#best place to travel in may in usa

[faregarage1]

What Are the Best Places to Travel in the US in May?

May bursts onto the scene as a vibrant month for travel in the US. Spring fever is in full swing, shaking off the winter chills and ushering in comfortable temperatures, blooming landscapes, and a calendar packed with exciting festivals and events. Whether you crave outdoor adventures, cultural immersion, or cityscapes teeming with life, the US has a perfect May getaway waiting for you.

To help you plan your dream trip, we've compiled a diverse list of the best places to travel in us in may, catering to a range of interests and travel styles:

Nature Lovers:

Zion National Park, Utah: Carved by the Virgin River, Zion National Park boasts towering red cliffs, emerald canyons, and cascading waterfalls. Hike the scenic Canyon Overlook Trail, navigate the thrilling Narrows slot canyon, or embark on a whitewater rafting adventure. May offers pleasant weather for exploration before the summer heat arrives.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee: Spanning two states, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise. Lush forests ablaze with wildflowers provide a breathtaking backdrop for exploration. Take in panoramic views from Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee, or visit the charming mountain town of Gatlinburg.

Kauai, Hawaii: Nicknamed the "Garden Isle," Kauai offers a tropical escape unlike any other. Kayak along the dramatic Na Pali Coast, hike through the lush Fern Grotto, or witness the cascading power of Wailua Falls. May offers a shoulder season advantage, with fewer crowds and pleasant weather.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico: Descend into a wonderland of otherworldly beauty at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Explore vast cave chambers adorned with glittering speleothems, witness the nightly emergence of thousands of bats, or take a guided tour to learn about the park's fascinating geology.

Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska: Immerse yourself in Alaska's breathtaking wilderness at Kenai Fjords National Park. Kayak amidst glaciers, spot wildlife like bears and whales, or cruise through the dramatic fjords for an unforgettable Alaskan experience. May offers a glimpse of spring arriving in this dramatic landscape.

City Slickers:

New Orleans, Louisiana: The Big Easy comes alive in May with a vibrant energy. Immerse yourself in the city's rich culture with a stroll through the French Quarter, indulge in decadent Creole cuisine, or experience the musical magic of Bourbon Street. Don't miss the iconic Kentucky Derby held the first Saturday of May (occasionally bleeds into early June).

San Francisco, California: San Francisco's iconic landmarks and cable cars provide a charming backdrop for your May adventures. Explore the winding streets of Lombard Street, visit the bustling Fisherman's Wharf, or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge for breathtaking views. May offers pleasant temperatures before the summer fog rolls in.

Charleston, South Carolina: Steeped in history and Southern charm, Charleston is a delightful destination in May. Explore historic sites like Fort Sumter and the Battery, wander through the picturesque streets lined with antebellum architecture, or take a carriage ride for a quintessential Southern experience. Enjoy pleasant spring weather and vibrant blooms.

Chicago, Illinois: The Windy City offers a dynamic mix of architecture, art, and culture. Marvel at the architectural wonders along the Chicago Riverwalk, explore world-class museums like the Art Institute, or cheer on a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. May offers comfortable temperatures for exploring the city on foot.

Portland, Oregon: Portland's quirky charm and dedication to sustainability make it a unique urban escape. Explore independent shops on Alberta Street, sip craft beer at a local brewery, or stroll through the Portland Saturday Market, a haven for local artisans. May offers pleasant weather and a vibrant atmosphere.

Festival Fanatics:

Holland, Michigan: Celebrate Dutch heritage and springtime beauty at the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan. Witness fields bursting with colorful blooms, participate in traditional Dutch dance performances, and indulge in delicious Dutch treats. Held in early May.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Immerse yourself in the revelry of the French Quarter Festival, a vibrant celebration of New Orleans' music, food, and culture. Enjoy live music on multiple stages, sample delectable cuisine from local vendors, and experience the contagious energy of the city. Held mid-May.

Sacramento, California: The California State Fair, held in Sacramento in mid-May, offers a quintessential summertime experience. Enjoy carnival rides, explore agricultural exhibits, indulge in fair food favorites, and witness livestock competitions.

Louisville, Kentucky: The Kentucky Derby, held the first Saturday of May (occasionally bleeds into early June) in Louisville, is a bucket-list experience for horse racing enthusiasts. Witness

#best places to visit in the united states in may #best place to travel in may in usa #best places to visit in usa in may #best places to travel in us in may

[escapefromparadiseus]

Website: https://www.escapefromparadise.net/

Escape From Paradise is a USA based travel blog by Ingrid Lemme - an award-winning TV Host, Publisher, and Travel Writer & Blogger.

Our Story:

My husband and I are snowbirds, some of these fortunate retirees that are able to fly south as soon as it gets colder in the northern hemisphere. We think of our home locations as paradise, as we are spending our summers in the mountains of West Virginia, our winters on the ocean in Palm Coast, Florida and then in between we are visiting my beautiful hometown of Montauk on the East End of Long Island, New York. As much as we love the places where we live, Marcus and I are adventures and we are always looking forward to another exciting "Escape from Paradise”. Life is short and the bucket list long ;) ….

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.lemme

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LemmeEscape

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingridlemme/

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[tiredwitchplant]

Everything You Need to Know About Crystals: Moonstone (White)

Moonstone (The Sacred Stone of the Moon)

Color: White, cream, yellow, blue, green

Rarity: Easy to obtain

Hardiness: 6.5

Type: Oligoclase/ Feldspar

Chakra Association: Brow, Heart, Root, Third Eye, Sacral, Solar Plexus

Deities: All Lunar Deities, Diana, Selene, Artemis, Isis, Chandra

Birthstone: June

Astrological Signs: Cancer

Element: Water

Planet: Moon

Origin: Australia, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA

Powers: Femininity, Calmness, Balance, Luck, Intuition, Healing, Sensual, Patience, Reproductive Health

Crystals It Works Well With: Aquamarine, garnet, pearl

How It is Created: Moonstone is a type of feldspar composed of potassium aluminum silicate. It can be found in a number of colors, but all examples demonstrate a particular sheen known as labradorescence; an effect also found in labradorite and blue moonstone. Labradorescence is a light effect caused by parallel hairlike structures laid down within the crystal matrix, which reflect light back and forth, creating different-colored effects, including blue, yellow, silvery gray, and white.

History: Moonstone is the sacred stone of India. During the earliest traditions, the gem was said to have been embedded in the forehead of Ganesh, the four-handed god of the moon, since the beginning of time. It was written in Hindu mythology that moonstone is made from moonbeams, thus its luster.

The magnificent gem is never displayed outside for sale unless placed on a yellow cloth, as yellow is a sacred color. According to other legends, Moonstone can give gifts of prophecy and clairvoyance to the wearer. It could also clear the mind for the wearer to welcome wisdom. But to unlock this ability, Moonstone must be placed in their mouths during the full moon. Since ancient Egypt it is considered as a spiritual stone as it is seen as the gem of protection for night travelers.

Since Moonstone looks a lot like the moonshine, ancient Romans believed that it was formed from moonlight. If you look at the gem closely, you’ll see a dance of light that lurks on the insides of the gem. Ancient Greeks merged the names of the goddess of love (Aphrodite) and the goddess of the moon (Selene) and christened Moonstone as “Aphroselene”. While the Romans believed that the gem exhibits the image of their moon goddess, Diana.

It is also known as an aphrodisiac and when worn by two people, they will fall passionately in love when the moon is high. Moonstone was once called the “Travelers Stone” as it is said to protect those who travel at night, especially at sea.

What It Can Do:

When worn, can attract true love and arouse passion

If you give your lover a moonstone during the full moon, there will be passion between you always

Can settle disagreements and return things to peaceful status

Sewn into garments can enhance fertility

Wearing moonstone protects sensitive emotions

Enhances divination, prophetic dreams and prevents nightmares

Great for meditation and scrying

Represents yin and attracts peaceful energy

Protects travelers at night and by sea

Considered good luck

Balances male-female energies and aids men who want to get in touch with their feminine side

Affects the female reproductive cycle and alleviates menstrual-related diseases and tensions

Helps with digestive and reproductive systems, assimilates nutrients, eliminates toxins and fluid retention, and alleviates degenerative conditions of the skin, hair, eyes and fleshy organs such as the liver and pancreas.

How to Get the Best Out Of: Wear as a ring or place on the appropriate body part, would recommend the forehead, for spiritual experiences, and solar plexus or heart for emotions. Women may need to remove Moonstone at full moon.

How to Cleanse and Charge: Moonstone is relatively soft stone, 6 on the Mohs scale, so it should be handled with care as it can be easily scratched or crushed. Moonstone should be stored separate from other jewelry in its own soft bag or lined box and should not be worn while performing strenuous tasks that could result in it getting bumped or scratched. It can be cleaned with plain water and a soft cloth. If it gets scratched, take it to a jeweler to have it polished out.

Charge your moonstone in the light of the waxing moon and keep it out of direct sunlight.

Crystal Grid: N/A Couldn't find one that wasn't too complex @_@

Sources

#moonstone #witchblr #witch community #witchcraft #occulltism #paganblr #gemstone #crystal witch #crystals #witchcraft 101 #witchcraft resources #geology #lunar #lunar witch #nature #geology rocks #rocks #samhain

[csuitebitches]

Skiing - a beginner’s guide

I first went skiing in Switzerland with my friends nearly 10 years ago and I loved it. The feeling of the wind on my face, the speed, the adrenaline- it was exhilarating.

I’ve compiled a basic list of ski events, a semi-scandalous article and some of the best destinations in the world as well as some budget friendly ones.

Socialite ski events:

Snowboxx:

Since it launched in 2013, winter festival Snowboxx has been growing in popularity - and it involves flying out to the Alps for a week-long ski party.  It takes place in Avoriaz ski resort, Morzine, France each March, and this year saw a superstar lineup of artists performing in the mountains, including ex-Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, Becky Hill, Jax Jones, Sonny Fodera and Andy C. 

The combination of partying to some of the world's best DJs, with the unusual day-activites of skiing and snowboarding, are making many turn away from the summer festival circuit in favour of the winter one. 

Hahnenkamm, Kitzbühel , Austria:

The Hahenekamm ski race weekend in Kitzbühel is arguably the biggest alpine ski event in the world. The world’s best take on the iconic Streif downhill track, which is historically the toughest ski race track on the World Cup circuit. A lot of the speed skiers consider winning races here as a bigger honour than the Olympics. As a spectator, the atmosphere is electric with fans around the world admiring some breathtaking ski racing.

X Games, Aspen, USA:

The world’s best freestyle skiers and snowboarders compete annually in Aspen. The event is a prestigious honour to win amongst action sports athletes and has propelled careers. Spectating the event is excellent because you can see most of the action from the viewing areas. The halfpipe events in particular are excellent to watch for this reason.

European Snow Pride, Tignes, France:

Tignes is home to Europe’s biggest gay ski week, with the European Snow Pride. Each day has a theme with nights of brit-pop to superhero days. Many international DJs are invited to play each evening party in the resort’s local clubs and bars.

Slightly scandalous tales: Things I Never Knew About Skiing Until I Was a Private Instructor in Aspen

Really interesting read. I was thoroughly entertained.

Popular ski destinations:

1. Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

Whistler makes it onto pretty much every ‘World Top 10’ list when it comes to ski resorts

2. Niseko, Japan

Located on the northern island of Hokkaido, this Japanese skiing destination is a snow-covered paradise. With a huge 15 metres of average snowfall, it’s no wonder that Niseko is the country’s premier ski resort.

3. Zermatt, Switzerland

As the highest resort in the Alps, it’s got the views. The incredible peak of the Matterhorn can be seen from just about anywhere on the slopes! It also boasts the greatest vertical drop in Switzerland, and there’s all year round skiing at the Matterhorn Glacier.

4. Courchevel, France

The resort is a part of the world’s largest alpine ski area, offering more than 600 kilometres of terrain and interconnected ski runs across 10 summits. The snow here is well-groomed, and there’s a legendary black run that’s considered to be one of the trickiest in the world.

5. Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy

Known only to the most dedicated, well-travelled skiers prior to the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina is a hidden gem in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains.

6. Baqueira-Beret, Spain

It may be a surprising destination for skiing, but Baqueira-Beret in Spain is one of the best places in Europe where you’ll find value for money for a ski holiday. You’ll be able to find affordable accommodation as well as some of the finest tapas restaurants in the country.

7. Ylläs, Finland

The arctic landscapes of Lapland are perfect for skiing. If you dream of snow-dusted trees, the magic of the Northern Lights, or the glow of the midnight sun, Ylläs is a unique winter resort that you won’t want to miss. As Finland’s largest ski resort, it’s got everything you need.

Budget friendly destinations

1. Vogel, Slovenia

An ideal spot for couples or families, this Slovenian spot is a truly beautiful and peaceful ski area. Overlooking Lake Bohinj, Vogel is part of the Triglav national park.

2. Livigno, Italy

Duty-free zone Livigno offers excellent slopes for intermediate skiers. But advanced skiers and snowboarders will be kept busy too – especially if they’re keen to explore off piste.

3. Poiana-Brasov, Romania

Poiana Brasov is Romania’s biggest mountain resort and certainly one of the nicest. The fairytale slopes, flanked by pine trees, are the perfect place to take your skis. With more than 24km of ski runs, there’s plenty to explore.

4. South Korea -Muju Deogyusan Resort

Muju Deogyusan Resort in Jeolla province is only 3 hours away from Seoul. So, if you want to spend your holiday skiing and still enjoy the city of Seoul, this is the place to go.

5. Niseko Ski Resort

Located in Hokkaido, Japan, Niseko Ski Resort boasts a total of four different resorts but with linked ski area. A single pass would give you access to all four resorts. One of the resorts, Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu has been officially named as Japan’s number one snow resort due to the wide array of activities offered.

6. India - Gulmarg

Gulmarg is a rare gem in the Himalayans that will undoubtedly take your breath away with its picturesque beauty. However, skiing in Gulmarg, Kashmir is not for the weak-hearted as the terrains are not suitable for beginners - to add to that, the ski lifts carry you to the highest point in the Himalaya at 13, 780 feet!

7. China - Nanshan Ski Resort

80km away from Beijing, Nanshan Ski Resort is perfect for skiing and snowboarding as the snow are neither too hard nor too soft.

#c suite #powerful woman #strong women #ceo aesthetic #personal growth #that girl #productivity #q/a #getting your life together #balance #skiing #sports #socialite

[srbachchan]

DAY 5799

Jalsa, Mumbai Jan 2/3, 2024 Tue/Wed 6:28 AM

🪔 ,

January 03 .. birthday wishes to our Ef and greetings to all ..

Ef Himanshu Srivastava .. Ef Nandkeshor Dattatreya Paatil .. Ef Omnia from Egypt 🇪🇬 .. Ef Anuradha Raheja from Madurai .. and Ef Megha VJ from USA 🇺🇲 ..

.. ✨

🌹

Babuji .. a prominent member of the Freedom Fighters for Independent India .. and how his modest home was opened for secret meetings and a place to hide, for the freedom fighters ..

In one of his conversations with me he did describe how the great freedom fighter Chandrashekhar 'Azaad' had sought refuge at his home and remained rolled up in a 'bistar band' .. बिस्तर बंद .. the 'HoldAll' of my times, a canvas type rolled packaging with straps to tie it up, inside which was laid a mattress, pillows, your shoes and other essentials for travel .. all then rolled up and tied in leather straps, which then became an essential baggage element during travel .. it would and was opened up by releasing the straps, unrolling it and viola, a ready made bed - mattress pillows and all .. open it up on the bed or floor or a train berth .. most convenient and the most important baggage material for travel .. well on train and cars and bus travels .. until the airplane arrived as the more, now common mode of travel ..

So 'Azad' remained rolled up in the 'holdall' - a most convenient and descriptive word coined for this kind of baggage essential - and secretly spent a night there at Babuji's home .. rolled up in a holdall !!

The dedication and will of the freedom fighter ! Incredible !!

Chandrashekhar 'Azad' later took on the British forces, a large contingent, in the famous Allahabad park, then known as Alfred Park, alone, hiding behind a tree, firing bullets from his pistol , until when his ammunition was exhausted and when he felt he would be caught, he ended his life behind that tree, by shooting his last bullet .. at himself .. not wanting to give himself up to the British ..

The park has now been renamed in his honour .. The Chandrashekhar Azad Park ..

I spent a large amount of time at this park, for picnics etc., and this was where the popular Allahabad Flower Show used to be held, where I went with Ma .. she won several cups for Best Garden, and Best Flower, the rose, competition !

I remember seeing that famous tree, behind which Azad took shelter and fought the British contingent ..

The park was a large expanse of green and flowers and trees right almost in the centre of the city .. a canopied structure in the middle of the park, was inhabited by a Band, every Sunday, playing old tunes of the time ..

The park also had a most well kept grass tennis court, where I saw some great International players during their tournament, organised by the Allahabad Civic authorities .. I cannot remember their names .. was too young for that .. but they were from Britain, and some European countries , I think ..

They were invited for a tea reception at Justice Mootham's residence, the then Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court ..

If my memory does not fail me .. Justice Mootham ! yes that name is correct in memory ..

7 :00 AM

a bit misleading the time , for I have been up since 4 .. loitering about in my room, nursing a muscle pulled back in spasm, unable to sleep or rest .. so a selective spray, that boasts of 'pain relief' within minutes - they all do - was generously applied and ..

And ..

Well, the discomfort remains .. ahahaha ..

🤣🤣🤣

The greetings of the New Year, the greetings for the Birthday have all been overwhelmingly large, and this has provided an enormous amount of space occupation on the mobile .. which as I try to address, is becoming a most arduous task ..

SO ..

may I just acknowledge all that have sent their wishes and greetings here and express my inadequacy in making personal responses ..

PLEASE ..

my gratitude then and my love for this ..

❤️

Laziness persists .. and that induces a temperament , which is difficult to describe ..

The absence of routine may sound odd, but routine puts and gathers the body in a way that keeps it going .. else , one never has a solution as to what can be done to occupy time .. and several essentials loose their essentiality !

Making sense ..

No ..

Well then too bad ! 🥹

Was going to suggest, you get lazy to experience and endorse my words, but that would be so ethically incorrect ..

Hence its a wish for the effervescent day ahead .. and my love 😍

Amitabh Bachchan

PS : I was right .. 👇🏽

Orby Howell Mootham

Sir Orby Howell Mootham (17 February 1901 – 19 July 1995) was a British lawyer, legal writer, and judge who was the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court from 1955 to 1961, the third-last British judge to serve in India.

[sagau-fruit-bowl]

CHAPTER 21! THIS STORY CAN DRINK IN THE USA.

Guess who went back to school and lost all motivation?? This bitch, right here.

Guide!AU is a Sagau type story where instead of [Name] being seen as the Creator, they are seen as a god who cares for Teyvat, as a result of their actions when controlling the Traveler.

Masterlist 

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

As surprising as it may seem, for someone so put together, Aether would be the last to say he had a good perception of time, especially for the length of time someone should be asleep.

Through his travel in Teyvat, his Guide would leave him in the same conversation for hours and turn around to have him awake for days on end, finally finishing their chaos by leaving him to rest for a week after their latest adventures.

If he was being honest, he found a sense of irony in how often [Name] seemed to sleep, considering Aether himself had plenty of issues attempting to rest the night before but didn't feel an ounce of exhaustion.

Perhaps it was [Name]'s presence leaving him in the usual state he was blessed with or perhaps their constant puppeteering of his being left permanent effects, he wasn't sure and quite frankly, he didn't care.

It gave Aether the chance to stay awake, at his God's side, as they rested.

Kaeya had carried [Name] in his arms through the entire journey before placing them in their bedroom back at the Knights of Favonius headquarters, or as [Name] often referred to it, KOF HQ, However both knights within their group had been called away rather quickly, Jean had claims about a announcement she had to make and Kaeya unfortunately had been summoned by a very curious Lisa who wanted each of her questions answered.

Along with Aether keeping watch at the foot of [Name]'s bed, Razor and Bennett had attatched themselves to their sides, Razor on their left and Bennett on their right, The shorter haired boy had a hand resting on the corner of [Name]'s pillow while Razor instead had a grasp on their left hand.

It was near impossible for the two to be lured away, dispite Aether's best efforts, so instead the Traveler allowed both teenagers to remain. 

In the corner of the room closest to the door is where Diluc made himself comfortable. His view of [Name] had been blocked but instead he redirected his focus towards the door, listening for footsteps and any snippet of a conversation he could hear.

The red head pressed the back of his head against the wall in an attempt to block out the muttered conversation between the Traveler and Paimon who remained at the Hero's side.

The conversation had begun moments ago but the sound of Their Grace's name set every nerve in his body on high alert.

The voices sounded whispered and Diluc recognized the Acting Grandmaster's voice immediately. Her voice was as striking as always, cutting through the empty air of the hallway and seeping through the door, but the voice that replied was softer, happy and light, floating on the breeze and carrying itself as though it was meant for everyone in Mondsadt to hear.

Jean spoke first. "I'm afraid our previously discussion was as comprehensive as neccessary. There is a request I need to make of you."

The lighter voice replied with a playful lilt. "Always happy to serve our Acting Grandmaster. What good can I do for Mondstadt?~"

Diluc turned his head to have his ear pressed against the wall and leaned to get closer to the doorway, the cracks of the door allowing more sound to be heard.

"A simple question first, has news of Their Grace's arrival reached the other nations?"

"Ehe, not yet."

"Are you certain?"

"I'm certain, trust me, portion of the Qixing would already be here if they had the slightest hint their Grace had arrived."

A sigh of relief was released and Diluc suspected Jean was the source.

"Brilliant, moving on, how difficult would it be for them to never find out?"

"Mhmm? You're asking me? Why, why would I have a clue? I'm just an average citizen.~"

"Sure, I believe that. I simply had the suspicion that someone with your history would be able to tell if there were any certain.. tells, of Their Grace's presence."

"Well… I can say you won't be able to hide it for long. I have my reason to believe they'll know of [Name]'s arrival soon. Teyvat is a special kind of messenger."

Diluc could almost feel Jean raise a brow.

"And what does that mean?"

"Ehe! The wind told me immediately, but until Their Grace is close enough, that's up to Teyvat."

There was silence for a moment before the unknown voice spoke up again. "Why do you care?"

A sharp and quick left echoed down the hallway. "Why do I care? Isn't it obvious? [Name]'s favor could make or break our nation. Any distaste or favoritism for some place else could absolutely destroy everything here. Their distaste will make people angry, their favoritism would have suffocating effects on other nations. You would understand of course, you've never run a country, but this could either being our saving grace or our downfall."

Silence prevailed once more and Diluc began to pull back when he heard the lighter voice speak again. This time much more serious than before.

"So you're using them. You want them to serve you."

"No!" Jean told the other individual. "I want them to stay but I won't make them… I simply won't let others make them leave either."

"Be careful with what you say. [Name] will want to see it all, surely you understand that after everything they've done for each nation, and Teyvat is dedicated towards the goal of having them see all it has to offer."

Another pause and Diluc was sure Jean was simply gather her thoughts. His back felt tense as he listened closely while trying to pull as little attention to himself as possible.

"I'll do it properly. They're our ticket to the safety of Mondstadt. 

Diluc heard their voices fade away and he let his muscles relax, a pain in his shoulders he didn't register before, now slowly dissipate.

Turning around, he glanced in between Aether and Razor to catch a glimpse of [Name]'s sleeping face as he came to terms with what he had heard.

Jean didn't care about Their Grace for what they had done, did she? She cared about what they could do. [Name] had done a better job than each and every one of the Knights yet, that wasn't enough?

So much for valuing them, the only value the Knights saw was the capacity for granted power that [Name] has.

Diluc breathed in deeply, putting in effort not to cause the fabric of the chair he sat in to begin to burn, [Name] wouldn't want to wake up to the smell of something burning.

Well, he thought to himself, if the knights won't value [Name]'s freedom and enjoyment of Mondstadt then Diluc would take that task upon himself, any trip would be paid for, any threats would be handled immediately.

[Name] had been nothing but a savior to Mondstadt, why now are the Knights being foolish enough to treat them like a weapon? 

An upset god was never going to he kind and Diluc would have been damned if he let a god become angry towards his home.

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

Tag list! (Closed for the foreseeable future.)

@chihawari @samuelftm @mizuistrying @karylles-world @multifandomvoyage @peacesong02 @chie-san @magica-ren @willburzone @harmonbrooke @sadlonelybagel @well-excuse-me-player @rizakari @eccedentesiast-sapphic @nasidibakar @yue-caelum @irisxiel @detectivexheizou @ello-its-me-ya-boi @uh-kay-shuh @campanula-rotundifolia @whispereons

#genshin impact x gender neutral reader #genshin impact x reader #sagau cult au #sagau #genshin self aware au #genshin impact sagau #genshin x reader #guess who forgot tags were a thing?

[weirdowithaquill]

What Fuel would NWR Steam Engines use Today?

This is a question that I think a lot of people in the fandom are asking, especially with ever-more stringent environmental laws, the war in Ukraine cutting off Russian coal and the end of coal mines in the UK and the western world.

So, what exactly are Sodor's options if Sir Topham Hatt wants to run a steam railway in the 21st century.

I will do a separate post based on what I think the Fat Controllers do to ensure their engines run safely and profitably into the 2020's, but this post is all about fuel. Now, let's talk options:

1: Coal:

This is what Sodor is already using, and is the option that I think Sodor would enter the 2000's with. However, the UK has been rapidly closing coal mines since then, with the last deep coal mine in the United Kingdom, Kellingley colliery in North Yorkshire, closing in December 2015, and many of the mines that produced engine-grade coal already being closed. From this point on, the NWR has two options really: American anthracite coal (which is in decline) or Russian anthracite coal. Most British heritage railways used Russian coal due to its cheap and plentiful nature, leading to their current predicament of skyrocketing prices caused by tariffs and a cut-off from the Russian coal supply. Polish coal is an option some railways are switching too, however this is also quite expensive and not as plentiful as the previous coal.

Another option would be Australian bituminous coal, which is a worse coal for engines but is far cheaper and more plentiful. This would be unlikely, but could potentially be used as a desperate measure by the railway while searching for a better and more permanent option. Remember, bad coal causes a lot of havoc on Sodor even when considering different grades of anthracite coal.

2: Electricity:

If you've ever watched Train of Thought's video on electric steam (find here), then you may just know what I'm about to suggest. During the 1940's, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) converted a pair of steam engines with pantographs and used the electricity to boil the water. There was also a patent taken out in Canada as recently as 1992 for a steam engine that uses electricity to boil the water.

The pantograph part of the design would not happen - as much as Sodor has updated and modified their engines, whacking a pantograph on them would be crossing a line. So, what are the other options? Well, they could potentially use a third rail, and hide the converters and other pieces inside the bunker or tender, with what space remains being a perfect spot for extra water storage. Another option is batteries in the place of the bunker or tender, this in essence turning the engines of Sodor into battery engines.

The issue here is that the batteries are not really very efficient above the size of a Tesla, and a third-rail system has the potential to cause issues with any safety equipment on the ground (GWR had problems with their AWS system when travelling near the Southern Railway or the London Underground).

The battery version is something I could see being implemented on branchline and shunting engines however, as they could stay near charging ports and best utilise the extra range and lower emissions such a change would bring, without having as many drawbacks. Another advancement would be using an electric battery to preheat the boiler and to power the electrics in the coaches.

3: Biodiesel:

Before anyone goes insane about the idea of converting the NWR engines to oil-fired, I think I should say that I mean torrefied biodiesel pellets, as tested by the CSR in the USA on steam locomotives since as early as 2016 (article linked here). Torrefied biodiesel pellets have similar qualities to coal, including the fact that they can be shovelled and stored similarly to coal.

They don't really look that different to coal, do they? And in this trial, the engine they were trialling it on (Milwaukee County Zoo Train No. 1924) not only ran on 100% torrefied biodiesel, but also reached just under 200PSI. CSR has also ran tests on standard gauge engines, and the fact is that the Skarloey Railway would probably be an early adopter.

Furthermore, Sodor is a primarily agricultural island, and due to globalisation, the farms would be looking to find new crops with which to make a profit from, as the prices of cheap international products hurts their smaller farms. The NWR looking at biofuels would be a golden opportunity for them, and the NWR would have the crops needed for biodiesel locally, decreasing shipping costs.

The issue with biodiesel as a fuel is that it does not burn as hot as conventional coal, and it burns quicker. It does however start burning sooner, meaning setting a good fire in the mornings would be easier.

Railways using steam power are currently being faced with these major issues, and Sodor would probably be at the forefront of the debate, as its heavy usage of steam and early diesel engines makes for problematic encounters with environmentalists. However, Sodor would also be one of the largest supporters and financers of steam research, and would, in my opinion, use a mix of electric steam and biofuels to preserve their fleet of engines well into the 21st century. And yes, it would be theoretically possible to create an entire scientific essay out of this.

One again, pictures are not mine, and remember to tell me your ideas!

#ttte au #ttte analysis #thomas the tank engine #skarloey railway #coal mining #biodiesel #electric #steam engines are beautiful #steam engines #Milwaukee country zoo engine #railways #railway series #2010s issues #heritage railway #electric steam #switzerland #This is just what I do on Tumblr now it seems

[oligoweee]

Smile Hell Info Dump

I'm going to basically info dump about my old Smiler story called "Smile Hell." I never even got close to finishing the story, I only got roughly 20k words in and that didn't even get into it all however I had lost motivation.

In this universe, the Ministry of Joy (it's not actually called that) basically has locations all across the globe that aim for bringing joy to everyone but have many faults and there was even a reversal serum in the works. The Smiler roller coaster does exist at Alton Towers and there are many rumors surrounding it, some of which are in fact secretly true. I think it is an interesting take on the MOJ and I'd love to go back to it someday but for now I will give a fairly in-depth summary and talk about what was written, general lore/ideas, and what I had planned, including the ending.

Trigger warnings for: suicide, mental illness, kidnapping, murder, medical themes, abuse, and gore.

(Not going into detail for these because this is just a summary-type thing but they are referenced so I am putting warnings as a precaution.)

This is gonna be a VERY long (roughly 4.5k words long) post so have fun reading if you decide to, you're in for a long ride :)

[Also here was the cover for it!]

So, the important characters are:

Levee Bailey

Lance Hawks

Archie Bailey

Isa [No Last Name]

Doctor Thomas Lukes

Braylen [No Last Name]

This story takes place in 2021 in Maine USA and specifically a real life county by the name of Oxford.

Many people over the span of a year were going missing and no one was able to find them or they would be found but they behaved drastically different than before.

In Oxford County, two families lived there known as the Bailey family and the Hawks family. Lance Hawks was a theme park enthusiast and would travel all over the world or just go to theme parks nearby in the US, one of these trips was Alton Towers and he offered to bring along his neighbor and closest friend, Levee Bailey alongside her two teenage brothers, Archie and Koda. This trip was only left to references in the story. They went on the Smiler of course and things were fine up until they flew back to the US.

Before that, Koda had been struggling with mental illness and it kept declining but then the trip (and specifically the Smiler) had boosted his mood for a few weeks afterward until it started to decline again. In May, he committed suicide however his sister had been there and for months afterward, she thought it was her fault and that she was a murderer despite everything telling her otherwise. His death was all over the news and attracted a bunch of public attention and many articles online.

So now we get to where the main story begins, September of 2021.

Levee is still dealing with her grief and she often finds herself standing in Koda's room just grieving. She has flashbacks of the day he died quite often. Since the loss of Koda, Levee tried making attempts to get closer with her remaining brother, Archie, but experiences a lot of pain when looking at him because of his similar resemblance to Koda.

Since her brother's death, Levee constantly feels like she's being watched. Like hundreds of eyes are on her at all times. She's constantly paranoid outside her home and is always telling herself that everything is in her head. What she doesn't know is that she is in fact being somewhat watched in one way or another. This feeling is both real and in her head at the same time.

One morning she wakes up and realizes that her best friend (and neighbor), Lance, is not in his garden and she finds that really odd because he's always gardening in the mornings unless he's traveling. Levee tries thinking logically but deep down she feels that something bad has happened. And she is absolutely correct. We soon learn that Lance was in fact abducted and a missing person report was filed however with how many people have gone missing from Oxford County with little to no updates, there's not a whole lot of hope about Lance. (Sorry, pal.)

One of the people missing from Oxford County is a woman by the name of Aria Davis, her case was by far one of the most popular because she is one of the longest lost people, having been missing for nearly a year. Levee came across an article about her disappearance and was quite panicked and that is when she stopped thinking logically about Lance not being outside. So, she did the smart thing and went to his house and spoke to his mother who told Levee the news.

She was obviously upset to the point she didn't tell Archie so he decided to go over there himself and then he got back, wondering why Levee didn't tell him. When he questioned her about it the two started to get into an argument so he left the room clearly pissed.

Now there's a bit of filler but since it's September, Archie is going back to school. Well on his first day of school that boy got kidnapped and Levee did not know until she herself got kidnapped. Fun times with the Bailey family, am I right?

So, on this day, Levee goes to her job which is at the end of her street and it's roughly a ten minute walk (or in her case, a five minute run.) She feels like she is being watched the entire time but gets to her workplace and the day goes on until she has to go back home.

Levee dashes back home as the sun is setting and while thinking Archie is home from school, she knocks on the door as he usually unlocks it for her but this does not happen so she tries calling him and he doesn't answer, she assumes that he's still mad at her from the previous day so she grabs her house key but quickly realizes that it is not inside of her satchel bag (which previously belonged to Koda, fun bit of lore) so she gets a bit panicked as that feeling of being watched is not going away any time soon.

So, she runs over to the Hawks' house and rings the doorbell because she thought someone would be home but nobody answers and this causes her even more distress as she is alone outside in the dark. Levee then proceeds to out of reflex try and call Lance who obviously does not answer and then after this she calls her mother who tells her to go back to her workplace and wait there because her mom would be out of work shortly.

And this is where Levee's fate is set.

She makes a run for it back to her workplace but since it is very dark out, she doesn't quite know where she's going and the streetlights are dimmed. Then she notices a truck going down the street and she could have sworn it was following her. This completely screws up her course and she ends up going the wrong direction and running face first into a telephone pole which breaks her nose.

Levee is pretty much stunned for a moment and sitting on the ground to try and recover and she comes to the realization she ran in the wrong direction so she pulls out her phone and tries to go onto Google Maps but has no mobile data or anything.

She sits there trying to regain her energy and strength to get up off the sidewalk and she eventually does when she hears heavy footsteps coming from behind her. So, once again she starts running and then it turns out she's being shot at by whoever was chasing her.

Levee can only dodge the darts for so long before one lands in her neck and stuns her, within a few moments exhaustion overcomes her and she passes out with one last thought in her head, "I'm gonna die, aren't I?"

---

Levee wakes up on a bed inside of a hospital-like room and it brings back memories of being with Koda when he died. She can't quite recall how she got in this place but is aware of an odd sensation on her arm, specifically the crook of her elbow which has gauze taped to it (implying that she had been poked with a needle of some sort.) For some reason, there is a very small feeling of joy that she can't quite focus on but it keeps her calmed for the most part.

She realizes there is a somewhat dull pain all throughout her head and neck but again, she can't recall what had happened. Despite her recognizing the room she's in as some kind of hospital one, she knows for certain she is not in a real hospital.

There is a description of the room which I will share a little of; the upper halves of the walls are a sandy-gray color whereas the lower halves are made of black and bright-yellow stripes and at the very bottom there is short white trimming lining the walls. The floor is made of light-gray tiles.

There's a table in this room and on top of it is a key card lanyard so once she gets herself off of the bed, she stumbles over to there and takes it. There is a name written on it alongside numbers and she doesn't quite understand what they mean. Next to the lanyard there is a note which tells her how to use it and that only her key card and her roommate's key card will work on the singular room door however the cards work on all other doors within the "Sanctuary." It also explains that she is a "employee," for this place and that she's currently on the third floor and needs to make her way up the fourth floor in order to change into uniform.

Levee looks over at the other side of the room and notices her roommate who is fast asleep, the table on their side contains the same items as Levee's.

Using the key card, she leaves the room and makes her way through a hallway with many different doors that need to be unlocked some of which are other rooms.

She makes her way to the fourth floor, changes uniform, notices there are spots of yellow in her irises (which are normally brown), then proceeds to leave the employee only floors (third and fourth) and skedaddles to the second floor which has a locked staircase as nearly all the doors in this building require a key card.

I will not be going into much detail about the second floor however, it is a living area for patients and has some bookcases that have books and brochures.

The low, somewhat raspy voice of someone catches her attention as they ask her who she is, she introduces herself and they introduce themselves. This is where Braylen is introduced, he is a patient in the Sanctuary and is implied to be a trans guy (this is canon it's just never outright said within the story.) There is no yellow present in his eyes which shows that he hasn't had any treatment yet. Levee states her confusion which causes her to giggle and it makes Braylen uneasy but he tells her the information that he knows about the place.

Braylen states that the place was in fact a real hospital back in the 2000s owned by a man called Doctor Thomas Lukes however the doctor calls it a "Sanctuary."

Levee thanks him for the information and then proceeds to continue her exploration throughout the Sanctuary. She finds the cafeteria on the first floor and there are a couple people sitting at tables some of which are employees. Then a voice calls out to her.

It's Lance, who is sitting at a table in the back of the cafeteria. The two are both in shock at seeing each other and Lance had scratches on his face which would have concerned Levee if it wasn't for her emotions being messed up. She greets him in a cheery manner and sits down by him.

They have a discussion and Lance, being the theme park enthusiast that he is, compares the place to the Alton Towers Smiler roller coaster lore. He actually goes on to explain the similarities and brings up the fact that there had been previous rumors of the Smiler being based off of real events or that the backstory was real.

Levee is completely weirded out and quite frankly thinks he's being stupid, she tells him he's not making much sense and then comes to the conclusion that he was trying to make light of the dark situation. They continue speaking some more and eventually Levee tells Lance to stop talking about the Smiler.

Levee then remembers her brother, Archie, and begins to worry about him to which Lance slowly states to her that he thinks Archie is in the Sanctuary too.

Levee does not take this too kindly but her rage is dulled however she still shouts at Lance asking what he means to which he then stupidly asks why she's panicking and she states that she's not but doesn't know what she's feeling.

Lance asks her a question.

"Does it feel like your emotions are just barely there and for some reason you're happy?”

Levee says yes with no hesitation as that is exactly how she was feeling. Lance is feeling this way too.

They continue talking and then Levee brings Lance up to the second floor to speak to Braylen who is sitting on a sofa reading a book that had no title and instead had a smiley face in the form of "=)" on the cover. Braylen then reveals that the book is fifteen pages long (albeit not numbered) and every single page consists of that same smiley face from top to bottom. It's not very important but goes to show this place is odd.

All three are weirded out but put the book aside. Lance and Levee ask Braylen if he has seen or knows anything about Archie. He states that Archie's appearance sounds familiar and that he saw employees (or at least, ones that looked very different and had metal armor) drag him to padded cells on the first floor.

Braylen also states it was nighttime and he wasn't supposed to be out of his room but decided to snoop around anyway and witnessed the scene.

They thank Braylen for his help and proceed to go back to the first floor and find the cells he was talking about. There are twenty in total and the two find Archie inside the fifteenth one that they investigate.

When Levee sees her brother inside the cell, she is quick to unlock it and go inside. Archie is sitting on the floor with red pinprick marks and bruising on his neck and alongside this his hands are wrapped in bandages that have light spots of blood that had seeped through.

The two siblings hug and Levee apologizes for Archie getting into this situation. Much like Levee and Lance, Archie can't remember how he was kidnapped. They exit the cell and speak with each other to which Archie explains a story very similar to the one Braylen shared.

Archie had woken up in his room and instantly panicked, leaving it and stumbling into two people who are later revealed to be apart of a subgroup in the Sanctuary called "The Ones Beyond the Walls." He explains that they saw him and grabbed onto him to which he tried to fight back and in the process destroyed his knuckles on the metal vests they were wearing before he was sedated and brought to a cell.

Levee takes note of his hands and suggests that they change the bandages. Lance knows where there's an infirmary and brings them to it and there is a somewhat gruesome description of Archie's knuckles. Lance cleans the wounds and wraps them in fresh bandages.

They all leave the infirmary and make their way to the cafeteria and discuss the situation for the umpteenth time. In the middle of their discussion, a young woman walks up and stands behind Archie. She introduces herself as Isa. Levee and Archie take note of one of her most unsettling features which is the fact that she has scars starting from the corners of her mouth going along the sides of her face.

(Lance had already met Isa so it wasn't as shocking to him.)

Isa states that she overheard the group of three's conversation and that she had information she could give that might help answer some questions.

...

But unfortunately, this is where I stopped writing.

Don't worry though! Like I said, I am going to talk about general lore and what I had planned including the ending.

---

So, Doctor Lukes' Sanctuary is the name of the hospital our main characters are held captive in. Despite what Levee kept thinking (it not being a real hospital) she is pretty much wrong because it was and technically still is a "real" hospital however it is not at all a professional one. Originally opening in 1999, this psychiatric hospital was operated by Professor Jasper Edmunds and Doctor Thomas Lukes, their hospital was open until 2011 where it closed permanently with no explanation.

Throughout the 2000s, this hospital was controversial and facing lawsuits in regards to abuse of its patients in there for treatment of their mental illnesses. However, they were dropped. This mostly took place in 2005. Professor Edmunds left shortly after this which meant Doctor Lukes was on his own with maintaining most things. In 2009, the hospital would once again face legality issues in regards to two murders that had happened. And finally, in 2011, the hospital was closed and nobody ever heard from Doctor Lukes again.

This is the more detailed form of the information Isa was going to tell the three if I had written past her introduction, I promise it wasn't gonna be a big info dump within the story lol, it was gonna be more spread out. Also, the Sanctuary info is similar to what Braylen had said. Isa was also going to go into a quick explanation on joy serum and laughing gas used in that place which answers the question on why everyone tends to be calm and strangely happy. (Obviously.)

Throughout the story, Levee and Lance try to uncover the secrets of the Sanctuary and they attempt to make an escape plan while pretty much being under the influence of drugs (joy serum) and doing their "job," of treating the patients. They discover that there had been a reversal serum in the works that would, well, reverse the effects of joy serum however there were many major issues with it. It's used within this story and the effects are shown; primarily aggression.

Who was the original one behind the reversal serum? Professor Edmunds, and then Doctor Lukes proceeded to try and complete it but was facing difficulties. And why was there a reversal serum? Because of withdrawal from not having injections of joy serum for a long period of time, it'd only get worse and worse so this was put in place to completely flush out the joy serum in a way. (Side note: Drug withdrawal is a major issue with the joy serum in this universe and it's especially shown with Isa who is constantly relying on even the smallest dose.) However, as said before, the reversal serum had serious issues with it.

So, what was Doctor Lukes' motive in taking a bunch of hostages ("patients/employees")?

Well, it changes in the timeline.

After the hospital had been shut down and with all of the legality issues, the place pretty much became abandoned and not only that but he lost a majority of his research and everything. He's stubborn and did not try and reach out to another facility or anything like that (they're extremely secretive too) so he took his remaining notes and studies, tried making a new joy serum, kidnapped some people that would later be known as "The Ones Beyond the Walls," and tested on them. Continuously tested on them. And then finally, later on, he wanted to try and reverse things and then give the joy serum again and reverse and... yeah.

Where was he working?

Underground beneath the original hospital. And this is where the main story takes place too. I find the Five Nights at Freddy's song "Below the Surface" quite fitting for this and the original Smiler lore in general (I remember seeing a Smile Always edit with it too so that's where I got that from!) And if you're wondering, "How did no one know he was there?" Well, the general public didn't know. With a lot of abandoned properties, there are still people that own the property and that's the case with Doctor Lukes' Sanctuary. The state people knew allat but not the public, you know? As I said before, these places are secretive.

---

The Ones Beyond the Walls are as the name states: special guard-like previous test subjects that lurk in a part of the Sanctuary that is inaccessible to the normal patients and employees but is very much behind the walls of the normal place. They do what Doctor Lukes tells them to and they lurk about at night. They make sure things are in place and such. They are very calm people that take action when needed.

---

Isa is a major part of the lore. It's revealed that she was the longest serving Sanctuary employee starting from being a patient and it's also revealed that she was Aria Davis from the news article Levee had read early on in the story. Aria was not in a good place and Doctor Lukes had reached out to her and offered her money (one of the only times he was somewhat-legally doing this shit) if she'd participate in his experiments/clinical trials and after a while she then got sick of it to which he then forcibly kidnapped her.

As a patient, Aria had gotten her face cut into a smile by an old employee who she later murdered as revenge and stole their identity (hence the name, Isa.) Due to the murder, she was put through a lot of "treatment," until she was left as who she is; an unhinged, overjoyed, snarky woman who seemed as though she was going to help but was instead absolutely hellbent on dragging everyone down with her as she interfered with Levee's and Lance's escape plan. And, she kept the identity of the murdered employee, Isa.

---

There was certainly gonna be filler but also it was gonna show patients and employees getting treatment with joy serum and then the reversal serum being used. Because of the aggression the reversal serum was causing (albeit temporary) the group decided it was best to give it to people and keep them in the "special" cells that had been mentioned earlier.

Eventually, Isa gets the reversal serum injected into her and since she has been under the influence of joy serum for a long time, it doesn't go too well and she is furious and tries to kill Lance who had injected it. She fails and once she somewhat calms down, she struggles to cope with the feeling of not being in a constant state of joy. She experiences withdrawal extremely quickly and this is one of the faults of the reversal serum however it shouldn't have lasted too long.

Isa still tries to interfere with the plan and eventually she kills Doctor Lukes which wasn't apart of the other two's plan but aids in the escape and when she realizes this, she isn't happy. She isn't happy that the newest group won't go through the Hell she went through and thus she attempts to murder the main group but instead gets it turned around on her and Lance kills her which leaves him guilt stricken but Levee tries to reassure him that it was for the best.

‐--

Finally, we get to the ending. The ending is a decent one and although a majority of the facility inhabitants are killed along the way (by Isa and eventually she herself was killed too), nine out of thirty people (patients and employees) escape and this doesn't include TOBW. Levee, Lance, Braylen, and Archie make it out safely albeit very much changed and still having the after effects of the reversal serum. I did in fact write out the epilogue before most of the other things because that is a habit of mine with writing.

So, the epilogue goes something like this...

Two months pass since the events of Smile Hell and our three main characters are trying to return to their normal lives. Braylen, who was cut off by his family before the events, moves in with Lance's family since he has nowhere else to go. Levee's paranoia is very slowly starting to go away and she starts leaving her house more often. It is stated that after escaping, the group had told all they could to the police and it opened a full blown investigation on the grounds of the Sanctuary and they ended up finding bodies buried far behind the hospital.

And yes, the main group gets well needed therapy after all this Hell they've been through lol

Levee, Lance, and Braylen are all out shopping in the town square before they visit Koda's grave which is their plan for the day. Levee sits down on a bench and waits for the men who are inside a store and there is another bench across from her. Someone sits down on it and they're wearing a mask and sunglasses (which she finds odd as it's not very sunny) but she tries not to think much of it before going onto her phone to pass the time.

The stranger across from her giggles which catches her attention and so she glances up and notices their sunglasses are off. Her heart just about skips a beat when she realizes that they have one yellow eye that was fading and one normal eye (implication that this is someone from the Sanctuary.) This obviously makes her highly uneasy and she prays to whoever is listening that her friends would hurry up so they could leave.

Eventually they appear and they don't pay much attention to the person across from her, they all leave but Levee looks behind her to see that the mysterious stranger now had their mask down and was smiling, but not in the unsettling, forced Smiler sense; it was a sincere smile that pretty much said "Thank you." Not only that, but they had very faded scars present on their face. Levee does not recognize them at all before she realized the possibility of them being one of the Ones Beyond the Walls. She gives them a quick thumbs up and a nod before walking off with Lance and Braylen, off to visit Koda's grave at the cemetery.

And that's all, that is the end of it all.

---

Thank you so much if you read this whole thing! I very much appreciate it, I've been working on this lore for roughly two years but never really shared it with people until now.

If I ever do go back to this project and decide to continue the story I think there would be changes but for now this is the "settled in stone," lore of Smile Hell. I don't really know what my inspirations were for this exactly but obviously the general Smiler lore and what the community has come up with. Also I love stories that involve secret organizations and medical stuff like that. There are certainly things that I find unfitting but for my sake and everyone else's sake, I'm not going to critique my own lore for now.

Once again, thank you very much if you read this entire post, I hope it was interesting!!

—

and here's a meme before I go which sums up all of this /j

#the smiler #smiler #ministry of joy #the ministry of joy #alton towers #olive's ocs #olive's stories #smile hell #info dump #writing #but it's more just a summary #and a super fucking long post sob

[random-mailbox]

Random-Mailbox's Favorite Sailor Moon Fics - Week 16 - Christmas Part 2

When working on the stories to include in this week’s post, the list kept growing, and growing… and growing. And even though I try my best to not have giant posts, this one will be an exception. @riverlethe made an excellent suggestion of capping it at 12, to use “Twelve Days of Christmas” song as my loose cultural inspiration. So here is how we got to the final number. 

As always, my apologies in advance for spoiling some of these for you (Fic Titles are linked to either FFN or AO3 entries).

The Gift of Giving - Silent Serenade

Growing up in an orphanage, Holidays for Mamoru were not his happiest season. There was a tradition of adding gift requests from kids to the “Tree of Joy” for adults doing their shopping to hopefully fill. The one time Mamoru had requested something, it was a book, which some benefactor has managed to fulfil. This story explores how that one small act of kindness shaped the person he is today.

Christmas Law - @keyofjetwolf

Usagi is on a mission, and has all the girls on her side, to make her one Christmas wish come true - a kiss under the mistletoe with Mamoru. Whatever it may take.

The Twelve Roses of Christmas - SailorSong

As Usagi tries to get all the gifts ready for Christmas, she keeps coming across discarded roses. Coupled with Mamoru suddenly acting nicer than he has ever before, our protagonist is in for quite a Holiday Adventure. 

I dare you - Princess Destiny

Bored Senshi decided that a game of “Truth or dare” will stave off their boredom. Usagi, after choosing dare, gets asked to kiss the mall Santa. 

Tis' Christmas Gift Giving - @billyjbradshaw

Absolutely adorable one shot about the progression of Mamoru and Usagi’s relationship over the years, as they move from uneasy truce to friendship to something else entirely.

I Saw Mama Kissin' Santa Claus - SailorSong

The break-up in this post-Anime’s R season story extended past defeat of Wiseman. Everyone now knows that Usagi will one day become Neo-Queen Serenity and that Chibi-Usa is her daughter but no one knows who might be her significant other. We watch as Usagi and Mamoru try to find new footing and their path back to each other.

12 Days of Christmas Crumbs - @sessediz

Super cute collection of Holiday themed one-shots that revolve around our favourite duo and their working their way into each other’s lives.

Baby's First Christmas - @kaleidodreams

In this super cute story, we get to watch the first family of Crystal Tokyo celebrate Small Lady’s first Christmas, and all the preparations that go into it. 

The Perfect Present - @she-dreams-in-pink

With a friendly competition between Usagi and Mamoru on who gives the best presents, Usagi is on a mission to find something absolutely amazing for Mamoru.

Covert Christmas Ops - @linlamont

Hotaru and Setsuna go on an adventure night before Christmas to try and figure out who did Haruka accidentally give something that was meant for Michiru, running into the other senshi and the future king of Crystal Tokyo in their pursuit. 

All I Want for Christmas is AU -Chapter 1: Have Yourself an Ugly Little Christmas - @queenrisa14

This story came out a few days too late to be included in the Ugly Christmast sweater post, HOWEVER, I really didn't want to have to wait and whole year before adding it to the rec list. Mamoru loses a bet at work and is forced to wear Ugly Christmas sweaters for his shifts, something he considered a terrible punishment until a friendly sales clerk at one of the shops makes it her mission to help him find only the best ones. 

A Christmas Gift - @lyraterra

Usagi and Mamoru bump into each other at the airport after their flight gets cancelled due to a snow storm (very timely for the craziness of travel everyone had to put up with in North America over the last 7 days). With Usagi dropping her keys in the snow, Mamoru suggests that she spend the night at his place until they can sort everything out. This is another absolutely wonderful reveals story from @lyraterra but with a Holiday twist.

Next week's post will go up on Jan 2 and will be a collection of New Year's themed stories. I will try to come up with the full schedule for January posts by then.

Here are the links to the previous Tumblr posts in these series to explore more amazing works based on different themes - make sure to check them out if you haven't had a chance! (Click on title name to go to the post)

Week 1 - Groundhog Day

Week 2 - Established Relationships

Week 3 - Sex Positivity

Week 4 - Unfinished Stories

Week 5 - Darker Stories

Week 6 - Potions 🧪

Week 7 - Reveals

Week 8 - 👻Halloween🎃

Week 9 - Wrong Perceptions

Week 10 - Non-Senshi AU

Week 11 - In-Progress Fics

Week 12 - Mutual Pining

Week 13 - Enemies to Lovers

Week 14 - Slow Burn

Week 15 - Christmas Part 1 - Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Santa!

#sailor moon #fic list #fic rec #usagi x mamoru #christmas

[balladofsallyrose]

Phil Ochs May 1973 Interview by Vic Sadot & Rich Lang

↑ 'I volunteered at the Mobilization Against the War and at WGTB, Georgetown University student radio at nights and on weekends. In the first weeks of May 1973 WGTB’s Skip Pizzi and Rich Lang told me that they needed someone to interview a folk singer named Phil Ochs, who was coming to DC to do a week long engagement at The Cellar Door. I jumped at that, saying, “I love that guy! know all of his work! I would love to have that honor.” I was 25 years old. I soon found myself meeting my hero in The Cellar Door kitchen in the back. Phil had just arrived in town and he said that he had not yet made arrangements for a place to stay. I offered him the option of staying in my apartment and saving his money for other things. He asked, “What did I do to deserve that?” I said, “Phil, you told the truth better than I have ever heard anyone tell it.” That way I got to spend time with Phil. 

In the short interview Phil Ochs talked about Nixon, Watergate, his TV appearance the day before, and his travels in South America.  I lost the reel-to-reel tape when I moved back to Delaware in 1974. I never found it again until I was sorting through things to move to Berkeley, California in 2008. I was excited! I took the reel to Steven Leech and David Mackenzie at WVUD, the University of Delaware student station where I had been a folk DJ for over the years. They digitilized the 28 minute interview, and preserved it for me. It was only a few days ago that I thought of trying to bring that old tape alive by putting visuals over the sound track as a tribute to Phil’s 75th birthday coming up on Dec 19th. You can now hear the interview on my Vic Sadot YouTube or Truth Troubadour YouTube Channels.  Sadly, I never saw Phil or talked with him again. Phil Ochs was the best anti-war and social commentary singer in the USA during his era.'

Vic Sadot on Phil Ochs, Phil and Me – Celebrating Phil Ochs

#thought i should share this #in the og post he didn't link the interview clip.. so i thought why not? #similar to what is currently going on with tr*mp

[emudi]

Top 20 Most Beautiful Cities In Africa | Travel Tips

Certainly! Africa is a continent known for its diverse landscapes, rich cultures, and vibrant cities.

You may choose to watch Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities In Africa | Best Places

Here's a list of 20 of the most beautiful cities in Africa, each offering its own unique charm and appeal:

Cape Town, South Africa: Nestled between the iconic Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town boasts stunning natural scenery, vibrant neighborhoods, and a rich cultural heritage.

Marrakech, Morocco: Marrakech mesmerizes visitors with its bustling souks, intricate architecture, and the vibrant colors of the Jardin Majorelle.

Nairobi, Kenya: As the gateway to East Africa, Nairobi blends modernity with wildlife conservation, offering attractions like Nairobi National Park and the Karen Blixen Museum.

Fes, Morocco: Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its medieval medina, elaborate mosques, and labyrinthine alleyways.

Cairo, Egypt: Cairo is a bustling metropolis steeped in history, home to ancient wonders like the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, as well as vibrant markets and lively streets.

Zanzibar City, Tanzania: The old Stone Town of Zanzibar City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring ornate doors, winding alleys, and beautiful beaches.

Luanda, Angola: Luanda is a coastal city with a mix of Portuguese colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers, offering stunning seaside views and a vibrant nightlife.

Johannesburg, South Africa: Johannesburg is a dynamic city known for its cultural diversity, thriving arts scene, and historical sites like the Apartheid Museum.

Dakar, Senegal: Dakar is a lively coastal city with colorful markets, vibrant music scene, and stunning beaches like Yoff Beach and N'Gor Beach.

Cape Coast, Ghana: Cape Coast is known for its picturesque beaches, colonial architecture, and its historic role in the transatlantic slave trade, evidenced by landmarks like Cape Coast Castle.

Asmara, Eritrea: Asmara boasts a unique blend of Italian colonial architecture, modernist buildings, and palm-lined boulevards, earning it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Windhoek, Namibia: Windhoek is a city surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, offering visitors a blend of German colonial architecture, lively markets, and nearby safari adventures.

Kigali, Rwanda: Kigali is a clean and green city known for its orderly streets, cultural attractions like the Kigali Genocide Memorial, and stunning views of the surrounding hills.

Accra, Ghana: Accra is a vibrant capital city with lively markets, beautiful beaches, and historical landmarks like Independence Arch and Jamestown.

Lagos, Nigeria: Lagos is a bustling megacity with a vibrant atmosphere, offering a mix of beaches, bustling markets, and a thriving arts and music scene.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Addis Ababa is a city of contrasts, blending modern skyscrapers with traditional Ethiopian architecture, vibrant markets, and cultural attractions like the National Museum.

Maputo, Mozambique: Maputo is a coastal gem with a laid-back atmosphere, colonial-era architecture, vibrant markets, and stunning ocean views along its scenic waterfront.

Stone Town, Zanzibar: Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar, known for its narrow streets, ornate doors, and rich Swahili culture, offering a glimpse into the island's past.

Gaborone, Botswana: Gaborone is a modern city surrounded by natural beauty, offering visitors botanical gardens, wildlife reserves, and a thriving arts and crafts scene.

Abuja, Nigeria: Abuja is Nigeria's modern capital city, known for its impressive architecture, lush greenery, and cultural landmarks like the Nigerian National Mosque and Aso Rock.

Read more

Top 15 Best Places To Visit Tokyo Japan | Tourists Attraction

Top 10 Best Places To Live In UK [ United Kingdom] 2024

Top 10 Best Places To Live In Canada 2024 | Best Cities

Top 10 Best Places to Live in America [ USA Cities ] 2024

How To Make Money : Top 10 Niches To Monetize YouTube

Hillbrow Johannesburg The Vibrant Area Of South Africa

Dubai Downtown Walking Tour 2023 | Burj Khalifa UAE

Dubai Beach: Walking Around | The Best Tour 2023

Ethiopian Airlines Flying Queue At Addis Ababa Airport

#cities #canada #africa #south africa #usa #uk #cape town #Youtube

[byebyelemonpie]

byebyelemonpie's may 2023 recommendations

My may top 5 movies:

Kung Fu Panda trilogy (2008, dir: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson; 2011, dir: Jennifer Yuh Nelson; 2016, dir: Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Alessandro Carloni) [Rewatched the first two after a decade and watched the third for the first time] Listen, I don't know what happened to me or to the world that made me uninterested in these movies somewhere between the second and the third one, but I'm glad that went away because these are actually really good. Like, the animation, the aesthetic, the story: they're all great and enjoyable, and a lot of fun! -

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018, dir: Ol Parker) [Rewatch after five years] The songs are still bangers and a lot of fun, even though this is way more sad than the first one. Wacthing it with friends is even better! -

13 Going on 30 (2004, dir: Gary Winick) [Rewacth after seven years] Still a cute and fun rom-com. The time-travel and the moral consequences of a 13 year-old in her own older body are never even thought about, but that's probably for the best, because I genuinely enjoyed it as a kid, even though I didn't want to grow up. -

Sky High (2005, dir: Mike Mitchell) [Rewatch after more than a decade] Just okay, I remember liking this a lot as a teen, but never seeing it again. Loved the whole character of Warren Peace, his name and his backstory and to be honest I wish the whole thing would have been about him. But still not that bad! -

So I Married an Anti-Fan (2016, dir: Kim Je-young) [First time watch] No idea how I found this, but it was pretty fun. I haven't really written anything on my notebook about it other than "not that bad", and all the letterboxd reviews are about this k-pop idol whom I don't know, I'm so sorry.

Favourite series in may:

Spy x Family (Japan, 2022) [First time watch; anime] A spy needs to infiltrate the family of an important political figure to stop the war between the two prominent regions of his nation, but to do so, he needs to have a wife and a daughter. He finds them in a secret assassin and a mind reader respectively. This anime is so much fun!! It's hilarious and even heartwarming at times. I decided to read the manga as well because I fell in love with the characters so fast. -

Ted Lasso - season 3 (USA, 2023) [First time watch] This series has been a very nice comfort show since I started season 1 last year. I loved how everyone had a character development and I very much enjoyed the positivity and feeling of hope throughout the series and especially in the end. -

Schmigadoon! - Schmicago (USA, 2023) [First time watch] This musical series is still one of the most innovative around and I LOVE the songs and the references to the musicals it parodies. I think I might have enjoyed this second season more than the first because I like more musicals from this era than the ones referenced in season 1. I still wish they will eventually make a thrid season, because if they manage to make parodies of all musical eras, they will have my whole heart, although this had a perfect ending, so I am conflicted on this. -

Dark Blue Kiss (Thailand, 2019) [Rewatch after a year] This was the first Thai series I've ever watched, but I had overrated it, so I decided to revisit it with a better knowledge and some more place for comparison. It turns out that it's still pretty good! Pete and Kao's story and its stupid jealousy, their cute bickering, and Kao's will to come out to him mum but fear of rejection is still very well done. Their breakup phase is still so sad! New's little pouty face should be enough to make people forgive him, especially when Kao didn't do anything outwardly terrible. The communication problem in this couple is still annoying, but the last scene makes up for everything and they have my heart. I'm not the greatest fan of the second couple - when a lot of fans would say the opposite - but I still love fellow Pokémon Go fan Mork and I still think he deserves better, I'm not sorry. -

Quacks (UK, 2017) [First time watch] As usual, six-episodes-long British sitcoms that are about specific time periods were cancelled after one season, and so was this gem. This series was about several doctors working at a Victorian hospital and trying new ways to cure patients. It was very interesting other than pretty funny.

[byebyelemonpie's 2023 recs]

#a post #byebyelemonpie's 2023 recs #about movies #about series #kung fu panda #mamma mia! here we go again #13 going on 30 #sky high #so i married an anti fan #spy x family #ted lasso #schmigadoon #dark blue kiss #quacks

[kalitera-stin-erimia]

Short reviews of Lovecraft RPF

One of the subsets of my Lovecraft obsession is finding and exploring fiction about Lovecraft, and I finally wrote up my short impressions of most fiction works about Lovecraft that I read/watched. Some of these definitely need larger reviews, and maybe will get them in the future, but one has to start from somewhere and these writings can at least make a foundation for them.

So, let's start. Some mild spoilers may appear.

Shadows Bend by David Barbour and Richard Raleigh: Lovecraft and Robert Howard travel the West of the USA during the Dust Bowl, persued by monsters. I'm surprised that these two meet so rarely in fiction - I mean, they never did in real life, but it still sounds like an obvious idea. Clark Ashton Smith also makes an appearence. I enjoyed the "road movie" feel of the book, and it seemed like the author tried to weave in some lore from the Bishop collaborations, which is the thing I'd love to see more often; however, the book was too plotless and the characterizations too exaggerated, too reliant on the out of date scholarship.

Gilgamesh at the Outback by Robert Silverberg: Another one about HPL and REH meeting, this time in hell. I skimmed this one, reading only the parts about them. Lovecraft is rather bland here, while REH is just bizarre. He has an over-the-top crush on Gilgamesh. WTF was going on in the Robert Howard scholarship in the eighties???

The Planet of Tastless Pleasure by Harry Harrison: One scene parodies Gilgamesh at the Outback. I enjoyed this one more than the Silverberg's book. I like Harrison's humor, what else to say?

Marblehead by Richard Lupoff: I already wrote a large review of this one. Well-researched and I guess well-characterized, but so dry that I'm afraid it doesn't live to the fullest potential. Everything just ends up feeling strangely muted, which is especially jarring in combination with the sensationalist plot and very pulp culmination.

Pages Torn from a Travel Journal by Edward Lee: Ooooof. Lee is not a bad writer, and unlike many others writing about Lovecraft, he clearly knows a lot about him and likes him very much. The other things he likes are (1) rednecks, (2) gore, (3) rape porn. The book is full of all these things and you can make a guess about how well they mix with Lovecraft. In spite of how gleefully campy the book is, the treatment of redneck characters is more sympathetic than I usually see in redneck horror, which is a plus, I guess? On the other hand, Lovecraft getting into an adventure during one of his bus travels seems such an obvious idea for a story, I'm surprised it doesn't get used often.

Trolley 1852 by Edward Lee: I liked this one less than the previous one. It's more creative though, and closer to Lovecraft's kind of horror - which is not surprising, considering that the major part of the book is supposed to be "written" by him as a book within a book (while Pages was rather, ehhh, "historical fiction".)

Pulptime by Peter Cannon: New York period Lovecraft meets aged Sharlock Holmes. Hijinks predictably ensue. A cute calm story which is probably good for removing unpleasant aftertaste of Lee's books (that's how it worked for me, anyway.) What bugged me was that the plot felt too thin for a mystery, and the author seemingly treated the anti-immigrant sentiment of The Horror at Red Hook too uncritically. Lovecraft's characterization was okay, Cannon is better at it than most, but in this book it relied on quoting too much.

The Lovecraft Chronicles by Peter Cannon: Definitely a better book than Pulptime, and the best exploration of the question "What if Lovecraft lived longer?" so far. May get too farcical at places, but I think Cannon finds a good balance between crackfic and seriousness.

The Night Ocean by Paul La Farge: A Very Intellectual postmodernist book which is also a kinda shitposty Lovecraft/Barlow slashfic. Absolutely not worth the hype it had been met with in some mainstream big journals. As far as Lovecraft's characterization goes, I'd say the author tried, however, it's still weirdly superficial and subtly mean-spirited. The treatment of Barlow is even more dissappointing - he was meant to be the center of the book, but the author seems strangely dismissive of his literary and scholarly work and desinterested in his personality. Besides, the majority of the book is not even about them, but about the dull original characters and endless cameos of other historical characters.

Night Gaunts by Brett Rutherford: The play is written by a fan from the zine fandom, and it shows: both in solid characterizations and in bad poetry. I liked this one.

The Lamp of Alhazred by August Derleth: A sentimental story about Lovecraft's legacy. One of the better Lovecraftian works by Derleth, and certainly the one with most feeling.

Balsamo's Mirror by L. Sprague de Camp: Good old "but you probably wouldn't be priviledged in your favorite historical period, gotcha". I've seen better works that poked fun at Lovecraft.

When Death Wakes Me Up to Myself by John Shirley: I was so impressed with this one that I've already reviewed it. What I like the most about it is that it's catches the cosmic wonder aspect of Lovecraft's personality, which was just as important for his life and work as cosmic horror, yet gets written about so less often.

HPL by Gahan Wilson: A story by Gahan Wilson about Lovecraft being a brain in a jar could have been more entertaining.

The Lurker in the Shadows by Nathan Carson: It starts as a very indulgent story about correspondence between the elderly Lovecraft and Stephen King in the 1970s, and then takes an unexpected turn into dark comedy about body switching. Simultaneously one of the least racist portrayals of Lovecraft and one of the most villainous ones, though I'm afraid the author didn't think it through. On the other hand, it's not often that you read about Lovecraft marrying Beyonce.

Lovecraft in Heaven by Grant Morrison: Bad trip.

Night-Gaunts by Joyce Carol Oates: An examination of Lovecraft's life, or, rather, an alternative Lovecraft. Unfortunately, it's one of these tiring takes that talk about how Unhappy, Troubled and Neurotic Lovecraft was, and how Gothic and Gloomy his life was. As far as Oates stories go, this one is far from her best, very slow-going and hard to follow at times. More could have been done with the possibility of Lovecraft's father living longer than he did, though I agree he would probably leave less favorable impression on Lovecraft in such case.

The Premature Death of H.P. Lovecraft, Oldest Man in New England by Thomas Ligotti: Seems to be an another take on body hopping, but subtly so? Very short. Well-written, but I'd expect more from a Ligotti story about Lovecraft.

The Exiles by Ray Bradbury: Lovecraft appears in one version of the story, sitting near the fireplace and eating ice cream. Everyone in this story is benevolently caricatured, so I'm fine with it.

Letters from an Old Gent by W.H. Pugmire: The style reads nothing like Lovecraft (but I think it wasn't really the intention, anyway) yet it still works, somehow. Pugmire's case is similar to Lee's, that is, their fondness for Lovecraft is such that it actually improves the quality of their writing. His emotional intellect also appears to be more developed than in most other Lovecraftian writers.

Lovecraft by Hans Rodionoff and Enrique Breccia: A mix of Lovecraft's biography (in the out of date interpretation) and the usual "but what if what he wrote was real???" I heard there were plans to make a Hollywood adaptation of it, and it certainly felt like one at times. The art was great, but the story was way too visceral and hysterical for either Lovecraft's biography or Lovecraftian horror.

Providence by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows: Well-researched and well-thought out. Moore definitely cleaned out his Lovecraft game after the dissappointing Neonomicon. The comic is more about Lovecraft's characters, Lovecraft himself appears only in one issue, but plays an important role in the entire story (well, duh). His characterization is satisfying both as realism and as metafiction, though the usual Moore bullshit is still present in small amounts. Not a huge fan of art, and Lovecraft gets black hair yet another time (and looks like in his forties at 1919).

The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft by Mac Carter: I don't remember this one well, but I remember that Lovecraft here doesn't have much in common with the real one neither in personality, nor in biography, nor in looks. Some things are done with the "underappreciated artist" part of his life, but without the context of his life, they don't amount to much.

H.P. Lovecraft: He who Wrote in the Darkness by Alex Nikolavitch and Gervasio-Aon-Lee: Well, this one is a straightforward biography of Lovecraft, or, rather, his life from 1925 on. As such, it was alright. I liked the way the artist used colors, and that some people from Lovecraft's life like Loveman got more attention than they usually do.

One Night with Lovecraft (Une nuit avec Lovecraft) by Philippe Marcele and Rodolphe: A fan from the future gets a chance to hang out with Lovecraft in the 1930s. Not bad, but had too much padding at times - do we really need shortened adaptations of some Lovecraft's (and one Poe's!) stories within such kind of comic? The artist was great at drawing urban landscapes, but much worse at drawing people.

R.H.B. by Andreas and Riviere: An old French comic about Barlow, his time with Lovecraft and later life. This one would have been better if the artist knew what Barlow looked like. His real appearence would go well with the artist's style.

Rough Riders: Ride or Die by Adam Glass: Lovecraft briefly joins the main team as someone who can see ghosts. I liked the main characters, who were also historical personalities, but Lovecraft himself was super bland. At least the art was decent (and he didn't look grotesque like he often does in the comics.)

Out of Mind: The Stories of HPL: This one is memorable, but mostly because of the actor's performance. The plot is a mess.

#lovecraft #h.p. lovecraft #lovecraft as a character #lovecraft in fiction #my reviews #review #robert howard #robert silverberg #harry harrison #edward lee #peter cannon #the night ocean by paul la farge #august derleth #sprague de camp #john shirley #joyce carol oates #thomas ligotti #wilum pugmire #alan moore #providence comic #out of mind

[an-angels-fury]

Since you're Brazilian, I'm curious and wanna ask if Halloween is a big thing there. How do you celebrate it? What/who are the most famous monsters/creatures in Brazilian folklore/mythology?

Hey anon 👋😄

First of all, I'm really sorry if I took too long to anwser it. I hope you don't mind it.

Second, that's the first time someone here on Tumblr asks me about my country's culture, so I really thank you for your curiousity.

So about Halloween, I'd say that YES, it's a day many of us celebrate here (I mean, it's not really a tradition that is taken seriously as much as it is in USA or other countries, but I guess it may be considered kind of a big deal here too, at least before Coronavirus). Here you still find children wearing all types of costumes, knocking at door to door asking for candies, places that organize thematic parties, TV specials with horror movies and all that kind of stuff.

Now, about our folkloric and mytological creatures, we definetely have many, but I talk a little about the most known ones.

Curupira: It's a creature originated from the Brazilian indigenous culture. He is the guardian of forests and punish the ones who come to hunt the animals or cut down the trees. He has a boyish appearence, red hair just like fire and both his foots are turned backwards.

Iara: it's a mermaid who lives in deeps of the Amazonas river. She's known for her beautiful appearence that blinds the men who get closer to her and a enchanting voice who hypnotizes and attracts them until she can drags them to the water and drowns them. Actually, this legend comes from the european folklore, but was brought and adapted to Brazil around the 19th century.

Mula sem Cabeça (in english -> Headless Mule): Most of the versions of this myth tell us that this creature is actually the ghost of a woman who was cursed for sleep with a priest. She was condemned to turn into a mule with dark fur, silver horsehoes in the hooves and a fire ball in the place of its head every Thrusday sunset and gallop widly through the fields until Friday dawn.

Boto Cor de Rosa (in english -> Pink Dolphin): The story is about a pink dolphin who lives in the Amazonas river and turns into a charming and beautiful man every full moon night, seduces women, impregnates them and comes back to the waters, disappearing.

Saci Pererê: the Saci is described as a black boy who wears a red hood, uses a smoking pipe and has only one leg. He lives in the woods and is known as a mischievous creature who loves to tricks the travelers and countryside residents.

Well that's it. I basically made a summary, so probably it's missing a lot of stuff, but I still tried my best. If there's some other brazilian people here who would like to correct me or add new information, feel free to reblog this post 😘

DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THOSE ARTS/DRAWINGS BELONGS TO ME, BUT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS!!!

#halloween #brazil #brazilian culture #mytology #folklore #brazilian mythology #brazilian folklore #answered asks

[leogichidaa]

15 Questions 15 People

Thanks for tagging me @anemicc-royalty and @allalrightagain :)

Are you named after anyone? My mother gave me the middle name her parents gave her at birth. From the time she was a baby, her parents called her an amalgamation of her first name and a shortened version of her middle name, so she had it legally changed as a kid to what everyone called her anyway and no longer has a middle name. My middle name is her original middle name. I kept it after I legally changed my first name because otherwise I think I would be obligated to give it to my child and continue the cycle. Also, I am fond of it.

When was the last time you cried? Probably Wednesday. I usually cry every day, but the last couple of days have been weird. I may have stopped feeling human emotions. Too early to tell.

Do you have kids? Not yet. Not in a place for them fiscally, emotionally, or temporally. I want to adopt.

Do you use sarcasm a lot? sometimes? A normal amount? Probably? My siblings are some of the snarkiest mother fuckers out there and I am comparatively sincere.

What’s the first thing you notice about people? I notice different things first about different people. I think hair is the thing that most often stands out to me first.

What’s your eye colour? Blue. When I wore contacts strangers would comment on how blue my eyes are. I'd be sitting in a meeting and someone would be like "oh sorry, I'm staring deeply into your eyes, haha, they're just so blue". The thin layer of refractive glass seems to deter this sort of intense eye contact.

Scary movies or happy ending? I do not enjoy being scared. I am scared all the time for free. Why would I spend time, energy, and money recreationally inducing one of the worst emotions there is? Hard pass. Happy ending wins by default.

Any special talents? When I'm high I feel certain that I can time travel. I can shove my entire fist in my mouth, but I'm not sure that's a talent per se. I have the best dreams.

Where were you born? Maryland, USA

What are your hobbies? writing, cross-stitching, obsessively daydreaming, climbing

Do you have any pets? Rex, my annoying slob of a cat. He's like my soul mate or something. Rosie belongs to SO, but spiritually she is also mine.

What sports do you play/have you played? I played basketball as a kid and I think I enjoyed it but my high school didn't have a team and I didn't care enough to play rec. I rock climb now, it is the best sport.

How tall are you? 5'10"

Favourite subject at school? I liked math until high school. We did geometry freshman year and I was like "no fucking thanks". I'm spatially challenged. English took the lead in high school and even after geometry was over, math never made up the ground.

Dream job? Clinical director of a rehabilitative residential program for juvenile offenders.

Tags (apologies if you've already been tagged, I got a quota to fill): @foratmysidewalkshope @casquecest @artemisia-black @ginnywasafriendofmine @green-and-grey-kenaz @ncoincidences @chocolatepot @bythehearts @coffeefrenchandhistory @broomsticks @narcissa-black-supermacy @padfootastic @limetimo @yletylyf @bluesundaycake

#tag game #personal

[nikoalasblog]

The social credit system

Everyone immediately conjures up images of China's system of forcing citizens to adhere to the laws of the state when they hear the term "social credit system." Yet many more nations, including those in Europe and the United States, already have social credit systems in place (Matthias 2019). According to Matthias (2019), if we think about it, insurance companies use data obtained from social media to determine your risk premium and how the bank determines your financial viability and, consequently, your interest rates. Other than that, if a host or driver reported you for "poor behaviour," Airbnb and Uber would disable your account without giving you the chance to appeal. These are but a few instances that demonstrate the existence of social credit systems not only in China but also in Europe and the USA. The fact that it is not interconnected is the only distinction from the impending Chinese version. Taking a taxi is still an option if Uber blocks you. You can try to get another insurance if the one you currently have has a high premium (Matthias 2019). But what happens if this changes?

Right now, your actions determine who you are. Every action you take online is immediately recorded by your browser, third parties, cookies, and practically all of the websites you frequently visit (Google, Facebook, etc.). The internet as a whole is a surveillance system. A profile of you is being generated based on the data you voluntarily provide. Up until now, targeted adverts have been the "sole" use of this profile. However, it might be applied to develop a so-called "social credit system." By simply installing an ad-blocker, it is currently simple to filter out the effects of this type of online surveillance (Matthias 2019).

This is exactly why China's Social Credit System is so scary. Their government surveillance has real-life consequences. For example, it might have an impact on career opportunities, travel opportunities, financial access, educational opportunities and contracting power. However, having a good credit score could make a variety of business operations considerably simpler (Donnelly 2022).

What is China's social credit system & how does it work?

China's Social Credit System, which is used to "rate" its population, is based on extensive government surveillance. It consists of the following: 

Extensive surveillance of the entire population

A social score obtained from these surveillance data

People's lives are defined by their social scores

The Chinese government tracks citizens in a variety of ways, allowing it to create a score for each person based on their behaviour. This score is influenced by a number of variables, including "have they paid their taxes," "did they run a red light," and "did they post critical comments about the government on social media." People may even be placed on the government's blacklist based on this score. As a result, individuals might be unable to purchase train tickets, enrol in college, or obtain a loan. As a result, how people can live their life is directly determined by the Chinese social credit system. People are forced to behave in accordance with the expectations of the government due to systemic pressure, and any form of opposition is put to rest. People are punished without a trial and have no way of appealing the decision, which is what makes the system so terrifying (Matthias 2019).

Is the Social Credit System considered good or bad?

In my opinion, although it may seem nice to have a country where everyone obeys the rules and do what is right, it also comes with a very big threat which is an invasion of privacy as governments have the power to know EVERYTHING about us. A social credit system will limit people's opportunities, define their lives, create unfairness, affect their conduct and self-censorship, and impair their freedom of speech. The majority of individuals will attempt to present themselves in the best light possible, constantly and everywhere, even in their private discussions, driven by constant surveillance (Matthias 2019).

This I find really sad because people can live in fear of having a bad credit score from the choices they make. Although it encourages good behaviour, it takes away their rights to privacy and takes away their freedom of choice & speech. They are unable to voice out and this can make people feel trapped, monitored and stalked 24/7.

This is the last post of my Tumblr blog! Thank you for the follows & likes. Hope everyone finishes the rest of their assignments and has a great semester break! <3

References:

Matthias 2019, Social credit system in china: why it is so scary, Tutanota, viewed 4 December 2022, <https://tutanota.com/blog/posts/social-credit-system/>.

Donnelly, D 2022, China social credit system explained – what is it & how does it work?, Horizons, viewed 4 December 2022, <https://nhglobalpartners.com/china-social-credit-system-explained/>.

#week 11 #mda20009