#University Square Bucharest

[septentrrional]

Bucharest University Square 2024 vs 2008. Fuck whoever thought concrete is a good idea.

And look at this: august 2018 vs june 2014. How can you butcher the trees like that?

[doorsblacksea]

From Barcelona to the Black Sea in the hunt for marine litter

As part of the DOORS Early-Stage Researcher Exchange (ESRE) programme, Leidy Castro from the Maritime Engineering Laboratory of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (LIM / UPC) and the Universitat de Barcelona (UB), undertook a collaborative research project with GeoEcoMar (GEM) in Romania, aimed at tackling marine litter in the Black Sea.

Leidy’s research proposal was titled "Analysis of spatial distribution of marine litter pollution in the western Black Sea through numerical model integration and in situ measurements.” The exchange was supervised by Dr. Iulian Pojar Vintilă of GeoEcoMar and began at their facilities in Bucharest to learn about to learn about microplastic sample treatment, digestion, and final counts.

She says, “I had the pleasure of sharing time with Teodora, who guided me through all the laboratory processes. Following this, I joined an oceanographic expedition aboard the R/V Mare Nigrum from Constanța, led by Dr. Dan Vasilu as Chief Scientist. The team of researchers onboard was very welcoming and taught me about all the processes and measurements involved in a scientific oceanographic campaign.”

The research addresses the pressing issue of marine litter pollution in the Black Sea, focusing on both microplastics and macroplastics. In addition to the surface microplastic (plastics smaller than 5mm) sampling, the team conducted observations of microplastics (plastics greater than 5mm) from the bow of the ship during specific transects between predefined stations. This allowed them to gather in situ data on plastic density per square kilometre and identify possible "hotspots" of marine litter accumulation. These findings can be compared with numerical model predictions, specifically using the LOCATE model adapted for the Black Sea. The ultimate goal is to create a baseline of current pollution levels and to validate models that predict the movement and final destination of marine litter. This is crucial for decision-makers to develop strategies that prevent further accumulation and contamination of both open waters and coastal areas.

This is just one example where we have matched early stage research interests with the scientific work ongoing in the project. This summer we have funded and supported 5 other placements through the DOORS Early-Stage Researcher Exchange (ESRE). This is an international programme of collaborative research mobility activities, to foster and deepen connections within and between Black Sea countries, and international partners across Europe.

The placements have covered a range of topics supporting students from universities all over Europe:

Olga Schmitz (Germany)- Collaborative Initiative for Enhanced Water Quality Monitoring in the Black Sea Region.

Leidy Maricela Castro Rosero (Spain) -  Analysis of spatial distribution of marine litter pollution in the western Black Sea through numerical model integration and in situ measurements.

Tatiana Sitchinava (Georgia) - Towards Sustainable Coastal Communities: Understanding and Mitigating Marine Litter in Romania’s Black Sea Beaches.

Alessandro Galdelli (Italy) - Advancing Marine Research through Strategic Collaboration: Integrating Cutting-edge Algorithm for Enhanced Fishing Effort Estimation in the Black Sea,

Florin Miron (Romania) - Analysing Coastal Hydrodynamics and Discharge at River Mouths: The Impact of Winds and Waves on Hydrological Processes Using SWOT Satellite Data,

Sofia Sadogurska (Ukraine) -  Taxonomic studies of the Black Sea brown algae (Phaeophyceae, Heterokontophyta).

Remarking on her placement, Leidy said “This experience has been incredibly meaningful to me, both personally and professionally. It was my first time seeing the Black Sea, which holds special significance as I've spent the past three years studying it from behind a computer screen. Being part of this oceanographic expedition allowed me to witness first-hand the marine environment I've been modelling for so long, making the research more tangible and real. I learned a lot about the logistics and challenges of conducting an oceanographic campaign and was able to build valuable connections with fellow researchers and fellow cruisers like Bianca, Mihaela (both of them), Rok, Sorin, Stefano, and others. The warmth and support from both the scientific team and the ship’s crew made this experience truly memorable.”

You can follow Leidy’s journey on Instagram , LinkedIn and X, and learn more about her research.

[suetravelblog]

Christmas Market and Classical Christmas Fair 2021 Bucharest Romania

Christmas Market and Classical Christmas Fair 2021 Bucharest Romania

[theworldthroughmycamerassc]

University Square - Bucharest, Romania

[rumble-in-the-concrete-jungle]

Sunrise near University Square, Bucharest

[rageshots]

[moralfrontline]

under the watchful eye of Gheorghe Lazăr, in the University's Square, Bucharest

[mioritic]

Changing conditions in interwar Romania, as documented by Jewish-Romanian photographer Iosif Berman 

Iosif Berman (1892-1941) was a photojournalist in the interwar period, working for several outlets including Dimineaţa and Adevărul. When the government of Octavian Goga shut down left-wing newspapers in Romania, his negatives were seized, but he continued his work under pseudonyms, supplying photographs to the international press.

After a series of anti-Jewish laws were enacted by the fascist National Legionary State — which ironically used his photos in its own propaganda — Berman was banned from working altogether. He died the following year, 1941, at the age of 49.

Man weighing himself on a scale in Cișmigiu Park, Bucharest

Hora in Fundul Moldovei, Suceava County

A group of young skiers gathers around an accordion

Ion Antonescu and Horia Sima, fascist co-leaders of Romania, pose with Axis representatives at a 1940 rally in University Square, Bucharest

Two Jewish men walk down the street in Moinești, Bacau County, Moldavia

Undated and unlabelled negative depicting men in traditional sheepskin hats resting on a cart

Wintertime in the mountains

Men in traditional clothing from Drăguș commune, Brașov County, Transylvania

Iosif Berman talks to children in a Tatar village in Dobrogea, photographer not noted

From the archives of the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant

[steliosagapitos]

             Vila Mathilda of Bucharest in Romania.

      ~ Mathilda Villa was built especially, at the exclusive request of Mathilda Rădoi, between 1896 and 1897, at a time when very few women owned property. Located in the heart of Bucharest, near the University Square, Batiștei Street, the National Theater and the Rosetti - Armenian Square area, this beautiful villa was built according to the plans of the architect NC Michăescu (1863-1934) and decorated by the architect A. Clavel (1875-1916) together with the painter Ştefan Luchian (1868-1916). The building is representative of the eclectic style of the late nineteenth century, retains decorative elements originally or restored in 1983.

The interior layout of the new house is in line with the liberal profession of the owner: he had an office on the ground floor, with direct access from the entrance, the living room and dining room being set back to the courtyard. In the basement there was a living room (summer), kitchen, laundry, pantry, servants' room, wine and wood cellars, space for flowers. The surface of the ground floor was 233 m.p., and that of the partial floor of only 104 m.p. Here were designed 3 bedrooms for the children of the Rădoi family.

In connection with the decoration of the house, the collaboration between the architect Alexandru Clavel and the painter Ștefan Luchian, good friends, is recorded. Ștefan Luchian was the first cousin of Mathilda, his father, Dimitrie Luchian being the brother of Gheorghe Luchian, her father. The connection between the two cousins ​​was close, with at least four portraits of Mathilda made by her cousin being preserved.

The main entrance is distinguished by carved glass windows, a rich plaster decor and decorated ceilings.

    The reception hall was decorated with floral and natural motifs, bearing the signature of Stefan Luchian above one of the doors, being engraved in 1987. In Matilda's living room, Luchian exhibits his mastery: he painted horizontally combed plaster, resulting in a false tapestry effect that completely turns into light. The ceiling is also his work - light pastels and transparencies of muses and angels. The stained glass windows in Poland, the oak paneling and a niche that corresponds symmetrically to the one in the adjoining hall complete the room in a happy way.

   Architect Mihăescu is the one who designed and built prestigious buildings in Bucharest. In 1908 he designed the School House and the Church House (today the headquarters of the Ministry of Education) in Gen. Henri Berthelot no. 11. Between 1908–1911 he also built the Boteanu Church. Other private homes in Bucharest are: Stoenescu house on Lascăr Catargiu Boulevard but also "Mița Biciclista" house. He also worked as a restorer of religious monuments (Văratec, Agapia, Neamț, Hurezi and Căldărușani) and had a university career, being a teacher at the School of Architecture, between 1898-1934.

   The developed surface of the property is 932.25sqm, arranged as follows: basement: 238 sqm, ground floor: 238, 1st floor: 146 sqm. The total land area is 1242.15 sqm

Within a radius of about 500 m away from this beautiful property are the University of Bucharest, the Intercontinental Hotel, the National Theater, embassies and prestigious institutions. In the immediate vicinity are also a number of tourist attractions and only: the historic centre, cafes, pubs and bistros, street festivals, bookstores, high schools and universities. ~

[rebelmeg]

Chapters: 12/19 Fandom: Captain America (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Alpine & James "Bucky" Barnes, James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Arnim Zola, Alexander Pierce, Steve Rogers, Alpine (Marvel), Sam Wilson (Marvel), Natasha Romanov (Marvel), T'Challa (Marvel), Shuri (Marvel), Okoye (Marvel), Ayo (Marvel) Additional Tags: Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes, Bucky Barnes Recovering, Implied/Referenced Torture, Brainwashing, Hydra (Marvel), Heavy Angst, Bucky Barnes's Trigger Words, Scars, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Memories, Dreams and Nightmares, Self-Discovery, Recovery, Mind Control Aftermath & Recovery, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Sleep Deprivation, Insomnia, Paranoia, On the Run, Survival, reference to an alternative to a cyanide pill, Anxiety, Mental Health Issues, Bucky's brain is just a big jello mold trying to fix itself, Scents & Smells, Bucky Barnes Remembers, Hydra just really sucks a whole lot, self-care, accidental pet acquisition, Soft Bucky Barnes, Bucky is a sucker for a crying kitten, Recovered Memories, Pets, alpine is the best Summary:

Bucky Barnes spent decades as the Winter Soldier under the control of Hydra. He was unmade, broken, remade into something not human. And then he escaped. The road to recovery is long. It is arduous. It is painful, terrifying, lonely, and more than nightmares wait there. Will it really be worth it?

Chapter 12: Making a Home

Summary: Bucky and Alpine stop for awhile, and something brings so memories back.

Notes: For my @buckybarnesbingo square Y1 – pic of Bucky in Bucharest, and my @marvelpetbingo square N1 – spoiled

Creator: rebelmeg Square filled: N1 – spoiled Rating: This chapter, Gen. Entire work, Mature Warnings: Bucky recovering, cat dad Bucky, living in Bucharest, recovering memories Main character/ main ship: Bucky & Alpine

[caiti-creative-corner]

Link: ENTRY Title: Bucharest Square: BBB Flash - Card 3 - Square 4 - Bucharest - @buckybarnesbingo Darcy Lewis Bingo - R1 - "Yes, I did." - @darcylewisbingo Marvel Fluff Bingo - G1 - Artist AU - @marvelfluffbingo Black Widow Bingo - I2 - Spring Break AU - @blackwidowbingo Rating: T+ Ship: Natasha Romanoff/Clint Barton/Darcy Lewis, implied future James Barnes/Natasha Romanoff/Clint Barton/Darcy Lewis Warnings/Triggers: Alternate Universe - No Powers Summary: Bucky's inspiration has dried up and his artist's soul needs something to revive it. Enter three Americans on Spring Break. One look at them and he thinks they could keep him fueled for years.

[buckybarnesbingo]

BBB Week 25 Roundup!

Title: ID Card Collaborator(s): call-me-kayyyyy Link: AO3 Square: C3 - Blank Space Rating: Gen Ship(s): n/a Major tags/warnings: Fan Art, Embedded Images, Disaster Bucky Summary: As Bucky stands to get his photo taken for his new ID card he furiously calculates how in the world Steve Rogers is so handsome. Word count: 77

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Title: in the summer sun Collaborator(s): grandmacore Link: Tumblr Square: C3 - Free Space Rating: Gen Ship(s): Stucky Major tags/warnings: Summer Holiday, Established Relationship, Romance, Beach Summary: Bucky and Steve are enjoying a nice summer on the beach together. They've rented a nice house and love being together. They spend a lot of time kissing, smiling, and relaxing on the beach. Bucky is glad he has this opportunity to reconnect with his husband. Word count: N/A

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Title: Nothing To Live For (Nothing To Die For Either) - Chapter 12: Making a Home Collaborator(s): rebelmeg Link: AO3 Square: Y1 - pic of Bucky in Bucharest Rating: Mature Ship(s): Bucky & Alpine Major tags/warnings: Bucky recovering, cat dad Bucky, living in Bucharest, recovering memories Summary: Bucky and Alpine stop for awhile, and something brings so memories back. Word count: 27427

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Title: Play the (Baseball) Game: Chapter 4 - Birthdays Collaborator(s): ariel caótica/caótica on AO3 Link: AO3 Square: K4 - Birthdays Rating: Teen Ship(s): Sam Wilson/James "Bucky" Barnes Major tags/warnings: Alternate Universe - Baseball, Enemies to Lovers, Fluff Summary: Sam Wilson, starting pitcher for the Falcons, is at the top of his game. Even with a rough start to the season, he's confident they can make the playoffs. That is, until James B. Barnes, shortstop for the White Wolves, shows up to ruin everything. Word count: 3525

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Title: United Collaborator(s): grandmacore Link: Tumblr Square: K3 - Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) Rating: Gen Ship(s): Bucky & Wanda Major tags/warnings: Friendship, Recovery, Moodboard, Found Family Summary: Bucky and Wanda form a close friendship and bond over everything they've both been true. Through time their bond reaches far beyond shared trauma and Bucky begins to see Wanda as a little sister and considers her to be one of his best friends. Word count: N/A

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Title: Nothing To Live For (Nothing To Die For Either) - Chapter 13: Caged Collaborator(s): rebelmeg Link: AO3 Square: Y5 - pic of Bucky getting caught in Bucharest Rating: Mature Ship(s): Bucky & Steve Major tags/warnings: CACW events, getting captured, nightmares, brainwashing, bad memories, PTSD Summary: It couldn't last forever. Bucky is finally found. Word count: 29614

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Title: Nothing To Live For (Nothing To Die For Either) - Chapter 14: Missing Pieces Collaborator(s): rebelmeg Link: AO3 Square: K2 - missing scene Rating: Mature Ship(s): Bucky & Steve Major tags/warnings: CACW events, nightmares, brainwashing, bad memories, PTSD, cryoCACW events, nightmares, brainwashing, bad memories, PTSD, cryo Summary: The two weeks between arriving at Wakanda and going back into cryo. Word count: 32027

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Title: The Quantum Cat Collaborator(s): Turtles Link: Tumblr Square: Y3 - Ship-wrecked Rating: Teen Ship(s): Sam & Bucky Major tags/warnings: Goose (Marvel) - Freeform, The Quantum Tunnel (Endgame), Not Avengers: Endgame (Movie) Compliant, The multiverse, Alternate Realities, Hogwarts, Hobbiton, Captain America Sam Wilson, everybody lives (eventually) Summary: Everyone knows that if you give a cat catnip, it will go a little crazy. It’s a shame that no one knows what the Flerken equivalent to catnip is, because Goose got into the hors d’oeuvres and now the Avengers are scattered across the multiverse. Now it’s up to Sam to rescue the Avengers. Word count: >5000

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Title: Surprise Collaborator(s): Bitters/Bittersweet_in_Boston Link: AO3 Square: B1 - AU: No Powers Rating: Mature Ship(s): Steve/Bucky Major tags/warnings: AU No Powers, Movie Star Steve, Movie Star Bucky, social media, secret relationship Summary: Steve and Bucky are movie stars who are premiering their latest film at the Venice Film Festival. They’re also secretly dating and have promised their publicists they won’t go public until after the premiere. But Bucky springs a surprise on Steve… Word count: 2975

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Title: Finding Home at the Farmhouse Collaborator(s): Caiti Link: AO3 Square: Adopted - AU: Roommates Rating: Teen Ship(s): Bucky Barnes/Darcy Lewis/Clint Barton Major tags/warnings: Alternate Universe Summary: If someone had told Clint Barton a couple of years ago that he’d be in a committed relationship with someone, he’d have laughed himself silly. But in a relationship with two people? He’d have made a call to S.H.I.E.L.D. Medical. Word count: 2063

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Title: Royal Pain Chapter 4 Collaborator(s): Ruckystarnes Link: Tumblr Square: K1 - Honor Rating: Mature Ship(s): Bucky x OFC Major tags/warnings: Bodyguard bucky barnes, Bucky Barnes au, threat Summary: Constance receives a letter that forces her and Bucky to a safe house Word count: 2429

[intermarivm]

University Square in Bucharest, 1920.

[theworldthroughmycamerassc]

University Square - Bucharest, Romania

[fightingforcreativity]

The Other Earth

~~~Chapter 1:  A Whisper In The Night~~~

Notes:

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Iron Man (Movies) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Natasha Romanov/Tony Stark, others, James "Bucky" Barnes/Tony Stark, James "Bucky" Barnes/Natasha Romanov, Natasha Romanov/Tony Stark Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Tony Stark, James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Steve Rogers, Barnes family - Character, Alpine the Cat (Marvel), OFC, baby winter Additional Tags: Amnesia, Presumed Dead, Family, Mystical Creatures, Fluff and Crack, bakery Au elements, Mirror Worlds - Freeform, Alien Culture, Alien Biology, Cross-Posted on Tumblr, Angst, Angst and Tragedy, Happy Ending, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Avengers still being Avengers, oc child - Freeform, child named Winter, (OFC and Winter do not have a main role) Summary:

Bucky had a cat, had a job at a local bakery, and some odd jobs here and there. At night, he would look in the sky, trying to figure out the constellations, seeing the stars differently than he faintly remembered. At the same time on one of those stars far away, a star named Earth, Tony Stark held his baby boy, whispering, “One day, you’ll know you’re the world.[…]”

Notes:

This fills a square for @starkbucksbingo

Title: The Other Earth- A Whisper In The Night Collaborator Name: Fighting_for_Creativity Square Filled: B5- Didn't Know They Were Dating Ship/Main Pairing: WinterIronWidow Rating: Mature Major Tags & Triggers: Amnesia, presumed dead, Family, mystical creatures, slight crack (later), bakery Au elements, mention of alcohol abuse 

Summary:

Bucky had a cat, had a job at a local bakery, and some odd jobs here and there. At night, he would look in the sky, trying to figure out the constellations, seeing the stars differently than he faintly remembered. At the same time on one of those stars far away, a star named Earth, Tony Stark held his baby boy, whispering, “One day, you’ll know you’re the world.[…]”

Word Count: 2699

The reassuring click sound of his lock opening as he turned his key let Bucky smile. He had a couple of jobs a day and the city he lived in- Bucharest- had a burglar problem, or maybe every city had that in the cheaper neighborhoods. His lock still being intact meant that his things were still where they belonged. A low meow greeted him when Bucky stepped inside.

“I’m back, Alpine. Gimme just a few moments,” he said while shrugging out of his jacket and pulling his boots off, “I’ll renew your water and give you fresh food. ‘That is wonderful, Bucky! Thank you. How was your day at the bakery Bucky?’ Why thank you Alpine! It was stressful but the old lady from three streets down insisted on tipping me.”

During his little monologue, Bucky made his way to the kitchen, refreshing the water, rinsing the bowl before giving his beloved white cat fresh water. Then he gave her food and continued to tell her of his day, despite Alpine lazily blinking at him and doing the equivalent of a shrug before she dug into her food.

Smiling softly Bucky observed her for a moment before he made himself something to eat as well. While he prepared and then ate his spaghetti, he thought about his current life and the still amiss memories. Just yesterday he had remembered that his friend’s name had been ‘Stevie’ and that the blond had lived with Bucky, his ma, and his sisters for the most part of their childhood. Why that was though, Bucky still didn’t know.

What he had compiled so far was all safely stored away in a red leather-bound book. The book had a spider-like web in black, and the book ribbon was golden intertwined with a cerulean blue. Somehow the book called out to Bucky so he bought it. After his purchase, he had stared at the thick pages for quite a while until he got a memory of a faint male chuckle. He had scrambled to catch that sound, to describe it with every word he had relearned over the time he had been here, but it faded too fast for him to grab.

The first page in the book was filled.

More followed and now he had already written about half the pages. Sometimes it were scrambled notes, dreams fading too fast to note down. Sometimes it were memories so vivid that Bucky could detail every aspect of them. Such a memory was of him wanting a dog, after spending time with Rumko, the dog from his family’s neighbors.

Bucky had loved the dog next door back when they were kids. He had tried to argue with his ma over and over and over that he would take good care of a pet if he ever got one. But money was tight, and his sisters’ and Steve's health were more important than having a pet.

That had been another, rather saddening memory. Knowing that his family and he had struggled to survive on a daily basis recalling hushed conversations between his sisters about marrying a jerk just because he would pay for their lives and even give some good coins to his ma for them- yeah those memories he could have done without.

The memory of Rumko, though, was one of the happiest he had. Rumko had been a long-haired beast of a dog. He had jumped on Bucky whenever they crossed paths and they had played and romped around a lot when Bucky was young. Sometimes when his old neighbors, a greying couple, she with blue eyes and him with brownish ones, both always had a kind smile and a kind word of advice for him, were too ill to go with their dog, Bucky and later Steve would do it for them.

Mrs. Lie? Leg? Lee?- Bucky still didn’t remember perfectly- would bake a pie for all of them and Bucky’s sisters would squeal in delight when he brought them a piece. All in all, the brunet’s memories regarding a pet were overly fond.

So one of the things Bucky did once he remembered and was 'fine ' was looking for a dog. He hadn't expected to find a cat, but he loved her dearly.

There was no excuse as to how he found himself with Alpine, but he wouldn’t wish it any other way anymore. Sure the white furball was stubborn as they came and tended to ignore any and all attempts of Bucky to somewhat train her, beside the litter box, but she had a sixth sense for how Bucky was feeling and was often aware of it even before he himself was.

One time, when Bucky had thought himself to feel fine, he came back from work, got Alpine her food, and then sat on the couch. At the very next moment, Alpine sprang on his lap, leaving her food for the moment, and pawed at his chest gently. For a second Bucky stared until he felt the first hot tear running down his cheek.

Alpine had stayed with him til no more tears came and he fell asleep.

After that time, Bucky tended to buy a little extra for his friend, and she kept close to him during the night, for the night was when he often felt a strange longing and sadness.

In the broad daylight, it was easy to forget that he didn’t belong here. Sure, Bucky had made some acquaintances. And yes, Bucky was most popular with the gals and some fellas as well, but the elder folk were mostly wary of him. Something about the way Bucky had been found made them uneasy. Honestly, Bucky couldn’t blame them; he had heard the whispers.

Apparently, he had been found bleeding out by a lake, left arm strongly mangled and thought to be a case for the undertaker. Suddenly though, he had recovered nearly completely, the only issues left were his memory and part of the dexterity in his left arm. A few shallow scars are the visible souvenirs of that.

So yes, Bucky could understand why they were wary. What he didn’t get was why the younger ones, weren’t and why Mrs. Halász insisted on hiring him for every kind of odd job there was, even in the beginning. After a few weeks, people talked about how well he worked and how much he could handle and thus he managed to get enough payment to rent himself a small apartment, pay off the debt for his hospital bills, and get new clothes and everything a human needed to live.

So all in all, his current situation could be summarized as stable - he had a cat, a job at the bakery, and a few odd jobs here and there - and financially well off.

That wasn’t the all in life for him though. Bucky was searching for his memories desperately. At night, he would look in the sky, trying to figure out the constellations, seeing the stars differently than he faintly remembered.

Today was one of those nights he went outside, climbing the fire escape upwards to the roof with Alpine perched on his shoulders. Bucky arrived on top and took a few steps to the center. Then he flopped down, sitting cross-legged and throwing his head back, gaze fixed on the sky. He felt how Alpine settled on his lap and absentmindedly sank his fingers in her fur.

The stars seemed to twinkle brighter whenever he looked at them, seemingly wanting to lure him in. In the silent moments Bucky spent on the roof, it was as if the stars tried to tell him pieces of his past. A soft scoff left Bucky’s lips. ‘As if. Only because you are hopelessly longing for something doesn’t mean that the stars will try to help you.’

Rationally Bucky knew that it was nonsense and stupid to believe otherwise, to think that the key for everything was out there in space. That the one star his gaze was constantly drawn to, held any significance to his memories. But somehow, deep down, Bucky couldn’t help feeling his heart throbbing to the beat of said star’s twinkling. Whenever the brunet concentrated on that particular star, he started to lowly hum under his breath.

A melody so ingrained in his flesh and soul, even his spotted memory recalled it the very first time Bucky had seen that star. While he hummed, Alpine would purr and sometimes Bucky thought he could hear that man’s voice, and a woman's laugh, and then his head would throb in pain.

But his heart… Well, Bucky’s heart would clench in yearning.

-----

Little could Bucky have known, that while he watched the sky, with longing in his heart, another brunet did the same.

At the same time but far away, on one of those stars, another star named Earth, Tony Stark stood on his balcony, surveying the land beneath before raising his gaze into the stars. In his arms, he held his baby boy, Winter. The boy was named after the season they had lost their third. Despite the loss they had experienced, Tony couldn’t feel more joy when he looked down again, grey steel eyes meeting with his golden ones. The babe made grabby hands, and Tony chuckled softly.

Holding Winter carefully against his chest, Tony fed him stardust from a bottle and whispered, "One day, you’ll know you're the world. One day, you’ll know you are a wise guy. But wisdom comes with age and until then you are just smart."

Because in Tony’s mind, there was no doubt that his child was at least as smart as him. It was in their blood. His father had been smarter than his grandfather who had already been smarter than his father, the founder of the Stark Space Travel line. Albeit their planet being highly advanced, technology-wise, their whole race had a glaring design fault. Their children needed stardust to survive and nurture. That itself was not a problem. The real trouble lay in the fact that so far only four stars had been discovered which held the right concentration of all needed elements.

So, no matter what your life brought you if you wanted to have a child, you needed to come back to one of those four stars. Tony had been born on Earth, like every other Stark. His mother, Maria, though had been from Xantha, his Dam, Peggy, from Asrir. So his parents hadn’t been sure where Tony would be raised best but soon found that the brunet got most nutrients from the stardust of Earth.

Wiggling startled Tony out of his reverie,  and he adjusted his grip on Winter. “Whoa! Watch it, little man. Don’t wanna make your mother mad by dropping you!”

The baby looked at him, blinked and then chuckled himself. Tony made sure that his boy settled again and was safely tucked in his arms when his eyes returned to the sky.  ‘One day, I will remember your name. Your name and your face and everything else about you. Right now I only have your voice and the sweet things you told us. Right now I only know despite not remembering, that Winter has your eyes. And one day, dear, I shall remember so I can tell our child everything about his Mod. ’

---

Natalia was with them, standing in the background watching them, knowing things she shouldn't.

She felt her own sorrow echoed in Tony’s heart. She heard the silent screams of her husband at night. She felt the confusion, the search for his Mod whenever Winter looked around. The child felt that there was a person missing. She just hoped her precious boy wouldn’t suffer as she had.

She hoped devoutly that her own curse wasn’t her boy's burden to share. Her own second mother, Dam Vanka, had pleaded with Natalia for forgiveness when she had been still a little child. Only a few years later and after her Dam’s death did she understand what she meant.

Natalia had tried to drown her foresight with alcohol, but it never lasted. Flashes of their world, their planet destroyed, burned, and scourged had plagued her since she was a small child.

A dystopia of pain and burning bodies. A world where they all destroyed each other. Foul soil and no more stardust to feed the babies. Women and men bare, even the three DNA’s not enough to fertilize an egg and have a child. She had always believed that she’d never find a semblance of happiness. Then she had met Tony and Clint and Phil and Steve and Bucky.

Bucky and Tony had already been in something. No one could answer her what kind of bond those two had forged and how it came to be, not even Rhodey and Steve, the respective best friends of Tony and Bucky. Later, way later, she found out that a common love for pets had gotten them to talk. Then, in the secret of a joined bedroom, under the covers with eyelids heavy from sleep, both had confessed to her that they’ve been prisoners of the Kree at the same time.

That they had done things together, just to survive, which they regretted with every fiber of their heart. But it also had united them. A few weeks after their confession Natalia had confessed how she had always seen things. How she always knew things, bad things would happen before they did. How she had killed a man because she knew he would kill his wives and his children.

But how those visions had not been hers. Neither her ideas, never her wishes, nor thoughts.

"These aren't mine" she had said over and over when the doctors viewed her mind, they never believed her. She had said it still when BARF showed Tony her innermost secrets. Unlike the doctors, they believed her. They believed in her. Bucky and Tony supported her, made her feel fine and alive for the first time in so long. How could she not have fallen in love?

These days though, even her other friends looked strangely at her.

Besides Tony, everyone judged her. Believing her to be cruel and to want the visions, the destruction. But she didn't. The boy in Tony's arms was proof of that. On silent soles, she made her way into the kitchen to cook the chicken soup the way her mother taught her.

On her way there she detoured to the gear room. They might be benched for as long as Winter needed to be fed Stardust on an hourly basis, but that didn’t mean Natalia would let their equipment get dusty. She entered the spacious room, lights turning on automatically thanks to JARVIS.

Purposeful she strode towards her Black Widow bites and checked their charging. Then, without asking, JARVIS provided her information on the repair status of the latest Iron Man suit. Another reason they were benched, the real reason, to be honest, had been Tony’s near-suicidal maneuver the past few missions before he was injured badly enough to need the cradle.

Selective amnesia had been the result.

Natalia sighed deeply. Not long before that mission, they had rediscovered a parachute- glancing to the side her gaze found it. The parachute of their friend and lost lover. It had been found floating on a lake not far away. Steve and Rhodey had suggested they all went out for a while, letting Winter see some animals and plants. Natalia had bit her lip, a headache overcoming her as she saw flashes of the same parachute and her precious boy crying. At that moment she hadn’t known what exactly would happen, but she’d known their little excursion wouldn’t end all daisies and roses.

Stepping out of the room again Natalia finally went into the kitchen, cooking the soup and thinking, ‘If the myths were to be believed, then that lake led to a world beyond. To a star far away. Maybe even the star Tony was looking at. A star Bucky hopefully now lived on, amongst the mythical creatures, cats. He always loved animals, and those creatures are said to be one of the most elegant cohabitants for people.’ ~~~~~~~~~~~

[mjj-news]

MJJNews Provided By Anji~Justice240

MJJNEWS, PICKING -UP- WHERE WE LEFT OFF…  

In Loving Memory Of Michael Jackson 1958-2009

♥ You Know That L.O.V.E. Survives ♥ **  ♥ So We Can Rock Forever ♥  **

★January 2021★  

MJJNEWS, PICKING -UP- WHERE WE LEFT OFF…

MICHAEL JACKSON – 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW

January 1, 2021

If someone had told you at the beginning of 2020 that the year was going to be spent mostly at home and online, you’d probably have laughed it off. However, in arguably the most challenging year of our lifetime, that’s exactly what happened. Thankfully, we’re fans of the King of Pop and that means that no matter where you are in the world, you’re part of an active community that engages fans and always finds ways to celebrate no matter how challenging.

So, before we turn the page to 2021, Here is MJVibe’s top picks for Michael Jackson 2020 – Year in Review!

Thriller appears in the Top 10 vinyl sales of the decade in the United States at number 6, having sold 334,000 copies between 2010 and 2019. In 2019 alone, 88,000 copies of Thriller on vinyl were sold across the U.S.

A pair of Louboutins designed exclusively for Michael to wear during ‘This Is It’ go on display in Paris France at the Palais de la Porte Dorée as part of an exhibition focusing on the world-famous designer Christian Louboutins. The sparkly shoes offer a subtle nod to Michael’s Triumph/Off The Wall look and were displayed as if Moonwalking.

- Bad in Wembley and Dangerous Live in Bucharest are once again made available for streaming on YouTube through Michael’s official channel in an effort to encourage the ‘stay home’ order given to countries around the world.

- After 11 years at the Lyric Theater, Thriller Live closes its doors for the final time. The show had been scheduled to complete on April 26th 2020 and leave the Lyric to find a new home. However, the UK-wide lock down as a result of the pandemic saw the show close earlier than planned.

- The MJ Estate donated $300,000 to Corona Virus relief efforts in Michael’s name. Broadway Cares, Three Square Food Bank (Southern Nevada’s largest hunger-relief organization) and MusicCares each received a $100,000 donation.

The Estate release ‘Heal The World 2020’, a new short film to accompany Michael’s 1992 hit of the same name. The film focused on the Covid-19 pandemic and was produced to unite Michael’s fans virtually during an almost global lock down.

In response to the release, fans ensured ‘Healtheworld2020’ trended two weekends consecutively. As of December 2020, the short film has 4.3 million views on YouTube.

View the video here!

- As a result of the pandemic, MJ The Musical’s debut is once again delayed to September 2021. Originally planned to open in Chicago in the Summer of 2019, the launch was cancelled with a plan to head straight to Broadway in early 2020. After three rescheduled dates, the decision was made to push to September 2021.

- Michael dominates Smooth Radio’s All-Time Top 500 Songs with the most entries by a solo artist. With 20 entries, Billie Jean and Man In The Mirror placed inside the Top 10, with George Michael being the only other artist to do so. Averaging four million listeners a week, Smooth Radio removed Michael from rotation in 2019, however, this poll as voted by the public, ensured Michael returned to the station’s regular playlist. #MUTEWHO?!

- HIStory turns 25 and while fans around the world mark the album’s monumental status and timeless appeal, the Estate chose to release apparel and a badge set, which mostly amounted to, what some fans considered an overpriced, bad quality, poorly designed, late delivered collection.

Judge for yourself, Ilia Mizani and Pez Jax sat down to review some of the products here.

- Marking the 25th Anniversary of the album, the HIStory teaser is added to YouTube where it has since been viewed 1.5 million times via Michael’s official channel.

- It’s been over 50 years since the Jackson 5 performed on the Ed Sullivan show. As part of a full library upload, the performances are restored and uploaded to YouTube for future generations to enjoy. You can watch the iconic performances here!

- Sixteen11 Media Group announces the release of a new book titled, ‘The Story of HIStory’ by Pez Jax. The book charts the creation and release of HIStory and marks 25 years of the album’s release. Including interviews with many people who worked on the album and short films, Jax called upon HIStory Statue sculptor Diana Walczak to help create the cover of the book. By the end of 2020, the book was released in special gold hardback and has been shipped to over 30 countries around the world. Several of Michael’s items from the era were placed on auction through Julien’s Auctions. Taking place from the 15th – 19th of June, listings included the three Olodum outfits worn by Michael in ‘They Don’t Care About Us’, the black trench coat from Stranger In Moscow and the handwritten lyrics to D.S.

- Author Damien Shields releases ‘The Genesis of Thriller’, a special audio documentary that takes listeners into the studio to discover how the world’s biggest-selling album was made. HIGHLY Recommended!

You can listen to this insightful audio documentary here!

- SiriusXM launches ‘The Michael Jackson Channel’, a radio station playing nothing but Michael Jackson music for a strictly limited time. The station also featured a special playlist titled ‘The Now More Than Ever King of Pop Playlist’.

- UK Nationwide Radio Station ‘Smooth Radio’ host their annual ‘Top 100’ poll to find out who the number one Icon is, according to listeners. With an overwhelming number of votes, Michael comes in at Number one.

- Following global demonstrations in relation to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police, Spike Lee teamed up with the Estate to release a new version of ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ for 2020. Mixing together both the Brazilian and Prison versions of the short film, Lee also incorporated footage from demonstrations around the world, which once again proved just how timeless Michael’s music is when used as the backdrop to current affairs.

Watch it here!

- Chinese fans celebrate Michael’s 62nd Birthday with the unveiling of 10 statues across the country. Created by MJJCN, the statues were installed in prominent locations including Nanning and Beijing and serve as a wonderful dedication to Michael.

‘Loving Neverland’ is released on YouTube as a five-hour compilation of footage and information that details Michael’s life, challenges and career in great detail. Compiled by fans Nandita Raghav and Deboleena Aich, Loving Neverland serves as a powerful reminder to what Michael experienced for anyone looking to understand who he was. You can watch it here!

- Finally, and after many years of asking, the Estate decided to do something with Michael Jackson’s Ghosts, announcing it would be free to stream on YouTube from 29th October until the 1st of November. To mark the Halloween period, which Michael ultimately rules, the mini-movie was uploaded in better quality than the previous uploads.

- Walmart release a limited edition 2x colored vinyl of the Jackson 5 greatest hits album ‘The Ultimate Collection’. Available only in the U.S, the album was issued through Universal Music.

- In what’s almost yearly fashion, more of Michael’s personal items were placed up for auction including the 2006 Japan VMAs jacket that marked Michael’s first official red-carpet appearance since his 2005 trial.

Also on auction were platinum record awards, signed items, photographs, drawings and a glove.

- Cirque-Du-Soleil announced that despite being closed for most of 2020 due to the pandemic, Michael Jackson ONE is one of five Las Vegas residency shows to receive a contract extension. Originally signed as a 10-year with five years guaranteed at the Mandalay Bay, the show has been so popular that both Cirque and Mandalay want to keep it going past its 2023 end date. The new end date on the contract extension has not been announced.

- On November 16th, the legendary Bruce Swedien passed away. Having worked with Michael as Engineer on all his Epic solo albums up to Invincible, Swedien continued working in the industry up until his passing and became an inspiration to many upcoming producers and engineers. Rest in Peace Bruce!

- Michael once again topped Forbes list of the Highest-Paid Dead Celebrity. Coming in at number one with $48 million earned, he beat Dr Seuss who came in second position with $33 million. FYI, Elvis came in 5th.

- To cap off another year of insightful interviews and important documentation, the MJCast episode 126 was a special featuring TJ Jackson. TJ speaks about growing up a Jackson, working with Michael and how the last few years of negativity have affected his family. You can listen to this deeply personal episode here!

- On Christmas Eve it was announced that Neverland ranch had officially been sold. Purchased for just $22 million by Billionaire Ron Burkle, the final price was a huge reduction from the overzealous $100 million asking price when the property was first put onto the market. However, there is hope as Burkle was a former business associate and friend to Michael, so while it may not be a ‘Michael Jackson Memorial’, it will hopefully be treated with the respect and history it deserves.

As we begin 2021 with hope and optimism, it may take a while before we can all be back with our favorite MJ friends; throwing down dance moves on his birthday and lighting candles on his anniversary. However, with the 30th Anniversary of Dangerous and the 20th Anniversary of Invincible at the tail end of the year, it’s likely we can look forward to some exciting coverage from a variety of different places and hopefully some more chart-topping achievements throughout the year.

⭐༺★༻ ༺🖤༻ ༺★༻⭐