#hunting island state park

[pamwmsn]

The Hunting Island Light is located in Hunting Island State Park on Hunting Island near Beaufort, South Carolina. Although no longer used as a functioning lighthouse, the tower is a fixture at the state park and is open to visitors. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

[wikipediapictures]

South Carolina Lowcountry

[guidetourme]

8 Places To Stop From Florida to Maine

8 Places To Stop From Florida to Maine

8 Places To Stop From Florida to Maine Road Trips on the East Coast of America When most people say camping, they mean tents, sleeping bags, rolling around on the hard, cold ground for days, and lots of pork and beans. But for people who have camped as much as I have, it really just means taking our house on wheels on the road for some family fun. Dry Tortugas National Park, Key West. For, the…

[knightofleo]

Finalists of the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Dispute by Jacek Stankiewicz from Kraków, Poland: 'I caught this scene while watching birds in the Bialowieza Forest. Young greenfinch was still fed by parents. However, from time to time birds looked like having argument. My friends interpret this scene in two ways: A young naughty kid is arguing with a parent. Or one kid is reporting to the parent that its brother did something wrong: "Look he has broken the glass in the window"'

'Excuse me sir but I think you're a little too young to be smoking' by Dakota Vaccaro from Victor, United States: 'While I was working deep in the Virginian woods, a family of grey foxes took up residence under the deck of the abandoned cottage next to my work housing. One day while practicing their hunting skills on bits of moss and branches, one of the kits lunged at a small chunk of wood and started rolling around with his prize. Tired after his hunt the kit lounged on his belly still holding the wood in his mouth which gave the strong resemblance of a cigar. I was very envious of the kit at this moment cause who wouldn't want to just lay around all day relaxing'

The Rainforest Dandy by Delphine Casimir from Brussels, Belgium: 'This picture was taken in the monkey forest in Ubud, Bali. This place is a crazy place where monkeys are king! Sometimes they give a show, sometimes they climb on you to look for fleas or steal the piece of biscuit you are trying to eat'

Otter Ballerinas by Otter Kwek from Singapore: 'An arabesque smooth coated otter'

Picture me! Picture me!! by Dikla Gabriely from Yokneam, Israel: 'A brown bear in Finland who definitely did everything to make me pay attention to him and focus on him and not the other bears'

Boing! by Lara Mathews from Melbourne, Australia: 'Taken at Westerfolds Park, a beautiful and surprisingly wild pocket of land in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, famous for its kangaroo population. The mob was enjoying some morning sunshine when this joey decided to get silly and try his hand at boxing'

Living the Moment by Kawing Chiu from Staten Island, United States: 'Relax, lay back and enjoy the warm sun... This seal is scratching its face and it is seen lying on the side while his head is supported by his flipper. This image makes the seal like the reclining Buddha statue'

[twistedintern]

Navigating Twst JP & JP-EN Term Listing (Updated)

Dorm & Character JP Name Abbreviation and Emoji Index

Heartslabyul > 🃏 ビュル Riddle Rosehearts > 🌹 リド Ace Trappola > ❤️ エー Deuce Spade > ♠️ デュ Cater Diamond > ♦️ ケイ Trey Clover > ♣️ トレ

Savanaclaw > 🏜️ サバナ Leona Kingscholar > 🦁 レオ Jack Howl > 🐺 ジャク Ruggie Bucchi > 🐆 / 🍩 ラギ

Octavinelle > 🐚 オクタ Azul Ashengrotto > 🐙 アズ Jade Leech > 🐬 ジェイ Floyd Leech > 🦈 フロ Tweels > イド

Scarabia > 🕌 / 🧞‍♂️ スカラ Kalim Al-Asim > 🦂 / ☀️ / 🦦 カリ Jamil Viper > 🐍 ジャミ

Pomefiore > 🍏 / 👸‍ ポメ Vil Schoenheit > 👑 ヴィ(ル) Epel Felmier > 🍎 エペ Rook Hunt > 🏹 ルク

Ignihyde > ⚙️ / 🔥 イグニ Idia Shroud > 💀 イデ Ortho Shroud > 🤖 オル

Diasomnia > 🐉 ディア Malleus Draconia > 🐲 マレ Silver > ⚔️ シル Sebek Zigvolt > ⚡ セベ Lilia Vanrouge > 🦇 リリ

Ramshackle > 👻 オンボロ Prefect > 🌸 / 🦐 / 🍊 (♀️/🚺 or ♂️/🚹 will sometimes follow) 監 / ユウ Enma Yuuken > 🦞 コミ監 (currently used to refer to Yuuta) Grim > 🐱 / 🐈‍⬛ グリ

NRC Staff > 🎓 / 🐦 NRC(の)職員 Dire Crowley > 🎭 クロ Divus Crewel > ⚗️ / 🐶 クル Mozus Trein > 📚 / 📖 モゼ Ashton Vargas > 💪‍‍ バル Sam > ☠️ / 🎩 サム Lucius > 🐾 ルチウス

Others Rollo Flamme > 🔔 ロロ Fellow Honest > 🦊 フェロ Gidel > 🔨 ギデル Skully J. Graves > 🎃 / 🪦 / 🕸️ スカリー Baul Zigvolt > 🐊 バウル Che’nya > 😺 / 🍭 チェーニャ Cheka Kingscholar > 🧶 チェカ Neige LuBlanche > ❄️ ネイジュ Ambrose the 63rd > 🧙‍ ア ン Najma Viper > 💫 ナジュ(マ) Marja > マルヤ Dila Spade > ディラ / デュママ Kifaji > キファジ Maleanor Draconia > (マレ)ノア Dawn Knight > 夜明騎 Eric Venue > エリック / ヴィパパ Farena Kingscholar > ファレ Ace’s older brother > 兄ッポラ

Glossary

The following list is in no way all-inclusive. I will do my utmost to update this section as the EN server progresses in story and translations become known.

(If I’ve overlooked anything, don’t hesitate to message me about it!)

Night Raven College

Mage Training Academy - “Wizarding Boarding School” (lit., no one uses this term, though)

Headmage - Headmaster

Housewarden - Dorm Head, Dorm Leader

Vice Housewarden - Vice Dorm Head, Vice Dorm Leader

History of Magic - Magic History

Flight - Flying

Freshman/Sophomore/Junior(/Senior) - First-/Second-/Third-(/Fourth-)Year

Potionology - Potions

Flora Element - Tree Element

Cosmic Element - Null Element

Objects and Activities

Thaumarks - Madol (Magic Dollars) There is no equivalent for “Sorcents” in the original canon, as Madol more closely converts to Japanese yen, whereas Thaumarks seem to reflect United States dollar values. The “cent” of Japanese currency (sen) has been obsolete for decades.

Blastcycles - Magicwheel

Spelldrive - Magift (Magic Shift)

Locations, Countries, and Regions

Queendom of Roses - Rose Kingdom

Shaftlands - Land of Pyroxene (Pyroxene)

Harveston - Village of Harvest

Sunset Savanna - Afterglow Savannah

Island of Woe - Island of Lamentation

Briar Valley - Valley of Thorns

Fleur City - City of Flowers

Event Names

Culinary Crucible - Master Chef

Beanfest - Happy Beans Day

Joint Exams - Unified Exams

The Phantom Bride - Ghost Marriage

Wish Upon A Star - Dance and Wishes

Camp Vargas - Vargas Camp

(A Twisted Halloween) Terror is Trending - (Scary Monsters) Screaming Halloween Show

(A Twisted Halloween) Spectral Soiree - (Scary Monsters) Endless Halloween Night

A Firelit Sky Over the Sands - Scalding Sands's Al'ab Nariya

Harveston's Sledathon - Harveston's Kelkkarotu

Twisted Tsumderland - Welcome to Tsumsted Wonderland

Fairy Gala Remix - Fairy Gala If

Glorious Masquerade: Let the Bell of Solace Ring - Glorious Masquerade ~Crimson Flowers and the Bell of Salvation~

Sunset Savanna's Cloudcalling - Afterglow Savanna's Tamashina Mina

Stitch's Tropical Turbulence - Lost in the Book with Stitch ~Midsummer Ocean and the Spaceship~

Playful Land's Miraculous Marionettes - Stage in Playful Land ~Dancing Puppets and the Fantastical Theme Park~

Limited Card Names

All club outfits - Club Wear

Apprentice Chef - Chef-in-Training

Suitor Suit - Groom-for-a-Day

Starry Robes - Star-sending Robes

Halloween - Scary Dress

Silk Adorned - Jasmine (Yasmina) Silk

Applepom - Apple Boa

Tsumsitter - Tsumsted

New Year's Attire - New Year's Yukata

Masquerade - Masquerade Dress

Rabbit Costume - Rabbit Wear

Tropical Wear - Suisui Wear

Liongarb - Kingly Beasts' Garb

Playful Attire - Playful Dress

Birthday Boy - Birthday Suit-Up

Birthday Jacket - Union Birthday

Birthday Bloom - Bloom (Broom) Birthday

(Lilia only) General - General of the Right

(Rollo only) Council Robes - Council President Uniform

JP Monikers ~ Floyd

(Floyd uses specific suffixes depending on his perceived relationship with individuals–i.e., diminutive/pejorative/etc.)

MC = Shrimp (koebi) Grim = Seal (azarashi) Riddle = Goldfish (kingyo) Ace = Crab (kani) Deuce = Mackerel (saba) Cater = Sea Bass (hanadai) Trey = Sea Turtle (umigame) Leona = Sea Lion (todo) Jack = Sea Urchin (uni) Ruggie = Remora (kobanzame) [changed in EN] Kalim = Otter (rakko) Jamil = Sea Snake (umihebi) Vil = Beta Fish (beta) Epel = Guppy (guppi) Rook = Seagull (umineko) Idia = Firefly Squid (hotaruika) Ortho = Sea Angel (kurione) Malleus = Sea Slug (umiushi) Silver = Jellyfish (kurage) Sebek = Crocodile (wani)* Lilia = Flapjack Octopus (mentako) [changed in EN] Crowley = Manta Ray (manta) Crewel = Striped Beakfish (ishidai) Trein = Red Squid (akaika) Vargas = Lobster (robusutaa) Sam = Seahorse (umiuma) Fellow = Foxfish (kitsunebera) Gidel = Cat Shark (nekozame) *Leona also refers to him as a “crocodile”

JP Monikers ~ Rook

Rook uses a combination of Japanese, French, and English variously; I have attempted to render the names in the simplest manner possible. (Those with names I cannot find in-game at the time of posting are marked accordingly and will hopefully be updated in the future.)

MC = Trickster Grim = Monsieur Hirsute (Mister Shaggy) Riddle = Roi de Roses (King of Roses) Ace = Monsieur Heart (Mister Heart) Deuce = Monsieur Spade (Mister Spade) Cater = Monsieur Magicam (Mister Magicam) Trey = Chevalier de Roses (Rose Knight) Leona = Roi de Leon (King of Lions) Jack = Monsieur Tough Guy (Mister Tough Guy) Ruggie = Monsieur Tanpopo (Mister Dandelion) Azul = Roi d’Effort (King of Effort) Jade = Monsieur Mastermind^ (Mister Mastermind) Floyd = Monsieur Yukaihan (Mister Joyous Offender) Kalim = Roi d’Or (King of Gold) Jamil = Monsieur Multi (Mister Multi) Vil = Roi de Poison (King of Poison) Epel = Monsieur Himeringo (Mister Lady Apple) Idia = Roi de Ta Chambre (King of [Your] Room) Ortho = Monsieur Doll (Mister Doll), “Miracle Boy”^ Malleus = Roi de Dragon (King of Dragons) Silver = Monsieur Sleepyhead^ (Mister Sleepyhead) Sebek = Monsieur Crocodile^ (Mister Crocodile) Lilia = Monsieur Curiosity^ (Mister Curiosity) Sam = Monsieur Mysterious (Mister Mysterious) Rollo = Monsieur du Mouchoir (Mister Handkerchief)

Monikers ~ Other/General

・MC > Malleus ~ Hornton - Tsunotarou ・Malleus > Humans ~ Child of Man (hito no ko) ・Leona > Azul ~ Tako-yarou (Octopus [derogatory]) ・Leona > Malleus ~ Tokage-yarou (Lizard [derogatory]) ・Leona > Idia ~ Kaiware daikon ・Leona > Skully ~ Anaguma-yarou (Badger [derogatory]) ・Leona > Humans ~ “Herbivore” ・Vil > Sebek ~ “Cucumber” ・Vil > a great many students his junior ~ “Potato” ・Sebek > Malleus ~ Young Master (waka-sama) ・Cheka > Leona ~ Unca’ Leona - (Leona-)ojitan ・Neige > Vil ~ Vi-kun ・Crewel > Students ~ “Puppies” (koinu-domo) ・Rollo > Trein ~ “Professor Mozus” (Mozus-sensei) ・Sam > Customers/Students > Little Imp ~ lit. “Little Demon” (ko-oni) >>> Sam sometimes will add a descriptor to distinguish between “demons”–examples being Kalim’s kin no oni and Rook’s okappa oni

Unique Magic (Signature Spells)

Below is a comprehensive list of romanized furigana (that is, the intended/spoken) readings of Unique Magic names as they appear in the original Japanese version of the game.

Riddle Rosehearts - Off With Your Head Deuce Spade - Bet the Limit Cater Diamond - Split Card Trey Clover - Doodle Suit Leona Kingscholar - King’s Roar Jack Howl - Unleash the Beast Ruggie Bucchi - Laugh With Me Azul Ashengrotto - It’s A Deal Jade Leech - Shock The Heart Floyd Leech - Bind The Heart Kalim Al-Asim - Oasis Maker Jamil Viper - Snake Whisper Vil Schoenheit - Fairest One Of All Epel Felmier - Sleep Kiss Rook Hunt - I See You Idia Shroud - Gate To The Underworld Malleus Draconia - Fae of Maleficence Silver - Meet In A Dream Sebek Zigvolt - Living Bolt Lilia Vanrouge - Far Cry Cradle Rollo Flamme - Dark Fire Fellow Honest - Life is Fun Skully J. Graves - Scary Night

Other Notes

+ Che’nya’s full name is rendered differently between the EN and JP versions. + Leona's family's royal chamberlain, Kifaji, had his name changed to "Neji" in the localization. The reason for this is unclear. (Kifaji means "food" in Swahili, which makes sense if you consider Scar and Zazu's relationship.) + Fellow Honest's name was changed to "Ernesto Foulworth" in the localization to better reflect Honest John's real name. + Gidel's name was changed to "Gino".

[dontforgetukraine]

More episodes of Russians committing ecocide in Ukraine

Askania-Nova is a biosphere reserve and national park in Kherson Oblast. It serves as a home for over 500 species of plants and over 3,000 animal species. Some of these species are on the endangered list.

The Russian occupiers have destroyed much of the reserve as well as hunted and removed animals to occupied Crimea and Russia.

The director of the reserve, Viktor Shapoval, explained the severe damage to the reserve, saying, "To date, 20 animals have been taken to Russia and the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. Some animals have died due to neglect, lack of qualified scientific support, and veterinary care. A significant part of the protected steppe – over 2,000 hectares – has burned due to fires of various nature."

However, this isn't the only nature reserve to suffer severe damage due to the Russian occupation. Petro Andriushchenko, Advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol, stated that Russian forces earlier destroyed the Meotyda nature reserve, which stretches from Mariupol to the village of Babakh-Taram. Russian shelling and deployment of mllitary forces here destroyed unique nesting sites for birds that are red listed.

In another case of ecocide, Russian forces also destroyed the Chaiechyi Ostriv (Gulls’ Island) situated on the Bilosarai Spit. It held an important mating site for many species of birds.

The latest nature reserve to fall victim to Russian occupiers is Kamiani Mohyly (Stone Graves) nature reserve near the village of Nazarivka in the Mariupol district of Donetsk Oblast. Military camps and activity have been seen there. "Given their behaviour and the nature of their activities, including the use of heavy military equipment and the creation of shooting ranges [at the nature reserve], it’s logical to conclude that the Kamiani Mohyly reserve has been ruined," Andriushchenko said.

Sources: Russian forces devastate Ukraine’s Askania-Nova national park, relocate animals

Russian forces turn nature reserve near Mariupol into military training grounds

[cal-flakes]

hii can you write an imagine with rafe and a reader that's just as psycho as him please??

okay so i also got another request about y/n protecting rafe so i’ve put these together, however i’ve put a bit of spin on it.

╰┈➤ protecting dark!rafe

warnings: mentions of lethal weapons, extreme violence, blood, homicide.

summary: y/n comes to rafe’s defence when he’s in trouble. (obx2 spoilers! sort of)

the grunts and groans of a struggle echoed through the dark forest of goat island, overriding her senses as she crept through the wailing trees.

she’d parked her car quite far out in hopes rafe wouldn’t see her, she’d intended to undermine his plans, take the cross for herself, but it seemed two people now stood in her way.

coming out of the camouflage of the thick woods, she tip toed around the side of the truck. her gloved fingertips just grasping the handle of her hunting knife while she went over the new plan in her head.

peaking around the side, she took in the scene before her, the strange man had rafe pinned to the ground, throwing punch after punch.

she’d never seen him before and it made her wonder who else was looking for the cross of santo domingo.

taking the opportunity, she lunged at him, plunging the blade deep into his thigh as he let out a cry of pain.

stumbling backwards, he landed into the mud with a groan as he stared down at the wound in horror.

before he had the chance to work out whether it was blood or dirt he was covered in, a gunshot filled the area, birds squeaking as they flew away.

rafe looked at the man on the floor, glancing between him and the gun in her hand, making the connection. it was obvious who shot him, but he just couldn’t fathom it.

a girl he had fallen for, killing a man in cold blood, right in front of him?

she stepped over his limp body, taunting him with a grin on her face. her pupils were blown and her hands trembled slightly as she looked over the man for any sign of life.

satisfied with his lack of pulse, she turned to rafe who was frozen on the floor, unsure of what just happened.

“give me your hand” she demanded, the numbness of her voice almost giving him chills. nodding in thanks, he reached up expectantly while his chest heaved.

in the blink of an eye, she’d put the safety on and flipped the gun around, slipping the handle into his shaky hands.

his breath hitched as she gently grasped his bare fingertips, squeezing them around the weapon.

“wh-what..” he gasped, breathless and shaken. she chuckled, shaking her head at his stupidity.

his heart could’ve exploded then and there, the feeling of betrayal coursing through him as he stared back at someone he thought he knew.

“im gonna make you a deal rafe, and you’ve got two options. you give me what i want, or..i give old shoupe a call, tell him i’ve got the gun you used on our friend here” she smirked, a menacing look dancing through her wide eyes.

“b-but that didn’t happen, that’ll never work y/n and you know it” he growled, gritting his teeth.

she tilted her head in amusement, leaning down. “oh but wouldn’t it? i was the worried girlfriend, following you to find out where you were going, only to find you blowing this poor man’s brains out” she stated proudly, inciting an angry sigh from the boy below her.

“and i was just, so scared, so i kept the gun, making sure i had something to protect me if you ever tried to come for me too..”

“you used me..” he muttered, staring into her eyes in hopes something familiar would return. “you waited until i’d done all the hard work huh? thought you’d swoop in, take the cross for yourself?” he snapped, attempting to lunge at her.

his reach was limited however, as she placed her dirty boot on his chest, pushing him further into the ground. “oh baby boy, that’s exactly what i’ve done..” she uttered, blowing him a kiss before sending a sharp kick to his jaw.

“you should be thanking me really, i just saved your life..but i suppose you’ve always been an ungrateful dick huh?”

she rounded the truck once more and got in the drivers side, leaving rafe in the mud, writhing in pain and hurt.

[darklydeliciousdesires]

Sky Full of Stars - Chapter Thirteen.

As usual, big thanks to my little audience for your lovely feedback :) We have another little time jump here, bringing us to the next notable event in the timeline of our characters. Enjoy <3 Also, if you're a silent reader who just clicks that heart and carries on, could I at all persuade you to leave a comment? It'd mean the world to hear from you!

Previous chapters - One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve

Tag list - In the comments

Words - 3,481

Warnings - 18+ content throughout. Minors DNI!

December 24th, 2011, Cleveland, NY 

“Are you being careful? Because I’m not sure you’re being careful in your haste to get home,” Adrien spoke, phone glued to his ear as he and his father-in-law watched the snow plummeting down from the sky, the entirety of Oswego County under a few feet already.  

“Bug, I have the greatest co-driver in the world, I’m wearing my glasses and we’re taking it slow. The freeway is clear and there’s barely any traffic. We’re fine.” 

“Homeslice, this truck is insane! I love it! Handles perfectly, y’know?” Jen called, enjoying herself greatly driving Adrien’s Ford Ranger.  

Jen was driving? Oh, god.  

“Jennifer, if there’s even one mark on my damned truck, you’re getting whooped.” He’d only bought it brand new a week ago, and now it was in the hands of somebody who made F1 drivers look tame.  

Steven couldn’t help but snort at that, shaking his head as he sipped his coffee. “RIP your paintwork, son.” 

“Oooh, baby! Bring it!” Of course, she’d say something like that. “Just make sure the fire is blazing, buddy. We’re below zero and this heater ain’t cutting it. I swear, my tits are about to drop off!” 

Adrien couldn’t help my laugh. “You do know I have you on speaker, right? And Steven is standing right here.” 

There was a short pause. “Hey, papa Steve! What’s your medical stance on combating chilly tits?” 

He didn’t miss a beat. “Warm hands.”  

“Steven!” Gemma yelled from across the kitchen, “you can’t say that! The girl is like an adopted daughter to us!” 

“I wasn’t offering, love,” he called, still laughing. “She knows that!”  

“Indeed, I do! Anyway, Jade is running low on battery and my phone is in my bag in the back, so we gotta go. I’m saying ETA of about a half hour. Buh-bye!” 

“Bye!” the men both sounded, Adrien hanging up and returning his phone to the island, sitting down. The reason Jade was out at all in the snow was because all the trains heading north of Manhattan had been cancelled and flights were grounded, leaving Jen stranded without a ride since she her own car had refused to start that morning, Steven and Gemma already on their way and with his own parents also en route from visiting friends in east Hampton, it left no other options than for Jade to drive down and fetch her.  

With her recently split from her boyfriend of ten months, and her mother and sister heading to Florida for Christmas in the sun with her brother Wayne, who she did not get on well with at all, it had left Jen destitute for the festive period. Until Jade had emphatically stated there was no way that would happen, Adrien telling her too that if she didn’t come to them, he’d hunt her down.  

He was very relieved when he saw the truck park up to the side of the house just under forty-five minutes later, the women diving out and running for the door he rushed to open up for them, both covered in a liberal dusting of snow. After a round trip of just over twelve hours, Jade was very, very glad to be back home, kicking off her boots and big coat, falling into the warm hug her husband provided.  

“Mommy Gem!” Jen yelled, approaching the lady herself with wide arms, being pulled into a hug and kissed upon her cheek multiple times.  

“Hey, hon. Oh, it’s so nice to see you, my darling!” While they chatted, Jade stood and caught up with the day she’d missed. 

“Have the puppies been out yet?” Yes, her filling the house with animals had begun. Two Cane Corso's, one American Bulldog, and an insane Red Setter who was currently lying across Steven’s lap beside the fire. Having the chimneys completely rebuilt throughout the house had been expensive and time consuming, but definitely worth it. That and the underfloor heating provided an amazing source of warmth during winter.  

“Groucho initially refused,” he began, speaking of said Red Setter, “Bear and Atlas eventually got their paws in it,” he continued, referring to the Cane Corso’s, “and Brando wouldn’t come back in for a half hour, would you?” 

The big, white bulldog sitting beside him looked up with a head tilt, woofing softly. “Yeah, you know I’m talking about having to chase your dumb ass back in earlier, don’t you?” Another woof sounded. 

“And the cats?”  

He looked to where Salem and Juno, their two rescue Maine Coon cats basked upon the rug, shaking his head. “Long enough to pee before they shot back in.”  

She hummed a chuckle, kissing the centre of his chest. “They are nothing but predictable with their posh paws routine.” 

“Alright, so now you’re home, can we get the guided tour of this newly finished house?” Gemma asked. She’d been itching for a proper look around since they’d arrived four hours ago, Adrien reluctant to show them without Jade, knowing she’d want to be there, too. It also saved doing the same thing all over again for Jen when she arrived as well.   

It gave him a sense of great pride, to show them around the house that had taken four long years to complete, talking about the various points they picked up on as they went. There was one focal point that drew the kind of attention he could have kicked himself over, though, neither he nor Jade realising they hadn’t taken it down from the beam above their bed about two minutes too late.  

“Ahh, guys, I have to take this. It’s the hospital, I’ll be in the lounge.” Steven spoke, his departing of the house tour a saving grace, as Adrien was about to discover.  

“Oh, it’s beautiful in here, look at this floor!” Gemma enthused as she walked into the bedroom, Jen rushing past to backflip straight onto the bed, assuming the starfish position.  

“I love the hell outta this bed!” she exclaimed, Jade folding her arms while raising an eyebrow.  

“If only you knew that I was doing at 1am this morning, right where your head is,” she quipped, grinning with mirth. 

Jen looked between her and the comforter a few times. “I don’t know whether to be aroused or perturbed. I’ll sit somewhere between the two.” 

“Dirty children,” Gemma sighed, her eye then caught. “Why’s there a big assed chain with a hook hanging from the beam?” 

Oh, shit.  

“Erm, modern art,” Jade smiled. Gemma could have been convinced by that, had it not been for her son-in-law closing his eyes tightly, looking immediately uncomfortable. 

“Lies! What’s it really for?” She turned then, fixing him with a look. “Adrien?” 

“And I’m outta here.”  

“Adrien!” she called as he made his escape towards the stairs. “You haven’t answered me.” 

Jade was laughing behind her hands, Jen scrambling off the bed and straightening the comforter before jogging from the room. “This I gotta watch! Oh, he’s gonna go catatonic!”  

“Adrien,” Gemma continued to call, two snickering women hot on her heels, “what’s the hook for?” 

“N’aww, fuck!” he groaned, entering the kitchen and promptly opening the door to the huge, walk in pantry, hilariously shutting himself within, Jen catching up and rapping her hands against the door rapidly. 

“Dude! It ain’t like you to get embarrassed,” she teased with hefty sarcasm, snorting laughing. “Come on! Enlighten us!” 

“Get in here. I need company, and to make sure you keep your yap shut,” he spoke, opening the door, his arm emerging to haul Jen in by her hoodie, slamming it shut again.  

“Baby,” Jade called, slapping her mum on the arm for the look of utter mischief. “Are you alright in there?” 

“Do we still have the cat sedatives?” he asked. 

“I think so.” While Salem was good as gold for vet trips, Juno was hell on four paws unless Adrien took her. For daddy, she behaved. For anybody else? The murder mittens were shown. 

“Good, because I need to swallow the whole damned bottle.”  

“Hey, if I can’t use recreationally any longer, neither can you!” Jen told him, the sound of rustling becoming audible. “Oh cool, you guys have got that Whole Foods granola in here!” A small scuffling sound followed. “Don’t be stingy with the eats, man!” 

The door opened, the tall blonde finding herself ejected, granola box yanked from her grasp. “Oh man, you should see his cheeks!” she hissed through her mouthful of pilfered cereal. “He’s like beets!” 

“Jen!” he warned, slamming the door shut after her exit, sending her doubled over with laughter, Gemma approaching to tap her nails against the pantry door. 

“Adrien?” she called sweetly, trying to hold her laughter in. “What’s the hook for?” 

“Yeah, homeslice, tell us!” Jen teased, wiping her eyes. “You can’t be a freak in the sheets and then get all shy about it!” 

“I can when my mother-in-law is right there, Jennifer!” 

“Mummy,” Jade warned, finally emerging from behind her hands, “stop mortifying him!” 

She thought on it for a second. “I will not.” Once again, her nails tapped the door. “What’s the hook for, Adrien?” Oh, she was having way too much fun to stop, the door eventually flying open, Adrien moving at speed across the kitchen, determined to at least try not to be furtherly ensnared by his embarrassment. He didn’t move fast enough for Gemma, though, who grabbed his belt and, surprisingly for her size, hauled him to a complete stop. 

“What’s the hook for?” 

He finally began to laugh, pointing at Jen, who was in complete hysterics. “Don’t you dare.” 

“I ain’t saying shit,” she began, snorting and descending again, hugging his arm.  

He cringed, shaking his head rapidly. “If ever the ground was gonna open up and swallow me, can it please be now?” Opening one eye a fraction, he viewed an expectant Gemma, laughing through his nose as the discomfort ate him alive. “I’m pleading the fifth.” 

Truly, he had no idea of the tenacity of Mrs. Burton, Gemma folding her arms, making him meet her eye. “What’s the hook for?” 

“Mum, you really don’t want to know,” Jade called, picking up a passing Salem and cuddling him close, the cat purring and nudging her face with his.  

“I do want to know!” she exclaimed, “if nothing else but to watch your husband squirm some more.” 

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he screwed his eyes tightly shut, looking more pained than Jade had ever seen him look. “I’ll let your daughter tell you. I’m going where women are not. Gimme the keys, I’ll go get all your stuff out of the truck.” He kissed his wife’s head on the way past as she handed him the keys, scratching an appreciative Salem, Gemma turning to meet Jade with a wide-eyed stare. 

She waited all of two seconds after Adrien had exited the back door. “Well?” 

“He ties me up and hangs me from it,” she finally stated simply. 

The gasp that fell from Gemma was immense. “He what?” she began, turning to Jen while pointing at her daughter. “I was thinking leverage or something, you know, like holding onto it while you’re bouncing on top?” The fact she coupled her words with the motions to demonstrate sent Jen into a guffawing mess, falling to her knees as she slapped the stone tiles beneath her.  

“I have used it for that, too, when I have my arms all bound up.” 

“Jade Lucia!” Gemma exclaimed. 

“I can’t breathe!” came the voice from the floor.  

“Well, you did ask, mum,” Jade shrugged, picking up a grape and popping it into her mouth with a shrug. “No, you can’t have that.” she then told the huge puddle of fur in her arms, Salem softly pawing at her finger with a little meow. 

Gemma stood looking mildly stunned. “But he’s so nice and polite, and now I find out he’s one of these guys who liked their women hog tied!” 

“Not all the time,” Jade was quick to state, plucking a few more grapes from the bunch. 

“It’s always the nice, polite ones that are the secret deviants,” Jen added to the conversation, moving to seat herself at the island. “Trust me, the things I know about Charlotte. Entirely too much, courtesy of Katie.”  

When Adrien came back in, he was immediately given a look from his mother-in-law, Gemma resting her hands to her hips. “I want words with you, young man.” 

Just then, he heard the sound of a horn beeping, looking out of the window to see his parent’s car pulling up. “Oh, thank fuck,” he sighed, “saved by the beeps.” He then paused, of course realising his mom and dad would also want the guided tour, eyes widening. “Baby, get the fuck upstairs and get it down!” 

“I can’t, I’m not tall enough,” she spoke in her best cute, funny voice, snorting with laughter all over again.   

Jen jerked her head in the direction of the door. “I gotcha, Skippy. I’ll get on your shoulders. C’mon.” 

While they scurried from the kitchen, Gemma fixed him with a wry smile, walking over and hugging him. “Still love you, even if you are a deviant.” 

He laughed, kissing the top of her head. “Still love you too, Gemma. Even though you enjoy mortifying me way too much.”  

She hummed a wicked chuckle, patting his stomach with her hand. “You shouldn’t make it so easy, hon.” 

With all embarrassing inquiries out of the way, another tour of the house was taken after Lois and Patrick had warmed up with coffee, everyone gathering back in the kitchen, where Gemma had truly commandeered the space, cooking all afternoon. The big celebration in Italian households was Christmas Eve, and truly, she’d gone all out. The feast of the seven fishes had been a staple in her household since she was a child, and she’d kept up with that tradition ever since.  

Baked salmon, spaghetti with clams, fried calamari, cod with orzo, gigantic, spicy shrimp, garlic mussels and fried whitebait graced the table, everyone having much fun at Jade’s expense with the latter.  

“Patrick, no. I can’t,” she cried, her father-in-law holding one of the tiny fried fish, making a swimming motion towards her with it. “It has a face still!” If there was one thing she couldn’t deal with, it was fish served with their heads still intact. 

“But as a meat eater, everything you consume has a face. I fail to see the validity in your gripe when we take this into account,” he shrugged, Jade leaning as far away as she could in her seat at the island, making a perturbed squeak.  

“I don’t like my food to look at me,” she reasoned, pointing at Adrien. “Your bloody son traumatised me every damned day of our honeymoon! Ordered everything with a face when we went out to eat!” Indeed, he had, Adrien looking delighted at the memory of his wife having a small meltdown at dinner each night. They had spent a week in Turks and Caicos at the end of the summer of twenty ten, loving the islands so much that come the following spring, they were heading back on a group holiday with Katie and Charlotte, as well as his good friend Lewis and his girlfriend Mona. 

Adrien only had three projects to film in twenty twelve, Jade two, both wanting slow down their working life a little and enjoy some time together instead of snatched days and weeks here and there, as they had for the almost two years they’d been married. Two weeks in the sun suited them both down to the ground, especially given the current climate of Oswego County.  

After having a great Christmas with their families, before she knew it, Jade was boarding a tour bus again after touching down in Manchester, but at least it came with some very nice advantages. Advantage one being that she had Adrien with her, and advantage two, the bus itself. With the girls now elevated to a much higher status in their careers, the record company were prepared to shell out a lot more in the way of comfort, two busses now dedicated to ferrying them around in luxury. Yes, they had beds.  

The set up of the busses was much different, the front lounge remaining, kitchenette and bathroom next, but no bunks or rear lounge, those spaces taken up by two bedrooms that a double bed could just about fit into, the gangway offset to the side of the bus. No more bunk life. They were thrilled. Charlotte, Katie and Jess had one, and Jen and Jade the other, Adrien too by extension. He could have stayed at home, but with a housekeeper in employment so their home and animals were well looked after whenever they were away, he saw no reason not to spend some time with his wife. After all, they’d been married for almost two years and lamentably spent most of it apart.  

They’d definitely proved every single one of their doubters wrong, that their marriage wouldn’t last beyond a few months.  

Still though, while they were no longer hounded by photographers quite as much as before, the media still gave voice to ridiculous gossip, claims that they were on the rocks and heading for separation, as well as the one that had made Jade burst out laughing with the sheer ridiculousness of it. Adrien, apparently, had been having an affair with a young woman named Serena Reid for the last five months, her claims only amounting to a personal account that could easily be picked apart.  

It honestly entertained her, how these tabloids didn’t bother with fact checking anything for credence prior to going into print. One of the alleged dates the girl claimed she’d met up with Adrien in the city had been so easily refutable, since at the time he was standing to the side of the stage at Simmons Bank Area in Arkansas, watching Seventh Gate play live. Another she claimed to have been in taken to their apartment in the West Village by him while his wife remained upstate, when in reality, he’d been filming halfway across the world. 

That aside, she knew her husband inside out; infidelity was not in his nature. Being a little self-righteous, argumentative when he was in a bad mood, aloof when he was proven wrong, yes, those were some of his negative traits that annoyed her, but cheating? Nope. She knew she’d never have that to worry about. Apart from him being the epitome of faithful, he’d never wish to inflict the kind of pain he’d gone through with Sofia upon another. He was too much of a good guy for that.  

He would be lying if he’d said he hadn’t worried about the effect it’d have on his wife, knowing well how she tended to pay a little too much attention to online commentary into their life, but the way she’d handled it with grace, not internalising it either, had truly made him proud. Her coping skills in that respect had been learned in attending therapy for the last year and a half, and also feeling safe and secure enough in her relationship with him to talk things through, just as he’d always wanted her to.  

While the claims of Serena Reid were entertaining in their preposterousness and nothing more, Jade couldn’t help but feel sorry for her on some small level. The emergence of an Instagram page, with fake text messages created allegedly from Adrien, as well as badly manipulated Photoshop creations had sealed for her that the young woman was likely not well. Where were her family in all of this to talk her out of making a complete fool of herself, she wondered? The media also had a responsibility as well. After all, they had been the ones to give Serena a platform when it was obvious how delusional she was.  

Delusional was exactly how Jade looked at it all, and was prepared to keep on viewing it as. That was, until she and the rest of the girls were headed to a small side room at the Manchester MEN arena for a meet and greet with fans who had paid for VIP packages. Upon approach, their former head roadie, now tour manager Sunni walked from the room, holding his hands out.  

“Yeah, we’ve got a situation, guys,” he spoke, glad that he’d been the one to spot it prior to the band entering the space. “Jade, that girl Serena Reid? You ain’t going to believe this, boss, but she’s back there in the room with the rest of the fans.” 

Hearing that, things shifted up a gear instantly, and her stance of thinking Serena to be nothing more than a purely harmless, annoyingly delusional person was swiftly tossed aside.  

[general-kalani]

New commission post, this time gifs! Prices can be negotiated but I'm thinking temporarily $5/two gifs.

Icon commission post here, Dinosaur gif commission post here, Writing commission post here, TWD commission post here

Can be in AUD or USD but if you want to negotiate with any of the options below, lmk! Paypal here and Ko-Fi here

This is an ever growing list and if you ask for a specific movie/show/game/etc I'll do my best to get my hands on it.

Options under cut for what can be chosen:

ANCIENT ANIMALS

Dinosaur (2000)

The Land Before Time (1988 movie)

Walking with Monsters

Walking with Dinosaurs

Walking with Beasts

Walking with Cavemen

Walking with Dinosaurs special - Ballad of Big Al

Chased by Dinosaurs (episodes 1 & 2)

Sea Monsters (episodes 1, 2 & 3)

Prehistoric Planet

Planet Dinosaur

Dinosaur Planet

Primeval

Prehistoric Park

MOVIES

The Hunt for Red October

The Mist

Alien Planet

Dog Soldiers

Dragonlance Dragons of Autumn Twilight

The Last Voyage of the Demeter

Wing Commander (1999 movie)

SHOWS

Babylon 5

Battletech Cartoon

Bitten

D&D Cartoon

Stargate SG-1

Transformers: Beast Machines

Transformers: Beast Wars

Transformers G1

Transformers the Movie

Transformers Prime

Voltron Vehicle Force

Vox Machina (season 1 only atm)

ANIME - LEIJIVERSE

Cosmo Warrior Zero

Galaxy Express

Gun Frontier

Harlock Saga - The Ring of the Nibelung

Interstellar 5555

Queen Emeraldas

Queen Millennia (might not be high quality)

Space Pirate Captain Harlock

Space Pirate Captain Herlock: Outside Legend - The Endless Odyssey

SSX Endless Orbit

Arcadia of my Youth

Space Pirate Captain Harlock (2013 movie)

Space Pirate Captain Harlock: Riddle of the Arcadia

ANIME - IRRESPONSIBLE CAPTAIN TYLOR

Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV series

Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA series

ANIME - LEGEND OF THE GALACTIC HEROES (original series only)

Legend of the Galactic Heroes series

Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Golden Wings

Legend of the Galactic Heroes - My Conquest is the Sea of Stars

Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Overture to a New War

Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden

ANIME - MACROSS

Macross 7

Macross Delta

Macross Frontier

Macross Plus

Macross Zero

Robotech

SDF Macross

ANIME - REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA

Revolutionary Girl Utena tv series

Revolutionary Girl Utena movie

ANIME - SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO/STAR BLAZERS (original series and reboot)

Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (Reboot)

Space Battleship Yamato 2199 - Odyssey of the Celestial Ark

Space Battleship Yamato 2202 (Reboot)

Space Battleship Yamato 2205 (Reboot)

Space Battleship Yamato I (OS)

Space Battleship Yamato II (OS)

Space Battleship Yamato III (OS)

Arrivederci Yamato

Be Forever Yamato

Final Yamato

Space Battleship Yamato (2013 movie)

Uchuu Senkan Yamato (1977 recap movie)

Yamato - The New Voyage

Yamato: Resurrection

GAMES - FAR CRY (only games I own, sorry!)

Far Cry 3 (Can be modded for Jason in Vaas' place)

Far Cry 4 (Can be modded for Sabal and Pagan to switch places)

Far Cry 5 (Can be heavily modded)

Far Cry: New Dawn

Far Cry 6

GAMES - STAR WARS

KOTOR (I and II)

SWTOR

Star Wars: The Force Unleased (I and II)

Star Wars: Rebellion

Star Wars: Republic Commando

Star Wars: Starfighter

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (Classic)

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Star Wars: Jedi Knight series (Dark Forces I and II, Mysteries of the Sith, Jedi Academy, Jedi Outcast)

GAMES - BORDERLANDS

Borderlands (GOTY and GOTY Enhanced)

Borderlands the Pre-Sequel

Borderlands 2

Borderlands 3

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

GAMES - MISCELLANEOUS

Aliens: Colonial Marines

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3

Dead Island (Definitive Edition, can be modded to get rid of lens flares and more)

Dead Island Riptide (Definitive Edition)

Generation Zero

Left 4 Dead 2

Iron Harvest

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion (Can be specific matches, races, etc)

State of Decay (I and II)

Strange Brigade

[lowcountry-gothic]

Maritime forest trail in Hunting Island State Park, Hunting Island, South Carolina. Photo by Giedrius Kartanovic.

[pamwmsn]

📷: pamwmsn.tumblr.com

Hunting Island Lighthouse🇺🇸

[jackalopegirlantlers]

happy world orca day !!

top two photos: t73c, t73c1, and t73c2. the latter is an as of yet unknown calf, and i encountered them 7/4/23 at deishú áak'w (false outer point, alaska) while they hunted a steller sea lion that hid beneath our boat!

third photo: ag8 "new moon," ag18 "cookie cutter," and ag25 "berg." i saw them at asx̱'ée (eagle beach state park, alaska) on 5/22/23 with other members of the alaska resident ag pod

fourth photo: t68a. i saw him, his mom t68, his sister t68c, and his niece t68c1 today (!!) 7/14/23 at weineidi aan (youngs bay, alaska)

bottom photo: t63 "chainsaw." i saw him and his mom t65 "whidbey ii" today (!!) 7/14/23 at kichx̱áak' tuḵyee (south shelter island, alaska)

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Smithsonian:

Every summer, millions of Americans flock to the United States’ 63 national parks. Federally protected wilderness areas offer people the chance to explore a wide variety of terrain, from the vibrant canyons of the Southwest to the imposing mountains of the West Coast. Today, these public lands often represent an escape for Americans, 81 percent of whom live in cities. Some may agree with the naturalist John Muir, who believed that “wildness is a necessity” and national parks are “fountains of life.”

When Americans walk through dense forests or descend into gloomy caverns, they might recall explorers of the past who trekked across the country decades before Congress established Yellowstone as the U.S.’s first national park in 1872. Names like Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett and Kit Carson loom large in the popular imagination. But their stories are not the only ones.

For too long, the public and scholars alike have overlooked American adventurers from diverse backgrounds whose discoveries shaped the nation’s history. The time has come to fully recover their stories and acknowledge their important contributions. Doing so will not only correct the historical record but also support contemporary efforts to welcome people of color in national parks. According to National Park Service (NPS) data, 77 percent of park visitors are white, while just 23 percent are racial minorities. (People of color make up around 44 percent of the U.S.’s population.)

From the earliest days of European settlement, when an estimated 5 million to 15 million Indigenous people populated the lands that would one day form the U.S., people of color have been at the forefront of exploration. In 1527, an enslaved African man named Esteban reached North America as part of a Spanish expedition led by the conquistador Pánfilo de Narváez. After stopping on the islands of Hispaniola and Cuba, Narváez and his men landed in present-day Florida to search for gold. They soon became enfeebled by disease, and many perished. Native Americans drove those who survived, including Esteban, to the coast, where they set sail for the Gulf of Mexico.

On May 21, 1804, 45 men led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed from St. Charles, Missouri, on a two-year journey across North America. Hoping to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean, the Corps of Discovery also sought to gather information about the geography, climate, wildlife and Indigenous peoples of the continent. The group’s mission was funded by Congress and supported by President Thomas Jefferson, who had just facilitated the acquisition of Louisiana Territory in 1803.

York, an African American man enslaved by Clark, played an integral role as the only Black member of the corps. An experienced frontiersman, York knew how to forage for edible plants and hunt wild game. Although most enslaved African Americans were forbidden to possess guns at the time, York wielded a firearm throughout his journey. He killed bison and geese, providing sustenance for the entire group.

York also provided medical aid to those suffering from illness. Stricken with what was likely a gastrointestinal infection, Sergeant Charles Floyd became incapacitated just months into the journey. It was York, principally, who tried to revive him, Clark wrote in his journal. When Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who played a critical role as an interpreter and navigator for the corps, fell ill at Fort Mandan, York gave her stewed fruit and tea at regular intervals.

[thetransitgirl]

The NYC Subway has set an accessibility goal of ensuring that no station is more than two stops away from the nearest accessible station. Seems like a noble goal, but how much of an investment does that actually involve? Let’s take a look at the current gaps in the network.

The 1 train has an eleven-stop gap (Dyckman St to 96 St) and a nine-stop gap (Penn Station to Chambers St). 3 new accessible stations would be needed.

The 3 train has seven non-accessible stations beyond Utica Av; 1 new accessible station would be needed in addition to the planned upgrades at Junius St.

The 4 train has four non-accessible stations beyond Fordham Rd, but this gap will be filled by planned upgrades at Mosholu Pkwy.

The 6 train has an eleven-stop gap (Pelham Bay Park to Hunts Point Av) and a seven-stop gap (Hunts Point Av to 125 St); 2 new accessible stations would be needed.

The 7 train has a six-stop gap (Court Sq to Woodside); 1 new accessible station would be needed. (Upgrading Queensboro Plaza would also fill a gap on the N and W trains.)

The A train has a seven-stop gap (Euclid Av to Lefferts Blvd) that will be filled by planned upgrades at Rockaway Blvd.

The C train has an eight-stop gap (125 St to 59 St) and a seven-stop gap (Utica Av to Euclid Av); 2 new accessible stations would be needed.

The D train has a seven-stop gap (Kingsbridge Rd to Yankee Stadium) and a six-stop gap (Atlantic Av to 62 St); 2 new accessible stations would be needed. (Upgrading 36 St would also fill a gap on the R train.)

The F Train has a twelve-stop gap (Church Av to Coney Island); 1 new accessible station would be needed in addition to the planned upgrades at Kings Hwy.

The G train has an eighteen-stop gap between Jay St MetroTech and Church Av; 3 new accessible stations would be needed. (One of these would also fill a gap on the F train.)

The J train and Z train have a record-holding nineteen-station gap between Flushing Av and Sutphin Blvd. 3 new accessible stations would be needed.

The L train has an eight-station gap (Bedford Av to Myrtle—Wyckoff Avs); 1 new accessible station would be needed.

The M train and R train have two six-station gaps (on either side of Roosevelt Av); 2 new accessible stations would be needed, including the planned upgrades at Woodhaven Blvd.

The N train has a seven-station gap (New Utrecht Av to Coney Island) and an eight-station gap (Astoria Blvd to 57 St); 2 new accessible stations would be needed. (Upgrading Queensboro Plaza would also fill a gap on the 7 train.)

The Q train has a six-station gap (Prospect Park to Avenue H) and a seven-station gap (Kings Hwy to Coney Island) that will be filled respectively by planned upgrades at Church Av and Sheepshead Bay.

The R train has an eight-station gap (Atlantic Av to 59 St); 1 new accessible station would be needed. (Upgrading 36 St would also fill a gap on the D train.)

In total?

The stated goal could be met with 22 new accessible stations beyond what’s already planned. That’d bring the total number of accessible stations on the system from 143 (30% of the system) to 165 (35% of the system).

And that’s not particularly impressive. Ultimately, “no station will be more than two stops away from an accessible station” might sound like a lot but honestly isn’t all that much of an improvement on the status quo. The MTA needs to be held to a higher standard for accessibility.

[gazetteny]

The Wonders of Old New York

When engaging with the charming society of New York, patience is a virtue. Avoid rushing through your romantic dalliances. Take your time exploring the city. Spend a few days immersing yourself in its wonders. Reconnect & expand your network of acquaintances. Survey the bustling markets to discover where you can find the best deals & fresh ideas.

If you have a favored establishment for your shopping visit it. Greet your old friends warmly, regardless of the state of their hairlines. Venture out to gather insights but be mindful not to indulge excessively in liquid lunches.

Patience, once again, is key. Allow yourself the luxury of extra time.

Visit the lead retail stores to glean inspiration from their impressive displays. Learn the art of window dressing, no matter your trade—whether it be christening caps, caramels, corsets, shoes, soda water, or even burial cases. A thoughtfully arranged and eye-catching display captures attention and leaves an impression far more effective than a haphazard presentation.

Embrace the rhythm of the city & let New York’s charm unfold before you at its own magnificent pace. As you explore the bustling streets of New York City, hunt for new articles to enhance your inventory & attract your tourists. Keep an eye out for novelties—these are treasuring that appeal to everyone, except perhaps those who prefer hairs in their butter. Year by year, the demand for unique & innovative items continues to grow.

Should you find the supply of novelties lacking, don’t hesitate to fall back on the tried & true. Stock up on “chestnuts”—those classic, well-loved stories & items. Consult with seasoned salesmen & ask if they have any fresh tales or products. Engage with the locals & let them show you what’s new, novel, & delightful. This will help you identify what your own town might need to charm & satisfy tourists from nearby crossroads, hamlets, & villages.

Remember, the art of entertainment is invaluable & ever rewarding when executed well. And New Yorkers are masters of this art.

Now that you’ve decided to extend your stay, take advantage of the opportunity to gather useful information that can save you money, reduce travel, & minimize inconvenience. In this grand city, such knowledge is plentiful.

So, immerse yourself fully in the wonders of Old New York. Given that New York City is the largest metropolis on the American continent & practically the world unto itself, it’s certainly worth your while to explore & experience as much of it as possible.

When your business brings you to New York, see if you can combine pleasure with your professional duties. Witness the latest fashions, observe how people conduct themselves at hotels, theaters, churches, & the various resorts around the city where people gather for leisure & refreshment. Do not claim that you can’t afford this—because you can. Absorb the latest trends & fill your trunk with new goods. Take notes on how you’ll dress & what you’ll wear upon returning home. Within three weeks, you’ll have the entire town buzzing, moving from place to place & showcasing evidence that you’ve been somewhere & brought something back.

Visit the theaters. Attend the churches. Take time to enjoy the parks. Ride the entire length of the elevated railway on each side of the Island from the Battery to the end of the road, & this as far into the country as you can go & see how much there is of New York City. Don’t content yourself merely by seeing what is to be seen directly on the Island of Manhattan, generally known as the city of New York.

Go down to the Battery or South Ferry, take a steamboat ride to Bedloe’s Island, & walk around the Bartholdi Statue. Twenty-five cents pays the steamboat fare there & back.

Take the little steamer which plies every hour between the Battery & Governor’s Island. See where the soldiers who are here to guard the city of New York from invasion are quartered. See where General Hancock lived so long. Walk around & see how nicely everything here is kept. Go into the museum wherein are to be found thousands of relics of battles by sea & land. Visit the fortifications & get an idea how war is carried on—in theory if not in practice. The little boat runs to & from the city to Governor’s Island every 30 minutes as part of the Government Service, carrying over & bringing back without charge those who would make the trip.

Take a boat to Staten Island from the Battery & put in an afternoon there witnessing the games & amusements which are furnished for the recreation of ten thousands of people who go there each week to enjoy an eight-mile steamboat ride across New York Bay & eight miles return.

Ride over Staten Island or a portion of it by carriage. It’s one of the most enjoyable trips. There are good livery stable establishments to be found on Staten Island, especially at the first landings. The roads are generally very good & as one drives to the higher ground three or four hundred feet above the sea, the view of land & ocean, cities & villages, lakes, bays, ponds & creeks, with threads of railway reaching off into the distance creating a very charming picture, that you’ll never forget.

Visit Coney Island where the so-called mediocrity of New York gathers to the number of twenty thousand on a week day, & one hundred thousand on a Sunday.

You can make the trip on the large iron steamboats from the Battery to Coney Island & return at any time during the day for 50 cents the round trip, or you can go by cars two or three different lines at the same rate of fare. At Coney Island you can roll in the sand, wade into the ocean as far as you feel like going, eat clams, drink ginger ale, & other beverages o refresh the arid tonsils. Take in 100 or more variety shows & see men & women, boys & girls, lovers & sweethearts, babies, dogs, etc. Enjoying surf bathing, which is here to be had in abundance, with officers handy to keep you from getting in beyond your depth, or from trying to cross the ocean on foot.

Coney Island is a curiosity. Once it was a barren stretch of sand worth something like $500,000 or less than nothing. Now it’s a summer city of the beach, a sort of piratical rendezvous where one man appears to be bishop, king, commissioner, mayor, levier of taxes, collector of customs, comptroller of political destinies, etc., so that Robinson Crusoe on his lonely Island wasn’t more of a monarch over what he surveyed than is the head of political-financial combination governing that part of New York known as Coney Island. It’s a curiosity that should be seen, as it alone would give you something to talk about for a month.

A very delightful trip is that by steamer to Rockaway Beach & to Far Rockaway, especially if you want a sniff of ocean air—clean, fresh, & invigorating. Or you can have a steamboat ride to Long Branch & return for a few dimes.

Another charming trip is up the East River, past Blackwell’s Island, Ward’s Island, Fort Schuyler, out into Long Island Sound, past Hart’s Island, which is the pauper burial ground, & then a mile or two beyond to Glen Island, which has been fitted up in magnificent style as a summer resort, & where the old-fashioned clam bake, together with meat, drink & musical accompaniments can be enjoyed ad libitum. After that, you can wander about to see the curiosities, rest in the shade, enjoy the sea breeze, listen to music.

Another good thing to do is to visit the Charity & Correction institutions of New York. To do this properly call at the corner of 11th Street & Third Ave., at the office of the Commissioners of Charities & Corrections. Go into the office & introduce yourself to Mr. Simmons, Mr. Porter or Mr. Brennan, who are the three Commissioners of Charities & Corrections for the City of New York, & who have about sixteen thousand persons under their care, comprising the prison, almshouse, workhouse, & hospital population of the city, & their attendants. You’ll find these gentlemen well-posted, very pleasant & always willing to give or afford strangers visiting New York every possible opportunity to acquaint themselves with the workings of the Charity & Correction institutions of the city, which includes the Tombs, all the police courts, the prisons, hospitals, insane asylums, workhouses, & educational establishments, wherein children of the poor & unfortunate are taught. After that you’ll have obtained a pass from the Commissioners. Go to the foot of East 26th Street, which is on the East & the East River side of New York.

At the foot of East 26th Street, standing in the water a little way from the shore, but reached from the grounds of Bellevue Hospital, is the “dead house,” in which are kept for a day or so the bodies of those who are brought in from the city, fished out from the river, etc., and which bodies are eventually, unless claimed by relatives, taken to the pauper burial ground at Hart’s Island for interment. You can get on with a pass, if you’re alive, & if you go on dead you can get out with a cheap pine coffin costing about 21 cents.

At 10 o’clock every forenoon the large & beautiful steamer Thomas S. Brennan, named after the popular & gentlemanly Commissioner of Charities, leaves this dock on a business trip up the East River. Here you get aboard. If you’re early enough you’ll see the many prison vans or iron omnibuses filled with prisoners brought from the prisons & police courts of the city to this point for shipment to the Penitentiary on Blackwell’s Island & to the Workhouse on Hart’s Island.

The Steamer Brennan is the service of the city exclusively. Its business is to convey parties from the city to Charity Hospital on Blackwell’s Island, which is the first landing. To convey prisoners to the Penitentiary, to the large stone building, which is within a stone’s throw of the Charity Hospital.

Patients for the hospital & prisoners for the penitentiary are discharged at the same landing, where the officers receive & escort them to the hospital & the prisoners to the penitentiary, where they are sheared, bathed, etc., & assigned to the several tasks the superintendent of the Penitentiary deems them fit to work at.

Relieved of this much of her load, the Brennan goes on up the river to the Workhouse, landing there from 75 to 150 men & women each morning, who are marched off & escorted to the Workhouse, where they’re given work to do for a time altogether too short. Supplies for the inhabitants of the Island, which number several thousand, including the inmates of the Female Insane Asylum, which is also on Blackwell’s Island, are here put off for distribution.

This done, the Brennan goes on up the East River, through Hell Gate, to Ward’s Island, on which is the large Homeopathic Hospital, one of the finest of its class in the world, also the insane asylums for males. This is the largest insane asylum on the American continent. It covers several acres of ground, & is occupied by something like 2000 men, a large portion of whom are insane, while a certain percentage are sane, but are unfortunately run in here & kept appeasing the envy, malice, or ugliness of persons who delight in thus torturing those they have a spite against or by saddling their support upon the city.

After discharging the patients & guests who come to see relatives in the hospital & asylums, the Brennan returns a little way, then proceeds up the Harlem River to Randall’s Island, on which is located Mrs. Dunphy’s celebrated school for “idiotic, imbecile or feeble-minded children & homes for idiots who cannot be taught,” & other departments of this nature, all connected or attached to the Charity & Correction department. Here also is the Foundlings’ Home, where are about 400 babies, from one day to four years of age, cared for by nurses.

This takes the time till about half past 12, when the boat returns, stopping a few moments at Hart’s Island, & reaching her dock at the foot of East 26th Street somewhere about 1:30 PM, affording those who care to see a great deal in a little while an opportunity of obtaining information that, if not altogether pleasant, is certainly worth knowing. You’ll get ideas worth taking home with you.

[thessalian]

Thess vs the Valley of the Fallen

I've still been running through Stuff in Horizon Forbidden West in the mornings, but the last day or so it was mostly "Attempt to hunt up THINGS for armour, be disappointed when the Slaughterspine I was hunting didn't turn out to be the really dangerous one, sigh and decide to try again later". But I did trip over a quest, and ... yeah.

So yesterday I tripped over a quest from Nakka in Fall's Edge, when I was trying to tick the "Visit Fall's Edge" box on the main questline. But I can't find the person I need to talk to here and the quest isn't ticking. Lemme check Reddit.

Sooooooooo it just ... stays there until I do the main part of the quest? Really? Couldn't we have at least had it turn off when I actually visit the place? What the--? Oh. Hi, Nakko.

Okay, so, dude's worried about his brother. Who has disregarded orders to avoid the Really Weird Valley with the Really Weird Lights. Kids are stupid. Buuuuut they probably don't deserve to die for it. I mean, there are limits to how Darwinian we want to get here, right?

But first I wanna get that data point I keep missing, or I will forget it again.

I mean, it seems useless, but it honestly doesn't seem to be. There have been at least two data points that I can remember that talked about people struggling to find jobs. That's ... a mood.

Right. Valley of the Fallen.

Hi, Ivvira. Yeah, I feel for you, getting sent out to rescue kids from their own overconfidence. Park rangers used to get that all the time, and there were fewer killer machines back then.

Oh dear. Poor Daxx. Wonder if I can get Ivvira to tell this dude's brother about this.

Huh. That's not too bad a gathering. I expected more in the way of Clamberjaws, since map tells me this is a Clamberjaw site. Maybe it's only a Clamberjaw site after I take out the lures--

Oh. Zenith lures. Well, yeah, protecting their private island, right.

Override you and--

Did ... did you just say "Local vermin"?!?

Did you just add "Yay!" after your fucking kill count, you asshole AI?

Zenith genocidal fuckwits GO DIE IN A FIRE.

Right. Site the second aaaaaaaand ... ah. Spikesnouts. At least I know how to deal with those.

Yep, lemme just loot first-- There was a Skydrifter there? I ... guess I killed it without noticing?

Sorry, Yivekka-- Oh. Hi again, Ivvira--

There ... are Spectres now?!?

Why do I suddenly feel like I did this backwards?!? Oh fuck it; poonk-time is now!

Okay. Yes, Ivvira, you stay here with Yivekka; I will go deal with that last lure.

And this lure-- OH SHUT UP, YOU HORRIBLE LITTLE AI! YOU'RE LIKE CLAPTRAP FOR GENOCIDAL MANIACS!

Thunderjaw and Tremortusk? Oof. Okay. Lemme see how much damage I can do without getting close.

...Quite a lot, apparently. Right. Lure the third.

And now the AI has a voice. And ... it really is Claptrap for genocidal maniacs.

Oh. Hi, Erik. Genocidal fuckwit.

Yeah, I definitely did this backwards because now it's telling me to go to the third lure. Gods, I hope I didn't bug this out completely...

I did not. Good. And I have ... another weapon I will never ever use. But thank you anyway.

Right. It's night. If I hurry, I might be able to get myself an Apex Slaughterspine. I'll blow a fast travel pack, just to be on the safe side.

And up the mountain I gooooooooooooo...

Scanning ... it's taking a second--YES! Just want to get the Leaplashers first.

Bye, Leaplashers! Now-- oop I alerted the Slaughterspine AND I HAVE NO COVER SHIT.

Smoke bomb; dodge roll-- AGH!

Fuckthisthingfuckthisthingfuckthisthiiiiiiiiiiiiing...

YES! With my last arrow, too.

Now, lemme just find a workbench-- Oh. I missed a Leaplasher. Now, how far away can I be and still hit?

...Never mind next post code; that was across state lines. Best way to deal with a Leaplasher, in my opinion.

I could fast travel, but I want to get that Redeye Watcher site.

Quietly tracking aaaaaaand--waitwut.

Why are there Bellowbacks THIS IS NOT A BELLOWBACK SITE ON MY MAP WHY ARE THERE BELLOWBACKS?!?

Okay, I don't really need to hunt the Bellowbacks so I'mma just sneak through in the river, thanks.

Redeye Watchers. I don't really need to hunt them either, but what the hell. It'll get me close enough to register the site properly on my map.

And over I go to Lowland's Path. And workbench aaaaaaaaaand...

FULLY. UPGRADED. LEGENDARY. UTARU. WINTERWEAVE. ARMOUR. I AM INVISIBLE!

Right. I was going to be better about food. So I should do that.

Well, I mean, as well as food, I have a D&D thing to do today. At least I'm a little better on the pain scale. Yesterday wasn't great. Had to take a dose of mallet meds to leave the house. Did I mention I hate fibromyalgia? Because I hate fibromyalgia.