#demolished in 2007

[deadmotelsusa]

Happy February from the Pocono Gardens Lodge, America's Most Beautiful Resort Estate 💘

[grusik]

Abandoned Chin Tiki Restaurant-Detroit ( featured in the movie 8 Mile ) This restaurant was featured in the movie by Eminem "8 Mile" even though it had previously been closed for over a decade. Construction began in 1965 and the restaurant opened in 1967. It was a favorite of celebrities such as Muhammad Ali and Joe Dimaggio during it's heyday. It was designed without any windows. This Polynesian Princess closed in 1980. by DetroitDerek Photography ( ALL RIGHTS RESERVED )

[dozydawn]

“A Palestinian girl sits near a destroyed house demolished during an Israeli military operation yesterday. Seven Palestinians were killed and 16 were wounded when Israeli tanks and bulldozers, backed by attack aircrafts, entered the east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza.”

Photographed by Ismael Mohamed.

28 December 2007.

[vintagelasvegas]

Club Bingo and Sahara Hotel & Casino

Club Bingo became the Sahara. Photos c. 1948 and 1952.

Club Bingo, predecessor of Sahara ('47-'52)

‘46: M.D. Close builds a restaurant on this site; sold a year later to Prewin Inc (Milton Prell, Al Winter).

‘47: Club Bingo opens 7/24/47. Prell, Winter & partners, owners. Wurdeman & Becket, architects. Signs by YESCO.

‘48: Bonanza Room opens in May, signs added.

‘49: New sign by YESCO and Aloysius McDonald.

‘52: Club Bingo closed in May. Club Bingo’s main building incorporated into the Sahara as the coffee shop. Casino items sold to the public in June.

Sahara Hotel & Casino ('52-)

‘52: Sahara opened 10/7/52. Prell, Winter & partners, owners. Max Meltzman, architect. Built by Del Webb Corp. Approx. 240 rooms.

‘55: 200-room, low-rise expansion on the south side of the resort.

‘60: 14-story, 200-room Tunis Tower addition opened in May. (600 rm total.) M. Stern Jr, architect. Built by Del Webb Corp. Tunis tower said to be Nevada’s tallest building. 127-ft sign by YESCO added in Fall.

‘61: Sahara, The Mint, and Lucky Strike Club sold to Del Webb Corp, under new subsidiary, Sahara-Nevada Corp. First public company to own casinos.

‘62: New main lobby, casino expansion, House of Lords steakhouse addition.

‘63: 24-floor Alexandria Tower addition. M. Stern Jr, architect. Don the Beachcomber addition.

‘68: Convention Center addition.

‘78: 26-floor Tangiers Tower addition. M. Stern Jr, architect.

‘80: Second sign, by YESCO

‘82: Sahara sold to Paul Lowden.

‘88: Parking garage, “T” extension of Tangiers Tower.

‘95: Sold to Gordon Gaming.

‘96: Beginning of a renovation and rebuild project that lasted through 2000. Last of the ‘50s-era low rise rooms demolished in 3/96, replaced with new porte-cochere and parking garage; New sign with two camels with matching signage on the Paradise Rd entrance all by Jack M. Larsen Jr. & Mikhon Lighting and sign (‘97); Speedworld addition (‘97); Speed-The Ride roller coaster addition (2000).

2007: Sold to SBE Ent & Stockbridge.

2011: Sahara closed.

2014: Reopened as SLS Hotel. Tunis, Alexandria, and Tangiers towers renamed Sam, Society, and Citizen. Society tower becomes W Hotel 2017-2018.

2018: Sold to Meruelo Group.

2019: renamed Sahara.

Photos of Club Bingo / Photos of Sahara

Club Bingo & Sahara photos both likely by Las Vegas News Bureau. ‘41 and ‘51 Cadillac in the Sahara photo. First Sahara photo from the Manis Collection, UNLV Special Collections. Photo below is a scan from a commercial 35mm slide, Vintage Las Vegas collection.

Sources include: Becket Architectural Drawings and Photographs, Getty Research Institute; Close Property on Highway 91 Sold for Club. Review-Journal, 5/2/47 p3; Strip Values. Review-Journal, 8/9/55 p3; Modern Room Design. Review-Journal, 5/26/60; Skybound at Sahara. Review-Journal, 9/15/60; Associated Press. Sahara’s Merger Plan Gains Okay. Review-Journal, 7/19/61; Jude Wanniski. Yanks Boss Vetoes Vegas Named Tie-In. Review-Journal, 7/21/61.

[manessha545]

Queenstown Jama Masjid, Georgetown, Guyana: The Queenstown Mosque or Queenstown Jama Mosque is a mosque in Georgetown, Guyana.The mosque was originally established in 1895 by the local Afghan community. Since then, the mosque has been rebuilt three times, with the second latest building was demolished on 10 February 2007 to make way for the construction of the new mosque building. The mosque has a capacity of 1,000 worshippers. The mosque is a three-story building and has a length of 36.5 meters and width of 24.5 meters. It consists of two minarets. Wikipedia

[girlactionfigure]

onthisdayinjewishistory

In August, 2005, the Israeli army forcibly removed 8,600 Jewish residents of Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip from their homes after a decision from the Israeli Cabinet to do so in the name of “peace”.   The Jewish communities were demolished as part of Israel’s unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip. By 2006, H*mas forcibly took over Gaza, turning it into a terrorist den that has only worsened quality of life for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. Starting in 2007, rockets began raining down regularly on Israel, launched primarily by H*mas. In 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2021, Israel carried out extensive military operations to counter the different terror groups in Gaza. On October 7, 2023, Israel received the harshest reminder yet of the danger in exchanging this small piece of land for “peace” when thousands of Palestinians led by H*mas terrorists invaded Israel from Gaza - m*rdering over 1300 people, kidnapping 200+, r*ping others and laying waste to the kibbutzim and the Nova festival on the Gaza border. As of this post, 109 hostages remain in Gaza. In 2004, then PM Ariel Sharon promoted a plan to withdraw from Gaza, claiming that the “the purpose of the plan is to lead to a better security, political, economic and demographic reality”.  Protestors took to the streets weekly to voice their vehement opposition and support of the plan. In a show of national division, citizens wore colors to show their stance, blue in support of the disengagement and orange in opposition. The decision to evict the Jewish residents of Gush Katif was one of the most challenging periods in Israeli history. Israeli soldiers were ordered to remove their fellow citizens from their homes and communities. The decision was made in the hopes that by pulling out the residents of Gush Katif, Israel would be safer. In retrospect, Israel’s evacuation has only made Israel less safe. 19 years later this decision is referenced regularly in Israel when talking about giving land away and Jews living in disputed territories - today, amidst the ongoing war, more than ever before.

[mediawhatwiveswatch]

The Wives Watch: Supernatural S2 E11-E13

Passing the halfway point! Things are heating up at the Winchesters!

E11 - Stop demolishing pretty buildings

The house is so pretty who cares about the ghosts

Haunted dolls!!

Everytime the boys talk emotions we gotta break the meme back out

Brits insulted, scooby doo mentioned, voodoo spotted, hotel trivago

So like everyone assumes their dating? It's like 2007 were people this chill about sharing beds?

"You look the type" - Gay or Antiquers? Basically the same thing. ('but antiquing is so fun!' 'we aren't breaking the stereotype')

Very pretty dress nailed to the wall. Thats not how decor works

Butler: "All my family has lived here and I'm very sad that I might have to leave" Dean: "I wonder who would want to do hoodoo to keep this place open"

Homophobe Dean vs Ally Sam. Who will win

The truest of sibling behaviour: Making up lies to embarrass your little bro

Who puts their grandma in the attic?? That is asking for evil spirits

On the ghost's side again, demolishing pretty house should be a crime

Every so often they swap Dean and Sam's opinions on whether dad is a dick. This time dean gets to right

Sam sleeping on his front is the most evil thing he's done

Do people not like hearing old people tell stories? It's fun!

"I've never had a home" DEAN STOP TRAUMADUMPING TO THE MAYBE EVIL BUTLER

We went from secret evil twin to secret evil fake sibling

If we had a nickel for every time there was a haunted evil car on this show we'd have two nickels. That's one each

You don't get to call the boys insane after witnessing the most stereotypical haunting ever

Maggie is a Little Freak (derogatory)

This pool is so pretty!!!

This house is really well built?? Very strong glass??

None of these morons know to do CPR on a newly drowned girl

Good to know this little girl can dress normally when not being haunted by her evil great aunt who just murdered attic grandma

E12 - Mandroids Play Among Us

Do we fear the FBI more than the demons? Yes

Dean says ACABATJ (All Cops Are Bad At Their Jobs)

Ronnie boy knows whats up

Cybermen!! Doctor Who Reference!!

MANDROIDS?? Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis are playing copyright games

Poor Ronnie getting his dreams crushed

Sam too good at being a cop. He was made for this. Pre Law babyy

"I like him, he says okie dokie"

This hostage is a snitch. Let the guy keep his knife

Locked in a safe with a girl who's got a crush on your brother is Sam's idea of Hell

Free Goop! Yum!

The boys once again run into amateur hunters and teaching them basics

The cops continue to be useless <3

Rip to Ronnie. He was built different

ඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞඞ

Honestly feel bad for the Winchester assigned FBI agent. Must be a hard life

NGL telling the hostage takers that you don't wanna be released and will just vibe in the vault is a powermove even if its because your a shapeshifting murderer

Its even more of a powermove when you aren't a shapeshifting murderer!!

Mr FBI agent giving FHJY Agent Clark Energy

NGL telling the hostage takers that you don't wanna be released and will just vibe in the vault is a powermove even if its because your a shapeshifting murderer

Its even more of a powermove when you aren't a shapreshifting murderer!!

Mr FBI agent giving FHJY Agent Clark Energy. He's on the hunt for the most elusive german shepard and will never win

Sam and Dean said "Free disguises!"

E13 - Priests Fail To Understand Theology

Spent most of the time trying to guess if this is a Protestant thing or if they're just wrong

The Whole Episode:

Televangelism is scary and we're right for saying it

Sam you are not a medical professional PLEASE STOP GIVING THERAPY

ANGEL EPISODE?? IS IT TIME???

The brothers can't get mad at being considered gay when their booking rooms together at sex hotels. You can afford separate rooms please!

Insane bed. Are those real??

Can you have demons without angels? Does Dean consider demons non-religious?

Love finding some fingernails in the walls. A great thing to happen in a murdered guys cellar

Supernatural implying that demons are front line workers and angels are line managers

Good Omens crossover continues

Is the B plot going to be about the sex bed??

Hacker man Sam

All these guys went to church? How shocking!

In todays episode we learn about being innocent until proven guilty

Hard turn into religion from Closet Christian Sam!

They have implied that Spongebob is holy

Dean really said only one person gets to murder strangers

This priest didn't study. You ain't holy you just got shot. Men don't become angels, they get sainted, which you didn't

B Plot (C Plot?) of Dean getting to do a car chase!

Creep got final destinationed. Good.

In todays episode we learn about being innocent until proven guilty

Hard turn into religion from Closet Christian Sam!

They have implied that Spongebob is holy

Dean really said only one person gets to murder strangers

This priest didn't study. You ain't holy you just got shot. Men don't become angels, they get sainted, which you didn't

B Plot (C Plot?) of Dean getting to do a car chase!

Creep got final destinationed. Good.

{{11% through}}

Spent way too long making that among meme. Paint crashed and had to redo it all. Deserves more respect

Looking forward to the boys getting FBI'd again soon

[groundrunner100]

Peak Character Design: Transformers: Decepticon Edition

Megatron - Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Starscream - Transformers: Armada

Galvatron - Transformers: Armada

Soundwave - Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Slipstream - Transformers: Animated

Shockwave - Transformers: Prime

Lugnut - Transformers: Animated

Thrust - Transformers: War For Cybertron: Earthrise (Netflix)

Astrotrain - Transformers: Cyberverse

Barricade - Transformers 2007

Demolisher - Transformers: Armada

Brawl - Transformers 2007

Blackarachnia - Transformers: Animated

Scrapper - Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Swindle - Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron

Mixmaster - Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Switchblade - Transformers: Universe

Sky-Byte - Transformers: Animated

Scavenger - Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Thunderhoof - Transformers: Robots In Disguise 2015

Long Haul - Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Motormaster - Transformers: Robots In Disguise 2015

Devastator - Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Menasor - Transformers: Robots In Disguise 2015

Bruticus - Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron

[germanpostwarmodern]

Ulrich Müther (1934-2007), structural engineer and entrepreneur, created some of the former GDR’s most striking buildings, immediately recognizable due to their characteristic hyperbolic paraboloid roof construction. But despite Müther’s significance many of his buildings have been demolished or fallen into neglect. A turning point in this development was the demolition of the restaurant „Ahornblatt“ in Berlin’s Mitte district in 2000: ignoring the heritage status of the building this significant Müther structure was demolished by ruthless developers. This incident led to ample criticism and authorities subsequently were better aware of the historic meaning of Müther buildings. Tanja Seeböck’s monograph „Schwünge in Beton - Die Schalenbauten von Ulrich Müther“, published in 2016 by Thomas Helms Verlag, is the first in-depth scientific monograph on Müther and offers an all-encompassing account of the engineer’s life and work. After an introduction to the principles of shell constructions Seeböck examines the particularities and principles of Müther as well as the somewhat difficult relation between architect and engineer in the former GDR. But it is two chapters of the book that stand out as especially important: the extensive reception history of the engineer’s constructions and the detailed work catalogue (the first of its kind) in the back of the book. These two parts are of particular importance for the future protection of Müther buildings because they demonstrate the importance of his designs within the built heritage of the former GDR and at the same time remind us of the significant number of buildings already gone. Above all it should also be noted that the monograph is extensively illustrated, very well-written and therefore far from being a dry scientific publication. Chapeau!

[bengiyo]

Comfort Films Tag

Rules: List 7 of your comfort movies, then tag 7 people.

Tagged by @callipigio

1 - Shelter (2007)

I often joke around here about how I’ve been watching queer cinema for over half of my life at this point, and it’s easy to recommend this film. This is a coming of age film about a guy who gave up art school to become the primary breadwinner and caregiver for his family. However, when the older brother of his best friend returns to their town to collect himself, our artist and he reconnect and find something special between them. Great use of a young actor in this shores up the caregiving aspects.

I’m probably going to rewatch it now. Because it was produced by Here! TV, you can only legally watch it via a subscription to their platform. I own it on DVD because I fell in love with it and knew I needed to keep it forever.

2 - Big Eden (2000)

Big Eden. Oh, Big Eden. This is the film equivalent of a warm blanket and a tight hug. It’s about an artist named Henry Hart, who is preparing for a big exhibition in New York when he’s called back home to Montana because his uncle has had a stroke. We are greatest with the most queer-friendly town to ever exist as Henry manages his old angst about his straight best friend as the local general store owner also secretly pursues him. It’s absolutely lovely.

3 - The Blues Brothers (1980)

Luna has great taste, because this is one of the best films ever made. What was originally just an SNL bit turns into a fun road film about getting the band back together so that two brothers can raise enough money to pay the back taxes owed by the orphanage they grew up in. We also run over Illinois nazis in this movie and demolish dozens of cop cars. Cab Calloway, James Brown, Carrie Fisher, Chaka Khan, Paul Reubens, and Aretha Franklin are in it. John Candy orders orange whips. This is the kind of film I would watch with my dad any time it was on.

4 - Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

This is one of the most man movies ever made. I don’t know any woman who wants to sit down and watch this film, but me and boys will spend an entire afternoon on this film in a heartbeat. The sexual tension between Russell Crowe’s and Paul Bettany’s characters goes unremarked on this website in a way that lets you know for sure this hellsite is dominated by femmes, because those two have definitely fucked. At least twice. It’s 1805 and oceans have become battlefields!

5 - Clue (1985)

A movie based on the board game of the same name should not have been this good, but it instead goes on to become a camp masterpiece. Many people will end up remembering Tim Curry for Rocky Horror or even Muppet Treasure Island, but this is still one of his favorite performances for me. This film is batshit and I love it. 

6 - Camp (2003)

Speaking of camp films, let’s talk about one of the best of all time. I know we often talk about the bad singing in Thai BL, but I unironically love all of the musical theater in this film. I regularly listen to this soundtrack, and have been for over 15 years. It’s a film about a bunch of weird theater kids who get to escape the bullying and hellishness of their lives for a few weeks during the summer, where they get to put on a bunch of classic plays. It’s so camp. I love this film because it was difficult for me to find queer films that had happy components with them, and this little movie has a wide array of queer kids in it.

7 - Make The Yuletide Gay (2009)

This was the first queer film I ever watched that had a happy ending that was also a comedy. Prior to this, I think I had watched Beautiful Thing (1996), Edge of Seventeen (1998), Get Real (1998), and Bent (1997). Most of those films ended resolved or sad. Yuletide is a silly little gay film of almost nonstop innuendo about a guy who goes back into the closet when he returns home for Christmas, but hijinks ensue when his boyfriend shows up unexpectedly. It’s an annual watch for me around the holidays, and I usually host people for it. 

Also, Adamo Ruggiero is in it! He played Marco on Degrassi: The Next Generation.

This was fun! I think most folks have been tagged that I know, but I’ll tag @warningtothecurious​. If anyone else does this, please tag me back if you do this! I want to know what films you all return to.

[deadmotelsusa]

Reno, Nevada's Adventure Inn (pictured in 2007 and 2024) closed in 2008 and was demolished in 2012. They offered themed rooms, suites and super-suites that included personal tubs, pools, fireplaces and plush heart-shaped or round beds. Pictured are two of the most popular: the bridal and honeymoon suites.

[shyphonics]

Salad Days, Chapter 6: Just You and Me, Punk Rock Girl

(Rodrick Heffley x reader)

chapter directory here

Light sex warning for the beginning- 18+ plz

This chapter took me a while - I wrote the beginning the same night I wrote the first and second chapters. Then I realized I think I'm more comfortable writing horrific and sad moments than sweet moments and I kinda froze trying to fill the plot in around it lol.

Thank you so much to everyone reading this!!! The fact that it's actually getting notes makes me really, really happy :)

Also this chapter's run of songs contains a secret song in the spotify playlist oooooh

Oh my mama mama mo-my-mum

Have you kept an eye, an eye on your son?

I know you've got problems, you're not the only one

Since your sugar left, left you on the run

The gas cans felt good in his hands. Heavy. Smooth plastic snug in his fingers. His grip was tight. He reveled in the sound of the liquid sloshing around. The unmistakable smell.

Everybody fucking hated him. Every second of every day, he felt like his brain was on fire. A full body burn begging him to get out.

Get out now.

It's not like anyone was inside. The old library had been gutted weeks ago. They were supposed to demolish it next week. If he really thought about it… he was doing them a favor.

Yeah. So do it. Who gives a fuck.

He busted a window and stuck his leg inside, stepping into the decayed, old building. It smelled like dust. It smelled like school.

Stupid Frank and Susan.

Stupid Heather Hills.

Stupid Rodrick. Going nowhere, doing nothing, being nothing. Stupid.

The smell was strong, but he liked it.

He grinned, he nearly hyperventilated as he doused as much as he could.

Dizzy in his head, laughing maniacally

Breathing in fumes, killing brain cells.

What did it matter.

He shook the last drops out of the second can and tossed it across the room.

He struck a match. Let it burn out.

Struck another. Toss.

The fire erupted.

He stood there to watch it for a second, and ducked back out the window.

He knew he wouldn't have much time to admire his work, so he started running.

Deep into the woods.

He stopped and saw a ball of flames rise in the distance. The ground rumbled. His eyes went wide. He ran all the way home.

Nobody even knew he was gone. He'd left music playing in his room so it'd sound like he never left.

He watched the living room from the top of the stairs. A news report was on.

The library was directly on top of an open gas line. No fucking kidding.

Half the street went up in flames.

It's not like there was much on that street anyway, besides a strip mall with one or two active tenants. Closed for the night. No injuries reported.

His mom was crying. His dad was in shock. Greg and Manny were already asleep.

How could something like this happen? his mom whispered.

They're saying it was just some freak accident. They can't put it out. It's going to burn straight down to the foundation. Frank, incredulous.

Rodrick was silent.

~

Words to memorize

Words hypnotize

Words make my mouth exercise

Words all fail the magic prize

Nothing I can say when I'm in your thighs

“Hey,” a cool hand on his face, “where are you? Are you okay?”

He’s sent flying back to reality suddenly, looking up into your eyes. He looks frazzled. He’s not sure where that came from. All he knows is that he can never tell you.

“I'm fine,” he breathes, his hands moving to your hips, squeezing. Like he’s making sure you’re real.

How could he not be fine? The realization of what's going on hits him like a brick and he squeezes you harder.

He looks up at you like you're a goddess. Hips perfectly situated on his, eyes glinting in the low light of your bedroom. Every subtle movement you make sends a twitch through his body. Breath hitching through plush pink lips, mouth agape.

“I'm fucking amazing,” he sighs.

“Okay, good. Thought I lost you for a second.” you smile, placing a hand on his chest. His heart is racing.

You move your hips, just a little, testing the water.

He throws his head back and huffs, moving with you. He always figured that this- all of this- would be good, but he never dreamed it would be this good. It must be something special about you, he thinks.

You keep smiling down at him.

“If you wanna pick it up a little bit, go ahead,”

“P-pick it up?”

You raise yourself up off him a little, and then send yourself back down. He shudders, a grin spreading across his face. You keep it up, laughing softly, slowly bouncing up and down, skin slapping skin. Obscene, wet sounds. A groan comes from deep within his throat. He's thrusting up to meet you, knuckles white on your hips.

You haven’t had an impressive amount of sex in your life, but you’ve certainly had some experiences. Nothing has ever been like this. Rodrick is looking at you- not your body- he’s looking into your eyes. His eye contact has a sense of pleading, his lips are trembling. You lean down to kiss him. It’s tender. It’s intimate. You’d figured he’d be quick and chaotic. Experienced, maybe, but not learned.

Everything just feels so good.

His hands are gentle on your back, rubbing up around your shoulder blades. You feel his hips roll, and it sends waves of heat through your body. You keep a slow and passionate pace together, it feels like your bodies are perfectly in tune with each other.

“I can't believe that you… I…” Rodrick breathes, his brain turned to mush.

“I know,” a sharp breath leaves you as he hits a certain spot.

You speed up, both of you seeming to know what you need. Your bodies glisten with sweat, and you throw your head back, hands anchored to his shoulders. His hands move up to your chest, gently squeezing, then ghosting down your ribcage. His hands- so large, so strong. They’re slightly weathered, calloused from his drumsticks, and they’re so warm. His bony hips poke into your thighs with every thrust. You can just feel him. All of him.

Then you feel him twitch inside of you.

“I think I…” Rodrick gasps.

You look down at him, your eyes warm, reassuring him. You feel close too, still warmed up from earlier. He ruts up into you, flushed and panting. You feel yourself squeeze around him, your vision blurring slightly, as a rush of tingles runs through your whole body, and that seems to send him over the edge. He stops suddenly, breathing heavily, holding your hip down onto his, the other cupping your face. His eyes squeeze shut, then open wide, and roll back into his head.

You both sit and recover for a second, gasping for air, looking at each other. You roll off of him, and lay next to him, exhausted. He reaches out desperately to grab your thigh, as you turn to your side and throw your arm over his chest. You reach up and feel his cheek. His skin is hot, and slightly stubbled.

“I’m glad I didn’t wait.”

“You were gonna wait?” He pants.

“I don’t usually do that. That fast. But now I know.”

“Know what?” He turns his head to look at you, eyes tired.

“That I really, definitely like you.”

He laughs, pulling you closer to his chest and kissing the top of your head.

“I really, definitely like you too.”

You wriggle the comforter out from underneath you, and throw it over the both of you. It doesn’t take long for you to drift off, hands on each other, legs tangled.

For the first time in a long time, Rodrick dreams of absolutely nothing.

~

I've been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand

Could these sensations make me feel the pleasures of a normal man?

Lose sensations, spare the insults, save them for another day

I've got the spirit, lose the feeling, take the shock away

~

Rodrick wakes up before you, lifting his head in confusion at his unfamiliar surroundings. Until he feels your arm draped over him, and remembers where he is. It’s still early, and you’re dead asleep. He smiles, pulling you closer to him. He gazes over your face, lit up in the early morning light. You stir, coming to rest your head on his bare chest, and he’s so happy he could cry.

“Go back to sleep,” you mumble.

He does.

You wake once the sun is all the way up, blinking at the beams coming in through your window. Rodrick has an iron hold on you, and little snores are coming from him.

You can see your alarm clock from where you are, and it’s a little after 9 AM.

You turn slightly onto your back, and feel Rodrick moving.

“You up?” You look over at him. His eyelids are heavy, and there’s a lazy smile on his face.

“I’m up,” he sighs.

“Glad you didn’t sneak out on me.” You chuckle.

“Why would I do that?” His voice is sleepy, and a little whiny.

“I don’t know. Boys are weird.”

He gives you one last squeeze before he lets you up.

“You wanna shower?” You ask, running a hand through your hair.

The water is warm, and you can finally see Rodrick’s lanky body in all its glory. Steam fills the bathroom, and his face is slightly flushed.

“So, last night,” Rodrick stretches under the stream of water. You find yourself admiring the lightly defined muscles in his back, and fighting the urge to smack his ass. Maybe later.

“What about it?” You smirk, squeezing some body wash onto a washcloth.

“It was… real? Like, it happened, right?” He turns around, eyebrow raised, grinning smugly.

“As far as I'm aware,” you laugh, beginning to scrub yourself.

Rodrick pauses, water running down his shoulders.

“Wow,” he smiles, then his face falters just a little, “and… you enjoyed it?”

You give him a look, wringing out your washcloth. Instead of answering him, you just step forward and kiss him, warm water flowing over you. Your hands travel over his body, slick with water and soap. You pull away.

“Duh.” You smile.

You dry off. Rodrick's wet hair is wild, and he still has a little bit of eyeliner on.

He grabs his clothes from the night before, and you stop him.

“Are you sure about that?”

He freezes, holding his boxers with the tips of his fingers, like a deer in the headlights.

“I can… turn ‘em inside out,”

“Ew. I have clothes you can wear,” you laugh, “boxers make good pajamas, and most bands don't really make women's shirts.”

“Really?”

You toss him a pair of plain, black boxers, then get an idea. You head to your closet, where you keep your band merch.

“Y'know what? I'm returning the favor. You look like a medium.” You root through the box, and toss him a shirt with your band’s logo on the front. He holds it up to himself and smiles. You find your Löded Diper shirt, discarded along with your purse by the front door, and put it on. As you come back, he's pulling the boxers on, and you take your chance.

Smack.

“Hey!” he yelps, turning to face you, blushing just a little.

He sees your shirt, and a giddy grin appears on his face.

You find yourself at the coffee shop across the street, sitting on the little patio. The streets are packed with groups of people, enjoying the spring day. Rodrick mangles a croissant as you sip from a large, white mug. You appreciate the fact that the two of you can sit in a comfortable silence like this. You flip through the local alt paper, The Eye.

“Ooh, there's a Pyramid show tonight, my friend’s band is playing. That'd be a good place to show you. They have an entire wall of pinball machines.”

“Are you friends with all the bands?” Rodrick asks, pouring 4 packets of sugar into his coffee at once.

“Not all of them. But a lot of them. I try to network.” You shrug, reading through the event calendar.

“All the major bars are kind of in one strip, with a few outliers. Then you have your DIYs and house venues.”

Rodrick sips his coffee, makes a face, and adds 2 more sugar packets.

“Do you think we have a chance at any of them?”

“You guys are gonna have good word of mouth after last night,” you nod, “I bet in a week you'll have an offer from Pyramid or Dime Store.”

“Wow,” Rodrick breathes, assuming that must be really good.

“It looked like your guys got along with everyone, too, and Mike likes you. You've got a great start. You might even get to open for a real band once they start coming in the summer.” You smile at him, looking up from the paper.

“We are a real band,” he looks confused.

“Yeah, but, y'know. A touring band. The Casualties are coming back this summer… Circle Jerks usually run through with Descendents once a year, D.R.I. has been on a ‘retirement tour’ for the past few years,” you say, adding air quotes, “your name's on the opener list now. And most of the time, picking someone from that list falls to me… but don't expect any obvious nepotism. I try to match people up by sound.”

Rodrick grins, stars in his eyes.

“Do any bands around here, um,” he pauses, unsure how to word it, “make it?”

“Sometimes,” you lean back, thinking, “it's hard nowadays. There was this super popular indie band last year. They got picked up to be on a movie soundtrack, and they're huge now. That's what sells, these days. I'll let you work out the irony of indie selling.” You smirk.

“So, what? Heavier bands are just shit out of luck?” He takes another sip of his sugary coffee.

“That's how it goes,” you shrug, “you give up most of the hope of being famous to be a real musician. There's a reason that even huge punk bands are still just playing at bars instead of stadiums. It was never marketable. Punk’s not even a genre anymore. To me, it's having the attitude of ‘I’m pissed off, and I'm making it your problem.”

Rodrick laughs, “Okay, I do like that.”

You finish the last of your coffee, and roll up your paper, tucking it in your bag.

“You ready?” You stand up, stretching.

“For what?” he looks at you, draining his mug.

“I'm gonna show you the strip, rookie.”

You smile, holding your hand out, and he takes it.

“The Strike’s back that way, you’ve already seen it. There’s a pretty big gap of old shops and abandoned buildings from here to there.”

You lead him down the street, pointing out bars. Most of them will be closed until the late afternoon.

“There’s Pyramid, there’s Dime store. That one’s cool, the upstairs is a drag bar called Fluorescence, and the downstairs is a dive called Dim Bulb.”

Rodrick laughs, taking in the sights of the street.

“First time I ever came down here, I was with a bunch of friends who were 21, and I was still 19. Dim Bulb is all ages if you put the X’s on your hands, but Fluorescence is strictly 21+. My friends went upstairs. Downstairs was dead that night. They told me to wait in the bar and not go off walking by myself, but…”

“You went off walking by yourself?” Rodrick smirks at you.

“How’d you know?” You chuckle, “Yeah, and I had just gotten these leather pants, and I felt so fucking cool. But I was so stupid. And this gross, old guy stopped me and asked if I was ‘working’, and I said ‘no, fuck off, get away from me’,” you say, your tone nonchalant.

Rodrick raises his eyebrows, his mouth falling open.

“So, he starts chasing me down the street, yelling, ‘I’ll kill you’, and I was yelling back all this bullshit, just totally bluffing,”

You stop in front of a bodega along the street.

“And the guy who owns this place came out and scared the guy off. He’s good people.”

You wave at the man inside, who perks up and waves back.

“That place has everything. 9-volt batteries, first aid stuff, you name it. If you find yourself in a jam, head over there.”

Rodrick looks through the windows as you walk by.

“This whole street is, like… a tiny little town all on its own. Also, I'm glad you didn't get murdered.”

“Yeah,” you sigh out, looking over the strip, feeling proud, “it really is. I love it here. I’m glad I could show you around. And thanks.” You laugh, squeezing his hand.

You keep walking, down towards the point where the bars end and the shops begin. Rodrick walks slowly, swinging his hand with yours. He keeps his head on a swivel, trying to take in all there is to see. Old neon signs, graffiti-covered brick walls, and show fliers absolutely everywhere.

“I think you’re gonna like this place,” you turn to look back at Rodrick, who looks absolutely awestruck.

The bell on the record store door rings, and you're greeted by the familiar woman behind the counter, Jennifer. She’s tall and muscular, with a smoker’s voice, and impeccably curled baby bangs.

Rodrick stops as the door closes behind him. It’s a cozy, dark little room. There are houseplants everywhere, among long boxes of records on high tables. The walls are exposed brick, and light is coming in through two long, skinny windows. An orange cat rests on one of the tables, in a sunbeam. The walls are completely covered in posters, framed records, and old fliers.

“It's you! I have pulls for you,” she looks over thick-rimmed glasses at you, reaching under the counter, then sees your shirt, “what in the hell is that?”

You look down at the bold, white letters on your shirt and laugh.

“Best new band in this town. You really haven't heard of them?” You say, teasingly.

“Diaper…?” she squints, looking at you, bewildered.

“I'm just messing with you, they played their first show last night. This is the drummer, Rodrick,” you gesture to Rodrick. He approaches the counter and sticks out his hand, smiling politely.

Jennifer looks back to your shirt, then at Rodrick.

“Kid, I'll level with you. There are worse names out there.” She barks out a laugh, looking down at her hands, both being used to hold a stack of records.

Rodrick notices, and retracts his hand, laughing nervously.

You kill about an hour in the shop, looking at all the things Jennifer has hidden for you over the week. It was once a very kind thing she did when you were flat broke and new in town, but she kept it up as a tradition, because she said you got it.

Rodrick exhausts each box, looking in amazement at all the different records. 'Dad Rock,' 'Punk Rock,' 'Rockabilly,' 'Psychobilly,' 'Synth Shit for Weirdos.'

The ‘misc.’ box contains a Jane Fonda home workout, a square dancing instructional record, and a full album of canine heartbeats, meant for veterinary students. Rodrick pulls it out and looks at it, reading the cover in confusion.

“See something cool?” You perk up and walk over to him, reading the record.

“Canine Heart Sounds? Is that a band?” You squint. He stays quiet, holding in a laugh.

“‘4-10 acquired murmurs', what the fuck?”

You see the text for ‘Berkeley Medical Veterinary Group’ and let out a cackle, lightly punching Rodrick on the shoulder. He breaks too, putting the record back in the box.

“You totally thought I was all cool and underground for a second.” Rodrick laughs.

You leave the record shop, and you decide to take him to see everything. You try on leather jackets way beyond your means at the biker shop, spiked collars at the goth shop, and hats at the western shop. You point and laugh at each other the whole way, except that some of that leather had looked pretty good on Rodrick… and he might’ve thought the same about you.

By late afternoon, you’re both a little worn out, and you wind up back near where you started, at a tall, yellow building. It’s an ancient pizza joint.

Inside is a massive, wooden staircase, and yellow walls covered in sharpie graffiti. Dumb little messages, from mystery people. From who knows how long ago. It feels like a million little voices yelling at him all at once.

Penelope was here!

Aaron is a cheating douchebag!

George Dubya, suck my dick!

And band names. So many band names.

“Whoa,” Rodrick looks up. It’s even on the ceiling.

You lead him to a large window, with a greyed, wooden frame.

You fish in your purse and find a sharpie, handing it to him.

“When we first started the band, we came here to make it official. I wrote our name, right here, under the window.” You look down, away from him, feeling a little sappy.

Rodrick looks at the smooth, black writing.

The Shrieks

10.15.03

He smiles.

“And, if you’ll notice, there’s an empty space right there next to it…” you say, trying to sound nonchalant.

Rodrick smiles, then crouches down, uncapping the sharpie.

He carefully draws his logo, adding the little horns and tail, with a small safety pin and the date underneath.

He stands up, handing the marker back to you. You look down at your two logos together, then up at your coordinated shirts.

“Yeah. They look great together,” you smile up at him, “now it’s official. Welcome to the scene.”

Rodrick feels a swell in his chest, looking down at your genuine smile. He’s been just a little guarded all day, but… now he gets it. You actually want him around. It’s not a joke. It’s not a trick. You’d wanted his band to be immortalized next to yours on this greasy, strangely beautiful wall.

He catches you off guard, pulling you into a tight hug. You blink once or twice, then wrap your arms around him, smiling against his chest.

“Hey!”

You pull away from each other, and turn to where the voice came from. It’s Ward, in an apron, by the counter.

“I got a job!” He’s grinning.

The two of you walk up to the counter and catch up, refusing to give him any details, no matter how much he wiggles his eyebrows.

~

So we jumped up on the table, and shouted “anarchy!”

And someone played a Beach Boys song on the jukebox

It was “California Dreamin’”

So we started screamin’

“On such a winter’s day!”

~

The two of you sit at your little table, the sun beginning to set outside. You’re laughing at some high school story he’d been telling you- something about how he’d been in love with some girl and ruined her sweet 16.

He pauses, taking a sip out of his glass bottle, beaming.

“God, and she was really into N’Sync, so we spent all this time learning ‘Tearin’ up my Heart’,”

You cackle, slamming your hands on the table, “Oh, god, no!”

“But last minute, I told Ben I wanted to sing, and he could play drums-”

“Can he play drums?”

“Nope!” Rodrick laughs, “And I sang in this high pitched voice- she wanted us in tuxes, but, um, I kinda wasn’t listening when my brother told me that? Also didn’t have the money. But I figured all black was good enough.”

“Did you learn any boy band moves?” You wipe away a stray tear that had escaped your eye.

“I wish. That would’ve been awesome, but, no. We did set off a bunch of pyro, and I jumped off the stage.”

“Pyro?!”

“Ben’s brother is in demolition,” Rodrick laughs, but feels a little pang of anxiety with the words that leave his lips.

You don’t notice his face change, still laughing. Rodrick grins at you, wanting to make the big reveal good.

“This family was loaded, okay? Country club rich. So, the pyro goes off, and it’s chaos. I was, like, dancing around her? And I backed up right into a giant ice sculpture of her head.”

You look at him, in shock, “I’m sorry, what?”

“Yeah, and then she tried to kill me with a mic stand, but ended up knocking over a chocolate fountain, and everyone got absolutely covered in chocolate… and then she hated me forever. Still hates me. That’s the girl from last night, by the way- my ‘girlfriend’?”

“No fucking way,” your eyes go wide. “That’s why you were staring each other down.”

Rodrick gives a satisfied nod, chuckling slightly.

“Well, I guess you learned your lesson: don’t trust the rich. First rule of punk.” You tease.

“Yeah, and if she’d actually liked it, I… I would probably be miserable,” He says, a look of realization on his face. You raise your eyebrows.

“I’d probably be at some fancy event right now wearing, like, a polo or something. Oh, god. I’d probably be working for her dad.” He looks down, eyes wide.

You boo him, giving him a thumbs down.

“I wouldn’t have met you,” He stares at you in surprise.

You smile, leaning towards him, your elbow on the table.

“I’m… so fucking glad all that bullshit back home happened,” He shakes his head, smiling, “Because now I’m here.”

“In a greasy, old pizzeria?” You smirk.

“In a greasy, old pizzeria, with you,”

You laugh, at a loss for words. Something about Rodrick seems to have bloomed today, and you like it. It’s like he finally evened out. You lean closer to him.

“I’m glad I’m here with you too,” You smile.

Your lips almost touch, but the buzzing of your cell phone interrupts you. You groan. It's Mike.

“Hey, what's up?”

“They got us! They fucking got us!”

Rodrick hears Mike screaming through the phone, and feels his heart drop.

“What? Who got us? What are you talking about?” Your heart skips a beat.

“They smashed the window! And wrote all over the walls! It's like Sharon Tate all over again!”

Your jaw drops. He's serious.

“Mike, who?”

You hear the sound of glass crunching down the line, along with Mike's enraged muttering.

“How many people did we kick out last night?” He spits.

You take a second to think.

“A lot. It got crazy.”

“Did we have to put anybody on the list?”

You make eye contact with Rodrick. His eyebrows knit together in worry.

“Yeah, there were a few.”

The List is only to be used in extreme circumstances. Any bar patrons found guilty of irredeemable asshole behavior have their IDs taken, photocopied, and returned as their asses are kicked out the front door. You're not sure how legal it is, but it's very effective.

The guy who had punched Rodrick last night, along with all of his friends, had absolutely made The List.

“I know who it was,” your voice shakes, “I’ll be right over.”

You hang up, pinching the bridge of your nose.

“Did he say someone smashed the window?” Rodrick breathes in disbelief.

“Yeah,” you put your head in your hands, “do you know the name of that guy who punched you?”

“Ugh. Bryan Kent.” Rodrick frowns.

“Do you think he'd do something like that?”

“Yeah.” He says, without hesitation.

“Fuck!” You sigh, “At least we have a name.”

Rodrick looks at you, guilty, like he might cry. You feel a pang of sadness.

“No, no, sorry. Shit. Don’t feel bad, it’s not your fault, I’m just pissed off.” You ramble.

The bar is like your baby. Though you’ve only worked there a year, it means a lot to you. Mike had drunkenly promised to leave it to you several times, and you feel a strong protective urge over it.

“I gotta go,” you grimace, “Should I take you home?”

He nods, looking dejected.

There are two cop cars parked outside Rodrick’s apartment building, and you notice him gripping the door handle tightly.

“Wonder what that’s about?” You murmur.

“Could you take me around the back?” Rodrick’s voice shakes.

You look at him, raising an eyebrow, but circle around back anyway.

 He opens your car door and gets out.

“Hey,” you stop him, “that was really fun. I hate that it ended this way, but… we’ll see each other again, okay? I don’t want this to be a one time thing. I… I really like you.”

“Me either.” He nods. His voice is cold, and his eyes are void of all emotion.

You know something is wrong, but you have bigger problems on your hands right now.

“Okay,” you give him a weak smile.

He grimaces, and shuts the door. You watch him walk through a grimy back entrance, and pull off.

“Rodrick, dude,” Ben looks at him with bug eyes when he walks through the door, “the fucking cops were here!”

Rodrick freezes.

“Did they leave?”

“Yeah, but they were looking for you, man.” His voice is hushed and panicked.

Rodrick checks the window, and the cop cars are gone.

“What did they say?”

“Something about your name being associated with a crime scene?”

Rodrick turns to look at him, “What?”

~

So while you sit back and wonder why

I got this fuckin’ thorn in my side

Oh my god, it’s a mirage

I’m tellin’ y’all, it’s sabotage

~

tag list: @crumpets-are-better-with-jam

[perictione00]

Selfish

Ch 3: No Exceptions

Pairing: Geto Suguru x reader

Warning: Mentions of death and depression

Synopsis: You left the Jujutsu World behind the moment the source of your warmth turned cold. So what happens when you come face to face with that one episode in your life that you wanted to obliterate? Simple, you reap what you sow.

Jujutsu Kaisen Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Ch 2

2006

It was as if everyone avoided the apparent smell of defeat and the void it had exposed. No one knew how to approach it, so it was easier to discard the thought altogether. The death of Riko Amanai had left the Jujutsu world in disarray. It was evident that the broken beliefs in the state of generational heirarchy were too outdated to be followed anymore, but the comfort of familiarity and power weighed more than many lives, and the death of the plasma vessel was just an unfortunate outcome of it. The higher-ups were near omnipotent; through their influence, they could easily force an outcast superhuman with no cursed energy to become an assassin and destroy the strongest so much that they fall apart; maybe the latter was the case with Gojo and Geto.

After the mission, the synergy between the duo was obviously disturbed, if not totally demolished. Something had changed. Gojo had evolved into an even sillier version of himself, and Geto seemed almost lifeless at times. Hence, it was getting harder for you to gather enough courage to talk to Geto. You wanted to be there for him because the Geto you knew would always wear a playful smirk, pass on witty remarks, and help a friend in need. You were not sure if everyone observed it, but you did, so you knocked on his dorm room, saying, "Open up, Romeo, Juliet is here".

"Finally remembered about your long-forgotten lover", he retorted as he opened the door with a smile that looked so fake.

"You don't have to smile if you don't want to", you said, entering his room.

His silence, unkept room, dark circles under his eyes, and weak body answered a lot of questions. You held his hand in yours and sat alongside him on his bed, staring aimlessly at the front wall. Geto was not okay; he looked so far gone, so suffocated, somehow utterly helpless, and you didn't know what to do other than hold onto him. You stayed like that with him for what felt like hours, as you were scared to leave him alone, scared of what he might do. The whole time, he didn't say anything, and you found comfort in his presence alone.

Geto was lost. He was numb. It was tiring, the weight of being on the right side of the spectrum, because at the end of the day, it didn't matter; it would always crumble the moment he realized that even after everything, he would always remain powerless. He didn't like this, not one bit. He wanted to rewind time and make it all go away, but the reality was cruelty. What he had faced painted the ones he was supposed to protect as the villains. He was confused, or maybe he was not. Maybe he was unable to accept the truth or the lies. He desperately wanted to escape this; he wanted to let go and feel something—anything else—that could save him from drowning, and there you were, with him. And before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face; he was unable to breathe. He felt so bare but relieved at the same time. He was not alone, and that was enough.

You didn't leave his side that day or the day after. From that day on, you stayed with him every night as he hugged you to sleep.

2007

"I dunno. Maybe we're just supposed to be soldiers, you know. Sacrificing ourselves for the greater good, I guess", you said while braiding Geto's hair.

"Sounds...unfair. At least soldiers are recognized by society; their contribution is respected, while we just die protecting non-sorcerers from an enemy they created in the first place", he stated bitterly.

"They're ignorant, Suguru,", you replied plainly.

"You are so fucking entitled. Funny, how easy it is for you to say this just because it has not happened to someone you cared for", Geto said sternly.

You pulled him by his braid and asked, "What's with the aggression? When did this friendly, unpopular opinion chat turn so radical?"

He answered with hesitation, "Yuki Tsukumo, umm... she's a special grade and we were talking, you know...and like... she said stuff that made so much sense, but I don't know, it goes against our beliefs". After a long pause, he continued, "Curses exist because of the violent emotions of non-sorcerers, right, now wouldn't it be easier if there were no non-sorcerers at all?"

"Are you serious right now? That's your solution?", you were speechless.

"Or what? Does teaching non-sorcerers about controlling their cursed energy sound plausible to you?", he was pressing on every word.

"Yes, it does, at least it's much better than the option you're proposing", you countered.

"You're delusional", oh that was enough to tick you off.

"Oh yeah? So what's next? You're gonna kill all non-sorcerers right? Why not include your parents too? Last time I checked, they were non-sorcerers too, so why should they have the privilege to live?", the words were out already, and you could not take them back.

"Fuck, Suguru, that's not what I—I'm so sorry, that was out of line and I'm really really sorry. I just don't want you to think like that...I just don't wanna lose you", you said, sounding out of breath.

You didn't expect him to hug you and accept, "Hey, hey, it's okay, you're right, you are absolutely right."

He was right in front of you, devoid of his smile, his compassion, his jolliness, and his life. It was ironic how just the day before, Geto had called you out on your entitlement, and now someone you cared for was taken away from you. The most innocent soul on the campus of Jujutsu Tech had been swallowed up by the monster of human emotions. Your very first friend, who would always make you laugh, who would always look for the best in people, who would never run away from his duty, and who deserved much better than the death he got. On a sunny day in August 2007, Haibara Yu was killed in a mission against a Grade 1 curse.

You could feel your rigid ideals wavering. There was so much anger, so much rage, and so much pain, but there was no way out. Your hands were trembling. This was the reality of the Jujutsu world. There's no solace here, no endgame; you protect nameless, faceless people until you die, which you will, and the conclusion of such a sorrowful life will be just as horrifying. What a joke. You make a bunch of friends here so that you can have a few people show up at your funeral, and that's it. Perhaps Nanami understood that and left when he knew he still had a chance at a normal life. But you stayed, possibly because of your newfound fortitude to face the absolute or pitiful need to become strong and hide the scared little girl inside of you.

However, in the solitude of misery, Geto Suguru found out that his remedy was the very essence that the world was lacking. He was proven right time and time again; it had to be a sign. On September 19, 2007, during a mission, the vicious nature of humanity unfolded in front of his eyes, so he snapped. On September 29th, 2007, in accordance with Article 9 of the Jujutsu Regulations, it was announced that Geto Suguru was to be subjected to execution as a Curse User for killing 112 villagers. Achieving his vision of a world only for sorcerers meant, no privileges, no exceptions. So on the same day, his parents were found dead, with residuals of his curse manipulation technique.

Ch 4

[vintagelasvegas]

KENO-AM station at today's 2780 Las Vegas Blvd S. – c. 1950

The first successful radio station in Las Vegas was KENO, founded by Las Vegas promotions pioneer Maxwell Kelch. KENO went on air 11/1/40, broadcasting from their original studio on the grounds of The Meadows resort. Operations moved in '41 to a new, standalone building adjacent to El Rancho Vegas, to the south of the resort.

Kelch sold the station to a group of employees in '55. The partnership sold the station in '57 to a group headed by Gordon B. Sherwood. The station moved in '60, months prior to a fire that closed El Rancho Vegas. KENO is now the oldest radio station in Las Vegas, broadcasting in Spanish since the 2000s.

2780 Las Vegas Blvd S. timeline.

'41: KENO station built by El Rancho Vegas.

'60: Bought by Bank of Nevada, converted into a bank branch. In later years it is First National Bank.

'69: Warehouse built behind the bank, location used in Vega$ television series in ‘78-‘81.

'81: Geri Rosenthal withdraws cash and jewelry with police escort at the bank branch, fictionalized in the film Casino.

'84: Bank branch closes.

'86: Bought by Arby’s Village LLC.

'87: Former bank and warehouse demolished, replaced by Arby's restaurant.

'88: Guinness World of Records Museum opens in a new building behind Arby's.

2004: SMK Inc. buys the property. Arby's and the museum demolished in the following years.

2007: Current building completed.

Headline photo: Kodachrome, Vintage Las Vegas collection.

Undated. Manis Collection (PH-00100), UNLV Special Collections & Archives.

El Rancho Vegas with a sign for KENO radio. Photo by Frasher Fotos.

The 2007 building, seen from the back parking area.

Sources: Station KENO to go on air early September. Review-Journal, 7/31/40; K.J. Evans. The Original Live Wire. 1st100.com (archived); Henry Brean. Community activist Laura Belle Kelch dies. Review-Journal, 7/13/2004; George Apfel. KENO-AM 1460. gapfel.com (archived).

[socheritage]

One of the two gates of the Republican stadion, (Main gate)

Chisinau, Moldova,

built in 1951-52,

The stadium arena was demolished in 2007.

Architect A. Mnaţacanov

© BACU / 2020 Photo Dumitru RUSU

[archivist-crow]

The Haunted Atlas

Langenhoe Church - Essex, England, United Kingdom

51° 81' 89.43" N / 0° 91' 78.76" E

Haunted church and manor house near Colchester, Essex, England. Peter Underwood investigated the haunting activity over a 12-year period and said the church was the most haunted he had ever come across.

Underwood met the church's rector, Reverend R. A. Merryweather, who arrived at Langenhoe in 1937 and immediately began experiencing poltergeist and haunting phenomena. The first occurrence was a heavy door violently slamming shut by itself. Then, Merryweather's valise mysteriously locked itself and in such a way as to resist efforts to open it. Objects were moved or disappeared. Disembodied voices, especially of a woman, were heard. Once a female voice told the rector, "You are a cruel man." Sometimes the voices sang. The credence bell rang by itself, footsteps, thumps, and strange noises were heard, and an oil lamp burst into flames on its own.

In 1947, Merryweather had his most unusual experience, but not in the church. He paid a call at the manor house, summoned by owner Mrs. Cutting because of unusual phenomena, especially in one bedroom. At the house, he walked into what Underwood called "a tactual phenomenon that is almost unique in the annals of psychical research." When Merryweather entered the active bedroom, he went to the window to admire the view. When he turned, he found himself suddenly embraced by an apparition of a naked young woman. The experience was fleeting. Merryweather described it as "one wild, frantic embrace and she was gone."

In 1949, Merryweather saw the apparition of a young woman inside the church while he was performing Holy Communion. She appeared to be about 30 years of age and was wearing a white or gray dress and flowing headgear that reached to her shoulders. She was about five feet six inches in height and walked with a slight stoop, as though she were sad. At first he thought she was a live person, but she disappeared into a wall.

The same year, Underwood conducted an investigation one night. He scattered "controls," or objects, throughout the church to see if they would be moved. White powdered chalk was spread where the phantom woman was seen and phantom footsteps were heard. Threads were strung about to see if they would be mysteriously broken. Doors and windows were sealed and various objects were marked with rings around them. Underwood also left about pieces of paper and pencils in hopes of getting a message. A violent thunderstorm erupted that night, making it difficult for Underwood to hear anything unusual. In the morning, nothing was disturbed.

Merryweather saw the woman apparition into 1951. The same year, an impression of a woman's hand appeared on the vestry door and lasted for 10 days. In 1952 Merryweather saw another apparition of a young woman in a cream dress.

According to research done by Underwood, the church and manor house, as well as several other houses and cottages, all had once been part of an estate and had been documented to have paranormal disturbances. Reports of a ghost of a girl went back to the turn of the 20th-century and were associated with a story that the former rector had murdered his illicit lover.

Merryweather left the ministry in 1959. Langenhoe Church sat empty and decayed. It was demolished in 1962.

Though paranormal activity had been documented well before Merryweather's arrival, he may have been an unwitting activator, causing phenomena to become more pronounced. Others also witnessed phenomena.

Merryweather gave Underwood the afflicted credence bell, and Underwood hoped it would ring on its own, but it remained silent.

Text from The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, Third Edition by Rosemary Ellen Guiley (Checkmark Books - 2007)