#rafting experience level

[azcanyonrafting]

Rafting River Routes

Explore the best rafting river routes in the Grand Canyon with the expert help of Advantage Grand Canyon!

[memecucker]

“This latest bill is part of a continued effort by the [California] Legislative Jewish Caucus to impose ideological constraints upon ethnic studies as a field to disallow the critical teaching of Palestine within K-12 education in California,” Christine Hong, a professor of critical race and ethnic studies at the University of California (UC) Santa Cruz and co-chair of the UC Ethnic Studies Faculty Council (UCESFC) told Truthout.

While AB 1468’s authors are Democrats who have condemned the Trump administration’s attacks on public education, Lara Kiswani, executive director of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), said the proposed bill would have similar effects as efforts in Republican-controlled states and on the federal level seeking to whitewash K-12 and college curricula and turn back the clock on civil rights progress.

“The Democrats and others who are championing these bills may not explicitly say themselves or even identify as part of the far right MAGA agenda, but it’s indisputable that what they are doing is in alignment with the broader attack on public education and the attack on anti-racist education, in particular,” Kiswani told Truthout.

AB 1468’s lead sponsor is the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC), one pillar of whose policy framework is to “maintain a strong California-Israel relationship,” including through “combat[ing] campaigns to delegitimize and demonize Israel.” JPAC lists the Anti-Defamation League and other Zionist organizations among its members.

Last year, members of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus proposed a raft of bills meant to stifle Palestine-related speech in public schools and on college campuses. Among those was AB 2918, a predecessor to AB 1468. When a diverse coalition of educators and advocates mounted a pressure campaign and succeeded in having it shelved, sponsors vowed to reintroduce it this year. “AB 1468 is AB 2918, but on steroids,” Guadalupe Cardona, a high school educator and member of the Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Consortium, told Truthout.

The new bill would require all ethnic studies curricula, instruction and instructional materials to undergo public hearings, be vetted by the state, and be posted on the Department of Education’s website. AB 1468 also outlines standards according to which ethnic studies materials should be reviewed, including mandating that instruction focus on “domestic experience and stories” and not cover “abstract ideological theories, causes, or pedagogies.”

In the proposed legislation, “there are so many layers of policing and surveillance that no other academic area has,” Tricia Gallagher-Geurtsen, co-chair of the San Diego Unified School District Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee and a lecturer in critical race and ethnic studies at UC Santa Cruz, told Truthout. “It’s absolutely unprecedented overreach, and it’s an arm of the state trying to censor what our children are learning [and] censor the truth of our students’ realities.”

Under AB 1468, the body responsible for vetting ethnic studies materials would be the California State Board of Education’s Instructional Quality Commission, whose current members include Sen. Ben Allen and Anita Friedman. Friedman is a board trustee of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and executive director of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, an organization known for its efforts to silence discussions of Palestine and anti-Zionism in schools.

[hellofeanor]

Hey who wants some wacky Haladriel meta? Nobody? Perfect, you're getting it anyway. :)

So last night I was chatting with @elrenniel about normal topics like elf adultery (as one does) and started thinking. In Laws and Customs, Tolkien points out that elves can immediately tell when other elves are married, and it's impossible to lie about such a thing. The truth is evident in the married person's eyes and voice. Presumably, the Ainur would have this ability to perceive marital status as well, since Manwë is so invested in the sanctity of elf marriage. But mortals would not.

Now, let's keep this in mind when delving into a thought experiment about Galadriel and Halbrand. Because, ladies, what's the number one tried and true go-to excuse you give a dude when you even get the barest sideways POSSIBILITY of a hint that he might be kind of potentially into you, maybe in the future? You bring up your partner. Casually. In conversation. Right off the bat. "Yeah so my boyfriend and I..."

Sitting on a raft alone with some rando seems like a great time to set levels and start chatting about your husband. Just saying.

Amazingly, Galadriel never does this. It takes chatting with bloody THEO (who, let's be real, also obviously has a crush on her) to haul out the husband line to let him down gently because he's like fourteen and needs a soft reality check. But she never once mentions her marital status to Halbrand.

Could this be because she assumes Halbrand already picked up on the fact that she's married just through their interactions, as another elf would? Doubt it. Who was basically the leading expert in mortal-manology throughout the First Age? Finrod. Who was Galadriel incredibly close with during the First Age? Finrod. Who would have undoubtedly told Galadriel seven thousand neat facts about mortals whether she wanted to hear them or not? Finrod. "Hey Galadriel, did you know that mortals can't tell if somebody else is married? And sometimes they lie about it for personal gain?! Wild, right?!!" And Galadriel's like, "Wow, cool, this is never going to be relevant to my personal life I bet."

Lmao.

So, she knows mortal Halbrand can't tell she's married. She would have to tell him. Yet she doesn't. Why? My theory is she wanted to keep him in the back burner friendzone. You know. Just in case. And if he ever does get too forward in the future when she's not feeling it, she can always pull out the shocked "but I'm married!" excuse at that point and feign ignorance. Seriously, who could ever have known that mortals can't immediately tell she's married by looking into her eyes and listening to her voice? That's so weird. Must be an elf-only thing.

And thus, Galadriel thinks she has it all figured out and is keeping Halbrand on call in case she gets bored on that long sea voyage from Númenor to Middle-earth or whatever.

U N F O R T U N A T E L Y.

Halbrand, at this point still awaiting his big Scooby-Doo villain unmasking, is no mere mortal man and can of course tell immediately that she's married. Even before he learns who she is. And unfortunately-er, he'd also know that she knows mortals can't tell marital status. So what does that say in his mind when Galadriel doesn't bust out the husband line?

"She is totally into me."

If she weren't, she would have told him up front that she's married. The fact that she doesn't means, pretty explicitly, that she's counting on "mortal" Halbrand not picking up on things that elves would clearly see. He knows that she's married, and also knows that she's making a dedicated choice not to reveal that she's married. For him. Because she thinks he can't tell.

"She is so totally into me."

Which brings us to my bottom line interpretation, which is as follows:

Galadriel is stringing Halbrand along and keeping her options open.

Halbrand 100% interprets this as Galadriel being DTF.

And by the way, circling back, what did Tolkien actually say about elf adultery? He said elves cannot take the spouse of another by force. Or by trickery, since it's immediately evident when somebody is married. But he didn't say boo about married elves knowingly cheating, so presumably that's still on the table. Strangely, he also gives absolutely no details on what would happen if a married elf tried to hide her relationship status in order to hook up with a corrupted Maia masquerading as a scruffy mortal. A serious oversight on his part.

[angerydome]

I genuinely think America needs an overhaul (if anything, the last few months have shown us exactly where the cracks are) but the people who seem absolutely gleeful about everyone getting to experience suffering SCARE ME.

I know people who have already been rationing meds in case something happens, so that they don’t DIE or have so many symptoms they can’t function.

The rich are not the people who are going to suffer if the country collapses. They’re going to fuck off to their bunkers or tax-haven countries where their 12th house is.

And I’m concerned that people like the above are aware of this and don’t care that it’s the less-well-off half of the country that will suffer most; in the end, they just want to see people suffer.

There are absolutely ways to fix a country that don’t involve condemning vulnerable people to a terrible fate. But I see way too many people who have this weird bloodlust, either because they’re angry at certain people or they want to drag everyone down to their level because they’re miserable or whatever.

I would sooner put those people on a raft and let them work out their issues far, far away than let them anywhere near a system of government.

[themalhambird]

I put Next Generation on for background noise while crafting, got distracted by just. Straight up watching it, and that means it's time for my longstanding tradition of [insert current media fixation here] Star Trek AU: Rings of Power edition.

Gil-galad is Captain of the U.S.S Lindon. He is not paid enough. Yes, the Federation doesn't use money, he's still not paid enough. His First Officer (on this diplomatic and scientific vessel) likes to stun first ask questions later, and his chief engineer does things like strip all the engines down and rearrange everything inside them instead of sleeping because "the ship was complaining the wires were itchy."

Celebrimbor is the chief engineer in question, from a small planet and a people with an affinity for crafting and machinery beyond most humanoids, but Celebrimbor takes it to a whole other level. He and the Lindon talk to each other. He made a little mechanical mouse to keep the plasma conduits company, got thrown in the brig for refusing to dismantle it when an Admiral doing an inspection orders him to, and got released from the brig 72 hours later when taking the mouse away from plasma conduits ended up triggering a series of engineering catastrophes.

Galadriel is first officer. She and Gil-galad disagree often, but are still a strong team. Elrond is communications officer, though he's trying to pick up as much medical knowledge and experience as possible because he's 1) genuinely interested but 2) Celebrimbor and Galadriel both have a tendency to Get Into Situations and knowing one end of the med scanner from the other comes in handy.

Adar is... okay picture this. There's an old abandoned mining colony on an astroid littered with scrap, and the Lindon needs spare parts after taking heavy damage in a storm or something, so Galadriel and Celebrimbor beam down...and are immediately taken captive by a group of the mineworkers- humanoidish beings calling themselves Uruks- abandoned when the capitalist shitbags had finished stripping the place bare. Adar refused to leave and has been struggling to keep the small group surviving, aims to have them thriving, but the whole place is powder keg. Anyway, respective reactions to being captured:

Galadriel: I am going to fight my way out of this with my bare hands and my teeth if I have to >:-/ Celebrimbor: All this broken machinery is easily fixible, i just need a few days- in exchange for being able to return to our ship with the parts we need? :D

Anyway while Celebrimbor is being helpful and Galadriel is being mad about it, the Uruks move against Adar because stuff has been shit for so long, and stuff explodes, and Adar ends up helping Galadriel and Celebrimbor make a run for it, at which point Celebrimbor is like. "Look, come back with us to the Lindon. There's nothing here for you, we can drop you off somewhere-" and that is how Adar ends up stalking around the Lindon or skulking in the engine room like a grumpy cat. He ends up sidling into an unofficial ship's security role thanks to a series of Episode-of-the-week type shenanigans.

Sauron is a reoccurring problem. He first boards the Lindon as Halbrand, an ambassador needing conveying around several star systems. Charming, model passenger, gets on very well with Galadriel in particular. The series of incidents and arguments that break out while he's on board are nothing to do with him. Elrond thinks something's *off*, but can't articulate why. Anyway, Halbrand leaves them. And then it comes through that Star Fleet never had any record of him...

A year or so later a new engineer is assigned to the Lindon- Annatar. By the time he's exposed, Celebrimbor's nearly blown up the whole ship up and a whole raft of Star Fleet engineering secrets have been stolen...

[ronearoundblindly]

How does mermaid reader feel about Steve? Like what is her take on their relationship?

just fair warning if you keep writing I’m gonna keep asking questions lol.

I...don't know what happened with this, but it was kinda fun! (unedited, not long, no real warnings except, yeah, he's a human and you're a mermaid, semi-angsty fluff!!)

Steve Rogers x deep sea mermaid!Reader from Sun, Salt, and Shield

Steve is a novelty.

Originally, you just considered him a split-tail with a crown of morning sunlight and high-ocean eyes. Later on, you learned it's called 'hair,' but a closer translation based on how mermaids see it is a 'mane.' Steve has a golden mane--something no one in your species has--hence, you think of it as a crown.

You were caged when you first saw him. That made you assume certain things when Steve walked up to the Raft's tank. Even in near darkness, his mane is bright. No other person you've encountered so far has that.

You're curious, frankly, but on-guard as always.

When humans are deprived of sleep, they can hallucinate, and mermaids are no different. You thought he was a complete figment of your imagination until Stark interacted with him, until Steve stepped into the water and put pressure across your heart and hips. The push of his hand, forcing your head against his chest, could have made you howl in relief.

All you wanted was to rest, but something in the back of your mind also told you not to scare him.

Stark, you don't mind scaring, Chuck is right where he belongs, excreted out into the industrial filters beyond the wall of your tank, but Steve? He must be protected.

He sees you. He listens to you.

You did not thing surfacers could do that. Not really. Not nicely. All humans want to do is control and take, use and abuse. However, you aren't afraid of them. You absolutely can kill any one of them that gets closer than you'd like. They're fragile.

But the way Steve grips you? Maybe he's not so fragile...

English is freaking hard. You learn quite a bit from Tony and then practice with Steve. You can feel his patience but love earning his admiration more. You find yourself wanting him to be proud of you and your progress.

You love making Steve laugh. It takes so long to figure out how to amuse him.

Numbers are a pain in the ass to learn because they have a concept, a symbol, and a written word. That's the point Tony halts teaching you to read alongside the verbal language. You threw a fit. He threw a fit. He left in a huff to cool off. You shrieked for Steve to come back for hours.

Eventually, when Tony returns, you threaten to eat him, and he calls it quits for the day.

Tony knew you favored Steve Rogers from day one. He planned to use that knowledge--and to some lesser extent, he did--but soon Tony simply realizes making you happy makes Steve happy...plus you cooperate and become an ambassador of sorts in your home realm.

You keep learning for Steve, not for Stark.

Mermen are, in your experience, domineering and uninspired. Their immense size differential to mermaids is useful to the brute-force model of society deep in the ocean, but they are boring. Your father is not stupid though. Almost none of them are stupid. Simple-minded remains the best translation you can manage.

Steve fascinates you. His attention to detail, his open nature, and his empathy are entirely new to you.

Mermen don't hide their baser instincts, so they freely ogle and flocked toward the most physiologically attractive mermaids. No interest in what's beneath the surface, ironically. Very shallow.

That's not to say bonds aren't possible. They absolutely are. Bonding with a partner is secondary at best, an afterthought most often, and unnecessary at worst.

Yet again, Steve wins you on every level--he has a sharp mind and acknowledges yours, he challenges your development without critique, and, lastly, he's quite attractive for how small and smooth he is.

"Should've seen me before," he once mumbled after you explained all that as well as your vocabulary would allow.

You don't know what he meant by that.

Because a certain level of indifference is common in couplings of your species, you were quite alarmed, embarrassed, and uncomfortable with how deep your affection for Steve became. You know how other humans react to you, and it doesn't build much confidence that one of them could feel this way about you.

During these long, repeated hugs with Steve, you realize that it's not just curiosity, or the novelty of his existence, or interest in learning from him: you feel about Steve how others feel about their mates.

Not gonna lie: that's terrifying. You don't actually know if Steve reciprocates. Sure, he explains human couples in great detail, and he shows you some of what he means, but all that could be...part of teaching you.

Until Steve discusses kissing, you convinced yourself he could not possibly harbor romantic affection for you.

It's lips against something, he says, that's all. His lips can press anywhere and boom! you've been kissed. He illustrates by kissing the back of your hand, kissing your cheek, kissing your forehead.

By now, your face is cradled in his hands. You can hear his heart racing as he sits on the steps in your pool and leans toward your body. His high-ocean eyes are shadowed as he looks down your face, captivated by--

"--your beautiful lips," he says, gently pressing his atop yours.

It's difficult to describe why something so simple hits so dramatically in your mind. The golden-maned man, almost the strongest of his species, amongst the softest of yours, kisses you like he needs to learn you, like he needs your existence, like he's curious.

There's a phrase you hum at the back of your throat once he releases you and sits up, a dusty rose painting his neck and cheeks.

"Swim beside me."

The better translation to English would be "I love you," but you haven't learned that yet.

Thank you for asking!

A/N: why am I crying?????

[Main Masterlist; Light Masterlist; Ko-Fi]

[theresattrpgforthat]

Mint Plays Games: REDACTED MATERIALS (External Containment Bureau & Bump in the Dark)

As I continue to play with the Forged in the Dark toolkit and the different ways you can shift it to fit the genre of choice, I embarked on a small campaign of Bump in the Dark, which I've been itching to play for probably about a year at this point. I managed to pull together a group of 4 friends, and we set up 4-session play-through of a mystery together online.

At the same time, I also revisited my first experience with the Redacted Materials system, External Containment Bureau, by Mythic Gazetteer. The Redacted Materials system is a method of dropping the mystery mechanic popularized in Brindlewood Bay into Forged-in-the-Dark. I've played ECB a number of times, usually in a one-shot or two-shot. The system involves players gathering clues and crafting a theory using the pieces of information they cobble together to answer some key question.

Redacted Materials / Forged in the Dark

Like a typical Forged in the Dark game, Redacted Materials games both have you cultivate a d6 dice pool. When you roll, you look for the highest number: a 6 is a success, 4/5 is a mixed of success & consequences, and a 1-3 is a failure, typically with an interesting extra. In ECB, you answer a list of standard questions, while Bump has classic Blades-style Action Ratings. In both, you can spend Luck/Resonance to give yourself more dice, which culminates in a long-term consequences clock that allows for some flavorful character moments.

In Bump in the Dark, I made a story inspired by the examples in the book: teen lycanthropes, a church shrouded in mystery, and a giant elk that was menacing the town. In ECB I used a mystery I found for free on Itch: The Sidhe Conservancy of Portland, by VinMakesGames.

One thing I LOVE about these kinds of games is the amount of stuff the mystery does for you as a GM. The mystery clock helps you figure out pacing, and the clues are bite-sized pieces of inspiration that can help set the vibe, act as a life raft for a flailing GM to grasp on to, and propel the players into making interesting decisions. Couching the game into episodic mysteries also gives you an end point to look at. A short mystery makes an excellent one-shot (ECB). A longer mystery makes for a more drawn-out procedural (Bump). But even in multi-session games, the group can see the end point; this can make a game much easier to dedicate yourself to.

The Game Sessions

Our Bump in the Dark series had a number of punchy story beats. The group allowed themselves to work slowly on the mystery, checking in on the teens' families, musing on how the local church might be involved, and finding ways to make the most of their special abilities. I made 3 teen NPCs that could have been a body or a killer; the crew investigated each teen and I had to improvise elements of their home life as we went. I gave one NPC an abusive dad, another a large family with a suspicious shackle by the barn, and a third no visible family at all. One of my players made an observation that all of the teens who seemed to be suffering lycanthropy had shitty home lives: while this was never a direct clue, it became an integral part to the "why" of the mystery. It added a level of depth that I wasn't angling for at the beginning, but I was thrilled that my players decided to go there.

I've had a similar experience in a past session of External Containment Bureau, where I made a choice in one location to have an NPC seem to be unable to recognize the number 4, and while it never became an official clue, the PCs latched onto it. I carried that pattern to the other locations they visited, and part of their solution to fix the problem therefore had to include doing things in four parts.

My most recent ECB session took place on The Open Hearth, and involved the agents investigating a building that no longer appears to be standing, and small forest appearing in its' place. The PCs had to deal with an affliction of flowers growing out of peoples' heads, and a strange coffee shop that appeared to have chased out all surrounding competition. The solution involved offering a group of pixies a job with the Bureau, and trying to hide a portal to the faerie realm under the guise of a new coffee franchise. Because the entire game was a one-shot, we started with partially created characters, and filled in a few details to customize the characters according to the players' preferences.

My Bump in the Dark spreadsheets, available for public use!

The Structure

I really appreciated the clue structure in both of these games, but even when I designed them, I didn't stick by them. I found myself coming up with new ideas as the players started talking theory and making choices. In both instances, I gave myself the liberty to change some of the clues or invent new ones to fit the story that was starting to unveil itself. I think this is something I'm likely to take with me in future games; appreciating the structure a mystery provides, while also giving myself the license to add as I go. The structure breeds improvisation: it gives you the vibes to start presenting clues to the players, but you don't have to stick rigidly to what's already there.

One of the things I find myself sometimes struggling with in other Forged in the Dark games is coming up with consequences for the players in the middle of an action scene: they might overcome an obstacle faster than I thought, and it can be hard to determine when a scene is over. In Protect the Child, I'm playing with faction clocks and a Run track, but so far nothing seems to hit in the same way as a mystery clock. External Containment Bureau and Bump in the Dark add an extra tidbit in their structure as well: consequences that the GM can draw upon when the action slows down and the group needs something interesting to happen to heighten the stakes.

The question is: can you provide the same pacing mechanic for games that aren't a mystery?

In Blades in the Dark, you know you are done when you've finished the score, or when everyone is taken out. Brinkwood does the same thing with a raid; Slugblaster with a run. In each of these games however, there can still be a list of scene pieces that can give the GM something to work with: details that flesh out a location, things a faction might try to do, a list of potential NPCs, and complications sorted by scenario. I'm likely going to have to re-visit these ideas when I flesh out the setting packs for Protect the Child, since it's somewhat setting-agnostic; potentially a list of consequences that might happen depending on what happens with the kid and the factions chasing you.

Another thing I really like in Bump is the character progression that ties story beats (and arcs) to mechanical advancement. You follow the story of your character by spending various kinds of XP in order to describe pieces of your characters' backstories, develop bonds as a group, and manage the various ways the game will try to beat you down. Bump in the Dark has something similar to Slugblaster in that you need to buy one arc before you get to another. (I'm currently playing Slugblaster, and I'll definitely have more thoughts about this when I finish.)

ECB doesn't have an equivalent to this, which means that your characters don't really have a reason to grow as a group. However, the setting kind of doesn't require them to have those connections: they're co-workers, first and foremost. This also makes ECB a great potential game for a one-shot, because there's much less character advancement compared to a stereotypical Forged game. Character advancement exists in the power creep, conspiracy theories, and the potential to transfer across departments, but it doesn't make your character experience a bump in power; it's more of a lateral move. If you DO get enough supernatural powers, your character actually just… ceases to be playable. They transcend mundane existence, and straight-up vanish.

My External Containment Bureau spreadsheets, also free for public use!

Final Thoughts

At the end of four sessions, I'm not entirely sure that I'm fully at home with the rules of Bump; not in a bad way, just that I have a hard time remembering how all the rules work. It's a great reminder of how much simplicity is needed for a first-time GM who's picking up a Forged in the Dark game - and perhaps even a veteran, considering that I run a LOT of FitD.

In Bump in the Dark, I never touched on strings, struggled to figure out arcs, and it felt like there's very few resources to increase your dice pool. I'm fairly certain that if I was to stick with the game a little longer, I'd be able to get more comfortable with these kinds of rules, and the fact that we were able to play most of the game without feeling like we were missing something, even though there were tools we didn't touch, speaks to the power of modularity in a game.

I don't typically run a lot of long-term campaigns, especially not with games like FitD or PbtA. My tastes are too broad, and my schedule too chaotic. That being said, I can see the draw of mastering complex rules, and developing a knowledge base that allows you to pull of some really cool payoff after weeks and weeks of effort. My experience with Bump in the Dark and External Containment Bureau feels like two ends of a spectrum; the same game system used for punchy, one-shot-friendly action as well as a more drawn-out, slow burn style plot. I'm still trying to find the right fit for Protect the Child; thematically, I want to be able to play the game as part of long haul, but I also want a version of the game that can be used to play a one-shot and still feel like the table has managed to engage with the main themes of the game. I definitely think modularity is the way to go.

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 9/17/2024

come take this very very friendly little man out of my bathroom! he is fiv+ and we are in houston tx! i am willing to drive a couple hours for the right home! he is a good boy he's just orange! more details here!

listening

emily jeffri's DENY off my spotify recommended weekly playlist: i can only describe it as "throbbing". immediately attention grabbing lyrics:

What kind of lover does your mother want? I'll do whatever, oh but you could not

very distinctly indie electronica. this would be the song in a cyberpunk/80s hacker movie where the chase takes you through an goth/alt fashion show where the models are actively giving blood as they walk or something.

i love the spotify daily mix for me and my bestie bc there's a guaranteed four bluey songs on it and it's a nice jumpscare. i know my mental health is taking a turn for the worse when a lot of mother mother starts popping up, i know my bestie's is taking a turn for the worse when a lot of girl in red starts popping up. suicide-watch-level sapphic angst singer-songwriter, generally. except for this song! extremely fun! didn't even recognize it as her! DOING IT AGAIN BABY is a more traditional selling-you-a-dodge-charger car commercial song and it's such a startling departure from her usual work that i wonder if it was a commercial commission? hard to immediately find out tho

I'm on a new level Something's got me feelin' like I could be inflammable And I might be I'm gonna light it up Nothing's gonna stop me if I say this is what I want

-

reading

i read twilight (yes that one) at the behest of my bestie and bc my mental health could not have gotten any worse in that moment. it has led to some uncomfortable realizations about my high school experience i will save for a therapist. i am mostly putting it here to remind myself that i read this book this year.

^ this is some silly goofy nonsense. not that i think people shouldn't be recognized at their retirement, but what happened to giving people nice watches instead of a thousand dollars in plaques

Saying that, the records did reveal something actually interesting: although the individual contract I sent a request related to was for a few thousand dollars, an attached blank purchase agreement (BPA) says that “the government estimates, but does not guarantee, that the volume of purchases through this BPA will be $360,000.00 over the term of the BPA.” So, a lot more than a few thousand bucks.

-

watching

Hang 'Em High (1968, dir. Post). certainly not clint's sluttiest role but really up there. i do wish he kept the fucked-out little rasp for the whole movie :(

When an innocent man barely survives a lynching, he returns as a lawman determined to bring the vigilantes to justice.

it has a typical bizarre shoehorned romance that (i think) deeply undercuts the theme it wants to explore, but there is no on-screen rape. the bar is on the FLOOR with westerns and yet i DNF so so so many.

hell of a whump film. literally everything happens to jed cooper. i will trumpet this again from the rooftops: that character needs cbt both ways.

-

playing

HIGHWATER, a 2022 adventure/turn based strategy thing from Rogue Games, courtesy of Netflix Games, whose game library is a fucking nightmare to navigate on mobile.

i loooove a water-based postapoc. the boat does in fact handle very poorly and like a horrible inflatable raft on mobile, which is both charming and frustrating.

i do not love a turn-based combat. despite the vibes off the charts, including a very well integrated "pirate radio" station as the game's soundtrack, i am not patient enough to muddle through complex turn-based combat. i'm sure someone had fun fighting off six guys and two bears (who aggro anyone and can one-hit anyone) and then a further three guys who show up for backup but i gave it the good old college try over two days and wasn't able to swing it. it would be nice to have either a difficulty setting or some way to spectate the ideal fight, but alas. a lot of fun environmental stuff in the fights you can use to your advantage, like the bears and these trees you can flatten your opponents with in a much earlier fight. there's a fun mix of different characters with different abilities and different weapons you pick up and keep during fights. i have no specific beef with this game's choice to make this the way you move through the game, it's just not my preferred genre.

a lot of book and newspaper collectibles in this one that i feel of several minds about. it feels less like environmental storytelling through newspapers and just the devs telling me their opinion when they provide little book summaries like this. also i wish The Industry as a whole was more thoughtful about using the word "insurgent".

not a game for me, i have once again confirmed that i cannot tolerate a turn-based combat no matter how much seafaring postapoc you drench it in :(

-

making

got a Phantom Menace era curtain panel for $4 at the thrift, and i was convinced it was fabric someone had made into a curtain panel until i got home and discovered it was an officially licensed product with bafflingly generous seams.

it's about two-ish yards of a 50/50 cotton/poly blend, which i feel like i haven't seen in a while? i think the current fashion leans more 70/30 or 100 poly for curtains i've purchased. after i finish unpicking the seams and pinking it, i am going to throw it in the wash again with some vinegar and see if that softens it up any, or if it makes the transition between the wear lines on the seams and the body of the fabric any nicer.

thinking about what kind of dress to make that 1) shows off this extremely large scale pattern 2) does not look like i am wearing a paper bag, and 3) does not look like the late aughts craft trend of sewing a twin flat Star Wars sheet to a tube top and calling that a dress, bc that's how hard up we were for feminine merch. much to consider. maybe it Will be a maxi skirt with pockets and i can wear one of my seventy black tees on top?

[azcanyonrafting]

Rapids Classification

How To Choose The Perfect Rapids For Your Skill Level

The International Scale of River Difficulty (ISRD) rates Class I through VI rapids. Class III rapids are suitable for intermediates with some experience in white water rafting.

To have a good time while whitewater rafting, you must choose rapids matching your skill level. This means understanding how rapid classes work and knowing what to expect at each level.

Advantage Grand Canyon are experts in this field. Our guide is here to help you navigate various classes of rapids and find a suitable adventure in the Grand Canyon.

Classes of Rapids: The International Scale of River Difficulty

For a rafter, each stretch of river represents varying levels of challenge depending on their skills and experience. However, knowing this system ensures they select waters proportionate to their ability and safety measures throughout the journey while making it enjoyable.

Class I Rapids (Beginner)

Beginners or those who have never experienced whitewater should start with class one rivers such as the Badger Creek Rapid in the Grand Canyon.

Due to their smoothness, these rapids are very gentle and can be manipulated by anyone, even without basic skills. Hence, they offer great opportunities to appreciate scenic beauty without encountering difficulties like capsizing.

Class II Rapids (Novice)

Class II rapids might require more maneuverability but are still mild enough for novices and families looking for easy thrills. With just simple rafting skills and wearing life jackets alone, one may quickly navigate through them since they only involve minor splashing, which makes one feel less crowded. Thus, they are ideal places for kids accompanied by families.

Temperatures can be controlled during early spring or summer when sea levels rise. House Rock Rapid is one of the top Class II rapids with small waves and minor obstacles, providing more excitement while still being accessible for less experienced rafters.

Class III Rapids (Intermediate)

Class III Rapids offer moderate waves requiring maneuvering through narrow passages during Dead River trips, where helmets must be worn due to some moderately steep drops and small waves that demand teamwork and quick thinking, leading to fun challenges.

The turbulent drops of the Dead River and the dynamic current in Kennebec’s Penobscot River, which can be described as the fast river flow of Class III rapids, still offer its riders quite a challenge. More physical strength and thrilling emotions can be achieved when you choose rafting trips in adventure sports where people are involved in rafts and pass through different rapid river turns.

If you want to have a lot of fun and be tired while rowing on Class III rapids, then this is what you need. Select the right difficulty level for yourself, take all necessary measures before starting your journey, and rest assured that it will be one excellent whitewater rafting experience.

Hance Rapid is another great intermediate rapid with chaotic waves and tight spaces. It provides a moderate test requiring adept maneuvering skills; intermediate paddlers looking for excitement should consider Granite Rapid.

Class IV Rapids (Advanced)

Class IV rapids are suitable for advanced and intermediate rafters. The river has high power but predictability regarding wave sizes, thus demanding more accurate boat handling techniques than any other category. Large yet unproven waves require narrow passes, so quick moves must be made by experienced guides who can recognize them easily. Otherwise, damages may occur since rescue becomes extremely difficult due to the conditions presented here.

For intermediate rafters, these advanced rapids are exciting because they push their abilities without being too dangerous like expert-level rapids would do; strong currents coupled with powerful waves occasionally dropping down call for confident spokesmanship as well precise steering ability from behind paddles that, even though not extreme compared with class five require good familiarity with white-water courses together fast reflexes if one wants negotiate safely through complex choppy sections which characterize these parts most liked by those having some knowledge about this sport but not enough experience.

Lava Falls and Hermit Rapid in the Grand Canyon provide perfect challenges for skilled kayakers who enjoy steep gradients combined with large waves and turbulence.

Class V Rapids (Expert)

Class V rapids are long, violent, known as challenging rapids, and have hard-to-maneuver features. They represent the ultimate challenge in whitewater rafting. Highly turbulent waters, large and irregular waves, powerful and unpredictable currents, and steep drops over rocks are just a few characteristics that make Class V rapids so dangerous.

To paddle through Class V rapids, one needs to be skilled at paddling, have quick reflexes, and be able to make decisions under pressure. Only those experienced enough should attempt paddling through them because they can easily get injured or their boat may capsize if they do not wear the right gear to protect against such risks.

This is why we at Advantage Grand Canyon recommend only trained experts to undertake this activity, as it requires more demanding fitness levels along longer routes than any other category does; however, most people prefer taking up courses where necessary skills like appropriate equipment knowledge as well rescue techniques would greatly help ensure safety while attempting various challenging parts found within higher sections meant for expert-level rafters.

Crystal Rapid is one of the most complex and dangerous rapids on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. It is a class five rapid, which means that you must have advanced paddling skills to navigate down this section successfully. Otherwise, things might turn out differently from what had been planned since several huge waves could quickly sweep away even an experienced rafter like yourself.

Class VI Rapids (Extreme)

Whitewater rapids are classified from class I to class VI. Class VI rapids are the most complex and dangerous rapids to be attempted in a raft. They are considered almost impossible to navigate because they are unpredictable and have many hazards.

These kinds of rapids have big and standing waves created by powerful currents and often steep drops – sometimes over rocks or other obstacles like undercurrents which may flip rafts or suck them underwater for long periods. Rafters need extensive experience before attempting this level; depending on the conditions, it may still be too risky.

In rapid classification, classifying one as class six means it is highly hazardous and usually does not run during normal circumstances, requiring extraordinary expertise, precise steering, and carefulness. Most experts agree that professionals who have mastered all aspects of river running safety skills should only attempt anything higher than Class V, including rescue techniques.

Choosing The Right Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Several considerations besides whitewater classification should be made before selecting a whitewater rafting adventure to ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout the rafting trip. First, evaluate your experience level; beginners should start on manageable sections with gentle currents where they can learn basic paddling strokes without much risk.

Class I and II rapids provide an environment suitable for families with young children or people who wish to relax while being introduced to this sport. Secondarily, if you are looking forward to more thrilling experiences, go for those rivers with moderate complexity levels, such as III, which require advanced skills like reading water correctly, among others.

If you’re an intermediate rafter interested in testing yourself against serious rapids, then Class IV should be right up your alley. Such rivers demand strong paddle work combined with fast reflexes since you will encounter turbulent stretches where navigation becomes tricky due to numerous obstacles like holes and rocks.

Honesty is vital when choosing the appropriate rafting trip for yourself or your group.

Grade IV represents a substantial step up from many different classes in terms of difficulty, so one should have adequate skills before attempting such sections. If you are unsure about your capability, go for less challenging whitewater that matches your abilities. Otherwise, there might arise a need for rescue operations, which could put others at risk, too.

Location and scenery are other critical factors in choosing the proper whitewater rafting adventure. For example, different rivers offer landscapes ranging from lush forests to scenic canyons or even rugged mountains; therefore, researching different destinations will help you find a place that satisfies the desire for natural beauty and the thrill-seeking spirit within.

Final Words

In conclusion, choosing the proper whitewater rafting adventure involves carefully assessing your skill level, desired location, river trip length, and needed guidance. Considering these factors and the rapid classification from above, you can select a rafting experience that matches your abilities and preferences, ensuring a thrilling and safe adventure on the water.

Contact Advantage Grand Canyon today to search for rafting trips from all the top 15 outfitters in one place and book your next Grand Canyon rafting trip!

[tribbetherium]

The Early Rodentocene: 5 million years post-establishment

Evasive Maneuvers: Defenses of the Cricetomurids

For many eons, in the Early Rodentocene, the hamsters of HP-02017 lived a blissful existence free of much worry or threat. While there were now indeed factors such as diseases, parasites, competition and changing patterns of food availability that had now served to keep their populations from exploding into disastrous levels as they once had in the first few centuries of the Early Rodentocene, they, nonetheless had no enemies to fear--except each other.

Over the generations, however, as the hamsters specialized and began to diverge from one another into different species, some hamsters had evolved to fill in a then-open and vacant niche to exploit a new, plantiful and uncontested food source: other hamsters. And thus would come the huntsters: the first predators of the Rodentocene that would become agents of a new round of adaptive radiation as an evolutionary arms race began between them and their prey.

The gouties grew larger, the jermas grew faster and more agile, the peachpitters sought refuge in the trees and the shrewbils burrowed ever deeper in their tunnels. Yet some of the more mundane cricetomurids, relatives of the banded dawndusk, experimented on some rather novel new means to protect themselves from their enemies.

The spiny bristleback (Echinocricetus spinus) developed coarse, stiff guard hairs on its back that made for some irritating bristles should it be grabbed from behind. These hairs, rigid and brittle, possessed barbed ends that easily broke off when it embedded into a predator. They were, at least for now, still too fine and fragile to cause serious harm, but they were a very unpleasant sensation for any unlucky huntster that got them in its vulnerable and sensitive eyes, nose and forepaws. Over time, some bristlebacks even developed a resistance to the toxins of certain plants, chewing them to a pulp and rubbing against its juices to make themselves even more unpalatable to predators.

The river puffpaddle (Hydrocricetus bullibucca), on the other hand, prefers to flee than fight: making use of a most unexpected part of its anatomy. Frequenting the banks of rivers and streams to forage on plants, mosses, seeds and small invertebrates, it spent much of its time near the water and even dug their burrows nearby, just barely out of reach of the water's highest point.

When attacked, the puffpaddle leaps into the stream and deploys its built-in life rafts: its own expandable cheek pouches, once useful for storing food, now fill up with air and keep the small creature afloat as it paddles to the other bank, using broad feet with partially-webbed digits. Huntsters, being far poorer swimmers, often refuse to risk drowning over a meal, and often give up the chase, allowing the puffpaddle to swim off another day.

Over time, as the eons passed, these simple tactics would have far more important consequences into the distant future. The spiny bristleback would give rise to the heckhogs, a clade of prickly, omnivorous duskmice whose bristles have progressed to full-on quills: ones sufficient to make them inedible to the vast majority of carnivores that would come to be in the Glaciocene and the Temperocene. But the puffpaddle, perhaps, would go down a far more unexpected route. In the Middle Rodentocene, some of its descendants would specialize not only to escape into the water, but actually live and forage in it. They would thus become the beaver-like pondrats, who in the Therocene come to colonize the seas as the marine bayvers, some of which, unburdened by gravity, commit to the water as the giant, fully marine cricetaceans, reaching titanic proportions in the cold, productive seas of the Glaciocene.

---------

[jasfhercallejo]

Cambugahay Falls is arguably the best waterfall on Siquijor Island that is most famous for its tiered levels, strikingly blue water, and freshwater cascades, all of which are surrounded by lush rainforest.

Cambugahay Falls is located in Lazi on Siquijor Island. From the main tourist area of San Juan, it’s approximately a 30-minute drive to reach the falls. The first level of the falls features a large natural swimming hole and some man-made structures including rope swings, bamboo rafts, and a wide set of falls. It’s an adventurer’s playground! To use the rope swings and rubber tubes down at the falls, the cost is only PhP20. On the other hand, to use the bamboo raft to get a close look of the falls, it would only cost you PhP100. This includes all the photos and videos of the talented rope-swingers (haha I don't know what to call them lol).

Most people stay on the first tier, especially when they clock the Tarzan swing on the right. However, there are two more levels to see, though the ones you will want to spend time in are the first and third.

A trip to the Sambulawan underground river offers a 3-in-1 experience. Firstly, you will trek down a steep terrain into the cave, navigating a combination of stone steps and a concrete ladder. Secondly, the rough rock and narrow passageways inside the cave make for an adventurous journey. And finally, the river itself is deep, but with the assistance of a swim vest, you can enjoy a snorkeling-like swim in its waters. This underground river is known for its narrow passageways, which make it impossible for even a small boat to navigate. Instead, visitors can explore the river system on foot, as it stretches for approximately 200 meters.

Quite frankly, Sambulawan Underground River is probably one of the best things we've done in Siquijor, next to Cambugahay Falls.

Actually, there are quite a few alternatives to Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor. If you fancy visiting another falls in the area then head to Lugnason Falls. While they weren’t as impressive as Cambugahay they were really quiet even when we went on a Saturday afternoon. For the most part we had the lovely jungle pool all to ourselves. It’s quite small but still big enough for a few lengths.

Salagdoong Beach is attached to Salagdoong Beach Resort Siquijor on the far east corner of the island in the town of Maria. It boasts of two beautiful coves lined with coconut palms and white sand shorelines. Just off the shore is a colorful reef that is great for snorkeling and swimming. 

The cliff jumping is the main attraction at this location and one for the thrill-seekers! There are two diving boards here, one is around 5 meters and the other is 10 meters. Jumping from the top of the cliff into the turquoise waters below is one of the best things to do in Siquijor!

Paliton Beach is rated as one of the best beaches in Siquijor for its glistening white sands and palm tree fringed shoreline. This particular beach faces west making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset on Siquijor Island. A few oceanside cafes and beach bars are dotted along the beach, serving up cold brews and delicious meals. Here, we ate a lot of seafood, and all the sea urchins were served to us fresh. We even had the chance to watch the locals prepare them!

You can find several tree swings tied to bent palms that you can have a turn on and swing out over the water’s edge (human drone another! haha)

Pitogo Cliff is located at the southwestern side of the island facing the breathtaking Sulu Sea. The serene cliffside gets its name from the Pitogo plant that grows in the area. There are also 10- and 20-foot jumping-off points available, which can be used even during low tide.

We didn't jump, but the alluring view of the vast ocean kept us invested and exploring. Worth the visit!

[justinssportscorner]

Gavin Yamey and Mandy Giles at TIME:

President Donald Trump’s raft of anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders affects many aspects of the lives of LGBTQ+ people, including their sports participation, access to healthcare, and ability to serve in the military.  One executive order seeking to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports, is surprisingly picking up some Democratic support. Recently, Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona said banning trans students from girls’ and women’s school sports might be “legitimate” and argued that trans girls put cisgender girls at risk during sporting events. However, this is a damaging myth that fuels anti-trans stigma, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination and reinforces misogynistic stereotypes that girls are weak and need protection.  

It's not the first time a Democrat has capitulated to Republican anti-trans messaging. In Oct. 2024, during his long-shot attempt to unseat Senator Ted Cruz in Texas, Democrat Colin Allred released a campaign ad in which he seemed to oppose the participation of trans girls in sports. And in March 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom, speaking on the first episode of his new podcast “This Is Gavin Newsom,” said it was “deeply unfair” for trans athletes to participate in women’s sports. We are not totally naïve—we get why a handful of Democrats are joining Republicans in wanting to ban trans kids from participating in sports teams consistent with their gender identities. These democratic legislators likely think their stance will appeal to “centrist” voters; recent public polling suggests that about two-thirds of U.S. adults support such bans. But we still firmly believe that such bans are misguided, harmful, and built on falsehoods, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and inequities. 

Democrats should not be willing to throw transgender kids under the bus just for electoral considerations. Trans kids face higher rates of multiple physical and mental health difficulties than their cis peers—largely due to how our society treats the transgender community. But when they’re allowed to play sports, these rates fall. What’s more, states with policies allowing trans girls to play sports have seen increased rates of sports participation by cis girls. In other words, letting trans girls play sports benefits all girls. Shouldn’t politicians be championing the benefits of sport for all? [...] The good news is that sports can be a real lifeline. The research is clear: when trans youth are allowed to participate in sports, these mental health risks fall. For example, trans students in states with fully inclusive athletics policies are less likely to have considered suicide than students in states without such policies. Megan Bartlett, founder of the Chicago-based non-profit The Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, told The Guardian that sports “can be life-saving—especially for marginalized young people – because it can actually change your brain.” When kids are in sports teams, she said, the positive relationships help make them “feel safe and practice being stressed but being able to deal with that stress,” which builds lifelong resilience. Trans kids at inclusive schools are also less likely to experience harassment and victimization. For all adolescents, participating in a sports team can reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. Letting trans kids play sports also improves their physical health. Trans kids have worse physical health than their peers—including higher rates of obesity and of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, like abnormal cholesterol levels—which are thought to be due to the stress of marginalization. But research has shown that playing sports lowers their risk of obesity and improves their cardiovascular health. 

The benefits go even further. Trans kids who are allowed to play sports in accordance with their gender identity are more likely to feel like they belong at school and more accepted by their peers. Sports help all kids gain skills in team building, management skills, commitment, and leadership. And there’s even evidence that LGBTQ student athletes have higher grade point averages than those who do not play sports.

[...] The first myth, pushed by Senator Gallego, is that anti-trans sports bans are needed to protect cisgender girls. There is no evidence that trans-inclusive policies are harmful to cis girls; indeed, trans boys and girls have been openly participating in high school sports for many years now, with no documented evidence of any harm to cis kids. 

[...] The second myth, peddled by Governor Newsom, is that trans kids have an unfair advantage in sports. Trans kids vary enormously in their sporting ability, just like cis kids. Some play well and some play poorly, just like cis kids. Trans kids are all different heights, sizes, and strengths, just like cis kids. Whether any kid excels at sport is most often related to factors like how hard they train and what kind of access they have to good coaches. [...] Another false narrative claims that inclusive policies change the nature of girls’ sports. But as the ACLU notes, that trans girls’ “participation in the girls’ category does not change the nature of the category.” Inclusive policies do not undermine Title IX protections, and girls’ sports have thrived in states that adopted such policies. This is why many women’s rights advocacy groups support inclusion of trans people in sports.

This Time column is spot-on: Letting trans kids play on sports teams aligned with their gender identity is a benefit to their mental and physical health.

This Time Magazine piece also debunks the BS red herring arguments used to justify bans on trans people (esp. trans women and girls) from playing in sports, such as the need to “protect” cis girls and women.

[samueldays]

Had a pleasant visit from @blogofex the past few days. We visited the Bygdøy peninsula with its several museums and got to see:

The Fram Museum of Polar Exploration, centered on the ship Fram ("Forth!" or "Forward!") and the several explorers who took it most of the way to both the North Pole and the South Pole during the Heroic Age.

"Nå må de skynde dem, ellers blir det for sent" (Now thou must hurry or else it will be too late) -Hjalmar Johansen as he was being attacked by a polar bear and called out to Fridtjof Nansen to get the gun faster.

"Nå tror jeg vi kan være dus med hverandre" (Now I think we can use the informal 'you' with each other) -Nansen to Johansen, several months later on that North Pole trip.

The Kon-Tiki Museum of Thor Heyerdahl's voyages, a man who was probably wrong about his theory of people rafting from Egypt to South America to Hawaii 3000 years ago.

Still, he got a lot of respect for testing part of his theory by building a raft at 3000 year old tech level and setting sail westward from Peru, with no previous experience but a lot of people telling him "You are going to die if you do this". He lived.

The Norwegian Culture and History Museum, somewhat vaguely named, with a wide collection of exhibits showing what Norway was "like" in the past, from looms and stables to plaster ceilings and priestly chasubles.

Also a stave church, originally from the 13th century, refurbished 18th century, with fancy wood panels.

Best wishes in next country, tourist man!

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

Article from Mail about Andrew Wincott in Colombia (scroll down to read the article)

Coming soon to The Archers...Adam Macy's cocoa farm in Colombia!

written by Andrew Wincott for Mail on Sunday Travel (31 March 2014)

Radio star Andrew Wincott is bewitched and bedazzled by a historic and colorful corner of South America

Oh dear! Really? Are you quite sure?' Such were the reactions of various acquaintances to my announcement that I was planning a trip to Colombia.

The fact that I have friends in Bogota didn't assuage their anxieties. And now even I started to imagine scenarios in which, having been kidnapped by some paramilitary renegades, I could possibly negotiate some sort of communication line down which I could record scenes for The Archers from my cell in Bogota. Perhaps Adam could have been on a trip researching cocoa farming, I reflected, and found himself deludedly diverted towards coca instead.

Such is the curious blurring between fiction and reality in The Archers that stranger things have happened.

Bogota is a dynamic city with a chaotic character all its own. At 8,500ft above sea level you would think the head-rush would be mandatory. The rush is all in the traffic: buses veer, bikes swerve, taxis vie for fares across choked lanes.

But in the tranquil historic neighbourhood of La Candelaria you escape to the city's Spanish colonial past. Amid the teeming hordes of students, travellers and local Bogotanos, the gold exhibits of the Museo D'Oro, such as the pre-Colombian gold raft sculpture from the Muisca era, are dazzling.

Alternatively one can enjoy the whimsical wit of Colombia's most famous artist, Botero. His porcine figures are found in a museum named after him and built around a charming 18th Century courtyard. Also housed here is part of Botero's personal art collection, including works by Monet, Renoir, Chagall, Miro, and Dali.

Taking in the view: Andrew at the Iglesia de Monserrate overlooking Bogota.

In the nearby Plaza de Bolivar I saw a llama sauntering by - they are used to give rides to giggling tourists. On one corner stands the Museo de la Independencia, housing artefacts and exhibits that fascinatingly illustrate the story of the 1810 Revolution: how the fight for independence began and how, some might contend, it is still being fought today.

Looking up from the plaza - high in the mountains to the east - you see the Iglesia de Monserrate, which is accessible within minutes by cable car. Here you find a sanctuary of tranquillity and spirituality, as though one has risen above the city while its secular urban unreality sprawls magnificently but chaotically across the plateau below.

If the tumult of Bogota becomes too much, a mere hour away lies Zipaquira and its cathedral, one of the most startling buildings in the world. With ingenuity, vision and audacity, a cavernous expanse 600ft below ground has been carved from a salt mine to form a space for worship.

Such is the combination of iconography, natural forms, colours, and carvings that you feel you're in a sodium-chloride art installation.

It's extraordinary to imagine that on Sundays and holy days 3,000 people come here to worship.

At Guatavita, the legend of El Dorado resonates from the pre-Colombian past. Cradled by crater walls is the lake on to which the Muisca tribe rowed their new cacique (king) on a raft before ritually immersing him, naked and covered in gold dust. In further homage, thousands of gold offerings were thrown into the lake by members of the tribe surrounding the shores.

Across the mountains, through the valleys, past polytunnels (Adam would have been pleased to note) the poncho - or ruana - wearing farmers tend the fields, ride horseback or stroll as though time has stopped. Being on the road is an experience in itself. Away from Bogota, down from the plateau and the temperate high ground, the temperature rises.

Roadside grills offer chorizos, chicken and cold beers to slake the thirst. Dogs slumber, sheltering in doorways to escape the heat while cats watch from the shadows.

If it's history you crave, about 90 miles from Bogota, in the Andes near Tunja, there is a tiny bridge over the Teatinos River, marking the site where the Battle of Boyaca was fought.

Here in August 1819 a decisive victory was won against the Spanish in the war for independence - with the help of the British - an event marked by imposing monuments to the generals Bolívar and Santander.

Soon you reach the white-washed walls, red-tiled roofs and cobblestone streets of Villa de Leyva, a preserved colonial town which, since 1954, has been a national monument.

The 17th Century architecture, featuring cool arcaded courtyards, fountains, and flower-festooned columns, is unspoilt. Dancing in the square and drinking aguardiente in the bars around here seem like timeless nocturnal pursuits.

Further afield, an hour's flight from Bogota on the shores of the Caribbean, lies the Unesco World Heritage site of Cartagena, a beautifully restored jewel of a walled Spanish city with perhaps the most impressive fortifications in Latin America, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas.

The stature of the walls and the tunnels beneath help the visitor understand why it was virtually impossible to defeat the Spanish here, and why they stayed until the 19th Century.

At night the sun-drenched Plaza de la Santisima Trinidad is transformed into a natural theatre. All life is here. Children race, dogs strut like horses, folk reflect and ruminate.

Locals and travellers mix over a beer bought from the shop across the square and a hot dog from a stand.

If you fancy a cocktail, perhaps a cuba libre, you can try to wake the old girl slumbering behind her stall to mix one.

Colombia is a country that defies expectations. It will bewitch and bedazzle you. The countryside is timeless and you'll find pure pleasure in the tranquillity and variety of the landscape and the charm of its people. If you're looking to escape from the greyness of the commonplace, the warmth, colour and natural beauty of Colombia elevate it to the dimension of another world. I shall certainly be going back.

Maybe that cocoa farm of Adam's wasn't such a bad idea after all.

[entelekee]

Blog Post 4: Image & Metaphor

The evocative line “Explodes in plumage. Watch where the birds go” (20-1) immediately brought to mind an image of water crashing against rocks, reminiscent of a white water rafting trip where I was unexpectedly thrown from the raft. It’s amazing how such a vivid description can awaken a long-dormant memory, one that had lain buried for over 15 years. This moment underscores the power of imagery in poetry—using sensory details to turn abstract emotions into concrete, unforgettable experiences. Or as in my case, bring total recall to an event that took place so long ago.

Similarly, metaphor serves as a bridge between the literal and the symbolic, adding layers of meaning to a poem. Rather than stating an idea outright, a well-crafted metaphor invites readers to explore a comparison that unveils deeper insights into human emotion. As discussed in our textbook and illustrated by David Kirby’s poetry, metaphors transform ordinary experiences into potent symbols, enriching the poem’s overall impact and making it resonate on multiple levels.

Learning abotu these techniques will influenced my works in progress. Embracing detailed imagery encourages me to create a world that readers can feel, see, and even taste, while the thoughtful use of metaphor pushes me to explore and express the symbolic dimensions of my themes. Inspired by the approaches of poets like Karen Skofield and Oliver de la Paz, I am excited by the thought of experimenting with language. A new goal for me is to strive to produce poetry that is as engaging and emotionally resonant as it is vivid as theirs.

[insominique]

Water

I was on a cruise with my friends somewhere around Australia (I am Australian btw). At one point they all suggested going for a swim, something that the cruise staff were organising for whoever wished to participate. I thought not much of it as I assumed it was another one of the many cruise events on deck, maybe themed with prizes, whatever they can fill our idle time with to make it not feel too much like a prison as we float from one destination to the next. I do like cruises of course, but there comes a point on a trip longer than a couple days, where you lose interest in staring out at sea, or watching shows on the screen or participating in the events/parties.

As I followed my friends and the gathering party downstairs to one of the lower levels, I was surprised to find that there were some very simple but large looking wooden rafts that we were being ushered onto. So there I pile myself on the raft amongst the others, there’s about three in total, and with a motor attached, the crew take us some distance away from the cruise ship. We can only just about make out the cruise ship in the distance, like the point where it looks ghostly compared to a light fog that has surrounded the area.

Then they tell us this is it and to slide into the water. Everyone else jumped in happily while I slide off quite carefully. Then without another word, the crew disappeared back towards the ship. I was absolutely horrified. They had simply left us to our own devices in the water by ourselves but no one batted an eyelash or thought it extremely odd. I tried to calm myself by floating but a panic I didn’t know I had about the sea started to slowly bubble up in my chest, a pain that you feel when you are truly terrified I have come to realise. There I am floating in the water, a water so murky, green-blue that I can’t tell what is beneath the surface, what creatures of the deep might come to greet me, or even sharks or even the rips.

Never had I before then had a fear of the ocean or the sharks but when you are left absolutely stranded in the ocean, it evokes something in you. For some reason, I was able to telepathically scream and one of the crew members had picked it up and decided to come back with a raft and I quickly got on and told my friends I can’t do this and have to go back. I remember hearing the sounds of them laughing at my cowardice as I headed back to the ship.

I never had a fear of the ocean until this dream.

I am curious to know your stories and experiences with the ocean, always open for a chat :)