#kirk's of the north

[thechurchofsplatterdaysaints]

[flying-potato2]

THERES ANOTHER FUCKING HURRICANE???? ALREADY?????

[bumblebeeappletree]

This was aired back in 2020. In time of posting this it’s 2024. This is a very fascinating documentary about the climate of the planet in the past, and what it might look like in the future. I highly suggest everyone watch this.

Paleontologist Kirk Johnson explores the dynamic history—and future—of ice at the poles. (Aired February 5, 2020)

Official Website: https://to.pbs.org/3EUn0KC | #novapbs

In this two-hour special, renowned paleontologist Kirk Johnson takes us on an epic adventure through time at the polar extremes of our planet. Following a trail of strange fossils found in all the wrong places—beech trees in Antarctica, hippo-like mammals in the Arctic—Johnson uncovers the bizarre history of the poles, from miles-high ice sheets to warm polar forests teeming with life. What caused such dramatic changes at the ends of the Earth? And what can the past reveal about our planet’s climate today—and in the future?

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction

00:05:49 Hunting for Fossils on Islands near the North and South Poles

00:22:52 Fossil of New Dinosaur Species Found in Patagonia

00:29:04 Was Death Valley Always the Hottest Place on the Planet?

00:37:32 How Have Carbon Dioxide Levels Changed on Earth Over Time?

00:49:18 How Do Ice Sheets Form in Antarctica

00:56:47 How Did Life Persist Through the Ice Age?

01:11:29 Impacts of Rising Temperatures on Ice Cycles of the Planet

01:31:30 What Was the Warm World Like Before the Ice Age

01:43:04 This Cave Has Been Frozen for 100,000 Years

01:50:30 Conclusion

© 2020 WGBH Educational Foundation

All rights reserved

This program was produced by GBH, which is solely responsible for its content.

This program is made possible by viewers like you. Support your local PBS station here: https://pbs.org/donate/

Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS App: https://to.pbs.org/2QbtzhR

Stay up to date on the latest science discoveries, full episodes, articles, videos, and more by signing up for NOVA's newsletter here: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/newslet...

FOLLOW US:

NOVA

YouTube:    / novaonline

Facebook:   / novapbs

Twitter:   / novapbs

Instagram:   / novapbs

TikTok:   / novapbs

PBS

Facebook:   / pbs

Twitter:   / pbs

Instagram:   / pbs

YouTube:    / pbs

TikTok:   / pbs

Shop: https://shop.pbs.org/

#paleontology #paleontologist #antarctica #antarctic #northpole #southpole #iceage #arctic #dinosaur #dinosaurs #deathvalley #deathvalleynationalpark

Where is the north pole, north pole temperature, ellesmere island, is antarctica the south pole, new dinosaur discovered, new dinosaur documentary, patagonia chile, what is the carbon cycle, death valley weather, death valley temperatures, snowball earth, ice sheet, drake passage

[mullomohiam]

imagine for a moment. A world where sunny came out like 15 years earlier. exactly the same show but macdennis was born in the world of fanzines and newletters so all the fanart of them boning each other is done in the weird photorealistic pencil drawn style you get in old fashioned zines and such. where the faces are always nearly there. but not quite right bc they didnt have google images

think about it man!!!!!!!!!! we used to be a real country

[nosasblog]

The Saltwater Mill, Petty:  A Wonder of the Parish

by Marion Ruscoe When I first started looking at the site of the Saltwater Mill at Petty Bay, I was writing a general survey of industry in Petty Parish (2019).  I discovered that there was very little primary evidence for the mill and access to the site was not easy.  In fact, at the time, I couldn’t see how to get down to the site, since the Castle Stuart Golf Course had taken over the area to…

[maxriderg]

Ahh, wait a minute, Can I please share a little something, right over here for one of my friends who are familiar with The Loud House and Hokuto no Ken/Fist of the North Star? Welp, let's get ready to go with the flow, Ladies and Gentlemen!

[selanaris]

Lurks in Shadows

DP x DC Fic : (Pt1) Part 2 (Pt3) (Pt4)

TW: blood, cult summonings, sacrifices, missing peoples cases, canon character deaths & undeaths

Thirty Minutes to Midnight - Bristol Gotham - Batcave

Tim Drake stared at his newest murder board… One case. A piece missing, but what was it? He needed to restate the facts. Two high-end business owners went missing last week; they were out on lunch and never returned. Male and female respectively, new fashion business, based in North Gotham. Their lunch was downtown after an interview with the Gotham Gazette for their newest line of summer clothes. No camera evidence, no witnesses, and no struggle. The last sighting was them making a right turn on a public street, then nothing. They checked the camera where they should have been seen, but there was nothing there either.

Red chewed on his pen before the subtle steps of a little bird approached him. “Drake. Are you done staring at the investigation boards? You have taken all five of them and are wasting our resources.” The youngest, Robin stated while moving in front of Tim to look at the facts. “Wait… are you stealing my case? I have already told father that I have it under control.”

Tim placed the pen down and looked at Damian. “Your case? This is my case. Two missing elites are a pretty big thing. I have all the facts and just need the final piece… Hey!” Tim stood up to yell as Damian started to pin up his files on the board.

“Silence, Drake. If you noticed, I have the rest of the clues.” Robin spat while pinning up ten more missing persons. All done in the last month. The connection was there. Mostly middle to upper class, but at least one deviation with a missing teacher. Nothing connects the victims on gender, jobs, ideals, or class. But there was one fact. Everyone was going missing in North Gotham.

Tim stared at the board before Damian interrupted his thoughts to point at a picture. “Who is this?” Damian asked, with his thumb jammed to an image of a GCPD officer.

“Officer Thomas Kirk. He is the newest addition to the police force, the one specifically tasked with this case. I am supposed to be meeting him tonight for information he may have… Although I doubt it.” Tim paused to end it there, but Damian rolled his hand to urge Tim to continue. “Kirk went to investigate the next day, but his partner bailed on him last second so he went alone. He went MIA for 22 hours before calling into work in the middle of his shift the next day and said that he was sick. He returned to work two days later, demanding to talk to the commissioner, but that request did not go through. Of course, our Oracle found the request and arranged a meet-up for us…”

Damian nodded while looking, “This may be bigger than we think if we account for the number of homeless that go missing… how many of them end up on this web…” Damian stared at the board and then at the patrol map behind the case. This was an old map that held all the general districts they patrolled. Damian's eyes started to widen. “Here.”

“What? The Village?”

“Why do we not patrol this area? We patrol around, but no one ever enters it.”

“Well… There hasn’t been a crime there in almost 30 years… Lucky them, I guess?”

“No, I will patrol this area tonight while you have your rendezvous.”

Tim rolled his eyes and grabbed his mask on his way out. “Don’t get sacrificed,” he told his brother while he started up his cycle and left the cave.

Tim made his way to a chosen location in downtown Gotham at midnight. Somewhere, no one will check. Batburger. Honestly, Kirk chose the location for the meetup. This cop was strange, new to the force, from a rich family, and transferred to the only neighborhood with zero crime. For someone with a cushioned lifestyle, why bother putting himself in danger? It made no sense to the robin that forced his way into Batman’s life.

Robin parked his cycle in the alley behind Batburger at 11:40 PM. Batburger was always a good place for their colony. They never asked questions about vigilantes getting a burger, and they were open until two in the morning. It was a win-win business with how well they tipped the employees. Or in this case, an employee, singular.

The vigilante walked up to the register where a teen a little younger than himself stood. He wore a poorly fitted Batman costume that had the cowl leaning off the back of it. “Welcome to Batburger. How would you like your vengeance today?” The kid said in a sarcastic tone.

“I didn’t know they let teens work this late. Don’t you have school in the morning?” Red said with a smile to the kid’s obvious capitalistic suffering.

“I didn’t know they let teens fight crime. Don’t they have adults to do that?” The kid snapped back. Tim immediately decided he liked this kid. “So do you want food to not so I can go back to my phone.” He was very honest and made Tim chuckle.

“Ok, ok. Fair enough. I just need two Batburger meals, vengeance-sized. One with a fountain drink and another with a Daytime Lemonade. Make the Burgers Condiment King style.” He ordered the standard orders. The kid opened his mouth to ask a question, but Tim knew what it was and spoke before he could, “Don’t Jokerize the fries.”

The kid stared at him and sighed, “You know what, fair. That will be $26.56.”

“What?! It’s $19.48 at the Batburger in Crime Alley?” Red spoke up while pulling cash out of his bandolier.

“You’re not in Crime Alley, are you? This is Downtown, we need to keep up repair costs with every attack. I would take Crime Alley robberies over collateral damage any day.”

The vigilante chuckled and handed the kid $100. “Keep the change,” he said while grabbing his lemonade and empty cup. He turned around to pick a corner booth away from the counter. Then, he proceeded to wait.

Soon enough, the kid dropped off the two trays of food and mumbled, “Don’t destroy the store,” and he shuffled his feet to the counter.

Tim took his tray of food and looked up at the ringing of a bell. The target in question walks into the fast food joint. The man had buzzed blonde hair, a blue button-up, and a black jacket. A cop version of Constantine, if he was honest. Tom Kirk looked in all directions, briefly keeping a longer eye on the cashier before making his way to Tim. The entire time Tom was walking, the employee looked to be resisting the urge to vomit all over the counter. Tim was starting to second-guess eating the food if the employee was sick. Kirk sat down in the booth and pulled out his badge from his jacket, probably proof of ID. Tim grabbed the badge to pretend to confirm it, he already knew this was him. He looked back at the front to see Danny leaving through the back and a napkin note on the register that said, ‘ON BREAK! IF YOU NEED ME, DON’T!’

Red Robin smiled and looked back to Tom, who was already going through his tray of food. He looked at his empty cup and glanced at the fountain drinks on the other side of the lobby. He just set the cup down before grabbing a fry and smelling it. The cop finally placed it into his mouth when Tim decided to speak. “So, why meet here instead of the rooftops like every other police contact?”

The cop picks up a napkin to wipe nothing off of his mouth in a manner that Tim immediately identifies as him spitting out his food. He crumpled up the napkin and placed it to the side. “They are always watching the sky. They know about the bats and the birds, so they always watch up. But when they do, they never look down.”

“And who is this ‘they’ you speak of?” Tim asks while finishing off his meal, he did take note that the cop stopped eating and is only poking at his food.

Kirk hesitated and looked around again before sighing, “The kid’s gonna be mad, but he isn’t the adult here. The ‘they’ in this situation is the Geo Populus Cult. They function in North Gotham. Their purpose is to summon evil magic entities and destroy Gotham. My brother,” he said ‘brother’ with deep sarcasm, “doesn’t want you involved. I think you need to get involved soon. Or at least your little Justice Friends I know you have.” Kirk said and pulled out his phone to check it. He seemed dissatisfied with it and placed it face down. “The kid went investigating on his own, I told him not to this morning, but before I went to work, he was already gone. They switched bases after we discovered their previous base, and he wanted to find their new one by being bait.”

Tim’s eyes widened at the thought that not only was this cop and his alleged kid brother out there investigating a cult connected to missing people, but then his brother decided to be a vigilante and look for the new base himself as bait. “Why are you doing this? The moment you saw the magic, you should have passed it on to us, or at least the Commissioner.”

“I have to solve this. Simon won’t stop until he solves it, and… We have to… I have to lay this to rest. I… I have an obsession to clear the corruption in GCPD. Yeah, I know it’s dumb to try to change things from the inside, but I thought I could do what Commissioner Gorden does. And the kid is obsessed with clearing out this cult and any other dark magic from Gotham. I’m worried about him.” Tom sighed and pushed his tray away from him. His burger had holes all over the top from where he anxiously pulled at the bread. “He recently got this new book a week ago, and while looking into a case unrelated to the cult a few hours ago, they showed up and stole it from him. They will probably try another summoning tonight. So I want the bats and birds to help me out tonight. I find my brother, we clear another base, and you get to investigate the murdered victims.”

“Hold on, wait a minute. Murdered? There are two confirmed missing to this case, and ten possibly missing to the same group.” Tim interrupted while sitting up straight.

“Try 36 missing people in the last two years, all killed.” He said with a haunted look in his eyes.

“36! How do you know they were all killed?” He started to get more suspicious and moved his hands to his lap, closer to his utility belt.

“Because they captured me, my brother saved me, and we both escaped. That is how we know where their old base was.”

They took a moment of silence, staring at each other, waiting for the next move. The respite was broken when Tom’s phone rang with the default tone. He picked up the phone quickly, “Where are you?!... WHAT DO YOU MEAN, GHOST KING?!”

[xanticore]

could you do a fluff/smutty fic with james hetfield where he takes the readers v card pls <33 preferably an established relationship and set in the early 90s but you take the reigns !!

I hope you like this anon! I thought this au was so cute! <3

𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍

Genre: Fluff and Smut

Setting: early 90s ; black album era

Warnings: piv, slight choking, mentions of alcohol and drinking. drugs involved (just cigarettes), unprotected. (wrap up)

Summary: Metallica was just about done with their world tour. Their last stops being in the states, selling out arenas and some stadiums they had booked. They were currently on break until it was time to tour North and South America. You guys were at a celebration party, celebrating a successful abroad tour. Though, James wanna celebrate in a different way, of course you couldn't say no to that.

"CHEERS TO A SUCCESSFUL AND SAFE...BLACK ALBUM TOUR. I WANNA THANK EVERYONE ON OUR TEAM FOR MAKING ANOTHER TOUR HAPPEN!" Lars said as he shot his red cup in the air that was filled with some type of alcohol.

Everyone said their cheers and cheered before taking a sip of their drink. "Another tour..another successful album to be quite frank." James raised his brow. You chuckled at his comment. You both were sitting on the couch playing a game of cards with Kirk and his girlfriend. The two couple across from you and nodded. "Dare I say we deserve something for it." Kirk said.

The band wasn't too focused on getting trophies but they highly appreciated the recognition they rightly deserved. You supported James and been with him since Kill em All. You really watched the band grow and become experienced with their sound and instruments. The fact you were able to witness everything in real time just gave you goosebumps.

Not only that, you couldn't stop thinking about how you two were about to celebrate 10 years of being together. 'A decade already?' You thought. Time was sure going fast and as the saying goes, 'Time goes by fast when you're having fun.' Rightfully so. You sure as hell was having the best time while dating James. There was never a dull moment in the 10 years you've been with him. You guys aren't perfect but you both matched each other perfectly.

It was getting late so you guys decided to head on home. You entered your shared apartment and you two were quick to just flop on your soft bed after being out all day. You two were exhausted and just needed some rest for a moment. A moment to relax for a bit.

"Home! god i miss this bed!" James said as his face was muffled in the pillow. He let out a guttural sigh that couldn't help but make you laugh. He turned his head to look at you with a smile.

"What?" You said curiously.

"Nothing...I just, you know..wanna celebrate my tour in a different way~ a quick blow? pleasee?" He asked politely. He knew that you were still a virgin but of course, you two managed to please each other when it came down to any of you being horny, so you wasn't entirely inexperienced.

"Don't you want more?"

"More?"

"Yeah?"

James looked at you confused as he sat up. "More what? I don't want nothing else.."

"Oh so you don't wanna take my virginity then?"

You can see when his heart skipped a beat and had butterflies in his stomach. "Wait- I-"

You just nodded as James obviously didn't have no words to say.

"Are you sure?" He asked. He slowly moved closer towards you. "Mmhm..I'm sure. 100%. I love you so so much and I'm ready." After your words, he kissed your cheek then moved towards your lips pecking them. "I will go easy on you baby. Just let me know when it hurts or you want me to slow down- or even stop ok?" He whispered in between each peck. Eventually, you guys were in a much needed kiss.

His tongue going against yours; exploring your familiar mouth. James had you stripped down in mere seconds. He was taking his time on you and didn't wanna rush a moment like this. He kissed down your stomach and kissed the waistband of your panties. He slowly slid them off exposing your wet cunt.

He loves going down on you ever since the first time you guys did it back in 83. You could definitely tell the difference between 20 year old James with no experience and a 30 year old James, with experience and knows all your rights spots from memory.

He was now at your entrance. He first rummaged through the bed side drawers to take out an unopened box of condoms. James also had a box; just in case for moments like these when you were feeling up for it.

"No-" You said grabbing his wrist. "Don't put it on..." James was taken aback and looked at you for a moment indeed of reassurance. You nodded and he just put the box back. "Damn so i technically bought those for nothing?" He shook his head as you giggled. He was a pretty good size in length and girth. Your heart was pounding and it was way too late to back down now. He slowly pushed himself into, feeling your tight walls around him. "Fuck-" He cursed under his breath. You groaned at the slight pain and even winced a bit. The pain was sharp and uncomfortable and it had you breathing heavily.

"Calm down, breath. I don't want you to pass out." James said as he caressed his cheek. He was now fully inside of you. He kept this position for a minute until you were comfortable and ready. He began moving slowly, his thrust was manageable but it was still highly uncomfortable for you. You soon relaxed your body more and kept breathing. Eventually you got the hand of his movements and his size. The moment you felt comfortable is the moment your body wanted more. James being a gentleman that he is, he still kept going slow.

His low groans and grunts filled the room and it turned you on. "Go a little faster..." You told him in a whisper. "You sure baby doll?"

You nodded.

You didn't have to tell James twice. He increased his thrust speed to a medium. That unfamiliar uncomfortable feeling was finally long gone and out of your hair. You officially lost your virginity to the man you love and,, you didn't mind him using you like some toy.

Once you had a feel to him, James had you in all different positions. Different positions you never thought you could even do. He wasn't going soft and sweet but more rough and sloppy like he hadn't fucked in ages...technically he hasn't but he's willing to wait. You guys were both back to missionary and he moved his hand down to your throat, softly squeezing it; filling your choking kink you always had.

His eyes were dark and his voice was deep and raspy. "Gonna come now baby...fuck-" He moaned out. Your moans were the only sounds being heard throughout the room besides the harsh smacking of skin to skin contact. He was thrusting hard and deep in your cunt. "Yeah..i think- i feel it-" You whined. He subconsciously went even more faster and rougher. You thought he was gonna break the bed but you didn't care. In the heat of the moment you, just wanted to come; and you came.

He quickly pulled out, jerking himself off as he released himself onto your stomach, causing a sticky mess. "Fuck- fucck-" He huffed and took a deep breath. He looked down at you, your face was red and tired from the activity. He grabbed a few tissues and cleaned up your stomach. "Thats my girl...thats.my.girl." He said before landing two kisses on your cheeks. You smiled and watched him lay on his side of the bed catching his breath.

"You know were locked in now...like this." He said putting his crossed fingers. "Im happy to be your first, and I'm willing to be your first in anything else."

"My first husband??"

"Now don't spoil our future...but yeah...your first husband." He turned to wink at you causing your heart to skip a beat.

a/n: I hope you like this fic anon and and anyone else that read it.

dividers: cr to owners

[whencyclopedia]

A Gallery of Churches from Around the World

Churches around the world are not only houses of worship but offer a wide array of architectural styles and forms, from modest structures, such as St. John's Church in Waimate North, New Zealand, to the striking artistic innovations and ornamentation of buildings such as the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey.

The word church comes from the Old English cirice, meaning a place of assembly for Christian worship, and evolved into the Middle English word kirke, then kirk, before the modern English church, having the same meaning. Churches were first established in the homes of believers in the 1st century, and the oldest church building extant is the Dura-Europos Church located in Dura-Europos, Syria, dated to between 233-256.

The Dura-Europos Church is a fine example of the earliest buildings used in Christian services as it was formerly a residence and was converted into a house of worship. From these modest buildings, churches evolved into grand architectural masterpieces, designed to draw one's thoughts from the mundane to the sacred and ineffable, whether experienced from within or from outside.

During and after the Protestant Reformation (1517-1648) churches were simplified by Protestant congregations with a focus on the pulpit from which the minister would deliver the sermon, while Catholic churches continued to impress upon their congregations the majesty of God and the overall experience of communing with the divine.

This gallery presents various churches from around the world, from the simple to the ornate, but all intended to elevate people's hearts and minds in contemplation of a higher power.

Continue reading...

[scotianostra]

On 29th March 1298 William Wallace was knighted and made Guardian of Scotland.

The previous September Wallace and Andrey Murray achieved a stunning victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The English left with 5,000 dead on the field, including their despised treasurer, Hugh Cressingham, whose flayed skin was taken as a trophy of victory and to make a belt for Wallace's sword. The Scots suffered one significant casualty,

Murray, who was badly wounded and died two months later.

A lot of the detail of this has been lost i time but it is said that the ceremony took place in front of gathered nobles and clergy in the Kirk o’ the Forest, in Selkirk. Wallace was named "Commander of the Army of the Kingdom of Scotland", knighted and made Guardian of Scotland in Balliol's name at the forest kirk, at either Selkirk or Carluke.

Balliol had been humiliated in 1296 when he signed the first treaty of alliance with the French, Edward I had torn the Royal insignia from his clothing earning him the cruel nickname Tomb Tabard, meaning empty coat, but many, Wallace included, still saw him as the rightful King.

It was a remarkable achievement for a mere knight to hold power over the nobles of Scotland. In a medieval world obsessed with hierarchy, Wallace's extraordinary military success catapulted him to the top of the social ladder.

He now guided Scottish policy. Letters were dispatched to Europe proclaiming Scotland's renewed independence and he managed to obtain from the Papacy the appointment of the patriotic Bishop Lamberton to the vacant Bishopric of St Andrews.

Militarily he took the war into the north of England, raiding around Newcastle and wreaking havoc across the north. Contemporary English chroniclers accused him of atrocities, some no doubt warranted, however, in Wallace's eyes the war, since its beginning, had been marked by brutality and butchery.

The English nobility had been on the edge of civil war with Edward I. They were disgruntled over his wars in France and Scotland, however, faced with the humiliating defeat by the Scots at Stirling Bridge, they united behind him in time for the Battle of Falkirk.

Unfortunately Wallace's army at Falkirk was soundly beaten that July and Scotland fell under Longshanks rule, Sir William Wallace resigned as Guardian and was now the most wanted man in Scotland.

The site where Wallace was made Guardian has long gone, but a geophysics study in 2016 carried out within the ruins of the 18th century Auld Kirk at The Kirk O’ The Forest, Selkirk was expected to show traces of its 16th century predecessor. Instead, it revealed the remains of a medieval chapel, pinpointing the spot where Wallace would have been honoured.

The first pi is from a 1935 pageant at Selkirk reenacting the event, second Wallace on a stained glass window at the Wallace Monument,Abbey Craig, third is the Kirk at Selkirk.

[screamlet]

fic authors self rec

thank you for the tag @rcmclachlan!

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💗

i've also been writing a long fucking time, so check out that fandom spread, lol

---

what are your intentions? (9-1-1, bucktommy, 143k)

It's Tommy and Buck—the family they find and the family they make.

Tommy's too old and been in this world too long to be this nervous about a first… third… fifth? Date with this guy. He's twisting the bottle of red wine in the palm of his hand as he takes all of six steps to Evan's front door, where he'd been standing not even a week ago. He had no idea what was behind the door when he showed up that night and now that he kind of knows what to expect, it feels worse. It might feel worse. Whatever. He's a gay firefighter. He's a pilot. He flew into a hurricane once and got a medal for it. He owns a lot of cool jackets. He can handle a date.

-

the arrival of 290287 backstrom 🔒 (hockey rpf [washington capitals rpf], nicklas backstrom/alex ovechkin, 18k)

Nicky has an asteroid named after him; that's just the beginning.

He never held himself back around Nicky, but he was holding back now. “What?” Nicky asked. He could hear his own voice, choked and rasping. Every word was hard to spit out; every breath was hard to swallow. “I’m sorry,” Alex said. “This is all we get.” “What? This fucking room in this nothing city?” “This. Living. This is all we get. That’s it. No big narrative, no hundred banners hanging in the arena. This is it and it’s okay.”

-

the providence falconers are happy to select (check please!, kent parson/alexei mashkov, 5k)

In 2009, Alexei spent his first week in America with his parents.

In 2009, Alexei spent his first week in America with his parents. From Montreal and the draft, the three of them and Lisa from the Falconers flew to Providence and immediately looked at ten apartments downtown before his parents bought him the seventh one on the list. “Seven is a good number,” his father assured him. “Three bedrooms for this price? You can stay here forever,” his mother said. “We get you a new washer/dryer for Christmas. These are just okay.” She looked at Lisa from the Falconers and Nancy the broker, and made sure to raise her eyebrows at them. “Just okay for this price.”

-

Dwarf-Elf Relations at the Close of the Third Age (the hobbit movies, kíli/tauriel [background bagginshield], 7k)

Tauriel had entered his life barely a season ago. She captained the guard that imprisoned them in the last days of autumn as they raced towards Durin’s Day and the beginning of winter. Killing the dragon, readying their armies and allies, the battle itself—a lifetime of action fit into such a short time.  He woke from the longest sleep of his life to her stockinged feet resting on his bed. Her chair was pulled close to his bed, her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes lightly closed. If he was dead, he reasoned, this would have been much more transcendent with much more choral singing. He remembers very little of the third or fourth time she saved his life, but he remembers her incantation, that glow, the bag of walnuts someone used to pillow his head.  This was so ordinary. He had to be alive.

-

the five year mission (star trek AOS, kirk/spock, 11k)

15% — the percentage of the original crew roster that will be reported as dead or MIA within the first three years of a deep space mission. * The crew of the Enterprise tries to survive their first five-year mission.

“Seriously,” Jim sighed. “How did we end up the most ethical people in Starfleet? Do I look like a paragon of virtue here?” “Not at the moment, no,” Spock said. “Dr. McCoy did upgrade your status to the crew from processed lunchmeat to fresh death, but even figuratively speaking, you are not the north that anyone should calibrate their moral compasses to follow.” “I thought people were supposed to be nice to you in the hospital,” Jim said.

tagging anyone and everyone!!! come play!!! i wanna see what you got!!! where have you BEEN

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Noel Sims at Popular Information:

In a January 24 press release from the Department of Education, the Trump administration declared that book-banning was a “hoax.” But last month, President Trump invited John Amanchukwu, the self-proclaimed “book-banning pastor,” to the White House for a Black History Month event. Since 2023, Amanchukwu, a youth pastor from North Carolina, has travelled to at least 23 school board meetings in 18 states on a nationwide book-banning tour financed by Trump donors and allies, including Turning Point USA (TPUSA). On this tour, Amanchukwu demands that school districts remove books that do not align with his conservative Christian ideology — usually books written by or about LGBTQ people. Amanchukwu relies heavily on insults and threats during his school board speeches, maximizing each appearance's potential for social media virality. At a recent stop in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Amanchukwu launched into a typical rant about the book "It Feels Good to Be Yourself." Amanchukwu said the book was "a lie" because it acknowledged that gender identity is fluid and intersex people exist. As proof that the book was lying to children, Amanchukwu cited Genesis 1:27. Informed by the chair of the school board that he was out of order because his comments did not pertain to items on the day's agenda, Amanchukwu just began speaking louder, attempting to drown out the board members. Asked to return to his seat, Amanchukwu was undeterred. "We want to ban books that seek to pervert the hearts and minds of children," he shouted. The shouting continued for approximately three minutes, until the board declared a recess. In April 2023, Amanchukwu attended a meeting of the Wake County Board of Education in his home state of North Carolina with then-candidate for state superintendent Michele Morrow and other local activists. In his comments, Amanchukwu said that inappropriate books were being "purchased and delivered" to local schools as part of a plot by the "Democrat Party" that "castrates children, mutilates children, perverts children, grooms children, murders children, and indoctrinates children." (The Wake County Board of Education is non-partisan.) [...]

The money behind Amanchukwu

In August 2023, Amanchukwu officially announced a nationwide tour of school boards in partnership with a “major organization,” TPUSA. In June 2024, he appeared on a podcast hosted by TPUSA Founder Charlie Kirk during which Amanchukwu revealed that TPUSA had chipped in “thousands and thousands” of dollars to support his work. Amanchukwu also said he received “hundreds of thousands” of dollars from Robert “Dr. Bob” Shillman. Shillman is a businessman and right-wing donor who has previously funded anti-muslim activists including Laura Loomer, Brigitte Gabriel, and Tommy Robinson. Shillman also hosted a fundraiser with J.D. Vance for the Trump campaign in September 2024. Some specifics of the financial arrangement between Amanchukwu, TPUSA, and Shillman have not been disclosed. But, based on TPUSA social media posts, it appears that Shillman’s donations to TPUSA are being used to fund Amanchukwu's school board tour. Amanchukwu has worked with TPUSA Faith, an offshoot of TPUSA, as a contributor since July 2022. Amanchukwu was a featured speaker at America Fest, TPUSA’s annual conference, in December 2024 and is often featured on TPUSA's social media accounts.

[...] In Fall 2024, Amanchukwu became a visiting fellow at the Center for Renewing America, an organization founded by Russell Vought, a lead author of Project 2025 who was recently confirmed as Trump's Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The Center for Renewing America did not respond to questions about Amanchukwu’s work. [...]

Causing chaos at school board meetings to create viral social media content

When Amanchukwu announced his school board tour, he said he would travel to the “wokest and bluest and darkest cities in America.” Instead, his tour has largely stopped in purple or red districts — Boise, Idaho; Washoe County, Nevada; Gwinnett County, Georgia; Midland, Texas. On at least two occasions when Amanchukwu visited school boards that only allow public comments from people residing in their district, Amanchukwu has claimed to be the roommate of a local activist. Amanchukwu’s school board speeches follow a routine format. He identifies a few books he feels do not belong in school libraries. These books often feature LGBTQ characters and range from picture books to more mature young-adult novels. Amanchukwu reads a passage from one of the more mature books and admonishes school board members for allowing such “perverse” material in their libraries. Amanchukwu frequently breaks meeting rules, which has resulted in him being escorted out of meetings by police on several occasions — and provides eye-catching content for his social media accounts.

Popular Information does an exposé on anti-LGBTQ+ extremist and book ban advocate John Amanchukwu. Amanchukwu’s activities have been funded by right-wing bigwigs, such as Turning Point USA.

[jungleindierock]

Jungle Playlist 2025, Vol.1

A new playlist curated by Jungle Indie Rockers Reb, Dao & Mar, featuring special guest Nacho Serrano.

PLAY ▶ Stream & Read more

01 The Horrors – More Than Life (UK, Jan 2025); Reb 02 Dead Air – Die (UK, Jan 2025); Dao 03 High Vis – Fill The Gap (UK, Oct 2024); Mar 04 Sunspells – Daisy Chain (UK, Sept 2024); Reb 05 Flamingos – Everything’s Pink (Switzerland); The Jungle Bands Project 06 Divorce – All My Freaks (UK, March 2025); Mar 07 Jahrund – Violent Horizon (Germany, Dec 2024); Dao 08 Marion Harper – Bruno (Spain, Nov 2024); Dao 09 Ela Minus – BROKEN (Colombia, Oct 2024); Mar 10 My Morning Jacket – Time Waited (USA, Jan 2025); Reb 11 Honeyglaze – Ghost (UK, Sep 2024); Dao 12 The Haunted Youth – In My Head (Belgium, Nov 2024); Mar 13 Glayhaze – Forgive Me (Italy, Jan 2025); Dao 14 Panik Flower – Alkaline (USA, Jan 2025); Reb 15 Dead Gowns – Swimmer (USA, Jan 2025); Dao 16 Juanita Stein – Motionless (Australia/UK, Nov 2024); Mar 17 Bryony Sier – The Moment I Fell (UK); The Jungle Bands Project 18 Maika Makovski – Just A Boy (Spain, Nov 2024); Nacho 19 Man/Woman/Chainsaw – Ode To Clio (UK, Nov 2024); Mar 20 Pastel – Leave A Light On (Velvet Storm) (UK, Oct 2024); Reb 21 Lambrini Girls – Love (UK, Jan 2025); Dao 22 The Velveteers – Suck The Cherry (USA, Nov 2024); Dao 23 THUS LOVE – Get Stable (USA, Nov 2024); Mar 24 The North – Soundtrack Your Soul (UK, Nov 2024); Reb 25 Bighead Tea Drinkers – Excuses (UK, Dec 2024); Reb 26 Anxious – Some Girls (USA, Feb 2025); Mar 27 jasmine.4.t – Breaking In Reverse (UK, Jan 2025); Mar 28 FanSandro – Come Alive (UK); The Jungle Bands Project 29 Stereo Roux – Nostalgia.fm (USA); The Jungle Bands Project 30 ALPACA SPORTS – Always On My Mind (Sweden, Jan 2025); Dao 31 Lola Kirke – Hungover Thinkin’ (USA, 2025; Reb 32 Rose City Band – Open Roads (USA, Jan 2025); Mar 33 The Gentle Spring – Sugar Town (France, Jan 2025); Reb 34 All Around Folks – Ophiusa (Spain, Jan 2025); Nacho 35 Benjamin Booker – Same Kind Of Lonely (USA, Dec 2024); Reb 36 One More Weekend – Opportunity (Australia); The Jungle Bands Project 37 The Backfires – This Is Not An Exit (USA, Jan 2025); Dao 38 L’Objectif – Goth Kids (UK, Jn 2025); Dao 39 Prism Shores – Holding Pattern (Canada, Jan 2025); Reb 40 Stacked Like Pancakes – 45 (USA, Reissue Jan 2025); Mar

[kimberly40]

Wee Kirk Presbyterian Church is located at 128 Beech Street in Linville in Avery County, North Carolina. The church was established in 1895 and Wee Kirk means “small church”.

Wee Kirk is a seasonal church holding services at 9:30am on Sundays between late May through early September.

[weirdowithaquill]

Traintober 2024: Day 23 - Beyond

What Lies Beyond Peel Godred:

Duke sat at the end of a works train, trying his best not to grumble at the boring task. The Mid Sodor was expanding beyond Peel Godred, planning on extending into the mineral-rich foothills of Culdee Fell and around to Kirk Machan, where the start of the railway’s new tourist attraction was taking shape. It was a mountain railway, one which would run right the way up to the peak of Culdee Fell.

Duke wasn’t sure if he liked either plan. His driver certainly didn’t. “It’s not right,” Duke’s driver muttered crossly as the steel rails stretched out beyond the walled city and curved down through the thick woodland towards the base of Culdee Fell. “We are trespassing on it’s land.” “On who’s land?” asked Duke curiously. “Lord Barrane owns the most land around here. Is this part not his?” Duke’s driver just shook his head. “No, no – they say something far older and wilder is the true owner of the lands around here. Anything beyond Peel Godred and to the North-East of Culdee Fell is its home, and it does not take kindly to outsiders.”

Duke thought his driver was being very odd indeed – but he still listened. His driver, after all, was a local to this part of the island. He often ducked back to the farm where he had been raised for lunch while Duke was at Peel Godred for a water break. If anyone knew the local legends and tales, it was Duke’s driver.

Part way between Peel Godred and the hamlet where the mountain railway was being built, a spur split off. It was being built by a mine, searching for minerals further around Culdee Fell. Duke’s driver called them insane; Duke was just thankful he didn’t have to go down the little line. It looked very rickety, as if the mining company had simply slapped down the track on the ground with no care at all.

Duke wondered how far off he was, considering how greedy some of those companies could be.

The mines owned a large tank engine named Freddie, who ran the works trains out towards the new construction site. Freddie was a pleasant sort, if not a tad too boastful for Duke. “Fastest in the hills!” Freddie would chirp every time he arrived ahead of schedule. “You should worry less about your speed and more about being careful,” Duke would warn him, but Freddie took no notice. Duke, remembering the fate of Albert, kept on trying to get through to the young engine, especially as the mining line grew closer and closer to rounding the base of Culdee Fell.

The workmen said odd things about the land out there. Apparently, no one lived out there, beyond the edge of Peel Godred. Not even a lonely goat herder made their living on the rocky slopes – it was just… nothing. There were animals of course – but even they seemed to cower in fear of the mountain itself, wary of the lands upon which the railway now intruded. Still, the work pressed on. Sometimes, Duke would even deliver supplies part way along the line, to where a camp had been set up.

Every time they did, his driver would recite something under his breath, speaking in the old Sudric tongue. “What is that… little thing you keep saying, every time we go near Culdee Fell?” asked Duke one day, curious about his driver’s odd little habit.

“It’s a prayer of protection,” replied the driver. “This is Fell-y-Deighan, after all.” Duke knew what that meant. “Driver, that can’t be,” Duke spluttered. “This is Culdee Fell.” “It’s both,” replied the driver darkly. “On the far side of Culdee Fell stands the Gob-y-Deighan. Stay far from there, or else it will come after you. The prayer keeps the devils away, and don’t you forget it!”  

Duke decided to trust in his driver, and asked to learn the little prayer that same evening. His driver was more than pleased to teach his engine the same protective prayer which he entrusted his own safety too.

Then, the new engines for the mountain railway began arriving. Engines two and three – Wilfred and Ernest – arrived together first. They were pleasant chaps, quiet and unassuming but with a good sense of humour. The end of the extension reached right to where their new railway was to be, and so Duke helped to unload them from the carts used to drag them up the valley. “It’s a lovely place!” grinned Wilfred. “Oh yes,” agreed Ernest. “The people are great here,” promised Duke. “Just… be careful up there. There are old legends which tell of how dangerous this mountain can be.”

Ernest and Wilfred heeded Duke’s warning, as did Culdee and Shane Dooiney when they arrived.

But it was the engine who arrived between these four – the line’s Number One – who stuck out to Duke. He was named for the ancient king of the island, Godred, and took to the name and its meaning like a duck to water. He grew very conceited very quickly.

Duke’s driver thought it very worrying, especially as opening day for the new Culdee Fell Railway loomed.

“He’ll anger it,” Duke’s driver hissed in the evenings. “Not even Thorfinn the Mighty attempted to explore that part of Sodor.” He sounded almost… fearful of what potentially lay hidden on that side of the island.

Just then, Freddie returned from his evening run. He looked oddly excited. “We just found the strangest thing!” he exclaimed. “You’ll never believe it!” “Oh?” quizzed Duke. “What did you find?” “There’s a giant boulder up behind Culdee Fell!” Duke’s driver went deathly pale. “It’s angered,” he gasped. “I won’t go up there again!” Freddie seemed confused by the outburst, and even more so when Duke’s driver practically sprinted away, muttering the prayer under his breath.

Duke wondered just what exactly the Boulder represented.

Weeks passed, and everything seemed normal. The Culdee Fell opened on time in a grand ceremony that was attended by thousands of people, all excited to climb the infamous Culdee Fell.

What struck Duke as strange though, as he picked up the passengers that afternoon, was that none of them mentioned a boulder. Considering how excited Freddie had been about the thing, he had half expected that the tourists and locals would have been able to see it from the summit.

“Didja miss the darn Boulder?” a voice snapped. Duke looked up, watching as Godred and Culdee got into yet another argument. The two were like oil and water – where Godred was conceited and difficult, Culdee was kind and cautious. Duke knew which he would have rather had working on his railway. Still, it was Godred talking about the Boulder, and not Culdee.

“No Godred, there was no boulder,” replied Culdee gruffly. “Now if you don’t mind, I want to go to my shed, and not listen to your irrational fantasies.” Godred just huffed indignantly. Duke sidled alongside.

“I’d be careful if I were you youngster,” he murmured. “That boulder is a bad omen.” “Pah!” exclaimed Godred. “Boulders aren’t omens and I’m named after the greatest king this sorry island ever had! Nothing will hurt me.”

Duke rolled his eyes, and puffed away.

It was only a month before Duke would be proven right. Godred was flung from the side of the mountain – no one ever knew how; people thought he must have hit a stone lodged in the rack system. But Duke feared that that was not the case. The little purple engine was barely a bucket of bolts and bits when the traction engine dragged him back to the sheds.

Godred was gone.

The line to Kirk Machan closed the next day – people were terrified, they didn’t want to go to the Culdee Fell Railway at all. They quickly ripped up the rails and took them away; they could be used elsewhere. Now, only Freddie went down that line. Duke continued to fret – the fearless engine was going beyond the end of the line every single day and bringing back tales of odd accidents happening all around the construction site. On some days it would be mild – candles blowing out, tools moving from one place to another – but on others it would be dynamite exploding on its own, destroying mineshafts before they could be reinforced. And every single time, Freddie just barely dodged the threat.

Duke tried to warn Freddie, but the little engine would hear none of it. “I’m too fast for anything to catch me,” grinned Freddie. “They call me fearless! Fearless Freddie, fastest in the hills!” “Fastest is not best,” reminded Duke sternly. Freddie just chortled.

And then Freddie was gone too. He’d left in the morning as usual, but didn’t return come nightfall. Duke watched as another mining engine was sent out to search for Freddie, and he watched as it came back with nothing.

“The miners are gone,” the engine gasped. “And so is Freddie, and all the rails, and the tools and dyna—” There was a massive explosion in the distance, so powerful it could be felt from the sheds at the bottom of the valley.

Duke feared that he knew exactly what had happened to Freddie. He hadn’t been able to outrun this particular threat.

Officially, the Mid Sodor Railway terminated at Peel Godred, in a little station just outside the city walls.

Duke knew better. Beyond Peel Godred, there was more to the Mid Sodor Railway, even if no one used it. Indeed, the section of line was half-buried under weeds and greenery, all but left to the whims of nature despite how young it was. It was nearly impossible to find the entrance to this abandoned section, as it was now bricked off with a goods shed stealing the original siding. But Duke knew it was there, knew that the navvies had been too terrified to go back and rip up the rest of the rails. He knew exactly where the track ended too, near an insignificant little wooden trestle bridge.

All Duke wished was to know what truly happened to Freddie that day.

Back to the Master Post

[katyahina]

Dark Souls 1 faces references Part 7: Ingward, Kirk, Oswald, Imprisoned Havel Knight, Tarkus (update 01/19/2025)

Ingward

I wonder if he is just the oldest one of the three Sealers (seeing how another Sealer looks pretty young), or it is early hair greying upon bad conditions? Typically, old characters have grey eyebrows too in DS1 face data

Kirk

These are some really green eyebags! And not the only time we see them, since..

Oswald

He has some as well!

Oswald and Lautrec share origins and sickly, practically greenish skin, but Kirk shares silver hair that seems to be regardless of age and horrible green eyebags! Lautrec's hair is not quite silver, but still very greyish color that seemed to be the case for his unused "younger" data too! And on second look, Kirk's skin doesn't have very healthy tone either (look at images of him above)! And someone stole the eyebrows of ALL of them!

So, Kirk could also be from Carim? Tea?

At the same time, I am a bit back and forth on his design, since he SHOULD be old (you can see on this concept, under his portrait, it says 'late 60s?')... Maybe the version in the game can still be used as a look at his younger self and for observation regarding Carim people, but concept version is how he ages after events of DS1?

Imprisoned Havel Knight

UPDATE 01/19/2025: Okay SO, turns out that this NPC is NOT Havel, but one of his knights! There was an insentive to double-check, and Japanese / strategy guide straight up confirms it! He is called ハベルの戦士 (Havel's Warrior), same as the knight we fight in DS3!

(From this ( x ) page)

Guess we should have been able to tell from the fact that he's wearing a ring that is given to knights of Havel to imitate his power, as well as being just a biiiiit underwhelming considering the context hahah; @val-of-the-north made a better breakdown on Havel himself and this NPC in this ( x ) post, but yeah! Better confirm now than never!

Tarkus

____________________________________

Part 1: Oscar, Ricard, Solaire, Anastacia

Part 2: Reah, Petrus, Vince, Nico, Leeroy

Part 3: Pharis/Evlana, Americus, Forest Hunter (Cleric), Beatrice, Dusk

Part 4: Shiva, Shiva's Bodyguard, Forest Hunter (Sorcerer), Forest Hunter (Thief), Forest Hunter (Bandit)

Part 5: Quelana, Jeremiah, Grana, Cut Content Character, Domhnall

Part 6: Darkmoon Knightess, Lautrec, Lautrec's Helper (Sealer), Lautrec's Helper (Warrior)

Part 7: Ingward, Kirk, Oswald, Havel, Tarkus (you are here)

Part 8: Griggs, Logan, Rickert, Crystal Knight, Laurentius

Part 9: Patches, Siegmeyer, Sieglinde, Mildred, Crestfallen Knight, Crestfallen Merchant

* Shots of characters' faces datamined and provided by RayanTheMad on Twitter + rayanwasalsotaken on Discord!

* Twitter thread with the faces here: ( x )

* Data for characters Ciaran, Darkmoon Soldier (Balder) and Darkmoon Soldier (Berenike) doesn't exist and they simply copy the last face loaded, when there wasn't any loaded they use default placeholder data