#luxury golf communities

[inboundremblog]

Glenlakes Homes for Sale: A Golf Community Gem in Foley, Alabama

Glen Lakes Homes for Sale: Everything You Need to Know

The Glen Lakes homes for sale in Foley, Alabama, offer homebuyers a peaceful, upscale living experience. Residents and golf enthusiasts appreciate Glenlakes because it features a renowned golf club and a strategic position adjacent to the Alabama Gulf Coast area.

Glenlakes stands among Foley's preferred residential areas because it provides striking natural beauty, expensive properties, and an intense neighborhood atmosphere. Glenlakes accommodates different housing choices that fulfill the requirements of people searching for vacation homes, retirees, and permanent residents.

The Glenlakes Golf Club is the central attraction in the community and is widely celebrated as one of the superior golfing locations along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The club has established itself through two championship golf courses, the Vista Dunes course and the Lakes course, which have 27 holes each.

The golf course design aims to satisfy all skill ranges of players by spreading across beautiful fields combined with perfect grassy areas and water features. Glenlakes Golf Club is a valued social center for everybody living there through its numerous events, tournaments, and dining facilities. People who adore golf will find Glenlakes delivers an unmatched life near golf courses.

Glenlakes goes beyond offering golf services to its community members. The community attracts residents who need peaceful lives next to natural elements because numerous residences feature beautiful views extending across golf courses, lakes, or forested land.

Through its ideal location, Glenlakes residents benefit from smooth access to coastal beaches, parks, and shopping areas around the community.

Types of Homes in Glenlakes

The residential choices at Glenlakes consist of single-family houses, patio homes, and custom-built properties. The homes in this community fit different lifestyle needs because they match spacious family requirements and simplified retirement needs.

Residential homes in Glenlakes feature contemporary floor plans, which accommodate three to five bedrooms and provide roomy kitchen spaces with master suites that include high-end features.

These properties offer outdoor facilities, including screened porches, private pools, and patios. The housing options range from 2000 to 4000 square feet, providing enough room to entertain and live a daily life.

If tiny and easy-to-maintain homes are desired, Glenlakes offers patio and villa residences. Residents who spend part of the year in Glenlakes or want a retirement residence can choose these homes, which provide open layouts, two to three bedrooms, and simple access to all community amenities.

Buyers in Glenlakes can construct houses that match their particular preferences because custom-built homes enable extremely high-end finishes, enormous lots, and advanced technological features.

Community Features and Amenities

Residents of Glenlakes enjoy numerous community facilities that aim to boost their quality of life. Residents use the community clubhouse as their central platform to organize festive parties, golf tournaments, and fitness events.

The community offers residents recreational options, including substantial swimming pools, tennis courts, and walking paths.

Glenlakes is excellently located at the central Gulf Coast attractions. Guests frequently explore the beach areas of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for waterfront recreation and also participate in sports competitions and amusement activities at Foley Sports Complex and OWA Parks & Resort. Customers have many shopping choices since the popular Tanger Outlets are within a short driving distance.

The Benefits of Living in Glenlakes

Glenlakes offers residents an exclusive way of life that unites luxury standards, recreational amenities, and a vibrant community feel. As a central selling point, golf fans find living by a championship course irresistible.

Glenlakes residents have unrestricted course access, membership price discounts, and social activities such as tournaments and league competitions.

Glenlakes creates a welcoming atmosphere for families because it offers excellent youth programs, education facilities, and safety in Foley. Children and adults can find plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities through the community's well-kept parks and walking trails.

Retired individuals and people who live part of the year in Glenlakes choose the community because it provides both peace and a convenient location.

The southern Alabama climate enables residents to enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year, and single-story house designs benefit seniors who want easy living spaces. The city of Foley provides its residents with healthcare facilities and senior-specific social events.

Real estate investments in Glenlakes present substantial opportunities because residents continuously show more interest in purchasing homes in this region.

Properties located in this area maintain their market value through their desirable position, abundant facilities, and excellent lifestyle, which makes them appealing to people seeking both permanent homes and holiday properties.

Tips for Buying a Home in Glenlakes

New buyers interested in Glenlakes homes can follow specific steps to have a successful purchase experience.

Choosing a local realtor with expertise in both Foley and Glenlakes communities should be your first step. A professional real estate agent brings expertise that helps clients discover excellent properties through market trend interpretation and successfully manages community rules and HOA fees.

Establishing the essential features that must be present in your future home is necessary. Establishing specific property requirements ahead of time will make your property search more effective. Glenlakes homes sell rapidly, so prospective homebuyers must always be ready to seize the right property when it appears on the market.

Finding your financing alternatives should be your first step in this process. You can use pre-approval from your mortgage lender to discover your budget and submit better purchase offers on your desired home.

Homebuyers can access different loan options through conventional lending standards and Federal Housing Administration programs that provide attractive interest rates and loan conditions.

Glenlakes Market Trends and Pricing

Glenlakes houses sell between $300,000 and $700,000, depending on their dimensions, position, and other attributes. The value of homes increases when they have custom features and elevated views of the golf course or lake areas.

In Foley, the real estate market shows intense competition because retirees and vacation-goers from the Alabama Gulf Coast area view the place as an ideal retirement destination. Homes in Glenlakes anticipate value appreciation through ongoing infrastructure growth and tourism development.

Is Glenlakes the Right Community for You?

Glenlakes is more significant than an ordinary residential area because it provides an entire way of life. In Foley, Alabama, one can find an unparalleled lifestyle in Glenlakes through its upscale living, golf championship facilities, and tight resident bonds.

Glenlakes residents will benefit from their golf retirement summers or family life in a protective neighborhood environment.

Learn more about the area by checking our website at

Glen Lakes homes for sale offer stunning golf course views, scenic lakes, and luxury amenities in the heart of Foley, Alabama.

[wadegriffith]

The Roxburghe Condos located at The Retreat in Cleburne, Texas were built by Double Diamond Resorts. 

The two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos have a full kitchen, living area and private porch or balcony. Each unit has 1,204 square feet with contemporary design, high ceilings with an open floor plan and are fully furnished. They are available for interval ownership purchase. 

The Retreat is a private community near Fort Worth that includes an 18 hole golf course, restaurants, parks and trails, fitness center, sports courts and pools. 

© Wade Griffith Photography 2023

[arizonagolfproperties1]

The Advantages of Investing in a Luxury Home in Arizona

Arizona is one of the most beautiful states in the country and is famous for its great residential properties. On top of that, many new properties are being built which are available for sale to individuals. So, if you’re planning to move to Arizona or invest in the city, check out some luxury homes in Arizona. Furthermore, buying a house in Arizona is a great decision for you and your financial interests and living. For More Information Visit Us:- https://www.zupyak.com/p/3651727/t/the-advantages-of-investing-in-a-luxury-home-in-arizona

[vintagelasvegas]

Tally Ho / Aladdin / Planet Hollywood

Aladdin opened in 1966 with one of the Strip's first neon-enhanced porte-cochéres, a freestanding sign featuring a revolving, three-sided marquee, topped with an "Aladdin's Lamp," designed and fabricated by YESCO.

Timeline.

Tally Ho ('62-'65)

'61: Edwin S. Lowe announces plans for Tally Ho non-gaming hotel. In the 40s the land was owned by locals Salton, Rose, and Goldberg. (Alexander & Rebecca Salton, founding members of the Las Vegas Jewish community.)

'62: Dec. 24, Opening of Tally-Ho, hotel and country club with 9-hole golf course. 322 of the 450 rooms open during “preview opening” in Dec. The hotel was alternately spelled Tally Ho, Tally-Ho, and Tallyho.

'63: Oct. 11, Tally Ho closed. “Ed Lowe made no excuses … admits he was dead wrong about a no gambling luxury hotel.” (Hertz, RJ 10/13/63)

'63: Oct., Norman Kaye and Frank Windsor operate the Tally Ho golf course.

'63: Oct.-Dec., The hotel is sold to Kings Crown Inns of America, represented by Floyd and Beryl Cook, Donald Bolinger (Cooks Brothers Trusts, Indiana). Under lease to operators Edward Nealis, Charles Luftig, and partners, Kings Crown Tally Ho's hotel, lounge, and restaurants reopen in Dec. (Duke, RJ 12/20/63)

'64: Construction of a showroom and casino begins in Fall, misses New Year's Eve opening deadline. The showroom and casino are completed in '65, ultimately never opened. (RJ 4/8/64, RJ 5/18/65)

'65: Nealis heads 18 casino applicants of Tallyho Operating Co. who are unable to get approval from Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB). In later years Jimmy "the Weasel" Fratianno of the Los Angeles crime family claimed he owned a piece of the Tally Ho and was to run the casino. (AP 2/17/65, RJ 11/25/84, Mob Museum 12/8/2017)

'65: Apr. 1, Tally Ho closed for the second time after King's Crown files suit against Tallyho Operating Co. for unpaid rent. Tenants are evicted, property put in control of the owners.

'65: Dec., Tally Ho bought by Milton Prell (Prell Hotel Corp.) from The Cooks Brothers Trusts.

Aladdin ('66-'97)

'66: Aladdin announced. Drawings for redesigned casino and proposed hotel tower unveiled early in the year. Martin Stern, architect. (RJ 1/2/66, RJ 1/17/66)

'66: Mar. 31, Aladdin opened. Freestanding sign and the Strip's first neon-enhanced porte-cochère by YESCO. Primary owners M. Prell, G. Gilbert, and S. Krystal, all former members of Sahara-Nevada Corp. Comedian Jackie Mason opens the 500-seat Baghdad Theatre.

'66: Dec., Prell stops $75k/month payments on the Aladdin and asks that the price be cut. The trustees agree to reduce the sale price to $5.5M. (Dayton, 4/20/72)

'67: Sep. 26, Milton Prell suffers a debilitating stroke which removes him from Aladdin management. (Dayton, 4/20/72)

'68: Apr., Stockholders of Prell Hotel Corp. vote to merge with Parvin-Dohrmann Co., leading to Parvin-Dohrmann take-over the Aladdin.

'68: Jun., Parvin-Dohrmann operation of Aladdin’s casino approved by GCB. (RJ 6/20/68)

'68: Sep., 28, "after the stock trade was finalized, Milton Prell, by this time paralyzed, was told by the new management he had two weeks to get out of the Aladdin." (McKnight, Alexander. Journal Herald, 4/20/72)

'70: Parvin-Dohrmann adopts the new name Recrion, and strips the firm of all its holdings except for its three Las Vegas hotel-casinos: Aladdin, Fremont, and Stardust.

'71: Oct.-Dec., Recrion announces sale to Sam Diamond, P. Webbe, R. Daly, D. Aikin as Aladdin Hotel Corp. Diamond announces plans for hotel tower.

'71: Entertainment director James Tamer is involved in secretly managing the casino and directing the skim, according to later conviction.

'74: Aladdin investigated by GCB for issuing comps to organized crime figures.

'74: Groundbreaking for the “Tower of Majesty” high-rise, and theater. Lee Linton, architect. Years later in '83, Linton and Aladdin attorney Sorkis Webbe are each convicted of tax fraud in relating to a kickback scheme during the '74 expansion.

'76: Jul., Tower and Theatre for the Performing Arts opened; new porte-cochère by Charles Barnard, Ad-Art; original sign replaced; all financed by Teamsters Central States Pension Fund loan.

'76: Mae Ellen George buys 24% of the hotel, relying on advice of Tamer.

'78: Aug. 3, Detroit federal grand jury indicts Tamer, Aladdin GM James Abraham, Aladdin casino manager Edward Monazym, and Charles Goldfarb (denied a license in ’71) of conspiring to allow hidden owners to exert control over the resort. Owners of the Aladdin at this time are Webbe (34%), Diamond (23%), Mae George (19%), Daly (14%), John Jenkins (8%), and George Morse (2%). (RJ 8/3/78)

'79: Mar. 13, Tamer, Abraham, Monazym, and Goldfarb convicted.

'79: Aug., GCB closes the resort; U.S. District Judge Claiborne opens it hours later, “until a mob-free buyer could be found.” (German, RJ 9/20/2021.)

'80: Jan., Ed Nigro gains a court-sanctioned takeover of the Aladdin after he and Johnny Carson sign an agreement to buy the property for $105M. The deal falls through.

'80: Jul. 10, GCB revokes Aladdin's license and the casino is closed; hotel remains open.

'80: Oct. 1, Casino is reopened after Ed Torres and Wayne Newton buy the Aladdin for $85M.

'82: Jul, Torres buys Newton's shares of the Aladdin.

'84: Feb., Aladdin placed under bankruptcy protection after a Teamsters Pension Fund forces foreclosure.

'85: Jan. 22, Ginji Yasuda buys the Aladdin for $54M; casino closed during Yasuda licensing.

'87: Apr. 1, gaming reopens.

'89: Aug., Yasuda, failing to reveal the source of millions in loans, loses his gaming license; Aladdin forced into bankruptcy.

'89: Sep., Court appointed trustee Jack Fidelman, and WDT Associates (Wm. and Tim Dougall, Larry Bertsch) take over operating the hotel. Aladdin remains in bankruptcy through the early 90s.

'91: Jun., Property title transferred to Bell Atlantic Tricon Leasing Corp when no buyers meet the minimum bid.

'92: Jun., Aladdin emerges from 3-year bankruptcy, control is given to Joe Burt and his JMJ management team on a 12-year lease with Bell Atlantic Tricon.

'94: Dec., Jack Sommer, Signman Sommer Family Trust, buys the Aladdin for $80M. "When the family trust sold a major New York property in '94, Sommer needed to find a real estate investment for the proceeds to avoid substantial capital-gains taxes. The Aladdin was on the market at the time." (Simpson. RJ 8/13/2000.) Other potential buyers included Donald Trump.

'97, Nov 25: Aladdin closed. A new hotel-casino to be built on the 35-acre parcel.

'98, Apr 28: Aladdin tower demolished. Former Tally Ho rooms later demolished; Theater remains.

Aladdin (2000-2007) Planet Hollywood (2007-)

2000: New build of the Aladdin. Mall opens 8/17/00, hotel and casino delayed, opening 8/18/00. Cost: $1.1B.

2001: Sep., Aladdin files for bankruptcy.

2003: Aladdin sold for $635M to OpBiz investment group led by Planet Hollywood CEO Robert Earl. Sale finalized 9/1/2004.

2007: Apr. 17, renamed Planet Hollywood.

2009: Harrah’s Ent. purchases part of the $860M mortgage, takes full ownership in Feb. 2010. Harrah’s later rebranded as Caesars Entertainment.

Photos of Tally Ho | Photos of the Aladdin

Headline photo: Undated, circa '68, from The Magic Sign by Charles Barnard.

Circa Feb.-Mar. 1966: The hotel was open before the casino. Installation of the sign is beginning. Photo: Las Vegas News Bureau.

Mar. 1966: Sequence of photographs showing YESCO’s revolving, three-sided Aladdin pylon structure being pieced together by dual cranes ahead of their opening on the 31st. Ad-Art collection, from Charles Barnard’s The Magic Sign.

Undated, Las Vegas News Bureau.

3/31/66 – Opening night. Four men holding scissors are Bill Braire, Las Vegas Mayor Oran Gragson, Milton Prell, Las Vegas Sun Publisher Hank Greenspun. Las Vegas News Bureau, LVCVA Archive.

“Aladdin Casino was the first Las Vegas hotel to integrate major sign elements and neon into its porte-cochère. Sign modules were incised into the leading edge of the projecting canopy and wrap-around grids of incandescent lamps followed these contours back to the entry.” - Charles Barnard, The Magic Sign. Photo: Las Vegas News Bureau.

Postcard c. '66-'68

Showgirls at the Aladdin, 1966. Las Vegas News Bureau.

Timeline sources.

Previous landowners: C.D. Baker Map of Las Vegas Valley ’40; Alexander Salton. UNLV Special Collections & Archives.

Tally Ho: Tallyho Preview Attracts 3500. Review-Journal, 12/28/62; Tallyho Hotel Closes. Review-Journal, 10/11/63 p1; Murray Hertz. Future of Tallyho Raises Questions. Review-Journal, 10/13/63; Gordon Kent. Tally-Ho Hotel Sold. Review-Journal, 11/1/63; Forrest Duke. New Tallyho Sale Deal. Review-Journal, 12/20/63; Tallyho Plans $1 Million Show. Review-Journal, 4/8/64; Associated Press. Gaming Board Refuses Tallyho Casino License. Review-Journal, 2/17/65 p1; G. Kent, F. Duke. Strip Hotel Closes. Review-Journal, 4/1/65 p1; Tallyho Sues Owners. Review-Journal, 5/18/65 p1.

Tally Ho and Aladdin sales covered in a series by Keith McKnight and Andrew Alexander for The Journal Herald, Dayton OH. Welsh confirmed with crime figures. Journal Herald, 4/20/72; Firm with crime ties linked to casino deal. Journal Herald, 4/21/72.

Aladdin: Associated Press. Gamers Approve. Review-Journal, 6/20/68 p1; Associated Press. Firm adopts new name: Recrion Corp. Reno Gazette Journal, 12/14/70; Lou Miller. Aladdin Hotel sold. Review-Journal, 11/8/71; Jerry Ralya. New Aladdin Corporation seeks license. Review-Journal, 12/29/71; Aladdin execs indicted. Review-Journal, 8/3/78; AP. Las Vegas architect sentenced to prison. Review-Journal, 3/8/83; AP. Webbe convicted. Review-Journal, 6/19/83; Jane Ann Morrison. LV Casinos Targeted in Money Laundering. Review-Journal, 11/25/84; Aladdin Hotel's history spans 30 years. Review-Journal, 1/5/94 p3; Dave Palermo. Aladdin Hotel finally sells. Review-Journal, 12/9/94 p1; History. Review-Journal, 11/23/97 p14; Jeff Simpson. Aladdin owner faces music. Review-Journal, 8/13/2000; Chronology of the Aladdin hotel-casino. Las Vegas Sun, 8/18/2000. John L. Smith. Sharks in the Desert. Barricade Books, 2005; David Schwartz. Jimmy The Weasel Fratianno. themobmuseum.org, 12/8/2017; Jeff German. The Genie in the Lamp, and Close the Place Down. Review-Journal, 9/20/2021.

[donald-trump-official]

New campaign ad

[Sarah McLachlan’s “Arms of an Angel” starts playing over images of an empty trump tower penthouse suite]

Donald trump Jr. voiceover: hi, I’m Donald trump Jr. Every year, dozens and dozens of billionaires are subjected to unfair and unjust court rulings, costing them hundreds of millions of dollars, and the livelihood they worked so hard to achieve

[landscape view of a desolate, deserted luxurious golf course appears on screen]

Voiceover: in the time it takes you to watch this, billions of dollars will be unjustly stripped away from American patriots and businessmen

[image of a man passed out in a hot tub on a yacht, glass of bourbon and cigar in hand]

Voiceover: we can’t continue to let the deep state do this. We can’t let this continue. We can help these victims, and with your support we can save them from the tragic life of an upper-middle class lifestyle

[cut to a man on the side of the road wearing an Armani suit and a Rolex, cardboard sign in hand]

Voiceover: this isn’t the America I grew up in. This is full blown communism. And with your support, we can stop it. We can put an end to this lawlessness and unjust treatment

[an above view of a Gucci bag falling into a trash can appears on screen, with a superimposed BOOM resonating out after it hits the bottom]

Voiceover: with your monthly $500 donation, we can get these great American businessmen back on their feet. We can truly help these people and make America great again

[in fades the silhouette of a man leaning against his private jet, his back to the camera, clearly sobbing]

Voiceover: please, call now. Don’t wait. We can put an end to this cruelty once and for all. Our wire transfers are always open and staffed by real billionaires affected by this socialist agenda. Now is the time to act

[“Arms of an Angel” fades out to a picture of Donald trump waving to his supporters]

[kimberly40]

Then and Now: Circa 1920’s and 2024

The Eseeola Lodge in Linville in Avery County, North Carolina was established in 1888. The original inn burned in 1936 and was replaced by the Eseeola Lodge which is still open today.

The Eseeola Lodge History: Sometimes history tells a funny story. Back in 1888, mining entrepreneur Hugh MacRae envisioned the Linville, NC area as a busy manufacturing hub with hundreds of buildings lining the streets and lots of hustle and bustle. Thankfully, he came to learn that Linville's potential was in its existing beauty, not future industry. People were falling in love with Linville because it was already a special place.

Travelers flocked to the area for the cool summer temperatures and friendly people. MacRae abandoned his initial plans and the town slowly morphed into a resort community. And, at the center of it all was - and still is - The Eseeola Lodge.

Work was completed on the original Eseeola Inn in 1891, a large Queen Anne-styled building. The Inn hired a baker and chef from New York for that summer, purchased the finest linens and china money could buy and created a first-class dining experience for guests that came to Linville for some rest and relaxation.

There was plenty to do at the Eseeola Inn. Guests could take a buggy or horseback ride through the mountains or enjoy trout fishing from the banks of the Linville River. Or they could indulge in a rousing croquet match, a few sets of tennis, archery, billiards or lawn bowling. The following year, the Eseeola Inn built a nine-hole golf course, giving guests one more activity to choose from.

Fast forward several years. As the season got underway in the spring of 1936, a fire broke out in the kitchen and the entire resort was destroyed. Guests were accommodated in the Chestnut Annex, named for its unique - and now irreplaceable - chestnut bark shingles, selected by world renowned architect Henry Bacon. Because it had become so popular by guests of the resort, the company decided to add a lounge, dining room, and kitchen to the annex, and officially renamed it The Eseeola Lodge.

The Eseeola Lodge is all about stately elegance. Although there are only a total of 24 rooms and suites, their level of service is impeccable. The rooms may not be as large as some of the national chains however they are very warm and inviting, and very well appointed. Resort guests can also enjoy other features of The Eseeola Lodge including the library, lounge and bar, or wander around the numerous buildings that make up the property and take in the surrounding beauty of the grounds.

On property you'll find a day camp for kids, which provides adults just enough time to indulge in a luxurious spa treatment. If you're so inclined, head over to the pool and swim a few laps.

You can also take advantage of the tennis courts and exercise and fitness room. If you're an outdoor adventurer, you can play a round of croquet or go canoeing and fishing. There's still plenty to do.

[inboundremblog]

Homes for Sale in Pebble Beach, CA: Luxurious Living Amidst Nature and Prestige

Image by Heinrich Brooksher Real Estate Group

The Allure of Homes for Sale in Pebble Beach, CA

The Monterey Peninsula of California holds Pebble Beach as an exclusive luxury residential area with spectacular coastal views and elite recreational facilities. The community offers its residents exceptional oceanfront homes, legendary championship golf courses, and guardian forested regions.

Residents experience Pebble Beach as a lifestyle that extends beyond regular residence. Through its combination of pristine landscapes and stylish lifestyle opportunities, homes for sale in Pebble Beach, CA, cater to golf enthusiasts nat, nature lovers, and those who want peaceful relaxation.

Pebble Beach, CA, between Monterey Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea, is an upscale unincorporated neighborhood facing the spectacular California central coast. The Pebble Beach Company possesses stewardship duties for the guarded residential area while maintaining the community's reputation for serene upscale living with natural harmony.

Homes for sale in Pebble Beach, CA, draw sophisticated residential and touring constituents because it provides a peaceful environment alongside renowned facilities that ATTRACT people wanting to escape city stress.

The region exists within the Del Monte Forest wilderness, which embraces towering Monterey pines and charismatic cypress trees to create its characteristic lush landscape.

Thematic Wildlife Sanctuary provides sanctuary to roaming deer, native wild turkeys, and darting quail living among the bushes. The area's distinctive coastal character emerges from its diverse ethnic composition.

Pebble Beach achieves renown through its breathtaking coastal surroundings. A striking combination of counterbalanced cliffs with the Pacific Ocean waves against rocky terrain fascinates the area's inhabitants and tourist visitors.

The dramatic seascapes showcase an unmatched haven against metropolis pressures, providing breathtaking ocean views and town tranquility. Visitors can experience both pristine coastal panoramas on 17-Mile Drive paired with the sophistication of staying in Pebble Beach through its varied protected cove locations.

World-Class Golf and Exclusive Attractions

Pebble Beach delightfully presents its well-known array of world-class golf courses as one of its main characteristics. Golfers bug Pebble Beach Golf Links for its international top-tier ranking to experience seaside vistas during their game.

The golf course at Spyglass Hill presents its visitors with a difficulty level produced by its mix of forested terrain and seafront holes.

Stevenson School stands among the highly regarded private boarding and day institutions that draw students through its demanding academics, superior arts curriculum, and sports excellence.

Local families relocate to Pebble Beach because they extensively value this school's high standing and reputation.

The area also boasts another major attraction through its famous 17-mile drive route. Travelers can enjoy spectacular Pacific Ocean vistas, dramatic coastal cliffs, and lone Cypress trees while driving Pebble Beach's scenic route. The community and site visitors experience astonishment over this legendary road route that displays the location's authentic natural heritage and aesthetic appeal.

Living Among the Del Monte Forest

The Del Monte Forest functions as a central aspect of Pebble Beach residence. Homes in this location embed themselves within wealthy emerald landscapes that create private spaces with peaceful environments.

Forest trail systems accommodate walkers, mountain climbers, and equestrians. Forest-fronted properties showcase extensive windows and patio decks, allowing residents to enjoy the peaceful forest vistas while uniting indoor and outdoor residences.

Luxurious Homes and Architectural Styles

Pebble Beach has diverse housing options, including small cottage dwellings and grand residences directly on coastal oceanfront properties. Urban architecture in this area embodies the space's natural qualities and contemporary sophistication.

Home designs featuring Mid-century modern, Mediterranean, and Craftsman styles and custom-built estates dominate the real estate market in Pebble Beach. Developers typically utilize wood and stone materials to achieve environmental integration.

The real estate properties in Pebble Beach make privacy one of their fundamental attributes. Extensive property distances are standard features in this area.

Seafront residences boast the most desired properties because they provide guests with awe-inspiring Pacific Ocean views, and the privacy of woodsy homes creates tranquil retreats.

The Pebble Beach Real Estate Market

Real estate in Pebble Beach maintains its reputation for being luxurious and has a high price tag. Detached residential properties start at $2 million, but the highest-end market includes homes above $20 million, such as custom luxury estate options and oceanfront properties.

The investment in Pebble Beach real estate remains beneficial because the area maintains constant property value under minimal supply and high market demand.

Factor number one that draws residents to this gated community is its premium security features, which promote well-being. The residential area combines seclusive privacy with high-end facilities, including gourmet dining establishments and spa services, and upscale events like the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance classic car competition.

A Day in the Life of a Pebble Beach Resident

Sheltered within Pebble Beach, the upscale lifestyle represents the absolute pinnacle of effortless luxury. Start your morning by walking through the 17-mile Drive to experience fresh coastal air and see the Lone Cypress, one of its famous landmarks.

Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach Golf Links welcome golfers to book tee time bookings freely.

People in Pebble Beach spend their afternoons eating lunch at upscale restaurants and then hiking in Del Monte Forest or visiting the peaceful beaches. Sitting in your luxurious living space during the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean provides unbeatable entertainment opportunities while sharing wine and conversation with friends.

Why Choose Pebble Beach?

Pebble Beach offers residents an exceptional way of life through its essence of premium lifestyle features alongside natural splendor and top-quality amenities.

Pebble Beach has earned international fame for its premier golf courses, exceptional education system, and luxurious residential properties, creating the perfect California beach lifestyle together.

Because of its enduring beauty, this community's real estate remains an excellent lifestyle option and a solid investment.

Wrap Up

When you purchase a home in Pebble Beach, CA, you can access an exceptional way of life that harmoniously unites luxury living and tranquility alongside natural beauty. Pebble Beach ranks among the most sought-after residential destinations because of its championship golf courses, oceanfront vistas, and forested landscapes.

The time is perfect to explore all the fantastic real estate options Pebble Beach offers homeowners seeking their dream home. Pebble Beach is celebrated for its premium distinction, championship-quality golf facilities, and arresting coastal landscapes that unite upscale living with coastal allure.

The daily experience includes breathtaking Pacific Ocean vistas and convenient access to top restaurants within this elite Pacific Coast sanctuary. You will discover the perfect coastal living spot in Pebble Beach, which caters to any lifestyle preference. Consequently, this becomes your ultimate choice to achieve your coastal dreams.

For all the details, check out our website at

Search for exquisite homes for sale in Pebble Beach, CA, where luxury living meets coastal beauty.

[fallershipping]

Nanu's first Pokemon is not Alolan Persian. Years after the Guzzlord mission when Nanu was chosen to be a Kahuna without a choice, he took up residence in Alola and stripped himself of his past.

He became an officer and took up residence at the Po Town police station. Many feral Alolan Meowth, a breed that used to be known as a luxury, frequent the place, especially since Po Town used to be a gated community for what's considered the new royalty (rich people with too much money, pension for golf, and no regards to how raising the price of housing affects the locals).

He befriended a stray Meowth that soon became a Persian from his affection. She's constantly roaming the grounds, often returning to Nanu's home with whole new litters of Meowth following her.

He would have shooed her away because it was getting so cramped... But decided against it and took her-- and her family-- in with him. Persian would eventually become his Pokemon, and his usual ace.

Before Alola, Nanu had Absol and Honchkrow, the two Pokemon he does not use for his Kahuna battle but does use for his Interpol Post Game battle. It's interesting to note that Cyrus, Lysandre, and Guzma all have Honchkrow as the "big boss" Pokemon, which fits for a guy like Nanu to have.

[racefortheironthrone]

I'm a big fan of building commie blocks to ameliorate the US housing crisis -- and putting them in the public parks that were stolen from other communities to give colonisers some trees to look at -- but what policies should be enacted to get suburbanites into beautiful and efficient bedspace apartments with kitchens and washrooms shared by a floor?

As a good social democrat, I'm contractually obligated to prefer Red Vienna to your proper commie block. Short of a complete class revolution that completely upends the social hierarchy, a significant part of ensuring that social housing pulls off being "a living tapestry of a mixed community" is building it to middle-class standards (including aesthetic standards) so that people with the money to find alternatives don't all leave. Art Deco is a hell of a lot chic-er than the boring minimalist crap that luxury developers are getting away with these days.

Also, don't build them in parks: green space is not only important for environmental sustainability but also the health and mental health of working-class and poor communities who can't afford houses in the suburbs, and we should be encouraging in-fill development instead. (Build them on golf courses instead, because they are classist, invasive, artificial monocultures that do nothing for the environment.)

In terms of how to make suburbia more in synch with dense, sustainable social housing, there are a number of necessary changes:

Commuter rail: suburbs predate the car by a fair few decades, and originally sprung up along the routes of commuter rail lines. Well, it turns out that transit-oriented development and dense transit corridors go hand-in-hand: if you can build higher-density units near transit lines, people will use mass transit to commute, and if there are well-planned areas of higher density around major urban areas, the increased number of commuters can support more regular transit services.

Planning/zoning/ligitation revolution: as I mentioned in my student housing post, one of the major reasons why it's so hard to build affordable housing projects is that local NIMBY groups use every legal tool in the book to bury them. So there needs to be pretty comprehensive reforms of zoning regulations (banning single-family zoning, reducing set-backs and eliminating mandatory parking, getting rid of "unrelated persons" limitations, getting rid of building heights limits, etc.), standardization of the permitting and development approval process, streamlining of the public comment/hearing process and environmental review process for model projects, and extreme limits on litigation for model projects.

Financing reform: as I sort of imply in my Red Vienna section above, a big part of making social housing/public housing successful and avoiding replicating or increasing class and racial segregation is adhering to middle-class minimum standards. This has important knock-on implications:

you need to eliminate requirements for absolute lowest possible land costs (which restrict social housing to economically and socially isolated areas).

you need to raise allowable construction costs, so that you can achieve those aesthetic standards and avoid corner-cutting like smaller rooms and lower ceilings, single-thickness walls/floors/ceilings, no doors on cabinets or closets, cheap cladding and wiring and pipes and other building materials, low-quality insulation and HVAC, etc. Not only do middle-class folks notice this stuff and go elsewhere, but it's all penny-wise and pound-foolish, because cheap construction runs down faster which increases maintenance costs, and sometimes it just straight-up kills people.

you need to adequately finance maintenance, services, and amenities. This is crucial to keeping tenants with deeper pockets, but it's also another one of those things where penny-pinching is counter-productive in the long-run. The more you save on maintenance costs, the faster the buildings run down and the more expensive repairs you have to make. The more you save on services like superintendants and doormen, the more your tenants end up having to spend on handymen and the more you have to spend on police and repair costs. And so forth.

And there is a real potential here for all kinds of positive feedback loops: spending money on achieving higher standards of construction and operation means that you can hang onto and attract higher-income tenants, which means you can have sliding scale rents that cross-subsidize tenants and pay for higher construction and operating costs, and the poor and working class tenants who couldn't have paid for those higher costs and amenities on their own enjoy a "positive externality" for once.

[arizonagolfproperties1]

The Ultimate Guide to Scottsdale's Top Golf Communities

Scottsdale, Arizona, is known for its beautiful golf courses and luxurious golf communities. With so many options, deciding which Scottsdale golf communities are right for you can be overwhelming. Therefore, today we have brought some ultimate tips and tricks to help you choose Scottsdale\’s top golf communities.

For More Information Visit Us:- https://arizonagolfhomess.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-ultimate-guide-to-scottsdales-top.html

[ryan-realty]

Awbrey Glen

Awbrey Glen is a premier gated community located in the heart of Bend, Oregon. The community is renowned for its luxurious homes and world-class golf course, making it the perfect place for those seeking the ultimate in luxury living and outdoor recreation. The homes in Awbrey Glen are designed to the highest standards, with an emphasis on quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Each…

[bakershakers]

beautiful as the place i live and blessed am i to be able to live here, it is still horrible for a multitude of reasons, namely 3; weather, politics, and walkability.

firstly, yall can shout all you want about how florida has "the best weather" when we all know that isnt true. 80° days every month of the year, sweltering heat in the summers (which is essentially late april to early october) with 80% minimum humidity, and not to mention NOT TO MENTIONNNNNNN the hurricanes, the storm surges, the tornadoes, the hail. its undeniably awful, and idc what anyone has to say about it. "oh but you dont get snow!!" okay and??? i wish we did because its so damn hot. its not even meant to get this hot in florida, but tying into my next point:

our polticians dont even think climate change is real, hell our governor doesnt think that!! that is insane. genuinely insane. this past hurricane season was absolutely devastating especially for my community. you cant look at these two once in over a century events occurring happening in less than 2 weeks from eachother and say "thats normal," because it ISNT!! climate change is real regardless of what your pea brain thinks. thats not even the only thing wrong with florida politics. the governor hates on gay people for no reason. i wasnt made bisexual by my surroundings, by how i was raised. i was raised extremely conservative in a strict muslim household in a suburban community filled with republicans. i was not raised to acknowledge gay peoples' existence. and guess what, i turned out gay. you cannot look me in the face and tell me my community's turning children gay when i have first hand accounts of figuring it out myself. its insane that people believe that. i was born this way and you cant change that, and neither can our greedy politicians, mr i bought a $30k+ golf simulator illegally using taxpayer dollars, mr i wear heels in my boots to make myself look taller but then i also am actively trying to ban children from attending drag shows bc i feel like it, mr dont say gay in schools bc itll somehow turn our children gay, mr climate change doesnt exist meanwhile i live in one of the most affected states by it.

my third point, is walkability, which heavily heavily ties into politics. if you know me irl youll know how much i truly care about this. my representative is an idiot who thinks cars=freedom. how is forcing people to pay thousands a year just to fucking leave the house without dying, while also making it more likely for others without that privilege to die, freedom?? it isnt! its not freedom. cars were only ever meant to be luxury items. cars were never meant to be a main mode of transportation. sure, some communities in florida have amazing public transit and walkability, but spend even a day in florida outside any major downtown (like tampa, miami, orlando, etc) and youll quickly find out that where most floridians live, you cant live without a car. florida is extra bad with this, cars bring litter, noise, and air pollutants. add to this floridas extremely fragile ecosystems that we basically paved over with asphalt so 2 ton hunks of metal can get from point a to point b within 3 miles of eachother in 90% of trips.

anyways yeah, thats why i hate florida even though im blessed and privileged enough to live here. i do have to admit, our sunsets are gorgeous, and our beaches are very very nice. i love clearwater beach, has to be my fav ive been to in florida. our wildlife is also very unique and diverse, i love it!! i still would rather not live here.

[autisticsupervillain]

It's Fictional Throwdown Friday!

This Week's Fighters...

Agent 47 vs Bell!

Conditions:

Both sides have their entire canonical arsenals. Agent 47 does not have his Easter Egg feats and Bell has no scaling from COD Zombies.

Scenario:

After the United States declassifies Operation Greenlight, the program in which they hid nuclear bombs in every major European city in the world to detonate on the off chance any of them fell to Communism, the International community is outraged. They give Agent 47 a luxurious extended contract, as well as a blank check, to assassinate everyone who was involved in the project that's still alive to send the message not to do this again. Bell, who had retired to a beachside mansion in Florida after somehow surviving the ending of Cold War, notices several of their old colleagues dying in mysterious accidents and gears up to take on whoever's going after them.

Analysis: Agent 47

"Names are for friends, so I don't need one."

One day, the International Contract Agency found a mysterious man knocking on their front door. The man had no name, no history, and seemingly no personality. All he had was a remarkable gift for murder, as if he were the grim reaper himself. He said he went by 47. It wasn't a name, so he made it one. He became the ICA's greatest assassin and paved a legacy of death everywhere he went.

In truth, Agent 47 was a clone, created by Dr. Ortmyer in an attempt to create the world's greatest assassin. Unfortunately for Ortmyer, he succeeded. 47 killed his pseudo father, and struck out on his own. Left directionless by the revelation of his birth, 47 attempted to start a normal life for himself. Unfortunately, he found that his only talents were in killing people. So, he decided to he was going to be the best there ever was at it. He would kill the most powerful people in the world for the right price and prove that no one, no matter how powerful, was above consequences.

Agent 47 is a master of stealth and disguise unlike any other. He's considered a myth to law enforcement agencies all around the world and has repeatedly killed people with the same level of mythic status as himself. Those who do know he exists would much rather hire him than make him their enemy. A smart move considering he tears down international conspiracies on a weekly basis.

Agent 47 is quiet the Renaissance Man, even rivaling Mario for the title. He's more than capable of doing nearly any job on the planet and is capable of using anything as a weapon. He can knock grown, fully armoured men out cold with snowballs and feather dusters. He can kill people with umbrellas, pencils, and pens. He can even use fire extinguishers as improvised grenades. An Agent 47 armed with only his garrote wire, silver baller pistol, and coins is best considered fully armed and dangerous, but he's capable of using much more. When even his standard, silenced Silverballer pistols are strong enough to kill elephants in one shot, you know he's a walking armory. Shotguns, SMGs, sniper rifles, and more. If 47 doesn't have them at home, he can buy them off of his arms dealers. And that's not even counting his truly ridiculous weapons, such as a briefcase that homes in on anyone he throws it at and goes through anything in its path, a variety of grenades and explosives disguised as rubber ducks, toys, or golf balls, and a whole host poisons he can inject, spray, or poison your drink with, ranging from emetic rat poison to make you vomit, sleeping drugs to knock you out cold, or traditional poisons that can enduce heart attacks or shut down your brain. Whether he's bringing it from home, finding it on sight, or making his weapons out of whatever he's found lying around, 47 always has countless weapons close to hand and he can kill you in at least five different ways with each.

Similarly, 47 is smart enough to competently perform any job on Earth, even frequently imitating and impressing experts in his field. Butlers, Doctors, DJs, CEOs, Engineers, and so on and so forth. He has successfully disguised himself as close loved ones of his targets and is fluent enough in most languages to pass himself off as a native speaker. This vast array of knowledge allows him to improvise countless ways to kill his targets. From drowning you in a toilet, tricking your bodyguards into killing you, manipulating your wife into pushing you off a bridge, driving you to grief stricken suicide, or even running you over with a goddamn train, if there's a way to kill someone, he's thought of it and performed it with no one any the wiser.

On top of his superhuman intellect, 47 is superhuman physically as well. He can survive exposure to the freezing cold temperatures of the Carpathian mountains while mostly naked, is immune to nearly every poison and disease known to man (baring few exceptions) has survived being electrocuted while standing in water (albiet was knocked out by this), tanked a hit from an RPG-7 (which explode with a minimum energy of 3,600 kilojoules) and has a resistance to mind control so great that the person trying to mind control him died from the sheer backlash. It has even been noted by an implied psychic (who was clairvoyant enough to deduce a client's criminal history) that 47 has an aura of death looming around him that strikes terror into anyone capable of seeing it. And since 47 doesn't physically age, he will never grow out of his prime. As such, he's still kicking ass well into 59, easily outperforming men half his age.

Agent 47 also has the Instinct ability, a sixth sense that allows him to see through walls and can predict where his targets are going.

47 has snuck into the White House undetected, frequently dismantles international conspiracies and secret societies, and is strong and skilled enough to defeat a middleweight MMA World Champion in only three blows. He even bested Sanchez, a genetically engineered superhuman who was twice his size, in unarmed combat.

If 47 has any weaknesses at all, it's that he rarely makes an emotional connections with anyone. The trauma of his ruthless upbringing has left him emotionally distant and he struggles to emotionally connect with others. Those he does care about he will do anything to protect, even against suicidal odds. Similarly, he has repressed many of the memories of his childhood, partly due to trauma and partly due to mindwiping drugs, and he frequently questions his place in the universe due to his upbringing. 47 doesn't think he's capable of committing to any line of work that doesn't involve murder, without hurting the few people he holds dear.

Agent 47 was an attempt to create the world's greatest assassin and he was a complete success. Unfortunately for his creators, he was still human. This meant that they were the first in a long list of people to discover just how well they'd succeeded.

Analysis: Bell

The year is 1981. The Cold War rages on. Even with both the United States and the Soviet Union staring down economic crises, both hover over the nuclear button waiting for the other to blink. The fate of billions lay in the hubris of empires.

It is in the midst of this chaos, American black ops operative Russell Adler, known and feared as "America's Monster", stumbles across the master plan of the mythical Russian spy Purseus. Supposedly the spy that leaked the Manhattan Project, though until now, he was considered nothing more than an urban legend. The reveal that the agent was involved the Iranian Hostage Crisis and seemingly had bigger plans on a global scale, was enough to put the United States on high alert. President Reagan authorized Adler to take Purseus down by any means necessary, treaties and international laws be damned. This gave Adler the green light to concoct a particularly devious plan.

Abducting one of Purseus's top agents, Adler subjected them to the United States's experimental mind control program. He tore apart their old personality and rebuilt them from the ground up, creating new memories for them to recontextualize the vital knowledge they already had. They weren't a co-conspirator in Purseus's plans, they were sn American agent who decoded them. They weren't a Soviet operative, they were MI6, no CIA, no ex-KGB. Whatever Adler needed them to be for his current narrative and operation. Their old self was gone, rebuilt and replaced with a codename. Bell. And they had a job to do.

They could still be nonbinary though. Adler didn't care about that. He may be America's Monster, but he's not transphobic. Diversity win?

As amoral as the action was, Bell proved to be worth the risk. They're highly trained in weapons from all over the globe of the Cold War era, including those which technically shouldn't even exist yet. For close range combat and stealth operations, they carry knives, throwing knives, smoke grenades, stun grenades, M67 grenades, tomahawks, and even C4. But for full on gun battles, they come decked out with a variety of rifles, machine guns, and pistols. From the tranquilizer gun when stealth is of the essence, to the glorious and iconic SPAS 12 shotgun. Oh, sorry, the "Gallo SA12". It's a SPAS 12 guys. The trusty recursive bow and "Pellington" (*cough* R700 *cough cough*) sniper rifles make silenced sniping a breeze, while the War Machine and Thumper Grenade Launchers helpfully obliterate everything in their path. And for everything in between, the MP5 and AK-47 submachine guns and automatics shred through dirty communists and filthy capitalists alike.

Bell possesses a remarkable intellect beneath all that firepower too. They're smart enough to track Purseus's best agents across the globe, covert enough to infiltrate the KGB Headquarters in the heart of Moscow, and deadly enough to kill everyone there should their cover be blown and leave no witnesses. The sheer fact that they can get away with half of what they do without causing World War 3 is a testament to their skill and lethality. Hell, the whole reason Adler mind controlled them was because traditional interrogation techniques just wouldn't work on the bastard. And with a willpower like Bell's even that only gets you so far...

As Purseus's plan unraveled, more dark secrets about both sides were revealed. The United States had secretly inserted nuclear weapons inside of allied nations "just in case" they needed to be detonated, and Purseus was planning to activate them to turn the world against the US. Cornered and desperate, Adler had no choice but to dive even further into Bell's mind... inadvertently allowing them to break free of their control in the process.

Bell had seen the worst sides of both halves of the Cold War. Seen that both were perfectly happy to kill billions for their own benefit. The Cold War wasn't a war of ideology, it was two dying empires using foreign nations as a chess board to stroke their ego. And now Bell, fully themselves again, had to choose which one would decide the fate of history.

Should Bell choose to rejoin their Soviet Allies, they'll get the rare pleasure of facing the legendary Alex Mason in combat. The one who fought his way out of a gulag with just a rusty handgun. The one who, when under Soviet mind control, assassinated John F Kennedy. And they would have the even rarer pleasure of killing him.

Early in that very game, Mason would survive an aircraft wing falling right on top of him and get up completely unharmed. A 48,000 kg aircraft wing falling from a height of 48 meters would hit with a force of roughly 1,686 kilojoules. And Bell could still kill him.

Of course, the cost of that honor would be allowing Purseus to kill billions. Would it be worth it? Which of these rotting empires deserves the world on a string? And which is the least likely to have Bell killed once the choice is made?

Throwdown Breakdown:

The AroAce assassin the kills capitalists for a living vs the nonbinary communist who started world war three. If these two black ops operatives offering their handlers plausible deniability met in one-on-one combat, who would win?

In terms of weaponry, these characters run broadly even when it comes to their standard firearms. While 47's weapons are technically more advanced due to coming from the modern day, a gun is a gun and neither of these fighters are bullet proof. Bell has the advantage of usually coming into a fight dressed for combat with typical military grade protective clothing, while 47 enters situations dressed in his typical suit, but I'd argue that difference is minimal too. 47 has consistently proven that his firearms can pierce standard bullet proof vests and military gear quite easily if needed, and while Call of Duty is unrealistic, it doesn't present its setting's military gear as completely impenetrable to bullets. Far from it, actually.

The real deciding factor here is 47's other gadgets. While Bell's guns can sometimes be anachronistic and unrealistically advanced for the time period, 47's stranger tools border on Bond weapons compared to their relatively grounded arsenal. The homing intangible briefcase is something Bell has no answer for, while 47's variety of poisons attack from a vector Bell has no resistance to. Meanwhile, 47's built in immunity to most poisons makes Bell's tranquilizers nearly useless and 47 has more means of getting sleep inducers into his enemy's system, from gases from a distance, to injections in melee.

On the other hand, overtly powerful explosives are a rarity in 47's arsenal, making the destructive capacity of Bell's grenades and rockets an advantage. If 47 wants to match thr destructive capacity of his opponent, he's going to need to get creative. Propane tanks, fire extinguishers, gas lines, and other environmental factors to undermine Bell, but those are moreso a tactics thing than an equipment thing.

Stealth skills are another near deadlock. I consider their immediate skill in covert operations to be nearly equal, with equally impossible feats under the belts of both: 47 infiltrating the White House, vs Bell infiltrating a meeting of the heads of state of the Soviet Union. Normally I'd give 47 the edge for improvisation. Bell is usually following a preset plan in most of their missions while 47 inprovises on site, but Bell's plans end up going to hell in such a way that they end up improvising anyways. The thing that nudges this field juuuuuuuust into 47's ball park here is creativity, Instinct, and quality of diguises.

When the plan goes to shit and 47 is left scrambling, his immediate instinct is to break off as quietly as possible to strike back at a more opportune moment. When Bell is up shits creak without a paddle, their first instinct is to get out of dodge shooting down everything in their path with whatever weapon they can find. Both of these have been highly successful approaches, but 47's has a better payoff in a one-on-one like this. Furthermore, Instinct will allow 47 to keep an eye in Bell and maneuver them into unwinnable situations, even from far away, or while retreating undercover. And finally, while both are experts of disguise and infiltration, 47 has a better track record owing to his specialization in that field, successful passing himself off as loved ones to complete strangers, where Bell had to rely on prior familiarity with the Soviets they were infiltrating.

On the other hand, this is only an advantage if 47 manages to break off from the engagement. Even then, Bell's equal skill does give good odds that they could get the drop on 47 as well. Instinct does not make 47 omniscient.

Finally, we have hand to hand combat, which is 47's most definitive edge. He is a little over twice as strong as his competition (3,600 vs 1,686), has more modern training, and has fought more people in hand to hand combat in more varied situations across various different fields of combat, while Bell as specifically fought only soldiers like themself in specifically battlefield situations with similar training and tactics to themself. But, this advantage is solely predicated of experience and strength. In terms of skill and caliber of opponents fought, 47 and Bell are once again equals, with Alex Mason in particularly either evenly matching (Lucas Grey) or downright surpassing some of 47's toughest foes (Sanchez and The Rage).

All that said, 47 does not sweep Bell by any stretch. Most of his advantages are only by slight margins. Ever single skill that Bell and 47 share is a field they are nearly equal in. I'd even go so far as to put marksmanship slightly in Bell's corner given the caliber of opponent (Mason) that Bell has outsniped, 47 just has more skills generally to draw on.

Part of this is due to experience, yes. 47 is nearly 60 compared to his opponent's "unspecified but 30s at the youngest". But this mostly comes down to their exact specializations. Bell is a black ops soldier might to fight and infiltrate in Cold War military environments. 47 is an all purpose assassin built to operate in *any* environment. The areas that 47 outclasses Bell, particular in creativity and bizarre weaponry, are areas that wouldn't be useful behind cover in the battlefield and are only coming up as shortcomings here in a one on one fight against someone who does those skills.

That's what happens when you put the protagonist of a military FPS against a Stealth Sandbox protagonist. One has to be built for doing one specific thing very well, while the other has to do *everything* very well. And when the sandbox character has six games to perfect their arsenal, well... there's only one conclusion to be reached.

Here's how I think this fight would roughly play out.

This would start out as your standard shootout and they two would stand evenly matched for a long time. Eventually, one or the other gets forced back. Either 47 gets forced to retreat by Bell's destructive arsenal and battlefield experience, or Bell is driven to retreat by 47's bizarre weaponry. More likely the former. What ensues is a game of stealth and misdirection as the two try to get the drop on each other.

47 would use his Instinct to keep an eye on Bell while using every weapon he can find to set up an ambush. Given 47's experience outsmarting Cold War operatives, such as Eric Soders and Janus, both of whom were major players in undercover operations in the Cold War, 47 would use prior knowledge of that sort of mindset to set a purposefully inconspicuous trap, all the while trying to keep hidden with sporadic movements. Given Bell's own considerable skill, especially considering their defective work, this would take some time to pull off...

Both characters would ambush and escape each other back and forth with gas grenades and flash bangs, wearing each other down with traded bullet wounds, stab wounds, and cholk holds before disappearing again.

47's victory wouldn't come from a superior display of martial arts, or gun play, or even stealth. It'd come from the perfectly laid trap. An entire room set to blow with a leaking stove before Bell takes a shot... flooding a room before carefully using a loose cord... or loosening the supports right below the most viable sniping perch right when Bell goes to take the high ground. One mistep and it would just be over. No muss. No fuss.

"Target down, 47. Now find an exit."

This Throwdown's Winner is...

Agent 47!

[icarusthelunarguard]

This Week’s Horrible-Scopes

It’s time for this week’s Horrible-Scopes! So for those of you that know your Astrological Signs, cool! If not, just pick one, roll a D12, or just make it up as you go along. It really doesn’t matter. Better yet! Check out “Heart of the Game, Fredonia” - they can sell you those D12’s with the symbols on them! Get in contact with them on Facebook, shipping to the U.S. only, and tell them “Shujin Tribble” sentcha. “Hail, Hail, Fredonia!” Home of the Blue Devil!

These Horrible-Scopes will be releasing on the 13th, so JUST in time for Valentine’s Day aka Jack Benny’s 39th Birthday. And even though we’d LIKE to make this all about Jack, we’re instead suggesting either romantic, or UN-romantic, vacation destinations to visit. Ready to roll the dice on who gets what? Doesn’t matter, because here we go!

Aries 

Settled in the 1970s by an Italian banker named Gian Franco Brignone, we’re sending you to Costa Careyes, Mexico. One visit to the private community and you'll understand how it made our list of one of the most romantic getaways in the world. The resort is home to both residences and a hotel, plus on-site dining options, wellness programming, pristine and swimmable beaches without cruise ship disruptions, and prime views of the Pacific. So This Week… We’re still in the Winter season, so plan on taking an early-day whale-watching trip and enjoy the sun. Assuming that you don’t get seasick, of course.

Taurus 

If sightseeing for Baroque and Neoclassical architecture is more your style, may we humbly suggest Madrid, Spain. You’ll have no shortage of luxury and beauty to experience in Plaza Mayor while indulging in churros con chocolat from San Gines. But if you do end up looking for more, you can always explore the walkable neighborhood of Salamanca. So This Week… Remember to eat your feet while in Spain. (Trust us, that joke is funny if you speak Spanish.)

Gemini 

If necromancy is more your thing, and you’d love to gaze on a skeletal arm… you know, outside of the whole Halloween Thing, how about taking a trip to Malta? We’re not going to give you specifics on where to go, but if you head into the countryside you might find an old church with a silver arm on display. This is not exactly a quest item, but supposedly inside of that arm is St. Paul the Apostle’s wrist bone. So This Week… It’s only 259 days from Valentines’ Day until Halloween. Have you started your preparation work yet? C’mon, man! Tick-Tock!

Cancer Moon-Child 

For the impatient of you, this will sound like it’s a romantic outing. For others, we-e-ell. We’re suggesting a trip to visit a sex museum in St. Petersburg, Russia - the first one of its kind in the country! You’ll be able to look over all kinds of artifacts, photos, and pleasure devices from history - some that might even be worth it today. So This Week… They claim to have Gregori Rasputin’s dismembered member stored away in the back room. It’s possible it’s just part of a giant pig, but that’s for another time.

Leo 

Despite its family-friendly appeal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico makes for a romantic getaway. They’ve recently added all-inclusive Resorts, buzzworthy hotels and new restaurants along its "Golden Corridor", so if you have a family, you might have a great time even with the younger ones. Expect to choose between outdoor activities like golfing, boating, and lounging on golden beaches. So This Week… You COULD take a flight from San Diego down, but if you drive instead it’ll be a two-days solid of travel. The bright sides to that are LOTS of sea-side traveling and a potential stop in Tijuana. And before you ask…. “NO! That’s not a thing!” You know what we’re talking about.

Virgo 

If you’d like to actually, maybe, speak the language, why not take a trip to the West Coast of Ireland and visit the city of Galway. It’s a bustling local town with a thriving lineup for theater, food, literature and more. It’s also part of the Wild Atlantic Way, which is home to otherworldly scenery, including the famed Cliffs of Moher and Connemara National Park with its bogs, lakes and natural beauty. So This Week… We’ll suggest booking WELL in advance at Ashford Castle - it dates back to the 12th century and has been converted into a five-star property. Considering it’s a little late, you might want to book accommodations for next year instead.

Libra

Bali, Indonesia is far beyond a one-and-done romantic destination. Even though it’s teeming with tourists, it’s also a perfect seclusion get-away destination. You’ll have gorgeous villas, delicious food, welcoming hospitality, and a plethora of natural beauty that makes for all sorts of activities if the outside is your thing. So This Week… One of the offerings is sunrise yoga. If you’re planning on just sleeping in, that might not be worth waking up for. But the coffee will be AMAZING!

Scorpio 

Sumptuous and worth savoring, the Masai Mara in Kenya is an amazing place. If you appreciate nature, wildlife, and the thrills of safari, you’ll love this region! Start the morning with a cup of coffee, a wrapped blanket, and a chill of excitement rippling through the gorgeous African landscape. And if safari isn’t your thing, maybe take in a hot air balloon at dawn where you watch lions feasting and frolicking in morning light or a dazzle of zebra grazing as acacia trees welcome you off to the distance. So This Week… Yes, acacia trees are a Real Thing, not just a Minecraft Thing! You really need to get out more often!

Sagittarius 

Just outside of Lisbon, Portugal is the precinct of Sintra, where couples will find themselves in a fairy-tale like setting under the Moorish Castle and the yellow towers of Pena Palace. Local boutique properties nearby, many facing the palace, are decorated with palatial period architecture, adding to the historic experience. So This Week… Don’t think your four years of Spanish are going to be useless here, but you’ll still be frustrated. Take your time reading menus.

Capricorn 

If you’re ever in Nassau, Bahamas and want a very unromantic dinner date, go check out the Graycliff Hotel’s wine collection. You have a choice to make - would you like to buy a house or a bottle of wine? Because you’re looking at a cost of, like, $200,000! But at least you’ll be able to say you ate a meal in a dungeon while looking at a bottle of wine you couldn’t afford. So This Week… That bottle of wine is super dusty because it’s super old. It’d probably taste absolutely revolting. Save your money and just ask for a glass of water. 

Aquarius 

Basically, everybody knows the Southwest of the U.S. is a pretty haunted place. Would you like to be haunted in your bed and breakfast by an angry cat, for example? Most would say “NO!”, but we know some of you would find it great - since, you know… no hairball cleanup. Some even claim they have prostitutes, poker players, and headless revolutionaries as spirits to keep you company. So This Week… Look, if you wanted to spend a night imagining there were people watching your escapades, you could just stay home and open your window shades. It’s cheaper.

Pisces  

You’re, maybe, the kinkiest one of the whole group. Visit downtown Cartagena, Colombia and spend a few nights visiting a beautiful colonial home advertised as a history museum. Just know that the history it’s a museum for is for torture devices. The museum is called the Palacio de la Inquisicion (The Inquisition Museum), and it’s located in an otherwise perfectly respectable area. If Spanish torture methods from the 16th century are your thing, and apparently the Stars think they are, enjoy walking through this unassuming Colonial-Style house with your paramour. So This Week… PLEASE do not tell the tour guide that they have, ahem, A Nice Rack. They've heard the joke hundreds of times. Behave yourself.

And THOSE are your Horrible-Scopes for this week! Remember if you liked what you got, we’re obviously not working hard enough at these. BUT! If you want a better or nastier one for your own sign or someone else’s, all you need to do to bribe me is just Let Me Know - or check out the Ko-Fi page ( https://ko-fi.com/icarusthelunarguard )! These will be posted online at the end of each week via Tumblr, Facebook, Ko-Fi, Discord, and BLUESKY.

[realestatewithtili]

The Benefits of Purchasing a Ritz-Carlton Residency in The Woodlands, Texas

The Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with luxury, prestige, and world-class living. When you invest in a Ritz-Carlton Residences property in The Woodlands, Texas, you’re not just buying a home you’re securing an exclusive lifestyle. The Woodlands, a master-planned community known for its scenic beauty and upscale amenities, provides the perfect backdrop for Ritz-Carlton’s signature standard of luxury. Here are the top benefits of purchasing a Ritz-Carlton Residency in The Woodlands.

1. Unparalleled Luxury and Design

Each Ritz-Carlton Residences property is designed with meticulous attention to detail, offering high-end finishes, spacious layouts, and premium materials. The Woodlands location upholds these high standards with contemporary architecture, elegant interiors, and state-of-the-art amenities that cater to the most discerning buyers.

2. World-Class Amenities

Owning a Ritz-Carlton Residency in The Woodlands means having access to five-star hotel-style services and amenities, such as:

Concierge and valet services to simplify your daily needs.

Private fitness centers and spas for health and wellness.

Resort-style pools and lounges for relaxation.

On-site dining and entertainment options that rival top-tier restaurants.

Exclusive event spaces for hosting private gatherings.

3. Prime Location in The Woodlands

The Woodlands is one of Texas’ most sought-after communities, offering a blend of nature, entertainment, and business opportunities. By living at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, you’ll be close to:

High-end shopping at The Woodlands Mall and Market Street.

Fine dining experiences featuring renowned chefs.

Premier golf courses and country clubs.

Outdoor recreation with scenic trails, parks, and waterfront activities.

Convenient access to major highways, making it easy to reach Houston.

4. Exclusive Services and Personalized Living

The Ritz-Carlton brand is known for delivering world-class hospitality and personalized services, ensuring residents enjoy an effortless lifestyle. Homeowners benefit from:

24/7 security and privacy for peace of mind.

Home management and maintenance to keep your property in pristine condition.

Private chefs, housekeeping, and personal shopping services available upon request.

Bespoke experiences and curated events tailored for residents.

5. Strong Investment Potential

Real estate in The Woodlands has shown consistent value appreciation, making it an attractive investment opportunity. A Ritz-Carlton property not only provides an opulent lifestyle but also holds strong potential for resale and rental income. The brand’s reputation enhances property desirability, ensuring long-term value growth.

6. Community and Networking Opportunities

Living in a Ritz-Carlton Residency connects you with like-minded individuals who value luxury, exclusivity, and refined living. The community offers networking opportunities with professionals, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals who share a passion for upscale living.

7. Sustainability and Smart Living

Modern Ritz-Carlton Residences incorporate sustainable building practices and smart home technology, allowing residents to enjoy energy-efficient living while embracing cutting-edge home automation features.

Final Thoughts

Purchasing a Ritz-Carlton Residency in The Woodlands, Texas, is more than just a real estate investment — it’s an investment in a sophisticated, stress-free, and ultra-luxurious lifestyle. With exceptional services, prime location, and world-renowned hospitality, living at the Ritz-Carlton Residences offers an unmatched standard of living. Whether you’re looking for a primary residence, a vacation home, or a sound investment, the Ritz-Carlton Residences in The Woodlands deliver on every level.

Presented by Tili Capistran For more information, contact Tili Capistran at @tili.realtor