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mrfippstuff · 5 years

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Rayla Crosses A River

Fipp: Started watching The Dragon Prince earlier this week, and finished off the last five episodes today, so I decided to write this up real quickly.

Rayla Crosses A River

“Okay, you can do this Rayla. You are an awesome, amazing elf assassin and nothing can stop you. Something like this is not going to stop you, because you are made of tougher stuff than anything this can take on. Yes, that's it, you are Rayla, the Unstoppable!”

“Why are you talking to yourself in the third person?”

Rayla gave an agitated groan before she turned back to Callum, Zym held securely in his arms.

“I'm just trying to get myself psyched up, you know, try and get myself ready for what we're about to do.”

“Oh?” Callum said, giving a thoughtful pause. “You know, we don't actually have to do this, we can just walk along it until we find a bridge.”

“No!” she suddenly snapped. “We have faced so many dangers since the night this journey started, and there were so many times I was afraid I could die. So, after all that time, I figured it was time I did something to improve myself.”

“So that's why you've been standing here, psyching yourself up, just to cross the river?”

“Yes. To cross the… river.”

With just a small bit of dread, Rayla looked over her shoulder to the body of water behind her.

It wasn't the worst river she had ever seen, it was rather calm in how slowly the water flowed down it, but it was a bit too wide for her taste, and slightly murky. Their destination was beyond the river, but there was no bridge, or convenient rocks to jump along, it was just bare water, separating her from the opposite shore.

“If you don't mind me asking,” Callum said, stepping up to her side. “What exactly is it between you and water anyway?”

“It's nothing, it's just…” A deep sigh. Try again. “Okay, when I'm on land, I can move about freely. I can jump and climb and swish and slash all I want, and it's great! But when I'm in the water?” She gave an involuntary shiver. “It's different. It's all around me, pressing against my entire body and I can't move how I like.” She makes no mention of the sea-sickness, since she wants to retain some dignity, and talking about how her stomach turns and twists on boats until she violently expels the contents of her stomach may strike most of that away.

“Is that was it is? I thought you were just afraid the the creatures that lived in the water?”

Rayla paled. “Yeah, there's those too.” There was a nervous laugh as she turned back to Callum. “Did you know out in the ocean, there are giant fish with rows of sharp teeth, and all they do is eat? I heard about it from a sailor once, how it bit an elf in half!” She gripped her wrist in an attempt to stop it from shaking. “And it gets worst the deeper it gets you know.”

“Rayla-”

“I heard the deepest reaches of the ocean depths there are creatures I've heard called 'the gods' mistakes', that's crazy right?”

“Rayla!” Callum said, much more firmly this time around, and the hand he placed on her shoulder did a lot to calm her nerves, ceasing the shivering in her arms. “This isn't the ocean, it's a river. It doesn't look too deep, so you'll still be able to move, and there are no giant monster fish, or eldritch horrors in there. You've got me here by your side, you'll be fine, I promise.” His tone is firm, but reassuring, which is something she's more than grateful for.

“Thank you, Callum, you don't know how much that-wait, what do you mean eldritch horrors?”

“Um, well, there just um, really big fish.”

“Callum.”

“…Just really ancient, inter-dimensional creatures that live at the bottom of the deepest oceans that drive you insane just by being around them.”

Rayla wondered if she could get any paler.

“Claudia told me about them. She sounded, um, really eager to meet one one day.”

Rayla stepped away from Callum and began to walk to the river, the knowledge that something like these creatures in this world killing a part of her soul.

If she was lucky, the river would kill her so she could never risk the chance to meet such a beast.

“Okay, now we do this,” she said, more to herself than anyone else.

“Right, because you're Rayla the Unstoppable!” Callum gave a small, nervous cheer, while Zym happily chirped from his arms.

“Yes, Rayla the Unstoppable,” she said, a small boost of confidence flooding her systems. She could do this, she could do this!

The moment she stepped into the river, she began to regret every choice she had ever led her to this point, and cursed herself for never buying water-proof socks.

Still, she pressed on, with Callum just behind her, and waded through the river, the depth increasing the further she went in, forcing her to hold her arms into the air when it eventually started to lap on her hips, but thankfully it went no further than that when they crossed the halfway point.

“Hey, watch it!” Callum cried out, and with a deep panic, Rayla turned around fearing the worst, only to see Zym push himself out of Callum's arm and dive into the water, where he happily swam along, using his wings to push him further than he would otherwise. “Well, he seems to be having fun.”

“Yeah, he does.” It helped a bit, seeing the tiny baby dragon enjoy himself as he dove into the water, his lightly-colored form easy to see beneath the surface, allowing her to see him swim around her feet, taking a quick nibble of her boots. She had to resist the urge to kick him away.

“See, if an infant dragon can just jump in the water, with no fear of it, than I know you can do it too.”

“Yeah, maybe I can.” She felt better, no doubt about that, with most of the anxiety melting away with ever slow step she took. This wasn't so hard, and maybe with enough practice, she could possibly one day be a water-kind-of-person. “It's not so bad so far, I just wish Zym wouldn't bite at-” She looked over to Callum, and saw Zym floating right next to him.

Rayla looked down, and saw something dark covering her boot.

“Rayla? Are you-”

The resulting scream could be heard for miles.

000

“Okay, so maybe baby steps. We'll start with kiddie pools next time.”

“Ugh, uh-huh.”

“Not at all deep, and no fish or anything dangerous in there. It'll be safe, good practice for me.”

“Uhyeah.”

“I mean, I'm young! I have my whole life in front of me to get over my fear of water.”

“Ungh.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I'm fine. You're just, uh, kinda squeezing me a bit too tight.”

“Oh, sorry.” From her place on Callum's back, Rayla loosened the deathly grip of her arms and legs around his neck and waist. Or at least tried to, she really did. “I just want to say, you know, thanks for this.”

“Well, you didn't give me much of a chance to say no when you just climbed on top of me like a tree.”

“Right, sorry.”

“It's fine, just give me warning next time.”

“Will do.”

000

Please be well,

Mrfipp

#the dragon prince #rayla #callum #zym #fanfic

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remainloved · 6 years

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What Ifs? - Grayson Dolan

Honestly, when I saw this photo my heart skipped a beat and the inspiration behind this story is literally just this picture… okay moving on,,

Summary: When Grayson and Y/n are testing the water, they are literally testing the water.

Word Count: 2.3k

5/26/2018

“JUMP!” Grayson shouted from the river below. He was standing across the rock you were sitting on. From this point of view, you could perfectly see his short black pants hanging way too low for your liking. You rolled my eyes and shouted back, “NO! NOT TODAY! I’M FINISHING THIS BOOK!”

“SUIT YOURSELF!” His voice echoed. You took a deep breath and turned your attention back to the book you were reading. It’s weird to say that you were reading because in reality your mind seems to wander so far away.

It’s like your mind decided to take down the memory lane. The memory you’ll never forget. The memory of meeting Grayson for the very first time. The first time you met Grayson was at the book shop. You thought that it was a dream come true. You have been watching their videos and you thought they were awesome people. Scratch that, they are awesome people.

When you looked up from the book you were reading because your thoughts were interrupted by the bell of the door. For it was an old book shop and barely anyone knew of this place. It was literally secluded. You looked up and notice it was Grayson Dolan wearing his maroon beanies, white hoodies and blue adidas pants. When he smiled to the old manager you remembered your heart leaped out. You tried to act cool and pretended to go back reading.

After you knew that there’s no way you can go back reading when you and Grayson Dolan are in the same room. Your eyes looked up and tried finding the maroon beanies. Your eyes trailed over the maroon beanies and you spotted him on your left not too far away.

When you turned and focused your eyes for a second, you realized he was having a hard time finding something. You sighed and naturally, you gathered up all your courage and walked up to him to offer him a hand. You helped him find him his book and he was grateful for it. Somehow, the both of you hit off and at the end of the day you both swapped numbers.

The both of you stayed in contact for so long that somehow ended up by you being one of his close friends and him being yours. You got to meet Ethan and be friends with him as well and became friends. You helped them record some of their videos. They helped you work out even more. The both of you helped each other and you were forever grateful for that.

Was it hard being friends with them? No.

Was it hard being friends with attractive people? I don’t know, maybe….

Was there any attraction between you and the twins? Definitely no attraction at all.

Well, there was one time. You used to have a tiny little bit of a crush on Grayson but that’s it. Anyone that met Grayson would know that he’s sweet and kind. His amazing good looks were just additional points. You couldn’t help but be attracted to him. However, it was a long time ago, long time ago.

You realized that it was just a silly crush and your friendship meant more to you and so you let it go. You moved on. At least you tried to.

“You weren’t reading!” Grayson’s voice was loud and clear. “You were just closing your eyes.” Grayson said while squinting his eyes.

You opened your eyes startled to see a shirtless Grayson staring down at you. “I-I…” Before you got to reason with him, he pushed you closer to the edge. Your legs were dangling over the small cliff and you were only sitting on your half butt.

“GRAYSON BAILEY DOLAN! DON’T YOU DARE! NO!” You shouted white grabbing on to him to stay rooted.

“Did you just call me Bailey?” He growled jokingly and wrapped his arms around your waist holding you closer to him.

“N-NNO! WHAT?” You snorted and he laughed. You felt your cheeks turning red from the close distance between you and him.

“It’s not good to lie Y/n,” He told you while laughing as he moved you closer to the edge.

“PLEASE NO!” You were hysterically screaming. He pushed you slightly forward and you screamed “GRAY! I SWEAR YOU WOUL-“ before you even finished the sentence his hold loosened and all you can think of was falling down faster than you have thought and hit down the water.

“GRAYSON!” You shrieked as soon as you submerged above the water. He was laughing so hard that he literally closed his eyes and had his head thrown back. You decided to plead “Gray! Please!”

Grayson looked down as soon as he heard you sounding on edge. “Cramps.” With that he looks worried and rushed down while you inwardly smirked in triumphant.

Not long his strong arms wrapped around you, bringing you closer to him. He hoisted you up on his shoulder “Y/n, are you okay? Gosh, I’m such an idiot.” He put you on the rock ahead.

You tried to hide your laughter but failed when his worried eyes looked up to you. You laughed so hard and when he finally got it, he splashed the water aiming at you. “You’re mean.” And you laughed even louder and he joined soon after he grunted swimming away from you.

“You know you shouldn’t just throw me in.” You said.

“Why is that?” He asked as he swam closer to you.

“I might be in my period.” You reasoned with him.

“Why would that be a problem?” He said with his arms resting on each side of your dangling legs.

“Are you being serious?” You asked him incredulously and he nodded his head.

“Well, I could be a blood teabag and stain the whole water. How’s that?” You answered while ruffling his hair. He looked back at dead serious before he burst out laughing

“That’s stupid! You can’t stain the whole water!” He said with his arms circling around your legs and pulled you back in to the water.

“Didn’t I say that I might be in my period?” You reminded him while slapping his chest.

He smirked and said “Don’t worry, I know the due date of your red tsunami.” You looked at him feeling the blood rushing up your cheeks and your jaw dropped. Did he just made a metaphor for my period? “Yes, I did mam.” He nodded his head while saluting me jokingly.

“Y-you…” You stared at him just to see his eyes glinting with amusement. You cleared my throat and glared at him playfully “Well, I’m glad that at least someone is having fun right now.”

He chuckled and said, “C’mon Y/n! It’s not until the next two weeks… in the next two weeks then you can be all moody.”

You feel like your face was burning red and he was looking down laughing at your expression. “Y/n, you’re so red right now!” You groaned while nestling your face against his chest. With that he laughed even louder. “Shut uppp.” You said while hitting his shoulder lightly and he just laughed even louder.

“I’ll shut up when you win against me.” He said smirking. “You’re so on.” You said.

“The first one to reach that rock wins!” He said pointing into the furthest rock ahead of the both of you.

“Oh, you’re going down. Don’t bail on me, Bailey.” You laughed and started swimming first. You felt him pulling your feet but you just wriggled and he let loose.

You were swimming faster than him. You were winning the race. When your fingertip touched the cold wet rock you shouted. “I DID IT! YOU LOSE!”

“Is that so, Princess?” He smirked when you turned right to see him there standing arms crossed and a smirk plastered on his face while the sun glistens upon his skin. He looks perfect that made you huffed louder.

“How did you?” You huffed and pouted. “Awh, don’t be mad.” He poked your cheeks. You shrugged your shoulder playfully and he sighed loudly. We’re used with this. When someone decided to act a scene, the other would usually join the act.

“Y/n, have I ever told you how cute you look when you’re mad?” Grayson smiled while looking down at you.

You tilted my head and laughed “I don’t think so Gray.” He was laughing as well because he knew you couldn’t take that kind of compliment seriously.

His warm hand cupped the side of your face as he moved closer to you. His other hand wrapped around your legs around his hip, allowing them to be part open for him to be in between. In which in response you pulled him closer by caging him between your legs. You saw his lips curved upwards and yours involuntarily did.

“I gotcha!” You fist bumped the air while trying my best to drag him down. He laughed because it was not working at all. He put his hands on my ribcage and held you against him.

“Y/n, can we try something else?” He whispered as he strokes his fingers across your cheeks. “Try what?” You asked him nonchalantly with a wild thumping heart. Never in a million years have the both of you been this close. We cuddled in the past but there was a movie playing. It’s not as intimate as now, skin to skin, given the situation right now.

“If I asked your permission to kiss you, would you allow me to?” He asked while his hands were grazing over my hips. You pursed my lips “If I would allow you to, would you?”

His eyes went slightly darker as he stared down at you. “I would.” He answered in a very serious voice. “So, is that a yes?” He whispered with his grip tightening around me. “Gray, you don’t have to go that far for the act.” You smiled trying to hide your loud beating hard.

“It’s not for the act, Y/n.” He pursed his lips while his hands held your ribcage. His breathing was uneven “Gray, I don’t want to put our friendship at risk.” You answered above a whisper. It was one of your greatest nightmare but it was still once a dream.

“What do you mean?” He furrowed his eyebrows. “What if something happened after the kiss?” You said. He opened his mouth but you beat him to it “What if this kiss will break our friendship?”

He put his fingers upon my lips “Shh…” He cooed as he grazed his fingers across your lips. “No! Gray! This is serious! What if-.” You whimpered.

“Hey, Y/n, look at me-,” He said sternly and so you reluctantly looked up. “We’re Grayson and Y/n. Y/n and Grayson. Nothing could tear us apart. We’re us.” He said while looking down at you with the most beautiful pair of eyes. His head came lower and his lips brushed over your shoulder blade. “What if I try kissing you now?” He asked. I clenched my eyes shut trying to calm my thumping heart. Is this really happening?

“Y/n?” Grayson whispered against your skin, “May I?” He said once more looking at you. You nodded your head. Grayson caressed your cheeks and he motioned your head closer to his. You could feel his warm breath fanning against your face. You could hear your heart pounding fast that all sounds died down aside from your heart.

Then you felt his lips pressed against yours. His lips were soft, tender and gentle. It was exactly like how you used to imagine his lips on yours. He lightly bit your lips and you slightly parted your mouth. He took this opportunity to slip his tongue slowly in to you. It was warm and sweet as he covered your mouth with his. You tugged his hair lightly and he groaned “Y/n, I don’t think I can stop.” There was fire beneath settling down on your belly. It felt good but the unsettling feeling that settled on your chest made you stop.

You pulled away and eyes wide opened. Grayson looked momentarily shocked. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” He asked frantically.

“What have we done?” You asked him and for a mere second he looked hurt.

“Did you like the kiss?” He asked looking at you from his thick eyelashes.

“I-I mean, it was very good. Amazing and even the best.” You mumbled.

“The best?” His head perked up and looked at you with his smirk.

“What if we try to continue doing this?” He asked with his ear tinted red.

“But Gray…What if this-.”You reasoned with him, afraid that one day it’ll just break the two of you.

“No matter what happens. We’ll stay friends.” He cut you, looking at you intensely.

“Of course! No matter what happens, we’ll stay friends…But Gray…I’m just saying what if-.” You said again just to be cut with Grayson’s lips pressed against yours again.

“What if I can’t stop right now?” He pecked on to your lips as he said every words. You could handle one kiss but not the second. Your legs felt like giving up and you knew you haven’t really moved on. You knew it was a bad idea but this time you pressed your lips closer to him and whispered against his lips “Then, don’t.” Your heart was thumping loudly warning you that it might be a destructive decision.

However, those words were enough for you to feel Grayson’s lips curved upwards against your smiling ones. Just this moment you thought, you thought that what if it’s not that bad at all?

Just this moment you mind wanders, what if your feelings are mutual? What if the both of you share the same dreams together?

Just on this moment all your insecure thoughts of what ifs turned into dreamlike what ifs.

What if he loves me like I do?

—————————————————————

a/n: i actually like this concept, just not sure if i delivered it well... hope i did...,, it’s not edited though but i hope you guys like it..

i’ll start editing after the long break of school... i hope that’s fine.. i hope you guys are okay and happy. xx

thank you so much for reading...

feedbacks are always very much appreciated

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ignitingwriting · 3 years

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Igniting Writing ‘Illustration Inspiration’ Contest 2020, Submission by Furze Platt Junior School Pupil One

Addtional illustrations by the pupil

A Window Through Lives

One star-filled night, a boy called Xar (but it’s pronounced ‘Zar’) was climbing up a ladder to his treehouse, that he built. He had pale white skin, with a small touch of bronze on his cheeks. Xar was tall for his age, 13. He had short, almost spiky, vibrant blue hair, with a streak of glowing white. He wore a white, buttoned up, half tucked in and half out shirt. Unlike his other clothes, his jeans fitted perfectly. Xar’s shoes looked rough and bulky, but thankfully they were smooth on the inside.

But the treehouse was no ordinary treehouse. No, no, no, it was a magical treehouse, with every colour of the rainbow. From the outside it was a broken-down old hut in the tree, with nails falling out from it, but from the inside it was a wonder; an all-coloured wonderland.

The first room was the red room, his exercising and welcoming room (more likely the relaxing room). Xar for his welcoming area had escalators, because he was lazy yet fit.

Orange was the next room. It was the kitchen but Xar couldn’t cook.

The next area was yellow, but it was not a room, it was a corridor. The corridor had a red royal carpet going all the way to the end. Xar put a translucent sheet over the carpet, which was orange-yellow, so it and red made orange. The corridor led to inside the tree, where the green room was.

The green room had vines coming from the ceiling and Venus flytraps that ate everything. To get the Venus flytraps Xar had to cross a raging river – no-one knew where it led to. Next he crossed a deserted desert, where mummies swam in the sand. Finally he got teleported to an alternate universe. Xar always asked himself ‘was it worth it?’

The blue room was his bedroom. Not much excitement in there, other than the room was upside down.

The sixth room was his bathroom, where the water was glow-in-the-dark and the bath curtains are dark purple with a black hole on them.

Last but not least was the pink room, which was in the clouds. In the pink room Xar had a grandfather clock and nothing else. Xar never went into the room – until today.

That night, Xar felt like the clock was calling him. He tried to ignore it, but the air around him was pulling him to the room. As he was in the yellow corridor, he started to doubt himself.

‘Should I go in?’ he thought worriedly. ‘Gran told me it’s dangerous, but nothing has happened.’ He thought again about questioning Gran. Without the air pushing him, he walked towards the pink room. Gran wouldn’t know he knew.

He opened the door and creeped in. The silence was loud and the air was rough. His doubt for Gran flew away. “Maybe she’s right,” whispered Xar to himself.

He stepped closer to the clock, Gran’s words flying away. He wanted to do this – nothing was stopping him. Without thinking, he stepped into the portal.

The opaqueness of his hands drifted away and they glowed transparent white. His vision blurred a bit and he could see through walls.

Xar saw a girl. She had balc hair, dyed with streaks of purple. He walked over to her, as her legs were under the table. She wore a purple dress with white spots and a black beret.

“Mmm,” the girl said, slurping up her soup in delight. “This is good, Mum,” she murmered, putting her face in the steam of her food.

“Thanks Ellie, it’s my new recipe,” she said, smirking.

Then Ellie saw Xar.

“What?” said her mum, looking behind her at Xar – she thankfully couldn’t see him. Fo the rest of the night Ellie was silent and spooked.

The next day she decided to talk to the shadowy ghost, to see if it was evil. “H-Hello,” she whsipered. “W-Who are you?”

Xar rolled his eyes. “I’m Xar,” he answered.

‘He seems nice,’ thought Ellie, a little more relaxed.

“You good or evil?” she asked, winking her eye – she was convinced he was good.

“I’m good; evil is boring,” he said.

A week later she had befriended the ghost, since they were both lonely.

“Your world is awesome!” laughed Xar, stuffing chocolates into his mouth.

It was true, the world was a blast, but ar missed home. Feeling sorry for him, Ellie promised to take him home.

That night the ghost and the girl opened the grandfather clock to see there was no portal, just an ordinary grandfather clock. They were stuck.

Ellie felt horrible. Not only could she not go to Xar’s home, she couldn’t keep her promise.

Xar jumped into the room.”I’ve got an idea!” bellowed Xar excitedly.

“Let’s hear,” she said, cheering up.

“Ok, so I found out portals move every week. Thankfully it’s not too far from here,” he exclaimed, smirking. “All we have to do is cross ragequitting rivers. I have crossed them before.”

“Ok, but what are those places?” wondered Ellie.

“You’ll find out!” replied Xar.

Ahead of them was the ragequitting river. Xar was excited – he had only seen it once. Back then it was full of people crossing it, so he would take a ride on their raft, which was made of steel.

He saw the raft, but the steel was rusted and falling apart. Ellie decided to make a raft, whilst Xar would get protection from the river. He went to the pine trees around the area, cut them down and skinned the bark off.

Ellie found a mound of metal. She made a raft out of it. Finally they finished the project.

The river was 20m wide and endless. Ellie told Xar to get on the raft and she’d push it into the ragequitting river. As they got on, Xar’s excitement faded. Then suddenly Ellie started steering the raft to a small rock.

“What are you doing?” asked Xar, confused.

“We need to go quicker – watch,” answered Ellie, grinning.

They hit the rock. She jumped on it.

“Come on!” commanded Ellie. She grabbed him as he closed his eyes, not opening them.

There it was – the portal to Xar’s world. They jumped in.

#Illustration #Children's illustration #illustrator #illustration inspiration #igniting writing #teen writers #writing for teens #creative writing #writing group #writing club #writing contest #writing competition #writing challenge

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sincerelylaureen · 4 years

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9 days, 4 states

August 10-19, 2020 ❤️

Can you believe I actually got to go to Mississippi with Dylan for 9 days?! Honestly I’m not even able to type out what happened during each day because I was living in the sweetest moments.

I’m just going to jot down what I remember happened!!! I’ll try my best to remember day by day.

Day 1 💖 Evening of August 10th - We arrived at the New Orleans airport. Picked up our rental car which was a Hyundai Santa Fe, and drove straight to Harrah’s. Met up with his cousin Brandon and his girlfriend. Swam in the Harrah’s pool. Ate Waffle house for the first time. Came 3 times lol. Dude it was freaking amazing... holy shit it lasted so long and it felt so good. I hope it was great for him too... loved how rough it was.

Day 2 💖 August 11th - Woke up the next day and Dylan drove me around everywhere (it was amazing). Showed me this old river where he used to hang out and he told me stories. Took me to Ya-Ya’s. Ate at Taco Sombrero. Went to Dad’s Pawn shop. Showed me his high school. Jet skied for an hour and a half. Played mini golf and drove go karts at Mini Play Arcade. Ate some ice cream at Quakes. Went to this guy Chris’s house to smoke a little lol. Swam in the pool again. Ate at Steak and Shake which was literally a knock off In n Out. Did it again.

Day 3 💖 August 12th - Dylan got a haircut. Met up for lunch a late lunch with his grandpa Mr. Steve, his brother River, and his girlfriend at Shrimp Basket. Took some cute polaroids. Peed inside Sonic. Tried Ocean Water for the first time from there and it was so good but freaking pure sugar lol. Visited a couple car shops because Dylan was going to change Mr. Steve’s headlights. Bought bait at this shop. Dylan bought a hat that said Wicked Outdoors. Went fishing at his grandpa’s pond (we both caught fish!!!). Met Betty, Kim, and Brittney. Admired Mr. Steve’s land and the sunset that went along with it, it was beautiful. Lost $600 that wasn’t ours LOL omg. Ended up meeting his mom at Golden Nugget at like 10 or 11 at night. Gave him lovely backrubs to end the night.

Day 4 💖 August 13th - Ate Sonic for lunch, we were so full omg. I tried their burger for the first time and it was SO good. Dylan had chili on his lol. Gave Steve some thai tea and he said it tasted like orange cream soda. Checked out the Centennial Plaza for a bit, took some cute polaroids. Went into the Beauvoir Jefferson Davis Home Museum, it was sooo cool!!! Bought Mg. Mark his confederate flag lol and a couple other souvenirs. Went to multiple pawn shops, I remember one being in D’Iberville. Went to the Beau Rivage and registered as players. Lost $20 each on roulette lol. Ate at El Saltillo. Swam in the casino’s pool again. Met up with Brandon and his friend and smoked by the pier lol. Ate frozen yogurt from the machine by the elevators, I got sprinkles with mine and he got Reese’s and M&M’s on his.

Day 5 💖 August 14th - Woke up earlier than him (around 9:30am) and asked if he wanted to come with me to the gym, he joined later on around 10:15ish lol. Got ready and rode Finishline go karts (dude these were so freaking fast and I drifted and so did Dylan even though we weren’t allowed lol). Visited this flea market called Finders Keepers. Drove to Mobile, Alabama!!! Visited the USS Alabama and went on the tour (THE BESTTTT). Got rained on going back to the car coming from 7 stories high on that ship LOL. Tried to check out a clear lake, ended up in this fancy neighborhood with HUGE houses. Visited his Aunt Darra and cousins. Ate at TGIF with Mr. Steve then went to his house afterwards because he wanted to show us his silver.

Day 6 💖 August 15th - Checked out of our hotel and met up Dylan’s half sister Alexia (Lexi). Afterwards met with Mr. Steve again. Ate at Newk’s (dude that chicken salad sandwich was so good). Went to a flea market real quick and checked out some more silver. Made our way to Corinth for 6 long hours. Saw a few hills and listened to a lot of country music. Checked in our new hotel. Ordered Domino’s cheese pizza + hot sauce and garlic bread for dinner while Dylan was taking a shower. Did it lol and went to bed.

Day 7 💖 August 16th - Met his dad and step mom today. Dylan and I lost our way trying to find their house (about 15-30 miles worth? lol). Ate Mexican food at Mi Toro. Had some of the best shrimp tacos I’ve ever had there. Also the tastiest salsa. Went to the Corinth Flea Market. Bought an awesome vintage polaroid camera for $10. Went back to their house. Greeted by 3 doggies. Met Lindsay, her husband, her kid Maddie, Michael and his kid Mason, and Betty. His dad showed us his vintage Fords in his shop in the back. Went inside the house and talked a while with everyone. Peed outdoors (gahdang I couldn’t hold it in anymore LOL). Drove to Shiloh, Tennessee to eat at the Hagy’s Catfish Hotel. Ate some bomb catfish fillets. Dylan got chicken fingers LOL. Took photos by the Tennessee River. Drove around and showed me where they watched the 4th of July fireworks. Saw the Pickwick Dam. Dylan’s dad showed us his giant pink underwear. Got back to the house and talked until 12:20ish am. Honestly was such a great day. One of my favorites. Dylan said his favorite was the day we went jet skiing.

Day 8 💖 August 17th - Checked out of our hotel and took a lot of pit stops going back down to Gulfport/Biloxi. We visited Mississippi State and stopped by their bookstore for some shirts and then went to Starbucks real quick to get a drink and pee lol. I’m pretty sure we also went to chick fil a for breakfast before we got to MSU too! Then we kept driving and stopped by Laurel and we went to the Scotsman woodshop from the show Hometown!!! Dude I was freaking fangirling. We got a bunch of shirts. Got some cute polaroids. Stopped by Southern Miss, got some shirts there lol. Went to a cute Amish antique/flea market shop. Both of us pooped there lol. Tried to meet up with Jeff at Keesler but they were too strict *cries*. Kept driving until we got back to Biloxi and then bought some more souvenir shirts from the Sharkhead place. We checked into the Harrah’s hotel again for one night and had a lovely time there. I remember giving him back rubs while he laid on my tummy. I wish that moment never ended.

Day 9 💖 August 18th - We woke up the next morning and checked out of our hotel and into the new one which was at the Hard Rock! I let Dylan open the door first and he was like “dude, you’re not gonna believe this” I was like why? And then he opened the door all the way and the view was insane!!!! 6th floor right in the front. After seeing the room we head over to his aunt’s grave, I think it was called Wolf something... I forgot huhu. On the way back Dylan calls his grandma, Gail. We went to Wiggins to their house! We stayed for a while and I tried Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream! Dylan’s favorite. It was so good!!! She toured us around the shop. Ended the evening with dinner with Steve, Betty, and Brittney at Ruby Tuesday’s. Or as he would say “ruby-toos-dee’s” LOL. He was obsessed with the croutons and I will never forget the hot sauce on Dylan’s salad. After seeing that I was like “he’s gonna be too full to eat his meal” and he was LOL. We had a nice chat outside and then left. Decided to meet his mom in this apartment afterwards. It was sketchy but I thought it was nice that Dylan met her twice even though we didn’t talk too much with her but with the guy she was with instead (Coach was what he wanted us to call him lol). Got some polaroid photos. Went back to the hotel and had a lovely last night together.

Morning of August 19th 💖 -

(to be continued!!!!)

Topic for later on in the post: sex and whether or not we fought at all

#dates

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daddies-stan-blog · 7 years

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Robert in the prologue seemed fond of camping? Maybe a camping trip with Dadsona

Camping seems like a calm getaway for the two, here’s my attempt on it! I hope you enjoy!

Camping getaway

Robert Small X MC Daddy

“Good morningsleepy head, if you want your camping trip to start great you gotta get upfirst.” I opened the curtains and let the sunlight enter Robert’s room. “You fucker…”Robert mumbles on the pillow, trying to avoid as much sunlight as possible. Weplanned this camping trip a few weeks ago and today is finally the day, I’mpretty excited as well; it’s been years since I went camping. I managed to gethelp from Craig and Brian for the best camping sites, I even got to borrow someawesome camping gear. I sat down by the bed where Robert is “You wanted to campout right? If we don’t leave soon it’d be too hot and humid to walk around.” Itook a peek at his face under the pillow. I removed some hair on his face andgave him a couple of kisses on his forehead to wake him up. “I’m up. I’m up.” Hegiggled at the gesture and sat up. “I already made breakfast downstairs, comeon.” I urged him to stand up.

“You sure we’vegot everything you need?” Robert asked as he shut the back of his old pickuptruck. “Yeah, I think” I said as I checked a list on my phone. “What about youBetsy?” He grabs Betsy and she starts licking all over Robert’s face. “I guessyou’re all good too. We’re hitting the road then.” Robert says as we went inthe car. We just listened to the radio most of the time and I just enjoyed theview with Betsy who was enjoying the fresh air very much. I couldn’t tell whichview I like more, the one outside or the one right beside me. I looked atRobert, who seemed enthusiastic about the trip now in comparison to thismorning; Coffee was all he needed. He wore his shades and sang along to thesong playing on the car’s stereo. “Hey, we’re pretty lucky. Weather is lookingpretty good.” I say as I look at the sky. (Did I seriously start thisconversation with the weather?) “Hopefully it’ll stay like this, it’ll makesetting things up a hundred times easier.” He comments. “Last time I wentcamping was when Amanda was 10, hard to believe that it’s been 8 years.” “I betthe kid didn’t like it huh?” He laughs. “Yeah, kids would rather be at Disneylandover the weekend.” “Well, we’ll both make up for the lost opportunities today…Haven’t camped in a while too.” He smiles a bit at the idea. It’s contagious, Ismile as well.

Once we arrived,we got all the gear set up. Robert seems to be a pro at this. We managed tohave the tent up in a couple of minutes (after a few arguments on who was righton how to put the damn thing up). Then we set up a little campfire site with alittle help from Betsy who managed to collect a bunch of sticks we could uselater. “Who’s a good girl?” I rubbed Betsy’s belly “You are, you are.” Robert gigglesa bit at the view. “We better start hiking, I heard there’s a waterfall and ariver nearby.” He nods as we started our little adventure.

“Hey a hangingbridge. We’re pretty close then, we just gotta cross and head south.” Robertsays as he grabbed Betsy, afraid she’ll fall from the bridge. “After you.” Hesays. It was pretty high and scary, I think Robert could see the fear in myeyes, or even smell it (I don’t know this guy is pretty keen at sensingothers). “Don’t worry I got my eye on you.” He said for reassurance as weslowly made our way through. Few minutes later we made our way to the waterfalland river. Betsy immediately went to run towards the river with excitement, Icouldn’t help but follow the pooch. I swam with Betsy beside me who seemed sorefreshed and happy, I looked at Robert who was still fully clothed and wassitting by the river looking at the two of us. “Hey, you’re wearing too muchclothes!” I yelled and urged him to get in. “I’ll get in a little later-“ Isplashed water at him, unconvinced by his excuses. “Hey-stop my clothes!” Hesaid as he splashed water back at me and Betsy. “Which is why my dear sir, youhave to take them off. Pull off a show for me and Betsy.” I said as he laughs “Yeah,sure. For Betsy.” He said as he took his clothes off, leaving only his boxers. DAMNWAS HE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. (Now this is a view) I’d be lying if I wasn’tturned on. We played around the river for a while occasionally jumping off thewaterfall (Robert convinced me to do so). After all the fun, we sat down by theriverbed with Betsy, who was a little tired and decided to rest up a bit on mylap. Robert took out his knife and began whittling on a piece of wood he foundnearby. It was nice and calming. I enjoyed every single thing about it: Theview of the river with rays of light reflecting on the surface creatingshimmers, the occasional hums Robert made while whittling, and lastly, thelittle pooch resting on my lap. I forgot how fun the outdoors was.

Once it wasgetting pretty late we changed our clothes and ate our dinner by the fireplacewhile having fun conversations about what might be lurking in this woods. Itwas slowly getting colder when the sky got darker. Robert stood up and got someblankets out and laid them by a patch of grass with a great view of the sky. Hesat down and signaled me to lay down beside him, Betsy also following theorder. I rested my head on his arm and wrapped my arms around him. He grabsanother blanket to keep us both warm. I was surprised to feel his lips kissingme on my forehead. Robert didn’t say a word, he just looked up and enjoyed thesight of the stars. “I realized something…” I said. Robert just faced me,waiting for me to continue. “I love camping” I said. “You’re a cock tease youknow that?” He laughs. “It should be ‘I love you’” Robert corrects. He sayskissing me on the lips this time. “That too…” I said giggling a bit. But Idefinitely love the latter one more.

#dream daddy #dream daddy: a dad dating simulator #ddadds #robert small #mc daddy #dadsona #fanfiction #fluff #thanks for the request!#hope you liked it

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bebalanced222 · 5 years

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The Michael Bowden Memorial Bike Ride to The Tip of Cape York

August 2019

My grandson Micky

Cape York News 14 – 20 August 2019:

FRIENDS and family of Michael Bowden rode to the tip of Cape York earlier this month to pay tribute to the young man.

The 20-year-old died last year after he was struck by a vehicle on Northern Avenue on the opening night of the Weipa Fishing Classic.

With the court case against the alleged driver looming, the memorial ride provided the family and friends of Mr Bowden with an avenue to remember the joy that he brought to their lives.

“It was nice to be able to remove ourselves from the world and take the time to come together, remember the positive stuff about Mick, and turn our focus on starting to rebuild our lives,” family member Denica Russ said.

Mr Bowden and his brothers Mark and Brad loved riding motorbikes together. When the trio weren’t working as fitter and turners, they would often be on their bikes seeking out an adventure.

The Bowdens had joined the local GROWL (Geriatric Riders of Weipa Locality) club and enjoyed the camaraderie.

Riding the Old Telegraph Track to the Tip of Cape York was always a trip that Mr Bowden wanted to do. Before his sudden death, he went on what would be his last motorbike ride with GROWL up to Nolan’s Brook, seven kilometres back from the Jardine River.

Mark Coleman, the president of GROWL, was a part of the group.

“Mick loved the rides, but he particularly loved the rides that he did with his brothers,” he said.

“It wasn’t just about the riding for Mick. He always heavily involved himself with the group when they reached their destinations.

“This is the aim of our group – it is the whole deal – and Mick got that. This is what impressed me the most about Mick.”

Mr Coleman first met the Bowden brothers when working together at Rio Tinto.

“The three boys were very close, good tradesmen, and good riders,” he said.

“Mick was the last to join GROWL out of the three and he never rode outside of his capabilities.”

Mr Coleman and Mr Bowden’s brother Mark formulated the idea to do the memorial ride. When Mark Bowden contacted the rest of his family about the possibility of a memorial ride, the planning was quick and easy.

“When Mick’s family became involved it was the greatest thing ever,” Mr Coleman said.

“Mick’s parents Scotty and Rach are great people and the way they have bought their kids up is a credit to them.

“The three boys are all level-headed mature fellas for their age. They all have great work ethic, are not idiots, and everything they do is good compared to other kids that I come across.

“Mick was always smiling; a happy-go-lucky kind of bloke who loved life and his family.

“They had a unique bond.”

Mr Coleman and Mark Bowden were originally planning to ride to the east coast for the memorial ride, but chose to go to the Tip.

“Mick had been up that way not long before he passed away. The Telegraph Track is a gnarly adventure ride and is the big four- wheel drive trip on the Cape that brings adventurers up from all over the country,” Mark said.

“It was cool to bring my family up and go to the places that Mick had recently been to.

“This is an adventure that most of my family would never have imagined doing.

“It was a shame that Mick couldn’t be there with us, but nice we could do it. It was bittersweet.”

A lot of Mr Bowden’s family are from Charters Towers and Townsville. His parents Scott and Rachael live in Ravenshoe.

Together, everyone formed a convoy and road tripped to Weipa for the start of the memorial ride.

There were 44 of Mr Bowden’s family and friends on the trip.

Mark and Denica said: “Our family had a ball – my cousin Josh had hardly ridden a bike before, so this was a huge trip for him.

“Mum and dad bought the meat from the Tablelands and the GROWL club organised the rest of the food.

“I felt sad that Mark Coleman’s bike blew up before the trip and that his vehicle which transported a lot of the things we needed broke down on the way home.

“Without GROWL, this experience to help us move forward wouldn’t have been possible and we owe them so much.”

Mr Bowden’s uncle Aaron Schleich described the Cape York memorial ride as “very therapeutic”. “Since Michael’s tragic passing the family have only been able to gather for what would have been Mick’s 21st birthday, which was a big family get-together,” he said. Mr Bowden’s older sister Emily explained how she could feel her brother during the ride.

This was highlighted when Mr Bowden’s immediate family gathered to capture a photo standing at the Tip.

As everyone in the background were taking the photos, a pod of dolphins swam past.

They all agreed it was a special moment that created a memory for everyone to focus on.

However, Ms Bowden, who is already looking into the future for next year’s planned ride said: “How is Mick going to get in the next family photo when there will be no dolphins around?”

Mr Bowden’s family are looking forward to coming together each year and continue the memorial ride in different locations on the Cape in his memory.

Courtesy Melissa Diffo, Cape York News 14 – 20 August 2019

Map of the area

Travelling from Northern New South Wales, Charters Towers, Townsville and the Atherton Tablelands to join the Weipa crew, 14 riders, 18 adults, 12 children and three dogs made the epic journey (approximately 900 kilometres) across the remote, dusty, corrugated tracks of Cape York Peninsula. 4WD’s were kitted out, bikes loaded onto trailers and utes, food and eskys were already loaded up with provisions by the time I flew into Weipa late Wednesday. Many of the family had already journeyed far over dusty roads to reach Weipa.

Day 1: Thursday 1st of August

Weipa to Canal Creek

We departed Weipa early picking up a coffee-to-go at the coffee van on the way out of town and drove with all the bikes loaded east through Batavia Downs Cattle Station, past the Moreton Telegraph Station on the Wenlock River, to our meet-up point at Bramwell Junction Roadhouse.

By mid morning the bikes were unloaded and the riders kitted up for the southern section of the legendary Old Telegraph Track. Mark Coleman from the Weipa GROWL Club gave the riders a pep talk about what to watch out for and how the group would look out for each other. And off they went, bikes in one direction and we in the support vehicles continued on the Peninsula Development Road to meet up for lunch at Fruit Bat Falls situated in the Jardine River National Park.

Mark Bowden @ Bramwell, last minute preparations

Aaron Schleich set to go!

Wanna-be Cody practising for next time!

Great-Nanny Naj with baby Evie

A pensive Brad Bowden

Denica Russ ready to go!

The two Marks. Mark Coleman is a veteran of these trips and his support was awesome!

Riders all kitted up for the first leg of the journey

The southern section of the Old Telegraph Track, which runs from Bramwell Junction to Bamaga Road, a distance of approximately 70Km, is an iconic drive that features eight challenging water crossings and some stunning tropical scenery as you head north towards the Tip of Australia.

Telegraph Line History

In the early 1880s the Queensland Government had JR Bradford, Inspector of Lines and Mail Route Services, survey a route along the Cape York Peninsula to Thursday Island for the construction of an electric telegraph line. Finally, after three gruelling months, the expedition reached Somerset: near the northern tip of the Cape.

Work on the Cape York Peninsula section began soon after and was completed in 1886, except for 90km between Moreton and Mein where telegrams were carried by horse and rider until the line was completed. The line consisted of galvanized cast iron ‘Oppenheimer’ poles manufactured in Germany and many are still standing today. Ceramic insulators are also sometimes found. After more than 100 years of service, the line was closed in 1987.

(Courtesy www.hemamaps.com)

The support vehicles were the first to arrive at Fruit Bat Falls picnic area and we enjoyed a picnic lunch and swimming in the crystal clear waters.

Evie greets Poppy at Fruit Bat Falls

Finally the riders arrived, and there already had been some injuries: Brad hit a small tree and went over the handlebars injuring his shoulder quite badly - no blood but internal damage - no more riding for him today, and Josh came off at one of the creek crossings injuring his foot and a finger - he kept his boot on and rode the rest of the way but he only found out a week later that both the finger and the foot were fractured.

Ouch!

The injured had some hydrotherapy at Fruit Bat Falls, and with belly’s full we all then headed down the four wheel drive track to nearby Canal Creek to camp the night. It was the best spot to camp being situated just outside the national park so we were able to have an open fire and the dogs could have a bit of a run around.

Micky’s dad Scott rode Micky’s bike - he made it unscathed!

Scott with his mum Sue and “the mother-in-law” by the edge of Canal Creek

Chillin out at the end of the day!

Ron and Sue taking a dip!

Uncle Glen, Uncle Aaron, Cousin Josh & Kim enjoying the cool water

Cody enjoying his camp bath!

William with Great Grandad!

Canal Creek camp - Mark Coleman on the BBQ - the Growl Club provided dinner for this first night.

Day 2: Friday 2nd of August

Canal Creek to Punsand Bay The day started with a camp breakfast courtesy of Growl, and bikers rode more of the Telegraph Track to our next meet-up spot at the Jardine River ferry crossing, while the cars drove via the bypass road. There were a few changes - Glen took over from Scott riding Micky’s bike, and Denika handed over her riding gear to Micky’s sister Emily who regarded herself as a novice rider. However with lot’s of family looking out for her she was keen to have a go.

Aaron is keen to get going!

Beau, Eli and Cody - “Let’s go!”

Denica all prepared for the next leg of the trip to Punsand Bay

Leonard and the other dogs are ready too!

Emily ready to ride!

Glen and Scott - bush mechanics!

Evie got lots of cuddles while mum and dad packed up the car ....

Before leaving the Jardine River National Park, we made a short stop at Twin Falls where Micky had spent the weekend before his tragic death. Twin Falls is a series of rock pools and cascades that is linked by tracks and boardwalks to nearby Eliot Falls.

Enjoying the crystal clear waters at Twin Falls

A pensive Grandad Ron remembering Mick

Tillie with Auntie Denica

Nana Emma Russ with Tillie

Micky’s mum Rachael enjoying a quiet moment before getting back on the road

Leaving the National Park was another matter! Lucky we spent some time at Twin Falls - the driver at the head of this line of cars had been waiting for 1.5 hours! It was reassuring to have these workmen on hand as we climbed out of this crossing!

Oh no! This is our only way out!

The little boys enjoyed watching the workmen at work!

There were more than a dozen cars waiting to cross this creek - some had been waiting over an hour!

The riders on the other hand went in the other direction down the Telegraph Track to tackle even more challenging creek crossings .....

Emily doing it like a pro!

Rob Moore following up behind

Glen walking Micky’s bike across this tricky crossing!

Crossing the Jardine

Once at the Jardine, anyone who was not registered or licensed had to load their bike up and travel in the cars to Punsand Bay camping ground. Tickets for a single vehicle return is $100, and if you are towing a caravan it is even more.

Buy your tickets here, but closed for lunch from 12 to 1.

Loaded ferry

A confident Rachael towing a trailer full of dirt bikes waiting to cross

Crossing the Jardine we enter the Northern Peninsula Area. The NPA Region is made up of five indigenous communities. There are three aboriginal communities: Injinoo, Umagico and new Mapoon, and two Saibai Islander communities: Seisia and Bamaga.

Saibai Islander people were forced to relocate in pursuit of fresh water and land, and they resettled at the site of the old Red Island Wharf in Seisia. The name Seisia is made up from the first letter of each of the brothers Sagaukauz, Elu, Ibuai, Sunai, Isua and Aken, the founding brothers of the community. Seisia wharf provides the region with shipping and ferry services, as well as being a popular local fishing spot, offering beautiful sunsets and views of small islands across the water. Of course many crocodiles, sharks and stingrays inhabit these waters.

We stopped for lunch at Sesia, topped up with fuel and ice before turning north at Bamaga for the final leg to Punsand Bay.

Lunch in the shade at Seisia

A hopeful Aaron fishing at Seisia - SeaSwift ferry tied up at the wharf

Cape York sign!

Hot showers and cold drinks! YES!!!

Emily relaxing after a satisfying day

The GROWL camp at the end of Day 2. Mark cooked up a huge pot of prawns which everyone loved. Thanks Mark and Eileen!

My camp site under the trees and view to the sea - one happy camper!

Hayley Bowden at Punsand Bay

Sunset at Punsand Bay

This is the life!

Aaron enjoying sundowners @ Punsand Bay

Eileen enjoying the afternoon ambiance

Day 3: Saturday 3rd of August

The Tip of Cape York, Somerset, and the 5 beach trail ride

Today is the culmination of our trip to The Tip with us all donning our Micky Memorial shirts and the boys taking Michael’s bike to the northern most point for a photo with us all.

The cairn of rocks in the middle distance is man-made by the hundreds of walkers who each add a rock to the pile as they go past.

Mark Bowden riding Micky’s bike to The Tip

It was low tide so we were able to walk along the beach some of the way

Micky’s immediate family

"As everyone in the background were taking the photos, a pod of dolphins swam past.” We decided this was Micky’s way of saying he was with us!

The Schleich crew!

All of us with Micky’s bike and helmet at the northernmost point of the Australian mainland.

Russ and Scott - Evie’s two “Poppies”!

Granny Naj with Emily, Mark and Brad

Riders once again lined up in a salute to Mick, before heading off for more adventures

We picnicked at historic Somerset beach on the eastern side of the Tip.

History of Somerset

John Jardine had migrated to New South Wales in 1840, and held a number of government appointments before being made Police Magistrate and Commissioner of Crown Lands at Somerset, at the tip of Cape York Peninsula, in 1864.

In 1865, 22-year-old Frank Jardine, his brother Alexander and eight others drove a mob of cattle overland from Rockhampton to Somerset, a remarkable feat which made them heroes in colonial Queensland.

They started with 42 horses and 250 head of cattle. The trip took 10 months during which time the party was constantly opposed by the area's inhabitants as they forced their way through scrub and swamps and crossed at least six large rivers, including the Jardine River which was subsequently named after him. They reached Somerset on 2 March 1865 with 12 horses and 50 cattle. Jardine's men survived, in poor health; they left a trail of dead Aborigines, dead horses and cattle and all their equipment.

For their pioneering exploratory efforts the Jardine brothers were made Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society and awarded the Society's Murchison Award in 1886.

Frank Jardine became in effect a law unto himself in northern most Queensland and is reputed to have been extremely cruel and barbaric.

The local Indigenous population was dispossessed and there was hostility between them and the Jardine family, both during Frank and Alick Jardine's expedition to Somerset, and during the years of the settlement. Jardine was also suspended for a time from his duties as Police Magistrate whilst being investigated in relation to using his position to obtain a pearl diving licence.

In 1873, Jardine married Sana Solia, the seventeen-year-old niece of the King of Samoa. They had two sons and two daughters, and the marriage endured until Jardine’s death from leprosy in 1919. Their graves can still be seen here at Somerset.

The pearl diving industry was important to the Queensland economy, and came to be dominated by Japanese divers after 1891. Kobori Itchimatsu came from the village of Nishi Mukai in Wakayama prefecture, an area that provided 80 per cent of the 7,000 Japanese who left their country to become pearl divers.

The earliest known burial was that of Cancan, a pearl diver, dating to 1890. Japanese pearl diver Kobori Itchimatsu was also buried there in 1909. Both graves are situated in the north area of the site.

Several Indigenous groups occupied this region prior to European contact. In an 1896 report to the Queensland Government, Archibald Meston estimated that in the 1870s the Indigenous population between Newcastle Bay and Cape York was around 3,000. At the time of writing his report, he believed that the population had fallen to around 300. This rapid decline was caused by a number of factors, including introduced disease, exclusions from traditional hunting grounds and frontier violence. Reverend Frederick Charles Jagg, a missionary at Somerset appointed by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, gave an indication of the relationship between European and Indigenous peoples when he reported in 1867 that "The aborigines have been described as the most degraded, treacherous and bloodthirsty beings in existence by the present Police Magistrate, and those whose only idea is to shoot them down whenever they were seen".

Somerset became redundant as a port once a safer shipping route to the Torres Strait was found and a settlement on Thursday Island was built from 1876. Frank Jardine continued to live at Somerset, maintaining the police residence until his death there in March 1919. During this time, Jardine continued to maintain a beef cattle herd; was engaged in the pearling industry; and created a coconut/copra plantation at Somerset.

Due to Somerset's isolated location the Jardine family provided assistance and hospitality to travellers and seafarers, for example, Jardine aided the survivors of the shipwreck of RMS Quetta in 1890.

Aaron conquering the five beach trail ride on the eastern side of the Cape overlooking Freshwater Bay.

Remote and tricky - one rider did not make it, his bike seizing up in the excessive sand hills.

While the big boys were exploring the dunes, the little ones had fun riding up and down this remote sandy shoreline.

Beau getting ready to ride

Helmet: check; Gloves: check ....

Go Beau!

Dinner Saturday night at Punsand Bay with us all wearing out Micky Memorial shirts. Tourists to the area were curious and a few came over for a chat. Day 4: Sunday 4th of August

Punsand Bay to Bramwell Station

We de-camped and got away reasonably early and met up with the riders on the southern side of the Jardine River Ferry, then we drove in convoy to Fruit Bat Falls for our final lunch together. The wind was blowing a gale so jumping in the water was not so inviting. Scott gave a wonderful speech thanking everyone for coming, and proposing that we do it again next year - at a different location though. Everyone thought it was a great idea.

The riders once again tackled the Old Telegraph track, this time including Emily who by now had become an experienced rider, and crazy Josh, who, despite his broken foot, chose to once again ride this treacherous stretch of road .... well, more a track than a road! Mind you he still did not know it was actually broken!

Next stop was the campground at Bramwell Station.

Setting up camp at Bramwell Station

Sunset on Bramwell Station

Normie Rowe and The Bagman were performing the night we were there. The restaurant was booked out but we were able to wander up and enjoy the concert. The young ones thought that Normie was a bit old hat, but Bagman brought the house down with his bush poetry. Tears of laughter!

Normie Rowe

Day 5: Monday 5th of August

Bramwell Station to Weipa

Rachael with the Bramwell Station restaurant and bar in the background

Photos from Bramwell Museum

Photos from Bramwell Museum - these huge termite mounds are a typical feature of the Cape York scrub

Photos from Bramwell Museum The Cuscus is a marsupial unique to Cape York.

Photos from Bramwell Museum - the largest cockatoo in the world! It is sacred to indigenous tribes.

And here we end this epic saga. Bramwell is just two hours drive from Weipa where the journey ended on Monday lunchtime, time for Emily to pack and board her flight to Brisbane. The Charters Towers mob and Ron and Sue continued driving south rather then returning to Weipa, while Scott & Rachael, Mark (headed for Cairns), Brad, Ash, her dad Russ and baby Evie (headed for Townsville) all departed early Wednesday. But not before Scott had sampled his favourite meal in Weipa - Sizzling Duck at the Thai restaurant on Tuesday night ..... one more time to all be together before heading our separate ways. No pics I am sorry! As Peter Cundel used to say: That’s your blooming lot!

Thanks everyone for making this trip so memorable!

Until next time .......

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victakestaipei · 7 years

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Overcoming My Cliff-jumping PTSD & Weekly Pool Parties

I woke up at 7:15 and I'm so glad I had already packed my stuff for the day. I jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes, brushed my teeth and headed out. I was DYING INSIDE. Super hungover. Running to the bus stop. I took the bus to the MRT station because it would have taken too long to walk, and then I took the MRT to Taipei Main Station which is where the group was meeting (at 8am). Taipei Main Station is the branch that connects Taipei to the outside world (the rest of Taiwan). There's a bus station, the TRA (which is the train system that travels outside of Taipei), and other forms of transportation there. It's really the hub/hotspot of the city. Jeannie and I ended up on the same subway train so we arrived together at Taipei Main Station, and on time! To my surprise, there was about 40 of us going!! A huge huge group. I was excited to meet people, but I knew that traveling in large groups takes 10x as long as it normally would. And it did...... The struggle to get to our destination was literally hilarious. And hot. And sweaty... Thank god I had my coffee that morning at the train station.

After taking the train to Ruifang, we walked down the main street of the town then hopped on the bus, which would take us up the mountains to where the snorkeling/cliff jumping area was located. The bus segment of the trip was a mess. A hot, humid, and cramped mess. Imagine 40 sweaty college students forcing their way onto a city bus because they didn’t want to wait 30 minutes for the next one to come... Not fun. But luckily I was one of the first few people to get on the bus because I was NOT PLAYING NO TYPA GAMES!!! I even got to gnab a seat, so I didn’t have to stand the whole time. ;)

my face the ENTIRE bus ride v

The views from the bus were pretty beautiful though!!! We passed quite a few touristy spots on the way up the mountain. One being the Golden Waterfall. This was exciting for me because I had this destination on my list!! And I got to knock out two birds with one stone today. The Golden Waterfall is special because apparently you can’t even touch the water because it’s poisonous! Wild. The water trickling down the waterfall is a gold color because of the combination of regular rainfall in this mining area and the abundance of heavy metal elements that are deposited in the riverbed. Neat-o!

The famous spot we were headed to is called “LongDong", meaning Dragon Cave. The area of Ruifang also has the famous JiuFen street. The JiuFen area and famous teahouse is what the town and teahouse in the movie Spirited Away is modeled after. This location is a huge tourist spot, and would be a day-trip in itself. I didn’t get to pop by JiuFen today because it would've taken at least 3 hours to really enjoy. :( Next time!

We didn't get to the snorkeling rental spot until around noon. Meaning, we had been traveling and waiting and walking for about 4 hours at this point. And I'm running on 3.5 hours of sleep. I was a grouch. But once I got the rental gear I perked up a bit. The rental gear only cost 150NT, which is about $5 (US)... And we were given a snorkel mask, life vest, and little booties.

After grabbing all my stuff, and changing into my swimsuit, we hitched a ride from the snorkel rental people down the narrow road to the water. We sat on the back of a flat bed truck, and I think that's where I lost my pants... Good thing I brought two pair!! About 20 minutes into the hike I realized I didn't have my pants with me and I think the truck ride down was when I lost them. :(

Anyway, Once there at the end of the road, we then had to HIKE to get to the location. There was a lot of people in the water snorkeling, but the spot we wanted to go to, was more central and where the "party was at". So we hiked about 15 minutes deeper into the cliffs so that we could find the perfect spot. We finally arrived, put our stuff down, and took photos!

Afterwards we hopped in, snorkel gear in hand, to take a look into the clear blue water. There was tons of fish in the area. There wasn't a lot of variety, but the amount of fish in general was a lot. I maybe saw like 5-7 different types of fish, just in large large amounts.

It took me forever to get the guts to jump off the larger cliff (pictured above), because I feel like I have some lingering PTSD from the last time I went cliff jumping. Before my freshman year of college, I went cliff jumping with some friends at Nelson’s Landing, which is on the Colorado River outside of Vegas. My friend Brien, is the guy that can get you to do anything. He just has that type of personality. So he convinced me to jump off this super high cliff with him... I'm talking like 50-60 feet. I didn't want to, but I finally came around, and found myself toes-on-the-edge, looking out into the water... We counted to three and jumped. I screamed. Loud as hell. I screamed and screamed and then realized I was still falling. I had run out of scream and was still in the air.. Like those roller coasters where you scream after the big drop and you run out of scream and you're still going downhill and your stomach starts to feel heavy??? Like that. As I approached the water I could feel my legs lifting. I tried to stay like a pencil so that the landing wouldn't be as painful, but right towards the end of the fall, I started to panic (after running out of scream) and my legs lifted and I was in a pike position when I hit the water. So basically I landed on my tailbone. After surfacing the water, I immediately could not feel my legs. I started crying and screaming for Brien (who is in the water next to me and landed in perfect form and is also a lifeguard) because I couldn't move my lower half and started to drown. I thought I was paralyzed. He grabbed me and swam to the cliff's wall so that I could hold on to it and calm down. I slowly began to regain feeling in my legs (thank you JESUS) but I suffered a sharp pain that would run down my back and tailbone which lasted weeks after that trip. And THATS WHY U DONT CLIFFJUMP KIDS. OR LISTEN TO BRIEN CAMPBELL. EVER.

Anyway, let’s switch gears here... so I'm here on the top of this cliff in Taiwan. Once in a lifetime, looking out into some extremely clear blue water, while a bunch of friendly young Asian people yell "Jia You!!! Jia You!!!" (pronounced: "geeyah-yo" and meaning "go!") trying to encourage me. I exchanged a few words (in my head) with God and jumped off the cliff alongside Jeannie. I screamed the whole way down but needless to say I'm alive. And the rush felt awesome. And I didn’t touch any coral even though the clarity of the water makes it feel like the coral is right there beneath the surface... After a few hours at the cliff jumping and snorkeling site, Jeannie and I were extremely sunburned and ready to head home. But not before taking some model-esque photos ;)

such majesty wow wow

On the facebook event page regarding today’s trip, it said we would arrive back home around 6pm. But Jeannie and I didn’t want to wait that long... we were ready to GO! As we hiked back to the small road that led us to the water, we met some people who were also in our large group (of 40+ people). One of them was a local Taiwanese guy named Hank, and as it turns out he drove to the cliff jumping area, and didn’t ride the bus like the rest of us plebs. One thing led to another and Hank ended up letting Jeannie and I hitch a ride with him and some other foreigners so that we didn’t have to take the bus. Hank mentioned this pool party at a water park that was going on, which is where he was headed, and he invited us to tag along. And of course we did. The 7 of us (three Canadians, one English girl, me, Jeannie, and Hank) piled into his SUV and headed back to Taipei. But not before stopping at 7/11 to get snacks and BEER!!! Holla ;)

I thought I saved the pictures on snapchat that I took of us in the car... but it turns out I didn’t :( So I don’t have any pictures of Hank and the rest of the gang, but it was great meeting them and I’ll probably see them all again before I leave in August!!

When we arrived at the water park, I was SHOOKETH. First of all, the water park was huge, with a bunch of foreigners, a bar, a dance floor, three water slides, two shallow pools, and a lazy river that winded it’s way around the whole thing. It was crazy. What was even crazier was that it only cost 200 NT to get in! (less than $7 US). They were playing all the top 40 hits, from Drake, to 2 Chainz, to Kendrick Lamar. It didn’t even feel like I was in Taiwan anymore!! It felt like I was back in the States!!!! Also, I found out that they do this whole party thing every saturday in the summer! I will definitely be back (and I will take more pictures next time).

I got hit on more than I wanted to (not that anyone wants to be hit on necessarily... but I think part of the reason why was simply because there were hella African dudes at the pool party.) I also got hit on by two Taiwanese dudes who approached me together, and got some smiles and head nods from white guys...White guys never really acknowledge my beauty... maybe that’s just an American white guy thing... but nonetheless I was feeling myself ;) Plus I was drinking at the bar and had that huge beer on the car ride over, so Jeannie and I were having a jolly good time!

We stayed at the pool party until about 7:30pm.. I was pretty slumped from the long day and was still running on those 3.5 hours of sleep. I headed to the nearby Gongguan street market to grab some food before taking my tired/wet butt home. Once home I took the longest shower ever and crawled right into the bed. Despite how tired my body felt, I couldn’t get myself to hit the hay until about 2:15am. *eyeroll*. But I think that also has to do with the excitement from the day!! Such a great great day. I love Taiwan.

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songofsaraneth · 7 years

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WHEPHEW what a busy weekend. journal-blogging it up bc it was a Good one and i wanna remember it

friday after work started with the birthday party for the town multicultural center!! one of my housemates plays in a marching/brass band and they performed at it, everyone drank free margaritas and had chips/salsa/cupcakes, and then we tried to play a pretty unsucessful game of 4-square with some children and made me realize what a difference height makes in that sport (we had to play in like, Ultra Squat position to be on the same level as the kids, so basically Leg Day).

friday night was ALSO the first Bike Party of the year, where everyone puts on costumes for that month’s theme (this one was “safari”), meet up behind the bike shop and the guy with the solar powered speakers on a bike trailer starts playing a bunch of music, and then we bike up and down main st and wave to the tourists and then have a roving dance party around town. usually in the culverts below the roads, under the highway bridge north of town, or along the bike path past the campgrounds (sometimes picking up extra people from the campsites who feel like partyin). generally you get to an area, dance for 30-45minutes, then bike to the next, dance more, etc. VERY EXERCISE I always forget how tiring it is ;_; but this is the last time it’ll be on a friday for a while cause Tourist Season, so it’s probably the last one me and all my housemates could get to together. we wore our matching zebra onesies (that we got for our blanket fort house party back in february) and there were two other zebras also in attendance. another friend dressed up as “the jungle” and i’m jealous I didn’t think of that first. it was VERY COLD THOUGH like FUCK it snowed for twenty whole minutes in the morning. luckily the onesie is pretty warm. but we didn’t bike home till about midnight and i was So Sore the next day

saturday!! i was lazy and slept forever which was Excellent and then in the afternoon, met up with another mermaid visiting from Salt Lake with her family! i met up with her at her hotel and we swam in the pool for like 40 minutes before Noping out because it was cold and just sitting in the hot tub to chat instead lol. it was fun though! i’ve never met up with another mermaid for swimming before (the other time i tried we were rained out, but went to the aquarium instead, which was also super awesome) so that was neat! she had a Kariel sequin tail, which i’ve never seen up close before (40,000 sequins!!!!!), so that was cool.

after that i went to a friends bday party! which started out totally normal (chatting, lots of food, his dad was in town so talked to him a bit), then did a pinata (did u know adults trying to smack a pinata is even more hilarious than than when children do it), then chatted a bit more and at like 10pm people started dancin. except three dudes were sort of alternating selecting songs were like, trying to make the styles as opposing as possible (hardcore rap followed by slow lyrical ballad followed by bouncy disney) and it became kind of a competition to... keep dancing anyway??? no matter how weird the songs got?? culminating in a swaying Hug Circle to My Heart Will Go On, squiggling amoeba-like through the living room and kitchen to envelop Music Selection Dude #2 Who Hated That Song but was standing by the computer and we were worried he was gonna change it, and then everyone just... slowly grabbed his body and held it horizontally, then lifted him into the air and slowly spun him in circles just below the ceiling before gently lowering him onto the floor (where he remained perfectly motionless) and doing synchronized hand waving over his body. IT GOT REALLY WEIRD. but no one questioned it everyone was perfectly silent or singing along to the lyrics until the song ended. what the fuck. i haven’t been part of something That bizarre since college (tho to be fair, there were a Lot of those moments in college). anyway party lasted until a bit after midnight.

TODAY SUNDAY!! at 9am met up with folks to go WHITE WATER RAFTING! it was the going away party for a friend, so we got a bunch of gear together/a pal’s free boat rental for working at a river company, and some personal boats, so 3 boats and about 12 people. second time ive been on the river this season, the first was february and Very cold/total splash guards against the water, but today was the first decent day this week! about 50-60F all day, though the water was a lot colder (although what the fuck is going ON this is the DESERT we should be like in the 70-80s range this time of year). everything went great at first, the rapids were easy, we rafted for a couple hours and then docked at a winery with a helpful pier, and jumped inside for buffet lunch and optional wine tasting. which like, WHAT an excellent concept, i hear they’re doing brunches soon, and whitewater rafting into/out of a fancy brunch seems IDEAL tbh.

...buuuuut we got to the first rapid after the winery/last rapid we were gonna hit of the day and just. totally flipped. we lost back left paddler (who took a drink of wine from his beer can like RIGHT as we went into the rapid smh) almost immediately, and i turned to see what happened to him (i was back right), and noticed that our captain/acting guide was just ALSO GONE??? I still don’t know HOW he fell out i guess he just catapulted on the first big wave... everyone (sans myself) was pretty drunk and at high water level (~15,000cfs) you can go straight through (or, RDTFM, aka “right down the fucking middle”, thats ur whitewater lingo for the day), but it was only at like ~8000cfs today so instead there was just... a rock. so chuck (acting captain) pops up a second later and manages to grab the boat, i haul him in, turn around to see charlie (back left paddle) somehow on the other side of our raft now floating the rapid, and two of the front paddlers trying unsuccessfully to reach him.

then i look forward and OH GOD there is ANOTHER huge dip in front of us leading to aforementioned rock, and I sort of leapt to the left side/charlie’s spot to try to paddle off it, but no one was paying enough attention to coordinate and so we slammed it and the boat went riiiiiiight over. like, the most dramatic long-ways flip i’ve ever seen, threw/shoved us all down into the water. mostly i was thinking “OH FUCK” but also “SHOULDN’T HAVE BOTHERED PULL CHUCK BACK IN”, was under for maybe 5 seconds total, then popped up right behind the raft. pretty much everyone managed to hold onto the tie line and somehow i guess we also landed on charlie again so he had a hold as well. until we hit the next rock anyway, which popped the boat up for a second/swept me underwater and under the boat, and i ended up hand-over-handing it out onto the front side. which was easier for visibility/expectations but also i could see 10 feet in front of me that my backpack had come unsecured and was floating down the river without me, holding my phone (thankfully in a lifeproof/very waterproof case bc i’m not a Fool who takes electronics on rafting trips with no backup) and driver’s license and glasses hostage. and like 80% of me was ready to dive after it but while i’m an idiot i’m not That much of an idiot so i held onto the boat instead and watched it get farther and farther off. the first of our boats that went through (a dinghy with two passengers) was waiting for us downstream and seemed like they were gonna get it, but then one of our people got swept way downstream so they were on mission Rescue Susan instead. but anyway after a very charged minute or so that felt more like ten, we managed to kick ourselves into an eddy and get over to the shore.

at which point i became very confused bc our group now had 3 more people in it than were in our boat??? which is when i realized that our third boat, whcih had been behind us, had also capsized and dunked all passengers. but theirs was still trapped in the current (for like 5 whole minutes just bouncing on top of the first big rapid) so they all swam sans gear to where we ended up. anyway i sloshed to a nearby beach where some concerned rafters were watching (turned out to be our #3 boat guide’s coworkers, who’s company we were renting gear from, whoops), and over a ridge, and saw that boat #1 had sucessfully reclaimed susan, and a kind kayaker had saved both my backpack and one of our paddles. we dried off for a bit and checked everything over miraculously, the only casualties were some hats and sunglasses, one item per every person who flipped. the river gods were kind in their choice of sacrifices today. then we boated the last mile out and lay in the sand warming up until our car shuttle finished, and my friend who’s bday party i went to the night before & his gf & dad boated up RIGHT after us (they were also all at the multicultural center event friday) and laughed at us for having flipped. ah tiny desert towns. you see Everyone everywhere all the time. and i’ll see them again on wednesday for D&D so more mockery inbound.

anyway i got home and me n my roommate (also on the trip) took some VERY long/hot showers, drank some hot chocolate, and then watched cop drama tv shows in bed under the covers for 2 hours before ordering takeout soup and laying in bed some more. now i am laying in bed and about to go to sleep bc i’m exhausted but apparently still enough of an insomniac to never go to bed before midnight.

#ramblings #long post #a lot happened!!! so busy and also now im So Tired #sleeeeeeeeeeep time #wanderings #Colorado plateau wanderings #

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unashamed-shipper · 7 years

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The Right Time

commission for @strawberrysweetlove35. hope you enjoy!

characters: natsu, lucy, happy, mentions of gray and juvia

pairings: nalu, tiny mention of gruvia

word count: 2005

type: fluff

tags: @ftfanfics, @fic-writer-appreciation

“Happy Anniversary, Luce,” Natsu said, handing her a small gift wrapped with a bow.

“Oh! Thank you!” she said, accepting it quickly. It was their three-year anniversary, and they couldn’t be happier. Lucy and Natsu had been going strong for that long, and it had been a lovely ride.

But Lucy couldn’t but help for something that would be more: an engagement ring. As she unwrapped the gift and saw that it was a small black box, she squealed and flung it open with gusto only to find that it was a pair of star earrings in blue that matched her skirt she wore on a regular basis.

“Thank you, Natsu,” she said, trying her hardest not to sound unhappy. They really were beautiful: they shined just like the actual stars in the sky and were made of real white gold dyed with the most gorgeous blue.

Was it so wrong of her to want something that she might never have? She and Natsu never really talked about marriage seriously. Lucy always dreamed of a perfect wedding with an amazing reception and gifts galore, but she knew that wasn’t to happen with Natsu. He would want a wedding held in the guild instead of the beach wedding she desired, and she was sure that he would want beer galore when she yearned for the finest champagne.

As she watched him open his own present, his scarf with their initials woven in red on a tag she created herself, she understood that it was going to be alright if he decided to not propose for a while. She wanted to get married for sure, but she knew that it was up to him to ask her to marry him. If he wanted it, then he for sure was the one that had to do it.

“You ready for our date?” Natsu asked, taking her hand and opening the door.

“Date?” Lucy peered down at her outfit: a sweater and boots with a pleated skirt. “I don’t think I’m dressed for a fancy outing…”

“Nah, you look pretty as always,” Natsu said, turning his head away from her. He thankfully couldn’t see her blush; she knew that if he did he would call her a weirdo.

“Thanks,” she said quietly, her pulse slowly quickening as he opened the door to his truck for her.

Natsu bit his lip as he shut the door. Once he got around to the end of the truck, he took the small velvet box out of his jacket pocket and popped it open, looking at the ring once more.

Today was the day he would propose.

“I knew we were going to end up here at some point!” Lucy giggled, throwing a fry into her mouth. Natsu had taken her to the Hargeon restaurant that they went when they first met, which was quite nostalgic for both of them. Their journey had started strangely, but they ended up together like he knew they always would.

After all, when he first met Lucy he knew he would marry her.

Maybe it was her beautiful blonde hair that caught his attention. Or maybe it was the smile that he loved so much. Whatever the case, he looked at her the first time and wondered if he himself had been hit by Bora’s charm spell.

He knew that he had to make her his from that moment on, and he did.

If only he could figure out how to propose correctly…

“Lucy!” Happy yelled, flying over to the woman and burying his head in her chest. “Can I eat some food too?”

“You’d better ask Natsu that question. He’s buying me lunch,” Lucy said, taking a bite of her sandwich with a satisfied sound.

“Please? You can’t let Lucy eat all the food in the place! She’ll get even fatter!” Happy turned to Natsu to ask just before Lucy’s face turned red with rage.

“Stupid cat! I am not fat!” Lucy growled, swiping at the exceed.

“Waaah! Natsu, Lucy’s being mean to me!”

Natsu, however, was not focused on Happy’s cries. His eyes were solely focused on Lucy’s beautiful body. It didn’t matter how much she ate; she always stayed quite thin by going on jobs. Her figure was curvaceous as well, but he didn’t even notice until they started dating. It didn’t matter to him what she looked like. Lucy was Lucy, and he would love her even when she was all old and wrinkly.

“I dunno why you keep talking about Lucy being fat. She looks just fine to me,” Natsu said, trying to keep his voice nonchalant and biting his lip softly once more.

Lucy blushed and squeaked out a thank you. Natsu tipped his head to the side, looking at her suspiciously.

“Jeez, I just paid you a compliment. You don’t have to blush,” he said, and Lucy pouted then.

When they were finished with their meal, Natsu paid and left a tip and then led her out to his truck once again, opening the door for her like he did before.

“Where are we going?” she asked, but he said nothing in return as he drove to their next destination.

A few minutes passed and Natsu parked at the park they went to for their first date, and Lucy’s eyes lit up when she saw the skating rink. When they first went there in the summer, there was a lake that they swam in together. But now it was redecorated into a nice ice skating rink that had a path going into the woods. It was decorated with lights, and now that it was getting a little darker outside she could see them clearly.

As he lead her up to the concession stand to rent their skates, Lucy heard a familiar voice.

“Gray-sama, skate with Juvia!” Juvia’s voice could be heard as well as her third-person speaking from a mile away, and Lucy whirled around and waved.

“Hey!” Lucy greeted, and Juvia waved back and Gray raised a hand in greeting. The couple kept their distance carefully as they skated away, whispering about the fact that Natsu and Lucy would be getting engaged quite soon.

“Are ya ready, Luce?” Natsu asked, holding up his skates in one hand in hers in the other. The snow starting to lightly fall was weighing on Natsu’s hair, and it disappeared quickly in his pink locks. He did always have quite a warm body temperature…

“Of course!” Lucy grinned, and she grabbed her skates and started to put them on. A few minutes later, she was ready to go and had a hold of Natsu’s arm. He lead her into the ice rink and the two began to skate.

Once on the ice, Natsu fell quickly and landed on his butt, and Lucy giggled and skated circles around him.

“It’s not funny, Luce!” he said, and Lucy blew a raspberry at him as she skated away.

Oh, she was asking for it now! Natsu’s hands itched to reach around her body and throw her into the snow, but he knew that she wouldn’t be happy if she was tossed into the cold all of a sudden.

The few hours of ice skating went by quickly, and the sky was dark now. Lucy yawned softly. Skating was tiring for sure, and she was ready to go home.

“What’s next, Natsu?” she asked with a smile.

“Two more things: a treat and a surprise,” Natsu said, unlacing his skates fluidly and putting on his other shoes.

A surprise? Oh, he was going to propose after all! Lucy’s heart jumped for joy and her pulse raced. She was going to get the thing she hoped for the most!

Natsu said little when he took her hand and led her to an outside vendor of ice cream. He chose cinnamon ice cream and Lucy went with mint chip. They licked their ice cream as they sat on a bench, talking together.

“So what is this surprise?” Lucy asked with a teasing smile, dipping a finger into her ice cream and pressing it onto Natsu’s cheek. Natsu retaliated by doing the same to her, and he grinned as he licked it off.

“Well,” he said, tasting the mint chip in his mouth, “it’s something that you’ve been hoping for for a while.”

Lucy’s heart felt like it was about to explode. She knew it! He really was going to ask her to marry him!

As she practically went ahead of Natsu to the surprise, to her shock there was a gazebo in the woods that was not there the last time they visited. A small river rushed next to it, and inside it there was a picnic basket and blanket set up.

“Surprise, Luce! A picnic for you and me! I hope you’re hungry,” Natsu said, throwing his arms up in the air.

Oh, a picnic. That was the surprise.

Lucy had to hide her disappointment as she ate the food with Natsu, sighing the whole way through. Why was she so stupid? How could she think that he would propose today?

“What’s wrong, Luce?” he asked in between bites of bread and soup.

“Oh, nothing,” she said with a short sigh, drinking the wine he had packed.

“Bullcrap. Tell me what’s wrong,” he said, taking her hands and looking into her eyes. The love of his life was upset at this big date he had planned! He knew he was going to mess up somehow…

Natsu’s heart fell as she told him what was wrong.

“This is nice, Natsu. I really liked it. It was a beautiful date,” she said, feigning happiness.

Natsu sighed, running a hand through his hair. Lucy picked up on it, and not being able to bear the hurt anymore she blurted out what was really wrong.

“I thought you were going to propose!”

Natsu was silent for a moment, removing his hand from his hair. He stared at her, watching her begin to cry.

“I mean, I’ve wanted this for so long. We’ve been dating for three years. I don’t know what the hold up is,” she told him honestly, beginning to sob into her hands.

To her surprise, Natsu began to laugh. “Is that it?”

“What do you mean, is that it? It’s a huge deal, Natsu! I really wanted you to propose tonight, and--”

Natsu cut her off with a finger to her lips. “No, that’s not what I’m talking about. I was going to save this for a little later tonight, but…”

He pushed a button from behind him, lighting up the gazebo with string bulbs that Lucy hadn’t noticed were there before.

“Luce,” he said, starting to choke up on just saying his nickname for her, “you’re amazing. Like, you beat up a bunch of criminals with just using your stardress. And I think that’s awesome. You’re beautiful too. Everything about you is gorgeous, and I wanted to marry you when I first saw you. And now, I have the chance to do so.”

Lucy’s breath hitched as he pulled out the little velvet box from his jacket pocket and revealed the ring to her. It was a filigree white gold ring with opals and a single diamond in the middle, the most beautiful ring she had ever seen.

“Lucy Heartfilia, will you marry me?” he asked, crying now.

Lucy didn’t waste a moment. “Yes, of course!”

They embraced in a kiss that would rival the others that they shared. Sweet and soft, but yet full of love. When they broke apart, Natsu held Lucy in his arms.

He was so glad he waited until the time was right.

Commissions are open, and are as low as $7 for 1000 words! You can find my commissions post here!

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randrvstheworld · 6 years

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Welcome to the jungle (literal & metaphorical)

I am happy to report that I had the most wonderful birthday; encompassing three day trip to the Amazon wetlands with my pal George who I bumped into quite by chance in Uyuni. Despite being basically a stranger he went out of his way to ensure I had a super great day; buying me a massive slab of birthday cake for breakfast, getting everyone to sing me happy birthday (twice) & treating us to a bottle of wine to share with dinner.

Our trip began with a smooth hour long flight on the world’s tiniest plane to Rurrenabaque in the north of Bolivia - a small rural town tucked into the edge of the Amazon jungle. We touched down in a very basic airport & were transported via jeep along two hours of dusty roads before reaching the starting point on the Yacuma river, a small tributary of the Amazon that snakes its way through the wetlands. We journeyed by boat for an hour or so to our lodgings for the next three days - a little collection of huts on stilts literally in the river, surrounded by jungle & all its wildlife: crocodiles & caiman swam below, monkeys & tree snakes & toucans & macaws in the trees above. It was such a beautiful place; despite supposedly being the rainy season the sun beat down on us for three straight days & we spent large portions of time relaxing on the deck, looking out over the river & the trees in dappled sunlight, feeling like the luckiest people. On our way to the lodge our awesome guide, Juan Carlos, pointed out turtles & capuchin monkeys along the way; pulling the boat up close to a thicket of trees so we could get a better look at the monkeys who then proceeded to board our boat & climb all over us trying to steal our sunglasses & search for any snacks we might have. Monkeys are super soft & cute & friendly with obviously no fear of us whatsoever. Their hands & feet felt like little baby hands & feet. It was a surreal & wonderful experience.

The evening comprised watching a sunset at Juan Carlos’ house; a similar hut on stilts backing onto a beautiful big meadow, where capybaras lurked in the long grass. We went in search of alligators on the way back with flashlights. Their eyes glowed orange in the beams.

The next day we trooped through the marshes in welly boots in search of anacondas & found one, just shy of two metres long. It was quite spectacular to see up close. Thick & ropey & beautifully patterned. I couldn’t help but wonder at all the other anacondas, & indeed thousands of other creatures, hiding away in this vast expanse of wild land.

The afternoon was spent swimming with pink rover dolphins, which was such a wonderful experience I can hardly describe it. We climbed back into our boat - our only mode of transport as river rats - & made our way to essentially a natural swimming pool: a large expanse of river where it connects to some smaller streams in a big pool. This, we were told by the super informative Juan Carlos, who has lived in the wetlands all his life, was where the dolphins go for their recreation time, much as we might enjoy a Saturday afternoon at a swimming pool also. Dolphins are very playful & friendly creatures & swam right up next to us as we splashed around in the water. River dolphins look very different to sea dolphins: much longer snouts & much shorter find, enabling them to dig & rummage in the river grass for food, properly burrow in to find snacks. They are also pink, somehow due to what they eat. It was truly magical.

On our last day we went piranha fishing. I failed to catch anything & realised in the process that fishing, being as it is a sport that requires much patience for very little reward, is not for me. I spent my time sunbathing on the boat watching everyone else attempt to hook a piranha. Everyone except Juan Carlos failed, who caught five, although George did manage to snag himself a rather impressive dogfish - it was really quite endearing how happy & proud he was of his catch. The piranhas were too sneaky for me - they kept eating the bait but refused to be reeled in. We then transported the fish back to the lodge where they were fried & eaten - from river to plate in less than 30 minutes, the freshest fish I’ve ever eaten! We ate so, so well on this trip - heaps of delicious fresh fruit & vegetables, we basked in sunshine & truly got back to nature, it was an incredible experience & an unforgettable way to turn 31.

I’m now in La Paz, a jungle in its own way: huge, dirty, bustling, overwhelming. Cami & Catherine (who I met in Sucre) are here which is great; today we spent a winderful day trawling markets, visiting the wonderful museum of musical instruments & watching the Cholitas wrestling, which is similar to Mexican Lucha Libre except the wrestlers are predominantly old Bolivian women in traditional dress, which, it transpires, is really quite a spectacle. Cami & Cat sweetly treated me to a birthday dinner last night - they really are so, so lovely & between them & George I feel like I have a solid crew of thoughtful, supportive friends who despite my still somewhat fragile mindset are really making my last bit of time here wonderful. I’m not sure I’m a fan of La Paz; its so busy I’m finding it quite overwhelming & in any case the weather is far too shite to spend a week with no money, & so on Tuesday I’m travelling back to Santa Cruz, where its hot & sunny & I can happily laze away my last week in Bolivia in the sunshine. I am really quite happy doing nothing when the weather is nice; just sitting around drawing & tanning & relaxing & soaking up as much vitamin D as I can before returning to the cold grey streets of the UK. Happily George will be in Santa Cruz too so at least I’ll have a buddy there.

I really just can’t wait to come home. I’m so excited to be back with my family in just two weeks. Now I’ve done my amazon trip I really feel like I’ve achieved everything I wanted to in South America & am glad to be feeling like I’ve fulfilled goals as opposed to failed at travelling. I’ve ended my trip on a high; now I just need to chill & wait for my flight. I have heaps of sketchbooking I want to do so I think I’ll be quite happy doing that. The thought of seeing everyone so soon & getting back to familiarity is really making me feel very good even though I’ll not be doing much for the next 14 days. Hopefully it’ll come round super soon. I’m really looking forward to it.

#bolivia #amazon #jungle #la paz #travel diary

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funface2 · 5 years

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Funny fishing and fish jokes, quotes and puns – Legit.ng

One of the best memories shared when going fishing is the moment when people share fishing puns and fish jokes. Although catching a fish is a joyous moment, it is, however, not as hilarious as when people share such puns and jokes. Such memories are what people hold on to when they participate in such an activity.

Image: pixabay.com (modified by the author) Source: UGC

Since fishing has become a popular outdoor event, one must learn fish jokes. They will come in handy when one is waiting to catch one.

Funny fishing jokes

Image: pixabay.com (modified by the author) Source: UGC

Are you looking for a funny fishing joke to kick off your fishing activity? Check out these fishing funny jokes to crack anyone up.

Why do Americans take a gun while they go fishing? Cause groups of fish are called schools

Why shouldn’t you tell a joke when you’re ice fishing? Because it’ll crack you up!

I rang the fishing helpline today and said, “I’m rubbish at fishing, can you help me?” The guy said, “Can you hold the line?” I said, “No.”

One day, a lad was walking along the pier when he bumped into an older gentleman who had taken off his shoes, rolled up his trousers, and had his legs dangling in the water. The man also held an imaginary rod. The lad was confused, and so he asked the man, “What are you doing?” The old man replied and said that he was fishing for idiots. “Sounds good,” replied the guy. “Can I join you?” The elderly man said, “Of course. Sit down here close to me, son.” The guy sat down and also went ahead and cast his imaginary rod out. He then asked the man the number of idiots he had caught that day. The old man replied, “You’re the third this morning.”

Why did the vegan go deep-sea diving? Just for the halibut!

A blonde was going ice fishing. When the blonde drilled the first hole, she heard a voice “there’s no fish under the ice!” So she stood up and found a new spot. As she drilled the second hole, she heard the voice again “there’s no fish under the ice!!” So the blonde responded with a shiver “god is that you?” “No mam I’m the janitor of this ice rink.”

Give a man a sea creature, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll drink for the rest of his life.

Give a man a fish, and he will feed his family for one day. Teach a man to fish…and over the next few years, more and more pieces of fishing gear will disappear from your garage

My dad was a fisherman, however, he called it quit since his net income was not enough.

What did the fishermen say to the sea creature that swam away? “You bass-tard!”

Boy: Have you ever been fishing before? Girl: Why? Boy: Because I think we should hook up!

Complete list of the trending horse puns, jokes, and quotes

Funny fish jokes

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Get a hilarious fish joke from this list to ensure you are as amusing as your buddy with his or her funny fish puns.

Why didn’t the prawn share his toys? He was a little shellfish

If fish lived on land, which country would they live in? Finland!

What did the fish say when his relationship started to flounder? Halibut we chat about it?

What do sea creatures and women have in common? They both stop shaking their tale after you catch them!

I had a favourite fish once. She would come and visit me in the same spot each day when I was diving until suddenly she disappeared. I was devastated! I lobster! But luckily I flounder.

Why did the sea creature get expelled from school? He was caught with seaweed.

Why did the teenage fish get told off in school? Because he was talking on his shell phone.

What happens when sea creatures start an addiction to worms? They get hooked.

How do shellfish get to the hospital? In a clam-bulance.

How do sea creatures always know how much they weigh? They have their own scales.

What’s the difference between a bench, a fish, and a bucket of glue? You can’t tune a bench but you can tuna fish! I bet you got stuck on the bucket of glue part.

Apparently, 29% of pet owners let their pet sleep on the bed with them, so I gave it a try…my goldfish died.

I tried to make a pie with fish innards! It was cod offal.

Where do women keep their money when underwater? In a octurpurse.

How could the dolphin afford to buy a house? He prawned everything.

What happened to the shark who swallowed a bunch of keys? He got lockjaw.

As a blind man, I have a hard time eating sea creatures. I can’t seafood

Journalist Kemi Olunoyo spotted dancing to Naira Marley’s controversial Soapy track (video)

Fish puns

Image: pixabay.com (modified by the author) Source: UGC

Do your pals have awesome fish pun names or hilarious fish funny puns, and you are wondering where you can get one? Choose a killer fish pun from this list:

Why did the sea creature get bad grades? Because it was below sea level.

What is the difference between a fish and a piano? You can tuna piano but you cannot tuna fish!

Where do sea creatures go to borrow money? To the prawn broker, or sometimes a loan shark.

What is the best way to communicate with a fish? Drop it a line!

What type of instrument do fish love to play? The bass, but some play just the bass drum.

How does a school of fish keep up on happenings in the ocean? They listen to the current news.

What did the shark’s friends tell her when she got dumped? There are plenty of fish in the sea.

What are sea creatures that engage in organized crime called? Lobsters.

What is a fish’s favourite song? Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you drown.

What do you call a fish that destroys Japan? Codzilla.

What is a dolphin’s favourite TV show? Whale of Fortune.

What is the difference between a lawyer and a fish? One is a scum-sucking scavenger; the other is just a fish.

Why did the woman make tons of fish-eye soup? Because it will see her through the week.

Did you hear about the chef in that extremely busy seafood restaurant? He had a lox on his plate.

What do you call a pod of musical whales? An Orca-stra.

Why did the fish live at the bottom of the ocean? Because they dropped out of school.

The best nerd jokes, geeks, and memes that will make you laugh

Funny fishing quotes

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Looking to quote a saying about fishing to make your day? Check out some of the best fishing quotes ever:

“Somebody behind you, while you are fishing, is as bad as someone looking over your shoulder while you write a letter to your girl.”—Ernest Hemingway

“An angler is a man who spends rainy days sitting on the muddy banks of rivers doing nothing because his wife won’t let him do it at home.” Anonymous

“The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.”— Anonymous

“Three-fourths of the Earth’s surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.”—Chuck Clark

“If people concentrated on the essential things in life; there would be a shortage of fishing poles.”—Doug Larson

“There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process.”—Paul O’Neil

The best bee jokes to send your friends

This article has provided a comprehensive list of trending fish jokes and puns. They are quite hilarious and are bound to cheer anyone up. Go ahead and pick several you feel would be the best to use in your next activity.

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Bài viết Funny fishing and fish jokes, quotes and puns – Legit.ng đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày Funface.

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plan8paris · 5 years

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Tribute to Isabel Toledo

Reading today the newsfeed on Social Media, we came across @papermagazine @Kimpaper comment about press commenting Isabel Toledo’s death obsessively focusing on and summing her up as the dress designer for Michelle Obamas inauguration.

In mid 00’s fashion social media project from Plan 8 founder @rafaeljimenez__ named #IQONS @asvoff interviewed Isabel Toledo and her husband Ruben Toledo that we thought would be a great way of remembering them, their iconic New York artistic contribution and their beautiful Love story.

THE TOLEDO’S

A TIME LINE OF A LOVE STORY

By Diane Pernet

IQONS 2008

I met Ruben and Isabel in the 80’s in New York and what is so refreshing about this beautiful couple is the way that success has never changed them and that they are as in love now as they were two decades ago, probably even more .The idea of this piece was to create the time line of their love story.

Can you give me a brief history of both of your childhoods?

RT: I was born during the Bay Of Pigs invasion in 1961 .My mother says bombs were going off while I was being born. This could explain my love of noise, chaos and commotion. Havana was a city of chatter, sounds and music. Films were projected on huge walls of buildings as part of the communist propaganda, free culture in the streets, something magical and awesome. Then my parents escaped to the USA when I was 5 . We went from a blue and green sunny paradise to a frozen, dark and scary America. I saw naked trees for the first time. The sunsets at 4 pm .We arrived in January and snow falls covered up cars and street signs-its was eerie and sensational. I learned to smell snow. My first American movie is Night of the Living Dead seen at a Drive In at night followed by Godzilla, King Kong on TV and also Attack Of The Fifty Foot Woman. I was in love with everything scary, monster, space aliens, witches all very sexy and sinister .I was the only Cuban kid in an American town. I grew up surrounded by wonderful white trash kids who lived on a rusty boat house that sat on the Hudson River where we swam amongst the floating garbage and I learned to be a junior juvenile delinquent , sneaking into movies, amusement parks and carnival etc. …When I met Isabel I left my life of petty crime instantly as I sensed this “Woman” (14 years old) would not stand for any nonsense!

IT: I was born in Las Villas, Camajuani, Cuba, the hot bed of the Cuban Revolution .The youngest of three females. A childhood full of glaring sunshine and small town magic. I came to the USA at the age of 8.

If you had to open up the planet Toledo to one of your relatives, who would it be?

RT: My Grandmother because I think she would like to see how it all turns out , she was a brave, romantic and strong bohemian poet and she died while I was still a kid but I remember her kindness and sweetness towards us and her fierceness towards the world.

IT: My father-he died January 7th, 1984 .Ruben and I began our life together that same year together with my mum. He was so instrumental in informing my life and vision and spirit.

If a film director wanted to make a film of your lives, who would that be and who would play the parts of Isabel and Ruben?

RT: Fellini, Antonini and Schnabel would collaborate on the scenes from Cuba and Tim Burton and John Landis would handle the episodes in America. Isabel would played by Charlotte Gainsbourg as a young maiden and then by Anouk Aimee and Jeanne Moreau and Maria Casares and Maria Felix for the Spanish scenes. I would be played by an unknown actor. He could be from Cuba, France or any country really. Just as long as he would be unknown and acting only for the first time so he can be as shocked and confused and terrified as I usually am.

IT: Pedro Almodovar would direct it and Ruben can be played by Johnny Depp and I would be happy and honored to be portrayed by Salma Hayek or Penelope Cruz because they can play in Spanish.

How did you first meet and was it love at first sight?

RT: Isabel walked into my life in Spanish Class the First day of High School ( we were about 13 or 14yrs old) for me it was love at first sight big time !!!- She ignored me but I was very persistent, I had pimples, a very bad haircut, horrible hand me down old clothes. She already designed and made her own clothes, grew up at studio 54 as a result of being the youngest of three daughters and having to chaperon her older sisters. She was years ahead in sophistication and was cool and sexy like what I imagined a divorced woman to be. She instead fell for my older brother who was 17 years old and was in her art class. I did his art homework and painted him a watercolor of an island in japan. Isabel thought he is was not only a baseball star and high school jock hunk but also a sensitive artist. They dated under these falses pretences and of course it didn’t work out but in the meantime I go to really know her and confirm what I already knew, that I love her. We didn’t start to dat till after we left High School. After I had grown up just a bit more. But we did make to start to make Art right at the beginning. She asked me to finish painting the waves of her seascape oil painting – Very moody and sexy!!!

IT: We met in high school Spanish class- I remember most the feeling that came over me when Ruben held my hand

RT: For me it was slow and still developing. It had actually a life its own . It surprises me and continues to give me jolts of emotion.

How did both of your careers begin?

RT: Isabel married a poor starving artist. I tried to get a real job to support us and become a responsible man, I drove taxi. I was a waiter, a garbage man who ended up reading peoples thrown out books. I built walls, but none of it worked. It became clear that I could not join the human race. I must become an Artist. Isabel was interning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Department for Diana Vreeland restoring and preparing Couture clothes for the Exhibitions. In the meantime I took a few of Isabel’s dresses that she had made for herself out of her closet and took them to Patricia Fields and Henri Bendels and our living room and that was the start of the business . Our first show consisted of 45 or 50 pieces that Isabel had made by herself- made of denim and linen because that was all way. There were only 15 or 20 people in the audience but really important ones and we got a wonderful review in the papers. All the best stores fought over the collection. We had no financing. We got into trouble with some Sopranos type of situation. It was all very film when I met Isabel and as a result and I started to work in Fashion. My first commission was for details Magazine when Annie Flanders let me make a satirical fashion cartoon on the last page of every issue for 3 years!!!

IT: Out of a Love affair and the need to survive.

How did they become intertwined?

RT: We have always been intertwined in our work –which is very unlikely as we both have such different aesthetics and opinions but I think that is what makes our work strong if not schizophrenicly interesting… I love the energy Isabel gives me and I can’t imagine living without it or creating without it . She is my ideal pre-occupation.

IT: Our work is a reflection of who we are and the meshing and cross-pollination of our ideas was inevitable.

What milestone do you think really solidified you into who you both are today ?

RT: I think our road is always evolving and rolling –I can’t feel yet what the milestones are if any-they all seem relevant and interrelated and intertwined and meshed and knitted or woven together , as do all the cast of characters who we have collaborated with in this great town or village called NYC.

IT: I am not solid yet

How does living in New York affect your work?

RT: NYC is for me a sister city to Havana with all the noise, art-commotion, rude anonymousness and grand boastfulness. It effects everything I do . I get my mode and feeling from walking down the almost empty city streets in the morning or late at night or in the middle of the crowds in mid-town where we live . I think you can hear the city in my work

IT: Itis our home –where we work and where we live so New York City is an extension of my living room and extension of our studio

Did life turn out the way you had imagined it would?

RT: I never planned my life. I still don’t .I think an immigrant never dares to plan as he know it could all blow up tomorrow so we have to keep light and be able to fight or flight it !!!

Is there anything that you would change if you could?

RT: I would change everything if I could and have it be all so very easy and lovely and calm for my wife. She deserves a very fine life, but I can’t change any of it. So I accept it all and I am very grateful for the wonderful and accidentally charmed life that I live!!!

IT: I would eliminate the pollution in the environment and the pollution of thought

What are your dreams or plans for the future?

RT: I never stop dreaming or nightmare or hallucinating but any opportunity to collaborate or make or paint or draw or photograph or invent is what its all about for me

IT: To have 25 children. *

#IQONS MAGAZINE 2008 #IQONS DIANEPERNET RUBENTOLEDO ISABELTOLEDO

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economistontherun · 6 years

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I loved the swim! aka Who am I?

On my adventure to my first Ironman, the Philly Escape Series Olympic distance triathlon was my first race of the tri season. This is my third attempt at swimming this race. The swim was cancelled both times prior. It is in my backyard so I can bike to the start and I know the bike and run course well. My coach put my goal as a hard training day to get more experience in an open water river swim, get comfortable with my new Liv Avow tri bike and focus on perceived effort and heart rate, and finish with a strong run. I was so excited to race with my tri club friends and the great people of Philadelphia.

Race Prep - Night Before

I find the process of making lists, collecting and categorizing my gear and finally putting it into piles and packing it my bag to be soothing to the pre-race chimp brain. I check off the items as I pile them and then cross it off when I put it in the bag. At my first No Limits Endurance Ironman Training Camp in Lake Placid, I was thrilled to know that others share my freakish organizational quality.

I like this Training Peaks print out with the space for goals on the top :-)

Nutrition & Breakfast

Notes for nutrition and directives for T1 & T2 in a zip lock for transition set up (I’m such a dork).

Dinner @ 6:30 pm

2 slices of Pizza, cheese and crackers, Founders All Day IPA & water with Nuun

Breakfast @ 3:30 am

6:30 am start for the race (more on that later) with 5:30 am transition closing

1 plain bagel with peanut butter

1 coffee black

1 bottle of water with Nuun lime flavor

Banana at 5:00 am

1 non-caffeine Peanut Butter GU at 5:50 am pre- swim

- The swim start was rolling and I didn’t get in water until 7:00 am. I was hungry & I grabbed a half a banana from a table. You do crazy things when you are hungry.

Nutrition Plan for race

Swim - 1 Gu pre race start - (this was not enough and I have to figure this out. I saw a woman taking shot blocks into the swim tucked under her wetsuit..hmmm. I will have an opportunity to try this again in the 5K OWS swim in July. I have time to get this right for IMLOU.

T1 - Salted Carmel GU with water

Bike - 90 minute bike bottle - 4 scoops of Perpetuem and 12 oz of water for 4 3 oz sips every 20 minutes

2 bottles of water with Lime Nuun

T2 - Salted Carmel GU

Run - 1 Salted Carmel GU and water on course (no gatorade)

Swim

The swim start was a 3/4 mile walk north of transition on the Schuylkill River. It was a self seeded rolling start with a downstream 1500 meter swim. The swim was organized with many canoes & even scuba divers. I felt really safe in there. Any of my anxiety from the swim melted away as I walked with my T3 tri club members and started talking to two women doing their first triathlon. I self seeded at the back of the 35/front of 40 minute group. It was wetsuit legal for my sleeveless and it was exactly the right choice for 74.8 degrees.

I found that the cure for nerves was waiting around long enough that you just want to get in the water and swim! The swim was great. I didn’t have the shock of the water hitting me when I jumped in. I just got in (the bottom felt a bit weird on my feet) and I started my rhythm breathing from the right 3 breaths, then switch to the left for 3 breaths. I did have the sensation that I wanted to get it over fast, but I put myself back in my box of one buoy at a time. I loved that the distance on the buoys counted down instead of up.

I wasn’t touched by anyone except when I touched another swimming trying to pass them. Yes, ME, passing someone!!! I felt myself moving into what felt like a steady effort and got better as the swim went on.

I started out to the left of the buoys and then made my way back toward the buoy line. I even found a yellow line connecting them and followed that without having to sight as often. I swam really straight after that! There was a point that I realized how much the swims in Mirror Lake helped me to handle the water in the river. There was one section of chop and I visualized the swim that was really choppy and I calmed down and kept at it.

It was the coolest thing to be swimming under the Columbia Bridge and seeing the college crew logos from the water that I always see them on Kelly Drive. It was so much fun!!!!

PR for the distance: 1500 meters 32:48 (2:00/100 yards) my Garmin had 1:57/100

Reflection: In the future I would seed myself in the 30-35 minute wave. This would help me to get out of the water faster and not be one of the last athletes off the bike and on the run. (Need to figure out calories better with a contingency plan for delayed start).

T1 - Gotta speed this one up - 3:42

I knew where my bike was and had my crib sheet to get going quickly, but I had trouble getting my wetsuit off my ankles. I think I’ll be trying Pam on my ankles next time. Thinking back on it, I definitely “toodle” and in part that I treated this T1 like a 70.3 T1 and not trust that I have everything I need.

Bike

Got on the bike and took a caffeinated salted caramel GU.

The bike is two loops through Fairmount Park. I know this route and the hills. This is a benefit in that I know when the hills end although I found myself looking forward to the hills, shifting into a lighter gear and keeping my HR in the desired zone. I know it is the correct approach but I really can’t stand getting crushed by people on the hills. I suspect that what is happening with my bike is what happened when I first starting training with heart rate and running. There was a disconnect between pace and HR, but now it is dialed in. The same thing will happen as I continue to train.

This was the first race with my new bike “Louise.” I went into it wanting to reach my target HR, keep a cadence around 80-85 on average, anticipate shifting and avoid the klunk and drink and eat throughout.

My secret goal was to finish in under 90 minutes, but that will come. I was able to take the downhills with much more control. Brake before the turns instead of in them, work the flats in aero and have one heck of a great time riding my bike outside with so many people in MY CITY! My average speed was better too!

I got to see my biggest supporter, my husband, at the top of one of the hills! It made my day to see him there. At the second loop, he said - PUT the HAMMER DOWN. I laughed because this is an inside joke about the size of the Hammer fuel containers in our house.

I felt like my nutrition was on point. I need to check my watch because it didn’t go off every 20 minutes and I ended up taking a sip at the end of the ride. I don’t know if this impacted my run at all. I had a GU right when I got off the bike.

I am super stoked over my bike handling in hydration. When the front torpedo needed to be filled, I decided to fill it with the bottle behind my seat when I was going up hill. Slow enough to change the bottle, yet enough momentum to allow for balance. I did it! I even yelled “Woo Hoo!” It’s a challenge to get that bottle in the back container blind. Victory!

This was a great bike! I had so much fun on this ride! I pushed the entire time and learned that I am totally capable of doing that! Lots of room for improvement and this ride was a view of what is to come.

PR for Distance: 40k 1:33:24

Louise’s first race! So much fun!!!! Photo Credit: Gerard

T2- Less thinking and more automatic moving - 2:11

Triathlon is not a glamour sport when it comes to putting your body through the paces. I was well hydrated and as soon as I got off my bike, I peed myself. Yup. Just like that. Never had that happen before. Saved a trip to the portopot. I had an extra bottle of water that I washed myself off with and away I went. I laughed as I exited run out thinking of how Maria (my fearless coach) was going to laugh at this story.

Run

This is an out and back two loops of the 5k run right on the surface of the sun. I should be able to crush this course, but not today. I stuck to my plan taking it easy for the first mile until I got my legs under me. It took longer this time than when I remember before. I used my mantras from the “Calm the F*** Down” book to push back the heavy legs. I should be able to run faster. I managed to do a progression run and my HR was between Zone 2 & 3 but I still felt like there was part of this run that I could have mentally pushed. I counted to 100 over and over on the 2nd loop and it made it go by faster.

It was hot (91 degrees). I kept drinking water and putting it over my head. My shoes were so wet the insole moved and if the run was any longer I would have had a blister issue. No gatorade on the run, it made my stomach flip over the idea of drinking it. I had some cramping in my belly, thought maybe it was salt or calories so I took a GU.

I passed so many people who were doing the sprint or were barely running at this point. I just wanted to go faster and then maybe I was good with where I was. It is hard to say. I find it very difficult to go into the same pain cave I can tolerate or set my mind to endure 5K or 5 mile running race. It is a challenge to get my adrenaline to the same level during the run in a triathlon. I still have a lot to learn about this portion of the race.

The other thing about this race is that there are athletes already on the run course when riders like me are heading into the second loop of the bike. Riders pass them on the course. The bulk of the athletes seem to be on the run course when I have about 2 miles to go on the bike. I actually said out loud - this is your race and only your race, you are going to PR today! They are all running their own races. This put me back into the driver’s seat of my own awesome day!

Later, when I was riding home, I saw people still finishing up the run course. They were awesome! We are all awesome. We got to swim, ride bikes and run. I am always grateful and think of how my mom would love to be running again, but her body won’t let her. It inspires me. Gerard and I are so fortunate to be able to do what we love and support each other. How can we not smile?

10k Run - Negative Split :-) 53:27

Total Finish Time: 3:05:30 - 6 minute PR for Olympic Distance

Next stop - a first - a 5K swim..... In other words - “Clear Your Mind of Can’t.”

Victories:

Great open water swim! No anxiety and was able to get to steady pace.

Safely and successfully filled front water bottle & returned back bottle into cage.

Hit my HR targets for bike and pushed through the times when my mind and body wanted to relax and settle in.

Road over the crest of the hill & other bike skills

Ran a negative split/progression run for 10k

Kept positive even when it got tough

Had so much fun & I am really believing in my success to become an Ironman in Louisville.

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gsmatthews95 · 6 years

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"Is it wrap o'clock yet?"

Helloooo I am back and breaking my 4 day silence. Im on the bus down to noosa at the moment and I thought this is a good time to catch up with y'all on my comings and goings of the last few days. Also side note, I think I actually got frostbite last night. In a bed. In a hostel. Urgh. I was even wearing my sleeping bag onsie, it was bloody freezing. I just feel sorry for those poor unprepared souls who dont have a sleeping bag onesie. Ha I bet you thought oz would be warm didnt you? But no. Its pretty much arctic here at the moment. Lol. So where have I been these last few days? Oo good question Karen. I have been ticking oz travelling boxes by visiting Fraser island. Yaaaaay. Fraser island is a classic oz east coast stop, somewhere everyone goes for normally three days (dats what I did) on an organised tour, ew organised tour. But no. It was awesome one of the best tours I've done after the San vlas islands and the Lombok to Flores boat trip off the top of my head. Mainly because it was so chilled and fun, the guide was easy, the schedule was loose and we were driving oursrlves. So I think Fraser is the largest sand island in the world and has silica sand similar to Whitehaven beach, soft and white ooooo. Ergo George exfoliated and brushed his teeth again, yessss. But I jump the gun. So what happened was that we were in a group of 24 and one guide. We had three 4x4s with the guide driving the first and us driving the other two beasts. Yes I achieved my ambition of driving these bad boys. The island is famous because there are no roads. The highway is a 70 mile stretch of beach. Yes lots of beach and off road driving, well cool. #CarTwo4Lyf Ok the first day was an early kick off as we cruised to the island and over the ferry from rainbow beach. Then was our first experience of sand driving. Niamh (pronounced nieve. Irish, I know. Weird...) Was up as we skidded thru the deep and soft sand. This was actually the hardest driving as it was high tide and the wheels were going everywhere, a baptism of fire you may call it, well done niamh for getting us thru it all. I was up next as we went inland and off roaded. The moment I'd been waiting for. It was mint. We drove over craters, the car tipped over and the people in the back lost feeling in their bums... Not in a weird way... It was really bumpy I swear. The car smashed it though with its outrageous tires and suspension. It was all I imagined. AND MORE. This was when we came to lake Mackenzie. A rain water lake. Clear, clean and refreshing. With white sands. Idyllic. Kim kardashian actually just put up a photo there if you follow her, I reckon she was following us. We chilled there and swam a bit. Also got some nice snaps obvs. An enduring theme of this trip was Frisbee. Weird. I know. But very fun. So in car 2 (my car, the best car) we had 3, thats 3 out of 8 ultimate Frisbee players slash coaches. What are the chances? Consequentially, there was a lot of Frisbee chat and playing. Hugh and niamh are coaches and Ed plays at a national level (I'll leave it up to you to decide who's cooler me and my quidditch or Ed and his Frisbee). So every beach we got to the disk came out too culminating in a match when we got back to rainbow beach. A competitive yet relaxed affair. A very good game. Edged by team hugh, with yours truely playing centre back, a Sergio Ramos esque performance if I say so myself. It was well fun and is making me think I should have played at Leeds. I dont know if my friends would have stuck by me if I played that and quidditch though, it was hard enough to convince them to hang out with me when just played quidditch. Harry Buxton I'm looking at you. Also this is going to be a very long post, sorry. But a lot happened and I'm in the swing of writing now. The next stop on this adventure was lunch at a nice little creek with a board walk over it. Lunch. Let's discuss lunch. It quickly became the most exciting part of each day. It was the same meal each day but was heavenly anyway. Wraps. Lots of wraps with lots of fillings. It was so intrinsic to our days and necessary to our happiness that most conversations returned the wraps. "Is it wrap o'clock yet?", " I wonder if we're gonna get a new filling for the wraps today?", "im bloody excited about the wraps", "do you reckon dingo would taste good in a wrap?". Yep, wraps are life. I had nine in three days. We even had wrap battles, lol. Who had the best looking wrap?, the fullest wrap? Or even whether beatroot had a place in the wrap, were common lunchtime conversations. Basically we love wraps. The excitement culminated on our final day when Victor, part of our Swedish contingent, caught a fish with his bare hands (very alpha male i know) and proclaimed it was the newest filling for someone's wrap, yummy. Now it was off to camp for a little session. But only after we stopped at a ship wreck, which was quite cool. Nothing to write home about tho. Oh wait a second I suppose I'm writing home about it now. Hmm. Awkward. Well maybe is was worth It after all. We returned to camp, threw the disk, shock and drank goon, shock. We had a BBQ dinner and had some fun. A little trip to the beach for some stargazing and off to bed in my three man tent that i shared with my onesie, very cute. Day 2. An early kick off. Too early. I got up, got breaky and went back to sleep. I held up the group a wee bit, the previous nights antics had taken their toll, lesson learnt. Our first stop today was the champagne poolls. Basically some giant rock pools you can swim in with the waves crashing in. Not overly exciting but nice to see and swim in, obvs, nonetheless. I Just chatted to aido, our guide for a bit. Very funny man. A Bush baby. With a very different upbringing/life to me. Apparently he started a bush fire once, but did he do a fire dance around it while listening to dnb? I think not. Therefore I win. We cruised on Towards a big cliff With a wee little walk up it. We trooped up in true military fashion to get some nice views of the beach and sea. It was also a good sea creature viewing spot, we saw dolphins, a shark and lots of whales. Ok so the whales. There was a lot of them. So many so that the excitement of seeing them ebbed away towards the end. They'd all be chilling and swimming north along the beach. Usually quite far out tho. However, some gave us a show as the jumped out of the water and wagged their tales. One joker even did a workout for us as he repeatedly smashed his tale against the water, it was immense. Having never seen a whale I have now seen enough for a lifetime in 2 short weeks. It was all very impressive. More on day 2. I believe our next stop, after the wraps, was a trip to eli creek nicknamed the lazy river. A fresh water river leading to the sea, so clean you could drink it. It was a funny experience as our whole squad trooped Down the knee high river with only six tubes. There were scrambles for tubes as three would share one. I had a relatively regal experience compared to the rest as I sat on top of hugh, like a king. Then I was then shunted on to jabba's tube which we shared in very cute fashion. There was splashing, pushing and banter. It was all pretty jokes. I then went a second time with Rudy. Much more chilled as we floated down in true chiler fashion. We then played more frisbee and headed home for a sunset walk, with a twist.... What was this twist you ask? The twist was that we missed the sunset cause aido sent us off too late. Great. Luckily there was another group on the sand dunes with boogie boards. Ah, phew, we didnt waste our time after all. We were up and down the dunes standing, sitting and lying on the board. Lots of fun. Bloody tiring tho running up that hill so much and I had sand everywhere. I'm still covered now. A good activity tho, no thanks to aido. We headed back, I showered finally and we boozed. With another twist actually as we had neighbours in the next camp site. North camp. They were 26 strong. 23 girls and 3 guys, lol. 2 of the guys had girlfriends... Lol. So some of them came to join us as we had better banter and music, shock. The entertainment for the night was the excitement of a night at the horse racing. It got intense, especially when Winston pipped Adolf at the final hurdle. Adrenaline was flowing. Before I begin on day 3 I just want to give a little ode to the dingo. I was thinking they could get their own piece but I can't really be bothered. This has taken me like 1.5 hours I reckon already. Dingos are cute. Quite ratty but really they're just chillers. They stroll down the beach chat to humans and hang around with alpha males. There are lots of them on Fraser and people seem to be scared of them, im really not sure why tho cause they're super cute and lovely. They'll always have a place in my heart. I love you dingos. Day 3 started in similar fashion to day two. I hadn't learnt my lesson. We packed up camp and left for wobbi lake (I think). This was a stagnant lake (it was smelly and green) at the bottom of some steep sand dunes. This was the scene for the crumbed sausage. Something I will never forget. And as I have videos of it, I will always remember. Myself victor and jabba submerged ourselves in the festering water. We Got out and ran to the top of the dunes 3 times so we could try entering the water in different ways. We began by charging down at full speed. Easy. The second was the time of the crumbed sausage as we rolled down the hill, wet. This meant the sand clung to us. Hence the crumbed sausage. It was weird. Quite fun but quite painful, disorientating and sandy. This is the other reason im still covered in sand. We went for a third entrance into the water. Forward rolls, like a block of cheese rolling down the hill. This was most successful. As I hurtled down the slope at pace with a relatively smooth entrance to the water. Afterwards my head hurt and I couldn't see straight for about two minutes. If you go to Fraser, join the crumbed sausage crew, you won't regret it. Lol. But that was it as we went for lunch and bombed back to rainbow beach ending a smashing three days. We had a bangin group, lots of fun people in all three cars but seriously #CarTwo4lyf. Now I'm gonna go back to learning all the words to mans not hot and the bog in the valley-o. Maybe I should rename this blog the "blog down in the valley-o" although I do quite like "holidaying" I'll think about it. Anyhow I'll write again in maybe 3 days. Dont miss me too much. All my love. G

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