#also the seller was very nice and they did give me permission to post about this so we dont need to have a repeat of That Other Incident | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

gleeaquadragons · 4 years

Text

Meet my new special pet, Tinker Bell, a dwarf high iridophore golden albino aka “sunburst” unsexed juvenile/sub adult axolotl! My 3 years old daughter (Lucy) asked me if that’s an angel? Awh!! She literally makes my heart melt...🤟🏻💛

A little story about my Tinker Bell:

*with the customer’s permission for me to use her photos for this story.*

The customer (not mine) wasn’t being informed about a dwarf at the time of purchase and she has zero knowledge of the dwarf axolotls. She paid a full price (could have gotten two for that price) and a “big” seller lied to her about the age. Tinker Bell being a 3 month old and at 4.5” is impossible for a dwarf quoted by an experienced dwarf owner.

So with that being said, Tinker Bell looks pretty older based on the length of thick gill frills which indicates that Tinker Bell is absolutely older than 3 months. If I had to guess then possibly at least 8 months or older. Tinker Bell’s photos have been examined by several other reputable breeders and they all agreed that it’s an older dwarf axolotl. Not a “baby” repeatedly quoted by a “big” seller to the customer that it’s a baby (3 months old) axolotl.

The customer asked for a non dwarf high iridophore golden albino axolotl and it was a private sale because Tinker Bell wasn’t being listed on the website at the time. Go figures. The customer knew something was a bit off and thought it was the angles of that photo. Again, she has no knowledge of the dwarfs and only own axolotls for a year. She was being declined for a full refund and ignored until at the very last minute that she finally got her partial refund back, but should have gotten a full price no matter what due to seller’s unethical breeding practices.

Yet, the customer was absolutely humble and very professional the whole time she does really handle this whole situation very impressive for someone who isn’t a breeder. The big breeder lacks in the customer service. Unprofessional and unethical breeding practices. Misleading and lying as well. The way a big breeder gave a horrible advice about dwarfs is bad enough already. Not only that, but a big breeder chooses not to educate the customer about a dwarf is making me very sad to know what kind of a big breeder is. As someone from the axolotl beware group made a very good point and stated that,

“You can just rehome the axolotl on Craigslist in your area if you’re not able to care for the baby, or donate to it to a pet store- what the fuck? She’s basically telling you to drop a special needs animal on the side of the road. Resolution or not, that’s horrible advice for a dwarf.”

It truly shows her true colors.

I reached out to the customer and offered to pay a full original price for Tinker Bell simply because I felt sorry for the customer and I did it in order for her not to lose a little faith in the humanity. The customer could have charged me a full or half price plus she paid it out of her own pocket for the express shipping to me. Absolute nice and she obviously cares for my Tinker Bell with no questions!

- As someone quoted that giving something up is so hard but it speaks volumes that the customer were able to recognize that Tinker Bell (dwarf axolotl) would be able to thrive best somewhere else. To me? This customer handled it way better than a “big” seller did at this point. But then after seeing the customer’s bad experience/situation with the big seller and I definitely look at her differently now.

If you are interested in learning more about this customer and the big breeder’s story then join in the Facebook group, Axolotl Buyer & Seller Beware (1K+ members)

Feel free to send me a private message if you want to know the name of a big breeder or read everything in the beware group. This “big” breeder also tried to ship an axolotl to an illegal state. There are a couple of separate posts from two different customers. Spread the awareness and you will save a lot of the future axolotl owners from the heartbreaking or losing their hard working money to this “big” seller.

I am so honored that this person to entrusted me with Tinker Bell and choose me as a stable good home for Tinker Bell. She will be rotten spoiled by me and my family. Definitely will have a long good life with us while she can!

Tinker Bell basically is the main reason why my team and I got so inspired to create a new group for the Facebook, “Little Axolotl, Big World (Oddballs, Minis & Dwarfs” as the goal is to have fun, and learn about their special needs. Get a better community together. To better education and understand the care of these wonderful babies. Have a dwarf, mini or oddball of your own? Or just love axolotls? Feel free to join us!!

***(Never breeding the dwarf axolotls. I don’t breed dwarfs and it would be a cherished pet only. It would need to be either kept with similar sized axolotls or in its own tank. Dwarf axolotls are a genetic anomaly and more of people breeding them to get cute, tiny axolotls. Please don’t do this. More deformities and so many health issues. Causes more stress on an already compromised system and shorter lives. Not all dwarfs are short lived as long as they are being treated with the right care. If you do have dwarfs then please don’t attempt to breed them and try to love them for the rest of their lives just like with my pet dwarf, Tinker Bell.)***

#unethical #unethical breeding practices #disreputable breeder #bad husbandry #axolotlblr #axolotl buyer & seller beware #beware #bad seller #reseller #money hungry #ambystoma mexicanum #aquarium #dwarf axolotl #dwarf #mini #oddball #spreadtheawareness #always do your homework first!

19 notes · View notes

normal-thoughts-official · 5 years

Note

*breakdances softly* Thoughts on florist Magnus and tattoo artist Alec?

*waltzes aggressively* well i definitely do now

okay so like i am vaguely aware that you probably wanted me to actually create a story like i did for the other asks;

because listen, florist Magnus???????? i had never thought about it before, but that shit is THE BOMB

in indonesia, particularly Bali, flowers hold special significance both in the social and religious sense; they have meaning, they have history, and they have everyday uses and are a part of everyday life; people grow flowers at home, give them as gifts, have entire markets entirely dedicated to the trade of flowers. and yes, i know magnus is javanese, but this applies to pretty much all of Indonesia, including Java, and Jakarta has its own traditional flower market with flowers from all over the world and some of the sellers being in the business since the 60s, not to mention that many balinese ppl immigrated to Java and the two islands' histories are deeply connected. so nothing is even stopping me from believing that magnus' mom was a balinese migrant living in Java. which is exactly what im gonna do in this specific AU at least

So Magnus was actually born in Indonesia, where he lived for most of his childhood; until his mom suddenly died of a terrible disease and he was kind of thrown into living with his father, who, despite having him registered and being his legal guardian, had never so much as bothered to meet Magnus before this point

His father was also Indonesian but had long since moved to the US, so magnus' life was completely turned upside down. And despite providing financially for everything Magnus needed, asmodeus never really bothered with him beyond the basics; Magnus was pretty much self-raised

So for the whole time he lived with him, he ached with memories of his mom and his country. And what he remembered best about her was the flowers. The jasmines she used to grow at home, the unique smell they left on the water she used to wash his hair; the offerings of frangipani she would leave by their doorstep everyday, intricately sewn together and leaving the smell of both the flowers and the incense with them as they left to the ports; the flower boards she would give him on his birthday, different patterns every year, and somehow she would always find plywood and tahi cotok to make them the traditional way instead of the modern with styrofoam

Magnus refuses to let any of these traditions die; once he finally graduates and leaves his father's home (forever disappointing him in his refusal to take over his business) he dedicates almost all of the space in his home to a greenhouse where he can grow all of the indigenous indonesian flower species without worrying that they will die in the distinctly not-tropical climate of New York; he leaves offerings in his doorstep everyday, facing North for Vishnu, so as to bring harmony not only in his life but in his whole community as well. And he's a florist.

He knows both traditional indonesian flower meanings, and western flower language, and often mixes the two since the flowers in these cultures are so different. He makes bouquets, arrangements, and flower boards, keeping the tradition alive even when he's far away from home. This way he feels like he belongs, like he carries a piece of his mother with him everyday, and reminds himself that, even if he's been taken away from his home, it won't be taken away from him

It's pretty much only him in his shop, but his friend Dot also makes deliveries and helps him keep the shop running. He has a few regulars and all in all he lives a stable, happy life.

He meets Alec when he decides to make his first tattoo - a string of jasmines around his elbow, the national flowers of indonesia and also his mom's favorite. He chooses Alec both because of his mesmerising drawing style and his history of working and good recommendations from other dark-skinned people; his friend Catarina also tattooed at his shop, although with his sister, Izzy, who was the one who actually ran the shop

Alec is impressed by how well Magnus handles the pain; it's his very first tattoo and elbows are a bitch. Magnus doesn't tell him that after living with his father for so long he's used to the pain, but he does tell him about the meaning of the tattoo, the flowers, and his mom. He's surprised by how much he's saying to this guy he barely knows, but there's something about wanting to be distracted from the sting and having to be alone with this guy for who knows how many hours that keeps him talking. Alec listens to it quietly, focused on his work, and Magnus isn't even sure if he's actually listening, which kind of also works if he's being honest. Of course, Alec is; listening to Magnus talk is very nice, his voice is soothing and the way he talks about his mom and his passion for flowers is really touching, not to mention Magnus is just interesting; alluring, if you will. But he doesn't have much to add, so he listens

A few days later, Alec shows up at Magnus' shop, all private smiles and wandering eyes, and asks him for help with a birthday present for Izzy. He wants to make her something special, to thank her for her support when he came out and just support in general. It surprises Magnus, but Alec says that Izzy has always liked flowers and from the way Magnus was talking about it the other day, well, he seemed like a good person to help him with this present. He really wanted something to convey his gratitude

Magnus is pleasantly surprised that Alec remembers so much of what he said; even more so when he's careful not to step on Magnus' canang sari at the doorstep, with the incense still burning; and he's absolutely delighted when Alec says he wants Magnus to help him make an arrangement, not just make himself, and that he's willing to pay extra for his consulting (Magnus has never charged extra for consulting, because he really downplays his talent and work and loves sharing his knowledge; but it does feel nice to be valued and have his work acknowledged). So Magnus runs all of his ideas by him, shows him the flowers, and Alec carefully handles and smells them and listens to Magnus' suggestions and slowly makes his own based on what Magnus has been saying. Alec shows respect to the flowers and it's cute to see this big, buffy guy covered in weird tattoos and wearing a leather jacket going around and carefully handling the flowers Magnus grows.

Alec, on the other hand, is just fascinated by everything Magnus says and shows him, and his burning passion for what he does, and how clearly he likes to help people even if it means downplaying his own work

Wow this is actually starting to resemble a plot??? I'm shook

Anyway it takes them a long while to figure out what they want to do, and Alec actually ends up deciding on making izzy a flower board once Magnus mentions them offhandedly. Once Magnus assures him it's not offensive if he makes them with the proper care and respect for its meaning, they settle on working on that.

Listen I need excuses for them to interact okay. Also the idea of Magnus teaching Alec how to sew flowers???? Beautiful

Cue some gay shit, at least once Alec puts a flower behind Magnus' ear and tells him that it suits him, more often than not they find themselves having a lot of fun - Magnus teases him mercilessly over how bad at sewing he is, and Alec is deeply offended (except not really)

Once he even tries to challenge Magnus at doing something from Alec's element and see how well he does, only to be sent into the deepest despair when it turns out magnus is excellent at drawing

Magnus thinks he hears a muttered "of course" but he cant be too sure

Anyway they fall in love

Alec asks him out by making him a bouquet of magnus' favorite flowers, plus flowers that symbolize everything he loves the most about him (his uniqueness, his kindness, his fierceness, his determination in doing what he thinks is right, the joy he brings for everyone around him, his dedication to others, etc). Magnus all but swoons he is very charmed

They get married idk it always ends with them getting married when i have a say in it. Bonus points they get to be showered in flowers like in traditional indonesian weddings, which sends a very happy, very giggly magnus with petals still on his hair into absolute delight. Alec carries him bridal style to the bed and carefully takes the flowers off his hair and kisses him tenderly on their honeymoon and gggggggggggggggg.

Im gay and cant do this anymore im gonna get into a coma

Also, I will take this opportunity to just let it be known that y'all should feel absolutely free to take any and all of my posts as writing prompts; you dont need to ask for my permission to use the ideas, theres no way ill actually do them all and even if i do i dont mind that there are different versions of it going around; hell, i think that's amazing and exactly what fandom is for. Just link the post and if possible send me the fic because i'd be delighted to read it! What I'm trying to say here is, someone should write this

Also, I'm not hindu, so if any terms I've used are offensive or incorrect please let me know and I'll change it accordingly

#ask #cap-mars #sh #shadowhunters #magnus bane #alec lightwood #malec #malec fic #malec au #fic #overflowing trashcan #long post #florist au

56 notes · View notes

starblazerm31 · 5 years

Text

Apprentice Azalea Character Asks

So sorry, OP! This one is a bit older and I can’t find the original post.

Get to know my character through an ask!

🍰 - What is their favorite type of dessert or sweet? Cake. Any cake, honestly, she just freaking loves cake. She's kind of a cake connosuier. She is quite fond of Red Velvet Cake with Savory Cream Cheese icing and a white chocolate gonash.

🐢 - What type of animal would they keep for a pet? A bird. A companion for when she's doing her parquor, and who can see places that she can't.

🐙 - They are crossing the ocean. What are the circumstances and how did they get there? They are being chased by a renegade cult who are trying to get them to give the location of a sacred sword that their friend possesses. They are trying to lead them away from her friend, who still has the sword so that she can prevent the resurrection of an ancient dark lord.

🌎 - If money were no object, where would they live and what would they do with their life? (Ex: entrepreneur, playboy, philanthropist, etc) She would live in a modest but nice house out on the coast somewhere with her husband and two amazing children. She would continue her studies on magical theory and actually publish several volumes on the subject. She would be given an honorary professorship at Prakra University and be given the title of Magister. But all the while, she would be with her family, going on amazing adventures. Her books on their adventures would be a best seller all over the world.

🎂 - Do they celebrate their birthday? No. It's the one time of year she is reminded deeply of what Asra did for her. She spends that night with him, but they never celebrate. They just talk. Talk like only they can to each other. About anything and everything. Because Azalea possesses half of Asra's heart. She cannot and will never lie to him. In the end, they trust each other more than anyone else in the world.

🎓 - Are they well-educated? Yes. Azalea is not only a prodigy in magic. She is also a genius. Her true hobby is studying magical theory. Delving into the deepest unknowns of magic and it's true origins. She has discovered many things on her own, but when she reunites with Lina Trevallan, she is able to delve fully into the unknowns that she was close to reaching. Then together, Azalea and Lina begin to delve even further...into the realm of the quantum and the truly unknown. Where theory can lead just about anywhere. In short...Lina and Azalea fangirl about what they don't know about magic.

📬 - A mysterious letter has just been found in their mailbox. How does your character react? Who would it be from? Azalea: Hmm...what's this? *reaches for it, but feels with her magic first* Okay, good... *picks it up and reads the sender* Oh...oh my...you wonderful, amazing, sneaky, listening-through-walls idiot! (Julian got permission to use the trapeze equipment before they took it down after the masquerade...and he's waiting for her there. She'd always wanted to play around on it.)

⌚ - Is your character punctual or procrastinator? Very punctual. She gets anxiety if she's late to anything.

💰 - Your character just found a fat sack of gold on a bench. What do they do with it? Find the nearest guard and turn it in. Could be an elderly woman's only savings.

👙 - Is your character trendy or do they just not give a damn? Azalea isn't trendy, but she does like to look fashionable. The best way to describe her fashion...youthful Turkish gypsie in pastels.

🎠 - Your character is at the carnival. What kinds of rides or games do they check out to entertain themselves? By herself, she would travel the lane of fortune tellers, listening for the real vs the fake. Then she would grab some eel on a stick and ride on the Ferris wheel, admiring the city from high up. If Julian were with her, they would go on every slow ride they could. At one point they spend almost an hour on the Ferris wheel, making out when they were high up.

🔮 - Your character is having their future told by someone pretty shady. Do they call the fortune teller out or just roll with it? She listens but remains wary. If the fortune teller lets something important slip, then she will call them out. If not, she will keep listening until that moment when an exit is available.

🎃 - What is your character’s favorite holiday? She really loves the masquerade, but any festival is just fine with her.

🎶 - What would your character say about your personal taste in music? Azalea: Um...some of your music...is very angry. Me: Yeah...that band is called Disturbed. Azalea: ...I can see why.

💒 - Does your character want marriage or a lifelong commitment? Marriage. She's always had that dream of marrying her true love.

♓ - Hey baby, what’s your sign? What would your character’s zodiac sign be and what qualities do they carry to make them fall under that sign? (sorry, don't do signs; personal reasons)

🚼 - Does your character have or want kids? She wants kids and thankfully gets to have kids. And she absolutely adores her kids. She loves how Nora ends up being a really strong-willed and bull-headed magical rogue (and eventually Countess of Vesuvia), and her son Rylen becomes a Prakran magister(...and marries Asra and Lina's daughter Celeste.)

⚠ - What has your character almost done that made someone talk them out of or convince them not to do it? She almost killed a guy. He had murdered several children in the city, and when she and Julian tracked him down, she almost blew him away. Julian had to snap her out of it.

♿ - Is your character in some way handicapped? (This includes physical, emotional, and mental.) She has anxiety and OCD, but it isn't a handicap.

💊 - Is your character on medication? If so, why? She still drinks a special tea for the occasional headache.

🌞🌜 - Is your character an early bird or night owl? What makes them that way? She is truly a night owl. She gets her energy from the stars. But running the shop makes her have to be an early bird. On her off nights, however, she and Julian will stay up almost all night. Talking, stargazing, making love, all of the above...

📚 - Does your character read? She reads like water flows. If she has any spare time, even just a few minutes, you can usually find her reading something. If it's a slow day at the shop, she's reading. If she's done all her chores, she's reading. Hell, if she's doing her chores, she's reading. She loves learning and loves knowledge. She's a sponge to books and does, in fact, read every volume in Nadia's library. And in Lina's. And when she and Julian move into their nice new house, she gets her own library. In fact...that is also something she and Julian have liked to do together from the beginning. A couple's bonding exercise. They read to each other. She will either curl up in Julian's lap and he reads, or he will sit on the floor next to her chair and lounge on her lap while she reads.

📓 - If your character keeps a journal, what is the most secret thought they keep in it? There are times that she wonders if she really is the real Azalea, or if she is just a copy of her.

📰 - An obituary for your character was found in the local paper this morning. What did it say? "Happy Deathday, darling! Since you don't like your birthday, this will have to do!" -love your adoring husband Julian, your best bud for life Asra, and your super awesome mentor who liked you before it was cool Lina (party at MY place!)

💢 - What frustrates your character more than anything? When people still turn their heads towards her and whisper. It feels like they're confirming her deepest darkest fears...that she isn't actually real.

✌ - Your character just made a trespass against someone else, how would they go about righting it given the chance? Or would they at all? She would immediately seek penance with the person she has wronged. She will do what she can within reason to compensate them.

🍴 - What is the absolute worst meal your character has ever eaten? Were they verbal about it or did they just not say anything? She and Julian were in a small coastal town, gearing up for this sick adventure they were about to go on. See, they had heard from this guy that the temple here held an ancient magical artifact that was said to nullify magic. Sweet, let's go! They were gearing up to go out when they decided to grab a bite beforehand. They end up with this weird lizard looking thing skewered with this roasted fruit that smelled like something had died in it. They ate it. Oh yes, they did. And they giggled like mad because it was just so god awful but they needed the nutrients. If that shit even had any... They didn't get sick, though...in fact, they fared very well on that adventure and ended up scoring the magical artifact.

🍜 - Carnivore/Pescatarian/Vegetarian/Vegan/Other? What kind of diet does your character have? Azalea will eat just about anything. But she's really partial to fish.

💋 - Your character was just kissed by someone they can’t stand. Why and how did it happen? She was cornered by Lucio in the palace library. He said that he wanted to sample what Jules was so transfixed by.

😇 - What was your character’s last good deed? She gave an herbal medicine to one of Julian's patients for free. Her child was very sick but she had to choose between food and medicine. So Azalea let her have the medicine.

😁 - Someone just tripped and fell in front of your character. Do they laugh or help the person up? She rushes forward, asking the person if they are okay. She will help them up and brush them off. If they have a scrape, she will heal it with her magic.

😨 - Your character just broke wind in public. Do they try to hide it or own up to it? Azalea would cast a quick glance around to see if anyone else heard it. If they did, she will just smile sheepishly and try to let the moment pass. If someone decides to be a prick and call it out, she will simply look at them and say "Oh, and you don't? Might want to make sure you're not dead."

😍 - Your character’s lust object just passed right by them. How awkward do they get as they try to make conversation? No awkwardness, she just clears her throat and he whirls right back around.

😒 - “Ugh! Not him/her/them/it again.” How does your character react to annoying people? Azalea remains cool and civil. She does her best to keep it up until they simply cross a line of annoyance. Once that happens, she will look them dead in the eye, explain why they shouldn't be here, and where the nearest most interesting place for them is. Have a nice day.

😂 - Your character is moved to tears. What’s a kindness that another showed to them? Azalea is moved to tears when Lina is able to share her own memories of Azalea's past life with her. Even though it's through someone else's eyes, she gets to at least get glimpses of the kind of person she was. Lina's magic protects Azalea and she is able to see all of this without getting the headaches.

😄 - What has ever made your character laugh so hard that they almost passed out? When she and Lina were watching Asra and Julian in a community play. The menz were playing gladiators and were resplendent in the sexy gladiator garb. When Julian first stepped onto the stage in that outfit, a guy up in the rafters yelled out over everyone else "Oh my God, Doctor Devorak, I am SO HARD right now!!" Azalea lost it. It paused the play for a good minute or so. Then, when Asra came out in his hot outfit, the same guy screamed out "WHAT GOD DID I PLEASE?!" and both Lina and Azalea couldn't breathe for a bit after that.

😈 - What’s your character’s favorite cuss word? Shit. Shit is just so satisfying. Nice and hissy, and ends with a nice rythmic tap. Ssssssshiiiiiit.

😏 - Is your character having a dirty thought right now? Yes. She wants to surprise Julian with a new trinket she enchanted for their bedroom time. A clawed ring that heals its cuts as soon as it makes them. He will be overjoyed.

🍺 - Cheers! What is your character’s favorite alcoholic beverage? What was the last thing they got smashed off of? Azalea is a sucker for a good strong sweet wine. She and Nadia have gotten drunk together several times at this point. The last time they got smashed together (which actually just happened to be two days ago) they ended up talking very loudly and very enthusiastically about their husbands' penises.

💫 - Your character is suffering memory loss after being knocked unconscious. What happens afterwards and how did it happen? Oh boy, here we go again. She has a feeling that she needs to remain calm. She is surrounded by people who clearly love her, and one blubbering man who says that he his her husband. She actually managed to miss a step on the roof, and tumbled down. She managed to break her fall enough to not get badly hurt, but she did clip her head on the way down. It's a concussion...she will be better soon.

💡 - What is the best idea your character ever had? To speak to the strange dark figure who had just broken into her shop.

💍 - Does your character wear any type of jewelry? Yes, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and her wedding ring

⛪ - Is your character religious or spiritual in anyway? Not really

🎱 - Your character and a talking raccoon walk into a bar… Azalea: So you've met Aryel too? I heard Time Lords got around, but...she didn't just leave you here, did she?

Rocket: Nah, she just went to talk to her weed guy in this place.

📼 - An interrogation tape emerges regarding a recent interview with your character. What are they being questioned for? Yes. Aliens DO exist.

👟 - Is your character into personal fitness? If so, what’s their exercise routine? Yes. She takes night parquor runs

📺 - What would your character’s favorite TV show be? What’s their favorite genre? The Slayers. Anime all the way

#the arcana asks #the arcana apprentice asks #julian x apprentice #ask meme #the arcana apprentice #the arcana oc

1 note · View note

2wheelrubbertramp · 6 years

Text

Poco A Poco

I’ve reached a personal milestone : this will be my first blog entirely written on the keyboard of my “smart phone”. So grab your seats, and hold on kids : 2 Wheel Rubber Tramp is back ! This newest installment comes to you from the back roads and crowded highways of Colombia and Ecuador, where I’ll be cycling for two months. Now, before we start I would like to make an Honorable Mention to the great people and nation of Cuba, where I did a 1,000 mile, one month bike tour of in 2016, but neglected it horribly on this blog. My apologies. The nation and people are amazing and their friendliness, generosity, and strength in dealing with continuing to exist after 60 years of crippling sanctions and low-level war from the US is hearthwarming. Now,onto South Amerika. This entry of my rubber tramping adventures begins in Bogota, Colombia - the capital city - 8 million people living 8,000 feet up on top of the Andes Cordillera Oriental range. Bogota is a city constantly on the move : in the street and on the sidewalks. If you want to move, then you must follow the maze of humans winding through each other. Before I began my ride, I’d wanted to spend a few days in Bogota. I’d booked a bed at at Chocolate Hostel in the Candaleria neighborhood of the city. A bit of a stereotype, as it’s where many gringos land when they come to the city. However, it’s also in the center of the city and the oldest and most beautiful part of Bogota. I immediately did not regret it. I spent 5 days in Bogota, walking from one end of the city to the other for 8 or 10 hours a day. My favorite thing to do in large foreign cities is simply to walk, take photos, visit museums, and learn about where I am. I am a life time student of history , culture and political movements. These things and the natural beauty of our planet earth are the passions that have driven me to see the world all these years, preferably slowly and by two wheels. I visited several museums in Bogota : the Military Museum (Museo Militar), which did an excellent job of not mentioning a single war crime committed by the army during the last 30 years of the Drug War; the Gold Museum (Museo De Oro)- I’m not a fan of gold. I don’t get excited by gold. It’s a shinny metal to me, that’s it. But the Gold Museum was much more than that. It tied the history of gold in Colombia to indigenous cultures and ceremonies and the art of hand-making gold pieces,and jewelry by indigenous cultures. Last was the National Museum (Museo Nacional) , which also had several exhibits on indigenous cultures in Colombia and their contributions to modern Colombia. One of the things I enjoy doing when I travel is learn as much about the culture I’m in while I’m there so I read as much as possible about them and visit historical landmarks and museums. Cuba was no different. I’m a history nerd. I’m also a nerd about seeing the world through a perspective and lens is not Western or Colonialist, so I appreciated that these museums showed that perspective. In my daily walks around Bogota I tried to get a feel for the city. The aguacate sellers with their speakers on repetitive blast, the hundreds of displaced homeless wanderers and beggars sleeping on sidewalks and hustling spare change, old Colombian men gathered in circles shouting above the traffic. The traffic, the endless and ongoing traffic and the the thousands bicyclists who maneuvered through it. Bogota has hundreds of miles of bike paths and the most bikers I’d seen outside of a Western country. And better bikes than any city I’d been to in Asia. There was the wealthy side of the city in the north that was talked about in the guidebooks, with it’s expensive shopping malls and dance clubs, yet no mention of the millions living in crumbling poverty in the neglected south side of the city. Everyone had a hustle - and many hustled on the street - selling jewelry, karaoke, gum. Whatever put food in their mouths. Always people on the street. Things I wanted to happen in Bogota before I left , didn’t . I wanted to see some live music but it seemed like all the shows were north, 80 blocks away. I wanted to stock up on Cumbia vinyl but shipping it home cost half my plane ticket. I know - first world problems in the ‘developing world’. I left Bogota on a high note : Ciclovia Day - each Sunday when major streets are blocked to traffic and thousands of families come out onto the streets on bikes, roller skates, skateboards and on foot. I followed the trail on one of the bike paths that led me out of the city, my cargo biked loaded with too much food and too many bike parts. 8,000 feet up I began my decent down the Occidental range of the Andes, through suburbia and factorylandia, stopped for lunch in the first town outside Bogota - Fakatativa and by nightfall I’d found a forgetful hotel in the town of Alban. Next morning I woke at 5am ready to get off this mountain. I knew there’d be another. And another after that. Fuck, all of Colombia was mountains where I was and I’d decided a long time ago I hated biking over mountains yet here I was, 8,000 feet and going down. But every biker knows - what goes down, must come up. So for now, I was just enjoying the beauty and the view on Day 1 of the ride. From up here you could see across the valley, cut through by the Magdalena River and my future: the long haul up the Andes Cordilleria Central range. 13,000 feet up peaked with volcanos in the Los Nevados National Park coming in at 17,000 feet. Snow capped and feeding 37 rivers . That’s what I’d be facing in the days to come. Day 2 was also merciful : coming down out of the Occidentals into the town of Cambao I road another 50 kms (30 miles) of flat, tree-lined road. I found a spot for the night in Armero at a gas station that doubled as a hotel. On the map, it’s labeled “Armero Tragedy” and later I was to find out why: 20+ years previously one of the volcanos in Los Nevados erupted, killing 20,000 people in Armero. All that was left now was this gas station at a crossroads and the now ghost town of Armero half a mile away. From Armero I rode to Mariquita. And from there it started to hurt. Only my 3rd day of riding, and I was to begin an ascent that took me took me 50 miles uphill into the Andes Cordilleria Central range , cresting at 4,000 meters (13,100ft). I loaded up on some tamales before the climb but it wasn’t much help. The traffic was rough- two lane mountains roads with an unending stream of semis, buses, motorbikes,and diesel fumes. I was already having to walk before the end of the day, I found it so hard to breathe. I hadn’t done a bike trip this hard in 2 years, since Cuba, and so I was still acclimating, and not doing it very well. By nightfall, I’d gone only ten miles up. There were no hotels up here so I just posted up in front of someone’s home on the side of the road. There was no bushwacking to be had : the hills were too steep so I had no woods to go into so I was stuck on the side of the road, exposed to traffic and fumes. The family who’s home I put my tent in front of was nice enough to pro-active give me permission. The man there had been on crutches for 9 years and still didn’t know what was wrong with him ! ugh. And it was a hard night : a pouring rain soaked me inside the tent and a never ending parade of headlights, horns, and air pollution kept me on edge. Many of the families who live on this road sleep within feet of this every night. There is no quiet. I never heard silence for more than 30 seconds while on this stretch. I can’t imagine what spending your life living next to a freeway does to your psyche. Day 4 : the view is spectacular. I can see miles and miles down the length of the Andes. Forested mountain sides with cloud banks blowing in around me. Shacks made of tar paper and wood hanging on the sides of cliffs, and families with two cows and several chickens. Colombian rural poverty. For some, this well paved road only brought more noise and danger. Every has a dog and every dog chases you as you pass by. The air is so thin I can only go 100 meters at a time before I feel like I’m going to have a hear attack and have to rest. Poco a poco - little by little, I keep telling myself. The beauty of these mountains makes up for the fact that it takes me an hour to go half a mile. I just can’t do it, but have no choice. I have to rest every 3 minutes, the air is so thin. Periodically, there’ll be a home that sells cheese and instant coffee and bananas and I’ll stop and catch my breath. Everyone gives me the thumbs up - they know I’m crazy. But all these fools coming from Bogota take the night bus and miss the unending miracles of these mountains so I count my suffering as the trade-off for this rare treat. That said, when I arrive in the small , regional town of Fresno I hunt around for a bus that will take me and the bike. I still have 84 kms (50 mi.) to my endpoint: the city of Manizales, and don’t believe my lungs can take it. But all the buses are too small and so I have two options left : ditch the bike and end this bike tour 5 days in or sick it up and keep going - Poco a poco. I go with poco a poco. I start each day at 5am. The sun sets at 5pm, so I have a solid 12 hours of daylight to get as far as I can. On a flat road, I could do 80 miles a day but up here at 10 or 12,000 ft I’m clocking in 25 miles on a good day. As far as humans go - everyone is generous and helpful and encourage me along the way. No one tries to stop or discourage me. I’m not the first Crazy Gringo on this mountain top. I just wish they wouldn’t constantly try to murder me out of neglect with their blocks of metal on wheels. That’s all. I spend another wet night behind a guard rail. My books are getting wet, most of my clothes, the tent. It’s a mad house. I pray for 430am when the sun starts to peak out and I can crawl my cold, wet as out of the tent. Day 5 and I’m still in paradise. Cloud banks drift in and out through out the day. Cows,hang by hoofs on the sides of bright green slopes. I can’t stop staring. The fact that this is actually three different mountain ranges - the Occidental, Central and Oriental Andes that stretch for 4,500 miles - the longest mountain range in the world. It’s as long as NYC to Los Angeles and then LA to Houston. So I’m really just absolutely nothing up here. I’m completely insignificant and matter not at all. That’s just how incredible this one tiny part of the planet called Earth we live on is. Ya know, for some perspective. And by the end of the 5th day, I’d finally made it to that 13,100 foot point, which meant the entire next day was my sweet , sweet reward of 20 miles of pure, raw freedom. AKA in biker language : All. Down. Hill.

1 note · View note

finsterhund · 4 years

Text

Alright. So the new tumblr update makes it really difficult to use the site on my laptop (every single website decided to pull this within months of each other. Ugh. Why) so I’m probably going to make big update posts instead of little ones.

The struggle for the stuffed dog that DHL won’t deliver continues. I complained to ebay, me and the seller joked about how much the Global Shipping Program sucks ass, and I was reassured by the seller that they wouldn’t get in trouble because the package reached the global shipping program.

Instead of actually solving the problem and holding the global shipping program accountable (which they seldom do and the site feedback is intentionally designed that way) despite me telling them that I didn’t want a refund and wanted the item, they refunded me without permission.

Distraught at the thought of a stuffed dog lost and alone out in the world somewhere (it’s like my own personal The Seventh Brother. Oh no), I was very upset so I essentially invaded the DMs of multiple “official” DHL twitter accounts.

Then I found someone else selling the same stuffed dog and bought it using the refunded money impulsively.

Then, despite my professional email with DHL’s actual customer service on their website going unanswered for half a month, the twitters got back to me within hours. And the Canadian DHL made it sound like they were helping me. But we shall see.

Best case scenario: two dogs

Most likely scenario: one dog gets lost

Worst case scenario: both dogs lost (I will flip the fuck out if this happens)

A word of advice. Don’t bother with a website’s confusing customer service. Just DM their twitter account.

I’m actually doing artfight attacks this year. Upset I got put on team spice instead of team sugar, but most of my friends are on team sugar so that gives me and them a chance to attack each other before I switch. I already did an attack for my one friend that I’m super proud of, and am planning another tomorrow.

I’ve also been managing to write. Finished several short stories that I posted into the HoD fan forums last week. I’m also still working on the long ass one that I am working on super slowly. I wish I could get into serious roleplay again. Like, story-driven Heart of Darkness themed adventure sorta stuff. Either Cayden or Andy I don’t really care.

My back has been messing up real bad. I think it’s the thunderstorm and stuff. Speaking of which, thunder one day, then fireworks the next. :( Loud bangs mean I have to sleep with my big noise cancelling headphones on which is uncomfortable. I’m hoping my pain eases off soon. I played a single game of Mario Party sitting on the couch yesterday and it hurt so bad afterwards that I just lay in bed for ten minutes trying not to cry. Need me those spectre chiropractors lol.

Penumbra is very nice to cuddle with. His added weight makes him very comforting and cuddly. I am finding myself more motivated to do things by the thought of getting to lie down with Penumbra afterwards. I’m seriously thinking that once the customs at the border stops being deranged of sending Whisky to Lil Sprout Care and getting him weighted and scented. Though being apart from him for more than a week or so doesn’t sound too good. Maybe I’ll get a Spot scented and weighted instead. Or Outside Tiny (I was going to do that myself, but what do you know, I’m a lazy whelp who prefers when other people do things for him. Oops.)

My friend Will is making me super cute Paper Beast fan art and I’m waiting until the 7th (when his commissions open) to commission another artist for more. No spoilers yet but they both involve Spot :3

I’m also planning to commission Will for somebody else’s birthday... >.> hmmmm I wonder who...

Again, a reminder that the HoD fan forums are open, I’m just being selective with where I share the link to it. If you want to make an account just contact me and I’ll get you sorted. The forums have sites for talk about the game itself, writing in the game’s universe, fan art, and also for writing and art inspired by the game. (cool alien monsters and stuff like that.) it’s pretty sweet. We have the shoe as an emote that I like to use whenever somebody dies lol.

#text post #long post #update #vague hod

0 notes

the-apartments · 6 years

Text

Bepannaah 27th July 2018 Written Episode Update

Aditya and Arjun try the number of witnesses. Arjun asks him if he is upset with the flight test. Aditya denies It was my past and I am above it. Arjun says that you are saying that you will not be able to fly again. Sakshi called Aditya this time, Aditya wiped her tears. Witness told them that he is missing both. Aditya says that you are lying You will be here otherwise. They ask him if he has got tickets for the anniversary of Maa. If you are not, then I will book it. Witness sees Anjaana, who is holding a gun in his direction. She lies that she can not come. Aditya asked him to show his hand. Witness does not hurt, witness Anjana shines in witness. The witness said that it has to do everything in America itself. There was a small accident with Lonnomover. do not worry. Aditya knows that she is upset with mother. Forget everything and

Come on at least for me. We’re missing youuuu. Arjuna promised that he would not ask him to stay if he is not ready. Come on at least lightening. Anjana then closes the screen. Arjun closes windows. Aditya is upset that she can not get involved with him again. Anjana imitates the testimony because she binds her wounds. Witness tells him that God is watching everything. You will be punished for whatever you are doing. Anjaana harassed him that God is still punishing him. In party mother-in-law we will miss you a lot!

Noir keeps pursuing Zoya while he is busy giving instructions to the team on preps. Noor requested him to do an internship with the API. Zoya knows that she just wants to talk to everyone. I know that you are very interested in Huda’s program. Noor refuses. Abu has talked to me with Arjuna. I will work hard Zoya keeps 2 conditions. One, he will not give him a chance to complain. You have to work hard Noor agrees. Zoya maintains the second condition. Tell the mummy and take her permission. Noor looks at the confusion. First of all I have to calm the API and then the Ammi.

Noor comes in Hooda House. Arjun smiles after seeing him. Other teammates come just then. Noor tells him that he has joined the zodiac incidents also. Aditya asks Zoya. Noor says that he is paying the bill. She gets separated to participate in a call. Zoas are all drained and sneezed. Aditya changes and sees him. She is shivering and her hair is wet. The title track plays in the background. He sneezes again and breaks his favor. He asks him where his umbrella is. You are completely submerged. She sings a ladle brother and sister. He smiles. It seems that you have cold and fever at a time. She’s going in and changing clothes. He suggests going out for the 28th film. He says that it is too far but he does not give up. He reluctantly bends his head.

Water notice on Anjana floor. He comes near a room. Joacio tells Aditya to tell it. Your mother will not like it. She tells him to go. we will see. She asks what Aditya is asking. Are you both in the bath again? Zoya denies. I got drowned in the rain Aditya asked his mother to give her sari to Zoya. He has completely sunk. Anjaana is reluctant. Zoya indicates on blood in his fingers. Anjana calls it vermillion I was ticking. She sows sauce to Zoya. It is pure satin and will suit you. Zoea is reluctant. It looks new. Anjana told him that this is fine. Do you like that. Zoya takes it in confusion. Aditya thank him Anjana asked Soya to keep it as a gift. She comes out of the room.

Anja thinks that she had to lose such a precious sari to hide the truth about blood. She comes down and Arjun and Josh’s team listens to getting more pictures from the storage wardrobe. He stops them. Use pictures you already have. Noor called Shashikala’s aunt She should have been called Khadas instead. Arjun reminds him that he is his mother. Although he repeats his words. He says that he is tough but his heart is good. She says that your wife will be good and her heart will be good too. Now take me to the storeroom. He pulls his hand

Waseem house is sunk. She calls Zoya but she realizes that she has gone to Huda House. He asks about Noor. His wife told him that he is also there. He wonders what to do about both of them.

Arjun points at the lock on the storeroom. She opens it using her hairpin and they both enter in. When they get the note of witnesses on the floor, they start looking at photos of Noor. He emphasizes reading it but the lights are closed. She takes her out with her. She holds a paper with her.

When Aditya is coming, zoya is getting ready. She regrets but she tells her that she is ready. What do i look like She is amazed to wonder about wearing saris. you look really nice. You should wear sari often. you look really nice. She tells him that Aditya Hooda is praising someone. how did this happen? They both smile She agrees to wear it 28th. He gets the call of Abubu. Wasim asks him if he is okay. We are trying your numbers. He assures him that he is fine. We are in Huda House. She tells him to come in the form of a house. The situation is not correct. A warning has been announced by the Meteorological Department. She immediately agreed to come. Aditya asks him whether all is well or not. He tells her about the warning. I will leave everyone at home.

Zoya asked the staff members to go home. I’ll take another taxi. Akshara asks about Noor. Zoya says that I sent her to a seller. I’m worried though. Arjun goes to check him. I will leave her home after that. he agreed. everyone leaves. Aditya Zoya offers to leave the house. She agrees to book a taxi. The battery of his phone is dead so he calls Aditya’s phone. His taxi is booked. He remembered that he told Noor that he would tell what he thought about Aditya. I’ll tell her now. He chooses the incoming call that it will be the driver but it is Aditya’s agent. He does not wait to hear anything from the other end and tells that he has booked Aditya’s only direct ticket for Paris as he wanted. You have a 10-year visa. There is nothing to worry about.

The post Bepannaah 27th July 2018 Written Episode Update appeared first on Latest Indian TV Serials Written Episode Updates.

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2LVh8DK

#IFTTT #WordPress

0 notes

tsunamipatel · 6 years

Text

Bepannaah 27th July 2018 Written Episode Update

Waseem house is sunk. She calls Zoya but she realizes that she has gone to Huda House. He asks about Noor. His wife told him that he is also there. He wonders what to do about both of them.

The post Bepannaah 27th July 2018 Written Episode Update appeared first on Latest Indian TV Serials Written Episode Updates.

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2LVh8DK via IFTTT

#IFTTT #WordPress

0 notes

kittyterrific · 6 years

Text

Bepannaah 27th July 2018 Written Episode Update

Waseem house is sunk. She calls Zoya but she realizes that she has gone to Huda House. He asks about Noor. His wife told him that he is also there. He wonders what to do about both of them.

The post Bepannaah 27th July 2018 Written Episode Update appeared first on Latest Indian TV Serials Written Episode Updates.

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2LVh8DK via IFTTT

#IFTTT #WordPress

0 notes