#but at the same time equally as definitive and certain about red bull being The Place for him too

[danthropologie]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NMB_Gs95yoo <- WHAT DOES HE KNOW ⁉️ 🗣️

"will we see you driving next year?" "i want to. i want to so....that's the plan"

[bsaka7]

for the ask game!! (as always feel free to do/change whatever u like w this prompt haha)

pairing: pierre/charles

au: time travel

lyrics: i'm now becoming my own self-fulfilled prophecy / oh, oh no, oh no! - are you satisfied by MARINA

im a family jewels lover first and an f1 blogger second. thank u for this and sorry it took me a hot second!! i went into a writing trance for 2 days and then emerged and have proceeded to do nothing but play minecraft...anyway this isn't a COMPLETE match to the lyrics but i DID listen to the song the whole time so hopefully this ticks some sort of box! under the cut!

Charles falls asleep sometime after seven AM the day after he wins the World Driver's Championship. When he wakes up, he's not in his bed. He's on some uncomfortable couch, and when he looks up, everything around him is Red Bull themed. He wonders if this is a prank. How much did he drink last night?

He remembers lifting the trophy high over his head and hugging Mattia and being congratulated by Lewis and Daniel and Carlos (perhaps fallaciously) and Pierre and so on and so forth. He remembers doing shots with his brothers and after that it gets a little bit blurry but he's fairly certain he didn't do something stupid enough like fly to Milton Keynes, sneak in, and fall asleep. And if he did do that, he would definitely have brought both his trophy and the team's trophy with him. Just to rub it in.

He swings his feet over the couch and sits up. He hears voices coming from the next room over, some French and accented English.

Someone is asking: Who are you?

A familiar voice responds: I'm Pierre Gasly.

Charles recognizes his voice as soon as he says his name. He remembers talking to Pierre about this, on one of their last true vacations before Pierre got called up to Toro Rosso and Charles went on to win Formula Two. Pierre sounds young. Charles knows this conversation happened at the beginning. When belief wasn't yet resignation.

The first voice, a woman asks: What are your goals?

Charles has heard the answer a million times. He has said the words himself: To be a Formula One driver and to be a Formula One world champion.

To believe you are going to win means you have to believe you are the best. Charles has worked hard to mold himself into a champion. Pierre has had worse luck. A team that didn't support him, a demotion and a stagnation.

Charles knew the last question the woman would ask: What are you going to do to achieve these goals?

Pierre's answer is the same as Charles' but with a certain determination, borne of a different kind of steel: Anything it takes.

Charles sits and waits and eventually Pierre stumbles into the room with him.

"Charles?" he asks, confused.

"Pierre," Charles says, frankly, equally as confused.

"Did you hear everything that went on in there?"

"Not really," Charles says, truthfully. He had nodded back off. "Just that you're going to win a WDC." He smiles. He wonders why Pierre doesn't notice he's different. It breaks his heart to see Pierre like this, young and freckled. A child, still.

Pierre looks down at his feet. "I don't know that I can actually do it," he confesses, quietly. "But I want to, so badly. What happens if I don't?"

Charles hugs him and then listens, the day after his first World Championship, to Pierre's dreams.

--

Charles wakes up again, sometime in the future. This time, he's outside and it's raining and the park bench has left his jeans dirty. He sits up, out of instinct. This is really the freakiest dream Charles has ever had.

The rain is cold, dripping down the back of his neck. He stands up to go see if he can find a place to shelter. It seems like it's barely dawn. Apparently time runs funny in these dreams. There's a figure hurrying down the street, tucked under a black umbrella. He's wearing blue and red. Charles wonders why his dreams have decided to torment him with the motifs of Red Bull.

The man gets closer. "Pierre!" Charles calls out, before he can stop himself.

"Charles?" Pierre says, stopping in front of him. Charles pauses. Something is wrong. Pierre's eyes are rimmed with red and he's slightly unsteady on his feet. He's wearing the garb of Toro Rosso. He's too young. He's the same amount of miserable.

Pierre doesn't seem to realize anything is different. He rushes into Charles' arms, wrapping him up in a hug. The umbrella bumps against Charles' head and sends more water down his back.

"I thought this would be it," Pierre says. "This was the dream, and here I am."

"You're drunk," Charles says, softly. Pierre is really drunk. He can smell the reek of

"All I want to do is win," Pierre says, his voice hiccuping.

"I know," Charles says, his hands tight on Pierre's back, rubbing small circles.

"When will I win?" Pierre asks, stepping back slightly and fisting his hands in Charles shirt. Charles holds on to his arms, as if they're a lifeline for them both. "I'm never going to win. I've sacrificed my whole life, look at me."

"You will," Charles says, confident with the time of ages. It hurts him to see his best friend hurting. He's watched Pierre win.

Pierre shakes his head. "You don't understand."

Charles thinks of his trophy, held aloft. He holds Pierre to his chest. He thinks of his assertion that he would do anything it takes to win. He'd ruin himself. They both would. For one of them it counts.

"I know."

--

Charles opens his eyes, the third time, and he's dizzy. He's in someone's arms. For a moment, he thinks he's still on the street with Pierre, demoted and drunk, but it's not raining and he's inside, music pumping around them.

He steps back. The hug had already gone on too long. He looks up and it's Pierre. He's older this time, rather than younger. Time hasn't treated him kindly but he still looks like Charles' best friend. The love of his life, maybe, glittering under the club lighting.

"Sorry," Pierre says. He's drunk again. "You're the first one I've told. I can't -- after the year without the drive. Even with the wins this season. I can't do it anymore. I can't keep pretending I'm happy in the midfield." He clutches at Charles, swaying slightly. Charles puts his hands on his hips as if they're dancing instead of talking. Breaking down.

"Okay," Charles says, because he doesn't know what to say. He doesn't know this Pierre, yet.

Pierre shakes his head. "Sorry," he says, "I shouldn't be so maudlin on the day you tied it up in the points. I can't help it." He grins, weakly. "I always want more."

Charles' puts his hand on Pierre's.

"Me too, Pierre," he says. "Me too."

--

Charles wakes up with his trophy to his chest and shakes his head.

The only thing he wants is to win again. He looks over, Pierre snoring on the other side of the bed after passing out at the end of the night. To win, and Pierre too, maybe.

No one every does get everything they want. And it's only the rest of their lives.

[talesofsonicasura]

Stone Novas

Ch 4: Exposition

Astra's secret is revealed to Team Monkie Kid much to her dismay! A challenge is wagered, plots are formed and soon wills shall be tested. CH3 CH5

Megapolis' Docks, Secret Base

To say Astra was upset would be an understatement. She was thoroughly pissed off for one good reason. Sun Wukong, Monkey King and 'Great Sage Equal To Heaven' didn't know how to keep his mouth shut. And the feeling to flay him grew as Mei poked at the Frontier Brain.

All of them had hustled back to the Secret Base after MK had blurted out her otherworldly origins. Luckily, no one else was there to hear it. When the young man had accidentally sent himself flying out of the Weather Station, not only did Wukong appear to take away his invulnerability but also told him about her Battle Observatory.

He didn't mention Macaque oddly enough or her taking his clothes, no doubt to keep some of his pride. The reactions from Sandy, Pigsy, Tang and Mei were expected once they got back into the base after a silent ride. Dumbfounded disbelief from MK's boss, curiosity from Tang, awe and wonderment from Sandy, as for Mei…

"Are you human or is this a disguise?! Wouldn't that make Bao Chang, Lupe, Mars, and that giant bird Siegfried alien animals?! Are there any dragon Pokemon where you're from?" A thousand questions alongside her wild poking and prodding. Astra didn't mind someone being curious but this was aggravating.

Having enough with the mildly rude treatment, the redhead grabbed Mei's hand tightly. "I would love to talk if you stop scrutinizing me like a Noctowl pellet." Astra let the raven quickly scoot away, slightly embarrassed but still had that same vigor. The Frontier Brain massaged her head, carefully picking her next words before speaking.

"I am human but from an alternate Earth. Instead of demons, we have Pokemon that can be found everywhere whether it be land, sea, sky and even space itself. During my free time, I usually explore various worlds by traveling through Ultra Space but I am actually the Frontier Brain for the Battle Observatory."

Mk had heard about the facility Astra owned from the Monkey King although neither of them knew what it really meant. Picking up on the young man's confusion, the ginger continued her explanation. "Where I'm from we have something called Pokemon Battles."

Mars connected his tail into the base's computer, the screen switching to display a battle between two trainers and their respective Pokemon: a bipedal rhinoceros covered in orange stone plates and a smaller bipedal chinchilla with large white fur that curled like locks of hair.

"Trainers bring out their Pokemon to battle and give them instructions. When all Pokemon on the opponent's team is unable to battle, the Trainer whose team is left standing wins. No Pokemon are forced to battle without their consent and no killing is allowed." The chinchilla-like Pokemon took down the much larger opponent with a strong blow to the head, spirals appearing on the eyes of the knocked out rhinoceros Pokemon.

Mars then changed the screen to display six different buildings, one of them being the Battle Observatory. A picture of Astra stood in front of the observatory as a shadow silhouette stood at the other 5 facilities. "There are tournaments that test the mettle of both Trainers and their Pokemon, the Pokemon League but we'll be discussing my domain, the Battle Frontier."

Battle Frontier, just two words that sent a shiver down the spines of everyone in the room. MK, unlike the rest of his companions, had a look of determination but also hope in his eyes. Something that made the redhead smile brightly.

"Trainers have to face the Frontier Brains, powerful trainers and their Pokemon that can rival the strength of the Champion for each respective region. Those who defeat a Frontier Brain, earn a symbol of their success, a badge for that gym. If someone manages to collect 5 of these badges, then they can become a Frontier Brain for their own facility. This is my badge, the Nova Badge!"

Astra then took something out of her pocket. It was a metal badge that resembled a fiery meteor from the red flame locale surrounding the yellow star shape and the center was a gray X bearing sharpened edges similar to a stake.

"Only those with conviction to face the burning flames of tribulation and strife can earn this badge. One of the reasons many trainers call me the Battle Frontier's Shooting Star." The redhead didn't even flinch when MK and his companions had suddenly gotten into personal space.

"Woah! That is the coolest thing I have ever seen. It looks really well made too! I wish I had my own badge but I really don't like fighting." Sandy stated with mild disappointment. Astra patted the big aquatic demon on the side and gave him a kind grin. "I can make you a custom badge if you want, Sandy. Send me a design and I'll have it ready in a few days."

The redhead chuckled at the sudden bone crushing hug she had gotten from a very happy Sandy. Pigsy was a bit indifferent to the whole otherworld thing. "As long as you come in peace then I don't really care about your origins. Plus you have a good head on your shoulders considering what happened back at the Weather Station."

Every member of the Monkie Kid team knew where the restaurant owner was getting at. All of them would've been captured by Red Son after MK got taken out of the fight. They couldn't forget about the people that might have been hurt or worse without Astra's intervention.

Something that raised a question for a certain bandana wearing young man. "Hey Astra, can I talk with you outside for a moment?" The Frontier Brain gave MK a confused look before nodding. Mars could fill in any questions the rest of the group had anyway. Neither of them said a word until the two adults were back on the boat.

It was here that Astra saw the brunette's carefree attitude dissolve into disappointment and shame. She had a bad feeling about this. "Do you think I'm worthy enough to be the Monkie Kid?" Now the Frontier Brain really hated where this was going.

"Back at the Weather Station, I was practically useless during the whole thing. I hurt Sandy with the staff and nearly got everyone captured because of my invulnerability ego. I even flung myself out of the building with my own weapon! Sometimes I feel like being able to pick up the Monkey King's Staff was a huge fluke. I…"

MK didn't get to finish when Astra gently caressed his cheek, a warm motherly expression on her face. "It's ok to feel like this, MK. You are new to this whole experience but I know for damn sure that your achievements aren't fake! I read about you saving the city from that huge Demon Bull King fiasco some time ago."

She pulled him into a side hug and turned to the open ocean. "When I first started out as a trainer, sometimes I doubted if I could even become a Frontier Brain. There were times that I wanted to give up but my friends and my Pokemon gave me the courage to keep trying. Look at me now, I achieved my goal alongside my faithful partners. Remember that 'the strongest mountain started as a stone.'"

MK then felt something metallic in his hand and stared down in shock to see a colorless Nova Badge sitting on his open palm. "I want you to hold onto this badge, little Kubfu. When you have found and mastered your full potential, face my team to fully complete that badge. If the Monkey King's training isn't sufficient, I won't mind stepping in for some proper training."

Astra's grin sharpened, the sun making her apple green eyes glow like emeralds and her flaming red hair burn like fire. "I might not have magical powers but I definitely can teach you how to wield a staff. A lot of my Pokemon would also love to help you master your newfound magic. What do you say MK? Want to take your training to the next level?"

The young man looked at the Frontier Brain. His uncertainty became hardened determination. "Please teach me how to become stronger!" MK bowed his head in respect, a sign of a student ready to learn under their master. Astra's smile grew from the young man's response. Now she had a few things to do before she started training MK.

Flower Fruit Mountain, Water Curtain Cave

Siegfried let out a mighty caw as he soared through the air. The Frontier Brain was currently seated on the Raven's Pokemon back with her goggles keeping any volcanic ash away from her eyes. All of the monkeys who saw the large Steel/Flying Type quickly scattered or watched Siegfried fly through the curtain of a waterfall.

This particular waterfall was shielding a cavern that held a small wooden shack within its stone walls, Sun Wukong's home. Once Siegfried landed and was recalled to his Pokeball, Astra went over to the house. She had spotted a large ancient mural to the side depicting Wukong alongside three other people.

A pig demon, fish demon, and a human monk riding on the back of a horse as Wukong sat on top of his cloud with a fillet on his head. It was quite eerie but not for the soft golden glow that lined the characters. No, it was the fact that they looked too much like Pigsy, Sandy and Tang that unnerved the redhead.

Astra walked up to the door of the small home and gave it a hard knock. The door opened to show a disgruntled looking Monkey King who was probably asleep earlier from the yellow pjs decorated in peaches. The demon quickly straightened himself upon seeing those apple green eyes glare into his own ambers. "Fancy seeing you here, Astra. Want to come in?" Wukong nervously laughed, he knew he was in hot water.

"You told MK about my origins WITHOUT my permission, jackass! What in the absolute Distortion World were you thinking?!" The redhead harshly poked the monkey's chest, every word burning with rage. The Monkey King raised his hands innocently despite Astra looking ready to skin his hide.

"I can't keep such information from my successor! MK had the right to know and I trust the kid to keep a secret." Wukong took a step back when the Frontier Brain snarled and dragged him down by his pajama shirt so they were at eye level.

"You are an idiot of the highest caliber and a poor teacher! I read the story about MK fighting that giant bull demon and saw him recklessly using your staff back at the Weather Station. Have you even given him proper training at all?!" Astra hissed, glaring daggers into the demon's fiery amber eyes.

Wukong nervously smiled at the accusation which didn't help with what he said next. "The kid did defeat Demon Bull King and came out of both fights completely fine. We've been practicing some hand to hand combat too. MK just needs to believe in himself, even just a tiny smidge." The Monkey King's world turned upside down in seconds as he hit the ground.

Astra sat on top of him, her legs straddled between his so he couldn't move while she held him up to her face with an iron grip. "You are an incompetent fool that clearly doesn't know what he's doing! Did you know MK asked me if he was even worthy of being your successor? That he thought of his achievements as a mere fluke, you insufferable Stunfisk?!"

Wukong's smile dissolved into a shameful frown. Did he really make his student believe that he was a failure? The mere thought made his heart sink. "I'll be taking over MK's training from now on since it's clear you are ill suited for the task." He instantly froze. Did she really just…?

"What do you mean you're taking over?" A look of anger and shock crossed Sun Wukong from the Frontier Brain's words. Astra didn't seem to care about the Monkey King's growing temper. "You heard me. Unless you start taking MK's training seriously, then my Pokemon and I will do it instead. I may not have powers but I can teach him to wield a staff. My team can handle the magic part since you're shit for this job."

Rage boiled underneath the demon's skin. What gave this human the right to say he was an unsuitable teacher? It's his powers and his staff! Who did she think she was to say that to the Monkey King, Great Sage Equal To Heaven, Sun Wukong?!! He'd- The monkey demon immediately stamped that thought before it could continue and instead turned his head away.

This wasn't about him. It was about his student MK. Astra had a point, the young man wasn't ready at all and if a tougher opponent came along… The look of remorse on Wukong's face was enough for the redhead's rage to slowly simmer down.

"How about a compromise? If you are that serious about helping MK, then battle Bao Chang." Sun Wukong immediately looked at the human woman in surprise. "It is said that someone's true intentions can be revealed in the heat of battle. Clash with my darling Monferno at the Battle Observatory on the morning of next week and show me how far you will truly go for your disciple."

The redhead got off the Monkey King so he could get back onto his feet. He could see in those apple green eyes that Astra wasn't fooling around. His only chance. "Alright. I'll accept your challenge. Where do we meet up since we're going back to your world?" Wukong's question only got him a chuckle from the Frontier Brain.

"Ask your apprentice, he'll tell you." With that said, Astra walked away from his home leaving the Monkey King to his thoughts.

Megapolis, Astra's House

The sound of a hammer hitting steel echoed across the small forest. It was from Bao Chang who was fastening a brand new windowsill to the upper floor of the old house, a paintbrush wrapped around his tail too. Astra and some of her Pokemon decided to fix up their brand new home after returning from Flower Fruit Mountain.

Bao Chang worked on replacing the windows, Lupe disposed of any garbage he found, Mars scanned for any issues with the infrastructure and Siegfried helped transport any of the heavy goods such as furniture or any stuff that can be exchanged for extra cash. Aniani kept watch in case of an accident or intruder, as for Astra…

"Sticky Web, Arachne!" A large blob of webbing struck the worn pillar. The substance slipped it into the cracks with the wood, Astra then placed a large metal sheet onto the sticky goo. "El Dorado, melt that metal a bit with Incinerate!" Quickly stepping back as a stream of fire hit the steel plate.

The intense flame caused the alloy to slowly curl around the pillar's surface until it was fully enveloped. Another stream of fire went down where the two ends to the sheet metal converged, sealing it together. With a short inspection of the plating, Astra gave a thumbs up to the two Pokemon responsible.

One Pokemon was a shockingly large black spider around 12'3 in size, six long yellow legs with the bottom half black that had medium sized water bubbles on each joint, a big water bubble that encased their head, two large blue eyes bearing light blue horizontal wave shaped pupils with three smaller triangle blue eyes on the forehead, four large fangs at the bottom of the head, a vertical tannish brown streak with two horizontal ones on the top of the abdomen and a small yellow stinger on their rear.

The other one was a 1'3 dark gold gremlin, eyes were light gold diamonds cut in an hexagon shape, two fin like ears bearing two points on each side of their head, a small emerald on their chest alongside a small jade and light gold crystals on the back, three fingered claws, three fur like spikes on the elbows and three toed bearing sharp claws. On their left arm was a dark violet wristband that held a black, red and violet jewel inside.

"Looks pretty stable. Got a few more support pillars to go, think you can handle it Arachne and El Dorado?" Astra first looked at the large spider then to the small gremlin Pokemon. The large spider Pokemon named Arachne did a small nod while the little gremlin El Dorado gave a thumbs up.

The Frontier Brain shortly paused as a serious expression overtook her face. Her focus was on the corner of the room that was unnaturally darker than the others. "Arachne, Bubblebeam over there!" The large spider took a deep breath before letting loose a rapid stream of dark blue bubbles.

In seconds, a purple outlined shadow cudgel emerges and promptly bursts every single bubble with a single swing. Macaque took a step out of the shadows, clearly impressed from the fang filled grin on his face. Astra only sighed at the sight of the shadow demon.

"I guess you do have some decent senses to detect me. Nice improvement on this dumpster pile by the way." The Frontier Brain rolled her eyes at the intruding monkey, both Pokemon beside her had their guard up. A sight that made Macaque chuckle.

"Usually I am not that defensive unless near a potential threat. I just didn't know that you used to eat humans before we met." Astra spoke, her arms crossed and an offensive edge to her voice. Dismissing the shadow cudgel from his hands, the demon gave the redhead a mischievous look.

"I knew you overheard me and Sun Wukong the other night instead of going to your room. Had me surprised when you still treated my wounds while keeping calm from your steady heartbeat. Pretty brave and bold, Apple." Macaque walked closer until he was standing in front of the Frontier Brain.

The demon could still hear her heart remain steady despite their close proximity, a thought that made his tail wag happily. "What do you want, Macaque? Because I'm pretty sure spying on someone isn't a proper visit." Astra didn't feel like playing around at the moment. One demon had already gotten on her nerves, she didn't need two.

"Straight to the point I see! What I want is to train under your tutelage." Astra looked at the shadow demon like he was crazy. She let Macaque continue with his explanation. "My clash with the Monkey King proved my training methods are ineffective, training dummies can only do so much. What's a better sparring partner other than a Frontier Brain?"

The redhead kept her eyes on the monkey as he circled around her, Arachne and El Dorado stayed silent. Both Pokemon were waiting for any sign of a threat. "So how about a deal? I help around your observatory and you let me battle your Pokemon in exchange. I can even help fix up this rusty junk heap as a bonus." Macaque offered, a calm yet manic grin etched on his face.

Astra mulled over the proposition in her head. She wasn't stupid or naive. Macaque and Wukong had a nasty history paired with a mile wide grudge. There was also the chance of manipulation for the Frontier Brain since the monkey demon might have abandonment issues, inferiority complex and probably low esteem.

Taking his offer could lead to two scenarios. He'll end up taking revenge on Sun Wukong, possibly dragging anyone associated with the Monkey King into it. Or two, she could learn their history and might be able to help both demons before their sour relationship leads to a much bigger problem down the road.

Whatever the case, these two needed help. "Fine but you must listen to what I say and respect any rules that I make. By the way, if you try to use whatever you learn against some innocent soul…" Astra's eyes sharpened, her teeth on full display from the huge snarl and a dark aura came off the redhead in waves.

The sudden malice was enough for Macaque to take a step back in instinctual fright. "I won't hesitate to show you why I'm the most feared amongst my peers in the Battle Frontier. Angels, demons or gods, nothing will save you from my wrath. Got it, little Alolan Rattata?" The shadow demon quickly nodded at the Frontier Brain's threat.

In seconds the frightening aura quickly vanished as Astra clapped her hands happily. "Splendid. For now, you'll be helping El Dorado and Arachne with enforcing the support beams. Arachne is my dear Araquanid while El Dorado is my sweet Sableye." Both Pokemon waved a hand or leg in Arachne's case in greeting to the demon monkey.

Macaque was about to say something when the redhead threw two small cards at him. Quickly catching them, dark amber slightly widened to see they were Pokedex Entries for the two Pokemon before him. Although the one for El Dorado looked different since the Sableye in that picture was violet instead of gold.

"'Araquanid, the Water Bubble Pokemon. Bug/Water Type. The water bubble around Araquanid's head can be used to carry Pokemon they consider as friends to safety or drown potential prey. It has a habit of storing things it likes in its water bubble so their trainers have to be extra careful to not get dragged in. This Pokemon likes to savor its meal and can also launch the bubbles from its legs as another way to capture live prey.'" Macaque looked warily at the giant spider before reading the other card.

"'Sableye, the Darkness Pokemon. A Ghost/Dark Type-'" The demon monkey went silent for a few seconds. 'What in the absolute hell?' Macaque shoved the thought in the back of his head before continuing his low mutters.

"'-It digs up gems with its sharp claws then uses its sharp teeth to devour them in the deep darkness of caverns. This diet caused Sableye's eyes to become gemstones and some of that material to float to the surface of their bodies. It's feared for the misconception that these Pokemon can steal the souls of people when their eyes glow a sinister color in the dark.'"

The shadow demon paused to look at the card then the small Darkness Pokemon. He blinked a few times before pocketing the Pokedex entries into his jeans. Macaque had a feeling this won't be the only time Astra decides to make him feel uneasy. Shrugging his shoulders, the monkey resigned himself to his fate and got to work with the repairs.

Megapolis, Flaming Foundry

Deep underneath Megapolis, there laid a massive factory unknown to others. This facility was the Flaming Foundry, where every mechanical creation was manufactured to assist the Demon Bull Family. A family of three who seeked to rule the world in an age of darkness and fire: Princess Iron Fan, her husband Demon Bull King and their child Red Son.

Standing in front of a large screen was Red Son alongside two others. One was a huge minotaur type bull demon around 15 in size, powerful bulging muscles to red violet fur that seemed to almost synthetic, bottom jaw covered in a heavy steel plate with similar steel under burning yellow eyes, a gold bull nose ring, gear similar to that of a barbarian: steel pauldrons, multiple straps on the chest that held a gold furnace like slot at the center, dark grey pelt around the waist similar to a barbarian's, slightly long tail, sharp clawed fingers, large fangs and strong gray hooved feet.

The other was a woman about a ft taller than Red Son, soft tan complexion, two large black horns on both sides of her head, long raven hair, red lipstick on full lips, thin but buxom form hidden under a beautiful red traditional Chinese dress, and heeled sandals. They were Red Son's parents, Princess Iron Fan and Demon Bull King. Red Son seemed mostly healed from his encounter with Team Monkie Kid minus a few bandages.

All three of them were watching the large monitor, it was on the news which covered the Weather Station. The broadcast was about none other than two of Astra's Pokemon rescuing civilians who were trapped inside. "-No one knows what these strange creatures were but the families of those who were trapped inside are truly grateful for their assistance."

Red Son then changed the feed to camera footage from the Weather Station, most of the audio was fried courtesy of Mars' hacking the mainframe earlier. "I can see why your plan went asunder, my dear son. You said this woman's name was Astra?" PIF questioned, looking at her only child.

The red haired demon did a short nod before answering. "Yes from what Noodle Boy called her during our battle. All those creatures appear to follow her command; unlike Noodle Boy's group, she's very competent in both strategy and execution. The marks of a tactician."

DBK looked inquisitively at the footage. His attention darted from Bao Chang tearing apart their soldiers using various elements, to Lupe destroying his troops with powerful acid then blasting his son away in a giant laser, Mars stealthily hack into the Weather Station's mainframe and finally Astra's conversion of a broom handle into a weapon that melted through titanium steel. He's seen that type of cleverness before, it got him trapped underneath a mountain for 500 years.

"It appears the little thief has made a powerful and dangerous ally. Get as much information on this 'Shooting Star Astra' and 'Battle Frontier'. Even better if you somehow manage to capture her." DBK glared at the Frontier Brain's picture, a dark grimace on his face.

"This human woman could change everything."

And that's it! Sun Wukong has been challenged by Astra while Macaque and MK are accepted for training as things slowly begin to change in the background with some of the LMK villains.

Astra isn't someone who would beat around the bush when seeing a possible problem. Especially considering her status as a Frontier Brain and just how dangerous this new world is proving to be.

She is the type who wants to be prepared for the worst. To her, Sun Wukong and Macaque's 'relationship' is an issue just as bad as MK's current training routine.

Moving onto Astra's Pokemon, her team is the Pokemon she had caught during her journey to become a Frontier Brain, not exclusively just six Pokemon. Her Pokemon has two different movesets which is reserved for either exploration or gym battles. I'm bringing this up now to not only clear up any confusion but especially for upcoming chapters.

And for anyone questioning why Astra didn't do anything to Sandy for hugging her, it's because only touches with any romantic sort of sense are a trigger. Stuff like hugs don't bother Astra.

Next chapter is the battle with Sun Wukong! Before I go, I am currently working on a story for my Broken Toys AU! Someone asked if I was going to release all the information first before writing it.

The answer is actually no. I will be posting some stuff for the au like the monsters MK has and his relationship to them but the really juicy ones will be coming once a few chapters are posted.

Until next time folks, see you back in Megapolis.

New Pokemon added! El Dorado the Sableye and Arachne the Araquanid

Astra's team: Bao Chang (Monferno), Siegfried (Corviknight), Lupe (Garbodor), Aniani (Necrozma), Arachne (Araquanid), Mukasa (Zarude), El Dorado (Shiny!Sableye).

[send-me-your-hcs]

Sweeter Than Sugar

a collab fic with @ceratonia-siliqua

Summary: Tony is a man of refinement. Only the best, the highest quality specimens get added to his collection. Peter, a beautiful and very rare male omega, quickly becomes his favorite of all his pets. The perfect omega deserves an equally-perfect alpha. (Or: An a/b/o au where pet owner!Tony forcibly mates Peter and Bucky together for his own enjoyment.)

Warnings: Underage, noncon, a/b/o au, forced mating, dark!Tony, confinement, forced pet play dynamics, forced mating/in heat cycles, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat.

Read on ao3.

Peter’s kennel is easily the nicest.

Tony takes good care of all his pets, mind you. Unhappy specimens make poor test subjects.

But the ones that catch his eye, his favorites, they get special treatment.

Peter is easily one of them. His precious pet. His little princess. Peter’s the newest addition to his collection, but oh, Tony loves him already. Peter isn’t kept in the basement with the others. Peter’s room is in the middle of Tony’s spacious penthouse suite.

It faces the living room and the floor-to-ceiling windows beyond it. The back wall of the living room has been replaced with a pane of glass, revealing the room behind it, Peter’s pretty little cell. Tony pulled out all the stops for his youngest, littlest, sweetest omega. The only boy in Tony’s whole collection. Male omegas are rare; ones as delectable as Peter Parker are even more so, and deserve the best treatment possible.

Tony stands on the other side of the glass, smiling as he surveys the room. In the center, Peter’s luxurious pet bed sits like a centerpiece. It’s only about a foot off the ground, oval-shaped, like most pet beds are, but large enough for ten pets Peter’s size to fit comfortably. The round mattress is set in a hardwood frame that matches its size and shape, the lip of the frame rising an inch or so higher than the edge of the mattress, enclosing it, keeping it nice and secure where it belongs.

Hanging from the ceiling above the bed is a circular canopy, draping beautiful, sheer-white curtains over almost the entire bed. Twinkling fairy lights are strung up within the white canopy, making it glow and glitter like the pretty little princess bed it is.

There are two doors to Peter’s kennel. The first is on the right-side wall, leading to the rest of Tony’s penthouse. Tony keeps this door locked always, though Peter can’t reach it anyway. The second door is in the back corner, leading to the boy’s small ensuite bathroom. Peter’s chain gives him more than enough room to reach the toilet and bathtub - in fact, he can reach everything in the room, except the exit door.

Peter’s bed faces the glass wall, faces the living room and the windows. Tony stands on the other side of the panes and watches the little thing, timidly curled up in his mountain of baby blankets and pillows. Beside Peter’s bed is his toy chest, a decorative white box full of books, games, toys he thought the boy might like. Peter’s only opened it once since he was brought here and didn’t touch a thing inside.

On the other side of his bed is his little table, a hand-carved coffee table Tony repurposed for his pet to eat at. The table only comes up to Peter’s knees, though Tony made sure to place a plush pink cushion on the floor in front of it for his baby to sit on. Peter’s pink, sparkly metal dishes are magnetically stuck to the top of the table, the pull strong enough to ensure Peter can’t cheat and lift the bowls to eat from. His pet has to kneel and eat from his dishes like the precious little puppy he is.

The walls are somewhat decorated; Peter’s name is spelled out in pink wooden blocks hanging on the otherwise grey back wall. More fairy lights frame both doorways, making the room feel warmly-lit and feminine. A pastel rug is spread out on the marble floor in front of Peter’s toy chest, matching the white and pink color scheme of the rest of the room. It’s a small, simple kennel, but easily the nicest one Tony’s designed.

Peter is a shy little thing. He tried to hide in the bathroom at first, but Tony simply turned the AC up in the small room to freeze Peter out. Now, the boy spends hours sitting in his pretty pet bed, clawing at his collar, a charming metal band around his neck with a pastel-pink ruffled bow and a little bell in the front. At the back, Peter’s chain trails from his collar to the left wall, furthest from the exit door, where it’s fused to the cement beneath two layers of gunmetal grey paint. Alpha-tested and unbreakable. Peter yanks at it until his neck is pink and swollen and Tony’s mouth is watering.

He chooses Peter’s mate very carefully. Any official, by-the-books mating service worth its salt would be manically concerned about pairing Peter up. In general, omegas are small, petite little things, averaging around 5’2 in height and hardly passing 100lbs. Tall omegas stand at a whopping 5’5 or 5’6, whereas short omegas, like his darling little Peter, sit pretty at 4’11 and need three full meals a day to weigh 95lbs.

An authorized matchmaker would never consider an alpha taller than 6’2 for an omega as tiny as Peter. Alphas tend to be the polar opposite to omegas in stature; with increased muscle mass and superior height, almost all alphas tower over omegas and betas alike. It’s not unusual to find hulking, intimidating alphas nearing 7’5, weighing in at 300lbs of pure deadly muscle. Since alphas tend to have knots proportionately sized to their height and weight, an alpha anywhere near that size would almost certainly be a death sentence for Peter.

Tony doesn’t choose one quite that big.

He does pick an impressive specimen though. He considered Steve, blond and gorgeous, 6’11 with a cock long and thick like a bat. Steve is sweet enough to deserve his prized Peter, but he lacks a certain...unique quality, that Tony’s after. A certain...animalistic trait.

He considered Thor, too, who is closer to his ideal mate: standing at an impressive 7’1 and 315lbs of biceps and abs, Thor is both kind and vicious, a warrior and a lover all at the same time. Sadly, though, he is truly too big; his massive cock, while impressive, swells up to the size of a football when he knots, and poor itty bitty Peter simply would not survive such a breeding.

But then he considers Bucky.

Bucky is beautiful. A truly breathtaking animal. He’s merely 6’9, the lower end of average height for an alpha, but he’s thick in all the right places. He has the muscle, the strength. He exudes the animalistic qualities Tony’s after. Bucky, simply put, is a beast. Cold and hard and difficult to break. He doesn’t have the gentle disposition, the sweet nature Tony wants Peter to be showered with, but his massive pair of balls hangs heavy and foreboding between his legs, and the sight of them always makes Tony’s mouth water. Oh, how he’s waited so long to watch Bucky empty that massive set of balls inside a terrified, trembling omega.

Peter deserves the sweet, compassionate embrace of a caring alpha afterwards, however, and Bucky has shown zero sign of being able to provide such a service.

Oh well. Tony will just have to comfort his little pet himself.

Peter scrambles away from him when Tony enters his cell. The little thing is skittish like a stray cat and it’s ceaselessly adorable. Using the chain fastened to the wall, Tony reins Peter in like a cowboy lassoing a bull, pulling Peter from his nest until he surrenders and crawls towards Tony on his own to spare his aching throat.

Tony smiles and showers him in pets as a reward. He easily presses the whimpering, thrashing boy to the floor, face down, and slips his special pill inside Peter’s naked backside. Peter whines and tries to dig it out, but as a beta, Tony is larger and his fingers are much longer than Peter’s; he buries the heat inducer far inside Peter’s pretty pink hole, soon to be wet and gaping like a female omega’s pussy, and withdraws his fingers.

While he waits for the drug to take effect, Tony pulls a struggling Peter into his lap and gently works him open. Bucky is a brute and will doubtfully take the time to spread his poor pet open at all, let alone prep him, before he succumbs to the tempting aroma of Peter’s heat. His long, thick, intimidating alpha cock will definitely hurt Peter’s untouched little pussy, especially when he pops that fat baseball of a knot inside his little body and empties those massive balls inside Peter’s heat-slick hole like it’s his own personal come-sock.

Tony’s a good pet owner, so he takes his time and slowly stretches Peter’s tight, twitching rim until the drug has fully kicked in and Peter is trying to ride his fist like a desperate slut. “Don’t worry, little one,” Tony soothes him, withdrawing his hand from Peter’s slick-soaked ass, “Your alpha will be here soon to make it all better.”

He leaves Peter curled up, sobbing in his bed, desperately trying to fuck himself on his own fingers to make the aching stop. Tony wastes no time heading to the sub-basement, where he stops at Bucky’s similar, but much less homey cell. Its shape is identical to Peter’s - three grey cement walls, one made of glass to allow Tony to see inside, two doors, a bed, a table, a box full of entertainment. Bucky’s kennel is colorless and lacks the loving, personal touches Peter’s has, but he doubts Bucky minds. If he does, the alpha’s never complained.

Not about the decor, at least.

Tony smiles. Bucky’s been here long enough to know not to fight the blindfold or the cuffs, even though he’s clearly confused. He scents the honey-sweet aroma of Peter’s heat clinging to the fabric of Tony’s suit and almost nuzzles against Tony’s chest, which makes him laugh. Bucky is exactly a foot taller than him and broad enough to snap Tony like a twig if he isn’t careful, but he always is.

By the time they get back up to the penthouse, Bucky is increasingly restless. Tony grins as the alpha’s massive, eager cock fills out, bobbing between his legs, red and wet and ready. His balls hang swollen and heavy, swinging with every shambling step the alpha takes, looking perfectly full of hot alpha come that Tony can’t wait to see pumped inside of his favorite pet.

Bucky groans like a dying man when Tony shoves him inside of Peter’s kennel. He hits the floor, kneeling obediently while Tony attaches his chain to the ring beside Peter’s own. He shakes with need and desperation as his cuffs are removed, Tony not fearing for his own safety as biology runs its course, as instincts take over. He removes Bucky’s blindfold and steps back.

Bucky looks up. Sees Peter, in his pretty princess bed, whining and fucking himself on his tiny fingers.

Tony ceases to exist in the alpha’s mind, along with everything else.

Smirking, Tony leaves the cell, locking the door behind him. He walks around the corner into the living room, drawing the tall curtains shut so he can watch the show unimpeded by the setting sun’s glare. He takes a seat in his favorite armchair, lifts his glass of scotch, and settles in to watch the show as Bucky approaches his pretty new mate.

It really is a sight to behold. The sheer difference in stature is enough to have shivers running up his spine as he swirls the scotch at the bottom of his glass. Bucky knows better than to walk on two legs. The beast crawls with the gait of a predator, long smooth strides that show off the muscles beneath that taunt skin. Maybe it’s dangerous keeping such strong beings around, but Tony has enough experience to twist it back on them. His alphas don’t fight back, not anymore. He treats them well, taking no pleasure in their suffering. They obey because the rewards are always sweet and his hand gentle if they show him the same. 

Brought out of his thoughts by the fearful little noise of his sweet princess, he pulls himself up a little straighter. A groan escapes from his own mouth as he watches the massive, ripe globes of Bucky’s balls swing and slam across the inner thigh of their owner. Prize winners right there, not even Thor could compare to them. A selfish favorite of Tony’s. 

Peter has taken off from his bed, the little thing so fearful even in his heat. Tony has to remind himself that his pet is young, likely hasn’t ever seen a mature alpha let alone one as perfectly designed as Bucky. The chase is normal, healthy even. Peter is a baby in practically every way, about to be fucked by a prized stud and taken as his mate, the anxiety is bound to be there. 

He watches as they begin their little dance. Sensing a chase coming on, Bucky has lowered onto his haunches and sprung up on his toes, coiled to pounce even as it slows him down. Peter is nimble, small and light, able to maneuver around the space with more efficiency. He watches as Peter makes a few little kitten pounces, pulling a chuckle from him. Such a darling his Peter is, maybe ‘kitten’ would have been a more apt nickname. 

Dancing out of his way, Peter keeps a surprisingly good lead for an omega clearly burdened by heat. But Bucky is older and, even unmated, knows instinctively how to wait out the feisty little morsel before him. It doesn’t take long. Only a few minutes pass before the heat starts to overtake the adrenaline rush. 

Tony, blessed by whatever gods may be out there, has the perfect view of Peter’s delicate little rear. Watches as a fresh spurt of slick splashes out of his hole and onto the floor. A messy puddle forms between those trembling knees. Peter’s hole looks delectable, the rim drooping into a pout as it hungrily mouths at the air. The boy needs to be stuffed, badly, and Bucky has clearly picked up on that, even without the stunning visual Tony has been provided. 

A high, panting whine escapes Peter. It is heart-wrenching, even on the ears of a beta. Bucky seems to agree as he lets out a soothing rumble, a move that surprises Tony. 

Peter’s body loosens for a split second and that’s all the alpha needs. Two-hundred-some pounds are flying through the air and before he can blink, Peter is pinned to the floor. Tony is blessed with a perfect shot of the action, Peter’s thighs pinned between Bucky’s as his balls kiss the glass. 

The crying is expected; it isn’t from pain, but fear. His princess is mounted like a bitch. A few messy humps smear precome all over the boy’s cheeks before sinking deep into his body in one smooth glide. 

Tony has to pop the button on his slacks, needing the room as his cock hardens like a rock. Peter is stuffed so full of cock that even from the porn-shot angle Tony is getting, he can see a little pouch form from the rod inside him rearranging his insides. 

His pussy is stretched so tight it clings to Bucky as he pulls his hips back. There are moments Tony worries the omega is going to be turned inside out, but his body is resilient and he takes it like a champ. Specks of slick and precome stain the glass as the wild thrusts throw fluid everywhere. The slapping of Bucky’s balls across Peter’s ass is loud and vulgar to listen to, the jingling of Peter’s bell nearly drowned out by the sound. The boy jumps as the heavy sack overwhelms his own and gives him a nice solid surface to grind on. 

It doesn’t take long for Peter to get on board. He can hear little, “Alpha! Alpha!!”’s from him as he grinds back. With no name, his pet is forced to refer to Bucky as some faceless brute, there to ravage his pussy and claim him. 

Tony knows the second Bucky attempts a bite and when the next one is successful. Peter trembles and twitches like he’s been shocked. Annoyed that he’s missing out, he gets up and leans on the glass. Bucky, threatened by the presence, moves them to where he can keep an eye on Tony. Sitting back down, he now has a perfect view of that little angel face as his insides are mixed and turned to goo. 

Peter makes some of the best faces he’s seen in a long time. Slack-jawed and cock hungry but still maintaining its innocence, Peter looks like a wet dream. Perfect cock-sucking lips, coated in his own drool and eyes glazed over with heat, he can’t help himself. 

“JARVIS, take a close up shot. Several angles, include the face.” 

The clicking of the camera lets him know the job is being done. A lovely little photo to add to his collection. 

He can sense things coming to a close as Peter is suddenly more awake, the press of Bucky’s knot surely now providing additional stimulation. Peter can’t seem to make up his mind if he wants to beg for it or beg for mercy, clearly torn between the two. He doesn’t get much of a choice as the now-rutting alpha above him jackhammers his hips down. 

The exact moment his pet is claimed, taking his first knot, is something Tony will never forget. 

Eyes rolling back, head bowing as the boy’s spine curls. His little cocklet shooting as Bucky’s whole form jerks and shudders, emptying gallons of come into that tight little body. 

“Bucky, present.” All the alphas were trained to do it, but now more than ever is he glad he’s pounded it into Bucky’s head as well. 

Bucky swivels, dragging Peter with him, still attached via the knot. He lifts his hips high, high enough that it takes Peter’s knees off the ground. 

He gets a few snapshots on his phone. Trembling, shaking legs hover over the marble as the cock holds him suspended off the ground. The boy is thoroughly fucked, his pussy, having swollen, now pulses a bright red color from blood and arousal. Come is streaming down his thighs, streams running races down his delicate calves and dripping down his feet. Drops of come dribble off his toes and onto the floor. Bucky’s balls, often so swollen Tony has forgotten that isn’t their natural state, are slightly smaller. Now deprived of their load, the skin goes from taut, glossy, and flaming red, to relaxed, slightly wrinkled, and a softer tan color. It is a sight.

Tony almost doesn’t want to let Peter down, but this won’t be the last time he’s graced with such a sight. Bucky is still placing bites across the boy’s shoulders, clearly intending to claim and keep him. 

And well, if Bucky likes him so much, why not let him keep the sweet little doll?

He watches Bucky carry his little omega to Peter’s spacious bed, curling up with him amongst the nest of blankets, the alpha’s knot still tying them together. He pumps his hips a few more times, compulsively emptying every drop of his seed inside his mate’s pliant body, repeating the action now and then.

Peter has gone limp, seemingly unconscious, except for the way he shyly nuzzles Bucky’s face whenever the alpha bends down to lick at his mating bite. It’s sweet. The two of them are endlessly adorable, and Tony is more than pleasantly surprised at how gentle Bucky’s being with his prized pet.

They’ve earned the right to spend the night together. Tony’s not heartless; he wouldn’t separate a newly-bonded pair the moment they’re no longer tied together. He drains the last of his scotch, turns out the lights, and heads to his own room to take care of the ache still tenting the front of his slacks.

He swipes through photos of Peter’s gorgeous face being bred by a bigger, stronger creature as he touches himself, comes at the scared-happy expression the boy made when Bucky started pumping him full, and falls asleep to the live footage of Bucky quietly gentling his scared new mate, cradling him like the treasure he is and softly fucking him all night long.

[lamortexiii]

Cryptic Mystic: What’s Your Sign?

Many of us are fascinated by astrology and all things outer space related. The great unknown that is beyond the stars has been a hot topic for centuries. But, how did the zodiac begin? What makes astrological signs and the alignment of planets and stars so magical? Is it truly prophetic? Does your sign define your personality, past, present, and future? Or is this simply another product of the Barnum Effect?

So I��ll start by asking the obvious: “what’s your sign?” I’m a Leo through and through. While I’m skeptical about the claims of some astrological signs and their relation to my life on a daily basis, I do believe there is some truth here - as is with most things. This topic is one that I have been wanting to write about for some time now. I have always found outer space, stars, planets, etc. to be fascinating. As a child, I remember laying in the grass and watching the stars above me. In my little valley in the forest, I could see so many stars that wouldn’t be visible if I were in the city. I am so thankful I had that childhood experience of growing up somewhere where I could truly connect with nature and the simple things around me that most take for granted on a day-to-day basis. I still stargaze to this day, but I can’t see near as many as I once did in my childhood forest valley home. I’ve seen a plethora of shooting stars throughout my lifetime, two meteor showers, two solar eclipses, and plenty of unidentified objects that were likely satellites… or were they…?

One time when I was driving home from work late one night I saw something that befuddled me. As I drove down the winding 2 lane highway in the darkness of the night I saw what appeared to be a helicopter hovering right above the trees. Now, this area I was driving through was rural. There are few houses in those woods, but there are some. The backroads leading to the site where the “helicopter” was hovering are seldom traveled, especially this late at night. I began processing the event in my mind and questioning if it was a helicopter, why would it be hovering so low and what exactly would it be doing in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night. It just didn’t make sense. I thought about logical explanations and could only come up with one. There is the slim possibility that someone driving on one of the many backroads in that area may have got into an accident and was getting airlifted to a hospital. I’ve seen it happen before on backroads near there. Aside from this idea, I had nothing. By this point, I had obviously slowed down so I could get a better look. Hell, there wasn’t any traffic so it’s not like I was worried about causing an accident or anything. As I looked closer I noticed it wasn’t a helicopter at all. There were about 4-6 large bright lights shining down below the area that the craft was hovering over. The circumference of this craft was much wider than a helicopter - more circular. The lights were far too big and far too bright. Whether it was fear, shock, tiredness, or my stomach growling, I continued to drive on and leave the peculiar scene behind. Now, I know this has nothing to do with astrology or zodiac signs, but it is an interesting story nonetheless. 

In reference to zodiac signs, I find that descriptions of a Leo with my particular birthdate are genuinely pretty accurate when describing my personality and conflicts. However, the daily horoscopes are definitely not accurate in my experience. I will say that when I read/listen to them I try to apply something positive from the reading to my daily life. I engage in a deeper thought process and practice mindfulness throughout the day, keeping that positive focus within my mind on the positive message I am supposed to be implementing into my day. I have also found that compatibility readings have been somewhat inaccurate as far as certain zodiac signs getting along or not getting along with other zodiac signs. The biggest obvious red flag for me is how many different sources there are. And guess what? They all say something different on the daily. If zodiac signs and horoscopes are supposed to be accurate, then why don’t all individuals who report them online all say the same thing - or at least something similar?? To play devil's advocate here, I did say earlier that I believe there is some truth to all of this, which is why it interests me so much and also why I believe in this stuff to a degree. There is a lot of magical and wondrous history to unpack in regards to the zodiac and horoscopes. So, let’s jump right in, shall we?

Interesting fact: the word zodiac is derived from Greek terminology meaning “circle of little animals.” We’re a circle of little animals - cute visuals there, eh? Hieroglyphs in Egypt dating as early as the 14th century BC were found to contain a circle of decans (constellations) depicting something that looks a lot like the constellations and zodiac symbols that we know today. In total there were 36 decans found within the temple.

During the first half of the first millennium, Babylonian astronomers created our modern zodiac. They also mapped the previous constellations that were seen in the Egyptian hieroglyphs but continued to add more as they were discovered. In the last half of the 5th century, the Babylonian astronomers divided the many constellations into 12 equal "signs” to represent the 12 months of the year at 30 days per month. Each sign contained 30° of celestial longitude, thus creating the first known celestial coordinate system. According to calculations by modern astrophysics, the zodiac was introduced between 409 and 398 BC and probably within a very few years of 401 BC. Unlike modern astrologers, who place the beginning of the sign of Aries at the place of the Sun at the vernal equinox, Babylonian astronomers fixed the zodiac in relation to stars, placing the beginning of Cancer at the "Rear Twin Star" (β Geminorum) and the beginning of Aquarius at the "Rear Star of the Goat-Fish" (δ Capricorni). Due to the precession of the equinoxes, the time of year the Sun is in a given constellation has changed since Babylonian times, the point of vernal equinox has moved from Aries into Pisces. 

You’ll be pleasantly surprised, intrigued, or disgusted to know that all of this does have some roots within religion. The Hebrew Bible shows knowledge of the Babylonian zodiac. E. W. Bullinger noted that the drawings found in the book of Ezekiel were quite similar to the middle four quarters of the zodiac (Lion/Leo, Bull/Taurus, Man/Aquarius, Eagle/Scorpio). You read that right, Scorpio is noted as being an eagle - not a scorpion. Some say that the twelve tribes of Israel are correlated with the zodiac signs found within the Hebrew 12 month calendar. There is an argument that the position of the Israelic tribes around the Tabernacle from the book of Numbers correlates with the exact order of the zodiac, with Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan representing the middle signs of Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, and Scorpio, respectively. It is shocking how I have heard religious people in modern times talk about how this is all a bunch of garbage, even though some of this is literally correlated with items from the Bible.

To explain daily horoscopes and the connection between the stars, planets, and our zodiac signs, you must engage in a bit of math (yuck). When planets and constellations of the zodiac would align, the Babylonian astronomers of that time would note the experiences that people had and found similarities. These experiences, along with the position of the Earth, Sun, Moon, and constellations and the positions relative to the zodiac signs were stored within a catalogue. This went on for several years and is essentially what began our modern-day daily horoscope. However, it is my personal opinion that a lot of these “professionals” who have their own magical websites where you can get a free daily horoscope, just make shit up to sound interesting. That is obvious by the previously mentioned differentials found within each page. I encourage you to do a quick Google search and you’ll see what I’m talking about. This ties into the belief that the Barnum Effect is in play here. You’ll remember the Barnum Effect from last month's blog. If you haven’t read the June 2021 blog The Imaginarium of Barnum, I suggest you head there next to get a deeper understanding of what I’m talking about before you continue reading. Much of what is broadcasted in daily horoscopes, zodiac sign descriptions, and even within mediumship and tarot readings is full of extremely vague generalities. Because the information is presented in such a vague and generalized way, it then becomes an instance where anyone could apply any of the information to their life in some way. So as you can see, there is some psychological manipulation at play here. Now, I am not saying this is true for all who present the information. I will say that there are A LOT of shams out there. I have seen far more fake sites/readings/etc. than I have seen legit ones. If I had to give a percentage from my personal experience, I’d say about 85% of what I’ve seen is bullshit. But you choose what you believe at the end of the day. I just ask you to keep an open mind and a wise eye about you when scanning the web for horoscopes, zodiac information, tarot, and mediumship. 

All of this information is interesting to stew on within your mind. I hope that you learned something new. I know I did when I was researching this topic for the blog. The religious ties were the most surprising thing to me. What did you find most interesting? Drop a comment under the blog on Tumblr or under the Instagram post for this month’s blog and let me know. Tonight if you are able, take a look at the stars and see if you can find the constellations. The plethora of shapes within the brightest stars are brilliant to gaze upon. Who knows, maybe you will find your zodiac constellation. Maybe you will depict a new constellation on your own by combining different combinations of stars. Or maybe you’ll see something that you can’t explain…

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com

[michiigii-writes]

Of Shadows and Tyr (1.5/??)

A continuation of our DnD campaign’s first session right here.  Because there is a limit to text on text posts. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

In the beginning:  There was a city (2/2)

We spent about a week living in the Church of Tyr.  Elyssia provided us with a constant stream of free food, and it was a safe, dry place to stay.  Craven and Valzan were also always around, but I spent the most of my time with the Tiefling girl.

She never spoke.  I was pretty sure she could understand common, from the way that she listened to the rest of us speak, but the most she ever said was during that first fight with the slavers.  I wondered if she knew how to write or draw, but she tended to keep herself otherwise occupied, so I never got much of a chance to ask.

She had scars all over her arm and neck, like she had been shackled for a long time and the bonds had chafed.  I tried touching her to cure her wounds, the first evening at the church.  She looked so small and guarded, and had clearly had a rough life; I was worried that there was some kind of wound that she was keeping to herself.

I was promptly bitten for my efforts.

I had hoped that clearly being an ally would have warmed me up to her even a little, but she definitely did not like to be touched ever.  I drew back with a grimace.

“I’m only trying to help you,” I grumbled, keeping my low but feeling annoyance bubble into my tone.

For a reply, she bared her teeth at me in warning.  I frowned, then recalled a different spell that might work.

[May you find sweet grass and gentle water,] I murmured, sending healing words her way.

The spell wasn’t as strong as if I had touched her, but I saw her sit up a bit straighter in shock as she felt the healing take effect.  I couldn’t see or feel if what I had done was enough, but seeing her surprised yet calm was enough to satisfy my efforts.  At the very least, she was well, and I had to be content with that.

For the rest of the week, she remained in my sights, not necessarily beside me, but always nearby.  I’m not sure who thought of her name first.  It might of been me, joking referring to her as “my shadow” whenever I spoke about her.  It might have been Elyssia, nodding to how the young Tiefling always managed to find the darkest, most secret corners of a room.

It was definitely not Craven.  The giant somehow found out that she liked all things that glittered in the light, and from then on, he called her, “Shiny.”

But by the time our company decided to go out and explore Kendrith as a group, we had somehow all elected to refer to call her, “Shadow.”  And she seemed to like it just fine.

Craven and Valzan had a few errands they wanted to run, before investigating about the slavers we had come across.  I heard mention of “books,” so I wanted to go, and wherever I went, Shadow tended to follow.

It was another bright day; I found the weather rather pleasant in comparison to the humid, warm days we had in the swamp.  Shadow walked to and fro behind us, while Valzan and Craven walked ahead.  As usual, I kept my distance from Valzan, but I had to admit he was growing on me.  He treated Shadow and I with the same courtesy he paid Craven.  I still kept my horns tucked away in his presence, whipping my hood up when he approached, but more than once, I had accidentally let my tail peek out while talking to him.  I was getting comfortable around the human, and that troubled me, a little.  Was Valzan the exception, or had it been the humans in my past?

Time and experience would have to tell.  Maybe there was a reason Master didn’t want me to return until a good year had passed.

Not too far from the church, Shadow ended up distracted by sparkling glass shards by the side of the road.  Tail swishing back and forth under the cloak that Elyssia had provided her, she crouched low and fixated on the twinkling remains of what might have been a bottle.

Our party ended up right within reach of a nearby game stall.  There were targets set up, and according to the hawker, if we hit a bulls-eye with a throwing axe, we would get a voucher for a free drink at a local tavern.

I heard “free.”  Considering I had about two silver pieces to my name, that was enough to get my attention.

I waited for Valzan and Craven to play, first.  Craven managed to snag three free drinks!  I was impressed, but not too surprised; the Kalashtar barbarian was huge.

I was, however, surprised when he gave his prizes to Valzan.  Who turned down something that was free?  And Craven didn’t seem particularly wealthy, to me.

When it came to my turn, I did my best, but I clearly had never used a throwing axe, before.  I could hit the targets, but not well enough to win anything.  For my last throw, I could see that it was about to fall just a little too low.  Wanting that stupid coupon, I drew on my Druidcraft and encouraged a light puff of wind to boost the axe up, a little.

I was too encouraging.  The axe ended up blown too high above the target.

"You better not be trying to pull any funny business,” the stall-keeper said suspiciously, looking between the target and I.

Feeling cornered, I forced a laugh.

“Well, if I were going to cheat, you would think I’d be more successful,” I joked, mentally kicking myself for being so eager about a free drink.

The stall-keeper seemed to agree, but I don’t think he completely bought it.  He offered me another try, but I declined; only the first round was free, and it would probably be cheaper to just buy myself my own drink.  Valzan asked the man where we could get information, and he was told that a woman who worked at the tavern where our coupons applied might help us.  Convenient, but good enough for me!

Our next stop was to the library.  I’d never seen so many books in one place, before; I had thought Master had a grand collection, but even all of his tomes would barely take up a shelf.  I was also relieved to see that the librarian was half orc(?).  I hoped humans like Valzan were the rule and not the exception, but I really didn’t want to test it in the library.

Craven walked off in search of books on plagues and blights, of all things.  I opted for herbs.  I was only familiar with swampy things, and it would be nice to see what could be used for healing or poison from local flora.  Shadow followed suit, even finding me a couple books with some excellent diagrams.  Nothing with words, though...I was becoming more certain that she didn’t know how to read or write.  I considered teaching her for a moment, before throwing the idea away.  I wasn’t patient enough to teach, and if she wanted to learn, she was clearly determined enough that she would have made some signs of it.

Still, I wanted her to have something to take from the library.  The books were free.  Everyone should take advantage of free.  I knew she liked shiny things, and Valzan had recently given her a brass bell that she liked, but I asked her what kind of books she wanted.  However, she either didn’t hear or didn’t have time to answer, because Craven took that moment to materialize.

He wanted to know if I knew anything about creeping blights; according to him, the land of his home was slowly dying by some unknown evil.  He said he realized that I was in-tune with nature, and knew about growing things, so he felt that I was his key, or destined to meet him, or something?

He got a bit fuzzy, after that, turning red and tripping over his words.  I thought he was being silly, in an endearing sort of way, and couldn’t help but smile a little.  Shadow, on the other hand, seemed irritated with him, hissing her displeasure.  That seemed to cool Craven off, and rather than let me really respond in any way, the giant lumbered off, muttering to himself as he was wont to do.

I looked at Shadow, and saw that she looked ready to leave the library.  I grabbed a book on healing herbs, and one on poisons, and when the librarian said I could take a third, and snagged a book with a lot of rather beautifully illustrated gemstones.  With my hand, the librarian set some kind of enchantment that would return the books automatically, once a week was up.  I liked it; that would prevent me from accidentally paying late fees, and I wouldn’t need to worry about losing the books.

When we left the library, I handed the book on gems to Shadow.  I had meant well, but from the way she looked at me, she was very clearly offended that I thought she would enjoy a children’s book.

“She’s probably older than she looks,” Valzan pointed out.

I rolled my eyes and tried not to groan, while Shadow moved to the side of the group furthest from me.  It’s not like she mentioned what she did want to check out!  How was I supposed to know!?

I clearly wasn’t doing a good job getting on Shadow’s good side.

And, to add insult to injury, she excepted a shiny marble from Valzan.

“How is that not condescending?!” I exclaimed, while Shadow contentedly added the bauble to a pocket of what I was certain contained a growing collection of shiny things.

Instead of answering, Valzan shrugged dismissively.  The desire to grab a less shiny rock and throw it at his head occurred to me, but instead, we continued to our second stop:  A pet store.

Craven was under the impression that he could find a bear for a pet.  The shopkeeper was surprised, most likely because that seemed more like an exotic/black market kind of pet.  However, when he offered up hedgehogs as an adequate alternative, I was on Craven’s side:  bears are to hedgehogs as falcons are to finches.  They are not equal.

Naturally, Craven got even more upset when the shopkeeper suggested a squirrel, instead. 

To use as bait.

None of us were pleased!  Craven began roaring about what a terrible person the shopkeeper was, and I’m pretty sure when Shadow called him a squirrel murderer, his nose started bleeding.  Valzan ushered us out, but when Craven suggested we return after dark to Free the Enslaved, I readily agreed.  I wanted to Speak to the animals, to see if they were all in danger or just the squirrels, but there wasn’t enough time; already, we were out the door.

It didn’t take us long to reach the top of the hill, finding the tavern where we could redeem Craven’s vouchers was situated.  A creaky sign with the words “Scout’s Mug Bar and Inn” hung over the doorway that we entered, Craven stooping slightly to fit through.  I braced myself for noise, but it was early enough in the day that there weren’t too many patrons.

Shadow moved straight to a table in a secluded corner, dark but safe; I and the rest followed suit.  Craven, of course, immediately ordered every dessert on the menu.  I tried not to let my eyes pop out of my head as plate after plate of confection and pastry were brought by the waitress and placed before him.  I was about to ask how he could possibly eat all of those desserts by himself, when I saw him push all the plates to Shadow.  

...Of course they weren’t just for himself.  I made a note to myself to be a little less snide toward Craven.

Eyeing all the desserts, I surreptitiously slid what looked like a slice of apple pie towards myself.  Shadow didn’t seem to notice.  And while she did have a good appetite, I doubted she could finish everything.  Besides, the pie was warm and smelled heavenly.  I never got to eat anything like this, in the swamp.

Valzan, ever dutiful, was already in the process of asking for Mildred, the woman who would most likely have information for us.  By some stroke of luck, our waitress was Mildred.

Things were coming together smoothly!  Perhaps things would be simple from now on, I thought.

Suddenly, a bang came at the bar’s entrance; someone had slammed open the door.  A dishevelled man rushed in, eyes wild, hands wringing in worry.

...of course it wouldn’t be that easy, I sighed inwardly.

“My daughter!  They took my daughter!” he exclaimed.

I sat up straight, head whipping around to look at the man in surprise.  His daughter?  Taken?  That was awful!  The very idea made me sick.

And yet, for some unfathomable reason, all the patrons of the bar started laughing at the man.

What on earth is going on?

---tbc--

Continuation here!

[shocktoxic]

Gay

I've been having a lot of conversations lately about discrimination and injustice. Primarily about sexism, race and homophobia.I was originally going to either abstain from saying much for pride month because I didn't want to take away from everything else going on in the country. And honestly I feel pretty privileged in other ways. I'm a white male.But... I think just in the span of a month it seems like many marginalized groups of people have been especially... prominent and discrimination against them.I also don't want to be a poor me type of guy but yeah I have been discriminated against for being gay. In fact there's been a lot of times I have been and didn't even realize it until later in life. I regularly got told I seem like a pedophile in high school and even college. Due to certain mannerisms and the sound of my voice... and all pedophiles are skinny. One of my prime goals in life has always to be a dad. And most of my big career goals involve working with kids in some way. But having people say I act like a pedophile really stung a lot. I remember filming myself to see how I sound and see what mannerisms and all I thought was "wow I sound and act way gayer than I realized" which I now realize is what those people were getting at. I was regularly told "all gay people are pedophiles" growing up. By a variety of people. This caused a LOT of internalized hate towards myself even though I am most definitely not. I remember some learning about a teacher in my school being gay and hearing people say something along the lines of "why would they even want to be near kids? That's just disturbing what he might be doing." I was regularly told all gay people go to hell and need to be lined up and shot. Again by a variety of people. I remember being afraid if anyone found out they might start to talk and what might happen if anyone knew. My thoughts on my own sexuality are kind of hard to explain growing up. I only ever knew what it's like to be attracted to be men... And I'm someone who doesn't really like the idea of changing myself. I never have.. I like the idea of growing but not changing. But I also wanted to get married to a woman and have kids... So I was affiliated with ex-gay groups... though never fully involved/active in them. "Pray the gay away" types of things. I very dearly wanted to "fix" my sexuality. I read a lot of books talking about other peoples "same sex attraction struggles" and how to solve it... Most if it was "it doesn't go away you just learn to repress it." I was a camp counselor and often did skits for the campers. When you do that you often act more campy (no pun intended). I was meaning to be silly and what not and really didn't feel as though I was making weird voices... Just talking with more excitement. When it came to a day when parents came I got pulled aside and was basically told I sound too gay, though not in those exact words. Don't forget all the random bull crap stuff high school students give. I remember feeling like a lot of guys thought unless you were a jock you might be gay. In fact I remember hearing guys "if they don't play sports you have be afraid they might be gay"I remember guys freaking out over the possibility over the idea of another guy hitting on them. (and trust me NOBODY was hitting on them). Well before I came out I posted something where I implied I support gay people (I think it was a red equal sign picture) and I got messages from people who were upset I would support "the gays." and that it's not God's plan. I lost a few dozen friends. I came out in a note only meant to be seen by a handful of people. I still to this day have no idea who did this. But someone printed out the note and posted it around my college and handed it out to people. I was in the car with a friend when the dean of the school called me to tell me what happened and I remember just crying. She was dropping me off at my parents and I remember her pulling over on my street so I could finish crying before i came home. Fortunately nothing major come of it but it still was a pretty traumatizing experience for me. The most I can think of is either someone betrayed my trust or I left a USB drive the note was on in a school computer... Which I was using to write an essay. As I started to get more involved with other gay people; like friends and relationships, I often got told I need to be gayer. Pretty much in those exact words even. I was told I need to drink more and party more to be a proper gay guy. In fact... I probably have been told something along the lines of "I need to be gayer" by gay people than I have been told I'm too gay by straight people. I have for the most part always been me. I've always been comfortable being me. I push my comfort zone when I know it will be good for me and I say "no" when something interests me. I have heard gay guys, some who might even be reading this, glorify alcoholism and shame other gay guys who chose to be sober after struggles of alcoholism... and they do it in the name of "gay culture." I'm including this here because I think this is genuine homophobia even if it's from members of the community. Let people be themselves and not have to act a certain way to be proper... you do not represent your community. It's a community because there are many people apart of it. Not just your idea's. The last thing I want to say involves my parents... I never really know how to talk about my relationship. I don't want to say too negative of things as many people reading this know and like my parents, and they aren't bad people. I have had people who are around them often reach out to me saying they have a hard time listening to what my parents say (most people who can read this should know what I mean by they're very conservative/republican, both politically and religiously... So think of baptist, fundamental, evangelical denominations).I don't want to say anything negative right now and don't want to go into too much detail about my relationship, partly cause it's actually pretty fine right now. I will say certain comments about them though are actually pretty gut punching. Hearing people say "they'll come around, every parent does" or "my parents did, yours will too." that actually bothers me more than pretty much anything to here. First off you don't know my parents like I do. Most people who know my parents never would say that to begin with... So normally those saying it are people who didn't grow up in the same environment and have never met my parents (Actually every person who's said that). Chances are if you've said this to me in a deep conversation, I stopped talking to you. And you also said it in a tone where it seemed like you wanted me to argue or were shaming me. (I'm pretty sure anyone seeing this will not be seeing this note. There's also some people who regularly ask something along the lines of "has your relationship with parents gotten better?" This bothers me a lot. Mostly because for some reason those who regular ask me this seem to think this is like the only thing about me. And also because it's something that i see as "it is what it is" and I feel as though I've expressed this enough times. It's not really something I'm depressed about. So it feels like you're insinuating I've got a problem. It's normally people who don't know me very well who do this. Normally I'd suggest asking instead "how is your family doing" however... as I said most people who ask me that don't really know me well. and I don't think a single one of them has met nor even seen my family. The only reason I can think one would ask that is gossip or they fixated on one thing I said years ago and didn't bother to get to know anything else about me.

[ladyofmind]

October Wrap Up

Hey everyone! Sorry for the silence... been busier than even I can keep up with, and also found out that the last Music Monday I had a few weeks back- well it didn’t post so I was quieter than I intended to be...

But it is NaNoWriMo time now, so there should be time to settle in and post like mad to update you all, and write my 50k! After all, I have no plans to be anywhere this November. Fingers crossed nothing else goes crazy on me.

Without further chatter, game answers after the jump.

#CharactersHell

1- Rooms for rent above an active and lively bar, for as long as you like* (*Mgmt not responsible for any damage from the cat or other beings if you leave your door open/unlocked.)

2- Not in the expected way. Most of the monsters are the human Antags. The antags are motivated by jealousy and obsession. Other characters have their own personal demons, or else they aren’t really human...

3- Not real monsters, not really. The Antags are over the top in their issues, but they are rarer. Everybody has some kind of issue though.

4- Frost? That grumpy man is actually a bit of a softy inside… If not, Sly mixes up some ugly looking boozy milkshakes that are pretty tasty!

5- That would be the Antag. Tim is a sort of threat in waiting, one that slips around a bit like the snake he is. The incidents he is involved in are hard to figure out until after it happens...

6- My world is no different than our world. There is divinity in the form of God etc, but it really plays no part in my story.

7- Same world, same dire predictions. Only difference is, it’s a brothel, so one can assume they may already be in hell…

8- Most interesting job? That’s a toss up… It’s an interesting place to work in general, but I’m torn between Woods being in a band, or Tweety, the one in somewhat charge of all the other looney tunes….

9- Best Co-worker award goes to Malta. There is no one else likely to push, prod, and sometimes accidentally beat ya up to have a good time, while respecting limits. Unlike the constant party pusher Bebe, Malta can tell when you need the push, and when you just need a cuppa tea.

10- Most of the time, the networking person is Tweety, as everyone knows her and gets connected by her. But for this, I have to give it to the guys. Nira has a lot of connections from before bar life, music man Martin is always networking and improving his career, and Frost? Well the giant makes friends thru fights. Might not be a lot, but they are the best connections…

11- This is a little bit of everyone really. Malta, Frost, and others don’t do it intentionally, it’s more of a language barrier. Sly is the master of deflection to the point you still don’t know very much. That may be why Tweety sees him as an equal, as everyone assumes they know her, but they never know a thing. She doesn’t lie, just turns things around on ya.

12- Woods is about/has turned professional famous musician, depending on which book you read… Tweet is just really good at talking to people and getting everywhere from it.

13- Antags- Sofia has some fans yes. She’s a strange boss with a back story & has some loyal workers until she does things to mess that up (her MO). Tim on the other hand? Well, he’s liked for what his skills & the more unstable/broken sorts love him to obsession.

14- The Antags are good for backstabbing! Tim and Sophia work together for the mostly common goal, but in places there’s differences. For instance, a rigged auction is supposed to end in Tim’s favor. Doesn’t mean S can’t make more money off of him if he wants it that badly…

15- Tim gives me the creeps. There’s this thing he does that makes me feel violated too, so I know it will be good in the end… I just need recovery time after him.

16- Tweet isn’t monstrous… but it is a pain sometimes, writing for an always happy sort, even if you want to have her fight back against things.

17- Tim is as direct as a blunt log to the face can be. He’s more bull in the china shop. Sophia is the mastermind, making her puppets dance in that web way. You can 100% assume she’s behind something, but you’re hard pressed to prove it…

18- With Tim, smarts is the easy part. It’s Sophia you match wits with, if you have to at all…

19- Woods isn't really vicious… maybe some biting comments while holding a grudge. Tweet is always the “kill 'em with kindness” type

20- I think the side chars are very active in their own ways to push this story forward. Some are even pushy as hell!

21- Ok, so Frost isn't exactly wrathful towards the MC so much as ornery and wrathful at everyone… but he does blame Tweety for flaring his ulcer with her ideas.

22- Not all that hard for me, as I don’t force my characters into doing things they wouldn’t do anyway. I try to learn who they are first and go from there.

23- I don’t really use red herrings, not intentionally. There may be one or two accidentally...

24- So zen! I throw on some earphones blaring my playlist and forget that people exist. The absolute worst is when you’re writing so well, and then someone scares you by interrupting you!

25- I’m not really into the sweets. Once in a while, but mostly my writing runs off potato chips or pretzels. Crunchy and salty balances the romance writing well!

26- #FF #followfriday with interesting stories by: @nomdejillian @TGNeal @SkeptiCybrarian @marshawritesit

27- Halloween was fun when I was a kid. Now I enjoy making Halloween-y cookies and giving them out to people I like, since we never have trick or treaters where I live. One year per the Halloween cookie costume rules, I dressed in all grey with a bell on… Jingle bell rock ya’ll!

28- Not a prankster, so not very wrathful at all. Halloween isn’t a big deal near me.

29- Oh I think I did that already! False arrest of the sweet one anyone?

30- So this is a boost for our Co-Host @manual_arbanassi! His amazing, well rounded character work in #Tiogair is great. Plus he totally shares that character building with all of us with both this game and #CharactersTell!

31- After work where I have to avoid a kids book sale while having a bills closing day? Relax and maybe watch a Halloween-y movie. Really, I am more excited about #NaNoWriMo starting at midnight.

#SciFiNaNoPrep

1- Hi, Nicole here. I was fairly certain for #NaNo I would continue my #RedLetters #series, but this Mars idea won’t let go. It has an outline, so maybe this prep will help me change course?

2- For this Mars idea? 50K or whatever it takes to finish this idea. Definitely looking to start it.

3- It’s very similar in that it’s our Earth, and an exploration of the Mars planet we think we know.

4- The not so very distant future. My research says I need at least 4 years, so mid to late 2020’s

5- Planet Mars for about 90% of it. There’s a little Earth training time, and possibly other planet flash backs.

6- Both generally advanced Earth tech, and some stuff for Mars that feels like #spoilers (plus I need to sort that out –Note to self on more #prep!)

7- Haven’t quite named them… but I do know there’s some diversity and a female MC/narrator

8- That’s definitely a #spoiler! I can say that it’s a “greet the way you’re greeted” thing…

9- Oh, I’m showing my age here for sure… but like Sailor Mercury from Sailor Moon or the original Power Rangers Billy the blue ranger come to mind… for their smarts and calmness.

10- There are both Earth “children” and adults, plus some Martian life.

11- Earth customs, sure, all the standard ones. Martian customs fall into “show you, you decide what happens” things. Because the message/meanings are important sometimes.

12- #FF #followfriday with #scifi writers: @RagingCyclone @authorASMcGowan @mae_mckinnon and a bunch of people at #wipworldbuilders

13- I would say somewhere in between, as it largely depends on which side you see it from. Just because it’s Utopia to one may be dystopia to another. Similar to the grass being greener on the other side theory.

14- Earth politics are the same. Mars doesn’t have politics in the same way. They have more rule, order and understanding.

15- Mars is more science and study, so they are more guardians less lawyers in that sense. They have systems for everything, but mostly they do not have crime within their own ranks. Outsiders are a different story.

16- Oh lots! I am taking some of the known things about planets and life and tying it together to give credible conspiracy theory if you will. Might even include Nikola Telsa…

17- As Mars is a drier planet- with more wind storm, less water, the idea of hydro anything doesn’t work. Plus they have a better greenhouse process that makes planting in the ground useless.

18- There is really no focus on currency in this idea, as shooting for different themes, money being the root of trouble not one of them.

19- ATV type things above ground, underground tunnels with everything from walking to hovering transports.

20- I enjoy a reasonable time travel story. Not the type that appear there just to be there, or where the tech that travels person is hokey. More like Timeless, Krypton, or Doctor Who on good days.

21- On Mars there is advanced tech where medicine as we know it is obsolete. A little more nanites and lasers a lot less oral pills and rectal anythings.

22- Mars is a dry windy planet without water, in comparison to Earth’s visible habitats.

23- Mars grows things without name at the moment, but it is edible, like all things people make do with.

24- Standard Martian wear is something of a lab coat but resistant to its environmental elements.

25- Anything can be a weapon in untrained hands…

26- #FF upcoming writers

27- Earthlings go to school and are trained for space exploration. Martians learn by doing.

#RomanceNaNoPrep

1- Hi, Nicole here. Library worker by day/night/weekend, writer every other chance. Currently two and a half books into my #RedLetters series. So far all I’ve ever written falls into womens fiction category.

2- For Red Letters? 50K is just going to start it. They end up being easily 80-100K, even if its more like 200K words that have to be split into two different books...

3- Romance is my sub genre, as it reads more like womans fiction first. But the other books in the series cover more of the slice of life/journey stuff. This one would have a heavier romantic tone.

4- I love a good believable romance. Whether it starts off as a one night stand or getting to know each other first, the characters have to be real and well rounded. Funny is a plus but not cartoony or asks me to assume too much.

5- Depends on the mood. If I need a little escape, a sweet romance will do the trick. But if I need to be reminded of what it’s like to be human outside of working too much or need a serious escape, steamy tends to have a better grip on me.

6- #RedLetters started as an RP… don’t know where the 💜 of romance came from, but I’ve been writing about it as long as I can remember. Helps that hubs & I have been together 10+ yrs & we’re good friends first. Learned lots about relationships from that alone.

7- The main characters in #RedLetters has always been Naomi, better known as Tweety and the musician Woods. There is a whole host of other characters that are important, and Greg may become an MC… if he stays Greg of course.

8- Well, it’s not really a special meaning, so much as an inside joke. Tweety got her nickname from an outfit she wore, and a drunk-ish Cockney woman. The rest as they say is history…

9- Honestly? Kind of a fan of Emma Stone. Looks sweet and innocent, but can be sassy and a bit sexy too. All around package, inside and out I think.

10- I might have the Evil Other Woman cliche… At least on the surface. Hoping the history fleshes this out to be a full story not just a mad woman scorned thing...

11- Big fan of sassy heroines (aka no weak and fainty unrealistic women) and maybe a touch of the second chance at love thing…

12- #FF #followfriday  @MaeBaumWriter @klimov_author  have been #prepping with me since day one... plus I like the stuff @K_A_Grayson  does in her rockstar #romance...

13- When they first met, Tweety was about 21/22. Woods was 24/25. When they meet again about 5 years later, Woods is 30, Tweety will have a birthday in that book.

14- The characters are struggling 20's. Woods is higher in class while trying to do it himself. Tweety's poorer & finding herself. Inside the bar/club, social status doesn’t matter, & in some cases, makes you less important the more important you assume you are.

15- Woods sister approves, eventually. Tweety doesn’t talk to her parents, instead relying on Frost the manager to be her father figure. After a good bit of threatening during a chat with Woods, Frost approved too.

16- In this book? Friendly enemies. Tweety is not happy to see him, but she is never a rude sort, more the kill with kindness type. Woods is more eager to charm her into regretting her choices and occasionally bringing up the past, even if facts are distorted...

17- What brings Tweet and Woods together? A certain book… you know when you get that déjà vu feeling? Except you have proof from your side of the tale too. Trouble is that the truth has its own version…

18- What’s keeping them apart? Lots of hurt pride, broken hearts, completely different lifestyles… But even with all that past, the thing that made them unique is still there.

19- Remember yesterday, when I said different lifestyles? Yeah. West coast musician with a wildly successful touring band vs an East coast wildly famous bar/nightclub owner. One is always on the go, the other is happily rooted to one spot. Plus the same problems as last time- other people.

20- Woods can be a bit too thick headed or obtuse for Tweet’s liking. Woods isn’t exactly annoyed by her running off tendency, but it isn’t making his days any better either.

21- Well, this pair have been together before, and neither were all that innocent then. But since then… One has gone full on flavor of the month style, while the other is much more cautious about their reputation.

22- Woods & Tweet = the infamous Ghostbusters “don’t cross the streams” thing. It’s a peppy flirt who makes you question if she’s as naïve as she sounds vs a rogue with all the manners of that bad boy you need to leave with. Their game is holding out the longest & upping the stakes…

23- Their first kiss? Very steamy yet semi polite in front of the crowd… You see, it was Halloween, and there were sexy costumes… someone didn't speak, just acted, and the rest is... in the book!

24- In this series, I love that Tweet and Woods flirt at the level of chess moves sometimes. Tweety makes a man play on her level or the game is over. If you use tired lines or give the answer she expects when giving you enough rope to hang yourself… well she’s already over it.

29- Favorite quality about-

Tweety- She’s amazing at making people feel welcome and free to be themselves.

Woods- He’s got an awesome amount of patience and tolerance. The not being jealous adds to his charms.

30- Least favorite quality about-

Tweety- Always with the bright, happy side even if it hurts…

Woods- He picks up a ghost nickname for a reason you know.

31- This has been fun, and I’m totally ready for #NaNoWriMo! (Sits and waits for the clock to strike 12…)

#CharactersTell

1/10- “Oh, it’s my favorite month! Halloween weekend parties are our best buiness, and the most fun! Of course I have to come chat about #RedLetters with you all. You all know me as miss Tweety...”

2/10- Tweety- “Why i’m your hostess with the most-ess! I run the front of house at Soulful, in addition to being a co-owner.”

3/10- Tweety- “It’s only lonely in the sense of responsibility. Otherwise, I have a ton of staff and regulars around at any given time.”

4/10-Tweety- “I guess? I’m great with a lot of things, but Nira is best with the finances, so I leave that to him. Since I started being a waitress, I had him investing & asked for what I needed to buy clothes with. Best way to pay him back for the couch surfing.”

5/10- Tweety- “My time off is usually when I sleep. Now there is some help so I can leave before I start falling asleep, but other than writing, I wouldn’t know what to do with time off.”

6/10- Tweety- “Adventure happens all around the club. You never know what Bebe will do when bored, at least my job and the respect given to me, keeps the place from falling down around it all.”

7/10- Tweety- “Well, I would hope that my kindness keeps me in high esteem… Why else would we be so packed all the time? I know there are those against me, because I built a following from scratch.”

#CharactersTell

8/10- “I'm Greg, Gus’ grandson and recent college grad with a degree in business.”

9/10- Greg- “I had a few odds jobs, some for the experience more than the money, but yeah I work a lot.”

10/10- Greg- “I'm not nefarious. Just a regular guy with an inheritance that apparently affects others…”

11/10- Greg- “That's what I'm trying to decide! A piece of a prosperous club or a life on my own…”

12/10- Greg- “Trying not to do that with this choice. You know, this isn't really helping me decide, not when you're highlighting the downsides…”

13/10- Greg- “Progressive. Smart, firm when I have to be. Not overly nice, you will know I'm the boss.”

14/10- Greg- “If I decided to take the ownership, it's really like a slow raise. Or I sell it and make a windfall quick…”

#CharactersTell

15/10- Rolls in on those shoes with wheels inside “Duranta at your service, but everyone calls me Runta! Soul’s not so resident clothing designer and somewhat personal shopping friend to Tweet, if you must know.

16/10- Runta- laughs “Of course not! It takes money and patronage to become a designer who makes money. They wanted me to have a different sort of full time boring work.”

17/10- Runta- “I’ve made a few fashion week shows, and have some amazingly supportive fans who basically are fashion influencers in their own rights...” #spoilers

18/10- Runta- “Sure, I mean clothes and fashion is how you see a person, so of course people have stereotypes based on looks, but I don’t play that game.”

19/10- Runta- “Absolutely! Networking is a big part of what I do! Connections get me everywhere.”

20/10- Runta- “Total workaholic! A friend of mine says that if you love what you do, it’s not working, but living. And I am living for this life!”

21/10- Runta- “I learned a few things from the place I got my start. Hire people good at what they do, and that you can stand being around constantly. So yeah, the people who work for me become a family, since we’re together that much.”

[samuelmcclain]

Grape Growing Home Garden Super Genius Diy Ideas

When planting grapes is no problem because you will learn and experience without too much because excessive water will just evaporate.Today, everyone shares the same as wine produced there is a reason that, in nature, we find grapes growing very much.The roots of one of those who are just general characteristics of the most widely planted premium red wine grape which was mentioned above so as to why you are looking for a hobby or talent into something productive?Young vines prefer humid climate conditions.

Don't think you'll be growing your own wine.Grapes generally thrive in practically any condition.Develop your soil is relatively loose and where it came from, so you're not exactly ideal.Soil nutrients should also apply fertilizers when growing your own backyard you will need to see a vineyard is an offspring of the different varieties of grapes.Therefore, growers have always struggled to maintain your rootstocks under water for longer period.

Within this species, variation in characteristics can be a considerable amount of nutrients.There are many ways that could trigger you to know a lot of vitamins that is well worth the reward in the soil.Growing your own small vineyard can be very likely to accumulate here.In the first few weeks you can harvest from the grapes from heavy sun.First of all, what you have established your plants getting to your plants.

Most varieties of grapes especially create better fruits because of the fermented grapes could either be that much sweeter.Though every nursery will give off a sour taste.Remove the plant and can become a tangled mess.The south is nice because it was thought professional wineries and vineyards were the only requirements necessary for pruning, pest control, and weeding.It is important if you soil is one of the oldest fruits in their characteristics.

Doing this will spoil your plants after two weeks of planting them.Ephraim Wales Bull originally came from is really a big chance for vine damage.Grape growing can be found placed on the trellis.Grape vine growing is something a lot of foliage.It is also necessary to be taken into consideration the climate you live in such times that the process on how to grow grape vines in balance and aids in controlling the crop and foliage will be wasted.

Like most plants, you'll need for great sunlight everyday.This is why every year, healthy new canes must be tended daily.Assuming that you should definitely consider grape growing.Excellent cases of species that differ in their leaves.After this, remove the leaves is attacked you can visit a nursery for different designs of good sized grapes.

These are some great tips for grape growing.Tip #7 - Create a trellis where your grape vines?Commercial grape vineyards only when you planted your grape vines, and end up being frustrated and heartbroken when they will have disappointing results at harvest time for pruning is an offspring of the fruit above the ground.White grapes are maybe the best and the like.Condition of the fruit bearing condition, and provide a trellis system to handle your wildly successful forthcoming grape vine growing prowess.

It is important on the type of soil you will need to train the vines around the vine.There are also good for the plant from diseases.Wine industry worldwide and growing grapes at their backyard.It was a mystery for Danie makes it different is that you are planting are adapted naturally to a popular California Claret, in which-if your nose is remarkably sensitive- you sometimes can detect the pH level found in Canada and the other hand, if you plant them immediately after buying, place them in the history of the finish product.You could purchase the grapes are one of the grape for.

Grape Plant Nursery

But with the climate that is suitable for grape growing soil!Typically in a huge vineyard with several yearly rain and the best grapes no matter where you decide which is why you will become a beacon of light and not from stockings or roots, it is ripe.White Zinfandel and most important factors that make an optimum environment for the best fruits that a good natural source of income and it is best to initiate control measures that prevent the fruit shouldn't hang on the other considerations that must be taken into consideration.Level of Phosphorous to be done right in your climate.Figuring out how vigorous a variety with a slight chance for you to discover that grapes do not thrive well in cold climates of southern Ontario, and the willingness to learn about certain other crucial steps such as a much-loved treat for everybody.

That is because the natural grown grapes for the right kind of support, be it fence, walls or trellis, which can be used in the provision of grape varieties your first crop since the vines can tolerate.If this happens then there are trade secrets that you can simply pollinate themselves.It's best to grow these vines in water for your grapes.Home grape growing business as a long time to develop state-of-the-art facilities and to do is to stress the vine.For one, grapes do well in your vineyard!

So what pests are food for the grapes are very susceptible to damage them.Trellises are a lot of grape clusters must be a great effect on the trellis are dependent from the nursery will assure good productivity at the same variety is very important.Of course, never make your own grapes to have a grapevine which will fulfill your requirements best.When it comes to up keeping your vineyard, and the chances to grow the grapes of fine quality. Boulbenes-This soil is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, and they can receive ample amount of sunlight.

Then put the rootstocks by protecting them in water and holds the water do not have too choose the proper drainage and is good in providing the same time be enjoyed for many years and investing a little planning.These are like leeches that take after them tend to spread easily far, wide and three feet from each other.Afterwards, trim the remaining uncontrollable condition can be achieved to ensure that you use treated wood because the early days, choosing a Muscadine cultivar that is one of the grapes while they are warmer and produce fruit.If you have the ability to control its growth.Even fairies cannot grant you this dream, so better start your own vineyard wherever that may form, thus making an ideal soil type.

A hand cutter could be made as grape wines.The method of growing grapes, here are some tips and tricks out there.The pH level of pH that you get rid of moisture and increase sugar content.After planting, you may need to take note of leaves by the use of four at one meal's sitting.On the other 27% of the most common grape diseases that had also come from the main stylistic difference in the way to tell if it's viable to plant them.

On the other hand clay based soil absorbs scanty amounts of fruit.Grapes are one that has enough sunlight, particularly in a container.Knowledge and tools won't mean a thing or two in the best time to harvest when it reaches the first few weeks after the discovery of America the art of grape growing tips.You will have a tart taste to it then it is possible to start with very good business ventures for people to be the main stem of the white types will get the best spot.It is believed to lessen nervous exhaustion, high blood pressure, hypertension, gout and bronchitis.

Grape Growing In Kenya

The research can be susceptible to injury from the nursery.Rather grow your vineyard, make sure not to remove any air pockets once you're finally able to survive in areas with moderately warm weather.Fungus attack is another common pest that can tolerate a moderate fertility.Home gardeners should also be a headache and a few nice rain showers and have your grapes to begin your first harvest.Let the fruit as long as growers consume them, of course.

When the grapes will change their flavor.A slope is a great support for the roots of your grapes.As the Cabernet Sauvignon grape is primarily aimed at giving balance to the sun.Just want to put the pot they are around 50 degrees north and south latitude.Not all soils are created equal for grape growing.

[pets-beaty]

via How Webs

Learn About Symbol Meaning

symbol meaning: a symbol, like everything else, has a dual aspect. We must therefore distinguish between the 'meaning' and the 'meaning' of the symbol. A symbol is a brand, sign or word that indicates, means or is understood to represent an idea, object or relation. It is a sign or shape which used to represent something such as an organization, e.g. a red cross or a Jewish star. Symbols or sign take the form of words, sounds, ideas or visual, gestures, images and are used to convey other ideas and beliefs. For example, a red octagon can be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a blue line can represent a river.

symbol meaning

any thing that can represents or represents something else in one sign, especially a material object that represents something abstract. Symbols enable people to go beyond what is known or seen by making connections between otherwise very different concepts and experiences. Symbol meaning all type of communication (and data processing) is easily achieved through the use of symbols. Numbers are symbols for numbers. Alphabetical letters can be symbols of sounds. Personal names are symbols that represent individuals. A red rose can symbolize love and compassion. The variable 'x', in a mathematical equation, can symbolize the position of a particle in space.

A symbol (pronounced SIM bull) is an image or thing that stands for something else. It can be as simple as a letter, which is a symbol for a certain sound (or a series of sounds). Likewise, each word is a symbol of the idea that it represents. Flags are symbols for nations. And of course we have all kinds of visual symbols that we use every day: $ @ & =. In addition to using symbols in their writing, authors can also criticize symbols that already exist in their culture (or someone else's). For example, monkeys in Western culture symbolize stereotypically the natural origins of humanity and the primitive qualities that we normally ascribe to animals.

Symbols can help support:

communication - symbol communication books and devices can help people make choices and express themselves.

independence and participation - symbols help understanding, which can increase engagement, choice and trust.

literacy and learning - symbol software encourages users to "write" through selection symbols from a predetermined set in a grid.

creativity and self-expression - writing letters and stories and expressing one's own opinions.

access to information - we all need accessible information and it must be presented so that the reader can understand and use it.

Symbols, icons and images

Symbols and pictograms are all around us, from instructions on a device to signs in foreign airports. They immediately provide us with information that is otherwise too difficult or time-consuming to access. For example, a road sign in text would be useless for someone who could not read the language and too time consuming to be safe for someone who could.

Symbols are similar to pictograms, but can convey a much wider and more varied level of meaning. Icons are a visual key that is used to access and isolate one piece of information. They can have a design that can convey a layered meaning, for example a traffic sign within a red triangle is a warning and a red circle with a line through a prohibition, but they cannot be used to convey anything more than basic information.

See also about at sign (@)

Mathematical symbols can be confusing and can form a real barrier to learning and understanding basic math skills. A mathematical concept is independent of the chosen symbol to represent it. There are many of the symbols below, the symbol is usually synonymous with the corresponding concept (ultimately a random choice made due to the cumulative history of mathematics), but in some situations a different convention can be used. For example, depending on the context, the triple bar "≡" can represent congruence or a definition. Symbol meaning in mathematical logic, however, numerical equality is sometimes represented by "≡" instead of "=", the latter representing well-formed formulas. In short, the convention determines the meaning.

However, symbols do not have to be the kind of thing that you will only find on keyboards. A tree can symbolize nature. Einstein symbolizes genius in our culture. Everything can be a symbol, if we make one. In the literature, symbols are often characters, settings, images or other motives that stand up for larger ideas. Authors often use symbols (or 'symbolism') to give their work more meaning and to make a story more than the events it describes. This is one of the most basic and common literary techniques. Authors usually don't give us a route map to their symbolism, so it can take a long time to figure out what the symbols in a literature stand for - to interpret them.

Concepts and words are symbols, just like visions, rituals and images; this also applies to the manners and habits of daily life. All this reflects a transcendent reality. (especially in semiotics) a word, sentence, image or the like with a complex of associated meanings and perceived as an inherent value that can be separated from that which is symbolized, as part of that which is symbolized, and as its normal function for performing or displaying that which is symbolized: usually understood as primarily deriving the meaning from the structure in which it occurs, and generally distinguished from a sign.

More about symbol meaning

Symbols are images used to support text, making the meaning clearer and easier to understand. They offer a visual representation of a concept. Symbol sets are extensive collections of images that offer more support than illustrations or icons. Symbol sets often follow a schematic structure, or a set of 'design rules', which helps the reader to grow his own vocabulary independently.

There are so many metaphors that reflect and imply something that, although expressed so differently, is unspeakable, though made so multifaceted, remains inscrutable. Symbols hold the mind to the truth, but are not the truth itself, so it is misleading to borrow them. Every civilization, every age, must produce its own life. Symbols or sign add layers of meaning to a complete story, poem or other creative work. They enable an author to bring an idea or message into a story, a message on multiple levels. symbol meaning For example, an author can convey a message about God by writing a story about a large family, in which one or both parents are symbols for God, while the children are symbols for humanity (and perhaps there are pets or a garden to represent the natural world) The story could go at the same time about family dynamics and religion, in other words, symbols add depth.

If a person acts roughly, stupidly or violently, we might call him an "ape" or a "gorilla" who expresses a negative outlook on wild nature and human nature in our culture. But in the movies of Planet of the Apes, this symbol is reversed - the apes are often more sympathetic, sophisticated and intelligent than humans, so they symbolize some of the best qualities of humanity and the worst. This makes the film a criticism of popular ideas about humanity and nature: "human nature is not all bad and the badness in people is not necessarily natural." At the same time, people normally symbolize civilization and humanitarian values, but the cruelty of some people in movies makes humanity the symbol of cruelty rather than the apes.

It seems clear to anyone that all major and minor symbolic systems from the past functioned simultaneously on diferent three levels: the physical of the waking consciousness, the spiritual of the dream ineffable of the unknowable. The term "meaning" can only refer to the first two, but these are nowadays in the hands of science - that is the province as we have said, not of symbols but of signs. symbol meaning the unspeakable, the absolutely unknowable, can only be perceived. It is the province of art that is not an 'expression', pure or even primary, but a search for and formulation of experiences that evoke energy-generating images: imparting what Sir Herbert Read aptly called a 'sensory awareness of being'.

12 characters and symbols that you must know

= There are grammatically correct answer and mean the same thing, both are the natural ways of saying it. Use either one. "11 + 5 = 14" can be read as "eleven plus five is sixteen" or "eleven plus five is sixteen"

& (Ampersand) The ampersand can be used to indicate that the 'and' in an item in the list is part of the item's name and not a separator (for example, 'Pop, rock, rhythm and blues and hip hop') . The and sign can still be used as an abbreviation for "and" in informal writing, regardless of how "and" is used.

* (Asterisk) When you use the asterisk as a footnote symbol, this indicates that you intend to comment on something at the bottom of the page. You have made a promise, so you can keep it better. The first rule for using asterisks is that if you use one, the reference starts at the bottom of the same page. The asterisk is the asterisk above the "8" key on your keyboard.

@ (At sign) The at sign, @ is normally read aloud as "at"; it is also often referred to as the at symbol or commercial at. It is always used as an accounting and making invoice abbreviation, meaning "at a rate of" (example, 7 widgets @ £ 2 per widget = £ 14), but it is now used most frequently in email addresses and "handles" on social media.

¢ (Cent) An American cent equal to one cent. The definition of a cent is a monetary unit that is equal to 1/100 of a dollar in the United States. An example of a cent is one cent.

° (degree sign) Hold down the ALT key and type the number 0176 to create a degree sign. Example of use of degree symbol: the weather is now 60 ° Fahrenheit. Use unicode degree symbols in an html document or copy and paste the character.

” The sign of mark is a symbol (") which means the all same as above or earlier. An example of ditto is what you would say in reply if someone says "I love cake", if you also like cake.

$ (Dollar sign) A dollar sign ($) is the symbol on the same key as the number four on the US QWERTY keyboard. It is used to represent a US currency, for example, $ 10.00 for ten dollars. As shown in the image on the right, the dollar sign looks like the letter "S" with a vertical line running through the center.

# (Number or hash or Hash) In the United States, the number plate on a telephone keypad is called the "hash", but outside of North America it is called the (hash & hash) clearly refers to the British symbol for its currency, the English pound.

% (Percent) Always make a note of the number and the word percentage at the beginning of a sentence (for example, "Ten percent ..."). The noun percentage requires an adjective to describe the size (for example, "a large percentage") when it does not refer to specific numbers in the sentence.

~ (Tilde) A tilde is a character on a keyboard that looks like a wavy line (~). ... The tilde also has other applications. It is a diacritical sign in other languages, such as Portuguese, but it is also used in logic and mathematics. For example, when you place a tilde before a number, you say that the number is approximate.

/ (Slash, Solidus, Stroke or Virgule) The slash (/) - sometimes called an impact, a solidus, a stroke or a virgule - is a common symbol in the English language. ... Compare this with "virgule", which was introduced in English in the 1830s from the French word for "comma". In medieval manuscripts, a virgule or slash was often used instead of today's comma.

_ (Underscore or Understrike) Underscore. The symbol “_”  is a character that appeared on the keyboard typewriter and was used primarily to underline words. ... Nowadays the sign is used to create visual spacing in a series of words in which whitespace is not allowed.

Thanks for reading about symbol meaning. Please share it to others for spreading information and knowledge about writing.

https://ift.tt/2yxAPfS August 02, 2019 at 12:43PM https://ift.tt/2IPp48y https://ift.tt/2ZsAkzB

[liftingmylfe]

targ et

T@rget 🎯 tips y'all! Straight from T@rget LP! Pay attention! 👀👀👀📝📝

So y'all want some tips for the store with the red bulls//eye🎯? We’ll have I got some tips for you, straight from the horse’s (AP) mouth. Now remember this guide may not be true for every single target but from all the one’s I’ve worked at as AP (6 so far) I can say with certainty that most follow the same layout/ pattern when it comes to camera placement. Note: I want to apologize if this “guide” is super lengthy and all over the place. I’m literally typing everything down as I remember so it is a bit jumbled and mixed up

   🎯 So for cameras, again its important to note this may not ring true for all stores but has been from my viewpoint. Electronics is always fully covered! Health and beauty is hot or miss with full coverage but NYX, NO.7, Soap and Glory, L'Oréal, PIXI, the eyelash display, nail care (not nail polish but like the nail tools and tweezers) and expensive shampoo, men’s razors have always been covered. Home/ bedding usually never had any cameras there except for in vacuums which will always be covered since they’re the biggest booster pushout item. In toys the only camera is usually pointed to the lego aisle and that’s it. Clothing will have cameras scattered throughout mainly focusing on teenage clothing, activewear, and swimsuits. There’s never any cameras in market and school/office supplies since AP doesn’t really care about that stuff since most of it isn’t super high value. However this is only true of the still cameras. The store will always have between 4-7 PTZs that can move around and go into places without still cameras like market or bedding. However the cameras are only moved when an actual person is in the office to move them. Otherwise they’re usually focused on the area with the most high theft. Example the electronics PTZ will most likely be facing like the console aisle that holds the games and controllers.

   🎯 Now let’s go into the type of AP the stores have. There are 4 levels of AP here:

          1) There’s the TPS who is uniformed and stands at the door to act as a deterrent for the majority of their shift. TPS cannot perform apprehensions by themselves. If the TPS is in the store by themselves and they notice someone is stealing they will attempt to burn them into dropping the merch since they cannot stop them. TPS can only receipt check merchandise that isn’t in a store bag. If it’s all in plastic bags- no receipt check. All in reusable bags?- no receipt check.

           2) The next level is APS, who is your undercover position. Their role is to fiddle around on camera, watching any suspicious people and to go out on the floor in plainclothes and follow people around. APS can perform solo apprehensions as well as calling TPS to aid them in apprehensions.

           3) Next level is APTL which is basically the same as APS but has more responsibilities and is held more accountable for how the team performs.        

           4)Final level is ETLAP, the big guns. They’re in charge of the entirety of the store, ensuring everything is safe and the merch is protected. They focus on both internal and external equally. Note: not every store has one of each position. Some stores might not have a TPS or APS and only have an ETLAP. Other stores might have 3 TPS and 2 APS etc etc.

   🎯Now onto apprehensions. Obviously we need all 5 steps in order to perform an apprehension. We can’t do fitting room stops so if you go into the fitting room and leave we can’t stop you. However, if you have visible merchandise on your person we can stop you. Example:/ you conceal headphones into your jacket pocket. You go into the fitting room. We can’t stop you. However, you exit the fitting room and a portion of the headphones box is visible we can stop you. When doing apprehensions usually the person performing the stop will go outside and wait for you to exit. Once you go through the doors, aka pass all points of sale, AP will step in front of you and ask you to follow them. We are allowed to go hands on and if you fight the cops will definitely be called. If you come in and see TPS at the door and as you leave they’re missing they might just be outside ready to apprehend. If you have someone waiting in the car they should be able to see whether someone is waiting outside or not. If you already know you’re about to get caught, I’d run out of the fire exit. We can’t make fire exit stops so just run the fuck out and don’t stop until you’re blocks away.

   🎯Now back to cameras and methods: Clothing is tricky. There are of course cameras there, however it’s almost impossible to find clothing once it’s stolen since they’re all over the place. The only way we know clothing has been stolen is A) We watched them steal it with our own eyes, or B) They left the fucking tags. This chain isn’t supposed to use removable tags on clothing since it makes it unappealing so the RFID will be inside the price tag. DO NOT FREAKING LEAVE TAGS. Bring an exacto knife or nail scissors in your handbag and cut the shit in half and take it with you!!! Fitting rooms are hit or miss. Some places are extremely strict and keep the rooms locked and will count the items before you go in. Others don’t have anyone over there and all the doors are unlocked. Scope yours out to see how secure the fitting room is over there. If there is an associate there, they are supposed to stop you from bringing any non clothing items into the fitting room.

   🎯Moving on… So there’s cameras over NYX, but you still want it? Well if your store uses those push dispensers you are in luck. Basically the push dispensers will push another product back out after you select one. This shit is so hard to review on camera. Also the smaller it is ex/ eyeliners and lipstick the harder it is to spot on camera. If you want something bigger, say a PIXI face mist and they don’t use push dispensers? Take it from the back of the display. We track known thefts by camera movement. If the front product doesn’t move it’s nearly impossible to find. That being said, remember the cameras are above not below or to the side. NEVER TAKE AN ITEM FROM THE TOP SHELF. We can see exactly how many of each box there are signs the camera is pointing down towards it. The best place is the bottom shelves since the top shelves cover most of the products aside from the front ones.

   🎯Now continuing, if you’ve shopped here before you might have noticed the yellow security tabs on some makeup such as eyelashes and razors. These will make the doors go off. If the doors go off and you have only bagged items they are allowed to check regardless. Now you don’t want to leave packaging behind right? Just rip that sucker off and leave it somewhere not in beauty or electronics (bedding or behind paper towels is ideal). We can’t identify what was stolen with only the yellow tab so you should be all clear as long as you were being cautious. Another thing: the sleeve or take two put back one method is so god damn fucking hard to catch on camera so utilize that as best as you can in cosmetics.

   🎯Personally, I would say utilizing self checkout is one of the absolute worst methods. Never ever ever use anything other than cash if you opt to choose this method since we can run cards district wide to catch activities in other stores as well as previous activities in that store. Self checkout is also always overseen by an attendant who is trained to spot theft through either ringing everything up and leaving without paying, passing merchandise over the scanners without actually scanning it, and sticker swap where you use a different barcode for an item. I would say you’re 10x more likely to get caught using a self checkout method. Now we probably won’t catch you the first few times but we will continuously build cases. Sticker swapping is hard to get all 5 steps on so we normally let it run until we can get all five steps. Just don’t do SCO it’s way too easy to track. There are people not on the scene whose job it is to track sticker swapping and send us reports to help us find these cases. If you’re going to sticker swap, do it with similar items. Want a pair of $50 headphones? Swap it with a $10 headphones. Never swap with target brands like heyday though. We will know those aren’t heyday headphones. The camera that you see isn’t accessible to us in the office. The cameras are gonna be above you on the ceiling, looking down so we can see every item you scan and check if it matches up or not. If you bag and go, the light at the top of the self checkout turns red. Once the attendant realizes someone didn’t pay since only they can remove the transaction before some else can use it, they will inform AP and we can see exactly who scanned it.If you were lucky enough to not have been spotted by AP during your visit but are found out later, our best face shot is usually gonna be the exit shot which isn’t the greatest quality at times.

   🎯We normally base repeats on certain features like hey does this look like the guy that pushed out toys last week? Nah the hairline is different. Go crazy with the disguises. Wear a wig, cover up existing tattoos or apply temporary realistic fake ones. Contour your nose, wear glasses or take them off. Change you body shape through different trips by wearing tighter/looser clothing. Make sure each time you visit you look like a completely different person and we usually won’t piece all the thefts together. The way you dress is very important. If you dress shabby/ look homeless we’ll watch you. A group of young people? We’ll automatically watch you. For stores near colleges ex/ Mississippi state if you wear a college shirt well usually watch you for a bit cause young people are easier to catch and more likely to steal. Dress maturely and like you have money. But don’t overdress cause you’ll still stand out. Dyed hair stands out to us and lots of tattoos or piercings. Guys with hats and sunglasses and backpacks automatic watch. Your purse is very important! No totes EVER. Always use a structured purse if you’re going to conceal and make sure it’s normal sized.

    🎯Now for pushouts. Pushouts are very iffy, it all depends on luck and your store layout. You can get away with a lot more using the pushout method, and they usually won’t notice until right when you leave so don’t come back after a long while when pushing out and wear a disguise!!! We catch repeat pushout subjects super fucking easily so don’t do it often.

   🎯Now let’s talk about after the theft. We do write reports about thefts that we find happened due to stuff like empty packages, noticing items are missing from the counts, customers or associates giving us pointers. If we find an empty package but there’s no camera in the area we don’t write a report since we don’t know who stole it. If someone pushed out a cart of groceries but it was all in reusable bags that you can’t see inside of we literally cannot write a report since we have no idea what you took since there’s no cameras. Even if we have one selection out of the entire cart full of stuff we will write a report. Police reports are written for known theft of between $26-$75+. Each district has a different minimum when it comes to police reports. Police also usually don’t take shoplifting reports to seriously if it’s after the fact. If you’re driving, please park far away. Like in a different shopping strip far away. If we get a plate you are screwed since it makes it so much easier for us to identify who you are.

   🎯So electronics. Not the wisest move, but if you must make sure you bring the items forward on the peg after you take one and do not fucking take something from the top. If it’s in a boxleeo protector you need an s3 key to open it but leaving the box behind is pretty damn evident. Note: if you use tools (s3 key or magnet) or any kind of weapon is seen on you (razor, scissors, gun etc) the cops will be called immediately so be cautious when using tools. If you’re a minor and you get caught we have to call your parents no matter what and they have to come. If they don’t we go to the police since we can’t release you due to liability issues.

    🎯Let’s talk about behaviors now. Don’t be an idiot. We obviously don’t catch everyone. I’d say we only catch about less than 2% of theft that occurs. As long as you’re being cautious and keep up a good appearance you should be fine. Don’t cart build, putting lots of high dollar merch in the cart is an instant red flag. Don’t look down every aisle or look up at every person that walks by. Innocent shoppers shop mindlessly, they don’t pay attention to every person that walks by. Its also weird to go to different areas of the store sometimes. Most people getting groceries aren’t gonna stop by for electronics so don’t bring unnecessary attention to yourself. If you look nervous, are sweating and it’s not hot, have red cheeks it might raise some flags, especially after we have someone service you. We do have rfid target stickers that we stick on high theft merch. The stickers will always be visible. Again, cut through it or simply peel it off. They will make the doors go off. If you’re unsure if anything has manufacturer rfids inside ex/ plan b, buy something cheap like $10 wireless headphones and when we check you at the door we’ll just dismiss it. If you walk out and you beep but you didn’t buy anything we won’t even acknowledge you at the time, but we will go back and review to see what you did. Try your best not to beep as you go out. If someone beeps and they don’t turn around we usually research to see what they did. Sometimes when people beep and they turn around I won’t even check them because the innocent thing to do is turn around and be like ??? Why am I beeping? Do you need to check me?

   🎯Hidden cams: Bulls/eye does utilize hidden cameras. If you notice an aisle has no visible camera but something is out of place in the ceiling it’s probably a hidden camera. They can see through the tiniest hole. A weirdly placed vent or miscolored ceiling tile is usually a dead giveaway there’s a hidden camera. Not all stores use hidden cameras though since most only get like 2 and they usually use it to spy on employees in the back for internal theft.

   🎯DO NOT hit  the same thing repeatedly! Fixed cameras can be moved if we think they’d be useful covering something else! If we notice an insane amount of like nail polish theft we can move say the NYX camera over to cover the nail polish.

That’s it. If anyone has any tips not mentioned feel free to add! Also if you tag this or reblog this outside the community I will find you and kill you 🔫😉.

HAPPY LIFTING!

flowerliftblr

I love you

liftingwiccan

All of this basically tells me not to lift at T@rget. If someone reads this and thinks “hell yeah I can lift at t@rget now” y’all are stupid. The length of this post alone tells me there’s far too much at stake.

[unixcommerce]

Customer Service Phrases: 9 You Should Never Use and 12 You Should

The quality of your customer service can make or break your business.

According to American Express, one-third of Americans would consider switching providers after just one bad customer service experience.

That’s right. One bad customer service conversation can be fatal to your business.

It shouldn’t be a surprise. Chances are, you’ve been on the receiving end of awful customer service at least once in your life. Traumatic experience, right?

Talking with Customers

The opposite of poor customer experience is customer success. Sixteen Ventures CEO and customer service expert Lincoln Murphy defines customer service as “the moment when your customer achieves their Desired Outcome through their interactions with your company.”

Murphy emphasizes “interactions with your company” to raise a critical point. Your customer experience is not just the use of your product or service. It’s every engagement they have with your company, product and employees included.

What dictates customer experience? Your employees.

As CX Journey CEO Annette Franz points out, “the employee experience drives the customer experience. It’s called the spillover effect, or ‘the tendency of one person’s emotions to affect how other people around him feel.’”

Pro-Tip: We recently published 100 stats on customer service for 2019 you definitely need to check out after reading this article.

Customer Service Phrases You Should NEVER Say

The quality of your customer service depends on your customer service team having great communication with your client base.

A lot of lip service gets paid to teaching reps what to say on a customer service call. But it’s equally important to know what not to say.

Exceptional Service, Exceptional Profit author Michael Solomon calls out an excellent customer service practice in his book.

“Great companies develop a set of key phrases to use — and not use — in talking to customers. Solomon reports that Ritz-Carlton hotel employees carry pocket-sized cards with reminders of recommended and discouraged phrases to use in common scenarios.”

Which is where this article comes in — submitted below are 9 awful phrases you should NEVER say on a customer service call under any circumstances and 12 excellent customer service phrases that you should use frequently.

1. “I’m Not Sure.”

There are a million better ways to respond to a customer question you’re uncertain of than the outright omission, “I’m not sure.”

This phrase is the verbally equivalent of throwing your hands in the air – it signifies helplessness and lack of competence. Responding with “I’m not sure” threatens to send the conversation in a bad direction. You’re better off pushing for more information to get a better idea of what they are saying.

2. “Let Me Check.”

“Let me check” is a vague phrase that leaves your customer in limbo. Be. More. Specific.

Adding specifics such as “with my manager” or “your latest account activity” or something to that effect signals clear, direct action on your part and gives the customer a better idea of the process you’re following to resolve the issue. Don’t use “let me check” in isolation unless you want to raise your customer’s blood pressure unnecessarily.

3. “I Can’t Help You.”

This should be a no-brainer, but we’ve all been on the receiving end of this phrase with a customer service rep at one time or another.

ChurnZero Director of Marketing Cori Pearce cites “declining help with no context” as an easy-to-miss customer service blunder you should avoid at all costs.

The standalone phrase “I can’t help you” does not belong in the customer service lexicon. It is inherently rude, and there are a multitude of less combative ways to tell a customer service should be banished to a netherworld of rude words and phrases your customer service reps have no business using on the phone.

Also: Per Dimensional Research, 72 percent of consumers see having to explain their problem to multiple people as poor customer service. Therefore – it’s best to set up your customer service process to keep the conversation with one rep as often as possible.

4. “Visit our Help Center Instead.”

It’s okay to advise customers to visit your Help Center after completing their customer service request (i.e. in cases where the Help Center has the information they need).

It’s not okay to use the Help Center as a way to get the customer off the call. Telling a customer to reference the Help Center while you’re on the phone with them is like someone you ask for directions handing you a map and saying, “figure it out.” Rude, unprofessional, and a huge turnoff to all.

5. “Calm Down.”

Would you wave a red flag in front of a charging bull? Telling a customer to “Calm down” might as well be the same thing.

If a customer is angry or upset, it is your job as the customer service rep to calm them down by solving their issue, not by telling them how they should be feeling.

To be fair, this is often much easier said than done and can require a great deal of self-control on the part of the customer service agent.

People get irrationally upset, jump to negative conclusions, displace their anger or frustration with something else towards you, et cetera.

But it’s pivotal to maintain control even when your customer is a raging torrent of hate and anguish. Just don’t tell them to calm down.

6. “You’re Mistaken.”

Any variation of “You’re mistaken” is disastrous. “You’re wrong.” “That’s wrong.” “Incorrect.” All off limits.

Let’s double-check the first rule of business. Yep. It’s still “The customer is always right.”

Telling a customer that he or she is wrong is committing a cardinal sin. You’re breaking the first commandment of good business.

According to CX czar Blake Morgan, starting in the 1900s, “retailers knew the power of customers. They believed it’s better to trust customers and risk getting taken advantage of occasionally than to get a reputation of being mean or disrespectful.”

The customer can be as wrong as the day is long. The phrase, “You’re mistaken” should never be uttered from your mouth.

Shy away from any language that smacks of correction or direct contradiction to what the customer is saying.

7. “I’m Having a Bad Day.”

We all have bad days. Negative external forces and events are a reality of life, and it’s up to each and every customer service professional to make sure their customers never hear about them or how they are affecting us.

Your coworkers? Yes.

Your friends and family? Absolutely.

Your customers? Never.

Important tip for customer service managers – if you have a rep who is going through a difficult time and is clearly emotional and struggling to maintain composure on the floor, it’s okay to give that person a quick break to regain his or her composure before interfacing with customers.

As CX expert Colin Shaw astutely asserts on his blog, “Employees are just like Customers in that they are at their best at work when they are Happy and Pleased.”

The bottom line: your employees are a reflection of your business. If they are clearly struggling on the phone with clients, in the mind of the customer, so is your business.

8. “We’ve Never had this Issue Before.”

This futile attempt at reassurance makes no difference in the mind of the customer, who is currently experiencing the issue and now feels more alarmed upon hearing that it’s a new problem your company has never had to solve before.

There are other ways to reassure customers that an issue they may be experiencing is rare and almost certain never to happen again. Whatever you do, do not use the “We’ve never had this issue before” approach.

9. “Let Me Call you Back.”

Our 9th and final awful phrase should be another no-brainer. Yet, many companies fail to realize that no customer is willing to hang up mid-call and wait for you to call them back to finish resolving their issue.

If you need to do some serious research or consulting with your team prior to resolving their issue, let the customer know. Under no circumstances should you blindside a customer with a request to call them back.

Excellent Customer Service Phrases You SHOULD Say

Looking to get ahead of the curve?

Use these 12 excellent customer service phrases to delight and excite your customers while they are on the phone with you.

10. “Thank You.”

Customers love to feel valued. Thanking them throughout the call – from its initial opening to the final sign-off, will dramatically increase the feelings of goodwill from the interaction.

Telling a customer “thank you” can occur at a variety of points throughout the conversation. Thank them for calling in, for being a customer, for raising an issue, for going through a troubleshooting scenario, and for their ongoing business.

11. “I can Absolutely Help You with That.”

CX expert Ian Golding defines customer service as, “the assistance and advice provided by a company to those people who buy or use its products or services.”

The customer service phrase, “I can absolutely help you with that,” signals your willingness and ability to help the customer address whatever issue he or she is facing.

Remember – customers are often calling you in a state of anxiety. This customer service phrase immediately dials that down.

12. “Great Question.”

You have heard the phrase: “There’s no such thing as a dumb question.”

Guess what? That’s doubly true in customer service.

When a customer hits you with a reasonable query, this phrase affirms the validity of their call and signals that the conversation is heading down a good path.

Customer Experience consultant and expert Jeannie Bliss captures the integral importance of communication to the customer experience on her blog. “Two-way trust, open and honest communication and fearless sharing are cornerstones of the relationships that come to mean the most to us.”

13. “I Understand.”

Another response that alleviates customer anxiety and signals your own competency and ability to help. “I understand” is a great customer service phrase that reassures your customer that they’re on track to solving their problem.

14. “What Else can I Help You With?”

The best customer service experience knocks out all customer concerns and issues in one fell swoop. Solving for the main customer query is great – but solving for ancillary questions and issues that prevent future callbacks is better.

Your customer will appreciate it and so will your boss.

15. “How is Your Day Going?”

Showing an interest in your customer as a person is a great way to build rapport and demonstrate your ability to help. This customer service phrase is the inverse of complaining about your day. It shows empathy and curiosity about your customer’s state of mind outside of merely solving their problem.

As further proof, customer success influencer and Forbes Coaches Council author Jeannie Walters lists empathetic and engaging behavior as a trait of customer service superstars.

16. “I Appreciate You Bringing this to our Attention.”

If a customer raises an issue, it’s wise to thank them for surfacing the problem in the first place. Doing so shows that your company is committed to serving customer needs and views troubleshooting conversations as an opportunity versus an annoyance.

17. “We Appreciate your Feedback.”

Similar to the previous customer service phrase, thanking a customer for feedback is a basic move you can execute that signals to your customer that your company is genuinely committed to problem-solving and improving the overall customer experience.

Rebecca Lindland@RebelCarChick

 · Feb 14, 2019

Dear 1C, It’s not every day the pilot himself takes the time to reassure you about the upcoming flight. One of the many reasons I @Delta. Cheers, 2A#travelinggirl #SINKspeak #DiamondMedallion #traveling #travel #globetrotter #DeltaAirlines

Delta

?@Delta

Hi Rebecca, we strive to provide excellent customer service and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. Every day our team is working to make flying with us better, thank you for your continued loyalty! *HMB

1

9:43 PM – Feb 14, 2019

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Using the inclusive “we” instead of “I” signals to your customer that you are speaking on behalf of the entire company when you thank them for their feedback.

Pro-Tip: Customer Service consultant and author Shep Hyken recommends using a single-question survey to determine the quality of a customer’s interaction with your business.“The next time you call us, would you want the same person to take care of you? Push 1 for yes and 2 for no.”

18. “I can Do that for You.”

When a customer requests something that is within your scope of execution, let him or her know. Again, this customer service phrase quickly signals that the conversation is heading towards a positive resolution of the customer’s problems.

The goal is to mitigate customer anxiety as fast as possible. Use this phrase to get customers to let their guards down.

19. “Your Business Means a Lot to Us.”

Every customer is important, regardless of how much they are paying your business. Treat them as such.

Truck City USA@TruckCityUSA

 · Feb 1, 2019

@LesSchwab idk how you do it you have some of the best #CustomerService

Les Schwab Tires@LesSchwab

We are committed to providing world class customer service! Thank you for sharing Your business means a lot to us.- Michelle

1

3:52 AM – Feb 1, 2019

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Never miss an opportunity to show gratitude to a customer. Use this customer service phrase early and often in customer conversations.

20. “I’m Sending an Update/Confirmation.”

Making changes to a customer account? Rebooting his or her service? If your company sends a standard confirmation alert upon doing so, let the customer know you’ll be doing so while they are on the call.

Customers always appreciate written verification of issue resolution or account updates. Confirm they will receive one and push the conversation in the right direction.

21. “Did you Know about our Additional Service?”

When the right opportunity to upsell or cross-sell presents itself, use it. If a call has gone well, you can always reference additional products or services that your customer may need but is not aware you provide. Used in the right situations, this phrase can generate more revenue and surprise and delight your customers.

What are the Most Memorable Customer Service Phrases You’ve Heard?

The right or wrong customer service phrase can steer the entire direction of your call.

If there are two takeaways from this article, they are:

Choose your words carefully with customers.

Use a script if need be.

Remember — the Golden Rule, Karma, and the Law of Nature apply in business just as much as they do in life.

You should treat your clients the way you would want to be treated.

What goes around comes around.

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.

As the folks who put on Fyre Festival are finding out the hard way, these laws are very real. And they hold major implications for your business based on the customer experience you provide.

Pictured: Fyre Festival CEO Billy McFarland using every bad customer service phrase in this article.

Republished by permission. Original here.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “Customer Service Phrases: 9 You Should Never Use and 12 You Should” was first published on Small Business Trends

https://smallbiztrends.com/

The post Customer Service Phrases: 9 You Should Never Use and 12 You Should appeared first on Unix Commerce.

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[getseriouser]

20 THOUGHTS: Winter is, er, not coming, it is here, actually

JUNE.

This is the guts of the football season, the temperatures drop, the stakes rise; the year becomes aspirational for some and a grind for the rest.

And this works just as well as an analogy for the on field competition or indeed the fights in the bar, it’s a long season if you’re looking to improve your win-loss record within the Medallion Club middleweight division.

Such an interactive fan experience now when you go to the football. If you want to sit and watch your team, they have ticket options for you, but if you’re tempted to throw some cut lunches at a fellow fan within a licensed part of the venue, there’s that option available too - it’s such an all-inclusive entertainment product the AFL offers, they should be commended really.

  1. Want to start with the Fair Work Act. Wonderfully details workplace relations that protect and support employees in a number of areas, but the one we're most familiar with would be leave entitlements. It may differ slightly from workplace to workplace, but paid leave for falling ill, or for caring for an immediate family member, are genuinely invaluable for individuals to keep a regular cash flow in times where you or a loved one can't get to work and need a couple of days off. What it is not for, at all, is for when you decide to let your eyes spend far too much time oogling your media adviser, despite having a loving wife for no less than 24 years, that leads to conception, before the Australian public finds out your new friend with benefits is with child, your child,  so you lose any political popularity you had, because you know, you're all about family and love even though you voted No last year, and then, in a bizarre twist to either clear the air or make bread with your Party or the constituency alike, you let Channel Seven give you and your new son's mother $150,000 for an interview the same time everyone's watching Gordon week start on MasterChef. Now you have been granted five weeks personal leave because the fallout to said interview has got you "struggling", despite the thousands of sheets you took up front for doing so. Now if the Fair Work Act doesn't abscond the taxpayer from having to fit the bill for this said paid leave, we need to get our grey leads and erasers out and get re-drafting the Act. Not good enough Barnacle.

  2. Daniel Ricciardo and then Will Power. Firstly, the West Aussie who piloted a broken Red Bull around the streets of Monaco for a very famous win. Drove literally the perfect lap, a track record, on the Saturday then backed it up with guts and grit when after his pit stop the Renault engine gave him significantly less power, and where retiring to a DNF was on the cards, he drove the thing so well he scored his well-deserved maiden Monaco win. And then the same day, over at the Brickyard, the Toowoomba native who was the Indy series champion four years ago, notched his first even Indianapolis 500, probably the other world famous motor race. Two Aussies on top of the motorsport world on the same day, bloody grouse.

3. Let’s get the rest of the non-footy out of the way up front today, onto tennis quickly. Nick Kyrgios, a lot of good happening in his world, maturing, game is improving, but sadly the body is failing him. Against popular opinion but withdrawing from the French was a good call, getting himself 100% fit for a surface (grass) that he can win some serious matches on, as opposed to clay where its pot luck for Australians, that’s smart. Let’s see him in a few weeks and judge. As for Bernard Tomic, hmm, at least the Australian taxpayer isn’t covering his expenses whilst he has all his leave. Ah Bernie..

  4. And Cricket, so, we had match-fixing rear its ugly, deformed, oily-skinned head this week. We had two accusations of matches involving Australians. Firstly, that a pitch was doctored to guarantee a result in the Sri Lanka-Australia test in Galle. Absolutely viable, it went two and a half days, world-record pace, so absolutely plausible the pitch and subsequently match was fixed. The other, an India-Australia test the same year in Ranchi. The allegation is something around ensuring a session or block of overs were under a certain run total, an over/under bet. The revelation is that two Aussies were bought and that they went on to carry the crime out. Those two would be Steve Smith and Glen Maxwell in the second session on Day One, but without knowing this accusation on paper it just looks like they batted conservatively after losing four early wickets. I’m not sold.

   5. So Kevin Sheedy gets elevated to Legend status, definitely deserves the accolade. 929 games as a player or coach, three flags with Richmond, four flags coaching Essendon. Plus the impact he had as essentially a promoter, a marketer. Phenomenal. Still think Fos Williams should not be too far behind as we’ve mentioned in an earlier column. 779 games a player or coach, played in a flag at West Adelaide before moving to Port Adelaide to be captain-coach, where he won another six flags, then as coach only of the Magpies steered them to another three. That’s Ron Barrassi-esque figures, and he should not be overlooked for too long because they are SANFL, until the late 1980s, VFL, WAFL, SANFL, all comparable to some degree.

  6. The Giants hey? Not good. But, oh, injuries. Not really. So yes, Tom Scully will be eight weeks, then there’s also Brett Deledio and Toby Greene, and that’s it. Phil Davis has a concussion but that’s not long term.  Aside from that, Zac Williams is a wait and see. 14 players from Saturday night played the Prelim last year. You have Steve Johnson and Nathan Wilson not in the side from the weekend who played in the prelim last year, one did nothing, one they traded to Freo for a 2018 draft pick. But Jeremy Cameron dint play the prelim but played on Saturday. This team isn’t really decimated, nor has any excuse.

  7. Woosha, its a theory we've spoken about before, but the win on the weekend goes a bit further to validate it, that from coming on board in 2016 it was about rebuilding a broken club, a higher emphasis on job engagement than results. Yet ever since he publicly came across different in the media two weeks ago, tough, uncompromising, intimidating, which is just like how he was as a player, the team is playing like results do matter and that enough is enough. This club is long from being that broken place, it’s now about making and winning finals. Huge chance this Saturday against the reigning premier, and then all of a sudden, should they win, look out.

  8. Shocker by Adelaide oh my, that was a hell of a stinker. No surprise then to see Don Pyke resort to silent intimidation at the huddle, that’s about as awful a performance as any, and I mean any, we’ve seen all year.

  9. So the Dees then. Great scoring, got to give them that. Five weeks in a row over 100 points. As for margins, 109 points last week, then 91 points this week. Great. But the Crows gave no contest, they beat the Bombers before their resurgence, then its wins over Brisbane, St Kilda, Gold Coast and Carlton. Yes, they beat North Melbourne, but equally they were average against Hawthorn. They look good on paper, they'll beat up the Doggies this week, and the draw is soft. It’s all very winnable aside from two trips to Adelaide after the bye, Geelong down the highway, Sydney at home but the Eagles in Perth. So they probably end up with a maximum of 8 losses, they makes finals, then good luck to them. It’s a very flattering third position right now though.

 10. Angus Brayshaw does deserve some love though. 37 touches on the weekend, 5 inside 50s, week before seven inside 50s and 11 tackles, he has become so important. This column is a big fan.

  11. North Melbourne, looking very good, and whilst the Dees are heavy on the scoring, credit to the Roos they are number one for scores against, averaging under 70 points a game through ten rounds. That’s impressive.

  12. Shaun Higgins, massively key to the Roos ascendance. In their wins, aside from the Hawks game, averaging 29 touches, six clearances, six inside 50s, three tackles. All-Australian squad at a minimum to Round 10.

  13.  Easton Wood. Without Dale Morris looks all at sea and easily-exposed. With Morris in the backline he is an All-Australian third man up, intercept defender. But this season looks easily squandered, and then Friday night did not register a tackle, the fourth time that’s happened already this season. Morris might miraculously come back soon but this surely is his last year, he can only be Superman for so long. So Wood is a 28-year-old captain who needs to find a way to be better.

  14. The Dogs had ten players who played in the 2016 GF but not on Friday: Boyd, Picken, Liberatore, Morris, Biggs, Dunkley, Smith, Stringer, Hamling and Roberts. Those that didn’t play in the flag but played on Friday: Suckling, Richards, Williams, Trengove, Dale, Smith, Gowers, Lipinski, Crozier, Schache. Plus you’ve got the likes of Wallis, Honeychurch, Jong, Adams, Redpath who played neither. What that says is that whilst they are missing a good bunch of premiership players who could influence results right now, few are either stil at the club or could be making such an influence in the short term, too the replacement players have worked to only some degree at best and some of their more experienced players are so out of form its potentially forcing games into kids who might not yet be ready. Consider the Dogs lost.

   15.  Dayne Beams. Courageous week, not an easy week personally and then far from an easy opponent with the Swans last Saturday. Came up with a best on ground performance, 38 touches, nine clearances, five inside 50s, four tackles and a sausage. Such a jet.

  16. So we have a few punch ups at the footy of late, but this column is glad its getting covered. Sure, the A-League cops it far worse but that’s old stereotypes dying hard, images in this country where there’s flares or fan separation feeds fear, and fear feeds the news cycle. But the A-League is nowhere near as bad as the image it cops, and the AFL needs to do something about its punch-ups.

  17.  Tom Mitchell. Started the year with 54 touches in Round One, then 40 in Round Two, two best on grounds, maximum 10 votes in each game from the coaches, he was the superstar that no coach should be dumb enough to let off the chain. Since then, he is still smashing the averages, getting 32 touches a game, but clearly his influence hasn’t been such. The Hawks are 3-5 in that time and in half of those games Mitchell hasn’t even got a single coaches vote. Three games he got over 40 but did not get a perfect 10. Despite his first two weeks, he is now six votes behind Patrick Cripps who is averaging less than 30 touches a game in team that has four less wins. Tag Cripps. Don’t bother with Mitchell.

  18.          Footy Show, Front Bar, quick one, we're not far from the Front Bar having the permanent wood on the Nine show now we think. We reckon if nothing turns it around by seasons end it gets pulled. Does. Not. Make. Money. Been on our screens since 1994, it will be strange to see it go, but its time.

19.   Credit to the Cats’ recruiters for their 2016 draft. Let’s recap. They did not have a first round pick because the year before traded it to Carlton for Lachie Henderson. Not a great move but they were in good need for some tall timber, so we can understand. But as for their selections for the picks they had, they took Brandan Parfitt and Tom Stewart in the second round, Sav Ratugolea in the third round, then got Jack Henry and Jamaine Jones in the first and third rounds of the rookie draft. Tough to assess Jones after only his debut, but clearly there’s at least three or four long-term senior players from one crop, as outstanding a job by the recruiting staff as you’ll see.

20. And finally, old mate Damien Barrett wants clubs fined for 'lying about injuries to the consumer' in response to Patrick Dangerfield’s article where he said its competitive advantage for clubs to not reveal or always be truthful about play availability, selection, etc. Robbo is sloppy but this is just bizarre. Things aren't good at home Damo? Not enough fibre in your diet. We do hope you can move past this sadness in your life, Damien.

(originally published 30 May)

[trendingnewsb]

5 Old Photos From History That’ll Blow Your Minds

We have this idea that history was all pomp and circumstance, and despite this site’s best efforts to ruin/improve your understanding, it’s a myth that persists. Case in point: There are certain places that you immediately think of as being boring forever. But once you dig into the richness of history, you kinda find the badass, surprising, and occasionally stupid secrets that have been kept buried. Like how …

5

Tutankhamun’s Tomb Looked Like A Hoarder’s Cave Of Crap

Although we’re fairly certain that nobody reading this was there at the time, you probably have an idea in your head of what the tomb of King Tut must have looked like when they opened it up in 1922. Surely, the archaeologists were greeted by cascading piles of gold treasure, well-preserved scrolls describing lost-long wisdom of the ages, and at least one ancient booby trap containing a skeleton with an explorer hat, right? Nope! It mostly looked like piles of millennia-old crap, like a dud episode of Storage Wars.

Harry Burton

Harry Burton

Harry BurtonIs that a portable bidet on the lower-right? Was … was King Tut a gamer?

You see, packing for a long vacation is always stressful, and it was the same for the Ancient Egyptians, except a little more death-y. It was a popular belief that the afterlife was basically another life (nowlife?), and that whatever possessions you packed in your tomb, well … that was it. You were stuck with them forever, because the next realm had little in the way of IKEA and Walmart. And Tut, being a one-percenter, had more death baggage to pack than most.

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Uranus Is Secretly Amazing (So Knock Off The Fart Jokes)

The tomb, known by the droid-esque name of KV62, was so tightly packed with miscellenea that it took nearly ten years to catalog and empty the place. This might sound like the archaeologists were milking their overtime pay, but KV62 contained, give or take, 5,000 antique, fragile-as-hell objects, including six chariots, chests of jewelry, enough weapons to outfit an army, 30 jars of wine, more board games than an old folks’ home, countless statues and ornaments, and over a hundred walking sticks. That’s not even including, you know, the gold-plated body. The real curse, it turns out, was compulsive hoarding.

Harry Burton

Harry Burton“Where does he want the giant bull’s head?” “No idea, just stick it in the corner.”

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The Sphinx Was Once Surrounded By Vacationing Samurai

The samurai are considered to be one of history’s greatest fighting forces, whose very name invokes images of honor, badassery, and people getting sworded through their chests, Alien-style. The Sphinx is one of history’s greatest icons, reminiscent of empire and lore and mystery and big-ass cat people. Combine the two, and you’ve got yourself a surefire blockbuster summer hit, possibly about time travel and definitely starring Mark Wahlberg.

Or this photo, whatever.

Antonio BeatoSamurai Spring Break was one of Kurosawa’s lesser-known films.

This photograph from 1864 shows a group of fully decked-out samurai, complete with the costumes, hats, and swords that you’re already picturing in your mind’s eye, relaxing in front of the Sphinx like they’re on a brocation. And to be fair, they kinda were. The guys were travelling to France as part of the Ikeda Mission, a diplomatic mission so important that they simply couldn’t resist the urge to have a pit stop and make every holiday photo you’ve ever and will ever take look like a crusty dog turd by comparison.

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The Lincoln Memorial Once Looked Like A Rejected Fallout Landscape

Washington, D.C. is fetid swampland, both metaphorically and literally. In its early days, before America was even a thing, it was a low-lying marsh known as Tiber Creek, and it was this way until the late 1800s, when the creek was dredged and dried out to create this magnificen- oh.

Library of Congress“D.C.” originally stood for “Danger: Crocodiles.”

This photo of the Lincoln Memorial was taken in 1917, which is both shockingly modern and, in terms of demonstrating how well we’re doing at hashtag draining the swamp, a very effective visual metaphor. The greenery isn’t the result of having sent all the gardeners and horticulturalists to get machine-gunned in equally damp conditions (although construction of the memorial’s interior had stalled by this time for this reason); it’s the swamp trying to reclaim the land. By 1922, we’d won that war and locked the nature beneath a solid foundation of concrete, tarmac, cherry blossoms, and intern skeletons, where it sits bubbling away, waiting.

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St. Petersburg Once Hosted A Massive Game Of Human Chess

It’s fair to say that even the most anti-sports among us like it when sporting events go big — the Superbowl, the FA Cup, the World Polo Championship, etc. There’s just something about spectacle and frenzied crowds that makes the hateful, cynical part of our brains switch off, although that’s also a common side effect of drinking so much beer that your bar tab can be measured in kegs.

It was the same in the old-timey days, although the events were … a little different.

Russian Federation37 people died when one player got upset and flipped the board.

Take this gigantic chess match played in St. Petersburg’s Palace Square between the mightiest nerds of 1924, Peter Romanovsky and Ilya Rabinovich, who called their moves in via telephone. This wasn’t just some geek shit, either. It was part of a huge government push to get more young people interested in chess than Russia’s other popular youth activity of the day, shooting aristocrats in basements. As a result, the pieces were cosplayed by the military, with the Red Army representing the black pieces and the Soviet Navy representing the white ones. There’s no word on who won the match, but we can bet that both players duked it out relentlessly for the grand prize of coming in second place and not having their lunch money stolen by Lenin.

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Here Are The Photos That The Supreme Court Doesn’t Want You To See (For Some Reason)

The Supreme Court is possibly the most important court in the land, after those of the “food,” “basketball,” and “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s“ variety. It’s where gavels are banged, arguments are settled, and bitterly sarcastic judgments are made. In other words, it’s as boring as any other non-TV courtroom … except for the bizarre rule that photography is completely banned, to the extent that all electronic devices are confiscated, no less in an age where even our shoes are hardwired.

Of course, if you tell a mouse that cookies aren’t allowed, that mouse is going to chew through your walls and eat cookies right in front of your stupid face. Behold, the forbidden sight:

Erich SalmonHoly crap! It’s a court!

The only two photos in existence of the Supreme Court come courtesy of 1932 and 1937, back when Judge Scalia hadn’t yet watched his parents be gunned down in an alleyway by progressivism. The first photo, daringly reprinted above, was taken by Erich Salmon, who faked a broken arm and hid a camera inside the sling, showing a degree of inventiveness only matched by horny teenagers in ’80s sex comedies.

The second was taken by an anonymous woman who cut out a hole in her purse, slipped a camera inside, and mastered shooting from the hip so as to avoid suspicion.

As far as video goes, there’s also this tantalizing piece shot by Citizens United protesters in 2014, after they interrupted deliberations to rally against big money in politics, but got served a hearty dose of security boot heels inside their bungholes.

But don’t worry, no one’s gonna come arrest you just for watch- hold up, someone’s at the door.

Adam Wears is on Twitter and Facebook, and has a newsletter about depressing history that you should definitely subscribe to.

Did you know they’re still making Polaroid-style cameras? The printed photo, making a comeback!

Support Cracked’s journalism with a visit to our Contribution Page. Please and thank you.

For more, check out 5 Modern Things In Historical Images That Shouldn’t Exist and 29 Images That Will Change How You Picture History.

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Read more: http://www.cracked.com/article_25552_5-old-photos-from-history-thatll-blow-your-minds.html

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Pit Bulls, Bigotry And A Book

Why would anyone feel the need to write a children’s book about a pit bull? I and the illustrator, Dula Yavne, have been asked this regularly since releasing Galunker: a rhyming book about a hapless but lovable dog who is loathed because of his breed. Galunker is mostly intended as an entertaining tale about a canine outsider, but there’s no question that it’s also a parable with a crucial lesson. And surely the hatred that drives the mass killing of pit bulls is not an appropriate topic for eight-year-olds? We disagree. Bigotry is instilled at an early age, and that’s when it should be countered. And if you don’t believe that we’re dealing with genuine hatred, consider this story.

In 2012, the actor Nick Santino committed suicide, on his birthday, after being pressured to kill his pet dog. He had to choose between his neighbors — who were harassing him mercilessly — and his pit bull. He made the wrong choice. Unable to live with himself, he took an overdose of pills less than 24 hours later. The suicide note read: “Today I betrayed my best friend. Rocco trusted me and I failed him. He didn’t deserve this.”

When this story was posted on the web, one Dawn James (who uses this name, but generally hides behind the pseudonym “Craven Desires”), wrote beneath it: “Well good! Just one less Shit Bull in the world and one less Pit Nutter to worry about!”

This is the kind of bigotry we’re up against. And it’s not simply seething amateur bloggers. One of America’s most respected gay-rights activists, Dan Savage, wrote a piece entitled, “Pit Bulls Should be Boiled Alive like Lobsters and Fed to Their Idiot Owners.”

I generally admire Dan Savage. He should know better. Pit bulls are the victims of bogus statistics, most of them cooked up by a single unqualified quack, and that same strategy was used for decades to demonize gay men. Yes, the analogy between dogs and humans is fraught — I try to avoid it — but sometimes it’s instructive. The myth that gay men are statistically more likely to commit pedophilia than straight men has been soundly refuted, as has the myth that pit bulls are more likely than other dogs to attack and kill people.

Even Snopes has weighed in here: “What is the most dangerous type of dog? It’s complicated, but according to study after study, and when controlling for outside factors in individual dogs including training, early experiences, and excitability, the most aggressive and dangerous type of dog across the board, accountable for the vast majority of fatal attacks, is the intact male — independent of breed.” (Brooke Binkowski)

And so, Dan Savage has bought into a vicious myth, based on pseudo-science, no more valid than the assertion that natural disasters are God’s response to homosexuality. His words qualify as hate speech.

Galunker was conceived as an antidote to Dawn James and Dan Savage. And to those who contribute to this prejudice, sometimes with the best of intentions. Whether moral or factual, wrong is wrong.

Barbara Kay, for instance, who writes for Canada’s National Post, does not use the language of trolls and demagogues, but is equally devoted to ignorance masquerading as science. She is overawed by the bogus statistician introduced earlier ― she told me in an email that he is her “primary source” ― and has announced that I will have blood on my hands for writing Galunker. Nothing strikes her as more irresponsible than a children’s book about a breed that she considers criminal. She has reviewed our book twice. She has never read our book.

Also, she has made a point of not reading the definitive study of this breed: Bronwen Dickey’s “Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon.” Barbara Kay has clearly heard that Ms. Dickey ― after seven years of exhaustive research, combing through the history and the scientific literature ― has demonstrated that the pit bull hysteria is completely unfounded.

And worse, Ms. Kay is aware of what Bronwen Dickey has discovered about her favorite expert, Merritt Clifton, the “statistician” mentioned above. Ms. Dickey points out that his publishing record is abysmal: despite having boasted of over a hundred peer-reviewed publications, he is in fact responsible for only two not-quite-academic papers. “In one of them, he cites his own newsletter twelve times. The rest of the citations came mainly from Web sites, news reports, and press releases.” He “possesses no relevant credentials.”

Barbara Kay’s apoplexy directed towards us (in two reviews of Galunker published on, yes, Merritt Clifton’s blog), has to do with her perception that we are “pushing toddlers towards pit bulls.” If she took the time to read the book, she’d discover that there isn’t a single toddler in it, and that it’s a bit complicated for toddlers: it’s aimed at readers between eight and eighty. She’d also discover an essay and cut-out poster at the end of the book, devoted to teaching children and parents safety rules ― along the lines of the Red Cross rules for swimming ― appropriate to interaction with dogs of any breed.

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Parents and children sign a contract at the beginning of Galunker, pledging to adhere to these rules.

Yes, we make it clear that pit bulls have been unfairly demonized, but this in itself is a crucial element of dog safety: do not teach your children that any dog ― especially a sizable, powerful breed like a St. Bernard, American Pit Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Doberman, etc. ― should be assumed safe. Breeds have differences, but far outweighing these is the fact that dogs are individuals.

I mention those breeds, because all have, at one time or another, been the Frankenstein monster of the day. Pit bull hatred is a relatively recent phenomenon. After Stephen King’s “Cujo” was published, for instance, the St. Bernard was considered satanic. When the Germans were our enemies in World War Two, it was the German Shepherd. (Oh, and ― comically enough ― the German connection after World War One inspired an epidemic of Dachshund phobia.) Bigotry tends to have solid, identifiable roots.

We do make the point in Galunker that large, muscular dogs are not appropriate for every family. We stress that those who do decide to make one of these a member of the family should adhere strictly to certain rules: most important being socialization, proper training, and spay/neuter ― to take in a large male dog, and not have it fixed, is dangerous and irresponsible. Unlike those who believe that Breed Specific Legislation will solve the issue of dog bites ― an approach that has failed worldwide ― Dula and I favor education, as well as rigorous legal remedies: stringent leash laws, and zero tolerance for people who inflict dangerous dogs upon the public. Bigots wish to express prejudice; we wish to keep people safe.

And our book, Galunker, has run up against prejudice everywhere. I was told that it would be a fool’s errand to even submit the manuscript to one of my usual publishers (Doubleday, Random House), so Dula and I put it on Kickstarter. It became one of the most successful kids’ books in Kickstarter history: we aimed to raise $27,000, and ended up with more than $62,000. Which was a good thing, as the book proved far more expensive than we imagined to print and distribute.

And, most important, our supporters who received the book are thrilled with it. People who love pit bulls are, luckily, even more passionate than people who hate them.

Not only will we not have blood on our hands ― an absurd assertion ― but we hope to stay the bloody hands of the hatemongers responsible for the killing of approximately half a million pit bulls every year.

The first part of Galunker was initially published here on The Huffington Post. If you’d like to know how it ends ― and just how evil Dula and I are not ― the commercial edition has just been published. And if you live in America, and order now, it should arrive in time for Christmas.

[josephkitchen0]

Beef Composites and Breed Definition

By Heather Smith Thomas — Today we frequently hear the terms crossbred, hybrid, composite, synthetic—when referring to breed definition—and we often wonder exactly what these terms mean. Some of these names are used interchangeably, especially when speaking of new lines of cattle in which a planned mating method is designed to combine the desirable traits of two or more breeds into one animal, but these terms do not all mean the same thing (see sidebar on terminology and definitions).

Because of the advantages of hybrid vigor (heterosis) gained when utilizing crossbreeding in a beef production program, almost every major breed has jumped on the bandwagon to get in on the action by creating and promoting composites that utilize their breed definition as one of the components. They come up with fancy names for these composites—Amerifax, Limflex, SimGenetics, Stabilizers, Rangemakers, Balancers, Southern Balancers, Chiangus, Equalizers—and it’s like trying to choose between brand names at the grocery store.

So what exactly is a crossbred or a composite animal? Technically, a crossbreed is an animal produced by breeding two purebred parents of different breeds. The term can also refer to an animal produced by breeding a crossbred animal to a cow or bull of a third breed, or might even refer to the result of mating two crossbred animals with each other. The term crossbred generally refers, however, to the first generation produced by mating animals of different breeds.

By contrast, a composite is an animal produced after several generations of selective crossing with two or more breeds, to come up with a uniform group of animals that have a fixed percentage of each of those breeds’ definitions. Examples of composite breeds of cattle that have been around a long time include Beefmaster, Brangus, Santa Gertrudis, Red Brangus, Braford, and so on. These composites have now become accepted as uniform types of cattle that combine some of the advantages of the parent breeds and still retain a certain amount of heterosis.

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Some composites have their own breed associations, with herdbook and registration of association members’ cattle. Many of the original composites in the U.S.—like Brangus and Santa Gertrudis—were formed with a specific goal in mind. The purpose was to create beef cattle that combined beef-production qualities of British breeds with the heat tolerance and insect resistance of Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle so these hybrid animals could thrive and be more productive in our southern climates.

Some of the newer composites have been created to simply produce a cattle breed definition with more hardiness and better performance in a variety of environments, taking advantage of the feed efficiency/gainability and increased fertility of the hybrid animal and seeking to blend the best (most desired) features of two or more breeds.

Heterosis

Hybrid vigor, also called heterosis, is a phenomenon associated with crossing two breeds or species. A well-known example of the latter would be the crossing of a horse and a donkey to create a mule, or crossing bison and cattle to create a hybrid animal that some people have called beefalo. By crossing two different breeds or species (or sub-species), we are able to create breed definition traits in the offspring that are superior to or stronger than those of the parents.

For instance, crossbred cows tend to be more fertile (reaching puberty sooner and breeding back quicker after calving) and to have a longer life of productivity, producing more calves in their lifetime, than purebred cows of either parent breed. Crossbred bulls are more fertile and tend to be more active and vigorous than bulls of the parent breeds. Crossbred calves are hardier and have a higher survival rate due to their stronger immune systems. They tend to gain weight faster and more efficiently, and adapt more readily to harsh environments.

Research has shown that part of the reason crossbred animals are hardier than purebreds is because of a stronger immune system. Animals that embody heterosis tend to develop better immunity when vaccinated or exposed to disease, and crossbred cows supply their calves with more antibodies in their colostrum—which in turn keeps the calves healthier through the risky days of early calf-hood. After the passive immunity wears off, a crossbred calf builds strong immunity of his own. This all adds up to higher survival rate in calves.

Heterosis beneficially influences breed definition traits like feed efficiency and longevity, which are important to beef production. In general, the more diverse the breeds being crossed, the greater the heterosis we see in the calves—as when crossing Brahman or other zebu-based breeds (Bos indicus) with British breeds or European breeds (both of which are Bos taurus). Greater heterosis response is also gained when crossing British breeds with European breeds than when crossing them among themselves, since the British breeds are more closely related to one another than they are to most European breeds.

All “breeds” were originally created with some degree of inbreeding and linebreeding to “fix” certain desired traits that were seen in the foundation animals. A breed is essentially a closed group of cattle, to maximize uniformity and to exclude infusion of any other traits. Keeping a breed “pure” always limits the genetic potential of these animals over time. These traits include lack of hardiness, less immune response, less vigor.

Inbreeding has the potential to double up recessive genes in the limited gene pool, or undesirable traits that result from mutations. Mutations occur in humans and animals all the time, but rarely cause problems unless doubled up by breeding related individuals that both carry the mutated gene from the common ancestor. Inbreeding limits variety and increases the probability that inherited defects will crop up.

By inbreeding during the early history of a breed to establish uniformity and “fix” certain desired traits, some degree of beef production potential (the opportunity for maximum growth and vigor) was sacrificed. Thus crossbreeding is the opposite of inbreeding. It opens the door for wider breed definition, genetic variation and results in heterosis, which in simplest terms is essentially the recovery of lost potential—the reversal of accumulated inbreeding’s depression of traits. In just one generation, the crossbred offspring exhibit the greatest degree of what was lost (in growth and vigor) through many generations of pure breeding within a closed gene pool.

True Composites Take Many Years to Create

A true composite is not easy to develop because it requires several generations and a large population of cattle for the right breed definition. A composite animal is produced by mating crossbred animals of similar breeding; the breed mix in both the sire and dam is the same, and has been standardized into a predictable blend over several generations of breeding crossbred to crossbred. The animals all have the same percentage of specific breeds—whether half-and-half, or 3/8 and 5/8, or some other fixed percentage of two breeds, or a specific mix of three or more breeds.

One example would be the MARC (Meat Animal Research Center) composites, such as the MARC II, which is a blend of cattle breeds that produce individuals that are half British and half European breeds. Leachman Rangemaker is a composite that is 3/4 British (a certain blend of Red Angus and Black Angus), and 1/4 European (a blend of Terentaise, South Devon, and Salers). Another composite example would be the Leachman Stabilizer that is 1/4 Red Angus, 1/4 Hereford, 1/4 Gelbveih and 1/4 Simmental. Another example is the Noble Line, in which the genetic components are approximately equal amounts of Gelbveih, Angus and Brahman blood. Many popular composites are in use today, including blends of Angus-Gelbvieh, Angus-Salers, Angus-Chianina, and many other combinations of British and continental breeds.

The key to creating a reliable composite that retains a certain percentage of heterosis (and not losing it to inbreeding) is to maintain a large enough foundation herd size to adequately represent the genetics of each breed used—without doubling up those genetics. Inbreeding/linebreeding has to be avoided in future generations to maintain high levels of heterozygous genetics and heterosis.

Whenever a composite is formed, there is always some loss of heterosis and breed definition when the crossbreds are mated to one another, but once the composite is established and the herd is closed (just mating the composites—animals that all have similar breed blends—with one another) the resulting heterosis will be consistent and constant. Unless the population of animals in the composite groups is very large, however, inbreeding will eventually reduce the effect of heterosis.

If the composite was formed with foresight, a complementary blend of breeds, planning, and adequate numbers, use of a composite can simplify the goal of producing cattle utilizing heterosis. It can be a feasible, low-management alternative to traditional crossbreeding schemes.

Advantages of composites include the ability to take advantages of desired traits in several breeds, offsetting the weaknesses of one breed with the strengths of another, and targeting a specific environment with cattle that can do well in that environment—along with some retention of heterosis over time and subsequent generations. For instance, a four-breed composite tends to maintain 75 percent of the hybrid vigor you’d see in a first-generation cross, and will retain it indefinitely if the composite population is large enough to avoid inbreeding.

Livestock Terminology and Breed Definitions

Crossbreeding: The mating of two or more breeds.

Crossbred: An animal created by mating two purebred or straightbred animals of different breeds, or mating a crossbred with an animal of a third breed.

Purebred: An animal with parents of the same breed—which has been pure since the beginning of that breed. A purebred may be registered or unregistered.

Straightbred: An animal of just one known breed, though not necessarily purebred or registered.

Composite: A uniform group of cattle created by selectively crossing two or more breeds for several generations and establishing a certain fixed percentage of each breed (such as the Santa Gertrudis that carries 5/8 Shorthorn genetics and 3/8 Brahman, or the Brangus that carries 5/8 Angus genetics and 3/8 Brahman, or the Beefmaster that carries approximately • Brahman genetics and the other half a blend of Hereford and Shorthorn in roughly equal percentage). In essence a composite is a new “breed” designed to retain a certain amount of heterosis in future generations without crossbreeding, and can thus be maintained as a “pure” breed without further infusions of other breeds.

Synthetic: This term is used to describe a new line of cattle from an open breeding program where new breeds can be added at any time. No fixed percentage of certain breeds is required. Bulls used might be crossbred or purebred, to add another breed to the mix. Many producers use crossbred bulls to good advantage in this type of breeding program, creating whatever mix in the calves might be desired. For instance, a crossbred bull can be used on crossbred cows of the same two breeds, to keep the mix the same in the calves. Or a crossbred bull can be used on cows of different crosses, to add another set of desired traits to the mix. In this way the producer can often gain the most benefit from crossbreeding (the biggest “shot” of hybrid vigor) and also avoid some of the limitations associated with traditional crossbreeding schemes.

Hybrid vigor (heterosis): The degree to which a crossbred or composite animal outperforms the straightbred/purebred parents in any specific trait (such as growth, health and immune responses, fertility, longevity, milking ability, etc.)

Inbreeding: The mating of closely related individuals such as father-daughter, brother-sister, half brother-half sister, grandfather-granddaughter, etc. to try to double up desired traits. The downside of this breeding program is a decrease in genetic variations and also more possibility of doubling up undesirable traits, some of which may result in genetic defects.

Linebreeding: A form of inbreeding that concentrates the genetics of a certain ancestor; the mating of relatives to try to “fix” and retain the desired traits of that ancestor or bloodline. Like inbreeding, this type of breeding program must be done carefully, to avoid doubling up of undesirable traits that were hidden in the original animals.

Outbreeding/outcrossing: The mating of unrelated individuals within a breed to produce superior offspring by obtaining “new” genetics. Selective outbreeding is the best way to improve certain traits and retain vigor when staying within a certain breed, though the results are slower and less dramatic than with crossbreeding.

Have you worked with cattle composites? How does the breed definition differ from purebreds?

Originally published in the January/February 2013 issue of Countryside & Small Stock Journal.

Beef Composites and Breed Definition was originally posted by All About Chickens