#the great alaskan adventure

[deadgodjess]

✔️

[deadgodjess]

There are places you can go to for this experience....

Utqiagvik, Ak

It should be night for a month just so we can see who panics who lives and who dies

[fieriframes]

[Gorgeous. [music playing] yet, hovels. Oh! Great pretzel salt on top.]

[fatehbaz]

can't stop thinking like this when i see posts

"three types of animals defined by utility and simplified transactional relationship to humans. including categories of productivity, domestic companionship, or passive/threat/disgust/pest":

British and colonial American institutional and folk taxonomy of "the natural world" in the eighteenth century. The unofficial-but-still-influential way of imagining animals in "utilitarian" ways that support material accumulation and colonial "productive land" and "land improvement." Like a secularization of previously explicitly-religious "great chain of being" schema but adapted for Englightenment-era scientific cosmology that reifies racialized imaginaries of environmental space and reinforces class/racial/species hierarchies with technical expertise.

"we have to do something about the distances":

Britain and the United States in the nineteenth century trying to control the globe and conquer "frontiers" and obsessively trying to more quickly and efficiently move trade, industrial products, information, communications, administrators, indentured laborers, and imperial military across seas and vast distances to cement hegemony by utilizing technical expertise with railroad networks, sailing ships, steamships, investments in cartographic surveying, latitude/longitude establishment, canals, and elaborate systems of telegraph lines.

"they should make a big heavy machine beast that can pull tons of black iron across grasslands and such":

British Empire technicians, Canadian administrators, and their US advisers from 1900-1930-ish when the Canadian "federal government also established breeding programs designed to cross cattle with bison or yak to create a new [ultimate] range animal" with "a reserve stock of pure blood bison of the highest potency" and an "enthusiasm for stocking northern [boreal and northern Great Plains] environments with exploitable game populations" when "nothing, in fact, captured the imagination of bureaucrats and private promoters in the early twentieth century more than the idea of importing domesticated reindeer from northern Europe as a the vanguard of a settled and prosperous agricultural civilization in northern Canada." And they partially pursued the project as "a response to the success of Americans" in "assimilating" the Inuit by importing 82,000 European reindeer to Alaska by 1916: "[A]n Alaskan Bureau of Education Report proudly proclaimed [...]: 'within less than a generation, the [slur] throughout northern and western Alaska have been advanced through one entire stage of civilization.'"

And in the same decade with British administrators in Southeast Asia, when they pursued the "purchase of elephants whose labour made possible the logging and transport of this harder-to-reach teak [in Burma]. By the period between 1919 and 1924, elephants represented the largest assets owned by the biggest timber firm operating in the colony […]. This animal capital, of around three thousand creatures, represented [...] the equivalent of roughly a third of the corporation's liabilities [...]. And these elephants must have been busy. This five-year period saw half a million tons of teak exported out of the colony, the overwhelming majority of which was exported by a handful of large British-owned firms. Their ownership of these beasts of burden gave imperial trading firms a considerable advantage."

"america will be a manufacturing nation once more , We're going to build great and terrible machines, so great and terrible they carve the land they walk on, the sun will set and it will rise and the forge will still burn and the hammer will still ring true folks"

Without comment:

[Quote.] [O]n the morning of February 20, 1915, [...] Franklin K. Lane, the secretary of the Interior […] intoned to the crowd, “The seas are now but a highway before the doors of the nations […]. The greatest adventure is before us, the gigantic adventure of an advancing democracy, strong, virile, kindly, and in that advance we shall be true to the indestructible spirit of the American Pioneer.” The fair did not officially commence, however, until President Wilson […] pressed a golden key linked to an aerial tower […], whose radio waves sparked the top of the Tower of Jewels, tripped a galvanometer, and closed a relay, swinging open the doors of the Palace of Machinery, where a massive diesel engine started to rotate. […] [T]he PPIE was organized to commemorate the completion of the Panama Canal […]. As one of the many promotional pamphlets declared, "California marks the limit of the geographical progress of civilization. For unnumbered centuries the course of empire has been steadily to the west." […] One subject that received an enormous amount of time and space was […] the areas of race betterment and tropical medicine. Indeed, the fair's official poster, the "Thirteenth Labor of Hercules," [the construction of the Panama Canal] symbolized the intertwined significance of these two concerns […] that crowned San Francisco as the Jewel of the Pacific. […] The construction of the Panama Canal unfolded against the backdrop of […] the installation of American colonial rule in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam, and Hawai’i. […] In San Francisco, […] this meant the presence of artifacts such as Fountain of Energy, a strong male mounted on horseback […] crowned by figurines of “Fame” and “Valor.” Referred to by its creator as the Victor of the Canal, this sculpture symbolized “the vigor and daring of our mighty nation […].” In his address titled "The Physician as Pioneer," the president-elect of the American Academy of Medicine, Dr. [W.H.], credited the colonization of the Mississippi Valley to the discovery of quinine […]. [A]t the Pan-American Medical Congress, where its president, Dr. [C.R.] delivered a lengthy address praising the hemispheric security ensured by the 1823 Monroe Doctrine and "the combined genius of American medical scientists […]" in the Canal Zone. […] [A]s [CR]'s lecture ultimately disclosed, his understanding of Pan-American medical progress was based […] on the enlightened effects of "Aryan blood" in American lands. […] [End quote.]

Source: Alexandra Minna Stern. "Race Betterment and Tropical Medicine in Imperial San Francisco." Eugenic Nation: Faults and Frontiers of Better Breeding in Modern America. Second Edition. 2016.

[book--brackets]

Summaries under the cut

Damar by Robin McKinley

This is the story of Corlath, golden-eyed king of the Free Hillfolk, son of the sons of the Lady Aerin.

And this is the story of Harry Crewe, the Homelander orphan girl who became Harimad-sol, King's Rider, and heir to the Blue Sword, Gonturan, that no woman had wielded since the Lady Aerin herself bore it into battle.

And this is the song of the kelar of the Hillfolk, the magic of the blood, the weaver of destinies...

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit

In this much-loved children's classic first published in 1906, the comfortable lives of three well-mannered siblings are greatly altered when, one evening, two men arrive at the house and take their father away. With the family's fortunes considerably reduced in his absence, the children and their mother are forced to live in a simple country cottage near a railway station. There the young trio—Roberta, Peter, and young Phyllis—befriend the porter and station master.

The youngsters' days are filled with adventure and excitement, including their successful attempt to avert a horrible train disaster; but the mysterious disappearance of their father continues to haunt them.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Alone and lost—on the North Slope of Alaska

Miyax rebels against a home situation she finds intolerable. She runs away toward San Francisco, toward her pen pal, who calls her Julie. But soon Miyax is lost in the Alaskan wilderness, without food, without even a compass. Slowly she is accepted by a pack of Arctic wolves, and she comes to love them as though they were her brothers. With their help, and drawing on her father’s training, she struggles day by day to survive. In the process, she is forced to rethink her past, and to define for herself the traditional riches of Eskimo life: intelligence, fearlessness, and love.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwick sisters busily discover the summertime magic of Arundel estate’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. Best of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, the perfect companion for their adventures. Icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is less pleased with the Penderwicks than Jeffrey, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Is that any fun? For sure the summer will be unforgettable.

The Harper Hall of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

For centuries, the world of Pern has faced a destructive force known as Thread. But the number of magnificent dragons who have protected this world and the men and women who ride them are dwindling.

As fewer dragons ride the winds and destruction falls from the sky, Menolly has only one to sing, play, and weave the music that comes to her so easily—she wishes to become a Harper. But despite her great talents, her father believes that a young girl is unworthy of such a respected position and forbids her to pursue her dreams. So Menolly runs away, taking shelter in a cave by the sea. Miraculously, she happens upon nine fire lizards that could possibly save her world...and change her life forever.

Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch

Warning: this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch.

As much as he'd love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn't want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn't want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret.

Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Kyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids, (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the building of the new town library.

Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library for an overnight of fun, food, and lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors remain locked. Kyle and the other winners must solve every clue and every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route. And the stakes are very high.

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Caddie Woodlawn is a real adventurer. She'd rather hunt than sew and plow than bake, and tries to beat her brother's dares every chance she gets. Caddie is friends with Indians, who scare most of the neighbors -- neighbors who, like her mother and sisters, don't understand her at all.

Caddie is brave, and her story is special because it's based on the life and memories of Carol Ryrie Brink's grandmother, the real Caddie Woodlawn.

Pendragon by D. J. MacHale

BOBBY PENDRAGON is a seemingly normal fourteen-year-old boy. He has a family, a home, and even Marley, his beloved dog. But there is something very special about Bobby.

He is going to save the world.

And not just Earth as we know it. Bobby is slowly starting to realize that life in the cosmos isn't quite what he thought it was. And before he can object, he is swept off to an alternate dimension known as Denduron, a territory inhabited by strange beings, ruled by a magical tyrant, and plagued by dangerous revolution.

If Bobby wants to see his family again, he's going to have to accept his role as savior, and accept it wholeheartedly. Because, as he is about to discover, Denduron is only the beginning....

Goodnight Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian

The gruff and surly Mr Thomas Oakley is less than pleased when he is landed with a scrawny little city boy as a guest, but because it is compulsory that each villager takes in an evacuee he reluctantly agrees. It soon becomes obvious to Mister Tom that young Willie Beech is hiding something, and as the pair begin to form an unlikely bond and Willie grows in stature and in confidence he begins to forget the past. But when he has to return to war-torn London to face his mother again he retreats into his shy and awkward ways once more.

[deadgodjess]

Yeah, this place doesn't look real:

Saw your girlfriend hanging out today

Came out of the mountain and there she was!

damn dude this looks like a painting. Alaska kind of goes off.

[disneytva]

20th Television Animation Showcases First Simpsons-less San Diego Comic Con Schedule

With the WGA currently picketing and a looming SAG-AFTRA strike already impacting San Diego Comic-Con with several Disney divisions skipping the convention (Marvel Studios,Lucasfilm Entertaiment,Disney Television Animation) However, here’s a glimpse at the schedule of the convention.

Some shows have promised cast appearances, but that’s still TBD given that the SAG-AFTRA contract expires on July 12, and actors aren’t permitted to promote their wares during a work stoppage. 

For the first time ever the hit animated prime-time comedy "The Simpsons" will skip the convention as the crew of the show wants to stay soliditary with the WAG strike and SAG strike as the show is under the WAG.

Thursday, July 20

FX’s Archer: 14th & Final Season Exclusive Screening and Q&A: 

Archer returns in advance of its upcoming 14th and final season, premiering August 30 on FXX. Includes screening of the season opener and additional surprises.

Ballroom 20, 5:45 p.m.

Friday, July 21

Solar Opposites

The show packs up the sci-fi and gets normal . . . for a second. Then it’s back to classic Solar chaos, mayhem in the Wall, and some all-new Silvercops adventures. Join the aliens for a hilarious and out-of-this-world first look at the upcoming fourth season on Hulu.

Hilton Indigo Ballroom, 3PM.

The Great North

The Tobins are back at Comic-Con. Join your favorite Lone Moose family for a hilarious look at their outrageous Alaskan adventures on The Great North, ahead of its fourth season on FOX.

Hilton Indigo Ballroom, 4PM.

Bob’s Burgers: 

The Emmy Award–winning animated series returns to Comic-Con with an exciting first look at an upcoming episode before the series returns to FOX this fall.

Hilton Indigo Ballroom 5PM.

Saturday, July 22

 “Futurama” 

You won’t want to miss the world premiere screening of the beloved sci-fi animated series “Futurama” before new episodes debut on Hulu on July 24. After a 10-year hiatus, “Futurama” has sprung triumphantly from the cryogenic tube, its full original cast and satirical spirit intact.

(Ballroom 20) 11AM

“American Dad!” 

Emmy Award–winning animated comedy “American Dad!” is back in action at Comic-Con for another year! Don’t miss all the fun that the Smith family has in store before all-new episodes return to TBS this fall.

(Ballroom 20) 12PM

“Family Guy” 

Award-winning and fan-favorite series, “Family Guy” returns to Comic-Con for another iconic year. Join in on the Griffin family fun as they celebrate one of the longest-running shows on television, with over 400 episodes and more all-new episodes coming to Fox this fall. (Ballroom 20) 12:45PM

[red-pencil]

Welp... It was a good run, but with a heavy heart, I am departing from Lone Moose to another adventure. Many thanks to The Great North for keeping me warm and happy in the crazy Alaskan wilderness.

[healerqueen]

Book sale time!

Readers of Tumblr, can I interest you in an e-book sale? It is a very big, very good sale, and I can tell you about some very good books. The sale lasts till Monday night. All books in this sale are discounted to $0.99 on Amazon, and a few of them are free. And I have recommendations! I recommend all these books highly. Visit https://blackfridaybooksale.com/ to browse the sale, or search the title and author of each book on Amazon.

Stay tuned for some really good books in many different genres, for every kind of reader. These are some of my favorite books to recommend year-round, and they're all on sale today. You can get five books for the price of one, the same price as a cup of coffee.

Book Recommendations

BREAK THE BEAST by Allison Tebo (epic and glorious fantasy retelling of Beowulf)

THE RELUCTANT GODFATHER and the TALES OF AMBIA series by Allison Tebo (hilarious, heartwarming, and quirky romantic comedy fairytale retellings)

THE GOBLIN AND THE DANCER (standalone sweet fairytale adventure)

SUMMON THE LIGHT by Tor Thibeaux (fantasy retelling of The Tempest from the perspective of Caliban)

REBEL WAVE: Seasons 1 and 2 by Tor Thibeaux (futuristic undersea adventure)

THE REALM BENEATH (brand-new multi-author anthology of undersea short stories featuring fantasy sea creatures, mermaids, and the like)

ILLUMINARE and DAWNSONG by Bryn Shutt (epic fantasy with deep themes, characters, and worldbuilding)

SEVENTH CITY by Emily Hayse (Alaskan-inspired fantasy with platonic relationships)

THESE WAR-TORN HANDS by Emily Hayse (Western historical fantasy retelling of King Arthur, the first book in a trilogy)

FAIREST SON by H. S. J. Williams (beautiful, wintry retelling of Snow White featuring deep themes and characters with fae elves and goblins)

MOONSCRIPT and COLLUSION by H. S. J. Williams (epic fantasy featuring elves, other fantasy creatures, family drama, and the battle between light and darkness)

MOUNTAIN OF THE WOLF by Elisabeth Grace Foley (Western historical fiction retelling of Red Riding Hood with mystery and adventure)

LOST LAKE HOUSE by Elisabeth Grace Foley (1920s historical fiction retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses)

Other Westerns and historical fiction books by Elisabeth Grace Foley (Elisabeth Foley's vintage Western suspense novel LAND OF HILLS AND VALLEYS is on sale for $2.99, 50% off, and so is her excellent new anthology THE SMOKING IRON)

Historical fiction fairytale retellings by Rachel Kovaciny (excellent historical fiction reads, period, and strong, interesting retellings)

THE ACCIDENTAL CASES OF EMILY ABBOTT series by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick (contemporary spy mystery series; fun, humorous, and sweet; the first three books out of eight are free today and the rest are $0.99)

Snap up a few of these before the deals are gone (or after!). It's a great time to stock up on good books to read. This is the only Black Friday shopping I do each year, and I'm always pleased with the good books I buy for such a low price. (By the way, you can read Kindle books on a laptop in your browser if you don't have a Kindle, or use the Kindle app on your phone.)

[clevermird]

Review: Brief Cases (Dresden Files side story) by Jim Butcher

To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t all that excited to tackle Brief Cases. The previous attempt at a Dresden Files short story anthology, Side Jobs, was my least-favorite book in the series so far – it was repetitive and only a couple stories added anything new to the characters or the world. But those few stories were pretty decent and more to the point, I’m trying to properly experience the Dresden-verse in its full glory, so I plunged in anyway. 

Just like its predecessor, Brief Cases contains twelve shorts of varying lengths, some of which focus on Harry’s mini-adventures in between the world-shattering action of the main books, others of which follow side characters as they have adventures of their own. 

“A Fistful of Warlocks” – It’s the days of the wild west, and young Warden Anastasia Luccio’s hunt for a fugitive brings her to Dodge City. This was a great start to the book – a couple of fun little twists, an unexpected cameo or two, and a look into the mind of someone who I felt like never got quite enough development in the main storyline. 

“B is for Bigfoot” – Harry is hired by one of the Forest People to help his son deal with bullies at school. I absolutely adored River Shoulders, the Bigfoot in question, and found his relationship with Harry endearing, but the actual plot was pretty basic and suffered from trying a bit too hard to be cool and nerdy. 

“AAAA Wizardry” – Harry teaches a group of group of young Wardens the basics of dealing with supernatural threats by means of telling them about an old case. This was another strong one. The class format and the students’ input was a great framing device, good enough to buoy a somewhat weak main plot. 

“I Was a Teenage Bigfoot” – Several years after their first encounter, River Shoulders hires Harry to help out with his son again, this time to find the source of a mysterious illness that’s plaguing him. Although the ending of this one made me laugh and River Shoulders continues to be awesome, it was pretty forgettable overall, very basic without much in the way of twists or cool action. 

“Curses” – A representative of the Chicago Cubs hires Harry on the down-low to break the infamous Billy Goat Curse that’s keeping the team from getting to the World Series. I feel like I’m running out of ways to say “this one was a lot of fun”, but I’m going to say it again. I will also, however, say that I didn’t quite buy the ending. I saw what Butcher was going for, but it didn’t land for me. 

“Even Hand” – Gentleman Johnny Marcone may be a criminal, but he likes to think of himself as an honorable man, so when a woman shows up asking for sanctuary, he finds himself forced to fight an enemy who may be too much for him. This was another forgettable one. The insight into Marcone’s mind and operations was interesting, but the story itself was kinda simple with the end twist not quite worth it. 

“Bigfoot on Campus” – The final adventure in what I took to calling the Son of Bigfoot trilogy, Harry has to bail out River Shoulders’ son for a final time as he picks up a college girlfriend who might also have a connection to the supernatural. This was by far my favorite story in the collection, with a character I’ve come to adore as the centerpiece and the appearance of some of my favorite Dresden-verse supernaturals, as well as some genuinely funny moments and a cute ending. 

“Bombshells” – Probably my second favorite story. After Harry’s death, Molly Carpenter tries to fill his shoes as protector of Chicago, and sometimes that means bailing Thomas out of a tight spot. But she’s gonna need some help (and some really expensive shoes) to make that happen. This was classic Dresden Files shenanigans: dangerous, action-heavy, a bit sexy, a bit funny. 

“Cold Case” – Molly must adjust to her duties and responsibilities as Lady Winter as she investigates a supernatural threat looming over a small Alaskan town. This was another story that was a bit too simple for me, but I found the world-building information hidden inside it and the look into Lady Molly’s head to be worth the time it took to read. 

“Jury Duty” – Now that Harry has been raised from the dead, he has to get used to having mortal obligations and one of those is jury duty. But what looks like an open-and-shut case might be just a bit more complicated and he can’t resist pulling at the threads. This story was just fine. Not bad, not amazing, just an entertaining read that probably won’t stick with me all that well. 

“Day One” – Newly-minted Knight of the Cross Waldo Butters tries his best to handle his first solo mission. This one was very similar to “Cold Case”, in that the actual plot takes a backseat to characterization of the protagonist and to developing the specifics of the role they fulfill. I found it less interesting than “Cold Case” simply because I’m more interested in the fae courts and Molly than I am in Butters or the Knights, but it was solid nonetheless. 

“Zoo Day” – Harry takes his daughter and his dog to the zoo for some bonding time, but all three find themselves caught up by supernatural difficulties that they have to solve without ruining the reset of the group’s day. I really appreciated the down-to-earth (relatively-speaking) nature of this one and the chance to see a bit more of Maggie and Mouse. I did struggle to buy Maggie’s narrative voice a bit, she didn’t quite sound like an actual kid to me, but her and Mouse were cute enough to make up for it. 

Taken as a whole, while Brief Cases might not be the best book in the Dresden Files series, it’s a solid popcorn read that should offer something for most fans of the series and I found myself eager to pick it up every time I sat down to read another chapter.

Warnings: In addition to the typical Dresden action violence and sexual assault references, “Even Hand”, “Cold Case”, and “Zoo Day” all place kids in danger.

Rating: 8/10

[deadgodjess]

AK kept ranked choice and open primaries by SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR VOTES.

VOTE IN YOUR LOCAL ELECTIONS!

[scotianostra]

30th May 1889 saw the birth near Kirkliston of Isobel Wylie Hutchison.

This is a great tale of a remarkable strong willed woman bucking the trends and behaviour expected of a lady back in the mud 20th century.

Isobel Wylie Hutchison was an Arctic traveller during the 1920s and 1930s. She was also a botanist, a writer, a poet, an artist and speaker of numerous languages, so a bit of a polymath.

Carlowrie Castle a Scots baronial mansion was the comfortable upper-middle class home into which Isobel Wylie Hutchison was born in 1889. It was there her father, Thomas Hutchison, a successful wine merchant in Edinburgh, looked after his gardens, and passed on to Isobel his fascination for plants and his habit of meticulous note-taking. Although called a castle, Carlowrie was built between 1852 and 1855, so was never a defensive structure, but a luxurious home.

Isobel’s father, Thomas Hutchison, was a successful wine merchant in Edinburgh, he was a keen gardener and passed on to Isobel his fascination for plants and his habit of meticulous note-taking.

From 1917-18, she studied at an agricultural college, after which, she visited a number of countries around the Mediterranean region. But the sudden death or her father was subsequently followed by the loss of both her brothers. Isobel was left in a darkened place with a deeply grieving heart. Walking became her escape.

At a time when women were expected to stay at home, dressed in petticoats and tending to domestic duties, Isobel would often leave home for several days – much to the despair of her mother!

A Gaelic speaker, she had soon covered Scotland, including a trek from Blairgowrie to Fort Augustus, and began to look at bigger challenges. She wanted to spread her wings and fly away, and Iceland seemed like a good place to start.

Iceland, which she visited in 1925, was both a test and a revelation. She was told that she couldn’t walk the 260 miles north from Reykjavik to Akureyri because there were no maps, no guides, and it was far too dangerous. But she proved everyone wrong and then set her sights on another goal: Greenland.

By now, Isobel was making a name as a traveller in the Far North. She had written books about her experiences in both Iceland and Greenland. However, she hadn’t quite finished her Arctic adventures! She made arrangements to travel to Alaska and Northern Canada to explore and again, collect plant specimens. In May 1933, Isobel left Manchester and went by ship, riverboat, train and also plane, to reach Nome in Alaska.

Eventually, she arrived in Barrow, in the north of Alaska, where she transferred to another small vessel before the Arctic Ocean ice began closing in, making it impossible to travel any further. Isobel was forced to stay in a migrant Estonian’s hut for many weeks until the weather situation improved. Although her journey had come to a halt, it was an opportunity for her to visit local Inuit families, walk, travel by dog sled and stay in igloos. Eventually, she continued her Arctic trip with a 120-mile dog sled journey and crossed over into Canada. After many months in the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic she eventually returned to Scotland, having been away for around a year.

Unable to obtain permission from the Soviet authorities to visit Eastern Siberia, Isobel’s next northern journey was in 1936, to the Aleutian Islands, off the coast of Alaska. This thousand-mile long archipelago of both large and small volcanic islands draped like a gigantic necklace between Alaska and the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of the USSR. These islands were inhabited by Aleut people on treeless terrain and were exposed to continuous windy, foggy and stormy weather.

The Aleut people of the islands were able to live in such extreme conditions because they managed to catch a range of marine life. Fortunately, she was able to visit many of the inhabited islands by way of US government vessels. Invariably, landing on the islands involved negotiating heavy seas in wild conditions. However, when she did make land, she met with the local inhabitants, generally explored and was able to collect her plants.

The onset of World War Two curtailed any plans for further journeys into the Arctic. After the war, she completed a number of long treks, including walking from her home in Scotland to London, from Innsbruck to Venice, and from Edinburgh to John O’Groats. Isobel Wylie Hutchison passed-away at her home in Carlowrie Castle in 1982, aged 92.

The Arctic journeys of Isobel Wylie Hutchison were extraordinarily daring during a time when such trips were unheard of for a single woman. She developed a real passion for the North as she explored various regions of the Arctic world. Isobel was a true adventure traveller, enjoying the uncertainty of her journey, taking calculated risks, but being utterly intrigued by all she saw in the Far North.

[thelollipoplux]

Cupid's Corner | In Focus: Buck

Buck embodies an adventurous soul, reveling in his nomadic lifestyle. Roaming the country on his cherished motorcycle alongside his fluffy Alaskan Malamute, Ruby, he continuously seeks thrilling escapades. Together, Buck and Ruby have embarked on countless journeys, culminating most recently in conquering the peak of Mount Komorebi.

Having recently taken up residence in the peculiar town of StrangerVille, Buck aims to contemplate his past decisions and confront the inner turmoil that has long haunted him. Whether he's unwinding at the 8 Bells bar or trekking through nature with Ruby, Buck can often be found embracing these activities. And during quieter moments, he can be spotted cruising along deserted evening roads on his motorcycle.

Buck finds solace in the world of books and the craft of writing. This passion emerged during a dark period in his life and swiftly evolved into one of his pillars of strength. Chronicling his escapades, Buck curates captivating narratives on his blog titled "Buck and Ruby do Adventures." Alongside this, he's engrossed in crafting a book series centered around a mysterious town harboring enigmatic secrets—a project he aspires to see published in the future.

Despite his past romantic endeavors, including marriage, Buck has shied away from long-term commitments. However, as time advances, he begins to sense a yearning for companionship. Eager to explore the realm of love, he's now open to welcoming romance into his life.

Additional information about Buck can be found below.

Aspiration

Bestselling Author

Job

Manual Laborer (Level 3)

Skills

Rock Climbing (8), Writing (7), Handiness (6), Guitar (6), Fitness (5), Fishing (5), Horse Riding (4), Cooking (4), Nectar Making (3), Gardening (2).

Traits

Adventurous, Self-Assured, Noncommittal, Muser, Morning Person, Night Owl, Frugal, Free Services, Stoves and Grills Master, Shameless, Carefree, Independent, Professional Slacker, Storm Chaser, Iceproof, Heatproof, Great Kisser, Mentor.

Lifestyles

Outdoorsy, Adrenaline Seeker, Technophobe

Likes and Dislikes

Hobbies and Skills Likes: Fishing, Gardening, Handiness, Rock Climbing, Writing, Cooking, Fitness, Guitar, Nectar Making, Horse Riding Dislikes: Acting, Skiing, Snowboarding, Wellness

Conversation Topics Likes: Physical Intimacy, Compliments, Stories, Potty Humor, Pranks Dislikes: Gossip, Discussing Interests, Small Talk

Sim Characteristics Likes: Argumentative Sims, High Energy Sims, Nature Enthusiasts Dislikes: Cerebral Sims, Romance Enthusiasts

Color Likes: Brown, Red, Black Dislikes: Yellow, Green, Pink

Music Likes: Americana, Ranch, Metal Dislikes: Electronica, Pop, Summer Strut, Tween Pop

Fashion Likes: Basics, Country, Rocker Dislikes: Streetwear

Décor Likes: Industrial, Basics, Farmhouse, Shabby Dislikes: Vintage, Contemporary

All these characteristics, including Milestones, have been set to add to the sim's character. You can download Buck and his companion Ruby on the Gallery. My username is @thelollipoplux the same as on Tumblr.

The Cupid's Corner Template is by @sarahsimmerxo Thank you so much for making such a wonderful template!

Creating Buck in CAS and developing his story has been VERY fun to do. This is the first time I've ever gone into details like this with a sim and I'm loving it. I've created a few more sims that I will be using in my own gameplay when Lovestruck comes out so I will be giving them a dedicated post on Tumblr as well.

[thealmightyemprex]

IDEAS FOR DC COMICS X-MEN

Storm: Aina Akinrotimi, aYoruba woman born in Nigéria, is a spiritual daughter and reencarnation of the orisha deities Oiá (Iansã) and Xangô, inheriting their powers to control the thunder, lightning, wind and rain.

Can also spit fire from her mouth.

Has great ability with the sword, the dagger and the double ax.

Is claustrophobic due to having been a prisoner of the Shadow King in her childhood.

Phoenix: An Alaskan born doctor in Psychology and Genetics, airplane pilot,  computer comunications officer and lieutenant of NASA, Madeline Jean Grey Pryor was born a mutant with strong telepathic and telecinetic powers. During a mission in space, the spaceship suffered an accident, and Madeline assumed the pilot duties to save the crew, doing an emergency landing that crossed trough the cosmic rays of a solar storm and falling in the planet Mars. As she recovered, Madeline discovered that the survival of her crew and herself was helped by the fact that a cosmic entity named the Phoenix fused itself with her, enhancing her powers beyond telecinetic control and reading human minds, but also reading the minds of animals and the memories of people contained in inanimate objects, flight, building and transforming objects trough the control of invisible molecules, and healing. Assuming the codiname Phoenix, Madeline started acting independently as a superheroine and political activisit for mutant rights, before joining the X-Men.

Wolverine: The 5'3 tall James Logan Howlett , who prefers to be called Logan, is a mutant with the powers of a fast healing factor, longevity, enchanced senses and bone retractible claws in his knucles born in Canada during the mid 19th century. Veteran of the American Civil War, Crimean War, First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, his longevity prowess in the battlefield made him a target of the High Evolutionary, who captured him to make a subject of his experiments, inserting adamantium to cover his bone claws (but avoiding doing the same to the rest of his skeleton, so as not to slow his healing factor and erase his agility).

Logan escaped before the High Evolutionary could furter experiment on him, living for years as a mercenary spy for the Canadian and British inteligences, until befriending and joining the X-Men, who remind him how fight for something bigger than mere survival: an ideal, to help others find freedom, justice and equality.

Nightcrawler: A kind hearted, romantic and adventurous blue fuzzy, point ears, pointy tailed man, looking like a mix between an elph and a demon, is a circus acrobat, aeriealist and trapeze artist who became the founder and leader of the X-Men. Has teleportation powers, and is a fast and graceful swordsman, who can pilot airplanes and zeppelin airships, acting as the captain of a pirate crew.

Archangel: An Earth born descendant of Tanagarians, kidnapped as a baby and raised by Apocalypse to be his Emissary of Death, a young Angel revolted against his adoptive father when he saw the complexity of human lives and how many people are determined to fight in protecting Earth and its inhabitants (even when many humans act prejudiced and ungrateful against metahumans, mutates, mutants and aliens). Behind the brave and stoic Avenging Archangel, is the adventurous archeologist, history and theology professor Warren Hal Warthington.

Dazzler: A competent, graduation diploma aprooved  lawyer, the passion of Alison Blaire always has been performing. Dreaming of becoming an aclaimed singer and actress, she naively signed a contract to perform in an underground theater.

The performance in question was actually  fighting to the death in a gladiator arena against other mutants for the amusement of rich patrons of the Hellfire Club.

Finding the situation revolting, Alison encouraged and led the other gladiators into a huge revolt.

This was the moment in which she decided to adopt the codiname  Dazzler, both as a feisty superheroine, and as a performer who uses her music both to touch listeners with beauty, and to inspire compassion, solidarity and social change.

Colossus: Born and raised in a collective farm in Soviet Russia, Piotr Rasputin is a tall, strong, yet calm and gentle man, with a great talent for drawing, spinning, weaving and sewing. Has the mutant power to transform his skin into a strong, impenetrable organic armour, similar to metal. Captured by agents of the Hellfire Club to become a gladiator, became a great friend of Dazzler after she helped him and the others to fight back and escape. Is the person who makes the clothes for her to perform on stage, as well as all the X-Men's battle uniforms.

Beast: Found trapped like an animal in a zoo cage and rescued by Phoenix, Henry 'Hank' Philip McCoy, is a mutant with long arms of large hands and long legs of large feet, that make him move with great agility, balance and dexterity, gifted with genius level scientific intelect, a healing factor, enhanced senses, super strenght, fangs, an ability to emit mood altering pheromones, and a body fully covered in thick greyish-blue fur, acompanied by black hair with shades of dark-blue and silver over his head.

Is an athlete experienced in American Football and wrestling, an expert in biology, genetics, chemistry, eletrical and computer engineering, always curious to learn speaking new languages, and a lover of classic literature and the arts.

Showing a light hearted sense of humor, overall prefers to behave in a level headed, diplomatic way ... but knows how to use violence when necessary, and his strenght in combat must not be underestimated.

Banshee: An irish woman who has powers of releasing thundering sonar waves with her scream, originally was a sailor before joining the X-Men. Is a great navigator and cartographer, and the person who gives a home for every X-Men to live, in an old Castle fused to a Lighthouse known as Cassidy Keep, located in County Mayo, Ireland.

Rogue: A young woman who survived hiding in the sewers after her parents rejected her for being a mutant. Has the power to take away other people's memories, abilities, energy and powers with the touch of her skin, along with super strenght and the gift to fly. Slowly learns to trust other people, loose her fears and insecutirities and control her powers with the help of her new friends of the X-Men. Loves trains, collecting and playing with trail models, having dreamed in her childhood of being a condutor, and plays folk, blues and rock music in an acoustic guitar that has written over its surface "This Machine Kills Fascists".

This is awesome

[rabbitcruiser]

Take a Cruise Day

From dining and entertainment to sightseeing and relaxation, enjoy the open sea and explore exotic ports of call on a dream cruise.

From tropical to exotic, from fun to romantic, taking a cruise is a great way to enjoy time upon what feels a lot like a floating city!

Get to meet a variety of new friends, celebrate a family reunion, take the kids on a Disney vacation on the sea, and let someone else do all of the planning of that itinerary.

Now, Take a Cruise Day is here to encourage everyone to take time to plan their next adventure on the water!

History of Take a Cruise Day

While travel on board boats has been part of human history for thousands of years, it wasn’t until more recently that boat travel for the sake of pleasure became commonplace.

In 1844, P&O first introduced their passenger cruising services, which took passengers on sea tours from Southampton, England, to places such as Malta, Athens and Gibraltar.

As luxurious cruise ship options began to develop, cruise lines began to become even more popular in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, luxury travel across the Atlantic from the United States to Europe began.

The most infamous of these luxury cruise line ships was the Titanic, the largest ship on the ocean at the time, that met its demise when it sank in 1912.

The problems with the Titanic aside, cruises are a very safe way to travel. Not only are there tons of safety precautions, but they use cutting edge technology to ensure their passengers are well cared for.

For those who love the water, cruise vacations offer a number of benefits, including seeing several destinations while only having to unpack one time! Usually family friendly, cruise ships offer all sorts of different activities, sightseeing options and entertainment. Plus, cruises are super easy to plan because all of the hard work is already done for the passengers, so there is no decision-fatigue or fear of messing it up.

How to Celebrate Take a Cruise Day

Get on board with Take a Cruise Day by implementing some of these fun and delightful ideas for enjoying the adventure of travel on the water:

Take a Cruise, Of Course!

Well, perhaps this isn’t the exact day for leaving on the cruise, but it’s certainly a good day to get started with planning it. Get on the phone with that travel agent and make an appointment to meet and have a chat about the best options for taking a cruise in honor of Take a Cruise Day.

Perhaps the top of the list might be to plan an Alaskan cruise with a slow pace and some amazing scenery.

Or maybe it’s a cruise to the Bahamas where the laid-back attitude of sun-splashed islands offers a super chill way to relax and enjoy the fun. On the other hand, a Mediterranean or Norwegian cruise allows travelers to experience old world charm and unique destinations.

No matter where the cruise goes from or to, Take Cruise Day is an incredible time to celebrate and enjoy the beauty and pace of ocean, sea or river travel!

Watch Some Shows About Taking a Cruise

Not ready to make a commitment to booking that cabin on the cruise ship quite yet? Or maybe it’s a bit of seasickness that is getting in the way. That’s okay! It’s still possible to celebrate Take a Cruise Day by joining in on the fun in other ways.

For instance, it might be fun to get a feel for the day by watching a movie or show that features a cruise. Get started with some of these fun ideas:

The Love Boat (1977-1986). This classic show, filmed on the Pacific Princess, featured a cast of beloved characters and became one of the longest running shows on television at the time.

Like Father (2018). Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammar star in this delightful comedy about a woman who finds it necessary to connect with her estranged father when she is left at the altar so her dad comes with her on her honeymoon cruise.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011). A live-action, computer animated comedy for the whole family, this musical movie follows Alvin and his friends on an adventure as they head toward the International Music Awards.

One Crazy Cruise (2015). This fun Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie features the story of a girl and her brother who go on a cruise with their two new step siblings. As the family hopes to bring each other closer, they end up with a crazy night and a crazy day – equaling one crazy cruise!

Learn More About Taking a Cruise

In celebration of Take a Cruise Day, take some time to get informed, learn more about what it’s like to take a cruise, and dispel some myths. Get started with some of these important pieces of information:

Cruises aren’t just for old people! While some senior citizens certainly do enjoy taking a cruise, these vacation adventures are fun for people of all ages, from children to teenagers, from young adults to mature adults and everyone in between.

Cruises can be affordable Many people think that they would be unable to afford a cruise, but breaking it down can actually help people find a cruise that will fit in their budgets, especially when adding in full-board food, transfers, accommodations, on-board activities and entertainment.

Cruises don’t often cause seasickness Because cruise ships are so large, people on board them typically do not succumb to seasickness. The technology of stabilization and the sheer size of the vessel means that people usually forget they are even on the water!

Cruises are filled with adventure Some people might think that being stuck on a boat is boring, but this is far from true. In fact, like small cities, cruise ships have tons of things to do, from spas and fitness centers to go-kart tracks and sky-diving, from laser tag to water parks. Not to mention the sightseeing on some cruises. There’s never a dull moment on board a cruise ship.

Source

[yahoo201027]

WOLF FINALLY GETS CAST ON A LOCAL ALASKAN SURVIVAL SHOW ON AN ALL-NEW THE GREAT NORTH SUNDAY, FEB 16, ON FOX

Wolf finally gets cast on the local Alaskan survival show Dropped Off To Die, but when he's out early, his shame leads him to sneak home and hide on the Tobin property instead in the all-new "The Prince of Hides Adventure" episode of The Great North airing Sunday, Feb 16 (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (GRN-502) (TV-14 D,L,V)