#local-hellcat

[tj-crochets]

Octopus friend here!!

(The one who thought the Frogs were octopi, changed my user since then soo whoop)

And eheh!! A question for you as the distraction post requests,

How come objects sometimes look like they have faces?

Hello frogtopus friend!! Why objects sometimes look like they have faces, as explained to a four year old: Our brains are like really really complex machines. They are doing all kinds of things in the background as we walk around and [list one or two things the kid likes doing or is currently doing]. Without thinking about it, you're breathing in and out, and blinking, and your body is turning your food into energy. How cool is that! So many things you don't have to tell your body to do, it just does them automatically. One of those things that humans are really really good at doing automatically is recognizing patterns, and one of the patterns we are best at recognizing is faces. I think it's because if we were out in the forest (or in whatever fantasy setting of a show/book the kid likes), and there were lions or tigers or monsters out to get us*, noticing them before they could pounce would help keep us safe. And there are lots of different kinds of animals, that are different colors and sizes and everything, but you know what they all have? Faces! Every animal we might see on land has a face, and most of the animals in the sea have faces too! Do you know any animals that don't have faces? (maybe talk about jellyfish and starfish and animals** like that). Nowadays, we spend less time worrying about lions and tigers and monsters, but that automatic face recognition is still in our brains, so we still notice faces. We're just more likely to see them on trees or stains on the ground or in the clouds. Why do you think we see faces on things? (talk for a while about their ideas) Let's see who can find the most faces in the house/yard/room! Ready, set, go! Let's find some faces! *unless you live somewhere where large carnivores hunting children is a legitimate concern, maybe do not tell toddler that the hypothetical lions are trying to kill or eat them. Depending on the kid, that could be fine, or it could give them nightmares and make them scared to go outside (not as dramatic, but I accidentally had the toddler I babysat super afraid of snakes for a few days and he wouldn't go in the part of his yard with tall grass. We did live somewhere with a lot of rattlesnakes, though, so it was important that he knew that there were dangerous snakes and what to watch out for so he wouldn't *run towards a snake* again)

**idk where the line is between "animal" and "not animal" or where jellyfish fall but I do not think that's a line a four year old is likely to know a lot about or care about

#ask away! #tj explains things to toddlers #snake mention #local-hellcat #long post #explaining to toddlers why objects sometimes look like they have faces #I don't know if that's really the reason we see faces? #I think it's like vaguely in the right direction of the answer #so I made sure to couch it as 'this is what I think' #and ask 'what do you think?' #I try not to lie to children #that said. the tolerance for sentences like 'if lions are trying to eat you' varies WILDLY between little kids #when I was a toddler I really really liked animals and the movie Jumanji #the idea of large carnivores eating me wouldn't have bothered me a bit I'd just have started talking about the food chain #(yes I know now it's called the food web I did not know that at age four) #but I have met several toddlers that are terrified at the idea of any animal out to get them #I've also had a toddler chased by a dog and utterly unafraid (both toddler and dog were fine I intervened) #so...err on the side of not implying they could get eaten by lions if you don't know the kid well #if you do know the kid well use your best judgment #the toddler I babysat was completely unafraid of any kind of animal (except temporarily snakes) #but was TERRIFIED for weeks after learning about the SCP foundation through youtube videos of a game #that was like...based on it? a version of it? #he was having nightmares and his parents had no idea what SCP was and I had to explain it while also only vaguely knowing

[log6]

Help an african/latina nonbinary transfemme achieve her dream

Ever since I was a little girl I've always wanted a 2 door coupé with a performance engine. Me and my brother both developed an appreciation for cars and this led me to be an excellent car handler and driver (and led him to 4 or 5 car accidents in as many years) but unfortunately to this day I don't have my own car to redline the RPMs on through the empty highways in the middle of the night and race against the local octane freaks... If all of my followers give me just 5 US dollars I could get an older model Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro or maybe even a Dodge Charger. If all my followers gave me 10 USD well maybe I could even get a slightly newer Jaguar F-TYPE or a Hellcat ... Please I can't live like this anymore I'll even sacrifice performance at this point but at least I need a Mazda Miata MX-5 for the fun ride and gas mileage...

Peace and love on earth... and on the roads as well. Please reblog 🙏🚘🏁

https://cash.app/$avisina

https://venmo.com/u/w432511

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1970 Dodge Challenger

The legend returns: Unveiling the powerful 1970 Dodge Challenger ‘Black Ghost’ with its iconic HEMI V8 engine

Posted on March 4, 2024

Emerging from its mysterious past as a street drag racer piloted by a police officer, the 1970 Dodge Challenger “Black Ghost” has now claimed the title of the most coveted classic Mopar.

Honoring its legacy, Dodge has introduced a contemporary tribute based on the 2023 Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebody. In addition to this homage, the enigmatic “Black Ghost” is gearing up for its moment in the spotlight at an upcoming auction.

Captivating audiences at Kissimmee 2023 in January, the “Black Ghost” was proudly displayed alongside its contemporary counterpart. For those eager to witness its numbers-matching 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8 come to life, YouTube’s “DtRockstar1” recently shared footage of the legendary vehicle making its grand appearance at a few classic car events.

Although the video doesn’t showcase drag racing or burnouts, the striking all-black 1970 Challenger, now road-worthy after years in storage, is a breathtaking sight. Remarkably, the car remains in near-original condition, save for a few upgrades like a rebuilt brake booster, new carbs, radiator, master cylinder, and tires.

But what truly sets the “Black Ghost” apart from other classic cars, and how did it earn its intriguing moniker?

The original owner, Godfrey Qualls, was a Detroit police officer by day and a secretive drag racer by night. Risking his career, he would make unexpected appearances at local gatherings, dominate quarter-mile races, and then mysteriously vanish.

While Godfrey’s Challenger wasn’t entirely stock during its racing heyday, he kept modifications minimal, opting for a muffler delete, an aftermarket coil, and slick rear tires on stock wheels.

The HEMI V8’s impressive 425-horsepower output was more than enough for him to claim countless victories before disappearing for good in 1975. By then, the “Black Ghost” had already secured its legendary status in Detroit.

The enigmatic Challenger driver’s true identity remained a secret for decades until Godfrey revealed his thrilling drag-racing tales to his son, Gregory. Inheriting the car when his father passed away, Gregory brought the “Black Ghost” to light in 2017, sharing the astounding story of officer Qualls and his legendary vehicle.

Beyond its captivating history, this Mopar is an exceptional rarity from the golden age of muscle cars. Of the nearly 77,000 Challengers sold in 1970, a mere 356 were equipped with the formidable 426-cubic-inch HEMI V8. Godfrey’s choice of a four-speed manual gearbox further refines the car’s status to one of just 136 produced.

But the exclusivity doesn’t end there. With the added SE package, it’s one of only 60 Challengers ordered with the bundle. Considering the color and other options, it’s possible that fewer than 10 such examples were ever made.

In summary, this Challenger is the epitome of rarity, boasting a captivating story worthy of a book. It stands as a highly collectible classic that could very well be more valuable than any other 1970 Challenger in existence.

#dodge challenger #hemi #car #cars #muscle car #american muscle #mopar #moparperformance #moparnation #moparworld #dodge #challenger

[sapphicbookclub]

Galactic Hellcats by Marie Vibbert

Ki is a petty thief. Her best friend wills her his solo-flyer—call it a space motorcycle: temperamental, fast as hell, and expensive to maintain. Any reasonable person would sell it to get off the street, but Ki isn’t reasonable.

Margot is a military vet at loose ends. She blows her entire back pay on a solo-flyer, a decision she instantly regrets but can’t bring herself to undo. Margot meets Ki and thinks she’s the sympathetic friend she needs when she feels most alone. Ki thinks Margot is an easy mark for food money. They’re both right, but lunch leads to a joy ride to planet Ratana, where Margot is arrested by border control.

Ki enlists Ratanese local Zuleikah, a bored rich girl who can think of no stupider, and therefore better, way to spend her time than busting someone out of jail. Together they rescue Margot, but find themselves trapped on a hostile planet on the cusp of civil war.

When Zuleikah convinces them that their best bet for escape is to kidnap—er, rescue—Prince Thane from his dreary role in the crumbling monarchy, it results in a chase across the desert and into the farthest reaches of the universe.

If they can learn to trust each other, and if the repo men, cops, and three different galactic governments don’t catch them, the Galactic Hellcats might just use their solo-fliers to carve a place for themselves among the stars.

Genres: science fiction, romance

Get the book from Blackwell's with free worldwide shipping here!

#sapphic books #lgbt books #wlw books #booklr #book recs #scifi

[sparrowsingsstories]

❣⁉ for the muse trust test, for Reed and any of yours?

❤❤❤ for Sparrow. Reed helped her out big time and of course, has a dog, and is up for teasing Sean. Plus, he's just a good guy.

❤❤❤ for Nona. She loves that he has a dog. Just 100/10 trust because of dog. I'd say she's not that naive, but she really is.

❤❤ for Mercy. She's really willing to get Reed a chance here. Sparrow obviously trusts him, and that little Hellcat doesn't trust easily. Point in Reed's favor. That'll go up the longer she knows him.

❤❤ for Frankie. Same reasoning.

❤❤❤ for Naomi. Goes without saying that Naomi knows Reed from the BOS. Reed's alright. Not a Lancer, but nobody is perfect. Helped out Sparrow - which puts them closer to perfect. Gives Sean a hard time - makes Reed 100% awesome.

And Finally: ☰ for Vic Hunt - owner of Hunt House, the local B&B and synth safehouse. Organizer always side-eye's the former BOS types until she really knows them. Just in case. Her charges are her focus and everybody else a source of suspicion. Even Sparrow's regard isn't going to be enough to win her over.

#ask game #Thank you!! #Sparrow Williams #Nona #Mercy Hamilton #Frankie Adams #Naomi #Vic Hunt #Fallout 4 ocs

[davidshawnsown]

Cuban Army 1st Guards Armored Division (Central Army)

Nicknamed the "Sanguily Rescue Division" - it was created in 1965 as a corps level formation of 3 armored and 2 infantry regiments and later became an armored division. Its oldest unit is the 2600th Armored Brigade - the former 26 July 1st Motorized Infantry Regiment that fought in the Bay of Pigs landing operation of 1961 - and was raised as an armored battalion equipped with Western systems in 1959. It is the armored fist of the Cuban Army today and is stationed as part of the Central Army.

IMU that brigade is restored to its original name as this division - one of a few designated Guards (Division Blindada de la Guardia) for its role in the Cuban supported operations in Africa and Grenada in the Cold War - is by now being reequipped shedding its old equipment for modern systems. For example its armored battalions are now equipped with Russian T-72s and T-62s as well as Chinese Type 15s and Iranian Tosans, as well as the Type 11 assault gun platform in two of the brigades. Infantry battalions are equipped with the BTR-70 and the Type 8 wheeled IFVs, the BMP-2 and VN11 tracked IFVs and the Type 90 APC. The 90th Mechanized Infantry operates both the BTR-70 and Tiuna in its motorized battalion. The historical companies under the depot regiment use majority of the early systems the division uses for historical and parade purposes as well as for educational tools given the division's role in Cuban military history. These include:

M4 Shermans

T17E1 Staghounds

Comets

M18 Hellcats

T-34

SU-100

T-54/55

T-62

BTR-50

BTR-152

BTR-60

BMP-1

BMP-122 SPG

It also has an armored cavalry regiment organized with Venezuelan assistance, which is patterned after the armored brigades and organized similarly but with a purpose of both armored recon and offensive operations in support of armor and infantry elements. Also IMU the placement of such regiments in divisional level by the FARC is to also ensure continuity of traditions of the Cuban "caballeria Mambisa" of the War of Independence and the Spanish American War.

Brigade artillery regiments are equipped with Chinese PLL-01 towed howitzers, the Type 7 SPG and the Fajr-3 MLRS from Iran. The cavalry regiment's artillery group is a mixed of tracked and wheeled self-propelled gun systems. DIVARTY on the other hand alongside all these uses M-46 howitzers, BM-21 Grads, Fajr-5s, CJ-10 and Soumar cruise missiles in the land attack role, and Hwasongpho-11b and Zelzar-3 TBMs.

Divisional air defense is organized into the brigade level regiments armed with Strela-10s and SPAGGs of the ZSU series and the BTR-60 organized into two battalions each and the divisional air defense regiment organized into groups of towed and self-propelled guns and missile systems armed with the following:

ZU-23, PG-99 and S-60 towed air defense guns

ZSU-57-2s, PGL-12 and T-57 Duplex SPAGGS

HQ-6, Strela-10, HQ-17, S-125 Dvina, FK-3 and Bavar-373 SAMs

This division is the only one with brigade level and divisional regiments of air defense in the Cuban Army as the rest of the divisions have air defense groups of battalion size in the brigade level with more assets either in regimental or brigade level under divisional command.

Local systems like the BTR-100 and the David and the Jupiter D-30 mobile wheeled SPG, as well as the Venezuelan Tiuna, are present to give an Latin American look to the division as well as to provide a showcase of the Cuban military industry.

The reason IMU there's a political affairs unit is because of the strong Soviet influence in the Cuban Army and to ensure control by the Communist Party over the armed forces. However, it maintains a more recent creation of a chaplaincy unit to ensure religious care among the mostly Christian service personnel of the division.

The division's CIMIC battalion and SAR elements of the engineer regiment provide aid to civil autorities capability during war and peacetime calamities, joined by elements of the division's Youth Labor Army battalion placed under its combat service support regiment.

IMU this and other divisions are reinforced in wartime by elements of the Territorial Troops, the Civil Defense of Cuba and the National Reserves, which would form a 2nd infantry brigade from elements of these organizations in the division's AOR.

@lukeexplorer

#orbat boys #fictional orbat #fantasy orbat

[dudrents]

Unleash the Beast: Hellcat Rental Near You in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beaches

Are you ready to experience the raw power and adrenaline rush of driving a Hellcat? Look no further! Buckle up and get ready to hit the streets of Miami-Dade, Broward, and the Palm Beaches in style with our exclusive Hellcat rental services.

Unmatched Power and Performance

The Hellcat is not your average rental car. With its supercharged V8 engine roaring under the hood, it's a force to be reckoned with on the road. Packing over 700 horsepower, this beast is capable of reaching blistering speeds and delivering an exhilarating driving experience like no other.

Stand Out from the Crowd

Whether you're cruising down Ocean Drive in Miami Beach or tearing up the highways of Fort Lauderdale, the Hellcat demands attention wherever it goes. Its sleek and aggressive design, coupled with its unmistakable engine growl, ensures that you'll turn heads everywhere you drive.

Unforgettable Driving Experience

Imagine yourself behind the wheel, gripping the leather-wrapped steering wheel as you unleash the full power of the Hellcat. The acceleration pins you to your seat, and the adrenaline pumps through your veins as you conquer the asphalt with ease. It's an experience that you'll never forget.

Explore Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beaches

With our Hellcat rental service, you're free to explore the vibrant streets of Miami-Dade, Broward, and the Palm Beaches at your own pace. Whether you want to soak up the sun on South Beach, indulge in world-class shopping in Bal Harbour, or cruise along the scenic A1A highway, the Hellcat is your ticket to unforgettable adventures. Just type hellcat rental near me and you will get a lot of options

Hassle-Free Rental Process

Renting a Hellcat with us is easy and hassle-free. Simply browse our selection of available vehicles, choose your desired rental period, and hit the road in style. Our friendly team is here to assist you every step of the way, ensuring that your rental experience is nothing short of exceptional.

Safety First

While the Hellcat may be a high-performance machine, safety is always our top priority. Rest assured that our vehicles are meticulously maintained and undergo rigorous inspections to ensure they meet the highest safety standards. Additionally, our experienced staff will provide you with all the necessary information and safety tips before you embark on your driving adventure.

Book Your Hellcat Rental Today!

Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the thrill of driving a Hellcat in Miami-Dade, Broward, and the Palm Beaches. Whether you're a local looking for an unforgettable weekend getaway or a visitor wanting to make the most of your time in South Florida, our Hellcat rental service is the perfect choice for automotive enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.

#hellcat rental near me #Scat pack rental near me #exotic car rental cars

[canonthedog]

Who are you. You are not my beloved Samuel "LocalVoidCat" Heathcliff. However, I am in a very social mood. Alastor "The King Of Hearts" Rosehearts, at your service.

Note: I will not actually be serving you. Sorry.

Hello there, pleased to make your acquaintance in this strange situation I've found myself in. Currently I am Samixander "Local Hellcat" Moss, however some names are prone to fluctuating.

You may also hear of me as Moss Kitsune at times. I assure you they are all the same.

No worry on the servitude, politeness will get you far and I recognize it as that.

#edit: unclear why it sent your big text as a part of the ask #thats really weird #moss responds

[night-gay]

Into the Anthill pt 12 - Punch First, Ask Questions Later

Hank Pym may be good at quitting but he’s terrible at keeping it that way. He returned to the Avengers again as Yellowjacket after a brief stint with the Defenders despite still suffering from the effects of the microbe when shrinking and psychosis when enlarging. Honestly, not a great blend. We start to see Hank really cut loose with violence here, often having to be restrained by his teammates. Everyone has a limit before they snap, but Hank’s was shrinking fast.

Luckily there was another scientific genius named Hank on the team looking out for him once Beast joined up.

🐜🐜🐜

Giant-Size Defenders vol 1 #4

Nighthawk was attacked in his civilian identity, nearly dying when his car exploded. While the Defenders assumed he was the target, Hank heard about it on the news and immediately knew the real target was the woman who had also been in the car, Egghead’s niece Trixie Starr. Because she helped Hank when he was trapped at ant size he swore to get vengeance for her as Yellowjacket. Hank assaulted Egghead in the street and got him to confess that he’d caused the explosion, hoping to disfigure Trixie as revenge for her siding against him. Back at the hospital, Nighthawk revealed his identity to Hank and sent him to save Doctor Strange, Valkyrie, and Hulk, who had pursued the wrong lead and attacked the Squadron Sinister.

Defenders vol 1 #23-25

The Sons of the Serpent burned down an apartment building because it’s residents were predominantly black, latino, and elderly people. They also hijacked the local television signals in an attempt to recruit more racists to their cause. Yellowjacket assisted the Defenders as they went after them, but he, Valkyrie, Doctor Strange, and Nighthawk were captured. Clea summoned Daredevil and Daimon Hellstrom to free the captured Defenders, but passed out before she could reach Luke Cage so they just called him on the phone instead. The Serpents planned to burn Valkyrie to death on an upside-down cross as a show of force, but they were stopped by the good citizens of New York who caught them by surprise and proceeded to beat the shit out of them while the Defenders attacked their base.

Avengers vol 1 #137-140

After Mantis and Swordsman were married, as well as Vision and the Scarlet Witch, the four of them left the Avengers for their respective honeymoons. Because Hawkeye was the only remaining active member, Moondragon was offered a trial membership. Iron Man called on all of the former members to rejoin but only Wasp and Yellowjacket accepted. To fill the remaining gaps, Hank suggested tryouts and Beast responded eagerly. The tryouts were interrupted by an attack from The Stranger, who injured Wasp badly enough to hospitalize her. When Beast was able to prove that this was actually Toad using machines to impersonate the Stranger, Hank lost his temper and pummeled him.

Hank finally realized that Jan’s chauffeur was Whirlwind after he tried to kill her again at the hospital. Enraged, he altered his size recklessly in pursuit of Whirlwind, although ultimately it was Beast who felled him as a token of their budding friendship. The strain of the fight caused Hank to collapse in front of the hospital and he continued to grow steadily with no signs of stopping. Beast was able to synthesize a cure for the microbe he’d been infected with by experimenting on Jan’s blood and Vision phased it directly into his heart to save him.

Avengers vol 1 #141, 146, 148, 150-153

After spending several issues in the hospital recovering, Hank and Jan got out in time for the Avengers to officially determine their lineup moving forward. Iron Man was named the leader when Thor opted for reserve membership. Captain America, Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Wasp voted to stay on active duty. Yellowjacket opted out, again hoping to pursue the life of a scientist rather than a superhero. Beast accepted, while Moondragon and Hellcat left with Thor for more training. With one spot remaining, Yellowjacket walked back in and changed his mind. Much as he would rather be a simple bio-chemist, he couldn’t bring himself to give up the life of a superhero either.

Tomb of Darkness vol 1 #22

This story showed Hank as a much younger man as the assistant to Albert Poole, a scientist who dreamed of becoming huge and taking over the world. Since he could not figure out the formula to change his size he instead had Hank help him build a giant robot suit named Grutan. Once the suit was finished Albert fired Hank and sent him away. Albert accidentally left the keys to operate the suit outside of it after sealing the hatch and wasn’t strong enough to free himself. It is implied that he died inside Grutan since only Hank knew his whereabouts.

Minor/Cameo appearances from this period:

Black Goliath vol 1 #1

Avengers Annual vol 1 #6

Avengers vol 1 #154-156

Super-Villain Team-Up vol 1 #9

Marvel Treasury Edition vol 1 #13

#hank pym #ant-control #into the anthill #marvel comics

[tj-crochets]

🍉 Are you a planner, or are you more of a "eh, we'll see how this one goes" -type of crafter?

🎨 What is the one craft you think looks amazing, but could never do yourself or can't get the hang of?

-Frogtopus Friend

Frogtopus friend!! :D (and the anon who also asked the planner question, who I am answering here instead) I am kind of both a planner and not a planner? In that I write down the instructions for everything I make so that I can make it again if I want to and save all my patterns I write*, keep the math in mind when designing patterns (the angles pattern pieces have to come together at to make the shape I want, how to distribute increases evenly or unevenly across the stitchcount to get the effect I want, stuff like that), and tend to lay out fabrics to try different color combos before I cut any pattern pieces, I am very much a planner. My ability to plan ahead what I'm going to work on next is like zero, though lol it's pretty much whatever I feel like working on next The craft I think looks amazing but can't do myself: blacksmithing. Well. Any kind of smithing, really. And like working with metal in general? I've made chain mail jewelry, but the things people can make with metal are so cool!!! I unfortunately can't stand for long and wilt like a dramatic flower in the heat, so it's a hobby I will never have** lol *with the exception of Stethoscope the Octopus, who was an experiment in freehand crochet

**mostly because of the heat intolerance. I'm aware I could maybe find accommodations of some kind, but I also have a pretty strong aversion to any kind of hobby involving fire, so it's not worth it to me. Still think it's cool though!!

#ask away! #crafter ask game #local-hellcat #thanks for asking! to both you and the anon #also I love that you have become the frogtopus friend lol #I'm kind of using smithing for a catchall kind of term for metalwork in general #like welding? or wire wrapped jewelry #does that use soldering? #idk that's another tool I have a strong aversion too #partially because my dad was a firefighter (he's still around just not a firefighter anymore) #partially because I grew up in socal and there were a LOT of fires #and partially because I have a variety of medical issues I collectively refer to as 'might pass out disease' #and passing out with a welding torch/soldering iron in my hand or at a forge seems like worst-case scenario

[poohnotpiku]

Pooh & Dad

Today let me introduce my Dad, the primary reason why people link me to Piku!

Dad is not old like Amit ji’s character in Piku, but his body is like that of a 70-years old with many ailments. Life has not been fair to him or, may be, he has not been fair to life…we will not go there…Coming back to Dad’s age, he is just 3 years senior to Mr. Salman Khan (the first official hunk of Bollywood) :D

I would not want to bore you guys with Dad’s medical history but will point out his two major health-problems around which his life revolves.

First comes his ‘Bowel Movement’ (yeahhhh…go ahead….link this to Piku!). I am not sure what’s with these aged men and their bowels! (Inner Pooh : “At least, it’s the most important thing for Dad!”)

His second issue (which he is not aware of) is his Bipolar Disorder. Depending on where his mind is on the Bipolar scale, I am his ‘Gulab Jamun’ one day and a ‘Hellcat’ on other days!! I can accept Hellcat but which girl (Inner Pooh : “You mean old lady!”) would like to be compared to a GULAB JAMUN??? If it was a perfect Haldiram’s gulab jamun, made with pure ghee, dipped in saffron infused syrup, with a silver coating and a topping of pista, it would still have been great! But I am more comparable to those poor gulab jamuns in a dingy sweet-shop with sad-looking faces and no ghee or silver coating (forget pista!!). Now you see? We want to be Candies of the World and not damn Gulab Jamuns (Dear God…another item to be addressed in my next-life!!!)

Life with Dad is a mixture of laughter, tears, and anger. It’s a real roller-coaster ride! Let me share few funny anecdotes from Pooh&Dad archives.

Scene#1 :

I am in a deep sleep, floating away in the void of outer-space…. suddenly there is a bright light…(Inner Pooh – “Has the Sun blasted???”)….I wake-up with a start…my eyes flew open….I am back on my bed…..and as I see upwards, I see Dad staring down at me….Inner Pooh shriekkssss….

Me : “What is it Dadda? Why have you switched on the lights? It’s 4am!!!”

Dad : “Are you sleeping?”

Inner Pooh : “Yeah we are sleeping and now we are sleep-talking with you!!!!”

Me : “I WAS sleeping, now I am awake…What happened?”

Dad : “It’s ok, if you are sleeping we can talk in the morning…”

Inner Pooh : “grrrrrrrrrr…..”

Me : “Abhi I am awake…bolo na…what is it?”

Dad : “I was thinking when I will get well, you book me a 3-tier Railway ticket to Amritsar…I will go own my own…I need to visit Amritsar again…”

Inner Pooh : “Yesss…we too NEED to go to Paris….so we will first drop you off at Amritsar and then fly away…”

Me : “Ohk…we will discuss this later…first get well and stabilize your body….now let me sleep…”

Dad : ……

Inner Pooh : --------

Me : …….

Dad : ….

Inner Pooh : ????

Me : “Dad please switch off the lights now!!”

Dad (while switching off the light) : “Accha(btw), I did not had my bowels since two days, you are not giving me my Dulcoflex (laxative) tablets??”

Inner Pooh : “Not Again, Old Man!!!!”

Me : “Wait till tomorrow, if the issue persists, I will give you an extra dose!”

Lights off, Dad and his cane walk away…..Inner Pooh dozes off…..But Me?? I am left wide-awake, praying for my dearie sleep to return!!!!

Scene#2 :

Dad is a very bigggggg fan of Amit ji (Mr. Amitabh Bacchan). In fact he has literally asked me to find out Amit ji’s mobile number so that he can talk to him directly…(Inner Pooh : “Yeahhh, why not?He has his number published in wikipedia!!!”).

One day Dad was looking at Amit ji’s pic in the newspaper and calls me over and says : ”You have no idea what a big superstar he is….he is the DON!!”

I left the room, rolling my eyes (what else to say)….

But this gave me an idea to gift him a framed pic of Amit ji. I searched online, could not find any option….and then I went to our local photographer’s (who will be referred to as Bhaiya henceforth) shop….and….

Me : “Bhaiya, show me some photo-frames….”

Bhaiya : “Madam ji…look at this one….this is beautiful….” (he shows me 2 heart-shaped frames joined in the middle with lovey-dovey symbols all over)

Inner Pooh : “Ewwww…..”

Me : “Not this one bhaiya…show me a ‘simple’ one….”

He excavates an old box, from inside the box he takes out one dual frame piece…old but simple design…I had to take that one. Those where pandemic days…..I was lucky to even find this guy’s shop open…

Me : “Do you have internet? Please search for Amitabh Bacchan and Dharmendra (Dharam ji is dad’s another favorite) and let’s download one good-looking picture of each… you then print them out and put them in this frame…”

Bhaiya looks at me as if I have gone mad!!!

Bhaiya : “For whom are you getting this?”

Inner Pooh : “Should we tell him it’s for Dad? He will think we all are insane!!!”

Me : “It’s for an old uncle…he has his 80th birthday coming up…so just want to give him something which he will cherish…”

Bhaiya looks satisfied with the explanation and I leave the shop with a sighhhhh…..

The frame, with Amit ji’s and Dharam ji’s pic is still lying on Dad's bedside table….And every time I see the frame, I just can’t help smiling….

Scenario#3 :

I am in a meeting with my screen shared and presenting to my seniors in another part of the globe…..suddenly in my corner-vision I feel some disturbance….I look up from the screen and find Dad standing there, with his cane in one hand and beckoning me by doing gestures with his other hand…I do my random hand symbols to explain to him that I am in a meeting….but no use….he starts speaking in his loud voice…I excuse myself from the meeting, go on mute (Inner Pooh : “Thank God!! Else it would have been a live Indian drama for our foreigner colleagues…”)

Me : “I am in a meeting….What do you need?”

Dad : “I need 2minutes of your busy schedule….” (He stresses on the word busy)

Me : “Ohk…What is it?”

Dad : “You think you are the Lord of this house…you will control everyone….but I am telling you…you cannot control me…I will do whatever I want to do…you will not stop me…I do not need you or anyone…”

Inner Pooh : “Ooppsss…He has started again…moving towards other end of his Bipolar scale….note to call the psychiatrist…”

Me : “Okies…do whatever you want to do….now will you let me continue my meeting?’

Dad : …..

Inner Pooh : ……

Me : ……

Dad : “Ok….When you have time….play Anil Kapoor’s Laadla movie on my TV… “ (Mr. Anil Kapoor is Dad’s latest ‘crush’ :D )

Me : “Okkkk”

After completing my meeting, I go to his room and take the remote control and start surfing for ‘Laadla’ movie (Dad’s somehow not comfortable with any technological advancements….)

Dad : “Next time DeeDee comes, I will ask her to teach me how to operate this YouTube thing…”

Inner Pooh : “He has no expectations from you…LOL”

Me : “Where is the damn alphabet L…oh it’s here….now where is A?...”

Inner Pooh : “How I hate searching for anything on this television…such maze-like keyboards and you need to click each damn button one by one!!! If only you could handle advance technology, it would save so much of my precious time....”

Dad : “This Anil Kapoor Guy is also too good….there is no one like Amitabh….but Anil Kapoor is also a great actor….”

Me (still struggling with the on-screen keyboard): “Where are you hiding damn ‘D’….ahh…found you!!!”

Inner Pooh desperately looking at the recommendations panel of YouTube to show me ‘Laadla movie’ and stop me from typing anymore!!!

YouTube AI rocksss….we found the movie in the suggestions panel….set it to play….Mission Accomplished!!

Dad : “If you have sometime in your busy schedule…sit and watch this movie…”

Inner Pooh rolling her eyes!!!

Me : …..

And there are many more such anecdotes…..may be, I will share them some other day…

So, now what do you feel? Am I a Piku? Let us give you all some time to analyze this :D

Until then, ciao!!

P.S.: Do I need to say it again??? Please refer to the P.S. of my first blog..!!!!

#just for fun #just for shits and giggles #indianstories #humour #going crazy #womanhood #stupid i know #poohnotpiku #crazydaughtercrazyfather

[waveridden]

4 9 13 and 18!

4. did you discover any new authors you love this year?

chen chen, oh my god, i love his poetry. i cannot wait for my hold on his new collection to come through

9. did you get into any new genres?

poetry! i have never really read poetry for fun until this year

13. what were your least favorite books of the year?

i answered my bottom five and my dnf list but i will provide five more:

patsy walker aka hellcat. i kind of just thought it was... boring? and not super well written. it feels like the author read unbeatable squirrel girl and went "i can do that!" and she could not do that

the night tiger. probably one of my biggest disappointments of the year. this is not just because of the incest but the incest certainly didn't help

a history of wild places. i would love to read what everyone else read because i thought it was disjointed and upsetting

the ex hex. not very well written and also just a little girlbossy for my taste

soft science had a couple of really good poems but most of it was just like. blah. and also i had really high expectations which probably did not help

18. how many books did you buy?

i consider this answer to be deeply embarrassing but it is 59. about 2/5 of those were via book of the month, and a LOT were from my local indie comic shop. once again my goal for next year is a hard firm zero

#waveridden.ask #leonstamatis #thank youuuuuuuuu

[courfeyracs-swordcane]

🌹

See? Him face! (blorbo is @local-hellcat’s)

[localvoidcat]

I wonder what the fuck was that anon on[The one saying about something something he/they with neo pronouns]

long story short theres another he/they/neos sam . with the url local-hellcat. this is far from the last he/they neos sam im going to run into.

[thetypedwriter]

Summer Sons Book Review

Summer Sons Book Review by Lee Mandelo 

I was so excited for this one. 

It checks off almost everything I love: dark academia, troubled boys, southern Gothic, queer romance, and a murder mystery. 

What’s not to love?

Turns out there’s plenty. At the same time though, there’s a plethora I do adore. 

Summer Sons is a book by author Lee Mandelo that centers around a boy named Andrew, a 23-year-old student at Vanderbilt that is trying to prove that his best friend Eddie’s suicide is a murder. 

Bracketed by mysteries and engulfed by grief, Andrew inherits a house, a roommate, an estate, and more money than he knows what to do with. 

No matter what the authorities, the cops, or others say, Andrew refuses to believe Eddie’s wounds are self-inflicted. 

Eddie wouldn’t do that to him. Eddie wouldn’t leave Andrew. Which means the only plausible explanation is that Eddie’s so-called end is the work of someone else. 

The novel becomes a murder mystery. Andew is trying to seek out answers surrounding his best friend’s untimely demise while also struggling to stay afloat in his American Studies program and interrogate the supposed new friends that Eddie had made before he died. 

The premise hooked me right from the beginning, but the genre put a falter in my step.

The book is labeled as horror. 

As integral as the murder mystery element, there’s also a running plot point of Andrew and Eddie bonding over a traumatic childhood experience in which they fell into a sinkhole and were forever cursed after. 

Andrew is possessed and stalked by a haunt, a skeletal creature that now resembles Eddie and always leaves Andrew worse for wear. 

As Andrew is trying to solve Eddie’s murder, he’s also seeking answers about his own ghostly possession, the one that continues to tie Andrew and Eddie together beyond the grave. 

As someone who dislikes horror, I didn’t find this book very scary. If anything, the horror elements are actually the most well done bits of the story. 

Mandelo crafts suspense and anticipation well, and any time a haunt, possession, or nightmares ensued, Mandelo created a perfectly ominous tone that raised the hair on my arms in an enjoyable way. 

It was never so over the top that my cowardice made me close the book. I wouldn’t label this book as horror and that’s saying something for someone who considered Stranger Things too scary to watch. 

Gothic, certainly. Suspense and creepy, absolutely. Horror, however, is a little too strong for this particular novel. 

It’s always very evident when authors follow the writing advice of: write what you know. To some extent, I think Mandelo did just this and it shows beautifully. 

His interpretation of the South, of local folklore, and curses and bloodlines was by far the most detailed and well-written elements of the story. I loved these aspects and found them both original and compelling. 

It’s Mandelo’s characters I have issues with. 

Andrew as a main character is frustrating beyond belief. 

I know that he’s grieving. I understand he’s grappling with loss and huge life changes and mainly in denial. 

However, Andrew pushes every single person away that wants to help him and hardly changes. From beginning to end, Andrew is a very stagnant character. He’s apathetic, distrusting, closed-off, and quite honestly, just kind of a dick. 

Once again, I understand he’s going through a lot. However, he tells himself that he needs to get to know Eddie’s new friends from Vanderbilt, to infiltrate the group so to speak, and yet, when someone like Riley, Eddie’s old roommate and Andrew’s new one, tries to talk to Andrew, Andrew completely and utterly shuts him down. 

It’s frustrating as a reader to have a main character tell himself something over and over again and never act on it. 

Additionally, in a very Raven Cycle-esque influence, the book has street racing and lots of fancy cars like Hellcats and Supras. For Mandelo, Andrew street-racing with this new masculine “pack” is his way of bonding with the others. 

I’m sorry, but no. 

Racing cars is fine and having something in common to form a friendship is great. But it’s not a stand in for actual character and relationship progression. Without actually getting to know these other boys, Andrew simply races them, drinks with them, does drugs with them, and once gets into a fight at the pack leader’s house. 

That is the so-called bonding that we get as readers. 

The book is labeled as a slow-burn romance, but I would replace that label with a nonsensical-romance instead. Andrew and Sam (the pack leader and Riley’s cousin) have no discernible reason—as far as I could see—to actually like each other. 

Other than having a dick-measuring contest with their cars, they had no actual emotional or impactful conversations that left any kind of impression on me as a reader. The romance is stilted, shallow, and happened out of nowhere.

It’s almost like Mandelo was two-thirds the way through the book and realized that he wanted a queer awakening and made it happen. I wanted more from Andrew. I wanted more from all the relationships. 

The ingredients were there, but it was either cut short or the scenes that did take place weren’t utilized properly. 

I read this book in six days. Despite my complaints, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The murder mystery is intriguing, the emotions and backstory are thought-provoking, and the writing is beautiful. Mandelo is an amazing writer. I fell in love with his diction, his cadence, and his descriptions. 

However, it also made this book disappointing because it could have been better. 

It’s like when you watch a good TV show and you feel bitter because it had all the elements to be great, but it was squandered (like any live-action movie ever made). 

Summer Sons has elements of that. It’s a great, compelling read with so much promise, but falls short of what I wanted. 

Recommendation: I was advertised that this book was a mash up between The Foxhole Court and The Raven Cycle. As an avid lover of both of these series, I say this advertisement is phooey. I see hints of how people could see a resemblance to The Raven Cycle, but Summer Sons is its own beast.

 If dark academia, car racing, and toxic masculinity seems like a mix you would like, Summer Sons should be your next paranormal thriller. If not, I would argue that there are better novels out there in each of those categories that will suit your needs better. 

Score: 7/10

#summer sons #lee mandelo #LGBTQ fiction #lgbtqbook #popular fiction #Popular Books #book blog #book #books #top books #book review #Book Recommendations #book rec #book rating #7/10 #horror book #southern gothic #gothic

[hallowedconjurationsshop]

The Mod Squad

Mod Ghosts is your shop owner here! An advanced spirit worker that's been at it for 18 years. They are a hereditary with that specializes in curse work, spirit work, and general chaos magic. They have roughly 13 spirit companions in their family. When not at Hallowed they work often, spend time with their cat, family, and partners.

Ghosts currently specializes in Vampires, demons, crystalized hellcats, Drip deers, and Florals. They work with mainly dark aligned spirits.

Mod Mandrake is one of the shop owners here at Hallowed Conjurations. She is a witch and pagan who has been practicing witchcraft for 13 years and communicating with spirits for even longer though she only started to put intentional work into working with spirits in 2012. She has a large sanctuary that is home to many spirits and many spirits friends but currently only works closely with 4 companions.

Outside of spirit work, she loves playing table top role playing games, video games, writing, and doing lots of crafts.

Mod Mandrake works primarily with fae entities, nature spirits and canine spirits but has worked with a very wide variety of different types of entities.

Mod Banshee is an Intermediate spirit worker and witch. She is 30 years old and has been a Pagan Witch for 14 years. She's been working with thoughtforms for 12 years, and formal spirit work for 5.

When not working for Hallowed Conjurations fae enjoys crocheting, spending time with her wife & pets and practicing energy work (and, of course, hanging out with spirits and her spirit fam!). Fae has 3 official companions and is also a god and spirit spouse.

Currently she does the most work with thoughtforms inspired by Flight Rising dragons, but also works with an exclusive species called Forever Kittens. Fae prefer light to grey aligned spirits. She will not adopt out to anyone under the age of 17.

Mod Gremlin is an advanced-intermediate spirit worker who started actively researching spirit work in 2015, giving them roughly 7 years of experience. Mod Gremlin is an eclectic polytheist, though they keep their religion fairly separate from their spirit work. They have four formal spirit companions, though they have other spirit friends as well.

Currently, they mostly work with an exclusive species known as owla or owlen. In the future, they’d like to specialize in working with demons as well. They prefer working with gray aligned or dark-gray aligned spirits. Mod Gremlin does not work with beings heavily associated with Abrahamic religions, such as certain angel species.

Mod Crow is an intermediate spirit worker who began working with spirits amid 2016. They have approximately 6 years of experience with astral travel and spirit companionship. He has two formal companions and other spirit acquaintances. They practice animism typically working with local spirits. Mod Crow likes herpetology, crafting, and cosplay when they aren't busy with university. He has aspirations of working in a museum and moving abroad.

Due to their animistic practice, Mod Crow typically works with nature aligned spirits. Their specialization lies in ancestor work and domestic spirit work. While open to working with all types of spirits and religious faiths, Mod Crow will not tolerate heavily gendered faiths that promote sex based gender structures.

Mod Werewolf is a late intermediate spirit worker who began researching spirit work and met their first companion in mid-2017. However, while they only have been doing intentional spirit work for 5 years, spirituality has been a big part of their life since they were very young, though they did not realize it at the time. Mod Werewolf is an eclectic witch and Kemetic and Hellenic pagan, although this does not usually mix with their spirit work. They have 10 official spirit companions, although they have many more spirit friends, including the families of their spirit companions.

When not working on Hallowed Conjurations, Mod Werewolf enjoys video games, writing, traveling, and their job (they work full time and thus may not always be available). Currently, Mod Werewolf is finding new and improved methods of vetting and conjuring in a way that works best for them, as well as developing a deeper relationship with the spirits they conjure and are vetting, including Winged Holland Lops, a species they have a contract with (similar to an exclusive, although anyone can conjure a Winged Holland Lop). Mod Werewolf is happy to work with any alignment of spirit, although they are not very familiar firsthand with extremely dark-aligned spirits. They also are open to the idea of working with most species, as long as they are not from a closed culture.

#hallowedconjurations #spirit companionship #spirit shop #spirit companion #spirit adoption