#rochester memory care

[riveroaksassistedliving]

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[endwersed]

Hiiii! I love your fic 'feels so good inside' SO much, loss of virginity fics are my <3 I was wondering if you have any recs of other virginity fics?? Thank you and again loved it<333

Thank you so much 💖 I am so glad you enjoyed what I wrote!

I absolutely do have some recommendations because loss of virginity fics are my straight up faves. Reminder to always read the warnings/tags; everything listed below is rated explicit (as hellllll) 🌶

Location Is Everything by LouLa, 8k

Stiles doesn't really care where it happens, so long as it happens.

Rapture, sweet rapture (won't you put your hands on me) by queerly_it_is, 8.5k

Somewhere in the stringy mesh of his overactive brain cells, Stiles is sure there must be memories of what it was like to not have a totally possessive creeper with a leather fixation for an adopted brother.

Shadows and Soda Cans by bloodwrites, 5k

What so many of Stiles' friends forget, is that while he's only human, he notices things they don't. They've got all these supernatural senses, they read fear and deception and arousal and dominance, but they don't look with their eyes. They rely too much on that other stuff, and don't see what's right in front of them. [The one where Stiles knows Derek creeps into his bedroom at night and decides to give him a show.]

Fascination by kalpurna, 3k

Stiles is sitting in English class when the thought first occurs to him. They’ve been talking about the ending of Jane Eyre, and Rochester’s fate, and the concept of disability as punishment, and his mind jumps to Derek ordering him to cut off his arm, and he wonders idly whether the arm would have grown back or, more likely, just healed over the stump immediately, and huh, he thinks with a sudden thrill, huh, there’s no way Derek Hale is circumcised.

Shelter by five_ht, 8k

After the rave, Stiles can't go home, and Derek doesn't want him to.

Professional Misconduct by Calico & Habernero, 8k

Stiles gets a massage. And then some. Alternatively: in which Stiles' mouth gets him into trouble, again and again.

[somethingvicked]

True love of mine part 5

An Eddie Munson story

Stranger Things AU (no Upside-Down)

warnings: Female reader, slight angst, fluff, flexible time-line

Chapter 4

Now

Y/N

It had been a week since you sent the letter to Eddie. A week since you had sat down and talked to Brent, telling him that your relationship was over and that you couldn’t marry him.

Your ringfinger felt strange and empty after you had taken off the engagement ring, even though you knew it was for the best and that it had felt strange having it on too.

Instead you had looked around in that special box of yours and located another memory you’d saved from your time with Eddie. A ring he had won you at a fair once, shaped like a cat – for his nickname for you; kitten.

You were looking down at the ring when Brent rushed into the living room from your… well, what used to be his and your bedroom, holding something in his hands. Your eyes widened when you realized what it was. Your box with the notebooks, the flower made of steel wire, the notes. It would have held the ring too if you hadn’t put it on so recently.

Brent was breathing heavily. "I found these when I was packing up my stuff and I shuffled through them."

"What?! You had no right to do that…!"

"Shut up," he barked. "It's all... they were all for Eddie? The poems you wrote and the poetry book you published? Love notes for no one? You said it was a bunch of love poems for different guys you were in love with in high school that you had saved? But in here it says they are all for and about Eddie. And not only that, some of them were written just two years ago. I remember - because that's when you downloaded that writing app on your phone and stopped writing them down by hand... are you saying that you were with me... but you wrote all this for this Eddie guy?!"

His eyes widened. "Wait… is that why your pseudonym was E. Fairfax? You said it was from your first fictional crush, Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre – his first and middle name, because Rochester would be to obvious. But the 'E'... is that for 'Eddie'?!"

You didn't even have the energy to reply. Why deny it? You had done that and yes, perhaps that made you a bad person. But that's why you finally had sat down with Brent and given him the ring back and said that it was best if you went your separate ways.

"Yes, I did that,” you admitted with a sigh. “And I'm sorry. It's not like I didn't love you at all, Brent, I did. I just... I don't love you like you love me. I thought I would, if I gave it time. But somehow… no, I have never stopped loving Eddie. Writing those poems was a way for me to get all those words I couldn’t say out. But I realized that it wasn’t fair to you. You are a wonderful guy, you don’t deserve to have a wife that writes love poems to a former lover, that’s why I decided to grow up and set you free. So you find someone that can love you, the way you deserve."

Brent's face softened a little. He was still angry, but he did care about you, that’s what made him such a great guy. Many times you had cursed yourself and your stupid heart for not loving him like you wanted to. "Well, what about you? Will you waste your life for your high school sweetheart that just took off and left? How is that fair to you?"

"I need to be true to my heart," you said, “and you’re right, it’s not fair at all. Sadly I can’t help how I feel. Like I said, the poems were a way for me to talk about it without talking about it. But now… I might need to do something else. Maybe I need therapy, I don’t know. However, it’s not your problem any more, Brent. I appreciate you caring, I do, but this is something I need to handle myself.”

You didn’t want to tell him that you had already started at that. The letter. It might not lead to anything but at least it was a more serious try than just writing poems Eddie would never read.

There was something more about the poems you had published and the pseudonym you used. Yes, it was for Mr. Rochester but… it was also for Eddie. For the little secret he had told you – that his middle name was Francis. And that both of your first loves first initials was E.F. even if they had different surnames.

Your two E.F’s.

You sighed again, rubbing your thumb over the cat ring for comfort, then Brent stroked your cheek before taking the last of his things and leaving, the door closing with a click behind him.

Eddie

Eddie had read Y/N’s letter more times than he he could count over the last two days. The things she told him…

She still loved him, couldn’t get over him, compared every boyfriend she had with him. She had even gotten engaged recently but decided to end it because she realized that she wished she was marrying him, not her fiancée.

Y/N clearly didn’t think he felt the same but she had remarked about him still having the matching tattoo.

Was there a small hope there that he sensed?

She made it clear that she didn’t expect them to start over, she only wished for an explanation. Why he had upped and left so suddenly, why he hadn’t given her some sort of closure.

You didn’t even break up with me in that note – which would have been shitty on its own but at least then I would have known, she had written, now it seemed like you didn’t even think about me at all. Like you were already past everything that had to do with us.

How could he tell her that everything that she had written, every feeling she had described – was like he had written it himself?

When Eddie read that she was engaged it felt like someone had taken the small piece of heart he had that were still intact and crumbled it into nothing but drops of blood. When she added that she had to break it, the relief that filled him made him feel like the relief itself was helium and he was about to fly to the heavens.

What she asked of him, though… how could he tell her the real reason he had bailed back then?

How ashamed he was, how much he still hated himself for it. Would she hate him too?

No, Eddie couldn’t tell her. And he didn’t deserve another chance with her. Not just because of what had happened to make him flee, but because of how much he had hurt her by doing so. He had thought it was for the best back then but… clearly he had fucked up more than one life back then – not even counting his own.

But he did owe to tell her that he didn’t live the happy life she imagined. That she was still the first and last thing on his mind every day.

She hadn’t left a return address but one good thing about being famous like he was, was that pretty much everyone knew everything he did. Y/N would find out, one way or another.

He sat down to write a song. The most important song in his life – except that other one.

Eddie thought back and wondered which moment he would start with. Then a sad smile spread over his face and he started.

When you travelin’ down to the Hawk’s country fair…

Then

Hawkins, 1981.

Eddie

It was the day before Halloween and a fair had come to Hawkins, complete with a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, haunted house and of course all the arcades and games.

Y/N and Eddie were walking arm in arm around on the field where they had set up, both high in spirits and drunk on the beer they had stolen from Wayne before coming here. Eddie loved to hear Y/N’s laughter and see her so excited, even though it was just a small little fair.

Although she wasn’t too happy with the clowns, saying that they should have been forbidden since John Wayne Gacy had been outed.

She insisted that they rode the roller coaster, even though she screamed like a stuck pig, making Eddie laugh so hard he almost choked from loss of breath.

Then Y/N pulled him with her to the Haunted house and when they rode through the dark tunnels, lit up by poison green light and filled with smoke, it was Eddie’s turn to make noise – he yelped when the vision of a ghost came up around a curve, a transparent woman with her head cut off, even though he knew it was just projected in the same way they showed something on the overhead machine in school.

Y/N laughed at his reaction but despite her amusement she pulled Eddie’s face in against her chest, patting his hair for comfort. “Don’t worry, hotshot – I’ll protect you,” she purred, making his nickname for her even more fitting.

He was suddenly hyper aware that his face was pressed in against Y/N’s boobs and that… they were softer than any pillow he had ever laid on. And that his cock had become hard as stone, pressing against the fly of his jeans.

Quickly he pulled back with a choked out laugh, thinking very intensely on the dissection they had made yesterday in biology to make the embarrassing erection go down.

When the two of them came out they went to buy some cotton candy and French fries before Eddie said that he absolutely had to try and win her something at the arcade games.

Y/N insisted that he didn’t need to, but he wanted to. Wanted to give her some little trinket that was just from him.

Y/N had given him his bandana after all, the one he now always kept in his back pocket as a token, like in the medieval times.

When he came upon one of the machines and saw the little cat shaped ring it was like a sign from above.

Concentrating hard, using every dexterous skill he had learned as a guitar player he steered the claw with precision before pressing the button. And he won! He won the ring for her!

“Here,” he told Y/N, holding it out. “Kitten for my kitten.”

“Oh, Eddie!” she had said, eyes misted over as she wrapped her arms around him, once again making him feel that soft bosom pressing against him beneath her denim jacket.

He didn’t have time to ponder much over it though, because Y/N’s eyes lit up and she took his hand and ran toward the Ferris wheel.

“We have to ride the Ferris wheel,” she insisted and as usual, he couldn’t deny her  anything. He would have promised her the Mona Lisa if she had begged for it, no matter the impossibility of getting it.

As they got seated and the guard had placed the bar over them it started and it slowly moved upwards.

“Do you know there’s a legend about the Ferris wheel,” Y/N suddenly said, her cheeks pink.

“Yeah? What’s that?” Eddie wondered.

“That if you kiss when the wheel’s at the top you will live happily ever after,” Y/N  explained, her eyes wide, the lights reflecting in them.

“Really?” Eddie said. “Wow. You believe that?”

She shrugged your shoulders. “I don’t know. It’s a sweet superstition though, unlike many others.”

He had to give her that one.

When the wheel was at the top Eddie turned toward Y/N at the exact same time as she turned toward him, and the next second their lips met, their arms wrapped around each other, even with the bar holding them in place.

Happily ever after, Eddie thought as he tasted the sweet cotton candy on Y/N’s lips and smelled the intoxicating scent of her perfume, while burying his hands in her hair. 

taglist: @ali-r3n @ficsbypix @mewchiili @melodymunson @ches-86 @jenniquinn @eddiemunsonfuxks @stolen-in-moonlight @alastorssimp @pandemoniusstuff

(let me know if you want to be on the taglist!)

please, like, comment and reblog!

Your likes are wonderful but reblogs expand my reading circle.

[omegaremix]

June 14, 2018.

OK. Show’s over. Cold Cave says good night and Warsaw clears out. Everyone go home. I head to the ‘G’ subway line to get to Court Square but, lucky me, the line is shut down for repairs. The MTA / LIRR in New York City and on Long Island respectively is a necessary evil which tells you to go fuck yourself on a daily basis. Now what? Good thing there a free shuttle bus that takes us right to Court Square which takes me to the ‘E’ line all the way to Jamaica station. What does Tropic Of Cancer’s “More Alone” have to do with any of this? It’s what was playing on my iPod Classic (160GB) on the shuttle route to Court Square, a mode of transportation I haven’t taken since last decade when my ex- Yenny and I took to Rochester to see Projekt Revolution.

Part Two. “Osiris Rises” was what came on next when boarding the ‘E’ line to the Jamaica stop. The ‘E’ was the most exhaustive subway ride I ever taken at 10 separate stops over 45 minutes to get to where I needed to. Subway rides are also where you meet and chatter with random people, such as one young lady who was to get off halfway. Imagine Lorde but without make-up, shorter with curves and wider-than-normal hips; straight shoulder-length honey hair wearing a pink ringer tee and a knee-length denim skirt. I’m truly experiencing a dream in the real world where things could have and may have been possible but never would be, but for once it is. We talked about how impatient we were taking a tiring ride to our respective destinations. Her complexion was a little unique and nothing I seen before from from the opposite sex on an every day basis, hence why I kept glancing at her to figure her out. She dispersed the ‘E’ line before I did and that was it. She was now a memory attached to all of the night’s events, and someone I will never ever see again.

I hung on and finally made it to the Jamaica stop but realized that this station wasn’t familiar to me? I was supposed to get off on Sutphin Blvd., the booth operator told me. I hop on the ‘E’ line again going the opposite way, sitting inside a near empty car on a 15-minute standstill. That’s when “She-Women Of The SS” came on the randomizer. The eerie but colorful two-bit electronic bleeps slowly creep in, filling up the otherwise silent scene as I waited for the subway cars to close doors and shift on. One stop the other way and it’s Sutphin Blvd. to walk to the real Jamaica stop home. I look at my watch: it’s 12:35 AM. I look at the take-off, my train leaves at 12:36 AM. Time to hustle my ass upstairs. I board the Jamaica train with about one minute to spare, stealing it like Jacob Ellsbury stealing home plate. Had I missed the Jamaica bolt, I’d be fucked, because I had to be at work by 9:45 AM.

Jamaica to Deer Park. Why Deer Park? Because it’s a $4.00 difference between that station and Brentwood. The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) prices its’ tickets according to zones. Now you know why commuters roll the dice to find a parking spot during sunshine hours. I sit down and at first it’s quiet. I’m on the right-hand side mid-car, facing and riding east. For the first half of the ride my music is turned up. Earphones pushed in and I normally don’t care about what’s around me. Melody’s Echo Chamber’s “Cross My Heart” plays. (Don’t ask me why other than the answer is that I’m auditioning for future radio broadcasts. With my history, I wouldn’t be caught dead with something like it.) I turn it down, half-hear, and look up to see some 50-something Long Island stereotype complete with a loud drawling Boston / Brooklyn / Jersey-bred accent. It’s the worst linguistic amalgam I could imagine. She’s waving her phone around blasting Hall & Oates and showing everyone in vicinity her friend’s wedding photos, like anyone cares. You guessed it: it’s drunk hour on the train. Everyone’s sitting helpless watching this loud donkey and she didn’t give a fuck what people thought of her, but someone else gave it a try.

This 20 year-old kid was fed up and wasn’t having it. He yelled at her to stop and said his piece of mind; b-bombs, expletives, four-letter words and all. We now have a squabble. It got everyone’s attention including our star of the show. He laid it down on her thick. A back-and-forth ensued and eventually two other friends of hers jumped in, even “apologizing” to him for her behavior but gave her a pass because “it’s drunk hour and it’s expected”. Civility flies out the window and now we got a shouting match. Both sides called bullshit and held mirrors on each other in the ultimate race to see who’s more righteous. The drunk lady then spat her wad of gum at the kid and everyone gasped. The charming young man quivered in shock that she spat her gum at him, but he still kept going. Two more stops to go; him and his crew said “fuck this”, got out of their seats and waited to get off the train. She still was mouthing off all the way home, threatening to call her husband up to meet them at their stop. But, at least she said “goodbye” and “have a good night!” to everyone else not involved.

Welcome to Long Island.

[philhoffman]

Happy 56th birthday, Phil! Every year I write something on this day and it usually turns into a letter to him about all the ways he’s impacted my life. Every time it seems like he's had an even bigger influence than the one before, and this year is no exception.

I scribbled something earlier, elsewhere, about how hard it has become to write about Phil Hoffman in some ways—he's become so much a part of my life that it would be like trying to describe why I love breathing so much. I just do—I have to—it keeps me alive, and I love being alive. I love being alive in large part thanks to Phil.

Today was kind of hard. I used to set a lot of expectations for myself about how things should feel, but I've learned to just accept what comes. On Phil's birthdays, I try to be happy and celebrate his life. We hear enough about his death, even from the most well-meaning people and comments. But today I really just missed him. This is the 10th birthday he has missed, which is a painful milestone, but even the number didn't mean much to me.

Maybe it's because this last year has been so good. One of the best of my life. The lessons I've learned from Phil's work and his life have helped me grow into a more confident, appreciative, and I hope kinder version of myself. He's pushed me out of my comfort zone with incredible results. Far too many things to list here—don't want to steal the spotlight from the birthday boy, after all, though I did run the NYC half marathon in his memory...—but suffice to say it's been an amazing fucking year. Most of all finally visiting Rochester and meeting Phil's mother and sister, getting to tell them he changed my life.

So now it's his birthday—the day to celebrate and honor and remember his life, the man he was, the artist he strove to be, all the amazing ways he's made a difference in the world. And there were a lot of tears because I just wish he was here for it. I knew higher highs would beget lower lows. Having walked his streets in the city and met his family and had all these real, solid experiences, maybe the fact that he's gone feels more real and solid, too.

I come back to the fact that it only hurts so badly because I love him so much. This grief is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Is it worth it? Yes, it is. It always is. Even when it’s so hard, it’s worth that pain—sometimes for what’s on the other side, sometimes for the pain itself. The lessons within it. That's what life is, Phil said, all the joy and all the heartbreak, wrapped up together and beautiful.

Tonight there was a real pretty sunset and I sat outside in the grass and finished A Prayer for Owen Meany, one of PSH's favorite books. "If you care about something, you have to protect it—if you're lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it."

Knowing Phil—through his films, his words, his actions, his community, his spirit—has given me a life I love, full of art and harm reduction and sobriety and Proust and relationships and an overflowing DVD shelf and starting lines and the reassuring sense of his hand on my shoulder and love, and the courage to live that full life.

He was brave and could be restlessly impatient with anyone who wasn't. He infused every role with a piece of his soul—not as a Faustian bargain, but with love and understanding. He made people feel seen, whether they were standing in front of him or sitting in a darkened theater. His love was ferocious. He fought every day and stayed sober for over 20 years. He pushed himself out of his comfort zone to reach new heights as an actor. He didn't really like to be stopped on the street, but when someone once whispered, "I love you," as he passed, he turned with a big smile and said "Love you too!" One thing I wish I'd had the presence of mind to tell his mom and sister is that, in addition to his obvious talent, I've heard so many stories about what an amazing person he was.

Happy birthday, Phil—also known as BK, Heat Miser, Philly Cream Cheese, Bill Board, bubs, Slip, Clyde Anderson, my PB, The Chairman, bastard, birthday boy (among several other aliases). We've already talked quite a bit today, so I'll stick to the basics. I love you. We keep you with us all the time—so many people who love you and who you love in return, family and friends and fellow artists and fans who saw truth in the way you worked and created and lived. We are so proud of you for every day, for all the time you spent with us, for everything you did and all that you are. I dream of your smile, your big laugh.

Thank you, Philip. For everything. For being around. You said you wanted to make a difference and you did—I needed you and you showed up and you haven't stopped showing up since. I want to make you proud and I hope I do. Happy birthday, Phil, I love you—you know the rest ❤️

[wtffundiefamilies]

When the topic of abortion came up during the first Republican primary presidential debate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shared a perplexing anecdote about a woman he met who he said had survived the procedure. "I know a lady in Florida named Penny," DeSantis said. "She survived multiple abortion attempts. She was left discarded in a pan. Fortunately, her grandmother saved her and brought her to a different hospital." Some accused the governor of fabricating the story. "Let me see if I understand this correctly. Doctors tried to abort ‘Penny’ multiple times and discarded her in a pan, and then her grandmother took her to another hospital? DeSantis lies like a toddler," one person posted on X, formerly Twitter. Our research found that a woman named Penny, who tells an unusual birth story about an attempted abortion, does exist. We asked DeSantis’ campaign for evidence or more information. The campaign replied via email, sending only a link to a Daily Signal article that identified "Penny" by her full name and recounted her story.  The woman DeSantis referred to is Miriam "Penny" Hopper, an anti-abortion activist who said she survived an abortion attempt in Florida in 1955. Her claim, which is uncorroborated, has been featured online by Protect Life Michigan, an anti-abortion advocacy group.  In a video and��in interviews, Hopper said she had been delivered around 23 weeks gestation after her mother went to a hospital in Wauchula, Florida, while experiencing bleeding. In a 2013 interview with radio station WFSU, Hopper said she believes an abortion had been attempted at home before her parents went to the hospital, which also could be why DeSantis referenced "multiple" abortion attempts.  Hopper said the doctor at the hospital induced labor, and she was born at 1 pound, 11 ounces and was left in a bedpan. She told WFSU her grandmother found her alive the next day and was enraged about her being abandoned. Then a nurse volunteered to transport Hopper to what was then Morell Memorial Hospital in Lakeland, Florida, now the site of Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. That’s about 40 miles north of the hospital where Hopper says she was born.  Her story has been used to support "born alive" bills in state legislatures, which aim to protect infants that survive an abortion, even though there are federal laws for that purpose.  We were unable to gauge the accuracy of Hopper’s account. We couldn’t find records, such as news reports, dating to the 1950s, and people who could corroborate the story, such as her grandmother, are no longer living. Hopper did not respond to requests for comment.  Medically speaking, the scenario is dubious.  From the 1950s through 1980, "newborn death was virtually ensured" for infants born at or before 24 weeks of gestation, The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says on its website.  Recent studies have shown wide variation in modern-day survival rates for infants born around 23 weeks, partly because of improved hospital practices for resuscitation and active treatment. A 2022 University of Rochester Medical Center study found that babies born at 23 weeks — who were "actively treated" at academic medical centers in the National Institutes of Health-funded Neonatal Research Network —  had a 55% chance of survival. This is considerably higher than the 23-week survival rate at many other institutions, as well as a previous study conducted from 2008 to 2012 in the same network, which put the rate at 32%. (Lifesaving care for babies born at 22 and 23 weeks varies by hospital policy and physician opinion, according to a New York Times story.)  Before the 1970s, most babies born before 28 weeks gestation died because they lacked the ability to breathe on their own for more than a short time, and reliable mechanical ventilators for these infants did not yet exist. That also makes it improbable that Hopper could have survived overnight without medical intervention when born at 23 weeks in the 1950s.  PolitiFact researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.10

Holidays

American Planetarium Day

Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day

AWS Smart Business Day

Bad Breath Day (UK)

Bear Witness Day (Canada)

Children’s Day (Maldives)

Clean Up Your Room Day

Confederate Memorial Day (NC, SC)

Constitution Day (Azerbaijan, Micronesia)

Dia De La Madre (Mexico)

Ependymoma Awareness Day

Fight Day (Japan)

Finger Face Puppet Day

Five & Dime Day

510 Day

Flower Festival (Azerbaijan)

German Shepherd Day

Golden Spike Day

Home Guard Day (UK)

Human Kindness Day

Indian Arrival Day (Jamaica)

International Day of Argania

International Monty Python Day

Library Legislative Days

Maid Day (Japan)

McHappy Day (Canada)

Mother Ocean Day

Mother’s Day (El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico)

Move for Health Day

National Bonsai Day

National Brand Day (China)

National Cactus Day

National Canine Companion Graduation Day

National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day

National Clean Your Room Day

National Day of Action Against Anti-Asian Racism (Canada)

National Lipid Day

National Mangrove Day (Thailand)

National School Nurse Day

National Ship Via Rail Day

National Small Business Day

National Tree Growing Day (Kenya)

National Washington Day

Native American Day (Indiana)

Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day

One Day Without Shoes

Pastele Blajinilor (Memory/Parent’s Day; Moldova)

Resistance and Liberation Day (Lebanon)

Ring Day

Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Thailand)

Skunks Born Day

Stay Up All Night Night

Tag des Buches (Book Day; Germany)

Thrift Day (French Republic)

Tower Technician Appreciation Day

Trust Your Intuition Day

Whacking Day (The Simpsons)

Windmill Day

World Day of Social Communications

World Facilities Management Day

World Lupus Day

World Orienteering Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Chocolate Fish Day (New Zealand)

National Liver and Onions Day

National Shrimp Day

World Poultry Day

Independence & Related Days

Constitution Day (Micronesia)

Hashima (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Romania (from Ottoman Empire, 1877)

2nd Friday in May

Child Care Provider Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Provider Appreciation Day) [Friday before Mother's Day]

Dia de la Madre (El Salvador) [2nd Friday]

Fintastic Friday: Giving Sharks A Voice [2nd Friday]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

International Professional Drivers Day [2nd Friday]

Military Spouse Day [Friday before Mother's Day]

Miniskirt Day [2nd Friday]

Mother’s Day (Guatemala; Women Employees only) [2nd Friday]

Mother’s Day (Mexico) [2nd Friday]

National Public Gardens Day [Friday before Mother's Day]

National School Communications Day [2nd Friday]

Shades Day [Friday closest to 5.15]

Working Mother’s Day [2nd Friday]

World PICU Day [2nd Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning May 10 (1st Full Week)

National Public Gardens Week (thru 5.19) [Begins Friday before Mother’s Day]

UN Global Road Safety Week (thru 5.14)

Universal Family Week (thru 5.16)

Festivals Beginning May 10, 2024

BBQ & Barrels (Owensboro, Kentucky) [thru 5.11]

Canadian Tulip Festival (Ottawa, Canada) [thru 5.20]

Canby Brewfest (Canby, Oregon) [thru 5.11]

FedCon (Bonn, Germany) [thru 5.12]

Genuss Festival (Vienna Culinary Festival; Vienna, Austria) [thru 5.12]

Lexington Craft Beer Week (Lexington, Kentucky) [thru 5.19]

McAlester Italian Festival (McAlester, Oklahoma) [thru 5.11]

Mesick Mushroom Festival (Mesick, Michigan) [thru 5.12]

Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival (Portland, Tennessee) [thru 5.11]

Norfolk & Norwich Festival (Norwich, UK) [thru 5.26]

Piney Woods Wine Trail Festival (Lindale, Texas) [thru 5.11]

Rochester Lilac Festival (Rochester, New York) [thru 5.19]

Shepherds Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival (Lake Elmo, Minnesota) [thru 5.12]

Smoke on the Lake BBQ Festival (Acworth, Georgia) [thru 5.11]

Texas Crab Festival (Crystal Beach, Texas) [thru 5.12]

Vintage & Vino (Queen Creek, Arizona) [thru 5.12]

The WhiskyX (Boston, Massachusetts)

Feast Days

Alphius, Philadelphus and Cyrinus (Christian; Martyrs)

Antonius, Archbishop of Florence (Christian; Saint)

Aurelian of Limoges (Christian; Saint)

Calepodius (Christian; Saint)

Catald (a.k.a. Cathal; Christian; Saint)

Comgall (Christian; Saint)

Damien of Molokai (Christian; Saint)

Desmond MacNamara (Artology)

Feast of the Wedding of Shiva & Meenakshi (India; Everyday Wicca)

Fido (Muppetism)

Galepodius (Christian; Martyr)

Gordian and Epimachus (Christian; Martyrs)

Hannibal (Positivist; Saint)

Incense to Bring Love Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Job the Patriarch (Roman Catholic Church, pre-1969 calendar)

John of Ávila (Christian; Saint)

John Holmes Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Konstantinos Parthenis (Artology)

Lemuralia, Day 2 (Ancient Rome; Dedicated to Eradicating Malevolent Spirits of the Dead)

Lofn’s Blot (Pagan)

Mutant Awareness Day (Pastafarian)

Paul Wunderlich (Artology)

Rosalia (Ancient Roman Memorial Day)

Solangia (Christian; Virgin & Martyr)

Tin Hat Day (Chinese Goddess of the North Star; Hong Kong)

Wolverine Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lemuria (Day 2 of 3; Ancient Rome) [Unlucky to Marry]

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [22 of 37]

Premieres

Alligator Crawl, recorded by Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven (Song; 1927)

All Things Bright and Beautiful, by James Herriot (Novel; 1975)

The Cider House Rules, by John Irving (Novel; 1985)

Cold Comfort Farm (Film; 1996)

Computer World, by Kraftwerk (Album; 1981)

Dorsai!, by Gordon R. Dickson (Novel; 1959)

Farm Frolics (WB MM Cartoon; 1941)

Feather Bluster (WB MM Cartoon; 1958)

Fish Follies (Phantasies Cartoon; 1940)

The Flowers of Buffoonery, by Osamu Dazai (Novel; 1935)

For a Few Dollars More (Film; 1967)

Gatsby (Film; 2013)

Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (Novel; 1990)

Guntram, by Richard Strauss (Opera; 1894)

The Hot Rock, by Donald E. Westlake (Novel; 1970)

In Dutch (Disney Cartoon; 1946)

I Shot the Sheriff, recorded by Eric Clapton (Song; 1974)

Last and First Men, by Olaf Stapledon (Novel; 1930)

Lovesexy, by Prince (Album; 1988)

The Man Who Fell to Earth, by Walter Tevis (Novel; 1963)

Misunderstanding, by Genesis (Song; 1980)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Film; 1975)

The Muppets Mayhem (TV Series; 2023)

Murder in the Mill-Race, by E.C.R. Lorac (Novel; 1952)

Patriotic Popeye (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1957)

The Pink Panther: Pink at First Sight (DePatie-Freleng Animated TV Special; 1981)

Pokemon: Detective Pikachu (Film 2019)

Porky’s Ant (WB LT Cartoon; 1941)

The Professor and the Madman (Film; 2019)

Rabbit Transit (WB LT Cartoon; 1947)

Rio, by Duran Duran (Album; 1982)

The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien (Novel; 1978)

Sock a Doddle Do (WB LT Cartoon; 1952)

Tolkien (Film; 2019)

Twister (Film; 1996)

Under the Counter Spy (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1954)

Up the Down Staircase, by Bel Kaufman (Novel; 1964)

Weezer (a.k.a. The Blue Album), by Weezer (Album; 1994)

Today’s Name Days

Gordian, Isidor, Liliana (Austria)

Ivan, Job (Croatia)

Blažena (Czech Republic)

Gordianus (Denmark)

Aina, Aini, Ainike, Aino, Ainu (Estonia)

Aina, Aini, Ainikki, Aino (Finland)

Solange (France)

Damian, Gordian, Isidor, Liliana (Germany)

Simon, Simonas (Greece)

Ármin, Pálma (Hungary)

Alfio, Antonino, Cataldo, Miro, Quarto (Italy)

Maija, Mairita (Latvia)

Putinas, Sangailė, Viktorina (Lithuania)

Asbjørg, Asbjørn, Espen (Norway)

Antonin, Częstomir, Izydor, Jan, Symeon, Wiktoryna (Poland)

Simon (România)

Viktória (Slovakia)

Damián, Juan (Spain)

Esbjörn, Styrbjörn (Sweden)

Cormac, Cormick, Gordon, Job, Joby, Jobina, Max, Maximilian, Maximus, Maxine, Maxwell (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 131 of 2024; 235 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 19 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 27 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 3 (Jia-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 2 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 2 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 11 Magenta; Foursday [11 of 30]

Julian: 27 April 2024

Moon: 8%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 19 Caesar (5th Month) [Paulus Aemilius]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 1 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 53 of 92)

Week: 2nd Week of May

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 21 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Ing (Expansive Energy) [Half-Month 10 of 24; Runic Half-Months] (thru 5.28)

[chelleinyy]

Unwelcome Gift Baskets

Back from what was supposed to be a restorative fishing escapade, a feeble attempt to distance himself from the matters he had momentarily left in Concordia, Cornelius was dumbfounded by the utter pandemonium that met him. Never did he fathom the disarray that awaited him upon his arrival.

Unbelievably, the absence of Deputy Lawson from city hall was an outrageous slap in the face.

Instead of a proper briefing, it was the cleaning staff who reluctantly informed him of the events that had transpired in his absence – his deputy, in the wake of Archie Rochester's murder, had barely managed to elude an attempt on his own life.

As if this weren't exasperating enough, a horde of reporters had cunningly assembled themselves at city hall. They bombarded him ceaselessly with interrogations about his whereabouts throughout the entire fiasco, and whether he had personally seen the condition of the deputy mayor.

The entire ordeal amounted to nothing less than a deeply embarrassing and mortifying episode, forever etched into Cornelius' memory. He had held out hope that the entire mess he had left behind would have miraculously subsided by the time he returned.

The very thought of it made Cornelius's head spin.

"Vanish for a few weeks, and this is the catastrophe I return to," Cornelius grumbled, pressing a vial of smelling salts beneath his nose for relief. "Deputy Lawson narrowly escapes the jaws of death, poor Archie meets his end, and now I'm left to deal with mounds of letters and paperwork cluttering my desk, a task Lawson usually tends to."

Sebastian, his assistant, offered an indifferent shrug. "The entire week has been a complete debacle, sir. Senator Rochester himself issued a public statement just yesterday."

The young man gestured toward the Evening Gazette. The front page featured Malcolm Rochester dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief, and the headline read:

ROCHESTER: "My son's passing has deeply affected me on various levels. I pledged to him that the Concordia he left behind would witness improvement."

"Doesn't help in the slightest that Deputy Lawson's been nowhere to be found for an entire week," said Sebastian, letting out an exasperated sigh. "City hall's been in dire need of both him and your presence. Your return is a silver lining, I suppose."

"Yes, yes, I'm aware of that, Sebastian," Cornelius said dismissively. "Speaking of Deputy Lawson, where might he be now? How's he holding up?"

"He's still confined to the hospital, sir. They say he'll need another week to pull through. Luckily, the bullet just grazed him," Sebastian explained.

"And did you manage to arrange the gift basket? The man could use a little cheering up," asked Cornelius. "It's important, you realize."

"Yes, sir. It's all taken care of," replied Sebastian, making his way to the other side of the room to retrieve the prepared gift basket.

"That's a relief... that's a relief. Deputy Lawson's in dire need of it, mind you." Cornelius muttered with an air of resignation, sinking wearily into his chair. “He's a man who can't seem to grasp the concept of taking a breather. Reminds me of the time he practically bellowed himself hoarse berating his own assistant."

"You mean Archie, sir?"

"Indeed, that lad. Cut down in his prime at a mere nineteen. A likable lad, really. God only knows what sort of antics that boy subjected Deputy Lawson to, day in and day out."

"I did catch wind of a peculiar tale, sir. Seems Archie made a fabricated pay raise, complete with Deputy Lawson's counterfeit signature—"

"Utter nonsense, Sebastian. A Rochester fiddling with pay scales? The notion's as ludicrous as they come. Those Rochester coffers are bursting at the seams." scoffed Cornelius.

Sebastian held his tongue, a practiced silence that often came in the face of the mayor's brusque demeanor—a demeanor that could be vexing, even maddening, for some. There was no denying that. And no politician in Ivory Hill couldn't escape the truth that Cornelius Castletown had an uncanny knack for sidestepping the true quandaries affecting Concordia. Even a humble assistant like Sebastian could perceive that much. Cordial in nature, no doubt, yet an abysmal mayor, truth be told. It hardly came as a surprise that Deputy Lawson would storm out of their meetings, a cloud of frustration enveloping him.

It was rather pitiable, truth be told. The deputy bore the brunt of the mayor's shortcomings – the insistence on superfluous projects that merely overshadowed Concordia's genuine predicaments. Poverty, corruption, particularly rampant here in Ivory Hill, and a myriad of other pressing concerns, all pushed aside in favor of sherry cobblers, cutting ribbons and other misguided ventures.

Securing the gift basket and gathering Mayor Castletown's coat and hat, he made his way to the Mayor, who stood near the doorway.

"Ah, much appreciated, my boy," Cornelius acknowledged, accepting his coat and hat with a fleeting smile to his assistant. "Took your time with that gift basket, didn't you? Something troubling you?"

"Just grappling with the challenges of this week, sir," Sebastian responded, presenting the gift basket.

"Well, ponder how it's been for me. Returning from a brief respite only to discover my troubles have mounted in my absence. Your sentiments resonate with me, Sebastian," said Cornelius.

Taking the gift basket from his assistant's grasp, he offered a slight nod of appreciation. "Time to make my way, Sebastian. I must make haste now. Deputy Lawson won't appreciate any more delays. And do take note, if Miss De Paradis happens to arrive, kindly inform her that I've rescheduled our meeting for Monday."

Sebastian's curiosity got the better of him. "Is Deputy Lawson aware of your intended visit, sir?"

Cornelius's lips turned into a wry grin as he reached for the doorknob. "Not a clue, I'm afraid. My appearance is bound to catch him off guard. The man could certainly use a dose of unexpected cheer, don't you think?"

____________________________________________

"Pardon, Mister Mayor, Deputy Lawson is not currently open to receiving visitors," said Nurse Hatchett.

Cornelius had managed to arrive at the hospital. In the wing, he found himself standing alone with Nurse Hatchett, having been informed that the Deputy Mayor was particularly discerning about his visitors. In fact, any visits after five o'clock were strictly prohibited by Deputy Lawson himself, except for members of the Concordian Flying Squad. Nurse Hatchett had also disclosed the fact that despite his hospitalization, Lawson had been deprived of sleep for three consecutive days, which was almost concerning.

"What? This is preposterous! I merely intend to deliver a simple gift basket and inquire about his well-being," Cornelius protested, straightening his posture. "You must understand, I've recently returned from a brief trip, only to be confronted with the news of his perilous state."

"The aftermath of a gunshot is not to be taken lightly, sir," she responded firmly. "Deputy Lawson requires an ample amount of rest, and I am dutifully following his instructions—"

"Forgive me, Nurse Hatchett, but I am the mayor of Concordia," Cornelius interjected, arms now crossed. "Mayhaps you could kindly communicate that I have made the decision to visit. Rest assured, my purpose is not to agitate him any further."

Nurse Hatchett gazed up at the mayor, her expression fraught with a sigh of resignation. Casting Cornelius a glance that held both a sense of caution and a wearied plea, she retreated into Lawson's room. A few moments passed before she reappeared, her hands settled on her hips.

"Very well, Mister Mayor, you may enter. I hope you exercise prudence, though. We mustn't agitate him unduly," she said wearily. "Please bear in mind, sir, that he can be a rather challenging patient. A handful, if you will." "

"Why so, Nurse Hatchett? Deputy Lawson is a man of refinement--"

"Allow me to clarify, if you wish to know. After merely a few hours of being shot, that man made an unsanctioned exit from this very hospital to meet with the Flying Squad," Nurse Hatchett stated gravely, her gaze fixed firmly on Cornelius. "He left with the same unchanged bandage and sling, mind you. We had to hasten him back here in a wheelchair." With that, she turned and left, muttering to herself under her breath.

Cornelius watched as Nurse Hatchett walked away. He hadn't anticipated a tired outlook on dealing with Deputy Lawson as a patient. Well, it wasn't entirely unfounded. The reality of the situation settled in; surviving a near-fatal assassination attempt will undoubtedly leave its mark, especially considering Lawson's propensity for irascibility. Feeling slightly apprehensive, he entered Lawson's room.

"Ah, greetings, Deputy Lawson!" Cornelius chirped, a genial smile gracing his features as he tipped his hat. "How's your--"

"Mayor Castletown, your timing is impeccable! It's an utter disaster, the Rochesters are plotting to seize control of Concordia! Mulroney, Halsted, they've been entangled in their schemes all along--!"

"Now, now, my good man, you've been through quite the ordeal. Steady yourself. How are you feeling?"

Unperturbed by the torrent of alarmed words, Cornelius approached Lawson's bedside, seemingly impervious to his deputy's agitated outburst.

"Cornelius, are you even listening?!" Lawson's voice brimmed with frustration. "Concordia's fate teeters on the brink! I've ousted Mulroney, but they still hold sway as long as the Senator continues to charm the masses!"

"I'm afraid your words elude me, Deputy Lawson," Cornelius admitted, his brow furrowing in bemusement. His attention remained firmly fixed on the assassination, obscuring the broader political turmoil. "Your account lacks clarity, I must confess."

“Mayor Castletown, you must–”

"Calm your nerves, Deputy," Cornelius remarked with a carefree wave of his hand, placing the gift basket gently onto the nearby table beside Lawson's bed. Perching himself at the foot of the bed, he let out a cheerful sigh. "My goodness, even a gunshot hasn't managed to quell your fiery temperament."

"The Rochesters, Cornelius!" Lawson seethed, his posture rigid as he sat up. "They're behind every misfortune befalling Concordia, a bigger menace now more than ever! Swift action is imperative, immediate action!"

"The Rochesters posing a significant threat? How absurd!" Cornelius retorted, his brows knitting together. "In fact, that family has contributed greatly to our beloved city. Dwelling on such notions won't do you any favors, Deputy Lawson."

"Listening to reason might just serve me better!"

"Your unwarranted paranoia leads you down a futile path, my dear man," Cornelius asserted. "As I hear it, the nurses had to scramble to return you to this hospital in a wheelchair after you decided to leave mere hours after being shot."

Lawson shot him a furious glare. "Unlike you, I remain committed to my duty, even in this pitiful condition," he retorted. He winced, clutching his wound. "While you vanish to who knows where, when Concordia is in dire need of leadership!"

"I hold the well-being of our citizens in high regard!" Cornelius retorted, a trace of offense in his voice. "The city remains stable, and I perceive your survival from the assassination attempt as the most significant occurrence during my absence. My responsibilities as mayor--"

"Responsibilities that conveniently whisk you away to places of little importance, leaving me to manage everything!" grumbled Lawson. "You're utterly blind, influenced by that corrupt family, and it's infuriating."

"The senator assures me the proposed legislation is in the best interests, and for your information, his son, Archie, was--"

"Archie was a miscreant!" Lawson spat. "You've probably taken the senator's words at face value without a hint of skepticism!"

"Now, now," Cornelius interposed. "It's hardly fitting to speak ill of a departed youth and his mourning father."

Lawson's disbelief was evident as he struggled to find words, his mouth opening and closing in sheer incredulity. Cornelius, having grown accustomed to such reactions, leaned back casually.

"Grieving?!" Lawson snapped. "What nonsense! And you accuse me of speaking without reason--"

"It was covered in the Evening Gazette this very evening," Cornelius retorted, his response punctuated by a matter-of-fact tone.

"Why, Cornelius, are you such AN UTTER IMBECILE?" Lawson thundered. "The Senator is blatantly manipulating the public!"

Cornelius maintained a composed stance, his arms crossed. "I assure you, he is not. The poor man approached me, looking rather dazed," he responded calmly. "He appeared rather flushed, likely suffering from the distress of his son's demise."

"I--what?!" blustered Lawson, his grip tightening on a nearby pillow. "You truly believe that man is as innocent as he seems? That man and his son are nothing short of--"

"I must express my disapproval of your choice of words, Deputy," Cornelius said firmly. "What exactly has Archie done to deserve your constant berating? My assistant and I manage to work harmoniously--"

"HAVE YOU CONVENIENTLY FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING THAT BOY ORCHESTRATED IN ELYSIUM FIELDS? ARCHIE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SIX DEATHS, A CONSTANT NUISANCE AS AN ASSISTANT! FURTHERMORE, LET IT BE KNOWN THAT SENATOR ROCHESTER ENGAGED ME IN A PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION, INCITED BY HIM WHEN I HAD DONE NAUGHT! HALSTED WAS IN THE ROCHESTERS' GRASP TOO! SHE IS THE VERY CAUSE OF MY PREDICAMENT, MY HOSPITALIZATION!"

Just as Cornelius was about to retort to his deputy's outburst, a knock resounded through the door, followed by a nurse who quietly entered the space. Carrying bandages, a sling, and medication, he approached the bedside with averted eyes, cautiously placing the items on the bed.

"I do apologize for the interruption, sirs," he murmured awkwardly. "Deputy Mayor Lawson requires a change of bandages."

"Well then, I must take my leave," said Cornelius, rising from his spot at the foot of the bed. "Do ensure you rest, Deputy. Three days of unrest are far from beneficial."

With a serene smile directed at the scowl adorning Lawson's face, Cornelius retrieved his coat and hat. "Expect another gift basket in the coming week! Until then, take care."

With a final tip of his hat, he exited the room, his voice reduced to a mutter as he made his way to the outside of the hospital. "Well, that situation could have been worse. Who knows, his fury might drive him to the brink." Cornelius murmured under his breath. "Hopefully he calms down after a week."

[lilimonarch]

Doctor Hanahaki - The Memories that Never Return [12]

Doctor Hanahaki Prequel: Whumptober spinoff!

Whumptober day 12: Insomnia, "I'm up, I'm up!" and Lyric prompt

~

I haven't slept in days, but who's counting?

Konoha is tired.

Japanese, to math, to English, to practice, and restless nights built on anxiety and stress. He slumped into class, his vision spotting as he leaned his head on the desk, drowning out the lessons on English waiting for sleep to take him. The only place which lulls him to sleep is the desk as he falls further into stress trying to stay ahead. He hasn't slept well in days, but who's counting? Surely not him, his parents, or his team.

Why is it that his eyebags are seen as a badge of honor and not a cry for help?

"Konoha-" his friend poked him awake, a concerned expression all over her face. "Get up, before Professor Lin comes in-" she was shaking him awake, Konoha struggling as absent tears of exhaustion ran down his face. "Oh my god... Konoha? Are you alright?"

Konoha blinked a few times, turning his head and giving a small grin. "I'm awake, I'm good."

Bokuto is tired.

He trudges through volleyball practice as if it is his only lifeline. Nightmares keep him restless, waking him when he finally manages to fall asleep as he spends the rest of his night messaging peers for comfort or scrolling through older videos and pictures with Akaashi. He didn't think it would hit him as hard as it did, but being on the court didn't feel right. His teary eyes clouded his vision from time to time, and his spikes grew lackluster. He watched as many of the scouts stopped approaching his games, a select few sticking around for the rare moments when Bokuto's talent would shine.

Why is it they only care when he is okay?

"Bokuto," it was a game against a neighboring town, surprisingly one of their better games without Akaashi. One of the scouts approached Bokuto, frowning at the tired eyes lacking any love in the sport. "I heard about your teammate, I hope he recovers soon."

"Thank you, madam," Bokuto nodded, his voice trailing off. "I'm sorry I haven't been on my A-game. I haven't been sleeping too well."

The woman nodded, reaching into her pocket. "I can imagine," he pulled out a business card, a small animal logo printed on the side with the letters MSBY under it. "My name is Nila Rochester, I am one of the scouts for the MSBY black jackals. We're impressed with your work. I'll be coming to more of these games."

Bokuto nodded, rubbing his eyes in exhaustion as the adrenaline of the game died off. "Thank you."

Akaashi is tired.

He tosses and turns in that small hospital bed, waiting for any type of relief as this strange disease rocks his entire body. Shaking with tremors, shaking with fever, shaking from the constant coughing which left his voice as dead as the doctors predicted he would be within a few months. School was no longer a part of his life, not that he could focus for more than an hour at a time. His scholarship gone, his reputation destroyed, his whole-being utterly wrecked. He still held on to the friends who cared the most, Bokuto.

Why is it that he is always thinking of Bokuto?

There was nobody to save him, as he watched the clock in the room tick past the devil's hour in the room which only used the moonlight to illuminate his world view. Akaashi was exhausted, though his body never seem to give himself a break. He glanced out the window from his bed, seeing the stars. One day, he figured he would be up there. So would his friends and family, and they would meet again soon.

Akaashi had heard the doctors discussing a surgery with amnesia, simple overhearing, nothing too hopeful. He wonders if he has amnesia when he dies, will his soul still remember the life he's lived?

Will he still remember the people he's loved?

[bikepackinguk]

Day One Hundred and Nine

On we go for the final push!

The A2 is horrifically busy as I push through the evening, but I decide to keep firmly out of the traffic and slowly schlep along the pavement.

Not technically legal but I keep a low pace to avoid inconveniencing pedestrians, and even a few of them comment that they don't blame me for avoiding the road proper. I even ride alongside a few police vans who similarly turn a blind eye.

On through Chatham and Rochester, it's a busy Saturday night with plenty of revelry and carousing going on as I plod on through the streets and iver the River Medway.

Out the other side of Strood, the A2 converts from a suburban thoroughfare to a major dual carriageway. Fortunately there is a loop around through some back roads here to head along the trails beside the traffic.

I'm very glad I packed my bike lights as the route through the forested sections is pitch black, and out beside the road is little better. Though my front light has taken some water damage over the trip and is being pretty temperamental; I can only hope it manages to hold on through the night.

I maintain a slow and steady pace to carry on as if there are any obstructions or holes in the road then I won't see them until the last moment.

The dark trails lead on, periodically emerging into the light to navigate around a junction before sliding once more slipping back into the depths of night.

The trails finally begin to peel away from the A2 as the pavements join the A296 to lead in to Stone, where some navigating through the streets takes me up to the large junction at the Dartford Crossing.

Cycling isn't allowed through the tunnel nor over the bridge, but there is a free government-run service to take bicycles across. I follow the cycle trail round the junction and down to the waiting area, which has a dedicated phone line to call for a pickup.

I haven't even touched the phone when I'm greeted by a nearby worker for the Highways Agency and within the blink of an eye the bike is loaded onto the back of a van and securely tethered with bungee cords.

Onwards! I'm driven around the maintenance roads and down into the tunnel under the River Thames, accompanied by an escort of flashing warning lights from the agency vehicle ahead of us. Very swiftly it's over to the dropoff point north of The Thames and I'm back in Essex for the first time in over three months.

Time for the home stretch! Up along the paving past Lakeside Shopping Centre, I headnout from Grays and onto the A1013 as it heads along beside the more tradficked A13 to reach Stanford-le-Hope, before skirting around the edge of Basildon to get around the nastier parts of the A13.

Many of the street lights in the region are turned off in the quieter parts of night here, and the roads are again bathed in darkness which makes for very slow and careful progress.

There's a stiff climb up into Hadleigh, then some more cautious riding to lead down through Leigh-on-Sea to head back to the shoreline, where the street lighting is much improved.

A few climbs are surmounted around the cliffs by Leigh, before I roll down to pick up the cycle pathing at Westcliff-on-Sea and begin the last push eastwards.

It's on past some major locales of my childhood here, with the ride heading along Southend seafront and its famously long pier lit up over the water.

Past the arcades and amusement park, I roll on along the coast with the sound of the waves lapping the shore.

The Thames Estuary has long flat plains leading very far out, meaning the water can be over a mile away at low tides. I feel fortunate that my timing means the sea is present for the last few miles.

Around Gunners Park and through the twists of The Garrison, I head down to East Beach at Shoeburyness.

This is the very final piece of navigable coastline possible to reach on my long journey, and being the closest beach to where I grew up is one I have many memories of.

As I have done at many points along my journey, I head down and touch the sea one last time, before saddling up for the final furlong.

With perfect timing, my front light finally gives up the ghost as I hit the road at Shoebury, but even in the depths of night I know this stretch by heart.

Along the road and around the fields I head up and into Great Wakering, where I departed three and a half months ago, to be greeted by my lovely mama.

I'm done! Damn! I can still barely believe this incredible adventure is at an end. It'll sink in sooner or later I'm sure, but in the meantime I think I'll be getting some much needed downtime to recover from months spent on the road.

I'll be making a few summary posts in time, including stats for the journey, kit list, and others including the thanks owed to so many amazing dolk who have helped me along on this voyage.

In the meantime, I think I've earned a drink. In fact, several. I'm going to get drunk.

TTFN!

[rockislandadultreads]

Women’s History Month: Classic Female Authors

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Orphaned as a child, Jane has felt an outcast her whole young life. Her courage is tested once again when she arrives at Thornfield Hall, where she has been hired by the brooding, proud Edward Rochester to care for his ward Adèle. Jane finds herself drawn to his troubled yet kind spirit. She falls in love. Hard.

But there is a terrifying secret inside the gloomy, forbidding Thornfield Hall. Is Rochester hiding from Jane? Will Jane be left heartbroken and exiled once again?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Since its immediate success in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen called this brilliant work "her own darling child" and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, "as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print." The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen's radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners of Regency England.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 

'Now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart...'

Obsessed with creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being, which he shocks into life with electricity. But his botched creature, rejected by Frankenstein and denied human companionship, sets out to destroy his maker and all that he holds dear. Mary Shelley's chilling Gothic tale was conceived when she was only eighteen, living with her lover Percy Shelley near Byron's villa on Lake Geneva. It would become the world's most famous work of horror fiction, and remains a devastating exploration of the limits of human creativity.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Sethe was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, but eighteen years later she is still not free. She has borne the unthinkable and not gone mad, yet she is still held captive by memories of Sweet Home, the beautiful farm where so many hideous things happened. Meanwhile Sethe’s house has long been troubled by the angry, destructive ghost of her baby, who died nameless and whose tombstone is engraved with a single word: Beloved.

Sethe works at beating back the past, but it makes itself heard and felt incessantly in her memory and in the lives of those around her. When a mysterious teenage girl arrives, calling herself Beloved, Sethe’s terrible secret explodes into the present.

This is the first volume of the “Beloved Trilogy.”

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, the lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers - and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.

[riveroaksassistedliving]

Expert Memory Care Services in Rochester, MI

River Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care offers expert memory care in Rochester, MI, for seniors with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other memory-related conditions. Our personalized care plans promote comfort, independence, and well-being in a safe, nurturing environment. With engaging activities and compassionate support, we ensure that each resident receives the highest quality care tailored to their unique needs, enhancing their quality of life every day.

[multipleoccupancy]

Theo smiled as Violet took his bait on the offer of a story, "her name was Ada Briante, she seemed to know every trick in the book when it came to keepin' me in line." He chuckled fondly and smiled into the fire thoughtfully. "Ma and Pa had to go look after my grandpa who lived in a town called Rochester in upstate New York, they thought it was too dangerous for me to go with them, I was only young. So I was left in the town under the care of a man named Vernon but he died to a monster attack the same day my parents left." Theo scratched the back of his neck for the memory but he had not really known Vernon all that well. "Ada happened to be comin' through the town and caught me livin' by myself and kept an eye on me."

He chuckled for her question on the stories Ada had told him, trying to think back on them as best he could, they were told to him a long time ago. "She told me countless stories, how she faced so many monsters, she was real keen on traps too you know. You'd have got along." He nodded her way playfully and smiled a little brighter. "Her stories were so good that when I was bored I would pretend to act up just so she would sit an' tell me a story while she thought she was distractin' me from doin' whatever dumb thing I was plannin'" which he confessed fondly. "I was a handful."

Pleased that Violet was starting to understand the value in stories and the therapeutic chance it gave to talk about them in a different light to scare off the worst of the details and to turn them on their head to be better than the reality. He hoped she would tell more of her stories, at least so she could face what had happened and not let them sit in her head unchecked.

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎 & 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓 @multipleoccupancy

Violet raised her eyebrows. A woman who took care of him? "Who was she?" she asked, her curiosity piqued -as it often was. "Why did she take care of you?" After all, Francesca and Cosimo were in New York. Was this woman some sort of babysitter, then?

"What kind of stories did she tell ya?" Of course, Violet wanted to know more about those stories! She liked stories a lot, they made things seem less grim, more exciting. She wished her dad would share stories with her, too. Stories about his past, stories about his work as an agent. But he was too secretive, and she wasn't home, anyway.

She chuckled, yes riding a Shantak was maybe a bad idea. "I think you're right, there's lots to learn 'bout stories. And... I like how they turn bad memories into excitin' tales. That adventure in the mines, that I told you about before. It's a real bad memory. But it felt nice, to say it like a story. To feel brave and cool sayin' it."

[millaphleb]

Open Your Future: Pursuing Phlebotomy Jobs in Rochester, NY-- Opportunities & Insights

Unlock Your future:⁢ Pursuing Phlebotomy Jobs in Rochester, NY –⁢ Opportunities​ & Insights

If⁣ you’re contemplating a career‍ as a phlebotomist in⁣ Rochester, NY, you’re in the right place! The⁣ healthcare sector is thriving, and phlebotomy jobs are in demand. In this article, we will explore the opportunities available​ for ⁣aspiring phlebotomists, the benefits of ‌this career path, ​practical tips for getting started, and⁢ insights ‌from industry professionals. Let’s dive in!

What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is the⁣ practice of drawing‌ blood for various ⁤tests, transfusions, research, or donations. Phlebotomists play ⁢a crucial role ​in healthcare,ensuring samples are collected safely and ‍efficiently. They work in⁤ a range of ⁣settings, from‌ hospitals to clinics ‌and laboratories.

Why ‍Choose a‌ Career in Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy jobs offer a variety of benefits that make them ⁣appealing to many job seekers in Rochester.

Demand ‌for Phlebotomists: With ‍a ‍growing population and ‍an increasing ⁤focus ‍on preventive healthcare, the demand for skilled phlebotomists continues⁣ to rise.

Rapid‍ Entry into the ​Field: ​most phlebotomy programs are relatively‌ short, allowing you to enter ‍the workforce quickly.

Job Satisfaction: Many professionals in​ this field report high levels of job satisfaction‍ from helping‍ others and being part of a vital healthcare team.

Competitive Salaries: ​ Phlebotomists⁢ in ⁢Rochester may earn competitive⁤ wages, often with opportunities for⁣ overtime ​pay.

Phlebotomy Job ⁢Market in Rochester,NY

Rochester⁢ is known⁤ for its robust healthcare system,featuring numerous‍ hospitals,clinics,and diagnostic laboratories. The following table summarizes ⁢the‍ top healthcare employers in the region ​hiring phlebotomists:

Employer

Location

Estimated Salary Range

Strong Memorial ⁤Hospital

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY

$35,000 – $50,000

Rochester Regional Health

100 Kings Highway South, Rochester, NY

$34,000 – $48,000

Unity ‍Hospital

1555 Long Pond⁤ Rd, ​Rochester, NY

$36,000 ​-⁤ $52,000

How⁤ to get Started ⁣in ‌Phlebotomy

Embarking on a phlebotomy career in Rochester is straightforward. Here are ‌the steps ⁣you should ‍follow:

1. Complete a​ Phlebotomy Program

You ​can choose⁣ from various accredited phlebotomy training programs located in ⁢Rochester​ and online. Most programs last between 4 to 8 months​ and will⁤ provide hands-on training.

2. Obtain Certification

While certification isn’t mandatory‌ in New York State, it is indeed highly ‌recommended. Organizations like⁣ the American⁣ Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offer certification exams that can enhance your job ⁢prospects.

3. Gain ‌Experience

Consider internships or entry-level positions to⁣ gain practical experience. Volunteer programs at local ​hospitals can also be valuable for building ‌your resume.

4. Apply for Jobs

Network with alumni⁤ from​ your training program, apply through job boards, ‍and attend local job fairs to find phlebotomy positions.

Benefits of Working as a ‍Phlebotomist

Working as a phlebotomist in Rochester has its ‌perks!

Adaptability: Many ⁤positions offer flexible ​hours, making it easier to balance work⁢ and personal life.

Career Advancement: phlebotomists can advance into ⁢specializations, ⁤such as laboratory technicians or‌ medical ⁣assistants.

Community Impact: You’ll play a pivotal role in patient care and contribute to your​ community’s health and‌ wellness.

Firsthand Experiences: Voices from Phlebotomists in Rochester

Learning from those already in‍ the field can provide invaluable insights. Here are excerpts⁢ from local phlebotomists who shared their ⁤experiences:

Jessica, Phlebotomist at Strong Memorial Hospital: “I love ⁢my job because ​every day is different.I‌ meet ⁤so many‌ people⁤ and help make a difference ⁢in‍ their healthcare journey.”

Mark,Laboratory Technician: ⁢ “Starting as a phlebotomist​ opened‍ so many doors ‍for me in the healthcare industry,allowing me to pursue my passion for science.”⁢

Practical Tips for Aspiring Phlebotomists

Here are some‍ practical tips to aid ​you‌ on your journey:

Stay Updated: ⁣Keep learning ​about new techniques‌ in phlebotomy ​and‍ updates in healthcare practices.

Network: Attend healthcare events and connect ‌with other ⁢professionals through social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Practice Good communication: Develop strong interpersonal skills to‌ put⁤ patients at ‌ease ‌during procedures.

Conclusion

Pursuing a phlebotomy career in Rochester, NY, comes with numerous opportunities and ⁣benefits. By completing​ a training program, obtaining certification, ⁤and gaining practical experience,⁤ you can unlock your future‍ in this vital ‍field. The path to a ​rewarding career as a phlebotomist is ⁢within your reach. Start today, and make ‍a positive impact in the lives of others in your community.

https://phlebotomycertificationcourse.net/open-your-future-pursuing-phlebotomy-jobs-in-rochester-ny-opportunities-insights/

[hayleycna]

Open Your Career: Discover Free CNA Training Opportunities in Rochester, NY!

Unlock Your Career: Discover Free CNA ⁢Training Opportunities in Rochester, NY!

Are you looking to⁣ jumpstart a rewarding ⁢career in healthcare? Becoming a Certified⁤ Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a fantastic option, especially⁤ with various free training opportunities available in Rochester, ⁣NY. This article will provide all the information‍ you need to find free CNA training programs, explore the ⁣benefits of this career, and ⁤share practical tips for success.

What is a CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) plays a⁢ crucial role in the healthcare system, providing essential care to ⁤patients. They assist with daily⁤ activities such ‌as‌ bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. CNAs often work in⁢ nursing homes,hospitals,and assisted living facilities,making them an integral part ​of the‍ healthcare team.

Why‌ Consider a Career as a CNA?

embarking on a career as a CNA offers several advantages:

High Demand: The healthcare industry is booming,leading to a constant need for CNAs.

Short Training ​Duration: CNA training programs are typically short-term,‌ allowing you to enter the workforce quickly.

Meaningful Work: CNAs⁢ have a direct impact on ‍improving the lives of their patients.

Career Advancement Opportunities: Experience ⁣as ⁣a CNA ​can serve as a ​stepping stone to further career advancement⁤ in⁤ nursing.

Free CNA Training Opportunities ⁤in Rochester, NY

Rochester, NY, offers several options for free CNA training. These⁤ programs⁣ are designed‍ to help individuals discover‌ a ⁤rewarding ‌career‍ path without the burden of⁤ expensive ⁢tuition. Here are some popular options:

1. Local ‍Community Colleges

many community ​colleges in Rochester offer CNA programs at low or no cost. Some may provide ⁢scholarships or financial aid specifically for training. Check out:

College

Program Details

Contact Information

Monroe Community College

offers a CNA training program with hands-on experience.

Website

Genesee ‌Community College

Free CNA training program with state certification upon ‍completion.

Website

2. Free Training Programs from​ Healthcare Facilities

Some healthcare facilities offer free CNA training ⁤as part of their hiring process. This is a win-win situation where‌ you receive training and‍ secure a job upon ​completion. consider these options:

Unity⁤ Health System: Offers paid training programs ⁣for ​interested candidates.

Strong Memorial Hospital: Provides ⁣CNA⁤ training programs with⁤ job placement opportunities.

3. Workforce Advancement Organizations

various ⁣organizations focus on‌ adult‍ education and ‍job training. These organizations may offer free CNA training or cover training costs. Opportunities frequently enough cater to individuals facing⁢ economic⁣ hardships.⁢ Key organizations include:

RochesterWorks!

Workforce Development⁣ Institute

Benefits of Free CNA Training

Participating in a ‍free CNA training program comes with numerous benefits:

No Tuition⁣ Costs: Save money and avoid student debt.

Gain Experience: Hands-on training and‍ practice in real healthcare settings.

Job​ Readiness: Training equips you with the skills needed⁣ to enter the workforce immediately.

Tips for Success in⁢ CNA Training

Success as a​ CNA goes beyond just completing training.Here are some practical tips to excel:

Stay​ Organized: Keep track of​ training schedules, assignments, and⁣ deadlines.

Practice Skills: Utilize‌ labs to practice clinical skills regularly.

Engage with Instructors: Don’t hesitate to ask questions⁣ and seek clarification.

Network: Make‍ connections with classmates and instructors for potential job opportunities.

Personal‌ success Stories

many CNAs in Rochester‍ have found success and fulfillment in their ⁤careers.Here are a couple of inspiring ⁢stories:

Maria’s Journey

Maria‍ was⁣ a ⁤single mom when she ‍decided to‍ pursue a career as a CNA. After enrolling ‍in a free ​CNA training program at Monroe⁤ Community College, she⁤ quickly secured a job ‌at a local⁤ nursing home. Maria now balances work and ​family while providing for her children, ⁣all thanks​ to the support​ of the training program.

John’s Career Shift

After years in retail, ⁤John took a leap of faith and enrolled in a free CNA program offered by Strong Memorial⁢ Hospital. He found passion ‌in patient care, transitioning ‍from retail to a fulfilling career in healthcare.John now advocates for ⁣further training and development within the field.

Conclusion

Unlocking a rewarding career as a CNA in Rochester, NY, is within your reach through ⁢various free training opportunities.With high demand for CNAs, short training durations,⁤ and meaningful work experiences, now is the perfect time to take the plunge.‍ Explore the options mentioned in this article, network ⁤within the community, ⁤and get‌ ready to embark on a fulfilling career that truly makes⁢ a difference.

https://cnatrainingcertification.org/open-your-career-discover-free-cna-training-opportunities-in-rochester-ny/

[philhoffman]

Sweet piece in a local Rochester paper about Phil’s niece Carolyn, a local legislator, and her recent visit to his statue outside the Dryden Theater ❤️

One of her earliest memories of her uncle comes from when she was no more than eight years old, performing a dance to a Christmas song for her family. Her uncle Philip’s reaction was dramatic. “He was sitting on the couch, and I remember he just erupted — he was like, ‘Bravo!’ And he was clapping and he was being so obnoxious, but in a good way.”

“I gravitated towards him as somebody that I felt safe with and that I could count on to be there for me," she said. "That was not the case with all of the men that were in my life when I was a kid.”

Delvecchio Hoffman wants to affirm the feeling of connection people have to her uncle, and appreciates the love and admiration the Rochester community has for him. Above all, she hopes his memory goes beyond his legacy as an actor—that the remembrance of her uncle inspires people to care for one another better, specifically those dealing with drug addiction or mental and emotional health issues.