to decide whether he wants to pick a fight with the federal government.

Sources below the cut.

[travellhq]

Discover 10 More Underrated Coastal Towns in South Africa

Exploring South Africa’s diverse coastline reveals a mosaic of tranquil retreats and vibrant towns. These ten additional underrated coastal towns in South Africa, from the serene beaches of Witsand in the Western Cape where the Breede River meets the sea, to the historic charm of Port Nolloth on the untamed northwest coast, each offer a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.

Whether you're drawn to the relaxed fishing villages of Port Nolloth or the migratory whales of Witsand, these locations provide remarkable experiences off the beaten path. Join us as we uncover these lesser-known coastal gems.

1. Witsand, Western Cape

Located at the estuary of the Breede River, Witsand is a serene coastal retreat known for its immaculate sandy beaches and the rich Cape Fynbos ecosystem. Dubbed the “Whale Nursery” of South Africa, Witsand comes alive from June to November with peak whale migration. Outdoor activities abound here, from kitesurfing and surfing to stand-up paddleboarding and fishing. This hidden gem lies off the N2 near Heidelberg, enticing travelers with its picturesque roads and historical charm.

Witsand’s history dates back to Captain Benjamin Moodie’s acquisition of the farm Westfield in 1831. Its allure as a fishing paradise began attracting vacationers in the late 1800s. Today, Witsand continues to captivate visitors with its blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and rich historical legacy, offering a serene escape along South Africa’s lesser-traveled coastline.

2. Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape

Nestled along South Africa s Sunshine Coast, Kenton-on-Sea boasts untouched beaches, lush hills, and pristine coastal reserves. Situated between the Bushmans and Kariega Rivers, Kenton-on-Sea is bordered by water on three sides, making it perfect for various water sports. Despite its natural beauty and popularity, Kenton-on-Sea retains a charming small-town atmosphere, enriched by its cultural diversity.

3. Glentana, Western Cape

Tucked between Mossel Bay and George on the Garden Route, Glentana offers wide sandy beaches and Fynbos-covered cliffs. This village, nestled in an old riverbed and shielded from sea winds, provides a tranquil haven. Discover hidden caves, try rock fishing, and explore the beaches for treasures like the elusive “Pansy” shell. Dolphins and whales are frequently spotted along the coastline, adding to Glentana’s allure as a sanctuary for nature lovers.

Accommodation options range from charming guest houses and self-catering cottages to scenic seaside camping spots, catering to various preferences and budgets.

4. Hondeklip Bay, Northern Cape

Located on South Africa’s rugged West Coast, Hondeklip Bay has transformed from a historic copper ore export hub into a beloved holiday destination. Positioned about 95 km southwest of Springbok, this coastal retreat offers diverse accommodations, from seaside camping to cozy self-catering chalets. Explore the picturesque coastline adorned with ancient shipwrecks, delve into the region’s natural wonders, and embark on exhilarating 4×4 excursions.

5. Zinkwazi Beach, KwaZulu-Natal

Situated on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast, Zinkwazi Beach is renowned for its serene lagoon created by the Zinkwazi River’s estuary. Known for its biodiversity and natural beauty, this hidden gem offers immaculate golden beaches, lush native forests, and a seven-kilometer lagoon. Beyond its breathtaking scenery, Zinkwazi Beach provides a secure haven for beachgoers with lifeguard-patrolled shorelines and activities like ferry rides and birdwatching.

6. Mtunzini, KwaZulu-Natal

Mtunzini, nestled along KwaZulu-Natal’s coastline, offers a serene escape renowned for its natural beauty and unique wildlife. Celebrated among bird watchers for being a sanctuary for the rare palm-nut vulture, Mtunzini also boasts pristine beaches, a 9-hole golf course, and diverse accommodation options. Surfers favor its waves along the North Coast, adding to Mtunzini’s appeal for both relaxation and adventure.

7. Morgans Bay, Eastern Cape

Morgan Bay, tucked away in the Amathole District Municipality, is a hidden treasure on the Wild Coast. Named after A.F. Morgan in 1822, this village attracts visitors with its breathtaking beach, peaceful estuary, and striking sea cliffs. Adventurers and nature lovers flock here for activities like sandboarding, hiking, and exploring historic sites.

Morgan Bay offers a range of recreational pursuits, from beach sports to exploring the Inchara river estuary and engaging in township tours. The nearby Cape Morgan Nature Reserve enhances its appeal with coastal forests and hiking trails, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and adventure.

8. Haga Haga, Eastern Cape

Haga Haga, located on the Eastern Cape Wild Coast, is known for its peace and scenic splendor. Approximately 70 kilometers north of East London, this vacation village offers pristine landscapes home to endangered native species. Activities include swimming, rock and surf fishing, golf, tennis, and horse riding, making it a haven for nature lovers.

9. Port Nolloth, Northern Cape

Port Nolloth, a peaceful town and domestic seaport in the Namaqualand region, is rich in history and maritime legacy. Today, it thrives on fishing and small-boat tourism, with attractions like the Namaqua Flower Route and local cultural experiences. McDougalls Bay offers pristine beaches and calm waters for activities like swimming and kayaking, while local guides provide insights into the area’s rich history.

10. Brenton-on-Sea, Western Cape

Located 15 kilometers west of Knysna on the Garden Route, Brenton-on-Sea is a serene seaside retreat named after Sir Jahleel Brenton. Nestled in the Goukamma Nature Reserve, this area boasts expansive golden beaches, stunning whale and dolphin watching spots, and paragliding adventures. With various accommodation options, Brenton-on-Sea ensures a comfortable and memorable stay amidst its picturesque coastal scenery.

These underrated coastal towns offer unique experiences and natural beauty, making them perfect destinations for those seeking adventure and tranquility off the beaten path in South Africa.

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