#conquest of florida

[gu6chan]

ouaaaaaghhh i've been on a bit of a pokemon binge lately......... i should crack open my old pokemon games and take a peek at my teams :,) i wish i still had my old copy of conquest and black 2 though............ :(

[msschemmenti]

My Way

Emily Prentiss x Reader

Wc: 1335

a/n: crack drabble to get back into writing in general that was inspired by a reel or tiktok storytime i saw

Prompt: Emily and the Crew head to their usual bar to unwind after solving yet another case. Emily is approached by a woman she’s never seen before but she can’t help but to admire her confidence.

“Anyone up for drinks? I think I could use a couple of rounds.” Derek called eyeing everyone as they gathered their things from their desks. They’d all just returned from a rather long case in Florida, which was always a reason to get drunk. Garcia and JJ were the first to agree, followed shortly by Rossi, and after a little peer pressure, even Reid agreed. All eyes landed on Emily expectantly, she raked her brain for an excuse but knew she’d be piling into the bar with the rest of the team. “Oh alright, I’m in.” 

With a triumphant fist pump, Derek led the way to the elevator and to the team’s usual bar. They piled into a booth toward the back of the room and commenced their usual routine of drinking, games, and unwinding. JJ had made her way over to the darts board and seemed to be schooling some men. Garcia and Reid were locked into what looked like an extremely serious conversation at one end of the booth. Rossi and Morgan were both eyeing the bar for what could only be considered their next conquest. And then there was Emily, watching them all nursing her drink in what could only be described as brooding. 

Suddenly Emily felt eyes on her. She gazed around the room hoping to catch whoever’s eye she caught. It wasn’t abnormal for her to meet someone on these team nights out. It wasn’t as frequent as Derek or Rossi but she got her fair share of phone numbers. She was just less likely to act on those approaches. The dating scene in DC was already such a difficult thing to navigate, and being on this team was not very helpful either. She was still surveying the room when she felt Derek nudge her shoulder gently. 

“Honey at one o’clock been giving you the eyes for a while now.” He grinned nodding in that direction. Emily discreetly followed his motion with her eyes and instantly met warm eyes. And they were in fact on her. She watched as the woman twirled a loc of her between her fingers and eyed her over the rim of some fruity drink. The woman smiled sweetly and floated a wink over to their table. Emily smiled back and nodded her head in greeting. Before she could even think about her next move Derek let out a whistle of appreciation. “Oh, I think you might’ve hit the jackpot tonight. I was hoping she was eyeing me but looks like she’s got different tastes.” 

“It’s not my fault you and Rossi are striking out tonight. Maybe it’s a sign it’s time to retire.” Emily grinned in jest causing both men to scoff in offense. 

“It’s a shame too, you probably won’t even take her up on any offer,” Rossi grumbled rolling his eyes. 

“Hey! You don’t know what I might do.” Emily protested earnestly. She moved her eyes back to the woman and watched as she talked with her friends. The bar they went to was a pretty popular spot for post-work drinks and the woman seemed to have come from some office job. She and her friends were all standing and sitting around a high-top table, some with tumblers of dark liquor and others with bright drinks like the woman. The women were all conventionally attractive, yes, but she had to be honest in the fact that she was very attracted to the woman eyeing her. 

“Princess, when was the last time you indulged? I know you’ve had plenty of offers.” Derek asked. 

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” 

“Oh sounds like she’s practicing celibacy.” Derek chided. 

“I indulge plenty.” Emily protested. 

“Oh yeah? Prove it.” Morgan goaded with a grin. “If your bed is so popular, what’s stopping you from welcoming another?” 

“Morgan, just because a woman smiles at me from across the bar doesn’t mean she wants anything from me. Especially an invitation to my bed. Unlike you, I’m not desperate for any action.” 

Morgan’s eyes widened in shock and he brought his hand to his chest, “Oh you wound me. You wound me.” Before Morgan could continue his poking, Rossi cleared his throat to get their attention. 

“Behave, children. We’ve got company.” Rossi smiled as his eyes roamed to the end of the table.

“Please, don’t stop on my account.” The young woman called as she let the smirk settle on her lips. She stopped at the end of the booth and let her eyes settle on Emily. 

Derek was the first of the two younger agents to wake from their stunned silence. “I think we can be on our best behavior in the company of someone so beautiful, right Princess?”

Derek nudged Emily playfully but it really didn’t do much good considering she was absolutely locked in on the younger woman leaning against the booth. Her eyes slowly scanned her face in interest. Now that she’d come closer, Emily really couldn’t see any reason not to at least entertain the idea of spending an evening with this mystery woman. If she was lucky, she might even get more than just an evening.

“Princess, huh? Well, can I treat the Princess to a drink?” She smiled sweetly reaching a hand out toward Emily. As soon as the words left her mouth she could hear Morgan snickering next to her.

With a roll of her eyes, Emily took her hand and slid her empty glass to the center of the table. “I think I’d like that.” Allowing the younger woman to pull her toward the bar, Emily looked over her shoulder at Morgan and Rossi (and now Reid and Garcia) and stuck her tongue out tauntingly. They’d spent the entire night with no interest from anyone and she was getting a drink with a very attractive woman. All that talk with nothing to show of it.

Once at the bar, seemingly an equal distance from both of their parties, the woman turned to address Emily. “What’ll be?” 

Never having been one to submit, Emily grinned over the woman’s head and waved her hand toward the bartender. As the bartender made his way over to them Emily caged her arms around the younger woman and leaned over her shoulder, her body screaming dominate in every way she knew how.

“Let me have another beer and one of those fruity things for…” Emily ordered next to the woman’s ear. 

“Y/n.” 

“A fruity thing for Y/n.” Emily finished with a smile, never letting her eyes leave the woman she’d trapped between the bar and her arms. The bartender nodded and got the drinks out relatively quickly and they moved to the far end of the bar– out of the way but still just as close to each other. 

“I’m gonna go out on a limb and say your name isn’t Princess.” Y/n started as she twirled the straw in her drink and gazed up at Emily through her lashes. 

“It is not. I’m Emily. My friend is just being a sore loser that I seemed to have caught the attention of the most attractive woman here.” Emily shrugged watching as Y/n’s cheeks tinted pink under her grin. 

“Well, I know what I want,” Y/n said, running a hand over the rim of her cup. 

“And what is it that you want?” Emily challenged. 

Y/n chuckled and allowed her hand to trace Emily’s jawline with a sweet smile. “Well if I have it my way, which I normally do, you’ll be wrapped around my finger before the night is over.” 

Emily raised an eyebrow as she allowed a smirk to take over her face, “Is that so?” Y/n didn’t answer at first and brought the straw of her drink to her mouth pulling Emily closer to her body. 

With their chests flushed and their eyes locked, Y/n grinned sweetly and whispered “You’ll see.” Securing Emily’s attention for the rest of the night, and potentially the future.

[autumnsprophecy]

Combatting Censorship

Ao3 could be attacked by the conservative government. If possible, save and download your favorite fics. 2SLGBTQIA+ content is prominent on Ao3, which makes it a potential target. It could be banned or regulated in the United States.

Pride parades could be attacked by the conservative government. Especially in states like Florida. Remember your right to freedom of expression, and its legal protection under the Bill of Rights.

TikTok will likely be banned. Download your favorite videos for preservation purposes, so that they do not become lost media.

As I mentioned in a previous post, book bans will likely increase. Most schools and libraries will have boxes of these books that you can take for free. I would suggest doing so for preservation and archival purposes.

Examples of Titles At Risk For Being Banned Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson

We Are Everywhere by Matthew Reimer and Leighton Brown

The Crane Wife by CJ Hauser

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

Fairest by Meredith Talusan

How To Live Free In A Dangerous World by Shayla Lawson

Tomorrow Will Be Different by Sarah McBride

The Hundred Years' War On Palestine - A History of Settler Colonial Conquest and Resistance by Rashid Khalidi

Palestinian Identity by Rashid Khalidi

[manicdepressionismyexpression]

I travelled the USA today

and lost myself along the way.

I lost my appetite in Kentucky and Indiana and West Virginia

when I realised someone really did vote the monster,

siding with hate against the existence

of those who differ.

I then lost my faith in Alabama,

Arkansas and Florida,

knowing that one of the big three

would rather support a demon than me,

and that every single vote in even the small states

held my life and rights on millions of tiny slips.

I lost my temper in Texas and Tennesse,

where I couldn't believe the gall they had

in supporting the felon all along,

standing against innocents who did no wrong.

Wyoming, Utah, Ohio and their comrades

chipped away at my sanity until

I could not bear to believe that me and mine

were so unimportant to the great America,

and that there was more harm to come still.

Then came Gerogia and Idaho

dealing a terrible blow

to the fragments of my heart still

barely beating among the madness.

Pennsylvania snatched my hope,

a single piece of news bringing

the villains to the brink of victory,

and drowning out the voices of those

breaking like me, desperate to be heard.

I knew there was nothing else to be done.

Wisconsin stole whatever was left,

heralding the arrival of a dark age of hate

like the dreaded horsemen,

pillaging me for my rights, my voice, my soul,

to feed to brutal beast who now held our lives in its hand.

At the ending of the day, America was

rejoicing the conquest of a caitiff,

praising the country's greatness and triumph,

but I would not celebrate with them,

for today the USA stole my freedom.

[klaineccfanficlibrary]

Could yall recomend a fic where Blaine’s a bit of a player? Like collide or ride, where he’s known to sleep around for fun until he meets Kurt.

These might be what you are looking for! ~Jen

Dirt On Your Name by sabbypandawan

Blaine Anderson is NYU’s most notorious lothario. Everyone knows his name, and people either warn each other off him or vie for his attention. So when he meets Kurt Hummel at a party their dorm is hosting for the newly moved-in freshmen, he expects either rejection or, more likely, approval – and gets so much more than he ever would have guessed, and had definitely never hoped for.

~~~~~

The Seduction by @hkvoyage

Venetian Blaine arrives at Carnival’s masquerade ball, looking for his next conquest. His reputation as a lover is legendary, and no one can resist him. Virgin Kurt captures his attention, but seducing him will require careful planning. As they spend time together, will Blaine be able to carry out his plan successfully? A historical Klaine AU set in 18th-century Venice.

~~~~~

Skin on Skin by  Ulysses31dancer

Kurt wins a VIP ticket to meet Blaine Anderson the rock star. He doesn’t realize that this one incident will change his life forever.

~~~~~

Not Exclusiveby nellie12

Finn happens to be doing well for himself in the University of Florida. He is starting QB for the Gators, and he’s a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and his grades aren’t terrible. He also has his favorite step-brother coming to visit from New York, and Kurt has no idea he’s about to have the Spring Break of a lifetime until he meets Finn’s best friend and frat mate- Blaine Anderson.

[jaywritesrps]

I think theres still more to the story with krashlyn. Not gonna lie it’s so one sided and the hate train on ash is extreme - like I get not believing her statement for some people but I feel like if there was proof of an affair it should’ve leaked by now. I just think the scales are eventually gonna tip and it might not be pretty for krieger. I just don’t buy ash left her family cause Sophia bush looked at her and she now wants to be rich and famous, when she’s been committed for 13 years and planning her retirement in Florida. Some of the fanfic is now boarding conspiracy and insanity.

I agree with you. You know that saying that says it needs two to tango. Don't get me wrong, as I stated before, I am an Ali Krieger's fan, even though I am deeply disappointed at how Ali dealt with this, cause we still don't know her side of the story, cause she is really good dodging tricky questions, but she has her share on this too.

Like after the wedding, they pegged me as an unbalanced relationship, it was more like "what Ali wants, Ashlyn will give her". And Ashlyn's likes on IG when the news broke sorta confirms this feeling I had. There was one particular quote that from her that strike my attention that said if someone you love use their conquests to belittle you, then this person doesn't deserves you, especially when you helped them to have those victories or something along those lines. And if something like this was happening, can't imagine what was going behind closed doors with them to a point she decided to leave a 13 years relationship. And Ashlyn isn't stupid, she knew this hate train was going to get her and all the implications involving thos decision, and she still chose to divorce cause it was better than live the way they were.

But okay, Let's assume there was cheating (which i don't think so cause of what you said about proof and from who Sophia is), on Ashlyn's side, can you imagine how bad your relationship has to be that you cheated on the person you are dating for 13 years and later decide to leave to be with the other woman?

What I really think it happened based on what we know is that their relationship was bad on both ends, Ashlyn and Sophia talked about it in Cannes. Sophia was responsible for giving support to Ashlyn undeniably, cause all of Sophia's friends says she is someone that will stand up for you and fight for you no matter what, even though she doesn't do that for herself (Hilarie Burton's words), she gave Ashlyn that emotional support, while Ashlyn did the same for her while she was sick and made Sophia realize her relationship with Grant it wasn't what she thought she wanted. It was a mutual platonic relationship that ended becoming romantic down the road. Period. the end.

Ashlyn and Ali didn't worked as couple for a while. We can't pinpoint exactly what happened or when that happen, cause we dont know their home life, but looking back them through their social media, press and interviews, you can see that cracks starting to show up prior the Cannes event.

And to be honest, it's better this way, Ashlyn and Sophia are happy and Ali will find someone that will treat her as the queen she is. What is despicable is the hate fans are sending to Ashlyn and Sophia for just living their lives, based on half true or fanfics from L Chat, you know.

[noelcollection]

Publications of the New World

The James Smith Noel Collection has closed out another exciting exhibit, this time the topic was the New World of the Americas as experienced by Europe and other explorers. The exhibit: Exploration of the New World features the culture and intriguing history of Central and South America as it was experienced in the resources produced in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. We welcomed visitors to the mysterious, ancient rituals of the Pre-Columbian Mayans, the Aztecs of Mexico, and the Incas of Peru. We also showcased the advancements in architecture, science, and community development while marveling at the natural beauty of the regions.

One of the cases displayed a fascinating book which was originally published in Spanish and later translated into English. The edition house in the Noel Collection was published in 1688 of The royal commentaries of Peru, : in two parts. The first part Treating the Original of their Incas or Kings: Of their Idolatry … by Garcilaso de la Vega. Vega wrote a pivotal account of Incan history. Vega has a unique personal connection to the Incan world being a descendant of royal Incan lineage. He was half Spanish and Incan, his father being Spanish, and he chronicled Incan history, culture, and destruction as a result of the Spanish conquest. We featured a portion of text that discussed the minerals, precious metals, and natural resources found in Peru, such as, gold, silver, and mercury or quicksilver.

Vega was born as Gómez Suárez de Figueroa in April of 1539, and became known as El Inca. He ventured to Spain when he was 21 where he obtained an informal education and remained until his death in April of 1616. His father died in 1559 and Vega relocated to Spain two years later to seek acknowledgement as the natural son of the Spanish conquistador. His paternal uncle became his protector. While he primarily wrote on the Incan civilization, Spanish conquest, and an account of De Soto’s exploration of Florida.

 Gómez Suárez de Figueroa was born in Cuzco, Peru; his father is recorded as being Sabastian Garcilaso de la Vega y Vargas, a Spanish captain, and his mother was Palla Chimpu Ocllo. When his mother was baptized after the fall of Cuzo and renamed Isabel Suarez Chimpu Ocllo, she was descended from Inca nobility, the daughter of Tupac Huallap and granddaughter of Tupac Yupanqui. Vega’s parents were not married in the Catholic church, resulting in his birth being considered illegitimate and he was given his mother’s surname. Vega was a child when his father left and married a younger Spanish noblewoman. His mother married and had two daughters. His first language was Quechua but learned Spanish as a child.

After moving to Spain, he received a European education and the works he produced was considered to have great literary value. He traveled to Montilla and met his father’s brother, Alonso de Vargas, who took him as his protector to help Vega make his way. He traveled to Madrid and petitioned the crown for acknowledgement. He was allowed the name of Garcilaso de la Vega, or "El Inca" or "Inca Garcilaso de la Vega" due to his mixed heritage. He had first-hand experience of the daily-life of the Inca life which heavily influenced his writings. His education allowed him to accurately describe the political system, labor force, and social life of the Incan empire.

Vega, Garcilaso de la (1688) The royal commentaries of Peru, : in two parts. The first part Treating the Original of their Incas or Kings: Of their Idolatry … London: Printed by Miles Flesher … https://bit.ly/3UxrtdH

Exhibit link: https://bit.ly/3y7k657

[eretzyisrael]

BY ROBERT SATLOFF

The 1973 Arab-Israeli war may be known to Jews as the Yom Kippur War, but it is widely known in the Arab world as “Harb Ramadan” — the Ramadan War — given that Anwar Sadat dispatched Egyptian forces to cross the Suez Canal during the holy month. But it is only a relatively recent example of Arab or Muslim armies waging war during this month. 

The Saudi newspaper Arab News provided a helpful primer on the topic in 2014: “While much literature has been written on Islamic conquests focusing on strategy, many victories occurred during Ramadan due to the focus of the Ummah on Allah Almighty and this removed fear from the hearts of the Muslims. This is why some of the greatest victories in Islam occurred during Ramadan …”

Starting with the seminal battle of Badr in Year 2 on the Islamic hijri calendar, corresponding to the year 624 A.D., the list of historic victories in Ramadan cited in this article includes “the conquest of Makkah (8 Hijri), the conquest of Rhodes (53 Hijri), the successful landing of Muslims on the coast of Spain (91 Hijri), the victory by Tarik Ibn Zayed against the King of Spain (92 Hijri), the victory of Salahuddin against invading crusaders (584 Hijri), and Mamluk’s victory versus invading Tatars in the battle of Ain Jiloot (650 Hijri).”

More recently, take a look at the bloodthirsty Ramadan record of the Islamic State. As a Washington Post reporter noted, a spokesman for the terrorist group exhorted followers in 2016 “to make it a month of calamity everywhere for nonbelievers” — and indeed they did, with gruesome Ramadan attacks against civilians from Kuwait to Syria to France to a nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

And, as my Washington Institute colleague Patrick Clawson pointed out in 2004, naive non-Muslim governments have been disappointed when they appealed to their Muslim foes for ceasefires during Ramadan: “Modern proposals for Ramadan ceasefires by secular governments — the Soviets in Afghanistan, Saddam Hussein when fighting the Islamic Republic of Iran — were uniformly rejected by the Islamist side, which usually intensified fighting during Ramadan.”

[cleverwordsandotherstuffilike]

Deaths

300 million – Smallpox, worldwide, 20th century200 million – Bubonic plague, worldwide, 1300s62 million – World War II, worldwide60 million – Mongol conquests, 13th century 50 million – H1N1 flu pandemic, worldwide, 191850 million – Famine, worldwide, 1960s 19 million – AIDS, worldwide to date9.6 million – Cancer, worldwide, 2017 1 million – Irish potato famine, 1846-1849 1 million – Flu pandemic, worldwide, 1957  1 million – Mosquito, annual, worldwide 835,000 – COVID-19 pandemic, worldwide, 2020 830,000 – Shaanxi earthquake, China, 1556800,000 – Rwanda, 1994 650,000 – Roman Colosseum for public entertainment, 80-404 618,222 – US Civil War 500,000 – War, Iraqis, 2003 to 2011 500,000 – Famine, worldwide, 2010-2016 400,000 – Homicides per year, worldwide 295,000 – Pregnancy and childbirth, worldwide 227,898 – Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004 113,990 – Injuries, Palestinians, 2008-2020 97,207 – Bosnian war 70,237 – Drug Overdoses (US), 2017 60,000 – Natural disasters per year, worldwide 58,209 – Vietnam War, 1955-1975 (US) 50,000 – Snakes, worldwide 48,344 – Suicide, annual (US) 38,000 – Car accidents, annual (US) 36,000 – Krakatoa eruption, Indonesia, 188332,836 – Terrorism, worldwide, 2018 30,000 – The Blitz, Londoners 25,000 – Hippopotamus16,214 – Homicides, US, 2018 15,000 – Holy Inquisition, 1184-180014,000 – Opioid overdoses, Canada, 2016-2020 5,614 – Injuries, Israelis, 2008-2020 5,585 – Fatalities, Palestinians, 2008-2020 3,466 – The Troubles, Ireland, 1968-1998 1,950 – Halifax explosion, 1917 1,517 – RMS Titanic, 19121,000 – Crocodile, worldwide651 – Homicides, Canada, 2018 500 – Plane crashes, worldwide, 2018 500 – Hippopotamus, Africa 300 – Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (US)270 – Pan Am Flight 103, Lockerbie, Scotland, 1988249 – Fatalities, Israelis, 2008-2020 72 – Grenfell Tower fire, London, 2017 36 – Hindenburg disaster, Lakehurst, N.J., 1937 (US)7 – Space shuttle Challenger, Florida, 1986 (US)4 – Kent State shootings, 1970 (US)

[lunearobservatory]

Hello, in the tags of your post you said to ask you about your DND au, please tell about the DND AU

OH MY GOD. Okay. OKAY. I have so many race class combos, and even a pretty decent storyline? The story is batshit and rly loose rn, so for now I will share the race class combos for the fellas i Do have, not all of them have subclasses but most do

PLEASE if you dont see ur favorite guy here OR you want to hear more about ur favorite guy in the au in general. ASK ME ABOUT UR FAVORITE FELLA PLEASE. I have extensive notes its insane

California - scourge aasimar, (cringefail) bard/bladesinger wizard

Texas - minotaur, barbarian

Florida - summer eladrin elf (?), wild magic sorcerer/arcane trickster

Lousiana - tiefling, circle of spores druid

New York - human, ascendant dragon monk

Gov - porcelain warforged, oath of conquest paladin. Made by PA

Pennsylvania - human, battlesmith artificer

Alaska - firbolg, fey wanderer (antler faewild gift)

Colorado - human (afflicted), drunken master monk

Rhode Island - lightfoot halfling, swashbuckler/battlemaster

Connecticut - forest gnome, swashbuckler/fighter

Massachusetts (half brother Maine) - half wood elf (human father), artillerist artificer/clockwork soul sorcerer

Maine (half brother Massachusetts) - wood elf, beastmaster ranger

Kentucky - centaur (mountain pleasure horse) nature cleric

Michigan - water genasi, circle of waves druid

Ohio - fire genasi, wildfire druid

New Jersey - tiefling, soulknife rogue 

[give-me-a-movie-camera]

I was watching I Love Lucy on Pluto TV last night and it completely slipped my mind that yesterday marked Desi Arnaz’s 106th birthday.

His was a classic Riches-to-Rags, Rags-to-Riches Cinderella tale. Desiderio Alberto ‘Desi’ Arnaz y de Acha III was born 2 March 1917 in Santiago de Cuba, Oriente Province, Cuba, the only son of wealthy landowner Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Alberni II (a prominent Cuban politician, who, to date, was the youngest mayor of Santiago de Cuba from 1923 to 1932) and his wife, Dolores ‘Lolita’ de Acha y de Socías (one of the most beautiful women in the Caribbean, the daughter of a businessman, one of three founders of Bacardi Rum Limited, the world's largest privately-owned spirits company). Desi was of the small but vastly privileged, upper-class y de Acha, the descendent of Cuban nobility of whose colonial ancestors originated from Santander, Provincia de Cantabria, Cantabria, Spain. (His grandfather, Dr Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y Alberni I, was assigned to the first United States volunteer cavalry in Cuba, the ‘Rough Riders’ under the leadership of ‘Hero of Cuba’ Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War on 1 July 1898. To legend, they sieged San Juan Hill on horseback, and though the forged conquest did not belong primarily to Roosevelt, for the conflict was an integrated effort between the white volunteer regiment and the 1,250 black Buffalo Soldiers, the famed battle gained Cuba her independence from Spain—a victory for the people, the Cuban people).

At the height of the Cuban Revolution of 1933, Desi and his family were forced to flee their Motherland, leaving their riches behind. Following a brief election, the government collapsed with the removal of President Gerardo Machado y Morales from office in August of 1933. The opposing anarchists seized all political leaders and stripped them of their power. Among them, Desi’s father, imprisoned by the regime, before his brother-in-law, Alberto de Acha, intervened on his behalf, thus making his escape to Miami, where he was to remain in exile. Having lost their holdings to the rebels who confiscated their property (their palatial home, a cattle ranch, two dairy farms, and a vacation villa on a private island in Santiago Bay), his father sent for Desi and his mother, who took refuge in Key West, Monroe, Florida in 1934. When Desi washed upon the shores of the Americas, his father had established an import-export company, where the family of three took up frugal lodgings in the company warehouse and dined on cans of cold beans. Desi came to live in New York City and Los Angeles for about one year, where he tightened his belt for survival and scrambled for employment as a struggling musician. Following an engagement as a guitar player for a Latin-American band at the Roney Plaza Hotel in Miami Beach, and a cursory stint with the Xavier Cugat Orchestra in 1937, he made his Broadway debut in the Rodgers and Hart musical Too Many Girls, where he reprised the role for RKO's major motion picture of the same name in 1940. During the course of filming, he fell head-over-heels for the Apricot Queen, Lucille Désirée Ball. The couple eloped on 30 November 1940 in Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut. By 1949, at the age of thirty-two, Desi established himself a renowned nightclub entertainer as conga-playing band leader for the travelling self-titled Cuban orchestra.

Most Hollywood buffs would do well to remember the Power Couple formed by Desilu Productions—a celluloid empire built on the backs of Lucy and Desi’s American Dreams, despite the public scandals and tumultuous marital woes. But at the crowning glory of their golden existence, there are those who neglect Desi's legacy and his reluctant resignation to his fate as the Man Behind the Curtain, to remain in Lucy’s shadow so long as he lived. Lucy, of whose celebrity distinction was of higher standing than her husband’s. Desi, though undoubtedly talented, who was not exempt from the unjust ostracization and societal prejudice that plagued him as a Cuban Spaniard immigrant in racially-charged Hollywood. For those who clutched their pearls at the prospect of Middle American households who might've dismissed acceptance of the world’s first interracial couple on television, Lucy and Desi defied those expectations and dissolved racial barriers in an era dominated by cultural strife. Audiences of all races, colour, and creed came together to shower the Ricardos with adoration and praise, because they came to understand the Ricardos epitomized the human experience, no matter that they didn't reflect the typical post-war domestic demographic. Against all odds, the world fell in love with the All-American Ricardos… white, Hispanic, or otherwise. Lucy and Desi, to be envied by all... America's Sweethearts.

On his 106th birthday, we remember Desi for the pioneer he was, as the Mastermind behind the nation’s most Beloved Redhead.

Behind every great woman lies a greater man.

Perhaps Desi speaks for us all when he declared his everlasting love, in his own words... ‘I Love Lucy was never just a title.’

💓 Happy Heavenly Birthday, Desi.  💓

       𓆩♡𓆪 · ・ 𓆩♡𓆪 · ・ 𓆩♡𓆪 · ・𓆩♡𓆪 · ・ 𓆩♡𓆪 · ・

[cbairdash]

Author’s note: Hoist the Colors may eventually inspire fiction. Most likely will and I’ll gladly write it. But right now, it’s a role-playing game setting with what I hope is an interesting take and look at an “Alternate History” of Earth. It isn’t really “steampunk”, though I can see how someone would get that impression. For me, it’s more a “flintlock fantasy” set on Earth of 1722 in all it’s historical mess… that I’ve stirred up even more!

So, with that said, this time we get into one of the many locations in Hoist the Colors. The Caribbean, but maybe not as you know it!

Hoist the Colors: The Caribbean

It’s the crossroads of the world. Those islands are rich with history and hope for a fresh start. But behind all that lurks monsters of our own making…

- Helena Barrow, Captain of the Horizon’s Rose

The Caribbean. A wide archipelago made up of the Caribbean Sea with its collection of islands and island chains. It’s a tropical region between North and South America, known for its diverse cultures, settlements, trade, and a storied, bloody history. The region has always been home to one culture or another for over 7000 years. 

It has been witness to, and withstood, invasions from Europe, trade wars of conquest, plagues, bloody pirate rampages, and a worldwide cataclysm. Specifically, the event called Crossing’s Fall that shoved the region and its inhabitants into the world’s view. 

At midnight on October 31, 1712, the mysterious events of Crossing’s Fall changed the world. Warped it with shattered fragments of Otherworld appearing and melding with Earth. Near mythical animals appeared around the globe along with refugees from Otherworld. The landscape changed as well. In some places, it was dramatic, but in others, subtle. In the case of the Caribbean, it was more the former instead of the latter.

Changed Lands

Like elsewhere on Earth, the land itself had changed. Fragments of Otherworld became new mountains or foothills in places like Cuba, Jamaica, or Puerto Rico. Rocky islands rose along the coastlines of South America, New Spain, and Florida. The Bahamas, an island chain of scattered small islands, became even more fragmented, and dangerous, with primeval jungles having overrun the more remote ones. 

Across those islands are towns and cities nestled in those dangerous jungles. Ports of call for ships from around the world from Europe, Americas, Japan, China, and beyond. Not to mention local ships such as pirates prowling the waves for a fresh kill. Deeper inland, lost Earth cities are mixed with Otherworld ruins, from ancient stone forts to lost tombs and forgotten libraries. Riches and relics wrapped in fog-shrouded mystery or lethal curses. 

But the most remarkable change was not on land, but in the water. Sirens and other threats joined sharks and other perils already there. Then, across the Caribbean expanse, there was the appearance of the mysterious Arcane Gates. Those alone changed everything.

Riddle of the Gates

The gates appeared for a moment at the stroke of midnight, October 31, 1712, in flashes of emerald lightning. It was dozens of Arcane Gates across the Caribbean, each with their own unique knotwork and mysterious lettering. Then, as quick as they appeared, they vanished. But they weren’t gone. 

As learned in later years, the Arcane Gates had gone ‘dormant’. Waiting to be sensed by a Wavebinder, Navigator, or anyone trained in the Etherwave Arcana. Later, Maria Fairbain, a Sunweaver thayan and seasoned Wavebinder relic hunter, ‘discovered’ the first of many Arcane Gates in the Caribbean. It lay in the middle of the sea between Puerto Rico and Hispanola islands and wasn’t alone.

To date, Navigators and Wavebinders have discovered more Arcane Gates in the Caribbean region that exist anywhere else in the world. No one understands why and the Gates gave no clue. But dozens of Arcane Gates were enough to upset the balance of trade and power around the world. Which was already overturned by the change to the lands, people, and a flood of the Etherwave Arcana into the world. 

For the rest about the Caribbean in Hoist the Colors, see the link above!

Taglist: @thelaughingstag

[deusluxuria]

some random headcanons about pucci because i aaaaaa:

(warnings: christianity, child abuse, brief NSFW subjects)

Has a limp because of his foot, and uses a cane to walk. The cane is very fancy and looks like it could be Versace or some shit, but he actually made it himself.

Dio is more of a father figure to him than anything else. This was part of why he became so attached to Dio in the first place; he had been neglected by his parents and didn't really realize it yet. Dio, in turn, sees him as his surrogate child.

Developed PTSD and a stutter around age 19. He also ran away from home at that age, after breaking his father's nose, smacking him in the face with the heavy bible he was supposed to be studying from. He lived with various depraved people after that, until Dio found him and convinced him to go back home, despite Enrico begging to live with him. Dio explained that the two of them had similar childhoods, and tried to convince Enrico to murder his father so that Enrico's mother wouldn't incur the same fate as Dio's mother. Enrico planned it, but ultimately found he didn't have the courage.

He has DIY stick-and-poke tattoos in places that other people usually don't see (i.e. upper thigh, chest, abdomen). Though, he usually dresses to cover most of his body anyway, and people would still rarely see them even if he had some on his arms or lower legs. A few of them are:

-The logo for "A Band Called Death," a punk band, on the left side of his chest.

-Tori Amos, the musician, on his inner left arm.

-"I DON'T HAVE TO PROVE MYSELF TO YOU" in loud, angry letters on his right inner thigh, upside-down.

He was originally born in New Orleans. His parents moved to Florida when he was 6. He was extremely sheltered as a child and a young teenager, so he never really spoke to anyone else other than his parents, and thus maintained most of the accent. Wes and Perla only have a slight remnant of the dialect, but otherwise, people can't really tell where they're originally from.

Does a bit of everything in the arts. Drawing, painting, sculpting, singing, piano...

Before Dio's conquest for heaven started to possess Enrico's personality, his priesthood was largely a way for him to heal in others what he himself suffered from as a result of his childhood and adolescence. He became a prison chaplain not only to get away from his father's church, but to put his work where he believed it would do the most good.

As a prison chaplain (again, before Dio's interference), he had a mindset where he believed absolutely everyone has at least some good in them, no matter what. He would listen and extend compassion to anyone, no matter what they had done or been imprisoned for. He thought of that as one of the most fundamental parts of his job. He could go home at night and lay awake haunted by the crimes of those same prisoners, but he would still go to work the next day to hold their hands and tell them they're heard.

Almost never smiles or laughs, or is even in the mood to. The first time Dio saw him laugh, he was actually a bit stunned, and would say "it was like seeing the sun break through the clouds for the first time in over a hundred years."

He's known he was queer ever since his time being sheltered as a kid, but he didn't specifically realize he was gay until he ran off at 19.

When he ran away, he went to do "everything that would horrify his father," but none of it was in any safe way whatsoever. Unprotected sex, shared needles, living with terrible people, mixing drugs and alcohol, etc. Being very repressed and uninformed because of his parents' beliefs, he didn't know the extent of the risks -- not that he would have cared at the time.

Becoming a prison chaplain instead of remaining a clerical figure at his father's church probably saved him a great deal from the wrath of the Christian community in his parents' town, considering he has always been incredibly rebellious for a "Catholic" priest.

[aboutanancientenquiry]

"Herodotus and the question why

Christopher B. R. Pelling, Herodotus and the question why. The Fordyce W. Mitchel memorial lecture series. Austin: The University of Texas Press, 2019. Pp. xv, 360. ISBN 9781477318324 $55.00.

Review by

David Branscome, Florida State University. dbranscome@fsu.edu

Herodotus’ keen interest in investigating historical explanations or causes is already evident in the Histories’ first sentence, which ends by asking ‘for what reason they [i.e. Greeks and Persians] fought with one another’. While this interest on Herodotus’ part has long been noted by scholars, Pelling’s book is the first monographic study of the topic.[1] In Pelling’s view, asking the question why, rather than merely the question what, in relation to past events is fundamental to Herodotus’ task as a historian.[2] Pelling does an outstanding job of analyzing all the varied rhetorical and thematic strategies Herodotus uses in his efforts to answer this question.

The book is divided into sixteen chapters. In Chapter 1 Pelling surveys the different ways in which Herodotus thinks about historical causes. The subject of Chapter 2 is the assignation of blame (aitiē) by Herodotus or his characters (such as in the abductions of women, 1.1-5) and the related theme of “payback” (tisis), whether with Candaules (1.8-12) or with Xerxes (9.108-113). Chapters 3-6 treat the intellectual and rhetorical background to Herodotus’ methods of explanation, especially as found in contemporary scientific and medical writers (Chapters 3, 5, and 6) and such writers as logographers (Chapter 4), from Hecataeus to Gorgias.[3] For example (Chapter 6), Herodotus can accumulate explanations, without preferring one over the other (as he does with the factors that drove Cyrus to continued conquests, 1.204.2), no less than can the Hippocratic authors of Airs, Waters, Places or of On Ancient Medicine. In Chapter 7 Pelling argues that with the stories of Candaules and of Croesus in Book 1, Herodotus trains readers to expect that some explanations are provisional and must be reevaluated over time (as Apollo himself demonstrates, when he points out the reasons why Croesus’ empire fell, 1.91). All the rest of the chapters except the last one focus on individual themes around which Herodotus seeks out explanations. Chapter 8 is on empire: the reasons why empires like Croesus’ rise and fall or imperial enterprises like Xerxes’ invasion of Greece succeed or fail usually depend on both the shrewdness and the folly of aggressor and of would-be victim alike. In Chapter 9 Pelling finds that Herodotus shapes his “Persian stories” to reflect certain thematic patterns: the influence of royal women, the difficulty of speaking truth to power, the imperialist led to ruin by overreach and by the gods. Although Herodotus privileges the human element as the determining factor in how historical events turn out, Chapter 10 shows that sometimes the divine element is inescapable, whether it is Xerxes’ dream figure commanding him to invade Greece (7.12-18) or the mountain peaks that tumble toward the Persians at Delphi (8.37.3, 39.2). Chapter 11 shifts from Persian defeat to Greek victory: the Greeks won at Marathon and against Xerxes’ forces for reasons both commendable (superior military equipment and training, 9.63.2) and not (Greek disorder at Plataea paradoxically leading Mardonius and his army to attack without good order, 9.59). Other reasons for the Greek victory are freedom (Chapter 12) and democracy (Chapter 13). Herodotus praises those who fought to preserve Greek freedom from the threat of Persian autocracy (7.145.1) and acknowledges that Athens only started to grow great once it freed itself from its tyrants (5.78). Democracy, says Pelling, is freedom taken to an extreme: the Athenian dēmos was free to make decisions that were providentially good (building two hundred ships at Themistocles’ instigation, 7.144) and bad (sending ships to help the Ionian Revolt, 5.97). Chapter 14 deals with the interplay between individuals and collectives: among Persians, individual success is ultimately the purview of the king alone, but even he must operate in the shadow cast by previous kings; among Greeks, the Spartan Pausanias is as free to achieve individual success (and prospective failure) as is the Athenian Themistocles. Herodotus’ allusions to events later than the end (479 BCE) of the main narrative, including the downfalls of Pausanias and of Themistocles, lead Pelling in Chapter 15 to consider how Herodotus, along with his first audiences in particular, may have sought connections between and even explanations for contemporary events (above all, the Peloponnesian War) in the past events narrated in his work. Chapter 16 is a brief epilogue, in which Pelling stresses the explanatory power that Persian imperialism (as described by Herodotus) may have held for Greeks living at the time of an imperialist Athens.

There is much that is excellent in Pelling’s book. It is comprehensive in scope, treating an impressive number of Herodotean passages. At the same time it is well-structured and argued, with each chapter flowing easily into the next. Pelling’s discussion (Chapters 3-6) of Herodotus’ explanatory modes vis-à-vis that of other prose authors stands out for its thoroughness. He provides a useful annotated list (Chapter 15) of Herodotus’ allusions to later events – external analepseis in narratological terms. Perhaps the best part of the book are the many overarching statements Pelling makes about the Histories. A few of these literary critical gems are: “As so often, the richest explanatory passages explain more than the single context in which they figure” (43); “But it was not coincidence that Herodotus happened now; nor was he writing for an audience that would find his thinking too alien to accommodate” (79); “For Herodotus knows that choices can be overdetermined” (103); “Herodotus has more than one approach to multiple explanations” (269 n. 25); “This is a two-way street: past illuminates present, present illuminates past” (215); “Herodotus too will puzzle, and expect his readers and hearers to puzzle too, over the complex events he describes, and he allows us to share the different ways of looking at them and making sense of them” (162); “And Herodotus surely does expect a very active reader, one who is given plenty to work on and plenty to puzzle at” (11).

While Pelling himself seems to expect “a very active reader” for his own book, this can at times cause problems. Indeed, there are some statements Pelling needs to explain more fully. While discussing the mercurial nature of the Athenian dēmos (“swift to decide and swift to change their mind”, 192), Pelling refers to “the Athenians’ swift recrimination of their envoys for offering Persia earth and water (5.73.3; cf. 5.96.2).” Herodotus says that the Athenians had sent their envoys to meet with the satrap of Sardis in ca. 507 BCE and to form an “alliance” (symmachiē, 5.73.1) with the Persians. Pelling implies that the Athenians are upset with their envoys for doing exactly what they had been sent to do (i.e. form an alliance). But it could be instead that the Athenians belatedly realize that the envoys, by offering earth and water to the King, had subjected, not allied, Athens to Persia; this would have made the Athenians rebels in the eyes of the King when they later participated in the Ionian Revolt.[4] Elsewhere, Pelling rightly observes that the idea that Persian subjects were tantamount to slaves is “a Greek conception of the way Persians thought, and real Persian ideology was more nuanced” (286 n. 10). On the other hand, Pelling’s assertion that among the Persians “[t]he degree of slavery doubtless varied greatly even at a much lower level” (176) is not very helpful, and his claim that “‘vassalage’ is a better term” (286 n. 10) for this supposed slavery is also untenable because the Persian “slavery” in question was broader than the concept of vassalage suggests. Rather, in the context of Greek (mis)conceptions of Persian slavery mention should be made of the Old Persian term bandaka (literally “bondsman”), a word which ranged in meaning from whole subject peoples (e.g. Darius’ Bisitun inscription [DB], paragraph 7) to individual Persian aristocrats who had ties of loyalty to their superiors (much like vassals to a feudal lord), particularly to the Persian king.

Errors in the book are rare. Fortunately, the typographical errors tend not to mislead; they occur mostly near the end of the book or in the bibliography.[5] The three outright factual errors are: “Aristagoras arrives in Athens” not in 494 (191-2), but probably in either 500 or 499; Cyrus is recognized by Astyages not “at the age of fourteen” (129), but at the age of ten (Hdt. 1.114.1), as Pelling correctly says later (151: “ten-year-old Cyrus”); it is not Harpagus who is ‘“stricken by the gods”’ (152, referring to Hdt. 1.127.2), but Astyages, as Pelling correctly notes earlier on the same page (152).

Pelling has produced a book that has a definite Herodotean feel to it: sweeping, rich, and thought-provoking. Readers will come away with renewed respect for Herodotus’ overall historiographic achievement and especially for the dogged nature of Herodotus’ attempts to get at the reason why things happened.

Notes

[1] See esp. H. R. Immerwahr, “Aspects of Historical Causation in Herodotus,” TAPA 87 (1956): 241-80 (reprinted in R. V. Munson, ed., Herodotus: Volume 1: Herodotus and the Narrative of the Past (Oxford 2013) 157-93).

[2] In a self-professed companion piece to the current book, Pelling examines the role that Homeric epic played in establishing the roots of historical explanation for later Greek historians: C. Pelling, “Homer and the Question Why,” in C. Constantakopoulou and M. Fragoulaki, eds., Shaping Memory in Ancient Greece: Poetry, Historiography, and Epigraphy (Newcastle upon Tyne: Histos Supplement 11, 2020), 1-35.

[3] In these chapters, Pelling builds upon Thomas’ work to ground Herodotus in the thought world of the Hippocratics: R. Thomas, Herodotus in Context: Ethnography, Science and the Art of Persuasion (Cambridge 2000).

[4] See M. Waters, Ancient Persia: A Concise History of the Achaemenid Empire, 550-330 BCE (Cambridge 2014) 84.

[5] Potentially misleading errors include: “euteteōs” for eupeteōs (205); “160.3” for 1.60.3 (205); “above, n. 000” (285 n. 4) Dewald 1993 is not “repr. Munson 2013” (306); “Xeus” for Zeus (326)."

[klaineccfanficlibrary]

Good ones with Santana and/or Finn Friendship?

Here are some recommendations. ~Jen

Also try our Santana tag. Here are some recent fics with Santana featuring:

Fire Island Follies by @bitbybitwrites

From a Tumblr Friday Ficlet prompt from bowtiesandboatshoes : "We're going to Fire Island.  It's like gay Disney World."

~~~~~

Running Interference by @RockItMan

Kurt and Blaine don't want to get set up on a blind date. But when their friends get involved, what they want doesn't really matter.

~~~~~

Cause and Effect by @heartsmadeofbooks

Sometimes heartbreak and betrayal can lead you down a road you never imagined, can make you do things you never thought you'd do, and can take you straight to the love of your life... even though you're already married to someone else. Here's how Kurt and Blaine find each other, a little later than they should have.

~~~~~

And some older fics:

Drunk on You by flaming_muse

It takes Kurt three times to fit his key in the lock of the apartment’s door, partly because Blaine is swaying heavily against his side, a warm, drunk weight keeping him off-balance, and partly because the alcohol in his own system is making the lock swim just enough in the plane of the door that he can’t quite catch it.

~~~~~

Bushwick Game Night by flaming_muse

Pictionary in the Bushwick loft is serious business.

~~~~~

One fine day by botaboxed

Kurt witnessed many moments in his life as a bridal designer – he moment a bride found her dress, saw herself in it for the first time, the one where she could see herself standing up in front of her family and friends and saying 'I do.' Working as he did in that industry, he hardly expected to have a moment of his own while he was at work, but that was exactly what happened.

~~~~~

Alliance verse by rainjoyswriting

A glee fic based on the fact that a united!Kurt and Santana could take on the world.

Summary: "Kurt," she yells again. "I need some of your homo-wisdom, okay?"

~~~~~

Until Further Notice verse by lostinfictionalworlds

Money can't buy happiness. Businessman Kurt is still trying to figure that one out, and performer Blaine thought he knew what he wanted, until he came across a Personal Assistant Ad. A story of acceptance and love, from one's self and that of others, more specifically, one other.

~~~~~

The Seduction by @hkvoyage

Venetian Blaine arrives at Carnival’s masquerade ball, looking for his next conquest. His reputation as a lover is legendary, and no one can resist him. Virgin Kurt captures his attention, but seducing him will require careful planning. As they spend time together, will Blaine be able to carry out his plan successfully? A historical Klaine AU set in 18th-century Venice.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Our Finn tag

Not Exclusive by nellie12

Finn happens to be doing well for himself in the University of Florida. He is starting QB for the Gators, and he’s a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and his grades aren’t terrible. He also has his favorite step-brother coming to visit from New York, and Kurt has no idea he’s about to have the Spring Break of a lifetime until he meets Finn’s best friend and frat mate- Blaine Anderson.

~~~~~ Not another ghost story by @sunshineoptimismandangels

When Kurt Hummel began an online ghost investigation show with his best friend and his step-brother he never expected to find himself alone in an abandoned and reportedly haunted hotel, but one stormy night Kurt finds more than he ever expected in the derelict and chilling Whispering Wolf Hotel. In fact, Kurt may have found exactly what he’s has been looking for. A story of romance, comedy, and sinister plots.

~~~~~

Island Adventure by doeswhatever

“That guy has been following us around the city for the past hour. I'm sort of freaking out.”

“He’s our tour guide you moron”

~~~~~

Best Summer Ever verse by tonks42

AU Klaine. During the summer between his junior and senior years, Kurt returns to camp as a Junior Counselor. His plans for having his best summer ever change when Kurt becomes a friend and mentor to a hurting new guy, Blaine.

~~~~~

There from the start By @blurglesmurfklaine

What if Blaine had been the 12th member of the New Directions instead of Matt? (bc lbr he had like two lines the whole season and had zero storylines) Set in Season One canon, same(ish?) storyline, but with Blaine and Klaine. Not too sure what I’ll change yet ;) Football Player!Blaine

[crossoverquest]

Crossover Quest does King for A Day: Qualifier Match 5/16

Get ready for the next battle!

The Big Time vs. Team Noize!

The Big Time: Hey, punks! I’m gonna hit you so hard, you’ll be seeing 808s!

Noize(Space Channel 5): I don’t consider myself a punk; I’m a loyalist to Big Band and Pop Jazz.

Noize(River City Girls): Being a punk’s MY distinction.

The Big Time

Favored Genres: All manners of Rock, Punk Rock being chief among them

Favorite Song: Mr Sandman’s Theme from Punch-Out for the Wii

The Big Time is a Sinistra Major who joined Crossover Quest does King for A Day to help his boss, Senator Skull, realize his dreams of world conquest after he argued that winning a tournament of this caliber would earn him some recognition. (Senator Skull’s from Boca Raton, Florida. Florida Men already have respect from me.) Despite technically being a heel, The Big Time wants to win over the voters if not the whole world.

Team Noize

Favored Genres: Rock, Electronic Music, Big Band, Pop Jazz

Favorite Song: Unseen by Megan McDuffee or Noize(River City Girls) on an in universe basis

Two different Noizes from two different games coalesce into one musical force! They didn’t have much in common, but when they learned of their mutual liking of music, Team Noize was born.