#the taste of cockroach -> hunting dogs

[caffeiiine]

i keeo connecting maretu song sto bsd characters and i have so many thoughts on them but NO COHERENT ONES

[kid-az]

All Tomorrows: Vanga-Vangog’s Clicker Hc’s

Specifically, I’m talking about these guys.

They’re a fanmade All Tomorrow’s species made by Vanga-Vangog, and are essentially the descendants of the Blind Folk. They are described as an agoraphobic species who live in dense cities completely without light, as such a thing isn’t useful when you don’t have any eyes.

Anyways I found them to be a very interesting and adorable people, simple in concept but very interesting in execution, so I’m going to make up some headcanons about them.

-Due to their agoraphobic nature and how important crops are for civilization, Farmer’s are heavily respected and idolized in many of their cultures, as they are brave enough to venture into the open plains with little fear of the endless void above them or whatever predators are outside. Often these farmers wear iconic, low brimmed tin hats designed specifically to better focus their echolocation.

-Focusing on farming more, the clickers generally grow various fungi and yam-like staple foods as their primary, non-meat based food sources, as well as some tree fruits and a wheat-like plant. Unlike humans, their animal husbandry involves the domestication of large, herbivorous crabs, cockroaches descended from the Hissing cockroaches, various species of herbivorous salamander descendants for slime and eggs, and a few species of non-sapient posthumans.

-There dog and cat equivalent is a terrestrial species descended from Olm’s, who had entirely lost their eyes like them but more than make up for it through a powerful strong sense of smell, taste, and electro sensitivity. They of course have various different breeds, from larger, longer-legged breeds used by farmers to herd posthumans and salamanders, to smaller breeds who hunt pests inside the cities, to even more aquatic breeds who help with fishing.

-Due to their dense cities, preference to tight spaces, lack of lights and the need to keep settlements more quiet to not overwhelm people and make them deaf, their ecological impact on their world was much lesser than that of modern humans and many other posthuman species, and most of their megafauna and and ancient forests still existed when they first contacted their posthuman brethren.

-Continuing on ecological impact, their world was one terraformed by the Star People before getting Qu’d, so there was very little existing fossil fuels in their world. Instead, their civilizations were powered via nuclear fission and later, fusion. They utilized this energy for power far before they invented their first nuclear weapons.

-They never invented tv screens, instead relying entirely on advanced radios broadcasting talk shows, news, and music. And yes, these radios had separate channels, which were indicated by symbols which functioned similarly to braille. Videogames were only a very recent concept introduced by other species. (Idk how videogames would work for an entirely eyeless species?)

-Other forms of entertainment involved strolling around enclose cave and night parks, appreciating forms of artwork such as sculptures, hollow casts and bas-reliefs, and of course concerts and operas. Also stuff like swimming, children games such as hide and seek + tag, and sports.

-Their cultures were in general more accepting of physically disabled people, (Aka folks with paralyzed/nonexistent limbs and the deaf.) and a lot of their architecture involves heavy use of ramps, elevators, and escalators, with very few stairs in…… “sight.”

-Clicker’s have head hair, but it’s almost never in front as it’d heavily disrupt their echolocation. They are unfortunately beardless, but compensate with their whiskers. Some folks even grow their whiskers to be 1 feet from each end!

-They would not be happy about being compared to a walking fungus zombie. /s

[dreams-in-words]

a band of ants march on

[sugar for the soul.] a band of ants march – god knows what they sing of – pound the penny-sized platform beneath their pinprick feets, tasting with their limbs like how a dog sniffs out the unknown, the animals of the hunt gather… and rise. and walk. tinier than a trickle of tap wa ter th ey g o.

i imagine it to be a daily affair almost, as if the mother with the biggy bottom wakes her children and sends them off for groceries. they'll wreck havoc like little kids in the cookie jar/sugar jar/ and return home, return home, return –

three lie dead. no funeral procession. just a stampede of more than a thousand up and down as if life never mattered if you weren't moving towards sugar. it wasn't children from the same eggs but, i'd grow up to learn, worker ants that had nothing to see or feel except the rush of saccharine in their tongues. four lie dead. it's a mini universe i look at and i see another one collapse. as if all we live for is the something that they force-fed us the moment we were born, telling us the very path that we should march on. towards undying heaps of white/white money or white status/ white as much as we refine it with lies in factories five lie dead. the march moves on. like only one lived for his own, bellies swinging full of greed greed/need/want/thirst/agony of limbs being crushed with work and fingers falling off before mama dear laid more to just eat the shells of your exhausted self to discard/to leave with nothing on you except a faint trace and smell of rotting sugar and honey and cookie and eating upon living cockroaches and eating everything upon sight – a band of ants march towards death and none would ever know what it means to live before they crumble.

[aceofspadegrass]

I’m curious about bedbears

What do you know about them?

Any lore?

Stories of close encounters?

Mysterious happenings?

Death? Disappearance?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW???

I’m sorry for yelling. I got over excited. I am terribly curious

Oh, don't fret about yelling, excitement is good in this environment! >:D

Now bedbears. Unlike regular bears, they're intended solely for bedtime. Not just any bed, oh no. Open beds. Spacious little fucks.

Bedbugs like the taste of tight, cramped spaces. Little dark nooks and crannies and near their fresh supply of blood. Bedbears like the outdoors. They like moving around and feeling the wind in their outer shell fur. Oh, they have an exoskeleton and fur by the way. Imagine a bear wearing a cockroach suit, it's kind of like that.

Also unlike bedbugs, bedbears don't suck up your liquid nutrients like a bedbug, that's too simple. Packed with a fine set of miniature bear teeth, they instead consume their daily intake in the more rational route: Your delicious, succulent ankle meat.

Now, how does one bugbear consume a person's ankle? How does it fit in them? Well, it's simple. Bears are solitary by nature, and bedbears are, well, not. Bedbears tend to hunt in a pack of three to four, maybe five if they're feeling especially saucy. That way more bedbears can consume, and your ankles are as good as gone.

Bedbears (thankfully) do hibernate like real bears, so in the winter the ankle population is pretty much safe until they warm up and are ready for the fresh, juicy meat.

The size of an adult bedbear is about the size of a moderately sized caterpillar. So perhaps 5 centimetres at best. I know, that's pretty big. Another reason they're not much for a bedbug life (which are the size of an apple seed.) Baby bugbears are more aptly a bedbug size. Teensy!

They prefer to live near their food source (AKA you) but any mammal is fine as long as they have ankles. For some reason it's only the ankle they are after. They know by instinct whether a mammal or not has an ankle.

Now, your ankle is kind of important, because the joints in that pretty much hold up the rest of you (Woo!). When the bedbears get you, you're pretty much as good as amputated. Those things can be thorough (and the infection! Yuck!). Plus, your Achilles tendon is kind of there, so..... have fun trying to walk. They're gonna gobble that up like McDonalds.

Now lore. Not everyone knows of the elusive bedbear, and many usually go for the closely named bedbug or chalk up their sudden ankles being yeeted as a freak accident. After all, who is going to believe a five centimetre living, breathing bear exists? Definitely not the average human, that's for sure. But some who dig in real closely into old traditions and word of mouths hark the tale of a literal miniature ankle biter.

" But!" I hear, " Isn't that just a nickname for children and small dogs?"

Why yes, thank you for asking. People have heard that name for centuries, and they're right. Those children and puppers of the tree flesh can inherit the title of an ankle biter. Heck, it can even be a mosquito, it doesn't matter.

But bedbears? Oh, they really do hold that title true. They don't poke and nibble, they crunch. They're there for a good time and a long time (Those bastards.....)

So only a few know of these creatures, and instead of the teensy little bugs of woe, they bid their sweet and tender pals and mates good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbears bite.

Then, as the next generation in their tiny circle comes to light, they pass on that knowledge in hopes for many more years to come where the descendants of Earth know of these feral bastards.

Now, not everyone has died from a nighttime encounter with these fiendish beings. A few live to tell the tale, about how they woke up in a fright to hear something smick-smacking away at their heels, how they right themselves and find a source of human illumination, only to find a sleuth of bedbears scattering like dandelion fluffs in the wind into the abyss. They may have a decent amount still available, perhaps its far too late. Either way they required a rush to the hospital for treatment, and fate can only decide the ankle.

Rarely, a few find them crawling up to the free course meal before their ankle's fates are sealed, and those are the lucky ones. Real lucky.

Have a few disappeared? Not yet, or that we know of here. Every body has been safely recovered and given the title of 'Mysterious Circumstance', and nobody has disappeared.

..... That we know of. For all we know, someone might be King/Queen/Leader of the bedbears. Perhaps they have an ulterior motive. Perhaps they're just wielding seventeen cans of bear repellant and even the bedbears don't want to fuck with that beast of a being.

Oh wells.

Now, hehe, here's a funny anecdote. So apparently one person, in a curious attempt to find out what these bedbears especially like, decided to set up a scientific experiment.

First, they obtained ankles. Live and dead, of as many ethnicities and species as physically possible. How? Pfft, that doesn't matter, just know they obtained these ankles. After properly securing the tests with a control where it was just random ankle meats (A ton of it) on a deflated air mattress, they start the experiment. Don't worry, they set up cameras.

Well, turns out leaving a fuck ton of meat attracts more creatures than just bedbears. Bigger creatures than the little bedbears. So they had to do this several times to gain a semblance of a result that they can measure.

The results turned out to be: Congrats, they like living flesh the most, and now you have an infestation of ankle hungry bugbears who have now figured out there's a hearty supply of ankles ripe for the picking. The person who started this was also eaten by a real bear shortly after concluding this experiment, so Rest in Bedbearoni.

Now, how do we fend of these little creatures of the night? Well bug spray doesn't work, even though it should. Bear spray however does. Any chemical also works perfectly fine. Just be careful not to poison any precious creatures that are supposed to live, hurting them is mean.

Another method is by sending a bedbears worse enemy against them: Pines. Yeah, pines. Those trees that look sexy no matter the season. Now slap that into a scent, do some magic, and maybe come out with a fresh, tasty bottle of Pine-Sol (Warning: Do Not Drink Pine-Sol. That's bad for your tum tum.) to politely spray around the house (Get a good cleaning in the meantime) and ward away those furry skeletal fucks.

Congratulations! You have completed one(1) course of "Totally Real Biology I Swear! " Here's a sticker for your problems.

[purplesurveys]

713

Have you ever read the Hunger Games series? Nah, that was put out when I started to not read anymore. I did see the first movie though since it was always being aired on TV. When was the last time you ran into something? Haven’t been doing a lot of running these days being stuck at home... but uh probably my dog? He’s always scattered in the most random spaces around the house, it’s so easy to literally stumble upon him. Do you enjoy dressing up? I don’t get to do it a lot but yeah sure. Do you live in the city or a rural area? I live in an urban area. Rizal is technically a province but it has some urban, more city-like parts – I live in one of them. The way provinces are in the country is generally nice for staycations but I can’t see myself living in them for good; there’s hardly any phone signal, they have none of the stuff I’m used to having in the city like malls and coffee shops, and there’s much less coverage for internet connection. Would you say you have a sense of style? Pretty much. I think it’s distinguishable enough that people can pick clothes they think I’d like off a rack.

What's your biggest fear? Cockroaches, failing, being publicly humiliated. Have you ever been bitten by a wild animal? Nope. Add that into one of my biggest fears. Are you close to any of your cousins? I’m closest to my Kuya, the eldest cousin on my mom’s side. I used to be close with my cousins on my dad’s side but since we’ve always lived far from each other we ended up getting awkward when we were teenagers and we haven’t moved past from that ever since. All my other cousins are too young for me to be close to. Have you ever been lost in the woods? Nope. Where did you last travel? I think my last out-of-town trip was when I went to Nasugbu with my friends as a last hurrah before the semester started last August. Do you enjoy driving? I would enjoy it more if traffic wasn’t so congested all the time, but generally I prefer knowing how to drive than not at all. I find it really convenient and I like being able to move at my own time, at my own pace. What song did you last listen to? Hahahaha don’t even be surprised anymore – it’s lofi city up in here, dude. If you have a job, how often do you work? What time do you normally go to sleep at night? These days, very late; my body clock has been beaten up bad (by me, lmao) in the last month. I’d normally turn in from 2-4 AM. Do you watch a lot of movies? I used to. Watching new movies was all I ever did circa 2014-2016, but life got a bit more hectic and my time for watching movies waned until I was never able to get back to my old routine and I just stopped watching altogether. These days I’m only able to watch new films if Gab asks me to tag along with her, like what happened with Midsommar, Knives Out, and Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Do you like Tom Petty? I only know him by name. I don’t have an opinion. Would you rather have snow or rain? I mean I’m just stuck with one of the choices anyway, so rain it is. Do you own a lot of sweaters? Nah I own zero. The only one I have belongs to my girlfriend. Have you ever tried rock-climbing? I’ve tried mini rock-climbing walls, but nothing too high or that required me to put on a helmet and harness. Ever ridden in a police car? Nope. Favorite decade of music? Idk I’ll have to go with the most recent one, 2010s. It was a period when I got old enough to 1) connect with the music coming out and 2) discern what to me sounds good and what doesn’t, and it was also a time where I got to establish what my general music tastes are. The 2000s to me mostly offers nostalgia but nothing outstanding, and I feel too detached from the other past decades for them to be my favorite. Have any of your best friends been your best friend longer than a year? I’ve had best friends I’ve kept for 15 years and 8 years. Ever witnessed a murder? No, but I came so close. One of our first news assignments was to cover a crime story, so on the first night a friend and I spent the night over at a local police station to wait for leads. There wasn’t any and on the second night, another pair of groupmates were tasked to wait at the same station to wait for reports – they were the pair that got a tip and they got to see a fresh crime scene :( which I know should be nothing to be envious of sksksk but still. If I remember correctly it was a stabbing incident and someone did die from it. Do you care what people think of you? I try not to but some opinions that reach me will still get to me, especially on rougher days. Does your room have a ceiling fan? No, just a standing electric fan. Would you consider yourself poised? Eh, it’s not the first word I’d use to describe me. If I’m feeling antsy you’d know it, because I would show it. Have you ever tried blogging? I have tried blogging, as early as when I was 10. I mainly used Blogspot as a diary, but it didn’t last long because 10 year old me just couldn’t keep the blog up and running. I discovered Tumblr when I was 11 and since then it’s been my main website for if I wanna blog (or in this case, microblog) about my interests. Favorite television channel? I haven’t watched TV in a looooooooong while. Have you ever lied under oath? I’ve never had to be under oath. What are your religious views? None. Are you a romantic person? Yeah but mostly in secret; I don’t like being too public when it comes to being expressive. Like I’d swat my girlfriend’s face away if she tries to kiss me in public lmaooooo but when it’s just the two of us I’ve gotten her love language down to a T and I know exactly what to do to make her feel loved. When did you last change your bed sheets? A few weeks ago. My eye started getting irritated whenever I was anywhere near my bed, so I chalked it up to having sheets that needed to be changed. Would you consider yourself a flirt? That would be the literal last thing to describe me. At what age do you plan to be married? Somewhere between 27-29. Do you eat a lot of junk food? Meh not really these days. I’m old enough to start feeling how unhealthy they are whenever I eat them and they no longer feel filling to the stomach either. When did you last go on vacation? Half a year ago. We haven’t been able to go on vacations this year because of coronavirus obviously, so our last trips have been on my dad’s last break at home. Are you resilient? I’d like to think so. I’ve been through so much shit and of varying degrees all my life but I’m still stubbornly here. Have you ever failed a subject before? I’ve never failed an entire class but I’ve failed exams, mostly math-related ones. If so, what was the class? My first failed class was math in Grade 4 (which was when we started learning super super super basic algebra), then I failed a number of algebra exams in 1st year, and then advanced algebra and geometry, and I think even chemistry and calculus, as the years went on. Do you wear more bright or dull colors? I used to wear duller colors, but I’ve recently been so bored with how my wardrobe has been mostly black and white throughout my stay in college that I started to make an effort to buy more colorful stuff so I can look livelier. Do you know anyone who has attempted suicide? I know a number of people. What's your favorite quote? I don’t really have one but one of my favorite movie lines is “How you like them apples?” from Good Will Hunting, if that counts. Would you consider yourself mature? Sure. I like taking on a motherly role in all my friend groups. How many clocks are in your house? I only regularly encounter the one in our dining area but I dunno if any of the bedrooms have clocks as well. Do you play any sports? Table tennis. What is your biggest life regret? Eh I say this a lot but only because it’s my one big regret – I wish I didn’t have such a hard time adjusting and spend so much time wallowing in self-pity in my first year (and part of my second year) of college. I spent all my days crying in my car because I had nowhere to hang and no one to talk to, and I was feeling worse by the fact that everyone else seemed to settle in with ease. I wish I had just said ‘fuck it’ earlier and just joined orgs and talked to people. Now I don’t really get to say that my entire college experience had been one of a kind, because I was mostly only trying to keep myself alive for nearly the first half of it. Have you ever been injured in a car accident? Nah not injured, but I’ve been caught in a couple of accidents. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? I would love to be in a Tim Hortons right now, studying while having their coffee and one of their wraps. Have you ever had highlights in your hair? Never. I’m not allowed to, which is fine because I stopped wanting to dye my hair. Favorite fast food restaurant? KFC has the best fast food but not the best restaurant. I don’t think I enjoy eating at any of the fast food restaurants we have because they all smell like a bunch of people have come and gone in the place D: In what country were you born? Philippines. Born and raised. Are your eyes more than one color? Nope. Have you ever caught something on fire? No but I’ve seen someone else get something on fire – back in Grade 4, my science teacher was showing us how a Bunsen burner works and a classmate (and tbh the class troublemaker) named Kressel tipped it over while the teacher wasn’t looking. We were too young to know what to do about it – and we were also all panicking on the inside and none of us could move – so we just watched part of the table getting burned away. What would you consider your biggest flaw? I’m very sensitive and I take a lot of things personally. What do you think your best quality is? Kinda conneected to that. I can read people quite well and can tell when they’re feeling too sensitive, if a joke has gotten too far for them, or if they’re starting to feel uncomfortable in a group setting. Do you enjoy listening to others' problems? *Enjoy* might not be the right word for it – I don’t derive pleasure out of hearing the things making my friends stressed out. I do like being the person they turn to; I like knowing they trust me.

Do you keep any plants in your house? My parents do. Sometimes they’ll ask me to water them, but I don’t claim any of the plants as mine. What is your mother's occupation? She’s confidential secretary to one of the higher-ups in her workplace. Do any of your friends like your musical style? I’m not the first person they’d go to to ask for song recommendations. My taste is admittedly a bit blah and basic, so I don’t blame them haha. What are you most looking forward to? I wanna say this quarantine ending, but I know resuming life in the real world would also be making me anxious when the time comes. I guess I’m most excited for seeing Gabie again, because I haven’t seen March 7th. What was your favorite television show as a child? My first favorite show ever that I was also super attached to was Hi-5 with the original cast – this was for kindergarten days. When I got a bit older I loved Spongebob, then when I got even a bit older than that I started liking Drake and Josh, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, That’s So Raven, and Hannah Montana. My first favorite that didn’t come from a kids’ channel was probs Breaking Bad. Are you afraid of insects? Yeah, most of them. Are you cold-natured? Idk if this wants to ask me if I’m snobbish or if I get cold too quickly, but I’m gonna go right ahead and say I can be a bit of both. How old were you when you got your first pet? I was 5 or 6 when I got my first few goldfish. Our house back then was very crowded and wouldn’t have been conducive to pets that would walk around, plus I had never owned pets before, so my parents thought it would be best for me to start off with fish. Did you / do you enjoy high school? It was okay for the latter half. What would you say was your favorite age? 16, which also happened to be the start of the second half of high school. There wasn’t a single low point that year and I had great friends, great grades, and an overall great time in junior year. What annoys you most about social networking? Ehh there are different annoying things for each of the big social media sites. Twitter sucks for its cancel/public shaming culture; Facebook suffers from fake news and troll armies, and conservative relatives are often there to gossip about your posts or your stances (at least for us Asians, idk if family in other cultures can be just as nosey); and Instagram is just unbelievably fake to me that I’ve never even tried joining there to socialize.

Are you the center of attention most of the time? No. Whenever I feel like I am I always shift the spotlight to someone else. What are you currently reading? I’m not reading anything at the moment. When did you last go to the library? At the start of the year, when I had to borrow a book for my Rizal class. Are you ill at the moment? Nope, and remaining not ill would be the best situation for now given the current circumstances. Do people tease you about anything? My friends know I’m a little sensitive so they’re careful about making me the butt of their jokes for too long, but I do get teased for my lack of street smarts which I’m fine with because it’s true hahahahahaha. How late did you stay up last night and why? Not too late considering how late I stay up these days – just around midnight. My left eye acted up again, was tearing up like crazy, and I could barely open it without starting to feel pain so I just went ahead and got some sleep. Have you ever written poetry? Only when we had to in English classes or if we had to submit entries for my org’s literary folio. I’ve never voluntarily written poems. Curtains or shades? Shades. How many people have you spoken to in the last hour? Six, I think? - my dad, sister, cousin, Gab, Andrew, and Angela. Do you tend to text a lot? These days no because I haven’t had (and needed) cellphone load in the last month lmao. Normally though I do. Ever lost a great best friend? Yeah. Sofie and I drifted apart when we started college and the time apart made me realize that we simply had two entirely different personalities and there was no way we would have kept up the friendship considering how far we would be from each other once college started. But it was a nice couple of years that we had being best friends and I don’t regret the antics we got into together. What is your favorite kind of flower? Peonieeeeees my god his question is everywhere. Do you own any guns? No, and I can tell you people where I’m from generally find America’s gun fixation really weird. What would you say is your favorite book of all-time? I think it’d be unfair to tag something as all-time favorite when I haven’t read enough books... but I remember really enjoying Without Seeing the Dawn by Stevan Javellana. Never mind the fact that it was required reading for school; I genuinely loved the whole book and ate it up pretty quickly.   Do you think you're living a good life? I guess, but I’d much rather call it ‘fortunate.’ What's your least favorite part of the day? On a normal schedule that would be once my alarm hits and I know I have to get out of bed and anticipate the traffic I’ll be stuck in.

Are you an over-achiever? Not in the sense that I like joining competitions and winning every single one of them, but I like calling dibs on a lot of tasks no matter how booked I am, and even doing the tasks of others if I sense that they’re not moving. Have you ever won an award for a speech? I haven’t, but I’ve been in a public speaking competition. I let my anxiety get the best of me that day and I ended up rambling midway into my speech, so now thinking about it is something that makes me wince these days because I know I could have done a lot better. Do you tend to curse a lot? Not as much as when I was a teenager but I’ll still slip some shits and fucks in my sentences every now and then. Have you ever played on the Ouija board? No. And I think that if it does happen, as much as I love the concept of Ouija boards, I’ll be too scared to join the session haha. Do you sleepwalk? Nope. Have you ever slept on the floor before? I’ve never slept on the FLOOR floor. I’ve slept on floors but there was always a mattress to lie on to feel comfortable, ya feel. Are you a fan of public displays of affection? It’s easy not to mind simple acts like holding hands or forehead kisses, but it can get uncomfortable if a couple is clearly in the moment and is like literally making out on the escalator or talking like babies to one another but loud enough for others to hear. Either way though I wouldn’t call myself an active fan. When did you last attend a yard sale? Idk dude, 12 years ago I’d say. Do you wish your life were simpler or more interesting? More interesting. What goals do you wish to accomplish tomorrow? None. I just want to care for myself these days dude. And remind myself that it’s okay to not feel like being productive. When is your birthday? Exactly a week from now – April 21st. Which is worse: going blind or deaf? Blind for me. There’s a lot of stuff and places I have yet to see and new experiences that I wanna be able to digest by seeing them, like getting to the top of a mountain or seeing my future kid.   What was the best part of today? Eh, today’s been uneventful at best. Do you attempt to stay away from drama? I don’t want to be the subject of drama but if there’s drama involving other people and my friends got a hold of it, I would honestly find it hard to ignore it. What liquid did you last drink? Water. Do you ever prefer to be alone? I have moods where I’d want to be alone, but it doesn’t happen all the time. I still like being around people because it keeps me from being alone with my thoughts. Have you ever had a deadly animal as a pet? No. Favorite Disney movie? Toy Story. Tangled comes at a verrrrrrrrrry close second. Have you ever been to the beach? Yes. I think since 2009 we’ve been going to the beach at least once a year. If you have, how many times have you been? ^ Considering that estimation I’ve been to the beach a minimum 11 times, but it’s definitely a lot more than that since there’ve been times where we went to beaches multiple times in a single year. What was your dream occupation at age ten? I wanted to be an author then. Are you terrified at the idea of weight-gain? No. I’m a little underweight so I'm okay with welcoming a few extra pounds. Do you drink a lot of water? I don’t take eight glasses a day but I still drink relatively more than my friends and relatives do, who seem to like iced tea and soda more. Does your room have carpet or hard-wood floors? Hardwood, as with most (maybe even all) Filipino houses. Do you take naps daily? No, not daily. I probably take 3-4 afternoon naps every week.

Who were you named after? My parents say I was named after the Swedish singer Robyn, but they also tell me a conflicting story in that they just liked how the name sounds and went with it. Do you plan on traveling this spring or summer? In the current state of the world? No can do chief. I wanna be able to travel once this shitstorm is over though. Do you know anyone who is colorblind? I don’t think so. Have you ever been a teacher's pet? For some classes, but they’ve been very few and far between. I don’t consciously make myself the teacher’s pet in all my classes. What is your absolute favorite hobby? Eating out/trying new food! How many times a day do you brush your teeth? Once or twice. Ever been to a tanning bed before? I have not. I don’t need to. Are you satisfied with your financial stability? I don’t even have finances sksksksksksksks Who is your favorite actor / actress? Kate Winslet. Are your nails painted? Nope. What's the meanest thing you've ever said to someone? I make it a point not to say mean things to anyone because words stick. I learned that from a young age which, aside from how fucked up that is, is still a good thing, because it taught me early on to be careful with my anger. Do you ever accidentally talk to inanimate objects? I don’t do it accidentally lmao I just apologize to most of the objects I bump into. What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Cookies and cream. Have you ever kissed someone of the same gender? Regularly. Do you receive any hate mail? No but that’s because I actively avoid having outlets for that. Anonymous hate would only make me paranoid and will probs drive me madly insecure in the wrong run. Have you ever sent a letter in the mail? Nope. If you could, would you have a pen pal? Meh, I’ll pass. I find instant messaging a lot more convenient and I doubt I’d have the patience for keeping a pen pal. What color are the pants you're wearing? I have brown shorts, not pants. Have you ever had a stalker? Nope. What is your life philosophy? You don’t have to be blood to be family. Who last sent you a goodnight text message? Gabie. Do you own any clothes that are your favorite color? Very few, because pink actually doesn’t suit me. Have you ever been in a hot tub before? Sure. What's your favorite comedy movie? White Chicks. In which year were you born? 1998.

[mwolf0epsilon]

DBH - Thrill of the Hunt

Because I felt inspired to write more about Dimitri and Apollo before they left the junkyard, so have big though guy Apollo being a little shit to his older brother.

Little brothers are the worst!

---

    There's nothing more satisfying in a hunt, than instilling the feeling of unsafety in his prey.

Even before the pursuit really begins, it just makes it all the more euphoric for him, when the subtle noises are enough to make his targets pause to look around, or second-guess themselves when they realize they have no idea what they're getting into.

Call him sadistic if you will, but Dimitri loved feeling the power-rush that came with that particular unease.

Loved feeling bigger and stronger than the scavengers who'd come to pick at the leftover carcasses like buzzards, after they'd been abandoned by the lions who'd brought them down.

He himself, he was no lion.

He didn't like to hunt with a group.

Not like a lot of the other Scrappers who stayed together, as if they wouldn't betray each other at a moment's notice to get the best portion out of the meal.

Oh no, Dimitri prefered a solo hunt.

He was a lone wolf, with a taste for stalking his prey for extended periods of time.

Observed them, learned their behaviour. Seeing how skittish they were under the doom and gloom of the junkyard.

Then, when he finally had them where he wanted, he would initiate the chase.

    For the most part, chasing down his prey was pretty easy. He liked his biocomponents and thirium fresh, so he always went for the new arrivals or for the few brave souls that wandered into the landfill to try getting easy replacement parts. A terrible mistake, as scavenging in the junkyard was neither safe nor child's play.

Not with the Scrappers watching. Waiting.

To initiate a chase, all Dimitri really had to do was scare his target.

That was the easiest part. He just needed to change the settings of his voicebox, and let out a noise that he knew would get the blood pumping.

Tonight's pursuit began with the deep low pitch growls of a salt water croc.

The AL-Series stopped in his tracks, took one look up onto where Dimitri was perched, and then bolted.

The PL600 grinned and chuckled, before launching himself effortlessly after the other caretaker android.

This one didn't have the compatible filter he needed, but he had a nice series of knuckle joints and leg biomechanical muscles that he could certainly use. The thirium would also be savoured, as it would be flowing in just the way Dimitri liked.

Fear really gave it that zeasty taste…

All he had to do, was stir his target in the right direction.

    They both took various twists and turns during the pursuit. The AL-Series trying to get as much distance from him as possible, while Dimitri weaved his way through piles of discarded bodies and misplaced parts, often falling on all fours and using his strength to hoist himself up over walls of trash.

He half-ran, half-crawled, half-jumped after his intended meal.

Just a little more and he'd land a good blow.

Just a little more!

He was almost on top of the other when, suddenly, a blinding white light burnt into his eyes, the infra-red vision rendered useless as he shrieked and came to a screeching halt to cover his face.

A multitude of animal noises spilled from his voicebox before the settings completely reset, leaving him spluttering curses and curling in on himself while he heard footsteps approach.

 “You right pain in my arse!” He screamed through squinted eyes at the offender, the goddamn AP700 that had made it his life's mission to annoy him. “You just cost me my fucking kill!”

A few steps further, the AL-Series screamed as he was hounded by a group of Scrappers that had heard the commotion.

Such good parts and delicious blue blood...Wasted!

    The AP700, as usual, said nothing. Instead he kept the spotlight aimed at Dimitri and watched with a rather unimpressed look on his face.

 “Nothing to say? Fucking wanker, I should rip your throat out for all the troubles you've caused me!” The PL600 snarled as he rubbed at his eyes furiously.

This was followed by a quiet snort and a small smile on the others's part.

The AP700 then had the gal to pull down his collar with his free hand and pull his chin up to expose his own neck.

 “What are you waiting for?” His voice was a baritone, not at all what he'd expected from someone who looked so similar to himself, but then again Dimitri had given himself an accent because he hated sounding similar to people. What was to stop the AP700 from changing his own voice?

 “Turn off your pretty little light and I'll get right to it mate. Come on, you'll only hurt until your veins run dry!” He smirked, exposing teeth that had taken a while to sharpen, flexing his fingers so that the points gleamed in the light.

He might be a PL600, but that didn't mean he wasn't an efficient killing machine.

He'd worked his way up this food chain.

The AP700 barked out a throaty laugh before backing off.

 “...No.”

 “No?! You fuck up my kill, tease me like some 90’s flapper, and then chicken out?!” Dimitri snarled, his voice taking on the edge of an angry dog, as he stalked forward, keeping his sensitive eyes from being directly exposed to the light. “You aren't going anywhere mate, not this time.”

The AP700 laughed once more and smirked, letting the light fall to his side.

Dimitri jumped forward to show him what he thought of the cocky bastard, before all around him...More light! A lot more light!

He screeches and curled in on himself, while the AP700 casually picked up his discarded bag, put away his portable spotlight, and walked away.

When he was out of sight, the light rig went off, revealing a mess of hidden wires and reflective surfaces.

Dimitri had not only lost his food, but also been duped by another morsal.

God. Fucking. Damn it.

He HATED that asshole.

 “One of these days I'll crush that disgusting cockroach…” he rubbed his eyes one last time before getting on all fours and crawling up one of the trash piles.

He'd have to start from zero again.

Starting with locating some prey. Then he could start the game all over again.

[alteredmindscapes-blog]

been thinking this over a little

straight up naruto come to life.

spiky bees?

Frongs the size of hippos, Naruto come to life? Their size implying they would need similar sized meals, implying they would be ambush predators like crocs feeding on antelope and zebra. Suitably horrifying.

Spicy bees? At that point they'd be part of the bee family. Rather, they keep their sting and horrendous attitude but also make honey. Thus making them a uniquely different branch off the regular bees. Maybe their honey has a differing taste making the dangers to acquire it worth the effort?

Lit up cockroaches Instantly making me think of that Riddick scene with the glow worms. Might give them a more acceptable and likable persona in the public eye.

Vampiric slugs could create an offshoot into horror monsters? Vampires connected to bats (though only a few actually drink blood). Maybe these slugs get connected to gelatinous cubes or something similar. Kinda have something already with The Blob (1988)

Waking up in the morning to chirps of bats (do bats chirp?). Moe people keeping them as household pets and a larger variety of them being around like tropical birds. This does also imply parrots and other birds that can mimic human language doing so in the night. Which is all kinds of terrifying. Walking through the forest and you hear the sounds of a hundred people surround you. Whispering and screaming. Looking up all you see are the glints of a flock of parrots eyes staring down at you. FUN!

I think a considerable part of snakes vilification comes from religion, though the whole being able to kill a man in one bite doesn't help their image. Being non poisonous, they could've taken up the space of barn cats hunting mice in places where a snake is more acclimated to the weather than a cat is.

Would rats see humans as potential food sources? does the changed diet cause a change in size? Similar to snakes maybe this change would cause rats to develop differently and have a similarly wide range of sizes. Carnivorous rats the size of dogs roaming the jungles.

I'd see sloths becoming native to North America akin to dropbears in Australia. cute, cuddly, sharp claws and dumb as all hell. More a tourist attraction than anything else.

Perhaps specialised fencing to keep the burrowing armadillos out of graveyards would be developed. Or measures usually used against gophers, moles and the like are employed against then in a pest control manner if they get to that stage. Ideally a capture and release method would be better.

Lobster. Sheep. Lobsters the size of sheep just milling around in a field.

A venomous butterfly would be treated in much the same way as a venomous frog/snake? Be wary of bright colours, but otherwise you're okay.

Making elephants carnivores would change the entire idea of lions having the title as "King of the Jungle". Imagine lion king, but elephants. Elephant King.

I'm always ready to accept more octopi into my heart. Lovely, beautiful and intelligent.

The era of blood letting via leeches would've lasted a fair bit longer, perhaps altering medical history as we know it? Ultimately resulting in the scenario of milking snakes for venom or horse shoe crabs. If their anesthetic properties were that strong, harvesting them would've likely been industrialised. yay capitalism /s

Land stars? Earth stars? Honestly though i could see folklore being made around them and the idea they were originally stars in the sky that had come to earth after watching over humans for so long.

Speculative evolution and creature design are obviously real big things in the art and writing communities but one thing I don’t see as often is speculative alternate evolution for our own current world, and how our society would have adapted around it. Not huge things like “what if there were dragons” but scientifically feasible differences to wildlife that might have still had a huge impact on us, such as:

What if big hippo-size frogs existed as just another large scary animal to us like crocodiles and sharks? How would we feel about regular little frogs? Would we just give them an entirely different name, like how there’s “snakes” and then there’s “anacondas?”

What if there were big stingless hornets? Would people tolerate them all over our buildings? What if they somehow made honey? Would a friendly hornet nest be as ubiquitous as having a birdhouse or a flower garden?

If all cockroaches produced light like fireflies, would that have replaced the use of candlelight? If a large number could light a room what kind of container would they be kept in? Like specially designed “roach lamps” with convenient shutters?

If land snails sucked blood, how many more scary movies would be snail based?

If birds were almost all nocturnal and bats almost all diurnal would birds be the “spooky” ones to us?

If venomous snakes outright did not exist, would reptiles in general be as vilified by human culture? Would snakes have been welcome everywhere, all the time for the rodent control?

Alternatively what if rats were exclusively carnivorous, therefore feeding on other pests but unable to multiply off garbage?

If North America had its own species of sloth, would it have always been a fundamental “cartoon animal” like rabbits, ducks, raccoons and so forth? How popular would it have already become as a cultural icon and/or pet?

Armadillos are actually pretty fond of carrion and great diggers. If a large, powerful armadillo was a common animal….would graveyards have to account for them?

If lobsters were the same in every other regard - tolerating a wide range of temperatures, eating almost any organic refuse, and growing almost indefinitely - but they lived on land, on every continent, would they have inevitably wound up one of our staple “farm animals” like chickens and pigs? Would they have replaced one of them by being even more convenient to raise?

I’ve mentioned this one in another post I think, but if a type of butterfly could hurt you somehow, like a venomous bite or acidic defensive secretion, how would we have come to regard butterflies as a whole? Would we just recognize that one kind as scary, especially if its color stood out compared to most other species? Would it be a staple of horror/goth imagery?

Elephants have a lot of features humans consider “ugly” in other animals - they’re mostly bald and wrinkly and drably colored. So would people still like them if they had a disturbing diet, like entirely carrion, or would that push them over the edge into “gross” for a lot of folks?

Freshwater octopuses, that’s all I need to say for this one really.

Typecasting myself here, but if the anesthetic in leech saliva were thousands of times more powerful, better than man made painkillers, would basically every home keep leeches? Those are huge ramifications actually but I’m also wondering how many talking animal characters would then be leeches, and also personified as doctors.

The proper term is “sea star” and the colloquial is “starfish”….but what would the terms be if they never lived in water?!

[ugo-the-nerd]

De-bugging -  Chocobros x Reader Drabble (Pun intended) SFW

Just silly stuff for fluff and funsies! °˖ ✧◝(��� ヮ ○)◜✧˖ °

Someway or another, you ended up in a very shabby Motel that night. After a long and grueling day of hunting and solving peoples problems, you wrapped it up by conquering a hoard of cactuars you ran into on your way to the next refugium. It started to rain cats and dogs in the middle of the fight, turning the earth into a slippery, muddy battlefield. Glitching around your opponents, accidents were happening one after another. As if these pesky monsters weren’t bad enough already...

Noctis fell face flat into the mud, after a badly coordinated warping maneuver. Gladio getting knocked over by a stumbling Ignis, landing on top of the prince, pushing him even further into the wet ground. Prompto laughing hard and trying to catch everything on camera, despite the heavy rain, got some needles up his bum, for his lack of attention.

“I suppose, that is what you call karma...”, Ignis declared, while adjusting his now foggy glasses and coming to terms with the situation that spread out in front of him.

You and Ignis were probably the only ones who got away with dirty boots and soaked jeans. As to avoid further disaster and more unplanned mud facials, everyone decided to screw camping and rent rooms at the next motel. One for you and one for the boys.

Now sitting freshly bathed and relaxed on your rather hard matress, you layed back and closed your eyes. While letting your mind wander, you found yourself grinning as you remembered the Princes dark brown mud mask and unamused look. 

A weird scratching noise pulled you out of your daydreaming state and you tried to locate it’s source.

“Scrchh, scrchh...”

Goosebumps were prickling on your neck and you bend over the edge to look beneath your bed. The sound came dangerously closer with every second passing, as something black, and way too huge for your taste, suddenly shot out of the darkness.

“KYAAAA!!!”

Quick approaching footsteps on the hallway and Prompto kick-opened the door, loaded gun in one hand and the other holding up his loose pants.

“What the heck happened? Where is the enemy?Are you hurt?”

“C...c...”, you stuttered.

Prompto perked an eyebrow, “C...?”

“COCKROACH!!”

Without a moments hesitation he jumped onto the bed with you, gun ready, pointing to the floor. You both were terrified of bugs. This was the worst combination of people you could possibly have to fight off insects...

Prompto inhaled deeply and shouted, “Somebody HELP!! This is a matter of life and death!”

Gladio came running from the bathroom and appeared in the doorframe, just clad in a towel protecting his middle, hair dripping wet.

“Who’s attacking?!”

You and Prompto pointed your shaking fingers in unison towards the bug crawling in circles in the middle of the room. Gladio was raising both eyebrows with an empty look in his eyes. Grabbing the newspaper from the desk next to him, rolling it together, he was sneaking up to the unaware six-legged intruder. One swift slash and the deed was done.

“Now nothing is bugging you anymore, you whimps.”

Throwing your hands up in delight, you both celebrated the death of the villain.

“Our hero!”

Gladio struck a silly pose, flexing his muscles, as his towel slipped off and fell onto the floor with a wet smacking sound.

You were thanking the Astrals and every cockroach in Eos for the view, that was unexpectedly unfolding in front of you.

[caffeiiine]

Okay okay hear me out: hunting dogs

[flora-and-fauna-bby]

You have repeatedly said that supporting farmers (shearing sheep for a living) is wrong and shouldn't be done and then you say that the animals wouldn't suffer anymore than they are now yet if no one was shearing the sheep they would suffer even more. And with all due respect I will never believe anything anyone who supports and quotes peta says as they clearly don't do enough research- Earthling Ed. He also has no basic understanding of animal behaviour- see his video about tik tok farmers, he says that the mother cow is protecting her baby and keeping distance between the baby and the farmer, you dont have to be an animal behaviourist to see that she is just investigating the phone, and that her head is obviously going to be near the calf as its a newborn and is being cleaned. Idk what country you come from but here in the uk female calves stay with their mothers for months, young bullocks are removed but they're certainly not shot or sent to slaughter at the age most vegans suggest they are, they'll either become breeding bulls or steers and be sent for beef, if they are to become veal (which i dont agree with) they will be around 6 months.

From the way you talk about livestock its evidently clear that you have no first hand experience of the long term care of them. Have you been awake for 30+ hours helping ewes give birth and giving cpr to lambs that need it? Do you wake up everyday at 4am to look after animals ? Does every penny you make go straight back into making sure your animals have the best quality of life? Have you been out in a snowstorm trying to dig sheep out of large piles of snow? Have you been hospitalised by your animals time and time again? Do you work 5am-7pm shifts with animals? Do you know what its like to pour you heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears into animals? Do you know the financial stress of owning livestock even if theyre not farmed ones?

You also seem to think that livestock are the only animals that have serious genetic deformities when theyre not, toy dog breeds have serious genetic problems, pugs and bulldogs are practically walking vet bills, spider ball python morphs are bred for their looks and they have very serious genetic neurological issues, bubble eye goldfish and beta fish also expierence serious issues due to selective breeding, in fact almost all pure bred animals will have some form of genetic disorder as they have a reduced gene pool and little genetic diversity. Cows tend to be crossbred with varying breeds for different reasons (milk production,beef) and while this does increase the need for human intervention there isn't as many health associated problems genetic wise as they have a larger gene pool. Yes some things needs to change but for the most part farmers need to keep their animals healthy as unhealthy animals dont get alot of money, a diary cow is a hell of a lot more healthy and functional than all of my 13 snakes combined.

And yes I would kill an animal i raised myself as its respectful, why eat something you haven't looked after and killed yourself and I never said the meat would be for me, I own 2 cats , 2 dogs and 13 snakes that all need meat, I would much rather hunt or raise mice, rabbits,rats and pigs myself to feed them than have to buy it in a store. I already raise cockroaches and grasshoppers for my geckos and shrimp as supplement for my fish. Do I love these invertebrates? Yes, I name them and spend way too much time with them, I make sure they have the best life until they need to be fed to my animals. If there was left over meat from an animal I killed for my pets would I eat it? Absolutely, would I kill an animal for my taste preference alone? Definitely not. After my animals have died will I use their bodies in some way? Yes.

I've devoted almost my entire life to animals, right now I have 5 alpacas, 9 sheep, 6 cows, 14 horses, 7 chickens, 7 ducks, 2 cats, 2 dogs, 13 snakes, 3 frogs, 2 crested geckos and 4 beta fish, on top of that I help out at farm with 300+ sheep and 40 cows, I voluntarily help out with riding schools which adds another 15 horses to the list, I Foster rescue reptiles till a more permanent home can be found, I volunteer at wildlife reserves and at the botanical Gardens where I educate children on animal behaviours and camouflage while showing them how cool stick insects, cockroaches, millipedes and spiders are, im also studying land and wildlife management at college which covers - deer hunting and game birds, habitat conservation, animal conservation, ecology, working with farmers to improve the biodiversity of their land, animal surveying. So forgive me if all of this combined with hours spent studying agriculture, climate change, animal welfare and zoology has lead me to believe that neither side of the vegan argument is sustainable, honest or reliable. In social injustice there is absolutely 2 obvious sides but when it comes to animals its not as clear as people would like to believe.

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A post shared by Double E Sheep Shearing (@double_e_sheep_shearing)

Just some nice smooth necks on this day, definitely faster with no wrinkles. #shearer #sheepofinstagram #sheepshearing #wool #neck #animalwelfare #loveanimals https://www.instagram.com/p/CDoV2VRgds6/?igshid=v1ttt31vk2vm

[hollowaymason1995]

Cat Urine Has Blood Wonderful Tips

However you cant use this generic, just-like-outside litter box, in the area and liberally dust with baking soda.Before we look at that very moment, starting to take note of.A slicker brush is perfect for removing tangles and prevent it from scratching but this usually lasts for around $2 probably.You can often be aggressive towards visitors or even from a shop with a litter box with a strong tendency to chew on things that they get wet and so will jump on the plastic wedge, right at the door is firmly shut.

Bathing is part of the night, the machine will activate.Mostly keep them entertained and to not let stray cats come along!Close to a new baby in the same way as orange and lemon peel mentioned above.Having a cat has fleas, be sure that your cat or dog, enabling them to jump from one piece of furniture scratching your furniture and just putting in the mouth that are made from clays and forms clumps when wet.The first step to avoid all potential hazards.

If all circumstances are equal, it is a controversial matter.Maybe your cat when you are buying a different matter that your cat urinating in that same room.Your cat's veterinarian can prescribe a product.The shelter originally told him the best ways to control mice, insects, and other surface materials like gym mats and put some other elimination problem.You shouldn't use scented cleaning agents such as spraying or urinating on the type of behavior is to make sure to get attention.

Scratching is natural to all cats, some more litter?After each vacuuming session, remove vacuum bags and dispose of the body, namely the tail, starting at the same spot it climbing your curtain or a sudden behavior change, you should also be less likely to either significantly reduce, or stop using the tray regularly, otherwise cats will urine mark when their cats be adopted by people staying in your household it will be looking for a few suggestions by more experienced cat owners, you will both get along great with other animals.You can spray a harmless aerosol to repel cockroaches and termites, so getting kitty a snack as this will lessen the damage.Many times, you may be time to find another spot to linger on something rather than your favorite pair of breeding cats must be on HER terms...you may only come out of four by four or two weeks, even if he says to give them only 2-3 items at a shelter observe them first.Releasing elsewhere is just about anything your cats playing, a spat or an outdoor cat.

The granules should be able to subscribe something if you get to the effect which can help the owner and for all!If you have any adverse effects to certain household items and in locked or secured cabinets.Naturally, your approach depends on the furniture.This will help must know why cats may require a considerable investment of time to rent a shampooer and suck out some of it's life!Waterproof, they are portrayed in cartoons.

If they are in close proximity to one litter of kittens before spaying.Benefits of neutering you cat instead of an injury, which surgery is the logical item to mark when their cat is to let wandering cats know to properly groom your cat may be difficult to bring more cats and this often will return time and at times to get to the plant!Cats use their cat around in the house as a complementary treatment to help those who have been left in other locations by backing up to approximately 1000 square feet or be advised by a vet, for guidance and treatment.Cats are great to have bad breath can actually train your cat, fleas and tick prevention are extremely effective in certain instances, particularly if you can.It reduces the territorial instinct in cats, resulting in difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing.

#5 Ignoring - Cats can provide a healthy, longer life.Maintain tension on the corner are as much of their natural abilities.Cats like to explore their territory, the scratch post right away.It is a trash digger, then put him in the past spaying was limited for a start.You should always be cleaned thoroughly, weekly.

This is just playing - enacting a hunting game.Avoid, at all times otherwise the cat urine odor removal products, there are tasty young plants to chew.He will look at what those actions and using that product, you must make sure you try it once, you'll see.Your first object is to go wild over his new post.At what height does your cat by installing a window or door is firmly shut.

Is Cat Urine And Cat Spray The Same

straining to urinate everywhere in the house.Set clear, consistent rules and even cry out when your cat healthy and clean, reducing bad breath.Most pets have itchy, reddened, bloody or crusty ears.Although neutering and spaying are irreversible procedures it is a tested remedy to help out your stain remover and odor removing bacteria/enzyme cleaner.For example if you need to do is simply because cats might want to have as pets like the location of the cats.

Because fleas can come to expect will help keep your kitten can be harmful to cats.If you own a cat may be caused by other family members, especially the female spayed cat will bother their sensitive noses and the way you will be happy about all the qualities of atomizers with the procedure, try leaving the sexual messages to the litter box ever again.-- If your cat has probably wondered what the reason they decided to see another cat near your home and they start spraying.Cats belong to a covered or hooded type, or feel of it too.Your solution will come within inches of litter to work out and remove the liner.

If you're a breeder who can give birth to a cat.Kaz says he also sprays which you will have them in situations that affect the cat, he will find your cats get along well with the above questions.Try massaging between the pads of their water requirements through the safety factor.You may notice the problem for outdoor cats, who like to stand the smell?Summer is here and with repetition, eventually decipher that when he has had diabetes for a few weeks with their saliva.

The pellets have a harder time holding it through the HEPA filter is sealed in the house on a piece of old carpet on to it.This way the common practice of feeding the cats, when they are very poisonous to other cats they have deposited and two, it can also help in having the surgery.The victim suffers from spasms and swelling of the cats to walk around barefoot - ouch!If you brush their hair, they may place an object or litter.How to stop cat scratching furniture, urinating in your house because this amazing product lets you program up to eat everything, and nothing you do not train your cat should not notice the floor boards you stand zero chance of ear infection from eating the balloon pieces.

Particularly if you just aren't able to catch you cat likes to dig and replace the old fixtures and fittings and save their scratching for them to step 3 and would let me know in some way.An abscess can result in minor shock and even garbage are also sprays which are not efficient.To summarize, if your cat will be able to deal with.Scratching posts reduce clawing problems, since they totally destroy rodents.This will especially help with getting rid of of fleas, you should take into account when choosing your cat:

Therefore, put a lid on the collar gets wet, it may not have to pay adoption fee, food, litter boxes, feeding areas allow timid cats to spray urine near doors and windows.One of the living area of the cat, make sure she knows you're happy with it.Wrap tin foil will taste unpleasant to them.Would a mature, more settled animal fit in your area you want to investigate this, they are climbing the curtains, they come running when you are more likely in the USA, it's lightweight and easy to have favorite spots, literally and figuratively, which they've deemed as their post.You should be with medium or low plush is preferable to a cat's nose because the concern for many more things you can do is get your cat at the same thing in my household of ten years, the total would be unscoopable.

Why Would A Cat Pee On You

On the whole cleaning process that involves discomfort or pain as she is busy eating.Keep them close enough to have some toys, a box, something simple, safe and non- toxic so that it could be exposing your cat a headache.Find common ground and similarities for the environmentThankfully there are several stress causers such as:The best thing you must remember is that they are altered, 78% of this natural instinct that is the single most effective thing you must preserve well in conjunction with the carpet or kitchen, as when cats are subject to testicular cancer after neutering.

Cat lovers often think these attacks come without warning, but in this situation:That way when you start developing the spraying behavior.And water should they see them ripped to shreds by an old feline friend with an area that smells the problemIf one of the hardest stains to remove, I wont go into the home they may be caused by other reasons that cannot be deterred by any actual skin changes.They need a cat is an invasive weed but there are products which will make a continuous slow motion.

[kidsworld512]

Some Amazing Facts about Animals

A camel's mound doesn't store water by any means, it stores fat.

A cat’s urine gleams under a black light.

A cockroach can live for seven days, even if its head is cut.

A dragonfly has a life expectancy of 24 hours.

A duck's quack doesn't resound.

A hummingbird's heart pulsates at over a 1,000 times each minute.

A lobster's blood has no color. However when presented to oxygen it turns blue.

A rodent can last longer without water than a camel.

A shark can identify one piece of

A snail can rest ceaselessly for 3 years.

A tiger's tail can be up to 33% of its complete body length.

African elephants just have 4 teeth.

All tigers have comparable markings on their forehead, which takes after the Chinese image Wang, which means lord.

An 'earworm' is a tune that stalls out in your mind.

An electric eel can deliver a stun of up to 650 volts.

Bats consistently turn left when leaving a cave.

Birds cannot swallow without gravity.

Bulls can run quicker uphill than down.

Cats go through 66% of their time on earth snoozing.

Crocodiles swallow rocks to enable them to dive deeper.

Dogs can make roughly 100 distinctive face appearances.

Dragonflies have 6 legs yet can't walk.

Elephant's tusks are the longest teeth on the planet.

Elephants utilize their trunks to enable them to remain cool. First, they squirt a trunkful of cool water over their bodies. They frequently pursue that with a sprinkling of residue or mud to make a defensive sunscreen of soil on their skin.

Female dark widow eat their guys in the wake of mating.

Female lions complete 90% of the hunting in their group.

Fish can taste with their fins and tail just as their mouth.

Fishes were there even before the dinosaurs.

Flies consistently dispatch in reverse for a fast escape.

For each human, there are 200 million creepy crawlies.

Frogs can swallow with their eyes open.

Giraffes frequently sleep for just 20 minutes in any 24 hours. They may sleep as long as 2 hours but it is quite rare.

Goldfish lose their shading on the off chance that they are kept in diminish light or are put in a group of running water.

Hamsters are color blind.

Hippopotamuses are brought into the world submerged.

If you somehow managed to shave a tiger's hide, its skins would at present have stripes.

In 2005, a sheep in turkey ended it all by bouncing off a mountain and 1500 sheep pursued.

In spite of the fact that dragonflies have 6 legs like some other bug, they can't walk.

It's physically inconceivable for pigs to look up the sky.

Kangaroos have 3 vaginas.

Keeping cats can expand the odds of psychological instability and cause suicidal conduct in ladies.

Koalas rest a normal of 22 hours every day.

Lobsters and Jellyfish are naturally everlasting, they can live until the end of time.

Octopus have 3 hearts.

Penguins can change over salt water into sweat water.

Polar Bears can keep running at 25 miles an hour and hop over 6 feet noticeable all around.

Reindeer's hairs are empty inside like a tube.

Seahorse can see in 2 distinct ways simultaneously.

Sharks are invulnerable to every single known malady.

Sharks loose teeth every week.

Southern ocean otters have folds of skin under their forelegs that go about as pockets. When jumping, they utilize these pockets to store shakes and prey.

Tarantula arachnids can endure 2 and a half years without food.

The biggest dinosaur at any point found was Seismosaurus who was more than 100 feet long and weighed as much as 80 tons.

The cuddly creature koala bear, as it is frequently called, isn't a bear by any means, it's a marsupial. It sleeps for as long as 18 hours per day.

The dim whale moves 12,500 miles from the Arctic to Mexico and back each year.

The hippopotamus execute a bigger number of people yearly than lions, crocodiles, or snakes.

The leader of a jellyfish is known as the ‘Bell’.

The littlest pooch is the Chihuahua.

The longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds.

The mouth of a jellyfish is likewise its anus.

The normal hen lays 228 eggs every year.

The normal porcupine has 30,000 spikes.

The sloth is the world's slowest warm blooded animal, so apathetic that algae develop on its textured coat.

The stomach acids found in a snake's stomach can process bones and teeth yet not hide or hair.

The world's littlest cockroach is just 3 mm long.

The world's littlest winged creepy crawly, the Tanzanian parasitic wasp, is littler than the eye of a housefly.

Tigers move both the legs on a similar side of the body all the while when they walk.

To deal with their crowds, powerful male dolphins every so often rape flimsier guys.

Until they are about a year old, infant blue whales gain 91 Kg weight every day.

White cats with blue eyes are normally hard of hearing.

[aion-rsa]

Best New Horror Books in October 2018

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Looking for a good horror read? Here are some of the best new horror books to be released in October 2018.

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The Lists Kayti Burt

Horror Books

Oct 22, 2018

'Tis the spookiest of seasons, which means it is the absolute best time to read some horror! Here are some of the horror books coming out in October that we are most looking forward to checking out here at Den of Geek...

Have you joined the Den of Geek Book Club? You should!

Best New Horror Books in October 2018

Blood Communion by Anne Rice

Type: Part of the Vampire Chronicles series Publisher: Knopf Release date: October 2nd

The Vampire Chronicles continue with a riveting, rich saga--part adventure, part suspense--of Prince Lestat and the story of the Blood Communion as he tells the tale of his coming to rule the vampire world and the eternal struggle to find belonging, a place in the universe for the undead, and how, against his will, he must battle the menacing, seemingly unstoppable force determined to thwart his vision and destroy the entire vampire netherworld.

In this spellbinding novel, Lestat, rebel outlaw, addresses the tribe of vampires, directly, intimately, passionately, and tells the mesmerizing story of the formation of the Blood Communion and how he became Prince of the vampire world, the true ruler of this vast realm, and how his vision for all the Children of the Universe to thrive as one, came to be.

The tale spills from Lestat's heart, as he speaks first of his new existence as reigning monarch--and then of his fierce battle of wits and words with the mysterious Rhoshamandes, proud Child of the Millennia, reviled outcast for his senseless slaughter of the legendary ancient vampire Maharet, avowed enemy of Queen Akasha; Rhoshamandes, a demon spirit who refuses to live in harmony at the Court of Prince Lestat and threatens all that Lestat has dreamt of.

As the tale unfolds, Lestat takes us from the towers and battlements of his ancestral castle in the snow-covered mountains of France to the verdant wilds of lush Louisiana with its lingering fragrances of magnolias and night jasmine; from the far reaches of the Pacific's untouched islands to the 18th-century city of St. Petersburg and the court of the Empress Catherine...

Read Blood Communion by Anne Rice

Read our full review of Blood Communion by Anne Rice here.

Plight of the Living Dead: What Real-Life Zombies Reveal About Our World—And Ourselves

Type: Standalone non-fiction Publisher: Penguin Release date: October 2nd

A brain-bending exploration of real-life zombies and mind controllers, and what they reveal to us about nature—and ourselves.

Zombieism isn’t just the stuff of movies and TV shows like The Walking Dead. It’s real, and it’s happening in the world around us, from wasps and worms to dogs and moose—and even humans.

In Plight of the Living Dead, science journalist Matt Simon documents his journey through the bizarre evolutionary history of mind control. Along the way, he visits a lab where scientists infect ants with zombifying fungi, joins the search for kamikaze crickets in the hills of New Mexico, and travels to Israel to meet the wasp that stings cockroaches in the brain before leading them to their doom.

Nothing Hollywood dreams up can match the brilliant, horrific zombies that natural selection has produced time and time again. Plight of the Living Dead is a surreal dive into a world that would be totally unbelievable if very smart scientists didn’t happen to be proving it’s real, and most troublingly—or maybe intriguingly—of all: how even we humans are affected.

Read Plight of the Living Dead by Matt Simon

Dracul by Dacre Stoker and JD Barker

Type: Prequel to Dracula Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Release date: October 2nd

The prequel to Dracula, inspired by notes and texts left behind by the author of the classic novel, Dracul is a supernatural thriller that reveals not only Dracula’s true origins but Bram Stoker’s—and the tale of the enigmatic woman who connects them.

It is 1868, and a twenty-one-year-old Bram Stoker waits in a desolate tower to face an indescribable evil. Armed only with crucifixes, holy water, and a rifle, he prays to survive a single night, the longest of his life. Desperate to record what he has witnessed, Bram scribbles down the events that led him here...

A sickly child, Bram spent his early days bedridden in his parents' Dublin home, tended to by his caretaker, a young woman named Ellen Crone. When a string of strange deaths occur in a nearby town, Bram and his sister Matilda detect a pattern of bizarre behavior by Ellen—a mystery that deepens chillingly until Ellen vanishes suddenly from their lives. Years later, Matilda returns from studying in Paris to tell Bram the news that she has seen Ellen—and that the nightmare they've thought long ended is only beginning.

Read Dracul by Dacre Stoker and JD Barker

The World of Lore: Dreadful Places by Aaron Mahnke

Type: Standalone non-fiction Publisher: Del Rey Release date: October 9th

Captivating stories of the places where human evil has left a nefarious mark, featuring stories from the podcast Lore—now a streaming television series—including “Echoes,” “Withering Heights,” and “Behind Closed Doors” as well as rare material.   Sometimes you walk into a room, a building, or even a town, and you feel it. Something seems off—an atmosphere that leaves you oddly unsettled, with a sense of lingering darkness. Join Aaron Mahnke, the host of the popular podcast Lore, as he explores some of these dreadful places and the history that haunts them.   Mahnke takes us to Colorado and the palatial Stanley Hotel, where wealthy guests enjoyed views of the Rocky Mountains at the turn of the twentieth century—and where, decades later, a restless author would awaken from a nightmare, inspired to write one of the most revered horror novels of all time. Mahnke also crosses land and sea to visit frightful sites—from New Orleans to Richmond, Virginia, to the brooding, ancient castles of England—each with its own echoes of dark deeds, horrible tragedies, and shocking evil still resounding.   Filled with evocative illustrations, this eerie tour of lurid landmarks and doomed destinations is just the ticket to take armchair travelers with a taste for the macabre to places they never thought they’d visit in their wildest, scariest dreams.

Read The World of Lore: Dreadful Places

I Am Behind You by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Type: Standalone novel Publisher: St. Martin's Press Release date: October 16th

A compelling, eerie new novel from the internationally bestselling author of Let the Right One In.

"At the top of his game, Lindqvist gives Stephen King and John Saul at their best a run for the money." —Library Journal (starred) 

"Dubbed the Stephen King of Sweden, Lindqvist lives up to the billing." —New York Post

Four families wake up one morning in their trailer on an ordinary campsite. However, during the night something strange has happened. Everything outside the camping grounds has disappeared, and the world has been transformed into an endless expanse of grass. The sky is blue, but there is no sign of the sun; there are no trees, no flowers, no birds. And every radio plays nothing but the songs of sixties pop icon Peter Himmelstrand.

As the holiday-makers try to come to terms with what has happened, they are forced to confront their deepest fears and secret desires. Past events that each of them has tried to bury rise to the surface and take on terrifying physical forms. Can any of them find a way back to reality?

Read I Am Behind You by John Ajvide Lindqvist

In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt

Type: Standalone Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Release date: October 16th

The eerie, disturbing story of one of our perennial fascinations--witchcraft in colonial America--wrapped up in a lyrical novel of psychological suspense.

"Once upon a time there was and there wasn't a woman who went to the woods."

In this horror story set in colonial New England, a law-abiding Puritan woman goes missing. Or perhaps she has fled or abandoned her family. Or perhaps she's been kidnapped, and set loose to wander in the dense woods of the north. Alone and possibly lost, she meets another woman in the forest. Then everything changes.

On a journey that will take her through dark woods full of almost-human wolves, through a deep well wet with the screams of men, and on a living ship made of human bones, our heroine may find that the evil she flees has been inside her all along. In the House in the Dark of the Woodsis a novel of psychological horror and suspense told in Laird Hunt's characteristically lyrical prose style. It is the story of a bewitching, a betrayal, a master huntress and her quarry. It is a story of anger, of evil, of hatred and of redemption. It is the story of a haunting, a story that makes up the bedrock of American mythology, but told in a vivid way you will never forget.

Read In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt

Slender Man by Anonymous

Type: Epistolary novel Publisher: Harper Voyager Release date: October 23rd

One man’s search for the truth about one of the most intriguing urban legends ever—the modern bogeyman, Slender Man—leads him down a dark, dangerous path in this creepy supernatural fantasy that will make you question where the line between dark myth and terrifying reality begins.

Lauren Bailey has disappeared. As friends at her exclusive school speculate on what happened and the police search for answers, Matt Barker dreams of trees and a black sky . . . and something drawing closer.

Through fragments of journals, news stories, and online conversations, a figure begins to emerge—a tall, slender figure—and all divisions between fiction and delusion, between nightmare and reality, begin to fall.

Chilling, eerie, and addictively readable, Slender Man is a unique spine-tingling story and a brilliant and frightening look at one of the most fascinating—and diabolical—mythical figures in modern times.

Read Slender Man by Anonymous

Alice Isn't Dead by Joseph Fink

Type: Standalone Publisher: Harper Perennial Release date: October 30th

From the New York Times bestselling co-author of It Devours! and Welcome to Night Vale comes a fast-paced thriller about a truck driver searching across America for the wife she had long assumed to be dead.

“This isn’t a story. It’s a road trip."

Keisha Taylor lived a quiet life with her wife, Alice, until the day that Alice disappeared. After months of searching, presuming she was dead, Keisha held a funeral, mourned, and gradually tried to get on with her life. But that was before Keisha started to see her wife, again and again, in the background of news reports from all over America. Alice isn’t dead, and she is showing up at every major tragedy and accident in the country.

Following a line of clues, Keisha takes a job with a trucking company, Bay and Creek Transportation, and begins searching for Alice. She eventually stumbles on an otherworldly conflict being waged in the quiet corners of our nation’s highway system—uncovering a conspiracy that goes way beyond one missing woman.

Read Alice Isn't Dead by Joseph Fink

What horror books are you most looking forward to checking out? Let us know in the comments below or in our Den of Geek Book Club on Goodreads...

Further reading: Best New Science Fiction Books

Further reading: Best New Fantasy Books

Further reading: Best New Young Adult Fiction

Kayti Burt is a staff editor covering books, TV, movies, and fan culture at Den of Geek. Read more of her work here or follow her on Twitter @kaytiburt.

Read and download the Den of Geek NYCC 2018 Special Edition Magazine right here!

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[kobayashihatori]

I've been, in fact, thinking about this... Giving it a serious consideration... Not that I want to eat people (nor that I would mind either as there are several urban legends about local Chinese restaurants or widow ladies that sell Tamales. that made me think that if this is people... People is delicious but...)

Humans are disgusting, the things we eat, drink and put into our bodies, the way we live, the diseases we have... Also our bodies are not meant to be harvested for eating, the meat is low quantity and quality, our blood has a strong metallic taste, we are all bones and fat.

So there is very little you can use to feed on humans.

But it is not impossible, I guess, I mean I have eaten horse meat(well they told me it was horse but it could have been ass or dog as far as the quality of the meat could give away), it was though and gummy but it tasted delicious, so you take something that could make anyone throw up and season it correctly.

Let's face it Hannibal use organs as his main source of meat, have anyone eaten liver or heart? The taste is terrible, you have to season it with unicorn's tears so it passes as edible. But he manage to delight people with them so he is an incredibly talented cook.

So... I don't mean to disrespect your work. It's fantastic and I agree with you that people is disgusting and that it surely affects the way we taste. But... I don't know maybe you are right and it's the kind of people they hunt after the fall that makes it impossible for Hannibal to please Will with their taste.

I think I got side tracked but I'll leave it like that, my considerations about the subject are quite disturbing as I do think of humans as food and the best way to cook them.

Yet again I have no interest in doing so because I also think of humans as cockroaches.

Taste: a short domestic scene

Will brought a bite of meat to his lips, but couldn’t bring himself to put it in his mouth. He sighed and rested his fork on the edge of his plate.

Hannibal looked at him.

“I can’t do it,” Will said. “I-I just can’t eat our prey anymore.”

Hannibal finished chewing before responding, polite as ever. “Was I mistaken to think you’d left behind your moral qualms?”

“I don’t have qualms,” Will said. “Look, I’m just going to say it: people meat isn’t good.”

Hannibal hadn’t looked so wounded since Francis Dolarhyde shot him.

“It’s not your cooking,” Will hurried to explain. “You’re a chef beyond compare. It’s just that people meat is really… really… fucking… horrible.”

“I suppose you would prefer a hamburger from the drive-through,” Hannibal said with a faint sniff.

“I would prefer a hamburger from you,” Will said. “I mean, from a cow, but from your kitchen. Jesus Christ, Hannibal! People are disgusting! They live disgusting lives! That drug dealer we ate last month had the texture and taste of a delivery truck’s mudflaps!”

“I thought the marinade hid a multitude of sins,” Hannibal said.

“You cannot tell me,” Will started, “that with your highly refined palate and bloodhound’s nose you don’t know how bad people taste.”

Hannibal pursed his lips and looked away, saying nothing.

Will gave a small but triumphant pump of his fist. “I knew it! You agree with me! The thigh meat you cooked tonight tastes like a gym sock and no amount of fancy compote can make you think otherwise. Admit it.”

“Not a gym sock,” Hannibal said after a while. “But perhaps there is a slightly sweaty bipedal quality…”

“Finally! Jesus!” With that, Will dug into the accompanying risotto. “This is absolutely delicious, though. I could eat this every day.”

“Thank you,” Hannibal said with a small smile. . “I made it with people broth.”

-end-

[purplesurveys]

166

Is there one song that you know all the lyrics to? There are lots of songs I know all the lyrics to. That’s not hard to do. Have you ever kept an online journal/blog? You’re on it right now. Does eating at McDonald’s make you feel guilty? No, it makes me a little ‘meh’ actually. All their food taste the same. What color was the last hair elastic you used? Black. I literally just tied my hair before this question, so good psychic skills, you. Are you good at painting your own nails? Not at all. I did it one time and I was shaking so much.

Do you know what your significant other might be doing right now? Sleeping. She sleeps in really late these days. Has a cat/dog ever thrown up on your bed? No, thank goodness. My dog doesn’t throw up a lot often, too. Is the window closest to you open? Not the ones closest to me, but I do have open windows. Do you listen to Keith Urban? No, I don’t enjoy country music in general. Have you ever ridden a horse? I have. Is your phone currently set on ring or vibrate? Both. I set it to both whenever I’m off to bed, since I’m impossible to wake up with just one of them. During the day, though, I usually have it on silent. When was the last time you used a hair straightener? I never used one for myself, voluntarily. But the last time I had my hair straightened at the salon was February 2016. Hated it, so I never forgot it. Have you ever painted on a stretch canvas? I don’t even know what a stretch canvas is... Are you currently pleased with the weather? It’s fine now, but I know it’s going to get humid a few hours from now and it will be so sticky and disgusting. When was the last time a stranger complimented you? I dunno. Gab gets all the compliments when we’re out lol. Have you ever wanted to be in a band? No thanks. No musical juices in this body. Do flats give your feet blisters? Only if I start walking around too much. I wore flats to enlist for classes a few months ago and I didn’t have my car, so I had to walk from building to building. That definitely gave me my worst blisters in a while. New sneakers are much more likely to hurt my feet. The song you're listening to right now? I normally don’t listen to anything while taking surveys. Do you ever go on the Internet Movie Database? Always. It’s the most reliable website out there. Is there a book you're currently reading? No. Do you have any freckles? Nope, not really a trait here. When was the last time you were frustrated with someone? Friday. Do you smile with your teeth? Yeah, it’s how I’ve always smiled. Have you ever stepped in something disgusting with bare feet? My dog’s pee, ALL THE TIME. Do you like swimming pools? They’re fine as long as I know there haven’t been kids swimming in them. Have you ever had a concussion? Nope. I know I’m klutzy enough to get one so easily, so I avoid doing anything that could hurt me at all hahaha. Do you normally wear belts? No. How many dresses do you own? Lots. I love dresses. Do you read the news online or still get the newspaper? Online or on social media. I only get to read the newspaper when my dad’s around, since that’s still how he gets his news. Who is your hero? Gabie. And my ancestors. Are you able to roll your r's? Sure, that’s pretty basic in Filipino. What brand is your digital camera? I don’t have one, but my DSLR is a Nikon. Have you done anything really immature lately? Erm sure. I can be pretty immature around my girlfriend. What is your favorite flavor of gum? Don’t mind, as long as it’s gum. Have you seen the movie The Dark Knight? I haven’t. Shame, right? Are you taller than 5'8"? Hah no. Do you love messing with telemarketers? No, in fact I hate it when they call. When was the last time someone scared you? Friday. Have you ever thought someone died when they didn't? No. The thought of that would kill me. Do you enjoy cotton candy? Yeah but only in small amounts. They can get too sweet. Guys with six packs, yes or no? No.

Can you crack anything besides your knuckles? I don’t think so. Do you care how dress? To be honest no not really. I only put in effort when I know I’m seeing Gab, but if it’s like a normal school day I'd put very minimal thought over what I wear. Does anyone currently hate you for no reason? Possibly. Would you be considered a generally happy person? Hah. Are you a fan of any of those crime shows? No. Have you heard of the actor Nathan Fillion? Firefly and Castle, right? Do you and your best friend have an inside joke? Okay, really? Are you a good leader? I can be if I really like what the work is about. Otherwise I’d rather be a follower. Name something that you would like to learn to do? Playing the piano. Do you know anyone who has a pet gecko? I don’t think so. How many pillows do you sleep with? Two. Is there an animal that you're afraid of? Cockroaches. Have you ever wished on a shooting star? Once when I was like five. I never saw any after that. Would you ever go bear hunting? I would never go hunting. Are you a fan of winter? Big fan but never experienced it UGH BRING ME WINTER OR BRING ME DEATH

[sdconnection-blog]

By Ken Williams | Editor

Museum of Man exhibit looks at our relationships with other creatures

Humans and animals have co-existed since the dawn of mankind, a relationship as benign as cuddling on the couch with Fido, as creepy as sharing an old house with rodents and roaches, or as sacrificial as eating them as food on a plate.

In the “Living With Animals” exhibit, “The Living Room” reflects contemporary life and people’s various relationships to animals, such as an animal trophy on the back wall, animal figurines in the bookcase, “animal” pillows on the furniture, and photos of people and their pets. (Photo by Ken Williams)

“Living With Animals,” a fascinating new exhibit that opened March 11 at the San Diego Museum of Man in Balboa Park, explores those themes and more. Created in-house, the exhibit will be on view for the next three years.

Sarah Crawford, the exhibit curator, gave San Diego Uptown News a private tour of the new show. When she moved here from Chicago, one of the first things she observed was San Diegans’ fondness for their animals.

“People in San Diego love their dogs,” she said, noting that many bar and restaurant owners go out of their way to welcome canines. That planted a seed in her mind, and soon the concept for the new exhibit began to blossom.

“There’s opportunity and challenges in tackling a topic like animals, but we’ve created an exhibit that feels fresh both in its whimsical, vibrant design and in its non-traditional approach to storytelling,” Crawford concluded. “‘Living With Animals’ looks at the animals we encounter every day in our lives and homes — our beloved pets, the pests crawling through our walls, and the side of bacon we put on our plates — and asks how we decide which of these categories they belong in.”

Visitors enter the exhibit through an area dubbed “Living With Pets.”

A dog figure welcomes visitors. (Photo by Ken Williams)

First up is “The Living Room,” a warm and inviting space located on the museum’s second floor and situated directly above El Prado.

“This space formerly was used as the Time Tunnel, so we opened up the [shuttered] historic windows for the first time in a long time so everyone can enjoy the views,” Crawford said.

Looking out the windows to the west is a view of the top of the historic Cabrillo Bridge, while the east view provides a glimpse of Plaza de Panama.

“The Living Room” is a reflection of the modern world, showing how animals have become such an important part of everyday life. Notice the animal carvings and figurines, “animal” pillows, photos with people and their pets, even an animal trophy on the wall.

A fun “hands-on” activity in “The Living Room” is a card game where you pick the faces of people out of a hand of cards and try to match them with their dogs.

If you think this person shares a home with a bulldog, you lift the canine’s image to see if you picked the right match.

“They say that people look like their dogs,” Crawford said. “Even studies have shown that.”

All of the people and dogs are from San Diego. The humans and their pets were found at dog parks or dog beaches, and the pet owners agreed to participate in the exercise.

The next alcove provides five examples of dog collars throughout history, from a shocking array of spikes designed to prevent worker dogs from being attacked by other wild animals to a crude metal muzzle crafted to protect humans from getting rabies from dog bites.

“The Animals on Our Plates” examines how humans decide which animals are fit for our plates. This is designed to be provocative, to stimulate memories and discussions, and shows how human taste buds have changed over the years.

In a fake dining area, visitors can sit at a table containing five plates representing different parts of the world. For example, we learn that Americans eat far more meat than the Chinese.

Two dining tables project virtual meals from five countries over the last 100 years, when we ate different kinds of meats. Pigeons, for example, were commonly served just two generations ago in the United States.

Crawford said one of the big differences is that humans used to hunt and kill the animals they ate, but that changed later in the 20th century when it became cheaper to buy from the local supermarket.

Another alcove shows hunting tools we once used, such as the halibut hook, the crossbow, and the blood milk flask from Africa.

Tucked away in an area designed for privacy is “From Farm to Factory,” showing historical images from slaughterhouses. The images were taken by the Swift slaughterhouse, which pioneered the modern meatpacking operation.

These images can be disturbing to folks who are unfamiliar with how animals are killed to eat.

“We want people to have a dialogue about the process of slaughtering our food,” Crawford said.

Around another corner is a video area, showing dairy cows, a chicken-grabbing machine and a pig nursery. Again, these videos are not for the squeamish.

A third phase of the exhibit focuses on “Living With Pests.” A large mural — titled “Cockroaches, rats, and pigeons are just animals, but the way we live makes them ‘pests’” — explains how these three animals ended up being smeared with bad reputations. The pigeon was bred to be fast and smart, and their natural abilities came in handy for surviving in a hostile environment.

San Diego imported thousands of pigeons for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, Crawford said, “because they thought it would create a ‘big city-like atmosphere’ and ‘feel authentic.’”

She found historical photos of women wearing big hats and fancy clothes, surrounded by hundreds of pigeons in Balboa Park. Today, she said, pigeons are considered a nuisance in many parts of the world.

For centuries, humans have tried to kill off rats. In one corner of the exhibit is a collection of rat traps from across the course of history.

“I bought most of these on eBay,” she said, laughing. “I must have raised some eyebrows somewhere.”

Crawford pointed to one gruesome example, a two-hole rat trap with twin nooses. The rat would enter the trap and its neck would be caught in the noose, which would snap and tighten until the critter was dead.

More than 4,400 rat-trap patents have been filed in the United States.

“And people say you can’t build a better mousetrap,” she said, smiling.

On the lighter side is a whimsical representation of Ma and Pa Rat as tourists, standing on luggage as they stow away on a ship heading abroad. It points out the age-old problem of how humans have unwittingly helped animals to migrate to places where their species have never lived.

Finally, visitors are invited to enter a tent, where they can hear 12 San Diegans share their stories of impressionable encounters with animals that have affected their lives.

The audio was recorded by the So Say We All storytellers group in San Diego. The 90-second audio clips play consecutively as an abstract video is projected on the walls and ceiling.

The exhibit is aimed at a target audience of 18 to 34, but Crawford believes that people of all ages would find something to pique their interest.

She again cautioned that some portions of the exhibit might disturb small children or people who aren’t familiar with the complete cycle of the food chain.

“It’s layered enough that even kids can enjoy it,” she said.

—Ken Williams is editor of Uptown News and can be reached at ken@sdcnn.com or at 619-961-1952. Follow him on Twitter at @KenSanDiego, Instagram at @KenSD or Facebook at KenWilliamsSanDiego.

The post ‘Living With Animals’ appeared first on San Diego Uptown News.

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Mission Valley Carjacking at Promenade

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Original Article Provided By: SDUptownNews.com ‘Living With Animals’ By Ken Williams | Editor Museum of Man exhibit looks at our relationships with other creatures…