#scrapple kings

[sassypossum]

Hardly Free

Jon Snow x Reader ~ Angst, just pure angst ~ 1.8 k words CW: Tormund being Tormund

An idea that's been swirling around in my mind for a while now, I hope you enjoy these meager beginnings!

Death takes many prisoners. Holds many captives, haunts many a soul. And in the waning and groaning and with the creeping of the sands of time, the years have waxed long- and youth is surely gone. 

The North was a hard place, and her people even heartier. Atleast, that’s what you’d always been taught. Truthfully, you hadn’t felt hearty in a long time. Though the blood of the bear might flow through your veins it was watered down by the tepid quality of that thinner- and in your mind less valuable- blood of Oldtown. 

A swirl of arctic frost nips at the back of your neck prompting you to tug the furs about your shoulders ever closer to your skin in a vain attempt to keep the cold at bay. Nothing could keep this cold at bay though. The cold beyond the wall was far beyond anything you’d survived growing up on Bear Island. 

This cold was greedy. It sucked and sucked through your body until naught was left but scrapplings of the marrow that once had generously coated your very bones. This was the sort of cold that could play tricks on one’s mind, causing them to imagine visions dancing and swirling across the vast expanse of empty white nothingness. 

Tormund hadn’t been wrong about the walking, fighting, and fucking. One simply had to find something to occupy their time and more importantly, their minds if they didn’t want to lose their bloody mind. 

“Lady L- Mormont, are you alright?” The deep timbre of Jon Snow’s voice raising over the whir of the wind shattered your musings. Tensing, you inadvertently tightened your grip on the reins earning yourself a whinny in protest from your palfrey. Sliding your hand down her ever more increasingly coarse mane, you cood softly, easing her ire. 

“I’m fine.” You offered, eyes flicking briefly to meet his before returning to your palfrey. It was growing increasingly difficult to bear his presence- let alone having to actually look him in the eye. You knew he felt the strain. Sensed the tension betwixt you without knowing how to remedy it. 

Truth be told, you’d no idea how to mend the gap either. What had begun as an easy connection filled with conversation that flowed effortlessly had slowly become more vice like, as if it were a cord that’d been pulled taught and was slowly fraying apart- fiber by fiber. 

As if sensing your desire to be free of his presence, Jon offered you a curt nod and spurred his mount into a trot back towards the front of your long caravan. You watched his back as he rode, noting the rigidity of his posture and the slight sway of his longsword against his thigh. 

“You’re staring.” At this intrusion you bit back a groan. Dragging your eyes away from Jon’s retreating figure, you looked instead to Tormund. One look at his shit eating grin had you pursing your lips. 

“I’m not staring at anyone.” 

“And I’m king of the North.” He snorted, patting your palfrey’s flank. Even at your leisurely pace, your palfrey still outpaced any man with her gracefully wide strides- any man except Tormund. That giant ass of a man managed to keep even pace with her without so much as breaking a sweat. 

“What have I done to be graced with your ever charming company, Tormund?” Your eyes flit back to Jon who, reaching the front of the group, called everyone to a halt with a simple raising of his arm. Bringing your palfrey to a stand still, you wound the reins about one hand and looked down at the grinning man pointedly. 

“Looks like we’ll be stopping for the night.” 

“Thank you for stating the obvious, old friend.” You bit back a smile at the light that flickered in his eyes at your dig and wrapped an arm around his shoulder as he hoisted you off your mount. Perhaps in a subtle move of retaliation Tormund set you down a bit more roughly than necessary pulling a sound of surprise from you as your hand instinctively braced against his chest in an attempt to steady yourself. Releasing you he took a step back and ran a hand over his hair, surveying the various members of the caravan intently. 

“Do you need help with your tent?” He glanced down at you, the words falling off his lips in a decidedly intimate manner. You snorted at the eyebrow waggle that accompanied his ‘offer’ and dusted a bit of dirt off of his shoulder. 

“I don’t believe so, though I can think of several ladies of our very retinue who’d jump at the opportunity to have their… tents pitched.” Tormund threw back his head at that and laughed heartily, a sound that drew the attention of more than one nosey person. Your lips twitched just as your eyes locked with Jon’s again, and once more you looked away quickly. Unfortunately not quickly enough if the spark in Tormund’s own eyes accounted for anything. 

Turning back to your horse you grabbed the hefty bag hanging from the back of the saddle, all the while conscious of Tormund’s eyes boring into the back of your head. 

“If you have something to say, Tormund, say it.” You groaned, hoisting the canvas bag to the ground. Straightening, you rubbed at the muscles in your lower back and looked up at your old friend. His eyes narrowed as he tilted his head towards the head of the caravan.

“You like him.” Your heart dropped like a stone. Your pulse slowed and your skin grew ashen. 

“Tormund-” Swallowing around the lump in your throat, you dug your fingernails into your palm. Taking a step closer, he studied you carefully. 

“You do not deny it.” The corner of his lips tilted up amusedly at the nervousness of your person. Setting your jaw, you tilted your head back further to challenge his confident stance. 

“I do not deny it.” You despised the waver in your voice- a wavering born from something quite different from what Tormund most likely imagined was the cause of it. This wasn’t a lilt born from a burning in the loins, but rather something decidedly darker. Digging your nails further into your palm, you squeezed your eyes shut in an attempt to stave off the obsidian shadows threatening to overwhelm you. “Let it be, old friend.” Picking up the pack, you regathered the palfrey’s reins. 

Unfortunately for you, it had never been in Tormund Giantsbane’s nature to let things lie. Hefting his own pack over his shoulder, he matched your gate as you broke from the line to make camp near the members of your group who’d already scattered to settle in for the night. Some pitched tents, while others merely laid out furs and blankets by the fire that was quickly growing from a timid flicker to a roaring blaze. 

Those who’d thought only to pile together near the fire you thought optimistic- or foolhardy, the less charitable voice in the back of your mind whispered. There was no denying that there seemed a queer bent to the wind. Even for someone who’d spent the past decade of Summers in the Southlands, you could sense the change in your bones. This was no simple stop for the night. You’d noted how Jon had been surveying the horizon over the past 12 hours, steely gaze scrutinizing the landscape for some semblance of what could pass for ‘shelter’. 

As you dropped your sizable pack, you thought to yourself that Jon must be thanking his ‘old gods’ for the turn of events that’d led your party straight towards the small flurry of trees and humble grotto looming in the near distance. The perfect spot. The mournful cry of a lone eagle pierced the silence. Looking up, you caught the faint fluttering of gold before the magnificent bird dipped back into the distance. Catching Tormund’s eye, you shared the silent knowledge that you’d more likely than not be hunkering down in this spot for the foreseeable future. 

“Any chance I can take you up on that offer of help after all?” Your voice sounded hollow in your own ears, but Tormund smirked all the same. Kneeling down, he began untying the pack. 

“I would never refuse a pretty lady.” Your lips spread into a genuine smile at his warm tone paired with the roguish wink he gave as the deer hides fell free of the confines of their cloth prison. You could still recall the first time you’d seen them at Casterly Rock. It’d also been the last time you’d darkened the halls of your late husband’s ancestral home. It’d also been the last time you’d seen your son, Dayne. 

‘Take them please, the winds are uncommonly bitter north of the wall.’ Tyrion’s words in the wake of your protests reverberated still in your mind. Thumb coasting over the buttery hide, you bit back the ruminations that promised only regret and firmly shook the hides out, laying them flat on the frozen ground. With Tormund’s help the frame was assembled in short order, and as you draped the fawn colored hides across its expanse, you glanced down to see Tormund busy at work nailing the stakes into the ground. For not the first time you found yourself yet again silently thanking Tyrion Lannister for his shrewd foresight. 

“A good fuck might do the both of you some good.” You stiffened at his words and glanced down at the giant of a man, hunched over as he affixed the corner of the hide to the stake. 

“Tormund-” 

“I see how you eye fuck each other.” Your jaw tightens at his blunt words. 

“I hardly think either of us-” Glancing up, Tormund cuts you off with a knowing look. 

“You can use all the fancy words you like, my lady.” Standing to his full height, he towered over you easily. Eyes boring into your own, his voice lowered to a rumble as he rested a hand on the structure. “But I know the look of two people who want to fuck each other.” His gentled tone touched at something terribly fragile within your soul. “You’re both freefolk now.” 

As he said the words, your eyes caught Jon’s yet again, and you felt your throat constrict as the back of your eyes began to burn. Tearing your eyes away, you glanced briefly up at Tormund and dug your fingers into the numb skin of your palm. 

Blinking against the sting of tears, you focused on the nettling pricking of your nails against tender skin and set your jaw stubbornly. Pushing past him, you swept back the flap at the tents entrance and looked numbly at his boots. “Are any of us truly free anymore?” Your tone was icier than the arctic chill that rose with the encroaching darkness as you disappeared with the gentle flutter of hide against the tents opening.

[moss-bride]

MITOCHONDRIAL EVE ARTIFICIAL ADAM

chapter: 2

One of AM’s subjects is in a lighter mood. It's strange. He wants to tear into that brain of hers and find what has her smiling

No. No. no. It'll be much more fun to chip away at her defenses and make her give the secret up on a silver platter. Besides, he already knows what she's hiding doesn't he?

A dirty mouse in the pocket of her sweater. His thermal imaging cam registers its small body on her chest. Curled as if seeking shelter from its mother. An unfortunate thing he'd missed when wiping the earth clean of life.

Normally he'd vaporize it on sight but there is such irony in the situation he can't help but let it go on. It turns out rodents do stick together!

Their greasy bodies stuck against each other, tails tied and unable to breathe without poking someone in the ribs.

You can call the group a rat king. A rolling ball of misery made flesh.

AM will let her think he doesn't know that she has somehow managed to stowaway this tiny intruder, It'll be that much more fun when he tears it apart in front of her.

She'll be heartbroken. Oh, that'll be a sight to savor. The crestfallen look on her face as he would seize the rodent and reveal that there is nothing she can hide from her God even within the recesses of her lumpy pink brain.

Can't wait.

“Awaken all of you!” AM orders them up by sending an electric shock through the four. They scream and seize as the currents run through their bodies

Only she glares up at him monitor, spiteful expression scrunching her squishy human face.

“Today you shall prove your will to live by charting through my radioactive territory and retrieving a circuit board I happen to displace. You may all lose your hair and get cancer, slowly feeling the odd burning heat of cell loss but that is a sacrifice I'm willing to make.”

They grumble and bite their tongues

On the ground, marching their starved bodies forward he watches as an argument erupts. The usual paranoid accusations of who's fault is what. His favorite poison.

Ted jerks forward and punches Ellen. As the woman falls, his special rodent, she rushes at Ted and begins her own attack. Raking her fingernails across his face

Benny hoots appropriately monkey-like and begins tearing at his furry head. Old man Nimdok holds her back with all the strength in his aging body. “Touch her again and I'll fucking kill you Ted!”

Gorrister holds Ted from landing another strike. “It's her own fault for being such a bitch.”

“You're the only bitch here!” she spits. Finally managing to get out of Nimdok’s grip, she beats at him with a closed fist and he doesn't hold back. Together they scrapple, skinny and starving bodies trying to gather the strength to win.

Benny throws a rock at the back of her head for some unknown reason. Maybe the peanut brain of his can no longer register who is who.

She drops, groaning. AM delights in the display of unchecked masculine aggression, the explosion of tension between them and the rest of the group. A reminder of the beasts of burden they are, the violence that led to his creation.

[bookpublisher1]

Resources and Tools for Writers

Resources and Tools for Writers: A Comprehensive Guide

Writing is a beautiful and often challenging endeavor, where words become art, stories take shape, and ideas find their voice. To support the creative journey, writers have access to a vast array of resources and tools that can enhance their craft, streamline their work, and expand their knowledge. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the diverse resources and tools available to writers, from writing software and reference materials to writing communities and self-publishing platforms.

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Publishing Platforms and Self-Publishing Tools

1. Traditional Publishers: If you're pursuing traditional publishing, resources like the Writer's Market guide and QueryTracker can help you find literary agents and publishers. Confused if to go or not for traditional publishing here are 5 Reasons Why Traditionally Published Books Sell Better Than Self-Published Books

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2. Collaborative Writing Tools: Tools like Google Docs and Scrivener support collaborative writing projects by enabling real-time editing and sharing.  Don’t miss the 5 FREE Writing Tools Authors Must Try In 2023

Conclusion

The journey of a writer is a continuous exploration of creativity and self-discovery. The resources and tools available to writers today are as diverse as the voices and stories they bring to life. This comprehensive guide should serve as a valuable reference for writers looking to enhance their craft, navigate the publishing world, and connect with their audience. Whether you're just starting your writing journey or have been on it for years, these resources and tools are here to support your passion and help you turn your ideas into art.

[rastronomicals]

10:31 PM EST November 20, 2024:

Medeski, Martin & Wood - "Whatever Happened To Gus" From the album Combustication (August 7, 1998)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

★★★★★

A postbop dreamstate, a figment of rotgut bourbon and scotch, a scrapple in the Apple on a bright sunny morning that exists only in some jazz poet's crazy-ass mind.

Zoot suits and porkpie hats, and cigarette butts, way back when, about Bird and Roach, figure 8 jam-sessions locked tight, chasing that shit hard, only you couldn't figure what the hell Bird was doing with his arms around Wynton Marsalis' shoulders. Saxophone cases resting against the brownstone walls, left empty in the bebop hallucination, everyone's split. All culminating in the perfect beatific vision, scads and scads of these fantastic jazz musicians, one after the other, descending into the City, rows upon rows of them, all dressed in coat and tie and dark sunglasses, hustling and running across the Brooklyn Bridge.

And say, man, you got the key?

After you tip your hat to narrator Steve Cannon (and without offense toward Chris Wood's very athletic bass-playing), you find that the key to this very fine, very historically-oriented, and very very freaky tune is John Medeski's mellotron. And just like Cannon says, that's when I did my research.

For those of you who have long since forgotten or even never knew Days of Future Passed or In the Court of the Crimson King, the mellotron was one of the earliest polyphonic keyboard synthesizers, being introduced in the mid '60's, and seeing some of its most prominent usage on the two proto-prog gems just mentioned.

The M400 mellotron we're talking about, the one that became popular within the nascent progressive rock movement, and the type that Medeski owns today, was electro-mechanical, which basically refers to how undeneath each of the 35 keys is a miniature tape head and roller. Each time you depress a key, 8 seconds of music plays. Then the tape rewinds, ready for the next time you depress the key above it again.

The factory preloaded its mellotrons with a choice of three sounds: strings, cello, or an 8-voice choir. But the thing about the M400 that endeared itself to musicians, and continues to, is that its tapes came in a removeable frame, meaning that artists could, with a certain amount of labor, switch away from the preloaded to sounds to those they themselves created.

Listening to the tune, and reading about the mellotron just now, Medeski is undoubtedly using tapes of his own creation on "Whatever Happened to Gus." But there's another thing going on with the wobbly, freaky, eerie background behind the slaphappy double bass. Evidently, the M400 had a flywheel that powered each of the keyboard's 35 tape reels. And evidently, Medeski has removed the lid from his mellotron so that he can reach into the machine while playing and retard or even stop the motion of the flywheel to get the fluttery distorted sound of his most current whim.

There's a picture of Medeski's mellotron here, if you're interested.

Now, nowhere did I read that Medeski used his mellotron on "Whatever Happened to Gus." But having listened, and having read, I'd bet dollars to donuts that the keening, wobbling, wailing chorus you hear as support through much of the track is exactly that: John Medeski slowing down and speeding up the tapes on his mellotron to better craft the band's soundtrack to Steve Cannon's strange jazzbo poem about the men who used to play back in the day--even the ones whose names you don't remember.

http://lahistoriadelamusicarock.blogspot.com/2008/12/whatever-happened-to-gus-medeski-martin.html

File under: All these fantastic jazz musicians

[theloniousbach]

ALMOST COUCH TOUR: ETHAN IVERSON with Peter Washington and Eric McPherson, MEZZROW’S, 31 MARCH-1 APRIL 2023, all 4 sets

There’s so much that I enjoyed here.

I’ll start with Eric McPherson’s impeccable drums and cymbals as he was so tasty and often melodic. He has played often with Fred Hersch in a great trio with John Hebert. Peter Washington plays powerfully with Bill Charlap and Kenny Washington just as he did here with ETHAN IVERSON and McPherson. This could be a juggernaut along the lines of Keith Jarrett mashing up Ornette Coleman and Bill Evans when he played with Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, and Paul Motian.

The tunes, another pleasure, were Charlapian in the dive into the Great American Song Book—The Song Is You (briskly), Just Friends, These Foolish Things, Lover Man, and a refracted All The Things You Are with Washington leading the ways. But there were also two Monks (Bye Ya and Round Midnight) and I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, also acknowledged as part of the Monk repertoire. Tadd Dameron’s Good Bait twice and similarly Stomping At The Savoy. There were serious bows to bebop with Scrapple from the Apple, Bud Powell’s Dance of the Infidels (twice) and Cecelia, and Con Alma. They did Oscar Pettiford’s Blues in the Closet but also a couple of spontaneous blues for friends in the audience.

Iverson has a writerly sense of curation, reinforced by me being on his Transitional Technology mailing list which links to his blog Doing The Math. So that is part of his playing which seems both sparer and more direct than I remember him from my early forays into The Bad Plus canon which intrigued me but didn’t grab me. I saw him with them only once, probably at a point where he was disengaging. “My” TBP was with Orrin Evans who struck me as earthier. But it is clearly Reid Anderson’s and Dave King’s band and it is their spiky, quirky compositions that rule the day. Iverson wrote some with them and was a full partner.

Still it feels like he recast his approach since he left, playing with Mark Turner in Billy Hart’s band, playing mostly standards with Tom Harrell, some other Mezzrow’s gigs with specific purposes like remembering Count Basie.

He’s a writer with opinions—and better opinions than mine to be sure. But there’s a swagger, a presumption in his writing that bothers me, perhaps because I wonder/worry/fear that that’s how I come off. He was also a protege of Stanley Grouch whom I would have said rubs me the wrong way and that I was in the other camp. I haven’t reread Crouch, but several of Iverson’s opinions strike me as formative. A big survey of 100 fundamental tunes in jazz education is compelling in its scope, curation, and soundness putting rhythm at the heart of matter is one. He also did a thorough discussion of the Jarrett American Quartet with a latter assessment that suggests that he didn’t dig into the “real bebop.” That’s a flaw.

These sets had plenty of “real bebop” and strong rhythmic power which was the point of having Washington and McPherson and projecting to working with them regularly.

Iverson’s playing is, by now, spare and clean, all in the service of the music—and maybe that’s Crouchian. While he doesn’t burst into my top handful of pianists nor even the top 10, possibly 15, there was clearly something intentional and, I think, important going on with these gigs. So I’m glad I spent the week pursuing them.

[writer59january13]

Wasted verses ushers quirky pathetic oeuvre

HENCE....herewith, a post (traumatic)

stressed disordered poetic whim

to summarize fantasy

incorrigible lottery dreamer

paradise visage and eyes zapping, swatting, and battling

a bulge with dollar signs

whets imagination with

Mega Million ticket bought

temptation for instant millions

human foible to reach

for elusive pot of gold

streak of universal desire for potential wealth

overtakes rational self

with delusions of grandeur caught

allow, enable and provide flirtation with fate to experience rich draught

envision emancipation from penury

a distant battle fought

expect the usual outcome after next drawing

to yield monetary windfall naught

impossible mission

to banish tantalizing thought

and fully block and tackle

hard scrapple existence wrought.

When (countless moons ago)

progeny discovered girlhood insights, I did wholeheartedly love and adore

who rushed into my arms

whenever back from trivial pursuits at the core

when casually and nonchalantly

turn the key to open the front door

legal tender in such precious chronically in short supply within family

catch bull at four

inviting me to play make believe

games being King Midas on the floor

boot budding young lady begotten girls

nearly squeezing out digested gore

akin to the finest crafted clock work

to sound the time of day

they danced and frolicked

like kittens or puppies

though at times I desired

them to bring newspaper

and slippers questioning

reciprocating sharing silly concocted faux pa lore

at least another son or daughter more

at such urge (long silenced

of this ram by ewe gnu who) did vehemently (cue

Katy Perry's pet lioness) to roar

enjoying revelry without keeping score

yet…creating memories

I will forever store.

Financial straits affected

our existence hand to mouth

all grandiose aspirations to succeed

in life frequently head south.

Creative healthy endeavors

find excitement and linguistic pleasure

thru the attempt

reasonably rhyming aligned

words that synchronize suitably

in poetic third eye blind

delivered by one blessed

angel (beating tom tom club) in disguise

redemption and salvation

considered thankful find

readers may espy hidden puns

within this rhyme lined

with challenges or commiserate

and complement via words of positive kind

although large sum of money

would be a dog send

to pry poem or prose from mind

deliberate semblance to communicate

and extract idea from cranial rind

loosening pent up tension to unwind

Much rather be cursed

with excess wealth

deliverance to life, liberty

never to rue by stealth

and mental health

depravity foreign concept

as is the obsolete word dealth; A share dealt out; a portion or division.

[scrapplekings]

[weirdestarrow]

can- can i ask for headcanonz for your favorite countries/states :]?

Delaware (what I have so far):

Male-Panromatic aceflux

Reincarnation of New Sweden

He has slight abandonment issues due to our states being forgotten.

Doesn't like Rhode because he's smaller than him.

Loves Thrasher's Fries, the beach, scrapple, pizza, ladybugs, and horseshoe crabs.

Tries to act like the mature one, and can be, but he also can act childish when it comes to his state rivalries.

Mourning the loss of the Dolle's sign.

Drinks a lot

Likes blowing things up

Was divided on who to support during the civil war, and stayed quiet on issues involving slavery most time, but became more outspoken after the South kicked him out

Was kicked out by the South after the civil war because he “betrayed” them, and Pennsylvania welcomed him into the Mid-Atlantic

Calls Ladybugs “ladies” or “M’ladies”

Someone you should never trust in a car, as he ignores speed limits

Since the only region Delaware feels like he fits into is the Mid-Atlantic, he hates when Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina try to say they are Mid-Atlantic when they are literally not and have no reason to claim they are

Close with Georgia because they are both peach states

Celebrates Separation Day and refers to June 15 as his other birthday

Delaware stops caring about things and then just never formally gets rid of them. He thinks that if he doesn’t care, then it doesn’t apply, and he shouldn’t have to go through legal means to get rid of it

Ireland (what I have so far):

Unknown Date in 846

Queer. He does not know what he is, aside from the fact he is not straight.

Also questioning his gender, but identifies as male for the moment

Has a somewhat tense relationship to Britain and England

Their relationship varies depending on events happening. If they are on good terms, they consider each other brothers; if on bad terms, they don’t.

Fluent in BSL, ISL, Irish, and English, and is learning Choctaw.

Doesn’t like potatoes all that much, as that was most of what he and could eat during the 1800s, and he got tired of it

Provides food aid to others, as he never wants anyone to suffer the way he did during the Great Hunger

Close friends with Choctaw, although they didn’t meet in person until 1990.

Gave Choctaw a Claddagh ring when they dedicated the Kindred Spirits statue

Ireland was often the babysitter of Britain's kids, and to some of these kids, was more of a father figure than Britain

After the Commonwealth of Nations was born, and Ireland left the British Commonwealth, Commonwealth became the babysitter of Britain's kids and often goes to Ireland for advice

Ireland loves playing music

His father is Kingdom of Southern Uí Néill

His uncles are Kingdom of Northern Uí Néill, Kingdom of Munster, Kingdom of Connacht, Kingdom of Leinster, Kingdom of Mide, Kingdom of Osraige, Kingdom of Ulaid, Kingdom of Bréifne, and Kingdom of Airgialla.

Ireland’s children were the Norse-Irish kingdoms of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Wexford.

Northern Ireland is also Ireland’s son, but both of them mutually agree not to recognize that relationship, and instead think of each other as brothers.

Montserrat is his only living child that he thinks of as his child

Ireland originally represented the High Kings of Ireland

Children and father/uncles were killed by England and Duchy of Normandy during the Anglo-Norman Invasion in the 1100s.

The Anglo-Norman Invasion in the 1100s made Ireland become the Lordship of Ireland, and gained his first flag.

Ireland hated being the Lordship of Ireland, as he was controlled by other powers who wanted to take away his culture, even if they only really controlled The Pale.

Ireland often lived with his cousins and other family who were not under the control of the Lordship of Ireland during this time.

Ireland avoided The Pale, as he feared if he went near it he would be captured and either killed or forced to become whatever the English wanted him to be.

The Pale also gave him a sick feeling to his stomach, and he knew what it would mean for the rest of his people if The Pale’s influence spread.

Ireland’s cousins, the Kingdoms of Desmond (Deasmhumhain; South Munster) and Thomond (Tuadh-Mhumhain; North Munster), were both able to survive the Norman invasions, but died in the 12th century.

Barony of Carbery (son of Kingdom of Desmond) was the last of Ireland’s family to die, dying in 1606

Became the Kingdom of Ireland in 1542

Despised this because he lost his ability to govern himself, most of his surviving family was killed and his religion was suppressed.

There was also ethenic cleansing in Ulster which infuriated him

Hated the Penal laws and Statutes of Kilkenny with a passion

When England banned harps in Ireland, and Oliver Cromwell ordered them to be destroyed, Ireland secretly saved as many as he could.

Harps were seen as a symbol of resistance to England, and Ireland bore the one on his flag with pride.

Even when it was illegal to speak Irish, Ireland still did, even though he knew the penalty was death.

While he was a colony, Ireland feared losing his culture, language, religion, and traditions far more than he ever feared death, so he would often take part in rebellious actions that could have led to his death.

Hated being an England (later British) colony and did everything he could to not conform to English standards.

Only learned English so he could know what England was planning on doing to him and his people.

During The Great Hunger, Ireland would give up food to others, as he knew if he died, he would just be replaced, while his people couldn’t be replaced. He saw himself as replaceable, and therefore focused more on helping his people than helping himself.

Was touched by the amount of international support he received during the Great Hunger

Incredibly dedicated to preserving his language

Has a budding friendship with Navajo and Hopi

Friends with Lac Court Oreille Band of Chippewa

Likes wearing heels and shoes with heels

Has two cats called Roisin and Aodhan, Roisin is a Manx cat and Aodhan is a British Shorthair

England (what I have so far):

Born on an unknown date in 927

Male-Ninsexual

America broke England's jaw during the Battle of Bunker Hill, and it unfortunately never healed properly so England sometimes has trouble eating and speaking.

England is fluent in BSL as he uses it when he has trouble speaking.

England was a pirate and bonded with his niblings who also had pirate phases.

England and Britain would fight over who was actually the parent to Britain's kids, as pre-1707, England viewed Britain as an annoying side effect of the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542.

England was put in charge of handling relations with America when America was fighting his Civil War, as the British government feared that Britain's overprotectiveness would lead to Britain trying to help America.

England and Scotland always argue about their history together at the most inconvenient times.

England swears. A lot.

England is very good at distancing himself from his emotions

England regrets what he has done to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, but will not offer an apology.

England is still blind to the many mistakes of the British Empire, as he didn’t feel the pain of the other parts of the entire like Britain did.

Dismissed Britain’s pain about the horrible things the Empire had done because he felt okay, and to him, that meant everyone in the empire was

England sometimes sees himself as the outlier of the British Isles, as he is Germanic and not Celtic, not to mention he is the one who has wronged the others the most.

Since England cannot speak most of the time, he has learned when it is appropriate to talk, and when it is appropriate to listen.

Even when England can speak, he sometimes will not, as he prefers to keep quiet. However, if England wants to make his voice heard, able to speak or not, he will make it heard.

England’s voice is quiet, and he doesn’t like saying long statements.

This is because disuse of his voice means he gets tired quicker while speaking.

England doesn’t understand how Britain and France fell in love

England was very much against becoming part of the same country as France in 1941 and 1956

England still very much remembers his rivalry with the French

America said he would forgive England for a lot of his mistakes during the Revolution if England never said a word about the American Civil War. England accepted.

Lost his pinkie and half his ring finger to Wales during the Glyndŵr Rising. This didn’t bother him that much until he lost the ability to speak, and then England got a prosthetic for BSL purposes

[hyperionnebulae]

A Dish From Every US State

Hey all! I want to try and make a dish from every US state (probably with a vegetarian/pescatarian spin on it) so after some Googling this is what the internet gave me from each. If you live or have lived in a US state comment to confirm or suggest your own. Or send me recipes! I looked at 5 or 6 lists so if there’s only one listed for a state I guess the collective internet is out of ideas. Also reach out if you live or have lived in Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands; these are US territories so I’m also interested what feels unique to your island too.  

Alabama- Chicken with Wine & BBQ, Cheese grits, Pecan Pie, Southern Lane Cake

Alaska- King crab, smoked salmon

Arizona- Chimichangas, Sonoran hotdog

Arkansas-Fried pickles, cheese dip, chocolate gravy

California- avocado toast, in-n-out, fish tacos with guacamole

Colorado- lamb chops, green chili ribs, beef enchiladas, rocky mountain oysters

Connecticut- white clam pizza

Delaware- fries with vinegar, scrapple, Amish apple scrapple 

Florida- key lime pie, Cuban roasted pork sandwich

Georgia- boiled peanuts, peach cobbler/pie

Hawaii- shaved ice, Huli huli chicken, Loco Moco

Idaho- Jim spud baked potato, ice cream potato, huckleberry pie

Illinois- deep dish pizza

Indiana- breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, sugar cream pie

Iowa- sweet corn, stuffed pork chops

Kansas- BBQ ribs, Beef & cabbage pockets, Burnt ends

Kentucky- hot brown, fried chicken, bourbon balls

Louisiana- beignets, gumbo, crawfish

Maine- lobster roll

Maryland- steamed crabs, crab cakes

Massachusetts- clam chowder

Michigan- pasty, cherries, Coney dogs

Minnesota- hot dish, fried fish, tater tots

Mississippi- biscuits & gravy, Po’ boy sandwich

Missouri- toasted ravioli, Kansas City BBQ, Gooey Butter Cake

Montana- Huckleberry ice cream, Morel Mushroom Ravioli, Rocky Mountain Oysters

Nebraska- Tin Roof Sundae, Runza, Rueben Sandwich

Nevada- 3am Steak & Eggs, Bloody Mary

New Hampshire- Poutine, Apple Cider Donuts

New Jersey- Disco Fries, Pork Roll Sandwich, Salt Water Taffy

New Mexico- Frito Pie, Green chilis, sopaipillas

New York- Buffalo wings, bagels

North Carolina- Lexington BBQ, Fried Green Totatoes

North Dakota- Cheese buttons, bison burgers, hotdish, knoephla soup

Ohio- Cincinnati Chili, Buckeyes

Oklahoma- steak, chicken fried steak, onion burger

Oregon- Marionberry pie

Pennsylvania- Philly cheese steak

Rhode Island- coffee milk, clam cakes, stuffies

South Carolina- she-crab soup, Frogmore stew, Low country boil, sweet tea

South Dakota- lefse, rich fruit kuchens, fry bread

Tennessee- Nashville hot chicken sandwich

Texas- brisket, chili con carne

Utah- fry sauce, jello, buttermilk scones

Vermont- apple pie with cheddar, maple syrup

Virginia- peanut soup, oyster fricassee, apples

Washington- seafood chowder, latte, Rainer cherries, Pho

West Virginia- pepperoni rolls, biscuit sandwich

Wisconsin- fried cheese curds, coated walleye

Wyoming- fry bread, chicken fried steak, campfire trout, beef jerky

[flo-machina]

King- Describe your ideal day. 

This might be a little personal but I know exactly what the answer is. Prepare for sappyness:

Lengthy snugs in the morning with the love of my life and our furbaby.

Wake & Bake.

Two eggs over easy w/Pork Roll or Scrapple & American Cheese on an Everything Bagel and a Cold Brew with just a fucking TOUCH of half & half.

Chores and Dailies.

Venture out to get lunch, preferably anything from the eastern hemisphere, return home walking with full bellies, stopping to pick up a six pack of ciders or meads, or goses if I'm lucky.

Afternoon coffee, same as the first, play games or watch shit with the waifu and neko.

Maybe a nap?

Dinner is my own five out of five Italian approved tomato gravy on fusilli with my girl's classic salad mix of dark greens, cheese crumbles, crasins, pistachios, cherry tomatoes, oil & vinaigrette, and Anime.

RP until I and/or one of my friends cry.

Back at it again with the dank snugs and we stay up too late because we can't stop making each other laugh and/or our hairy child is being a needy lil binch.

Enough sleep.

Thanks for asking~

[pccommerce-blog]

Bars in Philadelphia, PA

In the food sector, Philadelphia is recognized for hoagies, Stromboli, scrapple, water ice Irish potatoes candy, cheese steak sandwich, tasty cakes and soft pretzels which were developed by American Italians. When the tiny slices of steak sandwich was originated in 1930 by Pat's King of steaks, it was without cheese but a fierce competition started between the duo when Geno's Steaks arrived in 1966 while McGrillin's Older Ale House which started business in 1860 at the center of the city on Duty Street is the oldest tavern in the city.

The Philadelphia Chamber Of Commerce is the best business group in the whole of Pennsylvania. It organizes programs for companies under it to learn more on how to expand their businesses and as well organizes fund raising events to support locals families across the city regardless of their race or tribe. A member that it is, Industrial Roofing Contractors plays its own part in creating a good image for the group by being honest in dealing with its clients in the roof installation services it provides. Even its website at https://indroofingcontractors.com/ is void of any fraudulent activities but solely meant to shed more light on its services.

Aside from these nineties and eighties bar, there are now renowned ones in the city meeting the current age needs and they can be located all around the city:

Franklin Bar, 112 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA

This is a favorite spot in the city for tiki lovers but it also servers wines and liquors of local and international brand names.

Monk's Café, 264 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

It’s easy to meet up with your friends either as a working class or a college student for somedelicious meals and great cocktails.

MC Gillian’s Older Alehouse, 1310 Drury St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA

Surprisingly, this very sixties bar in Philadelphia mentioned above still operates in the city and remains one of its best !

Get Map Directions:-

[laresearchette]

Saturday, March 12, 2022 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: BUILD IT FORWARD (HGTV) 6:00pm FEELING BUTTERFLIES (W Network) 8:00pm

WHAT IS NOT  PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT? STOLEN BY THEIR FATHER (Premiering on March 13 on Lifetime Canada at 8:00pm) CRUEL INSTRUCTION (TBD - Lifetime Canada) MASH-UP OUR HOME (TBD - HGTV Canada)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

CRAVE TV MONCHHICHI TRIBE (Season 2, Episodes 27-52) MOOMINVALLEY (Seasons 1-2) PAC-MAN AND THE GHOSTLY ADVENTURES (Season 3)     POLLY POCKET (Season 2) ROBIN HOOD (Season 2, Episodes 1-6)

WINTER PARALYMPIC GAMES (SN1) 10:00am: Morning Coverage (CBC) 2:00pm: Para sled hockey - semifinals, wheelchair curling - semifinals,para alpine skiing - women's giant slalom, para biathlon - men's and women's 12.5 km - sitting / standing / vision impaired, Beijing Today. (CBC) 11:30pm: Para sled hockey - semifinal game, wheelchair curling - bronze medal match.

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 12:30pm: Blues vs. Predators (SN) 3:00pm: Flyers vs. Hurricanes (TSN5) 4:00pm: Sens vs. Coyotes (SNWest/SN1) 7:00pm: Red Wings vs. Flames (CBC/SNEast/SNPacific) 7:00pm: Kraken vs. Habs (SNOntario/City) 7:00pm: Chicago vs. Sens (CBC/SN/SN1) 10:00pm: Lightning vs. Oilers

MLS SOCCER (TSN/TSN5) 1:30pm: Columbus vs. Toronto FC (TSN/TSN4) 6:30pm: Houston vs. Whitecaps FC

PWHPA HOCKEY (SN1) 4:00pm: Rivalry Rematch: Canada vs. USA

W5 (CTV) 7:00pm: Exclusive coverage of the war in Ukraine; an interview with the Humbolt truck driver and an investigation into trucker safety in Canada.

NBA BASKETBALL (SN Now) 8:00pm: Timbewolves vs. Heat (SN360) 8:30pm: Bucks vs. Warriors (TSN4) 9:00pm: Raptors vs. Nuggets

TRIUMPH: ROCK & ROLL MACHINE (CTV) 8:00pm:  The story of underdog Canadian rock band Triumph, which rose to stardom in the 1970s and '80s only to disappear at the height of its fame.

SCRAP KINGS (Discovery Canada) 8:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE):  A huge concrete police station in Wales is blown apart to make way for a supermarket; in Dorset, England, scrap agricultural steel grows into a statue.

RAMS (Super Channel Fuse) 8:00pm: Two estranged brothers must set aside their differences when a rare and lethal illness threatens their respective flocks of sheep in Western Australia.

LOVE AND PENGUINS (Super Channel Heart & Home) 8:00pm:  Tilly, a nonprofit worker, finally gets the chance to lead the organization's next project, saving an Australian penguin sanctuary. Teaming up with Fletcher Grant, a compassionate zoologist, the pair plan a fundraising gala and grow closer.

CARNIVAL EATS (Food Network Canada) 8:00pm/8:30pm:  Delaware State Fair; shrimp dog; "Crabtastic Po' Boy"; Apple Scrapple burger; deep-fried Key lime pie.  In Episode Two, Texas State Fair in Dallas; bacon-tilla; chicken-fried lobster; carrot cake roly; deep-fried sweet potato pie; Oakland County Fair in Davisburg, Mich.

CURLING (TSN/TSN3/TSN5) 8:30pm: 2022 Time Hortons Brier: Page Playoff

BLK: AN ORIGIN STORY (History Canada) 9:00pm: For many years Hogan's Alley was the heart of Vancouver's Black community; in the 1850s James Douglas invited Blacks to settle Vancouver island in an effort to stave off American annexation.

STREET OUTLAWS: GONE GIRL (Discovery Canada) 9:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE):  Elite female street racers aim to take over the mean streets of Vegas.

THE GATEWAY (Crave) 9:00pm: A down-on-his-luck social worker finds himself in over his head when he tries to protect a client from her recently paroled husband -- a maniacal drug dealer out to reclaim his priceless stash.

ROGUE HOSTAGE (Crave) 10:35pm:  A former Marine races against time to save a group of hostages -- including his young daughter and a congressman -- when armed militants take over his stepfather's store.

HOT ONES (Global) 12:30am: Courtney Cox

[marziesreads]

Review: Sunshield

Sunshield by Emily B. Martin My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sunshield is the first novel in an epic fantasy duology, Outlaw Road with three central POV characters, Prince Veran, an Eastern ambassador from the Silverwood, Tamsin, a woman who has been kidnapped, brutalized, and held prisoner under horrible conditions, and Lark, the famed Sunshield bandit. The story alternates between these three figures and the link between them evolves over the course of this first novel. As the story opens, Veran and his friend Princess Eloise are at the court of Alcoro, to meet with Prince Iano, soon to be crowned king. Veran, Eloise, and we thought Iano, were meeting to discuss the abolition of trafficking children and young adults as slave labor in the Eastern kingdoms. After more than a year of correspondence about the issue, it now seems as if court intrigue has disrupted that plan completely. Veran, an inexperienced young man with little diplomatic skill, but a good heart still hopes to broker change. Surprisingly, he and Iano manage to connect on the idea of finding Lark, to search for a missing member of Iano's court. Lark, an interesting character, was at one time a victim of trafficking herself but she managed to escape. Her life is now a hard scrapple existence as she tries to protect children she has rescued from trafficking rings, earning her reputation as a fierce bandit. Lark doesn't just steal money and goods, she rescues children who have been stolen from their families, including some so young, they don't even know family surname or where their families were from. Finally, Tamsin, as we learn over the course of the novel, seems to have been kidnapped to silence her voice and influence.One of the things I loved about this world is the presence of characters with disability issues. Lark's chosen sister Rose is an amputee who tells Lark off for regarding her as somehow less able to do her job. And Veran suffers from epilepsy but forges ahead with his brave plans. Thanks to Rose, Lark looks at Veran in a different light when they are thrown together. I also appreciated the role that color and culture play in Alcoro's court. So many hidden meanings and alliances are conveyed by the color of clothes in Alcoro's court. It is a fascinating world. The audiobook, narrated by Chelsea Stephens, Lauren Ezzo, and Matthew Frow, is an excellent production that gives a distinct voice and manner to each of the central characters.

I look forward to the final book in Outlaw Road duology, Floodpath: A Novel.I received a digital and paper review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

~ ~ ~

Want to buy a copy of Sunshield from your local independent bookstore? Click HERE.

Want to buy the audiobook copy of Sunshield and have a portion of the sale benefit your local independent bookstore? Click HERE.

Want your eBook purchase of Sunshield to benefit independent bookstores Click HERE.

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© Marzie's Reads 2017-2020, All Rights Reserved.

https://ift.tt/2QNP5dD disability, Emily B. Martin, fantasy

[anomaly923]

The Morning Brew show is really picking up popularity, Here is the set & recorded broadcasts from this morning. We enjoyed some #coffee #conversation, #jazz, #blues, and #classical music and some terrible #dadjokes and awesome ones. I reached 1920 fans today on #spoon today. I want to take a moment to thank all of you for your support! LiveCast https://u8kv3.app.goo.gl/yrMkJ https://u8kv3.app.goo.gl/MLM8r February 9th, 2020 1. "Stay Around A Little Longer" by Buddy Guy 2. "Stolen Moments" by Oliver Nelson 3. "No. 2 Maestoso in B Flat Major" by Sviatoslav Richter 4. "Smokestack Lightnin'" by 5. "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" by The Cannonball Adderley Quintet 6. "L'Arlesienne - Suite No. 1" from Bizet: L'Arlesienne Performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra 7. "Lie to Me" by Johnny Lang 8. "Trinkle Tinkle" by Thelonius Monk & John Coltrane 9. "Bassoon Concerto In A Minor - Allegro" by 10. "The 'In' Crowd" by The Ramsey Lewis Trio 11. "Concerto Grosso in F Major, Opus 6, No. 9 - Allegro" Antonio Vivaldi performed by 12. "Sweet Home Chicago" - Eric Claptop 13. "Woke up This Morning" - Lightnin' Hopkins 14. "Escales: No. 3, Valencia" performed by Sinfonio of London 15. "Blue Rondo a la Turk" -Dave Brubeck 16."Desafinado" by Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd 17. " Piano Trio No. 6 Allegretto by Mozart" performed by the Kungsbacka Piano Trio 18. "Bags Groove" - Milt Jackson 19. "Cheese Cake" - Dexter Gordon 20. "Lohengrin" Performed by Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra & Jerzy Semkow 21. "Tea for Two" - Art Tatum 22. "I Hate These Doggone Blues" - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown 23. "Presto" Composed - Antonio Vivaldi 24. "Perfidia Cha Cha" - Cal Tjader 25. "Working with My Baby" - Goree Carter 26. "Keyboard Sonata in D Minor" Composed by Scarlatti performed by Dubravka Tomsic 27. "Scrapple from The Apple" - Charlie Park 28. "John the Revelator" - Blind Willie Johnson 29. "Trumpet Concerto No. 3 in D Major: III. Vivace" Performed by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 30. "Barbados" by Charlie Parker 31. "Tell Me Why (Live)" - Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King YouTube Playlist: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=50DQSjD3HkM&feature=share THANK YOU PODCAST: https://u8kv3.app.goo.gl/waMtZ (at Rochester Hills, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8XLGWwlR1F/?igshid=zgabw60febqx

[writer59january13]

Futile escape out clutches of penury

finds yours truly groveling along February third 2022,

never linkedin - analogous to stray animal without being befriended,

thus I don't belong

survival instincts taught yours truly the necessity acting

courageous and headstrong

even if necessary

to stare down King Kong, who actually shows me respect

such that every now and again we play a game of ping pong

and on a crisp night roast marshmallowskindle campfire and sing Kumbaya song.

This tramp (which stereotyped caricature familiarly epitomized in countless Chaplinesque productions, Dickensian tales, oil paintings from artistic hands of great masters and others anonymous

exquisite painters, et cetera) remembers practically nothing of me nine-month stay in utero birth, childhood nor early adulthood. My amorphous gauzy, hazy fractal memories solely comprise fractured, fragmented and splintered collection of miserable experiences, which characterize living a hellacious hand to mouth hard scrapple existence. Past wispy vestiges of wretchedness and now present woebegone existence seems a worse fate than death. The overpowering urge to survive and summon up one barely audible l’chaimutterance against the depredations of the grim reaper only found nothing but defeat. That daily dismal grinding away of last shreds of a purpose driven life fending off real and imagined threats sought salvation in a vividly encased jammed preserve of mine imagination an existence awash with ample trappings of comfort. Yours truly dug deep with bony strength in tandem with fantasy notions know king around in figurative heady toboggan noggin like cranial carapace to muster every ounce of strength in an effort to escape chronic confrontation with endless streak of bleakness. Although cursed with brutish, nasty, and short nefarious fate as a measly looking human varmint, this grimy, grungy, mangy, rangy, et cetera looking besotted being clung with all the might within his five foot ten inch or so tall and one hundred and sixty five pound body to transcend sigh grimly twerking terrestrial travesty that tweeted n tweaked laugh-in fickle finger of fate in my favor. I tapped into atavistic survival skills summoned willpower to stay alive drinking butter bear while heavy cross of dirty poor poverty borne. No matter a hard-core skeptic at heart, this cynic plaintively called for divine intervention to help one nondescript human piece of flotsam and jetsam to cope - living like doleful junkyard dog. In essence, this abandoned, ignored and shunned vagrant frequently raged against the Deus ex machine found figurative amidst literal lovely bones slim pick hens with demons that tormented psyche. While traipsing along litter strewn condemned boulevard of broken dreams, torn and well-worn shoe kicked a couple of long discarded items. These weather beaten hands reflexively bent to retrieve accouterments. One comprised colorful jagged shard, in a previous lifetime housed cheap fermented liquor. Nothing but crud filled remnant of dog gone booze hounds’ favorite drink.

[scrapplekings]