#you should have known that back in San Joaquin | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fahrni · 4 months ago

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Saturday Morning Coffee

Good morning from Charlottesville, Virginia! ☕️

It’s been a pretty quiet week in the Fahrni household and at work. I’d say we’re in a steady state at both. Of course it won’t stay that way for long so I’m gonna enjoy it while I can.

Our granddaughter is with us this weekend so let’s see how much writing I’ll get done. 😁

I’ve saved so many interesting links this week. I hope you enjoy them.

Caleb Newton �� Bipartisan Report

J. Michael Luttig, a widely consulted former federal judge, is among those harshly condemning the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to give presidents a layer of legal immunity, meaning protection from prosecution, for certain actions taken in office.

Our Supreme Court has done democracy a big disservice. The immunity they’ve granted Presidents basically gives them carte blanche to commit crimes as part of holding the office.

They’re evil idiots.

Jason Koebler • 404 Media

The real Christina Warren hasn’t been writing these new posts on the zombie TUAW, however. The site’s new owners have stolen her identity, replaced her photo with an AI-generated one, and have been publishing what appear to be AI-generated articles under her byline.

Here’s someone using “AI” in an unethical way. Taking someone else’s work, running it through an LLM to change it, and republishing it under the authors name — with a different author picture — is disgusting.

Victoria Namkung • The Guardian

Whenever Cassie Yoshikawa drives through the Central Valley on the former US Highway 99, she looks for the century-old landmark that symbolizes the midpoint of California: the Palm and the Pine.

You’d think being a lifelong Californian I’d have known about this. I recall passing them but I had no idea they represented the center of California. They’re an official unofficial marker. Folks just did it. Pretty nifty.

Of course they’re going to be ripped out for highway expansion. Goodness knows we need more cars on the road.

Noor Al-Sibai • Futurism

Elon Musk is a man with many brands — but for electric vehicle shoppers, his personal brand has become increasingly toxic.

That’s right, folks are not buying Teslas because Space Karen is such a dick.

I’ve given up on The Musk Files. The man is just so toxic and disgusting his crimes against humanity are too many to enumerate.

Janko Roettgers • Lowpass

This is it for Redbox: The judge overseeing the bankruptcy case of Redbox’s corporate parent Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment granted the debtors request to convert it from a Chapter 11 bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, effectively paving the way for shutting down the company and liquidating its assets.

Wow. BluRay and DVD renters are out of luck it seems. Before streaming became ubiquitous we’d rent from Redbox about once a week. We had one at our local grocery store. It was easy and cheap.

There’s a bit of irony in this whole thing. I’ve gone back purchasing BluRay + digital download movies. We use the digital version all the time but have that BluRay backup should the license for the digital copy be revoked.

Dalia Faheid, Monica Garrett and Brandon Miller • CNN

Death Valley sets a new daily record with a searing 128 degrees as West Coast heat wave drags on

Poor California, poor planet. If this keeps up how long will it be before California can no longer produce the fruits and vegetables that feed the world? That’s not hyperbole. California’s San Joaquin Valley really is the breadbasket of the world.

Patrick Wyatt • Code of Honor

I’ve been writing about the early development of Warcraft, but a recent blog post I read prompted me to start scribbling furiously, and the result is this three-part, twenty-plus page article about the development of StarCraft, along with my thoughts about writing more reliable game code.

Don’t look at the date this article was published. Yes, it’s from 2012. 😄

You know I love a good discussion about code architecture, especially when presented in the form of an actual product. Not just some sample code to illustrate the point. He links off to another post discussing a linked list implementation and it’s great reading.

Chris Medland • racer

Lewis Hamilton’s victory in his last British Grand Prix for Mercedes is “like a little fairytale,” according to team principal Toto Wolff.

It’s really nice to see Lewis Hamilton pick up a win in his final season the Mercedes.

Manton Reece

Everyone who has implemented ActivityPub from scratch knows that there are implementation-specific quirks that trip up developers, making compatibility between apps more difficult. Some of these issues are being clarified by the Social Web Community Group. Test suites will help too. Micro.blog has had ActivityPub support for years and we’re still finding edge cases.

So many folks are climbing on the ActivityPub bandwagon and that’s a good thing. Providing more integration with other services and allowing those to be displayed in native clients without changing formats is wonderful.

As much as I’d like to finish writing, my granddaughter is up so I’m gonna hit the publish button now and hang out with her. 😃

Steven Beschloss

The dangerously self-important Roberts insisted that the country is “in the process of the second American Revolution” and further noted that this so-called revolution “will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”

Tom Warren • The Verge

Microsoft is finally rolling out spellcheck and autocorrect for its Notepad app in Windows 11, more than 40 years after the simple text editor was first introduced in Windows in 1983.

Skye Jacobs • TechSpot

Big Tech needs to generate $600 billion in annual revenue to justify AI hardware expenditure

Sarah Kuta • Smithsonian Magazine

While visiting his parents’ recently renovated house in Europe, a man spotted something unusual in one of the floor tiles. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be part of a human jawbone—and it still had a few teeth.

Spire Motorsports

Rodney Childers, a 40-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race winning crew chief and one of the sport’s most respected tacticians, will lead Spire Motorsports No. 7 team and driver Corey LaJoie in 2025.

Felix Salmon • Axios

The Slacker generation might have been slacking off when it came to planning for retirement: Gen X consistently ranks in surveys as the least-prepared group for when they stop earning.

John Stoehr • Raw Story

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) declared Monday he is advocating for Christian nationalism, a far-right ideology that claims there is no separation of church and state in the Constitution, and promotes as a national religion Christian fundamentalism, a hardline, extremist brand of Christianity at odds with the religious beliefs of many Christians across the country

Drew Magary • SFGATE

But again, discretion isn’t this car’s job. This is a loud and lonely car for loud and lonely people. And while I enjoyed driving my Cybertruck, I hope I’m never loud and lonely enough to want to buy one.

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sunflowerhae · 4 years ago

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Omfg the story of us is one of my fav Taylor songs so can you write that with mark 🥺🥺 thank youuuuuu

|📣 ▹▹ brooo it’s one of my favorite too 😩😩 I hope u enjoy! 💕🌙 ok tbh I don’t really like the ending so sorry abt that😔😔

Send in your music requests! ✨👼🏻

“I used to think one day we'd tell the story of us How we met and the sparks flew instantly And people would say, "they're the lucky ones’”

“Jesus you two are so lucky” Yeji couldn’t keep her comments in as you turned away from Marks retreating frame and to the green-eyed girl sitting in front of you at the library desk you two were currently occupying. Late night study sessions for the upcoming college exams called for loyal boyfriends to bring coffee from the campus starbucks for you and your best friend, effortlessly gaining brownie points with you.

“What do you mean we’re lucky?” You snickered as you handed her coffee to her and immediately sucked in your own cold, bitter sweet; feeling the coffee practically revive your body.

Yeji sighed with an elongated eye roll to express her clear annoyance at your confusion. “Y/n, everyone knows you and Mark are the cutest couple on campus. I mean you two met at what, a frat party?-“

“-yeah” you mumbled.

“-Yeah, and you two immediately clicked. I mean your two year anniversary is coming up, right? I won’t be surprised if you two are telling your children how you met in 10 years.” She laughed at the end of her sentence as you gasped and balled up an empty piece of paper in front of you; throwing it at her giggling and arm-protected frame as you whisper yelled,

“Yeji - shut up!” The light pink hue undoubtedly covered your face and ears at her claims as you both went back to the notes in front of you. Yeji - quickly forgetting the conversation - started complaining about the riparian plants of the San Joaquin (“-like we’re not even at the San Joaquin-“) but your mind was too preoccupied with the previous conversation, and a smile slowly etched it’s way onto your face as her words settled deep into your heart -

Unfortunately setting you up for heartbreak.

“Oh, a simple complication Miscommunications lead to fall out So many things that I wish you knew So many walls up I can't break through”

“Well you were supposed to come over and help me pack!” You couldn’t help your voice from failing you and slightly raising in accusation and anger, and you cringed at the annoyance of your tone. You could hear Mark sigh on the other side of the receiver - even over the sounds that occupied his side of the call.

“Y/n, I know, I’m sorry. I thought you meant later. I didn’t know you needed the help right now.” You wanted to ask him to come over now; to drop whatever commitment he was already at and come be with you like he said he would, but the idea of stressing him more than the situation already is, you’re sure, left a twisted feeling in your stomach, and a metallic taste in your mouth. And, with yet another sigh - maybe the 40th one through out this entire, 6 minute call - you told him that it wasn’t a big deal and he could make it up to you later. You both mumbled your I love you’s before he hung up first - leaving you in complete silence.

Your heart burned at the thought of yet another conversation passed where you refused to let out the feelings that were too overgrown for the space of your chest. There was so much you wanted to say to Mark; so much that you wished he knew. Usually, you wouldn’t hesitate to tell him how you feel - but lately the conversations seemed strained and overworked, and you had reserved yourself to the insecure thoughts that maybe Mark didn’t want to hear how you felt, and maybe it was best for your relationship if you kept them in.

You spaced out your gaze as you looked around your almost empty dorm room. It was the end of your junior year of college, and you and Mark were supposed to be packing up your room. Mark, however, forgot about it and chose to instead spend his time hanging out with his frat brothers (like he always did).

No. You slapped the side of your head and shook it back and forth while trying to get rid of the jealous thoughts. It’s okay. It’s not that deep. You’re fine.

To distract yourself, you shot Yeji a text to come help you with your room. At this, your thoughts wandered back to that late night in the school library, and your frown deepened.

You’re fine. We’re fine.

“Now I'm standing alone In a crowded room And we're not speaking and I'm dying to know Is it killing you like it's killing me yeah I don't know what to say since the twist of fate When it all broke down and the story of us Looks a lot like a tragedy now”

The music blasting through the speakers of the party was giving you nothing short of a migraine, and the unknown, red alcohol in your cup was doing nothing to soothe it. In your defense, it’s not like you wanted to be here. You would have preferred to be back in your new apartment, unpacking your boxes with a romcom playing, a candle burning, and your new cat, Ivy, cuddled up on the couch. Yet, when Yeji all but bullied you through text to come to the first party of your last year of college, you didn’t have much of a choice other than to attend. You hoped that maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as your mind was playing it up to be, this thought being reinforced by your best friend. The minute you walked through the doors of the quite familiar frat house, however, you instantly regretted ever showing your face in these hallowed halls.

You knew almost everyone in this room, yet also felt like you knew no one. Lately, that was a pretty normal feeling for you. You had spent the majority of your college experience being friends with the people that partied all around you; getting to know them at events not so different than this one. Yet, you - ever the shy one - wouldn’t have even known them, if it weren’t for a certain person that occupied the majority of your thoughts. The very same person standing across the room from you, playing beer pong with his fellow frat members.

This summer had not been kind to you.

Your uncertainties about your relationship with Mark bled into the summer heat, and were reinforced by the distance you two shared. Calls became far too in between, and texts were sporadic and short; usually just quick check-ins and awkward hellos and goodbyes.

Those were all okay for you. Well, they weren’t okay, but they were better than nothing; better than not having him.

The climax of the summer, however, came mid July, when you called and he did not answer. This wasn’t a new thing, so you left it. Yet when you called him a second, third, and fourth time (in the span of 24 hours) and he never answered, never texted you, never even acknowledged you, you knew something was wrong. You didn’t want to be the annoying one in the relationship (always so insecure), so you left it once more.

For a week.

A week had gone by without so much as a two letter word between each other. Deep in your heart, you knew the relationship was over at that point. But how could one admit that they had lost the love of their life so easily? So finally, after three weeks of no contact, you texted him a four letter message that hopefully explained everything you felt.

So this is it?

Mark responded.

I think so.

That summer was recorded as one of the hottest since 1946, but you never noticed. Your tears kept you cold.

“See me nervously pulling at my clothes And trying to look busy And you're doing your best to avoid me I'm starting to think one day I'll tell the story of us How I was losing my mind when I saw you here But you held your pride like you should have held me”

If you could cross the room and pull Mark into your hold and hug and kiss him like you two never even broke up, you would do it at as fast as the speed of sound. But Mark didn’t want you anymore, he made that clear. He was laughing at something Haechan said, and he looked beautiful; you felt idiotic for staring. You prayed he - or anyone else, for that matter - didn’t notice you there, but after shooting a text to Yeji that you were leaving, and looking back up at him for the last time, you were surprised to see that he was already looking at you. His eyes were rounded larger than usual, and even from your corner across the room, you could see the shock in them at your presence.

Time stopped as you two stared at each other, before you finally let out a small cough and looked down at your shirt to “fix” it, while Mark quickly looked anywhere but you. Satisfied with whatever you were trying to do with your clothes, you looked at Mark’s awkward figure one last time through your eyelashes, before turning and walking out of the party. When Mark looked back to where he last saw you, you weren’t there anymore, and his heart became hyperaware of the ever present twinge of pain that seemed to constantly be there, whether he numbed it out or not.

To be clear, Mark isn’t too sure why he broke up with you. While he still was deeply in love with you, you and him didn’t seem to be on the same page anymore, and that was enough reason for him to leave you. He wished he could hold you, hug you, love you like he used to. But every time you came to his head, the cringe at the way you two ended things quickly followed, and he’s too embarrassed to even think about talking to you again.

With a sigh, Mark turned back to his friends, and spent the rest of the night trying to drink away the memory of your face across the room.

“The battle's in your hands now But I would lay my armor down If you'd say you'd rather love than fight”

The insistent knocking on your apartments door at 3am scared more than annoyed you, and you couldn’t help yourself from grabbing the bat next to your bed before slowly making your way towards the door. You had 911 on speed dial in one hand and your bat in the other. It was moments like this that made you especially miss Mark, because lord knows you couldn’t fight back if someone tried to break in (not like you wouldn’t try).

Trying to distract yourself from the fear, you thought back to the party a month earlier, and your terrified thoughts had you thinking ‘if this is how I die, I’m going to regret never talking to Mark again’ as you arrived at your door.

You slowly lifted yourself to your peep hole, and let out a gasp at who you saw on the other side. You quickly placed your bat on the ground and your phone on the counter by your door, and opened the door wide.

“Mar-“ you didn’t get far before Mark took one huge step towards you, cupped your cheeks with his hands, and smashed his lips onto yours. You both stumbled into your home before mark pushed the door closed and spun you both, slightly pushing you against the door. After about 45 seconds of intense making out, Mark broke away and placed his forehead on your own.

“Hi,” you giggled out, to which Mark laughed himself.

“Hi.”

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aion-rsa · 4 years ago

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The Batman Trailer Breakdown and Analysis

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The Batman trailer is finally here, accompanied by Nirvana’s “Something in the Way.” The two-minutes-and-a-half of footage presents a nightmarish new take on Gotham and the Dark Knight, an impressive feat considering only 25% of the movie has been shot so far, according to what director Matt Reeves said during the DC FanDome digital event.

Matt Reeves’ Batman reboot explores the early days of the Caped Crusader’s career, about two years into it, and focuses on a younger Bruce Wayne who is haunted by his past as well as a new villain who’s leaving victims all of the city for him to find.

We see in the trailer as Batman is hunted by a serial killer who is leaving him letters at every crime scene, teasing that the movie will feel more like a detective story than the usual action take. The trailer also gives us our first look at several villains, including Penguin, Catwoman, and a gang that seems to call back to a group first introduced in an animated series.

While the trailer makes quite a few things clear about this new Batman movie universe, there are a few lingering questions left in the promo’s wake. So we’re going breaking down the trailer to see what’s really going on in The Batman. And if there’s anything you spot in the trailer that we missed, let us know in the comments!

Before we get started, take a look at the trailer again:

Okay, let’s get started:

The trailer kicks off the character reveals right away, giving us our first look at The Batman‘s version of the Riddler — at least I’m pretty sure this is him. The riddle-obsessed villain isn’t really known for wearing a full facemask with glasses over it, but as you’ll see throughout the trailer, this movie seems to play like an extended fever dream full of grotesque baddies set against an almost overbearingly dark Gotham City.

This is the perfect version for this new take on the Riddler, who seems more like a serial killer here than the grinning megalomaniac we know from the comics, video games, and Batman Forever. In fact, Paul Dano’s Riddler looks about as far the opposite of Jim Carrey as you can get.

The trailer definitely sets up the Riddler as the main villain of the piece, a killer obsessed with getting to the Batman by leaving behind corpses and messages for the Dark Knight at his crime scenes. Above, we see one such victim, his face wrapped in tape with the words “No more lies” written over it.

Uncovering a lie seems to be a major aspect of the movie, as its a message the Riddler repeats to the Batman several times in the trailer. It suggests the Riddler knows something about the Caped Crusader that no one else does. Does the villain know that Bruce Wayne is the masked vigilante? Or does this lie run much deeper than that?

The fact that the Joker movie also dealt with the idea of the Wayne family’s hidden past — in that case, that Thomas Wayne may have had an illegitimate son — and that this movie could have at least one potential connection to last year’s Taxi Driver-inspired character piece makes me think the Riddler knows a secret about Bruce’s past. The Riddler, who seems to be speaking to Batman throughout the video, tells the Dark Knight at the end of the trailer that “he’s a part of this,” meaning whatever the villain is doing was designed to punish Bruce for something.

Reeves has said that his take on Batman is more of a detective story than an action movie, and this trailer definitely delivers on his promise. We see Jeffrey Wright’s Jim Gordon investigating the crime scene the Riddler leaves behind at the start of the trailer, while a forensics team takes photographs and gathers evidence.

One piece evidence is a green envelope left behind for Batman. Inside is a card with a riddle that I can’t quite make out, but it’s undoubtedly meant to lead the World’s Greatest Detective to the next clue in the Riddler’s twisted game. We also see that the Riddler has also picked up a few things from the Zodiac Killer’s book of riddles, as he leaves behind a code for the Bat to crack.

A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot of a framed newspaper at the crime scene gives fans of The Dark Knight and The Long Halloween a nice easter egg to mull over. We already knew John Turturro was set to play crime boss Carmine Falcone in the movie but now we know that his comrade in crime/rival Salvatore Maroni also exists in this universe and has been busted for transporting drugs at some point before the start of the movie. Was Maroni one of Batman’s early targets? Maybe we’ll find out.

Here’s an excellent look at what the top half of the new Batsuit looks like. It’s pretty much a suit of armor, although the cowl and cape seem to be made out of leather. And as we already knew, this Batsuit has a collar, which is a pretty neat addition to the usual suits designed for the movies.

This scene also confirms that by year two of Batman’s career, he’s already on good terms with Gordon and the GCPD, although something tells me that relationship ain’t gonna last very long…

I have no idea who this is, but I’m going to guess it’s The Batman‘s version of Commissioner Loeb, the corrupt head of police that preceded Gordon. Since the movie is getting a GCPD-centric spinoff on HBO about the corruption inside the police force, I’m going to assume this version of Loeb will be a bit closer to the power-hungry chief introduced in Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s Batman: Year One.

We also get a look at the new Batcave, which is about as minimalist as the Dark Knight’s secret lair can get. In fact, it looks more like a garage than a secret underground science lab/high-tech surveillance station. It even looks like this version of Bruce spends more time working on his Batmobile than on his computer piecing mysteries together. Can you even call that a Batcomputer? It looks like a workbench with a dual-monitor PC setup. Does this dude even get wi-fi inside his underground mechanic shop?

Bruce is at someone’s funeral for someone I don’t recognize when a car comes crashing through the church. Inside seems to be a man with a bomb and a letter for Batman strapped to his chest. Does the Riddler know Batman is attendance already or does he think this latest scheme will lure him there?

Either way, we also get our best look at Pattinson as Bruce. It’s interesting to see a version of Bruce who doesn’t sport slicked back billionaire hair. Instead, Pattinson wears more of an emo slick — very fitting for the mood of this trailer.

We get our first look at Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle doing what she does best: stealing. Reeves said during DC FanDome that this version of Selina hasn’t quite morphed into Catwoman at the start of the film and is instead still being shaped into the master thief we know and love.

The trailer shows us a brief snippet of Selina taking on Batman, suggesting that the characters will be at odds with each other in the movie. But could this be the start of a love-hate relationship like what we’ve seen in past takes on this duo? This should be interesting.

We also get to see Colin Farrell’s absolutely incredible transformation into the scarred Oswald Cobblepot, who, according to Reeves, is still working his way up the crime ladder in this movie. He’s not yet the powerful crime lord known as the Penguin, but it sure seems like he causes plenty of havoc for the Bat nonetheless.

Here’s why I mentioned that Joker connection earlier. The gang of face-painted goons that challenge Batman in the trailer sure look inspired by the Clown Prince of Crime. My initial reaction was that The Batman was doing the Jokerz, the Joker-worshiping gang introduced in the Batman Beyond animated series, but what if these guys were actually inspired by Arthur Fleck’s actions in the ’70s-set movie?

We know that by the end of Joker, Arthur has a cult following rallying around him, despite the fact that he’s admitted to murdering quite a few people by that point. His followers, who don their own clown makeup and masks, see Arthur as a freedom fighter, someone fighting for justice in a corrupt city where the rich have it all and the poor have nothing. It wouldn’t be surprising to see that Arthur has become a symbol all these years later, inspiring the next generation to go out into the streets and cause their own chaos.

I know WB has said that both The Batman and Joker exist in their own universes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the studio was suddenly anxious to tie these two movies together after the massive success of the latter. If Pattinson ever does take on the Joker, you can bet your Batarangs that WB will try its very hardest to make it the Joaquin Phoenix version of the villain.

Anyway, we eventually watch as Batman beats the ever-living shit out of one of these clowns. It’s a bit…much.

While Batman and the GCPD seem to be on good terms at the start of the trailer, things have certainly taken a turn later. We first see Bats getting into a scuffle inside an interrogation room surrounded by cops and then later escaping a building while police officers shoot at him. That second shot actually seems to recreate the famous panels from Year One where the Dark Knight escapes an abandoned building surrounded by the GCPD with the help of a swarm of bats, a scene that also inspired an action sequence in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins.

Why are Batman and the GCPD suddenly at odds? It’s possible this is part of the Riddler’s plan to destroy the Bat. Has the villain framed the Dark Knight for something? Or has Batman gone too far in his search for justice?

The new Batmobile is front and center towards the tail end of the trailer. It’s a very cool and surprisingly realistic take on the Batmobile unlike what we’ve seen in past movies. This muscle car definitely looks like something Bruce would have worked on himself inside the Batcave.

Finally, we get a look Batman sans mask. There’s no elegant bachelor under the cowl in The Batman but a beaten down, soot-covered man who looks more troubled than any other Bruce before him. Pattinson’s Bruce almost looks more inspired by The Crow than Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, or Michael Keaton before him. It definitely looks like he’s taking the character in a new direction.

We’ll find out for sure when The Batman hits theaters on Oct. 1, 2021.

The post The Batman Trailer Breakdown and Analysis appeared first on Den of Geek.

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phroyd · 6 years ago

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For 63-year old U.S. Post Office carrier Peggy Frank, that Friday marked her first day back at work after recovering from a broken ankle. At 3:35 p.m., Frank was pronounced dead after paramedics found her unresponsive in her non-air-conditioned truck. In September, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office confirmed what seemed a forgone conclusion: Frank died of hyperthermia — she overheated.

A few months later, in November, the Woolsey Fire swept through Malibu and parts of the San Fernando Valley. The blaze killed three and forced the evacuation of almost 300,000 people, burning 96,000 acres and destroying 1,643 structures. Then, after heavy rain in areas scarred by the fire, came the mudslides in December and January that killed one person and closed portions of the Pacific Coast Highway.

For most of the population, climate change is too big a thing to grapple with. As the theorist Timothy Morton argued, it’s a “hyperobject” — it is too big, too sprawling in time and space, and too complex to see fully from any single vantage point. It’s numbing. But by narrowing our focus, we can catch more than a glimpse. It may be easier to understand climate change at the regional level, says Katherine Davis Reich, associate director of UCLA’s Center for Climate Science. “We can all appreciate what climate change impacts would be in our backyard and act on that, much more than at the global level.”

Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is perched precariously on the edge of the Pacific. Not long ago, it was the nation’s frontier; today, its cultural industries produce the globe’s films, music, and television, always hunting for the next new thing. Here, the line between the present and the future has always been thin. As it swelters, burns, erodes, and collapses, that barrier may have been swept away altogether. For L.A., 2018 was not a sign of things to come. It’s a sign of things that have arrived.

That Los Angeles should exist at all is itself a tale of the extraordinary becoming commonplace. An underpopulated backwater until the discovery of oil in 1892, today’s L.A. is a thick smear of civilization over what may not actually be a desert, but what certainly has the mythic feel of one. Precariousness is the resting state of L.A.’s collective unconsciousness.

The city has been grappling with ecological collapse since its beginnings — and not just in films like Chinatown or San Andreas. In 1927, the Los Angeles Times warned of an environmental reckoning: “I was pessimistic enough to imagine that self-confident Los Angeles had forgotten Babylon, Palmyra, Palestine, China and Timgad. What I now saw was our own beloved land. And I saw sand dunes, sage brush, aridity, stately ruins, idle derricks, desolation.”

“By the end of century, a distinctly new regional climate state emerges.” This climate includes a new, fifth season: a super summer.

Even the most dire predictions don’t suggest that Los Angeles will go the way of Timgad — a Roman colony in modern-day Algeria that is now covered by sand. People will still flock here, and even if the city were to collapse, it would happen over a much longer time scale. Still, by 2069, Los Angeles could well be on the way to a new season of misery.

“With the exception of the highest elevations and a narrow swath very near the coast, where the increases are confined to a few days, land locations see 60–90 additional extremely hot days per year by the end of century,” one study concluded. Downtown Los Angeles could experience up to 54 days measuring 95 degrees or higher by 2100, a ninefold jump. By then, temperatures in Riverside could reach over 95 degrees for half the year.

“By the end of century,” the authors of the study found, “a distinctly new regional climate state emerges.” This climate includes a new, fifth season: a super summer, driving people indoors for weeks at a time, stressing the power grid with heavy demand for air conditioning, and wreaking havoc on agriculture and, by extension, the food supply.

Climate change plays favorites, and the heat increase would not be evenly felt. In fact, its unequal distribution could create an “environmental justice story,” explains Davis Reich. “Areas like the San Fernando, the San Gabriel Valley, or the Inland Empire, where the extreme heat burden is already greater, are where the season of extreme heat will occur — parts of the region that are arguably less well-equipped to deal with compared to places like Santa Monica.” There’s a dark irony there, since wealthier people produce more carbon emissions. “The people who have contributed to the problem the least are going to suffer from it earlier and more,” Davis Reich says.

Meanwhile, beaches in Los Angeles will be facing their own threats. Rising sea levels will attack the coast in at least two ways: inundating beaches and eroding cliffs. “Our beaches are compromised. Not just from overall sea level rise, but also coastal storm events,” says Lauren O’Connor Faber, the city’s chief sustainability officer.

In 2017, scientists modeled the effects of sea level rise on 500 kilometers of shoreline in Southern California. A sea level rise of 0.93 to two meters, they predicted, would result in the loss of 31 to 67 percent of beaches in Southern California, including some of its most well-known. A separate USC studyconcluded, “In Malibu, both low and high sea level rise scenarios suggest that long segments of beach will essentially disappear by 2030.”

“Those beaches are the basis for a lot of California’s identity,” said the first study’s lead author, Sean Vitousek, an assistant professor of civil and materials engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Vitousek was part of another research project predicting that because of rising sea levels, sea cliffs in Southern California would erode, on average, up to 120 feet over the next 80 years. By comparison, the rate of cliff erosion in California over the past 80 years maxed out at 1.5 feet. At the end of the century, the model predicted an increase in cliff erosion of “27–185% above historically observed retreat rates.”

Those changes put more than just surfers and beachcombers in peril. In 2060, sea level rise will likely put between 414 and 3,979 homes along the coast in the L.A. region at risk of flooding — up to $3 billion in value. Beach nourishment — artificially adding sand to bulk out the shoreline — is one option but may not be enough. The coast could be armored with sea walls, cliffs shored up, and sea gates constructed. Vitousek says that a shoreline retreat strategy might be needed — but it won’t be easy. “Because there is so much money involved in all of this, people will fight tooth and nail to keep themselves on the coast for as long as possible,” he says.

And as the coastline advances, the forests around Los Angeles have already begun to burn.

In December 2017, a series of 27 wildfires ignited in Southern California, including the Thomas Fire, which burned more than 281,000 acres across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, resulting in two deaths and the evacuation of more than 200,000 people. Less than a year later, the Woolsey Fire burned 96,949 acres, spreading south from the mountains into Malibu, where it destroyed hundreds of homes and killed three people.

If you think think of 1994’s Northridge earthquake as L.A.’s signature disaster, the coming decades may make you reconsider. Because while climate change may not have much effect on earthquakes, it will lead to more — and more destructive — wildfires. The area burned by Santa Ana fires is predicted to increase by 64 percent by the middle of the century, compared to 1981 to 2000, while non–Santa Ana fires, which occur from June to September and are concentrated inland, will increase by 77 percent. The number of structures destroyed will rise as well — 20 percent for Santa Ana fires and 74 percent for non–Santa Ana fires. Santa Ana fires currently threaten 3,400 structures in an average year, while non–Santa Ana fires put 440 structures at risk per year.

Eventually, all that risk adds up.

“One thing that often gets lost is that wildfires are perfectly natural,” Davis Reich says. “These landscapes were made to burn and need to burn periodically to be healthy. When we build into our wildlands, there is a risk that our buildings will burn. We have to confront that more seriously than we have in the past.”

After fires destroyed a neighborhood in the Bay Area in 2017, local politicians debated the wisdom of rebuilding homes in high-risk areas. There was little appetite for such a move there (or for similar efforts in parts of Southern California), but eventually it may become too expensive to continue rebuilding in high-risk spaces. The Los Angeles Times mapped the 1.1 million buildings in California located in zones at highest risk for fires, showing clusters in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Palos Verde Peninsula, Mission Viejo, and Yorba Linda. Nearly all of Topanga, Paradise, and Malibu were also at risk. Few political leaders want to discuss managed retreat yet — but in 50 years, they may have to.

Climate change is no longer on the horizon. It has arrived.

The masterstroke that allowed Los Angeles to grow may be the one that causes it to retract: Los Angeles depends on imported water, whether from the Owens Valley or farther abroad. As the globe warms, those supplies will dwindle and become harder to manage. Sixty to 70 percent of the water used in Southern California comes from the San Joaquin River and Tulare Lake basins, the Sacramento River basin, Mono Lake, and the Colorado River basin. (The bulk of the remainder is pumped local groundwater.) Of that, 75 percent is drawn from spring snowmelt from the Rockies, the Sierra Nevada, and other mountain ranges.

The Fourth National Climate Assessment, released in November 2018, projected “substantial reductions in snowpack, less snow and more rain, shorter snowfall seasons, earlier runoff, and warmer late-season stream temperatures.” Snowpack reduction in Southern California mountains could reach as high as 50 percent by the end of the century. At the same time, water flow in the Colorado River could be down 35 to 55 percent.

Water demand in 2050 is projected at 1.4 million to 1.7 million acre-feet per year, while supply is projected at 1.4 million acre-feet per year. At best, it’s break even. At worst — well, ask Cape Town.

And those estimates may underrepresent the risk to L.A.’s water supply. A 2015 study concluded that “the mean state of drought in the late 21st century over the Central Plains and Southwest will likely exceed even the most severe megadrought periods of the Medieval era,” causing “an unprecedented fundamental climate shift with respect to the last millennium.”

Another study conducted in 2016 found “a pronounced increase of droughts and aridity in the Southwest during the latter half of the 21st century.” A megadrought — one that would last multiple decades — “could become commonplace.” Droughts of that magnitude were associated with collapse of the Angkor, Anasazi, and Maya civilizations.

“There are two futures in front of us,” says O’Connor Faber, CSO of Los Angeles. “One in which we do not act, do not take leadership. We let the disasters happen. That’s an untenable future. The good news is that’s not at all the future that L.A. accepts.”

It’s not a future that the state of California hopes will come to pass. In 2006, the state enacted a cap-and-trade system to reduce its carbon emissions. A new state law mandates that by 2045, California will rely solely on clean electricity. In recent sessions, state legislators have begun to reshape the laws that govern the state’s housing market, hoping to encourage denser buildings oriented around mass transit, rather than sprawl that forces drivers onto jammed freeways.

For its part, the city of Los Angeles has embarked on an ambitious effort to do what it can. As Mayor Eric Garcetti told Rolling Stone in September, “We’re not waiting for Washington. The cavalry isn’t coming.”

So the city is building up local water supplies and curbing demand, increasing the tree canopy and building out cooler infrastructure to reduce its heat island, spurring the installation of solar power, and armoring its beaches and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Progress has already been made: Emissions at the port have dropped by double digits, tens of thousands of electric vehicle chargers have been installed, and improvements in public transit are coming.

As she works through the list, Faber O’Connor says she recognizes the magnitude of the task but has reason to hope. “I’m feeling very positive,” she says. For her city, climate change is no longer on the horizon. It has arrived. And like a car speeding down a clear freeway, the city is racing to catch up.

Phroyd

#climate change

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vanillaflavour81 · 6 years ago

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Hey hey hey ! Can I request prompt 47 and 74 but end with smut.. Haha

This story contains smut. If you don’t like this, please don’t read it.

47.“I know you’re scared.”74. “You’re in danger.”Joaquin was surprised when Kevin showed up at his hiding place in the woods behind the Serpent camp. Joaquin had stayed here after Fangs and Sweet Pea had helped him fake his death to keep him safe from the Gargoyle Gang. His friends had made sure to keep the secret, there had only been one person they were allowed to tell the truth, Kevin. But he was supposed to stay away from Joaquin so no one would get suspicious why he was sneaking around in Serpent territory.

And Kevin had followed those orders. Until today. He looked out of breath, his hair a bit messy as if he had left his house in a rush.“What are you doing here, Kevin? Are you ok? Did something happen?”Kevin blinked at him and shook his head.“Joaquin you have to leave, you’re in danger. I got a new G&G quest, and it implied that you are still alive. They know! You have to find a better hiding place, and I think I know the perfect spot. I can take you there.”“Hey calm down, please. I don’t want you involved. You should stay far away from this damn game.”“I am already involved, and you know that. So just shut up and come with me. Now! I am not kidding Joaquin, you aren’t safe!”“I know you’re scared, Kevin. But I am ok. Honestly, I can take care of myself.”“Yes, of course, you can… but is it bad that I want to help you? Let me take care of you, Joaquin.”Joaquin looked at his ex-boyfriend inquiringly, taking in the burning determination in Kevin’s eyes, the way his whole body was so tense, his hands balled into fists at his side. Kevin wasn’t going to give up. He had set his mind on something, and he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted.Joaquin stood no chance. It was best to just agree and do what Kevin wanted. But deep down inside Joaquin knew that he was just making excuses for what he was about to do because there was another reason for why he would, of course, follow Kevin wherever he wanted to take Joaquin:Joaquin was still in love with Kevin Keller, and he wanted him more than anyone or anything else.

It had been such a long time since they had last been able to spend time together, and Joaquin had missed Kevin so damn much. He had tried to distract himself with random guys in San Junipero and in juvie, but somehow he had always ended up picking the ones with the neat hair and the preppy clothes, the ones with an athletic build and preferably green eyes. And he had always pretended that they were Kevin while he was in bed with them.

Now he had a chance to get the real thing again, and he simply wasn’t strong enough to say no. He knew what Kevin��s offer implied, and he wanted it so bad. And so Joaquin nodded, a small smirk playing around his lips.“Ok, I will come with you, Preppy.”He followed Kevin to his truck, and they drove deep into the woods, where Tom Keller had a hunting cabin.“No one will look for you here. You will be safe. I can bring you food and everything else you need.”Joaquin thanked Kevin and looked around the cabin. It was small but comfy and even had a real bed. He turned to look at Kevin and realized that his ex had walked up to him, he was standing so close now that their body’s almost touched. There was a shift in the mood between them, Joaquin could sense it.Kevin was staring at him with that intense look in his eyes once again, his mouth parted slightly, gaze traveling slowly down to Joaquin’s lips, and Joaquin recognized that look, knew what it meant: Kevin wanted him.

It was all the encouragement Joaquin needed. He grabbed Kevin’s collar to pull him into a heated kiss, pressing his body close against Kevin’s, moaning into his mouth when he finally felt the hard muscles and the soft lips again, smelled Kevin’s cologne and hair wax again after such a long time. His body reacted immediately, heart racing in his chest and his cock already hardening.Their kiss was growing more passionate every second, and the sexy little moan Kevin exhaled was driving Joaquin crazy. Kevin’s hands were all over him, running down his back and under his shirt, tearing at it, then down to the back of his jeans, kneading Joaquin’s ass through the fabric.

Joaquin did the same, stroking Kevin’s arms and slipping his hands beneath the sweater, caressing every inch of skin he could reach. But soon that wasn’t enough any longer, and he pushed Kevin away slightly to pull his sweater off, needing to see more of his ex-boyfriend.Kevin smiled at him, already breathing heavily.

“Fuck, I missed you.”

“I missed you more…”They both chuckled and then pulled at each other’s clothes almost desperately, needing to touch more skin, needing to feel more of each other. They tumbled onto the bed, finally completely naked.It was amazing to do this with Kevin again, so much better than with the other guys. Joaquin’s skin was tingling wherever Kevin touched him, and he was fully hard now.

Kevin was leaving a hot wet trail of kisses down his chest, making him moan and tug Kevin’s soft hair, messing it up even more, something Joaquin had always loved to do.“I need you, Preppy…please….”His voice sounded so breathless and thick with lust, and maybe he would have been embarrassed if he were with anyone else. But with Kevin, he didn’t care. They had always been like this in bed, and Joaquin trusted Kevin. He was the only guy Joaquin had ever allowed to see him like that, begging and crying out his name. With Kevin, Joaquin didn’t have to be in control, and he had always loved that. And after all he only told the truth, he really needed this so bad, had wanted it back ever since he had left town.Kevin made a sound that was a mix of a growl and a moan, and he got to his knees and stroked the hair out of Joaquin’s face, only to grab it in his fist and tug sharply on it, eliciting another low moan from Joaquin.“Turn around.”Joaquin smiled and nodded, he rolled onto his stomach, gasping when his cock rubbed against the bedsheets beneath him. Kevin was on top of him in seconds, biting Joaquin’s shoulder lightly and then kissing and licking over the bite mark he had left, while his hands trailed down all the way to Joaquin’s ass, kneading it firmly.Joaquin closed his eyes, so ready for what Kevin was going to give to him, only to groan in frustration just seconds later, when Kevin pulled away. Joaquin lifted his ass a bit, so in need for more of Kevin’s touches, not caring how horny he looked.He heard Kevin laugh softly behind him.“You need it so bad, huh? Didn’t find anyone else who could give you what you crave? Poor boy.”Joaquin was about to answer, when suddenly Kevin smacked his ass hard, making him cry out in surprise. This was a new side of Kevin, but he loved it already.

“Fuck yes, I need you!”

Another smack to his ass and then Kevin leaned down, his hot breath ghosting over Joaquin’s neck, and then he bit him again, a bit firmer this time and whispered into his ear hoarsely.

“Then why did you leave? I could have helped you, could have hidden you away. I missed you so much and I missed this…why did you do this to me?”

Kevin let go of him again and got back on his knees, kneeling between Joaquin’s thighs making Joaquin moan loudly in anticipation.

“I am sorry Kevin. You can punish me you know?”

He didn’t know why he said it, hadn’t known that he was into this. But he just needed Kevin more than he had needed anything before in his life and this angry version of the usually so sweet preppy boy turned him on so badly.

“That was the plan…”

And then Kevin pushed into him with a hard deep thrust, making Joaquin cry out. It hurt a bit, but it felt amazing at the same time and he couldn’t help but lift his butt and push back onto Kevin’s cock, begging for more.

Another hard slap to his ass and then Kevin was fucking him fast and a bit rough, pushing into him relentlessly. And for the first time in over a year, Joaquin let go and just gave himself completely to this boy behind him, moaning his name over and over again, meeting his hard thrusts, crying out when Kevin hit his sweet spot and cursing with every smack to his ass, needing more and more.

Kevin was just as loud as he was, their moans and cries of pleasure mingling in the small cabin. Joaquin tried to turn his head wanting to get a glimpse of Kevin fucking him, but he was stopped by Kevin’s hand, pressing his face down into the pillow, and it made Joaquin moan even louder, enjoying it even more.

He felt his orgasm building up, almost unbearably, crying out into the pillow and then came hard, his whole body trembling as he soaked the bedsheets beneath him with his cum.

Kevin cried out his name and his hand tugged almost brutally on Joaquin’s hair and then he leaned down, kissing Joaquin’s neck and nibbled on his ear, breathing heavily, moaning, so needy and desperate for Joaquin and it made Joaquin realize that he still had a hold on Kevin.

“Yeah, make me yours again, Kevin.”It was it all it took, Kevin cried out, and he came too, stilling inside Joaquin, pressing so deep into him.

He slumped down on top of Joaquin fully, his whole weight pushing him into the mattress, so heavy that it was hard to breathe. But Joaquin liked it, liked to be this close to Kevin, be covered by him like this, and he sighed and enjoyed the little soft kisses Kevin was now trailing over his neck, sucking on it and definitely leaving hickeys, marking Joaquin as his again.“Don’t ever leave again. I won’t allow it. You belong to me.”“I promise you I won’t leave, Preppy. I am yours.”He knew that it was true, had always known it ever since he had dated Kevin last year. And he knew that he would gladly take whatever Kevin was willing to give him, even if it was just sex, but it sounded as if Kevin was willing to give him so much more than that and those were good news. Very good news.

#joavin #joaquin desantos #kevin keller #southside serpents #riverdale

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dunjosephurieimagines-blog · 5 years ago

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Photo Restoration Service-CLIPPING USA

Clipping USA, California perfectly meets the requirements of the photo restoration service with its expert professional. It’s for those who want to save time or a novice and wants images to be professionally edited. All your needs from portrait to wedding and from newborn to landscape along with real estate and definitely e-commerce photography those we do with our professional team members in the skilled hands. We’re one of the best companies who offer high-quality restoration as well as photo enhancement services at very affordable cost. In this case, we’re using sophisticated technology, including pen tablets to provide non-destructive photo restoration.

We have the team and technology to restore them with high-quality restoration service whether it’s old photos or vintage photos or damaged photos or blurred photos or photo with abnormal exposures along with lost pixels or any other deformity. This content is all about our service of professional photo restoration along with vintage photo restoration. Here, we’ll learn about what photo restoration is and how we do plus what we offer for you through the service.

Photo Restoration Service by Clipping USA, California

Photo restoration service is also known as digital photograph restoration, which is the practice of restoring the appearance of a digital copy of a physical photograph. It’s the refurbishing process of the images that have been damaged by natural or man-made, or environmental causes. Or, they also may simply be affected by neglect or age. In this purpose, there is a variety of image editing techniques involve removing visible damage and aging effects from digital copies of the image. While repairing the appearance of the digital images and add to the digital copy of the photo where pieces of the physical photograph are torn or missing, raster graphics editors are typically used.

By painting over them carefully, evidence of dirt and scratches along with other signs of photographic age are removed from the digital image manually. When unnecessary color casts are removed, the contrast of image or sharpening may be changed in an attempt to bring back some of the contrast range or detail. This way it’s supposed to bring back the original state of an image. On the other hand, for the purpose of digital photograph restoration, the image processing techniques, for example, image enhancement and image restoration are also appropriate.

What are the Importance/ Benefits of Photo Restoration Service?

As the most of the photo papers and inks finished until recently have not been archival value, many image prints show signs of color shifts and fading after a very few years. And while keeping photos in basements or attics or allowing images to be uncovered to sunlight in the pitiable storage practices, it has contributed to the meager state of most image collections. Until they take observe their photo compilation after several years of storage, people don’t understand there is a difficulty. In order to stop the unavoidable destruction that will take place no matter how carefully the photos are stored, it’s a good idea to restore your entire photo collection.

Besides, the photos can be copied to CD or DVD for long time storage and secure keeping when they are stored. Because digital images do not change at all if you have digital copies you need not worry about further damage. Also, it will allow you to make a set of prints, and additional prints at any time in the future should a disaster strike while having digital copies. Apart from these, there are sentimental reasons for wanting to restore some special family photos. It could be a great exclusive personal gift for family members if you have restored photos.

Photo Restoration Service San Diego, California

For the restoration of old photographs that are known as photo restoration service has been around for a long time. Photo retouch, photo enhance etc are used to restore old photographs. As photo restoration starts with a scan, we never modify the original photograph. Instead, we only work with the scanned copy. Clipping USA, California offers the following photo restoration service for different types of images:

Repairing watered damage and also the damaged those are occurred by mold or spots. Moreover, we remove stains and color cast as well as aged yellow paper.

Restoring calibrates color levels and faded photographs by correcting contrast, faded black/white tones

Removing all scratches of the images that are available by keeping their original looks

Restoring images with extreme damage and even for the missing pieces

Fixing torn photo with many rips or tears

Restoring various hard copies, including certificates and documents along with marriage certificate etc

Fixing red eye of your wedding pictures

Restoring images stuck to the glass

Removing writing from images

By retouching photos enhance or manipulating images, our restoration service mends all flaws

Description of Photo Restoration Service by Clipping USA, San Francisco

All of us have old photographs and we think them as a treasure. These may be either your family photographs or historic photographs. But, when some bad things happen to your photographs, such as stains, fading, and rips, then you need to make them removed. Also, the images are stored properly; they can succumb to the ravages of time. That’s the photo restoration service. While leaving your originals untouched, we’re experts at digitally restoring your most treasured photographs. This is because we know the value of the old photographs as they are truly one of a kind. Now, let’s know what and how Clipping USA does as the photo restoration.

Photo Colorization Service in Orange County, California

Clipping USA provides photo colorization service along with image tinting. Since it helps to have a nice, high-resolution scan to work from, it will provide around 600dpi or so. Also, if your scanner glass is gleaming then you have blown all the dust off with its assistance. Simply send us a scan of the image and allow us to give you a free, no-obligation estimate if you’re not sure and if it’s worth going to the trouble of one of our caring, professional restorations.

Photo Preservation Services in Northern California Counties

If you have the video and DVD projects then Clipping USA is specialized in photo preservation services, including photo repairing and restoration. In this case, you may need to remove someone from a group shot or some other similar task. Or, the image also may stick to the glass and discolored and even it could be faded or torn or stained. From image enhancement to design and the addition of text and graphic elements, we can help with that and we also handle poster projects. Also, making photo enlargement suitable for large-scale reproduction is one of our duties without making any change to the original image. Now, we’re available in Orange County, California with the services of photo restoration as well as photo repair service along with digital image graphic design.

Black & White Contrast Expanding Services in San Joaquin County, California

A great image comes with an indefinable quality. As it looks like “pop”, it has an authentic eyeball-grabbing impact. It’s the full tonal range that’s responsible for many cases. On the other hand, despite having the normal range, it also has true black and true whites in between. The blacks are dark gray and the whites are muddy is the most common reason for a washed out photograph requiring retouching or restoration. That’s why it’s essential to adjust the contrast of an image. As it really boosts the contrast and sees how it prints, don’t be scared to “go long” with this one. Clipping USA offers the services all over in the USA along with San Joaquin County, California.

Vintage Photo Restoration Services in San Diego County, California

A vintage photo print is the first print and it’s that the photographer makes instantly after developing a negative in photography. As it’s the first print of the photo, it may bean old look or even ruin. Clipping USA comes with the service in San Diego County, California to keep your memory colorful and unique. This is because it’s not a secret the old photography is very sensitive. But, it may get relentless in the tern of the time and improper storage. As the constant humid environment, for example, is able to bring the problem of mold damages. The image also is affected by flood destruction. In fact, image spoiling reasons also could be quite diverse.

But, everything can be fixed by our skillful editors; no matter what disaster has affected your photography. In this case, we provide photo repairing services of all levels of complexity. And we get the most frequently order is to restore the faintly damaged image. Besides, the faded images are as low bright as they are not so deep. As a result, colors in these images are not so deep where light colors less vivid, but black color becomes visibly less dark.

Conclusion

Careful judgment is a critical aspect of the restoration process because photo restoration service requires many interpretive decisions. So, you can ask us before you touch your images. As the service of photo restoration is much more complex, you can’t do it your own. It requires professional and expert hands to resolve the issues of photographs. If you need photo restoration service for your old images then don’t hesitate to knock us. We’re Clipping USA, a team of the professionals to make your images eye-catching.

#Professional #photo #restoration #service #PRICES #PRICE #near me #clippingusa #clipping #usa #scancafe #colorexpertsbd #clippingpathindia #fixthephoto #old #repair #damaged photos

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infiniteglitterfall · 2 years ago

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Me: (looking through a list of epistolary novels)

Bi-fi: YONE NOGUCHI

Me: What

Bi-fi: RIGHT THERE. 1901. "The American Diary of a Japanese Girl."

Me: How would you even know, I don't remember hearing his name before

Bi-fi: I know what I fucking know.

Google: Yup. Bisexual confirmed.

Me: Are you two... you know what, never mind.

Google: "On July 1, 2015 the Respect After Death Act (California Assembly Bill 1577) took effect in California enabling transgender people to record their chosen gender on their death certificates.

"At least three Asian queers stood at the center of the passage of this bill. When Chinese and Polish American Christopher Lee who identified as a transgender man killed himself in 2012, the coroner listed him as female on his death certificate.

"Troubled by their friend’s misgendering, Chinese Mexican Chino Scott-Chung, also a transgender man, brought the death certificate to the attention of the Transgender Law Center, which initiated and lobbied for the passage of AB 1577.

"Three years later, Japanese American Kris Hayashi stood at the helm of the Transgender Law Center as its executive director when the organization celebrated the passage of the bill. Yet when CBS reported on the victory, they lauded [white dude] Masen Davis as the organization’s executive director."

Me: 👀 ok yes that was one hell of a paragraph but what does it have to do with Yone Noguchi

Google: Uh... nothing

Me:

Google:

Me:

Google: "Correction from the author, December 2020: In this chapter, 'In 1899, the same year Kosen Takahashi pined away over Yone Noguchi’s absence as he tramped to Los Angeles...' should be replaced by 'In 1889, a decade before Kosen Takahashi pined away over Yone Noguchi’s absence as he tramped to Los Angeles...'"

Me: The fuck is it correcting

Google: I DON'T KNOW I'M JUST A SEARCH ENGINE

Me: Why is this by the National Park Service?

Google: AGAIN--

Me: Okay, okay. Oh, there's a link. Ohhhhhh, okay, I see what it's correcting. They wrote a whole damn BOOK about LGBTQ+ America, one chapter is called "Breathing Fire: Remembering Asian Pacific American Activism in Queer History," and it's FREE.

Me: "Male gold seekers during the 1850s in the Southern Mines of California—including Chinese—created multiracial families of cooperation and consent as they forged new forms of cross-ethnic male intimacy.... In some cases, individuals did identify themselves as explicitly queer.

"...In 1899, Kosen Takahashi, an illustrator for Shin Sekai, one of San Francisco’s earliest Japanese American newspapers, declared himself an 'utmost queer Nipponese' to journalist Blanche Partington."

I'm sorry, WHAT?!?

Google: (looks smug)

Me: "Takahashi, who had earlier shared kisses with fellow issei Yone Noguchi, missed him sorely when Noguchi went tramping from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

"Noguchi, a poet in his own right who would later become better known as the father of acclaimed Asian American artist Isamu Noguchi, had struck up an affair with... Charles Warren Stoddard.

"At the turn of the century, Noguchi would collect bouquets of wild flowers in California’s Oakland Hills and blow kisses to Stoddard’s 'bungalow' on M Street in Washington, DC...."

Me: oh my god it just keeps on going. oh my god wait JOAQUIN MILLER was bisexual? Wait, Joaquin Miller, the poet laureate of someplace around here or possibly the whole state of California? Who the regional park I got QUEER MARRIED AT was named after?

He was so openly bi, and so widely known for doing it with Japanese men, that "shortly after his death in 1913, Yone Noguchi—who had since returned to Japan—sailed back to the United States and organized a group of Japanese men to pay their respects at his home"?!?

What?? Am??? I???? Reading?????

Google: AGAAAIN....

Me: IT WAS A RHETORICAL QUESTION

Bi-fi, smugly: Told ya so.

Me: So you're saying this dude was SO bisexual that you can pick up his Vibes more than a hundred years later.

Bi-fi: Yeah pretty much

Me: ...yeah okay that does seem to check out.

Me: What the even fuck though? "According to literary critic Lee Wallace, Pacific Islander same-sex sexualities so powerfully informed nineteenth-century western imaginings of masculinity that 'male homosexuality as we have come to understood it… was constituted in no small part through the collision with Polynesian culture'?!!"

Google:

Bi-fi:

My brain: ....

My brain: 🎶 Well, anyway let me say, "You're welcome" (you're welcome)

For the wonderful world you know

Hey, it's okay, it's okay, you're welcome (you're welcome)

Well, come to think of it, I gotta go (hey)

Hey, it's your day to say, "You're welcome"

"You're welcome" (you're welcome)

"You're welcome"

And thank you!! 🎵

Me: ...I really gotta go find something to eat.

van helsing days after eviscerating john seward for being single in front of his love interest as soon as he spots arthur: actually jack we won't be needing your blood after all since our brave young lover is clearly stronger and haler and has better blood and calmer nerves than you could ever have. let the man kiss his lover once more before he goes we can't all be bitchless like you dear boy

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and-then-there-were-n0ne · 3 years ago

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« The Central Valley runs much of the length of California, bounded by the Coastal Range to the west and by the Sierra Nevada to the east. These long mountain ranges link up at the north and the south ends of the valley, which is therefore surrounded by high ground. Throughout this high ground lives a genus of salamanders called Ensatina. The Central Valley itself, about 40 miles wide, is not friendly to salamanders, and they are not found there. They can move all round the valley but normally not across it, in an elongated ring of more or less continuous population. In practice any one salamander's short legs in its short lifetime don't carry it far from its birthplace. [...]

In a study area called Camp Wolahi, in the mountains to the south of the valley, there are two clearly distinct species of Ensatina which do not interbreed. One is conspicuously marked with yellow and black blotches. The other is a uniform light brown with no blotches. Camp Wolahi is in a zone of overlap, but wider sampling shows that the blotched species is typical of the eastern side of the Central Valley which, here in Southern California, is known as the San Joaquin Valley (pronounced San Wahkeen). The light brown species, on the contrary, is typically found on the western side of the San Joaquin.

Non-interbreeding is the recognised criterion for whether two populations deserve distinct species names. It therefore should be straightforward to use the name Ensatina eschscholtzii for the plain western species, and Ensatina klauberi for the blotched eastern species — straightforward but for one remarkable circumstance, which is the nub of the tale.

If you go up to the mountains that bound the north end of the Central Valley, which up there is called the Sacramento Valley, you'll find only one species of Ensatina. Its appearance is intermediate between the blotched and the plain species: mostly brown, with rather indistinct blotches. It is not a hybrid between the two: that is the wrong way to look at it. To discover the right way, make two expeditions south, sampling the salamander populations as they fork to west and east on either side of the Central Valley. On the east side, they become progressively more blotched until they reach the extreme of klauberi in the far south. On the west side, the salamanders become progressively more like the plain eschscholtzii that we met in the zone of overlap at Camp Wolahi.

This is why it is hard to treat Ensatina eschscholtzii and Ensatina klauberi with confidence as separate species. They are are a 'ring species'. You'll recognise them as separate species if you only sample in the south. Move north, however, and they gradually turn into each other. Zoologists normally follow Stebbins's lead and place them all in the same species, Ensatina eschscholtzii, but give them a range of subspecies names. [...]

Stebbins believes that the ancestors of Ensatina arrived at the north end of the Central Valley and evolved gradually down the two sides of the valley, diverging as they went. An alternative possibility is that they started in the south as, say, Ensatina eschscholtzii eschscholtzii, then evolved their way up the west side of the valley, round the top and down the other side, ending up as Ensatina eschscholtzii klauberi at the other end of the ring. Whatever the history, what happens today is that there is hybridization all round the ring, except where the two ends of the line meet, in the far south of California.

As a complication, it seems that the Central Valley is not a total barrier to gene flow. Occasionally, salamanders seem to have made it across, for there are populations of, for example, xanthoptica, one of the western subspecies, on the eastern side of the valley, where they hybridise with the eastern subspecies, platensis. Yet another complication is that there is a small break near the south end of the ring, where there seem to be no salamanders at all. Presumably they used to be there, but have died out. Or maybe they are still there but have not been found: I am told that the mountains in this area are rugged and hard to search. The ring is complicated, but a ring of continuous gene flow is, nevertheless, the predominant pattern in this genus, as it is with the better-known case of herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls around the Arctic Circle. [...]

Ring species like the salamanders and the gulls are only showing us in the spatial dimension something that must always happen in the time dimension. [...]

People and chimpanzees are certainly linked via a continuous chain of intermediates and a shared ancestor, but the intermediates are extinct: what remains is a discontinuous distribution. The same is true of people and monkeys, and of people and kangaroos, except that the extinct intermediates lived longer ago. Because the intermediates are nearly always extinct, we can usually get away with assuming that there is a sharp discontinuity between every species and every other. »

— The Ancestor’s Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Life, Richard Dawkins and Yan Wong

#richard dawkins

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iishipallthethings · 6 years ago

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The Wager Chapter 9

Story Summary: Another Day of the Dead is finally here. La Muerte goes to the land of the living and is shocked to see Maria, the jewel of the town, unsatisfied with her marriage with Manolo. Another wager is struck and La Muerte finds herself falling hard for a human. 1 year after movie! Main ship: Maria X La Muerte (kind of slow burn) but there is another :)

Chapter Title: Please don’t turn away from me

Coffee?

“Finally,” Mary breathed as she stood in front of Maria’s mansion, a small suitcase next to her. She knocked on the wooden door, shaking off the last bit of exhaustion. Mary wanted to pack her bags as a human, an urge she could not understand but was helpless to overpower. But after packing her bag once, she had to redo it two more times to make sure she had everything she could possibly need during her trip.

It was time for her and Maria to go to Arroba to make new memories. Mary had spent most of last week with Maria, the two women discussing what they should do once they’ve arrived in Arroba. Several times the part of Mary that was concerned with how much time she spent with Maria rather than ruling the Land of the Remembered would make itself known. The small voice was always pushed away once she reminded herself that she had the loyal Sanchezes watching over things and if something were to happen, one of them would alert her immediately.

Her inner rambling ended as the door opened to reveal Joaquin. The hero grinned and gestured for Mary to enter. “Hola Mary,” Joaquin said happily. “Maria is just getting a few last minute things for the trip. She’ll be down in a moment.”

“Okay, I’ll just wait for her here then.”

Joaquin nodded and strolled off, presumably to wherever Manolo was.

That was another improvement. After the dinner, Joaquin and Manolo seemed much more at ease around Mary. Maria even confounded in Mary that the two were more open about their relationship now. The younger woman made a face right after and lamented playfully that soon she would have to find a place of her own or else she would not have enough sleep. Mary had regretted asking why when Maria informed her of the fact that the two of them were rather vocal when they were making love.

Mary did not have to wait long before she spotted Maria coming down the stairs, a cylindered pack on her back. Mary thought that the pack looked like something Joaquin would bring with him as he traveled to other towns. Chuy trudged behind the younger woman, a sad expression on his face. Mary frowned as she remembered his reaction to Maria explaining to the pig that the trip would only be for herself and Mary. The poor thing was absolutely devastated but after Mary told him that she would protect Maria for him, he cheered right back up.

Maria stopped in front of Mary and pulled her into a loose hug. “Hola Mary.” She pulled back and eyed the small suitcase. “Are you excited?” she asked, brown eyes flitting back to blue.

The older woman nodded. “Are you?”

“Most definitely.” The younger woman patted Chuy’s head with her free hand, “Don’t pout Chuy, I’ll be back before you know it.”

The pig did not look convinced but he raised his head to receive more petting.

Maria grinned at Mary, “Shall we go?” she asked.

Mary gave an affirmative and she opened the door for Maria. Maria grinned and whispered thanks before walking out of the mansion with Chuy in tow. Mary was just about to close the door behind her when she saw Joaquin and Manolo coming into the foyer.

“You didn’t actually think that we wouldn’t see you off?” Manolo teased as the two men join the trio outside.

Mary heard Maria mutter something under her breath but could not tell what she said and saw how the younger woman tensed up slightly at Manolo’s question. “You already said goodbye,” Maria said with a small frown. Obviously, the younger woman was not pleased that Manolo and Joaquin were going to see them off but Mary did not understand why. She simply glanced between the two, practically feeling the tension rising even though humor danced in Manolo’s eyes.

“We did, to you, “Joaquin laughed, unaffected by the charged atmosphere. Or maybe he knew what was causing it, Mary wondered. “We still haven’t said goodbye to Mary.”

Maria muttered something else that Mary did not catch but she allowed the two men to follow them.

Mary walked close to Maria, whispering so only she could hear, “Did something happen?”

Maria heaved a sigh and shook her head. “They’re overprotected, that’s all.” She offered an apologetic smile as she saw Mary’s confusion. “Don’t worry about it, let’s just enjoy our trip.”

The older woman grinned at that. The group walked to the train station, stopping at one of the carts to get snacks for the ride. When they saw the train, Chuy whined and leaned against Maria, almost causing the woman to trip. Maria smiled sadly at Chuy and gave him a hug. The pig returned it with one of his front paws, whining low in his throat. “Don’t worry Chuy, I’ll be fine. I’ll even bring back a treat for you.”

It occurred to Mary that this might very well be the first time Maria has ever been away from Chuy for more than a day. She thought about Maria’s honeymoon and decided that it was not that big of a stretch to believe that Maria took Chuy with her.

A tap on her shoulder broke Mary’s train of thought. She looked behind her to see Manolo grinning down at her. “Have fun Mary,” he said, pulling the woman into an easy hug. “Thank you,” he whispered as she gave the woman a small squeeze. “I know that Arroba hasn’t been the same ever since the honeymoon and I beg you, make it her home again.” Manolo pulled away, coughing in embarrassment as his eyes watered.

“I will,” Mary promised.

It was Joaquin’s turn to say goodbye to Mary. Unlike Manolo, he opted for a simple pat on the shoulder. “Maria has been looking forward to this for the entire week, so don’t be surprised when you can’t get a good night’s sleep,” he said with a wink and a smirk.

Manolo frowned and smacked Joaquin’s arm. “Be nice,” he said with narrowed eyes but on further inspection, Mary could see the mirth hidden in them.

“I’m just telling the truth!” Joaquin protested. He sobered and grinned at Mary. “Seriously though, I hope you have a wonderful time.”

“Are you two done saying goodbye?” Maria asked. Mary noticed that the younger woman still had a hand resting on Chuy’s head, not willing to break physical contact with the pig yet.

“Just about,” Manolo replied. He gave Maria a hug and whispered something in her ear as well. Mary could not hear what the man was saying but when the embrace ended, Maria nodded with a serious expression that did not fit the happy atmosphere.

Maria held out a hand for Mary to take. “Come on, the train is about to leave.”

Mary gave one last glance to the two men and Chuy. The pig gave a long whine as the two women boarded the train. They sat in their seats in first class, placing their bags in the overhead compartment. They were the only ones in their cabin and Maria took quick advantage of resting her feet on the open seat next to her while Mary sat in front of the younger woman. They chatted about what to expect in Arroba and Maria told her the sights she wanted to show Mary.

The train gave a sudden lurch that caused both women to jump. They watched outside the window as the train slowly left the station. Maria spotted Manolo and Joaquin waving at them, chuckling as she returned the wave.

As the train began to pick up speed, Mary noticed something was running along their side of the train. “Maria, look!” She pointed at the thing that was running with all its might as it barked over the trains gears.

“Chuy!” Maria gasped, moving closer to the window to get a better look.

Indeed, the pig was running with the train, barking all along the way. Maria opened the window and stuck her head out. “Goodbye Chuy!” she yelled with a sad wave.

Chuy gave one last bark and slowed down, watching as the train sped up.

When the pig could no longer be seen, Maria pulled her head back inside and closed the window. She sat back in her seat with a sullen expression.

Mary reached over and rested a hand on Maria’s lap. “You really do love Chuy.” It wasn’t a question.

Still, Maria nodded. “He’s more like a child to me than a pet,” she confessed. She looked out of the window, chewing on her bottom lip. “I hope he doesn’t cause too much trouble with me gone.”

“He’s a good boy,” Mary offered. She was glad that her wording earned her a small grin.

“I know that I’m not supposed to ask but where are we staying?” Maria looked so hopeful that Mary had a sudden urge to tell her. That was another part of the trip, Mary had not told Maria where they would be staying for the next two days, only saying that it was a gift to show the younger woman how grateful she is for everything Maria had done since she ‘moved’ to San Angel. More than once, Maria almost got her to say the name but Mary kept her silence.

Mary grinned impishly. “Oh no, no spoiling the surprise.”

Maria pouted and crossed her arms like a child would when denied a sweet. Mary only laughed at the gesture which caused Maria to frown even more. “But I will tell you this, I hear the view you get is exquisite,” Mary receded.

This seemed to placate Maria and the two began to talk about what they absolutely must see. After two hours however, Maria was now sleeping as Mary read from a book she brought with her. Mary glanced up from the page she was reading and giggled at the sight before her. Maria’s head rested against the window, her mouth slightly open. She would never peg Maria as a snorer but the soft noises coming from her were undoubtedly snores. Maria muttered something in her sleep and shuddered, her face twisting in discomfort but not waking.

Mary looked around her to see if anyone was watching. When she saw the coast was clear, she waved a hand and a silk blanket appeared out of thin air. An abrupt snort made Mary freeze, fearing that Maria had woken to see her use magic. But the young woman only murmured something in her sleep, nuzzling the window as if it were a pillow. Mary breathed a sigh of relief and covered Maria’s body with the blanket.

Once she made sure the blanket would not fall off Maria’s body, Mary settled back in her seat. She picked up the book and with one final glance to affirm that Maria was comfortable, she began to read again.

Mary felt the train slow down an hour later. She looked outside and saw that they were approaching the train station in Arroba. She marked the page she was on and placed the book back in her suitcase, with everyone starting to move around it was too dangerous for her to simply magic the book away.

She looked up and shook her head as she chuckled. Maria was still fast asleep, her head now resting on the seat headrest. Mary gently poked Maria’s cheek, giggling when a hand lazily rose to swat away her finger.

“Maria, we’re here,” Mary whispered as she now shook Maria’s shoulder.

Maria’s eyes fluttered open and she grinned sleepily at Mary. She seemed confused for a moment, turning her head this way and that to look at her surroundings. “Wharwe?” she mumbled through a hand that was covering a yawn. Maria looked down at the blanket covering her body and shrugged as if her tired mind could not be bothered with figuring out where it had come from.

“Arroba.” Mary would be lying if she said that sleepy Maria was not adorable. She saw the sleep leave Maria’s eyes as they filled with excitement.

“We’re here!” Maria jumped up from her seat, almost tripping over the blanket. She glanced down at the blanket with a confused frown. She bent down and grabbed it, looking around her to try to find one of the attendants.

Mary chuckled and reached out to grab it. “That’s mine actually, I thought you looked cold.”

Maria raised an eyebrow and eyed Mary’s suitcase. “How did you manage to fit this in there with the rest of your clothes?”

Blue eyes widened as Mary realized she just made a mistake. “If you roll up your outfits instead of folding them, you end up with a lot of room left over,” she lied. She thought that she would be used to the guilt of lying by now but it still made her stomach twist into ugly knots.

Luckily with her brain still drowsy from the nap, Maria accepted the lie without incident. As Maria reached up to grab her backpack, Mary waved her fingers at her suitcase, using magic to make enlarge the space inside without making the suitcase physically bigger. She placed the blanket inside and zipped the suitcase shut just as Maria shrugged on the pack.

They left the train and Mary began leading the way to the hotel. Maria pointed at different buildings and gave a personal story each time. Mary hummed when appropriate to show that she was paying attention and chuckle when Maria gave a particularly interesting anecdote.

“I had no idea you were such a trouble maker Maria,” Mary giggled when the younger woman explained that she was the reason why a sign that said DO NOT CLIMB in bold letters was placed on the side of a building with vines growing on the walls of an old pub.

“I just wanted a better view,” Maria pouted playfully.

“For what might I ask?”

Maria smiled devilishly at Mary. “So I had a better vantage point for water balloon attacks.” Maria shrugged at Mary’s raised eyebrows, “The boys were making fun of me! They deserved it.”

“And why were they making fun of you?”

Maria’s playful attitude dimmed to one of shyness. She played with a lock of her hair and glanced away. “I was reading about the history of the art in Arroba.”

Mary smiled gently and bumped shoulders with Maria. “That is nothing to be made fun of. In fact, I would say that learning about the history makes you a bright woman.” She looked around her surroundings and spotted a street sign. Walking over to it, she read, Luna Road.

Grinning widely, Mary pointed down the street. “We’re close to our hotel. How about we check in and you can show me your old school?”

“That sounds good,” Maria agreed. She allowed Mary to lead the way, frowning a bit as she looked at the restaurants lining the road. Each looked more expensive than the last, holding fewer and fewer customers. “Mary,” she asked, “where exactly are we staying?”

The older woman only chuckled and hurried her pace. She glanced behind her and could practically see the wheels turning in Maria’s head. Mary turned the corner and stopped abruptly, Maria almost walking into her.

In front of the two women was the Lunar Hotel. The first thought that came to Mary’s mind was that it looked more like a palace than a place where people stayed for weeks at a time, if they could afford to that is. The marble that made up the hotel was painted gold and the entrance was big enough to allow two bulls to charge in at once with enough room for them to swing their heads. Each of the five stories had a balcony in the middle, the railings carved to look like the teeth of a skull. The sign of the hotel was lit by at least a hundred candles and Mary shuddered to think of the poor person who would have to light them all at night and clean out the wax the following morning.

One glance at Maria and Mary knew the younger woman was trying to figure out how to say that the hotel was too much without sounding rude. Before Maria could open her mouth to protest at the fact that they were staying at a very expensive hotel, Mary grabbed her hand and walked quickly into the hotel. She nodded hello to the bellboy dressed in a pristine red suit who opened the door for them. He looked genuinely surprised that Mary acknowledged his existence and smiled at the two of them.

The inside of the Lunar Hotel was even ritzier than outside. Plush couches and chairs were strewn about in a close circle with a large rounded mahogany table in the middle of each circle. In the center of the room was a fountain that held a statue of a man looking down at the guests, presumably the person who established the hotel. The silver metal was obviously polished daily and the stern eyes seemed to follow the two women as they walked deeper into the lobby. Mary had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at the statue, some humans could be so vain. Mary could count on both hands how many people were staying at the hotel. All of them turned their heads to look at the two newcomers and quickly gave a dismissive sneer at the fact that they were carrying luggage. They must have assumed that they were the staff who showed up late. One middle aged man even muttered something to his twenty-something wife, who giggled obnoxiously at the joke.

Mary kept a tight hold on Maria’s hand as the younger woman began to move towards the rude man. Maria glared halfheartedly at Mary who only mouthed the words ‘ignore them’ as she moved further away from the rude man. She pulled the younger woman with her to the front desk situated in the back of the lobby. The man behind the polished wood looked down at the two and put the papers he was viewing off to the side with a heavy sigh. Once again Mary squeezed Maria’s hand gently as the younger woman looked as if she was about to have a few choice words to the receptionist.

“Name?” the man said with a bored tone, not even bothering to look at the two women as he checked his tie.

“Mary Beth,” Mary answered, her voice laced with irritation.

The effect was immediate. The receptionist’s mouth and eyes popped open comically and his eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. He sat up straight, too straight to be remotely comfortable, and looked at Mary with a smile as if she had just become La Muerte, which Mary did consider. “Miss Beth, we weren’t expecting you until later.” He took out a key and handed it to her, his hand shaking somewhat. “The suite is still not ready for you just now but if you like, you and your friend can enjoy the pool in the back. It’s most refreshing!”

Mary glanced at Maria who was hiding her laughter behind her hand. Shaking her head slightly, Maria informed the receptionist, “Actually, I was hoping that we could drop off our bags in the room and explore Arroba for a bit. Would that be all right?”

A muscle twitched in the man’s lips but he hid it with a gracious smile, however Mary could still easily read the distaste in the receptionist’s eyes. “Of course it is. You can leave your bags here and I will take them up to your room for you.”

“Thank you.”

The two women left their bags with the receptionist who barked out an order. The bellboy that had opened the door to them scurried to take the bags and with one glare at the man and a smile to the two, trudged away to the suite. Mary felt a little bad for the boy; she had hoped that the receptionist would be the one to carry their bags. She made a mental note to leave a very generous tip for the bellboy and nothing for the receptionist.

As soon as they left the hotel, Maria burst in laughter. Her shoulders shook with her laughs and soon Mary joined in. “H- he looked so su-surprised!” Maria managed to wheeze out, leaning heavily on Mary for support.

“I know,” Mary chuckled. “I thought his eyes would pop out of his head, they were open so wide!”

Maria hummed in agreement, still leaning on Mary slightly. She stood up and Mary found herself missing the body heat. Maria thread her fingers through Mary’s and nodded towards the direction they had come in. “The school’s that way. If you still want to go see it,” she added.

In response, Mary began walking down the road, not missing the small smile gracing Maria’s face. The two walked in companionable silence, simply enjoying the sun on their skin. Mary took in the beauty of Arroba, pointing out some of the murals that were painted on the sides of various shops and restaurants. Most of them depicted herself as La Muerte in the Land of the Remembered, frowning down at Xibalba who scowled back in his palace in the Land of the Forgotten. Mary felt a tinge of guilt at the murals, she and Xibalba had their differences yes, but she did not realize that the mortals viewed them as such opposites, forever pitted against one another. A fleeting thought whispered how in some aspect, the painters were still correct, she and Xibalba rarely spoke to one another, and in most of their meetings, they were wary and guarded their true motives from one another.

Mary’s train of thought abruptly halted when she noticed that Maria had stopped walking and was currently looking at her in concern. A quick glance told Mary that they had finally arrived at Maria’s old school. “Sorry, I was lost in my own thoughts,” Mary explained.

Maria nodded but still looked worried for the older woman. “You do that a lot,” she commented.

Mary started, it was true that the past week she found herself deep in her thoughts, but she hoped she had eluded Maria’s eye. Apparently not. Before the younger woman could ask what her thoughts were about, Mary walked over to the school’s entrance. There were two columns made of old looking brick surrounded with vines that seemed to grow out of the stone itself. In between the two columns was a rusty iron gate, the sign with the words, “Convent of the Women of Perpetual Purity” welded at the top. Right under the name was a lion roaring at an invisible enemy. In front of each column was a little garden of various sweet smelling flowers. The flower beds were circled by stones, each the same size as the one next to it. She fingered the rusty iron gate with a soft frown, eyeing the lock that kept the gate closed. Looking over her shoulder she asked, “Are we allowed inside?”

Maria nodded and began prodding the various rocks that surrounded the gate with her boot. She rolled some of them over and back for a minute or two before she broke out in a triumph grin. Bending low, she scooped up a rock that was situated in front of a white lily. She tossed the rock into the air once and caught it easily as if it weighed nothing.

It took Mary a bit longer than she would like to admit before she realized the rock must be a fake. Her suspicions were confirmed when Maria scratched at the surface until a key was popped out of its holder. She grinned over at Mary as she unlocked the iron gate. “The nuns had a strict rule that students weren’t allowed to go outside after dark.”

“So naturedly all of you did?”

Maria chuckled mischievously as she pulled the tugged the lock open. “Of course. The nuns knew but most of them grew up here so they understood that it was a rite of passage for the newcomers. They ‘dropped’ this key so we could sneak back in.” She placed the key back into its hiding spot and put the rock snugly back in its place. Instantly, Mary could not tell which rock held the fake key.

“Are you sure that it’s okay if we go inside?” Mary asked.

Maria only flashed her a grin and opened the gate, wincing as the metal creaked loudly. When she saw that Mary was still on the other side of the gate, she sighed. “Yes, we’re allowed,” she said with a great amount of exasperation, chuckling at the half-hearted glare she was rewarded.

Mary walked over to Maria, glancing behind her in longing. Maria laughed and weaved an arm through Mary’s, tugging her along the stone path. “Don’t worry. If the nuns catch us I’m sure they’ll recognize me.”

Mary muttered something under her breath but the building in front of her caught her attention. At first she thought it was a castle of some sort but after a moment she realized it was the church. Mary had to tilt her head back to see the tip of the roof. She grimaced at the gargoyle sitting there, his maw opened in a silent screech as he glared at the sun. She spied two more gargoyles, as ugly as the first, glaring at opposite directions. She guessed that each gargle represented each direction, the one on top of the church’s roof for east and the two she saw for the directions north and south. She knew that if she and Maria were to go to the other side of the church, they would find the gargoyle that represented west.

Her eyes lowered to look at the stained glass. Like the ones from San Angel, Mary could just barely see herself as La Muerte sitting in her golden throne. For some reason Mary could not fathom, she felt a sense of resentment at the glass and turned her head to look at other details of the church. She noticed that there was some sort of expansion and unlike the church, the sides did not have any of the exquisite carvings or stained glass.

“That’s where we have our classrooms,” Maria said, sensing what Mary was about to ask.

“Why doesn’t it look like the rest of the church?”

“Because this place wasn’t always a private boarding school,” Maria answered with a shrug. The two started walking towards the church as she explained. “The church was first built as a convent for women who did not believe they needed a priest to worship, or at least that’s what the nuns told us.” Maria leaned towards Mary and whispered, “I personally believe that they just got sick of their priest telling them what to do.” Mary giggled at this. Maria continued, “After a while, they needed to find a way to get money so they decided to open up the school. The first students became very interested in the religion the nuns were studying and so they added the classrooms to the church itself. The old building eventually became the current dormitory for the students.”

The two women took a left at the church, Mary doing her best not to meet the eyes of La Muerte. They walked for about ten minutes before they stopped in front of the dormitory. It was newer than the church but still had a worn feel to it. It was made entirely of brick with a mahogany door etched with soft swirls. Several of the numerous windows were lit, signaling that there were occupants inside.

Mary glanced at Maria and saw that the younger woman was smiling, lost in memories. Maria took a step closer and whispered, “For most of my life, this was my home.” She looked down and played with her fingers, “I was so angry when I first got here. My father,” she wiped at her eyes in embarrassment and Mary placing a hand on her shoulder for comfort, “he sent me here because he thought I wasn’t a proper lady.” She gave a chuckle but it was weak. “I guess he was right though.”

The older woman frowned as she squeezed Maria’s arm to get her attention. “He was wrong. A woman who would stand up and fight for her town is a woman others should look up to.”

Maria sniffed and offered a small smile. “Thank you.” She wiped at her eyes once more and nodded towards the dormitory. “Do you want to go inside?”

Mary shook her head. “No, let’s go walk around a bit more.”

Maria showed her relief on her face. “Okay.” The two began to walk to the right of the dormitory. The grass was so green and dotted with occasional daisies. There was a lone oak tree in the middle of the garden which donned a sign that said ‘DO NOT CLIMB.’

“Before you asked, yes I was the reason for the sign. I used to hide in the branches so I could escape the boring classes and just read. After a while though the nuns found out and they were so mad.” Maria grimaced and Mary chuckled at the expression. “They thought that making me take kung fu and fencing would be a suitable punishment. After a year I was the best student in both studies.”

Mary chuckled as a sudden image of her fighting the leader of the banditos, Chakal. “For some reason you being good at fighting and swords doesn’t surprise me.”

“It shouldn’t!” Maria looked up and saw that the sun had moved a lot since their exploration of the school. “Come on, it’s getting a little late. Let’s go before the nuns find us and run us off their property.” Maria began to walk away and she looked over her shoulder at the older woman. “It’s illegal for nonstudents to be on their grounds.”

Mary’s eyes widened and she stared slacked mouth at Maria, causing the younger woman to laugh. She hurried over to Maria, hissing in her ear. “You said we wouldn’t get in trouble!”

“If we get caught,” Maria said slyly back. The two women retraced their steps in a hurried pace, Mary looking over their shoulder in case a nun suddenly came running around the corner. She spared the church one last glance, frowning at the glass of herself.

The two slipped out of the iron gate, Maria locking the two sides with practiced hands. The two walked back to the hotel in silence. Maria only broke the silence when they walked down one street and saw an old building with two stone lions in front. “That’s my favorite library; maybe tomorrow I’ll take you there.”

“I would love that.”

Their arms were entwined as they entered the hotel lobby. It was as packed as it was before and everyone looked down their noses at them like before. Mary once again had to fight the urge to reveal herself and stop the rude people from looking at them as if they were inferior just because they thought the two women had less money.

The same receptionist smiled at the two but neither women was fooled. He glanced down at his paper with something that looked like agitation. “Hola, Miss Beth. Your room is finally ready for you and your guest. He will lead you to your room,” the receptionist said as he jerked his head towards the same boy who took their bags.

Unlike the receptionist, the bell boy gave a genuine smile. “If you two would follow me.”

Mary nodded in respect and followed the bellboy. He led them up the stairs to the topmost floor. She glanced to Maria and almost smirked when the younger woman looked at the one door in confusion.

“Thank you,” both women said. When the bellboy turned to leave, Mary made a gesture for him to stay. “Here, for your help.” She gave him a large tip and grinned when he took the money with ill hidden shock. It was obvious that he had not received many tips or simple thank yous. “What’s your name?”

“Mike.” He pocketed the money, his hand placed over the stuffed pocket as if he were to let go it would disappear. “If you two don’t mind me saying, you are one of the kindest guests I have ever met.” He glanced down and asked, “Are you going to tip the receptionist?”

“No, he doesn’t deserve one.” The bellboy grinned at this and left the two women. Mary looked back at Maria, “Close your eyes.”

“Why?” Maria asked but she did as she was told.

“Because I said so.” Mary gently grabbed her hand and opened the door. She guided Maria to the middle of the room and turned around so she could see her reaction. “Now, open them.”

Maria did as she was told, her mouth opening in awe as she took in the room. She was in the kitchen with a glass table to the right of her. On it was a bowl filled to the brim with exotic fruit. Right in front of her was the living room. When Mary had first walked into the room, she thought for a moment that she was back in her castle. The walls were painted a soft gold with beautiful swirls of pink and purple, creating a skull with flowers for eyes. There was a lovely brown loveseat situated behind a table carved from stone. There were two doors, one at the left of the room and one to the right of the room, hiding the two bedrooms.

Maria paid them no mind, or anything in the suite. She walked to the glass doors that led to the balcony. She slipped outside with Mary following closely behind. The view even took Mary’s breath away. The sun was setting, coating everything in a relaxing red hue. From where they were, the two women could see most of Arroba, the streetlamps shining the various houses and shops. They could even see Maria’s school twinkling in the distance.

“Beautiful,” Maria whispered. She rested her hands on the rail, leaning forward slightly to drink in the scenery. She looked at Mary in awe. “Thank you Mary, for everything.” She rested her head on Mary’s shoulder, smiling in content.

“You deserve this.” And so much more, Mary added silently in her head. She felt Maria tense next to her and she looked down at the younger woman in confusion. “You do,” she insisted, “you have done so much for your town and friends.”

Maria began to play with her fingers again as she chewed her bottom lip nervously. Mary took a peak downwards and was shocked to find that Maria’s wedding ring was missing. “Maria, your ring.”

The younger woman looked down, her train of thought apparently halted. She held up her hand so Mary could see the little tan line of where the ring used to be. “Oh, did I forget to tell you? I gave the ring to Joaquin; he should at least have it even if he can’t wear it.”

Mary found herself smiling as she pictured Joaquin and Manolo wearing matching rings. “That is amazing. Every time I think I know the depth of your kindness, you surprise me.”

Once again Maria’s bottom lip was caught in between her teeth as a vibrant blush spread across her cheeks. “No one has ever told me something like that before.” Brown eyes stared into blue as both women smiled at one another, Mary silently giving Maria the confidence to tell the older woman what she was thinking. After a moment however, Maria’s eyes streaked to the now set sun and then back to Mary. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. She brushed a strand of stray hair behind her ear and coughed. “W-We should go inside. It’s getting a little chilly.”

Mary did not miss the flash of disappointment in Maria’s eyes before the younger woman walked back inside. She glanced back over her shoulder, wondering what Maria was so nervous about. When she looked back in front of her, she noticed that Maria was standing in the middle of the living room, presumably waiting for her. “I suppose we should go to sleep then,” Mary said with a kind smile.

“Yes we should, we do have a big day after tomorrow,” Maria said, not meeting Mary’s eyes.

Once again Mary saw the glint of disappointment in Maria’s eyes, but they were also tinged with guilt. She nodded towards the door to her left. “That is your room. Buenos noches Maria.”

She heard Maria repeat the parting back to her as she slipped inside her own room. She was not stupid, she knew that something was bothering Maria but she could not find any fault with their day, besides the encounters with the receptionist. She continued to ponder the sudden change in Maria’s behavior as she took off her shoes, leaving them by the door. She stripped off her white skirt, bra, and blue coat, leaving her bare except for her underwear and white shirt. Mary slipped under her covers, sighing as she felt silk glide over her skin. Snuggling deeper into the bed, the woman fell into a deep slumber filled with old private schools and nervous Marias.

#thewager #book of life #la muerte #maria posada #Manolo Sanchez #joaquin desantos

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marjaystuff · 4 years ago

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Elise Cooper interviews Kristin Hannah

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah will give the famous novel The Grapes of Wrath a run for its money. As with her other books, this one also portrays a woman who overcomes something in her life and turns out stronger in the end. It is a complex, intricate journey where the main protagonist comes into her own, overcoming the large number of obstacles thrown her way.

Set during the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and the mid-west migration to California the book emphasizes the crime of inhumanity to one’s fellow citizen. It shows how nature, literally and figuratively, can be so cruel. Elsa’s story really begins after meeting Rafe. She feels unwanted and unloved by her rich family and decides one night to go on the town in a red dress. Unfortunately, she mistakes his lust for love, becomes pregnant, and is disowned by her family. Rafe’s family takes her in and forces him to marry her. These new parents become the family she never really had. But hard times hit this farming family, and instead of stepping up to the plate, Rafe leaves them.

Now 1934, her youngest son Anthony has “dust pneumonia,” a then-common ailment of the Great Plains. Because of this, Elsa decides to leave her home in Lonesome Tree Texas and move to the fresh air of California. Ending up in the San Joaquin Valley, Elsa, her daughter, Loreda, and her son, trade one set of terrible circumstances for another. Work is scarce, and the locals are prejudiced against “Okies,” as migrants were known regardless of where they are from. The family settles into a camp riddled with filth on the banks of an irrigation ditch. Eventually they end up in the town of Welty, named after the owner of a large farm. She meets Jack, an idealist union organizer who wants the migrants to unite for better wages and working conditions. Falling in love with him, Elsa becomes the migrants’ spokesperson, understanding that she has a voice of power.

This novel will tear at the reader’s heart strings. Whether the scenes during the Dust Bowl, the struggle to survive the Depression, or the challenges the migrant workers faced, people will take a journey with this compelling family. The story is about motherhood, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit. Once again Hannah has hit a home run.

Elise Cooper: Were you influenced by the Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck?

Kristin Hannah: Obviously I read it and loved the story. I would not say it particularly influenced me except to open me up to that era and experience. I looked at the Dust Bowl, the Depression, and the Mid-West migration to California through a woman’s eyes. As with Steinbeck’s story so much of what we know about that era is that women many times were not in the picture.

EC: Your books focus on a women’s perspective?

KH: I have been on this journey ever since my books Winter Garden and Home Front. I like telling stories that we think we know and eras we think we know but from the female outlook. So often, what is learned about in history is from the male perspective with women stories lost, marginalized, and deemed less important. I wanted to show how important women are and put in this book quote by Elsa, “It was always about the men. They seem to think it meant nothing to cook and clean and bear children. But we worked from sunup to sundown too, toiled on wheat farms…we came to find a better life, to feed our children. We aren’t lazy or shiftless. We don’t want to live the way we do.”

EC: What about this particular novel?

KH: As I traveled around talking to readers about the book, Nightingale, that dealt with the French resistance during WWII, I began to understand how much that book meant to people and the powerful emotions it invoked. Maybe because it is the story that we should have known all along, but many of us didn’t. I wanted to show female courage, heroism, and bravery in the face of difficult and dangerous odds. As time went on, I knew I wanted to write a novel that was just as powerful, emotional, and as important that was an American story. I wanted to look at our own history and country. For whatever reason it led me to the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and the migration to the west. Women throughout history have done a lot of amazing stuff.

EC: Readers can see a lot of comparisons to today, especially with a quote in the prologue?

KH: You must be referring to this one, “My American dream was turned into a nightmare by poverty and hardship and greed. These past few years have been a time of things lost: Jobs. Homes. Food.” I started this book four years ago and had no idea that it would turn out as relevant for today. There is this sense of being a time lost. I think there is a very strong correlation to be made now. I think history can teach us something. It’s a good reminder now. After reading a story like this, people can relate to how the human spirit has strength and durability with the power of family. Looking back, it’s important to recall that we have been through hard times before in America and not only survived but thrived. If we pull together and look towards the future, we can thrive again. The message of America is to be brave, have courage without fear, and to be a survivor. I think it has been this way for all of our history.

EC: There is also a message about divisiveness?

KH: I am certainly well aware how it is in our country now. For me, it helps to look at the history, what it was like in the 30s, late 60s, and 70s. These were all times of great change in America, which does not come easily when we focus on what divides us instead of what unites us. It is important in history to see how some things continually repeat. We should listen to the past and learn from it. There is a discussion in the book where Elsa faces discrimination, being called “your kind.” Elsa responds, “Our kind are hardworking Americans who have hit hard times, which meant poverty, no jobs, and nowhere to turn.” After arriving in California people would not rent to her because anyone from Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas were looked down upon. Nothing is really that simple, cut and dry. It was the depression and people were flooding into California who did not have jobs, money, or a place to live.

EC: The antagonist, Walty, is pure evil?

KH: He is the villain of the novel. He represents big industry that cares more about profits than workers. Ultimately, he never saw how important those workers were to him and to his economic future.

EC: In the movie “Oklahoma” there is a song where a line is relevant to your story: “I don't say I'm no better than anybody else, But I'll be damned if I ain't jist as good!” Farmers versus city folk?

KH: I mostly focused on the idea of how people label other as “the other.” People who live in the city don’t understand the farmers’ plight, which can be seen throughout the novel. The whole book is about farmers, people who make their living from the land. They are at the hands of mother nature. As they feed the whole world, they struggle through difficult times.

EC: Women characters are the essence of your story? Let’s begin by talking about Rose, her mother-in-law.

KH: She represents the idealization of the farm wife who can do it all, working from sunup to sundown. She believes in her land and family, focusing on who she is feeding and loving. She is always there for her family in a pinch.

EC: What about Elsa?

KH: After writing 24 novels, Elsa is my favorite character ever. In the beginning she was an outsider and lonely. She had a journey from an insecure woman who believed she had no self-worth and will never be loved, to gaining enough strength to be a warrior. She finds her independent and powerful voice to help others. For me, this was so moving. No matter how many times she was knocked down she got back up and tried again.

EC: How did her early upbringing affect her personality including having rheumatic fever?

KH: Her illness was the reason her family clipped her wings, keeping her expectations low. She had to let go of it. She never defined herself from her illness. Elsa says in the beginning of the book her real problem was not her illness, but that her family found her lacking because she was not pretty enough. In the end, she decided to take risks to improve her life, instead of sitting back and letting it happen.

EC: What about the daughter, Loreda?

KH: She represented the next generation who saw the world as a different place. In the beginning of the story, she was an ordinary, spoiled adolescent girl going through a difficult time. She was a romantic idealist who was very passionate. I would compare her to the Isabelle character from The Nightingale in the sense it is easier to take big risks when not responsible for anyone else’s life.

EC: What about Elsa’s husband, Rafe, versus her lover, Jack?

KH: After meeting her future husband Rafe it seemed like the worst thing that could happen to Elsa, but it was actually the best thing that happened to her. She became a wife, a mother, and part of a loving family. Her love for Rafe was defined by a lack of love for herself. He was a weak man and a dreamer at a point when the world had no place for someone without the strength to stand up.

Jack became the great love of Elsa’s life. He showed her the power of passion, both physically and ideologically. He helped her to unlock something within herself. With his unfettered idealism he looked through a lens of what he wanted the world to be and lost focus on how dangerous the real world was. Elsa knew this from the moment she chose to be with Jack.

EC: It is a story of motherhood?

KH: Yes, how women find themselves and stand up for each other during really hard times. The strength from Rose allowed Elsa to become the woman she became. Elsa and then Loreda went through what we all go through, leaving behind girlhood and discovering who they were as people. I love this line in the story, “You are the daughter I always wanted. Elsa replied And you are my mother. You saved me.”

EC: The quotes at the beginning of each section?

KH: I chose Wendell Berry because he was a poet I happen to love. He writes about nature and the land, so I thought the quote chosen was a good connection to the Dust Bowl section. The FDR quote was chosen because of what he did during the Great Depression, trying to pull the country together. Cesar Chavez’s quote was perfect about workers in California.

EC: What about your next projects?

KH: The Nightingale might come out on the big screen but is due out in December 2021. Firefly Lane will be out on Netflix on February 3rd. I am very happy with the production of both. The cast of both are wonderful. I did read the scripts and talked to the producers throughout. I love seeing these big women stories on screen.

THANK YOU!!

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newagesispage · 4 years ago

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OCTOBER 2020

PAGE RIB

The Stones opened Rolling Stones # 9 on Carnaby St.** Bill Wyman auctioned off many unique items for the Prince’s Trust.**Wyman’s bass used for groundbreaking records in ’69 and ’70 broke a record at $384,000. The famous amp that got him into the Stones went for $106,250 and the most expensive toilet seat cover sold at auction with the tongue logo went for $1,142. Brian Jones Rock and Roll Circus guitar sold for $704,000.

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VOTE!!!!

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In San Francisco people can order dinner and drinks delivered with a drag queen performance.

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Joaquin and Rooney had a baby that they named River.

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Real Time has been renewed thru 2022.

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The new film, No Sudden Move about 1955 Detroit will star Don Cheadle, David Harbour, Benicio Del Toro, Ray Liotta and Kieran Culkin.

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Shep Smith is back with Just the Facts on CNBC.

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The Presidential debate: Well, Good Biden moments-“You don’t panic, he panicked.” “It is what it is cuz you are what you are.” “Everybody knows he’s a liar.” Wouldn’t know suburbs unless he took a wrong turn.” “Will you shit up man?” “Get out of your and trap.” Imagine if Bernie or a younger candidate with real energy were there. Imagine someone quick on their feet because we need that. The bully style of scary clown 45 does fluster a normal person as it supposed to. Joe held his own and had real dignity though. It is hard to not respond to the President’s ridiculousness but he needs to be ignored. Trump and son both seemed like they were about 8 Red Bulls into the day with all that pent up anger. Who should be drug tested? Biden? Trump went on about forest management but most of that land belongs to the Federal government. ** I have never seen my mailperson trying to sell ballots.** Trump said that bad things are happening in Philadelphia. Biden should have showed some love for the state. He is on a tour of it now though. ** Chris Wallace said, “Why you not?” Was that a real question? 45 said, “I was a private business people.” They all had a little trouble talking. It is exhausting the way people put up with his manners. **As soon as the debate was over, the Trump army wasted no time reaching out to goons to be poll watchers. Do they know that you just can’t show up randomly for that??**Apprentice insiders say Trump abuses Adderall.

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The other day when Trump took the podium for a rant, an open mike caught a someone saying, “Oh shit” On Fox.

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For those who insist Trump is a religious man, I’ll grant you he pays taxes like a church. –Stephen Colbert

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Letterman is ready with My Next Guest Needs no Introduction. This season includes Robert Downey Jr., Lizzo and Dave Chappelle.

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There are about 9 million feral swine in this country known as super pigs.

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There is talk of Levar Burton replacing Alex Trebeck when he retires. YES!!!!

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Cigar Afficionado magazine has named CBS Sunday Morning the greatest show on tv.

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The U.S. built tunnels under Trump’s wall to let water, garbage, DDT and other toxins flow thru. Millions were spent for nothing and now millions more will be spent to address this problem that empties into the Pacific Ocean.

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Days alert: Melissa Reeves is being replaced. Is it that she does not want to commute from Nashville or that she is a bit too conservative or something else? Is it an end of Days with old side characters and replacements of the stars??** Ava is coming back, JJ is back, Eric and Sami are gone. ** Absolutely loved the pic of Abigail 1 that confused Abigail 2. Funny!!!! It reminded me of the OLTL moment during Asa’s funeral when Blair saw the 1st Blair in a flashback.

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“Smaller than expected” would probably explain a lot about the proud boys. –Andi Zeisler

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Why does anyone listen to Christie or Rudy??

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Looting isn’t part of protesting just like murder isn’t part of arresting.

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A judge has said that Florida has created an “unconstitutional pay to vote system.” This has now been overturned. What are the things that can be termed felonies to keep one from voting? The list includes releasing helium filled balloons, driving without a license, catching the wrong lobster and disturbing turtle eggs. Amendment 4 was originally put into effect to stop freed slaves from voting. But SB7066 makes sure that felons complete the terms of their sentences. The fines, fees and restitution can be hard to navigate. There must be proof before they can vote but all counties keep their own records and there is no organization statewide. Mike Bloomberg, John Legend, Michael Jordon and others are paying off millions of dollars in debt for felons in Florida so that they can vote if they can unravel some of the puzzles. Now Florida Republicans are saying that that is also illegal.

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Two thirds of the world’s wildlife has disappeared in the last 50 years.

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At our own peril, we have to step up or everything is lost. –John Batiste

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Michael Jordan will start up a Nascar team with Bubba Wallace.

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Laraine Newman signed up to be a poll worker. How do you get people to vote? Celebrity poll workers? Hey whatever works as long as the masses don’t gawk and hold up the lines.

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A refrigerator sized asteroid is headed to earth and may arrive about the time of the election.

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So the coronavirus relief funds were funneled by the pentagon to defense contractors.** What kind of a selfish fucking world do we live in? At least we know which people in this world give a flying fuck about the rest of us. Rally and fair participants, relief money scammers and mask protesters, we hear you loud and clear!!

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The Emmys went on thru the week of the 14th thru the 20th. Winners included RuPaul, Don’t fuck with Cats, Leah Remini, The Apollo, Eddie Murphy, Last Week 2nite, SNL, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Crown, Better Call Saul, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Archer, Hollywood, Maya Rudolph, Dan Harmon, Bad Education, Cherry Jones, Regina King, Julia Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Uzo Aduba, The Last Dance and Stranger Things. Schitt’s Creek (and practically the whole cast), Dave Chappelle and Succession took home the big ones. Norman Lear became the oldest Emmy winner ever. Letterman ‘hitchhiked’ to the Emmy’s to present an award. I was really rooting for Amy Sedaris!!

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Bill Murray and Rashida Jones will star in Sofia Coppala’s On the Rocks.** The Doobie Brothers want Bill Murray to stop using their music to sell his golf clothes.

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Danny Trejo and Jessica Tuck will star in ‘The Shift.’

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Illinois is pulling down statues including Chris Columbus. Woo Hoo!!

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13 mummies have been discovered in a well, stacked one on top of the other. The Egyptian discovery from about 2,500 years ago has been well preserved.

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Hysterectomies on immigrant women in detention camps?? Really??

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Scientific American mag is 175 years old has never endorsed a candidate but Joe Biden id their man.

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Word is that in Indonesia the anti- maskers are forced to dig the graves of the Covid 19 victims.

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The Breonna Taylor case continues with a settlement and too few charges.

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Scary Clown 45 announced he will call in to Fox and Friends every Monday or Tuesday but a host told him that they were not committed to that.** The Scary campaign put up ads with “Support Our Troops” but the problem is they are Russian troops and jet fighters.** Trump did a phone interview on Fox Sports and talked about golf.

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It is a shame that Hillary lost the election and many more of us would be alive if she were running the show. But, I can only imagine the shit they would have given her.

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Brad Pascale, Trump’s former campaign manager, went to the hospital after being taken into custody in Florida after threatening suicide.

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Just remember , 1619 Project: Good 1776 Commision: Oh my! Why do these rich old fucks want us to stay as stupid and uninformed as they are? Haven’t we been in the dark long enough? They are the fake news masters.

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Jim Carrey will play Biden on SNL. Chris Rock will be host the season 46 opener on Oct. 3. New players will be Lauren Holt, Punkie Johnson and Andrew Dismukes.

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Gulf War Syndrome is a chronic and multi symptomatic disorder that has affected military personnel from the Persian Gulf War. The DOD is resisting the strong evidence and needs more of a spotlight. The possible exposure to chemical weapons may even have been passed on to their partners through sexual contact. All of this came to light in the mid 90’s thru complaints that were told to Ross Perot. Let’s hope Tammy Duckworth looks into this further.

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Amy Coney Barrett has been nominated to the Supreme Court. Her previous statements tell us she believes the ACA is unconstitutional, abortion is always immoral and the country should undo marriage equality. She is a member of People of Praise.** If she was a Muslim and everything else was the same regarding her beliefs and associations, Republicans would call her a religious extremist and never let her step near the Supreme Court. –Wajahat Ali.** Notorious A.C.B. ?? Do they have one original idea other than new ways to cheat and steal??

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Finn Wittrock has a funny little Emmy Uber ride on Funny or Die.

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Breonna Taylor’s neighbor’s wall got more justice that Breonna herself. –Jordan Uhl

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Go Stevie Wonder!!!

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Dax Sheppard went off the wagon for a while.

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A Giant Gundom? Really?

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A fun prank would be if we stopped this from becoming a dictatorship on Nov. 3rd and whatnot. –George Wallace

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Sen. Kevin Kramer has been acting a little crooked on building the Wall.

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The Metropolitan Opera has cancelled the whole season.

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Happy Doomscrolling

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Can dogs be trained to detect the coronavirus?

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Rand Paul is an idiot. Birx and Atlas have ruined reps. Give ‘em Hell Fauci!! ** Everything Atlas says is false. –R. Redfield

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Eric Trump must testify in court about the Trump business’s a judge has decreed. The Trump biz has made about 19 billion in the last 3 years.** The world is gobbling up the news about the Trump tax returns with tales of debt, the $72.9 milliion refund and foreign influence. How does the IRS let a refund like that happen? How bad of a businessman do you have to be to lose that much $? National security threat. One of his fans will probably bail him out.

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Bet we’d all own houses if we stopped eating so much avocado toast and committed tax fraud. -Kashana

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Mary Trump has sued The President and his siblings for fraud.

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Ellen is selling off $10 mil in art.

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61% say we should abolish the electoral college.

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The Netflix series, Challenger :The Final Flight reminds us that like The Titanic, the arrogance of man can change so many lives.

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Wilderness of Errors is a great doc. It proves just how right the book and mini -series got it.

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The remains of the 1644 warship, Del Menhorst have been found off the Danish coast.

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Everybody is talking about Jeff Daniels in The Comey Rule. The actors were upset when Showtime was going to push back the release until after the election. The actors said they wouldn’t promote the film so the film has premiered.

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David Tennant gets better and better and now he is giving us DES on ITV. Quality AND quanity.

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Independent prosecutors are not going ahead with a case against NE Patriots Robert Craft for soliciting prostitutes.

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America has no memories. –Wallace Shawn

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Tyler Childers has released ‘Long Violent History”. Give it a listen.

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Does it seem like the administration gets a word of the week and they really push it? Caravan-Herd-sedition-looters- Antifa. It is like they all share a brain and do not have a thought of their own.

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Chris Petrovski `will star in ‘Listen’ about a young Israeli soldier.

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On a personal note, I love the way that Autumn makes my brain feel. The spring allergies are gone, the hot muddled summer thinking fades and everything opens up.

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Gubler is back and in the video for Future Islands ‘Moonlight’.

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Niecy Nash wed Jessica Betts.

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Check out the Curious life and death of… on the Smithsonian channel.

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Conan is looking hot with his grown out hair.

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I just love Mel Rodriguez and Weijia Jiang. Some people just don’t get enough credit.

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Vet’s crisis line: 1-800-273-8255

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Donald Trump is taking page out of Charles Manson’s playbook. Start a race war, then convince the public you alone can end it. He’s a lying racist piece of garbage. –Rob Reiner

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Serious Question: Would good Christian conservatives have mounted a Go fund me for Timothy McVeigh? –Michael Mckean

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Old Navy will pay employees to work the polls on Election day.

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Trump is the most effective anti -liberal in my lifetime. –Newt Gingrich

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Tommy Chong does not seem too happy with Joe Rogan.

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Anna Faris is leaving CBS’s Mom as it heads into its 8th season.

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Q Anon should take advantage of the ACA. –Joe Biden

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Word is that the White House told Federal agencies to ban race based sensitivity training. The thinking is that Un American propaganda training sessions have no place in Federal Government.

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I wish I lived in a country where John Kelly, James Mattis and John Bolton had at least half the balls of Sally Yates, Maria Yovanovitch, Fiona Hill, Reality Winner, Christine Blasey Ford or Stormy Daniels. – Andrea Junker** If only Mad Dog Mattis had the balls of Olivia Troye – Michael Mckean

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38 million Americans live in poverty.

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80 year old Sam Little with a possible 93 murders has now been called the most prolific serial killer in the U.S. and he has a photographic memory. Whoever takes this on, please let David Alan Grier play him in the movie.

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You must check out the album, the Angel Headed Hipster.

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Everybody is talking about Cottage Core.

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The Trump campaign can’t help themselves with things like playing ‘knockin’ on Heaven’s door’ and ‘Fortunate son’ at rally’s. It was like the time my Grandfathers young wife brought a purse to the funeral that boldly stated ‘Jackpot.’ True Story.

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Glenn Howerton and Seth Meyers should play brothers on something.** Also Meyers and Larry Wilmore wondered if the cancellation of Wilmore’s show was a reason for the racial unrest and terrible results of the last election. Hmmm.

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Can we remember this election enthusiasm for all future elections? We need to take things seriously EVERY time.** So many say that even with our divide, we all want the same things in the end. I do not think that is really true. It seems that in this divide, we have different ideas about what we want this country to be.

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Harry Styles has replaced Shia LaBeouf in Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling.

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Cat Cora has filed for a restraining order against her ex- wife, Jennifer who it seems has been stalking her.

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Showtime’s The Comedy Store sounds interesting with stories like Jimmie Walker who claims that Freddie Prinze wanted to kill John Travolta.

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Maplecroft, Lizzie Borden’s last house sold for about $890,000.

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A woman ref in the NFL?? It’s about time!

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Doc Martin will end after its 10th season.

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Kelly Clarkson is being sued by her management firm.

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Pope Francis refused to meet with Mike Pompeo.

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R.I.P. Tom Seaver, Sophie Farrar, Kevin Dobson, Toots Hibbert, Stevie Lee, Bruce Williamson, Ben Cross, Diana Rigg, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Rev. Robert Graetz, Ron Cobb, Gale Sayers, Dan Dettman, Kevin Burns, Mac Davis, wildfire casualties, Covid victims and Helen Reddy.

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coyotefaced · 4 years ago

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@chrononactive said “ we are out gunned, out manned, out numbered, out planned. ”

i lost the hamilmeme

bunkered down. somewhere outside of san joaquin. it was quiet country, you’d think. quiet country where the only thing louder than the wind over fields of wheat hay and fruit orchards are the neocombines that farmed them. well, earlier they had been, but this lazy country made for a silent backdrop against ear shattering gunfire that rattled the empty air. blisteringly hot, dust that hangs in the air with the same maliciousness of smoke. he keeps his head low under the bricked continental.

somewhere outside of some hick town, in some county, in some state -- borders mattered little, he’s about to be shot up by twelve different local offshoots, fingers of a woman he’d scorned and scorned and scorned. the thought alone fills his belly with blood that inches out in a hungry smile.

he should have known better than to come round here after the mess he’d made in arizona. maybe he shouldn’t have started the chat up with this kid either, with how pissed off they seem.

" so? ”

he flips the cylinder back into his revolver.

“ you gonna complain, or help? ”

#( asks. ) ↳ ᴛʜɪs ᴛᴏᴏ sʜᴀʟʟ ᴘᴀss

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humanistauno · 5 years ago

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Ascent through Success

Story of Francisco "Isko" Domagoso Moreno

by: Kem Joshua Pacalang

"I would rather fail doing something than fail doing nothing." That was just one of the principles in life for the success of Filipino actor politician, and the 27th mayor of the city of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. In a packed San Andreas Sports Complex on May 15th, 2019, he was proclaimed the next mayor of Manila. He triumphed with a landslide victory of 357 925 votes, more than the numbers of votes of his two opponents combined. He defeated the former mayors of manila, retired president Joseph Estrada and retired police general, Alfredo Lim. It was a historic victory that took the decades in the making, spanning its stint in the showbiz, his struggles at the Manila City Council, a frustrated attempt at National politics, and a cordial relationship with President Rodrigo Duterte.

All of it, dated in a ground breaking campaign that tried without the support of a national party and a collected ecstatic crowds without the slapstick and fanfare of typical sorties that are part of Philippine elections. He ran his campaign with the pledge of a new day for Manila and ended up victory. But his rise was not just an instant magical fairytale. He had overcome severe and difficult trials that seem to be unending. From the slums of Tondo, to Manila's throne, this is Francisco "Isko" Domagoso Moreno's story.

Francisco "Isko" Domagoso Moreno was born on October 24, 1974 at a depressed area of Tondo, Manila. He was the only child of Joaquin Domagoso and Rosario Moreno. His father, Joaquin, was a stevedore at Manila's North Harbor and came from Antique Province. His mother, Rosario was only a housewife and came from Allen, Northern Samar. He started his young life amongst the most under privilege and in a portion of the city that's almost forsaken. His father earned barely enough for its family's needs, thus, Isko, at the early age was fully aware of his social and economic standing. Because of that, he missed the luxury of the fun of boyhood toys, shoes and clothes, and other things that they usual child craves for. As the only child, he took upon himself to share the burden of earning for himself and his family. At the age of 10, he started gathering old newspapers, plastics, carton boxes, used bottles, and any reusable and recyclable junk worth selling.

He continued until he finished his Elementary at the Rosario Almario Elementary School. He then went to the condo high school for his secondary High School. He also promoted himself into a pedicab driver. As a teenager he was deprived of indulgence like parties, outings, proms, and other activities for he was busy eking out a living. Despite all of that, he knew that adherence to hard work and believe in oneself are the key ingredients to success.

After graduating to High School, he was deeply committed to advance in college to change his economics status for the better. He enrolled at the Philippine Maritime Institute and was hoping to get a degree in Marine engineering. He believed that acquiring it would free him from the curse of property by plying into the international waters with the hope of earning dollars. A 1992 while enrolled at PMI, fate set up its twist.

When he was attending a wake in Tondo, star maker Dadie Wowie Roxas spotted him. He stood out among the mourners with his dashing looks, high-bridge nose, thick brows, and innocent smile. He entered a life of glitter and glamour and adopted a screen name Isko Moreno. He was whisked to stand before the camera with the master showman himself, German "Kuya Germs" Moreno on his variety show, That's Entertainment. At first he landed only small Rose but his patience and perseverance paid off he landed big projects that propelled him to be one of the most promising actors of all time. At the peak of his career, he played the beau of young, Claudine Beretto. At his most controversial, he was the poster boy of bare-skin flicks. Despite the blooming career, he saw the opportunity to represent a community.

In 1998, he began a new leaf of his life a career in Politics and Public Service. In spite of being a neophyte politician, he was elected as one of the top counselors of the first District of Manila. He was reelected garnering the most number of votes in all six districts in 2001. His winning ways continued until 2004. He offered and pro-sponsored ordinances and resolutions to address different concerns in the city. He's reign as a city council or continued until 2007. He slowly distant himself from entertainment industry and planted himself in the fertile soil of Manila politics. Despite earning high ranks in polls, his fellow officials looked down at him. Vice Mayor, Danny Lacuna stood as his mentor encouraging him to study while working in the council at the same time. He obtained his Business Administration degree from the Makati-Based International Academy of Management and Economics.

He continued to feed his hunger for learning and took policy courses at the University of the Philippines and the law units at the Arellano University. He would later be sent to Harvard and Oxford for Leadership Programs. Moreno became vice mayor from 2007 up to 2016 under the wings of the giants, Lim and Estrada. While he was the vice mayor, he was known for overseeing the passage of the ordinances that banned the commercial of plastics. He also launched his own programs like "Botika ni Isko" where he set up a pharmacy right inside his to give away free medicine. After his term as vice mayor in 2016, he decided to run for Senate. It was the bid that handed him his first election loss.

2019 has come, Moreno was done waiting and he saw Manileños felt the same too. He ran as mayor of Manila. He believed that Estrada have failed to address the concerns and problems existing inside Manila City. His campaign cost him hours of sleep, a dozen pounds, and a time off from his family. His day begin as early as 4:30 in the morning and ended up as late as 2 a.m. the next day. His youth was his ace, he said, so he had to use it. He knew every road and alley in Manila so it was easily for him to campaign. He repeatedly ask his fellow citizens of Manila to imagine a clean and developed Capital City with its government providing for its people.

He wants a manila back in the race for National Capital Region's most developed city. His chance of winning boosted by delivering his promises and going down to the ground. He was under the Asenso Manileño Party, a local party which has locked it's focus on the development of Manila for over a decade. He also received the endorsement of the bloc-voting Iglesia ni Cristo and El Shaddai Movement. After his campaign, he was declared as the 27th mayor of Manila.

How does Moreno plan to take it all? All of those promise? On an interview with rapper, he said, "I am no Superman I don't have all the answers to your our problems. But it will be different." he declared. After all those hardships that he have encountered, he ended up victorious against the challenges that have given to him. Even all of his accomplishments, the boy from Tondo remains with him. He locked his focus on working and addressing the problems of Manila and making it clean, developed, and a progressive city.

"Walang magmamalasakit sa ating lahat na mga batang Maynila, kundi tayo ring mga kapwa batang Maynila". It was his statement because his aim was to help his fellow Manileños for them you to able to escape from the abyss of poverty. From the slums of Tondo, to Manila's throne. From the wake where he was discovered, to the Manila's highest place. Isko Moreno's life story taught us that nothing is impossible if we are determined to do something. Just like what he said, "I would rather fail in doing something, than fail doing nothing." We should start doing something, in order for us to create a better future for our life.

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jarlet-blog1 · 8 years ago

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28. Secrets Unlocked ~ by Jax & Scarlet

Jax fished in his front jeans pocket for his burner as he jogged down the concrete steps leading out of the San Joaquin Sheriff Department. Flipping it open his thumb swiftly punched in the numbers needed to get him one of the Prospects. Someone had to pick his ass up since his Harley was still sitting back at the lot. It was probably a good thing; he was in no mood to be driving. He’d have his Dyna punched down at a hundred miles an hour headed back to TM. The thoughts raced through his mind, recalling everything Jarry had just enlightened him with. He knew Scarlet had a dark past, they had touched briefly on it nights they spent lying in bed, just talking usually after a long, hard fuck. She wasn’t the kind of girl to just spill her entire life to someone, that was perfectly clear to him. But bits at a time he was pulling the real Scarlet to the surface, at least the one she had to been in the past.

“Itchy, bring the van and come pick my ass up. Pronto. I need to get back and now.” Jax relayed his demands only to get an ‘Okay boss’ on the other end of the line. He was silently thankful Itchy had answered back at the clubhouse, at least he was a potential for a full patch. The nickname was a bit off; Jax couldn’t help think the kid had fuckin’ crabs or some kinda STD shit the way the motherfucker always was scratching his junk. Really wasn’t his problem though as long as the fucker did what Jax needed.

Slapping the phone closed Jax slipped it back to the pocket it came from before reaching to his inner pocket for his smokes. It would be a wait before the Prospect arrived. Finding a vacant park bench just outside the station Jax took a seat and waited while he enjoyed his Marlboro. With each inhale the biker thought about the images he saw. The names Chris and Andy Avery now etched in his mind for future reference.

Kicking his feet out in front of himself Jax crossed his ankles and leaned back on the wooden bench, his arms resting on either side of the back of it. His cigarette pinched between his fingers, taking one drag at a time as he considered the discussion him and Scarlet were now going to have. He was sure the conversation was not going to be an easy one, especially when he had to tell her they now knew who had been the mastermind behind Otto’s murder. She would, without a doubt, go off the rails and Jax wasn’t taking that chance. Not with her carrying his baby.

Pulling back on the final drag of his smoke just as the vibration began in his denim pocket, he retrieved it quickly. He was sure the boys had made their way to meet the Irish and with Chibs heading the meet he knew things should go over smooth. Once again flipping open his burner he placed it to his ear.

“Yeah?” Jax replied, not expecting to hear Chibs on the other end. The urgency in his voice made Jax sit up straighter, dropping his finished cigarette to the ground beneath his feet.

“Jackie..I.. ahh...we need ta meet at TM.” The Scot had a tone that wasn’t sitting well with the biker prez.

“What the hell? Shit go down with the Irish? Where the hell are you?” Pushing off the seat where he had been perched, Jax rose to his feet and began to pace.

“I’m wit’ Scarlet brotha. She’s okay jus’....she needs ta talk to ya.”

“What the fuck? What happened? Is she alright?” The pounding of Jax’s heart against his chest was now throbbing in his ears.

“She’s a’right, but she needs ya. That fuckin’ DA called ‘er in. Gave ‘er Otto’s remains fer her time. It was a setup Jackie…”

“WHAT?” The growl that followed he was sure rumbled in Chibs’ ear. Fuckin’ bitch calling Scarlet in while distracting him with the bullshit he had just been pulled in for. He turned his head, eyes narrowed on the window that lead straight to Althea Jarry’s office. A bullet right through, he thought, just one. “Get her to the fuckin’ clubhouse. NOW.”

“Jackie…” Chibs paused, almost as if he didn’t know how to relay the next part of his sentence. “Scarlet….committed murder, brotha. A guy..Chris Avery. Ye know dat name, Jackie?”

Suddenly Jax couldn’t breathe. The dismembered body he had earlier seen pictures of flashed in his mind. And the name. The name was on a constant loop in his brain and now he felt like he was fighting for air. How? He knew Scarlet was a wild one, knew she could handle her own shit but that? The way that fucker was mutilated it was hard for Jax to believe she was able to pull that kind of shit off. That was something he would do if needed but not his Scarlet. Grabbing the neck of his flannel shirt he tugged it forward, trying to somehow get some air into his lungs before answering his VP.

“Yeah, I know that name. Get her home. Now please.” His voice was diminished to a softened tone. All kinds of different scenarios now danced around in his fucked up mind. Why did Scarlet kill this fucker? Did she do it because of Otto? Had she known information about Otto’s killer that she kept to herself and didn’t tell him or the club? And most of all, did she perform this act when she was pregnant? The mere thought of her putting herself and the life she carried inside her in that kind of danger ground his gears. He was sure the more he thought about it the vein near his temple was pulsing in anger. Mixed emotions. That’s what he was experiencing in that moment. He wanted and needed to keep her and his baby safe but at the same time he wanted to yell and scream at her for being so stupid and not trusting him to help her.

As Jax closed his cell, the black van pulled up alongside of him with Itchy in the driver’s seat. Hopping in, he took a sideways glance at the Prospect.

“Get me back to TM. And fuckin’ fast.”

Scarlet

Scarlet was escorted inside with Chibs close to her side. There was a thickness to the air as he walked her to the sacred room. She felt the eyes of the club follow her as they normally did upon her entrance. It was clear something with the MC was going on and like numerous times before it had to do with Scarlet. The thoughts of all the reality shows that made their way on TV somehow now made sense to her, everyone wanted to know her every move. It became somewhat of an annoyance for her. To be so closely watched; had the feds watched her like the club did she would have been put to death long ago.

“Jackie is on ‘is way. Ya need ta tell ‘im ev’rything.” Chibs said as the tall black padded doors shut behind him. He pulled out a seat next to the head of the table for her to sit down. A soft sigh fell as she sat back in the seat looking down at her bump. “I don’t want to fight with him, he is going to come in here guns blazing and I am not ready.”

“Aye, ye let me deal wit’ ‘im. We will git this sorted an’ fixed” Chibs sat next to her, putting a strong arm around her shoulder, tugging her into his embrace.

They sat in silence in the room while one by one the other members filed in. Otto’s remains had been placed on the center of the table. Not a word was said as they took their seats, eyes on the box and not a clue of what kind of bombshell Scarlet was about to drop on the club.

Her hands stayed folded over her stomach while she waited to hear the church doors fly open. Normally she would be ready for a fight, normally she would be wanting it. Not today. Today she wanted no raised voices, no rude heartbreaking comments. All she wanted was to make it all go away and have some time alone with Otto but that wasn’t going to happen.

The room was deafening quiet as she watched as each member of SAMCRO eyes would find Otto and become emotionally filled. Sitting there was torture to her, the tears that fell were not for the lost of her father but the lost of the brother of the men before her. How would she sit there and tell them that a man they knew by far better than her was now a pile of ash due to her behavior?

She began to wonder what his last few moments had been like; was he told he was dying because his only daughter couldn’t walk away from the abuse without getting even? Could it have been a surprise to him? Did Otto die not knowing why it was happening to him? And finally how did Andy know she was related to him? Searching her brain she tried to figure out if maybe she had seen him but not register it was in fact Andy. His mugshot seemed like he had changed and she never spent a whole lot of time with her ex’s brother.

Clearly there were more questions then answers. Scarlet had always thought putting a name to the act would somehow heal her but all it had done was tear her open, filling her heart with more sadness.

She was brought back to reality when she felt more then one hand on her shoulders. She hadn’t realized the tears turned into boulders rolling freely down her cheeks. The club had gathered around her for support, the very same support she knew she didn’t deserve. She was about to tell them she was okay when the doors opened and Jax walked in clearly looking for her. His anger was evident until he took in the scene of his brothers gathered around Scarlet with Otto’s remains before them on the table.

Jax

By the time Jax had arrived back at TM his blood was boiling. He found it hard to keep that shit contained, especially as of late. Slamming the van door after jumping out, he strode towards the clubhouse doors, his stride definitely relaying he was pissed.

“Jackson?” The sound of his mother’s voice combined with the heels of her boots on the pavement made his molars grind in the back. He had enough shit on his plate at the moment, he didn’t need her need to feel worshiped and loved today. Without even turning back he continued on his trek to the door.

“Jax!” Gemma once again called out from behind him.

“Jesus Christ. What?!” Jax snapped, his body turning to take in his mother now right behind him.

“What’s happened? Why was Chibs with Scarlet? Where were you? What the hell is going on?” Gemma’s questions were coming at him faster than bullets leaving one of the AK’s they purchased from the Irish.

“Mom, I ain’t got time to deal with your worry, right now I got more important shit goin’ on. Just stay out of it.” Turning back to the door, he knew anything he just said would go in one ear and out through the other.

Stomping through the hall leading to the room behind the closed padded doors, Jax clenched his teeth more as his arms swung, making his way to where he could only assume Scarlet was waiting. The problem was he was now at his boiling point after letting the information simmer all the way back to TM.

Pounding the door open Jax forced his way into church where he found his brothers gathered around Scarlet. He hadn’t even noticed the small, unmarked box placed in the middle of the reaper table. He had one thing on his mind. How she could do such a thing when she could have gotten herself and their unborn child killed? And now, if shit went sour, he could be planning on meeting his child for the first time with his ol’ lady behind fuckin’ bars.

“Get out!” The MC president snapped, meaning all the leather clad men. Everyone except Scarlet.

“Jackie…”

“GET OUT!” His temper now flared even more, his eyes narrowing in on Chibs as he stepped up in front of him to contain him if needed. Jax’s fists clenched turning his knuckles white.

Before Jax knew it, Chibs had grabbed his kutte by the opening and pushed his back against the wall, the rest of the members rushing to the scene unfolding. His blond hair fell into his face as he stared down his VP and his nostrils flared as he narrowed his now dark blue eyes across from him, his mouth curling in a snarl. Grabbing his left bicep, the Scot gave Jax no choice and pushed him back outside of the room. The last thing Jax heard was Scarlet’s soft whimpers of a cry.

“Wha’ the feck is yer prob’em Jackie?! Tha’ woman in d’ere is cryin’ ‘er eyes out cause ‘er father is layin’ in a feckin’ cardboard box. An’ ya come in here like a raggin’ bull seein’ red ye feckin’ gobshite!” Chibs then clasped Jax’s face laced with coarse whiskers between his thumb and fingers, giving him no choice but to breathe and calm down before once again approaching the woman he apparently loved.

Jax pushed his brother’s hand from his face, exhaling a heavy breath as he pushed his straggly hair back from his face. Shrugging his shoulders to adjust his kutte he nodded his head towards Chibs, his expression now more calm and at ease. Patting his VP’s shoulder he brushed past him and re-entered the room where his ol’ lady sat waiting.

Scarlet

The moment Jax burst through the door Scarlet stood up with actual fear in her eyes. Chibs had caught the look she flashed over towards Jax and took charge of the situation. The room was echoed with Jax’s back slamming into the wall, making Scarlet step towards him, only to be pushed back and behind Tig who shook his head telling her to stay out of it. She watched in panic as the two vanished from the room. It wasn’t her intentions to create even deeper drama for anyone in the club. She only wanted Jax to hear her out and understand how much this is taking over her soul. The guilt from the information that was shot at her today was eating her alive.

“He is only mad because, like us, he doesn’t know what is going on. So sweetheart what /is/ going on?” Tig had turned to face Scarlet when the two left the room. Her eyes were fixed on the door, Chibs anger cracked through the opening of the door making her worried for the safety of both men.

“Scar...” Happy spoke up grabbing her hand to gain her attention. “How did you get Otto’s remains?”

“I.. the... I... I did this. Otto is in a cheap box because of me. I didn’t know you guys. I didn’t know that Andy would somehow find Otto.” She paused taking a deep breath. All the men seemed to step back horrified by her confession.

“Before I came here I was involved with a man named Chris. We dated for about 2 years. The first 3 months I thought we were falling in love. I thought I found..My prince. Then one night he got drunk and slapped me for dropping his glass and breaking it. After that for a year and nine months it was a nightmare. He was so much stronger than me, I didn’t have have anyone but him. Aedan had left for Ireland, I know you don’t know about him but he is a good friend of mine and David was in New York and dealing with a lot of shit for his club.”

The doors opened as a much calmer Jax walked in with Chibs falling behind. She continued even though she was afraid she would be seen in a light that would change her image to the club but most of all the feelings for Jax.

“I became more of a slave to him, cooking, cleaning, doing whatever he said to avoid a trip to the hospital. Then there was a night that Chris.. he brought some friends over. I knew from the start of the night it felt weird. There were no other females. It was a bit quiet to start. I knew it was different but I never thought....” She again paused, fighting back an endless supply of tears she seemed to be having today.

Her eyes dropped away from all the men staring at her. She had the room’s full, undivided attention. What she was about to say was something she had buried deep down inside. Her secret was locked away never to be visited again until today. “Chris called me into the livingroom. Had me sit on his lap and began saying how beautiful I was, the other agreeing. He started to kiss my neck and I went to stand, becoming uncomfortable. It pissed him off. I was thrown to the floor stripped, he um….he raped me in front of them and when he was done he spit at me and told them to have fun. They all took turns. I couldn’t look myself in the mirror for months. He wouldn’t look at me. He started to bring other girls home. One day I woke up and thought, this is not who I am. This is not the life I wanted. I was raped at 16 and I killed that man. Well, Aedan did most the work, I took my anger out then Aedan did the rest. Something snapped, I didn’t plan. I had gotten so mad. I went to his job and I was just going to break up with him. We argued and he dragged me home and I lost it. So yes it true, I murdered him. They found his body and somehow his brother must know because he had Otto killed. Imagine that? My whole life Otto was afraid he would bring me pain or this life would get me hurt and I was the one to hurt him.”

She covered her face, turning away from everyone. The guilt she held onto was evident everyone in the room felt her pain and not a single one could do anything to take it from her. No one even moved, no one even let out of breath as they stood there taking it all in.

Jax

As Jax stepped back inside the room where Scarlet and the rest of the MC were gathered he heard her voice shaky and low and his eyes fixated on the woman he was falling madly in love with even if some of the shit she did pissed him off to no end. But as he stood there and listened to the words that spilled out of her, his heart was now falling to the pit of his own dark soul. His eyes scanned her flushed cheeks, watching as one by one the tears rolled down and fell from her chin and landed in her lap. Each word driving a knife deeper and deeper into Jax Teller’s heart and in that moment he knew just what a pompous asshole he truly was.

His steps carried him to Scarlet as she sat shaking in the leather chair that was usually filled by Chibs, the one man that had thankfully brought her back where she was safe and where she belonged. Her hands clasped together laid precisely in her lap as she replayed her story to the brothers. How could he have been such a jerk, barging in like a fuckin’ animal when all he had was assumptions? He sucked his lower lip into his mouth when the mention of what her ex did to her, allowing other men to do the unthinkable to the woman he now loved.

The palm of his hand smashed down on the carved mahogany table to release some of the anger he was feeling, causing Scarlet to jump as he dropped to one knee in front of her. His head bowed as she continued, not willing to let her see the emotion that was now consuming his expression. The tears welled behind his lids as he took her smaller, dainty hands in his and pressed the back of them to his face, just needing to in some way relay to her that she would never endure that again. Not ever. He’d spend his last breath making sure of that fact. He pressed multiple kisses to the back of her soft hands, the ones that were tainted with blood just as his were. He didn’t want that kind of life for her. Not anymore. That was his job, not hers. To protect her and never let her feel hurt again. Placing her hands back in her lap he reached out, resting each of her palms on her belly where their unborn child was growing. Finally he allowed himself to look up into her swollen, tear filled eyes.

As their eyes met, the rest of the MC began to exit the room, each one showing Scarlet a small, yet significant sign of affection, whether a squeeze to her shoulder or a kiss to the top of her dark hair. She was quickly making her mark in the life they knew as the queen to their king. As the double doors fell closed Jax reached up and brushed the back of his knuckles against her warm cheek. In a low, husky voice the silence was finally broke as Jax told Scarlet something very important.

“Baby, we will figure it out. Your old man loved you and this isn’t your fault. It’s not. And I’ll be damned if you are going to let yourself think otherwise. Your old man is damn proud of you, how could he not be? He’d never blame you for this shit ever.” Raising to his feet, her hands back in his he guided her to her own feet. He allowed his body to wrap her up in a tight hug, flattening his palm to the middle of her back as she molded against his chest, and what he could only assume to be soft sobs against his flannel.

“I love you Scarlet.’ Jax held her tighter, whispering softly and tenderly in her ear. His eyes finally averted to the center of the carved table, taking in his first glance of the box resting in the center. Silently in his head he made a vow to Scarlet’s old man and his former MC brother.

‘We’ll get them, brotha. We’ll make them pay.’

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