#great to see a native american lead great to see the number of native americans in the cast and the number of unique characters they played | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

strawb3rryqueer · 8 months

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Indigenous People's Day

"Fuck Columbus"

Great, so true, but how else are you going to show up for Indigenous people today? Columbus has been dead for hundreds of years. While it's perfectly acceptable, and encouraged, to shit talk Columbus, that shouldn't be the only course of action that you take today if you consider yourself to be an Indigenous ally.

Do the work. Learn about some of the current issues affecting Native communities, and then identify Indigenous leadership who are leading actions against those issues. But don't stop there because the work doesn't end at learning. Being an ally is an active process. I'm tired of "allies" simply reblogging some posts and calling it a day.

How are you unlearning colonial thinking? When is the last time you consumed Indigenous media? There are so many amazing films, tv series, and songs produced by and starring Indigenous people. Find them and consume them. Indigenous media matters. How are you demanding justice for Indigenous people? When is the last time you attended a protest relating to Indigenous issues? If you have the ability and means to, get out on the streets. We need numbers to keep the movement going. If you can't physically attend a protest, there are plenty of other ways to help! Designing flyers, infographics, etc. Sending educational emails to keep those in the movement updated. Recruiting. Scheduling events. Securing venue locations. Getting permits. When is the last time you purchased from an Indigenous-owned business? How many Indigenous people do you follow/interact with on social media? Social media provides an incredibly easy way to engage with Indigenous culture and people. How are you raising awareness for the Indigenous people in your everyday life? How are you learning to center Indigenous people? How are you supporting Indigenous sovereignty?

If you're based on the American continents, have you learned the name of the Indigenous peoples whose land you're on? Have you considered paying taxes to that group/tribe (yes, that's something that some states/counties will allow!)? When is the last time that you've been to a powwow? I can't even say how many times I've had non-Indigenous people (primarily White people) tell me that they thought they had to be specifically invited to a powwow by a Native person, or that powwows are closed practices. Please attend your local powwows! Most are open to the public and it's a great place to (respectfully) learn about and directly engage with and support Indigenous culture and people.

I don't want to see anyone (aside from Indigenous people) saying "Happy Indigenous People's Day" or "Fuck Columbus" without doing the necessary work to truly support those statements.

#indigenous peoples day #indigenous #fuck columbus #native american #indigenous rights #native american rights #columbus day

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omegalomania · 8 months

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i kept forgetting to do this, but i finally remembered we got permission to upload the full pieces done for the SEASONS ZINE! they're not quite as good without @deathchic's gorgeous prose accompanying them, but they were really exciting to put together.

full breakdowns of the symbolism and unobstructed views of each card can be found beneath the cut, fully transcribed. as a warning, they are LONG.

my category was "fall," which encompassed the folie and save rock and roll eras, including the welcome to the new administration mixtape and pax am days ep. seeing as i've a great deal of love for all four of those works and fall out boy has four members, i decided to highlight each work by creating a tarot-inspired card, each featuring a member of the band.

Welcome to the New Administration: Pete Wentz

Pete was the primary organizer behind the viral campaign for CitizensFOB, making him the ideal pick for this card. His card prominently features his bass guitar with the iconic Clandestine logo.

Repeating Number 4: 4 stars above the eagle's head, 4 markings across the cube at the center, 4 members of the band

The tri-colored drapes behind Pete were suspended behind the band on the mixtape cover. The curtains parting over a black background signifies the oncoming hiatus.

The cube-like geometric shape in front of the eagle represents the single promotional art done for "America's Suitehearts," which was one of the tracks demoed in the mixtape and one of the singles that connected most prominently with the themes of the mixtape.

The shield Pete carries and the eagle mounted behind him are both symbols that were used to promote the CitizensFOB viral campaign, featuring the catchphrase: "For Our Betterment, There Is More Mayhem."

Pete's apparel is what he was wearing for the Believers Never Die Part Deux tour, in which there was a lot of direct satirization of Wall Street and American politics. All the band members were wearing suits and looking visibly battered, and Pete had a nosebleed. Patrick also has a nosebleed on his own card; both Pete and Patrick's cards are pre-hiatus projects.

The symbols at the four corners of the card are indicative of the imagery surrounding the campaign. The pointing hand comes from the cover for the mixtape; the airplane is a reference to the "Mailbaick Vaintey and Pidetaerson Firm" videos and accounts that were used in the viral campaign; the wolf head is for the "Alpha Dog" demo, which made its debut on the CitizensFOB mixtape and namedropped "Welcome to the New Administration" title in its demo form; the boomerang is for the "Lake Effect Kid" demo, which also made its debut on the CitizensFOB mixtape.

"The Citizen" is an obvious reference to the "Citizens For Our Betterment" campaign name.

The card features 12 colors, all colorpicked from the Welcome to the New Administration mixtape cover. This represents the 12 artists who contributed the mixtape musically (not merely speaking roles): The Academy Is..., Butch Watcher, The Cab, Cobra Starship, Fall Out Boy, Four Year Strong, Gym Class Heroes, Hey Monday, The Hush Sound, Panic! At The Disco, A Rocket to the Moon, and Tyga.

The background elements are indicative of the state of the band prior to the hiatus: the leaves are in tatters and shreds. The sunflower is a native Chicago variant, Helianthus occidentalis, late-blooming sunflower that lasts well into early fall. Sunflowers obviously have a strong association with the sun, but they also stand for adoration, loyalty, good fortune, vitality, longevity, and prosperity. The bright yellow color also associates them with intelligence, happiness, and friendship. Van Gogh had a famous Sunflower series, leading to the obvious connection to Infinity on High, the album preceding the Folie era. This made it a good pick for the pre-hiatus cards, since it was loyalty and friendship that led to the hiatus and ultimately to the band's longevity and vitality. Both Folie à Deux and the Welcome to the New Administration mixtape had more yellow tones than their post-hiatus counterparts as well, thus the pick of a yellow flower.

Folie à Deux: Patrick Stump

Patrick has stated that Folie à Deux is the most "him" out of Fall Out Boy's discography, making him ideal for this card.

Repeating Number 4: 4 electric bursts from the microphone, 4-sided symbol mounted on the microphone, 4 ruffles on Dr. Benzedrine's front

The card features 13 colors to represent the 13 tracks on the album itself (excluding bonus tracks). All colors were colorpicked directly from the album cover.

The anchor is a reference to the lyrics of "27," with a crown symbol on it in reference to "Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet."

There are 9 stripes on the upper side of the background, as a reference to "West Coast Smoker" - the suicidal cats have 9 lives.

The microphone represents Patrick's role as vocalist. It is also a reference to "(Coffee's for Closers)," as the microphone stand is electrified.

Patrick's right half is modeled after his costume in the "America's Suitehearts" video, "Dr. Benzedrine." He has a nosebleed in reference to the lyrics of the song that is his namesake, "20 Dollar Nose Bleed." Both he and Pete represent pre-hiatus projects, and both have bleeding noses.

Patrick's left half is modeled after his costume in the "What A Catch, Donnie" video. He has 20 stripes on his shirt - half black and half white, keeping with themes of duality. The 20 total stripes also references "20 Dollar Nose Bleed."

The background on the bottom half is shattered into 15 visible fragments, indicating the 15 tracks of the full album (when including bonus tracks such as "Pavlove" and "Lullabye"). There are also 27 fragments scattered between the two halves of Patrick, representing "27" and the 27 club.

The symbols at the four corners have dual meanings, in keeping with the theme of duality. The bee is both a lyrical reference to "Lullabye" and a nod to the intro of "Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes"; the storm cloud is both a nod to the lyrics of "She's My Winona" and a reference to the "Mr. Sandman" character in the "America's Suitehearts" video; the horseshoe crab is both a reference to the lyrics on "The (Shipped) Gold Standard" and to the character of "H. Shoe Crab" in the "America's Suitehearts" video; the sunflower acknowledges the lyrics in "27" about shooting the sunshine into one's veins and nods to the flower on the hat of the "Donnie the Catcher" character in the "America's Suitehearts" video.

"The Mirror" references the theming of duality on the album, as well as the fact that the vinyl required a mirror for one to read the tracklisting since the text was printed backwards.

The card features heavy themes of duality to suit the theme of a "madness shared by two." The image is bisected in several respects: Patrick is fractured in two, both halves wearing different costumes and expressions; the shadow in the center is split down the middle; the broken heart in the upper half is also two faces; the image is divided both horizontally and vertically; and a dichotomy of fire (the electrified microphone stand) and water (the anchor).

Save Rock and Roll: Joe Trohman

Joe took a much more active writing role post-hiatus and on this album in particular, making him a good pick to represent Save Rock and Roll.

Repeating Number 4: 4 symbols, 4-pointed symbol holding up the others

The card features 11 colors, representing 11 tracks on the album. All colors were color-picked directly from the album cover, with an emphasis on reds, to suit the "red palette" imagery surrounding the album.

This card is saturated with imagery from the 11-part video series the band released in conjunction with the album, "The Youngblood Chronicles." Joe is wearing the costume he had for the majority of the video series prior to his death.

The card features heavy fire imagery due to this being a motif on the album and on the associated video series, with smoke rising up in the background. This is indicative of the band "rising from the ashes" post-hiatus, and also symbolizes the resurrection of Joe's character at the end of "The Youngblood Chronicles."

The guitar-axe weapon is from the "Death Valley" video and would have been his weapon if he weren't dead at this point in time. The card prominently features Joe's guitar, albeit turned into a weapon, as befitting the theming.

The four symbols mounted behind Joe are also from "The Youngblood Chronicles" - the symbol representing the "Silence the Noise" group; the symbol associated with the gang of child bikers; the symbol the Prince of Darkness tattoos on Joe's hand; and the crown-and-volcano symbol associated with the band post-hiatus. The symbol upon which these four icons are mounted is found on the floor in Heaven in the "Save Rock and Roll" video.

Joe is the only one who does not face the audience directly, and is turned in profile. Given the fictional nature of the narrative of "The Youngblood Chronicles," he has the most distance from the fourth wall.

The symbols at the four corners of the card also draw from imagery from "The Youngblood Chronicles." The disco ball is from the "Where Did the Party Go" video, in which Joe's character dies. The briefcase is a consistent object throughout the entire series, and serves to incite the entire narrative. Patrick's hook hand, also seen throughout, is significant due to Patrick's unwitting role as Joe's murderer. The snake, seen in "Young Volcanoes" and "Just One Yesterday," is representative of the group's collective trauma.

"The Defender" is a reference to the names of the characters of Fall Out Boy in "The Youngblood Chronicles," as they are referred to as "The Defenders of the Faith" in the longform video's opening credits. This title is in and of itself a reference to the title track on Save Rock and Roll.

Pax Am Days: Andy Hurley

The Pax Am Days EP is closest to the band's hardcore roots in terms of sonics and composition, and Andy is the most active in hardcore circles today, which makes him an ideal pick for this card.

Repeating 4: 4 holes in the American flag, 4 supports visible on the toms and bass drum, 4 tears on the left side of the wall

The card features 9 colors, all color-picked from the EP cover, per the 9 tracks on the EP (counting the bonus "New Dreams" Naked Rayguns cover).

There are also 9 tears on the right side of the wall, also befitting the 9 tracks on the EP.

The black-and-white checkered background represents the Pax Am studio where the EP was recorded and after which it was named.

Andy is the only one whose card features him looking directly at the audience, to signify the more intimate recording sessions behind the EP, in which studio chatter and laughter can be heard between every track. Being the drummer of the band, Andy's drumkit is naturally featured very prominently.

The crown-volcano symbol that's become synonymous with the band post-hiatus is (barely) visible mounted on Andy's bass drum. This is a similarity Andy's card shares with Joe's, as they both represent post-hiatus projects.

The American flag was also present in the studio for recording. The flag being torn and shredded on the card relates to tracks on the EP that discuss disillusionment with the American dream ("American Made"). It is also indicative of the eras preceding and following the Pax Am EP (Folie à Deux and the Welcome to the New Administration mixtape, and then American Beauty / American Psycho).

The four symbols at the corners of the card all represent lyrics present on the EP: the crown comes from "We Were Doomed from the Start (The King is Dead)"; the lion comes from "Demigods"; the black widow comes from "Hot to the Touch, Cold on the Inside"; the skull comes from "Love, Sex, Death."

"The Believer" is a reference to the final compilation prior to the band's four-year hiatus, "Believers Never Die." With the band returning seemingly from the dead, it seems that believers truly never die. This is paired with Andy reportedly being the only member of the band who always believed they would get back together, even if none of the others did.

The background elements for the post-hiatus cards feature leaves with much more reddish tones. The color red has a great deal of symbolic meanings, including high energy, vitality, strength, and prosperity. Additionally, the fallen leaves are rich and whole, to contrast the shredded-looking leaves in the background for the pre-hiatus cards. After the hiatus, the band's overall health and mentality was much healthier.

The flower in the background is a Madame Julia Correvon clematis, a wine-red Chicago variant of clematis that blooms in the summer and fall. Clematis flowers are associated with mental acuity, wisdom, travel, aspiration, and mischief. Red clematis in particular is associated with passion, energy, good luck, prosperity, security, physical vitality, and courage. This, along with the red color scheme, made it a good flower to represent the cards for the post-hiatus projects.

#fall out boy #fob #seasons zine #*mine #*art #ids in the alt text #i overthought so much of this symbolism lol #and the flowers arent 100% accurate to what theyre supposed to look like...#alas! it was fun regardless

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evita-shelby · 10 months

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Garden of Eden

Part iii

Cw: infidelity, mentions of sex, drama lots of fucking drama

Gif by @crackshipandcrap

Heaven Shelby is @call-sign-shark oc

(Prev)

(Next)

Gabriel has his distinctive features( and her coloring)and his premature birth is what moved his father’s heart to forgive her finally.

“I love you.” He had said without a hint of resentment or distrust. “Always have and always will.”

“We’re a match made in hell, Tom.” Eva had kissed him again as they enjoyed the quiet peace in her hospital room.

The witch doesn’t know who was more terrified, Eva who had never had a baby come earlier than the cards said or Tommy who had been about to tell her something before her back pain became a contraction.

As much as she is loath to admit it, this baby saved her marriage.

If it hadn’t been for him, Eva doesn’t know what would be of her knowing the wedding band on her finger won’t come off unless she’s dead.

But it’s easy to ignore the chains when you are happy, and she is happy with her children and her husband as her world tilts itself back into its right place in the months after Gabriel's birth.

Tommy ---unsurprisingly--- wins his election and had Eva cared about the feelings of the women he used like knives to hurt her; she would’ve been nicer to Jessie Eden who rounded up every communist to vote for him.

They are to celebrate this great achievement with a party they won’t forget.

Arthur and Heaven will be there.

And because she is coming, Tommy has decided he must stake his claim on his witch.

“Did you have to bite me?” Eva asks relieved to know no one will see it in the sexy number she’s gotten for the occasion.

“No one else but me is gonna be looking at you down there, Evie. If you’re a good girl for daddy, I’ll kiss it better when its over.” He said, burying his face in her stomach as they came down from that high she’d never trade for anything.

She had missed this, missed his neediness and unconditional trust and love.

As much as she had loved Heaven, she loved Tommy more.

Tommy was her soulmate; she couldn’t exist without him just as he couldn’t exist without her.

“Might lose a fork and return the favor during dinner.” She muttered and he agreed she should do it, mentioning with great fondness all those times he’d been handling business and she’d suck his prick like the good wife she is.

During one of the first campaign dinners, she’d snuck under the table and reminded him how good she was with her wicked mouth.

Eva had jokingly said she had gotten a sudden craving only he could satisfy and to this day she can’t look at white floor-length tablecloths without getting hot.

“I can lie and say we got a call from the American offices, that will give us all the time we need.” Her husband said as this pregame ritual ended.

They never got to do that.

Despite the awkwardness of two ex-lovers seeing each other and their husbands feeling the pinpricks of jealousy and other insecurities, the party is going fine.

Something is going make it all go to hell and Eva can’t relax because it has this feeling telling her it will be an unforgettable affair.

“You feel it too?” the French witch asks in her native language so only they ---and Thomas--- know what’s going on.

The last time she had a bad feeling this strong, she was shot by an Italian hired by Section D.

But everything is going great, too great. Like the calm before the storm.

In her anxiety, Eva bumps into someone and gets wine spilled all over her dress. Maybe it was that the witch thinks as she went upstairs to change.

But then Frances quietly pulled her aside saying a woman had come asking for her and her alone.

“Miss Stark is here.” Frances warns as she leads her to the kitchen and servant’s entrance and her wet dress forgotten.

This was the bad thing.

She knows it.

The witch knows exactly why Lizzie had the nerve to show up here after destroying their friendship by fucking her husband while their marriage was on the skids.

She knows what is waiting for her in the kitchen and yet Eva tells herself it might be something else.

And yet, Lizzie Stark stands there with a baby maybe a few weeks older than Gabe.

A little girl with a ruby red blanket with her name stitched on by Polly’s neat hand.

Eva hasn’t had a fainting spell in some years and suddenly it all came crashing down.

When she comes to, it takes Heaven and Ada to keep her from murdering Polly.

“You knew! You knew! You knew!” the witch seethed as the realization dawns on those gathered in the kitchens.

She had been brought upstairs, Lizzie taken to the cottage where the rest of the family stayed when they visited, and some lie is told to keep their guests none the wiser.

After her episode where she nearly throttled Polly, Polly who she trusted like an older sister, Polly who never kept a thing from her, she and tommy are left alone in their room.

“Evie, sweetheart.” He tries to calm her down, but she pushed him away feeling disgust at his touch. “I tried, but I---”

“But what, you knew you wouldn’t have a fucking leg to stand on when you made me beg for your love all those months.” The witch scoffed as she dried her tears and poured herself a glass of water and felt it shatter in her hands when her anger breaks it.

“I wanted to tell you, believe me, but I, I didn’t want to lose you.” He said justifying his fucking lies.

“She had a child, your child, Thomas!” Eva reminds him with a hiss.

In comparison to his fuck up, her fuck up looks minimal.

And it had been, Eva had not treated him differently, loved him just as she always did even when she escaped to Pebblebrock with Heaven for a weekend or two.

Lizzie had told him the day he called her to his office, and he’d told her it was over.

Lizzie had become his mistress because it hurt Eva. Lizzie had been amongst her first friends in Small Heath and that betrayal had hurt her enough to demand she never set foot in her house ever again.

Lizzie had held on to those feelings for him she had always had, and he used her weakness to hurt Eva.

Evie and I are going to give us another try; he had said looking at the coin that led him to his witch, we’re having another baby.

Tom, I’m pregnant, she had said in response.

Only Polly knew about Ruby and that picturesque cottage far away from Arrow, Warwickshire, Lizzie didn’t lack for anything.

She was free to live her own life and maybe one day Ruby would know her father and her half-siblings, or if her mother wanted to, have a better man to call father and not the fucker who only used her mother.

He had tried to tell her. He was going to that day Gabe was born, but he lost his nerve when he saw her look at him with the same adoration and love she had for him when Charlie and Diane had been born.

How could he ruin everything when they were finally happy again.

“I’m sorry, Evie.” He chokes on his words because he knows this is something she may not forgive.

Her affair didn’t result in a fucking child with his friend.

Her affair wasn’t the result of deliberate cruelty.

“If I wanted to leave, would you let me go?” she asks, and he stays silent.

The answer is no.

Tommy would never let her go, he’d rather kill her and himself than live a moment where Eva isn’t his nor he isn’t hers.

Even when he cheated on her to hurt her, his heart nor mind could ever entertain thoughts of letting her go and start anew with anyone else.

“We’re a match made in hell, love.” He said coming to sit beside her on their bed and cleaning up the mess he caused.

Whatever price she wanted him to pay, he’d pay it gladly.

One day she’d forgive him, just as he’d forgiven her.

#eva smith shelby #tommy shelby x oc #arthur shelby x ofc #heaven shelby #garden of eden fic

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kmp78 · 1 year

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“his lack of etiquette doesn't equate him not caring about his country…” You mean having good ethics, personal values and being free of prejudice and misogyny isn’t necessary to be a trustworthy and fair bipartisan leader and a role model for leaders of the rest of the world?. DT absolutely cares nothing about his country but what the country can do for his wallet and media ratings.

“I witnessed all the good he did….” What “good” did you see exactly? Please specify based on reality, not Trump sponsored news outlets.

…”the media lied about him cause there are dozens other things they accused him of that he didn't do.”AND DOZENS OF HORRENDOUS, ILLEGAL, FOUL or UNETHICAL THINGS HE DID DO!

“how he went against the deep state”WTF “deep state” are you referencing here ? He did nothing but make shit up and keep repeating it so ignorant fools, blatant gun-toting blowhard rednecks and the meek and unthinking followers would believe his baseless propaganda. His accusations have never been proven to be true and there was certainly no election conspiracy which has been proven over and over again. He has lied and stolen from his own country by devaluing his income and properties, cheating on and withholding his taxes. (proven fact for which he will face legal charges)

“and the big heads and exposed many many shady stuff. “ Like who would that be and specifically what “shady stuff “ did he uncover? The people he fired, and that was many, were people HE hired and surrounded himself with to do his bidding.

And of course, don’t even mention how many thousands of lives could have been saved if DT had acted swiftly and responsibly in the face of a world health crisis. Instead of causing the loss of thousands upon thousands of lives, “ Trump suppressed scientific data, delayed testing, (arrogantly) mocked and blocked mask-wearing, and convened mass (political) gatherings where social distancing was impossible. Despite the mounting threats of COVID-19 and global warming, he pulled the U.S. out of the World Health Organization and the Paris climate accord. He installed industry insiders in regulatory posts tasked with protecting Americans from environmental and occupational hazards; their regulatory rollbacks resulted in 22,000 excess deaths from such hazards in 2019 alone. He pushed through a $1.9 trillion tax cut for the wealthy, creating a budget hole that he then used to justify cutting food and housing assistance for the needy. He tried, but failed, to repeal the ACA, then bent every effort to undermine it, pushing up the number of uninsured Americans by 2.3 million.”- Source: Scientific American (An apolitical long-standing well known scientific journal based on facts not propaganda and political rhetoric).

And the man cannot put together a full sentence in his native language! Smfh; but he doesn’t even know to be embarrassed. Great “presidential” material.

So Trump loving Anon, if you really do aspire to be any sort of politician, learn to gather brilliant minds to fill in what you do not know and not yes you to death, not bumbling fools and assorted ill qualified relatives to cow tow to your manipulative strategies for personal gain. Vet your news sources and advisors throughly, check your facts, learn behavioral cues to spot liars and fakes, think before you speak and make sure you surround yourselves with those successfully experienced in leading and governing, not in failed business or reality TV.

Trump used the extremely strong retard gene among the Republicans and the rest is infamous history. 💯

The level of brainwashing was not far off from what went on in Germany 100 years ago - and as we saw during the Congress debacle, the end results might have easily led to a similar outcome. 👀

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kandovany · 3 months

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(Might be controversial, it's my thoughts on the environment and well-being of Michigan.)

I was born and raised in Michigan, and from our Great Lakes, to our endless forests, I know this place as home. And so do so many others. But it seems the ones who called it home first, even before the Native Americans, are being chased out.

Let's discuss the Wolf, Bear, Wolverine, Moose, Elk, Beaver, and Cougar population.

Wolves have been uncommon in Michigan after settlers moved them out around 1850. We've only seen a small rise in their populations as of recently, and that rise is located in the Upper Peninsula. Wolves aren't alone in this, as other animal species where chased out just for the convenience of a safer home.

As more people flock to this Great Lakes state, the work local groups have done to try to restore these animals' chances at survival is being wiped out quickly.

In 2016, when I traveled to our Upper Peninsula, the towns were barren, having about 500 citizens in the biggest ones, even during the height of vacation season. Some of these towns have increased to have thousands over the past few years. These growing increasing populations are leading to more demands. Up in Saint Ignes for example, where locals could see a wolf from their back yard, and having the feel of a town straight from Alaska with it's rural charm, is quickly being turned into a millionaire's playground.

The demands mean more of these untouched lands, forests these animals call home, ancient burial grounds, and naturally occuring springs and waterfalls are being turned into people's backyards. This hits me deeply. As I've seen in the past few years, the quality of these forests have greatly decreased. Logging has occured in many of them.

Many other rural areas, are getting treated like this too. Just because it's beautiful, don't make it your home. Nature belongs to the animals, and to everyone, especially the indigenous cultures who were here first.

Many of these indigenous cultures have made cities for themselves as the population grows, but as they abandon their old homelands, they abandon artifacts of their history. In the lower peninsula, you can find plenty of Native American burial grounds in fields.

Although I support farming as well, the Northern Peninsula was not meant for it geographically. The dirt is too rocky and rich in minerals. Therefore to grow there, you're just throwing in more money than you have to. And damaging the land far worse, same goes for housing.

There's reasons why it was barren, and I believe we shouldn't mess with that. Take the ghost town near pictured rocks for example. Everything was so perfect there, yet why did they leave? These people literally survived cold winters and harder struggles than we did and adapted to it, yet they were like "Fuck it I'm out". Doesn't that make you wonder what happened?

Many of these areas are state parks, but not enough. I want this land to be protected for generations to come. I want my children to be able to experience the beauty and pure splendor this state gives us, but I fear it'll be gone within the next few years. I want the people who were there first, and the animals, to get their land back.

The overall moose, beaver, cougar, elk, wolf, wolverine and bear population used to spread all over Michigan. The wolverine state used to actually have wolverines! But in the past 100 years, only one has been spotted. Cougars used to live all over too, it's estimated 50 live in the northern peninsula, but less than 10 in the southern peninsula. Moose and Elk used to inhabit here too, but now they're only found up North, if you're lucky.

Wolves aren't found in the southern peninsula, although evidence hints to their inhabitants at one point. Just like the wolves of Yellowstone, their numbers have dwindled.

Bears are getting more scarce as well, and now anytime anyone sees one, they automatically resort to calling the DNR, when actually this is their home too. We can't hate something just for existing.

Beavers are actually considered a nuisance to many citizens, although they are just trying to live.

All these problems though would sort each other out, with the others. The fear of moose trampling you, wouldn't be there if we had more wolves. Deer over eating crops, and farmers having to resort to traps, also wouldn't be there if we had more wolves. The bugs and pests could be eaten by bears, as they are omnivores. Cougars wouldn't be as scary, if they had natural food sources to feed off of. Frogs and fish populations could go up if we had more beavers. Lately we have had a decrease in frog populations as well, as I've noticed 4 species of once common frogs, have started to become increasingly less abundant. These frogs also help control pest, which could stop the outbreaks of disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Our Eagle population, Bobcat, and Lynx population is also down. Foxes, are slowly depleting too.

Nature works itself out in the end. Most of these animals all have critical and crucial roles with our environment. We don't have any right to chase them away or take away their homes. We are just guests in their backyard, yet we've colonized it like it was ours all along. And it's only going to get worse with the increasing populations.

Please I beg of you, fund national parks. Help in the community, and help convince people to protect the Upper Peninsula from rapid industrialization.

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ausetkmt · 4 months

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Fort Gadsden: The Negro Fort's history buried in the forest | floridarambler.com

I knew I was in trouble when the music blasting through the speakers of my SUV suddenly stopped. ‘No Service,’ something I should have expected from my phone given our location in the middle of nowhere, Florida’s Apalachicola National Forest. An endless array of cypress, oak, slash and longleaf pine line this lonely stretch of State Road 65 — until the police showed up.

The county sheriff’s car, heading in the opposite way from me, was the only other vehicle on the highway. In my rearview mirror, I saw the sheriff’s deputy slow down, turn around, speed up and then hit the lights. Fortunately, the deputy let me off with a warning and directions to the destination I was trying to reach. “Fort Gadsden’s in the next county, about 10 miles,” she said.

My tribulations didn’t end at the county line. I almost blew past the park sign but managed to turn down a dirt road that led to the entrance and seemed to run on forever. Two miles in, and my wife noticed the signs warning hunters to keep their weapons away from residences that we could not see from the road. Panic began to set in and a turn down a second dirt road didn’t ease the anxiety.

Finally, we reached the park entrance, but upon seeing the big ‘Closed’ sign on the shut gate, my wife decided she had had enough. “Let’s go,” she said in a way that shut down any debate.

History was made here

Welcome to perhaps one of Florida’s least accessible historic sites and definitely its most overlooked piece of Black History.

The Fort Gadsden State Historic Site is roughly six miles southwest of Sumatra, a tiny unincorporated community that is a more than an hour’s drive from Tallahassee but about half that distance from Apalachicola and the Gulf Coast. Still, the site’s remote location shouldn’t deter enthusiasts from a visit, much less diminish the site’s significance.

Following skirmishes between American and British forces in west Florida during the War of 1812, the British retreated to an outpost along the Apalachicola River at Prospect Bluff in 1814 and began fortifying it.

In an effort to man the new fort with volunteers, the British offered to purchase slaves from the Creeks and Seminoles living in the territory. The fort soon became a magnet for free Blacks, runaway slaves and Native Americans.

The following year the British abandoned the fort, leaving a heavily armed garrison to its Black inhabitants. Word continued to spread, and more runaways joined the Black and Native Americans already living in and around the fort.

By 1816, the Negro Fort had become an affliction upon a growing number of their southern White plantation owners who feared what an armed garrison of runaway slaves would mean to slavery. Although southerners implored the federal government to consider attacking the fort and ultimately taking the territory of Florida away from Spain, Washington was reluctant to stage an attack that might lead to war.

However, that didn’t stop then Major General Andrew Jackson from directing Brigadier General Edmund Gaines from launching an illegal assault against the outpost.

The deadliest cannonball in American history

The actual Battle of the Negro Fort was brief but brutal. The Black inhabitants had not been trained in the use of the cannon and other heavy munitions and were unable to defend the fort against the invading American forces and their Creek Indian allies.

All it took was one hot cannon shot from an American gunboat to land in the fort’s powder magazine to blow up the garrison and end the battle. About 270 inhabitants were killed and the rest were captured. It was the deadliest cannonball in American history, according to Dale Cox, author of The Fort at Prospect Bluff.

The demolished fort would later be rebuilt by Lieutenant James Gadsden and used as a southern outpost until a malaria outbreak forced Confederate troops to abandon the fort for good. In time, the Apalachicola forest overran the site, and its remains lost to neglect and the pages of history.

Your adventure starts here

What remains of the old Negro Fort/Fort Gadsden site today should appeal to both the history buff and the lover of the open road and the great outdoors.

Apalachicola National Forest offers a long list of recreational activities, including camping, canoeing, hiking, kayaking and swimming. At the Fort Gadsden Historic Site, visitors can take in the long-ago refuge amid the solitude of the surrounding forest.

The site contains historical markings, a picnic area and a hiking trail with interpretative kiosks that explains the story of the two forts. The trail leads visitors to the Apalachicola River and continues to the original fortress and the “Renegade Cemetery,” where many of the fort’s Black inhabitants who died in the battle’s explosion are buried.

From there, it’s less than a 40-minute drive to Apalachicola, a historic yet hip port town along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The community offers everything from nationally recognized restaurants to an array of festivals, historic walking tours and other outdoor activities. It’s the perfect culmination to an excited road trip to a remote piece of Florida history.

The site of the Negro Fort still represents a powerful symbol that once threatened America’s expanding slave society. Men, women and children died fighting to live free.

Unfortunately, the memorial to this bygone refuge is located in such a remote part of Florida that it doesn’t attract the number of visitors who’d appreciate its significance as a testament to an American ideal.

Working in the timeless and enduring medium of oil paints, Jackson Walker creates finely detailed paintings executed in a traditional realist style. Historical and military subjects are faithfully created not only as fine works of art but also as a telling and honest documentation of true events and notable personalities in the mystery and drama of Florida’s dynamic past.

From the early Spanish adventurers to the Florida we know today, the saga of Florida history has been told in many ways. This collection of paintings portrays the incidents and personalities within the 500 years of triumphs and tragedies that have become Florida history.

Buy Jackson Walker’s book: “Recovering Moments in Time: The Florida History Paintings of Jackson Walker”

#Fort Gadsden: The Negro Fort's history buried in the forest #florida #Negro Fort #fort gadsden

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dollycas · 4 months

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Spirit Woman Legends and Lies (Spirit Woman Mystery Adventures) by Elaine Faber #Spotlight / #Excerpt / #Giveaway - Great Escapes Book Tour

Spirit Woman Legends and Lies (Spirit Woman Mystery Adventures) by Elaine Faber 5 stars! Excitement stirs things up in a small California mountain town and leads to murder! I recommend SPIRIT WOMAN LEGEND AND LIES to cozy mystery readers who enjoy a touch of the paranormal in the stories. ~Guatemala Paula Loves to Read About Spirit Woman Legends and Lies Spirit Woman Legends and Lies (Spirit Woman Mystery Adventures) Cozy Mystery / Adventure 2nd in Series Setting - Sierra Mountain Foothills Elk Grove Publications (December 9, 2023) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1940781310 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-4294245132 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CPWJH4FC The legendary Native American Spirit Woman and her mountain lion companion, said to appear in times of trouble, are once again sighted near Lockleer Mountain. And there is trouble aplenty. Twenty-four hours after Joe and his brother, Cyrus, quarrel over the ownership of a winning million dollar lottery ticket, Cyrus’s mutilated body is found in the mountains, ravaged by the local wildlife. Sheriff Peabody and Deputy Nate Darling are soon puzzled by stolen VA hospital drugs found in Cyrus’s bedroom. It seems likely the suspected homicide is either connected to the contested lottery ticket or the drugs. Hearing of the crowds that inevitably follow such a disturbing event, Rosita Ramirez, a transient with two children, comes to Lockleer Mountain to sell homemade tamales. She is befriended by Nate’s fiancé, Lou Shoemaker, owner of the Pooper Scooper sewer disposal truck. Rosita parks her old motorhome at the First Baptist Church and Lou aids her in acquiring employment at the local diner. Soon, malicious gossip erupts about Rosita and the pastor. The church deacons are divided between ignoring unproven gossip, versus concern the gossip will divide the congregation and affect the future of the church. In addition to finding a killer, Sheriff Peabody and his deputies are now tasked with exposing the perpetrator of the gossip, or the pastor will be forced to leave. How can the Spirit Woman and her companions bring about a solution to the troubles that plague the rural community? Great Escapes Praise for Spirit Woman Legends and Lies (Spirit Woman Mystery Adventures) by Elaine Faber 5 stars! Excitement stirs things up in a small California mountain town and leads to murder! I recommend SPIRIT WOMAN LEGEND AND LIES to cozy mystery readers who enjoy a touch of the paranormal in the stories. ~Guatemala Paula Loves to Read Spirit Woman Legends and Lies (excerpt) Nate checked his watch “Eight o’clock! It’s almost time for the lottery drawing.” He pulled a ticket from his pocket and laid it on the table. “Did you buy a ticket this week? It’s over a million dollars again.” Lou shook her head. “I don’t play very often. It’s a waste of money.” “I always play the same numbers.” He reached for Lou’s hand. “Lately, I added your birthday, so wish me luck.” He turned to stare at the TV over the bar, waiting for the local channel to report the numbers. Several men laid their lottery tickets on the bar as Jake, the bartender, turned up the volume on the television. “Here we go!” Jake said. “Good luck!” The balls in the glass cage collided around the hopper and one dropped into the chute. The announcer picked it up and announced, “Two!” Hoots and hollers greeted the announcement. “Got it!” Joe Walling yelled. Cyrus walked across the tavern and joined his brother. Another ball dropped into the chute, “Seventeen!” Joe yelled again, “Got it! Come on. Come on.” His brother leaned closer to see the ticket. “Eleven!” Another whoop from Joe. His friends huddled around Joe to peer over his shoulder. So far his three numbers meant a five-dollar win. “Twenty-two!” “I…can’t believe…” Joe glanced at his ticket. “Twenty-two? I have it.” The crowd roared and then the room quieted as everyone held their breath. “Come on, eighty-seven!” Cyrus gripped Joe’s shoulder, Lou and Nate rose from the table, eager to see how this would end. The balls flew helter-skelter around the glass enclosure. Every pair of eyes in the pub gazed at the ball as it rolled down the chute. The crowd reacted with a collective gasp as the announcer picked it up. Time stood still. Had Joe picked four correct numbers, or had he won the jackpot of $1,200,000 with all five numbers? “Come on, eighty-seven!” Cyrus yelled. Nate squeezed Lou’s hand. She turned to smile at him as the announcer called the last number. “Eighty-seven.” Joe’s face paled. The guests froze in place for a moment, in complete silence. Cyrus pulled the ticket from Joe’s hand and glanced at it. “Let me see. Eighty-seven! We won! We won. We just won a million bucks!” About Elaine Faber Elaine Faber, an award-winning author, lives in Elk Grove, CA with her husband and feline companions. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (SIC),, Northern California Publishers and Authors (NCPA), and Elk Grove Writers Guild (EGWG). She has published ten cozy mystery novels, an anthology of cat stories, and multiple short stories in twenty-one independent anthologies. Author Links: Website www.mindcandymysteries.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/elaine.faber/posts Purchase Link Amazon Also written by Elaine Faber TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops. February 14 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – AUTHOR GUEST POST February 14 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW February 15 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT February 15 – Brooke Blogs – AUTHOR GUEST POST February 16 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT February 16 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW February 17 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT February 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT February 18 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT February 19 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT February 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT February 21 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT February 22 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT February 23 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT a Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

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999newstimes · 10 months

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What is PUBG Mobile and why is everyone talking about PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds?

Over the past few years, the world online has exploded into battle royale madness, with the launch of some really huge games. One of these is PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or PUBG to its friends.

That definitely was initially once unveiled as being a PC gameplay – then again seen as PlayerUnknown'utes Battlegrounds – even so the wireless variation on the gameplay seeing that streaked affordable that they are basically the nearly all used and even biggest selling functions by using wireless devices.

PUBG Mobile: The essential details

PlayerUnknown'utes Battlegrounds Portable gameplay are going to be posted in terms of Tencent Match and even can be obtained specifically for Android and even iOS (i.e., iPhone).

A game title developed phased roll-out because of the 19 February 2018 and even prolonged that they are basically the nearly all downloadable and even used functions on both Android and even iOS. Within Family 2020 PUBG Portable ended up being ceased by way of Native american indian, a great deal of contemplate using pressures about Asia and even taiwan and even India.

You'll find this valuable Android variation on Bing and even bing Play along with the iOS variation by using the Iphone App Store. That has always been innovative by using every thirty days explanation, by applying fresh new subject matter substance, roadmaps and even factors in order to purchase.

PUBG Mobile minimum requirements

PUBG Portable gameplay is commonly a persistent exercise, because of that you'lmost all of the amount of reliability link to these on-line planet to master – lead to generally with wireless ‘multi-level ‘ and likewise Wi-Fi – nonetheless the fewer this valuable ping this valuable better.

These kinds of manufacturing industry specialization skills specifically for Android are actually Android 5.1 and even significantly better and even at the very least 2GB involving RAM. The most up-to-date PUBG Low-cal variation seems to have run quite a while, nonetheless are going to be made noted about 29 Come july 1st 2021. Modern technology might spending more than comprehensive variation involving PUBG Mobile.

These kinds of iPhone variation needs iOS 9.0 and likewise just after, because of that an extensive pick of iPhone products here i am with iPhone 5s are actually recognized and even iPads here i am with iPad Tinier 2, along with iPod come near 6-gen.

A game title are going to be PEGI 16 and likewise Young child evaluation, by applying in-game talk that'utes unmoderated (but are in general flipped off) and even sustain special effects any time used – eventhough they can indeed be earth-friendly automatically, in place of red.

PUBG Mobile: The basics of gameplay

Showdown royale basically means all of the vs . all of the, to some extent for example These kinds of Nutrients needing Match the area a person start off fell apart and even on it's own and even should certainly scavenge and even gain firearms and even equipment. A game title are going to be in the end a quality concern that you simply a final gamer insert, by applying 100 game enthusiasts during your a strong 8 back option 8 km location – eventhough you could get smaller roadmaps and different gameplay modes.

There are actually a variety of fundamental proceedings involving perform: particular, combination and even squad, by applying rogues helping want you to golf club with the number of similar game enthusiasts for around golf club involving four. Every single totally different turns out to be completely different by using assorted positive aspects and even drawbacks, the main expert involving golf club perform other who've person's to allow for the whole family, reconstruct everyone and even bring a new component of co-operative notions for your game.

A game title varies according to everyone bounce into the feeling island. Having to do with shoring any trip must be to acquire all the tasks it is possible to that will help you thrive, because of the medical-related goods that you simply firearms, by applying a variety of firearms and even adjustments for your firearms

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roscoebarnes3 · 10 months

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Committee for Colored Troops marches on

Committee for Colored Troops memorial marches on

By Robert Pernell

I’m happy to announce the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee continues to move forward in its effort to erect a monument – a permanent memorial – that will honor the lives and contributions of the more than 8,000 U.S. Colored Troops who served at Fort McPherson, right here in Natchez. When we began this journey over two years ago, we announced that in addition to the memorial, we wanted to capture the interest of the community and assist anyone interested in tracing their roots to see if they are descendants of the Colored Troops. As I look back, I can see that our work has generated interest in Civil War history, African American history, as well as genealogy. Thanks to our local and regional press coverage, including our social media platforms, people from Natchez and places throughout the United States are now supporting our efforts. That said, I want to take a moment to provide an overview of what we’ve done so far. Our work includes the following: * Community input: We held two community meetings through which we received public input on the memorial. Through the second community meeting, which was held in 2022, we collected public input for the design of the memorial. We also asked for input and shared news reports through Facebook and other social media platforms. * A great location: The memorial will be located on The Natchez Bluff, at the corner of Madison and Broadway streets. * An excellent sculptor/designer: Rolling Forks native Thomas J. Warren of Warren Sculpture Studios Inc., in Rogue River, Oregon, is leading the design phase of the project. * A great design: The memorial will consist, among other things, of three bronze statues, nine to 10 feet tall, standing on a pedestal. These figures will include a U.S. Navy sailor who faces the Mississippi River, an infantryman, and a heavy artillery soldier. * A cost estimate: The approximate cost for the project is $1.9 million. One of the other things we’re excited about is the number of names that will be recognized. As we noted in press reports, the memorial will honor and bear the names of more than 8,000 African American men who served with six regiments at Fort McPherson in Natchez. The list of names will include those who served in the Navy who were born in Natchez. These names, which are based on the Muster Rolls of the USCT Regiments stationed at Fort McPherson, were provided by Dr. Frank Smith and the African American Civil War Museum, where he serves as founding director. I also want to comment on an important change we made earlier this year, and that’s the name of the project. Instead of calling it the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument, our committee chose the new name, The Natchez African American Civil War Memorial. This new name, we believe, is more inclusive. It also better reflects our mission. Today, we are making a push to raise funds. We need the community’s help to get this project across the finish line. For this reason, we’re seeking contributions by businesses, institutions, churches, and individuals. We’re also submitting grant applications. As I’ve said before, this is not a one-man show driven by ego; instead, it is a community project, something that will benefit the City of Natchez and our visitors for generations to come. Please join us and help us to make this important, historic dream a proud reality. For more information, please visit our website at natchezusctmonument.com. Please share this link with friends and family members. ----------------------- ROBERT PERNELL is the chairman of the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee.

#NatchezHistory #NatchezUSCT #NatchezColoredTroops #VisitNatchez #MississippiHistory #CivilWar #BlackHistory

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hakesbros · 1 year

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El Paso, Tx Actual Property & Homes For Sale Re

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As a leading home builder in El Paso specializing in revolutionary architectural design, Hakes Brothers creates residing areas with fashionable details, family-friendly options, and lasting attraction. El Paso, TX has eleven new home neighborhoods, with 152 floor plans to choose from with every having a number of exterior designs. New build homes in El Paso range in measurement from 1,482 to 13,864 sq/ft and costs stare at simply $190,950. If you need to transfer in quickly, you can think about a speculative home.

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xmystophalesx · 2 years

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Best New Heavy Metal Releases Week of August 26th, 2022

Wow! What an incredible week of new releases! This was hands down the best single week of newly released Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums of the entire year. The highlight “Best of the Week” section has 12 albums that should not be missed and that number could have easily been much higher. There are 22 albums in “Standout in their genre” section and there are more than a few that could have easily made it into the category above and probably will with other people’s opinions as they give them a listen. It’s not just quality as far as the week goes either. There are more than a few that will be high on the end-of-year lists when those come out in December and January. There were so many good albums I had to cut it off early for the week just so I could go back and digest some of these albums more thoroughly. Honestly, I am glad this does not happen every week. I don’t think I could handle it. This week seriously felt like trying to drink from a firehose. Be forewarned, this is going to be a lengthy post. It just couldn’t be helped this week. Well, let’s get to some of these highlights.

Sigh-Shiki (Black/Progressive)**

Sigh has been around since 1990 and even after 32 years, they are a VERY difficult band to accurately describe. I understand labels or genre designations shouldn’t matter but they have their uses. If you don’t like harsh or growl style vocals, you know to stay away from Death or Black Metal. Sigh is labeled as an Avante-Garde Black Metal band but what really is Avante-Garde where music is concerned? Personally, I really don’t know. To me Sigh is the musical equivalent of modern performance art. Sigh will not be for everyone and it may take some time to “get it” but when you do, you will see just how absolutely brilliant this album is. This is a band that gives exactly ZERO FUCKS about what others think their music should be or what it should encompass. They do whatever the hell that they like and if you dig it, that’s cool and if not, they don’t care. Well, I dig it and if you are open-minded, you may dig it as well.

Dynazty-Final Advent (Power/Heavy)**

How is this for a drastic difference? Going from talking about Sigh to talking about Dynazty is about as different as you can get. Where Sigh would take some effort if you aren’t already a fan, Dynazty is instantly likable. I kind of wrote this band off years ago as I didn’t like the band name (I know, about the lamest reason ever). I am sure I had heard a few of their early albums in crossing or on a random playlist and always found them serviceable, but nothing that really made an impact. That changed in 2016 when I heard Titanic Mass. I should have gone back one more as a friend recently mentioned I should check out Renatus from 2014 (yeah, that album is incredible). In any case, this band has simply gotten better and better and really deserves to be talked about in the upper echelons of the genre in the same company as Avantasia, Helloween and Blind Guardian. Yes, they are that good. Super catchy? Check. Great riffs? Check. Great Leads? Check. Great vocals? Check. Great album? Can’t say check emphatically enough.

Blackbraid-Blackbraid I (Atmospheric Black)**

Let’s make this a theme this week and do another 180-degree turn and head in the opposite direction once again. Blackbraid is a one man Black Metal project from the United States. I tried to get a bit of background while listening to this and found that Sgah’gahsowáh (The guy’s name for you uncultured swine. And no, I don’t know how to pronounce it either as I am uncultured as well) is a Native American and lives in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. This is important as the lyrical themes revolve around Native American mythology, paganism and nature. There is a strong Scandinavian Black Metal influence going throughout the music and the anger spewing forth in the vocals is palpable. Quite understandable when you consider what the indigenous people were put through. Hell, let’s be honest here, still are put through. This album is incredible from the very first listen and gets better and better with every subsequent listen. This will absolutely be on many end-of-year lists. If you are into this genre at all, you do not want to miss this one.

Revival Black-Under the Light (Heavy/Hard Rock)**

Talk about a tough act to follow in Blackbraid and the emotional weight of that album. Keeping with the theme and doing another 180-degree turn, we get to Revival Black and their Blues infused Hard Rock that has riffing and tone low enough to fall into the lighter category of the Heavy Metal genre. This is all out good time Rock n’ Roll music that would easily fit into any situation or gathering. Simply put, this is just incredibly well done Hard Rock music and sometimes that is all you want or need. Not everything needs to be making a statement. Sometimes having a good time can be its own statement and in this Revival Black has hit one out of the park.

Messticator-Forthcoming Revelation (Melodic Death/Thrash)**

Anyone that knows me knows that one of my absolutely favorite genres of Metal is Thrash. I am always on the lookout for new and outstanding albums in this genre, with varying degrees of success. This week, however, I came across a couple. Intent and Messticator made the highlight section but Amken, Total Maniac and Species were not far behind. Like I said in the beginning, this week was insane as far as the quality of the releases is concerned. This is almost a perfect 50/50 split of Thrash and Melodic Death Metal. Vocals are Melodic Death while the riffs and song structures are straight Thrash. Whatever the case, this album is simply damn good from start to finish and yet another banger of an album in this already overcrowded week.

Brymir-Voices in the Sky (Melodic Death/Symphonic/Power)**

I normally only write about 5 albums for the highlight section and try to keep those 5 brief. That just wasn’t possible this week. This album was pretty early on my “new release” playlist and I am not kidding when I say I came back to this album a solid half dozen times after listening to it initially. So I keep talking about how insane this week was, and this was one reason. I am currently writing this up at 11:15am on Monday knowing full well my self-imposed deadline is 12:00 for posting new content. This album isn’t just a standout highlight album for this week, this is a highlight of the year contender for me. Brymir has always been a Melodic Death Metal band that had elements of lighter moments. Be it the Symphonic elements or Folk elements here and there or even the moments of straight up Power Metal. This band has come a long way from when they were simply labeled an Ensiferum or Wintersun clone. I was a big fan of their 2019 album, “Wings of Fire” and was looking forward to this one. To be fair, the only thing that really gives this album the Melodic Death Metal genre tag is the harsh vocals. If we had clean vocals here, this would be an out and out Symphonic Power Metal album. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some Melodic Death Metal tempos and tremolo riffing throughout the album but they are certainly not the focus. This will be the complaint for people that do not care for this album, but I, for one, absolutely love this album. This is hands down the best and most complete album Brymir has created and it truly shows in their attention to detail. Everything sounds like it has a specific place and for a specific reason and only to make the songs better overall. Even if you dislike the harsh vocal style, give this album a shot. This album is absolutely incredible.

I will cut it off there on the longest post I have ever made. I apologize in advance but on a week with this many great album releases, it just can’t be helped. Don’t sleep on the one star “Standout in their genre” albums either. In other weeks, quite a few of those could have easily been in the highlight section and the only reason they are not is just by comparison to the ones that made it this week. Until next week, and as always,

BANG THY HEAD!!!

All worthy of a listen if you like the genre

*= standout in that genre

**=best of the week regardless of genre

Best of the Week

Brymir-Voices in the Sky (Melodic Death/Symphonic/Power)**

Flesh Sermon-Venomous Black Magick (Black/Death)**

Sigh-Shiki (Black/Progressive)**

Dynazty-Final Advent (Power/Heavy)**

Revival Black-Under the Light (Heavy/Hard Rock)**

Anthea-Tales Untold (Heavy/Power/Symphonic)**

Nightbearer-Ghosts of a Darkness to Come (Death)**

Intent-Exile (Thrash)**

Lacrimas Profundere-How To Shroud Yourself With Night (Gothic/Hard Rock)**

Blackbraid-Blackbraid I (Black)**

Messticator-Forthcoming Revelation (Melodic Death/Thrash)**

Death Scythe-Killing for Pleasure Forever (Melodic Death)**

Standouts in their Genre

Alburnum-Buitenlucht (Atmospheric Black/Folk)*

Muse-Will of the People (Hard Rock)*

Total Maniac-Total Maniac (Thrash/Speed)*

Maul-Seraphic Punishment (Death)*

Righteous Fool-Righteous Fool (Stoner/Hard Rock)*

Kris Barras Band-Death Valley Paradise (Hard Rock)*

Chaos Control-Call of the Abyss (Power/Speed)*

Unclarity-Beyond From Death, Your Time Is…. (Melodic Death/Heavy)*

Species-To Find Deliverance (Thrash)*

Amken-Passive Aggression (Thrash)*

Tad Morose-March of the Obsequious (Heavy Power/Progressive)*

Eaten by Sharks-Eradication (Technical Death)*

Becoming the Archetype-Children of the Great Extinction (Melodic Death/Deathcore)*

Align the Tide-Hollow (Melodic Death)*

Anchillys-Elan Vital (Technical Death)*

CB3-Exploration (Doom/Sludge)*

Consumption-Necrotic Lust (Death)*

Dreadnought-The Endless (Progressive, Black, Post)*

Endonomos-Endonomos (Doom/Death)*

Santa Cruz-The Return of the Kings (Hard Rock/Glam)*

Northmoon-Shadowlord-My Soft Vision in Blood (Black)*

Lugnet-Tales From the Great Beyond (Hard Rock)*

Worthy of a listen if you enjoy the genre

My Soliloquy-Fu3ion (Progressive/Power)

No Faith in Fortune-Dysthymia (Metalcore/Symphonic)

Begrime Exemious-Rotting in the Aftermath (Black/Death)

Blessed Hellride-Hellfire Club (Heavy)

Mental District-Back to Life (Heavy)

Grave Digger-Symbol of Eternity (Heavy Power)

Blood of Indigo-Dawn of the Shaded World (Extreme Symphonic)

Malamorte-Omen (Heavy)

Naked Soldier-Naked Soldier (Sludge/Hard Rock)

The Smoke Breaks-White Hot Electric Daddy (Hard Rock)

Wolf on Fire-Walk With Us (Hard Rock)

Pick of the Week was closer than it should have been this week but Brymir take it with 5 annoyed bulldog side eyes out of 5!

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burgasbg · 2 years

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Every improvement of general conditions

Every improvement of general conditions of national life has begun with an enthusiast and a conviction. The one man who grasped a truth has made the fire of his devotion a means to lead his comrades to see and adopt it. The missionary lost in the multitudes that fill the streets of Constantinople may be regarded as such an enthusiast. But he is no longer a lone voice crying in a wilderness. The idea of abandoning for Christ’s sake all self-seeking has found lodgment in many hearts. Many there are who are painfully striving to change the centre of gravity of their lives from self to the self-sacrificing Jesus of Nazareth.

These people will long need to be led on in Christian growth by the missionary, for heredity is not to be overcome save by slow and steady culture. But where the idea of devotion once becomes self-propagating through its adoption by others equally filled with its grandeur, a force as certain in its action as gravitation has become auxiliary to the missionary and will work after he is dead. If therefore the missionary work at this centre is not forgotten, but is kept up in full efficiency, we may be sure that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will again go thrilling through these lands whence, by the operation of the same rule, it once issued for its regenerating influence upon our western nations private ephesus tours.

Professor Henry Drummond once said of projects for the evangelization of the great empires of the far East: “ It is not to be done by casual sharp-shooters bringing down their men here and there, but by a carefully thought out attack upon central points—a patient siege, planned with all a military tactician’s knowledge.” The doctrine is not new. The earliest missionaries won the world by using the strategic value of cities of commanding influence. They began at Jerusalem, and they threw themselves into Antioch and Ephesus and Corinth and Athens and Rome.

The view which has been attempted of Constantinople and its problems has been incomplete if it has not shown that this principle applies to this city also. The dominating- quality of this city must be recognized and missionary operations there must be carried on with that careful foresight which alone commands results. There are 132 “Gospel churches” in Turkey.

There are missionaries with their schools and preaching places in almost every province in the empire. The influence of these is great and hopeful. Yet they are but skirmishers and sharp-shooters in their relation to the enterprise at Constantinople. For do what they may their influence is continually being combatted by the reports of those who have been to Constantinople and have seen that in the great city there is no pressing demand for men to live for Christ. So few are the messengers of the Gospel that many neither see them nor hear of them during a long sojourn in the capital. What they do hear and see is that the West believes in making money and drinking and carousing, and why should there be any care for the appeals of missionaries who dwell in country villages, far from the centre of power?

Christian influences in this city

Perhaps the home churches have half-forgotten the tremendous value of Christian influences in this city. One strong, fully equipped missionary there, may have an influence for Christ more wide-spread than that of five men of equal power whose voices never pass beyond the country town in which they live or at most the limits of the province in which they tour. For lack of funds the number of native evangelists connected with the mission of the American Board at Constantinople has steadily diminished.

The number of missionaries is also gradually diminishing, and as their number diminishes their age increases. There is now no ordained missionary of the American Board in Constantinople who is less than sixty years of age, and one only of these is devoted to the work which we would class with City Missions. Fancy the hopefulness of a man’s task who, at the age of well nigh threescore years and ten, should be given the work of overseeing and planning and furnishing much of the instruction of workers for the whole population of Manhattan Island besides preaching twice every Sunday!

#Every improvement of general conditions

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lovelybulgaria · 2 years

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