#and tules makes the best of the situation

[annaking0011]

Wildlife Watching in Merced, California: Best Spots and Tips.

Nestled in the heart of California's Central Valley, Merced offers a wealth of opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts. From lush wetlands to sprawling nature reserves, the region boasts a diverse array of habitats that support a rich variety of fauna. Whether you're a seasoned birder, an amateur photographer, or simply seeking to reconnect with nature, Merced provides ample opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitats. Here's a guide to some of the best spots and tips for wildlife watching in Merced, California.

Best Wildlife Watching Spots

1. Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Located just south of the city, the Merced National Wildlife Refuge is a premier destination for birdwatching. The refuge spans over 10,000 acres and features seasonal wetlands that attract thousands of migratory birds, including snow geese, sandhill cranes, and various species of ducks.

Best Time to Visit: Fall and winter are ideal for birdwatching as migratory birds flock to the refuge during these seasons.

2. San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

Situated west of Merced, the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge offers diverse habitats ranging from grasslands to riparian woodlands. The refuge is home to a variety of wildlife, including tule elk, coyotes, and a plethora of bird species.

Best Time to Visit: Year-round opportunities, with spring and early summer being particularly vibrant due to nesting and breeding activities.

3. Yosemite National Park

While primarily known for its stunning landscapes, Yosemite National Park also harbors a rich diversity of wildlife. Visitors may encounter black bears, mule deer, and a wide array of bird species amidst the park's forests, meadows, and rugged terrain.

Best Time to Visit: Wildlife viewing is excellent throughout the year, with spring and early summer offering optimal conditions for spotting animals amidst blooming wildflowers.

4. Lake Yosemite

Closer to Merced, Lake Yosemite provides a tranquil setting for observing waterfowl, such as ducks and herons. The lake's scenic surroundings make it an ideal spot for photography and leisurely wildlife watching.

Best Time to Visit: Year-round, though mornings and evenings tend to be more active times for birdwatching.

Tips for Wildlife Watching

1. Bring Binoculars and Cameras

Wildlife watching often involves observing animals from a distance. Binoculars and telephoto lenses for cameras can enhance your experience by allowing you to see details up close without disturbing the animals.

2. Respect Wildlife and Their Habitat

Always maintain a safe distance from animals and refrain from feeding or approaching them. Respect their natural behaviors and habitats to minimize stress and disruption.

3. Dress Appropriately

Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes suitable for walking on trails and uneven terrain. Consider bringing layers, especially during cooler months or early morning outings.

4. Check Weather Conditions

Be aware of weather forecasts and plan your outings accordingly. Wildlife activity can vary with weather patterns, so choosing the right time of day and season can improve your chances of spotting animals.

5. Join Guided Tours or Workshops

Many wildlife refuges and parks offer guided tours led by knowledgeable naturalists. These tours provide educational insights into local flora and fauna while increasing your chances of spotting elusive species.

6. Practice Patience and Silence

Wildlife watching requires patience and a quiet demeanor. Take time to observe and listen for animal sounds or movements, as many species may be more active during dawn or dusk.

Conservation and Responsible Tourism

As you enjoy wildlife watching in Merced, remember the importance of conservation and responsible tourism practices. Support local conservation efforts and follow designated trails to minimize your impact on natural habitats. By respecting wildlife and their environments, you contribute to preserving these precious ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.

In conclusion, Merced, California, offers a wealth of opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts eager to explore diverse habitats and observe a wide array of species. Whether you visit renowned refuges like the Merced National Wildlife Refuge or venture into the wilderness of Yosemite National Park, each outing promises memorable encounters with nature's wonders. With proper preparation, respect for wildlife, and a spirit of conservation, your wildlife watching adventures in Merced are sure to be rewarding and enriching experiences.

[drgregoryfinkelson]

San Francisco's well-known parks

There are a number of well-known parks in San Francisco that you might want to visit if you want to spend some time there. Golden Gate Park, Crissy Field, and Mission Dolores Park are a few of them. The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the Exploratorium, and the Point Reyes National Seashore are additional attractions.

A sizable open park called Dolores Park can be found in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood. It has great views of the city skyline and is perched on a hill. One of the most well-liked locations in the city for picnics is the park.

This park has long been recognized as a landmark in the community. The city government bought the land in 1905 and later turned it into a park. Two baseball diamonds, a 300-by-50-foot lake, a sizable stone staircase, and a lovely garden were all part of the original plan.

In San Francisco, California, there is a sizable urban park called Golden Gate Park. It is a well-liked travel destination for city tourists.

From east to west, Golden Gate Park is three miles long and contains more than 1,000 acres of public land. The park has a variety of gardens, lakes, and playing fields. In addition, the park hosts a variety of attractions and activities.

The renowned museum of fine arts, the de Young Museum, is located in Golden Gate Park. Explore exhibits dedicated to nature, animals, art, and more.

One of San Francisco's most popular parks and tourist destinations is Crissy Field. Crissy Field is the perfect location to appreciate nature because of its breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The park offers a wide range of enjoyable activities. Visitors can go outside and explore the tidal marshes, beaches, and trails there. The park serves as a natural habitat for local species.

Visitors can traverse the park on foot or by bicycle. The park is a great location for a picnic in the afternoon. Start on the east side if you want to take a stroll.

California's Marin County contains the 100 square miles of coastal bluffs, beaches, and forests that make up the Point Reyes National Seashore. There are numerous ecosystems and more than 1,500 different plant and animal species.

People from San Francisco frequently take day trips to this wilderness area by the sea. One of the biggest herds of tule elk in the state can be found there as well. Elk are protected at the Point Reyes Wildlife Area, which provides a variety of wildlife experiences.

The national seashore does not allow vehicles, but there are a number of clearly marked trails.

The Point Reyes bluffs and beaches are the best places to go hiking if you prefer that activity. The Earthquake Trail and the Sculptured Beach Trail are two of the best trails.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is a fantastic option if you're looking for the best art in San Francisco. The museum's collection of exhibits is impressive and features cutting-edge contemporary art. Regular performances and other free events are also held there.

The Yerba Buena Center has a broad program as part of its goal to support the Bay Area's artistic and cultural development. Live performances, full-length movies, works of visual art, and dance performances are all featured. Along with a children's playground, other amenities include a bowling alley and an ice skating rink.

Look no further than Buena Vista Park if you're looking for a great location to take your family hiking. This park on a hilltop offers breathtaking views of the city.

36 acres of open space with trails and a natural area make up Buena Vista Park. It's a well-liked neighborhood getaway that's also a fantastic place for a jog or an intense workout.

A bustling neighborhood and grand mansions surround the park. Between the lower and upper Haight is where it is situated. There are many bars and eateries close by.

The park is accessible by car or bus. From Market, Muni Metro Bus 71 ascends Haight Street. Typically, metered parking is available in the area. Finding a parking spot might be challenging depending on the time of day.

The Exploratorium is an interactive museum with the goal of raising public awareness of the arts and our natural surroundings. The Exploratorium was established in 1969 by physicist Frank Oppenheimer and is devoted to the investigation of perception, science, and art. This museum, which is situated on Pier 15 of the Embarcadero, is well-liked by both visitors and locals.

The Exploratorium is one of the most entertaining tourist attractions in San Francisco and is packed with interactive displays, sculptures, and a wide range of art and science experiences. The museum gives visitors the chance to learn about a range of sciences, including chemistry, electromagnetism, static electricity, and computers.

[oringo]

[cromulentbookreview]

It Can Definitely Happen Here

Or: Internment by Samira Ahmed!

This will be a likely be a short review for the following reasons:

I’m lazy.

I only just finished the book

I had the ARC for months and only just got to it, see #1.

No one reads this, this blog is literally just me screaming into the black void that is the internet letting it know that I exist.

The book is out today and, once again, I have missed the point of an “advanced review.” Advanced meaning “in advance of the publication date.” Meaning “probably not the day the damn book comes out.”

Note: It has come to my attention that the book actually comes out on March 19, 2019. So...I actually got this review done on time. Ha. Aha. Ahahahahahahahaha.

Also, this book takes on a whole new meaning after the recent terrorist attack in New Zealand. I went back and reread some scenes and cried even more than I did already.

And now back to my regularly scheduled review.

Layla Amin is a regular American teenager. Only the America she lives in is under the control of a bunch of racist pieces of shit. Ahmed never gives names to these assholes in power - you can guess - but they don’t even really need names. It’s depressingly easy to imagine just who these people are. Anyway, the people in power are doing whatever they want. So they’ve declared all Muslims enemies of the state. Because of course they would. 

Unfortunately, Layla comes from a Desi family who are Muslim. They’re not super religious or anything, but that doesn’t matter. Rather than checking the “no religion” box on the census, the Amins refused to hide who they are, so they put down that they are Muslim. And now the Administration is using that data to round up all Muslim Americans and put them in internment camps.

Sound familiar? Yeah, because we’ve totally done it before. The Internment of Japanese Americans during WWII might feel like distant history, but it seriously wasn’t that long ago. Like, for serious serious not that long ago. 77 years is not that long ago in the grand scheme of things. People who were in those internment camps are still around. Like American Treasure and Mr. Sulu, George Takei who was just a kid when he was interred, first in Rohwer, Arkansas then at Tule Lake in California. As you can imagine, the internment camps for Japanese Americans were put in places that were less than hospitable. Like the middle of the desert. Because humanity can really be the worst sometimes.

Anyway, back to Layla. One night she breaks the nation-wide curfew to go and see her boyfriend, David, as teens are wont to do. Soon after she gets home, though, men with guns show up at her house and give her and her parents 10 minutes to pack up what they need. They’re taken to L.A. where they’re put on a train then put onto buses to a camp called Mobius somewhere outside Independence, California. Just a hop, skip and a jump from Manzanar! So...the desert. And no, this Mobius isn’t anything like the famous Möbius strip, either. This is a cross between a FEMA camp like you’d see after a natural disaster combined with a prison camp. Sure, they have food, water, and adequate shelter. It’s still a goddamn prison camp, though, run by the sadistic Director, whose actual name is never given but you can really picture who this guy looks like. Layla’s parents are, naturally, terrified by the whole situation and just want to keep their heads down and survive. Not Layla, though. She is going to resist, goddamn it! Plus, there’s a guard who is totally on her side. Or is he?

So, Internment - overall I thought the book was OK, but then again, I’m pretty biased towards stories that feature magic and dragons and steampunk. 15-minutes-into-the-future dystopias are less my thing at the moment. Probably because we live in one, but still. The writing was good, especially the descriptions of the yucky dusty desert. I’m a Pacific Northwesterner to my core - give me rain and trees, not desert. Let’s just ignore the fact that a huge portion of my home state is desert. I did like how Ahmed didn’t condemn Layla’s parents for wanting to keep their heads down and endure. Lots of YA novels tend to dismiss or ignore the fears and worries of parents in favor of the teen perspective, so it was nice to see a YA novel that acknowledges the parents’ fears. The main villain, the Director, was a mite cartoonish - but then again, if you watch Sophie Scholl: Die letzten Tage and think the Nazis in that movie are cartoonish, just remember they used actual court transcripts of Sophie Scholl’s trial for that movie. Evil can be pretty cartoony - doesn’t make it less scary. 

However, my favorite part of the whole book is Laya’s friend Ayesha. Ayesha is the best. Why? Because she loves Star Wars and also Riz Ahmed. Because, seriously, how can you not love both Star Wars and Riz Ahmed. I mean, come on:

He’s just so damn gorgeous.

I mean, come on, just look at him.

How much more proof do you need? Because I can look at gifs of Riz Ahmed all day.

Seriously, and yes this is an unpopular opinion alert, but Rogue One might just be my favorite Star Wars movie because I loved all the characters so much and every time I watch it I bawl my eyes out. I seriously wish Rogue One could’ve been a 10-part miniseries so we could’ve gotten to know the characters better. Like Cassian and K2-SO. And Bodhi - I want to know everything about his life and what he’s been up to. The novelization of the movie only offers so much! And I definitely could use a whole trilogy of Baze and Chirrut’s adventures.

Seriously, what were those two up to the whole time? How did they meet? How long have they been adventuring together? What was their life like before the Empire? What were they up to back when they were Guardians of the Whills? What kind of mischief did Chirrut get up to that Baze had to rescue him from? THIS IS INFORMATION THAT I NEED.

The tie-in novels only tell us so much, damn it! Though Rebel Rising was quite good (fuck yeah, Beth Revis!). Why can’t all of the Rogue One crew get spin-off novels? There were a few comics featuring the origin story of Cassian and K2, but I need a whole epic YA novel of their adventures. And Bodhi’s. And Baze and Chirrut’s. All they got was a middle grade novel. It wasn’t even an origin story! It was still good, though. I just want more. MORE, DAMN IT.

Huh, I knew I said this was going to be short review of Samira Ahmed’s Internment, but instead I got into a major Star Wars/Riz Ahmed spiral, there. Sometimes I just can’t help myself. I’ve gotta look at some more Riz Ahmed gifs.

God, he’s gorgeous.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Anyone looking for some scary “it could definitely happen here” YA fiction.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR: Racists.

RATING: 3.5/5

RELEASE DATE: March 12, 2019. So. Uh. Today.  Actually, it comes out March 19, 2019. For some reason I got the two dates confused. So I was actually a week ahead here? I...I made a deadline? What...what is this feeling....is it...accomplishment of some sort?

Nah, this is a tumblr blog for wasting time, not an accomplishment.

RIZ AHMED:

[thatmexisaurusrex]

The Shotgun Angel: Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2: THE DEVIL’S DEN

  She was a good deal taller than six foot. From what Pearl could gander, almost seven feet. She, like Ortega, felt too perfectly put together to be real. A cloud of black hair, no loose threads on here maxi dress over a white turtleneck, vibrant stockings with thick socks and doc martens. She shouldn’t look so on point. Not with a hodgepodge outfit like that. Yet so she did, standing aloof behind Noel, following her like a lost puppy hoping for scraps.

“We need coupled blood for the look up, give me your blood,” Noel demanded at the priest and the fallen angel, flailing a knife at them casually and gesturing with a particularly copper bowl.

Like that was a normal thing to do.

“What,” was the only thing Pearl could muster before the priest interrupted with a groan.

“Again? Seriously? I feel like we should just ring out a pint every other month so that you don’t have to ask us every time you want to locate people,” grumbled Iker.

“Coupled? What does coupled mean?” Pearl asked, something in her brain short-circuiting.

Ortega curled his arms around the priest like a bad joke, like snakes on prey, eyes lingering on the man who leaned into his touch.

“We called each other our own gods,” boomed Ortega with a tantalizing grin, the priest choking on his own spit.

“That’s not what we did,” panicked Iker.

“Did I not kneel upon the alter of your shrine, invoking eternal and absolute love and devotion to your being?” growled Ortega, which, wow, were all angels this intense, “Bowing to you as my new religion, revoking my rite to holy power and immortality to be at your beck and call, as are you to me?”

Iker looked away as if shy.

“Can we not talk about this here,” he murmured, “It doesn’t help with how we look amongst the children.”

“We are gods to each other, my dear, to follow to the end of our days, and there is no shame to show love. We are stronger when we show and accept our emotions near the children,” drawled the fallen angel.

Noel waved the copper bowl and the knife, rolling her eyes.

“We going to talk about eternal love and happiness or whatever or are we getting this show on the road – they got married for a case, by the way. They just never got divorced afterwards. It’s helpful but also so annoying,” remarked Noel.

Iker grabbed the knife, doing a few impressive tricks before pricking himself and the fallen angel, allowing a few of droplets into the copper bowl. He wiped off the knife, tossing it back at Noel in an honestly unsafe way, but the cursed woman caught the knife and ushered for Pearl to take it as well.

“Excuse me?” Pearl queried.

“He’s your brother. To track him I need some blood from you too,” explained Noel.

Reluctantly, Pearl grabbed the knife. It felt lighter than Pearl assumed, and looking closer, there seemed to be runes etched into the edge. Pearl pricked her finger, allowing a few drips to flow down, mixing in with the blood already there.

Noel bounded about the place as if she commanded rooms, gathering strange herbs in weird hidden spots.

“Stop hiding your things around the place like a strange hoarder or a sneaky thief,” half-heartedly yelled Iker, “Just choose a cubby or something.”

Noel headed back, crushing whatever mess she was making with her bare hands.

“I don’t know, like, a good handful of those words. I mean, what even is a cubby?” grumbled Noel, tossing a lit match into the mash as white smoke bloomed from the bowl, going straight into her eyes and Pearl still wondered if what she said about not being a demon was true.

Noel wobbled, Dru reminding Pearl she was in the room by keeping the young woman steady on her feet. It made Pearl jump. But no one cared about Pearl’s reaction, though. Noel rested her head on Dru’s shoulder, frowning.

“Well. He’s in Hades House,” said Noel.

Pearl wouldn’t have said the room was exactly a pleasant atmosphere before, but the room’s tension felt as thick as a trifle now. Iker stomped towards his office.

“I’m going with you,” said Iker.

“What? No. I can do this. I don’t need a keeper,” said Noel.

“Iker, she can work a case,” said Ortega, stopping Iker, holding his arm, “You don’t do cases anymore.”

“But its Hades House,” growled Iker.

Noel shook off whatever fears her frown hid before, shoulders stiff as she glared at the Iker, grabbing Pearl and Dru as she backed them both towards the door.

“Yeah, so? Been there before. It’ll be no problem. Better than stepping into an unknown devil’s den,” said Noel.

“Don’t worry too much, I’ll be there for her,” said Dru, chiming in for the first time since she woke up from whatever bizarre coma she was in.

Noel pulled them out of that chapel into the streets, the children from before gaggling and giggling as they watched the three leave. There were a lot of those, weren’t there? Strange little children scurrying about the place. Noel swung around, keeping her hold on Dru as she walked to the left, deeper into New Town, down narrower streets.

“What’s this about Hades House?” asked Pearl, “And devil’s dens?”

There was a rage simmering in Pearl. She loathed this. Not knowing things. She made it a point to never be at the mercy of another person, yet here she was, being dragged deeper into what could possibly be a dangerous trap.

“They’re places where darkness lurks,” Noel explained, “Where daemons make their human homes, where deals are made to particularly powerful people. It’s a horrorfest. Best to keep close, for nothing good comes of them.”

Dru nudged Noel.

“I wouldn’t say nothing good comes of them. I met you in Hades House, after all,” hummed Dru.

And for a moment, Noel smiled wistfully up at her shotgun angel. As if she were human. As if emotions can be held in those topaz eyes. That poor girl was either pitifully naïve or obtusely ignorant. Angels could have no such emotions, even if that fallen angel Ortega seemed to be an exception to the rule. Pearl almost felt sorry for Noel.

“Yeah. I guess I did,” Noel said before clearing her throat, turning to Pearl as she added, “But I’m the exception to the rule, okay? Trust me, no good comes of them.”

The first thing that felt wrong was how pristine the building was amongst all the clatter. A tall, smooth, black obelisk of a building with fire spelling out the words “HADES HOUSE” atop, fire lighting the way to the front door. Pearl glanced over to Dru and Noel, hoping for some sort of guidance.

“So, we walk?” asked Dru.

“What? No. Never. Never walk through the front door – I keep telling you that,” said Noel.

Dru rolled her eyes. As if she could be annoyed.

“You keep saying that. It always feels rude,” Dru responded.

“Well, we’re not going for a visit and a cup of tea, are we? No. This is a wreck them up sneak attack, in and out,” said Noel, pulling them around the building carefully.

Dru was noticeably awkward in her sneaking about, despite how graceful her movements seemed to be up until then. Maybe it was the whole sneaking around thing? Pearl was sure angels rarely had to do such things. They never had to with the powers they have. Noel faltered, pausing for a moment and patting herself down, tossing Pearl a breathing mechanism.

“Wear the mask. It’ll filter miasma out,” Noel said.

Dru froze, gazing down at the mask.

“Miasma? I thought that only happened in films,” stuttered Pearl.

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s how it is up there in Old Town. Very cushy, good for you. Unless you want long term magicks poisoning, wear that mask,” said Noel pointedly.

Pearl grumbled, positioning the ugly mask and adjusting the straps. It felt…filtered. The gross stale kind that one could smell in the particularly old buildings that hadn’t kept up to date on their air systems.

“Why aren’t you two wearing masks?” asked Pearl.

“Oh. Right. Well, angels have no need of it and, um…due to my particular cursing, miasma doesn’t impact me like most humans,” explained Noel, suddenly stiff, “Too much talk. We’re going in. Follow close. Stay near Dru, she’ll protect you.”

Dru gave an empty smile to Pearl that Pearl guessed was supposed to comfort her, but only made her feel worse about this whole situation. To be watched over by an angel? What a monstrous thought. But there didn’t seem to be any other option but to continue on through with them, close to the strange shotgun angel and the cursed woman.

It was gaudier than Pearl expected. Like some sort of hell-themed funhouse, with bright colors and strobing lights. Whatever mooks drew the short straw for back door duty looked like they dressed circus goes punk, intense exaggerated makeup and sharp yet tule-heavy varied uniforms, like someone went to an abandoned carnival and was told to make clothes out of the broken mirrors and leftover costumes.

One stood up, a man with a fuzzy hat and a tiger-onesy, pulling down his mirrored sunglasses as he blew technicolor smoke from his glass straw. Pearl wondered if this idiot was in charge of the rest of the band around.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t lil’ Noel Baird. Haven’t seen you around in a while. Heard you’re making a name for yourself. Whispers on the street,” he said.

Noel didn’t respond. There was a guttural noise, raw and instinctual, as she moved swift, punching the man straight in the throat. He choked for a second, stumbling, gargling, and falling on his back. His friends stood up, twirling their glass straws as they grew longer into glass-like beacons, like horns, horned instruments, something to blow through.

“No, don’t start,” the man tried to warn his cronies before they all began blowing that rainbow smoke like continuous soap bubbles, a woman with half a tutu, half an intricately woven golden clown costume bringing her hands up as she started ruminating words, pulling out a spell.

Spells were usually so innocuous. Blessings by street artists to make money off of crowds. Short films. Hallucinations of a summer day in a desert of red sand. Floating for just a moment. Pearl didn’t know what was happening here. She’d never seen such a spell before. It hurt to look at it.

Noel sucked in the rainbow smoke like a vacuum, the woman starting her spell convulsing and going into shock. For a moment she kept it in, held it as the people around stared in horror.

“Oh halos and harps, she’s a Sin Eater,” a woman with a one-armed, one-legged full body suit announced, horrified, her glass horn wilting back into a thin glass straw.

Miasma. That was what it was, wasn’t it? The rainbow. Daemon magicks. Miasma. They tried to flee. Pearl was sure of it. The only one smart enough to scramble a mask on was the first man who tried to warn the others, the one who knew Noel. Maybe he was able to because he knew this would be coming. The others had no chance, did they? And just like that, Noel blew the miasma straight at them, skin flaying in her wake, all of them crumbling in pain on the ground.

“You’re sick, you know that?” the man on the ground managed to cough, still impacted despite his mask, “To your own people.”

“You’re not my people,” Noel said, stepping over him and continuing onward, Dru pulling Peal away from the carnage in this room.

They stormed quietly through maze-like hallways that didn’t seem to have any normal logic to them, though, somehow Noel knew the way with ease. Maybe it was a disconnect. She was of daemon, even if she denounced it. How could a human swallow miasma like that and shoot it back out? What even was a “Sin Eater”?

They finally reached a door at the end of a diagonal hallway, ducking away from it and stopping. Noel gave Dru a glance, a talk amongst eyes, before Dru grabbed hold of Pearl. Pearl yelped. She heard of an angel’s touch before, sure. She heard about the odd tingly sensation that could come from it, but she didn’t expect it to feel like constant static shock. Pearl squirmed under the surprise of small pain. But neither Noel nor Dru seemed to care. Noel opened the door, hopping down.

When Dru pulled Pearl in too, that was when Pearl realized the gravity felt off, falling to the ceiling of a gold-plated throne room decorated with gem plant sculptures. He was there. Aria. With his stupid expensive quaff and elaborate three-piece suit. And in front of him, a woman with the most spectacular green eyes, like a grassy knoll. Green. Pearl wondered if green was something in all daemon’s eyes. Or simply a coincidence.

The woman was all muscles. A wall draped in an outfit that seemed made of a big top tent itself. She sat on a chair of funhouse mirrors, arms opening as she noticed the intrusion, smile filled with graded down sharp teeth. Noel stepped forward, glaring.

There was something familiar between the woman and Noel. A flicker between the eyes. Of pain, of hope, of humoring the other – both taking a beat before the lava cooled and malice set in between the two. Pearl wondered if this were a different world, then they would talk like it was normal, work out whatever those looks meant. But there obviously was no wiggle room in this world.

“The Baird child. We’ve missed you. Did you come for the price on your own head? How devious of you, I might have underestimated your gumption,” she said.

Pearl knew she should be paying attention or something, but all she could think about was Aria being stupid, kneeling on the ground, gazing upon this strange green-eyed woman with rapt awe.

“You really think that, Mara? That’s what you’re reading from the situation?” spat Noel.

Mara sighed, kicking Aria to the side casually. He toppled over, rolling several times. Pearl moved to do something, anything, but Dru kept her in place.

“I was hoping you’d grown smarter since then. I thought angels were supposed to be galaxy brains or something dumb like that,” Mara bemoaned, “Azazel won’t like this. He wasn’t happy before, but this? In his own abode? You insult him? Oh, you thought it was dangerous before. Let’s see what he does now.”

Noel shrugged, too casual, like she wasn’t scared of this woman. How could she not be scared? How could she be so cool near some daemon? She even looked like she was enjoying this.

“Oh, I’ve gotten smarter. Something I’ve learned from smaller devil dens is that people without your prowess, without your level of Miasma intake? They keep pockets to break over time. They save up and use wisely, unlike the house of gluttony you run,” explained Noel, “They have to, you see, with their limited resources, their lesser scaled magicks.”

Mara was definitely bored now.

“Your point?” groaned Mara.

“It’s like you always told me,” Noel said, circling the daemon, adjusting her stance, signing something so quickly Pearl wasn’t sure if that was ASL or just nervous ticks.

Noel snapped, electricity flowing from a miasma circle surrounding the daemon. Noel grinned for a moment, victorious, seeing Mara roar in pain. She was definitely loving this. There was something in her. There had to be something in her. It horrified Pearl, she knew Noel was not right.

Whatever success Noel earned was short, the ring of lightning quickly dissipating around Mara. Mara growled, turning to a surprised Noel as the lightning soaks into Noel much like the miasma did for Noel back in that first room.

“You spoiled, ungrateful child,” boomed Mara, her hand slapping Noel over.

Like a ragdoll. She flew, broken in the air, hitting the wall hard. Too hard. Deathly hard. She wasn’t moving on the ground. Was she even breathing? Did Pearl make a mistake choosing Noel’s services?

[they-called-us-enemy]

They Called Us Enemy: Plot

They Called Us Enemy is an emotionally powerful memoir written by George Takei about his childhood spent in Japanese internment camps in the United States of America during the second World War. While grounded in the modern-day setting of a TEDx talk, Takei speaks from his memory, offering a child’s point of view of internment, bringing up similarities to issues faced today.

The book starts out with an important action scene right off the bat. George (then 5 years old) and his brother, Henry, are peacefully asleep at home when their father arrives suddenly with a concerned expression. Waking the boys up, he hurries them to get dressed and pack their things at once, with no time to fully explain the situation. Soon, two soldiers arrive at the Takei family home, asking them to leave immediately under “executive order 9066″. The boys’ father, Takekuma/Norman, is given ten minutes by the soldiers to help his family and  pack any necessities. George and Henry are left confused on the porch as their father helps their mother (Fumiko/Emily) and sister (Nancy) pack. We are left with a scene of George’s mother crying as she leaves her home and approaches her children. The story then cuts briefly to a scene of present-day George delivering a TEDx talk in Tokyo, providing some context to this memoir. George explains the status of his parents, and provides a bit of background about their careers and family life. An ordinary family, working hard to support three children.

Following this, the story resumes to a point in time before the soldiers arrive. The Takeis are preparing Christmas decorations when the attack of Pearl Harbour and potential of war with Japan is announced over the radio. Takekuma and Fumiko look at each other, likely concerned about the future of their family, especially with three young children. The book then shows Eleanor Roosevelt’s address to the public and the President’s proclamation declaring that every Japanese adult in the U.S has been declared an “alien enemy”. Mild chaos ensues as members of the public begin turning on their Japanese neighbours despite their uninvolvement in the war. Smashed cars, threats to “get out”, racial slurs, and hate crimes are some of the hostilities endured by the Japanese Americans during this time. Executive order 9066 is then explained. The order authorized the military to exclude any persons from areas, and arrange food, shelter, transportation, and accommodations as necessary to excluded people. While this doesn’t directly specify any race, it becomes obvious soon enough that Japanese Americans are the people being excluded. Soon, the military combed many areas looking for Japanese Americans, evicting them from their homes and putting them on buses and trains to unknown destinations. The government froze all the financial assets, property, and businesses of these citizens, making it hard for families and individuals to survive. Strict regulations were placed on the existence and daily lives of Japanese Americans.

Soon, the Takei family is whisked off on a train to Santa Anita Racetrack, their first taste of life in internment. Many Japanese American families also find themselves there, forced to live in stables and treated like livestock. The Takeis try to make the best of adjusting to their new situation; Takekuma and Fumiko trying to continue providing a good life for their children. Many internees have a strong sense of community, doing their best to look out for one another.

After a few months living at the racetrack, the Takeis are forced to pack their belongings again. This time, they are forced onto a heavily-guarded train, their future yet again unexplained and uncertain. Takekuma tells George that their family is going on “vacation” to try to help comfort him; this only makes George confused about the families who are crying. To a child George, this feels like an adventure. He remains unaware of the gravity of their situation. The train stops halfway for its passengers to get some exercise before making its final stop at Fort Rohwer, a relocation camp in Arkansas.

Life at Fort Rohwer is tough for the citizens in less than desireable conditions (hot and cramped cabins). Despite this, they still try to keep a sense of home and community, forging a committee of representatives (of which Takekuma is elected block manager) to oversee community events and wellbeing. During this time, George experiences his first snowfall and visits a farm with his family, which are good memories to him as he remains unaware of his family’s persecution.

Soon, Takekuma and Fumiko, along with all the other Japanese adults at Fort Rohwer are presented with a questionnaire asking them to state their loyalty. Many of them are understandably outraged at this; how could a country suddenly turn its back on them then ask them to pledge their loyalty the next moment? The questionnaire asks internees to fight in the U.S. Army (if male) and/or pledge allegiance to the United States. Because Takekuma was not an American citizen and did not want to be stateless, he was not able to pledge loyalty to the U.S. Fumiko, fearing their family would be split if she pledged loyalty to the U.S, answers similarly. 

The Takeis are then sent to a camp at Tule Lake, California. There, George witnessed many internees who radicalized themselves; pledging themselves to Japan since America was treating them like the enemy despite being innocent. George and his father get caught up in a dispute between the internees and the guards which turns violent. They are able to narrowly escape.

Law 78-405 is enacted in 1944 by president Roosevelt. This new law permitted Japanese citizens to renounce their American citizenship in hopes that the U.S. could trade those who renounced their citizenship for Americans being held in Japan. Once more, Fumiko, fearing her family’s separation, renounces her citizenship. 

In 1945, when atomic bombs are dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Fumiko fears for the safety of her Japanese-residing relatives. The Japanese soon surrender and the war ends. Many internees start being forced to go back to Japan, including Fumiko. Fortunately, a civil rights attorney, Wayne Collins, prevents this from happening by defending the internees who were forced to renounce their citizenship. The Takeis return to Los Angeles and begin life all over again, with less than they had before. George experiences some discrimination in school and eventually leaves to study theater at UCLA. He also has many after-dinner talks with his father that spike his interest in politics and social justice. George, now a full-time actor, uses his platform to speak about his childhood experiences in the internment camps in order to educate the public. He firmly believes that people need to learn about history so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

George covers valuable personal opinions and insights in this interview behind They Called Us Enemy

- Del

[lazyneonrabbitt]

So I got tagged by @acourtofhopeanddreams and WOW I GOT TAGGED?! Cool to see that people notice my blog ♡

Tules: Post 10 facts, tag 10 people. LETS GO.

1. I am a Dutch nerd who finished school almost a year ago and still has no job.

2. I love drawing, writing and crafting but I don't do as much with it anymore since it never gets noticed at all.

3. I collect stuffed animals and my boyfriend does this thing where he holds one up in the store and makes a sad face which almost always leads to me buying it.

4. I have an Angelic Power Rune tattoo on my chest and currently have two more tattoo plans (but no cash)

5. I've tried to do art commissions multiple times but it never worked out so I quit trying.

6. I am having a hard time coming up with facts here, this is not easy.

7. Most of my days are spent watching shows on Netflix amd trying to find things to do and scrolling social media.

8. My home situation isn't the best and the option of living with my dad is there, but I still haven't talked about it with either of my parents because I hate confrontation and :C

9. No matter how much I try to clean my room, it always looks a bit messy because I own too much stuff.

10. I have no idea who to tag because I don't talk to anyone on here because how do you make friends online???

Tagging: whoever feels like doing this.

[jenniferfaye34]

#Giveaway + Excerpt ~ Mountain Rescue Romance series by Melissa McClone... #SweetRomance #books @MelissaMcClone

Title: Mountain Rescue Romance

Author: Melissa McClone

Genre: Sweet Romance

Publisher: Cardinal Press, LLC

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s Reviews & PR

His Christmas Wish

Carly Bishop loved Christmas…until tragedy struck. Distraught and grief-stricken over the deaths of her fiancé and brother, she left Hood Hamlet and her Christmas spirit behind, to start over somewhere new. But now, six years later, her family needs her. Carly returns home to face her past and give her niece and nephew the best Christmas ever.

Burdened with guilt, Jake Porter believes he could have saved his two friends on that fateful day and kept Carly from experiencing such a heart-wrenching loss. When she arrives in town, Jake wants to make amends so they can both finally move forward with their lives.

As Jake helps Carly experience the magic of Christmas so she'll embrace the holiday again, will he also be able to open her heart to something else she’d given up on…love?

Her Christmas Secret

Sean Hughes likes being single—much to his family’s dismay. They want him to settle down…now. When he gives fun-loving snowboarder Zoe Flynn a ride to the slopes, Sean hatches a plan to throw off his matchmaking relatives. He asks Zoe to pose as his girlfriend at Thanksgiving dinner, which will take the pressure off him and make the evening more enjoyable all around.

Zoe agrees to be Sean’s fake girlfriend. Who wouldn’t want a free meal or a chance to hang out with the handsome mountain rescuer and his adorable husky? When an injury occurs, the two are forced to continue their one-night ruse. As Christmas approaches, make-believe turns into reality. But Zoe has a secret…a big one.

Is their new relationship strong enough to withstand the truth, or will she find herself with no one to kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve?

Her Christmas Kiss

Paramedic Leanne Thomas works hard to be “one of the boys” at the fire station and on the mountain. What the guys don’t know is she keeps her inner girly-girl hidden from them. When gorgeous, rookie firefighter Christian Welton turns on the charm, Leanne shuts him down fast. She won’t risk her heart or her reputation by dating a younger man who is also a coworker.

Leanne intrigues Christian. After she rescues him off the mountain, he glimpses a softer, more vulnerable side to her tough-as-nails personality. Christian’s not looking for a relationship, yet he can’t deny his attraction. A surprise kiss under the mistletoe sparks a three-alarm fire, but something is holding her back.

Will Christian’s kisses break through Leanne’s tough exterior and melt her heart? Or will a dash of Christmas magic be required?

His Second Chance

Nothing interests Sarah Purcell more than the volcanoes she studies until she meets Dr. Cullen Gray. Maybe that’s why she marries him two days later. Illogical, yes, but nothing has ever felt so right. As the honeymoon period ends and real life sets in, everything falls apart. A year after their separation, when Sarah is injured, she’s shocked when Cullen shows up to help.

Even though Cullen’s still hurting from their breakup, Sarah has no one else. He brings her to his home in Hood Hamlet to heal. Once she recovers, she can return to her beloved work and he can move on with his life—without her. But soon, sparks fly anew, long-buried emotions resurface, and much-needed conversations happen.

Is Sarah and Cullen’s marriage truly over? Or will they get a second chance at romance and a happily ever after?

  His Christmas Family

Two and a half years after Grace Wilcox’s husband died a war hero, the hole in her heart and life remains. She wants to start over with their young son, but a snowstorm thwarts her plans, stranding them in Hood Hamlet. When Grace knocks on a stranger’s door in search of help, a handsome firefighter comes to the rescue.

Bill Paulson invites the two wayward travelers into his home. A relationship and family aren’t on his radar, but something about the widow and her son touches Bill’s heart. While Grace’s truck is being repaired, she wants to give her son a special Christmas. An overgrown kid who loves the holidays, Bill decides to do the same for Grace.

Attraction soon flares between Grace and Bill, but she won’t gamble her heart on another hero and he doesn’t consider himself husband material. Can a little Christmas magic show them love and a family are worth the risks?

USA Today bestselling author, Melissa McClone has published novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group and been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Melissa worked for a major airline where she traveled the globe and met her husband. But analyzing jet engine performance couldn’t compete with her love of writing happily ever afters. Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds, and cats who think they rule the house. They do!

Author Links:

Website: http://www.melissamcclone.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissamcclonebooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melmcclone/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissamcclone

Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/r7t7t1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/292027.Melissa_McClone

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-mcclone

Amazon author page: https://amzn.to/2E9EIwi

Buy Links:

Book 1 - His Christmas Wish:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2E9dF4u

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/his-christmas-wish/id1438782740?mt=11

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-christmas-wish-melissa-mcclone/1129730201?ean=2940156068630

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/his-christmas-wish-6

Book 2 - Her Christmas Secret:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QxWq2y

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/her-christmas-secret/id1439229483?mt=11

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-christmas-secret-melissa-mcclone/1129752677?ean=2940156122240

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/her-christmas-secret-1

Book 3 - Her Christmas Kiss: 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SkupIS

iBooks: ttps://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/her-christmas-kiss/id1438777211?mt=11 

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-christmas-kiss-melissa-mcclone/1129730162?ean=2940156111954

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/her-christmas-kiss

Book 4 - His Second Chance:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2zzTJ6D

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/his-second-chance/id1438781334?mt=11

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-second-chance-melissa-mcclone/1129730166?ean=2940156134823

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/his-second-chance-5

Book 5 - His Christmas Family:

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2U3M4GF

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/his-christmas-family/id1438781471?mt=11

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-christmas-family-melissa-mcclone/1129730171?ean=2940156153589

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/his-christmas-family

“It’s my mother. She thinks we’re serious. You and me. That I invited you to dinner because we’re in a relationship.”

Lines creased Zoe’s forehead. “Why would she think that?”

Because his mother was a hopeless romantic who wanted her son to get married so she could have grandchildren. “Because I’m bringing you to Thanksgiving dinner.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“My family never makes much sense.”

“Haven’t you ever brought anyone to Thanksgiving dinner before?” Zoe asked.

“Not in a long time.” Sean tried to keep his personal life as private as he could. Not easy living in a small town full of close friends and a large, demanding family who defined the meaning of nosy. “That must be why my mom got the wrong idea.”

“You have to admit it’s kind of sweet.”

“Imagine if it were your mother.”

Zoe winced. “Okay, not sweet at all.”

“My mom’s probably calling my aunts, who will call my cousins…”

“It’s not a problem. Just a little misunderstanding.” Zoe didn’t sound upset. “We can tell everyone the truth when we arrive. Have a good laugh about it.”

He stared at the snow on the side of the road. “Right.”

“You’re not laughing,” she said gently.

“Nope.”

“I don’t have to go.”

“You’re not spending Thanksgiving alone.” Sean wasn’t going to let her get away that easily. He blew out a puff of air. “My mom’s expecting you now. If you didn’t show up, she’d be disappointed. She looks forward to the holidays all year. I don’t want to ruin her day.”

“She’s going to be disappointed anyway when we tell her the truth.”

“Yeah. Unless…” His voice trailed off.

We couldn’t, could we? The idea had merit.

“What?” Zoe asked.

“We could pretend to be dating,” he suggested. “Just for today.”

“That could be fun.”

“Yeah.” And solve his problem. Problems, actually. His mom’s Thanksgiving would be salvaged, his opinionated family couldn’t say anything about him settling down, and he would get to spend time with Zoe. A win-win situation for everyone. “You in?”

She shrugged. “Sure.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[atomiccollectionblizzard-bl-blog]

Who is latexbear（Delandis）

Group Profile

Delandis is a professional manufacturing and exporting company that focuses solely on the development, design and production of products such as latex pillows, sponge mattresses, latex mattresses, and other bedding materials. We also develop and export raw materials such as sponge and natural latex.

Presently, we have complete production lines for each of our products and we are committed to providing individuals and families worldwide with safe and environmentally friendly bedding solutions. Our raw materials and products are exported to over 80 countries including the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, France and the U.S. When it comes to the production of latex mattresses, we make use of industry best practices in our factories to ensure that our customers always receive the consistent quality that is always associated with the Delandis brand and range of products.

Since our factories are based in China, we have easy access to quality raw materials, and extensive resources in addition to a top-of-the-line production factory and industrial complex. With these resources, we are able to offer competitive prices to our customers. We have been offering OEM services to American and European enterprises for over 15 years. Our records show that we have produced and sold a total of over 10 million mattresses worldwide.

Development History

2000 – Our journey began in the year 2000 with the creation of our brand name. The Delandis brand was formally registered and established and we commenced manufacturing with our newly constructed sponge production line.

2004 – Within a period of four years after the company’s creation, we upgraded our production lines in order to increase production capacity and provide our customers with high-quality products.

2007 – This year saw the completion of our long-awaited industrial park. Located in Quanzhou, China and covering an area of over 500,000 sq. meters, our beautiful and well-equipped industrial park was modeled using a garden-style theme. We also established our export business operations in Quanzhou along with our major production projects.

2008 – In the year 2008, we recorded annual sales of over 1.5 million mattresses. We were recognized as the bestselling manufacturer of bedding products and this marked our entry into the ranks of the world’s top manufacturers. We also began exporting our product to over 80 countries situated all over the world.

2010 – By this time, our brand and range of quality bedding products had achieved global recognition and we had a robust and mature international market.

2014 – After achieving global recognition, we recognized the need to focus on and develop sales within our home country. Therefore, we came up with a new and improved domestic sales development strategy and began its implementation. We also established a national store system to increase our brand awareness and improve on local sales.

2015 – In accordance with our improved domestic sales development strategy, we decided to open home stores all over the country. We established a network of domestic sales terminal in most major cities.

2016 – With the advent of the Fourth Industrial revolution, we had to review and reposition ourselves to ensure the continuous delivery of quality products to our customers. Therefore, we came up with our Industrial 4.0 development strategy for seamless integration of both our online and offline processes.

Work Culture Adhering to industry standards and best practices to ensure the production of top quality, environmentally-friendly household bedding products

Our topmost priority is customer satisfaction and as such, we constantly brainstorm on ways to improve on the quality of our products.

Range of Products Mattresses: – Sponge Mattresses, 100% Latex Mattresses and Blended Mattresses Raw Materials: – Sponge and Natural Latex

Industrial Complex Location Phase 1, Hengang Factory, Yifeng Intersection, Tuling Town, Quangang District, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China

[subconsitrep]

No other road but the “high road”

In the recent events that have transpired, despite much effort to minimize the decisions made in the direction of small returns, minimal growth and lack of transformation, it is been made clear that all decisions made have been out of shear reflex; the continuing notion of unconscious decisions unaware of the limitations that are associated with such decisions without any sense of awareness, yet still expecting to achieve grand results.  In a final attempt to show signs of direction, my interpretations of the ‘Divine’ have intercepted my choice of direction and have created circumstances that suggest that there is but one road to follow if I am to truly seek a life of Transformation and Evolution.  This road, is what I call the “High Road.”

The latest reality I have lived within has been as seemingly turbulent as a distorted sound-wave.  It has surely been very hard to really follow along any sort of solid route in any direction without the straight line suddenly bursting with its chaos and completely rupturing my desired straight line into any which direction.  Up or down, crest or trough, no matter.  It has been far from straight.  In preparation of my Father making an array of very spontaneous and rushed decisions that would exercise us both moving out despite the lack of immediacy needed for this circumstance, I had accepted the offer of lodging with my Mother who after a long time of being made aware of my Father’s effort to move and sell the house with no intentions of keeping me in the picture, had come around to assist her son.  In brief, my Mother and I have rarely been able to make ends meet between us, as any prolonged exposure in any situation would usually spawn conflict.  I had accepted the offer knowing full well the potential consequences that could arise, and also because after much effort to establish myself independently in this world away from the support of my parents, my reality would simply not allow it.  Having no job or finances to be able to manage my own affairs independently it was clear that I would have to lean on someone, and in its sporadic surfacing I had jumped on it to secure my own safety net; buying me time so to speak.  

As the circumstances at my present home would continually change, I would make haste with my own decisions to ensure that my transition between the two places would be smooth and swift.  I had made all the necessary arrangements to make it all happen, despite me having my own reservations: that being my potential issues foreseeable in the immediate future, and the fact that this would not be the sort of transformation or evolution that I have been trying to create, but rather a step backwards.  As I can surely attest that living with my Mother would be more problematic than living with my Father has been, despite any reservations that I may have originally thought from the time my parents went their separate ways.  So I chose the most easiest route to secure my security, and for a brief time it was all good and dandy.

The idea suddenly came to a halt yesterday following a significant event; a passing of a Father to my longest and most closest friend, and their family.  Mourning in their loss that day, arriving to my mothers after upon its conclusion I was suddenly put into a vice of aggression as I was subject to immediate tules and regulations otherwise stipulated within my Mothers home.  My Sister whom had been home as well had joined in on the stern and orderly condemnation of my lack of attention and respect, to which I can only simply argue that was something I had overlooked and was surely unaware there was such a rule.  In a a habit of its tendency for the both of them to be extremely emotionally reactive they came at me in spite of my lack of awareness.  I reacted out of line, aggressing my sister of whom my frustrations had with her had more or less overflowed having been bottlenecked for some time.  I make no excuse of my actions though I had surely made a comeback suggesting a physical conclusion to our small outburst.  I was simply “over it”, and with the frustrations already with my Mother already causing me to stand my ground, I overreacted intentionally to her.  Either or, I spared no raging emotions or loud yells, just stern voices and snarky, sarcastic remarks that were sure to set in their hooks. They overindulged in creating a situation that was more grand than what actually happened, and as it was happening, I had let myself out the door.  Waiting for the elevator, my Mother found me there having followed me after I left, trying to force her rendition of her situation on me.  Trying to plead my case, which was simply my lack of knowledge of these house rules, she would have none of it, and argued it was simply the rule I was to understand, and I should have known.  This in turn justified her in her actions spiting me, where I was given no compromise to explain myself.  It was already clear that the situation was not going to work out, and once I had my Mother admit to me that there was going to me no mutual ground between us, just simply her way of the highway, I bowed out of our agreement.  

I had pulled the Dove card as part of my daily ritual, as I summon the intended message or focus that is to be had for the day to come.  The Dove in this case was symbolic, for it denoted one must “stop, slow down, and just breathe.”  The message became clear on the way down to the bottom floor in the elevator, and I couldn’t help but smile on the way down.  Despite the frustrations I had found a small bit of joy in that instance being able to make the connections that I have been doing very well to make in the most recent times of my latest journey, connecting to the higher powers, God and the Universal Consciousness. By the time I had reached the car, I was cool and extremely happy.  I had come to the conclusion that this was all part of the plan, and that it was meant to happen.  

Quite frankly, with my reservations myself, as well as others aware of my plan were all in agreement with me: that it was best this way, and that it was better the situation unfold now then at any point beyond the move.  I knew once I had withdrawn from my plans to move in with my Mother, I had nowhere to go, yet I was still humble and with trust of my direction.  A profoundness that I have surely grown with in the small amount of time since this new journey.  

At the end of my night, I had time to decompress the idea and figure out my next plan of action.  Within my gut I was feeling that it was time I cease playing the short-game; the pointless chase of marginal gains and satisfactory lifestyles for the sake of making my most minimal ends meet.  Living with my Mother would have been a downgrade, and something in this Universe triggered a situation that had found me out of it.  Having just tried another shortcut option and working with my friend’s business starting on a Monday, and ending completely on the Friday that same week was yet another sign.  I was pretty much all sapped up for temporary plans, shortcuts, and measly attempts for me to just prolong my transformation; the Evolution of my life that I have been trying to create for myself...

...the only road I could see then, was the High Road.

The same road that had made itself known since before my time ended at Honda.  The same one that I knew deep down that if I had made this possible, that my truths that I have been trying to come to terms with would suddenly create for me a new reality that I have been seeking to create.  

The road that would get me the fuck out of this damned country.

The same road that would have me leave behind all the attachments to this life that I have been trying to transform out of.  The very road that would have me back at the depths of my core perpetuating all of my potentials and outwardly expressing all of them.  

Going back a bit, I was offered an opportunity to travel to Panama to stay with my friend Ryan who would take me in, offer me a retreat and a chance to learn something new and different.  A chance to grow my own ideas and work for me and my dreams, away from all of the distractions that exist here in this style of life I have lived, with the camaraderie that has more or less been unattractive in my pursuits to my building the life I am seeking to live.  It is clear that since my need for an answer, in conjunction with seeking my life’s purpose, has the Universe demonstrated a reaction to my intentions:

The need for substituting one lifestyle into the next mediocre life is over.  That the time has now come for you to make the decision you have known deep down is the decision you need to make.  Your life calls to you to be Bold, Strong, and Free.  You will never be any of these if you continue to make the decisions you have been making.  Heed these recent change of events and failures as a sign to attempt something you have not done before.  Your time has come.

I couldn’t agree more with this.  My soul writing that I have been implementing since the start of the Soul Program through The Lotus and the Lilly has done nothing but confirm this statement.  In my most recent piece of trying to understand myself moving forward with my life, and setting the right intentions that will give me the life I desire, I had discovered my inner self communicate this to me from within:

What the Soul really wants: To live a life without fear or limitations while seeking the freedom and adventure of life, as I seek out the greatest meaning of my life, and the truths of this Universe, with Love at my core.

I’ll be damned...

For the first time I have come to the most simplest of epitomes, that is the element of my Life’s purpose.  I am A Journeyman.  The signs have been with me for some time.... Jake The Journeyman, the travel blog I have, the frequent revisits of how my life was like when I was travelling, and the zest for life and love that I had then, the constant reminders of getting out of this county, all the while all the signs I had been receiving were all trying to tell me it was not working here, that it was trying to suggest I do something different... bold.  Hell, my most frequent of signs are visited to me by BIRDS!  If I haven’t figured out by now that my life is suggesting I Take flight NOW, then Bob’s surely not my uncle.

The transition is now.  It needs to happen.  The next few steps that I must take are going to require me to take the most biggest steps that I have ever faced before, and it all has to be stemmed from within.  Panama is the vision right now, and even that being said I am uncertain whether or not this may be the seed of new fruits to bear following this transition, or if I have yet to find it.  Either or, it is very clear that I must look beyond my current sights, beyond the horizon.  Truly come to an understanding of the Faith that I have within myself, and the Divine, that I know will lead me to the path I am destined to find...

...Thank you for watching me; guiding me.  I am with you as you are with me, and we are One, we are All.  My true Journey with you has begun. 

[madmadaasia]

Ameerika unistused praetud kana ja Trumpiga /American dreams with fried chicken and Trump

Kui pakutakse võimalust tasuta maailma teise otsa minna ja makstakse veel peale ka, siis kes ütleks ei?! Madli igatahes ei öelnud ja suundus eelmisel suvel unistuste USAsse, mille eesotsas oli siis palavalt armastatud Obama.

Alustuseks väike maratonsööming lennul USAsse (sest well kui USA lennufirmaga lendad siis suu käib nii kaua kuni lennuk õhus püsib ja kui sa kogemata mälumise lõpetad, siis on stujardess uue juustukäntsakaga platsis) ning siis olimegi juba pesuehtsas lõunaosariigis Tennessees. 

When you’re offered a chance to go to the other side of the world for free then who would say no?! Madli didn’t and headed to USA last summer where beloved Obama was still on the lead.

For starters I had a food marathon on the flight to USA (cause if you’re flying with US airlines then you’ll eat as long as the plane is in the air and if you accidentally stop chewing then the air hostess is back with another chunk of cheese).

Kantriosariik Tennessee y’all. / Country music state Tennessee.

Sihtkohtaks oli “väikelinn” Chattanooga, kust leidis iga nurga pealt praetud kana, kiriku ja mõne ülekaalulise orava. Tennessee on kohalike seas tuntud kui “The buckle on the bible belt”, mis tähendab et tegu on ühe usklikuima osariigiga, st palju vabariiklasi ja Trumpi pooldajaid. Hmm, kõlab usuleigele eestlasele nagu hea väljakutse eks? 

My destination was a “small town” called Chattanooga where you could find some fried chicken, a church and an (overweight) squirrel on every corner. Tennessee is also known as “the buckle on the bible belt” which means it’s one of the most religious states in USA (and alongside with that has lot of Republicans and Trump supporters). Hmm, sounds like an interesting challenge for a non-religious Estonian right?

Superman Trump tuleb alati appi./ Superman Trump always helps.

Chattanooga, TN.

Ja väljaspool linna ei lennanudki ringi vaid põhupallid, päris mets oli. / And outside of the city there weren’t just balls of hay rolling around, they had some real forest there!

Tegu polnud aga üldse lõbureisiga, vaid läksin suvel USAsse õppima, sest jälle why not? Toimus sotsiaalse ettevõtluse suveülikool Tennessee ülikoolis Chattanoogas, kus töötasime grupi Euroopa noorteliidritega välja maailmapäästvaid plaane ja aitasime kohalikku kogukonda (värvisime maju, töötasime toidupangas jne).

But it wasn’t just a trip for fun. I actually went to study there, cause why not? I took part of the social entrepreneurship summer program in the Tennessee University at Chattanooga where young leaders from all over Europe designed world saving plans and helped the local community (we helped at the food bank, painted some houses etc.).

Noored maailmaparandjad Euroopast. / Young world improvers from Europe.

Seni kuni teised leitsakus maja ülemisi osi värvisid, suutsin mina end tugevale eesti naisele kohaselt sokutada värvimistööd tegema veranda alla, kus ma endale mustmiljon putukasõpra sain... Jee! / At the same time when others were painting the upper part of the house I got a fun job to paint the area under the porch. Needless to say on that day I made friends with millions of bugs:).

Tegelikult oli lõbu ka päris palju, sest kui sul on grupp eurooplasi 16st riigist ja ameeriklasi, siis see igavust küll ei tähenda. Omal nahal sai kogeda tõelist USA ühika- ja tudengielu: SUURED ühikakortereid (kus konditsioneer suutis välja võluda tõelise talveilma), punaste topsidega peod, Starbucks’id iga nurga peal. Ja “kodu/spordi/tuduriided” sobisid igal pool käimiseks, sest tundub, et ameeriklased on “all about comfort”. Koduriietega olid kodus, poes, koolis, peol, kusiganes...

Actually there was also lots of fun. When you’ve a group of Europeans from 16 different countries and a bunch of Americans then you’ll never feel bored for sure. I got to experience the real American dorm and student life. BIG student apartments (where the AC could fill the rooms with winter breezes), famous red cup parties, Starbucks on every corner. And the clothes you wore at home or in the gym suited for every occasion: for shopping, parties, school etc. 

Starbucks on tudengielu keskpunkt./ Starbucks is the center of student life.

Ja toit, uuh. Tennessee asub otse KFC-osariigi Kentucky all, seega ei tule üllatusena, et ka praetud kana vintsutatakse siin kõige rohkem. Tegelikult ükskõik mida, mis on praetud, frititud või muud moodi õlis leotatud. Aga need portsjoinid ja kogused… Kohalikus söö-palju-jaksad ülikoolisööklas alla 10 erineva toiduleti pole küll vastuvõetav. On salatilett, võileivalett, pizzalett, burksi/nugget’i lett, praelett, pastalett, koogi/magustoidulett, joogilett, supilett, jäätiselett… Võta kõike, mida hing vaid ihaldab! Üllatuslikult polnud praetud kana letti, seega arenguruumi veel on. Tegime omakeskis nalja, et kui ameeriklased Euroopasse tuleksid, siis nad jääksid nälga, sest tavaliselt panevad söögitädid sulle portsjoni taldriku peale valmis, mis USAga võrreldes on täiesti miniatuurne kogus.

Oh and the food. Tennessee is situated just under the KFC-state Kentucky which means fried chicken is widely loved in there too. Actually people love everything that is fried, deep-fried or in any other way soaked in oil. And the portions.. In the local all-you-can-eat university diner you could find so-so many service areas: for salad, for sandwiches, for pizza, for burgers/nuggets, for hot main, for pasta, for cakes/cookies, for drinks, for soups, for ice-cream.. And you could take everything what you wanted! Surprisingly there wasn’t a special place for fried chicken so there’s still some room for progress. We joked that if Americans would come to Europe they would starve because there are mostly plates with standardized meal sizes and compared to USA they’re miniature.

Üks tavaports. / One regular meal.

Lemmiksöögitädi./ Favourite diner lady.

4.juulil (iseseisvuspäev) otsustati Euroopa külalised sokutada pesapallimängu VIP-tsooni, kus jällegi, no surprise olid ilmatusuured toidukuhjad ja parim vaade pesapallipoistele. 

On 4th of July (Independence Day) we were invited to watch a baseball match! In the VIP zone! With tons of food again and the best view of the game! 

Pesapallipoisid. / The baseball boys.

Legendaarne 4.juuli ilutulestik. / Legendary 4th of July fireworks.

Mängu lõpus kutsuti välismaised staarid (aka meie) keset väljakut superhitte laulma:

In the end of the game the foreign superstars (aka us) were invited to the middle of the field to sing some superhits:

Veel viidi välismaised külalised Coca-Cola pealinna Atlantasse, 

They also took us to Atlanta - the city of Coca-Cola,

kantripealinna Nashville’i, 

to the country music capital Nashville,

kosmosekeskuselinna Houston’i 

to the space center in Houston

ning põhjapool asuvatesse linnadesse nagu, tippülikoole Harvardit ja MIT’d majutav Boston, kus käisime külas JFK-l, 

And to the northern cities like Boston, where we visited JFK,

ja Paul oli ka seal!

and Paul was there too!

ning siis Washington D.C.-sse.

and then to Washington D.C.

Lincoln Memorial.

Kõige suurem üllatus oli raudselt see, et kohati tundus Lõuna-USA-s valitsevat täiesti teine reaalsus kui see ühes eeskujulikus Lääne riigis peaks olema. Pimedas ei tohiks üksinda väljas käia (nt oli ühikate juures iga teatud vahemaa taga üks helkiv “politseipost”, mille nuppu sai hädaohus olles vajutada, et abi kutsuda), tänavatel võitlevad gängid (kes sind õhupüssiga võivad tulistada), siiani on laialt levinud rassism, relvad on kättesaadavamad kui alkohol (relva saab omada al 18a ja alkoholi 21a) ja laiuvad toidukõrbed (ehk vaesematest ühiskonnagruppidest asuvad toidupoed üsna kaugel). Mingis mõttes muutis see, et USA pole musterlaps ja ka nemad võitlevad väga suurte probleemidega selle riigi minu jaoks palju inimlikumaks.

The biggest surprise of all was definitely the feeling that at times the Southern-USA felt like a totally different reality compared to what the perfect Western country should be. You shouldn’t go out in the dark alone (e.g. there are shining “police poles” around and when you’re in danger you can push a button on these poles and it’ll automatically call the police), the are gangs fighting on the streets, racism is still very much alive, guns are very accessible and there are food deserts around the city (which means that the grocery stores are sometimes very far away for some of the poorer segments of the society). In a way the feeling that USA wasn’t flawless and they also struggled with major problems made this country much more humane and relatable for me.

Samas on halva kõrval on alati ka palju head. Üks omadus, mida kohalike juures tõsiselt imetlen on nende äärmine leidlikkus võluda mittemillestki välja nii palju. Võtame nt Chattanooga - kord üks saastatumaid linnu USAs on nüüd rohelinnade musternäidis. Ameeriklased haaravad härjal sarvist ka siis kui sarved vahepeal puuduvad, aga tulevad ikkagi toime ja saavutavad enamgi veel. Ma arvan, et seda tasub meil eurooplastel küll neilt õppida. Ja nii elabki ameerika unistus edasi.

At the same time everything’s not always bad and there’re also many good things. One aspect that I really admire is the ability of Americans to make something great out of almost nothing. Even when there’s not a lot of chance to succeed. Let’s take Chattanooga for example. Once it was one of the most polluted cities in USA and now it becoming an example of successful green cities. Americans take the pull by the horns even if the bull doesn’t have any horns and they somehow manage the situation and even achieve success. I think that’s something Europeans can definitely learn from them. And that’s how the American dream keeps living on.

Uute seiklusteni!

Until new adventures!

Madlike

[tuleetalk]

Abandoned in Love

Originally written Saturday, 07 January 2012 11:22 

I’ve been hurt before…

I’ve had my trust in others proven misguided,

All kinds of relationships have subsided,

And for every single one there’s a scratch or scar that shows it.

 As a result I’ve changed my mind about a few thing.

I love within certain boundaries,

I care only for those who care about me,

And anything beyond that… Well that’s just too risky.

  I’m told to love a little more, give a little more,

But it’s too frightening to leave my fears at the door

Because fear acts as a bandage to cover what happened before,

And now protects against the “certainty” of the on-coming pain in store

  The thoughts of the past raise whirlwinds in my mind

And even the things I thought I’d left behind,

They’re still there!

Particles of emotional residue rise with every wind-like memory to continually remind

That I’m not quite over that yet

 But it’s ok…

I’m ok…

I seem ok…

I think I’m ok…

I can smile it off so that’s ok… right?

 It’s ok till I’m required to show you love

Because at that point where I attempt to care for you without reservation,

I can’t,

And when I’m requested to love beyond my limitations,

It’s hard!

Not because I hate you, but because you unknowingly remind me of the past.

 You remind me of the friend that disclosed my secrets and betrayed me.

You remind me of that guy that never knew that I knew he was lying to me.

You remind me of the one disguised as a “buddy” who only came to use me,

And though in reality you bear no real similarity,

My blurry-eyed mind keeps thinking “you’re just like them.”

 They say “sorry” is the hardest word, but I think “forgive” is harder

Because when I say "sorry", most of the time I know where I’m coming from,

But to forgive is a tricky one,

Because when I think the situation is all gone and done

Subconsciously flashbacks of old memories come.

 They subtly take me back to every dispute, every hurt feeling,

Every part of my emotional state that I didn’t even know needed healing,

And though I can laugh with you and say I’ve forgiven

Deep down, if I’m honest, I didn’t.

It was just hidden.

 And now every other friend, potential life partner,

And as shameful as it is to say, even God the Father

Gets only the little bit of my heart that I’ve scrimped and scraped from this mess,

Because unaddressed unforgiveness makes me give less.

 This isn’t really living…

It’s protecting myself and guarding my own heart,

Which in some cases is where many good things start,

But in other cases just leaves me looking inwardly

When in reality, every display of love is to act unselfishly.

 It’s designed to take care of the other person’s needs

But I’m stuck here still looking at me,

And though I never considered myself a selfish being

When I look and mine are the only feelings I choose to see

Me saying I’m unselfish in contradictory

  So where’s the balance?...

If I only care for myself, that’s wrong of me

And I’ll fail to love others exactly as I should be

But at the same time, loving you results in vulnerability

And being completely stripped, ultimately

 Somehow still, I want to go for this ride to that place called “love”

Jump in this car and let my emotions just take me everywhere

And live life without any fear…

Though I know one day, (I don’t know when)

I’m going to be required to give my all to love again

 And when that day comes I’ll say

“Stop this car. Drop me off here please,

And yes it’s ok, you can leave”

 And I’ll stand out there in that vast open plain

Susceptible to the elements of openness,

Vulnerability and possible pain

As I learn what it is to love without restraint

And challenge myself to forgive again.

 And even in the face of the danger of damaged trust

Me living at the mercy of love is a total must

Because I see that love another “a little better” probably isn’t enough

I need to go one step further and choose to be abandoned in Love

  Love is not about how much we gain or even how much we may feel we might lose. It's about how much we can willingly, actively give to another for their sake rather than ours... Love as Christ loved you... John13:34-35 Eph 5:1-2

I'll do my best to love you

Tulee. x