#automatic restaurant reviews

[virtualkitchen]

How to Choose a Restaurant Name

Choosing the right name for a restaurant is a crucial decision that can significantly influence its identity, branding and the initial impression it makes on potential customers. A good restaurant name should be memorable, reflect the restaurant's concept and resonate with the target audience. Additionally, considering how the name will integrate with management software for restaurants can enhance operational efficiency from the start.

Reflecting Your Concept and Cuisine

The first step in naming your restaurant is to ensure that the name reflects the type of cuisine you serve and the overall concept of your establishment. Whether it's a cozy Italian bistro or a modern vegan eatery, the name should give customers a clear idea of what to expect. This not only helps to attract the right audience but also sets the tone for their dining experience. Consider using words that evoke the right feelings or images associated with your cuisine and ambiance.

Moreover, integrating your restaurant's name into management software for restaurants can streamline various operations such as reservations, order management and customer relationship management. A name that aligns well with your brand and can be easily incorporated into such systems will enhance brand consistency across all platforms.

Uniqueness and Legal Considerations

It's essential to choose a unique name to stand out in a competitive market. Conduct thorough research to ensure that the name isn't already in use or trademarked by another business, especially within your local area. This not only avoids legal complications but also prevents confusion among your potential customers.

Additionally, consider the digital presence of your restaurant. Check if the domain name is available for your restaurant’s website, and look at social media handles. A unique and SEO-friendly name can improve your online visibility, making it easier for customers to find and share information about your restaurant.

Conclusion

Choosing a restaurant name is a strategic process that involves reflecting your restaurant’s concept, ensuring uniqueness, and considering integration with essential tools like management software. By thoughtfully selecting a name, you set the foundation for your restaurant's branding, marketing and operational success.

Read a similar article about website for virtual kitchen here at this page.

[restaurantconfidentialblog]

Get the book Restaurant Confidential: The Down and Dirty Exploits of a Restaurant Manager by Daniel Golio - HERE

or Read the Kindle Edition FREE - HERE

Horn & Hardart Automat at West 57th Street near Sixth Avenue, March, 1957. Horn & Hardart opened the first automat in Times Square on July 2, 1912. They took the concept from a successful German restaurant. By the mid-20th century, there were over 50 Horn & Hardart restaurants in New York, serving 350,000 customers a day.

Photo: Albert Mozell via Fine Art America

[ericnyquist]

I'm excited to reveal my latest cover art for Automatic Noodle by: Annalee Newitz, published by Tor.com. Thanks again to Christine Foltzer for the art direction and type design. I included the original sketch! From the publisher, Tor.com We are delighted to reveal the cover of Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz, a cozy near-future novella about a crew of abandoned food service bots opening their very own restaurant!🍜🤖⁣ ⁣ While San Francisco rebuilds from the chaos of war, a group of food service bots in an abandoned ghost kitchen take over their own delivery app account. They rebrand as a neighborhood lunch spot and start producing some of the tastiest hand-pulled noodles in the city. But there’s just one problem. Someone—or something—is review bombing the restaurant’s feedback page with fake “bad service” reports. Can the bots find the culprit before their ratings plummet and destroy everything they created?⁣ ⁣ Coming 8.5.25!⁣

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250357465/automaticnoodle

[knightyoomyoui]

TWICE x M Reader - "Cry For Me": PART 4

A/N: We're now down to three remaining parts for this series. Hopefully I still made the progress of the story clear despite the word count being minimized compared to the previous parts.  Been months since I posted the last part, so let's see where we left off and how it will go for YN and the girls again on their respective agendas.

PREVIOUSLY ON CRY FOR ME: PART 3...

"Well, I have to go now. I still have somewhere to go, I just came here to remind about our supposed meetup yesterday." Jeongyeon excused herself.

"Oh okay, be safe on the road Jeongyeon." You understand, nodding softly and smiling at her. "Goodbye and thanks for the time!"

"You too, YN." Jeongyeon waved her hand at you, but instead you returned the gesture by wrapping her around on your embrance, sending undescribable sensation tingling around her body. "I-it's really good to have you back, Jeong.", you remarked about the redefinition of your relationship with her. Jeongyeon listened, her heart surprisingly softened as she heard the tenderness in his voice.

Now that you disappeared in front of her and entered the building again, that left Jeongyeon to be stunned once again at your heartful and cheerful action, she sighed deeply and clenched her fists at how tough it is again to resist the glimpse of your old being while knowing the bitter truth of it that you still haven't changed, leading yourself astray.

She watched your back distancing away from her, breathing gets heavier as a result of a familiar longing feeling increasing, having her saddened at your lunch that brings her back to that particular time in the past when she had her first date with you and those other numerous times you had to take her outside before, almost giving the same vibes in comparison.

The next day, you were busy reviewing all of the documents you needed to sign and deliver to your coworkers for arranging when your thoughts turned to Tzuyu, realizing that you hadn't caught up with her yet after that disappointing and cold night you two had.

Checking the mini-calendar on your desk, you discovered that tomorrow marks your seventh monthsary with her. After completing all of the necessary papers, you closed several tabs on your computer and opened a new one to search the internet for the best restaurant to go to on a date with your partner.

Going through your automatic dispenser to refill your cup with some fresh black coffee, you dialed Tzuyu’s phone number and waited for her response as it rang. 20 seconds had passed, but your call was instead left unanswered and labeled ‘cannot be reached’. You just thought that she’s probably busy right now with her work, and you understood that it’s not even her break yet, so you’ll just save it for later.

You then went to another option of leaving her a message to invite her. “Hey Tzu, can we go out tomorrow? It’s your day off, and we can spend time together for our anniversary. You’ll definitely love our date, so please accept. Love you! ” You sent it to her before shutting it off and taking a sip of your hot beverage.

Hours later, after you have called it a time to dismiss as you just played games for an hour without any task left to do aside from those you have completed already, you reopened your message box and noticed that Tzuyu had replied. A grin appeared on your face as she agreed for you to take her out.

However, that wasn’t the only reason what made you happy.

You left the building and greeted your workmates to take care of themselves on way home and some goodnights, you went to your car and drift away towards the destination you have in mind to end this day in a positive note.

Not much of a kilometer away, you parked in a spa that is still brightly lit, along with the rest of the places here and the lampposts beside the streetwalks.

You stepped on the entrance and noticed that the door already had a sign hanging with a message saying “Sorry, we are closed,” but you just scoffed and continued to open the door for yourself. Upon entering the aforementioned place, the room was quiet, the ambiance was soothing, and widely spaced as there's no crowd around.

Except for this other short haired woman who shares the same room as him tonight. You watched her gather all the things that they usually use for their customers and return them to their rightful place.

Hearing your footsteps on the floor echoing through the room, she has found your presence from the distance. She looked around and you matched a wide gummy smile that almost identical but not as large as Mina’s.

She wears a simple gray masseuse uniform with thigh high stockings in combo. You walked closer to her and made yourself relax on the vacant chair near her.

“My special regular customer has arrived, I see.” She teased and hid a smile as she carries a tray along with her. “Exhausted with work?”

“Kinda. Still felt like I need it though.” You said as you leaned back on the chair and closed your eyes while you waited for her. “How about you? Was there many customers today?”

“Yeah,. there’s like some group of women who came here earlier to do some bit of makeover before they attend some event or something. I heard it was a wedding.” She said, still feeling the effects of multitasking on assisting them for massage and beauty service both being a manager and a worker at the same time.

“Hmm. Then we do both really need to make ourselves more cozy for tonight, aren’t we?” You smiled as you watched her approached you. She sat beside you and caressed your arm.

“Are you perhaps thinking about doing it, YN?” She wheezed.

“Oh I have a lot of things in mind.” You smirked, holding her hand and rubbing it with your thumb.

“I would like for us to go all the way but let’s save it for next time. My body felt like it’s about to crumble tonight.” She sighed, slumping her shoulders.

You just chuckled and slapped her arm. “Easy, I’m talking about accompanying you and doing some massage.”

Jihyo leaned aback. “You can? But you’re tired too, though. You don’t need to be if you can’.”

“Nah, don’t mind me. In fact, I can still do it. I mean, I won’t initiate on you in the first place if I knew I can’t, right?” You winked, making her blush. “Let me help you also this time and return the favor, you’re not the only one who has skills on helping people relax and I came here because I need you right now, Jihyo.” You said, hiding the double meaning of it by referring to your girlfriend Tzuyu who wasn’t able to provide your urge yesterday when she went through a bad day to be entertained.

You pulled her arm to place her closer on you. The woman named Jihyo crashed against your body. She fixed her position on top of you, crouching against yours as you began kissing her deeply.

“And also, it’s fine with me if we can’t do it tonight. We can still find some way to help our urges while we give each other some body relaxation.”

“You do you, then. Take me to paradise, YN.”

Jihyo returned the intimacy, dragging her lips along with your movement. She felt her body heaten up with your hands groping her curves, on every parts you can reach on her. It was an easy access, as she’s petite compared to your size. You could’ve manhandled her under your dominance but you respect her decision to disregard it for now.

“I’ll be right back.” Jihyo cut your kiss with her as she gets up from your body, pushing herself away to stand and search for something to leave you for a while. Not wanting to keep you unattended, she signals you with a seductive “come hither” motion along with some bottle of herbal oil and lube she carries with her.

You immediately stand up and entered a familiar private room, the spot where you first met Jihyo after servicing you with her “special massage”. The table is all clean and prepared, she placed the bottles on the tray and not even bothering to have any questions, you just watched Jihyo taking off her uniform from top to bottom.

Carefully concentrating on every action she does, the clothes have been loosened and dropped on the floor. She steps out of her heels and just like that, Jihyo is now standing in front of you, barely naked with fabulous matching pair of red lingerie and black stockings.

You felt more intense as Jihyo smirked at you and she started climbing on the table. You viewed every glorious parts of her sexy and alluring body that wouldn’t be able to resist anytime.

“I can’t be the only who’ll be left hanging here without any clothes on. Take it off so that we can start.” Jihyo sat on the surface and she reaches for your coat, spreading it to slip through your shoulders. Then she proceeds to unbutton your white polo and opens up one of her desires for men, those packed set of abs that you’ve worked hard to built thanks also to Momo’s help.

She licks her lips as her hands travelled through your crotch and sensed something large bulging on the center. “Couldn’t control it, huh?”

“How could I be? You’re so damn sexy right now, Jihyo.” You said breathily as you sneakily glanced down at her deep cleavage forming as her arms compressed with the lustful touches she applies on your groin area.

“Let’s not keep your friend suffering while waiting, start ahead first with my back. It’s where it hurts a lot.” She said as she laid down on the table with her front figure first.

Her entire back frame all presented to you, you grabbed the bottle and spurted some amount of oil on your hands and rubbed it to create some heat, you then began spreading it across Jihyo’s toned back. Every glide, pound, and dig you create with your strong fingers across her succulent, slippery and smooth tanned skin, it arouses you more when you start hearing her hums and moans especially when you unclasp her bra and proceeded focusing on her sides.

And you spent the rest of the night with a much-needed session to satisfy and release your temptations and pleasures with Jihyo through different segments of a wild body massage.

The following day after finally meeting Jihyo, you shifted back to your responsibilities as a thoughtful and loving boyfriend to one of the gorgeous women you have ever pulled while pretending to not have any idea that you didn’t just met and became wild with another woman than her as usual. You visited Tzuyu’s house with her parents and there she was, dressed in a simple orange outfit that still fits her so great as always.

Her visual has this magic that makes her look blooming on every attire she puts on, and ofcourse the other part about it which is your favorite is that you’re the only one who could also take those off from her and admire her body even further.

Thinking that hopefully it happens on your special day with her and might be the perfect “next time” that she states few days ago to do it, you acted normal and presented yourself as a nice boyfriend to her in front of her parents. You excused her to them and brought her to your car.

As she sat beside you, you kissed her on the cheek and smiled at her. “Happy Monthsary, Tzu. I’ll do my best to make this special for the both of us, okay?”

“Okay.” She only replied with a smile that you weren’t aware that it’s full of force that she did with it.

You drove her to the restaurant of your choosing, after winning your consideration through some background check and reception it received from its previous customers. It had you assured that this would be a wonderful location for you to pour your love on this breathtaking woman.

Holding her hand, you had her following you to the entrance and to be assisted by the receptionist. “Reserved table for Mr. YN LN, please.”

“There’s one near at the back, sir.” She pointed at the direction after checking your inquiry. “I suppose you’re taking her on some lovely date tonight, sir.”

“More than that. It’s our monthsary today.”

“Oh is that so? Congratulations to the both of you. I wish you both a well-spent evening here at Twice’s.”

“Thank you.” Both you and Tzuyu replied and bowed at her respectfully.

“Follow me, please.” The receptionist led the way and showed you both the spot where you’ll both be having to enjoy the rest of the night being alone together just like what you needed to be.

You set the chair for Tzuyu like a gentleman and she takes it with no hesitation. You made your seat in front of her and both then looked around at the indoor atmosphere it possess.

“So, did you like the place?” You asked her. “I went to find the perfect one just for you.”

“It was great.” She answered plainly. You nodded and felt relieved at her response.

“We’re almost surpassing to a year now, yet it still feels like yesterday since the first time I met you.” You said to her. Tzuyu just watches you and nodded before she lowered her head.

“Have you perhaps thought of what it would be for us in the future, Tzuyu? I-if we’re still gonna be like this?”

“Sometimes.” She said nonchalantly.. “I do care for what’s going to happen someday but I don’t make it affect me too much, I just leave it off to what we have right now. Because I don’t want to call it in advance because of the things that could come for us to face first before we get through there.”

“But you don’t want to let it happen, right?”

“Happen what?”

“That there might be a time that it’ll take us two apart and ruin what we would’ve have grow together. Not only for us, but for our family that I wish we could create in the future.”

Tzuyu looked at you speechlessly after those words came out from your mouth. She wouldn’t deny that it was indeed sweet and touching, to hear your lover being frightful of the challenges that them as a couple might have to deal with and conquer together for the sake of a better life to maintain as time progresses.

But she can’t be fooled anymore by your fluffy talks and foolish acts of pity. She has learned enough about the real you. She starts to feel her hatred tense up, filling her insides at how could you just say all of that without any complete sincerity and determination.

If you can act at whatever you do or say in front of her just to hide your faulty secrets, she wouldn’t let herself to lose through these ridiculous game you have placed her in. She wants to strike back for making her feel disposable and underestimated. Just because you created these scheme that doesn’t mean that you’ll win also. You may be the one in control and know the mischievous moves you have to execute but if Tzuyu becomes just as unpredictable or should she say… even more, there’s got to be a way to turn the tables that seemed impossible around.

And that is through unveiling every piece of the lies and misconceptions that you have shared not only her, but for Nayeon and Jeongyeon who fell victim into his disguise.

If you may be thinking that you just could get away with all your pretend, Tzuyu wants to be the one who will be involve in putting the shameful side of yours in full attention and revelation for everybody to witness.

She would’ve love to share her future and dreams having you by her side but it all changes beginning today.

From wanting you to change her life for the better forever to Tzuyu wanting you to be gone out of her heart that you didn’t deserve to attain and non-existent to her.

Her eyes largened and stared down in fury at the table while she felt her fists clenching at the cloth of her dress imagining every amount karma she wants to unleash on you.

“Tzuyu, are you okay?” You asked her. “That table won’t do no harm on you, don’t threaten it too much with your stares.I’m right here, you can share what troubles you..” You joked.

If only you know that she actually wants to do it all on you by hurting you in any procedure she would do it in no time just to see you cry for her in mercy. Tzuyu thought about it.

“S-sorry. I might’ve spaced out. If f only the table can speak, it would express its fear on me.”

“Yeah, I wonder why you seemed mad. Did anything happen? Was there a reason?”

“Yeah, that’s me having a date with a cheater I couldn’t wait to expose and dump him out to where he belongs..” She said on her inner thoughts but again, she had to keep her composure, not wanting to create any scandal or ruckus in such public place that elegant people like her manages their time with their company.

She wants to embarass only you, and she rather prefer to see it all by herself to savor each moment.

“Nothing.” She fakely shook it off and chuckled.

“Okay…” You just understood her. “Just tell me if there’s something wrong, okay?”

“Alright.” But deep down, Tzuyu doesn’t want to, because doing it would rather worsen her mood knowing that the main problem is the one who is she currently facing at.

The date went smooth in your opinion, although you have been noticing that Tzuyu is acting strange and less expressive than usual. You tried your best to cheer her up and with the smiles she’s been giving to you, it does made you assured that it’s effective of making you look a concerned and caring boyfriend for Tzuyu.

Unfortunately, your plan to have an intimate time with Tzuyu failed as she requested to go home already because she is tired and getting sleepy. You helped her sleep and left her home, with her parents thanking you for making Tzuyu happy on celebrating another milestone of your relationship with her. Unbeknownst to you, Jeongyeon who got stuck into a light traffic inside a taxicab, saw you and Tzuyu depart from the restaurant. Observing Tzuyu holding a large bouquet of flowers while holding your right hand as both strolled through the sidewalk and crossed the street, Jeongyeon felt an immense jealousy for the girl you replaced instead of her who was the first wife you ever had.

She slowly frowned. The cab then continues to detach her away from the painful sight she has just witnessed as the vehicles went moving again.

Meanwhile, Tzuyu on her bedroom, woke up right after you closed the door. A teardrop filled with hatred and anger fell on her face, her heart aching knowing at the fact that you’ll be back on doing your habit of leaving her again to whoever that girl she had caught you sharing a time together at the gym.

The next morning, Momo received a message from you and she directly informed Nayeon about it, saying that you wouldn’t be able to meet her today at the gym because you’re busy and you just had your body massaged few days ago.

Nayeon then began wondering who would you be seeing next today if not Momo already. She then alerted Jeongyeon that you may try to connect with her while Momo did the same for Sana. Tzuyu on the other hand, was left unbothered by Nayeon now because she already knew that the two would be having a date yesterday.

This is now a part of their plan to keep you on track on whatever bullshit you may attempt to do behind their backs, and Nayeon would be leading the way to remain her eyes spying on you discreetly as the rest of the girls update her about your possible whereabouts to visit.

You could say that Nayeon has became obsessed on chasing hell to put your deceitful intentions into its rightful punishment.

Without any of their idea, you arrived to a café after craving for some freshly brewed coffee solely made by your most favorite barista in this place.

You went to the cashier and there she is, immediately serving you with all welcome. “I suppose you had enough of palpitating your chest with your bland coffee you got there on your office.”

“You’re too harsh on me, but you’re also right Chaeyoung. Well, what’s new that you would like to recommend me to try?”

“Our special Caramel Mocchiato iced coffee. Tasted it yesterday and it’s splendid. Would you like it?”

“Ofcourse, I have trust on your taste. It was great, I could tell when I already got one from the source too.” You winked and clicked your tongue, turning Chaeyoung’s cheeks reddish as she remembered that moment you’re implying at.

“Damn it, now’s not the time to be flirty, YN. I’m at work.” She warned you.

“Alright alright, fine. Give it to me.” You said as you started pulling out a credit card on your wallet. Chaeyoung sighed and shook her head at your silliness. You grabbed a seat for yourself and waited patiently for your beloved girl to serve you the coffee you’re excited to taste made purely by the skills of this pretty barista.

“Here’s your Caramel Mocchiato.” Chaeyoung said, placing it on your table. She stood in front of you as she observed you take a sip from it. You simmered it on your mouth and analyzed your opinion about the drink she recommended you.

Chaeyoung’s nervousness was then replaced by uplift when she saw your face brightened after you swallowed it. “Take it as my new usual now, Chaeng. That was delicious.”

She playfully punched you on the shoulder. “Told you. I’m glad you like it.”

“I knew I would be, it was made by you. You never cease to disappoint me so far, Chaeyoung. Maybe this is why I still keep myself chasing for your interest.” You said with a smile. Chaeyoung grinned and pinched your cheek.

“You want a good news? I’m liking every single bit of what you do to me, YN.” She stated before she walked away with confidence from you. You wheezed and chuckled, delighted to hear it from her.

10 minutes after you left, Chaeyoung was still servicing the customers in line with their orders until a certain someone reached her turn, who not only demanded for her choice through the menu, but also the full attention of the barista to join her for an abrupt discussion about something serious, which led the latter into curiousity.

[sapphosewrites]

Trektober Day 6: Surgery

Jake had never worried about it as a little kid. Both his parents were Starfleet, so what? That was true of most other families he knew. It never occurred to him to worry about whether it was more dangerous than other professions.

It occurred to him after Mom died. What if something had happened to Dad? What would Jake do without parents? Would he be stuck in space, drifting from ship to ship, alone?

When he expressed these concerns to Dad, Dad explained that there was a Plan in place. If anything happened to Dad, Jake would live with Grandpa. If Grandpa couldn't take care of him, he'd go to stay with Aunt Judith.

Jake relied on the Plan, memorized it and reviewed it whenever Dad was in danger, and even sometimes when he wasn't. He imagined living in the apartment above the restaurant, or going to school with cousin Rachel. As he got older, he realized the Plan would involve him taking care of Grandpa too, badgering him to take his medications and go to appointments, the way Dad did.

The Plan changed with time. Jake decided he wanted to stay on the station, which was coming to feel like home. Jadzia became the officially named backup guardian, but Grandpa made sure Jake knew he'd always be welcome on Earth.

When Dad is unconscious lying on that bed in the infirmary and Jake and Kasidy stand over him, reeling, muscle memory kicks in, and Jake starts automatically reviewing the Plan. Had Dad told Kasidy about it? Should Jake? Should he think about where Kasidy might fit in the Plan? Would she want to?

Then he remembers that he's 18, and living alone (well, with Nog), and there is no Plan any more. No designated adult to step in and take care of the hard stuff, to remind Jake to eat vegetables and ask if he's thought more about school. Jake is the adult. If Dad dies, then the person in charge of taking care of Jake... is just Jake. He'll be alone.

He tells Dr. Bashir to go ahead with the surgery. The Prophets can't possibly need Benjamin Sisko more than his son does.

[smokingasters]

An excerpt from Psycho Pass Asylum- Restaurant De Campagne. Translated into English by me. It follows Kagari’s story about how he grew interested in cooking “natural” food. The narration is in flashback and serves as a prequel to S1.

Happy Halloween 🎃 (Dividers by @cafekitsune)

✴️ If you copy and repost this anywhere else, I expect you to credit me and link it back to my blog. Please don’t repost without credit, thanks ☺️ (reblogs are welcome!)

I have been helping out in the restaurant for more than a month...

That morning, Kagari was busy in his single room in the Enforcer's dormitory of the Public Security Bureau building. As it was exactly one month later and his salary had been paid, Kagari could not wait to set up a kitchen in his room to cook. On the cooking table were piles of various natural ingredients that Mitsuha, the owner of the restaurant had given him.

Due to the series of unfortunate incidents involving the recent contamination by foreign substances, many customers grew afraid of consuming natural ingredients and had cancelled their orders. That’s why Kagari was able to obtain these rare natural ingredients.

He opened the door of his room and pasted a sign on the door that said: "Yummier than food prepared by automatic processors".

"Alright!"

It was Kagari's day off. His day off at the PSB coincided with Campagne's day off, so he didn’t have to go to help at the restaurant either. Although he had something to do in the afternoon, he had the whole morning to himself. Kagari wanted to review the cooking skills he learned from Mitsuha last month. However, the food prepared by a latent criminal could not be served to the guests of Campagne, so his food could only be served to his colleagues, the other Enforcers.

"Yo, Kagari, what are you upto?"

The first person to pass by his room was the Enforcer Kogami Shinya. The top two buttons of Kogami's shirt were undone, his tie hung loose, and he held a cigarette between his lips and a lighter between his fingertips. After lighting the cigarette, Kogami took a puff of smoke.

"Hey Ko-chan! Do you want to eat lunch with me?"

"Hmm? Ah, although I don't care whether I eat or not... but you make it look like a spread from 'The King's Restaurant'.” Kogami Shinya, his senior, an Enforcer from Division 1 uttered with a wry smile.

Ko-chan was originally an Inspector and was a classmate of Ginoza-san when they were students, graduating as a topper from the academy. As an Inspector, he also supervised Tot-san (Masaoka) and several others. Kagari didn't know why Kogami became an Enforcer. Enforcers usually don't talk about their past and don't pry into each other’s lives.

It's only when they talked about topics related to books that Kagari could get a glimpse of Kogami's past.

"Eh, The King's Restaurant? What is that?" Kagari asked.

"A fairy tale I read as a child. The protagonist of the story is a wilful childish king. The beginning of "The King's Restaurant" is a bit like what you are doing now. The king opened a restaurant in his castle, but because his cooking was terrible he received no customers. After a long time, a rabbit appeared and ordered a salad of roses. A butterfly also ordered a frog's tears soup from him and screamed in panic. There was also a frog who ordered a fried snake. It was an absurd story. The snake put on its own clothes, lit the fire and jumped into the oil, saying "Ah, the temperature is just right", and was fried until it was completely cooked. In the end, the frog swallowed the snake whole. But the end revealed that everything was a dream.”

"Why does this story sound like a hallucination caused by drugs?"

"Doesn't it?" Kogami smirked. His usually sharp gaze and closed off expression softened as he spoke about books.

"Fairy tales and fiction not only teach morality, but also contain an absurd and unrealistic narrative. I prefer them to rigid and preachy books. My favourite story in this book is called The Greedy King—

Don't eat too much at once!

Paper thin rice crackers

Taro cakes two centimetres thick

Carrots shredded needle thin

Remember to eat everything!

"I miss the rhymes my mother wrote. When I was a child, I often asked her to recite them to me."

Hearing Ko-chan becoming nostalgic, Kagari thought to himself that Ko seemed to have been raised by a loving parent.

These were the memories of almost everyone who grew up in Japan when they were young. But Kagari didn't know what it felt like to be loved unconditionally.

Back then, he was like an untamed animal when he raged and trashed the isolation unit. The staff tried to treat him like a human, but in the end he was still too arbitrary. He was lucky that they did not execute him.

"He is still a child, there is still a possibility..."

Tch. If I had heard such words back then, I would have made their lives even more miserable.

My views have changed. I think there is still a lot of good in this society despite the Sibyl System.

It’s just that I don’t fit in. When I think about the past, I feel ashamed and hurt. I repeat and regret my mistakes. But in the end I still forget everything. People are like that.

No. If I'm in a bad mood, the food I cook will taste bad. I should think of something happy...

"Ko-chan, let's make up a rhyme just for fun." Kagari said.

"Even though you brought it up, forget it." Ko-chan's reply surprised him.

"The food described in a story is often inspired by the author's own imagination, because you can never taste that kind of food in reality. That's good. The delicious food you read about is something you can never taste. That’s rather profound, right?”

The things Kogami says can make one feel there’s a deeper implication in his words.

“Things that cannot be obtained are valuable precisely because they are unattainable.” Ko-chan murmured.

"Is that so? Then what would you like to order?" Kagari chuckled.

"Let me think...I want to have a hamburger!"

"Eh, are you sure? That doesn’t sound like a challenge."

"You don't understand, Kagari," Kogami shook his head helplessly, "A real hamburger is not a simple dish. Perfectly toasted buns, the crunch of fresh lettuce, refreshingly sweet and sour tomato slices, topped with slightly charred fragrant onions; the 100% beef hamburger grilled on the iron skillet, with salt and pepper to bring out the full flavour of the meat and ah, cheese is not bad either, rich cheddar cheese is the best. It’s utterly satisfying to wrap all into a burger, hold it with both hands and eat it in big bites".

A slightly wicked smile appeared on Kogami’s face. As Kagari listened to him, his stomach began to growl.

"Hamburgers are delicious because they have layers of flavour. So, can you make it for me?"

Tsk~ Just do it, don’t be afraid.

Kagari quickened his pace and headed for the kitchen.

Ko-chan was the only person who came to his “restaurant” that morning. Kagari started with the hamburger meat and grilled it to medium.

My interest in the novels chiefly lies in more PP world building and having more input from the OG cast clears my hue.

And since I’m always looking forward to know more about Kogami’s thoughts, this excerpt was heartwarming. We don’t get much info about Tomoyo-san, Kogami’s mom, so knowing that he recalls that specific time with her is endearing.

Kagari is also a special character for me, I don’t think I could ever get over his death in S1. I frankly felt that his death was pointless, he should have continued on.

Also Kogami’s love for hamburgers? 👀 Maybe it’s just me or does it sound suggestive?

I hope you all enjoyed this little excerpt and I wish you a Happy Halloween 🎃

[pancakeke]

I can't believe someone would go to a Mexican restaurant and bitch about them using Spanish. good on you for reporting them jfc

I know right its fucked!! Like that's who makes the food you dumb dick how are you giving racism a higher priority than a delicious meal.

Context for anyone who didn't read that essay of tags but I saw a bunch of 1 star reviews left for restaurants that just said "menu was in spanish not english". Also there were plenty that said "no one here speaks english" which wasn't even true!! racist assholes just feel so threatened when hear any amount of spanish.

I highly encourage people to look up reviews for local restaurants (on google at least) and check for dickheads leaving bad reviews on places where staff commonly speak anything other than english. I was only looking for ice cream in one smallish area and reported easily a dozen racist reviews across three or four restaurants.

I think businesses can claim the pages that google generates automatically, and then those businesses can moderate the content on their page. Cause I've seen places where a "business owner" responds to reviews. But most of these pages seem to be unclaimed, and if the owner isn't watching then a bunch of dickhead reviews can pile up.

[toptophat]

Top Hat's thoughts on the FNAF movie (Spoilers)

I thoroughly enjoyed it! Smiled throughout the whole thing

As a FNAF fan, seeing some key moments from the games as well as acknowledging the fandom (e.g Game theory's MatPat and The Living Tombstone's iconic song at the credits) made my jaw drop

FNAF veterans such as Dawko enjoyed it so that made me optimistic

The animatronics were replicated perfectly and the entire set for the restaurant is just too beautiful

Scenes such as the break-in, while not exactly scary, were still intense enough to keep me invested

Unpopular opinion - I kinda liked the pillow fort scene, it was cheesy but it could be seen as the animatronics trying to gain Abby's trust to lure her to be stuffed into a suit. Also I'm jealous, i wanna make a pillow fort with them 😭

And here's where I'll address (some of) the main critiques people gave to the movie (references: anything in the media that would link to this in a way)

"The movie wasn't scary at all, it should've been gory"

Yeah, I agree, even though I got shocked a couple of times (like the balloon boy gag) it wasn't really terrifying

But honestly, after watching countless "playthroughs" as a kid, you start to realise... The games were never that scary in the first place

To be honest, the only thing scary about it was actually some areas in the fandom (you know who you are..)

I'm aware that FNAF was never for kids, no matter how many elsagate vids were made on it. So it would make sense for it to have blood and gore. It definitely would've made scenes like the spring lock scene more traumatising to look back at

You know what else was expected to be more adult oriented? Cuphead's Netflix adaptation. While I understand that both of these beloved franchises could've been adapted to be more adult, it can also be noted that the Cuphead show is actually accepted by the fandom as while it did have a rocky start with S1, it showed that the writers were testing the waters to try something new, and by S2, they had a better idea of what they wanted, and a lot of people fell in love with it. While it would've definitely been cool to see more gore, it wouldn't improve the movie automatically

"The movie doesn't follow the original lore"

While, yes, it would've been cool to see all theories confirmed by Scott himself during the film, it's also good to remember this: they're called "adaptations" for a reason

Many popular franchises, when adapted to the big/small screen can experience changes in the known story and lore as a way to bring this fresh new start and perspective, they never aim to continue or tell the story again when it wasn't necessary in the first place (*cough cough* Lion King 2019). Last time I checked: Luigi wasn't the one who gets kidnapped by Bowser (SMB23), Cuphead never lost the right to his soul due to a carnival game (TCS), The Echidnas never had beef with freaking owls over the master emerald (The Sonic movies)

Let's be honest here, Scott may have made FNAF, but all the popular fan theories wrote the story, so everything is kinda messy. Maybe this was Scott's chance to rewrite everything, to start over and stray away from the messy lore that others made, MatPat seemed to be cool with it, he was even in the damn movie!

While, there have been times when repeating the same story makes it stale and repetitive (Disney), Changing important elements of the story (Also Disney) can make it unfaithful and pointless, so I understand that.

The changes that were made in this movie were interesting, making Vanessa, Afton's daughter could add more impact on the whole Vanny thing as she's been around this horrible man her whole life. Not making Mike, Abby and Garrett, Afton's children doesn't really deepen the personal connection and conflict between Mike and Afton so it'll be interesting to see how that one goes especially with Circus Baby now that Abby has no real connection to Afton other than that one encounter

Also I heard from one review that the movies take more inspiration from the books, but I don't have enough knowledge on the books to elaborate on that argument

Unless there's some weird twist, which is highly unlikely, I'd love to see how they develop these newly established dynamics if there are sequels being planned (pls make more, I need to see how this goes)

Besides, like I said, often, the first movies, seasons etc are there to experiment, it has the potential to improve in each new installment. For example, JJBA, it took until around parts 3-4 for Araki to have a better idea of what he wanted it to be.

Conclusion

That's about all I really have to say. I understand that many had high expectations going in and, who wouldn't? It shows we value ourselves and that we want to experience things that are worth our time. People are not obligated to love everything and don't have to agree with everything I said. I personally found the movie to be enjoyable and worth my time, and, while i know it lacked in some aspects, who knows?, as it progresses, opinions could change and if we get more of the revamped FNAF, then, we could see if it changed for the better or for the worse. And while first impressions do matter, it won't always be the same impression moving forward (for people who liked and didn't like the movie)

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk!

[sugarandspicer]

Carmen Berzatto is an idiot (affectionate) season 3 edition

I think Tomorrow sets up Carmy’s perspective for the first eight episodes (ish) which is ‘Sydney wants a star’ and he’s going to get it for her the only way he knows how, which is how he retained one when he worked for Joel McHale. he takes inspiration from all the other experiences but ultimately as we see he falls back into that isolated hyper-focused perfectionism that was so harmful for him and his relationship with his family. and so he literally doesn’t see anything else until episode 9 when he’s really ruminating on the review and Jimmy tells him ‘you could lose this.’ and then in 10 we finally see him confront Chef David and I think have that realization that he became the person he didn’t want to be again.

also the conversation Syd & Carm have in 9 is a big part of him starting to see. because he starts with that hyper focus on menu and she says “you’re hard to keep up with sometimes” and his response is automatic he’s not even looking at her “well I’ve been doing this longer than you” so when she comes back with “I didn’t mean on a skill level” that stops him and he thinks and later on says “I don’t wanna be hard to keep up with.” like that whole scene kinda makes me insane because they are so out of sync: he’s all in while she’s thinking about leaving because she feels unappreciated and ALL I could think about was “I couldn’t do this without you; I wouldn’t even wanna do this without you.”

also also, I think the season very much sets up that the review of the restaurant is going to be critical, *because* Carmy does go back into that old pattern. for one, that self-isolating internalized perfectionism pushes him away from his collaboration with Sydney, despite “vibrant collaboration” being on his list. going back into that old mindset also pushes his food back to what he was making when he worked under Chef David, which is to say, he’s no longer innovating. we see this when Sydney makes the comment about foam being “2014” and when Luca makes a point to say Chef David “*used* to be one of the best chefs,” so Carmy trying to recreate that atmosphere where he retained the star is in fact keeping him from getting one now. we also have Chef Adam telling Sydney that the one dish he really liked was the scallop with blood orange which does harken back to the dish he made for Sydney in New York but is an updated version, based on their collaboration. as Sydney says in that scene, that’s both of them. besides losing Sydney’s input, Carm is also losing himself from the food. the original menu that he and Syd landed on in season 2 was too complicated I think for them to do every night, that’s fair. but losing the seven fishes for example was Carmy cutting out that influence of his family. he thinks he needs to do that, in the same way he did before, but it ultimately leaves his menu lacking impact.

so to me the end of the finale very much sets up redemption arc season 4. because things are terrible and they’re probably going to get worse before they get better but I absolutely believe they’ll get better. the way they set up that The Bear is Syd’s family and that clipping on her fridge that feeling from the end of season 1 was what she wanted all along and I think she sees that now and then with Carm confronting Chef David and thinking about that conversation with Mikey I think losing what The Bear is now will allow him to get back to that original idea and that will bring Syd back.

[holmesxwatson]

A Study in Celluloid: A Producer's Account of Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes by Michael Cox

"I was looking forward to my first meeting with a classical actor who had a marvellous voice and the appearance of a Sidney Paget illustration from The Strand Magazine. Granada wanted a name who would be acceptable in the US market so that the series could be sold there in advance of production. Jeremy satisfied all the criteria but that did not mean that he would automatically accept. He had an actor's understandable fear of being trapped in one part, never to be offered anything else afterwards particularly this part. He had done his homework and knew that the later career of Basil Rathbone had been cruelly restricted because he was so indelibly associated with Sherlock Holmes. We talked about my plans for a series which would be faithful to Conan Doyle and made to the same high standard as the other classic adaptations for which British television was becoming famous. He was interested, enthusiastic even, but not of course prepared to commit himself irrevocably until there were dates and figures on paper. So we talked about everything else under the sun and began to find that we enjoyed each other's company. We drank a lot of wine between the four of us and spent about £100 of Granada's money, which was quite a restaurant bill for 1981. Towards the end of the evening a very damp and rather bedraggled flower girl asked the manager if she could try to sell pots of plastic flowers to the last customers. Jeremy bought the remains of her stock and was not just charming-which any handsome actor might have been -but genuinely interested in how the girl was supplementing a student grant, what she was studying and when she was going to get into some dry clothes. She had come in feeling like Eliza Doolittle at the start of Pygmalion and went out feeling like Audrey Hepburn at Ascot." --Michael Cox, A Study in Celluloid

buy the book from Wessex Press (x)

companion audio CD of Michael Cox's keynote from the Sherlock Holmes Review symposium 1987 from Wessex Press (x)

entry on Goodreads (x)

[memecucker]

People that have experience being servers at fancy expensive US restaurants (as in a normal bill for a single person is $150+), do the customers still consistently tip a percentage of the bill still? Does it seem like even if they tip generously they still consider tipping to be a ‘review’ system rather than something to be automatically done?

I’m curious about the comparison between that and doing deliveries in rich areas.

[nancyjuyara6]

Gallaghers Steakhouse Restaurant new york city best reviews by tokyomarketing

228 W 52nd St, New York City, NY 10019-5802 GhersSteakhouse.com

We were honestly disappointed with Gallaghers. I spent hours researching the best steakhouse I NYC and finally decided on this one. We have visited steak houses in many different countries, mainly European, and this was subpar in comparison. The meat was good but the sides and starters seriously disappointed. It lacked taste and texture. The asparagus was boiled and lacked texture, it would’ve been better grilled. The sautéed mushrooms were super dry. I suspect their cappuccino is from an automatic machine, rather than espresso machine (I could be wrong), but if it is, it’s criticizable when it’s nearly $10. Overall, overly expensive meal considering the standard. The atmosphere was nice, a little loud, but the service was great! I would not come back and probably topansa1.com will not recommend to anyone, unless they’re not used to visiting top quality steakhouses. It just was not worth the several hundred dollars spent there.

[rurpleplayssims]

📝Campbell Quay Recap - Part 2/2📔

If you've not seen the first half of this recap, you can read it here.

Helen invites Brandon around and they have a catch-up. Brandon is pleased to hear from Helen, and she makes him some lunch.

Impressed by her, Brandon asks how she is and that he's glad to have met her. He shyly admits to really liking her. Helen is flattered, pleased that he feels the same as her. He helps her clean up the plates and there's a moment when they look at each other. He hesitantly takes her hand in his and asks if she'd would want something more with him. Just as shyly, she agrees.

After a few more minutes with the chemistry thickening, Brandon kisses her, and Helen reciprocates.

Becky sees Helen with Brandon in the kitchen and is happy for her.

Helen feels herself falling for Brandon, his kind wisdom and Brandon is very fond of her as well.

She sees him off home and heads to bed, smiling to herself.

Becky asks about Brandon.

Helen goes outside to paint when Becky goes to work. Becky gets a promotion to Level 3!

Althea comes over to visit and Becky greets her after getting another promotion the following day to Level 4.

The pair of them talk about Luke's departure and to arrange who to promote to replace Luke.

Tony officially quits his job at Proper Nosh! He invites Emily around to tell her in person.

Whilst she's there, Matthew catches up with Emily. (He is the manager at her restaurant.)

Thomas comes over to speak to Emmy. Emmy quits her job at Grim Groceries as she wishes to open her own business. Thomas understands and wishes her luck.

Dominic spots Emily and comes to speak to her, reminding her that he will shortly be leaving the restaurant as well to work full-time at the Campbell Chronicle.

Emily nods and makes a mental note to hire more employees to replace Tony and Dominic as servers.

Althea is walking past as part of her daily goal to walk around. She speaks to Emmy who requests the name of the bank she can acquire a loan for her new business.

Max earns a promotion to Level 5!

Emmy officially buys the deed for Quay Quality Furniture.

Emmy explains her business venture idea to Alon, who supports her.

Emmy opens the furniture shop the following day.

Max earns some music and dance enthusiasm on a chance card.

Tony has a new date called Beryl. They make out and it goes well but already he's looking for someone else.

Emmy invites one of her employees back after their first day of business and turns out, she knows Briony quite well.

Tony is a Roadie, Level 6 in the Music career.

Dominic tells Tony about his new full-time role at the Chronicle. He's at Level 8.

Althea visits the furniture shop and praises the success of it when it reaches Rank 10!

It also gets a Good Review in the same day!

Already, Emmy wants another business to run. (Her LTW is have 5 Level 10 Businesses.)

Due to some staffing changes, Emmy promotes some and lets one go. (I kept getting a glitch with the cashier till so gave in and bought the automatic cash register object with the invisible recolours.)

It is revealed that Luke joined the military career! (I have a military subhood and all military personnel must live in the subhood. If you want to see more of it, you can see the posts here.)

Tony's Tempo gets a Good Review!

The Bookshelf gets a Good Review and reaches Rank 10!

Noah discovers a new star. He names it after Henry.

Henry and Noah are discuss their friends.

Jasper is about to open his new business (Jasper's Workshop) when he realises one of his employees is naked in a hot tub!

The business goes well once all employees are dressed in their new uniforms and their roles assigned. Althea and Thomas visit as per their custom with new businesses in town.

One of the employees had a bladder failure but he cleans it up before anybody else notices.

Jasper earns a silver restocking badge.

Beryl (Tony's latest date) works here and earns a bronze sales badge.

Jasper's Workshop reaches Rank 8!

Becky meets Jasper who asks after Luke, not aware that he'd moved away. Becky awkwardly tells him.

Roselyn meets Jasper and praises the business's success.

It earns a Good Review before reaching Rank 9!

Back home, Jasper is trying to teach Dalton to speak with minimal success but has better luck with the potty.

Ellen gains some dance enthusiasm via a chance card.

Dalton is completes his potty training with his mother, and learns to speak from her.

Ellen earns $4000 from a chance card and puts it in savings towards their wedding. Jasper praises her success.

Jasper teaches Dalton a nursery rhyme.

Roselyn's Art is earning a decent profit for her own wedding fund as it reaches Rank 7!

Emily comes to visit her sister's business.

Zoey spends a day at the clinic which earns a Good Review at Rank 5!

Althea's baby is due any day now and the couple are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their firstborn.

Thomas invites Zoey and Brandon over for a checkup.

Perfect timing! Althea's waters break as both doctors are present.

She gives birth to a daughter and they call her Matilda.

Brandon and Althea discuss love.

Thomas is overjoyed and besotted with his daughter, as is Althea.

However, Althea feels a little insecure and in a bid to do the best she can, she resolves to study Parenting.

Helen arrives to meet the baby Campbell.

Althea sends an email out to all founding residents to let them know the happy news, and to wish Victoria well on her baby, as she's only a few weeks behind Althea.

Thomas checks in with his businesses.

Victoria heads over to meet Matilda and checks in with Matthew on business dealings.

Thomas sets up a bank account for his daughter and sends quite a lot of his savings into it for her.

Victoria and Althea becomes best friends.

Over the next few days, Althea and Thomas are devoted to their daughter.

Jed comes over to meet his niece and loves her on sight.

He also speaks to her about new people coming into town.

Bluntly, he asks after the father of Janet's baby. Althea scolds him for his lack of tact, but Janet is unfazed.

Althea cooks lunch for them all and Thomas returns home after getting promoted to Level 7 in the Business career.

Thomas asks Janet is she's excited to meet her baby but Janet admits her fear and reveals that Frank broke up with her and left town.

Jed, Thomas and Althea discuss new security arrangements.

Thomas and Althea make some important phone calls with persons unknown.

Thomas takes some time to deal with his accounts in his office upstairs.

Althea completes her Parenting training and becomes best friends with Matilda.

Zoey and Natalia coordinate that day's appointments at the clinic.

Zoey, Brandon and Natalia have a quick staff meeting before seeing the various patients in the waiting room.

Briony discusses the security in town for a new article.

Althea visits the Campbell Chronicle and Briony comes out to congratulate her on the birth of her daughter.

Cheryl, Dominic and Starla have a staff meeting with Briony before they begin their assigned tasks for the day.

This is how far we've reached with the posts so far. I will update this post daily until we reach the commentary posts again.

[myangelgarden]

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Associated Press investigation finds military weapons vanish, appear on streets

Associated PressJune 15, 202118min

Air ForceAPArmor Piercing GrenadesArmyAssociated PressDepartment Of DefenseGunsHandgunsMachine GunsMarinesMilitaryNavyPistolsRiflesShotgunsStreetsViolent CrimeWeapons

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Military pistols, machine guns, assault rifles, armor-piercing grenades were lost or stolen.

At least 1,900 U.S. military firearms were lost or stolen during the 2010s, with some resurfacing in violent crimes, an Associated Press investigation has found.

Because some armed services have suppressed the release of basic information, AP’s total is a certain undercount.

Government records covering the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force show pistols, machine guns, shotguns and automatic assault rifles have vanished from armories, supply warehouses, Navy warships, firing ranges and other places where they were used, stored or transported. These weapons of war disappeared because of unlocked doors, sleeping troops, a surveillance system that didn’t record, break-ins and other security lapses that, until now, have not been publicly reported.

While AP’s focus was firearms, military explosives also were lost or stolen, including armor-piercing grenades that went missing while being transported from Blount Island, the U.S. Marine Corps depot in Jacksonville, to Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania. They were found in an Atlanta backyard eight months later.

Weapon theft or loss spanned the military’s global footprint, touching installations from coast to coast, as well as overseas. In Afghanistan, someone cut the padlock on an Army container and stole 65 Beretta M9s. The theft went undetected for at least two weeks, when empty pistol boxes were discovered in the compound. The weapons were not recovered.

Even elite units are not immune. A former member of a Marines special operations unit was busted with two stolen guns. A Navy SEAL lost his pistol during a fight in a restaurant in Lebanon.

The Pentagon used to share annual updates about stolen weapons with Congress, but the requirement to do so ended years ago and public accountability has slipped. The Army and Air Force, for example, couldn’t readily tell AP how many weapons were lost or stolen from 2010 through 2019. So the AP built its own database, using extensive federal Freedom of Information Act requests to review hundreds of military criminal case files or property loss reports, as well as internal military analysis and data from registries of small arms.

Sometimes, weapons disappear without a paper trail. Military investigators regularly close cases without finding the firearms or person responsible because shoddy records lead to dead ends.

The military’s weapons are especially vulnerable to corrupt insiders responsible for securing them. They know how to exploit weak points within armories or the military’s enormous supply chains. Often from lower ranks, they may see a chance to make a buck from a military that can afford it.

“It’s about the money, right?” said Brig. Gen. Duane Miller, who as deputy provost marshal general is the Army’s No. 2 law enforcement official.

Theft or loss happens more than the Army has publicly acknowledged. During an initial interview, Miller significantly understated the extent to which weapons disappear, citing records that report only a few hundred missing rifles and handguns. But an internal analysis AP obtained, done by the Army’s Office of the Provost Marshal General, tallied 1,303 firearms.

In a second interview, Miller said he wasn’t aware of the memos, which had been distributed throughout the Army, until AP pointed them out following the first interview. “If I had the information in front of me,” Miller said, “I would share it with you.” Other Army officials said the internal analysis might overstate some losses.

The AP’s investigation began a decade ago. From the start, the Army has given conflicting information on a subject with the potential to embarrass — and that’s when it has provided information at all. A former insider described how Army officials resisted releasing details of missing guns when AP first inquired, and indeed that information was never provided.

Top officials within the Army, Marines and Secretary of Defense’s office said that weapon accountability is a high priority, and when the military knows a weapon is missing it does trigger a concerted response to recover it. The officials also said missing weapons are not a widespread problem and noted that the number is a tiny fraction of the military’s stockpile.

“We have a very large inventory of several million of these weapons,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in an interview. “We take this very seriously and we think we do a very good job. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t losses. It doesn’t mean that there aren’t mistakes made.”

While AP’s analysis covered the 2010s, incidents persist.

In May, an Army trainee who fled Fort Jackson in South Carolina with an M4 rifle hijacked a school bus full of children, pointing his unloaded assault weapon at the driver before eventually letting everyone go.

Last October, police in San Diego were startled to find a military grenade launcher on the front seat of a car they pulled over for expired license plates. The driver and his passenger were middle-aged men with criminal records.

Stolen military guns have been sold to street gang members, recovered on felons and used in violent crimes.

The AP identified eight instances in which five different stolen military firearms were used in a civilian shooting or other violent crime, and others in which felons were caught possessing weapons. To find these cases, AP combed investigative and court records, as well as published reports. Federal restrictions on sharing firearms information publicly mean the case total is certainly an undercount.

The military requires itself to inform civilian law enforcement when a gun is lost or stolen, and the services help in subsequent investigations. The Pentagon does not track crime guns, and spokesman Kirby said his office was unaware of any stolen firearms used in civilian crimes.

The closest AP could find to an independent tally was done by the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services. It said 22 guns issued by the U.S. military were used in a felony during the 2010s. That total could include surplus weapons the military sells to the public or loans to civilian law enforcement.

Those FBI records also appear to be undercount. They say that no military-issue gun was used in a felony in 2018, but at least one was.

Meanwhile, authorities in central California are still finding AK-74 assault rifles that were among 26 stolen from Fort Irwin a decade ago. Military police officers stole the guns from the Army base, selling some to the Fresno Bulldogs street gang.

At least nine of the AKs have not been recovered.

The people with easiest access to military firearms are those who handle and secure them.

In the Army, they are often junior soldiers assigned to armories or arms rooms, according to Col. Kenneth Williams, director of supply under the Army’s G-4 Logistics branch.

“This is a young guy or gal,” Williams said. “This is a person normally on their first tour of duty. So you can see that we put great responsibility on our soldiers immediately when they come in.”

Armorers have access both to firearms and the spare parts kept for repairs. These upper receivers, lower receivers and trigger assemblies can be used to make new guns or enhance existing ones.

“We’ve seen issues like that in the past where an armorer might build an M16” automatic assault rifle from military parts, said Mark Ridley, a former deputy director of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. “You have to be really concerned with certain armorers and how they build small arms and small weapons.”

In 2014, NCIS began investigating the theft of weapons parts from Special Boat Team Twelve, a Navy unit based in Coronado, California. Four M4 trigger assemblies that could make a civilian AR-15 fully automatic were missing. Investigators found an armory inventory manager was manipulating electronic records by moving items or claiming they had been transferred. The parts were never recovered and the case was closed after federal prosecutors declined to file charges.

Weapons enter the public three main ways: direct sales from thieves to buyers, through pawn shops and surplus stores, and online.

Investigators have found sensitive and restricted parts for military weapons on sites including eBay, which said in a statement it has “zero tolerance” for stolen military gear on its site.

At Fort Campbell, Kentucky, soldiers stole machine gun parts and other items that ended up with online buyers in Russia, China, Mexico and elsewhere. The civilian ringleader, who was found with a warehouse of items, was convicted. Authorities said he made hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Often though, recovering a weapon can prove hard.

When an M203 grenade launcher couldn’t be found during a 2019 inventory at a Marine Corps supply base in Albany, Georgia, investigators sought surveillance camera footage. It didn’t exist. The warehouse manager said the system couldn’t be played back at the time.

An analysis of 45 firearms-only investigations in the Navy and Marines found that in 55% of cases, no suspect could be found and weapons remained missing. In those unresolved cases, investigators found records were destroyed or falsified, armories lacked basic security and inventories weren’t completed for weeks or months.

“Gun-decking” is Navy slang for faking work. In the case of the USS Comstock, gun-decking led to the disappearance of three pistols.

AP learned that the Army, the largest of the armed services, is responsible for about 3.1 million small arms. Across all four branches, the U.S. military has an estimated 4.5 million firearms, according to the nonprofit organization Small Arms Survey.

In its accounting, whenever possible AP eliminated cases in which firearms were lost in combat, during accidents such as aircraft crashes and similar incidents where a weapon’s fate was known.

Unlike the Army and Air Force, which could not answer basic questions about missing weapons, the Marines and Navy were able to produce data covering the 2010s.

The Navy data showed that 211 firearms were reported lost or stolen. In addition, 63 firearms previously considered missing were recovered.

According to AP’s analysis of data from the Marines, 204 firearms were lost or stolen, with 14 later recovered.

To account for missing weapons, the Pentagon relies on incident reports from the services, which it keeps for only three years.

Pentagon officials said that approximately 100 firearms were unaccounted for in both 2019 and 2018. A majority of those were attributable to accidents or combat losses, they said. Even though AP’s total excluded accidents and combat losses whenever known, it was higher than what the services reported to the Pentagon.

The officials said they could only discuss how many weapons were missing dating to 2018. The reason: They aren’t required to keep earlier records.

The Air Force was the only service branch not to release data. It first responded to several Freedom of Information Act requests by saying no records existed. Air Force representatives then said they would not provide details until yet another FOIA request, filed 1.5 years ago, was fully processed.

The Army sought to suppress information on missing weapons and gave misleading numbers that contradict internal memos.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Brandon Kelley said the service’s property inventory systems don’t readily track how many weapons have been lost or stolen. Army officials said the most accurate count could be found in criminal investigative summaries released under yet another federal records request.

AP’s reading of these investigative records showed 230 lost or stolen rifles or handguns between 2010 and 2019 — a clear undercount. Internal documents show just how much Army officials were downplaying the problem.

The AP obtained two memos covering 2013 through 2019 in which the Army tallied 1,303 stolen or lost rifles and handguns, with theft the primary reason for losses. That number, which Army officials said is imperfect because it includes some combat losses and recoveries, and may include some duplications, was based on criminal investigations and incident reports.

The internal memos are not “an authoritative document,” Kelley said, and were not closely checked with public release in mind. As such, he said, the 1,303 total could be inaccurate.

The investigative records Kelley cited show 62 lost or stolen rifles or handguns from 2013 through 2019. Some of those, like the Beretta M9 used in four shootings in Albany, New York, were recovered.

___

Republished with permission from The Associated Press.

Associated Press

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One comment

john

June 15, 2021 at 3:21 pm

easy remedy. Disarm the military. They don’t need guns. Guns bad!

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Moxies Square One Restaurant

Moxie's Grill & Bar is a popular restaurant known for providing an unforgettable dining experience thanks to its excellent service and high-quality food. Guests particularly appreciate the friendly and attentive staff, who create a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere. Reviews highlight that multiple employees check in to ensure everything is satisfactory, adding a sense of care and attention to each visitor. Small gestures, such as assisting with takeout orders, do not go unnoticed.

Regarding the food, patrons praise the diverse menu and high quality of the dishes. Steaks, fries, and the salmon sandwich are especially popular. While some guests noted that the food can sometimes be overly salty or not at the desired temperature, the overall impression remains positive. Many consider the restaurant to serve some of the best red meat dishes they've ever had.

The restaurant's convenient location within a mall allows visitors to combine shopping with a pleasant meal. However, some guests mention that the music can be a bit loud in the evenings, making conversation difficult.

Another notable feature of Moxie's is the automatic 18% gratuity added to the bill, which visitors should keep in mind, especially those planning their budget.

Overall, Moxie's Grill & Bar receives high marks for food quality, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere. It's a place where many customers are happy to return to enjoy great cuisine and hospitality.

Menu or list of services:

Services and amenities:

There are hours of discounts on food There are delicious cocktails Vegetarian dishes are offered

Name of institution:

Moxies Square One Restaurant

Address:

100 City Centre Dr #730, Mississauga, ON L5B 2C9

Contact information:

(905) 276-6555

Category of establishments:

Restaurant

Web site: https://moxies.com/restaurant-locations/ontario/mississauga-square-one

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Third World Romance (2023)

Typing a quick review of “Third World Romance” before I get back to cooking. (Some Spoilers Below)

Aside from the title, the first few scenes already encapsulated what this movie was about. It is a cute love story blooming through the daily struggles of the ordinary low-wage Filipino worker.

A young woman, Britney, makes copies of her resume and then immediately runs to the spot where the government is handing out “ayuda” or government aid. There, she meets her romantic interest, Alvin, waiting in line for sacks of rice, clothes, and canned goods. Upon realizing that there was a "cutoff" for the ayuda, she dragged him around with her to follow the van containing those simple treasures and nabbed them. Alvin protests at the thought of stealing, but Britney reassures him that it isn't stealing if it is intended to be handed out to the people, anyway.

Throughout their little meet-cute adventure, they banter and flirt with each other in a way that perfectly emulates how the average working-class Filipinos talk; direct, sometimes crass, bordering on bullying rather than softly teasing. Very "kalye". Things would grow more romantic as their relationship deepened, it was nice to see that until the very end, they never lost that dynamic.

It’s unlike the polished script of several highly-produced mainstream movies full of eccentric gestures and perfumed dialogues. The lines of "Third World Romance" may be melodramatic in certain emotionally-charged scenes in the story--especially during the climax--but it is still honest. The wit is something that hits my heart and tickles my bones because of its relatability. I chuckled plenty during moments when the humor of this film bounced off each character. It's the kind of humor that is achingly familiar to you if you grew up in the streets. The words were delivered in pretty much the same way as how my friends and I tease each other under the very same blinking streetlights and passing bridges over polluted, plastic-crammed dark waters at dusk.

The setting, too, is far from the usual setting of rom-coms. Instead of dates inside museums, sparkling beaches, and polished marbled floors, we get long talks sitting on tin roofs of the slums, looking at the buildings that make up the metro. The couple don’t even go inside the expensive Korean buffet restaurant they’ve been eyeing, instead using their imagination to mimic the experience. The shots veer away from the beauty of the metro and instead ground the viewers on its squalor. We follow the characters through the narrow alleyways of the shady slums, passing broken bottles and stray animals. We stay with them under dimly lit fluorescent grocery lights and feel their sadness as they sink on yellowed tiles, their backs slumped against chipped cupboards.

However, the view of the metro automatically made me remember my carefree wistful years. My college nights were always like that; looking beyond my dorm room window and sinking into the delightful feeling that I was a young, independent, thriving student in the metro. I loved hearing the sounds of distant sirens and honks in an otherwise still night and stationary skyscrapers. Late-night cravings were going down to the nearest 24/7 convenience store and buying instant noodles with a nice cold soda.

The story also shows us the constant character traits of the common struggling Filipino set in an impoverished setting. Resourcefulness. Tenacity. Generosity amid corruption. Kindness. Dedication. Perseverance. Endurance. “Pagmamalasakit sa kapwa”. The movie doesn’t romanticize poverty—in fact, it depicts the frustrations and sacrifices people make as they climb their way upward in a society run by corrupt government officials. The story simply shows how some Filipinos deal with all that.

It is worthwhile mentioning that Britney, the leading woman, played by Charlie Dizon, has a “makibaka” pic saved as her cellphone’s home screen. Or I think it was. It briefly flashed on the screen at the start of the film. This image represents an idea of “people coming together for a change” seen in rallies organized by activists. It gives us a clue to her character trait throughout the story: Britney’s fighting spirit often leads her into trouble but also fuels her bravery and determination whenever problems target her loved ones. She is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure her mother gets home safely from abroad and still has plenty more spirit left to dream of giving her a nice life. She knows what her rights are and isn’t shy about voicing her opinions, especially before the climax of the film.

This also brings an awareness to the public of worker’s rights and of unjust labor practices, as well as inspiring people to voice their opinions especially when those in power abuse their position, and not just stand by and allow the abuse to happen. Nothing will change if no one acts.

There was one small scene that stood out to me because it shows a perfect example of that: Britney stated plainly that it isn’t part of her job description to both be a cashier and a bagger because those two positions are separate and are therefore paid separately. And then her coworker reacts to that poorly, eyebrows raised and scoffing at Britney and discarding her as “tamad” (lazy) and “maarte” (diva). For so long, a negative trait of some typical Filipino workers is to keep their heads down and do what is asked of them by their higher-ups, and this meekness has cost them their dignity, their time, and their effort. And what do they get in return? Nothing but low wages and a smile from their bosses. Their main concern is to keep the peace of office politics and remain employed as their bosses abuse them, comforted by the fact that they won't so much utter a complaint. That is until they gather and unite in strength through numbers. Again, if we let negative practices happen, they will never stop, and we will kiss the shiny boots of our superiors.

But Britney's fighting spirit is challenged at the climax of the story when we find out that her mother has sunk into deep debt, so she has no choice but to swallow her pride and accept double shifts with half the pay, plus is unable to defend Alvin when the boss fired him instead of taking accountability.

Speaking of her partner, Alvin, played by Carlo Aquino, is the perfect balance to her quirky, fiery temper. Alvin is cool, collected, kind, and is also no stranger to brutal work. He has been working since he was a kid and never stopped since.

We see Alvin’s playful nature quell Britney’s temper and unlock her softer, more caring side. He does everything for her; from simple things like taking her out to eat and helping her adjust to her new job to major events that propel the story forward, such as getting her hired at the grocery store where he works in the first place and helping her mom get back home to the Philippines when she was abandoned by her employers abroad. He is a man of his word: promising in one sweet moment that he will “try his best to make Britney happy.” By the end, Britney promises in turn to “try her best to fight for him."

Their promises to one another solidify their character growth in the movie; where one promises to make the other happy, the other swears to fight for their love. It is these qualities that are also common in healthy partnerships, especially in the everyday Pinoy. No matter what happens, through the struggles caused by those in power who are incompetent and apathetic, we could still have a chance of rising above as long as we love and fight for each other, and do our best every day.