#grand smokey mountains | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

deke-rivers-1957 · 2 months

Text

Kissin Cousins Review

After Viva Las Vegas went over budget, Colonel Parker as the technical advisor pushed the panic button. The next immediate film had its budget slashed and everything was rushed just to make back any money lost. The production was very cheap despite a somewhat ambitious story of having Elvis play 2 characters.

Despite being made after Viva Las Vegas, Kissin Cousins came out first making for a very jarring experience if seen back to back. A lot of people HATE this movie because of the concept and cheap production, indicating that Colonel's plan didn't work as he expected. After all, if you only spend a grand total of a $1 million dollars on a movie, you only need $1,000,001 to make a profit. Does Kissin Cousins have some good parts to it or is it all bad and should never be mentioned again? Let's find out.

Kissin Cousins is a pleasant opening song. It's not something that blows you away but it's a nice little ditty with cute art. It makes me wonder why we never had an animated film as those were usually way cheaper than a regular movie. Yes animation in the 60s wasn't as big of an industry as it is now, but if Colonel wanted to value cheap production, animation would've been the way to go.

We get introduced to the conflict of the movie: The military wants a military base on the Tatums mountain land in the Smokey Mountains. The Tatums don't want to sell as they don't trust the government. As stereotypical as this sounds, this was a pretty common experience. The only issue I have with this element is that they want to show this as the Air Force, but everyone is dressed in Army uniforms. Josh starts off wearing a more accurate uniform but we quickly do away with that. A sign already that no one cared enough to make things accurate.

We also see very quickly that this movie is so cheap they can't even film b-roll footage of the real Appalachian Mountains. Instead we get Southern California mountains and Hollywood sets. As much as it sounds like a nitpick, the mountains are a mega important part of the movie. Depicting the real mountains would add more immersion into the story by showcasing how these people live. Smokey Mountain Boy as a song doesn't stand out on its own. It does sound lovely in the context of the movie. It sounds like the type of song a military man would sing. We get a dumb joke about mountaineers not knowing how to spell and the girls not knowing what Jodie looks like. If you look very closely we get another sign that the movie is cheap in the form of a faint yellow line in the middle of the screen. That's meant to be the filter that allows Elvis to play both Josh and Josh at once. More on that later.

We find out that Jodie actually isn't their brother. He's a cousin too and my whole world just blew up. This whole time I thought they were all siblings because he lived with them like he's their brother. There's Gold in the Mountains is bad. The lip-synching is non-existent. It's very apparent that neither Azalea or Selena's actress are actually singing. They sound nothing like they're speaking voices. I don't think this song was really necessary and could've been cut if it wasn't for a quota. Ma calls Jodie her nephew and man I want to know this man's story. There's so many ways you can go about this and show how this could significantly impact his character and his decisions.

Pappy is an amazing character. Arthur O'Connell really shows his range as he sounds nothing like Pop Kwimper from Follow That Dream. Despite being the same character of the government disdaining patriarch on paper, you really get the idea that this is a completely different person. Pappy and Pop are similar but are not the same. What I don't like is that his clothes are seen as dirty and full of holes. Jodie and the sisters don't have that problem so unless Pappy just got done wrestling some pigs, this is purely for laughing at dirty uncivilized Southerners. While it is unfortunate that some of them lived that way, this isn't the Tatums' situation.

Ma's an amazing character too and it only highlights my point that she wouldn't accept anyone in the family to be walking around in unkempt clothing. She would've immediately patched up any holes she found. You get the idea that she isn't someone to push around. She respects Pappy's authority but she also has her own authority. Ma is willing to flip Jodie right on his butt if he disrespects her despite Jodie easily being bigger than her. In real life, an average sized woman being able to flip over what I consider to be a 200 lb man would be super impressive. We clearly get the idea that Pappy loves it. He wants his wife to be a strong woman who doesn't take disrespect from anyone.

This whole scene insults Southerners by having them own a Confederate Flag in the house, eat possums and other stereotypical "white trash" food like this is a regular occasion. Like it's something they take pride in eating and wouldn't want to eat anything else. Note: people only eat that when there's nothing else available. It would only make sense if they were proud of Ma being able to make do with what little they had but again this isn't what they're going through. They have pigs so it makes no sense why they still eat possums outside of stereotyping.

We get a visual gag of the captain turning green. This is such a cheap special effect. It looks like they just shined a green light over his face like we're in a cartoon. So bizarre and only exists because "haha isn't mountain food so disgusting." Totally unnecessary especially with how long they drag the joke of no one knowing what an ICBM is. In real life, if this family was as ignorant as the movie makes them out to be, they would not survive.

One Boy, Two Little Girls is a very boring ballad. It adds nothing to the movie and is just filler. We already got a song with him singing to the sisters and learn nothing new. You can just cut to Josh talking to Azalea and Selena about how to convince Pappy. This whole interaction between Josh with Azalea and Selena is weird. We're supposed to think he digs both of them.

Catchin On Fast which is just as shallow. The song itself isn't bad, but in the context of the movie it comes out of nowhere. Josh just randomly picks Azalea over Selena. Yes we get the drama that Selena has to get married first, but outside of that there's no reason for him to pick Azalea. Yes it could be a matter of Josh preferring brunettes but it's never established to be the reason why he likes Azalea more. Admittedly I love that Selena isn't jealous of Azalea or mad that Josh picked her sister over her. In a different Elvis movie we know that would've been a conflict that lasted throughout the whole movie.

We get introduced to Midge and Jodie completely looks smitten. This is a completely different side of him. It's implied that he's had relations with more than one Kittyhawk woman but becomes such a different man around Midge. In that moment, none of the other women matter anymore. Midge is the only woman on his mind and you have to wonder what about her captures his attention. Maybe it's because she's not immediately throwing herself at him or seems interested in him at all. Just by this scene alone, Midge does not give a single care that he's staring at her. If anything she straights up ignores him after they're introduced.

Watching Azalea interact with the Kittyhawks when they give them their own bikinis is the only difference we get. Azalea actively stands up to them and puts them in their place. She doesn't tolerate their actions. Ma puts her foot down when she sees that this turned everything upside down and I can understand where she's coming from. If Azalea and Selena are disrespecting her and the Kittyhawks are causing nothing but trouble, of course she would be upset.

The reporter exposes their plan to get the mountain base and the plan is all coming apart when the general contacts the captain about going up to the mountain. The captain orders Midge to go to Ma and try to smooth things over. Despite this being the 60s, the captain treats Midge like any other subordinate. He's not overly harsh or lenient with her just because she's a woman. Now that's gender equality. She runs into Jodie and at first we think Jodie's going to act like a pig and a wolf. And he does act like that, but what makes this movie better than most is that he gets his comeuppance. Yes it's meant to be a source of comedy but given the 60s, Midge being allowed to push back against horny men is incredible. She grins and bears it when it's the other military men because a lot of them may outrank her and pushing back would be horrific. But since Jodie has no authority over her, she pushes back. In other movies Jodie would be a creep who escalates his advancements after every rejection. But he doesn't. He saw the look on Midge's face when she thought he got hurt. She doesn't actually hate him, she just hates how forward and physical he is.

Based on their social situations, you can clearly see how it influences these women's reactions to male attention. Midge is just so used to men seeing her for her body and nothing else that when in a situation where she can push back against that behavior she will do it, while the Kittyhawks hardly ever see men so any attention or interaction with men would be like giving kids candy after denying them that for so long. And whether he fully realizes it or not, Jodie has to acknowledge that Midge really isn't like other girls but her own person. So he changes his approach to serenading Midge with Tender Feeling. Easily the best song in the movie and actually adds depth to Jodie's character. Even though he's a cocky jock, this song actually matters by showing that he's capable of being more than that. It still fails but even when it fails the only thing on Jodie's mind isn't a notch on his bed post it's WEDDING BELLS. He had full choice of any Kittyhawk out there to marry. He could've married any one of them at any time. But he doesn't want to be with any of them. He wants Midge. You can make an argument that as soon as he saw Midge for the first time, he wanted to marry her. Unbelieveable how this side character in a cheap Elvis production actually has some type of character arc.

Meanwhile, Azalea tries to convince Ma about changing her mind. I know the movie wants to make us feel bad about it, but we don't have any reason to feel bad. I don't feel anything for this relationship. Outside of Josh being different than the other mountain men, there's no real reason for her to like him. I care more about Hezekiah missing Pappy and he's a dog.

So they go to find Pappy and all of the men except for the captain and Jodie get captured by the Kittyhawk women. For once an Elvis character doesn't like being appreciated by multiple women. I guess it's meant to show how Josh is more "civilized" than Jodie. We get another Joe Esposito appearance in this movie and he actually gets a line.

Ma actually gets a song lamenting the loss of her husband. Pappy, Won't You Please Come Home is actually a pretty appropriate song. It shows just how much she loves him. The vocals could be better but it doesn't have to be professional because within the context of the movie, Ma isn't a professional singer. Pitch doesn't matter when you're sad.

We find out Pappy got chased by a bear and got stuck in a tree. The wide shot of him being stuck in a tree is so bad. You can tell this is a stunt double since Arthur O'Connell is too old to be doing stuff like this. Even when you can see his face you can tell he's only dangling on a wire and it's not even clear how he's caught. I get we needed something to get Josh on the family's good side but they could've done this a bit better. You would think this would be when Josh and Jodie would have to work together to save Pappy, but I guess that would've just been too hard to film. Again if Jodie had a real character arc this would be the moment when he realizes "hey Josh just isn't doing this because he's told to. He genuinely cares about us. He acts like he's kin."

We get a good old fashioned hoedown and hi where did all these people come from? Up until now we've had the Tatums and the Kittyhawks as the only people who live on this mountain. So why is there a whole village of people here? It completely changes the Kittyhawk women's reason to exist. If you imply that there's literally no other man on this mountain outside of Jodie, then these women being boy crazy make perfect sense. Now that we know Jodie isn't the only young man, they just look like a stereotype that women are promiscuous.

Barefoot Ballad fits so well with Jodie's character but watch out foot phobic people because it's exactly as it says on the tin. The dancing however, isn't that great. It shows just how rushed this movie's production wise. I guess it could work in that in universe these aren't professionals but as a movie it could be better. This is where the song quota kicks in as we get yet another song in the span of not even five minutes. Once Is Enough is fine but it's still filler. The dancing is still bad as one of them actually falls down and it stayed in the final cut. Based on Pappy's little speech I would've thought he would start singing. Heck even the captain who would later play Grandpa Joe showed he could sing in Willy Wonka so it's not like we couldn't have had a Pappy song.

After all this time, Jodie finally gets a character moment where he warms up to Josh. While Jodie internally realizes that Josh was alright when he saved Pappy, this would've been the perfect moment to showcase that he's willing to compliment Josh. If only he had more of a role in the movie because what little we get shows a pretty engaging character arc. Midge coming around would've been a natural reason for him to warm up to city folk. I could make a whole post about how I would write his character since there's so much potential.

The Kittyhawk women actually play an important role by sending the general in circles. That's what makes this movie great. Everyone has a part to play even if they start off as a joke. Pappy gets in a drinking contest with the captain. I have to laugh that Jodie managed to snap Pappy's suspenders when Pappy tries to run away. It actually adds to Jodie's claim that he's the champion and therefore strongest man in the mountains. Ma makes it clear that they have to talk things over so Josh and Pappy try to make a deal over a game of checkers. Jodie actually tries to help Josh out by getting the captain sober. If only they took advantage of them looking alike and had Jodie disguise himself as Josh. Jodie would have to swallow his pride because he knows if this deal fails, he would lose Midge as she's a WAC.

It isn't until Josh comes up with a deal allowing Pappy to continue selling his moonshine without "revenoor" interference. They also get protection and $1000 a month for the land. The deal goes through and everyone ends up happy. The one thing I wish was better explained is how despite all these people being on the mountain, Pappy is somehow the leader. I think if we had so much as a line about how these people came from distant villages would be enough as it's not like the military intended on buying the entire mountain.

Kissin Cousins (Number 2) is a banger of a song and I really like Jodie's twang when he sings but wow the production is cheap. They don't even bother cropping the shot above where you can actually see Lance LeGault (Elvis' body double) in the background. This isn't the first nor only time either. Throughout the movie and during the song when they switch back and forth between Josh and Jodie, we can see his face by accident. Elizabeth Montgomery in Bewitched had to do something similar when she had to play Samantha and her identical cousin Serena. That episode came out in 1966 and managed to do a better job. A TV show somehow did the same concept better than an actual Hollywood produced film. It's so sad that production was rushed to the point of basic editing mistakes and mistakes in general are left in. Even the ending where the characters hold up "The End" signs feels like this is a cheap high school production instead of a Hollywood movie.

This movie has several problems. As I've said the production is cheap with songs that are nothing but filler and at times have noticeable mistakes, Josh is a very boring character with an uninteresting romance in Azalea, Jodie makes you wonder why they wanted Elvis to play two characters when one of them doesn't even do that much, and they outright insult Southerners by using very cliched stereotypes.

So why do I like this movie in spite of these problems? Because the story has enough good elements that you can actually fix the problems without having to completely change the movie. It's like a Clambake in that I would consider the highlights to be enough to cover the glaring errors in it. If this movie had a different production team or a better budget I would say this story is one of the better ones for an Elvis movie. Therefore I would give this movie a 7/10. This is a movie that best exemplifies how Colonel's interference directly hurt a movie that otherwise would've been great. I highly recommend watching it so you get the perspective of how poorly Hollywood thought of Southerners, yet still have the Tatum family feel like real people.

AN: Shout out to the discord besties for providing commentary about how the Tatum family showcased the bad light Hollywood painted the South in. Especially @grizelda71-blog. Your notes in particular helped me see both the good and the bad in this movie. Also shout out to @smokeymountainboy for your work as Jodie inspiring me to review this movie this month.

Tagging: @arrolyn1114, @thedaisymaisy, @that-hotdog, @peaceloveelvis, @imaginationlast, @fuzzymusic94, @helen06dreamer, @sfull12345, @briefpandatimemachine, @alittlemoreelvis, @lynettethemadscientist, @motht-eeth, @ash-omalley, @spooky-hazex, @teamnefarious, @blighted-star, @ab4eva, @oh-my-front-door, @father-of-2cats, @atleastpleasetelephone, @xanatenshi, @crazymadpassionatelove, @burnthheparaphilia, @aliengoth3 @stormie-ryan23, @yksuwyksud, @tacozebra051, @alienelvisobsession, @vintageoldsoul, @ohmygiddd, @lovininapinkcadillac, @stephthestallion, @mistyspresley, @bisexualwvtson, @ahundredlifetime, @karel-in-wonderland, @elvispresleywife, @georgefairbrother, @moonchild-daniella, @musiclover712, @worldofyns, @sillybookmarks, @g00d2balive, @leighpc, @generoustreemystic, @peskybedtime, @thetaoofzoe, @renegadewarrior, @vintagepresley, @tupelomiss, @myradiaz, @pinkcaddyconfessions, @kiankiwi, @presley72elvis, @delulubutidontcare, @januarypresley1969, @livelaughelvis, @hooked-on-elvis, @slayingjd, @ilivebecauseiamforced, @dusintv, @cattcb, @eapep, @jaqueline19997, @richardslady121, @iloveelvis2, @lett-them-eatt-cake, @if-i-can-dream-of-elvis, and @lookingforrainbows.

#jodie tatum #jodiexmidge #josh morgan #kissin cousins #1964 #elvis film #elvis film review

15 notes · View notes

sillygum · 7 months

Text

starter for: @stcries

There was no way he could sit still, he and Usopp had been singing the giant's anthem on and off for days when they spotted each other from across the deck. It was really happening; all these years and every road led to Elbaf! Surely their friends had made it home after so long, it'd been nearly three years. Have they changed any? Did they find their crew? Has Dorry healed up ok?

Usopp happily regaled the story of Oimo and Kashii, two giants tricked by the Navy to stand guard as Enies Lobby for fifty years to save their captains. Luffy doesn't recall any giants there but he had gone ahead at the first chance he'd gotten,the life of his archeologist in danger. Two more friends they had to find on the legendary island. Robin even chimes in with her story of Saul, a lonely childhood waiting for her mother, a burning library and a friend she'd recently made carrying her to safety. Robin didn't fight the tears, only fingering them off her full cheeks, voice cracking when she declares: He's alive, which promptly left most of the crew in further scrambles.

It's another day and a half before the enormous island begins to bud on the horizon. From afar—what they slowly gather is– a tree cuts clear through the clouds, vanishing out of sight even as Luffy lay on his back atop Sunny's figure head. Usopp and Franky muse that it might go on higher than Skypiea, even joking saying it could reach straight through the atmosphere which leads to Luffy proclaiming they should climb it. Looking out over the whole Grand Line, the whole world! What would they see? Did anything live at the top? Did the tree make any fruit and what did they taste like?

Luffy's so giddy he barely sleeps a wink, eyes growing bigger and bigger the closer the wind takes them. Did the island surround the tree? Maybe its roots reached right down to the ocean floor, how old could something like this be? His face hurts from smiling, excitement nearly unbearable when Robin and Vegapunk laugh that even they doesn't know the answers to all his questions. If she and the old egg didn't know the whole island had to be bursting with adventure and things never seen.

The rubberman bounds upright, not sure when sleep finally won but Sanji's cooking lures him away, Luffy opting to sit on the blue leather couch across from the table. Face pulling away from the porthole to bite into the char grilled sea beast kabob his chief has prepared. The meats smokey and so tender he hardly needs to chew, the vegetables skin blistered but soft with enough crunch to leave him moaning his praises, all of it muffled by the porthole glass. He's still eating when he plops back down on the lion head. What kind of food did Elbaf have? Their portions had to be huge if Big Mom lived there. Maybe everything was super sized? Sanji hadn't cooked dinosaur in years. They'd definitely need a feast, a week long party! The delicious daydream of grilled meats and cakes bigger than he's ever dreamed of is pushed aside … Luffy squints as excitement blown eyes drift down from the colossal tree trunk then back to his crew. They had to see it too if their souring expressions were any indicator. Brown eyes flick back to the shore and the red big top that sat like a target against the mountains; the smaller collection of tents cropping up like polka dots, bright and colorful. Luffy huffs grabbing the back of his hat, Nami's old stitches from knife wounds worn but prominent against his palm. "Why's Buggy here?" First time the news coo said Buggy somehow leveled up to yonko the rubberman swore it was a misprint.

Buggy was an idiot and there was a zero chance the old crocodile and hawk were really taking orders from him. But that's what the paper said; Buggy had two of the strongest pirates on the Grand Line taking orders and he was doling out bounties for Marines.

From Dressosa to Zou to Wano, so much has changed in just a few months.

#verse: ╮━━━ ✦( king's come up ) ━━━#stcries #(: here we go the start of something yummy and drama filled

16 notes · View notes

emj-lane · 5 months

Text

A little About me🤷‍♀️

My name is Emma-Jean Victoria Lane

Most people call me EmJ but some call me Em or Emma...all those things I respond to. I have a hyphenated first name so it's a mouthful lol!

I'm 18 years old and have an identical twin sister, Mazee. Our birthday is Halloween 🎃

Mazee and I were adopted from China when we were 2 months old

We live and were raised in California.

Besides Mazee, I have a sister, Natasha, who is 19. A sister, Morgan, who is 14. my sister, Sydney, is 11. And the youngest is my brother, Hunter, and he's 7. These siblings are my parents biological children.

We have 2 dogs that are golden doodles, Luna and Courage, and we have a cat. Her name is Boo.

I find it weird how friends or dates/boyfriend are sketched out, leary and scared off by the fact that my mom is a psychiatrist. That's her career/ her job but she is a regular person, wife, mother individual outside of her psychiatrist title/career. I promise she's not analyzing or diagnosing you if you aren't her patient in her office or in the hospital

My dad is a teacher at a boarding school for high schoolers gifted in the arts like music, theater, dance, writing, painting etc

Surfing is one of my favorite things/passions/talents. My whole family surfs.

Equal to surfing is my passion for writing.

I started playing soccer in second grade and the rest is history. From then on year after year I played on the soccer team for my elementary school, middle school and high school.

Should have been a mermaid. Love the water and swimming and diving. I was a competitive swimmer and diver from 7th grade and on through the rest of my middle school and high school career

I train and practice karate and kick boxing. In a fist fight I will kick your ass & I love it

My life motto and really driving phrase for my life and personality is "Underestimate me. That'll be fun..."

I'd say I'm very outgoing, friendly and social.

It can get very heated and tension does get very high at home with my older sister, Natasha. She has a diagnosis of ARFID which is avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. She has a lot of Orthorexia traits and tendencies as well. This has been a battle and an issue for almost 12 years now. Natasha doesn't really want full recovery...she doesn't want to weight restore or be healthy. She wants to maintain where she is...still sick, still disordered, still underweight but not getting worse- just completely maintaining & existing forever as she is. It is really really frustrating and sad. Sometimes I would like to kick her in the mouth, grab her and shake her and scream at her but it would not get through to her. It would not help.

I get self conscious sometimes being out with my family. Because I am Chinese and my parents and siblings, except Mazee, are caucasian American many people don't see us as family. They assume my parents are hosting foreign exchange students or if I am out with my 7 year old brother people assume I am his babysitter or his nanny- these things get said to me and my family and those things make a home in my head . They hide out a lot but still are there, lingering.

I enjoy music and playing music. I play piano, guitar, violin and saxophone. They are more hobbies and escapes although I am told I am talented and gifted in playing instruments I like having it as just something enjoyable, not necessarily something to pursue and train for career/performance/competitive purposes. The same goes for drawing.

My favorite artists and musicians right now are John mayer, Dave matthews band, Green Day, Nirvana, The Smiths, Bruno Mars, Billie Eilish, Yellow card, Lindsay Stirling and switchfoot.

Traveling & hiking is also something I love and something my whole family likes to do. Just being outside. We've been to the grand canyon, Niagara falls, Rocky mountains, smokey mountains, parts of the Appalachian trail/mountains, we've been to Hawaii, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, Australia, Alaska and Canada. And of course California has some hiking/national parks and nature too so we do a lot here too.

Favorite tv shows: Law and order svu, Criminal minds, Psych, and The Good Doctor

Favorite Movies: The Lord of the rings movies, Harry Potter movies, any of the Jaws movies, The Shallows, Hunger games movies, any X-men movies, Star wars movies, Man on Fire, National Treasure 1 and 2, A Beautiful Mind, I Am Sam, Dead Poet's Society, and Freedom Writers.

That's all. This is already longer than I intended.

#personal #about me #surfer #writer #twin life

3 notes · View notes

sinisterexaggerator · 2 years

Text

Seriously thinking about going the school librarian route once I graduate. I already have two years of classroom experience / three teaching certificates, anyway.

187 day calendar, and if I move back to Austin, that's 52,000 a year +1,000 bonus for having a master's degree.

I could take the summer to travel to foreign countries, winter break to travel domestically, like, say the Grand Canyon, or idk, the Smokey Mountains, and Spring break / Thanksgiving break could be used to see my boo's family, or just relax with friends.

Very appealing. Of course, I hate the public school system and the way teachers are treated. *Sigh*

#personal #rambles #librarian #future plans

10 notes · View notes

artcalledtattoo · 1 year

Text

WhereIB2 Land in Darmstadt Germany Munich for Oktoberfest Yea sucker's Graffenweir, Wurzburg, Heidelberg , Mannheim, Wiesbaden, Hanau, a lunch in Schweinfurt, Koln, Rein Mein River boating on a couple romantic float even the KTown Lest never forget Amsterdam In there somewhere bicycles everywhere Tripping M M canceled the show but graced with Soulfly Why hair colored kool aid? Machines and parts in Alabama Eureka Springs to Elvis’ backyard Back to U.S. leave, Owensboro the deep depp beauty land Kentucky To the grand American mountains of Colorado Fort Carson Trips to California, Pinion Canyon sitting on a rock in nowhere Outings to the field of surrounding areas North west to Oregon saw the steps of The Postman had bite in Portland Austin TX Ink to skin while on tour Hotel behind Colorado Music Hall Albuquerque, New Mexico My work zero flaws on percussion flaw Rocky Mountain Thunder Rally Slippin’ ink in skin leather clad biker babes But I was tattoo working Back to end of trails Oklahoma Back to Phoenix for a wedding Fort Worth TX museums Houston Texas for a time, zoo & butterflies, drive in for HungerGames and grand Egyptian artifacts the lovely interstates that take all day, jelly fish stings in Galveston throwing rings for grand sized teddy bears San Antonio Alamo SeaWorld and River walk NASA Aquarium extravagant parties with oil money Woodlands mall & concerts Table Rock Missouri Some cool caves in Arkansas New Years New Orleans & visit The latter the better with alligator Back to FortWorth for some master Caravaggio Tool & Cooper Restaurant A one night Phoenix trip for birthday Even back to Colorado to Crescent Butte Pikes Peak uno hike at one time Up and down a mountain Lightning crashing down Driving through the Smokey Mountains to North Carolina for a visit but with Washington D.C. again, an ultimate must Even a walk around the White House grounds when headed back a must At Lorraine Motel just for deepening further understandings Still here in Oklahoma Watching happenings commence Just places of some,more with people on a later

#Before 1 the 2 #wordsbymm #writing #words #thoughts #vent #war machine #poetry #all

2 notes · View notes

crones-trash · 2 years

Note

Is there any place you are really looking forward to seeing on your trip?

Checked the Smokey Mountains off my list today. Next up Nashville, gonna take a photo of the outside of the Grand Ole Opry then go inside the Willie Nelson & Friends Museum. In St Louis, I'll feel the need to do a selfie w/ the iconic Arch in the background. At Kansas City, MO, I'll make the decision to head straight west for Denver or go north to cross Nebraska. One big advantage to the Nebraska route is Yellowstone Park.

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing the Great Plains for the first time at ground level. The Rocky Mountains will loom on the horizon & grow bigger as the sun sets behind them. Might have to stop by the side of the highway to take photos of that! Also, I'll be on the lookout for Roadside Attractions like the World's Biggest Rubber Band Ball or anything w/ dinosaurs.

The Toddler Twins are at the age where they're obsessed w/ dinosaurs. I'd have to stop to get souvenirs for them. And a selfie w/ a brontosaurus, if that's possible, so I can tell them I met one! HA!

I haven't researched the twisted route over the Rocky's from Boulder to Portland yet. But there's no way there aren't scenic overlooks! The great thing is I don't even know how many wonders of nature I'm gonna see crossing Wyoming & Idaho. That's what makes the trip an adventure!

4 notes · View notes

apricuscity · 2 years

Text

Revolution Day Speeches, Part Two

Damien Styles: Union President, Resource Workers United

Styles walked up to the podium and held his baseball cap up in the air, flashing the bold red letters to the camera. Most knew the routine by now. “See this hat? What does it say!?”

“It says BOSS!” The Union workers in the crowd roared.

“What does it mean!?”

“It means you’re in charge!”

He puts the hat back on his head. “Damn right it does. I won’t worry about any other introductions. You pay your utilities; you know who I am- you’re welcome. You already know about what we’ve been doing last year. This year, I want to bring up something.”

“We still don’t have Hades yet. Believe me, I’m upset too. No empty promises from me, people- we’re getting serious now. The avalanche that hit Yard 6 over the winter came out of nowhere and our mining head just finished his survey. That thing was triggered. No points for guessing who.” He waits for the murmuring in the crowd to stop. When it didn’t, he held his hand up to the mircophone and the magnetic feedback caused a harsh shriek. “CALM DOWN! You’re talking to professionals here! I already have a plan. My promise this year is to make absolutely sure we don’t see that shit again. The Union is going to be having a trip up into the mountains to see what else we can find. We’ll be taking volunteers but ONLY the ones who make the cut. If you can’t handle the cold, don’t show up. If you can’t handle the mountains, don’t show up. If you’re afraid the dark, heights, or tight spaces, don’t show up. If you think this is going to be easy, don’t show up. If you think you’ve got what it takes, talk to Axton Walsh as soon as possible. We’re leaving no stone unturned and paying that bastard back for every life he stole. Styles out.”

------

Lucianna Markella: High Priestess of the Consecration of Creation

“Creation bless you all this Revolution Day.” The High Priestess was looking slightly disoriented from being that close to Styles’ magnetic shenanigans but was shaking it off well enough even after taking a moment to hold her head under her large mitre. “As you know, the tragedy that befell Smokey Gardens fell to the rest of the city to come together and help our fellow man. Truly, we were being smiled on that day. The Church can offer little in the ways of material comforts, but we keep the soul of this city alive. To that end, I would like to thank the rest of the council for helping with a grand new project. Mayor Lowell will tell you all about it. Rest assured our acolytes and priests are working tirelessly to aid the efforts. As ever, the Consecration’s doors are open to all who seek comfort and guidance without the need for membership or the pressure to purchase anything. We hope to continue to set a shining example moving forward.”

-----

Tyrael Cheshire: CEO of Cheshire Financial Group

“Greetings. Last year’s financing of incoming foreign business has shown quite a lot of success despite some... difficulties at several of the events. However, I can assure you that the matters are still being looked into and I would like to personally extend my thanks to all the bounty hunters who helped prevent catastrophe at last year’s charity gathering. In light of this, I have extended a sizable portion of funding to a introductory training program for up and coming bounty hunters taught by some of the best in the field. As a former bounty hunter myself, I will be among those who will take on a small handful of students personally. As you know, I have always valued the potential of the next generation. This will come at no charge to you, but do understand that the slots will be few and quite in demand. We cannot guarantee entry for everyone. Please, send your inquiries to my business office.”

------

Flavian Lowell: Mayor of Apricus City

“Let’s hear it for the council, ladies and gentlemen!” The Mayor waited for any possible applause to die down. “Now I’m sure you’re all ready to get on with the rest of the festivities but we have one more announcement to make! As you may have seen there’s a new building being constructed in Capitol Square, right next to the main rail station. That, my good people, is an answer to the natural disasters that have hit us so recently. Every single member of the council pitched in to make it happen. May I present the opening of the Apricus City Home of Rebuilding- a council-funded shelter for victims of tragedy. Here people can stay in a safe place while they find new homes, jobs, or a place to rest should the unthinkable befall them or their loved ones. We hope to expand this to other public service as well. That said! The city is looking for volunteers and the council’s various organizations are hiring to manage its various aspects. Remember, this will be run largely by donation and while the council has pitched a substantial amount, we will be giving you, the people, and opportunity to also contribute. For any amount you donate to the shelter, you’ll receive some discounts and coupons for multiple businesses who have contributed. We hope this becomes a major stepping stone in helping our fellow citizens.

“Words cannot adequately describe how proud I am of every single one of you. It is the privilege of a lifetime to be your mayor. Now let’s ring in this Revolution Day!”

#apricuscity #Flavian Lowell #Tyrael Cheshire #Lucianna Markella #Damien Styles #Revolution Day

2 notes · View notes

heavenboy09 · 3 months

Text

I wanna let everyone know this Beautiful Lady I am letting you all know about.

Is Someone Very Special In My Life

But Not In The Way You Think.

She is A National Treasure & A Icon In Country Music 🎶 Since The Beginning Of Its Rise through the years since she was born.

Way Up In The Smokey Mountains ⛰ In Tennessee

As My Grandma 👵 Has Told Me The Stories Of Her Beginning Many Times

My Cousin credits her musical abilities to her mother; often in poor health, she still

managed to keep house and entertain her children with Smoky Mountain folklore and ancient ballads.

She began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television programs in the East Tennessee area. By ten, she was appearing on The Cas Walker Show on both WIVK Radio and WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee. At 13, she was recording (the single "Puppy Love") on a small Louisiana label, Goldband Records, and appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, where she first met The Legendary Musician, Johnny Cash, who encouraged her to follow her own instincts regarding her career.

After achieving success as a songwriter for others, She made her album debut in 1967 with Hello, I'm Dolly, which led to success during the remainder of the 1960s (both as a solo artist and with a series of duet albums with Porter Wagoner), before her sales and chart peak came during the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Her albums in the 1990s did not sell as well, but she achieved commercial success again in the new millennium and has released albums on various independent labels since 2000, including her own label, Dolly Records.

She has influence many great music artist over time in America 🇺🇸 & Has Become A National Icon In Country Music 🎶 & In History Of Music 🎶 Since Legends Of Music Making 🎶

She is a Actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman

& Still Got It Going On In Her Successful Career Of Bringing Entertainment To Everyone.

It is a Honor to Wish her ❤ A Very Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 To This Iconic American Legend

You Know Her Music 🎶 & You Know You Love Her 💘

Please Give your Round Of Applause To

The 1

& The Only

My Cousin

MS. DOLLY REBECCA PARTON ❤ 💕 😍 🤍👩🏼

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 COUSIN #DollyParton #QueenOfTheCountry

#Dolly Parton #Queen Of Country #Spotify

1 note · View note

xplrvibes · 6 months

Note

In your opinion where is the most beautiful place on earth?

Oh, there's no way to pick just one.

I can only speak to the places I've seen with my own eyes, but as far as nature is concerned: Alaska, the Grand Canyon, the Smokey Mountains, Yellowstone, Monterey Bay at sunset, the Badlands, New England in the fall, the Keys, Mt Rainier...I could go on and on.

There are beauty in cities too; albeit in different ways. The vibes and atmosphere of New Orleans, the...largeness of NYC, the architecture of Chicago and Boston, the dramatic backdrop of the Rockies in Denver, the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, the River Walk in San Antonio, the quaint squares of Savannah, the pristine desert vibes in Palm Springs...

Seriously, I could go on and on and on lol.

#asks

1 note · View note

tvrundownusa · 8 months

Text

tvrundown USA 2023.09.02

Saturday, September 2nd:

(exclusive): "Angle" (Peacock, wrestler profile documentary, 105mins), The Venture Bros. (MAX, "Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart" stand-alone film)

(streaming twice weekly): Behind Your Touch (netflix), The Uncanny Counter (netflix, penultimate)

(original made-for-TV movies): "Learning to Love" (GAFam, 2hrs), "Kidnapping in the Grand Canyon" (LIFE, 2hrs+), "Love in the Great Smokey Mountains" (HALL, a National Park Romance, 2hrs)

(other highlights): Johnson (BounceTV, season 3 marathon, first 5 eps), Shakespeare & Hathaway (OVAtion, "Private Investigators" season 3 opener), The Great Chocolate Showdown (theCW), Recipe for Disaster (theCW, 60mins), Austin City Limits (PBS, Adrian Quesada: "Boleros Psicodélicos")

(latenight "Toonami" [adultswim]): My Adventures With Superman (season 1 finale reair), FLCL (season 3 "Alternative" marathon, all 6 eps), The Venture Bros. (repeat #7.09), The Venture Bros. (season 7 finale) {episode titles and full schedule at [adultswim]}

#FLCL #KurtAngle #television

0 notes

uhhhhmanda · 10 months

Text

Smokey the Bear Sutra

by Gary Snyder

Once in the Jurassic about 150 million years ago, the Great Sun Buddha in this corner of the Infinite Void gave a Discourse to all the assembled elements and energies: to the standing beings, the walking beings, the flying beings, and the sitting beings—even grasses, to the number of thirteen billion, each one born from a seed, assembled there: a Discourse concerning Enlightenment on the planet Earth.

“In some future time, there will be a continent called America. It will have great centers of power called such as Pyramid Lake, Walden Pond, Mt. Rainier, Big Sur, Everglades, and so forth; and powerful nerves and channels such as Columbia River, Mississippi River, and Grand Canyon The human race in that era will get into troubles all over its head, and practically wreck everything in spite of its own strong intelligent Buddha-nature.”

“The twisting strata of the great mountains and the pulsings of volcanoes are my love burning deep in the earth. My obstinate compassion is schist and basalt and granite, to be mountains, to bring down the rain. In that future American Era I shall enter a new form; to cure the world of loveless knowledge that seeks with blind hunger: and mindless rage eating food that will not fill it.”

And he showed himself in his true form of

SMOKEY THE BEAR

A handsome smokey-colored brown bear standing on his hind legs, showing that he is aroused and watchful.

Bearing in his right paw the Shovel that digs to the truth beneath appearances; cuts the roots of useless attachments, and flings damp sand on the fires of greed and war;

His left paw in the Mudra of Comradely Display—indicating that all creatures have the full right to live to their limits and that deer, rabbits, chipmunks, snakes, dandelions, and lizards all grow in the realm of the Dharma;

Wearing the blue work overalls symbolic of slaves and laborers, the countless men oppressed by a civilization that claims to save but often destroys;

Wearing the broad-brimmed hat of the West, symbolic of the forces that guard the Wilderness, which is the Natural State of the Dharma and the True Path of man on earth: all true paths lead through mountains—

With a halo of smoke and flame behind, the forest fires of the kali-yuga, fires caused by the stupidity of those who think things can be gained and lost whereas in truth all is contained vast and free in the Blue Sky and Green Earth of One Mind;

Round-bellied to show his kind nature and that the great earth has food enough for everyone who loves her and trusts her;

Trampling underfoot wasteful freeways and needless suburbs; smashing the worms of capitalism and totalitarianism;

Indicating the Task: his followers, becoming free of cars, houses, canned foods, universities, and shoes; master the Three Mysteries of their own Body, Speech, and Mind; and fearlessly chop down the rotten trees and prune out the sick limbs of this country America and then burn the leftover trash.

Wrathful but Calm. Austere but Comic. Smokey the Bear will Illuminate those who would help him; but for those who would hinder or slander him,

HE WILL PUT THEM OUT.

Thus his great Mantra:

Namah samanta vajranam chanda maharoshana Sphataya hum traka ham nam

“I DEDICATE MYSELF TO THE UNIVERSAL DIAMOND BE THIS RAGING FURY DESTROYED”

And he will protect those who love woods and rivers, Gods and animals, hobos and madmen, prisoners and sick people, musicians, playful women, and hopeful children:

And if anyone is threatened by advertising, air pollution, television, or the police, they should chant SMOKEY THE BEAR’S WAR SPELL:

DROWN THEIR BUTTS CRUSH THEIR BUTTS DROWN THEIR BUTTS CRUSH THEIR BUTTS

And SMOKEY THE BEAR will surely appear to put the enemy out with his vajra-shovel.

Now those who recite this Sutra and then try to put it in practice will accumulate merit as countless as the sands of Arizona and Nevada.

Will help save the planet Earth from total oil slick.

Will enter the age of harmony of man and nature.

Will win the tender love and caresses of men, women, and beasts.

Will always have ripe blackberries to eat and a sunny spot under a pine tree to sit at.

AND IN THE END WILL WIN HIGHEST PERFECT ENLIGHTENMENT.

thus have we heard.

#poem #poetry #only YOU can prevent forest fires #i love this poem so much #it's in the public domain because when it was first published there was a note stating that may be reproduced free forever

1 note · View note

destinosmaravillosos · 1 year

Photo

El Parque Nacional de las Grandes Montañas Humeantes es un parque nacional ubicado en el estado de Tennessee, en los Estados Unidos. Fue establecido en 1934 y cubre un área de aproximadamente 211,000 acres (853 km²). El parque se encuentra en las Montañas Humeantes, que son una cadena montañosa de los Apalaches. El parque cuenta con más de 800 millas (1,300 km) de senderos, lo que lo convierte en un destino popular para los amantes del senderismo. También cuenta con varios picos altos, incluyendo el Monte LeConte, que tiene una altitud de 6,593 pies (2,010 m). El parque es el hogar de una gran variedad de vida silvestre, incluyendo osos negros, ciervos, alces, linces y más de 200 especies de aves. Además, cuenta con varias cascadas impresionantes, como la cascada Laurel Falls y la cascada Grotto Falls. Los visitantes pueden alojarse en una de las muchas áreas de acampada del parque, así como en cabañas y hoteles cercanos. También hay varias actividades disponibles, como pesca, ciclismo y paseos a caballo. El Parque Nacional de las Grandes Montañas Humeantes es un lugar impresionante para visitar y una de las atracciones más populares del sur de los Estados Unidos. (en Smokey Mountains, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp6OBccIwZo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

0 notes

prairiefirewitch · 1 year

Text

I’m missing San Cristobal today. With such a full schedule for 2023, I don’t know if we’ll make it to New Mexico this year for my annual foraging (and chiles-eating)trip, and I can’t help but feel a little sad that I won’t smell the cottonwood buds or trek down to the Rio Grande this year. We’re overdue for a trip to the Smokey Mountains so the boy can do some fishing and I can nerd out in the temperate deciduous rain forest, alongside some of the most ancient plant species on the planet and all those weird wonderful fungi that dwell there. And it just so happens that I’ll be following Bobby Weir around one last time,(in this lifetime, at least) meeting up with my beautiful friend Andrea in North Carolina to see a final chapter with the Grateful Dead play out. I’ll probably cry a lot and show off some epically weird dance moves. But as Robert Anton Wilson noted, wherever I go, there I am, and as Bob says, “at least I’m enjoying the ride.” Truly, what a long strange trip it’s been.

#grateful dead #bob weir #New Mexico blues #robert anton wilson #wherever you go there you are

1 note · View note

walaw717 · 1 year

Text

Smokey the Bear Sutra

Once in the Jurassic about 150 million years ago,

the Great Sun Buddha in this corner of the Infinite

Void gave a Discourse to all the assembled elements

and energies: to the standing beings, the walking beings,

the flying beings, and the sitting beings—even grasses,

to the number of thirteen billion, each one born from a

seed, assembled there: a Discourse concerning

Enlightenment on the planet Earth.

“In some future time, there will be a continent called

America. It will have great centers of power called

such as Pyramid Lake, Walden Pond, Mt. Rainier, Big Sur,

Everglades, and so forth; and powerful nerves and channels

such as Columbia River, Mississippi River, and Grand Canyon

The human race in that era will get into troubles all over

its head, and practically wreck everything in spite of

its own strong intelligent Buddha-nature.”

“The twisting strata of the great mountains and the pulsings

of volcanoes are my love burning deep in the earth.

My obstinate compassion is schist and basalt and

granite, to be mountains, to bring down the rain. In that

future American Era I shall enter a new form; to cure

the world of loveless knowledge that seeks with blind hunger:

and mindless rage eating food that will not fill it.”

And he showed himself in his true form of

SMOKEY THE BEAR

A handsome smokey-colored brown bear standing on his hind legs, showing that he is aroused and

watchful.

Bearing in his right paw the Shovel that digs to the truth beneath appearances; cuts the roots of useless

attachments, and flings damp sand on the fires of greed and war;

Wearing the blue work overalls symbolic of slaves and laborers, the countless men oppressed by a

civilization that claims to save but often destroys;

With a halo of smoke and flame behind, the forest fires of the kali-yuga, fires caused by the stupidity of

those who think things can be gained and lost whereas in truth all is contained vast and free in the Blue Sky and Green Earth of One Mind;

Round-bellied to show his kind nature and that the great earth has food enough for everyone who loves her and trusts her;

Trampling underfoot wasteful freeways and needless suburbs; smashing the worms of capitalism and

totalitarianism;

Indicating the Task: his followers, becoming free of cars, houses, canned foods, universities, and shoes;

master the Three Mysteries of their own Body, Speech, and Mind; and fearlessly chop down the rotten

trees and prune out the sick limbs of this country America and then burn the leftover trash.

Wrathful but Calm. Austere but Comic. Smokey the Bear will

Illuminate those who would help him; but for those who would hinder or

slander him,

HE WILL PUT THEM OUT.

Thus his great Mantra:

Namah samanta vajranam chanda maharoshana

Sphataya hum traka ham nam

“I DEDICATE MYSELF TO THE UNIVERSAL DIAMOND

BE THIS RAGING FURY DESTROYED”

And he will protect those who love woods and rivers,

Gods and animals, hobos and madmen, prisoners and sick

people, musicians, playful women, and hopeful children:

And if anyone is threatened by advertising, air pollution, television,

or the police, they should chant SMOKEY THE BEAR’S WAR SPELL:

DROWN THEIR BUTTS

CRUSH THEIR BUTTS

DROWN THEIR BUTTS

CRUSH THEIR BUTTS

And SMOKEY THE BEAR will surely appear to put the enemy out

with his vajra-shovel.

Now those who recite this Sutra and then try to put it in practice will accumulate merit as countless as the sands of Arizona and Nevada.

Will help save the planet Earth from total oil slick.

Will enter the age of harmony of man and nature.

Will win the tender love and caresses of men, women, and beasts.

Will always have ripe blackberries to eat and a sunny spot under a pine tree to sit at.

AND IN THE END WILL WIN HIGHEST PERFECT ENLIGHTENMENT.

thus have we heard.

Gary Snyder

0 notes