#rafting experience level

[azcanyonrafting]

Rafting River Routes

Explore the best rafting river routes in the Grand Canyon with the expert help of Advantage Grand Canyon!

[yellowgnomeboots]

I wish I could play Raft incrementally through the updates while it was being developed, but of course you can only play the most recently released version.

It seems like it would have been really fun to play early on, with all the associated challenges, then get the update and explore the differences and be playing the same game but differently.

I really like the game, but if I play it again it will be the same. I would like to play it multiple times, but different.

[breathlesswordsbloodyknees]

Narrative Doom

Introduction

I've been playing around in and exploring this space where Sauron as Halbrand was genuinely seeking redemption, trying not to manipulate events but merely nudge them.

In my view, at this point he's in survivalist bed-rotting mode post-goo-form when he meets Galadriel. (I think he's more of an opportunist than a schemer in this era. Not that he doesn't have those schemes, but I think he's pushing those bad bad urges down. I have a web of scenes that I consider in this view for some other day)

I’m building much of this piece on these previous work: (link) (link) (link)

It's led me down some interesting philosophical rabbitholes, and I'd like to share.

Now, important to note, Sauron is a Maia—not a 'human' by any means. He's an ancient spiritual being who doesn’t feel the way us teeny tiny mortals do.

But on a broader scale: Tolkien’s work, like fiction as a whole, reflects and explores the human experience, so we’re riding that train.

All this with the framework of not absolving him for anything that came before or comes after. I plan on expanding into his evil alongside Morgoth and his actions in Season 2 at a later date.

But right now, we’re just exploring this blip of a moment where I consider Sauron could be genuine in repentance.

This is more an analysis of Sauron, but I feel like it has a lot to explore for Haladriel fans. There's some critique of Galadriel's choices here, but I want to make it clear: I'm not assigning blame. More just digging into the complexities.

And, well, I don't think this ship would be as compelling if it didn't have complexities.

Spoilers:

All of TROP S1

Vague themes/lines in TROP S2, mostly from S2E1.

The Good Place spoilers for overall theme and a few season 4 lines, but nothing outright about the plot.

Trigger Warning:

Be warned, I’m going to delve into some dark themes in a very personal way. Including but not limited to abuse cycles, personal trauma, harmful behaviors, and empathy within all of that.

I won’t lie, this work was hard for me. Painful to untangle. I would encourage you to have empathy and compassion for yourself, as well as me, while you read. I tried to put warnings before I go into these themes. Please take care of yourself.

---

To start

Sauron’s narrative, at its simplest, is a cautionary tale: If you let your ambition and drive for power go too far, you turn to evil. Higher values over sinful pleasures. Pride goeth before the fall.

But on a deeper level, being solely a cautionary tale, an overarching villain, a lesson to learn, what does that mean for the complexities of Sauron in The Rings of Power?

Charlie Vickers puts so many layers and so much emotion into his character. Yet he keeps it to a lot of imperceptible movements that, I found out last night, get almost completely lost in low resolution. I can see that being a part of some of the stricter interpretations of Vickers' Sauron. But there’s a vulnerability there that touches on some deeply raw thoughts.

—

So the relentless question in fandom: Does he mean any of it with Galadriel or is he just the Great Deceiver?

I'd like to ask, how much of it is just some deeply relatable ‘human’ behavior? Deflection, defensiveness. Half-truths, twisted truths, fibs.

Because as he says on the raft, he did tell her the truth, that he had done great evil in service of Morgoth. He never lied to her.

(An aside: I personally don’t give the “my ancestor” thing much weight as a true lie, I mean it’s his backstory and he had more reason for it than the Darkling did imho)

But really, who doesn’t try to hide and smooth over the worst ugly evil nasty bits of themselves and their past? We want to shine in the eyes of others—it's a fundamental desire to most.

—

On the other side, touching on influence and ambition:

Aren’t we all trying to sway events and leave an impact in whatever way we’re capable? Don’t we all attempt to sculpt the world like clay? Isn’t that really all we can do in this world?

And don't we often tell ourselves that we’re doing it for a better outcome? Even actions deemed ‘good�� and ‘heroic’ create ripples that have negative impacts, if only just for the orc babies.

I’ve been thinking a lot about orc babies.

—

Galadriel, from their first conversation on the raft in S1E2, backs him into a corner. She’s relentless in her quest for revenge against him and he’s whoops—sitting right there, doing the side eye meme. He’s gotta be self-preservational. And that rings true to me more than outright deceit. (At this point)

But I think over the course of the season, playing as Halbrand, “Lost King of the Southlands”, he’s trying. Trying to be “the hero she seeks”. Trying in the only way he knows how, which is…well, not great, he really toes the line. But he’s trying to ‘choose good every day and choose it again tomorrow’, while he’s on the path she set him on. So it’s a step by step journey towards the light, but the path is ever slippery.

And inevitably, as we know, he fails.

—

TW

So what does that mean for those of us who feel like we’re trapped in the narrative, hurtling toward a doomed end through harmful behaviors we can’t escape? Tied onto the train tracks, staring down what feels like an inevitable fate.

When all you’ve known for ages is subjugation and torment and abuse, what do you become? (Which makes Mairon even more painful, with his origin of beauty and light. Like a whisper of I was once admirable too)

I keep coming back to the image of grooves, well worn. And well, under the influence of an abuser and beyond, I too have done evil.

Holding the good you’ve aspired to and the evil you’ve done in one space; it’s a sharp, heavy feeling like holding coals, like touching a hot pan, something to run and hide from. And looking at my deeply ingrained behaviors from childhood, along with trauma that’s happened throughout my life...I see those grooves echoing in jagged bloody ways that feel comforting, even natural.

For a long while, it’s been the only way I knew how to self-soothe, these behaviors that can cause harm to myself and others. So I’ve been twisting around the question: Can we ever truly be free of the evil we’ve done? If it’s all we’ve ever known, baked and beaten into our bone marrow?

In Sauron’s case, the answer is no. His story unfolds the way it was written. The bad guys perish, the good guys win.

(though there’s the “they meet in Valinor” after canon theory, hope ever shines through)

—

That all brings me into The Good Place and that show’s moral thesis.

Spoilers for The Good Place:

More or less, the show states “people improve when they get external love and support. How can we hold it against them when they don't?” and “What matters isn't if people are good or bad. What matters is if they're trying to be better today than they were yesterday.” (S4E8)

Scanlons’ What We Owe to Each Other and the rabbithole of contractualism that I haven’t fully delved into.

I resonate deeply with what The Good Place says. All with the understanding that you have to put on your own air mask before you help others, don’t set yourself on fire to keep other people warm.

But I do believe we should help each other in what ways we can, rather than writing people off entirely.

So, I struggle with Galadriel’s moments of “shutting the door” being considered wholly empowering. Light prevailing, resisting the allure of darkness and the draw of power. It is indeed all those things, especially for her journey. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t blame her.

But there’s an itching here for me and I have to scratch it.

—

In S1E8, if we’re assuming he’s genuine, he put it all out there in the raft illusion. It was his biggest, his all, his hope. A leap of faith. Real vulnerability with an internal truth that was like holding coals.

He did what was ‘right’. He reached for support, for understanding, for community, What We Owe to Each Other.

(though we can’t ignore the scene before that where he’s wearing Finrod’s face. But I haven’t followed that thread yet).

He made a play for a better future.

And she—light and goodness and holiness in her hair, denied him.

“You are Morgoth’s friend”, “There is no such future.” Boiling him down to his worst parts, reinforcing his worst fears.

Is that all we ever can be?

---

TW

When do we write off people like Sauron, with all his history of wrongdoing? People like my abusers or even myself? When does the potential for redemption become irrevocably lost?

How much empathy should we show, and what are we obligated to offer? What do we owe to each other? All of this while carefully balancing the line of not condoning or becoming an apologist, along with taking care of yourself first.

It’s mind-boggling.

---

The answers are out there: self-compassion, self-forgiveness. Change comes from within. Balance. But it's the same way people say go outside, exercise more, drink more water to fix depression. When you're in the throes of darkness, those words feel hollow, trite. And that glossy sunlit path is more than treacherous when you walk it, especially alone.

So again, I say, I scream: Should we not still help each other?

It's not just internal and external separately, we need both. I have to believe that. Internal change and external support.

—

Conclusion

In the end, I'm really only left with more questions. This barely scratches the surface of what I've been brewing on, I could go round and round for days. I mean, that’s what I’ve been doing this week.

Regardless, all the typical takeaways feel hollow. Choose light, choose hope, every single step, no matter how hard.

It’s never quite that simple, on a very visceral level. And for some of us, like Sauron, it never materializes.

It all just eats and scratches and twists inside me. Ultimately though, I think Caitlin Seida said it best about hope and redemption and the struggle in her poem, Hope is Not A Bird, Emily, It’s a Sewer Rat. Which I greatly hope you’ll read and find what I have in it. (link)

So I guess we keep being scrabbly little sewer rats, hoping to claw our way out of the dank dark cave. And y’know, it may not mean much, but I’ll be here, down in the muck. Right there with you.

Maybe that’s all we owe to each other.

Follow-up

[ronearoundblindly]

How does mermaid reader feel about Steve? Like what is her take on their relationship?

just fair warning if you keep writing I’m gonna keep asking questions lol.

I...don't know what happened with this, but it was kinda fun! (unedited, not long, no real warnings except, yeah, he's a human and you're a mermaid, semi-angsty fluff!!)

Steve Rogers x deep sea mermaid!Reader from Sun, Salt, and Shield

Steve is a novelty.

Originally, you just considered him a split-tail with a crown of morning sunlight and high-ocean eyes. Later on, you learned it's called 'hair,' but a closer translation based on how mermaids see it is a 'mane.' Steve has a golden mane--something no one in your species has--hence, you think of it as a crown.

You were caged when you first saw him. That made you assume certain things when Steve walked up to the Raft's tank. Even in near darkness, his mane is bright. No other person you've encountered so far has that.

You're curious, frankly, but on-guard as always.

When humans are deprived of sleep, they can hallucinate, and mermaids are no different. You thought he was a complete figment of your imagination until Stark interacted with him, until Steve stepped into the water and put pressure across your heart and hips. The push of his hand, forcing your head against his chest, could have made you howl in relief.

All you wanted was to rest, but something in the back of your mind also told you not to scare him.

Stark, you don't mind scaring, Chuck is right where he belongs, excreted out into the industrial filters beyond the wall of your tank, but Steve? He must be protected.

He sees you. He listens to you.

You did not thing surfacers could do that. Not really. Not nicely. All humans want to do is control and take, use and abuse. However, you aren't afraid of them. You absolutely can kill any one of them that gets closer than you'd like. They're fragile.

But the way Steve grips you? Maybe he's not so fragile...

English is freaking hard. You learn quite a bit from Tony and then practice with Steve. You can feel his patience but love earning his admiration more. You find yourself wanting him to be proud of you and your progress.

You love making Steve laugh. It takes so long to figure out how to amuse him.

Numbers are a pain in the ass to learn because they have a concept, a symbol, and a written word. That's the point Tony halts teaching you to read alongside the verbal language. You threw a fit. He threw a fit. He left in a huff to cool off. You shrieked for Steve to come back for hours.

Eventually, when Tony returns, you threaten to eat him, and he calls it quits for the day.

Tony knew you favored Steve Rogers from day one. He planned to use that knowledge--and to some lesser extent, he did--but soon Tony simply realizes making you happy makes Steve happy...plus you cooperate and become an ambassador of sorts in your home realm.

You keep learning for Steve, not for Stark.

Mermen are, in your experience, domineering and uninspired. Their immense size differential to mermaids is useful to the brute-force model of society deep in the ocean, but they are boring. Your father is not stupid though. Almost none of them are stupid. Simple-minded remains the best translation you can manage.

Steve fascinates you. His attention to detail, his open nature, and his empathy are entirely new to you.

Mermen don't hide their baser instincts, so they freely ogle and flocked toward the most physiologically attractive mermaids. No interest in what's beneath the surface, ironically. Very shallow.

That's not to say bonds aren't possible. They absolutely are. Bonding with a partner is secondary at best, an afterthought most often, and unnecessary at worst.

Yet again, Steve wins you on every level--he has a sharp mind and acknowledges yours, he challenges your development without critique, and, lastly, he's quite attractive for how small and smooth he is.

"Should've seen me before," he once mumbled after you explained all that as well as your vocabulary would allow.

You don't know what he meant by that.

Because a certain level of indifference is common in couplings of your species, you were quite alarmed, embarrassed, and uncomfortable with how deep your affection for Steve became. You know how other humans react to you, and it doesn't build much confidence that one of them could feel this way about you.

During these long, repeated hugs with Steve, you realize that it's not just curiosity, or the novelty of his existence, or interest in learning from him: you feel about Steve how others feel about their mates.

Not gonna lie: that's terrifying. You don't actually know if Steve reciprocates. Sure, he explains human couples in great detail, and he shows you some of what he means, but all that could be...part of teaching you.

Until Steve discusses kissing, you convinced yourself he could not possibly harbor romantic affection for you.

It's lips against something, he says, that's all. His lips can press anywhere and boom! you've been kissed. He illustrates by kissing the back of your hand, kissing your cheek, kissing your forehead.

By now, your face is cradled in his hands. You can hear his heart racing as he sits on the steps in your pool and leans toward your body. His high-ocean eyes are shadowed as he looks down your face, captivated by--

"--your beautiful lips," he says, gently pressing his atop yours.

It's difficult to describe why something so simple hits so dramatically in your mind. The golden-maned man, almost the strongest of his species, amongst the softest of yours, kisses you like he needs to learn you, like he needs your existence, like he's curious.

There's a phrase you hum at the back of your throat once he releases you and sits up, a dusty rose painting his neck and cheeks.

"Swim beside me."

The better translation to English would be "I love you," but you haven't learned that yet.

Thank you for asking!

A/N: why am I crying?????

[Main Masterlist; Light Masterlist; Ko-Fi]

[tribbetherium]

The Early Rodentocene: 5 million years post-establishment

Evasive Maneuvers: Defenses of the Cricetomurids

For many eons, in the Early Rodentocene, the hamsters of HP-02017 lived a blissful existence free of much worry or threat. While there were now indeed factors such as diseases, parasites, competition and changing patterns of food availability that had now served to keep their populations from exploding into disastrous levels as they once had in the first few centuries of the Early Rodentocene, they, nonetheless had no enemies to fear--except each other.

Over the generations, however, as the hamsters specialized and began to diverge from one another into different species, some hamsters had evolved to fill in a then-open and vacant niche to exploit a new, plantiful and uncontested food source: other hamsters. And thus would come the huntsters: the first predators of the Rodentocene that would become agents of a new round of adaptive radiation as an evolutionary arms race began between them and their prey.

The gouties grew larger, the jermas grew faster and more agile, the peachpitters sought refuge in the trees and the shrewbils burrowed ever deeper in their tunnels. Yet some of the more mundane cricetomurids, relatives of the banded dawndusk, experimented on some rather novel new means to protect themselves from their enemies.

The spiny bristleback (Echinocricetus spinus) developed coarse, stiff guard hairs on its back that made for some irritating bristles should it be grabbed from behind. These hairs, rigid and brittle, possessed barbed ends that easily broke off when it embedded into a predator. They were, at least for now, still too fine and fragile to cause serious harm, but they were a very unpleasant sensation for any unlucky huntster that got them in its vulnerable and sensitive eyes, nose and forepaws. Over time, some bristlebacks even developed a resistance to the toxins of certain plants, chewing them to a pulp and rubbing against its juices to make themselves even more unpalatable to predators.

The river puffpaddle (Hydrocricetus bullibucca), on the other hand, prefers to flee than fight: making use of a most unexpected part of its anatomy. Frequenting the banks of rivers and streams to forage on plants, mosses, seeds and small invertebrates, it spent much of its time near the water and even dug their burrows nearby, just barely out of reach of the water's highest point.

When attacked, the puffpaddle leaps into the stream and deploys its built-in life rafts: its own expandable cheek pouches, once useful for storing food, now fill up with air and keep the small creature afloat as it paddles to the other bank, using broad feet with partially-webbed digits. Huntsters, being far poorer swimmers, often refuse to risk drowning over a meal, and often give up the chase, allowing the puffpaddle to swim off another day.

Over time, as the eons passed, these simple tactics would have far more important consequences into the distant future. The spiny bristleback would give rise to the heckhogs, a clade of prickly, omnivorous duskmice whose bristles have progressed to full-on quills: ones sufficient to make them inedible to the vast majority of carnivores that would come to be in the Glaciocene and the Temperocene. But the puffpaddle, perhaps, would go down a far more unexpected route. In the Middle Rodentocene, some of its descendants would specialize not only to escape into the water, but actually live and forage in it. They would thus become the beaver-like pondrats, who in the Therocene come to colonize the seas as the marine bayvers, some of which, unburdened by gravity, commit to the water as the giant, fully marine cricetaceans, reaching titanic proportions in the cold, productive seas of the Glaciocene.

---------

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 9/17/2024

come take this very very friendly little man out of my bathroom! he is fiv+ and we are in houston tx! i am willing to drive a couple hours for the right home! he is a good boy he's just orange! more details here!

listening

emily jeffri's DENY off my spotify recommended weekly playlist: i can only describe it as "throbbing". immediately attention grabbing lyrics:

What kind of lover does your mother want? I'll do whatever, oh but you could not

very distinctly indie electronica. this would be the song in a cyberpunk/80s hacker movie where the chase takes you through an goth/alt fashion show where the models are actively giving blood as they walk or something.

i love the spotify daily mix for me and my bestie bc there's a guaranteed four bluey songs on it and it's a nice jumpscare. i know my mental health is taking a turn for the worse when a lot of mother mother starts popping up, i know my bestie's is taking a turn for the worse when a lot of girl in red starts popping up. suicide-watch-level sapphic angst singer-songwriter, generally. except for this song! extremely fun! didn't even recognize it as her! DOING IT AGAIN BABY is a more traditional selling-you-a-dodge-charger car commercial song and it's such a startling departure from her usual work that i wonder if it was a commercial commission? hard to immediately find out tho

I'm on a new level Something's got me feelin' like I could be inflammable And I might be I'm gonna light it up Nothing's gonna stop me if I say this is what I want

-

reading

i read twilight (yes that one) at the behest of my bestie and bc my mental health could not have gotten any worse in that moment. it has led to some uncomfortable realizations about my high school experience i will save for a therapist. i am mostly putting it here to remind myself that i read this book this year.

^ this is some silly goofy nonsense. not that i think people shouldn't be recognized at their retirement, but what happened to giving people nice watches instead of a thousand dollars in plaques

Saying that, the records did reveal something actually interesting: although the individual contract I sent a request related to was for a few thousand dollars, an attached blank purchase agreement (BPA) says that “the government estimates, but does not guarantee, that the volume of purchases through this BPA will be $360,000.00 over the term of the BPA.” So, a lot more than a few thousand bucks.

-

watching

Hang 'Em High (1968, dir. Post). certainly not clint's sluttiest role but really up there. i do wish he kept the fucked-out little rasp for the whole movie :(

When an innocent man barely survives a lynching, he returns as a lawman determined to bring the vigilantes to justice.

it has a typical bizarre shoehorned romance that (i think) deeply undercuts the theme it wants to explore, but there is no on-screen rape. the bar is on the FLOOR with westerns and yet i DNF so so so many.

hell of a whump film. literally everything happens to jed cooper. i will trumpet this again from the rooftops: that character needs cbt both ways.

-

playing

HIGHWATER, a 2022 adventure/turn based strategy thing from Rogue Games, courtesy of Netflix Games, whose game library is a fucking nightmare to navigate on mobile.

i loooove a water-based postapoc. the boat does in fact handle very poorly and like a horrible inflatable raft on mobile, which is both charming and frustrating.

i do not love a turn-based combat. despite the vibes off the charts, including a very well integrated "pirate radio" station as the game's soundtrack, i am not patient enough to muddle through complex turn-based combat. i'm sure someone had fun fighting off six guys and two bears (who aggro anyone and can one-hit anyone) and then a further three guys who show up for backup but i gave it the good old college try over two days and wasn't able to swing it. it would be nice to have either a difficulty setting or some way to spectate the ideal fight, but alas. a lot of fun environmental stuff in the fights you can use to your advantage, like the bears and these trees you can flatten your opponents with in a much earlier fight. there's a fun mix of different characters with different abilities and different weapons you pick up and keep during fights. i have no specific beef with this game's choice to make this the way you move through the game, it's just not my preferred genre.

a lot of book and newspaper collectibles in this one that i feel of several minds about. it feels less like environmental storytelling through newspapers and just the devs telling me their opinion when they provide little book summaries like this. also i wish The Industry as a whole was more thoughtful about using the word "insurgent".

not a game for me, i have once again confirmed that i cannot tolerate a turn-based combat no matter how much seafaring postapoc you drench it in :(

-

making

got a Phantom Menace era curtain panel for $4 at the thrift, and i was convinced it was fabric someone had made into a curtain panel until i got home and discovered it was an officially licensed product with bafflingly generous seams.

it's about two-ish yards of a 50/50 cotton/poly blend, which i feel like i haven't seen in a while? i think the current fashion leans more 70/30 or 100 poly for curtains i've purchased. after i finish unpicking the seams and pinking it, i am going to throw it in the wash again with some vinegar and see if that softens it up any, or if it makes the transition between the wear lines on the seams and the body of the fabric any nicer.

thinking about what kind of dress to make that 1) shows off this extremely large scale pattern 2) does not look like i am wearing a paper bag, and 3) does not look like the late aughts craft trend of sewing a twin flat Star Wars sheet to a tube top and calling that a dress, bc that's how hard up we were for feminine merch. much to consider. maybe it Will be a maxi skirt with pockets and i can wear one of my seventy black tees on top?

[spinchip]

Looking at Zane is just like. You will experience a profound loneliness that no one will ever be able to understand or truly empathize with. You will experience a love so full and rich your heart will never truly falter and you will never yearn for anything. You will know pain and fear and emptiness on such a level that you will never fully return back to who you once were. You will know devotion and joy and kindness that will never abandon you even if all seems dark. Your emotions run wide and deep and you are in a life raft and it will simultaneously be the greatest experience and worst nightmare of you existence.

[jasfhercallejo]

Cambugahay Falls is arguably the best waterfall on Siquijor Island that is most famous for its tiered levels, strikingly blue water, and freshwater cascades, all of which are surrounded by lush rainforest.

Cambugahay Falls is located in Lazi on Siquijor Island. From the main tourist area of San Juan, it’s approximately a 30-minute drive to reach the falls. The first level of the falls features a large natural swimming hole and some man-made structures including rope swings, bamboo rafts, and a wide set of falls. It’s an adventurer’s playground! To use the rope swings and rubber tubes down at the falls, the cost is only PhP20. On the other hand, to use the bamboo raft to get a close look of the falls, it would only cost you PhP100. This includes all the photos and videos of the talented rope-swingers (haha I don't know what to call them lol).

Most people stay on the first tier, especially when they clock the Tarzan swing on the right. However, there are two more levels to see, though the ones you will want to spend time in are the first and third.

A trip to the Sambulawan underground river offers a 3-in-1 experience. Firstly, you will trek down a steep terrain into the cave, navigating a combination of stone steps and a concrete ladder. Secondly, the rough rock and narrow passageways inside the cave make for an adventurous journey. And finally, the river itself is deep, but with the assistance of a swim vest, you can enjoy a snorkeling-like swim in its waters. This underground river is known for its narrow passageways, which make it impossible for even a small boat to navigate. Instead, visitors can explore the river system on foot, as it stretches for approximately 200 meters.

Quite frankly, Sambulawan Underground River is probably one of the best things we've done in Siquijor, next to Cambugahay Falls.

Actually, there are quite a few alternatives to Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor. If you fancy visiting another falls in the area then head to Lugnason Falls. While they weren’t as impressive as Cambugahay they were really quiet even when we went on a Saturday afternoon. For the most part we had the lovely jungle pool all to ourselves. It’s quite small but still big enough for a few lengths.

Salagdoong Beach is attached to Salagdoong Beach Resort Siquijor on the far east corner of the island in the town of Maria. It boasts of two beautiful coves lined with coconut palms and white sand shorelines. Just off the shore is a colorful reef that is great for snorkeling and swimming. 

The cliff jumping is the main attraction at this location and one for the thrill-seekers! There are two diving boards here, one is around 5 meters and the other is 10 meters. Jumping from the top of the cliff into the turquoise waters below is one of the best things to do in Siquijor!

Paliton Beach is rated as one of the best beaches in Siquijor for its glistening white sands and palm tree fringed shoreline. This particular beach faces west making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset on Siquijor Island. A few oceanside cafes and beach bars are dotted along the beach, serving up cold brews and delicious meals. Here, we ate a lot of seafood, and all the sea urchins were served to us fresh. We even had the chance to watch the locals prepare them!

You can find several tree swings tied to bent palms that you can have a turn on and swing out over the water’s edge (human drone another! haha)

Pitogo Cliff is located at the southwestern side of the island facing the breathtaking Sulu Sea. The serene cliffside gets its name from the Pitogo plant that grows in the area. There are also 10- and 20-foot jumping-off points available, which can be used even during low tide.

We didn't jump, but the alluring view of the vast ocean kept us invested and exploring. Worth the visit!

[fibromyalgicaf]

I recently saw someone asking on Reddit about gaming as a person with a chronic illness or disability which got me thinking...

So I divide games into four categories based on how taxing they are and what device they require. And the category I choose a game from depends on my pain and energy levels.

Here's the four categories and the games I play in each one (please add your faves!):

1. Idle mobile games for when I'm really low on energy and experiencing high amounts of pain (basically, when I'm feeling drowsy and disconnected but just laying in bed is boring and I can't fall asleep)

Cluster duck (an idle duck breeding game that's quite cute and feels quite different to your bog-standard idle clicker)

Pizza Ready (you "manage" a pizza joint but it's really just running from one side to the other)

any other idle clicker game that keeps me focused on something but without really using any brain power. There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of these.

2. More-involved mobile games or basic PC/console games for when I have more brain power and some energy, and medium pain. These will require a fair amount of thinking, maybe some basic strategizing, but don't require a lot of planning or multitasking

Plants vs Zombies (fight the zombie invasion by placing plants in their way; a retro classic game available on mobile and PC)

Pokemon Go (yes, it's marketed as an outdoor walking game but if you live in an urban area, you might find enough Pokemon in your house/backyard and battles can be done from anywhere)

Lemmings (a mobile app game based on the old PC game; place directions or ladders so the creatures reach their goal)

Tower War (using a similar concept to the boardgame Risk, send your soldiers out to capture other towers)

3. Cozy or "easy" PC games for when I'm feeling good enough to sit up with my laptop and I have reasonable brain power and energy

Stardew Valley (a very cute and cozy farming game with a little bit of mining if you want to do it, and a storyline)

Minecraft but on creative; I'll try out build ideas but without the intensity of a survival game

4. Other PC games for the days I'm feeling "good" (i.e. minimal pain, decent energy) or, to be honest, the days when I don't give a shit how I feel, I wanna do something exciting and gaming is the closest I can get. I have a tendency to favour survival and crafting games so this might be an absolutely useless list for some of you 

Valheim (my all-time favourite game and one of the most visually beautiful games ever; an open -world survival game with crafting, building, and farming, as well as combat)

Minecraft on survival (open-world survival game with some combat, crafting, building, and farming)

Raft (start on a tiny raft and gather resources to build onto your raft, discover islands, solve small puzzles, some basic farming)

Barotrauma (a 2D submarine adventure in which you complete missions, collect resources, recruit crew, and fight monsters of the deep)

Factorio (for my fellow management nerds; build a network of conveyor belts and factories, and then optimise for efficiency!)

Disclaimer: all mobile games mentioned above are for Android (I don't know if they're available on apple) and I can only speak for my experience as a 30-something person with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue; if you have additions or edits to suggest based on your experience, I'd love to hear it 🤞

[samueldays]

Had a pleasant visit from @blogofex the past few days. We visited the Bygdøy peninsula with its several museums and got to see:

The Fram Museum of Polar Exploration, centered on the ship Fram ("Forth!" or "Forward!") and the several explorers who took it most of the way to both the North Pole and the South Pole during the Heroic Age.

"Nå må de skynde dem, ellers blir det for sent" (Now thou must hurry or else it will be too late) -Hjalmar Johansen as he was being attacked by a polar bear and called out to Fridtjof Nansen to get the gun faster.

"Nå tror jeg vi kan være dus med hverandre" (Now I think we can use the informal 'you' with each other) -Nansen to Johansen, several months later on that North Pole trip.

The Kon-Tiki Museum of Thor Heyerdahl's voyages, a man who was probably wrong about his theory of people rafting from Egypt to South America to Hawaii 3000 years ago.

Still, he got a lot of respect for testing part of his theory by building a raft at 3000 year old tech level and setting sail westward from Peru, with no previous experience but a lot of people telling him "You are going to die if you do this". He lived.

The Norwegian Culture and History Museum, somewhat vaguely named, with a wide collection of exhibits showing what Norway was "like" in the past, from looms and stables to plaster ceilings and priestly chasubles.

Also a stave church, originally from the 13th century, refurbished 18th century, with fancy wood panels.

Best wishes in next country, tourist man!

[tyrannosaurus-trainwreck]

Touching back on the “writing good parent-child relationships” thing, I think it’s important to remember that kids are going to have a lot of interests and hobbies and fixations and stuff like that that parents are either going to suffer through or just be extremely confused by, and that’s fine, to be expected, etc. The thing that you’re looking for is that the adult is actively looking for common ground, taking the kid’s interest in the thing seriously, and supporting the kid’s healthy engagement with the thing.

Back in the Before Times, I was going to a lot of live entertainment, and every performance had a certain amount of second or third wheels who were very ??? about the whole thing that they’d just sat through.

The big difference was between the people who acted put out by the whole thing and said shit like “I hope you’re happy, you got to see ______, can we go home now?” and the people who were patently bewildered but keeping a lid on it and asking things like “Did you have fun? What was your favorite part? Do you want to see if they’re doing autographs or selfies at the merch table?”

Like, “I have no idea what the shit I just sat through, but clearly this is speaking to you in a profound and meaningful way and I want to participate as deeply as I can because I love you and this is bringing you joy.”

And of course, if you do this shit to your partner, eventually they’re just going to dump your ass because you’re such a pill about stuff that excites them and life’s too short for that nonsense. If you do this shit to a child in your care, they... can’t really do that until they’re 18. So the lesson they take from interactions like that is not to get too excited about stuff they care about within earshot of you/an adult or not to admit to any interests that you aren’t also very interested in, because they’ll be ridiculed or treated as if they’re annoying for having those interests. It creates this whole raft of communication issues, because the parent becomes a person the child can’t entirely trust to have their back and starts selectively editing themselves around.

It’s a great way to wind up with a parent-child relationship where the kid knows they can come to you for a loan or because they need a ride halfway across the continent or help hiding a body, but they’d never in a million years talk to you about how serious they are about a romantic partner or how bad their seasonal depression disorder actually is or why they quit that “dream job” they had for a few years. If you don’t immediately understand or approve of what the kid’s telling you, you’re going to be a jackass about it and shut them down, and it’s not worth the risk of being vulnerable.

Conversely, the “I have no idea what the hell just happened, but I love you and you seem pretty stoked about it” parents are a great way to wind up with “he’s a little confused, but he’s got the spirit” relationships where children feel confident that even if their parents are going to need a few months and some research to understand them, they’re willing and able to put in that effort and can be largely trusted not to dismiss the child’s experiences and desires out of hand. Will their parents be perfect? No, of course not. But their parents are willing to put in the work to meet the child where they’re at, which lowers the risk for the child deciding to trust them with big revelations.

It’s of a piece with parenting relationship advice that I’ve seen before, which is going out of your way to create opportunities for you and your kid to learn together on the same level and to resist the urge to step into the role of an “authority” during those activities. For example, if you’ve never worked with clay before and you and your kid are doing one of those “mommy and me” classes where you make a bowl or a plate or something, you focus on making a bowl with your kid instead of getting sucked into being an unpaid teacher’s assistant because you’re a parent and therefor vaguely In Charge even though you don’t know shit about ceramics and your ersatz authority is solely by dint of being twice as tall as everyone else at the table.

In terms of fiction, it can be useful to delineate between parents that a character can reliably turn to as an Authority (but not necessarily a whole lot else) and parents that a character could conceivably go to for actual life advice.

[azcanyonrafting]

Rapids Classification

How To Choose The Perfect Rapids For Your Skill Level

The International Scale of River Difficulty (ISRD) rates Class I through VI rapids. Class III rapids are suitable for intermediates with some experience in white water rafting.

To have a good time while whitewater rafting, you must choose rapids matching your skill level. This means understanding how rapid classes work and knowing what to expect at each level.

Advantage Grand Canyon are experts in this field. Our guide is here to help you navigate various classes of rapids and find a suitable adventure in the Grand Canyon.

Classes of Rapids: The International Scale of River Difficulty

For a rafter, each stretch of river represents varying levels of challenge depending on their skills and experience. However, knowing this system ensures they select waters proportionate to their ability and safety measures throughout the journey while making it enjoyable.

Class I Rapids (Beginner)

Beginners or those who have never experienced whitewater should start with class one rivers such as the Badger Creek Rapid in the Grand Canyon.

Due to their smoothness, these rapids are very gentle and can be manipulated by anyone, even without basic skills. Hence, they offer great opportunities to appreciate scenic beauty without encountering difficulties like capsizing.

Class II Rapids (Novice)

Class II rapids might require more maneuverability but are still mild enough for novices and families looking for easy thrills. With just simple rafting skills and wearing life jackets alone, one may quickly navigate through them since they only involve minor splashing, which makes one feel less crowded. Thus, they are ideal places for kids accompanied by families.

Temperatures can be controlled during early spring or summer when sea levels rise. House Rock Rapid is one of the top Class II rapids with small waves and minor obstacles, providing more excitement while still being accessible for less experienced rafters.

Class III Rapids (Intermediate)

Class III Rapids offer moderate waves requiring maneuvering through narrow passages during Dead River trips, where helmets must be worn due to some moderately steep drops and small waves that demand teamwork and quick thinking, leading to fun challenges.

The turbulent drops of the Dead River and the dynamic current in Kennebec’s Penobscot River, which can be described as the fast river flow of Class III rapids, still offer its riders quite a challenge. More physical strength and thrilling emotions can be achieved when you choose rafting trips in adventure sports where people are involved in rafts and pass through different rapid river turns.

If you want to have a lot of fun and be tired while rowing on Class III rapids, then this is what you need. Select the right difficulty level for yourself, take all necessary measures before starting your journey, and rest assured that it will be one excellent whitewater rafting experience.

Hance Rapid is another great intermediate rapid with chaotic waves and tight spaces. It provides a moderate test requiring adept maneuvering skills; intermediate paddlers looking for excitement should consider Granite Rapid.

Class IV Rapids (Advanced)

Class IV rapids are suitable for advanced and intermediate rafters. The river has high power but predictability regarding wave sizes, thus demanding more accurate boat handling techniques than any other category. Large yet unproven waves require narrow passes, so quick moves must be made by experienced guides who can recognize them easily. Otherwise, damages may occur since rescue becomes extremely difficult due to the conditions presented here.

For intermediate rafters, these advanced rapids are exciting because they push their abilities without being too dangerous like expert-level rapids would do; strong currents coupled with powerful waves occasionally dropping down call for confident spokesmanship as well precise steering ability from behind paddles that, even though not extreme compared with class five require good familiarity with white-water courses together fast reflexes if one wants negotiate safely through complex choppy sections which characterize these parts most liked by those having some knowledge about this sport but not enough experience.

Lava Falls and Hermit Rapid in the Grand Canyon provide perfect challenges for skilled kayakers who enjoy steep gradients combined with large waves and turbulence.

Class V Rapids (Expert)

Class V rapids are long, violent, known as challenging rapids, and have hard-to-maneuver features. They represent the ultimate challenge in whitewater rafting. Highly turbulent waters, large and irregular waves, powerful and unpredictable currents, and steep drops over rocks are just a few characteristics that make Class V rapids so dangerous.

To paddle through Class V rapids, one needs to be skilled at paddling, have quick reflexes, and be able to make decisions under pressure. Only those experienced enough should attempt paddling through them because they can easily get injured or their boat may capsize if they do not wear the right gear to protect against such risks.

This is why we at Advantage Grand Canyon recommend only trained experts to undertake this activity, as it requires more demanding fitness levels along longer routes than any other category does; however, most people prefer taking up courses where necessary skills like appropriate equipment knowledge as well rescue techniques would greatly help ensure safety while attempting various challenging parts found within higher sections meant for expert-level rafters.

Crystal Rapid is one of the most complex and dangerous rapids on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. It is a class five rapid, which means that you must have advanced paddling skills to navigate down this section successfully. Otherwise, things might turn out differently from what had been planned since several huge waves could quickly sweep away even an experienced rafter like yourself.

Class VI Rapids (Extreme)

Whitewater rapids are classified from class I to class VI. Class VI rapids are the most complex and dangerous rapids to be attempted in a raft. They are considered almost impossible to navigate because they are unpredictable and have many hazards.

These kinds of rapids have big and standing waves created by powerful currents and often steep drops – sometimes over rocks or other obstacles like undercurrents which may flip rafts or suck them underwater for long periods. Rafters need extensive experience before attempting this level; depending on the conditions, it may still be too risky.

In rapid classification, classifying one as class six means it is highly hazardous and usually does not run during normal circumstances, requiring extraordinary expertise, precise steering, and carefulness. Most experts agree that professionals who have mastered all aspects of river running safety skills should only attempt anything higher than Class V, including rescue techniques.

Choosing The Right Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Several considerations besides whitewater classification should be made before selecting a whitewater rafting adventure to ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout the rafting trip. First, evaluate your experience level; beginners should start on manageable sections with gentle currents where they can learn basic paddling strokes without much risk.

Class I and II rapids provide an environment suitable for families with young children or people who wish to relax while being introduced to this sport. Secondarily, if you are looking forward to more thrilling experiences, go for those rivers with moderate complexity levels, such as III, which require advanced skills like reading water correctly, among others.

If you’re an intermediate rafter interested in testing yourself against serious rapids, then Class IV should be right up your alley. Such rivers demand strong paddle work combined with fast reflexes since you will encounter turbulent stretches where navigation becomes tricky due to numerous obstacles like holes and rocks.

Honesty is vital when choosing the appropriate rafting trip for yourself or your group.

Grade IV represents a substantial step up from many different classes in terms of difficulty, so one should have adequate skills before attempting such sections. If you are unsure about your capability, go for less challenging whitewater that matches your abilities. Otherwise, there might arise a need for rescue operations, which could put others at risk, too.

Location and scenery are other critical factors in choosing the proper whitewater rafting adventure. For example, different rivers offer landscapes ranging from lush forests to scenic canyons or even rugged mountains; therefore, researching different destinations will help you find a place that satisfies the desire for natural beauty and the thrill-seeking spirit within.

Final Words

In conclusion, choosing the proper whitewater rafting adventure involves carefully assessing your skill level, desired location, river trip length, and needed guidance. Considering these factors and the rapid classification from above, you can select a rafting experience that matches your abilities and preferences, ensuring a thrilling and safe adventure on the water.

Contact Advantage Grand Canyon today to search for rafting trips from all the top 15 outfitters in one place and book your next Grand Canyon rafting trip!

[insominique]

Water

I was on a cruise with my friends somewhere around Australia (I am Australian btw). At one point they all suggested going for a swim, something that the cruise staff were organising for whoever wished to participate. I thought not much of it as I assumed it was another one of the many cruise events on deck, maybe themed with prizes, whatever they can fill our idle time with to make it not feel too much like a prison as we float from one destination to the next. I do like cruises of course, but there comes a point on a trip longer than a couple days, where you lose interest in staring out at sea, or watching shows on the screen or participating in the events/parties.

As I followed my friends and the gathering party downstairs to one of the lower levels, I was surprised to find that there were some very simple but large looking wooden rafts that we were being ushered onto. So there I pile myself on the raft amongst the others, there’s about three in total, and with a motor attached, the crew take us some distance away from the cruise ship. We can only just about make out the cruise ship in the distance, like the point where it looks ghostly compared to a light fog that has surrounded the area.

Then they tell us this is it and to slide into the water. Everyone else jumped in happily while I slide off quite carefully. Then without another word, the crew disappeared back towards the ship. I was absolutely horrified. They had simply left us to our own devices in the water by ourselves but no one batted an eyelash or thought it extremely odd. I tried to calm myself by floating but a panic I didn’t know I had about the sea started to slowly bubble up in my chest, a pain that you feel when you are truly terrified I have come to realise. There I am floating in the water, a water so murky, green-blue that I can’t tell what is beneath the surface, what creatures of the deep might come to greet me, or even sharks or even the rips.

Never had I before then had a fear of the ocean or the sharks but when you are left absolutely stranded in the ocean, it evokes something in you. For some reason, I was able to telepathically scream and one of the crew members had picked it up and decided to come back with a raft and I quickly got on and told my friends I can’t do this and have to go back. I remember hearing the sounds of them laughing at my cowardice as I headed back to the ship.

I never had a fear of the ocean until this dream.

I am curious to know your stories and experiences with the ocean, always open for a chat :)

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

Article from Mail about Andrew Wincott in Colombia (scroll down to read the article)

Coming soon to The Archers...Adam Macy's cocoa farm in Colombia!

written by Andrew Wincott for Mail on Sunday Travel (31 March 2014)

Radio star Andrew Wincott is bewitched and bedazzled by a historic and colorful corner of South America

Oh dear! Really? Are you quite sure?' Such were the reactions of various acquaintances to my announcement that I was planning a trip to Colombia.

The fact that I have friends in Bogota didn't assuage their anxieties. And now even I started to imagine scenarios in which, having been kidnapped by some paramilitary renegades, I could possibly negotiate some sort of communication line down which I could record scenes for The Archers from my cell in Bogota. Perhaps Adam could have been on a trip researching cocoa farming, I reflected, and found himself deludedly diverted towards coca instead.

Such is the curious blurring between fiction and reality in The Archers that stranger things have happened.

Bogota is a dynamic city with a chaotic character all its own. At 8,500ft above sea level you would think the head-rush would be mandatory. The rush is all in the traffic: buses veer, bikes swerve, taxis vie for fares across choked lanes.

But in the tranquil historic neighbourhood of La Candelaria you escape to the city's Spanish colonial past. Amid the teeming hordes of students, travellers and local Bogotanos, the gold exhibits of the Museo D'Oro, such as the pre-Colombian gold raft sculpture from the Muisca era, are dazzling.

Alternatively one can enjoy the whimsical wit of Colombia's most famous artist, Botero. His porcine figures are found in a museum named after him and built around a charming 18th Century courtyard. Also housed here is part of Botero's personal art collection, including works by Monet, Renoir, Chagall, Miro, and Dali.

Taking in the view: Andrew at the Iglesia de Monserrate overlooking Bogota.

In the nearby Plaza de Bolivar I saw a llama sauntering by - they are used to give rides to giggling tourists. On one corner stands the Museo de la Independencia, housing artefacts and exhibits that fascinatingly illustrate the story of the 1810 Revolution: how the fight for independence began and how, some might contend, it is still being fought today.

Looking up from the plaza - high in the mountains to the east - you see the Iglesia de Monserrate, which is accessible within minutes by cable car. Here you find a sanctuary of tranquillity and spirituality, as though one has risen above the city while its secular urban unreality sprawls magnificently but chaotically across the plateau below.

If the tumult of Bogota becomes too much, a mere hour away lies Zipaquira and its cathedral, one of the most startling buildings in the world. With ingenuity, vision and audacity, a cavernous expanse 600ft below ground has been carved from a salt mine to form a space for worship.

Such is the combination of iconography, natural forms, colours, and carvings that you feel you're in a sodium-chloride art installation.

It's extraordinary to imagine that on Sundays and holy days 3,000 people come here to worship.

At Guatavita, the legend of El Dorado resonates from the pre-Colombian past. Cradled by crater walls is the lake on to which the Muisca tribe rowed their new cacique (king) on a raft before ritually immersing him, naked and covered in gold dust. In further homage, thousands of gold offerings were thrown into the lake by members of the tribe surrounding the shores.

Across the mountains, through the valleys, past polytunnels (Adam would have been pleased to note) the poncho - or ruana - wearing farmers tend the fields, ride horseback or stroll as though time has stopped. Being on the road is an experience in itself. Away from Bogota, down from the plateau and the temperate high ground, the temperature rises.

Roadside grills offer chorizos, chicken and cold beers to slake the thirst. Dogs slumber, sheltering in doorways to escape the heat while cats watch from the shadows.

If it's history you crave, about 90 miles from Bogota, in the Andes near Tunja, there is a tiny bridge over the Teatinos River, marking the site where the Battle of Boyaca was fought.

Here in August 1819 a decisive victory was won against the Spanish in the war for independence - with the help of the British - an event marked by imposing monuments to the generals Bolívar and Santander.

Soon you reach the white-washed walls, red-tiled roofs and cobblestone streets of Villa de Leyva, a preserved colonial town which, since 1954, has been a national monument.

The 17th Century architecture, featuring cool arcaded courtyards, fountains, and flower-festooned columns, is unspoilt. Dancing in the square and drinking aguardiente in the bars around here seem like timeless nocturnal pursuits.

Further afield, an hour's flight from Bogota on the shores of the Caribbean, lies the Unesco World Heritage site of Cartagena, a beautifully restored jewel of a walled Spanish city with perhaps the most impressive fortifications in Latin America, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas.

The stature of the walls and the tunnels beneath help the visitor understand why it was virtually impossible to defeat the Spanish here, and why they stayed until the 19th Century.

At night the sun-drenched Plaza de la Santisima Trinidad is transformed into a natural theatre. All life is here. Children race, dogs strut like horses, folk reflect and ruminate.

Locals and travellers mix over a beer bought from the shop across the square and a hot dog from a stand.

If you fancy a cocktail, perhaps a cuba libre, you can try to wake the old girl slumbering behind her stall to mix one.

Colombia is a country that defies expectations. It will bewitch and bedazzle you. The countryside is timeless and you'll find pure pleasure in the tranquillity and variety of the landscape and the charm of its people. If you're looking to escape from the greyness of the commonplace, the warmth, colour and natural beauty of Colombia elevate it to the dimension of another world. I shall certainly be going back.

Maybe that cocoa farm of Adam's wasn't such a bad idea after all.

[captainrogers-thepatriot]

The Forgotten Child part 1

Summary: Steve goes on a mission to find a weapon at a Hydra lab and instead discovers a boy with strange powers. The child is found malnourished and badly abused. Steve decides then to take the child home and give him a loving home. Yet things take a turn when they discover other plans had been made for the child by people who wanted to use him for there own gain.

Trigger warning: mention of abuse and neglect

---------------

 It had been a total of  60 years since Steve had went back in time to start a life with Peggy. They got married, had children and now the two of them lived together in the home they raised their kids in. Peggy was in her 80s and certainly was begining to look her age. Although Steve still believes she was still the most beautiful woman he ever laid his eyes on. Steve well he looked the same as before. Still fit and looked in his 20s, although he was far from that in years. 

When Peggy and him were raising their kids, Peggy worked at shield and Steve was a stay at home dad to their children. Now Peggy had recently retired and Steve was going on missions for shield. Although only high level agents even knew he was still alive. 

On a recent mission he rescued a boy. This boy was being used as a lab rat by Hydra. They had injected him with different chemicals and liquid elements hoping to create a super serum of their own. Most of these chemicals only caused the child pain and horrible side effects. 

Steve entered his home holding the boy in his arms. The child clinging onto Steve as if he was a life raft. The child was extremely pale and had scars and bruises all over his body. He was extremely thin. Hel looked like he hadn't eaten a good meal in a long time. He had long blonde hair and blue eyes. 

Peggy sat in the living room reading when she saw Steve and the child. She couldn't but gasp at the sight of the child. She immediately got up and rushed to them.

“What happened to him?” Peggy asked.

“Hydra. They were experimenting on him, trying to recreate the super serum.” Steve told her.

“Those heartless bastards.” Peggy exclaimed. “I knew they were bad…but this is a new level. This poor. Does he have any family to go to?” 

“The mother died. I tried to save her, but she was killed as we were trying to escape.” Steve told her.

As he said that the boy began to cry silently. Peggy put out her arms and motioned for Steve to pass her the child. 

She rocked the child and kissed his head.

“Your alright, dearie.” Peggy assured the child. “Your safe here. We won't let anyone hurt you.”

 “The father, isn't around. The kid said he never met him.” Steve continued.

“Anyone else? An aunt or uncle.” 

“I checked. There's no one else.” Steve answered. “So don't freak out, hear me out. I was thinking we could take him in and raise him. This poor kid has been through hell and the last thing he needs is more term oil. He needs love, a home and family. We can provide that for him. If we're to go into the foster system, it's likely he will get a family that wont care about him, who won't give him the attention he needs. It's a broken system. He also has abilities, ones that he can't control and I'm sure if he went into foster care, he would just be shuffled from home to home. He doesn't need that he needs stability. I know that you just retired and I know that you were looking forward to spending more time together. Especially now that the kids are out of the house. But I really think we need to help this boy. He really needs us and I think-”

“Steve, would you shut up for a second?” Peggy laughed. “Of course we can take him in. I agree he needs a good home, a good family. We can provide that for him. I don't know how many years I have left. But I know I want to continue to make a difference in people's lives until I die.” 

“Your the most amazing woman to ever exist. That's a fact.” He replied. 

“Aw Darling, your so sweet.” Peggy answered. “Your a good man, with a big heart. It's wonderful that you want to help him. I will be at your side to do that too.” 

Peggy set down the kid onto the couch. Then Steve hugged Peggy and kissed her lips. He felt so thankful to have a wife as kind as her.

She then looked to the child with a smile.

“Hello little love, my name is Peggy Rogers.” Peggy began. “Your new friend Steve is my husband.” 

The child just stared at her, nervous and unsure about this new person.

“I just made some chocolate chip cookies would you like to try some?” Peggy continued, putting out her hand to the child.

The child looked to Steve. He smiled at him and nodded.

“You can trust her.” Steve told the child. “I have trusted my life to her many times, she has never failed me once.” 

The boy moved forward and then took Peggy's hand. She then lead him to the kitchen.

****

Peggy watched as she sat across from the boy and he scarfed down her cookies. It was strange especially cause she was a horrible cook. No one liked her cookies, expect steve. Whom she’d venture only said he liked them to make her happy. 

She looked at the little boy up and down, he looked as if he hadn't eaten in days.

“Did they feed you at Hydra?” Peggy questioned.

“One meal a day, it was a protein bar with water.” The boy answered. “My mom would sometimes try to sneak me more food. But they would hurt her if she got caught. I didn't like seeing mommy hurt.”

“Course not.” Peggy answered with sympathy. 

“Did you see what happened to your mother?” Peggy asked. 

She hoped the answer would be no. This child didn't need more emotional scars.

“Me, and mommy and Mr. Steve were running out of the building. The bad guys they had guns and they shot at us. A bullet came toward me and mommy blocked it. She got hit instead of me.”

“Sounds like she's a very brave woman.” Peggy said. “I wish I could have met her.”

“She was the best. Me and her played lots of games like ‘I Spy’ and ‘Going on a Picnic’. Oh and she loved to tell me stories about heros like Hercules and Robin Hood. She knew lots of stories just from her head.” 

“Wow that's really lovely.” 

“Do you know any stories?” the boy asked.

“I don't know many by heart. I do have a bookshelf of stories though, that I can read to you.” 

“wow that's a lot.” The child remarked.

“Do you have a name by the way?” Peggy asked.

“They called me 2342 at Hydra.” 

This saddened Peggy further. 

“Well we will have to change that and think of something proper to call you.” Peggy told him. 

“Okay.” He answered simply. “Like what?”

“My husband and I, raised all girls. They were wonderful, strong, beautiful girl who grew into extraordinary women. Anyways Steve always said if we had a boy, he'd want to name it James after his best friend.”

“I like that name.” The boy answered. 

He was silent for a moment. He appeared to be thinking.

“Are you and Steve going to me my new mommy and daddy?” 

“If you want us to. We're going to take care of you. You don't have to call us mommy and daddy if you don't want to you. You can if you’d like too.” 

“....Well I never had a Dad so I would like one. I ldon't know if I want a new mom, I really liked the one I had.”

“That's okay, love. I understand.” She told him. “You do what feels right to you.” 

“One last thing, do you know how to take a bath?  Cause honestly, my love, you stink.” 

“What's a bath?” James asked.

“Your gonna find out.” Peggy answered. 

Peggy then took the child to the bathroom and drew him a bath. As she took off his clothes she noticed scars on his back. She didn't want to know how or why. She was sure it was a tragic story. They were long scars as if he had been cut. On his arms were red bumps, which she had assumed were injection scars. She cleaned the child. There was layers and layers dirt on his skin, she had to scrub hard to get any of it off.

*****

Steve had been cooking lunch in the kitchen. It was a simple meal of homemade macaroni and cheese. 

He had set the table with the macaroni pot in the center of the table. He also had the radio playing the latest baseball game. He loved the LA dodgers, he used to root for the dodgers when they were in Brooklyn.

Peggy then entered the kitchen holding James’s hand. James was dressed in one of Peggy’s pajama tops. It had pink and blue striped with buttons down the front. He wore matching striped pants and a pink robe over the outfit. The clothes were clearly to long for him. The sleeves consumed his arms and he had to roll up the pants legs to be able to walk. 

Steve could contain his laugher at seeing the child. 

“I didn't have anything in the the house that would fit him.” Peggy explained. “I tried putting him in one of your pajama sets but it was worse.”

“We will have to go into town and buy him some clothes tomorrow.” Steve replied. “For tonight, it's fine, at least he will be warm and clean.”

“Thank you for the clothes. These are comfy.” James spoke. “I like them alot. I didn't get many new clothes before.”

They then sit down and begin to eat.

“Can I ask a question.” James spoke.

“Of course, always.” Steve answered. 

“Why did you save me?” he asked looking to Steve.

Steve was taken back by that question. Did he not want to be saved? Wasn't he unhappy living the way he was?

“Well because Hydra was hurting you and I wanted you to be safe and happy.”

“But you didn't even know me. Why would you care about someone you don't know?”

“people are people and they all deserve to live happy lives. They deserve to be shown love and joy. Your no different. When I see someone in trouble, I want to help, I want to help them have a better life.”

“That's really kind.” James answered. 

There was silence as they continued eating.

“Also Peggy said you two had daughters. What happened to them?” James asked.

“They grew up, they are still around.” Steve told him. “They just don't live here anymore. One has a family of her own now and the other moved away to follow a job.” 

“Oh. Are they nice?”

“Very. ones a school teacher and the other is working as an field agent for the government.” Steve answered. “you will meet them some day.” 

“I would like to meet them.” James answered. “There your kids so I'm sure they are really nice.” 

“Is there anything you want to know about us?” Steve asked. 

“What do you do for work?” 

“I'm retired. I used to be the director for a government organization.” Peggy answered. 

“I was retired and now I'm working as a agent to a government organization. Which your going to have to keep a secret.” 

“I can do that.” James answered. 

****

Then suddenly Tony Stark showed up at the home. He has a key since Peggy has always been close with, ever since he was a child. she saw him as a son she never had. 

“So we have a bit of a crisis going on.” Tony began. “How come neither one of you answer your phone?” 

“There turned off. It's dinner time.” Peggy answered. “You could eat with us if you like, Anthony. Just grab a plate.”

“no thank you Aunt Peggy.” Tony answered. “Although I'm sure the food is great. I'm here on shield business.”

“What's wrong?” Peggy questioned.

Tony noticed the child sitting with them.

“No no no no no! What is wrong with you!?” Tony shouted. 

Then he glared at Steve then pointed to him.

“Him. Are you trying to get me fired? Or are you just unwilling to follow any instructions set for you? You were supposed to retrieve him and bring hin back to shield that was what was agreed on. That was your mission.” 

[moonshynecybin]

I know Vale had a lot of Spanish fans but after sepang 2015 did his following in Spain shrink likes Marc’s level of Italian fans probably dropped immensly but vale is like the king of the sport so I’m not sure if he would have lost as many Spanish fans as Marc did Italian ones. Also because he involved 2 Spanish riders would that impact the Spanish following and I’m not sure if the JL fans were fans of vale before sepang either.

Home to over a million people, Western North Carolina is a region in the United States culturally associated with the traditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This region has a proud history that defies common stereotypes seen in films and television, which often prey on the generational poverty, lack of access to education, and distinctive accents that have characterized the region in the past. Contrary to these depictions, people from Southern Appalachia have cultivated a warm, unique folk tradition that has generated myriad works, including unique cultural practices concerning food, music, and craft. Bluegrass/country music is probably the most famous of these practices, and some of the most celebrated songwriters on the planet are from Southern Appalachia, including Dolly Parton (born ten miles from Great Smoky Mountain National Park), Loretta Lynn, and Tyler Childers. picture sources.

Of course, the first people to live in Southern Appalachia were the Cherokee People, who still live in the area today. A federally recognized tribe, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee People are the descendants of the few who where able to avoid systematic removal of their ancestors by the US Government via the Trail of Tears. At the beginning of the Twentieth Century, the remaining members of the tribe consolidated their collective land holdings in WNC to create an entirely Tribally-governed reservation, which has over the years introduced several tribal initiatives to revive and maintain the Cherokee people's unique culture, practices, language, food, art, and folk tales. It cannot be overstated the influence the Cherokee have had (and continue to have) on the culture of the region. art source.

It should also be noted that this is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Western North Carolina is home to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as several National Forests that serve to protect a myriad of unique biomes and local wildlife. This area is one of two temperate rainforests in the United States, and experiences more rainfall in inches a year than Seattle. The name "Great Smoky Mountains" originates from the effect of the rainfall. Moisture hits the leaves of the abundant flora, and transpiration occurs, causing the plants to release evaporative clouds of mist, creating a "smoky" effect on the mountains. One of the most iconic wildflowers found in the area is trilium, which tends to bloom in the early spring in the shady patches of higher elevations. One of my personal favorites is called dutchman's pants! Which look like little lederhosen.

The area is home to many forms of wildlife, including deer, black bear, elk, river otter, possums, red wolves, turkey, and skunks. We are also known as the salamander capital of the world, and the National Park hosts over 30 unique species, including the hellbender! The largest type of salamander in the world.

Popular activities and attractions in the area include hiking, biking, whitewater rafting/kayaking, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, visiting the Biltmore House (in Asheville, NC), and, speaking from personal experience, just kind of hanging out in various grocery store parking lots with your friends. Its a wonderful and beautiful place to live and I love it lots. all of this to say. i do not know SHIT about spanish perception of vale post-sepang. i suspect he was mostly fine.