#slow boating in europe

[breatheoffline]

Europe’s Hidden Waterways: A Guide to Slow Boating in Europe

Embark on slow boating adventures through Europe's hidden waterways. Explore serene canals in France, Italy, Scotland, and more at a leisurely pace.

[mybeautifulpoland]

Mazovia, Poland by Bartek Mark

[wandererinwonder]

Marina of Malinska, Krk island, Croatia. July 25th, 2017 (iPhone SE)

[probablyasocialecologist]

The submersible’s disappearance has arguably been the biggest news story of the last 24 hours. That’s understandable in some ways. For one thing, it’s a mystery: No one knows where it is or what state its passengers are in. There is, moreover, a race against time, as the sub has enough oxygen to make it until early Thursday, according to the Coast Guard—if, that is, the passengers are even still alive. There is both the possibility of an improbably happy ending or of unspeakable tragedy—another element of a compelling news story. And then there’s everything about the janky sub and its rich passengers, who have risked their lives on what is essentially a novelty expedition. Without knowing their fate, it has the feeling of something out of a Ruben Östlund film: These people are so wealthy they can take dangerous chances in a vessel the size of a Honda Odyssey, just for thrills.  Coverage of the missing submersible unintentionally illustrates something even more tragic, however. On June 14, what was likely the second-deadliest refugee and migrant shipwreck on record occurred when a boat carrying as many as 800 migrants sank off the Greek coast. Greek authorities had tracked the vessel and early signs suggest the country’s coast guard was slow to act despite numerous warning signs. This is a huge news story, one that hits at both Europe’s ongoing refugee crisis and the callousness with which many European nations treat migrants who are desperately trying to reach their shores. Yet it has received scant attention in the American media—and the missing submersible story has dwarfed what coverage there has been. 

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Sophia Loren (Marriage Italian Style, Houseboat)—Major Italian star, first actress to win an Oscar for a performance not in English (for Two Women (1960)) and later when Roberto Benigni won an Oscar in 1999 he jumped over the chairs towards the stage going "Sophia Sophia!!" because he was running towards Sophia Loren and said he cared more about her than the Oscar, that's the effect she had on people. She was big in the 60s already even though she gained a lot more notoriety after that. And I mean. Can we take a moment and just.

Pola Negri (The Wildcat, Men, A Woman Commands)—Legally obliged to submit her as she's from Poland, but also it is one of the greatest stars of silent film, both in Hollywood and Europe, so she has to be here. The og femme fatale and a fenomenal dramatic actress. And just so hot in this 1920s vamp style. Obviously her career slowed down in America with the introduction of sound movies, because of her accent and low voice. I'd say her voice is so much hotter thanks to that, but I'm just a simple simp. But then she made movies in Germany, and after the war she was even offered Gloria Swanson's role in "Sunset Boulevard'' but she declined. She was probably bisexual as after romances with Charlie Chaplin and Rudolf Valentino in the 20s, since the 1940s she lived with her 'female friend'.

This is round 4 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Sophia Loren:

She has maxed out all her stats: beauty, elegance, sensuality, she's got it all. her mesmerizing eyes, her sensual mouth, her sharp face shape, her everything is so striking and unlike any other beauty in films. she was also voted the world most beautiful woman when she was freaking 65

im submitting her in honor of my dad bc she was the first celebrity crush of his he ever admitted to me and my sister :) and he was right. shes so pretty

OSCAR WINNER. Worked with some of the hottest leading men in Hollywood but remained faithful to her husband whom she had a loving marriage with till he died (even though Cary Grant almost tempted her once, it's complicated)

One of the most well-known sex symbols of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and unlike some unfortunate others, she seems to have been pretty well at peace with occupying that status. She made assertiveness and a tempestuous temper seem glamorous, and although she's famous for side-eying Jayne Manisfield's cleavage, honestly? She's one to talk.

Absolutely, drop-dead sexy, also a hard working, extraordinarily talented actress who didn't shy away from the less glamorous roles to gift us some gritty, memorable performances

Submitting this on behalf of my dad, who knows nothing of tumblr or this blog, but I remember being a kid watching Houseboat while my mom thirsted after Cary Grant, dad thirsted after Sophia Loren, and I was excited that they lived on a boat. Anyway, she's extremely beautiful and was an international star, doing a ton of movies in Italy before being recognized in the US.

JUST LOOK AT HER Y'ALL

Very smart and beautiful, the characters that she played (I mean those in the movies that I put in the previous question) are as strong and determined as her which I think adds to her hotness.

Global superstar and my late grandfather's long time movie star crush and for a man as quiet as he was, and as hopelessly devoted to his wife as he was, the fact that I know that means she was EXCEPTIONAL.

Big in the chest, snatched in the waist, pretty in the face 😳

Sexy, beautiful, deep. A real star.

Her performance in "Man of La Mancha" is just so very captivating. Dubbed as "the Italian Marilyn Monroe", she looks beautiful in any movie and at any age.

Forget the exotic sexpot of her Hollywood films and go back to her Italian career: sparking with Marcello Mastroianni as the woman who drives him mad and outwits all his fumbling attempts at macho posturing in their early films, and showing a tender side in their 1970s films. Sophia isn’t self-conscious about who she is or her beautiful body: she enjoys being herself and she wants us all to enjoy ourselves too.

She starred in films as a sexually emancipated persona and was one of the best known sex symbols of the time. She is a great cook and her filmography is immense.

On the misattributed quote that Sophia owed everything to spaghetti: 'Did you actually say the quote frequently attributed to you, "Everything you see I owe to spaghetti"?' "Non è vero! It's not true! It's such a silly thing. I owe it to spaghetti, no, no. Completely made up."

Pola Negri:

A tempestuous green-eyed vamp of the silent screen, she tantalized with both her onscreen and offscreen romances. Rocked a Polish accent - well, once there was sound! A true proficient at promoting herself and using all possible tools to do so - from a dead Rudolf Valentino to a cheetah named Teddy, the latter of which she brought to a press conference.

First European actress to be contracted by Hollywood! She survived poverty and illness to become The Queen of Tragedy, she divorced a count to date stars like Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino, then spent the rest of her life living with Margaret West in what could have been a romantic relationship.

I don't have much to say about her actual career, personal life, etc. but I just need everyone to see how hauntingly beautiful her face is. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her since the first time I saw her LOL like its pretty clear why she was such a star

[thelioncourts]

I keep having this really vivid image in my head of a Loustat sex scene in s2 that's just a very dark room - it might be their bedroom in New Orleans? or maybe just some nondescript place? - and Louis is in Lestat's lap, facing him, riding him, and it's really slow and intimate and the audio is a lot of heavy breathing, the kind that's so close that it seems like our vision watching it could fog up, and they're kissing because of course they are, groaning quietly into each other's mouths until they both finally come and Louis has his head thrown back, has his fingers tangled in Lestat's sweat-damp hair, is pushing it from Lestat's face as Lestat lays kisses all over his exposed throat, presses ones to his chest as he shivers with the aftershocks of pleasure, and then Lestat is murmuring against Louis' skin, saying "Do you miss me? Do you miss this?" and Louis' so lust-drunk, so sated, and he's letting out a small sound of confusion, is lifting his head up as Lestat says "Why did you leave me there, Louis?" and when Louis looks back down at him with furrowed eyebrows, it's Lestat but the sweat in his hair is his own blood and his throat is slit open and his eyes are rolled back in his head in death and Louis then wakes up on the boat he and Claudia are on to leave America for Europe and the waves are rocking the boat and Louis is gasping for breath, is looking down to see if there's blood - Lestat's blood - staining his hands and -

[junabyclairo]

slow dance - carmen berzatto

"and what is it that's keeping you alone and leaving after we slow dance"

w/c: 695

warnings: none, just fluffy :)

carmen never thought he’d end up here. at a ballet, dressed in a suit, and not cooking in europe. he especially never imagined that he’d actually enjoy the performance. he’d thank her for that when he remembers to. he’ll think of her late at night, when he has nothing to think of but the rocking and swaying of the boat he lives on. thinking about her slow dancing up on stage. 

later in the evening, he’ll be at a bar with whomever he went to the ballet with (he was so mesmerized by her he doesn’t even remember - he thinks it was luca) and suddenly he hears applause coming from the door, and turning around, he sees her again. carmen never believed in love at first sight, and always thought people were lying when they said that when you see the person you love that everything stops around them - they’ll be the only thing that you will see. but now, he knows he was so incredibly wrong. he turns back around towards the bar, until -

“hi,” he turned to look in the direction of where he heard her voice.  

“hey,” he’s trying to be as nonchalant as possible, it’s not working. 

“were you at the performance, i think i saw you in the audience.” 

“um- yeah i was, you were great, by the way.” his heart was beating so fast he was almost certain she could hear it, the way it was so close to bursting out of his chest and onto the bar. 

“thank you, i really appreciate that.” the silence afterwards was comfortable, unlike any silence he’d ever been in before, and ever since. now, he was really working up the courage to ask her if she wanted to get out of here. and go where? he wasn’t sure yet, but he knew he didn’t want this to be the last time he saw her. 

“do you wanna get out of here?” he was shocked at the boldness at which those words were spoken, but not at his boldness, hers. 

“yeah, that’d be nice,” he took a couple bills out of his wallet, finished his drink, and stood up to leave with her. 

“where do you want to go, then?” she looked up towards him. 

“i dunno, where do you want to go?” 

“do you wanna go dancing?”

“with you? you’ll laugh at me, you’re a professional and i have two left feet.” she smiled at his remark and he realized that he wanted the one to make her smile, always. the two walked out of the bar into the chilly winter air, saying -  

“i won’t laugh at you, i promise,” she leaned against his arm, sealing her promise to him. “it’s not like it’ll be ballet, just dancing at a club.” 

“i dunno… you’ll be dancing with me the whole time?” he looked back down at her.

“if you want me to.” she looked up at him. 

a breeze rustled through the trees, both suddenly realizing how cold copenhagen got in the winter. 

“so, what do you do?” she asked, snuggling into his arm again, holding onto his bicep like it was a lifeline. 

“i’m a chef, up at uh- noma.” she stopped walking. 

“at noma? isn’t that like, the best restaurant in the world?” 

“i guess so.”

“you guess so?!” she smiled at him. “never told me you were a master at your craft.” he shrugged.

“takes one to know one, i guess.” he whispered in her ear, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, keeping her close to him. 

opening the door for her,  they walk into the club together, immediately being enveloped by the warmth that the people inside were radiating. 

“you ready?” she asked. god, he could get used to the sound of her voice in his ear. 

“are you? might step on your feet a couple times.” she giggled at that, and he smiled too. 

after being there for awhile, the DJ at the club finally played a slower song to dance to. and gently, she pulled carmen closer to her, and leaned up against him. he wrapped his arms around her, holding her closer than he could’ve imagined. 

[autumnleaffay]

The Jäger Battalion

The journey from Helsinki to Königsberg had been long.

Finland has joined several other young and determined Finns from Liisankatu 17 in Helsinki, over to Turku, the boats to Sweden, down to Kalmar and finally the last boat to the Prussian capital of Königsberg. Where he was brought to the Lockstedter Lager.

He remembers sneaking past Sweden in Stockholm, after they nearly ran into each other.

But Sweden was not allowed to know of this. Nighter was Russia, Estonia or anyone for that matter.

The only other Nation that knew of his travel was the one, who will take over his training the next years. The war forged iron eagle of Europe. The one who has started on a storm through central Europe. The one who united the German lands into the Kaiserreich Germany.

Finland has hoped to be personally trained by Prussia, but hasn't seen the nation ever since coming.

For a year now the Lockstedter Lager has hosted him and the other Finnish soldiers.

The first 3 months, Finland hasn't gotten any special treatment for being a fellow nation. He got thrown into the same base training as all the other Finns. Which meant no actual military training but scout training, Pfadfinder, as the Germans called it.

But one day, thier scouts trainer went to Berlin, leaving the Finns hidden as scouts behind. An idea sparked within him and his citizens. They gathered military uniforms and sneaked over to the prussians and thier military drills.

Finally after month of being hidden, the Kaiser finally gave his blessings for the Finnish battalion!

They formed into the Royal Prussian 27th Jäger Battalion.

Finland was proud of his people. Now more than 1000 young men, from all courses of live have joined the movement. He could hear Finnish and Swedish being spoken around thier barracks. The lake used as a leisure time for cold dips, a reminder of home.

After all, Finland was the land of the thousand lakes.

A message reached the Finnish battalion and Finland at the end of April 1916. Prussia himself will come to oversee thier progress.

Finland knew this was his chance, his chance to gain more training. To really learn from another nation!

May 1st, 1916, the high general Prussia, or Oberbefehlsgeneral Preußen as he was called in German, entered the grounds of the Lockstedter Lager.

The 27th Jäger Battalion proudly stands still in the military salute.

Finland sneaked a look at Prussia. His white hair stood out, just as his red eyes... wait, was that a scar?

Just in that moment, Prussia stepped out of his sight.

He had hoped that after the assembly, he'd get called to Prussia, but that didn't happen. He was ordered into the presentation drills with the rest of the battalion.

One drill after another was performed. Finland got dragged into the rush of the moment, forgetting that Prussia was right there. He and his men only had one goal, fight Russia, gain independence. And this was their chance of proving their fighting spirit.

When running from one successfully finished drill to the other one, he saw Prussia.

The nation had stepped down from his horse and started to inspect the troops closely.

Finlands steps became slower, his view zeroing in on the other one.

This stance screamed authority, the uniform perfectly crisp, not a hair out of order and a scar running across his face. The affected eye has turned a milky colour.

Still that presence....

"Are we getting tired?"

The comments came suddenly, pulling Finland out of his trance.

"N-No, Sir!"

Prussia's face did not change as he raised his eyebrow and questioned further:

"Then why are we slowing down?!"

Finland was unsure what to say. He knew just the right word, but there was no translation. He didn't know a translation into Swedish, Russian, English, or German that would fit the word.

"You have Sisu, Sir." He answered.

Prussia seems to lose his face: "Did you just call me a Sisi?!"

"No, no! Not Sisi! SISU!"

Prussia's face became stern. "Didn't we say that you Finns were supposed to speak German?! And what the heck is a Sisu?"

Finland braced himself. This was his moment to get recognition!

He moved into a military salute, looking Prussia directly into the eye.

"I am Finland, the personification of my people. Rather, they speak Finnish, Swedish, or German! We don't want to speak Russian, I don't want to be Russia's territory anymore. I am Suomi! And Sisu is a word in my language. It's untranslatable and means things like perseverance, strength of will, determination, and the will to fight."

Prussia was taken a back. Thus little nation had more backbone than many other big and established countries.

He would even say the he's impressed....

"Well then! Let's see what you have in store for me, Suomi."

~~~~~~~

Inspired by @nordickies picture of Prussia training a Jäger Finland!

I hope I did you justice and managed to get the meaning of sisu right.

Historical background as always!

The Finnish Jäger Movement. Basically, about 200 Finnish students went to Germany, Prussia, to be exact, to train for their independence movement. The Germans wanted to hide the Finns at first, hence why they were not trained as soldiers but as Pathfinders/Scouts first. They were also ask to not speak Finnish or Swedish.

Bc at the beginning of WW1, Russia was not involved in a war with Germany... yet. That changes later on, and more Finns got actively recruited. Kaiser Wilhelm also then officially recognised the Finnish battalion and made them the 27th Jäger Battalion.

Links:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A4ger_Movement

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/27th_J%C3%A4ger_Battalion_(Finland)

https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockstedter_Lager

Sisu. That is a Finnish only word. The rough translation is strength of will, determination, or a straight mind in a fight and perseverance.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisu

[farmerstarter]

"Songs the Bachelors and Bachelorettes Listen To" Headcanons (Part 1: Bachelors)

This is inspired by @stardew-shitposterino ! I saw their post, where you can read here, and I wanted my own take on it. This was super fun to write. I'll have part 2 with the bachelorettes posted tomorrow. Also, the wildest shit just happened, I got into a biking accident lol! Anyways. Thanks for stopping by! All likes and reblogs are appreciated 🌷🤍

ʚ🏈ɞ ˚ · . Alex :

🏈 I'd like to imagine Alex would listen to the most bubbly songs while exercising. He plays Cupid by FIFTY FIFTY while lifting weights.

🏈 Half his music playlist is filled with music that Haley listens to because he can't be bothered to curate his own.

🏈 Hypes himself up before practicing gridball by listening to "Eye of The Tiger" by Survivor and ends his practice by listening to "The Final Countdown" by Europe.

🏈 Doesn't shuffle his songs so he knows he's supposed to do one exercise when a certain song plays. Like, "Oh it's 'OMG' by NewJeans, I should be doing push ups rn"

🏈 Knows old songs by Nat King Cole, The Ronettes, and Percy Sledge to name a few because his grandparents like to listen to them during the weekends.

ʚ📜ɞ ˚ · . Elliott :

📜 Knows Sea Shanties because of Willy. Elliott reads on the bench by Willy's Shop while Willy was fishing and the fisherman just started singing. It would be cute to imagine that it happened because Elliott was tapping his foot in a slow rhythm and Willy started singing along with it.

📜 Elliott's knowledge on sea shanties gets even more deeper the more he hangs out with Willy. Willy invites Elliott to join him on his boat to do some deep fishing and Elliott knows like ten sea shanties by the time they get back to shore.

📜 He knows some classical pieces and plays them on his piano when he doesn't want to write for the day. Sometimes he'd compose his own songs on the spot.

📜 Dude goes main character mode and listens to songs by Cigarettes After Sex, like "Heavenly" and "John Wayne", sitting on the sand while watching the sun rise.

📜 He's a hopeless romantic, he listens to a lot of love songs. Ranging from old to new love songs, Elliott enjoys listening to the lyrics to somehow get inspired by them. It's funny to think that some of Elliott's compliments are low-key lyrics. Like, "I wish you bluebirds in the spring and to give your heart a song to sing" ('I Wish You Love' by Lisa Ono) and "Mine to have when the now and the here disappear" ('Again' by Doris Day). And it's completely unintentional. He doesn't even realize he's doing that. He just listens to romance songs too much.

ʚ🛩️ɞ ˚ · . Harvey :

🛩️ Listens to The Carpenters. "Yesterday Once More", "Top of the World", "I Won't Last A Day Without You" all that stuff. He plays it in the clinic but only when Maru isn't there because he doesn't want to bother her with his song choices. Sometimes, he'd hum out the tune while examining patients. He just enjoys how soothing they sound.

🛩️ Speaking of soothing, he likes listening to slow songs to fall asleep to. Has a whole playlist for it too that's exactly 8 hours long. He goes straight to sleep when the first song finishes and wakes up just when the last song ends.

🛩️ He has a Walkman Cassette Player. He uses it when he does his aerobics classes. Listens to just about any song on it, really. Anything that makes it seem like time is going faster is great. OH. Wait. Maybe, the ladies end up having Harvey's cassette play on a stationary cassette player that Caroline has after Harvey lets them listen to it. They all found Harvey's song choices delightful.

🛩️ He offers music therapy. They're informal sessions at most but Harvey spends a lot of time making personalized playlists. Like full on carefully and heavily curated to match specific needs and moods for his patients. It skyrockets his music knowledge to the roof.

ʚ🎸ɞ ˚ · . Sam :

🎸 He has the most random and eclectic music taste. Ranges from Rock Music and Skate Punk to Vocaloid and Video Game music. He'd be listening to "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses for one moment then listen to the "Donky Kong Country Theme" the next.

🎸 He tries to copy the guitar riffs in some songs, not stopping until he can play it in one go. By the time he's done that countless of times, both Jodi and Vincent know what song he's playing based on the first few seconds of it.

🎸 Is the one to initiate a sing along in the Stardrop Saloon on Fridays. And he's always down to do karaoke. He's even suggested some more music-centered activities to do in town events. And he managed to convince Mayor Lewis to have him be DJ during the Summer Luau but only when he promised not to add anything disgusting into the potluck.

🎸 Teaches Vincent to play the drums when the kid doesn't have any classes. It all started with Sam letting his brother hit the crash cymbal for the end of a song he was playing. Then it all went up from there. Sam starts with the basics then lets Vincent play whatever. It's a noisy few weeks in the household but Jodi appreciates her boys spending more time together.

🎸 He has playlists for all situations.

ʚ👾ɞ ˚ · . Sebastian :

👾 This dude listens to Bonobo and Aphex Twin when programming. Better yet, Sam made him a playlist specifically for when he's programming and Sebastian doesn't skip any of the songs. That's a lie. He skips the songs that Sam put in there to mess with him like "CBAT" by Hudson Mohawke and Sam's poorly sung cover of "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade.

👾 You know how some of us would stay up until 3 am to complete a project before a deadline and listen to energetic songs while doing them so we won't fall asleep? Sebastian does that. Songs like "Caramelldansen" by the Caramella Girls, "Bumblebee" by Bambee, and "Superstar" by Toy-Box to name a few. Just the idea of Sebastian hunched over his computer with those songs playing while Sam is fully jamming in the background is great.

👾 Listens to the dirtiest songs with the straightest face ever.

👾 I'm all for villagers interacting with each other so consider Sebastian and Elliott being unlikely acquaintances after Sebastian showed Elliott the wonders of the synthesizer.

👾 When his mind wanders, he ends up humming out the tune that Abigail plays with her flute.

ʚ🐣ɞ ˚ · . Shane :

🐣 Sings to his chickens. He does, you know he does. Even sings in accents when he's bored enough. Jas found out he does that after going in Shane's coop, thinking a stranger was trying to steal her uncle's chickens. But no, it's just Shane singing "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton with a British accent.

🐣 Always has his headphones on during work at the Joja Market so no one would bother him. There wouldn't even be a song playing, he just wears them. One time Sam tried to get his attention but Shane outright ignores him even when Sam pointed out his headphones aren't even connected to anything.

🐣 I like to think that Shane is a fan of Indie Folk and he listens to songs by Bon Iver when walking to work. "Beach Baby" is his favorite song.

🐣 Since Shane's always the last one to leave the Saloon, Gus would let him pick what songs to play in the jukebox until the saloon closes. Even after Shane stopped drinking alcohol, he and Gus would spend time together at the late hours of the night talking, listening to whatever song Shane played.

[burningblizzard224]

What does your dream world look like?

Like in a perfect universe, what are you doing? Who’s there? Where are you? Etc

Or more importantly, who’s not there? What are you not doing? Etc

My dream world,

Im dont really think about like a set point i suppose, more of dream moments. Dream experiences. But I think part of that is because I’m kind of afraid of my dream world.

My dream moment is often spent in Europe, or somewhere else in the world. Weather it be walking the streets of Prauge, or having enough time to just walk in the colosseum, walk around each individual ring of seating, run my hands across the warped stone shaped from time and ware. See where people sat hundreds of years ago and to now stand in the same spot. Hearing an occasional honk of the horn from the road to remind me what century Im in.

As far as who, I always imagined doing this alone. Maybe with my dad but for most my life I’ve always been alone in my day dreams. Now you’re there. I think you’d be just as happy as me spending two, three days, walking the Lovee. Circling the vases, working down a new spiral each round of the glass case. Finding each room full of paintings taking hours. And then to sit in pure silence staring at Nike. I now imagine you there. It’s odd to me. Imagine someone there with me constantly.

Knocking on your door in the mornings to wake you up. Hearing the water run from the shower as i lay out the fresh bread and quiche from the French bakery. Walking down the stairs of the apartment complex that we have booked in Air BnB. Complaining about our sore feet knowing we have a full day of walking ahead. Hearing the sound of the train doors slide open, the seats and hand holds cold to the touch. As we walk out of the subway tunnels the sun hits our face from ahead, the buildings, beautiful in craft, stretching up to meet the sky. As soon the smells of cafes and cigarettes hit our noses. Founding ourselves in a courtyard holding three window pyramids. We go down the escalators in the center and buy our daily passes. We’re not the only Americans’s who are there. Everyone seems in such a hurry. Needing to go, needing to move, not wanting to stop. The European’s seem to tell we’re different. Were there to go slow. To stop. To enjoy. We wonder the wings, each bench needing our attention to scan the room from. We eat the museum cafe, it’s better than almost any American restaurant we’ve been to.

The sun is setting when we leave. We find ourselves walking down the Seine. You can see the Eiffel Tower glowing golden from its lights. With the river reflecting the dotted street lights dancing down the banks and bridges that stretch across. As we near the Eiffel Tower the smell of crepes drawl us closer and closer. It’s a single women in a little trailer. The flat over stove waiting to have crepe mix spread around it. The smell of the batter, jams, and Nutella wafting from the trailer’s window.

We sit on the bank, the river’s water disrupted by the many boats making their rounds up and down the river. The news paper wrapping damp with grease and fillings lay by our sides empty.

That’s a dream. Thats my dream. I’ve walked through it so many times. At least my dream moment.

I think part of my issue with my future long term dream, is that Im there by myself in my house. There’s no partner laying next to me. No one to look out the mirror of the mountain side. Because I don’t think I see myself happy with anyone. At least not right now. And that’s terrifying. Im not sure what else to even say here. So I just dream in moments.

[a-random-person-on-the-interent]

for some reason in my AU I'm just going to make Denmark the oldest living Nation in europe. like some like ancient Greece are older they are dead. Now he isn't as old as China, but defiantly approaching or at his 4000s, he was ancient Scandinavia. Norway, Sweden and Iceland are his little brothers but are much younger than him and the funniest part is that, they don't know he's the oldest or if they do (Like Norway would since he's the second oldest in my AU) think he's a few decades older since he aged as slow as Latvia did so he was stuck looking and thinking like a child for millenia. Anyways I could imagine Him and China just talking to each other and someone's like (Probbaly America) ??? "Damn I didn't know you to talked," Denmark: "Oh yeah, we catch up every now in then," China: "Yeah, we were also just remincing when Denmark freaked rome out by putting him on a boat when he was asleep" ???: "Oh so when Rome was falling he got the upper hand and played a prank?"

China: "no, no Rome was still a very new nation" *Everyone*: WHAT

[wandererinwonder]

Orta San Giulio (NO) July 29th, 2019 (iPhone SE)

[hvonart]

Nestled within the emerald embrace of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled unfolds like a scene from a storybook. The tranquil waters, a mirror reflecting the azure sky, cradle a charming island crowned by the delicate spire of the Church of the Assumption, its white facade standing out against the verdant tapestry surrounding it. As the sun dips low, the golden hues stretch across the lake, inviting visitors to savor the warmth of a cozy atmosphere where time seems to slow down.

With each step along the cobbled paths that border the water, the scent of fresh cream cake wafts from nearby cafés, beckoning the senses to indulge. Families can be seen renting wooden pletna boats, gliding across the lake with whispers of laughter shared amidst the gentle lapping of waves. In the distance, the medieval castle perched atop a cliff watches over this idyllic scene, its turrets rimming the horizon like a guardian of memories. Here, amidst the tranquil beauty of Lake Bled, every moment feels like a warm embrace, a sweet pause in the charming embrace of nature.

Discover more travel tips for City Breaks in Europe: book24h.online

[moviemunchies]

Guy Ritchie made a shoot ‘em up movie about fighting Nazis?! Sign me the fudge up!

Wait, what do you mean it’s more of a heist movie?

The story goes like this: during World War II, Britain needs aid, but the German submarines are preventing both Americans from joining Europe and the British from full naval mobility. Brigadier Colin Gubbins, or M, decides to enact Operation Postmaster: an off-the-books mission to send a strike team to the Spanish-controlled Fernando Po, an island south of Cameroon, where the Nazis store their U-boat supplies, and sink the ship holding those supplies. Leading the mission is Major March-Phillips, known for being a bit off-the-rails, and he recruits a team of other difficult-to-handle soldiers to complete the operation. Meanwhile, agents Richard Heron and Marjorie Stewart go to Fernando Po to establish and report intelligence there.

Despite what the ads for the film would make you think, this movie is not nonstop, Nazi-shooting action. There is a lot of Nazi-shooting action, but much of this movie is about espionage and collecting information. Which is fun, it’s just not what you’re led to believe by the trailers.

The movie has a problem that pretty much plagues all team movies: the development of an entire team of characters isn’t entirely that well-done. I get it–in a limited runtime, it’s difficult to make sure that every character is memorable and has a developed backstory and personality. Still, there are a couple of guys who I kept mixing up, and I couldn’t really tell you much about most of their backstories. They’re still fun to watch blasting away Nazis, though.

Speaking of which: the Nazis in this movie are really, really bad at surviving. By all means, I’m happy to show Nazis as bad at war, but these guys are incredibly dumb. Though they’re not exactly running into oncoming fire, they still are slow to pick up when an enemy is around them, don’t use any cover, can’t hear gunshots until they’re in front of them, and have remarkably lax security protocols. It’s very easy for our heroes to mow through them. It’s not so much that our heroes are that skilled, like in a movie such as the Magnificent Seven remake, it’s that the villains are bad at staying alive. Yes, it makes for fun action scenes, but not excellent ones.

Also, isn’t there a way to intercept radio or telegraph signals? I thought it was a little convenient that the Nazis never picked up on those when the heroes sent them.

Like many Ritchie movies, the soundtrack for the film is pretty great. I don’t think it’s as memorable as Legend of the Sword or Man from UNCLE; however, it’s still quite good, and manages to be unique enough that it doesn���t sound like every other World War II movie. A good soundtrack doesn’t necessarily make a movie, but it’s a good indicator that people behind the scenes cared about the presentation.

The actors are clearly having a good time in their roles. As they should! It’s a fun movie. Henry Cavill is a standout, though–apparently some of his character’s mannerisms were improvised by him, which to me shows that he was having a blast. And that’s good! If it’s not only a good time to watch, but it was apparently a good time to act in.

Random side note about Churchill! I feel as if the Winston Churchill of this movie was a bit underwhelming; I don’t know if that was a miscast, or if it was that we’ve had fantastic actors playing Churchill in the past (Gary Oldman comes to mind) so this one isn’t fair to compare? Whatever. Just a thought.

Overall then, Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a good time. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s straightforward. It’s not going to be anyone’s favorite World War II movie, both because it’s not that serious, and because the action, while fun, isn’t particularly clever. It’s still a fun way to spend a couple of hours, and I think if you wanted to see a cool and stylish World War II action heist movie, this film will scratch that itch.

[dougdimmadodo]

Great Pond Snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)

Family: Pond Snail Family (Lymnaeidae)

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Although they spend their entire lives in water (specifically shallow stagnant or slow-moving freshwater environments with plentiful algae and aquatic plants,) Great Pond Snails are descended from terrestrial ancestors and lack gills, meaning they must periodically climb or float to the water's surface and fill their single lung with fresh air through a tube-like respiratory orifice that extends from under their shell. Widely distributed across northern Asia, Europe and North America, members of this species feed primarily on aquatic plants and algae (although they may also consume detritus, fish droppings and small live animals if given the chance) and require water with little pollution in order to survive, with their presence being viewed as an indicator of low levels of chemical pollutants. Although Great Pond Snails mainly travel by slowly crawling through areas with abundant plant coverage (with their slow movements, the vegetation around them and the algae that often accumulates on their shells making them difficult for predators such as Tenches to spot) they are also able to reach greater speeds and travel over larger areas through a bizarre form of swimming; by secreting a buoyant layer of mucus from the underside of their foot they are able to float to the surface and remain suspended upside-down on a sort of "mucus boat", which they then "paddle" through the beating of a series of tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that line their foot. Like most gastropods Great Pond Snails are hermaphrodites but are unable to fertilize their own eggs; shortly after mating an individual will lay a large cluster of soft, gelatinous eggs which stick to vegetation and hatch after around 10 days, with the young hatchlings reaching full maturity at only around 2 months old. Wild Great Pond Snails rarely live for more than a year, although in captivity (where members of this species are sometimes kept to help keep fish tanks clean) individuals have been reported to live for up to 4 years.

——————————————————————————

Image Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/61770-Lymnaea-stagnalis

[meowmeowmeowmeow4x]

Sleeping With the Fishies Chapter 1

This fic is brought to you by my extremely narrow skillset of only kinda being good at writing xDDDD Which is to say if I had the art or programming know-how to illustrate Tim's social media posts, I would have loved to U_U oh well

I posted this fic to ao3 back in may, but i've decided to start porting my fics to tumblr too, for anyone who wants to read my most fucked up fanfic :D

If you want to leave a comment or read the ao3 version, here it is :D

Instagram post: May 9th, 2024.

The image is of the Gotham skyline. Several tall buildings take over the background, lights on against the night sky. The caption reads ‘There’s something neat about taking a picture at just the right angle.’

Instagram post: May 14th 2024

The image is of a naked man with a tail for legs, and red scales over his entire body, and fins at the end of his tail, on his hips, back, arms and ears. The man is lying flat on his stomach on a rock, arms tense as if he is about to pounce. The shadow of a boat is cast over him.

The caption reads: omg I just caught this AMAZING pic of the Red Hood about to take on a smuggling organization. I’m so lucky?!?!

Instagram post: May 15th 2024

The image is of a disassembled camera, leaking water on a wooden table. The caption reads: the smugglers didn’t survive, and neither did my camera qwq its ok I can use my allowance to get another one

Instagram post: May 17th 2024

The image is of another naked man in the water. His skin is completely pitch black except for blue rings scattered across his body. It is day time, and the water is clear enough to see his bottom half, which is made up of eight thick tentacles. He is pulling himself onto the pier, offering sweets to a group of disheveled children. The oldest of them wears a tired, but kind smile.

The caption reads: Even tho the bats r a crime family and they’re terrorist and yada yada, i think its important to remember they can also be very kind too

Instagram post: May 20th 2024

A brand new camera sits on a wooden table. The caption reads: im so glad I was able to get a new camera yayyy! I’m gonna go hunting for some more pics! Watch this space <3

FROM CNN: BAT FAMILY DECLARES NORTH ATLANTIC OFFLIMITS, UNLESS TARRIF PAID BY GOVERNMENTS WISHING TO CROSS.

For the past few months, the mysterious Bat Family, a family of sirens named after their brutal patriarch, has been waging a war of expansion against Atlantis, ruled by Arthur Curry, king of Atlantis and member of the Justice League. This comes as the Bat Family consolidates its power over the Ring of Fire in the Pacific. With this new water, the nation of New Gotham is now the single largest nation in terms of territory in the history of the world.

Shipping vessels escorted by NATO Naval powers are now being attacked without mercy. Although there is no death toll, the damage to these ships is beginning to count to the billions, with no sign of stopping. The Bat Family have delivered their ultimatum to 100 different countries, including China, Russia, the USA and most of Europe. They remand the cessation of trash dumping into the ocean, as well as the immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% within this year, and further reductions in further years. If these demands are not met, then the Bat Family promise to sink every ship that crosses the North Atlantic or the Pacific originating from the offending countries.

Instagram post: May 21st 2024

The photo shows a burning, sinking ship at night. Empty cages float in the water, as well as other debris. The caption reads: was too slow to catch them in action, but man. Sometimes I wonder why people do stupid things like traffic other human beings and hold them agains ttheir will. That’s so evil TwT

Instagram post: May 22nd 2024

An aerial shot of the octopus man, known as Nightwing, sitting on a rock. In his lap sits a young boy, about 12-13 years old, with a fishtail and scales across his whole body. Robin’s scales are green and gold around his fins. His expression appears annoyed. His left arm is bleeding. Nightwing is in the middle of wrapping a bandage around the boy.

The caption reads: Nightwing’s teamwork is always incredible,,, i wish I had a big bro like nightwing. I wish my family was like the Bat family (not in the murdery way!! Just the way they treat each other and look at each ohter, you know?)

Instagram post: May 24th 2024

A collage of different pictures in the rain. The caption reads: parents said theyll be away for another couple months. took some rainy pics because its raining in my heart

Gotham Gazette: SIREN CRIME LORDS SPOILER AND BLACKTIP LEAVES BLOODY WRECK AT GOTHAM HARBOUR. 15 DEAD, 8 INJURED, 50 CHILDREN RESCUED.

Instagram post: May 25th 2024

The photo shows two female sirens, a fit purple woman with blond hair and many pointy spines and a shark woman, chatting while bodies float around them. The purple scaled-woman, Spoiler, holds the severed arm of a human in her hands. Her teeth are bloody.

The caption reads: I found Spoiler and Blacktip with my drone today! I never know if they’re big sisters to the Bat Family or just associates. What do you guys think?

Gotham Gazette: WAYNE FOUNDATION HOSTS CHARITY BALL RAISING AWARENESS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MODERN SLAVERY

Instagram post: May 28th, 2024

The video opens with a young, skinny child in the foreground. “So, uhm, hello. My name’s T-tim. Tim Drake, and I’m the one who’s been taking all these pictures. Er, I hope you’ve all enjoyed them! So, uhm, the Bats, right! You know I take lots of pictures of them, and they’re known for dealing with human traffickers. So I just wanted to go over some tips I’ve found for recognizing human trafficking victims.”

The video continues…

Google search history:

How to fight sirens

How to fight the mafia

How to fight billionaires

how to defend house from invaders

How to build a bomb

How to make home alone traps

How to make acid

Is acid fatal?

how to run away and not get caught

how to fight super smell

how to escape from being kidnapped

Mom

Mom? I’m in a lot of trouble. Can you pick up the phone? I really need your help.

I know you and Dad are super busy, but this is really important. I promise I’ll make it up to you.

Mom somebody’s coming after me. I can’t say who, but they’re coming for me now.

Mom

please

i dont have much time

(unread)

Ring… Ring… Ring…

“Mom! I’m so glad you picked up, I-”

Ambient chatter filters through the connection. “Timothy, your father and I have already told you. We’re at an extremely, extremely important conference and we present do not have the time to hold your hand across a continent.”

“But mom-,”

“Don’t talk back to me young man! I don’t want to hear another word from you until this conference is finished. If you need any help, just ring the housekeeper, and call 911 for emergencies, got it?”

Google search history

          What happens if 911 ignores you?

          What to do when 911 doesn’t help you

          How to identify non-corrupt cops

          How to make cops listen to you

          Justice league help line

Ring… Ring… Ring…

“Hello, Green Lantern here. What’s your emergency?”

“Hello? M-my n-neighbours are in my yard and-,”

“Are you in immediate danger?”

“N-no, I d-don’t think at the moment, but-,”

“Sorry kid, but I think you’re better off calling your parents first, then the police, ok? This line is for emergencies only.”

“Wait! I,-“ The call gets cut off as another call is accepted.

Instagram post May 30th 2024

The video shows a young boy over a large white board with a presentation projected on to it. He begins, “Strategies for detecting signs of abuse or distress in child victims.”

Instagram post May 30th 2024

The picture shows a list of common Morse Code phrases.

The caption reads: And most important of all is knowing the Morse Code for SOS! If you’re ever in trouble SPAM IT. AND IF ANYONE IS TAPPING OR BLINKING IN A WEIRD WAY, THEY MIGHT BE CALLING FOR HELP

Gotham Gazette: DRAKE INDUSTRIES HEIR TIMOTHY DRAKE SPOTTED AT MARTHA WAYNE FOUNDATION SKATE PARK. GOES VIRAL WITH DAREDEVIL MOVES.

“I go here every Wednesday and Saturday, and Sunday if I’m free. If I’m not here on Wednesday after school then somebody call the police, hahah. If anyone wants to show me some new moves or learn from mine, I’ll be happy to talk! I’m here every Wednesday and Saturday!”

Google Search History:

          Self defense laws

          Self defense new jersey

          How not to get sued when using self defense

          How to make your parents seem like good people

          How to hide your parents parenting mistakes

          How to not get adopted

          How to look unappealing to kidnappers

Dad

Dad I’m in serious trouble. Please come home

i need u

i love u dad

im in danger

please, im begging

please

(unread)

You have (1) voicemail. Beeeeep.

Hyper ventilating. Childlike sobs. “Mom. Dad. Please. They’re closing in on me. I don’t know how long I can h-hold them off. Please I need you. I promise I’ll never, ever ask for anything every again.

From: timdrake@drake.industries

To: arthurcurry@watermail.ats

Dear Your Majesty the King of Atlantis, Arthur Curry

You might not know me, but my name is Tim Drake, and I’m 10 years old and I live in Gotham. Recently I’ve discovered one of the Bat Family’s greatest secrets, but they also know that I know and now they want to get me. I have exhausted every other avenue of escape or rescue. You are my only hope. If I could, I would tell you the secret now, but currently my blackmailing the Bat Family with its exposure is the only thing keeping me alive.

Please. Nobody else is helping me. They’ll destroy me and everything I love. I have no other options.

Attached are some photos and proof that they’re stalking me.

Yours sincerely, Tim Drake

From: arthurcurry@watermail.ats

To: timdrake@drake.industries

Dear Timothy,

You are very brave for reaching out. I am deeply sorry that you have been failed by so many of your institutions, including the Justice League. Please be assured I am sending my best men to rescue you as we speak. However, they will be forced to swim through siren territory. Please hold out for as long as you can. Help is on the way.

Yours sincerely, Arthur Curry, King of Atlantis

Instagram post: June 2nd 2024

The video shows a disheveled, dirty boy. His eyes are red and raw. His cheeks look sunken, as if he hasn’t eaten in a while. “Hello! My name is Tim Drake, and my parents are great! They gave me this huge mansion to live in, and they spend all this money buying nice things for me like this $10,000 camera and drone set, and they pay for the best private education in Gotham. Like, isn’t that so amazing of them? And I definitely do not want to get adopted by ANY other family. Nope. My parents are perfect and if you see me adopted by anyone else, THEN CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.”

Gotham Gazette: TRAGEDY STRIKES AS DRAKE INDUSTRIES HEIR TIMOTHY DRAKE TURNS UP DEAD. POLICE RULE PARENTAL NEGLECT

It’s a dark day in Gotham’s history as social media darling Tim Drake, who has taken the city by storm with his charming photography and public PSAs, has been found dead. Late last night, Dick Grayson-Wayne, son of eccentric billionaire Bruce Wayne, dove into Gotham Harbour, claiming to have seen Tim Drake falling in. 40 minutes later, at 11.39pm, search parties discovered a gruesome sight. Tim Drake’s iconic red hoodie and ripped jeans were found in the water, shredded to pieces and covered in blood. Further search parties found pieces of bone, and strips of flesh later identified as intestines, lungs and teeth. Analysts have already confirmed a match to the young boy.

Security feeds show Tim Drake wandering around Gotham Harbour, a place he is known to frequent based on his many social media posts of siren photography. At about 10.57pm, the feeds show him slipping on an oily patch. Tim Drake falls into the water, before struggling for several minutes, eventually going under and not coming up. Minutes later, Dick Grayson-Wayne sprints and dives off the edge, only to emerge empty-handed. It is presumed Tim Drake’s body was claimed by sirens soon after.

Thousands are in morning for the young child, so full of potential, and beloved by so many. Bruce Wayne, long-time neighbor to the Drakes, had this to say.

[Embedded video shows Bruce Wayne, eyes red and choking back further tears. He blows his nose loudly. “W-well, i-i-it’s just so awful! Timothy was- was- was, he was such a bright young lad. And now his l-life is just-, he was right there! And tell you what, I know I have a reputation.”

He gestures to his gaggle of children, lined up stoically behind him. Bruce Wayne continues, “But I deeply care for the suffering of children. Honestly, I thought like everyone else that the Drakes took their kid abroad on their trips. Then I saw Timothy all alone and I asked him if his parents were home, and he got all evasive on me. Then I saw more signs, but I didn’t wanna overstep, you know? S-so I just kept trying to call his parents. And kept trying. And I just couldn’t reach them. I know I should’ve checked in on him, but no child wants a massive strange man showing up at their house when they’re a-alone, you know? But n-n-now I wish I did b-because-,”

The man breaks down into tears. A stately-looking butler escorts him and his children inside. “My deepest apologies, but Master Bruce has a soft heart, and will be unavailable for further questions.”

Police Commissioner Gordon has already opened an enquiry into Tim Drake’s parents. Why was Tim Drake alone in Gotham Harbour, a hub for organized crime and siren attacks? Where were they the night their son died? Where are they now?

Will Tim Drake, a child taken from us too soon, receive justice?