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roamanddiscover · 1 year ago

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Bahamas

The Bahamas is a stunning archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the United States and north of Cuba. This island nation consists of over 700 islands and cays, each with its own unique charm and allure. In this article, we will explore the geography, ecology, climate, environment, politics, economy, infrastructure, science and technology, famous people, demographics, healthcare, culture, flights, accommodation, and attractions of the Bahamas. We will take a closer look at the history, geology, biodiversity, and environmental issues of the Bahamas, as well as the various cultural and culinary experiences that can be enjoyed by travelers. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, the Bahamas is sure to captivate and enchant you.

Etymology

The Bahamas, a breathtaking archipelago situated in the Caribbean, is known for its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture. However, have you ever wondered about the origin and meaning of its name? Let's explore the etymology of the Bahamas. The name "Bahamas" is derived from the Spanish word "baja mar," which translates to "shallow sea." The name is quite fitting considering the Bahamas is situated on a shallow sea platform with an average depth of only 20 feet. The area was originally known as "Lucayos," named after the Lucayan people, who were the first inhabitants of the islands before European colonization. During the Spanish exploration of the Americas, the islands were referred to as the "Islas de las Bahamas," which means "Islands of the Shallow Sea." The name was later shortened to simply "The Bahamas." The country achieved independence from Great Britain in 1973, and its official name is now the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. It is interesting to note that the name "Bahamas" is also used to refer to a widespread fishing technique called "bahamian-style fly fishing." This technique involves wading into shallow waters while using a fly rod to catch bonefish or other game fish. The name "Bahamas" perfectly captures the essence of the archipelago, as the crystal-clear waters surrounding the many islands are shallow and teeming with life. It is no wonder that venturing to the Bahamas has been a popular destination for travelers for many years.

History

The history of the Bahamas is rich and diverse, shaped by various events that have occurred over time. It is believed that the first inhabitants of the Bahamas were the Lucayan people, who lived on the islands for centuries until European explorers arrived in the late 15th century. In 1492, Christopher Columbus encountered the islands and claimed them for Spain. However, it was not until the early 17th century that the islands were colonized by the English. During the 18th century, the Bahamas became a hub for pirates, who used the islands as a base for their operations in the Caribbean. This period is known as the "Golden Age of Piracy," and many famous pirates frequented the islands, including Blackbeard and Calico Jack. The British government eventually cracked down on piracy in the 19th century, leading to a decline in the pirate population. In 1973, the Bahamas gained independence from Great Britain and became a sovereign nation. Since then, the country has undergone significant economic growth, becoming a popular destination for tourism and investment. Today, the Bahamas remains a popular vacation spot for people from all over the world. The history of the Bahamas is also tied to the slave trade. Slaves were brought to the islands to work on plantations, and the country's economy was built on their labor. Slavery was eventually abolished in the Bahamas in 1834, and the country became a haven for freed slaves. The history of the Bahamas is also marked by natural disasters. Hurricanes and tropical storms have regularly hit the islands, causing significant damage. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian devastated parts of the Bahamas, causing widespread destruction and claiming many lives. the history of the Bahamas is a testament to the resilience and strength of its people. From the first inhabitants to the present day, the country has faced many challenges but has always persevered. Today, the Bahamas is a thriving nation with a rich history and culture that draws people from around the world. Geology The Bahamas is primarily made up of islands, cays, and reefs, but what lies beneath the pristine, turquoise waters of this tropical paradise is just as fascinating. The geology of the Bahamas is predominantly made up of carbonate rocks, such as limestone and dolomite, which have been formed over millions of years of precipitation and accumulation of calcium carbonate in the marine environment. The islands of the Bahamas are located in an area of tectonic activity known as the North American and Caribbean Plate boundary. This boundary is characterized by a series of transform faults that have caused several earthquakes in the past, some of which have been recorded as far back as the early 1700s. However, the Bahamas is not a seismic region, and earthquakes are not common. One notable feature of the Bahamas' geological makeup is its blue holes. These underwater caves are formed by the dissolution of limestone over a long period of time and can reach up to 200 meters in depth. The most famous of these blue holes is Dean's Blue Hole, located in Long Island, which is the deepest known blue hole in the world at 202 meters. The Bahamas is also home to some unique geological formations such as the Glass Window Bridge in Eleuthera. This narrow strip of land separates two contrasting bodies of water, the rough Atlantic Ocean and the calm Caribbean Sea, with a natural arch made of limestone, making it a popular tourist spot. The islands also have expansive coral reefs which provide habitat to a diverse range of marine life. In addition to its geological formations, the Bahamas has rich mineral resources, including aragonite, salt, and cascarilla bark. Aragonite is a calcium carbonate mineral that has multiple uses, including in the production of cement and as a soil conditioner. The salt industry is also significant in the Bahamas, with the Inagua Salt Company being the largest producer of solar salt in the Western Hemisphere. while the Bahamas may be known for its stunning beaches and clear waters, its geological makeup is equally fascinating. The prevalence of carbonate rocks gives rise to unique formations such as blue holes, and the island's mineral resources have played a significant role in its economy. The geological features of the Bahamas continue to attract geologists and nature enthusiasts from all over the world, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the natural wonders of our planet. Geography The Bahamas is comprised of 700 islands and more than 2,000 cays (pronounced 'keys'). In total, the country spans over 100,000 square miles and stretches out across the western Atlantic Ocean. The islands are situated roughly 50 miles southeast of Florida and to the northeast of Cuba, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The unique geography of the Bahamas is due to its location on the Bahama Platform, which is a large carbonate bank consisting of limestone formations that rise above the surface of the ocean. The islands are surrounded by shallow, crystal-clear waters that are teeming with marine life and provide prime conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and other watersports. The islands of the Bahamas are divided into two main groups: the Abaco Islands and the Out Islands, also known as the Family Islands. The Abaco Islands are located in the northern region of the Bahamas and are known for their striking natural beauty, including powdery white sand beaches, serene coves, and lush forests. The Out Islands consist of a diverse range of islands and cays and offer a more laid-back, authentic island experience. Many of the islands are uninhabited and boast secluded beaches, pristine coral reefs, and crystal-clear lagoons. The largest island in the Bahamas is Andros Island, which covers over 2,300 square miles. The island is known for its lush pine forests, unspoiled beaches, and coral reefs. Grand Bahama Island is the second-largest island in the Bahamas and is home to the city of Freeport, as well as stunning beaches and a variety of water-based activities. Some of the other notable islands of the Bahamas include New Providence Island (home to the country's capital, Nassau), Exuma, Bimini, and Eleuthera. the geography of the Bahamas is defined by its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse range of islands and cays. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat surrounded by untouched natural beauty or a more vibrant island experience, the Bahamas has something to offer for everyone. Ecology The Bahamas is renowned for its distinct and exquisite ecological systems. The beautiful islands are home to an extensive variety of marine life and are considered to be a biodiversity hotspot. The different ecological systems present in the Bahamas are a vital part of the country's unique identity. The Bahamas features one of the most diverse coral reef ecosystems worldwide. The coral reefs are home to more than 500 species of fish and over 200 species of coral. The reefs also play a significant role in protecting the coastline from erosion during hurricanes and tropical storms. The coral reefs system of the Bahamas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mangrove ecosystem in the Bahamas is another unique and crucial ecological system. Mangroves are indigenous trees that grow in the shallow water along the coastlines of the islands. They provide essential habitats for a myriad of creatures, such as oysters, crabs, and fish. They also protect the small islands from storm surges and other natural disasters. The Bahamas also houses several important bird sanctuaries. The country is a favorite spot for bird watching enthusiasts due to the vast range of bird species present here. The various bird sanctuaries act as a safe haven for many endangered and rare species of birds, such as the Bahama yellowthroat. The Bahamian pineyard ecosystem is also a crucial aspect of the ecological system in the Bahamas. The Bahamas pineyard region consists of the Andros Islands, Abaco Islands, Grand Bahama Island, and Little Abaco. The ecosystem is home to the Bahamian subspecies of the Pine Warbler, which is a protected bird species. Moreover, the Bahamas' rich biodiversity extends to its terrestrial ecosystems, including various tree species, such as the Caribbean Pine and the Gumbo Limbo tree. The islands are home to a diverse range of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, such as iguanas, snakes, and bats. The Bahamas is also famous for its blue holes. Blue holes are underwater sinkholes, and the Bahamas houses some of the world's most extensive and deepest blue holes. The blue holes provide vital habitats for various underground cave creatures, and are a favorite spot for diving enthusiasts. the Bahamas' unique and diverse ecological systems are a defining feature of the country's beauty. From its coral reefs to its rare bird species, the islands provide an unforgettable ecological experience. The Bahamian government has implemented measures to conserve and protect these precious environments, and it is crucial that visitors respect and appreciate their biodiversity. Biodiversity The Bahamas is home to a rich and diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which can be found nowhere else in the world. The region boasts a unique mix of Caribbean, North American, and South American species, making it a fascinating destination for nature enthusiasts. The islands are surrounded by crystal-clear waters, home to an abundance of marine life. Visitors can snorkel or dive to glimpse colorful fish, sharks, rays, turtles, and dolphins. There are also opportunities to spot migrating whales in deeper offshore waters. On land, the Bahamas boasts an array of bird species, including more than 300 migratory and resident birds. The national bird of the Bahamas is the flamingo, with approximately 80% of the world's population nesting in the Inagua National Park. Other notable bird species include the Bahama Parrot, the Bahamas Woodstar hummingbird, and the Bahama Yellowthroat. The Bahamas is also home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including several species of iguanas and lizards. The Andros Island Rock Iguana, for example, can only be found on Andros Island and is considered an endangered species. The Bahamas also has six species of sea turtles, four of which are considered endangered or critically endangered. The island's plant life is equally diverse, with more than 1,400 species of plants, many of which are unique to the Bahamas. The region has several endemic species, including the Bahama Caper, Bahama Yellow Elder, and the Bahama St. John's Wort. There are also several species of palms and fruit trees, including coconut palms, banana trees, and pineapple. To protect and preserve the Bahamas' unique biodiversity, several national parks and protected areas have been established. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, for example, is a protected marine reserve and one of the world's largest no-take marine reserve zones. Several islands, such as Andros Island, also have extensive protected lands and ecosystems. the Bahamas offers a unique and fascinating array of plant and animal species that are worth exploring. From the marine life to the flamboyant birds and exotic plants, the natural world of the Bahamas has much to offer. It is crucial to protect and preserve this biodiversity by ensuring that sustainable tourism and environmental policies are in place.

Sea Turtles

Climate

The climate of the Bahamas is tropical, with temperatures that generally range from 70 to 90°F. During the summer months, which extend from June through September, temperatures are the warmest and humidity is high. Alternatively, from December through February, the temperature usually dips a bit and the weather is milder. The Bahamas also experiences a considerable amount of rainfall throughout the year, with May through October being the wettest months. Hurricanes can also pose a substantial risk to the area, with the worst season running from June to November. The climate plays a significant role in the Bahamian tourism industry, with many people flocking to the islands year-round to escape colder climates or to enjoy the warm summers. The Bahamas has become an increasingly popular vacation spot for people from the United States, as well as other countries. Due to the changing weather conditions, it is essential to monitor weather patterns when planning a trip to the Bahamas, especially during hurricane season. Paying close attention to weather conditions and forecasts can help you stay safe and enjoy your time on the islands fully. the climate of the Bahamas is warm and inviting, with many opportunities for visitors to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. Whether you prefer to soak up some rays on the beach or explore the natural beauty of the islands, the Bahamas provides a fantastic vacation destination with a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure.

Environmental Issues

The Bahamas, with its gorgeous islands and crystal-clear waters, is often considered a paradise on earth. However, the country is not immune to the environmental issues that are affecting our planet. Despite being a small island nation, the Bahamas is facing several daunting environmental challenges that are threatening its natural resources, biodiversity, and overall beauty. Firstly, climate change is one of the gravest environmental issues facing the Bahamas. The country is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels, hurricanes, and storms. The changing climate patterns have been leading to devastating consequences, such as coral bleaching, beach erosion and increased ocean acidification. These impacts could lead to severe consequences for the Bahamas, including loss of marine habitats, species extinction, and damage to the tourism sector, which is a significant contributor to the country's economy. Secondly, the deforestation of mangroves is another environmental issue threatening the Bahamas. Mangroves play a crucial role in supporting the country's ecosystems by stabilizing shorelines, reducing coastal erosion, and providing habitats for various species. However, the mangroves in the Bahamas are being cleared for the construction of hotels, resorts, and other development projects. This clearance of mangroves for development is resulting in the loss of crucial habitats for species and is weakening the country's resilience to storms and hurricanes. Thirdly, plastic pollution is a rising concern for the Bahamas as the country is surrounded by vast expanses of water. The country's proximity to the Sargasso Sea and the Gulf Stream makes it particularly vulnerable to marine debris, including plastic waste that is damaging the ocean's ecosystems, wildlife, and fisheries. Many of the discarded plastics end up on the Bahamas' pristine beaches, harming the tourism industry and posing health risks to both humans and wildlife. waste management is an ongoing environmental issue that is affecting the Bahamas. The country is struggling to manage its waste effectively, leading to the accumulation of trash on public sites, beaches, and natural habitats. The poor waste management practices increase the likelihood of health problems, attract pests and rodents, and damage the soil and water quality. the Bahamas is facing several environmental challenges that are critical for the long-term sustainability of the country. Climate change, deforestation, plastic pollution, and poor waste management practices have the potential to cause substantial damage to the Bahamas' beautiful landscapes and ecosystems. It is essential for the government, citizens, and tourists to take action to mitigate these environmental issues and preserve the Bahamas' natural beauty for generations.

Politics

The Bahamas is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor-General. The prime minister, the head of government, is the leader of the majority party or coalition in the House of Assembly. The Bahamas has a multi-party system, but the two main political parties are the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM). Elections are held every five years, with the last election held in 2017. The Parliament of the Bahamas is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate and the House of Assembly. The Senate is composed of 16 members appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The House of Assembly consists of 39 members elected by universal suffrage. The Constitution of the Bahamas guarantees freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and association. Read the full article

#Bahamastours #BahamasTravel #CaribbeanTours #TravelTheWorld #visitBahamas

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college-girl199328 · 2 years ago

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WARMINGTON: The Kayla Lemieux show cancelled; no longer at Oakville School

Kayla Lemieux may no longer be in the classroom at Oakville Trafalgar High School, but students, staff, and parents remain in the dark as to whether the shop teacher could one day return.

While the Halton District School Board has indicated the 39-year-old male teacher — who claims to be intersex, identifies as female, and insists large breasts are from a rare condition and not prosthetics — is no longer assigned to a school, it’s unclear what happens next.

For this reason, the Students First Ontario group that pushed the board to deal with the Lemieux situation and has been pressing for a new set of rules revolving around professional representation in the classroom has started a new GoFundMe campaign to help pay for legal fees.

Celina Close, one of the organizers who appeared on Newstalk 1010 Thursday morning with John Moore and later spoke to the Sun, made the point that “this was never about Kayla Lemieux” but “always about the students in the classroom, their future, their safety, their learning.”

Thanks to the international circus that was the Lemieux story, all of those things the school was supposed to be about for the kids no longer were.

Now the board has to clean up the mess that was left behind. But it’s the same people who caused the disaster who are now the ones who will fix it.

One parent of an 11-year-old has come forward with an example at the Upper Grand District School Board in Guelph where, in the middle of the Lemieux saga, grade 6 students were asked to do a book report on several books, including one called L’Ouragan et moi, which in English translates to The Hurricane and Me.

A translation of the explanation of the book from the publisher states: “My father knew from a very young age that she was a girl, not a boy; my mother and I didn’t know… Louis had kept that in the bottom of his heart, like a real secret. Not a little secret like a piece of cake eaten on the sly, no. A real secret that we keep to ourselves because it is too big to be shared. So, in 2013, Louis gave way to Ingrid. But not everyone understands the situation, so Philemon is sometimes teased at school.

The parent told The Toronto Sun that there’s nothing wrong with an author writing about “a biracial family” where “the white father decides he wants to now be a white woman” and the “son is so happy he now has two moms.”

But what is wrong is that the “parents were not told about it” and found it in the child’s school bag.

“Our kids have missed so much school with the pandemic; we have that Oakville teacher being allowed to teach our kids wearing that outrageous outfit, and now our kids are having to read books like this and give a presentation,” while parents are given no heads up about it.

Just like with what happened In Halton, this parent said there is a feeling of helplessness.

“I feel that if I reach out to the school or school board, I’ll be called transphobic, and my kid may be punished.”

We reached out to the UGDSB three times on Thursday but have yet to hear back.

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sepdet · 1 year ago

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Update: Ok it's hurricane-bad but they can rebuild. There's damage, disruption and injuries and four deaths, and Wajima at the epicenter lost a lot of stores and houses to fire, but this isn't a heartbreak like Kobe, let alone the 2011 Tohoku quake. The maximum tsunami height was about 1.2m, 4feet.

Here's a 1am Jan 2 wrapup of the day's events and aftermath so far from NHK's English-language site with a "language" toggle up top for translation into many languages; "Related Stories" at the bottom should show more in-depth articles.

The Guardian UK liveblog also has detailed recent updates and photos/vids of the event.

As usual, kudos to Japan for leading the way in earthquake engineering and preparation. After all the seismic data was compiled, this was an M7.6, only slightly less powerful than the M7.8 Tukiye quake back in February. We can't prevent all damage and injury from natural disasters, but Japan does its best to mitigate them.

That said it's another big quake forcing people to sleep outside in the cold. And it's a traumatic thing to experience. Here's wishing everybody caught in this a warm place to stay and for life to get back to normal as soon as possible.

So Japan rings in the new year with a M7.5 earthquake 42km NE of Anamizu, Japan at 2024-01-01 07:10:09 (UTC), 4:10pm in Tokyo, 12:10am PST.

Major tsunami warning. Japanese people know what to do (MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND), but good luck and stay safe (and warm!).

Here's NHK's English feed.

youtube

What's the best live Japanese news feed?

#japan earthquake

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emachinescat · 4 years ago

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Wind + Water - Tree in the Road

A MacGyver Fan-Fiction

by @emachinescat

@febuwhump day 12 / alt. 5 - hostage situation

Summary: AU of 2x21. The bank robbers make their escape with Mac, but this time there isn’t a tree in the road to slow them down. The rest of the team arrive at the marina just in time to see the robbers procuring a boat - and they have every intention of taking their hostage with them.

Characters: Mac, Jack, Riley, Bozer, Matty, the robbers from 2x21 (apparently their names are Booth, Pike, Dean and Ash)

Words: 4,129

Note: The Spanish is a mixture of my own adventure learning the language (I’m getting there) and a more advanced translator than Google. Hopefully there aren’t any mistakes, if so - I apologize to any Spanish speakers.

Keep reading here, or on AO3!

If you enjoy, please consider liking, commenting, or re-blogging, and you can follow me for more content like this! :)

“So, for the record, this wasn’t part of the deal,” Angus MacGyver informed his captors testily as he carefully steered the stolen Chevrolet down the narrow, debris strewn backroad toward San Juan Marina and Boat Rentals. Even though his eyes were on the road, he kept the gun pointed at him in his peripheral vision. He felt the eyes of the four bank robbers on him, so he continued, very aware that no appeal to logic or conscience that he made at this point would have any effect, largely because these men had depleted stores of both. Plus, they were desperate. “I said I’d get you out with the money if you left all the hostages behind,” he continued, then added pointedly, “All including me.”

One of the three robbers in the backseat, Pike, leaned forward to give their hostage a hearty slap on the back, which sent waves of agony shooting through his battered body. Mac’s sides, stomach, and back felt every kick and weighted punch, and his mouth tasted like blood. “Guess you shoulda been more specific,” he taunted, and Mac glanced back long enough to see the amusement on the man’s face.

“Honestly,” said the leader – his followers had called him Booth – “After giving us a glimpse of what you’re capable of, you really think we’d just let you go?” His tone made it clear that it wouldn’t have mattered if Mac had drawn out and made them sign an extensive contract expressly stating that he was to be left behind with the other hostages, nothing about his predicament would have changed. He’d gotten them out of a seemingly impossible situation, he’d made himself a valuable asset, and if there was one thing Mac understood about desperate people, it was that once they had something they saw as an advantage, they would never let it go.

The realization left a distinctly sour feeling in Mac’s stomach. He’d been seen and used as a tool before – in the army, he was a bomb defuser; for Phoenix, he was a kind of real-life troubleshooter. But even in the army, he’d still been a person whose life mattered. And now, he knew he was valued for so much more than just his skill set by his friends.

Here, though, with these four men who looked at him with a kind of contemptuous greed in their eyes, he was nothing but a tool, something to be used to their advantage, over and over, until his usefulness had run out, and then he would be discarded like a broken drill bit. To Booth, Pike, and the others, Mac was less than human, and it made him feel dirty and used and caused his chest to tighten anxiously despite his cool demeanor. He knew he had to find a way to get away, and soon. Otherwise, one of two equally unfortunate things was going to happen to him: Either he would be used to bargain their way off the island and then, as soon as they were safely away, he’d be shot and tossed overboard, or they would decide to keep and use him, and his life would become a living hell. Neither option was a possibility that Mac was willing to entertain, so he would keep his eyes out for the first chance of escape.

Noting once again the scattering of wreckage in and lining the road, Mac found himself hoping for a large piece of debris – perhaps a fallen tree or power line – would end up in their path. If they ended up having to get out of the car for any reason, that might give him the chance to plan an escape. Until then, with the five of them in such close quarters, with all but Mac armed, it was too risky to try anything. He’d wait for his opportunity, and then make his move.

***

Mac’s opportunity for escape never came, and as he reluctantly directed the vehicle into the marina, the knot it his stomach had imploded into a cavernous pit. Real tendrils of fear radiated through him, and a furious sense of injustice made his knuckles white and his fingers cramp from the grip he maintained on the steering wheel. Normally when he was out in the field and in a risky situation, he’d end up finding what he needed to make an escape or at the very least to put a significant hitch in the bad guy’s plan. It was something he’d come to take for granted, he realized, this bit of luck, that he always had something to work with. This time, he hadn’t been asking for much – just a piece of debris, a block in the road, on an island ravaged by a natural disaster! Something should have stood in their way. The statistical probability of the road being blocked at some point in the twenty-minute drive – especially considering the situation in Puerto Rico – was incredibly high. He’d counted on that blockage.

And while there had been a couple of branches scattered in their path, none were large enough to hold them up for long at all, and at no point had Mac been allowed out of the car. In the back of his mind, he remembered what Matty had said to him when she had first taken over. She didn’t want to be there when Mac’s luck ran out. He’d been quick to assure her that it wasn’t luck, that he was good at what he did, but now he had his doubts. If he wasn’t given anything to work with at all, how was he supposed to do what he was so good at?

Still, Angus MacGyver had never been one to give up, and he continued to keep his eyes peeled for anything at all he might be able to use to his advantage. Even if he couldn’t escape here and now, he would find a way to survive and get back to his friends. He always did.

“Stop here.”

Mac did as he was told, putting the car in park and waiting for further instructions. The gun was still trained on him, and he knew that none of his other captors would hesitate to put a bullet in him from behind if he made one move they didn’t like. “Dean, grab the kid,” Booth snapped, and the youngest of the robbers, the one who had been gearing up to kill all of the hostages and who couldn’t be any older than Mac himself, got out of the car, went around to Mac’s door, pulled the hostage out of the seat and shoved him forward. Mac forced himself not to fight back, because Dean’s gun was now pressed into the small of his back, and his voice was deadly as he ordered, “Move.”

The marina was fairly deserted, which would have been odd any other time, but it was midday and most people were either already out on the water or further inland, helping with cleanup and rebuilding. The only person in sight was the young woman working boat rentals. She had an open, kind face with eyes that had seen their fair share of suffering – it was a look Mac had seen in Carlos’s more vulnerable moments, and in the eyes of everyone he’d met while on the island.

“Hola,” she greeted, a bit flustered at the new arrivals. “¿Te puedo ayudar?” Mac thought that she probably didn’t see a lot of business nowadays. Tourists were the ones who rented boats more often than not – the locals usually had their own – and tourism had plummeted since the hurricane. Mac noticed that the bank robbers had hidden their weapons, other than the one at Mac’s back, and to the girl it must have looked like Mac and Dean were just walking close together, side by side. Maybe she thought they were a couple. Mac made sure his face was neutral, not wanting to give anything away and put this poor girl in danger. If only the marina had been deserted, with no one else in the crosshairs!

“Do I look like I speak Spanish?” Booth snapped impatiently.

The girl blinked, eyes wide, taken aback by the rudeness. “I – I’m sorry,” she stammered in heavily accented English. Mac’s heart went out to her even as he felt his revulsion for his captors grow. It literally would have expended the same amount of energy to treat the girl with an ounce of respect. These men were assholes just because they could be.

“We need a boat,” Booth ordered briskly. “Now.”

“Bien – ah, okay.” She looked scared that her accidental slip was going to get her yelled at again. “Our skippers are not on site at the moment, and most of our boats are being repaired. We do have one –”

“We’ll take it,” Booth growled, and the girl flinched back at the harshness of his tone. Tears forming in her eyes, she glanced around briefly at the other men in the party, her eyes landing on Mac last. He offered her a sympathetic half-smile, knowing that the girl – Mia, her name tag said – was probably having her worst day on the job yet. At least she didn’t know the true colors of the difficult customers she was dealing with.

As if worried Mac was trying to tip Mia off, Dean tightened his grip on Mac’s arm and rammed the barrel of the gun painfully into his back. Mac didn’t react other than to break eye contact with their hostess, who abruptly got back to her task. “Do you have a boating license that I can see?” Her dark eyes plainly showed she was afraid of the answer – afraid of what would happen if they did not have the proper documentation and she had to tell them no.

“I don’t have a damn license,” Booth answered, impatience rising with his voice.

“Lo siento – I’m sorry, you can’t rent a boat without a skipper if you don’t have a license.” At the fury on her tormentors’ faces, her eyes darted desperately to Mac, as if she had sensed he wasn’t like the others and would step out and ask his friends to give it a rest. Not wanting to risk her life, Mac felt guilt rise in him as he pointedly avoided her gaze. Her voice thick with emotion, she regrouped and offered, “But I can call and have someone here within the hour to take you out.”

Booth lost his temper completely. Slamming his fist down on the counter, he leaned over the cowering girl and hissed in a deadly tone that brooked no argument, “You will get us a boat now.” Mia stood frozen in shock, and Booth glanced back over his shoulder at his three men and their hostage. Collectively, they came to a silent agreement – obviously, the subtle approach wasn’t working, and they were running out of time. With deft movement, so seamless it could have been rehearsed, Dean let go of Mac’s arm and shoved him into Booth, who twisted his greedy, filthy hand in Mac’s hair for the second time that day. Mac grunted in pain as his head was yanked back and stilled his instinctive struggling as the sun-warmed barrel of Booth’s gun found the left carotid artery in Mac’s neck. “If you don’t,” Booth added grimly, “I’m going to kill him right before your eyes.”

Mia’s eyes darted to Mac’s once more and he saw the barely controlled terror just beneath the surface. She hesitated, and the gun jabbed deeper into Mac’s neck as the safety clicked off, and Mac fought the urge to squeeze his eyes shut as his heart jumped into overdrive. “You’ll be scrubbing his blood off this dock for the next year,” Booth promised, “and you’ll never get it off your pretty little hands.”

Mac thought for a terrifying moment that Mia was going to pass out or break down, as she swayed slightly on the spot, but then she steeled herself, an inner strength that Mac was proud to see flowing into her. She straightened her spine, offered a small, scared smile that was probably meant to be reassuring at Mac, and nodded curtly. “Okay,” she said in a thin voice, and it barely shook, though her hand did as she reached for a set of keys hanging on the wall behind her. “Just… don’t hurt him, please.”

As she slowly moved away from the wooden counter and motioned for the men to follow her along the dock to their new vessel, Booth yanked Mac’s head back fiercely and whispered, “I knew you would come in handy in some way,” and then shoved Mac forward, finally releasing his hair – Mac’s scalp ached and his neck had already developed a painful stiffness from being twisted back in such an uncomfortable position. The gun moved to the back of Mac’s head. The safety remained off.

Everything moved far too quickly after that. It seemed that no time had passed until Mac was being forced onto the deck of a small craft barely big enough for the five of them. Mac graciously offered to stay behind, and received a crack to the back of the head with the pistol butt in response. At some point, one of the robbers – Ash, Mac thought his name was – had stepped in and tied Mac’s hands behind his back with sturdy nautical rope. Mac hadn’t had a single opportunity to attempt escape throughout the whole process, as not only was Booth’s gun still at the base of his neck, but Pike’s own weapon was on the helpless Mia who stood on the dock, tears streaming down her face as she watched the men prepare to leave with their hostage. Mac knew that if he even thought about doing something stupid, she would be killed without a second thought.

And then many things happened at once – a battered orange car swerved into the parking lot, the sound of screaming sirens not far behind. Mac couldn’t help but grin when he saw who jumped out: his team, Riley, Bozer, and Jack – who had death in his eyes. Mac had seen that look many times before. Someone had threatened his partner. Mac didn’t envy Booth and his goons once Jack Wyatt Dalton got his hands on them.

Jack already had his own gun drawn as he raced onto the dock. His boots thunked hollowly against the boards as he sprinted for the boat, keen sights already on the bastard who had his paws on his kid.

But Booth had all the power here, with Mac in his clutches, and he knew it. And with the innocent civilian being held at gunpoint, he’d doubly covered his ass. Mac’s hope at seeing his team faltered when he realized that Jack’s being here really didn’t change a thing. It would just make this so much worse, because Jack would be forced to watch as Mac was taken, and when he could finally chase after them, it would probably be too late. As if to solidify this knowledge, Mac felt Booth’s hand twine in his hair, again – what was it with this guy and Mac’s hair, anyway? – and the gun was back beneath his jaw, Mac could feel the artery rapidly pulsing against the unyielding metal.

“You make one more step, and Boy Wonder here dies,” Booth shouted right in Mac’s ear. Mac locked eyes with Jack, who stuttered obediently to a stop, Riley and Bozer following suit. Even now, Mac knew that his partner was desperately searching for any opening, any shot he could take to save his friend.

“I’d put that gun down, if I were you,” Ash called out.

Jack glared at him, unrelenting. “Who invited Papa Smurf to the party?” he joked, but Mac clearly saw the anxiety in every line on his face.

A shot rang out. Mia screamed. A smoking hole had appeared inches from her feet: The bullet had buried itself into the planks. “He said,” Booth repeated, “put down your gun.” He punctuated his words with a brutal yank of Mac’s hair. “Next time, I put a bullet in your friend. No more warnings.”

Loathing poured off of Jack in waves, but he did as he was told and lowered the weapon, though he didn’t put it down. The sirens drew nearer, and Mac knew his captors were going to have to make their move before the police arrived, or things would get even messier. “Ash, start the damn boat,” Booth ordered.

The man did as he was told, inserting the key, and the engine spluttered, coughed, and fell silent. He tried again. Nothing.

“What the hell, man?” Dean barked, an edge of panic creeping into his voice.

“I’m trying!” Ash shot back, making another attempt to start the motor.

For a split second, Mac felt Booth twist behind him, trying to get a look at what was going on, and in that moment, Pike was distracted as well. Just one look away from their hostages was all that Mac and Jack needed – maybe the universe was looking out for them, after all. While Booth was distracted, both his grip on Mac and on the gun momentarily slackened, and Mac inched over and made himself as small as possible to give Jack a better shot at the man behind him. The gun was far too close to his face for Mac to lash out himself; now was a time to stand aside and let Jack do what he did best.

In the span of five seconds, Jack brought his gun back up and shot both Pike and Booth in quick succession. He hit Pike first in the gun hand, and the man toppled over the side of the boat, howling in agony. Booth’s bullet too had been perfectly timed and aimed – it hit him in the side of the head as he turned back around to deal with his hostage. He dropped, the gun clattering from his hand, dead before he hit the ground. It had been a tight shot, and quite the gamble considering the gun that had still been at Mac’s throat, but Jack had timed it perfectly, and Mac never doubted him once.

***

The next half hour was a blur of police sirens – “‘Bout time you got here,” Jack griped testily – painful but welcome hugs from his friends, and a collective promise of painkillers, a four-way lecture, a hasty debrief, and much-needed rest, in that exact order, on their flight to their next op.

Jack had been livid, insisting that Mac needed more than on-the-go treatment, but Matty was firm – this op couldn’t wait. Her fierce eyes did soften when she got a good look at the state that her agent was in, though, and assured him that he was getting a thorough check by medical the second they got home. Until then, she ordered, with no room for argument, he was to rest and recuperate, and so help her God, if he purposefully threw himself into this kind of mess again.... She didn’t actually finish her threat, which made it all the scarier, and Mac had promised to be good on the next mission. (Nobody really believed him, though.)

Secretly, though, he was glad that he would get a chance to rest on the flight, because every single bruise, cut, ache, and pain called out, vying for his attention. A cursory check by Jack and a frazzled EMT revealed that though no ribs were broken, he had severe bruising along his back, sides, and torso. Booth had chipped a tooth when he’d kicked Mac in the mouth, and Mac did not look forward to spending some quality time with the dentist when he got home. And there was a nasty, bloody welt on the back of his head from where he’d been pistol-whipped.

Added to that, his entire body, from his scalp to the tips of his toes ached with a bone-deep weariness that came from the physical abuse and stress of his time as a hostage. As Jack had reminded him on more than one occasion when Mac had tried to brush similar experiences off, just because it wasn’t his first rodeo, it didn’t make it any less traumatic for his mind or his body – he was still human, after all. Now, Mac found himself reluctantly agreeing – emotionally, mentally, and physically, he felt in that moment every single thing that had been done to him from the second he’d snuck into that bank.

As usual, though, Mac filed away everything he was feeling to deal with – or even more appealingly, to not deal with – later.

While Matty finalized the details of their flight, Mac tied up a few loose ends of his own. First, he called Carlos and spoke to him for a few moments, reassuring his friend that he was really okay and getting the same reassurances in return. Mac wanted to see Carlos and his family one more time before they took off, but Carlos was just now being released from the hospital, and the Phoenix team was on a very tight schedule. He did promise to come back and visit soon, and was able to reveal the exciting news that Matty was sending another team in their place, to continue to help with rebuilding.

Next, Mac made his way over to Mia, who was sitting on the edge of an ambulance, her sandaled feet dangling off the side and a bottle of water cradled in her hands. “Hola,” Mac greeted, and she offered him a small smile. Mac realized that she was even younger than he’d thought – she couldn’t be more than eighteen or nineteen years old. “I’m, uh, really sorry about everything,” he stammered, feeling that his words were thoroughly inadequate.

“You have nothing to apologize for!” she exclaimed, dark eyebrows furrowing over kind hazel eyes.

Mac didn’t agree – as always, that incessant feeling that he could have done more reared its ugly head – but he changed the subject anyway, because Riley and Bozer were approaching, and he knew his time was running short. “Quiero darte las gracias.” It was important to him that he thanked her in her own language, after the way Booth had treated it. She deserved better.

She tilted her head, dark brown ponytail swinging with the motion, but a soft smile touched her lips at his fluent but accented Spanish. “¿Para qué?”

Unable to call the exact words to mind in Spanish, courtesy, he knew, of the light concussion he almost certainly had, he switched back to English apologetically, but Mia didn’t seem to mind at all. “That was a risky play,” he admitted, “giving them the keys to a boat that didn’t work. But it was brilliant – and it bought my friend enough time to take control of the situation. Great job thinking ahead. You saved my life.”

A brilliant blush colored her cheeks at Mac’s praise.

***

Twenty minutes and a couple of painkillers later, Mac found himself curled up in his seat on the Phoenix jet waiting for the inevitable lecture to start. He know it had been a stupid and dangerous risk, sneaking into the bank and making himself a hostage. But he knew that his actions had saved lives, and he would make the same choice if anything like it happened again.

Jack dropped down into the seat beside him. “You look like hell, brother,” he observed. Jack Dalton didn’t sugar coat anything.

“Yeah, well,” Mac admitted, too tired to put up his normal unaffected front. “Feel like it too.”

The lines around Jack’s eyes deepened. “The kids are already settling in for the flight,” he said. “Get some sleep?”

“I thought you guys had a lecture all primed and ready,” Mac muttered, already feeling his eyelids dragging themselves down. He was exhausted, from everything he’d been through, the pain, and the drugs.

“Aaah,” Jack waved his hand dismissively. “What’s the point of lecturin’ you if you’re too strung out to actually hear what we’re trying to drill into that big brain of yours?”

Mac quirked a half-smile. “Or you could just skip the lecture all together. You know that you would’ve done the exact same thing in my shoes.”

Jack shrugged. “Maybe, but tryin’ to get you to look after yourself has become a kind of bonding thing for the rest of us. And it’s fun seeing you squirm.”

Mac groaned. “You know I never listen.”

A long-suffering sigh. “And that’s why my hair’s going gray, hoss.”

Letting his eyes fall shut, Mac couldn’t help but squeeze in one last, murmured jab. “No, it’s definitely an age thing.”

Mac didn’t hear Jack’s indigent retort, or the quiet cackling of Riley and Bozer from the seats behind.

He was already asleep.

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biomic · 4 years ago

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i feel like there are occasional exceptions to that, but it depends on whether or not the original pun/wordplay is so involved that it just doesn’t work at all in english, or if you can actually come up with a localization that gets at the same idea well enough

i think imagination station was good about this in their subs. in abaranger all the trinoids are based on an animal, a plant, and an object, and their names are literally those three words mashed together. their naming scheme wouldn’t come across at all in direct translation, so the subbers gave them english equivalents (yatsudenwani becomes telefatsidile, for telephone + fatsi plant + crocodile), and i think that worked out really well. and while i haven’t watched their gogov release yet, i know they translated the villains’ name psyma (literally “disaster demon”) as “catrastrophiend”. that works well enough as a pun and still lines up with the original so that it’s not distracting to me, even if i’ll still call the villains the psyma clan on my own time

but in their aba vs hurricane subs they translated the jakanja as “spyles”, because jakanja is a combination of jaaku (evil, vile) and kanja (spies), and i feel like that one didn’t land as well. it’s not immediately obvious what Spyles is a pun on unless you read their translation notes in the release post, so it kind of takes me out of it bc im hearing the word Jakanja and it doesn’t sound right. in that case, i feel like you could leave their name as is because you’re not missing out anything if you don’t know the pun. when i watched hurricaneger i just thought it was play on the word ninja

tl;dr i think it’s okay to change things around if it works well in english and it’s for something minor like monsters of the week but main hero names should usually be left as is and sometimes it’s better to leave wordplay alone instead of forcing in an awkward translation

#again big takes from someone who does not speak japanese and is not a translator but this is how i feel when i watch stuff #kendrix morgan died for our sins #super sentai for ts

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straight-outta-hobbiton · 5 years ago

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A Few Notes About American Legal Documents (Specifically For Proving Citizenship/Legal Residency and Traveling)

I work with a lot of legal documents associated with citizenship and legal residency. With the rise of legal residents and citizens unlucky enough to actually look like their ethnicity, I thought it might help to give a basic rundown of legal documents that could help in a sticky situation. It’s mostly simple stuff, but there might be something of value to your personal situation or the situation of someone you know, so, y’know.

VALID BIRTH CERTIFICATES:

Your birth certificate needs a raised seal on it, with as little damage as possible. I see a lot of folded/fucked up BCs from people in less than ideal living situations, and I understand that there are times when the only thing you can do to protect yourself is keep your shit with you all the time (abusive/controlling parents, foster care, intermittent homelessness, etc), but if the print is illegible, the seal torn or damaged, or the BC is in pieces, YOU NEED TO GET A NEW ONE. Most state ID places won’t accept it if there’s too much damage— it fucks with the security features, and most government worker grunts aren’t going to chance their jobs on faith in your puppy dog eyes.

If you need a new BC and you don’t have a way to get to the county clerk’s office (you need to go to the county you were born in, which is a hassle for some people)— vitalchek.com is a website where you can securely order your documents and have them delivered to whatever address you feel is best. It takes a little while sometimes, though, so it isn’t a perfect solution to more immediate issues.

If possible, see if you can get yourself a wallet-sized BC. I typically see older folk carrying them, but I’m pretty sure some states still offer the option. I highly recommend this for anyone who might be targeted by the current administration— again, it doesn’t solve every problem, but for right now, all American-born Latine and other non-whites can only benefit from having as much paperwork as they can. At the very least, it might slow some officers down.

IF YOU HAVE A PUERTO RICAN BIRTH CERTIFICATE, MAKE SURE IT’S THE MOST RECENTLY UPDATED VERSION. Plain PR birth certificates have been stolen from legal agencies on multiple occasions in the past to be used in the forgery of false documents for other Latin immigrants of a less-than savory nature, and it happened again in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The only BC most government agencies accept at this point have English translations next to the Spanish, and they won’t take anything older/untranslated.

PASSPORTS/PASSPORT CARDS/GLOBAL ENTRY CARDS/NEXUS CARDS:

Google the nearest place you can go to get your passport. I went to a post office and they took my picture, but not every place offers the option— you might have to go to Walgreens or some equivalent first to get your picture taken and bring it with you to the office.

They’ll need your birth certificate when you go get your passport. They will take it from you and ship it out to whatever undisclosed location it needs to go to in order for them to print your paperwork. You’ll get it when your passport is sent to you.

It costs around $145 dollars including service fees to get your American passport, which is an unfortunate reality.

Passports take up to eight weeks to get to your house, so it isn’t a solution to immediate problems. That being said, GET IT DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Passport cards exist, and they’re pocket-sized. If you’re eligible to get one (meaning you were born here or were naturalized), DO IT. GET A PASSPORT CARD AND KEEP IT WITH YOU. It’s just as good as a regular passport and far easier to keep with you if the worst happens and you need to get out. They’re also a cheaper than the average passport at a total of $65 (including service fees).

Passports/passport cards work as federal ID as well as international. In some states, children under a certain age might be unable to get state identification (in my state you have to be at least fourteen). If you have American-born/naturalized children that could be targeted and they’re under a certain age, get them their passports, get them their cards. Our government has proven they have no issue with snatching kids, but it’s a little harder to justify when the kid has legal US identification.

Global Entry Cards are accepted at every land and sea port in the US. They’re available to US citizens, legal US residents, and Mexican nationals, as well as citizens of Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Panama, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the UK. This I would recommend for people who already have passports/other legal documentation within the realms of the above listed countries but are uncomfortable with the idea of carrying a passport with them. It costs about $100.

Global Entry fingerprints you, no exceptions.

Global Entry does not help you enter countries not listed above.

Nexus Cards are the Canadian equivalent of Global Entry. It allows passage between Canada and America at any land crossing as well as airports. If you have one of these already and they’ve already fingerprinted you, you can get a GEC with minimal hassle, with the added bonus of being able to cross the Canadian border freely.

Nexus Cards require interviews, and once you’ve been approved they take your fingerprints and a retinal scan. Considering we’re living in the beginnings of a Big Brother dystopia, this might make some people uncomfortable, but again, it’s a cheap option for people who might not want to carry passports. Plus, it has the added benefit of being attached to Canada, and the potential disaster of arresting a possible legal Canadian resident might be enough to stall some of the more reasonable officers. It costs about $50.

LEGAL RESIDENTS AND VISA CARRIERS, GENERAL THINGS:

If you’ve gotten your Permanent Resident card you need to make sure you get a new social security card, one without the ‘NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT’ or ‘VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION’ on the front. These cards aren’t valid to use alongside your new green card, and they can get you into trouble if the person checking your paperwork is in the wrong sort of mood.

MAKE SURE ALL YOUR PAPERWORK MATCHES. I realize that American paperwork sometimes can’t handle non-white naming traditions and that makes it difficult for you to keep your shit together. Ideally, though, whatever it says on your immigration papers should be exactly what’s printed on all your other documents— your credit cards, mail, whatever. If your naturalization paperwork lists both your mother and father’s names, you need to either make sure you have that shit on everything and if it isn’t, you’ve got a decision to make. Far be it from me to tell you what to do, but they will use any excuse to detain a ‘suspicious’ person, and dropping your second middle name on your driver’s license so it doesn’t match your visa is exactly the sort of thing they’ll pick at. My grandparents had to make this decision a few years ago— for convenience’s sake, they changed everything to match the anglicized forms of their names. I realize for a lot of people it isn’t an ideal solution, but for now, we’ve got to work with what we’ve got.

If you’re here as a Dependent Spouse (H-4) I don’t have to tell you that you’ll need your partner with you to do a lot of legal stuff. That being said, when you need to get stuff handled, please make sure your spouse has ALL of their paperwork proving they’re here legally. Even if the focus is on you, if their shit’s not in order, you won’t be able to get anything done. It is an inconvenient facet of the nature of your visa, but you’ve got to work with it until you can change your status to something less limited.

If you’re here on a Student Visa, the SAVE won’t update your status until your classes start. Keep that in mind when handling paperwork reliant on your status as a legal immigrant.

If your Permanent Resident Card has no expiration date on it, if it’s a laminated paper card, or if it’s just plain damaged— REPLACE IT. They don’t accept the old cards now thanks to a huge boom in forgeries, so particularly if you have an older relative who hasn’t been naturalized, you need to make sure that shit is up to date.

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES:

(Marriage certificates are less important in the grand scheme of legal residency, but any little bit helps, and if you’re an immigrant married to a citizen, it’s another little piece that proves you just might have a legitimate reason or two to be here.)

Nobody is going to take the pretty version of the MC. The one you get from your place of worship is NOT the official certificate. It needs to be from the probate//surrogate’s/orphan’s court, not just signed in accordance with the official document.

It MUST have a seal on it. Not every state does the raised seal, so you have to double-check with your local, but it will have something that makes it a recognizable, official document.

If you got married in a country that doesn’t have English as the official language, you NEED a translation. In my state, you have to go to an official state translator and get— you guessed it— an official seal.

When you get married, that receipt slip they give you is not the official certificate. The official certificate is supposed to be mailed to you (the first one’s usually complimentary) after about a month. If you didn’t get it or you lost it, GO AND GET A NEW ONE. Little things like that can make or break you in the eyes of a government official.

If you have older relatives who are immigrants, CHECK TO MAKE SURE THEIR PAPERWORK IS UP TO DATE. I know it’s common for older folk to let their IDs expire because they’re in in a care facility or simply unable to leave their homes. I know that shit gets lost in the shuffle of life and most of the time those documents just sit in a box and do nothing, but this shit is important. Make sure they have their stuff and make sure their documents are all up to federal standard— relatively undamaged, legible, and with the right seals.

I know this isn’t stuff we want to talk about, but it’s important. If you are a person of one of the groups targeted by this administration, you cannot make mistakes. You have to make sure there is no reason besides gross incompetence on the part of the ICE officers for them to detain you— as we all know, they will take advantage of any excuse they can find to fuck you and the people you love over.

Don’t let them.

#immigration #legal documents #ICE #detention centers #preparing for the worst

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gabrielle-dunfee · 4 years ago

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Macro Post-1 (F16)

Growing up in South Florida, Emergency Preparedness for things like hurricanes was taught as early as primary school. So much so that hurricane warnings just became another symbol of summer in the south. However, of all my years on the coast, in a Hispanic community, and with an undergraduate major of public health, I never thought about the populations that were most at risk during these times. Working with the North Carolina Farm Worker’s Project has opened my eyes to the heightened risks that Spanish speaking farm worker communities are subjected to during natural disasters. As part of this practicum experience, our team has been evaluating the resources these communities have in times of emergency in seven counties (Johnston, Harnett, Wake, Sampson, Duplin, Cumberland, Wayne). This year, we have the added complication of COVID-19 and avoidance of congregate living facilities that a hurricane shelter would represent.

Each member of our team has been responsible for researching what resources farmworkers have according to their county’s Emergency Preparedness plans as well as a list of important contacts. I have been accumulating this data and organizing it into an easy to read and reference table for stakeholders to access. So far, this research has been disheartening. Most of the counties seem to have a lack of regard for their Spanish speaking and farmworker communities. However, I do not believe this has been done in malice. I genuinely believe there is a lack of knowledge about the constituents of the community. That is where our practicum group comes in. After gathering this data, gaps in the emergency preparedness of counties will be identified and a plan to include them as a strategic partner in the future will be formed.

Questions to be answered in our research include whether there are the same guides offered on the county webpages in Spanish as they are in English. Does the county’s webpage even have the ability to be translated so that the guides can be found by this population? It is vital to know what counties are doing to prepare shelters during the pandemic for people who need to evacuate. At these shelters, will there be staff that speak multiple languages to help these families navigate through a stressful time of searching for resources and locating their loved ones? How does the county emergency management disperse such vital information to the entire community, and does that communication include an option for non-English speakers?

To assist in answering these questions and developing a strategic partnership, I attended a workshop hosted by the North Carolina Farm Worker Health Program. Members from various organizations such as Manos Unidas were in attendance to share their struggles and successes. One of the services our team and many others are realizing is lacking in most counties is the notification system. These notification systems are created to disperse important information to many people at once. However, many do not have directions for sign up in the Spanish language. Even those that do not do not actually send alerts out in that language. Without this notification system, in times of emergency outreach workers have to individually contact each farm worker throughout the county to notify them. This takes away from the efforts that can be used to safely evacuate workers and prepare them for the disaster. To add complications to the problem, as rurality often does, many of these workers live in isolated communities on farms with poor cell phone service. How do we inform them of the health risks associated with hurricane damage? How do we get involved with Emergency Management at a county level to be included in the conversation?

Building a strategic partnership is a cycle. The first step is determining barriers, such as lack of Spanish language guides, lack of Spanish emergency notification systems, and lack of information on evacuation shelters. Second, is identifying a partner. For this topic, the best partner is Emergency Preparedness and the County Health Department. Third is to align shared values. Many county entities have the mission of serving the community. Aligning these values can include informing the partner of how much of their community is made up of these Spanish speaking farm workers whose well-being is disregarded in these plans. Acclaim should be given for the tireless work the county already does to protect many people, but ultimately the long-term goal of inclusivity and increased access should be discussed. Once a partnership is formed, it is important to define roles and set boundaries. For example, using the already established notification system of a county with the help of the NCFWP to translate services to disperse the messages to the Spanish speaking community members. Finally, maintaining communication is key in achieving goals. This can be completed by planning a regular time and method of communication. Then, once those goals are complete, we start back at square one: Are there any additional barriers?

The health issues associated with emergency preparedness for farmworkers has an added disadvantage in a rural community. Rurality is definitional to geographic isolation. This rurality affects the population not only during the emergency but afterwards. For example, families have further to go to get to a safe shelter in a short amount of time, as well as increased barriers to receiving emergency notifications. After the emergency they still experience difficulty in access to food, water and clean linens. Rural country roads will likely not be surveyed for flooding nor cleared from debris for workers to return home. Flooding leads to home damage and mold that these workers are expected to live with. If health is a universal right, who will do the work to protect the sanitation and safety of these farmworkers’ homes if not advocates partnered with county and state level government? The key to this partnership is community resilience. To prepare, endure and recover from emergencies. These partnerships with local government will lead to the health and safety of thousands of our community members that do essential jobs to provide food for not only the listed counties, but the entire state of North Carolina. To increase inclusivity and build capacity, we must all become advocates with the common goal of fostering communication and guiding decisions to include this essential and significant population in our government emergency preparedness plans.

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brujabanter · 6 years ago

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taino masterpost!

taino masterpost

so i made a post a whiiiiile ago trying to signal boost taino/hoodoo blogs. more to connect with my ancestral practices. and i’ve gotten a few messages that asked me what i found and in talking with some of y’all, i’ve decided to make a masterpost of the information that i’ve found. maybe we can all compile our posts together and learn! so here goes!

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the information below i got from this website: study & taino

most of the information, you have to unlock by subscribing to the website and i can’t afford to do that yet, so yeah...if any of y’all would like to unlock it and spread the information around, that’d be great. and before y’all say “that’s plagiarizing” or “just subscribe”, i’d like to remind you...this is my ancestral right. my ancestors knew this. the only reason i don’t is because colonization happened to my people and we lost a lot of information and my family did not pick up the practices. this is my culture. i ain’t plagiarizing shit. thank u, next.

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Taino Gods and Goddesses

The Taino word for 'gods' were zemi. These zemi were the various gods, goddesses, spirits, and ancestors they worshiped. Zemi was also the name given to the wooden or stone effigies of these gods. These gods and goddesses are still being researched today, and only little bits of information have been confirmed, but there are several gods that we do have a decent amount of information about.

Many of the Taino gods are still being uncovered, but we do know about a handful of major deities.

Atabey: Considered the most supreme of the gods, the goddess Atabey is important because she is the mother of gods and the initial creator. In fact, she even gave birth to herself, making her one of the more powerful of creation gods in mythic study. She was also the goddess of music, fertility, and beauty. She was depicted as a frog-like figure who is, more often than not, in the birthing position, to symbolize her importance as mother of all.

Guabancex: Goddess of storms and the destruction they bring, Guabancex actually has a lasting legacy in English culture. She was often accompanied by two twin entities who announced her arrival: thunder and wind. Together with them, they created the juracan, a word the Spanish settlers would later translate to huracan, which is more well-known to us as a hurricane. Due to the violent and destructive aftermath of hurricanes, Guabancex was often portrayed as having a very volatile temper.

Yocahu: Yocahu is the leading god of the Taino people. He is the son of Atabey and god of the sea. However, like most gods who lead a people, Yocahu lives in the sky to keep watch over the Taino people. He is also considered a god of fertility as well, and was associated with the Taino's main crop, the root known as cassava. Farmers would bury statues of Yocahu to bless their fields in the hopes of assuring good crops.

Some minor gods and goddesses helped fill out the pantheon.

Baibrama was an assistant god to Yocahu who helped with the planting of cassava. He was also a healing god who would cure people of poisoning from cassava.

Boinayel and Márohu were the twin gods of the gentle rains to grow healthy crops.

Finally, there was Maketaori Guayaba, the god of the underworld.

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wikipedia’s information on taino culture: taino wiki

some, if not all, of this information is from the wiki that i just took out as important to me:

Taíno spirituality centered on the worship of zemís. A zemí is a spirit or ancestor. The major Taíno Zemis are Yúcahu and Atabey. Yúcahu, which means spirit of cassava, was the Zemi of cassava – the Taínos' main crop – and the sea. Atabey, mother of Yúcahu, was the zemi of the moon, fresh waters and fertility.

The minor Taíno zemis related to the growing of cassava, the process of life, creation and death. Baibrama was a minor zemi worshiped for his assistance in growing cassava and curing people from its poisonous juice. Boinayel and his twin brother Márohu were the zemis of rain and fair weather, respectively. Guabancex was the non-nurturing aspect of the zemi Atabey who had control over natural disasters. Juracán is often identified as the zemi of storms but the word simply means hurricane in the Taíno language. Guabancex had two assistants: Guataubá, a messenger who created hurricane winds, and Coatrisquie who created floodwaters.

Maquetaurie Guayaba or Maketaori Guayaba was the zemi of Coaybay or Coabey, the land of the dead. Opiyelguabirán', a dog-shaped zemi, watched over the dead. Deminán Caracaracol, a male cultural hero from which the Taíno believed themselves to be descended, was worshipped as a zemí. Macocael was a cultural hero worshipped as a zemi, who had failed to guard the mountain from which human beings arose. He was punished by being turned into stone, or a bird, a frog, or a reptile, depending on interpretation of the myth.

Zemí was also the name the people gave to their physical representations of the Zemis, whether objects or drawings. They were made in many forms and materials and have been found in a variety of settings. The majority of zemís were crafted from wood but stone, bone, shell, pottery, and cotton were also used. Zemí petroglyphs were carved on rocks in streams, ball courts, and on stalagmites in caves. Cemí pictographs were found on secular objects such as pottery, and on tattoos. Yucahú, the zemi of cassava, was represented with a three-pointed zemí, which could be found in conucos to increase the yield of cassava. Wood and stone zemís have been found in caves in Hispaniola and Jamaica. Cemís are sometimes represented by toads, turtles, fishes, snakes, and various abstract and human-like faces.

Some zemís are accompanied by a small table or tray, which is believed to be a receptacle for hallucinogenic snuff called cohoba, prepared from the beans of a species of Piptadenia tree. These trays have been found with ornately carved snuff tubes. Before certain ceremonies, Taínos would purify themselves, either by inducing vomiting with a swallowing stick or by fasting. After communal bread was served, first to the zemí, then to the cacique, and then to the common people, the people would sing the village epic to the accompaniment of maraca and other instruments.

One Taíno oral tradition explains that the Sun and Moon come out of caves. Another story tells of people who once lived in caves and only came out at night, because it was believed that the Sun would transform them. The Taíno believed they were descended from the union of Deminán Caracaracol and a female turtle. The origin of the oceans is described in the story of a huge flood, which occurred when a father murdered his son (who was about to murder the father). The father put the son's bones into a gourd or calabash. When the bones turned into fish, the gourd broke, and all the water of the world came pouring out.

Taínos believed that Jupias, the souls of the dead, would go to Coaybay, the underworld, and there they rest by day. At night they would assume the form of bats and eat the guava fruit.

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Women

Taíno society was based on a matrilineal system, meaning that descent was traced through the mother and that women lived together with other women and their children apart from the men. Because of this Taíno women seem to have had a lot of control over their lives, their co-villagers and their bodies. Since they lived separately from men, they were able to decide when they wanted to involve in sexual contact. This is in part what shaped the views of conquistadors who came in contact with Taíno culture. They reportedly perceived women as "macho women" who had strong control over the men.

Most historical evidence suggests that, although unclear, it seems that Taíno gender roles were non exclusive to most of the activities done in their community.

Taíno women played an important role in intercultural interaction between Spaniards and the Taíno people. When Taíno men were fighting intervention from other groups, women were left back home turning into the primary food producers or ritual specialists. Women seem to have participated in all levels of the Taíno political hierarchy, they went up to occupy roles as high up as being caciques. This meant that Taíno women could potentially give permission to other Taíno men and women to take on important tasks and that they could too make important choices for the village. There is evidence that suggests that the women who were wealthier among the tribe collected crafted goods that they would then use for trade or as gifts.

Despite women being seemingly independent in Taíno society, coming into the era of contact Spaniards took Taíno women as an exchange item, putting them in a non-autonomous position. Dr. Chanca, a physician who traveled with Christopher Columbus, reported in a letter that Spaniards took as many women as they possibly could and kept them as concubines. Some sources report that, despite women being free and powerful before the contact era, they became the first commodities up for Spaniards to trade, or often steal. This marked the beginning of a lifetime of theft and abuse of Taíno women.

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taino - english words and meanings: https://tainopride.webs.com/tainoenglishglossary.htm

taino people names: http://www.taino-tribe.org/teist-h1.htm

taino words: http://www.taino-tribe.org/tedict.html

some more taino words: http://www.native-languages.org/taino_words.htm

more taino information with some bonus links to books about taino culture: http://www.topuertorico.org/reference/taino.shtml

a beautiful taino calling song that always gets stuck in my head! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Lv4377mpI

that’s all i got so far y’all! if you feel like adding more, please do! let’s all learn together about our culture and our rightful magick!

#taino #brujeria #bruja #culture #puerto rican #cuban #dominican #arawak #hoodoo #ancestral practice #taina #learning

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ricekilla · 6 years ago

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u.s. hip hop artists must learn from bad bunny

There’s a nobility to watching someone speak a second language in public—especially on live TV, as Bad Bunny did in his performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. It is that cringe-inducing reality of imperfection; of the accent, the mispronunciations, the stuttering, that can leave a human so vulnerable. You’re watching a young man who knows his grip on The World’s Most Important Language is far from perfect. But rather than quietly accept this and avoid speaking it altogether, rather than resting on his native tongue and his many native successes, in a moment of exposure wherein most young artists would understandably reserve their vulnerabilities to avoid ire, Bunny decides to go for it. He speaks English, and it’s not perfect; but it is powerful. In his first televised American performance, El Conejo Malo spoke on the natural disaster that ravaged his home of Puerto Rico, including a barb at Donald Trump, all in accented English.

Yes, everyone’s got a Trump take, and most of them are Trump Bad. And yes, we need more than just cute speeches, verses, and social media posts. We need real activism; the activism that can actually send an impoverished child to school and help a sick mother pay for her health care. We should expect that Bunny put his money where his mouth is and work to fight against white supremacist leaders like Donald Trump as well as continue to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Maria. But there’s something special about Bad Bunny’s words in particular; unlike your safe American (and Latinx) stars, he’s not necessarily supposed to be speaking out. He could easily just be Lil Pump Puerto Rico for some years before his stature expands to the point of political expectations. He could easily just be the ignorant Latino rapper, or the ignorant Latino star, and not be expected to empower the world his art illuminates.

There is an ignorance associated with Latinx rappers in comparison to their influential American counterparts. The mainstream American musical lexicon only knows Daddy Yankee and Don Omar; Calle 13 is not even a footnote for your average hip hop fan. People are just beginning to take Latin “urbano” seriously as being led by artists that do more than make bops for your friends to slur-sing at high school dances. Bad Bunny sat with Colombian reggaeton king J. Balvin for an interview with Complex magazine, in which they announced a potentially seismic collaborative album. The two discussed and affirmed their place as trendsetters shirking norms; Balvin describes Bunny’s nails as a “very beautiful thing”. He tells Complex in Spanish that the message of expressions such as these is to “Be yourself. …If they say, he’s crazy, or he’s gay or whatever, who cares? If he’s gay, then he’s gay! When they see that, they say ‘Okay, if Bad Bunny isn’t gay, but he feels comfortable with what he’s doing, why won’t I come out of the closet and say it’s okay?’”

And in this moment wherein the ostensible Drake of Latin hip hop is encouraging defiance towards gender norms, I have a realization: somehow, the artists that do not even perform in English are the ones whose words should be most important to us in American hip hop right now.

How many American artists put themselves in a position to be vulnerable or ill-equipped for the sake of trying to say the right thing? It’s easier for G-Eazy to drop Donald Trump diss verses; he’s rich, established, and white, and he’s got little to lose. It’s easier for a rapper like Logic to plead for everyone to get along. It’s easy for Soundcloud rappers to dye their hair, rock their satchels, and tat their faces; how many of them are going to tell you about what social standards made those features shocking in the first place? How many of them are going to speak out against traditionalist aesthetics that they’re breaking? How many of them have something important to say?

We should, of course, be careful to exalt El Conejo Malo as some sort of feminist hip hop icon. Though he’s shown remarkable qualities as a public figure, he’s still a work in progress like the rest of us; often his music is charged by hints of debaucherous misogyny that is understood as the genre standard. It’s nothing particularly out of the ordinary, but that doesn’t make it ideal. And in this moment of hypertense political stances and, of course, Cancel Culture, seeing Twitterers post quips like “we stan an artist that is against toxic masculinity and gender norms 💅🏽” causes me to cringe; it feels like we’re setting ourselves up to be let down whenever Bunny makes a mistake.

Bad Bunny has not been cancelled yet, but he has been tested. His encounter with a salon that refused to paint his famous nails caught some flack from commenters. Many were angered by his reaction, in which he told doubters of his sexuality to “bring their women to his house” to watch them “have his babies”. In response to this, he clarified his sentiments in a classically defiant way (as translated by Remezcla: “’I was saying that I’d have sex with their wives, get them pregnant (which is wrong) and the men would raise my kids,’ he wrote, adding, ‘It was only a nice and exaggerated way of saying, no, I’m not gay and I love women. That’s all.’”) Eventually, the Latin trap star deleted his Twitter account.

Like the Fallon performance, this was an instance of Bunny using his words even at a point of potential vulnerability. He started by doing a typically millennial thing in calling out a salon for being decidedly unwoke and refusing him nail service because he was a man. He affirmed his gender expression as a straight man painting his nails because he wants to, understanding that there’s nothing wrong with that. Yet, in trying to say the right things, he said some wrong ones. There’s an obvious tint of misogyny in the “I’m gonna fuck your girlfriend” approach, particularly in this case, even if it is so hip hop and so inane that your average person would hardly bat an eyelash to it. Regardless, it was a failure on his part; he was a bad Bad Bunny, and it’s important that we acknowledge that.

It’s not to say that we should totally overlook the misogyny in Bunny’s lyrics or any other rap artists’, which both result from and contribute to a society that sidelines women as objects of desire, existing as complements to a man’s journey. I just want to write some nice words in Bad Bunny’s obituary before a Twitter storm eventually comes and gets him. He’s made mistakes and he’ll make more; unfortunate word choices and collaboration choices will get to any rapper’s resume in this toxic landscape. But what Bunny has decided to do so early in his career is remarkable for the fact that he is being abnormally, bravely thoughtful for someone in his position; someone who is young and misunderstood.

He is misunderstood because of the way he rebels against gender norms. He is misunderstood because his music isn’t in the right language; he’ll always be a Spanish rapper and not simply a rapper to the average hip hop head. He is misunderstood because of his drawl, his sluggishly opened vowels both as an intended stylization and as a natural result of his speaking voice and accent. He is also misunderstood as a young Latino from an island ravaged by natural disaster and poverty; overlooked by world powers, mocked by their cultures. He is misunderstood within that Latin American culture that physically and emotionally beat down young men who express themselves in “feminized” ways. If we know anything about mumble rap, or even music in general, it’s that the misunderstood artists have the most to add to the conversation.

Some of our misunderstood artists beg to be misunderstood. Kanye West went on NBC’s Saturday Night Live in a MAGA hat, highlighting a Yandhi press tour which we may otherwise know as Crazy Kanye 2: Electric Boogaloo. What’s most insulting about his whitewashed whimpering is that it’s become boring. We already know that none of us will completely understand his actions; he and his stans will equivocate that with us not being able to criticize him, which, no. The ignorance of his political speech is staggering, almost purposefully so. Rather than work to validate his perspective through an informed compassion, he manufactures a plastic one to hide behind when critiqued by the likes of known Chomskyites like Lana Del Rey. It’s a circus sideshow that only exists to benefit TV executives, Kanye West, and to some degree, Lord Voldemort himself.

Let’s compare that to another performance on a marquee NBC program. In his television debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Bad Bunny gave a speech to the opening chords of his trap banger “Estamos Bien”. In his gravelly Borinqueño drawl, he preached with efficiency: “After one year of the hurricane there’s still people without electricity in their home. More than 3,000 people died, and Trump is still in denial, but you know what? Estamos bien!”

Rather than simply make fun songs and letting the rest of us intellectualize his place in this crazy world, Bunny is telling us what he’s fighting for. Rather than benefit himself through latching to causes, Bunny is benefiting causes through testing himself. And although his message is still a bit surface level and his songs sport the occasional (frequent) shallow lyric, his choice is important. He is putting words to his rebellion; substance to his style. Rather than settle for iconicism like young American rap stars, or navel-gaze with conjecture like some of our living (dying) legends, Bad Bunny is fighting for goodness that should be much simpler to see than it seems to be.

#bad bunny #j balvin #kanye west #snl #jimmy fallon #puerto rico #latin trap #machismo #latin masculinity #hip hop masculinity

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ao3feed-blitzstone · 7 years ago

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The Son of Athena (Percy Jackson & Hamilton Crossover)

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2GCr69H

by Parabrisas

Alexander Hamilton An orphan, bastard, son of a whore and ... who?

His mother was the most intelligent and good person she knew, she was too smart for this island and she told him the same thing about him. He believed that his mother was wise in a way he could not explain, as if he knew everything necessary and what would come, she always knew what to say, she was smarter than he was in a way that, although she was always quiet (unlike him) it inspired knowledge to the one who observed it from his desk, writing everything she knew.

He was orphaned by the illness that had overtaken him and his mother. It was with his cousin. Committed suicide. He was adopted by a family. The hurricane devastated Nevis.

The only thing that remained was him and his furious words anxious to get out. He described what he could observe, the great disaster of nature in a small rural area, the bodies, the wounded; sending it to someone who was not there.

The survivors saw his writing in the newspaper, their hearts moved full of kindness. With the little money they had and the help of a young man, they took him to New York for a new opportunity to take his words to the world.

Or so he thought.

Words: 1858, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan, The Heroes of Olympus - Rick Riordan, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard - Rick Riordan, Hamilton - Miranda

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: Gen, Multi

Characters: Alexander Hamilton, John Laurens, Gilbert du Motier Marquis de Lafayette, Hercules Mulligan, Angelica Schuyler, Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler, Margaret "Peggy" Schuyler, George Washington, George III of the United Kingdom, Martha Washington, Maria Reynolds, James Reynolds, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Aaron Burr, Philip Hamilton, Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Jason Grace, Leo Valdez, Piper McLean, Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Thalia Grace, Nico di Angelo, Will Solace, Magnus Chase, Blitzen (Magnus Chase), Hearthstone (Magnus Chase), Samirah al-Abbas, Alex Fierro, Thomas Jefferson Jr. (Magnus Chase), Halfborn Gunderson, Mallory Keen, Samuel Seabury (1729-1796), Charles Lee, Chiron (Percy Jackson)

Relationships: Annabeth Chase/Percy Jackson, Nico di Angelo/Will Solace, Jason Grace/Piper McLean, Calypso/Leo Valdez, Hazel Levesque/Frank Zhang, Thalia Grace/Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Juniper/Grover Underwood, Nico di Angelo & Aaron Burr, Nico di Angelo & Jason Grace & Percy Jackson, Nico di Angelo & Jason Grace, Annabeth Chase & Piper McLean, Annabeth Chase & Magnus Chase, Alexander Hamilton & John Laurens, Alexander Hamilton & George Washington, Alexander Hamilton & John Laurens & Gilbert du Motier Marquis de Lafayette & Hercules Mulligan, Alexander Hamilton & Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton & Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler, Alexander Hamilton & Gilbert du Motier Marquis de Lafayette, Gilbert du Motier Marquis de Lafayette/Hercules Mulligan, Maria Reynolds/Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler, James Reynolds & Maria Reynolds, Thomas Jefferson & James Madison, Aaron Burr & Alexander Hamilton, George Washington/Martha Washington, George Washington & Chiron (Percy Jackson), Magnus Chase & Jack | Sumarbrander, Blitzen (Magnus Chase) & Hearthstone (Magnus Chase) & Grover Underwood, Samirah al-Abbas/Amir Fadlan, Samirah al-Abbas & Alex Fierro, Blitzen/Hearthstone, Halfborn Gunderson/Mallory Keen, Magnus Chase/Alex Fierro

Additional Tags: Demigod Alexander Hamilton, son of Athena, Percy Jackson & Hamilton croosover, Camp Half-Blood (Percy Jackson), Hurt Alexander Hamilton, Alexander Is a Little Shit, but a good little shit, Athena can make women pregnant and nobody can change my mind, George Washington is a Dad, George Washington is a son of Zeus, Cause he's not a founding father, Nico di Angelo is a good bro, Cute Magnus Chase, Samuel Seabury not is a dick, Chiron like George Washington cause he is responsible, Asexual Hearthstone, Hearthstone & Blitzen are just so pure, Lafayette is a proud son of Aphodite, Magnus Chase and Will Solace are sunshine, Cool Camp Halfblood, Alex Badass, this is translated into English by the Google translator, sorry - Freeform, Panic Attacks, PTSD Alex, John IS Gay, And so cool and amazing, Hercules smol, But is a son of Ares, more labels in the future

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2GCr69H

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #blitzstone #Blitzen #Hearthstone #Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #MCGA

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gadgetgirl71 · 4 years ago

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Amazon First Reads January 2021

Well this month Amazon Prime Members like myself are in for a treat. I did wonder if we would be able to choose two books this month with it being January, but I didn’t expect us to have ten books to choose from. I don’t think we’ve ever had that many to choose from.

This months choices are:

Police Procedural

An Eye for An Eye by Carol Wyer, Pages: 426, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: A killer running rings around the police. A detective spiralling out of control.

DI Kate Young is on leave. She’s the force’s best detective, but her bosses know she’s under pressure, on medication and overcoming trauma. So after her bad judgement call leads to a narrowly averted public disaster, they’re sure all she needs is a rest.

But when Staffordshire Police summon her back to work on a murder case, it’s a harder, more suspicious Kate Young who returns. With a new ruthlessness, she sets about tracking down a clinical, calculating serial killer who is torturing victims and leaving clues to taunt the police. Spurred on by her reporter husband, Young begins to suspect that the murderer might be closer than she ever imagined.

As she works to uncover the truth, Young unravels a network of secrets and lies, with even those closest to her having something to hide. But with her own competence—and her grip on reality—called into question, can she unmask the killer before they strike again?

Suspense

The Shadow Box by Luanne Rice, Pages: 367, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: The Amazon Charts bestselling author of Last Day delivers a haunting thriller about how far one wife is willing to go to expose the truth—and the lengths someone will go to stop her.

After artist Claire Beaudry Chase is attacked and left for dead in her home on the Connecticut coast, she doesn’t know who she can trust. But her well-connected husband, Griffin—who is running for governor—is her prime suspect.

Just before the attack, Claire was preparing for an exhibit of her shadow boxes, one of which clearly accuses Griffin of a violent crime committed twenty-five years ago. If the public were to find out who her husband is, his political career would be over. Claire’s certain her husband and his powerful supporters would kill her to stop the truth from getting out.

When one of Claire’s acquaintances is murdered, the authorities suspect the homicide is linked to the attack on Claire. As the dual investigations unfold, Claire must decide how much she’s willing to lose to take down her husband and the corrupt group of elites who will do anything to protect Griffin’s interests and their own.

Contemporary Fiction

Hadley & Grace by Susanne Redfern, Pages: 344, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: The author of In an Instant delivers a heart-pounding and emotional roller-coaster ride of self-discovery in the tradition of Thelma and Louise.

Needing to escape her abusive marriage, Hadley flees with her two kids, knowing it might be her only chance. A woman who can’t even kill a spider, Hadley soon finds herself pushed to the limits as she fights to protect her family.

Grace, new mother of baby Miles, desperately wants to put her rough past behind her for good, but she finds it impossible when her path crosses with Hadley’s, and her quest for a new start quickly spirals out of control and turns into a terrifying flight for survival.

Stronger together than apart, the two find their fates inextricably entwined, and as the danger closes in, each must decide how much she is willing to risk for the other.

A powerful story of self-discovery, Hadley and Grace is the heart-racing tale of two women facing insurmountable odds, racing to stay one step ahead of the trouble that is chasing them, and discovering new kinds of love and family along the way.

Thriller

Not One of Us by Debbie Herbert, Pages: 303, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: From the bestselling author of Cold Waters comes a brooding thriller about a woman who must decide if safeguarding her family is worth burying a truth that will haunt her forever.

Thirteen years ago, Jori Trahan’s boyfriend vanished without a trace. Now, after moving back home to Alabama to care for her ailing grandmother and autistic brother, she comes face-to-face with the deadly mystery behind his disappearance.

Jori has a rare form of synesthesia, meaning she can “hear” colors; to her, tones of voice are as unique as fingerprints. With the help of this ability and a sympathetic cop, Jori comes dangerously close to uncovering the truth. But those responsible will go to any length—including murder—to keep their dark secrets buried.

Soon, it seems that no one in the sleepy bayou town is safe, and after Jori’s brother is kidnapped, she knows she must drop the investigation or risk losing her family. But when protecting them means letting an evil deed go unpunished, putting family first may be the last thing she’ll ever do.

Historical Fiction

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge, Pages: 346, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America.

“Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes…”

Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.

It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.

Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late.

Espionage Thriller

Water Memory by Daniel Pyne, Pages: 358, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: A fast-paced, page-turning thriller that contemplates the consequences of motherhood, memory, and crime as a commodity.

Black ops specialist Aubrey Sentro may be one concussion away from death. But when pirates seize the cargo ship she’s on, she must decide whether to risk her life to save her fellow passengers.

Sentro’s training takes over, and she’s able to elude her captors, leaving bodies in her wake. But her problems are just getting started. Her memory lapses are getting more frequent, symptoms of serial-concussion syndrome.

As she plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with the pirates, she pushes herself to survive by focusing on thoughts of her children. She’s never told them what she really does for a living, and now she might not get the chance.

While her memories make her vulnerable, motherhood makes her dangerous.

Literary Fiction

Gerta by Katerina Tuckova, Translator: Veronique Firkusny, Pages: 459, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: The award-winning novel by Czech author Kateřina Tučková—her first to be translated into English—about the fate of one woman and the pursuit of forgiveness in a divided postwar world.

1945. Allied forces liberate Nazi-occupied Brno, Moravia. For Gerta Schnirch, daughter of a Czech mother and a German father aligned with Hitler, it’s not deliverance; it’s a sentence. She has been branded an enemy of the state. Caught in the changing tides of a war that shattered her family—and her innocence—Gerta must obey the official order: she, along with all ethnic Germans, is to be expelled from Czechoslovakia. With nothing but the clothes on her back and an infant daughter, she’s herded among thousands, driven from the only home she’s ever known. But the injustice only makes Gerta stronger, more empowered, and more resolved to seek justice. Her journey is a relentless quest for a seemingly impossible forgiveness. And one day, she will return.

Spanning decades and generations, Kateřina Tučková’s breathtaking novel illuminates a long-neglected episode in Czech history. One of exclusion and prejudice, of collective shame versus personal guilt, all through the eyes of a charismatic woman whose courage will affect all the lives she’s touched. Especially that of the daughter she loved, fought for, shielded, and would come to inspire.

Memoir

Widowish by Melissa Gould, Pages: 202, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: Melissa Gould’s hopeful memoir of grieving outside the box and the surprising nature of love.

When Melissa Gould’s husband, Joel, was unexpectedly hospitalized, she could not imagine how her life was about to change. Overwhelmed with uncertainty as Joel’s condition tragically worsened, she offered him the only thing she could: her love and devotion. Her dedication didn’t end with his death.

Left to resume life without her beloved husband and raise their young daughter on her own, Melissa soon realized that her and Joel’s love lived on. Melissa found she didn’t fit the typical mold of widowhood or meet the expectations of mourning. She didn’t look like a widow or act like a widow, but she felt like one. Melissa was widowish.

Melissa’s personal journey through grief and beyond includes unlikely inspiration from an evangelical preacher, the calming presence of some Real Housewives, and the unexpected attention of a charming musician.

A modern take on loss, Widowish illuminates the twists of fate that break our world, the determination that keeps us moving forward, and the surprises in life we never see coming.

Literary Fiction

The Ardent Swarm by Yamen Manai, Translated by Lara Vergnaud, Pages: 174, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: From an award-winning Tunisian author comes a stirring allegory about a country in the aftermath of revolution and the power of a single quest.

Sidi lives a hermetic life as a bee whisperer, tending to his beloved “girls” on the outskirts of the desolate North African village of Nawa. He wakes one morning to find that something has attacked one of his beehives, brutally killing every inhabitant. Heartbroken, he soon learns that a mysterious swarm of vicious hornets committed the mass murder—but where did they come from, and how can he stop them? If he is going to unravel this mystery and save his bees from annihilation, Sidi must venture out into the village and then brave the big city and beyond in search of answers.

Along the way, he discovers a country and a people turned upside down by their new post–Arab Spring reality as Islamic fundamentalists seek to influence votes any way they can on the eve of the country’s first democratic elections. To succeed in his quest, and find a glimmer of hope to protect all that he holds dear, Sidi will have to look further than he ever imagined.

In this brilliantly accessible modern-day parable, Yamen Manai uses a masterful blend of humor and drama to reveal what happens in a country shaken by revolutionary change after the world stops watching.

Children’s Picture Book

Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket by Sue Fliess, Illustration by Annabel Tempest, Pages: 42, Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Synopsis: Sadie Sprocket is ready to soar!

Sadie Sprocket is a girl with a big dream—to go to Mars! No one has been to Mars (yet!), so of course that’s where Sadie sets her sights. She learns everything she can about the planet and space, then assembles her crew of trusty stuffed animals. Together they build a rocket and prepare for the historic journey. And then finally—blastoff!

Sadie and her team make it to Mars, but what will they encounter when they leave the ship? And will they travel home safely as the world watches?

With cheery rhyming text and quirky artwork, this is a story about dreaming big and reaching for the stars. The book includes facts about Mars and women in space to inspire budding explorers everywhere.

*** Which book will you choose? I have no idea which book I’ll choose as there a couple of books that interest me this month. ***

#Amazon, #AmazonFirstReads, #Amazonkindle, #AmazonPrimeMembers, #ChildrensPictureBook, #ContemporaryFiction, #EspionageThriller, #HistoricalFiction, #Kindle, #KindleBooks, #LiteraryFiction, #Memoir, #PoliceProcedural, #Suspense, #Thriller

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cjones456 · 5 years ago

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One of our competencies that Team Prepare Identify and distinguish the access to care barriers and the health care utilization challenges that affect the health of rural communities. We worked with David Hesselemyer our Advisor who is the Director of On Target Preparedness. On Target Preparedness is Contracted out by counties in NC for emergency preparedness plans, writing and training on emergency response plans, executing drills and exercises for emergency preparedness practice.

We attempted to be as mindful of the boundaries that we could possibly face, while utilizing our resources to effectively communicate with the at the farmworkers. For this deliverable Team Prepare cooperated to make an educational and appealing session that contained significant data for neighborhood migrant farmworkers. Team Prepare paired with Team Farmworker to hold an interactive community discussion fair at Benson NC, health clinic. We wanted to acknowledge the trials that are faced as a migrant farmworker and use the resources we had in an attempt to provide applicable information. We received information that would be helpful from our preceptor David Hesselmeyer on the stigma of farmworkers seeking shelter regarding legality. The workers were in fear of being deported if they sought shelter during a natural disasters, especially with ICE being a major event. In the event of a natural disaster there was fear that going too shelters would also put their jobs at risk. Team Prepare knew that this was important for the farmworkers to be aware of.

We discussed what things would be required if there should be an occurrence of a catastrophic event like a tropical storm/Hurricane, examined mental well-being issues and how to cope with sentiments of grief while away from their families and furthermore got oral health and cleanliness care bundles. Hurricanes affect the area where migrant farmworkers work, which could destroy homes and crops. Our precepting organization provided information from websites like FEMA, and Ready.gov. We were able to obtain information from those sites in English and in Spanish. These websites also provided in a Hurricane Emergency here are essential items to pack. We were able to use our resources from Team FARMWORKERS to provide us with translators. Anna Team FARMWORKERS preceptor gave us the idea to have interactive games with the farmworkers to keep them engaged. Safety of the farmworkers before, during and after the hurricane was what we thought would be best to utilize the “Cabbage Game” for our main interactive game. The cabbage game consisted of questions related to hurricane safety use along with emergency contacts, and shelter information. The farmworkers would unroll the top layer of the cabbage and read the question in spanish and our translator would answer the questions in spanish. For our second interactive activity we organized a disaster preparedness tote as a visual to show the farmworkers what they would need in case of an emergency. For our third interactive game we a poster that related to hurricane safety. We were the second practicum group to present information, by that time we could tell they were suffering from information overload. With knowing that information we had to be flexible with our games and how much straightforward information we were giving them because we wanted to actually be involved. In between our games we played Jenga which the Team Farmworkers brought and shared a meal that was provided by TeamFarmworkers as well. I believe the food brought everyone back to life as the farmworkers were just getting off of work and were pretty tired and hungry.

When it comes to working conditions the migrant farmworkers rely heavily on their employer. The workers usually live on the worksite and are transported by buses to get to their crop. Anna Team FARMWORKERS preceptor informed us that the farmworkers would be transported to Benson Medical Clinic by bus and we should look forward to educating around 20-25 workers. As well as collaborating with Team FARMWORKER we worked with Team Oral Health. Team Oral health provided information on effective oral hygiene, and how it relates to their health overall. As a cohort we all chipped in to prepare plastic baggies with toothbrushes, toothpaste,deodorant, and hurricane safety brochures for them to take home. While we did not consider this as an interactive game doing the Q&A we were informed that most of the farmworkers did not know how to properly dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. We also learned most of the farmworkers did not know there exact address so in case of an emergency it would be hard to locate the farmworkers. This can be difficult as farmworkers are in and out during season change, efforts from On Target Preparedness and Anna director of Team Farmworker organization are trying to mitigate this challenge.

Working the Health Fair was an eye opening experience for me, I have never been involved with the type of work or group of individuals so it was great to immerse myself within this community. Not only did we identify health barriers in a rural community, we were able to put ourselves in their shoes for a few hours and provide applicable information with them on a personable level. The most challenging barrier for me personally was the language barrier, although we had two wonderful translators I would have felt better being able to at least meet them on their level. I believe partnering with the NC Farmworker Project to present at these health clinics would be most beneficial for future practicum groups and Campbell should keep them around as long as they can. To wrap up our night one of the farmworkers disclosed that they enjoyed us coming to speak with them about this and hope we come back to discuss topics such as health care related to blood pressure and health risk being out in the field. Having Campbell as a strong organization and the Harnett County Community would allow progressive and proactive ways to mitigate health barriers for the farmworkers. Overall I believe the fair was a success and I would participate again in the future.

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