#andrew mongoose

[ask-wren-zhang]

Fondly:

With a poorly suppressed smirk, Wren produces a headband, attached to its top are a pair of what unmistakably are antlers, letting it rest nicely on Mongoose’s thick skull. As a finishing touch, she utters an enchantment and a small, soft red crocheted sphere lets itself known by grappling onto the tip of his nose.

She pinches his new nose twice, for good measure, then bolts off laughing.

The entire time Wren is conducting his new makeover, he stares flatly and unmoving. He can't very much protest, since he does owe her one.

Thinking the humiliation might end after the antlers (which...did she really have to SHOVE them onto his head like that?!), suddenly she adds the red nose...which he groans to find is slightly reminiscent of said tomatoes. He rolls his eyes as she pinches.

"Really, Wrennifer?"

Before more protests can be made known to Santa's little helper, off she goes again!

[leasthaunted]

Episode 130: The Bell Witch

This time Cody tells Garth about a legend from Tennessee, a tale of poltergiest-like shenanigans, Gef The Mongoose akin mischief, and MURDER? Hear the tale of The Bell Witch. "The Most Documented Haunting in history"*  Also take a trip to Garth's Corner to learn about Barnard's Star! 

* "Most" is a relative term...

As always, please come join the episode discussion on the Least Haunted Discord!

Enjoy the images and videos below!

Historical marker in Adams, Tennessee

Modern Replica of The Bell House

This kind of rough hewn log home was common on the frontier in those days as well as along Appalachia and The Smokey Mountains. It is called a "Dog Trot". Note that on the bottom floor there is a corridor open on both sides that separates the two sides.

Book from the Cody Franks personal Library

This is all that remains from the last "original structure" on the farm. So not a part of the original house, but contemporary. Note that it would be made up of one of the sides of the Dog Trot. It was relocated to The Adams School in Adams Tennessee in the 1980's. Nothing remains on the Bell farm from the time of the Bell Witch Story.

The "first" time the story appeared in print was this book by Martin Van Buren Ingram in 1891.

It contained many exaggerated and inspire pictures from the tale... "The family slave Dean encounters a black two headed dog on his way home from visiting his wife." The Bell family owned slaves. A fact of the story that provided cultural context to the events and setting. The slavery is usually brushed under the rug, or politely ignored by most paranormal fans who talk about this story. But not with us! Fuck slavery! And fuck slave owners- that includes wage-slavers too!

Another illustration depicts Dean being turned into a mule by the witch and onother spirit. This, as far as I know, never really happened. Or if it did, he got better.

"Elizabeth Bell and her siblings see a girl in green swinging from a tree" One of the insighting incidents in the Bell Witch saga.

Young Elizabeth "Betsy" Bell. Around 13 when the events began. She became a particular target of the witch and suffered physical attacks.

It was claimed that the hauntings of the Bell Witch became so famous that Andrew "Genocidal Slave-Owning Piece of Shit" Jackson himself came to witness it. This is a complete fabrication. But he is still a Genocidal Slave-Owning Piece of Shit. That is verifiable fact.

Headstone of John Bell, allegedly killed by the Bell Witch

In 2001, Austin Peay State University Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Meagan Mann came up with a theory that could partially explain the death of John Bell in 1820 at the hands of the Witch.

In the 20th century The Bell Witch Cave became a part of the legend. An actual limestone Karst on one corner of what once was the Bell Farm, it is claimed now to be the source of the haunting, or maybe just where "Kate" liked to go when not tormenting the Bell Family. It is now a privately owned tourist attraction and you can visit it. Info can be found here: https://www.bellwitchcave.com/.

The community of Red River, Tennessee where the Bell Witch legend transpired eventually became Adams, Tennessee. That is where Kate, the Bell Witch has become the source of much prosperity in the form of tourism.

The legend became widely known again in 2006 with the movie "An American Haunting" being based on it.

GARTH'S CORNER! GARTH'S CORNER! GARTH'S CORNER!

Einstein at Yerkes Observatory.

MAIL BAG!

Two letters from.. Gef the Mongoose?

[ask-sebastian]

Tease - Hug - Kiss

Sir William Abbott

Mr. (Dr.) Alsius Vafer

Monsieur Andrew Mongoose

Tease - Mongoose (I've got galleons on the line) Hug - Will (he has a thing for cuddling) Kiss - Alsius (because honestly the man needs to get cracking)

[jeannereames]

Hello Dr. Reames! Question, I was wondering if there are any other fun little facts about Alexander that you know of that you can share with us? Like when you were on TikTok you mentioned a story in which Alexander started a staged naval battle with apples. I guess I'm looking for other little fun facts that you know of that can humanize him in a way?

For those who didn’t see the TikTok, among the things I mentioned there was a naval “battle” on the Euphrates, using old, rotten apples. This occurred at some point when they’d reached Babylon after Hephaistion’s death. We know he took a boat ride to see the tombs of the Assyrian kings, during which the diadema blew off his head to be caught in reeds and fetched by a nameless sailor who tied it around his own head to keep it from getting wet. According to one story, the enterprising sailor was given a talent, then beheaded for the affront. But Arrian says Aristoboulos reports that he was only whipped (7.22.2-5). It was regarded as a bad omen, like the beggar who snuck into the palace and seated himself on the throne, then was tortured and executed for it. (Arr. 7.24.1-2. This latter was probably the ancient near eastern substitute-king ritual, misunderstood by the Greeks.) Seleukos later reworked the diadem story so that he personally fetched the diadem: an omen of his own eventual kingship of Asia (Arr. 7.22.5).

ANYway, Alexander took quite a few boat trips while in Babylon as part of his desire to build up a fleet and expand the Babylonian dockyards significantly. So presumably he had a little fun at some point with this impromptu naval apple battle.

Another story is the “ichneumon” (mongoose) hunt while they were (probably) in the Levant besieging Tyre. Alexander seems to have gone hunting on the regular when he had downtime. Lions were royal prey, as were boars, so these get the most press. But he hunted for other things. We only know about the mongoose because, during the melee, Krateros somehow fell/ran into Perdikkas’s hunting spear and was cut in the thigh(s). Alexander later wrote Hephaistion to tell him about it. (Hephaistion was probably still back in Sidon, helping secure a fleet for Alexander.) Yet we’re not told WHY they decided to hunt a mongoose. Mongeese were kept, like cats, to reduce the rat population, so to hunt one is perhaps odd. Theoretically, it would be more useful alive. I have this mental idea (for the novel) that this mongoose was causing mischief. It got away when Krateros had his accident, because the rest were worried about Krateros. So that’s how I plan to write it. The mongoose will succeed in escaping!

Plutarch has a number of anecdotes, but the problem is deciding what’s actually true. He’s good at changing out the players in his vignettes, as it suits him and his larger point/theme/moral. Sometimes, however, they just seem too weirdly specific, like the dish of little fish sent to Hephaistion at a banquet, I assume because he liked them. This is the sort of thing that sticks with me about Alexander: he notices things. (And has a memory like the proverbial elephant.)

He seems to have written (or at least dictated) a lot of letters—more than typical. Plutarch had access to and describes some (Alex. 41ff.). Plutarch (and others) also harp on his generosity. He liked giving presents, as apparently did Philip. Yet this sort of gifting had a socio-political function, as well—to give the best/most expensive present was a sign of high social status. He complains when people try to outdo him in gifts. Greece was a gift-exchange culture. I’m sure Alexander would be utterly appalled by the stinginess of modern billionaires. The entire point of having great wealth was to give it away. This eurgetism was the traditional social contract of the wealthy. So, for instance, Andrew Carnegie, who was a thoroughly nasty man, one of the Robber Barons of the late 1800s/early 1900s, still donated oodles of money to build over a thousand public libraries in small towns, a concert hall with his name, et al. Because that’s what rich people do. The current wealthy class has completely forsaken that. In any case, Alexander belonged to that mind-set, but as with the dish of smelts/sardines/whatever-it-was, he seems to have given some thought to what would please the recipient, at least if he knew them.

The story of him threatening to eradicate an entire people if they didn’t bring back his horse (who’d been horse-napped) is at once a little endearing AND absolutely godawful. (The kidnappers brought back Boukephalas pronto.)

Another letter-writing story is his reaction to the news that one of his officers tried to sneak back to Macedonia in a general troop discharge, although he wasn’t actually sick/wounded. It turns out the officer was “in love” with a particular hetaira who was leaving, so wanted to follow her. Instead of sacking the guy, Alexander wrote to tell him he’d either help him persuade the woman to stay, if she were free, or help him buy her, if she weren’t.

One part of me wonders if this wasn’t just the ancient version of “women don’t get to say ‘no.’” It also ticks boxes for Plutarch’s emphasis on “love” matches as a moral trope (which also fuels the Roxane story, btw); we find these scattered throughout his other Lives and writings in the Moralia. Yet it’s also just a weird story, which in turn makes me wonder if something real may lay behind it. Ergo, I’m of mixed mind on the authenticity of the supposed letter. It’s so … “Dear Abby”-ish! Yet it fits with accounts that he knew not only his officers, but even his oldest line soldiers by name. (I’d track down the story but I’m too lazy.)

So … there are a few that come to mind in the “fun, weird stuff about Alexander” besides the apple war. Also, re: apples, Athenaeus tells us that both Alexander and his father Philip were apple-lovers. Bake that man some turnovers!

[ask-wren-zhang]

It isn't long until she senses a pair of uneasy eyes on her back and sure enough, her favourite Mongoose is looking every bit as high-strung as he often is as of late - having robbed of his hair during those weeks must've done him a number or two.

Just this once, she'll refrain from ruffling the locks on his head.

Not that she's allowed to. But he doesn't need to know that ;)

My dear Wren, just a hypothetical anon here... I know you and the Mongoose are on the same team but what would it cost me to bribe you into pushing him off of his broom one of those matches? Just a HYPOTHETICAL.

Summoning her quill, she quickly scribbles a quick response on a scrap of parchment, laughing quietly as she does:

Mel, dearest, is this you? ♡

[ashen-sky]

Personal highlights from...

Red vs Blue The Ultimate Fan Guide

In honor of s19 and the continuation of where s13 left off, here are some highlights from the ultimate fan guide published back in 2015. I've been re-watching the show and it made me want to flip back through the guide. (Everything is sort of in the order it appears in the book, with a few exceptions)

Delta appears as a guide of sorts with fun facts

Caboose's position is listed as "Team Rookie/Occasional Captain/ Church's Best Friend" (it is actually struck out in the book)

He is also the only one listed with the title Captain, appearing as "Private/Captain Michael J. Caboose" (due to Wash "promoting" him, in the canyon on chorus)

Tucker is "Private First Class", Church, Donut, and Simmons are "Private"s, Sarge is listed as a "Colonel" under rank (the other Red's and Blue's ranks appears with their name while his is under "position"), and Grif is "Minor Junior Private, Negative First Class"

Wash used to be a chronic bed wetter (thanks D)

There's also a six page transcript of his psych eval prior to PF where we find out he injured a commanding officer because he wanted to "send everyone to their deaths", he also put a former bully through a mirror in fifth-grade

Grif is stated to have been assigned to Blood Gulch because he was the only survivor of an alien attack on a colony during the great war, he fell asleep at his post and everyone assumed he was KIA

Donut's position is listed as "On all fours... cleaning Red bade"

Doc's profile is "Doc/ O'Malley" and the whole thing lists both their interests, i.e "Position: Canyon Medic, Galactic Overlord"

Andy's (the bomb) name is "Andrew D. Kaboom"

Sheila and Filss share a page

Tex's notable attributes are "Kicking ass (and nuts), being a mean lady, and resurrection"

The password to unlock the file on Beta that CT left behind was "Allison" (Thanks again D)

York's page comments "Several reports were filed against Agent York claiming he and Agent Carolina had something of a "personal" relationship [...] Freelancer Command was unable to find any proof to support these accusations."

One of his notable attributes is "watching his right side" and his position is "team scoundrel"

Eta and iota (Carolina's AIs) were "fear and happiness"

According to the official time line, Carolina was around 6 when Allison died (Allison died 23 years before Blood Gulch and Carolina was born 29 years before)

Wyoming's real name is Reginald

South Dakota's Status is listed as "Extra Crispy"

Smith once spent two days contemplating in silence what Caboose meant when he said his favorite color was "Happy"

Dr. Grey's position is "(Mad) Doctor", she was considered a prodigy at age 11 when she diagnosed every patient in House M.D. within five minutes of their introduction, and she thinks Grey's Anatomy is "far too trite"

Felix and Locus' names are listed as Unknown in the book, but I do believe their names were revealed in a s14 episode

The counselor advised the director to tell Tex that Alpha was in Blood Gulch to protect him and stop her from investigating the project

Notable Features of Blood Gulch include "Avoid Tucker's Rock at all costs, as it has not been properly sterilized"

BTS from D: The opening shot of Season 6 was created by shooting players moving in different quadrants and combining the shots"

Important events at High Ground, "Washington killed Agent south in cold blood- with a much less cold flamethrower."

Fact from D: "Once a year, Reds and Blues stationed at Rat's Nest still pay tribute to Agent Alabama by sending a flaming mongoose soaring through the night sky."

Donut likes to spend his leisure time in Federal Army Outpost 37, in the jail cells in handcuffs

The statistics pages, 9 pages of stats from number of robots murdered (112) to Church's sniper rifle accuracy (9.3%)

Bow Chicka Bow Wow was first said in season 4, and Simmons never sucked up in season 12, season one had the most "son of a bitch"s at 14 Donut made 32 accidental innuendos, and the odd number of pedals in vehicles was called out on five occasions Tucker has the highest kill count of all reds and blues (counting wash and Tex), at 24 followed by donut at 22 and Tex at 21, Caboose is the lowest at 2 raised by Lopez and 3 and Church at 8 Sarge has threatened/wished death on Grif 56 times, and Donut has nearly died five times Seasons 2 and 9 had the lowest kill counts Carolina had the highest flash back kills at 68 in season ten, and the twins are tied at 23 kills in season nine

Tex's attack to free Alpha was 2 years before Blood Gulch, the great war ended 1 year after Alpha arrived in Blood Gulch and after the Wyoming incident in Blood Gulch (where they tried to kidnap junior), Chorus takes place 5 years after Alpha initially arrived in Blood Gulch

The mission books has adorable illustrations (they look like Caboose's guides from s14)

There's a mindmap for all the Leonard and Allison iterations and they they connect

Sarge has a guide on how to build a robot, scented lube is preferred, along with mad scientist goggles, a cup of baking soda, and seventeen tablespoons of sugar

More silly plans with fun diagrams

Donut's diary, D tells us that Donut washes his underwear on tuesday's

Caboose's Wisdom section on: feelings, relationships, army etiquette (including gems like crayons don't work as bullets. Use markers.), life, and the reds and blues

Simmons made a text based adventure games

BTS from D, the story of Simmons refusing to go to the Vegas Quadrant is a reference to Gus Sorola (Simmons' VA) refusing to go to Las Vegas with the rest of the rvb creators

You can find the case against Sergeant Grif from the reds at rat's Nest (he was selling red team's ammo to Caboose before he was locked up in the brig, Private Jones wore a wire tap to help the red's catch Grif's under the table dealings)

Leonard met Allison in the mess hall during basic training where he pissed off another recruit and Allison had to save his ass (Church was right, Carolina get's her temper from her mom)

I'm Church. private Church. Leonard. Leonard Church." the only thing I cared about in that moment was that she knew my name. She smiled. Her smile could light up solar systems. "Kind of a funny name. Church." "It's Jewish."

I spent the rest of basic chasing after her. In some ways, I never stopped.

Here's hoping non of our beloved idiots die in season 19! I mean, I know Church will be gone, but the others... they deserve a happy ending.

Also I miss the freelancers and AI...

[is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not]

SLDF Naval Assets, as of Operation TOUCHDOWN, 3153

SLS McKenna's Pride, McKenna-class battleship, SLDF Flagship (Commanding General's Squadron)

SLS Zughoffer Weir, McKenna-class battleship

SLS Rasalhague, Leviathan III-class battleship (under refit; 95% complete)

SLS Alshain, Leviathan III-class battleship (under construction; 90% complete)

SLS Bismarck, Texas-class battleship

SLS Ukraine, Texas-class battleship

SLS Chieftain, Liberation (Stefan Amaris)-class battleship (reactivated from museum ship status)

SLS Galactica, Dreadnought-class Battleship (reactivated from museum ship status; extensive refit)

SLS Quicksilver Mongoose, Du Shi Wang-class battleship (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Great Coyote Spirit, Nightlord-class battleship (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Warspite, Nightlord-class battleship

SLS Lynn McKenna, Nightlord-class battleship

SLS Barham, Monsoon-class battleship (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Kumamoto, Monsoon-class battleship (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Shizuoka, Monsoon-class battleship (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Enterprise, Enterprise-class supercarrier

SLS Seoul, Samarkand-class carrier (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Beijing, Samarkand-class carrier (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Corinth, Thera-class carrier

SLS Raven's Nest, Thera-class carrier

SLS Blood Drinker, Black Lion-class battlecruiser

SLS Arctic Wolf, Black Lion-class battlecruiser

SLS Dark Wolf, Black Lion-class battlecruiser

SLS Jade Aerie, Black Lion-class battlecruiser

SLS White Aerie, Black Lion-class battlecruiser

SLS Streaking Mist, Black Lion-class battlecruiser

SLS Emerald Talon II, Black Lion-class battlecruiser

SLS Tripitz, Black Lion-class battlecruiser (hulk recovered from New Vandenburg system in return for concessions to Taurian Concordat; repaired and refitted)

SLS Bloody Fang, Cameron-class battlecruiser

SLS Turkina's Pride, Cameron-class battlecruiser

SLS Ice Storm, Cameron-class battlecruiser

SLS Kerensky's Hope, Cameron-class battlecruiser

SLS Ark Royal, Conqueror-class battlecruiser

SLS Conqueror, Conqueror-class battlecruiser

SLS Blue Talon, Aegis-class heavy cruiser

SLS Jade Talon, Aegis-class heavy cruiser

SLS Red Talon, Aegis-class heavy cruiser

SLS Gold Talon, Aegis-class heavy cruiser

SLS Chaos Sailor, Aegis-class heavy cruiser

SLS White Terror, Aegis-class heavy cruiser

SLS Auspicium, Aegis-class heavy cruiser

SLS Lord Death, Aegis-class heavy cruiser

SLS Apparition, Aegis-class heavy cruiser

SLS Manassas, Aegis-class heavy cruiser (experimental refit)

SLS Talismantia, Sovetskii Soyuz-class heavy cruiser (leased from Clan Sea Fox)

SLS Dire Wolf, Sovetskii Soyuz-class heavy cruiser

SLS Accalia, Sovetskii Soyuz-class heavy cruiser

SLS Ciaravella, Sovetskii Soyuz-class heavy cruiser

SLS Storm Crow, Sovetskii Soyuz-class heavy cruiser

SLS Soyal, Soyal-class heavy cruiser

SLS Vrishabha, Soyal-class heavy cruiser

SLS Kali, Soyal-class heavy cruiser

SLS Karka, Soyal-class heavy cruiser

SLS Andrew Davion, Avalon-class heavy cruiser

SLS Van Speijk, Luxor-class heavy cruiser

SLS Victoria Ward, Liberator-class heavy cruiser

SLS Jerome Winson, Liberator-class heavy cruiser

SLS Surprise, Kimagure Surprise-class pursuit cruiser

SLS Admiral Russell Nga, Kimagure-class pursuit cruiser (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Vision of Truth, Potemkin-class troop cruiser

SLS Renown, Potemkin-class troop cruiser

SLS Ulithi, Potemkin-class troop cruiser

SLS Abyssal, Potemkin-class troop cruiser (leased from Clan Sea Fox)

SLS Bonaventure, Potemkin-class troop cruiser

SLS Eden Rose, Potemkin-class troop cruiser

SLS Okami, Lola III-class destroyer

SLS Caleuche, Lola III-class destroyer (leased from Clan Sea Fox)

SLS Ranger, Lola III-class destroyer

SLS Protecteur, Lola III-class destroyer

SLS Emerald Tornado, Whirlwind-class destroyer

SLS Jade Tornado, Whirlwind-class destroyer

SLS Drake, Whirlwind-class destroyer

SLS William Adams, Whirlwind-class destroyer

SLS Ursus, Whirlwind-class destroyer

SLS Sabre Cat, Essex-class destroyer

SLS The Iowa, Essex-class destroyer

SLS Abundantia, Essex-class destroyer

SLS Deathblow, Essex-class destroyer

SLS Cape Bon, Essex-class destroyer

SLS Marshal Ney, Essex-class destroyer

SLS Mulhacén, Essex-class destroyer

SLS Ditka, Essex-class destroyer

SLS Manchester, Suffren-class destroyer

SLS Lair of Mighty Wyrms, Tatsumaki-class destroyer

SLS Queen Lynx, York-class destroyer

SLS Brimstone, York-class destroyer (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Exodus Avenger, York-class destroyer (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Exodus Crusader, York-class destroyer (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Exodus Sentinel, York-class destroyer (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Nebulous, York-class destroyer (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS The Protector, York-class destroyer (recovered from Clan Homeworlds mothball fleet during Operation PICKPOCKET)

SLS Rogue, Congress-class frigate

SLS Fire Crest, Congress-class frigate

SLS Kerensky's Pride, Congress-class frigate

SLS Magpie, Congress-class frigate

SLS Shining Claw, Congress-class frigate

SLS Pride of New Samarkand, Kyushu-class frigate

SLS Silver Merlin, Peregrine-class corvette

SLS Green Kestrel, Peregrine-class corvette

SLS Killing Blow, Vincent Mk42-class corvette

SLS Arm's Reach, Vincent Mk42-class corvette

SLS Simas Osis, Vincent Mk42-class corvette

SLS Muninn, Vincent Mk42-class corvette

SLS Kutkh, Fredasa-class corvette

SLS Liberator, Volga-class transport (leased from Clan Sea Fox)

SLS Megalodon, Volga-class transport (leased from Clan Sea Fox)

SLS Matahourua, Carrack-class transport (leased from Clan Sea Fox)

SLS Tethys, Carrack-class transport (leased from Clan Sea Fox)

SLS Far Star, Carrack-class transport

SLS Enlightened Path, Carrack-class transport

SLS Nebula, Carrack-class transport

SLS Glory Road, Carrack-class transport

SLS Blessed Vision, Carrack-class transport

SLS Pathfinder, Carrack-class transport

SLS Guiding Vision, Carrack-class transport

SLS Bright Star, Carrack-class transport

SLS Faithful Rite, Carrack-class transport

SLS Den Mother, Carrack-class transport

SLS Yggdrasil, Carrack-class transport

SLS Dover, Faslane-class yardship

SLS Necessitas, Faslane-class yardship

SLS Harmonia, Faslane-class yardship

SLS Glamorgan, Faslane-class yardship

SLS Clementia, Newgrange-class yardship

SLS Mercy, Newgrange-class yardship

SLS J. Swift, Newgrange-class yardship

SLS Alfred Redl, Bug-Eye-class surveillance vessel

[dykekarkat]

5 and 10 for the author ask game 👀

5. what's something you learned while researching for a fic?

(non aftg fic answer) i wrote a daemon au once and put all of my energy into researching the banded mongoose bcus i wanted to make SURE it matched my vision for the mc's daemon and i ended up watching ike 10 separate documentaries in 2 weeks. anyway it's one of the only species of mongoose to have a social structure (most species are solitary), yes they do fight snakes, and if they can't find shelter or their den (usually termite mounds) is unavailable they'll sleep on top of each other in a giant pile ^-^

10. is there a character or ship you'd love to write for but haven't yet?

JEANEILLLLL MY JEANEILLLL I NEED TO WRITE A FIC FOR THEM SO BADLY 😭😭😭😭 the idea i am MOST attached to is raven jeaneil not romantic not platonic but a secret third thing (unhealthily attached / codependent / using sex with each other as a coping mechanism / in love but what does it mean to be in love when they've never had contact with the concept of it) -> this would probably end up being jeandreil endgame bcus i dont like excluding andrew it makes me sad :( he deserves two annoying cunty boyfriends.

[rpmtrish]

MEHLENBACHER FAMILY HONOURED AT CANADIAN DRAG RACING HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

KIRKLAND, QC (November 4, 2023) – Two generations of Mehlenbachers were honoured tonight at the 7th annual Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame Inductees Gala, which took place in front of a full house at Lamborghini Montreal, in Kirkland Quebec. A total of 16 nominees were inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, with the Gala celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to the sport of drag racing. The Mehlenbachers joined an elite group of Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductees past and present, which includes racers, mechanics, crew chiefs, engine and chassis builders, track promoters, announcers, track officials, photographers, journalists, and sponsors. "I am thrilled, but I am also extremely honoured for my father and the Mehlenbacher family to receive this recognition. It is a very special tribute to me and my family” said Bruce F. Mehlenbacher. "I would like to convey my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to John Scotti and Bob Aubertin, on behalf of myself and the Mehlenbacher family, for honoring my father and me. This induction into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame is a great honour." Several members of the Mehlenbacher family were in attendance tonight, including Andrew and Bill Mehlenbacher, and Bill accepted for his father on behalf of the family. “My father is very deserving of this award, as one of the pioneers in the sport of drag racing. Many of the members of the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame and those in attendance tonight would not be where they are, had it not been for our father Bruce A. Mehlenbacher and our grandfather L.B. Mehlenbacher. Their dedication and promotion of the sport was second to none,” said Bill Mehlenbacher. “On behalf of my father and our family, we thank you for this distinction.” The Mehlenbachers family history of drag racing began in 1948, when L. Bruce Mehlenbacher purchased a 375-acre parcel of land in Kohler, Ontario, to add to the family’s farming operation. The property included an emergency landing strip, built by the Canadian Government during the Second World War. In 1954, with the cooperation of the Ontario Timing Association, there was some racing at the track in Kohler, and 1955 saw the full operation of the drag racing facility. Things were simple and low-tech in those days, as cars were driven to the track or towed in makeshift trailers. During the 1960s, the track was recognized as Kohler Dragway, Super Boss Dragway, and Cayuga 1320 Dragway. It was operated by several individuals throughout this time but always managed under the watch of the Mehlenbacher family. Throughout that period, the track received both NASCAR and NHRA sanctioning, the prominent North American race governing groups. Throughout the heavy muscle car days of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Mehlenbachers leased the facility and the dragstrip became one of the most prominent facilities in Canadian drag racing. The first Bruce A. Mehlenbacher NHRA Division 1 Winston World Championship Series Event (WWCS) was held at the now-named Dragway Park, in 1971. A year later, the Mehlenbacher family took full control of the track, operating all aspects of the venue. Throughout the next 12 years, Dragway Park grew in stature, and a full card of National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) class racing ran every season. Each year was highlighted by the very popular and extremely successful NHRA Division 1 Winston World Championship Series event in May. During that time, many of the biggest names in the sport attended events at Dragway Park, including "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, Shirley Muldowney, Bob Glidden, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, Joe Amato, Ronnie Sox, Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen, "Jungle" Jim Liberman, "Dyno" Don Nicholson, Ed "The Ace" McCulloch, Raymond Beadle, Connie Kalitta, Gary Beck, "TV" Tommy Ivo, Frank Manzo, Frank Hawley, Billy Meyer, Roger Gustin, Wally and Barbara Parks and, of course, "The First Lady of Motorsports" Linda Vaughn. A highlight of this time was Shirley Muldowney receiving her NHRA Top Fuel license on Easter Weekend at Dragway Park, in 1973. The three drivers who signed for her Top Fuel license were "TV" Tommy Ivo, Connie Kalitta, and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. Bruce Mehlenbacher Jr. signed as the Dragway Park Track Official. The Mehlenbacher family era of Dragway Park continued until 1984, and the drag strip continues to operate today, under the name of Toronto Motorsports Park. The Mehlenbacher family and Dragway Park collected several awards throughout the years, including the NHRA Northeast Division 1 Dragstrip of the Year in 1982, NHRA Division 1 Bracket Finals Team Champions in 1976 and 1983, and the NHRA Management Excellence Award in 1983. Bruce A. Mehlenbacher was named NHRA Northeast Division Man of the Year in 1973. Bruce A. and Joan Mehlenbacher were then inducted into the Legion of Honor by Darwin Doll in 2010, for outstanding contributions to our drag racing heritage. To highlight an already impressive family history in the motorsports industry, the Mehlenbacher family (L. Bruce, Bruce A., Joan, Bruce F., Holly, Barbara, Bill, Andrew, Julie and Kelly) was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 1998. The Mehlenbacher family's passion for racing involvement didn’t cease at Dragway Park in 1984. It continues in the present day with Bruce F. Mehlenbacher. After working as Track Manager at Dragway Park for 10 years, Bruce became the General Manager of Bob Slack's Cayuga Speedway for eight years, from 1985 to 1993. He would manage the day-to-day operations of the Speedway, which presented short-track championship stock car racing at its very finest, a trademark of the track. The goal was to provide motorsport fans with the best "Specials Only" racing format, which was obtained through major sponsorship support, from companies such as Labatt Breweries, Molson Breweries, Castrol Oil, Player's, General Motors, General Tire and McKerlie-Millen Auto Parts Stores. Quality was the name of the game at Cayuga Speedway, and for race fans, competitors, media, and sponsors alike, the Speedway offered one of the most professionally operated motorsport facilities in North America. In 1991, Bruce co-founded Promark Motorsport International with John Massingberd, which produced Raceline Motorsports Television on TSN, Raceline Radio Network on Telemedia, and Snowtrax Television on TSN and Outdoor Life Network. The ever-popular Sled Ed was a highlight of this period. Raceline Radio Network is now in its 31st year. It is hosted by Erik Tomas and still airs weekly year-round. Bruce F. Mehlenbacher In 1998, Bruce also founded JAJ Entertainment, acting as an independent consultant for motorsports and general entertainment clients. The business specializes in graphic design, hero cards, image creation, internet and web marketing and strategic web development, media management, photography, public relations, special event management and logistics, and sponsorship development. He continues to manage this company today. Among other ventures in the early 2000s, Bruce worked with motorsports drivers, in roles such as public relations for Frank Kimmel, the most successful driver in ARCA history, and also Carl Spiering Motorsports. Bruce also became Executive Director of Development for Fastline Motorsports, Team Manager for Northern Force Racing and Executive Director of Development with Tara MacLeod Racing. In 2003 and 2004, Bruce served as General Manager of Roger Gustin's AutoStar Productions Inc., producer of the Super Chevy Shows. It was the world’s largest drag race/car show series and featured nitro coupes, jet cars, wheel standers, and exhibition vehicles. Bruce then founded the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) in 2004 and serves as their Director of Operations to the present day. The three series have toured several Canadian provinces and U.S. states, presenting a complete package of drag racing action, with excitement for the fans and close competition for the teams. Fans are treated to the PMRA Pro Modifieds, known as the “world’s fastest doorslammers,” the full-fendered cars and dragsters of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the two-wheeled motorcycle and snowmobile action of the Pro Bike & Sled Series. These race series draw a large number of competitors and continue to thrill spectators at events in Canada and the USA. These inductions will also be celebrated at a special Open House for the public on Thursday November 30, at Shelly's Family Dining in downtown Kohler (the home of Dragway Park) from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, where several of the CDHF Inductees will be present. #mehlenbacher #brucemehlenbacher #rpmmag #rpmmagazine #PMRA #quick32 #sportsmanracing #jetcars #promodifiedracing Read the full article

[vargesz]

7x05 AU: in which Emma is there in HH and her name is Anna. [x]

[ask-wren-zhang]

Hwehwehwe 😚

.....not me procrastinating on picrew today.

link if you want to procrastinate too

[layeredserpent-blog]

tag drop 1/?

[asian-heart-92]

A Real American Hero fancast (part 17)

Charlize Theron as Dr. Adele Burkhart

David Dastmalchian as the Black Major

Andrew Koji as Red Laser

Fares Fares as my choice #1 for Mongoose

Cas Anvar as my choice #2 for Mongoose

Andrew Garfield as David O. Thomas/Crazylegs

Antony Starr as Ronald W. Tadur/Dusty

Ross Lynch as Kenneth D. Rich/Psyche-Out

Jonathan Groff as Victor W. Sikorski/Lift-Ticket

[yamayuandadu]

Arahsamnum 2021: Ninkilim

Yesterday I mentioned Ninkilim (alongside Pazuzu) in order to try to figure out the meaning of Kanisurra’s obscure epithet. Today, I will focus on him alone.  Ninkilim was very likely in origin the deification of the mongoose. He was also known as “lord of teeming creatures” in Sumerian and “lord of wild beasts.” in Akkadian. However, make sure not to confuse Ninkilim with the incantation goddess, Ningirima - you might find claims they were analogous in old reference works and on wikipedia, but newer research casts such claims in doubt. All they definitely had in common was one cult center, the town Mur(um).

The main source of available information about this deity is the incantation series Zu-buru-dabedda, “to paralyze the locust’s tooth,” which formed a part of the so-called “exorcist manual” known from many major Mesopotamian cities of the 1st millennium BCE, though very likely based on material which was already in circulation for a long time back then. Creatures under Ninkilim’s control included locusts, caterpillars, various grubs and small rodents. Collectively they were known as “the dogs of Ninkilim.” How come? Poetic descriptions of locusts in Mesopotamian literature might offer a clue: it seems that their voracious nature was metaphorically described as possessing dog teeth, probably due to perception of dogs as constantly scavenging for food. Metaphorical references to animals or mythical beings as “hounds” of a specific deity can be found in other contexts too, though. While Ninkilim himself has no direct underworld connection, a few rituals appear to indicate the underworld was regarded as the place where his “dogs” were expected to head after a successful exorcism. Curiously, despite being a low ranking deity Ninkilim was nonetheless believed to possess a sukkal (servant deity), namely Ushumgal. This name was normally assigned to a type of monster. The meaning is pretty straightforward, “great venomous snake.” While I haven’t seen any discussion of this topic in what few articles have been written about Ninkilim, it certainly feels tempting to connect it to the mundane mongoose’s well known resistance to snake venom. As in the case of many other minor deities, Ninkilim’s gender varies between sources. According to Andrew George, who translated most of the known incantations against field pests, Ninkilim seems to be female in the god list An-Anum, but other sources - namely the incantations themselves - regard him as a male deity.

Further reading:

The Dogs of Ninkilim: Magic against Field Pests in Ancient Mesopotamia by A. R. George

The Dogs of Ninkilim, part two: Babylonian rituals to counter field pests by A. R. George and J. Taniguchi

Mungo (Reallexikon der Assyriologie entry) by W. Heimpel

Nin-girima I. Beschwörungsgöttin (Reallexikon der Assyriologie entry) by M. Krebernik

Ušumgal (Reallexikon der Assyriologie entry) by M. Krebernik

[ask-wren-zhang]

He snores.

Dear Andrew,

can your fellow Ravenclaws sometimes hear you through the walls?

If they're lucky.

[thankskenpenders]

Where does it say Gabrie came up with Mina and the love triangle? It's not that I don't believe you, I'm just curious since I've never seen the source for that one.

The Sonic wiki details the story, but doesn’t have a source. The best I can find is a TXT file on Tripod of a 2001 exchange between Bollers and Dan Drazen, with Bollers providing an FAQ of sorts. A lot of this stuff was shared on long dead fansites, forums, chatrooms, and such, so that’s about as good as it’s going to get

In Bollers’ own words:

Justin Gabrie wanted to create a love triangle between Sonic, Sally, and a new female character who would be introduced after issue #75. That character was Mina the mongoose. Patrick Spaziante designed the character, and while she closely resembles a freedom fighter seen in issue #52 back-up, “First Contact,” they are not the same person.

What’s really funny here is Dan Drazen’s response. As much as I disagree with the dude on a lot, it’s amazing how he really hit the nail on the head here nearly 18 years ago (even if he felt the need to make a Dilbert reference in the process)

First off, I’m not surprised to learn that the notion of the romantic triangle was not Karl’s idea but was instead an editorial edict … or, in Dilbertese, a random act of management.

My question is: how can you have a love triangle between three characters when management is moving Heaven and Mobius to prevent one of the characters from even HAVING a romance with anyone? Short answer: you can’t.

Archie management has NEVER warmed to the idea of Sonic and Sally actually acting as if they like each other very much, in deference to the all-important pre-ado boy demographic. […] Sonic’s emotional neutering, in fact, has been in evidence in the comic for years.

Sonic can’t even get close to Sally except in an alternate reality! (See S101) And his reaction to Mina’s embrace in the Huge Misunderstanding Scene in Sonic #99 only underscores the point that Justin Gabrie was asking Karl Bollers to do the impossible: to create a love triangle with no visible signs of affection from the apex of the triangle (Sonic) in either direction. Whereas Archie Andrews is able to make time with either Betty or Veronica as the script calls for it, Sonic by management directive can’t get no satisfaction from either Sally or Mina. Geometrically, the triangle falls apart.

So by what alchemy does Justin expect Karl to write about a romantic situation that simply can’t happen under the current rules? The ground rules for writing about Sonic make it absolutely illogical. To anyone but Justin, I guess.

All this talk about Sega mandates limiting what the comics can do with the games’ characters? These conversations we continue to have about both the old Archie comics and the new IDW ones? Fans have been complaining about it for 20 years