#it was only 2.5 hours for neighbors

[orangegloom]

babysitting OVER 💜

[noxsoulmate]

💞 Through Thin Walls 💞

🏘 A Tarlos Neighbor AU 🏘

Ship: Tarlos | Fandom: 911 Lone Star Author: noxsoulmate | Podfic by: Juulna | Artist: kinkajou Read and listen on ao3 | View the art on ao3

Chapters: 2/2 | Complete Word Count: 18197 | Rating: Explicit | Warnings/Tags: alternate universe - neighbors, first meetings, 5+1 things, podfic, podfic & podficced works, podfic length: 2-2.5 hours, dorks in love, two person love triangle, falling in love, getting to know each other, getting together, idiots in love, love at first sight, kinda, cliche firefighter rescue, fluff, fluff and smut

Podfic created by the amazing @juuls

Art made by the wonderful @a-kinkajou

Created for the @pod-together event

Based on a prompt by the lovely @actuallysara

Summary:

“Hey, so please don’t freak out–” In the next moment, Carlos could hear a thud, followed by a curse, and he was pretty sure the guy had just hit his head somehow. Carlos winced in sympathy. “Sorry! Sorry, it’s just your neighbor here.” “Dude,” came the reply, the voice sounding rough, probably from all the crying. “Way to give a person a heart attack. Also, creepy much?” “My apologies. The walls here are basically paper with some paint slapped on. So uhm… noises are somewhat muffled but… not really, I guess.”

~*~

3 times Carlos only heard his neighbor’s voice, 2 times TK lusted over a certain officer, +1 time it all melted together.

OR: A Tarlos Neighbor AU

🏘 Read and/or listen on ao3 🏘

💞 and please leave lots of love on the wonderful art on ao3 💞

I cannot thank my team enough 🥰 @juuls, @a-kinkajou, this was such a wonderful experience!! thank you so much for putting up with me, tolerating my rambles and my writer's block, agreeing to switch fics when I panicked, and always cheering me on - and of course for the AMAZING podfic and art respectively that you two created for this fic. I truly hope this will only be the first of many projects we will work on together 😘

Sneak peek and more art under the cut:

one

When the first sniffles came through the wall, Carlos was startled, turning in his bed where he was cocooned in his blankets, book in hand, and in the process of winding down. It was his first night home after a week straight of night shifts and it was his goal to quickly get back into a normal sleep rhythm, even though he wasn’t remotely tired. 

The sniffling sound that very clearly came from the room adjacent to his didn’t help in that endeavor, setting all his senses on high alert right away.

As far as he knew, the apartment next to his had been empty for the last few months. Someone must’ve moved in during the week – which was entirely possible, seeing how Carlos hardly had any free minutes between his shifts, helping on the ranch for two days, and covering some extra shifts so Mitchell could visit her sick mom.

What little time he’d spent in his apartment, Carlos had been asleep. So yes, a new neighbor moving in without him noticing was actually quite possible. 

That didn’t explain the sniffles though which by now had turned into sobs that hardly sounded muffled. And why would they? His neighbor probably didn’t realize just how thin these walls were. Carlos certainly hadn’t suspected it when he first moved in – but quickly found out the hard way. His neighbor until a few months ago certainly had a thing for loud women… 

Contemplating what to do, Carlos tried to focus back on his book. It wasn’t his business why his new neighbor was sobbing so loudly. Or bawling his eyes out by the sound of it. Damn… 

Putting the book back down, Carlos closed his eyes for a moment. Two parts of himself were at war right now. The polite side, reminding him that it was not his place, that it would probably be embarrassing for the man to find out that Carlos could hear him; that it wasn’t nice to snoop in other people’s privacy. And then there was his protector side, wanting to make sure the man was okay. It didn’t sound like he was in direct danger or crying because he had hurt himself. But the tears still sounded so full of pain.

In the end, it was his compassionate side that won out, and putting the book aside he turned further in bed and moved closer to the wall. Clearing his throat, he spoke just above his normal volume.

“Hey, so please don’t freak out–”

💞🏘 Continue on ao3 🏘💞

Noxy’s Tagging List:

@detective-giggles, @sgirl18, @firstprince-history-huh, @beautifulhigh, @rangergurlgleek1211, @shadesofdeviant, @actuallysara, @carlos-in-glasses, @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut, @welcometololaland, @wtfuckevenknows, @lightningboltreader, @meditating-honey-badger, @just-inside-her, @alidravana, @morganaspendragonss, @bonheur-cafe, @heartstringsduet, @ravens-words, @lire-casander, @otter-love-asl, @ramblingdisaster73, @first-kanaphan, @xtltokio, @buckybarnesalways, @mangacat201, @catanisspicy, @lemonlyman-dotcom

[dutiful-wildcraft]

Pack 141 Drabbles - Late Night Snack

Tags: monster au, ghost x f!oc (if you squint), vampire!ghost, eventual poly 141, eventual 141 x f!oc, eventual 141 x m!oc, this is just a fun lil drabble for now

Summary: Task Force 141, a specialized team made up of a myriad of creatures, find themselves in the presence of an unusual woman. Paloma, a soft girl with unusual luck and a scent that has certain monsters feigning for her blood, is taken into their custody for safe keeping. At least until they can figure out just what she is.

Paloma, bless her, does her best to be friendly with Ghost. But it seemed despite her efforts, the towering vampire wanted nothing to do with her. She knew she could be a chatty thing, she got in trouble in school plenty for it.

She had been tickled when Soap had met her energy, chattering with her animatedly. Gaz didn't talk quite as much, but at least he hummed in acknowledgement, asked the occasional question to show he was still listening, watched her with warm and interested eyes as she spoke.

Ghost. Ghost just stared at her.

Red brown eyes watched her with harsh indifference through the hollow sockets of his mask if she so much as turned his direction.

She tried not to take it personally, really, but couldn't help herself when she watched Soap talk with him so easily.

The mohawked fae was more talkative than she was….and yet….

She had convinced herself to quit trying, to tuck tail a bit and give the man space before his patience truly ran out with her.

She had buried away her disappointment and trudged along, holding back the incessant need to speak aloud to the man when he was near her.

Naturally she couldn't stop completely.

She still greeted him daily, only now her cheery morning greetings to the man shifted into something more quiet. Softer. To show that she wasn't trying to push him, she just genuinely wanted him to have a good morning.

He never replied.

But she continued the small morning ritual anyway.

–

One late night while curled in her designated room of the 141 barracks, Paloma tossed and turned. The growling in her belly had become too much for her to bare in the wee hours of the night.

After waring with herself briefly, she shuffled out of bed poking her head into the dark hallway to check for others before slinking out and traversing to the small kitchen.

She keeps her steps light, using the dim lights seeping out from under neighboring doors to guide her.

Once to her destination, she rifles about as quietly as she can, poking around with only the flashlight on her phone to avoid alerting anyone else to her late night snacking.

She finally spots her target along the very top shelf of the otherwise dreary cabinet.

The red lidded container full of creamy peanut buttery gold.

It shall be hers.

She hauls a chair over to reach, setting it down gently and clambering onto it with careful steps.

She reaches, fingers oh so close to the clear plastic treasure, but not close enough.

She huffs, recalibrating her efforts before using the chair to climb fully onto the counter, balancing precariously as she holds her phone in one hand, using the other to finally, finally, snag the jar-

The light flicks on.

Paloma freezes. Waits. The whole 2.5 seconds worth of silence to much for her to bare as she cranks her head around comically slow.

Had he been donning the full mask she probably would have shit herself.

In the doorway stands Ghost, dressed in plain black cotton sweats and t-shirt, a simple black balaclava tugged over his features. Had it not been for his familiar red-brown eyes she wouldn't have recognized him without the hardshell skull he usually donned.

He remained stock still as he looked up at her. Eyes tired...but with a slight crinkle at the edges....

He looked almost amused.

Paloma blinks the thought away as quickly as it appears. Her eyes darting around the kitchenette nervously.

She probably could have turned the light on.

"Just needed a little somethin'..." she giggled nervously, shifting to avoid his stare after he met her again with silence.

And there he remained, arms crossed. Watching her awkwardly scrabble down from the counter, stubbornly clutching her peanut butter jar.

"M'sorry if I woke you…” she floundered, rifling through excuses as to why she was there, mouth opening and closing before she hurriedly settled on an abrupt “I'll be off now.” dragging the chair back in place and skittering out the door when he side stepped to clear her path.

Ghost had begun to move again when she came hustling back into the kitchen, a pink tinge to her cheeks as she slipped past him again, head down and eyes forward as she dove into a drawer desperately searching for the blasted spoon she had left behind in her panic.

"sorry, sorry, sorry" she rambles in apology. Scuttling past him again with her eyes averted.

She exits the kitchen, her hand jerking around the doorway to flip the lightswitch off instinctively. Leaving the masked man in darkness. She makes it two steps into the hallway-

"FUCK"

She flings herself around the corner, desperately fumbling at the wall until the light flips on again.

"SORRY" she says again for good measure.

Paloma walks so fast back to her room that she might as well have had smoke coming off of her feet.

She dives under the covers, now too nervous to dive into her treat. Instead she lays back down, staring at the ceiling until her heartbeat slows.

It never occurs to her that the vampire had no reason to be in the kitchen in the first place.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Blackout in São Paulo after storm angers residents and launches investigations against energy company

Translator Juliana Cunha lives in Embu das Artes, in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, and has been without electricity for more than 110 hours. A strong storm, with winds of 100 km/h, hit São Paulo last Friday, leaving thousands of people without electricity, including Cunha’s home.

She has no phone or internet signal. All the security equipment in her home, such as cameras and alarms, has also stopped working and she fears criminal actions. Many neighbors have already left the neighborhood, which has left the area even more abandoned. Cunha said there is no official information on when the light will be restored.

“After days of misleading me and my neighbors with successive false predictions, the attendants from the electricity company (called Enel) started to just say that we are ‘marked as urgent, but with no forecast of service’”, she told Brazil Reports.

Lawyer Daniela Assaf da Fonseca, who lives in the south of São Paulo, faced a similar situation and was without electricity for four days. On Monday, when an electricity company truck passed through the neighborhood, Fonseca and her neighbors gathered together to avoid employees from leaving the area without restoring service.

The pressure from residents, according to Fonseca, was essential for the company to remove the tree branches that had reached the electrical wiring. Near her house, there was another protest by residents who had been without electricity for four days. They set tires on fire and blocked traffic on one of the main avenues in the south of São Paulo.

Cunha and Fonseca are among more than 2.5 million residents of São Paulo and its metropolitan area who were left without electricity after the storm. In most places, the light was only restored between Monday and Tuesday. This Wednesday, five days after the storm, there were still around 11,000 homes without electricity.

Continue reading.

[mariacallous]

Russia is bussing in thousands of voters at overseas polling stations in a bid to influence Sunday’s critical presidential election and EU referendum in Moldova, according to allegations by Moldovan officials.

Almost 900,000 people have already voted in the countrywide poll, in which pro-Western President Maia Sandu is seeking re-election to a second term. Citizens are also being asked to cast ballots on joining the EU, with the government pushing for full membership by 2030.

However, two polling stations established in Russia to count the votes of Moldovans living in that country have seen huge numbers of people lining up outside, with pro-Kremlin social media accounts posting clips of them singing Soviet-era patriotic songs as they wait.

In a statement hours after polls opened on Sunday, Moldova’s foreign ministry warned that the throngs of voters could be “a result of attempts to organize illegal transportation of voters to the polling stations.”

“We believe that the crowds at the two polling stations in Russia have been artificially created to jeopardize the electoral process,” officials said. The two overseas polling stations were set up to allow Moldovans living in Russia to take part in the election and referendum.

To pass, at least 33 percent of eligible voters must cast ballots in the presidential election and the referendum on whether to enshrine EU membership in Moldova’s constitution. That figure has already been reached for the presidential election, with an announcement on whether the referendum has met the threshold expected later Sunday.

As many as 1.2 million Moldovans live abroad, compared to the country’s population of 2.5 million, meaning the diaspora vote will play a critical role in Sunday’s results. But the two polling stations in Russia have only 5,000 ballot papers each, in line with rules establishing a maximum, meaning many of those queuing in Moscow could be unable to cast a ballot.

In the leadup to the vote, Moldovan officials warned that Russia was working to actively influence the outcome and to “delegitimize” the result in a bid to keep the Eastern European nation in its orbit. More than $15 million in Russian funds has been funnelled into the bank accounts of more than 130,000 Moldovan citizens as part of a vote-buying scheme, police investigators told POLITICO.

President Sandu has overseen a dramatic pivot toward the West since taking office in 2020, forging close relations with neighboring Ukraine and securing candidate status from the EU. Moldovan and Ukrainian governments have warned that Russia has been trying to stage a coup to oust her in favor of pro-Kremlin parties.

[paravillintiniay]

I’m gonna make a really really long vent post and put it under a read more because I’ve had a rough month and I’m like emotionally bleeding out and I don’t know what to do so idk maybe I’ll put a bandaid on it with this maybe not

I used to think that once I became an adult that I would become independent and no longer be a chronic misser outer and not have to rely on people who clearly do not care about me or my wants as much and that I’d be able to move on, but every year that passes by it feels farther and farther from my reach and even more shameful because everyone I talk to that I can’t speak openly to (extended family, neighbors, acquaintances that I’m not close to) thinks I am like a TOTAL loser because I’m 24 and can’t drive and have never had a consistent job and didn’t go to school and have nothing going for me but I can’t just be like “yeah well my parents won’t teach me to drive and I have to beg my mom for weeks to get her to take me to target when I need something and I don’t have any friends in town so what the fuck do you suggest I do” because it’s kind of a hostile trauma dump but also to them the answer is simple it’s just “take some initiative, stop being lazy” but no one ever taught me how to do that or encouraged independence and every time I ever did take initiative I would get shot down. They don’t get that my parents are so controlling that I CAN’T just Uber to the dmv and get my license because the consequences to that are great, and we don’t have public transit and our community isn’t walkable so I can’t just walk to a job.

Eventually I developed a sort of apathy as a defense mechanism and I just stopped caring about anything because caring about things only meant that I’d be disappointed but the problem is apathy only gets you so far because then people think they can walk all over you.

I just want to feel important. Not to my friends, I love my friends I care about my friends I know they care about me but they can only do so much from several states away. I want my family to care about me, but when my birthday fell on Mother’s Day we all decided “oh yeah we aren’t going to do anything because all the restaurants will be crowded” so instead *my mom and I* spent 2.5 hours cooking lunch, then my brother showed up 2.5 hours later than he said he would with his kids, handed me a card with a visa giftcard in it, and we all sat on the couch not doing anything with the tv off for a few hours not doing anything. I asked if he wanted to go to a concert with me and he blew me off. Then he left. The original plan was to instead go out on monday (Mother’s Day was on sunday) and take me to the book store and run some errands but my mom told me Sunday night “I’m really tired let’s do Tuesday” and then Tuesday night came and I asked if we could do Wednesday and my mom was like “well (grandma) has a thing on Thursday and dad has a thing on Friday and we had a thing we were going to do this weekend” so I said “oh so Wednesday is the only day that works huh?” To which the response was “we’ll see.” We did not go to the book store on Wednesday. We still have not gone to the book store a week later and of course, the ENTIRE week this week just has to be sooo busy we just caaaant make time. I’m tired of having to beg my mommy to spend at most two hours of her time doing something for me. I’m tired of her making it a big deal when I need or want to go somewhere when she’s the one who never taught me to drive. I made my own birthday cake. I just want to feel important. I just. Want to feel like I matter. That isn’t even touching on the fact that one of my brothers completely forgot/didn’t acknowledge my birthday. Thanks man. It’s not even the birthday that gets to me because I don’t expect anything it’s just the fact that they ASK me what I want to do and when I tell them they blow me off or ignore me or do something else that directly inconveniences me. I just want to feel like I matter. Like my wants and needs are valid.

I want to be independent. I’m tired of being a chronic misser outter I’m tired of not being able to do fun things just because no one wants to do them with me and I don’t have the means to do them by myself. It’s gotten to the point where everyone I know is moving on in life without me in so many important life milestone ways and I know it’s only a matter of time before I am simply alone. Before no one has time for me because that’s a natural part of life, you grow up you get a job you get married have kids but not for me. Never for me.

And you know what? My nephew was born late last year and I feel so much guilt for saying this because I love him so much but FUCK that kid. Everyone in my family forgot to be a there for me but now there’s a baby 🥺🥺🥺 he need so much love and time and attention 🥺🥺 you’ve had so many holidays and birthdays April you can be selfless and sacrifice for him 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 I’m a grandparent now so I’m gonna drop everythinf whenever your brother asks and spend time with my grandbaby 🥺🥺🥺🥺 but what about ME? when am I going to get the support that I need? On top of not having very many friends or a support system I now no longer have my older brother to hang out with and go see movies or concerts with sometimes and it just. Sucks. I’m so tired.

I said the other day that my mental health feels like when you’re playing a survival game and you’re starving so the screen starts flashing and shaking and your health is constantly ticking down and you don’t have any food so you keep slapping bandages on to try to keep yourself alive until you can find food but you only ever find scraps and berries that keep you sustained for about 30 seconds before you’re starving and dying again. I can hang out with my friends and be happy and joyful but the second that’s over I’m back to bleeding out. Every time my parents rush to the aid of someone else and blow me off is like a stab to the gut. Every time my parents say “it’s the weekend I’m not leaving the house” but are just SOOOO busy during the week they can’t help me with what I need. Every time I miss something that’s important to me and time sensitive just because I can’t drive. I don’t know how to keep going. I’m tired of feeling like such a loser all the time. I just. Want. To feel. Important.

[rothjuje]

The stars aligned and I had a glorious 3.5 hour phone date with my wife/CA bff. I have been an anxious mess and haven’t been able to relax enough to sleep well the past couple weeks and talking to her was like a sleeping pill, I was so relaxed I fell asleep instantly last night and stayed asleep.

I have some great people in my life. My wife/CA bff and my other two CA bffs (one like a sister that lives in TX now and one like a brother that relocated to Canada). In MA, I have my neighbor bff who helped me survive the move and generally keeps me sane, and my Jewish bff who I can always count on. Five people that I just love and appreciate a whole heck of a lot.

And Justin of course, but the unconditional love of a friend just hits different. Marriage is interesting, you have a partner who sacrifices so much for you, but you also sacrifice so much for them. It’s a lot of work and compromise. Especially with young kids. Some seasons are magical, and some seasons feel more like work. Ebb and flow.

Justin took the girls to Florida for his grandpa’s 90th birthday party. They’re having a blast. I’m here with George and he has been the chillest, sweetest dude the past couple days. I love watching his brain work. He hasn’t slept through the night in a month now (he’s been up twice a night, for up to 3 hours total, which is rough for me and for Justin, but the girls sleep through it and George’s mood seems unaffected the next day). Melatonin and magnesium have stopped working entirely. The only things that help is steady routine (a challenge for me who struggles to stick to schedules) and lots of outdoor time (a challenge when it’s wet and cold outside, which it has been for a month now).

I’ve always heard that the days are long but the years are short. How long is a day supposed to feel? I think time moves extra slow for me in general. Part of it is probably being a SAHM and another part anxiety, but my gosh it feels like weeks since Justin and the girls left and it’s only been 2.5 days.

I don’t know if I’ve talked about it much, but our cat is evil. She is very affectionate one second, and slices your hand open the next. A friend asked me the other day, “hey, what’s up with your cat?” It’s an unspoken rule that no children touch the cat. The cat loves Justin, probably because she knows he won’t touch her. So she’ll snuggle up to him and start purring and Justin‘s eyes grow wide and he says quietly “please get your cat away from me.”

Anyway. Evil cat was depressed in Texas. She didn’t want to socialize, she didn’t want to eat. She had a million hiding places and we could never find her. Here we sleep with the door open and now she sleeps next to me. And she is so happy, she follows me around everywhere and has gotten very fat. She is thriving. She still claws me sometimes, but not as often. Is this Stockholm syndrome from the traumatic move? Or just plain happiness that she’s not alone at night anymore? Maybe it’s both. Or! Maybe she’s happy Hef isn’t around to bother her anymore. Hmmm.

[jeremy-ken-anderson]

Going

Tomorrow I pick up my brother from the airport and we drive down to the cabin.

Plans include a quick stop at the grocery for a favorite snack for the trip, and a refill at the gas station. The trip says it takes 2.5 hours so I think the plan is to leave here 2.5 hours earlier than the flight lands. That gives me [time he has deplaning and getting his belongings out to the street] to get gas and snack, and still go at an unhurried pace.

We have a petsitter coming in, so I'm washing the upstairs restroom for her. Aside from scrubbing out the tub the big thing is tidying up the counters, where I have kind of just been leaving treatment kits or tooth care paraphernalia splayed all over.

Given the timing of things, I'll wash my sheets today and sleep on the fresh sheets tonight, rather than trying to do a full wash tomorrow morning.

Need to get packed. I'm going to pack for a 5-day even though I think it's only 4. It's a drive, so I'm not at any shortage of space. I'll also take dress clothes in case it turns out everyone else considers the spreading of the ashes a formal event.

Come to think of it, I have space to bring a card game along. We could play Shadowrift or Marvel Champions at some point on the road, or at the cabin itself. I might bring The Dwarf King to leave at the cabin. Maybe it's because of all of the games of Hearts we played at the cabin, and how similar The Dwarf King is to that genre, but it feels very much like "a cabin kind of card game."

I'm making fudge today. As long as I start making it by 8 tonight I'm good, because then I can do the cutting by 8:45 and there's no problem with letting it sit and continue hardening in the fridge overnight. It won't take long to load into the tin if I wait until tomorrow morning to do that.

I may put together a playlist, but I don't know. [Edit: I never got rid of my "Driving" playlist after my old computer died, so that's handled]

Today's picture is a neighbor's "wishing well" planter. A cute option, especially if you want to prominently display a plant but it needs partial shade!

[mycochaos-oldacnt-plzfollownew]

What I meant by "only chaos makes sense to me now"

Storytime with Mycochaos:

What I meant by "only chaos makes sense to me now", was perhaps a bit of... mellifluous phrasing, while trying to describe my current experience of my own day-to-day existence post-chaostrip. Of course, orderly things can (and do) make sense (in certain contexts)... but, I think that I have begun to view order as a product of our species and our propensity to control everything; while, chaos (not as an entity, per se) is an eventuality, or... certainty of the overall physics, maybe metaphysical, framework of our current experienced existence and local universe around us.

I cannot fathom the amount of time from the initial cosmic explosions that I believe originated our current local-universe [the often confusing, mental-masturbatory time space continuum / time dilation / advanced physics stuff, and neurophysiological interworkings around our perception of time and experience of time (in short and long-term through memory and neura-referential points of our own existence)] to the moment we are having this erudite back and forth. Imagine the time it took for those foundational "big bang" atomic / sub-atomic elements to interact and impact, transform, transmute, etc. Imagine the amount of time they may have existed without interacting or even being near each other. Before the puzzle pieces fell into place, there could have (probably was/would have been) only a chaotic soup of eventual interacting and/or exploding elements (much less things not discovered, I think of what we don't know about black holes, of 'dark-matter', or possible life that would evolve somewhere under different gravitational, physics, etc XD so many cosmic-ideas to fantasize about).

Imagine the time it took mycelium of surviving fungi after the Ice-Age to colonize and metabolically breakdown/compost the volcanic rock that kept most other forms of known "life" snuffed out. We get maybe 100+/- 10-15 years AT BEST to interact and transmute each other. We must make the MOST of our short blip of existence.

I do not believe in god(dess)(s) or the supernatural, but "chaos" (even conceptually and not as an actionable/measurable 'force') is something I feel I can believe in as a "truth" concept and hypothetically as the the backbone of the interworking of our current reality. I've seen a quote by one of the more well-regarded astrophysicists where they say (paraphrasing from memory): "if the universe if fine-tuned for anything, its for the extinction of our species". I do not see myself as the center of this universe, but a part of a much larger, unexplored existence, and we are the "lucky" "right puzzle pieces" that came from chaos.

I hope that there is "life" (as we know it, I guess... I say "I guess", because of any kind of 'life' as we do not know it could ruin our experiential existence and change us in ways that exterminate (or evolve) our species). I believe the chaotic truth is that there is nothing else "out there". Even if there is, we may never interact with it before either of our species (If that word even applies to "out there" beings) are extinguished from existence. Anything "out there" is (with out current technology) so far away that its almost unimaginable how much time it would take (relative to our current existence and experiential knowledge/frame-works) to even "get there".

1 light-year is 5.88 trillion miles. Light-year is the distance light travels in one year. Light zips through interstellar space at 186,000 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second and 5.88 trillion miles (9.46 trillion kilometers) per year... or about "670.6 million miles-per-hour". " Even if we hopped aboard the space shuttle discovery, which can travel 5 miles a second, it would take us about 37,200 years to go one light-year." For example, the Milky Way galaxy is some 100,000 light-years across, and our closest galactic neighbor, Andromeda, is some 2.5 million light-years away. In other words, it takes light 2.5 million years just to travel from our galaxy to the one that is right next to us."

What's to say that anything "alive", 'out there' will be alive at which time we arrive there to explore... its not a flowery, optimistic viewpoint... but feels more realistic and honest to me. This leads me to cherish my current experiences, relationships, and goals-in-life, and leads me to want a free and fair existence for myself and others; while believing that I (and everyone of us) should strive to improve upon, protect, nourish, and enhance the planetary body of 'Earth', that currently is so chaotically-isolated and "perfectly" attuned to our type of life.

I do not believe in the idea of "karma". While supremely comforting and self-soothing, inherently; karma seems to go against evidence I observe occur in our world. "Good" people don't always win, and sometimes "Bad" people do bad things and get away with it. Sometimes, innocuous activities in society result in being gunned down without warning; other times (most times <3), you complete your social-transactions and daily-tasks without any hint of dying. There is beauty in life, in social relationships, in growth... and I believe there are moments of inspirational bliss to experience in daily life; but, also death and loss and trauma to try to cope through. Life is chaos; this is what I mean by "only chaos makes sense to me now".

[travelhubpage]

13 Things to Do and Best Spots in Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan

Nusa Lembongan is a small paradise island located just south of Bali. You can reach it by boat in just 30 minutes, and then the enjoyment can begin right away. Here, you’ll find the most beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs, and, above all, a very relaxed atmosphere. All of this makes Nusa Lembongan the perfect place to wrap up your trip to Bali and spend a few days fully relaxing. Nusa Lembongan is connected by a bridge to the neighboring island of Nusa Ceningan, making it easy to explore both islands. I searched both islands for the most beautiful spots, best restaurants, and of course the most fun hotels to stay at. Read below for my best tips for Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. You can take a boat to Nusa Lembongan from Bali, Lombok, and Nusa Penida. Below, you’ll find how to get there from these destinations. Tip: Once you arrive at Nusa Lembongan, you’ll need to walk a short distance through the water when stepping off the boat. It’s a good idea to wear flip-flops or sandals for this journey.

From Bali to Nusa Lembongan

The coastal town of Sanur is the gateway to the Nusa Islands. Daily, many speedboats depart from Sanur Harbor to Nusa Lembongan. The boat ride takes only half an hour but can sometimes be a bit bumpy due to the waves. If you easily get seasick, it’s wise to take a travel pill beforehand. Reserve your boat ticket to Nusa Lembongan here. There are many different providers, and not all are equally reliable. With the aforementioned provider, you’ll travel on a comfortable boat with good seats to Nusa Lembongan. You can choose to reserve tickets for just the boat or tickets that include pickup from and to your accommodation.

From Lombok to Nusa Lembongan

Several boats depart from Lombok to Nusa Lembongan. The duration of the crossing varies by boat, but on average, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. The sea can often be quite rough between Lombok and Nusa Lembongan, so it’s advisable to take a travel pill beforehand. Compare all boats here and reserve your tickets in advance.

From Gili Trawangan to Nusa Lembongan

Multiple boats depart daily from Gili Trawangan to Nusa Lembongan. The duration of the crossing varies by boat, but on average, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Depending on the weather, the sea can sometimes be quite rough during this boat ride, so it’s advisable to take a travel pill beforehand. Compare all boats here and reserve your boat ticket in advance.

From Nusa Penida to Nusa Lembongan

From Nusa Penida, it’s a short trip to Nusa Lembongan. The crossing takes only 15 minutes. Check the current departure times and reserve your boat ticket. Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are both very small, so the attractions are conveniently close together. If you want to see everything and also enjoy a day or two at the beach or pool, we recommend staying about four days. Staying longer is certainly no punishment! Below, you’ll read about all the activities and where to find the most beautiful spots.

Chill and Watch the Sunset at Jungut Batu Beach

Jungut Batu Beach is the longest beach on Nusa Lembongan and is located in Jungut Batu, the main village of Nusa Lembongan. You’ll find many restaurants and beach shacks where you can relax on a sunbed or beanbag. You can easily spend an entire day at Jungut Batu Beach because there’s so much to do. From relaxing to swimming, and from delicious food to evening drinks, like at the cozy Ohana’s. You’re also in the right place for a beautiful sunset. On clear days, you can even see Mount Agung on Bali!

Kayak or Paddleboard Through the Mangrove of Nusa Lembongan

When you drive all the way to the northern part of Nusa Lembongan, it becomes quieter and more untouched. The road eventually leads into a natural area of sea, beach, and mangrove forests. Step into a kayak or on a SUP board and explore the beautiful mangrove forests in peace. You’ll paddle both over the sea and along the river. If you book the Mangrove Kayak tour, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and explore the mangrove with a guide. You can also drive to Mangrove Point and rent a kayak or SUP board there.

Relaxing at Dream Beach

Dream Beach is many people’s favorite beach on Nusa Lembongan. When you walk down the stairs to this beach, you’ll immediately see why Dream Beach got its name. It’s a beautiful bay with white sand and crystal-clear blue water, surrounded by rocks and tropical plants. You can swim here, but sometimes the waves can be quite high. So be careful of the currents. It often gets crowded in the afternoon at Dream Beach, so try to go early if you want to avoid the crowds. Tip: Stay in the charming bungalows at Dream Beach Huts, where you’ll have a fantastic view of Dream Beach.

Must Do: Snorkeling with Friendly Manta Rays

With this exciting snorkeling tour, you’ll travel to three beautiful snorkeling spots, with Manta Point being the most special. This is one of the best places in the world to see manta rays in their natural habitat. These giant manta rays can grow up to ten feet wide. It’s incredibly impressive to see them in real life! Don’t worry; they only eat plankton and are not dangerous to humans. There’s a great chance of spotting manta rays here year-round. This is an absolute bucket-list item, so make sure to plan your snorkeling with manta rays. In addition to Manta Point, you will also visit two other beautiful snorkeling locations. Good to Know: During the snorkeling tour, there’s a high chance of spotting manta rays, but like with all wildlife, an encounter is never guaranteed. If it’s very windy or the sea is rough, visibility may be poor, and you might not see them.

Visit Devil’s Tear During High Tide

Devil’s Tear is a rocky stretch of coastline where, during high tide, gigantic waves crash against the rocks. This creates an impressive display of natural power, with water sometimes shooting up to 30 feet in the air. At Devil’s Tear, you can also enjoy a stunning sunset, and if you’re lucky, you might see turtles swimming in the sea. Tip: Make sure to be here during high tide because it’s not as impressive at low tide. You can check this website for tide times.

Chill at the Coolest Beach Clubs on Nusa Lembongan

Both Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan have many fun beach clubs. A favorite among many is Ohana’s at Jungut Batu Beach. At this stylish beach club, you can enjoy tasty cocktails and the daily sunset sessions with music and good vibes. Ohana’s opens at 6:30 AM, and Friday nights often feature a party with a DJ or live music. Sandy Bay Beach Club is located right on the relaxed Sandy Bay beach, but you can also relax in their beautiful infinity pool. On Nusa Ceningan, there are also a few more fun beach clubs. The Sand is a cozy spot along the water’s edge. Grab a beanbag under an umbrella or lounge in the water on a hammock. You can recognize Le Pirate Beach Club by its iconic white and turquoise decor. It’s a small beach club with a pool, thatched umbrellas, palm trees, and views of a seaweed farm. Le Pirate is also a very nice hotel, but even if you’re not staying there, you’re welcome to come and relax. Suku Beach Club offers a stunning view of the sea where you can watch surfers showcase their skills from Mahana Point.

Watch the Sunset at Cloudland Bar

At Cloudland Bar, you have front-row seats for a breathtaking sunset. Order a drink, a snack, and sink into one of the colorful beanbags. With a relaxing playlist in the background, it’s a wonderful place to enjoy. They even have Dutch snacks like bitterballen on the menu for travelers who can’t miss the Dutch cuisine.

(Learn to) Surf on Nusa Lembongan

The four surf breaks on Nusa Lembongan are all located on the west side of the island along the reef that runs parallel to Jungut Batu Beach. The waves here are relatively small, making them perfect for beginner surfers. However, to reach the surf breaks, you will need to paddle a few hundred meters from the shore. You can also take a boat for a few dollars that will drop you off at the reef, leaving you with plenty of energy for your surf session. Experienced surfers can also head to Mahana Point on Nusa Ceningan to tackle some good waves. You can enter the sea via Secret Point Beach. As a spectator, it’s fun to grab a drink at the warung at Mahana Point, where you can closely watch the surfers as the waves crash against the rocks.

Explore the Tranquil Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay is a beautiful beach that usually doesn’t get too crowded. You can enjoy the sun in peace or chill at the cozy Sandy Bay Beach Club. They serve delicious meals and cocktails with a great view of the sunset. Stay by the beach: At Sandy Bay, you’ll find the stunning traditional Balinese bungalows of Komodo Gardens. For about $55, you can have a spacious bungalow with an outdoor shower just steps away from the beach. Here, you can truly enjoy yourself for relatively little money!

Cross the Iconic Yellow Bridge Between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan

Nusa Ceningan is definitely worth exploring. It’s quieter than Nusa Lembongan and has a relaxed vibe. You’ll find a few cozy spots as well as some beautiful viewpoints overlooking the rugged cliffs. A bright yellow bridge connects Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, and it’s so narrow that only scooters and cyclists can cross. You’ll hardly encounter any cars on Nusa Ceningan. The spots I describe below can be found on Nusa Ceningan.

Check Out the Blue Waters at Blue Lagoon

Once you’ve crossed the yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan, it’s nice to ride over to Blue Lagoon. As the name suggests, this is a beautiful lagoon with rugged cliffs and turquoise blue water. As tempting as it looks, you unfortunately can’t swim here due to the many rocks. It’s primarily a lovely spot for a walk, taking photos, and enjoying the stunning views.

Visit Secret Beach, a Hidden Gem on Nusa Ceningan

Most beaches with a name like this are far from secret, but I had to search a bit for Secret Beach on Nusa Ceningan. After Google Maps initially directed me to Nusa Lembongan, I eventually found the right hidden beach on Nusa Ceningan. From this point where you park your scooter, there’s a path leading both left and right. I’ll let you in on a little secret: the left path is a bit more adventurous, while the right is quicker, but both will take you to Secret Beach. This is a beautifully hidden beach where you truly come for peace and quiet. Chances are, you’ll only have to share this place with a handful of people. It’s a small cove with crystal-clear blue water and a lovely sandy beach.

Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are very small, so there are hardly any cars on the islands. What you do see are pick-up trucks where you can sit in the back. These drive around everywhere, and you can flag one down to negotiate a price for the ride. It’s even easier to rent a scooter. This gives you all the freedom you need, allowing you to be flexible. Dining out in Indonesia is always a treat, but on Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, you’ll find a truly impressive selection of great restaurants. I had a fantastic time trying out several places, and the following tips stood out. Great Restaurants on Nusa Lembongan - La Bianca – A beautiful spot by the sea, perfect for a romantic dinner or a cocktail during sunset. - Lemongrass – The extensive menu at Lemongrass is packed with local and Western dishes. It’s usually quite busy here, so making a reservation can be helpful. - Bali Eco Deli – For a delicious and healthy breakfast or lunch, Bali Eco Deli is the place to be. Order one of their smoothie bowls, eggs & avocado, or French toast with fresh fruit for breakfast. The lunch menu features pita platters, Buddha bowls, and many Asian dishes. - Ginger & Jamu – This beachfront restaurant serves delicious food. Visit during sunset for a beautiful view while you eat. Their cocktails are also very tasty. - Waroeng Boemboe – If you want to enjoy local food for a low price, you should go to Waroeng Boemboe. All dishes are freshly prepared right in front of you. - Mushroom Espresso – At Mushroom Espresso, you can enjoy delicious coffee. With cozy seating and relaxing music in the background, it’s a lovely place to hang out. - The Deck – This casual restaurant and bar is located in a nice walking street, offering a beautiful view over the bay of Jungut Batu. Here, you can enjoy a mix of Western and Asian dishes. - Thai Pantry – If you’re craving Thai curries, this is the place to be. - Let’s Bake – This cozy bakery and café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s known for its freshly baked bread and pastries, as well as savory meals like quiches and sandwiches. - Mola Mola Classic Warung & Beach Bar – This warung is located on the beach and becomes lively during sunset. Here, you can enjoy authentic Indonesian meals. Great Restaurants on Nusa Ceningan - The Sand – A relaxed restaurant with beanbags on the dock. A nice spot during sunset. - Next Level – This restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a dragon fruit bowl while taking in a beautiful view. - Sea Breeze Cafe Ceningan – This colorful spot features a swimming pool and hammocks. It has that delightful island vibe. You can stay quite luxuriously on Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan for relatively little money. At Komodo Garden on Nusa Lembongan, you’ll stay in a stunning wooden bungalow. The bungalow is spacious and features a large bed, an outdoor shower, and a veranda with a cozy bench. There’s a lovely pool, and it’s just a minute’s walk from Sandy Bar and Devil’s Tear. Also, Nusa Veranda Sunset Villas is a little paradise, but on Nusa Ceningan. You’ll stay in a beautiful room, some with a fantastic view of the sea. From the infinity pool, you can enjoy the most beautiful sunsets. For a unique overnight stay, try Water Blow Huts on Nusa Lembongan. It’s situated along the coast but a bit higher up, allowing you to spot turtles! The luxurious bungalows are entirely in Balinese style, and from the pool, you have an amazing view over the sea. Read the full article

[illogicalnordictales]

So I have something called

Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM)

No it’s not actually a confirmed thing I have, but my further explanation of it will make it obvious I’ve got it.

Don’t attack me in the comments because it’s not confirmed, I don’t feel like dealing with that.

Ok so HSAM is basically photographic memory, but for dates. Like I can remember things that happened on very specific dates.

I can also remember very specific things that happened on dates I do not remember.

And I’m able to remember random things and piece pieces of a figurative puzzle together and make myself seem like a stalker.

So basically I have like 3 different flavors of photographic memory, all on crack.

For example: I was talking to my friend (who happens to also be my roommate, and is a great guy, all of that makes it a great blend which made us friends), my roommate, and my RA. And we were just sitting in the hall by my dorm and just chatting. For 2.5 hours. It was awesome.

Anyway, I’m talking to my neighbor, and I ask him about where he parked. And he states at me, and basically goes “How do you know that?”

And so I just casually went: “Well I remember the same day I accidentally scared you, you told me you drove a truck. And when I was on my way to my car I passed you in the parking lot, saw two trucks, one had 2 parking decals, and the other only had one. Given how you’re a freshman here, I was able to figure out which was yours.”

And bro looks at me and goes, “Are you a criminal justice major?”

To which I reply, “No, I’m a German major. I just have a photographic memory.”

And so random conversations keep going, I probably made him and my roommate wonder how I’ve not been institutionalized yet, and I’m just being my overall chaotic self, by ways of casually mentioning I stalk people, and when they go “What?”, I simply look at them and go “What?” right back at them.

Anyway, back to the main story at hand. I mentioned something, don’t ask me what, I don’t remember, and my neighbor is just like “We’re gonna save that Mousekatool for later.”

Like guys.

MOUSEKATOOL.

THAT’S GENIUS.

I literally looked at him and was like “That’s brilliant. Imma start using that.”

So yeah, whenever people ask me what my hobbies are, I should just start answering with “That’s my Mousekatool that’ll help us later.”

[larkbaton]

Apartments Near LSU

The best choice for a trusted apartment near LSU is an excellent choice for people who are seeking a home near the university. The Lark Baton Rouge is the No.1. choice for a home that offers a variety of floor plans. There are excellent amenities such as poolside, courtside, and more. These apartments feature a 24-hour fitness center, lounge, business center, and a resort-style pool with a lazy river, among others. Students can choose from one to five bedrooms and apply with friends or roommates to make their move more comfortable. Also, the apartments are wired with granite countertops, private bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, and high-end touches. For more detailed information about Lark Baton Rouge, contact (225) 635-8289.

Baton Rouge, LA - Transportation

The transportation system in Baton Rouge, LA, is good. Actually, it's very helpful and user-friendly. The city is traversed by a number of important highways, which makes it easy to get in your car and travel to neighboring locations. The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) provides bus services that stop at strategic locations across the city if you would rather take public transportation. Also, with some bike-only lanes and paths, biking is growing in popularity, which you can opt to use. The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, which connects you to major cities, is only a short drive away if you're going farther. The Mississippi Riverboats also provide a distinctive perspective and an alternative mode of transportation.

The Riverfront

The Riverfront, located in Baton Rouge, provides a variety of activities for people of all ages. The visitors to this location can enjoy scenic walks along the Mississippi River and admire the beautiful views of the city skyline and the river. It's one of the most calming activities in the area. The Riverfront also features a variety of restaurants and bars that offer delicious cuisine and refreshing drinks. Also, the area hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Red Stick Festival and the Riverfest. People can also take a leisurely boat ride on the river or rent a bike to explore the nearby trails.

Center for Special Training Launched

Wow! It's really good news to know that Baton Rouge University has launched a center for special training and education for the healthcare professionals. According to the news report, this center aims to offer a dedicated space for education and skill-building in the rapidly evolving healthcare field. This center will offer various programs and workshops designed to equip professionals with the tools they need to stay current in their field. Additionally, the community will provide hands-on experience, allowing participants to learn directly from experts, which will ultimately benefit patients. This initiative is expected to enhance the quality of care and address ongoing challenges in healthcare. I am really so excited to see the impact of this initiative.

Link to map

Riverfront Plaza & City Dock 300 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States Head south on S River Rd 479 ft Continue onto Government St 0.1 mi Turn right onto St Philip St 0.2 mi Continue onto E Hwy 30 E/Nicholson Dr 2.5 mi Use the 2nd from the left lane to turn left onto LA-42 E/Burbank Dr 0.5 mi Turn right Destination will be on the right 33 ft Lark Baton Rouge 4194 Burbank Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, United States

[edgewaterfarmcsa]

CSA WEEK 2

   P i c k l i s t

strawberries - garlic scapes - basil  - lettuce - broccolini - hakurai turnips - cucumbers - plants!

I did not intend to go right into week 2 with a weather charged sob story, but here we are. The heat followed by the rain did not demolish crops, but it certainly did not help. Watching the storm roll through and hit the fields was tough on the heart.  First and foremost, let’s talk about strawberries and rain. The two quarts you are receiving today are a part of an effort to clean off the current fruit and make way for the next flush. It is likely that your 2 quarts of berries may not be the sparkly shiny gems we all lust for, but they will absolutely serve a delicious purpose if eaten today or tomorrow, or, use them to make a jammy sauce to complement every biscuit in sight, ahem strawberry shortcakes (see pro tips). Because of the past week’s precipitation, this round of berries will not hold. But the later varieties should (weather dependent, lol).

Another unfortunate arrival this week are all the pests.  I am not entirely certain why they all decided to show up at the sametime, but I've been squashing countless horn worms in the tomato greenhouses and the wire worms are really starting to show their face and make trails in our radishes and our (legendary 2024) hakurai turnip patch. And don’t even get me started on the deer. Daily cute love notes I like to send to Ray have been replaced by deer eating lettuce photos, deer eating strawberries photos, and deer eating cucumber photos.  Not an easy time to farm, but a hell of a great time to be a pest. Some would say, it's buck wild.

MEANWHILE, in the Pick Your Own Strawberry patch, the berries are still showing up, and people are still so pumped to pick.  It’s awesome to hear from Anne and Jen about all the CSAers that have made their way down River Road this week to get in on the action. I do hope to see yall out there as it is certainly the season for stained red fingers/ a belly full of berries/ late night strawberry jamming/ etc.

PYO HOURS: 8am-noon WEATHER & CROP PERMITTING!

FIXED PRICES: CASH AND CHECK ONLY

1 quart: $7/ medium picking box: $25/ large picking tray: $44

FARMY FOODIE PRO-TIPS: 

Yall, get ready, and let me introduce you to new neighbor Mitchell! 

Somehow by the grace of something, Edgewater has been blessed by a neighbor that not only knows how to cook, but also has stacks and stacks of tested recipes.  We connected a few months ago when he popped into the greenhouses.  At that time, much of what you are currently eating from the farm existed in seed packs, waiting to be sewed.  Since then these seeds have sprouted into food and Mitchell is here to tell us how to eat it best.  Thank heavens for resident chef Mitchell Davis, as a result we all get to try new things and prep this bounty in new ways! I AM JAZZED.  If you too are jazzed, I highly recommend subscribing for free to his weekly newsletter Kitchen Sense,

Pickled Garlic Scapes recipe by mitchell!

Similar in flavor to kosher dill pickles because of their strong garlic flavor, these lacto-fermented garlic scape pickles require little effort beyond patience. They will last in the refrigerator for over a year. (I just shared some two-year old ones with Jenny and they were still delicious.) Eat

them as is or slice them to add to salads (egg, tuna, chicken, potato), or relish, or anywhere you might think to add pickles or capers.

I’m not giving amounts for this recipe because this is more of a technique (one you can use with just about any vegetable). Adjust the amounts accordingly, adding more brine in the same proportion as you need to submerge your scapes. Use kosher salt or pickling salt, not table salt,

the iodine in which will cause the pickles to discolor Kosher salt

Hot water

Garlic Scapes

Other aromatics, such as bay leaf, dill seeds or flowering dill, yellow mustard seeds (optional)As for most lacto-fermented foods, your goal is to create a brine that is a 2.5 to 3% saline solution. That means for every 1000 milliliters of water, 25 to 30 grams of salt, or about 2 teaspoons of kosher salt per cup. Place 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons kosher salt in a mixing

bowl and add 1 quart (4 cups) hot water. Stir to dissolve the salt. Let sit to come back to room temperature, stirring occasionally to make sure no salt crystals remain at the bottom of the bowl.

Meanwhile, prepare the garlic scapes. Rinse the scapes and cut into 2-inch lengths just up until the bud, which you should discard. Tightly pack the cut scapes into clean canning jars, using the shoulder of the jar to wedge the scapes in. I like to use pint jars. If using aromatics, add a bay

leaf, ½ teaspoon of dill or mustard seeds, and/or some flowering dill to each jar. Once the brine is cool, fill each jar until the scapes are completely submerged. Cover the jars loosely and let sit at room temperature, out of the sun, for 5 to 7 days to ferment until your desired level of tartness. The timing will depend on the temperature of your room. Open the jars once a day to

release any gas that builds up. As the fermentation takes place, the liquid will turn cloudy, and the scapes will darken and sink. Taste them to check if they are done. When satisfied with their flavor, seal the jars and refrigerate until needed. You can strain the brine and repack the scapes

if you like a cleaner look, but it isn’t necessary.

—Cookbook author and food writer Mitchell Davis recently moved from New York City to the

Upper Valley, just down the road from Edgewater Farm. For more recipes, subscribe for free to

his weekly newsletter Kitchen Sense at www.kitchensense.substack.com

Here it is, everyone's summertime favorite: fresh, sweet strawberries atop a flaky, buttery biscuit — topped with whipped cream, of course!

PREP 25 min/ BAKE 10 to 12 mins/ TOTAL 1 hr 35 mins YIELD 9 biscuits

Berries

2 quarts (1336g) strawberries, trimmed of their leaves

1/2 cup (99g) granulated sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice, fresh preferred

Biscuits

3 1/2 cups (420g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1 teaspoon table salt

1 tablespoon (11g) baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup (36g) buttermilk powder

3 tablespoons (35g) granulated sugar

8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter or 1/2 cup (92g) vegetable shortening, cold

2 teaspoons King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract

1 large egg

1 cup (227g) milk*

2 teaspoons milk, optional; for topping

2 teaspoons granulated sugar, optional; for topping

*Or substitute 1 cup buttermilk (227g) for the buttermilk powder and milk

Topping

1 cup (227g) whipping cream

Instructions

To prepare the fruit: Mash 2 cups of the strawberries. Slice the remaining strawberries, and mix all of the berries with the sugar and lemon juice. Let rest 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet, or line it with parchment.

To make the biscuits: Whisk together the dry ingredients, and work in the cold butter or shortening until the mixture is crumbly.

Whisk the vanilla and egg with the milk, then add all at once to the dry ingredients and stir until the liquid is absorbed.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead four or five times, just until it holds together. Pat the dough out until it's about 1/2" to 3/4" thick, and cut it into 2 1/2" to 3" circles.

Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, brush the tops with milk for a shiny surface, and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Remove them from the oven and cool for 15 minutes before serving.

To assemble the shortcakes: Whip the cream until soft peaks form.

Just before serving, split open the biscuits, spoon half the berries and whipped cream on the bottom half, top with remaining biscuit halves, and spoon on the remaining berries and cream.

Tips from our Bakers

For highest-rising biscuits, use a sharp biscuit cutter, rather than a drinking glass. A sharp cutter cuts the edges cleanly, rather than mashing them together; a sharp cut allows the biscuits to rise higher.

[difficulttempo]

One of my favorite projects I did this semester would have to be creating my Andromeda picture. I learned so much about the basics of calibrating and took all the skills I learned throughout the semester, and my final product flourished. The Andromeda Galaxy is something I have always had a fascination with. Some background information says that it's around 2.5 million light years away from Earth. It houses around one trillion stars, while the Milky Way only has 300 billion. Every hour, it is around a quarter million miles per hour approaching our planet. In about four billion years, the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way will merge into one galaxy. When this happens, it will look like a giant elliptical galaxy. Which is a galaxy without its spiral arms or internal structure. The Galaxies are around 260,000 light-years across and are our largest galactic neighbor. This galaxy is so huge that it had to take 11 different segments and merge them all together to get the full view. I have always had a fascination with the Andromeda galaxy because of the likelihood that it will one day merge with our galaxy. To me, it is so interesting how many things will occur when we are long gone. 

This is the reason why I chose the Andromeda galaxy to be what I wanted pictures to be taken of for my requested picture. It was a very long process to be able to not only get the pictures but also create a final product. When we were able to start working on everything, we had over 40 or a little less for each color. These were clear, green, red, and blue. There were many pictures that we were going to have to go through on a software known as Maxim DL. It's an editing software that makes it possible to merge pictures. It took our class a very long time to get them done because there were a lot of little steps in between. For example, how long did it take for one single picture to be taken if there were darks or lights? It was just a huge process, and with the number of students in our class, it was impossible to complete these tasks. Another reason why this happened was that technology was not cooperating on our side. It's very funny how we keep getting more advanced in technology, but it can be so hard to navigate sometimes. Because of how it was, our professor stepped in and did the process for us. 

The next big step was bringing these pictures over from Maxim DL and putting them through Gimp. Just like when we did our Crab Nebula, it had the same process of putting each of the clear, green, red, and blue into the software. After this and moving the images to be in this exact order, we then start to bring up the brightness of each picture. One of the harder things I went through in this process was that my blue was very bright when I first got it, but there was no blue showing. To overcome this challenge, I first went to the part where I can brighten an image, but instead of doing that, I brought the curve to the bottom. But doing this, I was able to get the picture darker and was then ready to brighten it. After this challenge, everything else went very smoothly. I was able to add color to every one of my pictures. After these simple steps, the next parts are always the most fun for me. I love how there are endless possibilities to make my image come to life. I love how I can focus on being able to color or enhance my picture. This can be a game-changer if there is a lot of fuzz in a picture. For these pictures, instead of using hard light for my mode, I used soft. That was how I was able to create my image, ready for my presentation.

Overall, I had so much fun bringing my pictures to life this whole semester. But my pride and joy would have to be my Andromeda picture. I had so much fun with it that I made a whole new picture with it. Editing these pictures doesn't feel like class work; to me, it has turned more into a hobby and stress reducer. Overall, I wish I could repeat this class to keep on working on making new images. But I'm very excited about the opportunity to get a job helping with editing these pictures.

sources:

The Andromeda and Milky Way collision, explained (astronomy.com)

[dandie-on-the-wind]

wants

i want to sleep more i want to work more i want to talk to my coworkers more i want to work out i want to have a social life i want to know my career i want to make more money i want to love more i want to be a better partner i want to have the mental time and energy to think i want to learn how TO TYPE WITHOUT ONLY INDEX FINGERS but fuck its so hard

'you dont work all day'

okay fine, i work about 38 hours a week, 168 total in a week but well say in those 5 days theres 120, so 120-38 leaves 82 hours of time, but i sleep so take away at least 35 hours, 47 left, my commute is about 15 minutes each way so we'll say 2.5 hours a week for that, great 44.5 hours, but hey! i have a dog so we'll factor in about 4 hours a week for his walks, so now 40.5 hours for myself.

yknow what im doing with those hours? stressing. trying to sit down because my back and shoulder have been trying to fall apart, trying to block out my loud neighbors music that plays all the time, trying to ignore every sound i hear in the hallway because i live closest to the front door in this shithole and i hear everything that happens in and outside, calling my baby and trying to do light cleaning or unpacking but can't because this place is so small, trying to breathe because the aforementions make me breakdown or shutdown or panic, figure out what to eat or if i eat or why i eat, try doing chores and tasks but panicking, on the apps trying to keep up with my friends who are far away and doing things like college and traveling and loving and connecting, and i know social media is fake and curated but i know they are doing those things.

so much of my time is trying to be okay, i cannot avert my attention from this, thats not how i function, dont tell me i have time, dont tell me get over myself, dont tell me im special or sensitive, i just need help and time, ill be fine, always am

[travelsafaris]

RWANDA LUXURY GORILLA TREKKING EXPERIENCES

To have a luscious luxury gorilla trekking experience, various tour operators like ATW Holidays Africa handcraft a suitable package where you can combine a stay in one of those luxury brand lodges with activities like the signature helicopter transfers or enjoyed as an activity within Rwanda.

The 10’169 square miles country of Rwanda, is a stunningly beautiful East African destination shroud in a roller-coaster of evergreen mountain forests hence its trademark name the “Land of a thousand Hills”.

The country has become a popular destination in Africa because of its robust and growing economy and it has established itself as a premier destination for the ultimate and luxury Mountain Gorilla tracking adventures.

It has been able to prove itself as an outstanding place to be for the world’s famous gorilla treks through its iconic brand name “Visit Rwanda” and it is known for its powerful and ultra-luxury gorilla experiences amongst the only three countries /destinations which offer gorilla trekking in the world. Through the RDB (Rwanda Development Board), it has been able to forge a number of partnerships to spearhead the growth of the tourism sector.

What then makes Rwanda a luxury gorilla destination and the experiences?

For those seeking to enjoy the essence of a gorilla tracking safari in an elegant style, Rwanda is the ultimate answer. There are two Mountain Gorilla (tracking) locations in the world i.e. Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Virunga Volcanos which is shared by 3 Countries (Uganda, Rwanda and DRC).

Rwanda’s portion of the Gorillas is part of the Virunga massif and its protected as a national park that is Volcanos National Park situated in the northern part of the country located just about 2.5 hours from Kigali or 40mins charter flight from the airport.

The luxury experience;

Rwanda’s luxury gorilla experience is highlighted and strengthened by its accommodation offering and choice. There is a number of international, regional and domestic tourist accommodations in the country and the gorilla park of Volcanos in particular which offer luxury lodging to tourists.

Some of these and our top picks include; Bisate lodge, a collection of the Wilderness camps is an eco-friendly lodge with an impressive African style architecture, perfectly situated in an eco-chic rainforest. One & Only Gorilla Nest, a member of the two one and only brands in the country is a luxury lodge located in an environment of eucalyptus trees where nature meets elegance, Sabinyo Silverback lodge which is a collection of the regions luxury brand the Governor’s Camp collections, Sambora Kinigi, which enjoys a perfect location with private cottages in a natural and beautifully woven environment, Singita Kwitonda one of the Singita luxury collections which was named after one of the park’s legendary silverbacks (Kwitonda) and other luxury lodges around the park such as Virunga lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique hotel in Musanze and Amakoro Songa which is set idyllically in a lush green environment overlooking the immense towering Volcano ranges.

Other things that may come with or you might like to consider for a luxury Rwanda gorilla tour include; private gorilla tracking either as a private group like family, travel buddies or couple or as an individual, this therefore means purchasing the 8gorilla permits to track the particular gorilla family. To add on the powerful luxury experience with operators like ATW Holidays is the VIP treat (meet and greet) on arrival, champagne receptions at hotel and lodges.

In comparison to her neighbors, Rwanda’s gorilla permit goes for 1500 Usd more than double that of Uganda which costs 7oo Usd and Congo’s which costs about 400Usd.