#tiny homes in Iowa City

[tinyhomesofiowa]

The Future of Housing: Trend Toward ADUs and Tiny Home Living in Iowa 

People are moving towards Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as an alternative type of housing. You can explore the world of tiny homes in Iowa with many different floor plans. You can also customize the space with the help of our design experts. 

In this blog, we will discuss ADU's advantages and share some insights into floor plans for tiny homes in Iowa City.  

What are ADUs?  

ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Units which are small homes built right on the same property as the primary residence. These units can be detached, or attached to the main house in the basement, or even a garage conversion.

Top Benefits of ADUs  

Affordable: As compared to traditional single-family houses, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are very cost-effective. They can be used as guest houses, for rental properties, or to house aging parents in a close and safe home.  

Highly Sustainable: Tiny homes are also considered cleaner and more sustainable for the environment, as they do not use as many resources.

Why a Design-Build Construction Company?  

When it comes to building ADUs or tiny homes, you need to hire a design and build construction company to get the desired results. They know the right way to execute the plan and make it easy to go through the planning, and construction process.

Managed Process: A design-build company manages both the design and construction parts of the project. Here you must deal with one party with clear communication and the process will be well managed.  

Cost Efficiency: There is a scope for saving money by going through a design-build firm.  They are also good at budget handling and ensure to complete your home within the given budget.    

Highly Experienced: When it comes to design-build companies, they are experienced and put that expertise into your project. They also know the local regulations related to construction that help you in the long term.   

Tiny Homes in Iowa City 

The city of Iowa City is very favorable towards tiny homes and encourages people to build them on their property, by making the zoning and permit process much easier and faster.

Types of Tiny House Floor Plans in Iowa 

There should be many floor plan options to build your tiny home. Here are some trending options in tiny house floor plans Iowa that you can select for your dream house. 

The Studio Plan: It is the best layout for people who like open space concepts. There will be a large room including space for living, dining, bathroom, sleeping, and kitchen.  

One and two Bedrooms: There are a few different options for one and two bedroom ADU’s. It really depends on who will be living there and the orientation of the ADU for your yard.

Custom Design: Many ADU builders Iowa also offer custom design services which are affordable and able to create a floor plan to accommodate your specific requirements.  

Conclusion 

When it comes to building an ADU for your family, trust the builders of Tiny Homes of Iowa. We are a professional design-build construction company that will make your dream project into reality. Reach out to Tiny Homes of Iowa today!

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Fics Named After Locations Masterlist

A Little Bit Of California, With A Little Bit Of London Sky (ao3) - twelfthnlght

Summary: (alternatively, dan and phil go outside.)

on an impulsive road trip dan plans right before their high school graduation, the truth will out.

Australian Adventures (ao3) - shippercentral

Summary: An Instagram story of Dan and Phil’s island adventures in Australia seem normal, but what really went on behind the scenes? Why did Dan really cover up Phil’s face in that one story? This semi- normal get away seems to be leaving a lot of questions.

berlin (ao3) - waveydnp and dizzy

Summary: dan and phil meet at a hostel in berlin.

Dan and Phil's Stroll Through Japan (ao3) - cafephan

Summary: When Duncan and Mimei have to cancel on their plans with Dan and Phil for the day, they take it upon themselves to stroll around Japan by themselves.

Disney World Misadventures - auroraphilealis

Summary: Dan, a law student with parents so strict they make him come home every weekend, gets ditched by his friends at Disney World in Florida during his short summer holiday. Alone, he runs into an incredibly attractive YouTuber who nerds out about anime with him, and even buys him a tiny Ciel figurine. Dan, meanwhile, quickly finds himself falling in love, especially after they get it on in a Disney World bathroom.

Glimpses of Portugal (ao3) - adorkablephil (kimberly_a)

Summary: Dan and Phil went to Portugal together May 27-June 3, 2010, but very little is known about the trip. This is a random collection of ficlets that take place during that trip, occasionally incorporating some of the few actual tweets and photos from the trip. They aren't in any particular order, but they all take place during that holiday in Portugal.

how to survive a flight to australia - softiejace

summary:inspired by “will dan and phil survive australia?” in which dan suffers through horror in the form of planes, noise, and other people. but hey, at least he’s in it with phil.

Iowa 80 - realityisnoplacetolive

Summary: In which Phil is stranded in Iowa.

It's Good To Be In Manchester (ao3) - danrifics

Summary: Dan and Phil are in Manchester visiting their friends Ian and Lauren Ian and Lauren’s daughter draws a cute photo of Phil.

(Based on a Phil insta story, link in notes)

Manchester (ao3) - ahappyphil

Summary: 13 March 2010 @amazingphil- “Looking at apartments in Manchester:]”

Memories in Melbourne (ao3) - hilariousandunappreciated

Summary: moments from Dan and Phil's instagram stories in Melbourne.

Moscow to Berlin (ao3) - outphan

Summary: What happens when they get horny on the plane?

New Zealand During Six AM (ao3) - watergator

Summary: Dan and Phil wake up early during their first day in new zealand to get some laundry done.

Phoenix Rising (ao3) - Spring_Haze

Summary: Dan challenges Phil to a period of forced abstinence while on tour in America. The game becomes unbearable, and each man has moments of weakness. In the end, it is all about passion and urgency.

That's What You Get (For Waking Up in Vegas) (ao3) - notanannoyingfangirl

Summary: While revisiting Vegas for Dan’s twenty fourth birthday, Dan and Phil both have a bit too much to drink…. and apparently wake up married. Dan’s not entirely sure that he wants a divorce, now he just has to convince Phil.

Under Vegas Lights (ao3) - LunarLoverrr (orphan_account)

Summary: It's the last night of their Nevada road trip, and Phil has the perfect date planned for his boyfriend. However, he hopes this date will be a stand out among the rest.

Vegas (ao3) - justhavesex

Summary: When Dan turns 30 and Dan makes a video titled 'Vegas', a short home made video with him and Phil at the alter in Vegas. Not when they were younger, but the current them. He wanted to live out everybody's fantasies about them getting married in Vegas, just a tiny bit.

Vegas Lights - softiejace

Summary:2012 is not going as planned, but phil still takes dan to vegas for his 21st birthday, the city that is said to hold adventure, risk and fortune – and maybe a flimsy hope for conciliation?

Venice: City Of Dreams (ao3) - expiredlove

Summary: Dan and Phil are on holiday in Venice, Italy, with two of their best friends. They discover the city with their unprofessional tour guide Phil and end their day with a romantic stop at the Accademia Bridge, which is known for its so called love locks.

We’re Going To Disney World! - dxnhowell

Summary: A future fic where Dan and Phil are no longer youtubers. They’re married and have two kids named Kaden and Josh. Josh decides that he wants to go to Disney World for his birthday this year.

[soapkaars]

I'm searching a few ideas to characterize a Dutchman who migrated to the United States in 1933 and accidentally found a job in Hollywood (the current year being 1941 - this man just had his breakout role). He has a story pretty similar to Lorre's and his persona is largely inspired by his role in "The Mask of Dimitrios". Do you have, by chance, any interesting suggestion?

Sorry I made you wait! Ooh this is a tough one. So you're talking about a professor van Leyden type?

It really depends on what exactly you're looking for or what you want to tell. If you're looking for a reason a Dutch person may find themselves in the US, it might be for a number of reasons - from the more familiar (star-struck, wanting to make it big in pictures) to the mundane (set up a farm in Iowa, immigrating to avoid tax collection and/or debts) to the spicy (political dissident - anticolonialist fighting against Dutch occupation of Indonesia).

If you're looking for a 'typical' background of a Dutch person similar to Lorre's character for Van Leyden, there's a lot you can do. Cornelis*/Cornelius may live in Amsterdam, but wouldn't come from there originally, as many Dutch people tend to move from the countryside to the city (literally, from the East of the country to the West of the country, which is where the more urban areas are) to develop themselves, look for more intellectual pursuits and/or opportunities, etc. My personal headcanon for van Leyden has always been that he was born somewhere near Amersfoort from German-Jewish immigrant parents and he moved to the slightly more tolerant city of Amsterdam to escape the oppressive black stocking-wearing Calvinist communities back home.

If you want to know the broad strokes of what defines a Dutch person and makes them different from an Englishman or a German person, a rough stereotype you could use to build off on or contrast your character to: We're a tiny country not just in how much physical square meters we have (three hours travel is long for a Dutch person!) but also in attitudes. I say this as a Dutchman myself: there's a very provincial/country bumpkin way of being that gives a lot of Dutch people a weird naiveté and bluntness compared to their European counterparts. There's the classic 'you don't get to be the boss of me!' that you find a lot with Dutch people - it's not that we're so anti-authoritarian (we do still have a monarchy, for example) but there's a huge distaste for formal and external displays of status in favour for more subtle displays. Also Dutch people are like German people in the sense that we're very protocol driven and we want to do everything 'by the book' - there's a strong sense of 'we all agreed to do it this way, so there's no use in doing it differently' and a lot of Dutch people I know can genuinely get very upset when other people don't do it in the specific way they think is 'correct'.

A person like Cornelius van Leyden probably would be a bit of an odd duck in Dutch society. Which is why he's living in Amsterdam! That city used to be (and still is, in my opinion, but way too expensive now) one of the few cities where there was a more lax way of being in comparison to the rest of the country. A lot of Dutch stereotypes non-Dutch people have come from there! In comparison to Amsterdam the rest of the country is much more strict and less open (with the exception of The Hague, but I come from there so I'm biased). We have a sort of division of the country where there's the 'randstad' (Edge City - Amsterdam, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht - a very urbanised area where most of the wealth and finances used to be historically, and where more open attitudes used to flourish) and everywhere else (generally referred to as 'The East', 'the provinces', or 'the countryside' - all of which aren't very accurate names, but most Dutch people will know that you're referring to anyone who isn't from the Randstad)

Anyways, let me know if you were looking for something specific, and if this ramble was useful to you in any way!

*I always tend to 'correct' Cornelius' name to the more common 'Cornelis'! Also I used to know a guy called Cornelis and he hated it when we called him 'Corny'

[michaelgruberfan]

Tiny interview Michael and Tony did for the Southwest Connector in order to help promote Jersey Boys! (X) (Published Wednesday, May 17, 2023) It's a relatively short read and if you've seen next to any recent Gruber interviews you'll know this stuff anyways however to get confirmation that Tony DID work in New York for a bit was cool (I wasn't certain about it however I was thinking he might of cause of blah blah) Article below the cut:

By Tesha M. Christensen

Two Armatage residents are wrapping up a run in “The Prom” at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, and looking ahead to “Jersey Boys.” Spouses Tony Vierling and Michael Gruber actually met at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. It was 2007 and they were both in the world premiere of Irving Berlin’s “Easter Parade.” “I was brought in from New York City to play Don Hewes and Tony was in the company. We became great friends during the run of the show, and our relationship progressed from there,” recalled Gruber. “It was one of those decisions that really did change the course of my life.” Vierling added, “We’ve been together 16 years and married for nine years. We moved back to Minneapolis, to the Armatage neighborhood, in 2010 after having been working in New York and being on tour.”

What drew you to acting? Gruber: I remember putting on plays for my second grade class. My teacher must have been very open minded. I can’t remember what they were about, but I do remember being fairly extroverted – which is funny because I’m quite an introvert in my adult life. But nevertheless, I do love being a part of stories that can affect an audience in a positive way. Vierling: I started acting at the age of eight. I have always been a bit dramatic! Putting on plays in my basement, with my best friend in his garage, at the church, anywhere I could! I started actually acting in a local theatre in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as doing school plays. Did commercials and voice over work as a kid and teenager. I have always loved the group dynamic of theatre, and the rapport that is shared with the audience.

What is exciting about this production? Gruber: I am in the ensemble so I get to play several different characters. That is always delightful because I have much broader leeway to create something personal and fun. I also understudy one of the principals, Trent Oliver, and due to COVID-19 in the company, I had to learn the role of the high school principal, Tom Hawkins, in two days and perform it for three performances until the actor playing the role could return to the production. That was a wonderful challenge. Vierling: I play several smaller characters in this show. All of them are very silly, which is great fun. What excites me about this show is the young people in our cast. They are all so talented; it’s a very energetic show for them! I really love watching their work every night! As far as my roles and growth in this show, every job is a learning experience. Since my parts are smaller, I am more of a support this time. Creating characters and filling scenes with ideas that other actors can play against adds texture to the show, making it a richer experience for us all.

What is it like to perform with your significant other? Vierling: It is a real joy to work with my spouse every night. We have been so lucky to be able to consistently work together. Being on a performance schedule is challenging and can be pretty difficult if one of the couple is not home every night. It takes another actor to understand the demands of the job. Gruber: It is great to be able to share the stage with Tony. We have had the opportunity to play opposite each other in “Singin’ in the Rain” as Don and Cosmo at the Ordway, in “Holiday Inn” as Jim and Ted, and “The Music Man” as Harold and Marcellus.

What’s next? Gruber: We both will be in the company of Jersey Boys. I’m cast as Gyp Decarlo and Tony will play Joe Pesci. Vierling: We start rehearsals in a couple of weeks and open in mid June. Should be a very fun show. Minneapolis has such a rich a diverse theatre community. The talent here is amazing, and we are so lucky to have so many amazing theatres to showcase all of that talent. Get out and support local theatre!

[alj4890]

Day 4: Travel

Choices Red Carpet Diaries Appreciation Week

(Seth Levine x MC*Jessica Clarke) in a Choices Red Carpet Diaries Drabble (Taking place between books 1 and 2 before Jessica moved out of her cheap apartment)

Prompt: "Can we go ice skating?" "It's 70 degrees, where are we going to find ice?"

Song inspiration: Walking In a Winter Wonderland by Darlene Love

Rating G for nothing but Fluff

@choicesrcd2022 @hopelessromantic1352 @promptnonny @tessa-liam @twinkleallnight @trappedinfanfiction @flyawayboo @krsnlove

Masterlist

Hollywood Magic

Jessica sniffed as she finished trimming her tiny tree. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gazed at the pitiful little thing.

"You look like you should be Charlie Brown's tree."

Taking a stuttered breath, she tried to calm down before answering her door.

"Ho Ho Ho! Merry Chris-why are you crying?" Seth came in, arms filled with presents, and kicked the door shut.

Jessica shrugged. She swiped up a dish towel to wipe her face.

Seth set the gifts down on her kitchen table. He folded his arms and waited for her to explain.

She ignored the silent prompt and began to search for something to drink.

"You want anything?" She asked.

"Yeah." He replied. "I want to know why you're crying."

"Well I want to know why you're wearing a Santa hat." She quipped back. "I guess life is full of unsolved mysteries."

"Nice try, Iowa. But there can only be one comedian in this apartment building." He spread his arms out with a grin. "And you're looking at him."

Jessica rolled her eyes as she brushed past him to sit on the loveseat.

Seth pulled his hat off with a deep, over exaggerated sigh.

Plopping down next to her, he set his arm around her shoulders.

Tears began to fall freely once again.

"Will my work never cease?" He grumbled playfully. "Hey Jess?"

She looked up at him.

"What do you call a kid who doesn't believe in Santa?"

Her brow furrowed. "I don't know."

"A Rebel Without a Claus."

A heartbeat of silence fell between them before a tearful laugh slipped out.

"Whew. I was worried I had lost my touch there." He gently shook her. "What's going on?"

"I guess I'm homesick." She mumbled, dabbing at her eyes.

She then narrowed them at the sunshine spilling in through the windows. It was so... unnatural.

"I've never had a Christmas without my mom or snow."

"Ah yes." Seth pulled her closer. "Who can forget freezing your extremities off while shoveling snow for five months of the year?"

Jessica laughed, settling her head upon his shoulder. "We always got the biggest tree we could find on old Mr. Winslow's lot. Then we'd pull out the ornaments passed down through our family and tell the same stories we tell every year about them."

"Hard same, but with a menorah." He quipped. "Nothing like polishing great Uncle Morty's for eight crazy nights."

Jessica chuckled. "Then we'd bake goodies for all our friends and neighbors. There'd be caroling."

"Sugar comas while singing in below zero temperatures." He smiled when she laughed again.

"There'd always be a group of us who would go ice skating on Christmas Eve." She continued. "Then we'd hurry home, nearly numb from the cold to sip hot chocolate by the fire."

"Now there's a thought." Seth turned towards her. "How about a date tonight, Iowa?"

"Um," Jessica replied, a little surprised by the abrupt change in topic, "okay."

"Can we go ice skating?" He asked.

She stared at him as if he'd lost his mind. "I don't know if the heat has gotten to you, but it's 70 degrees here, where are we going to find ice?"

His smile grew. "Oh Iowa. You're in the city where the magic never stops." He got up, pulling her to her feet. "Go wash that beautiful face of yours. We are going to do one of your holiday traditions tonight.

************

"Welcome to Pershing Square's Holiday Ice Rink!" Seth gestured out where people were gliding along to music.

Jessica blinked, trying to take in the sight of an outdoor ice rink in downtown Los Angeles.

"How?" She asked.

"Magic." Seth replied.

"Sure, but seriously. How??? It was almost ninety degrees out today!"

"Oh Jess. We don't do science here." He wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked over to a skate rental booth. "I mean, I'm sure whoever runs this does. But we locals--"

"You are from Ohio." Jessica reminded him.

"I've been here long enough for the sun to burn away all those Midwest winters." He winked at her. "Anyway, we don't ask questions. We put on our skates and rock out to whatever DJ HowLy puts on."

"Walking in a Winter Wonderland is something you rock out too?" Jessica teased.

"We rock out when it's a remix of Darlene Love's version." He knelt down to tie her skates.

Jessica felt her loneliness begin to lessen as she watched him. Her heart ached over how sweet he was in trying to bring a holiday tradition from home to life out here amongst the palm trees.

He took her hand, smiled at her, and tugged her out onto the ice. He then let her go.

"Okay Iowa, let's see what all those years of ice skating taught you."

Jessica's smile made his heart race. He still couldn't believe someone like her was always ready to go out with him. After the unexpected success of her first film, he'd thought she would consider him a part of her past.

Instead, she acted as if nothing big had happened to her. She was still that sweet, gorgeous, incredibly talented girl who'd been completely lost in the big city six months earlier.

He whistled when she began to skate, doing elegant twirls and jumps around him.

"All right. You passed the test." He held his hand out to her. "I believe this is a couple's only skate."

"Oh?" Jessica pretended to think about it. With a huge smile, she took his hand, lacing her fingers with his. "Then we shouldn't break the rules."

He squeezed her hand as they skated, both belting the lyrics to songs as loud as they could, laughing the whole time.

"You know?" Jessica cut her eyes towards him. "I like this couple's only idea."

"You do, huh?"

She nodded.

He stopped them off to the side of the rink.

"Anyone in particular you'd like to be the other half of your couple?"

She lowered her eyes while a pretty blush made her cheeks rosy.

"I had a few ideas." She looked up at him. "But clearly there's only one that will do."

"A few ideas?" Seth felt the wind get knocked out of him. "Wh-wh-who is it?"

He knew she and Matt Rodriguez made their love scenes in Tender Nothing's look like the real deal. Plus he'd seen how close she was to Teja and Victoria. Then seeing Thomas Hunt talking to her after the premiere revealed a lot potential romance there. He didn't stand a chance against any of them. Not only was he not in the same league with them, it wasn't even the same universe!

Jessica skated forward, pinning him between the barrier and her body.

"It's you, you dope." She draped her arms around his neck. "Who else has gone out of their way so many times to make me stop crying and encourage me?"

His smile reappeared. "You are pretty lucky, aren't you?"

He held her close as he sought her lips.

She hummed her agreement in the midst of it.

Her eyebrow raised in expectation once the kiss ended.

Seth took her hand again and pulled her back out on the rink.

"Yes, you are very lucky, Iowa." He continued. "But nowhere near as lucky as me."

[yes-perwallstedt]

The Wild have a matinee home game on my birthday so I was planning to make a day trip up to the cities as a treat, but my skating club has decided to put our winter show that day and skipping it is absolutely not an option unless I want to spend the next 8-9 months being guilt-tripped by a tiny Russian woman.

And Iowa’s on the road that weekend so I can’t even go see my local boys as a birthday treat 😔

[nityarawal]

11/18/22

Afternoon Songs

Dosy-Doe Out The Door

Sitting At Home

Warm And Cozy

In My New Sherpa

Electric Fleece Blanket

Making The Cold Mountains

Seem Warmer

Drinking Pommegranite Juice

Holing Up

I Could Be Driving Hours

To Call SSI

Jump Thru Hoops

To Confirm I'm Hungry

And Need Cal Fresh

Still Of Course

Like Last Month 

When They Threatened

The Same Way

Got Their Urgent Letter

Left A Message Yesterday

It's Too Much

50 Billion

Living Below The Poverty Line

I See Your Issues America

I Witnessed Them 

Through Divorce

So I Can Aid

Speak Up

Where Are All The People

Fell Through The Cracks

Be A Witness

To #FreeBritney

And Millions Attacked

We Don't Want Your

#CareCourt

Your Medical Mistakes

2 Clark Attys

1 Judge Clark

And A Editor Couple

Owns Idyllwild Town 

Crier 

I Dated Andy Byrd Clark

When I Was 15

He Drove With Me

In My Red Alpha Romeo

Making My Permit Legal

He Never Slept With Me

He Was A Handsome

Smokey Eyed Model

Type From Bozeman

Montana

Big Boned And Blonde

Rugged

Divine

He Wrote Cartoons and Poetry For Illustrating Little

Birds Of Love

Nity-Bird He Called

The Character

Who Was Meant To 

Be Me

Tiny Tweetie

With Freckles

Andy Byrd Was My

Best Friend For Years

In College

Until He Vanished

In Florida Keys

He Stayed In Touch

For Years

Always Called

Modeling

Scubadiving

We Looked For Him

On Facebook

MUM

MIU Community

Have You Seen

Andy Byrd Clark

It's A Mystery

When He Was Dating

Devi I Met Him

He Asked Me Out

That Night

"But Is It OK With Her?"

I Asked

"Yes"- Was His Reply

"Because I Like You,"

Helped Me Clean Up 

Late Night Jacuzzi Party

He Lingered

To Ask Me Out

Gentlemanly-Like

Us

I Called Devi Just To Confirm

"Are You Sure?"

She Said She Had No 

Choice- "He Likes You,"

"OK We'll See What Happens,"

We Fell In Love

Nity-Byrd

And Andy-Byrd

Were so Happy We Flew

Mr. Hansen

My Drivers Ed Teacher

Could Never Catch Me

Breaking The Law

For I Had My 23 Year Old

Ken Doll

Andy Byrd

Planted By My Side

In Iowa Your Legal 

To Drive At 14

If You Have A Permit

And An Adult

In The Passenger Seat

Andy Byrd Was A Good

Alibi - My Ken Doll

No One Could Believe 

We Were So Lucky

We Fell Out 8 Months

Later After Snuggling

And Surviving Cold Sub-Zero Winter

A Stupid Fight Over A

Late Video On A Colf

Winters Night

Subzero

And My Reputation

On The Line

The Next Night

Andy Byrd Slept

With A Best Friend Vayya

I Guess 8 Months

Was Too Long

Too Wait

I Wore Sexy Mini Dresses

Electric Blue

Bought In Iowa City

At Catherine's Boutique

Latest Rage

Offset My Suntan Nicely

A Black Push Up Bra

And A Mermaid Blue

Swimsuit

Paddleball

He Wanted Me Back

He Slept With Another MSAE Sister

And I Could Only

Tease Him After That

Andy Byrd

My First Big Bird

Andy Bird Divine

Why'd You Have To Be A "Clark"

We're You Sent To Witchhunt

Divas

And Debutantes 

Of Fairfield Iowa

You Tripped For Years

Partied Hard

With The Bros

And Karate Boys Club

Dated The Prettiest

Petite Delicate

Foreigners

First Katya

A Russian New York

Belly Dancer

Pretty Gypsy With A Pierced Nose

Like Radha

Worked So Hard 

At The Cafe

No Time To Play

Krishna Eyes

Then Claudia

The Littlest

Barbie

Mini Glamour Gal 

Latina

From Dominica

You Ever Saw

She Had Perfect Bone

Structure

The Little Birds

Just Kept Getting Smaller

Until One Day

We Flew Off

And Now In My 40's

Am Flapping My

Wings On Twitter

Wondering What Happened

To Your Mom

Paula Clark

What Happened To Your 

Rellies In Montana 

And Why'd Monika's 

Sister Ildi Marry

Dr. Jason Clark 

Child Psychologist Off Match.com

Why'd A Fairfield Girl

From Budapest Hungary 

A Montessori Teacher

I Almost Hired

For "™" School

Why Was She Engaged 

To My Tween Boyfriend

Josha And Why'd

She Marry My Best Friend's

X Off Match.com

Dr. Jason Clark

Tests The Little People 

Why Didn't He Help

My Children Speak Up

And Why'd His Sister

Monika Marry My

Other Teen Love

Kelsey  Mullen

Why'd These Gals Witch Hunt

Us Like Communists

From College

Monika Tried To Set

Up Brotherly Haydn

Before Ildiko Went 

Off The Market

Haydy Said

"I Wish She Was More

Like Her Little Sister,"

Strange That He Would Go

Get Hunted Down

On Match.com

When He Was Once

Intuitive

And Avoided

A Fodor Gal

Monika Set Up

My X With Her Best Friend

Sonya Sweitch Goodwin

A Massage Therapist

From Texas

A Marine's Daughter

Doing Happy Endings

Also Going Through Divorce

Tried To Set Me Up 

With Her X Loser Husband

Keith

She Festered In My Family

Like Her Lacy Flat Chested

Nylon Tube Top Bra

In My Lexus Glovebox

Box with All My Toyota Receipts

From The Hit And Run

Khaki

Poly

Is That What She Seduced

Him With

Left In My Drawer

To Shock Me

Before Sending Pictures 

Of Her Tired Breasts To Darin

On My Drop Box

To Crash My Computer

System

He Liked Them

Is That Why Monika

And Ildiko Chased

Us From Iowa

To Encinitas

"When Your Karmas

Over- It's Over,"

My Mom Said

Monika Acted Surprised

Said She Didn't Know

About Her Best Friend

Sonya

And Sunil

Told Me Lots Of Lies

When They Came Out

With Vasectomy

And Boob Job

4 Months Later

Monika Seemed 

Surprised

Shocked

And I Bought

Her Honeyed Gaslighting

Because I wanted My

Sisters To Love Me

So That's The Saga

Of The Hungarian Sisters

Who Came Into My

Family

Duplicitous

Now Go 

That's The Story Of How

We Got Bulldozed

By Monika Fodor

And Her Family

Maybe Another Spy

Maybe Cambridge Analytica

Always Seemed She

Thought She Was In A Club

With My X

We Thought It Was European

But Maybe Something More

Post Apocalypse

Plea Bargains

For She Was The One

Of Many

That Dosy-Doed

Me Out The Door

Nitya Nella Davigo Azam Moezzi Huntley Rawal 

[folkpunkchicken]

The Day Before the Music Died

Journal Entry: Feb. 2, 1959

It was a cold winter morning as I sat in my seat waiting for the plane to take off. We had just played a show the previous day and we were up the rest of the night having trouble with our tour bus. As I sat there in that cramped plane, my back ached due to the seat being stiff and cold. We were all tired and ready for the tour to be over. The whole day has been one disaster after another and I know this may sound a little morbid, but quite frankly dying seemed more appealing right now rather than making it to our next show.

Buddy stopped scribbling notes down in his journal as he looked up and stared out the tiny plane window. He couldn't see anything but the soul-draining darkness of a dimly lit runway and the dauntingly long flight with barely anytime to sleep before their next destination. They had had a hell of a long night and at this point, they all wished that they could call it quits and go home.

Glancing over his shoulder were Valens and ol' Bopper passed out in the seats behind him. Picking up his pen and journal once again Buddy began jotting down some thoughts about last nights show.

I am so tired, but I can't sleep on plane rides. At least it's finally warm though and we're done dealing with that god damn tour bus.

That show was one of the coldest nights that we had played. We had arrived at the venue in Clear Lake, Iowa, tired, cold, and worn out from constant traveling. To be honest, my heart wasn't really in it that night, but we pulled ourselves together and got ready for the show anyways. That's show biz for ya'.

Surf Ballroom was actually really nice though, better than some of the places we've played recently. The room had a sort of classiness that made us feel more like theater musicians rather than a bunch of no-good rockstars playing that devil's rock n' roll music. It was fun. While we got ready for the show, I remember Ritchie and I were tuning our guitars and practicing a little bit when J.P. called out from across the dance floor holding a drink and a fat cigar. "Quit practicing so much, you're already big shots. Come have a drink and relax a little!"

We finally got everything set up and we were ready for sound check, or the "pre-show" as some of us called it jokingly, because, usually we went ahead and ran through most of our songs for that night plus jamming a little bit too.

After we were all set up, it was time to have a beer and relax for a minute before going out on stage again. Having downtime, seldom as it was is important to us because life on the road wasn't easy, not in the least bit. I mean sure it was fun, for a while, but after a while you wake up and you realize that your whole life is coming and going to different cities, setting up and then playing a show late into the night, then hitting the hay and waking up the next morning in another city ready to do it all over again. It was exhausting.

Eventually it came time to play the show and I have to say, as tired as we were the show rocked. From the minute that we opened with the first sing to the last song that we played it was a night filled with musical wonder. At least for us, and I hope it was the same for our fans. The music that night just felt somehow magical as if it just made your soul feel at home. We played with all our hearts, as if it'd be like our last show or something. It of course wasn't going to be. We still had to finish the tour. Our next show was going to be in Fargo N.D. Anyway, I guess I feel that if we walked away right now and that show in the Surf Ballroom in little ol' Clear Lake, Iowa was our last, well I think I'd be okay with that.

After the show had ended, I remember two boys running up to me. One of them said "Buddy, Buddy, Buddy. I want to be just like you some day." The other said that I was a hero. I feel bad that I don't remember either of their names, but it was sweet. We had packed up everything from the show and now it was time to hit the road.

Buddy set his pen down and let his journal fall on his lap as he slowly drifted off to sleep and to be at peace with his music.

Leading up to this point after the three rockstar icons got the tour bus packed and were ready to go abd get out of the freezing cold February winter their in the middle of nowhere Iowa, they were told by the driver that the heater on the bus was out. Tired and a little cranky Buddy spoke up for the gang and said a harsh "No! We are not taking this bus. I'll arrange for a plane to fly us."

They all boarded the flight not knowing that they were entering the final gates of life.

Surf Ballroom in little ol' Clear Lake, Iowa was indeed a memorable final show for Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper, but it was only the beginning of an amazing journey of rock n' roll history that those three men had pioneered together.

R.I.P. Boys

[asgoodasrocks]

As Good as Anything

BY ALICE NOTLEY

I don't see the point of

remembering you; you're too boring,

Iowa City, Iowa,

much duller topologically than

Needles, California. I'm here

in the Rebel Motel, with

my grape-colored sweater

and maté tea, whose smoky odor's

bound up with first rooms and foods here

sex and snow. I

write about Needles

Herman and rocks, the story's called

“As Good as Anything,” and in it

daft Herman—true local

of Needles—says

“Rocks is as good as anything.”

I figured that out summer after

first love affair in New York:

hung out, home, at a rock shop

inspecting geodes and thunder eggs

Arsenic samples and petrified

dinosaur dung.

What can I say about Iowa City

everyone's an academic poetry

groupie, I haven't yet written a poem,

there's a bar where for 25 cents a

meal of boiled egg and tiny beer.

Really I don't know what kind of poetry—

what's the name of the make they

use here—or what kinds of

poetry live people write in the world.

Is there a right and wrong poetry, one might

still ask as I patronize,

retrospectively, the Iowa style,

characterized, as I remember,

by the assumption of desperation

boredom behind two-story houses

divorce, incomes, fields, pigs,

getting into pants, well not really

in poems, well no “well”s and all

in the costive mode

of men who—and the suicidal women—

want to be culpable for something,

settle for being mean to their wives

and writing dour stanzas. God this is bitchy

I modeled for art classes

that's rather interesting

the hypocrisy: nobody needs

to paint nude women

they just like to. So here I am

naked for art, which is a lot of

dumb fucks I already know,

same with poetry.

Written and judged by. Those befoibled guys

who think—you know—

the poetic moment's a pocket in

pool; where can I publish it; what can

I do to my second or third wife now.

Nothing happens in Iowa, so

can I myself change here? Yes

I can start to become contemptuous

is that good or bad, probably bad.

In New York I'd developed a philosophy

of sympathy and spiritual equality:

out the window, easily, upon

my first meeting real assholes.

“A rock's as good as anything”

there are no rocks in Iowa

shit-black soil, a tree or two,

no mountain or tall edifice,

University drabs, peeping Toms, anti-war

riots, visiting poets

treated like royalty, especially if

they fuck the locals or have a record

of fighting colorfully with their wives.

You can go to the movies once a week,

like in Needles. You can fuck

a visiting poet; you can be paraded before

a visiting poet as fuckable but not fuck.

You can write your first poems

thinking you might as well

since the most stupid people in the universe

are writing their five hundredth here.

I'm doing that now. What

difference does it make.

I like my poems. They're

as good as rocks.

[exploretouristplaces]

4 Fun Things to Do in Winslow, Arizona

Winslow, Arizona, is a small town located in Navajo County. According to the 2010 census, the city had a population of 9,655. It is situated about 57 miles from Flagstaff, 240 miles west of Albuquerque, and 329 miles southeast of Las Vegas.

1. Old Trails Museum

The Old Trails Museum in Winslow, AZ, is an outstanding cultural attraction. Its collection of local artifacts spans the span of time from the earliest inhabitants to the present. The collection is truly a treasure trove. It's a must-visit, whether you're visiting from out-of-town or just looking to get a feel for the area.

The museum's gift shop focuses on Hopi art and is a great way to purchase a unique item. The shop also supports local Native artists and the museum's mission to promote local art. If you are visiting Winslow, Arizona, you can also support the Old Trails Museum through the purchase of a gift.

The museum features local history and is staffed by a helpful, knowledgeable staff. Visitors must wear masks for the tour, but this is a fun way to learn more about the area. Reservations are necessary and can be made online or the day of your visit. I found the tour staff very friendly and knowledgeable.

A visit to the Old Trails Museum in Winslow, AZ is a unique and enjoyable way to learn about the history of the town and the area. The collections of the museum include artifacts from the Santa Fe Railway, the Harvey Girls, and US Route 66. This museum is located in the historic district across from Standin' on the Corner Park. It is open to the public and is free to enter. The museum also welcomes group tours and research appointments.

The Old Trails Museum is located in the historic downtown of Winslow, Arizona. The historic building that houses the museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was formerly a bank and featured a marble counter and vault. Today, the museum exhibits cover the history of Winslow, the area ranches, and Fred Harvey's La Posada Hotel.

Also Read: 11 Fun Things To Do In Newton Iowa

2. Church of the Mother Road

The Church of the Mother Road in Winslow is a small structure just seven by four feet. It is the smallest church on Route 66 and it has two benches, an altar and just enough room for a minister. The church was built in 2012 by the family of Leroy Austin Kenna. The building was built in memory of Kenna's father and features an old window from an old Mormon church.

The historic district of Winslow includes buildings such as the Navajo County Bank Building and the U.S. Post Office at 219 Williamson Avenue. Other notable buildings in the area include the Lorenzo Hubbell Trading Post and Warehouse and St. Joseph Parish. You may also want to check out the Tiny Church of the Mother Road, which is said to be the world's smallest church.

The Eagles recorded the song "Take it Easy" in 1972. The song mentions this corner in Winslow. The corner is now home to the Tiny Church of the Mother Road. This building sits at 116 East Second Street and is officially known as the world's smallest church.

The Old Trails Museum in Winslow, Arizona is another historical attraction worth checking out. The museum houses extensive archives and collections donated by local residents. The exhibit traces the town's frontier past. In its early days, Winslow was a major transcontinental travel stop. The town was along the Santa Fe Railway and Route 66.

Another interesting attraction in Winslow, Arizona is the Meteor Crater. This 550-foot deep crater was formed by a meteor impact about 50,000 years ago. The museum, which is privately owned, features a number of interactive displays and a huge meteorite fragment.

Also Read: 21 Must Visit Places In Miami

3. Turquoise Room restaurant

Located in the La Posada Hotel, the Turquoise Room restaurant is known for its innovative regional cuisine. This restaurant features decor that is typical of Arizona. It also has a beautiful view of the mountains. It is a favorite destination among Arizonans.

The Turquoise Room is an award-winning restaurant in Winslow, Arizona. It has won a number of accolades including being named one of the Top 5 Hotel Restaurants in the U.S. by Conde Nast. The restaurant is run by John Sharpe, who won a semi-finalist award for Best Chef of the Southwest in 2012. Sharpe previously owned a number of successful restaurants in Orange County, California. He decided to relocate to a more secluded area to enjoy the solitude.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The signature dish of the Turquoise Room is its bean soup. It's also known for its corn bread. The restaurant is associated with the La Posada Hotel and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The ambiance of this charming hotel has been successfully captured in the restaurant.

For those looking for authentic Arizona cuisine in a relaxing setting, Turquoise Room restaurant is a must-visit. It features a beautiful dining room and excellent service. Its dishes are based on Navajo and Hopi crops and evoke the spirit of the Southwest.

The restaurant offers several special menus throughout the year. During the holidays, the Turquoise Room also offers special events and holidays menus. You'll find delicious American fare here, including traditional Southwestern dishes that pay homage to the Fred Harvey Company.

For a hearty meal, check out the killer vegetable plate. This plate features a variety of vegetables and a blue corn tamale filled with vegetables. You'll also find fresh corn on the cob and chili stuffed with cheese. Whether you're craving a savory meal or a savory side dish, you'll be pleased with the selections at Turquoise Room restaurant in Winslowed, Arizona.

Also Read: 21 Best Things To Do In Key Biscayne 

4. Apache Death Cave

Apache Death Cave is a historical relic near Winslow, Arizona, that memorializes a tragic chapter in tribal history. The cave was created following the 1878 massacre of the Navajo people. The entrance is located in a stone building near a gas station, and a wooden ramp leads down to the cave. Though there are still some hazards inside, visitors can still enter with good shoes, a flashlight, and a steady hand.

Two Guns, Arizona offers an entertaining history of Apache Death Cave, and it contains many facts that can be found nowhere else. It is the first history to mention the cave, and subsequent retellings have largely drawn upon it. However, there is no solid evidence that it was actually used as an Apache dwelling, and Richardson's article may be exaggerated.

The Apache Death Cave was created on an unfortunate evening, and there is still no proof of the Apache entering it. However, it remains a fascinating site that offers an eerie glimpse into Arizona's violent past. There is a rumor that Russell Crowe is planning to film a movie here, but he has not confirmed the rumor. There are several legends associated with Apache Death Cave. In the past, it has been the site of several fires, a landowner's murder, and numerous accidents on Route 66.

Apache Death Cave was once a trading post where Apaches lived. The cave was eventually turned into a tourist attraction, where tourists could purchase skeletal remains and learn about the history of the area. In the 1970s, a man named Harry Miller had leased the site from the Cundiff family. Miller turned the abandoned trading post into a tourist trap. He began selling Apache skulls and Native animal bones.

While visiting Apache Death Cave, you should avoid bringing children under the age of 10. Children under the age of four should be accompanied by an adult. This way, children are safe from harm.

Also Read: 21 Best Parks In Miami Fl

[pinervista]

Shine song buddy

He added, “But I’d spend the night at his house, and lots of times he’d spend the night at mine. But whereas others preferred Grand Ole Opry-type country music, Buddy and I liked to listen to rhythm ‘n’ blues. We being Buddy, me, Jack Neil and Don Guess. “Also, Buddy was kind of a smart aleck, and I liked that. He had loads of charisma, and always went all out. “One reason I was drawn to Buddy,” said Allison, “was because he practiced like he was in concert. He has been inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, and, in 2012, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would correct its 1986 mistake and induct the Crickets, including Allison, to join Buddy Holly. Allison had become interested in drums as a fifth grader, never knowing his style would later be studied. Holly and Allison had written the song in Allison’s tiny bedroom, which can be toured today at the Allison home, located next to the Buddy Holly Center.Īllison, 79, mentioned this week from his 50-acre Tennessee farm that he met Holly at J.T. He later traveled with Allison, Mauldin and Sullivan to Petty’s studio in Clovis, where they recorded a 1957 demo of “That’ll Be the Day,” this time with Holly playing lead guitar. Holly was discouraged by early sessions with a country producer in Nashville. Curtis recalled this week that Holly, Allison and Mauldin “met in Clovis and decided to continue as a three-piece.” When the latter decided he did not want to tour, Petty suggested that Holly hire Sonny Curtis as a replacement. The original two guitarists were Holly and rhythm guitarist Niki Sullivan. Unlike most in that era, he wrote, recorded and produced his own material - and he was among the first musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He is regarded as the artist who defined the traditional band lineup for rock ‘n’ roll: two guitars, bass and drums. He didn’t want to go, but he had to make some money.”ĭespite his comparatively short career, Holly influenced the music industry. Jennings told Rolling Stone magazine in 1973, “The only reason Buddy went on that tour was because he was broke. As Allison and Mauldin were unavailable, Holly hired drummer Carl Bunch, guitarist Allsup and bass player Jennings as his backing band. With Holly having received no royalty payments from producer Petty, Holly joined the Winter Dance Party because he needed a paycheck. Allison and Mauldin, joined by Sonny Curtis, were working as the Crickets at Norman Petty’s recording studio in Clovis, N.M. 15, 1958 - settled in New York City, Holly was using his own name. While Holly and his newlywed wife, Maria Elena - married on Aug. Holly had temporarily separated from the original Crickets: best friend Jerry “J.I.” Allison on drums, and standup bassist Joe B. 3, 1959, became known as “the day the music died.” It wasn’t until Don McLean released “American Pie” in 1972 that Feb. Holly’s drummer, Carl Bunch, was left behind in Wisconsin, hospitalized for frostbite experienced on the freezing bus. Tommy Allsup lost a coin flip with Valens for the remaining seat. Waylon Jennings gave his seat to the Big Bopper, who had the flu. Holly’s two remaining band members did not board the plane. The destination for the plane, a Beechcraft Bonanza, was Fargo, N.D., the nearest airport to Moorhead. Unable to arrive at Clear Lake’s Surf Ballroom until 6 p.m., Holly decided to charter a plane for his band rather than ride the same bus 500 more miles the next day for a concert in Moorhead, Minn. 2, 1959, 350 miles away, in Clear Lake, Iowa. It was a school bus and we slept on the luggage racks, and it (the bus) kept breaking down.”Īmong those traveling on the bus: Holly and his three-piece tour band, and also Valens, The Big Bopper and Dion & The Belmonts. With temperatures consistently dipping below zero, the heating system in the bus did not work.ĭion DiMucci, leader of Dion & The Belmonts, was quoted in /stories: “It was a rough winter, and we didn’t have those beautiful luxury touring buses. Riding in the bus between concert sites was considered torture. Shows were very well supported, but travel conditions were miserable. The 1959 tour was called the Winter Dance Party. Witcher, recently promoted to assistant city manager, had been managing director of the Buddy Holly Center and other cultural facilities.īober added she felt a need to take over the Saturday tour of Holly landmarks after the 2011 death of Holly historian Bill Griggs. 3 fell on a Super Bowl Sunday, there was a sum total of 10 people at the Buddy Holly Center, and five of them were staff.” “Brooke (Witcher) told me the last time that Feb.

[tinyhomesofiowa]

Maximizing the Potential of Your Property: A Professional Guide to Building an ADU in Iowa 

In today's regularly changing real estate market, homeowners are constantly searching for ways to maximize the value of their properties. A common option is constructing an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). However, what precisely constitutes an ADU? 

Adu: What Exactly Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

An accessory dwelling unit refers to a second living space developed in the same lot as a principal residence. It could be attached, detached, or converted from an existing structure like a garage or basement. Accessory Dwelling Units will offer more choices of housing by a homeowner to his extended family members or extra rent revenue.

There are many advantages to having an ADU when you go with a professional design and build construction company. For property owners, it is a means of improving property value and potentially receiving rental income. Among extended families, it's a private space near loved ones. For renters, it's an inexpensive housing option in a desirable location like Des Moines or Iowa City.

Advantages of Constructing an Adu in Iowa 

Building an ADU in Iowa offers numerous advantages. Foremost, it enables homeowners to maximize their property's capabilities. Adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) expands your living area, thus raising the value of your property. 

Additionally, constructing with ADU builders in Iowa allows you to access the strong rental market in your city. Due to the increasing population and scarce housing, there is a great need for rental properties. Renting your ADU can generate consistent earnings that can help cover the costs of your investment. 

Having an ADU in Iowa also provides cost-effective housing options. Renting an ADU is more affordable than renting a larger home, which appeals to renters looking for affordability in popular cities and neighborhoods in the state. 

Understanding Adu Regulations in Iowa 

Understanding the ADU regulations is essential before starting your project in Iowa. In the last 5 years, new laws have simplified the process of constructing ADUs by making permits easier to obtain, lowering fees, and even providing a tax abatement in Des Moines. 

Main regulations consist of size limitations for ADUs determined by the size of the main house or lot, setback regulations, parking requirements (often adjustable), and mandatory owner occupancy rules. To make sure you follow the rules, contact Tiny Homes of Iowa for the necessary information in your city or county. 

Tips for maximizing space and functionality when designing your ADU. 

Efficiently maximizing every inch is crucial when designing your ADU. A design and build construction company also suggests the right plans according to your space. Choose open floor layouts to achieve a sense of roominess. Sofa beds and storage solutions are examples of multi-functional furniture that optimize functionality. Utilize shelves and built-in elements to maximize vertical storage and explore the option of incorporating outdoor areas if there is enough space available. 

Exploring the various options for funding your ADU project. 

You can finance your ADU project with personal savings, home equity loans, construction loans, or specialized ADU financing programs in Iowa. Carefully assess each choice with guidance from a financial advisor. At Tiny Homes of Iowa, we have teamed up with credit unions in the area and national funding partners to assist you in securing the optimal financing for your ADU. 

Understanding Rental Regulations and Securing Tenants for Your Adu 

Before renting out your ADU, make sure to familiarize yourself with your city's rental laws to avoid any issues. Thoroughly vet potential renters and promote your accessory dwelling unit (ADU) effectively. Sustain positive tenant connections to ensure extended tenancy. 

Final Thought: 

Constructing an ADU or Tiny home in Des Moines or Iowa city is a smart decision for enhancing your property's worth and flexibility. Comprehend rules, work through approvals, plan effectively, and invest strategically to build an ADU that enhances both your well-being and your properties value.

[tinyhousecalling]

c.1900 351 Sq Ft Tiny Bungalow Close to Downtown Iowa City $95,000

c.1900 351 Sq Ft Tiny Bungalow Close to Downtown Iowa City $95,000

Quite possibly THE cutest & smallest little bungalow in Iowa City. This adorable little Bungalow comes with a rental permit. 910 Highland Ave, Iowa City, IA, 52240 $95,000 1 bed 1 bath 351 sq ft 2,280 sq ft lot Build date 1900 Google Map Property Listing Realtor: Cindy Clark Urban Acres Real Estate Related: 687 Sq Ft Cute Small House on 4.63 Acre Lot w/ Pond in Atlanta MI About This c.1900 351…

[aiweirdness]

Planet Earth From Above

Melbourne, Australia: home of kangaroos, botanical gardens, and a surreal monolith, jutting impossibly tall and narrow above its unassuming neighbors.

[images from a video by reddit user fulltimespy, in a successful completion of the Monolith Challenge]

This is the virtual Melbourne of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, where players are flocking to see the weird building and, naturally, land on its roof, before the game is patched and the monolith disappears.

How did this happen? Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 uses AI to fill in building details from a combination of satellite images and crowdsourced data from Open Street Maps. And at one point, someone who was entering building height data for Melbourne made a typo, accidentally changing a building height of 2 stories to 212. Monoliths are gradually being discovered in other places as well.

Even barring typos, the task of reconstructing every building in the world from height data and satellite photos is really tough. A roof’s details might give clues about whether a structure is a historic villa or an office block, but it’s easy to make mistakes if, for example, you don’t know what the Washington Monument is.

[screenshot posted by Reddit user NightReaper3210]

Because a nondescript office building is a reasonable default guess given a square building pad and a many-story height, the AI will tend to populate the planet with them unless specifically told otherwise. The Statue of Liberty, the Taj Mahal, and the Eiffel Tower are all lavishly hand-modeled in 3D. But The Motherland Calls statue of Volgograd is a condo high-rise, Buckingham Palace is an apartment complex, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a vertical concrete silo, and the Pyramid of the Sun is a nondescript warehouse with a hilarious tiny dome on its roof.

[screenshot, posted on reddit by l4adventure]

The AI is also making its best guesses when it comes to traffic patterns. It knew that this Boston street intersected a building somehow but didn’t know that the road passed through the building via tunnel. So it had the traffic drive up the side of the building.

Other terrain glitches force the traffic to do even weirder things. If the road is suddenly tilted vertically along the wall of a newly created canyon in northwest Iowa, the traffic will still drive on the road, just… sideways.

Water levels in particular seem prone to being incorrect, sometimes drastically so. The Pingualuit Impact Crater of northern Canada was apparently inverted by one of these glitches.

[image by reddit user NovaSilisko]

Bergen, Norway, has been transformed by this bug into canyonlike terrain, its buildings forced to adapt to the suddenly steep ground, their roofs rising like mushrooms for dozens of stories. It’s otherworldly, unrecognizable.

[screenshot by Mikael Privatby]

Greenland, on the other hand, is terrifying. The available terrain and satellite data is less precise, so pixels are sometimes visible as square-edged neighborhood-sized patches of gravel. The far north is marked by 20,000 foot ice walls, improbable ice spikes, and strange shimmering rifts. The geographic North Pole itself is unreachable; players report that any attempt to descend below 2,000 feet results in the player being rocketed skyward by a strange repulsion force.

[20,000 foot ice wall image: reddit user unrelentingdespair]

[screenshot near the north pole: reddit user Feydakin_G]

Some Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 players are thrilled with the unusual terrain, while others are disappointed when the photorealism is broken, and/or when their city’s distinctive architecture and most beloved landmarks are replaced by nondescript concrete jungle. The AI itself isn’t going to be able to reconstruct the world’s weirdness from satellite photos, so already people are crowdsourcing hand-modeled landmarks. You can install an add-on to convert Stonehenge, for example, from a miniature flattened Spinal Tap version to a full-sized 3D model.

As the developers tweak their algorithms and fix other things by hand, slowly the weirdness will be ironed out, the rivers and lakes set back in their beds, the statues restored to their detailed glory. Many will be disappointed when it happens - I’ll particularly miss the Melbourne Monolith. It would be nice to have a weirdness slider that goes from normal to Ragnarok, amplifying terrain chaos, perhaps adding the occasional floating mountain range or lava lake.

Subscribers get bonus content: I prompted GPT-3 to write an Atlas Obscura entry for the Melbourne Monolith. It added entries for a few other Melbourne landmarks, like the Artificial Gardens of Loria and The Very Pickled Centurion (did you know that the Lost Bar, like the Australian rules football lounge, is 10,000 light years away from the city it's located in?)

[aqueducts of Denali, screenshot by daveonthenet]

My book on AI, You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why it’s Making the World a Weirder Place, is available wherever books are sold: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Indiebound - Tattered Cover - Powell’s - Boulder Bookstore

[bearsinpotatosacks]

The crew visit each other's home towns:

Jim-

They visit Iowa briefly, since there's still some (a lot) pain about there

They do see the first house he had after running away at 18

And the motorbike he stole and later crashed a year later

And a field near a river full of wildflowers that was his safe place

Uhura-

She lived in many places in Kenya in her life (because of the different schools she went to)

But she lived in Nairobi the longest

She takes them to some touristy places and some hidden gems

They have to be told to leave the museum because it's past closing time and they're all history nerds

She also shows them a few restaurants she still adores and plenty of places where they understand why she fell in love with learning languages and about cultures

Chekov-

There are plenty of complaints over the cold

But after bundling up they explore

Chekov is exploring a lot too, because despite how well versed he is in his country's history, he was studying so much as a kid he never truly explored the city

They go for long walks around the city and even get a boat out for a day

But they also visit his mother's grave, somewhere he hadn't visited since her funeral in 2249

Scotty-

He too never had a permanent home for too long as a kid, because his parents' jobs meant they had to move around

But he went to University in Aberdeen, and that's where his grandparents live, so they explore Aberdeen

They go to a few museums and gardens, and definitely a few castles where Jim tries not to fall in love too much with the idea of being a knight to Spock

They also see the place where he came up with the Aberdeen solution and realise even more that Scotty is really skilled because, let's just say, he didn't exactly have Starfleet level equipment to work with (he was 15)

They also go for afternoon tea

Scotty gets loads of sandwiches and is happy

Bones-

The first day is difficult

Not too difficult, he visited Georgia with Jim to clean up his apartment and look for a nice rural ranch style house

He takes them peach picking and spends a day making loads of recipes with them

They also meet the McCoys and realise that Bones truly comes from a sweet, close, accepting Southern family

They also go riding in a local forest

Spock takes some convincing to go because he's terrified of horses

It does create some peace about Georgia though and Bones becomes even more southern due to the troubles being settled

Sulu-

Sulu was raised in San Francisco (where all the crew lived at some point)

So they don't think they can really "discover" it

But Sulu proves them wrong

They meet up with Ben and Demora

They visit his childhood home, go to some botanical gardens and visit the racetrack where he realised his talent for being a pilot/driver

Sulu shows them all the tiny, backstreet restaurants that he loves, and they see how at home he is there, much more than any of them were

Spock-

He gets kinda sad after they visit everyone's childhood homes

Because, you know, his entire planet was destroyed

But he does show them New Vulcan and takes them to various places he's visited that feel like home

And the crew try to make the Enterprise feel like more home

They have group dinners and parties and dance battles and want to show him that they're his family and can be his home

He gratefully accepts

Wow, that got a bit sappy at the end, huh? I hope you enjoyed this, I really like creating stuff for the characters' lives before they met and pre-Starfleet years. If anyone has any of their own ideas I'd love to hear them!

[shirtlesssammy]

5x21: Two Minutes to Midnight

Then:

The End is Nigh

Now:

Davenport, Iowa

We begin this episode with Pestilence paying an ailing woman a visit. He’s riddled her with more diseases than she can handle. What an experiment!

One Day Earlier

At Bobby’s, Sam’s getting an earful from Dean about his plan to say yes to Lucifer. Dean gets a call from Cas. Dean wants to know where he is --they all thought he was dead. He’s in a hospital. He’s not one for conversation at the moment, but does tell Dean that he just woke up in the hospital. Dean tells him their next step: get Pestilence. 

For Hospital Bed Science:

Cas groans in pain and tells Dean he can’t fly anywhere. He’s thirsty, and his head aches, and he has a bug bite, and he’s all so very... Dean finishes his thought with, “human”. Cas needs money for pain meds and travel expenses. 

Also, he stops Dean from hanging up and says that he owes him an apology. “You are not the burnt and broken shell of a man that I believed you to be,” he confesses. Dean’s awkward about such a solemn apology. I’m soft about how soft this moment is. 

The brothers head out to scope out the convalescent home where Pestilence chills. They knock out the security guard to watch video footage of the place. 

Eventually Sam notices the camera flickering with one person. They head out to find him. 

As Pestilence is taking care of Cold Open Celeste, a demon comes in to warn him about the Winchesters. He’s upset over what they did to his brothers, and wants revenge. The demon reminds him he’s not supposed to hurt “the vessels”. He doesn’t care and starts hurting everyone in the building. 

Sam and Dean start coughing, and struggle to keep walking. They both collapse outside Pestilence’s door. They’re now riddled with disease, just like Celeste. While the boys struggle on the ground, Pestilence gets to monologue a bit about the frailty of humans. 

Enter one VERY human-like angel. Yeah, poor Cas is just as affected as the Winchesters. Pestilence laughs, “There's not a speck of angel in you, is there?” Cas then lunges at him, and cuts his ring finger right off. “Maybe just a speck.” Oh Cas, you badass. Never change. 

The demon attacks, and he knifes her. Pestilence disappears, but not before ominously stating, “It’s too late.” 

And now they have three rings. 

At Bobby’s, Dean asks for some good news. Bobby tells them that Chicago is about to get hit with the storm of the millennium. Three million people are going to die. 

GOOD NEWS, Bobby! Or as Cas deadpans, “I don’t understand your definition of ‘good news’.” 

Bobby points out that Death will be there. They still need his ring. 

Sam wonders how Bobby knows all this. Enter Crowley. 

Bobby admits to selling his soul to Crowley. Dean demands that Crowley give it back. Sam wonders if Bobby had to kiss him. Bobby denies it --but Crowley’s got proof. Of course. 

Crowley won’t give back Bobby’s soul as insurance that the Winchesters won’t kill him. I mean, I kind of have to side with Crowley here. He’s being REALLY generous even considering giving back Bobby’s soul. Bobby sold it fair and square. He’s getting information from Crowley in return. 

Later, by the Impala, Dean and Sam talk. Sam admits that he has his doubts about his plan as much as the rest of them. “You, Bobby, Cas...I'm the least of any of you.” Like, OUCH, Samuel. We deep dive into Dean’s self-worth issues on the regular, but let’s just pause and reflect on the younger sibling right now. 

Sam’s all they got though, so they have to try. 

Crowley interrupts the broment with news about the world. It seems that Pestilence was spreading Swine Flu, and Sam’s old buddy Brady’s company was cranking out the vaccine --only it was full of Croatoan virus not a cure. If this vaccine is distributed nationwide, it’ll all be over.

Cas and Bobby pack up the van. Cas is...moody. He mourns the loss of his angelic might. The only thing he has available to him now...is a shotgun. (Starts humming) Bobby tells him to quit whining and load the truck. 

The teams finish packing for their respective hunts. Sam waxes nostalgically about the simpler days of hunting monsters. Dean doesn’t think it was ever simple. Crowley interrupts and presents Dean with Death’s own scythe (in travel-sized form). 

Crowley urges Bobby to stand up and get ready to fight. He reveals that he inserted a little healing clause into Bobby’s soul deal that healed Bobby’s paralysis. Bobby stands up triumphantly. 

Later, Sam, Bobby, and Cas drive towards the Croatoan virus operation. Cas reflects on Sam’s idea to toss himself into the pit along with Lucifer. He thinks it’s a solid plan. 

Cas passes along some new intel about the archangel prize fight: Michael has taken Adam as a vessel. He warns Sam that failing to control Lucifer means that the apocalypse will happen, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Oh, and “there’s also the demon blood…” Sam will have to drink gallons of blood in order to be strong enough to contain Lucifer. BLEGH.

The next morning, they lurk at the distribution facility. A truck tries to leave and Cas takes out the driver and jams the gate controls. Sam and Bobby head into the warehouse, only to find that the demons have already infected some of the workers with Croatoan. Sam races off into the warehouse to save (uninfected) civilians. 

Dean and Crowley enjoy their first date, tracking Death to a little warehouse.

There’s a lovely clip where Crowley mentions that the area is swarming with reapers, and we get a reveal…

Crowley zaps into the warehouse, discovers that Death isn’t there, then meets Dean outside again. He suggests hightailing it out of Chicago and waiting for the next doomed city in order to find Death. That’s not good enough, though. Dean wants to find a way to save people, even if they can’t track down the Horseman. While Dean despairs, Crowley peers into a little pizza place and then heads back to Dean. He found Death! With his work done and not even a high five to show for it, Crowley zaps out of there.

Back at the warehouse, Sam’s finishes evacuating the uninfected civilians. Just as they think they’re home free, Sam gets attacked and Bobby’s gun jams. Enter Castiel, who shoots Sam’s attacker and says, “Actually these things can be useful.” 

For Angel with a Shotgun Science:

Dean creeps through the pizza parlor, which is full of dead patrons and waitstaff. Death’s scythe heats up in his hand and, agonized by the red hot handle, Dean drops it. The next thing he knows, his Death super-weapon is safely by Death’s side. 

Death sits at a table savoring a piece of pizza, and invites Dean to join him.

Dean wants to know if he’s about to die, but Death informs him that he has other plans for him. Death quietly reminds Dean that he’s as old and vast as the universe. No biggie though. Dean’s a bacterium, practically, but it’s fine. Death serves Dean a slice of pizza and I desperately long for some good Chicago deep dish. 

Death says that he’s as old as God, and maybe older. “At the end, I’ll reap him too.” (And while I appreciate that they didn’t kill Chuck in the traditional stabby manner, I’ll always mourn that we didn’t get to see this line fulfilled in one of the finale’s endless montage sequences, and that Billie didn’t survive to do the job.) (Boris, huddled in the corner: Death didn’t reap Chuck because he won, and the story isn’t over yet...)

Anyway, Dean’s appropriately awed by Death’s power. “This is way above my pay grade,” Dean mutters. Death reveals that he’s been waiting for Dean to catch up to him - Lucifer’s spell has prevented him from directly seeking out the Winchesters. “I’m more powerful than you can process, and I’m enslaved to a bratty child having a tantrum,” Death spits. Preach! Death proposes depowering Lucifer’s Death weapon. He’ll hand Dean his ring willingly.

“What about Chicago?” Dean asks, ever the hunter.

Oh, Chicago can survive. Death likes the pizza. He hands Dean his ring and tells him that he has to do whatever it takes to trap Lucifer. “You’re going to let your brother jump right into that fiery pit. Now, do I have your word?” Dean takes the ring as Death issues one final warning. “You know you can’t cheat Death.”

Back at Bobby’s, Dean looks at the rings. They’ve got all four of them and together, they form into a magic little bundle of rings. Bobby finds Dean for a little heart to heart. 

Dean reveals that he lied to Death - he’s not okay with Sam tossing himself into the pit. However, Bobby thinks that Death may be right about Sam’s plan being their best option. Bobby watched Sam save all the civilians in the factory before they blew it up, and he thinks that Sam can handle it. “Sam will beat the Devil, or die trying. That’s the best we could ask for. What exactly are you afraid of? Losing? Or losing your brother?”

O, Quotes:

I don't understand your definition of good news

We'll catch Death in the next doomed city

Think how you'd feel if a bacterium sat at your table and started to get snarky. This is one little planet in one tiny solar system in a galaxy that's barely out of its diapers. I'm old, Dean. Very old. So I invite you to contemplate how insignificant I find you

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