#week 17a

[gotham-ruaidh]

Little Bit Better Than I Used To Be

Catch up: Chapter 1 (Starry Eyes) || Chapter 2 (Save Our Souls) || Chapter 3 (Dancing On Glass)|| Chapter 4 (Merry-Go-Round)|| Backstage (1) || Backstage (2) || Chapter 5 (Danger)|| Backstage (3) || Chapter 6A (Love Walked In) || Chapter 6B (Without You) || Backstage (4) || Chapter 7 (Stick To Your Guns) || Chapter 8 (Time For Change) || Backstage (5) || Chapter 9 (Take Me To The Top) || Backstage (6) || Chapter 10 (Home Sweet Home) || Backstage (7) || Chapter 11a (Nightrain) || Chapter 11b (Nothing Else Matters) || Chapter 12a (Handle With Care) || Chapter 12b (I’m So Tired of Being Lonely) || Chapter 13a (Angel) || Chapter 13b (She’s My Addiction) || Chapter 13c (Patience) || Chapter 14a (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14b (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14c (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 15a (Dreams) || Chapter 15b (I Sing A Song of Love) || Chapter 15c (You Can Do This If You Try) || Chapter 16 (Let That Feeling Grab You Deep Inside || Chapter 17A: Never Tear Us Apart || Chapter 17B: It’s Tough To Be Somebody, And It’s Hard Not To Fall Apart  || Chapter 17C: I’m Wishing, Lord, That I Was Stoned || Chapter 18: Turn The Page || Chapter 19A: When You’re Alone, Do You Let Go? || Chapter 19B: Heading For A Spin ||| Also posted at AO3

Chapter 20A: I Don't Need Nothing When I'm By Your Side

So hold me close, better hang on tight Buckle up, baby, it's a bumpy ride We're two kids hitching down the road of life Our world, our fight

-- “Born To Be My Baby,” Bon Jovi (1988) [click here to listen]

North Carolina || February 1989

Jamie frowned, looking back and forth between the shelf he’d just put together and the three unpacked boxes of books (two marked CLAIRE, one marked JAMIE).

Would she like them organized alphabetically by author? Genre? Size?

He rubbed the back of his neck, thinking. Or perhaps she wanted medical books in her workroom? And maybe he could put his music books on the cabinet in his studio –

“There you are.”

He hadn’t heard Claire pad into the room – at some point they would need to get throw rugs to protect the gorgeous old hardwood floors – and smiled as she effortlessly stepped into his embrace.

They held each other for a long moment – his lips against her hair, her face buried in the safety of his neck.

Almost three months since the acoustic tour had ended, the night before Claire’s birthday. About six weeks since they had closed on their dream house, nestled against a mountain in the forests of North Carolina, not too far from The Ridge. And about two weeks since the items in storage – from her packed-up apartment in Boston, and his packed-up house in Los Angeles – had arrived.

The property had everything they needed. Privacy and solitude, of course. An old barn that they were using as a garage for Jamie’s motorcycle and cars. The house – an old cabin, really, dating from the 1800s and which had been lovingly expanded over the years – was perfect. A spacious living room, complete with the original stone fireplace. An eat-in kitchen, with newly replaced appliances. Two small rooms off the back that were now his music studio and her workroom – spaces to pursue their interests. A modestly-sized master bedroom. And a small extra bedroom – which for now was for guests, though God willing would be a nursery very soon.

Claire had insisted on doing two things quickly, before spending their time unpacking all the boxes.

The first was to hang his six gold and two platinum records in his studio – and he agreed, after he had hung her framed medical school diploma on the wall of her workroom.

The second was to install the fax machine on the bare floor of the studio – which, together with the phone, was their only link to the outside world.

For as much as they isolated themselves in this beautiful, peaceful place – the world pushed along without them.

In March, they would leave for L.A. and three weeks of rehearsals with the band. Maybe play a few small gigs in clubs on the Sunset Strip – Jamie had always wanted to do that. And in April, they’d fly to Europe, and kick off the tour that had swelled to 120 dates and stretched into 1990.

Colum was busier than ever – finalizing logistics, negotiating with local promoters, running interference with the suits from the label, upgrading the concerts from arenas to soccer stadiums. He had a conference call with the band every Tuesday – with Ian calling in from Lallybroch in upstate New York, and Angus from various resort spots in Mexico and the Caribbean (“I can’t believe Charlotte and Molly haven’t worn him out yet,” Jamie had mused to Claire one day. She had only shrugged and said, “they take care of each other”). Colum would always have a punchlist of decisions for the band – OK to book studio time during the week off in Scandinavia in July? The roadies couldn’t figure out the pyro setup without the band, OK to wait until rehearsals? They would need to film at least three music videos, which one could be a live performance? – and follow up with decisions in a fax sent later that day.

Jamie had been clear with Colum that he had three conditions for the tour: that Claire would be with him, that Raymond would be traveling with the band, and that the same no alcohol/drugs/groupies rule from the acoustic tour would carry through to this tour. Of course Colum had agreed. Just as he’d agreed to make provisions for Jenny to periodically fly out to visit Ian, and for Angus to always have a suite with two bathrooms to keep his girlfriends happy.

Claire and Jamie knew that this tour would be difficult, for so many different reasons. But they would be better prepared this time, to draw strength from each other, and to have Raymond for support. And maybe, just maybe they would return home from Europe with the best souvenir of all…

“Another fax from Colum,” Claire murmured after a long while.

Jamie snorted against her hair. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or annoyed.”

“I do admire how hard he’s working for you and for the band. And how much he’s keeping all of you in the loop on the decisions he’s making. He doesn’t want any surprises.”

“I’d imagine not. The amount of bullshit he has to be putting up with right now must be insane. I just hope he doesn’t crack.”

“He never said if he’s bringing Tricia on the tour.” Tricia – Colum’s wife of more than ten years. She stood a head taller than her husband, still impossibly beautiful in her late thirties, smiling for every frown on her husband’s face. Claire had only met her once – couldn’t say she really knew her – but she knew enough about her.

How she had first met Colum at a party in 1970, when he was a roadie for Led Zeppelin and she was part of a gaggle of groupies that held court at the Riot House in L.A.

How, when she and her girlfriends joined the Led Zep tour the following summer, he had punched out the lighting guy at the Cow Palace in San Francisco when he heard the guy didn’t understand what Tricia meant by saying “no”.

How Geordie Ash – the reporter who had put Jamie (and, in a way, Claire) on the map last year with that Rolling Stone article – had sent flowers to her hotel room every day for a month during Led Zeppelin’s 1973 U.S. tour. Not knowing, of course, that she was allergic to lilies – or how Colum, who knew more about her by that point than he cared to admit, had wordlessly disposed of them for her, every day that month.

“I don’t think she likes to tour.” Jamie’s thumb traced lazy circles on the skin of Claire’s back. “Too many bad memories.”

If you asked any rock journalist or musician who had found Alex MacGregor – assistant to Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant – dead in his Seattle hotel room in the spring of 1975, they would all say quite confidently that it had been Colum Laird, who by that point had advanced to lead Zeppelin’s touring crew.

But a handful of people – Peter Grant, and Colum, and Jamie, and now Claire – knew the truth.

Tricia woke up, Alex cold beside her in bed, a needle in his arm. The only thing she knew to do was slip quietly down the hall, tumbling into Colum’s room…and finally, his arms. Where she had remained ever since.

“I couldn’t imagine being away from you for so long.” Claire sighed. “I don’t know how they make it work.”

Jamie shrugged. “They love each other very deeply. They fixed the broken pieces in each other. And now she has the two boys to keep her busy.” He kissed her forehead. “Something for us to aspire to, perhaps. What’s in the fax?”

She held it out for him to read. Sharing a smile at Colum’s scrawl.

J+C: I’m not calling because I interrupted enough moments between you on tour and I’ll probably do it again this year. I don’t have Raymond’s info pls have him get in touch so we have a copy of his credentials and the travel agent can make all arrangements for Europe. I got the label to foot the bill for his travel meals and hotels, convinced them it’s a business expense, you’re welcome. Stay out of trouble. Colum.

“We’ll have him give Colum a call after he arrives this afternoon,” Jamie mused, folding the fax and sliding it into the back pocket of his jeans.

Claire nodded. “The guest room is all ready. And I’m glad Dougal and Gillian and William will be here tomorrow – I’m so happy they’re so close by.”

Jamie squeezed her shoulder, and released her. “As am I. Now, I have a question for you about these books…”

#outlander #outlander fanfic #jamie and claire #little bit better than i used to be

[somber-sapphic]

Hi!!! I rarely request but your writing is so good I could not resist the urge. I love the Carina x Maya x Reader fics you posted, theres not enough writing for the Station 19 universe. I was hoping you could write another one, or even just a Carina x Maya. I feel like because Maya has such a dangerous job, Carina definitely slips into doctor mode every time she gets hurt or sick. Could you write where Maya gets sick with strep throat or something but Carina is unable to get her to Grey Sloan or the E.R (maybe they went on a vacation or there is bad weather) so she decides to examine Maya herself. (P.S. I hope you’re having a good day and if not tomorrow will be better💕💕)

17, 17A,🌸

Sickness At Sea

〖Notes: Alrighty my basement flooded and I think I've got carpal tunnel so lets write some sickfics! (PS, I love this request, I'm so sorry it took me so long to get to it, please feel free to send in another when my asks are open <;3〗

〖Summary: Maya and Carina finally get to go on a vacation. Of course that's the perfect time for Maya's immune system to give out.〗

〖Word Count: 〗

〖Pairing: Carina DeLuca x Sick Maya Bishop〗

☾Masterlists☽

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Maya groaned and stared out the window at the crashing waves caused by the torrential downpour that was ravaging the east coast. She was inwardly cursing Carina for convincing her to come to Maine, especially when they lived so close to the beach in Seattle, but she had decided that they should leave Washington for a bit.

The two didn’t get time off together often so two weeks paid vacation at the same time was huge. So huge that her Italian girlfriend insisted that she and Maya had to see the East Coast. The blonde had argued that they could go somewhere a few hours’ drive rather than a seven-hour plane ride, but Carina had made it seem too good to refuse.

And it had been. The first week was wonderful. They’d spent time walking along the beach in the cool October weather and explored the nearby town, doing the regular touristy things. They’d found the restaurant with the best reviews and had the first proper date night in a long time, complete with fancy wine and even a violinist to serenade them.

Then the storm started. It was nice for the first day, it was relaxing. Then one day turned into two. And two into three. And how they were sitting in their beautiful house on the beach with the sea raging in front of them. There would be no walking on the sand, there would be no exploring the quiet town, there would be no anything.

The rain was coming down in sheets and Carina had been running around the house yelling in Italian about the damage and how they couldn’t stay there if the storm continued. Maya was starting to agree, it wasn’t entirely safe to be this close to the sand and she was beginning to worry that the beach would wash out.

“Car, it’ll be okay. I’ve seen beaches in Seattle handle worse than this.” The blonde croaked, wincing as the words grated against her throat. Carina, who was pacing around typing away furiously on her phone stopped and whipped around, her brow furrowing as she hyper-focused on a new target: Maya.

“What is wrong with your voice? Are you sick? Tell me your symptoms.” She had switched from panicking about the storm and settled right into her doctor persona. The firefighter rolled her eyes, trying not to wince at the action. She was finding herself wanting to let Carina do her job, but her pride was far more important than her wish for assistance.

The woman had been feeling more and more weary as the week went on, but she had chalked it up to all of the things they had been doing, refusing to admit that they hadn’t been doing anything particularly strenuous. Now, after two days of doing just about nothing, she was sort of out of excuses. She was tired, her throat was killing her, her body ached, and she couldn’t deny the presence of a fever bubbling under her skin.

“It’s nothing, I’m fine. Sit, take a breath. I made coffee, you need some.” Maya said softly, lowering her voice to try to ease the pain in her throat. It didn’t help. The level of her voice didn’t matter, it was the act of simply breathing that caused her discomfort.

Carina hmphed unhappily but went to grab herself a mug, pouring what her girlfriend considered to be way too much creamer into the dark liquid, followed by what could be considered enough sugar to feed an entire town.

“How can you drink it so sweet?” She joked, trying to put a little humor into her voice as thunder clapped loudly over the small town. The EMT jumped, frightened by the suddenness of the loud sound. A blush crept across her cheeks as she glanced over at Carina, who had a concerned expression on her face.

Her brow was furrowed, and her lips pursed, looking wholly unhappy with the situation. The rain pattered down on the roof, a nearly deafening sound. It probably would’ve been relaxing if not for the sick feeling that was growing in Maya and Carina’s nerves beginning to fray.

This was supposed to be a vacation and the OBGYN really didn’t want to beat around the bush right now. She wanted to treat the woman she loved so that they could have her feeling better as soon as possible.

She wasn’t interested in playing Maya’s “embrace the pain” game and couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for even thinking that way. It wasn’t the blonde’s fault that she was so hard on herself, but it certainly didn’t make Carina’s job of taking care of her any easier.

The moment she sat down she felt Maya curl up against her, moving so smoothly that she may not have noticed if not for the way she was shivering, her muscular body trembling like a leaf. The brunette squeezed her eyes shut and sighed, pressing her head into the woman’s hair.

“You are sick Maya. Just tell me what’s wrong.” She murmured, moving so that she could hold the woman a little bit closer. Maya nestled close, humming her unhappiness as she felt tears fill her fever-clouded eyes. She really didn’t want to be crying, it was barely 8 in the morning, it was too early to be crying. Especially over a silly little sore throat.

“Bambina, please. Don’t make me play urm…twenty questions.” Carina said gently, tilting Maya’s head up so that she could look into her beautiful green orbs. The blonde blinked quickly as she held back tears, her lower lip beginning to quiver. She hadn’t realized just how bad she felt until her girlfriend had brought it up, but now it was all that she could think about.

“It hurts.” She whimpered, her voice small and full of humiliation. She hated every part of this, admitting weakness was hard enough but it was even worse that this was happening while they were on vacation. Sure, that meant she had time to recover, but she was supposed to be spending quality time with the woman she loved, not sleeping while the brunette fed her medicine. That was no fun for anyone.

“What hurts Maya?” The doctor prodded, needing far more information than what she was being given. Maya just shrugged and pulled the throw around her shoulders as she continued to stare out the large glass windows, watching as the waves ravaged the sandy shore.

“Okay, how about we switch out that coffee for tea, yeah?” The idea of swallowing anything (even her own saliva) made the woman want to cry. At this point, she didn’t even care. She sniffled back tears and tried to hide her face, embarrassed to be crying over something so trivial. She came across people every day who were in far more dire positions handling their pain or fear with so much more grace.

“I-I can’t. My throat just hurts too much.” Maya rasped, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. Her shoulders began to heave as she cried, the action just serving to hurt her throat even more. That in turn made her cry harder, which just repeated itself in a vicious cycle.

“Hey, hey, hey. I’m here. Just tell me what’s wrong amore. Let me help.” Carina pleaded, feeling so utterly helpless. She hated when her girlfriend got sick, she hated not being able to do anything as a person she loved so much suffered in silence.

“I can’t, I don’t know! M-my throat hurts! It, it shouldn’t!” The blonde spat, her words barely comprehensible through her sobs. The Italian woman put her coffee on the small table and took Maya’s hands in hers, forcing the ill firefighter to meet her eyes.

“Maya, take a deep breath. I can help you, but you need to let me. I’m a doctor, I take care of people for a living. Let me help.” she asserted, raising her eyebrows as she tried to get through to her sweet, sick girlfriend. The blonde’s lower lip was still quivering, but she managed to quiet her sobs as she matched Carina’s slow breathing.

“Good. Now, can you let me give you an exam? I will be quick.” After a few moments, Maya nodded, her breath still hitching as she tried to calm down. Maybe she was overreacting, but she had such a hard time with the out-of-control feeling that came with being sick. She would rather be put in a blazing fire than be physically incapacitated and need to rely on others for help.

True to her word, Carina’s exam took barely five minutes. She had raced to the bedroom to get her medical bag and then began to look Maya over, starting with what she figured was wrong. She looked at the back of the blonde’s throat, sighing when she saw those familiar white splotches that she’d seen all too many times.

“And a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Which is…too high. Stupid imperial system.” She said that last part under her breath as she mentally tried to convert the imperial temperature to the metric system that she had grown up with.

Her distaste over the different systems of measuring made Maya smile a little as she leaned back against the cushions of the couch, shivering a little.

“What’s the verdict, Doc?” She teased, getting a frown out of her girlfriend. She may have felt terrible but the cute look on Carina’s face was worth the forced humor.

“We won’t know for sure until we get a culture, but I believe you have Streptococcus. The weather is too bad to go to the Urgent Care, but we will go as soon as the rain stops, okay? For now, it's Tylenol, soup, and rest.” The brunette said, sounding fully like the doctor that she was. Maya smiled a bit from where she was laying, closing her eyes as she curled back against the comfortable sofa.

“Can rest happen first?” She mumbled; the tears having taken a lot out of her. Carina made a sound in the back of her throat as she thought it over, weighing the best option here. Technically she should have Maya take the medicine to get the fever down, but it was very hard to say ‘no’ to the woman in front of her.

“I suppose. Would you rather go back to bed?” The blonde shook her head as she lay down, taking up the ample space on the couch.

“You gotta join me. ‘s the rules.” She mumbled, her voice slurring with exhaustion. Carina chuckled quietly and climbed back onto the couch, slipping her thermometer and stethoscope back into what Maya annoyingly called her “doctor bag”. She wasn’t wrong to call it that, but it irked the brunette to no end for reasons she simply could not explain.

She pushed the bag aside and lay down against Maya, wrapping an arm around her waist. She settled in, pulling a bit of the blanket up over herself, resigning that she would probably get this illness. Strep was incredibly contagious and she refused to be away from the woman she loved.

Any time they could spend together was worth a week of antibiotics.

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#sickfic #fanfiction #sick fanfiction #fever #fever whump #sick character #maya bishop #carina deluca #marina fanfic #marina sickfic #maya bishop sick #sick maya bishop #sicknario #illness #medical stuff #maya x carina #carina deluca x maya bishop #ill #strep throat #station 19 sick fanfiction #station 19 #sick whump #fluff and angst #fluff #minor angst #station 19 sickfic #sick fanfic

[seraphinitegames]

The Wayhaven Chronicles—Update 19/August/2022

Chapter 17A is done, Chapter 17B opening version 1 is done, and I'm blasting through version 2!!! :D

I've also edited a TON for Chapter 9! I think people will really enjoy the small poignant conversation with the love interests after the event...

Things feel very much in a rhythm at the moment. Being in the flow certainly does help keep the momentum at a pace!

I decided to finish off both branches of the chapters (A and B) before moving onto the next. 'Cause they're both set in the same environment, it means I can make sure to get the same feel for them both instead of coming back and not getting it quite right.

It's just vastly different things are happening in the two branches! 17A is super emotional at the start with a pretty massive ending-hook, and 17B is just BAM! Right into the intensity with hopefully a major surprise, hehe! :D

But Chapter 17B does have two versions of it to account for different characters in the scene, so I've split it into the opening scenes and the end scenes to help me juggle that a bit easier.

I'm really, really hoping I can get Chapter 17 fully finished next week! I didn't think I would be finishing 17A until tomorrow, so I am well ahead of myself already on that. Because of that, I'm feeling very confident in that goal right now!

I hope you all have the most wonderful weekend! We’ll be offline as usual, so I’ll update you all again next Friday <3

#the wayhaven chronicles #interactive fiction #progress report #update #book three

[usafphantom2]

#onthisday in 1941 the B-17E Flying Fortress flew for the first time. This featured an increase in armament over previous variants.

@classicwarbirds via X

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress | Classic Warbirds

Responding to the specification released by the United States Army in May 1934 calling for a multi-engined bomber that was able to carry a bomb load of 2,000lb between 1,020 and 2,200 miles, at a speed of 200 - 250 mph, with a deadline of August 1935 for a prototype of the aircraft to be ready for testing. Boeing submitted their Model 299, which would be powered by four engines. Design of the aircraft began midway through June 1934, and just over a year later, on the 16th July 1935 at Boeing Field, the aircraft was introduced to the press, with the headlines the next day proclaiming a '15-ton Flying Fortress' leading to Boeing registering it as the Model 299 name.

Twelve days later on the 28th July 1935 the B-17 made its first flight, before being flown to Wright Field for testing and evaluation a few weeks later. By making this flight the B-17 met two objectives of the United States Army specification, firstly the journey was 2,100 miles long and was done at an average speed of 252 mph. The prototype comprised armament of five machine guns and could carry more than double the required bomb load of 2,000lb with a 4,800lb maximum load and was powered by four 750-hp Pratt & Whitney R-1690 radial engines. However during testing a setback occurred on the 30th October 1935, when the prototype crashed on take-off, an investigation was to later conclude that the controls had been locked when take-off was attempted. Despite this setback the United States Army Air Corps ordered thirteen YB-17s, later to be called Y1B-17s, as a result of the successful testing before the accident.

The 2nd December 1936 saw the first Y1B-17 fly, with a few improvements compared to the prototype, the aircraft would now be powered by 930-hp Wright GR-1820-39 Cyclone radials and could accommodate nine crew members. The USAAC's 2nd Bombardment Group based at Langley Field received twelve aircraft during the first eight months of 1937. The other Y1B-17 of the thirteen originally ordered was sent for further testing at Wright Field. A fourteenth example had also been built for testing the strength of the airframe but was later fitted with 1,000-hp engines with turbochargers. After initial problems, it finally flew on the 29th April 1938, with an improvement on its maximum altitude and speed. As this new version was the first variant to enter operational service it was designated the B-17A. Following shortly after was the B-17B, which, whilst almost identical to the B-17A, featured a larger rudder. This first flew on the 27th June 1939 and just over a year later, on the 21st July 1940, the new B-17C flew with 1,200-hp engines.

It was with the Royal Air Force that the B-17 was to first experience combat during the Second World War (1939 - 1945) when No. 90 Squadron, which reformed on the 7th May 1941 at RAF Watton, received the B-17C, designated Fortress I that same month. On the 8th July 1941 they took part in their first RAF raid against the naval barracks at Wilhelmshaven, Germany, however, bombing from 30,000 ft they failed to hit the target. Over the next two months another 26 attacks were made on various German targets, and with eight Fortress Is lost due to combat or accidents the Fortress I proved unsatisfactory for use by Bomber Command for daylight bombing. The remaining Fortress Is were transferred to Coastal Command. As a result of the poor performance of the B-17 over Europe a number of areas where the aircraft could be improved were found, these included more defensive armament to combat attacks from German fighters and a higher service celling. By the end of 1941, the United States was drawn into the Second World War after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on the 7th December 1941.

The introduction of the B-17D, with additional armour and self-sealing tanks, and the B-17E, which flew for the first time on the 5th September 1941. The United States Army Air Force first raid over Europe was on the 17th August 1942, when twelve B-17Es escorted by Supermarine Spitfires of the Royal Air Force attacked the marshalling yards at Rouen in France, only two aircraft sustained minor damage and the mission was a success.

Flying for the first time on the 30th May 1942, the B-17F featured a redesigned nose, more armour and increased fuel capacity. Along with the B-17E it would be the Flying Fortress versions most extensively used by the Eighth Air Force. However mounting losses during the daylight raids were to show that the Flying Fortress either on its own or flying in formation could not defend themselves. Although the B-17G appeared with a gun turret in the nose section to limit the aircraft's vulnerability to head on attacks, daylight raids deep into Germany saw heavy losses. The introduction of the North American P-51 Mustang and Republic P-47 Thunderbolt equipped with external fuel tanks saw losses reduced.

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was used wherever US forces were. In the Pacific theatre of war they were used for close-support bombing, patrol and reconnaissance. A few B-17's were produced for special operations and purposes and despite production totalling 12,731, only a few hundred would stay in service at the conclusion of the Second World War.

Technical Details

Click on the aircraft image to view a larger version.

Top Speed Range Service Ceiling Armament

B-17A 295 mph 3,600 miles 38,000 ft five 0.30-in machine-guns

eight 600lb bombs

B-17B 292 mph 3,600 miles 36,000 ft six 0.50-in machine-guns

one 0.30-in machine-gun

four 1,100lb bombs

B-17C 323 mph 3,400 miles 37,000 ft five 0.50-in machine-guns

one 0.30-in machine-gun

4,800lb bombs

B-17D 323 mph 3,400 miles 37,000 ft five 0.50-in machine-guns

one 0.30-in machine-gun

4,800lb bombs

B-17E 317 mph 3,200 miles 36,000 ft eight 0.50-in machine-guns

one 0.30-in machine-gun

4,200lb bombs

B-17E side profile image

B-17F 325 mph 2,800 miles 37,500 ft eleven 0.50-in machine-guns

8,000lb bombs

B-17G 302 mph 3,400 miles 35,600 ft twelve 0.50-in machine-guns

8,000lb bombs

B-17G side profile image

XB-38 Sole B-17E tested with a Allison V-1710V engine.

YB-40 292 mph 2,260 miles 29,200 ft at least fourteen 0.50-in machine-guns

C-108 Four aircraft converted and used as cargo carriers and V.I.P transport.

F-9 Designation for a number of B-17s converted into photo reconnaissance aircraft.

BQ-7 Aphrodite B-17s converted into drones.

PB-1 Designation given to B-17s used by the United States Navy.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

7th February >> Mass Readings (USA)

Wednesday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green: B (2))

First Reading 1 Kings 10:1-10 The Queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon.

The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon’s fame, came to test him with subtle questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very numerous retinue, and with camels bearing spices, a large amount of gold, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and questioned him on every subject in which she was interested. King Solomon explained everything she asked about, and there remained nothing hidden from him that he could not explain to her.

When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon’s great wisdom, the palace he had built, the food at his table, the seating of his ministers, the attendance and garb of his waiters, his banquet service, and the burnt offerings he offered in the temple of the LORD, she was breathless. “The report I heard in my country about your deeds and your wisdom is true,” she told the king. “Though I did not believe the report until I came and saw with my own eyes, I have discovered that they were not telling me the half. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report I heard. Blessed are your men, blessed these servants of yours, who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom. Blessed be the LORD, your God, whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel. In his enduring love for Israel, the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice.” Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty gold talents, a very large quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did anyone bring such an abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40

R/ The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Commit to the LORD your way; trust in him, and he will act. He will make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.

R/ The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps do not falter.

R/ The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

The salvation of the just is from the LORD; he is their refuge in time of distress. And the LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

R/ The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Gospel Acclamation cf. John 17:17b, 17a

Alleluia, alleluia. Your word, O Lord, is truth: consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mark 7:14-23 What comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”

When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) “But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[foxgirlplushie]

I had some trouble figuring out what to suggest for a drabble, but maybe date night for whislash and a butch doctor, please?

It started as a joke, but at this point, it's tradition.

You meet every Friday outside room 17A-1, at 7:58 sharp. Her in a new dress every week, you in the same tux you've had since med school (but with a bowtie to match her appropriately).

Vigna gives you a nod as you pass her booth, switching on the sharp violins and accordions and guitars that guide you, gliding across the floor, into position.

And you and Zofia begin to tango.

#conveying 'butchness' is hard but i tried #this is super cheesy sorry #asks #arknights drabbles #my fics

[darthvashtique93]

Letters To Juliet

Chapter 17

A chorus of congratulations followed Raven’s announcement.  She graciously thanked everyone and looked down with a blush.  Leonardo asked Raven what her occupation was.  Raven then spent the next hour answering questions about herself.  Tim smiled as he listened.  With every question, she seemed to shrink within herself as her face would redden even more, and she looked adorable.

“Okay,” Azar laughed, stopping the flood of questions.  Tim’s heart raced at the grateful smile Raven sent to her grandmother.  “Zaichikioia,” Azar stroked Leonardo’s face, “my darling.”

         Signor Rossi only gazed at Azar with love.  Then, standing to his feet, he held his hand out to her.  Azar placed her hand in his, allowing him to pull her to her feet.  Signor Rossi then leaned into Azar’s space and whispered something in her ear.  Azar blushed and turned to Raven and Tim.  “He’s going to show me the property,” Azar beamed, “but he says to make yourself at home.”  Raven and Tim nodded as the elderly couple strolled away from them.

Tim turned to Raven, catching her eye.  “I need to make a phone call,” she said to Tim before excusing herself from the table.

Raven leaned against a tree, clutching her phone to her chest.  I got the job!  On the inside, she was dancing for joy.  The Thanagars specialized in Egyptology.  They were famous excavators and curators in the art and archeological world, and they had just hired Raven.  She’d be leaving home in three weeks.  Her heart swelled with joy.  Art had always been her passion.  Museums and libraries were her safe spaces, along with her bedroom.  This is great!  Raven was beginning to feel like herself again.  There was a bounce in her step as she returned to the table.

Looking at the rest of the Rossi clan sitting and laughing around the table, Raven’s eyes zeroed in on Tim, and her steps faltered.  He was laughing at something one of the cousins said.  His blue eyes were bright, and his posture relaxed.  Raven bit one side of her lower lip.  He really was…something.  And though her heart said one thing, her mind said something completely different.  “No,” Raven told herself.  She was about to start a new job.  She couldn’t afford these feelings.  But you’ll both be in America, her heart said.  Raven shook her head at that thought.  No, Raven thought firmly as she continued walking.

Raven stepped towards the merry group but paused once more when she heard Tim’s laughter.  Her heart beat in her chest, and tears came to her eyes.  She turned on her heel and began walking briskly in the opposite direction.  She needed air; she needed to think.

Tim laughed at another joke one of Leonardo’s many, many grandchildren told.  All of this laughter and joy reminded Tim of his own family in the states.  He couldn’t help but wonder if Raven had ever been part of a merry, familial atmosphere.  She’d get along great with Cassandra, Tim thought.  He froze.  The thought of introducing Raven to his family filled him with a strange…warmth.  He couldn’t stop his smile from spreading.

“Uh…Tim,” one of the many Rossi asked.

Tim turned to one of the male cousins, giving him a polite smile.

“Is…uh…Signorina Raven…uh…la tua ragazza?”

“Ragazza?” Tim repeated.  “Oh.  Girlfriend?  No, no,” he smiled.  “Solo amici.  Just friends.”

The male cousin smiled before chattering away with his family.

“We are just friends,” Tim muttered to himself as he remembered last night’s kiss.  So many unanswered questions, and…He sat straighter in his chair.  Where was Raven?  Graciously excusing himself, Tim decided to walk the property in search of his not-girlfriend, Raven.

“There you are.” Raven looked up to see Tim approaching her with a grin.  “You disappeared,” he sat in a chair across from her.

“I apologize.  I am packing…mentally.”

“Big move,” Tim continued to smile.  “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Raven looked down, hiding a blush.

“America.”

Raven looked at him curiously.  “Are you actually a journalist?”

“Technically, no,” he smiled.  She raised a brow.  “I quit my job about 8 or 9 days before we met.  If it’s okay with you and your grandmother, I would like to send the story to my ex-boss.”

“Of course,” Raven agreed in earnest, unconsciously leaning towards Tim.  “And, you have to come to the wedding.”

“The wedding?”

“There is going to be a wedding.  I am certain.”

“Really?  How?” Tim leaned closer.

“My grandmother threw a ‘Farewell Party’ for me the night I applied for the job in America.”

“Oh wow,” Tim’s eyes widened.  “Either she was very confident or….”

“Or she really wanted me gone,” Raven laughed softly.

Tim joined in the laughter.  “Well, if I’m going to attend this wedding, I guess you and I better stay in touch.”

“Azar gave you my phone number the day we met,” Raven stated.

“Wait…what?  Really?” Tim pulled his phone out.  “Your grandmother really wants us two to be together,” Tim muttered as he scrolled through his phone.

Raven felt the blood leave her face as her traitorous heart raced in her chest.  “Tim,” she spoke quietly.  Tim looked at her with bright blue eyes.  Raven gulped.  “About last night,” she barely got out before she heard her grandmother call her.  “Raven!”

         Raven schooled her expression before standing to her feet.  “Nonna,” Raven replied, seeing her grandmother and Leonardo several yards away.  She hurried to her Azar, hearing Tim behind her.  “Grandma, how was your…tour?” Raven asked.

         “Prekrasno,” Azar gushed.  “Wonderful.  Darling,” Azar reached for Raven’s hands.  “I wanted to run it by you first.  You will be moving to the United States in three weeks.  And…we were thinking,” she rubbed the back of Raven’s hands with her thumbs, a sign of nervousness Raven was shocked to see.

         “Azar,” Raven encouraged her usually overly confident grandmother.  “Just tell me.”

         “I want to marry Leonardo,” Azar announced.

         “I figured,” Raven smirked, hearing a chuckle from Tim.

         “I would like to go through with it before you leave for the USA.”

         “That is fast,” Raven said, “but…um…okay.  If that’s what you want."

         “And Tim,” Azar turned to Tim with joy in her eyes, “you must be there.  I do not know about your work schedule, but I will pull all strings and every string to get you here.”

         “It’s okay,” Tim laughed.  “I’m pretty close to my new boss.  So, I think I’ll be able to pull a few strings of my own.”  He caught Raven’s eye and gave her a quick wink.  Raven looked away with a blush.  “I need to make a few calls, and I should probably contact my employer ASAP, but…I can’t wait to see you in two weeks.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/35245624/chapters/87833437

#red robin x raven #tim drake x raven #timrae #timrae fanfiction

[businessconsiderations]

4.55 mi

9:17a, 76F, 82% humidity, sunny, 45:02, 9:54 min/mi pace

Fairly short weekend "long" run. But I'm not really on a running program now, so I wasn't sure what I was going to do when I started out on this particular run. I just know this was a rare day I could sleep in, thus the last start.

Focusing on losing weight, eating lower carbs, my runs have been shorter and less impressive during the week, a bunch of easy pace 3 milers, essentially.

I started out Saturday's run thinking I'd run down to the Econ Wilderness Area first loop and back home, that'd be nearly 6 miles. But the mugginess and my lack of carb eating made me scrap that idea pretty early. I can't stress enough how muggy it felt. Sort of surprised me that it was only in the 80s humidity-wise. I guess the humidity + sun was the problem.

After a mile in, at a slower than 10 min/mi easy pace, needing to make every weekend run "a thing," I thought about how this was my last run before I turn 45, so how about I run for 45 minutes? But let's make sure I go longer than 4.5 miles, so I need to pick it up faster than easy pace 10s to make it happen.

I was in the hole 14 sec from mile 1, did an exactly 10:00 for mile 2, picked it up to 9:09 for mile, backed it off because that was too much for me this morning, 9:44 mile 4, slowed it down big time for the final stretch, 10:38 pace for the final 0.55 miles, basically the start of my cool down.

It's not much, but it's something. Next couple Saturdays I'll be traveling, so blogging those runs should be interesting.

#middle age run blog

[outdoorphotographytips]

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#prohormones

[richardangulo]

Your Heart and Desires

One Walk with Jesus… Examine the purity of your heart and desires. #OneWalkwithJesus Praise and worship… Learning to let go Kevin Quinn https://music.apple.com/us/album/learning-to-let-go/1712815744?i=1712815748 Today’s verse… Your word, O Lord, is truth: consecrate us in the truth. John 17:17b, 17a (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?17) Today’s readings… Wednesday of the Fifth Week in…

View On WordPress

[middleagerunblog]

XXIV.

Week 3 Recap

Exercise:

Sun Dec 24 - walked the dog for 35 min, then attempted the Jens Bangsbo Yo-Yo Endurance test, got to 7 and stopped because I didn't want to ruin my Christmas Eve, need to be in better shape before I take a serious crack at that, and now have way more respect for the condition of my younger 2 kids that play competitive soccer and have to do this test from time to time

Mon Dec 25 - 9:48a, outdoors near home, 3.5 mi, 35:54, 10:13 pace

Tue Dec 26 - swapped schedules with Wed, 7:05a, outdoors near home, 3 mi, 30:52, 10:15 pace

Wed Dec 27 - swapped schedules with Tue, 7:17a, outdoors near home, intervals 6 x 400m with easy pace before, between, and after

Thu Dec 28 - rest

Fri Dec 29 - rest

Sat Dec 30 - 7:30a, Clermont Riverfront parkrun, 3.1 mi, 24:26, 7:53 pace

Diet:

I don't really want to dwell on this week's eating performance too much, a week that included Christmas Eve and Christmas and the hangovers thereafter.

I followed up Week 1's B/B+ performance with a C+/B- in Week 2 then a just below C- in Week 3. This puts me at a 2.40 EGPA for Q1, somewhere between a C+ and a B-. I could sit here and analyze my eating results by day of the week, point out the surprises, break down the opportunities for improvement, but I already said I'm not going to dwell on it, and I am working on plans to get better next week.

Alcohol - 9 drinks in Week 3, 9! From 6 in Week 1 to 8 in Week 2 to 9. 9!! This can't be helping with my eating, though I can't really blame it. At the holidays, meals that are too big and too many sweets leads to alcohol more than the other way around. Allowing some New Year's Eve beers, then probably some red wine in January before teetotaling February.

Weigh-in:

Didn't weigh-in this week.

Music:

↳ Favorite new album of 2023 was probably 10,000 gecs by 100 gecs, favorite song from the album is probably, "Hollywood Baby":

So go pitch your fit, no one gives a shit Better off if you just get over it

Saw them live and it was even better hearing it in person.

If I had to pick my favorite 5 new albums of 2023, I'd probably round out the list with Mid Air by Romy, No Joy by Spanish Love Songs, Gigi's Recovery by The Murder Capital, and Honey by Samia.

↳ Favorite old album new to me in 2023 was probably Brave Faces Everyone (2020) by Spanish Love Songs, favorite song from the album might be, "Kick":

Just keep your head down and you'll be okay You're living up to what's expected

It is difficult to articulate how much I love this album. I have listened to it so many times since I first discovered it in September, listening to many of the songs nearly every day since then. Though if I was a broke, young Millennial, the lyrics might hit too hard.

If I had to pick my favorite 5 old albums new to me in 2023, I'd probably round out the list with 1,000 gecs (2019) by 100 gecs, Oncle Jazz (2019) by Men I Trust, Opus (2016) by Eric Prydz, and Computer World (1981) by Kraftwerk.

↳ Old favorite album I listened to for the first time in a long time this year was Hysteria (1987) by Def Leppard--and by long time I mean probably elementary school--song I listened to the most was the title track:

Can't stop this feelin' Can't stop this fire

Listening to this album transports me to another tim when I was living a different life in a different universe, younger than any of my kids are now.

Rereading:

Only reread chapters 11-13 of Kafka on the Shore this week. In another flashback, a truer story of the Rice Bowl Hill incident is revealed via a letter the school teacher writes 28 years later. Still doesn't explain everything. Back in the present, Kafka cleans himself up Sakura's then leaves. Oshima agrees helps him out by driving him out to his family's mountain cabin so he can lay low for a few days.

I happened to rewatch Interstellar this week, is everything about predestination? Still haven't reread In the Penal Colony but plan to this week.

#running #half marathon #weekly recaps #diet #alcohol #eating badly #reading #books #kakfa on the shore #haruki murakami #christmas #drinking #predestination #music #100 gecs #spanish love songs #def leppard #interstellar

[gotham-ruaidh]

Little Bit Better Than I Used To Be

Catch up: Chapter 1 (Starry Eyes) || Chapter 2 (Save Our Souls) || Chapter 3 (Dancing On Glass)|| Chapter 4 (Merry-Go-Round)|| Backstage (1) || Backstage (2) || Chapter 5 (Danger)|| Backstage (3) || Chapter 6A (Love Walked In) || Chapter 6B (Without You) || Backstage (4) || Chapter 7 (Stick To Your Guns) || Chapter 8 (Time For Change) || Backstage (5) || Chapter 9 (Take Me To The Top) || Backstage (6) || Chapter 10 (Home Sweet Home) || Backstage (7) || Chapter 11a (Nightrain) || Chapter 11b (Nothing Else Matters) || Chapter 12a (Handle With Care) || Chapter 12b (I’m So Tired of Being Lonely) || Chapter 13a (Angel) || Chapter 13b (She’s My Addiction) || Chapter 13c (Patience) || Chapter 14a (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14b (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14c (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 15a (Dreams) || Chapter 15b (I Sing A Song of Love) || Chapter 15c (You Can Do This If You Try) || Chapter 16 (Let That Feeling Grab You Deep Inside || Chapter 17A: Never Tear Us Apart || Chapter 17B: It’s Tough To Be Somebody, And It’s Hard Not To Fall Apart  || Chapter 17C: I’m Wishing, Lord, That I Was Stoned || Chapter 18: Turn The Page || Chapter 19A: When You're Alone, Do You Let Go? ||| Also posted at AO3

Chapter 19B: Heading For A Spin

Here I go and I don't know why I spin so ceaselessly Till I lose my sense of gravity

- Patti Smith, “Dancing Barefoot” (1979) [click here to listen]

Pittsburgh || Early October, 1988

Five knocks had been their signal all tour.

He had told her that she could just walk in – that she was always welcome in his dressing room, that nobody else would disturb them. Yet she still didn’t feel comfortable doing that – respecting his space, and the quiet time he needed to collect himself before every show.

Never mind that these days, more often than not Jamie would bolt the door so that they could love each other quickly and quietly before he went on stage.

She was always ready for him – but tonight, when he answered the door, she knew he would need something different.

At about half of the concerts this tour he would wear a simple black tank top with his jeans. For the other half, he’d forgo a shirt entirely. Not that Claire minded either way, though she did love how the tattoo of her name over his heart would be proudly on display for the world to see.

Tonight he had opted for no tank – which is how she quickly noticed the rapid rise and fall of his chest, as he took very quick and shallow breaths. Eyes wide and unfocused, piercing into hers, impossibly blue amid his black eye makeup.

“Jamie,” she breathed, rushing inside and closing the door. “I’m here. Tell me.”

He swallowed, pushing her against the dressing room wall. Hips flush with hers as her cool hand rested over his heart, fingertips tracing her name inked on his body.

“I…” he gaped, then closed his mouth. Breathing deeply. Eyes wild. “I…Claire…”

“I’m here,” she repeated softly. “I love you. Do you love me?”

“Forever,” he choked. Hand fluttering under her Print t-shirt, thumbnail digging into the bone of her hip.

“I’m here, Jamie. I’m not going anywhere.”

He swallowed.

“Let me call Raymond right now. We have his home number for a reason, that’s what he told us when we called last week. We have time before the show. Everybody can wait. You have a phone in here, right?”

He shook his head. "No. Not tonight."

She frowned. “Did you take anything?”

“No,” he replied instantly. “No. No. Definitely no. Wouldn’t do that to you. To us.”

Her fingertips skimmed down the inside of his arm, and his gaze followed. She turned her hand palm upward. “Do you see your letter on me, Jamie? The one you inked yourself, in Boston?”

“Yes,” he breathed. Reached a fingertip to touch the J tattooed below her thumb.

“Focus on that. How much I love you. And do you remember when I inked my letter on you?”

He turned over his hand to proudly show her the C tattooed below his right thumb. “Your touch. Always with me.” He swallowed. “Every note I play, it’s with me.”

“That’s right, Jamie. I’m always with you, and you’re always with me.” She reached up to caress his cheek, smiling at the rasp of his stubble. “We have time. Do you want to love?”

Her hand drifted down across his chest and rested on the belt loops of his jeans. Waiting. Giving him the choice.

He leaned down for a long, slow, sweet kiss.

She felt the tension seep from his body.

“Want to wait to love you tonight,” he whispered against her lips, hips still flush with hers. Teasing. “But only if you can wait, too.”

She nodded, kissing his lower lip. “I can. But I’ll be thinking about it the whole show. How amazing it will be, later. Will you, too?”

He deepened the kiss. “Fuck yes.”

“And not here,” she gasped between kisses. “Back at the hotel. I want to take my time.”

He bit the side of her neck.

Three pounds on the door. Colum’s signal for five minutes until showtime. Because he knew better than to barge in. The one time he had…well, that was enough.

Jamie pulled away only slightly, his body still pressing Claire’s against the wall. He rubbed the tip of his nose against hers. Breathing deeply. Inhaling the scent of her skin.

“What happened?”

He sighed. “One of the fans at the meet and greet told me that I inspired him to get clean. Go to AA. Deal with his shit. He actually thanked me.”

“Oh, my love.” She kissed him. “That’s so wonderful.”

He sought shelter in the safety of her neck. “I fucking did that, Claire. I can’t believe it. It's...it's unreal.”

She nodded, arms winding tight around his shoulders. “You did do that, Jamie. That’s so amazing.”

“He was so fucking happy. So proud. I didn’t know what to say.”

“That’s all right. You don’t need to say anything. Knowing is enough.”

He kissed her collarbone. “I just can't get over it. For all this time, I've only thought that all that shit I used to do could only have one result. That it was all bad. And now it's messing with my head to know that my fuck-ups actually helped someone. Kind of makes me happy in a weird way that all that shit happened, because it helped him.”

She carded her fingers through his hair. “It makes it worth it. Will you promise to tell Raymond about this?”

He nodded. “Yeah. We need to talk with him about this. Not gonna lie, it's fucking with my head a bit. Because I’m nobody’s hero, Claire. Nobody in this world who has any sense should look up to me. I’m an addict, and a musician who just got insanely lucky.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

Jamie smiled. Thrust his pelvis into hers. Smiling when she whimpered.

“I think it's impossible that with all the records we've sold, and with all the sold out shows this tour, that only that one person has changed their thinking. So what about..."

He swallowed, a bit unsure. Claire ran her thumb over his cheek.

"Maybe...maybe I do something official. Like, launch a sobriety support program for fans. Encourage them to have sober meet-ups with each other.”

She smiled, ecstatic. “That would be so amazing, Jamie. We should tell Colum - he can get the publicity people on it right away. You’ve got a voice – you should use it.”

Four loud knocks.

“Kiss your bride goodbye, Jamie! Everyone is waiting!” Colum yelled through the door.

Claire smiled. “You’re gonna do so great tonight. I’ll be right there with you.”

Jamie smiled. “I do have a voice, Claire. And I sing for you.”

He darted in for a kiss. And another. And another.

Neither heard the door open, until –

“For fuck’s sake!” Colum screamed. “I said kiss her, not swallow her!”

Jamie pulled away. Light. Happy.

“See you after the show,” she smiled.

“Can’t wait,” he grinned. Slung his guitar over his shoulder. Waited for her to find and pick up her medical bag. Gripped her hand. Led her to the stage.

#outlander #outlander fanfic #jamie and claire #little bit better than i used to be

[ailtrahq]

On 27 September 2023, SEC Chair Gary Gensler appeared before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, where he was questioned by U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10). The exchange was intense, covering a range of topics from the classification of Bitcoin to the SEC’s compliance with document requests. In his prepared testimony for this hearing, Gensler outlined his stance on cryptocurrency regulation. Gensler asserted that cryptocurrencies should not be exempt from U.S. securities laws, emphasizing that Congress intended a broad scope for these laws, covering various financial instruments under the term “investment contract.” He argued that most crypto tokens likely fall under this category and are thus subject to U.S. securities laws. This also means that crypto intermediaries, such as exchanges and brokers, must comply with regulations like Sections 5, 15(a), and 17A(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Gensler expressed concern about widespread noncompliance in the crypto industry, drawing parallels to the financial landscape before federal securities laws were enacted. He noted that the SEC has initiated enforcement actions and is actively involved in rulemaking for the crypto industry, including updates to investment adviser custody rules and clarifications on decentralized finance (DeFi) systems. McHenry began his grilling of Gensler by reminding Gesler that in 2018 Gensler had said Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash were not securities. He specifically asked Gensler why he believes Bitcoin is not a security. Gensler referred to his past academic work at MIT, where he discussed the Howey Test—a legal framework used to determine if an asset is a security. He stated that Bitcoin does not meet the criteria of the Howey Test, which involves the public expecting profits based on the efforts of others. McHenry pressed Gensler for a clear answer, asking if he still holds the view that Bitcoin is not a security. Gensler confirmed that he does not consider Bitcoin a security, aligning with the SEC staff’s previous statements. The conversation then shifted to the regulatory landscape for digital assets. McHenry asked if legislative action is needed to protect consumers in the digital asset space. Gensler acknowledged that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which he once chaired, lacks comprehensive authority to regulate Bitcoin and other digital commodities. He expressed support for Congress to grant more authority to the CFTC to fill this regulatory gap. McHenry also questioned Gensler about the SEC’s compliance with document requests made by the committee. He expressed frustration over the SEC’s failure to provide non-public documents, despite a 10-week review process. Gensler stated that they have been working with the committee’s staff, but did not specify the nature of the documents provided. McHenry warned that the committee would take action if the SEC continues to be non-compliant. Lastly, McHenry criticized Gensler for not conducting economic analyses for major rulemakings that could impact anyone who owns stocks, bonds, or any type of security. He emphasized that Gensler has serious questions to answer to both the public and Congress. He finished by telling Gensler:“You have serious questions to answer to the public and to Congress., and we intend to get your compliance. We can do it the easy way or the hard way.“ [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyorPIt_AEo[/embed]

[seraphinitegames]

The Wayhaven Chronicles—Update 12/August/2022

Exciting week this week with starting with Chapter 17!

But also, I had a blast with editing! I totally forgot what I put into Chapter 9, hehe! :D It was amazing rediscovering all the different possible scenes, and the fun in those had me smiling so much and so eager to find out which scene you guys end up choosing!

Also managed to get the text assets and amended graphics to Hosted Games, so that's all ready to go for them! It's nice as that's usually a huge task during submission, so to get it done now is one major thing I don't have to worry about during the hectic submission process.

I keep meaning to check Book Two to see if the save system has been added into the end yet, so if anyone knows if it has, could you just drop me a message! I’d be super grateful! Otherwise I might ask Nai just to run through that and see for me. She’s coming up with some Instagram and merch stuff involving Book Two stuff anyway, so she’s part way through!

So yeah, it’s been a busily intense time but a very exciting one! :D

I’ve broken the plan for the ending chapters into two different versions, which are A and B (so it’s Chapter 17A, Chapter 18A, and Chapter 17B, Chapter 18B, etc, right up until Chapter 19—then Chapter 20 is the ‘aftermath’ chapter, and 21 is the epilogue-type thing!). I think this was definitely a good call to do them as completely separate versions. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to write the full A version of the ending chapters, and then come back and the do the B version. Or if I’m going to do Chapter 17A then 17B, then do that with Chapter 18.

Hope that makes sense! :D

But Chapter 17A is coming along SO well! I changed it slightly to the plan, but I definitely think it was good to make the change as this version has some more emotional punch to it!

It was also the start of getting the floorplans for the Warehouse and other locations finalised (I'm glad you guys enjoyed the kitchen floorplan and aesthetic on Patreon!). Really want to try and get through those at a pace, as I do seem to have different versions in my head for some rooms, which doesn't help with consistency! 

But things are definitely getting more firm with stats, locations, characters, etc with Nai collating all my notes for me. That should really make things a whole lot easier for Book Four (yes, I'm already thinking about Book Four planning, lol!), which is going to be a serious doozy of a book to write, so the more I have as easy reference, the better!

I hope you all have an amazing week! We’ll be offline as usual, so I’ll update you all again next Friday <3

#the wayhaven chronicles #interactive fiction #update #progress report #patreon #Book Three

[usafphantom2]

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress | Classic Warbirds

Responding to the specification released by the United States Army in May 1934 calling for a multi-engined bomber that was able to carry a bomb load of 2,000lb between 1,020 and 2,200 miles, at a speed of 200 - 250 mph, with a deadline of August 1935 for a prototype of the aircraft to be ready for testing. Boeing submitted their Model 299, which would be powered by four engines. Design of the aircraft began midway through June 1934, and just over a year later, on the 16th July 1935 at Boeing Field, the aircraft was introduced to the press, with the headlines the next day proclaiming a '15-ton Flying Fortress' leading to Boeing registering it as the Model 299 name.

Twelve days later on the 28th July 1935 the B-17 made its first flight, before being flown to Wright Field for testing and evaluation a few weeks later. By making this flight the B-17 met two objectives of the United States Army specification, firstly the journey was 2,100 miles long and was done at an average speed of 252 mph. The prototype comprised armament of five machine guns and could carry more than double the required bomb load of 2,000lb with a 4,800lb maximum load and was powered by four 750-hp Pratt & Whitney R-1690 radial engines. However during testing a setback occurred on the 30th October 1935, when the prototype crashed on take-off, an investigation was to later conclude that the controls had been locked when take-off was attempted. Despite this setback the United States Army Air Corps ordered thirteen YB-17s, later to be called Y1B-17s, as a result of the successful testing before the accident.

The 2nd December 1936 saw the first Y1B-17 fly, with a few improvements compared to the prototype, the aircraft would now be powered by 930-hp Wright GR-1820-39 Cyclone radials and could accommodate nine crew members. The USAAC's 2nd Bombardment Group based at Langley Field received twelve aircraft during the first eight months of 1937. The other Y1B-17 of the thirteen originally ordered was sent for further testing at Wright Field. A fourteenth example had also been built for testing the strength of the airframe but was later fitted with 1,000-hp engines with turbochargers. After initial problems, it finally flew on the 29th April 1938, with an improvement on its maximum altitude and speed. As this new version was the first variant to enter operational service it was designated the B-17A. Following shortly after was the B-17B, which, whilst almost identical to the B-17A, featured a larger rudder. This first flew on the 27th June 1939 and just over a year later, on the 21st July 1940, the new B-17C flew with 1,200-hp engines.

It was with the Royal Air Force that the B-17 was to first experience combat during the Second World War (1939 - 1945) when No. 90 Squadron, which reformed on the 7th May 1941 at RAF Watton, received the B-17C, designated Fortress I that same month. On the 8th July 1941 they took part in their first RAF raid against the naval barracks at Wilhelmshaven, Germany, however, bombing from 30,000 ft they failed to hit the target. Over the next two months another 26 attacks were made on various German targets, and with eight Fortress Is lost due to combat or accidents the Fortress I proved unsatisfactory for use by Bomber Command for daylight bombing. The remaining Fortress Is were transferred to Coastal Command. As a result of the poor performance of the B-17 over Europe a number of areas where the aircraft could be improved were found, these included more defensive armament to combat attacks from German fighters and a higher service celling. By the end of 1941, the United States was drawn into the Second World War after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on the 7th December 1941.

The introduction of the B-17D, with additional armour and self-sealing tanks, and the B-17E, which flew for the first time on the 5th September 1941. The United States Army Air Force first raid over Europe was on the 17th August 1942, when twelve B-17Es escorted by Supermarine Spitfires of the Royal Air Force attacked the marshalling yards at Rouen in France, only two aircraft sustained minor damage and the mission was a success.

Flying for the first time on the 30th May 1942, the B-17F featured a redesigned nose, more armour and increased fuel capacity. Along with the B-17E it would be the Flying Fortress versions most extensively used by the Eighth Air Force. However mounting losses during the daylight raids were to show that the Flying Fortress either on its own or flying in formation could not defend themselves. Although the B-17G appeared with a gun turret in the nose section to limit the aircraft's vulnerability to head on attacks, daylight raids deep into Germany saw heavy losses. The introduction of the North American P-51 Mustang and Republic P-47 Thunderbolt equipped with external fuel tanks saw losses reduced.

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was used wherever US forces were. In the Pacific theatre of war they were used for close-support bombing, patrol and reconnaissance. A few B-17's were produced for special operations and purposes and despite production totalling 12,731, only a few hundred would stay in service at the conclusion of the Second World War.

Technical Details

Top Speed Range Service Ceiling Armament

B-17A 295 mph 3,600 miles 38,000 ft five 0.30-in machine-guns

eight 600lb bombs

B-17B 292 mph 3,600 miles 36,000 ft six 0.50-in machine-guns

one 0.30-in machine-gun

four 1,100lb bombs

B-17C 323 mph 3,400 miles 37,000 ft five 0.50-in machine-guns

one 0.30-in machine-gun

4,800lb bombs

B-17D 323 mph 3,400 miles 37,000 ft five 0.50-in machine-guns

one 0.30-in machine-gun

4,800lb bombs

B-17E 317 mph 3,200 miles 36,000 ft eight 0.50-in machine-guns

one 0.30-in machine-gun

4,200lb bombs

B-17E side profile image

B-17F 325 mph 2,800 miles 37,500 ft eleven 0.50-in machine-guns

8,000lb bombs

B-17G 302 mph 3,400 miles 35,600 ft twelve 0.50-in machine-guns

8,000lb bombs

B-17G side profile image

XB-38 Sole B-17E tested with a Allison V-1710V engine.

YB-40 292 mph 2,260 miles 29,200 ft at least fourteen 0.50-in machine-guns

C-108 Four aircraft converted and used as cargo carriers and V.I.P transport.

F-9 Designation for a number of B-17s converted into photo reconnaissance aircraft.

BQ-7 Aphrodite B-17s converted into drones.

PB-1 Designation given to B-17s used by the United States Navy.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

30th October >> Mass Readings (USA)

Monday, Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))

First Reading Romans 8:12-17 You have received a spirit of adoption through which we cry, Abba, Father!

Brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 68:2 and 4, 6-7ab, 20-21

R/ Our God is the God of salvation.

God arises; his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. But the just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice.

R/ Our God is the God of salvation.

The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.

R/ Our God is the God of salvation.

Blessed day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation. God is a saving God for us; the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.

R/ Our God is the God of salvation.

Gospel Acclamation John 17:17b, 17a

Alleluia, alleluia. Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 13:10-17 This daughter of Abraham, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day?

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.