#you ever travel abroad for work and accidentally end up on vacation? | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

alsjeblieft-zeg · 25 days ago

Text

168 of 2024

1) If you had to make a six hour cross-country journey, would you rather take the train, fly or drive? How come?

Yeah, fly. In my country, you drive for two hours and accidentally land abroad, that's how small it is. XD I'd go around for six hours by train, or by car.

2) How long do your earphones tend to last before the connection goes and you have to replace them?

I buy good quality things, so rather long. I have good Beats headphones that are a few years old already, and I use wireless earphones while in public transport, and these tend to last long.

3) If you could dye your hair any colour in the world, assuming it would look perfect with your colouring, what would you pick and why?

Blue, bright red r purple. Magenta would be great, too.

4) Are you a fan of musicals? If you are, what ones have you seen live and which ones would you like to see?

No, I'm not.

5) If money was no object, and you could go on a two-week vacation with one other person, who would you take, where would you go and what would you get upto?

One person? Can't decide. It would be my dad, my sister or my husband, although he's really difficult. I'd love to go to Finland or Sweden, or Spain.

6) Are you someone who needs to have time alone?

Yes, definitely. Sometimes I just need time to clear my thoughts, so I go to the beach.

7) What’s your opinion on couples who do literally everything together? Are you like that, or is that like one of your worst nightmares?

Meh. You do you, but I'm happy that me and my husband definitely don't do everything together. That would be way too much.

8) Have you ever had to give up something you were addicted to? Did you actually succeed?

Yeah, shopping. It's better now, but still not over.

9) Does your favourite food vary depending on your mood or on the time of year or anything?

No. I eat whatever I fancy at the moment.

10) Do you know anyone whose views/opinions are the complete opposite of yours? Do you find it hard to get on with them as a result, or can you generally ignore it and find something else to talk about?

Yeah, I know some people like that. It's somehow cool to discuss the differences, as long as we don't argue about it and we get along on different matter.

11) Have you ever had to work (or study) with someone that you really didn’t get along with? How did you deal with it (ignoring them, being nice, etc.)?

Yeah, many times. I was just doing my own thing.

12) Have you ever had any problems with your wisdom teeth, or have they been taken out already?

I didn't even feel them grow, I still have all four and they don't bother me at all.

13) Which one of your senses would you miss the most if you lost it?

Sight. Losing hearing would suck as well because no music anymore, but losing my already poor eyesight would be a nightmare.

14) Do you ever listen to CDs anymore?

I don't, but I still collect them.

15) What’s your favourite type of fast food? Is it something you eat a lot or do you try and limit it?

I love fish burgers and milkshakes from McDonald's, and chili cheese nuggets from Burger King. And fish sticks from Quick. I order only once in a while.

16) Do you find your mood changes when you’re hungry or tired? Does eating or sleeping automatically cure your of a bad mood?

Yes and yes. I'm more grumpy when tired, definitely. Sleeping helps.

17) When you see cute animals, do you just wanna pick them up and cuddle them or fuss them?

Well, when I see a cat, I feel that urge to kiss their nose. I don't do it, even though we don't really have feral cats anymore.

18) What’s the stupidest fight you’ve ever gotten into? Did you make up with that person or did you end up losing them over it?

With my husband, we get into stupid fights about who farted louder. So pointless that it's actually funny.

19) Do you find yourself using people as footrests and pillows if you’re sat next to them?

Only my husband. He hates it.

20) Have you ever gotten really bad travel sickness? Has this put you off travelling or going by certain modes of transport in case it happens again?

No, I've never had travel sickness in my life.

21) What’s your opinion on prostitution? Should it be legal and regulated, or is it something that needs to be gotten rid of completely?

It's legal where I live. In the Netherlands, it's considered a normal job and prostitutes have to pay taxes. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone, I don't see any problem with it.

22) If it was a case of prostitution or being evicted from your home, which option would you pick (assuming you’d tried everything else to make money first)?

No prostitution at all. I've suffered enough already.

23) What would go into your ideal sandwich? Do you eat that often or is a treat for you?

Ham, cheese and lettuce. I hardly ever eat sandwiches, though. I don't consider them a treat either.

24) In general do you prefer modern art or more traditional art? Or do you really not care?

I love vintage photography. Like, black and white. I love audiovisual arts, too. For the rest, whatever.

25) If you want (or don’t want) kids, is this something you’ve always known or have you changed your mind as you’ve grown up?

I've never wanted kids on my own. One adult stepson is enough.

26) Do you believe “once a criminal, always a criminal” or do you think that people can really change and become better?

Well, it depends. I've seen too many cases of criminals not going better at all.

27) Have you ever read a quote or a poem and really connected with it?

Probably, but it was back in time.

28) What’s something that really puts you off a person (bad hygiene, whatever)? Are you willing to look past that in order to get to know them properly?

Well, if someone acts like an asshole, it's a big no for me.

29) Are you into piercings and tattoos? If not, do you judge people who are, and vice versa?

I have 9 piercings in total and 2 tattoos, booked an appointment for the 3rd one. I don't mind it on others, but for myself, I would never want any excessive tattoos (i. e. sleeves or full neck or whatever) or piercings in *unusual* places. I like minimalistic tattoos.

30) What’s your opinion on places like Seaworld? Do you think keeping whales and dolphins in such small enclosures is cruel or a necessary evil?

There's no such thing as "necessary evil" in cases like that. I don't like zoos either, because of all these animals suffering in captivity. I prefer protection centres because the animals have much better conditions to live there.

#survey #random survey #q&a survey

0 notes

twokinkybeans · 5 years ago

Text

Jar Of Dirt Chapter 9: Cinnamon Orange [Starker Fanfiction NFSW/18+]

Kink/Sexual Warnings: Daddy Kink, Praise Kink, Thigh Rubbing, Sauna Sex, Teasing, Only Peter gets off Other Warnings: Tony's having emotional struggles

All Chapters: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10 ... Masterpost (More to come!)

---

Chapter 9: Cinnamon Orange “What’s this?” Tony says accusingly as he holds up the Swissy in front of Peter’s face. The boy is sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, studying for the midterm he has in two hours. After that, Tony said he would take Peter on a fun little trip abroad, refusing to say where exactly. Peter had packed his bags earlier this morning, and now they’re here. “Well, since we’re going on a mystery vacation, I figured that’d spice things up?” He looks up at the billionaire innocently. He knows damn well what he’s done. Tony sucks at his teeth and shakes his head with a scoff. “No. No, we’re not bringing the Swissy, we’re not bringing the jar. We’re gonna relax for a week, okay?” Peter frowns. “Having sex doesn’t relax you?” Tony groans loudly and puts the Swissy on the coffee table, sitting down next to it. “Pete, we discussed this. I’m scared. Okay? I want to be a hundred percent sure you’re not going to lose yourself like that again before I even try anything.” Peter pulls in his legs and looks away. “It’s been three weeks, Mr. Stark. I’m fine again! Been swinging through New York and helping old ladies cross the street just like I always did. I’m back!” “Well, I’m not.” Tony stands up again, taking the Swissy with him. “No sex, Pete. Not yet.”

Peter’s frustrated. Obviously. After a few days of numbness, everything went back to normal, but Tony can’t help himself. He’s scared he’ll break the boy like he did before and he doesn’t want Peter to experience it ever again. It doesn’t matter how many times Peter said it was the best sex he’s ever had. It frightened Tony. And the guilt was still there. He knows Peter gets himself off in the shower every night now. He can literally hear it, the boy isn’t exactly quiet. And Tony’s pretty sure the cheeky bastard is not holding back his moans to entice Tony to join him in the shower and fuck him hard. Like they both want to. But Tony can’t. He just can’t.

Tony has spent many hours in the gym, lifting weights, running laps, taking the coldest showers. But fuck, he can’t stop being hard for Peter. He won’t allow himself to get off. He’s saving himself for when he’s ready again, but both his mind and his body are working together to eat at his willpower. Not to mention Peter’s working very hard for it too. Leaning over counters, sticking out his butt just a little more than necessary. When they watch a film together, Peter constantly “accidentally” lets his hands roam a little too low. Heck, Tony even caught the boy pretending to be asleep while being the big spoon, rubbing himself against Tony’s ass. But he’s got this. He’s going to get through this. All he needs is for his subconscious to stop being scared and then both he and Peter can experience all the pleasure they want. Tony wishes with all his heart that his feelings are set straight soon. Not just so that Peter can get what he wants. No. He wants to rail his little slut.

Peter’s mouth hasn’t shut since they’ve arrived at the exclusive Italian spa. He’s in awe of the place and can’t help but stare open-mouthed at the stunning design. It’s in the middle of nowhere, on an otherwise deserted island, and only the richest moneybags can afford the luxury of this place. Tony is one of those rich moneybags. Peter feels like a commoner in the VIP lounge of the most exclusive club he can think of. In essence, he kind of is. And it makes him only slightly uncomfortable. The place is beyond imagination. A gigantic building, no- a temple, with marble and chandeliers and fountains and lush greenery everywhere. The island is covered in smaller temples, each containing their own baths, saunas and treatment rooms. Massive Corinthian pillars hold up the structures and the marble floors are broken up by the most intricate, symmetrical mosaics. The gardens are never ending, filled with statues, and from what Peter could gather, the number of guests that are there can’t be more than thirty. This place is really only for the richest people. Everything about it screams abundant luxury. And everything is delicate. Expensive.

Peter’s worn sneakers tap the floor awkwardly as he waits for Tony to finish up at the front desk. Peter tends to forget how much Tony is in his element in these kinds of situations. He’s rich. He knows it. He flaunts it. Tony knows exactly how all of this works and Peter can’t help but admit that, fuck. He’s hot like this. Sunglasses, mysteriously hiding his eyes as he nonchalantly leans on the counter, using his large, rough hands to enunciate the words he speaks. Peter’s not even listening anymore. He’s just hearing Tony’s deep, low voice as he arranges all kinds of massages and- Peter caught Tony’s words and his interest peaks. A private sauna? Peter presses his lips on top of each other and shifts, hoping no one notices his hard-on. A private sauna… Peter smiles mischievously at his feet, conjuring up his evil plan.

That evening, Tony smiles at Peter on the other side of the fancy dinner table. The boy looks absolutely adorable in the tux. It’s the same one he wore at Tony’s party three weeks ago. The same bow tie to go along with it. “So, how did the exam go? I completely forgot to ask.” “Oh, I think I did okay!” Peter starts. “I mean, I wasn’t exactly sure about the question where we had to estimate how much energy would be deposited into the Earth if it is hit by a one-tonne meteor traveling on an orbit around the Sun with a semi-major axis of 20.0A.U, but I tried and I think I nailed all the other questions!” “Was it moving in the same or opposite direction as the Earth’s orbit?” “Opposite.” Tony quickly grabs his phone to calculate the answer. “Alright, so if this... is the velocity, then it should be… 2.59 ×10^12 Joules?” Peter’s face lights up and Tony can’t help but smile along with that contagious little grin. “That was my answer! I nailed the test!” Peter exclaims happily, sitting back in his chair smirking. He realizes that there are people looking at them, so Peter giggles and tones his voice down a bit. “If I’m correct about the other questions too, then… I got a perfect score.”

Tony puts his phone away again and raises his crystal wine glass high in the air, looking at Peter. “To the smartest man I know.” “That’s you,” Peter laughs, his eyebrow raised. “No, Peter. You. I’m smart, but I’m only keeping up with you because I’ve had all these years to study. If you go on like this, you’ll be a thousand times smarter than I’ve ever been. You’re so intelligent it’s almost scary.” Peter feels his cheeks flush and he lowers his gaze to his glass of wine, raising it as well, clinking it against Tony’s. He knows he’s smart. Hearing it come from Tony’s mouth adds a different layer to it though. He can’t imagine ever knowing more than him. But then, Tony usually knows stuff like this.

Being in a fancy restaurant once again reminds Peter of the last time they were at one. He’s already having a hard time keeping to his new self-made rule. No teasing Tony until the sauna. It’ll be hard. Very hard. But waiting these three little days are going to be worth all of it. Besides, he gets to enjoy all these massages and whatever Tony booked for them. It’s not like he’ll be bored. Not teasing Tony has proved to him just how much he actually teases his boyfriend throughout the day, and he has to consciously stop himself from doing so. No jokes about tiramisu. Sadly.

Peter’s brushing his teeth in the bathroom closest to their bed - yes, the hotel room has more than one bathroom - while Tony gets comfortable in the large king bed. They’ve had two full days of extreme relaxation and Peter’s pretty sure he can’t feel half his muscles anymore. In a good way, this time. He walks out of the bathroom, toothbrush hanging from his mouth as he pulls up his cotton pajama pants. Tony’s scrolling through his phone, the lower half of his body covered by the thin sheets. His chest is bare. Toned. His arc reactor glows dimly. Peter loves the little faces Tony pulls when he’s reading, but Tony soon looks up, raising an eyebrow, silently wondering why Peter’s looking at him. “So, what are we doing tomorrow?” Peter asks innocently as he takes the toothbrush out of his mouth. He knows what they’re doing tomorrow. Oh, he knows. “Not much, to be honest.” Tony puts his phone on the nightstand and crosses his arms. “I was hoping we could have a nice sleep in, dive into one of those mint baths and then head to the private sauna.” “Oh, yeah, the sauna! Forgot about that.” He didn’t. “What time was that again?” “The appointment’s at four. We got loads of time.” “Cool!” Hot. Peter rushes back to the bathroom to hide his excitement. He needs his dick to calm the fuck down. Only one more day of no touching. No teasing. No nothing. Tony must have noticed his behavior. There’s no other way. He hasn’t commented on it, though. Which makes Peter slightly worried whether or not Tony will agree with Peter’s plan.

When he feels like his cock has softened up enough, he puts away his toothbrush and takes a breath before walking back into the bedroom. The size of it is insane. It’s not just a bedroom. It’s a whole apartment. Multiple rooms, sitting areas. Four bathrooms, excluding the two extra baths that are in the living spaces. There’s a gigantic, solid mahogany dinner table that could fit at least fifteen people. No idea why they would need it, but it’s awesome nonetheless. Peter flops onto the bed face down, limbs spread outward, making Tony laugh. “I wish I could still do that,” he jokes. “Tones, you’re not that old, you should try it.” Peter turns and curls up into himself, staring at Tony from his side of the bed. He’s a safe distance away from the other man. No chance to lose composure. “The masseurs are gonna have a tough time tomorrow if I did that, Pete, I’m good where I am, thank you.” “Such a superhero,” Peter quips, tugging at the sheets. He sits up straight again and looks around the room for the umpteenth time. The frescos on the wall are intricate and the sheer detail of the woodworks on the bed posts could keep someone entertained for hours. “Just look at this place, mister Stark!” “I have. More often than you’d think.” Tony cocks an eyebrow. “I’ve been here with my parents, so I’ve seen every corner of this island.”

Peter turns his head to look at Tony, who’s suddenly evading Peter’s stare. “That… Must’ve been a while back,” Peter says quietly. Tony takes a breath and nods. “Yeah, I know. I’m old.” “No, I didn’t-” “I know what you meant, kid.” He sucks at his teeth and sighs before opening his arms to Peter. “Come cuddle, please? Bedtime.” Tony’s great at avoiding topics he doesn’t want to talk about. They’ve discussed Tony’s parents often enough for Peter to know the whole story and as Tony respects Peter doesn’t like to talk about his own parents, Peter opts to do the same.

There’s a new issue at hand, however. Cuddling. Peter sucks at cuddling. Well, right now, at least. Why? Because he loves cuddling. And being as touch starved for Tony as he is, this is gonna get really hard really soon. And with this, he means he. Peter complies, though, not liking the sad, nostalgic look on Tony’s face. He shuffles closer and gets under the sheets, next to Tony. Like a key finding its lock, they embrace each other. Peter rests his head on Tony’s chest after they scoot down further under the blankets and he closes his eyes, breathing softly and listening to Tony’s gentle heartbeat. It’s weird, but Peter loves feeling the glow of Tony’s arc reactor on his face.

One of Tony’s hands rests on Peter’s head, his thumb rubbing slow circles in the boy’s hair. His other arm is curled around Peter’s waist and… Shit. Peter wriggles slightly in an attempt to push the lower half of his body away from Tony, who’s trying to tangle their legs together. The slight awkward situation causes Tony to laugh softly. “Where’d your legs go?” He chuckles. Peter sticks them out the bed on the other side, his wheel of excuses turning fast. “Feet are hot. Not nice. Out of bed,” he says quickly. Tony scoffs a single laugh and pulls the boy’s upper body closer. “Alright then.” Peter knows Tony knows he’s lying, but he’s grateful the man doesn’t ask any questions. Both of them could probably hold a contest for who has the bluest balls right now. Neither want the physical contact to lead to anything more than cuddling and he wants to give Tony a chance at the space he’s been asking for, so this is an odd compromise. It feels silly. Probably looks silly too, Peter thinks. But hey, tomorrow’s the big day.

Tony groans content as he and Peter set foot in the hot sauna. The heat immediately attacking them both inside and out. Peter has been in a sauna with Tony a few times before, as Tony has one at home, but the ones in this spa have all kinds of herbal infusions to stimulate the senses. Upon Peter’s request, the spa arranged for some dried oranges and cinnamon to give the sauna a sweet and spicy feel. Ha. Spicy. Tony sits down at the lowest level first, aiming to work his way up. Peter immediately goes to level two, to sit behind Tony. Drops of sweat are already forming on their skin and when he sees Tony relax, he goes in. He leans forward, pressing his hands on Tony’s back. He slowly works his way up, squeezing the skin and massaging gently. He smirks when Tony lets out a stifled moan as Peter reaches his neck. He rubs gentle shapes onto the man’s skin, before pushing his hands even further up, into Tony’s slight curls. Tony’s head nearly falls back under the attention, so completely relaxed he seems unaware of Peter’s wicked scheme. The boy massages Tony’s scalp and leans even further forward, until his mouth is right next to Tony’s ear. “S’hot in here, isn’t it, Mr. Stark?” he mumbles. The man lets out a low hum in response. A hum that goes straight to Peter’s dick. “Wanna come up to level two?” Tony huffs, not really wanting to move under the boy’s attention, but he nods and gets up, stepping up the bench to sit next to Peter.

They sit there for a little bit. The strong scent of the orange and cinnamon filling their lungs as they become damp with their own sweat. Tony has his eyes closed, smiling, knowing his boyfriend is right next to him. He’s been so sweet to Tony, giving him the time and space to get his mind cleared up from all the overstimulation stuff. Maybe he’ll finally give Peter what he wants tonight, Tony decides. The boy’s been too good for him. However, what Tony hadn’t noticed, was Peter standing up from his seat, turning himself so he’s right in front of Tony. The man has his legs slightly spread and his eyes open wide when he suddenly feels Peter sitting down on top of his left leg. “Hello, there,” Tony quips, clearing his throat. Peter leans in to press a wet kiss on the corner of Tony’s mouth. The man doesn’t move. “Hi, daddy,” he whispers, his eyes fluttering. “I thought we discussed this, Pete.” Tony cocks an eyebrow, but doesn’t move Peter off of him, like he did all the other times Peter tried. Peter smiles innocently, taking it as an invitation to start moving. Slowly, he grinds himself into Tony’s leg. He’s already achingly hard after not doing anything for three days. Tony simply leans back, letting the boy do his work. The kid’s jacked himself off for weeks now. It’s not like getting off on Tony’s thigh will get him that deep into subspace again. Especially since Tony won’t actually be touching him. Peter’s just getting himself off.

This is fine.

Tony’s mouth turns dry when Peter starts whimpering. His hips roll effortlessly over Tony’s sweaty thigh. The older man is almost embarrassed at how fast his dick turns hard, watching his good boy trying to find his release. Tony shouldn’t enable this. But fuck. He wants to. “Peter, please, you’re not making this any easier for me,” Tony breathes out as he fights his urges to touch himself. Or Peter. Or both. Peter leans in, sucking on the skin just below Tony’s ear. “I don’t want you to hold back, daddy, I want to make this…” His hand creeps to Tony’s shaft, cupping it for a second before moving up to flick one of Tony’s nipples. “...hard, for you.” The boy continues to rub himself on Tony and he leans back to show himself off as he starts playing with his own nipples, using his sweat to glide over the buds. “Besides,” he moans. “If you won’t touch me... “ His hips move fast and his pants are quick. “I’m just gonna touch you.”

Tony swallows. He’s pretty sure he’ll come untouched if Peter really decides to get off right then and there, in a technically public but for now private sauna. Peter moans obscenely as his hands roam over his own body, touching all the places that make his cock throb. “Aren’t I pretty for you, daddy?” He sighs with his eyes closed. His mouth hangs open and his rolls speed up even further. Tony can’t help but moan himself and he closes his eyes in the hopes of blocking out what’s happening. Peter notices and smirks as he stops holding back altogether, moaning and whimpering loudly with every roll of his hips. “I know you’re so hard, daddy, I can see it, I can feel your cock throbbing from here, I can feel it, daddy-”

Shit.

How did Tony never realize that? Peter can feel the wind outside high rises, he feels when Tony stands behind him, simply through a shift of air. He can feel Tony’s cock without touching it. The realization hits Tony with a wave of pleasure and he squeezes his eyes shut. He can’t hold back anymore. He knew Peter was planning something, why else would he be so physically distant the past few days? Tony didn’t know it would lead to semi-public sex in a cinnamon-orange sauna on a deserted island in Italy, but he’s done complaining. Peter gets his wish. Tony’s groan turns into a pained chuckle. “You planned this, didn't you?" He growls as he opens his eyes to watch his slut ride his thigh, desperately searching for release. "Made me miss you so bad that I would have no choice but to throw you on your stomach in this sauna and fuck you deep and hard?" "Y-yes, daddy, want you to fuck me so badly," Peter gasps, realizing Tony finally gave in. "Well, too bad now, boy... I'm not going to touch you. Not unless you come rubbing your cock on me. Go on then, keep grinding, show daddy your cum, get off on my thigh like the desperate little slut you are."

Peter sucks in a hot breath, Tony’s words shooting through him like a missile. He increases the speed of his movement, his moans becoming more and more desperate. “Can- Can I hold you?” Peter asks suddenly. Tony’s taken aback by the innocent question, but realizes how touch starved the boy is. They haven’t done anything like this for weeks and shit, the boy has been holding back for three days now. Tony would love to remain the composed dom in this, but it would be too cruel to deny Peter this now. “Yeah, kid, wrap your arms around me, use me, baby.” Peter immediately envelopes Tony, not even kissing him, just pressing the man against his chest. They’re both sweating, panting messes, heating each other up even further.

“Daddy’s got you.” Peter whimpers, angling himself a bit differently to get more friction. He gasps, digging his fingers into Tony’s sweaty skin. “M-Missed this,” the boy chokes out. Tony groans at Peter’s nails clawing into his skin as he realizes that fuck, yes, he’s missed this as well. “Missed you too, sweetness. Oh, you’ve been such a good boy for daddy, haven’t you?” “Y-yeah!” “My sweet boy, so hot, you should see yourself, baby,” Tony growls. He can feel how Peter’s rhythm is slowly falling apart, how he’s just rutting down, chasing his high. “I-I need you, daddy, need to cum, I can’t hold it off one more day.” “You can, honey, you can come all over me. Show me how much you want this, I want to see you fall apart.” Tony’s struggling. He wants to just flip them over, wrap his fingers around that pretty little cock and watch how the moans would increase with every flick of his wrist. He wants to push Peter down on his knees, fuck, fuck. “You’re fucking with my head, baby-” he growls, “-do you feel how hard I am baby, you already thinking about tonight, when we’re in bed together? I’m gonna fuck you, sweetie, I promise. Gonna give you what you’ve been waiting for.”

Tony wants it so bad, he can’t help himself. He reaches for Peter’s pretty ass, gripping it tightly and helping the boy set a solid rhythm again, taking over. Peter surrenders to his guidance within seconds and it has Tony gasping. The hot, cinnamon orange air stings his lungs in the best possible way. “Peter, you close baby?” “Y-Yes, Tony, so c-close! Don’t let go of me, please, please.” “Never again, I promise.” “I’m gonna hold that a- Oh fuck, daddy, I can’t- ” Peter closes his eyes, falling into Tony’s chest as he cries out in pleasure. Tony groans as he feels how Peter comes all over his thigh, his entire body shaking within Tony’s safe embrace. Tony stares at him, his pupils blown wide.

Peter’s perfect. His hips riding him through his orgasm, his cock twitching against Tony’s skin. Peter’s eyes are still closed, brows furrowed together. The boy leans down, panting heavily as his forehead rests against Tony’s arc reactor. “Yes, that’s it , aren’t you my pretty, sweet, little boy, Peter?” Tony feels his eyes sting with tears. Peter looks so fragile, so sweet and angelic against the soft, shiny, blue light. “I-I am…” Peter whispers. “Yes, you are. You’re so good for me, being a little brat to help me overcome my fears.” Tony kisses the top of Peter’s hair, and the boy then looks up at him, a playful sparkle in his eye. “I’m only obedient if it’s in my best interest,” Peter says, gauging Tony’s reaction. When he sees Tony’s eyes light up at the joke he giggles. “You sneaky little thing.” “Hmmm, don’t pretend you didn’t like it.” “Never.”

Tony cuddles Peter for as long as he can still manage to take the heat of the sauna. Whispering sweet praise into his ear, how much he loves him, how grateful he is for Peter trying his best to give him space. How he’s going to ruin him tonight. Because fuck he will. Peter’s not escaping that one. He’s drying himself off with a big fluffy towel after taking the cold shower that Peter talked him into. Yes, he knows he’s supposed to take the cold shower but he usually just sits outside the sauna for a bit. He couldn’t ignore the hopeful, playful look on his boyfriend’s face, however. Peter laughed out loud at all the faces Tony pulled when the freezing stream of water hit his skin. He barely lasted three seconds before jumping away from it and wrapping the towel around his shoulders.

“Pete, come on out, you’ll get ice burns.” “It’s not that cold, Tony.” “Yes, it is. Come here, I want to wrap you in this fluffy thing,” Tony says, referring to Peter’s towel, “-then carry you to our room for cuddles. And food. And more sex.” Peter chuckles and turns the shower off, running his way into Tony’s arms. Tony gasps when Peter’s icy-cold body wraps around him. “Peter!” “It’s for your own good!” “Honey, please, a heart attack isn’t good for my health,” he laughs, trying to push the boy off him. Only to realize how much he missed this as well. Not having sex, meant not being as close. As playful. As goofy. He smiles. He’s past that now. “Hush it, I can hear your heartbeat. You’re doing just fine.”

Tony snorts, lifting Peter’s chin up and kissing him slowly. Their soft lips melting together. The older man closes his eyes, trailing his fingers across Peter’s cheeks as he keeps on kissing him. His lips slightly parting, Peter taking the invitation and their tongues meeting in the middle. It’s so warm and gentle that it has Tony’s heartbeat speed up. Peter sighs against his lips, his hands walking up towards Tony’s shoulder blades to hold him tight. They just stay like that for a while, making out soft and gently, their bodies locked into their embrace.

--- More: Chapter 10 Masterpost

11 notes · View notes

thetraveljedi · 6 years ago

Text

Why I travel solo

I travel solo quite frequently, and when I’m traveling and discussing my travels with people I get different reactions to the fact that I choose to travel alone. A small few comment “I travel solo, too!” But people are shocked; they could never have the guts to travel alone, they would be too nervous or scared or be too lonely, and wonder how safe it is, especially as a woman. Usually this is followed by a “so why do you travel solo?”

I got into solo travel accidentally, as do a lot of solo travelers; we want to go somewhere, but cannot find someone who will go with them. I was fresh out of culinary school with a steady paycheck and vacation days and it had been way too long since I had been to my favorite place since I was a kid, Walt Disney World. I was dying to go, but couldn’t find anyone willing to go with me. So I decided to just go by myself.

I booked my trip and started to plan my itinerary. It was so freeing to be able to do whatever I wanted to do there. When you go to Walt Disney World with your family, you’re not always the one who gets to decide what to do. I could stay at any hotel I wanted, go to any restaurant I wanted, any ride or show I wanted. I could take advantage of some of the special activity offerings there that I had always wanted to do but couldn’t because of my family plans. I was planning a trip to a place I had been to countless times, but all of a sudden it felt like a brand new world.

On my trip, I booked two activities I had always wanted to do; I went horseback riding at Fort Wilderness and got a massage at the spa at the Grand Floridian Resort. I remember sitting on the horse, wandering through the forests of Fort Wilderness and peering through the trees I could see Cinderella Castle. The castle is one of my favorite sights at Walt Disney World, one I had seen countless times before, but I was seeing it from an entirely new perspective. It was exhilarating in a way I had never felt before. I made it a point from that moment to do a special activity like this every time I would return to Walt Disney World, and I’ve kept to that promise. It’s made my solo experiences there all the more special.

Another great thing about going to a place like Walt Disney World for my first solo trip- safety. You’re in an enclosed “campus” the entire time, surrounded by security and families having a good time. As someone who lives in New York City and is always on high alert, it was insanely refreshing. Being in a familiar, safe place for my first trip allowed me to focus on the fun part of the trip and not the stressful part of traveling. It would also give me the confidence I would need to venture elsewhere in the USA, and eventually, the rest of the world.

After a few trips to Walt Disney World, I was ready to expand my horizons. I was already traveling a lot to see the band Phish at the time, but usually with friends on the East Coast. Soon my Phish trips started turning into mostly solo trips to see them on the West Coast. Then I took my first completely solo non-Phish trip for my 30th birthday, spending 8 days in California traveling from Los Angeles down to San Diego (with a stop at Disneyland, of course). After that I finally felt comfortable enough to take the leap and go abroad, and the following year went on an 11-night Mediterranean cruise that started and ended in Rome. Then later that year I spent 8 nights in Spain, starting in Madrid and driving my way to Salamanca. Yes, that’s right, I drove by myself in a foreign country. (Spain drives on the same side of the road in the United States and has some of the most clearly marked highways I’ve ever seen. It was actually a breeze.)

So what is it about traveling solo that I’ve come to love so much? The freedom. Even if you do find someone to go with you on your travels, it’s almost impossible to find someone with the exact some travel interests as you. I love history, so I plan a lot of historical sites into my itineraries when I travel solo. Most people would find the amount of historic sites I go to pretty boring. Also, when you’re traveling solo, you’re going at your own pace. I go through sites pretty quickly solo, so I’m able to do more on trips. But if there is a site I want to linger on, I can- there’s no one there to stop me. Except maybe the security guard at the end of the day.

Do I get lonely? Not really. I’m pretty extroverted, but I have an introverted side too. It’s actually nice that when I travel, I get to choose which side to be at any given time. I meet so many more people when I travel solo, but if I’m not in the mood to make friends, I can do a solo activity or hang out in my room. That’s something nearly impossible to do when you’re at home in everyday life, especially while working in the travel industry.

Let’s say you want to plan a solo trip, but you’re not sure where to begin, or you’re feeling anxious about the whole thing. I get it. I was pretty nervous when I went abroad for the first time, especially since my first stop was in Italy, and I speak maybe 25 words of Italian. Here a few suggestions to help you ease into solo travel.

1) Pick somewhere for your first solo trip where the language will be familiar to you. It’s not a coincidence that I chose to go back to Spain for my first longer non-cruise European vacation; not only did I love Spain during my first visit and wanted to go to Madrid to see a Real Madrid game, I’m mostly fluent in Spanish. If I wasn’t, I definitely would not have felt comfortable going there for my first completely solo non-cruise trip to Europe. Once you get the first time experience of going abroad alone, you will feel more confident to travel places with unfamiliar languages. Though I almost always recommend trying to learn some of the languages of the places you visit. Locals are much more willing to help you if you make an effort to communicate with them in their local tongue, even if they speak English. Keep in mind, too, that sometimes even within countries, more than one language is spoken. Go to Barcelona and you may not hear all that much Spanish, but you will see and hear a lot of Catalan. Make an effort to learn some Catalan and try speaking it with the friendly people of Barcelona and you’ll make friends there quickly.2) DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Research everything about where you’re going. Start off by learning a little bit about the history and culture of not just the country you’re going to, but the specific city you’re going to. Why? Take Barcelona for example. Barcelona is in a region of Spain called Catalunya, which remained a separate kingdom from Spain for a large portion of history, and as a result has a different language and different culture. Read further and you’ll learn about the Spanish Civil War and the suppression of Catalan identity under Francisco Franco’s regime, and that to this day the notion of an independent Catalunya is still very much a hot button issue there. Because you now know this information, you can be sensitive to political situation when you talk to locals. Next, research crime in where you are going. This is not to scare you; actually, you’ll find that violent crime isn’t a major issue in many places, but rather pickpockets. Pickpockets in each country have different ways they try to work their magic on tourists. For example, I learned when I traveled to Italy that many pickpockets and scam artists will be dressed in expensive looking suits and watches to avoid suspicion. We rarely associate petty theft with people wearing expensive stuff, but in Italy it’s a criminal’s uniform. You should always be on alert and take some precautions wherever you go, but knowing bits of information about the scams out there are extremely helpful when it comes to avoiding them. Look up which neighborhoods are safe and which aren’t. Make sure you know what the tipping situation is where you going, especially if you’re an American traveling abroad; our big tipping culture is often exploited outside of the country. Read up on the best way to travel in the country you’re going to. Many cities have clean, safe public transportation; some don’t. Most have reliable, responsible taxis; some don’t. Don’t set yourself up for trouble by not being prepared in advanced with this kind of information.

3) Finally, figure out where you want to go in each city and make some kind of a game plan as to how you’re going to see it, preferably as soon as the trip as booked. Tickets for many popular sites sell out far in advance. If you want to go to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, you need to book months out or you will just be staring at the crown from her large, green feet (still worth a visit, though, in my opinion). Also, many sites close for holidays, and many countries have holidays that aren’t celebrated in the country you live in. They also will be closed one day of the week-sometimes that day is Sunday, but sometimes it isn’t. Some countries in Europe are very much on the “siesta” schedule- open in the morning, close for a few hours in the afternoon, reopen in the evening. So make sure you are checking this information as far in advance as possible so that can you prepare to get tickets for the right day and you don’t get shut out. It also helps that when you do book tickets in advance, you’ll have usually have access to a much shorter line than people who haven’t, and this could save you precious time. Visit Florence, Italy in summer and you’ll see what I mean when you walk towards the hordes of people waiting in line to get into the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michaelangeloa famous David statue. I ’ve had seemingly hundreds of people tell me that when they travel, they just book plane tickets and room and wing it when they get there. Pretty much all of those people come back and tell me they wanted to go to a certain site, but it was closed or sold out for the day. Don’t be that person; you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Sure you can wing your trips to a certain extent, but if you know there’s one particular site you want to see in a city, do your research ahead of time and plan accordingly. Don’t feel like doing the work? Consider using a travel agent to do the work for you.

A cruise is another great option for those new to solo travel, especially to foreign countries that don’t speak the same language. Cruise lines offer tons of group excursions with English speaking guides, so you’re always with people, you’re always getting transportation back and forth from the ship, and you’re learning about the destinations in English. You spend your evenings on the ship sailing, so you’re in a contained moving resort as opposed to wandering a foreign city at night. Other cruise benefits that don’t just pertain to solo travers: you can see a whole bunch of destinations in a short amount of time and only unpack once; the cruise line can take care of your transportation from the airport/hotels to the ship and back; and it’s all-inclusive, so most of your meals will already be paid for before you travel.

For planning trips to Europe, I can’t recommend Rick Steves’ television program on PBS (available on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video) and guidebooks. Not only will you get a comprehensive background of the history, culture, and major sites of the places you will visit, he goes into a lot of detail about the practicalities of traveling within the country- if public transportation is better than taxis, neighborhoods to avoid, and other basic traveling tips. I also love his walk throughs of cities/neighborhoods and major sites; they really help you understand what you’re looking at when you’re walking around and direct you to the places you really need to see within them.

For trips elsewhere, I really like Lonely Planet and Fodors. I also recommend the Lonely Planet Guides app, which has great information on sites, restaurants, hotels, and more for major cities around the world.

I’ll be posting destination guides for the places I’ve visited in the weeks to come- these will also be a great resource for your travels. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your planning, or you just simply feel like you don’t have the time to do it, I highly recommend reaching out to a travel agent like me. We’ll do all the work for you and make sure you’re all set and ready to go for your trip with everything you could possibly need, no stress involved. And we’ll probably save you some cash along the way too.

For my next trip, I’m headed to Amsterdam for a few days, then leaving from Amsterdam on a 15-night Viking River Cruise, with stops in Kinderdijk, Netherlands; Cologne, Koblenz, Miltenberg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Passau in Germany; Melk and Vienna in Austria; and finally, Budapest, Hungary. Be sure to stay tuned here to my blog and my Instagram account (@thetraveljedi) for words and pictures from my trip.

Safe travels!

Traveling solo at El Escorial in Madrid, Spain

#travel #solotrip #wanderlust

1 note · View note

noordinarytravel · 6 years ago

Text

International Travel Checklist: Steps to Ensure the Best Trip Ever

I love all types of travel but I find international travel to be especially exciting! The thought of seeing a new country, trying exotic foods, leaning about a new culture……..all if it is absolutely exhilarating!

International travel has challenges and risks that you don’t have with domestic travel. Sure, you can wing it if you want bt a little advance preparation will help you have the best trip possible while minimizing danger to yourself, inconvenience, and unplanned expenses.

One you have identified your intended destination, there are several things you should do to prepare for your international adventure. You should begin early and in stages so that you don’t forget anything.

Passport and Visa Requirements

The United States Department of State is a great resource for your initial travel planning. You can search by your intended country and find all kinds of information: passport and visa requirements, vaccinations, currency restrictions, entry and exit requirements, and travel advisories.

Make sure your passport is valid and plan accordingly to get your visas in a timely manner so you aren’t refused entry upon arrival. Yes, it does happen. Sometimes you can get a visa at the airport; other times you will need to have it before you arrive.

Vaccinations

While the US State Department website does give information regarding vaccinations, I also go to the CDC website to check for any additional recommendations. It goes into more detail and you can even tell it what kind of traveler you are: pregnant, traveling with children, a traveler with a chronic disease, cruise ship traveler, etc.

Select your destination and click “go” to find out what precautions all travelers should take, and then more specific precautions based on the type of traveler you and your intended destination. This is a great tool to keep you and your family healthy on your vacation.

Research Your Destination

This step can save you a whole lot of hassle. Research the best time of year to visit, the best time to visit attractions in which you are interested, modes of transportation available to tourists, and currency and exchange rate.

If you have a travel agent, he or she should advise you of low volume travel seasons and whether or not your intended time of year is a good idea. I have clients that wanted to visit a certain destination but it had very specific wet and dry seasons that impacted when the optimal time to visit would be.

Another example: Cuba has a dual currency system so I make sure my clients understand how it works and how/where to get the best exchange rate. I try to prevent them from getting into situations that make them vulnerable to scams.

Hotel accommodations can vary greatly from country to country so it is in your best interest to be very specific about what you want. I ask my clients several questions about preferences and must haves so that I can match them up to options that fit them and their travel style best. Hostels aren’t for everyone, just as resorts aren’t for everyone either.

Book Your Trip!

Once you (or you and your travel agent) have figured out the best time to go to your intended destination, it is time to book it! Using a travel agent will save you a lot of time researching and finding the best options for you.

As a travel consultant, I don’t charge a fee for my service but not all do it that way. Check with your agent to make sure you aren’t blindsided with a planning fee you didn’t know about. Some charge a fee to do the research but then apply the amount paid towards your bookings. We don’t all do things the same way so please ask.

I typically begin with booking the airfare for my client. That can be one of the the largest expenses for them so I try to get that out of the way as well as get their seat preference for them. If I have a client with specific travel needs, planning ahead is a must.

If you are tall, prefer a window, enjoy the amenities of first class……..whatever the case may be, don’t sabotage yourself by waiting until the last minute. Sometimes you can get a good deal if you wait, but sometimes you end up missing out on your preferred flight time because it filled up before you pulled the trigger. I try to balance cost savings strategies with making sure my client gets what they need to travel well. If you book on your own, please don’t wait until the last minute.

If you are planning a long haul trip, an overnight flight is a great idea. Find seats that offer you the most comfort possible and don’t be afraid to spend a little extra for it. The last thing I want is to squeeze my 5’11” into an economy seat for 8 hours. I am happy to spend a little more to get even just 4 more inches of legroom in premium economy. Honestly though, after multiple trips overseas, I am happy to spend extra for comfort.

Credit Cards!

Do you plan to use your credit card overseas? Make sure it works! Contact your bank, inquire about foreign transaction fees, AND set up a travel advisory. Banks will decline transactions if they suspect fraud so don’t put yourself in a position where you are in a foreign country with no cash or ability to pay for what you need.

If your card charges foreign transaction fees, I encourage you to find a card with travel benefits to use on your trips. Some cards offer travel insurance, rental car protection, and even reimbursement for Global Entry. Just read the fine print so you understand annual fees (if any) as well as how to take advantage of all of the benefits offered by your card.

You may also want to consider a prepaid travel card. Prepaid travel cards are great for a few reasons. First, you load your card with money rather than linking it directly to your bank account. That limits any losses via theft or fraud to only the amount on your card. Second, if you are visiting multiple countries, the cash on your card can be converted to different currencies as you need it. You can have it in euros for one leg of your trip, then change it to Danish krones for the next leg. It limits the number of stops at ATMs or currency exchange stores and the associated fees.

Take Copies of Your Passport

Why does this matter? Well, if your passport is lost or stolen, you will need something to establish your identity at the nearest embassy or consulate. I also include copies of our driver’s licenses and birth certificates just in case. We leave them locked up in our vacation rental or hotel room but they are close by if the worst happens.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs in which U.S. citizens and nationals that are traveling and living abroad can enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. They will send updates regarding travel conditions, make it easier for family to contact you in cases of emergency, and help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency (i.e. civil unrest, natural disaster, etc).

Signing up is free and fairly easy. You will need dates of travel and addresses of hotels/accommodations. You can add multiple travelers if you are traveling with your family but you will need passport numbers for each member.

I have no personal experience with travel emergencies that would require the assistance of the STEP program but I think it is a good idea just in case. Anything can happen at any time so it is best to be prepared as much as possible.

Travel Insurance

I cannot put enough emphasis on the need for travel insurance. First, some countries require that you have medical insurance (remember that your US insurance generally isn’t accepted in foreign countries). There are several options for medical and dental coverage, reimbursement for lost bags, trip delays or cancellations, personal liability coverage, and even accidental death benefits.

Some also offer evacuation in cases of medical emergencies, natural disasters, or acts of terrorism. Some even go further by offering concierge services to help you as needed during your trip. Again, there are many options so please consider what your needs are very carefully and read the fine print before you purchase a policy.

One last thing about travel insurance: don’t wait until the last minute to purchase it. Some policies, particularly if you go with an annual policy, won’t be come effective until the 1st day of the next month. Plan ahead so you don’t have a gap in coverage when you really need it.

Medications

This is a no brainer. If you are on any kind of medication, take enough with you to last your entire trip! You may be able to walk into a pharmacy and get something similar to what you are taking. Or you may not be able to find anything like it at all. Don’t take a chance of compromising your health because you don’t have enough of what you need.

If you are going on an extended trip, contact your insurance provider to find out how to get larger quantities or early refills so that you don’t miss out. Many have vacation overrides available but you need to call ahead instead of waiting until you are ready to go. If an override isn’t possible, contact your physician and ask about samples.

Take Some Cash With You

Even though I get cash when I get to my destination, I always take a little bit of cash with me. The exchange rates and fees at currency exchange locations in the airport are ridiculous.

I either order a small amount of currency from my bank OR I take a small amount of cash that I exchange upon arrival so I have something until I get to an ATM machine. It has been my experience that, if you use a card with no foreign transaction fees, you will get a better deal overall. While I do prepay everything as much as possible, having some cash on hand allows me to tip drivers, valets, etc. until I get my spending money.

Be Smart About Packing

I cannot stress enough the need to pack in a smart way. I hate paying exorbitant bag fees!!! When we travel, we tend to book vacation rentals with laundry facilities available. That enables us to pack less (i.e. 5 days of clothing) and then do laundry during our trip if we need to.

On our longer trips (2+ weeks), it is easier to just do laundry once or twice and also have the benefit of less luggage to handle. My daughter travels in a wheelchair and it is a real struggle handling more than one roller bag. I also recommend prepaying bag fees too.

Take a Power Adapter and a Converter

In case you aren’t aware, a power outlet here in the United States is not the same as an outlet in Europe. Or Asia. Or wherever. First you need an adapter so you can plug your phone or tablet into an outlet but you also need a converter that will change the voltage to the needs of your device. If you don’t have a converter, you risk overloading and blowing out your device.

There are several all-in-ones available and they really aren’t expensive. It is worth the investment to grab a couple and keep them handy for your next trip. If you plan to cruise, take a power strip with you because you will only have a couple of outlets available in your room.

Cell Phone Coverage

I love Verizon coverage. We had service in Cuba when no one else did. There are alternatives to using your phone and risking roaming though. I have an international plan that has a flat daily fee to access my plan which just happens to be unlimited everything. Yes, there are inexpensive alternatives but so far I haven’t found anything with the same quality as my Verizon plan.

If you are in an area with wi-fi, use Google Voice to make calls or use Skype to contact family and friends. If you have a phone that is unlocked, you can remove your existing cell company’s SIM card, and replace it with one from a local company in your destination. A SIM card might cost $25 - $30 depending on where you are going but it will give you enough talk time or texts to check in with friends and family several times.

Download Offline Maps and Apps

This is really easy and a great idea in case you don’t want to pay for international coverage or if you are unable to access wi-fi. Download maps for your intended attractions so you know how to get there if all else fails.

I like carrying as little as possible including local or regional maps. I don’t even like carrying the hop-on-hop-off bus maps if I can avoid it. It all depends on how much convenience matter to you.

Give Your Itinerary to Family

This is a good idea in case something happens during your trip. A family emergency occurs back home, a tragic even happens and you lose the ability to check in with family, or maybe something way less nefarious. If your family needs to find you, giving them itinerary will allow them to at least contact your hotel.

Take Copies of Confirmation and Booking Numbers

I know I have referred to this multiple times in this article but that is because it is so important! Take paper copies or some kind of written record of your bookings with confirmation numbers with you. If there is a booking mix up, you have something they can look up. If your phone or tablet breaks or get stolen, you have a back up.

Take Clothes and Meds in Carry-On

It only took one flight delay and cancellation to learn this lesson. Keep one change of clothes and the necessary toiletries and medications so you don’t have to run out and buy more unnecessarily. Even though it is a small inconvenience, if you are unable to get to a store to get the necessities, it can be a real pain in the you-know-what.

Identify the Nearest Embassy/Consulate

Chances are you will never need it BUT map out where the nearest embassy or consulate is JUST IN CASE something happens and you need it urgently. I keep a printed map of the important places within my destination in case I lose my phone, it dies, or if there is no internet service.

Two years ago we were in Greece at the end of a glorious 3-country trip. It was fabulous all the way through……until my phone was stolen. Fortunately I had my tablet with me so I had access to everything that I needed but what if I hadn’t? Keeping paper copies of the important stuff is a great back up for situations that are beyond your control.

Get Some Cash Upon Arrival

There is some debate about the best place or way to get currency. I have had the best luck going to an ATM either at the airport or a local bank. The currency exchange stores charge an exorbitant amount for the service. Some offer a discount on exchanging larger quantities or buying a prepaid card but I don’t find the discount to be worthwhile.

Prepare for the Long Flight

If you have chronic health issues, contact your physician and inquire about how a long haul flight might affect you. After your doctor has advised you on how to prepare yourself and how to take care of yourself, the following are additional tips that I have found very useful over the years:

Wear comfortable clothing.

Layer clothing, take a sweater, or blanket if you are cold-natured.

Plan for comfort: noise cancelling headphones, earbuds, a neck pillow, etc.

Take something to keep you entertained.

Take gum to pop your ears.

Take sanitary wipes to wipe down armrests and your tray table.

Take trial size toiletries to freshen up upon arrival.

Charge your devices before you board and/or have a power bank available. Not all seats have charge ports.

Hydrate well before, during, and after your flight.

Compression socks!

Prepare for unexpected motion sickness. I love patches!

Contact the airport or airline ahead of time if you need assistance of any kind. They will have someone available to help you if you let them know what your needs are. Also, let them now if you have a service animal.

Last but certainly not least……….ARRIVE EARLY! You don’t want to miss your flight because you are stuck in security.

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

I hope this checklist helps you have the best trip every. Travel offers a profound level of personal growth and I urge you to get out of your comfort zone. Don’t wait for “one day” to start having your adventures! The time is NOW!

Annette

#International Travel

0 notes

netunleashed-blog · 6 years ago

Text

Is July 31 The Most Important Day In Gaming History?

http://www.internetunleashed.co.uk/?p=27192 Is July 31 The Most Important Day In Gaming History? - http://www.internetunleashed.co.uk/?p=27192 You’ve likely heard a lot of juicy tales regarding the creation of some of the industry’s biggest games, but the stories behind the stories are even juicer. Did you know that July 31 is actually one of the most eventful days in gaming history? Learn about all of the historic happenings that have occurred on this day throughout the years. July 31, 1974 – Future game designer Shigeru Miyamoto watches in horror as a freak electrical surge overloads the family computer and traps his brother’s soul inside the machine. The young Miyamoto vows to give his brother’s life meaning. Years later, Miyamoto designs the Legend of Zelda, finally bringing to life the fantasy world he and his brother dreamed about as children. To this day, Miyamoto believes that if he ever stops making Zelda games his brother’s soul will fade from reality. July 31 1982 – Atari game designer Howard Scott Warshaw meets with legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, but during the meeting, Spielberg accidentally refers to Howard as Herman. Embittered, Warshaw spends the next several weeks designing a game based off Spielberg’s film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial that is so terrible it almost ruins the film. Spielberg learns of Warshaw's plans and hires actors Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford to sneak into Atari’s manufacturing plant, steal every copy of the game, and bury them in a New Mexican desert. July 31, 1975 – Before founding Apple, tech legends Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak work out of Job’s garage on an advanced prototype of a liquid-cooled LED display. Unfortunately, during the assembly of the hardware, Jobs sneezes on one of the circuit boards, resulting in a bug that causes the display to project a series of random characters. These random characters end up being the exact programming code for the game Breakout. Wozniak takes credit for making Jobs sneeze, and Jobs buys the game rights from Wozniak for $20 and a can of Diet Coke. July 31 1988 – Sony engineer Ken Kutaragi is carefully carrying one of Sony’s prototype CD players down the street when he turns a corner and bumps into a Nintendo executive carrying a Nintendo Entertainment System. This collision creates a hybrid NES that plays CDs. Both companies are ecstatic about the new technology and name the console the Nintendo PlayStation. Unfortunately, relations between the two companies break down when neither can agree on what kind of hors d'oeuvres to serve at the launch party. Sony breaks off to start its own video game division. July 31, 65,000,000 B.C. – An asteroid collides with the Earth’s surface, eradicating dinosaur life worldwide. The disaster inspires engineers Lyle Rains, Ed Logg, and Dominic Walsh to design a prototype asteroid buster that will protect all remaining life on Earth from these bad-apple asteroids. Unfortunately, the asteroid buster never makes it out of prototyping because Ed Logg’s wife feels that the concept works better as a game. The Atari’s classic Asteroids is born. July 31, 2007 – While studying abroad in Ireland, a young Jonathon Blow encounters a leprechaun with a broken leg. Blow takes the leprechaun home and nurses it back to health. Grateful, the leprechaun grants Blow one wish, and Blow asked to become the greatest video game programmer of all time. In a furious design session that lasts 76 hours, Blow programs the entirety of the indie hit Braid. Blow designs his next game, The Witness, in a record-breaking 38 hours, but decides that it is too good for the average gamer and spends the next several years “dumbing it down.” July 31, 1993 – Developers John Romero and John Carmack are busy working on their next game – a first-person shooter about a space marine who single-handedly cuts down Hell’s invading armies. John Carmack wants to name the game Dom after his grandfather Dominick Springbottom, who had tragically died in an oil-drilling explosion the year before. Unfortunately, a typo in the game’s press release refers to the game as Doom and the name sticks. July 31, 1998 – Young farmhand Nolan North is casually strolling through his grandparent’s farm in Albert City, Iowa when he is accosted by a group of individuals he later describes as grey aliens. These individuals drug North and begin a series of experiments on his body before dropping him back off at his family farm a week before the abduction. North soon discovers that his voice has been altered to achieve near-perfect human pitch and decided to begin a career as a video game voice actor. Ironically, exactly 10 years later, while vacationing in Italy, North is assaulted by lifelong rival Troy Baker who steals North’s voice and leaves the veteran voice actor for dead in a wine cellar. July 31, 1996 – Designer Mike Dailly begins quietly working on the first Grand Theft Auto game. However, the game is originally very different from the series we know today. Dailly envisioned that the game would star a gritty version of the Cowardly Lion from the children’s classic, The Wizard Of Oz. Lion would travel through a shadowy underworld in a 1986 Pontiac Firebird as he psychically battled the monsters in people’s dreams. During an investor meeting, Dailly became visibly agitated and starting yelling, “It’s about a lion who lives in your mind!” Dailly continues to chant, “It’s about a lion who lives in your mind,” until he is escorted out of the building. Rockstar soon changed the game’s setting to match the modern cityscape that gamers around the world are now familiar with. Source link

0 notes