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sock-ness-monster · 3 years ago

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Excuse is granted. Please. I beg of you. Infodump away

Thank you so much I love telling people about this guy

So, to preface this, I'll be telling this story exactly how it was told to me by our camp counselor at a Caveing camp I went to, so it's very much an oral history that maybe can't be fact checked but the broad strokes are genuinely 100% true

TRIGGER WARNINGS: DEATH, DARKNESS, CLAUSTROPHOBIA, GRAVE DESECRATION, CRICKETS

Now that that's out of the way (and please mention if there's any other TW's I should add) the story of

Floyd Collins, The Man Who Was Buried Six Times

This story begins in Kentucky in 19very early, a young Floyd was plowing his family's field when he suddenly dropped through the ground and discovered an unknown cave system. Super cool! Now, people back then did not have television, keep in mind, so caves were really big deals and they were a brand new and lucrative tourist escapade. Floyd's family seized the idea and quickly made a little tourist attraction out of it and started raking in the dough. But they weren't the only ones who had a cave you could tour, Kentucky's geology is super unique in that it has tons of limestone and sandstone which is perfect for underground rivers to carve cool caves out of. They are everywhere in Kentucky and the surrounding area, there was a lot of competition for who had the best, the biggest, the longest cave. And Floyd and his brothers were seized by cave fever and were exploring all around looking for new tunnels and chambers. A large part of this business, unfortunately, was not just walking people through the caves but was letting them take home souvenirs. People could carve their names in the wall, take a stalagmite or stalactite or whatever cool rock they found. Destroying the sensitive ecosystem of the caves. Floyd, the cool dude that he was, was one of the only people who was against this at the time. Good for him! Salamanders are important!

Anyway, Floyd and his brothers are always on the lookout for new opportunities, and there were tons in that area. But, not all of them would pan out. Floyd had heard rumblings about a new cave system called Sand Cave that wasn't far from his family's original cave, which by now had been dubbed Crystal Cave. It didn't seem that promising to most, but Floyd was hoping it actually connected to Crystal cave, and they could tack on so many feet to how big their cave was. So he set off to see if he could find a connection.

He had been surveying the cave for a few hours, and decided to call it quits. He was crawling through a tight tunnel upwards toward the opening of the cave when a rock slide pinned his ankle down tight. He was laying flat with his hands reaching upwards, and there was no way for him to reach back behind him to free his ankle.

He had gone on this expedition without telling anyone.

This was the first time he got buried.

Three days pass, and his brother Homer finally finds him. He tries everything he can think of to free floyd, to no effect. Realizing that this may be a bigger endeavor than he can pull off, he crawls back out to go and find help. It is January of 1925, what else is there to do but go to the newspaper? They publish the story of the man trapped in a crawl way, and it's a huge hit!? People are fascinated by Floyds predicament. They want to help, they want to see, they want to know more. It even makes it on the radio! The three biggest news stories of the time were

1) the war (oof)

2)Charles Lindbergh (will come up again later)

And 3) Floyd in the hole

Everyone in America is anxious to find out how they rescue Floyd. "They" being everyone from the local cave experts to the military corps of engineers to the freakin freemasons, they're all trying to figure out how to free Floyd. Who, ya know, is just chillin in the cave, because caves stay at a constant temperature of ~54° , not too bad for January. His brothers and a reporter take turns crawling down to deliver him the three essentials; food, whiskey, and news. The reporter, "Skeets" Miller, would later win a Pulitzer Prize for his correspondence with floyd in the shaft. Now, as mentioned before, it is a cold and snowy January, but people (nearly 10,000 according to some reports) are so fascinated by the goings on at Sand Cave that they travel from far and wide to be there at the triumphant moment when Floyd emerges. Weeks have gone by at this point. Radio stations are reporting every day, Charles Lindbergh is hired to take photographs of the terrain from above. It's like a big party up top.

They camp out around the cave mouth.

They build fires for food and warmth.

The snow melts.

The cold water trickles down into the cave.

Floyd....... starts to cough.

The cave's already sketchy structure is further compromised.

There's another rock slide.

Floyd is now cut off from contact with the up side world, and the engineers panic and go with a last ditch effort they had been debating beforehand. They can't go around they can't go behind, the only path left was straight down. They drill a hole that reaches the 150 feet from daylight to Floyd's prison. They are too late. He was estimated to have died three to four days before they reached him. His leg is still stuck, and half his face has been consumed by cave crickets. And they just.....leave him there. Whatreyagonnado they shrug, he's already gone we can stop now. They fill in the shaft again.

This is the second time Floyd is buried.

Homer, his closest brother, can't accept this as his final resting place. A few weeks later, they un block the hole and carry Floyd to their family's funeral plot and have a small service with just his closest friends and family present.

This is the third time Floyd Collins is buried.

A few years go by, and the Collins family sells their farm and cave. Unfortunately, they did not see the part of the deed that entitled the new owners to everything in and under the property. Floyd's body is now legally theirs. He is exhumed and placed on display in a glass coffin in Crystal Cave (which years and years later would eventually be proven to connect to Sand Cave).

This is the fourth time Floyd is buried.

If you haven't pieced it together yet, caves were a pretty big deal. We now enter a time in Kentucky history known as the Cave Wars, and they are brutal. How brutal, you ask? Well, to answer with one scenario that happens to be related to this story, the owners of nearby cave were jealous of the attention Crystal Cave was getting from their cool exhibit of Floyd's body, against his family's wishes. Why, the only logical thing to do is steal the man's body and throw it off a cliff. Crystal Cave's new owners would recover it, though minus the left leg. And the next logical thing of course is to put him back on display but this time with a bunch more chains.

This is the fifth time Floyd Collins is buried.

Then, the 60s roll around and Crystal Cave and Floyd are purchased by the National Parks Service on the grounds of being connected to the Mammoth Cave System (the longest cave system in the entire world now). Floyds family is still fighting for his body, and in the 80s they finally get their wish. Floyd is removed from the cave in a 15 day trip and buried at a real cemetery again.

This, is the sixth time he is buried.

A pillar is constructed in honor and perhaps in reparations to all he's gone through, but it is struck by a semi truck and demolished less than a week after its unveiling.

Floyd.......went through a lot. All he ever wanted to do was see some cool rocks and support his family. And to this day, cavers do their best to do right by him. When entering Mammoth Cave, they often ask the darkness to look after them. They aren't talking to the darkness, of course, that darkness that can never be described properly. They are talking to Floyd. Asking him to watch over them as they wish he had someone to watch over him. In the caves everyone is above you, but that's not what they mean. And when they hear a whistle through the tunnels, they like to imagine it's Floyd. Floyd, who was right. The cave was so much more than people thought, in so many different ways. To this day, there's a saying in the caveing community.

"Floyd Lives"

It's like the geology version of "Eddie Would Go". As long as we carry on his legacy of exploring bravely, daring to go where noone has gone before, and do our best to preserve the natural beauty and habitat of the caves, floyd will live on. Floyd lives in our memories and hearts and the drips of water that will one day be pillars.

I don't really know how to end this. Here's a picture of the man himself;

(the picture above is not the tunnel he was trapped in, to be clear)

#cave camp had just such a peofimf impact on me omg #the best week of my whole life #and to think i almost chickened out the night before leaving #i still keep in contact with those guys #we all have tshirts with you guessed it floyd on them #floyd collins #caves #geology #stories #humanity #infodump #*profound i meant #claustrophobia tw #buried alive tw #darkness tw #longish post

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alexeiadrae · 2 years ago

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I just got back from an incredible vacation to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Apparently it is the biggest cave system in the world and they still haven’t found the end of it. They’ve mapped around 471 miles and every weekend a group goes in to try to find the end and so far, despite two hundred years of searching, haven’t.

I can’t even describe how incredible and huge it is. I’ve been in caves before but this one swallowed the others up. The cave is so huge it held a TB hospital in the 1800s. You can fit a whole town in it. It was both inspiring and relaxing, soothing, to walk within it. And given that we were escaping temperatures of 106F at home, the natural coolness of the cave was wonderful.

If you decide to go, book a cave tour in advance because they fill up. And if you’re like me and get decision paralysis trying to find the best one, take a deep breath. Just getting into the cave is an awe inspiring experience and ANY tour is a good one.

The locals also know a lot of interesting folklore and are friendly. Unfortunately, the food there sucks, but at least there are good conversations.

Finally, this is one of those trips where I felt regret over all the things we did not do as we left. For a small town place, there is a lot to do there. There are numerous caves to explore, there’s a petting zoo with kangaroos (Kentucky Down Under), Nolin Lake State Park is free, has a waterfall hike and a sandy beach, and there’s also a dinosaur park and several other attractions I’m missing. Basically this is very much worth the time and money.

#mammoth cave #vacation

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toomanysurveys9 · 6 years ago

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Do you secretly like to go grocery shopping? i don’t mind doing it, but it’s not my most favorite thing in the world either.

What wild animal would you love to have as a pet? if it was not totally wrong to have a wild animal as a pet, i wouldn’t mind having a fox or an owl.

What brand name do you think is just way over the top expensive? hollister is one example. but there are tons. justice for girls.

What’s your favourite magazine to read, if you read them at all? i don’t really read any magazines.

Do you find it hard to concentrate in really loud places? usually, yes.

Do you tend to get more sleep on the weekends the during the week? not really. i have two littles and i’m the only one who cares for them all week. and things are about to get even more interesting when you add in working full-time. i know people do it all the time, and i’ll be fine, i’m just being a baby right now because i have to leave my babies, but ya know.

Breakfast; yay or nay? yay. i have to try to make sure i eat plenty to keep my milk supply up.

What’s you opinion on Tiger Woods, after all that he’s done? i don’t really have an opinion.

Do you feel the media can be too harsh on people? of course it can.

Are you comfortable talking to strangers? i’m barely comfortable talking to people i know.

What’s the most creepy experience you’ve ever had? when my cd player turned itself down while i was listening to hawk nelson right at the part where it talks about jesus. this was YEARS ago.

What’s the most boring game to exist? Why do you dislike it so much? connect 4 kind of always bore me.

Do you lie about not having extra pens, so you don’t have to lend them? no. i don’t. i basically never have even one pen..

Do you think the world is really going to end in 2012? lol. this is obviously a really old survey. it’s 2019 now.

^ Have you seen the movie 2012? What’s your opinion on it? i have not seen it. i’ve never been big on those types of movies.

Yay, you’re going out on a date! What do you wear? jeans and a tshirt, same as always, because we never go anywhere where you really need to dress up.

What’s the last movie you saw in theatre? Was it good? glass. it was alright i guess. i definitely preferred split i think.

What are some of your biggest fears? failing as a mom.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? singer. specifically a country singer.

Do you think there is a lot of pressure on students these days? well, yeah. there was when i was in school too though. it’s not like it’s some new thing...

Do you tend to like surveys with long detailed questions, or short ones? short responses get boring. so i definitely prefer questions i can answer with more than a yes or no.

On average, how long would you saw your on the computer per week? not very often. my kiddos keep me pretty busy.

Do you like your music loud? sometimes. sometimes you just need to blast it and get all the feelings out. ha.

if you had to lose one of your five senses, which would it be? if i could lose sense of smell without it affecting my taste, then i would probably choose that one.

Would you rather have no computer or no cellphone for a week? no computer would be so easy.

What’s you favourite thing to have for dessert? hm. depends on my mood. lately i’ve been wanting pie.

Do you tend to straighten or curl your hair more? neither. i either just brush it and leave it down, or i throw it up in a pony tail.

What’s your favourite summer sport? swimming.

Can you dance, or do you just completely fail at it? i totally fail at it. it’s embarrassing for everyone.

What’s your favourite YouTube video? What’s it about? i don’t have one.

Do you get nervous when you’re about to get a haircut? kind of. because change can be hard for me.

Choose one: Hanging out at the beach, or playing some winter sports? beach, for sure. i’m not into winter that much, and winter sports tend to be something that would likely kill me.

Do you believe everything happens for a reason? no. i don’t believe that.

What’s the coolest place that you ever been too? What’d you do there? the caves in kentucky were cool, even if it was a man made one. we rode a trolley thing through.

Don’t infomercials make you laugh? What’s your favourite? they generally don’t make me laugh, and i don’t have a favorite. they’re more annoying than anything.

What’s your most played song on your iPod? i have no idea. right now.. probably tequila by dan and shay.

Oh look, a shooting star! What’s your wish? my kids to be happy, always.

When you were a kid, weren’t I Spy books the coolest thing ever? yeah. i liked them.

What do you do to pass the time when you’re waiting for something? depends. if i’m with my kids, i talk to and play with them. if not, i usually screw around on my phone.

What’s the earliest time you ever had to wake up? Was it hard for you? like. 3 or 4 in the morning. and it was hard. i’m not a morning person, especially that early.

What radio station do you listen to most? b-100.

Whenever you take pictures, do they always end up posted on Facebook? not always, but i do post most of them probably.

What’s the background on your computer right now? one of wyatt’s newborn pictures. it’s crazy looking at it and comparing it to him now.

You have unlimited money, what do you do with your life? travel. make sure my parents are taken care of always, and my siblings and grandparents too. savings accounts for both my littles. give to charities. spoil my babies and my husband.

Do you want to do something to make a difference in the world? i mean, of course. i think most people do.

#survey #surveys #personal #question #questions #random

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planokentucky · 2 years ago

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Plano Kentucky A Foodie's Paradise

Plano is a foodie's paradise! If you're looking for some thrills, you'll want to check out the legendary Beech Bend Amusement Park. Or you can visit Cumberland Falls, the Niagara of the South. Plano is also home to the world's largest cave system, the Louisville Mega Cavern.

Plano is a foodie's paradise

If you enjoy local food, Plano is a foodie' paradise. The city boasts more than two dozen artisanal food vendors. Plano's most popular food hall, the Legacy Food Hall, is centered around the idea of a food theater, with its open kitchens and international offerings. It also features a Blush Wine Bar and Unlawful Assembly Brewing Company, as well as live music performances and events.

The food scene in Plano has evolved significantly over the last decade. The city now boasts a sprawling food hall, cool downtown area, and a restaurant-centric shopping district. Plano is ranked as one of the country's best food destinations.

Cumberland Falls is the Niagara of the South

If you love waterfalls, you may want to check out Cumberland Falls in Corbin, Kentucky. This stunning waterfall is 60 feet high, with a crest of 125 feet. There are several viewing areas where you can appreciate the falls' majestic beauty. If you have a clear night and a full moon, you can even watch the moonbow, a reflection of the moon on the waterfall's surface.

Cumberland Falls is Kentucky's crown jewel, and has been dubbed "Niagara of the South" because of its spectacular beauty. You can take a hiking trail through Cumberland Falls State Park to view the waterfall and nearby Eagle Falls, which are located just below Cumberland Falls. This is one of the most scenic hikes in the state.

The waterfall sits within Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, near the towns of Corbin and Williamsburg. The park offers hiking trails, horseback riding, fishing, and more. You can even catch a moonbow in Cumberland Falls, which is an incredible sight to see. Just be aware that moonbows occur only at Cumberland Falls, and you may want to check out the moonbow schedule before you go!

The Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a popular destination that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The 125-foot waterfall is an amazing sight to see, and the park's 17-mile-long hiking trails connect to many established backpacking trails in the Daniel Boone National Forest. The park also offers horseback riding, which is seasonally offered in 45-minute guided trail rides. This activity is appropriate for all riding levels, and is an excellent way to experience Cumberland Falls at its best.

Beech Bend Amusement Park offers thrills

Beech Bend is an amusement park, campground, and automobile race track located in Warren County, Kentucky. The park is just outside of Bowling Green and offers a wide range of fun and excitement for the entire family. There are thrill rides, water slides, and bumper boats, as well as an arcade and a mini golf course.

The park's biggest thrill ride, the Zero-G, will have you flying at 140 feet, higher than Kentucky Rumbler. You'll plummet at 60 mph on the ride, and the ride's zero gravity feature will make you feel like you're floating on air. This thrilling ride is one of the best in the world! Beech Bend also has several exciting events for kids, including the Beech Bend Racing Circuit, a family-friendly roller coaster.

Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon offers great rates for groups and offers tickets that include unlimited rides on over three dozen attractions. There's something for every thrill-seeker, from toddlers to seniors. In addition to rides, the park also features a water park with seven water attractions. It also has three exciting shows. The park also offers free parking for all cars, sunscreen, and mats for all park visitors.

Beech Bend Park is a short drive from major cities like Nashville and Louisville. During the warmer months, the park is lit up for Friday Night Lights, which will turn it into a bright lights show. In the spring, the Park hosts its annual Band and Choral Festival on May 8 & 9. There are also several events and special pricing for groups.

Louisville Mega Cavern is the largest-known cave system in the world

The Louisville Mega Cavern is a massive underground cavern that was once a limestone quarry. The cave features towering columns of sheer rock, as well as the world's first underground zip line course. The cave lies beneath the Waterson Expressway and the Louisville Zoo.

Founded in the 1930s, Louisville Mega Cavern was once a working limestone mine. The mine operated until the 1970s, when it was used for fallout shelters during the Cold War. After the Soviet Union abandoned the mine in 1989, private investors bought the facility and began converting it into a sustainable commercial storage facility and tourist attraction. The cave is now home to a variety of different businesses and is the largest building in Kentucky. The cave is 100 feet deep and covers an area larger than 10 lanes of a major highway. The cave is also home to a bike park that includes 45 single-track trails.

Mega Cavern has two seasons, and an average temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. The cave is not too cold or too hot and is handicap accessible. Visitors should wear closed-toe shoes and wear comfortable clothing with zippered pockets. The facility is environmentally friendly and has several energy-saving programs.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities at Louisville Mega Cavern, including an underground bike park, a seated historical tram tour, and a ropes challenge course. One of the most popular activities is the Mega Zips experience. This two-and-a-half-hour adventure takes you from the cavern floor to 10 stories high.

While touring the cave, visitors can hear historical commentary on the area's history. Some of these stories include the local Native American communities, early European settlers, Civil War troops, and even the notorious Jesse James.

Mary Todd Lincoln House

Mary Todd Lincoln was the future first lady of the United States and the wife of 16th president Abraham Lincoln. Her childhood home has been transformed into a museum, and visitors can see period furnishings, portraits, and family artifacts. The house was originally a private residence, but was later turned into a public museum.

Built in 1803 as a tavern, the Mary Todd Lincoln House was eventually purchased by Robert Smith Todd. The Todd family lived in the house until 1839, when Mary Todd and her young children moved to Springfield, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd visited the house after their marriage. The house became the first historic site in honor of a First Lady, and it was restored by the Kentucky Mansions Preservation Foundation in 1977.

The Mary Todd Lincoln House is located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky and offers tours and public programs. Tours are available to learn about the life of the first lady of the United States. The house contains furnishings and family portraits from both the Todd and the Lincoln families, and tells the story of Mary Todd Lincoln to visitors from around the world.

Member Spotlight

The Joint Chiropractic

2945 Scottsville Rd Ste. B13, Bowling Green, KY 42104, United States

270-494-2200

Bowling green's chiropractors are very professional in their work. They are always ready for your help like foot and ankle pain or sciatica

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thegeekerynj · 4 years ago

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An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

John Rafferty, cranky raconteur, and selective maven of Four-color sequential art

DCeased: Unkillables #1

Writer: Tom Taylor Pencils: Karl Mostert Inks: Trevor Scott, Neil Edwards, John Livesay

‘Jason’

‘Yeah?’

‘You want to remove the corpse of the psychotic clown from the front of the car?’

Be careful, here, there be spoilers…

In 2019, the DC Universe saw a possible end to life as it was known, in what can be best described as an ‘ElseWorlds’ type saga.

Darkseid finally had the Anti-Life Equation, and after channeling it through Cyborg, unleashed what he thought the Techno-Viral End to all life on Earth. He was sorely mistaken. And thus began the Techno Zombie Apocalypse.

DCeased ran for 6 issues, with a one - shot DCeased: A Good ay to Die, exploring the responses to the release of the Anti-Life Equation. At the end of this undertaking, Lois Lane, Jon Kent, and Damien Wayne and the collected survivors of Earth - Antilife have found a new planet to settle on. Infected Superman has flown into the Sun, and the Green Lantern Corps has quarantined Sector 2814, for fear the Anti-Life Equation virus would escape the boundaries, and infect the rest of the Known Universe.

But, what of the left behind?

DCeased: Unkillables is the answer to this looming question… an answer of both horrific and graphic proportion.

Tom Taylor sets up a simple scenario, a basic math problem:

We can rescue X number of people;

There are Y number of unaffected;

What happens to the remainder?

and the Ultimate Question:

Should We Care?

This 3 issue mini series looks at how the Remainder is faring, and to answer the last question:

Hell Yes!

We pick up with Slade Wilson, everyone’s favorite Assassin for hire, arriving at his latest assignment: taking out the head of a White Supremacist / NAZI Movement in Kentucky (insert local political joke here). As he approaches the front door, those inside begin spilling out in a panicked retreat, followed by the Anti-Life driven from within.

Being Deathstroke, he begins dispatching the infected with ease, one handed weapon attacks against the charging mob, while pulling his phone to initiate a call with his contractor, and renegotiate the price. As he looks at the screen, the Equation jumps to him, and he is infected, becoming one of the horde…

For a while…

Taylor, Mostert, Scott, Edwards, and Livesay have assembled one of the most tightly integrated stories i have had the pleasure of reading in a great many years. Rather than continue, they bring us back inside the world, to another place, early in the Breakout.

Before the Greening of Gotham, before the fall of the Trinity, to look at the some other players in this new Crisis.

Healing factors become a major point in these Second Tier groups: Deathstroke’s H.I.V.E enhancements all but save him, while not curing him, they are at least keeping him from turning completely. He recovers enough to seek out his daughter Rose, the next player we find…

Rose has sequestered herself in her bathtub, dreading even going to the door, much less opening it. She is seeing herself torn asunder by the infected, envisioning the many ways this will happen. A bit of tough love, a quick suit up, and Ravager joins her father on the roof, where ultimately another player in this Apocalypse Waltz, one Evan McCullough (Mirror Master) shows up to bring them to meet with the leader go the first faction our story will be dealing with: Vandal Savage.

Move East, to Gotham, and we find the Red Hood working through Wayne Manor, to the Cave. Some basics of the Bat-Family are addressed, most importantly, first Ace is protecting the Cave (Bat-Hound!!), and the Bat always knows where everyone of his family members is ( or, BatMan has absolutely NO IDEA of the concept of boundaries and personal space).

When all is said and done, Jason Todd, Jim Gordon, Cassandra Cain (as Batgirl, not Orphan) and Ace, are heading out of BludHaven (after confirming the death of another), in the Batmobile decked out with a pasty white corpse on the front, looking like a Firefly Class transport drifting through Reaver space, or, more accurately, Furiosa’s Rockatansky hood ornament.

The imagery in this story is graphic, almost to a fault. Where the first story is about ab attempt to save humanity, and find a cure, this is an all out survival run. As a result, the focus will be on the Survivors, the ones who will leave scorched earth to get from Point A to Point B.

And Scorched it is.

As I said, probably in too much detail, Issue 1 introduces the players. With two issues to go, I think it is safe to say this will be a balls to the wall, high powered story, where Deathstroke, Ravager and Jason Todd wind up being the biggest players, each one with body counts unrivaled… unless they get dead, that is.

How this plays out, only time, and the fevered mind of Tom Taylor will… but from what I hear, he ain’t talking!

Out of 5 🌶

🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

#comic books #comics #dc comics #dceased #dceased unkillables #tom taylor

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brookstonalmanac · 3 years ago

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Events 9.9

9 – Arminius' alliance of six Germanic tribes ambushes and annihilates three Roman legions of Publius Quinctilius Varus in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. 337 – Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans succeed their father Constantine I as co-emperors. The Roman Empire is divided between the three Augusti. 533 – A Byzantine army of 15,000 men under Belisarius lands at Caput Vada (modern Tunisia) and marches to Carthage. 1000 – Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1087 – William Rufus becomes King of England, taking the title William II, (reigned until 1100). 1141 – Yelü Dashi, the Liao dynasty general who founded the Qara Khitai, defeats the Seljuq and Kara-Khanid forces at the Battle of Qatwan. 1320 – In the Battle of Saint George, the Byzantines under Andronikos Asen ambush and defeat the forces of the Principality of Achaea, securing possession of Arcadia. 1488 – Anne becomes sovereign Duchess of Brittany, becoming a central figure in the struggle for influence that leads to the union of Brittany and France. 1493 – Battle of Krbava Field, a decisive defeat of Croats in Croatian struggle against the invasion by the Ottoman Empire. 1493 – Christopher Columbus, with 17 ships and 1,200 men, sails on second voyage from Cadiz. 1499 – The citizens of Lisbon celebrate the triumphal return of the explorer Vasco de Gama, completing his two-year journey around the Cape of Good Hope to India. 1513 – James IV of Scotland is defeated and dies in the Battle of Flodden, ending Scotland's involvement in the War of the League of Cambrai. 1543 – Mary Stuart, at nine months old, is crowned "Queen of Scots" in the central Scottish town of Stirling. 1561 – The ultimately unsuccessful Colloquy of Poissy opens in an effort to reconcile French Catholics and Protestants. 1739 – Stono Rebellion, the largest slave uprising in Britain's mainland North American colonies prior to the American Revolution, erupts near Charleston, South Carolina. 1776 – The Continental Congress officially names its union of states the United States. 1791 – Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, is named after President George Washington. 1801 – Alexander I of Russia confirms the privileges of Baltic provinces. 1839 – John Herschel takes the first glass plate photograph. 1845 – Possible start of the Great Famine of Ireland. 1850 – California is admitted as the thirty-first U.S. state. 1850 – The Compromise of 1850 transfers a third of Texas's claimed territory (now parts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Wyoming) to federal control in return for the U.S. federal government assuming $10 million of Texas's pre-annexation debt. 1855 – Crimean War: The Siege of Sevastopol comes to an end when Russian forces abandon the city. 1863 – American Civil War: The Union Army enters Chattanooga, Tennessee. 1892 – Amalthea, third closest and fifth found moon of Jupiter is discovered by Edward Emerson Barnard. 1914 – World War I: The creation of the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade, the first fully mechanized unit in the British Army. 1922 – The Greco-Turkish War effectively ends with Turkish victory over the Greeks in Smyrna. 1923 – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, founds the Republican People's Party. 1924 – Hanapepe massacre occurs on Kauai, Hawaii. 1936 – The crews of Portuguese Navy frigate NRP Afonso de Albuquerque and destroyer Dão mutinied against the Salazar dictatorship's support of General Franco's coup and declared their solidarity with the Spanish Republic. 1939 – World War II: The Battle of Hel begins, the longest-defended pocket of Polish Army resistance during the German invasion of Poland. 1939 – Burmese national hero U Ottama dies in prison after a hunger strike to protest Britain's colonial government. 1940 – George Stibitz pioneers the first remote operation of a computer. 1940 – Treznea Massacre in Transylvania. 1942 – World War II: A Japanese floatplane drops incendiary bombs on Oregon. 1943 – World War II: The Allies land at Salerno and Taranto, Italy. 1944 – World War II: The Fatherland Front takes power in Bulgaria through a military coup in the capital and armed rebellion in the country. A new pro-Soviet government is established. 1945 – Second Sino-Japanese War: The Empire of Japan formally surrenders to China. 1947 – First case of a computer bug being found: A moth lodges in a relay of a Harvard Mark II computer at Harvard University. 1948 – Kim Il-sung declares the establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). 1954 – The 6.7 Mw  Chlef earthquake shakes northern Algeria with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). At least 1,243 people were killed and 5,000 were injured. 1956 – Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time. 1965 – The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is established. 1965 – Hurricane Betsy makes its second landfall near New Orleans, leaving 76 dead and $1.42 billion ($10–12 billion in 2005 dollars) in damages, becoming the first hurricane to cause over $1 billion in unadjusted damage. 1966 – The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act is signed into law by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. 1969 – In Canada, the Official Languages Act comes into force, making French equal to English throughout the Federal government. 1970 – A British airliner is hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and flown to Dawson's Field in Jordan. 1971 – The four-day Attica Prison riot begins, eventually resulting in 39 dead, most killed by state troopers retaking the prison. 1972 – In Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park, a Cave Research Foundation exploration and mapping team discovers a link between the Mammoth and Flint Ridge cave systems, making it the longest known cave passageway in the world. 1990 – Batticaloa massacre: Massacre of 184 Tamil civilians by the Sri Lankan Army in Batticaloa District. 1991 – Tajikistan declares independence from the Soviet Union. 1993 – Israeli–Palestinian peace process: The Palestine Liberation Organization officially recognizes Israel as a legitimate state. 1994 – Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on STS-64. 2001 – Ahmad Shah Massoud, leader of the Northern Alliance, is assassinated in Afghanistan by two al-Qaeda assassins who claimed to be Arab journalists wanting an interview. 2002 – The Rafiganj train wreck happened in Bihar, India. 2009 – The Dubai Metro, the first urban train network in the Arabian Peninsula, is ceremonially inaugurated. 2012 – The Indian space agency puts into orbit its heaviest foreign satellite yet, in a streak of 21 consecutive successful PSLV launches. 2012 – A wave of attacks kill more than 100 people and injure 350 others across Iraq. 2015 – Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. 2016 – The government of North Korea conducts its fifth and reportedly biggest nuclear test. World leaders condemn the act, with South Korea calling it "maniacal recklessness".

#Events

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shock-shock-waves · 7 years ago

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world's secret places #shockwavs

World's top secret places

We understand lots about our world. We realize that the thriller of Area 51. We know about such things as federal financial institution's pinnacle stage protection,we know about weirdest places on earth, lava flow, extreme railways, dangerous roads, aurora borealis and much more. We recognize wherein our subsequent food are coming from. And the way we’re going to get on with it.

And some matters we don’t know. These next 10 locations are a number of the 10 maximum pinnacle secret locations in the world. And prefer while all right secrets come to the light, we want to recognize them… well, I made certain to dig up all the ones dirty little secrets and techniques. Maximum human beings will by no means get to look or revel in these places on the earth. A number of the things on this listing you didn’t recognize existed. Some locations are here handiest for the world’s richest like the trust fund infants of the arena. And at the turn side of that coin, some places are right here for the most unfortunate. After which there are some locations which have secrets and techniques approximately the earth, but have unfortunately been misplaced to battle. Here are 10 of the maximum pinnacle secret places on earth.

10. Haven Co

Haven Co was an information security organization situated in the North Sea off the bank of Britain. The main individuals permitted in were approved faculty, financial specialists, and individuals from Britain's regal family. Be that as it may, it professedly closes down in 2008. Set into the center of the North Sea, there was no chance you were getting into this place. What information was put away here, and for what reason did it all of a sudden go dead without clarification?

9. Korean Demilitarized Zone

The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a portion of land partitioning North and South Korea. It is a standout amongst the most vigorously watched fringes on the planet, extending 160 miles long and 2.5 miles in width. As a result of the high resistance encompassing the outskirt, individuals once in a while setting out to cross it, and in that capacity, it has turned into nature save.

8. Snake island

A little island off the coastline of Brazil that incorporates 4,000 of the world deadliest snakes. Their venom melts human substance. It's seemed so risky, the Brazilian authorities restricted visitors. Almost every Brazilian is aware of about the island, but most might in no way dream of going there, those vipers' venom can kill a person in underneath an hour, and numerous local legends tell of the terrible fates that awaited folks that wandered onto the shorelines of snake island.

7. The vault of Coca-Cola

Shoppers drink more than 1.8 billion servings of Coke regular in more than 200 nations around the world. In light of a worldwide report in 2011, Coca-Cola was “The World's Most Valuable Brand.” We know the drink has kola nuts, and coca clears out. In any case, the first formula is a competitive innovation, which not very many individuals have ever known. The recipe was just imparted to a little gathering in 1886 by its creator John Stith Pemberton. It was at last recorded when Asa Candler's child archived it for a guarantee in 1919. Candler sold the organization and put the recipe in a vault in 1919 in Guaranty Bank, New York. Coca-Cola exchanged the equation to Atlanta in 1925 and it remained there until 2011, vaulted in SunTrust Bank.

The mystery formula now sits in a vault in plain view at the Coca-Cola gallery. Any individual from the general population can see it. In any case, you will just observe a black box. Inside is the first record composed by Asa Candler's child in 1919. The mystery equation behind the Coca-Cola formula is a standout amongst the most vigorously protected insider facts. To secure it, the organization has a cutting-edge vault that holds the formula.

6. Fort Knox, Kentucky

Stronghold Knox is a save that holds the US gold bullion save, and in addition other national fortunes. A security border guards it, including 30,000 fighters and a flood of assault helicopters.

The gold vault is secured by 22-ton impact evidence entryways and ALL guests are prohibited.

5. The Lascaux Caves, France

Shrouded in 17,300-year-old artworks made by early people, they portray creatures and geometric shapes. The hollows have been restricted from general society since 1948.

They have been debilitated by a progression of baffling contagious attacks. Shockingly, giving guests access to the give in turned out to be an immense error — the carbon dioxide breathed out by every one of the general population who came in obviously harmed the depictions, and today, no one aside from a chosen few researchers can enter.

4. North Sentinel Island

They have a little tribe of 50 to 400 locals. They are totally isolated. Apart from a restricted shoreline, woodland covers this best mystery island. The Sentinels are indigenous to the island, dismissing with outrageous threatening vibe any outcasts. They live as seeker gatherers and appear to have no farming. They have disconnected themselves from outcasts for over 60,000 years. So they are among the last gatherings of individuals totally unaffected by present-day civilization. They are a most fierce and savage age who appear to eat everyone they catch. They dependably assault untouchables with lances and bolts.

The Indian government has pronounced this island a rejection zone. Furthermore, it is unlawful to go 3 miles. The Indian Government pronounced it forbidden. The section is made significantly all the more difficult by local people announced to want to execute outcasts. They have been known to flame bolts and toss rocks.

3. RAF Menwith Hill

Situated in England, this odd field of air pocket like structures is the biggest electronic checking station on the planet. It has a satellite system sufficiently expansive to capture flags everywhere throughout the world, and despite the fact that its official reason for existing is to identify rocket assaults, there are a lot of hypotheses regarding what may truly be going ahead there. Many speculate that it screens correspondence by regular folks everywhere throughout the world, however since unapproved get to is entirely precluded, we may never know without a doubt.

2. The White House Situation Room

A visit to the White House will enable you to see a significant number of the rooms in the president's home, however, unless you're a unique government official, a consultant, or a military officer, you're not getting into the Situation Room. This room is kept up under strict security, and even authority White House picture takers are just permitted to depictions from specific edges. Once the photographs are taken, they're precisely broke down to ensure that there aren't any reflections, (for example, the ones you find in eyeglasses) that could give away ordered data.

1. Heard and McDonald Islands

Situated in the southern Indian Ocean, around 1,700 km from Antarctica and 4,100 km from Perth, Heard Island, and McDonald Islands are the main volcanically dynamic sub Antarctic landmasses and are esteemed for their uncommon environments, made conceivable by the total non-appearance of outsider plants and creatures, human effect included. The zone is notable for Big Ben, a dynamic fountain of liquid magma that ascents up to 2,745 meters.

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rockrevoltmagazine · 6 years ago

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AWAKE AT LAST Taps Spencer Charnas for "The Change"

Dover, DE based Dark Pop / Hard Rock Band AWAKE AT LAST has released a vivid visualizer for their single, “The Change (Feat. Spencer Charnas).”

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“‘The Change’ is anthemic and bold. It’s a call to arms to our listeners to not only make a change in themselves to pursue more fulfilling lives, but also to lead by example and BE the change in the world that show’s others they don’t have to be afraid to make the transformation themselves.””I can’t wait to finally release the title track of this amazing record we’ve worked so hard on.” – AWAKE AT LAST

Click HERE to Pre-Order The Change Online!

Catch AWAKE AT LAST Live with Famous Last Words, Dayshell & At My Mercy and Eyes Set To Kill & Rivals on 2019 Tour Dates

AWAKE AT LAST with Famous Last Words, Dayshell, and At My Mercy: 05/10 @ Legends Bar and Venue – Convington, KY 05/11 @ The Champ – Harrisburg, PA 05/12 @ Alchemy – Providence, RI 05/13 @ Revolution Music Hall – Amityville, NY 05/14 @ Kingsland – Brooklyn, NY 05/15 @ Championship – Trenton, NJ 05/16 @ Canal Club – Richmond, VA 05/17 @ Drunk Horse Pub – Fayetteville, NC 05/19 @ Soundbar – Orlando, FL 05/21 @ Crowbar – Tampa, FL 05/22 @ Connect Live – Acworth, GA 05/24 @ House Of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX 05/25 @ Dirty Dog Bar – Austin, TX 05/26 @ Prophet Bar – Dallas, TX 05/27 @ 89th St Collective – Oklahoma City 05/28 @ Fubar – St Louis, MO 05/29 @ Vaudeville Mews – Des Moines, IA 05/30 @ Amsterdam Bar and Grill – St Paul, MN 05/31 @ Annex – Madison, WI 06/01 @ Citadel – Indianapolis, IN

AWAKE AT LAST with Eyes Set To Kill and Rivals: 06/28 @ Let There Be Rock School – Frederick, MD 07/01 @ Bungalow – Manchester, NH 07/02 @ Alchemy – Providence, RI 07/03 @ The Cave – West Haven, CT 07/05 @ Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY 07/06 @ Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, MI 07/07 @ Rockpile – Toronto, Ontario 07/08 @ Rockpile – Ottawa, Ontario 07/09 @ Salle Multi – Quebec City, Quebec 07/10 @ Piranha Bar – Montreal, Quebec 07/11 @ Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY 07/12 @ INKCarceration Fest – Mansfield, OH

Click HERE for Additional Tour and Ticketing Information

Both as a band and as individuals, Awake At Last continue to stand for positivity, spirituality, self-help and making an impact every single day. Returning with their debut full-length release, The Change, they have never sounded more confident, more energized, or been more determined to reach out to those who might be struggling in the world. The Change releases June 21st via Outerloop Records. “We pushed ourselves to our limits as songwriters,” states guitarist Imran Xhelili. “There is more variety on this record and there are songs that lean in a heavier rock/metal direction with other songs being a lot lighter and more dynamic. All of the choruses on this album have huge hooks, and there are more sections that are less guitar heavy and carried by different elements, like pianos and orchestral instruments.

The lyrics are also more direct in how they carry across the messages we have always had at the forefront of our music.” While making waves with their previous output, this combination is the sound of a band who have truly come into their own. From front to back, every song carries a message of hope. Having commenced writing for it even before the release of their Life/Death/Rebirth EP in 2016, the finished result is not something that came easily. “We all had demons we had to battle mentally and physically,” explains vocalist Vincent Torres. “You wouldn’t believe the pressure that comes down on you when you begin the process for a full length record. After we pushed through the turmoil and embraced the wonderful things that came as a reward it became pretty clear that what we had made should be called The Change. I think this is a perfect name, because it represents the spiritual evolution that we all went through.”

Having achieved a lot in 2018, including a stint on the final run of the Warped Tour – commencing the day after they finished tracking The Change – appearing on the iMatter Festival alongside Underoath and August Burns Red and opening for Asking Alexandria in Louisville, Kentucky, the band are striding into the fifth year of their existence on a high. The first taste of the record is single “Dead Generation”, which stands as a wake-up call, urging everyone who hears it to stand up and speak with their own voice, rather than becoming part of said dead generation. This perfectly represents both the band – rounded out by guitarist Eric Blackway, bassist/vocalist Tyler Greene and drummer Jon Finney – and their core message, continuing to place their fans first, and wanting to do all that they can to help improve their quality of life. “I want people to understand the symbiotic relationship between a band and its fanbase and I want them to feel like they’re along for the ride with us,” Torres states. “We are a band that is built on the foundation of endurance and perseverance, and nothing we’ve accomplished has been easily accessed. I want our fans to know that the reason we are able to live this dream is because they continue to support us and allow us to do so, but most of all I want them to understand that whatever it is that nurtures their soul can also be obtainable if they strive for it and believe in themselves.” Xhelili expounds on this, noting “As individuals, it can feel hard at times to find our own identity and our individual greater purpose. It all may feel rather heavy and bog us down constantly. However, we are here to take a stand and try to rise above all of that and be a respite for all of the darkness around us, as a shining light.” The casual listener also might be unaware of the interconnectedness of Awake At Last’s releases, with Torres explaining that there’s a deep-rooted storyline following a character on their journey through multiple lives.The Change in fact serves as a direct sequel to Life/Death/Rebirth. “The being who experienced the afterlife in Life/Death/Rebirth is reborn into a new vessel in The Change, but in order to interrupt the endless cycle of life and death they’ve been going through they attempt to imbue their new vessel with all of their cellular knowledge. They believed that by doing this the vessel in The Change could bring about a great revolution in the world and finally end the process so the soul may finally rest. What happens next is yet to be determined.”

The album was produced by Kile Odell of Failure Anthem and Josh Landry in Greensboro, NC, the energy and the dynamic of the team essential to shaping the record into its finished product. With Xhelili admitting the pressure of making a full-length was nerve-wracking, he also claims that this nervous energy helped them nail it down. “We all were striving and yearning for this to be the biggest and best album it could be and we all walked away very proud and satisfied with the end result.” For Torres, the process was not an easy one, the sessions taking a toll on him, having his lyrics chopped and changed by the production team after extensive demoing not something that immediately sat well with him. “It was hard fought but after all was said and done I’d learned so much about taking many words and turning them into poetry, and I believe the sessions made me a much better musician and songwriter. After some push and pull I think the compromises made created the perfect record and I think you can feel some of that struggle in the music, but also feel how to get through it.”The Change also marks the band’s transition from a fully independent band to one partnered up with Outerloop Records, which is a landmark event in their story. This partnership has allowed the band to make the album they want, and having the backing of a label will allow them to spread their music far further than they could with previous releases. “They believed in the vision we were striving for and we signed with them for this record to see the vision come to life,” explains Torres. “It is a bit of an adaptation process when you go from being completely DIY and independent to having a team behind you, but overall it’s really cool to be able to bounce ideas off of multiple sources and work with some amazing people who want the same thing that we do.”

As they continue to build momentum, the quintet’s ambitions remain true to their original aspirations: wanting to establish an even stronger connection to their fanbase. “I want to create a movement where individuals from all walks of life can come together and support one another as we continue to evolve and make changes in order to pursue fulfilling lives,” states Torres. Given the demons that had to be battled and overcome to reach this point it’s unsurprising how eager they are for people to hear what they have achieved. “This is the moment we’ve spent years working towards and these are by far the strongest Awake At Last songs we have written,” says Xhelili. “I feel proud of every single song that made the record and there is no filler. This is an album the fans can listen front to back and be immersed in the underlying concept and themes that tie it all together.”

Connect with AWAKE AT LAST: Official | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

AWAKE AT LAST Taps Spencer Charnas for “The Change” was originally published on RockRevolt Mag

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mixtapesforthetapeless · 7 years ago

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May 2017 White Reaper “The World’s Best American Band” Kentucky natives putting out an enjoyable garage rock album that honors 70’s arena rock and solid guitar licks.

Paramore “Hard Times” The queen of pop punk, Haley Williams is showing off with her band’s first release in 3 years that they aren’t going to be held to any one genre. With a clear and present homage to 80’s dance pop, Paramore is actively trying to carve their own space while grown gracefully with their fans.

Mona “In The Middle” One of the more underrated rock bands working today, Mona lives and dies by their lead singer, Nick Brown’s amazingly operatic vocals. The band fell, wrongly, into the post-Kings Of Leon indie rock rush of the late 2000s. The band isn’t afraid to write big songs, layered and interestingly structured, “In The Middle” goes off the rails only for Brown and company to bring it back.

Alessia Cara “Wild Things” I see Alessia as one of principle members of the next round of pop stars. Alessia, great with her emotive singing qualities hit it big with 2016’s breakthrough single, Scar to Your Beautiful but “Wild Things” shows off her ability to create solid melodies, rhythmic textures and dynamics that are both dance worthy but also quality in their simple listening nature.

Lukr “Fucked Up Summer” A piano ballad that harkens back to Something Corporate in their prime. The pre-chorus is a delightfully guilty pleasure that reminds this emo punk kid of the heroes of the genre when I was in high school.

The Menzingers “Lookers” My brother and I have coined this record, ‘adult punk rock’. With a heavy weight of the lyrics on post-30 reflections, these Philly punk troubadours have found a voice that is relatable yet personal.

Sheer Mag “Fan The Flames” These Philly garage rockers may never cross into a well recognizable place in the genre but they are solid, earnest approach to the scene. One of those acts that will do whatever they want musically regardless of the applause. Which, in it of itself, garners the applause.

Pretty Vicious “Cave Song” Welsh rockers that come to the table with a bombastic sound that is clearly well built from the UK rock scene. Akin to Arctic Monkeys, The 1975 or The Fratellis. These guys produce short and sweet rock tunes.

Bleachers “Don’t Take The Money” Jack Antonoff’s side project was once something to pass the time between Fun. records but it became clear to Jack and the rest of the world that Fun. was actually the side project. The guy who’s worked with some of pop’s biggest names has held on to some legitimate good tracks for himself. With an honest approach to reviving the John Hughes era pop rock genre, Jack develops a sound that is both modern and fondly reminiscent of a more tongue-in-cheek era of pop music.

Spring King “Detroit” Another dirty garage band but fuck if this song isn’t just a fun rock tune that shows off its love for the band’s hometown city. As a Philadelphian, there is a parallel between Detroit and Philly, two cities that are easy to poke fun at but that makes us even more proud of our roots so when there’s someone showing off that love, even if it’s not my city their talking about, it can’t help but make ya sympathetic.

#new #newmusic #playlist #Spotify #spotify playlist #spotify music #Mixtape #music #music blog #music review #music recommendation #music reccs

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charlesfosterofdensen · 6 years ago

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👍🏽

Like, I don’t think I’d do well in your current locale. It’s v cool to look at and is some v nice landscape! Buuuuuuut I find the lack of trees unnerving and can’t do Hot. But it’s some good nature to observe!

(Although my absolute NO landscape is the hardcore Midwest. All flat and corn and no hills or trees. It’s too all out in the open!)

Alternatively:

I could live in a cave. Dark + cold + damp. No trees, but I could party with eyeless fish. (Kentucky has caves out the butt, too. Biggest cave system in the world.)

Things I need to do in life:

- Become nocturnal

- Go live somewhere cold with a lot of trees

- Make my wardrobe Even More absurd and confusing

- Become an ABSOLUTE UNIT

- Find out why my bed keeps making that obnoxious clanking metal sound when I exist within a foot of it

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saintheartwing · 7 years ago

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Songtale, Part 1

Neil Elliot Soul of Integrity, and allowed himself to die to make up for the wrongs he'd done in the Underground. Upon finding he's been given a second chance, he at first swears to stay away from Mt. Ebott...until he learns kids are missing. So down into the Underground he'll go...into a world where everyone has a song in their heart...and on their lips?

Neil Elliot, age 11, could remember the moment he realized he had the power to control time itself.

It had been the day of an enormous test on Native Americans and their interactions with the pilgrims. His biggest bully, Tom, who happened to be rather tall and strong for his age and had decided that because Neil was in the ballet, he was a wimpy little girly-girl who needed a thumping right good. Had they been in a school with a sports team, Tom would have fit the "jerk jock" role to a T if not for the fact that Tom was too lazy to do sports, and was more interested in playing nonstop "Pokemon" than Football.

Sometimes Neil suspected that Tom, deep down, might actually have wanted to do the things Neil did. That maybe Tom was...different. In a particular way. But instead of just owning up to it, he denied it and took out the frustrations that resulted on Neil, the child who DID something you would expect a...different...child to do. Different. Yeah.

He was from Kentucky, and his father was a dye-in-the-wool Conservative. The word 'gay' was not ever allowed to even enter his head. He was too afraid to let it.

But nevertheless, Neil was sure Tom thought he was a homosexual, and so he'd beaten the crap out of him the day before, and so Neil was soon freaking out, hands gripping his head, fingers digging through blonde hair as he squirmed in his seat and whimpered pitifully, staring down at the test.

He'd spent the entire night before being sore in bed, nursing what felt like a pair of broken ribs...and he hadn't studied at all. In fact, he was tempted to write "I wish the Native Americans had ALL died so we wouldn't have to write about them", but that awful, meanspirited thought immediately died a horrible death when he realized the true issue.

Tom. That...that dumb bully...

Head held in his hands, the clock had been ticking down. Tick...tock. Tick...tock, Neil had stared up at it as it kept continuously ticking against soft blue walls. He had on a white, well-buttoned, longsleeve shirt and it was being stained with sweat as his soft blue eyes gazed down at the paper below him, filled with nervousness, fear...and soon frustration that was reaching a boiling point. His mind drawing a blank, his mouth hanging open, the volcano inside him finally burst as he found himself finally letting out a scream.

"THIS IS SO UNFAIR, IF HE HADN'T-"

And then, just like that, Neil was on the sidewalk close to the convenience store, realizing he was in the same spot he'd been in before Tom had popped out, seen him, and decided to beat him up for what he was. He had been given a second chance.

This...was the power of RESET.

He could go back an entire 24 hours. JUST Twenty Four. No more. No less. And when you could RESET, well...

It helped a lot. He began to ace all the tests. He knew when Tom or any bully was going to try to get him. He knew EVERY response to make that would make his dad or his teachers happy. He, a kid who now regularly wore a ballet tutu to class just because he could, was quickly becoming the most popular kid in Simsbury's elementary school, and 204X was going to be a good year for him.

Until the day he fell into the Underground, knocking himself out, and being unconcious for over a day and a half.

He'd been found by someone so sweet. So loving. The "Goat-Mom", Miss Toriel. A white-furred, faintly goat-like monster with a face that radiated warmth, faintly ornate robes of purple and white, and twinkling blue eyes even softer than his. She'd welcomed him into her home, fed him, cared for him, and he'd spent many wonderful weeks with the former Queen of the Monster Kingdom.

But he missed his school. Missed his Dad.

...missed...missed the leaves of New England, and the way the wind would blow them past you on a nice day.

And from that desire to just get out, he'd heard HER talking to him. Seen her presence in the old room she'd once slept in. Chara, a girl who'd landed in the Underground far before him. Chara, who had hated Humanity.

Chara, who told him his RESET could grow powerful enough to skip even further back in time as long as he grew in power...through killing monsters.

At first, he hadn't wanted to, but the desire to go home had been great. Bit by bit, he'd done worse and worse. Killed more and more as an exhilarating, almost erotic feeling swept through him as he swept through the Ruins, then into the town of Snowdin, and then into the caves of Waterfall, where he'd met his greatest rival, the heroine Undyne, Head of the Royal Guard.

He'd pulled out all the stops, and had watched her transform. He'd died time and time again at her hands, but had, at long last, with Chara's aid, won. And then he'd watched her...die. So...so very slowly. Dissolving right in front of him, goopily, messily, pieces of her lingering on him as she turned slowly into soupy dust.

And he had screamed in horror and disgust. He'd felt so dirty. And he'd sworn...to never...ever...do that again.

He had RESET. Made it better. And in the end, he'd faced down Asgore, the King of the Monsters, who also knew of the power to RESET. After all, Asgore's own Father had claimed human souls in the great War of Humans and Monsters, he'd been able to do miracles on the battlefield, all because he'd tapped into the power of "DETERMINATION" that Human Souls possessed.

So he wasn't surprised when Neil had approached him and said...

"...Asgore, you've killed me ten times before."

And Asgore had nodded pitifully...killing once more, Neil deciding that this time?

He wasn't going to RESET.

But then?

Neil had seen it playing out before his soul's eyes. The possibilities of a hundred different timelines, everyone in the Underground's hopes and dreams were all playing out around her. Neil could see, she could SEE what had been, what was, what would be, in every possible way. Neil could see his own death, a death coming from a thousand different ways. And then...young Frisk. The half Asian, half American child had saved them all, crossing the Barrier that seperated the Kingdom of Monsters in Mount Ebott from the Surface, making everything right. Neil had waited for the end, waiting for his soul to pass on, and he'd thought, perhaps...

Was this it? Salvation? Everything had gone bright and beautiful and shining, and pure light had swarmed through his vision. He'd felt so warm, and happy, and he thought...is this Heaven?

In a way, yes. Because when he awoke...

He could feel the soft winds of New England blowing against his face, making his blonde hair waft about slightly. He could see the red and orange and yellow leaves of New England's fall dancing through the sky above him. He could feel the grass on the slopes of Mount Ebott below his body as he rose up, glancing about. Neil Elliot was once again outside of the Underground, away from the cave opening he'd fallen into, and back home. Back home in Simsbury. Back on the Surface.

And he knew exactly where to go.

He'd raced down the street, the sun beginning to set as he bolted fast as he could. His father had been pacing up and down the front porch, cop cars surrounding his yellow-painted house, his dad chewing on his lip as his neat blonde hair was a mess, his moustache twitching and his button-down shirt matted with sweat. He'd been waiting hours. Neil had evidently gone missing after attending a party he was FAR too young for, and the cops had no idea when they'd be able to get a search party out-

And then they'd seen him.

"DAD!" Neil had cried out, racing to his father as his dad had deeply embraced him.

"Oh thank God you're alive." His father had whispered, shaking slightly, all a-quiver with relief, sorrow and joy. "Thank God, thank God, thank God. I don't know what I'd do if you were gone..."

"I'm not going anywhere, Dad." Neil had whispered back. "I promise."

The sun was high in the sky on Saturday as Neil let out a yawn, and stretched his arms, standing out on the front porch. The wind was blowing nicely through the air, bathing over him as he turned about a bit before hopping down the steps. He looked out along the road, seeing the houses lining the streets, broken up by natural barriers of trees and shrubberies, and the occasional stone fence left over from Colonial times. He smiled softly as he made his way down the road, walking nonchalantly as the wind kissed over his face, and the smells of New England wafted through the air.

New England life does have its charms! Rolling hills and steady breeze!

Nothing ever happens here...few are those that do not fall beneath its spell!

And here within my little home...I'm prosperous and confident!

I'm all filled up with certainty! Controlling Time's a wonderful ability!

Neil sighed as he finally arrived at the large field just down the road, plopping down in the center of it, closing his eyes as he rested his head on his hands, the wind continuing to gently blow through his hair. His words echoed through the air, dancing along the wind just as smoothly as the leaves...

I came here, had been so scared, now life opens before my eyes!

Soft nights under starry skies! And every room has...scenic viiiiiews...

Unbeknownst to him, a form was also spread out, lying down in a field. But this was a field of snow, his blank, empty sockets staring up at the sky, his voice soft and thoughtful as the weight of the future began to hang down upon him. His blue jacketed form was warm enough, but on the inside...he felt as cold as the snow against his short, stubby frame.

one by one they'd fallen in...one by one they all arrived!

each one of them's been captured by the time I'd gotten home,

just time enough to seeeeee...

He cringed sadly.

horrors pass before my face...because we're trapped inside this place!

but what can I do anyway? come what may. things will not be otherwise...

He rose up, bony hands stuffed inside of his jacket pocket as he slowly sauntered down the natural forest path, heading in the direction of home with his head bowed.

i came here, a package deal, the future's clear before my eyes!

cold nights under starless skies, and endless dark filling up my lonely rooooom...

Slowly but surely, both he and Neil made their way into the local stores. A candy bar for each, a smile and a nod, before making their way back down the road. A faint wind bathed over the two, but for one, it just made them sigh in sorrow, rather than in delight as the other did. At long last, they headed to a bench not far from the store, plopping down and beginning to eat.

That is, until he saw what was on the corner of his eye. A "Missing" poster placed up on a nearby lamplight. One of several. Neil approached, pulling it off, then pulling off another as he looked over the pictures, one of an Asian American girl with a bandanna over her head, another a sad-looking young African American orphan, another a glasses-wearing, nice little girl with frizzy hair, and a final poster that showed a long-haired teenage girl with a large cowboy hat.

In that instant, Time began to pass as people slowly passed by them, all of time seeming to slow as they just let the moment invade their every sense, and closed their eyes, deep in thought and reflection.

Time may be clearly on my side...

"time is on the cavern's side..."

But where do all these children go?

"the river shifts, the cliffs erode..."

I wonder, do I want to know?

"the engineers do what they can..."

Seems every week another one just...

"but every day another house just..."

Runs awaaaaay... "slides awaaaay..."

I came here, had been so scared, now life opens before my eyes! Soft nights under starry skies! And every room has...scenic viiiiiews...

"i came here, a package deal, the future's clear before my eyes! cold nights under starless skies, and endless dark filling up my lonely rooooom..."

Sans the Skeleton quietly sighed, hanging his head as Neil hung his own head, looking shamefully at the candy bar he'd left behind, tossing it away. Enjoying a friggin' Butterfinger when kids he knew and recognized were missing?!

What should he do? He KNEW where they'd gone, deep down...or at least, suspected it. He suspected they'd fallen into the Mountain.

"If I just stay out of it, the future will be changed, they won't get the Souls they need. They won't be able to break out, unless...something else happens." Neil cringed. "What if Flowey or a less nice monster than Asgore decides enough waiting, I'll just take one and go get more? What if another kid besides me goes down and then Frisk follows after?"

He bit into his lip. "What am I supposed to do?" He wondered aloud. "...what's the right thing to do?"

Deep down...

He knew the answer. The only answer he could think of.

Go back down into the darkness and the deep.

Return to the Underground. Return...to where he'd first been murdered.

...

...the sun was high in the sky as Neil Elliot began to descend down the large rope he'd tied to a tree outside the cave, inching his way deeper and deeper into the Underground. As he sank down further and further, he felt a soft, tingling sensation bathe over him, and he saw a faint shimmer as he looked up. Sure enough, he could see it; he had passed through one side of the Barrier that kept all Monsterkind down in the Underground, only now was it visible, now that he'd slid on through.

He kept making his way down the rope ladder, his face flooded with deep, agonizing guilt. He'd broken his promise to his Father. He'd SWORN not to go back, promised to never leave and now?

Now he was breaking that promise. Sure, it was in the name of saving other kids, but...still...you weren't ever supposed to break a promise. His face was flush, his blonde hair wafting about in the wind blowing about the cavern as he shamefully descended down deeper into the dark recesses of the cave, touching down, at long last, in a field of soft, thick, golden flowers. He felt over them with his hands, kneeling down on the grass in his Pink Tutu, his blue eyes gazing at the gold just as a flower arched up not too far away, its white face cheery and grinning as it bounced about.

"Howdy-howdy-howdy, I'm your buddy Flowey! And I'm here to explain how we do things around here!" Flowey the Flower proclaimed in a faintly musical voice as Neil blinked a bit. Something about Flowey's tone sounded even...odder than normal. Neil recognized the would-be prince, the transformed Asriel Dreemurr, former Prince of the Underground. He'd know that voice anywhere. Know those petals anywhere. Yet...there was something new. Something too...bouncy. Yes, bouncy!

"Are...you alright?" Neil asked quietly, tilting his head a bit, looking confused. "You don't sound normal. You sound a bit too...cheery. Like you're getting ready for a big performance!"

"All the world's a stage!" Flowey proclaimed with a laugh. "Don't you wanna be my friend?"

"Um..."

"Well TOO BAD!" Flowey roared, his face contorting, turning dark and foul as Neil realized he was in deep trouble, bullets forming, made of pure white, seed-like energy as they sailed at Neil, who dove to the side, pirouetting out of the line of fire as Flowey cackled with devilish delight.

When the Devil is too busy, And death's a bit too much!

They call on me by name, you see, for my special touch!

To the gentlemen, I'm Miss Fortune, to the ladies, I'm Sir Prize!

But call me by any name! Anyway, it's all the same!

Neil dove to the side, Flowey bouncing back and forth, laughing as he continued to sing, and oddly cheery, yet sinister music filling the air.

I'm the fly in your soup,

I'm the pebble in your shoe,

I'm the pea beneath your bed,

I'm a bump on every head! He laughed, shooting a vine forward from the ground as it managed to whack Neil across the head, knocking him back before ANOTHER vine grabbed around his leg and made him trip, flopping onto the cold dirt floor as Neil gasped in pain, Flowey sneering.

I'm the peel on which you slip,

I'm a pin in every hip,

I'm the thorn in your side

Makes you wriggle and writhe!

"What is your PROBLEM?!" Neil snapped, managing to roll away JUST in time to avoid bullets that slammed into where he'd been moments ago.

And it's so easy when you're evil!

This is the life, you see!

The Devil tips his hat to me!

I do it all because I'm evil!

And I do it all for free...

Your tears are all the pay I'll ever neeeeed! Flowey cackled in delight, bullets surrounding Neil as the blonde-haired little ballerina gasped in horror...

But then, salvation. A burning fireball slammed into Flowey like a football and he was sent sailing through the darkness as a familiar, goat-headed figure walked towards him, her arms spread wide.

"Oh, sweet child." She crooned, Neil's eyes widening at the sight of her.

"Toriel?"

"Why, yes! That's my name! Have we met before? I feel you are so...familiar." Toriel admitted as she knelt by Neil, passing a hand over him as green, balmy healing magic bathed over his frame and she gently lifted him up with one hand, leading him down the path. "When humans fall down here, I...often feel like I know them. In any case, sweet child, it's so nice to finally meet you. Now welcome to your home!" She proclaimed, gesturing all around as she led him down the long purple hallway, Neil realizing that something gentle and soft was playing around him, music swelling through the air as he realized something was very...VERY different about the Underground.

"My home?" He asked, blinking a bit, wanting to see what was going to happen.

"Safe and sound, underground they'll never reach you! And you'll never be alone!" Toriel sang out, reaching down and lifting him up as they finally reached her home, Toriel twirling him about as she circled around the singular tree outside her quaint, purple home as Neil tilted his head a bit.

"Are you...bursting into song?"

"We'll live a life just you and I! Now settle down, have a slice of pie! I'll stay right by your side!" Toriel insisted as she brought him inside the yellow-carpeted home she had, the walls a soft yellow and the carpet as cozy as fresh grass. The kitchen was filled with various baked cookies and pies, Toriel cutting up a slice of Butterscotch-Cinnamon Pie and handing it to Neil on a little plate with cute, adorable little red hearts encircling the inner plate.

Neil took it, looking up at her as she looked down at him, chuckling a bit as she realized that a boy was actually wearing a tutu and ballerina shoes...and didn't seem to care one bit. She ruffled his hair with her clawed hands, smiling tenderly down upon him. "I only wish to see you smile! You're such an INTERESTING child. Now there's no need to fight!"

She knelt down onto one knee, taking one of his hands, clasping them tightly in her own, staring deep into his eyes, pleading softly.

"Just promise me...that you'll never leave!"

Neil blinked a bit, stammering slightly. "I-I mean, I...I think I should go, Ms. Toriel..."

She picked him up, sweeping around the kitchen, making towards the living room as a soft fire billowed gently in the chimney. "Oh sweet child, it's so nice to finally meet you. Now welcome to your home! Safe and sound, underground they'll never reach you! And you'll never be alone!"

She put him down, heading over to the bookcase, cheerily pulling out a large book that read "72 Facts About Snails", waving the green book about in the air. "My only wish is just to reach you, so many snail facts I could teach you!"

"Miss Toriel, I really, REALLY should go..." Neil murmured quietly as Toriel flinched, looking away as if ashamed, clutching the book tightly to her chest.

"Stop asking me to leave." She mumbled softly before quickly putting the book back, and kneeling down by Neil, rubbing over his head. "Don't run away, just stay inside, don't live a life of genocide! Can't you just stay with me?"

Neil walked over to the table, putting the pie piece down and biting his lip as he turned back to Toriel, then turned to look outside the windows. Sure enough, a large group of familiar, froggy monsters..."Froggits"...were all outside, harmonizing all at once as Toriel got on her knees, clasping Neil's hands in hers, eyes almost brimming with tears...

"Just promise me...that you'll never leave! Why can't you see...this life was meant to beeee?" Toriel begged, Neil hesitating.

"Miss Toriel..." He murmured.

"Oh sweet child, it's so nice to finally meet you. Now welcome to your home! Safe and sound, underground they'll never reach you! And you'll never be alone!" The Monsters outside began to sing, other monsters now joining in the chorus, heads bouncing back and forth as Toriel looked Neil over.

"You look so much like someone I used to care for...but now they've gone away! A life of darkness is bound to try and tempt you! So promise you won't stray!"

Her arms deeply embraced him, her body soft and warm, smelling like pie and fresh milk as he felt her soft tears gently trickle down onto his shoulders.

"Please promise meeeee..."

#the six souls #Neil #undertale #toriel #Sans #Flowey the Flower #music #musical #songtale

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konnosaya · 5 years ago

Text

Interview with Competitive Tree Climber Joshua Burr

Bartlett: Thanks for taking the time out for this interview! Why don’t you start by letting everyone know who you are, your age, and where you’re from! Give us some background on you!

Josh: Hi, thank you so much for having me! My name is Joshua Burr, I’m 22, from Oxford, Michigan. I’ve been climbing everything since I could walk. First time at the rock climbing gym was for my 10th birthday, started with a tree service when I was 15, started industrial rigging for concerts when I was a Senior at the Palace of Auburn Hills, and when I was 19 I got rope access/SPRAT certified.

Bartlett: That's so much, so quickly, all before you were even 20!! WOW! So where are you living now and what are you doing?

Josh: Towards the end of 2019 I moved out to Maryland. I’ve been so busy with climbing trips and competitions that the rope access work has slowly taken a back seat but I still practice the skills regularly.

Bartlett: We’re super impressed with how young you are and everything you’ve already accomplished and experienced. Let’s talk about what started it all. What did you do before you were a full time arborist? Can you tell us a little more about your concert and rope access gigs.

Josh: I have actually set up for the Presidential Inauguration along with a few other presidential/political events. I’ve set up the rigging for different music festivals and flown out to different venues like the Twins Stadiums and US Bank Stadium for Taylor Swift and KISS!!

Bartlett: Right on! That's super cool!! And you're known for rock climbing and ice climbing as well?

Josh: Oh yes!! Started with rock climbing when I was 10 at the rock climbing gym and really took off with it when I met my rock climbing mentor Matt Foss on a rock climbing trip to Kentucky that he was guiding was I was around 16 ish. Now I see the climbing gym as an awesome way to exercise and work my brain by getting through the climbing problems. I regularly go on climbing trips to the red river gorge in Kentucky and have recently found some cool rock climbing spots in Maryland.

Bartlett: With all of these options what made you fall in love with working primarily with trees?

Josh: The freedom, along with the ability to move in 3D. Trees to me are almost an awesome blend of rock climbing and industrial.

Bartlett: Interesting!! So what or who do you feel as though got your “feet off the ground” / “foot in the door” in the tree industry? How did you start this journey?

Josh: I started with an unprofessional tree service for the first 3 years. No safety culture and of course spike pruning, and I was none the wiser, that’s how everyone does tree work, right? When I was 17 Joey Drinkhorn invited me to Tree Jam Camp and that was the total game changer. That’s actually where I met my now boss. Since then I’ve done Tree Jam Camp a second time, Michigan state 3 times, Ohio, Hawaii, Taiwan, ARC, and NAOM twice!

Bartlett: We love that you've just ran with this, all around the world! You’re a climber that is quickly gaining a name for yourself in this industry. What’s your latest accomplishment professionally?

Josh: The opportunity to Co-teach a class with my boss Chris Coates at Legends(Legends Tree Climbing Championship)! It’s about staying on rope while passing redirects and high lines and hammocking!

Bartlett: Any epic adventures you’ve done personally lately? We at Bartlett may have heard something about a cave.

Josh: The cave was Ellison cave in Georgia! The biggest drop we did was called the fantastic pit, 586 feet, with a 500ft waterfall, that we had to rappel through 150ft of, and ascend back up. There was another one called the warm up pit around 130ft.

Bartlett: That is just so epic!! Hearing all these experiences, we have to ask, what do you think the biggest key is to your progression?

Josh: Setting the bar very high, just out of reach. Along with always searching for an opportunity to learn something.

Bartlett: Before you settled down in Maryland you did a lot of traveling being a self employed contract climber. What kind of experience was that for you?

Josh: Greatly beneficial!! Even with the company I’m with now, we will drive around 2 hrs to go work with other friend's companies sometimes. Seeing how others get jobs done, while working to mitigate hazards and stay safe can be a major learning tool.

Bartlett: So true, and we love this community over competition attitude you have. What would you say was the coolest experience to come from that?

Josh: Getting to work out in Hawaii is always a pleasure, but the greatest joys are the people you get to meet, along with some amazing views.

Bartlett: So, so true! What would be your biggest piece of advice to someone wanting to become a contract climber?

Josh: Networking is key, and tree climbing competitions can be a huge tool for just that! Networking, connecting with and meeting new people.

Bartlett: We totally agree! Do you have any big goals for 2020?

Josh: I am very much looking forward to getting back to Asia for their tree climbing competition! Made some cool friends out there!

Bartlett: Awesome dude. We love this. Thank you so much for sharing your past, present, and future story with us all!! Any closing statements before we sign off?

Josh: Looking forward to hanging out with you guys on Belle isle this year!!! There are certainly some good trees to choose from!! Thank you for this opportunity to share! You guys are the best!

source https://www.bartlettman.com/Interview-with-Competitive-Tree-Climber-Joshua-Burr_b_1190.html

#tree #climbing #arborist #rock climbing

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clashofthekhaleesi · 5 years ago

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