#Campos Winter Travel

[alightinthelantern]

Books read and movies watched in 2024 (January-June): Should you watch/read them?

Poetry:

In the Next Galaxy (Ruth Stone): No

Selected Poems (Mark Strand): No

In the Dark (Ruth Stone): Yes!

Response (Juliana Spahr): Yes

The Unicorn (Anne Morrow Lindbergh): No!

Everything Else in the World (Stephen Dunn): Yes

Words Under the Words (Naomi Shihab Nye): Eh

On Love and Barley (Matsuo Basho, trans. Lucien Stryk): Yes!

The Transformation (Juliana Spahr): No

The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches (Matsuo Basho, trans. Nobuyuki Yuasa): No

The Book of Taliesin (anon., trans. Gwyneth Lewis & Rowan Williams): No

What Love Comes To: New and Selected Poems (Ruth Stone): Eh

Face (Sherman Alexie): NO

No Surrender (Ai): Eh

The Summer of Black Widows (Sherman Alexie): Yes!

The Afflicted Girls (Nicole Cooley): Yes!

Winter Poems Along the Rio Grande (Jimmy Santiago Baca): No

American Smooth (Rita Dove): No

Elegy (Mary Jo Bang): No

Angel (Giles Dorey): NO

Collected Poems (Paul Auster): Eh

June-Tree (Peter Balakian): Yes

We Must Make a Kingdom of It (Gregory Orr): Eh

Only as the Day is Long (Dorianne Laux): No

Grace Notes (Rita Dove): Yes

Bathwater Wine (Wanda Coleman): Yes

My Soviet Union (Michael Dumanis): No

American Milk (Ruth Stone): Yes

The Drowned Girl (Eve Alexandra): No

A Worldly Country (John Ashberry): No

The Complete Poems of Hart Crane: No

One Stick Song (Sherman Alexie): Yes

If You Call This Cry a Song (Hayden Carruth): No

Doctor Jazz (Hayden Carruth): No

The Last Time I Saw Amelia Earhart (Gabrielle Calvocoressi): No

And Her Soul Out of Nothing (Olena Kalytiak Davis): No

Prisoner of Hope (Yvonne Daley): No

The Other Man Was Me (Rafael Campo): No

My Wicked Wicked Ways (Sandra Cisneros): No

On Earth (Robert Creeley): Eh

Genius Loci (Alison Hawthorne Deming): Eh

Science and Other Poems (Alison Hawthorne Deming): Eh

Voices (Lucille Clifton): Yes

A New Path to the Waterfall (Raymond Carver): Eh

Where Shadows Will (Norma Cole): No

The Way Back (Wyn Cooper): No

A Cartography of Peace (Jean L. Connor): No

Minnow (Judith Chalmer): Yes!

Postcards from the Interior (Wyn Cooper): Yes

Natural History (Dan Chiasson): Eh

The Ship of Birth (Greg Delanty): Eh

Madonna anno domini (Joshua Clover): NO

The Terrible Stories (Lucille Clifton): No

The Flashboat (Jane Cooper): Eh

Book of Longing (Leonard Cohen): No

Streets in Their Own Ink (Stuart Dybek): Eh

Different Hours (Stephen Dunn): Yes

I Love This Dark World (Alice B. Fogel): Eh

Baptism of Desire (Louise Erdrich): Yes!

The Eternal City (Kathleen Graber): Eh

Monolithos (Jack Gilbert): Yes

Crown of Weeds (Amy Gerstler): No

Blue Hour (Carolyn Forché): No

Place (Jorie Graham): No

Meadowlands (Louise Gluck): Yes!

Dearest Creature (Amy Gerstler): No

Loosestrife (Stephen Dunn): No

Little Savage (Emily Fragos): Yes

The Living Fire (Edward Hirsch): No

On Love (Edward Hirsch): No

Human Wishes (Robert Hass): NO

Early Occult Memory Systems of the Lower Midwest (B. H. Fairchild): No

Sinking Creek (John Engels): No

Alabanza (Martín Espada): Yes

Saving Lives (Albert Goldbarth): No

All of It Singing (Linda Gregg): No

Green Squall (Jay Hopler): No

Tender Hooks (Beth Ann Fennelly): No

After (Jane Hirshfield): Eh

Unincorporated Persons in the Late Honda Dynasty (Tony Hoagland): NO

These Are My Rivers (Lawrence Ferlinghetti): No

Fruitful (Stephanie Kirby): No

Jaguar Skies (Michael McClure): No

Song (Brigit Pegeen Kelly): No

Roadworthy Creature, Roadworthy Craft (Kate Magill): No

Life in the Forest (Denise Levertov): No

Viper Rum (Mary Karr): No

Questions for Ecclesiastes (Mark Jarman): No

Brutal Imagination (Cornelius Eady): Yes

Alphabet of Bones (Alexis Lathem): No

Handwriting (Michael Ondaatje): No

Sure Signs (Ted Kooser): No

Sledding on Hospital Hill (Leland Kinsey): No

Between Silences (Ha Jin): Yes

House of Days (Jay Parini): No

Bird Eating Bird (Kristin Naca): Yes

Orpheus & Eurydice (Gregory Orr): Yes

Another America (Barbara Kingsolver): Yes

Candles in Babylon (Denise Levertov): Yes

The Clerk's Tale (Spencer Reece): Eh

Still Listening (Angela Patten): Yes

A Thief of Strings (Donald Revell): No

Wayfare (Pattiann Rogers): No

The Niagara River (Kay Ryan): No

The Bird Catcher (Marie Ponsot): No

Easy (Marie Ponsot): No

Human Dark with Sugar (Brenda Shaughnessy): No

Chronic (D. A. Powell): No

Novels/Fiction:

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers (Yiyun Li): No

The Oxford Book of English Ghost Stories: Yes

Movies:

What Dreams May Come (1998, Vincent Ward): Yes

The Cat's Meow (2001, Peter Bogdanovich): Yes

The Birdcage (1996, Mike Nichols): Yes

The Color of Pomegranates (1969, Sergei Parajanov): No

The Eve of Ivan Kupalo (1969, Yuri Ilyenko): Yes

And here's my 2023 list!

[amazingarchitecturewebsite]

Araucária Greenhouse in Campos do Jordão, #Brazil by Angá Arquitetura @anga.arquitetura. Read more: Link in bio! Photography: Carolina Lacaz @carolina.lacaz. Situated on land that was bought by her great-grandparents, this house is where Carolina, one of the architects of Angá Arquitetura, spent all of her childhood holidays. She went for both summer and winter vacations with her brother and grandmother and stayed for the entire month. She has always loved working outdoors, being close to the farm animals - her passion since she was a little girl - and spending time with her family. Her grandmother and mother are plant lovers and her father enjoys jigsaw puzzles and good wine… #saopaulo #camposdojordao #архитектура www.amazingarchitecture.com ✔ A collection of the best contemporary architecture to inspire you. #design #architecture #amazingarchitecture #architect #arquitectura #luxury #realestate #life #cute #architettura #interiordesign #photooftheday #love #travel #construction #furniture #instagood #fashion #beautiful #archilovers #home #house ‎#amazing #picoftheday #architecturephotography ‎#معماری (at Campos do Jordão, Brazil) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkZzr8wMz9b/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[pcttrailsidereader]

He broke a hiking record on the PCT . . . This was the extreme physical toll

Nick Fowler set a record for the fastest self-supported thru-hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. Here he took a selfie at mile marker 300 in the Southern California desert. Nick Fowler

SF Chronicle writer Gregory Thomas continues his interest in fast hiking of the PCT as he talks to Nick Fowler, new record holder for the fastest unsupported hike of the PCT. [See also the last post about Karel Sabbe's fastest support hike of the PCT.] Unsupported means that Fowler did not have a team to meet him on the trail with food or water or shelter. Fowler would have had to send himself his resupply or travel into trail towns to purchase food. It is an amazing achievement but not without consequences . . . including significant health issues. Interestingly, Fowler walked his hike SOBO.

An Oklahoma hiker traveling alone shattered the speed record for a self-supported thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. That means he trekked the 2,650-mile trail solo, without the backing of a crew to help him make camp, cook or care for his body along the arduous journey.

Starting in Washington state in July and heading south, Nick Fowler covered an average of about 51 miles per day for 52 days, 9 hours and 18 minutes. He arrived in Campo (San Diego County), near the Mexico border, on Sept. 6, having beaten the previous self-supported record by more than three days.

On Monday morning, Fowler said his body is paying the price for the effort: His toes and forefeet are still numb.

“I’m exhausted,” he told the Chronicle. “I’ve been doing nothing but eating and sleeping since I got home.”

Speed records on the Pacific Crest Trail — and for that matter the Appalachian Trail, too — have been falling the past several years as extreme endurance athletes have taken interest in one-upping each other to establish fastest known times, or FKTs, on America’s wilderness trails. Several of the players belong to the burgeoning global community of ultrarunners — niche performers who participate in 100-mile-plus foot races in the mountains — including Karel Sabbe, who last month smashed the record for a supported thru-hike of the PCT, completing the trail in 46 days.

Nick Fowler sits at the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail near the U.S.-Mexico border in early September.Nick Fowler

Fowler, by contrast, is a 35-year-old entrepreneur from Tulsa who says he hadn’t hiked much at all until four years ago. “I’m a nobody,” he told the Chronicle. “I’m brand new to this.”

In 2019, Fowler and his wife lit out in a van to visit all 63 national parks across the country. Along the way, he discovered a love for the outdoors and became fixated on pushing his body to the max.

Two years ago, he set the self-supported FKT on the 1,248-mile Pacific Northwest Trail, which crosses mountain ranges in Montana, Idaho and Washington. Last year he claimed the same record on the Ozark Trail in Missouri. His high mark for a single day of hiking is 78 miles, he said.

But each trek took a toll, and Fowler came away with ligament damage in his ankles and a stress fracture in one foot. Last winter, he prepared for the PCT while on crutches, healing from a foot injury.

The past several PCT record-setters have attacked the trail from south to north, in part to avoid the worst of late-summer heat in the Southern California desert. But Fowler thought heading in the reverse direction would give him an edge: He’d start in Washington’s Cascade Range, where last winter’s snowfall was relatively low, then hit the High Sierra later in summer, when its historic snowpack would be at its thinnest and the landscape would be most easily passable.

The first half of his hike was relatively fast and smooth. He went ultralight, carrying a kit with a base weight of just 7½ pounds, and covered 55 miles per day. Every few days he’d detour into a town to buy food or pick up resupply boxes of clothes and shoes he’d mailed himself along the route.

Then he hit the High Sierra, roughly halfway through, “and it all kind of hit the fan,” Fowler said.

Exhaustion, dizzy spells, a pulled quadriceps, and “the nastiest blister I ever had in my life” chipped away at Fowler’s well-being. Then his urine turned blood red, the result of a condition called rhabdomyolysis, when muscles break down and release their contents into the blood.

The 10,000 calories per day Fowler had budgeted wasn’t enough to sustain him, so his starving body started pulling proteins and electrolytes from his damaged muscles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines rhabdomyolysis, which can be triggered by intense exertion, as “a serious medical condition that can be fatal or result in permanent disability.”

“I kept going even though everyone was telling me to stop,” Fowler said.

Attempting such an extreme objective forces a person to confront physical and mental limits, said Heather “Anish” Anderson, an author and respected endurance adventurer who set the self-supported FKT in 2013. During her trek, she felt her body “really breaking down,” she said.

Near Mount Shasta, Fowler crossed paths with Sabbe, the ultrarunner working on his supported FKT, and the two snapped a selfie together. Sabbe was being paced by two crew members, one of whom Fowler saw shuttling cans of soda for Sabbe — standard procedure for supported thru-hikers but an impossibility for those going self-supported.

“I was so jealous,” Fowler said. “I would have done anything for a cold pop in certain places.”

While traversing the High Sierra, Fowler encountered a ranger who was warning hikers off the trail: A hurricane of historic proportions was bearing down on Southern California and was forecast to bring deadly conditions to the mountains there.

“I thought, ‘I’ve already gone through so much, I’m not turning back now,’ ” Fowler said.

When Hurricane Hilary reached the southern Sierra, Fowler had to spend nearly two days hunkered down in a cave in the mountains.Nick Fowler

“I came out of the Sierra thinking, ‘Thank God I don’t have to deal with water anymore,’ ” he said.

The final stretch in the desert was so hot, and Fowler was so physically depleted, that the rhabdomyolysis returned and the hiker’s hands locked up on him, making it difficult for him to buckle his backpack straps.

By the time he arrived at the trail’s southern terminus to meet his wife, Fowler had been out of food and water for hours and hadn’t seen another hiker in days. “I felt like crap,” he said. “It was a real rough finish.”

FastestKnownTime.com, the record keeper for mountain treks, is reviewing Fowler’s record claim, which includes his GPS track, photos and trail notes.

Several days after finishing, Fowler said he’s still “in a fog” mentally and physically but had no regrets.

“It’s the funnest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he said. “It’s just fascinating what the human body is capable of.”

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics:

1 to 3. Supposed scenes from the plot of "Unda."

Yet, only #3 comes close to this 'love' poem.

But, this is Lovecraft.

So, what's love got to do with it?

4. A nice video reading of this poem.

5 & 6. Complete collections of HPL's poetry, where this poem can be found.

Lovecraft: 1915 Output.

Intro: < M. Perez-Campos.

In 1914, Howard found out that M.W. Moe¹ wanted HPL to use other poetic forms - rather than always writing in heroic couplets.

Lovecraft defended his choice of poetic form based on it being a long standing habit of his & because of his personal antiquarian² outlook.

Or, as Howard put it, "As the strength of Antaeus³ depended on his contact with Mother Earth,⁴ so does (the full) merit (of) my verses depend (upon) their execution (in) this regular & time- honored measure."⁵

It would take another year before HPL composed a new response to Moe's challenge.

"Unda" was first shared with R. Kleiner⁶ - in one of Howard's long letters, on September of 1915.

The Work: "Unda, Bride of the Sea."

Dedication: To M.W. Moe, Esquire.⁷

Quote: "Ego, canus, lunam cuna"⁸ - Maevius Bavianus.⁹

Text: < hplovecraft.com

Black loom the crags of the uplands behind me; Dark are the sands of the far stretching shore.

Dim are the pathways & rocks that remind me, Sadly of years (now) lost evermore.¹⁰

Soft laps the ocean on wave polished boulders; (And) sweet is the sound (so) familiar to me.

Here, with her head gently bent (by) my shoulder, Walked I with Unda, the Bride of the Sea.¹¹

Bright was the morn of my youth when I met her, Sweet as the breeze that blew over the brine.

Swift was I captured in Love's strongest fetter, Glad to be her's & she glad to be mine.

Never a question asked I where she wandered, Never asked she of my birth:¹²

Happy as children, we thought not nor pondered,¹³ Glad with the bounty of ocean & earth.

Once, when... moonlight played soft (among) the billows, High on the cliff over the waters we stood,

Bound was her hair with a garland of willows,¹⁴ Plucked by the fount in the bird haunted wood.

Strangely she gazed on the surges beneath her, Charmed by the sound or entranced by the light.¹⁵

Then did the waves a wild aspect¹⁶ bequeath her, Stern as the ocean & weird as the night.

Coldly she left me, astonished & weeping, Standing alone¹⁷ amid the regions she blessed:

Down, ever downward, half gliding (&) creeping, Stole the sweet Unda in (an) oceanward quest.

Calm grew the sea & tumultuous beating, Turned to a ripple,¹⁸ as Unda the fair,

Trod the wet sands in affectionate greeting, Beckoned to me & no longer was there!¹⁹

Long did I pace by the banks where she vanished:²⁰ High climbed the moon & descended again.

Grey broke the dawn til the sad night was banished, still ached my soul (in) infinite pain.

Footnotes:

1. Maurice Winter Moe was an American amateur journalist & English teacher in Appleton, Wisconsin & also at Milwaukee, same state.

Moe 1st knew of HPL in 1914 & was able to present A. Galpin (an out- standing student of his) to Lovecraft.

As Moe was the pios sort, the 2 men (Moe & Howard) discussed truth & religion frequently.

2. An antiquarian is someone who studies history & collects antiques or rare books.

3. Antaeus ("opponent") was a giant of Libya (North Africa at that ancient time) who got his immense strength from touching the Earth.

A son of the gods (Poseidon & Gaia), Antaeus challenged every traveler that passed by to wrestle him.

And then, killed them all...

Sadly for Antaeus, Hercules lifted him off of the Earth & crushed him to death in midair!!

Strangely enough, the Berbers knew Antaeus as Anti.

And, when Quintus Sertorius (a Ro- man commander) visited Tangier eons later, he was shown Anti's giant bones!

Hurriedly closing up the massive tumulus (burial mound), the Roman made offerings to Anti's spirit & also magnified the tomb's rep!!

4. Mother Earth is the personification of nature in the form of a goddess - with many local Greek names.

The Mycenaean Greeks were the 1st to call her Maka, "Mother Earth."

In English, the 1st use of a Mother Nature (as the "world") was in 1266.

'She' became widely popular during the Middle Ages.

That popularity would resurface in the 1970s, when a TV ad revealed that "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature!"

Many other 'appearances' would follow this margarine ad.

The last that I know of was in 2016's "Moana", where she's known as Te Fiti, "the Mother Island."

5. A measure or meter is the basic rhyming structure of a line of verse.

Many traditional forms follow certain sets of rhymes alternating in specific order.

Lovecraft's preferred poetic form is the heroic couplet, a pair of rhyming lines used for serious themes.

Basically, it's a 10-beat line with alternating 'stressed' & 'unstressed' syllables.

6. Rheinhart Kleiner was an exquisite & sensitive poet, critic & an early correspondent of Howard's.

Kleiner inspired HPL to write poetry & criticized Lovecraft's racist & atheist philosophy.

Their letters covered eroticism, racial prejudice, poetic 'art', their upbring- ing & etc...

7. Esquire was a courtesy title that was added to the last name of all lawyers.

It isn't used, in the U.S., any more.

In Britain, however, an esquire is any property held only by the eldest son of the younger sons of 'peers' & certain other officials.

8. Latin for "I, Canus, cradle the moon."

Julius Canus ("grey-white, aged & wise") was a Stoic Roman philosopher who appeared - in a friend's 'vision' - after he was killed by Caligula's men!

9. These are actually the names of 2 Roman poets in the age of Augustus.

They are only known for bad poems & the malicious criticism of better poets!

Horace (best Roman poet) actually "invited the gods to drown Maevius", while that poet was aboard a ship!!

10. No, not Taylor Swift's 2020 album.

Basically, Howard meant "forever" or "always."

Nowadays, evermore is generally used in church.

11. This is actually a nickname for any coastal city - like Boston, NYC or San Francisco.

But, Venice is officially known by this name!

There's, at least, 2 films , an opera & book - even a shipwreck - all with that name...

12. Strangely enough, here HPL is saying that social status wasn't important - to Unda ("sea waves").

But, Lovecraft's just trying to fit in with Moe's own philosophy...

We know that Howard never really changed his mind on being a racist & white supremacist.

13. The narrator shared a love that was innocent & pure - like a child's ready acceptance of other kids.

14. A garland of willows fits right in, as it's a reminder of being abandoned.

15. Although charmed means "to be influenced as if by an amulet or magic spell."

It also means "to be filled with wonder & delight."

Entrance was originally "to be put under a spell" & "to be mesmerized."

Now, it's a bit more 'positive', "to be charmed" not "cursed."

16. An aspect is usually "a particular part of something else" or "how some- thing is regarded."

But, I think HPL is writing about the aspects of one's self:

A. The physical body.

B. The intellect & consciousness.

C. The emotional/intuitive spirit/soul.

17. I don't think Unda was the only one that was hypnotized.

He stood there, crying, but never did anything to help save his gal-friend!!

18. For a woman who's named after the biggest "waves", Unda sure walked out into a surprisingly calm sea.

Whatever 'force' claimed her, it had control over the oceans...

19 & 20. At no time are we told that Unda drowned in the ocean.

Mythologically speaking, water is seen as a sort of permeable barrier between the living & the dead.

Rather, she "was not there."

Then, a few lines down, she actually "vanished."

Into midair?!!

Next: Part 2.

[giandelso]

MTB by IA in Madrid... The result is bad

Introduction

Madrid is a city of contrasts. It's the capital of Spain, but it's also home to a large number of expats who have made it their home--and they've brought with them a wealth of culture and traditions from around the world. The city has many parks and green spaces that make it feel like you're far from the hustle and bustle of urban life, yet Madrid is also full of museums, galleries and theaters that can keep you entertained for days on end. Madrid's terrain lends itself well to mountain biking: The city sits at an elevation between 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea level in some places down to about 650 feet (200 meters) below sea level along the Manzanares River Valley--which means there are plenty opportunities for hills!

The Best Mountain Biking Trails in Madrid

Madrid is a city with many faces, but it's also one that can be explored on two wheels. If you're looking to get up close and personal with Madrid's natural beauty, then mountain biking is the way to go. The city has dozens of trails that will take you through parks and forests as well as urban areas--and they're all accessible by public transportation. If you're new to mountain biking or just want some advice on where to start your journey through Madrid's urban landscape, here are some tips:

Start out slow! There are several beginner-friendly routes in Madrid that make for great introductions into this activity if you've never tried it before (or even if this isn't your first time). One such trail starts at Plaza de Cibeles (one of our favorite spots) and winds through Parque del Retiro before ending at Casa de Campo park; another goes from Atocha train station all the way up past El Pardo Palace until it reaches Castilla y León Avenue; yet another takes riders around Parque Juan Carlos I via Ronda de Atocha Station--which means there are plenty of opportunities for photo ops along each route!

Equipment and Safety Tips for Mountain Biking in Madrid

You'll need a mountain bike, of course. You can rent one for about $20 per day at a shop like Bicimaximo (http://bicimaximo.com/en/). Be sure to ask about their gear rental options as well--you might want to bring your own helmet and cycling shoes, but they may have other things you can borrow or rent from them. If you're going on a longer ride or plan on mountain biking in Madrid frequently, it might be worth investing in your own set of gear. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars on top-of-the-line equipment; there are plenty of affordable options out there that will still get the job done well enough for most people's needs.* *We recommend checking out REI (http://www.rei.com/) if this sounds appealing!

The Best Time to Go Mountain Biking in Madrid

Madrid is a city that's known for its temperate climate. The average temperature in Madrid ranges from about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) in January to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) in July, with most of the year seeing temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18-27 degrees Celsius). The best time to go mountain biking in Madrid is during the spring or fall months when you can enjoy cooler weather without having to worry about rain or snow. If you're planning on riding outside your hotel room window at night, however, be aware that Madrid has quite a bit of fog during winter months--so if your trip coincides with this time period, bring along some extra lights!

The Best Places to Stay for Mountain Biking in Madrid

There are many great neighborhoods to stay in when mountain biking in Madrid. The city has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a hostel with a party vibe or a hotel that offers luxury amenities and service. Here are some of our favorites:

Chueca: Chueca is known as one of the most gay-friendly neighborhoods in Spain, but it's also home to plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs that cater to all types of travelers. There's no shortage of hotels here--you can find everything from budget hostels (like HI Hostel Madrid) all the way up through five-star properties like Hotel Urbano Madrid Suites & Spa if you want something extra special!

Malasaña: This area is popular among young professionals who want an urban experience without being too close to downtown tourist attractions like Plaza Mayor or Puerta del Sol (both just over 5 km away). It's also home to some excellent restaurants, shops and nightlife spots such as La Madriguera Bar - Restaurante de Cocina Tradicional Española where traditional Spanish food reigns supreme!

Tips for Eating and Drinking While Mountain Biking in Madrid

The best places to eat and drink are in the city's central neighborhoods, where you'll find everything from tapas bars to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Madrid has a rich culinary history that dates back centuries; it's home to some of Spain's most famous dishes, including gazpacho (a cold tomato soup), cocido madrileño (a hearty stew) and tortilla de patatas (potato omelette).

If you're looking for cheap eats, head over to Mercado San Miguel on Plaza Mayor for some excellent food stalls selling everything from paella to grilled meats at reasonable prices. For something more upscale but still affordable, check out La Tasquita de Enfrente on Calle del Prado or La Terraza del Casino de Madrid near Puerta del Sol - both offer classic Spanish dishes like fish soup with chickpeas or roasted pork belly with caramelized onions alongside modern twists like avocado toast with smoked salmon or chicken wings drizzled in honey mustard sauce.*

The Best Events and Races for Mountain Biking in Madrid

If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, there are plenty of mountain biking events and races in Madrid that can help you get your fix. The city has hosted the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup since 2011 and it's still going strong today. If you want to participate in this event, be sure to register early because it fills up quickly! If you prefer a less competitive atmosphere, there are plenty of other options available as well. For example:

Madrid Challenge: An annual race where participants can choose between three different routes based on their skill level (novice, intermediate or advanced). There's also a kids' race that takes place alongside its parent event every year--it's free for children under 12 years old!

Road Cycling Tour de France: This annual cycling tour takes place every July as part of Madrid Challenge weekend; it includes stops at some of Spain's most famous landmarks including Plaza Mayor Square and Puerta del Sol Plaza among others before ending back where it started at Madrid City Hall Plaza Mayor Square after covering approximately 100 kilometers total distance over two days time span each year since 2014 when first introduced into program lineup by organizers behind both events together with support from local government officials who helped provide necessary infrastructure needed such as road closures along route paths taken by riders during competition period so people could safely watch without getting hit by cars while crossing streets etcetera...

Tips for Exploring Madrid on Two Wheels

The city of Madrid has a lot to offer, but you can only see it from the ground. If you want to get up close and personal with the sights and sounds of this beautiful city, then mountain biking is for you. Here are some tips for exploring Madrid on two wheels:

Overview of the city’s attractions

The Royal Palace (Palacio Real) was built in 1764 by King Charles III as his official residence and remains so today. It's one of Madrid's most recognizable landmarks thanks to its neoclassical architecture, which blends Greek Revival elements with Baroque influences--and it's also home to some incredible art collections!

Description of best places to visit

Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid's oldest plazas and features several notable buildings including Casa de la Panaderia (House of Bread), an 18th century bakery that now serves tapas; Casa de Correos (Post Office), which was built in 1635 but has since been renovated multiple times; Iglesia de San Antonio de los Portugueses (Church St Anthony), which houses a statue depicting St Anthony holding baby Jesus; Palacio de las Cortes Generales (Parliament Building) where Spain's lower house meets every year during October through December; Plaza del Sol ("Sun Square") which hosts concerts during summer months while also serving as a popular meeting point for locals who gather here daily at noon when they hear church bells ring out across all corners

Conclusion

Madrid is a city that's not only steeped in history but also has a thriving culture of mountain biking. The city's unique terrain, as well as its cycling culture and community, make it an ideal place for exploring on two wheels. If you're looking for an exciting way to spend your time in Madrid and want to experience something new, then consider renting or borrowing some bikes and hitting the trails! You'll be able to see parts of the city that most tourists don't even know exist--and get some exercise while doing so!

[hakesbros]

Westside Northwest Albuquerque Albuquerque Real Property Venturi Realty Group

In Albuquerque, regulation enforcement has struggled to handle back-to-back years of record homicides and persistent gun violence. — A 39-year-old felon who overwhelmingly lost a bid for the New Mexico statehouse as a Republican paid for four men to shoot at Democratic lawmakers' homes in current months, including one house where a 10-year-old girl was asleep, police mentioned. Police said at a press conference Pena had denied his election loss and had approached the commissioners and lawmakers at their homes, claiming election fraud was involved new homes albuquerque. Police mentioned more people could be charged within the shootings and some suspects were in custody. In early January, Albuquerque police and federal agents began an investigation into whether or not the shootings that hit Democratic lawmakers’ homes this winter have been connected or politically motivated.

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Eater Magazine named Albuquerque one of many Top Food Cities to Travel to in 2023. Albuquerque is one of only two U.S. cities included on the record. The listing also homes for sale in albuquerque nm acknowledged 25 Albuquerque eating places, mentioning local favorites similar to Sawmill Market, Campo at Los Poblanos, and M’tucci’s Bar Roma.

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Police mentioned Peña had beforehand shown up uninvited at the homes of two elected officers with what he claimed have been documents proving that he had won his race. There was no proof of widespread voter fraud, or any irregularity involving sufficient votes to vary a result, in New Mexico in 2020 or 2022. Peña has an initial court appearance Wednesday on costs homes for sale in albuquerque new mexico including multiple counts of taking pictures at a home and capturing from a motorcar, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was launched from prison in March 2016, and had his voting rights restored after finishing 5 years probation in April 2021, corrections officers stated.

Peña spent 9 years behind bars after his arrest in April 2007 for stealing electronics and different items from retail stores as a half of what authorities described as a housebreaking crew. He was released from prison in March 2016, and he had his voting rights restored after completing 5 years of probation in April 2021, corrections officials mentioned. Fannie Mae has chosen five proposals to help advance racial equity in housing through the $5 Million Innovation Challenge, designed to help in finding solutions to remove obstacles in the home renting and homebuying expertise. “I didn’t lose nada, it was rigged,” Pena posted on his Twitter account on Jan. 2, three days earlier than the final capturing he allegedly went on to set up. Peña is accused of collaborating within the ultimate shooting — the one which targeted the house of state Sen. Linda Lopez.

To that finish, most Stacker stories are freely out there to republish underneath a Creative Commons License, and we encourage you to share our stories together with your viewers. There are a quantity of pointers and restrictions, which you'll evaluate under. The Real Property Division coordinates and critiques exterior contracted value determinations homes for sale albuquerque, that are used to ascertain fair market value of properties. The appraisal workers acts as valuation consultants to all City Departments when getting ready preliminary recommendations for web site places, budgets and compensation for vacating unused right-of-way. Here is the Albuquerque real estate worth appreciation graph by Zillow for the past decade.

[puffinet]

i know walter pater is not A Source you can depend on but his prose about dionysian religion is soooo...

The religion of Dionysus takes us back, then, into that old Greek life of the vineyards, as we see it on many painted vases, with much there as we should find it now, as we see it in Bennozzo Gozzoli's mediaeval fresco of the Invention of Wine in the Campo Santo at Pisa- -the family of Noah presented among all the circumstances of a Tuscan vineyard, around the press from which the first wine is flowing, a painted idyll, with its vintage colours still opulent in decay, and not without its solemn touch of biblical symbolism. For differences, we detect in that primitive life, and under that Greek sky, a nimbler play of fancy, lightly and unsuspiciously investing all things with personal aspect and incident, and a certain mystical apprehension, now almost departed, of unseen powers beyond the material veil of things, corresponding to the exceptional vigour and variety of the Greek organisation. This peasant life lies, in unhistoric time, behind the definite forms with which poetry and a refined [21] priesthood afterwards clothed the religion of Dionysus; and the mere scenery and circumstances of the vineyard have determined many things in its development. The noise of the vineyard still sounds in some of his epithets, perhaps in his best-known name—Iacchus, Bacchus. The masks suspended on base or cornice, so familiar an ornament in later Greek architecture, are the little faces hanging from the vines, and moving in the wind, to scare the birds. That garland of ivy, the aesthetic value of which is so great in the later imagery of Dionysus and his descendants, the leaves of which, floating from his hair, become so noble in the hands of Titian and Tintoret, was actually worn on the head for coolness; his earliest and most sacred images were wrought in the wood of the vine. The people of the vineyard had their feast, the little or country Dionysia, which still lived on, side by side with the greater ceremonies of a later time, celebrated in December, the time of the storing of the new wine. It was then that the potters' fair came, calpis and amphora, together with lamps against the winter, laid out in order for the choice of buyers; for Keramus, the Greek Vase, is a son of Dionysus, of wine and of Athene, who teaches men all serviceable and decorative art. Then the goat was killed, and its blood poured out at the root of the vines; and Dionysus literally drank the blood of goats; and, being Greeks, with quick and mobile sympathies, [22] deisidaimones,+ "superstitious," or rather "susceptible of religious impressions," some among them, remembering those departed since last year, add yet a little more, and a little wine and water for the dead also; brooding how the sense of these things might pass below the roots, to spirits hungry and thirsty, perhaps, in their shadowy homes. But the gaiety, that gaiety which Aristophanes in the Acharnians has depicted with so many vivid touches, as a thing of which civil war had deprived the villages of Attica, preponderates over the grave. The travelling country show comes round with its puppets; even the slaves have their holiday;* the mirth becomes excessive; they hide their faces under grotesque masks of bark, or stain them with wine-lees, or potters' crimson even, like the old rude idols painted red; and carry in midnight procession such rough symbols of the productive force of nature as the women and children had best not look upon; which will be frowned upon, and refine themselves, or disappear, in the feasts of cultivated Athens.

[prettywildmedia]

It was so cozy sleeping in this cabin. 💜 Some more views from my room. 47°35′34″ N  24°24′52″ E

[travelbinge]

By Tillotoro

Exploradores Glacier, Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Region, Chile 

[bertimae04]

Land of Marinara Sauce or Land of the Carnival?

By: Liberty Burke

Italy and Brazil are rivals when it comes to football, so it is a great opportunity to compare the two countries.

Italy has at least 30 amazing tourist attractions like the Colosseum in Rome, the Grand Canal in Venice, Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Piazza del Campo in Siena, and etc. Due to all of the wonderous sights, at least 49 million people a year visit Italy. Another aspect of Italy that a lot of tourists can't wait to get to is the food. Some of Italy's best restaurants consist of La Pergola, Enoteca Pinchiorri, Trattoria Trippa, and etc.

When going out, Italians have to dress for the weather. It's usually hot and dry in the summer, while during the winter, it's cold and rainy. During any kind of weather, Italians usually wear bright colors and more upscale clothing. To pay for these fancy, bright outfits, they use Euros. One Euro is worth $1.06 in the US.

Italy's economic freedom score is 65.4, making it's economy the 57th freest in the 2022 index. It is ranked 33 among 45 countries in the European region. The Italian economy slowed from the years 2017 all the way through 2019. Then it contracted in 2020 and started to go back up in 2021. Since 2017, Italy has more economic freedom . They have more trade freedom, monetary freedom, and investment freedom.

In comparison to Italy, Brazil only gets about 6 million tourists per year and they have about 13 really famous spots instead of almost 30. The number one place to visit while in Brazil is Cristo Redentor and Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, followed by Sugar Loaf, Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, and etc. While in Brazil, some great places to eat are D.O.M, Mani, Olympe, and etc.

Unlike Italy, Brazil's summers are very wet. They are also hot and humid. During the winter, it snows and is very cold. Most Brazilians were simple clothes, made from inexpensive cotton. Instead of fancy, bright and colorful clothes, the Brazilians usually dress in skirts, jeans, and simple T-shirts. To pay for these clothing items, they use the Brazilian Real, which only amounts to $0.20 in the US.

Brazil's economic freedom score is only 53.3, making its economy 133rd freest in the 2022 index. Brazil's economic growth slowed down in 2019, then rebounded in 2021. Brazil is in the "Mostly Unfree countries" list.

Citattions:

[jackredfieldwasmyjacob]

Hi I'm going on erasmus to spain next year and im still unsure weather i should go to Madrid or Valencia. Do you maybe have any tips or advice? thanks anyway!!

Thank you anon!!! I live in Madrid so I'm forced to say my city is better, but all jokes aside, here are some characteristics / tips for each of the city, depending on what you're looking for!

Madrid:

Right in the center of the country and all trains go there so if you want to travel around Spain it's way easier

Big city with a big public transportation system and almost every international store / food place can be found here

Lots of nature nearby, it's right by the Guadarrama Mountains and you can visit them by train

A lot of multiculturalism, green spaces (Casa de Campo is larger than Central Park, and the Retiro Park is really really pretty) and activities (museums are the best in the country, especially the Prado and Reina Sofía museums!)

Tapas are the best in the country (and in almost all bars you can get them for free with your drink), and our local dishes like bocata de calamares (calamari baguette) and cocido are also great (oh and chocolate con churros during the winter >>>>>>)

Worse weather, it rains a bit more than in Valencia (not much tho) and it's both colder and hotter here (it can get to -15ºC in winter and 40ºC in summer)

Very crowded, especially the touristic places can get very stressful (but there's a lot of places to see, both in and out of the city)

In some areas everything is more expensive than in other parts of the country, especially in the city center

Valencia:

In the coast so that means humidity but also milder weather and lots of beaches!! (the most popular one is the Malvarossa beach)

The whole Valencia Autonomous Community is very pretty (it's made up of the provinces of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante!), and full of English-speaking expats so you'll have no trouble comunicating

Speaking of languages, they speak Valencian here (a dialect of Catalan), so I recommend at least learning some phrases!

It's the third largest city in the country with a population just under a million inhabitants, so it's less crowded than Madrid but still feels like a big city

You have beutiful sights like the Albufera Natural Park (a wetland area) or the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (which holds the largest aquarium in Europe!)

It also has a metro and a short-distance train so you'll be able to move freely within the city (and I'm sure you can also catch buses and trains to other cities in the autonomous community)

Lot's of cool festivities like Fallas and Fogueres take place here, some of the most important and well-known Spanish festivities are actually Valencian (or Alicantinan in case of Fogueres, but it's also celebrated there), I believe even the Tomatina (tomato fight) is from a nearby town.

Speaking of Spanish typical stuff, Paella was born here! So, if you wanna taste the best Paella, this is the place to do so (don't try it in the touristy places tho). Another typical dishes in Valencia are orxata, made with xufa (tiger nut), and typically eaten with fartons (it's kinda like the same deal with chocolate and churros in Madrid, but make it Valencian).

Being in the western coast makes it difficult to travel to certain areas of the country, like Galicia or Euskadi.

I feel like I have to mention humidity again cause it's really the worst

Less multicultural than Madrid

It isn't a cheap city either, it's still cheaper than Madrid but still

I hope I could help you, and no matter which city you choose, I'm sure you'll have a great time here :)

[amazingarchitecturewebsite]

Araucária Greenhouse in Campos do Jordão, #Brazil by Angá Arquitetura @anga.arquitetura. Read more: Link in bio! Photography: Carolina Lacaz @carolina.lacaz. Situated on land that was bought by her great-grandparents, this house is where Carolina, one of the architects of Angá Arquitetura, spent all of her childhood holidays. She went for both summer and winter vacations with her brother and grandmother and stayed for the entire month. She has always loved working outdoors, being close to the farm animals - her passion since she was a little girl - and spending time with her family. Her grandmother and mother are plant lovers and her father enjoys jigsaw puzzles and good wine… #saopaulo #camposdojordao #архитектура www.amazingarchitecture.com ✔ A collection of the best contemporary architecture to inspire you. #design #architecture #amazingarchitecture #architect #arquitectura #luxury #realestate #life #cute #architettura #interiordesign #photooftheday #love #travel #construction #furniture #instagood #fashion #beautiful #archilovers #home #house ‎#amazing #picoftheday #architecturephotography ‎#معماری (at Campos do Jordão, Brazil) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkZzgHnMx7Z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[waywardodysseys]

Campo di Battaglia - Chapter 7

violazione

Pairing: Mob!Ransom Drysdale x reader

Warnings: sex dream, male masturbation, cussing, angst, hot & heavy action

Author’s note: I’m tagging people who might like this; my gratitude is overflowing for one of the best people in the world @zechs-merquise 

This is a Knives Out AU where the Thrombey family is in the mafia world.

Campo di Battaglia - Chps. 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

The fireplace crackles as Ransom pulls her into his arms. He’s glad they decided to stay in, instead of heading out. The weatherman predicted only five inches of snow and now it's closing in on ten.

“We’re going to have a white Christmas,” she remarks, as she rests her head against him, “it's going to be really beautiful.”

Ransom kisses her neck tenderly as he moves a hand down her side, “It’s not the only thing.”

She giggles. He thinks it’s the sweetest sound ever. “Hugh.”

Ransom moans at her saying his first name. “Only you can call me by that name.”

She hums as he moves his mouth down her shoulder. The sensation of his trimmed winter beard sends goosebumps across her flesh. She arches her back as he finds the sweet spot at the base of her neck again.

“Please,” she whispers, “I need you.”

“I want to take my time,” Ransom teases as he snakes a hand under her negligee.

“Hugh,” she lowly moans as his hand moves up and cups her breast, “please. I can't wait.”

Ransom moves his other hand under the sheer fabric and cups her other breast. His thumbs flick her nipples, causing her to moan once again. He knows she wants more.

She slips from his arms and turns to face him. Her mouth crashes against his as her hands travel over his shirtless chest and pushes him slowly back against the faux fur rug in front of the fireplace.

Y/N straddles his body then pulls away to look down at him. 

He smiles up at her. He loves it when she takes control. He keeps his blue eyes on her as she yanks her negligee off. His hands roam over her warm flesh and cup her breasts. Ransom sits up and flicks his tongue over one nipple then the other.

She grinds against him as her hands fly to his head. Her fingers moving through his hair. “Hugh,” she purrs.

“Y/N, my queen, my everything,” Ransom punctuates each name with a kiss down the valley between her breasts before he reaches up to cup her face, bringing her mouth down to his. He kisses her deeply then pulls away breathlessly.

She looks down into his ocean blue eyes and smiles. Ransom sees the love in her eyes she has for him. They’ve come so far from the first day he walked into her bookshop months ago.

She roams a hand over his chest and palms his hard cock over his jeans. She grins as she pushes Ransom back down and nips at his neck. “I want what is mine.”

“Take me, I’m all yours,” Ransom growls as she begins to leave a trail of kisses down his chest and stomach. He feels her hands undoing his pants, feels one hand reaching in and grabs his hard cock. 

She kneels between his open legs as she pushes his jeans down over his hips, exposing his cock. Within seconds her mouth is engulfing his cock and her tongue is swirling around the tip.           

Ransom sucks in a breath as his hands card themselves through her hair. Her mouth is soft and warm around his cock but he can't wait to be buried deep within her slick walls as she rides him.

“Y/N,” Ransom pants as his orgasm simmers within him, “mmm--yes--”

She moves her head up and down his cock, lathering him with her saliva. She swirls her tongue around the tip, teasing him and tasting his juices. She feels his fingers tighten against her scalp as his orgasm rises rapidly.

“Ride me Y/N,” Ransom pants as he gently grinds against your mouth, “I need to be inside you. Now.”

Ransom sees her give a devilish grin as she releases his cock from her mouth. She crawls up his body and straddles him, reaching back towards his cock. Ransom keeps his eyes on his hardened cock as she sinks slowly onto it.

“Fuck, yes!” Ransom hisses as he feels her slick walls around him.

He places his hands on her hips as she begins riding him slowly. Her hands splayed on his chest, her fingers finding refuge by digging into his skin. Ransom takes her all in as he thrusts up to meet the rolling of her hips.

“Oh--Hugh,” she gasps as her fingernails dig in deeper.

Ransom doesn’t mind her marks in his skin. He belongs to her, no other woman. This woman with her tilted head to the side and arched back, her teeth biting at her bottom lip. This beautiful woman riding him is his, and his alone.

“Come for me my queen,” Ransom growls as his own hands grasp her hips tightly as he thrusts more roughly up into her, “come for me.”

Ransom feels her slick walls vibrating around his cock. At the sensation of feeling her climax against him, Ransom moans loudly, “Y/N!” He thrusts up once more, making sure he’s buried deep as he empties himself inside of her.

Seconds after coming down from the high, she falls on top of Ransom’s chest. Ransom wraps his arms around her, holding her tight against him. He doesn't want to let go, never will let go.

He skims a finger down her spine as he whispers, “Marry me?”

Ransom wakes with a startled gasp. His cock’s already hard and the ache building inside of him needs to be released. He’s enthralled by her, utterly consumed by everything she is. He had his first taste of her tonight and he couldn't get enough. He wanted more; he needed more.

Marry me. The phrase lingers in his mind as he lies back against the headboard. He never thought marriage was possible for him. Due to the trainwreck that was his parents' marriage he was forced to grow up in, it was always something that seemed unreachable to him but with her it could be . With her by his side, he could take on anything - the world, his family, her father. She would be his ally, his only ally within this god forsaken kingdom. And in return, he would be her ally. Fair is fair in the game of love. 

Ransom reaches under the sheet and begins to stroke his aching cock as he remembers her pillowy soft lips against his. How they parted for him so he could explore more. He remembers one of her hands traveling up his arm and the other on his side. He had felt her fingers grasping onto him, it felt like she didn't want to let go either.

He thinks about her sleeping in his bed, inside his house. He thinks, is she able to smell me on my sheets? Does it turn her on? Would she be touching herself in my bed? Or maybe, she touches herself in the shower?

He had professed his love for her and he hadn't even been with her in the most intimate way two people could be together. He was ready to lay his life down and risk it all for her, but he felt she wasn't ready to do the same. He knew he had a long road ahead of him to prove himself to her. He had to find out who did this to her because if he didn’t, he knew he would lose her, and that could never happen. 

Ransom grunts loudly as he climaxes, ropes of hot liquid cover his hand and belly. The high from the orgasm keeps his body on fire as he thinks about her riding him, her fingernails digging into his skin, marking him. She is the only woman for him. 

“Y/N,” Ransom moans as he closes his eyes and lets sleep pull him under.

-------

Nora pours herself a cup of coffee as she hears Harry walk into the kitchen. She could tell something was amiss last night when Harry came back to the house alone. He had looked pissed off and mumbled his response of ‘with that no good son of a bitch’ when she had asked him where Y/N was. Nora knew not to press any further when Harry was angry, so she dropped the subject.

When she watched Y/N walk in the door with Nico two hours later, and Nora had seen the distraught look and slight redness in her eyes, her suspicions were confirmed. She had wanted to press about the events of the evening but didn’t ask when you had only whispered, “I’m going to bed.”

Nora’s mind raced with worry and questions. She knew they had gone to Thrombey Manor to have dinner with Ransom. Nora knew the night wasn’t going to go well. Placing Ransom Drysdale, mob boss, in a room with Harry Y/L/N, FBI agent, was a horrible idea and gauging from both Harry and Y/N’s moods when they returned, the night did not go as planned.

Judging by the sour look donning Harry’s features as he enters the kitchen, it seems sleep did not come easy, if at all, for the angry father last night. Nora isn’t exactly sure how this early morning conversation is going to go but she decides to go for it. “Good morning, Harry,” Nora utters as she takes a sip of the hot caffeinated liquid she uses as fuel. 

“Morning Nora,” Harry’s voice is curt and clipped with anger. He pours himself a cup of coffee as well and takes a sip.

“Still leaving today?” She gently inquires, trying not to sound as if she is prying.

“I am,” Harry rests against the kitchen island. He hasn’t talked much to Nora regarding Ransom Drysdale. Harry sneers at the thought of his name. “Nora?”

“Yes?” Nora hums, turning herself towards Harry, giving him her full attention.

“What’s your perception of Ransom Drysdale?”

Nora snorts adding a distasteful eye-roll before she answers, “I went to high school with him. He was your run-of-the-mill rich kid. Although he was more of a troublemaker and a douchebag. The smart ones in school knew to avoid him. The others, though, well they just fell right in, went along with his lifestyle and all the trouble that came with it.”

“Guessing you didn’t run with his crowd?”

Nora shakes her head, “I did not.”

“And now, what's your impression?”

“I still think he's trouble because of his lifestyle but,” Nora pauses, “ever since Y/N walked into his life I can tell he’s changed. Well, trying to change for the better.” Nora glances over at Harry, “Did she tell you he sent bouquets of flowers to her shop for three weeks? Every day the shop was open, a bouquet of flowers was delivered to her.”

Harry shakes his head, takes a sip. “She did not.”

Nora smiles, “I think there’s some good in him, and with her in his life, he’s trying his damnedest to be a good man. He showed up at the hospital the night of the fire. I saw the concern on his face, heard the worry in his voice,” she walks over to Harry, “he even admitted he cared for her. When he said he did, I didn’t want to believe him, but I heard the genuine sincerity in his voice when he said he cared for her and she’s the only person he truly cares for.”

“And what do you think of all this protection?” Harry gestures around, referring to the house and the men outside guarding the place.

Nora shrugs, “To the average person, like me, it seems a little too much but he wants to protect her. I honestly think he’d scorch the very earth we stand on if something ever happened to her. I also think he’d die for her if it meant she was alive and happy, and safe.”

“She’s lucky to have you as her best friend,” Harry remarks.

Nora smiles, “And she’s lucky to have you as her father.” Nora reaches out and pats the top of Harry’s hand when she sees you walking towards the kitchen, “it was good to see you again. Don’t be a stranger,” Nora walks away from Harry and towards her room.

Harry smiles weakly, “Good to see you too.” Harry turns around and lets his tired eyes sweep over you. He had a restless night, barely any sleep had come because his mind was racked with his daughter and the mob boss. He had thought of ways to force you to come out to Vegas, return home and live in the same city as Rose and him. You’d even be in the same time zone as your step brothers.

You walk into the kitchen and glance at your father. “Restless night?”

“I want you to come home!” Harry grounds out.

“I’m staying dad,” you retort as you pour a cup of coffee.

“Tell me, why do you want to stay?” Harry questions as he gives you a once over. You’re his baby girl. He doesn’t want to lose you, doesn’t want the next call he receives to be one informing him you are missing, or worse, dead.

“Why do you need a reason?” You inquire as you take a sip of coffee. “I’m a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions.”

Harry leans back against the counter, “You want to stay because of him, don’t you?” Harry presses on when you don’t answer, “If he wasn’t involved in any way, shape, or form, when all this happened, I bet you’d be on the plane with me, heading back to Vegas.”

“Maybe you are right, dad. However, that's not how this situation has worked out. This is my home now and I won't let someone scare me into leaving. Besides I am needed here, I have people I need to look out for and take care of.” You rest your forearms on the cold countertop. It is a welcome relief to your skin that has become heated due to the frustration this conversation with your father is causing.

“That is a load of bullshit, Y/N! You want to stay because of him. He is nothing but a monster, sweetie. You need to see him the way everyone else does.”

You push up from the counter, something in you snapped when your father called Ransom a monster, “Ransom is human dad! Is he perfect? Absolutely not. But what you fail to see is, he is trying to be a better person, for me. He admires you for taking a stand against him for my sake! He acknowledges I am your daughter and you want me safe! He has never laid a hand on me! He’s defended my honor, and has killed a man because that specific man touched me without my consent! He may be ruthless and an asshole, but when it comes to me he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure I am safe. Ransom is willing to show me he has a heart and cares.” You argue in return.

Harry averts his gaze, purses his lips. “He killed someone?”

“Yes,” you respond sharply. “You know what he does, who he is. You know he can do what he pleases and get away with it.”

Harry knows, without a doubt, Ransom has killed people in cold blood. All mob bosses pull the trigger without hesitation. He’d been on several cases back in Vegas involving the mafia and found the dead bodies piled up. He’s seen firsthand watching the mob boss pull the trigger as well. And here is his daughter, getting involved with a mob boss. “I knew I should’ve never let you come out here!” Harry yells, slamming his fist on the counter causing some of the coffee in his cup to spill out onto the countertop. Seeing the mess, he pinches the bridge of his nose before he then remarks, “What happens when the rest of his family finds out about what I do? You won’t be safe then.”

“He told you last night, he’d rather turn them all in, in order to protect me and to keep me safe.” You shake your head, realizing this conversation is going to only get worse.

Harry motions a circle with his hand. “It could just as easily get out to other mafia families I am law enforcement! Mafia families will not accept you because of your father’s profession Y/N! They will hunt you down and kill you, and more than likely kill Ransom too because he was involved with a federal agent’s daughter. They will make it known to everyone he can never be trusted again!” Harry points at you, “Which could lead to the two of you going into witness protection!”

“So?” You shout at him, “At least I’d have him!” Wait a second, back up. Are you admitting you care for Ransom? You two would spend the rest of your days in some back wood town with new identities and never see your family again. Never see Nora again. You’d have each other and it seems, that’s all that mattered to you.

You picture the scenario in your head: Ransom with a full grown beard coming home in a suit, him finding you in the kitchen cooking dinner, a scruffy yet fluffy dog perched on a dog bed. You and Ransom going at it like teenagers every chance you get because you can’t get enough of one another. Simple wedding bands on both his and yours fourth left fingers. Maybe the pitter patter of little feet because you two want to pass on the love you have for one another to a child. Secretive visits from Nora and your family, even though it was forbidden to do so, but you knew your father would find a way to see you and make sure Nora could see you too.

Harry glances at you after minutes of silence, “So there is something between you and Ransom? Because last night it seemed one sided, and it was all coming from him.”

You still didn’t know how you felt about him yet you had just pictured being with him because you did grow to love him. There was no one else trying to break through your scenario, no one else you wanted to be with for the rest of your life. No one else you wanted to come home to at the end of the day and wrap you in their arms then make love while dinner’s burning on the stove. No one except Ransom.

“Y/N?” Harry inquires softly.

“I,” you begin. You wait several beats before continuing, “I don’t know how I feel about him. I just know if I leave now, I will regret it for the rest of my life.”

“And that’s why you want to stay?”

You nod your head, “Yes.” You look away and then back at your dad, “Ransom even suggested I go back home, and I told him I couldn’t. I didn’t admit to him I don’t know how I feel. I just,” you stutter, “I just, I can’t be states away knowing he’s here alone trying to figure out what happened. I need to be here, I want to be here.”

Love knows no bounds, Harry thinks as he walks over and embraces you. “If that’s what you want then so be it.” He pulls back and cups your cheek, “But I need you to know, if I get another call and your well-being is in danger, I will not hold back. He will end up in the hospital from the pain and wrath I will bring upon him. Understood?”

You smile weakly, “Yes dad. I understand.”

Harry places a kiss on your forehead, “And I swear to God, if that boy breaks your heart I will make sure he is six feet under.”

“Dad!”

“You’re still my daughter sweetie. He still needs to prove himself worthy of you. To me, and to you as well. Don’t give into him so quickly, know what you feel before you take the leap and commit yourself as being Ransom’s other half.” Harry looks at you and smiles. He sees your mother in your features. Harry wonders what you’d think of her past, but this isn’t the time to divulge that particular information.

“I am taking my time dad. He’s been sending flowers for the past three weeks and I haven't given in.” Your feelings hadn’t (though they were on the verge of it), but your body sure had.

“Good. Make him earn you. Make him see you are worth more than anything else in this world.” Harry remarks, “Now let me finish packing, and you and your personal bodyguard may escort me to the airport.”

-------

A couple days later, you find yourself in the middle of a baking spree. Unfortunately when your anxiety tended to run off the rails, baking was your only comfort but fortunately for Nico, your willing guinea pig, he always had a sweet tooth. You had to do something to occupy yourself, you can't sit and stare at four walls endlessly.  You are in the kitchen, pulling out different ingredients while Nico sits at the island bartop with his self-made scorecard on a notepad in front of him. He’s made a list of everything you’ve made within the last twenty-four hours which featured two columns, one with a thumbs up and the other with a thumbs down.

“You’ve made six sweet treats so far Y/N,” Nico remarks. “What’s going to be lucky number seven?”

“I don’t know,” you huff as you look through a recipe book. “Is there something you want to try? Like you’ve always wondered about a particular sweet but never had it?”

Nico laughs. “Um, let me think,” his eyes glance down at the scorecard, “we’ve done chocolate chip cookies, Mississippi mud cake, caramel apple cupcakes, cinnamon twirl cookies, layered turtle cheesecake, and Hummingbird cake.” Nico thinks for a minute, “I haven't had pecan meltaways in years. My grandmother used to make them all the time for Christmas then she passed away. I’d love to have those again.”

You smile at Nico, “I’m sure I can find a recipe.”

You begin flipping through the cookbook, something you had brought with you from your apartment. It had family recipes from your grandmother, even some from your mom. You knew you’d have tons of free time therefore willing yourself to cook more.

You try not to think of what’s going on currently - the burned down bookstore, talking with the insurance company about a payout. The store had been fully paid off within three years of opening it, thanks to Harlan he had gifted the bookstore to you in your name for your birthday one year.

Harlan had slid over an envelope to you, one night at Thrombey Manor. One of the rare occasions you had been in the house outside of your weekly afternoon visits.

“What is this?”

“Open it. See for yourself.” Harlan had responded.

You had taken the envelope and opened it. You gasped when you saw what he had done. “Harlan, this,” you had stammered, “you didn't have to do this.”

Harlan had shrugged, taken a sip of wine. “You’re like a daughter to me Y/N. I wanted to give you your dream. It fully belongs to you. Only you. Not the bank and you. Just you.”

You had felt the tears escape, “This is amazing. Thank you.”

Harlan had grinned, “You’re welcome.”

You now think about fire chief Kinzel telling you the fire was arson. Which meant it was intentionally set and someone was trying to send a message but you had no idea who. You were still having trouble remembering the details of the event. Everything was still fuzzy.

“You find anything?” Nico inquires, bringing your focus back to finding a recipe.

You smile, “I did. Looks like my grandmother made them too.” You set the book down and begin gathering up the supplies you need to start making the covered powdered sugar treats.

*

Ransom parks his Beamer outside of his personal house. He nods towards the men who are standing guard outside as he walks into the front door. Once inside he hears laughter coming from the kitchen. He makes his way towards the sound and his eyes land on you and Nico rolling cookie dough.

Ransom shrugs off his jacket and smiles, “May I join in on the fun?”

You and Nico look up. You smile widely, “As long as you don't mind getting flour on your clothes.”

Ransom rolls up his sleeves, “I don't mind at all.”

Nico takes this opportunity to excuse himself to check the perimeter and check in with the guards outside.  He knows Ransom would prefer to do the baking with you, and you alone. 

You and Ransom roll the dough into one inch balls and place them on a cookie sheet. Ransom places the tray in the oven then proceeds to help you roll more cookie dough into balls and place them on another cookie sheet.

“How have you been?” Ransom questions as he finishes placing a rolled up cookie dough ball on the cookie sheet.

“Good,” you reply nonchalantly as you begin placing dirty dishes into the sink.

Ransom walks up behind you and wraps his arms around you. “Talk to me, Y/N.”

You turn around in his arms and look into his ocean blue eyes, “Fire chief Kinzel says the bookshop was officially ruled as arson. I don’t understand any of this Ransom. I mean, someone intentionally tried to kill me!” You feel the tears threatening to spill out of your eyes which causes you to pause, “And everything is still fuzzy. It’s almost as if someone drugged me beforehand to make sure I died in that fire.”

Ransom moves his arms and cups your cheeks, “Hey, you are alive. You are safe. You are with me,” his thumbs wipe away at your tears which finally spilled over, “I said nothing will happen to you under my protection. I promise nothing will happen to you.”

“But what if they are after you?” You sniffle as tears keep flowing out, “I, uh, I…” can’t lose you. You don't have the courage to say those words aloud yet you feel them down in your gut.

“I am right here Y/N,” Ransom brushes his mouth against yours, “okay? I am right here. If someone is after me, then I will take care of it. Don’t worry because as long as you are in my life I promise you, you will not lose me and I will come home to you. You will never have to receive the devastating news about my death.”

You nod your head as you wrap your arms around Ransom and burrow yourself into him. You feel Ransom move his fingers through your hair then feel his hand move down your back. You soak him in as the kitchen begins to smell of pecans and cookies.

*

“You’ll meet with me?” Ransom inquires into his phone as he paces the master bedroom. His eyes roaming over the made bed. His mind begins to wonder about your body under his sheets.

On the other end of the phone Luca Ferretti smiles, “Of course I’ll meet with you Ransom. Come down to New York. I can throw you a dinner or a party, better yet a dinner party. Congratulating you on becoming boss of the Thrombey family.”

Ransom smirks. “I don't need anything fancy Luca.”

“What?” Luca questions. “No drugs, no girls?”

Ransom was done with all that. “None of it Luca. Promise me.”

Luca sighs, “You must tell me who she is Ransom. Because the Ransom Drysdale I know never turns down the chance to party when he comes down here.”

She’s the woman I love, the woman I need to keep safe. The woman I want beside me. The woman I will do anything for. Ransom smiles, “I’ll see you tomorrow Luca.”

“See you then. Addio Ransom.” Luca remarks before disconnecting the call. 

Ransom slides his phone into his pocket, walks over to the bed and sits down. He reaches down with a hand touching the bedding. He hardens as his mind wonders to the sex dream he had nights ago. He smiles as he recalls you being in his dreams the past two nights as well.

He needs you, wants you. He knows he’ll never have his fill of you. “Fuck,” Ransom hisses under his breath.

“Everything okay?” You inquire as you stand on the threshold and cross your arms.

Ransom shuffles on the bed. He doesn't want you to see he’s hard and ready to pounce on you. He wants to take you when you are ready to have him. “Everything is fine.”

You raise a brow but don't ask him what’s on his mind, instead you ask, “May I ask for a favor?”

Ransom laughs, “Anything.”

“Nora and I are meeting Marta for lunch. We want Fran to come as well.” You remark as you uncross your arms and walk into the bedroom. “It’s been a while since the four of us have gotten together.”

“Out of everything you could ask of me, you want me to release Fran for a day?”

“Yes,” you respond as you walk over to the bed. You place a finger under Ransom’s chin, “Do I need to persuade you?”

“Persuade me how?” He questions with a raised brow and a tease in his voice.

You straddle his lap, feel his hardness which causes you to raise a brow in return. You remain silent as you run a hand up over his stomach and chest. The fabric of the cable-knit sweater he’s wearing is soft. “Well, we haven’t-”

Ransom stops you by pressing his mouth against yours. He pulls you up against him. Minutes later he pulls faintly back and looks at you. “You can have whatever you want Y/N.” He cups your cheek then glides his thumb over your lips, “But our first time is not going to be the result from a game of persuasion.” Because I want it to be special.

You gently push his hand away from your face while easing him back against the mattress. You crush your mouth against his as you grind against him. You feel his hands on your hips. At first they are light then you feel them dig into you. In a flash of a second, he rolls you onto your back and you are looking up into his piercing blue eyes. “Ransom,” you murmur as you lean up and press your lips against his neck.

Ransom closes his eyes. Here you are eager and ready for him but he wants to be a gentleman and take you out for dinner and dancing before he devours you. He feels if he takes you now, he’ll lose all control and ravish you savagely like a starving beast. “Y/N,” Ransom whispers as he cups your cheek, pulling you away from his neck. He looks into your eyes as he runs a finger down your cheek then across your jaw, “I have to go down to New York City, for a business meeting. I should only be gone a couple of days.”

Your eyes turn into slits as you look at him and ground out, “Way to change the subject, Hugh.” You were becoming sexually frustrated; you are sexually frustrated! You haven’t had sex in months. “Do you not want me?” Suddenly your voice is small as you try to hide your desperation to feel him inside of you.

Ransom frowns slightly and nods his head, “Of course, I do.” 

You slide your hand down over the fabric of his sweater. Your fingers fumble with the hem, raising it slightly. You then trace your fingers along the waistband of his pants. “Then please Ransom,” you plead through hooded eyes as you look into his blue eyes, “let me feel you.”

He presses his mouth against yours then dips down and presses his mouth against the pulse point of your neck. “You have no idea how badly I want you, need you. I am ravenous for you, and if I were to take you now, I wouldn't hold back.” Ransom cups your cheek, returns his gaze back to your face, “When I return I will take you somewhere special.”

You open your eyes wide and raise a brow, wondering what he meant by not holding himself back. You then smile and place your hand on top of his. “Somewhere special, huh?” You were trying to quell your aching libido and be respectful of Ransom’s decision but it was a hard fought battle. You needed him to touch, feel, and kiss you on other places of your body. 

“I want to wine and dine you. Show you an evening of magic, make it unforgettable.”

You have to admit this is a pleasant outcome, not one you expected but are happy with. Despite being absolutely desperate and ravenous for him, you are pleased he is trying to earn his way into your bed, “Fine but I have one request.” 

Ransom smirks. “Name it.”

You loop your arms around his neck, pulling him back down. Your lips are millimeters from his. “I want you in that three piece charcoal suit again.”

“Your wish is my command.” Ransom’s eyes shine as he smiles at you.

You smile brightly, “Good. I will have you when you return.” You skim your fingers along his flesh above the waistband of pants. You travel them around to his back. His skin is warm and taut against your fingers. You teasingly glide your lips over his then pull gently on his bottom lip with your teeth. You release his lip before softly informing him, “All of you, Ransom Drysdale.”

Fuck me, Ransom thinks at your teasing. He cups your cheek, strokes your skin with his thumb, “You will have me, my queen. You will always have me. I am yours. Only yours Y/N. You have my heart, and soon enough, you will have me to your heart’s content, your body’s content. Anything you want from me, want to do to me. You can keep me under lock and key because there’s no one else in my life I will ever want, or ever need. You’re the air I need to breathe, you’re the water I need to survive. I know with you, I will have it all.”

Ransom Drysdale. Soft. How could this man be open and forthcoming with you? The mob boss and killer. And apparently he’s all yours. You feel him wipe at an escaping tear, “Make sure you come back to me Ransom. That’s all I ask. Please.”

Ransom smiles, presses his forehead against yours, “I’m taking a few of my men. I will make it back to you,” Ransom brushes his mouth against yours, “I promise.”

As Ransom pulls away, you pull his head back down and capture his mouth, kissing him deeply. You kiss him with passion, part of you knowing he will make it back to you, the other part fearful this could be the last time your eyes see him.

Minutes later the two of you break apart. Both of you breathless. 

Ransom removes himself from the bed. “I’ll be back before you know it. Like I was never gone in the first place,” Ransom utters as he pulls you forward and off the bed. He reaches over and runs a thumb over your swollen lips. “I love you.”

You still don't know how you feel towards him. You’re at a loss of words but you manage to murmur, “Please come home to me Ransom.”

The word home doesn't escape Ransom’s ears as he takes one of your hands. He runs his thumb over the skin then kisses your wrist, “For you, I will.”

You watch as Ransom walks out the bedroom door. You hear him walk down the flight of stairs then hear the front door close. You walk over to the floor to ceiling windows and push aside the curtain, watching him walk towards his Beamer. A black SUV follows close behind him. Your heart racing as you fear for the worse yet hope for the best as well. You mentally begin counting down the minutes until you see him again. You were finally going to have Ransom Drysdale, a long awaited prize you desperately wanted to claim.

-------

That evening, after Ransom had left, you and the ladies made the decision to unwind by heading downtown to visit one of the many clubs the city has to offer. Fran, Marta, and Nora suggest Elysium. You agree to the suggestion, plastering on a fake excited smile but your heart pounds, recalling the last time you had gone there with Ransom. 

The memory flashes in your mind of the asshole that wouldn't take no for an answer. He had bought you a drink and while you had taken the drink out of kindness, your mouth never touched the glass, fearful for what could be in it. You had been kind but then he started touching you which made you feel uncomfortable then he had grasp your arm tightly and began dragging you off and that’s when your knight in shining armor had arrived.

Nico pulls the SUV up to the valet area of the club. You can hear the vibration of the music bouncing off the walls from inside the vehicle. The only thoughts in your head as you exit the car are of Ransom. Nico stands close, acting as a shield. “You okay?” Nico inquires with a soft voice. He knows what happened here and it makes him much more protective of you. He takes a moment to pull you to the side as Mikhail helps the other ladies out of the SUV, “Are you sure you want to be here?” He asks with concern in his eyes. He was trying to spare you of the unpleasant memories from weeks ago.

You slide your eyes over to Nico then back towards the tall overweight bouncer who lets the six of you walk right in, instead of waiting in line like the rest of the people standing by to get in. “I’m fine, I’ve got you to watch over me. Thanks for asking.” You offer him a reassuring smile. It was the truth, you did feel much safer knowing Nico was going to be by your side all night. 

Nico raises a brow yet remains silent, he’s not totally convinced but he follows behind you just the same. You’ve become like a sister to him over the last month. He doesn't like seeing you sad or angry. He wants to make sure you are happy and safe, no matter where you are whether it’s with your girlfriends, or with the boss.

Nico clears his throat, “If you wanna leave,” he touches your arm making sure only you can hear him, “let me know. I will drive you straight back to Ransom’s.”

You greatly appreciate the fact Nico is trying to give you an out, “Thank you Nico. I will keep that in mind. For now let’s just enjoy the evening.”

Mikhail approaches the two of you, “Let’s get the ladies upstairs to the VIP area.”

“We aren't VIPs Mikhail,” you announce, eyebrows raised.

Mikhail shrugs, “You are now. You’re with the boss now, ma’am. I informed the boss earlier of your evening plans and he called ahead to set up a table for you and your friends. He wanted to make sure you had a nice night out.” Mikhail looks you over, “He made sure to emphasize to me, we keep an eye on you at all times, or else.”

You look between Mikhail and Nico, “Or else, what?” You had an inkling what the answer was going to be.

“I certainly don’t intend to find out, miss Y/N.” Mikhail chuckles which breaks the tension of the prospect of Ransom’s threats.

Nora slides up to your side, wrapping her arms around you, “Come on gorgeous. Let’s go to the dance floor. I need you as my wingwoman, for I intend to get lucky tonight.”

“We have a table in the VIP section,” you mention as she begins pulling you away from Mikhail and Nico.

Nora looks at the men, “The table will still be there when we are done dancing, right boys?” Mikhail and Nico nod curtly. “Good,” Nora laughs then she tugs on you, “come on! Have some fun!”

*

Julian sits in his office, watching the security cameras. His eyes moving from one screen to the next. His adrenaline spikes the moment he spots her. Ransom’s girl. Julian can’t help but moan aloud when he sees her walking into the club. He notices she’s with three other ladies and two of Ransom’s men. Julian smirks as he recalls Ransom informing him he was going to be out of town for a couple of days.

“Business down in New York City,” Ransom had remarked, “I’m sure you can handle things.”

Julian had grinned, “no worries Ransom. You have the family business to run. I most definitely can handle Elysium while you are away.” 

Julian’s pants tighten, his eyes are memorizing her shape on the screen; every curve of her body is committed to memory. It’s been months since their encounter in the bookstore and here she is, without Ransom. It’s like the gods above are purposefully dangling her in front of him, like he's a starved lion and she is a delicious meal waiting to be eaten. And oh how he would eat her. His cock is throbbing in his pants. It’s screaming at him to be released. Julian knows full well he can't go parading around the club with a hard-on.

“Fuck,” Julian groans out as his fingers urgently get his pants undone. He pushes them down his hips, giving him enough room to take out his cock which he begins stroking as his eyes remain on her while his mind thinks of those plush lips sucking him off.

“Oh, fuck yes,” Julian gasps. He closes his eyes, remembering her name. “Y/N.” The nametag she wore that day accented her chest perfectly, his memory recalled with perfect clarity. He loved the way her name rolled off his tongue. He even repeated her name while telling her goodbye because he wanted to hear her name on his lips one more time. “Y/N,” he moans loudly as his orgasm rises.

He’s picturing her straddling him in the chair he’s sitting in. She’s lifting her dress up as she sinks slowly onto his cock then begins riding him slowly. Julian can only speculate how tight she is but it's enough to feed his fantasy. He imagines she would want to take her time and relish in the feeling of his cock but because he feels so good inside her she quickens as her own orgasm builds.

Julian’s orgasm crashes within him as he strokes himself rapidly. His labored breath fills the quiet room as ropes of hot liquid squirt out from the end of his cock. I have to have her. I need to have her. I want her!

Julian hurriedly cleans himself up and makes himself presentable the moment he sees the group head to the VIP section. This gave him the perfect opportunity to mingle and get his hands on her. He heads out of his office and into the VIP section of the club. He drinks in the vision of her as he draws closer to the table. She will be mine. Fuck Ransom Drysdale.

*

You giggle as you take a sip of the drink you ordered. You knew the bartender wasn’t going to spike your drink with any poison since it was implied by your new VIP status you were with Ransom Drysdale.

You freeze. Did you just imply you and Ransom were an actual couple? You were still getting used to the notion. You had told him you were going to take a chance on him. You wanted to take that chance, you wanted to be with him. You had even told him before he left you wanted to be with him intimately and he didn't tell you no. He had informed you he wanted you the same way but with dinner involved. You smile to yourself, Ransom Drysdale wanted to feed you properly then devour you for dessert.

You inwardly moan as you take a sip of the alcohol. Damn him for leaving you hot and bothered. Now you couldn't wait until he returned.

“Ladies,” a smooth deep voice announces, “good evening. Welcome to Elysium.”

All of you stop laughing and talking to look at the man who walked up to the table. You raise a brow as you recognize him from a few months ago at the bookstore. His brown hair is slightly longer and light brown fuzz covers the bottom half of his face. You slide your eyes at the other ladies, notice Marta and Fran give each other a quick look then back at the gentleman.

He looks directly at you and smiles, not only with his lips but his blue eyes. He even makes a move to sit down next to you. Nico immediately moves forward, his hand grips Julian’s shoulder tightly, “You need to leave.” The man looks at Nico and waves the bodyguard off, “You should know I mean no harm.” He then looks at you, “We’ve met before. I’m Julian Grey. I’d like to thank you for your book recommendation.”

You smile politely, “You’re welcome.” 

“Are you enjoying yourself?” He motions to the other ladies, “Enjoying a nice girls night out?”

“You could say that,” Fran responds dryly. Marta is quick to elbow her friend. “What?” She hisses out as she looks at Marta who just shakes her head.

Julian leans back against the booth. He waits several seconds before shifting his body so his front is against your side. He rests on one hand on your leg, while the other hand moves some hair away from your neck. He leans in and inhales your perfume, “I’d like to return the favor for your excellent recommendation.”

His closeness is sending goosebumps across your skin, and not the good kind. You push his hand off your leg and pull away under the guise of grabbing your drink. “I’m with someone.” Promptly informing him before you take a sip of your drink to settle your nerves.

Julian gives a frown as he makes a show of looking around the room, “I don't see him here with you. He shouldn't have let you out when there’s plenty of men who will snatch you up in a heartbeat.”

You feel bile and alcohol mixing in your stomach as it threatens to come up your throat. You shoot a pleading look over to Nico who is quick to intervene again, “I think it’s time you go, Grey.”

Julian looks and smiles at Nico, “Leave us alone.” He turns his attention back to you when he runs a finger along your jaw, “Maybe we should take this elsewhere?” 

You swat his hand away from your face and Nico’s gun is pulled from his holster. He doesn’t give a shit if Julian is Ransom’s business partner. He is making you uncomfortable and was warned plenty of times to back off. Nico discreetly puts the muzzle of his gun against the back of Julian’s head. “Hands off the lady,” he growls into Julian’s ear.

“Mister Grey?” A small feminine voice interrupts from the front of the table breaking the extremely tense situation.

Julian huffs angrily, “What is it?”

“I’m sorry, but you’re needed at the bar downstairs.” The woman responds not noticing what was just happening moments before.

Julian glances back towards Nico who pulls the gun away from his head. He stands and straightens his clothes before he disappears from the table. All eyes on him as he walks down the stairs towards the first floor of the club.

After several beats, Nora is at your side, rubbing your arms trying to comfort you, “Well that was interesting.” She breaks the silence trying to ease the left over tension.

“Julian Grey is an absolute sleazeball. I heard he treats women like his own personal property,” Fran adds. “Don't think about him. Just, ugh, no.” Fran shivers, feeling chills. She quickly takes a drink, trying to warm herself back up, then she looks at Nico, “I think we should make a toast to the real hero here: Nico. Cheers to our brave defender.” Fran raises her glass causing the other girls to happily join in the toast, “TO NICO!” They shout. Nico remains stoic but the intense shade of pink on his face betrays him.

Nora quickly side eyes you after the toast, “Can we circle back for a moment to your previous comment, you’re ‘with someone’? Are you and Ransom official?”

Marta and Fran lean forward quizzically, both wondering what Ransom is to you as well.

You sigh heavily as you rub your temples. “I, uh, I don't know. Okay?”  Did you really want to announce something to your friends that wasn't exactly official? The words boyfriend and girlfriend haven't been thrown out in any conversation. Just that you were his and you were going to take a chance on him. You recall him declaring ‘I am yours’ the day prior thus informing you, Ransom is yours. All yours. But you were still trying to figure out your own feelings for him.

“Honey,” Nora begins as she sees the lost and frustrated look on your face, “I didn't mean to upset you. I was asking a question. You obviously feel something for him.”

You can’t help but let out a long heavy sigh. Your body slumps down into the chair dramatically, “I don’t know, you guys. There's something between us. What exactly it is, I have no idea. I am still trying to figure it out.” You pull yourself up and down the rest of your drink. Alcohol is acting as a truth serum now, your lips are getting looser, “Am I attracted to Ransom? Yes. Do I want to fuck him? Hell yes.”

The admission causes the girls to scream out and catcall you. “God be praised! She finally admits it!” Fran raises her hands to the sky. You are left laughing and shaking your head at your friend's reaction. “I’m sorry Y/N, but I’ve been rooting for the two of you to get together this whole time. Ever since you came into Ransom’s life, he has been in a better mood, been less of an asshole. It has made my life a whole lot easier.” Fran admits.

Something about her statement hit deep in your heart. While you knew what Ransom felt for you, you were unaware of the real life impact your relationship was having. To hear from an outside party your influence on Ransom and being in his life was changing him for the better, made something bloom in your soul.

Nora downed the rest of her drink, “I hate to admit it, but I agree with Fran. The way he acted when you were in the hospital and afterwards? That is not the guy I knew growing up. Who knew Ransom Drysdale could actually show genuine concern for another person aside from himself?”

You nod your head and shoot your friend a sly smile, “You make it sound as though you are beginning to accept him.”

Nora sighs and rolls her eyes, “Yeah, yeah, don’t read too much into it. He’s in your life and you told us both to get used to one another. So, here I am, trying to get used to him being in your life.”

“Thank you Nora,” you then look at the other ladies. Suddenly you feel tears in your eyes, “I’m sorry.” You quickly wipe them away with a wet chuckle. Your friends' words really touched you and made you feel more at ease in your decision to give Ransom a chance.

“No worries Y/N,” Marta responds as she gets up from her seat and gives you a hug, “we still love you.” Fran and Nora join in Marta’s hug. You let out a happy sound of awe because of the love your drunk friends are showing you.

The events of the evening have left you exhausted. All you were now wanting to do was go home and take a shower, crawl into bed, and call Ransom. After your confession, and your friends subsequent confessions, you were really missing Ransom. You needed to hear his voice. 

Your eyes search for Nico and he immediately knows you want to leave. You stand and look at the girls, “I’m going to go home. You ladies staying here?”

A beautiful woman sits down next to Nora. Nora’s eyes light up as she wraps her arm around the woman who joined them then winks at you, “I’m good.” Nora’s gaze is fixed on her new friend.

You smile and laugh at her then look at Fran and Marta. “And you two? I’ll see you at lunch tomorrow?”

Marta and Fran nod their heads and smile at you. “Yes.” They say in unison. 

As you leave, you stop in front of Mikhail, “Keep them safe please.” You know he will regardless but you feel the need to say it. Mikhail smiles and nods, “Absolutely.” His assurance makes you feel better knowing your friends are watched over and will be safely escorted home.

Nico comes to your side, “Let’s get you home, shall we?” He gestures towards the door. He follows closely behind you but at the same time he also keeps an eye out for Julian, making sure he doesn't try to follow you out of the club.

*

The ride back to Ransom’s house is quiet. You can't stand the silence anymore so you ask Nico a question. One you’ve been curious to ask but never had the opportunity to.

“Nico, has Ransom ever done anything like this before for anyone else?” You pause. “The security, the personal house.”

Nico tightens his hands on the steering wheel and clears his throat, “He has not. Ransom has never gone to the lengths he has to make sure you are safe, for another person.” Nico wasn't going to lie to you. “You’re the first person and the only woman he has ever wanted to protect. He wants to make sure you are safe and happy. As long as I’ve known him, you’re the only person he has shown this much personal attention to; you are someone he genuinely cares about.”

You hum in response. This evening has been emotionally overwhelming and the alcohol buzzing through your system was not helping with your mental well-being. You rest your head against the window. The coolness against your skin offers a small respite against your heated flesh. Nico glances up to the rearview mirror, sees you looking out the window. “Y/N, are you alright?” 

“Yeah…” your response was low but Nico still heard you, “I’ll be okay once you get me home.”

*

Julian hurriedly makes his way back up the stairs and towards the table where Y/N was sitting at. He doesn't see her so he scans the rest of the VIP section, even makes his way towards the railing and looks down at the throng of people moving to the music. He can’t spot her. She’s nowhere to be found.

“Fuck,” Julian hisses under his breath as he runs a hand through his hair. Goddamn it! She’s to be mine!

Minutes pass by before his eyes watch the ladies gather up their things and begin to walk towards him. He hears a couple of words thrown out, enough to make out they are going to be having lunch together tomorrow at Bostonia Public House.

Julian’s blood begins to hum. He ran all the scenarios in his head of how he could make Y/N his. Unfortunately each time, it ended with her out of his reach. If he can't have her, he might as well do Linda’s bidding. He pulls out his phone and dials the number to the man he’s hired. “Listen carefully. I know where she’s going to be. It’s time to do what you were hired to do. 

*

Nico listens to the shower start and pulls out his phone. He dials Ransom’s number as he makes his way downstairs.

“Nico. How did it go tonight? She okay?” Ransom asks. He tried to make her evening out with her friends as nice as possible while making sure she was safe.

“She’s fine, boss. We’re back home, but I need to tell you something.” Nico sighs, and looks up at the ceiling. He was not looking forward to this conversation.

“Out with it.” Ransom demands.

Nico rests against the kitchen island, “Julian took a shine to her at the club, he was hitting on her. He was touching her trying to feel her up.” Nico could hear Ransom growling but he continues, “I warned him, I told him to get his hands off her but he didn't listen. Y/N pushed him off, said she was with someone. Even after that, he put his hands on her trying to feel her up. I put my gun against the back of his head and warned him for the last time to get his hands off her, luckily for him though he got called away.”

Silence greets Nico’s ear. He has no idea what Ransom was thinking or planning. Nico had to let Ransom know what Julian had done. He had no idea if she was going to tell him about the encounter so Nico had to inform him of it. Nico knew the two men were friends and business partners, but he also knew Julian crossed the line in a big way tonight. “Boss?” Nico presses.

“Thank you Nico. I appreciate you telling me.” Ransom grounds out.

“Welcome.” Nico murmurs before he hears the noise of the call being disconnected. Fuck, Nico thinks as he hangs his head, hoping he didn’t make his boss a raving madman hellbent on revenge when he returned to Boston.

*

After showering and scrubbing your body clean three times, you pull on your oversized nightshirt and slip into bed. The sheets are cool against your skin as you reach over and find your phone. You notice a couple missed texts from Nora, Marta, and Fran. All of them telling you they were headed home and would see you at lunch tomorrow. You also notice the couple of missed calls from Ransom, the most recent one was five minutes ago.

You press his name and listen as the sound of the phone ringing begins.

“Hey you,” Ransom greets. His voice sounds like he's stressed but trying to hide it from you.

You hear the slight edge to his voice, “Ransom? Everything okay?”

“Now that I’m talking to you, yes. How was Elysium?”

“Fine, except some guy, named Julian? I think, was hitting on me. I told him I was with someone but he didn't listen. Nico had to step in, but then the guy got called away,” you sigh, “the whole experience left me kind of sour the rest of the night, but the girls cheered me up.”

“Are you okay?” His voice is soft yet filled with concern.

“Yeah, I’m okay…” You lie back on the bed, your limbs sprawled out. 

Sensing you wanted to change the subject, Ransom circles back to focus on your earlier statement. “So you’re with someone, huh?” He inquires with a tease to his voice. “Do I know the guy?”

You roll your eyes, and flip over to lay on your stomach, “Maybe. He’s very handsome, got some of the prettiest blue eyes I have ever seen. He can be stubborn sometimes but he's sweet and he means well. Oh! And he looks really good in a suit.” You bite your lip trying to hide your smile. 

On the other end of the line, Ransom is grinning like a fool. He feels like a high schooler head over heels for his first crush. He’s never ever felt this way before, it's an intoxicating feeling, “Sounds like a hell of a guy, what’s his name?” Ransom waits with bated breath for your answer.

“His name is Ransom Drysdale, do you know him?” You are enjoying this little game. It easily washes away the events from earlier. 

“In fact, I do.” Ransom chuckles, “but you know something, I heard that he’s already got a woman. She’s gorgeous, absolutely unbelievable and wicked smart. I mean, she’s gotta be in order to put up with him. And rumor has it, he’s hopelessly in love with her. So in love with her, in fact, he would rather be home with her than dealing with business matters out of state.” Ransom scrubs his hand down his face. He’s really happy at this moment and he doesn't think he’s ever been this happy.

You are blinking away tears, his words have you misty eyed, “Is that right?” You smother a wet laugh.

“Oh yeah.” He reassures. While you may not be able to see him, you can almost hear his smile.

“I miss you.” You admit because you did, you really did miss him. What you wouldn’t give to be in his arms right at this very moment.

“And I miss you too,” Ransom sighs lightly on the other end, “I should be home the day after tomorrow and when I am, I am going to put that charcoal suit on for you, take you out to a romantic dinner and then bring you back home and devour you.”

Your body floods with heat. You swallow since your throat feels dry. You couldn't wait to finally have him and lay your eyes upon his naked flesh, feel his lips moving over your skin, and him finally claiming you. Fuck, you think as you muse on the upcoming sex dreams that were surely coming your way tonight.

“Y/N?” Ransom questions with a whisper.

Should you tease him in return? This could quickly turn into phone sex but it wouldn't be as satisfying as the real thing. You clear your throat, “I can’t wait.” Truth is you really couldn’t but alas fate was cruel and waiting is what you had to do.

“I should let you get to sleep.” Ransom looks at the time on his phone and sees that it's late, “Sleep well, beautiful. I will be home before you know it.”

You weren't sure how to end the call so you opted for the simplest route, “Goodnight, handsome.” You hang up first, slightly out of fear of saying something you weren't quite ready to say out loud. You go to sleep, with a smile on your face, hopeful and excited for your future with Ransom. While darkness still looms overhead, you let yourself revel in a little bit of happiness for once in your life.

-------

The following day, you and Nora meet with Fran and Marta for lunch in downtown Boston at Bostonia Public House. The four of you are sitting at a table on the second floor of the two-story restaurant. The air is filled with its vibrant bar atmosphere and sociable sophistication; it makes for the start of a happy afternoon. Nearby, Nico was perched at the high-top bar with Mikhail by his side. The two bodyguards were engaged in light conversation but every so often stopped to do a quick visual sweep of the area.

“Where does Ransom find these guys?” Marta asks, as she eyes Nico and Mikhail. “Are all of them this good looking?” Nico suddenly makes eye contact with her gaze which causes her to quickly look away and grab her drink effectively hiding her blushing face from him.

All four of you laugh. Nora snorts and pipes out, “someone seems to be needy. Make yourself more obvious why don't you.” 

Marta flaps her hand at Nora and shushes her quickly, “Stop they’ll hear you! I don’t need that kind of attention.”

You cover your mouth with your hand trying to silence the giggles threatening to escape. You felt bad for Marta. You knew she didn’t have time for a private life in the last few years because she was always taking care of Harlan. These days however, were a different story. You take a sip of water before starting in, “You know, Marta, Nico’s a sweetheart. He reminds me of my stepbrothers - caring, protective, heart of gold. Mikhail’s a little more serious but still nice. If you let me know which one you fancy, I can put in a good word for you.” Your sly smile causes her to bury her face in her hands and muffle a frustrated shriek.

“Yeah, Marta, spill the tea. Who's got your panties in a twist?” Fran wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

You, Nora, and Fran all giggle while Marta blushes.

“Oh! You three hush!” Her voice is muffled as her head is still buried in her hands. You reach over and rub her back, feeling bad for teasing her so much. Marta lifts her head and sighs dramatically, “Nico. okay? Nico’s is the one I fancy. I mean, look at him-” She turns to stare at him dreamily, “He’s just so handsome.”

“She’s right.” Fran remarks. “Italian boys are notoriously good looking and it doesn't help they are all really good in the sack.”

“Fran!” You exclaim as your eyebrows shoot up to your hairline. 

Fran shrugs her shoulder in lieu of an apology, “What? I am just saying Marta never stood a chance! He’s an Italian stallion. He was designed to make women weak in the knees!” Fran makes a show of giving Nico a seductive looking over.

“Marta, I would like to formally apologize for our dear Fran’s mouth.” You grab her hand, bringing her attention to you.

“Do not apologize Y/N.” Marta states as she looks at you. “I knew what I was getting into when I became friends with her. However, if we can circle back to your offer of putting a good word for me with Nico, I would appreciate it.” She gives you a hopeful smile.

You lean over and give her a kiss on the cheek, “Anything for you. I want you to be happy. In fact, when Ransom gets back I will talk to him about maybe seeing if he can give Nico some free time so you two can go on a date. He told me last night he should be home tomorrow, so I will ask him then.”

Marta squeals with delight. The waiter came to the table delivering your food. After making sure everything was all right with your meals, he left, leaving the four of you to dig into your food.

Nora broke the momentary silence, “You said you talked to him last night?” She asks as she takes a sip of her drink. “Look, I know I asked you last night but-” Three pairs of eyes stare at you intently before Nora asks her question, “are you two a couple or what?”

“We are,” you pause for effect, “we are a couple. I am with him, and he is with me. We are together. We talked about it last night and, yeah.”

“I knew it!” Fran exclaims. “Like I said last night, he’s a changed man because of you.” She snorts, “For once in his life he finally has someone to care for, to care about.” Fran then smiles at you, “I’m so glad it’s you. ”

“I am happy for you Y/N,” Marta declares before taking a bite of her food, “he has always needed someone to keep him grounded. Harlan always did his best but sometimes it didn’t stick as much as he would have liked. Ransom always had his mother in his ear poisoning the good wisdom Harlan tried to instill in him.” Marta’s expression turned sour at the thought of Linda.

Nora nodded and agreed with Marta’s accurate description, “I believe that. I’ve only had rare interactions with Linda through the many years I’ve lived here, but she’s always been a conniving bitch. You don’t need to be a psychologist to see she’s got her claws deep in Ransom. I think she's one of the main reasons he did a lot of the shit he did when he was younger.” She took a bite of her food and swallowed it before continuing, “Although, I think as Ransom got older, he saw what his mother was trying to do and pulled away which gave him a fighting chance to be his own man which, in turn, has led to this positive change in his behavior since he met you, Y/N. All that aside, you do know if that douchebag breaks your heart we will be right there to take down his ass.” She motions to Marta and Fran.

“Yep.” “Yes.” Fran and Marta agree at once.

“Thank you ladies. I love all three of you so much.” You announce before taking another sip of water. 

After lunch is over, the four of you stand outside and hug one another goodbye. You and Nora watch Fran and Marta walk towards their car before you two turn around and are escorted towards the SUV you and Nora had ridden down to the restaurant by Nico in front of you and Mikhail behind you.

You take that moment to lean into Nora’s space, “Hey, so I have a favor to ask of you. When Ransom gets back, he said he plans on taking me to dinner. It’s going to be our first real date and he said he was going to take me somewhere special.”

Nora gives you that knowing look, “You don’t know what to wear, do you?”

You shake your head, “No, and knowing him it’ll be somewhere fancy, somewhere where we can be unbothered and alone.”

Nora hooks her arm through yours. “That actually works out in my favor because Amanda, the woman from last night, wants to go out and I need to find an outfit for my date too.”

You rest your head on Nora’s shoulder and smile, “That sounds great. We can tell Nico and Mikhail we want to go to the mall, or wherever.”

“Y/N--,” Nora begins before the sounds of gunshots ring out through the air. 

~   ~   ~

Translations:

campo di battaglia - battlefield

violazione - breach

addio - goodbye

[antigonick]

could you rec some experimental books?

Sure, yeah! I mean, experimental is a large idea, and you must know I’m a grandma in disguise who doesn’t know what’s being made nowadays, so this might be old school experimental, —but, off the top of my head, my favourites are Virginia Woolf’s The Waves, Anne Carson’s Autobiography of Red and Nox and Antigonick, Raymond Queneau’s Exercises of Style, Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves (so damn good and dizzying), William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury (a revelation and one that I would kill to translate), Samuel Beckett’s Molloy Trilogy, Roland Barthes’ A Lover’s Discourse. I also recommend diving into Gertrude Stein, Haroldo de Campos, and Ezra Pound’s poetry (Galaxies, The Cantos…), Lyn Hejinian’s My Life (and as commentary, her essays in The Language of Inquiry), maybe Ann Lauterbach’s The Night Sky could throw some light on bending language too…  Of course Paul Celan’s Schneepart and Other Poems and E. E. Cummings’ Complete Poems. Would Rilke’s Duino Elegies and Sonnets to Orpheus be considered experimental? Not sure, but I have to cite him now that he’s come to mind. Maybe look into Anne Carson’s Float (though I don’t think it’s her most successful work), and Roni Horn’s Wonderwater project. And I know it’s not considered experimental, but the Brontës’ collection of early writings as collaborative world-building definitely fits the bill. 

I haven’t read them, but Fernando Pessoa’s The Book of Disquiet and Italo Calvino’s If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler are high on my list. Then, I guess I can’t post this without citing the obvious—James Joyce’s Ulysses—, though it bored me to death. The other obvious, the beats, I hate. Experimental at its wanker-est. (I edited this part because I was being downright vulgar and I hear there are young people around.) 

Also, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m deep into interactive fiction right now and that’s something to look into if you’re interested in experimental and speculative writing genres. The future and all that. Don’t make me link Fallen Hero again… Oh, wait.

I hope this helps! Sorry for the stream of consciousness, this is a very messy list.

[aion-rsa]

Upcoming Movies in September 2020: Theaters, Streaming, and VOD

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Movies are back! Granted they never really left either, with Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, and others keeping us satiated with content these past five months. Still, the streamers are about to be reinforced for those willing to return to movie theaters: Major Hollywood blockbuster releases are coming, and limited rollouts are slowly making their way back into cinemas around the world.

For that reason, we’ve assembled a list of potential moviegoing experiences in September, whether on the big screen (please consider the risks of attending a theatrical screening) or at home via video on demand. It’s time for the popcorn to get popping.

Bill & Ted Face the Music

Now playing in theaters and VOD in the US (September 23 in the UK)

One of the biggest movies yet to eschew its intended theatrical window for a premium video on demand (PVOD) release is this most excellent adventure. It’s been 29 years since we last saw Alex Winter’s far out Ted or Keanu Reeves’ perpetually astonished Bill, yet it’s good to have both back in their legendary stoner roles. 

The fact they’re middle-aged and still having adventures through time and space, and against the visage of Death—he’s still cheating!—is pretty sweet. As is Keanu coming back to this role one Speed, three Matrixes, and nearly five John Wick chapters later. But this time they’ve got daughters (played by Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy-Paine)… but rest assured, the children are as amused as their dads.

Tenet

Now playing in the UK (September 3 in the US)

Already playing in the UK, Tenet will be making its much vaunted North American debut in “select U.S. cities” in September. We’re still not entirely clear what that will look like, but hopefully it will be worth it for this mysterious and visually dazzling Christopher Nolan epic. 

Early reviews are in, and the majority promise Nolan’s most exciting use of IMAX spectacle to date, though even without spoilers, this one might be too big for its own good. Our own Rosie Fletcher describes it as Nolan’s long-whispered about James Bond movie meets Doctor Who…

The New Mutants

Now playing in the U.S. (September 4 UK)

Josh Boone’s journey into the X-Men universe has been pushed back so many times it almost feels like a mythical lost movie. So when it finally arrives in UK cinemas on Sept. 4 (it landed in the U.S. at the end of August) it might feel like a bizarre flashback to another era – namely that of 2017 when the main shoot took place. 

Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Blu Hunt, and Henry Zaga star as five young mutants held in a sinister facility against their will. It’s been positioned as an action horror which in theory sounds pretty cool, though what the final cut will look like is anyone’s guess.

Mulan

September 4 (Disney+ with premium)

One day after Tenet makes its U.S. debut, Disney, and more specifically Disney+, offers a starkly different vision for the future of cinema with Mulan. Whereas Tenet will attempt to jumpstart moviegoing, Disney has pushed one of their biggest 2020 blockbusters exclusively to streaming in all markets featuring Disney+, including the U.S. and UK. That means if you want to see Niki Caro’s anticipated reimagining of the 1998 animated Disney movie, you are going to have to pay $30 on top of your Disney+ subscription to get a load of this bad boy on a new PVOD model.

Read more

Movies

Mulan and Tenet Show Competing Visions for Future of Movies

By David Crow

Movies

UK Cinemas Slam Disney After Mulan Streaming Announcement

By Kirsten Howard

Even so, the film’s need to step away from the 1998 version’s iconography—Chinese moviegoers generally dislike musicals—appears to offer an opportunity to make a modern 2020 epic that can stand on its own two feet.

I’m Thinking of Ending Things

September 4 (Netflix)

Charlie Kaufman does horror? Well, uh, maybe?! For his first Netflix original production, the idiosyncratic writer-director behind Synecdoche, New York, and the Being John Malkovich screenplay is adapting Iain Reid’s thriller novel, I’m Thinking of Ending Things. But Kaufman is expected to come at it from his singularly off-center perspective.

With a somber setup about a young woman (played by Wild Rose’s talented Jessie Buckley) going to meet the parents of her boyfriend (Jesse Plemons), the movie is actually about an unhappy lover planning to terminate her relationship. Yet when she meets Mom and Dad (Toni Collette and David Thewlis), things are going to get weirder, if not necessarily better for the relationship…

The Roads Not Taken

September 11 (UK)

Sally Potter’s wistful drama was nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival earlier in the year before the world went into lockdown. It follows Leo (Javier Bardem), a man with dementia, as he imagines different paths in life he might have taken, while his daughter Mollie tries to help him keep various appointments and struggles with decisions about her own future. A very personal study of mental illness, grief, and regret.

The Devil All the Time

September 16 (Netflix)

Southern fried noir might be the creepiest noir. With its rural and sunny backdrops, and a smiling Christian face, its pleasantries belie an evil heart. And Tom Holland of all people will be driving right to the dark center of it in The Devil All the Time, a new thriller by writer-director Antonio Campos. 

Ready to bow on Netflix this month, the all-star cast, which also includes Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough, Sebastian Stan, and Robert Pattinson, as a fire and brimstone preacher no less, The Devil All the Time reimagines post-WWII Tennessee backwoods as a hotbed of corruption, hypocrisy, and murder. Sounds about right.

Antebellum

September 18 (U.S. Only)

Co-writers and directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz appear to have cracked the code in making one of fiction’s favorite fantasies terrifying. You know the type: From Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court to Midnight in Paris, some congenial fellow travels back to a point in history he loves and has an all-around splendid time. Now imagine that same scenario except the protagonist is a Black woman. And she’s sent to the Antebellum South on the eve of the Civil War. Scared yet?

It’s a disturbing premise that aims to put Antebellum in the same wheelhouse as recent horror movies that have tackled American racism head on, including Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Us. The movie stars the ever compelling Janelle Monáe as a 21st century author trapped inside a 19th century nightmare, and it’s one of the most intriguing setups of the year. It also will be available on VOD and in select theaters.

The King’s Man

September 18 (September 16 in the UK)

Kingsman: The Secret Service was one of the nicer surprises of 2015. A better Bond movie than that year’s Bond film, this Matthew Vaughn directed and Jane Goldman co-written spy adventure was both a satire and loving homage to 007 movies of the 1960s and ‘70s, with excessive swagger and style to boot. Unfortunately, Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) didn’t live up to its predecessor. It did, however, make enough money to spawn a prequel. Which brings us to The King’s Man.

As Disney/20th Century Studios’ latest release, this movie sees Vaughn return to the director’s chair as he travels back in time to World War I and the origins of the Kingsman secret service. With the same daffy style but now in period garb (it worked for Vaughn in X-Men: First Class), the prequel hopes to recapture the charm of the original. It certainly has a winning cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Bruhl, Djimon Hounsou, and Gemma Arterton.

Kajillionaire

September 18 (October 9 in the UK)

One of the happy discoveries out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Focus Features’ Kajillionaire is a movie we’ve had our eye on for a while. The picture is writer-director Miranda July’s pleasant vision of criminality and heists being the stuff of family team-building. Take Evan Rachel Wood as Old Dolio. She’s an adult daughter whose depression has forced her to live at home with her small time crook parents. But Mom and Pop (Debra Winger and Richard Jenkins) have a plan; they’ll incorporate their daughter in the next heist and bring her out of her funk. It’s a charming premise that won over almost every critic who saw it back in January.

The Nest

September 18 (U.S. Only)

Another apparent highlight out of Sundance this year, Sean Durkin’s The Nest presents itself as a foreboding drama. As the follow-up feature from the director of Martha Marcy May Marlene, the film intends to be an unsettling account of a wealthy marriage descending into Gaslight levels of manipulation. With Jude Law as the rich patriarch and Carrie Coon as his quietly suffering wife, a sudden move to the country reveals dark dimensions to their relationship and the brittleness of domesticity. If the buzz is to be believed, the wound up WASPy tension in this could strangle an elephant.

Enola Holmes

September 23 (Netflix)

Did you know Sherlock Holmes had a little sister? You’re about to thanks to some strong synergetic mojo going on at Netflix with Enola Holmes, a new mystery/adventure that stars The Witcher’s Henry Cavill as Sherlock, The Crown’s Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Holmes, and Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown as the eponymous Enola. That’s right, Eleven’s going to use her own English accent and play Sherlock’s kid sister. 

Often kept in her famous brother’s shadow, it is up to Enola to do him one better when she sets off to find their mysteriously vanished mother. In the process, she proves she’s a super-sleuth in her own right and brings to light a deadly conspiracy. The game’s afoot!

Misbehaviour

September 25 (Open in the UK)

A crowd-pleaser that debuted earlier in the year in the UK, Misbehaviour has all the markers of a charming dramedy with real world ramifications. In fact, it’s set during the events of the Miss World competition in 1970, a televised beauty pageant in London that was then the most-watched event on the planet. In this context, the Women’s Liberation Movement reached international acclaim by disrupting the proceedings, and a Woman of Color from Grenada became a contender for the Miss World title.

Director Philippa Lowthorpe (The Crown) reportedly explores these events to winning results with an ensemble of players that Keira Knightley and Jessie Buckley as lead activists, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Jennifer Hosten (aka Miss Grenada), and Greg Kinnear at his greasiest as an aging Bob Hope.

Greenland

September 25 (U.S. Only)

Imagine this: A comet that is supposed to gently pass Earth by was misjudged by the science community, and instead a cataclysmic extinction level event occurs with comet fragments destroying parts of the world one action scene at a time! Yeah, in 2020 that sounds about right. It’s also the plot of Greenland, a new high-concept survivalist action movie starring Gerard Butler as a family man who, realizing Florida is gone and his home state is next, tries to save his wife (Morena Baccarin) and child by getting his family to the last place that may be spared: military bunkers in Greenland!

And you thought U.S. leadership was being ridiculous when it tried to buy the country a few years ago…

The post Upcoming Movies in September 2020: Theaters, Streaming, and VOD appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[visor--eyes]

3 places to visit in Spain

Without a doubt, Spain has many places to visit. In this article we will be located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula and focus on 3 very close places, each other: Madrid, Toledo and Aranjuez.

Madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain. It is located 650 meters above sea level. With a population of more than 3,000,000, it is the largest city in the country and third in the European Union.

Madrid has a wide cultural offer for all kinds of interests. From the monumental area of Madrid de los Austrias in the vicinity of the Plaza Mayor, passing through the Temple of Debod, Puerta del Sol, Puerta de Toledo, Palacio Real, Puerta de Alcalá, Calle Gran Vía, Plaza de España, Casa de Campo, Zoológico or the Amusement Park.

Among its Museums and Monuments are the Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Museum, Prado Museum, Museum of the National Mint and Timbre Factory, Railway Museum or the Reina Sofia Museum, to name a few of the countless museums that the city has.

For sports lovers of football, it is worth visiting the Wanda Metropolitano and Santiago Bernabeu Stadiums. Stadiums where the teams play, Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid respectively. Enjoy a Uefa Champions League match is priceless.

Aranjuez

Aranjuez, municipality of the Community of Madrid, is located at a distance of 48 Km from Madrid and at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. It is located in the valley of the Tagus and Jarama rivers.

Aranjuez offers places of great tourist interest, is the case of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, its gardens and the Tagus River. It was named by Philip II in 1560, one of the Royal Sites of the Spanish monarchy and in turn holds the title of villa since 1899, so it is also known as Real Sitio and Villa de Aranjuez.

As well, asparagus and strawberries are famous, which in season are sold in different stalls.

Museums and Monuments apart from the Royal Palace stand out the Museum of Falúas, Medinaceli Palace, Governor's House or the House of the Labrador.

Toledo

Surrounded by the Tagus River and located at an altitude of 529 meters above sea level, we find Toledo, capital of Castilla La Mancha. Also known as "City of the Three Cultures", it was the capital of Spain in the time of Visigothic Spain.

It is located at a distance from Madrid of 70 kilometers, from where we can access by road through the A-42 / AP-41 (toll road) or on the Ave Madrid-Toledo. These two means of travel, are an excellent option to visit Toledo.

Economics is based on craftsmanship, such as the manufacture of weapons (knives and swords), ceramics, glass, damasquinados, furniture and Lagartera embroidery.

In the gastronomic section stands the manchego cheese, the braged partridge, cochifrito (based on lamb, egg, saffron, tomato and white wine), the mazapanes, the carcamusa, the manchegas porridge, the beans with partridge and the lean tortilla.

Toledo's climate is cold during the winter, with possible frost and very hot during the summer season (temperatures can exceed 40 degrees).

The Patronal Festivities in honor of our Lady of the Sanctum take place between 15 and 20 August. Also noteworthy are the Feast of Corpus Christi, palm Sunday.

Among its Museums and Monuments, it has a wide variety of sites, with an enormous relevance such as the Alcázar de Toledo, Ermita del Cristo de la Vega, Church of San Juan de los Reyes, Casa y Museo del Greco, Catedral de Santa María, Puente de San Martin, Iglesia de Santo Tomé, Casa del Temple, Puente de Alcántara, Iglesia de Santiago del Arrabal, Iglesia de San Juan de los Reyes, Puerta del

Summary

Three sites in Spain to visit very interesting from a cultural point of view and very close to each other.