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artzychic27 · 5 months ago

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Mirroverse Crossover- Max

"Ah, so we finally meet."

Maxiro tilts his head as he walks into the room. "I guess so. Now then, I suppose this is the part where one of us shares something about ourselves and you decide to critique me for no reason other than to get a rise out of me and see if I'll retaliate in a violent way so that you and your acquaintances can have a good laugh and mock the heroic ideals my friends and I hold."

Maxdrome tents his fingers and his grin widens. "Excellent. I see my astuteness remains the same."

"Yeah, it looks like it-"

"250 IQ says 'what?'"

Maxiro rolls his eyes. "Please, that's one of the oldest gags in the book. Also, my IQ is 300, or so they say. The test wasn't made to go any higher. Also, I was ten at the time when I took it, so now might be the time to see if anything has changed."

Across the room, Maxdrome sharply inhales through his teeth. "Moving on... I'll go first." The other tech genius takes his seat across from his villainous self. "It all starts years back. I was seven and a half, and had just built my first pair of rocket boots-"

"That's impressive. I was seven when I made my first arm cannon," Maxiro eagerly chirps, not noticing his counterpart's eye twitching. "I was also in the midst of creating a visor that could shoot lasers. See, I got the inspiration from-"

"AHEM!" Maxdrome loudly says. "As I was saying... My rocket boots were the key to my debut in the world of heroics- And yes, before you say anything, I was obsessed with becoming a hero," he quickly adds, seeing Maxiro about to say something. "They were my idols, my inspiration, but... I lacked one thing... Powers. So, what do I do? I created my rocket boots and became Incredi-boy, sidekick to Mr. Incredible, the greatest superhero of the generation. I tried to prove myself to him, help him stop several big-name villains, but how does he repay me?" Maxiro flinches when he slams his fist down on the table. "He humiliates me!"

With an almost crazed laugh, he smoothes back his pale dreadlocks. "And that's when I realized, heroes are just glory hounds. Think about it." He stands and approaches Maxiro, circling around him like a shark. "The superheroes- male and female want only the glory, the attention, the huge bonuses that no one should just expect to receive after saving a dozen lives. And those costumes, ugh! Please don't get me started at all. Skin tight, revealing, and doing nothing to protect their vital organs all just to be marketable to adult audiences. They don't care about saving lives- No. No, they just want to be celebrities without any of the talent and gods without any of the immortality. Meanwhile, I wanted to save lives, but it would seem as though I didn't make the cut not only because of my lack of power but because my ideals didn't line up with countless other heroes."

Maxdrome sighs and slams a hand down on Maxiro's shoulder, gripping it before whispering to him. "It's like they say... Never meet your heroes." Patting his shoulder, the villain heads back to his seat, inhaling deeply as he tilts his head back.

🤖🦹🏾

"Oh, Dios mío," Demolition Denise whispers, horror across their face that mirrors the other heroes in the room.

Marilan slumps in a nearby seat. "I'm just gonna sit for a while."

Kimules stares at the villainous version of his friend through the bubble for a while. "He wanted to be a hero?"

"Yeah, until your fellow heroes ruined his dream," Alix Khan snarks, earning a glare from the demigod. "Well, it's true. It was a hero who humiliated Max, and it was heroes who helped him to realize that the world of heroics is nothing but a whole damn popularity contest. You people just do it all for the glory."

"That's not true!" Kimules retorts, but deep down, he can't help but wonder if she's right while looking back and remembering how he gained instant fame after putting his training to use so he could defeat the hydra. He got dozens of sponsorship deals, fan clubs were formed, and people are still sending fan mail. As if sensing his thoughts, AriOndine takes his hand, and with a reassuring smile, kisses him on the cheek

"Oh, you're one to talk Mr. Big Shot of Olympus," Kimton smirks.

"I think we've established at this point, that the words you say have no value," Sabrinocchio says unapologetically, earning a somewhat impressed look from Madame Sabrina.

"HUSH!" Madam Aurore hisses, bouncing on her toes as she watches the bubble. "I wanna watch robot boy blow his lid!"

Jeanatoa grins, his tooth gap on full display. "Bet he'll cry when Maxdrome shows off his Omnidroid? Oh, I bet he'll cry!"

"I'm sorry, his what now?" TiAlysa questions, cocking her hip to the side.

🤖🦹🏾

"You sly dog," Maxdrome chuckles dryly. "You got me monologuing"

"Did I, though?"

"Yes, you did," the villain quickly retorts. "Now that I've shared my backstory..." He leans forward, his chin resting in his hand. "Tell me about yours'. What makes you tick?"

Maxiro blinks. "Well, my life is fairly normal. I mean, I'm a child prodigy, so there's that. I was bored one day and decided to graduate high school when I was ten, then with all that time to myself, I..." His voice trails off as he rubs the back of his neck. Maxdrome looks intrigued.

"Go on..."

"I'm not too proud of it, but I got into bot fights-"

"Ah, so the hero boy isn't as innocent as I thought," Maxdrome smirks.

Ignoring that, Maxiro continues. "I just wanted some extra money; I was a minor with a high school diploma; who'd hire me? I actually fought using what I call a megabot- Meant to be deceptive in appearance so no one would suspect a thing. Its body is comprised of magnetic joints, which allow it to split into smaller parts and attach to opponents, taking them apart and utterly defeating them with their own weapons. I uh, I even fitted it with laser eyes, which was not entirely easy, I'll tell you that. It got the job done. until one of my competitors destroyed it after I swindled him out of his winnings by pretending to be inexperienced. Thankfully, Terrance- my cousin- got me out of there in time. I mean, we got arrested, but then bailed out." He looks up in thought. "That's about it for me. Now, this is the part where you mock me for something, perhaps my megabot getting destroyed by some angry sore loser."

Maxdrome sputters for a moment. "That- that's exactly right! How do you call yourself a genius when your creation was beaten by mere human strength?!" Tapping several buttons on his high-tech wristlet, he pulls up a green-colored hologram showing a spherical robot with five tentacle-like attachments ending with four claws. "Behold, Omnidroid v.8! Merely the eighth prototype for what I have in store, this baby and all those who came before are designed to learn as it fights its' opponents and take out any and all threats to its existence."

Maxiro adjusts his glasses as he looks over the hologram, his eyes growing with horror when he notices the X's crossed out over the faces of superheroes. "This thing... Killed superheroes?"

"... I mean, you've gotta break a few eggs, right?"

"You're sick!"

"Sick? Maybe. A young man with a vision? Yes! I can't have any threats interfering with my plans. Besides, it's their own fault. Superheroes were banned by the public, and forced to go into retirement after Mr. Incredible destroyed a monorail! We don't need destructive idiots like that! We need real people with some ounce of awareness!" Maxdrome expands the hologram, showing several other prototypes along with the crossed-out images of superheroes. "Once the people see a normal, everyday person defeat my masterpiece with nothing but intelligence, the word "super," will be a thing of the past! I'll make millions selling my inventions, unlike you making a measly hundred with your pathetic bot fights!" He barks out a laugh. "Why have a genius intellect if you're not going to use it right?"

For a moment, Maxiro is silent. Maxdrome leans back in his seat with a smug expression, believing he's won, but then all of a sudden, his hologram glitches out. "What the-"

"Basic hacking," Maxiro finally says. "Kid stuff. Learned it when I was three. Now, I'll admit, you've got a good plan going on here. Create evil robots, kill heroes, show up to defeat your creation, and look like the hero to gain fame and fortune. In spite of your brilliant mind, you have many fatal flaws as a result of your megalomania, cynicism, vindictiveness, desire to make superheroes obsolete, your pathological desire for attention, and your ego."

🤖🦹🏾

"Oh, snap," Kimules chuckles.

🤖🦹🏾

"Chief among these, you are so obsessed with becoming a hero that you failed to account for the fact superheroes are banned by society, according to you."

"I-"

"Even if you had succeeded," Maxiro continues, "you would have endured constant scrutiny from the government, and it is possible that the government could have eventually discovered your crooked dealings with weapons and your murder of various superheroes. In addition, your use of technology would have resulted in your eventual destruction if it was hacked or malfunctioned. And, in the event that you had succeeded in your goals, your technology would eventually become obsolete."

Maxiro stands and taps something on his phone, pulling up Maxdrome's hologram again, only blue, and illustrating Maxiro's words with images of the Omnidroids and the villain.

"Lemme. break it down for you. Your Omnidroids are artificial intelligence, designed to learn, evolve, adapt- Stop me if I'm going too fast- You clearly lack contingency plans for when your robot eventually turns against you, and it will. Your Omnidroid will take out anything it deems a threat. Your control over it is a threat to its existence."

The hologram shows the Omnidroid crushing Maxdrome in its metal claws, much to the villain's growing horror.

"Now, if your plan had succeeded, your weapons and inventions would have possibly also resulted in more terrible wars and arms races, making the world far more dangerous." Maxiro sits back down and cuts off the hologram using his phone. He tilts up his glasses with his middle finger and looks his alternate self right in the eye. "Suffice to say, for all your genius, you are very short-sighted and have no thought about the consequences of what you will unleash if you achieve your goals. Now, if you fail because any living superheroes decided to get off their asses and defeat that thing, well, who knows? They'll probably become legal again, and it will all be because of you. So, if you fail, congrats. You'll finally be a hero."

With that, Maxiro pulls a small pack of gummy bears out of his jacket pocket and pops one in his mouth while Maxdrome stares off into space. "On the topic of bots, I've been working on these ones called microbots."

🤖🦹🏾

Everyone, even the villains is left in stunned silence. King Nath, shakily, gets down on the floor and lies there with his knees tucked to his chest, Queen Rose Candy walks to a corner of the room and just stands there with her face toward the wall, and Kimton looks very pale as LeOndine tries to snap him out of his shocked daze.

"I don't feel safe now," Honest Nino murmurs.

Cosettewether opens and closes their mouth. "... He's... He's right... About everything. There is no way to spin that around! No matter what, Max... He loses! Even if we win, he still loses in the end!" They murmur a bunch of political jargon the others don't understand as they try to figure out a way for Maxdrome to go through with his plan and come out on top.

"Yeah, that's our Max," Kimules says with a proud smile. "He's scary smart, but he's good at calling out bullshit."

@msweebyness @imsparky2002

#mirrorverse #disney au #class of heroes #class of villainy #mlb au #disney heroes #disney villains #Hiro Hamada #Syndrome #The Incredibles #Big Hero 6

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aion-rsa · 3 years ago

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The Rick and Morty Season 5 Finale Explains…Well, Just About Everything

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

This article contains spoilers for Rick and Morty season 5 episode 10.

Rick and Morty is fighting a losing battle with its own canon.

The show has demonstrated time and time again that it prefers crafting episodic, self-contained stories to fully realize the potential of playing in a massive sci-fi sandbox. Like Rick Sanchez himself, the writers of the show understand that infinite universes (and a hefty 70-episode order from Adult Swim) means that a concept as earthbound as “story” will soon become pointless.

Viewers, however, have never felt that way. Despite being presented with the promise of infinite creation, many Rick and Morty fans just want to follow the story of the world’s smartest, yet most damaged man, and his happy-go-lucky grandson. It’s all quite ironic. Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon has spent much of his career advocating for the elemental power of storytelling, even crafting a “story circle” that is now a feature of many writers’ rooms (and probably the Marvel Cinematic Universe). But now the one time a Harmon writers’ room wants to have some non-serialized fun, fans crave structure more than ever.

And fans finally get that structure in the Rick and Morty season 5 finale “Rickmurai Jack.” Several writers promised before the season that this batch of Rick and Morty episodes would be more canon-focused than years’ past. Sure enough, this finale explains…just about everything in the Rick and Morty canon! You can tell it’s all canon too because Rick loudly proclaims it over and over again with lines like:

Rick: “The Citadel runs on canon.”

Morty: “We’ve been through a lot and he doesn’t like…�� Rick: “Serialized drama.”

Rick “You wanna jump the shark? You wanna know my stupid crybaby backstory, then knock yourself out.”

Morty: “Woah, dead wife.” Rick: “Yeah, now everyone can shut up about it.”

Rick and Morty fans finally get just about every bit of canon they’ve been clamoring for from “Rickmurai Jack.” And in case you missed any of it, we will explain it all. Because that’s what we do.

What Is Rick’s Origin Story?

Rick Sanchez is clearly ashamed of his origin story. We finally find out why in this episode because it’s all so…human. Yes, as the series has long intimated (first in season 3’s premiere and then again in season 5 episode 8), the beginning of Rick’s multiverse-jumping saga begins with “sad about dead wife.”

Once upon a time, an evil (or probably just normal) Rick dropped into Rick C-137’s timeline to invite him along on multiversal adventures. When C-137 declined, the asshole Rick dropped a bomb into his garage killing his wife Diane and daughter Beth. Despondent, C-137 built his first rudimentary portal gun and traveled every possible timeline and dimension looking for revenge. In the process, he killed thousands upon thousands of his fellow Ricks but never found the Rick he was looking for.

Eventually, Rick grew tired of all the bloodshed and founded the Citadel of Ricks so that all the Ricks could live in relative peace. He then traveled to a timeline with a new Beth and settled in for a lifetime of adventures with his little buddy Morty.

What is The Central Finite Curve?

The Citadel of Ricks wasn’t the only thing that Rick C-137 and his fellow Ricks created. Have you ever wondered how, in an infinite set of universes, Rick Sanchez just so happens to be the smartest creature in each one? If the universe were really infinite, then wouldn’t there be dimensions where a Morty, a Jerry, a Beth, or even some random beetle was the smartest creature alive?

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

It turns out that the Ricks wanted to make sure there was no Genius Jerry universe. They’ve walled off their own set of realities from all the other realities. Using a concept known as the “Central Finite Curve” they’ve been able to isolate only the universes in which Ricks are the smartest creatures to use as their own Rick playgrounds. How did Doofus Rick sneak in then? That’s anyone’s guess.

What is Evil Morty’s Whole Deal?

Evil Morty makes his triumphant return in this episode. First introduced as a one-off joke all the way back in season 1, Evil Morty has now become arguably the most mysterious and important figure in the Rick and Morty canon.

Previously we saw Evil Morty elevated to the position of President of the Citadel and now we see why he wanted the job. Evil Morty wants to break free from the Ricks’ Central Finite Curve. He no longer wants to live in a set of curated universes where Rick Sanchez will always win. Ultimately he gets what he wants as the final moments of this episode find him entering into a new set of dimensions, 2001 or Interstellar-style.

Evil Morty scores his biggest win of the series yet but it’s still unclear where the little guy even comes from. Is it possible that he hails from a different dimension of smart Mortys to begin with? Maybe. But we think it’s more likely that Rick and Morty is operating under Jurassic Park rules: life finds a way. The Ricks tried to create a walled-in universe where beings like Doofus Rick or Evil Morty aren’t possible. Unfortunately for them, infinite universes aren’t so easily tamed.

How Cool is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Going to Be?

So cool. This may seem like a weird digression but keep in mind that the writer of this finale, Jeff Loveness, is also penning the next Ant-Man and the Wasp movie that will find Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror making his MCU film debut (after previously popping up in Loki).

In fact, this was Loveness’s last episode on Rick and Morty before heading off to Marvel-land.

Came back to write the Rick and Morty season finale. Airs Tonight. It is about the burning of the world and the lies we tell the people we love because we are afraid.

— Jeff Loveness (@JeffLoveness) September 5, 2021

What Has Mr. Poopybutthole Been Up To?

After becoming a fan favorite (and sustaining a near-fatal gunshot wound) in season 2, Mr. Poopybutthole has retreated to the background of the Rick and Morty world. Now he operates as an Oatu-like Watcher, dispassionately viewing the events of Rick and Morty from his couch, sometimes wistfully wishing these mortals could see what fools they be.

Mr. Poopybutthole’s monologue at the end of this episode is particularly haunting. Here is the script page in its entirety courtesy of Loveness’s Twitter account.

Learn from him. pic.twitter.com/lHaPQ5ZTkh

— Jeff Loveness (@JeffLoveness) September 6, 2021

“We don’t have as much time as we think. We never do. Oooowee.”

The post The Rick and Morty Season 5 Finale Explains…Well, Just About Everything appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/3n8mIbt

#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

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daphner20 · 4 years ago

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Justice Browne

Restoration

Prologue

My name is Justice Fritzgerald Browne, and ' Truly God is good to me!” My father wanted to name me John Fritzgerald, but my mom said , “ not a day like it!”

I met the love of my life Alicia Leah (nee Dean) at a Catholic Retreat for young adults called T.E.C ( To Encounter Christ), 25 years ago. She was 19, and I was 24. We were married 6 months later. And that union has blessed us with two sons. Joshua, 20 and Jamie 18.

Joshua is a Senior at Notre Dame University, he is a bio/chemistry major, his next step is med school. Jamie is a sophomore, at Notre Dame as well, but they are on different campuses. Jamie is studying accounting. Both of my sons, graduated from High School at 16.

I am so proud of my sons, they are truly one of the joys of my life.

Almighty God, has also prospered the work of my hands. I am one of the largest grocers in The Bahamas. With 4 grocery stores in Nassau, 2 in Grand Bahama, and 1 in Abaco. I own substantial shares in a local bank and insurance company.

I am also on the Economic Council for The Bahamas. I am also the past president of the Chamber of Commerce.

When I was in CCD, as a child, I remembered Sister Cecilia, teaching us the 10 commandments, the sermon on the mount, and corporal acts of mercy. I have spent my entire life, living as closely as possible to these teachings.

My parents, were the greatest in the world. I was the product of their old age. They were married for 18 years, before I came along. My mom was forty, and my dad was 47. My mom told me that she had never stop trusting and believing that God, will bless her womb. She lived to cradle my sons in her arms. She died 10 years ago, and Daddy followed 2 years later.

As, I lit a candle after mass. I am thankful and grateful to the Lord, who has bless my family, my work, my health, and my faith all these years. I also lit a special candle for my boys, just in case they didn’t go to mass this morning, and asked God to forgive their sins.

Chapter 1

“ So you don’t have any classes today,” said Justice

“ No, they are cancel until further,” said Jaime.

“ I suggest, you go and stay with Joshua,' said Justice.

“Daddy,” said Jaime, “it’s just a tropical storm!”

“ Jamie, tropical storms can be dangerous as well,” said Justice.

“ The school has taken all precautions, we will be fine. Further more, Josh, campus is on lockdown as well,” said Jaime.

“Ok,' said Justice, reluctantly, he knew how strong will Jamie is.

'Love you Daddy,” said Jamie, laughingly, he knew his father normally gives in.

“ Love you kiddo, said Justice. ‘Youth’ muttered Justice, they think they are invincible.

5 minutes later.

“ Hello Josh” said Justice.

“ Hi Pops” said Josh animatedly.

“ I heard, about the storm, are you taking precautions.

“ Yes sir, we will be fine, you are aware, that we have been through storms before said Joshua.

“ I know, said Justice, “but it has always been with me and your mother.”

“ We will be fine, I will check on Jamie every day, don’t worry.”

“ I love you Joshua, you are a good son and great brother,” said Justice, holding back tears.

“I love you too Pops,” said Joshua, smiling, “ and turn of the water works, your too old for that.”

As Justice, hung up the phone, he realized, that he wasn’t trusting God to protect his sons.

A few days later, the weather channel, said the storm had been upgraded to a category 3. It will bring lots of rain and high gusty winds.

“I will go by church, this evening to light a candle for my boys,” said Justice in his heart.

When I got home, it was late breaking news on all the stations, that Hurricane David, had come ashore as a Category 5, and there were wide devastation.

“ Have you heard from the boys today,” I asked Alicia.

“ I spoke to them, yesterday, but they told me, that the power company was shutting down the power. They said they will call me, as soon as the power comes back on.

It’s been two days now, and still no communication from our sons. I told Alicia, that I was going to North Carolina tomorrow.

Finally, the phone rang, it was Jaime's number.

“ Jaime, thank God, son how are you? Shouted Justice.

“ This is Dr. Matthew, from Raleigh General, is this Mr. Browne? We regret to inform you that your son, Jaime Browne died two days ago. We finally charged his cellphone, and we found your number. Also, we regret to inform you that your other son Joshua Browne died this morning.

Chapter 2

“The Lord giveth, and the Lord take it away, blessed be the name of the Lord,” said Justice.

It was a bright and sunny morning, three weeks later, when I buried my boys. How could a day be so beautiful, when my children will never see it again! It’s like the world is mocking me. I am numb, I am on autopilot. I am doing everything that needs to be done, without any emotions.

I flew to North Carolina, to officially identify the boys. I had to make arrangements, to bring them home. I had to pick out the coffins. I had to decide their burial clothes. I had to choose the photos and songs for the obituary. My boys were altar boys and a part of the youth group, so every body wanted to play a role in the funeral service. There were such an outpouring of sympathy, I had to make sure they were acknowledged. Instead of two individual plots, I chose one. Joshua at the bottom, and Jaime on top.

Because, they were inseparable, growing up, they were together when they died. Joshua roommate told us, that when the storm got upgraded, Joshua decided to go and stay with Jaime. However, the storm had produced several tornadoes, and one of them had flatten Jaime’s dormitory. Jamie, the coroner believed died instantly, and Joshua died three days later.

Alicia grief is inconsolable, she is heavily medicated, I don’t know what to do. I just have to be strong, for her and my sons. My head says there are gone, my heart says they are here, and there is no reconciliation. As an accountant, this should be easy.

Just as the sun rises each morning, I must do the same. Everyone is remarking on my strength. I told them, it’s not me, but the Lord. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

A month later, I returned to work full time, Alicia is turning the corner, she is off the sedatives. She is still profoundly sad, but that is to be expected, and she has me.

“ Mr. Browne, here are the papers, you wanted,” said Sheila my secretary.

“ Mr. Browne, Mr. Browne,” Sheila is frantic now. The last thing I heard her screaming was Call an ambulance!!

Chapter 3

Two weeks later, I woke up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

I had suffered a massive stroke, I was totally paralyzed on my left side The doctors told Alicia, that my recovery will be long. Not only will I need a physical therapist, but a speech therapist as well. Another, prognosis, was that I may never fully recovered, and be a shell of a man. All of my physicians were in agreement with that!

Alicia, brought me home three weeks later. The house was completely transformed. There were ramps for my wheelchair. My study, became my hospital room. Because, I couldn’t swallow on my own, I had a drip in my arm, I was also feed intravenously, I also had to use a catheter. My care also included 3 private nurses on shifts.

Alicia had spared no expense.

My first visitor, was my oldest and dearest friend Greg Henfield, he was also my boys godfather.

“ I am sorry Justice, first the boys, now this, I have known you all my life, I can’t believe this is happening to you, you were a Saint living amongst us! What did you do, to make God so angry,” he said.

Thank God, I couldn’t speak or move, I would have kicked him out.

Next, visitor, was my lawyer, Charles Powell, “ I think you should sell your business, seeing that you have no longer have heirs, and you and Alicia can live a comfortable life, with the proceeds,”he said.

Blood in the water, thought Justice, the sharks are circling.

Finally, my father-in-law, Wilfred Dean, came. I loved him like a father. “ My daughter, can’t take anymore, first her children, now you, this is to much for her. I told her to sell your businesses and shares, and put you in a nursing home and take care of herself,” he said.

“What about our vows?” I wanted to scream, “ for better or worse, sickness and in health.”

Alicia, took his advice, she sold everything, but she didn’t leave me.

Laying in that bed day in and out, with only my thoughts. Why God, I am a good person, you took my boys, my health, my work, my friends and family. Why me?

I wish I never was born, I wish I was like a stillborn child, who never saw light. Why did you bless and then take away. I pour out my complaint and bitterness day unto day.

Until one day, The Lord Spoke!

Chapter 4

“ Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

“ Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.“ Where were you, when I laid the foundations of the earth? Who determined it’s measurements? Surely you know!

Then Justice answered ,” I know that you can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from you. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You, therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes.

Justice didn’t realized, that he was speaking. He had gotten, his speech back. Praise the Lord.

Over, the next few months, with the help of his therapists, he regained the strength and the mobilty of his limbs. Justice Fritzgerald Browne made a full recovery and discovery.

“ Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him!” Justice said.

Alicia, had kept the life insurance benefits of the boys. With that money, he was able to purchase 10 grocery stores. And the a year later, Alicia gave birth to twin girls, Hannah, and Annah. Double grace and favor!

Justice, lived to see his children’s children.

And God bless Justice's latter, greater than his former!

The End

“

#spiritual #god #faith #hope #story #religion

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xtruss · 4 years ago

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ANIMALS

Releasing a Caught Fish Isn’t as Simple as Tossing it Overboard

For a better chance of survival, use these techniques.

— By Capt. Spud Woodward/Sportfishing Mag | February 11, 2020 | Popular Science

Anglers release an astounding number of fish each year. Knowing how best to ensure their survival is key. Adrian E. Gray

This story originally featured on Sportfishing Magazine

Thanks to a burgeoning conservation ethic, many saltwater anglers choose to release their catches. Others do so because of fishery-management rules, or because it’s required in tournament regulations. As a result, anglers release many, many saltwater fish every year. But just how many?

In my home state of Georgia, anglers released more than 1 million red drum during 2018, according to the Marine Recreational Information Program. For the entire United States, that number climbs to 18 million redfish released. The MRIP estimate for the number of released fish of all species during 2018 is an astounding 605 million.

While we optimistically believe that most of these fish survive, the reality is much more complicated.

Multiple factors, often combined, determine the fate of a released fish, such as how the fish was caught and handled, the fish’s environment, and ecological conditions—including predation. These interactions are unique to each species and situation.

Given the importance of the angler in this complex interaction, biologists and regulators have expended much effort to develop guidelines for catch-and-release fishing. These angling best practices, when used, markedly increase post-release survival. For many years, these methods remained simple and were based on common sense, such as handling a fish with wet hands.

Today, after hundreds of studies evaluating the effects of everything from hook type to handling devices, these best practices have evolved. The studies validate the benefits of some well-known techniques yet reveal that some methods and behaviors are more harmful than once believed.

The Point of the Matter

Hooking injury is considered a primary cause of post-release mortality. Ideally, a fish should be hooked in or around the immediate area of the mouth—lip, tongue, jaw hinge—or just inside the oral cavity. Most lures with single or treble hooks achieve that outcome. However, treble hooks also can injure a fish’s eye or result in foul-hooking.

Tuna Hooked With Circle Hook

Using circle hooks, when applicable, is one of many best practices anglers can follow to help improve the survival of released fish. Jason Arnold / jasonarnoldphoto.com

Conventional J hooks, when used with natural or synthetic scented baits, can be swallowed deeply into the throat or digestive tract. Pulling on a hook lodged in such a location can cause injury to the heart, liver, gill arch, kidneys, stomach and intestines. Attempts to remove the hook only increase the severity of such injuries.

Research backs up the long-standing belief that removing hooks that are not easily accessible in the mouth region should be avoided. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in its guidance for fishermen, references an agency study that showed four of 12 deep-hooked snook died when anglers removed embedded hooks, compared with zero mortality when leaders were cut and hooks left intact. Fish can dislodge, expel or simply render a hook inert, especially if it’s made of a material such as bronze, which degrades quickly from the combined effects of salt water and the fish’s body chemistry.

Happily, the number of deep-hooked fish has declined dramatically in recent years due to the revival of an ancient hook design. When rigged and used properly, circle hooks penetrate the lip or jaw-hinge area, causing minimal anatomical damage yet producing a strong connection point. Furthermore, studies show that inline circle hooks—those having the point aligned with the shaft—prove most effective at reducing deep-hooking.

In a 2007 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources study, researchers compared the performance of a J hook, an offset circle hook and an inline circle hook used on subadult red drum. Inline circle hooks attached in the jaw, tongue or inside of the mouth area in 90 percent of the fish. Offset circle hooks resulted in mouth- or jaw-hooking 80 percent of fish, and J hooks, 60 percent. Inline circles also generated the lowest rate of subadult mortality: 2 percent. Researchers found similar results with adult red drum, where the circle hook performed better than the J hook.

Despite these conservation benefits, circle hooks don’t work in every angling situation. When J hooks are needed, anglers should opt to use the smallest size—in length, width and wire diameter—to minimize fish injury. They should also consider barbless versions because removing a barbed J hook usually takes longer, thereby increasing handling time.

Time Matters

Fish lead active lives chasing prey and escaping predators. At the same time, they must adapt to varying extremes in their environment. Every species has its physiological tolerances, but those tolerances have limits.

Once a hooked fish starts resisting, a stress response begins that can interfere with normal respiration and alter the fish’s body chemistry. The longer the duration of the stress response, the more likely there will be long-term or permanent negative effects.

Holding a Cobia

Research shows that holding fishes, particularly larger ones, horizontally and supporting their bellies improves postrelease survival. Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing

A 2010 Florida study compared several stress-indicator blood-chemistry parameters in subadult and adult tarpon caught on hook-and-line gear with that of tarpon resting at a holding facility. Experimental treatments included holding the hooked fish vertically versus horizontally, and exposing them to ambient air for 60 seconds compared with leaving them in the water. In this study, the duration of time between hooking and landing had more effect than handling time and method on stress-indicator levels.

A fight of even short duration can exhaust a fish, impairing its ability to evade predators and carry on with life as usual. Research has shown that a significant source of postrelease mortality in tarpon and bonefish is shark predation. The time needed to recover full function varies from species to species and can be greatly influenced by factors such as water temperature.

Holding a lethargic fish in the water with its head into the current can help accelerate its recovery. Once the fish resists, release it.

The take-home message: Choose tackle that allows you to bring the fish to hand in the least amount time yet provides for the enjoyment of successfully angling the fish. When I target adult red drum, I plan to have them to the boat in five minutes or less. If you choose to use light tackle for large fish, do so with the recognition that you’re consciously increasing the chances that the fish will perish.

Landing Gear

Once anglers subdue fish, they have a responsibility to release them in the most expedient manner. Some species can be more sensitive to the effects of handling than others.

In contrast to the 2010 study on tarpon, mentioned above, a 2016 Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences study showed that removing white marlin from the water and exposing them to air had a more pronounced effect than fight duration on postrelease survival for that species. Research also has revealed that warm air can quickly dry delicate gill filaments, causing them to become nonfunctional.

Landing Net With Fish

If you must capture a fish, using a knotless, coated-mesh landing Spud Woodward

If you choose to bring a fish into the boat before release, preferred options include the use of hands to lip grippers to landing nets—never gaffs. Wet, gloved hands or a handheld wet towel can effectively control small- to medium-size fish such as seatrout and bonefish but can be inadequate for larger, more vigorous animals. When using hands, always keep the fish in a horizontal position supporting its weight, and avoid any contact with the gills and eyes, which can be easily damaged.

Lip grippers, such as the BogaGrip, have steadily grown in popularity, but their design often tempts anglers to support the entire weight of the fish vertically. Research has shown that doing so can cause debilitating injury to mouth parts, internal organs and skeletal structure, especially for larger fish. When using grippers, support the fish’s weight with a hand under its abdomen.

A 2009 Australian study of barramundi (20 to 40 inches in length) handled with lip grippers provides some perspective. Researchers lifted 10 fish vertically without any additional support—all the fishes’ weight was supported by the mouth parts. Eleven were lifted in a horizontal position with a hand supporting the belly of the fish. Lifting fish using grippers without support increased the severity of mouth injury and altered the alignment of vertebrae, which did not return to normal for three weeks.

Landing nets, used frequently for small- to medium-size species, offer many advantages such as reducing fight time, controlling fish movement to allow for hook removal and preventing the fish from being dropped. Yet landing nets also can potentially harm fish by removing the protective mucus layer, dislodging scales and damaging fins.

Recognizing this, most net manufacturers offer a knotless rubber model, some with the further modification of a flat bottom to prevent fish from rolling in the net and damaging fins. Another study of barramundi in 2008 showed that a landing net of this design resulted in significantly less fin damage and abrasions when compared with a traditional knotted net.

Pressure Drop

Many species most prized by saltwater anglers live near the ocean bottom, sometimes in extreme depths. Granted, we usually pursue them as table fare, so catch-and-release is not typically the targeted outcome. But in today’s world of restrictions on size, quantity and season, releasing reef fish has become part of our new reality—as are the challenges of ensuring postrelease survival for an animal pulled up from 20 fathoms.

Species such as snappers and groupers have air bladders, which allow them to make fine-scale adjustments in their buoyancy. However, when we rapidly pull these fish from the seafloor to the surface, an uncontrolled expansion of their air bladders can cause barotrauma.

Bulging eyes suggest this bottomfish suffered barotrauma. This fish was kept, but if the goal is live release, leave it in the water rather than hold it vertically. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing

Most anglers know the symptoms: bulging eyes, stomach protruding from the mouth, a distended abdomen, and lack of equilibrium when returned to the water. When released, these fish can’t submerge, which makes them easy pickings for predators. In addition, prolonged barotrauma causes irreversible anatomical damage and extended physiological stress, often leading to death.

For many years, anglers have been advised to treat barotrauma in a fish by venting—puncturing its air bladder with a hollow needle. However, venting causes injury, creating additional stress and an opportunity for infection. If you choose to vent, be sure to do it properly. There’s no doubt venting beats simply discarding a fish with severe barotrauma, but there’s a better way.

An angler prepares to fasten a descending device to a Goliath grouper prior to release. Adrian E. Gray

Several devices on the market now allow anglers to lower the fish to depth, allowing it to recompress, alleviating the effects of barotrauma (visible and nonvisible). Additionally, these devices return fish to an environment of optimal conditions while hopefully bypassing some of those hungry predators. Collectively known as descending devices, these products have proved to increase postrelease survival in bottomfish.

In a 2015 Gulf of Mexico study, red snapper returned to the seafloor with a descending device fared better than fish that were vented or untreated. Survival rates for descended fish rose during summer, when sea-surface temperatures exceeded those at the seafloor. Research has also shown the benefits of descending devices for Pacific rockfish, reef fish in Australia and even walleye in freshwater lakes.

Descending devices hold such great promise for improving bottomfish survival that the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has requested the National Marine Fisheries Service make a rule requiring anyone who possesses or is fishing for snapper-grouper species have such a device on board. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, this requirement will go into effect sometime in 2020.

Choice or Law?

Fishery management and catch-and-release fishing succeed only when a high percentage of released fish survive. Thanks to years of study and on-water experiences, we now have angling best practices that, when followed, maximize survival chances. The quandary becomes whether to mandate the use of some or all of these angling best practices or to rely solely on voluntary compliance. Not surprisingly, angler opinion is divided.

Government entities, conservation groups and the marine industry invest vast sums of money and effort in promoting angling best practices. In some jurisdictions and fisheries, these government entities mandate the use of some types of tackle and gear or disallow certain activities.

For example, circle hooks must be used for billfish, sharks, reef fish, and striped bass in some areas and situations. Federal regulations prohibit marlin or sailfish from being removed from the water, if the fish won’t be kept. Florida law also forbids anglers from removing tarpon over 40 inches from the water.

Whether by choice or legal mandate, anglers have the responsibility to use best practices and to advocate their use to others. This might mean changing behaviors and postponing the catch of the next fish for the benefit of the one in hand. After all, a fish that survives after release is a potential future catch. And we are always looking forward to that next catch.

Tagging Tales

Determining the postrelease survival of fish caught on hook-and-line gear can be daunting. The study methods themselves—taking blood samples, marking, handling, confinement—can mask or amplify the effects of the catch.

Ideally, the fish should suffer the least amount of additional stress and be released into the same environment from which it was caught as quickly as possible. Oh, and yes, the scientist must be able to determine if the fish remains alive or dies during a minimum of 24 hours—and, ideally, for weeks, if not months.

This was once thought impossible, but not anymore, thanks to technological advances in batteries, microcircuitry and satellite communications. Acoustic telemetry and pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) have revolutionized scientists’ ability to document the fate of hook-caught-and-released fish.

In a 2015 North Carolina study, researchers used externally attached acoustic tags to document the fate of scamp, snowy grouper and speckled hind caught from depths of 200 feet and treated with a descending device. Previous knowledge suggested that any fish brought up from those depths perished. However, this study reported a 50 percent survival rate after 14 days, showing that recompression can increase postrelease survival in deepwater species.

PSATs have been used in multiple studies of billfish and tunas, species that are notoriously difficult to study with conventional methods. One such project using these tags on juvenile bluefin tuna revealed almost 100 percent postrelease survival, and concluded that the recreational catch-and-release troll fishery for school-size Atlantic bluefins does not represent a significant source of fishing mortality.

Best Practices

For more information about properly releasing fish, consult these resources:

fishsmart.org

releasense.org

myfishcount.com/bestpractices

fisheries.noaa.gov (search “catch-and-release best practices”)

myfwc.com (click on “saltwater fishing,” then “fish handling”)

About the Author: Capt. Spud Woodward retired in 2018 after 34 years with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources serving in various positions from senior biologist to division director. He is the vice chairman for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and a member of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

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belerencodex · 7 years ago

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Drakoverianism

Hallows

Below the rank of god in the Drakoverian system there are the Hallows, not properly divine beings, the hallows are dragons who have inspired a philosophy or ideology that persists throughout the world to this day. Hallows are most commonly followed by circles of devotees or homogeneous enclaves. Each hallow only offers one domain or two closely tied domains so clerics will often synthesize the ideas of one hallow with that of another hallow or one of the greater deities of the Drakoverian faith. The ideologies of the hallows it is worth noting are not inherently tied to any alignment, some may by their nature skew one direction or the other but an Uscan monk is not doomed to evil simply because of the evil of the white dragon who birthed the ideology that inspires their practice. Below are listed the most prevalent of the Hallows, over history there have been many more but these are in this age the most commonly found.

Enkan

The secrets of arcane magic have been sought and studied by many races across history, but since the last cataclysm the most pervasive core texts in the study of the arcane have been the Twenty-Nine Codices of Enkan. During the Orctide this powerful silver dragon traveled the world seeking to preserve the knowledge and magic of the lost races. She searched through ruined libraries and the decayed forums and monasteries of the ancient dwarves and elves and compiled her research into a series of manuals and histories. Now long passed on, Enkan is remembered among her silver dragon brethren as one of their greatest, in deep vaults carved out of the permanent glacial ice of the South Pole her great library is continuously curated and added to by her descendants.

The Silver Star of Enkan: In addition to her histories and manuals of wizardry Enkan also wrote several books defining her personal philosophy and beliefs in what makes a life fulfilled. These books have become the root of a philosophy popular among wizards and scholars. In her writings Enkan advocates the pursuit and preservation of knowledge as one of the highest callings possible. The practitioners of this brand of Drakoverian philosophy identify themselves as Enkannites and frequently use iconography of silver five or nine pointed stars. A schism exists between Arbanixian and Ruvoxian-Enkannites as to whether the pursuit of knowledge should be undertaken for the sake of society’s betterment or as a quest for personal discovery and power. Domains: Magic, knowledge

Rachnan

One of the only currently living hallows, the brass dragon Rachnan is an unwilling recipient of the worship and adulation of many within the desert metropolis of Ranak Oasis over which she rules. She uses her prodigious wealth to hire and finance adventurers across the Valley of Ib, creating a bulwark of safety and protection for the merchant caravans that cross her desert realm. Behind the scenes though her influence is far greater, she believes, and has inspired many by her belief, that by making the world better and easier to live in for the mortal races she can influence them to be kinder, holding that want is the root of most suffering. The ideology of Rachnan is based primarily on the foundational belief that the choice to be good must be made on an individual level without the force. Rachnani adherents are staunchly anti-slavery, anti-serfdom, and anti-authoritarian. They most value individual expression and self-determinism and hold tyranny and greed as some of the greatest causes of societal ill. While sometimes merchants and practitioners will craft elaborate and opulent works of art and idols in Rachnan’s image she does not support this practice, stories of her stripping out all the gold from the temples the people of Ranak Oasis build in her honor and using it to feed the poor and the hungry across the city are well known, her followers in the Crucible States for the most part as a result try to avoid such extravagance, instead carrying books of legends of her deeds or pocket sized brass figurines in her likeness if they carry any physical symbols of worship at all.

Rachnan’s Rescuers: As mentioned above, Rachnan is deeply anti-slavery, at her command no merchants of Kulvin or Yeth are allowed within her oasis city. She even at one point wrote a treatise on the evils of the practice. This text as well as tales of heroism and subterfuge undertaken by her agents have inspired the forming of a society of privateers, con-people, and anti-slavery activists with the goal of helping those born or sold into slavery in Kulvin to escape north. The actions of Rachnan’s Rescuers have helped hundreds of people over the years to escape servitude. Other devotees of Rachnan seek to support individual rights of people in their communities and combat the influence of greed and authoritarianism.

Domain: Liberation

Kybennox

Many stories from many perspectives are told of the life and deeds of the green dragon Kybennox. While undoubtedly they were a cruel and power-hungry creature who revelled in subjugating lesser races they also hold a very important place in history and the net effect of their actions may actually have come out to be a positive thing for the lesser creatures of Beleren. In the earliest days of what would come to be known as Rijan in later centuries, Kybennox came to hold great sway over the land and all of it’s beasts. Ever outward over the jungles and fertile grasslands, Kybennox sought to increase their domain as King of the Beasts and Trees. When the first humans arrived in Rijan they were tribal hunter-gatherers banging rocks together to make fire and brandishing bone and stone weapons, Kybennox saw them as yet another native beast of Beleren and took dominion over them. Under the command and tutelage of Kybennox humans learned how to tame and domesticate animals, to the most devoted the wyrm even offered secret knowledge on the ambient magics that make plants. The earliest Rijani humans continued to toil as involuntary but not necessarily unwilling subjects of Kybennox for centuries, but as they grew in complexity and power Kybennox began to grow crueler and more jealous until finally their paranoia overcame them and they laid waste to the first cities of Rijan, sparking revolt culminating in the slaying of Kybennox by the efreeti warrior Babur, who would come to rule over Rijan for another five hundred years. The legacy of Kybennox still is felt throughout the human realms, tales tell of the Crown of Kybennox, an artifact said to give the bearer dominion over animals.

Farmer-Priests: In the age of Kybennox’s rulership over humanity they commanded the building of several large stone tablets on which their teachings and philosophies were inscribed. In these tablets are directions on performing sacred rites to ensure good harvests, grow plants, and pacify wild animals. These instructions are interspersed with the musings of the dragon on the subject of rulership and draconic supremacy. Remarkably the ideology of Kybennox actually directly disagrees with the traditional notions of Ruvoxian global subjugation, in one passage the green wyrm reasons that to rule a pile of ash is to rule nothing. It is not enough for a ruler to hold the land in stasis, growth is the ultimate proof of supremacy. If a person would lay claim to a forest and the forest should wither then they’re a poor ruler. Beyond simply being the tools of druids and detached priests, the beauty of the rites of Kybennox is that they are in many ways simply the ritual performance of daily tasks of farming and wider agriculture. Kybennoxist farmers in reciting old incantations and singing old work songs in the passage of their day, perform the rites of Kybennox, such devotees can actually become clerics in this manner.

Domains: Plants, animals

Harmenzoon

The oldest living dragon in the world is also one of the most well known hallows. When tropical storms bring the rains to the coasts around Artan Bay, when sailors pass from Tuar to Kingsport without threat of kraken or aboleth, the power of Harmenzoon is felt. He has established dominion over a huge swath of the Pahka Ocean, the sea west of the Crucible States and Rijan. While Harmenzoon has not left his atoll home in centuries but many dragons from wyrmlings to adults prowl this territory, hunting fiendish sharks, sea serpents, and giant squids. In earlier days when the first human and undine sailors began following the currents and tradewinds from Rijan they learned of Harmenzoon’s protection and began writing songs of praise and getting dragon tattoos in his honor.

Secrets of the Pahkan Mariners: Harmenzoon’s rulership of the Pahka Ocean is undisputable, the very forces of nature bend to his will and at the call of his name. The sailors who cross the western tradewinds are not superstitious by simple paranoia. In the ancient draconic shanties, in the rhythmic daily chores of life at sea, there are interwoven rites of divine magic honoring Harmenzoon. Drakoverian mariners often will over time develop true magic, becoming clerics of Harmenzoon.

Domain: Oceans

Ourid

Dragons and dwarves seldom find friendship, which is a shame as both of them posess a particular appreciation for the artistry of metallurgy and craftsmanship. Over the first 2,000 years of Ourid’s life she witnessed two cataclysms that nearly destroyed the dwarvenkind. In secret she worked below the mountains of what is now called the Crucible States, creating vast subterranean cave structures and networks of caverns so large that they had their own winds and weather. These tunnels would become the refuge of the huddled survivors who would go on to become the dwarves now known throughout the Crucible States. Ourid was shy and didn’t wish to be lauded for her works. She didn’t reveal herself to the dwarves, instead they only discovered the source of the caverns with the legendary explorer Weihern the Caver finally tracked down her lair. Over time Weihern earned her confidence and friendship until she revealed to him the greatest gift she had to offer, in her exploration she had learned the lost arts of the ancient dwarves that allowed them to create adamantine. This secret method she taught to Weihern who brought it back to his people. Now armed with the un-matched power of adamantine the dwarves turned the tides against the Orcs. For two hundred more years Ourid taught dwarven smiths the art. As she did she also taught them secrets of the forge and the soul of metal. These teachings were collected into several texts arranged as epic poems weaving between Draconic and Ancient Dwarven.

The Ourid Codex: Ourid was a master of alchemy, without her much of the ancient knowledge of the process would have been lost. In one of the books she wrote in her twilight years she outlined dozens of alchemical recipes and processes as well as theories and stories about alchemicals she had only ever heard of or never learned how to make them. This codex is considered the foundation of alchemy throughout the Crucible States and have inspired many of the greatest alchemists since. Arkebus & Kannen, the co-inventors of black powder originally called the compound dragon dust but competitors trying to re-create it kept dying trying to procure dragon scales to grind to make dust out of and they felt compelled to dissuade this behavior as the compound contains no draconic bodyparts.

Domains: Artifice

Rothanna

At the core of everything Rothanna ever said is a simple rule, Survive. Survive to spite your enemies, slip your chains and defy death and danger. In the waning days of the Orctide, she was a disciple of Zahak, it was in fact she who would betray and fell the blue dragon. After slaying Zahak and stealing her treasure Rothanna was hunted, blue dragons sought revenge for their fallen comrade, at her former master’s direction she had committed many atrocities against the elves and dwarves and now without allies or friends they hunted her. Into secret hideaways in the lakelands of the Orumic Coast she fled, in these secluded climes she discovered the huddled tribes of the Garzghulan hiding away for fear, hunted just as she was. She taught them the philosophy of survivalism that had so long sustained her. She also taught them arts of warfare, dirty tactics using poisons and booby traps to level the playing field against greater foes. There is no record of her death, no one ever claimed to have bested her, it’s as if she simply vanished. If Rothanna is still alive though, she’s over 3,000 years old, a thousand years older than the oldest living dragon, Harmenzoon.

The Rothannan Avengers: This cabal of monks, rogues, fighters, and rangers have for centuries acted from the shadows. Wherever individuals bring suffering and strife to Garzghulan communities, the Avengers aren’t far behind. Their methods are as stealthy as they are deadly, many an enemy of the Garzghulan has been felled by unseen archers, strangled in their bed, poisoned at a feast, or crushed by a stone falling off a parapet.

Domain: Trickery

Usc

All dragons value power, but none have ever been quite so long-winded in their exultations of the virtues of strength and discipline. In life he pursued power and proof of his power unendingly. Forever and onwards he sought larger foes, in this endeavor he was at different points hero and foe to many of the lesser races, aligning himself forever with the group with whom he thought he could tip the scales. Usc warred and fought creatures of every realm and plane and bested almost all comers. He lost one arm to Zahak in a battle he fled from, a dwarven warrior three centuries later cleaved off one of his wings but he survived and travelled to the heavenly demiplane of High Hall and made the dwarven god of craftsfolk forge him a new one. Warriors of every background began to come to learn from the awesome power of Usc and it so stroked his vanity that he began to impart his own brand of simple, primal wisdom. The pursuit of greater strength, or perfection of being is an endless adventure, and the only one worth doing. Monks and clerics of usc continually seek to prove their mettle, often becoming anti-heroes of nearby communities they free from the fear of powerful enemies.

Motivation and Discipline: Among the sophists who follow the path of Usc there are those who seek to inspire others. With the demeanor of motivational speakers they try to enthuse people into trying to be more than they are now. More orthodox Uscan folk, and those inspired as well by Kybennox or Ruvoxin often take on a rigidly authoritarian ideology, truly holding that might makes right.

Domain: Strength

Zahak

Orcs have always been rare in the East, in modern times Grotari and Brigdeshi orcs sail as far as Yeth but their presence there is very light. The rebuke of the Orcs beyond the Bluedrake Mountains can be credited almost entirely to one figure. In the long forgotten age of the Orctide, when the vast and endless ranks of the demon bull Hunok’s horde washed over the world, destroying everything they met, breaking the idols of the dwarves and elves, enslaving halflings and gnomes and ending many of the cultures that had clung barely to life after the Astral War. But in the wide desert passes through which the Orcs tried to push their way east, they were rebuked by Zahak. The pure, un-matched genius of her military stratagems made her the ultimate foil to the powerful, numerous, and critically dim-witted orcs. Her armies were made up primarily of lesser dragons and the Sand Elves, they had been worshippers of the feywild and the animist gods of Elun. After being subjugated by Rothanna under Zahak’s command they became a well trained military machine. It was at this point that their scribes first began to write down the strategies utilized against the orcs. When she learned of this it so pleased Zahak’s ego that she summoned a trio of scribes called Ptah, Onuk, and Tepotana and had them record her lectures. This guide to warfare is known as the Art of War, it and it’s companion texts are considered the root of all military strategy utilized from Rijan to Cymrin.

The Blue Artisans: Zahak developed several martial arts styles designed around mastering martial arts, many of the traditional monk weapons are based on schematics and prototypes developed for use against the Orcs. These martial styles continued to develop after her death and for 1,400 years the Blue Artisans as a united organization acted as a mercenary war college, training the highest bidders in their techniques and building a small army of monks and fighters who would be integral to the later Human migration into modern Rakkonia, when they drove the hobgoblins underground and into the hills. Today though the Blue Artisans are scattered, enclaves still carry on the traditions of old but these schools often feud against each other over lengthy histories of betrayals, feuds, and bloody revenges.

Domain: War

#pathfinder #d&d #beleren #worldbuilding #drakoverianism #dragons

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twotravelinglanes-blog · 6 years ago

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When you wish upon a star

Two Traveling Lanes

When you wish upon a star

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you." How many of you of a certain age can hum that tune without thinking back to your childhood? Chances are, you grew up with "The Wonderful World of Disney" every Sunday night on the TV. It's aired almost without fail on broadcast TV weekly since 1954. The name changed occasionally, as did the types of movies and cartoons Disney aired, but that haunting theme song from Pinocchio was a regular in most opening scenes.

Disney is for more than kids. Daughter Julie and I go as often as we can.

The newest addition to Walt Disney World is Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios The song instantly transports me back to my family's white farmhouse in western Kentucky, where all seven of us kids would gather around the TV set and that haunting Disney melody while Mom cooked supper (yes, that's what we call dinner in the South) in the kitchen nearby. It was a bittersweet time. Sweet, because we got to see our favorite mousketeers and state-of-the-art Disney movies; sad, because the Sunday night blues were a reality, even for elementary school kids in the 1960s. Disney without children? Oh, the horror! When people -- mostly men, it seems -- ask why I still enjoy going to see the Mouse in Orlando every month or so sans children, I hearken back to those distant glimmers of childhood. My memories of Mickey, Minnie and the gang were a magical part of childhood, a fantasy I relived when my own children were born and I was re-introduced to the magic all over again. When I visit Disney World and hear that music and see the action characters I loved as a child, it reawakens an ancient part of my soul that otherwise would have been long lost to deadlines, health worries and laundry. Whether he's viewed in high definition or grainy black-and-white newsreels, Mickey has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. And when you grow up on a rural Kentucky farm, the magic he instills lasts a lifetime. Some might argue Disney is even better without kids. If you've ever dragged a 2-year-old on a hot, day-long adventure outdoors, you probably remember the temper tantrums and frequent meltdowns. When's the last time that happened to an adult friend of yours? If you answered "recently," you might wanna find a new friend circle. Perhaps that's why I see people 20 years my senior still lolling about the theme parks, gathered at spots where they play old 1950s-era cartoons and display vintage memorabilia. If you're lucky, you never outgrow the kid in you, even if it manifests only at Disney.

Teresa and daughter Julie love all things Mickey More to Disney than kiddie rides Though you may not be interested in roller coasters or sitting through the 20th viewing of "It's a Small World," there are plenty of places to enjoy Walt Disney World as a grownup without children in tow. Here are my favorites, in no particular order: Shows and musicals. Just watching a few live shows each time you visit the parks more than pays for your ticket, considering the cost of stage shows elsewhere. We caught Hollywood Studios' Fantasmic! performance recently and found it an awe-inspiring mix of fireworks, music and live action featuring nearly every Disney character in the story book.

Few things in life spark as much joy as seeing this sign. We caught part of a nightly Star Wars spectacular at the same park, and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage remains one of my favorites at Hollywood Studios. Festival of the Lion King is a roarin' good time at Animal Kingdom. These just skim the surface. A quick glance on the Disney app shows dozens of daily stage shows at the four parks.

Cinderella's Castle is gorgeous at Christmas time Parades and fireworks: Every park stages a nightly grand finale of sorts, whether it's the Electrical Water Pageant at Magic Kingdom or the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot. I don't usually stake out a spot for hours like some guests, but do try to snare a spot 15 minutes or so before the show to ensure I can see more than a tree limb. Magic Kingdom also has a nightly fireworks show at 8 p.m. that can be seen from everywhere. Concerts: Disney spares no expense in bringing big-name acts to its parks, usually Epcot. That's the park that features seasonal specials like the International Flower & Garden Festival, Food & Wine Festival and Arts Festival. Looking at the upcoming lineup for March through June 2019, we'll get to see Journey former lead singer Steve Augeri, the Marshall Tucker Band, Night Ranger, Ambrosia, Rick Springfield, Air Supply and Christopher Cross, to name a few. At the annual arts festival in February, Broadway singers perform in sunny Orlando while snow blankets New York.

You'll see giraffes and more on the Kilimanjari Safari tour at Animal Kingdom Animals: One of my favorite attractions at any of the parks is Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you ride in an open-air Jeep of sorts through land with free roaming lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras and more. Disney has created a 110-acre wildlife reserve that's home to 34 species living in picturesque open plains, shady forests and rocky wetlands. I've taken the 18-minute tour several times and each time I see a different animal up close. I'd like to go back after dark to see the savanna animals in a whole new light. Night travel was once off limits to visitors, but Disney recently installed lighting to mimic the setting sun and rising moon, giving you a rare glimpse into animals' nocturnal behavior. Epcot's World Showcase: You can travel around the world to 11 countries with a short stroll around the World Showcase Lagoon. You'll think you're actually in China, Norway and Italy with the attention to detail Disney has put into recreating these countries at home. Eat some Mexican cuisine before

We enjoyed an authentic Belgian waffle and other international cuisine at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival cruising down the Rio Grande. Watch a 360-degree, Circle Vision movie of China and Canada, or watch a live stage show about the American experience. Epcot also ventures to space and undersea with its rides and large aquariums filled with sharks, sea turtles and thousands of tropical fish. I could go on and on, and I usually do, but you get the picture.

This big-horned animal walked right by our safari vehicle Disney has waaaay more to love than just the time-honored Dumbo ride and swirling teacups. It has plenty for people of all ages, and that's probably why it's the No. 1 tourist destination in the world year after year. After all, toddlers don't make vacation plans. Adults do. Read the full article

#Disney #Disneyforadults #Disneyinspiration #DisneyOrlandotraveltips #Disneytravel #Disneywithoutchildren #SpecialeventsDisney #Travel

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kristablogs · 5 years ago

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Releasing a caught fish isn’t as simple as tossing it overboard

Anglers release an astounding number of fish each year. Knowing how best to ensure their survival is key. (Adrian E. Gray/)

This story originally featured on Sportfishing Magazine

While we optimistically believe that most of these fish survive, the reality is much more complicated.

The Point of the Matter

Using circle hooks, when applicable, is one of many best practices anglers can follow to help improve the survival of released fish. (Jason Arnold / jasonarnoldphoto.com/)

Time Matters

Research shows that holding fishes, particularly larger ones, horizontally and supporting their bellies improves postrelease survival. (Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing/)

Holding a lethargic fish in the water with its head into the current can help accelerate its recovery. Once the fish resists, release it.

Landing Gear

Once anglers subdue fish, they have a responsibility to release them in the most expedient manner. Some species can be more sensitive to the effects of handling than others.

If you must capture a fish, using a knotless, coated-mesh landing (Spud Woodward/)

Pressure Drop

Bulging eyes suggest this bottomfish suffered barotrauma. This fish was kept, but if the goal is live release, leave it in the water rather than hold it vertically. (Doug Olander / Sport Fishing/)

An angler prepares to fasten a descending device to a Goliath grouper prior to release. (Adrian E. Gray/)

Choice or Law?

Tagging Tales

Read Next: U.S. Senators Cassidy and Jones Introduce DESCEND Act Companion

Best Practices

For more information about properly releasing fish, consult these resources:

fishsmart.org

releasense.org

myfishcount.com/bestpractices

fisheries.noaa.gov (search “catch-and-release best practices”)

myfwc.com (click on “saltwater fishing,” then “fish handling”)

About the Author

Capt. Spud Woodward retired in 2018 after 34 years with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources serving in various positions from senior biologist to division director. He is the vice chairman for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and a member of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

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scootoaster · 5 years ago

Text

Releasing a caught fish isn’t as simple as tossing it overboard

Anglers release an astounding number of fish each year. Knowing how best to ensure their survival is key. (Adrian E. Gray/)

This story originally featured on Sportfishing Magazine

While we optimistically believe that most of these fish survive, the reality is much more complicated.

The Point of the Matter

Using circle hooks, when applicable, is one of many best practices anglers can follow to help improve the survival of released fish. (Jason Arnold / jasonarnoldphoto.com/)

Time Matters

Research shows that holding fishes, particularly larger ones, horizontally and supporting their bellies improves postrelease survival. (Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing/)

Holding a lethargic fish in the water with its head into the current can help accelerate its recovery. Once the fish resists, release it.

Landing Gear

Once anglers subdue fish, they have a responsibility to release them in the most expedient manner. Some species can be more sensitive to the effects of handling than others.

If you must capture a fish, using a knotless, coated-mesh landing (Spud Woodward/)

Pressure Drop

Bulging eyes suggest this bottomfish suffered barotrauma. This fish was kept, but if the goal is live release, leave it in the water rather than hold it vertically. (Doug Olander / Sport Fishing/)

An angler prepares to fasten a descending device to a Goliath grouper prior to release. (Adrian E. Gray/)

Choice or Law?

Tagging Tales

Read Next: U.S. Senators Cassidy and Jones Introduce DESCEND Act Companion

Best Practices

For more information about properly releasing fish, consult these resources:

fishsmart.org

releasense.org

myfishcount.com/bestpractices

fisheries.noaa.gov (search “catch-and-release best practices”)

myfwc.com (click on “saltwater fishing,” then “fish handling”)

About the Author

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pharr-away · 6 years ago

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Disney | A Day in the Parks

If you're planning a trip to Disney, there are so many options to consider depending on when you'd like to go, the age of the children you're taking, how much money you'd like to spend and more. More than anything, I wanted us to just enjoy ourselves, have as much fun as possible and fit in as much as we could. With that said, I planned it so that we'd visit one park per day, and try to hit some of the popular attractions.

ALSO READ: Disney | Planning & Costs

We visited three parks during our trip; Magic Kingdom on Day 1, Hollywood Studios on Day 2, Epcot on Day 3 and back to Magic Kingdom on Day 4. Below are some of the highlights from each day to give you a feel for how we managed with our two young girls.

Day 1 | Magic Kingdom

We spent the first day in Magic Kingdom celebrating Madison’s 5th birthday. You can read all the details about that day here; Disney | Celebrating a Milestone Birthday.

Day 2 | Epcot

This was my husband’s favorite park. It’s definitely a park designed with adults in mind, but there is plenty of fun to be had by kids there as well.

We slept in after having a full day in Magic Kingdom the previous day.

Got dressed and headed to Epcot for lunch at the Coral Reef Restaurant. The food was so yummy! I’ll share details about all things food in a separate post.

We then headed to The Seas with Nemo and Friends to stop by the aquarium and exhibits in the area. We let the kids play a bit, look at all the fish, and take a picture with a shark!

Stopped by the Epcot Character Spot to meet with Mickey and pals to get autographs and photos.

Then we passed by Hiro and Baymax from Big Hero 6 because the cast from Inside Out was across from them and Madison was too excited to get to Joy and Sadness. Joy was a hoot, and I loved how Sadness was so into character yet somehow made us all laugh with her sad antics.

Afterwards, we left Future World and made our way to visit the different countries in Epcot's world showcase that are positioned in a full circle, making up a large portion of the park. The circle is about 2.78 miles long. The first stop along the way yielded a hug from Pluto! The hubs had to have a picture with him as well. Ha!

We then took a trip through the base of an Aztec Pyramid via a Gran Fiesta tour and saw the Saludos Amigos show with Donald Duck and the Three Caballeros.

We passed by the performance of the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats on our way to Karamell-Kücheo to get a few sweet treats.

We then made our way back to the Frozen ride (which was broken down when we first went to get on)! At the time it was one of the more popular rides. Even the FastPass line was packed, but they got us through quickly. The setup for this ride was amazing and so much fun. Definitely one of my favorite rides at Disney.

We eventually made our way to an ice cream shop, L'Artisan des Glaces, so that we could sit and take a break.

We passed by Alice in Wonderland as we continued on our journey around the circle.

Finally, we came full circle and before we left we went to see a short film festival in 4D. We watched a history of Pixar shorts and a few Disney classics.

By the time all of the above was done, it was night time and Day 2 was complete. We stopped by a souvenir shop to grab a few items to remember the park by, then headed back to the resort to rest up for the next day.

Day 3 | Pool Day + Hollywood Studios

After two full days of fun and walking, we needed a bit of downtime, so we started this day at the pool, followed by a short trip to Hollywood Studios. This park is the place to go see some great shows, of course. It was a fun, laid-back day which was just what we all needed.

Another day of sleeping in, because vacation!

We got up, grabbed lunch and went to the resort's pool area. It was so beautiful, with a wading pool, sprinklers, playground area, and the set up of the space was like a scene out of Finding Nemo; so pretty and full of color.

We took our time at the pool, then got changed to head to the park.

We got to Hollywood Studios around 3pm.

First stop was a visit with Olaf! Followed by a visit in Animation Courtyard to see Disney Junior Pals, Sophia the First, Jack from the Netherland Pirates and Doc McStuffins.

We then went to a show Disney Junior - Live on Stage! I loved how interactive the show with bubbles and confetti during the show, as they switched out the stage seamlessly to go from one Disney show set to another.

Afterward, we went to see Voyage of The Little Mermaid live. This show was so good and interactive as well. You could feel the water at times, and I just loved how they brought some of the characters to life in this show.

Lastly, we went to see For the First Time in Forever - A Frozen Sing-a-Long Celebration. It was truly like a comedy show, so funny and good.

On the way out of the park, we stopped by a souvenir shop and grabbed an electric bubble maker to take home with us. This is one of the kids’ favorite toys to date!

Day 4 | Magic Kingdom

This was our very last day in the park and the last day before we headed home.

We got up bright and early to make the most of it!

We had a character breakfast in the park at the Crystal Palace. I loved the buffet here and it was so much fun having the characters from Winnie the Pooh stop by. They did a fun dance line during the breakfast and Madison was absolutely giddy with excitement.

Once we were done with breakfast, we made our way to see Princess Tianna and Rapunzel, two of Madison’s favorites.

We then took a Jungle Cruise, which was a good sit down, tonge-in-cheek adventure for our tired feet.

Mario and Madison road a few rides and went on a few adventures without me, while I took Morgan to a Baby Nursing station for a break.

We met back up at the castle then made our way to the Mad Tea Party, spinning teapots.

Eventually, we made our way to see the Festival of Fantasy Parade and found us a sweet spot to view the procession of floats full of all of our favorite characters.

Mario rode on Space Mountain with Madison and I later rode on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with her. She admitted she didn't enjoy either, lol. Hopefully, she'll start to enjoy rollercoasters as she ages.

We road several other rides, including Under the Sea ~ The Little Mermaid ride, again and again.

As it got dark, we headed to a dance in Tomorrowland at the Incredibles Super Dance Party.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without seeing the famous fireworks show, An Evening of Fairytales, in which some of our favorite Disney movies were projected over the palace as Disney character's graced the castle stage.

So there you have it. We all definitely had the time of our lives at each park. Completely tired and incredibly happy after all was said and done.

Things to Consider

FastPass

This was our friend. Without FastPass we could not have ridden as many rides as we did each day. I highly, highly, highly recommend doing your research on this and MaxPas to determine how to fully utilize this feature to maximaze your time in the parks.

Hollywood Studios - Toy Story Land

Toy Story Land was added this year (2018) and I'm looking forward to seeing what this area is all about. I love the Toy Story trilogy and I can only imagine how fun they've made this space. Can't wait to check it out!

Animal Kingdom

As some may have noticed, I skipped out on visiting the fourth Disney Park, Animal Kingdom, and I totally regret it. When I was planning, I kept thinking it would be like visiting a zoo and since we've had the zoo experience a time or two I didn't think it was worth our time. Boy, was I wrong (so I've heard). The more and more I talk to Disney moms and research further, the more I regret missing out on this park. It'll be one of the first parks we visit when we head back to Disney, and I'm looking forward to visiting the Pandora (Avatar) area and going on a safari ride while there.

I hope you've found this play-by-play of our days in the parks helfpul. As you can see, there's so much that can be packed into each day, and each park offers so, so much more than what I've shared here. We've only cracked the surface of the adventures to be had at Disney. This is why families are able to visit again and again, year after year.

Our next trip to Disney can't happen soon enough!

---

As always, Live Fully

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mumbaicoworking · 6 years ago

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40+ Fascinating Things To Do in Mumbai

1) Play at Smaaash

Smaaash is located all over India. But here in Mumbai, it is situated in Lower Parel. Hi-tech virtual reality games – only VR entertainment area in the city. Or get bowled by likes of Malinga and Shane Warne. All services available under one roof- Food, Games, Music & Party. Just like Miley Cyrus you’ll be singing “Can’t stop won’t stop” and Smaaash’s tagline is just that: “Can’t stop playing”.

This is one of the first things to do in Mumbai.

Location: Smaaash, Kamala Mills Compound, Gate No. 4, Lower Parel, Mumbai, 400 013

Hours: Monday to Friday: From 1 pm to 1 am; Saturday to Sunday: From 12 pm to 1 am

Contact Details:+91 992 008 8333

2) Haji Ali

The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and dargah (tomb) located on an islet off the coast of Worli in the southern part of Mumbai. Near the heart of the city proper, the dargah is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Mumbai. People come all over from the world to visit this place. It is said that people who wish something inside this tomb, get their wish granted.

So either visit, if you’re a believer or just visit for the picturesque view of the sea.

Location: Dargah Rd, Haji Ali, Mumbai, Maharashtra

3) Dhobi Ghat

How can you not visit Dhobi Ghat? Dude, Aamir Khan made a movie about it which makes this place one of the things to do in Mumbai. This 140-year-old dhobi ghat (a place where clothes are washed) is Mumbai’s biggest human-powered washing machine: every day hundreds of people beat the dirt out of thousands of kilograms of soiled Mumbai clothes and linen in 1026 open-air troughs. The best view is from the bridge across the railway tracks near Mahalaxmi train station.

Location: 1, Anandilal P Marg, Dhobi Ghat, Shanti Nagar, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400011

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 8 PM

Contact Details: 098929 69283

4) Sardar Pav Bhaji

In medieval times, it was made for laborers as they have not much time with them and in a hurry, they put all the veggies n masala in the pot along with some sprinkle some seasoning and here’s Bhaji is ready. Today, it is available across India but some places offer really special food. You agree on that so it is Sardar’s PavBhaji. It is located near Mumbai Central Station, just a 5-minute walk. Hidden carefully behind the white barriers like a lady in veil but ask any passerby they will guide and you are on your target. You order your food and within minute’s two plates of steel will arrive, one will have vegetable masala bhaji with a dollop of butter on it and for the buns, they are fluffy enough to melt in your mouth. Just dig in and enjoy the delicacy of Mumbai.

Location: 66-A, 166-B, Tardeo Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400034

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 2 AM

Contact Details: 022 2353 0208

5) Chor Bazaar

‘Chor Bazaar, located near Bhendi Bazaar in South Mumbai, a place near Kamathipura’, is one of the largest flea markets in India. The area is one of the tourist attractions of Mumbai. The word chor means thief in Marathi and Hindi. Chor means a thief in Hindi, many years back, during the times of the British, this market was called as Shor Bazaar. Shor means noise in Hindi, as this used to be one of the noisiest flea markets of India. Eventually, stolen goods and second-hand goods started making their way into this market and the name changed to “Chor Bazaar” or the “Thieves Market”

Location: Mutton Street, Kumbhar Wada, Mumbai 400033, Maharashtra, India

Hours: No Fixed Timings, Open 24 Hours

How to reach Chor Bazaar Mumbai

Cab-(Google Maps – Grant Road Station Bridge To Chor Bazaar Via MaulanaShakaut Ali Road), Train

Book Now

6) Taraporewala

Taraporewala Aquarium is India’s oldest aquarium and one of the city’s main attractions. it hosts marine and freshwater fishes. The aquarium is located on Marine Drive in Mumbai. It was re-opened after renovation on March 3, 2015. Head there for a fun-filled family day. At Taraporewala Aquarium, there are 100 species of Marine and Fresh Water Fish including seven types of Coral Fish from the Lakshadweep Islands. Attractions include Sharks, Turtles, Rays, Moray Eels, Sea Turtles, Small Starfish, and Stingrays. Exhibits offer a glimpse of the variety of Marine life in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. There is also a room with Fossils and Preserved fish in Bottles, along with Rare Sea Shells.

This is one of the best things to do in Mumbai with your family.

Entry Fees: Kids – Rs 30 /- ( 3 To 12 years) Adults – Rs 60/-

Location: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Marine Drive, Near Charni Road Railway Station, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400002

Contact Details: 022 2282 1239

7) Crawford Market

Crawford Market is one of South Mumbai’s most famous markets. It was named after Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of the city. Although, not the only wholesale market of Mumbai, this place still gives the best deals compared to location shops and other places in western and central suburbs. The fun of purchasing items in cheaper deals and more options to select from is what this market is known for apart from its Heritage iconic looks. Apart from special Diwali and Christmas shopping, there are many more shops like plastic crockery, chocolates and pets, and birds sold too. The market is thriving from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am till 8:00 pm and best timings to visit here is Morning and afternoon between 3:30 – 4:00 pm. So even if you’re broke, you’ll not go home empty-handed.

Location: Dhobi Talao, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Crawford is quite connected to CST station if coming from Central Mumbai Route and the nearest station for Western Railway route is ‘Marine Lines’ at just 10 to 15 minutes walking distance from railway station and 5 minutes by Taxi.

Contact Details: 096640 36423

http://www.crawford-market.com

8) Marine Drive

It ’s a 3 km long & six-lane road situated in south Mumbai area along the coast of the Arabian sea. This is a c-shaped road that joins Nariman point to Babulnath. Marine drive road is officially known as “Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road”. A large number of local as well as foreign tourists visit this place to enjoy the scenic beauty & soothing sea breeze. One can enjoy beautiful walkway and stunning sunset views at marine drive Mumbai. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Mumbai. Lots of people right from children to old people come to this spot to enjoy a calm walk & to see the beautiful sunset. It is a nice place to hang out with your family as well as with friends. The calm sea & tall buildings along the coast of a marine drive Mumbai are worth experiencing.

Location: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007, India

9) Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is an arch monument built during the 20th century in Bombay, India. The monument was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911. The Gateway is a favorite gathering spot for locals and a top place for people-watching. Giant-balloon sellers, photographers, vendors making bhelpuri (puffed rice tossed with fried rounds of dough, lentils, onions, herbs, and chutneys) and touts rub shoulders with locals and tourists, creating all the hubbub of a bazaar. In February/March, they are joined by classical dancers and musicians who perform during the Elephanta Festival. Boats depart from the gateway’s wharves for Elephanta Caves. This is one of the most visited places by people around the world which makes it one of the most important things to do in Mumbai.

Location: Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400001

10) Maska Bun (with Chai)

What will an ideal evening in Mumbai look like? A couple of friends sitting in a bakery enjoying bun-maska with a piping hot cup of chai. Bun Maska and chai for Mumbaikars is an emotion and a ritual that is being followed for many years. The typical bun is slightly sweet and is studded with raisins. It is cut in half and generously laden with dollops of butter and served with a cup of kadak chai. The best way to have it is to dip the bun into hot tea and savor every bite. The butter or maska on the bun is a mix of white butter and fresh cream. Where can you experience this emotion in the shape of an eatable? Restaurants like Yazdani Bakery, Café Irani Chai etc.

So grab your gang and head over to experience this wonderful delicacy.

Locations:

Yazdhani Bakery-

Address: 1, Horniman Circle, 11/11A, Cawasji Patel Rd, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400001

11) Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Love all things nature? Head on to the most visited National park of India. Spread across 100 km acres of land, Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the home to the most beautiful flora and fauna. You’ll be in awe of how wonderful nature really is. Chital (or spotted deer), rhesus macaque and bonnet macaque are some of the wild mammals that can easily be spotted roaming inside the park. Other large mammals found in the park are the black-naped or Indian Hare, muntjac (barking deer), porcupine, Asian palm civet, chevrotain (mouse deer), Hanuman or grey langur, Indian flying-fox, sambar deer, and leopard. One can also spot striped hyena or four-horned antelope. This is the best thing to do in Mumbai if you want some time in the greenery and bliss of nature.

So step out of chaotic city life and spend some time with Mother Nature, she’ll appreciate it.

Address: Mumbai-Gujarat Road, Borivali East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400066

Hours: Opens 7:30 AM

Phone: 022 2886 0389

12) Explore Film City

Most of the drama and cries of Bollywood mothers are shot here. Film City is an integrated film studio complex situated near Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Goregaon East, Mumbai in India. It has several recording rooms, gardens, lakes, theaters and grounds that serve as the venue of many Bollywood film shootings. Film City was shut down for visitors due to Leopard attacks but now it’s back is business.

So go see the action happen live and hopefully you’ll get to see your favorite stars there too.

Location: Address: Inside Dadasaheb PhalkeChitranagri Main Gate, Post Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400065

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 11:15 PM

Contact Details: 022-28401533 / 28403530 / 28497500

13) Juhu Beach

Sip on Golas (crushed ice with your favorite juice mixed with some chaat masala) or chomp on some chana masala(black chickpea salad with butter, selected veggies, and spices) while taking in the breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea, this beach is a must visit for all the beach lovers out there. So definitely add this to the must thing to do in Mumbai.

Location: Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

14) Anda Burji Near Cooper Hospital

It’s a small street food set up and has been running for over 25 years outside the landmark Cooper Hospital serving hot Egg Bhurji (a spicy Indianized version of scrambled egg with bread loaves) &PavBhaji (spicy mashed vegetables with bread loaves) and their multiple variants right off the stove. If you ask around for the Bhurjiwala in Juhu gully, be almost sure that you will be directed to this place. When you see it from a distance it looks like a small blink-and-you-miss place. But stop at it long enough and you know you will come back for more. For the joy of a rice version of the PavBhaji or anything to do with eggs, this place is a must visit and definitely the best things to do in Mumbai, and visit again and again just to try everything on the menu.

Location: Mangal Jyot Building, CD Barfiwala Road, Vile Parle West, Mumbai.

Hours: Open from 6:45 pm

Contact Details: 093247 06250

15) Live Music @ Novotel

The Sunday brunch or mid-week dinner at the Novotel scores points for its fabulous poolside and seaside setting. Dine on a diverse range of Indian and international cuisine at The Square café with some live music in the background. Grab an outdoor table if possible. And, why not stay on for the sunset over the ocean? Gadda da Vida, the hotel’s bar, has happy hours from 4-8 p.m. and is the perfect spot. The best things to do in Mumbai if you want some good music and dinner with your bae.

Location: Balraj Sahni Rd, Juhu Beach, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049

Contact Details: 022 6693 4444

16) Amazing Escape Room

The Amazing Escape will intrigue, entertain and delight you with vivid stories, complex puzzles, and fascinating challenges. How to play? Book one of their games(plenty to choose from), show up before time, listen to the pre-briefing, get yourself locked for 60 minutes and solve the puzzles given and have an amazing experience indeed.

Location: 101, 1st Floor, Durolite House, Near Citi Mall, Opposite Tanishq Showroom, Above All The Plus Size Store, New Link Road, Andheri West. Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053

Contact Details: +91 77100 00808; 022 49722888

17) Trampoline Park

Get your inner child out with this trampoline park. Slam dunk your daily worries away and jump away to glory. They provide bookings for birthday parties etc. So go visit that child version of yourself again, it misses you. One of the most unique things to do in Mumbai.

Location: B-62, SR 41 A, 1st Floor, Shreyas Industrial Estate, Off New Link Road, Next to Oberoi Springs, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 9 PM

Contact Details: 022 4972 8882

www.letsplayparty.in

18) Amar Juice Center

One of the busiest restaurants in town that people wait in line to have food from this place. Famous for various dishes like PavBhaji, Dosasetc, visiting this food joint is a must thing to do in Mumbai. Best time to visit would be after the sunset and just around dinner time which is 8 pm which goes on till peak midnight.

So go, it’s definitely worth the wait.

Location: No.3, Gulmohar Road, Beside Cooper Hospital, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400056

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 1:30 AM

Contact Details: 022 2624 791

19) Iskcon Temple

“Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare”

The melodious chants of this supreme mantra will surround your soul once you are in the abode of this serene temple. It has the power to ward off evil and destruction. You will find devotees swaying with there arms up in the air, lost in the holy rhythm, spiritually connected and cherishing their emotional bond with Lord Krishna during the Aarti. It’s the best thing to do in Mumbai because you get to see people’s faith and that which is so beautiful to experience.

Location: Hare Krishna Land, Juhu Church Road, Juhu, Mumbai – 400049, Maharashtra

Contact Details: 022 2620 6860

http://www.iskconmumbai.com

20) Watching a play at Prithvi Theatre

The name of the place was a tribute to the late actor Prithviraj Kapoor. The main trustee was the late Shashi Kapoor and his wife Jennifer Kapoor. Prithvi Theatre has shows every day of the year (closed Mondays), hosts an annual Summertime programme of workshops and plays for children, the Memorial Concert on 28 February, an annual Theatre Festival in November, and many partnership programmes promoting language, poetry, international cinema & documentaries, performing arts – which are free to the public. Go support the local artists, it won’t cost you a penny. Best thing to do in Mumbai after watching the play would be grabbing a bite to eat at Prithvi Cafe. Its wonderful decor will make you want to stay a bit longer and the food is lip-smackingly tasty. Famous for the parathas and chicken cheese nachos, it makes it a must visit.

Location: 20, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400049

Contact Details: 022 2614 9546

21) A Bar Called Life

Replacing the Villa 69 in Juhu is a swanky new place, A Bar Called Life, that opened its doors just a while back. Owned by the same management, the restaurant sees more than just a name change. From the menu to the interiors, every bit has been given a makeover, and what a makeover it is.

So, head to this place for your next party and rest assured, they will take good care of you, provided you are above 25. One of the best things to do in Mumbai if you’re a nocturnal animal.

Location: 30, C/O Paradise Banquets, Opposite Juhu PVR Cinemas, Next to ATS Office, Juhu Circle, Devle Road, Juhu, Mumbai – 400049

Hours: 6 pm to 1:30 am (closed on Monday)

Contact Details: +91 22 2620 0122

22) Mount Mary Church

For over a hundred years situated atop a hillock near Lands End Bandra, overlooking the Arabian Sea is Mount Mary’s Basilica a beautiful edifice in stone that simply stands out in its grandeur, an abode of tranquility, peace, reassurance, and hope. Best time to visit would be in the month of September. Because the ‘Bandra Fair’ or the ‘Feast of Mount Mary’ is a week-long celebration held every September at the Mount Mary Church. And the entire church area is lit up with lights, devotees and believers all across the city come to offer their gratitude and light candles in the shape of a house, car, babies, etc. to symbolize what they really want in their life. This makes it one of the must things to do in Mumbai.

Have faith and do visit this place, it’s truly magical. If you believe in it.

Location: Mt Mary Rd, Bandra West, Mount Mary, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Contact Details: 022 2642 3152

www.mountmarybasilicabandra.in

23) Dharavi

Situated in the center of Mumbai and characterized by its heart shape when viewed from above, Dharavi is commonly referred to as ‘The Heart of Mumbai.’ And sure enough, it’s not difficult to see why it’s been honored with such a title. What earns Dharavi its title as ‘the heart of Mumbai’ is not it’s economic contributions nor is it its physical shape. Dharavi deserves this title because of the people that live within its walls.

Visiting this place is one of the must things to do in Mumbai because it shows that people even who barely have any proper means to survive are happier and living their lives fully. It’s needed for us to see this because of the consumerist society of ours which always makes a person want more and more. As Jim Carrey famously said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”

Location: Dharavi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400001, India.

24) Bandra Fort

Previously known as Castella de Aguada, Bandra Fort was built in 1640 by the Portuguese. This fort which is home to rich history, today happens to be popular with fitness enthusiasts. If you have been trying to get fit and are a solo ranger like me, Bandra Fort can play a wonderful accomplice in your plans. Apart from being a tourist attraction, it’s also home to a stair-cased park that is perfect for toning those muscles and burning off some fat. One of the best things to do in Mumbai if you want to look over the sea and look at the wonderful architectural magic that is the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Location: Byramji Jeejeebhoy Road, Bandstand Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400050.

Hours: Monday-Sunday 6 AM–6:30 PM

Book Now

25) Shopping at Linking Road, Bandra.

This place is a must visit for people who are shopaholics like me but don’t want to burn a hole in their pockets. Linking Road is famous for the colorful and cheap shoes, bags and fashion accessories which are sold there. Street shopping is the best kind of shopping because you get so much variety in so little money. So go ahead and treat yoself, without being a broke bunny.

Location: The road starts from S.V Road in Bandra and continues to Khar, and extends beyond this towards Santacruz and Juhu in the north of the city. R.D National College is situated on Linking Road.

26) AB Celestial

108 permissions, 3 years and she finally made it! Let’s welcome Mumbai’s first floating restaurant, AB Celestial. Waiting stylishly for you at the Bandra end of the sea link. Serving continental food fronting mesmerizing view of city skylines, Sunset and Bandra Worli Sea link all being inside the Arabian sea. This is the perfect place to be and the best things to do in Mumbai, take your bae to/or go with a couple of friends and enjoy the night away.

Location: 500 Meters behind The Bandra-Worli Sealink Toll Plaza, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Hours: Opens 6 PM

Contact Details: 098193 30023

27) Mahim Dargah

Mahim Dargah, also known as Makhdoom Ali Mahimi Dargah. It is managed by Pir Makhdum Saheb Charitable Trust and the officials have been hosting qawwals from across the country. The Qawwali that starts after the evening prayers at 7.30 pm goes on until 10 pm. The Qawwalis resonates with your soul and rejuvenate you.

Location: 24/B, HMA Faqir St, Al Hussain Cooperative Housing Society, The Mahim Makarand CHS, Mahim West, Mahim, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400016

28) Siddhivinayak Temple

Ganesha is the first to be worshipped before beginning any new project or venture as he is the destroyer of obstacles (Vighnaharta). This is Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple at Prabhadevi in Mumbai, a two-century-old Temple that fulfills the desires of the worshipers. The city of Mumbai is a mute witness to places of worship & historical interest, which are not only popular but also of archaeological importance. Beautifully carved with the idols dressed up for every aarti (daily procession), devotees from all over come to offer their prayers and seek blessings. Makes it one of most blessed things to do in Mumbai.

Location: SK Bole Rd, Prabhadevi, Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400 028.

Contact Details: 022 2437 3626

www.siddhivinayak.org

29) Ashok Vada Pav Stall

It’s a huge crime to eat Vada Pav elsewhere other than Mumbai streets. And it definitely has to be Ashok VadaPav, popularly known as the Kirti College Vada Pav in Mumbai. You’re missing out delicious street food if you’re not trying it. Run by Ashok Thakur, the stall open from 11 am to 9:30 pm attracts a large number of people who come daily to eat their favorite snack at the stall. For Rs15 per vada pav, Thakur and his employees sell thousands of vada pavs per day. Various celebrities swear by this delicious bun filled with spicy potato fritter such as Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, Shabana Azmi, Sonu Nigam and Sushmita Sen have gone to the stall and eaten. So what are YOU waiting for?

Location: Kashinath Dhuru Marg, Dadar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400028

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 9 PM

Contact Details: 099205 55113

30) Shivaji Park

One of the largest parks in Mumbai, Shivaji Park is situated in Dadar. A popular hub for political and social meetings, this park holds great historical and cultural significance since before India got independence. It has well-laid pathways, lined with towering trees on either side, which are ideal for leisure walks. This park is also famous among cricket lovers and has been a training ground for many famous international cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Vinod Kambli. One of the best things to do in Mumbai if you’re a Cricket fanatic.

Location: Opposite Mayor’s bungalow, Dadar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400028.

Hours: Open 24 hours

31) Kamala Mills Nightlife

The mills of Mumbai, which were once famous for churning out the most amount of business in the city, are now home to the best nightlife spots in Mumbai. Kamala Mills Compound is the undisputed leader when it comes to bars and eateries. Offers plenty places to choose from. So are you planning to hit the clubs this weekend? Head over to Kamala Mills for a night to remember.

Location: Kamala Mills Compound, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400013

32) AER Lounge

Comes under the roof of Four Seasons Hotel that has carved its special place in the hospitality industry. The luxurious lounge leaves you amazed with its calmness that you crave for in the midst of city commotion. It is an ideal place for people who can take those big shots and dive into the signature collection of drinks. The amazing rooftop gives you a splendid view of the city and takes you one step closer to it. An addition to the platter is delectable finger food that gives you that satiates you in no time. Drink Mixology Skills of the trained Bartenders surely takes you to an altogether different level! the sight from the lounge makes it one of the best things to do in Mumbai.

Location: Four Seasons Hotel, 34th Floor, 114, Dr. E Moses Road, Worli, South Central, 400018

Contact Details: 022-24818444

Book Now

33) CSMT at night

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) formerly known as Victoria Terminus is a historic railway station and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai, Maharashtra. As the sun sets and sunlight is not there to light up the city, the entire railway station is lit up with colorful lights making it a sight to see. Best time to visit it is past 9 pm when the chaos dials down.

Location: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400001.

34) Colaba Causeway

One of the most crowded and electrifying places to visit in Mumbai is the Colaba Causeway, famous for being the shopping paradise and having endless shops to choose And at the heart of the unabashed city is the bustling Colaba Causeway – an absolute must-visit. From roadside vendors to glamorous boutiques, the street sells everything you can think of buying? in different quality and prices. If movies are your thing and you want to experience how it was to watch them in halls before multiplexes took over, you can pay a visit to the old movie theatre? Regal Cinema. Behind Regal Cinema, the Causeway leads you to the Bandstand Promenade overlooking the Arabian Sea. If the walk makes you starve for something mouthwatering, you will find the same at the many restaurants? old and new, cafes and franchisee eatery outlets around to pacify your hunger. Visit the famous Cafe` Mondegar to have some lager and chill with your pals. One of the best to do in Mumbai for all the crazy shopaholics out there.

Location: Bakery Ln, Army Area, Nofra, Navy Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400005

35) British Council Library

Are you a Bibliophile like me? Or want to find anything related to the British connection? Then this place is surely meant for you. It has some rare manuscripts from the British era. They also give an option of home delivery of books! Choose from a variety of books to read and why Kindle it when you can have the feeling of turning each paper of the book by hand.

Location: 901, 9th Floor, Tower 1, One Indiabulls Centre 841, Senapati Bapat Marg, Elphinstone Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400013

36) Khau Gali in Ghatkopar

If you’re a vegetarian, then this is the right place for you to be. Swarming from food stalls, this entire Gali(lane) is filled with stalls serving mouth-watering food. From new renditions of the old classic dishes to the evergreen dishes which are served for decades long. So go on an empty stomach and leave there with a heart and tummy full of food and happiness.

Location: Khau Galli, Ghatkopar East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400077

37) Homes of Bollywood celebrities

Mumbai is known as the city of dreams and hence is a home to several Bollywood celebrities. From Shah Rukh’s house Mannat to Salman Khan’s Galaxy apartments. Many people wait outside their houses to get a glimpse of their favorite Bollywood celebrities. Every Sunday, fans gather outside Amitabh Bachchan’s house in Juhu to get a glimpse of him and he, without fail, does not disappoint his fans. So this makes it a must visit and one of the things to do in Mumbai for any Bollywood fan, you never know you might get to see your favorite actor/actress.

Location: Shah Rukh’s House Mannat: Land’s End, Bandstand, Bandra (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400050, India

Salman’s Galaxy Apartments: Galaxy Apartments, Bandra, Mumbai

Amitabh Bachchan’s House: Jalsa, B/2, Kapol Housing Society, VL Mehta Road, Juhu, Mumbai, India

38) Take a ride in Mumbai Locals

Mumbai local trains are known to be the busiest transit of all time. There are trains every couple of minutes. Travel from either the Western, Central or the Harbour route. The true sense of Mumbai lies within the feeling of traveling in a Mumbai Local. But remind you, traveling during the peak hours takes next level skills, so brace yourself for it. It’ll be a ride to remember. One of the best things to do in Mumbai because it shows the true spirit of a Mumbaikar.

Location: Any railway station running across Mumbai

39) Massage at Worli Sea Face

After the end of a hectic day, what does a person need? You need your body to relax. At the peak hours of the night, Paaji Chauhan has been helping Mumbaikars relax at Worli sea face for more than two years. That clink is his calling card and those on the lookout for a soothing massage have only to wave at him to summon him. Chauhan, in is his mid-forties, stays in Worli till 4 in the morning. Chauhan says “People can leave their worries behind when they come to the sea face.”

Location: Worli Sea Face, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400030.

40) Powai Lake

This lake is amongst the beautiful places in the city of Mumbai which you cannot miss out on your visit to this metropolis. Powai Lake is an artificial lake situated in the Powai valley in the northern suburb of Mumbai which was named after Framaji Kavasji Powai Estate. There are also various luxurious hotels and housing complexes around the periphery of the lake. Best time to visit is during the sunset or at night. One of best things to do in Mumbai if you love the sea.

Location: Powai Lake, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400076

41) Find cycle walas

If eateries aren’t your thing, or you’re too far out to find one, there are always cycle walas you can rely on. They’re always present in every area selling idlis all night. Other things you can get from these cycle walas are tea, coffee, and even boost!

42) Chill at the pre-sea link promenade

If you’re in Bandra, there’s a spot right before the sea link and the u-turn you take to get away from the sea link. Avoid couples’ hour in the evening and visit after 11 pm. You’d have to cross over the railing and walk down to the promenade, and it’s definitely worth it. Not many people go here so it’s the perfect place for a peaceful time.

43) Versova rocks also

Another spot to visit after a long night is Versova. The rocks are a peaceful place to sit with your friends and avoid the city lights.

44) Watch bike races

If you’re really out of things to do, you can always watch other people have fun. Marine Drive has regular sightings of bike races as a part of Mumbai nightlife that are exciting to watch. Though stupid on their side, watching it is the safest activity to do.

45) Have midnight buffet at 5 stars

Hunger pangs can hit anytime. And hogging with a bit of class never hurt anyone. Orchid in Vile Parle East, Sofitel in BKC, and The Bayview at Marine Drive are places that serve mouth-watering buffets at midnight.

46) Eat at Mohammad Ali road

Mohammad Ali road has some delicious and filling cheap shawarmas that are worth traveling for. Not included in the list of eateries since this is a place you wouldn’t need to plan a visit to, you just show up.

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The Trump Super Fixer Who Knows Where All the Bodies Are Buried

When Stormy Daniels appeared at Donald Trumps penthouse hotel room, on the lustful summer night in 2006 that has come to haunt his presidency, the two were not entirely alone.

Trumps loyal bodyguarda towering former NYPD detective with clipped white hair and a steely expressionmet her at the door to the suite, according to Daniels account of the alleged tryst. Keith Schiller had already worked for his reality-TV star boss for seven years, ever since a chance encounter with Marla Maples in New York, and hed quickly risen through the ranks to become Trumps head of security. Now, he and his boss were in Lake Tahoe for a celebrity golf tournament and, as several women present for the bacchanalian weekend would attest, Trump was looking to get laid.

Schiller was apparently ready to help.

Earlier that day, Trumpnewly married for a third time, with an infant son at homehad visited the curvaceous, blond Daniels at a promo booth for Wicked Pictures, the adult-entertainment studio where Stormy was a contract girl. (Theyd already shared a flirty ride around the course in a golf cart, Daniels claims.) While there, Trump also ogled another blond bombshell, porn star Jessica Drake. As the women tell it, he scored both of their phone numbers. He singled out Daniels in particular for a dinner date.

As night fell, Daniels arrived at Harrahs Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino, where Trump was staying. Eighteen floors up, and she found herself face-to-face with the hulking Schiller.

Keith was always with him, the porn star told In Touch Weekly in 2011, five years after her alleged romp with the future president. Thats how I got in touch with him. I never had Donalds cellphone number. I always used Keiths.

For a man so notoriously loquacious on Twitter, Trump has kept an ironclad grip on the particulars of his personal life.

Hes master of the NDA for his Trump Organization employees and former campaign staffers, even trying to ensure White House staff cant talk. And throughout the years, hes relied on a small cadre of fixers to help muzzle those who dared blab about his private peccadilloes. One of those loyalists is Michael Cohen, Trumps personal lawyer who was the target of a federal raid, reportedly over his role in paying Stormy Daniels to keep quiet, and possibly for his communications with The National Enquirer, whose owner David Pecker is a strong Trump ally.

The magazines parent company bought the silence of at least two people with stories that would have been spectacularly damaging to Trump just before the election: Playmate Karen McDougal, who claims she and Trump had a long affair during the same time he was wooing Stormy Daniels; and a Trump World Tower doorman who apparently had intel on rumors about a secret Trump love child.

Hes knee-deep in all of this.

Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for Stormy Daniels

The other main fixture of Trumps inner circleone of the few who seems to know all the details about all the women and, like Cohen, is a person of interest to the investigators of the Russia inquiryis Keith Schiller.

Schiller did not return messages left by The Daily Beast, and one of his attorneys declined to comment for this story.

There is no doubt that Keith Schiller knows where all the bodies are buried. Next to Michael Cohen, if Mr. Schiller ever turns states evidence, the impact on the president would be catastrophic, Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for Stormy Daniels, told The Daily Beast.

While the national focus has been on Cohen, Avenatti says Schiller is a Trump stalwart whos long been on his radar.

Hes knee-deep in all of this, Avenatti said.

Perhaps no one in Trumps inner circle, save for Michael Cohen, has the presidents trust more than Schiller. But where Cohen is brash and fiery, Schiller has remained a low-key presence in his boss shadow.

Politico has called Schiller Trumps longest-serving and closest aidethe man who is widely credited with knowing how to manage the presidents moods, his diet, what triggers him and what soothes him.

There are only two whisperers in Trump world, as far as Im concerned, one former aide told Politico last November, adding, its Keith Schiller and Michael Cohen.

As Trumps hired muscle since 1999, Schiller has allegedly facilitated Trumps extramarital excursions, socked a protester outside Trump Tower, and delivered former FBI Director James Comeys termination letter.

Schiller skyrocketed from part-time watchman to Trumps director of security in just under six years. And he followed his boss to Washington as head of Oval Office operations, where he served as gatekeeper, confidant, and fixer for Trumps McDonalds cravings. He was an interpreter, too, for frustrated aides.

The 59-year-old former detective has been described as Trumps loyal lieutenant and emotional safety blanket. Trump reportedly was crushed when Schiller departed the White House last September for a private security gig. Even Cohen was worried about how Trump would react in the wake of Schillers exit, telling Vanity Fair, I feel guilty that hes in there right now almost alone, especially now that Keith has resigned.

There are only two whisperers in Trump world, as far as Im concerned, one former aide told Politico last November, adding, its Keith Schiller and Michael Cohen.

As Schiller has maintained a low profile, Cohen catapulted to the white-hot center of the news after Stormy Daniels filed a lawsuit against him and Trump, to invalidate a hush agreement she signed in the weeks leading up to the 2016 election. She says the contract is invalid because Trump never signed on the dotted lineand because it violated public policy by suppressing her speech in order to influence the race.

Cohen is now facing more legal troubles after the FBI raided his office last week for documents relating to, among other things, his $130,000 payout to Daniels in exchange for her silence about the alleged Trump affair.

Trump railed against the search as a witch hunt, and floated the possibility of firing Rod Rosenstein, who oversees special counsel Robert Mueller, after the latter referred the Cohen probe to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York.

Vanity Fair highlighted Trumplands fears of the brooding president going rogue and also firing Mueller. Trump was usually calmed by former aides Hope Hicks and Schiller, whose departures have left Trump to operate largely unchecked.

Last year, ex-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski told CNN hed regularly call Schiller anytime he needed help deciphering The Donald.

Any time I wanted to understand something, I would ask Keith, Lewandowski said. I valued him for all the roles he played.

One of those roles, apparently, was acting as liaison to women who caught Trumps interest.

Back to the Tahoe penthouse. July 2006. Stormy Daniels is on the verge of an encounter that will, a decade later, turn her into a household name and attract an astounding 22 million viewers when she spills the dirty detailsthe spanking, the unprotected sexon the venerable news program 60 Minutes. And, she says, the person greeting her at the door is Trumps buzzcutted consigliere Keith Schiller.

Oh yeah, hes waiting for you inside, Schiller allegedly told Daniels, before she entered the room and found Trump lounging in pajama pants.

After they were intimate, the porn actress says Trump promised, Im gonna call you.

I have to see you again. Youre amazing, he added.

Later that same night, porn star Jessica Drake remembers Trump inviting her, too, up to the Harrahs penthouse. She was uncomfortable going alone, Drake claimed at a press conference with her attorney Gloria Allred, so she took two other women along. (Those gal pals havent yet been identified.)

When we entered the room, [Trump] grabbed each of us tightly in a hug and kissed each one of us without asking permission, Drake told reporters in October 2016.

He was wearing pajamas, she continued. A bodyguard was also present.

The group left after about an hour of idle chit-chat. But when Drake returned to her hotel room, a man called her on Trumps behalf, according to an account in GQof Trumps Tahoe trysts. The man asked Drake if shed return to Trumps suite. She declined. Soon, she says, Trump phoned her directly and asked her, What do you want? and How much? On a third call, he allegedly wooed her with an offer of $10,000 and use of his private jet in exchange for sex. She again declined.

Drake has not publicly disclosed whether Schiller was the bodyguard at the penthouse, or whether he was the man who contacted her on Trumps behalf. Neither Drake nor Allred returned messages seeking comment.

Oh yeah, hes waiting for you inside, Schiller allegedly told Daniels, before she entered the room and found Trump lounging in pajama pants.

Yet the next evening, Stormy Daniels got a similar callfrom Schiller for sure, she saysasking if shed join Trump and his fellow celebrity golfers. When she arrived, Schiller was the one to escort her to Trump, who was schmoozing with NFL star Ben Roethlisberger.

Months later, Schiller would again greet Daniels at a Hollywood launch party for Trump Vodka and steer her to Trumps VIP section.

And in July 2007, the wingman was tasked with ushering Daniels to Trumps bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Daniels says Trump blustered about his hatred for sharks before confessing that his efforts to get her on The Apprentice had failed. Then he propositioned her, asking, So, can you stay? But shed lost interest in the mogul; she dismissed Trumps advances and left. Their meeting lasted for two-and-a-half hours. At the end of it, she says, Keith Schiller politely walked her to her car.

Former Playboy model Karen McDougal also mentioned Schiller by name last month in her CNN interview with Anderson Cooper, in which she dished about her alleged affair with Trump. The onetime Playmate of the Year met the reality star in June 2006just a month before the Tahoe bashat a party at the Playboy Mansion, where Trump was taping an episode of The Apprentice. Not long after, on a summer night in L.A., she said, Schiller picked McDougal up and drove her to the Beverly Hills Hotel bungalow, where she met Trump for dinner.

McDougal said she had unprotected intercourse with Trump that nightWe talked for a couple hours then, it was ON! We got naked + had sex, she later jotted in her notes, according to The New Yorkerand was heartbroken when he tried paying her afterward. Im not that girl, she told him. She wept in the car as Schiller drove her home.

As her affair with Trump persisted, McDougal said she got to know Keith pretty well. The 6-foot-4 protector was always involved in her communications and visits with the future president. McDougal kept Schillers phone number and the digits for Trumps personal secretary. Both would put her in touch with the real estate mogul.

Keith is a nice man, McDougal told Cooper. Yes, I got to know him. Hes funny.

A year lateron a winter eve this timeanother woman met Trump at that same Los Angeles bungalow. Their encounter would turn out to be more fraught than the presidents other romps.

As her affair with Trump persisted, McDougal said she got to know Keith pretty well.

As with McDougal and Daniels, Trump enlisted his security guard to bring Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos to the Beverly Hills Hotel. Zervos lawsuit doesnt identify the man by name, and her attorney did not return messages seeking comment on the identity of the bodyguard.

When Zervos arrived, she says her TV boss ambushed her. He kissed her very aggressively and touched her breast, according to a pending lawsuit. She repeatedly pushed the mogul away, and moved to another part of the room to avoid his advances until he finally relented and ordered dinnera club sandwich and fries. He reportedly complained about the price.

Zervos is now suing Trump for defamation, and says the Beverly Hills encounter was one of several in which Trump kissed her, groped her, and pressed himself against her without her consent. In the run-up to the 2016 election, Zervos came forward as one of more than a dozen women to accuse Trump of sexual misconduct.

Trump has adamantly denied all the womens claimsand those of Daniels and McDougalboth on Twitter and through statements from the White House. After three accusers went on Megyn Kelly Today in December to discuss their experiences with Trump in light of the #MeToo movement, a spokesperson for the president said, The timing and absurdity of these claims speaks volumes and the publicity tour only confirms the motives behind them.

Meanwhile, this past November, the House intelligence committee grilled Keith Schiller about another group of women rumored to be linked to Trump. This time, though, the setting was not at the shady greens of Lake Tahoe nor in the glittering heart of Beverly Hills, but in Vladimir Putins Russia.

It was November 2013, and Trump was in Moscow for the Miss Universe pageant. During a meeting at the Ritz-Carlton, where Trump was staying, a Russian participant approached Schiller and offered to send five escorts to Trumps hotel room, the bodyguard testified. He said he dismissed the proposal as a joke and told the stranger, We dont do that type of stuff.

Schillers comments were in reference to the so-called Steele dossier, penned by a former British spy, which alleged that Trump had engaged in perverted sexual acts with Russian prostitutes and that the Kremlin had tapes of the sexcapades as potential blackmail fodder. Trump and his team have called the Steele dossiers claims fake news and a total political witch hunt. Cohen, who is suing several parties involved with the publication of the dossier, called the report ridiculous on so many levels.

Schillers closed-door testimony about the Russian prostitutesthose beauties supposedly at the center of the infamous pee tapecame before a House panel investigating Russias meddling in the 2016 presidential election, NBC News reported.

In a contradictory bit of news this week, former FBI Director James Comey claims in his new book that Trump told him he did not spend the night at the Ritz-Carlton, and therefore the pee tape couldnt be true.

But Schiller said he informed Trump of the Russian prostitute proposition as they returned to his hotel room that night. They both laughed at the idea, and Schiller guarded Trumps door for a bit before heading to his own quarters.

Trump went to bed alone, he said.

As aide-de-camp, Schiller has learned to anticipate his boss wishes.

In August 2015, Schiller removed Univision journalist Jorge Ramos from an Iowa press conference. Trump refused to take a question from Ramos, who also wouldnt back down, prompting Schiller to stride menacingly across the stage and push Ramos out of the room.

When asked about the confrontation during a deposition, Schiller said, I took it upon myself to go and remove him, because it appeared that he was dominating the news conference, not listening or not being cordial or respectful to Mr. Trump

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The deposition was for a lawsuit filed by Efrain Galicia and four other Mexican activists, who claim Trumps security guards attacked them during a September 2015 protest outside Trump Tower. Schiller had asked the demonstrators to remove an 8-foot-long Make America Racist Again poster. When they refused, Schiller ripped the sign away and headed back toward the building, the complaint says.

Galicia followed Schiller, whose back was facing him. When Galicia attempted to retrieve the sign, Schiller swung around and clocked him. (Schiller says he believed Galicia was reaching for his concealed weapon, a deposition transcript shows. He said he used a minimal amount of force to get [Galicia] off of my firearm and off of my body.)

During the December 2016 testimony, Schiller claimed hed never discussed the Galicia incident with Trump. Schiller said Trump never asked about the encounter, despite being named as a defendant in Galicias pending suit.

When asked if he always obeyed Trumps orders to remove disruptive people from events, Schiller replied, Not always, no. If someone complied with requests to be quiet, Schiller said he would let them stay.

Im not a robot, Schiller said. Its been times when it wasnt appropriate and I didnt do it.

Schiller has shied away from media interviews. But he did grant a one-hour videotaped conversation to his childhood friend, author Rich Siegel.

I spent a lot of time at bars with him, Siegel said. If he thought something was wrong, he was ready to get his fists in there… There was never a fight he strayed away from.

Siegel and Schiller grew up together in New Paltz, New York, before Schiller joined the Navy. He married his wife, Lena, when he returned home.

In 1992, he began his NYPD career as a transit cop near Yankee Stadium. In the interview with Siegel, he said he became a narcotics investigator and did cocaine busts in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.

Schiller routinely took cases to the Manhattan district attorneys office. During one visit, he spotted Trumps second wife, Marla Maples, with her personal bodyguard. I looked at him. Totally not impressed by his stature, physical stature, Schiller told Siegel in the 2016 video. I said, if hes a bodyguard, I sure as f*** is a bodyguard.

Im no stranger to putting my hands on people, he added.

I ask the ADA, Do you know Donald Trump? He says, Yeah. I says, Can you put in a good word? Im looking for side work, Schiller said.

Trumps security boss gave Schiller a one-month trial that blossomed into a 19-year constant companionship. Every night we were out with different events. Fashion shows. Baseball games. Whatever, Schiller said.

In the beginning its a fascinating job, he said, adding, Believe me, so from where I came from, its an eye-opener and a great experience.

In 2004, Trump transferred his then-head of security to Las Vegas and needed one of a handful of part-timers to rise in the ranks.

He said, The only guy that I feel that can do this is Keith, Schiller said. I had a great rapport with Mr. Trump and I still enjoy that.

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-trump-fixer-who-knows-where-all-the-bodies-are-buried

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#IFTTT #Viral News HQ

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theglobetrottergp-blog · 7 years ago

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I absolutely LOVE Byron Bay, the place I was lucky to call home for 2 years. In fact, it’s probably my favourite place in the entire world and that’s saying something given that I’ve been lucky enough to travel to 37 countries so far! But I won’t bang on about why it’s so amazing as you can read about that here in my other post ‘Why Byron Bay is my favourite place in the World.’ Instead, I want to tell you what the best things to do in Byron Bay are and how to make the most of your visit. Be warned, the list is long so you might want to allow longer than a weekend to visit Byron Bay if you want to get a real feel for the place!

Before I crack on and tell you about the must-see Byron Bay attractions, have you considered your accommodation in Byron Bay? Only I found an amazing luxury tree house which I talk about in my post ‘5 of the best treehouses on AirBnB‘ that you should most definitely check out!

Just imagine waking up here?!!

Ok so for the best things to do in Byron Bay, here we go..!

Fun things to do in Byron Bay, Australia

Beach time

You can’t possibly visit Byron Bay without some beach time! There are several to choose between from small secluded coves to long stretches of perfect white sandy beaches with aquamarine water. Park up your beach towel and chill out with a good book, it’s time to relax!

Shopping

When you’re done relaxing, it’s time to hit the shops. Now Byron isn’t a big place so don’t go expecting any huge shopping malls! But it has small-town charm and you will find some beautiful shops selling unique homeware, interesting gifts, gorgeous beachy clothes and beautiful bookstores. There’s even a hippy shop selling everything tie-dye! If vintage clothes is your thing, you will find an abundance of great treasure troves.

Diving at Julian Rocks

Just a 10-minute boat ride from Main beach, is Julians Rocks. Warm and cold currents meet here creating an amazing opportunity to see a huge variety of marine life. Between December and May, there is a good chance you’ll get to see leopard sharks. Dive or snorkel, it’s your choice!

credit to Jeremy Bishop

Walk up to the Lighthouse

An absolute must-do activity in Byron Bay! This walk, which starts from Main beach, will take you through the woods (keep your eyes peeled for wallabies,) up over some cliffs to watch the waves crashing against the rocks, down to some beautiful coves and then back up to the Lighthouse – Australia’s most eastern point! The views are just beautiful in every direction you look! A must-see in Byron Bay! Top tip: If you’re an early riser, head up for sunrise at the lighthouse – it’s spectacular!

Markets

I used to LOVE the markets in Byron Bay. In fact, it was one of my favourite things to do in Byron Bay! They take place once a month on a Sunday so you’ll have to time your trip well but if the market isn’t in Byron, it’ll be in another local town! The markets are always teeming with people. There are so many colourful stalls selling quirky items. You’ll find delicious eateries and lots of live music. It’s a great way to spend the morning.

Live Music

Byron Bay is host to some awesome live music. Despite being a small town it attracts both local musicians and big names alike. When I lived in Byron, I loved Sunday afternoons at The Beach Hotel where the music starts in the afternoon and carries on late into the evening. All the locals would head straight to the pub, conveniently set right on the beach, straight from the popular markets I mentioned above. It brought the whole community together – young and old. Frequently in the afternoons, the children were encouraged to get up on stage and join in with the bands! I loved this relaxed, local friendly vibe!

For bigger bands and an adult only venue, there’s the Great Northern Hotel which hosted some awesome bands when I was there. For more local music, The Railway Bar (a converted railway station) never disappointed.

Splendour in The Grass Music Festival

Once a year in the Summer, Byron Bay hosts one of the biggest music festivals in Australia, Splendour in The Grass. Spread over 3 days, it sees huge acts – my favourite I saw there was Lana Del Ray! Other artists who’ve featured recently include Vance Joy, Queens of the Stone Age, Two door cinema club, Stormzy and Royal Blood. Read more about it here.

Byron Bay Bluesfest

TheBluesFest is yet another amazing music festival right in Byron Bay! Set over several stages on Easter weekend, this contemporary blues & roots festival has seen acts such as Bob Dylan, Hozier, Paul Simon and John Legend perform! On the line up for 2018, you’ll find Lionel Richie, Lauryn Hill, Seal and Sheryl Crow!

Sea Kayaking with dolphins

I absolutely loved this – what an absolute giggle! Mostly because I’m truly terrible at sea kayaking and my friend was even worse! At one point we actually ended up being towed past the waves out to sea by another Kayak. Hey, here’s a top tip: if you see a dolphin, don’t both lean the same way to get a better look… You guessed it, Splash! On the plus side, our giggles as we tried (mostly in vain) to get back into the kayak, actually caught the attention of the dolphins who came over to investigate! Maybe sometime I’ll have to tell you the full story! (By the way, I’m now a lot better in a kayak, thank god for that!!) Check out Go Sea Kayak for more info!

Take a surf lesson

Ok so I was equally bad at this and for me, it resulted in yet another wild dolphin encounter! Whilst all the others were practising their new found skills, I was still trying to stand up! A curious dolphin made it’s way over – maybe it thought I was in trouble?! But dolphins or no dolphins, you have to try surfing in Byron Bay! It’s actually famous for its great surf!

Whale Watching

As you might have gathered by now, Byron Bay is not short of dolphins! But it also gets its fair share of Humpback whale sightings between June and October. You can take a tour with Whale Watching Byron Bay or if you’re strapped for cash or short of time, just keep your eyes peeled at the Lighthouse – I saw whales breaching and splashing about from there. In some ways, it was better than the whale tour as it was so unexpected!

Credit to Thomas Kelley

Visit one of the many amazing restaurants

Byron Bay’s food scene is amazing. Breakfast, lunch or dinner – Byron will have something to suit everyone! From Thai food to seafood or pizzas on the beach, you can’t fail to have a good meal in Byron! My personal favourites include;

The Treehouse – outdoors and lit up with cute fairy lights in the trees, great acoustic live music and delicious pizza, all a stone’s throw from the beach.

The Balcony – Always a great menu, I remember the seafood paella was particularly good. Wash it down with some lovely wines or cocktails and indulge in some people watching from your prime balcony position!

TopShop – no not the British clothes shop, this is a great cafe with a real local vibe. Take away, sit inside or lounge on the grass outside, anything goes. I highly recommend the chicken pesto on sourdough with a banana smoothie. So addictive – it was not good for my waistline!

Visit Bangalow

Just up the road is a small town called Bangalow which I loved to visit on my days off. Great cafes, vintage clothes shops and a bookshop that I never got bored of browsing! They also have a great farmers market on the weekends.

Visit the Arts Factory

The Arts Factory, primarily a budget backpackers hostel, is also a great place for finding live music, workshops (such as didgeridoo making and African drumming) and the Byron Bay Brewery pub on site is also home to an alternative cinema The Pighouse Flicks where you can chill out on comfy cushions on the floor whilst sipping a glass of wine!

Join in the Drumming Circle

On the 1st Sunday of the month, after the markets, head to where Main beach meets Belongil at sunset for The Drumming Circle! A group of people who love music who join together to jam together. A random mix of drums, guitars, banjos, ukeleles, even saxophones! If you, don’t have an instrument, make one! (I frequently saw people drumming on bins even!) Or dance. Or just find a rock to sit on and enjoy the music and people’s creativity!

Have a Barbeque on Wategos Beach!

One of my favourite things to do in Byron Bay is to enjoy a beach BBQ. Wategos beach, perfectly nestled in the hills and home to several millionaire mansions, is a great place for a chilled out BBQ on the beach! Take a dip in the sea, have a surf or watch the beautiful sunset with a few beers and throw a shrimp on the barbie!

Take a Yoga Class

Byron Bay is a great place for alternative healthy living and has a great colourful hippy vibe. So there is nowhere better to take some holistic classes such as yoga or pilates. You can even do some Yoga on the beach!

Credit to Simon Rae

Take a Massage

If you are not relaxed enough already, there is an absolute abundance of places to get a massage in Byron Bay! Or if you feel like splashing the cash, there are also lots of beautiful retreats in the surrounding areas for the ultimate R&R! My favourite place for a massage was conveniently a 2-minute walk from the beach, the HollisticMassage Centre.

Visit The Byron Bay Hinterland

Some people get so caught up in the beautiful beaches, coastal walks and other great things to do in Byron Bay that they forget entirely, to visit the Hinterland which has its own charm. Beautiful rainforest, quirky villages such as Nimbin which appear stuck in the 70’s and impressive waterfalls. Definitely, pay the hinterland a visit when you are in Byron Bay.

Go horse riding on the beach

An alternative way to explore the beaches in the surrounding area is to go by horseback. They cater for all levels of experience and only go out in small groups. What better way to experience the beautiful beaches than on a glorious sunset horse ride?!

Credit to Yudi Susilo

So there we have it, 20 of the best things to do in Byron Bay, Australia! Do you have any other suggestions? Are you planning a trip to Byron Bay? If so please tell us all about it in the comment section below!

If you loved this article, I’d be eternally grateful if you could share it with your family and friends!

20 of the Best things to do in Byron Bay, Australia - from swimming with leopard sharks to sunset beach horse treks I absolutely LOVE Byron Bay, the place I was lucky to call home for 2 years. In fact, it's probably my favourite place in the entire world and that's saying something given that I've been lucky enough to travel to 37 countries so far!

#Australia #Byron bay #things to do in byron bay

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itsworn · 7 years ago

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Backstage Past Part 2: 1955

Pivotal.

A year that opened brightly with unprecedented prosperity, new-car horsepower, and interest in auto racing closed darkly in the wake of James Dean’s fatal highway crash and a rash of on-track tragedies. Newfound concern about vehicle safety would shape the American automotive industry in general, and motorsports in particular, in ways unimaginable before two-time-defending-champ Bill Vukovich died while leading the Indy 500 and a Grand Prix car mowed down more than 80 fans two weeks later in France. Future installments of this series will recall scrutiny by politicians and law enforcement, an industry-wide racing ban, secret factory skunkworks, and other effects felt well into the 1960s.

Magazines published by Trend Inc. had been documenting high performance on black-and-white film since Robert “Pete” Petersen and Bob Lindsay hatched HOT ROD in January 1948, followed soon by Motor Trend. Not until this year, though, did Pete—by now a sole owner—ask photographic director Bob D’Olivo to start retaining and organizing employees’ negatives after developing. The company’s early 1955 acquisitions of competitors Motor Life and Hop Up and absorption of their respective photographers instantly spiked the volume of incoming film. The simple logging-and-filing system D’Olivo implemented on March 27, 1955, grew into the vast photo archive that uniquely enables HOT ROD Deluxe to serve up so many milestone images. Oftentimes, we’re afforded the additional luxury of choosing an outtake to the published shot that some editor with the same choice—but far less time—picked, instead, in the heat of the moment and a deadline.

How telling that the first batch of film ever entered into the photo lab’s handwritten log book, director D’Olivo’s work at an amateur sports-car race, included four action frames of a Porsche Speedster that rated no picture or mention in Motor Trend’s event coverage. It would be another half-century before company archivist Thomas Voehringer came along to wonder, investigate, then confirm that the young driver smacking a hay bale in his competition debut was a little-known actor awaiting release of his first feature films, East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause. Countless such surprises are sprinkled amongst approximately 3.5 million black-and-white needles in Robert E. Petersen’s photographic haystack. Unknown numbers of worthies will be discovered or rediscovered as our archive research progresses through the 1950s and into the ’60s. Whether by lucky chance or dogged digging, to unearth some previously unpublished image of lasting significance is to strike gold. We’ll be sharing that ore as we shovel it up, one year per episode.

Backstage Past follows the pictorial-heavy format of HRD’s preceding historical series (Golden Age of Drag Racing, 2014-’15; Power Struggles, 2015-’17), with some added value: personal snapshots taken by and of Petersen staffers roaming America with cameras, free film, and virtually unlimited access. Adult beverages might’ve been involved, too. Readers of a certain, ahem, maturity who followed their journeys once before will surely enjoy the shenanigans. You kids will want an app for traveling back in time. Don’t leave home without the magic Trend Inc. business card that seemingly opened every gate and door.

(Photo: Wally Parks)

Everything went Chevrolet’s way this year. The all-new, V8-equipped, hot-selling Chevy was selected to pace the Indianapolis 500, and the superstar nicknamed “Miss Chevrolet” was Indy’s most famous race queen ever. If your house had a TV set or even a radio in the 1950s, there was no escaping Dinah Shore singing, “See the USA/In your Chevrolet ….” Starting in 1951, she sang the so-called “Chevy Jingle” to a loyal audience of millions at both the beginning and end of her Emmy-winning NBC variety show, the first network show hosted by a female. Backed here by the Purdue University Band, she belted out “Back Home in Indiana” before the race, inviting the crowd to sing along to a second chorus, and gamely stuck around to kiss Bob Sweikert in the winner’s circle. (Photo: Ray Brock)

Yup, that thing’s got a Hemi in it: Tony Capanna’s Wilcap Co. swapped a little Red Ram Dodge into the Dean Van Lines Special (left) that finished second in the previous Indy 500 with Jimmy Bryan and an Offy aboard. Bryan and Bob Christie alternately practiced at qualifying speeds before blowing engines in the Hemi car that Motor Trend proclaimed “unmistakably the people’s choice.” The ambitious effort ended up against the wall on the warm-up lap for Christie’s lone qualifying attempt. When the fuel motor exploded, the rear wheels locked up and spun him into the wall. Bryan had slightly better luck in Al Dean’s conventional Kuzma-Offy (right), finishing 24th after dropping out with fuel-system problems. HRM photographer Eric Rickman’s regular “circuit” of L.A. shops gave him the familiarity that enabled such a candid shot of champ-car legends like (from left) engine builder Capanna; Hall of Fame chief mechanic Clint Brawner; sponsor Al Dean, who owned Dean Van Lines; and car builder Eddie Kuzma. Rick’s future road roommate, Tex Smith, wrote in his book that Rick enjoyed back-door access wherever he roamed, working quickly without wasting film. (See Inside Hot Rodding: The Tex Smith Autobiography; June ’55 HRM; Aug. ’55 Motor Trend, HRM, & Motor Life.)

Three rolls that Rickman logged into Petersen’s in-house lab on May 9, 1955, as “Thrifty Drug NHRA Show” mystified archive divers for decades. In our July 2010 issue, founding HRD editor David Freiburger published six pages of parking-lot pictures, including one showing NHRA’s third employee and Drag Safari organizer, Chic Cannon, with an L.A. sheriff’s deputy. Left unexplained were who organized the event, and why, and how a gathering of so many famous hot rods, race cars, sport specials, and especially customs apparently never made HRM or its sister magazines. In 2013, Cannon’s autobiography answered the first two questions: “Since I had some experience organizing car clubs, Wally gave me the position of [NHRA] National Club Advisor. My cousin, Art Crawford, was in marketing … and had Thrifty Drug Stores as a client of his. They were developing new shopping centers all over Southern California, and Art asked me to help promote the grand openings…. So in 1954 and ’55, I organized about a dozen car shows.” As for why at least two were thoroughly photographed on Petersen film but never made print, Chic’s insight leads us to suspect that Rick’s assignment came from NHRA president Wally Parks—not his HRM boss and editor, also named Wally Parks. Possibly the photo lab supplied sets of prints, only, to NHRA and/or Chic’s cousin for promotional purposes, while the negatives were filed, as usual, with the publishing company. Historian Greg Sharp recognized the Barris-built ’51 Mercs of Bob Hirohata and Dave Bugarin alongside Bob Dofflow’s ’50 Ford, all magazine-cover cars. Adds Sharp: “Dave Bugarin was from San Pedro, where I grew up. In the early 1960s, it sat forlornly in primer at a Signal gas station on Western Avenue. I wanted it in the worst way and could have bought it for $300. My dad simply said, ‘You’re not buying that car because I don’t want people to think that hoodlums live here!'” (See Chick Cannon’s Gone Racin’: From Horseback to Horsepower.)

Bill Vukovich, Indy’s two-time-defending champion (1953-’54), was a runaway favorite to three-peat right up to his fatal accident. He held the lead in 50 of the race’s first 56 laps and was cruising at a record average speed of 136-plus, 17 seconds ahead of his closest competitor, before the crash. Vuky led 486 of his last 800 laps at the Brickyard and an incredible 71.7 percent from 1952 to 1955. During time trials, tech editor Ray Brock took advantage of HRM’s pit-row access to capture a relaxed team of Jim Travers (leaning on windscreen), Jim Naim (in T-shirt), and Frank Coon (obscured behind them). Chief mechanics Travers and Coon, previously lakes racers with the Low Flyers of Santa Monica, partnered as the “TRA” and “CO” in TRACO Racing Engines. We can’t identify the onlookers on either end.

Attempting to avoid a multicar wreck on the backstretch, Vukovich clipped rookie Johnny Boyd, catapulted over the wooden rail, and plowed into a parked truck, Jeep, and safety-patrol car. From all reports, he likely died before the flames erupted—one of six open-wheel AAA driver fatalities this year alone. HRM editor Wally Parks arrived with his camera right after the firemen. The American Automobile Association soon ended its long association with auto racing, creating a vacuum hastily filled by USAC the following year. (See Aug. ’55 Motor Trend, HRM, & Motor Life.)

Los Angeles engine-builder Tony Capanna brought two baby Hemis to Indy, a nitro version for qualifying and a more-durable methanol combination for race day. Going by the severe destruction, we’d guess this to be the fuel motor that exploded on the warm-up lap leading to Bob Christie’s aborted qualifying attempt. Since Hemis were restricted to the same 270 ci as the powerful, race-bred Offys, Capanna rightly figured that the only replacement for displacement was nitromethane, and lots of it. Whereas an Offy team might add 10-to-15 percent to enhance qualifying chances or position, then run the race on straight methanol, Capanna calculated that his stock-block Dodge wanted 85-percent “pop” to produce comparable power. His autopsy determined that oil starvation, not “liquid horsepower,” was this engine’s downfall. (See June ’55 MT; July ’55 HRM; Aug. ’55 Motor Trend, HRM & Motor Life.)

It’s been said that Robert E. Petersen eventually launched magazines about all of his hobbies. Two favorites were firearms and fishing, as illustrated by a sequence that Bob D’Olivo captured from a second boat. Lacking any back issues of Water World, we can’t say whether our gunslinging, shark-spearing leader subsequently showed up in print.

Eric Rickman tripped his shutter just as everyone turned to check out the chopped coupe rumbling into the classic scene. The Drag Safari’s Deer Park, Washington, NHRA regional meet brought Petersen’s imbedded photographer into Spokane and the original Thrifty Auto Supply. Magnifying the background of this scan revealed two bystanders to be Safari leader Bud Coons (right) and announcer Bud Evans.

Not many hot rodders have influenced the hobby as much as the late Norm Grabowski, whose revolutionary roadster pickup costarred in the hit TV series 77 Sunset Strip and, together with Tommy Ivo’s much-publicized imitation, ignited the T-bucket craze. This B&W outtake from HRM’s Oct. ’55 cover story shows the reversed ’40 Ford spring hangers that pushed the ’37 Ford axle forward to clear the radiator. Norm also stretched the frame 5 inches in front to accommodate an Olds V8 boosted by a GMC supercharger, a rare sight on daily drivers of the era.

Besides being a brilliant engineer and technical writer, the late Racer Brown possessed a photographer’s eye. The relatively few rolls cranked through his futuristic 35mm Leica after D’Olivo started the archive contain clever compositions like this illusion of two guys working inside the engine compartment vacated by a severely set-back engine. Racer exposed three rolls on this July day at Paradise Mesa Drag Strip, near San Diego, but we’ve seen no magazine coverage.

So, your kids and grandkids think that selfies were invented after the phone camera, huh? Rather than leave his last couple of frames blank, freelance contributor Ray Brock finished off a roll labeled “Installing Duals on a Chevrolet” with two mug shots sure to entertain the lab technicians back home. Photographers were known to prank one another by discreetly grabbing the other guy’s camera and capturing entertaining, if not downright embarrassing, subjects that only came to light during developing. Sometimes, mischievous lab workers secretly make prints that circulated through Trend Inc.’s internal mail system before the camera’s owner ever saw an image attributed to him. (The late Brock became HRM’s invaluable Detroit connection, officially joined the staff in late 1956 as research editor, and ultimately rose to the top of the masthead as publisher, twice.)

One of the rolls that Rick submitted from the Drag Safari’s stop in Elizabeth City, N.J., included the earliest image we’ve seen of the new or near-new ’55 Corvette that would become as familiar to HRM readers as any rod, custom, or race car. Sixty-three years later fellow travelers Bob D’Olivo and Chic Cannon both drew blanks about the purchase circumstances. So did Rick’s son, then living in Texas with his mother and sister. “Unfortunately, he never related the story of how or where he found it to me,” e-mailed Michael Rickman. “He looks so happy.”

Would you believe a Cadillac with two billet Engle cams rotating inside aluminum castings bolted onto stock heads? When Ray Brock visited Tom Cobbs in July, the homemade combination was said to be fresh from spinning 6,000-plus rpm on Hilborn’s dyno. The crafty lakes racer proclaimed this to be the primary engine for his (ex-Pierson brothers’) fuel coupe at the upcoming Bonneville Nationals, backed up by a couple of proven Merc flatheads. However, we’ve found no published evidence that the OHC conversion ran there, or anywhere. (See Sept. ’55 HRM)

Either the OHC Caddy was merely a sophisticated diversion (unlikely) or Stu Hilborn changed Cobbs’ mind just before Bonneville by offering the Chevy V8 that Hilborn had been secretly developing for land-speed racing since receiving one of the earliest assemblies in 1954. Since touted as the first small-block modified specifically for record setting, the blown 265’s debut was spoiled by insufficient spark from three different magnetos. Racer Brown reported that high cylinder pressures produced by the 15-psi huffer overwhelmed the ignition above 4,500 rpm. Cobbs would hang onto the whole, historical setup for the rest of his life. His family sold the complete engine to collector Ralph Whitworth, who displayed it for several years in the office of his stillborn museum in Winnemucca, Nevada. Its whereabouts since Whitworth’s 2016 death are unknown. (See Nov. ’55 HRM; Dec. ’55 CC.)

Carl Kiekhaefer’s Hemi-powered heavyweights dominated both major stock-car circuits this year. While teammate Frank Mundy (not shown) was winning the AAA crown, NASCAR champ Tim Flock (right) was racking up a record 18 Grand National wins and 15 placings in 45 events, leading fully 40 percent of his laps. He and big-brother Truman Fontello Flock (left) are pictured in Darlington’s pits prior to the Southern 500 (Nov. ’55 MT). “Fonty” had taken the Grand National title in 1947, the final season of Bill France’s National Championship Stock Car Circuit. Their older brother, Bob, had a brief-but-spectacular career (36 starts, four wins, 11 top fives, 18 top 10s) that was ended by a broken back. All three siblings are NASCAR Hall of Famers. A sister, Ethel, also made history by running more than 100 Modified events, including two NASCAR shows. In a July 1949 race on Daytona’s beach course featuring all four siblings, she finished 11th in a ’49 Cadillac, ahead of both Bob and Fonty (Tim was second). All told, the family started 379 NASCAR races and earned 230 top-10 finishes.

Whoever aimed Rickman’s camera at Petersen’s crew certainly caught Bob D’Olivo (left) and Wally Parks (center) by surprise, while Rick himself (second from the left) looks bemused. Car Craft editor and future PPC executive Dick Day is on the far right. Wally evidently gathered the all-star editorial team to present HRM’s huge Sportsmanship Award to Don Schleicher for doing an unknown good deed during the Kansas portion of NHRA’s rain-interrupted National Drags.

The little kid dressed up like an airman and pretending to accept the NHRA Nationals Top Eliminator trophy is none other than LeRoi “Tex” Smith, USAF fighter pilot. Subsequent civilian careers with HRM and NHRA started with flying into bases near Drag Safari meets and assisting track setup and tech inspection. An appreciative Safari team affectionately dubbed the volunteer “Boy Lieutenant” and “Lieutenant Fuzz.” After separating from the service, he was recruited for HRM by editor Parks in 1957. He remained at the forefront of hot rodding and automotive publishing right up to his death in 2015, the same year that his long-awaited life story appeared (Inside Hot Rodding: The Tex Smith Autobiography).

Drag racing’s first national showdown and NHRA’s first four-day event was less the overnight success that the Trend Inc. monthlies would have readers believe than an “overnightmare” in Kansas. Drag News reported that the bumpy tarmac of Great Bend Municipal Airport caused so many drivetrain failures during the September 29-30 time trials that NHRA officials spent Friday night supervising a partial repaving. Overnight Saturday and throughout Sunday, the meet was drowned by what HRM called the area’s “worst rainstorm in 30 years.” Faced with an extended forecast for more of the same, and with only the Dragster class winner and overall Top Eliminator yet to be determined amongst all-Western cars, Wally Parks made the controversial call to postpone the meet’s conclusion to November 19-20—in Arizona, 1,000 miles away (thus the two-part event coverage in the Dec. ’55 and Feb. ’56 HRM).

If the facade seems familiar, yet you never saw this massive Los Angeles building, close copies of its tailfin-inspired towers greet visitors to Disney parks in both Florida and California. Inside the Pan-Pacific Auditorium, this Olds-powered custom won the Street Roadster class at Bob Petersen’s 1955 Motorama. Greg Sharp advised that owner-builder Hanky Rootlieb became a pioneer manufacturer of reproduction sheetmetal for early Fords. The company still operates in California. Not so the Pan-Pacific, whose 100,000 square feet made it the world’s largest inhabited wooden structure. The building was L.A.’s main venue for indoor events from 1935 until 1972, when it was displaced by a bigger convention center and abandoned by all but squatters. For the next 17 years, the property’s fate was debated by politicians, developers, and preservationists. Nothing got resolved until May 1989, when a fire blamed on a transient consumed the 54-year-old building. The site ultimately became Pan-Pacific Park, instantly identifiable by a scaled-down tailfin tower atop its recreation center. (See Aug. ’56 HRM.)

If this outtake seems familiar, it’s because the frame is similar to others on possibly the most-reproduced, most-ripped-off roll of images in an archive bursting with approximately 8.5 million individual negatives and transparencies. Adding insult to personal injury, Bob D’Olivo’s portraits of Kenneth Howard, aka Von Dutch—with and without a flute—in this goofy setting are too often either uncredited or miscredited to D’Olivo’s internal, eternal arch-rival, Eric Rickman.

Rickman got Von Dutch to strike a variety of poses in front of L.A.’s Competition Body Shop, wherein the cantankerous artist had set up shop. Humorous images from Rick and his boss, photographic director Bob D’Olivo, were combined in the Feb. ’56 CC, a package that began with editor Dick Day’s humorous column about assigning the accompanying interview to unsuspecting writer Jack Baldwin, who’d never heard of Von Dutch—and never got a straight answer to his prepared questions.

The late Racer Brown never left home without his Cross ballpoint pen and a slide rule, recalled D’Olivo, his colleague, close pal, and soon-to-be racing partner in Corvette’s first national-championship season (see July ’16 HRM). Few folks outside of the company suspected that HRM’s longtime tech editor belonged to an extremely wealthy family and never needed to work. After leaving the publishing business, he found more success as a racing camgrinder.

New-car road tests don’t always end happily. Incriminating evidence occasionally turns up in the archive (though never in back issues). HRM’s Brock raced fast American iron on the sand in Florida, on the salt flats, and on dragstrips without crashing, but he met his match in this 11.7ci (191cc), 9.9hp Messerschmitt. The German wartime aircraft manufacturer’s tricky, airplane-style steering bar swiveled side to side to turn the 4.00-8 front tires. These tandem-passenger three-wheelers weighed just 507 pounds and became fairly common in Competition Coupe/Sedan classes, whose liberal rules allowed any production body, imports included.

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twotravelinglanes-blog · 6 years ago

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When you wish upon a star

Two Traveling Lanes

When you wish upon a star

Disney is for more than kids. Daughter Julie and I go as often as we can.

#Disney #Disneybesidesrides #Disneyforadults #Disneyforgrownups #Disneyinspiration #Disneyinspo #DisneyOrlandotraveltips #Disneytravel #Disneytraveltips #Disneywithoutchildren #SpecialeventsDisney #Travel #WhattodoatDisney

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bingeeater101-blog · 7 years ago

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It starts

here goes nothing ... my first post.

i'll start with a bit about me, quick summary of my binge eating, then maybe some background, then whatever comes to mind i suppose...

so ... I'm a 43yr old male. I work full time and also have a side business .. keeps be busy.

I have 3 children (3 boys, 19,16,13) who are my life and a wonderful wife who unfortunately is not home as much as i'd like (she works out of town so is gone during the work week)

I have been overweight for many years ... ever since late high school. 2 years ago i was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and went on a seriously strict diet limiting my carb intake. It worked ... I lost 65 pounds ... felt great. I suppose full disclosure is therapeutic here, this is the first time in multiple years where the first number of my weight didn't start with a 3. How awesome!!! Went for a checkup with the doctor .. he was amazed .. said i have done great ... lowered my dose of diabetes meds. That day, something switched in my brain ... I stopped being so strict with my diet and I just started eating more and more .. I stopped worrying about carbs and well .. for lack of better words .. went hog wild. I have since put 40 pounds back on and then took 15 back off. I'm now hovering.

I started to notice a pattern. No matter if i was hungry or not ... if i could get away with eating a large portion of food, i would. If i could hide the evidence, even better! I'd be out on an errand and see Taco Bell ... sure i ate an hour ago .. but ... taco bell!! maybe a quick snack? one item? that's what i'd tell myself to get myself into the drive through ... but then 3 burritos and a large diet soda later ... I'm feeling sick .. both physically and emotionally. Stop at the gas station ... dump the garbage .. go home.. tell NOONE.

I started researching on line (what every doctor loves to hear) and found quite a few websites on binge eating. Every time I got to symptoms or identifiers.. I didn't match some of them... I matched ALL of them.

I visited my doctor and expressed my concern. He prescribed Vyvanse (an ADHD medication that has shown promise in treating Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and suggested I go to a therapist to discuss the issues.

Still taking the Vyvanse and I think it's the only thing keeping my weight from ballooning again .. not because i'm eating so healthily, but because it's a heavy stimulant and it's forcing my body to burn off what i'm eating.

I went to the therapist for a while. Really liked her, but ran out of funds to pay her ... so I have stopped going. I never felt as though i was told anything that i didn't already know there, so it mainly became a 45 minute session of visiting and talking about various things going on in my life.

I know where my problem came from, I just can't seem to stop it. 40+ years of habit is hard to break.

Where did it come from? everywhere.. yeah .. there are many reasons

Conditioning from childhood.

What happens when you do something good as a child? you get rewarded right? mcdonalds? candy? how many times is it food? SO MANY times. My parents were no different, good grades .. fancy dinner ... finish chores without being asked ... sweets

dinners with circling sharks. We were a small family and my stepmom always made enough to feed us. There was always a bit leftover though. Who would get the prized second portion? well .. none of us NEEDED it, but whoever finished their first serving would snag the second. Stepmom is a great cook .. seconds is awesome! so .. who needs to chew right? wolf the first down .. savor the second ... but that just turns into wolf everything down.

depression, adhd, anxiety... as i have joined adulthood and had kids of my own, i have recognized that i suffered from fairly severe depression, adhd, and anxiety. Lots of things contributed to this from abusive father to bullying to just a chemical imbalance. None of this was ever diagnosed, I grew up in an age where maybe one kid in the school was diagnosed as hyper active and on a med for it. While over diagnosing seems to be the world we live in today, the complete lack of diagnosis back then did a lot of disservice to those of us who were suffering but didn't know why. How does this contribute to binge eating you ask? well .. when i'd have anxiety attacks, or get depressed, i gave myself a bit of a dopamine release using my wonderful friend FOOD.

Adult contributions to the issueso, point 3 above is still in full force here. I married young ... had 2 kids and stayed for 13 years unhappy. First because i figured nobody would want me .. in my mind, i found someone to tolerate me. That's probably the best i'm going to do given who i am (the mind of depression and low self esteem). Being socially awkward made meeting new people difficult. In the end of the marriage, I stayed for the kids ... not to show them a loving family unit, but to act as a buffer between them and my now ex wife who tended to fly off the handle quickly at them). Through this, time, i don't recall if i was binge eating. Surely i was overeating because i was gaining weight the whole time, but i don't recall serious eating until feeling sick.

stress .. working full time .. owning a part time business .. being the taxi for 3 kids in multiple activities ... the list goes on and on .. stress can build up when schedules do not cooperate. Could i eat breakfast at home? sure .. did i? nope ... drop the kids .. hit the drive through ... hide the garbage. rationalize by saying that i simply am busy and don't have time to prepare food.

boredom... As stated earlier, I am alone quite a bit during the week. When my wife started her new job, i was terribly depressed when she was gone and bored to boot. I do not hold her responsible for my actions in any way at all, it simply made it easier for me to rationalize. She would go, I'd get depressed and bored .. and treat my depression with food. Pizza is my biggest vice. Most common scenario... I have to stay home tonight and work on things for the business .. I don't have time to cook or go out. Papa Johns web ordering .. here i come. I'll just get something small. What's this? large pizza is on sale? it's only $1.50 more than a small?? well it would be a fiscally poor decision to order the small. I'll eat the leftovers tomorrow. I just fed myself for 2 days! oh .. what's this? add a side and a 2 liter of soda for a bundle deal? again ... it would be silly to not .. and again ... 2 days of food right? way to go me! food arrives i dive in ... so good! Hey .. if i don't eat the crusts it's not as bad. I'll toss those to the dogs .. they'll love me for it. oops ... only 2 pieces left. well shit ... i may as well just finish it at this point. so .. yup ... large pizza ... over half a 2 liter, and some other random side dish ... gone ... hide the evidence! now i'm even more depressed for tomorrow .. guess how i'll handle that?

in addition to this, like i said before ... i eat when i'm depressed, i eat when i'm stressed, i make notoriously poor decisions thanks to ADHD ... and don't forget ... I also reward myself with food and celebrate with food. My wife comes home .. YAY ... my love is here! let's go out to dinner and celebrate!

so ... you can see the issue here ... my life is pretty much .. food, food,food,food,food,food,food

I know the issue is there .. and i know the urges are there. I recognize them ... i feel horrible when i give into them, and if i don't stop feeling sorry for myself, i'll descend into that wonderful downward spiral. Oddly enough .. the Austin Powers movie was extremely wise when it came to the character Fat Bastard. "I get depressed because i eat, and i eat because i'm depressed... it's a vicious cycle"

that's me in a nutshell ... issues upon issues..

I'll end this with my current week's issues. I'm having an extremely busy week with my business, and my kids are at their mom's house for the week .. so I'm home alone. there are fewer more dangerous scenarios for me. See scenario above. Papa Johns ... but .. i got a thin crust because it's not as bad. Still talked myself into the large ... didn't get a side or drink ... small victories i suppose. Still felt like crap after.

Today for lunch, the wonders of the Little Cesars hot and ready. Lunch and dinner? nope ... polished that thing off :(.

Sure i knew i shouldn't when i pulled in, but here i am ... it's gone. tossed the box in the company garbage to avoid discovery.

Why do i do this? Why do i lie to myself? who knows. it's a mystery.

I have a great low carb dinner in the crock pot for when i'm off tonight. Wish me luck.

Hopefully I pull in a couple of followers here .. I'll try to post daily and hold myself accountable by telling followers what i did the previous day.

Thanks for reading

Mark

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