#polka dot jasper

[stopdoopyphotos]

[dyxtd21]

Polka Dot Jasper aesthetic moodboard!!

Polka Dot Jasper:

Polka Dot Jasper is the whimsical, lighthearted soul of any gathering, carrying a quirky charm reminiscent of "Weird Al" Yankovic. His laid-back vibe, zany humor, and penchant for all things absurd make him a refreshing presence in any situation. With his bright, cheerful demeanor, he’s the friend everyone loves to have around, always bringing fun wherever he goes.

Appearance:

Creamy-White with Yellow Spots: Polka Dot Jasper’s skin is a soft, creamy white, decorated with yellow spots that give him a cheerful, playful look. The spots are scattered across his arms, legs, and face like confetti, making him look as though he’s in perpetual celebration mode. His coloration has a warm, inviting quality that instantly puts others at ease.

Eccentric Clothing Style: Polka Dot Jasper is dressed in his favorite Hawaiian shirt, bursting with bright colors and loud patterns. He pairs this with comfortable, well-worn cargo shorts loaded with pockets, each one potentially filled with random trinkets or small joke props that he loves to pull out for a quick laugh. On his feet, he sports sandals—the kind with Velcro straps, always open-toe and casual. His look screams “vacation mode” in the best way, adding to his easygoing, comical nature.

Accordion as an Accessory: His beloved accordion hangs around his neck on a sturdy strap, an ever-present fixture and a source of musical joy (or mischievous distraction). It’s a unique instrument covered with polka dots that match his own, each one a different shade of yellow and orange, and it’s adorned with tiny stickers and doodles, marking it as his treasured companion.

Gemstone: Right on his navel, he has a trapeze-cut Polka Dot Jasper gemstone that adds a glint to his sunny personality. It’s creamy with spots like the rest of his skin and has a playful sparkle to it, almost like it’s perpetually catching the light whenever he’s mid-laugh.

Personality:

Goofy and Lighthearted: Polka Dot Jasper is always in high spirits, the kind of character who can turn any serious moment into a laugh fest. His humor is quirky and offbeat, with a flair for the absurd that only he can pull off with such enthusiasm. He’s the master of one-liners, puns, and the occasional accordion-fueled sing-along, unafraid to bring levity to even the most tense situations.

Creative and Inventive: Much like Weird Al, Polka Dot Jasper has a knack for taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. He loves remixing songs on his accordion, inventing outlandish stories, or even crafting little jokes and pranks for his friends. His creativity knows no bounds, and he’s always coming up with clever ways to make people laugh, whether it’s through a musical parody, a silly skit, or an impromptu comedy routine.

Endearingly Weird: Polka Dot Jasper fully embraces his own weirdness, and it’s infectious. He’s the type of character who might randomly burst into song or strike a dramatic pose in the middle of a conversation, adding flair to the mundane. His quirks aren’t just for show; they’re genuine parts of his personality, and his friends love him for it. He’s refreshingly authentic, completely unbothered by how others perceive him.

Compassionate and Empathetic: Beneath his goofy exterior, Polka Dot Jasper is deeply caring. He’s quick to notice when someone’s feeling down and will always go out of his way to cheer them up. Whether through a joke, a song, or just a comforting presence, he has a way of brightening people’s days. He may be the funny one, but he knows when to put the jokes aside and lend a helping hand.

Optimistic to a Fault: Polka Dot Jasper is relentlessly positive, always looking on the bright side. While some might consider him naïve or overly cheerful, he genuinely believes that laughter is the best medicine and that every cloud has a silver lining. He’s the friend who will find the silver lining even in the bleakest of situations, and his optimism can be contagious.

[yoursgemstonesshop]

[pupsmailbox]

CLOWN︰JESTER ID PACK

NAMES ⌇　ace. anticette. apple. arcade. aster. astucieux. astuto. astuzia. august. balloonette. bandit. battutista. bennett. bingo. birthdae. blossom. bob. bobbie. bobby. boink. bon. bonnie. bozo. buddy. buttercup. button. buzz. calypso. carnival. casper. circus. circusse. cirque. clerihew. clown. clownesse. clownette. comet. comic. commedia. confetti. cory. cosmo. crayon. dainty. daisie. daisy. dash. dewey. dex. dexter. ditzie. ditzy. dizzy. doll. dolos. doodle. dot. dottie. emery. emil. espie. finn. fizz. flynn. fool. foolette. frills. giggles. giullare. glitter. gracie. gwen. harlequin. harlette. harley. imp. jaspers. jesse. jessie. jest. jester. jesteresse. jesterette. jesterlita. jestesse. jestette. jett. jill. jingle. jinx. joker. jokesse. jokesy. jokette. jolly. joy. joyce juice. jupiter. ken. kip. kipper. kite. kizzy. lala. lolli. lulu. madeline. maeve. marionette. marjorie. maverick. merry. milo. mimi. nifty. pagliaccio. paint. pantin. parade. patches. pendolo. pierre. pierro. pierrot. pigeon. piper. polka-dot. polka. polkadot. poppy. puzzle. quin. quinn. quinny. raspberry. ribbon. ribbonne. riley. rio. rocket. rogue. ruffle. sally. scooter. scout. scribble. sekai. sketch. skippy. skittle. snicker. soda. spade. spark. sparks. sprinkle. squeak. squiggle. stitch. stitches. streamer. sunbeam. sunny. sunray. taffy. tally. terach. tessa. tetris. titter. toby. tommy. triboulet. tricheur. trick. trickesse. trickette. trix. trixie. tryck. tryx.. tune. twinkle. twirl. wendy. whimsy. yippie. zane. zang. zany. ziggy.

PRONOUNS ⌇　!!!/!!!. !!t/!!t. !?/!?. . :3/:3. :3c/:3c. :p/:p. >:3/>:3. >:3c/>:3c. aah/aah. an/antic. animal/cracker. balloon/balloon. bard/bard. be/bell. blast/blast. bo/bounce. boing/boing. boop/boop. bri/bright. bright/bright. card/card. chi/chime. circus/circuse. clown/clow. clown/clown. co/color. co/colorful. co/comedy. co/comical. colo(u)r/colo(u)r. color/color. comic/comic. comic/comical. costume/costume. dot/dot. egg/egg. ent/entertain. fo/fool. fool/fool. fu/fun. fun/fun. giggle/giggle. h!!/h!!m. ha/ha. harley/harlequin. he/hem. honk/honk. hu/humor. h☆/h☆m. h⭐/h⭐m. ip/ip. jest/jest. jester/jester. ji/jingle. jingle/jangle. jinx/jinxe. jo/joke. jo/joker. jo/jokester. jo/joy. joke/joke. joke/joker. joke/jokester. jol/jolly. juggle/juggle. jump/jump. ki/kit. kit/kit. la/laugh. la/laughter. laugh/laugh. light/light. mi/mime. mim/mime. mis/mischief. mrrp/mrrp. party/party. pattern/pattern. paw/paw. perform/perform. perform/performer. pip/pip. pla/play. pla/playful. play/play. pom/pom. pop/pop. pos/posse. prank/prank. prank/prankster. pun/pun. pup/pup. quip/quip. rainbow/rainbow. ruse/ruse. sh!!/h!!r. shine/shine. sho/show. sh☆/h☆r. sh⭐/h⭐r. si/silly. silly/silly. smile/smile. sparkle/sparkle. splat/splat. squee/squee. star/star. suit/suit. ted/teddy. th!!y/th!!m. th☆y/th☆m. th⭐y/th⭐m. topsy/turvy. trick/trick. trick/trickster. vex/vexe. wah/waah. wi/witty. wit/wit. wonder/wonder. yip/yip. yip/yippee. zi/zir. ☀️ . ⚘️ . ✨ . ❗ . 🃏 . 🌈 . 🌻 . 🍌 . 🍭 . 🎁 . 🎂 . 🎆 . 🎈 . 🎉 . 🎊 . 🎠 . 🎡 . 🎢 . 🎪 . 🎭 . 🎵 . 🎶 . 🐾 . 💡 . 💦 . 💫 . 📯 . 🔊 . 🔔 . 🖍 . 🖍️ . 🗯 . 😜 . 🤡 . 🥳 . 🧁 . 🧨.

[jessicanjpa]

birthday

Party planning with a dash of angst. An excerpt from this 1992 one-shot, Edward POV.

Telepathy had its uses. I was carrying a stack of boxes piled more than a foot above my head as I followed Alice around the living room, but looking through her eyes made it easy enough.

"I still don't understand why we're doing this," I said, mumbling into the cardboard mashed against my face.

Alice plucked another string of lights out of the top box wobbling above me. "Because it's been far too long since this family had a party. Two inches closer, please."

"No, it hasn't. You threw Carlisle that Doctor of the Year thing back in November."

"Exactly! And what better reason to celebrate than our mother's birthday?"

I snorted into the cardboard. "If you haven't noticed, birthdays aren't particularly meaningful around here." I sighed as the world went black again. "Alice, would you please keep your eyes open so I can see?"

"Hold on." The blackness swirled into color as she focused on a new vision. The colors gave way to a frothy swirl of white, polka-dotted by the glaring brightness of electric light. "Tulle!" Alice gasped, jumping off the ladder and landing in the hallway at a run. "Come on, help me find it! I know Rosalie packed it when we moved, it might be in that big trunk with the Christmas garlands..."

I shook my head and set the boxes down. When Alice got like this, it was best to just follow orders and keep your head down. Her visions were going a mile a minute by the time I met her in the attic. Tulle and twinkle lights, deep orange roses clustered in each corner of the ceiling—

"Good luck getting those in February," I put in, only to be shushed.

They'd go perfectly with the wrapping paper, and they must be available somewhere, otherwise I wouldn't have seen it, thank you very much.

"Hold on, what wrapping paper?" I asked. "We're doing presents?"

She rolled her eyes and threw open the nearest steamer trunk. "It's a birthday party, Edward."

"What are you giving her?"

"I've had my eye on this darling pea coat that's just right for her. Emmett's out picking flowers, Rosalie already wrapped hers—oil paints and three new canvases—hmm, maybe the canvases should be from Jasper..."

I stood up, nearly bumping my head on one of the rafters. "Why does everybody know about this but me?"

"Because you never come up for air when you're at the piano these days. It's not my fault you're a lazy telepath."

"What should I give her?"

Alice began pulling a length of sheer white cloth out of the trunk. "Ah, here it is!"

"Just tell me, Alice. What am I giving Esme?"

"Jewelry again. Only not that hideous turquoise brooch, if you please."

Jasper came home soon afterward to relieve me from decor duty. I retreated to my room to pick out the jewelry. I wouldn't be able to do this much longer, shelling out Elizabeth Masen's heirlooms to my mother and sisters; there wasn't much left. Besides the turquoise brooch, there was a pearl necklace in need of repair, the oval engagement ring, a bracelet with a little emerald flower charm, a few gaudy rings that would probably never be fashionable again, and a tangled pair of necklaces.

I sat down on my leather couch and carefully began to pick at the knotted necklaces, studiously ignoring the shining diamond heart wedged in the corner of the jewelry box beneath them. It wouldn't do to get wrapped up in that again.

[dailyanimatronics]

[ID: a drawing of avenger jasper t. jowls smiling and holding a white present with a red bow. instead of his cowboy hat, he has a birthday hat with yellow polka dots. beside him is his name in his signature. /end ID]

quick doodle cuz it's this doofus' birthday

[practically-an-x-man]

Are there any in jokes or references in any of your fics people seem to be missing that you wish they'd notice and ask you about?

Thank you so much for the ask!!

Talk Shop Tuesday

Oh, SO many! There are so many references in my fics, I can't help myself! It's just how my brain fits things together, and I think it's fun. There's no way I could remember all of them off the top of my head (especially not at midnight, lol), but here's a few that are notable to me.

During the chapter of WWFA? where the tablet shows Ahk a vision of himself with his family, and later a vision of Katherine as a young teen, there are a few references. One is along the lines of "the dead do not sleep", and it's meant as a reference to a scene in Warm Bodies in which the main character (a zombie) sleeps and imagines his love interest and her friends all musing about him. Then, in the scene with Katherine, one of her bullies goes "Polka-Dots saves the day. What a joke." in response to seeing a comic book she drew herself - this is a double-reference to my beloved Suicide Squad, with the Polka-Dots line being a tie to Polka Dot Man and the "what a joke" being the final line in a fight scene between Rick and Peacemaker. That reference doesn't really have much weight for the story itself, it's just a fun little superhero reference since Katherine is also a comics nerd.

In one of the first chapters of Catch and Release, it's revealed that the Star Wars movies don't exist in Ophelia's universe - because Harrison Ford acted in Raiders of the Lost Ark with Alfred Molina, who plays Doc Ock, which causes a bit of a paradox. It's more a joke, since the MCU crosses their wires with Star Wars and other franchises anyway, but I thought it was funny

There are several MacGyver references in Smoke and Mirrors, particularly once Madison is given a multitool as a birthday gift - Lucas Till played both the reboot MacGyver and Havok, the main love interest in the fic

There are a lot of references to American Gods in Desert Song, since it's Quinn's favorite book, but one of the subtler ones is the line "had met the ground like an ex-convict meets his wife after a long stint in prison - gracelessly and with passion". This is a reference to how the book starts, with the main character Shadow eager to see his wife after being released from his prison sentence.

In Heartstrings, Kyle and Jasper are discussing middle names, and Jasper realizes they never chose a new middle name after they came out as trans. Kyle suggests "Django" as a joke - which is, in the X-Men comics, Quicksilver's middle name (though I can never figure out if it's legit or if he's joking) and Evan Peters plays both characters

In Sunshine, one of my Jasper/Kyle sidepieces, there's some description about how Kyle feels after he's been brought back to life - namely, how he feels like he still smells vaguely like death, and how he feels like he's not as warm as he should be. The first part is pulled vaguely from Pet Sematary, where the animals and people that come back are described to have this lingering smell of grave dirt. The second part is another Warm Bodies reference- what can I say? They're my favorite books, and the pinnacle of undead romance.

Obviously all of The Facts Were These (one of my Nik/Abner pieces) is based on Pushing Daisies and is aware of it, but one of the subtle details is that Abner's attempts to woo Nikoletta are lines from the show. For example, his first line is "Care to dance?" which is meant to be an echo of a scene where Ned and Chuck slowdance while wearing beekeeper suits (I want to say it's season 1 episode 2?)

Also in my Nikoletta pieces, there's a long-running Goonies reference: in the first piece I wrote for her, it's described that "they'd find her swinging from a water pipe before they put a power dampener on her", which is effectively the prison scene in Goonies. Then, in Pit of Vipers, Adrian makes a similar reference about that scene when referring to Abner - not only a callback to that first Nikoletta pieces, but a callback to Adrian Chase in the Peacemaker show, where he describes a bunch of inmates as "Sloth-from-Goonies-looking motherfuckers" just before a big fight scene.

And honestly, I'm putting a whole separate section for all the X-Men references in my 6 Underground fics, because... there's a lot

In Nom De Guerrre, AJ questions why One picked "Worthington" as his (canon) code name in one of the scenes, and he responds "Uncanny X-Men #134" - not Angel's first appearance by any means, but it sounded more interesting than just "X-Men #1"

In Desert Song, Quinn's quipping with One and he responds "I swear to God I'll sew your mouth shut" - that's a reference to the X-Men Origins version of Deadpool, who has his mouth sewn shut. Wolverine even says "Looks like somebody finally found a way to shut you up" in the movie

Also in Desert Song, during Quinn's origin flashback where she meets Billy for the first time, he sits down in the alley with her and she "looks at him like he'd just grown a pair of wings". Why a pair of wings instead of the more traditional "like he'd grown a second head"? Well, Ben Hardy played both Billy and Angel. I reference that a lot, but so do the writers of the actual movie, so we're even.

Since One's actual name is never revealed in the actual movie, I have a bit of fun with it in my fics. In Nom De Guerre, his real name is Logan - Wolverine reference, of course. And in Desert Song, it's Nathan Christopher - referencing Cable, AKA Nathan Christopher Summers. In both fics, the other characters are aware of those being comic characters and poke a little fun at him for it.

This one's in reverse, but in my X-Men fic A Love Once New (which features Angel, of course), there's a reference about how Rae lives on the fourth floor of her apartment complex and only "a parkour genius or- well, Warren" (since he has wings) could get to her balcony from the back side. Did parkour exist as a concept in the 80s? Not a clue. But the reference was worth a little anachronism.

And... yeah, there's so many more than just these. If I combed through all of my writing, I'd have hundreds of little hidden references to books, movies, comics, you name it. I love planting in those little references and details even if nobody ends up noticing them. Maybe somewhere out there I've got a reader who's a nerd in the same way I am, and smiles when they notice those little details. I can hope lol.

[fuckmeyer]

How do you imagine the Cullens and Bella dressing like in your book?

similar style but slight adjustments.

Bella probably goes through the biggest change. she starts off In the Afterlight wearing jeans, band tees, chunky sweaters, & very eclectic pieces (bowling shirt ABSOLUTELY exists). in Come Nightfall she changes - she 1) won't wear anything she stole from Edward (i.e. sweaters and flannels), 2) does so much activity outdoors she's wearing exclusively athletic wear, and 3) is forced to hide her scent later on so objectively dresses WORSE with stained, mismatched thrift-store clothes. doesn't own a khaki skirt. in By Starlight, now that Edward's home, she's back to athletic wear. Edward likes this very, very much.

Edward has the same style with more color. NO sleeveless white button-up because what the FUCK. when he's hunting, he's a jeans and flannel shirt kinda guy - he'll often wear clothes he hates when hunting. (ofc, now that Bella wears his flannel shirts, he's rethinking his tastes.) otherwise, day-to-day, he's a loose slacks, undershirt, & suspenders kinda guy (think 1950s or 20s). nice button-ups and dark fitted sweaters in deep, dark colors like navy, burgundy, phthalo green. extremely lame in a cute way. light spoilers for future chaps, but this man is literally always trying to hide his body.

i picture the Cullens dressing mostly in timeless outfits and styles.

Esme adores dresses and skirts à la Audrey Hepburn. classic, chic, evergreen. she would wear neutrals the most day-to-day but adores flowing prints and polka dots when she feels in the mood :) definitely wears ratty skirts or jeans when gardening.

Rosalie's casual/business casual style has some Princess Di influences with some modern trends mixed in (thanks to Alice). keeps some greasy old jeans and overalls for her mechanic work.

Carlisle really misses wearing embroidered brocaded waistcoats & frilly shirts. thinks modern men's fashion is boring. slacks and button-ups for this man. CARDIGANS ALL DAY. misses wearing ascots, but likes scarves. god, he hates modern men's fashion.

Jasper actually loved his 90s grunge/punk era and never really left it. army boots/doc martins (with the coded laces OFC), ripped jeans, plaid shirts, band tees, beanies, leather jackets with handsewn patches.

Emmett is jeans and tees all day. James Dean kinda guy with the boots, slacks/jeans, nice white tee, bomber jacket.

Alice is a freak. she's following every trend. she says it's to keep the Cullens in the modern world (true - to their dismay, she WILL go through their closets and add/subtract items). but really, it's her way to stay connected to the present day. she has ofc rare commissioned pieces from different designers, beautiful pieces from eras long gone that she can't bear to part with (because ofc everything comes back in style), weird pieces from niche trends... but she absolutely DOES dress like she's straight from a 2000s-era issue of Seventeen. for better or worse.

[mrshcloset]

💛Vive le Tour💛

This year I will break down to you how TOUR DE FRANCE cycling tournament works.

As of the current year 2023, Le Tour had its 110th edition. Riders will have a total of 3 405,6 kilometers from Bilbao to Paris!

Last month, The Grand Départ took place in the autonomous region of the Basque Country after Saint-Sébastien’s in 1992.

After three stages on the western side of the Pyrenees, the rest of the Tour will take place in France. It will visit 6 regions and 23 departments.

STAGES

There will be 21 stages:

8 flat stages

4 hilly stages

8 mountain stages with

4 summit finishes (Cauterets-Cambasque, Puy de Dôme, Grand Colombier and Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc)

1 individual time trial

2 rest days

MOUNTAINS

The race will visit all five of France’s mountain massifs. They are, in the order they occur, the Pyrenees, the Massif Central, the Jura, the Alps and the Vosges.

There are three new climbs: the Côte de Vivero (Basque Country), the Col de la Croix Rosier (Massif Central) and the Col du Feu (Alps).

The Puy de Dôme, which hasn’t appeared on the Tour route since 1988, will be making an eagerly awaited return after its 35-year absence.

The Col de la Loze (2,304m) will be the “roof” of the Tour de France 2023

TIME TRIAL

There will be just a single individual test on the programme of the 110th edition. It will be held in the Alps, at altitude and in steep terrain, on the Passy > Combloux 16th stage, and over a distance of 22,4 km.

FOUR JERSEYS FOR FOUR MEN

For the first time since 2018, the four distinctive jerseys of the Tour de France went to four different riders.

Every stage of the 2023 edition shaped the battles that put Jonas Vingegaard in yellow, Tadej Pogačar in white —for the very last time—, Jasper Philipsen in green, and Giulio Ciccone in the polka dots.

PRIZE MONEY

Team Jumbo-Visma, The Netherlands

A total of 2,3 million euros will be awarded to the teams and riders including € 500,000 to the final winner of the overall individual classification.

LE TOUR 2023:

https://x.com/letour/status/1683185117013897216?s=46&t=J95BnjonnOQZpOfqvg4Img

[shellyvizanko]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: POKA DOT JASPER 925 STERLING SILVER PENDANT.

[hmgn3]

23-August 散財記録

03(thu) ・Neneh Cherry & The Thing / The Cherry Thing Remixes (2012, used LP) ・Small Circle of Friends Presents STUDIO75 / HAND (2005, used LP) ・エマーソン北村 / Green Dolphin Street/Polka Dots & Moonbeams (2003, used 7inch) ・Hu Vibrational / Boonghee Music 1 (2002, used 12inch) ・Bert Jansch / Avocet (1978, used LP) ・Robert Wyatt / Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard (1975, used LP) ・Lol Coxhill, Pierre Courbois & Jasper Van't Hof / Toverbal Sweet (1972, LP) 04(fri) ・cacoy / mural of music ep (2003, used 12inch) ・OORUTAICHI / OY (2003, used 12inch) ・Likwid Continual Space Motion Ope-Ra / Space Is the Place (2003, used 12inch) 05(sat) ・Diggs Duke / The Upper Hand & Other Grand Illusions (2014, used 12inch) ・Emery, Schmidt & McCann / Backwoods Jazz (1980, used LP) 06(sun) ・Gil Melle Quartet / Melle Plays Primitive Modern (1956, used LP) 09(wed) ・荒井優作 / ? (2023, CD-R) 10(thu) ・Wilma Vritra / Grotto (2022, LP) ・DJ ACID A MANNER / XPERIENCE TRAXXX (2022, used 12inch) ・Shofar / Right Before It Started (2021, used LP+8inch) ・Hannah Peel / Awake But Always Dreaming (2016, used LP) ・Morgan Fisher / Water Music (1985, LP) ・Heiner Goebbels & Alfred Harth mit Dagmar Krause & Ernst Stötzner / Bertolt Brecht: Zeit Wird Knapp (1981, used LP) 11(fri) ・Model Home / Saturn in the Basement (2022, used LP) ・King Klavé / King Klavé (2022, used LP) ・LABCRY / I Bring You Down to Underground (2001, used LP) ・dj klock / human ep (2004, used 10inch) ・Ora / Morgendämmerung (2004, used 10inch) ・Doctor Nerve / Armed Observation (1987, used LP) 17(thu) ・Odeko / Rose Tinted Vision Implant (2018, used 2LP) ・Javiera González / Meet Me Twice (2015, used 12inch) ・Nisennenmondai / Shackleton Remixes (2015, used 12inch) ・Pedro Soler & Gaspar Claus / Barlande (2011, used LP) ・The Dylan Group / Ur-klang Search (2000, used 2LP) 18(fri) ・Tetuzi Akiyama / Don't Forget to Boogie! (2003, LP) 20(sun) ・手ノ内嫁蔵 / 君と踊りたい (2015, used 7inch) ・Zé Eduardo Unit / Unities (1988, used LP) ・The Global Infantilists / The Global Infantilists (1982, used LP) ・The Vonnair Sisters / Goodbye to Toyland/I Don't Wanna Play in Your Yard (1961, used 7inch) 21(mon) ・荒川淳 / Breath of the Rappa (2023, cassette) 22(tue) ・見汐麻衣 with Goodfellas / August mood/さようなら、さよなら　If you say so, good bye (2019, used 7inch) ・想い出波止場 / 水中JOE (1992, used LP) ・Some Kind of Wonderful (Music From the Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1987, used LP) ・Art Lande, Paul McCandless, David Samuels / Skylight (1981, used LP) 23(wed) ・Snow Palms / Intervals (2012, used LP) ・Jukes / A Thousand Dreamers (2004, used LP) ・The Pastels / The Hits Hurt (1997, used 7inch) 24(thu) ・山二つ / テレビ (2023, CD) 25(fri) ・Bastien Keb / The Killing of Eugene Peeps (2020, used LP) ・Wisut Ponnimit / everybody everything soundtrack (2011, used LP) ・Superchunk / Hello Hawk (1999, used 7inch) 27(sun) ・Pan / Color Smells Sweet (2023, CD) ・Minta & The Brook Trout / Demolition Derby (2021, used LP) ・Hauschka / What If (2017, used LP) ・B.Fleischmann /I'm Not Ready for the Grave Yet (2012, used LP) ・Why Wait / The Amalgam EP (2006, used 10inch) ・The New Blockaders / Live at Anti-Fest (1999, used LP) ・Orchestr Gustava Broma / Orchestr Gustava Broma (Jazzový Koncert) (1968, used LP) ・The Godz / Contact High with the Godz (1966, used LP) 31(thu) ・386 DX / Biggest Smash Hits (2021, used LP) ・Charles Hayward / Smell of Metal (2014, used 2x12inch) ・Matt MV Valentine / Glorious Group Therapy (2003, used LP) ・Jean-Jacques Perrey & David Chazam / Eclektronics (1998, used LP) ・The Residents / Stranger Than Supper (1990, used LP) ・The Residents / The Third Reich 'N' Roll (1976, used LP)

[weshipyourride]

2023 Tour de France Recap

With the ink just about dry on the 2023 Tour de France results, we’re looking back on what were 21 stages of exciting bike racing that both satisfied and exceeded our high expectations.

The Tour got off to an interesting start in Bilbao, Spain, as the first two riders to cross the finish line of stage 1 were identical twin brothers, Adam and Simon Yates, who ride for rival teams. But the real excitement would come, day after day, from the general classification (GC) rivalry that first blossomed in 2022 between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingagaard. Stalwart TV commentator Phil Ligget repeatedly called the rivalry one of the best in the history of the Tour, and considering the duo’s average age is just 25 years old, we could be watching this battle for the next decade.

But the Tour wasn’t strictly a young person’s realm. Those of us decades removed from our 20s can find solace in the fact that five stages were won by riders in their mid-30s, not to mention Mark Cavendish who, before his untimely exit, was legitimately contending for a stage win at age 38. We also enjoyed watching cycling legends like Peter Sagan and French hero Thibaut Pinot, who were pedaling through their final Tour de France prior to retirement.

In fact, the cagey sprint veteran Cavendish, affectionately nicknamed the “Manx Missile,” added an extra level of excited tension to the sprint stages as he vied for a Tour de France record breaking 35th career stage win. His primary rival, Jasper Phillipsen, perhaps looking ahead to toward his own potentially legendary status, showed no reverence for the record and outsprinted him for the win in the first four sprint stages. Unfortunately, Cavendish’s pursuit of the record came to an abrupt halt on stage 8, when he got caught in a small crash in the peloton and suffered a broken collarbone. As it stands, Cavendish continues to share the Tour de France stage win record, at 34, with icon Eddy Merckx.*

Undeniably the focus ended up being on the two youngsters at the top of the GC. By the close of stage 6, Vingegaard and Pogacar were sitting at 1 and 2 respectively, separated by a mere 25 seconds. After stage 9, Pogacar shaved eight more seconds from the lead. And by the finish of stage 12, Pogacar had clawed back another eight seconds to bring Vingegaard’s lead to a negligible nine seconds.

Then came stage 16, the lone individual time trial and an uncommonly hilly 22.4 km (13.9 mile miles) route between Passy and Combloux. Starting in reverse order of the GC standings, Pogacar was second to last to start and turned in a time that was more than a minute faster than the fastest time of the day. Vingegaard would have to virtually match Pogacar’s time to hold onto the yellow jersey.

In a performance that even shocked himself, Vingegaard smashed Pogacar’s time, adding an extra 1:38 to his GC lead, decisively winning the stage and keeping a firm grasp on the yellow jersey.

If the time trial was Vingegaard’s statement of intent to hold onto yellow all the way to Paris, stage 17 was the exclamation point at the end of the sentence. With the help of his Jumbo-Visma teammates, Vingegaard tested Pogacar’s limits up the final climb, Col de la Loze. Seven and a half kilometers from the summit Vingegaard attacked, and Pogacar uttered his now famous line over the team radio, “I’m gone. I’m dead.”

That decisive stage resulted in an insurmountable 7:35 deficit for Pogacar, and Vingegaard could feel comfortable wearing yellow.

By stage 21, as the Tour rolled into Paris, all the awarded jerseys were uncontestable. Vingegaard wore yellow (GC leader), Pogacar wore white (best overall rider under 26-years-old), Phillipsen wore green (points leader) and Giulio Ciccone wore polka-dots (best climber). What is normally a largely ceremonial parade stage until the sprint on Champs-Élysées became a little more exciting than usual as Pogacar attacked, stringing out the peloton and making the riders work a little harder than they had been anticipating.

The final GC results gives both Pogacar and Vingegaard a claim of two consecutive Tour de France wins, the former winning 2020 and 2021 and the latter in 2022 and 2023.

Is it 2024 yet?

Bikeflights Takes On The Tour

Bikeflights staff took in the excitement of the 110th Tour in various ways as we fit in 21 stages in 23 days between our own riding, racing and serving our customers.

Customer Experience Manager Gordon Wadsworth and his wife Emily took advantage of daily recaps to keep up with every stage.

“Emily and I really enjoyed catching up in spurts together via the 30-minute highlights. We would watch a few stages in a row every couple of days. This year’s Tour was so dynamic and exciting! Lots of new players, and some classic heroes! The Puy du Dome stage finish was probably my favorite for its almost slow motion excitement. What a ride!”

Partnerships Director Michael Potter’s tactic for keeping up was to stick to watching the mountain stages, and he was thoroughly impressed.

“I think the GC battle between Jonas and Tadej was incredible and lived up to the hype we all heard in the lead up to the race. I forgot there were other GC ‘contenders.’ Jonas's time trial almost didn't seem possible. Then to see Tadej crack the next day. That was huge.”

Customer Experience Associate Sunny Singh is just plain in awe of the athletes competing in what many consider the most difficult sporting events in the world.

“My biggest impression is that I can't believe humans are capable of going so hard for so long on a bike. It’s wild to think about.”

Vice President Sue George got a unique perspective of Tour coverage as she was on a bike tour in France herself.

“It was especially fun to watch the last few hours of each stage in real time while in France after we finished each day of our own bike tour, which sometimes took us up Cols that have been in other editions of the Tour. During the two weeks we were there, the heat was especially brutal, and I really don't know how they raced so hard in the hottest part of every day, day after day, for 21 days,” George says.

She also got a perspective on the gravity of Thibaut Pinot’s pending retirement that those watching outside of France may not have grasped.

“After each stage, French TV would interview Thibaut Pinot, who was riding his final Tour. I knew he was a star among French cycling fans, but never realized how beloved he is. It was fun to see him put in some great efforts during the Tour and to learn more about him and get his perspective every day.”

Ship Team Manager and Jumbo-Visma superfan Nicole Chretien is thrilled with the results, but laments that it has to end.

“I really do hate when the Tour de France ends,” she says.

Don’t worry Nicole, we’ve got five stages of the Tour de France Femmes left!

Bikeflights is proud to be the Official Bicycle Shipping Service of the Tour de France.

Photos shot and provided by Jered and Ashley Gruber of Gruber Images. Thank you for your dedication to the sport and capturing these amazing moments in time. 

*Although it was declared that this Tour would be a farewell for Mark Cavendish, his untimely exit inspired Astana Qazakstan Team Manager Alexander Vinokourov to declare that Cavendish is welcome to postpone retirement and return to the 2024 Tour. We eagerly await the Manx Missile’s decision.

[dyxtd21]

Just to clarify, I have:

8 Elites (Zebra Jasper, Quantum Quattro Silica, Lemon Quartz, Pietersite, Mystic Topaz, Axinite, Bixbyite, and Star Sunstone)

Whose each creations are:

Zebra Jasper:

Green Zebra Jasper

Yellow Zebra Jasper

Purple Zebra Jasper

Egyptian Zebra Jasper

Blue Zebra Jasper

Brown Zebra Jasper

Calcite (?)

Fluorite

Quantum Quattro Silica:

Shattuckite

Malachite

Chrysocolla

Smoky Quartz

Milky Quartz

Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl

Serpentine

Tanzine Aura Quartz (and his Forty Thieves)

Red Jasper

Pink Opal

Lemon Quartz:

Strawberry Quartz

Cherry Quartz and Strawberry Aura Quartz

Cotton Candy Quartz

Nephrite

Ice Jade

Sodalite

Tiffany Stone

Jade

Kunzite

Rhodochrosite

Lepidolite

Danburite

Rose Aura Quartz

Pietersite:

Pyrope

Angel Aura Quartz

Sunshine Aura Quartz

Red Phantom Quartz

Imperial Topaz

Citrine

Amazonite

Ammolite

Morganite

Larvikite

Triphane

Moldovite

Hessonite

Apatite

Rose Quartz

Angelite

Mystic Topaz:

Hematite

Amethyst (+ Citrine = Ametrine)

Leopard Skin Jasper

Mexican Fire Opal and Mexican Matrix Opal

Bi-Color Citrine

Sardonyx

Zoisite

Prasiolite

Pyrite and Jet

Emerald

Turquoise

Larimar

Phantom Amethyst

Galaxite

Rhodonite

Garnet (Created Green Garnet)

Axinite:

Iolite

Alexandrite

Blizzard Stone

Blue Goldstone

Picture Jasper

Oregon Sunstone

Brazilian Opal

Australian Andamooka Opal

London Blue Topaz

Lapis Lazuli

Labradorite

Kyanite

Dumortierite

Heliodor

Scapolite

Fire Agate

Green Tourmaline

Bixbyite:

The Nine Tales Council:

Parti Sapphire

Cornflower Blue Sapphire

Padparadscha Sapphire

Purple Sapphire

Pink Sapphire

Black Star Sapphire

Green Sapphire

Orange Sapphire

Yellow Sapphire

The Ancients:

Bixbite (Andrewsarchus)

Bismuth (Woolly Mammoth)

Crocoite (Saber-toothed Tiger)

Orpiment (Dodo)

Antlerite (Irish Elk)

Boracite (Ankylosaurus)

Lavender Smithsonite (Velociraptor)

Tschermigite (T-Rex)

Lawsonite (Spinosaurus)

Aegirine (Coelacanth)

Beryllonite (Triceratops)

Rainbow Obsidian (Quetzalcoatlus)

Bloodstone (Sarcosuchus)

Green Smithsonite (Sinornithosaurus)

The Sins:

Sugilite (Pride)

Andesine (Wrath)

Aventurine (Greed)

Gold Pearl (Envy)

Carnelian (Lust)

Bronzite (Gluttony)

Aqua Aura Quartz (Sloth)

Bi-Color Fluorite

Moss Aquamarine

Black Onyx

Gray Moonstone

Spiderweb Jasper

Maw Sit Sit

Atlantisite

Howlite

Azurite

Fire Opal

Celestite

Candy Jade (?)/(Created Desert Rose)

Hubnerite

Bloodshot Iolite

Star Sunstone:

Honey Calcite.

Honey Opal.

Honey Quartz.

Tinzenite.

Golden Sapphire.

Yellow Turquoise.

Polka Dot Jasper.

Bumblebee Jasper.

Unknown:

Jelly Opal

Ruby

In total, I have: 142 Gemsona OCs

[yoursgemstonesshop]

[fruitcakeddog]

[Image ID: Drawing of a Tuxvenger Jasper T Jowls holding a gift box. The gift box is white with light pink polka dots and wrapped with blue ribbon tied in a bow. Jasper is looking down at the gift with his mouth open in a wide grin. He is wearing a slanted party hat next to his left ear. Behind him is a white cubed border tilting slightly to the right. The background is a salmon pink with blue confetti accents. A pink filter has shifted the colors. End description.]

🎉 HAPPY B-DAY, JASPER !!! 🎉

[gemsonahelp]

@kayyeh1 Gemstone/Mineral: Polka-Dot Jasper Color: whites+golds Cut: Im not sure, probably something different then usual Reference picture(s):  Additional notes: has a network of cracks just verging on breaking. placement on the back or below the nape of the neck.

So, you forgot to add the gemstone name but I think I managed to find what it was and added the name. I’m also not sure what kind of cut you’d be happy with either, so I took inspiration from interesting Jasper cabochons. If this is wrong on either or both accounts, let me know.