#no pics because no waterproof camera

[kragehund-est]

i just swimmt with the sharks

[punkeropercyjackson]

Needing more content that crossovers Miles,Percy,Jason and Hobie so here's some short headcanons i formed in my brainrot

'HELP WHY DO THEY LOOK THE SAME EVEN MORE THAN HER AND JASON DO' < Miles seeing Percy and Hobie side to side for first time

Dairy Super is The Anomalies hangout spot because it's the first place they went to as soon as Miles and Percy literally crashed into Jason on his motorcycle on the outskirts of Gotham as they shot out of the portals so they bring Hobie along sometimes.Hobie at first refused to eat there due to it being a food chain but Percy convinced him by telling him the company is eco-friendly and black founded

Miles and Hobie get mother hen'd by Percy a lot and it's justified by the circumstances they're all often in but she dosen't limit it to fussing and protecting and showers them in maternal affection too but cool older punk girl advice too

Jason on the other hand is real loose and started off as straight up irresponsible but made up for it and learned better after feeling guilty over it and nowadays he's more like their older brother they can rely on to bail them out and hype them up

Together they do art activities(for Miles),sea things(for Percy),gothic stuff(for Jason)and illegal shit(for Hobie).The most ommon ones are grand graffiti murals,surfing and ice cream afterwards,reading obscure horror novels and petty crime sprees.A universal activity they all heavily enjoyed from the start is arcades

They're also all big fans of rap but Jason and Hobie perfer metal and Miles and Percy perfer hiphop

Percy and Hobie did Miles and Jason's piercings for them-Miles has a nose ring,angel bites and studed ears and Jason has bridge,vertical labret and vertical stacks.Percy herself has a spider bite,forward helix on both ears,an eyebrow piercing and a tongue ring

The Anomalies are the White Streak Gang(Apollo Blessing streak that went from blonde to white with the intensity of the situation/faded from gray to white world carrying streak/Lazarus Pit Ressurection streak)and Hobie dyed one into his hair to match them at one point for fun

Hobie expected Percy to be a poser as she follows the no kill rule due to being part kryptonian and therefore a Superfam member only for Hydro(Percy's hero name)to decemate a bunch of Oscorp agents with the only mercy she gave them being letting them live and tells Miles maybe his sister is as cool as she looks afterall.Miles then has to inform Hobie him and Percy aren't related and it takes him several days to actually believe him

He also made fun of Jason and fucked with him when his Spider Mutant(Batspider)dna spiked up out of so much exposure to Miles' dna to his Lazarus Pit causing him to mutate into a Spiderperson and Percy openly encouraged him while Miles encouraged him discreetly because he found it hilarious but felt bad enjoying watching his basically older brother get clowned on by his boyfriend(Hobie also did not believe him on Jason not being related to him either and Miles G coming in around the same time didn't help the case)

Jason and Percy helped Miles and Hobie get together,i feel that goes without saying LMAO.Helped them do their first date looks too,Jason got Miles and Percy got Hobie and they spied on them too and Percy took pics on her waterproof camera and Jason provided the disguises

[jellofishingandwritting]

The Moon and the Crane

02. Interesting meeting

Masterlist

third pov:

The art class was big, on the second floor, it wasn't too hard to spot from the outside thanks to the decorated windows, which granted natural light to the whole class.

Photography club chose to use the pool as the photo shooting place, the reason why this led to art class getting closed was because, if some1 just decided to be funny the student could just jump off the class and ruin the shot.

Sadly for someone, students nor teachers checked if there was someone inside the classroom before locking it, that someone being name. Before on that day, she was approached by a photography club member, turns out they still needed some models, they offered credit which she couldn't decline.

Dressed in the outfit she was given, she accidentally fell asleep in the class (plot reasons) and now she was locked, forgetting her phone on the set, she thought of jumping off the window since it wasn't that tall, low chance of injury. Then suddenly the class door got open and there he stood, the moon.

With the door open, she could just run back to the set, but this idea was instantly thrown away, it was late, plus running with the dress and boots seemed like a hassle. Plan b it is, before the newcomer could react she opened the window, took an umbrella nearby and jumped.

On another floor, a photography member was wondering where was the model, then there she was, jumping off the window, "Quick get the camera!" someone shouted, seems that most of the viewers agreed on something, she looked beautiful. Just like a crane, and then she landed on the pool.

SPLASH After a moment of silence (name) got out, "Pwaa I'M SO SORRY FOR BEING LATE" She said apologetically, now she looked more like a turtle trying to get out of the pool, before she could apologize for the clothes a student handed her a towel and explained "oh no don't worry, we were planning to do the photoshoot on the pool, that's why the dress is kinda waterproof, we tried to make it waterproof"

Looks like the photo themes were sea animals, while the rest of the group was busy with the other model she got lost in her thoughts, the guy from the art class felt familiar, but she couldn't guess from where. Green eyes and blonde hair "cute" she muttered to herself, he reminded her of a puppy, wondering what he thought of her, she hoped their next meeting wouldn't be so random.

Notes ˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚

I'm bad at writing

Outfit is similar to the one from miss crane of fgo, specifically a mix btw second and third pic, shorter squirt, no hat and boots instead of heels, no fancy nails either

Jumping scene is based of that violet evergarden one, that's why the magical spawned umbrella

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚

[pinkguacamole]

Kayaking in Antarctica!!

In Antarctica you are at the mercy of rapidly changing extreme weather so we only ended up kayaking once- mostly due to high winds, but I had the chance to go out while it was snowing on our first day on the peninsula. Our guides were two awesome couples from Canada who own kayaking outfitters (and also like to boogie down) @capelahaveadventures and @learntokayak.

I wore merino wool base layers, fleece mid layers and a dry suit and I was really warm!

It was incredible to be on the water, hearing the crack of the ice and seeing gentoo penguins porpoise in and out of the water and *jump* onto land using a jet stream from their butts (farts?). My waterproof camera was acting faulty so I didn’t know if I got any good pics but I blindly pointed in the direction of penguins doing things and got some good shots! I do wish I had had the opportunity to kayak more because these moments were when I felt the closest to the magnificent nature around me, and everything is better when you work for it a bit, but such is life.

[whompthatsucker1981]

stupid looking images aside, i think i have better odds next time i go swimming/snorkeling because we found our 10+ year old digital camera in our stuff and it fits on the waterproof sleeve for phones. i still think i am gonna see fuck all on the display but at the very LEAST there's a button to press to take a fucking picture so i know i'm actually shooting something

it's fun to take pics that suck ass and experiment though

[islandadventurestours]

Experience the Famous Swimming Pigs: A Bahamian Adventure Tour

The Bahamas is a paradise of turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life. But did you know it’s also home to some of the world's most famous swimming pigs? These friendly pigs have made quite a splash on Rose Island and Big Major Cay, also known as Pig Beach. For anyone visiting Nassau, taking a Swimming Pigs Excursion is a must-do experience that combines adventure, fun, and unique interactions with these charming animals.

Why Visit the Swimming Pigs?

The swimming pigs of the Bahamas are a quirky, one-of-a-kind attraction that has become world-famous. These pigs aren’t just cute—they love meeting visitors! When you arrive at Pig Beach, you’ll see them eagerly paddling through the water, ready for snacks and photos. It's a delightfully unique sight that combines the beauty of the Bahamas with something unexpected.

What to Expect on the Swimming Pigs Excursion

Boat Ride from Nassau: The adventure begins with a scenic boat ride from Nassau. Depending on the tour you choose, it’s about a 30-45 minute journey to Rose Island or a bit longer to Big Major Cay. As you cruise over clear blue waters, you can relax and take in breathtaking views of the Bahamian islands.

Meet the Famous Swimming Pigs: Once you arrive, the pigs waste no time greeting you! They love to swim up to the boats and make a splash as they paddle around. Bring your camera because these pigs are camera-ready—they’re happy to pose and play, making for some unforgettable photos.

Time to Feed the Pigs: The pigs are friendly, but they can be a bit energetic when it comes to food! Most tours provide safe snacks that you can feed them, like fruits and veggies. Feeding them in the water is part of the fun, but it’s important to follow the guides’ instructions to ensure the safety of both you and the pigs.

Snorkeling and Beach Fun: Many Swimming Pig Tours also include time to relax on the island, snorkel, or swim. Rose Island and Pig Beach are known for their stunning underwater views, so bring your snorkeling gear! You’ll have the chance to explore beautiful coral reefs, colorful fish, and possibly even spot sea turtles.

Guides and Safety: The tour guides are knowledgeable and prioritize both your safety and the pigs’ well-being. They’ll share interesting facts about the pigs, answer any questions, and guide you through the best ways to interact with them.

Rose Island vs. Pig Beach: Which is Right for You?

Rose Island: Located close to Nassau, Rose Island is an easier and quicker option for a day trip. It’s perfect if you want to experience the swimming pigs but prefer a shorter boat ride. Many Rose Island tours offer additional amenities like beach bars, hammocks, and lounge chairs, making it a relaxing option.

Pig Beach, Big Major Cay: This is the original home of the swimming pigs, located in the Exuma district. It’s a bit further, so be prepared for a longer boat ride. However, it’s worth it for a chance to visit the place that made the swimming pigs famous worldwide.

Tips for an Amazing Swimming Pig Adventure

Book in Advance: This is a popular tour, so it’s best to book early to secure your spot. Many tours have small group limits, making for a more personalized experience.

Bring a Waterproof Camera: You’ll want to capture every moment, so a waterproof camera or GoPro is ideal for snapping pics of the pigs as they swim around you.

Respect the Pigs: The pigs are friendly, but remember they are still wild animals. Follow your guide’s instructions on how to approach them safely.

Pack Sunscreen and Swimwear: The Bahamian sun can be intense, so pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Also, wear swimwear that you don’t mind getting wet, as you’ll be hopping in and out of the water to interact with the pigs.

Beyond the Pigs: Other Island Adventures

The Bahamas offers a range of other exciting island adventures, from snorkeling with tropical fish and exploring hidden coves to visiting secluded beaches and even taking eco-tours of local wildlife. Consider adding stops like snorkeling on Rose Island’s reefs, swimming with sea turtles, or even enjoying a beachside BBQ to make the most of your trip.

Why the Swimming Pigs Tour Is a Must-Do in the Bahamas

A Swimming Pig Excursion is the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and pure fun. It’s a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the Bahamas while engaging with friendly animals who have become icons of the region. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, this tour offers a fantastic way to make memories you won’t soon forget.

[drewcline]

rafe as your boyfriend

(gif by @rafecameron)

a/n: this is non-canon rafe btw so he is not a misogynistic racist sociopath killer 🤩 and i’m gonna “assume“ he has gotten over his addiction since i don’t wanna romanticize that topic.

rafe would be such a sweet boyfriend omg like he would be 24/7 being a simp for you and totally own it like he just doesn’t care what his friends think

he would keep you a secret because he doesn’t want his family to know about you because he would be ashamed of how they treat him

regardless of that you two would have so much fun! boat dates! going snorkeling and bringing a waterproof camera to take cute videos and pictures of you!

omg omg and talk to the pilot of ward’s plane and take you for a ride!

he is an ass man like pope (we lost again flat ladies) and would squeeze it/grab it all the time don’t @ me

golf dates with him and his bros in which he would do that cliche thing of wrapping his arms around yours from behind to “teach you how to swing” and topper and kelce calling him whipped

buying you jewelry and lingerie because he “thought of you” and making you model it for him (if you are comfortable)

he would “introduce” you to his family in midsummers and by introducing you i mean arriving with you unannounced and saying “this is my girl” and leaving his family to dance with you

you cookig for him while he is sat on the stool and talking about what you are gonna do tomorrow! then he comes up behind you and makes you turn around so he can grab you by your cheeks and pull you into a kiss

movie mondays and taco tuesdays are YOUR thing and no one is gonna interfiere with those

why do i think that he would tattoo you? like not a couples tattoo just a tattoo that you have wanted to get for a long time and it’s a simple design so he offers and he is a pretty good artist!

everytime he kisses you he grabs you by the neck (fight me in this if you want to but i won’t accept anything else because i have had this in my mind since i saw that video)

him kissing your stretch marks, freckles, moles , etc to reassure you that you are beautiful just the way you are.

you would make him ditch the hair gel and let him have wild hair since it suits him better and tell him that he looks hot and he would stutter and blush because rafe is not used to being loved and appreciated

no seriously wtf he would love you so much its not even funny, he would want to be all the time with you and be touching you and kissing you

would get you a cute pitbull puppy (adopt don’t buy) for your birthday and be like “now we are a family” but would play it cool and act like its a not a big deal but he is nervous af

and you would compare him to the puppy and he would complain but he is loving it

chilling by the pool on your bikini and him whistling and yelling how hot you are in front of your other friends

brushing you hair when you have too many knots and you get angry so he laughs a little bit but later on decides to calm you down by grabbing the brush and softly touching your cheek “i got you baby”

being very close to wheezie and letting her in on your movie dates when she is feeling lonely or abandoned since rafe doesn’t want her to feel like he did for all of those years before he met you

he would flirt with you all the time! sometimes it’s cringy, sometimes it’s sweet but he does it and has the biggest smile on his face when you blush or look away and would kiss you right there

would bring you to fancy restaurants and buy you a nice dress that he liked for you and open the door for you

give you a ride on his bike and would teach you how to drive it. he would put his hands on top of yours to ensure your safety

you buying him flowers and messing with his long hair to make him blush and shy because he gets so shy and hide his face on your stomach/shoulder/whatever is closer to him at that moment

making him a video of all of your cute pics/moments with “ocean eyes” by billie eilish since the song reminds you of him and he would get emotional and tell you how much he loves you

making out in the jacuzzi in his house and being interrupted by rose is a daily occurrence for the both of you

stargazing on the hammock and talking about the future and how his experience with his dad doesn’t mean he is gonna be a terrible person or father and reassuring him that he is more than enough for you

[myhockeyworld87]

Everyday Makeup Recs and Tips

So before you even start you want to make sure you have a good skincare routine. I’m not an esthetician, so I’m not going to make recommendations for you as to what to use because everyone’s skin is different, but that being said here are some basics. Always wash your face twice a day even if you don’t wear makeup; once in the morning and then at night. I personally only cleanse my face once a day, at night after I take my makeup off. I remove my makeup and then use a Clairsonic with my cleanser. In the morning, I only wash my face with water as too much cleanser tends to dry out my skin. I do use Thayers witch hazel both morning and night as well as my Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Vitamin Eye Cream. I moisturizer day and night as well. I use a moisturizer with an SPF in it for day, but if you know you’re going to be in the sun for an extended period of time you may want to use a separate sunscreen as well.

 Now on to makeup…haha! I go back and forth about what I do first, but we’ll start with eyes in case you have fall out. I have a ton of different products, but the eyeshadows I love are from MAC, Lorac (Which creates a ton of fall out), KKW Beauty, and Anastasia of Beverly Hills. I’m not a fan of Urban Decay, I think all their shades are the same. If you’re looking for a neutral look, I love the Lorac LUX Diamond palette, $39 for 20 shades or MAC Amber Times Nine, which is nine shades for $32 but their shades last a bit longer than Lorac. I always prep my eyelid with concealer, MAC paint pot in Painterly or Tarte 12-hour Eye Primer. This will make your eyeshadow last longer. For this example, I’ll use the Lorac colors. I always put a base color like Carat on first all over the lid, so that I have a neutral base to start. I then take a color like Grand and go into the crease, sweeping it from the outer to the inner crease, using a tapered blending brush. All my brushes are MAC but really any brushes will do. I blend that up just slightly above the crease so that there is not a stark line (Blending is key). Then I go back in with a color like Lavish in the deep crease, only blending it midway, this color I will not blend up, but more in a v down to the outer corner or lid. (FYI I always tap the excess off the brush before going to apply it to the lid). I’ll take a color like Exclusive and do the outer crease/lid in that v as well darkening that look. (Honestly I’ve never written this out, so I may look for a couple pics to add in. I’m much better at demonstration.) Once everything is very blended, I’ll take the tip of my finger and go into a color like VIP or Crystal (This color is not orange like shown online), and start on the inner corner and tap that color in, then I’ll take a clean blending brush and blend it into the middle and outer lid. Lastly, I’ll take a color like Diamonds and sweep it across the brow bone lightly. So you should get a look similar to this, minus the eyeliner:

(not my photo via  bydrie.com but the link is old and the pic is no longer there. I’ve had it saved)

If I want it to be dramatic, I’ll line both the eye and the waterline on the lid (like the photo is). Yes the waterline is a bitch to line. I really love Marc Jacob Highliner Gel crayon but it’s $26 dollars, so that’s a bit steep I know, but it really goes on nice and stays on. Personally, certain eyeliners tend to wear funny on me, so I use this on my bottom waterline and then smudge it in and it stays all day. I have used Maybelline EyeStudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner as well on the upper lid and I do like this and the way it wears; I also like to use this if I do a winged eye as well (which is rare and I don’t do on an everyday look).

 Let’s move on to foundation. Doing your eyes first gives a time for your moisturizer to sink into your sink, which I like; but that’s just me. If you have and blemishes, roscia or dark spots you’re looking to cover, use a color corrector. Sephora $14 (and have been on special for $7) has some great easily blendable ones. Green for red spots and peach to cover the dark. I recommend only doing these if you’re not using an airbrush foundation. Apply them before your foundation and just blend them out lightly, they help neutralize the skin. I use a beauty blender to blend both this and the foundation in. My go to foundations, Tarte Face Tape, MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid (a great dupe that I have used for MAC in a pinch is Revlon Colorstay if you’re looking for a drugstore brand)

 I follow up with my undereye concealer, my absolute must have on this is Tarte Shape Tape concealer. I usually use it in a shade lighter than my foundation to brighten my eye. I blend it out with a small beauty blender (obviously this is the cheaper version at Walmart or Target because I throw this away after a month, kind of like a loofah).

 If you like to contour, now’s the time. A cheap one that I like is ELF Contour Palette. If you’re a beginner, start off with a powder it’s easier to use, but feel free to try the cream. My key advice, you are not a Kardashian doing a photo shoot, so do not leave this huge line separating your contour on your face. Blend that shit out, you’ll just look fake if you don’t. 

(Found this pic on google and this is a great example, minus the tip of the nose contour.)

Set the look with a setting powder, this is a translucent loose powder so it won’t make you look caked on or fake like pressed powder does. ELF makes a very inexpensive one $6, it’s their high definition powder. I just use a face brush for this. I’ll then add some blush. I love, love, love NARS orgasm, it literally goes with everything. A great dupe for this, but is hard to find is Mary Kay Shy Blush. Apply to the apples of your cheeks for that extra glow. I don’t recommend a highlighter for an everyday look. I’ll also use a setting spray like MAC fix+ or Tarte or Morphe, you can literally use anyone that you like. I think I have 4 on my counter right now…haha. I do this before my mascara because I always blink and that shit isn’t dry and then it’s everywhere.

 So now mascara, I’m going to just take this from my bridal tips:

Mascara, I recommend waterproof if you’re a crier like me...lol. I’m a fan of Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Splashes. I usually prep with Lancome’s CIL Booster XL Enhancing Lash Primer, it helps keep my lashes separated, but if you don’t want to spend the money on that, take a little of that translucent powder I talked about earlier, coat an old mascara wand, or a disposable one with the powder and brush it onto your lashes before adding mascara. I’ve done this little trick numerous time and it works like a charm. You can also wear fake lashes, if you don’t have a pair that you like, Adrell has great ones that look natural and so does Eylure. I always use Duo lash glue when I wear them as well.

Another mascara I like is Maybelline Lash Sensational. I feel like it doesn’t clump and wears very well. If you don’t like your lashes and are looking to get them fuller and longer I totally recommend in getting Grande Lash  MD Lash Enhancing Serum ($65). It’s a commitment, you need to put it on every night in the beginning but it does work. Also the tiny tube will last about 3 to 4 months.

 Phew I think that’s it for now. If you have any questions, feel free to send them to inbox or DM me. I love sharing tips!!!

[angrylizardjacket]

Alright Alright Alright let’s talk about Ash at the 91st Oscars

she is tempted to not even go, not that she doesn’t believe they’ll win, it’s just that she’s tired after thirty or so years of award shows.

it’s rami explicitly saying ‘i want you to be there, please’ that convinces her. if he wins best actor and she misses it she knows she’ll regret it.

she has her hair straightened and pinned up, a sleek black suit with shiny black floral detailing, and a red silk undershirt, with black kitten heels (she’s shorter than usual and joe tries to pinch her cheek and call her adorable but she smacks his hand - this is caught on camera in the back of someone else’s interview)

ash gets a group photo with the boys and allen that immediately goes on Joe's instagram captioned 'male friends ft. Ma Rocket' and ash reposts it with the caption 'accidentally adopted this cast i guess. me and the male friends. 2019.' (listen, present!ash on social media and being protective of the borhap cast is something i have a lot of thoughts about)

she also gets a photo with lucy and gillian captioned 'me and my favourite adopted children. 2019.' joe and ben are play upset on their instagram stories. rami and gwil just comments a bunch of hearts.

in terms of her own kids reactions':

astrid likes the photo

cate comments: that's valid

barney comments: my two favourite sisters (astrid and cate both like this comment, neither responds)

also consider ash calling joe ‘trixie’ on live tv in an interview, and ben crashing the interview to announce that he’s the favourite. ash goes on a thirty second tangent to fix his bowtie and compliment his outfit and steal his sunglasses. “but anyways, i love all my children equally, but gillian’s my favourite,” she says with a completely straight face wearing ben’s sunglasses with him pouting in the background

during queen’s opening performance, she’s mostly fine until the very end of we are the champions, and the sparks begin to rain down, and the clip of freddie plays and it all hits her, where she is and how much it took to get here, and she genuinely has to leave because she starts bawling her eyes out. (her makeup’s mostly waterproof so she doesn’t have to touch up too much and she manages to sneak back before borhap wins anything, but she starts crying again during rami’s acceptance speech)

barney is at the oscars because he was in a critically successful movie that earned the director a nomination, and there’s series of photos taken by a photographer that later find their way to roger’s instagram;

a photo of barney at the after party lifting ash up off the ground and spinning her around as they’re both beaming

both and ash and roger standing before him, their arms linked and their back to the camera, and ash is holding one of his hands, and roger has a hand on his shoulder, and barney just looks so fucking proud of both of them???

roger and barney in a very tight hug, and ash giving them both adoring looks

barney holding out his phone, as if he’s trying to get all three of them in shot while their backs are all to the photographer, and the picture pics up the image of cate and astrid on screen, face timing them; everyone is beaming

the series is captioned ‘won’t you hear us sing our family song?’

(BONUS: a series of videos on ben’s instagram story, all posted in the space of 30 minutes;

drunk barney saying these actual words to an also drunk joe: how dare you try and steal my mother for your nefarious purposes

joe, vaguely incomprehensible, trying to convince barney that it’s all part of a joke but also not a joke and he just adores her (in the middle of their argument, ben crash zooms into ash in the background behind them eating cheese. she throws a piece at roger and giggles)

“What the fuck, yes I know what a meme is!” Barney shouts, and proceeds to show joe the memes he has saved on his phone (ash and roger, out of focus in the background, walk out of frame)

‘luke tagged me in this one like a week ago’

it devolves into joe excitedly looking at memes and pictures of barney’s cat

‘dude is he wearing a sweater?’

‘ma made him it for christmas and it’s somehow the only clothing he tolerates’

‘rocket made your cat a sweater for christmas?’ joe is visibly teary at the idea

barney and joe, completely incomprehensible, just enthusing about ash

“this man is my brother!” barney with his arm around joe, talking to the camera very seriously

‘what about me?’ ben asks from behind the camera

‘oh obviously, you’re so much less nefarious than him, i never had a problem with you, dude.’

joe getting up in arms about being called nefarious and the fact that barney was apparently cool with the rest of the cast being adopted by ash

they seem to quickly make peace, though it’s at least twenty minutes later, as the last set of videos is joe and barney recreating the ‘you are my dad! (you’re my dad. boogie woogie woogie woogie!)’ vine, except it’s ‘mum’, and ben spins quickly to catch ash for a reaction. she’s holding roger’s hand and both of them look a little less than pristine, a little rumpled; not like super noticeably, but you could see ash’s jacket sitting a little skewed in person. she looks visibly startled by the attention, and also like she didn’t see or if she did, didn’t understand, the boys.

‘what the-’

joe: ‘where’ve you guys been anyway? gwil and brian were looking for you they want a photo’ the camera spins back around to film him, and barney is just looking at his parents through narrowed eyes. it dawns on him.

[ash, from off camera, like a warning: trixie-]

barney: joe, shut up. ma- (he looks at the camera, as if suddenly remembering) I gotta go; christ, guys. (he leaves, joe looks confused)

the camera spins back to ash and roger. ash looks embarrassed but pleased, roger is grinning.

ash: this feels familiar

roger: maybe fifty years ago

[joe, from off camera, barely audible as if he’s trying to be quiet: okay, alright, i already know too much about you guys-]

ben, also off camera, zooming uncomfortably close to roger’s face where roger’s laughing, with ben speaking as if whispering into the microphone: i played him in a movie you know

[ash, not visible as the screen is entirely filled with roger’s cheeky grin: ben stop that.]

okay so this is real long and real dumb but i love my kids.

[jasondahlia1-blog]

It Is Located In The Cusco Region

It Is Located In The Cusco Region

]), is a 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District in Peru, above the Sacred Valley, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary structures are the Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of how they originally appeared. By 1976, thirty percent of Machu Picchu had been restored and restoration continues. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll.

THIS IS WELL WORTH IT! You will marvel at how these fit Andean Peruvians literally run up and down the trail with huge packs on their back. This is the one and only Rogelio, aka “Roho”. If you can’t hike the Inca Trail, you can take the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes then the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. You don’t need a special permit to do this. 48 dollars and you must show your passport. Also, the line for the bus can be two hours long! As for the train, you should purchase tickets ahead of time. 90 EACH WAY depending the time and type of train.

The fancy train is called the Vistadome. If you buy first class tickets you will be served a light meal. They even have music and a fashion show on the train (then aggressively sell you things). You must have tickets to Machu Picchu ahead of time. You can either buy them in Cusco or online. The Instituto Nacional de Cultura in Cusco City and the Machu Picchu Cultural Center in Aguas Calientes both sell tickets. This is not a sure bet, however. Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can only officially issue 2,500 entrance tickets to Machu Picchu each day. During the peak season of June to September they often sell out.

If you just want to get this stress out of the way you can buy online. Third party ticket vendors may charge up to double, hence it’s better to use the official government site. Hiking Huanya Picchu (that mountain peak you see in all the Machu Picchu pictures) is an option, however it is limited. They only allow 400 people per day to do this in divided groups. Sadly, I missed out on this because of food poisoning. What is it like to hike the Inca Trail you ask? In Cusco we stayed at the Hotel Marqueses. It was included in the SAS tour but prices are reasonable, the location is perfect and the hotel is beautiful with very nice staff. You will be camping as you hike the Inca Trail.

If you opt to spend the night at Machu Picchu and hike Huanya Picchu the next day you can stay in nearby Aguas Calientes, which has mostly small hotels and hostels and is not known for its fine accommodations. I sadly cannot recommend anything since nobody was happy with their hotels. There is only one hotel right in Machu Picchu called Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. It is 5 stars and expensive but if you feel like a splurge, this would be the place and you will deserve it after all that hiking and camping. Being prepared for Cusco City Tour as the Inca Trail is integral to your experience.

This is perhaps the most important item and worth investing in. These don’t require “breaking in”, are waterproof and breathable and very comfortable. I didn’t have ankle pain or blisters. They come in other colors then the pic below. I learned a lot about backpacks on this trip! I’m a small person and a 18-25 L backpack was just big enough. My water bladder was only 1.5L , but it worked for me. I drank approximately 3L or more per day. At meals additional fluids are provided in the morning and also at night. In addition, the porters filled our bladders with freshly boiled clean water. Size The pack needs to fit with your torso. Venting Packs with a curved back and venting so that your back doesn’t touch it really help with sweating. Shoulder and Waist Straps These should be well padded, otherwise it can get painful really quickly.

Water bladder Consider the size and look for hose straps to keep it in place. You don’t want it flailing all over the place. Having a cover for the mouthpiece to keep it clean is nice. Rain protection Some packs have integrated rain covers which is very handy. Some are sold separately. I recommend going to your nearest outdoorsy store and finding someone who knows their stuff and try them on. Camelback Day Star 18 L Hydration Pack I like this one and it’s very basic. It may not be large enough for a larger person. I buy everything lightweight and packable so my things are very small.

I was able to fit my mirrorless camera, GoPro with stick, snacks, sunblock, 2 bugsprays, hats, a couple layers and rain jacket. Osprey Tempest This is the bag I use for basically everything. It doesn’t come with water bladder but has a hydration sleeve designed for it. This bag is specially shaped for women’s body and has all kind of cool features, pockets, front stuff sack and little easy to reach zipped sunglasses or snack pouch on the top. It also has loops on the side to hold trekking poles, as well as a helmet clip on the front. The mesh air vent back is great for preventing you from getting too hot. Water Bladder This is the size I use for the Tempest Backpack shown above.

With bigger bags you can get the 3L size but 2L works well for me. Rain Cover You should always be prepared to protect your bag if it doesn’t come with it’s own integrated rain cover. This one fits the size bag I use. If you buy a large bag look for a larger size rain cover. This one squishes into a tiny bit of material and is light and easy to carry along. I prefer lightweight jacket such as the NorthFace Resolve jacket. It has many nice features, also is comfortable, well-made and comes in many colors. Some hikers opted for a poncho, which you can purchase very cheaply immediately before your hike at the starting point.

This covers you AND your backpack. The pants that convert to shorts are really not a great idea here because of bugs. Something that dries fast and water repellant is perfect. I used the Patagonia Quandary Pants. They have a nice shape, lots of pockets, sun protection and were fine with light rain. The other pant I took is the Athleta Bettona Jegging. I adore these pants and get so many compliments on them. They are athletic leggings that look like jeans with pockets. They come in petite, tall, plus and 4 colors. I wear these for flying, exercising, lounging, sleeping or hiking. I am wearing them in the cover photo.

Rain pants are something to consider. I did not bring these and luckily did not need them. They are WARM, as most waterproof materials are. It gets very cold at night at the high elevations. I slept in these. My new fave brand is 32 degrees, Inexpensive, warm and lightweight. You need a sun protection hat and a warm hat. It gets dark early and at camp you will need this to get around, to see in your tent and for nighttime bathroom runs! The last morning involves hiking in the dark. You can get on Amazon! Sometimes you need to keep wet things separated from dry things in your backpack and you want to keep important things, like cameras and phones, dry.

I used these wet and dry sacks and they were very handy! There is little shade along the trail and long days at high elevation in the sun, which is a recipe for sun damage. The sun ages the crap out of your skin and I don’t think anyone likes looking older right? This is my favorite sunscreen. No chemical ingredients and it works. Make sure to reapply every two hours, more if sweating. The mosquitos in Peru are VICIOUS. I recommend bug spray with at least 30% DEET but I dislike using this near my face. I did some research then purchased what is supposedly the only herbal that works, “Repel Lemon Eucalyptus”. It smells nice and I used in from the chest up and those annoying gnats stayed away. However, you may need something strong and how about this adorable travel size one?

Simply put, your body compensates for less oxygen by hyperventilating and this hyperventilation leads to chemical changes that can cause nausea, headache, fatigue, dizziness and appetite changes. The trekking companies all have oxygen available for emergencies. Acclimatizing properly is very important. Hydration is probably the most important factor in combatting altitude effects. Diamox (Acetazolimide) requires a prescription in the United States but is cheaper and available without a prescription in Cusco. This drug helps with the altitude sickness but I personally don’t like it. It is a diuretic therefore you will urinate more. This increases your risk of dehydration. Gingko Biloba A coworker gave me this tip.

[zagreusboon]

Okay okay okay okay okay

So I want a instant camera but I don’t like the looks of some of them but that doesn’t matter right now

When looking at the camera quality that I want it would be the photo on the right

But as the polaroid on the left. That pic is perfect to me. But an issue I find with instant cameras is the pic quality when it comes to color is the that saturation isn’t rich enough to me

like so

But! In my research I’ve found out that there are portable bluetooth printers that can print polaroids from your phone no camera needed! And with the apps you can adjust the photo quality and such which can is a plus

So there’s the instax that uses actual polaroid film then there’s the canon one that uses sticker paper to stick the photos anywhere. The thing is like I said polaroid quality might not be up to snuff whereas the canon mini printer has better color

Also in another one of this person’s vids the canon photos are not waterproof. And with more research instax has instant cameras and this one called mini liplay has a screen and you don’t have to print every photo you take which is a downside for previous contenders. And for the liplay I actually like the look of the camera itself.

And also you can print photos from your phone with the liplay so another plus. Now the only thing is….. it’s kinda hard to get your hands on. And yeah I could buy a full pack on amazon which is kinda pricy and mom would be up and arms

tldr: So I could buy a mini printer which is 99 dollars or bite the bullet and go with the instax mini liplay camera

All this because I wanna take pics of my gundams. I still gotta do laundry and it’s past 8 pm

[lockdownuk]

Lockdown Diary Part 11

A personal account during the lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

23/03/2020 8:30pm Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, gives a live address to the nation to, effectively, put the country on lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain, Covid-19.Many of us have been self-isolating for days but this latest development within the UK in reaction to the pandemic feels very serious and very scary. I decided to keep a simple diary and where better but online.

Day 301: Up at 1pm after a good few bevvies last night. usual Saturday stuff but my walk was astop/start affair due to yet more flooding. 

Facebook today informed me that Karen Wyles died suddenly. It really shocked me. I saw Guy and Gail while out walking (nice to bump into them and chat) and they told me it was a heart attack! I sent K a WhatsApp just in case she’d not heard. I put a few words on FB. I had known Karen for a long time and, while I took the piss a lot, she was a friend (that I often didn’t deserve) and a good person....I felt a responsibility to say something nice as a small homage.

During the week I ordered new boots (since my Merrells are fucked after only  few months but I am getting my money back) and, today, I also ordered McKenzie Attwood trainers (£20 cheap as fuck from JD Sports sale), slippers and jogging bottoms from Amazon. 

Now I am going to have pizza, drink, smoke and watch The Equalizer 2 (for the umpteenth time - I watched the first one last night). I could watch Tenet - Miles has given me his Amazon login details, which is pretty fucking cool of him, but I’m not in the mood.

Posh beat MK 3-0 at home. I fucking love beating them. It’s extremely satisfying.

Right, it’s Saturday, it’s nearly 9pm, time I got on it.

Day 302: Not the most mental night last night but still 4am-ish when I went to bed, so I am very pleased to type that I was up before my alarm this morning. But, also, as I type, at gone 10pm, I am fucking knackered. Just about to tuck into spicy-as-fuck sauasage casserole, wtach MotD2 and then bed!

Day 303: Slippers arrived today but they’re going back. Too tight in the left foot. I’m not wearing slippers in FFS!

Day 304: New trainers (McKenzie Attwoods) arrived. Now, this footwear I shall keep. £20, bargain.

Posh came from a goal down to beat Charlton at home 2-1. Nice.

I made some veg soup today and, quite frankly, it’s fucking stupidly chilli-fied. Barely edible.

Day 305: New trainers are sweet - wore them for my morning exercise routine. Pretty comfy - after a few wears, they’ll be ace, I think.

Got served notice on the house on Monday (why I didn’t enter that on day 303, I do not know). Lynda, from Woodfords, says a semi-detached place in Havelock Cottages is coming up that looks promising. I contacted Emily at Aspire today, there’s a two bed terrace in Basset Place coming up so i am looking at that on Monday. Choice of 2 I do hope! First is £700 pm, second £725.

Day 306: Flipping frustrating “nothing works” day at work, It’s been like it all year so far. Tbf, Sueanne gets it and is quite supportive, even though she dives in when I’ve been dealing with problems that drag on! It’s Thursday, I can’t wait for tomorrow and, I am all to aware, I am wishing what little life I have left away.

Spoke with dad, he had his first vaccination jab on Tuesday in Spalding - he said it was a very efficient process (he was full of praise) and that the jab itself was no bother, with no after effects apart from a slightly sore arm. Excellent!

Day 307: Not even one beer (Saporro) in, and I feel wasted. A toke has helped.

Day 308: New Scarpa boots arrived today and, while they will need some wearing in, I did the stair climb and a 45min walk in them. I think they are going to be ace. Just as well as the Merrells are falling apart.

I have decided to listen to the Rush back catalogue, 2112 (4th) is playing as I type. It’s been a trip down memory lane and a bloody good one!

I had a few beers last night, as yesterday’s entry confirms, which included a video catch up with Fog, Ham and Andy P. Gonna chat with Fog later tonight as well.

I watched King of Statten Island last night. I liked it but, in some parts, it was smultzy as hell, rendering it a 6/10. Later, I’m watching Outside the Wire and eating pizza. Can’t wait!

I reset my mobile yesterday ‘cos it’s been playing up. What a fucking ball ache, logging on to all the different apps, all the little settings you get so used to, only to miss them when set back to defaults. Things like the camera settings - photo size and watermark....ooooh, just realised, ‘first world problems’! Get a grip, Tim!

Day 309: SNOW! Thick and crisp and uneven. I walked 11.9km in it today and it fucking well knackered me out. The old Merrells held their own in the snow as well, totally waterproof and, for such a light boot, remarkably warm. I will actually be sorry to see them go.

Danny sent me a link to a free week’s worth of receipes from Hello Fresh (he’s nuts for it) so I and ordered one, worth nearly £40! 

Posh won away from home yesterday at Ipswich. Now, get this: the stats on the BBC’s report showed Posh had no shots on target but still won 0-1. How, might one ask? Own goal, that’s how. Piss funny!

Day 310: I am aching today. Walking in the snow yesterday certainly exercised different muscles than walking in mud. And, today, I walked less than normal, usual lunchtime but only 4km (instead of 8) in the evening. 

‘Cos of the snow, the woman from Aspire cried off showing me around 3 Bassett Place. At first I was well pissed off but, looking at the roads and traffic situation around Oundle, it was the right decision (she’d have had to get here from Nassington - a bit treacherous),

It’s just gone 8pm. I am going to eat and go to bed. It’s too fucking cold even with the heating on!

Day 311: Rearranged the viewing of Bassett Place tomorrow - I rang them ‘cos I saw it advertised on Facebook, FFS! My walk tonight was mad...melting snow, rain/sleet, ice made for fucking hard work. Plus, since I am wearing in the new Scarpas, I wore the Merrells. The right boot is now, most definitely not waterproof! Got home about 8pm, changed bed sheets, showered and made diner...bloody knackered. It’s now 11pm and I am off to beddy byes.

Day 312: Viewed Bassett Place and I really like it. It is advertised at £750pm but Emily (from Aspire) said it was £725. Sarah, who showed me round said there may be some leeway for the right tenant so i’ve asked if it could be done for £700. If so, I’ll take it. It’s a large two bed mid terrace, bigger than here (36, East Road), similar type place, just what I want. Fingers crossed.

Day 313: Having slept on it, I do believe I definitely want 3 Bassett Place. I phone Sarah at Apsire to say as much. She told me she’d forwarded my details and offer to the landlord and is waiting to hear. As yesterday, fingers crossed.

I couldn’t take the pic of the field for the Morning Walk album, too flooded due to melting snow. On that note, my new boots are getting worn in both by wear and by superficial looks, it’s that filthy out there. I need to clean them. I wonder that, if I’d cleaned the Merrells, they might have lasted a bit longer. That being said, no amount of cleaning would have save the soles from wearing as thin as quickly as they did.

Day 314: Typing on Day 315. I didn’t get Bassett Place, the landlord gave it to a couple who offerred full asking price. To say I was fucked off is an understatement. I phoned Emily to let her know as much. Tbf, she explained that the snow (delaying my original viewing) wasn’t her fault and that she is at the mercy of the landlord. Fair enough, when I heard her POV. But, I am still gutted. I should have gone for the full £750!

Glad the working week is over (I am really wishing my life away so far this year).

Long walk to Cotterstock - amazing light behind the clouds with a wolf moon (which I just looked up - full moon, basically) - I just wish I was a bit better at night photography, or at least the camera on the Mi9 was. However, once I tweak them a bit and post them, the feed back is usually good. In fact, I posted one on the move last night and someone on FB has asked if they can paint it!

Meatballs for tea and beers.

I have decided, when the year of this log is up, that I’ll end it (the diary, not my life, though that dark thought is never far away!). I have reached this decision because, while this diary is really only for me, it is as boring as fuck, really. I’ll continue to write a log but randomly, when the day’s events warrant it. It’ll be on the main Tumblr.

Day 315: Typing this on day 316. Up at 1pm-ish. Morning exercise routine, long walk curtailed by flooding (again!) more beers, smokes and trash food. Posh lost 2-0 away to Shrewsbury (a bit of a bogey team).

Day 316: Up at 1pm yet again. I really didn't feel like any exercise but I did the usual regardless. Google Fit isn’t fucking working!

I have got to start stopping these ridiculously late Friday and Saturday nights. My weekend is over before it’s begun. This coming Friday, I am not going to do the really long walk in the evening that i have become accustomed to - just a 8km one that I do most evening, and then start drinking earlier so as to go to bed early. If I can get out of bed in the Saturday morning, perhaps do a couple of long walks so as to get the weekly steps up.

Day 317: My left foot, during my lunchtime walk, killed. I must have sopped and undone & redone my laces 6 times. Dunno wtf is going on with the Scarpas. I wore my Merrells for the evening walk. I tried to got to Cotterstock but it was too flooded on the road just before the bridge!

Ordered new joggers, a boot brush and some new wireless earbuds (Mifo 05 plus Gen 2 - bought them off eBay -I hope they are the real deal, it’s the very latest spec and £74.99 instead of £89.99 from the Mifo website).

Day 318: I went shopping at 10.15pm mainly for pizza and party food since I have booked Monday off because it’s the Superbowl (Tampa vs Kansas) and booze! No fucking Sapporo. It was eerie shopping that late at the superstore in Corby. Boots still hurting (Merrells in the evening). Day 319: New ear buds arrived. Well impressed. So did the boot brush (BootBuddy) - on that note, boots weren’t so bad at lunchtime. I didn’t wear them in the evening but I think it’s just a ‘wearing them in’ thing, hopefully.

Day 320: Hello Fresh delivery day. I had pork and chipotle black bean tacos with pickled red onion, chipotle tomatoes and lettuce. It’s a good set up, decent ingredients and nice recipe sheets...but I don't need it, I’m good enough in the kitchen. And, I am no fan of minced pork. I am not being a fair judge though. Today, my sugars have been all over the place over 21 and under 2 mmol/L. I nearly fell asleep trying to recover from a low before my evening walk. When I got back (soaked - it was pissing down), I was over 21 by the time I had cooked it all....puts me off actually eating, even though I have to! Rang Barry Haddon today, to see how he is. I think he’s OK but, strangely, told me, during conversation, that he’s 77 years old. I don't think so! I also texted Posh Dave. I think he’s struggling being on his own (he lost mum and dad last year, I think). I must make more contact with him. I might call him over the weekend.

Day 321: Typing on Day 322 (well, 1am on day 323 actually). It was nice finishing work knowing I have Monday off. I also din’t do an extra long walk this evening as with most Fridays. Cooked the send Hello fresk meal, Mango chicken tacos -diced chicken thighs - it was alright. Rog video called so had a good chat with him and I invited Foggy to it (he was at his cousin John’s funeral today), so the three of us chewed the cud for a bit. I then went onto get fucking shitfaced. I couldn’t make it to bed with low sugars, lying on the runner rug, fell asleep, got up and could only make it top the living room rug..I felt so dodgy but I was too fucked and too full to even take more than a swig of coke. I think I’m going to fall asleep one drunken night, slip into a coma and then die. I can think of worse ways to go. Day 322: Typing  very late, it’s actually Sunday morning, 1.07am. I got out of bed at gone 2.30pm today. I managed my morning routine and a 8km walk (in the Scarpas, they are getting more comfortable since my episode of pain a few days ago; definitely a wearing in process). No booze after last night’s debacle. I am going to hit it during the Superbowl tomorrow though. The Hello fresh meal tonight was pasta chicken bake with pepper and courgette. Fucking lovely and I coudln’t eat it all. I’ve lerant that adding creme fresh to pasta, whacking it on top of meat and sauce on a casserole bowl and baking it for 15 minutes is the way to go. I watched The Dig tonight. It’s a good film but fucking glum. Posh won at home to Crewe today, 2-0. They are now 4th. Day 323:Bright as a button today, up at around 11:00am despite switch in the bedroom light off at just before 3am. Today’s walk was fucking hard work. It’s wintry, the wind was keen, strong and full of icy particles just not quite sleet. The fields between Park Wood and Monson Way were bloody tough. One wrong foot and you’d slip over. I did about 10 km; it took over 2 hours and felt like twice the distance.  I’ve just eaten Hello Fresk teryaki mince. It was good. One beer in, a film (probably One Night in Miami) and then Superbowl time. Day 324: The Superbowl was good. Tampa beat Kansas 31-9. The second half was a damp squib since Kansas never made a go of it. Tom Brady won his 7th ring. He is to American football what Federer is to tennis. The Weeknd half time show was excellent. So, it was about 4am I went to bed, nicely pissed. Up at just after 1pm. Exercise, omelette, long walk, done some washing. About to make the last Hello Fresh meal and watch One Night in Miami which I didn’t manage last night.   Richard sent me a message (screen shot of a) house up for shared ownership in Oundle (Sharmann & Quinney) - I need to look into what that is all about.

Day 325: Shared ownership isn’t straightforward and, actually, I have discovered that I need to look at something call ‘older persons shared ownership’ when I hit 55. Jon at work wants me to get involved in two additional pieces of work, he told me at the SUMO today (Sueanne is off) - he did say that “that’s what happens if you have a day off! Finished the last of the Hello Fresh (last night’s sausage bolognese including homemade garlic bread using a Tiger loaf from Co-Op which was reduced to 28p. I didn’t watch One Night in Miami last night. Shock. Day 326: I spoke with Lynda from Woodfords yesterday, viewing 13 Havelock Cottages tomorrow. Also, yesterday, Posh beat Ipswich 2-1 at home. They came from behind. Ipswich have never beaten Posh away. Simon Banwell posted on FB berating some new legislation whereby potentially people who travel and lie about it (the destination) are liable for 10 years in prison. His gripe is people get less for murder. I am beyond words...the potential for mass deaths of such actions! I tried to argue that case but it is, as always on social media, flogging a dead horse. Rachel Harris jumped on Simon’s bandwagon whereas Tim Francis posted a ‘well said’ to me (I think it’s genuine). Day 327: Carrying on directly from above; Candice Bellingsea, Rachel’s niece, Carla’s daughter, was also ‘vocal’ in defence of Simon’s post, joining in with the clamour for relaxation of lockdown (at the expense of safety) - citing more people commit suicide because of the mental pressure than die of covid. Well, today, I investigated and posted a FB status to poo-poo such claims. It felt good (and right) to address Candice’s ridiculous post albeit, I didn’t call her out directly but did have part of her comment on Simon’s post directly quoted in my status. I went to see 13 Havelock today. It’s OK. Not perfect but more than alright. When I left there I was very much in two minds but now, at 10:30pm, the place is growing on me. Still part of me thinks to hold out - I have got around 5 month’s notice left - but, if I let it go (and Lynda from Woodford’s has already said the landlord is happy for me to move in), I might regret it. I keep thinking of 3 Bassett Place though...if only I had said yes to £750 straightaway. That place would be perfect, I reckon. One major concern with 13 is the neighbours. There’s no way I could have my usual Friday and Saturday night revelry. But...I’ll sleep on it. I have only just finished doing some work - pissing about with Smartview Essbase (with Simon Welch’s help - he’s a bloody good bloke - no need to be so helpful, but he’s more than happy to be) - I sent him a Teams message to arrange a catch up tomorrow with some questions I have regarding the installation - he only bloody answered - working as late as I am! I have managed to watch some of One Night in Miami. Going to finish it now with a dirty, microwave hamburger for tea.

Day 328: Typing on day 329. Usual Friday but not so mad in the evening. One Night in Miami was good. For Friday’s viewing I chose Greenland. Not so good. Only 4 beers and two spliffs. I’m getting old! Day329: Up at 1pm, usual exercise including a long old walk. It included walking along the river (Oundle Mill bridge to the marina) for the fist time this year. The floods are in evidence but, obviously, receded enough to get through - that, or the resulting water, mud and boginess is frozen. I really enjoyed it today but it was freezing - the wind was evil at certain points. Tea’s on the go, beer in hand and I am going to watch War Dogs.  Posh’s game was off today due to a frozen pitch. Day 330: Typing on day 331. It wasn’t a mad Saturday night but mad enough to not be up until gone midday. Another nice long walk, Walk and eat is all I really do nowadays. I can’t even muster any enthusiasm to do housework since I am going to be out of here soon. I called Posh Dave in the evening. It was good to chat and I think he appreciated the call. He’s on his own and struggling, I get the impression. He told me both Matt Baxter (bowel) and Adi Mowles (neck) are undergoing treatment for cancer.

[junker-town]

This balloon race started in St. Louis and accidentally ended in the Canadian wilderness

A balloon in the snow. Not specifically the one in this story, but they didn’t pack their camera so no actual pics. | Getty Images

“And we’ll all float on, alright.”

I have three thoughts about hot-air balloons: they look eerily peaceful, they’re key to one of the internet’s best videos, and I will never ride in one. That last bit has been fully cemented by the story that follows.

There is an international, hot-air balloon race called the Gordon Bennett Cup, which has a unique but simple premise. Each year, teams of aeronauts meet at a location and see who can fly the furthest distance from the launch site. They just kinda … go, then at some point they say, “that’s enough!” But when to say “enough,” can be a tough question, and sometimes it’s not up to the aeronauts to decide. Suspense!

Now, the key to flying a balloon is that you need some weather — ideally weather that is good. But the tricky thing about weather, and what separates it from humans, is that it has the ability to change. While cancellations due to weather are extremely rare in this particular race, a pleasant takeoff doesn’t prevent voyages from wandering into less balloonable conditions.

In 1908, during the third Gordon Bennett Cup, an American balloon hit a large patch of fog, then found itself stranded in the North Sea. In 1926, multiple crews were killed by a lightning storm that set at least one balloon aflame and forced several others to crash-land. In 1995, a Belarusian attack helicopter shot down an American balloon that had drifted into their airspace. Helicopters aren’t weather, but that example also highlights an important lesson when ballooning: expect the unexpected.

I, for one, would have never expected that conditions can also be too good, but then again I will never be an aeronaut. Picture a sky so clear that you can see everything before you. You’re able to reach breathtaking heights. The sun and the moon are simultaneously in view on opposite ends of the horizon. You drift along at somewhere between 10 and 20 miles per hour, hoping to be the last balloon afloat. And then you realize that you’re over the Canadian wilderness with no humanity in sight. That happened to a pair of Americans in 1910.

Alan Hawley and Augustus Post (who was born in Brooklyn in 1873 but I’m certain I saw the other day in 2021’s Brooklyn) departed from St. Louis on October 17th, 1910, in the America II. The fact that they made a sequel to a balloon makes me assume America I didn’t have a great time, but either way, this was America II’s time to shine. Leaving the ground at 5:46 pm, they traveled low during the night, breezing north at an altitude of 200 feet. The pair took three-hour shifts, one observing the horizon while the other rested in the basket. They used rivers for navigation and changed direction as needed by adjusting their altitude, finding a fresh wind current to blow them a new way.

At low altitude they could call down to the gawkers below and ask what town or county they were over. The grounded fools beneath them wished Hawley and Post well, our team pushed on, and by 9:40 am Lake Michigan came into view. America II powered through pressure changes above the water and soared deliberately rose to 5700 feet, continuing on to the northeast.

As the second night came, fog rolled in below them. The northern lights danced overhead. Venus shone to the west. But one thing missing from their view was people. As Augustus noted in The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, Volume 81, “When full daylight came, we could see no signs of life below us; as far as eye [sic] could reach, nothing but lakes, fringed with forests, appeared…”

Hawley and Post’s route from St. Louis to Quebec

Continuing over the Canadian wilderness, they began to hear the sound of woodcutters. America II began to descend, but not to land. Post noted, “...we hailed them and asked where we were. They said we were over Lake Kippewa … and headed for the wilderness. They offered some advice, which we could not make out.” Onwards!

The aeronauts carried on for another six hours. At times they wished to call it quits, but beneath them was a tangle of lakes and rivers. Returning would be impossible without a boat. It’s common for ballooners to not pack a boat since their intentions tend to involve air — the opposite of water — but for once, this decision came with downsides. They went four hours more without seeing any sign of life, in part due to clouds beneath them — a curious place for those to be. As noon approached, what looked like they might be roads and cultivated fields appeared in view. This lone hint of civilization made it clear to Post that, “it looked like suicide to go farther, particularly as night was coming on.”

Hawley and Post finally elected to descend. America II picked up speed as it approached the ground. Despite plenty of time to find a safe spot to land, no clearing could be found, so they headed towards the next best thing: some trees on the side of a mountain. While dodging escarpments, they snagged the balloon onto a large tree, then hit the ground at 3:45 PM, 46 hours after leaving St. Louis. Somehow uninjured, they tidied up their crash site, as gentlemen do, and surveyed the scene.

But after flying for nearly two days in good conditions, a heavy storm quickly found them on the ground. Although likely relieved to deal with rain and not an attack helicopter, the pair was still in some distress. They hunkered down under the waterproof basket cover and pulled out their maps,not to figure out how to get to safety but to see if they had traveled far enough to claim the world record. Satisfied that they might’ve done it, the grounded aeronauts went to sleep, tucked away somewhere deep in Quebec.

They awoke to good and bad news. The good: it was no longer raining. The bad: it was snowing. With the weather changing like the trickster it is, they began to follow a river towards Lake St. John, the last landmark they’d spotted from the sky. Three hours in, Hawley slipped on a rock and wrenched his knee. Between that and the whole crashed balloon thing, he was just having one of those days.

Once the pair could go no further, they set up for their first night away from the safety provided by a crashed balloon. Augustus took the rifle they carried and attempted to fell a beast of the woods to provide meat for dinner, but his shot missed the squirrel, so he immediately gave up.

In the morning they reached the lake, but their pace slowed as Hawley’s knee worsened. Their days became a cycle: trudge along, stop to eat an egg, keep following the shore, sleep, cry (probably). Snow returned. Rations ran low. In the wild, the construct of time is meaningless. Fortunately, Post had a watch so he knew it was 7:00 am on a Monday when their fortunes changed, one week after leaving St. Louis.

The pair found a tent that to them looked like a palace. To you or me it would have just looked like a tent, assuming you’ve seen a tent before. If this is your first time, it looked like a sheet of canvas hung to provide shelter. They settled in, lit a fire, and waited for the owner to return. The following morning, smoke from the fire drew the interest of a pair of trappers who were starting off on a hunting excursion. The two couples met on the shoreline and after some conversation, Hawley and Post’s journey home began.

By then, the U.S. and Canadian governments had begun large-scale search efforts. Most back in the States assumed the worst — downed over water, eaten by wolves, helicopter attack — but thanks to the trappers, our two aeronauts soon reached a town from which they telegraphed home. Celebrations were planned for their return, both for the fact they were alive but also because they had won the 1910 Gordon Bennett Cup.

America II traveled 1171 miles in 44 hours 25 minutes, winning the race by 40 miles. While their voyage fell 22 miles short of the world record, no one had ever flown as far as they had to snatch the Cup. After being lost in the Quebec wilderness, surviving a crash landing, suppressing man’s natural cannibalistic instincts, Augustus Post and Alan Hawley’s Gordon Bennett Cup record flight of 1171 miles would stand for some time — about two years.

[piracytheorist]

About you - top 5 places you have visited? And about ouat - top 5 Killian's quotes? (And maybe top 5 shots of Killian? Hehee sorry!)

Wow well!

Top 5 places I’ve visited

1. New York City, USA.

(view from the 86th floor of Empire State Building) 

What can I say? New York is a dream vacation for lots of people, especially if you live in another continent. Though I have to admit that after a week or so there, I started getting claustraphobic (something that had never happened to me before) because of the crowded places and the huge skyscrapers and I realized I wouldn’t be able to live there for a long time.

2. Venice, Italy.

Again, what can I say? I couldn’t believe my life when it was announced that I would be joining the group going there. I still can’t believe I walked through so many famous places there.

3. Basel, Switzerland.

This one is special, because I literally joined the group one and a half week before the trip, because one original member dropped out at the last moment and I went in her place. It’s one of the greenest and cleanest (and most expensive) places I’ve ever been. My mind was blown by the architecture - I had only ever seen such houses in pictures, and then I was walking by them. It was fantastic.

4. Bran Castle(aka “Dracula’s Castle”), Romania.

This isn’t my pic, obviously, because I was 9 years old when I visited it, but the memories of walking through it - especially taking the “hidden” servants’ stairs - are still imprinted on my mind 14 years later.

5. Paxos Island, Greece.

No, these aren’t Photoshopped. This is exactly how blue and clean the waters were. One of the beaches I visited there looked exactly like a beach in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag, but unfortunately I didn’t have my camera that day with me. During our stay there we even went for a swim inside a cave, and it was spectacular and I swore at myself for not having bought a waterproof case for my camera, because the view was amazing.

This got long so I’m posting the rest in another post ;)

[365runesofthesystem]

NM, the Acronym.

So yeah, my titles will slowly become nonsense as I continue on and I might get inspiration but today is not one of those days.

And here is another chapter to my weird and awkward fanfic.

You can read it on AO3 as well. 

Enjoy!

Fandom: Final Fantasy XV / Relationship: Prompto/Noctis / 

Tags: Prompto, Noctis, Realizations, Love, Emotions, Rain, Pictures, Strangers to Friends to This, Prompto is cute, Noctis is his Hell, No one Minds

Chapter Fourteen: In Seeing, It Was Only A Matter Of Time.

It came to Prompto like sudden rain.

-

“Prompto!”

He turned, his camera clicking so he wouldn’t miss the opportunity but his eyes focusing on the shock of black hair; the blue eyes that turned up in confusion.

“What are you doing?”

He smiled, giving the prince a smirk.

“Oh, taking a picture. There’s this really cool technology called a camera and it can cap-”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the news.”

The prince waved him off, coming up and standing for a second, shifting from one leg to another. Prompto smiled at him.

The guy was so awkward sometimes.

“Dude, prince, you can sit down.”

The prince huffed, throwing himself down next to him and looking at the view.

The school opened up the city, being down one of the main roads, and the prince glanced back at Prompto as he readied for another shot.

The sun was setting, casting everything into that golden glow that Prompto loved.

“So, what are you taking a picture of exactly?”

Prompto thought for a second, trying to find the answer.

“Maybe the glow.”

The prince cocked an eyebrow, not looking at Prompto as he questioned him.

“How do you even do that?”

Prompto shrugged, another photo taken.

“Don’t know dude.”

-

“Prompto.”

He didn’t lower the camera, waiting for the moment of weakness.

“Yes?”

There was a beat of silence before shoulders sagged, a sigh escaping.

“Are you still trying to take a picture?”

“No. ‘Do or do not, there is no try’.”

A snort and a shake of the head but no blue gave Prompto the go-ahead.

“Did you seriously just quote one of those old space movies?”

“Star Wars, Prince Noctis. And it is a classic.”

“Whatever. Just stop already. Do not. Abort mission. I want to go home.”

Prompto shifted just slightly, seeing a peak but knowing better than to try to take a picture. He smiled at the prince, even though his back was to him.

“This can all end if you just turn around. It isn’t even that bad.”

He knew the pout was there, could tell from the slight shift of his jaw.

But then a sigh escaped again and slowly, the prince turned to him, his eyes bright with expectancy.

It really wasn’t that bad.

His hair had been cut - by who Prompto had no idea - but now it was higher up, curving against his head in bunches of small circlets.

Prompto didn’t know how. The prince had straight hair but he said it happened every time they cut, calming down by the next day or so since Noctis’ hair grew so fast.

He looked good, amazing even. Especially when all the girls had practically squealed at the sight.

But the prince was embarrassed. And hell to the Six if Prompto wasn’t going to get a picture of this.

And so he took the picture, the slight blush on his face, the way his eyes were bright and wide, the mouth that was pouting, the hair crowning him with circlets of black.

It was almost perfect.

Noctis waited a second and then stomped off, his bag going over his shoulder.

“You happy now?”

Prompto laughed, grabbing all his things and running up to catch him, slapping his back playfully.

“Come on! It is a great picture, Prince Noctis.”

Noctis huffed, shrugging off his hand and slumping into a scowl.

“Don’t call me that.”

Prompto stopped, slightly taken back. He instantly felt the horror, just knowing he messed everything up with that stunt. But then the prince half-turned, the blush still there and his blue eyes going back and forth from Prompto to away.

“Noct is fine.”

Prompto blinked for a second, taking in the sentence.

Then a giant smile set in and Noctis - Noct - blushed more and turned around. Prompto caught up, giving his friend another slap.

-

Noct was sitting on his bed, his eyes focused on the round of King’s Knights.

Prompto was focused too, his body leaning against the side of the bed, his character in the middle of an epic battle when he noticed the time.

10:30pm.

He blinked, looking at the ‘DEAD END’ screen in front of him.

Noct let out a little noise of disapproval, his body tensing as the round was placed on his shoulders.

A second later and he groaned, the end music joining Prompto’s.

Prompto let his head drop, looking at Noct upside down.

“Dude.”

“What?”

“It’s like, 10:30. We should probably end it.”

Noct groaned, turning around so he was on his back, an arm draping over his eyes.

Prompto took that as a sign to leave, standing slowly and stretching his sore legs.

Too long sitting in one place.

A noise behind him and Prompto half turned, half stretched to look at his friend, giving him a confused look.

“What?”

Noct moved his arm, his eyes barely opened as he fought off sleep.

“Are you staying over?”

Prompto blinked at him.

Hadn’t really thought to consider that.

“Isn’t the guest bed occupying all of your crap?”

“Mhmm.”

“Then whe-”

He stopped as Noct began to move, scooting and sliding until he was under the covers and half the bed was unoccupied. A hand lazily slapped the pillow, his eyes already closing.

“Sleep here.”

Prompto stood there, stock still.

The prince of the country just told him to sleep in the same bed as him.

What?

He was thinking too long because Noct made a noise and opened his eyes, giving Prompto a look.

“Prom. Either get into the bed or get out. Stop watching me like a pervert.”

Prompto snorted, throwing off his clothes until he was in his boxers and snuggling underneath the covers with Noct.

“You’re an idiot. What if, like, I took advantage and shot pics or something?”

Noct raised an eyebrow, looking half concerned, half impressed.

“You got camera in those boxers of yours?”

Prompto sighed out, trying not to smile.

“Dude, you know that wasn’t what I meant. You need to be more careful.”

Noct laughed, a barely exhaling of breath that tickled Prompto’s cheeks.

“You’re the one who is practically naked in my bed. I think you need to be more careful.”

Prompto sighed and just gave his friend a look.

“Dude, you are so ticklish, it wouldn’t even matter.”

Noct shook his head, his eyes closing already.

“No way. Definitely could do it. You’re a twig. Way too easy to overpower.”

Prompto felt himself be drawn to sleep, Noct’s voice calming him and making his eyes close.

-

“Get in loser, we’re going on a date.”

Noct drove up in the regalia, Ignis and Gladio in the back seats. Prompto looked away from his picture, his camera shutter going off as he leaned in.

A few people were looking, already knowing who the driver was.

Prompto smiled and shook his head, giving Noct a smirk.

“Totally not a date. You got babysitters.”

Noct scoffed.

“Babysitters are the new cool thing dude. Get in.”

Prompto sighed, letting his voice drop to a whine.

“And are you going to buy me nice things this time?”

Noct smiled sweetly, holding out a hand. Prompto laughed, taking it…

To be pulled into the car via Noct.

A shriek that could have put a banshee to shame escaped Prompto as he all but got thrown into the front passenger’s seat, Noct laughing while Gladio groaned and Ignis sighed.

Then they were off, Noct’s laugh echoing out.

-

“Prom, look.”

Noct pointed to a flower, completely red and practically glowing in the rey landscape. Noct was crouched next to it, his finger barely missing the petals, as he looked at Prompto, his eyes alight with excitement.

Prompto took the picture, knowing he captured it perfectly when Noct gave him a smile.

“Take a picture of the flower, not me idiot. Isn’t your assignment ‘Nature’?”

Actually, Prompto’s assignment was ‘Nature and Man’, but he adjusted it to Noct finding random pieces of nature, Prompto taking pictures to his reactions.

They were good, since the prince seemed to actually enjoy finding the pieces for Prompto to take.

They had already taken pictures of Noct with dogs, under trees, sleeping and having butterflies attack him, a huge amount of him finding flowers and just a few of Noct in the sun and wind and looking up at clouds.

Now they were closing in, the dark tint to them getting darker as Prompto watched.

Noct looked up too, his face losing its earlier light.

“It’s gonna rain.”

Prompto knew Noct didn’t like the rain. Knew his friend had something going on that made his bones ache whenever the clouds blessed Insomnia with their tears.

He shrugged, waving the camera.

“I got a lot of good pictures. So let’s head back?”

Noct frowned and then looked back up, like he was debating.

“We could probably push it.”

Prompto shrugged, looking down at his pictures.

“We can go. We didn’t bring an umbrella. What if i-”

A shower of water falls, completely soaking Prompto and Noct in cold rain.

It hits Prompto like ice, making him yelp in surprise and almost drop his camera. He instantly covers his bag, glad his camera was waterproof.

The roar of the rain is loud and Prompto squints and shields his eyes to find Noct, opening his mouth to scream at his friend.

And then stopped.

Noct was standing in the rain, his arms outstretched and his face facing up. His hair was already stuck to his forehead, his clothes already clinging to his body. His eyes were closed, his mouth opened barely into a smile and he breathed, the air coming out as a tiny puff.

Prompto scrambled to take a picture, his fingers slipping and fumbling until they finally rose to meet his face, his eyes already in place as the camera focused.

Even in the rain, even with everything going on, Noct was beautiful.

The rain instantly died down, calming to a steady and soothing pace, getting slightly warmer as the clouds start to lighten.

Noct looked at him, his eyes opening to smile at his friend, his hands falling gently to his side.

“Prom.”

It hit Prompto then, almost as hard and surprising as the rain.

Oh.

Noct chuckled, giving Prompto a smirk.

“Prom, what’s up? Your face is red.”

Prompto could feel it, the heat instantly taking over as the rain melted his cold body into a warm mush.

He felt a sense of pure joy and excitement hit him as he looked at Noct, as the feeling set into his being.

And with it, a tiny knot set there too, uncertain and completely horrified with the revelation.

“Good things come to those that wait.”

That feeling was overridden, the warmth bursting inside of Prompto as he gently shook his head.

“Ah nothing. This rain is super cold though.”

Noct laughed, agreed, and they made their way back, a rainbow painting the clouds even as the rain continued.

This is definitely what I waited for.

[docoolthings-blog1]

Bahamas Cruise 2014

You know those little boxes you find in random places that you fill out a slip and put it in the box for “a chance to win a Bahama cruise”. Well, i got one. I have a feeling many people win those things. I was super resistant to believe the people who called me but i gave in and accepted the cruise anyway. You have to pay the taxes and it ended up being about 50 dollars. The cruise line was called Royal Bahama Cruise Line, which i had never heard of and if you google it there are tons of people saying they got scammed after winning a cruise with them. So i was super scared it would be a scam but i decided to pay the 50 and take my chances. Turns out its not at all a scam! The cruise line however is very small. It doesnt compare at all to Carnival but it was only 50 bucks so i count it as a win. It was my first ever cruise so i was pretty excited. It was for two people and so i decided to take my trusty travel partner, Dad. Of course when you take a trip with dad it becomes a big ole shindig. The catch to winning a cruise is that you are supposed to go to a condo presentation where they try to get you to buy a condo in the city your cruise is at. So here is the trick. Since i was only 19 i couldnt attend the presentation anyway. Since i was just bringing my dad, and not my mom as well, they said he didnt have to either. So we got out of the presentation, thankfully. 

On our way down to Fort Lauderdale we made a couple of stops. We are big Florida Gators fans, so my dad surprised me with a visit to Gainesville where we were able to go into the stadium. It was an awesome experience for a Gator fan. We bought loads of stuff from the campus store and even went to the stadium ticket office where we bought tickets to a couple of games for the next season. 

Next, we drove all the way down to Key Largo, just so we would be able to say we had been to the Keys. There is NOTHING there like we had expected. It is not touristy at all. We did however find a little restaurant on the beach and watched the sunset in Key Largo, something to cross off the bucketlist. If you want to visit the Keys, go down to Key West, i have heard its the best. I have a fear of bridges to Key Largo is the farthest i was willing to go.

After Key Largo, we drove back up to Miami to stay a night. I had never been to Miami and was super excited to experience it. Unfortunately, we got there pretty late and did not have a chance to do much. We drove through the strip and everything looked like a blast. Now that i am old enough for the clubs, i definitely plan on going back. The next morning we spent a little time on the Miami beach and headed for the cruise port. 

The great thing about the small cruise line is that it was super easy getting on the boat. Pull up and valet park, go sign in, take a few pics, and youre on the boat! The cabins were not any smaller than Carnival but the boat itself was much smaller. You can feel the waves a bit more than with a big boat but was not bad at all. The cabin tenants were amazing and did an awesome job making sure we were comfortable and had what we needed. Everyone who worked on the boat were so nice. Of course, every cruise i have been on i have had excellent customer service. 

The cruise lasted just 3 days and stopped for one day on Grand Bahama Island, which is not a popular stop. HUGE TIP - ** If you are going to Grand Bahama Island, MAKE SURE YOU BOOK AN EXCURSION with the cruise line. There is NOTHING at the port, you have to travel quite a ways to get to the beach. Luckily, we had booked an excursion to go snorkeling. However, because of “weather conditions” our excursion was cancelled but we were able to trade it in for a beach excursion. So when we ported on the island we got on a bus that took us to the beach at a hotel. Side note: i have heard of people winning trips to the Bahamas and they put you in this hotel we went to, and i have heard TERRIBLE things about it. If you take a trip to the Bahamas and are staying in a hotel, go to a more popular island with nicer options. Grand Bahama is best for stopping on a cruise and just spending the day at the beach. 

While on the beach we lucked out and a snorkeling company was walking around taking people out who wanted to snorkel so we did that and were able to snorkel anyway. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life. The water is literally crystal clear and youre able to take a waterproof camera and take perfect pictures under the water. A boat takes you out to another boat sitting far enough out to where you can swim with barely any waves. We jumped off the boat with our gear on and open our eyes and we are in the middles of a swarm of beautiful fish. I will never forget that moment. Fun fact: there was a  Barracuda sitting under the boat we were swimming around, super creepy. He just sat there watching us swim around and all the captain had to say about it was “oh he is there all the time.” Not super safe but a great experience. Also, the shark excursion was maybe 200 ft from out snorkel excursion, never did see a shark thank goodness. We did see beautiful fish, a turtle, and awesome coral.

Before we got back on the bus and headed for the boat, we did a little shopping i the straw shacks. They are everywhere in the Bahamas, on every island. They are very annoying. The people try very hard to pressure you into buying and they are known for dangerous situations going down. If you decided to shop in the straw shacks, be prepared and dont spend much time there.

Back on the boat we just cruised around for a day until we ported back in Fort Lauderdale. We headed home to Nashville. 

This cruise was a GREAT learning experience for super cheap. I think the cruises themselves are cheap on this line anyway. I recommend taking a short and simple cruise for your first time. You are able to see how you react to being on the cruise and on the water for that long. Sea sickness has not been a problem for me so far, but it is definitely something you want to know about yourself before taking a long cruise. I use the sea sick patches you get prescribed from the doctor, and have had great luck with them. However, on my cruise in Europe this past year, i did not use one and was completely fine. 

So all in all the Royal Bahama Cruise line is not that bad. They only go to Grand Bahama Island which doesnt have much, so do an excursion through the cruise line. If you happen to enter to win a cruise this is probably the line they will give you just because is small and not nearly as expensive as the big lines but you get what you pay for. Also be sure to question the people who call you. I lucked out and it didnt end up being a scam, but it does happen. It is definitely not as grand as the other lines. A three day cheap cruise is perfect for first time cruisers to test it out and see if they like it. Be ready though, because from experience , cruises become VERY addicting. 

Trust me, more cruise blogs to come,

XOXO

CarlyDoesCoolThings

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