#Pedro back in Lisbon ok | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

katareyoudrilling · 1 year

Text

Construction Corner (AU Joel Miller x Female Reader)

Episode 4: Marcus & Teresa

Fandom: The Last of Us/Pedro Pascal

Pairing: TV Host Joel Miller x divorced Female Reader

Summary: You deal with a difficult homeowner situation that stirs up some feelings.

Word count: 2.2k

Rating: Explicit (18+ only. NO MINORS)

Content Warnings: Alternate Universe, cameos galore, inaccuracies about tv show production, filming, and construction, a bit of angst, oral sex (m and f receiving), unprotected PiV (conversations have happened offscreen, be safe!)

A/N: This episode got a bit angstier than I originally intended, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. I am playing very fast and loose with canon for this cameo. Reader is divorced and in her late 30s but is otherwise a blank slate. I hope you enjoy!

Comments and reblogs very much appreciated!

Previous | Next

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Taglist – link in my bio and on my Masterlist

Something is wrong.

Yesterday, you chalked it up to nerves. It wasn’t unusual for homeowners to freeze up a little in front of the cameras on the first day of shooting, but they usually got over it quickly.

Today though… you don’t think it’s nerves.

You met newly engaged couple Marcus Pike and Teresa Lisbon a few months ago at their casting interview. Marcus had surprised Teresa by buying a house for their future family. The two of them stared lovingly into each other’s eyes and laughed as they recounted starting a renovation project that quickly got out of their control.

Their project was just right for the show slot and their love story was sure to be a hit with viewers. It was a no-brainer booking.

Maybe it shouldn’t have been.

Watching them now, Teresa looks like she would rather be anywhere else but here. She stands woodenly next to Marcus with a pasted-on smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. Since filming began yesterday, she has only offered one-word answers as she robotically goes through the motions of the show.

Marcus, on the other hand, is overly enthusiastic. His eyes shine with manic energy, while his smile is too big, too bright. He has the look of a man trying desperately to hold things together by sheer force of will.

You recognize both of their expressions.

You’ve seen them in the mirror.

Suddenly it’s not the sun making you feel too warm. You excuse yourself and retreat to the shade and privacy behind one of the crew trailers. You sink into the cool grass and rest your head back against the trailer, allowing painful memories to crest over you and then recede.

Joel finds you there a few minutes later.

“Everythin’ ok, sweetheart?” he asks gently, lowering himself to the grass next to you.

You lean your head onto this shoulder.

“Yeah,” you sigh. “Just… memories.”

“Not happy ones, I’m guessin’?”

“Not really, no.”

“I don’t know what’s goin’ on with those two, but it ain’t good.”

You lace your fingers through Joel’s and stroke his knuckles gently. His strong, work-roughened hands make yours look even softer and more delicate. You love the contrast. You sit side by side for a few quiet minutes admiring how your hands fit together.

“Just have to get through the rest of today and tomorrow and hope it’s salvageable,” you sigh.

“I reckon it will be. I’m layin’ a floor. There are sure to be extra shots of my rear end.” You bury your face in his shoulder to stifle your laughter.

“You’re a good sport, you know.” You rest your chin on his shoulder.

“I do know,” he says, giving you a kiss on the forehead.

“I can’t wait until tomorrow night,” you say, looking up at him through your lashes. His warm, chocolate brown eyes a soothing balm to your aching heart.

“Neither can I,” he rasps.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You spend Friday morning on the phone confirming material deliveries for next week’s shoot. When you arrive at set after lunch, Patty, the director, makes a beeline for you.

“We have a problem.” Patty doesn’t mince words. “Teresa stormed off, Marcus followed after her, we need to get them back to finish this thing. Joel is setting up to film his bit on installing quarter round, but I need them soon.”

You take a deep breath in and exhale slowly through your nose. The cast wrangling parts of your job as producer were usually fun – getting to meet new people, hear their stories, and make their houses beautiful – but today wasn’t going to be one of the fun ones.

“I’ll take care of it,” you assure her as your make your way in the direction she indicated.

You find Marcus first. He’s pacing on the side of the house, tugging at the back of his neck, tension rolling off him in waves.

“Hey, Marcus,” you start, tentatively, “what’s going on?”

“I don’t understand,” he turns to you looking panicked, his tidy brown hair ruffled and eyes wide, “I’ve given her everything she wanted. Why is she upset?” He runs his hand through his hair and drags it down his face.

“Let me talk to her,” you pat him soothingly on the shoulder. “Why don’t you get something to drink and try to relax for a bit.”

Marcus bobs his head in agreement and makes his way toward the craft services table. You continue around the back of the house and spot Teresa at the back fence.

You make your way over and lean on the fence beside her.

“It was all so romantic,” she says, looking into the distance at nothing in particular. “I don’t know what changed or when… am I crazy for not wanting this?”

“I don’t know,” you answer honestly. There are no easy answers and you are in no place to give them even if there were.

You both stand in silence watching leaves fall from the trees.

You hate what you’re about to say, but it’s your job to say it. “I’m really sorry I have to ask this of you, but we need to finish filming the show.” Her shoulders visibly slump. “There’s only the reveal left, then we will be out of your way, and you can figure things out with Marcus.”

“You’re right,” she sighs.

“I’ll go find him and tell him that you’ll explain later. You can take a few more minutes.” She nods and you make your way back towards the house – and Marcus – with a knot in the pit of your stomach.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Is there anything you can’t do, Joel Miller?” you tease as you push your empty plate away from you. He met you at his door with a glass of chilled white wine before presenting you with a dinner of grilled chicken and angel hair pasta with tomatoes, basil, and parmesan cheese. It was absolutely delicious and just what you needed after the tense afternoon on set. “It’s really not fair that you can cook too.”

“I can make a few things, but I’m no chef,” he replies, blushing to the tips of his ears. “I’m glad you liked it.” He stands up from the table. “Come watch the sunset with me.” He beckons you to follow him to the couch.

You sink down beside him and lean your back up against his broad frame with a sigh. “What a day. I just feel so sad for both of them.”

“I know. Better now than later though,” Joel murmurs against your hair.

“True.” The warmth of his body seeps through your blouse and you snuggle in closer to him. The two of you sit in relaxed silence watching the sky turn orange and pink through the window.

“I know we had plans tonight, but I don’t want…”

“I am ok. I promise,” you assure him. “It was… difficult… watching them and reliving some of those memories, but I’m ok. I am so much happier now. And not just because of this,” you squeeze his thigh, “I was happy already. You’re a bonus.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He nuzzles at your ear and drags his nose down the side of your neck, sending shivers down your spine. He places a kiss at the juncture of your shoulder before kissing his way back up to your ear.

You moan and melt into him. He seems determined to go slow, building your desire bit by bit, and you’re tempted to let him. It’s definitely working. But when he takes your earlobe between his teeth you snap – it’s too much. Slow is overrated. You spin yourself around and up onto his lap, straddling his thighs.

You swallow his sounds of protest as you take his mouth in a bruising kiss, panting when you finally come up for air. You lift the hem of your shirt up over your head and toss it aside, revealing your favorite yellow lace bra.

“You’re… sunshine…” Joel breathes reverently, staring up at you with lust blown eyes, hands full of your ass. You start unbuttoning his shirt. “I said I wanted to take my time with you,” he argues as you spread the soft fabric wide, revealing his chest and stomach.

His body is strong from a lifetime of hard work. Every muscle earned and used, not just for looks. But my oh my does he look good. The planes of his chest glow in the soft light filtering in through the window. Beautiful.

“I know you did, but what about what I want to do with you?” you wink as you drag your fingernails down his smooth skin watching goosebumps rise in their wake. He gasps as you scrape over his flat nipples.

You slide off his lap, onto the floor between his legs, and start unbuttoning his jeans.

“You… you don’t….” You quiet him with a look. His chest rises and falls rapidly as he watches you free his thick, heavy cock. You take him in your hand and stroke from base to tip, swirling a drop of precum over the head with your thumb.

You watch Joel watch your movements, jaw dropped and panting, and you smile with how good it feels to make him feel like this.

You follow the path of your hand with your tongue before taking him in your mouth as deep as you can. Joel’s broken moans and curses spur you on. Each drag of your mouth along his length stoking the fire of arousal burning in your belly.

You lose yourself in the desperate whimpers that escape his throat.

You feel powerful.

You are painfully turned on.

“Fuck… I… wait…” Joel pulls you up, crushing your mouth to his in a desperate, messy kiss. Tongues swirl, teeth bite. He cups your jaw in his hands.

“Sweetheart… Sunshine… I could take you right here on this couch,” he pants.

“Why don’t you then?” you challenge him. He levels an assessing gaze at you.

“My back hurts,” he says seriously, and you dissolve into giggles.

“I’m sorry,” you say, trying to control yourself. Joel’s eyes crinkle as he fights to keep a straight face. “To be honest, my back probably wouldn’t like it either. What are we going to do instead?”

“I’m taking you upstairs, laying you out on my bed, and having my way with you,” Joel rumbles.

Your laughter dies away as heat floods your core. “Yes, please.”

Joel strides purposefully up the stairs, pulling you along behind him. His bedroom is decorated in burnt oranges, dark greens, and reclaimed wood. It’s distinctly him.

He unwraps you like a present, worshiping each newly exposed bit of skin, until he has you bare and spread out on his bed. Just where he wants you.

The first swipe of his tongue through your folds has you levitating off the bed. He soothes you back down with firm hands on your hips until the tension leaves your body and you melt into his ministrations.

It’s never felt quite like this before.

When you come, he stays with you, riding the waves of your pleasure with his tongue, until you are still and boneless.

The scrape of his beard on your skin brings you back to your body. He hovers over you, filling your vision. Strong arms cage you in, pouty lips press to your sternum, tendons in his neck stretch as he positions himself between your legs.

“It’s been a long time,” you whisper as he notches his weeping cock at your entrance.

“For me too,” his dark eyes meet yours.

You nod and he presses inside slowly, deliciously. He splits you open inch by inch and you stretch to welcome him.

He buries his head in your neck with a broken curse as he fully sheaths himself inside of you.

You run your fingers through his hair and down his shoulders and back, reveling in the power you feel holding this man in the cradle of your body. You rock against him, and he begins to move with long, languid strokes. Each ridge and vein dragging lusciously against your walls.

You meet his thrusts, pulling him deeper into you, chasing friction in the slippery place where your bodies meet.

You fall apart for him in a haze of sensation, and he follows after you with a stuttering moan. You stay wrapped in each other, breathing each other in, as the moon rises outside the window.

You drift off only to be awakened by calloused fingers ghosting across your skin, a request whispered low in your ear, pleasure like you’ve never experienced soon coursing through your veins as you press your face into his cool sheets.

The sun rises with him curled around your back, cupping your breast in his warm hand, your top leg thrown over his as he buries himself in you. He presses kisses to your shoulder blade as you whimper your way to yet another release.

Joel wasn’t kidding that he wanted time.

When you wake up to him offering you a mug of coffee as he sits on the side of the bed, the sun already high in the sky, you’re pretty sure you’ll give him all the time he wants.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A/N: This episode’s cameo comes to us from The Mentalist.

Previous | Next

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Taglist – in reblog

#construction corner #joel miller #joel miller x reader #pedro pascal characters

132 notes · View notes

royaltysimblr · 4 years

Note

7, 10, 29! :) - regencysims4 sry I'm not logged in lol

hi!

7: Which time period would you like to live in?

I would say Regency and Victorian! but only if I was rich :)

10: Favorite Movie based on History?

I love Marie Antoinette 2006 and the Duchess with Kiera Knightly! I also love the Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightly and both Little Women (the 90s and newest ones!).

29: Rant about your favorite topic!

ok ya’ll time to rant about Maria II of Portugal since some you guys were asking why she’s one of my favorite female monarchs! Maria was born in Brazil in 1819 to Pedro I of Brazil and his wife Maria Leopoldina of Austria. If you didn’t know Portugal and Brazil were ruled by the same RF for hundreds of years! In 1807 Napoleon invaded Portugal, but about a month or so before the entire Portuguese Court fled to Brazil (their colony at the time). The King of Portugal at the time (Maria II’s grandfather) elevated Brazil to the status of a kingdom, and equal to Brazil. Once Napoleon was defeated a few years later, Portugal was given back to the King (Maria ii’s grandfather), and so the royal court moved back to Portugal. However Maria’s father, the heir to the throne decided to say in Brazil with his family and declared Independence from Portugal. Pedro become the first Emperor of Brazil. Maria lived with her family in Brazil for quite some time. Maria had a lot of other siblings, including Pedro II of Brazil, Princess Januaria Countess of Aquila, and Princess Francisca Princess of Joinville. Her parents always had a rocky and turbulent marriage and her father had many mistresses. In 1826 her mother died after a reported argument between the Emperor and Empress. In 1827, the King of Portugal (Maria II’s grandfather) died and left no clear heir. In his will he declared that his daughter Infanta Isobel would be regent for the “rightful heir”. Almost everyone believed Pedro I of Brazil to be the true King of Portugal but he did not want to unite the thrones of Portugal and Brazil again. A month after his apparent succession to the Portuguese throne he abdicated his claim in favor of his 8 year old daughter, Maria. The plan for Maria was that she would move to her grandfather, the Emperor of Austria’s court to be educated and then marry her paternal uncle Miguel (eww). When Maria II left Brazil and was close to arriving in Austria, her uncle Miguel came back to Portugal and usurped the throne in 1828. Maria’s guardian thought it would be safer to travel to London instead of Austria and travelled to George IV’s court. Maria II travelled to many different European courts during Miguel’s horrible reign. In 1829 Maria came back to Brazil and met her future step-mother on the journey back, Amelie de Leuchtenberg. Amelie de Leuchtenberg was a very caring and charming woman and was a great step-mother to Maria and her siblings. Pedro I was deeply in love with his new wife and stopped his affairs when he married her. However in 1831, Pedro abdicated the throne of Brazil to help his daughter’s cause. Pedro travelled to France with his wife and Maria and left Maria at French Court. Maria became very close friends with the French princesses during her stay in Paris. Pedro travelled to Madiera and lead the rebellion against his usurper brother. In 1834 the war ended with Pedro’s forces blockading and sieging Lisbon. Miguel was exiled from Portugal for life. Maria II became queen in 1834. Pedro and Amelie had one daughter before his death in 1835. Maria II afterwards lead a normal life afterwards for a monarch. She first married her step-mother’s youngest brother who died two months after the wedding. Maria later married Queen Victoria’s first cousin, Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Maria eventually died in 1853 in childbirth.

thanks for the ask! and sorry for the rant lmao

13 notes · View notes

newstfionline · 4 years

Text

Headlines

U.N. says yes to Bono, no to Celine Dion (Foreign Policy) India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway were elected to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday after stiff campaigning at the international body. One seat is still unfilled after U.N. members voted and will go to either Kenya or Djibouti. The two-year term for the new members will begin on January 1, 2021. Canada missed out on a seat on the council despite wooing U.N. ambassadors with a Celine Dion concert. The Irish delegation was more successful—having curried favor by treating ambassadors to a U2 concert early in campaigning.

1.5 million more laid-off workers seek unemployment benefits (AP) About 1.5 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, a historically high number, even as the economy increasingly reopens and employers bring some people back to work. The latest figure released Thursday marked the 11th straight weekly decline in applications since they peaked at nearly 7 million in March as the coronavirus shut down much of the economy and caused tens of millions of layoffs. The decline was much smaller, though, than in recent weeks, falling just 58,000. The total number of people receiving unemployment aid also fell slightly, reflecting the return of many to their old jobs.

Court rejects Trump bid to end young immigrants’ protections (AP) The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President Donald Trump’s effort to end legal protections for 650,000 young immigrants, a stunning rebuke to the president in the midst of his reelection campaign. For now, those immigrants retain their protection from deportation and their authorization to work in the United States. The 5-4 outcome, in which Chief Justice John Roberts and the four liberal justices were in the majority, seems certain to elevate the issue in Trump’s campaign, given the anti-immigrant rhetoric of his first presidential run in 2016 and immigration restrictions his administration has imposed since then.

U.S. warns of pirates in southern Gulf of Mexico (Reuters) The U.S. government on Wednesday issued a warning about the threat posed by pirates to boats and oil installations in the southern Gulf of Mexico, in the latest sign of concern about ongoing security challenges facing Mexico. “Armed criminal groups have been known to target and rob commercial vessels, oil platforms, and offshore supply vessels in the Bay of Campeche area in the southern Gulf of Mexico,” the U.S. State Department said in an updated travel advisory.

A teen’s killing stirs Black Lives Matter protests in Brazil (AP) When Rafaela Matos saw police helicopters over her favela and heard gunshots, she fell to her knees and asked God to protect her son, João Pedro. Then she called the boy to make sure he was OK. “Be calm,” João Pedro wrote back, explaining that he was at his aunt’s house and everything was fine, Rafaela told The Associated Press. Minutes after he sent the message, police burst in and shot the 14-year-old in the stomach with a high-caliber rifle at close range. João Pedro Matos Pinto was one of more than 600 people killed by police in the state of Rio de Janeiro in the first months of this year. That’s almost double the number of people killed by police over the same period in the entire U.S., which has 20 times Rio’s population. Like João Pedro, most of those killed in Rio were black or biracial and lived in the city’s poorest neighborhoods, or favelas. As the Black Lives Matter movement brings hundreds of thousands to the streets around the world, demonstrators outraged by João Pedro’s death one month ago have been organizing the largest anti-police brutality demonstrations in years on the streets of Rio.

World War II forces sweetheart singer Vera Lynn dies at 103 (AP) Dame Vera Lynn, the endearingly popular “Forces’ Sweetheart” who serenaded British troops during World War II, has died at 103. During the war and long after, Lynn got crowds singing, smiling and crying with sentimental favorites such as “We’ll Meet Again,” and “The White Cliffs of Dover.” Lynn hosted a wildly popular BBC radio show during the war called “Sincerely Yours” in which she sent messages to British troops abroad and performed the songs they requested. The half-hour program came on during the highly coveted slot following the Sunday night news. “Winston Churchill was my opening act,” she once said. Amid this year’s coronavirus outbreak, Lynn and opera singer Katherine Jenkins released a charity version of “We’ll Meet Again.” Once again the public found comfort in her words of hope, which resonated in the locked-down country. In a reflection of her enduring appeal, Queen Elizabeth II also invoked the words of Lynn’s signature song as she addressed the nation in lockdown. The monarch, who served as an ambulance driver during the war, played on the song’s theme, promising that loved ones would be reunited in the end after being separated by the virus. “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return,” the queen said. “We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”

Europe said U.S. influence had waned under Trump. Then Black Lives Matter protests rocked the continent. (Washington Post) Europeans have lamented that the United States has relinquished its role as a global moral leader under President Trump. But the proliferation of Black Lives Matter protests around the world has solidified belief here that American society remains a superpower of influence, even if its politicians do not. Protests have erupted in Australia, South Africa, Brazil. But nowhere outside the United States has the Black Lives Matter movement forced a more powerful reckoning than in Europe, where increasingly diverse societies have often done little to grapple with their colonial legacies and modern-day discrimination. In Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, Lisbon and cities across Britain, protesters have taken to the streets to express solidarity with Americans but also demand changes within their own countries. Black and minority activists in Europe have been working for years to push for more equitable societies. But they have often gotten a dismissive reception from their nations’ mostly white leaders. This time, though, just as in the United States, Floyd’s death appears to have forced an unusually broad-based reckoning.

Europe threatens digital taxes without global deal, after U.S. quits talks (Reuters) France said a U.S. decision to quit global talks on how to tax big digital firms such as Google, Amazon and Facebook was a “provocation” and the European Union said it could impose taxes even if no deal was reached by year-end. The latest transatlantic trade row was ignited after the Washington said on Wednesday it was withdrawing from negotiations with European countries over new international tax rules on digital firms, saying talks had made no progress. Nearly 140 countries are involved in the talks organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on the first major rewrite of global tax rules in a generation to bring them up to date for the digital era. European countries says tech firms pay too little tax in countries where they do business because they can shift profits around the globe with little physical infrastructure. Washington has resisted any new unilateral taxes on Silicon Valley companies in the absence of an OECD deal.

U.S. military aid to Ukraine (Foreign Policy) The U.S. Congress approved a $250 million defense package for Ukraine last week, aimed at boosting Ukrainian military capabilities in the face of Russian aggression. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv announced on Wednesday that $60 million worth of weapons and other military equipment was en route to Ukraine as part of the package. Military aid to Ukraine became a hot-button issue last year, when it was revealed that Trump had ordered his administration to withhold assistance to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate the business dealings of the family of Joe Biden—leading to Trump’s impeachment.

China Is Collecting DNA From Tens of Millions of Men and Boys, Using U.S. Equipment (NYT) The police in China are collecting blood samples from men and boys from across the country to build a genetic map of its roughly 700 million males, giving the authorities a powerful new tool for their emerging high-tech surveillance state. They have swept across the country since late 2017 to collect enough samples to build a vast DNA database, according to a new study published on Wednesday by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a research organization, based on documents also reviewed by The New York Times. With this database, the authorities would be able to track down a man’s male relatives using only that man’s blood, saliva or other genetic material. The project is a major escalation of China’s efforts to use genetics to control its people, which had been focused on tracking ethnic minorities and other, more targeted groups. It would add to a growing, sophisticated surveillance net that the police are deploying across the country, one that increasingly includes advanced cameras, facial recognition systems and artificial intelligence.

Egypt thought it dodged the worst of the pandemic. But now hospitals are being overwhelmed. (Washington Post) For three months, Egypt seemed to escape the huge case numbers seen in many other nations, including those with far lower populations. But the number of reported cases in the country has steadily risen in recent weeks, with more than 1,500 infections per day since Friday, escalating pressure on a health-care system that was strained long before the pandemic. Egyptians are now posting dire messages on social media seeking scarce hospital beds and money to pay for treatment. Doctors are accusing the government of negligence, blaming it for shortages of personal protective equipment and a lack of adequate safety measures. Several hundred doctors and nurses have tested positive for covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and scores have died. The medical union has warned that Egypt’s health system could “collapse.” “The patients are increasing in very rapid numbers,” said a 32-year-old doctor at a quarantine hospital in the southern city of Esna, where every bed was filled with coronavirus patients. “But you don’t have the capacity of beds, hospitals and staff numbers. It’s really exhausting for the staff.”

#headlines #news

2 notes · View notes

innercitypress · 5 years

Video

youtube

After UNSG Guterres Tried to Oust Press From Synagogue It Asks His Spox ...

UNSG Guterres Tried To Have Press Thrown Out of Synagogue Now His Spokesman Says Since UNsuccessful All OK

By Matthew Russell Lee, Audio, Video, Alamy photos

PARK EAST SYNAGOGUE, November 2 – In the wake of the murders at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Inner City Press went to cover a memorial event at Manhattan's Park East Synagogue. As it stood in line with others to be screened, the UN Security detail of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, one of the speakers, pointed out Inner City Press. One heard audibly into the microphone in his ear, "He's going in." But once in, Inner City Press was told to go up to the balcony with the rest of the media including photographers. It was setting up its recording equipment when a non-UN security man told it to follow up. In the basement he said, "Go," opening a door out to 67th Street. Inner City Press asked why. Audio here. After asking Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric in writing to explain this, without any answer, on November 2 Inner City Press asked Dujarric the question as he emerged with three others from an expensive lunch in the Aretsky's Patroon restaurant and rooftop bar near the UN. Video on 46th Street here. Dujarric didn't answer by what authority Guterres had tried to get Park East Synagogue to throw Inner City Press - not much respect for the religious institution and its integrity in that attempt - but instead said twice that ultimately the attempt was not successful and that Inner City Press attended. No thanks to the UN or Guterres. The evening before Inner City Press similarly asked the Deputy Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists Robert Mahoney about Guterres' attempted censorship at the synagogue and Mohoney said he hadn't heard of that. Well, now he and CPJ have. Broadway video here. Back on October 31 the Synagogue's security man reached over and turn off Inner City Press' recorder. Ultimately when Inner City Press demonstrated what it writes and streams about, the office -- Shay Amir, head of security - allowed Inner City Press back to the balcony. So here are Inner City Press' photos of the event on Alamy, here. Inner City Press photos of two of Guterres' Security involved in this censorship here. Inner City Press from the balcony, before noon, e-mailed questions to Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric, Alison Smale who told UNSR David A. Kaye questions would be answered, Deputy Amina J. Mohammed and others: "October 31-1: Immediately explain the basis on which SG Guterres' Security tried to get Park East Synagogue head of security Shay Amir to have Inner City Press removed from his speech about tolerance." Hours later, the UN refused to answer this question, and one on the missionary killed by Cameroon, while send a single canned answer on Sri Lanka. Also at the event were, among others, Bronx congressman Engel, US Deputy Ambassador David Cohen, Israel's Danny Danon. Guterres has yet to speak or have his spokesman Stephane Dujarric answer Inner City Press' question about Cameroon killing missionary Charles Wesco, despite promises by UN USG Alison Smale to UNSR David Kaye that questions would be answered. What has the UN become, under Guterres?

The UN maintains a secret list of people banned from entering its premises. On October 24 while barring Inner City Press from events on Burundi, Syria and Cameroon, UN Security Inspector Matthew Sullivan said the list would not be provided to Inner City Press as it is an "internal document." He returned to brag that the UN spoke with and even affirmatively called NYPD - the NY Police Department to which Inner City Press directed a Freedom of Information Law request about their knowledge of and collusion with the UN's barred list -- presumably to hinder the release of any information, or to retalate. Video here. Things are getting worse and worse at Antonio Guterres' UN. Inner City Press has appealed to both the Mayor's Office including International Affairs' Penny Abeywardena and to NYPD, through the OpenRecords portal it like all New Yorkers is directed to, thusly: "As a journalist banned even today from the UN - told that I am on the no due process "barred" list that is one of the subjects of this FOIL request I requested and am requesting expedited processing of - Today UN Security Inspector Matthew Sullivan in barring me from events on Burundi and Syria said that the UN was called by and called the New York City government, presumably about this request and to impede or delay any response. He called the UN barred list an "internal document." This is contrary to US Constitutional (and international human) rights - but the purpose of this interim appeal is in this new light to demand expedited response of all records in your possession about this list, to avoid or mitigate collusion in the violation of an American (and New York) journalist's First Amendment rights. For your information, and in support of this appeal, UN Inspector Sullivan bragging about impeding this FOIL request is now online here. Please confirm receipt, respond to this appeal and provide the responsive documents asap. -Matthew Lee, Inner City Press." In further Kafka-esque response, while the NYPD response said to that portal "to view additional information and take any necessary action," now NYPD's Records Access Officer Richard Mantellino says "Please be advised that this email cannot accept FOIL requests and/or respond to inquiries or matters related to such." So who should we ask - the UN's Matthew Sullivan? Antonio Guterres? Watch this site? Even the Security officers who enforce the ban are not told the reason why a person is on the list: whether it was for actual violence, or writing articles questioning the Secretary General Antonio Guterres' misuse of public funds, for example. One told Inner City Press the secret list includes "demonstrators" and "political activists," audio here. Since the City of New York works with the UN including this banned list which includes New York City journalists, Inner City Press in mid October 2018 submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Law - but the Office of Mayor Bill de Blasio and his Mayor's Office of International Affairs under Penny Abeywardena are trying to delay response for SIX MONTHS until April 2019. Here is the request: "On behalf of Inner City Press and in my personal capacity this is a request under FOIL for all records in the possession of the NYC Office of the Mayor including the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs (MOIA; collectively OOM) regarding the exclusion of persons in the last three years from premises of the United Nations, in and around First Avenue and 42-48th Streets in Manhattan, including of NYC residents including journalists. This is also a request for all records in the same time period of the review, suspension or revocation of pistol permits for any UN personnel including but not limited to UN Department of Safety and Security personnel and the grounds therefore. To assist you in identifying and producing the responsive records on an expedited basis, I personally was physically ousted from the UN by UN DSS Lieutenant Ronald Dobbins and another unnamed on 3 July 2018 as I staked out and covered, as a journalist, the UN Budget Committee meetings. On 4 July 2018 I filed a report at the NYPD's 17th Precinct, despite being told - erroneously I now believe, including based on how my First Amendment rights have been impacted - that all UN personnel have total immunity. The report number is #2018-017-2848. See also, The UK Independent, here. On 5 July 2018 when I went to the UN to continue my work as a journalist I was told I am “banned.” I have since been told that the UN has a “current and active barred notice” against me, that there is a banned list that includes “demonstrators” and “political activists.” I am still banned today, after 104 days. See also, https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-journalist-matt-lee-forcibly-removed-un-stripped-press-credentials/ and https://www.cjr.org/the_profile/reporter-expelled-un.php I find this deeply troubling and worth of urgent Press coverage. This request includes but is not limited to all records related to the above, related to any knowledge by OOM including MOIA of any UN “banned” list and how it is compiled, and what due process protections if any are in place, etc. Also any knowledge by OOM including MOIA of any disciplinary measures taken against UN Security officers or other personnel, at least for the past three years. I am also requesting any record in your possession referring to "Inner City Press" for the past ten years, with the past three years to be provided on an expedited basis. I am requesting expedited process and a waiver of fees - Inner City Press is a non profit news organization that educated the public about the operations of government(s) and routinely receives fee waivers from agencies at the Federal, state and local level." And here is the response, to which we are preparing an appeal: "The Mayor's Office (OOM) has acknowledged your FOIL request... You can expect a response on or about Friday, April 26, 2019. Additional Information: Due to the volume of requests that we have received, we now estimate that we will be able to provide you with a response on or before the above date." Disgusting. We will have more on this.

Guterres or apparently his head of Global Communications Alison Smale, if only as a proxy, can put a journalist on the list without any review, any notice, any appeal. It is a dictator's dream come true.

Inner City Press was physically ousted twice by Guterres' UN Security this summer as it reported on his now-15 flights to his home in Lisbon with public funds, his trading away of Cameroon human rights abuses for favors in the Budget Committee, and now his son Pedro's undisclosed business links in Africa. Smale on August 17, without once speaking to me covering the UN for Inner City Press for 11 years, withdrew my media accreditation.

But it's gone further than that. For example, on October 11 I showed up for a film screening about sex trafficking, “Love Sonia,” to which I had been invited by the UN Office of Drugs and Crimes. UNODC's New York director personally put me on the list for a post screening reception and came and met me and took me to the UN gate to sign me in, since my ticket - which she said she'd seen - mysteriously disappeared.

UN Security refused to allow the NY director of UNODC to sign me in. “Even if he had a ticket we'd have to check,” one officer said. I was told that a supervisor would come out, and that UNODC would speak to them. But after one hour it never happened. Guterres' chief of staff Maria Luiza Viotti left the building and I audibly told her, I'm invited but I'm being blocked. She did not even break stride.

The UN has given me nothing in writing that I am banned. Guterres' spokesman has stated it as a fact, without explanation or rationale, on October 9 and 11, while refusing to answer my e-mailed questions despite Smale's promise they would be answered to supposedly respect my "journalistic endeavours."

Another UN Security officer told me, No one is going to help you. You are on the list. I asked him, who else is on the list? He mentioned “demonstrators” and "political activists" and others. Audio here.

Tellingly, NOT on Guterres' banned list are those who pleaded guilty to UN bribery for example in the Ng Lap Seng - John Ashe case. They are not banned by Guterres, UNlike the journalist who most closely covered those convictions, and the current UN bribery case of Patrick Ho and the China Energy Fund Committee. Guterres is fine with bribery, but bans those who investigate and expose it.

UNSG Guterres thinks he can ban people without no notice, no due process, no review? And that it won't be noticed or reviewed? Watch this site.

0 notes

port-porto-zen-blog · 6 years

Text

Port, Porto and Zen in Portugal

Portugal to us meant blue ceramic, port wine, custard pies, sea food and the forgotten Europe on the Iberian peninsula. Most all of that is true and more...the quaint little towns, the winding streets with cobbled stones, port wine every where and the now ubiquitous pick-pockets. We visited many towns & cities and will go back again for a longer visit. Until then these pictures will remind us why Portugal is a lovely country.

Porto

In what is considered the north of the country, Porto sits on the estuary that connects the Douro river to the Atlantic. It is a delightful city that has learnt to combine the large city with the small town vibe. A city that is easily traversed by walking the narrow & steep cobbled streets and by plenty of easy public transportation like the trams.

Praça da Batalha

Porto like many European cities has an abundance of squares; large ones are called "Praca" and the smaller ones are called "Largo".

& Cafe's aplenty. Cafe Majestic apparently dates back to 1921 under the name of Elite

& is conveniently located on Catherine which is a pedestrian street.

The ceramics are plenty & everywhere, on the walls, on the tables, in the kitchen and they are so brightly set telling historic tales or reflecting contemporary symbols. They appear on church walls...

...cutting boards....

...they adorn their railway stations at São Bento

...to homes

The city is built on the Duoro river and so the river forms an important part of their lives.

...they live here..

...party here

& plenty of transportation..with libations

..& without

Given the history of Portugal, Porto certainly has its share of churches in town starting with the most famous Clérigos & its Tower.

...San Francisco

Carmelitas and Carmo

The city’s character outside of being the founding region of the delicious Port wine, is made of wide boulevards...

...steep and winding streets

...and old streets with cobble stones and fading facades.

Food in Porto was reasonable but little underwhelming for a Mediterranean country. The Francesinha thought a local Porto dish is interesting and quite tasty...essentially a cheese, meat and sausage sandwich doused in Port sauce.

In addition Portugal has many Michelin star restaurants with a couple in Porto. Our experience at the Yeatman was OK with some interesting dishes.

Guimarães

This is a sleepy little township an hour north east of Porto, easily accessed by train. Its claim to fame is its preservation as a bridge between medieval Europe and the modern. Some also consider it to be the birthplace of Portugal because Afonso Henriques, who went on to be the first king of Portugal, was born here

View from Nossa Senhora da Consolação e dos Santos Passos Church

The main attractions include the 10th century fortress which is typical of any 1000 yr structure that is reasonably preserved...not much to see!

Still some pretty views from the castle accentuated by the lovely fall colors.

the tourists!

...the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança

The old city is typical of most old fortified European towns.

The calmness of the town was one that we enjoyed very much and hope these pictures capture it.

Braga

About 30 minutes by bus from Guimaraes gets you to this quaint but energetic little gem you could easily miss. The whole reason we went was in search of this 14th century hill top sanctuary outside of town called Bom Jesus do Monte.

Its a little bit of a hike from where the local transport drops you off if you choose not to catch the funicular.

Along the hike there are chapels that have depictions of the Passion of Christ

The hike breaks up at a point where the approximately 600 sacred steps begin...

...until we reach the chapel on the top.

But really the views from the top are pretty cool.

Back in main town of Braga, life is full of energy in the town square

in case we forget where we were!

Douro Valley

enough said?

Well, the valley is formed by the third largest river, Duoro, in the Iberian Peninsula, which runs for eight hundred and ninety seven kilometers from the Spanish town of Duruelo de la Sierra to Porto. But more importantly for me this is the home of the first great wine regions of the world, that started growing grapes and making wine for the Romans back in the “BC’s”

The valley is home to many famous “Quinta’s” or estates that grow grapes and make Port. Port is nothing but wine mixed with Brandy at the right temperature...really the best of both worlds.

They are aged in big and small barrel’s, just like wines

& come in both red & white

& taste really really really good.

Coimbra

The university town that apparently inspired Harry Potter’s black gowns is actually fairly sober. This is our first view from across the water with main university tower at the top of the hill.

The main town square with the typical pedestrian street leading from it.

The most important church in town is Santa Cruz which also shares space with a café (a converted chapel).

Often local markets give us a good taste and view of how the locals shop.

The route up to the University is through a variety of easy to get lost winding & steep cobbled paths.

Including running in to these “Harry Potter’s” collecting money to fund their graduation party.

& churches

& interesting sculptures.

before we get to the university...that charges a fee to let tourists in....says something about the need for diverse funding sources.

A gander through the early 18th century Baroque library which was once considered the richest library. Today the rare editions are allowed access through librarians only and no pictures allowed in there.

The main building provides access to various facilities including

auditorium to defend doctoral thesis

arts....

and some fascinating views of the town

Expectations of cheap tasty eats in a University town were sort of met at Travessa Paço do Conde just around from Coimbra A station. A bottle of a really good house wine cost us ~$3 says something about good things in life are inexpensive.

We stayed at a Quinta in Coimbra to experience the plantation living and it was as expected.

A real nice view of the university from the Quinta from across the river

The Quinta holds the legend of Prince Pedro and his bride's lady-in-waiting Inês de Castro who had a forbidden royal love affair for many years, starting in 1340. On the Quinta grounds are a variety of fountains and such that represent the romance of the age.

"Fonte das Lágrimas"

The country is full of graffiti, much of it makes it look like it has been taken over by the vagrants, but this one at the station caught my attention.

Lisbon

The capital city is like most European capitals that blends cosy neighborhoods, wide boulevards, 18th & 19th century buildings and the ever so ubiquitous cafe’s that encourage us all to take a load off.

There are plenty of praca’s (large squares) ....

Rossio Square

...largo’s (small squares) peppered around the city.

However what was very disappointing but not surprising are the pick-pockets. There are signs of them everywhere...

...& we had our own experiences with this lot...twice. 1st time on this tourist trap of a local Tram 28 that while traverses an excellent route but is packed like a can of sardines that is petri dish for the bad guys.

They have gotten so brazen that they tried to unzip our backpack during the day in an open area setting...

after recovering from that shock I caught them on camera...they dress up like tourists and behave just as lost and duh as the rest.

Once you get past this distraction given that the country, people and the wine is so good, Lisbon has other attractions. One of them is the Jerónimos Monastery on the Tagus river in the parish of Belém (a gentrified neighboorhood).

In the cathedral...

... is buried the remains of Vasco da Gama the 16th century explorer who found his way to India vs. that other guy who lost his way to the new world...& still missed it :)

Right across from the monastery is the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (monument of discoveries) a monument that celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery with ships departing to explore and trade with India and Orient.

East of this monument is the Belem tower, built apparently to be the last thing Portuguese sailors saw as they sailed in to the horizon.

The food scene in Lisbon is a bit of a hit or miss. The custard pies at the Pasteis de Belém are considered the best & we thought that was true both by the taste and the long lines outside.

The more modern chef’s come together at this food court in the market with some really tasty creations.

One of the really interesting neighborhoods is Alfama

It is full of narrow, curvy, steep and cobbled streets

& famous for its Fado

We had the opportunity to listen to some live Fado at Tasca do Jaime d'Alfama which one of the locals said was the better one. What do you know papa sings and mama cooks...cant get any more real.

youtube

São Jorge Castle sits at top the hill overlooking Lisbon and the Tagus river. While the castle has been reasonably preserved

...the sights overlooking the city are brilliant.

Praça da Liberdade from the castle and the Sanctuary of Christ the King in the distance

Rossio station

the classic red tiled roofs that caught our attention everywhere in Portugal

Wandering around by foot is the way to check out this town. And as you do that, it fast becomes apparent that its strangely different given its steep streets...

...decorated with graffiti that different folks will describe its relevance in different ways. Me personally feel its a bit of a blotch on the city that is otherwise beautiful.

Even Tram’s are not spared from the graffiti artists.

The tiled facades like in Porto are quite catchy though I don’t think 2 dimensional pictures do them justice

The night life apparently is all the bars in the Bairro Alto area but the town looks nice.

Rossio station

Sintra

About an our north west of Lisbon on the foothills of the Sintra mountain is this little fairytale induced resort town that is a tourist magnet...I am ashamed to have gotten caught in it, but then kinda glad I did as some of these pictures tell.

There are essentially 3 big things in town you are not supposed to leave without seeing, the fairytale based Pena Palace, the Moorish castle and the National Palace.

Most will catch a local bus to get up the hill to the Pena Palace...we chose to hike it up which was fun.

yeah that is where we are headed up above to the castle

Sintra as we get close to Pena Palace

The Pena Palace is a sight for sure that makes you wonder about the people involved in this “thing”.

The views across the palace would not be advised with anyone with vertigo

The garish colors I imagine was a way to repel enemies? I mean who would want this?

The palace has been reasonably well preserved given it was in use until the early 20th century when Portugal transitioned to a republic in 1910.

The weather turned on us as a thick fog comes in as a precursor to heavy showers...rains Portugal has been rather desperate for. This makes our short hike to the castle rather spooky.

The castle is an 8th century construction by the Moors ....but is now really a pile of rocks...fairly neatly arranged still.

Nothing much to see here folks...moving on to the National Palace which has its genesis to the middle ages of the 10th century. It has changed hands from the Moors to others that ruled Portugal.

It represents architectural styles of the Moors, Goths, Mudejar, Manueline and more.

royal kitchen with their two giant chimneys below

Évora

Another quaint town about 90 minutes east of Lisbon that is the capital of the Alentejo region that makes some pretty good wines. The walled city is really all there is to see with a couple of churches sprinkled in.

The quaintness and the curvy cobbled streets really continue to catch our fancy.

with cute outdoor foyers

The views of the township are nice from the top of the Evora Cathedral

But of most macabre interest is the chapel of bones or Capela dos Ossos. This chapel is actually constructed with human bones and skulls. The story behind this 16th century construction has to do with monks wanting to think about the after life and such other things. Well here now in the 21st century it is a good source of revenue!