#cooling tower turkey

[susogutmakulesi]

Cooling Tower Manufacturer in Turkey - CTP Engineer #coolingtower #cooli...

[literatooru]

𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞

pairing: gn!reader x atsumu miya

note: repost from my old blog 𐚁

When Atsumu walks in, his eyes instantly land on you, and the first thing he thinks is “woah… pretty”. He stares for a second—until he realizes what he’s doing and shakes his head to clear his mind. He doesn’t want to come off as a creep, but he can’t stop his eyes from straying back to you. And when he hears your voice when you talk to your coworker? Whew.

He tries his best to behave normally while waiting in line, he really does. He simply fails miserably at it. And it’s not like his usual behavior is what one would consider ‘normal’, being the drama king he is.

Atsumu purses his lips, deep in thought. He’s wondering what the best approach would be. Maybe flash one of his winning smiles at you? Nah, too basic. Or maybe he should make the face. You know the one, eyebrow slightly cocked, head tilted to the side a little, narrowed eyes. Maybe he’d even bite his lip. No, nope. He just remembered someone told him that was a 'fuckboy face'.

Before he even realizes it, you’re staring directly into his eyes. He hesitates, taken aback. They’re so pretty, especially up close. There’s just something about them. Atsumu’s sure they’ll pop up in his dreams once or twice. At least he hopes so.

“Welcome! What can I get you today?” you say, sounding just a little bit tired.

He likes it, in a way. The fact that you don’t hide behind a cheery persona that's obviously fake. Well, technically you should —customer service and all that—, but you still sound nice enough that he doesn’t mind. He likes the sincerity in your voice.

And when you blink up at him, he realizes he’s staring. Again.

Atsumu clears his throat, plastering a bright smile on his face and leaning forward a little, resting his hands on the counter. That just makes him take a closer look at your eyes and — oh, boy. He thinks he might be in love.

“Hi, um… I’d like a Macchiato — medium size, please, and a… Turkey Pesto Panini,” he orders.

You hum, typing on the register and taking an empty medium cup from the small tower of them in front of you.

“Will that be all?” you ask, Sharpie in hand.

“Actually, if you could add your phone number to that, please,” he adds, then smiles innocently. “And thank you.”

Your brow creases lightly, although the amused smile on your lips reassures him that you’re not actually mad.

“You think you’re so smooth, don’t you?” you cock an eyebrow, resting a hand on your hip.

“That’s cuz I am.” He gives a playful shrug, smiling a little brighter at you.

“Well, I’m afraid that’s not on the menu, sir.”

Atsumu feels butterflies in his stomach when you call him that. It sounds so good, so sweet… even though you’re looking at him like you want him to leave already. But it’s just that — ugh, your voice. Is he in heaven? He must be.

“Hmm, pity,” he mumbles, pressing his index finger against his lips.

“What’s your name?”

He perks up. Are you flirting with him? Is that what’s— oh. He notices you readying the Sharpie to write his name on the plastic cup. Right. But Atsumu still thinks it’s not too late to shoot his shot.

“You can call me yours.”

You give him a deadpan look.

“Seriously. That’s the best you could come up with?” You grimace a little, lowering the cup.

Atsumu deflates visibly, blowing a puff of air through his lips.

“Hey, c'mon. A guy is trying.”

You raise your eyebrows, almost laughing at his honesty. You can’t deny it, he’s cute. Like, really cute. And he doesn’t seem like a complete jerk, even if his pick up lines certainly aren’t the best.

“Kudos for your effort. I’ll admit your jacket’s pretty cool, though,” you concede, if only to give him something.

Also, you can’t deny you like the way his eyes seem to light up a little after your words.

“Ya like it? It’s made of boyfriend material.” He winks.

Scratch that, his pick up lines suck. But he does manage to make you chuckle with that one, even if the reason is that it’s extremely ridiculous and silly. And Atsumu cheers up a little; he likes the sound of your laugh, and —yup, he’s definitely in heaven.

“Name,” you demand, pursing your lips.

Atsumu’s only thought is that he really wants to kiss you. But he knows a lost battle when he sees one, and he can’t afford to humiliate himself further. Osamu would never let him hear the end of it if he saw how badly he’s being rejected. He cringes at the thought, thanking god he decided to go alone.

“Atsumu,” he sighs in defeat.

“Great. What type of milk would you like for your drink?”

Atsumu wheezes almost inaudibly, averting his gaze as he presses his lips into a thin line. Because it’s a real struggle for him to keep his comments about ‘milk’ to himself. He figures it’s not the best thing to joke about if he hopes to have the slightest chance with you.

“Whole,” he stammers. “No, wait, 'm lactose intolerant. Uh, lactose free.” He grimaces.

“Will that be all?”

And now it’s Atsumu’s turn to purse his lips, thinking. And what he thinks is ‘screw it’.

“I don’t suppose I could add a date to that? You, me, and a delicious home cooked meal. I’m an excellent cook, you won’t regret it. Sounds good, huh?”

He’s lying, of course. He’d ask his brother for help, or maybe buy some take out and pretend he made it himself. It works in movies, surely he can do the same.

“No can do.” You shake your head softly, hiding the fact that you’re fighting a smile by looking down as you scribble his name on the cup. It seems to take you more time than he’d expect. “I could add another drink, though, if you’d like.”

“Okay, how about a Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Make it a large,” he murmurs, resting his elbow on the counter and placing his chin on the palm of his hand. You move to grab a large cup, pausing for a second when he speaks again. “That one’s for you, by the way. On me.”

And Atsumu feels giddy when you actually flash a smile his way. A real smile. You cock your head to the side, peering at him with curiosity.

“How’d you know?”

“I’m just good at reading people, I guess,” he shrugs nonchalantly, his suave demeanor faltering as you simply blink at him, entirely unimpressed. “Alright, fine, I heard you earlier saying you wanted one, I just- what’s- how much is it?”

Your gaze flickers briefly to the register, adding the large Cinnamon Dolce Latte to his tab. You suppress a smile by chewing on your lip, and Atsumu wishes you’d stop doing that because god, he really, really wants to kiss you right now.

“That’ll be $15.55, please,” you inform, swiping his Starbucks card. You take the money he’s offering you —Atsumu makes sure to brush his hand against yours, and you almost scoff because he wasn’t even subtle about it, he might as well just grab your whole hand and declare his undying love to you on the spot—, and you count the change and give it to him with a kind smile. “Here’s your change. Thank you. Your order will be given to you—”

“Be honest, though,” he interrupts you, leaning closer to you. You can feel your face feeling a little warmer at his proximity, but Atsumu doesn’t seem to notice. He aquints his eyes at you. “Didn’t it work? Like, not even a little bit?” he asks, pinching the air between his forefinger and thumb.

“Sir, you’re holding up the line,” is all you say.

Atsumu groans, throwing his head back in frustration. He actually stomps a little when he walks away, too busy throwing a tantrum that he can’t see nor hear you giggling at the counter. He also doesn’t hear when you ask your coworker to switch places with you so you can make his order.

He stuffs his change inside his wallet, folding his arms across his chest. Waiting for his drink, he stops himself from allowing his eyes to wander back to you. He can’t help it, you’re just… gorgeous. And, to be completely frank, he’s also gorgeous, and he thinks you’d make a great match.

He breathes out softly when you call out his name, biting the inside of his cheek as he walks over to retrieve his order. Muttering a low ‘thanks’, he takes his bagged panini and drink with slumped shoulders, walking out the store with gloomy attitude.

He takes a sip of his drink, coughing a little when he accidentally burns himself. He scowls at the cup — almost like he thinks it’s its fault rather than his. And his eyes widen in disbelief, because right under his name, there’s a phone number and a short note, which reads ‘I get off at 6 :)’

And he hoots in delight with a jump, and his bagged panini falls to the floor —although he picks it up hastily— because you even put a smiley face and everything. And he can’t help but notice that your handwriting is also really pretty, and it fits you. And Atsumu chuckles.

He pulls his phone out, searching for his brother’s contact. Yeah, yeah, Atsumu doesn’t know Osamu’s phone number by heart, but that’s what the contacts app is for, right?

“Samu, I need your help.”

[virgoilluminati]

Hospitality at its Finest

a Jude Bellingham oneshot

Inspo: Basically i have the shittiest job ever, and the only thing that got me through it was thinking about how jude would comfort me at the end of a long shift. I feel like a lot of you gurlies can relate so enjoy ☺️

You had had the worst day.

Probably the worst day you'd had in years

And the only person you could blame was your boss.

He was an A grade arsehole. He only cared about how much money your restaurant made. How it made him look in front of the restaurant owners.

He didn't care about your feelings, how crying had become a normal part of the shift or how every time he walked in, your stomach tied in knots.

Today was an exemplar of it.

At the beginning of the shift, everything was fairly normal. You were supposed to start at 12pm, but you had come in early, caring for your colleagues and knowing that they would need the extra staff for the new delivery. As you mentally prepared yourself for the shift, you started putting away the new stock and organizing the kitchen.

Quickly looking at your phone one last time, you clocked into work before admiring your lock screen with Jude. After all, all of this was for your future.

As you made your way to the shop floor, it was dead silent. So silent that you knew the second you opened the door in the backroom, you'd be greeted with a mess. But you didn't expect what you were greeted with. Stacks of dishes towered precariously, remnants of ingredients sprawled across counters, and an unmistakable odor of burnt food lingered heavily in the air.

Your closest colleague Haley was on the ground, covered by stock boxes. When she see's you walk in, she smiles, but the exhaustion in her eyes betrays her forced cheerfulness. Without wasting a moment, you rush to help her up, setting the boxes aside.

"Wha-"

"Don't ask. It's Jamie. He overestimated our multitasking skills again. We could use all the help we can get right now."

You nod, taking in the chaotic scene. Rolling up your sleeves, you dive into the mess, prioritizing tasks in your head.

The second the doors to your restaurant opened, a wave of eager customers flooded in, adding to the already hefty workload. You had only just made your way out of the heavy stock room before you were serving your first customer, your manager already shaking his head.

You grabbed a notepad, scribbling down order after order with precision. As you do such, you realise that no one has set up back of house, and whilst everyone was dealing with the stock, you'd be doing both positions, already.

Oh gawd it was going to be a long day.

The next issues happened just after the lunchtime peak. Your manager—ever the perfectionist—decided to go out and back home to get changed. He didn’t tell any of you, just putting your colleague Hetty in charge.

Now, for all of the reasons you loved Hetty, she was a terrible team leader. She spent half of the time bossing everyone around, whilst the other half chatting and gossiping about the managers. So when you realized that she was in charge, you knew it was going to turn sideways.

What made it even worse was halfway through the shift you suddenly got cramps. It could only mean one thing: your period.

You knew better than to miss your orders, so you managed to deal with the cramps and act normal. But as soon as anyone’s order was mentioned, you gritted your teeth. Deep down, you could feel your cramps churning up. But you managed to keep your cool. Or at least until Hetty began barking orders at you, telling you that while you were making a cheesecake, you also needed to clean the station, get the ice cream ready for service, and get the lunch menu ready that was just coming out.

Needless to say, you didn’t really listen to her orders, instead focusing on the four cheesecakes you needed to bake, twenty lusty turkeys, and the rest of your workload that’s coming in. You’d maybe gotten halfway done with the orders when suddenly your stomach muscles tightened and spasmed at the same time. It hurt to breathe in, so you tried to breathe in as slowly as possible, praying to God that the next person who insulted you would take it back as soon as they said it.

Now, you’re screwed, because between the pain in your stomach and the pressure from the customers, it was overwhelming. To make matters even worse, your restaurant owner Jiah, a certified misogynist, stood next to you as you prepared each of the dishes. Every mistake you made, or anything you said to Hetty, was being monitored. At first, it was fine—still stressful, but you were so preoccupied that you didn’t care. Until you accidentally spilled three of your cheesecakes on the ground.

Every time someone shouted at you, it felt like someone was digging into your sides. Your vision blurred slightly as you bent down to clean up the mess. As you rose, you saw Jiah’s disapproving glare. You braced yourself, knowing a reprimand was imminent.

“Do you even know how much those cheesecakes cost?” Jiah hissed, his face reddening.

"Sorry-"

You nodded, biting your tongue to keep from snapping back. Losing your temper wouldn’t help anything, especially not with Jiah watching your every move. Taking a deep breath, you focused on the tasks at hand, prioritizing the most urgent ones. Hetty’s voice cut through the noise of the kitchen, but you tuned her out as best you could. There was no time to waste arguing with her or explaining why you couldn’t drop everything to clean the station right this second.

The cramps were relentless, and you clutched your stomach briefly, willing the pain to subside. A few of your colleagues noticed and offered sympathetic looks, but they were just as swamped as you were. It was clear that everyone was feeling the strain of the lunchtime rush.

You managed to get the cheesecakes into the oven and started on the turkeys. The repetitive motions of seasoning and prepping gave you a momentary distraction from the pain. But it wasn’t long before Hetty was back, barking orders again.

“You still haven’t cleaned the station! And where’s the ice cream?” she demanded.

“Working on it,” you muttered, trying to keep your voice steady. But the frustration was building, and you could feel tears pricking at the corners of your eyes. You blinked them back, determined not to let anyone see you break down.

Finally, a small reprieve: the cheesecakes were done, and you could focus on plating the desserts and getting them out to the customers. But just as you thought you might be able to catch your breath, Jiah appeared again. He didn’t say anything, but his disapproving glare spoke volumes.

You could feel his eyes on you, watching your every move. When you accidentally spilled three of your cheesecakes on the ground, Jiah’s look was withering. He didn’t need to say a word; his expression made it clear he was counting this as yet another mark against you.

“Get it together,” you heard him mutter under his breath, just loud enough for you to hear. You nodded, biting your tongue to keep from snapping back. Losing your temper wouldn’t help anything, especially not with Jiah watching your every move.

Taking a deep breath, you focused on the tasks at hand, prioritizing the most urgent ones. Hetty’s voice cut through the noise of the kitchen, but you tuned her out as best you could. There was no time to waste arguing with her or explaining why you couldn’t drop everything to clean the station right this second.

Just as it began to calm down again, Jiah's glare disappearing from notion, Hetty came over to apologize for being stressy.

"Sorry for earlier," she said, her tone uncharacteristically soft. "I know I was a bit much."

You accepted her apology with a nod. "It's okay. We were all under a lot of pressure. I was just about to go to the toilet."

Before you could make your way to the restroom, a call came through the kitchen, telling everyone to gather in the staff room. You tried to hold yourself together, though you could feel tears threatening to flow. The cramps were still gnawing at your insides, and the stress of the day had worn you thin.

As you and the rest of the staff assembled in the cramped room, the air was thick with apprehension. Jamie, another manager, stormed in, his face a mask of fury. He didn't waste a second before launching into a tirade.

"I just got a bollocking from the owner! What the hell happened here?" he bellowed. "This is so embarrassing! We've had multiple complaints from customers, dishes sent back, and unacceptable delays. This is not the standard we uphold here!"

His words were like blows, each one landing heavily. You stood there, silent and still, trying to absorb it all without breaking down. The cramps were relentless, making it hard to concentrate on anything other than the pain.

For about forty minutes, Jamie continued his verbal assault, highlighting every mistake and misstep. You could feel the tension in the room, everyone too afraid to speak or move. As he yelled, you just stood there, taking it in, feeling smaller and more defeated with every passing second.

"This has to stop now," Jamie continued, his voice growing louder. "I expect better from all of you. No more excuses. The owner is furious, and honestly, I can't blame him. Today was a disaster!"

With that, he stormed out, leaving the staff in stunned silence. You could feel the tears threatening to spill over, but you fought to keep them at bay. The pain in your stomach and the weight of Jamie's words were almost too much to bear.

Hetty gave you a sympathetic look but didn't say anything. Everyone slowly dispersed, heading back to their stations or taking a moment to collect themselves. You made a beeline for the restroom, finally letting the tears flow once you were safely behind the closed door.

Just as you began to take a couple of minutes to calm down, Jamie pulled you over.

"Hey, I need to ask you something," he said, his tone softer but still urgent. "Are you willing to leave early today?"

You had already had to cut a shift recently, and your hours were pretty low. "I really need the hours, Jamie. I'd prefer to stay."

He frowned. "I need to get rid of some staff because there's too many on right now."

You tried to politely refuse again, but before you could finish, he called out, "Hayley! Do you want to leave early?"

"Sure," Hayley replied without hesitation.

"See, it's not personal," Jamie said, turning back to you. Feeling completely deflated, you turned to get your stuff and clock out.

As you gathered your things, Jamie turned to you one more time. "By the way, you sat down too much today."

You were gobsmacked. "I didn't sit down at all."

"No, you were," he insisted. "And that's not acceptable."

You went to protest again, but he cut you off. "No, you were, and that's not acceptable."

Feeling a mix of frustration, exhaustion, and defeat, you bit back any further response. As you clocked out and walked out of the restaurant, you felt the tears begin to well up again.

By the time you got on the bus, the tears were streaming down your face. You found a seat at the back, hoping no one would notice as you buried your face in your hands and sobbed. The day's events replayed in your mind: the stress, the pain, the unfairness of it all. It felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on you, and you couldn't hold it in any longer.

As the bus moved through the city streets, you cried, letting out all the frustration and sorrow. You knew you had to face another day tomorrow, but for now, all you could do was let yourself feel the pain and hope that somehow, things would get better.

When you arrived home, you tried to wipe away your tears, determined to put on a brave face for Jude Bellingham, who had just returned from football camp. You were emotionally drained but wanted to be supportive and positive for him.

As you walked through the door, Jude was in the kitchen, looking relaxed and cheerful. He noticed your subdued demeanor but decided to wait before saying anything.

"Hey, how was work?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light.

"It was... busy," you replied, forcing a smile. "But let’s not focus on that. How was camp?"

Jude’s face lit up as he started recounting his experiences. "Camp was fantastic! We had some intense training sessions and a lot of fun. You won’t believe the prank Trent and I pulled on the new guys. We got them to believe they had to complete this ridiculous obstacle course to join the team."

He continued with animated enthusiasm, "And then there was the friendly match against a local team. Trent and I were trying out these new moves, and it was amazing to see the crowd’s reaction. We felt like rock stars!"

You nodded and smiled at the right moments, trying to engage with his excitement, but your mind kept drifting back to the stress of the day. Despite your efforts to seem interested, you felt a growing sense of overwhelm.

Jude’s stories flowed effortlessly. "Oh, and the camp mascot incident was hilarious. Trent and I ended up in the costume, and we had this impromptu dance-off with the kids. It was one of those moments where you just can’t stop laughing."

As he chatted, you found yourself struggling to keep up the façade. Your responses became more mechanical, and you occasionally glanced at the clock, feeling the weight of your exhausting day pressing down on you.

Jude seemed to sense something was off but kept going. "You know, I was telling Trent about how you and I used to go to that little café downtown. He said he’s been there before and loved it. We should go sometime."

You forced a laugh and nodded. "That sounds great."

As dinner preparation continued, you made an effort to stay present, but the stress from earlier was starting to take its toll. You kept insisting you were fine, even though you felt increasingly overwhelmed.

In the midst of this, you were preoccupied with trying to balance cooking and maintaining a cheerful demeanor. As you pulled a dish out of the oven, you accidentally brushed against the hot rack. The sudden sharp pain in your hand was like a jolt that broke through your emotional walls.

You cried out and rushed to the sink, holding your burned hand under the cold tap, your composure finally shattering. Tears streamed down your face as the pain seemed to trigger a flood of emotions from the stressful day.

Jude, who had been in the living room, heard your cry and the sound of your sobbing. He rushed into the kitchen and saw you with your hand under the tap, tears flowing freely.

"Hey, what happened?" Jude asked urgently, moving quickly to your side.

"I—I burned myself," you managed to say through sobs. "I’m so sorry... I tried to keep it together, but I couldn’t."

Jude gently took your hand from under the tap and inspected the burn. His concern deepened as he carefully wrapped your hand in a clean towel.

“Hey, hey, hey. Don’t cry, m’love. It’s okay—speak to me,” Jude said, his voice filled with concern as he moved to your side.

“What do you mean? I’m okay, I just burned myself,” you tried to explain, though your voice was trembling.

“Y/N, do you think I was born yesterday? I know my girlfriend, and I know when she’s upset. What happened?” Jude asked, his tone gentle but firm.

His insistence broke through your remaining resolve. You burst into tears, the emotional strain of the day combining with the pain of the burn. “I—I had such a terrible day. Jamie was so harsh, and everything seemed to go wrong. I was trying so hard to keep it together, but I just couldn’t anymore.”

Jude’s expression softened, filled with empathy and concern. “No, don’t say that. You’re not stupid. You’re my Y/N. You’ve been through so much, and you’ve handled it with so much strength and grace.”

He gently took your hand from under the tap and wrapped it in a clean towel. Pulling you into a comforting embrace, he continued, “Your a trooper you know.”

You clung to him, the warmth of his embrace providing a much-needed sense of security. Jude held you close, his arms wrapping around you with tenderness. He stroked your hair softly and whispered in your ear, “You’re amazing, you know that? You’re allowed to have bad days and to feel overwhelmed. I’m here to help you through it, no matter what.”

You buried your face in his shoulder, letting the tears flow freely as he continued to hold you. Jude’s soothing presence and gentle touch helped ease the burden of the day. He spoke softly, his voice full of love and reassurance. “You’ve been so strong, but it’s okay to let go and lean on me. I’m here to support you, to lift you up when you need it.”

Jude carefully wrapped your burned hand in a clean towel, his touch gentle but deliberate. He then pulled you into a comforting embrace. “Why don’t you head to the living room and take a breather? I’ll sort out dinner. And try not to make any more of the place look like a disaster zone, yeah?”

You managed a weak smile as you headed to the living room, still sniffling. The sounds of Jude bustling around in the kitchen—pots clattering, the hum of the stove—provided a bit of distraction as you settled onto the couch.

A few minutes later, Jude walked into the living room with his phone in hand and plopped down beside you. He placed his phone on the coffee table and began gently wiping away the tears from your cheeks.

“I don’t want anyone treating you like that,” Jude said firmly, but with a soft edge. “I’ve had a word with the higher-ups about Jamie. It’s not on.”

You looked at him, surprised. “You did? How’d you manage that?”

Jude grinned. “Let’s just say I’m good at sorting things out when it comes to my people."

You chuckled despite yourself. “Well, thanks. I didn’t think you’d go this far.”

Jude gave a cheeky wink. “I was gonna sort it anyway, oh, also, um well now seemed like the perfect time.”

"Jude-"

He pulled out his phone and showed you the screen. “I’ve had a chat with my agent. "

"What?!!"

"Got you a photography gig lined up. It’s something you’ve always wanted to do. Figured now’s as good a time as any.”

You were stunned, your eyes widening. “What-? How-When? How did you even know I wanted this now?”

Jude’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “I’ve been paying attention, love. You think i haven't notice your Pinterest boards? Or your amazon wish list?”

You laughed, a genuine smile spreading across your face. “I don’t even know what to say. This is amazing.”

Jude squeezed your hand gently. “You don’t have to say a thing. Just remember, you’re brilliant, and you deserve all the good things. And if you ever leave me for a glamorous photographer life, just make sure to give me a shout-out in your interviews.”

You playfully nudged him. “Oh, so you’re worried I’ll become too famous for you?”

Jude grinned. "If that means sharing a bit of the limelight, so be it.”

You leaned into him, feeling a mix of relief and affection. “I can’t believe how lucky I am to have you.”

Jude wrapped his arms around you. “I’m the lucky one. Seeing you happy is what matters to me. Now let’s enjoy the rest of the night. And if dinner turns into a burnt mess, at least we’ll have a laugh about it.”

Jude’s comforting presence and playful banter started to lift the weight of the day, bringing a renewed sense of hope and connection. His support and Brummie humor made the evening feel a lot brighter and more manageable.

[scoonsalicious]

Unwanted: Chapter 17, Unanswered - Pt. 5*

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Fem!Reader

Summary: When your FWB relationship with your best friend Bucky Barnes turns into something more, you couldn’t be happier. That is, however, until a new Avenger sets her sights on your super soldier and he inadvertently breaks your heart. You take on a mission you might not be prepared for to put some distance between the two of you and open yourself up to past traumas. Too bad the only one who can help you heal is the one person you can no longer trust.

Warnings: (For this part only; see Story Masterlist for general Warnings) Language, Explicit Dream!Sexual Content - Minors: GTFO; I don’t serve your kind here. (dream!oral (f-receiving))

Word Count: 1.3k

Previously On...: A conversation with Steve informed you that Bucky was fine, and on his way back to the Tower. He just couldn't be bothered to contact you, it seems. Cool. Coolcoolcoolcoolcoolcool.

A/N: Yay, look at that! Some more smut! Finally! Last part of Chapter 17. You know what that means, friends! BETRAYAL IS AROUND THE CORNER!

NOTE! The tag list is a fickle bitch, so I'm not really going to be dealing with it anymore. If you want to be notified when I update, please enable notifications from my Blog page!

Banner By: The absolutely amazing @mrsbuckybarnes1917!

Thank you to all those who have been reading; if you like what you've read, likes, comments, and reblogs give me life, and I truly appreciate them, and you!

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Tumblr will not let me directly tag the following: @marcswife21 @erelierraceala @jupiter-107 @doublejeon @hiqhkey @unaxv @brookeleclerc

You went about the rest of your evening and night as normally as you possibly could to distract yourself, checking up on the work emails you’d missed while you were ill and approving some requests for PTO. You’d listened to some back episodes of a True Crime podcast you’d been meaning to catch up on and aimlessly browsed Reddit, making some anonymous posts debunking some of the more outrageous relationship theories that were popping up concerning you and Steve. You were most definitely, for example, not having his super soldier baby.

Fortunately, you only threw up once during that time, and you were optimistic when, after you did, your stomach growled with hunger. You headed to the kitchen, considering potentially grabbing a plate of Thai leftovers from the other night, but remembering your reaction to Nat’s to-go plate, you opted instead to just make yourself a turkey and cheese sandwich. Best not to risk a repeat performance.

Once you made it back to your room, you decided you’d been awake long enough and called it a night. Checking your phone one last time, you were disappointed, yet not surprised, to see you still had no new messages from Bucky. As you put your head down on your pillow, you could only hope tomorrow would bring better tidings, and soon, you were asleep.

You were dreaming. And oh, it was a very good dream, indeed. You weren’t exactly sure what you were dreaming about, you just knew that delicious tension was building low in your stomach and, fleetingly, you hoped it was the kind of dream where you actually got to finish, and not the kind that left you frustratingly hanging over the precipice without actually falling. Those dreams were the fucking worst.

The dream slowly came into focus, Bucky’s head between your legs, his soft hair brushing the sensitive skin of your inner thighs as his tongued fucked you, the hardened muscle working its way in and out of your cunt as if drawing life from it.

You moaned in your sleep as his tongue slipped from your weeping hole, only to latch onto your clit, dancing circles around the sensitive bundle of nerves. You felt your back arch off the bed as his thick fingers found your entrance and began working their way in and out of you, the pace growing faster by the minute. God. This dream was so fucking good, you never wanted to wake up. Your orgasm was so close, you could practically taste it.

“Bucky,” you moaned in your sleep. Even as a figment of your imagination, he was good enough to elicit sinful sounds from your lips. The pressure was building. You were nearly there.

“That’s it, doll,” Dream Bucky said, his nose rubbing against your clit. He added another finger, stretching you so damned well. “Almost there, baby. You can do it. Come for me.” His mouth returned to your clit, suckling from it and driving you over the edge. 

Your breath was coming in ragged gasps, the noises you were making positively pornographic without your conscious mind awake enough to dampen them. But Dream Bucky kept working you through your release, rhythm never faltering.

“I think you can give me another one, pretty girl,” Dream Bucky said. He increased his pace, and soon you were falling again, your arousal coating his hands.

When your aftershocks had subsided, Dream Bucky’s hands pulled away, and you whimpered at the loss of contact. But then, you felt your bed dip, felt the solid, comforting presence of Bucky’s body as it crawled up alongside of you, felt his arms wrap around your waist.

You weren’t dreaming.

“Buck?” you rasped, voice still thick with sleep. “Is that really you, or am I still dreaming?” You reached out and touched his cheek, feeling the unmistakably real sensation of his overgrown stubble against your palm.

“I’m sorry sweets,” Bucky said, a devious smirk plastered across his face, “did I wake you?” He was already divested of most of his clothing, down to just a pair of tight, burgundy boxer briefs.

You yawned and raised your arms over your head, stretching out like a cat. “Was I supposed to sleep through that?” you asked him.

“Mm,” he said, kissing the side of your neck and making you shiver, “I’d really hoped you wouldn’t.” He shifted and you could feel the hard outline of his cock pressing against you. It woke you up immediately.

“Why the fuck haven’t you called me back?” you snapped suddenly, all traces of sleep having gone, leaving you with only your anxiety and unanswered questions. “I’ve been worried fucking sick all day long and I haven’t heard a peep from you! You think you can just give me 24 hours of radio silence, not knowing if you were dead or alive, and come waltzing back here with that magic tongue and I’d just–”

Bucky silenced you with a bruising kiss. “Magic tongue, huh?” he said when you broke for air. You nodded dumbly, currently unable to form a sentence with the way he’d just kissed the shit out of you.

“‘m so sorry, sweets,” Bucky said, his hands slowly making their way to the hem of your sleep shirt and pulling up, exposing your breasts to his lingering gaze. “I never meant to make you worry.” He slipped the shirt over your head, and despite your ire, you helped him do it. “Forgot to pack my international adapter for m’ phone.” He began placing gentle kisses to your breasts. “Battery died.” He took one nipple hungrily into his mouth, sucking and nipping at the peaked flesh. “Couldn’t charge it.” Then the other. You carded your hands through his hair. “Think you can find it in your heart to forgive me?”

His hand snaked down your belly to cup your heat. God, he had a way of making you feel so fucking good.

“I might be able to be persuaded,” you breathed as his fingers began toying through your slick folds. But logic soon smacked you like one of Natasha’s “love punches,” and you reached out a hand to stop his movements. “We should probably talk first.”

A flash of panic crossed Bucky’s face, and you wondered if he was worried about the articles. “Did you get my messages?” you asked him nervously.

Bucky nodded. “Plugged my phone in back in my room as soon as I got home,” he said. “Hadn’t seen the articles, but even if I had, I know you of all people would never do somethin’ like that. I’d have to be a fucking moron to think so. I know you’d never hurt me.” He had a far away look in his eyes for a moment, and you wondered if he was imagining you and Steve together.

You reached up to cup his face. “But did you see the other part?” you asked him.

“The part about you being ready to try us again?” he asked with a smile. When you nodded he leaned in and kissed you, a quick, sweet peck. “Darlin’, why the hell do you think I rushed over here to wake you up like that? Couldn’t stand to waste another second.”

“Well, then we better make up for lost time,” you teased, reaching down to slide your hand under the waistband of his boxer briefs.”

“I like the way you think,” Bucky grinned as he rolled over until he was lying on top of you. “I hope you’re not tired, sweetheart, because I got plans to keep you up all night long.”

“You talk a big talk, Barnes,” you smirked as you stroked him, firm and slow. “I hope you can back up your words.”

The look Bucky gave you was absolutely sinful as he reached down to free himself. Pressing the head of his cock against your swollen clit, he kissed you again. “Hold on to something, doll,” he said, nipping at the skin of your pulsepoint. “Cause you’re gonna have to beg me to stop.”

<- Previous Part / Next Part ->

[schmergo]

My mom gave me this chocolate London kit for Christmas and I finally decided to use it as sort of a tongue-in-cheek Fourth of July activity. I love my mom and I don’t think she meant to psychologically torture me, but this experience lowkey led me down a true long dark night of the soul and then utterly broke me. Follow my slow mental unraveling below.

I should add that I am bad at crafts and once got gorilla glue all over my hands while fixing a child’s display-only gingerbread house and spent Christmas break with a hard translucent shell on both hands gradually flaking off over the course of a week, so a fair amount of this may be user error. But also the box says this is for ages 6+ and I’m over 5 times that, so maybe they could have done a wee bit more handholding.

Anyway, here’s my journey, which should absolutely be read in the tone of Jonathan Harker’s letters in the beginning of Dracula.

The first hint that something was wrong happened when I melted the chocolate according to instructions and the next step said to pour it into the molds. The chocolate was not really the “pouring” kind. It was a chunky sort of paste that I had to spoon in. The molds filled unevenly and clumpily and at this point, I asked my husband if he’d let me try to assemble the rest of this on my own because I think I can tolerate my failure better if nobody else witnesses it.

The instructions also cavalierly said to save a “handful” to use as mortar for the chocolate tower.

How much is a handful? A Schmergo-sized hand or a husband-sized hand or what? I have very small hands for an adult, but this is for ages 6+ after all. I opted for a Schmergo-sized handful. I would live to regret that.

I chilled the pieces in the fridge for 20 minutes as directed, then popped them out of their mold. To my surprise, they actually didn’t look THAT bad.

Looking at the pieces of Big Ben that I had to assemble, I became acutely aware that there weren’t detailed instructions on how to fit them together other than just “put them together” and no actual photographs of a real person doing it. The wall pieces were still unnervingly floppy and I decided to freeze them in hopes of hardening them while I focused on the clock itself.

In addition to Big Ben, the kit came with a chocolate taxi and a chocolate double-decker bus. The taxi popped out slightly distorted but in a way I liked, with playful Toontown vibes. But the double-decker bus was still mushy and fudgelike, warping and rippling alarmingly as I tried to push it out of the mold. I opted to put it in the freezer, too, along with the walls of Big Ben.

The instructions said to use the melted remaining chocolate to stick the pieces together and to apply it by sticking my finger in it and rubbing it on. It did not mention that, even after letting the chocolate cool, the warm melted chocolate would make the details of the pieces of the chocolate you’re sticking together start to melt, too.

I began to wonder if this kit had ever been formally tested by anyone and if the instructions were written by AI, like that Google search result that suggests adding Elmer’s glue to your shredded cheese when making pizza to keep it from sliding off.

Nothing can prepare you for how bad the clock part looked, so I’m just going to let you deal with it cold turkey. Et voila.

As I cemented my terrible melted clock together, it occurred to me that I’d have a lot more fun if I really leaned into the ominous post-apocalyptic energy of the abomination before me.

What if this was the result of some kind of whimsical Doctor Who villain— or maybe The Unknown from that infamously bad immersive Willy Wonka experience— transforming major London landmarks into chocolate… during a heat wave?

How will will the new Prime Minister Keir Starmer deal with this on his first day in office?

I yelled to my husband in the adjacent room, “Maybe I’m just turning into the Joker, but this is starting to feel more funny than depressing!”

“Mr. Starmer, a second chocolate vehicle has hit Big Ben.”

The bus actually came out pretty well!

Trying to fit together the pieces of the walls would have been maddening if I hadn’t already been driven mad by the clock portion. The pieces didn’t actually fit together quite right, they were still slightly floppy, and the instructions said— after I was in blood stepped so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er— that I was supposed to use ELASTIC BANDS to hold together the tower walls while the chocolate was cooling.

The kit didn’t come with elastic bands and I don’t have any in my house except for scrunchies with my gross hair stuck to them, and I’d already come this far, so I decided to forge onward. Then a piece snapped off.

Honestly, this rules, no notes:

I did it, but at what cost? I don’t know much about British politics, but this feels like a poignant commentary on the current state of affairs or something. Should I submit this to the Tate Modern?

[shitsndgiggs]

hey can you make a story about Arda güler x danish girl.

where the danish girl goes to Turkey and meets Arda, where they spend a lot of time together and fall in love with each other

i love you story's

LOVE IN ISTANBUL - ARDA GÜLER

When you meet a guy on your vacation to Turkey, things turn for the better

Arda Güler x danish! reader

︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿

The sun was shining brightly as I stepped off the plane in Istanbul, the city where East meets West.

This was my first vacation in Turkey, and I was excited to immerse myself in its rich culture and history.

My plan was to start with a visit to the Basilica Cistern, before heading to the famous Hagia Sophia.

After checking into my hotel, I made my way to the Basilica Cistern. The cool, dimly lit underground space was a stark contrast to the bustling city above.

I wandered through the columns, admiring the reflections in the shallow water. As I was taking pictures, I heard a voice behind me.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

I turned around to see a tall, handsome man with a warm smile. "Yes, it's stunning," I replied.

He extended his hand. "I'm Arda."

“Y/N,” I said, shaking his hand.

"Are you here on vacation?" he asked, his english clear but tinged with a turkish accent.

"Yes, it's my first time in Turkey," I replied. "What about you?"

"I'm actually a local, but I love coming here. It's one of the quieter spots in the city," he said. "If you need any recommendations or a guide, I'd be happy to help."

"That would be great," I said, grateful for the offer.

Over the next few days, Arda and I explored Istanbul together. He showed me the city's hidden gems and shared stories about its history.

We visited the bustling Grand Bazaar, took a boat ride on the Bosphorus, and enjoyed delicious turkish food at local eateries.

One evening, we found ourselves at a cozy café near the Galata Tower. As we sipped our turkish tea, Arda looked at me with a playful glint in his eyes.

"How about I teach you some turkish?" he suggested.

"Sure, I'd love that," I replied eagerly.

"Okay, let's start with something simple. 'Merhaba' means 'hello,'" he said.

"Merhaba," I repeated, trying to mimic his pronunciation.

"Perfect! Now, 'Teşekkür ederim' means 'thank you,'" Arda continued.

"Teşekkür ederim," I said, feeling a bit more confident.

"Great job! And if you want to say 'I love you,' you say 'Seni seviyorum,'" he added, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Seni seviyorum," I whispered, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

Arda laughed softly. "You learn fast. How do you say ‘I love you’ in danish?”

“You say ‘Jeg elsker dig’, ” I said, looking into his eyes

"Jeg elsker dig," he echoed softly, his gaze filled with warmth.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I realized how much I cherished these moments with Arda.

Despite knowing that my vacation would soon come to an end, I felt hopeful for our future.

On my last day in Istanbul, Arda insisted on taking me to the airport. As we stood near the departure gate, I felt a lump form in my throat.

"I can't believe my trip is already over," I said, trying to hold back tears.

"I know," Arda replied, his voice filled with emotion. "But this isn't goodbye, Y/N. We can stay in touch and visit each other."

I nodded, grateful for his words. "Thank you for everything, Arda. You've made this trip unforgettable."

He took my hands in his, his eyes serious. "Seni seviyorum, Y/N.”

"Seni seviyorum, Arda," I replied, my heart swelling with love.

As we shared a final hug, I knew this was just the beginning of our story.

[racing-is-passion]

After the Hyperpole of the 24h of Le Mans, Ferrari will start from P1 and P2 into the race on saturday. Toyota was more than a second slower than the fastest Ferrari and is only starting from P3 and P5. Also the #3 Cadillac had to retire 5 minutes before the end of the Hyperpole because there was a fire on the car, but I think they should be able to repair the car for the race on Saturday. Here is the full starting order:

Starting order for the 24h of Le Mans 2023:

#50 Ferrari (Hypercar)

#51 Ferrari (Hypercar)

#8 Toyota (Hypercar)

#75 Porsche (Hypercar)

#7 Toyota (Hypercar)

#2 Cadillac (Hypercar)

#5 Porsche (Hypercar)

#3 Cadillac (Hypercar)

#6 Porsche (Hypercar)

#93 Peugeot (Hypercar)

#94 Peugeot (Hypercar)

#708 Glickenhaus (Hypercar)

#311 Action Express Racing (Cadillac) (Hypercar)

#709 Glickenhaus (Hypercar)

#4 Floyd Vanwall Racing (Hypercar)

#38 Hertz JOTA (Porsche) (Hypercar)

#48 Idec Sport (LMP2)

#28 JOTA (LMP2)

#41 WRT (LMP2)

#47 Cool Racing (LMP2)

#63 Prema Racing (LMP2)

#14 Nielsen Racing (LMP2)

#9 Prema Racing (LMP2)

#10 Vector Sport (LMP2)

#45 Algarve Pro Racing (LMP2)

#22 United Autosports (LMP2)

#923 Racing Team Turkey (LMP2)

#65 Panis Racing (LMP2)

#34 Inter Europol Competition (LMP2)

#23 United Autosport (LMP2)

#31 WRT (LMP2)

#37 Cool Racing (LMP2)

#80 AF Corse (LMP2)

#43 DKR Engineering (LMP2)

#35 Alpine (LMP2)

#30 Duqueine Team (LMP2)

#32 Inter Europol Competition (LMP2)

#39 GRAFF Racing (LMP2)

#36 Alpine (LMP2)

#13 Tower Motorsports (LMP2)

#33 Corvette Racing (GTE)

#25 ORT by TF (Aston Martin) (GTE)

#54 AF Corse (Ferrari) (GTE)

#21 AF Corse (Ferrari) (GTE)

#83 Richard Mille AF Corse (Ferrari) (GTE)

#57 Kessel Racing (Ferrari) (GTE)

#55 GMB Motorsport (Aston Martin) (GTE)

#74 Kessel Racing (Ferrari) (GTE)

#77 Dempsey-Proton Racing (Porsche) (GTE)

#86 GR Racing (Porsche) (GTE)

#100 Walkenhorst Motorsport (Ferrari) (GTE)

#85 Iron Dames (Porsche) (GTE)

#60 Iron Lynx (Porsche) (GTE)

#72 TF Sport (Aston Martin) (GTE)

#56 Project 1 (Porsche) (GTE)

#911 Proton Competition (Porsche) (GTE)

#16 Proton Competition (Porsche) (GTE)

#98 Northwest AMR (Aston Martin) (GTE)

#66 JMW Motorsport (Ferrari) (GTE)

#88 Proton Competition (Porsche) (GTE)

#777 D'Station Racing (Aston Martin) (GTE)

#24 Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet) (NASCAR)

[nintendowife]

I finished Assassin's Creed: Revelations on PS3 a couple of days ago. I played Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood last year and got a pre-owned copy of Revelations to see the story further. Revelations is continuation to the story of Brotherhood and the final chapter to the Ezio trilogy. You step in the boots of matured Ezio Auditore Da Firenze and this time you head to Constantinople (known as Turkey's Istanbul today) in 1511 AD. As usual you meet plenty of historical figures like Prince Suleiman, Niccolo Polo (Marco Polo's father) and Manuel Palaiologos. There are also sections where you play as the legendary assassin Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad, the protagonist of the very first game in the series.

I liked the landmarks skillfully recreated for the game and the work on the characters' outfits is outstanding again. The characters are written rather well and I found them interesting. My favorite character may have been the charismatic Yusuf Tazim who heads the assassin operations in Constantinople. His interaction with Ezio was quite funny and enjoyable. The first time they meet, Yusuf introduces himself and he confirms "and you were Ezio Auditore Da… lalalala?".

I liked the ambience of the environments and the dialogue made me laugh at times. When a conflict between the Templars and the Assassins broke out, there was this civillian crying out "Why me?! Always in the wrong place at the wrong time." Some main story quests were hilarious too, like when Ezio and his pals needed to disguise as minstrels for a party in the Topkapi Palace. A guard commenting "you sound like a dying cat" about Ezio's singing talent cracked me up.

Traversing the environments was pretty handy with the new hookblade that allows for faster climbing and sliding on ropes suspended over the city. Ezio's behaviour when parkouring was a bit erratic at times though and occasionally instead of going up a tower he suddenly jumped down to a haystack for example. Stealth was a bit difficult to maintain at times (maybe I was just impatient) but performing silent kills was satisfying.

The story was pretty cool, a good combination of history, fiction and mystique. I liked the story of Altaïr and the game ends in a cliffhanger that made me want to see how it continues.

There's plenty of side content aside from the main story in form of collectibles, a tower defence minigame, rebuilding the city by renovating shops and landmarks, side missions, online multiplayer, etc. I collected all the memoir pages which unlocked the Ishak Pasha armor and I fully rebuilt Constantinople, other than that I didn't care much for the side content. There's a separate first-person platformer / walking sim game mode where you learn more about Desmond but that was so clunky and had such terrible level design that I didn't finish even the first section of those.

Overall my feelings towards the game are clearly more positive than negative regardless of some frustrations I had with it. The game was concise and felt like just the right length. According to HowLongToBeat it takes 12 hours on average to complete the main story.

"Nothing is true, everything is permitted". I'm looking forward to playing Assassin's Creed Mirage once it launches this autumn.

[lowkeyclueless5137]

I have a question for the kings of blot AU. How did Glorious Masquerade and Stage in Playful land go in this very AU? :D

:0c

:)c

>:)c

Oh in here, we have a lot of chaos.

For Glorious masquerade, Rollo doesn't know that Idia is a permanent overBlot(mama should would make stuffed turkey out of Crowley if he leaks that) so all he knows is that just watch out for the Shroud. He doesn't know why Idia came with the warning label, but ya know... The Ramshackle Dormhead has a magicless student so yep.

Idia is a bit protective of Yuu and Grim, for the sole reason that he knows if he leaves them unsupervised, they would get in trouble.

When the flowers ploy gets revealed, Idia seems to have very little problem. He was running on blot and magic was a very small fraction of his power extent, so he could use that against the flowers who don't take blot.

BUT! Because of his concealing charm, Idia is hindered physically even worse than in cannon. He cannot walk properly and is very tired, to the point Azul has to carry him until they reach the bell tower. In there, both Azul and Malleus insist for Idia to just leave the concealing charms and go punt Rollo.

The thing about Idia is his way of building power. Unlike a normal mage that can fire the same strength of spell until they run dry and have to rest, Idia does almost opposite. He starts weak and as long as he uses magic and his blot powers, he grows stronger. He cannot run dry due to both the fact that he is a permanent overBlot and the Shroud curse working in a constant cycle, but when he rests, he reverts back to being weak. Basically Idia has no limit ro how powerful he could be, which is why he is considered such a threat. Of course, this was only disclosed to STIX and the book 6 group. And also Malleus bc Malleus gets 'gargoyle fanatic Fae on your lawn at 3 am' privileges :3

Anyway, Rollo doesn't expect to see Idia like that, nor he expected for all the blot and the atmosphere Idia was creating around. Like Malleus was the main concern, but Azul always came on defence and Idia was only growing more stronger the more blot was released in between the 3 mages.

Of course, due to the conditions, Rollo overblots. Azul came to be used to this atmosphere due to Idia and Malleus was build different, hence why Rollo was succumbing to the blot a whole lot easier.

That's when Idia properly can step in, as he builded up enough power to take Malleus and Azul's place, while the 2 regain their energy and ring the bell without much need of magic.

In the end, Rollo is defeated. :D

But, ofc, no one ever trusted Rollo to keep on Idia's lil secret. So, there was an ultimatum: Keep your mouth shut and get to live another day or try to speak up and you will see what happens when mages can't be pulled out of the overBlot in time.

Currently Idia sweeped Malleus's palce as the enemy of state no.1 in Rollo's tier list. Azul is just chill. :'3

Now for stage in playful land :3

Ofc, Idia was absolutely suspicious of Yuu and Grim suddenly mentioning about a ticket and a super cool place. His suspicions raise when Ortho mentions about the same place.

So Idia decides to follow his lil brother and spiritually adopted lil siblings towards playful land. He gets stopped midway by the group who don't let him follow for he doesn't have any shiny ticket. Idia falls on agreement with the condition that they would be back by the sunset.

So Idia waits. And waits... And waaaaiiiits... He tried to look into the playful land on the internet, but found nothing. His suspicions can only grow as night settles in and no sign of the others.

So absolutely done with this, he barges in, in the middle of the night, and finds the whole mess. He was absolutely fuming over this and is more than pleased to punt that sham owner right across the face.

Fellow and Giddel are absolutely terrified of Idia simply tearing through all the defence like it's warm butter. Like nothing seems to stop this guy from going straight to Fellow and strangling him like a squeaky toy.

After that, Idia also nags Ortho, Yuu and Grim, holding all 3 grounded, despite Ortho being the Dormhead of Ignihyde :'3

The rest can go and die for all Idia cares, which 1. Rude. 2. yeah... Idia doesn't care if the others are alive or not. :'3

[victoriousscarf]

If it is not too much troubles, would you mind sharing some of your chicken misadventures? Chickens look totally cool but I probably will run away if they approach me in their coolly dominant manners 😭😭.

At first I was like what? And then I remembered I just reblogged a post about chickens and I assume this is in reaction to that.

So I was looking for photos of our chickens after I got this ask and found this gem somehow, which is probably the most aesthetic photo of my family's chickens ever taken. Mostly because usually we have a way less color coordinated flock, as dad and I both tend to pick out one or two of every breed that catches our eye that season.

First I have to say I have very rarely met a chicken that I found particularly scary in any way, most of them are sorta affably dumb... and then I remembered the Bennet sisters which were 5 white Brahma chickens we had, and they were like the meanest mean girls we ever ended up with. And there were five of them. So maybe if you see five big white chickens coming at you... that's when you book it.

But for the most part, chickens are pretty funny to me. They've all got their weird little personalities, and some of them are quite beautiful.

Now we kept chickens for laying purposes, not meat chickens. (Every once and a while my dad tries that before remembering he like, doesn't like slaughtering animals at all). We've also had Indian Runner Ducks, and a few breeds of Turkey. Over the years a lot of them have blurred together but some weird highlights:

We had this one chicken that I named Leaper who like, was a fainting chicken. You know those fainting goats? She was like that. She'd just randomly topple over and lay there, no matter where she was in the yard. None of the other chickens wanted to hang with her in the flock, because like she was weird. But this little bantam rooster named Patsy had a messed up back (Like his spine curved? I've never seen it before or since but he was also a weird little guy) and he would hang out with her. We'd often look out in the yard and Patsy would be standing over Leaper, watching her while she was in one of her fainting spells.

There was also the chicken Zelda (Who I think was named after Zelda Fitzgerald, not the video game) who was the most successful broody hen I've ever met. She would regularly surprise us with whole flocks of like 10, 12 chicks. She was also a bantam (which means they're smaller than average) and she would gather eggs from the whole flock, so her kids would be the weirdest mix match of breeds and sizes, and most of them ended up towering over her. Every time she went missing we started watch for when she'd next show up with a brood. We thought she was dead like 3 times. We found clutches of her eggs in an old stump, under the chicken coop, in the greenhouse, and under the porch. Every time dad discovered one she moved again.

The coop in question where she came up with a whole clutch of chicks one time.

I had one friend too, who has this huge white rooster that she loved more than life. She would regularly carry him around in her arms and he had a special diaper to come into the house. One Easter we used some sort of dye on him to make him blue and green (I honestly cannot remember what kind of dye, but she would not have done anything to hurt this guy so it must have been safe enough). Just imagine the biggest rooster you can with a full on fashion dye job. He did not really forgive us for that one for a while.

Of course the downside to chicken owning is you have to deal with the death and predators. We had a Bald Eagle get caught in the chicken run wire one time, and I remember the whole family standing in the doorway, realizing just how BIG an eagle is, when it's caught its talons in your chicken run (the chickens were fine, and it did eventually free itself, while we were still trying to figure out who to even call).

And we had an owl serial killer one time, where it took the heads and left the bodies stacked in a pile inside the coop door... That's a wild story no one believes when you bring it out at parties.

[toy-sitting-anon]

toy sitting variations

These are all ideas I’ve had for toy sitting fanart. I doubt I’ll draw them all, and I may not draw any, but the question of how to render them as pictures has been on my mind. My own skill probably isn’t enough for the task (at least, not yet).

You may notice a butt focus:

A woman sitting on a toy fire truck, wheeling it around with her legs (“wee-ooh, wee-ooh” she says, “where’s the fire? Stop, drop, and roll!”)

A woman sitting on a toy dinosaur (“my butt is the asteroid” she says to the kid it belongs to)

A woman stuck on a playground slide (“I guess I’m too big now” she says)

A woman sitting on a swing where the ropes might snap under her weight, wondering whether to try swinging

A woman sitting on a bucking bronco carnival ride (“I won’t let it throw me this time” she shouts as someone in line behind her guiltily eyes her bouncing butt)

A woman sitting on a rocking horse too small for her which creaks badly with each rock (“I loved this as a kid” she says)

A woman sitting on a bicycle too small for her, her butt almost engulfing the seat (“you really do remember how” she says)

A woman sitting on a sled or toboggan or tube, crashing into a snowbank and leaving a butt-shaped imprint in the snow

A woman in a bathing suit sitting on a sandcastle as the tide comes in

A woman in a winter coat sitting on an overturned snowman, trying on his hat

A woman dressed as one of Santa’s elves sitting on a boxed present (or a Christmas tree?)

A woman dressed as a witch sitting on a broomstick balanced on a jack-o-lantern (or sitting on and crushing a sagging jack-o-lantern?)

A woman dressed in her Easter best and bunny ears accidentally sitting on a hidden egg, crushing it

A woman sitting on a piece of paper, tracing her own butt instead of a hand turkey at Thanksgiving (“it’s a pumpkin” she claims)

A woman in a swimming pool sitting on an inflatable toy (on July fourth? Saying something about fireworks?), spraying water back between her legs through a pool noodle

A woman sitting on and popping balloons at a birthday party

A woman sitting on an exercise ball, deflating it (“I’m balancing” she says)

A woman sitting on a whoopee cushion, deflating it (“oh, very original” she says)

A woman sitting on a jack-in-the-box, turning its crank and giggling as her butt holds the lid closed

A woman sitting on a house of cards (“cool card house,” she says, about to sit, “have you played fifty-two pick-up?”)

A woman sitting on a domino, starting a chain collapse that writes out “oops” in cursive

A woman sitting on a wobbling Jenga tower (“come on, it’s your move” she says)

A woman sitting on a model tower as part of a youth engineering competition (“official stress tester” her shirt says - she seems a little embarrassed)

A woman sitting on a Play-Doh sculpture, leaving a huge butt-shaped imprint in the material

A woman sitting on a big bowl of Oobleck as part of a physics demonstration, slowly sinking into the non-Newtonian fluid

A woman sitting on a plasma ball, having her butt zapped (“I thought this would tickle, but I hardly feel anything” she says)

A woman sitting on a video game controller (“I can still beat you like this” she says)

A woman sitting on a television in the middle of a cubic room with fully mirrored walls (and a fully mirrored floor and ceiling) facing a camera and posing nude as her image (a miniature of the entire scene) is displayed as a Droste image on the television screen

A woman sitting on a toy version of herself (“I love being objectified” she says)

[end original submission]

I um. I don't want to be rude but I'm not sure what you want me to do with this list? Draw whatever you like, I'm not the Kink Commissar.

Don't worry about presentability too much, pretty much every toy sitting drawing I've ever done has been unshareably bad, a lot of them are from tracing or copy-pasting the least appalling ones over and over and over and over, the poses are stiff, the faces are plastic-looking, the anatomy is abhorrent, I can't stray outside of abstract-adjacent cartoonishness or the aforementioned flaws will be too glaring for me to enjoy it even if it is a picture of a woman squishing a toy car. I know I've only seen the one drawing but compared to what I can do it is stellar. If you keep drawing these please do keep sharing them.

If you want, like, feedback or direction:

A woman sitting on a model tower as part of a youth engineering competition ("official stress tester" her shirt says - she seems a little embarrassed)

This one is such a fun mental image and also the hottest. Wish I had come up with it myself! If you draw any of these, do this one, please.

[fleurcareil]

West Quebec: Papinau-Labelle, Lac Simon and Mont-Tremblant

On the last morning in Ottawa I met my friend Claire (namesake of my sister!) for breakfast during which we caught up on our respective lives, including her recommendation to continue writing the blog foremost to record my experiences for my own benefit as the risk of prolonged traveling is that memories become a bit of a blur... I also use it as a motivation to take pictures & then redact them to the few I want to post, so that I don't end up with hundreds of pics never looked at again. Before leaving Burlington, I went through two boxes of photos that I had carried with me for the last 20 years of which I got ~300 digitized, and also triaged the many Facebook and WhatsApp pictures, so that I now finally have a collection of photos that I really like and can put on a digital photo-frame once I move to Chile. 

The sun was gone in Ottawa and when I drove north I was getting concerned about whether I was driving straight into the forest fires and poor air quality, however luckily it didn't get worse and the sun broke through eventually. I spent the afternoon driving through the Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle, which is a wilderness area mostly used for hunting deer and moose. The roads are unpaved and sometimes get quite small, however I did cross 7 other cars which is not a lot but still reassuring I was not completely alone 😊. The beach of Lac Echo was very attractive in its stillness with only some robins taking a bath, but I didn't feel like paddling so instead went up an observation tower and saw... moose!! I love it when it's advertised that you might see something and that it then actually happens! The two moose (a large one and the other smaller = younger/female?) were munching in the water on the other side of the marsh however I could see them clearly in my binoculars and the distance allowed me to move around freely and eat my own lunch while watching them. I've seen moose a few times before but their sheer size keeps impressing me. On the drive out, I suddenly saw what seemed to be two ostriches running ahead of me until I realized they were turkeys on their high legs jumping up & down for higher speed, funny to see!

At the Lac Simon campsite, I sat on the beach with a beer to watch the sun go down, however it disappeared behind the smog early on. I've become BFFs with my newest garment: the buff as it's really effective in preventing mosquitos getting to my neck... I must confess I never thought buffs to be cool (apologies to Debbie who's a big fan) but I'm starting to see their value now. I promise not to complain about mosquitos for the next 4 months however I'm still adjusting to my new reality of having hundreds of "friends" wherever I go, who like a stray dog keep following me without being able to shake them off 😜. In the morning, I got bitten twice in my right eyelid while in the washroom so there's no refuge anywhere!

Back at Papineau the next day, I went on a 9k return hike to Mont Devlin which has undoubtedly a beautiful viewpoint had it not been masked by the smoke. Just when I got there, I heard the first thunder rumbling so it ended up a mini-stay at the top and then record speed back down... The rain started before I got to the end, but protected by the forest I arrived mostly dry at the car. Rolling thunder continued for a bit and then suddenly stopped whilst the sun came back out! My campsite did seem to have received quite a downpour but luckily everything in my tent stayed dry and most of the "living room" stuff too. Phew! Reading a Canadian Geographic magazine for a few hours over a cup of tea was a welcome rest. Early bed tonight :)

Waking up with slight rain, I packed everything before taking a shower, and thought that I had covered my face sufficiently with buff/hat/scarf/sunglasses to avoid being bitten without needing to spray... BIG mistake! Turned out that midgets had gone under my glasses & bitten the hell out of me. Started ok, but the eyelid ended up swelling so much for the next two days that it was really impacting me (you'll see my droopy eyes in the pics), but it's luckily getting better now after some medications. Could not have been a better timing though as I spent two days at ALICE, which consists of the lovely Ivan-Cynthia family with their three daughters and grandparents. Their house in Mont-Tremblant is so comfortable that apart from little errands, including a visit to the new Canadian Tire store 😊, I just hung around the kitchen table with a cup of tea which allowed me to recharge again. It made me realize that I should break up my camping more frequently with hotel stays to allow some recuperation from the constant work at a site to make a cup of tea, set up/pack the tent, do dishes etc. Queue: my next 2 nights at the national park of La Mauricie got cancelled because of the fire risk, so am going to Quebec City instead.

Although I didn't go on any hikes, Ivan showed me around the Mont-Tremblant village and resort area which are stunning in summer (I had only been twice to ski), and also explained how it is to live there with amazing municipal programs for the kids, constant outdoor activities and a lively community, which make it a great place to live. No wonder that they're staying, I would too if I were not on my own way already! 😎

This concludes my first week of the road trip; been great so far although also got to re-evaluate my accommodations strategy to ensure that I keep my energy levels high!

Wildlife: 2 moose (Papinau), 2 turkeys (Papineau), 2 deer (Tremblant)

SUPs: none, too cold

Hikes: two at Papinau

Driven this week: 824 km

[abookishdreamer]

Character Intro: Pagoniá (Kingdom of Ichor)

Nicknames- The Ice Queen, The Diamond Goddess by the people of Olympius

Mom by her daughter

Age- 33 (immortal)

Location- Skyline district, New Olympus

Personality- Much like her domain she can be cold, distant, & emotionally unavailable at times. More often than not she keeps the few people in her social circle at arm's length. She can be incredibly self-centered, but she's also sensual, intelligent, and creative. She's in a "situationship."

She has the standard abilities of a goddess. As the goddess of ice, her main ability is cryokinesis (on a much more powerful scale than her daughter) that also includes ice mimicry & blowing a powerful cold breath from her mouth. One of the deadliest abilities in her repertoire is the ice kiss- being able to freeze a person solid, thus shattering them, through a deep kiss.

Pagoniá currently lives in a luxury apartment at Bolt Towers that was bought for her by her lover. Before this, she used to reside in the Underworld. Her new apartment is the epitome of an icy wonderland. Inside the interior colors are shades of white, powder blue, silver, & gray. The thermostat is set a couple degrees below freezing. The flooring is snow white mink carpeting with glittery silver trim. There's a gorgeous chandelier overhead in the kitchen that's dripping in ice crystals and white diamonds. Many nude portraits of her are scattered throughout the place. There's a safe built into one of the walls where her more expensive jewelry is kept.

Pagoniá has a single pet- a bichon frise; a boy named Snowball.

She also owns a bungalow in the state of Thrace.

She primarily gets around in her sleek silver sports car (that has platinum chrome spinners).

Pagoniá usually starts off her mornings with a soak in the bath. The tub is filled with ice cubes & ice cold water and is then added with a few drops of essential oils of white tea, white grapefruit, peppermint, white sage, and vanilla bean. Her personal masseuse then comes over to give her a massage as well as a session of acupuncture.

Pagoniá lacks an affinity for cooking, so she usually dines out or eats in through take-out. For breakfast a usual order (through use of chariot service) is two breakfast burritos (with scrambled egg whites, bell peppers, & turkey bacon) from The Bread Box along with a stack of egg white pancakes (with ricotta and banana & drizzled in white chocolate syrup from The Hearthside Diner. Most of the times she'll settle for a bowl of Earthly Harvest honey vanilla toasted rice cereal with ice cold milk.

Notable features of the ice goddess is her distinct breathy speaking voice, her natural hourglass shape, and her platinum blonde hair, which she keeps in a bob of voluminous soft curls.

Pagoniá's immediately family includes her older sister Eváeros (goddess of air & the zodiacs), her nephews- Boreas (god of the north wind), Zephyrus (god of the west wind), Notus (god of the south wind), & Eurus (god of the east wind), and her only child Chione (goddess of snow).

She was able to get pregnant on her own through the use of the fertility services of Gaia (goddess of the earth). Pagoniá's pregnancy came about during the time of a deep depression when she felt the most alone. She wanted a person "who'd love her truly, no matter what." A fond memory she has of Chione was when she instinctively made her first snowflake at just three months old.

Pagoniá's relationship with her sister has always been contentious. She's always been insecure about her status as a minor deity & the fact her sister achieved heightened status (her own star on the Pantheon Walk of Fame), Pagoniá feels more overlooked. With her nephews, she's more closer to Boreas.

Go-to drinks for her include ice cold water, cool blueberry lavender zero sugar Strengthify water, peppermint tea, classic martinis, & the white lady cocktail- a drink made with gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and an egg white). Her usuals from The Roasted Bean is a large white chocolate mocha and an olympian sized flat white.

Pagoniá has never been shy when it came to her sexuality. She was a genius when it came to crafting her public persona- being this alluring mysterious sensual being. At home & her vacation bungalow, a lot of her time is spent in the nude. She was even the first centerfold of Zeus' men's magazine. On the cover, she was laying on a snow leopard blanket wearing noting but sheer garter belt stockings, her body decorated in scattered decorative crystals.

Her favorite piece of jewelry that she always wears is her white gold necklace that has a diamond encrusted charm that's in the shape of a classic Megaleio handbag. With the permission of Clymene (Titaness of fame & renown), Chione designed and made the necklace.

One of her favorite desserts is the mille crepes cake from Salon du Sucre. She also likes baked alaska.

She loves watching rom-coms & drama films. Pagoniá will often have a weekend movie marathon with her daughter and her daughter's good friend Despoina (goddess of the arcadian mysteries, frost, winter, & shadows) while they pig out on truffle oil popcorn & pizza bianca.

Her favorite sweet treat is marshmallow ice cream, opting for a double scoop when she goes to The Frozen Spoon.

Pagoniá's main source of income comes from having the largest manufacturer/distributor of packaged ice products in Olympius (Chaíre Spíti) like ice vending, packaged ice, block ice, & cold storage for some examples. For cost effective reasons, the company is located in the Underworld. Her other sources of income comes from modeling for/endorsing Heavenly Spark, atelier fantaisie, Ice Stones (her daughter's jewelery brand), Megaleio, Diamond Ave., Stella Ferrea, & Euryphaessa.

She doesn't have many friends in the pantheon. Pagoniá is however close with Mnemosyne (Titaness of memory & language), Asteria (Titaness of falling stars, magic, astrology, & nocturnal oracles and prophecies), Dione, Kósmima (goddess of adornment), and Kéfi (goddess of mirth), as well as some of The Ourea.

A guilty pleasure for her are the soft & buttery breadsticks from The Crown, Zeus' high end restaurant.

As a gift Pagoniá got a snow white La Petit Amour velour tracksuit from Kósmima.

Pagoniá loves wearing the Olmorfia lip gloss in "Crystal Lights", a glittery iridescent color. Before putting on the lip gloss, she lines her lips with a nude lip liner.

As a Summer Solstice gift, Mnemosyne gave her a Diamond Ave. perfume bottle crystal shaped jeweled clutch. Kéfi gave her the stiletto crystal shoe shaped jeweled clutch for her birthday. Both cost well over 5,000 drachmas!

Pagoniá's love life has been tumultuous to say the least. She once drunkenly made out with her sister's ex Aegaeon (god of sea storms) while they were still together. Other former lovers include Hydros (god of water), Priapus (god of fertility, vegetable gardens, livestock, sexuality, & masculinity), and several mortal men.

Her current lover is a Hyperborean Giant named Krýstallos. He's a financial advisor on Acropolis Street who's also married with a wife and children. The buffer for them is Pagoniá's bungalow when she travels to Thrace a few times a month. She likes how he makes her feel safe and the fact that he constantly showers her with expensive jewelry- her favorite thus far being the platinum & diamond cuff bracelet which has a huge teardrop shaped diamond in the center. In her bouts of melancholy, Pagoniá will anonymously stalk his wife's Fatestagram profile.

Her and Krýstallos has been photographed in public once at a grand opening of the messenger god's high end restaurant. She looked immaculate of course- her hair in its signature soft curls, her pouty lips covered in matte nude lipstick, & she wore a see through skin tight crystal encrusted floor length gown with matching gloves. Nothing covered her breasts and she wore a nude colored thong.

Pagoniá considers walking in the La Petit Amour/Diamond Ave. crossover fashion show a couple years ago during New Olympus Fashion Week to be the highlight of her godly career. She wore the Ethereal Ice lingerie set- featuring a 70 carat flawless pear shaped diamond in the center of the bra while the hem of the panties are lined with white sapphires. Adorned with 2,900 pave set diamonds and weighting a total of 112 carats, the bra is set in 18 karat white gold. It's worth 10 million drachmas and took over 275 hours to make! She burst into tears when she found out she could keep it.

Her all time favorite food is the vichyssoise along with seared scallops and oysters in a mignonette sauce topped with beluga caviar.

In her free time Pagoniá enjoys writing in her journal, shopping, gardening, reading, skiing (in the Underworld), clubbing, and sleeping.

"I'm cold as ice, but in the right hands, I'll melt."

[industrynewsupdates]

Industrial Insulation Market Emerging Trends And Forecast, 2030

The global industrial insulation market size was valued at USD 8.21 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0% from 2023 to 2030. 

Increasing product demand for boosting process efficiency, condensation control, noise reduction, freeze protection, and for reducing environmental pollution is expected to drive market growth over the forecast period. In addition, the rising awareness regarding the benefits of insulation in the industrial application and its related costs is expected to drive the market for industrial insulation in North America.

The market witnessed a severe downfall in the investments in the industrial sector owing to the pandemic, thereby impacting the market. In addition, dramatic fall in crude oil prices led to a drop in fiscal resources for oil-producing countries, which affected the product demand from oil & gas sector.

The market in the U.S. is expected to witness increased demand for insulation for industrial applications, such as, machinery, boilers, pipes, and storage tanks, and in linings of heat exchangers, cooling towers, and ventilation & air conditioning systems, among others. The demand outlook for the U.S. is favorable, with private investments in the industrial sector reaching the highest levels in 2018. The industrial sector is predicted to witness significant expansion owing to the rising GDP.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Industrial Insulation Market

Industrial Insulation Market Highlights

• Stone wool accounted for the largest market share of 21.6% in 2022, owing to its high-temperature tolerance, flame resistance, and its ability to offer thermal and acoustic insulation

• Pipe insulation led the market and accounted for about 47.76% share of the revenue in 2022. The market is projected to witness notable demand, expanding at a CAGR 5.5% from 2023 to 2030, due to its superior performance and ability to stabilize the process temperatures.

• Power generation industry is expected to witness a heightened demand for these products, owing to its ability to minimize power losses. Growing concerns regarding the energy management among the power generation industry across the globe is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.

Browse through Grand View Research's Advanced Interior Materials Industry Research Reports.

• The global air deflector market size was estimated at USD 11.51 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2024 to 2030. 

• The global district heating market size was valued at USD 190.5 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2024 to 2030. 

Industrial Insulation Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global industrial insulation market based on material, product, application and region:

Industrial Insulation Material Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2018 - 2030)

• Stone Wool

• Elastomeric Foam

• Micro Silica

• Glass Wool

• Composites

• CMS Fibers

• Calcium Silicate

• Cellular Glass

• Foamed Plastic

• Perlite

• Aerogel

• Cellulose

• Others

Industrial Insulation Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2018 - 2030)

• Pipe

• Board

• Blanket

• Others

Industrial Insulation Application Type Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2018 - 2030)

• Power Generation

• Petrochemical & Refineries

• EIP Industries

• LNG/LPG

• Others

Industrial Insulation Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue; USD Billion; 2018 - 2030)

• North America

o U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico

• Europe

o Germany

o U.K.

o France

o Poland

o Spain

o Italy

o Benelux

o Nordic

o CIS

• Asia Pacific

o China

o India

o Japan

o South Korea

o Indonesia

o Malaysia

o Thailand

o Vietnam

• Central & South America

o Brazil

o Argentina

o Colombia

• Middle East & Africa

o GCC

o Turkey

Order a free sample PDF of the Industrial Insulation Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[andrewhunt1155]

The Wildlife and Natural Beauty of Gilroy, California.

Nestled in the southern part of Santa Clara County, Gilroy, California, is a gem often overshadowed by the bustling tech-centric cities of Silicon Valley. Known primarily for its annual Garlic Festival, Gilroy offers far more than its famous aromatic bulb. It is a haven for nature enthusiasts, boasting a rich tapestry of wildlife and stunning natural landscapes that enchant visitors and locals alike. From sprawling parks and lush hiking trails to diverse ecosystems teeming with wildlife, Gilroy, California is a sanctuary of natural beauty waiting to be explored.

A Tapestry of Diverse Ecosystems

Gilroy's unique geographical position at the southern edge of the Santa Clara Valley, bordered by the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Diablo Range to the east, creates a variety of ecosystems. This diversity supports an array of flora and fauna, making Gilroy an ecological treasure.

One of the most prominent natural attractions is the Henry W. Coe State Park. As the largest state park in northern California, it spans over 87,000 acres of wild, rugged terrain. The park's diverse ecosystems range from oak woodlands and chaparral to riparian habitats along its creeks. Hikers and nature lovers can explore its extensive network of trails, encountering a multitude of wildlife, including black-tailed deer, wild turkeys, bobcats, and even the elusive mountain lion. Bird watchers can delight in spotting golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and a variety of songbirds.

Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park

Another jewel in Gilroy's crown is the Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. This expansive park offers over 6,695 acres of rolling hills, oak savannas, and a picturesque lake. The park is a favorite destination for camping, fishing, boating, and horseback riding. The lake itself is home to various fish species such as bass, bluegill, and catfish, attracting anglers year-round.

The park's trails are frequented by hikers and mountain bikers who can experience the tranquility of the area while possibly encountering wildlife like wild boars, coyotes, and numerous bird species. The park's diverse habitats support a healthy population of amphibians and reptiles, including the California newt and western fence lizard.

Uvas Canyon County Park

Uvas Canyon County Park, located on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, is renowned for its lush, forested environment and stunning waterfalls. The park's cool, shaded trails are particularly inviting during the hot summer months. The cascading waterfalls, such as Upper Falls and Basin Falls, are the highlights of the park, providing serene spots for reflection and photography.

The park's creekside habitats support a variety of wildlife, including raccoons, skunks, and gray foxes. The rich plant life, from ferns and mosses to towering redwoods and sycamores, creates a verdant haven that is a stark contrast to the dry chaparral found in other parts of Gilroy.

The Agricultural Landscape

Beyond its parks and wild spaces, Gilroy's agricultural heritage also contributes to its natural beauty. The fertile soil and Mediterranean climate make it an ideal location for farming. Garlic fields, vineyards, and orchards form a picturesque patchwork across the landscape. The sight of blooming garlic fields in the summer or grapevines heavy with fruit in the fall adds a rustic charm to the region.

Local farms often open their doors to visitors, offering farm tours, wine tastings, and U-pick fruit opportunities. This agricultural interaction not only enhances the appreciation of the land but also underscores the symbiotic relationship between nature and community in Gilroy.

Preservation and Conservation Efforts

The natural beauty of Gilroy is not just a result of its favorable geography; it is also the product of concerted preservation and conservation efforts. Organizations such as the Open Space Authority and local government initiatives have been instrumental in protecting the area's natural habitats from overdevelopment. These efforts ensure that future generations can enjoy the same pristine landscapes and rich biodiversity that current residents and visitors do.

Educational programs and community outreach are also vital components of these conservation efforts. Local schools and community groups often participate in wildlife preservation projects, habitat restoration activities, and environmental education programs. These initiatives foster a sense of stewardship and responsibility towards the environment among the younger generation.

Conclusion

Gilroy, California, is much more than the "Garlic Capital of the World." It is a testament to the natural beauty and ecological diversity that thrive in the heart of the Silicon Valley region. From the expansive trails of Henry W. Coe State Park and the serene waters of Coyote Lake to the cascading waterfalls of Uvas Canyon, Gilroy's landscapes offer endless opportunities for exploration and appreciation of the natural world.

The city's commitment to preserving its natural habitats ensures that Gilroy remains a sanctuary for wildlife and a haven for those seeking respite from the urban hustle. Whether you're a seasoned hiker, a passionate bird watcher, or simply someone who enjoys the tranquility of nature, Gilroy's wildlife and natural beauty provide a rich, immersive experience that celebrates the splendor of the great outdoors.

[ikura-wa-ikura]

Disney day!

We got to Disney a little after open and wow it was packed! Absolute madness. Japanese at Disney go hard!! Everyone was decked out in full gear, buying so much shit. We’re talking hats, shirts, toys, pins, towels. People dropped cash 🤑🤑 so naturally we had to as well. We purchased our first hats of the day, me- dark blue velvet ears, Thomas- a Baymax plushy head. Excellent choices. Tokyo Disney had a great app that shows ride waits in real time. You can also book shows, restaurant reservations and more on there.

The park is centered around a giant lake which the different sections branching off of that. A massive volcano sits atop the lake which goes off intermittently. The park is broken into an Italian section, the American waterfront, the little mermaids grotto, Agrabah, and the volcano area which also houses 20,000 leagues under the sea in it so has a cool old steampunk look to it.

Instead of doing an all day fast pass you can now pay individually for specific rides. The priority pass would range from $6-$13 depending on the ride. We didn’t mind paying bc entry into the park was only $54, wayyyy cheaper than American so a few more bucks to cut the line wasn’t a big deal. I heard lines can get crazy long so we jumped on that and booked a priority pass for Toy Story. While we waited for it to start, we explored the Venetian side of the park. It was gorgeous, truly made you feel like you are in Italy. We took a gondola ride and now I’ve ridden a gondola in Las Vegas and Japan lol! Disney is fun because vendors sell items or food that are only at that stand. So if you see something, buy it! Which we did with all the food we saw. Everything was seriously top notch. We kept seeing people eating popcorn out of speciality buckets- a Pooh Bear honey pot, a monsters inc one. And hella lines for the popcorn. Turns out they all sell different flavors of popcorn and sell different novelty buckets. We did pass on this, too much other food to snack on. We headed to the American waterfront where Toy Story is housed and cut the line with our priority pass. You are instantly transported to Andy’s room, where everything is gigantic. The ride is a 3D shooting ride where you compete against your partner to hit the most targets on the room. Thomas smoked me.

Next up was Tower of Terror which Thomas was not thrilled for but I was stoked! Again we got a priority pass and cut the line (so worth it) and it was a thrill. The waiting areas for all these rides are so detailed and done up. Really adds to the experience.

Next we wandered over to the volcano area and explored the fortress that was there. Lots of nooks and crannies with different things hidden inside of them. Thomas ate his first turkey leg! The cannons were pop guns where you pulled a cord to fire and smoke came out. Then we went over to do the Journey to the Center of the Earth ride. This area was amazing! All steam punk and brass. We ate an incredible long gyoza dumpling and the ride was super fun.

They had a shop full of Baymax stuff. Next we cross over to 10k leagues under the sea. You ride on a “submarine” and it was neat. After we walked over through the Mermaid side of the park which honestly might have been my favorite. It was for little kids but the most intricate and beautiful. There were so many little details to look at and take in. After that we wandered to Discovery Park which is a futuristic science park. We got shrunk down to Nemo’s size in a fish boat and then also rode a bumper boat trip of ride that was very fun.

After we had a tasty sushi roll with chicken and shrimp and took the train back to American Bay and had lunch at Sakura. It was a traditional Japanese box with fish and rice and cold udon. After we went over to the giant cruise ship which had a Teddy Roosevelt bar. I (Thomas) stayed there and had a few drinks in the wood paneled bar while Meag went and watched a show. The show was the midday parade, but at this park it’s done on boats on the big lake. Very funny to hear Japanese Minnie and Mickey. Then we met up and rode a little roller coaster ride. It had a loop! I’ve never been upside down.

After that we got tiny alien dumplings and queued up as single riders for Indiana Jones ride which was also amazing. We wandered back to the main area after that for a little snack and to watch the light show. Meag got spaghetti and meatballs and the light show was great. They come out on so many boats. A lot of the signing was Japanese and they circled an enormous light tower. They even projected things onto the volcano! It was great. When that finished we heard they cancelled the firework show 😭so we headed home tired and happy.

It was such a cool cool day. Very happy we checked it out!