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adore-laur · 10 months ago

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BEAUTY

— harry & nadine’s meet-cute 🕊️

——

SIX YEARS AGO

Grey skies loomed over Loire Valley with the promise of an April rainstorm. The slow-moving river snaked through the scenic countryside and stretched beyond what the human eye could see. Trees rustled in a favorable breeze, stirring up aromas from nearby fruit orchids. Firecrests and turtledoves chirped in the distance, signaling the start of spring.

Nadine savored it all while crossing the bridge on her Beaumont bicycle. In the front wicker basket was her canvas tote bag containing her Kodak camera protectively wrapped in a pillowcase, a serving of fresh tapioca pudding she had impulsively purchased from the local farmer's market, and an unknown flower she had found under the oak tree in her backyard. Her yellow raincoat crinkled as she pedaled vigorously to get to her destination before the clouds burst. The scrape on her knee she had gotten from falling off her bike in her gravel driveway dully ached. Maybe the rain would wash away the dried blood.

The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire opened its annual International Garden Festival that morning, which Nadine wouldn't have missed for the world. It resurfaced fond childhood memories of strolling through the enriching gardens with her family and getting lost in the creative landscapes showcased by landscapers, architects, and photographers far and wide.

Nadine planned to take photos to build her modeling portfolio. As a curvy girl with distinct ethnic features, getting her foot in the door had been challenging, but the alluring backdrop of the gardens would make her stand out. The theme was Gardens of Sensations.

In the past, it had been no easy feat to photograph herself with her less-than-adequate camera and awkward self-direction. However, she prepared to make these sacrifices for a prosperous career. Loire Valley only had one modeling agency, which meant she had to start somewhere small and affordable before traveling north to Paris for more lavish opportunities.

To earn a living, Nadine provided housekeeping services for surrounding chateaus. The work was rewarding, but it did not spark any passion for her. As a young girl, she had been fascinated by the aesthetic of posing in different environments and making fashion statements after seeing magazine spreads of French models strutting down the catwalk. But she had never been able to imagine herself in their shoes—literally and figuratively. Those six-inch heels seemed killer. With her thick eyebrows, pesky cellulite, and blemished skin, she had been the complete opposite of what model scouts sought.

Once Nadine became wiser over the years, she knew her worth. Her natural beauty just needed to be highlighted by the right scenery and garments.

When she arrived at the festival, she locked her bike on a rack and slung her tote bag over her shoulder. The historical Chateau-de-Chaumont on the sprawling lawn caused her to stop and stare for a moment. It was grand and beautiful, just as she remembered. Her new-fangled perspective left her wondering what inspiration she would discover.

After purchasing an admission ticket, she walked under the arch of the chateau to reach the garden path that weaved through twenty-one hectares of artistic garden exhibits. Each display differed depending on where the landscaper originally hailed from, like Japan, South Korea, Great Britain, and countless other countries. Among the trees was a greenhouse kitchen where vegetables were grown and offered to visitors. Nadine remembered eating juicy little tomatoes there as a teenager—they were called 'the nipples of Venus.' The memory made her smile faintly.

She glanced around for a pretty scene to photograph herself in just as rain began to sprinkle. Shivering, she pulled the hood of her poncho over her head. Maybe today wasn’t the best day to embark on a modeling adventure. Maybe she should have turned around and gone home.

But further in the gardens, Nadine stumbled upon a peculiar situation. An exhibition was still being set up, nestled in an opening surrounded by greenery like a secret oasis. Landscapers worked diligently to put the finishing touches on it. Their work had been delayed by the unpredictable climate in central France. It was a blessing that the rain didn’t fall much through the canopy of trees above.

There was a rectangular vat of water with a wooden path winding through it, similar to a Candyland board. The landscapers removed leaves and branches from the water with pool skimmers. Red bamboo canes stood tall around it, hugging the scene with vibrant color. There was something simple yet entrancing about it, and she was drawn to the energy of tranquility that called to her.

Nadine slowly approached, attempting to act invisible so as not to disturb them. She would wait until they were done before taking photos. Perhaps sitting on the path and posing near the bamboo would be adequate. Yes, that would be a fantastic shot. Unique, too, which was what she strived for.

Her childlike wonder pushed her closer until her attention snagged on something else. Something a little more intriguing.

A man stood waist-deep in the water, rearranging bamboo with sedulous care, his bare back turned to her. He had the most muscular, contoured back Nadine had ever seen in her life. It was sculpted in a way that captured her gaze, but she should not have been surprised. He was some sort of landscaper, which was a labor-intensive job. His tendons were surely robust. Sacré bleu, why was she thinking about his tendons?

She snapped out of her man-induced hypnosis. She had a job to get done. Her future was at stake! With that thought, she unwrapped her camera from its cocoon just as a couple of landscapers brushed past her with metal buckets, paying no mind to her lingering presence. She must have looked like a mere tourist.

Nadine delicately cleared her throat in an attempt to catch the attention of the man with the beautiful back. He was the only one still tending to the exhibit and did not seem to hear her.

"Excusez-moi?" she said, removing her hood to appear more approachable.

The man's large hands, which were also gorgeously sculpted, halted around the lithe bamboo sticks. His face turned before his body did, and goodness gracious! Oh wow. He was pleasing—to look at, she meant. His foreign face was a masterpiece of symmetry. While he did not look French, remnants of European features still adorned his face. A well-chiseled bone structure and an elegant straight nose. Pink lips that were parted. A firm chest with a ridged midsection. Disheveled, rain-soaked hair.

"Bonjour," he replied, sounding perplexed. Soulful green eyes stared intently at her.

Nadine's gaze desperately wanted to wander south again, but she remained strong. "Is this exhibit open to visitors?" she asked.

He regarded her for longer than normal—not scrutinizingly, but rather in a mystified manner. "Yes. My apologies; I was just perfecting a few details."

"I did not mean to intrude. I—" She paused and searched for the proper words. "Well, I was hoping to take pictures for my portfolio here."

"Your portfolio?" he echoed.

Nodding, Nadine nervously tucked her damp hair behind her ears. "For modeling. I want to broaden my use of compelling backdrops, and this festival has plenty of them." She waved a hand, the flourishing nature around them not needing further explanation. "Anyway, this particular exhibit caught my eye. Would it be possible for me to take some pictures?"

The man glanced behind her, his brows furrowing. "Where’s your photographer?"

"I do not have one," she said shyly. "I just place my camera on a flat surface and set the timer."

It was far too expensive to hire an entire crew for a photoshoot. She would have rather saved money by gaining hands-free experience herself. Besides, people in the modeling industry admired humble beginnings. She was building her career from the ground up.

"Would you like some assistance?" he asked, raindrops gently falling from his chin. Nadine detected a lilted British accent.

"Oh, I do not want to be a nuisance," she said. "I’m sure you’re busy."

He walked to the edge closest to her and shook his head, a handsome smile pulling at his lips. "No, not anymore."

Feeling thrilled, Nadine's heartbeat pounded like a stampede of wild animals. "All right, then."

It was an unexpected turn of events. As far as she was concerned, she had not expected to meet someone as generous as this man. She hadn't expected much of anything out of today since the weather put a damper on her mood, and her dreams often felt unattainable.

"What's your name?"

Handing over her camera, she answered, "Nadine."

"I'm Harry," he said. "I'm a landscape architect, which might not help your situation, but I did get a passing grade in a college-level photography class. Is that good enough?"

"I don't know," she countered playfully. "I might interpret a passing grade differently from you."

He laughed, his nose scrunching. "B-minus."

She pretended to mull it over before saying, "I will accept that."

"Merci." He sat on the wooden path. "So, do you have any specific ideas in mind for the photoshoot?"

"I know I want to be a part of nature. Close-up shots are preferred. And..." Nadine looked at the exhibit, pondering. "Am I allowed to go in the water?"

"I don't see why not."

"Will I get into trouble? I couldn't stand being banned from this place."

While fidgeting with her camera, Harry said, "This is my exhibit."

This had been designed by him? It was highly impressive, and it made her feel better knowing a person with a meticulous brain and a keen eye for design was helping her. It was also attractive knowing he had constructed it with his bare hands. Did his fingers have calluses? Were there blood, sweat, and tears involved? No, don’t think about him sweating!

"You're letting a stranger interfere with your creation?" she asked, willing away the heat rushing up her neck.

As Harry raised the camera to his eye and pointed it at random things, seemingly testing its functionality, he murmured, "You would be adding beauty to it."

In the middle of removing her sandals and poncho, Nadine’s breath hitched. It was quite bold of him to make such a statement. She had to tread carefully around this male enigma. She was there for business and business only.

"Hop in," Harry said. "The water is heated."

She felt vulnerable in her white camisole and brown silk maxi skirt. Her curves were accentuated by the spring breeze blowing through the fabric. Her feet sank into the dirt. To remain true to the theme of nature and its rawness, she had opted not to wear any makeup.

Shimmying down her skirt and letting it pool on the ground, she was left wearing beige underwear. Without a single word spoken, the mood turned intimate.

While she dipped one leg into the water, Harry's gentlemanly gaze remained fixed on her face. He was right—it was a glorious temperature, like sinking into a lukewarm bath after a long day. She was submerged up to her rib cage.

"Are you new to Loire Valley?" Nadine asked, curious about how this beautiful man showed up in her hometown.

"I live in England. I was invited to this festival to create a United Kingdom exhibit."

"Ah, oui. It must be such an honor. Do you like it here so far?"

Harry nodded. "It's gorgeous. The architecture is brilliant."

"I hope the sheer number of chateaus we have is not overwhelming,” Nadine said, slicking her hair back with wet palms.

He chuckled and stood up. "Shall we get started?"

Nadine leaned against the edge of the vat, swaying trees and clusters of red bamboo behind her. She settled her expression into her "model face," which was basically just her looking slightly pissed off at something, but in a sexy way. With her chin tilted up, she showed off her sharp jaw and neck muscles.

Harry knelt on the wooden path and held the camera steadily. Leaning forward, he zoomed in at a low angle. There was a look of concentration on his face, and she felt elated that he was so serious about assisting her.

The shutter clicked a few times. By moving her face just a smidge, she subtly posed. It was all natural to her once she was in the moment—like breathing. She loved immersing herself in working the camera to her advantage. She made it her best friend.

"Regardez-moi," Harry murmured, sending a delightful shiver down Nadine’s spine. She looked at him with her lips pursed attractively, and he snapped more photos. "Parfaite."

"You speak very good French."

Still adorably focused on his task, he hummed in acknowledgment. "I studied architecture at Versailles and took French classes. It's a romantic language."

"I agree." She switched her pose by spreading her arms in the water and trying to smize, as invented by Tyra Banks. The camera’s shutter sounded dozens of times.

To get the best angles, Harry contorted his body in semi-ridiculous ways. He then got in the water and stood near her. Nadine’s heart rate spiked since he was even more ethereal up close. There was a gentleness to his presence, and she was undeniably attracted to it.

"What do you call an angry French aunt?" Harry asked, setting up a joke.

"Oh, boy. What?"

"A crossaunt."

Nadine let a giggle escape. Slowly lowering the camera, Harry stared at her in awe. His smile was stuck in place, as if making her laugh stopped time.

"Fossetes," he whispered. Dimples.

A powerful blush expanded across her face and spread to her chest. Suddenly, her smile turned shy. She had never experienced such attention from a man before. The feeling was both daunting and exhilarating.

Water sluiced down Nadine's body when she stood at her full height. "Thank you for doing this," she said, her voice weak.

"It was my pleasure,” Harry replied. “You made my job easy."

She was going to burst into flames if she kept blushing. "Can I repay the favor in any way?"

His lips quirked to the side as he hummed thoughtfully. "What are your plans for next weekend?" he asked.

"I will most likely be back here again."

"As will I."

"So...” Nadine chewed on the inside of her cheek. “I will see you then?"

"Absolutely." He cleared his throat and held her gaze. "I was wondering if you would fancy doing something with me afterward. We could visit all the farmer's markets. Perhaps stroll along the river at sunset. You could show me your favorite spots and tell me why you love them."

Nadine inhaled a little gasp. If he wanted to spend an evening together, he had surely felt the connection too. It was palpable, hanging thickly in the air like a storm cloud. She could feel the electrical charge with just a single glance. It was definitely worth exploring.

"Unless you're taken,” Harry added uncertainly, combing a hand through his hair. "Sorry, I should have asked first. I just find you so pretty, and you have a lovely laugh." He paused briefly, glimpsing at her lips. "I'd love to hear more of it."

She walked toward him, her pulse going haywire. Her palms rested against his chest as she softly kissed his clean-shaven cheek and said, "I’m available.”

"Oui?"

"Oui."

Harry's eyes crinkled when he smiled. "Splendid. I'm looking forward to it, dove."

Gleeful flutters took flight in Nadine's stomach. She had been yearning for a serendipitous moment for ages. The prospect of being wanted always felt unreachable to her. No boy had ever decided she was worth a chance. Now, there was a glimmer of hope.

When Nadine arrived home later that evening, she perused through the pictures on her camera—there were at least a hundred. Each one captured her in a certain light that had been unknown to her. Through the eyes of someone else, she found herself desirable.

All thanks to the man with the beautiful back.

——

#harry styles imagine #harry styles au #harry styles fluff #harry styles x oc #harry styles blurb #harry styles fanfic #harry styles #foxtail #harry and nadine #adore-laur

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li-lilyvi · 22 days ago

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Still trying to improve my english, so sorry for the mistakes!

⚠️ TW: illness

Put a little love on me

Mingyu x oc (Ava)

Counting words: 1.1k words

Mingyu's mornings are full of silent. He wake up at 7 a.m., eat his breakfast, do the laundry, do to the gym e go back home. since Ava's gone, no smiles or laughing have been heard from Mingyu's house. That place was no longer home.

It had been a while since he'd found out that Ava moved into a house near his and, since than, he retraced his route to de gym just do pass by her door. Every day that he passed by it, he hoped that they could collide and he could say sorry for the past.

Every night he dreamed with the good memories o their relationship: all the times they cooked together, they watched movies together and cuddled until they fell asleep, they kissed in the kitchen and forgot to take the food out of the oven... All the memories hit him and made him rethink the past and where they went wrong.

Every time he passed in front her door a new memory comes through his mind.

One afternoon, when it was raining, they had a argument and Ava sat on the balcony to watch the rain and cool off. Mingyu, after some time, came to her and they stared talking to solve the problem. Some tears fell, but in the end they were dancing in the rain, together and in love.

This used to happen every or every two weeks a month. Their relationship became torture, stressful and exhausting for both of them.

Mingyu was on his way to the gym when he noticed that someone was watering Ava's garden. He stopped his bike and took a look. It was her and she was - still - beautiful, but the moment was over when she entered the house. Mingyu stood there and, even before he realized it, he droped some tears. They were teas of missing, of sadness e of regret. He missed all the moments they looked after the house together, missed all the moments when, at the end of the day, she sat on the balcony and was kissed by the last rays of the sun, which made her skin and hair look more beautiful than usual. Nothing was compared to this felling and he loved to just stop and watch her being pretty. Maybe now, another one was doing this for him, he though.

A few days went by and, once again, on his way to the gym in the morning, he saw some removal cars at Ava's door. New residents were bringing large boxes inside and he, more curious than sympathetic, offered to help carry the things in. The family of a man, a woman and a couple of children were moving to be closer to the children's school. London was a very large capital and the best schools were close to that neighborhood.

-Do you know where the old owner of the house lives now? I know her, but we don't talk anymore... I'd like to talk to her now. - Mingyu asked.

-Oh... I'm sorry, dear, but I'm not sure I can tell you what I know about her... She talked to me a lot and there are few things I'm not allowed to talk about... - said the new owner to Mingyu

-Please, just tell me the neighborhood. I swear I won't tell anyone where she lives and I won't look for her. I just need to know if she's safe... - He asked with tears in his eyes - We've had some disagreements, but I still love her and care about her.

-Ok. - and than the lady told her where Ava was living. He promised not to go, but he went anyway, and the moment he arrived at Ava's door, he regretted it. There was a man with her and they were laughing together. It wasn't anyone he knew or had ever seen in a photo of her work colleges. He was new. And he was making her laugh, like the old days, when it was juts the two of them, when Ava still loved Mingyu.

Maybe (read: for sure) the guy saw Mingyu, 'cause they stoped laughing e he pointed to the window, making Ava turn around and see who was there.

Ava, at that moment, saw her past and who used to be her future.

Ava saw her reason to live and the reason to leave.

Ava got up and went to the door. The guy inside smiled at Mingyu, as if he already knew everything.

–Ava... I'm sorry, I should-

–Gyu, it's ok. Do you want in? It's not very nice out there, Jack and I have finished our meeting. - so she stepped aside and let Mingyu in. It was soon going to start raining, so he accepted, already knowing that he would be there for a long time waiting for the rain to pass.

–Ava, I have to go. See you at the company? - Jack said taking his bag and leaving the room.

–Yeah, sure. Drive save, Jack, and thanks for de cookies.

The man said a 'thank you' that was too far away to really be heard and left the house, leaving Mingyu and Ava in a not very good mood.

–So..? What are you doing here? - she asked with a bad expression. Even though she still loved Mingyu, she didn't want to see him. Many things had happened in her life since they broke up and this moment, which for her was the best in her career, was not the best to reconcile with Kim.

–I... I wanted to see you, see how you were.

–You already did, now you can leave, please. - she said, her voice betraying her.

–Ava, please, let's talk. - he begged.

–Why do you still do that? What do you really want? - she asked. If you've really paid attention, you could hear her heart breaking.

–You, V. I I just want you back. Back to me, to our home, to our life. - the tears started to flow down Mingyu's face. - I just want to know what happened. Why did you leave, why have you moved away?

–Gyu... Don't star now, please. You just make the things more difficult. - Ava, trying to get away from the conversation, he began to walk up the stairs of his house, in the direction of her room, with Mingyu following her.

–Ava, if you don't love anymore, why do you still call me like that? - he stopped in front of her bedroom door.

–It's not that I don't love you, I just didn't have a choice. We were fighting everyday and... - she took a deep breath.

–And? It wasn' just that, 'cause I was there and I know it wasn't just the fights, I went through it too.

– Mingyu, I was sick, ok? I didn't want to be a burden in your life, so I left. For me, it was better this way, it was easier.

–What do you mean sick? Why... Why did you keep it to yourself? - without realizing it, Mingyu started crying again - My love... I was there to help you.

Mingyu then stepped forward, closer to Ava, and held her face in his hands. He caressed her cheek and left a kiss on her forehead. Ava then, unable to hold back her tears, hugged Mingyu as tightly as she could, as if he might leave at any moment.

He certainly wasn't leaving any time soon.

#kim mingyu #mingyu #seventeen #carat #mingyu x oc #alternative universe

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dailyunsolvedmysteries · 2 years ago

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15 Inventors Who Were Killed By Their Own Inventions

Marie Curie - Marie Curie, popularly known as Madame Curie, invented the process to isolate radium after co-discovering the radioactive elements radium and polonium. She died of aplastic anemia as a result of prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation emanating from her research materials. The dangers of radiation were not well understood at the time.

William Nelson - a General Electric employee, invented a new way to motorize bicycles. He then fell off his prototype bike during a test run and died.

William Bullock - he invented the web rotary printing press. Several years after its invention, his foot was crushed during the installation of the new machine in Philadelphia. The crushed foot developed gangrene and Bullock died during the amputation.

Horace Lawson Hunley - he was a marine engineer and was the inventor of the first war submarine. During a routine test, Hunley, along with a 7-member crew, sunk to death in a previously damaged submarine H. L. Hunley (named after Hunley’s death) on October 15, 1963.

Francis Edgar Stanley - Francis crashed into a woodpile while driving a Stanley Steamer. It was a steam engine-based car developed by Stanley Motor Carriage Company, founded by Francis E. Stanley and his twin Freelan O. Stanley.

Thomas Andrews - he was an Irish businessman and shipbuilder. As the naval architect in charge of the plans for the ocean liner RMS Titanic, he was travelling on board that vessel during her maiden voyage when the ship hit an iceberg on 14 April 1912. He perished along with more than 1,500 others. His body was never recovered.

Thomas Midgley Jr. - he was an American engineer and chemist who contracted polio at age 51, leaving him severely disabled. He devised an elaborate system of ropes and pulleys to help others lift him from the bed. He was accidentally entangled in the ropes of the device and died of strangulation at the age of 55.

Alexander Bogdanov - he was a Russian physician and philosopher who was one of the first people to experiment with blood transfusion. He died when he used the blood of malaria and TB victim on himself.

Michael Dacre - died after testing his flying taxi device designed to permit fast, affordable travel between regional cities.

Max Valier - invented liquid-fuelled rocket engines as a member of the 1920s German rocket society. On May 17, 1930, an alcohol-fuelled engine exploded on his test bench in Berlin that killed him instantly.

Mike Hughes - was killed when the parachute failed to deploy during a crash landing while piloting his homemade steam-powered rocket.

Harry K. Daghlian Jr. and Louis Slotin - The two physicists were running experiments on plutonium for The Manhattan Project, and both died due to lethal doses of radiation a year apart (1945 and 1946, respectively).

Karel Soucek - The professional stuntman developed a shock-absorbent barrel in which he would go over the Niagara Falls. He did so successfully, but when performing a similar stunt in the Astrodome, the barrel was released too early and Soucek plummeted 180 feet, hitting the rim of the water tank designed to cushion the blow.

Hammad al-Jawhari - he was a prominent scholar in early 11th century Iraq and he was also sort of an inventor, who was particularly obsessed with flight. He strapped on a pair of wooden wings with feathers stuck on them and tried to impress the local Imam. He jumped off from the roof of a mosque and consequently died.

Jean-Francoise Pilatre de Rozier - Rozier was a French teacher who taught chemistry and physics. He was also a pioneer of aviation, having made the first manned free balloon flight in 1783. He died when his balloon crashed near Wimereux in the Pas-de-Calais during an attempt to fly across the English Channel. Pilâtre de Rozier was the first known fatalities in an air crash when his Roziere balloon crashed on June 15, 1785.

#inventions #inventors #history #facts

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cherylcompton3310 · 2 months ago

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De Spannende Wereld van E-Bikes Verkennen met DYU

Hallo iedereen! Ik ben enthousiast om mijn gedachten te delen over de geweldige e-bike industrie, met een specifieke focus op het innovatieve merk DYU. E-bikes revolutioneren de manier waarop we over vervoer denken, waardoor het gemakkelijker en leuker wordt om je te verplaatsen.

DYU biedt een fantastisch assortiment e-bikes die niet alleen stijlvol zijn, maar ook ongelooflijk efficiënt. Of je nu naar je werk pendelt, boodschappen doet of gewoon geniet van een ontspannen rit, DYU heeft een e-bike die perfect aansluit bij jouw behoeften. De technologie achter deze fietsen zorgt voor een soepele en plezierige ervaring, waardoor elke rit een avontuur wordt!

Als je op zoek bent naar een geweldige plek om DYU e-bikes te vinden, raad ik je ten zeerste aan om je lokale e-bike winkel te bekijken. Ze hebben vaak deskundig personeel dat je kan helpen bij het kiezen van de perfecte e-bike voor jouw levensstijl.

Laten we deze milieuvriendelijke manier van vervoer omarmen en genieten van de rit! Als je ervaringen of tips hebt over DYU e-bikes, deel ze gerust. Fijne fietstocht!

#e-bikes #DYU #vervoer #milieuvriendelijk #innovatie #fietsen #efficiëntie #pendelen #lokale winkels #ervaringen

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heyvasorakurdistane · 4 months ago

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#KURDÎ

BANGA ALÎKARIYÊ

BI HEZARAN KESÊN JI BER ŞER REVIYAN E LI BENDA ALÎKARIYÊ NE!

Ji 7’ê Cotmeha sala 2023’an ve şerê di navbera Îsraîl û Hamasê de rê li ber kuştina bêtirî 42 hezar kesî vekir. Ne tenê kuştin, ji ber wêraniyê bi sed hezaran mirov jî ji cih û warên xwe bûn.

Di rewşeke wiha de ku mirovahî hewl dide birînên vî şerê derman bike, şerê di navbera Lubnan û Îsraîlê de li vê karesetê zêde bû. Ew jî mîna Gazayê, herî zêde dibe sedem ku zerara herî mezin li xelkê sivîl were.

Weke tê zanîn ku ji ber şer û aloziya ku 13 sal in li Sûrî dewam dike, ji vî welatî bi deh hezaran kes berê xwe dabûn Lubnanê. Di nava wan de jî beşeke mezin ji gelê Kurd ê Rojavayê Kurdistanê heye.

Ji rojên pêşî yên aloziya Îsraîl û Hîzbullahê, Rêveberiya Xweser a Bakur û Rojhilatê Sûrî ket nava hewldanan da ku welatiyên Sûrî yên penaber ji bandora şer xelas bike.

Bi vê armancê hem Rêveberiya Xweser di nava demeke kurt de amadekariyên pêşî yên pêşwazîkirinê temam kirin. Li ser banga rêveberiyê ji 29’ê Îlonê ve bêtirî 13 hezar mirov ji deriyên Tebqa û Minbicê derbasî herêmê bûn.

Saziya Alîkariya Mirovî ya Rojava, Heyva Sor a Kurd ji bo pêwîstiyên welatiyan bicih bîne, kampanyeke lezgîn a alîkariyê ragihand. Ji bo bi hezaran kesên ji ber şerê Îsraîl û Hîzbullahê reviyan e li deverên ewle werin bicihkirin û pêdiviyên wan ên jiyanî werin peydakirin, Kampanya Heyva Sor a Kurd pir girîng e.

Ji ber vê çendê em jî weke Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê xwe hevkarê vê kampanyayê yê dibînin. Netew, ola û baweriya wan çi dibe bila bibe, xwedîderketina li mexdûrên şer erka exlaqî û mirovî ye.

Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê ê li seranserê welatên Ewrûpa, Skandînavya û Japan xebatên berhevkirina alîkariya madî bi tevî saziyên hevkar wê birêve bibe.

Bi vê bîr û baweriyê Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê bang li sazî û xêrxwzên li derveyî welat dike da ku beşdarî Kampanya Heyva Sor a Kurd bibin.

Her çi mirov û saziyên ku dixwazin destê alîkariyê dirêjî koçberên Kurd û Sûrî yên ji Lubnanê reviyan bikin, dikarin bi rêya Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê alîkariyên xwe bighînin kesên muhtac.

04.10.2024

HEYVA SOR A KURDISTANÊ

HESABÊ BANKÊ:

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paypal.com/paypalme/heyvasorakurdistan

Armanca alîkari şandinê: Koçberên Lubnanê

(Li gorî biryara ADD saziya Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê li herêma Rheinland-Pfalz nikare alîkariyê kom bike)

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#ENGLISH

AID APPEAL

Thousands of people who have had to flee due to war are waiting for help!

The war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in more than 42,000 deaths since October 7, 2023, and due to the destruction, hundred thousand of people have been displaced.

At a time when humanity is trying to heal the wounds of this war, the catastrophe of the Lebanon-Israel conflict has also emerged.

It is known that tens of thousands of people have fled to Lebanon due to the 13-year-long war and conflicts in Syria, including a large number from Rojava, Kurdistan. Since the early days of the conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has been working to protect Syrian refugees from the effects of the war.

To this end, the Autonomous Administration quickly completed its initial preparations. In response to the administration's call, over 13,000 people have entered the region through the borders of Tabka and Minbic since September 29.

The Rojava aid organization Heyva Sor a Kurd has launched an emergency aid campaign to meet the needs of the citizens. The campaign by Heyva Sor a Kurd is of great importance for relocating thousands of people fleeing the war between Israel and Hezbollah to safe places and fulfilling their vital needs.

For this reason, we see ourselves as partners in this campaign. With the awareness that it is a moral and human duty to care for war victims, regardless of nationality, religion, or belief, we will jointly raise funds in Europe, Scandinavia, and Japan with our partner aid organizations to carry out this campaign.

As Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê, we call on organizations and benefactors abroad to participate in the campaign of Heyva Sor a Kurd.

All individuals and institutions wishing to extend a helping hand to Kurdish and Syrian refugees fleeing from Lebanon can send their donations to those in need through Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê.

BANK ACCOUNT:

Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê e.V.

Kreissparkasse Köln

IBAN: DE49 3705 0299 0004 0104 81

BIC/SWIFT: COKSDE33XXX

PAYPAL: [email protected]

paypal.com/paypalme/heyvasorakurdistan

Reference: Lebanon refugees

(According to the Supervisory and Service Directorate decision we cannot collect donations in the State of Rheinland Pfalz.)

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#DEUTSCH

SPENDENAUFRUF

Tausende von Menschen, die aufgrund des Krieges fliehen mussten, warten auf Hilfe!

Der Krieg zwischen Israel und Hamas hat seit dem 7. Oktober 2023 zu mehr als 42.000 Todesopfern geführt, und aufgrund der Zerstörung sind Hunderttausende von Menschen vertrieben worden.

In einer Zeit, in der die Menschheit versucht, die Wunden dieses Krieges zu heilen, kam die Katastrophe des Libanon-Israel-Kriegs hinzu.

Es ist bekannt, dass aufgrund des 13 Jahre andauernden Krieges und der Konflikte in Syrien Zehntausende von Menschen in den Libanon geflüchtet sind, darunter auch eine große Anzahl aus Rojava, Kurdistan. Seit den ersten Tagen der Konflikte zwischen Israel und der Hisbollah arbeitet die Autonome Verwaltung von Nord- und Ost-Syrien daran, syrische Flüchtlinge vor den Auswirkungen des Krieges zu schützen.

Zu diesem Zweck hat die Autonome Verwaltung ihre ersten Vorbereitungen schnell abgeschlossen. Auf den Aufruf der Verwaltung hin sind seit dem 29. September über 13.000 Personen durch die Grenzen von Tabka und Minbic in die Region eingereist.

Die Rojava-Hilfsorganisation Heyva Sor a Kurd hat eine Notfallhilfe-Kampagne gestartet, um die Bedürfnisse der Bürger zu decken.

Die Kampagne von Heyva Sor a Kurd ist von großer Bedeutung, um Tausende von Menschen, die vor dem Krieg zwischen Israel und der Hisbollah geflohen sind, in sichere Orte zu bringen und ihre lebensnotwendigen Bedürfnisse zu erfüllen.

Aus diesem Grund betrachten wir uns als Partner dieser Kampagne. Mit dem Bewusstsein, dass es eine moralische und menschliche Pflicht ist, sich um die Kriegsopfer zu kümmern, unabhängig von Nationalität, Religion oder Glauben, werden wir gemeinsam mit unseren Partnerhilfsorganisationen in Europa, Skandinavien und Japan finanzielle Mittel sammeln, um diese Kampagne durchzuführen.

Als Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê rufen wir Organisationen und Wohltäter im Ausland auf, sich an der Kampagne von Heyva Sor a Kurd zu beteiligen.

Alle Personen und Institutionen, die den kurdischen und syrischen Flüchtlingen, die aus dem Libanon geflohen sind, helfen möchten, können ihre Spenden über Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê an die Bedürftigen senden.

BANKVERBINDUNG:

Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê e.V.

Kreissparkasse Köln

IBAN: DE49 3705 0299 0004 0104 81

BIC/SWIFT: COKSDE33XXX

PAYPAL: [email protected]

paypal.com/paypalme/heyvasorakurdistan

Verwendungszweck: Libanon-Flüchtlinge

(Bitte beachten! Durch eine Verfügung seitens der ADD Rheinland-Pfalz können wir keine Spenden aus dem Bundesland Rheinland-Pfalz annehmen. Bis zur Klärung der Sachlage umfasst keine unserer Hilfsaktionen dieses Gebiet.)

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#KURDÎ #kurdistan #heyvasor #kurd #heyvasorakurdistan #libanon #rojava

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dailyunsolvedmysteries-movedd · 1 year ago

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15 Inventors Who Were Killed By Their Own Inventions

William Nelson - a General Electric employee, invented a new way to motorize bicycles. He then fell off his prototype bike during a test run and died.

Michael Dacre - died after testing his flying taxi device designed to permit fast, affordable travel between regional cities.

Mike Hughes - was killed when the parachute failed to deploy during a crash landing while piloting his homemade steam-powered rocket.

#inventions #inventors #history #facts

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motor-sports23 · 7 months ago

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History And Benefits of Bicycle/Bikes

Bicycles have long been more than just a mode of transportation; they embody a sense of freedom, efficiency, and environmental consciousness that has made them enduring icons of mobility. From humble beginnings in the early 19th century to the sophisticated machines of today, bicycles have evolved significantly, shaping cultures and lifestyles around the world.

Historical Evolution

The history of bicycles traces back to the early 1800s when the first mechanically driven two-wheel vehicle, known as the 'dandy horse' or 'velocipede,' appeared in Europe. This rudimentary contraption, propelled by pushing off the ground with the feet, sparked a wave of innovation that led to the invention of the modern bicycle.

In the mid-19th century, French metalworker Pierre Michaux and his son Ernest Michaux developed the pedal-driven velocipede, known as the boneshaker for its uncomfortable ride over rough terrain. Subsequent designs saw improvements in comfort and efficiency, with the introduction of the high-wheel bicycle (or penny-farthing) in the 1870s, which featured a large front wheel and a smaller rear wheel. This design was later replaced by the safety bicycle in the 1880s, which closely resembles the bicycles we ride today, with equally sized wheels and a chain-driven rear wheel.

Modern Innovation and Varieties

Today, bicycles come in a staggering array of designs tailored for different purposes and terrains. Road bikes, built for speed and efficiency on paved surfaces, feature lightweight frames and thin, smooth tires. Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are rugged machines equipped with shock absorbers and knobby tires designed to handle off-road trails and rugged terrain. Hybrid bikes blend features of road and mountain bikes, offering versatility for both urban commuting and recreational riding.

Recent decades have seen the rise of specialized bikes such as fat bikes with oversized tires for riding on sand or snow, and electric bikes (e-bikes) equipped with battery-powered motors to assist with pedaling, offering a viable alternative for commuters and recreational cyclists alike.

Benefits of Cycling

Beyond their mechanical innovations and diverse designs, bicycles offer numerous benefits to individuals and society as a whole. Cycling promotes physical fitness and cardiovascular health, providing a low-impact aerobic workout that strengthens muscles and improves coordination. Regular cycling is associated with reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.

From an environmental perspective, bicycles are one of the most sustainable forms of transportation, emitting zero greenhouse gases and requiring minimal resources to manufacture compared to automobiles. Cycling reduces traffic congestion, noise pollution, and the demand for parking spaces in urban areas, contributing to cleaner, more livable cities.

Cultural Impact and Community

Bicycles have also left an indelible mark on culture and society. They have been embraced as symbols of youthfulness, independence, and adventure, inspiring countless films, artworks, and literary works. Events like the Tour de France have elevated cycling to the status of a highly competitive sport, showcasing the endurance and skill of professional athletes on a global stage.

In cities worldwide, the cycling community has grown into a vibrant subculture, fostering camaraderie among enthusiasts through group rides, bike clubs, and advocacy efforts to promote cycling infrastructure and safety. Cycling events and festivals celebrate the joy of riding and raise awareness about the benefits of cycling for individuals and communities alike.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bicycles have transcended their humble origins to become icons of sustainable transportation, physical fitness, and cultural significance. Their evolution continues to be driven by innovations in technology, materials, and design, ensuring that bicycles remain relevant and accessible for generations to come. Whether for commuting, recreation, sport, or adventure, bicycles continue to embody the spirit of freedom and exploration that captivates riders worldwide.

#bikes #electric bikes #kids bikes #motorsports #h&s #usa

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iuriinacio · 8 months ago

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Os Sem Floresta (Over The Hedge) Fora de Contexto!

Certo dia a gambá Stella decidiu abrir uma concessionária de motos, o nome e o slogan que ela escolheu que combine com seu estilo foi:

Honda Bikes, The Power Of Dreams

Créditos ao @cj33333 pelo Twitter/X feito em 2021.

#over the hedge #overthehedge #dreamworks #dreamworks animation #incorrect quotes

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ncisladaily · 1 year ago

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@danielaruah - Sunday was amazing! Not only did I achieve a huge goal (look mom I did it!) but I did it alongside wonderful friends AND the @malibutri raised over $1.2 MILLION dollars for @childrensla … Congrats to everyone who participated! & Thank you so very very much to all who donated! The whole journey has been unforgettable. Shall we do it again next year??? . Domingo foi incrível! Não só atingi um objectivo enorme (mãe, consegui!) mas fi-lo ao lado de amigos maravilhosos E o triatlo de Malibu angariou mais de $1.2 milhões para o Hospital pediátrico de LA… parabéns a todos os que participaram e muito obrigada do fundo do coração pelas doações! Esta jornada foi inesquecível. Bora fazer outra vez no próximo ano??? . Donation link in bio! . #triathlon #goal #triatlo #malibu #childrenshospital #LA #ocean #swim #bike #run #happy #sore #dorida

#Daniela Ruah #ncis la

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defietssite · 2 years ago

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Fietsvakanties zijn er in alle soorten en maten. Je kunt in vele landen een fietsvakantie houden, en het zal je niet verbazen dat ons eigen land ook bijzonder in trek is voor het houden van een fietsvakantie. Nederland behoort tot de meest fietsvriendelijke landen ter wereld. Allereerst bestaat Nederland voornamelijk uit een vlak landschap en we beschikken over een ruim fietspadennetwerk. Wie toch eens verder wil kijken dan Nederland heeft niet alleen de keuze uit vele andere landen. Maar heeft ook de keuze uit het type fietsvakantie: neem je de eigen fietsen mee of ga je georganiseerd op reis? Zelf je fiets meenemen of georganiseerd? Ben jij, of zijn jullie, van het zelf organiseren? Dan pak je de auto, maak je een keuze uit de beste en meest geschikte fietsendragers voor het vervoeren van fietsen. en stippel je thuis precies uit welke routes jullie op de fiets willen afleggen en welke accommodaties je daarvoor kunt boeken. Zwaarte van de route Vanzelfsprekend houd je rekening met de zwaarte van de routes, want in vele ons omringende landen tref je vaak heuvelachtig, tot bergachtige landschappen. Ben je sportief aangelegd dan kunnen mountainbikes ideaal zijn. Maar wie liever een iets meer ontspanning op de fiets zoekt kan ook het gebruik van een e-bike overwegen. Ken de fietsregels ter plaatse Zorg er overigens voor dat je altijd bekend bent met de eisen die aan fietsers ter plekke worden gesteld. Zo kan het zijn dat je fiets over bepaalde faciliteiten moet beschikken. Zoals de aanwezigheid van een voor- en achterrem. De aanwezigheid van bepaalde reflectoren. Het verplicht dragen van een fietshelm, et cetera. Reis- en ziektekostenverzekering Zorg ook dat je beschikt over een ruim voldoende reisverzekering. want bepaalde behandelingen kunnen in het buitenland veel duurder uitpakken dan de zorgverzekering in Nederland vergoedt. Dekt de Nederlandse ziektekosten de behandeling in het buitenland maar gedeeltelijk. Dan kun je zelf de rest bijbetalen. Informeer je dus echt heel goed voordat je op reis gaat. Want een ongeluk zit doorgaans in een klein hoekje - zeker op de fiets. Georganiseerde fietsvakantie Op vele plekken ter wereld kun je een fietsvakantie houden. Er bestaan specifieke online reiswinkels waar je de meest spectaculaire fietsreizen kunt boeken. Wat dacht je bijvoorbeeld van Oezbekistan, Thailand, of Scandinavië? Houd er wel rekening mee dat in specifieke landen er een mindere wegkwaliteit bestaat, neem daarom altijd goede beschermmiddelen mee en draag altijd een fietshelm. Het gemak van een georganiseerde fietsvakantie Een groot verschil tussen zelf je fietsen meenemen en georganiseerd op reis gaan is dat bij een georganiseerde fietsvakantie jouw spullen telkens van overnachtingsplek naar overnachtingsplek worden vervoerd. Je hebt dus geen omkijken naar je bagage, dit wordt voor je geregeld en de bagage wacht op je in de nieuwe accommodatie. Georganiseerde fietsvakanties bieden wat dat betreft dus een groot gemak, alleen mag het ook wat kosten natuurlijk. Zelfstandig op reis gaan bespaart je dan natuurlijk wel de nodige kosten!

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commishpro · 13 days ago

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Electric bikes (e-bikes) are totally rewriting the rulebook on how we get around.

Forget just avoiding traffic or getting in a bit of light exercise—these bad boys pack a punch of fun, convenience, and eco-friendly vibes all in one. They’re the kind of wheels that make you feel like you're living in the future, all while helping the planet and your wallet. More and more people are hopping on the e-bike bandwagon every day, so it's clear—this trend isn’t going anywhere. Curious about why everyone’s so into these electric wonders? Let’s break it down!

What’s an E-Bike?

Imagine your regular bike, but with a dash of tech magic. An e-bike comes with an electric motor and a battery that help you glide up hills, zoom through long rides, and laugh in the face of headwinds. Basically, it’s like your bike got a caffeine shot. There are three main types to choose from:

Pedal-Assist (Pedelec): You pedal, the motor assists. It’s like having a tiny robot sidekick helping you out.

Throttle-Controlled: No pedaling required. Just twist the throttle and boom, you’re off! Like a scooter, but way cooler.

Speed Pedelec: Think of this as the race car version of pedal-assist bikes. Perfect for fast commuters who like to leave traffic in the dust.

Why Should You Consider an E-Bike?

E-bikes are basically the Swiss Army knives of modern transportation—variable, fun, and full of perks. Here’s why you might want to take one for a spin:

Eco-Friendly: Ditch the gas-guzzler and say hello to a cleaner, greener you.

Save Money: Bye-bye to fuel costs, parking headaches, and pricey car repairs.

Health Benefits: You still get a workout, but without feeling like you’re training for the Tour de France.

Convenience: Forget traffic jams. Forget endless circling for parking. Your e-bike is ready to breeze right past them.

Accessible: Whether you're new to cycling or just need something a bit easier on your knees, e-bikes make biking more accessible to everyone.

Best E-Bikes on Amazon

Ready to get your E-bike? Here are some top picks that are stealing the spotlight on Amazon:

Ancheer 500W/250W Electric Bike

Motor: 500W (speed up to 20 mph)

Range: 40 miles on a charge

Why it’s awesome: Lightweight, versatile, and over 2,000 glowing reviews. It’s like the crowd-pleaser of e-bikes.

Rad Power Bikes RadMission

Motor & Battery: 500W motor, 48V battery

Range: 45 miles

Why it’s awesome: Sleek, sturdy, and urban-ready—this one’s a commuter’s dream. Plus, Rad Power has built a reputation for quality that’s hard to beat.

Heybike Cityscape

Comfort: Step-through frame for easy mounting

Motor: 350W, 40-mile range

Why it’s awesome: Almost 4.5 stars from thousands of users. Comfortable, practical, and designed for everyday adventures.

Schwinn Marshall Hybrid Bike

Design: Road meets mountain bike

Motor: 250W, 35-mile range

Why it’s awesome: A jack of all trades, ready to handle both city streets and light trails. Plus, it’s a Schwinn, so you know it’s built to last.

ADO A20F XE Foldable E-Bike

Foldable: Ideal for tight spaces and city living

Motor: 500W, 50-mile range

Why it’s awesome: Rugged, portable, and the perfect travel buddy for adventurers on the go. Just fold it up and take it anywhere.

What to Look for When Buying an E-Bike

Choosing an e-bike can feel a bit like buying a new phone—tons of options, lots of jargon, and a lot of decisions to make. But don’t sweat it! Here's what to focus on:

Purpose: Are you commuting? Hitting the trails? Or just riding around town? Pick an e-bike that matches your vibe.

Motor Power: More power = more speed, but it also means you might need to charge more often. Balance is key.

Battery Range: Think about how far you need to go. A 40-mile range might be perfect for daily errands, but long road trips will need something beefier.

Frame & Build: Lightweight frames, like aluminum, are great if you need something easy to maneuver.

Extras: Features like racks, fenders, and lights can make your ride smoother, safer, and a whole lot more practical.

Budget: E-bikes range from “easy on the wallet” to “wait, how much?!”. Decide how much you're willing to spend before you start shopping.

E-Bike Maintenance Tips

Want your e-bike to keep running smoothly? A little TLC goes a long way. Here are some tips to keep your ride in top shape:

Charge Smart: Avoid letting the battery go completely flat. Charge it when it’s around 20-30% for optimal health.

Tire Pressure: Check it regularly to make sure you're not slowing down because of low tires (it’s the little things).

Brakes: Make sure they work. Seriously, this is not negotiable. Safety first, people.

Clean It: A clean bike is a happy bike. Plus, it’ll look cooler while you’re cruising.

Annual Tune-Up: Even the best e-bikes need a check-up. Get it professionally tuned at least once a year.

Final Thoughts

E-bikes are the future of transportation, and for good reason. They’re fun, practical, and help you live a greener, more active lifestyle. Whether you’re cruising around town, commuting, or tackling a mountain trail, there’s an e-bike for every kind of rider. So, are you ready to join the electric revolution?

Want more info on e-bikes? Check out Glide Electric Bikes for expert advice and help finding the perfect ride to suit your style. Go ahead, power up, and ride into the future!

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385bookreviews · 17 days ago

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1.190.1 Parable of the Sower by Octavia E Butler

SPOILERS

Pages: 329

Time Read: 6 hours and 57 minutes

Overall Rating: 4★ Storyline: 4★ Dialogue: 3.5★ Characters: 3★

Genre: Adult Dystopian

TWs for the book: Violence, death, gun violence, murder, fire, r*pe, child death, death of a parent, slavery, blood, cannibalism, s*xual violence, animal death, grief, drug abuse/addiction, injury, gore, child abuse, racism, physical abuse, trafficking, classism, torture, police brutality, body horror, domestic abuse, adult/minor relationship, war, s*xual content, p*d*ph*l*a, abandonment, kidnapping, misogyny, incest, cursing, mental illness, pregnancy, hate crime, emotional abuse, su*c*de, mass shooting, religion (Baptist Christianity), religious bigotry, colonization, vomit, confinement, chronic illness, excrement, xenophobia, genocide, panic attacks, alcoholism, homophobia, ableism, parentification, mentions of infertility and abortion

POV: First Person

Time Period/Location: California, 2024-2027

First Line: Prodigy is, at its essence, adaptability and persistent, positive obsession.

July 20, 2024: Lauren Olamina has a dream. In her dream she is trying to teach herself how to levitate in her room, but a fire engulfs her. She is suddenly then transported to her yard when she was seven years old, taking down laundry from the clothesline with her stepmother. She tells Lauren that when she was young, you couldn't see nearly as many stars from all the light pollution, but now cities like that don't exist as much anymore. July 21, 2024: Today is Lauren's 15th birthday. She doesn't believe in God anymore, but her father is a preacher, so her and her brothers agree to be baptized. While he usually held church in the living room of their house for their small, walled in neighborhood, he arranged for them to go outside the walls to the only church left standing for the occasion. They ride bikes, armed with guns, passing tons of street poor people, starving, dirty, and drug addicted. It hurts Lauren to see injured people, as she has a delusional disorder called hyperempathy syndrome. This allows her to feel others' pain and pleasure just as much as they do. When they arrive at the church, built like a fortress, Lauren, her brothers, and some other kids from the neighborhood are baptized. July 30, 2024: An astronaut on Mars, part of a crew trying to create a colony there, dies. The price of water goes up again, costing more than gasoline. The last TV in the neighborhood at the Yannis house finally dies. August 3, 2024: Lauren and her father discuss space. She thinks it's worthwhile to try and find new life and travel to new planets, while her father views it as a waste. Lauren laments the fact that the astronauts last wish, to be buried on Mars, won't be honored. August 12, 2024: One of their neighbors, a very judgmental and religious woman, Mrs. Sims, shot herself. Thieves had come over the wall awhile before her death and had stolen all her valuable belongings and food, and also r*ped her. The community had rallied to take care of her, but not long after, her son, daughter-in-law, grandkids, brother, nieces, and nephews all died in a house fire. Lauren wonders how someone who had based her entire life off of a religion that claimed you would go to hell if you killed yourself could do such a thing. August 17, 2024: Lauren can't get over the deaths of Mrs. Sims or the astronaut. She tells about the religion she has created, with the core tenet of "God is Change". Rather than God being a conscious being imposing his will upon humanity, she believes that the only constant in the universe is Change, so that must be God, and all humans must shape God for themselves. November 6, 2024: A new president is to be elected. He plans to stop the government space program, allowing it to be sold off to private companies. He also plans to repeal minimum wage, environmental protections, and worker protections.

February 1, 2025: Three year old Amy Dunn started a fire in the Dunn's garage. Everyone came running to put it out, as no one can afford the fire department fees. Lauren feels bad for Amy. Her mother was impregnated by her uncle at 13, and her nor anyone else in the family pays any attention to her. Lauren tries her best to look after her since no one else will. Cory, Lauren's stepmother, teaches the neighborhood children as an alternative to school, and Lauren asks if she can start early, since Lauren is in charge of the kindergarten age children anyways. February 19, 2025: Mrs. Sims cousins, Wardell Parish and Rosalee Payne inherit her house. They aren't pleasant people and accuse people in the neighborhood of ransacking Mrs. Sims house after she died. Lauren's father explains that she was robbed not long before her death. February 22, 2025: Lauren's father and her best friend Joanne's father take some of the younger people in the neighborhood out to practice shooting in the hills nearby, including Lauren, Joanne, Joanne's cousin and boyfriend Harry, Lauren's boyfriend Curtis, Curtis' brother Michael, Aura Moss, and Peter Moss. The Moss children's father has three wives, and created his own religion, running a mini cult in his own house. After doing some shooting, they notice a dog watching them. Joanne is startled and aims her gun, and it runs away. Aura sees the same dog, but screams and panic fires her gun at it. When Lauren's father goes to investigate, he doesn't find a dog, but the corpses of a woman and her two children, partially eaten. As they begin the return journey home, Lauren's father shoots a dog that gets too close. It doesn't die, and Lauren is put in pain by seeing the injured dog, so she shoots it dead. March 2, 2025: It rains for the first time in six years. March 4, 2025: Amy Dunn dies. Lauren had just walked her home from school that day, sharing an orange with her in the rain. She went out wandering at night and was hit by a stray bullet through the neighborhood gate. March 5, 2025: Lauren and Joanne talk about Amy's death, and Lauren tries to tell Amy that she believes things will only get worse. She worries that a hoard of the street poor will eventually get fed up and overrun the neighborhood and they'll have to survive on the outside. She tries to encourage Joanne to be prepared, saying the neighborhood in general needs to be more prepared, and gives her a book about plant life. March 6, 2025: The rain stops. Lauren wonders how many more years it will be till they see rain again. March 8, 2025: Lauren gets in trouble with her father for scaring Joanne. Joanne told her mother, her mother told her father, and then her father told Lauren's. Joanne made it sound like Lauren was trying to convince her to run away, but Lauren explains to her dad everything she actually said. He tries to make her promise not to talk about any of that again, but she refuses, wanting to know why they shouldn't be prepared. He agrees that they should, but doesn't want her scaring people. He tells her to start teaching her kindergarteners about plants, go and learn martial arts from someone, and that he will bring up her idea about emergency packs at the next meeting, March 9, 2025: Joanne apologizes to Lauren after church, saying she didn't mean to get her in trouble. Lauren forgives her and they remain friends, but Lauren loses some trust in her. March 12, 2025: Thieves break into the neighborhood and steal food from their gardens. Lauren's dad sets up a neighborhood watch system to have people patrolling at night. Him and Cory argue over this, as she doesn't want him to get hurt out on patrols. March 29, 2025: The thieves returned to steal some of Richard Moss' rabbits, but they were scared off by two of the people out on patrol when they fired their guns. Cory and Lauren's dad argue again.

April 26, 2025: Lauren decides to call her religion Earthseed. June 7, 2025: Lauren assembles a survival pack for herself. Her father won't let her have a gun though. She asks him if he ever thinks about going north and he says no, since all of the states have armed and guarded borders, and tons of people everyday are also flooding north for the same opportunities. June 19, 2025: Tracy Dunn disappears. June 20, 2025: Lauren turns 16. She writes in her journal that "The Destiny of Earthseed is to take root among the stars". July 26, 2025: Tracy hasn't been found. Another girl in the neighborhood, Bianca, is pregnant. August 2, 2025: The group goes out for target practice again. They find a mangled corpse this time, and Aura Moss decides she's done going shooting. Lauren's 12 year old brother Keith had begged to go with them, but was denied because he wasn't 15. While they were out, Keith ran away from the neighborhood. He took Cory's key to the gate with him. Lauren's dad is about to go out and look for him when they find him bloody and beat on the kitchen floor, having been robbed and the key also stolen from him. August 3, 2025: Keith is forced to confess his wrongdoing to the congregation that Sunday. August 17, 2025: Their parents bought Keith a new BB gun for his birthday to try and appease him and keep him in the neighborhood. This fails, as he leaves again, taking the gun with him. August 28, 2025: After days of searching and Cory being distraught, Keith comes home. He has clean new clothes this time, and his BB gun but their father destroys it before beating Keith up. October 25, 2025: Keith leaves again, this time taking Cory's gun. November 3, 2025: Keith returns with a wad of cash for Cory and chocolate for Gregory and Bennett while their father is out of the house. Then he leaves again, saying he's making a ton of money.

June 25, 2026: Keith comes home again. He actually sits and talks with Lauren while she makes him dinner. He tells her that he has a room with some guys who have a lot of stolen technology, but because he can read and write and they can't, he helps them to use it or sell it. He also reveals that he killed and robbed a man early on when he set out. July 20, 2026: On her way home from Curtis' house, on her 17th birthday, Keith finds her and gives her a wad of cash as a birthday present. Lauren says she'll give it to Cory. August 26, 2026: Lauren's parents go downtown to identify Keith's body. August 29, 2026: Keith's skin was peeled off and his eyes were burned out of his, showing signs of having been tortured for days. Lauren doesn't cry for him at all, saying he was sociopathic and he probably would have gotten worse as he aged. October 17, 2026: Another robbery occurred, this time into someone's house, which resulted in the Quintanilla's grandmother being killed. This marks the 7th break in since Keith died. October 20, 2026: A company called KSF buys a town called Olivar and turns it into a company town with armed guards, where all of the citizens are employees, not paid much but given housing and food. Cory wants to move there, but Lauren's dad says it's just modern day slavery and refuses to consider it. October 24, 2026: Joanne's family applies to move to Olivar. Lauren realizes the big invasion of people she thought was going to destroy the community is actually gonna be a slow dismantling as people try to find better lives. October 31, 2026: Lauren decides to go north to find a better life once she turns 18. November 14, 2026: The Garfield family is accepted to move to Olivar. Joanne's boyfriend/cousin Harry won't go with her. November 17, 2026: Lauren's father doesn't return from his job at the college that morning. November 18, 2026: Lauren and a few others go into the canyons where they usually practice shooting to search for her dad, dead or alive. They find a dismembered arm that could belong to her dad, but they aren't sure. November 22, 2026: Lauren's father is still missing. The fingerprints they took from the arm weren't his. December 19, 2026: The neighborhood holds a funeral for Lauren's father, even though they still don't know what happened to him. December 22, 2026: The Garfield family moves away to Olivar. They are collected in an armored truck with armored guards, employed by KSF. Cory talks to the guards about what it's like to live there, seriously considering the move now that Lauren's father is gone. Lauren meets with Curtis afterwards to have s*x. He wants to marry her, and she hesitates because he doesn't know about her hyperempathy syndrome yet, or Earthseed. He wants to leave and go north, and Lauren tells him they will after her family is settled into not having their father around. December 24, 2026: The night before someone set fire to the Payne-Parrish house. Wardell Parrish was the only survivor, his twin sister and her five children burning to death with the house. They suspect it was someone who took the drug Pyro, a pill that makes you need to watch things burn. While the neighborhood rushed to help Wardell and try to put out the fire, several houses were robbed, including Lauren's. December 29, 2026: Cory takes over Lauren's father's job at the college to make ends meet. Lauren begins to run the school in her absence. December 30, 2026: Wardell Parrish goes to live with family.

July 31, 2027: Bald people covered in paint and addicted to Pyro crash through the gate of the neighborhood and burn the place down, indiscriminately killing, r*ping, and looting. Lauren manages to escape. Lauren loses track of Cory and her brothers. Thankfully she has a gun and her emergency pack, and spends the night in a broken down shed. Lauren goes back to the neighborhood once it's daylight. No police or firefighters have come. She picks through the remains of her burned down house and salvages what she can, including money that was buried in the backyard. Richard Moss was killed, along with Harry's grandfather and little cousin, who had also been r*ped. She sees Curtis' brother's body, but not Curtis, and a handful of other people she had known her whole life, dead. She leaves the neighborhood, and manages to run into Harry, Joanne's ex-boyfriend, and Zahra, Richard Moss' youngest wife. Her daughter had been killed, and she claims to have seen Cory and Lauren's brothers killed as well. Zahra had been caught and someone tried to r*pe her before Harry saved her, which resulted in a concussion for him. Lauren takes them back to her shed to let Harry rest and so they can eat and decide what to do. August 1, 2027: Harry is on the mend, and Zahra reveals she was one of the street poor until she was 15 and her mother sold her to Richard Moss. The three of them agree to go north together as a group. August 2, 2027: Harry and Zahra gather supplies, and then begin their trek on foot up the 118 freeway. Only the right lane is free to traffic, the rest of the inner lanes being taken up by vendors and travelers. They eventually go off the highway and set up camp in a hill away from everyone. Lauren has cut her hair and is travelling as a man, since she is tall enough. People tried to join them at their fire, but they shooed or scared them all away. Harry is upset about this, but Zahra and Lauren insist that they can't trust anyone. Lauren takes the first watch and begins writing in her journal, and Zahra asks her to teach her to read and write. After her watch, Harry wakes up to replace her. Lauren wakes up a bit later to Harry being attacked. One man was already dead. She smashes the attacker over the head with a rock, which in turn disables her for a moment. When she realizes that the guy is still alive, she grabs a knife and slits his throat. They strip the bodies of clothes and possessions and drag the bodies down to some trees. She decides to tell them about her hyperempathy syndrome and gives them the choice to leave or stick with her. They both decide to stay, although Harry is wary of her after she so easily killed a man. She also opens up and shares verses from Earthseed with them. August 3, 2027: A large forest fire starts, and the group stays aware of it as they travel, worrying that it will jump the freeway. They find a spot to rest, but then eventually move when Harry finds a better one. Zahra and Harry have s*x that night, which wakes Lauren, and she scolds them for not keeping watch. August 4, 2027: The group stops at a commercial water station to fill up. Someone steals water from a woman with a baby, and Lauren trips him. She gives the water back to the woman and her husband. The couple stays near them on the road and camps near them as well. August 5, 2027: They come near the ocean and decide to camp down by the beach so they can bathe in the water. Lauren invites the family to come camp with them, but they don't accept, suspicious of the offer. That night, dogs came and tried to steal the family's baby, and Lauren goes over and shoots the dog. August 6, 2027: After making camp that night, the family finally decides to join their group, father Travis, mother Natividad, and baby Dominic. Travis and Natividad used to be servants for a rich man and his wife. They are heading up to Seattle, and agree to travel with Harry, Lauren, and Zahra. Lauren shares some Earthseed verses with them.

August 8, 2027: The group continues their journey by travelling up the beach. Lauren gradually converts the group to Earthseed, starting with Travis, who is immensely curious about it. August 27, 2027: An earthquake hit during their walk on the highway. Someone starts a fire in a town, and all the walkers begin to flock towards it to scavenge and burn and loot. The group continues on, coming across an older man pushing a cart. He walks along with them, wanting to get ahead of the desperate people looting and burning the town. Him and Lauren immediately connect over their Yoruba last names. As they walk, they hear screaming, and see a run down old house collapsed in on itself during the earthquake. Two women are trapped beneath, and the group works together to get them out. As they walk back to the highway, they are attacked. Lauren stabs her attacker, and three others are killed by Harry. They strip the dead men and Lauren changes clothes, and they continue on. Allie and Jill are the two women who they saved. Allie is aggressive, asking if they're a cult, but ultimately they agree to travel with them. Bankole, the older man, also agrees to travel with them. They stop at a store in a town they come across, and Bankole convinces them to invest in a rifle for hunting and long range shooting. August 28, 2027: The group has to change course due to riots and unrest in San Francisco, so they decide to go on I-5. August 29, 2027: That night they are all awoken by a gun fight on I-5 near their campsite. They all stay down till the shooting stops, and Lauren goes to find Bankole, who has disappeared. She finds him on his way back to camp with an orphaned three year old boy named Justin. They get him to settle down, and they all try to go back to sleep, Lauren kissing Bankole before they laid back down. Justin becomes attached to Allie, and she eventually takes charge of him on the road. Jill tells Lauren that they were s*x slaves, pimped out by their own father. Allie used to have a baby, but their father killed him in a drunken rage. They ran away, and burned his house down on the way out. August 30, 2027: The group makes it to the San Luis Reservoir. A lot of people are camped there but they find a place that's out of the way. Lauren and Bankole go off to talk. They debate about Earthseed some, and he tells her his wife died from robbers beating her five years ago. She manages to guess that he is a doctor. They have s*x, and she tells him she's 18 afterwards and he's appalled given that he's 57, but he admits he doesn't want to let her go. September 9, 2027: The group has continued their journey along I-5. During their walks, they saw a dog wandering with a child's arm in its mouth, and a group of children, one of them a pregnant girl, roasting someone's leg over a fire. Bankole reveals that he was travelling to get to some land that he owns where his sister and her family live. He tries to convince Lauren to marry him and leave the group, but she refuses, saying she'll only come with him if he agrees to take the whole group in. He relents, and before she agrees to marry him, she also tells him about her hyperempathy syndrome. He is surprised she managed to conceal it, and says he still wants to marry her. September 10, 2027: Two people, a woman and her daughter, snuck into camp last night and laid down on the ground and slept near them. When Lauren awoke and confronted them, they immediately curled up on the ground and said they would leave. Lauren offered to feed them, and the group convened about whether they should stay. They ultimately decide to keep them and move on. Lauren scolds Jill for not paying enough attention on watch. The mother's name is Emery, and her daughter is Tori. They were essentially slaves to a company and they were on the run, having escaped after Emery's two sons were sold away.

September 12, 2027: Tori attracted another little girl, Doe, on the road, and Doe's father Grayson. He very obviously doesn't want to travel with them, but he also doesn't want to separate Doe from her new friend, and he seems to connect with Emery. Lauren guesses that him and Doe are also former slaves. September 17, 2027: Tori and Doe go off with Emery to go to the bathroom. The group suddenly hears screaming, and Lauren and some of the others run over to see a big bald man trying to snatch Tori away from Emery. Emery is fighting back, and when he finally manages to shake her off Lauren shoots him. They get in a gun fight with the rest of the man's gang. Grayson grabs Doe and runs off. Lauren is skimmed by a bullet, and Jill is shot and killed while trying to shield Tori. When Lauren comes to from her wound and the pain of dying with those around her, she realizes that Emery, Tori, Grayson, and Doe all have hyperempathy as well, sharers as Lauren calls them. They move on, and Grayson agrees to stay with and protect the group. Allie is distraught over her sister's death, and Lauren comforts her. The group is overwhelmed by the smoke from a massive forest fire, but they manage to outrun it without any injuries. September 26, 2027: The group finally arrives at Bankole's land, only to find that the house has been burned down with his sister and her family inside. October 1, 2027: Bankole goes to the police to try to find out what happened to his sister, but all they do is harass him and steal his money. There's a well with fresh water, and the group ultimately decides to stay and build an Earthseed community.

Lauren Olamina: Lauren is a little bit of flat character, not showing much emotion throughout the book. This doesn't detract from the story though and makes sense in the context that you're reading her diary entries. She definitely comes across older than she is, but also with the same "know it all" attitude of any teenager that age. She felt very real to me. I didn't understand why she had to end up in a relationship with a 39 year age gap though, that was uncomfortable to read about.

Storyline: Blake takes a very dark view of humanity in this book, with abundant r*pe, robbery, murder, torture, drug use, p*d*ph*l*a, and cannibalism. I definitely don't agree that humanity would devolve to this level, however, given the eerie parallels to nowadays, this book definitely makes you sit with the content and wonder if things will actually get that bad, and what we can do to prevent this bleak and horrific future.

Representation: Almost everyone in the story is either Asian, black, or Hispanic. Lauren, Grayson, Doe, Tori, and Emery suffer from hyperempathy syndrome, a disabling delusional disorder.

Summary: This book was a scary read, and (spoiler) Parable of the Talents is even scarier. The parallels of Octavia Blake's dystopian 2024-2027 to our current 2024-2025 is a little too close to home, and really forces you to consider where we are heading, not just as a country but as human beings. I really liked Lauren's religion, Earthseed, and the whole concept of God being Change. I definitely recommend everyone read this, but be mindful of the wanton violence and numerous mentions of adult and child r*pe.

Quotes: -"All that you touch, you Change. All that you Change, Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change." (p.3) -"There are over 700 known dead so far. One hurricane… That's nature. Is it God? Most of the dead are the street poor who have nowhere to go… Is it a sin against God to be poor?" (p.15) -"God is Change, and in the end, God prevails. But God exists to be shaped. It isn't enough for us to just survive, limping along, playing business as usual while things get worse and worse. If that's the shape we give to God, then someday we must become too weak--too poor, too hungry, too sick--to defend ourselves. Then we'll be wiped out." (p.76) -"Embrace diversity. Unite--or be divided, robbed, ruled, killed by those who see you as prey. Embrace diversity or be destroyed." (p.196) -"'Your God doesn't care about you at all,' Travis said. 'All the more reason to care about myself and others...'" (p.221) -"The universe is God's self-portrait." (p.315)

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