#Driving Lessons Caulfield

[academyofdrivingexcellence]

What Are the Benefits of a Certified Driving School?

Signing up with a certified & experienced driving school can greatly improve one’s driving skills and help one become a skilful driver. With the rising number of traffic accidents and congestion, competent driver training has become extremely crucial. As such, choosing a suitable school to learn proper & safe driving is vital. In this blog, we will discuss the key benefits of driving lessons in Caulfield from a certified school.

Access to Experienced Instructors

Certified driving schools employ excellent resources, skilled instructors and comprehensive training programs. They offer both theoretical and practical lessons to learners in compliance with state laws. In addition to that, they ensure a suitable atmosphere for the learners to help them gain proficiency with different car functions. 

2. Complete Training

A certified driving school generally offers an in-depth curriculum covering all fundamentals of safe driving. This includes everything from awareness of traffic laws to handling bad weather. The driving instructor in Caulfield will also provide you with continuous support to ensure quick learning.

3. Convenience & flexibility

At any accredited driving school, different classes are provided at different times. This is done so that learners can pick a suitable time at their convenience. Rather than having to squeeze the lessons into your busy schedule, you can learn at your own pace. 

4. Learning for Different Road Conditions

Attending a certified driving school can help individuals become more confident in different driving situations. They teach the right skills and strategies required to easily handle various circumstances on the road while driving. These situations mainly include bad weather, hilly areas, or high-traffic areas.

Thus, as you can see, there are plenty of benefits to getting driving lessons in Caulfield from a certified school. Just make sure to check their reputation and reviews from past clients before finalising your decision.

[bikashdas]

5 Essential Skills You'll Master in Professional Driving Lessons

[lifeissimssnapshots]

Going Ape

*shout out to @dalekofchaos for the prompt*

His mind was filled with fleeting thoughts that morning as he walked to the girl’s dormitory. The Newberg drive-in was having a Planet of the Apes showing this week and he had already bought two tickets. His only issue was inviting the person he bought the second ticket for: Max. He wanted to ask her in the parking lot on Monday when she brought him his flash drive, but then that asshole Nathan Prescott entered the scene and tried threatening Max, giving him a black eye in the process. It didn’t seem like the right time to ask her then, but now he wanted to catch her early before anymore crazy shit happened.

Warren had fallen for her almost immediately when she arrived at Blackwell just a few weeks ago. Sure, there were a lot of girls at school who were cool or smart enough, and there was Brooke too (who he suspected might have a crush on him). But they paled in comparison to Max Caulfield. She was not only beautiful and talented, she was also kind, funny and had great taste in music and movies. She had surprised him when she mentioned that she had enjoyed watching Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, one of Warren’s favorite selections from his flash drive. She was the first person he thought of when the drive-in announced the showing of the Apes movie.

As she walked down the steps of the dorm entrance, he tried his best to play it cool, fidgeting with his phone. Her footsteps neared him and he looked up to meet her eyes.

“Warren! What’re you doing here?” She asked

“Oh, nothing-waiting. For a call? I mean, I already took the call..” Real smooth, idiot, he thought to himself. “Anyway, I wanted to rap about that action yesterday.”

“By the way, thank you for stepping in. You were pretty badass, Warren. I owe you”

“Oh yes, you do. I got knocked on my ass by that dick. I’m some personal superhero”

They continued to talk about Chloe and how she rescued Max from the chaos in the parking lot, leaving Warren to take the blow from Nathan. He was curious about the connection between Nathan and Max, but she was hesitant to disclose the reason for Prescott’s aggression, only that it wasn’t safe for Warren to get involved. The irony of the statement throbbed in Warren’s right eye.

“Weird fucking week. Like that bizarro snowfall yesterday. Speaking of dystopia, that drive-in is having a 70’s ‘Planet of the Apes’ marathon. Let’s ’Go Ape’!” He waited in anticipation for her response. Part of him was expectant of her turning the offer down given the situation in the parking lot and any other chaos that ensued from that interaction. The other part of him was hoping she would say yes, especially since he bought the tickets with her in mind.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I need. I love those old-school ape films” her answer eliciting his eyebrows to arch in excitement.

“Well, that was easier than I thought. Cool. I’ll text you the info” the words came out smoother than he had anticipated.

As she waved goodbye, he beamed with joy. He was excited at the prospect of being alone with her at the drive in. Would this be considered a date?

___________________________________________

The days before their outing went on as usual, classes beginning and ending, only now he had the excitement of going to the drive-in with Max. Right before science class on Thursday started, Max walked in and briefly talked to Ms. Grant about signing her surveillance petition. He admired the way she took the time to try and make a difference for others. She walked over to Warren’s lab table and he moved his things to make room for her.

“Hey Dr. Graham, did I miss anything?” He looked up in admiration at her beautiful freckled cheeks.

“Not a thing, just me and my bromies. Get it? We’re using Bromine today” his toothy grin shining up at her. They shared a laugh and started preparing materials for the lesson.

As Ms. Grant went on about electron configuration, Warren couldn’t help but give quick glances at his lab partner, taking note of how she bit her lip when she concentrated on the worksheet that was in front of her.

“So, for this problem, you just have to know the atomic mass and number of the element and subtract them” he moved his stool closer to her, nearly touching her hand while he wrote numbers on her paper. From the corner of his eye he could see the beginning of a blush spread across her face. He smiled in return and they continued listening to Ms. Grant, not wavering from their close proximity to each other. When class ended, he asked “Are we still on for tomorrow?”

“Of course, I’m still all in to go ape with you” her smile widening.

“Did you, erm, wanna have dinner before we get to the drive-in?” I should’ve waited to ask that, I’m so stu- , his thoughts interrupted

“Sure! But only if we can get some cheeseburgers. I’ve been wanting some since I saw someone order it at the Two Whales last week.”

“Your wish is my command, fair maiden. We should probably leave around 4 tomorrow if we wanna have enough time for dinner and to find a decent spot” audible excitement oozing from his words.

“I’ll be ready by then. It’s a date!” At the sound of her last sentence, Warren’s body froze, ignoring her wave as she left to her next class.

It’s a date. She said that it’s a date. I have to make sure everything is perfect for tomorrow. His thoughts scrambled as he gathered his belongings from the table, accidentally walking into the wrong class.

When he arrived to his room later that day, he noticed some new writing on his slate. He figured it was Nathan or Zachary writing something offensive and was pulling his sleeve down in preparation to erase it. To his surprise, it said “Are you made of Copper and Tellurium? Because you’re CuTe” written in the familiar handwriting that he looked at in Science class. A wide grin spread across his face as he pulled his phone out and entered his room.

Thanks for the writing on my slate, I’m never erasing it.

You can’t, it’s in permanent marker.

Kek :p Wanna meet in the parking lot tomorrow at 4?

Sounds good! ^_^ see you then xomaxo

___________________________________________

Friday morning came quick and since he didn’t have class until 11, Warren stayed in his dorm and finished all of his assignments for the day. He wanted as much time as possible to get ready for their date. He laid his outfit on his desk chair and looked for the directions to the cheeseburger joint near the drive-in.

4 o’clock rolled around and he pulled his phone out:

Hey Dr. Ape, I’m walking over to your new wheels in the parking lot. Be there in 5. xomaxo

My chariot awaits you, madam.

He leaned up against his blue coupe and watched as she approached across the lot. She was sporting a black t-shirt with a grey butterfly across the front paired with her usual denim.

“You look sharp, Warren G.!” She said, glancing at his 3D chicken t-shirt and jeans.

“Speak for yourself, Supermax! You look..great!” His voice slightly quaking. She always looked great in his eyes.

He opened her door and waited until she was inside before closing it. On their way, they talked about school, their families, and other movies and shows to add on Warren’s flash drive including the first season of Twin Peaks.

They pulled up to the restaurant and ordered before taking a seat at the booth.

“So..” he began

“So…are you excited for the showing?” she asked as she folded her hands on the table.

“Oh yeah! It’s a classic. The special effects makeup isn’t as impressive as it is in newer films, but it’s still way ahead of its time.”

“Let me guess, you’re a big Romero fan?”

“You have me pegged. He’s made some classics besides the Dawn of the Dead. We really should have a marathon in my room-“ he stopped himself. The implication of Max being in his room alone with him made him suddenly blush, on full display for her to witness.

They exchanged a long glance, neither stirring their fixed stare.

“I’m really glad you invited me to come with you Warren. I really needed to get out, but I also.. I want to spend more time with you.” Her words caused him to sit straight in his seat.

“You do?”

“Yeah, I really do. I owe you for saving me when Nathan tried attacking me. Sorry again for the eye.”

“As your personal bodyguard, it’s my job after all!” He said with his hands on his hips in superhero form.

They both laughed, and then he stared more intently before asking “But I do I have to ask you Max. Did you agree to come because you felt bad? Or because you wanted to spend time with me?” His heart was racing so fast in his chest, he could hear its beat in his eardrums. The question was risky. It’s what he wondered since she’d agreed to go with him earlier in the week.

“Warren, I-“ her words were interrupted by the waitress bringing their food. They paused their conversation to eat. When they were done, he stood to pay the bill. She interjected, trying to hand him money for her share.

“You said this was a date, so dinner’s on me” he said.

“I did say it was a date” recalling her own words. They walked to the car where they continued their previous conversation

“So as I was saying” she continued “I agreed to come tonight because I feel the same way you do”

He understood what she meant, but couldn’t believe it himself.

“You do?” He fought back a smile just in case she was mistaken.

“I..sort of, really like you Warren. That’s why I said yes, and why I wrote that note on your slate” now she was the one blushing.

“Wowzers Max, I guess I’m pretty dense. I didn’t know for sure how you felt, but I’m glad now we both know.”

As they started driving away, she placed her left hand into his right, locking fingers the rest of the way to the drive-in.

After gathering snacks from the concession stand, they moved their seats back and settled in for the movie. Warren tuned the car stereo to the radio station for the audio of the movie.

When the movie started, their hands found each other again. He could feel her eyes on him as she snuck glances in the dark. He met her gaze and smiled. Before he could process what to say, their faces inched closer and before long, the space between them was closed by their lips meeting. Their kiss was hesitant and gentle. They paused to look into each other’s eyes before their lips met again, this time achieving a deeper kiss.

The rest of the night consisted of periods of watching the film, gentle kisses, and caressing hands.

[swiftiereaders]

Book Review for Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

link to review on StoryGraph

Where to start? Demon Copperhead is an incredible novel. No ifs ands or buts about it. “Poignant” is an often overused description for popular fiction, but it’s apt here.

The strongest driving factor of Demon Copperhead, for me, was the voice not only of Demon himself, but everyone around him. Every single character in this story has such a strong, real, and powerful voice to them that struck home every single time. I hear the voice of my own grandparents in the Peggots, always finding themselves saddled with tragedy outside their own doing, just trying to hold on. I saw one cousin in Tommy, the ruthlessly positive thinker, and another in Swap-Out, a kid others love to look at a certain way.

And if you can’t see your own loved ones in the world of Demon yet, you’ll learn to. Without preaching it to you, Demon welcomes you into own mind, like a new age Holden Caulfield homegrown in the hollers of Virginia mountains, and shows a new way of thinking, an economy of empathy.

It’s the kind of book you finish and immediately offer to lend to three more people. It’s what I hope to see assigned in AP lit classes, not just 30 years from now, but today. Whether it’s a story of personal relation and connection for students in towns with an abundance of stars to make up for their lack of stop lights, or a lesson in empathy and history to those with sidewalks that take their car keys inside with them, Demon’s story is one for the ages, and I feel lucky to have read it.

- Ace ♠️

[quicklicense]

Top Driving Schools in Caulfield

Explore Caulfield's top-rated driving schools. Learn from experienced instructors for safe and confident driving on the road ahead.

https://quicklicence.com.au/driving-lessons-in-caulfield/

[romanwilliam676]

If you are finding for Driving Lessons in Caulfield East, then you must visit Start2drive Driving school. They have a team of highly qualified driving instructors. Visit https://is.gd/Start2drive_Driving_School

[stormblessed95]

Hi Storm!

I'm obsessed with your book recommendations and just read aftg and loved them... do you know any other books like them?

Ah yes! I've recommended some of these before, but I'll include them anyway as "gives similar vibes but probably isn't as problematic/toxic as AFTG and yet still as wonderfully amazing and made me fall in love with it" list. Queer characters, character driven, slow burn, angsty at times, happy ending, achillean book recommendations....

(Andriel from AFTG in fanart above)

Icebreaker by A.L Graziadei

Seventeen-year-old Mickey James III is a college freshman, a brother to five sisters, and a hockey legacy. With a father and a grandfather who have gone down in NHL history, Mickey is almost guaranteed the league's top draft spot.

The only person standing in his way is Jaysen Caulfield, a contender for the #1 spot and Mickey's infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) teammate. When rivalry turns to something more, Mickey will have to decide what he really wants, and what he's willing to risk for it.

This is a story about falling in love, finding your team (on and off the ice), and choosing your own path.

Tropes: Sports Romance, Rivals to Lovers, found family... I mean it's basically just reading about a depressed bisexual hockey prodigy in a Rivalry and romance with his teammate.

Content warnings: Abandonment, Anxiety, Depression, Tricholillomania, Alcohol consumption, Drug use mentioned, Suicidal Ideation

Quote I Love: "I hate you" "Prove it"

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

Tropes: Paranormal Adventure novel, forbidden love, found family, high stakes, going on a quest, human sacrifice, tall dark and snarky (mlm side pairing)

Content Warnings: there is a lot, so here is a link to a detailed list

Quote I Love: “When Adam kissed him, it was every mile per hour Ronan had ever gone over the speed limit. It was every window-down, goose-bumps-on-skin, teeth-clattering-cold night drive. it was Adam’s ribs under Ronan’s hands and Adam’s mouth on his mouth, again and again and again.”

Wolfsong by TJ Klune

Ox was twelve when his daddy taught him a very valuable lesson. He said that Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then he left.

Ox was sixteen when he met the boy on the road, the boy who talked and talked and talked. Ox found out later the boy hadn’t spoken in almost two years before that day, and that the boy belonged to a family who had moved into the house at the end of the lane.

Ox was seventeen when he found out the boy’s secret, and it painted the world around him in colors of red and orange and violet, of Alpha and Beta and Omega.

Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his head and heart. The boy chased after the monster with revenge in his bloodred eyes, leaving Ox behind to pick up the pieces.

It’s been three years since that fateful day—and the boy is back. Except now he’s a man, and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

Tropes: Found Family, Alpha Male, jealousy, revenge, troubled pasts, Boy next door, Clumsy with a Crush, wait for me, own voices gay

Content Warnings: Abduction/hostage, Ableism, Age gap, Assault, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse (parental, past), SA (mentioned), Sex scenes (graphic), Torture, Violence

Quote I Love: "My future,” Joe said, “is Ox.” Ah god, that made me ache. “Is that so?” Mom asked. “How do you figure?” “He’s really nice,” Joe said seriously. “And smells good. And he makes me happy. And I want to do nothing more than put my mouth on him.”

Check, Please! By Ngozi Ukazu

Check, Please! is a comic about hockey, queer romance, and the frequent baking of pies. And you can read this one for free! It's online and free on the authors blog here, including a link to the where the start at the beginning of the story. It's super cute!

Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations. The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince.

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?

Tropes: Forbidden Love, Enemies to lovers, royals, secret relationship, love letters, celebrity romance, heroes with titles

Content warnings: Addiction, Alcohol, Anxiety, Blackmail, Cancer (mentioned), Death (parental, mentioned), Drug abuse (mentioned), Forced outing, Grief, Homophobia, Invasion/violation of privacy, Neglect (parental), Panic attack, Politics, Racism, Sexual abuse, Sexual harassment (mentioned), Sexually explicit scenes

Quote I Love: "Should I tell you that when we're apart, your body comes back to me in dreams? That when I sleep, I see you, the dip of your waist, the freckle above your hip, and when I wake up in the morning, it feels like I've just been with you, the phantom touch of your hand on the back of my neck fresh and not imagined? That I can feel your skin against mine, and it makes every bone in my body ache? That, for a few moments, I can hold my breath and be back there with you, in a dream, in a thousand rooms, nowhere at all?"

Running with Lions by Julian Winters

I haven't read this one yet, but it's on my TBR as a gay sports Romance that sounded really cute!

Also, ao3 is a goldmine of amazing fics for the AFTG fandom. Like top tier beautifully done fics. AFTG is a great sandbox for fandom honestly. So definitely check that site out if you want more too.

[bandydear]

What are your top 5 ships and what Taylor Swift song captures the vibe the best for each?

This is an indulgent exercise. Top ships are hard, but I shall try. This is what makes me go crazy go stupid go aaaAAAAAaaa right now--or have been doing so for decades.

5. Spuffy (Spike x Buffy) :

She doesn't like him. He's just particularly tolerable when she's in a bad mood. Or bored. Or lonely. Or self-loathing. Okay, so maybe he's fun to have around, but she doesn't like him.

You Belong With Me (I was gonna do something like exile or The Last Time, but this is actually truer and funnier)

Oh, I remember you driving to my house In the middle of the night I'm the one who makes you laugh When you know you're 'bout to cry And I know your favorite songs And you tell me 'bout your dreams Think I know where you belong Think I know it's with me

Can't you see that I'm the one Who understands you? Been here all along So, why can't you see? You belong with me

4. Korvira (Korra x Kuvira) :

She shouldn't be here. She should be at home, where the good people are. Thing is, the good people don't make her heart hammer half as hard. They don't make her lips tingle.

Delicate

This ain't for the best My reputation's never been worse, so You must like me for me

We can't make any promises Now can we, babe? But you can make me a drink

3. Valenfield (Jill Valentine x Chris Redfield) :

What is it you do when the person who has always had your back isn't there anymore?

right where you left me

Friends break up, friends get married Strangers get born, strangers get buried Trends change, rumors fly through new skies But I'm right where you left me Matches burn after the other Pages turn and stick to each other Wages earned and lessons learned But I, I'm right where you left me

2. BatCat (Batman x Catwoman) :

Green eyes meet blue in a shared inside joke as she pockets a diamond bracelet, and he switches his scotch for ginger ale.

cowboy like me

You're a cowboy like me Perched in the dark Telling all the rich folks anything they wanna hear Like it could be love I could be the way forward Only if they pay for it

You're a bandit like me Eyes full of stars Hustling for the good life Never thought I'd meet you here It could be love We could be the way forward And I know I'll pay for it

1. Maximum Victory (Max Caulfield x Victoria Chase) :

Two similar people both admiring and resenting each other through the eyes of a camera lens.

gold rush

What must it be like To grow up that beautiful? With your hair falling into place like dominos I see me padding 'cross your wooden floors With my Eagles t-shirt hanging from the door At dinner parties I call you out on your contrarian shit And the coastal town We wandered 'round had never Seen a love as pure as it And then it fades into the gray of my day old tea 'Cause you know it could never be

[frankchurchillsaysrelax]

Malex week 2020 day one: meet ugly

Alex’s dad has been home for less than a day when he wakes Alex early in the morning and tells him to get ready to go on a special mission. Greg is sleeping over at a friend’s house and his mom has taken Clay and Flint to visit their grandmother, so it is just going to be the two of them and Alex can’t wait. 

Jesse Manes is rarely home these days and when he is he’s less interested in playing games with his sons and more concerned with teaching them survival skills and preparing them for their future military careers. Alex isn’t sure he wants to go into the Air Force when he’s older but he doesn’t want to hurt his dad’s feelings so he stays quiet and absorbs the lessons anyway. He’s only seven, after all, he may change his mind.

“Alright, son,” Jesse starts, eyes trained through the windshield on something straight ahead of them. Alex doesn’t know where they are having not paid attention during the drive from their house. “I need you to do something very important.”

Alex unbuckles his seatbelt and scrambles forward until he can see between the two front seats. There is a large house down the street with lots of kids playing in the front yard. Alex wonders if it is some kind of school. 

“What is the mission, Sergeant?” Alex asks with glee. He loves when he is included in one of his dad’s missions, loves the look of pride on his father’s face when he completes his assignment. As the youngest, he isn’t always invited along, but today there are no brothers to compete with and he isn’t going to mess up this opportunity. 

“Do you see that boy over there?” Jesse moves his shoulder to give his son a better view. Alex follows his father’s outstretched finger toward a boy around his age with curly hair and a sad, lonely expression. He’s sitting in the dirt aways away from the other kids and no one seems to be paying attention to him. Alex nods. “I need you to go over there and talk to him.”

“Talk to him about what?” Alex frowns. His father’s missions have never included other people before and he isn’t very good at making friends. Kyle, Maria, and Liz had approached him and done all the work so he didn’t have much practice. 

“It doesn’t matter, Alex. Just go talk to him.” Alex knows better than to question his father’s orders. He crawls across the back seat and quickly climbs down from the car, shutting the door and looking both ways before crossing the street. He stops when he reaches the curb and turns to look back at his dad who just waves him on. 

Alex nods to himself once and takes a deep breath before making a beeline for the other boy. 

“Hi!” Alex realizes his voice is too loud when the boy flinches. “Hi,” he repeats, softer. “My name is Alex. What’s yours?”

The boy says nothing. He tilts his head to one side and stares up at Alex with an odd look on his face. His eyes are wide and something about them makes Alex’s face feel warm. There is something there that encourages Alex to continue even as the silence continues.

“Um, ok, can I sit with you?” Alex points to the patch of grass beside him and waits for a nod of approval. His parents don’t like it when he gets his clothes dirty but he hopes his dad will make an exception this once. 

They sit quietly beside each other, a feeling of failure washing over Alex as his attempts to talk to the other boy end in continued heavy silence. Did his dad know that the other boy didn’t talk? Was he supposed to fix that? How could he do that when he couldn’t even force himself to talk? 

The boy picks up a stick and begins drawing something in the dirt. Alex moves closer in order to see, his knee pressing against the boy’s, causing him to turn to Alex with a small smile growing on his face. Alex feels his face go warm once again and a strange fluttering in his stomach. He wonders if he’s getting sick. 

He turns his gaze to see what the boy has been drawing. There are three circles connected to a triangle in the center. Alex isn’t sure if it’s supposed to be something besides random shapes, but the boy drags the stick over the lines again and again embedding the image deeper into the earth below them. 

Before he can work up the nerve to ask about it, Alex is on his feet, realizing a second later that there had been a loud bang coming from the other side of the house. It sounds like the time Greg and Flint put random items in a microwave in the backyard but even louder and scarier. The boy stands beside him. He is shaking but he stands just in front of Alex, blocking him from where the noise is coming from. All of the other children run, scattering across the yard and into the street. Alex grabs the boy’s hand, tugging to urge him to follow the others.

“Alex!” His dad is in front of them and suddenly Alex wants to cry. He doesn’t know what is happening but he knows his dad will keep them safe. “Boys, quick, come with me.”

Alex squeezes the hand still held in his. The boy follows willingly. He climbs into his dad’s car then turns to help the boy inside but stops at what he sees. His father stands behind the boy, one end of a needle in his hand and the other in the boy’s neck, a frightening look on his face that Alex has never seen before. 

Jesse pushes the boy’s now sleeping body into the backseat and pulls the seatbelt across his chest as Alex does the same, fear overwhelming his voice and forcing him to act on pure instinct. Fear for the boy whose name he didn’t even know, fear of the father who had always been his hero. 

“Good job, son.” That familiar proud smile can be seen on his father’s face before he shuts the back door, jogging around to the driver’s seat. Alex lets the tears fall as he turns to watch the boy slumped in the seat beside him. He reaches for his hand again but the fingers don’t tighten around his, remaining limp. 

He did this? His father’s mission had been to hurt this kind, quiet boy and Alex had helped. Nothing made any sense.

“Where are we going, Daddy?” Alex finally asks as they pass the sign saying they’ve left Roswell. 

“There are a lot of things you need to know, Alex.” Blue eyes stare coldly through the rearview mirror and he barely recognizes them. Alex squeezes the boy’s hand a little harder, though he’s not sure why. “It’s time you learn them. We’re going to a place called Caulfield.”

[papermoonloveslucy]

LIZ LEARNS TO DRIVE

November 13, 1948

“Liz Learns To Drive” (aka “Liz's Driving License” and “Liz Learns to Drive”)    is episode #16 of the radio series MY FAVORITE HUSBAND broadcast on November 13, 1948.

Synopsis ~ George teaches Liz to drive and she immediately gets in an accident. Through a communications mix-up, George thinks Liz has intentionally run over George's high school sweetheart, Myra Ponsenby!

Note: This episode was aired before the characters names were changed from Cugat to Cooper. It was also before Jell-O came aboard to sponsor the show and before the regular cast featured Bea Benadaret and Gale Gordon as the Atterburys.

“My Favorite Husband” was based on the novels Mr. and Mrs. Cugat, the Record of a Happy Marriage (1940) and Outside Eden (1945) by Isabel Scott Rorick, which had previously been adapted into the film Are Husbands Necessary? (1942). “My Favorite Husband” was first broadcast as a one-time special on July 5, 1948. Lucille Ball and Lee Bowman played the characters of Liz and George Cugat, and a positive response to this broadcast convinced CBS to launch “My Favorite Husband” as a series. Bowman was not available Richard Denning was cast as George. On January 7, 1949, confusion with bandleader Xavier Cugat prompted a name change to Cooper. On this same episode Jell-O became its sponsor. A total of 124 episodes of the program aired from July 23, 1948 through March 31, 1951. After about ten episodes had been written, writers Fox and Davenport departed and three new writers took over – Bob Carroll, Jr., Madelyn Pugh, and head writer/producer Jess Oppenheimer. In March 1949 Gale Gordon took over the existing role of George’s boss, Rudolph Atterbury, and Bea Benaderet was added as his wife, Iris. CBS brought “My Favorite Husband” to television in 1953, starring Joan Caulfield and Barry Nelson as Liz and George Cooper. The television version ran two-and-a-half seasons, from September 1953 through December 1955, running concurrently with “I Love Lucy.” It was produced live at CBS Television City for most of its run, until switching to film for a truncated third season filmed (ironically) at Desilu and recasting Liz Cooper with Vanessa Brown.

MAIN CAST

Lucille Ball (Liz Cugat) was born on August 6, 1911 in Jamestown, New York. She began her screen career in 1933 and was known in Hollywood as ‘Queen of the B’s’ due to her many appearances in ‘B’ movies. “My Favorite Husband” eventually led to the creation of “I Love Lucy,” a television situation comedy in which she co-starred with her real-life husband, Latin bandleader Desi Arnaz. The program was phenomenally successful, allowing the couple to purchase what was once RKO Studios, re-naming it Desilu. When the show ended in 1960 (in an hour-long format known as “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour”) so did Lucy and Desi’s marriage. In 1962, hoping to keep Desilu financially solvent, Lucy returned to the sitcom format with “The Lucy Show,” which lasted six seasons. She followed that with a similar sitcom “Here’s Lucy” co-starring with her real-life children, Lucie and Desi Jr., as well as Gale Gordon, who had joined the cast of “The Lucy Show” during season two. Before her death in 1989, Lucy made one more attempt at a sitcom with “Life With Lucy,” also with Gordon.

Richard Denning (George Cugat) was born Louis Albert Heindrich Denninger Jr., in Poughkeepsie, New York. When he was 18 months old, his family moved to Los Angeles. Plans called for him to take over his father’s garment manufacturing business, but he developed an interest in acting. Denning enlisted in the US Navy during World War II. He is best known for his  roles in various science fiction and horror films of the 1950s. Although he teamed with Lucille Ball on radio in “My Favorite Husband,” the two never acted together on screen. While “I Love Lucy” was on the air, he was seen on another CBS TV series, “Mr. & Mrs. North.” From 1968 to 1980 he played the Governor on “Hawaii 5-0″, his final role. He died in 1998 at age 84.

Ruth Perrott (Katie, the Maid) was also later seen on “I Love Lucy.” She first played Mrs. Pomerantz, a member of the surprise investigating committee for the Society Matrons League in “Pioneer Women” (ILL S1;E25), as one of the member of the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League in “Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress” (ILL S3;E3), and also played a nurse when “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” (ILL S2;E16). She died in 1996 at the age of 96.

Bob LeMond (Announcer) also served as the announcer for the pilot episode of “I Love Lucy”. When the long-lost pilot was finally discovered in 1990, a few moments of the opening narration were damaged and lost, so LeMond – fifty years later – recreated the narration for the CBS special and subsequent DVD release.

GUEST CAST

John Hiestand (Cory Cartwright) served as the announcer for the radio show “Let George Do It” from 1946 to 1950. In 1955 he did an episode of “Our Miss Brooks” opposite Gale Gordon.

Bea Benadaret (Woman Driver) was considered the front-runner to be cast as Ethel Mertz but when “I Love Lucy” was ready to start production she was already playing a similar role on TV’s “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show” so Vivian Vance was cast instead. On “I Love Lucy” she was cast as Lucy Ricardo’s spinster neighbor, Miss Lewis, in “Lucy Plays Cupid” (ILL S1;E15) in early 1952. Later, she was a success in her own show, “Petticoat Junction” as Shady Rest Hotel proprietress Kate Bradley. She starred in the series until her death in 1968.

Frank Nelson (Officer Frank Nelson) was born on May 6, 1911 (three months before Lucille Ball) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He started working as a radio announcer at the age of 15. He later appeared on such popular radio shows as “The Great Gildersleeve,” “Burns and Allen,” and “Fibber McGee & Molly”.  Aside from Lucille Ball, Nelson is perhaps most associated with Jack Benny and was a fifteen-year regular on his radio and television programs. His trademark was playing clerks and other working stiffs, suddenly turning to Benny with a drawn out “Yeeeeeeeeees?” Nelson appeared in 11 episodes of “I Love Lucy”, including three as quiz master Freddy Fillmore, and two as Ralph Ramsey, plus appearance on “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” - making him the only actor to play two different recurring roles on “I Love Lucy.” Nelson returned to the role of the frazzled Train Conductor for an episode of “The Lucy Show” in 1963. This marks his final appearance on a Lucille Ball sitcom.

Herb Vigran (Sergeant Martin Lewis, Homicide Squad) made several appearances on “My Favorite Husband.” He would later play Jule, Ricky’s music union agent on two episodes of “I Love Lucy”. He would go on to play Joe (and Mrs. Trumbull’s nephew), the washing machine repairman in “Never Do Business With Friends” (S2;E31) and Al Sparks, the publicity man who hires Lucy and Ethel to play Martians on top of the Empire State Building in “Lucy is Envious” (S3;E23). Of his 350 screen roles, he also made six appearances on “The Lucy Show.”

The name Martin Lewis may be a tribute to the comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, who first performed together in 1946, and went their separate ways ten years later. 

THE EPISODE

ANNOUNCER: “It is morning, and Katie the maid has just put breakfast on the table and Liz and George are sitting down to it.”

George is reluctant to read the paper at the table after Liz’s previous chastisement about ignoring her at breakfast. This time, she encourages him to pick up the newspaper and when he does, she has torn a hole through the center so she can see him and he can read the news! 

Lucy Ricardo also had the same complaint about Ricky on “I Love Lucy”!

LIZ: “I’m looking at you through an automobile ad. The new Nash has blue eyes for headlights. And your ears look like both doors are wide open.”

Nash Motors Company was an American automobile manufacturer based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, from 1916 to 1957. In 1938 Nash debuted the heating and ventilation system which is still used today. The aerodynamic 1949 Nash Airflyte was the first car of an advanced design introduced by the company after the war. Nash went out of business in February 1954. 

Katie says she had the same problem with her first husband, Clarence. As a last resort, she set his newspaper on fire! 

In “Be A Pal” (ILL S1;E2), Lucy also tries setting fire to the newspaper to get her husband’s attention! Considering all the trouble Desi had to assure the studio audience’s safety for the Los Angels Fire Department, it is amazing this stunt was allowed! 

Through his ‘holy’ newspaper, George reads about his old college girlfriend, Myra Ponsenby. Liz is unenthusiastic. 

LIZ: “What’s new in Lower Slobbovia?” 

In “First Stop” (ILL S4;E14) Fred Mertz calls One Oak Cabins “Lower Slobbovia,” which is a term first used in 1946 by Al Capp in his comic strip "Li'l Abner” to describe a place that was unenlightened and socially backward.

Liz is clearly jealous and wishes Myra would “drop dead” claiming there isn’t room enough for the both of them in town. George says the article claims she is driving into town in her new imported car called a Zebra [a fictional car].  

LIZ: “I’m glad she’s got a car. It was dangerous riding around on that broomstick.”

Myra is married to Mr. Minky the peanut king, who Liz insists she married for his money. Tired of hearing about Myra, Liz begs George for another driving lesson. The last time he gave her a lesson she drove their Hudson into someone’s kitchen!  

The Hudson Motor Car Company made automobiles in Detroit, Michigan from 1909 to 1954. In 1954, Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator to form American Motors Corporation (AMC). The Hudson name was discontinued in 1957.

George gives in and promises to give her a lesson on the back roads after work. When he gets home, she tells him she practiced before he got there, but forgot to open the garage door!  Liz finally finds the starter (after trying the cigarette lighter and the radio). Then she has trouble finding the clutch. George is foaming at the mouth in anxiety. 

Liz finally gets the car on the road - but the wrong side!  They nearly have a collision!  George gets frustrated and Liz dissolves into tears. 

Much of the driving lesson dialogue and situations were recycled in the episode “Safe Driving Week” in October 1950. In it, George is elected town Safety Chairman just when Liz creates havoc on the roads. 

Later, Cory Cartwright volunteers to help Liz pass her driving test. He wishes her luck, as she goes into the police station to get her driver’s license. 

NELSON: “Name?” LIZ: “Elizabeth Cugat.” NELSON: “Address?” LIZ: “321 Bundy.” NELSON: “Race?”  LIZ: “Of course not!  I don’t even have a driver’s license!”

After much rhetorical to-ing and fro-ing, he takes her fingerprints and gives her the eye test:

NELSON: “Read the letters on the wall over there.” LIZ: “M-E-N.”

The eye test and fingerprinting that Liz undergoes are repeated when Lucy Carter helps her son Craig get a license in a 1969 episode of “Here’s Lucy.” 

Somehow Liz passes the driving test and gets her license. Naturally she gets in an accident on the way home with Cory. The car is a wreck, but they are okay. The other driver is a woman (Bea Benadaret) who says she will call her lawyer and the police. 

Liz doesn’t know what she will say to George about the damage to the car. Cory agrees to help her get it fixed before George finds out. 

When “Lucy Learns To Drive” (ILL S4;E12) in 1955, she also has an accident after her first lesson. Like Liz, she has to come up with a story so that her favorite husband doesn’t get angry!

When Liz finally gets home, George tells her that Myra Ponsenby has been reported missing. Liz couldn’t care less, but George wants to know why she’s so late home and is acting so peculiar. The phone rings and George eavesdrops on her conversation about the car. Not knowing to whom or what she’s talking about, George believes that his wife has done away with Myra! 

LIZ (on the phone): “You know how George feels about that old wreck. That wasn’t the first time she’d been hit. Did you see all those dents in her trunk? And her rear bumper was in pretty bad shape, too. Wasn’t it awful? I thought she’d never stop yelling. And all I did was hit her with the front wheels.”

An overheard telephone conversation on the very first filmed “I Love Lucy” episode in 1951 convinces Lucy that Ricky is going to murder her!  Of course, Ricky is merely talking about ‘getting rid’ of his girl singer, Joanne. 

George, thinking Liz is a murderer, emerges from hiding to confront her. Clueless, Liz doesn’t know what all the fuss is about, but George is sure she will ‘get the chair’!  Just then the doorbell rings and it is Sergeant Lewis (Herb Vigran), of the homicide squad. A worried Liz hides in the kitchen while George answers the door. After a moment of doubt, Liz decides to give herself up.  She tells the Sergeant to arrest her! 

Down at the police station, Liz is confronted by the policeman who issued her driver’s license, who has now transferred to homicide. The questions he asks mirror those of the driving test earlier in the day.  Liz decides to tell him the whole story, thinking she’s confessing to a traffic accident and not a murder! 

NELSON: “What did you do with the body?”

LIZ: “I had them jack it up and haul it away on a truck.”

Frank Nelson also played a policeman named Nelson in “Ricky and Fred Are TV Fans” (ILL S2;E30) in 1953. In it, Lucy and Ethel are mistaken for  Sticky Fingers Sal and Pickpocket Pearl. The dialogue is different, but also features rapid fire questions and answers between Ball and Nelson. 

The telephone rings and it is announced that Myra Ponsenby has been found alive!  She was in jail after speeding through a small town and arrested. 

In “Tennessee Bound” (ILL S4;E15) new driver Lucy Ricardo also sped through a small town (Bent Fork) and was arrested! 

After a moment, Liz suddenly realizes that that they assumed she murdered Myra!  Liz laughs, knowing that she will now get the car fixed without any fuss!

In the usual bedtime tag, Liz is up late reading a murder mystery. George spoils the ending so he can get some sleep: the butler did it.  George says the butler killed his wife because she talked too much when he was trying to go to sleep!

LIZ: “Ohhhh!  Goodnight, George.”

[academyofdrivingexcellence]

What Are Some Of The Most Essential Driving Etiquettes?

If you think that good driving is just about following a certain speed limit and road safety. Then you are wrong as there can be some more essential qualities that you should know to become a quality driver. If you have enrolled yourself to take driving lessons in Caulfield then you can have a better understanding of other additional road etiquettes that you should follow.

In this blog, we are going to give you a comprehensive guide to driving etiquette so that you can become a courteous driver. So, let’s begin. 

Road Behaviours You Can Adopt 

As you are getting ready to take your approved driving licence and complete your lessons from driving school in Burwood East. You also must know about all the road etiquette as these can help you become a more courteous driver. Here are some of these that you can adopt. 

Do Wave

Even though it can be a small gesture it can be a big cutaneous move to the driver that has let you move ahead. So if you are on a crowded highway if a generous driver lets you move ahead you can use the wave sign as a sign of thanks. 

Patiently Merge Lanes

In case two lanes are merging at a point you need to be patient and not hurry as that can be risky. So in case you have to let the other driver get ahead you should do it as this can not only be courteous but also be safe. You can learn the road safety regulations from the instructors of the driving school in Burwood East. 

Be Generous To Two Wheelers

Any kind of a two-wheeler vehicle like motorbikes or cycles can have a grader time staying safe on the road as they can be much less visible. For the overall maintenance of their safety, you can leave a three to four second of distance gap while passing or driving behind them. In case of the changing of lanes, you can use signalling for the safety of them. 

Usage Of The Indicator

When you are driving you should use the indicators to let the drivers know what you are trying to do. For general safety and comfort, you should use them more often. You can use this in any circumstance to maintain a courteous driving attitude on the road.

Final Takeaway

While you are driving it is always better if you can treat other drivers nicely as this kind of courteous driving can not only prevent any sort of accidents but also helps to maintain a calm atmosphere.

[lambourngb]

The product of too little sleep, lots of ‘Murder in a Small Town’ and rewatching episodes 12 and 13.

***

The Anbar Province left more than a physical mark on Alex.

He had learned lessons, both big and small. He could separate premonitation from subconscious recognition. He could type accurately from the footbed of a Humvee with no discernible suspension while a squadmate bled out next to him, locked in the importance of the mission. He could also wait patiently during the long hours that stretch between the spikes of adrenaline and monotonous boredom.

Roswell so far tested two out of three of those skills.

The disquiet left over from last night’s storm aged and blossomed from a vague feeling of wrongness to outright certainty. The mid morning sun was edging overhead, and soon would start it’s slow slide toward the horizon as he kept his vigil outside the Airstream for Michael. ‘Come back tomorrow, we’ll talk then’ was a promise that had Alex reaching for his favorite black leather jacket for comfort.

He refused to think of it as armor. Not every conversation was a war, but he was ready to fight for Michael. Staying away hadn’t kept anyone safe, it just robbed him of time he could have spent happy.

The crunch of gravel lifted his eyes from his phone, as a Chaves County sheriff’s cruiser pulled into Sander’s followed by one dark colored nondescript sedan.

Michelle Valenti had always been kind to Alex in the past, like her husband had been. She was always quick with a kind word when she noticed his eyes trailing to the photos of a happy family that dotted the Valenti house when he was growing up, mindful that his own house was bare of such sentiment. He never minded when strangers mistook her for his mother in the joint outings with Kyle as kids. The New Mexico sun baking them both dark and alike, another set of twins like the Evans kids. After Jim’s death, she had quietly shut down any talk of challenging the will and property transfer of the hunting cabin to Alex. It was only her insistence that he even accepted the keys in the first place and allowed the lawyer to finalize the will’s dispersal.

Her eyes were still kind as she stepped out of her vehicle, but her face showed no sign of friendliness. This was official business.

As always his mind flashed to the worst case scenario, Michael wasn’t here because he was dead. There was no known family to notify, just his employer. Max had to be dead too to leave this to his boss. Isobel had kept her connection to Michael quiet. Or were they all caught by an arm of Project Shepherd that he had missed? Last night’s glimpse of Michael, he had been covered in blood, and then called away by some painful telepathic urgency.

Alex clocked the dark sedan as government issue, raising more alarm in him.

Swallowing hard, he stood from the chair. “Sheriff, what brings you by?”

Two men exited the sedan, both dressed in similar versions of an off the rack dark business suits. The flair at the hip and shoulder nearly hid the firearms strapped to them. Definitely federal agents.

“We’re looking for Michael Guerin.” She peered toward the closed door of the Airstream, “is he here?”

“He’s not here.” Alex stepped closer to the doorway of the Airstream, subtly blocking entry. He didn’t give himself time to feel relief that at least Michael wasn’t dead or in custody. “What’s this about?”

Agent Bland Number 1 stepped forward holding out an ID with a shield. “Agent Rollins. Mind if we look around?”

Alex stiffened at the casual question. “Actually I do mind. Do you have a warrant?” There was no telling what sort of research on the ‘47 crash Michael had left out, but he was well aware a blood soaked shirt was still on the camp bed from last night.

Agent Bland Number 2 unbuttoned his suit jacket to pull his own ID out with a glance to the Sheriff. “I’m Agent Ross. We have permission from the business owner to be here, son.”

He bristled at the ‘son’ and reached for his own identification. “Captain Manes, United States Air Force, and you may have permission by Mr. Sanders to be here, but that Airstream is a residence with an expectation of privacy, and you need a warrant to enter it.”

“Is it your residence?” Agent Rollins asked, his eyes flickering to Alex with a disbelieving sneer.

Great, a government homophobe. What the hell was Michael into now. He saw Sheriff Valenti stiffen at the undertone by him. In for a penny, “Michael’s my partner, so yes this is also my residence.” He flicked a glance at Michelle Valenti, seeing no surprise on her face and met the eyes of Agent Rollins unflinchingly, “I did not give this country 10 years and my right leg to allow my rights to be trampled. So unless you tell me what’s going on, this has been a lot of fun but it can be continued with my lawyer.”

“Alex,” Sheriff Valenti cautioned. “We might have gotten off on the wrong foot here. We just need to talk to Michael, since his name came up in a routine missing persons investigation. I had to request help from the local field office because we’re a little short handed here in Roswell.”

Fuck. A missing person investigation where Michael’s name was brought up could only mean Noah Bracken. It was too much to hope for that Max Evans had competently covered for his absence while they held him in a pod. A prominent well respected attorney could probably disappear for a day or maybe two, but it had been close to four or five days since the gala.

The few details he had from Michael during that ill-fated drive to Caulfield were mainly focused on the frustration he had that Noah was out of reach in stasis. With Liz’s serum coursing in Noah’s veins, he couldn’t be questioned on their origins without accelerating the decomposition. Michael had mentioned it had been Isobel’s decision, exercising a long overdue power over Noah.

The ride home from Caulfield had been entirely silent, wondering what they were going to do with the likely lone surviving alien with knowledge of their origins seemed out of place.

Alex certainly wouldn’t miss Noah Bracken, but that didn’t mean the community wouldn’t. Barely 12 hours into the damage control of Caulfield and he had a new problem to add to the list.

“Who’s missing?”

“Do you know a Noah Bracken?” Confirming Alex’s suspicions about the visit.

“Everyone knows Noah Bracken. This is a small town. He and his wife sponsor or fund most of the main events around here. In fact the reopening of the UFO museum was just the other night that they hosted.” Alex glanced at Sheriff Valenti, “your own Deputy Evans is his brother-in-law. Is that why the call for federal involvement? Conflict of interest in the department?”

“Deputy Evans took a week of leave after the gala, and yes, his personal relationship to Isobel Evans-Bracken does disqualify him from the inquiry.”

“I still don’t understand what this has to do with Michael and what makes this a missing persons case? The whole town saw him the other night.”

“The ‘other night’, son, was five days ago and that’s the last time he was seen in public. He was due in court for a case yesterday. His secretary says he would have never missed court. His wife told his office he’s on a fishing trip to Heron Lake, but we have no credit card or cell tower data that says Mr. Bracken ever left Roswell. We have reason to believe from a witness that Mr Guerin might have been the last person to have contact with Mr. Bracken.”

It was careless of them to hold Noah in a pod without knowing his court calendar and public appearance schedule intimately. Keeping the cell phone turned on was truly amatuer hour as well. Alex was reminded abruptly that Michael and Isobel were civilians, and Max’s operational experience was likely limited to speeding tickets, warrant serving and drunk and disorderlies. Detaining a suspected enemy combatant for intelligence gathering was more in line with his own resume.

This was the type of battle he left Roswell at seventeen to learn how to win.

Warily Alex kept his expression even and natural, choosing his words carefully with his knowledge of events. “Michael and I were together, here last night. The last time Michael mentioned him was the gala. And I can tell you, personally I haven’t seen Noah around in a while.”

Agent Rollins exchanged a glance with his partner, “you’re willing to swear to that? That Mr. Guerin was with you last night?”

“Yes, we were together last night, and I spent all day with him yesterday.”

“You said everyone knows everyone here. Are you aware of any deeper connection with Mr. Bracken? A personal relationship?” Agent Ross picked up, plastering on amenable smile with the suggestive question.

“Michael is friends with his wife, but I don’t know of any other connection.”

Agent Ross sharpened, “How friendly with his wife would you say he was? Small town has a lot to say about Isobel Evans-Bracken and we’ve heard a lot about their close relationship.”

The Roswell gossip circle strikes again. Without the public acknowledgement of being foundlings together, it probably did look a little odd to the average bridge club members about why a society wife and fundraiser spent so much time with the local bar brawler. He knew with good reason why they kept their kinship secret but it was still inconvenient when rumors swirled about a carnal relationship instead of a sibling one. He remembered his own curiosity about them in high school before he got his answer from Michael in the form of a sweet kiss at the museum.

Alex bristled at the implication, “Michael’s not a cheater and we’ve kept our relationship quiet for the sake of my career and his safety. Like you said, this is a small town.”

Agent Ross looked up from his notebook, and commented blandly, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was over a while ago.”

“It wasn’t when we started.” Alex smiled humorlessly, and extended his hand to Sheriff Valenti, “Michael’s off looking for a part, but I’ll let him know to contact you about setting up an interview with our lawyer.”

“We just want to clear this up, Alex and find Mr. Bracken. No one is saying he’s in trouble. We’re on our way over to Max’s next.” She squeezed his hand meaningfully, before turning away to steer the agents back to their vehicles.

Agent Rollins, ignored Alex’s hand pointedly, “We will get to the bottom of this, Captain Manes. And if need be, we’ll be back with the warrant to search this place from top to bottom.”

Long practice with bullies and his father kept him unyielding when the other agent stepped close in an attempt to intimidate. “You do that.”

He waited until the cars pulled clear of the entrance to Sanders before bringing his phone to his ear.

No answer from Michael’s phone. It went straight to voicemail the way it had this morning when he first tried to call. He mashed the disconnect button. He didn’t have Max’s number. The next best thing was Liz. He wasn’t the praying sort, but he really hoped Liz wasn’t at her lab in the hospital with no signal. The second thing he needed to do after locating Michael was gather everyone’s phone number.

[skonnaris]

50 books read in High School Worth Revisiting

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: High school students who go on to college can quite easily nurture a firsthand understanding of the self-serving hedonism found at the center of this beloved classic. And then they’ll either despise it even more or relate all too well.

Beowulf by unknown: Pick up the popular Old English epic after forgetting the seemingly endless lectures and settle in to a thoroughly enjoyable adventure tale.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: Depending on one’s circumstances when first picking up The Catcher in the Rye, protagonist Holden Caulfield is either a counterculture revelation or a whiny, pretentious brat. Revisiting him later in life will inevitably shift perceptions to some degree, be it major or minor.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: Some high school students may scoff at the soapier elements found on Zora Neale Hurston’s Harlem Renaissance essential, but older adults are more likely to see and admire the strength, courage and resolve of heroine Janie Crawford.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare: The real tragedy of Romeo and Juliet isn’t their mistaken, needless deaths. It’s their staggering myopia and selfishness.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey: Anyone who has ever personally suffered from a psychiatric disorder — or loves someone who does — might find the marginalization of the mentally ill in this undeniable classic both disturbing and tragically accurate. It may take some time and experience between high school and the next read for such bitter facts to really seize hold.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo: Les Miserables is huge. When reading it in English class, deadlines might preclude many students from really picking up on the book’s myriad juicy nuances. Revisiting it later offers far more time to sit and ponder everything Hugo wanted audiences to see.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy: As with Les Miserables, time constraints and other academic obligations make it difficult to really become absorbed in War and Peace. When picking it up and reading on a more personal schedule, visitors are more likely to forge a far more solid grasp of the material.

Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko: More sensitive high school students may find protagonist Tayo’s spiritual, emotional and physical healing process too intense for their tastes. But as they age and gain more life experience, Ceremony could very well prove exactly what they need one day.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe: As long as there are nations battling it out over land and squashing indigenous cultures beneath their boots, postcolonial literature will always be relevant. Chances are, anyone reading Things Fall Apartas a high school student will probably be able to apply many of its tenets to current events. When they re-read it as adults, they might find themselves sadly noting how little things have changed.

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair: Both at the turn of the 20th Century and on into today, most readers (even teachers) tend to emphasize Upton Sinclair’s visceral descriptions of unsanitary food production — especially since it directly spawned hefty legislation. In reality, though, he wanted it to shed light on the plight of exploited workers. Give his classic another visit later in life and see how the story changes when reading it with this in mind.

Beloved by Toni Morrison: Toni Morrison deliberately left many elements of her celebrated novel ambiguous, so any subsequent readings will inevitably churn up new perspectives, details and interpretations.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan: Because family stands as this classic’s core theme, The Joy Luck Club never goes out of style. Whenever issues with parents arise, refer back to it for solace and insight.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker: When life grows too overwhelming, timeless heroine Celie provides inspiration to press on — no matter what sort of adversity and cruelty stonewalls happiness and stability.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain: The sociopolitical elements driving this famous narrative are incredibly important to understanding it as a whole, but focusing too much on them — as one would in an English class — glosses over the comparatively more lighthearted adventure elements.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Understandably, many first-time Frankensteinreaders dive into the novel expecting a green-skinned simpleton with bolts in his neck — and find themselves shocked when encountering something completely different. Give it a re-read and see what may have been missed when consciously or subconsciously making comparisons with the iconic movie.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway: High school students sigh over this leisurely-paced classic, but older adults seeking something more philosophical than frenetic might find it exactly what they want.

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller: Hopefully, picking up the searing Death of a Salesman at just the right time will prevent many students and adults from falling into the same lifestyle traps as tragic Willy Loman.

The Stranger by Albert Camus: Existentialism probably seems intense and somewhat inaccessible to many high schoolers, but one of the philosophy’s cornerstones warrants further consideration once they pack on more life experiences.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad: Puncturing through allegory after allegory after allegory grows tiresome after a while, and a fair amount of individuals might enjoy Heart of Darkness far more if they didn’t have to so painstakingly dissect every word.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou: Maya Angelou’s poetic autobiography is at once heartbreaking and inspiring — an ultimately uplifting tale perfect for anyone needing a dash or two of courage.

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut: An American treasure, Kurt Vonnegut may not necessarily appeal to harried high schoolers lacking the time to really sit and think about his statements regarding society, religion and politics. Approaching him with the proper time frame and mindset will make Slaughterhouse-Five and his other works burst with life and lessons.

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka: "Monstrous vermin" Gregor Samsa serves as a viable literary outlet for anyone, anywhere feeling as if the world treads all over their stability and happiness. Reading about the horrific abuses his family heaps upon him provides a strange, comforting sense of solidarity.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte-: Though fiction, Wuthering Heights makes for one of the most prominent lessons in how mentally and emotionally abusive relationships operate – something women and men alike absolutely need to know if they hope to keep themselves safe.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Most of Steinbeck’s oeuvre deserves multiple reads, but his story of a developmentally disabled man and his devoted caretaker remains one of the most heart-wrenching American novels ever printed. And one whose tragic ending merits a wealth of conversations.

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra: Because Don Quixotepossesses such a rich history and left an indelible mark on popular culture, bibliophiles of all ages find themselves coming back again and again to enjoy the adventures of the eponymous dreamer.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: This semi-autobiographical novel sheds considerable light on a life wracked with mental illness — a somber, realistic lesson every adult must understand. The Bell Jar also serves as a reminder that anyone emotionally struggling doesn’t always do so alone.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess: Readers who don’t understand Russian or cockney slang (aka most of them) need to read this warped dystopian novel multiple times to understand what in God’s name the characters are even saying.

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen: Written before the feminist movement rose up and fought for women’s equality, one of Henrik Ibsen’s most popular plays toyed with the scandalous notion that some housewives may pine for a life outside their husbands, homes and kids.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin: Another recommended read for the liberated woman and the men who appreciate them, though many fans of this book find themselves divided over whether or not they fully agree with the central figure’s actions.

Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift: English classes spend so much time zeroing in on the wealth of social, political and religious commentary found in Gulliver’s Travels, they oftentimes forget to address just how much fun the book actually is.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison: Dense and intense, Ralph Ellison’s brutal analysis of pre-Civil Rights race relations is required reading for any students and adults hoping to end bigotry in all its twisted, ugly guises.

Maus by Art Spiegelman: Maus currently holds the honor of being the only Pulitzer-winning graphic novel, a status that rightfully earned it a place on many a syllabus. Despite its grim content — Art Spiegelman’s very real talks with his father about his Holocaust experiences — the valuable lessons about family and history remain timeless.

Inferno by Dante Alighieri: All three portions of Dante Alighieri’s epic poetry trilogy The Divine Comedy are required reading, but his bizarre, highly detailed depiction of hell holds the most influence over the literary world today — not to mention pop culture as a whole.

1984 by George Orwell: No literary history aficionados will argue that George Orwell’s terrifying totalitarian dystopia birthed the entire genre, but it certainly left the biggest impact. Political pundits enjoy trotting out parallels to 1984 when discussing administrations they hate. Citizens familiarizing themselves with the novel’s tenets and context can tell whether or not they have a real point or are just resorting to paranoid fearmongering.

Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya: Despite the many hardships heaped upon protagonist Rukmani, hers is a story of strength and perseverance that many students and adults may want to consult when seeking comfort in times of trouble.

Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton: Though apartheid may have ended, its legacy of intolerance and discord provides future generations with the tools to identify and stop such practices before they even have a chance to start.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller: Readers of all ages with a particular affinity for absurdity and political commentary — especially as it relates to wartime — keep coming back to this novel again and again for laughs and truth bombs.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: Bibliophiles looking for a great bildungsroman to read over and over again have plenty to love about and explore with this compelling story about a young Chicana and her life in an impoverished Chicago neighborhood.

A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories by Flannery O’Connor: Though an obviously subjective statement, many consider Flannery O’Connor one of the best American short story writers of all time. In such a confined space, she thrived with some incredibly provocative, influential narratives well worth reconsideration.

Night by Elie Wiesel: In his autobiography, Elie Wiesel recounts his gruesome experiences in Auschwitz and Buchenwald with the hopes of educating the world about the Holocaust’s horrors. Giving Night more than one look helps drive home its major historical themes, imbuing readers with the knowledge needed to better recognize hate and genocide.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi: This new classic is at once hilarious and heartbreaking. Through deceptively simple art, writer and cartoonist Marjane Satrapi recounts her childhood during the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the different set of prejudices faced as an expatriate in Europe.

Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon: Gravity’s Rainbow necessitates multiple reads because it involves over 400 characters embroiled in increasingly absurdist, surreal situations. Anyone who says they understand everything in one read is probably lying just to seem smart. Punch him or her in the face.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles: The comparatively cushy lives of private school students in New England are juxtaposed with young men forced to the front lines of World War II, with a strange and interesting friendship right in the center.

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole: Not only is it a provocative read — especially when one factors in author John Kennedy Toole’s tragic life — this posthumous Pulitzer winner also happens to be one of the most hilarious novels ever published.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: Charles Dickens attracts such a massive audience, most of his oeuvre could’ve easily made this list. A Tale of Two Cities oftentimes bores high school students, but as they grow older they may come to love its history and memorable characters.

Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott: Aside from the fact that this novel exists as one of the greatest satires ever written in English, it also warrants multiple reads for the sheer originality and imagination.

A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf: In her book-length essay A Room of One’s Own, Virginia Woolf opines on feminism, sexuality (most especially lesbianism) and the importance of financial autonomy and personal space for writers.

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri: Short stories of Indians and Indian-Americans intertwine thematically, raising some excellent questions about multiculturalism, family, relationships and plenty of other subjects bibliophiles delight in discussing.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse: Both the spiritually-minded and those adhering to no religious credos at all appreciate this reflective classic and turn to it for meditative advice.

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[soulshardarchive]

𝕬𝖗𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖛𝖊

24:03:6 - well ...

24:01:05 - gr8, have you ever wondered how it all ends?

24:00:00 - The Apocalypse of the Soul ⭐

23:12:27 - I died, and spoke with living

23:12:24 - The Yule Tree

23:12:23 - well, itsjustkindofastoryaboutagirl, whose nose was stolen

23:12:21 - bye!

23:12:08 - and just falling stars..

23:12:05 - and just empty mattresses and falling stars

23:12:01 - bro... ure dead, with minus seven hundred

23:11:25 - you guys

23:11:24 - im not waiting to be adopted, ive adopted myself

23:11:02 - #?/*Đ% "+ $&@# */&&#

23:10:29 - Samhain is Coming, i feel in my bones

23:10:21 - Friends here

23:10:20 - The city of cold

23:10:02 - Krwlng, Lets begin

23:09:30 - Im lost in my words

23:09:23 - Idwannatalkabout, but its ... its cold, and its me

23:09:19 - The Anger

23:09:13 - I dont give a shit...I know how down I come from

23:09:08 - Im arrived at the sacred center ⭐

23:09:05 - I felt the hate rise up in meh

23:09:02 - You Know...

23:09:01 - Everything is happenig

23:08:28 - Drink Wine in the Cinema Before Drive, Thankyu

23:08:26 - Okay, Little Horcrux is walking around the city

23:08:24 - The Witch with that Fckin Cards

23:08:21 - Valleys of Casa Grande and Dining Pasta Hill ⭐

23:08:15 - Choking on the Bed

23:08:12 - City of Firefly Lanterns sayin Wellcome Back Again

23:08:07 - I'm curious why you're leaving me, guys...

23:07:29 - Wellcoming

23:07:15 - Oldschool Lake Flow

23:07:04 - The Place...Called Home ⭐

23:06:27 - Hey Wuk, Re U Seein Meh? Im the 17!

23:06:24 - Explodig Night of Fireflies and Arabic Coffe ⭐

23:06:01 - What is known ⭐

23:05:26 - Seagulls and The Camper Van Tales

23:05:25 - The Ultimate Wonder-Deco Shinobi Team ⭐

23:05:17 - Holden Caulfield said correctly

23:05:16 - No one, but at least the dead people talk with me

23:05:09 - Ya, it is a Brand New Day

23:04:28 - Taste the Suffering boi

23:04:08 - I remember you Ice Stack and Magic Buttons ⭐

23:03:23 - Super Team

23:03:16 - The Gods Smile ⭐

23:03:10 - And the Singing Moon, started a Quiet Song 🔒

23:03:04 - Oh Fuck, I have to go to jump out of a plane

23:03:03 - She tried to save meh from that necklace

23:03:01 - Old roads

23:02:22 - A little piece from the Goddess

23:02:11 - I'd love to die today

23:02:01 - Enter

23:01:10 - Tom the Adventurer

23:01:01 - Sky Cloud Meads ⭐

22:12:23 - The Day of Spirit

22:12:12 - Christmas Chaos

22:11:13 - Everything happened for me to be here now

22:11:01 - Celebration in Monster City Center Basement

22:10:20 - The Trick

22:10:15 - Nion

22:09:23 - Burnout

22:09:17 - The Inner Cave Dream

22:09:10 - Past, Present, Be strong for Future

22:08:30 - Lessons

22:08:19 - Atum Seshat ⭐

22:08:13 - Exist

22:08:10 - How you get here

22:08:01 - Gates of the Paradise ⭐

22:07:09 - Across the half World

22:07:05 - Teo Checked Me

22:07:03 - Seth

22:06:30 - Reb’s Gift 🔒 ⭐

22:06:03 - Black Reeds

22:06:17 - The Present

22:06:10 - These are Different Lessons

22:06:08 - Just one word remained: Reb

22:06:04 - Nice Prayers in the Oaks of the Temple

22:05:29 - Between

22:05:20 - You are my Friends!

22:05:16 - Mugwort tastes like the Moon

22:05:12 - The Job

22:05:01 - The First Summer Fires in the Woods

22:04:29 - Poets from shadows

22:04:28 - Ravens

22:04:25 - Almost Done, or not?

22:04:14 - Du you want a puff?

22:04:11 - Funny Ghosts

22:03:26 - Wuk, Mira, Everybody, What happened?

22:03:22 - Underworld Tales

22:03:22 - Annwn ⭐

22:03:16 - I’m a forgotten, empty place, from a previous world

22:02:22 - Cold Empty Matrasess and Falling Stars

22:02:17 - No-No! Students do not open random portals!

22:02:13 - Immrama Islands

22:02:12 - Egypt’s Ancient Dreams

22:01:28 - The Druids Egg

22:01:17 - The Gate to the Triple Goddess ⭐

22:01:08 - Journey in Past 🔒

21:12:16 - One Tribe

21:12:15 - The Dream of Alchemy ⭐

21:12:04 - Headphones and Black Pants

21:11:27 - The Sacred Center

21:11:11 - Land, Sea, Sky

21:10:03 - These are Cold Dawns

21:09:19 - Nightmares and Cardboard Boxes

21:09:13 - Little Ghost Girl of Amsterdam

21:09:04 - At The End Of History II. ⭐

21:08:31 - Kukulkan’s Bloody Pyramids

21:08:29 - The Emerald tables of Thoth

21:08:28 - Base Of Ancestors III.

21:08:24 - IX.

21:08:23 - You Known, Too High Level Wand…

21:08:13 - Druids From Magh Mor 🔒 ⭐

21:08:08 - Wellcome to Paradise

21:08:05 - 12 Towers of Babylon

21:07:28 - The Oak Tree

21:07:24 - Valley of Wonders ⭐

21:07:20 - The Cherry Tree Elemental and the Gnomes

21:07:10 - We Are, Together

21:07:05 - All or Nothing

21:07:01 - The Hanged Man

21:06:22 - Fuck You! 🔒

21:06:13 - The Higher Law ⭐

21:06:10 - Third

21:06:06 - Ivy on Empty houses

21:06:05 - I wouldn't kill you, Friend

21:06:04 - Never look back

21:06:02 - See You Mira

21:05:22 - The last day in This Circle

21:04:27 - Snow Mountains

21:04:11 - The Witch and The Strawberry Tree

21:04:09 - Waking up in the previous dream

21:03:15 - The Ghost of Great-Grand Mother 🔒 ⭐

21:03:09 - A Little Deer Spirit Saved Me

21:03:03 - Get Backpack, but nobody knows

21:02:21 - The Three Glyphs of the Elf Woman

21:01:16 - Underworld of Earth II .

21:01:01 - Fall down, into the Black Hole

20:12:28 - The Sad And Angry Bride Ghost

20:12:12 - Underworld of Earth?

20:12:04 - Base Of Ancestors II. ⭐

20:10:26 - The Joy of The Fireplace With Them 🔒 ⭐

20:10:19 - A Prophecy from the World’s End by a Forest Girl Spirit ⭐

20:10:13 - Again

20:09:23 - Tiramisu Mira ⭐

20:09:01 - The Song of Shepherds

20:08:22 - Shadow Hand

20:08:16 - Lost Magic

20:08:15 - Small Grey Hermit Smell

20:08:07 - The Great-GrandMother's Underworld

20:08:04 - Dancing feet on Summer Rainy Meads ⭐

20:08:03 - The World of Dreamers ⭐

20:08:01 - Ister-Gam ⭐

20:07:21 - The Magic Shop

20:07:10 - Legend of Roe Deer Creek

20:07:04 - Roe Deer’s Clan ⭐

20:07:01 - Just 7 hours Remained

20:06:28 - Star Systems

20:06:23 - We Have One Earth

20:06:10 - Reverse

20:05:27 - Jakks’s Mail

20:04:19 - Another Living Line

20:04:07 - We Are One

20:04:05 - Survive Until Dawn

20:04:03 - Spirit of the Forest

20:04:01 - VLM

20:03:15 - Where always 03:03 AM ⭐

20:03:06 - Trust in Life

20:02:24 - At The End Of History

20:01:01 - We From Earth

19:12:12 - Princess of Frozen Moon 🔒

19:12:08 - Kicked the Moon, Across the Sky 🔒

19:12:06 - Place Called Home

19:12:02 - The Biggest Smoke Clouds

19:10:15 - First in the Depth of The Underworld ⭐

19:10:13 - Zeta Reticuli 🔒

19:09:13 - The Clamp Knockdown

19:08:13 - Sunken Worlds Song ⭐

19:08:06 - Dancing Deer Spirit of the Drum

19:07:31 - Rising Sun, Setting Sun 🔒

19:06:10 - What About Forest? ⭐

19:05:22 - R. From Earth

19:04:25 - Soulshards ⭐

19:04:18 - I don’t want to hear it

19:03:10 - Icaros

19:03:08 - Sweet Bhajanas alone in Temple

19:01:27 - Ben

19:01:03 - Travel, Faith, Love, Lust

18:12:19 - The Glass Table

19:12:06 - Ann’s Magic Buttons ⭐

18:11:22 - Message From the Earth

18:11:08 - The Bird Question

18:10:13 - I want to see with my own eyes ⭐

18:10:13 - Only those who can die, Can Live

18:09:12 - Death Mirror

18:07:07 - Maha Prasadam

18:05:13 - Black & White

18:05:10 - With Me

18:04:16 - Garden of Eden

18:04:01 - Fixed Gear

18:02:23 - Cold Bus Stations

18:01:01 - Without You

17:12:07 - Home like a Temple

17:11:22 - Come Back

17:10:10 - Friends

17:09:08 - The Temple ⭐

17:08:01 - Don’t Leave Me

17:07:07 - Litte Town

17:06:24 - Raspberries Everywhere

17:05:09 - Separating in Process

17:04:18 - Hippies

17:03:11 - Lost in Travels

17:02:21 - Sex, Drugs and You

17:01:01 - Her Name is Ket 🔒

16:12:24 - Who Are You? ⭐

16:11:16 - Hearth Breakers

16:10:27 - Leave The Big Cities

16:09:06 - Forest in the Center of Concrete Jungle

16:08:05 - Keep the Flow

16:07:07 - Thanks Yall

16:06:13 - The Mead Again

16:05:19 - I lose Ang’s Hearth

16:04:04 - Punks Are Dead

16:03:27 - Trainstaions End

16:02:01 - Learn to be Free

16:01:01 - Whistle Back

15:12:16 - Cutted Rowel

15:11:20 - Red Flag

15:10:19 - Travel, Travel, and Travel

15:09:01 - Recreations

15:08:22 - Bye Ang! I’m Travel Again

15:07:23 - Back to the Home

15:06:16 - Long Ways to PK

15:06:22 - Everybody has a Brick

15:05:03 - 2 Times Homeless

15:04:23 - He is

15:04:18 - Ren

15:03:28 - The Start

14:06:02 - The Mead

14:05:22 - Pistols and Ropes🔒

14:05:01 - Child what? I’m getaway 🔒

14:04:21 - Hang-Air

14:04:18 - She has two parents and a little dog

14:02:04 - Cold Streets, Cod Hearts

13:05:11 - Dom

13:01:01 - Connectors

12:12:21 - Waiting for what?

11:05:07 - The Blue Pocket

10:04:12 - Cigarettes at the back of the Church

09:01:01 - Anyone?

08:07:07 - Visions, Lucid Dreams, Others ⭐

08:06:04 - Sky World

07:07:07 - Self Awareness

06:03:12 - Square World

05:07:07 - Just me, My Dog, and Our Meads ⭐

04:04:21 - Base Of Ancestors

04:??:?? - Bye Mom 🔒

04:??:?? - He said my lovely legs, the other broke them 🔒

03:??:?? - Something In Shadows

01:01:?? - Bye Dad 🔒

00:00:00 - XXI. Century

98:07:07 - Waking up in a Next Dream