#.NET charting library

[a-kind-of-merry-war]

Both of your books (audio) are on special on Chirp as part of their summer sale. How much do sales like that impact what you, as the author, get when someone makes a purchase?

Ohh I didn't know that! Exciting!

So, I get a % of net sales, so if the books are on offer I get less per sale. Saying that: more people are likely to buy them if they are on sale, which means while I'm getting less per book it might even out in the end.

On places like Amazon, or Kindle Unlimited, it's a bit of a double edged sword - less overall royalties, but a chance to move up the chart listings so more people see you in the first place.

So... it's an odd one 😅 the general thing that everyone says is if you wanna support authors just don't pirate books (libraries are great! Use them!!!) and leave reviews where you can!

[kimberly-spirits13]

I Ruined My Summer Vacation

Okay so I ruined my summer with a camp counseling job and I am on the verge of quitting. It's my first week in and it has been a shit show. This is a school that I moved out of because of the problems it has but one of my good friends works there and was talking about how awesome the summer camp was. She told me that it was run by some great people (that I am kind of friends with) and that any problems get taken care of really quickly. It pays $500 a week (net income). So I started yesterday (two weeks late since I was busy and they said it was fine) and within two days this has happened

I got punched by a kid

A kid tried to fight me

a kid climbed onto the library shelves and tore the books down five minutes before carpool

a kid started biting the others and drew blood

a kid stomped on a lizard (and killed it) because another kid was looking at to be funny

a kid has thrown a cussing tantrum in front of other kids because he couldn't climb the tables

a kid broke a table

a kid elbowed another kid in the eye

one kid has gotten sent to the "head counselor's office" 20 times in two weeks and has not gotten in any other trouble

the same kid tried to snap in half another kid's elbow across his knees today (we got in trouble for pulling them apart since we can't touch the kids)

The boys have started slapping the girl's butts to be funny

I listened to a 6 hour long first grader rendition of Ice Spice

The first and second graders play COD and Fortnight with grown men online

We found out that the kids cannot play on the playground because their parents have sat them in front of screens their entire lives and they literally don't know what to do

I got to break up a beat down because one kid took a kid's puzzle box lid and the other took the one kid's baseball cap

the kids have started launching themselves off of the library risers (it's about 8 feet off the ground)

the kids have started dragging other kids up the risers and throwing them off

the kids have thrown things at the SmartBoards when they're angry (they're $8,000 boards btw)

Kids run away and hid from counselors and purposefully get lost so that we get in trouble

the kids are bullying each other and verbalizing that they are "targeting *insert a kid name"

The kids are illiterate

The 3rd and 4th graders struggle with basic multiplication and division (4x1 & 38/2 were the big ones today)

parents are signing up some of the kids for 8am-12pm camps and are not coming to pick up their kids after the paid for camps so we are looking after these kids without further pay because their parents are dropping them off like we're some sort of unpaid babysitter club

kids will make eye contact with you, call your name, and then do something you told them not to do, only to bunker down and not stop once you tell them not to

these same kids will wrap themselves around table or whatever they can find and say. "You can't do anything, you can't touch me!"

The HEAD STAFF has come in and asked to speak with camp counselors that aren't working this week and then ask where the camp coordinators are and we're like "uhhhh in their office?"

The head staff has yet to inform us of the kid's allergies so last week we almost had to send a kid to the ER because he got bit by an ant and no one bothered to say that he needed an EPIPEN and another kid ran away crying because a junior counselor pulled out a PB&J in front of him and he thought the junior counselor was trying to kill him (apparently he's got the airborne severity of peanut butter allergy but that wasn't in his charts or mentioned to us)

kids have started throwing soccer and tennis balls at each other when they're mad

a kid made a noose out of crafting items and tried to hang the others with it

a boy shoved a straw into another little boy's privates

a kid tried to hide puzzle pieces from his camp mates by shoving them down his pants because there was nothing we could do about it

one of the camp counselors who is a college football player broke down crying in the break room because he cannot get the kids to listen

another girl has cried a few times in one day because she cannot discipline the kids and they are telling her that their parents will sue her if she's mean to them

we tried to get in contact with one of the kid's parents only to find out that they have jet set across the world the Europe and will be out of country for the entire summer so the kids are staying at their very old grandparent's house and cannot be further disciplined

parents literally drop their kids off so that they don't have to deal with them and will not answer their phones if something happens and are always late to pick their kids up, hardly make the payment cut, and their kids behave as such

This is only day two. I've had some people tell me to stick with it since it's so early, and some say that it's obviously not going to get any better. I talked to one of my friends who has been working here for five years and he said it's the most well behaved group he's ever worked with. I hate this job, I hate that I'm waisting my summer. I may just give it the rest of this week and one more week and then I'm out. These are 6-12 year olds in a college prep private school and they are acting like rabid animals the entire day. It's not all of them, but it's enough that most of the counselors have talked about quitting. One of the lead counselors won't even be in the entire time since she's about to have a baby so it will get even worse. I cannot iterate how much I hate this job, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, and I am homeschooling my kids after this. I hope I get COVID so that I can miss the next few weeks.

[randomvarious]

Today's compilation:

Billboard Top R&B Hits - 1974 1990 Soul / Funk / R&B

This really was such a wonderful series to spend Black History Month and a few extra days with, folks. It doesn't have every single monumental black American hit from '55 to '74 on it, but with its attempt to present ten of the biggest hits from each of those years, what you nevertheless end up getting with it is a terrific overview of the constantly changing state of things over a twenty-year span. Taking you from when the terms of 'rock & roll' and 'rhythm & blues' were once synonymous with one another up until the dawning of the disco era that eventually knocked rock & roll from the top of America's genre heap, this out-of-print collection of 200 songs from Rhino Records is essential listening for anyone who wants a broad history of these deeply crucial years. American black music started appealing to a white-dominated populace when the youth started latching on to rock & roll, and then, thanks to a combination of a whole bunch of other factors—like Billboard making significant changes to the way it compiled its charts, American Bandstand beaming black faces into homes all across the country on a regular basis, radio programmers and DJs adding more and more black music into their own rotations, and the rise of Motown—it proceeded to become part and parcel of the American songbook in and of itself. And I know the U.S. Library of Congress has its National Recording Registry, which continually adds songs and recordings to its list that it deems to be of execeptionally historical and cultural significance, but if they ever widened their net to include a thematic series of V/A comps, an addition of a collection like this one would be an absolute no-brainer to me 🚫🧠.

So here we've reached the terminus of Billboard Top R&B Hits, which just like pretty much all of its other 19 stops, is terrific too. It looks like licensing restrictions are probably to blame for keeping Roberta Flack and Stevie Wonder off of it particularly—who both had three Billboard Soul chart #1s for themselves in '74—but despite their own and Motown's strange absence entirely from here as well, this release still does not disappoint.

On here you'll find five new acts who had neither reached #1 on the Soul chart prior nor had made an appearance in previous installments of this series itself. Kool & The Gang deliver "Hollywood Swinging"—currently being heavily used by New Balance in its latest ad campaign—William DeVaughn brings his supremely Philly-smooth "Be Thankful for What You Got" (🎶diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean, gangsta Whitewalls🎶 ), Latimore soars with "Let's Straighten It Out," Shirley Brown kills it on "Woman to Woman," and George McCrae soothes on his early disco classic of "Rock Your Baby," which is legitimately one of my most favorite songs ever made. Selling upwards of ten million copies worldwide and having been written and produced by a pair of members of KC & The Sunshine Band, this was a tune that set KC&SB up for vast amounts of their own success too, with a string of chart-topping Hot 100 singles that'd end up playing a large role in further spurring on disco's meteoric surge.

So don't skip over this series, folks. Do yourselves a favor and go back into the blog archive so you can really take all of this in. There's so much foundational and quality music to be heard in these twenty releases here, and when this collection originally came out between '89 and '90, it actually represented the first time that some of these songs had ever been released on CD! 😯

I've been digging heavily into the trenches of the first batch of V/A comps that AllMusic added to its own database more than 30 years ago, and while it hasn't always produced the most gratifying of listens, this particular series ended up making for a pretty seismic bright spot. Prolifically pithy and beloved music critic Robert Christgau believes in the concept of having a 'Basic Record Library,' and I'd say that this series as a whole is a mandatory entry for your own—highly essential nutrients for the diet of any well-rounded music fan. All the more modern stuff that you love and cherish today wouldn't be anything without the vital contributions like the very ones within this set that came and went before it.

And I've got plenty more of these Billboard comps to wade and sift through too, but this particular Top R&B Hits chapter is one that we can finally close the book on 👋.

Highlights:

Kool & The Gang - "Hollywood Swinging" William DeVaughn - "Be Thankful for What You Got" Gladys Knight & The Pips - "The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" James Brown - "The Payback (Part 1)" George McCrae - "Rock Your Baby" Latimore - "Let's Straighten It Out" Al Green - "Livin' for You" Shirley Brown - "Woman to Woman"

[tinyshe]

The second Filet Ancient book, printed in 1913. Charted designs for darned net (filet), also useful for filet crochet, cross-stitch, and voided embroidery (Assisi). More strips, insertions, borders, corners, swags, and large motifs. The life of Joan of Arc, heraldic beasts, cherubs; folk tale scenes; cherubs and nymphs; Aesops fables; devotional motifs; Greek and Roman mythic figures; lords and ladies and court life; birds, beasts, flowers, and geometric/scrolling ornament; Night and Day; hunting scenes; procession of the Saints; and more.

Scans donated by Tamara Wijnsma, edited by Sytske Wijnsma, charted by Franciska Ruessink.

[crypto243]

BSN Finance: Fueling Your Crypto Investment Journey

 Dominate the Crypto Market with BSN Finance’s Innovative Tools

The cryptocurrency market can be overwhelming, especially for those who are new to the space or those who have experienced limited success in trading. BSN Finance is proud to announce the launch of a game-changing suite of tools that will allow traders to dominate the market and maximize their profits.

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“BSN Finance is all about empowering our users,” said the CEO of BSN Finance. “We want to ensure that anyone using our platform is equipped with the tools they need to succeed, whether it’s through advanced charting features, real-time data feeds, or predictive analytics.”

Key Features of BSN Finance

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[affillicourse123]

The Velocity Profits Review: Unlock Your Financial Freedom in 2024

In a world where financial independence is a growing goal, the quest for effective online marketing methods has never been more immediate.

Many individuals want to embrace ingenious systems that promise to turn dreams into reality, but not all systems deliver on their promises.

That's where the Velocity Profits System gets in the spotlight, stirring enjoyment and skepticism.

Created by industry veterans Gerry Cramer and Chris Reader, the Velocity Profits Program positions itself as a groundbreaking technique for online entrepreneurship. Focusing on leveraging AI-powered tools and the thriving appeal of video advertisements on platforms like TikTok, this course claims to equip students with the crucial skills for success in a competitive market landscape.

However, is it an indispensable resource, or is it just another fleeting pattern?

In this article, we will provide an extensive analysis of the Velocity Profits System through the eyes of a real student, exploring its core features, training breakdown, and the experiences of individuals who attempted to start.

Join us as we dissect this ambitious venture's triumphs and trials, ultimately answering the burning concern: Should you enlist in Velocity Profits?

What is Velocity Profits System?

Discover the future of digital marketing and monetary liberty with the Velocity Profits System, a powerhouse platform customized to improve your making potential to brand-new heights! Crafted by the innovative trio of online service mavens - Rob Jones, Gerry Cramer, and Mark Ling-- Velocity Profits marches at the forefront of development. It's your ticket to utilizing modern AI innovation and sophisticated digital marketing methods aimed at sculpting your path to success.

Whether you're simply starting or an experienced online marketer, Velocity Profits accommodates all ability levels. Incorporating various financial instruments assures you will be your ruthless ally in the quest for high-ticket offers and reliable profit sources.

Here's the clincher: Velocity Profits' commitment to satisfaction is ironclad. Go through the ropes, and if you've sailed the course but haven't discovered your treasure in 180 days, you're entitled to an incredible 100% refund! They're not just selling you a dream—they're inviting you to start a well-charted journey to passive income.

Join the enthusiastic community of go-getters harnessing the full potential of Velocity Profits, where your financial fate awaits to be composed in the stars.

Introduction of The Velocity Profits Program Creators

Regarding forming dreams into reality with robust passive income streams, the Velocity Profits program stands tall among its contemporaries - thanks to the titans behind it. Visionaries Rob Jones, Gerry Cramer, and Mark Ling are not simply names but the pillars of online organizational change. These skilled experts have put their vast knowledge into crafting a tool laser-focused on making digital marketing and AI technology available to the masses.

Velocity Profits caters with a velour glove to both novices in the digital world and battle-hardened marketing veterans, making sure nobody is left in the race towards monetary emancipation. Envision has a library of proven templates at your fingertips-- this is just a taste of the preparatory toolbox Velocity Profits equips you with right from the start.

And let's talk assurances-- because who doesn't desire a security net? With Velocity Profits, plunge into the strategies and strategies, dive deep into the knowing, and if within 180 days the treasure chest doesn't open, you're covered with an incredible money-back pledge. Rob, Gerry, and Mark don't simply preach; they've set a banquet of success and invite you to feast.

Core Features of Velocity Profits Couse

Prepare yourself to unlock the secrets of high-octane affiliate marketing with the Velocity Profits Course-- a dynamic blend of cutting-edge AI innovation and human marketing know-how. This course isn't just a run-of-the-mill training program; it's a thoroughly crafted engine developed for maximum efficiency in the digital marketing quick lane. Whether you're just getting your feet damp or you've been swimming with the marketing sharks, Velocity Profits is your golden ticket to riding the waves of success.

Here's what makes the Velocity Profits Course the supercar of marketing approaches:

AI-Powered Simplification: Say goodbye to the complex, labor-intensive marketing of the past. With AI in your co-pilot's seat, simplify your projects and accelerate efficiency with minimal hands-on involvement.

Risk-Reduced Strategies: Dodge the typical pits of advertisement account shutdowns and unforeseeable earnings streams. Velocity Profits charts a course for smoother cruising in the troubled seas of digital marketing.

Scalability Without Ceiling: Once you hit that sweet spot with your marketing funnel, the sky's the limit. This course gives you the turbo boost to scale your earnings to dizzying heights without looking back.

Oiled-Up Marketing Machine: Access an arsenal of tools and design templates, each a cog in a well-oiled maker powering you towards repeatable and assured marketing success.

User-Friendly Interface: Embark on your journey with ease, thanks to an intuitive user interface that caters to both fresh faces and seasoned marketing mavens.

Conclusion: Should You Enroll in Velocity Profits?

Passive income and high-ticket offers are not simply nebulous dreams; they're genuine, attainable goals that can change your financial trajectory. However, sculpting out a path to success in the digital marketing arena can typically feel like browsing a maze. Here's where Velocity Profits beams like a lighthouse, providing a clear, effective system crafted with novices and skilled financiers in mind.

The platform's strength depends on its blend of advanced strategies with simplicity—ideal for those who desire a no-nonsense path to reliable profit sources. If you're trying to find a methodical way to escalate your earnings, Velocity Profits does not just hint at success; it hands you the extremely templates and scripts you need.

Dive into the heart of video marketing—the untapped potential of TikTok ads is a goldmine, and Velocity Profits reveals how to craft video advertisements that aren't just seen but felt and acted on. Reviews across the board praise its honest insight into the world of digital profits, with many declaring it a fresh technique, an AI-powered approach that has actually opened steady income streams.

When it comes to making an educated choice, the platform's sincere pros and cons analysis equips you with the understanding to choose confidently. In the busy world of digital marketing, Velocity Profits might be the spark that ignites your block in affiliate marketing, propelling you toward big-time commissions.

Decision: Enroll if you're ready to let your profits skyrocket!

[shalu620]

Level Up Your Coding Skills: Unveiling the Perfect Programming Language After Python

Conquered Python? Congrats! Now you're ready to set sail on the vast ocean of programming languages. But with so many options, choosing your next adventure can feel overwhelming. Fear not, brave coder! This guide will unveil some top contenders to help you chart your course to programming mastery. Considering the kind support of Learn Python Course in Hyderabad, Whatever your level of experience or reason for switching from another programming language, learning Python gets much more fun.

JavaScript: The Web's Dynamic Duo

For web development enthusiasts, JavaScript is your trusty sidekick. This essential language breathes life into static web pages, crafting interactive experiences and user interfaces. Master JavaScript and unlock the power of frameworks like React and Angular to build cutting-edge web applications.

Java: Enterprise Muscle

Java, a programming powerhouse, is a gateway to vast enterprise opportunities. From Android app development to large-scale systems, Java's versatility reigns supreme. Its robust libraries and extensive ecosystem make it a top choice for building reliable and scalable applications.

Go (Golang): Simplicity Meets Speed

Craving a modern language built for speed? Look no further than Go (Golang). Developed by Google, Go excels at handling multiple tasks simultaneously (concurrency) and scales effortlessly. Its simplicity and lightning-fast execution speed make it ideal for building cloud applications and modern distributed systems.

C#: The Microsoft Maestro

C# is the language of choice for the Microsoft world, particularly game development. Widely used with the Unity engine, C# empowers you to create immersive games across various platforms. But C# doesn't stop there – it's also used for building desktop, mobile, and web applications using the .NET framework, making it a versatile language with broad appeal. Enrolling in the Best Python Certification Online. can help people realise Python’s full potential and gain a deeper understanding of its complexities.

Swift: Mastering the Apple Ecosystem

Swift is the golden key for aspiring iOS app developers. Created by Apple, Swift boasts a modern design, safety features, and seamless integration with Apple's platforms. With Swift in your arsenal, you can unleash your creativity and develop captivating apps for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more.

Rust: The Systems Programming Champion

For those venturing into systems programming, Rust is a name to remember. Praised for its blazing speed, memory safety, and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, Rust is gaining traction in areas like embedded systems and web server infrastructure. Its unique blend of safety and performance makes it a valuable asset for any developer's toolkit.

Data Science Duo: R and Julia

If your heart beats for data analysis and machine learning, R and Julia offer specialized toolkits. R is a data scientist's favorite for statistical analysis and data visualization. Julia, on the other hand, combines high performance with user-friendliness, making it perfect for tackling numerical computing and machine learning challenges.

The Final Quest: Choosing Your Path

The perfect language after Python depends on your coding ambitions. Are you drawn to web development, mobile apps, systems programming, or data science? This guide has highlighted just a few exciting options. Remember, the journey of learning never ends. Embrace the challenge, conquer new languages, and unlock a world of opportunities in the ever-evolving realm of technology. Happy coding!

[toptechnologytips]

A Comprehensive Review on How to Boost Your Productivity With Ironxl

IronXL is a powerful library that allows you to easily read and write Excel files in .NET applications. With IronXL, you can manipulate data within Excel spreadsheets, create charts and graphs, add formatting, and much more. This versatile library is designed to make working with Excel documents simple and efficient. In this article, we will look into how this library can be used in your .NET…

[popculturelib]

August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day!

The Tightwad Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle (1993) is a book by Amy Dacyczyn compiling resources from her newsletter of the name name.

The Browne Popular Culture Library (BPCL), founded in 1969, is the most comprehensive archive of its kind in the United States.  Our focus and mission is to acquire and preserve research materials on American Popular Culture (post 1876) for curricular and research use. Visit our website at https://www.bgsu.edu/library/pcl.html.

Image transcripts:

Cover:

Vital, cost cutting information on:

How to slash your food bills in half

10 painless ways to save $100 this year

Saving money on health insurance

Lifestyles of the frugal and obscure

Ingenious recycling ideas

Yard sale and thrift shop strategies

How to be frugal without feeling deprived

Cooking good meals for pennies a serving

How to save hundreds on your utility bills

Cheap holiday and gift notions

Best tightwad tips from around the country

And hundreds of other amazing tips, tricks, strategies, recipes, and crafts that can squeeze big savings out of even the tightest budget

Back cover:

Save your money - Save your time - Save the environment

What You Can Do to Get Started

Spendthrift Horror Stories

Lunch Box Basics

How to Save on Baby Formula

Calculating the Net Value of a Second Income

Homemade Granola

How to Buy a Real Cord of Wood

The Scrounged Halloween Costume

Saving Money on Your Mortgage

Getting a Bargain Every Time

How to Buy Food in Bulk

Easy Zipper Repair

How to Be More Creative

The Scoop on Coupons

Take the Tightwad Test

Credit Unions Versus Banks

Transcendental Wood Refinishing

The Investment Purchase and the Disposable Purchase

Gift-Giving Alternatives

Seeking the Minimum Level

Best Bargains

Interior Decorating for Tightwads

Money-Saving Activities

Tips for Better Gift Giving

The Cheapskate Postal Scale

Cheapskate Wrapping

Cheaper Checks

Homemade Pancake Syrup

Homemade Presents for Kids

The Spendthrift Christmas Debt Chart

Debts and Down Payments

Turning Down the Door-to-Door Sales Kid

Tightwad Valentines

Tightwad Ethics

Three Principles of Used Acquisition

Three Income Tax Myths

Make Your Own Play-Doh

Budget Weddings

Cutting the Cost of Baking

Thrift and the Environment

How to Compare Egg Prices

Home Haircutting

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Tightwad Peeves

Saving Money When You Have No Time

The Tightwad Refrigerator

Holding a Yard Sale

Homemade Baby Wipes

0Id Things Made New

AND MUCH MORE!

[arctionltdchart]

Arction Offers Charting Library for Finance and Trading Applications

Arction Ltd - We provide the most advanced charting solutions in the industry. Fastest charting libraries, with the highest performance available for .NET, Windows Forms, and Web.

[cascadianights]

Disabled Gardening

-YOGA MAT: Get a yoga mat or something similar that you can throw down on that mud and sit on - I do almost all my gardening from my little mat and it also gives you 1 clear section to work on

-TIME: I started prepping my garden this year at the beginning of winter, one plot at a time. Sometimes it takes hours to weed a tiny spot, sometimes I get a couple of plots done - I cover up what I've cleared with cardboard and come back to it when I have energy. When Spring gets closer, give yourself a couple of seed types a week to get done instead of trying to do them all at once - there's good charts online on what to plant when per zone

-NO TILL: There's other advantages to no till methods (doesn't disturb weed seeds or risk losing topsoil) but being able to lay down cardboard over a section and just leave it to prep itself is great. The grass and weeds should die within 3-6 weeks (see: time) and if you have decent soil you can pull the cardboard, throw amendments in, and plant. If your soil is unworkable have someone help throw dirt and amendments on TOP of the cardboard and plant there

-FREE STUFF: Money is always tight, but watching Craigslist or FB marketplace or similar can net you a good amount of free or very cheap supplies and plants. Local gardening, buy-nothing, gleaning, or agricultural sharing groups will have plants, seeds, supplies, and sometimes food. Seed libraries also exist and can sometimes be found at your local library! If you don't have room to plant you may have a local community garden you can apply for a spot in. Compost, wood chips, and leaves should all be posted for free pretty often

-TOOLS: The right tools can make a big difference, especially with things that depend on grip strength (like loppers or shears). Having ones that aren't rusted or dull make a big difference, and there are construction or art resale stores that may have tool options. Failing that I've found some good stuff at Goodwill over time. Having a cart that can easily cross whatever terrain you're working in can be helpful, pushing a typical wheelbarrow with any amount of weight through mud gets difficult Fast. The best I've seen for this is a design like the (unfortunately pricey ~$100) Gorilla Carts - something with 4 wheels, an easy to turn front, and a dumping option - I hope to have one someday. Also very very useful is a timer for your hoses and a sprinkler so plants get watered even on bad days (or weeks)

-FRIENDS: Asking for help sucks it is the worst thing in the world but alas we should do it anyways. Lots of people like to garden but don't and will have fun coming out and helping prep beds or plant seedlings with you, and in my experience maintaining a garden once that's done is the easy part - things don't need perfect weeding or care to grow and it feels like everything is less heavy than dirt and compost. Also, plant companion flowers that act as insect traps (baits them away from the plants you want) or repellant - nasturtium, marigold, there's a lot and they save you from having to actually deal w the pests most of the time.

[seabreeze2022]

2023 Bahama Cruise, Part 28. May 12 Governors Harbor, Alabaster Beach, Eleuthera.

This is the chart blow up of Governors Harbor, to give you an idea of the area. Against advice on the chart and our friends who were here a couple of days earlier. We anchored inside the harbor. Our anchor dug in well, and we recklessly never dove it.

After a quick trip to the grocery store for a dozen eggs and another bottle of Coconut Rum. We walked around the harbor shore line. We visited the old cemetery near the water. It was well kept with some very old Grave Stones. Behind the cemetery was the St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, built in 1848.

Just around the corner from the church was this beautiful building. It is the “Haynes Library” built much later in 1897. Notice the huge concrete buttresses at the corners, facing 45 degrees from the building. The ones in the back go almost all the way up the second floor. This library was built to withstand a Hurricane. Hurricane Andrew came nearby in 1992 as a Category 3 Hurricane.

Cupid’s Cay makes the outer hook of the harbor. Not sure if it was a separate Cay originally or not as the name would suggest. But today it is connected to the mainland by a substantial causeway. Cupid’s Cay was the home of the first Bahama Parliament in 1736.

On Cupid’s Cay was the first U.S. Consulate to the Bahamas in 1789.

This is a hotel rental on the Cupid’s Cay. This reminds us of old Key West. We walked back to the dinghy and then moved to the boat for the night.

The next morning we did a quick walk through the better part of town. These were well kept up old houses that you can rent. Grounds were green with landscaping and well kept. Really reminds us of Old Key West.

This walk took us over the top of the ridge about 142 ft. high. The ends up going through a carved out are to keep it from being so steep. There was an cement cistern reservoir at the top to supply water pressure to the neighborhood.

From the top we could see both coast of the island. Once we finished this short walk it was back to the boat and move anchorages. Governors Harbor left a good impression with us. Part of it was like most of the settlements. Parts were going high class rentals. Lots of history in this town.

As always the few people we met were very nice and friendly. Apparently there are no snakes on this Island. The chickens and rosters have run amuck. The crowing starts early and is continuous for hours before daybreak.

This is Alabaster Bay. It is 6 miles north of Governors Harbor.

On Monday 13th, we hike 3.7 miles round trip. First across the island to the abandoned US Navy Base. Right turn and a 1 mile plus hike down the beach. Lunch at “The Deck” then continuing clockwise out to the Queen’s Highway and home.

In 1950 this USNavy Base was started as an experimental SOSUS (Sound Surveillance System) having 6 hydrophones deployed off shore. Then in 1958 it became a missile tracking site for US missiles launched from Cape Canaveral. Typical of USNavy bases on islands, they concrete the sides of hills to catch the rain water at the bottom. See photo above, there were several of these. The base was closed in 1982. During its tenure, usually only the Base Commander was actually in the military. The other personnel worked either for Pan American Airways (Pan Am) or Radio Corporation of America (RCA).

In 1957 the base became the Eleuthera Auxiliary Air Force Base (AAFB).

Being a sailor I can’t help but drag a large clump of net and floats up to the high tide mark. It would be a nightmare if you fouled your prop in the open ocean with something like this.

This is “The Deck”. A bar and grill on the oceanside. It is owned by Mark Robert a descendent of the original settlers at Hope Town Abaco.

Bacon Cheese Burgers in Paradise. We learned a new trick. When flies are giving you a problem, light a can of sterno. Even after you put it out they stay away for several minutes.

This is all the treasure we collected on the beach. The most prized of the different sea beans, is the “Hamburger bean” (front left).

It was a slow hike back to the boat after the huge lunch. Nancy cut my hair and beard. After a short recovery time from the lunch. We pulled anchor and sailed north to Hatchet Bay. We tried to out run some storms coming up from the south. Didn’t work out so well.

Using Standard WaterTribe rules. We reefed early. If reefing even enters your mind, then you should go ahead and reef (pull in) your sails. Since we did, the gust from the storm never materialized.

This very well could be a hairy entrance., it is 80 ft. wide and has rock cliffs. Large amount of current to get in and out of this small cut. We had 2 ft. swells and 12-15 kt. winds.

We came into the bay and put out a “Security call” on VHF announcing our entry into the bay. The mailboats and car ferries never say when they are approaching or exiting the harbor. We assume they have a VHF, but they seldom ever answer.

We entered during the top of the flood tide, so no current was evident. We put our anchor down in the north end of the harbor. Only 8 cruisers here. Three left the next morning.

S/V Sea Breeze, Alabaster Bay, Eleuthera, Bahamas.

[inkedtbz]

do me a favor | juyeon

pairing : juyeon x you

genre : exes to lovers au, fluff, maybe sexual tension? idk

word count : 2.5k

SUMMARY : after breaking up a year ago, you and juyeon still found yourselves in love with each other. too stubborn to get back together, your friends decide to take matters into their own hands.

“(Y/n), come on, please?” Eric pleaded, his head tilted like a wounded puppy. He's been following you around the hall for the past ten minutes, pestering you for yet another favor. 

Pretending not to hear, you plugged your earphones one by one as you walked, continuously ignoring his attempts at aegyo, “Sorry, I can't hear you!” 

He groaned, rolling his eyes before rushing in long strides to stop you in your path. Eric extends his arms out, blocking your every attempt to move past him. His lips jut into a pout. “Come on, just one favor. One!”

“Just one favor-” You mocked, imitating his tone. “Yeah, I heard that one before.” Grinning, you shoved him playfully, before going your own way.

Eric grumbled as he grabbed his phone out of his pocket. Quickly, he sent a message to their newly made group chat. 

ERIC

MISSION FAILED

she just ignored me TT TT

HYUNJAE

are you sure you’re really her best friend?

YOUNGHOON

We have to get them to talk somehow

She keeps whining about him still aND I AM OVER IT

ERIC

YES I AM HER BEST FRIEND

but that’s not important

wHAT WILL WE DO NOW??

_

“Heads up!” Jacob shouted, passing the ball towards him before Haknyeon could steal.

Juyeon usually hung out on the open basketball court after school with his friends, Hyunjae, Jacob and Haknyeon. 

Dribbling the ball between his hands, Juyeon kept his eyes on Hyunjae’s, looking for a way past him. The latter held a solid defense, reaching every now and then to attempt a steal. For a moment, the older’s gaze wavered and it didn’t take long for Juyeon to seize the opportunity. He pivoted, turning by the ball of his foot before running towards the other direction. With no other guards, his way towards the basket was clear. So, he jumped and shot the ball with a flick of his wrist. 

The soft whoosh of the ball going through the net echoed throughout the court. 

“Break! I need a break.” Haknyeon said in between heavy breaths. He sprawled on the ground with Jacob opting to lay beside him.

Juyeon sat on the bench, a smug smile plastered on his features. “Good game.” He nodded towards Hyunjae. He grabbed a bottle of water and took a swig. 

Hyunjae's phone chimed. Making sure to keep the screen facing away from Juyeon, he opened the group chat. After reading the contents, it took all his willpower to resist the urge to facepalm in front of everyone. 

ERIC

YES I AM HER BESTFRIEND

but that’s not important

wHAT WILL WE DO NOW??

Drops of water spilled on the ground, catching Hyunjae's attention. 

“Shit-” Juyeon cursed, crouching down to pick up the bottle. But his eyes were nowhere near the ground. 

Ah, Hyunjae thought. That's why.

You were walking just outside the court, with books held close to your chest. 

Juyeon goes still at the sight of you, his grip on the bottle tightening with each second that passes. His gaze held steady until you were out of sight. Only then did he blink, bringing himself back to reality.

“Man, if you wanted her back, staring isn't gonna do the trick.” Haknyeon said, shaking his head.

“You could, you know, actually talk to her?” Jacob suggested, “Maybe she's still hung over you too.”

“I'm not hung over her!” Juyeon denied, his easy smile becoming a frown upon hearing their words. “Besides,” He muttered, “We broke up a year ago. There's no way she's still into me.”

Hyunjae glanced towards his other friends, who had the same thought. Yeah, right.

ERIC

We better think of a new plan quick!!

YOUNGHOON

She just entered the library!!

An idea popped into Hyunjae's head. Slowly, his lips twitched into a grin as he sent a text.

HYUNJAE

Leave it to me

_

“Juyeon.”

He inclined his head towards the direction of his caller, showing a small smile. A nice, cool shower after a game always puts him in a pleasant mood, even after seeing an ex he may or may not still be into. “Yeah?”

“Would you mind grabbing my notebook from the library? I'd get it myself but my roommate texted me. Says it's urgent.” Hyunjae asked, scratching the back of his nape.

Juyeon closed his gym locker then turned around to face his friend. “But isn't the library closed at this hour?”

“The student part-timer would still be there by this time. He'd let you in.” 

“Alright, I'll get it.” 

Hyunjae grinned, mostly out of satisfaction. Their plan was in motion, and neither of the two knew a single thing. 

After a short walk, Juyeon arrived in the library, a huge hall stacked with different kinds of books. The hall seemed colder when it was closed, the lights were dimmed and the seats usually occupied by busy students were empty. The library wasn't a place he visited often, so he found himself looking around longer than he should.

“Hey, Juyeon. What do you need?” Younghoon asked, cleaning up his work area. He looked ready to leave. 

“Ah, I came to pick up what Hyunjae left behind. I was wondering where he might have been.”

“Check the reference section.” 

“Thanks.” 

He sauntered towards the seemingly endless shelves. Hundreds of wooden ledges holding hefty tomes. Juyeon focused on the label on each section, avoiding the charts and tables that contain information that would make his head spin. 

“Circulation, periodicals…” Juyeon read to himself as he passed each sign. It wasn't until he walked by a hundred more shelves that finally, he reached the reference section. 

Immediately, he rushed towards the reading area and scanned the tables for any notebook that was left behind.

Instead of a notebook, a familiar, not to mention equally surprised, face greeted him. 

“The library's closed. What are you doing here?” You asked, after a few seconds of awkward silence. 

Once the shock faded, you wore an expression of indifference, trying to hide the fact that your heart wanted to beat out of your chest. 

Juyeon gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing as he searched for words. “I could say the same for you.” He retorted.

“Younghoon is my friend too. He lets me stay after hours to do some research.” You said, your voice sounding harder, as if angry. 

“Well, I just came to pick up Hyunjae's notebook. Then I'll be out of your hair.” 

Hyunjae's notebook? You thought, your eyebrows furrowing. “How could he leave his notebook? He was never here.”

He must have seen your expression because he seemed confused as well. Slowly, the two of you realize what your friends have done. The weight of each other's presence dawns on you both, and none of you have an idea what to do.

Juyeon takes a step closer, daring to make the first move. “Listen to me…”

“Juyeon, please.” You said, cutting him off. Your voice threatens to shake, but you keep it steady, not wanting to break. “We broke up a year ago. You don't owe me anything. Not an apology, not this conversation.” 

“You don't want me here.” He said, his resolve crumbling at your words. “Fine, I'll leave.”

You barely nodded, putting all your attention back on your book. You tried to block out the echoes of his footsteps as he walked away. 

No, the truth was you weren't over Juyeon. How could you be? Everyday, you see him around campus. You can't help but miss his smile, his laugh and his warmth whenever he held you in his arms. Every memory you shared was still vivid in your mind, and thinking about them was like rubbing salt on an open wound.

You don't remember why you broke up, not exactly. Perhaps you both weren't ready, maybe you needed space to grow. 

But the funny thing is, space did nothing except make you want him more. So much more that it hurts.

Your train of thought gets interrupted by the urgency in Juyeon's voice as he shouted. “Hey, (y/n). You might want to check this out.”

Curious, you hurried towards him. You stopped in your path when you finally saw Juyeon. A cold wave of panic washed over you when you find him fiddling with the knob on the door. 

“What's going on?” You asked, slowly taking a step closer.

“The door won't budge.”

“Very funny, Juyeon. Open it.”

“I am!” 

You make your way towards the door, shoving him off the knob. You tightly grasp it, twisting it with all your strength. It won't move.

“It's stuck.” You hissed, kicking the door out of frustration. Immediately, you recoil, the pain of the impact taking you aback. “Ow!”

Before you could fall on your ass, Juyeon held his arms out, pulling you close to his chest. “You okay?”

“Fine.” You squeaked, pushing yourself off of him before he could see your reddening cheeks. “How do we get out?”

He took a couple of steps back before taking his phone out. “Hold on, I'll text our friends.”

You simply nodded before leaning on the counter.

JUYEON

I hate all of you

Now get us out of here 

YOUNGHOON

No way

ERIC

We're tired of your whining

Both of you

HYUNJAE

No one's getting out until you patch things up

ERIC 

You have all night !!! ; )

YOUNGHOON

ERIC NO

I don't wanna clean any messes

HYUNJAE

Gross

Soooo yea

you're stuck there

HAVE FUN

Juyeon groaned before keeping his phone in his pocket. He sat on a chair across from where you were standing. “We have useless friends.” He said, sighing.

“Yeah, I thought as much.”

Again, an awkward silence settled in the room. Both of you had much to say, but neither had the nerve to attempt anything, much less bridge the gap that had formed over the past few months. 

“I'm cold.” was all you could say. 

Juyeon's expression softened, his dark eyes filling with worry as he remembered how cold you easily get. He shrugged off his jacket and handed it to you, still keeping a careful distance. “Here.”

“Thanks.” You nodded gratefully before taking it from his hand. A familiar, comforting scent washed over you as you placed his coat on your shoulders. Perhaps it wasn't just the jacket, but you felt warmer already. 

“Can we talk now?” Juyeon asked, turning his eyes to the floor as he took in a sharp breath, as if preparing himself for rejection. 

You nodded, “It's not like we have anything better to do.”

“Right.” He chuckled, combing his fingers through his hair as he finally made eye contact with you. “How have you been?”

Good. But probably better with you. You thought. “Busy.” You replied instead. “I've had a couple of projects here and there, so I've been occupied. How about you?”

“The same.” He nodded, his eyes drilling onto yours, as if reading your thoughts. You wish he couldn't. Otherwise, he'd know how much you were holding yourself back. 

His lips formed a soft, sad smile. “You look great, by the way. Our time apart was good to you.”

“Then, it must have been good to you too,” You admitted, shifting your gaze down towards your fingers, which were nervously fidgeting on the hem of your shirt. You could feel the intensity of his stare, even when you weren't looking. “You can move closer if you like.”

“Like this?” He asked, standing up to take a step closer. 

You shook your head, noting the amused tone in Juyeon's voice. “Closer.”

He moved a few inches closer, and yet he was still out of arms reach. “This close?”

You lift your chin up, daring to look him in the eye as you uttered the next words. “Come as close as you want.”

Suddenly, everything was a blur. A moment ago, he was across from you, staring with a gaze intense enough to make anyone feel small. Now, he had you pinned on the counter, trapping you in between his arms. Your eyes were like magnets, not one daring to break contact.

You could feel his every breath brush over your face. Yet somehow, you felt he wasn't close enough. 

“Can I kiss you?” Juyeon whispered, his gaze flitting over to your lips. 

“Please.”

You felt your breath catch as he leans closer. Your eyes flutter shut when you feel his lips press firmly on yours. The sound of your beating heart faded in the background, and all you can think about was how soft his lips were when they moved in sync with yours, and how his arms slowly wrapped themselves around your waist, holding you flush against his body. 

As for Juyeon, he could hardly believe that he was talking to you again, let alone kissing you in an empty library. His mind was blank and all he could feel was your fingers pulling on his hair as you claimed his mouth hungrily. He felt weak as you moved against each other, finally realizing how much he wanted this for so damn long, but then again, he had always been weak for you. You could ask for the world and he'd give it to you on a silver platter.

With heaving breaths, you both pull away, opting to press your forehead against each others. You look at him and you see his mussed hair and swollen lips, you could imagine that you looked the same, probably worse. But you didn't care, you just kissed Juyeon, and you were happy about it.

“I've wanted to do that again for so long.” He admitted between breaths, his lips curling into a shy smile.

“Me too,” You whispered, offering a smile of your own. 

“What does this mean for us?” He asked, his eyes searching yours for an answer he wants to hear. “I want to make us work. I was so stupid to let you go.”

“So stupid,” You nodded, resisting the urge to smile, “Let's try again, Juyeon.”

He leaned in for a soft peck on your lips, trailing a finger on your cheek as he smiled with eyes only for you. 

You don't remember falling asleep. But you do recall cuddling on one of the library's loveseats, sharing whispers and long, slow kisses in the dead of night. 

_

“IT WORKED. OUR PLAN WORKED!”

“Shh. You're in a library, Eric. Shut up.” 

Eric's voice made you jump. Your eyes snapped open and you sat straight up, startling Juyeon, who rolled off and fell on the hard floor. 

“Ugh- what's going on?” He groaned, nursing his shoulder, which took most of the impact. 

You rubbed the sleep away from your eyes and gasped at the sight of your friends grinning stupidly at the two of you. 

“Did you have fun last night?” Hyunjae teased, wiggling his eyebrows. 

You ignored them and gave Juyeon a peck on the cheek, “I gotta go shower. I have class. I'll see you later.” 

He nodded and watched you leave, but not before seeing you flip the finger towards your friends, who responded with laughter.

“So, how was it?” Younghoon asked, his eyes scanning his tangled hair and puffy lips. “I'm guessing you patched things up.”

“I'm not doing any of you a favor ever again.” Juyeon said, before sighing. “But… thanks.”

A huge cheer erupted from his group of friends, and Juyeon tried not to be embarrassed from the sharp glares they received from various sleep-deprived students occupying the library. 

But he let his friends have their moment, he owed them after all.

[dailyadventureprompts]

New Plane: The Miasmic Plateaus of Leng, 

Setup:  

A realm of dimension hopping smugglers, slavers, madmen and monsters. The gods and planear mages that steward the world of mortals strive to keep Leng’s pollution far from their cosmic shore. Still, some corruption seeps in wherever those with the power to travel beyond their world put a thirst for power above their warryness of poison. 

Adventure hooks: 

In the library of a mad wizard, the party finds a travel journal that speaks of a port full of heretical wonders, of the vast riches to be gained there and the forbidden pleasures to be had. It also contains within it instructions on where to find a portal to such a place. The book has an odd spell, and is greasy to the touch, as if the paper itself was in some way sick. 

People have been disappearing, and an arcanist antagonistic to the party has recently become flush with wealth, throwing blood-red rubies around town as if they were going to spoil. Investigation reveals gangs of hired thugs with magical items intended to let them subdue their victims without a fight, and dealings with abberant slave masters willing to make folk disappear in exchange for chests heavy with the same crimson stones.  

Following sightings of alien creatures having seemingly appeared form nowhere, the party tracks them to the wreck of a strange, black-sailed ship far from any source of water. Within its hold are exotic goods the like of which no local has ever seen,   cages that once contained the beasts, and glimmering star-charts that point the way to an unknown horizon. 

An antiquities dealer has fallen into a fevered sleep after aquiring a strange idol, and her family reaches out to the party’s healer in the hopes that they may be of some aid. Research and divine questioning reveal that her dreaming mind was caught by the net of some astral skiff, and while her spirit languishes in another realm, her body has begun to waste away in the meantime. Rescue will require travel beyond the world the party knows, and into a domain of plagued imagination. 

Background:

Leng is a sour dreamscape, a realm where will becomes reality, but that will belongs to something other than you: old and cruel and diseased.  Its shifting geography is made up of eroded mountain ranges sandwiched between two different clouds of miasmic poison, above and below. In the wide valleys between these islands of relative safety: scouring deserts, oily seas, and gangrenous swamps.  

Civilization clings to what little untainted air it can, with harbors, palaces, fortresses and prisons carved into the yellow-grey rock, each ruled over by whatever tyrant or sinister intelligence can bend the rabble to its cause. Leng is a port of infamy for many worlds, where those of mystic persuasion can rub elbows with fiends, horrors in faltering guises, and sinister divinities unwelcome in more hospitable worlds. 

In all the myriad of planes, Leng is perhaps the one where commerce is at its cruelest. Slavers rip people away from their homes and sell them to otherworldy travelers, and those that fail to find a buyer are locked in chains and forced to quarry rubies from the bleeding foundations of the settlements, where the most profitable veins are flooded with miasma.  Looters sell the wealth and weapons of dead worlds, caring not what damage such cursed relics might do in the hands of another. The markets here hold every corruption and pleasure, and no Taboo is observed. 

Nothing is native to Leng, as any people that dwell within this pestulant realm were either banished here for some awful crime or sought it out to practice worse without the judgement of others. Even the flora and fauna are invasive, brought in by poachers and then escaped or introduced in the ballast of numerous world-hopping ships. 

Leng is the be all, end all of black markets, the one-stop-shop for reckless, worldhoping villains or heroes who tarry too close to the dark.  It is best hinted at mid-way through a campaign, a dirty secret among those knowledgeable about the cosmos, before being introduced as an actual location. The sort of monsters and malefactors who call Leng home are best suited to face off against a high level party with the capability to travel there, but the experience and wisdom to know they shouldn’t 

[rustbeltjessie]

Utopia Parkway

after Joseph Cornell’s Penny Arcade Portrait of Lauren Bacall, 1945-46

Marble steps cascade like stereopticon frames of quays along the Seine he’s ready to descend, a folio beneath his arm or yellowed pages wreathed in the aura of French, a cache of star maps and movie stills, Lauren Bacall.

Parisian breezes siphon off into slight vacuums left in air by the passage of young men wheeling racks of suits and dresses toward the Garment District. New York and the twilit Public Library steps where each instant spins

a galaxy of signs—the flushed marquees and newsboys’ shouts fold into hoarse cries, street vendors of former times when parrots picked fortune cards from drawers beneath their hurdy-gurdy cages outside Coney Island’s Penny Arcade. Toward

Times Square, streaming taillights weave nets of connections carmine as Bacall’s lips ticked pout in Screenplay Magazine, and the whole bedazzled city’s a magnificent arcade one might arrange in a cabinet, those amusement-park contraptions worked by coins

or tinted wooden balls traveling runways to set into motion compartment after compartment, a symphony of sight and sound into fantasy, into the streets of New York through Oriental skies, until the balls come to rest

in their tray releasing a shower of prizes: a milliner’s illuminated display of hats, the stamp hat tilted over Bacall’s arched eyebrows, filings spread across the inspector’s desk, her sullen gaze. On Utopia Parkway, in his workshop, Bacall’s

dossier’s lain for months untouched among springs and dolls’ heads, ballerinas arcing through charted celestial spheres, that music. Hoagy Carmichael’s heard offstage as he threads the rush-hour crowd. A typist’s crooked stocking seams

recall with affection the actress on her way up— the modeling jobs, ushering in New York. The box will work by a rolling ball wandering afield into childhood, an insight into the lives of countless young women who never knew, may never know, any other home

than the plainest of furnished rooms, a drab hotel. The drama of a room by lamplight, hotel neon in To Have and Have Not. Carmichael’s “Hong Kong Blues,” blue glass like the night-blue of early silent films— an atmosphere of cabaret songs, “How Little We Know.”

Fog, the boat scenes, and each compartment becomes a silver screen. Offstage music, and now we hear the music in Cornell’s eternity as the actress takes her place among the constellations, Cygnus, the Pleiades, one of the Graces.

—Lynda Hull, from Collected Poems

[theannecordeliashirley]

I need Trent ideas when he was in the witness protection program

- He was scared. The whole thing blew his anxiety off the charts and every creak of a floorboard, every rustle of leaves, scared the living daylights out of him.

- He missed his friends, more than he could put into words. 

- He had a journal that he wrote in every night, and a page for each friend. So he would right down something he missed about his friends, an activity or game he missed playing with them. Sometimes just random features he missed, like that one freckle Mandy had net to her eye. Or the scar on Alex’s knuckle from that time he punched a tree. Oh how he filled up these lists, but Mandy’s list had the most.

- He also spent a lot of time reading and decided to try out that series Mandy really liked, what was it called? Oh yes. Anne of Green Gables.

- And tv, but only dvds borrowed from the library of whatever town they were in because cable was a big no-no. So by the time they could leave WPP, he had almost every episode of Gilligan’s Island, I Love Lucy, the Andy Griffith Show and The Love Boat memorized. 

- Because of Gilligan’s Island, Trent came out of WPP convinced that Mandy was his Mary Ann