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anra-thejourneyman · 1 year

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THE DAREDEVIL AERONAUT WHO WOWED SCOTLAND

Shepherds looked to the skies in terror and wonderment, thinking the world might be coming to an end. Folk fainted. Folk wept. Folk condemned it as the work of the devil. Folk thought the aliens were landing. But it was only an Italian sex symbol and his cat, his dog, and a caged pigeon.

Magnificent man and his pets in their flying machine, a hydrogen-powered balloon..

It was the beginning of a type of mass hysteria. BALLOONOMANIA had begun. In 1784, long before the Keystone Cops, Monty Python or Fawlty Towers, Vincenzo Lunardi floated through the air in a psychedelic hot-air balloon. An “aerial car” decked in yellow pink and green silks. A sight to behold.

200,000 people watched him take off from Finsbury, London, accompanied by his aforementioned wildlife. He managed to drift for 24 miles and land safely in Hertfordshire..

Slapstick-style he’d to pause his flight when the cat became ill, and he touched down in a cornfield in North Mymms.

Lunardi recalled: “I then had recourse to the utmost use of my single oar: by hard and persevering labour I brought myself within three hundred yards of the earth; and moving horizontally, spoke through my trumpet to some country people, from whom I heard a confused noise in reply.

“At half after three o’clock, I descended in a corn field, on the common of North Mimms, where I landed the cat. The poor animal had been sensibly affected by the cold, during the greatest part of the voyage.”

The following year Lunardi came to Scotland and became a heart throb. The gentry hanselled him for reflected glory. The ladies loved him. So too did a coterie of well-heeled hooray Henries, from drapers to dukes, who had formed a decadent, quasi-masonic cult in Fife called the The Most Ancient and Most Puissant Order of the Beggar’s Benison and Merryland, Anstruther. It was a secret male-oriented sex club with 500 members (forgive the pun). One of their initiation ceremonies involved mutual masturbation. They made Lunardi an honorary member.

The Italian, who was secretary to the Neapolitan ambassador, dedicated his book, An Account of Five Aerial Voyages in Scotland, to the Duke of Buccleuch. One wonders why.

In Edinburgh, in October 1785, a large crowd assembled to witness the balloonist taking off from George Heriot’s school.

He sailed above the city, out and away, revelling in the superb scenery. He wrote: “At this period I excited some anxiety among the minds of the spectators by lowering my flag, which is forty feet square, and fastened to a string 300 feet long; this they interpreted as a signal of distress. The barometer now stood at 28 and had fallen an inch since my departure.”

He got lost in the beauty of the countryside and the hills. He could see Glasgow and Paisley way out west and before long he was over the Firth of Forth. He was going to land on the island of Inchkeith but thought better of it as he saw three boats way down in the glittering silvery sea.

“ The balloon turned on its axis all the time I descended,” he wrote. "Having lowered to within 500 feet of the water I bid the boats goodbye and told them that it was in vain attempting to keep up with them: throwing out a bag of sand, I immediately ascended; and, after taking some refreshment, flung down a bottle: all this time I observed that the balloon was rising gently with a direction due east.

"I then opened my basket of provisions, but do not mean to tell you how I thanked the LADY to whose politeness. I was so much indebted, suffice it to say, that I made a light but not inelegant repast; and then entered a thin cloud, about half a mile in length.”

His first Scottish: 46 miles: he landed in Fife, where there's a plaque dedicated to him.

The Scots Magazine recorded: "The beauty and grandeur of the spectacle could only be exceeded by the cool, intrepid manner in which the adventurer conducted himself; and indeed he seemed infinitely more at ease than the greater part of his spectators."

Months later he took off from St. Andrew’s in the Square churchyard in Glasgow , heading for Hamilton and Lanark before landing near Hawick just over two hours later, where he was met by two frightened shepherds. The wife of one of them was persuaded to become the first Borderer to fly in a balloon. I have sought her name in vain. The magistrates of Hawick presented Lunardi with the freedom of the town and hosted a grand dinner in his honour.

Adulation isn’t a new phenomenon. If they’d had television back then, he’d have been all over it. He’d have made a fortune in advertising. The punters loved it.

Lunardi was probably Scotland’s first “celeb”. Women had the hots for him, they started wearing skirts with balloon motifs, and milliners made balloon-shaped bonnets... Burns, who was born five years after Lunardi, mentioned such a bonnet in To a Louse.

There are streets in Cupar named after Lunardi. Wouldn't it be great if Burns had penned a poem or two about the daredevil aviator!

The Tuscan's balloon was exhibited, ‘suspended in its floating state’, in the choir of St. Mungo’s Cathedral in Glasgow for the admission charge of a shilling.

Not everybody enthused. The diarist Samuel Johnson snorted: " In amusement, mere amusement, I am afraid it must end, for I do not find that its course can be directed so as that it should serve any purposes of communication; and it can give no new intelligence of the state of the air at different heights, till they have ascended above the height of mountains, which they seem never likely to do."

Lunardi left Blighty under a cloud, again no pun meant. In 1786, after attempting his 12th flight, at Newcastle, he spilled sulphuric acid on the ground, causing the assistants restraining the balloon to flee. One of them, the son of Mr. Heron, under-sheriff of Northumberland, became entangled in the rope and was hoyed up into the sky. Eventually, he fell, and died from internal injuries. The furore brought the balloonist down to earth in the eyes of the public, and he left for the Continent.

The higher you are, the harder you fall.

#history #travel #scotland #aviation #scottish borders #fife #glasgow #edinburgh

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artnerd1123 · 3 years

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another day, another crew, another time boarding the skeld... what could possibly go wrong?

((tinker, cherrie, and mimm belong to @lightkrets312))

#bunbun among us #nubnub among us #tinker among us #cherrie among us #mimm among us #among us oc #among us #group pic #aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa its done-#i'm!!! honestly rlly happy with how this came out lskdjf--#its da squad goin to go into space again!!!#they r friends...#what crimes will they commit #murder probably #its chill #SLKDJF #i hope u enjoy light!!! :D #artnerd1123

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lightkrets312 · 3 years

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time for a 6:30 am rant with emile, where i jabber a bunch of things about my characters and y’all get to enjoy the consequences

bonus thoughts under the cut because i’m not drawing 20 things out

(warnings: bio talk, vomit mention, blood and gore mention)

on a microscopic level, they’re basically... something. not sure what but it’s on the cellular level and it networks, so it could be something like an algae or whatever. brain doesn’t wanna pull words right now, sorry :(

visually they’re basically a really cohesive fluid that almost seems to defy gravity, but mimm’s just really good at manipulating themselves.

fresh water is a MUST for mimm, and it needs to be cycled and maintained pretty regularly. if you have proper filters and stuff, it might be possible to develop a system of constantly recycled water specifically for them, but that’d take more regular supplies than the beans currently can get.

nutrients/food aren’t as big a deal. depending on what’s included in the water, they can get away without needing another source.

blood works in a pinch if they don’t have solid access to water, but it’s really not ideal.

most of the time they prefer their privacy and don’t usually like being around people, and each one typically has their own turf. if there’s a possible threat (read: the average intruder), they pretty quickly resolve it.

fighting others of their kind is exhausting, so usually it’s avoided, but on occasion you might run into an actively battle-happy bastard. this will not end well.

most battles would go all the way down to the cellular level between two of a kind and it’d be basically two goos fighting each other. then whoever wins basically eats/assimilates the other. just like venom.

space travel’s really opened up a lot of doors for their species! a lot of them are keen to shut those doors.

mimm can, has, does, and will pretty much just jump in and out of the suit whenever they need to. makes dressing and undressing an absolute breeze.

drinking mimm is a big no-no. if they don’t tear you apart from the inside to avoid being digested or make you vomit whatever you consume back up, they’ll basically cause the world’s worst indigestion.

(un)fortunately, mimm’s subspecies isn’t particularly parasitic, so if you do happen to ingest a bit by mistake, it’s fine.

they won’t hesitate to murder someone if need be, and needs have often been. don’t test them.

#my post #among us #mimm (among us)#(bonus tinker appearance but shhh i'm not gonna tag him)#so yeah! sentient woter that sometimes commits murder!#...actually it's not that uncommon really. they're probably also not the only one of their kind that does that #haha whoops #actually mimm NOT killing the other beans and just sorta hanging around them is an outlier. they usually don't do that #not sure why they have to be honest but i also don't know much about em.#mimm what corner of my brain are you hiding in. get out here and lemme develop your character

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creepingsharia · 4 years

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New Jersey: Paterson passes Muslim-proposed law allowing Islamic call to prayer (5 times a day, everyday)

Hear example of the harrowing call at end of post.

After a lengthy and divisive public hearing, the City Council passed an ordinance allowing the broadcast of the adhan or the Islamic call to prayer.

Council members voted 5-4 to adopt the ordinance following a more than two-hour long public hearing.

Nearly 30 people spoke at the public hearing both in favor and against the measure. Before the public hearing, councilman Shahin Khalique, who sponsored the ordinance, sent out text messages and robocalls to encourage supporters of the measure to attend the meeting.

“The Christians use the bell to call people to worship. The Jews use the shofar to call people to worship. And the Muslims use the adhan to call people to worship,” said imam A. Quddoos Farra’d of Masjid Salahuddin on Broadway.

Masjid Salahuddin has been broadcasting the call to prayer for the past half-decade without complaints from neighbors, said Farra’d, who served in the Vietnam War. “I fought for the freedom of religion.”

Farra’d said the U.S. Constitution protects his right to practice his religion.

Farra’d was among a dozen people who spoke in favor of the measure. Others, more than a dozen people, spoke out against the measure.

“I pray to God you vote against this ordinance,” said resident Stephen Bauer. He has sent emails to council members to oppose the measure.

Bauer said the ordinance is an “imposition” on the non-Muslim residents of Paterson. He faced interruptions from council president Maritza Davila and law director Farrah Irving after he attempted to tie Islam to terrorism.

Some local church leaders also spoke out against the ordinance. Last week, some pastors held a meeting to discuss the ordinance at a church. Five council members attended the meeting potentially violating the New Jersey Sunshine Law.

Council members were just as divided as the speakers during the public hearing.

“What you saw today is fear mongering. Islamophobia is alive and well. I’m sad to say it’s in the city of Paterson,” said councilman Al Abdelaziz.

“This is about being fair to everyone,” said Khalique. “If churches could ring the bells, why can’t we call the adhan?”

Council members Ruby Cotton and William McKoy pointed out some mosques have been calling the adhan without facing problems.

“We’re attempting to solve a problem that does not exist,” said McKoy, longest serving member of the City Council.

Both Cotton and McKoy said there should be more discussions before the measure is adopted. Khalique pointed out there were four public meetings to discuss the measure.

“We cannot do a law that favors any religion,” added councilman Luis Velez. He cited the Establishment Clause in the U.S. Constitution.

“It is a tough decision we’re making today. As you can see there is already division,” said Davila.

Davila voted in favor of the measure. She was joined by Abdelaziz, Flavio Rivera, Michael Jackson, and Khalique.

Cotton, McKoy, Lilisa Mimms, and Velez voted against.

Cheers erupted after the council granted final approval to the measure.

Many speakers said the measure is dividing a city that’s home to more than 50 ethnic groups.

“This is not to divide the community. I’m trying to be fair and equal. This not about my re-election,” said Khalique.

Khalique is running for re-election in two months. His critics say the measure is a ploy to burnish his image ahead of the election. Khalique suffered a blow last month when it was revealed he had been arrested for intoxicated driving by New Jersey State Police in 2010.

Several speakers suggested the council place the ordinance on the ballot for a referendum.

“This is a melting pot. I want everyone to feel at home in the city,” said Rivera. “If it’s not working, we can revisit it.”

Paterson is home to approximately 30,000 Muslims.

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As we noted in a prior post:

Under the ordinance, mosques will be allowed to use loudspeakers to announce the call to prayer during a 16-hour span. The ordinance states: “The city shall permit ‘Adhan’, call to prayer’, ‘church bells’ and other reasonable means of announcing religious meetings to be amplified between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for duration not to exceed five minutes.”

Councilman Shahin Khalique proposed the ordinance on Tuesday night as an amendment to the existing noise control ordinance.

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Khalique is a shady character at best:

Khalique’s deceased father recorded as having voted in 2nd Ward election

Shahin Khalique sworn into Paterson council under cloud of allegations

Paterson councilman Shahin Khalique’s properties, including his residence, were in foreclosure in 2019, court records show

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More on the ordinance, via Jihad Watch who writes:

Notice the ridiculous comparison to church bells. The Adhan is not merely the sound of a bell. It is the loud shouting and declaration of Islamic supremacism over infidels. Paterson residents now have to be subject to this:

Allah is greater (Allahu akbar); intoned four times. I testify that there is no God but Allah (Ashhadu anna la ila ill Allah); intoned twice. I testify that Mohammed is Allah’s Prophet (Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah); intoned twice. Come to prayer (Hayya alas salah); intoned twice. Come to security/salvation (Hayya alal falah); intoned twice. Allah is greater (Allahu akbar); intoned twice. There is no God but Allah (La ilah ill Allah); intoned once.

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Paterson, aka Paterstine aka “Little Ramallah” , a notorious Hamas hotspot, is rapidly being Islamized.

At least 10 public district schools converted their lunch menus to Islamic, sharia-compliant only menus (aka halal).

More background on one of Chris Christie’s favorite Muslim enclaves.

Here’s what it sounds like in the Muslim-conquered sections of Brooklyn, New York:

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#Legal #Islam #Muslim #Sharia #Immigration #Religion #Politics #Mosque #News #Media

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mensbodybuildingtips · 5 years

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Does CrossFit Work?

All the awesome kids are doing CrossFit these days. Does it function? Should we all come to be 'WODKILLAS'?

' CrossFit will not just change your body,' an acquaintance told me, with a glint of fire in her eyes, 'it will change everything-who you are, how you view the world, what you think is possible.'

I'm a huge follower in the life-changing power of being fit, however she was being a little bit also significant also for me. I seemed like I was being hired for a crusade or trip, not an exercise program.

This kind of talk prevails among the CrossFit group, which is growing at an exponential rate these days. Is it whatever its followers-no, believers-claim it to be? Does it truly change simple 'exercising' right into something transcendent as well as sublime?

Let's find out.

What is CrossFit?

In situation you in some way don't already understand, CrossFit is a high-intensity workout program that focuses on carrying out a selection of toughness and also cardiovascular exercises, ranging from push-ups to sprints to clean as well as jerks.

The workouts are typically incorporated to 'Workouts of the Day,' or 'WODs' as the started call them, which are frequently brief (regarding HALF AN HOUR) as well as incredibly demanding. Efficiency is tracked and also placed to encourage friendly competition and procedure progress.

For instance, here's exactly what a CrossFit workout appears like (this set is called the 'Fran'):

Do the complying with as swiftly as possible:

Three rounds, 21-15- and 9 representatives of: 95-pound Thruster Pull-ups

But CrossFit is more compared to just getting in an exercise. It's the society that has made it so popular. Check it out:

Brilliant advertising, that's for sure. ( I wonder if CrossFit's founder, Greg Glassman, has reviewed this book?)

But does CrossFit live up to such claims? Does it warrant the hype?

I don't assume so. Let me explain.

CrossFit Does not Reach Re-Define the Meaning of Fitness

The Oxford English Thesaurus defines fitness as 'the condition of being healthy and healthy and balanced.' And fit is defined as 'in great health and wellness, due to the fact that of routine physical exercise.'

Using these thesaurus interpretations, we can gauge our fitness level in several means:

By testing our muscle strength.

By testing our cardiovascular conditioning.

By testing our body composition.

By testing our flexibility.

By testing our metabolic health.

Thus, as we get fitter...

We become stronger.

We become better at managing the cardiac tension of physical activity.

We come to be leaner and extra muscular.

We become more flexible.

We improve our body's capacity to use food for fueling and restoring itself.

Well, in CrossFit lingo, fitness has a various, a lot more short-sighted definition-one that Glassman invented, which he claims is the very first 'purposeful, quantifiable means' to specify the word:

' Raised job capacity across broad time as well as modal domains.'

So essentially, inning accordance with Glassman, you're as fit as you could do CrossFit. Creative and also convenient. But silly.

You're not as fit as you could do CrossFit.

Case in point: watch some CrossFit video clips on the internet or head into a CrossFit gym and also you'll see a great deal of weak, obese, inflexible individuals that assume they're Spartans due to the fact that they can do 30 kipping (counterfeit, foolish) pull-ups or finish the 'Murph' and after that make a quick browse through to Uncle Pukie's.

These people are not fit.

Now, I do not say that to cloth on individuals that aren't in wonderful form. I respect any individual that places in job to boost their health and fitness, despite their existing condition.

But I AM ragging on the unfit CrossFit snobs that believe that because I'm not a component of their 'WODSQUAD,' I'm physically substandard in some way.

Wait a 2nd ... I can out-lift, out-run, and out-stretch you, and also I'm bigger as well as leaner than you ... but you're exclusive due to the fact that you could strike Olympic raises with bad kind as well as do air crouches up until you puke?

CrossFit Isn't the Ultimate Way to obtain Fit

With that out of the means, let's discuss really obtaining fit, starting with a simple proposition:

An activity is as reliable for physical fitness as it develops strength as well as aerobic endurance, and improves body make-up, adaptability, and also metabolic health.

Simple enough, right?

Well, if you've ever been pitched on CrossFit, you were probably hit with numerous buzzwords:

Functional fitness

General fitness training

Full-body workout

Metabolic conditioning

General physical preparedness

The chatter usually comes down to the case that performing a wide array of exercises is the most effective way to accomplish overall physical fitness and also a visual body. That a typical exercise program just can not perform like CrossFit can.

Well, CrossFit does have its merits. The exercises are difficult and entail doing genuine workouts, as well as you will see results if you stay with it.

But it isn't really the finest method to obtain fit.

Let's first appearance at research study on what takes place when you combine toughness and also cardiovascular training.

Researchers from RMIT University functioned with trained professional athletes in 2009 and located that "combining resistance workout and cardio in the very same session might interfere with genes for anabolism." In nonprofessional's terms, they discovered that incorporating endurance and also resistance training sends out "mixed signals" to the muscle mass and harms their capacity to adjust to either.

They additionally located that cardio prior to the resistance training subdued anabolic hormonal agents such as IGF-1 and MGF, and also cardio after resistance training enhanced muscle cells breakdown.

Several various other research studies, such as those carried out by Kid's National Medical Center, the Waikato Institute of Innovation, and also the College of Jyvaskyla (Finland), came to same final thoughts: training for both endurance as well as toughness at the same time hinders your gains on both fronts.

Now does this mean CrossFit won't improve both toughness as well as endurance? No, naturally not. If you want to obtain huge and solid, or if you want to optimize your cardio ability, scientific research states that CrossFit isn't the best means to do either.

Thus, it's no surprise that many CrossFitters aren't specifically muscular or strong, and also have mediocre cardio. Actually, the only CrossFitters I have actually known that had remarkable strength, size, or cardio were adhering to a standard weightlifting as well as cardio program in addition to doing CrossFit.

In my experience, both in my own training and also in collaborating with numerous others, the most effective method to both construct stamina as well as improve cardio endurance is to different weight training and cardiovascular exercise.

That is, adhere to a conventional strategy to improving fitness.

CrossFit and Overtraining

Part of the CrossFit culture is taking 'no discomfort, no gain' to a whole new level. Training to the point of outright fatigue makes you a 'warrior.' Puking after a workout is a vaunted sacrifice to the gods of gainz.

Well, unless you get on drugs, this is a fast lane to overtraining, which can lead to severe problems. It could become persistent, which is a progressive onset of overtraining signs like general fatigue, depression, restlessness, anorexia nervosa, loss of desire to work out, as well as a lot more. Or it can be intense, as well as in extreme instances, deadly.

A male called Makimba Mimms was awarded $300,000 in damages from a neighborhood CrossFit fitness center and his fitness instructor for injuries he endured during a CrossFit exercise in 2005. Those injuries consisted of rhabdomyolysis, a problem where seriously and rapidly harmed muscle cells is released into the blood stream, which can cause kidney failure.

The Workout of the Day, or 'WOD,' that nearly killed Mimms was relabelled the 'Makimba' and categorized as a youngsters's workout. Har har. Poor taste in jokes apart, nobody is unsusceptible to rhabdo.

For instance, in January 2011, 13 football gamers at the University of Iowa were hospitalized with rhabdo after doing a workout that consisted of 100 squats with 50% of their one-rep max. It wasn't a CrossFit exercise, however was similar in that it had them doing compound lifts for high representatives and also under severe fatigue.

Here's the simple truth of the issue:

If you're out medications as well as you're educating to complete physical fatigue multiple times weekly, and particularly if your workouts include weight training, you're mosting likely to wind up overtraining. It's only a matter of time.

CrossFit and Injuries

One of the very first points I observed concerning individuals I recognized doing CrossFit was mostly all of them had gotten pain. Strains, drew muscle mass, even torn ligaments.

I had not been surprised. Why? For a couple reasons.

The safety of the CrossFit workouts depends a lot on the trainers. If a rookie is going to execute a compound lift like a deadlift or squat, or an advanced Olympic lift like the nab, he had much better recognize precisely what he's doing. If the coach hasn't educated him best kind, or pushes him to move a great deal of weight or go to outright failing (which is typical in CrossFit classes), the chance of injury goes way up.

Unfortunately, nevertheless, an excellent trainer could just do so a lot. CrossFit features a raised threat of injury built right into it. Exactly how so?

Because CrossFit has you aiming to strike hefty Olympic lifts when you're worn down, which is a recipe for injury. Research has actually revealed this with the squat: as exhaustion sets in, create invariably worsens. Interestingly enough, our understanding of series of movement also alters with fatigue-what feels like all-time low of the squat really isn't really.

If you're tired out, you should not be trying to execute heavy weight-lifting exercises, and also especially not huge substance exercises like deadlifts, squats, as well as Olympic lifts.

Don't believe me?

' The problem concerns tiredness and going to failing,' states Stuart McGill, Ph.D., a teacher of spine biomechanics at the University of Waterloo, Ontario. 'Some exercises contribute to this as well as others are not.' McGill puts Olympic lifts in the 'not' category.

' Duplicating activities where form is compromised with exhaustion actually does not fit the viewpoint of Olympic lifting to decrease injury danger and also boost performance.'

This is one of the reasons the American College of Sports Medication advises at the very least 3 minutes of remainder between hefty weightlifting sets (1-6 reps).

So, you're not assured to obtain injured doing CrossFit, yet you're at a greater danger of injury if you follow the routine protocols.

Unsurprisingly, minority people I recognize that have been doing CrossFit for any purposeful amount of time without obtaining harmed are knowledgeable weightlifters and insert proper remainder periods between heavy collections of lifting.

So Should You Do CrossFit?

The solution to this concern really relies on your goals.

If you're seeking to obtain trimmer and also have some enjoyable, then CrossFit isn't really a poor choice if you have a great train and know exactly how to avoid overtraining and injury. People likewise like the affordable atmospheres as well as sociability of CrossFit gyms, which is totally understandable.

But if you're aiming to maximize strength or muscle gains, or maximize your aerobic capability ... CrossFit is not the optimal selection. You'll do better adhering to a proper weight training or cardio training program.

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maddie-grove · 6 years

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Bi-Monthly Reading Round-Up: March/April

Playlist

“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele (Ashes to Ashes)

“Born to Be Together” by the Ronettes (A Princess in Theory)

“Am I the Only One” by the Dixie Chicks (That Scandalous Summer)

“Poker Face” by Lady Gaga (Crooked Hearts)

“Somewhere” from West Side Story (Silk, Swords, and Surrender, particularly The Lady’s Scandalous Night)

“Very, Very, Very Far Away” by Andrew Rose Gregory (Blankets)

“Welcome Home” by Garnett Mimms (Skylark)

“Nobody’s Angel” by Nanci Griffith (The Poisonwood Bible)

“You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes (After the Wedding)

“One in a Million” by the Platters (Tomboy)

Best of the Bi-Month

Blankets by Craig Thompson (2003): In this autobiographical graphic novel, teenage Craig struggles with isolation, faith, and first love in rural Wisconsin. As someone who also grew up in a religious Christian environment (albeit a less intense one) and usually didn’t fit in at school or church, I feel that Thompson beautifully captures the short-sighted yet extremely real unhappiness that can engulf kids in that kind of situation. The love story is told with grace and sensitivity; Raina, his girlfriend, is a fully fleshed out character whose own problems are presented sympathetically without venturing into Sad Girl Portrait territory.

Worst of the Bi-Month

Skylark by Jo Beverley (2004): Widowed Laura Gardeyne, fearful that her deceptively affable brother-in-law will murder her three-year-old son so his own child can inherit the family title, hatches a plot to find a long-lost heir and take the heat off her toddler. To do this, she enlists the help of her old flame Sir Stephen Ball, a prominent politician. The central romance in this Regency is solid, Laura’s off-putting yet very human in-laws are well-drawn, and the kid is adorable. Unfortunately, much of the plot is devoted to a mystery that takes place away from Laura’s interesting in-laws and, let us say, offers a lot to unpack re: race and sexuality in a way that doesn’t speak well of the protagonists or the author.

Rest of the Bi-Month

After the Wedding by Courtney Milan (2018): Adrian Hunter, son of a black abolitionist and a white duke’s daughter, goes on a mission to help his family, only to wind up married at literal gunpoint to Camilla Worth, a lady turned maltreated housemaid through her own series of unfortunate events. As they work together to annul their marriage and expose the conspiracy that brought it about, Adrian’s general decency and Camilla’s gratitude for any kindness turn into something deeper. I was overjoyed at the prospect of a new Milan historical, and this Victorian-set novel met all my expectations. The plot works on every level: the lovely central romance, the unraveling of the conspiracy, Camilla’s complex emotional arch, Adrian’s changing relationships with his family members, and the intrigue among Camilla’s long-lost siblings. The minor characters are invariably delightful and represent a more realistically diverse England than most historical romances reflect.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (1998): In 1959, the terrifyingly single-minded Reverend Nathan Price takes his nearly defeated wife Orleanna and four daughters--insouciant Rachel, eager-to-please Leah, withdrawn Adah, and toddler Ruth May--on an ill-advised trip to the Belgian Congo, which is on the verge of revolution. The culture shock is massive and exacerbates the family’s every faultline...and that’s before tensions both national and local send them hurtling towards personal tragedy. And then things get really complicated. This is a fascinating book that makes good use of its five narrators and their distinctive voices, although Kingsolver gets a little too heavy-handed towards the end by having multiple characters recap the book’s themes. Even so, I liked the later parts of the book best, because the sisters’ trajectories were so dramatically different.

Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian (2014): In the conclusion of the Burn for Burn trilogy, lovestruck Lillia and college-bound Kat try to move on in the wake of a tragic death and their friend/revenge-partner Mary’s sudden disappearance. Soon, though, it becomes clear that the past can’t be buried and also will majorly fuck your shit right up. Although the very end is a little abrupt, this book makes a terrific, explosive end to the series.

Silk, Swords, and Surrender by Jeannie Lin (2016): A lovely sampler of novellas set in Tang Dynasty China, ranging from the lighthearted neighbors-to-lovers story The Touch of Moonlight to the barely averted forbidden-love tragedy of The Lady’s Scandalous Night. The collection also includes a sexy yet dangerous trip to Mongolia (An Illicit Temptation) and a romp between a studious country lad and a streetwise musician (Capturing the Silken Thief). My favorite, though, was The Taming of Mei Lin, a deftly characterized story about a swordswoman who will only marry the man who can defeat her in combat.

That Scandalous Summer by Meredith Duran (2013): Following a cataclysmic argument with his troubled older brother, aristocratic doctor Lord Michael de Grey flees to a sleepy country village, where he encounters Elizabeth Chudderley, a hard-partying widow with secret financial and emotional problems. A thoroughly lovely, if somewhat slow, bucolic romance follows.

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole (2018): Naledi Smith, an epidemiology grad student juggling multiple responsibilities and struggling with abandonment issues from a childhood spent in foster care, dismisses the emails insisting that she’s the lost betrothed of the prince of Thesolo, a small African kingdom. Yet the dashing Prince Thabiso isn’t so willing to give up on his childhood dreams and tracks her down on a trip to New York...only for Naledi to mistake him for a regular guy she’s supposed to supervise at a catering event. This romance is adorable and, with the exception of a rushed (though very clever) conclusion, very well-constructed. Cole expertly balances lighthearted shenanigans, emotional character development, and social commentary.

Crooked Hearts by Patricia Gaffney (1994): Reuben Jones and Grace Russell are both running different cons on the same stagecoach to 1880s San Francisco when the vehicle is robbed, depriving them of the money they so desperately need. After some finagling, the two team up to get their money back from the Chinatown-based criminal organization behind the robbery. This novel is half-great. Gaffney’s protagonists, as usual, are vibrant and multilayered, and their romance honest-to-god sparkles. The main plot, unfortunately, is marred by Orientalism. While Gaffney makes occasional attempts to humanize the Chinese-American characters and point out the pervasive racism they face, the whole thing smacks of Yellow Peril.

Tomboy by Janelle Reston (2018): Harriet Little, a space-obsessed teenager in the 1950s, tries to figure out how to live her best lesbian life despite her repressive environment and a friends-with-benefits relationship with a selfish classmate. She ultimately finds love with Jackie Auglaize, her sweet and egalitarian BFF. This is an endearing, if slightly simplistic, F/F romance; Harriet’s discovery of her attraction to girls is beautifully portrayed (and, for me, very relatable), but there’s barely any more plot than what I just described

#reading #books

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artisticvicu · 4 years

Text

Conquer your fear! - Part 2

[Part 1]

"Verena, get back here!"

The shout was from near the back of the caravan, drawing the small child's attention towards it. Eyes that were not quite human in color sought out whoever was calling out, curious but not bothered. After all, the father was barely paying any attention to the shouting.

"Verena!"

Exhausted, fed up; those were things the father had explained but the child was still learning, still trying to understand.

Something small and solid collided with the child's side, but where the child stumbled, the other fell to neir butt in the dirt. Someone shouted and the human child with the not quite right eyes yanked the tiefling child with a tail nearly as long as ne were tall out of the way of the cart.

"Watch where yer playin', ya damn brat!" the driver barked.

"Soren? What'chya got there?"

"Don' know, da'" the human child offered, looking down at the tiefling. "Ne just ran into me."

"Verena! There you are!"

A tiefling woman with beautiful, rich purple skin hurried forward and roughly pulled the tiefling child from the human one. The tiefling gave a startled cry. "Shush, Verena." Her yellow eyes sought out the other parent. "I'm so sorry Stoick. Is Soren alright?"

"I'm fine," the human spoke out, eyes watching the tiefling child. Bright yellow eyes met the eyes that were not quite human in color and for a moment, the human child stared. There were no flickering of expressions on the other child's face, just a curious gaze of a child slightly younger than the other. The human child offered a hand like all the grownups do to strangers. "I'm Soren."

"Go on, Verena. Shake neir hand like a good boy."

The tiefling's lavender tail came around, a splotch of pale coloring like a paint splatter discoloring the tip and stretching up the rest of the tail. A glance picked the pale coloring in patches across the other child's face as the tip of the tiefling's tail pressed into the offered palm. Soren's face broke out into joyous laughter.

"We'll be heading east at Alnrich."

Soren stiffened under Verena's weight as dread filled neir tiny body. They were trying to sneak through the caravan as young children do playing whatever game they had made but they had heard Verena's parents and Soren's dad's voices drifting towards them in the night and had gotten curious. Soren had crouched at the back wheel of one of the wagons while Verena cling to neir back still smaller than the other.

Soren felt Verena bury his face into neir hair and it was all ne could do to not cling to the tiefling's tail as it wrapped around neir middle; ne weren't able to stop from rubbing comforting circles into the tail.

"So soon?" Verena's mother asked.

There was a scoff from his father. "Let them leave if they want, Ilma. It is not our place to convince them to stay."

A rumble of a chuckle came from Soren's dad. "Soren will most likely fight me. We've stayed too long and ne's grown attached to Verena and the others."

Soren fought to keep neir body temperature from rising in anger.

"Is that such a bad thing?" Verena's mother asked and ne wanted to shout, to know the answer too.

"Whether it is or isn't doesn't change the fact that we have stayed too long. We will part ways at Alnrich."

"May the tides bring us back together."

Verena's mother added at the end of his father's words, "And may the winds bring you peace."

"Thank you, both of you."

"Hang on tight, Ren," Soren urged softly before dashing away from their parentals and deeper into the trees. They didn't go very far - they were still within the light of the main campfire - but it was far enough that if they didn't talk overly loud, they'd have privacy. Soren pulled at Verena's tail and hand, a silent sign for the other to get down and stand in front of nem.

"I don't want you to go," Verena choked, hands fluttering towards his mouth briefly at the struggle to keep his voice down. He pressed his face into Soren's chest and the only support Soren could offer was a tight, warm embrace.

"I don't want to go either but Dad says it's important to keep moving until home finds us."

Verena pulled his face away enough to look up at Soren, those yellow eyes as big and watery as possible. "But isn't this home?"

Something dug into Soren's heart and it was all ne could do to smile. It was soft and felt a bit off. "I think Dad wants a house that doesn't move, with fields and animals to tend. I don't think he ever wanted to be part of a traveling caravan."

Verena's arms tightened around Soren; his tail had hooked around neir left ankle. "What about you? Where do you wanna be?"

Ne shrugged. "With Dad. He's all I got left."

"But what about me? I'm your family too."

Hot tears spilled out from Soren's eyes, warm even on neir cheeks, as ne felt neir heart be twisted and broken at the accusation. "But I can't leave my Dad. Verena-"

A vicious sob cut off the rest of Soren's words, destroying whatever composure ne had left. Verena pulled at Soren and wrapped himself as best he could around the bigger kid. Soren held on, heat rolling off nem. There was only so much control the small child could manage sobbing as the reality of neir world was torn apart in front of nem.

A familiar hand pressed into neir back and started to rub soothing circles as a familiar voice coaxes, "Come on, kiddo. It's bedtime."

"Don' wanna go," Soren spat out into the mingling of their bodies.

"I know. But it won't be forever. Just a for now. Ok? You'll see Verena again."

Soren pulled away enough to look up at neir dad. There was a small bit of hope buried deep underneath the knowledge that it probably wasn't true. "Promise?"

Stoick smiled. Verena's hold on Soren tightened. "Promise. Come on, kiddo."

Soren didn't believe him but slipped from Verena's grasp all the same.

"Ren?"

Yellow eyes snapped to eyes not quite the right coloring for human eyes.

"Do I know you?"

The question was sharp, directed at nem and it was till those words were shot in neir direction did ne realize ne had said the first word.

"Ah, sorry," Soren offered, even as ne drank in every last detail of the soft lavender tiefling with pale splotches; how the plum purple hair was far longer than ne ever expected the other to have, of how the right horn was broken off three rings from the skull, of the pale markings on the exposed arms, of the lute being clenched as if ne would steal it away. "You looked like an old friend of mine I haven't seen in years."

"Someone named Ren?"

Was it so shameful that a part of nem wanted to lie and say 'yes' when there was so much emotion behind that one question?

"His full name is Verena," ne found nemself saying, "but last I had seen him we were nothing but tots."

A sob wrenched itself from the tiefling as said tiefling curled around the lute, his free hand coming up to cover his mouth. A tail that was nearly as long as the tiefling was tall curled up and around, like it could add another layer of protection between them when all it did was display the paint splotch of pale that colored the tip and stretched up the rest of the tail.

Those at the tiefling's table shouted the name Soren had just shared. They reached out for the sobbing tiefling, tried to coax him back, but the tiefling - Verena - shot up and stumbled out of his chair, lute bouncing against his body. Soren moved forward but whatever ne had thought ne could do was wasted as Verena dashed out past nem and company.

"Shit." Ne looked to the table of Verena's apparent companions and urged, "I'll get him back." Neir gaze flickered to the same person ne always turned to for backup. "Hilde, with me, please." Neir gaze flickered to the others. "Stay here. We'll be back."

It took half a second outside of Mimm's to find which direction Verena had gone and Soren wasted no time running after him. Ne trusted Hilde to keep pace, if not finding nem if they separated.

Relief was heady as ne saw Hilde's temple come into view. The occupants were bustling about inside or out of sight because there was no one in the front area or near the pond Verena was settling at.

Soren slowed to a calm walk before ne finished approaching. Hilde stopped a few feet back. "Can I join you?" ne asked when ne came to a stop an arm length away.

Verena simply turned away and tucked his tail around him. Soren took it as invite enough and sat down.

Silence settled between them and Soren let his gaze drift over the others. The pale markings were strange swirls up and down the tiefling's bare arms. A part of nem wanted to ask about them but somehow knew better. Instead, ne lifted neir hand and rested it over the beautiful braid that was so long, it left Soren wondering just how long it truly was. "Your hair's longer than I remember." A breath. "But, then, that's to be expected. It has been almost twenty five years."

A snort escaped Verena. "Then how do you know I'm you're friend. I'm probably too young to even have been alive twenty five years ago."

"Because I remember the pattern of your tail; the paint splatter of pale that colored the tip and stretched up the length of your tail." Soren swallowed thickly, trying to keep whatever emotions that were trying to drown him at bay. "Because I remember your laugh even if its deepened from age, I remember how strikingly pale you looked standing next to your parents with lavender skin so soft it seemed almost incomplete with the pale patches." Ne pressed the hand that had been hovering high between Verena's shoulder blades into the back of his neck. "And I remember how small you had been when you first ran into me from among the wagons."

Ne felt the other lean into the touch as a different sob pulled at him, bitter and sad and tired. "But I can't even remember if I had parents, let alone my childhood." Verena offered a tight smile. "How am I supposed to remember who you even are if I don't know who I am?"

A gentle smile pulled at Soren's lips. "Then we'll start anew." Ne pulled the hand from the back of Verena's neck so that ne could turn and offer a hand to shake. "I'm Soren."

It was strange watching the tiefling ne half remember uncurl with a start. The pale tale tip came up hesitantly and pressed into neir palm and despite the strange look on Verena's face, Soren had a hard time suppressing the joy at knowing this was the Verena from his childhood.

It was short lived anyways. Verena sucked in a breath and yanked his tail from neir had. Soren did his best to keep the hurt that caused hidden behind a mask of patience, hand still extended.

Verena took neir hand in a firm hand shake. "Verena."

Soren couldn't help but wonder at the other's trembling.

"How long have you been playing?"

Verena looked up as Soren settled beside him. Their two parties had been traveling together for over two weeks now and Soren had done neir best to give Verena space, to never be alone with him. Unfortunately for nem, that wasn't possible tonight.

Verena shrugged. "Long enough to have it ingrained into every fiber of my being. Still don't remember much of my history despite..."

The last two weeks - the reasons why the two parties were now tangled and how memories weren't always the most pleasant coming back - went unsaid.

Soren hummed, understanding enough not to press.

They sat at the edge of the camp together, backs to the fire, in blissful silence for a while. Soren was surprised, though, by Verena's next words.

"I thought Soala was joining me for first watch."

Ne shrugged. "Apparently Aelfwyne needed her for something so I got volunteered."

Soren didn't miss the raised eyebrow. "Why didn't you say no?"

Another shrug. "Soala was taking third watch for me in turn so I didn't think much of it till after the fact."

"Ah."

Silence stretched between them broken only by Verena plucking at the lute strings. The song was heavy in a way that Soren wasn't sure Verena was aware of. It made something cold and unpleasant twist in neir chest.

A cold breeze wrapped around them both and Verena shuddered from it. Something close to instinct had Soren placing his hand on top of the base of Verena's tail. Ne blinked in surprise when the loot was suddenly between them. Regret quickly overtook the surprise as it dawned on Soren what ne had done and ne pulled back, hand leaving Verena's tail. "Sorry."

Minutes passed before Verena asked, "Why'd you do that?"

Soren looked over, regarding him for the brief moment before, "You looked like you needed some warmth."

"But my tail?"

Soren looked back to the group. "None of my companions have one so I hadn't really thought it would be any different than touching your shoulder, or arm." There was another shrug. "It was also bare skin. The rest of you is covered in fabric."Ne sighed when neir words were met with silence. "Look," Soren explained, "I just did. There was no thought to it, no purpose other than wanting to give you some warmth. Figured best way was direct contact and I apologize for my lapse in judgment."

Soren stood up and started to move away.

"What are you?"

Soren stopped and half turned back to Verena, mostly curious but doing neir best to remain patient as well. That particular question wasn't always directed at nem in hate and ne knew it. "A fire genasi. Why?"

"A what?"

"Fire genasi." Soren approached again but didn't sit. "Half human, half genie. Fire just happens to be the element trait I took on from the world."

"Would explain why you're always unnaturally warm."

Ne chuckled as ne found the whole thing bittersweet. Verena frowned up at nem. "I try and keep it as normal as I can manage but sometimes emotions or situations make it difficult."

Verena's tail patted the spot ne had been sitting at. Neir eyebrows rose at the implication. "You were keeping the chill of the night away," he explained.

Ne chuckled and sat back down. Conversation was slow to return but it did, making their watch short.

"Soren!"

His voice was soft, faint, and echoed off the walls like a whisper. It still carried the crack that had formed partway through and it tore at neir soul. Ne grunted as ne blocked another attack.

"Verena!" ne shouted back, frustrated that ne had to deal with insignificant enemies before ne could even fathom getting close enough to help, let alone save Verena.

Another clash of metal against metal. A well placed hand and the creature ignited.

"Soren!" came echoing back.

Soren dived under another creature, set that one ablaze as well, and dashed into the hallway that was suddenly clear.

"Someone! Please!" ricocheted through the hall but it was still Verena's voice and it was louder.

Ne rounded a corner with most of the combined company not far behind only to see something that made neir stomach drop. "Verena!"

Verena's head snapped up and relief was faint as those frantic yellow eyes locked onto neirs. Unfortunately, Soren was forced to stop as a massive tentacle slammed into the ground at the entrance. "Shit," ne spat, the cuss echoed in different ways behind nem. "Verena, look at me," ne half ordered, half begged. Those too bright yellow eyes found neirs again. Ne could see the panic there, the uncertainty and unfamiliarity. It made nem want to cuss some more. "Verena, I need you to trust me and step off the ledge."

"What?!" It was strangled and sharp and ricocheted off the walls oddly.

Soren's expression twisted with the doubt settling there as the sea of tentacles continued to slowly eroding Verena's perk. Somewhere in that sea was the creature's body. "Please, Ren," ne urged - pleaded, begged - taking a step forward, "you have to do this on your own. We can't come out to you."

"Why not?!" A chuck of the ledge fell away and Verena's leg slipped over the edge. It dangled inches above the closest tentacle. "I can't!" It was high, reedy, followed quickly by a sob and Soren found nemself stepping into the space without thinking.

"We can't do this for you, Verena!" Soren shouted, voice strained as weapons were drawn. "Only you can conquer your fear! You're the only one that can get yourself out of its clutches."

Ne didn't see the tenticle in time.

"Soren!"

Soren caught the curled tentacle in the chest and heard a few sickening cracks upon impact. Ne were slammed into Hilde and Alok and Aelfwyne but Unzokk and Kin were able to keep them all more or less on their feet. Hilde was already pressing hands onto neir chest, magic coursing through neir chest knitting back together the broken ribs and healing any other internal injuries.

It still took a few moments for the darkness creeping into neir vision to subside.

Soren's gaze snapped back to Verena as a battle cry like scream filled the halls with a brilliant green glow.

Soren scrambed to get to his feet, Verena's name ripping itself from neir throat as ne watched Verena leap at the creature's body, coiled and ready to strike at the company.

Soren tried to shake off the others even as ne knew there wasn't anything ne could do.

"Verena!"

#All the Creation #Creative and Prompt Writing #phrase prompt #100 word minimum #part 2

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redstickquotes · 5 years

Text

Alabama Historical Register, 1879

Page ?a: The thanks of the Society are due the following gentlemen for late contributions to the archives: Maj. Driesbeck, for addenda to his paper on Weatherford and his Times; to Rev. T.H. Ball, for History of Clarke County; to Rev. B.F. Riley, for History of Conecuh County; to H.S. Halbert, of Mississippi, for “An Incident of Fort Mims,” and “History of the Creek Red Stick.”

Page ?b: The Creek Red Stick, by H.S. Halbert. So far as known to the writer, there is nowhere on record a description of the war club, or Red Stick, which was introduced, or revived, by Tecumseh among the hostile Creeks, and employed by them during the war of 1813, whence the war party received the name of Red Sticks. From information imparted by an aged man, and who had passed much of his early life among the Creeks, the following facts are here given:

The winter huckleberry and the white oak runner were the forest growth exclusively used in making the red stick, as the wood of both is exceedingly hard and tough. The warrior would select a bush having a single, large, bending root. He cut his stick about three feet long, leaving about seven inches to the root, or club end. After stripping off the bark, he began about two inches from the end of the root, and beveled down two sides of the bend to a sharp edge, about five inches long, so that this beveled part bore some resemblance to the curving blade of a hatchet. After this, the stick was thoroughly seasoned over a fire, the warrior giving an additional hardness to the sharp edge of the bend by rubbing over it as much tallow as the heated wood would absorb. The stick was then painted red, with the exception of the club end, which part the warrior expected to dye red in the blood of an enemy. The paint generally used was made of a soft, red stone, found in different portion of Alabama, but sometimes use was made of the red juice of the pokeberry, and the puccoon root. The stick received several coats of the paint. After the last coat had become dry, a hole was then bored though the handle, about five inches from the end, and a strong loop of buckskin or deer’s sinew was fastened therein. The red stick was now complete and ready for service. In using the weapon, which was always wielded in one hand, the wrist of the warrior was inserted in the loop, so that, if in any manner the stick should be knocked out of the owner’s grip, he could easily regain his hold, as he would find it hanging by the loop from his wrist. In action, the warrior always smote his victim on the head with the sharp edge of the bend, a single stroke not unfrequently causing death. The red stick in addition to gun, bow and arrow, was used by the Creeks during the entire war. My informant, who was in the detail that buried the dead at Fort Mimms, states that among the debris strewn around that ruined fortress were great numbers of red sticks — relics of Weatherford’s slain and wounded warriors.

The above description of the red stick is perhaps due to its historic renown, for the weapon is inseparably associated with the heroic valor of the Muscogee warriors, of whom it has been truly said, that their achievements rival the prodigies of antiquity.

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cynthiabryanuk · 6 years

Text

Transport for London will spend for funerals of 7 victims who passed away in Croydon cable car crash

TRANSPORTATION for London has actually provided to spend for the funeral services of the 7 people eliminated in the cable car crash in Croydon.The operator

has actually vowed to do "whatever we can to support the families and all those impacted", following the derailment practically a week ago.

Robert Huxley one of the victims of the Croydon tram crash British Transportation Police Donald Collett, 62,( left) and Philip Logan, 52

,( right )died in the accident. Left to right: Dorota Rynkiewicz, Mark Smith, Phil Seary and Dane Chinnery An interim report into the awful crash will be published by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB)tomorrow.The authority will publish its initial findings into why the two-carriage cable car came off the tracks in south London, killing 6 males and one lady, and leaving more than 50 injured.However a full report is not

expected for several months.The news comes a day after the heartbroken family members of Croydon cable car crash victim Robert Huxley revealed they had waited an agonising 3 days for his death to be verified by detectives.The 63-year-old

's household were not officially informed until Saturday that he was one of 7 people eliminated in the crash last Wednesday.In a homage to a "bigger than life character" his spouse Eileen and sons Ross and Adam stated Robert, referred to as Bob, was likewise a season ticket holder for Chelsea football club.Two other

victims of the Croydon cable car crash were called by cops together with Mr Huxley.They are Donald Collett, 62, from Croydon, and Philip Logan, 52, from New Addington.

Rail workers at the site work to repair the track where the tram hindered

on Wednesday which saw seven people killed Rail employees at the site work to fix the track where the cable car thwarted on Wednesday A tram carriage covered in tarpaulin is repelled from the scene of the accident on a truck in Croydon The other victims who have actually currently been called on Wednesday were Mark Smith, Dane Chinnery, Phil Seary and Dorota Rynkiewicz.The crashed cable car carriages were removed on the back of 2 trucks on Saturday early morning and repair on the track has started.British Transportation Authorities said the 100ft-long tram had been divided into areas which were craned on to flatbed lorries.All sections have actually now been taken away from the scene as the Rail Mishap Examination Branch (RAIB) continues its inquiry.Investigators think the tram was taking a trip at "substantially higher speeds" than those permitted when it derailed.The cable car's motorist,

Alfred Dorris, 42, from Beckenham, south London, was detained at the scene and was questioned on suspicion of murder prior to being bailed up until May.

Picture of schoolgirl who passed away after collapsing at college in Manchester

Southwest Airlines employee passes away after being shot at Oklahoma Airport

Three injured after bomb goes off in city centre coffee shop

in Turkey Strange moment bride and groom are required to have SEX in front of wedding visitors

Police officers hunt lout who'urinated on sleeping homeless male prior to releasing racist tirade at a complete stranger'

< a href= https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2175912/cops-hunt-lout-who-urinated-on-sleeping-homeless-man-before-launching-racist-tirade-at-a-stranger/ > A spokesperson for First Group, which carries out the day-to-day operation of the trams, stated he had worked at the business since March 2008.

It is understood that establishing if Mr Dorris was asleep or had blacked out are lines of inquiry.The contents

of a so-called black box data recorder on the tram were downloaded by investigators.Mike Brown, London's

Transportation Commissioner, stated:"We are doing whatever we can to support the families and all those impacted at this incredibly challenging time for them."This includes covering funeral costs and travel

costs for loved ones. The TfL Sarah Hope line is readily available 24 hours a day to supply recommendations on a whole series of matters and immediate monetary and other support. "< img src= https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/nintchdbpict000281741882-e1478995688575.jpg?w=960&strip=all alt="Loved ones of some of the victims marched previously on Saturday to the website of the crash"width=960 height=634 > Buddies and family of a few of the victims marched previously on Saturday to the website of the crash< img src=https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/nintchdbpict0002817422101-e1478984034356.jpg?w=960&strip=all alt ="Homages left for victim Mark Davis near

the Sandilands cable car visit the website of the Croydon cable car crash "width =960 height =626 > Homages left for victim Mark Davis near the Sandilands cable car drop in the site of the Croydon cable car crash

British Transportation Authorities said Donald Collett, 62, of Croydon; Philip Logan, 52, and Robert Huxley, 63, died in the mishap when the cable car reversed

6 guys and one lady died and more than 50 were taken to hospital after the early Wednesday morning crash at a "sharp, left-hand curve" near Sandilands tram drop in South London.A group of

approximately 100 people on Saturday marched down the roadway to the area to pay tribute to the victims of the hindering in south London.A declaration from Mr Collett's household read:"Don was a well loved, funny and generous male, who could illuminate a room with his smile. He is unfortunately leaving behind a caring family, partner, adored pals and work colleagues. Please rest in peace and know you are truly liked and significantly missed out on."The household of Mr Logan explained him as a"real household guy"and a "generous buddy". Enterprise News and Pictures Mark Smith and bride-to-be Indra Novikovaite with their 18 month old boy

PA: Press Association Philip was explained as

a'mild giant' PA: Press Association A map of where the crash happened A declaration from the family added"Phil was a man with more love empathy and zest for life than words can reveal. He will be exceptionally missed by all that understood him."

One of the victims of the Croydon tram crash catastrophe was due to get wed next year.Mark Smith

, 35, had planned a summertime event with his Lithuanian bride-to-be Indre Novikovaite, 25, the mother of their 18-month-old son.Her sibling Osvaldas, 23, told The Sun: "They were preparing to obtain wed. My sibling is totally ravaged by this."

Dorota Rynkiewicz with hubby Andrzej Rynkiewicz.< img src= https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/nintchdbpict000281104267.jpg?w=960&strip=all alt =NINTCHDBPICT000281104267 width=960 height =675 > PA: Press Association A one minute's silence was observed by the cenotaph in Croydon to mark the crash Dorota, of New Addington, has

2 young children aged 5 and seven. She was the only female to pass away in the crash.Friends described her as an "remarkable mother" who constantly had a"special smile" on her face. Buddy Asma Kazim stated:"Dorota had lots of life, caring and an amusing lady. It is shocking news for us and I still can't think she has actually gone."

London News Pictures The cable car tipped

PA: Press Association The family of Philip Seary, 57, have commemorated the Crystal Palace fan who passed away in the crash PA: Press Association Employees at the site of the Croydon cable car crash stand during a two minute silence to mark Armistice Day Philip, also of New Addington, was said to be a "gentle giant". He was only on the cable car after accepting switch shifts with a fellow electrical engineer at the Royal Opera Home in Covent Garden. Son-in-law Darren Mimms said: "As Phil was such a kind guy he would do anything to assist anyone.

"It's truly hurting his spouse. He shouldn't have actually been on that tram.

"If he had not have actually been at work he would have been doing bits and bobs around the house and caring for his granddaughter."

Tributes were also paid online to keen fisherman Mark, of Coulsdon.His cousin Tom

Smith said on Facebook: "Still can not believe this is true, the last few days have actually simply felt like a nightmare that I'm going to wake up from.

Emergency employees continued to operate at the scene of the thwarted tram< img src=https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/nintchdbpict000281592291.jpg?w=720&strip=all alt =" Philip was just on that tram because he had agreed to switch shifts with

a colleague"width=720 height= 960 >

PA: Press Association Philip was only on the cable car because he had actually agreed to swap shifts with a colleague< img src=https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/nintchdbpict000281562756.jpg?w=637&strip=all alt= "Friends and family of among the deceased lay flowers near

the scene of the tram crash," width=637 height=960 > SWNS: South West News Service Household and buddies of among the deceased ordinary flowers near the scene of the tram crash News Group Newspapers Ltd Workers were seen today aiming to move the cable car which crashed previously this week PA: Press Association Flowers left at the scene near the cable car crash in Croydon"Not just were you my cousin however actually my buddy. The idea that we are all never going to see you or speak with you once again makes me feel sick.

"We are all in bits and I just want you might stroll back into your house with that smile on your face and make everyone laugh.

"I understand I have made brand-new family in Indre Novikovaite and Osvaldas Novikovas however I would give everything if you might come back and join us brother.

"See you one day for that catch up we kept discussing."

Police officers are stated to be probing whether the driver was on his phone or had "blacked out."

Cranes to clear wreckage as Croydon cable car crash victims called

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected]!.?.! or call 0207 782 4368

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Transport for London will pay for funerals of seven victims who died in Croydon tram crash

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kevingbakeruk · 6 years

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Transport for London will spend for funerals of 7 victims who passed away in Croydon cable car crash

TRANSPORTATION for London has actually provided to spend for the funeral services of the 7 people eliminated in the cable car crash in Croydon.The operator

has actually vowed to do “whatever we can to support the families and all those impacted”, following the derailment practically a week ago.

Robert Huxley one of the victims of the Croydon tram crash British Transportation Police Donald Collett, 62,( left) and Philip Logan, 52

’s household were not officially informed until Saturday that he was one of 7 people eliminated in the crash last Wednesday.In a homage to a “bigger than life character” his spouse Eileen and sons Ross and Adam stated Robert, referred to as Bob, was likewise a season ticket holder for Chelsea football club.Two other

victims of the Croydon cable car crash were called by cops together with Mr Huxley.They are Donald Collett, 62, from Croydon, and Philip Logan, 52, from New Addington.

Rail workers at the site work to repair the track where the tram hindered

on Wednesday which saw seven people killed Rail employees at the site work to fix the track where the cable car thwarted on Wednesday A tram carriage covered in tarpaulin is repelled from the scene of the accident on a truck in Croydon The other victims who have actually currently been called on Wednesday were Mark Smith, Dane Chinnery, Phil Seary and Dorota Rynkiewicz.The crashed cable car carriages were removed on the back of 2 trucks on Saturday early morning and repair on the track has started.British Transportation Authorities said the 100ft-long tram had been divided into areas which were craned on to flatbed lorries.All sections have actually now been taken away from the scene as the Rail Mishap Examination Branch (RAIB) continues its inquiry.Investigators think the tram was taking a trip at “substantially higher speeds” than those permitted when it derailed.The cable car’s motorist,

Alfred Dorris, 42, from Beckenham, south London, was detained at the scene and was questioned on suspicion of murder prior to being bailed up until May.

Picture of schoolgirl who passed away after collapsing at college in Manchester

Southwest Airlines employee passes away after being shot at Oklahoma Airport

Three injured after bomb goes off in city centre coffee shop

in Turkey Strange moment bride and groom are required to have SEX in front of wedding visitors

Police officers hunt lout who'urinated on sleeping homeless male prior to releasing racist tirade at a complete stranger’

A spokesperson for First Group, which carries out the day-to-day operation of the trams, stated he had worked at the business since March 2008.

It is understood that establishing if Mr Dorris was asleep or had blacked out are lines of inquiry.The contents

of a so-called black box data recorder on the tram were downloaded by investigators.Mike Brown, London’s

Transportation Commissioner, stated:“We are doing whatever we can to support the families and all those impacted at this incredibly challenging time for them."This includes covering funeral costs and travel

costs for loved ones. The TfL Sarah Hope line is readily available 24 hours a day to supply recommendations on a whole series of matters and immediate monetary and other support. ” Buddies and family of a few of the victims marched previously on Saturday to the website of the crash

the Sandilands cable car visit the website of the Croydon cable car crash “width =960 height =626 > Homages left for victim Mark Davis near the Sandilands cable car drop in the site of the Croydon cable car crash

British Transportation Authorities said Donald Collett, 62, of Croydon; Philip Logan, 52, and Robert Huxley, 63, died in the mishap when the cable car reversed

6 guys and one lady died and more than 50 were taken to hospital after the early Wednesday morning crash at a "sharp, left-hand curve” near Sandilands tram drop in South London.A group of

approximately 100 people on Saturday marched down the roadway to the area to pay tribute to the victims of the hindering in south London.A declaration from Mr Collett’s household read:“Don was a well loved, funny and generous male, who could illuminate a room with his smile. He is unfortunately leaving behind a caring family, partner, adored pals and work colleagues. Please rest in peace and know you are truly liked and significantly missed out on."The household of Mr Logan explained him as a"real household guy"and a "generous buddy”. Enterprise News and Pictures Mark Smith and bride-to-be Indra Novikovaite with their 18 month old boy

PA: Press Association Philip was explained as

a'mild giant’ PA: Press Association A map of where the crash happened A declaration from the family added"Phil was a man with more love empathy and zest for life than words can reveal. He will be exceptionally missed by all that understood him.“

One of the victims of the Croydon tram crash catastrophe was due to get wed next year.Mark Smith

Dorota Rynkiewicz with hubby Andrzej Rynkiewicz. PA: Press Association A one minute’s silence was observed by the cenotaph in Croydon to mark the crash Dorota, of New Addington, has

2 young children aged 5 and seven. She was the only female to pass away in the crash.Friends described her as an “remarkable mother” who constantly had a"special smile" on her face. Buddy Asma Kazim stated:“Dorota had lots of life, caring and an amusing lady. It is shocking news for us and I still can’t think she has actually gone.”

London News Pictures The cable car tipped

PA: Press Association The family of Philip Seary, 57, have commemorated the Crystal Palace fan who passed away in the crash PA: Press Association Employees at the site of the Croydon cable car crash stand during a two minute silence to mark Armistice Day Philip, also of New Addington, was said to be a “gentle giant”. He was only on the cable car after accepting switch shifts with a fellow electrical engineer at the Royal Opera Home in Covent Garden. Son-in-law Darren Mimms said: “As Phil was such a kind guy he would do anything to assist anyone.

"It’s truly hurting his spouse. He shouldn’t have actually been on that tram.

"If he had not have actually been at work he would have been doing bits and bobs around the house and caring for his granddaughter.”

Tributes were also paid online to keen fisherman Mark, of Coulsdon.His cousin Tom

Smith said on Facebook: “Still can not believe this is true, the last few days have actually simply felt like a nightmare that I’m going to wake up from.

Emergency employees continued to operate at the scene of the thwarted tram

a colleague"width=720 height= 960 >

PA: Press Association Philip was only on the cable car because he had actually agreed to swap shifts with a colleague

the scene of the tram crash,” width=637 height=960 > SWNS: South West News Service Household and buddies of among the deceased ordinary flowers near the scene of the tram crash News Group Newspapers Ltd Workers were seen today aiming to move the cable car which crashed previously this week PA: Press Association Flowers left at the scene near the cable car crash in Croydon"Not just were you my cousin however actually my buddy. The idea that we are all never going to see you or speak with you once again makes me feel sick.

“We are all in bits and I just want you might stroll back into your house with that smile on your face and make everyone laugh.

"I understand I have made brand-new family in Indre Novikovaite and Osvaldas Novikovas however I would give everything if you might come back and join us brother.

"See you one day for that catch up we kept discussing.”

Police officers are stated to be probing whether the driver was on his phone or had “blacked out.”

Cranes to clear wreckage as Croydon cable car crash victims called

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected]!.?.! or call 0207 782 4368

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mysteryshelf · 6 years

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FEBRUARY MYSTERY LOVING: BLOG TOUR - Death Theory

Welcome to

THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF February Mystery Loving Event!

DISCLAIMER: This content has been provided to THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF by Partners in Crime Book Tours. No compensation was received. This information required by the Federal Trade Commission.

Death Theory

by John D. Mimms

on Tour February 1 – March 31, 2018

Synopsis:

Mankind’s greatest fear is also its greatest obsession. What awaits when we shuffle off the mortal coil of this world? We all have our beliefs based on faith or science, but both struggle to provide a tangible answer. Perhaps it is possible to prove the existence of the soul, to prove it goes on after death. Following the violent death of his parents, Jeff Granger seeks reassurance that they have moved on. After recording what he believes to be his mother’s voice at the site of the accident, Jeff’s obsession throws him into paranormal research. Realizing that most people are doing it just for fun, Jeff forms his own group. He is joined by Debbie Gillerson, a school teacher; Aaron Presley, a mortician; and Michael Pacheco, a grocery store manager. Even though they are all investigating the paranormal for very different reasons, they are all trying to fill an emptiness in their lives. The deeper they probe paranormal theory, the darker their results. The only way to truly test the ‘Death Theory’, as theorized by Aaron, is to monitor a person’s energy at the moment of death. Horrified by the immoral and unethical application, the group dismisses the theory. A darkness seems to follow their investigations and the police become involved. A former colleague of Jeff’s, a self-proclaimed demonologist, believes a demonic force is attached to the group. The police are not so sure. Evil comes in many forms as the small group is about to discover.

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Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal Published by: Draft 2 Digital Publication Date: January 30th 2018 Number of Pages: 320 ISBN: 9781537849713 Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Google Books 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

Read an excerpt:

Death is the closest thing to omnipotence we will experience in our brief time on this planet. It is an all-encompassing power, binding everything, and providing a cold certainty to an otherwise uncertain existence. The firm grip of this assurance reaches much further than the extinguishment of life; it greedily claims the hope and happiness of those who remain. It is a definite ending, but is it also a provable beginning?

Prologue

Linda Granger did not see death coming.

Sleep shielded her from the unfolding horror. The looming headlights and the panicked screams of her husband were beyond her conscious state. When her head shattered the windshield, the dream about her son ended, sending her into what’s next. Linda was gone before the car rolled seven times and wrapped around a large oak tree. Her husband, Stephen, was not as fortunate. He died two minutes later. Linda had fallen asleep from emotional exhaustion. She died with regrets.

Chapter 1

Jeff’s sheets were drenched in sweat. He strained to hear because he wanted to continue the conversation he had been having. The bass drum of his pulse throbbed in his ears, making hearing impossible. He sat up and glanced about frantically. Where had she gone?

As sleep gave way to the waking world, dread filled him. He remembered the terrible truth. These muddled conversations with his mother had become nightly occurrences since his parents’ accident. The last words he shared with his mother were over the phone, and they were harsh. The next time he picked up the phone, mere hours later, it was the Missouri State Police asking him to come to the hospital. It has been over a year since the terrible night, yet the pain had not gone away. In some ways, it grew worse.

Jeff rolled on his side as tears streamed down his cheeks. In his dream, he told his mother he loved her. He wondered if she could hear him. Somehow, he believed it might be possible. His grieving heart longed for a way to communicate with his late parents.

Jeff rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. It was impossible. He eventually got up and opened the blinds. It rained last night and a steamy mist shielded the street from view. This was the perfect morning to stay in bed and he almost did if not for two things. His sheets were soaked and he was excited about today. Even though he needed extra sleep, since he would be staying up all night, he just couldn’t hold back the excitement of investigating with his fourth paranormal group in as many months. Missouri Spirit Seekers claim to do purely scientific investigations, but the three previous groups he joined did as well. He hoped this time would be different.

They would be investigating Pythian Castle tonight, the most ‘haunted’ location in Springfield, not too far from Jeff’s alma mater, Missouri State. The castle was a very cool historical site, but to Jeff, it was another opportunity to find answers for life’s greatest mystery -death.

Although the investigation was still twelve hours away, nervous anticipation consumed him. He hoped this was not another séance based, sage burning, ghost hunt like most of the others. His previous groups were as far away from science as one could get.

Jeff brewed a pot of coffee and microwaved a bowl of instant oatmeal, before sitting down to watch his recording of the show which started him on the path to paranormal investigation. He viewed it often, but it had become a ritual to watch on the day of an investigation. If Jeff were counting, this would be his eighty-third time to watch.

The show starred two men, who were electricians by trade, investigating haunted places using the scientific method. They gathered measurable scientific evidence in their investigations. In this particular episode, they were investigating the catacombs underneath an old church in Baltimore.

What peaked Jeff’s interest were the Electronic Voice Phenomenon the men captured on their digital recorders. He wondered if EVP’s are actually the voices of the dead. The guys on the show didn’t commit one way or the other, they just presented the recordings.

“You up above,” a disembodied voice said.

“The way through,” another one whispered.

The most eerie utterance of them all said, “Come down here among us.”

Jeff’s reaction was the same every time he watched; chills intermingled with hope and fear ran up his spine.

Jeff reached into a box under the coffee table and retrieved his digital recorder. He held it in his hands as if it were an object of holy veneration. Jeff recorded his own EVP one night several months earlier at the scene of his parent’s accident. Short, incredible, and heart-breaking; his mother seemed to call his name from beyond. The EVP was still on his recorder, even though he had backed it up to a dozen sources. He would never delete it from any device. Never.

A loud thud rattled the blinds on the front door. Jeff jumped, almost dropping the recorder. His alarm lasted only a moment when he recognized the sound of the newspaper carrier’s rattle-trap station wagon puttering up the street. He peeled back the blinds in time to see the tail lights disappear into the mist. Jeff was still in his underwear with a gaping fly, but he figured his rural setting, coupled with the fog, would spare him any indecent exposure charges.

Jeff scooped up the paper, almost losing his balance on the wet concrete, and then backed through the door. He plopped down on the sofa and began to unfold the massive log of news. He was heading straight for the sports section when an article caught his eye. The title read:

Springfield … the Most Haunted City in Missouri?

The Kansas City Royals box scores could wait. Jeff dove right into the article. The ghosts of Phelps Grove Park, Bass Country Inn, Drury University, Landers Theater, Springfield National Cemetery, University Plaza Hotel, and Pythian Castle were all mentioned prominently by the author. Jeff had investigated Phelps Grove Park with one of his previous groups. One of the members claimed he saw the infamous spectral bride near the bridge, but Jeff had no such luck. He never had success when it came to firsthand experiences. Either everyone else is lying or perhaps Jeff is walking ghost repellent. He didn’t think they were lying, at least not everyone who made a paranormal claim. His recording of his mother was enough to keep faith in the paranormal.

He read the claims of Drury University with great interest. There were allegedly several ghosts, in a few buildings, which had taken residence there since the school’s founding in 1873. The saddest one was a little girl who died in a fire. Her phantom laughter could be heard from time to time in one of the women’s dorms.

Jeff enjoyed a good ghost story since he was a kid, but these were more than merely a spectral yarn. Each story offered a small glimmer of hope.

He didn’t read about Pythian Castle; there was no need. He had spent so much time researching it the last couple of weeks, he could recite the history word for word. The shadow spirits who allegedly resided in the basement intrigued him the most. They had been reported so often over the years, there was little doubt that something unusual was occurring in the depths of the castle.

Jeff finally checked the box scores, lamenting another loss by his favorite team. He scanned the comics before tossing the paper on the floor. He trudged to the bathroom and took a long, hot shower. Afterward, he put on a fresh pair of boxers and a T-shirt before stretching out on the couch. He fell asleep watching Netflix. If he dreamed of his parents again, he did not remember.

Jeff arrived at Pythian Castle an hour before dusk. The rainy morning had given way to a perfectly clear early evening. The ghostly apparition of the full moon glowed in the eastern sky as the sun began to dip. The large tower on front of the castle cast a long shadow over his truck as he pulled in and parked. He ascended the stone steps onto an expansive porch where a very large woman with a mystical fashion sense met him at the front door.

“Hello … Jack?” she said.

“Jeff,” he corrected. “You must be Swoosie.”

Swoosie half-nodded and half-bowed. She reminded him of a fortune teller he visited one time, just for kicks.

“Would you like a charm for protection tonight?” Swoosie asked, reaching into a velvet bag and retrieving what appeared to be a tiny silk pillow.

“No, thanks … I’m good,” Jeff said. He couldn’t help smirking a little.

Swoosie noticed.

“Suit yourself,” she huffed. “Spirits can pick up on those less experienced in this field. They tend to prey more on them.”

“Good,” Jeff said. “Maybe I will get some good evidence.”

Swoosie narrowed her pudgy eyelids and motioned for a man who was milling about awkwardly, studying old pictures on the wall. “Preston,” she called with a snap of her fingers.

He was a middle-aged man with a greasy ring of dark hair circling a large bald spot. His clothing was a mish mash of suit pants and a Molly Hatchett T-shirt. The shirt and pin stripe pants were riddled with stains.

“How are you?” Preston asked breathlessly. It seemed his pot belly was a strain for him to carry.

“Fine, Preston,” Jeff said. “Nice to meet you.”

“Oh … I think Mr. Leach is preferable,” Preston said. “I could be your daddy.”

“Not likely,” Jeff thought.

“I’m putting the two of you together tonight since you are both new to this,” Swoosie said. “You know … strength in numbers.”

Both men’s puzzled expressions testified their bewilderment of Swoosie’s logic as if to point out that it would make more sense to put them with an experienced investigator.

“I’m a fairly experienced investigator,” Jeff said. “Tonight, makes my twentieth investigation.”

Swoosie’s condescending smile let him know she still considered him a novice. She turned and then waddled over to a sofa in the foyer where her daughter and a couple of other men waited. Their familiar banter showed them to be a clique.

“Okay, Mr. Leach,” Jeff said. “Where should we start?”

This group didn’t set up night vision cameras or environmental equipment as he hoped. Each member was only armed with a flashlight, digital recorder, and maybe a camera. Jeff was sure most of them carried a silk charm pillow in their pocket.

“I think they want us to go the basement,” Mr. Leach said impatiently. “Didn’t you hear what Swoosie said?”

Swoosie was much larger than Mr. Leach, yet she seemed a bit more agile as he watched his partner shuffle down the corridor.

“Okay,” Jeff mumbled before following him down the stone stairs to the basement.

They picked a far corner in the dark, dingy basement, and then set their digital recorders on a wooden table. The musty smell of old buildings had become synonymous with ghosts in Jeff’s mind. Even though he knew better, he sometimes entertained the idea of it being a ‘ghost odor’.

The sun was beginning to set through one of the basement windows, so they agreed to wait until full dark before beginning their session.

“Hey … you know this used to hold POWs during World War Two?” Jeff said, nodding at the old cells across the room. The iron doors had been removed many years ago on all but one.

“It was an orphanage at one time, built by the Knights of Pythias,” Mr. Leach countered.

“Really?” Jeff said, a little confused at why an orphanage would be more interesting than a POW prison.

“Yeah, can you imagine how many kids died here?” Mr. Leach mused.

Jeff’s stomach twisted. His partner seemed a little too gleeful about dead children.

“Yeah,” Jeff said distantly. He watched the last rays of the sun disappear behind the shrubbery outside. When it was completely dark, he said, “Well, shall we get started?”

Jeff jumped when a flashlight beam flared in his eyes.

“Can I ask you something, Jeff?” Mr. Leach asked, lowering his flashlight.

“Sure.”

“How did you get into paranormal stuff?” Mr. Leach asked.

“Curiosity,” Jeff began and then anger began to simmer. He didn’t know why the question upset him so, it was benign and practical. Perhaps it was his partner’s tone. “It’s really nobody’s business,” Jeff snapped.

“Fair enough,” Mr. Leach said. “What did your fiancée say about it?”

Jeff glared at Mr. Leach in the darkness. How did he know he had a fiancée?

“What makes you think I had a fiancée?” Jeff asked, pointedly.

“I know things,” Mr. Leach replied. His coy response echoing from the darkness sounded like the prelude to a horror movie.

Jeff was angry. Mr. Leach seemed to have no boundaries. Jeff’s fiancée was a sore spot. She had been a former fiancée for almost a year.

“Why don’t you tell me her name?” Jeff said, a little too loud. Shushes hissed from deep in the darkness as his voice echoed off the stone walls. It seemed the whole building heard his question.

There was a very long pause. Jeff almost thought he was alone until the answer startled him.

“I can’t see that,” Mr. Leach answered. “Only events and feelings.”

“What are you … some kinda Jedi Master?” Jeff asked.

“I’m psychic,” Mr. Leach wheezed. His last word echoed about the basement, bringing more shushes from around the building.

“Oh,” Jeff whispered. He had encountered these people before; every paranormal group seemed to have them. Out of the dozen or so self-proclaimed psychics Jeff had known in his life, there was only one he believed legitimate. An old shut-in, who he delivered prescriptions to while in college, told him some interesting things about his life that came to pass a short time later.

“So, where is my fiancée?” Jeff asked.

There was a long silence before Mr. Leach replied flatly. “With another man, I’m afraid.”

Jeff didn’t say anything. He knew she was with another man now. Lurid images filled his head as to what they may be doing right now. Acid boiled in his guts and his heart began to pound. He didn’t expect this answer; he was looking for more of a geographical location. She had been with this schmuck for six months, two weeks, and three days, but he wasn’t counting.

“Does that shock you?” Mr. Leach whispered.

“You’re the psychic … you tell me,” Jeff barked. “Look, I just want to focus on the investigation, can we do that now?”

More shushes ensued followed by a booming female voice asking them to be quiet. Swoosie had some lungs.

They were so engrossed in their argument, neither man noticed the single cell door slowly swing open and a black shadow dart down the passageway. The air grew thick and uncomfortable, but both men thought it was from their awkward conversation.

Mr. Leach didn’t answer. A moment later, Jeff heard the beep of a digital recorder turning on. The small red recording light resembled a one-eyed demon in the complete darkness. Jeff knew he hurt the guy’s feelings, but he didn’t care. Mr. Leach had trodden on areas of Jeff’s life where he wasn’t welcome. In fact, no one was welcome. His fiancée had been the last living member of anything resembling family for Jeff. She had tried to get him to see a shrink to cope with his parent’s death, but he refused. Thus, the wedge between them was forged.

On the surface, Jeff seemed to recover. He tried to move on with his life. His preacher once told him that time is a river, washing away all pains and transgressions. Yet, for those who grieve, time is often an ocean. It ebbs and flows, sometimes exposing the pain lurking beneath the surface of our consciousness with each experience.

“Truth,” Jeff thought.

He finally turned on his digital recorder and began to alternate questions with Mr. Leach.

“Is anyone with us?”

“Are you angry?”

“What is your name?”

“How old are you?”

“Why are you here?”

“When did you die?”

They repeated this process several times in different areas of the building. They never heard anything. Hopefully, there would be some evidence on the recording.

Jeff found it difficult to focus. Of course, he was tired, yet it was much more than fatigue. Mr. Leach had upset him, there was no denying it. The thing bothering him the most was the image running through his head; His fiancée and some faceless man with a Chippendale’s body were in bed together. He tried to push it aside and focus on the reason he was here. When he turned his thoughts to his parents, it did not help. He kept seeing the make-shift white cross memorial at the site of his parents’ crash. The same cross where he had recorded his mother’s voice. It wasn’t only the mental image distracting him. His mother’s one-word response echoed in his head after every EVP question – “Jeff”. A few times he thought he heard her voice coming from the darkness – “Jeff”.

Jeff knew it was fatigue, it had to be. If not, Mr. Leach would have heard something.

Jeff left Sunday morning frustrated. He sat in his truck and watched the last act unfold in what had been an all-night circus. Swoosie, her daughter, Mr. Leach, and a few other men sat in folding chairs arranged in a circle on the front lawn. They had asked Jeff to join them, but he respectfully declined. They burned sage while performing a cleansing ritual.

“We can’t have any spirits following us home,” Swoosie’s daughter proclaimed. “This’ll keep ‘em put.”

The obese Swoosie sat with her back to him. Her butt dangled on either side of the stressed chair as the legs sank into the soft and dewy sod. She swung a burning leaf around her head, making her resemble an elephant trying to douse the flames of a burning tree.

Jeff realized the only way he would get anywhere is starting his own team. He turned the ignition, causing his lights to fall on the group. They turned and glowered as if he farted and belched in church. He smiled and waved as he shifted the truck into gear.

Missouri Spirit Seekers,” Jeff muttered as he left the gate, “seems more like shit seekers.”

***

Author Bio:

John D. Mimms is a business owner, paranormal researcher and author. John served as the Technical Director for a TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) family paranormal research group in Central Arkansas. During his four-year tenure with the organization, he helped supervise over 100 investigations and wrote more than sixteen technical articles. Paul Bradford, of Ghost Hunters International fame, read one of John’s articles titled A Christmas Carol Debunked live on the air of the Parazona Radio program on Christmas Day 2009. John also wrote a definitive technical/training manual, which is a comprehensive guide on equipment usage, investigation protocol and scientific theory for paranormal research.

In 2009 John decided to couple his knowledge of paranormal phenomena with his lifelong love of literary fiction. John’s first published work, The Tesla Gate, is the first installment of a three-part, heart-wrenching, sci-fi/paranormal drama.

Book 1 of this unique, ground-breaking story released July 2014 through Open Road Media. In January 2016, Open Road Media released The Tesla Gate Book 2: The Myriad Resistance. Book 3: The Eye of Madness is slated for release September 27, 2016. Though fictional, the trilogy is based on scientific, paranormal theory.

Publishers Weekly declared about The Tesla Gate in the March 3, 2014 issue “…touching sci-fi story that takes the reader on an unlikely road-trip adventure…a fast read with some entertaining ideas and a real emotional core in the relationship between father and son.”

The Examiner proclaimed in June 2014: “Entertaining as well as poignant, this book is extremely imaginative in its basic premise as well as the many colorful and emotionally compelling events that take place.”

John resides and writes on a mountaintop in central Arkansas with his wife and two sons.

Catch Up With Our Author On: Website 🔗, Goodreads 🔗, Twitter 🔗, & Facebook 🔗!

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways!

Giveaway:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for John D. Mimms. There will be 3 winners of one (1) physical copy of Death Theory by John D. Mimms (US ONLY) AND 3 winners of one (1) audiobook copy of Death Theory by John D. Mimms. The giveaway begins on February 1, 2018 and runs through March 31, 2018. This giveaway is open to US addressess only.

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FEBRUARY MYSTERY LOVING: BLOG TOUR – Death Theory was originally published on the Wordpress version of The Pulp and Mystery Shelf with Shannon Muir

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loveluckybreadcollector-blog · 6 years

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The value range represents a valuation of 10.6 to 13.5 instances anticipated earnings, whereas luxury jeweler Tiffany for example trades above 15 instances earnings and Bulgari at more than 20 times, the supply stated. Perhaps that is the kind of pairing with which Apple's rumored new iOS theater mode” would work best. Designed with unparalleled depth and great thing about shade, PANDORA's glass charms showcase a multitude of imaginative details made utilizing a mixture of conventional methods and trendy innovation. For example, the Italian charm bracelet is comprised of small sq. links which are charms themselves. The beads transfer with the natural motion of your wrist, giving the whole piece a unique presentation and movement. Within the short term, it is important they continue to supply the same progress rates as we have now seen, and in the long term that they manage to develop more than the one product,” Ballot said. It's what nice pop songs do. Mimms was never a huge act, virtually disappearing simply as he obtained started. If you do not get an answer throughout regular business hours or the number is not in service, the site in all probability isn't professional. In 2010, it took the jewelry firm public on the Nasdaq Copenhagen inventory exchange. I used to be very pleased to seek out this internet-website.I wished to thanks to your time for this wonderful read!! The ancient artwork of beading has made its method to the trendy era with respect to jewelry and accessories as nicely. UPDATE 1-Danish jeweler Pandora shares drop as outcomes fall short of forecasts. With the ability to personalize your jewellery and the beautiful high quality supplies and designs really make Pandora Beads Jewelry stand out amongst the remainder. Some folks won't enjoy the tinkling noise and chance of snagging their bracelets on one thing. You may additionally want to have custom-made charms and beads to add uniqueness and particular that means to your bracelet. The precise answer to this may be charm bracelets which might be vintage. In reality, provided in sterling silver and 14 karat gold, with numerous theme designs, like holidays, animals, symbols, letters, and a lot extra, you possibly can spherical out your look with spacers, clips, and pendants, as effectively. Also, the extra one needs something and the more power they put into getting it, the harder it can be for them to achieve it. Immediately, most of us are worried about pores and skin issues which derives us to find ways and solutions to eliminate skin associated points and acquire a glowing pores and skin. Pandora bracelets and necklaces make the right dwelling for fantastically addictive charms and beads. We focused on the bestselling merchandise prospects such as you need most in classes like Child, Clothing, Electronics and Health & Magnificence. For one factor, they aren't sitting again and expecting issues to ‘just occur'; they're taking life by the horns, so to talk. Shares within the charms and allure bracelet specialist, which have misplaced around three-quarters of their value within the last year, jumped as much as thirteen percent in early Tuesday trading. Something that streams TELEVISION reveals, films or music is not unlikely to have some sort of geo blocking set up. Each one among these sites lookup and after that ascertain what state you are connecting from. All Pandora charms and and accessories can have this ALE hallmark engraved on the piece, normally near where the sterling silver or gold mark is. If the piece doesn't have this mark, then for positive it is not a genuine Pandora piece. When selecting beads for bracelets the one actually essential thing to remember is that you simply want to get ones that have large holes as it'll make it easier to place them on the wire.

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