#and right now I’m hoping to work with paleontology collections

[good-night-space-kid]

Every time that I think maybe I should just focus on geology I have a public history experience that makes me wish desperately that I could spend the rest of my life in a history museum

#I truly love both fields so much #and right now I’m hoping to work with paleontology collections #but honestly I think the thing that would make me happiest is working in a wwi museum #I want to spend my life educating the public about history and making the past more accessible to the world #and I know that’s kind of what I’m doing now as a geologist but #idk man. i wish i wasn’t so desperately passionate about two very different things #but even if I do only work in history after I graduate #I’ll be grateful to have done my geology degree because it’s opened up deeper paths of understanding the world around me #and I really do enjoy geology a lot

[palaeoplushies]

I’m studying geology and paleontology right now (currently an undergrad, but *fingers crossed* soon to be working on a PhD) and I LOVE your stuff! Everyone in my department already collects plushies of extinct critters, I can’t wait to show off some of yours!

I'm so glad you like my work! I hope your PhD goes well!

[captain-lovelace]

(Pseudo)Servantsona: Berserker (aka Horus, “Burgess”)

[REBLOG THIS VERSION]

Berserker appears to be a human man by the name of Horus channeling the collective human awareness of the Cambrian Burgess Shale deposit into a single person. He is mostly lucid and aware of his situation; the Servant possessing him appears to have limited intelligence or physical form, hence his involvement and largely unchanged personality. When asked how this may have happened, he responded “dude, I don’t know. I was a paleontology student and then I woke up like this. Don’t think about it too hard.” He does not appear to be following his own advice. (Theorized to be a Berserker not because of the nature of the human, but because of the mindless, animal nature of the Servant’s energy.)

Class: Berserker

Rarity: Gold, SR

Attack: Low for rarity

HP: High for rarity

Alignment: True Neutral 

Attribute: Earth (It would likely make more sense for Man to be the attribute, but Horus insists that his attribute was influenced “by the joke” and will not elaborate further.)

Deck composition: QAABB

Hit counts: 4Q/3A/1B/5E

Gender: Male

Traits: Servant, Pseudoservant, Humanoid, Living Human, Beast, Weak to Enuma Elish

Stats:

Strength: C

Endurance: A+

Agility: B

Mana: ???

Luck: A

NP: B+

Active Skills:

Wonderful Life

HP Recovery to self or one ally

Type Preservation

DEF up + Guts (3 turns)

Depositional Environment

Inflicts Stun on the enemy, delayed by one turn

Noble Phantasm: Cambrian Explosion (Single target Arts)

No matter who you are, hero of history or beast of legend or god of old, you can’t fight the ordinary operations of nature. 500 million years says hello... and goodbye. 

A variety of extra legs expand from his body as his shape becomes more visibly inhuman. Water floods into the ground below his enemy, making them sink into it as things begin to crawl over them and pull them down. Deals a significant amount of damage and also decreases debuff resistance. Slight chance to cause instant death.

Ascensions:

1st Ascension: Mostly human, save for compound eyes similar to a trilobite’s. Appears to be a young man in his late teens or early 20s. 

2nd Ascension: Various arthropod-like characteristics begin to appear, including the beginnings of a chitinous exoskeleton. Hints of inhuman mouthparts can be seen when he opens his mouth wide enough.

3rd Ascension: Two more pairs of legs sprout from his torso, the exoskeleton now covering his full body minus his face. Voice sounds less human, more like clicking.

Dialogue:

Bond level 1: I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but there might be hope for some mutual understanding between us. And speaking of understanding, got a lab somewhere? I want to check some things. 

Bond level 2: Have you seen my glasses? I know I don’t need them anymore, what with the eyes, but a guy likes to maintain a bit of continuity. 

Bond level 3: The more I look into what’s happening to me, the more I run up against the boundaries of my own knowledge. It’s a little bit frustrating, if I’m honest. And then there are the surges of instinct I’ve been feeling… it’s probably fine. Don’t worry about me.

Bond level 4: ...You get it, don’t you? You were a normal person once, too. 

Bond level 5: You’ve helped me look for answers to my questions, and I want to help you look for answers to yours. As long as we work together, Master, I don’t think either one of us will lose ourselves. 

Dialogue 1: Hey, if we’re going somewhere you need to give me more than 5 minutes’ notice!

Dialogue 2: You know, Kafka really ain’t got nothing on this. I’m like if the Metamorphosis was sexy. You’re laughing, but you know I’m right!

Dialogue 3: I know you don’t like it when I leave my molted exoskeletons lying around, but what do you suggest I do with them? I don’t want to throw out such a useful resource, but it’s hard to carry them around and I don’t see you helping.

Dialogue 4 (Nitocris): Can you tell me a little bit about the Egyptian afterlife? I think it sounds really interesting since I hadn’t really considered that there would be anything after death at all— what? I never said I was the god! That’s just my name!

Dialogue 5 (Mordred): I really wish Mordred and I could be friends, but I’m so awkward and I think he thinks I’m weird. Wouldn’t blame him, really.

Dialogue 6 (Shuten-Douji): I need some assistance checking out what my internal organs are like. Think you can help me out on that front? 

Dialogue 7 (Ozymandias): For the last time, that is my NAME! I’m not claiming to be any sort of pharaoh!

Dialogue 8 (Quetzalcoatl): Hey! Do you think you can explain to me some things about your arrival at the end of the Mesozoic? I’m trying to piece together a hypothesis about the way the prehistoric world interacted with divinity.

Dialogue 9 (Mash): I can’t help but feel like Mash and I are similar in some ways, even though we’re in such different situations. Tell her that if she ever needs anything from me she can ask, okay?

Something you like: I’ve always liked swimming. Everything was so quiet underwater, and I felt so graceful. It’s never felt more right than it does now, though.

Something you dislike: I don’t want to be forgotten. I don’t care if I’m loved or hated, but I want people to remember me. 

About the Holy Grail: What I’d wish for? I don’t know. I want things for myself, of course, but I want to get them on my own, and wishing for them seems like a cop-out. I’d be more likely to make a wish for the wellbeing of someone else. Don’t tell anyone I said that, though. 

Birthday: [loud, off-key singing of Happy Birthday that dissolves into laughter] No, seriously, happy birthday. Cherish it, okay? Aging’s one of the side effects of living.

#fgo #fate grand order #fate/grand order #fanservant #(kinda) #servantsona #do not tell me about lore i do not care <3 #WE POST SELF-INDULGENT CRINGE HERE SIR #bugs #body horror #ask to tag

[carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory]

The Bromacker Fossil Project Part XIII: What We Learned

Collage of the fossils highlighted in this series. Images not to scale. Photos by the author, Dave Berman, and Thomas Martens.

The Bromacker quarry is a rare site in that it preserves exquisite, articulated fossils of a unique vertebrate fauna that lived in an atypical or rarely recorded Early Permian (~290 million years ago) setting. Early in our work at the Bromacker, we became aware that the fossil vertebrates we were finding were unknown or extremely rare in Europe but were closely related or identical to species commonly found in North America. Until then, most of the fossil vertebrates found in Europe were discovered in gray to black sediments deposited in ancient lake beds, whereas the fossils from the Bromacker quarry occurred in red beds representing a terrestrial setting. Paleontologists looking for fossils in Europe typically prospected the gray to black sediments where fossils were relatively plentiful rather than red beds, which were thought to represent arid environments not conducive to fossil preservation.

Photograph of a diorama showing the Tambach Basin 290 million years ago, which was once exhibited at the Museum der Natur, Gotha. It was built in 1996, so many of the inhabitants of the basin weren’t yet discovered. One of these is Dimetrodon teutonis, which was inadvertently depicted as being large and numerous. Image provided by Thomas Martens, 2020.

In a collaborative effort to help determine how the fossil deposit at the Bromacker quarry formed and why its vertebrate fauna is unique, Dave Berman invited his colleague David Eberth to join us for the 1998 field season. David is a geologist/vertebrate paleontologist who was then employed by the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Canada but is now retired. The sediments preserving the Bromacker fossils are part of a rock unit called the Tambach Formation and were deposited in the Tambach Basin. The results of David’s study, built in part upon investigations by other geologists and paleontologists, indicate that the Tambach Basin was situated within an ancient mountain range and isolated from river systems. At the time the fossils were deposited, the basin was internally drained, and as a result, when it rained, water would flow towards the basin center and form ephemeral ponds and lakes. Based on the geology, fossil plant assemblage, and geographic setting of the Tambach Basin, David concluded that the climate was possibly similar to the wet‑and‑dry tropical climate of modern North African savannas, Brazilian Campos, or the Venezuelan Llanos.

Map showing the areal extent of the Tambach Formation today and the inferred boundary of the Tambach Basin, with arrows indicating direction of water flow. The northern boundary of the basin is not preserved, but it was thought to have been closed when the Bromacker fossil deposit formed. Modified from Eberth et al., 1997.

Most of the fossils discovered at the Bromacker quarry came from two massive units, the more fossiliferous of which is about 21 inches thick, that formed in separate major flooding events. David theorized that these deposits formed when heavy rain caused a sheet-flood of sediment‑laden water to sweep down the sides of the Tambach Basin and across the basin floor, killing any animals that couldn’t escape the flow. The sheet-flood transported the carcasses to the basin center where they were deposited, rapidly buried, and eventually fossilized. These deposits record a unique snapshot of vertebrate life in the Tambach Basin, because only animals inhabiting the basin would have been captured by the sheet-flood.

In contrast, most Early Permian fossil‑bearing deposits in North America formed on coastal or alluvial plains. Carcasses would’ve been transported to the deposition sites by rivers, some of which had a large geographic reach. These types of deposits can accumulate over a long period of time and have potential to mix together fossils from different environments.

Photograph of a diorama once exhibited at Carnegie Museum of Natural History that shows a typical Early Permian peat swamp or backwater swamp of a major river system. A similar modern environment would be the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia. Photo by Mindy McNaugher, 2007.

Besides having an atypical geographic setting, the makeup of the Bromacker vertebrate fauna differs from those known from other Early Permian sites. The Bromacker vertebrate fauna has a low diversity of terrestrial tetrapods, but more importantly, it lacks fishes and aquatic to semi‑aquatic constituents. This is probably due to the Tambach Basin’s isolation from regional river systems and because it experienced seasonal to sub‑seasonal drying, making it difficult for water-reliant vertebrates to become established. Based on numeric counts of individual specimens, we determined that the relatively large‑sized herbivores Diadectes, Orobates, and Martensius greatly outnumbered the synapsid apex predators Dimetrodon and Tambacarnifex. We think the rarity and low diversity of synapsid carnivores is probably due to the lack of an aquatic to semi‑aquatic component in the food chain.

In contrast, most Early Permian North American localities preserve a diverse, mixed aquatic‑terrestrial fauna that either lived in water or was closely associated with water and aquatic food chains. Herbivores were rare in terms of both diversity and numbers, whereas synapsid apex predators were diverse and numerous.

A more dynamic North American Early Permian scene that includes a mixed aquatic‑terrestrial vertebrate fauna. The Dimetrodon on the right has caught a freshwater shark, demonstrating the importance of aquatic animals in the food chain. © Julius Csotonyi/Houston Museum of Natural Science.

The Bromacker is the oldest known terrestrial vertebrate ecosystem in which herbivores greatly outnumber apex carnivores, and in that respect, it resembles terrestrial vertebrate ecosystems of today. A modern example is the African savanna in which large herds of herbivores such as zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo provide a food source for a much smaller number of carnivores including lions, cheetahs, and hyaenas. Indeed, we consider the Bromacker to represent an early stage in the development of the modern terrestrial vertebrate ecosystem and that these early stages were restricted to upland areas isolated from aquatic‑based food chains.

This summary concludes the Bromacker Fossil Project blog post series. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading it. Cast replicas of many of the fossils described in this series are exhibited in the Fossil Frontiers display case in CMNH’s Dinosaurs in Their Time exhibition, so be sure to look for them on your next visit. I’m grateful to Dave Berman, Albert Kollar, Thomas Martens, and Stuart Sumida, who answered numerous questions and provided photographs, and to Patrick McShea and Matt Lamanna for their editing skills. Click here to read the paper by Eberth et al. 2000.

Amy Henrici is Collection Manager in the Section of Vertebrate Paleontology at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Museum employees are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.

#Carnegie Museum of Natural History #Bromacker Quarry #Paleontology #Fossils

[rufousnmacska]

Museum Day

A modern manorian au request

Part 1

Part 2

___

Part 3

The bar was unexpectedly full for a Thursday night and when Dorian opened the door, several people had to step aside to let him through. Loud and boisterous, cheering and booing as one, the crowd was focused solely on whatever championship game was on the big screen. Rifthold never made it into the playoffs of any sports, so their presence in the final tonight meant the bar was packed and Manon was working.

Too busy pouring beers, she didn’t see him come in. But the man working beside her did. He hadn’t been here the night Dorian first met Manon. His long, dark hair was pulled back and Dorian could see all the features he’d passed on to his daughter, including his unusual golden eyes. Those eyes were inspecting him now, taking in the expensive clothes and styled hair. Dorian smiled politely, trying to interpret the look, but the man was inscrutable. Someone ordered a drink and Dorian finally escaped her father’s gaze.

As he waded through the crowd to where Manon was working, he spotted her cousin. She was walking towards him, arms full of glasses and dishes, when she stopped and pointed her chin at him. “Art guy, right?”

“I’m Dorian,” he said, yelling slightly to be heard over the noise, and hoping to disguise his disappointment that she didn’t already know his name. “I’d shake your hand, but that’s not a good idea. Can I help?”

She huffed a thankful breath and held her arms out for him to take a stack of pint glasses. “I’m Asterin. It’s nice to meet you. Officially, I mean. Unofficially, I know everything about you.” She grinned and winked before moving past him towards the kitchen.

Dorian found himself smiling too as he followed her. Manon finally saw him as he passed the end of the bar. Her puzzled expression at his appearance was, for lack of a better word, so adorable, that he wished he could have taken a picture. He paused before the swinging door and shouted, “Asterin recruited me.”

Manon glanced over at her father, who was waiting on people at the other end of the bar.

“Do you want me to leave?” he asked, more quietly this time. He should have called before showing up out of the blue. Although they’d talked often, they’d only seen each other once since she’d let him and his brother stay at her place. Dorian’s efforts to free himself and Hollin from his uncle’s grasp had wreaked havoc on his already hectic class schedule. And her work schedule was just as bad. But after the interview had gone so well, she was the first person he wanted to tell.

“No,” she said. “The game is almost over and things should quiet down soon.”

“Okay. I’ll stay out of the way.”

With a fearsome point of her finger, she said, “Don’t let Asterin boss you around!”

Dorian gave her a look saying it was way too late for that and headed into the kitchen. Asterin was instantly there, plucking the glasses from his grasp and setting them in the dishwasher. When it was loaded, she turned around to examine him.

“I can turn around,” he joked. “Mr. Blackbeak gave me the once over when I came in, but he only saw the front.”

Asterin laughed and looked as if she was going to say sure. But instead, she said, “Mr. Crochan. Manon uses her mother’s name. I wouldn’t want you to screw things up right off the bat.”

“Oh shit, thank you,” he said. “That would’ve been bad.”

“Nah, he’s easy to get along with actually,” she said. “Just protective of Manon.” Her eyes narrowed and she pointed at him. “We all are. So, princeling or not, you better not hurt her.”

Solemnly, he said, “I promise.”

Asterin gave him another once over before declaring, “Okay, you’ve passed my test.”

Laughing, he asked, “How did I do that?”

“How will I do that,” she corrected, looking pointedly at the dishwasher, then back at him.

Dorian found a clean spot to put his portfolio down, then joined her. “What do I do?”

“First, you need an apron. I’d hate to mess up your pretty suit.”

*****

Asterin had been running back and forth to the kitchen like a mad woman, going in with dirty dishes and returning immediately with clean ones to put behind the bar. She’d refused to answer Manon’s questions about where Dorian had disappeared to, or what she’d saddled him with.

When she finally had a free moment, she headed back into the kitchen. Dorian was standing at the sink, working his way through a stack of plates. The kitchen wasn’t big enough to offer a full menu. Or even a half menu. But her dad had partnered with the pizza place next door so their food could be ordered here.

“I thought I told you not to let Asterin suck you into this,” Manon said. She’d silently walked up behind him, and at the sound of her voice, so close to his ear, Dorian flinched and dropped a plate on the floor.

He swore and picked up the pieces, only to find her grinning at him. “You did that on purpose!”

Ignoring the accusation, she asked, “How did it go?”

Tossing the broken dish into the trash and wiping his hands on his damp, dirty apron, he said, “You are looking at the new intern for Adarlan Architects.”

Before she could congratulate him, her father stuck his head in the door. “Manon, get out here!” When he saw Dorian, and what he was doing, Tristan gave a brief nod - of greeting or approval, she couldn’t tell - then disappeared.

On her way back out, Manon said, “We’ll have to celebrate. Something better than washing dishes in a bar.”

The next day, when he wanted to go to the museum, she wondered if she’d made a mistake in leaving the method of celebration up to him. She loved the museum, but she’d been volunteering a lot in addition to her normal hours. This was her first day off in a long time that she’d planned to avoid the place.

Coming through the rotating door, Dorian took her hand and pulled her to the left. Towards the entrance to the art museum.

“Have you ever been through this side?”

“Once. For the employee orientation,” Manon admitted, expecting disappointment or annoyance. But his face lit up with excitement.

“Well then, can I interest you in a tour?”

“It’s your party,” she said. “But, I don’t know any tour guides who hold the visitor’s hand.”

Leading her into the first gallery, Dorian smirked. “Things are done a little differently on my tours.”

“I suppose I’ll need to choose a favorite piece?” Glancing around the room, all she saw were a bunch of dark, drab paintings hanging on the walls. Boring portraits of old men, groups of old men, and more old men. A few naked women. Cynically, she wondered if any of the artwork would be of naked men.

“Your grimace tells me the Xandrian style is not for you.”

Heat radiated over her cheeks and she cringed. “Was it that obvious?”

Dorian tilted his head and stared at her. The flush of her skin grew hotter under his gaze and Manon wanted to turn away, but she crossed her arms and stayed put.

Finally, he said, “I think I know what you’ll like. But in the interest of giving a proper tour, we’re not skipping things. Figuring out what you dislike and why can help you better appreciate the things you do like.”

Manon knew nothing about art, and had never been interested in it. During her orientation tour of this wing, she’d ignored most of what was said, relegating it to mindless nonsense. Give her the concrete science of bones and minerals and anatomy over the ever-changing interpretations and feelings of art any day. Though, paleontology involved its own kind of interpretation. Yes, it was science. But unless someone developed a time machine, there was no way to be 100% certain of what these animals looked like or how they lived. So, in some ways, science demanded just as much creativity as the arts.

As Dorian began to talk about the paintings in the first gallery, she tried to keep an open mind and follow his advice, thinking about what aspects she didn’t like and what, if any, she did.

*****

The route through the art museum had been circuitous and he’d doubled back through a few galleries. But Dorian wanted to save the exhibit he thought Manon might appreciate for last. While she’d enjoyed some of the sculptures, not a surprise based on her preferred subject, she hadn’t expressed much interest in the broad collection of paintings. Her eyes widened at a few, but he was counting on the next room to blow her away.

Letting her walk in first, Dorian held his breath, waiting for her reaction.

The room was smaller than most, displaying works by a single artist. Darkly painted walls and focused lighting gave off an air of neutral elegance that worked well with the art. Huge landscape paintings using bright colors and simple strokes surrounded them: towering mountain peaks glowing in the sunrise, sinuous rivers meandering through wide valleys, and skies filled with billowing clouds that seemed to be alive with movement. They possessed a wild, windy sort of beauty that he had come to associate with her.

Trying not to stare too intently, Dorian watched Manon slowly walk around the room. She stopped in front of each painting. Ever so faintly, her neutral mask was starting to break. But before he could claim victory, she turned a corner and didn’t come back.

He found her in front of one of the smaller pieces, and the only one with figures. At the foot of soaring, snow-capped mountains, a man was leaving his home, leaving a woman and child behind. Eyes wide and glistening, Manon looked at it for a very long time. Dorian retreated to a bench, leaving her alone with the painting and her thoughts.

When she finally joined him, he made no mention of the tears ready to spill down her cheeks, and made no move to hug her, even though he desperately wanted to.

“I never knew my mother,” she said, speaking so softly he had to lean closer. “She died when I was born and I was raised by my grandmother. I didn’t even know my father until I was 16.”

Unable to resist, Dorian slowly placed a hand on her back. It was a light touch, until she sank backwards an inch or two, resting against it.

“My grandmother was...” she shivered before continuing. “She was not a good person. She framed my dad for dealing drugs and managed to get custody of me. But she told me I was unwanted. Abandoned. And it was her bad luck to raise me. She...” Manon paused, then took a deep, steadying breath. “She was very good at finding your weakest points, digging her claws in, and not letting go. And while she was feeding me lies, she was telling my father I was ashamed of him, that I wanted nothing to do with him. Asterin had it worse.” She stopped abruptly, perhaps realizing how much truth she’d just laid bare to him. “We survived it somehow. When I tracked down my dad and learned the truth, Asterin and I left and came here. His family took us in.” She smiled then and added, “It’s a big family. Lots of cousins.”

Dorian said nothing, trying to take it all in. Trying to comprehend how difficult it was for her to speak about, how much he appreciated her trust. Trying not to angrily ask about the grandmother who’d abused her.

Manon wiped her face dry. “She died two years ago. When we heard, Asterin and I planned to celebrate. But we just cried.” She faced him, her eyes downcast. “We just hugged each other and cried.”

“I’m so sorry,” he said, not knowing what else to say. It seemed to be enough as she tilted sideways against him, letting him shift his arm to wrap around her shoulders.

“That painting. He doesn’t want to leave them. You can’t see their expressions, but you can tell. He already misses them and he’s not even gone.”

He looked back up and immediately saw what she meant. The goodbye held a terrible finality that none of the figures seemed to want. But for whatever reason, had to go through with.

“How did you know I’d like these?”

Dorian laughed softly. “Something about these paintings made me think of you.”

“What was your favorite?” she asked, changing the course of the conversation away from herself.

He looked around the room. “I love this style. The simplicity and use of color. But I think my absolute favorites are the goddess statues.”

Manon rolled her eyes, unable to hide her smile. “The naked ones.”

“They weren’t all naked.” Judging from her eyebrow, she didn’t believe him. “And it’s not because they’re naked,” he protested. “You have to admit the carvings were incredible. The way the marble looked like living flesh and muscle. I honestly don’t know how they did it.”

She relented. “Okay. Yes, they were beautiful.”

“You’ve never told me what exhibit is your favorite in the natural history wing.”

Pink spread across her cheeks and she quirked her mouth to keep from smiling. “The pterosaurs.”

Dorian grinned, wide and victorious. He didn’t quite know what he’d won, but it felt like a victory. Like yet another thing connecting them together. “Hmm, that’s interesting.”

She made a noise that could have been agreement and pulled him up when she stood. As they made their way back through the maze of galleries, she asked, “Do you have to get home to Hollin now?”

“No,” Dorian said. “He’s staying with a friend all weekend.” She didn’t say anything more, though he sensed she wanted to. “Why?” He pulled her closer and whispered, “Do you have more ways to celebrate my huge success?”

Laughing, she gestured to their surroundings and said, “I’ll admit, you didn’t go the route I was expecting. But that’s not what I meant.” They were outside now and she stopped to tug a wool hat over her head. Avoiding his gaze, she asked, “I thought maybe you’d like to meet my dad? Maybe have dinner?”

The way she asked it told Dorian this was something she didn’t normally do, if ever. He’d missed officially meeting Mr. Crochan last night at the bar. After berating Asterin for kidnapping him, Manon had pulled him out of the kitchen shortly before the place closed and walked him outside. Her father was busy talking to some people in the corner and he missed Dorian’s exit completely. Despite her enthusiasm about meeting up today, and knowing how much she guarded her privacy, he’d gone home feeling a little hurt.

But that hurt was completely forgotten with her invitation.

Her expression was a little wary, so Dorian said simply, “Yes.” This seemed new for her and he didn’t want to make her feel more uncomfortable by pulling some I’d be honored to meet your father speech, even if that was exactly how he felt. But he added, “As long as he doesn’t insist on pineapple pizza.”

Her laugh rang through the air, musical and lovely. And for that moment, the crowd surrounding them disappeared. No shrieking kids, no busy sidewalks, no loud traffic. Only the two of them seemed to exist.

Looking at him as if she sensed it too, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. When he no longer felt the softness of her lips on his skin, the moment passed and they were once again in front of a bustling city street. With hands held tight, they made their way into the crowd.

*****

Epilogue

He should have checked his bag rather than try to stuff so much into a carry-on. The couple glaring at him as he tried to dislodge it from the overhead compartment was quickly losing their patience. But Dorian just ignored them, gave a final tug, and freed his luggage. In moments he’d be seeing Manon. With his own eyes, not on a screen.

They’d only been apart for five months, but it had been the longest five months of his life.

Getting access to his trust fund and full custody of Hollin had set him back two semesters. Which was fine. Except that part way through, Manon was accepted to grad school at the University of the Wastes. A dream come true that came with a tarnished silver lining. They’d be in two different cities on opposite ends of the continent until he graduated.

Now, with Hollin settled in a good boarding school on the west coast, and his degree in hand - a degree not chained to any one location - they could finally be together.

Finally, he thought, patting the tiny box in his pocket.

That would have to wait though, until her family visited next month.

On the flight, he’d watched the scenery change from forested mountains to rolling, grassy plains, but it still hadn’t prepared him for what he saw when he stepped off the plane. He was struck by the immensity of the Wastes, the wind and wide open sky, the distant hills that were full of fossils. And then by her.

Manon ran to meet him and he dropped his bag. They held each other as if it had been years and they’d been oceans apart.

Lifting her off her feet, Dorian rasped, “God I missed you!”

Manon laughed, and when he put her down she wore a smile he’d never seen before, full of light and joy. “Welcome home, princeling.”

The end :)

*****

Tagging - @itach-i​ @nestasbucket​ @blackhavilliard​ @monstrousloves-explodinggalaxies​ @sierrareads​ @chloe123love607​ @manontrashbeak​ @over300books​ @bookishwitchling​ @jimetg98​ @mis-lil-red​ @yourfacesickens-me​ @awesomelena555​

If you’d like to be tagged in future fics, let me know :)

fanfic master list (includes the link to my fics on AO3)

(painting: Remember, by Nicholas Roerich 1924)

#manorian #manon blackbeak #dorian havilliard #throne of glass #modern manorian au #my writing #museum day #I'm pretty much shit at describing art so please forgive me #the painting is Remember by Nicholas Roerich #shared many times on my blog since it's my favorite

[sciencespies]

'Ammonite' Is Historical Fanfiction About the World's First Great Fossil Hunter

https://sciencespies.com/nature/ammonite-is-historical-fanfiction-about-the-worlds-first-great-fossil-hunter/

'Ammonite' Is Historical Fanfiction About the World's First Great Fossil Hunter

Paleontology wouldn’t be the same without Mary Anning. She scoured the dreary coast of southern England for secrets not seen since the Jurassic, fueling the nascent 19th-century field of fossil studies with evidence of strange sea dragons, flying reptiles and other fascinating fragments of life long past. And now, over 170 years after her death, she’s got her own movie.

Ammonite will open at the Toronto Film Festival but isn’t set to premiere in theaters or in homes until later this year, but the historical drama is already stirring the waters like an excitable Plesiosaurus. The first trailer for the film hit the web yesterday. The tale, directed by British filmmaker Francis Lee, follows Anning (Kate Winslet) as she reluctantly brings a young woman named Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan) along on some fossil-hunting trips in the hope that the vigorous activity will help her new apprentice’s illness. But the two find more than fossils. In Lee’s telling, Anning and Murchison begin an intense affair that seems to have no room to breathe under the cultural strictures of Victorian England.

In other words, this is paleo fanfic.

The real Anning was an expert fossil collector and paleontologist who combed the beaches of Lyme Regis and the surrounding area for fossils that eroded from the Jurassic rock. You can retrace her steps on the same beaches, as I did during my own visit to England a few years ago, and maybe even find a little golden spiral along the tideline—ancient, shelled relatives of squid called ammonites.

Anning wasn’t alone in her exploits. Fossil hunting was a family business, and Anning’s father, Richard, took Mary and her brother Joseph on excursions to collect ammonites and other pieces they then sold as tourist curios. When Richard died, the rest of the family took over the business. And they were good at it. In 1811, Joseph found the gorgeous skull of an Ichthyosaurus; Mary later collected more bones from the same animal. Of course, that’s to say nothing of the Philpot sisters. Elizabeth, Louise and Margaret Philpot collected fossils in the Lyme Regis area when Anning was still a child, and Elizabeth became a mentor who encouraged her student to understand both the science and the market value of what she found. Even Anning’s dog Tray, a black and white terrier, went along on fossil trips and would stay at specific spots to mark a fossil’s location while the pooch waited for Mary’s return.

Thanks to her discoveries, sketches and notes, Anning eventually became a rock star in her own right. It’s at this point, when she had established her own fossil shop, that Ammonite finds Anning. But while Murchison really was one of Anning’s friends, no evidence suggests that the two had any kind of romantic ties. In fact, no evidence of the paleontologist’s love life—beyond her drive to keep digging into the Blue Lias strata that produced so many bones—exists at all.

Turning Anning’s remarkable story into a torrid romance has already incensed some would-be viewers. Reactions have run the gamut from objections to historical inaccuracy and homophobia, with little resolution given that we’re far too late to ask Anning herself.

In defending his choice, Lee snapped back against the anti-queer underpinnings of the outrage and said he sees Ammonite as another part of his efforts to “continually explore the themes of class, gender, sexuality within my work, treating my truthful characters with utter respect.” Focusing on Anning’s romantic life, even if entirely invented, is a way to see her as a whole person, not just the woman who sells seashells down by the seashore.

I have to wonder what Anning would say to this. As she wrote in a letter, “The world has used me so unkindly, I fear it has made me suspicious of everyone.” In the sexist, male-dominated world of 19th-century science, Anning’s finds were celebrated while she herself was barred from joining academic societies or even finding a path to gain equal footing with the likes of William Buckland, Gideon Mantell and other traditional heroes of paleontology who parasitized her labor. Now, in having her life’s story made a fiction, is the world using Anning again?

In all the hubbub over Ammonite’s portrayal of Anning, commenters have continually missed a critical point. Anning never married, and we don’t know if she had romantic or sexual relationships with anyone. Lee, and some others, have taken this as a hint that Anning may have been a lesbian and hid the fact to avoid controversy. But it’s equally possible that Anning was asexual or uninterested in romance. Perhaps, then, Ammonite is an exercise in erasure wrapped in progressive packaging, ignoring what we know of Anning in an attempt to read between the lines. The truth died when Anning did.

How audiences will experience Ammonite will largely depend on what they bring to it. If they’re expecting a historically accurate biopic, they may sit back on their couch fuming. Ammonite is to paleontology what The Untouchables is to Prohibition or Raiders of the Lost Ark is to archaeology. If viewers are looking for a queer romance set against a wave-battered backdrop, they may feel a little warmer to the treatment.

The sheer pressure put on Ammonite to fulfill our fossiliferous expectations says something about our current moment in science. The accomplishments and importance of women in paleontology are far more prominent than they were in Anning’s time, yet the standard image of a paleontologist remains an Indiana Jones wannabe focused on trophy hunting dinosaurs. And when it comes to diversity within the field across positions—from volunteer and student all the way up to professors—there remains a diversity gap that even cisgendered, straight, white women are fighting against, to say nothing of better support and representation for everyone else who falls outside those narrow categories.

And so we keep turning to Anning as a singular hero, a woman who made amazing and lasting contributions against the odds. She, and the women whose careers were intertwined with hers, deserves to be honored just like the men who fill the introduction sections of paleontology textbooks. At the same time, perhaps we are asking Anning to carry too much—to be the sole representative of an entirely different view of paleontology. If representation for women in the field were better, perhaps it would not feel as if so much is at stake. As it stands, we are so starved for stories other than the Great White Fossil Hunter that it’s almost impossible for any tale to satisfy everyone.

If we’re fortunate, some future paleontologist will be able to point to Ammonite and say it’s the first time they got to see themselves represented. I hope so. For the time being, though, I’m looking forward to the evening when my girlfriend and I can curl up on the couch and watch a romance about warm hearts and cold stone, even if we know Mary Anning’s truth requires a bit more digging to find.

#Nature

#Nature

[pfenniged]

What are you reading during the Coronavirus?

I actually finished all the books I had saved to read, so I recently went through my Dad’s office and grabbed the following from books that were a combination of my stockpile and from my Dad’s collection, that looked interesting to read but we’ve never had time to grab them:

Alan Turning: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges (I loved The Imitation Game, and this was the biography they used as the basis for the film; I started reading it, never got a chance to properly concentrate on it).

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente: I know this was the book a while back on Tumblr in the young adult literature circles, and I’m a sucker for both Russian literature/Slavic folklore. Also just never got a chance to get absorbed into it.

Tesla: Inventor of the Modern by Richard Munson: Fun fact: Supposedly through one of those heritage sites, my cousin found out that we’re related to Nikola Tesla (Which would make sense, as our family is originally are Serbs from what is now Northern Croatia, where Tesla grew up, and ethnic minorities tended to overlap back in the day).  I already read the first two chapters of this book and I absolutely love the writing style. Even though I’m a Classics and Literature gal, I’m very picky about my writing style in biographies. It’s one thing to do research and regurgitate everything about another person; it’s another thing entirely to create a narrative and write it well. This book manages to do both, and is the better of the two major biographies on him. (Also fun fact: My one future goal is to go to Belgrade when I go back to Serbia and go to the Tesla Museum). 

Circe by Madeline Miller: I read The Song of Achilles back when I was doing my Classics degree and of course, ate up a narrative about Patroclus and Achilles (Which was hilarious, because my gay Classics professor when I talked to him about it was not having ANY of it, but I digress XD). I actually received this during Christmas, but was starting a new job before I had to take a medical leave, and then the coronavirus happened, so I’m only just picking it up now. I expect it to be as good as The Song of Achilles (Also, if you want to read another feminist take on Classical mythology, read The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. SO good).

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway: My Dad is a Hemingway freak, so I felt like I had to be reading this war classic sometime soon. Haven’t read it yet, but I actually do enjoy Hemingway’s prose style, so I’ll get back to you whether or not its my cup of tea.

BBC History Magazines: It’s been six years since I’ve lived in the U.K., but I still get the BBC History subscriptions. Their history magazine I think is 10-11 dollars Canadian, but really, you get a whole lot of fun and accessible history articles from top historians analysing modern history all the way back to the Celts and the Palaeolithic Era. It’s really like getting a small book every month, and I got some sort of deal for 49 dollars for twelve issues, which was really fantastic. Now, I just buy them straight from the store (They usually arrive a month/issue late in Canada, but obviously since it’s a history magazine, that really doesn’t matter). You can get them next time you have to do your grocery run in London Drugs, usually in Chapters (but obviously Chapters is closed right now in Canada), and I think they may have them at some Save on Foods locations and Costco locations. Check it out.

Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable: I’ve put this one down currently, even though I’m about two hundred and fifty pages in, but the first few chapters were really fantastic, and it’s understandable why it won the Pulitzer Prize for History.

And then I literally just got these books in the mail, which are more self-help/ one history/policy book, but you might enjoy them anyway. I have problems with having a Puritan work ethic and getting on myself about not working every minute of the day, so I’m really trying to take this time to force myself to calm down, remind myself life is a marathon, not a sprint, and focus on being more forgiving and developing my self-esteem not so quantitatively about how much work I get done at the end of the day.

"A Problem from Hell": America and the Age of Genocide by Samantha Power:  ‘In her prizewinning examination of the last century of American history, Samantha Power asks the haunting question: Why do American leaders who vow "never again" repeatedly fail to stop genocide? Power, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and the former US Ambassador to the United Nations, draws upon exclusive interviews with Washington's top policymakers, thousands of declassified documents, and her own reporting from modern killing fields to provide the answer.’

Chained to the Desk (Third Edition): A Guidebook for Workaholics, Their Partners and Children, and the Clinicians Who Treat Them by Bryan Robinson: ‘Intended for anyone touched by what Robinson calls 'the best-dressed problem of the twenty-first century' Chained to the Desk provides an inside look at workaholism's impact on those who live and work with work addicts partners, spouses, children, and colleagues as well as the appropriate techniques for clinicians who treat them. Originally published in 1998, this groundbreaking book from best-selling author and widely respected family therapist Bryan E. Robinson was the first comprehensive portrait of the workaholic.’

Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving by Celeste Headlee: ‘Despite our constant search for new ways to optimize our bodies and minds for peak performance, human beings are working more instead of less, living harder not smarter, and becoming more lonely and anxious. We strive for the absolute best in every aspect of our lives, ignoring what we do well naturally and reaching for a bar that keeps rising higher and higher. Why do we measure our time in terms of efficiency instead of meaning? Why can’t we just take a break? In Do Nothing, award-winning journalist Celeste Headlee illuminates a new path ahead, seeking to institute a global shift in our thinking so we can stop sabotaging our well-being, put work aside, and start living instead of doing. As it turns out, we’re searching for external solutions to an internal problem. We won’t find what we’re searching for in punishing diets, productivity apps, or the latest self-improvement schemes. Yet all is not lost—we just need to learn how to take time for ourselves, without agenda or profit, and redefine what is truly worthwhile.Pulling together threads from history, neuroscience, social science, and even paleontology, Headlee examines long-held assumptions about time use, idleness, hard work, and even our ultimate goals. Her research reveals that the habits we cling to are doing us harm; they developed recently in human history, which means they are habits that can, and must, be broken.’

Hope that gave you some ideas, nonnie, and hopefully that’ll give you something to access when we’re all stuck inside!

#anonymous #reading list #reading #literature #future reference #personal #answers #history #self-help #hopefully this helps!

[anistarrose]

Ford in Amphibia - Chapter 2

Summary: Ford is subjected to mild bullying, and the gang decides to hunt an endangered species but makes an unexpected new friend along the way.

Warnings: none

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/19375102/chapters/47328493

The Beginning

This chapter references a few more episodes of Amphibia than the last one, but doesn’t spoil any overarching plot details past the first episode, so it should be possible to read even if you’re not caught up. This is starting to look like it’ll eventually wind up as four-chapter fic, so stay tuned for more!

***

Ford sat on the couch next to Anne, watching intently as she flicked through albums of photos on her phone.

“Here’s my cat, Domino — oh, and here she is again, in my parents’ kitchen! What a little troublemaker!”

“She’s quite precious,” Ford agreed. “You say you have music on this device too?”

“Of course!” Anne answered. “I’ve got all the best tunes — stuff to dance to, stuff you can sing along with, stuff to listen to as you think about how far you are from home and regret your life choices —”

“Do you have anything by Eurythmics? Or Talking Heads?”

Anne stared at Ford blankly.

“Or do you prefer classical? The Planets by Holst, maybe?”

“Uh, I’ve got All Star by Smash Mouth —”

“Mention that song again and you’re dead to me,” Ford growled.

There was an awkward pause, and then Ford sighed. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be surprised that we appreciate different aspects of human culture. You’re young, and I… left my dimension a very long time ago.”

“That’s, um — that’s too bad,” Anne stammered, not really knowing what to say. “Uh… do you want to keep looking at pictures?” she finally asked.

Ford didn’t say no, so she opened a new album. “Here’s some of me and Sprig, and of some wildlife we saw the other day — oh, and here’s where I tried to teach Sprig how to use the camera! You can tell because it’s all blurry and —”

“Wait!” Ford interrupted. “Go back! To the one with the caterpillar — er, the cat-erpillar, rather!”

“This one?” Anne pulled up a picture of a black, orange, and red cat-erpillar glimpsed from across a meadow.

“That’s it! See the flame pattern, and those prominent tufts on the neck? That’s the endangered Sunburst Mountain Cat-erpillar!”

“Whoa, are you like a conservation expert?” Sprig asked, springing onto the couch. “Do you need to capture it and get it to breed with others of its kind to save the species?”

“Quite the opposite, actually,” Ford told them. “I need a sample of its chrysalis for my own use — and ideally I won’t seriously harm any specimens, but you never know!”

Noticing Anne and Sprig’s mildly horrified looks, he went on: “Let me explain. For years now, I’ve planning a mission to a very dangerous dimension, of which the atmosphere is contaminated with just about every pollutant imaginable. There will be zero margin for error on this mission, but if I inhale too many of those pollutants, they’ll almost certainly hamper my performance. So for the past few weeks, I’ve been searching for a solution…”

He pulled a carefully rolled-up piece of paper from his pocket, and spread it out in his lap to reveal a detailed scientific drawing of the cat-erpillar and its cocoon, along with a sketch of a mountain with wisps of smoke emanating from the peak.

“Every generation of the Sunburst Mountain Cat-erpillar pupates near volcanic vents, and as a result, they’ve evolved so that their chrysalides absorb and break down a wide variety of toxins. I learned of their existence shortly after coming to your world, and I’ve been trying to track one down ever since in the hope that harvesting some of that chrysalis material would help me design an air filter to get around that pollution problem — but unfortunately, the location of Sunburst Mountain has been lost to time, since those vents are dormant most of the year. The whole time I’ve been here in the valley, I’ve just been stumbling around blindly without glimpsing hide nor hair of any of the right cat-erpillar species.”

He flipped his paper over, and pulled out a pen. “The period of vent activity should only last another week or two this year, and at this rate I’m probably going to miss it — but if you could tell me where you saw that specimen the other day, then I’d have my best lead yet!”

“Cool!” Sprig exclaimed, at the same time that Anne spoke up:

“I gotta admit, tracking down a lost volcano sounds like loads of fun, but… cat-erpillars are a lot more dangerous than they look. Sprig can tell you about the Domino Two incident — did not end well for anyone, except maybe Domino Two herself.”

“Oh, I know how to handle myself, don’t worry! I’ve conquered many foes more deadly than a mere —”

They were interrupted by a yelp as Hop Pop jumped straight up, slamming into the ceiling.

“Darn it, Ford, I know you mean us no harm, but every time I walk by here I think there’s an owl perched on our couch and my heart skips a beat!” He rubbed his head, and began collecting the books he’d dropped.

Sprig snapped his fingers. “That’s it, an owl! I knew he reminded me of something predatory!”

“What?” Ford scowled. “I do not look like an owl!”

“Uh, except you kinda do!” Polly chimed in, bouncing into the living room behind Hop Pop. “There’s your big wide eyes, and the way your eyebrows jump up and your head whirls right around whenever you hear something behind you — oh, and the way your cloak billows behind you like giant wings!”

“You’ve got to be joking! I —”

“Such a majestic and terrifying creature!” Polly went on, tugging on Ford’s cloak. “You are the swift and deadly hunter I wish to emulate! Will you teach me your ways?”

Ford’s mouth opened and then closed, at a loss for words, but Anne cut in.

“Hey, that’s enough. Owls are supposed to be wise, remember? Ford set his face on fire less than five minutes after we met him. I think that instantly disqualifies him from owl resemblance.”

Ford just shook his head as Anne and Hop Pop cackled.

“And did you see how he slept on the couch last night?” Sprig added. “His face was buried in a whole stack of pillows and his feet were practically out the window! No majestic old owl would sleep like that!”

“I still want to see him in action, though,” Polly declared. “What do you hunt, old man? Tell me so that I may watch you and learn your ways of stealth and dismemberment!”

“I’m not planning to dismember any endangered species if I can avoid it,” Ford corrected her. “But you’re welcome to come with me anyways. The more eyes who know this area, the better!”

“Ooh, can we take Bessie?” Sprig asked. “Anne can drive us!”

Hop Pop’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know. I’ve got errands to run, and I’m not sure how I feel about letting you all run off without a chaperone…”

Ford stifled a laugh. “Hopediah, I’ve earned degrees in everything from cryptobiology to quantum physics — I’m basically the best chaperone these kids could hope for. Think of it as an educational outing!”

“Oh, well why didn’t you say so? That’s fine, then — just be sure to be back before nightfall!”

“Woo-hoo!” Anne cheered. “Time for an adventure with the weird hobo scientist from outer space that we adopted!”

“Adventure! Adventure! Adventure!” Sprig and Polly chanted. Anne joined in almost immediately, and after a moment, Ford did too.

***

“Okay, I think this is where we saw it,” Anne announced as Bessie the snail slowed to a halt at the edge of a clearing. The meadow was dotted with patches of mud, and seemed devoid of any life besides a lone chickfly that squawked and flew off as the gang dismounted.

“It looks… swampier than last time,” Sprig mused. “Did it rain over here or something?”

Ford knelt down in front of one of the patches of exposed mud, removing his glove to run a finger along the edge. “If anything, it looks like a creature tore up the grass at the surface while hunting here, revealing the damp earth underneath.”

“But these claw markings are huge! Whatever made them must be bigger than me!” Anne shuddered. “Ford, do you know why everything is so giant here?”

“Not for sure, but I can certainly speculate!” Ford’s face lit up. “For one thing, my preliminary scans have shown that there’s more oxygen in the atmosphere of this dimension than there is in the environment either you or I would’ve came from, which paleontology suggests may allow for life to grow larger.”

“Ugh, forget I asked,” Anne muttered, but Sprig bounded over to Ford’s side, eyes wide.

“Wow, really? If you and Anne keep breathing our air, will you get bigger too?”

“Not necessarily due to the oxygen concentrations,” Ford told him, “but that’s not the only difference between our dimensions! Gravity is slightly weaker here too, which most importantly means that it’ll be easier for the skeletons of megafauna to support their body mass, but also could cause Anne and I to pick up a few extra millimeters when our spinal columns expand. The effect should be subtle, but less weight pressing our vertebrae together means we’ll stand a little taller.”

“You’re not a majestic owlish hunter after all,” Polly groaned. “You’re just a nerd.”

“He’s a brave adventurer and he knows all about everything!” Sprig told her. “I want to be just like him when I grow up!”

“Two nerds,” Polly grumbled.

“Hey, guys?” Anne poked Sprig in the shoulder with a stick. “There’s something coming this way, and it’s kinda… on fire?”

“Where?” Ford leapt to his feet. “Is it a cat-erpillar?”

“No, it’s more like… an amorphous blob.” Anne pointed towards the creature, which had made its way almost halfway across the clearing. “I’d stay back, in case it explodes in our faces… oh, or you could just walk right up to it! That too!”

“Would you look at that!” Ford exclaimed, kneeling at the creature’s side. “I hadn’t expected to find any cryptozoological oddities I was familiar with here!”

“Cryptozoological?” Sprig tilted his head. “I thought that stuff was all bogus.”

“As in, like, cryptids?” Anne asked. “I saw a Moss-Man here once, does that count?”

Ford plucked a twig from the ground and placed it in the palm of his hand, which he then slowly extended towards the anomaly. The mass of its body seemed to be concentrated in a blob of mud that spilled across the ground with a radius of about half a foot and a height of about five inches at its highest point, from which several plumes of glowing green gas extended.

Two small, dark eyes blinked within the largest plume, and a muddy tendril extended from the creature’s base. For a moment, the mud began to pool in Ford’s hand, but then it pulled the twig back to its main body with a sudden slurp, leaving almost no dirt or moisture behind whatsoever. The twig vanished inside the muddy blob, and the creature gurgled in satisfaction.

Ford ran a hand through the fiery-looking plumes and Anne cringed, but he didn’t get burned. The creature’s flickering eyes widened as it responded with some semblance of a purr, apparently eager for more petting.

“Fascinating! I’ve encountered Scampfires back home, but I think this individual might be better referred to as a ‘Swampfire!’ Although technically speaking, there doesn’t seem to be any actual fire involved — I suspect it’s fueled by phosphorus and hydrocarbon compounds from that muddy blob of biomass, which undergo some form chemiluminescence to produce light without a substantial amount of heat.”

“Is it dangerous?” Polly asked. “Or will it help us on our quest?”

“Neither, I think,” Ford replied. “It seems perfectly content to just ooze along here and keep absorbing plant matter while we head on our way — although, I should really get a quick sketch first!” He pulled out a pen and notebook, adjusted his sitting position, and set to work.

“What happened to finding the cat-erpillar?” Anne groaned. “I thought that was some critically vital mission or something!”

“Oh, it is!” Ford told her. “But it’s not every day one gets to discover and catalog a new anomaly! You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if Swampfires exist in my dimension too, but are endangered due to habitat loss… Humanity really needs to do a better job of preserving wetlands and all the biodiversity they contain…”

Sprig peered over Ford’s shoulder at his work — a set of simple drawings, cartoonish yet detailed enough to capture all the details of the Swampfire’s form in multiple poses. “Wow! You drew that so fast!”

“Thank you, I’ve been doing this for quite a while! Now, Swampy, if you could hold that pose for just a moment…”

Swampy, naturally, chose that moment to bolt, darting back between the trees with surprising speed as its lights dimmed.

“Drat. Well, what I’ve got down here is still better than nothing —”

“Hey, guys?” Anne asked. “Is it just me, or did a really big shadow just pass over us?”

In unison, the four of them looked up. Above, a massive shape blocked out the sun — a shape with wide eyes, a pointed beak, and long, silently flapping wings.

“Scatter!” Ford shouted as the owl dove towards the clearing, and the children bolted as its talons raked the ground.

***

End notes:

Thanks for reading, feedback/reblogs are appreciated as always!

This was very fun to write, as fics with Ford often are, because I got to use him as an excuse to ramble about science! Since Sprig showed an interest in science in “Family Shrub,” I figured he’d be pretty inquisitive, and look up to the whole adventurer-scientist deal Ford has going on.

Swampy the Swampfire, also known as the best character I’ve ever written about, is based partly off the Scampfires from Journal 3, and partly off of the “will-o-the-wisp” ghost lights, which are believed to be a result of gases produced in wetlands by decaying plants. (The endangered due to habitat loss detail Ford mentions isn’t a joke, either — according to Wikipedia, will-o-the-wisp sightings are rarer nowadays, and it’s probably because wetlands keep getting destroyed. We need to save the Swampfires!)

#amphibia #gravity falls #stanford pines #anne boonchuy #sprig plantar #polly plantar #fic: ford in amphibia #rosalia writes fic

[strawbebehmod]

Heyyy, can you tell us more about Autumn? What’s her state title? I’m very interested in this OC and would like to know more. Are you going to write/draw more of her?

Sure! I’d love to tell you about her!

Autumn Gainsborough is called the Black Widow Alchemist because she specializes in synthesizing different kinds of venom from spiders, scorpions, and other venomous creatures using alchemy. She also has figured out how to synthesize spider web.

She joined the military about a year after the ishvalan war for research purposes (although her specialty are very good in ambush combat too), as very few other institutions were interested in her venom research. She’s very smart but also kinda off her rocker. A lot of people avoid her because of her spider/arthropod obsession. Even Hughes avoids her after he made the unfortunate mistake of showing her pictures of Elicia and then agreeing to look at pictures of her “babies” when she excitedly asked. She’s so out of the loop she has no idea who Edward Elric is. Although She does know who Alphonse is, because you can’t exactly miss a giant suit of armor.

She’s also very reckless and a bit scatterbrained at times too, often putting herself in harms way for the sake of her research. She has purposefully gotten herself stung by almost every non-lethal thing on the Starr pain level scale and tried to get her hands on some of the most deadly living things on the face of the planet so that she can accurately replicate their toxins in her lab…which btw is wall to wall with tanks containing hundreds of different live specimens, a collection she is quite proud of and will talk at length about if you let her.

If you can get past her reckless nature and unusual obsession, she’s a very kind, bubbly, loyal and optimistic person who will get into all sorts of trouble with you, and would be more than willing to share her copious amounts of preserved food with (she can’t cook at all). She has a few friends, including another state alchemist named Andrew Fairfeild, an alchemist that specializes in working with quick sand and tar for the sake of his paleontology work, Some of my friends ocs, and another OC of mine, her first lieutenant Mathew Parker, a much mor levelheaded individual and one of the few brave enough to spend a lot of time in her lab and frequently helps her with her work. He doesn’t mind her obsession and loves to hear her rant about her discoveries and whatever new specimen she has gotten her hands on. Usually he ends up being the voice of reason for her and keeps her from getting herself killed, which could happen fairly easily considering what she works with. He actually has a bit of a crush on her but she’s completely oblivious as she has a one track mind for her work.

Whelp, that’s all I got for her right now. I’ll probably draw more of her later, but I hope you enjoyed this for now. Thanks for asking about her!

#OC #Fma #fullmetal alchemist #fmab #fullmetal alchemist brotherhood #strawbebehfic #my oc #asks #Autumn Gainsboroug

[ulyssessklein]

Perla Hudson Interview: Slash, Dinosaurs and Helping the Youth of L.A.

By: Rick Landers

We thought we’d click back to one of our favorite articles, one we had with Slash’s wife, Perla Hudson. So, here you go and enjoy the ride!

***

Perla Hudson, the wife of Velvet Revolver’s legendary guitar player, Slash, has navigated the depths and ridden the crests of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle for a decade. And no one would be surprised if she simply wrapped herself in that self-indulgent lifestyle that we hear about that beckons and, sometimes, overcomes the rich and famous. But, we spoke to Perla, and she let us know that she and her husband had more important things to take care of and nurture.

As much as she enjoys the raucous highlights of the rock ‘n’ roll fantasy, Perla has invested time and effort into being a mother to her two growing boys, keeping the home fires burning with her husband, and helping the disenfranchised youth of Los Angeles. She has supported the work of L.A.’s Department of Children’s Services. She’s also served on the Board of Directors, and more recently on the Advisory Committee, of the L.A. Youth Network (LAYN). And when she talks about it, she’s not only committed, she’s passionate.

And now, both she and Slash are offering up a treasure trove of their possessions to help fund LAYN programs to benefit children who are homeless and need the kindness and guidance of caring adults. Their Slash and Rock Legends Auction will be held by the famous Julien’s auction house beginning March 26, 2011, and will feature some of the hippest and coolest prized possessions owned by the Hudsons.

On this list is some Slash signature gear, like a stage-worn Chrome Hearts leather top hat; his GNR silver cuff, a one-of-a kind custom Stravinski Fender Stratocaster, his B.C. Rich Red Mockingbird axe, pieces from his prized dinosaur collection and the coup de grace, Slash’s beloved 1966 big block Corvette coupe.

The Slash and Rock Legends auction should rake in some serious cash, all for a good cause. We at Guitar International tip our black leather top hats to Slash and Perla, for reflecting not only the best in rock ‘n’ roll, but the best in all of us.

******

Perla and Slash – Image courtesy of Gibson Guitars.

Rick Landers: Hey, I just found out that you’re Cuban. Do you dance salsa?

Perla Hudson: Of course I do! I’m cooking Cuban food for dinner tonight, too.

Rick: Are you really? Good for you. I guess Cuba should be opened up fairly soon, right? Do you think you’ll ever go down there?

Perla Hudson: I’ve been. We want to take the kids, but just finding the right time and you know how that all goes. Hopefully we’ll be there soon.

Rick: A lot of people think rock stars are always self-indulgent, even rock couples, I suppose, but I saw that in the auction that’s coming up this month you have a passion for the L.A. Youth Network.

Perla Hudson: Absolutely.

Rick: I was wondering how you ended up choosing that particular charity?

Perla Hudson: Well, I’ve been on the Board of Directors for LAYN for about three years. I only, in the past couple of months, stepped down because there’s a lot of decision making when you’re on the Board of Directors and it was very time-consuming for me. I’m still on the Advisory Committee and on the Fundraising Committee for them, which is where this comes in.

We did a lot of charity work with the Department of Children’s Services. Every Christmas we would fulfill their wish lists. One year we rolled up on the Gibson tour bus and gave everybody Gibson guitars. Another year we actually gave the kids what they were hoping for. These are Children’s Services children. The woman from DCS told me about LAYN, which is a homeless shelter for children. It serves with emergency housing, temporary and permanent housing for kids in the L.A. area. So, we started focusing our efforts on LAYN.

It’s really important because a lot of people ask Slash to donate a top hat, donate a guitar, donate this, donate that, and he’s been extremely generous and giving, but you don’t necessarily always see where all that stuff is going to. With LAYN we see it. I’ve been there for kids’ birthdays. Slash has been to their talent shows. We’ve sponsored the kids to go to prom. It’s pretty amazing.

These are kids that have been living on the streets, have been kicked out of their homes because either they’re gay or lesbian or abused. Kids that got a birthday cake for the first time when they were 13 and didn’t know what to do with the candles. So, I think the work they do is amazing and the W.O.O.W. [We’re On Our Way] program is basically what your parents did for you.

When you were going through college, they paid for your housing, paid for your food, and that’s what the W.O.O.W. program does with these kids that are out of high school, up to the age of 22, even 25. There’s still a kid that age in school. It’s a great organization. It’s a home. We’re very hands-on with them, and as a matter of fact, they’re honoring us in June at their gala for a lot of the work that we’ve done for them.

Check Out GI’s Slash Interview Discussing Les Paul and Les Paul Guitars

Rick: What surprises me is that most missing children weren’t reported missing by their parents. That’s kind of heartbreaking.

Perla Hudson: Isn’t that horrible?

Rick: I can’t believe it. Looking at the auction, there are some pretty cool items that are obviously cool, whether they’re associated with Slash or not. One in particular caught my eye and probably caught a lot of people’s, and that’s that ’66 big block Corvette.

Perla Hudson: Oh, yeah. That was a really hard one for him to part with. [Both laughing] We’re all about minimizing now and he’s a bit of a pack rat. There was a time when I first met Slash he had like 10 cars. That was one of them, one of his big purchases when he first made a lot of money with Guns N’ Roses. He bought that car and recently he got an Aston Martin. There are only so many cars one can drive. We have kids now. We’ve got the SUV, so we’re parting with it. That one’s even harder for me.

Rick: Was that a driver or did you just keep it in the garage and keep it pristine?

Perla Hudson: Oh, no. We drove it. He didn’t drive it every day, but he did drive it on a regular basis.

Rick: Is it a coupe?

Perla Hudson: Yes, it is.

Rick: Oh, nice. I had a ’65 convertible, so I know they’re great cars.

Perla Hudson: Right. He had the whole thing, this was way back in the day when he bought it, I guess the late ’80s, had the whole stereo system tricked out to where the panel where you press the buttons for the stereo that was on the visor. After that I believe he put everything back to its original condition. But, it still has a pretty kickin’ stereo system in there, too. [Both laughing]

Rick: How tough was it then to give up some of those other auction items?

Perla Hudson: It was pretty tough. Getting him to go through his list of guitars was really difficult for him, and in a way I don’t blame him. The ones that he did part with, it was a lot for him. But, he has over 150 guitars, as it stands, so he’s getting rid of, I think it was 13 or 14.

Rick: If you had an opportunity, or maybe it would be a better question to ask him, to buy one of those auction items, which one do you think you or he would grab?

Perla Hudson: Well, I think that there’s a painting in there that we didn’t mean to put in there that we might have to buy back. [Both laughing]

Rick: What is it?

Perla Hudson: It’s the Ain’t Life Grand album cover artwork. It wasn’t supposed to go and if Slash hears this interview, he’ll kill me, because it went on accident; one of those things that got put into the wrong pile.

Rick: Oh, it happens.

Perla Hudson: Once they’re up for auction, we’ve got to buy them back.

Rick: It’ll go to a good cause, right?

Perla Hudson: Absolutely.

Rick: I was wondering how Slash ended up with the dinosaur collection that’s to be auctioned?

Perla Hudson: He’s been enamored of dinosaurs ever since he was a child and he’s a big collector, as you can see, with guitars and dinosaurs, cars. There are a few things that he’s interested in, but when he does get interested in something, he takes it to the next degree.

The dinosaurs…he’s probably just as schooled on paleontology as actual paleontologists are. This man is the encyclopedia of dinosaurs and that’s just his thing. A lot of those models he made himself. A lot of them he bought when he was in Japan touring in the early ’80s with Guns and put them together.

A lot of that stuff is all stuff that we got on different tours, but the dinosaurs in particular, when he and I originally hooked up, he had like a 10,000 square foot bachelor pad filled with pinball machines and dinosaur models. We’ve been keeping these in storage ever since and it was just time to unload them. They’re pretty cool.

Check Out Slash’s Long-Time Musical Partner in GI’s Duff McKagan Interview

Rick: I think it probably takes a lot of true grit to really be married to somebody who’s moved up so far in the world of rock ‘n’ roll. Did you know what you were getting into when you first met him?

Perla Hudson: You know what? It takes true grit, as you said, to be in any relationship long-term, regardless of with a rock star or not. Did I know what I was getting into? Not necessarily, but I had no expectations, and I still don’t and I just deal with things as they come. There are no expectations and nothing really shocks me.

Rick: I would think that you’d really have to be true to yourself at the same time.

Perla Hudson: Absolutely, and keep each other grounded and keep him grounded, specifically. Slash is such an introverted person that it’s very easy for him to get into his little world of music. We’re completely polar opposites, him and I, and it’s up to me to bring him out of that on a regular basis and be part of the real world. He’s kind of like a mad scientist in his lab, creating his music. Left to his own devices, he would be there 24/7.

Rick: How do you deal with all the noise, the media and the hysterics that surround the rock star thing?

Perla Hudson: It doesn’t really bother me. I’m not married to a politician, so what can they say that can bother us? [Both laughing] I’m a pretty open-minded person and nothing really shocks me, to tell you the truth.

Rick: The last time I interviewed Slash, after the interview he was going to a soccer game, taking your two kids to a soccer game. He sounds like he’s a pretty normal guy.

Perla Hudson: You know, we try to be. Recently, someone started working with us that couldn’t believe that he and I actually drive the carpool. He does too, with the rest of the kids. We have a carpool with two other families.

We try to be normal and as grounded as possible because at the end of the day, we’re all just human and you can’t escape your reality. Our reality might be a little different than others, but we have two really young boys that we want to keep grounded and have them grow up and be normal.

Rick: People tend not to like to brag about themselves. I actually taught a course with a psychologist and he said that people have no problem denigrating themselves, but when it comes to bragging about themselves, they tend not to like to do that. How about it? Would you mind bragging a little bit about who you are and what you think people should know about you? Things that you’re proud of…

Perla Hudson: Oh, okay. Goodness, I’m proud of my character, my survival skills. My parents were Cuban immigrants that, speaking quite frankly with you, were drug dealers when I was growing up. To have overcome that and have any sense of being normal was difficult. I grew up to be very loyal, but I had this entire crazy part of my life going on growing up.

I just think being a survivor and being open-minded are among the things I’m most proud of when it comes to my character. I’m very proud of my two children, that I have these two amazing little boys, and I’m really raising them to make a difference in the world when they grow older. I’m proud that I’ve been married 10 years this October. That’s a stretch!

Rick: Congratulations! Hey, your sons are really handsome little boys, really cute.

Perla Hudson: Thank you. They’re tough.

Rick: I bet.

Perla Hudson: When the older one was six months old and I had this baby nurse help me. She looked at me, she goes, “Oh, Perla,” she’s a little Irish lady, “This one is definitely not gonna be a wallflower,” and she was right. [Rick laughing]

Rick: A lot of guys who play, and I play guitar a lot, they often find that their spouses get a little bit tired of them playing guitar, maybe too loudly, and it’s happened to me and other friends of mine that when we’re playing, we kind of notice that the door gets closed on us. The wives are thinking, “That’s enough.” Tell me that Slash ends up experiencing the same thing, that he’s normal.

Perla Hudson: Yeah, but I love it when he plays around the house on his acoustic guitar. He does have a studio that’s completely soundproofed in the basement though. But, when they first built it, you could hear him blaring in the kitchen. It was okay for a minute, but after a while it got old, so we had to have it fixed. [Both laughing] But, he’s got like a soundproofed room down there.

Rick: That’s a good fix.

Perla Hudson: But, I love hearing him play acoustic guitar around the house, especially around the boys because one of them is taking guitar lessons. God, if he heard this, he’d probably kill me. I don’t know if he’s got that music gene, the older one, but the little one is extremely talented and self-taught to play piano and he’s in a little violin class. The little one is just amazing, so he’s enamored when he sees his father playing guitar. He just sits there and stares at him, so I love it, to tell you the truth.

Rick: Let me see if you’re willing to do an exchange with me here. If you’ll tell me what Slash’s favorite meal is or food, I’ll tell you what Les Paul told me his favorite food was and you can tell Slash.

Perla Hudson: Great! Let’s do that.

Rick: Les Paul’s favorite food was macaroni and cheese.

Perla Hudson: Slash’s favorite food is something spicy. Anything spicy.

[prancingpterodactyls]

this is my fic gift to the amazing @kerrigore for the @r76secretsanta gift exchange! he prompted me for some dinosaurs, so hopefully i delivered. if you wanna read it on ao3 instead of on tumblr: https://archiveofourown.org/works/13123647

“...So hopefully, this new strain of virus we will utilize as our DNA vector that Dr. Reyes has developed will provide the next generation with an increased resistance to the H7N9 virus, allowing our organisms to live longer and healthier lives and allow our paleontology division to care for the dinosaurs more easily. Dr. Reyes, do you have anything to add?” Thump. “Dr. Reyes.”

Gabriel startled out of his reverie and gave Moira a sheepish smile. “Sorry Dr. O’Deorain. Could you repeat that again?”

Moira gave him an unimpressed look before turning to their coworkers. “That will conclude that week’s lab meeting. Thank you. Dr. Reyes, if you could stay behind for a moment please?” Moira shuffled her papers around as the rest of their coworkers left the meeting room. “You seem distracted today, Gabriel.”

Gabriel winced. “Won’t happen again, Moira. It’s just… personal stuff.”

“I suppose common courtesy dictates that I must inquire about it, as your friend.” She raised a perfectly groomed eyebrow while scooping up her papers and tablet, leading them to the main lab. “I’ve been told your beau will arrive back from his latest paleontology expedition within the week. Are you distressed about his arrival?”

“Kind of?”

“I’m unsure of what you mean by that.”

Gabriel sighed. “Jack’s been… distant, lately. The last time I really talked him, I felt like I was talking at my phone instead of my boyfriend. And every other time I tried to call him after that, he basically blew me off.” He slumped his shoulders. “I’ve no idea what to make of it, Moira.”

Moira hummed as she snapped her lab goggles on. “Based on my previous experiences, I would assume Dr. Morrison is trying to end your relationship.”

“You’re not helping, you know.” Gabriel glared at her across the lab bench.

“Was I supposed to? I don’t recall you asking for comfort.”

“Fair enough.” Gabriel fiddled with a tray of electrophoresis gel. “I’m just… confused, I guess. I thought we were doing well, especially after we took a trip out to see my parents in California, who fucking love him, by the way, and he was so reluctant to go on the expedition that Ana had to all but drag him onto the plane, so…”

“I’m afraid I cannot offer any advice pertaining to your relationship,” Moira said apologetically. She threw a pair of gloves at his face. “However, I can assure you that working on your latest project will most likely provide to be a good distraction from your relationship problems. Also, I don’t think Director Ogundimu will be sympathetic to your problems if it’s not allowing you to focus.”

“Fine,” Gabriel grumbled as he scooped up his tablet and lab notebook. “At the last board meeting, did he mention when -- oof.” Gabriel crashed into something -- or someone -- only to be caught in the hands of warm and solid.

“Hey, babe,” Jack said sheepishly. Gabriel flushed and winced as Jack pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. Jack smiled a little too sweetly. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Hey,” Gabriel breathed. It was amazing to see Jack again, but he wasn’t too keen on seeing him again if Jack decided that he would end their relationship. “I thought the expedition wasn’t supposed to end until the end of this week.”

Jack shrugged. “Ana didn’t need me going rogue on an expedition she’s leading. Plus,” Jack took Gabriel’s free hand into his own and swung it around playfully. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“Well, consider me surprised.” Gabriel gave Jack a tight lipped smile.

“Are you okay?” Jack pressed a hand against Gabriel’s forehead. “You’re not sick, are you? I thought you’d be more excited to see me.”

Gabriel shook his head. “Just went to bed late.” Technically, it wasn’t a lie. He did have trouble falling asleep last night, though, freaking out over whether or not Jack really was going to break up with him or not.

Jack bounced and smiled brightly at him. “So you’d be okay with taking a long lunch with me? My treat.”

“Sure,” Gabriel said faintly, anxiety churning in his stomach. “Eleven thirty’s okay?”

“It’s a date,” Jack said, pressing another kiss on his cheek, waving at Moira as he left the lab. “See you soon, babe!”

“See you soon,” Gabriel echoed back.

Moira hummed thoughtfully behind him. “Based on what what just transpired, I should amend my previous conclusion.”

“Are you going to tell me or do I need to wait for your next publication?” Gabriel asked sarcastically.

“And ruin the surprise?” Moira smirked. “I think not.”

“Dammit, Moira,” he groaned. She patted him on his shoulder.

“On the bright side, you can focus on something prior to your lunch date where Jack may or may not break up with you,” she said sweetly as she sauntered to her own lab.

“You’re evil,” Gabriel called as he set up his next experiment.

“So I’ve been told,” Moira replied. Gabriel sighed and twirled the pen in his hand.

---

“Hey, you ready to go?”

Gabriel pressed a hand to his chest. “Jesus, Jack, I’m holding eight moles of hydrochloric acid.”

“Scary,” he drawled, tugging at Gabriel’s arm. “C’mon, you ready to go?”

“Go to…” Gabriel frowned. Maybe if he pretended to be confused, he could put off the inevitable demise of their relationship.

Jack rolled his eyes. “Lunch, dummy. I’ve got something special planned.”

The walk to wherever Jack wanted to take him was long and unbearable. Jack rocked back and forth on his feet as the elevator dinged quietly.

Gabriel couldn’t take it anymore. “So, uh, how was the trip?”

“Really good,” Jack said, his eyes shining as they left the elevator. “I’m glad Ana dragged me along, I really had a lot of fun on the trip.”

“Oh, nice,” Gabriel said absently.

Jack nodded, swiping his keycard and leading Gabriel through door after door. “I think by the time they get back they’ll have excavated the rest of the skull we found. Which will delay the whole expedition timeline, and I wanted to see you before.” Jack smiled and looked at Gabriel expectantly.

Gabriel smiled belatedly. “Missed you too, babe,” he rushed out. Jack frowned and tilted his head.

“You’re not sick, are you? If you are, I can take you home and we’ll do this again some other time.”

“I’m fine,” Gabriel grumbled. “Where are you taking me, anyways?”

Jack led him to an outdoor arena and held out his arms. “Tada! The dinosaur enclosure!”

“Oh,” Gabriel breathed. As a geneticist and proverbial lab rat, Gabriel rarely had the chance to see their cloning projects, so seeing them grown without being armed with syringes and swabs to collect tissue samples was a little weird.

Gabriel tentatively approached a stray eoraptor hopping nervously along the enclosure’s fence, its bright teal feathers glinting in the filtered sunlight.

“Here,” Jack said, offering Gabriel a small pellet. Gabriel held it out gingerly as the eoraptor curiously poked its head towards the two of them, sniffing at it cautiously before snatching the food out of Gabriel’s hand, crunching on it. “See? Now you can pet it.”

“Hey there,” Gabriel whispered. The feathers weren’t soft or pleasant to stroke, even, but the eoraptor seemed to like it enough. It purred, snuggling its head against Gabriel’s fingers, and Gabriel resisted the urge to squeal.

“Looks like I might have some competition,” Jack joked. He reached for Gabriel’s hand again. “C’mon, there’s more dinosaurs I wanna show you. And something else.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I’ve been told you’d kill to see a T. rex.”

“Lead the way,” he grinned. If Jack wanted to make him feel better before breaking up, by god was Jack doing an amazing job. Might as well milk this out as long as possible, he mused, only half listening to Jack pointing out different species and occasionally tugged at Jack’s sleeve to get him to stop so Gabriel could take a closer look.

“Enjoying yourself?” Jack asked smugly. Gabriel nuzzled with a friendly stegosaurus and Jack playfully swatted Gabriel away from him. “Don’t get too close to her, what if you give her a disease that’ll wipe out the rest of her family?!”

“Then it sounds like a problem my department would have to deal with,” Gabriel pouted. “Let me have my fantasy of having my own pet dinosaur in the meantime.”

Jack’s phone vibrated and glanced at it before flashing Gabriel a mischievous smile. “Guess I’ll have to leave you and your new pet stegosaurus here while I go check out the T. rex Dr. Winston and Dr. Zhou spotted all by myself…”

“Don’t you dare,” Gabriel threatened. “You promised me T. rexes.”

“Fair enough,” Jack laughed, leading them both into a clearing. “Winston and Mei said the T. rexes usually pass by this area in a few minutes. In the meantime, since I stole you during your lunch hour, I do feel slightly obligated to feed you.”

“And they say chivalry is dead,” Gabriel deadpanned, not at all marveling at the cute picnic display Jack had carefully crafted, complete with what looked like two bottles of wine. He raised an eyebrow. “I hope you aren’t planning for the both of us to finish that.”

“Maybe.” Jack sat on the ground and patted the space next to him. “Sit down. I worked hard on these sandwiches. Validate your f--boyfriend’s hard work.”

“If you insist,” Gabriel sighed, settling next to his boyfriend and allowing him to pour Gabriel a glass of wine. The clearing was almost idyllic, and probably the nicest place he’s ever been broken up at. They sat in near-companionable silence with Gabriel’s leg jiggling up and down, anticipating Jack to turn to him and say, “So, listen…”

“You’re okay, right?” Jack asked, rubbing his leg soothingly. “Mei assured me this would be the best spot to see the T. rexes, and that there shouldn’t be any safety issues.”

Gabriel gave him a tight lipped smile and nodded to assure his (soon to be ex) boyfriend. “Oh, I think I hear them,” he breathed, instinctively grabbing Jack’s hand.

“Yup, there they are,” Jack murmured, leaning his head on Gabriel’s shoulder. “They’re amazing, aren’t they?”

“Amazing doesn’t even cover it,” he breathed. “In the lab, we usually only get to see them until the embryo is almost done developing, so this is definitely something else.”

“You’re something else,” Jack muttered.

Gabriel swatted at his chest and laughed. “Flattery will get you nowhere, didn’t your parents ever tell you that?”

“My parents also told me all my pets ran away into our cornfield, which is why I never saw them again,” Jack protested. “Turns out, they all died and my parents just buried them under their own personal garden.”

“That’s what every parent tells their kid when their pet dies, Jack,” Gabriel said.

“We don’t have to tell our children,” Jack said shyly.

Gabriel hummed before realizing what Jack just said. “Well, first off, we’d need to be married. Otherwise, our parents would kill us both for adopting out of wedlock. Whatever that means.”

“Alright, so how about we get the first part out of the way first?”

“Ha, ha, very fu--” Gabriel turned his head to find his boyfriend on one knee with a painfully earnest smile directed straight at him. Jack’s hands cradled a small black box where a simple, golden band nestled in the dark velvet. “Oh.”

“I know it’s kinda early,” Jack rambled, “but I was thinking since we already met each other’s parents and we’ve already talked about getting married and…”

f

“Jack.” Gabriel cut him off with a deep kiss. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

“Oh,” Jack said with a dopey smile. “In that case…” Jack hauled him in for another kiss. “I love you, my fiance.”

“We’re not getting married in the dinosaur enclosure, right?”

“I’d hope not,” Jack laughed.

Gabriel sighed in relief. “Thank god. I love you, too.”

#reaper76 #r76 #r76secretsanta

[blairaptor]

Jurassic Portal: San Jose Airport

Here’s a little preview from what’ll probably be chapter 1 of the fic (if I ever have time to write more of it). In this scene, Chell meets Mel and Wheatley at the airport on her way to the island. Names are subject to change and I've yet to invent a surname for Chell, as you can see. But I’m pretty pleased with the dialogue.

Chell’s flight to the San José airport in Costa Rica was uneventful. Mr. Johnson was paying for everything, and she’d been told that once in Costa Rica she’d meet with an Aperture Science representative who would show her to the private helicopter that would be taking them to the island.

Chell approached the gate where she’d been instructed to wait for the Aperture representative. Only one person was sitting there: a young woman with red hair tied in a bun, wearing cargo shorts and a t-shirt bearing an Olympic ring design.

She looked up as Chell approached, and Chell recognized her immediately, spotting the beauty mark above her mouth. It was Melanie Meyer, an Olympic track athlete who had just won gold in Nuremberg.

“Melanie Meyer?” Chell blurted out, shocked at the idea of meeting a celebrity who was not famous in paleontology or the sciences.

“Hi, that’s me!” Melanie said, standing up to shake hands. “Mel’s fine! Are you here for the Aperture Science project?”

“Yeah, Mr. Johnson invited me to the opening of his new park,” Chell said, smiling. “I’m Dr. Chell [redacted]. But Chell’s fine.”

“Chell and Mel,” Mel mused, returning to her seat. Chell sat beside her. “I like that. You’re a paleontologist, right? Sorry I didn’t recognize your face. I’ve heard your name, though. Something about fossils in... what’s the place called? Hell Creek?”

“Hell Creek, exactly,” Chell said, impressed. “Most people don’t know about Hell Creek unless they’re into fossils.”

“Well, I have to confess I squeezed your name out of a contact at Aperture,” Mel explained. “I wanted to know who else might be going on this weekend excursion. You dig up dinosaurs, right?”

“That’s right,” Chell said, “So what I’m wondering why Cave Johnson invited a paleontologist and an Olympic athlete to see the unveiling of his private island theme park.”

Mel laughed. “I’m wondering the same thing. I’ve actually done some work for Aperture before, I think that’s why Mr. Johnson invited me to come back.”

“What kind of work?”

“It’s mostly classified,” Mel said. “But they wanted the ‘greatest’ to test their products.” She waved her hands in front of her apologetically. “I’m not saying I’m the best,” she clarified quickly. “Mr. Johnson said that. Olympians, astronauts, people like that. I hadn’t won any medals yet back then.”

“I suppose you can’t tell me about the products you tested?” Chell said, raising an eyebrow and smiling grimly.

“Nope, all classified,” Mel said. She glanced around the near-deserted gate and then lowered her voice. “But it’s pretty cool, so I’ll tell you about one. It was a handheld device that could create a portal. Like something out of science fiction.”

Chell stared at her. “You’re kidding.”

“I’m not! They were trying to punch holes in space-time in their facilities!”

Chell was not convinced. “Sure,” she said with a smile.

Mel shrugged. “Well, it never worked out quite how they wanted it to anyway,” she said, still keeping her voice fairly low. “I think they cancelled it. The rumor is they moved on to genetic stuff.”

“Genetic technology…” Chell muttered, thinking out loud. “Genetic tech, paleontology, and a biological park. Maybe it’s - nah.” She scoffed to herself.

“What is it?” Mel said, cocking her head.

“Well,” Chell said quietly, “I was just thinking that if you add those things together, you get a biological park full of genetically modified extinct animals.”

“Is that at all possible?”

“I don’t think so. The only dinosaur DNA Aperture would have access to would be from ground up fossils, but that’s almost nothing. There’s no way you could even make a complete gene from that stuff.”

The conversation died down as they sat there, lost in thought. Chell took out a notebook and started sketching the fossil her team had just found, hoping to get back it soon enough after all this Aperture business was completed.

Suddenly Mel laughed. “Get a load of this guy.”

Chell turned to see where she was looking. A very tall blond man in khaki shorts and a blue windbreaker was standing at the nearby coffee counter, stuttering something to the cashier. He paid and turned around, and Chell saw that he had purchased a fresh drink but was already carrying two cold coffees under one arm. His other hand was occupied with holding a half-eaten sandwich from the Subway across the terminal.

“Wonder where he’s headed,” Mel said thoughtfully. “I love peoplewatching at airports. You never know what kinds of characters might be passing through.”

Chell nodded in agreement. The man was coming closer, now trying to look at the watch on his left hand without spilling his hot coffee. Finally he glanced up and looked right at her.

“Dr. [redacted], hello!” He said, making his way over to where Chell and Mel were seated. “Fancy meeting you here! That’s, um, that’s a joke because I’m supposed to meet you here…” He scrambled with his things for a moment and managed to set down all three coffees and move the sandwich to his other hand.

“Jonathan Wheatley,” He said, shaking her hand. Chell recognized his voice now from the phone messages. His mouth was mostly full, but that didn’t seem to stop him from talking. “People just call me Wheatley - I’m in charge of Public Relations right now for Aperture’s park… And you must be Miss Meyer!”

He turned to Mel, who also shook his hand. “Mel’s fine,” she said, smiling.

Wheatley sat down across from them, fumbling at the neck of his jacket for a moment. He extracted a lanyard with an ID tag on the end, and Chell saw that his photo was accompanied by an Aperture Science logo.

“I’m sure you’re dying to know what’s on that island,” Wheatley continued conversationally, “But I’m afraid I’m still under nondisclosure until we actually get there, in which case you’ll find out straight away - Mr. Johnson has arranged a tour of the facilities for all the guests.”

“How many other guests are there?” Chell asked.

Wheatley stuffed the rest of the sandwich in his mouth and counted on his long fingers. “Uh, we’ve got you two, another paleontologist I’m sure you know, and a mathematician.”

“A mathematician,” Mel repeated quietly, looking confused.

“To see the computers, I expect,” Wheatley replied. Now that the sandwich was gone he was practically chugging the coffee. The steam had fogged up the entirety of his huge, rounded glasses, making him look like a milky-eyed insect.

Chell was still frowning at the mention of Rick. However it sounded as if he would be her only paleontological competition.

Wheatley was on his phone now, alternating sipping the coffee and looking at the screen as he typed busily with one hand. He seemed to be stretched quite thin with things to do.

“So Mel,” Chell said. “Who’s your contact at Aperture?”

“Oh yeah, my contact!” Mel’s eyes lit up. “I was talking about my best friend, Virgil! He worked for Aperture when I did the testing there a few years ago. He really helped me out, here - ” She fished out her phone and showed Chell a picture. Mel was standing with her arms around the neck and shoulders of a man her age. He was slightly shorter than her but both had striking red wavy hair.

“Is he at the park?” Chell asked. She noticed Wheatley had perked up a bit at their topic of conversation, though he was still distracted.

“He is!” Mel said proudly. “Most of it’s classified but he’s working on maintenance and doing computer work. You know, behind the scenes. But I’m hoping we’ll have time to talk when I get there.”

“We’re gonna be touring the facilities where he’s working,” Wheatley put in, and Mel turned to him eagerly. “Our schedule’s going to be pretty tight but you’ll be seeing him.”

“Yes!” Mel was grinning. “I can’t wait. I haven’t seen him in a long time since he’s been at work developing the park project,” she added for Chell’s benefit.

Chell checked her watch. “Hm, not long until we board the helicopter. Are the others meeting us here?”

Wheatley was squinting at his phone. He took another swig of coffee. “I think they’ve just arrived on the far side of the airport. They should be coming in on a shuttle soon enough.” He stood up, collecting the trash from his sandwich. “I think it’s time we get going.”

#my writing #jurassic portal #portal fanfic #fanfic #wheatley #chell #mel

[thebestintoronto]

THE ULTIMATE 48 HOUR TORONTO ITINERARY

After so many years of travelling, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to put together a 48 hour Toronto itinerary. It’s where I was born and it’s where I live, work and play so you think it would be easy to put together a list where to go in Toronto, right? Well, it is and it isn’t. Toronto is a world-class city but for me when I return from a trip, I just want to relax and slowly try to get back into the groove of the daily grind. But as a travel blogger who creates short trips, mini-breaks, and weekend getaway itineraries, I’m sort of obligated to create an itinerary for Toronto.

I GOT HOMETOWN ADVANTAGE.

HERE’S MY 48 HOUR TORONTO ITINERARY

All that said, I live in a very big city so I decided to stick with the downtown Toronto attractions instead of things to do near Toronto. Some are Toronto tourist spots while others are hidden gems that only a local like me would know about.

In addition, our national airline Air Canada is allowing you to hook up a stopover for up to 7 days in Toronto on your way to Europe or Asia. Sweet! You can bookmark this itinerary for when you get here. Hell, I’ll even welcome you at the airport with open arms.

WHERE TO STAY IN TORONTO

Fairmont Royal York Hotel

Fairmont’s historic ballroom is legendary and the hotel itself is a city icon.  Its spacious rooms feature floral accents and include designer bath toiletries and robes. It has a skylit indoor pool, 5 on-site dining options, its across the street from Union Station with shuttle bus to both airports.

Thompson Toronto

The Hotel has a rooftop pool and bar with views of the city and CN Towers – I could pretty much stop there. But, it has designer linens and bath amenities. Fully stocked minibars, 24-hour concierge, on-site valet and a 10-minute walk from the bars and restaurants of King West.

Hyatt Regency Toronto

Located in the entertainment district in the centre of Toronto – trust me there is no better place to be. It’s a modern hotel with flat-screen TVs and Apple docking stations,  on-site sauna, outdoor pool and it’s King Street Social Kitchen and Lounge serves regional cuisine

DAY 1

BALDWIN STEPS

The first stop is Casa Loma but in order to get up the hill, we need to use the Baldwin Steps, which are a public outdoor staircase that dates back to the 19th century. They are named after a former landowner of the area, the Baldwin family, which included Robert Baldwin, a former premier of Ontario.

CASA LOMA

This 98-room castle was commissioned by Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, a Canadian soldier, and investor who founded the Toronto Electric Light Company in 1883. Sir Henry Mill Pellatt ordered Toronto native and architect E. J. Lennox to design Casa Loma. The 3.5 million dollar castle began construction in 1911 and was finally completed by 1914. Today Casa Loma is used as a filming location, a museum, as a venue for weddings. It is also one of Toronto’s most popular landmarks.

ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM (R.O.M.)

The Royal Ontario Museum is one of the largest museums in North America and the largest museum in Canada. The ROM is highly regarded as a “preeminent field research institute and an international leader in new and original findings in biodiversity, paleontology, earth sciences, the visual arts, material culture, and archaeology”.

PHILOSOPHERS WALK (*HIDDEN GEM)

The Philosophers Walk is a scenic footpath located in the St George campus of the University of Toronto.  It runs north-south along what was once a natural water called Taddle Creek, which was buried during the industrial age and now flows underwater.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO (CAMPUS)

The University of Toronto was originally founded in 1827 as King’s College and as the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada. The university is comprised of twelve colleges. The University of Toronto also has two satellite campuses located in Scarborough and Mississauga.

BALDWIN STREET, RESTAURANTS (*HIDDEN GEM)

Yes, you might have guessed it’s the same Baldwin family who owned the land that the steps used to get to Casa Loma are built on. This small Toronto enclave is located in Toronto’s Grange Park neighbourhood. Baldwin Village is famous for its small shops and restaurants like, Shawarma and Falafel Place, Chardise, Sid’s Deli, and many other favourited restaurants of Toronto.

KENSINGTON MARKET

Kensington Market is Toronto’s self-proclaimed “most vibrant and diverse neighbourhood”.  This bustling Toronto neighbourhood serves as a fine indicator of Toronto’s multicultural diversity. No establishment in Kensington Market is the same. Vendors, shops, and restaurants of all sorts of ethnicities make up the melting pot that is Toronto’s “most vibrant and diverse neighbourhood”.

ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (AGO)

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is home to over 90,000 different artworks and is lauded as one of North America’s most distinguished art museums.  This massive museum carried works of art that range from the Renaissance to contemporary pieces of art. Aside from being an astonishing physical museum, AGO also has launched its social media website called Collection X, which grants users access to a digital art forum that is opened to artists and art lovers.

GRANGE PARK

Right beside the AGO is OCAD U (The Ontario College of Art and Design University) and right behind that is Grange Park which happens to my local park.

Many-a-blog-post was conceived in this park!

There are two large sculptures by world-famous sculpture, Henry Moore and 14 nature related, inscribed granite paving stones from famous Canadian authors.

QUEEN STREET WEST

Named “the second coolest neighborhood in the world” by Vogue magazine, Queen Street West is downtown Toronto’s most celebrated (fashion) district. Queen Street West is a hip, urban strip that extends for two kilometres (1.25 miles) between Bathurst and Gladstone and is comprised of some of the city’s most trendy boutiques, art galleries, bars, and restaurants.

GRAFFITI ALLEY (*HIDDEN GEM)

Just south of Queen Street West is one of Toronto’s most surprisingly artistic accomplishments: Graffiti Alley. Graffiti Alley stretches for approximately one kilometre (.6 miles) and is teeming with urban art that is (legally) painted each summer by an artistic troupe called Style in Progress. If you’re looking to explore Toronto in hopes of finding a hidden gem that reflects the urban, artistic capabilities of the city, then Graffiti Alley is that and more. Read more about Graffiti Alley from my post: Toronto’s Graffiti And Street Art

KING STREET WEST | KING WEST VILLAGE

King West Village is one of Toronto’s fastest growing communities. With waves of young professionals moving into the neighbourhood, Kings West Village has experienced a boost in its economy and social scene. Aside from the rapidly changing demographic of the neighbourhood, King West Village is well-known for its landmarks, 19th-century buildings, and iconic brownstones.

ROGERS CENTRE (A.K.A. THE SKYDOME)

Opened in June 1989 and originally named the SkyDome, Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose indoor stadium that holds some of Toronto’s wonderfully exciting venues. Notably, the Rogers Centre is home to the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) and has served as the venue for an array of different events: sporting events, concerts, auto shows, circuses, Disney on Ice, and much more.

Architecturally, the stadium is well-known for being the first stadium to have a fully retractable motorized roof, having an annexed 348-room hotel attached, and is also the last dual sporting major-league stadiums in North American (MLB and NFL).

TORONTO RAILWAY MUSEUM

The Toronto Railway Museum, a mainstay attraction of downtown Toronto located in Roundhouse Park,  is “dedicated to preserving the physical legacy, history, and experience of rail transportation in Toronto and Ontario.” The museum has lots to offer, such as a railway simulator, in-depth historical displays, and interactive displays. Be sure to check out the gift shop and go on a Miniature Train ride before you leave!

CN TOWER | 360 RESTAURANT

Often viewed as the pride and joy of Toronto, The CN Tower is a spectacular architectural and engineering feat that captures the livelihood of the city. This national icon and landmark are well-known for its (cost-efficient) state-of-the-art LED lighting system, as well as recently being on the cover of Drake’s critically-acclaimed album “Views”.  Aside from its stature as a culture and urban icon, the CN Tower is home to the revolving 360 The Restaurant.  This world-class restaurant is managed by Executive Chef John Morris and General Manager of Restaurants and Events Cameron Dryburgh, who helms the culinary team at the award-winning restaurant.

DAY 2

THE BEST 48 HOUR TORONTO ITINERARY

DISTILLERY DISTRICT

Despite its name, Toronto’s Distillery District is known for being “Canada’s premier arts, culture and entertainment destination”.  The district gets its name from the 47 buildings that were formally known as the Gooderham & Worts Distillery. Since 2003, the Distillery District has been offering locals and visitors a “hip, cool dynamic” that is comparable to New York City’s SoHo or Chelsea. Be sure to check out the Distillery District’s unique shops, galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, theatres, and more!

ST. LAWRENCE MARKET

The St. Lawrence Market is an encompassing, nostalgic shopping destination in Toronto. The market is made up of three main buildings that each provides their own unique services and products: The South Market, the North Market and St. Lawrence Hall. The South Market is known for having vendors that sell fresh produce, meat, fish, grains, baked goods, dairy products, as well as non-food items. The second floor of the South Market, home to the Market Gallery, serves as an exhibition space for City of Toronto’s Cultural Services. The North Market is well-known for its Saturday Farmers’ Market, Sunday antique dealers, rental spaces. St. Lawrence Hall is comprised of various retailers on the ground floor, city offices on the second floor, and auxiliary rooms for special events on the third floor.

GOODERHAM BUILDING

Toronto’s Gooderham Building, also known as the Flatiron Building, is one of the city’s historical landmarks. Located in Toronto’s Financial District, the Gooderham Building was completed in 1892 as a premature model of its current architectural state. Now, the building serves as not only an office building but as a historical landmark that adds to Toronto’s pizzazz.

CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. JAMES

Opened on June 19, 1853, the Cathedral Church of St. James stands as one of the largest Toronto-built buildings. The Cathedral was constructed with the intention of replicating Gothic Revival architecture. The cathedral is well-known for its 92.9 meters (305 foot) tower and pointed spire.

YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE

Yonge-Dundas Square is Toronto’s equivalent of New York City’s Times Square. This bustling, vibrant square experiences fluxes of tourists and locals who relish in the square’s open space and eccentric ambiance. Yonge-Dundas Square’s myriad of LCD displays brings a one-of-a-kind luminescence to Toronto and capture’s the city’s animated downtown vibe

EATON CENTRE

Located in downtown Toronto, the Eaton Centre is Toronto’s only mega shopping centre. This massive shopping centre is home to over 230 national and international retailers, as well as offering patrons tons of dining and entertainment options.

OLD CITY HALL

Old City Hall is just one of four city halls to be constructed in Toronto. The building boasts a Romanesque style of architecture, as well as a distinguishable clock tower. Since 1984, Old City Hall has been designated as a National Historic Site of Toronto.

TORONTO CITY HALL | TORONTO SIGN

Toronto City Hall, also known as New City Hall, serves as the home of Toronto’s municipal government.  Despite its round base, Toronto City Hall is comprised of two towers that are curved in, and stand at varying heights. Toronto City Hall’s courtyard, Nathan Phillips Square, serves as the primary host of various festivals and events in Toronto.

YONGE ST.

Centered around Yonge-Dundas Square is Yonge Street. As is typical of the streets of downtown Toronto, Yonge Street is lined with heaps of restaurants, bars, and shops. Yonge Street is one of Toronto’s main streets, it is the longest street in the world and divides the city between East & West.

HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

In the typical Canadian fashion, Toronto is home to the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHoF). The Hockey Hall of Fame building was established in 1943 and is located on Yonge Street. The HHoF houses 15 various exhibit areas that cover 60,000 square feet. Visitors of the HHoF can view trophy displays, memorabilia, and player equipment worn during special games. The Hockey Hall of Fame also has an interactive display called “Be a Player” that allows patrons to use shoot real pukes against a simulated legendary goaltender, Ed Belfour.

HARBOURFRONT | HARBOUR CENTRE

The Harbourfront Centre is nonprofit cultural organizations that put together events and activities to enrichen and enhance downtown Toronto. Located at 235 Queens Quay West, on Toronto’s waterfront, the Harbourfront Centre is a must visit destination for all those looking to enjoy the cultural diversity and creativity of Toronto, right on the water.

AMSTERDAM BREWHOUSE

Located in the Harbourfront, Amsterdam BrewHouse specializes in offering patrons craft beers and delicious eats. Amsterdam BrewHouse’s ideal location makes it the perfect place to enjoy local craft beers, delicious local foods, and a lakeside view of Lake Ontario.

Visit my post called The Best Harbourfront Restaurant in Toronto to find out more about this awesome place!

Also, while at the Amsterdam BrewHouse I got to hang out with a good friend of mine and fellow travel blogger Danielle from the Thought Card. She’s a pro at cost effective travel so if you’re curious about budgeting a trip to Toronto she wrote a great post called Toronto Budget: How Much Does A Trip To Toronto Cost?  

The post “ THE ULTIMATE 48 HOUR TORONTO ITINERARY “ was first seen on Rudderless Travel by Christopher Rudder

The IV Lounge - IV Therapy Toronto Drip Clinic

[caseysbell]

Author Interview: Tom Johnson

S. I. Hayakawa once said, "It is not true that we have only one life to live; if we can read, we can live as many more lives and as many kinds of lives as we wish." One of Tom Johnson’s favorite quotes, he has certainly created many lives to live in his collection of published books. Tom who mostly writes fantasy, superhero, and mystery books took some time to answer some questions for Books to Read. 1. When did you know you wanted to write books? Tom: I’ve had the writing bug since about age 10 when I tried to write and draw a horror comic book story. In the early 1960s I was stationed with the US Army in France and working as desk sergeant for the MPs. While the units were on patrol, keeping the world safe from communism, I started creating characters and writing short action scenes, but now I was interested in jungle stories like Tarzan – I had recently discovered Edgar Rice Burrough. 2. What was your first book published? Give a brief synopsis. Tom: My first published book was a non-fiction in 1980 when I researched a popular hero character from the pulps, an early spy called Secret Agent X. But if you wish, let’s go back a bit. Remember those slow nights I tried to create fiction in France? Well, after a tour in the jungles of Vietnam in 1970 the writing bug wouldn’t leave me alone and I took some of those characters and plots I created in France and wrote two SF novels in pencil, Jur: A Story of Pre-Dawn Earth and Savage Land of Jur. I had the first story typed into manuscript and made copies and sent them to SF publishers. The rejection slips started coming in just as fast as I mailed them out. So I stuck the manuscripts in a drawer and concentrated on learning the writing craft. Through the 1970s I wrote articles for magazines, and newspaper columns, and it was during this time that my first book was published, the non-fiction research into Secret Agent X. 3. What inspired you to write the story? Tom: I had been collecting the pulp literature of the 1930s & ‘40s, and noticed that little was really known about some of the early magazine heroes of that period, and the magazines were still cheap and fairly easy to obtain, so I bought complete runs of most of the character pulps and started reading and researching them. My wife and I also started a hobby magazine called ECHOES in 1982 under our new imprint, FADING SHADOWS. ECHOES quickly picked up readers from the US, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Japan, and fans of the old pulp magazines began contributing articles and art. We published ECHOES for 22 years, ending in December 2004. In 1995, we had started fiction magazines also under the FADING SHADOWS imprint, and these also ran until December 2004, a run of nine years with new stories in the pulp tradition. I was also writing new stories during this period, and in 2002, after a suffered a stroke, I rewrote that first JUR novel with the help western author, James Reasoner, and submitted it again. It was finally accepted and the publisher wanted the second novel, and a third. After a lot of rewrites I was finally publishing those old plots I created in France so long ago. 4. What was your feeling the first time you held your first published book in your hands? Tom: Well, of course, I bought a lot of extra copies to give to all my family and friends. I had struggled to become a writer, and to finally see a book in my hand, whether the 1980 non-fiction on Secret Agent X, or the 2002 fiction novel, Jur: A Story of Pre-Dawn Earth, my dream had finally come through. 5. What is you latest book? Brief synopsis. Tom: Several more of my non-fiction research books were eventually published, as well as more novels, short story collections, and anthologie. My most recent fiction novel is The Man In The Black Fedora, which has been receiving some nice reviews. “Crime is on the rise in New York. Teams of professional thieves rob an art gallery and museum, while across town hoodlums murder elderly shop owners. From the chaos rises a new hero! His team will challenge the underworld for a reckoning.” 6. Are you working on anything now? Tom: I’m writing children stories right now. A Canadian publisher is preparing his 5th anthology, and I’ve been writing for his anthologies since Volume 3, with several stories per volume 7. What did you want to be “when you grow up” as a child? If it changes explained why your aspirations evolved. Tom: I wanted to be an entomologist while in high school, but a poor boy wasn’t going to college without money. I joined the Army for a couple of reasons, the first was to get away from ranch and farm life. My dad was a cowboy and wanted me to follow in his footsteps. The Army was a better choice for me than working a life as a cowboy. The Army put me in the MPs, and I liked Army life, and decided to make a career in the military, thus I never continued my schooling for entomology or paleontology (another deep love). However, I never lost my interest, either, and readers will find something about both entomology and dinosaurs in my books. 8. Anyone(s) who you contribute to you wanting to be a writer? Tom: The great writers of the pulp magazines, and that includes Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan), Robert E. Howard (Conan), Lester Dent (Doc Savage), Walter B. Gibson (The Shadow), and the classics like Call of The Wild, White Fang, Treasure Island, etc. 9. What advice would you give someone who wants to publish their first book? Tom: Never give up. If you’ve got the writing bug, there is no hope for you, you are going to be a writer, so tough it out. You’ll make it. Look how long it took me. 10. With the knowledge you have now about publishing books what advice would you give yourself years back when you first started? Tom: Take writing courses. Learn the in-roads to writing, and read the genre you want to write. 11. Where can we find you and your books (website, email, social media, etc.) Tom: Website http://jur1.brinkster.net/index.html FADING SHADOWS http://fadingshadowsbooks.blogspot.com Amazon Page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008MM81CM Face Book https://www.facebook.com/tomginger.johnson

#books #author #book lovers #book addicts #book readers #lover of books #all things books #books books books

[newstanmarshblog]

The Average and Unusual Couple: Chapter Two

   It was Saturday morning, and Sharon drops off Stan close to Stark’s Pond where he plans to meet up with his friends.

   Sharon: If you need anything, just give me a call. I plan on spending nearly my entire day with your uncle.

   Stan: Okay, mom. Tell uncle Jimbo that I say hi.

   Sharon: Sure thing, sweetie. Have fun!

   Stan smiling: I plan on doing so. Bye!

   As she heads off to uncle Jimbo’s place, Stan leaves his bike parked next to Kyle’s bike, and then takes a nice quiet walk to Stark’s Pond. Along a way, he sees some Blue Jays and Squirrels that put a smile on his face because he hasn’t seen any nature activities since the lockdown began and he loves seeing wild animals. After about ten minutes of walking, Stan finally sees his friends waiting for him right beside the big pond. Deep inside, Stan is very emotionally joyful to see his pals in person for the first time in over a year.

   Stan smiling: What’s up, guys!

   Kenny smiling: Stan! No time no see! How’s it going?

   Stan: Aside from dealing with my crappy dad, I’m doing good now.

   Kyle: Glad to hear, dude.

   Stan each gives Kyle and Kenny a bro hug, and then gives Cartman a pat on the back.

   Stan: So, Cartman, sorry if I didn’t the chance to check up on you after the huge news was announced. How did you react to it?

   Cartman: I can’t believe that we have to go back to school so soon! *gets pissed off*

   Kyle: He didn’t take too well. You know how he hates school more anyone.

   Stan: *laughs* I can tell. Still the same old fatass as I last saw him.

   Cartman: Up to this point, I’m considering going back to homeschooling.

   Kenny: I don’t think your mom is gonna let you do that again. Not after on how you did it last time.

   Cartman: You mean how my old monkey beat the shit out of you during that time? *chuckles a bit*

   Kenny annoyed: Don’t remind me.

   Stan: Can you at least think of one thing that you missed from being at school?

   Cartman: Hmmm, nope. Not a single fucking thing.

   Kyle: What about Sloppy Joe day?

   Cartman: ………God Damn it!

   Kenny: You gotta admit, the school cafeteria’s cooking may suck pretty often, but at least their sloppy Joe does taste really good.

   Cartman: I’ll agree to that.

   Stan: Well, aside from returning to school, I’m also pretty excited to see new movies in the big screen again.

   Kyle excited: Hell yeah! I’m so ready to see those new Marvel movies!

   Stan: Me too.

   Kenny: Me three.

   Cartman: Ha! Those movies are never gonna be as good as their previous ones. I think Marvel’s days in the movie business are gonna be numbered.

   Kyle: Oh, I don’t think so, fatass. Comic book films grabs a lot of moviegoers’ attention in these days. No matter how good or bad each of their film gets, they’ll always be making a lot of money.

   Cartman: Whatever. Now that new Jackass movie, that’s definitely my kind of movie.

   Kenny: Those movies honestly makes me shiver.

   Stan: Why dude?

   Kenny: Let’s just say that some secrets are worth keeping to yourself for now. Anyway, the one upcoming movie for me that matters most is the new Suicide Squad movie.

   Cartman: You only care about Suicide Squad is because you think Margot Robbie is super hot as Harley Quinn.

   Kenny: Shut up! I just think she’s an awesome character is all.

   Kyle: What about you, Stan? What movie are you most excited for?

   Stan: Just two. Dune, and that new Jurassic World movie.

   Cartman: Of course you’re always excited for any movie that involves dinosaurs.

   Stan: Dude, you have no idea on how incredible they were back then. Dinosaurs were just as diverse as any group of animal today. Some were just as small as chickens, and others became large enough that still to this day holds the record of on being the largest land animal to ever walk the Earth!

   Cartman: *fakes yawns himself* Stan, you know how the rest of us don’t give two shits when it comes to those now extinct dumb reptiles.

   Stan: Shut the hell up, fatass! They’re not as dumb as you think. In fact, I bet you’ll lose to a Troodon in a puzzle game.

   Kyle: I’m no dinosaur fan myself, but even I know well that you’re more likely to lose in any competition against a Troodon.

   Cartman pissed off: SHUT UP, KHAL!

   Kenny: Alright, you guys! Let’s not get into any arguments today. This is the first time where all of us are together in over a year, and I would appreciate it if we can all agree on not having anymore fights just for one day.

   Stan: Agree.

   Kyle: Same.

   Cartman: Alright, fine. But no more fat jokes or dinosaur talk for today.

   Kenny: Good. Now then, who’s ready to go to Chill’s?

   Cartman: That’s more like it! I seriously need to have their Tostitos chips so badly.

   Kyle: Of course you need to have those chips in order to start a sumo wrestling career. 

   Cartman: Khal, what did I just tell ya!

   Kyle: *laughs pretty hard* Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

   Stan sighs himself.

   Kenny: Are you okay, dude?

   Stan: I understand onto why you guys aren’t into dinosaurs or any other paleontology stuff as much as me, but still, I wish that I can have at least one friend that’ll either appreciate or even have the same love for dinosaurs as I do.

   Kenny: I’m very sure that you’ll across with someone that’ll not just have at least some appreciation to dinosaurs, but that person could also have some more similarities with you than you’ll ever expect.

   Stan: I hope you’re right, Ken. I would love for it to happen sooner than later.

   While Stan and his friends all head to Chill’s for lunch, a huge moving truck is parked next to a house that once belonged to the Marsh family. A car parks into its drive way, and then one of the car’s door is opened. It was Lydia. Her family had finally reached to their new home.

   Lydia: South Park sure does have wonderful viewing of the mountains from down here.

   She takes some pictures of the mountains with her camera.

   Charles: Pumpkin, we need some help over here to unpack.

   Lydia: Coming, father.

   She first grabs a big box that’s filled with her horror movie collection as she enters into her new home, and then walks upstairs.

   Lydia: Which room is mine?

   Delia: Choose between either the one room that has the grey rug, or the other room that has the blue-green mix coloring rug.

   Lydia: Okay.

   She first enters into what was once Shelly’s room. While she did liked the grey rug, the room didn’t have a good window viewing of the mountains because it’s blocked by a next door neighbor house, and its closet was too small for her. Lydia then goes into Stan’s old bedroom. The room has a better window view of the mountains, and a closet that’s more suited to fit in a lot of her stuff.

   Lydia: I’m taking the room that has the blue-green mix coloring rug.

   Delia: Alrighty then. I’ll be taking the other room for my art gallery.

   Lydia: Sounds good then, mother.

   Meanwhile outside, Stan and his friends were on their bikes as he noticed a huge truck that seems to be parked close to his old house.

   Stan: What the hell? Guys, hold on just a second.

   Kyle: What is it, dude?

   Stan: I really need to see this.

   Stan rides off as his friends follows from behind, and as he got close enough to see what’s going, he was in such disbelief. A moving truck is parked right beside off his old front yard, huge art sculpts were being brought into the house, and he even notices a couple of a red haired woman and a blonde man. He can hear them talking.

   Charles: Which room did our daughter take?

   Delia: The one room that has a nice view of the rocky mountains and the blue-green mix coloring rug.

   Charles: So I guess that means you’ll be taking the other room for your art collection?

   Delia: I’m so excited to get started on some of my new sculpt works.

   Charles: Just don’t forget that we promised our pumpkin to make her a dark room for her photos works, okay?

   Delia: Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about that, Charles. *laughs a bit*

   Stan couldn’t believe it for what he was hearing. His old house, the very place in which he spend nearly his entire life at, can no longer return there because it now belongs to a new family. He begins to tear up.

   Kenny: Stan? 

   Stan sobbing: I…I… I need to be alone for a while.

   He rides off without his friends.

   Kyle: Stan, wait!

   They catch up to him.

   Kyle: Dude, let’s pull over and talk about this.

   Stan pulls over right by the bus stop sign, and then his friends pulls over too.

   Kyle: Stan, we’re all so sorry for just seeing on what happened over there. We’ve all dreamed of you returning here someday, and we’re now just as heartbroken as you are.

   Stan sobbing: That place right there, it was my most favorite place to be at in the entire world. Some of my most favorite memories were build in that house. It was also where I got started to make my life worth something. But now that place no longer exist. It has been taken away from me. All I have now to live at is in that fucking hellish place that is called Tegridy Farms! MY ENTIRE FUCKING LIFE IS NOW FOREVER RUINED!!! *breaks into tear*

   Kyle, Kenny, and Cartman all look at Stan in a disheartening look. Kenny steps in to comfort him.

  Kenny: Stan, buddy. I may not be the greatest friend that you ever had, but damn it, if there’s anything that can break my heart so deep, it’s seeing any of my family and friends in such an emotional break down. Life isn’t always far, and we’ve all experience at least once a while. But we can’t also let that moment take over our lives forever. We have to carry on with our lives as it still has a lot of more great fun surprising moments ahead of us. And we promise to make your life as very well worth it as we can.

   Stan clams himself down and then clears off his tears.

   Stan: Thank you, Kenny. And you’re not by all means a terrible friend. You always have our backs when you need you most, you’re really fun to hang out with, and you’re such a pro in cheering people up. And for those reasons, I’m very grateful to have you as a wonderful friend.

  Kenny smiling: Ah, come here!

   Stan gives Kenny a huge hug as Kyle and Cartman also joins in.

  Cartman: Tell you what dude, while we’re at Chill’s, you can talk to us about anything you want. We’ll even listen if you have to say anything about dinosaurs.

   Kyle: And today’s lunch is on all three of us.

   Stan smiling: Thanks, you guys. Let’s now have our lunch.

   Kenny: Lead us the way, Stan.

   Stan leads his friends to Chill’s as he puts on a joyful look on his face even though deep inside, he’s still emotionally broken about his old house.

   Meanwhile at the Deetzes’ new home, several hours later after unpacking everything and setting up her new room, Lydia was now at last all settled in.

   Lydia: Phew, I’m glad that everything is now in place. Time to give BJ a call. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!

   Beetlejuice pops up as he was having himself some beetle themed chips.

   Beetlejuice: Babes! I’m glad to see your face again that isn’t just another picture frame.

   Lydia: Welcome to my new room, Beetlejuice. What do you think of it?

   Beetlejuice takes a look around at Lydia’s new room. Her bed sits at where Stan’s bed used to be at, has a huge 5 shelf book case where she keeps all of her horror films and books at, her mirror and desk are placed at across to where her bed was at, and has a Dracula movie poster placed at her closet door. While checking out the new room, Beetlejuice couldn’t help but feel of it being a bit smaller than her old room.

   Beetlejuice: Lyds, I don’t mean to complain, but this room feels smaller than your old room. 

   Lydia: Yeah, I know. The only bedroom in this house that’s just as big as my old room is the master bedroom, but that room is now occupied by my parents.

   Beetlejuice: Well, that sucks. I don’t even know how long it’ll take me to get used to flying around a room this small. *bumps his head against the wall* Bumping your head, you know I hate it.

   Lydia: This room may not be perfect, but it at least has a wonderful viewing of the rocky mountains from my window.

   Beetlejuice checks out the window viewing of South Park and the mountains.

   Beetlejuice: Hmmm, those mountains sure can use a face. *uses his powers to give the rocky mountains each a face of Sylvester Stallone* Now I can officially rename those mountains as Mount Rocky Balboas. *laughs*

   Lydia: Beetlejuice!

   Beetlejuice: Sorry, sorry. You know how I gotta be myself all the time. *removes the faces off from the mountains* So anyways, how was your road trip?

   Lydia: It went pretty well. For much of the time, I was reading some of Edgar Allan Poe’s books while listening to music from my iPod. Including some by our old rock ’n roll band.

   Beetlejuice: Ah yes, the Brides of Funkenstein. *changes himself into Betty Juice while playing the drums* I’m getting dangerous, yeah!

   Lydia: Prudence sure was a pretty badass singer. *laughs*

   Beetlejuice: Ah, those were the days, Babes.

   Lydia: Anyway, during our road trip, we made one special pit stop at the Field Museum in Chicago that I’ve always dreamed of going to.

   Beetlejuice: What did you see over there? I imagine that it must’ve had a special exhibit on radioactive bugs.

   Lydia: Not exactly. While it did have a nice exhibit on bugs, the main reason onto why I wanted to go there so badly is because they have some of the most incredible fossil collection in America. Including fossils of extinct arthropods, mammoths, and one of the best known dinosaur fossil in the world, Sue the T. Rex.

   Beetlejuice: You never told me that you were into dinosaurs and paleontology, Babes.

   Lydia: Before I enter into the first grade, I was pretty much a big dinosaur buff. I used often read dinosaur books that had a lot of illustrations in it, watch those old Land Before Time movies, and I even had a stuff Brontosaurus that I named Belle. Dinosaurs will always hold a special place in my heart no matter what other hobbies I get into as I grow up.

   Beetlejuice: Well, if you still love dinosaurs a lot, then I’ll have to take you to a place call Extinction National Park.

   Lydia: Extinction National Park?

   Beetlejuice: It’s one of the few handful of national parks that still exists in the Netherworld. It’s where all the extinct species of plants and animals that used to live on Earth coexist together no matter what time period they’re from. It includes all extinct marine animals, giant insects, ice age animals, and yes, even the dinosaurs themselves.

   Lydia: Sounds freaking awesome!

   Beetlejuice: I haven’t been over there ever since shortly before I met you, although I still keep hearing from people that it still exist. The last time that I was over there was when I played a game of mud ball fight against those Woolly Mammoths and then after beating them, I rolled myself against their smelly fur for a couple hours.

   Lydia: We definitely need to make a trip over someday, but I sadly can’t do it right now.

   Beetlejuice: Why the hell not?

   Lydia: Because I gotta get started on getting ready for my first day of school here. And I would even like to explore on South Park has to offer.

   Beetlejuice: Can I tag along with you while exploring this town? Oh please, please, please, please, please!!

   Delia: *calling from downstairs* Lydia, we brought over pizza home for dinner!

   Lydia: Coming, mother! Sorry, Beetlejuice. We’re discuss this a little later tonight.

   Beetlejuice: Bring over a slice for me when you come back up, Lyds. I’ll like to add in some of my smelly beetles with it.

   Lydia: *giggles* Sure thing, BJ. See you in bit.

   As Lydia leaves, Beetlejuice was all alone in the bedroom. He looks through the window as he sees someone outside. It was Cartman riding on his bike while singing Carrie Underwood’s popular song: Before He Cheats.

   Beetlejuice: Woah, now that’s one big fatass kid. And here I thought that I’ve been putting on the weight myself pretty badly. 

   In the next chapter, Stan and Lydia meet each other for the first time.

[savvystories]

The list keeps getting bigger – and better!

  MEDICAL THRILLER!

“readers of Michael Crichton & Robin Cook will def enjoy!”

– Ginger S. Baldwin, Amazon review

With nearly 5,000 copies sold before its official launch day, the Do No Harm box set containing THE GAMMA SEQUENCE became a USA TODAY bestseller.

Some secrets refuse to remain hidden.

Geneticist Lanaya Kim must do what authorities haven’t—tie together the “accidental” deaths of several prominent scientists around the country to show they were actually murdered. Over the past two years, geneticists have died in what appear to be accidents, but Lanaya knows otherwise. If she tells her secrets to the authorities, she risks becoming a suspect or revealing herself to the killer and becoming an open target. Hiring private investigator Hamilton DeShear may help her expose the truth, but time is running out. The murders are happening faster, and Lanaya’s name may be next on the killer’s list. But when Lanaya and DeShear start probing, what they discover is far more horrifying than anyone could ever have imagined.

Buy it HERE

“This is a great novel!” I loved the characters and the waterfall scene was very exciting! What’s truly fantastic/captivating about the whole story is that it really could happen… – Anne Marie Andrus, author of Monsters & Angels

“A solid 5 stars. Great read. Amazing.” “I really did enjoy it and love a good ending – I assume there will be another book to give us more… Look forward to your next.” – R G Review

The Gamma Sequence, book 2:

Rogue Elements

THE PAST DOESN’T DIE. IT WAITS TO BE FORGOTTEN.

After completing the biggest case of his career, private detective Hank DeShear returns home to start treatment for a disabling genetic condition that could end his life, but he learns his partner on the prior case has just been murdered. Was he wrong to conclude the secretive killer known as The Greyhound had declared a truce? Or have disciples of The Greyhound surfaced to carry on with the murders?

DeShear is able to attach himself to an overseas goodwill mission headed by the U. S. Vice President, enabling him to pursue leads in foreign hospitals he thinks could be offshoots of Angelus Genetics’ illegal organ harvesting programs and human trafficking operations. Determined to pursue the truth wherever it leads, DeShear must also keep a low profile so he doesn’t become the next murder victim—but the onset of his debilitating condition may kill DeShear before the murderer gets a chance.

FANS OF ROBIN COOK AND MICHAEL CRICHTON WILL LOVE THE LATEST ADDITION TO THIS WELL-WRITTEN AND SUSPENSEFUL SERIES.

“A masterful thriller” A riveting thriller by Dan Alatorre, the fast-paced plot is loaded with suspense, intrigue and chilling implications for the future of genetic research. I cannot wait for the next book in this spine-tingling series! – JY, Amazon review

“5 STARS” – Book Review Gal

Buy it HERE

The Gamma Sequence, book 3:

Terminal Sequence

FORGET EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW

While preparing for his final round of life-saving treatments, Detective Hank DeShear agrees to work with Jaden Trinn and The Greyhound to shut down the remaining legs of Angelus Genetics’ illegal multi-national operations. Their ally, Dr. Carerra, is unable to help, forced away to appear in Washington D. C. to comply with what she thinks is a Congressional subpoena, in the hopes of getting leniency for actions her husband took while exposing Angelus’ gruesome activities. But the company Dr. Hauser founded plans to continue operating, buying political protection and stopping any would-be attackers in the harshest, most permanent ways possible. But when the next generation of Hauser-created child prodigies learns of the founder’s true plans, a horrifying reality is revealed that no one could have envisioned.

Fans of Robin Cook and Michael Crichton will love this series, especially the finale!

Buy it HERE

“I loved the characters and the story is incredible” – Amazon review

“I just binge read all 3 of the current books. Loved all the books and the thrill ride. Can’t wait for the next.” – Amazon review

The Gamma Sequence, book 4

The Keepers

  CAN HANK DESHEAR SOLVE A KIDNAPPING CASE WHILE AVOIDING BEING FRAMED FOR THE VICTIM’S MURDER? After destroying the last remnants of Angelus Genetics and the evil Dr. Hauser’s operations, Detective Hamilton DeShear escapes with Agent Jaden Trinn and their 5-year-old ward Constantine to The Bahamas for a vacation – only to be framed for murder as Constantine is kidnapped and Trinn is nearly shot to death. Recovering in Paris, “Helena” attempts to help, but she is saddled with the hospital’s frustrated Doctor of Psychology who must open up to the possibility that things with this mysterious elderly patient are not as they seem.

Click HERE to preorder your copy NOW.

MURDER MYSTERY, ANYONE?

Two detectives hunt a serial killer. The killer’s hunting them.

A lone trucker is ambushed, shot, and brutally stabbed. A tourist meets the same fate while out for a jog. Facing two crime scenes that could have come from a horror movie, Detectives Carly Sanderson and Sergio Martin search for the crazed serial killer. Five more attacks happen in a week, launching the entire city into a panic, causing the mayor to throw all of the city’s resources into stopping the rampage. But while the detectives work around the clock, they don’t know the killer has upped the game—by making them his next targets.

Get your copy HERE.

“Plenty of action and suspense, well written…  a pleasure to read. You will certainly enjoy this book. This is my first dip into the Dan Alatorre literary pool, and I’ll certainly be back for more.” – Amazon review

“Fast-paced, excellent read. I’m looking forward to my next book by Dan Alatorre.” – Amazon review

TIME TRAVEL ADVENTURE

The Navigators

SOME SECRETS AREN’T MEANT TO BE KNOWN

A freak landslide at a remote mine site uncovers a strange machine to a group of paleontology grad students. Wary of corrupt school officials, team leader Barry takes the machine home to study it in secret, reaching only one realistic – and unbelievable – conclusion: It was designed to bridge the time-space continuum. It’s a time machine. Testing delivers disastrous results, sending one team member to the hospital and nearly killing another. When word leaks about the discovery, the ultimate power struggle ensues: the university wants it for funding, the power company wants its energy regenerating abilities kept under wraps, and a rival group wants to steal it for themselves. No one cares if Barry’s team comes out alive. Fleeing for their lives, the students must fight the school, the police, and each other if they want to learn the truth about what they’ve discovered – a truth with more severe consequences than any of them can predict.

Get your copy HERE

AMONG THE BEST OF THE YEAR –  Happy Meerkat Reviews. “5.0 out of 5 stars. Gripping action adventure science fiction. This book is amazing, I can’t believe how engrossed I was in reading it!”

“This book grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the. very. last. line. Dan Alattore is an exceptional writer, the details, feelings and wit in this story draw you in, and you feel like you are right there with each character.” Amazon review

PARANORMAL THRILLER

A Place Of Shadows

Possibly my best book, ever.

A series of unexplainable tragedies surround a family and their young daughter as they seek to determine whether they are possessed, paranoid or collectively going insane. Meanwhile, forgotten clues from the father’s past may indicate forces are at work in ways more ominous than any of them could have imagined.

“Alatorre’s best yet!” I wanted to keep reading. Good job. – Molli Nickell,The Publishing Wizard and former Time-Life acquisitions editor

A brilliant work. Haunting, fast paced, multi-layered. Alatorre has outdone himself with this chilling tale of paranormal suspense. If you loved The Shining or A Change Of Seasons’ The Body (also known as the movie Stand By Me), you’ll love this book. – Lucy Brazier,author of the PorterGirl: The Vanishing Lord and PorterGirl: First Lady of the Keys

Comparing it with the likes of King and Koontz. I don’t think I’ve come across a book quite like this one. It has a powerful potential to be a great supernatural thriller that everyone will talk about for years to come. That’s comparing it with the likes of King and Koontz. – Russell J. Fellows Reviews

Dan Alatorre can summon the chills and thrills of a supernatural horror story. – Grady Harp, Amazon HALL OF FAME * TOP 500 REVIEWER * VINE VOICE

Get your copy HERE

COMEDY ROMANCE

The Italian Assistant

When a married man’s overseas business deal goes wrong, the one person who can help him has ideas of her own. A madcap comedy where true love finally prevails and everyone lives happily ever after—but only after a lot of screwups.

Family man Mike Torino lands an important business project in Italy, home of naked art, Valentino, and taxi-crashing yoga pants, so he brings along his wife, hoping to rekindle their marriage while securing a promotion. But romance gets derailed by head colds, constant bickering, and assaults from ankle-breaking cobblestone streets. Their daughter develops a gelato addiction. Mike’s Italian partner has a coronary. And as for amore . . . Mattie tells Mike to handle things himself—and storms back to America.

Mike is trapped. Leaving Italy will blow a promotion; staying might cost him his wife and family.

While reeling from Mattie’s frantic departure, a replacement liaison is assigned—a top-notch, beautiful young Italian woman who is instantly smitten with Mike and determined to reveal the passions of her homeland—whether he wants to see them or not! Normally immune, Mike is tempted—but is headstrong, voluptuous Julietta worth the risk?

“Funniest book I have ever read!” I laughed a lot and cried in equal measure but cannot remember when I have enjoyed a book so much. – Anita Dawes Book Review

“Made me laugh out loud.” – Amazon review

“WOW! Worth every second spent reading!” – Amazon review

Get your copy HERE

HORROR STORIES

Get your scare on

Dark Passages

A COLLECTION OF SHORT HORROR STORIES AND DARK TALES

USA Today bestselling author and master storyteller Dan Alatorre brings you a collection of dark stories.

The Jemwaju: Come sit by the campfire and listen as an old friend tells a man’s group of Scouts about a Mayan tomb he explored as a college student, and the possibly haunted remains of the vengeful warrior priest he discovered inside. Best Monday Ever: A dark humor tale about a hard working businessman who wins the award of a lifetime, but the announcement causes his wife to become a kidnap target of a strange group called the witch coven cult. Dark Questions: A young man finds himself strapped to a chair without any explanation, then the torture begins… but he can’t provide answers to questions he isn’t being asked. Enjoy these eerie, dark short stories from master storyteller and USA Today bestselling author Dan Alatorre – and be sure to leave the lights on!

FANS OF STEPHEN KING, WILLOW ROSE, AND DEAN KOONTZ WILL LOVE DAN ALATORRE’S NEW “DARK PASSAGES” SERIES!

Get your copy HERE

  Book 2 in the series:

Dark Voodoo

THREE HORROR STORIES TO KEEP YOU UP TONIGHT: The Rendering: A young woman’s visit to a voodoo shop goes horribly wrong. Countenance: A difficult situation gets worse for a bank robber when things are not as they seem. Epilogue: The third story in this theme gives a satisfying surprise ending.

  Get your copy HERE

    Book 3 in the series

Dark Intent

  The Power Outage: An eerie story about a lone homeowner who meets the new neighbors on a stormy night when the power on their street goes out, but the neighbors are not what he expects. Tonight We Hunt The Beast, Lads: Against his better thinking, a medieval monk rides along with a frenzied mob to hunt a dangerous mythical beast.

A Settled Matter: A dark humor take of a would-be normal man who decides to hire a hit man to murder his wife.

  Get your copy HERE

  Book 4 in the series

Dark Thoughts

  The Monster And The Maintenance Man: The maintenance worker on a prison’s electric chair sets up his own system of justice. A Number One Bestselling Author: A dark humor tale of a jealous author attends a party and assesses the life of the host, his successful former mentor.

The Seer: A boy takes a scary trip through his grandmother’s dark basement and encounters another boy from long ago.

  Get your copy HERE

Dark Passages Box Set

All 4 volumes – even the ones that aren’t released yet! A steal, and it includes all of the books so far:

Dark Passages

Dark Voodoo

Dark Intent

Dark Thoughts

Enjoy these short horror stories from the comfort of your own home – and leave the lights on.

Get your copy HERE

Kids books! Check these out!

  Stinky Toe

“Bo” does not like to take baths – he wants to play! But his mother has other ideas. Enjoy this funny rhyming story with YOUR children. Fun to read to youngsters; fun for older kids to read to YOU!

Get yours HERE

The Zombunny

A young rabbit who stays up late and doesn’t eat right becomes a tired, grumpy… ZOMBUNNY! Great for young readers and students learning English as a foreign language.

  Get yours HERE

  Bestselling author and humorist Dan Alatorre brings us into his living room for funny and delightful stories about the real meaning of fatherhood and parenting. “Savvy” is the nickname of his daughter, and “Savvy Stories” is a fun filled romp through the early years of having a baby. These stories will have you chuckling at the universal message of bringing up baby – and watching her take over the house! Equal parts funny and touching, Savvy Stories shows you why all kids are special. After all, “the beauty of children is in the magic they see everywhere; the beauty of parenthood is seeing it with them.” Not a bumbling TV sitcom stooge, the Dad in this book is a smart, kind, loving man who is constantly amazed at his daughter, something every dad should be (but, sadly, many are not).

You will laugh and cry, sometimes on the same page, and you will see yourself 100 times over in this book. Savvy Stories has been acclaimed as required reading for parents, for its hilarious and heartwarming insights. Its lessons are deep and apply to every family, everywhere, because what makes Savvy special is what makes all children special. We just have to look.

CLICK HERE TO BUY

“The honesty of a 2 year old is amazing. Are they all like this? I hope so. What a shame that probably has to change.

“I’ve caught my daughter doing stuff where I would expect an older kid to lie, and she persists in telling me exactly what she did, ratting herself out completely. That just can’t keep up, can it?

“Whenever it’s just the two of us home alone and I need a shower, like after I’ve worked out but my wife isn’t home to watch our daughter, I’ll put Savvy on the bed in the master bedroom and leave the bathroom door open. That way, she can watch cartoons while sitting on the bed, and I can shower.

“With the door ajar, she can’t see me, but she can certainly come in if some crisis were to happen – like the DVR switched her cartoon off and put on the news – and I can hear her if were to cry for some reason – like when she was trying to use the headboard as a balance beam and got wedged between the mattress.

“She’s two. That stuff happens…”

You will buy this book for the comedy but you will keep it for the memories – and fall in love all over again with your own kids!

CLICK HERE TO BUY

You have never read a book like this before.

The Long Cutie hooks you with alternating chapters about a charmingly precocious 3 year old girl and stories of other real life people who have Long QT Syndrome, a potentially life threatening heart condition.

But this is no sob-story cry fest!

This is a life-affirming, often hilarious, occasionally thrilling, rollercoaster ride!

The Long Cutie will make you smile, nod, laugh and cry – sometimes all in the same page. Interspersed throughout the book are fascinating vignettes from a Norwegian man who tells stories about his family’s tragic history of LQTS. All the stories in the book are true. Some families consider themselves “special needs.” Others don’t. Some found out that they had Long QT by passing out and wrecking their cars! Some were misdiagnosed with epilepsy for years. Some of their stories are like reading TV medical drama. Some are like reading a comedy. All of them are amazingly true and a rollercoaster of emotions to read, but you will not end up depressed or feeling bad as you read because these are some of the strongest people you will ever read about and they do not inspire and will not accept – pity. Think of it like Pulp Fiction without all the shooting and blood. And without the gangsters. And without the cussing. And… Okay, don’t think of it like Pulp Fiction. Wait, DO think of Pulp Fiction, but only in the way the stories are separate stories that are told in pieces that may or may not overlap.

You know, you’ll just have to read it. But I think you’re really going to like it!

And I know you are going to be touched by it. Deeply.

CLICK HERE TO BUY

  “Colonoscopy? You turn 50 and all of a sudden they want to stick a TV camera up your butt? Terrific.”

Dan deals with it ALL, laying out each step of the process in his typical, hilarious way, but with a goal of educating us in the process (in the end, it’s not so bad. Get it? In the end?) about a necessary and life saving procedure.

Night Of The Colonoscopy is a funny story about a guy starting to get a little older and trying to be realistic about it; wanting to have fun in life while still setting a good example for his 3-year old daughter – while keeping a humorous outlook at life.

The hospital gown that won’t close in the back? The nurse who didn’t tell him everything he might need to know about laxatives? And just how big is that camera, anyway???

Follow along and laugh as we head down another road of family interaction and life lessons as we learn about the Night Of The Colonoscopy!

Buy this book and learn about this important and life saving procedure while chuckling to yourself the whole time.

CLICK HERE TO BUY

Bestselling author and humorist Dan Alatorre takes us on a trip that will have any parent laughing out loud! Dan shows us the hilarious side of the challenges of parenting, as the father of a young girl is suddenly tasked with getting her a leotard before her first gymnastics class.

What happens next is an endearing journey of comedy that we’ve all been through: the challenge of shopping quickly combined with the fun and magic of childhood.

Moms and dads alike will laugh along with the characters in this epic journey because There’s no Such Thing As A Quick Trip To BuyMart!

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A fun loving comedy by bestselling author and humorist Dan Alatorre. A loving father somehow gets ensnared in his 3 ½ year old daughter’s request for a birthday party for her favorite stuffed animal; and instead of saying no, he goes along with it. What happens next is a hilariously funny and charming explanation of the true meaning of fatherhood, the differences between moms and dads, and how sometimes the really silly things we do on life’s journey are often the best:

“My daughter was nearly insane with excitement. No sugar high could match the rush of endorphins that were the thought of all her favorite things in the whole world all colliding in her brain at one time: ice cream, Hope The Baby Dolphin, birthday cake, and playing with the phone.”- from “A Day For Hope”

CLICK HERE TO BUY

A routine trip to the store creates a golden opportunity for a loving father to bestow a terrific Christmas memory on his three year old daughter. Filled with humor and love, this story will have you laughing and turning the pages to see if the stranger with the red shirt and white beard is… Santa Maybe?

This one is an annual favorite. I read this instead of “The Night Before Christmas”

CLICK HERE TO BUY

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Yep, we have those, too

Children love this delightful picture book! With its many cute images, Laguna The Lonely Mermaid tells the story of a lonely young mermaid who must think of a creative way to rescue stranded pirates. By helping others, she makes new friends.

Great for parents to read to preschoolers or for slightly older kids to read to their parents! Includes suggestions for parents about making reading fun for kids, links to Facebook Fan page for downloadable coloring pages, and more.

BTW, I wrote this down but have a look at who the author is. There’s a story behind that. My daughter made up this whole story. THAT story is included in the book, too. Kids’ll impress ya.

CLICK HERE TO BUY

An adorable, amusing picture book with many cute images for children, “The Princess And The Dolphin” tells the story of a beautiful little princess who has a very special stuffed animal – that she loses somewhere in the castle! With help of her parents (the king and queen) and the family dog, they are off on a search.

Kids enjoy a terrific, fun story while discovering that persistence is important, as well as being resourceful, and working together.

A little princess in your house might just learn a thing or two about putting her toys away, and maybe a little something about responsibility, too!

Great for parents to read to preschoolers or for slightly older kids to read to their parents!

I love this story. It’s 100% true (okay, we aren’t kings and queens, but you get the idea), and if you read my stuff you know it is. If i could only leave ONE book for my daughter to read, it would be this one. Because she’s five now and she can’t read the bigger books. but also because this really happened, so we made a story about it.

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Children are going crazy for this story! A young girl’s family visits the beach, where she befriends a small crab and his friends. All is well until a little stranger washes up on shore after a storm, and she decides to work with her new friends to help him get back home – to France!

Enjoy this fun, full color, illustrated children’s book that has a great story and also teaches the importance of persistence, creativity, and teamwork!

Perfect to read to little ones, or have slightly older kids read to you!

This started out as a game we played when Savvy was a tiny little thing, and grew into this story. can you guess who the little girl in the story is?

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  My Books The list keeps getting bigger - and better! MEDICAL THRILLER! "readers of Michael Crichton & Robin Cook will def enjoy!"