#turbo and tremors

[momentofch-aos]

I may have said it before but todays m’s shield though of the day is…

Mack calling Alya “Tiny Turbo” and Daisy’s daughter “Tiny Tremors”

Oh he calls Daniel “chief” as his nickname too. Daniel likes it because it reminds of Rose, Jarvis and the SSR

[starlit-mansion]

the funniest and dumbest takeaway from the somerton debacle is that this proves the importance of networking lmao

[drinkingflowertea]

why i love aos:

WOMEN - 7 seasons of strong, vulnerable, badass, complex, sometimes questionable characters and i loved every single one of them (bobbi was my bi awakening and jemma was so real for crushing on bobbi at first sight). also, big up maurissa tanchareon who was one of the showrunners <3

CULTURAL REPRESENTATION - seeing may and daisy on screen, and maurissa as showrunner, has been a big part of my career switch from academia to trying to get a foot in the door of film & tv.

aos deserved better and deserved much more viewership because people missed out on this cast. there was an article i scrolled by that named danny ramirez as the first latino avenger and it just reminded me of yo-yo. she was the first latina superhero for the mcu/marvel tv/whatever you consider to be true, and she's so cool. in love with her, jealous of mack ngl. and ROBBIE. they really took this ghost rider and made something really interesting out of the character.

#COULSONLIVES - it started from the fans <3

MACK'S NICKAMES - i just love mack bro. yo-yo, tremors, turbo, barbara (the way bobbi is her nickname/the one she goes by so he uses her full name instead LOL)

with the way things seem to be going with marvel, leave aos alone. just leave my babies alone.

now im just rambling bye

[justforbooks]

The ‘new world order’ of the past 35 years is being demolished before our eyes. This is how we must proceed

We have seen the conflict and tragedy that can follow when an old era collapses. Countries that believe in multilateralism must come together now

After a week that started with the worst financial volatility in recent history and ended with the most serious escalation so far of the China-US conflict, it is time to distinguish the tectonic shifts from the tremors. If nothing changes, the 2020s risks being remembered as this century’s devil’s decade – the term historians once used for the 1930s. It will be defined not just by seven million people who have died of Covid-19 and rising global poverty and inequality – but also by a dismembered Ukraine, a burnt-out Gaza and little-reported atrocities in Africa and Asia, each testimony to the violent displacement of a rules-based global order by a power-based one.

Indeed, before our eyes, every single pillar of the old order is under assault – not just free trade but the rule of law and the primacy we have long attached to human rights and democracy, the self-determination of peoples, and multilateral cooperation between nations, including the humanitarian and environmental responsibilities we once accepted as citizens of the world.

Power shifts are, of course, the stuff of history. Within the space of two centuries, four world orders have risen and fallen. The first two – the balance of power that emerged after the defeat of Napoleon in the early 19th century, and the post-1918 Treaty of Versailles system born after four dynastic empires collapsed – ultimately ended in the carnage of world wars. Then came the post-1945 architecture, led by the US and the United Nations; and, after 1990 with the breakup of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, what US president George HW Bush called a “new world order”.

Now, as the economic balance of power shifts eastwards and a new mercantilism takes root, what was once called the Washington consensus is no longer supported anywhere – least of all in Washington. Globalisation is now rejected by millions as a “free for all” that has not been fair to all. It is not open trade but the opposite – restrictions on trade – now being popularised as a nation’s route to prosperity.

President Trump’s tactical ploy has been to exploit the profound shifts that were already reshaping the world’s geopolitics: first, the yawning gap between the benefits that globalisation promised and what it delivered in people’s everyday lives, and so he has become the world’s leading anti-globalist. He also saw how, turbo-charged by social media blitzes landing nonstop via people’s phones, he could resurrect the “great man” theory of history – Putin, Xi, Erdoğan and Kim Jong-un having shown him that populist but dictatorial leaders could set the agenda.

But Trump’s sheer unpredictability foreshadows even greater danger ahead. “Let chaos reign and don’t rein in the chaos” seems to be the mantra, and while there may be a lingering hope that something like normal governance might resume soon, this can no longer be a rational basis for anyone’s future planning. Instead, with both the US and China taking risks in accelerating their confrontation to new levels, the question is whether we are descending towards a “one world, two systems” future, or simply the chaotic disorder that has characterised the history of most previous centuries – and whether there is now any chance of building a world order that could ever be stable and sustainable.

What’s clear after recent events is that the fourth global order cannot be restored. We are not only in a more protectionist era but are moving from a unipolar world where the US was the sole hegemonic power to one that has many more centres of decision-making power. But because we are also a more interconnected world, we are more vulnerable to crises – from pandemics and climate emergencies to financial contagion. All the more so because countries can, as we saw this week, weaponize that interdependence and the choke points it creates for their own advantage. So if we are to have anything approaching a values-based order we will have at some point to agree an updated global charter for our common future, something that builds on the Atlantic Charter of 1941 and the UN Charter of 1945, but is geared to a completely different century.

As William Beveridge said at that time: “A revolutionary moment in the world’s history is a time for revolutions, not for patching.” Over the past few days, calls for multilateral cooperation have come from the leaders of Spain, Brazil and South Africa, this year’s chairs of three global conferences: the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, the 30th UN climate change conference and the G20. “As a collective we must now unite to enforce international law,” the Malaysian prime minister and Colombian and South African presidents have written. “The choice is stark: either we act together to enforce international law or we risk its collapse.”

All countries that believe in international cooperation should pledge that through a new multilateralism this generation will deliver global solutions to what are now inescapably global problems that cannot be resolved by nation states acting on their own or in bilateral deals alone. Second, as building blocks of that future, this collation of the willing should immediately engage in practical cooperation on urgent concerns for which no nation state-only answers are possible – global security, climate, health and humanitarian needs as well as the flow of trade. They should work to modernise the international institutions that deliver them.

And third, we should try to build a bridgehead to sceptics such as Trump by agreeing with him on the need for reciprocity and for fair burden-sharing between nations; and because this is a debt-laden world we should propose innovative and equitable ways to raise the resources needed to turn these commitments into action. By addressing the failures of the era of hyper-globalisation, we can all strive for a world that is not only open to trade but inclusive of all those who have been left behind.

Two hundred years ago, in similarly momentous times, a British leader called “a new world into existence to redress the balance of the old” , and the lesson of history is that any new order that endures has to be built on the solid rock of principle and not the shifting sands of expediency and the narrowest interpretation of national self-interests.

At the heart of the Atlantic Charter, the Roosevelt-inspired declaration of international cooperation, was a set of principles celebrating basic freedoms – against the use of force and protectionism, and for the self-determination of nations and national social contracts that would bridge the divide between rich and poor. Even if none of these goals are, as of now, championed by Trump, all is not lost: according to the US Global Leadership Coalition, 82% of Americans oppose isolationism, believing that the US is stronger when “engaged in the world”. And while the US can no longer lead a unipolar world by dictating to others, it can lead a multipolar world through persuasion.

Sadly, despite Keir Starmer’s valiant efforts, none of us can now guarantee that Ukraine – and its resources – will not be carved apart, emboldening autocrats everywhere. But we can set out the moral compass that will guide us and make us better prepared for the challenges ahead. We remain at risk of repeating the 1930s descent into global anarchy; but by nations acting together, we could create a 1940s moment as we start on the herculean task of constructing the fifth world order of modern times.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[blogueericdescarries]

Deux semaines au volant d'une F-150 hybride

Par Éric Descarries

Le 21 février 2025

Cette semaine, nous apprenions, de source sûre, que le grand constructeur américain Ford allait reconduire son si populaire pick-up F-150 de pleine grandeur pour encore deux ou trois ans. Pourtant, selon la coutume, la F-150 aurait dû être complètement revue en 2026. Mais elle ne le sera pas avant 2028! Alors, jusqu’à quel point une telle décision pourrait-elle avoir un effet sur les ventes de cette camionnette que l’on proclame la plus vendue au Canada (la plus vendue en Amérique depuis 59 ans) avec plus de 133 000 unités au Canada (sans compter les Lightning toutes électriques) comparativement aux quelques 77 000 unités de RAV4, deuxième marque plus vendue chez nous? Aux États-Unis, on compte 732 139 ventes de F-150 (en plus des 33 000 Lightning) ce qui en fait la leader des ventes depuis 48 ans!

Qui plus est, il devient de plus en plus difficile pour les amateurs de camionnettes d’identifier le millésime de chaque camion Ford puisque, en 2025, il existe plus de dix calandres différentes selon les modèles de F-150 sur le marché, de la finition XL, XLT (en chrome ou en noir), Lariat (en chrome ou en noir), King Ranch, Platinum, Tremor,  Raptor ou  Raptor R!

Ce n’est donc pas une véritable nouveauté que j’ai découverte lorsque j’ai accepté de conduire une F-150 Lariat la semaine dernière mais au moins, sa motorisation était différente de celle de ses soeurs. En effet, il s’agissait alors d’une version SuperCrew à quatre roues motrices (avec un empattement de 145 pouces) mue, dans son cas, par un V6 Powerboost de 3,5 litres hybride.

La Ford F-150 Lariat hybride dont il est question ici. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Si les changements ne sont pas si évidents en 2025, rappelons que depuis l’année dernière, il n’y a plus, dans les F-150, de V6 de base atmosphérique, ce moteur ayant été qui a été remplacé par le V6 EcoBoost à double turbo de 2,7 litres. De plus, la fonction Blue Cruise de conduite autonome y est disponible en plus de la lecture à tête haute du compteur de vitesse dans le pare-brise en option alors que l’écran d’infodivertissement de 12 pouces est désormais offert en option sur toutes les finitions. Ce que l’on peut ajouter, c’est cette nouvelle option du panneau de caisse arrière Pro Access dont il sera question plus loin.

Ma F-150 d’essai avait ce panneau arrière avec portillon intégré appelé Pro Access. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Malgré le fait que la ligne de la F-150 accuse déjà quelques années de production et qu’elle soit éventuellement reconduite pour deux ans, cette camionnette de Ford demeure un véhicule facilement reconnaissable qui réussit très bien à tirer son épingle du jeu face à sa vive concurrence. La configuration à cabine à quatre portes allongée (très vaste en passant) et de caisse de 5,5 pieds est une des plus populaires sur le marché. C’est de celle-ci dont il est question ici.

On sait tous que Ford propose une version toute électrique de la F-150, la Lightning. Mais Ford nous propose aussi une version hybride (non branchable) de sa populaire camionnette qui pourrait être une des plus populaires à long terme. Par conséquent, sous le capot de la superbe Lariat que vous voyez ici, on retrouvait un V6 biturbo (EcoBoost) de 3,5 litres combiné à un moteur électrique de 47 chevaux mû par une batterie lithium-ion de 1,5 kWh ( sans prise électrique externe). Cet ensemble développait 430 chevaux et 570 li-pi de couple ! Évidemment, cet ensemble était combiné à une boîte automatique à 10 rapports et à un boîtier de transfert aux roues arrière, aux quatre roues (basse et haute gamme) ou à un ensemble de transmission intégrale automatique. Vu que cet essai se déroulait en hiver, Ford avait équipé cette camionnette de pneus appropriés, soit des Toyo Observe GS-ICE.

Malgré que ce ne soit pas évident sur cette photo, l’ensemble mécanique qui animait ma F-150 Lariat était composé d’un V6 bi-turbo et d’un moteur électrique. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Ford avait équipé la F-150 de pneus d’hiver Toyo Observe GS-Ice très efficaces. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Évidemment, il est difficile d’analyser un tel véhicule aussi légendaire sans parler de son très vaste intérieur avec un tableau de bord au look classique mais au fonctionnement efficace. Toutefois, même si Ford ne compte pas redessiner sa vénérable F-150 avant deux ans, il serait peut-être temps de laisser ses designers revoir ce tableau de bord que les amateurs de la concurrence n’hésitent pas à critiquer face aux autres camionnettes du genre. Malgré tout, ce même intérieur est très convivial avec deux places avant confortables grâce à des sièges facilement configurables (qui peuvent se replier à plat se transformant alors en lit) et une banquette arrière accueillante divisible qui peut se relever pour révéler des espaces de rangement sous les fauteuils.

Le design du tableau de bord commence à dater mais il reste efficace. (Photo Éric Descarries)

La banquette arrière est très accueillante dans un compartiment très vaste. (Photo Éric Descarries)  

Il y a quelques espaces de rangement sous les fauteuils arrière de la F-150. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Bien entendu, il y a la caisse (de 5,5 pieds) qui convient à la plupart de ses utilisateurs grâce à ses accessoires et ses points d’attache utiles. Dans le cas du véhicule d’essai qui nous concerne, il était équipé du panneau arrière Pro Access qui se distingue par un portillon au sein du panneau qui s’ouvre comme une portière d’auto, une caractéristique pratique pour déposer de petits objets sans ouvrir le grand panneau (qui peut aussi s’ouvrir et se refermer électriquement par la commande du porte-clé sans effort de l’utilisateur). N’oublions pas l’option relativement pratique des prises de courant dans la caisse!

L’option Pro Access peut s’avérer très utile ! (Photo Éric Descarries)

Sur la route

Le hasard a voulu que je puisse utiliser cette Ford durant deux semaines. Toutefois, ces deux semaines furent des journées très froides entrecoupées de tempêtes de neige (en fait deux tempêtes de plus de trente centimètres chacune). En ce qui a trait au froid, cette F-150 n’a connu aucune difficulté à démarrer ou à fonctionner durant cette période frigide. Rien n’a gelé, rien n’a nuit au bon fonctionnement du pick-up et le chauffage était exemplaire. Et la neige n’a pu empêcher cette F-150 à se déplacer allègrement sur les routes de la grande métropole. Notons ici l’adhérence remarquable des pneus Toyo autant dans la neige que sur la glace.

Sur grand-route, le véhicule est silencieux et très stable. Sa suspension peut s’avérer un peu plus rigide que celle de certaines concurrentes mais, en général, elle est très douce. Mon véhicule d’essai était également équipé du régulateur de vitesse BlueCruise à conduite autonome mais je ne l’ai pas utilisé vu les conditions climatiques du moment.  

Évidemment, les grandes dimensions d’une F-150 peuvent exiger du conducteur qu’il soit plus prudent lors des stationnements. Mais, en ce qui a trait aux accélérations et aux dépassements, il faut avouer que le moteur électrique vient rapidement en aide au V6 à essence. Passer du point mort à 100 km/h ne demandera que moins de six ou sept secondes ! Notez que lors des déplacements à basse vitesse, le PowerBoost  n’utilise que le moteur électrique ce qui aide à une consommation raisonnable. Justement, parlant de consommation, j’ai enregistré une moyenne de 14, 9 l. /100 km (alors que l’ordinateur de bord indiquait 14,5). Toutefois, sur les quelque 456 kilomètres de déplacement en situation surtout urbaine (et en conditions hivernales extrêmes en froid et en neige), 117,2 se seraient déroulés en propulsion électrique seulement selon l’ordinateur de bord. L’Energuide de Ressources Naturelles Canada nous dit que cette camionnette (de plus de 5650 livres) devrait, dans des conditions idéales, procurer une moyenne de consommation de 10,8 l./100 km.

Je n’ai pas fait de transport avec la F-150 PowerBoost mais Ford en affiche une capacité de charge de 2455 livres et une possibilité de traction de remorque de 12 700 livres.

Enfin, si vous rêvez d’une Ford F-150 Lariat PowerBoost comme celle dont il est question ici, il faudra calculer un prix de base de 80 495 $. L’unité que vous voyez ici avait pour 18 820 $ d’options dont 2500 $ pour la configuration hybride, 1750 $ pour le toit ouvrant en verre, 1000 $ pour les prises de courant dans la caisse et plus encore. Ajoutez à cela 100 $ de taxe d’accise, 2395 $ de frais de livraison (mais 2250 $ de réductions pour des ensembles désignés) et on en arrive à une facture finale de 99 460 $...plus les taxes locales.

�� bien y penser, je ne vois pas comment Ford pourrait améliorer ce pick-up sans le changer complètement. Mais est-ce vraiment cela que le client veut?  

[outoftheirdifferences]

Vanellope have you heard of a virus sellsman Double Dan 😐?

"Uh, no? C'mon, a kid like me doesn't have anything to do with that kinda thing."

She was trying to play it off; but suffice it to say, yeah, viruses were a bit of a sore subject for Vanellope. Between the Cy-bugs acting as such, then Turbo becoming one, and then whatever Ralph had stuffed into Slaughter Race to play off her glitch that one time... which she had forgiven him for, but still made her code run cold to think of how much worse that could have turned out...

Well. Suffice to say, she was in no great hurry to go looking for any more.

"Do I need to count the number of times viruses have almost ruined my life? Why would I ever seek out someone like that?"

Okay, okay don't freak out, Vanellope, it was just a question. The girl took a deep breath, a tiny glitch tremor running up her frame, but actually managed even a little snicker.

"Yeah, I gotta ask, though. What's a guy gotta do to get a nickname like Double?"

Hey, wasn't her fault that raised a ton of questions now, was it?

[the-faultofdaedalus]

elena and mack,,,, my BELOVEDS,,,,,,

[thebirdandhersong]

Mack gives nicknames to the people he loves :’))) and this is the cutest thing :’)))))

[theclaravoyant]

the fire’s out (but still it burns) - 5x14 coda

AN ~ I wasn’t feel up to it last week, and even now I’m only scratching the surface, but... basically I wanted to give Daisy the chance to react and deal with some of the shock of what just happened and have a good cry... and then Mack feels came along... and now I have this! angsty, slightly hurt-comforty bc we need SOME relief, 5x14 coda. to those who can stomach it... enjoy(?)

CW: there are no graphic flashbacks or anything, but some description of her injuries, and a lot of angsty/complicated feelings about Fitz. If you would like any more detail about what is in this fic before deciding whether to read it, feel free to message or chat with me (off anon for specifics please).

title from Flares by The Script

Rshps: Mack & Daisy, also some Jemma. Discussions of Fitz & Daisy and Mack & Fitz (though Fitz is not present). Rated T for torture & injury mentions and general angst. Set immediately following 5x14.

Read on AO3 (~1300wd)

the fire’s out (but still it burns)

“Mack, can you help?”

He gets up, moves towards the sound before he even really takes in what’s happening. Jemma’s voice is shaking, like a fence about to fall down, and Daisy is shaking just as badly, draped between the Doc and Deke and looking pale as death.

“What the hell happened out there?” Mack wonders, taking Jemma’s place under Daisy’s arm and helping lower her to the bed.

“F-Fitz,” Daisy replies.

Her voice is shaking – with fear, with anger. The air around her shakes too. The tools in the tray Jemma brings. Mack’s heart begins to feel heavier as he takes in the horrendous, bloody bruise to the side of Daisy’s head. The rope-burn on her arms. The bloody gauze that Deke is holding to her neck.

Mack’s stomach twists. He tries to imagine how Fitz could look at this, let alone carry it out, and the image won’t reconcile. A little angry spat, maybe, he could imagine. A slap, a punch, maybe even a black eye – after all, Fitz could be passionate, irrational at times, and Daisy never backed down from a fight. Mack had suspected that, should he snap one day, that might be how it would go. That would have been bad, very bad, terribly bad - but this isn’t just bad, it’s… gut-wrenchingly wrong. It’s hard to tie somebody down and cut them open in a fleeting moment of rage or frustration. This is something else entirely. Something pre-meditated. Something incomprehensible.

“Fitz did this to you?”

Daisy looks like she’s going to be sick. Over the other side of her shoulder, heart heavy and eyes brimming with tears, Jemma nods.

“Damn,” Mack whispers. It’s the only word he can find. The unspeakable, confusing horror of it all is like a nightmare.

A nightmare Daisy has just lived.

“Are you okay?” he asks. “Are you going to be okay?”

“It’s just a flesh wound,” Daisy hisses, but there are tears in her eyes, and fury competes with fear in her voice. Deke frowns doubtfully at the amount of the blood on the gauze at her neck, and he’s about to interrupt when she waves him off. “I mean it’s… It’ll heal. I’ll be fine.”

“You need stitches, Daisy,” Jemma points out.

The silence is tense as Jemma works. Daisy stares straight ahead at the wall, grinding her teeth, blinking back tears. She clutches Mack’s hand with a bone-crushing desperation, and Mack puts a hand over hers. He hopes it is comforting, despite his own nerves and uncertainty. Questions flood his mind – What happened? How, and why? - but the silence between Jemma and Daisy is too fragile to interrupt.

In the end, it’s Daisy who speaks first.

“It wasn’t really him, right? Jemma? Tell me- tell me it wasn’t him.”

Daisy holds her breath. Mack does too. The only sound is a pained sigh from Jemma, and the soft clink of metal as, task complete, she carefully lowers the tweezers and needle and steadies her hands on the tray.

When at last she replies, it’s like she has to drag the words over glass to make it out of her throat, and Mack’s not surprised. He’s a little impressed actually, by the way she maintains eye contact even though it feels like she’s reaching out and snapping the last strings of hope they have.

“I’m afraid it was,” she clarifies.

Daisy blinks at her. Reluctant. Disbelieving.

Jemma continues, dropping eye contact at last in a battle to find the words and push through to the end of the sentence. “What happened, I think, was called a psychic split. It can happen sometimes when a person with- with schizophrenia under a large amount of pressure develops a- a- an alternate personality, sort of thing-“

“So I’m right then?” Daisy presses. “The Doctor, the alternate personality, it took him over. Right? So then it wasn’t him?”

Jemma shakes her head. Tears are spilling down her cheeks now and the whole tray trembles violently in her hands. “It doesn’t work like that. It’s not like possession. The Doctor may have pushed Fitz to think from a perspective that he wouldn’t ordinarily, but… It was Fitz who made the decisions in the end. It was Fitz who– who-“

She chokes up, and Mack can’t blame her. The world is shifting around them, the whole place uncertain, and with the two people he’d bet good money on being closest to her in the world at the heart of this mess, Mack can’t imagine how twisted Jemma’s universe has become. A bullet in the leg, suddenly, is nothing.

“I got this, Doc,” he insists gently. “Go.”

Nodding frantically, Jemma shoves the tray back onto its cart and bolts from the room before she loses her last semblance of strength. Deke mumbles uncertainly and takes his leave after her, and with a heavy heart, Mack takes her seat by Daisy’s bedside.

Daisy props herself up on her arms, and her fingers clench the bedframe, even as Mack works as gently as he can to clean the wound on her head.

“I knew it,” she growls. “I knew it was him. He didn’t sound insane. He looked like he- he didn’t want to. The Doctor would have liked it. He was- He was crying. He could hear me. He knew what he was doing. He knew.”

Anger cracks and crumbles in the face of fear again. It’s more than fear, it’s horror. It’s heartbreak. It’s violation.

She sobs. Mack starts. He should have seen it coming but it feels like a gut punch out of nowhere. Never had he imagined – it was almost as unspeakable as the laws of the universe – that Fitz could have hurt Daisy so much, willingly or otherwise.

“He knew,” she sobs, tears streaming down her face in a matter of seconds. Her body shakes with them. “He knew what it means to me, what it means to us, and he still- How can I- How can I forgive him when he still-“

Mack puts the tweezers and gauze aside. This truly is a flesh wound; it can wait if it has to. It’s more important in this moment to wrap his arms around his friend. Hold her steady while the fabric of the world not only shifts, but tears beneath her feet. He’s not sure what she’s talking about, he’s not sure what Fitz did – not beyond the obvious anyway – but he’s sure that it must be something, that it must be bad, as Daisy howls and sobs in his embrace. There’s so much pain there, and anger, and grief, he starts to cry just listening to it.

She howls and the windows shake, the wheels of the bed and the med cart squeak, bottles and supplies start to drop to the floor, and Mack feels a knot tighten in his gut. He hadn’t picked up on it before but he sees it now. He pieces it together – the blood on Daisy’s neck, the profound sense of intimate betrayal, and the fact that her quaking is back. Fitz must have removed her inhibitor. Tied her down and took her Inhumanity back by force.

“Ah, Tremors,” he breathes, and it feels a bittersweet choice of nickname now. “Daisy. I got you, okay? You’re gonna be okay. You’re gonna be okay.”

He murmurs sweet nothings and rubs her back, and it doesn’t do much to soothe the otherwordly lament of agony that’s pouring out of her, but he figures it can’t hurt either. He stays with her, holds her, until the trials of the day catch up with her and she falls into a restless sort of sleep. Then he quickly, carefully finishes cleaning her head wound and posts himself as watchman over her. He’ll move her bed to be beside Elena’s as soon as he gets the chance, but for now he sits back in the chair and turns it a little more toward the door. He holds the scalpel, lightly, in his fist, just in case they get an unwanted visitor.

He wipes the tears from his cheeks.

Apparently, you really never can tell.

[cipheramnesia]

Hiii beautiful Cipher!

Recently we were able to watch Nope and absolutely loved it!! Her at home we have a couple of roommates who are not really into horror but Nope worked for them as it is a horror that feels like a western/sci-fi.

So we come to you asking for recommendations on horror movies that work that way.

Nope is kind of a tough act to follow, because it's one of those movies that hits on all levels - story, subtext, character, plot, cinematography. You name it, and Nope knocked it out of the park. So, tempered expectations, there's nothing else which will hit quite the same, I think.

Two movies I think are quite good and complimentary are Prey and Tremors. Tremors in particular comes pretty close to the same scifi western monster movie vibe of Nope, including a pretty similar pace and similar plot beats. While it doesn't quite aim as high as Nope, it's a classic of the horror genre for a good reason, and a whole lot of fun. It leans more into humor, although it's firmly a horror movie. If you or your friends somehow never heard of it, and you don't have "hard out" triggers, my advice is go in fully blind because much like Nope it has a lot of enjoyable twists. Some triggers I'd add would be animal death (sheep), fear of heights, child in danger, and obviously fear of earthquakes or similar.

Prey was all over Tumblr so I don't think I need to add a whole lot. It's one of the movies in the Predator series, and easily one of the best. The original Predator could also work to compliment Nope, but I think Prey fits it better. Watch it in the Comanche dub obviously. It's more of a departure from being directly a Western movie but syncs up enough to fit the vibe and it's likely to find a similar positive reception with anyone who enjoyed Nope thanks to the way it balances character, story, and action while using a deft but light touch with the horror element. This is one that's not really much for twists and turns so ahead and go nuts at doesthedogdie.com if you wanna.

A few others that mash-up horror, science fiction, and western movie tropes or themes, but which don't compliment Nope as well, are Pitch Black, Turbo Kid, and Prisoners Of The Ghostland. Pitch Black is from back in Vin Diesel's early days, and feels like something right in between Aliens and Firefly. It's a low stakes, mid-budget monster movie that doesn't reinvent anything but makes for a fun ride. Turbo Kid is a retro 80s movie more than western per se, which imho leans too hard on the style and not enough on the characters, but it's full of weird mechanical devices and showdowns and standoffs. Prisoners of the Ghostland is something fully different than Nope, but it mashes up the western and samurai genres along with post apocalypse themes and an overall dreamy surrealism that puts it more in line with Mad God. But it sure is scifi western horror, kind of. Content warning: Nicholas Cage.

If we get a little further outside the western area, there's definitely some other films that are a good follow up for Nope. Immediately to mind is the spectacular scifi horror movie Attack the Block. It's another great movie to in blind on if you can, not so much for specific plot twists, as purely the story unfolding is so good and so fun that getting to enjoy it unspoiled is deeply satisfying. It's a fantastic bit of humans versus aliens that illustrates how to masterfully take a very conventional story and tell it in a way so unique that it feels new each time you watch it.

Related and tangential to the western movie is the apocalypse road trip movie, aka the Mad Max genre. One of my favorites is the little seen 80s movie but released in the 90s Highway To Hell. It's a curious bit of film with some bits that aged poorly, but for the most part it's surprisingly smart and chock full of iconic moments, including racing the devil for a soul. More recently I would suggest the Wyrmwood movies (Road of the Dead and Apocalypse), as absolutely balls out zombie movies like nothing you've seen, unless you like Z Nation, but even then they're still unique. In particular Wyrmwood Apocalypse has some of the western movie vibes, but it's uniquely bizarre in execution.

Lastly I wanna give a shout-out to Red Hill, which is not science fiction or horror, but is a banger of a modern day western movie, particularly with how it tricks the viewer into the idea that it's heading one way and then, well... something quite a bit else.

[queen-daya]

3. Alphonso Mackenzie and Elena Rodriguez

Mackelena

First, her nickname…I love that Mack nicknames so many of his fellow teammates…turbo, tremors, yoyo (and then her nickname for him…turtleman! So good!!!) But seriously they are so cute together!!!! I totally agree with Daisy about him being a cute little fluffy teddy bear. And Yoyo, honestly I liked her from the moment she showed up in season 3, but I’ve just grown to like her more and more every time you see her, and she’s just so cute. (Side note: I love how tiny her hand is compared to his in bottom left gif). I love the fact that they are both sweet, but also very sassy and so they make fun of each other, but they also make fun of the other team members together. I just love this ship so much and they get better the longer you watch.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!!!

[eirikrjs]

Is there anything distinctly Japanese about SH’s Headless Rider or is he just a generic biker ghost?

It appears as part of Kaneko's "creature features" (not their actual name) for Game Criticism magazine.

Here it's with other Japanese urban legends (Old Lady's Turbo!) and the columns featured 'real' legends or horror movies like Tremors and The Shining, so I'd wager it's authentic. This description from the wiki...

Headless Rider is an urban legend about a man who was riding a motorbike along the road at a very high speed when a piano string extended across the street. When he rode into it he was decapitated, but his headless body continued to move along with the bike for a short while after.

...seems to line up with that of Kaneko's in the column, particularly the decapitation by piano wire (ピアノ線). Search for Kubinashi Rider or くびなしライダー and you'll probably find more.

[scarlettdragnastan]

Mack to Daisy : Tremors ❤️

Mack to Elena : YoYo ❤️

Mack to Fitz : Turbo ❤️

Mack to Lincoln : Sparkplug ❤️

Hunter : what about me?

Mack : a mess ❤️

[blogueericdescarries]

Ford Maverick: hybride ou turbo AWD ?

Le 29 novembre 2023

Ford a lancé une mini-camionnette pick-up en 2021, le Maverick. Mais, avec la pandémie et la pénurie des puces électroniques, son arrivée sur le marché québécois est passée presque inaperçue. Aujourd’hui, plusieurs automobilistes semblent finalement s’intéresser au Maverick sans, toutefois, bien le connaître. Notez qu’en même temps, Hyundai lançait le Santa Cruz (à ne pas confondre avec le Vera Cruz du passé…) qui, lui, malgré un prix plus élevé, connaît un certain succès.

J’ai déjà publié un premier essai du Maverick mais, il a certes été oublié. Cette fois, je vais donc vous parler de deux Maverick, c’est-à-dire les Maverick selon les deux configurations mécaniques disponibles, celle «de base» avec moteur hybride électrique mais qu’avec la traction avant et le Maverick avec le moteur turbocompressé qui vient, lui, avec la traction intégrale. Ce dernier m’a été proposé en finition Tremor plus élaborée.

Le mini-pick-up Maverick commence à se faire connaître (Photo Éric Descarries)

Au départ, j’ai déjà demandé aux gens de Ford à Detroit pourquoi avoir ressuscité le nom Maverick que les gens plus âgés ont connu chez nous comme une voiture, la remplaçante plus «moderne» de la Ford Falcon (les autos étant sur une plateforme presque identique créée, au départ, pour la première Falcon en 1960). Je leur aussi fait part de mon goût personnel où j’aurais plutôt vu le nom de Ranchero pour l’actuel Maverick. Première réponse, selon les études et les «cliniques» menées par les administrateurs de Ford, il semble que le nom Maverick correspondait mieux à l’utilité du petit pick-up. Le mot «maverick» veut dire en américain «sauvage et libre» un peu dans le sens de «rebelle». Quant au nom Ranchero, il serait toujours en réserve chez Ford (la Ford Ranchero de 1957 à 1979 était une forme de voiture familiale (station-wagon) dont le toit avait été retiré après le compartiment avant transformant la familiale en camionnette pick-up). J’ai déjà eu trois Ranchero dans ma vie alors vous comprendrez pourquoi j’espérais que le nom revienne sur le marché!  Le nouveau Maverick est ni plus ni moins qu’une version tronquée du petit VUM Ford Escape dont la partie du toit au-dessus du compartiment cargo aurait été retirée. Incidemment, le Maverick est construit sur le principe de la plateforme C2 de Ford qui sert aussi au Ford Escape et au Ford Bronco Sport.

Le Maverick est une camionnette pick-up basée sur la plateforme C2 des Escape et Bronco Sport. (Photo Éric Descarries)

De nos jours, il est plus facile de se procurer un Maverick maintenant que la production semble s’être stabilisée et déjà, on constate que le modèle est destiné à une devenir une véritable réussite…au point même où, selon la publication spécialisée Automotive News, les concessionnaires américains de Toyota pressent le constructeur nippon d’en produire une version semblable sur base de RAV4!

La caisse du Maverick en est son secret le mieux gardé! (Photo Éric Descarries)

Question «styling», le Maverick est le plus petit pick-up de Ford bien avant le Ranger. C’est une camionnette à quatre portes avec une courte caisse dont le plancher fait 4 pieds et demie (six pieds avec le panneau arrière abaissé) alors que beaucoup de grands pick-up ont un plancher qui ne fait que 5 pieds et demi. Comme c’en est le cas pour les pick-up intermédiaires, le traditionnel panneau de contreplaqué de 4 x 8 ne fait pas à plat entre les puits d’aile mais si l’on abaisse le panneau arrière de la caisse qu’à moitié (en détachant les câbles de retenue pour les repositionner un peu plus haut), ces contreplaqués reposeront alors sur les puits d’ailes et leur extrémité arrière sur le rebord du panneau de la caisse. Notons ici que les ingénieurs de Ford ont imaginé des partitions dans la caisse que le propriétaire peut faire selon les instructions qu’il pourra trouver sur un site Internet disponible par le code QR imprimé sur un petit portillon dans le flanc de la caisse. Ford a aussi publié une courte vidéo sur Internet pour donner des trucs afin de maximiser l’utilisation de la caisse incluant des plans pour y faire un support à bicyclette! De plus, il est possible d’y avoir une prise de courant de 120 volts dans un des flancs. La capacité de charge est d’environ 1500 livres.

Un intérieur simple et pratique

Le tableau de bord du Maverick est simple mais très fonctionnel. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Lorsqu’on monte à bord du Maverick, on est surpris par la simplicité de sa présentation. Tout ou presque y est en plastique. Il faut dire que les matériaux ont été soigneusement choisis par les concepteurs de Ford pour ressembler à du cuir. Mais si tout y est en plastique, c’est pour que le nettoyage y soit facile.

Le tableau de bord est peut-être un peu simple mais encore une fois, c’est voulu pour que le Maverick soit considéré comme une véritable camionnette. Son design est rectiligne avec une niche pour les instruments et un grand écran au centre. Sous ce tableau de bord se trouve une console centrale avec un sélecteur rotatif de vitesses et des espaces conçus pour contenir le téléphone cellulaire (avec chargeur à plat), les clés et les gobelets. On verra d’autres grands compartiments et porte-gobelets dans les garnitures de portières (toujours en plastique). Le plus remarquables, ce sont les poignées de portières de conception très robustes dont le design permet de les agripper de plusieurs façons.

Les places arrière sont modestes mais quand même accueillantes. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Les sièges d’avant (avec des tissus très robustes basés sur des matériaux plastiques) sont confortables. Il y a une banquette à l’arrière qui est à la fois accueillante et relativement confortable, même pour des déplacements plus longs. Le fauteuil se relève pour découvrir d’autres compartiments utiles pour grader de précieux objets hors de la vue des curieux parfois malfaisants. Le dossier se rabaisse aussi mais il ne révèle qu’un panneau pouvant accepter certains «bricolages» (même électriques) des propriétaires.

Sous le fauteuil arrière on découvre de petits compartiments de rangement. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Une mécanique sur mesure

Lors de son lancement, les dirigeants de Ford ont pensé que la version de base du Maverick serait mue par un quatre cylindres hybride combiné seulement avec la traction avant. Il fallait alors commander le moteur turbocompressé si l’on voulait la traction intégrale. Plus maintenant. Quoique le quatre cylindres de 2,5 litres avec deux moteurs électriques qui fait 191 chevaux et 173 li-pi de couple. Il est combiné à une boîte automatique constamment variable CVT soit toujours disponible (maintenant facultatif), le nouveau moteur de base est un quatre cylindres EcoBoost de 2,0 litres qui fait 250 chevaux et 277 li-pi de couple. Celui-ci est obligatoire avec la traction intégrale et il vient avec la boîte automatique à huit rapports.  Le freinage est à disque aux quatre roues et la direction assistée électrique est à crémaillère. La suspension est semblable à celle des Bronco Sport ou Escape avec des jambes de force à l’avant et des bras multiples à l’arrière. Le poids variera de 3700 à 3900 livres selon la version et l’équipement choisis. En ce qui a trait aux capacités de remorquage, elle sera de 2000 livres pour la version hybride et 4000 livres pour celle à traction intégrale.

Le moteur du Maverick Hybrid est reconnaissable à ses connections à câblage orange. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Mon Maverick Tremor d’essai avait ce quatre cylindres bi-turbo Ecoboost sous le capot. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Sur la route…et hors-route

J’ai donc eu droit à deux versions du Maverick, tous deux avec la finition Lariat, la première étant l’hybride à traction, l’autre, la plus récente Tremor à traction intégrale. Au départ, je dois avouer que le Maverick n’a rien de sportif. Ses accélérations peuvent varier de 6 à 8 secondes selon le modèle, la version avec le quatre turbocompressé étant la plus rapide. Mais, le Maverick est un petit camion, pas un coupé de sport! Si le Maverick Hybrid vient avec une boîte auto CVT, celui-ci procure des changements de rapport nettement plus doux, virtuellement imperceptible. Toutefois, durant mon essai, cette boîte CVT a produit certaines hésitations en décélération qui m’ont agacé. Cependant, dans ce cas, il s’agit d’un véhicule à traction avant (encore une fois, trop de consommateurs peu informés ont voulu m’obstiner que le Maverick était à propulsion…nooon! Un Maverick de base est à traction. Point final!). Cette configuration pourrait s’avérer un peu moins efficace en hiver dans notre bout du monde mais avec des pneus d’hiver appropriés, la traction ne devrait pas être un handicap!

Dans sa version Tremor, le Maverick vient avec la traction intégrale (et le moteur EcoBoost) plus utile sur des chemins plus rudes. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Le Maverick avec la traction intégrale est un peu plus rapide puisque son quatre cylindres EcoBoost biturbo est reconnu comme une moteur plus performant. On peut atteindre le cap des 100 km/h en moins de sept secondes. Et les reprises sont plus convaincantes (et plus ressenties) grâce à la boîte auto à huit rapports. Par contre, grâce à la traction intégrale, j’ai pu faire quelques excursions hors-route (modestes) avec la version Tremor. Notez que celle-ci possède une suspension légèrement relevée en plus de quelques réglages électroniques qui lui permettront d’attaquer certains sentiers non pavés.

Dans ce cas, j’ai encore emprunté les installations de mon ami Pierre Archambault à Laval (Pépinor) pour mesurer les capacités du Maverick Tremor. Les chemins de sa pépinière ne sont pas des plus exigeants mais ils sont invitants. Ici, je dis avouer que les pneus Falken Wildpeak A/T se sont révélés plus efficaces sur les sentiers boueux que des pneus plus conventionnels. Ces A3T3W ont été créés non seulement pour les excursions hors-route modestes mais aussi pour l’hiver ce qui signifie que l’utilisateur n’aura pas besoin de les changer pour l’hiver.

J’ai utilisé les terrains et chemins de culture de mon ami Pierre Archambault (Pépinor) pour apprécier le système intégral du Tremor. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Autrement, en conduite régulière, autant la version Hybrid que la Tremor se sont avérées très agréables à conduire. Elles sont relativement silencieuses et leur conduite ressemble à celle d’une berline intermédiaire avec une visibilité sécuritaire. Qui plus est, leur conduite en ville est des plus faciles, le gabarit des Maverick rendant leur manœuvrabilité des plus faciles pour le stationnement.

Évidemment, avec le temps, nous verrons de plus en plus d’accessoires créés pour améliorer l’utilisation des Maverick alors que j’ai déjà vu des cabines de caisse adaptées à cette camionnette pour des besoins commerciaux ou privés.

Question consommation, la version Hybrid s’est avérée un vrai charme car mon calcul à la pompe a résulté en une moyenne de 7,2 l./100 km (mi-ville, mi-route alors que le tableau de bord indiquait une moyenne de 6,5 l./100 km). Sur 359,8 km parcourus, l’ordinateur de bord m’indiquait que 133,7 l’avaient été en mode électrique). La version Tremor m’a un peu déçu puisque sa consommation moyenne selon mes calculs à la pompe l’ont été de 10,4 l./100 km (alors que l’ordinateur de bord indiquait 10,2 !). Cependant, ce Maverick a été un peu plus sollicité (incluant des excursions dans la boue).

Il ne reste plus que la question des prix. Le plus abordable Lariat Hybrid à traction avant affichait un prix de base de 36 150 $ mais les 10 455 $ d’options incluant un toit ouvrant vitré de 1120 $, un ensemble de décoration noire, la finition Lariat de 4100 $, l’assistance Co-Pilot360 de 850 $, la WiFi 4G de 25 $ et quelques autres options intéressantes et utiles (en plus de la taxe fédéral d’accise pour la climatisation) ont ajouté 10 455 $ à facture en plus des 2 095 $ de transport et préparation ont fait grimper la facture finale à 48 700 $...plus taxes.

Mon véhicule d’essais à finition Tremor avait un prix de base semblable mais les options incluant l’ensemble Off-Road de 5 400 $, l’ensemble de luxe de 4 100 $ et autres options comme le toit ouvrant vitré, la WiFi et j’en passe ont fait ajouter 13 605 $ à la facture. Ajoutez à cela le transport et la préparation de 2 095 $ et nous voilà à une totale de 53 350 $...encore une fois, plus taxes!

Alors, lequel choisir?

Quelle version choisir? C’est alors une question de besoins ou de goût. Dans mon cas, je suis un bricoleur (on y va pour le petit pick-up qui sera alors utile) mais je ne ressens pas toujours le besoin de parcourir des sentiers hors-route (ai-je vraiment besoin du Tremor?). Par contre, la consommation de la version Hybrid m’a impressionné et vu que la plupart de mes déplacements se font en situation urbaine, là où la technologie hybride aide à l’économie de carburant, j’irais pour l’hybride.

Mais vu que nous vivons au Québec où les conditions hivernales nous font apprécier la traction intégrale et où la possibilité d’attaquer certains petits sentiers plus ou moins exigeants demeure une tentation fréquente, la version à traction intégrale (encore plus rassurante avec la finition Tremor, je me demande si les presque 5000 $ de plus n’en valent pas le coup!).   

[burlveneer-music]

VA - Tsonga Tremors: Explorations in Tradition, Technology & South African Dance Music (1983-1991)

In the last decade, the breadth of plugged-in African music has become increasingly apparent. Samplers and synths have spread across the continent; nowhere is this more striking than in South Africa, where the end of apartheid coincided with the gradual move away from funk and soul-based township sounds and the emergence of electronic styles. Enter Shangaan Electro, a seminal compilation released in 2010 of 180-plus bpm South African dance tracks; its rapid dispersal through global dance channels introduced ecstatic audiences to a previously marginal scene. Shangaan Electro has its own prehistory in electronic variations of neo-traditional Tsonga music (Tsonga has replaced Shangaan as the favoured designation since the 1994 national elections). A new style materialised, pioneered in the early 1980s, integrating Western elements with electrified neo-traditional sounds, known as Tsonga Disco. Tsonga Disco emerged at a time when apartheid-dictated radio censorship laws exerted near-impenetrable control over radio airwave access. Despite the restrictions, a raft of Tsonga musicians rose to national prominence. Tsonga Tremors highlights a small but necessary sign of an emerging future. A stunning example of home-grown magic; something both organically arrived at and politically expediated through a cross-wiring of local rhythms, imported dance-pop, cultural censorship, emerging technology and limited means that became the catalyst in shaping the future of South African dance music, paving the way for Shangaan Electro’s international emergence nearly two decades later. This compilation seeks to revive an important moment in Tsonga music history. These 18 tracks compiled by chOOn!!, a label specialising in obscure, archival and forgotten releases, should serve as a necessary starting point. Featuring early Shangaan-influenced dance music from legendary producers Paul Ndlovu and Richard Siluma alongside lesser-known Tsonga Disco and neo-traditional rarities from South Africa (1983-1991), they offer a disorientating and frenetically accelerated rhythmic bricolage of programmed drum patterns, cascading percussion, squeezebox keyboard lines and truncated vocal interjections sung in rich harmony. Infinitely absorbing and tangled with rhythm in a knotty osmosis between beat and pitch. The effect is both ecstatic and unusually elegiac, a DIY brand of pastoral neo-traditional soul, amplified minimalism and infectious body music. Mastered for vinyl (2LP) and digital by Josh Bonati. Artwork by the acclaimed book designer Luke Bird. The companion EP, Tsonga Tremors: Remixes, features four exclusive edit/remixes by Hysteric, M. Baba and DJ Turbo Boom-Boom - available from  tsongatremors.bandcamp.com/album/tsonga-tremors-remixes

[1-800-gaygentsofshield]

Agents of SHIELD Characters | Love Languages

feat: Daisy Johnson, Jemma Simmons, Leo Fitz. Alphonzo Mackenzie, Bobbi Morse, Lance Hunter, Phil Coulson, Melinda May

daisy johnson

touch: since daisy grew up in the foster system, she didn't have much experince with physical touch. she developed this love language during her time at SHIELD, being comforted by her teammates, simmons caring for her injuries, mack's bear hugs, etc

acts of service: daisy will do anything for the people she loves, including acts of service like putting herself in danger on a mission so others dont have to, checking up on Fitz and Simmons when they're up late working, making food for the team even though she can't cook that well

quality time: this is a rarity inbetween missions but it means alot to daisy if she spends it with the people she loves. and, because they have such a limited amount of free time it just makes spending time with daisy all the more meaningful

jemma simmons

words of affirmation: words of affirmation are a daily occurance with simmons, especially around her team, phrases like "you're doing amaizing" "you got this" "don't worry about it, you're going to crush it" "brilliant idea" "i'm here for you"

acts of service: she likes to check up on people when theyre stressed, buy things at the store that they know the person will like, and other actions like that

touch: simmons has never been a really physical person, always choosing comforting words over touch but that doesnt mean she doesnt like it. she will still place a comforting hand on her teammates back when she reassures them, she will hug her teammates (mostly daisy) after they get back from a life-threatening mission, and things like that

leo fitz

words of affirmation: his dad always undermined him so when somone else accomplishes something (especially someone he loves) he'll shower them with words of affirmation. he wants to make sure that no one else goes through what he did, so he'll voice his opinion like "that's such a brilliant idea" "thats good, perfect actually" "absolutely brilliant" "that's what i was missing, you're a lifesaver" or just a simple "thanks, you're amazing" accompanied by one of his signature gentle smiles

acts of service: sometimes words speak more than actions, especially with fitz. when his injury is acting up or when words sometimes seem too hard, he shows his love through acts of service (like doing things for you around the base, grabbing you your jacket when it's cold, etc)

mack hammer

touch: shows affection through touch ex. bear hugs, shoulder pats, putting a hand on your back to let you know that he's there

quality time: spending time with you in the workshop/in the lab is also how he shows affection

words of affimation: is probably from his natural leadership skills but he always says things like "great idea, turbo" "i've got you, tremors, i've got you" "hey, we don't give up. i know you, i know all of us, we're all stronger than we know it and we can't give up now"

bobbi morse

acts of service: will get tourtured for you. enough said.

"words of affirmation": this is in quotations because bobbi shows her affection through tough love. it's not sappy or obvious but the people on her team know that when she says "don't die out there, okay? or else i'll kill you" it means that she cares

lance hunter

"words of affirmation": once again, this is in quotations because it's the same tough love that bobbi gives. it may sound like he's arguing and/or insulting you but if you look past that, his words show that he truly cares

quality time: will drink beers with you to show his love. maybe even provide you with said beer if lucky

phil "dad" coulson

touch: dad hugs, pats on back, wrapping an arm around you, holding your shoudler, rubbing your back, anything a dad does basically

words of affimation: dad jokes, "you're doing great kid "i love you" "yes! you did it!" and having those dad moments like "i missed you two working together? didn't i? dang it!" (also checking up on you after missions)

gift giving: "okay look, don't tell may but i got the team muffins"

melinda "mom" may

acts of service: will fight off an army for the people she loves, checks everyones wepons before a mission and will switch them with her own if she finds that it's deffective in some way, makes sure no ones looking before she does it, but everyone knows anyways, stealthy but not so stealthy

gift giving: is like a angel or something because she always leaves her Bus Kids sandwiches/premade meals on the counter when she knows that they haven't eaten all day (doesn't announce it though, she just knows that they'll find it and takes amusemnt each time when they find them + hiding her grin when they ask around "do you know who keeps on leaving food out for us?")