#train enthusiast convention

[atlasisreal]

absolutely loved watching the @strange-aeons video on dashcon and seeing my mutuals that I met AT DASHCON also in the video (shout-out to @widzi and @dunklesams and @therealraewest ) honestly it's the best video about dashcon that I've seen- it so accurately captured the real, tangible experience of being there. I was enthralled the entire video by everyone's stories, and the fact that the narrative was weaved out of everyone's individual experiences. I actually didn't realize that I'm very visible in that shitty god awful footage from that one guy who came over to the ballpit just to harass us and I'm really glad my face isn't in it 😔 but it really made me happy to see strange portray that event how I remember it- so much fun, with other nerds that loved what I loved, in a space that felt welcoming and exciting. I'm very honored to have been a part of what I believe is the most comprehensive oral history of that event, thank u teya!!

[not-mary-sue]

One thing I really didn't expect from @strange-aeons Dashcon video (having only meme knowledge and Internet Historian's video previously) is that it was honestly...kind of wholesome.

Like, yes it was a mess. The way that the WTNV team and other performers were treated was terrible, the staff were way too inexperienced and over their head, the ballpit was...there. Yet, at the same time, a group of awkward Tumblr kids found their people, some WTNV fans made their own event out of the ashes of the live reading, and a shy Sherlock fan got their very own movie moment.

And really, doesn't that just encapsulate Tumblr? It's a mismanaged mess that's frequently inaccurately represented from the outside. It was a shit show, but it was our shit show. It's a Hell site, but it's our Hell site.

[mediumrarefallingcow]

Having seen this, I do sincerely wish the organizers of Dashcon Two the best. I hope it's an awesome time 💜. And who knows, maybe I'll get my passport...

you lied to us you said it was two hours but its two hours and six minutes this is unforgivable

oops <3

[weirdmarioenemies]

Name: Pyroclasmic Slooch (Sulucina vulcanis)

Debut: Pikmin 3

I think Pyroclasmic Slooch has one of the best names of any Pikmin creature! This is the one I break out if I ever need to explain what a Pikmin name feels like. A large scientific jargon-y sounding word, followed by a single silly little syllable it's perfect! And it IS meaningful, because Pyroclasmic is only one letter away from Pyroclastic, as in pyroclastic flow, a hot volcanic gas/rock current. And Slooch is just, look at this thing! It's what "slooch" looks like! Both as a noun AND a verb!

Fire in video game and monster design is usually pretty boring to me, just for how common it is. I get it, since it is pretty much the most "yeowch! don't touch" thing everyone is familiar with, but I have had enough of Charizardlikes bloating my media! Thank goodness, then, for Pikmin, which implements "conventional" elemental properties into fun, pseudoscientific speculative creatures! It may often be a big load of nonsense, but they explain the nonsense so confidently. Yeah alright. Whatever you say! Maybe a slug could be on fire.

Hello Slooch! What a nice smile you have, framed by your oral tentacles! I wonder if Pyroclasmic Slooch's eyes are useful at all. A regular slug's eyes are mostly just for sensing light and dark, but that doesn't seem practical for a creature that makes its own light that would constantly be in view! Just to be safe, you should give this Slooch a thumbs up, in case it can indeed see you! (computer screen is a real portal to another world where pretend creatures live)

So yeah, Pyroclasmic Slooch is a slug on fire, or maybe a snail whose shell IS fire. It doesn't really matter, either way, the DESIGN is fire! The vibrant orangish stripes on its black body evoke flowing and cooling lava! Lava joke: I bet it was a real "aa moment" when they came up with that design quirk!

As much as I love Pyroclasmic Slooch, it is a wild animal! And it will try to eat the min that you picked, with its funny blue tongue! Louie, everyone's favorite menace Louie, recommends cooking this tongue and no other part of the creature. Would You Eat? I wouldn't, but I wouldn't judge you for doing it. If you have plenty of Red Pikmin, though, their fire immunity makes Slooches very easy to deal with.

You know, real slugs like mold! Do you think Pyroclasmic Slooch likes mold? Maybe it could be friends, with mold. Let's introduce them!

Name: Moldy Slooch (Parasitus pseudofungi elasticis hostus)

Debut: Pikmin 4

Hooray! Now they're inseparable! You may notice that Moldy Slooch's scientific name differs greatly from that of Pyroclasmic Slooch, and that is because the Slooch is no longer in control. It is being puppeted by a fungus! Its nervous system and slime organs have been entirely taken over. Isn't that nice? Now the Slooch doesn't have to do any work, because the fungus does all of that for it! This slug can just relax for the rest of its life, because it is not dead! A dried-up corpse wouldn't be useful a very good friend, would it? In fact, if the Moldy Slooch does die, it can be instantly revived by a phallic, yet kindly Toxstool! The gift of eternal life!

Moldy Slooch's description by Dalmo (the animal enthusiast who could have been writing for this blog the whole time and you would be none the wiser includes the incredible line "Slugga slugga choo choo! Here comes the fungal spore train." So fun! Whee! I want to ride the train!

Moldy Slooch is really the best friend someone could ask for. After I met it in person, and it introduced me to Toxstool, I've never felt better! So what are you waiting for, fellow living animals? Come visit our damp cave sometime! You are always welcome :)

[thecoolblackwaves]

Family Of Nerds: Feanorian Modern AU

(I’m sorry this is somewhat Americanized I just don’t have enough knowledge about anywhere else to make those allusions) (Also please reblog with your own headcanons or other thoughts!)

Feanor 

Philologist; studies language history

Often assists at various museums, colleges, archeological sites, etc

Has published several books and given many lectures 

Creates his own languages like Tengwar for fun, also is a hobby blacksmith

Teaches his children many archaic languages no one else speaks and takes his family on "educational" vacations 

Also attends every convention known to man, even ones that have seemingly nothing to do with his own interests, dressed to the nines and spends his time there signing books and debating other people 

Loves his wife just as madly as the day he met her and is ecstatic he married his high school sweetheart

Idolizes his father. Would have done great following his political career if he hadn't "ruined" his public image by becoming a teen parent, ultimately feels he's made the right decisions for his life though and is happy with his work

Rivalry with Fingolfin over who can host the best dinner party (and you best believe he wears smart-ass punny aprons while cooking a six course meal for his guests)

Nerdanel 

Professional sculptor and multimedia artist

Teaches classes at an arts college 

Is known to eat the fruit out of the bowls her students are sketching when no one is looking

Cannot cook to save her life 

Enthusiastically attends every possible event in her family’s calendar no matter the weather or lack of skill at a toddler dance recital 

Dresses in a fabulously bohemian eccentric artist way; stole the show when she attended the Grammys with Makalaure and has been featured in several fashion magazines 

Carries all sorts of art supplies and seemingly random tools in her purse at all times, including a chisel, googly eyes, edible glitter, a bajillion hair ties, DW40, and peanut M&Ms

Has a calm, wise disposition that belies her truly chaotic nature

Often looked to for advice from her students and children and will only pull your leg when she thinks you’re being stupid 

Does give genuinely good advice though, mostly because she is uncanny in her ability to read people and observe subtle hints 

Maitimo

Studied communications, currently working as his father’s apprentice but hopes to find a position as a public relations specialist 

Uses his intimidating stature and loud, deep voice to his advantage as needed

Was born while his parents were teenagers and still living with their families, he remembers watching cartoons with Grandpa Finwe and being babysat by his uncles 

Also attended his mother’s graduation from art school as a small child and clapped until his little hands hurt 

Is painfully aware of how all his younger brothers look up to him - literally - and sometimes struggles with the pressures of setting a good example, though he does much better than he realizes 

Drinks his coffee from a mug that reads “don’t make this ginger snap” (Nerdanel has a matching one)

The gayest gay to ever gay, informs everyone of this via cheesy tee shirts gifted from his brothers and cousins 

Drives a minivan, claims he chose it because it was the only car that would fit his legs and not because he can haul his brothers around in it 

Frequently complains about missing the technology of his childhood but resents being called a millennial 

Makalaure 

Grammy award winning artist and composer

Created the score for a recent movie that bloomed his popularity and brought him to the limelight 

Has a Youtube channel with several music videos he definitely didn’t blackmail his family into filming with him 

Also performed on Broadway once and will not let you forget it 

Used to skip school to busk in the train station and once caught his math teacher also skipping school 

Extremely popular with interviewers, camera crew, and other industry specialists for his kindness and crazy stories about his family 

Donates large amounts of his royalties to children’s hospitals and other charities 

Used to hog the bathroom in the mornings to put on makeup and style his hair 

Practices Beyonce dance routines in the mirror, has convinced Curufin to do them with him before 

Spent a semester studying in Sydney, Australia and fainted after encountering a large spider in his dorm room 

Tyelkormo

Forest ranger at a National Park 

Works at outdoor summer camps every year, all the children love him and his giant fluffy dog

Also volunteers at animal shelters and the wildlife rehabilitation center at the National Park 

Creatine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; drinks so much milk Nerdanel used to tell him it was why his hair was white 

Wakes up at 5 in the morning to exercise (disgusting)

Got a long bow for Christmas one year (the note said Santa but he knows it was his mom) and practices in the backyard by shooting at Amrod’s pumpkins 

Metalhead, particularly likes viking metal and Nordic black metal 

Made Huan his own battle vest complete with dog-themed patches such as “Bad to the Bone” and “No Leashes No Masters” 

Tells the most terrible jokes you’ve ever heard then laughs like a seagull vomiting up a stolen bag of Doritos 

Extremely loyal to his family, sometimes to a fault 

Carnistar

Professional business accountant 

Also does taxes as a side hustle because “it’s so easy” 

Is obsessed with Oreos but will not admit it because of his brother's teasing about "Moryo's Oreos" 

Obligatory family goth and not ashamed of it 

Started mending his hand-me-down clothes as a necessity and got into sewing, now makes fantastic garments for his family and friends to wear 

Halloween is the only valid holiday, he spends the entire year making his costume (it’s usually a vampire or some fandom character)

Stays up until 3am gaming on a PC he and Feanor built together one summer, favorite game is currently Balder’s Gate 

Had to take speech therapy as a child and later some anger management classes.... because he got too good at expressing himself

Curufin

Silversmith and jewelry maker 

Specializes in accessories for ballet dancers and other performers 

Ballet dancer since he was young, never succeeded with a professional career but still practices daily and chose his specialty to remain part of the scene 

Holds a serious grudge against certain critics that failed his entry to ballet academy (will not sell his products to them or their schools)

Always looking for new business opportunities, not always in the most honest of ways 

Struggles with self esteem issues 

Has several cats and claims they betray him when they snuggle with Huan but secretly finds it adorable 

Frequently collaborates with Caranthir to make elaborate costumes just for the fun of it 

Made a tiara for his favorite cat, Princess Paws

Would sleep until four in the afternoon if you let him (or if Princess Paws didn’t wake him up screaming for food)

Amrod

Gardening Club President at his school 

Started a trade and barter farmers market after school to reduce waste and share the bounty of his and fellow club member’s gardens 

Frequently tries to convince his parents to turn their property into a “self sufficient homestead”, leaves pamphlets and pictures of adorable baby animals lying around the house 

Enlisted the help of his twin and Maitimo to build a chicken coop, forgot to ask Feanor’s permission first 

Demands payment in the form of fresh caught fish or deer jerky for the use of his gourds in Tyelko’s target practice 

Has definitely switched places with Amros to escape trouble or science tests 

Often neglects his homework for pursuits he feels are more important, will only do it without complaint when Carnistar tells him to 

Had eyes for the cool-looking red glow on the stove as a child and was banned from the kitchen for most of his adolescence 

Is generally a persistent and stubborn person (wonder where he got it from)

Amros 

Amateur photographer with an instagram following nearing one million 

Account consists of 95% nature photography and 5% “The Adventures of Huan and Princess Paws” as he follows them around the back yard 

Takes all of Makalaure’s headshots and creates his album covers, also photographs Curufin’s jewelry to upload to his retail website 

“Borrows” Carnistar’s prized PC to upload and edit his photos 

Conspired with Amrod to convince their elementary school classmates they were secretly Fred and George Weasley disguised as Muggles, ultimately failed because someone thought their accents “just sounded like they were copying Peppa Pig”

Still pulls out his British accent on occasion when someone needs cheering up 

Inherited Nerdanel’s keen observation skills, mostly uses them to blackmail his brothers into doing his chores 

But also gives the most amazing presents because he knows exactly what everyone truly wants 

[skeleton-richard]

I am!!! I was one of the interviewees.

I ALSO am the person talked about who won a Sherlock Holmes trivia quiz and was extremely shy when called up to get a prize, I was shocked that the panelist remembered me and talked about that.

@skeleton-richard you're in Strange Aeons' 2 hour Dashcon video!

[cozylittleartblog]

GRAAAHHH SORRY THIS IS SUDDEN BUT OH MY GOD I FINALLY FOUND YOU. IM THE BENREY THAT RAN UP TO YOUR BOOTH AR AMW THIS YEAR AND MY FRIEND BOUGHT ME LIKE ALMOST ALL YOUR VALVE STUFF, I LITERALLY CRIED WHEN I GOT BACK TO THEIR ROOM CAUSE LIKE DUDE. THAT MEANT EVERYTHING FOR ME, I WAS GENUINELY SO SO SO HAPPY TO SEE THE FANDOM IS STILL ALIVE AND IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR FANS IN THE WILD FOR YEARS. THE EXPERIENCE WAS ENLIGHTENING TO SAY THE LEAST AND IM SO SO JOYOUS ABOUT IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH !1!11! :•3

:D !!!! HI!!! I REMEMBER YOU!!! THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY, I'M SO HAPPY IT WAS MEMORABLE FOR YOU!!

people who are so enthusiastic about the things i make and the fandoms i rep at my booth are THE #1 coolest part of the experience 🥺 i feel like convention artist alleys these days are mostly filled with the same 4 popular anime/mobile games and it's really hard to find less popular anime, let alone things like video games and webseries. you would not believe how many comments I got that people never see things like Team Fortress 2 or Portal in AAs, let alone stuff like Infinity Train or HLVRAI 😭 the people who recognize them are always SO excited and then I'M excited and we are BOTH excited and nerding out together. it's fantastic!!!

the hlvrai fandom is definitely still going strong! i still see a lot of fanart and community posts and my sales on my few hlvrai things on my etsy have Not slowed down lmao. i'm sure if covid didn't happen there would have been so many benry cosplayers in 2020. we were ROBBED </3 i've seen You and one benry cosplayer at ACEN last year and that was IT </3 </3 </3

[random-french-girl]

Hey @jimalim... I know it's been FOREVER but I have not forgotten about this, and I happen to have some time today, so, here are a few thoughts:

I think the first few days, maybe the first week, they don't do anything apart from figuring out their new life (finding the apartment and getting a job and working on their cover story and waiting for news or orders from the OCS and planning out Ava's training). But as they get settled, I love the idea of the two of them finding... not quite hobbies, but small activities to do in their downtime, that they enjoy?

a) Ava takes swimming lessons at the public pool, and when the class ends she keeps going to the pool, because she finds out that she loves the water - floating makes her feel free, strangely, weightless and peaceful ; she likes the burn in her muscles when she swims laps ; and she LOVES organizing cannonball contests with all the little kids she met in swimming class, and splashing everyone, even (especially?) when it ends with Bea scolding her and then wrapping her in a huge fluffy towel and offering to dry her hair.

b) Beatrice goes to the public library at least twice a week. She stays there for an hour or so, perusing the shelves, pulling out books that she's curious about, reading in the quiet room, in one of the comfy armchairs. She also brings back books for Ava - Ava gives her very broad directions, like "i want to read about mushrooms" or "get me the most romantic story they have" (that request makes Bea unreasonably nervous), and Beatrice loves trying to find the perfect pick for Ava - she misses research! - and loves Ava's delighted reaction every time.

c) They both start going to the farmer's market that takes place every Saturday morning in the town square. Ava chats up all the vendors, learns their names and their entire family history ; she makes friends with an old shepherd selling goat cheese, and with the woman who sells honey, and always comes back with gifts, and gossip. Beatrice wanders through the fruits and vegetable stalls, internally making their weekly meal plan as she goes, and allowing the purchase of small treats (fresh strawberries, a still-warm brioche, the most beautiful tomatoes) that she pretends are only for Ava's sake, though she enjoys them just as much as Ava.

d) They take turns cooking. I know a lot of people believe that Beatrice can't cook - not me! I think she can cook very well, she has all the technical skills, and she's used to it too, since meal preparation was part of the collective life at the convent. But she doesn't take a lot of pleasure in cooking - it's just a necessary chore for her. Ava, on the other hand, LOVES cooking, because it's so new, and it reminds her of Mary, in Matteo's restaurant. She's very enthusiastic, and creative, which sometimes leads to utter disaster, and sometimes to absolute masterpieces that she is completely unable to recreate.

e) Beatrice likes to pick flowers. The alpine meadows are filled with wildflowers, this time of year, and whenever she takes Ava out for a day of training, she can't resist plucking one, maybe two, on their way back, and inhaling the scent, and brushing her fingers along the soft smooth petals, and enjoying the vibrant colors. The beauty of flowers is one of the few things she still finds easy to praise God for. She doesn't think Ava notices, because Ava is either trailing a few feet behind her, grumbling and sweaty and muttering about very unfair training coaches, or distracted by a baby cow, or, more rarely, walking quietly beside her. But Ava does notice, and one day Beatrice comes home after a day shift to find an enormous bouquet on their rickety kitchen table. Ava spent the day picking flowers for her, she explains, both obviously very proud of herself, and also visibly flustered, for some reason, and Beatrice's stomach does a weird swoopy thing that she decides to ignore, but she's smiley and warm and fond all evening, and doesn't even protest when Ava makes her watch some dreadful Swiss reality TV.

[screamingcrows]

Wait, so what about Dottore (and a couple of others) in the mafia au?? Don't worry, I've got you covered.

Dottore

Not a doctor. Weapons specialist with a particular interest in biological warfare although he mainly does more conventional weapons. Secretive and reclusive, has his main base of operations dug down under a warehouse away from the city center. There's always a weird feeling in the air wherever he goes, rumors suggest something is fundamentally wrong with him, head trauma, various disorders... nothing is confirmed and reader finds him to be mostly harmless if a little eccentric.

Does service on reader's rifle and modifies it. Equips it with a better scope, heat mapping lens, changes the casing to a lightweight material, does maintenance on all internal parts... All of it usually without being prompted. Offers reader an exoskeleton to improve weapon handling, reduce strain from recoil, he just has to connect it to her spinal chord, at which point reader politely declines.

There are rumours he runs an organ trafficking side business, but no one has been able to prove it. When asked about it Pantalone will simply answer along the lines of "I'm aware of my partners' various endeavours. But divulging their secrets would be ill mannered"

Pierro

The actual boss and head of the organisation. Has become more withdrawn after an accident that happened before reader was recruited. Is very rarely seen, more myth than man. Rumored to have been a fearsome sight when he was active. His character was enough to draw a lot of members during his prime, and the idolisation still persists among younger members although they might never have met him. Very rarely had to engage in combat due to the sheer respect he commanded with his presence - although that sounds heavily romanticised to reader... Supposedly he still manages relationships with other groups, and has 'friends' in every sector of the city. If you dig long enough everyone owes him a favor.

Arlecchino

In charge of recruitment and basic combat training. Reader went through a brief period under her care and did not enjoy it. Tough 'love' was an everyday occurrence and she did what was necessary to make sure her charges would survive their future. Oversees several brothels and bars through proxies who report directly to her. Said to be the most well informed when it comes to any happenings on the street and is quick to use any unrest as an opportunity to test out new recruits and weed out the weak.

Tartaglia

Dubbed "the bloodhound" by many of the regular members due to always following around at someone's heels. Helps Arlecchino with combat training and enjoys it. Will occasionally be seen entering covered in blood of unknown origin. Banned from Pantalone's mansion for this specific reason. Young and enthusiastic, he gets along better with the regular members of the mob rather than the people in charge.

Pulcinella

Corrupt City Hall member.

[leggerefiore]

Taking Ingo and Emmet to a train enthusiast convention...

Watching them have the time of their lives...

[femboytrain]

I’m going to expose myself as a train enthusiast, I unironically was OBSESSED with the polar express as a kid and I have a Lionel train set of it, the metal one not the cheap plastic ones: I love model trains so much, and think trains are so cool especially maglev trains, monorails. (Even though those may not fall under the conventional train) I love steam engines the most though there were some INSANE configurations for those trains, and my god I literally have gone on multi hour binge watching of various people talk in depth about locomotive design, etc.

[psalm22-6]

The Washington D.C Evening Star, 28 September 1919 For reference the definition of "Doughboy": a US infantryman, especially one in World War I.

The man who lately made "Les Miserables" a best seller in Paris returned to the United States a few days ago on a converted cattle ship. He is Frank D. Lewis, an attorney of Everett, Wash., and probably the best press agent that Victor Hugo ever had.

Only an American would think this. Everyone knows Victor Hugo was the best press agent Victor Hugo ever had. Anyways...

His enthusiasm over the famous novel led some 4,000 doughboys on pleasure bent to make one afternoon of their three-day leave in Paris literary pilgrimage to the places mentioned in Jean Valjean's adventures, and 4,000 doughboys besieged the Parisian booksellers and libraries for copies of "Les Miserables" to re-read. The result was inevitable. The supply of English copies of the work soon was exhausted. The American Library Association sent out S.O.S. calls to London for "Les Miserables." London did its best, but it was not enough. Finally, New York had to be appealed to, and, although it would ordinarily be like carrying coals to Newcastle, America supplied France with the needed copies of the most popular novel of her greatest novelist. Mr. Lewis, before taking up law, was a teacher for twenty years, presiding over every sort of pedagogic institution from a one-room district school to a city school system, so it was natural, when he found himself in Paris as a Y. M. C. A. worker immediately after the signing of the armistice, that the educational opportunity Paris offered to the thousands of American boys should appeal to him. He organized the first Y. M. C. A. sightseeing trips to places of historic interest, trips that became so popular that transportation facilities were taxed to the utmost, steamboats were chartered, special trains operated and Army trucks pressed into service when the crowds became so great that the "rubber-neck" wagons of the French capital could no longer accommodate them. It was while visiting the tomb of Lafayette that Mr. Lewis felt he was treading well known ground. The convent in which he stood was strangely familiar. He has never been there before and at first could not account for the feeling. Suddenly he remembered that the building fitted the description of the convent in the Rue Petit Picpus where Little Cosette had been. He verified the location by reference to the story.

More like he confused the name of Picpus Cemetery with the Petit-Picpus convent as the two locations couldn't be confused with one another otherwise. Lots of Americans tourists have made the same mistake though.

"From that time on I found more and more places that Hugo had mentioned," said Mr. Lewis, "and I persuaded the Y. M. C. A. to let me have a bus for a trial trip to about twenty-five of these points. The nine men who took the trip with me were so enthusiastic that the "Y" made the tour a regular feature of its sight seeing program. It proved so popular that instead of making the trip twice a week we had to make it daily and to requisition additional busses for it." For the boy who had read the wonderful story, it was a rare treat to be guided by such an enthusiast as Mr. Lewis through the very places that the master novelist had described so vividly; to stop on the quail which looks across the Cours la Reine to the Port du Gros Cailou and the Seine just as it did on the June evening in 1832 when Jean Valjean emerged at the mouth of the sewer only to find his passage barred by the heavy iron grating of the gate; and to visit the house in the Rue Plumet where Jean Valjean took Cosette after she left the convent in the Little Picpus. Near the church is the Palace of the Luxembourg, in whose gardens Jean Valjean and Cosette were customed to walk during the long summer evenings. The statue of the Gladiator, under which Marius and Cosette used to meet, still stands in the garden, but the bench at its base has been moved away. The gardens even now afford a happy rendezvous for lovers, however, and the imaginative soldier had little difficulty in finding the needed characters to rebuild the scenes of the story among the many couples who wandered there. Not far from the gardens runs the Roman road, known as St. Jacques. It was to the Church of Haut Pas, in this street, that Jean took Cosette to attend mass, because it was far from home and less likely to attract the attention of the police. Here Eponine found Jean and delivered to him the note which enticed him to the Gerbeau [sic] tenement. In front of this church, too, Javert, disguised as a beggar, was recognized by Valjean. The trip ended with a visit to the home of Victor Hugo, No. 6 Place des Vosges, where the first chapters of "Les Miserables" were written and where Charles Dickens, who had written the story of the poor and oppressed of England, visited the man who was doing the same for France.

[pathanga]

Four wheels and a helmet - Racing events that aren't all karting.

With the thrill of watching races like the 24hr of Le Mans or the British Grand Prix come statements like, ‘what does racing feel like.’ and ‘I bet I can do that’. But unfortunately not everyone has a multi-million pound hypercar, years of training and a specialist team at hand. So how can a motorsports fanatic experience the rush of racing?

This is where Track Days and races like the 24hr of LeMons come in. 

Created from comments passed over picnic blankets and coffee tables, these races give the average motorsports enthusiast the chance to experience racing as a driver. America offers amateur endurance races, Europe focusing on short distance racing with many different ‘cars’. Track days are as exhilarating as races with the added bonus of being able to drive around your favourite track as fast as you want.

Fans of endurance & Rally races will enjoy the 24hr of LeMons; a series of races taking place on street circuits in America. The 24hr of Lemons (styled a LeMons, a clever tribute to Le Mans) focuses on budget racing, with negative points awarded to cars above the $500 limit. The do-it-yourself attitude to the race is part of its charm. The less likely for your car to cross the line, the more likely you are to win an additional cash prize. Grab a friend (or include the whole family), a car that can cross the line and jump into 24hrs of pure driving. The organisers of LeMons also host a rally, with a separate trophy for Rental Cars. Earn points in the Lemon Rally with the age of your car, where it was manufactured and by meeting certain criteria laid out in the Route book.

For fans of the unusual, races like British Tractor Pulling and Piaggio Ape Racing are two main points of interest. Tractor pulling is not a race in the conventional sense, instead of racing tractors, the aim is to pull a weight transfer sledge over a distance of 100m, the fastest tractor is the winner. With twelve classes, Tractor Pulling is a great sport for those who have access to a tractor or have the drive to build one themselves. Piaggio Ape Racing is an Italian affair, the three-wheeled trucks hailing from Pisa. The roots of Piaggio Racing are firmly in Italy, with the sport reaching the UK in 2013. Piaggio Racing is straight-forward, drive the truck as fast as you can and reach the finish line first. The British Ape GP was held on the Rye House Raceway and now you and a friend can race the Piaggio around the track.

For those who don’t want to race but want the experience of driving, Track Days are the best fit. Iconic circuits such as Brands Hatch and the Nürburgring offer Track Days, just bring yourself, your car and push yourself to the limit!

There are so many options to experience and suitable for many different budgets. From grassroot sports just starting out to historic circuits, take you pick and jump into Motorsports from a whole new angle.

[roadtophantom]

Let your S(e)oul take you where you long to be (v) - Christines, Raouls, and the last of this review

Finally finally fishing my reviews of August 8 and 9 shows (two months later, so embarrassing)

Christine

The first Christine I've seen is Song Eun-hye who showed herself to be a young wide-eyed Christine with a powerful belt (she gave an especially hair-standing Wishing). She was already fearful of the Phantom from the start and for most of the performance and it seemed being agape was her main play of the character until eventually becoming sympathetic to the Phantom (Cho Seung-woo) by Final Lair. It's a bit typical for me and I was looking for more variation, but from what I'm reading from her current performances, she's been even more emotive. I think she's still very much a work in progress but actually off to a good start.

Son Ji-soo reminded me of those 1950s/1960s film actresses with her physical features and the way she sang (very classical trained). That kind of presence hooked me in. At first she showed herself to be an excited Christine who was inspired by singing and apparently by her unseen mentor (giving her a joyful Think of Me and even POTO title song). I like how she uses her hands in her acting especially to reach out to her co-stars (from Carlotta in Il Muto, to Raoul in AIAOY/Notes reprise, and to the Phantom (Jeon Dong-seok) when he's commanding her to leave the lair), I like handy Christines in general. Overall, I find myself leaning toward SJS's Christine as having a more unique impression, but I would love to see how SEH is now.

Raoul

Hwang Gun-ha has...the most unusual Raoul voice I've ever heard. In that it's way too deep. He surprises me each time he sings. Because he looks like this kpop idol but with such a low register, there was somewhat a disconnect. And when he's angry he gets ANGRY. Definitely kept me alert.

Song Won-geun played an ever-reliable Raoul and ticked the boxes of a conventional portrayal. He is the Raoul you'd expect to see, gentlemanly, protective, and heroic, but nothing that really jumps out, it's all by the label.

Notables

Kim Ah-sun (Madame Giry) - She looked the role and sang it well. (sorry kdrama geek out moment) she reminded me of Kim Seo-hyung in Sky Castle who was this tutor from hell, and that kind of gothic stern presence made her a very effective Giry.

Park Ha-rim (Piangi) - Loved this guy's enthusiastic portrayal of Piangi and he is always a crowd-favorite because of how he extends his notes. I like how his character fanboys over Carlotta and actually becomes quietly impressed with Christine during the Don Juan Rehearsals. His was such a dynamic portrayal.

Han Bo-ra / Lee Ji-young (Carlotta) - Han Bo-ra was the comedic Carlotta and Lee Ji-young was the elegant one. Both delightful in their own ways and both worked well with Park Ha-rim with LJY even lovingly coaching him during the Don Juan Rehearsals.

Shin Jae-hee (Buquet) - I like how his Buquet is natural and not exaggerated, he actually seems to be spooked out by the Phantom, too, which makes me feel sorry about his death. Also the corpse is such a deadringer of the actor it's legit terrifying.

Yoon Young-seok (Andre) - Last but not the least, our Phantom veteran is now a manager with possibly an anxiety disorder. It's funny knowing he was the terror who haunts the opera house now he gets easily spooked up and he has his hand to his heart. Such a poor guy, but also cute at times.

No doubt their performances are even better two months after I've seen them so definitely take these reviews as dated. I'm glad the show is going to Daegu but sad that not all cast members are going. This time I look forward to all your reviews!! And I sincerely hope everyone can have a chance to see this masterpiece of a production at the Charlotte Theatre to experience it yourselves.

Thank you so much for reading and apologies for how long it's taken!!

[tourdion]

Stephen Malkmus Surprises All with a Spectacular Second Place Finish in Horse Show

Introduction: In the realm of indie rock, Stephen Malkmus is a name synonymous with groundbreaking music and innovative songwriting. However, fans were in for an unexpected treat recently when Malkmus showcased a completely different side of his talents, surprising everyone by clinching second place in a prestigious horse show. The uncharted territory of the equestrian world might seem like an unlikely stage for the indie icon, but Malkmus's journey into the competitive horse riding scene has turned heads and sparked curiosity.

The Unlikely Equestrian Journey: Malkmus, known for his fronting role in the influential indie rock band Pavement and later as a solo artist, took the road less traveled by delving into the world of horse riding. His passion for horses and the equestrian lifestyle has been a well-kept secret until now. Malkmus's dedication to this newfound interest has not only surprised fans but has also opened up a new chapter in his diverse artistic journey.

Preparation and Training: It's no small feat to transition from the chaotic energy of the stage to the controlled elegance required in the horse show arena. Malkmus's commitment to his equestrian pursuit was evident in the rigorous training he underwent to prepare for the competition. Working closely with experienced trainers and spending countless hours in the saddle, he honed his riding skills and developed a deep connection with his equine partner.

The Big Day: The horse show, attended by seasoned riders and equestrian enthusiasts, saw Stephen Malkmus enter the arena with an air of determination. Mounted on a majestic steed, he navigated the course with grace and finesse, surprising both the audience and fellow competitors. The indie rock icon's performance was not just about the technicalities of the competition but also about breaking stereotypes and showcasing the multifaceted nature of artistic expression.

Reactions from the Equestrian Community: Equestrian enthusiasts and professionals were quick to acknowledge Malkmus's skills, praising his dedication and respect for the sport. While many were initially skeptical of the indie rocker's foray into the world of horse shows, his success served as a reminder that passion and commitment can transcend boundaries and stereotypes.

The Impact on Malkmus's Artistic Persona: Malkmus's venture into the equestrian world has not only broadened his personal horizons but has also added a layer of complexity to his public image. Fans now see him not only as a musical trailblazer but as a versatile individual unafraid to explore diverse interests. This unexpected journey into the world of horse shows has showcased Malkmus's willingness to embrace new challenges and break away from the conventions of a typical rockstar persona.

Conclusion: Stephen Malkmus's second-place finish in a horse show is more than just a surprising turn of events—it's a testament to the unpredictable and fascinating nature of artistic evolution. The indie rock icon's willingness to explore uncharted territories exemplifies the spirit of creativity and self-discovery that continues to define his illustrious career. As fans eagerly await the next chapter in Malkmus's eclectic journey, one thing is for certain: there's always more to the man than meets the eye.

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Mary Ann Carroll (1940-2019), “Untitled (Backcountry Twilight)”, n.d., Oil on Masonite board

Harold Newton (1934-1991), “Untitled (Painting of the Indian River)”, c. 1958, Oil on Upson board; Alfred Hair (1941-1970), “Untitled (Marshland with palm), c. 1958, Oil on Upson board

James Gibson (1938-2017) “Untitled (Moonlit palms)”, n.d., Oil on Upson board

In early 2021, Tampa Museum of Art presented the work of Florida’s famous Highwaymen painters in the exhibition Living Color: The Art of the Highwaymen.

From the museum-

The Highwaymen are a group of African American artists celebrated for their distinctive paintings of Florida’s natural environment. Working in and around the Fort Pierce area beginning in the 1950s, these self-taught artists depicted the state’s scenic coastline and wild backcountry, often in dazzling combinations of color and tone. Brilliant tropical sunsets, windblown palms, towering sunlit clouds, and blooming poinciana trees are among the many subjects that have become iconic images of Florida in part because of the paintings that the Highwaymen created. In the state’s postwar boom years their paintings found an enthusiastic audience among a growing population of new residents and visitors. Unrecognized by the region’s art establishment of galleries and museums, the Highwaymen by necessity catered directly to their patrons, selling their paintings door-to-door along such thoroughfares as Route 1. It was from this practice that the name “Highwaymen” was later coined.

The popularity of Highwaymen paintings waned in the 1980s as the vision of Florida was reimagined by an ever-increasing population and once-pristine landscapes were lost to development. Then in the mid-1990s a new generation of collectors, with fresh eyes, rediscovered the paintings and began to assemble significant collections. These collectors saw the art of the Highwaymen as an important artistic legacy and together with several writers, scholars, and enthusiasts began the process of establishing the historical context and reevaluation of their work. Books and articles followed, bringing a new level of recognition for the achievements of these artists and, with that, growing popular acclaim. The contribution of the Highwaymen to the cultural life of Florida was formally recognized in 2004 when the group of 26 artists was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.

Living Color: The Art of the Highwaymen brings together 60 paintings by a core group of the Highwaymen including Al Black, Mary Ann Carroll, Willie Daniels, Johnny Daniels, James Gibson, Alfred Hair, Roy McLendon, Harold Newton, Sam Newton, Willie Reagan, and Livingston Roberts.

Focusing on work produced from the 1950s to the 1980s, the exhibition is an in-depth examination of the group’s initial period of success when their groundbreaking style of fast painting was being developed. Fast painting is a hallmark and essential innovation of the Highwaymen. Facing limitations imposed by the racial prejudice of their time, they had little or no access to formal training or to conventional art markets. To overcome these obstacles, they produced large numbers of works which could be sold at very affordable prices. Some estimates of the group’s overall production during their heyday exceed 200,000 paintings, with certain artists creating dozens of paintings per day. Their creative response to the racism they confronted resulted in an original artistic practice.

Opening at The Woodson African American Museum of Florida in St. Pete this Saturday, 9/9/23, is Florida Highwaymen: The Next Generation – The Legacy Continues, an exhibition of work by Ray McLendon, son of Highwayman Roy McLendon, who creates Florida landscapes in the same iconic style his father used.