#Best shoe repair in Los Angeles

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LA's Top Shoe Care: Quality Repairs for Footwear & Accessories

Welcome to our premier shoe care and repair destination in Los Angeles! At our establishment, we specialize in everything related to shoes, offering a comprehensive range of services. Whether you need meticulous shoe shining, precise heel and sole repairs, or a stylish makeover for your top designer sneakers, we are your one-stop shop for all things footwear.

But our expertise extends beyond shoes. We are proud to specialize in the repair of handbags, jackets, and luggage, ensuring that your favorite accessories endure and remain in top-notch condition.

What sets us apart is our commitment to quality. We use only the highest quality materials in all our repairs, ensuring durability and a flawless finish. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we take pride in exceeding your expectations.

Convenience is key, and that's why we offer free parking for drop-off or pick-up. Simply inform the valet that you're headed to the shoe store, and enjoy the ease of our services.

Trust us with your footwear and accessories, and experience the epitome of craftsmanship and care. Visit us today for all your shoe and accessory needs in Los Angeles.

[rithmeres]

yes, the plans that i could not share with you (because the haters would sabotage me) were that i was taking on LACC in my vash getup :)

i have so few pictures of myself but i got so many compliments (especially on my arm) and plenty of other people took pictures of me. and normally i don't like attention but i will be honest with u. under these circumstances i loved it. my arm held up really well through 8 hours on the convention floor and i have never been prouder of anything i've made. it's articulated incredibly well, no part of it gave out or required repair, it's never uncomfortable or a nuisance to wear, and i have enough range of motion to do relatively complex things like tying my shoes.

originally i was not planning to try to meet anyone famous because 1) it's expensive and 2) the lines are long and 3) i feel weird and annoying approaching literally anyone for any reason BUT. the spot where i met up with my sister just happened to be right next to johnny yong bosch's table. right when he started signing things. so i said LOL ok i'll do it.

it was super chill, i asked him how it felt to get the call that they wanted him to come back 20 years later for a trigun reboot and he said it almost didn't happen -- that since they recast everyone else for stampede they considered recasting vash as well (and i said WOW i'm so glad they didn't) and he said he really enjoyed getting to come back and explore a darker take (i forget if what he said was a darker take on vash's character, or just a darker trigun in general) but it was briefly surprising 2 me that he considered stampede to be a darker version but i get it, especially when u consider that there is not a lot of comedy in those 12 episodes to balance out the grief.

ANYWAY he was impressed with my arm and i asked him if he would sign my coat :) so he signed the lining but he was also like u know what, i'm gonna give you a second autograph just because. so he signed a print for me as well (free of charge!!) and the print with the blue signature matches my famous paintings that i always film in front of (that's providence baybee)

other stuff from the con under the cut

cosplay notes:

i saw 3 other vash cosplayers (a 98 vash, a stampede vash, and a purple coat vash) and no shade but i definitely had the best arm build. peace and love to all of them though

i saw 1 1/2 wolfwoods. 1 was the aforementioned mullet wolfwood from yesterday's post (ww if you’re out there ww) and the 1/2 was the 98 vash cosplayer’s gf in some kind of goth-ish dress and she was carrying a punisher

mullet wolfwood if you're out there i regret not getting a picture with you so much. i am deeply ashamed and i have no excuse because i ran into you twice and both times i was too embarrassed to ask for a picture. i just want you to know that your punisher was swag and your earrings were yolo and we would look very good together

i expected to see a lot more trigun tbh. los angeles where u at. 4 vashies at a convention of 120,000+ people is nothing. one guy even walked up to me like wow i love ur vash, i haven't seen a lot of trigun at this con and i was like I KNOW i thought i'd see a lot more

theeeee costume of all time award goes to the cad bane cosplayer i saw on the balcony. spare hand in marriage dude (gn) you looked so good

second place for costume of all time goes to the other mother cosplayer who had button eyes and these crazy finger appendages and never once broke character even while waiting in lines

i took 100 points of psychic damage from this one guy who (and im not kidding) was at least 6’4’’ and wearing platform boots and was dressed as the mfing onceler. with the stupid top hat he was fr 7+ feet tall (i saw him duck to get through a doorway).

someone was there as the brawny paper towel guy?? just walking around in a beard and flannel carrying a pack of paper towel rolls?? go off king

i saw 5 nightwing cosplayers but only 2 were biblically accurate (had ass)

the nanami sweep at this convention was so real u all SHOWED UP. and everybody ate. i saw at least 12 nanamis and not one of them was a flop.

i have never seen so many spider-mans in my life

other things:

fig. 1: this extremely hot captain america on a very large poster was about 2 make me act unwise. hi gorjus................................. nice eyebrows

fig 2: i saw this sign a couple blocks away from the con and i did a triple take. 🔥🔥🔥TRIMAX MENTIONED🔥🔥🔥

fig. 3: i saw all 4 hobbits in panel and can confirm elijah wood’s laugh is ten times more infectious in real life. before they were even done sitting down, dominic monaghan switched around all of their name cards so that none of them were seated behind the right name. as u might imagine much of the panel's content was reminiscing about LOTR, but i heard some stories that i hadn't heard before. they also talked about video games, other projects they are working/have worked on, how their kids feel about their dads' LOTR roles, how much they love ian mckellen, and how they would love to see something happen for the 20th anniversary of ROTK this year. sean astin (the legend) took shots at the stranger things writers (basically said joyce could never be happy with hopper) AND EVERYONE CLAPPED LOL. billy and dom talked about the best food in NZ, their show billy and dom eat the world, and the unfortunate events that led to the friendship onion's hiatus. it was a ton of fun to just watch them be themselves with each other, you can tell that these guys are all so fond of each other and love each other so much.

and finally, fig. 4: i bought these beautiful prints from @/batinyourbelfry and the skeletal washi tape from @/skeletalacademia (both on IG)

[donnahinkleystaceytroy]

The Wicked Witch of the West Hourglass -- the Most Famous and Recognizable Timepiece in Film History.

Margaret Hamilton "Wicked Witch of the West" Hourglass fromThe Wizard of Oz(MGM, 1939)."Do you see that[the hourglass]?That's how much longer you've got to be alive! And it isn't long, my pretty! It isn't long! I can't wait forever to get those shoes!"

From what is regarded as "the best loved motion picture of all time," the Witch's Hourglass remains as the most recognizable signature prop from the film, in addition to being a crucial plot-driving device. The scenes at the Witch's Castle, where the Hourglass is used, are among the most memorable in the film. After Dorothy (Judy Garland) is captured from the Haunted Forest, the winged monkeys bring her to the Wicked Witch, who holds the hourglass and exclaims, "You see that [the hourglass]? That's how much longer you've got to be alive! And it isn't long, my pretty! it isn't long! I can't wait forever to get those shoes!"

From this moment forward, the pace of the film quickens, as Dorothy's three friends race against time to save her from the Wicked Witch of the West. Periodic closeups of the Hourglass remind the audience of how little time remains before Dorothy's demise. When the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion finally reach the castle tower where Dorothy is held captive, they break down the door as Dorothy cries out, "Oh, hurry, please hurry! The hourglass is almost empty!" While making their escape, our four heroes are cornered by the Winkie Guards. From the balcony above, the Wicked Witch asks, "Going so soon? I wouldn't hear of it. Why, my little party is just beginning." The Witch then holds the hourglass above her head and throws it. At this point, the camera cuts to a different "stunt" Hourglass that is guided to the stage floor by wires and bursts into a cloud of flame and smoke. As with any signature prop from a major studio production, multiple versions of the Hourglass were created, including a resin and wood version, as well as lighter versions crafted of wood and papier-mâché, like this example, which was used for the epic, climactic sequence when the Wicked Witch of the West holds the Hourglass above her head in defiance of our heroes.

Measuring 20" tall x 11.5" wide, the Gothic frame is expertly crafted by studio artisans of wood and papier-mâché with winged gargoyles perched atop three spiraled columns. The glass element is crafted of hand-blown glass filled with red glitter (added later for display, as the glitter does not flow through the narrow neck of the glass). Following its use on The Wizard of Oz, MGM used this famous Hourglass in subsequent productions, including Babes on Broadway (1941), Diane (1956), and 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964). Hourglass frame is asymmetrical and exhibits expected age and wear from production use, including scuffing and cracking to paint on the gargoyle pillars as well as scuffing, wear with some wood loss on the knobs on both bases (top and bottom). There is evidence of studio repair, including pegs installed to secure the gargoyle ears to the base. This incredibly famous film artifact presents beautifully and has been featured in three museum exhibitions: Los Angeles Public Library's Getty Gallery (2000); Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, Maine (2014), and Figge Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa (2016).

Provenance: 1970 MGM David Weisz Auction; later sold by Camden House Auctioneers Vintage Film Posters & Entertainment Memorabilia sale, June 6-7, 1992, lot 510.

https://tinyurl.com/3nzf3zb8

[porhomme21]

Supreme Hoodie Arabic: Unveiling the Hottest Streetwear Trend

Elevate your streetwear game with the Supreme Hoodie Arabic. This iconic piece combines Supreme’s signature style with Arabic flair for a unique and fashionable statement. The entire collection’s set to drop in the New York, Los Angeles and London shops beginning February 23, and the Japan locations on February 25. Online availability will be offered starting March 1.

Discover automotive treasures without breaking the bank — explore the Best Classic Cars Under 20K and relish the nostalgia of vintage rides at an affordable price point. They’re iconic, they’re timeless, and they’ll still turn heads of car enthusiasts no matter where you go.

Unearth automotive gems from a bygone era with Classic Cars Under 20K . Enjoy the charm and elegance of timeless automobiles without exceeding your budget. And when looking to buy a used car, remember to double check everything before making a purchase. Observe the car for any obvious or hidden damage, and ask for full ownership and service histories. And don’t forget to run the CarFax.

Immerse yourself in the world of fashion with Subhan Supreme . This collection offers a fresh take on streetwear, blending style and cultural inspiration. One of the standout pieces from Supreme‘s Spring 2012 collection is this red pullover with Arabic writing on the front in white

Experience innovation in motion with the Audi Active Back . This cutting-edge technology ensures a comfortable and dynamic driving experience. Though residing in the realm of concept vehicles, the Audi Activesphere gives us a glimpse of what’s possible for the future of driving.

Embrace the outdoors with the Eddie Bauer Kara Koram collection. It’s your go-to for adventure-ready gear designed to withstand the elements. The Kara Koram parka has actually been tested at -30º F though I’m glad we won’t have to be duplicating such an accomplishment.

Make a bold fashion statement with the Supreme Arabic Hoodie . This iconic piece showcases the fusion of Supreme’s style with Arabic script, creating a unique and sought-after look. One of the standout pieces from Supreme‘s Spring 2012 collection is this red pullover with Arabic writing on the front in white.

Upgrade your denim game with Uniqlo Helmut Lang Jeans . These jeans combine Uniqlo’s quality with Helmut Lang’s timeless design for a fashion-forward wardrobe staple. The new UNIQLO x Helmut Lang pieces drop online on September 26th. UNIQLO’s NYC 5th Avenue and SOHO, plus other select locations, will get ahold of the items on October 27th.

Elevate your eyewear game with Gold Plated Ray Bans. These sunglasses add a touch of luxury to your style while providing superior sun protection. The frames are crafted out of lightweight and extremely durable titanium and finish in 22 Karat Gold plating.

Step back in time with the Retro 2 Black Cement Red sneakers. These classic kicks bring retro charm to your footwear collection. It comes with a jet-black tumbled leather upper, Cement Grey accents on the inner lining, mid-foot overlays, tongue, and heel foxing, Sail midsoles, and University Red tongue branding and outsole detailing.

Enhance your toolbox with the Leather Tool Box Handle. It combines functionality with a touch of sophistication, making your tools easy to carry in style. It also sports solid brass rivets that reinforce the corners, and a leather handle that pivots to facilitate carrying and storing.

Explore the world of menswear at J Press Stores. Discover timeless fashion pieces that exude sophistication and classic style. The new Pennant Label store interior features understated elements of the J. Press aesthetic and carries a full range of sportswear, including officially licensed Ivy League school merchandise, accessories, and tailored clothing, alongside Pennant basics.

Step up your footwear game with 5th Avenue Shoe Repair . Their designs are a fusion of art and craftsmanship, creating shoes that are both unique and luxurious. Fine detail in the cuffed hem as well as with the vertical welt pockets at the front and the button pocket in the back

Express your style with the Arabic Supreme Tee . This iconic streetwear piece features Arabic script, adding a cultural twist to your wardrobe. The entire collection’s set to drop in the New York, Los Angeles and London shops beginning February 23, and the Japan locations on February 25. Online availability will be offered starting March 1.

Elevate your eyewear game with Effector Glasses . These frames combine fashion-forward design with quality craftsmanship, giving you a distinctive look. One standout was the Macknight frame. The shape pulls heavily from some famous sunglass cuts while utilizing Japanese production techniques.

Celebrate the King of Pop with Hot Toys Michael Jackson figurines. These collectibles capture the essence of MJ’s legendary performances. Action Figure maker Hot Toys has released their latest creation to pay homage to the King of Pop and his Thriller video.

Discover timeless elegance with Lip Watches Vintage . These vintage timepieces add a touch of sophistication to your wrist. This might be one of the finest vintage collections we’ve ever seen and considering some of the pieces were locked up without ever being worn, you should check the wristcandy and maybe get one around yours if your wallet allows.

Blend streetwear and heritage with the Stussy Levis Jacket. This collaboration combines Stussy’s urban style with Levi’s classic denim craftsmanship. Fine detail in the cuffed hem as well as with the vertical welt pockets at the front and the button pocket in the back

Elevate your wardrobe with Benjamin Bixby Clothing. This collection offers a fresh take on menswear, blending classic aesthetics with a modern twist.The oh-so stylish half of Outkast, his style has always been very eccentric and preppy. He grew up in Atlanta, with the Gentleman of all gentlemen, Fonzworth Bentley.

Pay tribute to the King of Pop with Michael Jackson Hot Toys collectibles. These detailed figurines capture the essence of MJ’s iconic performances.Action Figure maker Hot Toys has released their latest creation to pay homage to the King of Pop and his Thriller video

Indulge in luxury with the Tiffany Toothbrush Nike Price. This collaboration combines high-end elegance with sporty style.The sneakers are presented in a “Tiffany Blue” shoe box stamped with a white Swoosh on the top. It comes complete with a series of sterling silver accessories, including a co-branded shoe horn, whistle, brush, and lace locks.

Make a bold fashion statement with a 3 Finger Ring for Men. This accessory adds a touch of edginess and style to your look.You can get a matching one for your lady friend but that doesn’t mean we recommend it. It comes in medium or large and is made of sterling silver.

Experience the thrill of the open road with the Best Sport Cars Under 20K. Get behind the wheel of a powerful and stylish ride without breaking the bank.You can get a matching one for your lady friend but that doesn’t mean we recommend it. It comes in medium or large and is made of sterling silver.

Combine performance and style with McLaren APL Sneakers. These sneakers are designed for those who demand the best in both fashion and function.APL is a favorite for celebrities and rarely welcomes collabs, however, executives plan to expand the collection with McLaren.

Elevate your timepiece with a Hodinkee NATO Strap. It’s the perfect accessory to add a touch of style to your watch.Sale begins at 12pm EST and you can see a preview on Gilt’s Facebook page now. Click here for a direct link to the GiltMAN x Hodinkee vintage watch sale.

Embrace the thrill of driving with Sporty Cars for Under 20K. Get ready for an adrenaline rush without exceeding your budget.If there was a car on this list that I’d want to buy and own forever, it would be BMW’s E39 M5. It’s got a timeless design and the thing just owns the road as a four-door sports car

Elevate your eyewear collection with The Soloist Sunglasses . These shades combine avant-garde design with exceptional quality.The effort marks another notch in Oliver Peoples defining list of respected works and incorporates distinctive elements from each brand in the finish.

Stay informed with an X3M Review. Get the latest insights and updates on this exciting automotive model.We lived in these modes, just so there was a constant readying of the propellers. And just so we’re clear, COMFORT mode isn’t that cushy and we’re glad it’s not.

Express your unique style with Arabic Supreme fashion pieces. This collection blends urban streetwear with cultural influences for a distinctive look.

Experience the joy of driving with the Best Sports Cars for 20K. These vehicles offer a perfect balance of performance and affordability.

Channel your inner secret agent with James Bond Boots. These

boots are a tribute to the timeless style of 007.Take a closer look at the gallery below, get yours here for US$350, and watch out for Spectre as it hits theaters beginning tomorrow.

Discover luxury on wheels with the Most Expensive Escalade . Explore the pinnacle of automotive opulence with this iconic SUV.Hand-assembled in Bowling Green, KY, it runs similar to CT5-V Blackwing’s engine but with various upgrades. It sports an aluminum head and titanium valves, forged aluminum pistons, a forged steel crankshaft, and connecting rods.

Indulge in the finest tobacco with the World’s Most Expensive Cigar . Experience the epitome of luxury in the world of cigars.Pull out your Black card if you’ve got one, people. Otherwise, just stare at these beauties and admire the detail as we are doing right now.

Optimize your space with a tailored Men’s Closet Design. Create an organized and stylish storage solution for your wardrobe.If you’re thinking about adding one, here are a few awesome walk-in closet designs to serve as inspiration.

Celebrate the legacy of John Graham Mellor. Explore the life and achievements of this influential figure.We actually covered the label back in November when Belfast’s The Bureau took stock of their jeans. See what we thought of them here

Unlock the potential of your space with creative Men’s Closet Ideas . Discover inspiration for organizing and showcasing your wardrobe.The closet pictured above strikes the right balance, with plenty of drawers, shelves and hanging space plus a splash of orange in the background to keep things colorful.

Experience the thrill of the road with the Best Sports Car Under 20K. Enjoy high-performance driving without breaking the bank.They’re iconic, they’re timeless, and they’ll still turn heads of car enthusiasts no matter where you go

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Placed Under: Shopping & Style, Stores, Trends, Accessory Bargains, Best of, Boutiques, Clothing, Cobblers, Deals, Fashion, Jennifer Geisman, Los Angeles. Shoe Repair by Willie On that day in London, November […]

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Best Brake Replacement and Repair Services Near Las Vegas Henderson

Are you looking for a Brake Replacement and Repair Service near Las Vegas Henderson? Las Vegas Mobile Mechanic Service is offering Brake Replacement and Repair Service Near Las Vegas Henderson. Cheap Brake Replacement and Repair Service of Las Vegas Henderson! Free estimates. Call us now or book online quickly!

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BRAKE REPAIR SPECIALISTS!

Brake Repair LA, Brake Replacement Las Vegas, Brake Servicing Las Vegas

There are several warning signs most drivers will experience before the car brakes (rotor, pads, caliper) reach the point of potential failure or require additional brake services. You don’t need to be worried, if you are in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Mobile Mechanic Service will be right there to provide you the best quality of service, because we are Brake Repair Specialists!

How long your brakes last, and how often they need servicing, depends largely on the type of driving you to do around Los Angeles! If you use your brakes often, like most city, or urban drivers, you’ll need car brake service more often than someone who does most of their driving on an interstate in Los Angeles.

The parts that make up your vehicle’s brake system (like brake pads, rotors, caliper, and brake fluid) wear down over time and will eventually need to be replaced. One of the most common auto brake repairs we perform at Las Vegas Mobile Mechanic Service is the replacement of brake pads (or shoes). Regardless of what they are made of (ceramic or metallic), brake pads wear down each time you step on the brake pedal – that’s how they work to stop your vehicle!

If you allow your car brake pads to wear down too much without replacing them, the metal that holds the pads will make contact with the brake’s metal rotors (or drums). This not only makes your brakes less effective (and less safe!) but also increases the wear and tear on your brake rotors/drums, meaning they will need to be replaced as well!

BRAKE REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR IN LAS VEGAS

It doesn’t need to be explained why brakes are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. That’s why it’s important to keep them in quality shape. You’ve probably heard the sound – the squeal. Brake pads are designed to create that noticeable squeal when they need to be changed. It’s absolutely necessary to do this sooner rather than later. Brake pads should be changed around every 50,000 miles or sooner, depending on how much you drive.. During a brake replacement the old pads are removed from the caliper and new one are put on. The rotors are also checked for any damage or excessive wear because after time, rotors can become warped and fill up with brake pad debris. And lastly, every second or third change in brakes should include getting your rotors turned, or machined.  We will always give you these recommendations because we take pride in keeping you informed of your vehicle’s wear and tear. Give a call and we’ll come to you with the city’s best brake repair.

[luckyfeetsandimas]

Things to do in San Dimas

Located in Los Angeles County, San Dimas gets on old Route 66. It is positioned at 955 feet over water level. The city has a populace of 33,165 people.

The city is a part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. San Dimas is bordered by hills and offers a lot of snow in the winter. In the summer season, it has warm as well as completely dry weather condition. The ordinary heat is 68 deg F (20 deg C) while the average low temperature level is 43 deg F (6 deg C).

San Dimas was formerly referred to as Mud Springs. The name was altered in the early 1800s to recognize Saint Dismas, a repentant thief tortured together with Christ.

San Dimas is a significant farming area. The citrus farming industry was a significant factor to the economic situation until the mid-20th century. Numerous citrus groves were uprooted because of disease in the 1950s.

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park

Found in San Dimas, CA, Bonelli Regional Park is an idyllic park that provides lots of outside tasks. The park's natural setting is attractive, and it is the best place for households to take pleasure in a day of barbecues and nature strolls. The park includes five miles of shoreline and a 250-acre lake.

The park supplies a number of activities, including fishing, swimming, treking, and biking. Throughout the summer season, the park is likewise the ideal location to take pleasure in water sports such as kayaking and jet winter sports. The lake likewise offers views of the San Gabriel Mountains. On top of that, the park has a range of leisure activities, consisting of horseback riding, group picnicking, and outdoor camping.

The park likewise supplies numerous play grounds, which are excellent for youngsters. The park's head office lies in the southwest corner of the park close to Lucky Feet Shoes, a prominent shoe shop among the citizens for their stylish yet comfortable shoes.

The park likewise consists of a boathouse, which was constructed in 1959 by the area department of parks as well as leisure. The park has a water play area for children, along with bbqs and barbecue tables. The park likewise provides a range of other recreational tasks, consisting of running, biking, as well as horseback riding. The park is likewise home to a number of yearly unique occasions, such as shows and also fishing events.

Pacific Railroad Museum

Situated in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Portola, California, the Western Pacific Railroad Museum is a living gallery that maintains the background of railroads in the region. The museum is operated by the Pacific Railroad Society. Established in the 1970s by Norman Holmes, the team was produced to preserve the background of the Western Pacific Railroad.

The gallery homes over 100 pieces of railway devices. Its collection includes guest and also products autos, locomotives, as well as locomotive repair equipment. It likewise has a big research study library. The gallery is open to site visitors free of cost on the very first as well as 3rd Saturdays of the month.

A range of programs are offered for grownups as well as kids. They include "Railroad Time Travelers" and also "Legacy of the Transcontinental Railroad". "Telegraphs Trains and Trouble" is a program for middle and also senior high school trainees.

The railway museum's rolling stock collection traces the love of long-distance traveling and shows the duties of guest and products equipment, refrigerator cars, and also railroad dining compartment. Its maintenance-of-way automobiles consist of dynamometer autos, snowplows, clothing as well as device cars and trucks, and also cranes.

Horsethief Canyon Park

Situated in San Dimas, California, Horsethief Canyon Park is a fantastic area to trek and also loosen up. The park has barbecue tables, toilets and a small dog park. It is additionally situated near several treking routes. Besides hiking, the park additionally uses numerous sporting activities such as beach ball and also horseshoes. The park is likewise home to the San Dimas Rodeo, which is held throughout the very first week of October together with Western Days.

This park has an exceptional trail that is ideal for family members to trek. The route is well maintained and also has lots of turns. The trail additionally passes a seasonal water hole. The park is also home to the San Dimas Historical Society, which has a collection of early San Dimas documents and also other artefacts.

The park is likewise home to the San Dimas Dog Park, which has a one-acre location where pets can play and kick back. The pet dog park has a huge area water dish and also pet dog benches. There are different locations for huge and lap dogs, which is excellent for animal proprietors. The park is additionally a wonderful location to take images. The park is tidy as well as has green yard, which makes it a wonderful place to take household images.

The trail additionally leads up to a gazebo at the north end of the parking area. This is the beginning point for a number of treking tracks. After the path passes the gazebo, it transforms uphill as well as passes a grove of trees. It then passes a white message and also advances to the hillside. The route complies with the crest of the hill and after that transforms downhill. At this moment, it starts to switchback back to the junction.

Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

Established in 1998 by Wally Parks, the NHRA Motorsports Museum is the only motorsports gallery in the United States. The gallery displays the history of drag racing and marine engineering, along with a collection of historical cars and trucks and artifacts. It is a 501( c)( 3) non-profit organization and is presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California. NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona, California.

The National Hot Rod Museum is a museum of hot rods, speed records and car culture that is dedicated to celebrating the history and advancements of the industry. Its collection of artifacts, historical vehicles, and memorabilia represents the fifty years of hot rods and speed records. The museum also celebrates the technological advances in automobiles.

The NHRA Museum is located at the Los Angeles County Fairplex, which is home to Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. It is situated 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles It is open from 10 am to 5 pm. It also provides a free parking lot and AAA membership discounts on admission. The museum has a store with a variety of hot rod history items. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday.

The National Hot Rod Museum features a replica 1954 Dodge Safety Safari rig. It also has Mickey Thompson's land speed efforts. It has other artifacts from the early days of drag racing.

Raging Waters Los Angeles.

Located in San Dimas, Los Angeles County, Raging Waters offers a variety of family-friendly attractions. There are 36 water slides, four kiddie areas, and plenty of water-soaked attractions. It's open May through September and is the largest water park in California. This amusement park is owned by Parques Reunidos.

It is a good idea to bring only what you need for the day like waterproof sunblock and a good pair of sandals from Lucky Feet Shoes, a store with a variety of styles for every ocassion not leaving behind the comfort. You can also leave your belongings under your towel on a lounge chair. This will keep them from getting wet.

There are some rides that you may not see if you're just visiting for the day. You can also check out the wave pool and the water obstacle course. You may also want to try the Flowrider surfing simulator. If you're looking for more thrill slides, you can check out the AquaDrop, which sends sliders down a six-story drop at speeds of 20 mph.

There are also a variety of food and drink options at Raging Waters. You can grab a burger or a soft serve at Sharkey's, which features burgers and fries. You can also top by Pipeline Pizza for pizza or Jamba Juice for smoothies. If you're feeling more hungry, you can also check out Sharkey's Buffet. This restaurant offers a variety of food options, including nachos, salads, and other favorites.

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Lucky Feet Shoes 844 Arrow Hwy B, San Dimas, CA 91773 +19093943338 https://luckyfeetshoes.com/pages/sandimas

[luckyfeetlongbeach]

Things to do in Long Beach

Located southern of Los Angeles, Long Beach uses a variety of points to do and also see. The city boasts spectacular beaches, a selection of museums, and also an artistic power that makes it one of the most electrifying cities in Southern California. It is a fantastic location for an outing or a weekend escape.

One more Long Beach tourist attraction is the Long Beach Museum of Art. It features art from Southern California artists. It uses irreversible and also short-lived displays. There is likewise a present store as well as collection. It is cost-free to see.

For a much more special experience, go to Long Beach's East Village Arts District. This area is residence to an eclectic collection of store shops, murals, and restaurants. It's likewise residence to the Long Beach Art Walk, which includes real-time songs and performances.

Long Beach Waterfront

Located on the southwestern suggestion of the Long Beach Peninsula, Long Beach, CA is an ocean-facing city in Los Angeles County. With an oceanfront population of over 473,577 people, it is the second biggest city in the region as well as offers numerous attractions and also activities as well as calls for long strolls, that is the factor you should buy a comfy pair of shoes from Lucky Feet Shoes, a store that incorporates convenience and also design.

The city has a large number of Pacific Islanders. Most of these individuals are Samoans and also Tongaans. Long Beach is also residence to a number of indigenous wild animals types. The city has a number of initiatives to help protect these indigenous plant and also pet species. The Long Beach Greenbelt is one of the key focus areas of the city's repair efforts.

The midtown location of Long Beach is just one of the city's primary tourist centers. Along with being house to the Long Beach Convention as well as Entertainment Center, the location is house to a number of varied eating alternatives and also shops. The location additionally includes the Pike Outlets. This shopping mall includes a range of name brand shops.

Aquarium of the Pacific

Situated in Long Beach, California, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a lovely fish tank with a selection of sea life and tasks to take pleasure in. The aquarium has 50 various exhibits as well as presents a wide range of aquatic animals. Visitors can learn more about the pets and also the influence that they have on our sea. The aquarium likewise offers a number of. Some of the programs consist of pet encounters, dolphin-watching cruise ships, as well as dolphin-feeding.

The aquarium is open from 9am to 6pm each day of the year. If you are checking out the aquarium on a weekend, it is best to show up early. The Aquarium is very crowded on weekend breaks and also throughout the summer season. You can acquire an early access ticket, which allows you to enter to the aquarium without waiting in line. It is also possible to get price cut tickets on certain days of the week.

Visitors can additionally check out the Shark Lagoon and also June Keyes Penguin Habitat. The aquarium additionally has several touch pools where visitors can touch the animals. The aquarium is a fun and instructional location for any ages.

Visitors can visit the Lorikeet Forest, which is a walkthrough aviary full of loads of Australian lorikeets. They can buy a cup of nectar to feed the lorikeets. This is an optional fee. The lorikeets will come to you to get the nectar.

The Walter Pyramid

ocated on the school of California State University, Long Beach, the Walter Pyramid is a multi-purpose indoor center. The Pyramid has a capacity of more than 5,000 spectators and also is taken into consideration to be among the largest space-frame structures in North America. The Walter Pyramid has actually organized countless NCAA athletic events, consisting of volleyball matches, volley ball regionals, and basketball championships.

The Walter Pyramid is the residence of the Long Beach State University basketball and also volleyball groups. The Pyramid additionally has a state-of-the-art conference center, along with a strength and conditioning facility. The building was designed by Donald Gibbs. It is constructed from 18,000 steel tubes, which have 160,000 three-quarter inch screws. The structure's interior geometry is unique, making it a fascinating location for sports events.

The Pyramid is a great venue for shows and also household enjoyment. The Pyramid is additionally a famous collegiate athletic center, as well as has been a vital part of the Long Beach community for greater than two decades. It is currently in the final stage of a long-lasting renovation task. It has been made use of for volley ball matches, basketball games, and also concerts, as well as it has also end up being an attraction for television productions.

Museum of Latin American Art

Found in Long Beach, California, the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is an organization dedicated to the preservation, event, and study of Latin American art. As a multidisciplinary establishment, it is devoted to equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. Its permanent collection includes over 1,300 artworks. A variety of events and events are held throughout the year to advertise Latino art and also culture. The museum is likewise committed to giving education programs for pupils and also adults.

MOLAA's permanent collection was developed by the owner of the gallery, Dr. Robert Gumbiner. The museum's founder envisioned a company that would display the diverse collections of brand-new media and emerging musicians. In 2014, the board of directors broadened the museum's goal to consist of Latino art. The collection contains over a thousand works of art, with greater than two thousand objects from Mexico, Central as well as South America, and also the Caribbean.

Founded in 1996, the museum's mission is to protect the jobs of Latin American artists as well as to expand the understanding of Latino art. The museum hosts groundbreaking exhibitions and also offers educational programs for the neighborhood. A variety of traveling exhibits are additionally featured. The museum is also committed to promoting cross-cultural dialogue.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

Found on the university of California State University in Long Beach, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a calm sanctuary for site visitors to take pleasure in. It is a prominent location for wedding events and other occasions. The garden is open to the public, although bookings should be made. The garden provides a variety of different areas for visitors to enjoy. It additionally features a tea residence and koi pond. The yard is surrounded by high trees as well as plant. For its 1.3 acres of land you will need backstrap shoes from Lucky Feet Shoes that will certainly bring wonderful comfort for your journey.

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden includes a selection of various elements that are generally discovered in Japanese yards. These elements include a pond, a tea home, stone sculptures, and also koi. The yard additionally has a moon watching system that is usually used for the Autumn Moon Festival. The yard also includes a conventional Japanese light that is surrounded by pink japonicas. The light is particularly gorgeous at night.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden was developed by Edward R. Lovell, a landscape designer who was a lifelong good friend of Loraine Miller Collins. Lovell drew motivation from the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo. Lovell likewise checked out several yards in the United States and also Japan to gain more motivation. The yard was finished in 1981.

The garden features a koi-filled pond as well as a half-moon bridge. Site visitors can likewise stroll along a path that weaves past lights and waterfalls. Additionally, there are several areas for site visitors to take photos. Site visitors can also appreciate the yard's classy buffet eating, which is available throughout the year. The yard is open on Tuesday through Friday. The yard likewise uses a selection of events, consisting of the garden's glass gallery.

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Lucky Feet Shoes Long Beach 1811 Ximeno Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815 +15624984998 https://luckyfeetshoes.com/pages/long-beach

[bansept]

Harsh Hearts

Prepare the yee-haws, the tissues, and some condoms, those two are gonna roll in the hay. Literally.

Characters will be OOC, and warning for language, some situations, violence (nothing between Ichigo and Orihime, don't worry), and sex.

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'Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own: in pain and sickness it would still be dear.” - Jane Eyre

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Thinking back, Ichigo would have done things differently. Maybe he would have cleaned up, or perhaps he would have come with an umbrella. But meeting her? That was the one thing he would replay in his mind all of his life, for all the joy, love and pain it gave him made him feel alive to the point of forgetting the obvious.

**************

Spring had left the corner, Summer slowly butting in with much warmer weather. The few cows in the fields were munching on dry, yellow grass, his two horses in their stables slapping the flies away with their tails. The house remained cool thanks to some very old air conditioners stuck here and there, and thank god he still had some electricity going to keep his fridge full, and to get some data to pay the bills.

Other than that, you could imagine a ranch, small, unfortunately, in a very lost American countryside. And, the cherry on the cake, imagine the owner of this ranch was a half Japanese 25-year-old man, with orange hair.

There, you had it. The whole picture of the boring, calm, uneventful life Ichigo Kurosaki lived.

He could have lived in Los Angeles, or maybe New York like his family did. It would have made him into another man, certainly. But with a bit of a cloudy past like he had, it was best for him to be stuck an hour away from the nearest city, Hanksville, he recalled.

It was by choice he lived by himself, taking care of his cattle, horses, and dog. He never said, or thought, that it was something fun to do, or that he was going to make a fortune. Not with 8 cows, no. Fortunately for him, his father was rich enough to send him what he needed for the terrain.

Ichigo sighed, taking the fork to pile up some hay for the horses, sweat covering his body. Most of the time, when he complained to himself, it was about the weather, it being hot, or too snowy, or about the uncontrollable danger of coyotes. That's why even now, shirtless, sweaty and slightly thirsty, he had his holster by his hips.

It felt that his life was all traced. That nothing big enough would disturb it. Yet, it was the smallest need of the most simple things that change the usual spin of our daily lives.

In the afternoon, he had taken his pick-up to go to town. Some repairs he needed to do, and with no tape, he couldn't do them. The town was as small as ever, with a hotel and pleasantries, even a damn airport a few miles away, but no one to enjoy it. Desertic was not just a saying out here.

Ichigo got down, dressed in a hurriedly-put t-shirt he knew he had holes in, his tennis shoes the best way to blend in and not look like a moronic idiot outside of his ranch. Walking to the general store, he quickly gathered what was needed, making small conversation with the guy behind the cashier, before stepping back outside. In a few minutes, the rain had started to fall down furiously, dark grey clouds plaguing the sky.

The man hurriedly placed the groceries in the truck, pulling the roof on expertly. If he hurried enough, he would be home in less than 45 minutes, which gave him enough time to retrieve things before they got too wet...

As his mind was racing, Ichigo didn't hear the rushing footsteps approaching him.

"Excuse me!" He felt a small hand very lightly touching his shoulder, and he snapped his head to the side.

She was drenched, one suitcase behind her while a worn bag was hanging from her shoulder. Her face... She was gorgeous, evidently, but also a foreigner, judging by her English pronunciation. Ichigo focused on listening to her once he put the roof at the back on, but damn it if it was complicated with the wind.

"I... Lost? Airport, came in?" She asked, the sentence not making a damn sense, which wasn't helping him stay calm. He waved his hand to the car.

"Come in, at least it will be dry!" He shouted, turning around. The poor girl was even worst in English than he was at being calm, standing there, not understanding why he was inside the truck, and waving at her. He felt like slapping his forehead for looking like a douchebag but saw a snippet of a book slip from her bag. Was that...

"Come in, please! You'll catch a cold staying in the rain!" He asked in Japanese. The woman's eyes widen in shock, but she did as told, circling the vehicle to get in, her luggage hurriedly placed in the car trunk.

They were both drenched with droplets falling from their hair, but Ichigo didn't think much of it. What was a Japanese woman doing here, lost in the asshole of the world?

He brought her to his home and learned her name: Orihime Inoue. Japanese, 25, natural hair color that resembled his, in America to join her boyfriend, until the clearly stupid as fuck dude broke up with her. She was supposed to go back home, but in a moment of recklessness, she decided to pick a ticket for Hanksville. Something in the name intrigued her, and before she could regret her decision, a pickpocket got her wallet, and she was sent there.

"I was lost and didn't know to who to speak... Until I met you, mister."

He almost choked on his coffee.

"Mister? I'm Ichigo, there's no need to call me that..."

The roussette was blushing, embarrassed. He breathed out calmly. She was a woman, a human, and people didn't like to be yelled at.

"Sorry... I'm not used to... Well, people anymore." He rubbed the back of his head, tangling the short hair in his rough hand. "Listen, I don't really know what to tell you... I guess I could lend you money? So you can go back to the airport and buy a ticket?"

Orihime looked shocked at the proposition and shook her head almost comically.

"Oh no, no! It would make me feel bad to ask that of you! I already took so much of your time... I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. Things like that happen." He told her, voice rough, eyes fixing hers before they lowered to his hands. "You need money to go back home. Or even to sleep at a hotel. I could ask you to help me here so that you can earn some money, and once you have enough for a ticket, you go?"

Orihime looked troubled, fingers fidgeting with fingers. Normally speaking, people didn't have the... curious idea of taking a plane on an impulse. She wasn't the type to. But now she was there, at a young American-Japanese man's home, in the middle of nowhere, without a buck to repay him. He was offering her a job, or rather, a part of his own job to help her.

Of course, she should accept it. She still hesitated, because of how terrifying would it become if he... No. Too many movies.

Leveling her gaze to his, she smiled, sincerely and big, for the first time at him.

"Thank you for helping me! I promise I'll work hard and leave you alone soon!"

Ichigo snickered, something he didn't normally do, and rinsed his cup of coffee. Things could get interesting with her around.

He had a few ideas of how things got... well, the way they were.

For once, he had been kind, polite, and smiling to another human of his own volition. That, in itself, should have been the best and fattest piece of hint he could have.

Second, he was a healthy young man living by himself surrounded by animals and sand and grass. And she, she was high on the euphoria of wanting things to happen, without caring about the consequences.

Orihime had glanced at him a couple of times during the day, he could feel it, especially when he was taking care of the cows, trimming their hooves by himself. Yeah, shirtless, but still protecting his arms.

And after this first afternoon of work together, they rapidly figured out that, if they had to live together, something should be done with their sexual tension.

For an hour, when the moon was up, they expressed how neither of them did such a thing. It was new and weird, but what they wanted.

"It doesn't mean that we're in a relationship, and so we don't have to feel obligated to the other. We're human beings, we have needs."

"Right... I should feel terrible for even thinking about it after what happened today, and only knowing you for a day... I've never done that. Ever."

"Orihime." Her name was like silk on his tongue. "You decide what you want. Nothing will be done unless you and I both want it. And if not, we'll just sleep it off and that's it."

They agreed to be some kind of stranger with benefits, eye in the eye, serious and understanding of the seriousness of the situation, how fucked up it sound.

Until they pounced on each other, panting for some relief of some sort. It was only after he thrusted his way in and out of her, slow but powerful, and she drank his unknown lips when he moaned that they felt like this situation made sense.

Neither of them was regretting their action by now, Orihime well hugged against his chest, sleeping a peaceful slumber, Ichigo staring at the ceiling, smiling.

He couldn't wait for the summer to be here, permanently, in his bed.

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I'm trying something new, I know they are OOC, I know they would never do this.

Orihime is pretty much still the nice girl we know and love, but with the mindset of forgetting her ex.

Ichigo is... leading a very peaceful life, but he can't quite resist a beauty like Orihime.

Please do tell me what you think!

[starrynite7114]

15 & 21 😊

Thanks for the request lovely!

“Stay. Please.”

“Just let it all out.”

Angel looked at you from across the clubhouse as you chatted with Coco and Riz. He didn’t want to bring you to the clubhouse, but you insisted on going, wanting to take your mind off your current predicament. Looking at you, it didn’t even appear as if you had just lost your beloved grandmother. You called Angel earlier in the day, crying hysterically. He immediately went over to your apartment and helped you plan out a trip to Los Angeles where your grandmother was going to be buried.

He was coming of course.

He couldn’t leave you alone.

You’ve known one another for 8 years now, just around the time that EZ was locked up. And recently, you two just became an item after much coercing from the other Mayans members. You appreciated their interference since Angel could self sabotage his relationships from time to time. He was about to do it with you, but thankfully he didn’t. He was extremely thankful that he didn’t let you go, cause that would have been a big mistake.

Angel walked over to you, placing his arms around you as he kissed your neck.

“Hey baby,” you greeted, turning your head so you could give him a kiss.

“You having fun?” Angel questioned before nodding his head at Riz and Coco as a greeting.

“Yes,” you smiled, but it didn’t reach your eyes. Angel would take it for now.

Angel returned your smile before giving you a kiss on the cheek.

“Y/N was telling us that you two were thinking of getting a place together.” Coco was happy that his best friend got his head out of his ass. For a moment, he thought you were going to end up with that asshole from your job. Well, he wasn’t an asshole, but Angel was Coco’s brother, everyone else failed in comparison. He was biased, but he didn’t give a shit.

“That’s the plan,” Angel smirked. “She can’t go on without me for too long.”

You genuinely laughed at that, playfully elbowing his stomach.

“Hey! No need for violence,” Angel continued to tease you.

This was what you needed. Losing your grandmother was a blow for you especially since you two were so close growing up. Your mother worked often, so it was mostly you and your grandmother who were around your home in Los Angeles. She was the reason you decided to be a nurse instead of a baker. Your grandmother was a nurse until she was 70 years old. She became part time after you were born, but she still came in and worked. The fact that she was found down and alone truly broke your heart. You should have been there for her. Instead, fresh out of nursing school, you took a job at Santo Padre and you couldn’t be there for her.

“You’re such a pain in the ass.” You playful rolled your eyes, trying to distract yourself again.

“But I’m you’re pain in the ass.”

“So, any hot nursing friends you can bring around here?” Riz inquired.

Coco chuckled, but nodded his head in agreement. “Yes, share the wealth. Angel can’t be the only one getting laid.”

You laughed, shaking your head at these two dorks. “Unless you like them old and married, sure.”

“There no other new nurses there?” Gilly joined in the conversation.

“Nope, I’m the youngest one. I think a few might come later, but so far just me.”

“I mean, I don’t discriminate.” Coco commented, making all of you voice out your displeasure with his comment. “What? I don’t.”

“You’re sick man,” Angel shook his head. “You ready to go baby?”

“We can stay longer if you want,” you turned to face him then. You didn’t want to go home, you wanted to get shit faced drunk so you can just sleep and not have to wallow about your grandmother’s passing.

“We’ll drink more at your place, I just want to have you home.” Angel knew what you wanted to do, but sometimes, alcohol isn’t the answer to everything.

Saying your goodbyes, Angel walked you to your car, opening the door for you. You slid in, turning on your car. Pressing the button to put the windows down, Angel’s arms rested on your window that was all the way down.

“I’ll follow you home.” He gave you a kiss before moving away to get on his bike.

Once he was on his bike, you made your way out of the scrapyard and towards your home. You rode with the music as loud as you can take, listening to any happy song you could find. It didn’t matter, your head wasn’t really in it. You pulled up to your apartment complex, pulling in your spot, with Angel parking a few cars down.

You waited for him by your car and when he got to you, he intertwined your hands and made your way to your apartment. Angel grabbed the keys from you and opened the door. Once you were both inside, he locked the door.

He took off his kutte as you took off your dress, leaving you in bras and panties. He watched as you slipped inside your room and onto your bed. Making his way to your kitchen, he grabbed 2 beers before joining you in your room. You already had Netflix fired up and browsing through the comedy section. You clicked on Despicable Me just as Angel sat down beside you. He took off his shoes before slipping under the covers with you.

“You have too much clothes on,” you commented as he handed you the beer.

Angel laughed. “You up for a round baby?”

“No, I just like feeling your skin.”

Angel took off his clothes, leaving just his boxer on. Slipping under the covers once more, you wrap yourself around him. He placed a kiss on your forehead.

Not even 15 minutes in, you fell asleep against Angel. He began dozing off then. When he next woke up, he was startled by your constant moving. Looking over at you, he could tell you were in distress as you cried out. Softly shaking you, your eyes open, sitting up immediately.

“You okay querida?” Angel cupped your face in his hands, wiping your tears away. “It was just a bad dream,” he tried to calm you as best as he could.

You looked at him, lips quivering. Your tears fell then, a sob escaping your lips. Angel grimaced watching you fall apart in front of him. You crawled onto his lap, his arms immediately wrapping around you just as yours wrapped around him. He rubbed your back as you cried on the crook of his neck. Hearing you cry was one of the most heartbreaking things he’s had to hear. It pained him especially since there was really nothing he could do besides be there for you.

“Just let it all out.”

“She was all alone,” you wailed out. “I should have been there for her.”

Angel frowned, not knowing that this was what you were beating yourself about. “Y/N, I get it, you’re upset, but there was nothing you could have done. No one knew this was going to happen. She knows that if you could be there, you would have.”

“You don’t get it.”

“I do, you don’t think that it killed me to know that my mom was all alone when she was killed? The guilt that I carried around was as great as EZ. I was supposed to protect her, I’m her eldest child, but instead she was killed and there was nothing I could do about it.” You knew Angel’s mother was killed, this was something you two had discussed before when you were treating him at the hospital. The Mayans didn’t usually do hospitals, but it wasn’t an illegal activity that got Angel hurt, it was fixing one of the cars at the shop, so he came in to get a laceration repair. You were the nurse assisting the doctor and cleaned his wounds from him. That was 3 years ago. From then on you were on Angel’s radar and you never went away.

“I’m sorry,”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” He wiped your tears that were still falling from your eyes. You were trying your best to calm down, breathing in and out. “Your grandmother wouldn’t want you to be upset like this. We can’t control things like this, she loves you, you meant the world to her.”

“It’s just hard,” you buried your face at the crook of his neck again, Angel laid back laying you on top of him. “Stay. Please.”

“I’ll always be here for you, you’re stuck with me now.”

You both smiled at his comment. And it was true, you were stuck with Angel now through thick and thin.

Especially since you were carrying his child.

He just didn’t know that yet.

[messagesreceived]

Best Shoe Repair

Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA

[myhockeyworld87]

Nervous Regrets - Tyler Seguin  Part 2

Requested: No

Word Count: 1753

Warning: Cursing

POV: Reader

Note: Glad you guys enjoyed the first one,decided to do one from the reader’s perspective. I may continue it. Haven’t decided yet.

You shouldn’t be here. Yet here you were in the same spot you’d been only one year ago. God, how times had changed. That night you had been so carefree, so light of heart. Now, all you felt was an emptiness that permeated deep down into your soul. An emptiness that even the man standing next to you couldn’t bring you back from. You’d only crawled out of its hollowness recently, when friends insisted it was time to move on. Which is why you found yourself here with Robert; this place that evoked so many memories, so many emotions. You wanted to run, dismiss yourself from these people milling around chatting about inconsequential things. Instead you plastered on a smile, masking the pain that was tearing your heart apart.

 A year ago, you’d been standing at the bar when he’d come up to you. While you couldn’t recall the exact conversation; you could still remember the look in his eyes, the timber in his voice and way he carried himself. Tyler had always been a cocky son of a bitch, but that night there was a vulnerability to him; a softness that warmed your heart. The two of you had laughed, danced and chatted the whole night, not noticing anyone around you. It was only when the wait staff were fumbling around clearing the room, that you’d both recognized the event had ended. Not wanting the night with you to end, Tyler had offered you drinks at his place. It had turned into so much more; bodies entwined with each other, moans filling the air, stolen kisses that never ended. Your relationship had just sort of fell into place. Everything with Ty was so easy; loving him had been so easy.

 You’d never realized that the arrogant hockey player he portrayed on the ice, was secretly so insecure. He’d spent a lifetime creating a reputation as one of hockey’s bad boys; only it was all a facade to mask the loneliness he carried around. Hell, even the dogs he cared and loved for so much were a coping mechanism for him. So, when he opened up to you showing this sweet, vulnerable side of himself, the true Tyler Seguin; you fell, knee deep into him. You gave him your whole heart; only asking for his in return. For a time, you had it; you’d been the only woman in his life. Until that day, or maybe it was before then you really didn’t know; hadn’t stayed around to find out the answer.

 You’d been away in Los Angeles for work. Speaking to Tyler frequently during the day; always ending each night with him on the phone. It was towards the end of your trip. You’d woke up that morning, scrolled through social media to find pictures of him and some blonde. He was laughing at her in the first picture, grinding up on her ass in the second; and the third, well it was the one that tore you in two. His lips locked on hers, the kiss intimate; as if he’d kissed her a thousand times before then. Your stomach lurched, rolling around making you sick as you stared back at the photo. It was then that you read one of the captions, ‘Me and my boyfriend,’ it stated simply. The next thing you knew you were dry heaving in the toilet. You couldn’t breathe, it was if the weight of the world was crushing down on you. The phone rang, the ringtone one you recognized; thankfully it wasn’t Tyler. Even though it was your best friend you didn’t answer it; you weren’t ready to face the reality of the last few minutes. All the fears you’d ever had about your relationship finally coming to fruition.

 You hauled yourself up off the bathroom floor, splashing cold water on your face. You needed to get a grip, you had to be in a meeting in an hour. Numbly you walked yourself through your morning rituals. Sitting in the meeting your mind trying to focus on what the speaker was saying; all while images of that kiss popped up in your brain. As the day drew to a close you packed your bags and headed back to Dallas; back to a life you no longer had. Sitting in the airport you finally glanced at your phone; nineteen voicemail messages. Some from Tyler, most from friends. You couldn’t talk to anyone right now or you’d just ball your eyes out, so you text your best friend asking if you could stay with her for a while. The reply came back immediately, you knew the answer before it was sent. Now all you had to do was grab your things and get the hell out of dodge.

 The drive back to your home with Tyler was blur, maybe it was from all the tears falling down your face; or maybe you finally resigned yourself to your fate, a life without Tyler in it; you weren’t sure which. You left your suitcase in the car, knowing you still had luggage in the house that you could pack. The moment you opened the door he was there; tears stained his face. It only hardened your resolve to get out of there quickly. You didn’t speak just walked to the bedroom and started grabbing things. His apology echoing in your ears as you moved blindly through the room. You didn’t want to hear it, couldn’t hear it. Taking only what you needed you closed the bag; kneeling down finally to kiss the pups goodbye. Tears flowing freely now. Your heart was shattered; this had been your life and Tyler your world and it was all gone now. You stood up, never looking at him; pausing momentarily at the door only to say two final words, “Goodbye Ty.” With that you’d closed the door, ending your relationship.

 Someone asked you a question, drawing you back to present day. You smiled politely, making idle chit chat. Robert moved his hand to the small of you bare back. Bare only because of the dress he’d bought you. He wanted you to play Ana to his Christian Grey; sending you the dress you had on with the matching shoes. Why you’d put it on you didn’t know; how he knew your damn size was something you’d visit later. You laughed, the fake one, you reserved for occasions such as these. You were good at it; it was why you currently held the lofty position you did at your company. Hell, it was probably the reason Robert thought you should be draped on his arm. They didn’t know the real you though, only Tyler did. Right now, you weren’t sure anyone else was ever going to get to know the real you.

 This place, it brought up so many memories of Tyler. You swear you could feel him watching you; that you had seen him from the corner of your eye. It was all tricks though; not that he couldn’t be here. You just didn’t think he’d have the balls to show up. Not after what he did, cheating on you was one thing; but when the pictures surfaced of him in some godforsaken alleyway with the blonde’s mouth around his cock; well that was the last straw. You knew management would be upset with him. Hell, even some of his teammates couldn’t stand the sight of him. He’d not only shamed you, but them in the process. Jamie, had begged you to talk to Tyler, hoping to repair some of the damage that had been done. He told you Tyler was a mess without you. At the time you were glad he was; you were a wreck yourself. It was only right that he was living in his own hell. Maybe there would be a day that you could see him, but right now, talking to Jamie it wasn’t going to happen.

 The hand on your back shifted lower to your ass; rubbing up and down. You knew what Robert wanted, vaguely you thought that maybe it would numb some of the pain you were experiencing. You tried to forget about all the pleasure you’d received under Tyler ministrations. At night when you would pleasure yourself, you’d think of anyone, anyone but him. But in the peak of your climax it was always Tyler’s face that popped into you mind; his name on your lips. You had a feeling things with Robert wouldn’t be any different. Fuck, you needed air.

 You excused yourself from the conversation; claiming you need to use the ladies restroom. When all you really wanted to do was head out the front door, call an Uber and head back home. You made your way to the foyer where the crowd was less abundant. You sensed him before you saw him; all night you thought your mind had been playing tricks on you only to come to the realization that yes indeed Tyler was here. You stopped, watched each step as he made his way to stand before you. Hands shaking, from frustration, possibly; more likely it was to keep from touching him. Tonight, had elicited all kinds of memories both good and bad; at the moment seeing him, all you could think about was the good. You looked at him; the dark circles under his eyes showing he hadn’t slept much. His thin frame, that usually happened at the end of the season more predominate now and the season was only under way. Every instinct in your body wanted to reach out and take him in your arms; bring back the man you once loved. Still loved you corrected yourself. You tampered down the urge; instead simply saying “Tyler.”

 His eyes borrowed into yours, reaching deep down into your soul. Regrets and nerves playing across his face as he slowly whispered your name. You thought your knees were going to give out, when he spoke. A tidal wave of emotions washed over you; as you stood in the sand, sinking deeper into the ocean that was Tyler, not knowing if you could swim back to shore after this encounter.  A tear rolled down your cheek; his thumb coming up to brush it away. The small contact shattering your resolve. It was finally time; time to hear, time to listen and hopefully time to understand. The fracture he had left in your heart shifted; but whether it was cracking more or being fussed back together was too early to tell. 

[blackkudos]

Jesse Owens

James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens (September 12, 1913 – March 31, 1980) was an American track and field athlete and four-time gold medalist in the 1936 Olympic Games.

Owens specialized in the sprints and the long jump, and was recognized in his lifetime as "perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history". He set three world records and tied another, all in less than an hour at the 1935 Big Ten track meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan—a feat that has never been equaled and has been called "the greatest 45 minutes ever in sport".

He achieved international fame at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, by winning four gold medals: 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4 × 100-meter relay. He was the most successful athlete at the Games and, as a black man, was credited with "single-handedly crushing Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy", although he "wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the President, either."

The Jesse Owens Award is USA Track and Field's highest accolade for the year's best track and field athlete. Owens was ranked by ESPN as the sixth greatest North American athlete of the 20th century and the highest-ranked in his sport. In 1999, he was on the six-man short-list for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Century.

Early life and education

Jesse Owens, originally known as J.C., was the youngest of ten children (three girls and seven boys) born to Henry Cleveland Owens (a sharecropper) and Mary Emma Fitzgerald in Oakville, Alabama, on September 12, 1913. At the age of nine, he and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, for better opportunities, as part of the Great Migration, when 1.5 million African Americans left the segregated South for the urban and industrial North. When his new teacher asked his name (to enter in her roll book), he said "J.C.", but because of his strong Southern accent, she thought he said "Jesse". The name stuck, and he was known as Jesse Owens for the rest of his life.

As a youth, Owens took different menial jobs in his spare time: He delivered groceries, loaded freight cars and worked in a shoe repair shop while his father and older brother worked at a steel mill. During this period, Owens realized that he had a passion for running. Throughout his life, Owens attributed the success of his athletic career to the encouragement of Charles Riley, his junior high school track coach at Fairmount Junior High School. Since Owens worked in a shoe repair shop after school, Riley allowed him to practice before school instead.

Owens and Minnie Ruth Solomon (1915–2001) met at Fairmont Junior High School in Cleveland when he was 15 and she was 13. They dated steadily through high school. Ruth gave birth to their first daughter, Gloria, in 1932. They married on July 5, 1935 and had two more daughters together—Marlene, born in 1937, and Beverly, born in 1940. They remained married until his death in 1980.

Owens first came to national attention when he was a student of East Technical High School in Cleveland; he equaled the world record of 9.4 seconds in the 100-yard (91 m) dash and long-jumped 24 feet 9 1⁄2 inches (7.56 meters) at the 1933 National High School Championship in Chicago.

Career

Ohio State University

Owens attended the Ohio State University after his father found employment, which ensured that the family could be supported. Affectionately known as the "Buckeye Bullet" and under the coaching of Larry Snyder, Owens won a record eight individual NCAA championships, four each in 1935 and 1936. (The record of four gold medals at the NCAA was equaled only by Xavier Carter in 2006, although his many titles also included relay medals.) Though Owens enjoyed athletic success, he had to live off campus with other African-American athletes. When he traveled with the team, Owens was restricted to ordering carry-out or eating at "blacks-only" restaurants. Similarly, he had to stay at "blacks-only" hotels. Owens did not receive a scholarship for his efforts, so he continued to work part-time jobs to pay for school.

Owens achieved track and field immortality in a span of 45 minutes on May 25, 1935, during the Big Ten meet at Ferry Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he set three world records and tied a fourth. He equaled the world record for the 100-yard dash (9.4 seconds) (not to be confused with the 100-meter dash), and set world records in the long jump (26 ft 8 1⁄4 in or 8.13 m, a world record that would last for 25 years); 220 yards (201.2 meters) sprint (20.3 seconds); and 220-yard low hurdles (22.6 seconds, becoming the first to break 23 seconds). Both 220 yard records may also have beaten the metric records for 200 meters (flat and hurdles), which would count as two additional world records from the same performances. In 2005, University of Central Florida professor of sports history Richard C. Crepeau chose these wins on one day as the most impressive athletic achievement since 1850.

1936 Berlin Summer Olympics

On December 4, 1935, NAACP Secretary Walter Francis White wrote a letter to Owens, although he never actually sent it. He was trying to dissuade Owens from taking part in the Olympics on the grounds that an African-American should not promote a racist regime after what his race had suffered at the hands of white racists in his own country. In the months prior to the Games, a movement gained momentum in favor of a boycott. Owens was convinced by the NAACP to declare "If there are minorities in Germany who are being discriminated against, the United States should withdraw from the 1936 Olympics." Yet he and others eventually took part after Avery Brundage, president of the American Olympic Committee branded them "un-American agitators".

In 1936, Owens and his United States teammates sailed on the SS Manhattan and arrived in Germany to compete at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. Owens arrived at the new Olympic stadium to a throng of fans, according to fellow American sprinter James LuValle (who won the bronze in the 400 meters), many of them young girls yelling "Wo ist Jesse? Wo ist Jesse?" ("Where is Jesse? Where is Jesse?") Owens's success at the games represented an unpleasant consternation for Hitler, who was using them to show the world a resurgent Nazi Germany. He and other government officials had high hopes that German athletes would dominate the games with victories.

Just before the competitions, Adi Dassler visited Owens in the Olympic village. He was the founder of the Adidas athletic shoe company, and he persuaded Owens to wear Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik shoes; this was the first sponsorship for a male African American athlete.

On August 3, he won the 100 m dash with a time of 10.3 seconds, defeating a teammate and a college friend Ralph Metcalfe by a tenth of a second and defeating Tinus Osendarp of the Netherlands by two tenths of a second. On August 4, he won the long jump with a leap of 8.06 m (26 ft 5 in) (3¼ inches short of his own world record). He later credited this achievement to the technical advice that he received from Luz Long, the German competitor whom he defeated. On August 5, he won the 200 m sprint with a time of 20.7 s, defeating teammate Mack Robinson (the older brother of Jackie Robinson). On August 9, he won his fourth gold medal in the 4 × 100 m sprint relay when head coach Lawson Robertson replaced Jewish-American sprinters Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller with Owens and Ralph Metcalfe, who teamed with Frank Wykoff and Foy Draper to set a world record of 39.8 s in the event. Owens had initially protested the last-minute switch, but assistant coach Dean Cromwell said to him, "You'll do as you are told." Owens' record-breaking performance of four gold medals was not equaled until Carl Lewis won gold medals in the same events at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Owens had set the world record in the long jump with a leap of 8.13 m (26 ft 8 in) in 1935, the year before the Berlin Olympics, and this record stood for 25 years until it was broken in 1960 by countryman Ralph Boston. Coincidentally, Owens was a spectator at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome when Boston took the gold medal in the long jump.

The long-jump victory is documented, along with many other 1936 events, in the 1938 film Olympia by Leni Riefenstahl. On August 1, 1936, Hitler shook hands with the German victors only and then left the stadium. International Olympic Committee president Henri de Baillet-Latour insisted that Hitler greet every medalist or none at all. Hitler opted for the latter and skipped all further medal presentations.

Owens first competed on Day 2 (August 2), running in the first (10:30 a.m.) and second (3:00 p.m.) qualifying rounds for the 100 meters final; he equaled the Olympic and world record in the first race and broke them in the second race, but the new time was not recognized, because it was wind-assisted. Later the same day, Owens's African-American team-mate Cornelius Johnson won gold in the high jump final (which began at 5:00 p.m.) with a new Olympic record of 2.03 meters. Hitler did not publicly congratulate any of the medal winners this time; even so, the communist New York City newspaper the Daily Worker claimed Hitler received all the track winners except Johnson and left the stadium as a "deliberate snub" after watching Johnson's winning jump. Hitler was subsequently accused of failing to acknowledge Owens (who won gold medals on August 3, 4 (two), and 8) or shake his hand. Owens responded to these claims at the time:

Hitler had a certain time to come to the stadium and a certain time to leave. It happened he had to leave before the victory ceremony after the 100 meters [race began at 5:45 p.m.]. But before he left I was on my way to a broadcast and passed near his box. He waved at me and I waved back. I think it was bad taste to criticize the 'man of the hour' in another country.

In an article dated August 4, 1936, the African-American newspaper editor Robert L. Vann describes witnessing Hitler "salute" Owens for having won gold in the 100m sprint (August 3):

And then … wonder of wonders … I saw Herr Adolph Hitler, salute this lad. I looked on with a heart which beat proudly as the lad who was crowned king of the 100 meters event, get an ovation the like of which I have never heard before. I saw Jesse Owens greeted by the Grand Chancellor of this country as a brilliant sun peeped out through the clouds. I saw a vast crowd of some 85,000 or 90,000 people stand up and cheer him to the echo.

Albert Speer wrote that Hitler "was highly annoyed by the series of triumphs by the marvelous colored American runner, Jesse Owens. People whose antecedents came from the jungle were primitive, Hitler said with a shrug; their physiques were stronger than those of civilized whites and hence should be excluded from future games."

In a 2009 interview, German journalist Siegfried Mischner claimed that Owens carried around a photograph in his wallet of the Führer shaking his hand before the latter left the stadium. Owens, who felt that the newspapers of the day reported "unfairly" on Hitler's attitude towards him, tried to get Mischner and his journalist colleagues to change the accepted version of history in the 1960s. Mischner claimed that Owens showed him the photograph and told him: "That was one of my most beautiful moments." Mischner added: "(the picture) was taken behind the honour stand and so not captured by the world's press. But I saw it, I saw him shaking Hitler's hand!" According to Mischner, "the predominating opinion in post-war Germany was that Hitler had ignored Owens, so we therefore decided not to report on the photo. The consensus was that Hitler had to continue to be painted in a bad light in relation to Owens." For some time, Mischner's assertion was not confirmed independently of his own account, and Mischner himself admitted in Mail Online: "All my colleagues are dead, Owens is dead. I thought this was the last chance to set the record straight. I have no idea where the photo is or even if it exists still."

However, in 2014, Eric Brown, British fighter pilot and test pilot, the Fleet Air Arm's most decorated living pilot, independently stated in a BBC documentary: "I actually witnessed Hitler shaking hands with Jesse Owens and congratulating him on what he had achieved." Additionally, an article in The Baltimore Sun in August 1936 reported that Hitler sent Owens a commemorative inscribed cabinet photograph of himself.

Later, on October 15, 1936, Owens repeated this allegation when he addressed an audience of African Americans at a Republican rally in Kansas City, remarking: "Hitler didn't snub me—it was our president who snubbed me. The president didn't even send me a telegram."

In Germany, Owens had been allowed to travel with and stay in the same hotels as whites, at a time when African Americans in many parts of the United States had to stay in segregated hotels that accommodated only blacks. When Owens returned to the United States, he was greeted in New York City by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. During a Manhattan ticker-tape parade in his honor along Broadway's Canyon of Heroes, someone handed Owens a paper bag. Owens paid it little mind until the parade concluded. When he opened it up, he found that the bag contained $10,000 in cash. Owens's wife Ruth later said: "And he [Owens] didn't know who was good enough to do a thing like that. And with all the excitement around, he didn't pick it up right away. He didn't pick it up until he got ready to get out of the car." After the parade, Owens was not permitted to enter through the main doors of the Waldorf Astoria New York and instead forced to travel up to the event in a freight elevator to reach the reception honoring him. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) never invited Jesse Owens to the White House following his triumphs at the Olympic Games. When the Democrats bid for his support, Owens rejected those overtures: as a staunch Republican, he endorsed Alf Landon, Roosevelt's Republican opponent in the 1936 presidential race.

Owens joined the Republican Party after returning from Europe and was paid to campaign for African American votes for the Republican presidential nominee Alf Landon in the 1936 presidential election. Speaking at a Republican rally held in Baltimore on October 9, 1936, Owens said: "Some people say Hitler snubbed me. But I tell you, Hitler did not snub me. I am not knocking the President. Remember, I am not a politician, but remember that the President did not send me a message of congratulations because, people said, he was too busy."

Life after the Olympics

Owens was quoted saying the secret behind his success was, "I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible. From the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up."

After the games had ended, the entire Olympic team was invited to compete in Sweden. Owens decided to capitalize on his success by returning to the United States to take up some of the more lucrative endorsement offers. United States athletic officials were furious and withdrew his amateur status, which immediately ended his career. Owens was angry and stated that "A fellow desires something for himself." Owens argued that the racial discrimination he had faced throughout his athletic career, such as not being eligible for scholarships in college and therefore being unable to take classes between training and working to pay his way, meant he had to give up on amateur athletics in pursuit of financial gain elsewhere.

Owens returned home from the 1936 Olympics with four gold medals and international fame, but there were no guarantees for his future prosperity. Racism was still prevalent in the United States, and he had difficulty finding work. He took on menial jobs as a gas station attendant, playground janitor, and manager of a dry cleaning firm. He also raced against amateurs and horses for cash.

Owens was prohibited from making appearances at amateur sporting events to bolster his profile, and he found out that the commercial offers had all but disappeared. In 1937, he briefly toured with a twelve-piece jazz band under contract with Consolidated Artists but found it unfulfilling. He also made appearances at baseball games and other events. Finally, Willis Ward—a friend and former competitor from the University of Michigan—brought Owens to Detroit in 1942 to work at Ford Motor Company as Assistant Personnel Director. Owens later became a director, in which capacity he worked until 1946.

In 1946, Owens joined Abe Saperstein in the formation of the West Coast Negro Baseball League, a new Negro baseball league; Owens was Vice-President and the owner of the Portland (Oregon) Rosebuds franchise. He toured with the Rosebuds, sometimes entertaining the audience in between doubleheader games by competing in races against horses. The WCBA disbanded after only two months.

Owens helped promote the exploitation film Mom and Dad in African American neighborhoods. He tried to make a living as a sports promoter, essentially an entertainer. He would give local sprinters a ten- or twenty-yard start and beat them in the 100-yd (91-m) dash. He also challenged and defeated racehorses; as he revealed later, the trick was to race a high-strung Thoroughbred that would be frightened by the starter's shotgun and give him a bad jump. Owens said, "People say that it was degrading for an Olympic champion to run against a horse, but what was I supposed to do? I had four gold medals, but you can't eat four gold medals." On the lack of opportunities, Owens added, "There was no television, no big advertising, no endorsements then. Not for a black man, anyway."

He traveled to Rome for the 1960 Summer Olympics where he met the 1960 100 meters champion Armin Hary of Germany, who had defeated American Dave Sime in a photo finish.

In 1965, Owens was hired as a running instructor for spring training for the New York Mets.

Owens ran a dry cleaning business and worked as a gas station attendant to earn a living, but he eventually filed for bankruptcy. In 1966, he was successfully prosecuted for tax evasion. At rock bottom, he was aided in beginning his rehabilitation. The government appointed him as a US goodwill ambassador. Owens traveled the world and spoke to companies such as the Ford Motor Company and stakeholders such as the United States Olympic Committee. After he retired, he owned racehorses.

Owens initially refused to support the black power salute by African-American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He told them:

The black fist is a meaningless symbol. When you open it, you have nothing but fingers – weak, empty fingers. The only time the black fist has significance is when there's money inside. There's where the power lies.

Four years later in his 1972 book I Have Changed, he revised his opinion:

I realized now that militancy in the best sense of the word was the only answer where the black man was concerned, that any black man who wasn't a militant in 1970 was either blind or a coward.

Owens traveled to Munich for the 1972 Summer Olympics as a special guest of the West German government, meeting West German Chancellor Willy Brandt and former boxer Max Schmeling.

A few months before his death, Owens had unsuccessfully tried to convince President Jimmy Carter to withdraw his demand that the United States boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He argued that the Olympic ideal was supposed to be observed as a time-out from war and that it was above politics.

Death

Owens was a pack-a-day cigarette smoker for 35 years, starting at age 32. Beginning in December 1979, he was hospitalized on and off with an extremely aggressive and drug-resistant type of lung cancer. He died of the disease at age 66 in Tucson, Arizona, on March 31, 1980, with his wife and other family members at his bedside. He was buried at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago. Although Jimmy Carter had ignored Owens' request to cancel the Olympic boycott, the President issued a tribute to Owens after he died: "Perhaps no athlete better symbolized the human struggle against tyranny, poverty and racial bigotry."

Legacy

The dormitory that Owens occupied during the Berlin Olympics has been fully restored into a living museum, with pictures of his accomplishments at the games, and a letter (intercepted by the Gestapo) from a fan urging him not to shake hands with Hitler.

Awards and honors

1936: AP Athlete of the Year (Male)

1936: four English oak saplings, one for each Olympic gold medal, from the German Olympic Committee, planted. One of the trees was planted at the University of Southern California, one at Rhodes High School in Cleveland, where he trained, and one is rumored to be on the Ohio State University campus but has yet to be identified. The fourth tree was at the home of Jesse Owens' mother but was removed when the house was demolished.

1970: inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

1976: awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Gerald Ford.

1976: inducted into Silver Olympic Order for his quadruple victory in the 1936 games and his defense of sport and the ethics of sport.

1979: awarded Living Legend Award by President Jimmy Carter.

1980: asteroid newly discovered by Antonín Mrkos at the Kleť Observatory named 6758 Jesseowens.

1981: USA Track and Field created the Jesse Owens Award which is given annually to the country's top track and field athlete.

1983: part of inaugural class into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.

1984: street south of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin renamed Jesse-Owens-Allee

1984: secondary school Jesse Owens Realschule/Oberschule in Lichtenberg, Berlin named for Owens.

March 28, 1990: posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George H. W. Bush.

1990 and 1998: two U.S. postage stamps have been issued to honor Owens, one in each year.

1996: Owens' hometown of Oakville, Alabama, dedicated the Jesse Owens Memorial Park and Museum in his honor at the same time that the Olympic Torch came through the community, 60 years after his Olympic wins. An article in the Wall Street Journal of June 7, 1996, covered the event and included this inscription written by poet Charles Ghigna that appears on a bronze plaque at the park:

1999: ranked the sixth greatest North American athlete of the twentieth century and the highest-ranked in his sport by ESPN.

1999: on the six-man shortlist for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Century.

2001: Ohio State University dedicated Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium for track and field events. A sculpture honoring Owens occupies a place of honor in the esplanade leading to the rotunda entrance to Ohio Stadium. Owens competed for the Buckeyes on the track surrounding the football field that existed prior to the 2001 expansion of Ohio Stadium. The campus also houses three recreational centers for students and staff named in his honor.

2002: scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Owens on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.

2009: at the 2009 World Athletic Championships in Berlin, all members of the United States Track and Field team wore badges with "JO" on them to commemorate Owens' victories in the same stadium 73 years before.

2010: Ohio Historical Society proposed Owens as a finalist from a statewide vote for inclusion in Statuary Hall at the United States Capitol.

November 15, 2010: the city of Cleveland renamed East Roadway, between Rockwell and Superior avenues in Public Square, Jesse Owens Way.

2012: 80,000 individual pixels in the audience seating area were used as a giant video screen to show footage of Owens running around the stadium in the London 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, just after the Olympic cauldron had been lit.

In Cleveland, Ohio, a statue of Owens in his Ohio State track suit was installed at Fort Huntington Park, west of the old Courthouse.

Phoenix, Arizona named the Jesse Owens Medical Centre in his honor, as well as Jesse Owens Parkway.

Jesse Owens Park, in Tucson, Arizona, is a center of local youth athletics there.

For his contribution to sports in Los Angeles, Owens was honored with a Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum "Court of Honor" plaque by the Coliseum commissioners.

in July 2018, Ohio Governor John Kasich dedicated the 75th state park Jesse Owens State Park. It is located on AEP reclaimed mining land south of Zanesville, OH.

[seanbonner]

New Blog Post: Personal Uniform Update 2019

I’ve been writing about personal uniforms for a long time now [2015, 2010] and adhering to them for even longer.  While the major themes have remained the same over the years some of the specifics have gotten more specific and as I’m often asked for recommendations I find it useful to take stock once and a while so I have something for people to reference. The last time I did this I was living in Los Angeles, and traveling 100k+ miles a year, today I’m living in Tokyo and still traveling 100k+ miles a year. Tokyo gets colder than Los Angeles and has snow, but it also gets more humid. I previously tried to have things that worked in all weather, but I’m now more a fan of fabrics and cuts that are optimized for seasons.

Generally I still stick to all black or dark grey and avoid anything with logos or visible branding of any kind.

The specifics:

T-Shirt

Basic. 100% Cotton. I’m still a fan of American Apparel’s Fine Jersey which I find to be the perfect cut, thickness and softness. These were the only things I wore for years and I’d buy them a dozen at a time every 12-18 months though honestly they hold up much longer than that and at less than $10 on Amazon it’s effortless. This is my goto shirt for training at the dojo because I know it’s strong enough to hold up under abuse and I’m not worried about ruining them. Cotton rules for structure, but it’s less optimal for most other things.

Hot weather: 100% Bamboo. The best ones I’ve found are made by Onno and are almost 3x the cost of the AA Cotton shirts at about $30. Bamboo is the perfect material for t-shirts, it wicks moisture away from you and is soft and anti-bacterial.

Humid: 100% Ramie. A recent find for me, Ramie is a really interesting natural fiber and in Tokyo’s super humid summers this has become my goto option. Outlier’s Ramielust shirt is the best shirt for hot and humid weather. It’s $125, but it takes one day if walking around in 90% humidity to understand why. I found some cheaper Ramie blend shirts on amazon but they don’t feel the same. As a fabric it’s a bit stiffer than Cotton or Bamboo, but it’s also light and airy like nothing else.

Cool: 100% Wool. This is going to be my most controversial recommendation ever but Outlier’s Gostwyck Single Origin Wool is really interesting. Wool is an amazing fabric, but it’s almost always ethically bad news, so a company working with a single farm with the specific intention of creating ethically produced wool is something I thought was worth supporting and looking further into. I know some people love wool and if they are going to buy it I’d prefer they put the money towards a more sustainable and ethical option like this. These shirts are also $125, but they might be the nicest shirts you’ve ever touched. A secret some people don’t know is that Wool shirts can be worn for several days in a row before they need washing, so you need fewer of them  for a wardrobe and end up doing wash less often, so they have other environmental benefits to weigh out.

Pants

Slacks. I find the materials that Outlier are using for their Slim Dungarees and Futureworks pants to be fantastic, versatile, lightweight and durable. I was initially hesitant to buy $200 pants, but I now have 3 pairs and easily wear them 300 days out of the year. Their shorts are equally fantastic.

Jeans. I have an ongoing love/hate with denim that I continue to be unable to resolve. There was a point in the late 2000’s when I realized that not only did I not own a pair of jeans, I hadn’t owned a pair in over a decade, as I’d been wearing almost exclusively Dickies for most of that time. At the same time I had friends working with and lusting over “high end” denim and I wanted to understand it. I’ve since owned and worn many varieties of denim and from high end Japanese brands like Iron Heart & Sugar Cane. They’ve been great in some ways, and horrible in other ways and spending hundreds of dollars on pants that you know the crotch and pockets are going to blow out in, and require additional cost to keep repairing just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me these days. And while there are some minor details here and there, I don’t find them to justify the 5x or 10x cost over something like Shrink To Fit Levi’s 501s or something similar. In the end, I’m going to skip a recommendation on this one and just say individual preference is going to win out.

Socks

Darn Tough. Seriously, regardless of what style you like Darn Tough socks will be the best you can get. In addition to being super comfortable and rock solid, they have a life time guarantee so if you somehow find a way to wear a hole in them they will replace them free of charge. Forever. I don’t know how they do it, but they do and do it well.

Underwear

Update: I used to religiously recommend ExOfficio Boxer Briefs for many reasons but no longer do, a few years ago the company changed manufacturing practices and both their fabric and build quality went downhill significantly, when I first found them they were upwards of $30 each but now seem to be sub $20 and I’m quite sure they are making more money on each one due to the corners they cut. Avoid.

Warmer weather: Bamboo. $30 for a 4 pack of David Archy bamboo boxer briefs seemed too good to be true, but turns out it to be legit. Endorsed.

Cooler weather: Wool. Specifically Smartwool who are also publicly committed to ethical and sustainable wool production. They also have a lifetime guarantee which given their $45 price tag, being able to return them once they get worn out for new ones is a bonus.

Shoes and Jackets are much more personal and I can’t imagine recommendations here being worth anything. So look for the styles and cuts that you like and run with them I guess. Though I will say a good hoodie and a good windbreaker are an awesome combo.

via seanbonnerdotcom http://bit.ly/2N3zjfO

[voidendron]

The Outside: Chapter 64

Series Ask Blog: @asktheoutside

Chapter 64: Coffee Chapter Warnings: Swearing Characters: Chase Brody, Bingiplier, Google Oliver POV: Chase Brody

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April 30, 2031, 10:03 AM Los Angeles, California

Eyes pinned on the television, Chase thrummed his fingers over his knee. Jim was on. He was talking about the ongoing investigation of the murder of Jay Ross. The Septic had to admit: Jim’s poker face was flawless. Damn. He knew exactly who’d killed the guy and there he was deadpan at the camera, acting oblivious to anything but the information in front of him.

“Today marks one month since the murder. Detective Jesse Clarke has been leading the investigation,” Jim stated into the camera. “He was available today, so we’ll hand the show over to Melissa for an interview.”

The screen cut to an alleyway. There was police tape behind the on-camera pair, but the crime scene looked empty aside from them.

Clarke was a severe-looking man; it didn’t appear that he’d smiled a day in his life. His gray eyes were harsh and tone clipped. Even the interviewer looked fed up with him the longer the questions went on. What he said wasn’t really rude. He kept things to the point but was patient and explained when the need arose. But his tone and expression paired with his words really gave mixed signals. Like he’d trained for interviews and had a surprising level of patience, but would really rather be somewhere else had he the option.

“Happy dude,” Bing snorted.

Chase jolted at the voice. “Jesus, man. When did you wake up?”

“Mm…few minutes ago?” He detached his charger, then folded his arms behind his head. “Anything amazing happen while I charged?” He nudged Chase’s shoulder with his boot.

“You gotta keep your shoes off the couch, man.” A roll of the eyes and he pushed the android’s foot away. “Not really. I don’t get how Jim stays so straight-faced when he talks about the investigation, though. Like, seriously!” He threw his hands up. “The Twins are giggly bitches, and look at him!” He waved at the screen, then blinked.

Bing laughed. “Uh. Hate to break it to ya, but that’s not Jim.” No. That definitely wasn’t. The detective was still being interviewed. “He does look like a giggly bitch though, huh?”

“Oh, shut up.” He shoved Bing’s feet off the couch, then burst out laughing when the android threw his hands out to catch himself.

Chuckling, Bing reached down to adjust how his jeans tucked into his boots. “Hear anything from Ollie yet? I thought you were gonna meet him downtown today.”

“Haven’t gone yet. I actually didn’t think you’d be awake when I did go, so wanna come? Bet he’d be happy to see you!”

Chase couldn’t help but laugh when Bing nudged him with his shoulder. “Duh! Haven’t seen Ollie in fuckin’ forever, man! When you leaving?”

Phone lighting up when he turned it on, Chase shrugged. “Eh. ‘Bout half hour if we wanna take an Uber. Ollie’s walking, so we don’t have to rush.”

A quick text to Anti (who was hopefully still upstairs with Jameson and the kids) to tell him they’d be leaving soon, and Chase reclined back into the soft cushions of the couch. “How you think Ollie’s doing without all the repairs?”

Bing huffed through his nose. “He’s said he’s fine, but I’ll bet it’s drivin’ him crazy. Y’know how awkward it is to move a limb when you can’t fuckin’ feel it? Surprised he hasn’t accidentally crushed something yet.”

“Crush somethin’?” Chase snorted. “It’s his leg.”

“And? Goes to nudge somethin’ out of his way, he could break his foot right through it.”

“Okay, okay, you’re right.” He could…actually rather easily see that happening now that he thought of it.

On glancing back to the television, Jimmy was on (or “Tim” as his name tag said). Was the interview over? Or just on pause or whatever? Regardless, the Iplier had a bright smile on his face as he went over the week’s weather predictions. How did he make something so boring so amusing to watch?

“C’mon.” Chase hopped to his feet after turning the TV off and shoving his phone in his pocket. An Uber would be arriving shortly. Damn were those convenient.

The chains on Bing’s boots clinked as he followed the Septic down the sidewalk to wait for their ride. He’d gotten new shoes recently. Chase still wasn’t quite used to the sound they made. They fit him, though. Bing just seemed like the type of guy to wear boots like that, he thought. Bing had his sunglasses on—the ones Amy had picked up for him months ago—but the case with his glasses from Oliver was sticking out of the pocket of his hoodie.

Despite them, Chase knew the android’s eyes were probably as bright as his smile. Literally.

The drive to the little diner was short. They could have walked, but then they would have been late. Being late would have meant Oliver had to sit and wait for a good long while for them to actually arrive.

As it were, their Uber pulled up on the curb just as Oliver was reaching the corner for the crosswalk. He was hard to miss. While he wasn’t tall by any means, his raven-colored hair faded into an odd straw yellow like a botched dye-job where it fell past his shoulders. It was easy to pick out among the crowd.

He grinned when they met at the entrance.

“How are the kids liking school?” he asked.

“They start next week,” he answered. Well, Kyler and Sophie did. Yan had decided last-minute to remain at home, but would have one of his classes at the school. Chase grabbed the door and attempted to push. All he succeeded in was running into it as both androids tried their best to stifle their snickers while the Septic glared at the “Pull” sign right next to the handle. It seemed like every goddamn business had a different door, he thought with a roll of his eyes as he yanked it open.

“They’re excited, though,” he added as the trio went to find a table. “Hopefully they’ll make some friends.”

They started nudging each other when they reached a booth to fight for getting a seat to themself. Chase ended up victorious and grinned smugly as he sat opposite the androids.

Bing ordered a black coffee. Oliver, a Coke. Chase couldn’t help the little twitch at the corner of his lip when the Google said that to the waitress. A part of him almost wanted to say The Phrase. God. How long had that meme survived among the fans? He cleared his throat when the woman turned to him expectantly. An iced tea sounded good.

Somewhere during the drink orders, Bing had swapped out his sunglasses for the thick-framed spectacles Oliver had given him a while back. Looking at them side-by-side, Chase noticed that it actually made their eyes very similar golden browns when they both had the glasses on. Then again, yellow-orange and dark yellow were pretty similar to begin with. He had to wonder if that meant Red’s eyes would be a darker brown.

“Hey.” Oliver was rolling his eyes when Chase finally snapped to attention. Had he been talking that whole time? “Where’s your hat?”

Patting the top of his head like he’d only just realized it was gone, Chase blinked. Where was… Oh! That’s right. “Sophie stole it. Again,” he laughed. Drinks were brought shortly thereafter. Chase was the only one to give a food order.

“Should get her one,” the Upgrade suggested as the waitress wandered off. He ripped the paper off his straw and stuck it in his drink; his eyes followed it as the carbonation lifted it back up, only for him to shove it back down. It reminded Chase of a little kid playing with their drink, but he cleared his throat to stifle his laugh. Oh, Oliver.

“I’ve thought of it,” he said instead, “just need to find her one that has somethin’ she likes on it.”

Bing leaned back in his seat, coffee pulled close to his chest. “Bet you could find one from one of those medical shows she likes online. She’d love it to bits!”

That was…a good idea, actually. He’d look into it. Maybe for her birthday, he thought.

Chase’s eyes drifted up toward the TV near the cash register. It was one of those boxy old ones that hadn’t gotten the memo that it was outdated as it happily chugged along to show the news in…well, not full color. The screen was grainy and things on it seemed desaturated. It was definitely past its prime, poor thing.

Jim was on again, giving missing persons reports. “You worried?” he asked the Upgrade without looking at him.

A shrug. It was all Oliver offered for a while. Then, quietly, “Not really? I mean, how it anyone going to figure out who did it? No fingerprints, no blood from the suspect. At least, not what they would know is blood.” Oil was what he meant, of course. What human in their right mind would ever think oil could be blood? “They will search for a good long while, and then the case will be filed away as unsolved. Simple as that.”

“Have you seen the dude investigating it?” Bing asked with a shake of the head.

Oliver snorted. “Yeah. Looks like he has a pole wedged up his—” he trailed off to take a long drink from his soda.

Chase couldn’t stifle his laughter that time. “You—you almost swore! Oliver almost swore!”

“C’mon dude, say it!” Bing nudged the other android, but only got a huff in answer. “Come on, man! The worst I’ve ever heard from you is fuckin’…dammit and that ain’t even a curse.”

Oliver made a face, nose scrunched up and all. Then proceeded to ignore the fact he had a straw to drink right from the cup and crunched the ice he got as a result.

A shudder passed down Chase’s spine. “Eugh—no! Don’t do that!”

A smug grin passed over Oliver’s face just then.

Crunch.

“Ollie!”

[imjustthemechanic]

Glockenspiel

Part 1/? - Transmission Part 2/? - The Sandhill Hotel Part 3/? - Piccadilly Part 4/? - The Future Part 5/? - Too Late Part 6/? - The Mystery of the Missing Time Machine Part 7/? - Underway Part 8/? - The Sierra Bunker Part 9/? - Cross-Country Part 10/? - The Pit Part 11/? - Calls for Help

The driver of the blue car appeared to be in his early thirties.  He was wearing a red flannel over a black t-shirt emblazoned with some kind of coat of arms and the nonsense word Gryffindor, and his hair, which was in bad need of a trim, went in every direction at once.  He looked over his shoulder at the stuff piled in his back seat.  “You may have to move some stuff but if you can find room, sure, hop in.  I’m only going as far as Badger, though.”

“As long as there’s a telephone,” said Peggy. “And a shoe store.”

They opened the back doors and began moving the boxes around.  These were very heavy, and felt like they contained mostly paper – the driver helped them move the two biggest into the passenger’s seat in the front, while the smaller one stayed in the back, with Peggy and Howard strapping themselves in on either side of it.  When they bumped into it, something inside clinked, as though it were full of glass bottles.

“Careful with that,” the driver warned them.  “I’ve got some samples in there – if you break one it’s gonna stink to high heaven.”

“It does smell kinda sulfury in here,” Howard observed, shutting the door.

“Sorry about that.  I smell it all the time, so I’m used to it,” the driver replied.  He pulled out onto the road again, the windshield wipers pumping rhythmically back and forth.  “Where were you two headed?”

“We’re not sure yet,” said Peggy.  “We don’t really know where we are.”

“About ten miles south of the border with Montana,” said the driver.  “If you go…”

“Heads down!” Peggy told Howard.  They both ducked, and a brown truck passed them. Peggy couldn’t see whether it had damage to the front bumper, but she wasn’t going to risk it.  She waited until the truck was well ahead of them before she sat up again.

“What was that all about?” asked the driver.

“I… don’t know if I want to tell you,” said Peggy. “We’re still not sure the last person who helped us hasn’t gotten in trouble for it.”

“Oh,” he said.  “Ignorance is bliss, I guess.”

It took them about two hours of driving in steady, heavy rain to reach the small town of Badger, Wyoming.  On the way, since Peggy and Howard didn’t want to talk about what they were doing, the driver chatted to them instead.  He told them his name was Kevin Tran, and that he was a microbiologist who studied sulfur-loving organisms that lived in hot springs a few miles to the west of where he’d picked them up.  Howard was quite intrigued by the idea of creatures, even microscopic ones, that could live in boiling, sulfurous water, and asked dozens of questions, while Peggy kept her eyes on the road, watching out for anybody who appeared to be following them.

At around one in the afternoon, with the rain finally letting up, they reached the town.  It barely deserved the name.  There were only two streets, and most of the buildings were either motels, restaurants, or tour companies.  During the off-season it was probably all but deserted, but at the moment there were people everywhere, which made Peggy feel much better.  As long as there were plenty of witnesses around, she and Howard ought to be fine.

“You mentioned a shoe store,” Kevin said, pulling into a small plaza arranged around a car park.  There were only three shops: one selling souvenirs, one advertising cellular phone repairs, and one offering athletic and hiking equipment.  “This should have something, although they’ll charge you an arm and a leg.”

“What about a telephone?” asked Peggy.

“The service can be kind of spotty,” said Kevin. “If you go over by the Three Bears Motel, that’s where the tower is, and you can usually get a good signal there.”

“No, I meant a pay telephone,” she clarified.

“Oh.”  Kevin had to think about it.  Peggy supposed that in a world where everybody seemed to have a personal telephone on them all the time, pay phones might well have become redundant.  “I don’t know,” he admitted.  “You might find one at the Roxxon station.”

That would have to do.  Peggy opened the door to climb out of the car.  “Thank you very much, Dr. Tran.  You’re a lifesaver.”  He needn’t know how literally she meant that.

“Anytime,” Kevin replied with a smile.  “If you’re ever back in that area come on up to the springs and see me.  My friend Leah is a ranger up there – she knows all the best birdwatching spots.”

“That’s very kind,” said Peggy, “but I doubt we’ll make it back here in your lifetime.”

In the athletic supply shop, Peggy bought herself a pair of comfortable trainers.  They were, indeed, absurdly expensive, but no more so than anything else in this future. With that done, they crossed the street to the petrol station Kevin had pointed out, and asked for a phone.  The clerk directed them behind the building, where there was a single booth that clearly hadn’t been used in some time – there was an actual spiderweb clinging to the receiver.  Peggy evicted the web’s maker, and put some coins in the slot.

Toulouse had told them they needn’t memorize her telephone number, because they could save it in their own phones.  Peggy hadn’t trusted that at the time, and now she was very glad she hadn’t.  She punched in the number.

The phone only got halfway through the first ring, and then there was a breathless, “hello?”

“Hello,” said Peggy.  “Toulouse?”

“Oh my god… Peggy!” Toulouse said.  “Are you all right?  I’ve been calling you since yesterday.  I sent like fifty texts.  Is Howard all right?  What happened?”

“We’re fine, Toulouse,” Peggy assured her.  “Calm down.  We’re fine, we just lost our phones.”

“Both of you?”

“Yes.  I’ll explain later.  For now, I need you to listen to me.  We’ve had a bit of a problem.”

“We’ve got all kinds of problems!” Toulouse said.  Despite Peggy’s attempts to soothe her, the panic in her voice was rising.  “That’s why I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. I went looking for that apocalypse bunker under the hotel, like I said, and it’s there, but it’s not an apocalypse bunker.  It’s more like Area 51!”

Peggy’s heart sank.  She didn’t know what Area 51 was – probably something that hadn’t yet existed in 1948 – but she did know in her gut that it was very, very bad.  “What do you mean?” she asked.

“I figured the password would be Junior’s birthday, because that’s what Daddy uses for everything,” Toulouse said.  “And it was, so I got in, and there’s all these big rooms down there.  I guess some of them are apocalypse bunker, because there’s bunk beds and canned food and gold bars and stuff, but there’s this big room with all these freezers with dead aliens, and weird paintings, and boxes of these weird glowing crystals…”

Peggy straightened up a little.  “Glowing crystals, you say?”

“Yeah, hundreds of them!  And…”

“Bloody hell,” Peggy murmured.  She wasn’t sure how dead aliens and gold bars fit into it, but clearly the bunker under the hotel was where they should have gone after all.  At least they’d survived long enough to get there.  “Toulouse,” she said.

“I don’t know what to do!” Toulouse said.  “I can’t go back to the hotel knowing all that stuff is in there…”

“Toulouse,” Peggy repeated.  “Take a deep breath and listen to me.  Have you called your family about this?”  She hoped not.  Whatever was going on, the Sandhill men were clearly deeply embroiled in it.

“Not yet,” Toulouse said miserably.  “They’d think I was crazy, and anyway I didn’t want anybody to know I’d been in there, anybody at all, before I told you.  Last time I called Daddy about it and when we went back it was all gone.”

“All right, good,” said Peggy.  “Don’t call them.  Where are you right now?”

“I’m in the parking lot at a Burger King,” Toulouse replied miserably.  “Where are you?”

“We’re at a petrol station in Badger, Wyoming, on the east side of Yellowstone Park,” said Peggy.  “We need to get back to Los Angeles.”  They had to have a look in that bunker.

“I’ll come pick you up,” Toulouse promised.  “We have to hurry, though.  Something really bad is happening, really bad.  I’m worried about Daddy and Cass.”

“We’ll figure this out, Toulouse,” Peggy assured her. “Just don’t talk to anybody else about it.”

“I won’t,” Toulouse promised.  “I couldn’t.”

Peggy offered a few more reassuring words, then put the phone back in the cradle and reached up to rub her temples.  “All right, you’re good at figuring things out,” she said to Howard.  “What have we got here?”

“Well, we have a time machine,” he said, “which was used to take Zola into the future and help HYDRA find a lost superweapon. Doesn’t seem to be going well for them so far.”

“We also have a very deep hole in the middle of a national park,” Peggy said, “and some kind of bunker under a hotel in Los Angeles that contains not only survival supplies, but substantial wealth, time machine parts, and dead extraterrestrials.”  She’d hoped if she said it all aloud, it would somehow become obvious how it all fit together.  It did not.  “What is the connection?”

“Maybe there isn’t one,” Howard suggested.  “Maybe we’re wandering through six other conspiracies on the way to the one we’re trying to investigate.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Neither do I,” said Howard.  He leaned on the side of the phone booth with his arms folded, frowning as he thought about it.  “Those hot springs Tran mentioned are volcanic, aren’t they?”

“Yes, but that pit wasn’t,” said Peggy.  “That was drilled.”

“I know, but maybe it’s got something to do with the volcano.”  Howard scratched his mustache.  “If you could reach the steam or a source of gas, you could use that as a power source. We managed to track them down the first time they tried this seventy years ago, so they know that siphoning electricity from the grid leaves them vulnerable.  If they get into the volcano they can generate their own.”

“They’ve been running the time machine just fine without that, though,” Peggy observed.  “Otherwise we wouldn’t be here.”

“Maybe they don’t need it to run the time machine. Maybe they really need it to run die Glocke.”

Peggy shook her head.  “How much money have we got left?” she asked.

“Does it matter?”  Howard scowled.  “We have no idea how much it’s worth.”

That was true.  “It matters insofar as it might be enough to get us something to eat,” Peggy told him.

Howard perked up at once – like Peggy, he hadn’t eaten since the terrible Brazilian restaurant in Bakersfield, California.  “Now that is a plan I can get behind,” he said.

They headed back around to the front of the petrol station.  “We’re also going to have to find a place to spend the night,” Peggy observed.  “If the town is full of tourists that may be difficult.”

“And expensive,” Howard agreed.

“We may have to be creative,” Peggy said. She stepped out from behind the building and stopped dead when she saw the vehicle that had just pulled up at the pump.  It was a brown UPS truck, and while she hadn’t been able to tell if the one that had passed them on the road had a damaged front end, this one definitely did.  The bumper was crumpled from its collision with the steps, one headlight was smashed, and the paint was scraped away all down the side from where Peggy had brushed against it with the red van.

She grabbed Howard and shoved him behind the station again.  The two of them crouched there and watched as a man got out of the truck and went to a pump to fill it with gasoline.  Another man examined the damage to the front end for a moment, then headed into the little shop to do something.

“Just when I thought we were catching a break,” grumbled Howard.

Peggy was about to ask him since when they ever caught breaks, but then she spotted a familiar vehicle, still parked in the lot at the little plaza across the street.  “We’re catching one right now,” she said.

They went around the building the other way, and snuck out behind the delivery truck.  Their timing was good – as they reached the blue car with the white stripe, Kevin Tran himself was just on his way out of the mobile phone repair shop.  Peggy hurried up to him.

“Dr. Tran,” she said.  “I’m sorry, but is there any way we might impose on you again?”

“Huh?”  He’d been looking at his receipt, and hadn’t seen her approach.  “Oh, hello again.  I… guess so.  Do you need a phone?”  He took his out.  “I just got the screen repaired, so don’t drop it.”

“No, we found a phone all right,” Peggy said. “We need a place to hide.  We’ve just spotted somebody who’s trying to kill us, and we need somewhere to stay while we wait for a friend to pick us up.”

Kevin blinked a couple of times.  “Uh, shouldn’t you call the police?” he asked.

If only it were that simple.  “In our line of work that sometimes makes things worse,” Peggy said.  After the whole affair with Agnes Cully and the Arena Club, she no longer trusted them. Even if she had, they already knew that this particular conspiracy was multi-national.  Arresting the American members might not do any good when the British ones, and heaven knew how many more, were still out there.

He checked his watch.  “Do I have time to get something to eat?”

Peggy’s stomach growled loudly.  “I’m afraid not,” she said.