#mont blanc range

[kacievvbbbb]

look Skypeia is not even close to my favorite arc I honestly felt like it went on for just a little too long. But I can't deny it when Luffy rang that bell and Mont Blanc Cricket looked up in the sky and saw Luffy hitting this pose.

And just allowed himself to finally fully believe int he story he always hoped was true. Because The golden city didnt sink to the bottom of the sea it shot to the top of the sky.

I think about that everyday.

[sw33tsnow]

Beautiful stranger

Firefighter!Simon Riley x illed!F!Reader (18+)

Summary:

Warnings: NOT FOR MINORS, protective!Simon, soft&sweet!Simon, "single-day memories" illness!reader, misunderstanding, (slight) angst, metions of injuries and blood, wholesome, etc. Wordcount: 3k

NOTE(s):

I'M TERRIBLY APOLOGIZE FOR ANY GRAMMAR AND LANGUAGE ERRS.

This blog is quite silly but it's adorable too, so I hope y'all enjoy it🙏🏻🙏🏻.

Simon could list a thousand reasons why he despised the humidity and fog in Manchester, and at such an odd time of year, the snow had started to melt, making the roads so much more treacherous and sticky.

But standing in front of this cozy book café with minimalist yet refined decor, all of the stubbornness vanishes. Taking a deep breath, it felt as if he's living again. Because behind that door is you, the blond's most important person who has been, is, and will continue to be. The one he would crawl back to, even if it is hundreds of miles away.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Simon was sent back to Manchester with the fire department a few years ago. Simon didn't want to go into details how it happened, let alone consider returning here, but he was extremely annoyed because the big boss had denied his request not to move him. The blond lost his family in the fire, which served as incentive and desire to become a fireman. Fortunately, he met a new family and was sent to another area to work, but still eventually returned to where he came from.

The first few days were bland, so Simon opted to go strolling around the neighbourhood, which was understandable given how much had changed since his last visit.

And he stumbled into your café.

To his surprise, your café is rather small and pleasant. It's nestled in a narrow lane and hence well hidden from the main road, making it difficult to spot. With the main brown and cream tones, along with plenty of doors with glass panels and vines clinging to the walls outside, indicated that the owner is a calm and hospitable person. Wholly opposite him in every way. 

Simon had initially intended to stick to the plan exactly: visit and take note of a few noteworthy locations, without loitering. But even a tea junkie like him was lured in by the aroma of the roasted coffee beans.

"One cup surely won't kill me" The blond thought to himself.

Pushing the door open, the pleasant sound of the small bell hanging right above the door rang out. The bell wasn't loud but due to the quiet space of the shop, it rang for a while before stopping. Simon glanced around, and as soon as his gaze fell behind the cashier, you got up, grinned so sweetly, and tilted your head slightly to invite Simon to approach.

"Good afternoon, sir" You said in a soft tone so as not to disturb the other guests and bowed your head slightly, "What can I get for you today?"

"Nothing in mind, do you have...uhm, any suggestions?" Simon replied in his baritone voice, trying not to seem overly snarky, 

For some reason, he didn't want to scare you, you looked so small compared to him and so approachable or he didn't want to make you feel nervous because of his rigidity.

The smile returned to your face. Without makeup, your long, slightly downturned eyelashes and smooth skin give you a serious, aloof look when you're not smiling. But the dimples, the large eyes and the way you have to look up to meet his eyes due to the height difference made the man know for sure that he has terribly misjudged you.

Your pupils fixed at the blond's for quite a while, truly taking him in and then sparked up, "A warm cuppa Earl Grey is all you need but I think a Mont Blanc would brighten your mood also, sir"

Simon gave you a nod, but he didn't seem convinced.

"Don't worry, I guess you're not a sweet tooth so I suggested that specific dessert." You turned to face him after glancing at the glass cabinet next to you that was holding an array of cakes, saying, "The choice is still yours."

The man was quietly pretty impressed by your dexterity and persuasiveness, rarely was Simon wowed by anyone since Johnny was the closest with his exuberance.

"All heard you" The blond nodded and kept his tone flat.

"Lovely" Your voice dropped to a whisper at the end of your sentence "Tha'll be £7.49 total" Your fingernails clicking on the screen behind the register desk.

"If you need anything else, feel free to call for me"

It was odd how Simon, far from being happy that he was back in Manchester as his mates had assumed, was secretly pleased for this transfer. However, the blond's frequent visits to this tiny bistro were becoming more frequent. For the first time in many years, Simon had to spend part of his personal income on more delectable cakes and coffee for his coworkers in order to allay suspicions. Simon also increased his frequency of gym visits, citing his need for extra coffee from his workouts as his justification, and for no other reason at all, when he bought it for everyone.

And gradually, the man and you also spoke more. The familiar time and your gorgeous smile were what greeted him every time, could probably say Simon felt at ease in this quaint café, so all of his awkwardness slowly vanished and was replaced by a naturalness between the two of you.

"Mr. Riley" You beamed, "You’re late today"

Simon chuckled lowly and shook his head before saying, "Told ya t' call me Simon, luv"

"Right, my apologies" You gave a cheeky smirk, "Usual?"

"Nah, I need something stronger t'day" He looked at the blackboards written in crisp white chalk hanging behind you, above the stacks of washed cups.

"How 'bout an Egg coffee from my hometown?" You tilted your head, "It's sweet enough so ya won't need a tart but the coffee is strong"

"Yeah? Still wanna 'ave a taste of your new recipe though" He smirked, "Ya forgot, 'aven't ya?"

Raising your eyebrows a little as you giggled gently in front of your lips, "Of course not, I'll get it for you right away" 

"Do ya need anything else, Mr. Riley?" 

"Uh, yeah....Can I take tha' Pumpkin Pie? Need to bring some treats back for the mates” The man scratched his head and looked at you.

"Already in love with ma baking, Simon?" You sweetly asked.

Simon blushed and coughed, but he knew you weren't the kind to make fun of people too much, so he kept quiet.

And you… did it on purpose. The fact that you described Simon's first meeting in over eight pages was embarrassing. The voice, the towering height and sturdy shoulders, and of course the messy wind-blown blonde locks. Oh my, the deep tone that used to give you butterflies in your stomach, as though you were bewildered by your own muscle memory. It seemed as though falling in love with this gentleman was possible without even knowing his face. However, as soon as he removed his thin mask to savor the flavor of the tea you had prepared, that dashing visage was glued to the front of your notebook.

Although you didn't have any intentions on those previous days, it was definitely the reason you called his name, Simon, to see the light pink layer spread across his ears.

"Here you go" You handed the pie, "My treat"

And of course the blond refused you, but what could he do, you're more stubborn. So Simon had to leave with you seeing him off at the door, because he couldn't stop insisting on paying for the pie.

Bidding the taller gentleman farewell, you blew on your hands and rubbed them together to warm them before rolling up your sleeves and began to wash the dirty plates and cups.

"Someone's in love" The young girl gave you a prod and spoke with your mother tongue, it's your sister.

You laughed and rinsed the soapy cup, wiped your hands on your apron, and without hesitation aimed straight at this little employee's chubby cheeks and pinched them. As usual, the little girl just cried out in pain and gently pushed you hand away.

"Watch it" You glared, teasingly threatening her.

The girl stroked her cheek and murmured, "I'm not wrong." "Not like the other customers you mentioned to me to help you remember, Mr. Riley is indeed very special to you."

You didn't object, just smiled warmly and shook your head, turning back to wash your cups. If you were to talk, you didn't know Simon that well. You were always curious to know what he did for a job, how his family was, and so on. You just wanted to hear that honey-like voice respond to all of your queries. God, though, how do you open up?

.....And how would he react to your condition?

_-_-_-_-_-_

The familiar chime of the bell caught the attention of the girl who was occupied with the mop and the wet wooden floor was decorated with footprints of mud and melted snow. With a quick glance at the clock, it was late enough for the shop to be open, as evidenced by the chairs driven upside down on the tables.

"Mr. Riley!?" Leaning the mop against the wall, the young girl looked surprised before turning directly to face the older man.

Simon's dark brown eyes quit darting around, as though he was looking for someone, and he nodded a greeting. As if understanding his gesture, the girl pointed towards the back door of the café and he immediately followed the direction she pointed, not forgetting to also grunt out thank you.

It was difficult to tell the difference between hot breathing and cigarette smoke owing to the chilly weather, but the aroma was unmistakable - that's how Simon found you. Standing in a jet black turtleneck dress that accentuated your skin, the waistline hugging your lower belly and the shapely hips that made him gulp. You leaned against the wall, holding a lit cigarette between your index and middle fingers while the smoke steadily out your mouth and nose. You were wearing a long trench coat and matching boots that nearly reached your knees. Although you were worn out, Simon thought that didn't take away at all from your beauty.

"I thought you're gonna to keep the cigarette fo' me like you said?" The man came slowly toward you and cleared his throat.

Startled that you hadn't heard the footsteps, you whirled around. You glanced at the person in front of you and blinked. Messy hair neatly combed, big palms with a beautiful bouquet, and warm eyes looking straight at you. Simon gently took the cigarette from your hand and brought it to his lips to inhale.

"My apology....do I know you, sir?"

What?

Simon must have heard it wrong, mustn't he? The blond gave you a subtle glimpse before giving you back the half-burnt cigarette. You weren't upset with him, were you? The man chuckled softly, he grabbed your chin and brought you closer to his face.

You didn't back away nor did you push him off, but your eyes were distant and confused even though you tried to hide it. Simon's panic was starting to set in. What happened while he was gone?

You, on the other hand, had no fear of this man. You had no idea why, yet he treated you so gently. His deep voice and stern appearance went against every gesture. You couldn't recall what it meant but you know there's something going on between you and this man.

“I'll see you later”

The man spoke after a long silence. After offering you the bouquet with a "This's for you," he gingerly withdrew and swiftly vanished from the view.

You immediately stubbed out your cigarette and ran after him but it was so contrasting to his muscular body, Simon silently disappeared into thin air, as if he had evaporated from the earth.

Even after two days had passed, Simon was still haunted by the incidents of that evening. Did he do something wrong, did he forget to bring you the souvenir he promised or did he buy you the flowers you didn’t want? Or did you just…..want to forget him? Negative thoughts continued to torment the blond, making it impossible for him to concentrate on his duties, which explains why Captain Price disciplined him with 200 push-ups and cleaning the training area.

Yet Simon couldn't help but think of you. He longed to see and to speak with you, words couldn't describe how much he missed you. He wished to convey to you his true feelings for you. But you're so cold, so distant, is it because you didn't feel as close to him as he did to you?

As if recognizing that he would never be able to answer these questions for himself, Simon made the decision to investigate the reason behind this. The man began by going over the fire station reports and surprisingly found that there had been a gas explosion in your apartment complex.

Your sister was on her way home from her friend's house that evening when she unexpectedly received a call from an unknown number asking her to come to your building and pick you up. The cop cars and fire trucks were so many that their blue and red lights were flashing all over the place as soon as she went onto the street where your flat was located, hurting her eyes. Narrowing her eyes, your sister stared up at the destroyed building and the horrible smoke rising from the fire that was being put out. When she regained consciousness, she looked about for you. She rushed to the area labeled with caution warning tape and saw you on a stretcher being taken into the ambulance as your cat remained by your side. The process of getting to ride in the ambulance with you to the hospital as your acquaintance was lengthy, even had to show her ID for proof.

It took your sister a long time to win you over to the idea that you could trust her when you woke up. She had given you her phone to see how she saved you in the contact and pictures of the two of you. Fortunately, the cat was nearby, so you assumed that it was also your pet because animals never lie. That day, she also had to help you remember that you owned a café, your exceptional baking and cooking skills, and pretty much everything else that matters.

All of your personal stuff was burned so you had to stay with your sister. The girl was so terrified and worried about you at the time that she only remembered what was immediately relevant and neglected Simon due to his lack of presence for such a long time.

Simon, after learning everything, was just as astonished. Stumbling into his truck and making his way to the address of your flat, which was mentioned in the report. Simon flashed his badge to get on the scene and discovered your notebook on the rotting wooden floor, with a corner burned.

Flipping through the pages, afraid they might crumble, he read your handwriting. The notebook was mostly filled with recipes and reminders, and there are a few pages dedicated to regular visitors. And there’s Simon, with his stolen side profile that was taken by you probably, and dozens of pages about him. The more he read, the more the blond felt like you’re keeping a diary with him as the subject. On how sweet his tea should be, what desserts he loves, and oh, how you describe his smile.

And then a tear, two, until the man's vision blurred. He realized how much you loved him too.

Gently tucking your notebook inside his thick coat, Simon walked out of the apartment building and straight to his car. He needed to see you now, you needed his help, he knew that for sure.

The café is quieter than normal today, which you had a lot of time walking about behind the cashier counter. Occasionally, you'd catch a glimpse of someone passing by the glass door, but they didn't stop by. You let out a sigh and bent down to clean the tabletop for the zillionth time before throwing the towel over your shoulder.

The engine of the car heavily stops at the curb opposite your shop. You narrowed your eyes to get a better look and oh, it's the same man who handed you the bouquet the last time and well, vanished. He still has the same good looks as the notes you wrote in your brand new note.

The man entered, his gaze falling on you right away. You didn't know why, but you instantly froze and flushed. He came over to where you were standing in an instant, grabbed your face in his hands, and gave you a passionate kiss. Alright, that was a bit too much. Despite your best efforts, the man in front of you continued to kiss you while holding you so closely that it was difficult for you to breathe.

“Gosh, get a room you two” Your sister made the disgusted face towards both of you.

"What do you think you're doing?" With a mixture of embarrassment and anger, you asked.

There was no response from the man, just an embrace that took away your ability to chastise him. You saw that his shoulders were trembling a little and that your shirt was damp, which made you anxious because you couldn't figure out why he was sobbing.

With shaking hands, the blond man pulled out your charred notepad and gave it to you, saying, "I'm really sorry"

You took it in surprise, flipping through the slightly burned pages, then the beautiful smile of the man in front of you appeared through the polaroid on the page with the notes written by you. Your eyes were also filled with tears, reading back the memories you had for him.

Then you looked up at him, to see his warm eyes still following your every move. Your small hand tightly grasped the man's jacket, your lips pressed tightly together even though there were so many words that wanted to be said.

“Hush, don’t cry, luv” He cooed, kissed your forehead “Let’s start again….”

“Simon” You cried into his chest.

“Yes, it’s me, your Simon”

Taglist: @shadowlali , @ghostlythots , @brickwall035

[officiallordvetinari]

Another Wikipedia featured article poll, but it's hand-curated this time. Links and summaries below the cut.

A History of British Fishes is a natural history book by William Yarrell, serialised in nineteen parts from 1835, and then published bound in two volumes in 1836. It is a handbook or field guide systematically describing every type of fish found in the British Isles, with an article for each species.

The Battle of Lake Trasimene was fought when a Carthaginian force under Hannibal ambushed a Roman army commanded by Gaius Flaminius on 21 June 217 BC, during the Second Punic War. The battle took place on the north shore of Lake Trasimene, to the south of Cortona, and resulted in a heavy defeat for the Romans.

Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) is an extinct sirenian described by Georg Wilhelm Steller in 1741. At that time, it was found only around the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia; its range extended across the North Pacific during the Pleistocene epoch, and likely contracted to such an extreme degree due to the glacial cycle.

The Baker Street robbery was the burglary of safety deposit boxes at the Baker Street branch of Lloyds Bank in London, on the night of 11 September 1971. A gang tunnelled 40 feet (12 m) from a rented shop two doors away to come up through the floor of the vault.

On the morning of 6 December 1917, the French cargo ship SS Mont-Blanc collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in the waters of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Mont-Blanc, laden with high explosives, caught fire and exploded, devastating the Richmond district of Halifax.

The nature fakers controversy was an early 20th-century American literary debate highlighting the conflict between science and sentiment in popular nature writing. The debate involved important American literary, environmental and political figures.

The Spaghetti House siege took place between 28 September and 3 October 1975. An attempted robbery of the Spaghetti House restaurant in Knightsbridge, London, went wrong and the police were quickly on the scene.

Weird Tales is an American fantasy and horror fiction pulp magazine founded by J. C. Henneberger and J. M. Lansinger in late 1922. The first issue, dated March 1923, appeared on newsstands February 18.

In July 2017, the municipalities of Mahwah, Upper Saddle River, and Montvale in Bergen County, New Jersey, in the United States, opposed extension of an eruv within their borders. An eruv is a land area surrounded by a boundary of religious significance, often marked by small plastic pipes (called lechis) attached to utility poles.

The Makassar kingdom of Gowa emerged around 1300 CE as one of many agrarian chiefdoms in the Indonesian peninsula of South Sulawesi. From the sixteenth century onward, Gowa and its coastal ally Talloq became the first powers to dominate most of the peninsula, following wide-ranging administrative and military reforms, including the creation of the first bureaucracy in South Sulawesi.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

A lot of time, people who don’t climb mountains assume is about this great heroic sprint for the summit, and somehow this great ego-driven ambition. But actually it’s the reverse. It’s about supplication and sacrifice and humility, when you go to these mountains. It’s not so much a celebration of oneself but the eradication of one’s self-consciousness. And so on these walks you lose yourself, you become a vessel of energy in harmony hopefully with your environment. One thrives on enthusiasm, curiosity, humility.

Julian Sands

I was saddened to read that the dead remains of Julian Sands were finally found in the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles. I hadn’t realised how deeply immersed he really was in just wearing all weather anorak, a thermos flask of tea, and a laminated Ordinance Map before he set off on an arduous hike or a climb.

As great as a character actor Julian Sands was, he was also an accomplished mountaineer. He once described himself as happiest when “close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning”, climbed all around the world, including the Andes and Indonesia’s Puncak Jaya, the highest mountain on an island and the only place in the country where you can find snow. I know it’s an arduous climb having done it myself. It requires a weeks-long hike through remote jungle and some chasms which can only be crossed by Tyrolean traverse ziplines.

Julian Sands was on his way to completing the dream of most mountaineering aficionados: competing the Seven Summits. It’s a considerable undertaking in every way not just the obvious physical costs but also the average cost of completing all seven which can rack up to £150,000.

Sands had done five - Aconcagua, Puncak Jaya (Oceania), Mont Blanc (Europe), Vinson (Antarctica) and Kilimanjaro (Africa) - and had only had Denali (North America) and Everest (Asia) left.

Sands also took on the Weisshorn in the Swiss Alps. Now this is revealing as any experienced or passionate mountaineer would tell you. The nearby Matterhorn may be more famous, but many mountaineers consider the Weisshorn both more beautiful, with its symmetrical triangular pyramid shape and pure white slopes, and more challenging too, combining a long and serious route with delicate rock pitches and steep snow climbing. I know I do. It’s an incredible climb to experience which I did with some army veteran friends of mine.

Sands death is a tragedy as his passion for mountaineering was inspiring. I was nodding my head when I read that Sands once began a telephone interview by saying, “Right now I’m looking across the North Face of the Eiger towards the Jungfrau. Spectacular!” But then he rang the journalist back several hours later from a bivouac to impress upon him that, though he was climbing the Eiger, he was going up the easier Mittellegi Ridge rather than the feared North Face. “Mountain and climbing folk, and a small percentage of your readers, will know the difference.” Yes, I thought, Sands gets it. I bowled over by his humility and his honesty generously bound up with his joie de vivre. These are the values of real mountaineers in seeking to climb the mountains of the mind.

RIP Julian Sands (1958-2023).

[sitting-on-me-bum]

"Gods’s Wrath"

Taken from the Mont Blanc mountain range looking down into the village of Courmayeur. This sunset was very troubling and beautiful but not peaceful. It looked to me like Mount Olympus when Zeus was forging a sword

By Giovanna Fleming

Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA) 2023

[scotianostra]

On 22nd February 1875 Sir Charles Lyell, eminent Scots Geologist, died.

Charles Lyell was born at Kinnordy, Angus 1797, he began his career as a lawyer, but later changed to geology. His background in zoology and the physical sciences allowed his research to cover more of a scientific scope. He believed that creation of the earth was not based on the interpretation of Genesis, but on the basis of scientific explanations. He sought a scientific knowledge of the formation of the mountains.

Lyell was also a Darwinist, and wrote of his observations in The Geological Evidence for the Antiquity of Man in 1863. Later, when he visited the Alps, he saw recognizable similarities in rocks of the Alps and Appenines. Both were made up of tertiary, uplifting rock strata.

Through his experiments on these two mountain ranges, he was able to identify the positions of the earliest seas and gulfs. He studied the glacial movements in mountains, like the Mere De Glace on Mont Blanc in the Alps, searching for a way to identify how exactly mountains were cut and formed. He also theorized a future “convulsion” that would make a new mountain range in Europe, east of the Alps.

Lyall’s greatest work was done on his Theory of Uniformism, based on his attempts to date the Alps: “Although we have not yet ascertained the number of different periods at which the Alps gained accessions to their height and width, we can affirm, that the last series of movements occurred when the seas were inhabited by many existing species of animals” (from Principles of Geology, 1863).

Uniformism meant that all of the processes in which the physical world changed in the past are also changing the physical world presently. Lyell’s theory was counter to many theories on catastrophism, which were based on the idea that the physical world was changed due to catastrophic events, like a flood, or an earthquake.

Of course all this made him quite unpopular amongst the then devout majority who believed the bible in it’s entirety, it’s remarkable that some still believe this version of events!

Although Darwin’s theories of evolution had it’s basis in some of Lyell’s work, the Scot had trouble accepting “the descent of man from the brutes,” He simply could not, as he put it, “go the whole Orang.” So although his Uniformism theories brought him condemnation from the church, he still had some sort of Faith that stopped him believing Darwin’s theories.

Charles Lyell died on 22nd February 1875 aged 77 at his home in Harley Street, London, he is buried at Westminster Abbey, his name lives on in Mount Lyell in Yosemite National Park. California; Lyell craters on the Moon and Mars; the Lyell Centre at Heriot-Watt University; and the jawless fossil fish, Cephalaspis lyell

[marygodwin-bsd]

Hi there! Welcome!

I am a level 21 category she/her human 💞💞

This is a secondary blog. so if i respond to comments itll be with a different acc (@cupidthewriter but I'll let you know. )

Writing Masterlist This is a blog dedicated to the anime Bungo Stray Dogs and the OCs I’ve made for it. Expect a lot of Kunikida content- I like him.

Here’s a guide to Mary for now. I’ll add to this post as I work on more ocs.

Note: I’m aware there’s already technically a Mary Shelley in the world of BSD but there’s barely anything on her and I didn’t know that until after I’d done a ton of oc work so it’s too late now lemme introduce you to Mary Godwin enjoy

Here's a short guide, its from my other blog

Mary Godwin (she/her)(reference to Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein). She is the cousin of Dr. Wollstonecraft. Age: 22 (Birthday is Aug. 30) Height: 5’0 ft (152.4 cm), with her platforms it’s 5’5 Personality: a little hard-headed and bold. She tries to be as independent as possible, and is very devoted to those she loves. She’s goth. Very private. Ability: “Modern Prometheus”- the ability to animate non living things (this includes severed limbs and dead bodies, but also inanimate objects such as lamps). This power has a range of 20 meters. It’s purple. Affiliation: Europle(previous), The Armed Detective Agency (current). She works as a forensic biologist. Family: Victor Godwin (son), Dr. Wollstonecraft (cousin) Mr. Godwin (father) Pets: They have 2 cats. Their names are Beans and Toast. Friends: The ADA, Kunikida Doppo (private romantic partner), Dazai Osamu, Yosano Akiko, Dr.W. Hobbies: watching thriller movies, experimenting with her ability, just hanging out with her kid, bug taxidermy

Victor Godwin (he/him)(a reference to Victor Frankenstein) Age: 3 or 4 (Birthday is March 30th ) Height: Personality: A very bright little boy who's a little too curious. Loves math.(COMING SOON) Ability: Reuse. He is able to drain people's strength and put it out towards other objects. this is temporary. Affiliation: the ADA, although only through his mother. I haven’t yet explored his future. Family: Mary Godwin (mother), Percy Shelley (biological father, has never met him), Mr. Godwin (grandfather, has also never met him), Dr. Wollstonecraft (cousin once removed) Pets: Frank, a rat he kept that used to be a class pet in pre-k but his teacher gave him away. Every time Frank dies, they get a new pet Frank. Friends: Children from daycare, he believes his mother’s adult friends are his friends (this includes Kunikida Doppo and Dazai Osamu) Hobbies: Junior Mathletes, “designing experiments”, trying to teach Frank tricks

Percy Shelley (they/he)(reference to Percy Shelley, romantic poet) Age: about 27 (birthday is August 4th) Height: 5'6 Personality: Loyal, flirtatious, fragile mental state. Bold only when it comes to protecting the ones who matter. Ability: "Mont Blanc," they can grow plants out of their body or the environment, but it comes out far too strong and it drains Percy of their strength. It has resulted in something close to chronic illness. Affiliation: Decay of Angels, specifically under Fyodor. kind of Fyodor's lapdog. Will follow any order given to him by Fyodor out of loyalty and wanting to be useful, even if it will hurt themself or other people. This will be expanded as I develop them more!

[lalignedujour]

La photo d'une petite fille en fond d'écran. Une application de calendrier. Une liste de tâches avec des codes couleur. Des conversations avec des liens vers des documents sérieux.

C'est ce que je vois dans son téléphone. Je suis voiture 2 place 76 dans le Paris-Lyon. Côté fenêtre. Juste derrière lui. Ma mère m'a retiré mon téléphone à moi. Et j'en avais un peu marre de lire Le Grand Maulnes. Je le finirai chez mon père. Le paysage de novembre, j'aime bof, alors entre les sièges je regarde le téléphone du gars devant moi.

Je prends toujours le train du lundi 7h52 la deuxième semaine de chaque vacances scolaires. L'année prochaine, j'aurai le droit de le prendre tout seul, mais là, c'est encore ma mère qui m'accompagne. Elle pense que ça me rassure. Je dirais que c'est pas nécessaire, elle m'agace parfois et je préfèrerais être seul. Mais peut-être qu'en fait elle a raison. Peut-être que ça me fait du bien quand même. Aux vacances de Noël, je vais lui demander de prendre le train seul. Pour voir. Ou peut-être à celles de février.

J'ai soif et un peu envie de pisser, mais j'aime bien regarder le téléphone du gars devant. Je suis hypnotisé. Il l'utilise pas du tout comme j'utilise mon téléphone.

On arrive bientôt à Lyon. Il ferme ses applis les unes après les autres, il revient sur la photo de la petite fille trop mignonne et range son téléphone dans sa poche. Ma mère me demande de préparer mes affaires. J'aurais bien aimé une petite sœur, mais c'est mort maintenant.

Donc, là, je passe la deuxième semaine de vacances scolaires avec mon père. C'est cool. Parfois, il travaille et je peux traîner à la maison. Mais il prend quand même des congés quelques jours et on va au ciné, à la Vogue des Marrons, au KFC, à la boutique de mangas. C'est comme avec un pote, mais un pote qui aurait de l'argent et dans une ville où je connais personne. J'ai pas à faire semblant de ne plus aimer des trucs de gamins. J'adore les auto tamponneuses et les glaces. Et de toute façon je croiserai personne que je connais.

Ensuite, il me raccompagne à la Gare de Lyon, ma mère vient me chercher et on rentre à Ivry. En français, on étudie Le Grand Maulnes. Je progresse un peu à PES. J'ai enfin la moyenne en maths. Je fais mon premier vol au Carrefour Market en face du lycée. Et les vacances de Noël arrivent vite. Alors, je reprends le train. Seul cette fois.

On arrive super en avance. Le quai est indiqué juste 20 minutes avant, mais nous on sait que c'est la voie 23, on a l'habitude. Et en fait, non, ça a changé, c'est la voie A, dans le Hall 1. On y va en courant, ma mère est super stressée, il y a plein de monde. Elle me fait beaucoup de bisous devant tout le monde et me répète des trucs style t'as ton chargeur dans ta poche extérieure, oublie pas de descendre à Lyon, garde ton sac près de toi on sait jamais, et tu m'appelles quand tu veux. Je monte dans le train, mais je pars du mauvais côté, c'est la mauvaise voiture, je m'en rends compte tard et je dois me refaire une bonne partie du train dans l'autre sens alors qu'il part déjà.

Et c'est là que je le vois. Le mec de la dernière fois. Dans le carré famille. Il a un peu changé de tête. Je le reconnais à son téléphone posé sur la tablette devant lui. Je reconnais la petite fille. La même photo que la dernière fois. La même photo, mais en noir et blanc.

J'ai connu Jed.

[alda-rana]

My brother got married last month to his long-term partner, with whom he has two adorable little girls. I painted this as a slightly late wedding gift since they're hiking enthusiasts! (As is our whole family - except me, alas)

The view is of the Bornes range near Annecy in the French Alps, with the Mont Blanc in the background! Our home turf :)

[stumbleimg]

Alpine meadow in the Mont Blanc range, France [6016x4016] [OC]

[chicinsilk]

US Vogue June 1964

Beate Schulz photographed in front of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte in Florence, in sleeveless white linen; the braided jacket, buttoned with a row of faux pearls. By Pattullo-Jo Copeland of Moreau Fabric. Mademoiselle de Chèvre Shrut & Asch shoes. Hats off, Sally Victor.

Beate Schulz photographié devant la Basilique de San Miniato al Monte à Florence, en lin blanc sans manches ; la veste gansée, boutonnée d'un rang de fausses perles. Par Pattullo-Jo Copeland de tissu Moreau. Chaussures Mademoiselle de Chèvre Shrut & Asch. Chapeaux, Sally Victor.

Photo Henry Clarke

vogue archive

[princepqul]

And just to those simple words, cheers. CHEERS of all ages exploded, screaming at his arrival. Chants rang out, small kids jumping from their snowy games to scream, “SAMICHLAUS!!! SAMICHLAUS!!!”

HAPPY SAMICHLAUS ABEND!!! i know my knowledge of swiss holidays is weak, but i tried my best for today! have fun with mont blanc being santa for a day !!

READ HERE!!

[msclaritea]

Benedict Cumberbatch Show 'Letters Live' is a 'Shot in the Arm'

"...Initially, Cumberbatch tells Variety, he felt “wary” about reading the dispatch, which Turing had written during one of the lowest points of his life, when he awaiting trial for homosexuality. Feeling protective of the computer science prodigy, “I didn’t really want to display him outside of the context that I’d been performing or inhabiting,” Cumberbatch explains. There was also the awkwardness of working out how to read the letter aloud. “Do I have to do him, be him? Or is it my own voice?” (Eventually the “Doctor Strange” actor decided to “lean in” to the characters of the letter-writers, especially if they speak in a particular dialect or voice).

By the end of his reading, Cumberbatch was a convert. “It was such a thrill,” he says. “It was such a beautiful, profound way to honour [Turing] in a different form.” So moving was the experience, Cumberbatch also came on board as a co-producer alongside Byng for what has since become an annual event called “Letters Live.”

Ten years on, “Letters Live” is a bona fide extravaganza sponsored by Mont Blanc which this year is taking place at London’s Royal Albert Hall (home to dazzling events including the world premiere of “No Time to Die” in 2021) on Thursday evening local time. Letter readers include Emma Watson, Olivia Coleman, Stephen Fry and of course Cumberbatch himself.

“It is a bit like doing a skydive,” Cumberbatch explains. “Once you hit the ground you want to go back up again; once you’ve read a letter, you want to go and read it again. We have a lot of actors who say it’s their favourite part of their diary. They always ring us to check on our availability rather than the other way around.” It doesn’t hurt that there is also a philanthropic component to “Letters Live,” which fundraises for literary organization The Reading Agency.

Audiences won’t know in advance which letters they’re going to hear (they’re curated by a brain trust that includes Byng, Cumberbatch and “Letters of Note” author Shaun Usher) and often even which celebrities are taking part. (When Variety catches up with Byng and Cumberbatch during rehearsals they reveal Woody Harrelson has just been added as a last-minute surprise guest.)

“It allows us an incredible blank canvas when we’re putting a show together because you’ve got such a deep well in terms of the history of literary correspondence,” says Byng. This year’s missives include a typically eclectic selection, ranging from a 2,000-year-old letter from Roman philosopher Pliny to a message sent just a few weeks ago to British politician Suella Braverman from comedian Joe Lycett.

Do the “Letters Live” producers worry that with traditional letter-writing fast becoming a dying art, there’ll be far less correspondence to choose from in years to come? “Very much so,” Cumberbatch says. “It is a slow art. And it can distil a moment in a way that allows for more space and reflection rather than reaction. We live in a very heated, polarized time and a letter — not least because it is more than 140 characters — allows for nuance and greyness and discussion and a far broader bracket of empathy or understanding for whatever it might be about...."

I'm truly about to throw an outsized, fucking FIT! WTF is Benedict Cumberbatch doing, appearing in another Letters Live event? Bying, Usher, ALL of them, are a bunch of mediocre, un-talented, international criminals. And is this Variety article even true, since traditionally, Letters Live does not announce its readers, until closer to the event.

In addition, the last time, Cumberbatch fans had to deal with seeing him forced to hawk the very shady charity, Choose Love. You know, the one whose name was inspired by Aleister Crowley and has allegations against the organization for abuse of former employees.

Who's weak shit does he have to push, this time?

Do his fans have to put up with Cumberbatch being mocked by the choice of poems that Usher and Bying pick for him?

Is he going to be forced to say 'I love you' to his Ex-partner, Hunter, again?

In addition, the popularity of this farce has gone downhill.

[ahaura]

Isaac Levitan (Russian, 1860–1900) Range of mountains, Mont Blanc 1897 oil on paper

[mybeingthere]

Aiguille du Midi viewing area (part of the Mont Blanc range), Chamonix, France.

[de-gueules-au-lion-d-or]

Rolf Steiner, né à Munich le 3 janvier 1933 et qui serait décédé à la fin des années 1970 en Afrique du Sud, est un soldat qui se veut missionnaire, naturalisé biafrais, d'origine allemande. Son père, mort en 1936, fut l'un des as de l'escadrille Richthofen. D'une famille protestante, il entre dans une école catholique à Eichstätt. À seize ans, il décide de devenir prêtre. Découvrant les plaisirs de la chair avec une novice de vingt-trois ans, il quitte le lycée, sa famille et l'Allemagne en passant par Offenbourg pour s'engager dans la Légion étrangère française. Il est envoyé en Indochine dans une unité de parachutistes. Il participe à l'opération Mandarin en 1951. En 1955 son unité parachutiste est envoyé en Algérie. Malade, il est évacué d'abord à Paris où les chirurgiens lui retirent un quart de poumon, puis il passe sa convalescence au sanatorium militaire de Grenoble. Réformé, il quitte la Légion. Lorsqu'il retourne à Alger, pour retrouver Odette, sa future femme, une jeune « Pied-noir » rencontrée à un bal de la Légion, il est mêlé aux évènements des barricades aux côtés de Lagaillarde, en janvier 1960. En 1961, il rejoint les rangs de l'OAS où il est responsable du secteur Hussein-Dey Hydra. Arrêté une première fois, il est relâché après trois jours de garde-à-vue. Le 5 mars 1962, alors qu'il vient de participer à la célèbre « nuit bleue » il est de nouveau arrêté en possession d’un pistolet-mitrailleur. Après neuf mois de prison préventive à La Santé, il est acquitté faute de preuves.

En 1967, il débarque à Paris pour récupérer de l'argent qu'on lui doit. Il fréquente un bar près de l'Etoile où se retrouvent les anciens, en quête d’un emploi de mercenaire. Contacté par des employeurs potentiels ibos, il demande conseil à son ancien patron Roger Faulques, qui, en 1961, avait fait partie de la première poignée d'« affreux » au Katanga. Faulques, pour le compte officieux de Jacques Foccart, monte une opération au Biafra pour encadrer la jeune armée biafraise et engage son ancien subordonné, qui embarque à Lisbonne à bord d'un des avions de Hank Wharton. L'avion atterrit à Port Harcourt, encore aux mains des Biafrais. Là, Steiner, que Faulques a nommé capitaine, est accueilli par le commandant Picot, qui représente Faulques au Biafra. Steiner et Picot se connaissent s'étant rencontré du temps où le commandant était chef d’une compagnie au 1er REP et dans la même cellule à la prison de la Santé. Le lendemain, Steiner traverse tout le Biafra en jeep. Il trouve à la plantation Dunlop une cinquantaine de Blancs, anciens du Congo en majorité. Au lieu d'encadrer les Noirs, ils ont tendance à rester ensemble. Il se rend ensuite sur le front Nord où se trouve le gros de l'armée biafraise face à l'offensive nigériane. Il visite un secteur où les half-tracks nigérians sèment la panique parmi les rangs biafrais, qui se débandent. Steiner se transforme aussitôt en soldat. Il arrête une quarantaine de fuyards, puis empoignant un FM, les entraîne à l'assaut. Les Nigérians se replient. C'est la première victoire de Steiner au Biafra et le début d’une nouvelle aventure, donnant un sens nouveau à sa vie. Devant l’amateurisme des Biafrais, il décide, non sans mal, de créer des commandos. Le 23 janvier 1968, les hommes de Faulques quittent le Biafra. Steiner reste.

Le président Ojukwu le nomme major et lui accorde la nationalité biafraise. Mobilisant plus de 1 000 recrues, il forme le 32e bataillon de commandos. Ojukwu le nomme alors colonel et le charge de former une brigade de commandos de 5 000 hommes. Le 25 mai, il réussit un coup de commando et détruit 4 Iliouchine et les deux Mig soviétique à Enugu, en territoire nigérian. À l'automne 1968, la situation au Biafra est plus critique que jamais. Les services spéciaux français se détachent de l’affaire du Biafra et font pression sur lui pour influencer le président. Il refuse et donne sa démission à Ojukwu qui la refuse dans un premier temps puis accepte. Pour une altercation avec un garde, il est expulsé de la province sécessionniste. Il est alors approché par des soudanais pour entraîner les rebelles anyanyas du sud Soudan. Il est accueilli par le général Taffeng, chef de la rébellion depuis 1958 dans un camp de réfugiés où s'entassent quelques milliers de personnes. De retour en Europe, il fait une tournée de conférences afin de sensibiliser l'opinion au drame du Sud Soudan. Son pourvoyeur de fonds présumé lui fait défaut. Dès lors, il se retrouve seul, mais persévère.

En septembre 1969, il trouve des fonds et achète une tonne de médicaments, un groupe électrogène, des outils, une pompe hydraulique, une couveuse à poussins et cent kilos de graines de tomates. Il veut en effet créer une ferme expérimentale et un réseau de distribution de vivres. Il retourne donc pour le Sud Soudan et construit une première ferme expérimentale : Fort-Amory et un petit hôpital de brousse. Dès janvier 1970, la réalité de la guerre se rappelle à lui. La découverte d’un charnier l’amène à former un commando à 4 compagnies. En juillet, il monte un raid de nuit pour libérer deux cents femmes retenues prisonnières à Kajo Kajé. La seule opération militaire que l'on puisse lui imputer pendant son séjour au Sud Soudan réussit. Le 4 octobre 1970, il quitte le pays et regagne Kampala. Sollicité mais refusant de participer à l’élimination d’Idi Amin Dada, il est arrêté en Ouganda et livré aux autorités de Khartoum le 8 janv. 1971. Il est emprisonné et torturé par les Soudanais, il passera plusieurs années d'incarcération dans la terrible prison de Kober Jail avant d'être expulsé en 1974, grâce à l’intervention des autorités ouest-allemandes, Steiner passe trois ans et demi en prison. Il publie sa biographie, Le carré rouge (The last adventurer) en 1976. En 1976 le journaliste allemand Dr. Dietrich Strothmann a fait un reportage de Rolf Steiner (qui était en bonne santé) à Münster (Allemagne) vivant avec sa nouvelle femme et son petit-fils Oliver dans leur maison.