Blossom dating

Qatar_Meet_Friends

2023.12.14 12:37 Prestigious_Still387 Qatar_Meet_Friends

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[link]


2024.05.18 22:46 SamMorrisHorror Them Devils Part 2

Scott Masterson had first met Scarlett at a rooftop party in downtown Dallas. Their age and the time of year were both in late springtime, them in their mid twenties and the date in early May. He had on a sharp yet breezy blazer and she astonished in a thigh length sleeveless blue dress.
“Oh hey Scott I don’t believe you two have met…” his then happily married friend had remarked with a slow swinging open hand toward her.
“Scott Masterson…reluctant friend to this knucklehead” he said with a tight lipped grin, trying not to be so obvious with his instant rapture.
“Scarlett…a pleasure…”
Her hand was so delicate to Scott’s touch. They locked eyes. It was like looking back through centuries of connection, endless days of laying in the sun next to the Seine River, or rising to Hollywood fame in the 1940’s and only having each other who would understand the glory and the pain of it all, or generations of quiet, simple country love that would bear such beautiful, happy children that would go on to raise beautiful, happy children, all with their dark blue eyes. Yes, the memories of every love story since the beginning of time was swirling right there in Scarlett’s irises. Scott had to catch himself before he stared embarrassingly too long.
“Sorry Scottie here doesn’t get out often” his friend quipped, which Scott appreciated actually, it helped him snap back to professionalism.
“Well I don’t either…at least I prefer not to.” Scarlett’s words flowed through the air like a flock of rose petals.
“Hey, kindred spirits.” Scott was really sensing a rising energy out of her, they had barely broken eye contact.
“Well, I’ll let you two have at it, I got a wife around here somewhere. Hey…Scott and Scarlett…not bad, not bad.” His friend exited stage right with a sly chuckle.
“Nice guy…so…what are you drinking, Scarlett?” Scott looked around for the emptiest corner of the rooftop bar, hoping to find a nice place for them to be able to hear each other. This night had just become something.
“That depends, Scott…what do you like?”
Oh man.
Well, as you can expect, the evening blossomed into a beautiful, long winded conversation that etched a long list of similarities between the two. They both lived in the city, had never married, and had dreamed of stable, simpler lives far away from tall buildings and busy streets. The next morning Scott awoke in her arms, which warmed much deeper than just his skin. He could feel her soothing his very identity, his future, everything. Her arms were tailor made to fit his very soul, and he had never felt more safe and at home.
“Mmm…you can stay right here…” she whispered, eyes still closed.
“I will…I will”
They both fell back asleep, into a dream that wouldn’t end upon waking.
Two years passed and suddenly they lived that simple backwoods life, way out where acres of land far out-populated the few and far between people. They took a lovely home, which happily looked over a long backyard, right up to a lively yet mostly undisturbed river. Their only neighbor within a mile was an older ranch worker named Charles, who rarely made himself perceivable. Days were spent way on into town where they both had offices. They didn’t mind the commute. Nights were spent mostly like this night, cuddled outside near a lovely little fire, with a slowly shrinking amount of wine sitting between them. Enjoying their Kingdom. Tonight, however, would prove to be a special night, for many reasons, all unexpected.
“Honey, I’ve been thinking…” Scott began, sitting up and opening his hands to the warmth of the fire.
“Oh?” Scarlett also sat up, eyes widening.
“So look, Scarlett, the last two years have been the best of my life. An absolute dream…”
She held her breath, her focus darting between his eyes and mouth.
“Yeah?”
“We have everything we ever want out here. But…what if there’s more?”
“More?” She had envisioned this very conversation hundreds of times.
“Our dreams have come true, but what if we…made some new dreams?” Scott turned and embedded his eyes into hers. He burst into a big smile.
“Scott…I thought…”
“Nevermind what I said” he cut her off, which he always made a point to never do, but this was a good exception.
“I’m ready, Scarlett…let’s have a family.”
“Ohhhh Scott, oh Scott”
They hugged tight enough to where it hurt.
“Well, in that case, we may need to open another bottle.” She said playfully, bouncing her eyebrows twice.
“Excellent. I’ll be right up. I’ll put this fire out and then start yours up.”
“Oh stop!” She bounded away girlishly, up the snowy back steps and into the house.
Scott let out a big sigh that he could see in the cold air and sat back in his chair, taking in his decision. He really was ready. He had secretly been keeping a long list of names that he liked and that he thought would work in front of Masterson. Especially little girl names. He stared into the campfire flames, getting lost imagining the three of them sitting right here, a little girl resting securely in Scarlett’s arms, as Scott had found himself, and stayed within these past two years.
Suddenly his trance was broken when, from the road in front of their house, came the sound of a vehicle approaching at high speed. Scott snapped his head back toward the house to get a better listen. He could see, around the house and through the trees, a large truck barreling down the country road, its headlights racing and bouncing with intensity. In an instant, it had passed up the road and out of sight.
“Huh?”
Soon, after a moment of silence, another sound echoed into the night. This sound rattled Scott to the bone and tore all that was right in his world into pieces. A sharp, bellowing squeal. His eyes shot over to his neighbors house, which was about a tenth of a mile to his right but still had a couple dim lights on that he could see. The shriek seemed to come from there.
Then, more squeals. It was hellish. More than animal but not quite human. Scott stood up. He heard crashing and tearing and further destruction coming from Charles’ house.
“Scarlett!! Scarlett!” He yelled toward his house, where he looked and could see her silhouette behind the curtains at the kitchen window. She didn’t seem to hear him.
He turned back toward his neighbors. The chaos had gone quiet. Not a half a moment after, though, he heard something big barreling through the trees as fast as that truck had been sprinting. Running, running furiously between the two houses. Searching, hunting. Scott was taken aback so hard that his heel had caught the edge of the fire pit, throwing him down only inches away from severe burns. He had knocked his head in the whiplash, making him groan and take a moment to regain his bearings.
“SCARLETT!!!!”
He screamed out toward his home as he sat up, rubbing a quickly rising bump on the back of his head. He heard a loud breaching on the side of his house. The patio door. No. No. Then, all hell broke loose. Scarlett started wailing and crying and he could hear crashes of plates and glasses and deep guttural roars coming from the kitchen inside. Shadows danced in a frenzy from the curtained windows. Sounds of instinctual survival seemed to be thrown from Scarlett inside. Sounds of defeat. Sounds of agony. Sounds of insanity. Scott sprang to his feet, his equilibrium being more damaged than he realized after his fall. He had to catch his hand on a chair to stabilize himself. Scarlett’s symphony of pain had gone quiet. Soon after something burst back out the patio door again and off in the same direction as that truck before.
Scott struggled back up to the house, slowly climbing the wintered, crunching stairs that led to the patio. He no longer yelled for Scarlett. In fact, the only thing that came to his senses was the sound of his own heavy breathing. Everything else had been turned off, save for a heavy and sudden dread that he had prayed he would never feel. He came to the side of his house where indeed the patio door had been busted and forced open. It laid inside the kitchen, its hinges snapped like toothpicks. Scott, with eyes wide and twitching, slowly entered his home and looked into the kitchen.
He didn’t scream. He didn’t even change his breathing. He didn’t blink. He just got a good long look at what laid before him.
Everything was broken. The fridge was on its side, the door hanging open and food and drink scattered all over the floor. The table was upended, its legs to the ceiling. A chair was resting on the counter, possibly having been thrown in defense. And Scarlett. Oh Scarlett. She…was…everywhere. She was all over the floor. She was sprayed against the walls. She was stuck to the window. She was in the sink.
Scott gently walked through the carnal mess and sabotage of his world. Long ago he had known exactly what he would do if something anywhere near this bad were to happen to him. He politely stumbled through the kitchen, down the hall, and into the bedroom. He opened his closet door and lowered a fire safe from the top rack. He unlocked it with a passcode. 511, after that warm May date when he had first met Scarlett. In the safe was a Sig Sauer P320 handgun. Scott took it out, along with a box of bullets, loaded one into the gun, put the safe back on its rack, and walked out of the closet, sitting on his bed. Their bed. Where they should’ve been laying right at this very moment, working toward a happy future. Where he would’ve kissed her forehead and put a hand on her growing midsection. Where they would have awoken on Christmas morning to the sound of children who were way too excited to remain asleep. Where they would’ve grown old. Where they would’ve smiled at each other through wrinkles, satisfied with all the love they shared and passed on to the next generations. Where they would’ve held each other in deep peace as they finally fell asleep to this world.
“I will…I will”
In one quick motion Scott pulled back the hammer and stuck the barrel of that pistol right up against his Governor and blew himself away, far away, right back into Scarlett’s loving arms.
Jeremy “Smallmouth” Bassett quickly yet stealthily made his way back to his Uncle’s house. He hugged the sides of the dark country road, keeping his eyes and ears wide open as to notice any sounds pertaining to the event that he had just witnessed there in the field next to the huge blaze. His only thought was Uncle Chuck. His house was right on the warpath of that horrible thing and Smallmouth had to go to him and make sure he was safe. He dared not go back to his truck, which would bring a lot of unwanted attention. No, Smallmouth walked and walked and finally saw the lights of his Uncle’s house. He carefully approached the front door from the shadowed driveway. Suddenly it occurred to Smallmouth that something was very wrong here. The door was busted in, having been plowed through by something very large and very strong.
“No…no…no”
Smallmouth slowly entered the house. The kitchen and living room were a disaster, chairs and tables and bottles strewn about and shattered. Bloody hoof-prints covered the floors, each of them the size of dinner plates. Smallmouth heard no noise. He felt himself well with tears, his nose a faucet that he began to sniff up as he worked his way through to his Uncle’s room, the door there also being broken in. A small whine growing in his throat, Smallmouth peaked into his uncles bedroom.
It was all in tatters. The bed had been attacked and shredded, the mattress being ripped up and thrown about as if it were made of cotton candy. More bloody hoof-prints were painted all over the brown carpet. Smallmouth trembled and put a hand up to his wet face. He didn’t see a way that his Uncle was anywhere near alive, knowing what he knew about the monster that had been in this house.
Smallmouth slowly walked to the living room, to the only little table that had been untouched in the attack. It was almost as if the bottle of whiskey teleported into his hand from the overturned cabinet, unopened. He fixed that real quick.
Soon he was several pulls deep of the only thing in the world that he knew would make him feel better, even if only for a few hours. He found his pack of cigarettes in his coat pocket and lit one up, although he was indoors. What did it matter? He sat in a chair that he had turned right side up and set the bottle on the table and looked out the back window into the pitch black. He cried for his Uncle and he cried for the world. He cried for himself. He cried for broken promises and his own weakness. He drank and drank until his vision shook from right to left everywhere he looked. At first he didn’t even notice the figures on the back porch. Then his vibrating focus did pick up on them, but by then it was too late. It was so dark out there but in their outlines he could see they wore long robes and hoods.
“HA!! COME AND GET ME! HAHA!! YOU COME AND YOU GET ME!!” Smallmouth boasted with a delusional amount of courage.
A creak escaped from the kitchen and he drunkenly slung his head over toward it. Three more figures stood there. Or was it just one? Smallmouth was none the wiser. All at once the hooded intruders from both inside and outside began to chant a strange, twisted rhyme in strikingly low and dissonant harmony:
“A sliver…of liver…goes down…with a shiver… …and gives…your gullet…to gall… …but drink…the Cider…that drowns…the Spider… …and you…will be free…of it all… …so tighten the grip…that loosens your lips… …O raise…the bottle…of brown… …and wake tomorrow…to find…in sorrow… …ANOTHER…SPIDER…TO…DROWN”
Smallmouth groaned at them in dissatisfaction and turned his bottle up again and began to chug the whiskey. As he did they repeated the chant except this time it was louder and closer. By the time Smallmouth had finished his bottle he was quickly losing consciousness. This wasn’t just whiskey. As he closed his eyes he felt hands grabbing him from all sides.
Smallmouth pulled open his sticky eyelids. His head felt like someone had bowled a strike into it. Wind froze his face. The smell of sickly, wet iron stung his nostrils. His vantage was higher than usual. Way higher. He was looking out into another field, but from easily ten feet up. He saw an old church, formerly painted white but now a flaky pale-beige. He heard the friction of a quick pull of rope below him, matched with a slight, tight pain at his feet. He looked down. A red-robed figure was fastening him against a wooden structure of some kind. His feet sat on a small flat platform perpendicular to a post that went from the ground up past smallmouths head. He couldn’t move his arms, so he quickly shot his eyes side to side. They were also tied to another horizontal post. A cross. He was being tied to a crude wooden cross. His shirt had been removed, exposing a hairy, overweight belly. Smallmouth tried to speak, but all that came out was a slow, unintelligible grumble. He was still drunk. No, this was more than that. He was under the influence of something strong and absolutely inhibitive. He wallowed again, and took in a deep breath. The smell of iron once again hit his nose. He looked down at himself. He was covered in a thick, red liquid. That wasn’t just the smell of iron. He had been splashed full body with blood.
“Now now, young servant…” the figure at his feet had finished his task and took a couple of steps out to admire his own handiwork.
“Ahh…perfect. The picture of martyrdom. Yes, you will always be remembered, Brother Bassett. You are to be the first Saint of The New Bible.” He opened his arms in his declaration.
Smallmouth looked up into the cold night sky. The moon shown down, giving everything a midnight spotlight. It was a gorgeous waxing gibbous, big and bright but not quite full. Yes, he was in a great big snowy field that housed an old worn down church. From the windows of the church he saw candles glowing, showing dark heads and shoulders looking out to him, also covered in loose hoods, hiding faces. He was hanging on a cross about one hundred feet from the old church. In front of the cross was a partially covered pit, a couple of two by fours supporting double armfuls of branches and dead leaves.
The figure at the base of the cross put his arms back to his side. He was still looking right at the drugged Smallmouth’s dumbstruck face. Even with a veiled mouth you could hear the twisted smile in his voice.
“Tonight you will help us finally defeat this legion, Smallmouth. You see, it may have the evil spirits within it, but at its core, it is still an owned animal. An animal that knows its Master very well. An animal that will remember the smell of its Master. You, my friend, are covered in its Master right now. And you are hanging on a cross, the symbol of this brute’s most hated enemy. But take heart, young Brother. Before you is our pit of spears. Yes you will attract the beast, but our Divine plan will intercept it and the beast will fall and be pierced. And then, oh dear brother, you will forever be immortalized. You will be purified in fire by the hands of your church brethren. Out of your screams and into the smoke the iniquities of all will be released. We will go on to preach your good example and your sainthood forever and ever.”
Smallmouth began to drool and hum pathetically. He could hear and understand the words of the robed man but he couldn’t fight back. His body was useless, limp inside its rope confines. All he could do now is think, and watch, and wait, and dread his fate.
The figure turned away from him, walking over near the pit and gathering up a bundle of brambles and throwing them over the last open area, covering it completely. He then crunched through the snow over to the front door of the old church, groaning open the door. He stood at the dark doorway for a few seconds in silence, and then began to make a noise. An over exaggerated pig squealing noise, high pitched and infuriating. Soon after other voices from inside the church began to do the same, their wailing echoing out of the building and all across the field, loudly signaling, calling out. It may as well have been a dinner bell. Not a half minute after they began the distress signal it was loudly answered by a distant squall. A furious squall.
This was it. Either way it happened Smallmouth was about to die. Experience terror, and then die, and not even have the ability to put up any kind of defense. It wasn’t fair. He just slowly lifted up his head and watched out far into the moonlit, white field. He then raised his heavy head further and took a good gander at the moon and stars for the last time.
“God,” he thought to himself, still having full inner monologue yet no outer motor function, “I am so sorry. I am so sorry for being what I am. I am so sorry for ending up in this place. It’s only my own fault. If it wasn’t for me being so stupid and messy and drunk and terrible then this wouldnt be happening to me.”
He began to shed tears that washed lines into the blood on his face.
“Please forgive me God. Please, please, please forgive me for all of my sins. This is it. I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die. PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!!” He yelled inside his own mind, hoping and trying to send his silent words as far up into heaven as they could go.
He lowered his eyes back to the ground. He looked over at the church again. The windows were empty, the candles were extinguished. Those hooded cowards were hiding from their own handmade sacrificial service. All was quiet for a long pause until a much louder, closer bleating began at the edge of the forest not even three hundred feet away from Smallmouth’s glazed over eyes. It was time, and it was too late for a miracle.
Out of the woods, slowly and heavily, stomped the massive hog. As it marched closer and closer Smallmouth could see its white, boiled over eyes and black-burnt skin. Its jaws were flying open and snapping its sharp, pocket knife-sized teeth together in an intimidating “clack”. It was now less than a hundred feet away, the dark old church to its right shoulder. It stopped, its pale glowing eyes fixed right on Smallmouth on the crude cross. It truly was a monster. It stood as tall as a man and as long as a canoe. Around its murderous mouth were stains of red, the remnants of all that it had taken from the world on this unholy night. In its clanging jaws were bits of flesh. It snorted and scowled.
Then, in a fury, it wailed that horrible squeal and started off into a dead sprint. It galloped and galloped toward Smallmouth at a high, blistering speed. It kept yawping and howling as it cut the distance from the cross down to fifty feet, forty feet, thirty, twenty. All at once it passed over the covered pit and plunged in. In his doomed, dead eyed stupor Smallmouth could hear what sounded like paint being dumped from a rooftop onto concrete. Trails of black liquid squirted and splashed up from the pit, which had been uncovered in the fall of the beast. Unbelieving, Smallmouth saw dozens of steel spear tips standing up from the dug-in ground. Right in the middle of them the beast was stuck. The sheer weight of the animal had caused the spears to pierce through its tough skin, sticking out of its back, soaked in black blood. One spear had stabbed right under the hogs chin, passing up through its jaws and out its black snout. It made agonized sounds. It roared and roared and shook the spears inside it, beginning furiously, then growing weaker and weaker within seconds. Finally, it let out one last weak little squeal, before it went still and quiet.
Smallmouth was frozen both physically by drugs and constraints and mentally by shock. His mouth hung open toward the pit of spears, his vision blurry. He took in a deep, troubled breath and let out a moan of disbelief and relief. The old church doors sprang open, and the sound of jubilation within flowed out into the night. The red robed figures flocked out of the building toward the pit, arms raised in celebration. They surrounded the hole, getting a good look at their success and their enemies defeat. Some held additional spears and began further stabbing the dead animal, causing more black blood to be shed up at them. They all yelled loudly and triumphantly. Some danced around the pit. Some skipped over to Smallmouth on the cross and danced around him, slapping his legs and spinning in circles.
Smallmouth looked on at the raucous celebration, both in utter disbelief of their trap actually working and also in turmoil. How long now until they fully execute their plan.
A taller robed man, whose voice matched the same one who spoke to Smallmouth as he tied his feet, spoke up, sounding almost happily intoxicated.
“Ahh yes my Brothers!! It is done!! We have won!!!”
They all whooped and cheered.
“Brother Norman, go into the church and bring me the small tank of fuel. Let us send our dear Saint Bassett to the Holy lands, where he will be adored for all eternity!”
They all clapped and hollered. One figure began childishly skipping away from the pit and over toward the front door of the church.
Then, it happened.
From the pit all of a sudden a great blaze erupted instantly. It stood as tall as the cross, and it burned a furious red and blue. It raged and raged, blinding Smallmouth and making him clumsily turn his face away from the heat.
All of the figures panicked, screaming and scattering away toward the church. They didn’t get far. Up from the fiery pit, dozens of long, long, black arms, adorned with six hooking claws emerged and stretched out of the flames and latched on to the legs of those trying to escape. Smallmouth heard crying and wailing from the men as the black, razor clawed-hands of the legion grabbed them and began pulling them back, into the blazes. One by one the red robed people were dragged into the flames, their clothes catching instantly. Smallmouth could see violently shaking bodies in the evil furnace. Oh, the screams. Above the tortured howling, the sound of laughing broke out. Deep, menacing laughter, hundreds of voices, echoed up into the air from the burning hole. Then, in one extinguishing squeeze, the ground swallowed the entirety of the fiery pit, leaving it completely covered in dirt, still and quiet. Soon after, and just like the pit of spears, the old church building caught in an instant and raging fire, quickly toppling the walls and dropping the steeple into its ruins. The smoke towered high in the night sky, which had just began to hint at a pale morning blue. Smallmouth hung on his cross in utter horror and surprise.
As the late evening hours glowed into early morning the smoke eventually tapered off, as Smallmouth’s drugs finally began to wear off as well. The fires of the church did garner long distance attention, though. Just as Smallmouth was able to regain control of his muscles and voice he heard emergency sirens call out into the cold morning air. Not long after, two fire trucks, an ambulance and a sheriffs truck tore into the field and toward Smallmouth on the cross. Not long after Smallmouth could feel the tied ropes being cut loose by firemen, their uniforms easily the best red clothes he had seen all night.
“What on God’s green Earth happened here son?” A bearded man with a dark hat and brown shirt and pants asked Smallmouth once he had been lowered down from the cross and sat on the ground with a shock blanket around his shoulders. The Sheriff, no doubt.
“God’s green Earth. It really is God’s, isn’t it?” Smallmouth whispered, staring out across the cold field. Then, at the very place he was staring, an old, familiar truck came barreling out of the gravel road in the woods and through the field in the steadily growing morning light. It was Uncle Chuck’s truck. It hurried over toward the other emergency vehicles, parked, the driver’s side door burst open, and Uncle Chuck came bounding out over to Smallmouth, his eyes wide and his mouth a wonderfully shocked “O”.
“JEREMY! JEREMY!!!” He basically fell on Smallmouth in a tight, warm hug. Smallmouth was caught off guard by Chuck using his real name.
His Uncle held him for several seconds and then let up, but kept his hands on Smallmouth’s shoulders.
“I thought you were dead.” Both of them said at almost the exact same time.
“I came back and your house was a mess and there was blood everywhere. I thought you were dead.” Smallmouth weakly spat out.
“Well, I woke up and you were gone, son, so I walked to the ranch to get my truck. I was worried bout ya son. I came back home and the whole place had been turned upside down. Blood on the carpet. I just thought the worst. Then I tried my neighbors house. Buddy, they’re dead. Looks like some wacko murder-suicide if I ever saw one. Scott probably tried to come kill us too and wrecked the place when he found it empty. I don’t know. But what I DO know is that you are right here! You are okay Jeremy!! Ahhh Praise Jesus!!”
“It’s not that, Uncle. That isn’t what happened out here. It’s..it was a..a, uh…”
Smallmouth’s fried brain couldn’t even comprehend what he had witnessed over the past few hours. It was all a violent blur.
“Dont worry bout it son, you can tell me everything on the way to the hospital. We gotta go get you checked out and cleaned up. C’mon.” He helped Smallmouth up and they walked over to the ambulance, his Uncle’s arm thrown around his shoulder.
Smallmouth would be sent home later that afternoon. It would take him and his Uncle a long time to sort through the chaos of that deadly night and rebuild their lives. But life kept on. Smallmouth would remain living with his Uncle, and would begin a job working with him down at the ranch. Together they started to attend a local church. Smallmouth never touched a drink or a drug or even a cigarette ever again, and remained steadfast in his newly revitalized faith.
submitted by SamMorrisHorror to TheCrypticCompendium [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 21:05 Mizzno [H] Games [W] Cornucopia, Headbangers: Rhythm Royale, art of rally, Games (Listed Below), Steam Gift Cards

N.B.: I'm mainly looking for the games listed in the title and at the bottom of the thread. Feel free to post other offers, but if I haven't responded to your comment(s) by my next posting, I likely wasn't able to find a trade that interested me.

For sale (for Steam Gift Cards or gifted Steam Wallet balance):



For trade:
*signifies that a game is tentatively up for trade, assuming I buy the bundle








































































































WANT:



IGS Rep Page: https://www.reddit.com/IGSRep/comments/ti26nz/mizznos_igs_rep_page/
submitted by Mizzno to indiegameswap [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 16:39 baseball212 I (23M) am not sure whether to pursue a long distance relationship with a girl (23F) I’m very close with

For some background, we’re both fresh out of college and are starting entry level jobs this summer. I started to hang out with this girl around 9 months ago. I was pretty nervous about getting close with someone as I knew that come July, I’m moving across the country (4 hour flight) for a job in an industry where I have pretty limited cities where I can find work. As we grew a bit closer, I sat her down and told her that I’m moving (which she knew, we have many mutual friends) and that I’m open to getting closer but that id be very hesitant about anything lasting beyond when I leave. Basically I just wanted to be completely honest with her and make sure she wasn’t blindsided by anything, and then allow her to make a decision on how to proceed with this. I really had no intention of wanting to do long distance at that time and wanted to make sure she knew that.
Along those lines, we never actually officially started dating. Looking back at it, the way I handled that seems a little strange. Back then I didn’t want to start dating someone and then just break up with them when I move. But honestly it doesn’t even matter, for probably the past 5 months we’ve treated each other and acted like we’re dating. So whatever sort of damage I was trying to prevent has already been done.
Flash forward to now, I’m starting to want to discuss what we are going to do about this situation. We’ve been very open with each other about this throughout the duration of our relationship, and had occasional conversations about it. But now we’re starting to have more real conversations about it, and she’s expressed to me that she would like to try long distance. I’m still uncertain how I feel about it.
I can honestly say I love this girl and our time together has been amazing. I really didn’t expect this to blossom into the relationship we have now. And I can say all sorts of great things about her, but there are just some issues about the reality of the situation that are hard to fathom for me.
We probably wouldn’t be able to live in the same city until two years down the line, unless something crazy happens. That almost feels like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel to me. And even then, it’s very likely a situation where she would have to move to wherever I am based on the type of job I have, and that just doesn’t sit well with me. Also given that I’m moving to a new city, part of me doesn’t want to be held back by a long distance relationship. I need to find and make new friends, and I’m scared a LDR would limit me.
Now my question isn’t necessarily what should I do, but more of just looking for advice from people who’ve been through something similar. What was the outcome? Was it worth it? Why didn’t you decide to do long distance? etc.
TLDR: I’m (23M) trying to figure out whether I should go long distance with this girl (23F) I’m very close with, given there’s about a two year period we’d spend apart.
submitted by baseball212 to relationships [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 16:34 LordOfTheMeadows Finnick Kedros, a Satyr (INTRO)

BASIC INFORMATION:
Full Name: Finnick Adair Kedros
Age: 16 in human years 32 In Satyr years
Birthdate: November 17th
Gender: Cis Male
Pronouns: He/Him
Hometown: Yosemite National Park.
Languages Spoken: English, Ancient Greek, & Zoolingualism
Sexuality: Gay
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: Kri-Kri
Fatal Flaw: Unknown
APPERANCE:
Height: 182 cm
Eye Color: Amber
HaiFur: Dark brown hair that has highlights of a lighter brown. Finnick’s leg fur is the same light brown color that highlights his hair.
Physique: Tall and Muscular, After spending years climbing mountains in Yosemite and fighting off monsters, Finnick has gained a few muscles. He has multiple scars for the same reasons.
Face: Being a Satyr, Finnick has rather noticeable horns, Kri-Kri goats have straight horns that only curve towards the end of the horns. Finnick frequently has facial hair growing, and he prefers to shave. Finnick also has a nose piercing , he mainly wears a silver hoop with it. His actual face is narrow with a “pointed chin,”. He has a large nose. His skin color is typically for Kri-Kri satyrs.
Staple Clothing Pieces: Baggy pants that cover his goat legs, Camp Half-Blood Shirt, And shoes 2 times his size. And a worn light yellow hat that has the almost faded lettering of "Yosemite,".
FAMILY:
Name Age & Relation Description
Finch Kedros Father, 47 in Human years An older Satyr who spent years leading Demi-gods to Camp Half-Blood. Who eventually retired after a Demi-God rescue gone wrong, He moved back to his home forest in the Yosemite National Park where he still lives today. Finnick and Finch have a good relationship.
Poppy Kedros Mother, 42 in Human years A flower Nymph that lives in Yosemite National Park. She has a decent relationship with her son, Despite him believing she prefers his sisters.
Chloris, Daphnes & Cerossa Sisters, 19, 14, 11 in Human years Flower Nymphs in Yosemite National Park, Younger sisters of Finnick. The three of them had always been close. The girls have always enjoyed teasing their brothers and are frequently in arguments with them
Maron Kedros Brother, 13 in Human years Finnick’s little brother, the two get along very well and have a very strong relationship. They spend most of their time together playing the pan pipes or arguing with their sisters.
Dante Abernathy Friend & Former Lover, 17 in Human years A Satyr that also lived in Yosemite. Finnick, and Dante had been friends since childhood and ended up dating. The two broke up when Dante moved to New Argos to study at the Techne Institute.
PERSONALITY:
Favorites:
Traits:
Trivia:
POWERS:
Major Power:
Empathy Link: The ability to establish an empathy link between the user and another individual. The two can telepathically communicate over great distances, especially through dreams, and they can perceive each other's senses. If one dies, however, the other either also perishes or reduces to a vegetative state. This link can be removed if the two affected individuals are close and will it away.
Minor Powers:
Plant Manipulation (Chlorokinesis): The ability to control plant life through the use of panpipes
Weather Inducement: The ability to induce good weather, such as light rain showers or a sunny day, through the use of panpipes.
Nature Healing (Vitakinesis): The ability to induce healing in plants or individuals (minor injuries, soothing pain) through the use of panpipes.
Domain Power:
Satyr Physiology: A trait where one is born with the abilities of a satyr (Greek: satyroi, Roman: faun). This includes Superior Smell and Speed, Legendary Climbing, and Tracking Proficiency. Satyrs are also able to communicate with all wildlife (Animal Communication / Zoolingualism).
Mount Lamis: Yosemite National Park, a Satyr Sanctuary
Mount Lamis one of the oldest Satyr Sanctuary’s in North America, founded by the 17th century satyr and legendary explorer, Lamis Kedros. Lamis was considered to be one of the first satyrs to reach the north American continent and traveled west to avoid all the new settlers and to search for Pan. Once Lamis reached the rocky mountains he believed he would find Pan on the other side of the mountain somewhere closer to the sea.
Lamis never found Pan but he instead found the region of Yosemite where he would spend the rest of his days. Lamis proclaimed that all the mountains and all the valleys of this region will be protected and blessed by the Satyrs, in the name of the great god Pan. Lamis himself placed a Satyrs Blessing on the area and even today the area remains earthy. The highest peak in the area would be named after him and would be the home of all his descendants. The mortals called Mount Lamis, Mount Lyell after a mortal scientist.
HISTORY:
Born and raised in Mount Lamis Yosemite was a wonderful experience for Finnick. He had his many siblings and loving parents and even a few friends. When Finnick was 12 years old (Human years) his parents decided that it would be best for the young satyr to begin rescuing demigods and taking them to Camp Half Blood. So that's exactly what Finnick did, he would spend most of the months of the year pretending to be a teenager and befriend the demigod in peril. In the few summer months he would return home to his family.
And it was during one of these summers where his feelings towards his friend and fellow protector Dante blossomed into something else. The two began dating shortly and even when they had to part ways to different mortal middle schools they continued to date. It was almost a year after they had begun to date when they ran into each other dropping Half bloods off at camp that the broke up. Dante had reveled that he would spend the summer in New Argos and wanted to Finnick to come with him, not willing to leave his family Finnick broke up with him and hasn't seen him since.
Since their break up Finnick has spent every summer with his family, avoiding the east coast entirely. That of course was until this summer when Finnick had arrived home to his parents deciding that it would be best if he had spent the summer at Camp. Not wanting to upset his parents Finnick agreed and made his way across the country to Camp Half Blood.
CURRENT TIME:
Finnick walked eagerly over the hill, it had only been a weeks since he had been at camp dropping of a demi-god but after some reflection he was excited to be back. It would be a chance to actually get to know the Heroes within the valley for longer than just a few weeks in the school year where Finnick didn't even get to truly be himself.
He was excited to be able to go strawberry picking with the children of Dionysus and gardening with the Demeter kids. And banter with the nymphs as if they were his sisters-- The site of the blood red Ares cabin covered in barb wire and the most likely chance of stepping on a Landmine scared the goat out of his horns. It seemed Finnick had forgotten about his fear of the more, violent campers. Goats were skittish around humans especially the Kri-Kri. Only slightly worried he continued to walk through camp, maybe he would see a camper he brought to camp before.
(ooc: I hope I can use the new Argos bit like i did, plz let me know if I cant. i took a lot of inspiration from other intro's I hope that was ok! :3 Feel free to have your character know Finnick already! he would have been at camp a lot before)
submitted by LordOfTheMeadows to CampHalfBloodRP [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 11:10 winphan Fragrance review and a Surprise 🫢

Fragrance review and a Surprise 🫢
Fellow fragrance aficionados! 👋 Are you ready for an olfactory adventure? I certainly am! But before we dive into the giveaway details, let's have a heart-to-heart about fragrances.
1. Lattafa Badee Al Oud (Oud for glory):
  • Top Notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Cinnamon Leaf.
  • Middle Notes: Lavender, Pimento Berries, Saffron, Elemi, Pink Pepper.
  • Base Notes: Vetiver, Fir Balsam, Tobacco Accord, White Leather Accord
  • Review : Badee Al Oud - Oud for Glory by Lattafa is a captivating men’s fragrance. It opens with a strong saffron note, subtly accompanied by nutmeg. Lavender balances the intensity, creating a harmonious blend. As it develops, oud and patchouli become more prominent, providing a robust yet smooth foundation. The base notes of musk, oud, and patchouli linger, leaving a lasting impression.
2. Lattafa Badee Al Oud Amethyst:
  • Top Notes: Pink Pepper, Bergamot.
  • Middle Notes: Turkish Rose, Bulgarian Rose, Jasmine.
  • Base Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Oud.
  • Review : Badee Al Oud Amethyst is fresh, fruity, and soft. It starts with apple and lychee notes, gradually revealing its woody and smoky elements. It’s both luxurious and comforting, making it ideal for fall and winter evenings
3. Lattafa Ramz Gold:
  • Top Notes: Blackcurrant, Peach, Orange, Pear, Apple.
  • Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom, Rose.
  • Base Notes: Sandalwood, Vanilla, Patchouli, White Musk.
  • Review: Ramz Gold is a fruity-sweet fragrance that doesn’t change significantly over time. It has decent projection and longevity, making it a good buy for its price. Some describe it as leaning feminine, so keep that in mind
4. Fragrance World Eau de Spice:
  • Top Notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Cinnamon Leaf.
  • Middle Notes: Lavender, Pimento Berries, Saffron, Elemi, Pink Pepper.
  • Base Notes: Vetiver, Fir Balsam, Tobacco Accord, White Leather Accord
  • Review: Eau de Spice is a Spicebomb Extreme clone. It offers a bold, spicy fragrance with good projection and longevity. A great alternative for those who want a more affordable version of Spicebomb Extreme
The Prize: We've got not one, not two, but four exquisite fragrances up for grabs. These little bottled wonders are waiting to find their forever homes. 🏠✨
How to Enter:
  1. Upvote this post ❤️
  2. Share your fragrance love story in the comments. Tell us about that scent that makes your heart skip a beat. Is it the one you wore on your first date? Or the one that reminds you of lazy Sunday mornings? Spill the scented tea! ☕🌹
Amethyst, Eau De Spice, Oud for glory and Ramz Gold
Eligibility: Only active student accounts are eligible for this giveaway. Sorry, decanters, senior fragrance heads, and flippers—we're keeping it legit! 🕵️‍♂️🚫
Winners: Four lucky winners will be chosen randomly and announced next week. I'll be bearing courier fees, so don't worry about that. So stay tuned!
PS - student ID verification will be done by @light__kira
Whether you're treating yourself or surprising someone special, remember that a well-chosen fragrance is like poetry for the senses.
submitted by winphan to DesiFragranceAddicts [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 09:44 wushusword Will my plants recover?

Will my plants recover?
Picture 1 and 2 shows my Puffbohnen - Perla (Vicia Faba). It’s basically broad beans, I suppose. They have been flowering for the past three to four weeks and I have been facing blossom drop the whole time. I might have 3 or 4 peas here and there but otherwise why are there no beans? I have tried to hand pollinate a little by pinching and rubbing the flowers but to no avail, couldn’t they just self pollinate?! I need help with the pollination, perhaps an easier technique??
I live in Germany (similar weather to Seattle/ South Canada) and it was recommended that I plant my summer loving plants (Jalapeño Camargo as seen in the 4th and 5th pic and Capsicum Block Mix F1 - Coletti, Milena, Bendigo and Mavras in the 3rd pic) outside after the last frost date, which is ca. 11 till 15 May. I was a little impatient and planted them out on 13 May, because the weather was pretty pleasant and hot that particular week. Now it is a little chilly and the night time temperature is ca. 8c to 10c, whereas the day time temperature is ca. 16c to 25c. It was in fact hailing two days ago😣 and I as I googled I realised that perhaps my capsicum and jalapeño could have been stunted. Will they bounce back? The leaves are beginning to show signs of stress. But I hope my plants will emerge stronger and hardier after a period of hardship? But honestly though, no more yapping from me, will they even survive this chilly weather till early June?
submitted by wushusword to vegetablegardening [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 05:54 J-Midori Missing Crown Prince [Episodes 11 & 12]

submitted by J-Midori to KDRAMA [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 04:57 Altruistic-Ship-500 Ranting about Ichigo and Orihime’s Romantic Relationship (open-minded discussion)

I don’t mind Rukia and Ichigo just being friends; in some ways, I prefer a more platonic relationship like this between a protagonist and heroine character in Jump. Just because they’re the Hero and the Heroine and they’re of the opposite sex doesn’t mean they need to immediately be hooked up together.
I think the problem is that whereas Rukia and Ichigo have tons of interactions and a defined dynamic of butting heads whilst caring about each other (platonically, of course), which creates a strong sense of built-up chemistry. She acts elegant and refined when first they meet, but Ichigo’s blunt attitude and rough style bring out Rukia’s more pigheaded attitude. She will lord over him and act haughty, being the more well-informed character about Soul Reapers and their job, giving her a well-defined role while also somewhat being an older sister type character for Ichigo in terms of watching out for him and chiding him. For Ichigo, it helps to have someone look out for his reckless behavior, and they work well together.
Most interactions between Orihime and Ichigo are not that interesting; she's bashful and he’s dense. She’s honestly boring as heck when she’s around Ichigo and loses all her interesting quirky energy.
I understand that a lot of Orihime's bubbly personality is an act she maintains for the sake of her brother, which she lets down with Rangiku. There is a nugget of an interesting idea with Ichigo possibly being able to see through that persona, given that they are both grieving individuals. Ichigo was shown to smile for the sake of his mom, and you could have him notice Orihime doing the same thing, providing them with a seed to cultivate a more intimate emotional relationship.
Some people might think, “Oh, but that’s too overt; Kubo is more subtle.”
To that, I just want to say that I’m not asking for them to literally say, “I notice you smile to put on a front for everyone because I too did that when I was a kid.” You can approach it with tactful dialogue.
You can approach it with tactful dialogue that is poetic and too Kubo’s more “less is more approach.”
Her relationship with Ichigo feels very much akin to Mikasa and Eren, where the former will say “EREN!!” all the time.
Similarly, Orihime will yell “KUROSAKI-KUN.”
It’s just hard for me to really get what makes them interesting as a couple in this story.
Gin and Rangiku, at least, had an interesting overarching theme showing Gin's love for Rangiku to be something ugly and poisonous rather than beautiful, as he becomes a sadistic monster to achieve vengeance for Rangiku, causing unnecessary sorrow for her that can’t be mended. This dynamic at least had something with one side of the relationship yearning for different things and causing tragedy due to the metaphorical distance created between each other.
I’m sure someone will spell out why Orihime and Ichigo are great, but I personally thought her dynamic with Ulquiorra had more promise, as Ulquiorra's piercing nihilism is something Orihime holds out against until the end when Ulquiorra finally manages to touch through her to the “heart,” a concept lacking tangibility, which is why it’s poignant how he turns to dust before physically touching Orihime.
In summation, a way to fix this is to have more scenes with Ichigo and Orihime peppered throughout the series. Fullbring would have been a good point for these characters to seriously blossom in their relationship as they are somewhat older, which can parallel Bleach’s more young adult style. I’m not saying they should engage in sexual activity; you perverts. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that having them start to date would be nice, which would add to the Tsukishima bookmark memory manipulation. Not to mention Fullbring is a return to Karakura town with a more smaller scale which makes it better to implement a more slice of life rom-com element which I think Kubo is good at I mean look at the first arc which balances fun humor and pathos effectively.
I can’t help but think Kubo may have wanted the Fullbring arc to go on further since something similar happens with Dragon Ball’s great Sayaiman arc were Toriyama goes through the effort of creating this new setting and cast and then abandons it as he pivots back to what Dragon Ball was known for with an emphasis on action it’s implied he got a bit antsy wondering if he should keep writing the more slice of life style narrative or just move ahead in some ways it could be that the Jump editors somewhat pressured him which has been infamous in cases like the Cell Arc where main antagonists were constantly swapped in and out
Similarly I wonder if the weekly salaryman grind that is Shonen Jump either made Kubo more frantic to get back to the action of Bleach or if it was pressure from Jump via editors caused Fullbring to be shorter as I can easily see it being longer in order to flesh out its antagonists Xcution especially Ginjo who while the most interesting Bleach villain to me is somewhat a case of a promising antagonist that could have been better executed given more time to flesh motivations and a back story we know his disdain for Soul Society but we have a flimsy reason as for why being the listening device of the Shinigami badge is that really it?
This aspect would help pacify just having a clunky timeskip to when they’re married at the end of the series with kids; it’s such a lame thing that started with Harry Potter because they didn’t organically build the romantic relationships.
In summation, I don’t mind Ichigo and Orihime, but it’s so lacking that it’s like a bread sandwich—so bland and flavorless.
submitted by Altruistic-Ship-500 to bleach [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 04:43 Raijinili [WEBTOON] 10 more Daily Pass titles now fully ad-unlockable (week 6)

(Previous post: [WEBTOON] 10 more Daily Pass titles now fully ad-unlockable)
WEBTOON still isn't advertising this very well, so here we go.
This is Week 6 of the full-ad binge. 10 new titles have been added, and none have been removed, for a total of 60.
It means you can unlock ALL episodes using ads (lasts 3 days) instead of waiting for Daily Pass (14 days unlocked) or coins (permanent unlock).
Since week 5, it's been using a new Collection page each week, instead of reusing "Binge Read Collection".
Added 2024-05-17 "WEBTOON Love Chronicles" (2024-05-18 02:00 UTC):
  • Seasons of Blossom: 121 ads
    • Probably not first binge.
  • ORANGE MARMALADE: 113 ads
  • The Distance Between Us: 87 ads (first binge; formerly coin-only ending)
  • Date First, Love Later: 84 ads (first binge)
  • Answer Me, My Prince: 73 ads (formerly coin-only ending)
  • When the Day Comes: 46 ads
  • My Irresistible Ex: 94 ads (first binge)
  • Let Me Stay Over Tonight!: 60 ads (first binge)
  • Secret Playlist: 101 ads
    • I remember this getting a binge a few months ago.
  • True Beauty: 249 ads
Added 2024-05-10 "Feel-Good Reads" (2024-05-11 02:00 UTC):
  • Refund High School: 127 ads (first binge?)
    • If there was a binge before, I think it was at least two years ago.
  • A Summer Night's Dream: 79 ads (first binge?)
  • About Death: 22 ads (first binge)
  • I Don't Want This Kind of Hero: 288 ads (first binge)
    • Probably first binge.
    • It used to have 95 ads (required three days to unlock everything), but some time between day 3 and day 7, it got 288 ads.
  • Mom, I'm Sorry: 95 ads (first binge?)
  • My Daughter is a Zombie: 80 ads
    • I don't think this is its first binge, but I don't have a record for it.
  • So You're Raising a Warrior: 90 ads (first binge)
  • Write to Your Heart! : XXX ads
    • I think this had a binge recently.
  • Spring Once Again: 42 ads (first binge)
  • Heavenly Eats: 73 ads (first binge)
Added 2024-04-26 (2024-04-27 02:00 UTC):
  • Ghost Teller: 83 ads (first binge)
  • Garden Club Detective Squad: 47 ads (first binge)
  • She Would Never Know: 45 ads (first binge?)
    • I think it had a binge in January, but if so, I didn't record it properly.
  • The Hip Guy: 82 ads (first binge)
  • If AI Ruled the World: 44 ads (first binge)
  • How to Survive a Romance Fantasy: 55 ads (first binge?)
  • God, Please Make Me a Demon!: 61 ads (first binge)
  • Threads of Love: 70 ads (first binge)
  • I Don't Hate Us: XXX ads (first binge)
    • I don't know if this was formerly coin-only.
  • #muted: 34 ads (formerly coin-only ending)
Added 2024-04-26 (2024-04-27 02:00 UTC):
  • Scorching Romance: 79 ads
  • Shadow Bride: 90 ads
  • It Was All You: 81 ads (first binge)
  • Good Luck, Hero!: 80 ads (first binge)
  • Lullaby: 42 ads (first binge)
  • I Hate That I Love You: 14 ads
  • Flower Pot Crew: 47 ads
  • Skylie: 35 ads
  • Lemon Soda & Coffee: 118 ads
  • Zombie Wife: 55 ads
Added 2024-04-19 (I think):
  • I Get Stronger the More I Eat: 96 ads (first binge)
  • Secretary Out-Of-Order: 49 ads
  • It's Mine: 150 ads
  • The First Hunter: 96 ads (first binge)
  • Rewriting the Villainess: 56 ads
  • GOSU: 211 ads (first binge?)
  • See You in my 19th Life: 113 ads
  • The King and the Paladin: 28 ads (first binge; formerly coin-only ending)
    • Note: Comments on the first episode say that there's an 18+ version which is not as problematic as the "clean" version here.
  • Pyramid Game: 95 ads
  • Ghost Wife: 125 ads (first binge?)
Started 2024-04-12:
  • Marry My Husband: 62 ads
  • The Duke's Cursed Charm: 77 ads (formerly coin-only ending)
    • Note: Last few chapters were coin-only at the start of the event, but they were made DP-able a few days later.
  • The Return of Elena the Knight: 97 ads (first time bingeable)
  • Daytime Star: 71 ads
  • His Majesty's Proposal: 96 ads
  • The First Night With the Duke: 96 ads
  • The God of High School: 538 ads
  • The Boxer: 126 ads
  • Noblesse: 494 ads
  • Sweet Home: 126 ads
Tips:
  • Use the Daily Pass on the last few episodes that you think you'll get up to, to maximize their time unlocked.
  • Unlock them as you read, not all at once, so that the 3-day clock doesn't start counting right away. On the last day, unlock the rest.
You may also be interested in: [WEBTOON] Titles becoming Daily Pass in 2024 May
submitted by Raijinili to webtoons [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 02:19 Diligent_Spirit_7587 Insomnia Awakened RP, [QB] 18+ No Whitelist Application GTA FiveM Server, OPENED TODAY, Recruiting police, medical, and mechanics! Female Ran & Developed Fly In!

Insomnia Awakened RP, [QB] 18+ No Whitelist Application GTA FiveM Server, OPENED TODAY, Recruiting police, medical, and mechanics! Female Ran & Developed Fly In!
Insomnia RP — https://discord.gg/mBTcpUgkny
18+ FiveM server opening our 2.0 version MAY 17th. No whitelist application! A place with many opportunities for criminals, police, medical, civilians and car enthusiasts!
✨ Features 🎉 - We are newly developed, up to date, with a fresh start to all. Looking for Police, mechanics, and medics!
🚗 - Affordable starter vehicles, and many opportunities for car enthusiasts like customizations, car shows, and the ability to one of one a vehicle.
📌 - Here in Insomnia we focus on quality of roleplay. We offer player owned businesses, Many MLO hangout locations, working arcades and trained emergency services.
🎭 - For criminal activity, we believe in interactions and roleplay before ending a scene in handcuffs and jail. Story and well thought plans deserve to be recognized. Our development team plans to expand criminal activities for many possibilities
🌳 - Cherry blossom trees, and large forest trees that makes a unique and beautiful city truly a see for your self experience.
submitted by Diligent_Spirit_7587 to u/Diligent_Spirit_7587 [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 02:12 chanma50 'IF' Rotten Tomatoes Verified Audience Score Thread

I will continue to update this post as the score changes.
Score Number of Reviews Average Rating
Verified Audience 85% 100+ 4.3/5
All Audience 78% 100+ 4.0/5
Verified Audience Score History:
Rotten Tomatoes: Rotten
Critics Consensus: A sweet ode to rediscovering one's inner child, IF largely works as old-fashioned family entertainment despite an occasionally unfocused and unnecessarily complicated plot.
Score Number of Reviews Average Rating
All Critics 50% 129 5.90/10
Top Critics 43% 30 5.70/10
Metacritic: 46 (32 Reviews)
SYNOPSIS:
From writer and director John Krasinski, IF is about a girl who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends — and what she does with that superpower — as she embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids. IF stars Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr. and Steve Carell alongside many more as the wonderfully unique characters that reflect the incredible power of a child’s imagination.
MAIN CAST:
ADDITIONAL VOICE CAST:
DIRECTED BY: John Krasinski
WRITTEN BY: John Krasinski
PRODUCED BY: Allyson Seeger, Andrew Form, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: John J. Kelly, George Dewey
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Janusz Kaminski
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Jess Gonchor
EDITED BY: Andy Canny, Christopher Rouse
MUSIC BY: Michael Giacchino
COSTUME DESIGNER: Jenny Eagan
RUNTIME: 104 Minutes
RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2024
submitted by chanma50 to boxoffice [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 01:29 Typical_Gap_7705 31[M4F] #PA - it’s been awhile…

I’ve never been a “girlfriend guy”, if you know what I mean. I’ve always had an independent streak, and no problem being alone. My past relationships didn’t exactly blossom. Love and vulnerability are scary. Recently, I’ve discovered something scarier: loneliness.
Also, dating at 30 lol…
So here I am, looking for something real on the internet, and if you’re reading this, so are you. God help us.
A little about me: I’m a musician. I play the drums and some keyboard. Love the outdoors, but I’m not a huge fan of travel. I guess one of the (only) perks of living in PA is that Mother Nature is right at your doorstep! I’d really like to get into bicycling; there’s some great trails around me. You know anything about it?
I’m a huge tv/movie buff, not in an annoying snooty way, but more of in an appreciative way lol isn’t it so cool that we have the oldest human tradition of story telling literally on demand at our fingertips?! I like all genres - I’d love to share favorites with you!
I’m a huge sports fan, particularly soccer and football. Go Union/Go Birds. As far as music goes, I like most everything, from Slipknot to Glasper. And my food, I like it spicy. Very spicy.
Uhh what else? Right - what I look like. 5’11, white, brown hair, well groomed beard, not fat, not skinny. I’ve been told my best feature is my blue eyes. Happy to trade pics or FaceTime or whatever.
What am I looking for in you? Shit idk lol I’d be surprised if this even gets me any messages. But if it does, I’ll guess I’ll see you there!
submitted by Typical_Gap_7705 to r4r [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 01:28 Typical_Gap_7705 31 [M4F] PA - it’s been awhile…

I’ve never been a “girlfriend guy”, if you know what I mean. I’ve always had an independent streak, and no problem being alone. My past relationships didn’t exactly blossom. Love and vulnerability are scary. Recently, I’ve discovered something scarier: loneliness.
Also, dating at 30 lol…
So here I am, looking for something real on the internet, and if you’re reading this, so are you. God help us.
A little about me: I’m a musician. I play the drums and some keyboard. Love the outdoors, but I’m not a huge fan of travel. I guess one of the (only) perks of living in PA is that Mother Nature is right at your doorstep! I’d really like to get into bicycling; there’s some great trails around me. You know anything about it?
I’m a huge tv/movie buff, not in an annoying snooty way, but more of in an appreciative way lol isn’t it so cool that we have the oldest human tradition of story telling literally on demand at our fingertips?! I like all genres - I’d love to share favorites with you!
I’m a huge sports fan, particularly soccer and football. Go Union/Go Birds. As far as music goes, I like most everything, from Slipknot to Glasper. And my food, I like it spicy. Very spicy.
Uhh what else? Right - what I look like. 5’11, white, brown hair, well groomed beard, not fat, not skinny. I’ve been told my best feature is my blue eyes. Happy to trade pics or FaceTime or whatever.
What am I looking for in you? Shit idk lol I’d be surprised if this even gets me any messages. But if it does, I’ll guess I’ll see you there!
submitted by Typical_Gap_7705 to ForeverAloneDating [link] [comments]


2024.05.17 23:12 ComprehensiveTower71 [WTS] Jo Malone - Maison Margela's Replica - Designers (Bottle)

Free Shipping - CONUS - International at Cost - PayPal FF/Zelle/Cashapp/BTC/ETH - Chat Preferred - Ask Me Any Questions - Please Comment Before Chatting / PM.
Cover Photo
Add On (Please Sort By "Last Modified" For Most Updated First)
Most Updated Bottle List (Please Sort By "Last Modified" For Most Updated First)
JO MALONE
Cologne Intense - 100ML / $115 - 50ML / $75
100 ML & 50 ML :
Myrrh and Tonka
Red Hibiscus
Oud and Bergamot
Scarlet Poppy
Velvet Oud and Rose
100 ML :
Rose and White Musk Absolu ($175)
Gardenia and Oud Absolu ($175)
Cypress and Grapevine
Huntsman Collection Whisky and Cedarwood
Dark Amber and Ginger Lily
50 ML :
Jasmin Sambac and Marigold
PARTIALS $108 :
Jasmin Sambac and Marigold 98/100 ML
Oud and Bergamot 95/100 ML
Jo Malone Cologne
Cologne - 100 ML / $85 - 50 ML / $60
100 ML :
Orange Blossom w/ Box ($90)
Nectarine Blossom and Honey w/ Box ($90)
English Pear and Sweet Pea w/ Box ($90)
English Pear and Fressia w/ Box ($90)
Wood Sage Sea Salt w/ Box ($90)
Lime Basil and Mandarin
English Pear and Sweet Pea
Wood Sage and Sea Salt
English Oak and Hazelnut
Pomegranate Noir
Basil Neroli
Nectarine Blossom and Honey
English Pear and Fressia
Nashi Blossom
Silver Birch and Lavender
Honeysuckle and Davana
Orange Blossom
Mimosa and Cardamom
Moonlit Camomile
White Moss and Snowdrop
Frangipani Flower
Starlit Mandarin and Honey
Peony and Blush Suede
Bitter Mandarin
50 ML :
Rose Amber ($85)
Rose Magnolia ($85)
Osmanthus Blossom
Nashi Blossom
Bitter Mandarin
PARTIALS $75 :
Wild Bluebell 98/100 ML
Black Cedarwood and Juniper 100 ML
English Pear and Fressia 99/100 ML
Mimosa and Cardamom 98/100 ML
Peony and Blush Suede 98/100 ML
Honeysuckle and Davana 98/100 ML
Basil Neroli 95/100 ML
Peony and Blush Suede 95/100 ML
30 ML TRAVLERS : $35 Each - 2 For $65 - 3 For $95
Wild Bluebell (Damaged Label $30)
Peony and Blush Suede
English Pear and Fressia
Wild Bluebell
Mimosa and Cardamom
Basil and Neroli
Red Roses
DESIGNER
ADD ON OR PLUS SHIP
Givenchy Irresistible Rose Velvet 80 ML - $65
Spicebomb Nightvision EDT 90 ML - $65
Hermes H24 EDT 100 ML - $60
Flowerbomb EDP 30 ML - $40
BNIB :
FOR HIM :
Dior Suavage EDT 200 ML - $135
Aqua di Gio EDP 200 ML - $115
YSL Y EDP 100 ML - $105
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma EDT 100 ML - $105
Spicebomb Extreme 90 ML - $95
YSL Myslf 60 ML - $85
Prada Luna Rossa Ocean EDP 100 ML - $85
Acqua di Gio Profondo 75 ML - $85
Gucci Guilty EDP 90 ML - $85
FOR HER :
Burberry Her Elixir 100 ML - $135
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle 100 ML - $135
Miss Dior EDP 100 ML - $130
Chanel No 5 L'Eau 100 ML - $115
Hermes 24 Faubourg EDP 100 ML - $115
Valentino Donna Born In Roma Intense EDP 50 ML - $110
Burberry Goddess 100 ML - $110
Gucci Gorgeous Magnolia 100 ML - $100
Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche EDP 50 ML - $99
Burberry Her EDP 100 ML - $95
Gucci Bloom Intense 100 - $90
Miss Dior Rose N'Roses 100 ML - $90
Lancome Idole Nectar 100 ML - $90
Gucci Bloom Profumo Di Fiori 100 ML - $90
Carolina Herrera VERY Good Girl 80 ML - $90
Hermès Eau de Pamplemousse Rose 100 ML - $85
YSL Black Opium Over Red 30 ML - $80
Lancome Idole Nectar 50 ML - $70
YSL Mon Paris Lumiere EDT 30 ML - $65
Kylie Jenner Cosmic 100 ML - $65
YSL Libre EDT 30 ML - $65
BRAND NEW NO BOX :
FOR HIM :
Sauvage Elixir 100 ML - $175 (No Cap)
Bleu de Chanel Parfum 100 ML - $150 (Tester)
Bleu de Chanel Parfum 100 ML - $145 (TesteNo Cap)
Chanel Alure Homme Edition Blanche 100 ML - $130 (Tester)
Bleu de Chanel EDT 100 ML - $125 (Tester)
Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme 100 ML- $125 (Tester)
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme Elixir 60 ML - $120
Sauvage Elixir 60 ML - $120
YSL Y EDP Intense 100 ML - $110
YSL Y EDP 100 ML - $100
Chanel Allure Homme Sport 100 ML - $95 ( Tester)
Chanel Allure Homme Sport Cologne 100 ML - $95 ( Tester)
Phantom Parfum 100 ML - $95
Dolce Gabana Devotion EDP 100 ML - $95
Prada L'Homme EDT 100 ML - $90
Burberry Hero EDP 100 ML - $90
YSL L'Homme Le Parfum 100 ML - $90
Bad Boy Le Parfum 100 ML - $85
Spicebomb Infrared EDP - 90 ML - $85
YSL La Nuit De L'Homme 100 ML - $85
Aqua di Gio EDP 75 ML - $85
Valentino Donna BIR Green Stravaganza 50 ML - $85
Terre d'Hermes Eau Givree 100 ML - $80
Terre d'Hermes Parfum 75 ML - $80
Hermes H24 EDP 100 ML - $75
Burberry Hero EDT 100 ML - $75 (No Cap)
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma EDT 50 ML - $75
Invictus Victory EDP Extreme 100 ML - $75
FOR HER :
Aerin Rose de Grasse Parfum 50 ML - $175
Burberry Her Elixir 100 ML - $145
Burberry Her EDP 150 ML - $145 (No Cap)
Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming 100 ML - $125 (No Cap)
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre EDP 100 ML - $115 (Tester)
Carolina Herrera Good Girl EDP 80 ML - $100
Tory Burch Signature 100 ML - $100
La Perla Luminous 90 ML - $100
Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere 100 ML - $95
Armani My Way EDP 90 ML - $95
Burberry Her EDP 100 ML - $90 (No Cap)
Kayali Lovefest Burning Cherry 48 - $90
Chloe Atelier Des Fleurs Magnolia Alba 75 ML - $90
YSL Mon Paris 90 ML - $90
Cartier Must EDT 100 ML - $90
Guerlain Shalimar EDT 90 ML - $90
Soir Eau Du Soir 100 ML - $90
Cartier La Panthere EDP 75 ML - $90
Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Clementina 50 ML - $90
Aerin Hibiscus Palm 50 ML - $90
Cartier Baiser Vole Parfum 100 ML - $85
Valentino Donna Born in Roma EDP 50 ML - $85
Carolina Herrera VERY Good Girl 80 ML - $85
YSL Black Opium Illicit Green 75 ML - $85
MCM Ultra EDP 75 ML - $80
Armani Si Passione Eclat 50 ML - $80
Tory Burch Sublime Rose 90 ML - $80
YSL Opium 90 ML - $75
YSL Mon Paris Intensement 30 ML - $65
La Vie Est Belle Intensement 50 ML - $65 (No Cap)
OUAI Rue St Honore & North Bondi 50 ML's - $50 (Both)
PARTIALS :
Dior Suavage EDP 100 ML w/ Box - $110
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme Elixir 60 ML - $105
Armani Code Parfum 125 ML - $105
Prada Paradoxe 90 ML - $100
Tiffany & Co Rose Gold 75 ML - $90
Carolina Herrera Good Girl EDP 80 ML - $90
Chanel Allure Homme Sport 100 ML - $89 (Tester)
Gentleman Reserve Privee 100 ML w/ Box - $80
CDG Man 2 40/100 ML - $60
MAISON MARGELA REPLICA
Replica
BNIB :
By The Fireplace 30ML + 100ML Refill - $125
By The Fireplace Set (30 ML Bottle + 10 ML Traveler + 7 ML Dribbler ) - $75
Jazz Club Travel Set (30 ML + 10 ML ) - $75 (No Cover)
By The Fireplace ( 30 ML + Candle ) - $60
100 ML :
$85 :
Flower Market
By The Fireplace
Jazz Club
By The Fireplace Refill
On a Date
Beach Walk
Bubble Bath
Brand New No Box : $80
Under The Stars (98/100)
Bubble Bath
Autumn Vibes
By The Fire Place
When The Rain Stops
From The Garden
Matcha Meditation
Matcha Mediation (Cracked Top/No Issue $78)
Beach Walk
When The Rain Stops
PARTIALS/COSMETIC ISSUE/SPRAY ISSUE : $70
Beach Walk Partial + Splasher
CHECK PICTURES FOR LEVELS / SOLD AS IS IN PICTURES / ASK ME FOR EXTRA PICTURES IF NEEDED
submitted by ComprehensiveTower71 to fragranceswap [link] [comments]


2024.05.17 23:12 ComprehensiveTower71 [WTS] Travelers , Decants, Home (Bottle)

2+ Items Of Any Kind Get 10% Off + Free Shipping.
CONUS - International at Cost - PayPal FF/Zelle/Cashapp/BTC/ETH - Chat Preferred - Ask Me Any Questions - Free Shipping with Multiple Bottles Purchased or Regular Size Bottle Purchased From My Other Listing - Please Comment Before Chatting / PM
Cover Pic
Travel Size (Please Sort By "Last Modified" For Most Updated First)
Regular Size Bottle List (Please Sort By "Last Modified" For Most Updated First)
HOME
Brand New :
Le Labo Calone 17 100 ML Room Spray - $75
Jo Malone :
Nectarine Blossom and Honey Body and Hand Lotion 250 ML - $40
English Pear and Fressia Body and Hand Lotion 250 ML - $40
Lavender and Moonflower Pillow Mist 50 ML - $30
Mimosa and Cardamom Body and Hand Wash 250 ML - $39
English Pear and Fressia Body and Hand Wash 500 ML - $95
Wild Bluebell Body and Hand Wash 250 ML - $39
Wood Sage Sea Salt Body Creme 50 ML - $39
Wood Sage Sea Salt Body Creme 175 ML - $75
Myrrh and Tonka Body Creme 175 ML - $90
Blackberry and Bay Candle 200g - $60
Wild Bluebell Candle 200g - $60
Lime Basil and Mandarin Candle 200g - $60
Lavender and Moonflower Candle 200g - $60
Blackberry and Bay Candle 200g - $60
Velvet Rose and Oud Candle 200g - $90
TRAVEL SIZE FRSGRANCES
TOM FORD
Brand New in Box Official Traveler with Mag Cap 10 ML : $50
Soleil Neige
Soliel Blanc
Tobacco Vanille
Brand New Official Traveler with Mag Cap 10 ML : $53
Fucking Fabulous
Lost Cherry
Rose Prick
$47 :
Bois Marocain
Tobacco Vanille
Soilel Neige
Oud Wood
Soliel Blanc
Ebene Fume
Ebene Fume (No Case - $37)
JO MALONE
$35 Each - 2 For $65 - 3 For $95
Wild Bluebell (Damaged Label $30)
Peony and Blush Suede
English Pear and Fressia
Wild Bluebell
Mimosa and Cardamom
Basil and Neroli
Red Roses
OFFCIAL TRAVELERS
Brand New in Box :
TF Sealed Body Spray Fucking Fabulous 150 ML - $70
Brand New In Box Body Spray Rose Prick 150 ML - $70
Michael Kors Wonderlust 10 ML - $10
Brand New No Box :
Le Labo Another 13 - 15 ML - $65
Replica On A Date 10 ML - $22
Replica By The Fire Place - $22
Killian Apple Brandy 7.5 ML - $38
North Bondi 10 ML - $10
Replica Beach Walk 30 ML - $45
Replica On A Date 30 ML - $45
Replica Lazy Sunday Morning 30 ML - $45
Replica Spring Time in a Park 30 ML - $45
PARTIALS :
Le Labo Fleur d'Oranger 27 14/15 - $55
DECANTS : 10 MLs - 2 Or More 10% Off
Initio Oud for Greatness - $40
JPG Le Male EDT Vintage 17" Batch (70611) - $25
JM Intense Myrrh and Tonka - $30
JM Intense Velvet Rose and Oud - $30
JM Intense Vetiver and Golden Vanilla - $30
Replica Jazz Club - $20
Replica By The Fire Place $20
Creed Millésime Impérial - 2015 Batch - $40
TF D/C Venetian Bergamot - $35
TF Soleil Blanc - $35
TF Oud Wood - $35
TF Neroli Portofino - 2014 Batch - $35
TF Rose de Chine - $20 (5ML)
Tom Ford Rose de Chine 30 ML - $80 (Decant)
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia 30 ML - $50 (Decant)
submitted by ComprehensiveTower71 to fragranceswap [link] [comments]


2024.05.17 22:22 bigfootadler March 24-April 7, 2025 Itinerary Check and Recs Kyoto-Osaka-Hakone-Tokyo

My fiance (M26) and I (F24) are planning our honeymoon (hopefully) during cherry blossom season. We already have flight tickets into Haneda Airport, and now we're filling in the gaps to ensure we book the must-see experiences. I'd love some opinions on our current itinerary and recommendations for things we may enjoy, especially cherry blossom activities.
We both like history, culture, food, anime, and off-beat things.
Here is our current itinerary, assume any gaps will be filled with eating/exploring:
Monday, March 24 - Land in Haneda Airport at 4:40AM
Tuesday, March 25 - Kyoto
Wednesday, March 26 - Kyoto
Thursday, March 27th - Kyoto and Osaka
Friday, March 28 - Osaka
Saturday, March 29 - Day trip to Hiroshima
Sunday, March 30 - Osaka
Monday, March 31 - Hakone
Tuesday, April 1 - Hakone
Wednesday, April 2 - Tokyo
Thursday, April 3 - Tokyo
Friday, April 4 - Tokyo
Saturday, April 5 - Monday April 7 - Tokyo
Fly out April 8th
Tokyo is my most flexible/least planned section since it seems like the best to wander. Sad that the gundam is gone, that would have been on the list. I've been recommended teamLab Planets, but it kind of looks just like an Instagram museum. Am I wrong here?
Otherwise, does this itinerary seem distributed ok? Any places you would avoid or go at specific times?
I've got a very scary spreadsheet to estimate costs and keep up with things I've researched, and so far with plane tickets, accommodations, food, activities, etc. we’re looking at about $8,000 spent for 2 people. Does this seem like an accurate amount for a couple spending 14 days honeymooning in Japan?
submitted by bigfootadler to JapanTravel [link] [comments]


2024.05.17 20:01 Ustar1000 My Happy Marriage Director Takehiro Kubota and Creating a New Fairytale

The story of My Happy Marriage is set in a fictitious historical time period reminiscent of Japan's Meiji and Taisho eras. How did this influence you at the time of deciding how certain scenes would be played or what traits the characters would have?
Takehiro Kubota: To be honest, I didn't really pay attention to the era when it came to the characters... (laughs). But, since many of the garments are kimonos, we paid particular attention to the patterns on the kimonos. The setting of the original story is about half-realistic and half-fictional, so the things are designed in such a way that they "look like they fit the setting" rather than being based on precise historical research—though, that's not to say we didn't use a variety of materials from the specific time period as references to strike a good balance between reality and fiction. Originally, the time period, location, and even the country were not clearly stated in the novel. It was a Japan-like, Taisho era-like, ambiguous fantasy world. So we paid close attention to finding the right balance between the realistic and the fictional.
Miyo is a character whose growth is slow and not always steady. What steps did you take (or choices did you make) in order to best show this? Did you have any concerns that viewers would find her too slow or shy to understand the decisions she makes over the course of the anime?
KUBOTA: As you said, Miyo is very introverted and indecisive, and sometimes makes the wrong choices, so I think many viewers may have felt frustrated at times. However, since we had the original novel to reference from, the answers to all of our questions were found there, so adapting those aspects on our end wasn't all that complicated. Our main focus was on how to organize Miyo's complex emotional growth throughout the story—to make sure the flow of emotions was smooth and didn't feel strange. In the first part of the story, Miyo slowly recovers her past emotions lost to her traumatic past, through her encounters with Kiyoka and her growth as a person. In order to express this growth, we had to begin with her as a passive character.
During the production of the anime, especially during recording, we paid close attention to the voice actors' performances (tone of voice, sense of tension) and provided direction. We knew that due to the dramatic structure set up in the first episode (which would be important throughout the series), things would start out quite dark. So we were a little worried about how it would be received by the audience. But in the end, luckily, I believe it was generally well received.
The color palette for the anime largely relies on soft pinks and lavenders. Is this symbolic of the sakura tree Miyo's mother is associated with? What symbolism did you want viewers to take from the gentle colors?
KUBOTA: You're on the right track. Since cherry blossoms are one of the symbolic motifs of this work, pink and lavender were often used in the color palettes throughout the anime.
Within Japan's four very distinct seasons, I feel that the colors of cherry blossoms being associated with spring is something very strongly etched into the minds of Japanese people. Spring is the season of meetings and also the season of partings. I thought it would be wonderful if the colors of the cherry blossoms could represent both Miyo meeting Kiyoka and the memory of her late mother, so I actively incorporated them into the anime.
The fairy tale Cinderella has been adapted into many different versions in media. Were you familiar with any of these versions before directing this anime? Did it have any impact on any of the creative choices you made? Do you see Miyo as a Cinderella figure?
KUBOTA: In addition to the original, I have seen many different versions of the Cinderella story. I also believe that the thematic core of Cinderella has been incorporated into a variety of works—live-action and animated. The original My Happy Marriage novels were promoted as a “Cinderella story” so I think that it's safe to say those Cinderella elements are strongly reflected in the story.
When asked if there was anything that influenced me or that I paid attention to in terms of directing, I can't think of anything right away, but at the production level, I was careful to never make Miyo have a strong-willed expression on her face [at the beginning of the story]. This is because Miyo should be a character who is always in doubt and has difficulty making her own decisions. This is something that the original author explained to me. I see it is a way to contrast Miyo at the start to Miyo after she has grown as a person.
My Happy Marriage is set within the general framework of a success story—where the protagonist, who is living in an absurd situation, grows as a result of the events she experiences. We watch Miyo, who has nothing, struggle between the pain of her past and the conflicts of her present. She meets Kiyoka—a person who becomes indispensable to her—and finds happiness and grows thanks to him. So I feel that Miyo is a Japanese version of Cinderella, albeit on a different scale.
Throughout the story, we see how through Kiyoka, Hazuki, and Yurie, Miyo learns courage and that she deserves to be loved. Kiyoka also seems much less one-dimensional than a stereotypical savior figure, but what did you want viewers to see Kiyoka learn from his relationship with Miyo?
KUBOTA: This story is not my own story, but that of the original author, Akumi Agitogi, so I did not try to put too much of my own message into it. That said, if there is anything to be learned or taken from the relationship between Kiyoka and Miyo, it would be the spirit of give-and-take, a positive attitude toward understanding others, and the importance of love.
From the widest possible viewpoint, I don't think either Miyo or Kiyoka gained much [materially] from their relationship, but what they did gain was something irreplaceable. Something priceless that money cannot buy: a strong spiritual bond. In the greater sense, the message of the story is the hope that the world will become a peaceful place where people from various backgrounds can live together and understand each other with love.
What aspects of directing this anime did you find most challenging? Compared to other titles you've worked on the taste of the story seemed quite fresh, was there anything you consciously approached differently?
KUBOTA: As a director, there is no end to the difficulties and hardships. I often felt stressed because I had to manage the staff, do quality control, and take on a wide range of other responsibilities (laughs).
Since the original work is a novel (although there is also a manga adaptation), I was able to propose my own vision and incorporate various ideas into the anime. I was able to show off my own style in this anime, so I think that it was very rewarding. The genre and themes of My Happy Marriage were something I had not touched on much in previous productions, so I feel I have become more confident doing love stories like this one.
Were you concerned about how overseas viewers would enjoy/interpret the anime?
KUBOTA: Not really. In fact, I never imagined that it would be seen so widely in so many different countries, so I was grateful when I heard that it had been watched by so many people overseas and had such a positive response. Especially due to Miyo's uniquely Japanese character? It's somewhat hard to express the nuance, but Miyo is a quite modest person who clearly doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve— I found it very interesting that her character was accepted in other cultures where being able to assert one's own opinion is a highly valued character trait.
How did you approach balancing the fantasy elements of the plot such as the supernatural abilities, and the historical fiction/romance portions of the story? Were they difficult to synchronize?
KUBOTA: Balancing the various elements was difficult. The work is composed of various elements such as fantasy with supernatural powers, romance, and suspense—and none of them could be neglected. And because of the animation timeline, it was difficult to decide what to focus on. We had to make decisions about what to keep and what to cut. We knew from the beginning what viewers who read the original would want from this anime and we wanted to make sure that they were as satisfied as possible. So we focused on the relationship between Kiyoka and Miyo as well as Miyo's growth.
Lastly, do you have anything you'd like to say to overseas viewers of the anime?
KUBOTA: The first season of the anime has been fully broadcast—and, although the air date has yet to be determined, a second season of the anime is currently in the works.
I hope that all you dear viewers who watched the first season will look forward to seeing how the relationship between Miyo and Kiyoka develops in the second season.
Also, everyone is likely wondering when Miyo and Kiyoka will actually get married. I'm also very curious about that, so I hope we can look forward to it together!
Link: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2024-05-17/my-happy-marriage-director-takehiro-kubota-and-creating-a-new-fairytale/.210804
End of Post
submitted by Ustar1000 to MyHappyMarriage [link] [comments]


2024.05.17 14:24 stubbynubb 10 days in Kyoto and Tokyo - February 2024 trip report and full expense breakdown

This sub has been a huge help in my itinerary preparation and general whatever questions so I thought why not return the favor.. 3 months later. Welp, better late than never!
This trip report will be done chronologically, detailing our mistakes as we went (especially on day 1). And I'll probably be sprinkling in some tips and learnings here and there.
Travel dates
February 18 to 22 – Kyoto February 22 to 27 – Tokyo
Day 1
After landing at Narita airport, we were able to breeze through the immigration and customs lines, mainly because of the Japan web QR codes and maybe also partly because we had a morning flight. First things that I wanted to get in order ASAP were:
  1. Cash - Took us a while to find an ATM in the airport, but did find one in the lower floor and withdrew just a tad over 20k JPY (a mistake).
  2. Yamato Transport - After getting cash, I wanted to buy and load my Suica card first but it turns out there aren't any nearby the arrival area. Since Yamato is inside the airport, I just decided to do that first. Paid 5260 JPY in total for 2 luggages sent to our Kyoto hotel. Not sure if it's a measurement error or a done deliberately, but the Tokyo (NRT) to Kyoto fee was much more expensive than our Kyoto to Tokyo luggage fee.
  3. Suica - Finally found a JR East office that sells the 10 year Suica cards. Bought two, one for me and my partner. Initial load was 1500 JPY, so I deposited 500 each so each card ended up costing 2000 JPY. After sorting all that out, I topped up our Suica cards at a 7-Eleven store. But since I did a rookie mistake of only withdrawing 20k JPY, I was only able to load 5k for each card. I call this a mistake because the foreign exchange and withdraw transaction fees where I'm from are WILD so I should, as much as possible, minimize the amount of withdrawals that I do.
Next task was to buy tickets for the Narita Express bound for Tokyo station. It wasn't difficult to get one, but turns out that I selected the unreserved seats option when I got my ticket. All of the seats in the NEX are supposedly reserved os I'm not sure why that was even an option. Luckily, I asked a guard about my ticket, at that time just making 1000% sure we're in the right place. He found out that I had an unreserved ticket so he taught me how to change to a reserved one in the kiosk near the tracks. So big thanks to that guy.
Slept the entire way from NRT to Tokyo station. Tokyo station wasn’t as bad as I expected. After just following the signs leading to Tokaido Sanyo shinkansen, managed to find ourselves in the right floor and right gate. I tried to redeem our reserved tickets, but somehow couldn’t get it to work. Turns out that this is not an isolated issue and people on Reddit are also complaining about this. Apparently all you need to do is just let the gate machine scan your QR code and then it spits out a ticket for you. The conductor asked me to insert my 2 tickets from the NEX too, probably to ‘end’ the trip.
While waiting for our 1 PM train, we bought some ekibens and water. Got pork cutlet and unagi. Around 12:50 we decided to go up and wait for the train there. Turns out the train was the one waiting for us. Apparently you can already board a shinkansen 20 minutes before departure.. when the clock struck 1 PM, the train immediately left the station.
Ate and then slept for quite a bit at the train. We had premium or business class style seats, so it was pretty comfortable. I wasn’t really feeling well, so I had a hard time resting. Asked my partner to wake me up if she sees Mt. Fuji, but Fuji-san was shy that day.
Arrived at the specified time, as usual when it comes to Japanese standards. Looked for signs leading to the Subway and Karasuma line, as that will be our next train going to the hotel. Managed to find it quite easily. Metros and subways are really just about following instructions, turns out. Shocker. As we arrived at the exit gate leading to the subways, we didn’t know what to do again so asked for help from the gate conductors. They just took our ticket and scanned our qr codes and then let us pass.
Found the entrance gate to the Karasuma line and tapped our Suicas. We were able to go inside without any problems. Couple minutes later, we arrived at Shijo station and tried to exit when for some reason it wouldn’t accept our cards. Obviously I have no idea again what happened here. A concerned citizen pointed us to the fare change booth, but it only ended up recharging my card another 1k yen. After a couple more failures, just decided to call for help using the help desk/kiosk thing. The attendant asked me to scan my card and then he opened the gate. We stayed at THE GENERAL KYOTO Shijo Shinmachi for our Kyoto leg, which was pretty close from the station. After taking a little rest, we went to Nishiki market even though most of the stalls are already closed. We weren't very hungry due to sleep deprivation so we just bought strawberry daifukus. Wanted to check the good coffee place nearby (WEEKENDERS) even though I had an inkling it was already closed, but was pleasantly surprised to find out that they were still open and accepting orders at 1 minute before their closing time. The coffee was amazing, of course. We left shortly after finishing our cups and headed to a nearby Lawson to top up our cards again, withdraw additional cash, and buy some snacks.
Day 2 - Temple hopping, Pontocho
Started our day at 9:30 AM. First stop was Shijo station, just to have my partner's Suica card fixed. The station staff was really efficient and was able to fix the card in no time, probably because they get idiots like us everyday. Unfortunately, it rained the moment we got out of the station, which lasted the entire day. We had our minds set to our itinerary, so we had a quick Daiso run for some face towels and umbrella. After our first ever Japan bus ride, which turned out to be the wrong bus, we were finally able to ride the correct bus for Kiyomizudera. We hiked to the top with a shit ton of people and elementary school kids who were on a field trip. We didn’t really mind the crowd – explored, took some photos, and paid 400 JPY to enter the temple premises. After circling the entire perimeter of the temple, we went down to the next temple in our itinerary, Kodaiji. Bought a snoopy ice cream on the way down and this pickled cucumber on stick which we found absolutely disgusting, to say the least.
To reach Kodaiji, we passed through Gion street, which had lots of cute distractions everywhere. Entered a ring making store, but didn’t buy anything. Saw the second Ghibli merch store and got some souvenirs this time. Reached Kodaiji but decided not to go inside anyway lol. We went to Maruyama Park instead and enjoyed spending time petting and taking pictures of the most obese cats we've ever seen in our lives.
We had more temples that we were supposed to visit in our itinerary, but at this point with the rain and all we just decided to fuck it and skip them. Went to Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu, an old canvas bag shop that only has this one store in Kyoto. A bit pricey, but it's even more expensive on their online store so I took my sweetest time to find one that I really liked before I pulled the trigger.
At this point, we haven't had a proper meal ever since we set foot in Japan. So we took a bus to the nearest Ichiran and got the ramen bowl with soft-boiled egg add-on. It was good, but nothing life changing. As we were in the area, we walked to WEEKENDERS (again), and ordered pourover and iced latte. Everything was amazing. On the way to Pontocho, we passed by our first Donki and ate our first famichiki. That thing is insanely good and one of my biggest regrets is not eating more of it. Strolled by Pontocho alley, didn't eat at any of the restaurants. We didn't have any winter clothes at all, so we went to UNIQLO and GU for some heattechs and outerwears. Before ending our day, we paid another visit to 7-Eleven for snacks/dinner. I think it was probably around this time that I fell in love with the salmon onigiri.
Our Yamato transport luggages arrived in the afternoon that day, so were only able to collect it when we returned to the hotel at night.
Day 3 - Fushimi Inari, Higashiyama
Arrived at the starting area of the Fushimi Inari hike 30 minutes past 12. Was wearing my newly bought long coat today and a pair of loafers. Definitely the exact opposite of clothes you’d want to wear for this kind of activity. Still, we managed to finish the entire Fushimi Inari loop, but not without sweating loads.
At the end of the hike, we went inside this cozy coffee shop by the river (Vermillion Cafe). Ordered hot coffee and bread. Place was nice but was more amazed with the Japanese cashier's fluent English. Didn’t stay for long, and then continued on our way and stumbled upon this chonky tuxedo cat. Or it could’ve been the other way around…
Anyway, after those events, we finally arrived at the end road. Plenty of food stalls everywhere, so we tried some takoyaki, chicken skewers, and karaage. Probably liked the takoyaki the most, but then again, none of them were life changing good.
After Inari, we were kind of at a loss on what to do next. We weren’t really hungry because of all the snacks, and the supposed next stop on our itinerary is already closed because of our late start. So I figured to go to Arabica instead, and found one in Higashiyama. Boarded the train to Kyoto and then a bus to the area. Turns out that this Arabica spot is the one that’s famous for the Yasaka pagoda background. Took some pics, bought coffee, which was terrible at first but got better as it mixed, then took more pics. Fair warning if you're lactose intolerant, you might want to stay away from Arabica's coffee..
Again, we didn’t know what to do after our coffee stop. We just mindlessly strolled for a while, until finally setting our sights on Gion. Noticed that there’s a gyukatsu place on the way, so we decided to eat there for dinner.
Day 4 - Arashiyama, Kinkakuji
Started the day with a fun 15km run along Kamo river. Really had a blast running there, as the riverbank never seemed to end.
Had a long bus ride to Arashiyama, where we visited the bamboo forest and monkey park. It rained again, but at this point we've had enough rains that it didn't really matter anymore. Mount Arashi looked amazing across the Oi river, especially with the fog caused by the rain.
For lunch, we had a reservation at Unagi Hirokawa, which is also located in the vicinity. A little pricey, but the meal was superb.
Shortly thereafter, we left for Kodaiji temple. We arrived just before closing time so we just kinda sped up going around the temple. It probably would've looked much better if we went there in the morning or early afternoon. Didn't do much afterwards, just random strolls along Gion and Shijo, visiting a couple boutique stores and had takeout Mos to eat at the hotel.
Day 5 - Kyoto → Tokyo
Our last day in Kyoto. Checked out of our hotel and grabbed our last cup of coffee at Weekenders before going to the station and ride the Shinkansen to Tokyo.
Tokyo felt much colder than Kyoto for some reason. Maybe it had to do with the wind. We were freezing when we arrived outside Tokyo station. Anyway, we took the city bus from the station to Hamacho hotel, where we'll be staying at for 5 days in Tokyo.
After settling ourselves in, we strolled around the neighborhood and stopped by Single O for coffee. Walked a bit more afterwards to explore the nearby stations. Realized it was getting too cold so we decided to take a quick trip to Ginza to buy gloves and leggings.
Pretty uneventful day overall, but we were pretty tired from all the travelling so it felt nice to have a slow, easy day.
Day 6 - Shinjuku, Shibuya
Our first taste of rain in Tokyo. And what better way to spend a rainy day than to visit the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.. But yeah, that's exactly what we did. It was freezing cold, but we had fun seeing the plum and early cherry blossoms at the garden.
We were supposed to visit Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi afterwards, but we were short of time so we went directly to the Harajuku area instead. Ate some crepes, strolled a couple blocks, and off we went to Shibuya crossing. After a couple pictures, we then went to Shibuya Sky for our scheduled visit.
Since it rained all day, we weren't allowed to go to the open/rooftop area of Shibuya Sky. We didn't get a nice view either because of all clouds and rain, so pretty unfortunate overall. But we still had fun looking at the streets below. Had a late lunch/early dinner at Tonkatsu Maisen Omotesando, which was also our first meal of the day. We didn't plan to go at this restaurant at all but I'm so glad we did because it was amazing. Their tonkatsu was something else, plus the unlimited rice, which was a welcome surprise.
If it isn't obvious by now, we're huge suckers for good coffee so we went to Koffee Mameya after our meal. There was a short line (around 5 PM) so we had to wait for a while before getting our turn at the table. This never came up on my research for some reason, but I was surprised to find out that they don't carry their own beans, and they actually only make the pourovers for you using beans from other roasteries. Both of us had a light roast (forgot which roastery) which was pretty good, but didn't really make me salivate enough to buy the beans.
Checked a couple more stores around the area. Didn't really like anything so we left and went to the ASICS RUN store in Marunouchi and bought my first pair of Superblasts. Then, we left for the hotel shortly afterwards.
Day 7 - Ueno, Asakusa
Had my morning run at the Sumida riverside, just a few blocks away from our hotel. Not as nice as Kamo river, but it was good enough for me, as someone who lives in a place with barely any running routes.
We tried this bakery beside our hotel called Boulangerie Django, somewhat European inspired but the food and bread were really good. We didn't really have much of a choice though since the aroma of the breads just draws you in when you pass by the place. Afterwards, we bought coffee to-go at Single O, which is at the other side of the street. The weather today was perfect. Sunny with some clouds. We visited Ueno zoo, even though it wasn't in our itinerary. Initial plan was stroll around Ueno park and visit the museums, but for some reason we wanted to look at some animals that day, so we did. Didn't know what else to do at Ueno afterwards so we headed to Asakusa for food.
At Asakusa, we had croquette for snacks, street izakaya for late lunch, and unagi onigiri, and cremia for more snacks. It was nice, but at the same time the place felt very congested.
Before going back to our hotel, we paid a quick visit to Akihabara just to have an idea of what the place is like. We ended up spending quite some time here, visiting a couple anime stores and claw machines. Left the place around 10 PM and arrived at the hotel at 10:30 PM.
Day 8 - Chuo area
Ran again, this time at the Imperial Palace. I think I did around 2 loops. Had a ton of fun running here, plenty of other runners as well so you could easily just latch on to their pace and cruise the entire time. It also rained again after I finished my run.
Went to Tsukiji Market first thing for snacks. Then we walked to Hamarikyu Gardens for more plum and cherry blossom spotting. Kinda wish we just skipped this since it felt pretty much just like our Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden trip with the rain. There weren't any stations nearby either, so we had to walk to our next destination, which was Ginza Steak.
Ginza Steak has set menus, but I'm pretty sure everyone's just after the unlimited wagyu beef. I think I had at least 6 servings. The person beside me, who was already there before we arrived, probably had like 20 servings. Funnily enough he struck a conversation with us just out of fun, so I told him that I think he's a very big eater. He laughed and thank me for the compliment. He was there with his daughter, who was celebrating her birthday. In the end, all of us at the table sang happy birthday for her. Such a fun moment.
We went to Glitch Coffee after our meal, then lined up for almost 2 hours just to get inside. Turns out their other branch was under construction so everyone flocked to the Ginza branch. It was 100% worth the wait though because this was the best cup of coffee we've ever had in our lives. I ended up buying 2 bags of beans from this roaster. Shopped at UNIQLO then had a small meal at TORIGIN. Bought souvenirs at Don Quixote before going back to the hotel.
Day 9 - teamLAB Borderless, Shibuya
Our last day today. First thing we did was go to teamLAB Borderless at Azabudai hills for our reservation. We didn't expect to have as much fun as we did here.
We wanted to eat ramen so we looked for one near Omotesando. Stumbled upon Oreryu Shio, supposedly a big ramen chain in Japan. Their serving was much larger than Ichiran's. Taste-wise though, I think we preferred Ichiran more.
We didn't have much planned for this last day, as we wanted to keep it open to allow us to visit places that we liked or wanted to visit again. We spent our last half day in Shibuya, doing vintage stores crawl and revisiting Takeshita street. Also did some last minute shopping at Loft Shibuya and spent all of our coins in a gachapon place near Shibuya crossing. Crossed the Shibuya crossing one last time and then we went back home to pack and rest.
Day 10 - Flight back home Our flight was at 8:00 in the morning, so there was no room to do anything else before leaving. Since we stayed in Hamacho, the T-CAT was just a few blocks away from us. We took a taxi to T-CAT, then boarded the bus to Narita. Arrived around 6 AM, which was plenty enough time for us to go through all of the stuff in the airport plus buy additional souvenir snacks.
And as promised, here's the expense breakdown of our trip: https://imgur.com/a/PCckaO1
Edit: Formatting
submitted by stubbynubb to JapanTravel [link] [comments]


2024.05.17 13:16 Liberty-Prime76 Letter of Marque 82 - A NoP Fanfic

As always, thank you to u/SpacePaladin15 for the wonderful universe that is NoP! Thank you to u/cruisingNW for proof reading and helping me make this chapter as good as it can be, you're the man! Honestly LoM wouldn't have gone very far without him! If you haven't you should absolutely go read Foundations of Humanity! It's very good AND it just updated!
A big thanks to u/Saint-Andros for helping with proofreading! He writes Out of Our Elements which is a very good one! If you like a good fic in the wilderness and a pair of cute 'friends' ;) you'll love OOE!
Also thank you to u/brotanics! For this wonderful fanart of Taisa. And this one! She's so cute I'm gonna die
And thank you to u/Jimdandy117! For this adorable fanart of Chris and Renkel! Dear god help he's adorable I love him so much
Thank you u/SlimyRage, or AsciiSquid on Discord, for makin' Vengineer Taisa Gamin'. She's absolutely adorable, I love her lil' workers apron. She looks so excited to get to work!
Thank you u/Braquen! For this astounding Pixel Art of Taisa after a few range day dates with Chris! Her little hat and gunbelt are absolutely astounding!
Thank you u/VeryUnluckyDice! For this Artwork of Taisa and Chris as characters from One Piece! I've never seen or read it before but it's incredibly cute!
Thank you to u/creditmission for their wonderful work of several LoM fanfics!
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Memory Transcription Subject: Taisa, Venlil Starship Engineer, Crystal Star Shipping Co-Owner
Date [Standardized Human Time]: October 16th, 2136
Stars… doom or not, that moon is beautiful.
Earth’s own spotlight still hung in the sky, creeping ever higher backlight more and more of the fleet waiting in anticipation. The moon’s pure white light scattered aimlessly across the mountains, shimmering like liquid silver on the surface of the river flowing through the valley far below us. Slinking dark forms of ships that slipped beyond her light made their presence known through the trailing wisps their ion thrusters jetted out behind them; painting the soil-black sky with twisting, swirling hues of blue amongst the shimmering stars.
A warm and weighty hand pulled me close as the cool night air of the mountains flowed through my wool, coaxing a contended purr to build and blossom in my chest as I pressed into Chris’ side, stretching up to nuzzle into his neck before leaning forward and snatching another ‘hummus’ covered carrot from the tray to pop it into my mouth. The delicious, savory smoothness of the hummus accompanied the sweet harshness of the carrot perfectly, sending a trill of pleasure through my chest before I continued my story.
Anyhow, Quilleth and I, despite her continuous protests, get assigned to the same design herd for one of our final projects. We had an old Triconn Drive Systems TC-547 Jump drive and one of their ‘standard’ fusion cores to go with it, one of the worst pairs of speh-stacks ever built if you ask me, that we needed to rebuild and get working again, and she wanted no part of having to ‘deal’ with me for any extended period of time. Tavareth, my jump-drive maintenance and design professor, was adamant that,” I stopped, pulling in a breath and puffing out my chest, doing my best to mimic the old, gray trunked Mazic. “Ahem, ‘In a work environment you’ll have to work past your differences to make the herd stronger.’ and all kinds of other speh that amounted to ‘I need to fill out this herd the rest of the way and you two are who’s left.’”
“They both sound so pleasant.” Chris rumbled, a chuckle in his voice as he grinned, handing me another of his ‘cracker sandwiches’ before turning his eyes back to the stars high above.
“That’s a word for it.” I agreed, giving a jovial whistle past the crumbling cracker and deliciously smooth nut-spread. “But she dropped that tune real fast the second we came up to a real problem in the project trying to source a new, or at least rebuildable, primary magnetic accelerator. I called Parnel and had a brand new one, that was well past any spec we were expected to meet, in our workshop and installed within the paw. After that I checked the drive’s Tritium levels, rerouted every coolant line, field flow point and magnetic induction coil so they actually worked right, stars forbid those wool brains at Triconn ever design something right the first time, to get everything I could out of the new accelerator assembly.”
“Now why does that sound familiar?” Chris mused, a sly smile on his face as scooped a fistful of crunchy chips into his mouth.
“You can shush Captain ‘try his damnedest to burn out every subsystem he can find’, half the re-routing I have to do now is your fault!” I replied with an amused whistle, paffing the back of his head with my tail-tuft before continuing. “Now, after I’d… dove into the ove-”
“As you often do.” Chris cut in, a smile on his face as he prodded my side with a burbling laugh in his voice.
Shush!” I bleated in return, the warmth of a spreading bloom driving the sneaking cold of the mountain air from my wool. “As I was saying, after I dove into the drive, Quilleth and our other partners, mostly Quilleth, had taken it on themselves to handle the core’s overhaul and refueling. Leave it to most herds to take the easy route and not learn something if they can get away with it, you can damn well bet they made sure to document that I was the one who worked on the drive and that the, far easier, core was all them. The work on the drive took a while by myself but I still managed to get everything done and put together before we had to spin it up for the test-paw.”
“How do you test a drive and a core if it's not on a ship? Feels like a fast way to make a problem for yourself.” Chris asked, his eyes focused on me, interest plain on his face as his hand wrapped around my side to pull me close.
“Well the drives physically can’t engage if they’re in a sufficient gravity well, and VP is well beyond that threshold, so we just spin them up, take readings to ‘prove’ that they’d work in a real application. I argued we should have had a few shuttles with remote diagnostics and control systems, like we used during your flight training, to do the tests to show they actually did work since correct readings in a gravity well and correct readings in applied use can be different and you wouldn’t know until you were in orbit and getting ready to jump. Tavareth said he’d have ‘loved to give us the chance but the university didn’t have the funds to allocate’ or some other excuse the faculty always used to avoid doing things the right way.” I replied, waving my paws in frustration at the amount of projects that were only given a curled tail of thought before being dumped on us to complete, real world applications or not.
“Sounds a lot like Trepassy’s parent company, unless it was a ‘mission critical component’ as they put it, then they didn’t much care to fix it if it didn’t keep her stuck in port. Always made the excuse that the repairs weren’t in the budget while posting ten plus percent margins. Didn’t matter how much me and the cap’ called and bitched them out for busted Air-con or the rec-room being entirely bare they always said the same damned thing. Bunch of assholes.”
My tail set to wagging at the idea of Chris and his captain shouting into a phone at some other Human half the world away about something that felt all too familiar. “Anyways, we get everything set up on the testing field outside of Dayside, get the systems mounted into their cooling and fuel channels before we start spooling the core up and putting power to the drive. Before too long Tavareth announces that everything looks stable and we can begin putting load onto the system, everything climbs their scales well. The warp field levels off with the expected fluctuations of a drive being operated way too far into a gravity well to maintain any real stability and the core temperature looks good. Everything’s holding steady, Tavareth looks pleased, the rest of my project-herd is congratulating each other on a project completed.”
“Then the core temp starts climbing, blooming well beyond any ‘acceptable’ overheating limiter Quilleth, Uderek or Ofent could have seen fit to set. I looked over and found all three of them watching the core start to melt down in disbelief as Tavereth slams down every single E-stop he can find on the command console. Suddenly everything stops, the room goes quiet as the distant, now glowing white core is dumped straight into an abort tank to expend its… energy somewhere a bit safer. ”
“Tavereth whipped around faster than I’d ever seen that big old Mazic move and oh stars was he furious!” I bleated, tossing my paws in the air at the memory of him studying each of us in turn before launching into an angry tirade. “That core was as bright as the stars themselves but it had nothing on the bloom positively glowing beneath Quilleth’s coat! He laid into all of us for a solid five minutes, calling out everything that could have gone wrong under Sollaglick’s light and I didn’t say a thing until she tried to blame me for forgetting to install the limiters!”
I saw the corner of Chris’ mouth curl in a tight smile, he knew what was coming but it still felt so good to be able to revel in it with my own herd, pack or whatever we should have been called. “Then I threw her own write up right back at her! Pointed out every note that explicitly called out that I only worked on the drive and that the core was all them, more specifically that SHE was supposed to have installed the limiters almost a herd before according to their schedule!”
“Uderek, Ofent and I all got a stern warning about why you should always check your herd-mates’ work and I got a gruff ‘good work’ for the drive before Tavereth positively berated Quilleth for the next quarter claw! Those two were good to me for the tail end of the semester, I’d hoped they’d try to keep in touch after we went our separate ways but… well they really didn’t.” I sighed with a shrug, the sun falling from my field at the memory of the last time I’d seen the chipper Gojid and our Tilfish friend.
“Well, hopefully things are going good for them, sometimes folks get busy… maybe they figure they don’t wanna bother you! ‘Specially now that you got your own ship and whatnot!” Chris comforted, his hands tracing wonderfully comforting circles through my wool.
Could always try to get in contact again if we make it through this.
>Agreed.< “Maybe I should, would be nice to have even more paws onto look at any of the problems Darno and I can’t… Stars above what is that?!
My breath hitched in my throat as I looked to the stars, watching as the fleets high above began to exchange zipping tails of blue and green. A horrid, deadly light show filled the void high above earth, ships on both sides taking and serving hits with the fervor only people fighting for their lives, and the lives of everyone they’d ever known, could truly muster. The blazing trails of plasma slammed into the distant motes, scattering their vibrant colors in globs across the tapestry of the stars before some of them were joined by the flash of critical reactors and munition blowouts.
But amongst it all that wasn’t even the most of it.
For a brief moment I had thought the U.N. had decided to throw their entire moon at the fleet, another break-tail juke to smash as much of the fleet as they could; but the vectors were all wrong. They weren’t propelling here, they were taking off from her. The light of the moon was ablaze, obscured with towering pillars of smoke and fire, cacophonous trails of burnt oxygen and hydrogen traced a stampede directly to the extermination fleet. No, what they had actually chosen to do was far worse.
They’d stowed what looked like a never ending salvo of gargantuan missiles waiting for the exact moment to drop everything they had on the extermination fleet. A thought crossed my mind, a display from some stars-forsaken exhibit in the capital’s museum called ‘true evil’, its content was positively laughable now, about how many atomics humanity had made before they’d ’annihilated’ themselves. I think the curator had harvested the numbers a shear or two short. The sky lit up like a battery of strobes, the constant cracking light of splitting atoms nearly turning night to day as they spread like a blight through the assaulting fleet.
I couldn’t help but pull my lips back in a smile as my tail thumped rapidly against the stone beneath me. That mote of hope in my chest grew, watching the burning hulks full of people who wanted nothing more than to destroy everything about this world I’d come to love break apart, venting atmosphere as they sat, hanging in the void. Some tried to turn tail and limp away, some slipped into Earth’s gravity, their battered hull sections turning to voracious fireballs as they plummeted toward the hard, unforgiving dirt below.
Should’ve stayed home.
The thunk and twang of Chris’ instrument slipping from its case harvested my attention, my eyes sliding from the battle high above to the glowing white instrument resting in his hands. His own eyes turned to the sky, hovering for a moment as he plucked a few discordant notes from the instrument before looking back down and over to me, meeting my gaze.
“‘Suppose now’s as good a time as any.” He shrugged, giving me a small smile as I nodded, wrapping my tail around his wrist before gently nuzzling into his neck and turning my eyes back to the battle.
The sharp, plucky, barking twang of the banjo called out across the mountain tops, echoing back to us like a distant friend as Chris’ voice filled the air, joining the banjo in its reprise. The slow, wavering song danced between us just as the violence for the stars above, weaving amongs the whispering chorus of the trees and the chattering, throaty backing of evening insects.
“But I want to be where all the stupid shit I say Sounds so romantic and true.
Cause I'd rot in hell with you,
If you'd just ask me to.
I love the shitty things we do together,
Live with me in this sin forever.”
Memories flooded my mind with the words and hanging notes that echoed across the valley before us. The panic of our first solo flight as Chris pushed Shamrock for everything she’d had to give us, trying desperately to keep her in one piece as he blew past every limiter to get Maeve to the hospital as fast as we could. Concern roiling in my chest as I helped him to the truck after he’d dove into the river after, soaked to the bone, shivering and frozen but still so proud. The frustration of the two of us hard at work on Polani the paw after we’d gotten her, tail, and elbow, deep in carbon, grease and oil as we cursed everything under the stars. The fear of the cradle as the thunder of shells slamming into Polani’s hull filled her halls, the horror as one stalked me within my home…
“Cause home is the last place that I'd stand to be with anyone but you.
I'd rot in hell with you, If you'd just ask me to.
I love the shitty things we do together, Live with me in this sin forever.
Hell and you, I know you want it too.
I hope you take the shot, see this chance.
Feel the fire, and let me have this dance with you.”
I pressed into his side with a contented sigh, listening to the last echoing twangs of the Banjo and his voice as they called back across the great expanse before us. A long, cool breath filled my lungs before I leaned up to give his cheek a small, loving lick as a purr rolled through my chest. “I love everything we do together too, Love. Almost as much as I love just having you in my life at all.”
His mouth split into that broad, goofy grin as his hand pulled me just a little closer, his heavy voice rolling through me, just as comforting as always. “I love you too, Darlin’.”
“So…” I whistled, my tail twitching back and forth with amusement as I spoke into his neck. “About that dan-”
The words faltered in my mouth as a building light caught my eye, harvesting my attention skyward.
There, seemingly hanging in the sky, a pair of ships were tangled, no speared together. Both of them were burning fuel as munitions explosions wracked their hulls and trailing plumes of wispy atmosphere vented from their hulls as they plummeted to earth together, locked in their own deadly dance. The fires of re-entry blazed across both of their hulls as parts, pods and melted trails of slag broke away from both of them. The rammer’s guns opened up, sending round after round out after the escape pods that had bailed from the other ship, turning scores of them into little more than puffs of smoke that never had a chance.
As the pair grew closer I could finally make out what they were, or at least who the aggressor was. A Federation light cruiser was speared dead in her midship by the unmistakable, sleek curves of a Venlil Destroyer ending in a hextet of thrusters that still belched plumes of burning hydrogen fuel into the sky as she drove her opponent towards the certain death of the mountains below them with everything they had. The screaming roar of the ship reached my ears, their cacophonous echos casting across the mountain range like the angered, belligerent wails of someone defending everything they held dear.
That ship doesn’t have U.N. markings… Stars above that ship… those are Venlil.
“Damn…”
“Stars above…”
Chris and I watched what amounted to a grand, defiant headbutt as it traced its path down from the stars above. The pair of dancing ships continued their descent, pirouetting to the mountains below them like experienced partners just as their arms and thrusters screamed at each other like enemies with a centuries old grudge to settle.
“Shit… they’re comin’ down on Salt Pond.” Chris whispered, his eyes tracking the pair as they plummeted.
Mountains rose into sight beneath them, the distant mountain’s peak reaching into the sky like it was anticipating, just hoping for the chance to dash the interloper across its face.
“H-How far is that?”
“‘Bout twenty miles as the crow flies. ‘Least no one lives on that one I think, ‘sides maybe the rangers.”
The fleets far above them were still locked in a furious fight, the monstrous flanks of the federation ships pushed on, crashing through the defenders like a harvester through wool-grass. Ships of both sides fell from their formations, ablaze like the stars around them, only growing brighter before flaring into catastrophic explosions that cast them into incalculable pieces that fell to the ground below like a meteor shower.
“Think they’ll manage?” I whispered, a sprout of fear and doubt managing to push past the stone of hope I’d done my best to embed in my heart.
“I hope so, Darlin’. I ho-“
The cacophonous screech and cavernous boom of metal crashing into stone, trees and dirt filled the air, drowning his voice out and sending birds scattering from the trees around us as the ground beneath us shuddered from the impact.
Then everything went whi-
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ERROR: REMAINDER OF LOADED TRANSCRIPT CORRUPTED.
ERROR CODE: 47846-MD-EF-RI. MEMORY DAMAGED BY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: RADIOLOGICAL INFLUENCE.
SOLUTION: ATTEMPT RECOVERY? Y/N
Y
ATTEMPTING…
ATTEMPTING…
ATTEMPT FAILED.
SOLUTION: LOAD NEXT TRANSCRIPT IN QUEUE FOR ‘THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE BLACKSBURG BURNER AND THE SKALGAN SHOWSTOPPER’? Y/N
Y
SOLUTION ACCEPTED. LOADING NEXT TRANSCRIPT.
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submitted by Liberty-Prime76 to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]


2024.05.17 12:50 Nzk3664 Due Date Disappointment

Ugh. I know this has been done before but I have to get this off my chest. And I also know how incredibly privileged I am to even be able to complain about this.
I have a July baby and I love having a summer baby. Well I just got pregnant and my due date is in late January. When we started trying for baby number 2, I always said I never wanted a winter birthday baby. I grew up in NE, and I just absolutely hated January and February. Seasonal depression, cold, everyone is stuck inside, just miserable weather. Birthday parties and celebrations just never seemed as fun as a kid as other months.
I really wanted a fall or spring baby so we started trying in January. No luck. I skipped April because I really didn’t want a Christmas baby birthday (timing didn't work out either between husband and I). And I said well it hasn’t happened yet but I am 35 so didn’t feel right continuing to try to control things so I wasn’t going to keep skipping months. Plus my husband and I were on our five year anniversary trip in St John earlier this month and welp- life is funny - pregnant!
If a fall baby didn’t happen I so wanted an April or May baby. I love these months. I now live in NC where the winters aren’t as bad but it is still dreary in the winter months. I thrive when the trees start to become green, the flowers bud, and life just starts to blossom all around and people are out. But now that won’t happen. I’m trying to be positive and of course I will love this little life but just disappointed for this winter birthday.
Any thoughts on how I can really change my perspective and be excited about this?
submitted by Nzk3664 to pregnant [link] [comments]


2024.05.17 06:48 James_Rockwell_MD Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor (ENT) Tips for Allergy Season

Custom Kitchen Cabinets Guide
Seattle, famously known for its lush greenery, scenic beauty, and thriving coffee culture, also carries a less glamorous reputation during certain times of the year: allergy season. For many Seattleites, especially those prone to allergies, the blooming trees and blossoming flowers can mean weeks or even months of sneezing, sniffling, and itchy eyes. If you're finding yourself in the midst of this seasonal struggle, fear not! As an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor in Seattle, I'm here to provide you with a comprehensive guide to surviving and thriving during allergy season in the Emerald City.
Understanding Seattle Allergies
First things first, it's important to understand what you're up against. Seattle's allergy season typically kicks into gear in the early spring when tree pollens, such as cedar, alder, and birch, start to fill the air. As spring transitions into summer, grasses and weeds join the party, followed by ragweed in the fall. Add to this the mold spores that thrive in our damp climate, and you've got a perfect storm for allergy sufferers.
Symptoms to Watch For
Allergies can manifest in a variety of ways, and no two people are exactly alike. However, some common symptoms include:
Sneezing:If you find yourself sneezing more than usual, especially in response to being outdoors or in certain environments, allergies could be to blame.
Itchy, Watery Eyes:This classic allergy symptom can be particularly bothersome, making it hard to focus or enjoy outdoor activities.
Runny or Stuffy Nose:The congestion that comes with allergies can be frustrating, leading to difficulty breathing through your nose.
Coughing and Throat Irritation:Postnasal drip from allergies can trigger coughing fits and a scratchy throat.
Tips for Managing Allergies
Now that we know what we're dealing with, let's talk about some strategies for managing your allergies and enjoying all that Seattle has to offer:
  1. Monitor Pollen Counts
Keep an eye on local pollen counts, especially during peak allergy seasons. There are many apps and websites that provide up-to-date pollen information specific to your area. On high pollen days, try to limit your time outdoors, particularly in the morning when pollen counts are often highest.
  1. Allergy-Proof Your Home
While you can't control the great outdoors, you can create a sanctuary within your home. Consider using HEPA filters in your HVAC system and air purifiers in key rooms. Keep windows closed during high pollen days and use allergen-proof covers on pillows and mattresses.
  1. Practice Good Nasal Hygiene
Rinsing your nasal passages with a saline solution can help flush out allergens and soothe irritated mucous membranes. This is especially beneficial after spending time outdoors. Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays can be convenient for this purpose.
  1. Seek Medical Advice
If your allergies are interfering with your daily life, don't hesitate to seek help from an ENT doctor. They can provide allergy testing to pinpoint your triggers and recommend appropriate treatment options, such as antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, or allergy shots (immunotherapy).
  1. Stay Informed
Keep yourself educated about local allergens and how they might affect you. Understanding your triggers empowers you to take proactive steps to minimize exposure and manage symptoms.
Consult Your Local Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor (ENT)
Consulting an ENT doctor is crucial if you suffer from mild to severe seasonal allergies due to several important reasons. Firstly, an ENT specialist can accurately identify your specific allergy triggers through comprehensive testing, allowing for targeted treatment plans tailored to your needs. Secondly, they can offer a range of effective interventions beyond over-the-counter remedies, such as prescription medications, allergy shots (immunotherapy), or advanced nasal sprays. In more severe cases, surgical treatments like endoscopic sinus surgery may be necessary to alleviate chronic sinusitis or correct structural issues in the nose and sinuses that worsen allergy symptoms. Managing allergies with professional guidance can prevent potential complications like sinus infections, polyps, or chronic sinusitis, improving your overall quality of life. Lastly, an ENT doctor's expertise ensures ongoing monitoring and adjustments to your treatment plan as needed, providing long-term relief and helping you navigate each allergy season with greater ease and comfort.
If seasonal allergies are a challenge for you or a loved one, Dr. Rockwell offers comprehensive services including accurate diagnosis and effective treatment options. With a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional medical care with compassion, our reputable Seattle-based practice has been proudly serving families in the Seattle area for over 25 years. Whether you're experiencing sneezing, itchy eyes, or nasal congestion, our experienced team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the important first step toward finding relief and improved well-being.
James C. Rockwell, M.D., F.A.C.S.
901 Boren Ave Suite 1530
Seattle Washington
1-888-624-3561
Mon-Thurs 9-4 pm
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2024.05.17 06:46 James_Rockwell_MD Custom Kitchen Cabinets Guide

Custom Kitchen Cabinets Guide
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Guide
Seattle, famously known for its lush greenery, scenic beauty, and thriving coffee culture, also carries a less glamorous reputation during certain times of the year: allergy season. For many Seattleites, especially those prone to allergies, the blooming trees and blossoming flowers can mean weeks or even months of sneezing, sniffling, and itchy eyes. If you're finding yourself in the midst of this seasonal struggle, fear not! As an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor in Seattle, I'm here to provide you with a comprehensive guide to surviving and thriving during allergy season in the Emerald City.
Understanding Seattle Allergies
First things first, it's important to understand what you're up against. Seattle's allergy season typically kicks into gear in the early spring when tree pollens, such as cedar, alder, and birch, start to fill the air. As spring transitions into summer, grasses and weeds join the party, followed by ragweed in the fall. Add to this the mold spores that thrive in our damp climate, and you've got a perfect storm for allergy sufferers.
Symptoms to Watch For
Allergies can manifest in a variety of ways, and no two people are exactly alike. However, some common symptoms include:
Sneezing:If you find yourself sneezing more than usual, especially in response to being outdoors or in certain environments, allergies could be to blame.
Itchy, Watery Eyes:This classic allergy symptom can be particularly bothersome, making it hard to focus or enjoy outdoor activities.
Runny or Stuffy Nose:The congestion that comes with allergies can be frustrating, leading to difficulty breathing through your nose.
Coughing and Throat Irritation:Postnasal drip from allergies can trigger coughing fits and a scratchy throat.
Tips for Managing Allergies
Now that we know what we're dealing with, let's talk about some strategies for managing your allergies and enjoying all that Seattle has to offer:
  1. Monitor Pollen Counts
Keep an eye on local pollen counts, especially during peak allergy seasons. There are many apps and websites that provide up-to-date pollen information specific to your area. On high pollen days, try to limit your time outdoors, particularly in the morning when pollen counts are often highest.
  1. Allergy-Proof Your Home
While you can't control the great outdoors, you can create a sanctuary within your home. Consider using HEPA filters in your HVAC system and air purifiers in key rooms. Keep windows closed during high pollen days and use allergen-proof covers on pillows and mattresses.
  1. Practice Good Nasal Hygiene
Rinsing your nasal passages with a saline solution can help flush out allergens and soothe irritated mucous membranes. This is especially beneficial after spending time outdoors. Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays can be convenient for this purpose.
  1. Seek Medical Advice
If your allergies are interfering with your daily life, don't hesitate to seek help from an ENT doctor. They can provide allergy testing to pinpoint your triggers and recommend appropriate treatment options, such as antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, or allergy shots (immunotherapy).
  1. Stay Informed
Keep yourself educated about local allergens and how they might affect you. Understanding your triggers empowers you to take proactive steps to minimize exposure and manage symptoms.
Consult Your Local Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor (ENT)
Consulting an ENT doctor is crucial if you suffer from mild to severe seasonal allergies due to several important reasons. Firstly, an ENT specialist can accurately identify your specific allergy triggers through comprehensive testing, allowing for targeted treatment plans tailored to your needs. Secondly, they can offer a range of effective interventions beyond over-the-counter remedies, such as prescription medications, allergy shots (immunotherapy), or advanced nasal sprays. In more severe cases, surgical treatments like endoscopic sinus surgery may be necessary to alleviate chronic sinusitis or correct structural issues in the nose and sinuses that worsen allergy symptoms. Managing allergies with professional guidance can prevent potential complications like sinus infections, polyps, or chronic sinusitis, improving your overall quality of life. Lastly, an ENT doctor's expertise ensures ongoing monitoring and adjustments to your treatment plan as needed, providing long-term relief and helping you navigate each allergy season with greater ease and comfort.
If seasonal allergies are a challenge for you or a loved one, Dr. Rockwell offers comprehensive services including accurate diagnosis and effective treatment options. With a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional medical care with compassion, our reputable Seattle-based practice has been proudly serving families in the Seattle area for over 25 years. Whether you're experiencing sneezing, itchy eyes, or nasal congestion, our experienced team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the important first step toward finding relief and improved well-being.
James C. Rockwell, M.D., F.A.C.S.
901 Boren Ave Suite 1530
Seattle Washington
1-888-624-3561
Mon-Thurs 9-4 pm
submitted by James_Rockwell_MD to u/James_Rockwell_MD [link] [comments]


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