#estimator brooklyn

[mileskitaro]

Revamp Your Space: 10 House Enhancement Ideas to Transform Your Living Atmosphere

""

Are you tired of living in a room that feels obsolete or does not have capability? It's time to take matters into your very own hands and also begin on a house renovation journey. From small adjustments to major renovations, there are countless means to overhaul your area and also produce a house that genuinely shows your design and also enhances your day-to-day life. In this article, we will certainly check out 10 house renovation suggestions that will certainly change your living setting and also make you fall for your home all over again.Paragraph 2: To start with,

let's begin with the heart of every house -the cooking area. Think about updating your kitchen closets, kitchen counters, and also home appliances to develop a fresh as well as modern look. Setting up new floor covering can additionally make a substantial distinction in the overall visual. Next, concentrate on your washrooms by changing outdated components, adding new lights, and also upgrading the ceramic tiles. These basic changes can boost the look of these rooms instantaneously. Additionally, do not forget your living-room. A fresh layer of paint, new furnishings items, and stylish design can entirely transform the ambiance of the space, developing a comfy as well as inviting environment. Finally, consider adding or renovating outdoor space, such as a patio or deck, to prolong your living location as well as produce a sanctuary for relaxation and enjoyment. By applying these home enhancement suggestions, you can breathe new life right into your living setting as well as turn your residence into a desire residence.

Read more here Tap Here

[oliv3juice]

Change Your Living Room with These Basic House Enhancement Tips

""

House renovation is a great means to add worth to your building as well as develop an extra comfy living area. Whether you are looking to make little updates or take on a major restoration project, there are a lot of basic methods to transform your residence. Among the easiest as well as most cost-effective means to improve your house is to deal with tiny do it yourself jobs, such as painting wall surfaces, installing brand-new lighting fixtures, or upgrading your equipment. These basic changes can make a big difference in the feel and look of your home.Another great

way to boost your home is to concentrate on energy efficiency. By making upgrades such as including insulation, replacing windows, or installing a programmable thermostat, you can conserve money on your energy expenses and also develop a more comfortable living space. Furthermore, investing in exterior renovations such as landscaping or a new deck can aid you maximize your outside living area as well as enhance the total value of your residential property. Whether you are looking to market your house or simply intend to produce a more comfortable living space, house enhancement is a great method to attain your goals.

Read more here Read More

[frances-baby-houseman]

I'm reading a book I can't really grip on so I looked up the reviews to see if I could wrap my head around it and the NYT review is basically a summary of the pieces without much introspection which makes me think she too couldn't get a grip on it.

[skywindowsaluminumproducts]

Take your pergola to the next level of luxury and functionality with an automatic roof. With just a touch of a button, you can effortlessly control the roof of your pergola, providing shade or allowing sunlight to filter through, all with the utmost convenience. Our automatic roof systems for pergolas offer a seamless and user-friendly experience. Using advanced motorized technology, you can easily open, close, or adjust the roof to your desired position. Enjoy the flexibility to adapt to changing weather conditions or create the perfect ambiance for any occasion. The automatic roof brings a new level of comfort and convenience to your outdoor living space.

Request a Free Estimate for Pergola Canopy Design & Installation

[squashsitebog]

Overhaul Your Area: 10 House Renovation Ideas to Transform Your Living Environment

""

Are you tired of living in a room that really feels outdated or lacks performance? It's time to take issues right into your own hands and also start a house renovation trip. From little adjustments to significant improvements, there are countless means to revamp your space as well as develop a home that absolutely mirrors your style and boosts your everyday life. In this post, we will certainly discover 10 residence renovation ideas that will transform your living setting and also make you fall for your home throughout again.Paragraph 2: Firstly,

let's begin with the heart of every home -the kitchen. Think about upgrading your cooking area closets, kitchen counters, as well as appliances to develop a fresh and also modern-day look. Installing brand-new floor covering can also make a significant difference in the overall aesthetic. Next, focus on your washrooms by changing outdated fixtures, including new lighting, as well as upgrading the floor tiles. These easy modifications can raise the look as well as feel of these spaces quickly. Additionally, do not ignore your living-room. A fresh layer of paint, brand-new furniture items, and elegant decoration can completely change the setting of the room, creating a comfy as well as welcoming environment. Ultimately, take into consideration including or remodeling exterior home, such as a patio or deck, to prolong your living location and also create a sanctuary for leisure and also amusement. By implementing these house improvement ideas, you can rejuvenate your living setting as well as turn your house into a desire home.

Read more here Learn More

[the-sociopaths-have-10ant]

Overhaul Your Space: 10 Residence Improvement Concepts to Change Your Living Setting

""

Are you tired of residing in a space that really feels out-of-date or does not have performance? It's time to take issues into your own hands and start a residence renovation trip. From small adjustments to major improvements, there are numerous methods to revamp your space and develop a home that truly reflects your style as well as improves your daily life. In this post, we will check out 10 residence renovation concepts that will certainly transform your living environment and also make you drop in love with your house throughout again.Paragraph 2: Firstly,

let's start with the heart of every house -the kitchen area. Consider updating your cooking area closets, kitchen counters, and also appliances to create a fresh and also modern-day look. Setting up brand-new floor covering can likewise make a substantial difference in the total aesthetic. Next off, emphasis on your washrooms by replacing obsolete fixtures, including brand-new illumination, as well as upgrading the floor tiles. These simple changes can raise the appearance and feel of these rooms instantly. In addition, don't ignore your living space. A fresh layer of paint, brand-new furnishings items, and also trendy design can entirely transform the atmosphere of the space, creating a comfortable as well as welcoming atmosphere. Finally, consider adding or remodeling outdoor home, such as a patio or deck, to extend your living location and develop an oasis for relaxation and enjoyment. By applying these home renovation concepts, you can rejuvenate your living setting as well as transform your home into a dream residence.

Read more here Read More

[serialboxpublishing]

Overhaul Your Area: 10 House Enhancement Suggestions to Transform Your Living Environment

""

Are you tired of living in a space that feels obsolete or lacks functionality? It's time to take issues right into your very own hands as well as get started on a home renovation trip. From tiny adjustments to major restorations, there are numerous means to overhaul your room and produce a house that really reflects your design as well as enhances your day-to-day life. In this article, we will certainly check out 10 residence improvement ideas that will transform your living environment and make you fall for your house all over again.Paragraph 2: First of all,

allow's begin with the heart of every residence -the cooking area. Consider upgrading your cooking area closets, countertops, and also home appliances to develop a fresh and modern-day look. Mounting new floor covering can likewise make a substantial distinction in the general visual. Next, concentrate on your bathrooms by changing obsolete components, including new lights, and upgrading the tiles. These basic adjustments can boost the feel and look of these spaces instantly. In addition, don't ignore your living-room. A fresh coat of paint, new furniture pieces, and stylish style can entirely change the ambiance of the area, creating a cozy and also inviting environment. Finally, consider including or renovating outdoor space, such as an outdoor patio or deck, to expand your living area as well as develop an oasis for relaxation and entertainment. By executing these home enhancement suggestions, you can breathe brand-new life into your living setting as well as transform your residence right into a desire house.

Read more here Click For More Info

[marce-san]

Transform Your Living Area with These Straightforward Residence Renovation Tips

""

Home enhancement is a fantastic way to add value to your residential property and also create a more comfortable living area. Whether you are seeking to make small updates or embark on a major remodelling job, there are lots of basic ways to change your home. Among the easiest and most economical means to enhance your house is to deal with small do it yourself jobs, such as repainting walls, setting up new lighting fixtures, or updating your equipment. These easy modifications can make a big distinction in the look of your home.Another wonderful

method to enhance your house is to focus on energy efficiency. By making upgrades such as adding insulation, changing home windows, or setting up a programmable thermostat, you can conserve cash on your energy costs and develop an extra comfy living space. Furthermore, buying outside improvements such as landscape design or a new deck can assist you make the most of your exterior living space and enhance the general value of your home. Whether you are aiming to sell your house or simply wish to develop a more comfy living room, house improvement is a terrific method to achieve your objectives.

Read more here https://drexelestimatingllc.com

[vicsoturnt]

Transform Your Living Room with These Easy Home Improvement Tips

""

Residence renovation is a fantastic method to add value to your residential or commercial property and create a more comfy living room. Whether you are wanting to make little updates or embark on a significant improvement project, there are lots of easy means to change your home. Among the most convenient as well as most affordable methods to enhance your residence is to take on little do it yourself projects, such as repainting wall surfaces, installing brand-new light components, or updating your equipment. These easy modifications can make a huge distinction in the look of your home.Another fantastic

way to improve your residence is to concentrate on energy performance. By making upgrades such as adding insulation, replacing home windows, or installing a programmable thermostat, you can save cash on your energy costs and develop a more comfortable living area. Furthermore, investing in outdoor improvements such as landscaping or a brand-new deck can help you take advantage of your outside space as well as raise the total value of your residential property. Whether you are aiming to market your home or simply want to develop an extra comfortable living area, residence improvement is an excellent means to accomplish your objectives.

Read more here drexelestimatingllc.com/

[carelessflower]

On Testing and Qualifying Magnus Lightwood-Bane's Sugar Daddy Behaviors - An Analysis

Multiple arguments have been made against the current High Warlock of Brooklyn, superficially regarding whether this gentleman's reputation as the current Consul of the Clave's sugar daddy is underappreciated or exaggerated. This study aims to dissect the argument with the support of textual evidence throughout the couple's appearances in the series

Paying for their first date

Taking care of the bill like a gentleman. From this instance, one can assume he takes his gentlemanly courting ritual very seriously, as he also reached for the meal cheques in other occassions

Conjuring and pelping to pick fine clothes for Alec

On their famous Europe vacation, it is shown Magnus has a habit of magicking tuxedoes, suits, and well-made sweaters for Alec. Now, if he could upgrade that GAP scarf to a Burberry one, it would be much appreciated

Gentleman behavior

Even though his boyfriend is supernaturally strong with biceps to bite for days and hunts bloodthirsty demons for a living, Magnus would still rather pay someone to carry the heavy luggage than his darling

Luxurious accommodation only

There has been a previously published study on the expenses for all these places here, so this article will be repeating the same key points:

one night at Istanbul Grand Suite on the Orient Express: $26,000

suite in Belmond Hotel Cipriani: $1,056

suite in Palazzo Manfredi, Rome: $729

It is understandably relatable when one pulls Alec Lightwood and wants to do everything in their power to woo him. For Magnus, it apparently includes never letting Alec stay in any place less than five stars

Letting Alec drive the Maserati

It costs around $10,860 to rent a red Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spider for one day. Therefore, it speaks volumes to Magnus's affection for his boyfriend that Alec almost crashes them and the expensive car off a cliff is just a "tiny accident". It is also very likely he buys this type of car later, seeing his husband's fascination with them

Living together in Brooklyn

Months into the relationship Alec has already possessed a literal key to Magnus's home and proceeds to move in after weeks of getting back together. For other poor souls who are looking for a 3-bedroom brownstone in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the rent would be estimated at around $5000 per month. For the Consul, it certainly would involve a different type of payment method

Alec's magically money-full pocket

The consul carrying energy bars in his duffle bag instead of using the 15000$ in his pocket guarantees the funniest mental images one could possibly imagine

Enchanting Izzy's whip for Alec's birthday

Knowing Alec's top wish is to keep his family safe, Magnus chooses to tip his boyfriend's sister's whip in a prized potion to help her on the battlefield. Loving someone to the point you want to protect what else they love

Assisting shadowhunter without payment

This element may prove to be the strongest supporter of Magnus's claim as THE sugar daddy of the shadowhunter chronicles universe title, seeing how he used to overcharge shadowhunter on their business (deservingly so), and now he is willing to do all kinds of crazy shenanigans without an ounce of money. Whoever's in charge of the Clave's budget better send Alec the biggest, freshest, most expensive fruit basket

Final note

In conclusion, this research paper does not provide a definitive answer to the argument but encourages readers to draw their own perspectives. Nevertheless, it is a great possibility that in his report, the consul stated he used 10-20 dollars each week while he was traveling across the world, going to Japan when he craved sushi and staying in the finest places, all thanks to his generous husband

tag list: @magnus-the-maqnificent @literallytypogod @hoezier-than-thou @sociallyineptbibliophile @queenlilith43

@khaleesiofalicante @wandererbyheart @raziyekroos @onetimetwotimesthreetimess @alexandergideonslightwood @andrwminward

@noah-herondale-lightwood @elettralightwood @dustandducks @deliciousdetectivestranger @delightfullyterrible

@letsgofortacos

@kita-no @thelightofthebane @secrettryst @goldendreams3 @cityofdownwardspirals

@stupidfuckindinosaur

@i-have-not-slept @rinadragomir @potato-jem @kasper-tag @cam-ryt

@banesapothecary

[probablyasocialecologist]

Thousands have hit the streets in NYC, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and dozens of other cities. A DC protest organized by Jewish activist groups drew thousands, and hundreds were later arrested, including two dozen Rabbis. An estimated 25,000 people showed up to a rally in Chicago. These events show no signs of stopping, with many more planned across the coming days. These actions have gone beyond marches, with protesters showing up at the offices and homes of politicians demanding a ceasefire. Six activists were arrested at a pro-Palestine rally outside the Boston office of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). A large crowd demonstrated outside the Brooklyn home of Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Jewish protesters showed up outside the Brentwood house of VP Kamala Harris. IfNotNow members have held sit-ins at the DC offices of Schumer, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA). Former staffers for Warren, Sanders, and Senator John Fetterman have publicly urged the lawmakers to back a ceasefire. On October 25, tens of thousands of students across more than 100 North American campuses united in a walkout to demand an immediate ceasefire, an end to unconditional support for Israel, and university divestment from the corporations funding the occupation of Palestine. On the night of October 27 Jewish activists shut down Grand Central Station, leading to the arrest of over 300 people. “This is bigger than we’ve ever seen,” US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) Executive Director Ahmad Abuznaid told Mondoweiss. “This is the result of decades of work that we’ve put into this movement, and I think some of it is connected to the [George Floyd protests of 2020]. There was so much racial, social justice, anti-war building in that moment.

[...]

“The man broke my heart,” Palestinian-American comedian Maysoon Zayid told Politico on October 23, “I never in my life thought the empathizer-in-chief would sound the way he did. The Palestinians were given no humanity. Joe Biden should spend every breath he has condemning Israel’s genocide with the same zeal he condemned Hamas’ massacre of civilians, that same zeal. And we get nothing. 1,000 children are dead, and we get nothing.” “It’s really crazy to me that the Democratic party destroyed 20-years of worth of good will with Muslims and Arabs in just 2 weeks, losing an entire generation that was raised in the progressive coalition, possibly forever,” tweeted author and activist Eman Abdelhadi. “The rapidity of it, the finality–it’s astonishing.” “While Republican disregard for Muslim and Arab lives is clearly on display, some Muslim and Arab Americans also feel like the Democratic Party largely takes their vote for granted, though Democrats’ policies never reflect as much,” writes Dana El Kurd in The Nation. “One Arab American friend expressed to me that, at least under Republican administrations, ‘Arabs could find allies’ in their opposition.”

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Spike Lee's former firehouse home was sold for $4.35M. The colorful Brooklyn, New York City home was initially built in 1895, as a water tower before being converted to a firehouse in 1903, named “Engine 256.” 4bds, 3ba, it used to be his home/studio workspace. It's a 2 family, but the previous owners used it as a single family, so it has 2 kitchens, etc.

Love this bright pink kitchen.

It's so refreshing to see a home with color. I like the copper paint on the ceiling and wall.

Such an attractive home- the area to the right that's a few steps up is a bedroom. The light fixture looks like a Chihuly.

How amazing not to see a white or gray bedroom. Love this.

Since it's really a 2 family, this space can be a large family room or a separate living room.

This is the other kitchen. It's very different from the pink one, but it's beautiful. Look at the cabinet tucked into that triangular opening.

A dinette area in the kitchen has an attractive shelf wall, and 3 steps to sliding glass doors that open to a rooftop deck. Love the glass block wall, too.

The deck is gorgeous and the upper floor also has access to it.

This is huge and has a cool view, too.

On the ground floor behind the garage is a living area with bedrooms.

The garage that housed the fire engines is gigantic.

[alltheboysandgirlsiloved]

The more I think about Ben's girlfriend the more shady and off it sounds. This whole thing is rotting my brain so hard that... Welcome to ✨ Ben's character breakdown in Chaos Theory and "Ben's GF" theory✨

Here is what we know about Ben in Chaos Theory that may or may not be crucial:

- he used to be in a college but is currently taking a break

- he keeps all of his necessities in his van

- he is obsessed with conspiracy theories

- he occasionally keeps in touch with the rest of the campers (knew where Darius lived, received at least one parcel from Sammy)

- has a girlfriend from Europe and it's a long distance relationship

- gets paranoid easily (refuses to use the phone because it's trackable, believes that he is followed)

Here are things we don't know for sure but are assumable:

- his obsession with conspiracy theories is at least one year old (Ben talked about it with Brooklyn when he was still in college and it sounded fairly fresh)

- he spends a lot of time traveling in his van (very possible that he has been living there for a while)

- he didn't tell anyone about his girlfriend prior to events in CT

- Brooklyn was most likely (to some degree) infected by Ben's obsession with Dark Jurassic

Other things that I noticed:

- Ben talks about his girlfriend twice and his sentences about her can be roughly divided into two categories: normal speech bubbles and awkward hesitance.

- Ben was the one who told Brooklyn about Dark Jurassic

Theory under the cut:

A lot of things about Ben's behaviour tick me off. Don't get me wrong - everything is still in character but at the same time... It feels slightly off. The girlfriend thing is what set the alarm inside my head but the more I thought about it, the more things just didn't quite click.

As I mentioned earlier, how Ben talks about his girlfriend can be divided into two categories: normal speech bubbles and awkward hesitation. When he says that he has a girlfriend and doesn't behave like Sammy it sounds normal and casual, the same when he mentions his girlfriend to Yaz - I doubt he would lie to Yaz about that. So, I think, in general, that this person (his GF) does exist, or at least Ben believes that she exists and is his girlfriend. However, it would be foolish to ignore the very awkward "she's from... Europe" - it sounds hesitant, it sounds like a lie, or even (what I'm leaning towards nowadays) sounds like a bashful admittance that Ben doesn't know much about her. Keep that in mind for now.

One of the first things we learn about Ben in CT is that he is obsessed with Dark Jurassic and conspiracy theories. While some part of it can certainly be explained by lingering trauma ("the more you know, the safer you are"), I feel like that explanation alone isn't enough. What is even more interesting is that it seems that this obsession is strong enough for him to take a break from college and move to live in a van. Not his mother (who, as far as we know, is very loving) but a van. Almost as if he wanted to reduce contact with other people to the minimum - and we actually have proof for that because he doesn't use a phone. We also have evidence that it is both a fairly new and not-that-new development. From his flashbacks, we know that Brooklyn visited him in college - which, according to my very rough estimations, probably happened around a year ago (assuming that Ben entered college at 18 (he is 20 in CT) and Brooklyn died more than six months ago)), and we also know that this is when Ben mentioned Dark Jurassic to Brooklyn.

I think the bit about Ben mentioning Dark Jurassic to Brooklyn is a very interesting detail because Brooklyn was introduced to us as someone whose presence is very rooted online. And yet it is Ben who tells Brooklyn about Dark Jurassic. Ever since he spoke to Brooklyn about that, his obsession started to expand (surely, Brooklyn's "death" only fueled that), slowly consuming every aspect of his life – he took a break from college, he decided to spend a lot of time on the road, he dedicated a lot of his time to checking conspiracy theories. He became paranoid in a sense (which he used to be prone to as proved in season 1 of Camp Cretaceous) to the point when he considered suspecting Sammy. ben double-checks everything, he tries not to stay too long in one place, he is afraid that he is being tracked (rightfully so), and yet... he is in a long-distance relationship with someone "from... Europe".

This is where my theory enters. I tried to consider every aspect of Ben's personality and also the flow of the story in Chaos Theory - where the plot is thick and full of twists and turns.

I think that it was Ben's girlfriend who nudged him in the direction of Dark Jurassic. Or even – potentially he was the first "victim" of the anti-nublar six agenda. What's the best way to keep track of all the campers? Have an insider. Ben suspected that Sammy was spying, he didn't even consider that he could be the unknowing insider. It could have played out like this: when you're in college you come across many people who know other people etc etc. One way or another Ben got into contact with his current girlfriend (I doubt they have ever met in person but I don't completely rule out this possibility). They got close, when she showed his Dark Jurassic - a website brimming with mysteries - knowing that he would be interested (Ben has trouble establishing what is "normal", he is a little lost - the more lost you are, the more desperate you are to find out "what is real, what is true", reaching even for things like conspiracy theories). The deeper Ben fell into the rabbit hole, the more anxious he was, suspicious of others too – but not of his girlfriend. Why? Because she was the one who showed Dark Jurassic to him. She showed him where he could learn more, so naturally - naturally - she is beyond suspicion, right? Because (I doubt Ben has ever even voiced those thoughts but he didn't have to voice them out, the feel them) if she had something to hide, she wouldn't encourage him to explore the world of "I should be suspicious of everything/nothing is real".

At the same time, Ben is a smart boy - but he started to realize "some things" when he was way too deep. For example, with time he realized how little he actually knew about his girlfriend. By then, he trusted her a lot so now it would be awkward to admit that there are a lot of things he doesn't know like the fact that he's not even sure where is she from. It is also important to note that considering the timeline, they have been in a relationship for a while, and yet only now do the campers learn about her - strange considering that he stays (more or less) in touch with some of them. Perhaps, one way or another, at the beginning his girlfriend suggested him to... not mention her. Just in case. In case Ben's friends wanted to know more and encouraged Ben to start asking questions – questions that could be "uncomfortable" for Ben's girlfriend. No, I think she wanted to know everything about the Nublar Six but remain mysterious in return - at least until the plan (her plan? their plan? who are they?) was in full swing. Notice how Ben doesn't use the phone right now, but I'm pretty sure that it is a new development (I'm talking months news). Why new? Because earlier, it was crucial for his girlfriend to know everything (what are his friends up to, where are they) and to fuel Ben's anxiety and paranoia. Now when the atrociraptors are actively hunting the Nublar Six, when the plan is already in development, Ben isn't as needed as he used to be (that also explains why it was Brooklyn, not Ben who was lethally targetted first – Ben was literally needed alive because he was an active naive insider + because Ben trusted his girlfriend and wasn't suspicious of her presence around the conspiracy, whilst Brooklyn could be suspicious in more dangerous ways).

So yes, right now, this theory seems to more or less tie up most of the loose ends and weird things that surround Ben. To put it briefly – Ben was manipulated - his girlfriend is real but has some sort of ulterior motives.

(and oh wouldn't it be a dramatic plot twist if the person who suspected everyone turned out to be the one who was, ultimately, delivering a lot of information to the "bad guys"?)

if you got this far - congrats tbh hahah

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Corey Walker

The author of a book on Jewish American identity enjoyed a sellout crowd at a rescheduled event after the original discussion was canceled over the presence of a Zionist panelist.  Joshua Leifer, author of Tablets Shattered: The End of an American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life, spoke alongside Rabbi Andy Bachman at the Center for New Jewish Culture in Brooklyn on Monday. The original discussion, which was scheduled at Powerhouse Books in Brooklyn last Tuesday, was canceled at the last minute by an employee who did not want the bookstore to platform a “Zionist” rabbi.  During Monday’s discussion, Leifer lambasted the cancellation as both “wrong and antisemitic” as well as “the dumbest strategic thing you can do.” The bookstore’s owner, Daniel Power, later clarified in an interview that Powerhouse Books does not maintain an official ban on Zionist authors and that the employee acted on her own. He revealed that the employee responsible for canceling the event quit on her own accord before he could fire her.  The bookstore issued an apology soon after the incident, writing, “litmus tests as a precondition for participation in public life are wrong. Rejections of dialogue, debate, and nuance are wrong.” Despite the inconvenience, the backlash over the viral incident seems to have benefited Leifer. Roughly 300 people attended the rescheduled discussion, as opposed to the estimated two dozen that showed up for the original event. Leifer’s book currently holds the number one spot in the “History of Judaism” section on Amazon. “In large part, this sanctuary is filled because of what happened,” Bachman stated at the event.  Leifer, a political progressive and writer, has issued blistering criticisms of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. He has called for a change in the “status quo” of Israeli policy and has encouraged the American Jewish community to reexamine its relationship with Israel.  In an essay published in The Atlantic, Leifer reflected on the decision to snub Bachman for being a Zionist, saying that it “exemplified the bind that many progressive American Jews face.” “We are caught between parts of an activist left demanding that we disavow our communities, even our families, as an entrance ticket, and a mainstream Jewish institutional world that has long marginalized critics of Israeli policy. Indeed, Jews who are committed to the flourishing of Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora, and who are also outraged by Israel’s brutal war in Gaza, feel like we have little room to maneuver,” Leifer wrote. “My experience last week was so demoralizing in part because such episodes make moving the mainstream Jewish community much harder,” Leifer added. “Every time a left-wing activist insists that the only way to truly participate in the fight for peace and justice is to support the dissolution of Israel, it reinforces the zero-sum (and morally repulsive) idea that opposing the status quo requires Israel’s destruction.” 

Leifer still doesn't get it. Jew-hatred, in the guise of Israel hatred has become part of the progressive canon. "Critics of Israeli policy" are lionized, not marginalized among progressive Jews.

[hooked-on-elvis]

"ARRIVEDERCI… NO, THAT'S ITALIAN!"

October 2, 1958: Elvis during Press conference in Friedberg, Germany.

On the morning of Wednesday, October 1, 1958, the U.S.S. Randall docked at the German port of Bremerhaven. Just like the scene 10 days earlier in Brooklyn from the American fans, an estimated 1,500 German fans as well as an abundance of newsmen and photographers were waiting for Elvis as he got off the ship. Elvis had to be escorted by military police. "The Army is apparently torn between a desire to keep Elvis locked out of sight and a half-concealed wish that he had enlisted in the Navy or Air Force in the first place," wrote a columnist for an American military newspaper in Europe. "Everywhere Elvis has gone, the Army has been forced to make battle plans well in advance to keep the peace. Presley is far bigger than his company commander, bigger than the generals who watch over him, and the sooner the Army gives in to this truth, the sooner the furor will die down and everybody can get back to work." Amid the frenzy of his arrival in Germany, Elvis made his way off the ship at Columbus Pier as he carried a duffel bag on his shoulder. He attempted to sign an autograph for an overzealous male fan who jumped onto the gangplank, but the military police dragged the teenager away. Presley then got on another troop train for a 200-mile trip north of Frankfurt to his base in Friedberg. One fan painted a graffiti-type greeting for Elvis in white script lettering on the outside of the train that read: "Wellcome [Welcome] in Germany Elvis Presley." The next day [October 2], the army scheduled a press conference for Elvis at his new post at the Ray Barracks with about 150 members of the international press attending. He made a brief statement about his arrival in Germany the day before: "I was very surprised at the reception," Elvis said. "I wasn’t expecting anything quite that big. And I only regret that I didn’t have more time to stay there with them. But maybe someday I can come back when my army tour is up, as an entertainer, and then I’ll have more time and maybe I’ll have an opportunity to make myself at home over here... Arrivederci – no, that’s Italian!"

Presley’s top sergeant, Edward Hackney, who was also at the press conference commented about Elvis: "He is under more pressure than the other soldiers because everyone looks at him, but I’m sure he’ll do a fine job." Asked about what he thought about German girls before arriving, Elvis said: "From all the pictures I’ve seen of the German girls, they’re very beautiful. I think Brigitte Bardot is French, isn’t she?"

Excerpt from "Elvis: The Army Years Uncovered: Behind The Scenes Of The Two Years That Changed The King Of Rock 'n' Roll's Life" by Trina Young (2021)

[rambheem-is-real]

Gold Rings and Black Roses Pt 1

Pairing: Radha Rama x Aadhya

Warnings: siblings!Deva and Aadhya

Amma doesn't take pity on Aadhya. Deva never rescues Aadhya from Rinda and his men, breaking the seal. This changes everything.

-

If Aadhya was told two weeks ago that she’d willingly get trafficked to God knows where, she’d just laugh. However, as Aadhya huddles in the corner of a truck across from an unconscious Bilal, all she can think of was how stupid she had been. 

Two weeks ago, she was running herself ragged balancing work and her hours at the hospital. The doctors had been fairly confident, and Aadhya had believed them. They had said her mother’s chances of surviving the operation were on the higher side, and Aadhya was preparing to move her mother out of the hospital and into the spare room of her apartment in Brooklyn. She hadn’t even been worried about the costs. While her own field research kept her living reasonably, she knew that her dad could afford to, and would, pay whatever was necessary. After all, it was his fault that Aadhya and her mother were here.

Then, the call came. 

“We’re very sorry,” the doctors had said. “The patient passed peacefully,” they said. “Please collect her body,” they had said. 

Aadhya had arranged the cremation of her mother’s body, feeling entirely numb the entire time. The mortician had handed the ashes, whatever was left of her mother, to her, and all Aadhya could feel was denial. 

It had all been going well, and then her life had turned upside down in the span of a few hours. 

It was when she tried calling her dad for what was probably the fiftieth time in the last three days, and heard his standard voicemail response, that Aadhya felt frustration. One of the world’s most prominent businessmen, wealthy enough to purchase the entirety of her state and not have a dent in his finances, but what was it all for if he was too busy to even talk to her? 

Her mother had always talked about having her ashes deposited in Varanasi, constantly missing their home country. Maybe the homesickness had made her mother weaker, Aadhya would later wonder. For what her dad had done, they had all paid the price. Aadhya still didn’t know who her dad had offended, what trouble he had gotten into to have them all move to the US so suddenly seven years ago. She had been fine with the change, had given up her simple bank job to pursue a PhD in linguistics, and was now traveling the country doing various types of research. But her mother had always missed their home, the community she had left, to the point that she had always insisted on her final resting place being in India.

 Fuck it, she had thought. 

In the next few minutes she had airplane tickets, and in the next few hours she had a backpack and a suitcase ready to go. 

Aadhya wasn’t sure what she expected to happen once she landed in India. She knew it was dangerous for her to be there, but she had to do this for her mother. Aadhya only hoped she would get to the Ganga river before the consequences of her actions caught up to her, but her hopes were dashed once the trail of black SUVs surrounded her car. 

From there she had met Bilal, fought for (and lost) approval from Amma, and was now currently in a truck driven by strange men and a strange seal on her arm. 

Aadhya estimated it had been about a day since she was thrown into the truck, judging by Bilal’s sleep cycles. She didn’t know what was up with that man, why he was so willing to give up even his own life for her, but she was glad for the company. Even if all he did was look at her like she was going to die any second. 

They had stopped to give her food twice, and all in all it wasn’t a bad kidnapping experience. The drunk guy, Rinda, had made a pass at her the first time he saw her, but after she told him to fuck off he had just shrugged and staggered away, muttering under his breath about Nepali women being much nicer. The other goons had barely even looked her way the entire journey. 

As soon as she thinks about how nice it would be to see the sun again, the truck rolls to a stop, and some of the goons bang on the outside of the truck. 

“Get out, your time is up now!” They joke. Aadhya wonders who’s waiting for her outside, who she might have to gain approval from now to survive. 

She looks to Bilal as she jumps out of the door of the truck, wincing at the pins-and-needles sensation in her feet from sitting still too long. 

“Don’t piss her off,” he says. 

“Who?” 

“Don’t piss either of them off,” he amends. 

Before she can ask who once more, she’s led into another black SUV, and she can see Bilal getting into the one behind her. 

The truck driver is the same guy driving her to wherever she’s going now, and Rinda gets in the passenger seat. 

Aadhya stares at him, wondering if he at least would have some answers.

“Where are we going?” she asks in Telugu. “Who are we seeing?”

Rinda just laughs. “Lots of questions, darling?” He looks at her face in the rearview mirror, and her clear frustration must show because he takes pity on her. 

“You’re meeting with Obullamma,” he says. 

The name doesn’t ring a bell. “Who’s that?”

“Radha Rama’s maid,” he says, still annoyingly vague. But Aadhya can detect a tinge of fear, a sense of respect at the sound of the second woman’s name. 

“What do I have to do with either of them?” 

“...Your nanna didn’t tell you anything, did he?”

The mention of Krishnakanth hurts, making Aadhya turn to the window. Tears prickle at her eyes, and for the first time in a very long time, she misses her dad. He had sounded so worried on the phone, days ago. She wonders what he was doing now. 

It’s a short journey before they pull up to what clearly used to be a grand mansion, but had fallen into disrepair. 

“Well, bangaram, you’ll get answers now,” Rinda sighs. “And I need another drink.”

Aadhya needed a drink. But she probably wasn’t going to get one anytime soon, she thinks sadly. She really doesn’t want to deal with this shit sober. Alcohol had always calmed her down, soothed the always-tense bundle of nerves inside her. 

She and Bilal are guided up the stairs of the mansion, and Aadhya can hear the sound of a rubbu rolu clanging as she gets closer inside. Bilal is immediately ushered out of the main room, and Aadhya hopes that means they’re not going to kill him. 

Aadhya sees a woman first, sitting at a table, calmly grinding the pestle against her mortar. Is this Obullamma? she wonders.  

“Amma Aadhya?” At first, she thinks she mishears. That can’t be her dad, right?

“Dad?”

Standing in the corner of the room, surrounded by more men, is her dad. No suit, no tie, no advisors surrounding him. Her dad, just as he is. 

His button down is soaked through with sweat, and she can see relief and fear warring on his face. 

“Aadhya! You shouldn’t have come here, dear,” he cries. 

“Dad!” She tries to make her way to him, to fall into his arms, but one of Rinda’s men grabs her arms to stop her. 

“Obullamma!” Rinda calls to the woman, who stops grinding and glares up at him. “I’ve brought Krishnakanth’s daughter, I completed the job. Ika selavu [I’ll take a leave now].” Rinda walks out briskly, and oh, he did not like that woman. 

Obullamma keeps glaring at the disappearing silhouette of Rinda for a few more seconds, mouth curling into a sneer, before she turns to Krishnakanth. 

“Choosava? [Did you see?] I was able to bring your daughter in front of me within a few days. How did you think you could ever escape me?” Obullamma speaks slowly, but sharply, placing emphasis on almost every word out of her mouth. There’s a fascinating lilt to her accent that Aadhya would love to study some day. 

“Your quarrel is with me, not her!” Krishnakanth yells, but his tone turns pleading a second later. “Do anything you want with me, just please, let my daughter go.”

Aadhya looks at him in horror. “No, Dad! It was me who made the decision to come to India, it was me who put you and Bilal at risk by doing so.” She hangs her head, feeling the guilt and shame come back. Stupid, she had been so stupid. “I’ll face whatever punishment it’ll be,” she says, trying to project the veneer of calmness she had seen on Deva the past few days. If only she had his strength. 

“Is that so?” Aadhya hears someone new from the other side, and notices a woman sitting on the floor that she hadn’t seen when she had come in. This voice is commanding, and confident in a way that Obullamma or even Rinda’s voice hadn’t been. This was a woman who was used to taking, a woman who was used to others giving. 

The woman turns to face her, and oh damn she was hot. Dressed in an elegant black saree, the woman had beautiful kohl lined eyes, and power in every inch of her stature. She even sat with the straight back of someone used to a throne. 

“You offer to take his place, despite not knowing what he did. Why?” The woman asks. 

This must be Radha Rama then, Aadhya thinks. 

“It was me who made the choice, it was me who should face the consequences. Isn’t that fair?” Aadhya asks. “And…” she falters, looking at her dad, who’s staring at her with shame and regret. She straightens, and looks Radha Rama in the eyes. “And he’s my dad. I love him. I’ll do anything to protect him.” 

Radha Rama looks taken aback. It’s only for an instant before Aadhya watches the mask drop down over her face, as the surprise is replaced with contemplation. 

Obullamma sneers. “Like we want to make a deal with you, girl. We’re going to kill you in front of your nanna, and then we’ll kill him after. Both of you are dying anyway.”

Aadhya trembles at the mention of her death, but steels herself. There were worse ways to go. 

Like what?? Her inner voice says, and she ignores it. 

“I accept your deal.”

Radha Rama’s voice cuts through whatever Obullamma was going to say next, as she rises into a standing position, and turns to fully face Aadhya. 

“I- ammagaru?” Obullamma gasps. “You can stand?”

Aadhya frowns. What the fuck kind of question-

“Obullamma, make the necessary arrangements. Aadhya Krishnakanth,” she turns to inspect Aadhya from her head to her toes, and Aadhya blushes, “is going to be staying with us for the foreseeable future. At least until her brother shows up.” Radha Rama smirks at the sight of a gaping Krishnakanth. “Let the poor man go, he’s scared shitless already.”

Krishnakanth cries out, “No! Radha Rama! You can’t do this!” 

Radha Rama motions at the men near the doorway, and they bodily drag Krishnakanth out of the mansion. 

“Dad!” Aadhya tries to reach for him, to reassure him. “It’s okay!”

“Aadhya! Rama, she’s innocent!” Krishnakanth keeps shouting until his voice gets muffled by the doors of the car he’s pushed into. 

Aadhya turns to the woman that had just spared her dad’s life, who’s idly inspecting her nails. 

“Who are you? What do you want with me?” Too late, she processes what Radha Rama had said earlier. “And what do you mean… my brother?”

Radha Rama smiles at her, and Aadhya shivers. It feels like the smile of a predator that had successfully cornered its prey. She suddenly turns her head to Obullamma, who’s still sitting in shock. 

“I said, make the necessary arrangements.” Obullamma hurriedly agrees, earrings jingling with the force of her head shaking. “Show her to a room. Tell her to freshen up. I want lunch prepared in twenty minutes.” Radha Rama looks at Aadhya. “We’ll discuss business then.”

“Ammagaru, you want… lunch?”

“Did I stutter?” The temperature of the room drops about twenty degrees, and Obullamma jumps out of her chair. 

“No, ammagaru. I’ll have it prepared.”

Aadhya is led through a door near the entrance, to where she presumes she’ll be staying for the next.. few days? weeks? She can’t help but turn her head right before she leaves the room, to find that Radha Rama is already watching her. 

She shivers once again at the gleam in Radha Rama’s eyes, and hastily turns around. Hopefully she’ll find out soon, Aadhya thinks, about whatever the fuck was going on. 

-

tagging people that were on board with the ship @deadloverscity @ghostdriftexistence @greatkittykoala @nini9224 @just-call-me-ehre @recentinterest @looseukitty and others in the server i'm forgetting the handles now