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Ah... I'm sorry, mate. Although, it's a relief you at least don't have to stitch your pride and joy together along with a limb. How...bad is the damage?

[Grumble grumble]

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What? Bloody Nora-- Are you alright?

[Grumble grumble]

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Good evening, Lesliener! ...You seem unusually grumpy?

[Grumble grumble]

#{ic}

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A sentiment well understood.  “This is Loki, our station’s mascot.” Eliot makes no move to interfere as Loki takes a tentative step towards Leslie. She sniffs the outstretched hand, pokes a finger with her nose before recoiling-- then repeats the process a few times until, eventually, she puts her entire face on Leslie’s hand in a show of gracious permission to pet her.

Meanwhile, Eliot’s headed somewhere past the door, left the parcel, and returned, chuckling at the sight. “Don’t let her charm you, she’s-” “Treat?” Through the blood, the curious mreow and nudge translates in Leslie’s mind. “...a little rascal.”, Eliot finishes, narrowing its eyes at the feline pointedly ignoring him.

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Provided the V-Twin he rode in on hadn't been heard all the way down the block, Leslie rapped a hand on the station's back door given that it was after hours and called with yet another delivery,

"Livraison spéciale pour-Ah, hell."

The Courier stopped mid-announcement at the realization that the brand of quasi-French he casually spoke didn't exactly translate well in Los Angeles. LA was no NOLA, as he had so eloquently put it once previous.

"Special delivery for Night Owl!" He sat the package down and leaned on the wall next to the doorway, striking a match from his jacket on the wall to light a cigarette and awaiting said package's signee.

#(para)

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Where Secrets Flow Like Water

In 1912—108 years ago today—one of California’s most celebrated  performers was born. In his heyday, Gary Golden was hailed as one of  Hollywood’s brightest stars. Now, sixty years after his last film, his  star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame serves as a landmark for visiting  cinephiles, and fresh bouquets with elaborately written cards continue  to show up on the actor’s grave in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

But  his ghost does not watch over the famous graveyard along with Rudolph  Valentino and Clifton Webb; instead, some way further than six feet  under, Gary has built an unlife for himself in the Hollywood Warrens,  and it’s there we were given the opportunity to meet with him a few  nights ago.

Gary Golden has been a fixture in Los Angeles longer  than he’s been kindred, and as a former movie star, he has a unique  advantage; in a world of masks and facades, Gary is a professional  actor.

“We’re all actors in our own way, Eliot. Consummate  liars and manipulators by nature. You show me an “honest vampire” and  I’ll show you a walking contradiction”

As a former star of  the silver screen, it comes as no surprise that Gary’s previous  experience has come in handy following his embrace. When one is  accustomed to spending time with people who lie and perform for a  living, it becomes easier to read between the lines and discern the  actual meaning behind someone’s words. And in kindred society, a world  filled with intricacies, court intrigue, and politics, that is  undoubtedly a very valuable talent to have in your corner.

However,  beyond his, as Gary put it, “built-in bullshit detector”, another skill  from his past the Nosferatu Primogen has come to rely on his charisma.

While  the first instinct of many a recently embraced kindred would be to lay  low and keep to themselves, Gary was quick to make a name for himself,  and if you want a name to last, you need the charisma to carry it. The  proof of his skills in charisma is irrefutable as, hate him or love him,  those who haven’t heard of Gary Golden can be counted in one hand.

On  the Night Owl Gazette, we have spoken before about the different venues  and opportunities dealing in information offers -more notably in the  cases of The Archivist and The Spider who are both notorious for their  skill in discovering secrets and hidden knowledge- yet from within the  mystery and intrigue that gives such careers a Bond air, a question  arises; what does the world look like when one has access to so much  information?

“Well, I was already kind of a hard-boiled cynic  before the Embrace, and if anything, this has only reinforced my  views.[…] Everyone who is anyone in Kindred society has done something  they aren’t proud of, and you will find those skeletons in the closet if  you dig deep enough. It’s hard to be anything but sarcastic once you’re  privy to all those gory details…world’s gone mad and has -always- been  that way. In short, I’m a pessimist, and probably always going to be  that way.”

When you work with information, disillusionment  can become a daily occurrence; soon enough, you start to expect it, so  the grim nature of Gary’s response was far from unexpected. However,  perhaps exactly due to that, I was surprised by the afterthought that  followed;  

“But sometimes something catches you by surprise,  and you hold on to that hope for change, maybe this time the world might  be getting just a little bit better, and staying that way.”

As  a self-proclaimed cynic, the feeling behind Gary’s initial response  makes sense. However, it seems there is a sliver of light in this  cynic’s heart, and it’s a good thing too; after all, eternity is a long  time to spend without hope.

They say death is only the end if you  assume the story is about you, but for Gary Golden death merely marked  the beginning of Act Two.

And the show must go on.

Eliot Wilde, journalist and writer for Night Owl and host of Night Owl FM

#Night Owl #Article #Gary Golden

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#{reblog}

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Good evening, Night Owls, and Happy Pride.

There is a degree of reckoning that occurs from the very first time you become aware of your own existence. For some, it’s less of a struggle than others. They take to it with dignified grace, seamlessly joining the society around them. But there are yet those who have been made to feel different, ashamed, for the terrible misdeed of merely existing. This month is a celebration of you. Of us. But, pride has no time limit, self-acceptance no deadline, and nobody, however much they try, has the right to impose one.

Accept yourself without hesitation.

Love yourself ferociously.

Laugh and cry and change as you will in this endless endeavour of humanity to discover itself,

”For the light in you is already a great treasure. And lights are all that we are in the end.” -Nikignik, Hello From The Hallowoods

We now go to a brief music break, but we will be back with you soon. Until then, enjoy this quiet night, Night Owls. Stay safe.

#Night Owl

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#reblog #Loki the Cat

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Cats by Annie Stegg Gerard

#reblog

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moonlight in art

#(reblog)

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Good evening, listener.

Did you know; there are approximately 200 billion trillion stars within our milky way alone. We may not be able to always see them, and certainly not all of them, but even in the most light-polluted metropolises where the night sky is lost under the smog, they can still see us. They will look at us, as they have for generations past, and as they will for generations to come. And although many will change, so will we, and as we look up into the night sky we'll remember that they are looking back, walking with us side by side on this path until the end of the universe. Even in our loneliest nights, listener, we are never truly alone.

mm. low energy for words anyone. share with me some thing good .

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French or English don’t really matter to one who can speak neither. And as it so happens, the first one to notice Leslie’s presence is one such creature. Pawing at the inside of the door, a muffled ye discernible meowing can he heard even to the other side.

A door opens and closes somewhere inside the station, followed by the sound of footsteps and a sharp pained hiss of someone stumbling into something. There’s whispering and another pointed meow, and a few second later, the door opens to reveal a slightly haphazard smiling radio host. One bright yellow eye looks at Leslie, the other a copy of the night sky’s stars surrounded by a persistent scorch mark. Apparently feeling no need to worry about a masquerade breach. “Good evening, list- ah, I mean, hello. I’m Eliot, Night Owl. You...have a delivery for me?”

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Provided the V-Twin he rode in on hadn't been heard all the way down the block, Leslie rapped a hand on the station's back door given that it was after hours and called with yet another delivery,

"Livraison spéciale pour-Ah, hell."

The Courier stopped mid-announcement at the realization that the brand of quasi-French he casually spoke didn't exactly translate well in Los Angeles. LA was no NOLA, as he had so eloquently put it once previous.

"Special delivery for Night Owl!" He sat the package down and leaned on the wall next to the doorway, striking a match from his jacket on the wall to light a cigarette and awaiting said package's signee.

#(para)

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The Past through the Lens of the Future.

Cuthbert Beckett has long been a renowned member of the archaeological community. Having made numerous contributions to the International Archaeological Society of Naples, the European Association of Archaeologists, the Society for American Archaeology, and many more, his impact on the field of archaeology is undeniable. Even so, the elusive archaeologist and historian rarely boasts about his accomplishments. As such, despite his reputation in archaeological and historical circles, he remains a mystery to the rest of the world.

We at Night Owl sat down with him in hopes of getting a glimpse into his exciting life.

"I was always interested in questioning what is considered to be 'common sense' by most people."

Born and raised in England, even in his youth Beckett had a tendency to question what was taken for granted by the people around him. It's no surprise, then, that as he grew up, he became enthralled by history; a science known as much for its diachronism as for its innumerable inconsistencies, as truth blends with legend and legend turns into myth.

His career began in Oxford, where his passion for discovering the truth drew the attention of a then-renowned scholar, who took the young Beckett under his wing and introduced him to his studies. In the following years, Beckett studied meticulously under the guidance of his new mentor, even travelling with him to France, where he remained for a few years before ultimately returning to England.

Of course, for a man such as Beckett returning home rarely means settling down and -encouraged by his mentor- he started his own journey, which would take him the world over.

"[During excavations] I feel pretty much the same as any archaeologist would: like a kid in a sandbox full of really, really precious toys."

Since his time as a student in Oxford, Beckett has inadvertently built a quite the reputation for himself as a paragon and a paradigm to historians and archaeologists everywhere.

His work has taken him all across the globe and back countless times, and his passion for his field of study doesn't seem to have any intention of diminishing, as even today, the struggles involved in the unearthing of humanity's past have the look of fascinating puzzles in his eyes. Of course, much like with a literal puzzle, the illustrious archaeologist's patience is tested every day, as is expected for someone in his field.

Patience, however, isn't the only skill Beckett has developed during his long career.

In the words of the man himself, "[…] the most useful skill I learned over the years is making connections."

Despite the archetype we have in our minds of Indiana Jones or Lara Croft bravely venturing into ancient tombs with nothing but their trusty gear, an archaeologist's job is a social one.

For a start, any good archaeologist has their sources; people who tell them about possible sites, guide them in their search for specific artefacts or even go on-site with them to assist in properly interpreting their findings.

Furthermore, excavations themselves are in no way solitary operations. From professional workers who prepare the dig site and do the actual digging, to specialized architects who draw the layouts of each site, to fellow archaeologists who work together during the excavation, a large number of people have a hand in bringing ancient discoveries to light.

Beyond that, there are museum curators and government officials who oversee the excavations, journalists and interviewers (that's us!) who report on the various operations, and, of course, fellow archaeologists who collaborate to put together the individual pieces they've discovered to reveal the real picture of each 'puzzle'.

As you can see, archaeology is by no means a solitary sport, so along with their investigative skills, professionals must also hone their social skills.

Finally, we all know the old saying, 'Learn from your past.' Be it due to his work, his own experience, or a combination of the two, that is Beckett's advice to our readers.

"If our kind paid more attention to the matters of the past, they'd see the patterns that form in [our lives] over the centuries, and that would definitely help them […] It will be a hard road to walk, but it is worth it."

Eliot Wilde, journalist and writer for Night Owl and host of Night Owl FM

#Night Owl #Article #Cuthbert Beckett

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Balance in the Personal and the Professional

Archbishop Andrei has long been an enigmatic member of the L.A. community. His few public appearances have painted him as a purveyor of refinement and diplomacy, strongly contrasting the most common notions regarding the organization he belongs to. Even so, Andrei has thrived in the organization as a respected leader and trailblazer.

So what is the secret ingredient that makes Andrei such an appealing leader?

As it turns out, the answer is balance. Although Andrei’s outstanding performance is a testament to his hard work and experience, the archbishop attributes part of his success to the proper apportionment of responsibility between himself and his team. In fact, during our interview, Andrei praised the strong bonds between his team members and their diligence in their work.

However, the archbishop emphasized the importance of a disciplined and stable leader. Someone the team can trust to temper them when they get overzealous and know they can turn to when overwhelmed. 

“[…]a true Archbishop knows the balance between victory and loss and that battles must be fought in stages, over time. A true leader is stable, patient, and cunning.”

 After all, a disorganized team can, in time, be whipped to shape by an exceptional leader, but an irresponsible leader can only lead their team to chaos. In the end, a group may come together and work towards a shared goal, but without a guiding hand, they are lost.

Of course, balance isn’t only present in Andrei’s work but also in his personal life.

In his time away from his predominantly social workspace, Andrei indulges in a rather solitary hobby; carpentry. The majority of Andrei’s furniture is hand-made, and I can tell you from experience that the chairs are remarkably comfortable. 

“[…]I am a firm believer that everyone should take time for themselves, even if they love their friends and colleagues dearly. […] You cannot truly learn who you are until you sit in the dark, honing your craft[…]”

That was Andrei’s reply when questioned about the contrast between the inevitably social job of a team leader and the much more private environment of his hobby. And honed his craft he has; many of his creations could easily be considered contemporary masterpieces as he masterfully blends modern furniture with a more vintage aesthetic.

“My advice [to others], is to make sure they balance their hobbies. […] do not neglect other parts of your life; you will never get anywhere holed up in a cave making furniture.”

As Andrei very eloquently put it, it is essential to put time aside for hobbies and alone time, especially when one is required to interact with many people in their job. But take care not to neglect your work altogether.

As parting words, Andrei left us with a piece of advice given to him by one of the people who helped him become the man he is today:

“Always rely on your instincts; what the Beast tells you is very rarely wrong.”

Eliot Wilde, journalist and writer for Night Owl and host of Night Owl FM

#Night Owl #Article #Archbishop Andrei

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Defying Defeat to reach Success

Sebastian Lacroix, C.E.O. of the LaCroix Foundation and one of L.A.’s Businessmen of the Year, according to this year’s report.

So much of his career has been covered by the media since the founding of the LaCroix Foundation a couple of years ago, but very little is known about the man himself.

So, the question on everyone’s minds is: Who is Sebastian LaCroix?

“You become strong by defying defeat and turning loss and failure into success.”

Few details are known about the past of the elusive C.E.O., but those are the words he has lived and still lives by.

After joining the army at a young age, LaCroix served for several years, dreaming of one day returning home to a good life. However, it was not meant to be. Upon his return, he discovered that his family had fallen into severe financial troubles. 

After many futile attempts to restore his family’s fortune, it seemed fate had dealt LaCroix a terrible hand. However, his luck would take a turn for the better a few years later, when, with the patronage of a Belgian noble whom he had impressed, LaCroix would leave France to seek his fortune in Great Britain. 

Leaving the only home he had known to go to Great Britain was a gamble, but that very gamble served as the basis for his business career. A career which ultimately led him to America, where he would go on to establish the LaCroix Foundation and make a name for himself as one of L.A.’s most renowned and successful business owners.

“Be wary of what your own eyes show you, even in the modern nights. Things are rarely what they seem.”

Those are LaCroix’s enigmatic parting words to us. And though we can only hope to interpret them in our own ways, we can only hope that their true meaning will aid the young C.E.O. in retaining his success for the years to come.

Eliot Wilde, journalist and writer for Night Owl and host of Night Owl FM

#Night Owl #Articles #Sebastian LaCroix #(transferring the old articles to this blog remake; I'll try to spread them out to avoid flooding :) #maybe add them to the queue with reasonable sparsity) #(also making a few changes -primarily to phrasing- for a more professional and objective feel B) )

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Good evening, Night Owls.

In light of recent events, there are no lights. You may have noticed that, today, about 80% of the lighting in Santa Monica is natural, the light pollution receding so only the moonlight lights up the darkened streets and houses, shining through windows or slipping through unpatched cracks on nondescript walls. We urge our listeners not to be alarmed by this development, as local authorities are working on fixing it as soon as possible. For now, keep close to windows or other well-lit areas, and avoid staying alone in areas you're not familiar with. Steer clear of the long-abandoned storage areas at the back and lower floors of your local mini markets, bars, late night cafes and other inside areas, where the shadows stretch forward in thin, squirming tendrils. They can't reach far either way.

Local authorities are already looking into this odd phenomenon, and it will hopefully be resolved within the next 24 hours. Until then, listeners, we will still be here to keep you company in the dark.

Stay safe, Night Owls, and don’t worry. Everything will be alright.

#Night Owl FM

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@kindred-express​

Thank you, listener! It’s difficult to find postal services that deliver at this time of night, even in Los Angeles. Let me fetch a tip and I’ll be right back with you.

#{ic} #{'We'll be right back with you after this message from our sponsors!'}