#Paddle Wheel Flow Indicator

[therealroselovejoy]

Chapter Six of Run

"Ah shit!" Daryl curses, slamming his hands on the steering wheel. There's smoke leaking from underneath the hood of the truck.

"Maybe it's just a radiator hose?" I quip, getting out of the vehicle.

"Just? Where are we going to find another one?!" He kicks at the tire, pacing back and forth in anger.

"Look around, Dare Bear, you have your pick of the litter." I wave my hands around dramatically, gesturing to the highway full of cars.

He grunts, wiping his hand down his face. "We are out of gas, too."

"Then siphon." I grab the gas bucket and hose, going to a nearby car. It takes a few tries but gas flows into the can, though my mouth tastes a bit like fuel now.

"Shit!" Daryl curses, kicking at the pickup again. "The engine is blown. We gotta take the chopper out and go that way."

He lets Rick know the verdict, loading our gear into the remaining cars. Then, I get to ride in the bitch seat. For the first few miles, I attempt to hold on as little as possible but after a close call with the pavement and a Walker, my arms are wrapped securely around his torso.

We settle in front of the RV. Daryl seems to be joyriding but I feel free myself, the wind rushing through my blonde hair. If you tune out the growls, this could feel like a family trip.

Further along the highway, the more and more the road becomes blocked. We go from enjoying the ride to spotting for Dale. Eventually, we stop. There's a way through but we'll have to go slow. My grip around Daryl tightens involuntarily.

There's a loud clank behind us, similar to what the truck made earlier and I know another hose just blew. "Shit Daryl, look!" There's smoke coming out of the hood of the RV; the vehicle coming to a stop.

Daryl is already going to the cars to root around for supplies or maybe a radiator hose. The others disperse with the same idea. I look around for my family and see Marie trying to coax Milly out of the car without any luck. Ashley looks nervously around until she spots me, getting out of the car and running to me for a hug.

"Aunt Lilly!"

I wrap my arms around her. "Hey Ash. How 'bout you stick with Daryl and I?" I hear a grunt but no further indication that it isn't okay.

We fall into a groove together, him busting open the gas tank covers and I doing the actual siphoning. Meanwhile, Ashley would check the cars for anything useful. Marie joined us after a bit without Milly and I didn't care to ask her whereabouts.

"Get under the cars!" Daryl shouts at me, shoving me onto the pavement, skinning my hands and probably my knees. From his tone, I don't argue, getting underneath a nearby vehicle, seeing Marie and Ashley do the same together. I can't see Daryl, though. Unfortunately, I can't focus on it much more as Walkers start to saunter by, occupying every space of my mind.

That is, until I see him drop in front of me with a dead Walker on top of him, T-Dog beside him. We wait longer, sure the coast is clear before getting up.

"Oh shit, T-Dog, that looks bad," I mutter, pointing at his arm. He nods, looking a bit unsteady on his feet. We go back to the group and they're in hysterics. Well, mostly Carol is.

"Sophia! They went after my Sophia! Rick is out there but she's alone and scared!"

"Ash, stay with Marie! I'll be back!" I call over my shoulder, heading in the direction the older woman pointed.

"I'm coming, too," Daryl mutters, catching instep with me. We see Rick in a white bloodied shirt almost right off the bat.

"I left her right here. I drew the Walkers away in that direction up the creek."

"Without a paddle, seems where we landed," Daryl drips with sarcasm. I elbow him, glaring as this is not the time. We're losing daylight and we've lost a little girl.

"Got clear prints right here," the redneck says, inspecting the ground not far off. "She did like you said, headed back to the highway."

"Let's spread out. She couldn't have gotten far." Or eaten. She could've gotten eaten.

"She was doing just fine 'till about here, then she veered off that way," Daryl points.

"Something must've spooked her," I say, looking at the trail myself, confirming what he says to be true.

"There's no other footprints." He shakes his head.

"Then maybe got lost? Second-guessed her surroundings?" I run my hand through my hair in frustration. Where is this little girl?

Rick sends Shane and Glenn back to the highway. That leaves Rick, Daryl, and I to follow her trail.

"Tracks are gone. Wait, no, they're faint, but they ain't gone," Daryl corrects himself. "She went through here."

I breathe a sigh of relief, while Rick wants to question the redneck. "How do you know? I don't see anything...no dirt, grass—"

"You want a lesson on tracking or a lesson on finding that girl? And to get our ass off that interstate." This finally shut our leader up.

We continue on, finally running into another sign of movement. Unfortunately, it's another undead. We surround it, an easy and clean kill. Thankfully, it's not Sophia but a tall skinny male.

Rick pulls out his gloves and leans over the body, confusing Daryl and I as we exchange glances. "What are you looking for?" Daryl asks when Rick opens the Walker's mouth.

"Skin under the fingernails. It fed recently. There's flesh caught in its teeth."

"What kind of flesh?"

"I'm goin' to guess human, Dare bear," I mutter, looking in disgust at Rick's actions.

"Only one way to know for sure," Rick says, opening the dead's shirt.

"Let me. My knife's sharper from skinnin'." He straddles the body, plunging in deep. I gag, turning away.

"Gross bastard had himself a woodchuck for lunch."

"Well, now we know," Rick says. I turn back to look, vomiting immediately onto the open stomach.

"Well, you aren't a lightweight but you sure can't handle gore, can ya?" Daryl pats me on the back before walking away cockily. This isn't over, redneck.

The next morning after no Sophia, we go back out with more of the group. Daryl leads the charge.

"She could be in there," Carol cries when she spots a tent. Marie holds her back.

"A whole lotta things could be in there," Daryl says, keeping his crossbow raised as he approaches. When he gets close, his skinning knife comes out. He investigates, not seeming to see anything wrong before having Rick get Carol.

"Your voice should be the first thing she hears."

"Sophia, sweetie," she calls out softly. "Sophia, it's mommy." When there's no response, Shane and Rick move up to help Daryl open the tent, probably fearing the worst. By the coughing and gagging, I know it's not the little girl inside.

"I'm sorry, Carol," I say, placing a hand on her shoulder before turning away. We need to keep looking.

"Do you hear that? Church bells?" I call out to Rick. He nods, going into a sprint, myself not far behind.

We carefully open the church doors, stunned by the Walkers still sitting in their pews as if they're still alive. They turn, snarling, looking at us.

"This is fucking creepy," I mutter, taking out the lady in a veil nearby with my hatchet. Rick is still in the corner beating his to a bloody pulp. Now I get where that saying comes from.

"Rick stop! We're all upset that she's not here!" I take his weapon out of his hand mid-swing. He nods, in a slight state of shock, but calmly accepts his axe back.

The bells start up again and we go outside, only to see they're on a timer and not even real bells. I kick the box until the siren shuts off. I punch it for good measure. Maybe I'm not the best role model for Rick at the moment.

"We've searched this whole area. I say we split up," Rick says, looking at the group in front of the church entrance. When I go to walk with Daryl, our leader stops me. "Actually, I want you with me this time."

"Uh, yeah, sure." As much as Daryl and I got on each other's nerves, we seemed to actually work well together. Let's hope I can say the same about Rick.

We head out with Carl and Shane, coming upon something I haven't seen in a long time since the world went to shit. A buck.

The majestic beast saunters into the clearing, staring straight at us. Carl slowly approaches the animal. He looks back at us and we encourage him forward with a nod.

A gunshot echoes the forest, two bodies hitting the ground. Everything seems to happen in slow motion.

Just like that, a peaceful moment is ruined

[khinpngon]

Exploring the Ceramics Traditions of Burma

The Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar, or Burma, has a tradition of ceramics. The earliest archaeological finds, dating to around 11,000 BC, produce functional cord-marked potsherds in the Padah-Lin caves along Burma���s border with Yunnan, China, and among a range of Hoabinhian sites in the region.

Archaeologists have found other corded earthenware examples from the Neolithic Age (2,000 to 4,000 BC) in the large basin formed by the Chindwin and Ayeyawady rivers as they flow down from Kani highlands. Undecorated, they made them from fine-grained clay and sand without wheels using coiling and paddling methods. The turning wheel dates back to 3,000 BC, and diggings have also unearthed bowls with various rims and bases.

People used the pottery to store flour, water, and oil lamps. Some Bronze Age finds in the Samon Valley feature small, cylindrical shapes similar to soda cans. People most likely used them for distilling fragrances or alcohol through an evaporative cooling effect. Earthenware of this era had spiritual and everyday significance. They buried them with the deceased, accompanying them on their journey through the afterlife.

Around the second century AD, a distinctive Neem leaf decorative tradition took hold in the lowland delta regions of Burma. The intricately designed leaves often have geometric patterns and depictions of people and animals, such as elephants. It may have indicated a migration of people from India through Burma south to the Malay peninsula’s coastal regions.

Another distinctive tradition associated with the indigenous Pyu culture spanned the fifth century BC to the ninth century AD and encompasses the transition from prehistoric to historic. Distinctive finds in Beikthano, Sriksetra, and Halin include bricks with finger scratches, burial urns, and glass and earthen beads. Archaeologists have also found ceramics with the Pyu-alphabet and distinct potters’ marks. They discovered eighth-century AD tin-lead glazed bricks at the Ngakywenadaung Padoga, positing that Pyu potters introduced glazing techniques to Burma as early as the 5th century AD.

In the mid-1980s, archaeologists found green-and-white glazed wares in the Tak and Omkai region on the Thai-Burma border. These well-preserved plates, often with floral designs, underwent isotope ratio analysis by Japanese collectors, confirming that Burma had another glazed pottery tradition. Since then, archaeologists have uncovered around a hundred production sites spanning 2,000 kilns in regions such as Yangon-Bago, Ayeyawady, and Mandalay. The crossdraft (inground and surface) kilns produced low-temperature lead or tin-lead glazeware and high-temperature celadon (ash glaze) stoneware.

The tin-lead glazeware tradition did not originate in China but came from ancient Egypt. Then, it spread through the sea and overland routes of the Silk Road. Overland routes would have run from India through Thailand or China and down the Ayeyawady River, which is navigable to the lowland delta region.

Many still use the ancient traditions of Burmese pottery. The Sagaing region of central Myanmar has several villages whose economy still revolves around ceramics production. The Oh-Bo village potters follow a five-stage production process for Thingyan and water storage pots that involves collecting raw materials, preparing paste, shaping, applying decorative elements, and firing.

First, villagers source local myayni (red clay) and myaynak (black clay), with the latter coming from the Ayeyarwaddy River’s east bank near the Kaung Mhu Daw pagoda. They knead the two clays and store them in jute or Penang bags for up to two days. Then, they re-knead them before use, ensuring they become sticky enough to create a smooth, shapable ceramic surface.

One potter now places clay blocks on the spinning or potter's wheel while another spins the wheel. Within five minutes, they form a mold and air dry it for a few minutes before a paddle and anvil help create a smooth, rounded pot of the standard thickness. They use a plar (pointed wooden tool) to tap the outside of the pot, creating simple zip-zap and floral designs. After one day of drying, they distribute 1,000 pots upside down among layers of straw and wood for a firing.

Finally, craftsmen apply sticky mud to the straw. The plastering process creates a mud-coated straw layer that encloses the pots. The mud cover ensures that the pots bake slowly and evenly, with the firing process taking around 12 hours. Finally, they clean the pots, making them ready for use. Buyers visit the village to purchase them directly. Buyers can also find sellers along the road.

[ceruleansol-archive]

An Hour

An really old piece I wrote for a challenge to write an hour of my oc's life.

Summary: fishing trip gone wrong over and over again...

Notes: takes place in another world. Daiven takes up his father's fishing business after he went missing when he was a kid. This writing is not a reflection of my current level of writing okay ;v;

Word count: 2.1k

"It’s about that time..." Daiven noted to himself as he squinted at the slowly rising sun. It barely peaked over the horizon, but the position indicated the usual time for his departure. He turned back to face the dock. "I'm shoving off, Hicks!"

The rugged man glanced up briefly at him in the boat, signaling a disinterested goodbye with a short wave of his hand to keep focused on his task. Daiven waved in response, offering a brief smile before he took his position at the helm.

Getting the intricate array of water-powered wheels to start, the boat gradually gained speed on its way out to sea. With all of his father's creative tinkering and tweaks, the Silver Dream darted over the waters almost effortlessly. The sun hadn't even fully risen by the time he arrived within the parameters of their fishing grounds.

Below deck, the glazed cedar wood of the water wheels creaked in protest as he strained to slow them down. It was the only part they couldn't figure out: to make it stop effectively. He pulled the single lever downwards, the wooden flaps pressing onto the paddles of the wheels in response, gradually slowing the ship to a steady halt. Once he slid the log through the paddles of both wheels, his muscles could finally relax.

The strenuous effort and heat below deck cast a sheen of sweat on his face, and he raised his shirt to wipe it away as he made his way back up top. Getting back up to the top deck, the fresh air greeted him, and he breathed it in welcomingly. Its scent flowed in crisp misty wafts that tingled at its touch. It cooled his skin, though the sun was against him, as expected. The sky was cloudless and bright blue, allowing the sun full access.

It's what he loved about the sea: the feeling, the smells. It reminded him of his time fishing with his father. No matter how hot it was, the water was always cool. It was always there, like him—

Correction—like he was.

The fun and hardships they had while on these very waters, the scent always brought him back to those moments. The fishing he enjoyed very much also.

The fish in question, the radiant flagtails, conjure a hefty profit if handled correctly. They often require dangerous tactics to obtain. Their length can stretch as far as two of the Silver Dreams placed bow to stern and can become as wide as a fourth of his boat. The most noticeable and valuable part of this fish, however, was its tail. A long array of colorful, transparent sheets crescent in shape flow behind these creatures. Their lean and healthy meat was prized as well. Only those skilled enough in this field of Open Water fishing have any chance of being successful in catching one.

Daiven grabbed one of the buckets from the bridge and brought it to the main deck. For each of the six large hooks attached to the lining of the boat, he shoved on a ball of wrapped meat used as bait from the bucket. He gave the deck a once-over to double-check the whereabouts of all the ropes before tossing the baited hooks overboard, and the thick ropes attaching them to the boat descended into the deep.

He watched them drop until he could barely see them in the dark depths. He stood back and took in the horizon.

Man, that view, he thought to himself. Totally isolated, but whatever… it’s fine. Anyway, he turned his attention to the present.

Back to the bridge, he dug out the sword his father gave him. With the weapon unsheathed, the ethereal metal glistened. It was one of the most admirable things he knew about his father: his capable swordsmanship.

He brought it out with him to the main deck, loosely swinging it around to familiarize its grip and weight. In the center of the deck, he set his stance and leveled the blade. Lunging with it, he performed sequences of offensive and defensive maneuvers he was taught by his father. At the end of one such sequence, he struck his blade up high to hold as if blocking a headlong strike. Then, imagining a foe behind him, he spun on his heels and slashed where he pretended the foe’s torso would be.

Daiven lowered the blade, chuckling at himself. He took a step to deliver another sequence of moves when the ship tilted sideways, throwing him off balance. The ship dipped substantially and caused him to slip off his feet.

“Agh!” he yelped as he slid across the deck.

He stopped himself at the rail with his feet, which was now ever so close to the water. With teeth bared, he quickly slung his sword up across the deck to land somewhere secure. He turned his attention back to the water and peeked over the edge; a large flagtail snagged onto one of his hooks. It wasn’t fighting it, but it wasn’t in any mood to stay still either. It wouldn’t be the first time his boat would be dragged. The fish tugged again, making him flail a bit before he regained his balance.

He grinned brightly, excited. “Whoa, big boy, you’ll be worth two!” He hurried to reach over and grab his gear—

The deck flung up abruptly, toppling him back across the deck. Shocked, he quickly rolled to his feet and rushed to the railing. The rope and hook were still there, but the flagtail was gone.

Daiven furrowed his brows. “What the…?” He pulled in the hook. With it over on the deck, the problem was obvious. The hook was barely curved enough to sustain a fish like that of a flagtail; it must have bent it out of its shape. He let out a long huff. “Just one more thing I have to get fixed…”

He thought it best to keep it on board so as not to lose any more catches and then sat himself down with it on the bridge.

There wasn’t anyone in town who had the skill of shaping Open Water hooks. Sure, there were blacksmiths, but with the amount of metal that makes up these hooks and the effort to shape them, it wouldn’t be something one could just bring in casually. The only people he knew of who could reshape these hooks were on the other side of the Open Waters. His dad had been there plenty of times, but he was never told much about it. He could try to find someone if he went that far out, but he was too close to the end of the season to risk that much time. Plus, he never went there before.

Disappointed in himself, he decided to wait for the next catch. The bridge was well enough to sleep in, though he had never procured anything he could properly sleep on. Resting his head back against the wall, he let the rocking of the boat lull him to sleep.

As he lay there, a single tug dragged at the ship. Another one followed. After what felt like a day’s rest, Daiven jolted awake at the heavy tilting of the boat, body sliding to the opposite side of the bridge. Chairs and trunks followed after him.

“Whoa-whoa-whoa!” he shouted, stopping them from running into his head. The ship continued to pull, and he scrambled to get out of the bridge in time to get this catch.

Now pulling from the other side, this flagtail appeared to be impatient with its food. Daiven braced back against the angled slope of the deck, grabbed the gear needed to wrestle in this fish as he slid down, landed on the rail, and was inches from attaching the gear when once again, the deck came flying up at him, this time flinging him above the deck. He landed squarely on the bare wood opposite of where he was seconds before.

He flopped his arm over his face, letting the pain in his torso subside before he attempted to get up. “I’m only sixteen… sixteen…”

Whining, he pushed himself to his feet and dragged them as he trudged back to the railing. As predicted, the flagtail was gone. Grumbling under his breath, he pulled in the bare hook. To his surprise, it was bent like the other one. Was it the flagtail? I know the hooks aren’t that weak… he thought, his brows furrowing …Are all of them like that?

He reeled in the other four hooks, and just as he suspected, they were all the same; each hook was bent in such a way that any catch would have had an easy getaway.

“How did I not notice?” he fumed. “All of them need to get fixed now!” His arms went limp at his sides. “Of all times…”

With it being so close to the end of the fishing season, the likelihood that he would fulfill his required quarter was near zero with this dilemma.

The beating of his heart pounded in his chest from his frustration. Huffing, he tossed the hooks back into the water and took his place on the deck, gear in hand. And then he waited.

This day will not be wasted…

Minutes ticked by, the sun now thirty degrees above the horizon. The second sun would be appearing within the next hour. From the one sun, the heat now overpowered the cool mist of the sea, but he remained on the deck, patient, determined. At the slightest tug on the ship, he would jolt to his feet, but when he realized the false alarms, he would then plop back onto his rear.

The occasional tug on the boat became routine, and he stayed seated but alert to the changes in the water’s movements against the boat. He counted the time also. On an active day like this, there should be more to come if not soon.

Remembering then, Daiven turned his head back to look at where he had slid his sword, tight worry leaving his chest when he saw it was still secure—

The boat dipped forward slightly, and immediately Daiven was to his feet. Hurrying to the edge, he leaped over the railing, diving into the depths. The silence of the water was disturbed sparsely by the pubescent flagtail attached to the line.

Yards below the surface, Daiven gazed at the beautiful creature. Its tail flowed and rippled in shades of an incredibly deep blue and faded to green at the tips. He never could get used to seeing such ethereal creatures. And this one wasn’t struggling at all; it was calm, complacent like it was in no hurry.

The pain in Daiven’s chest reminded him to move quickly. He swam lower to the flagtail’s side and aimed his gear up toward the surface at an angle. The roped projection, once he launched it, would fall onto the other side of the fish, and he’d be able to swim underneath the fish to retrieve it on the other side. After the fish was secured, he’d go back to the boat, attach the rope, and reel it in. It wouldn’t be his first time, and air wasn’t something that was really an issue for him.

Pulling the trigger of his gear, the projectile darted through the water toward the surface and turned downward from its weight on the other side of the fish. Daiven pressed through the water to reach it before it descended too low.

The flagtail suddenly released a bellow of a whine as if impatient. Daiven disregarded it and kept swimming, seeing the projectile come into view. Muffled sounds of movement came from above him, and before he could look up, something sharp cut across his back.

He released a pained yelp and with it the rest of his air. He spun to the surface, giving up on the projectile, and saw the flagtail rolling itself, its dorsal fin being what most likely caught him. The fish broke instantly from the hook and slowly began its leave out to sea. The projectile was pulled along with it and would’ve pulled Daiven as well, but he released it and tore to the surface, figuring a lost piece of gear was better than himself.

Darting upward as fast as he could, he quickly noticed something sinking rapidly toward him. He barely dodged what he realized was his hook...

Daiven wanted to scream, but his chest was on fire. He broke the surface, his chest expanding with fresh oxygen as he panted for air. He released a string of swears through his ragged breaths.

His back stung and bled, he lost his gear and a hook, and he needed to reshape the other hooks. Not only that, but he only had two weeks left of the season to fill his quarter.

“I seriously hope the blacksmith knows how to reshape flagtail hooks…” he mumbled as he made his way back to the ship.

-------

Do not copy, repost, or use to train AI !!

[valvepositionersupplier-blog]

[chibivesicle]

Golden Kamuy chapter 237 & 238 - new alliances form and - sperm.

I’m still behind on meta writing; you’d think with more time, I could write more but I’m 100% struggling with a routine when I have no idea what day of the week is and I can’t go into work.

Chapter 237 resolves the conflict between Sugimoto and Boutarou through their underwater breath holding contest.  Shiraishi cleverly suggests that it would be to their benefit to work with Boutarou as he may have a way to figure out where the gold could be.

They aren’t sure if the rumors that Boutarou spoke of are true.  Sugimoto, true to form keeps his commitment to the cause of collecting the skins.  He is certain that it is the only way to find the gold.  I have to admit, when Sugimoto latches onto an idea, he really doesn’t budge.

The only issue with discussing these things away from Boutarou, is that they have left him to roam free about the boat.  Of course the postman, had rifled through Sugimoto’s backpack and he found the possessions of Heita.  The fact that they have Heita’s notes and his Ainu tobacco case and his bloody skin, would imply that Heita is likely dead at their own hands. . . .

Boutarou then uses this time to talk to his men before he approaches Sugimoto and Shiraishi to confirm how much gold there likely is - again a much higher amount than what was originally stated.  This adds to the evidence that it is a very large sum of gold.  Boutarou spends a fair bit of time just chatting things up with them - I guess this allows his men to get into position or is he just a chatty convict?  I’m suspecting in part he’s just chatty.

Asirpa comes to the rescue as she notices that Sugimoto’s backpack is open.  Meanwhile, Shiraishi and Sugimoto are dreaming of the gold in a state of euphoria and Sugimoto seems both a bit nervous based on Boutarou’s chattiness.  After his excited chattiness, Boutarou breaks it to them that it is a shame they won’t be able to search for the gold together as his man pulls a revolver on them.

Shiraishi looks shocked while Sugimoto is already moving to his angry mode . . .  With impeccable timing Asirpa is able to stop the man from firing his revolver by shooting one of her arrows into the revolver, blocking the revolving motion of the chambers.  Yet again, Asirpa has fired an arrow in order to save Sugimoto.  It is a shame that we can’t see if she removed the poison tip or not as the panel prevents us from seeing it.

She’s able to inform them that they know that Sugimoto has Heita’s possessions and his skin.  Shiraishi quickly turns to grab the revolver - showing a change in his mode of fighting others instead of simply fleeing.  Next to him Sugimoto is ready to go man to man with Boutarou. 

With the fight on the deck, the Captain is able to turn the boat quickly enough that a tree on the edge of the river bank knocks off, the man with the gun, Boutarou and Sugimoto.  There are several pages of them falling off the boat, into the water and Sugimoto and Boutarou then begin to fight while the nameless gang member got crunched by the paddle wheel.

Sugimoto is a great disadvantage in the fight with Boutarou - his entire M.O. is to drown people by being able to out swim them.  Shiraishi knows this and jumps into the water with the intent to try to help Sugimoto knowing exactly what Boutarou is planning.  Shiraishi attempts to perform mouth-to-mouth transfer of air for Sugimoto and instead of accepting it, he stubbornly punches Shiraishi away.

This entire fanservice scene leaves me personally with a bad taste in my mouth.  Shiraishi had the best plan for the situation possible and Sugimoto refuses his help rather than “kiss” him. . . is fighting Boutarou one on one that important to Sugimoto?  That stubborn? 

Either way, Sugimoto is about to get his ass handed to him and he’s saved by a school of sturgeon.  He stabs his bayonet into one and it pulls him along with Boutarou holding onto him.  He’s lucky that Boutarou’s flowing long hair gets sucked into the paddlewheel and he’s able to surface while Boutarou fights trying to not get sucked into the wheel.

Sugimoto then returns to rescue Boutarou by cutting off his hair caught in the wheel mechanism.  We then get to see that Shiraishi is just being silly somewhere around the boat swimming around while the conflict ends.

Overall, this chapter was underwhelming for me.  It puts Sugimoto at a great disadvantage and only by sheer luck is he able to not die.  Asirpa first saves him and Shiraishi, Shiraishi then should have helped him - but he refused and then he’s saved by random sturgeon.  On top of that he lucks out and has a chance to save Boutarou instead even though if it weren’t for his crazy luck, Boutarou would have drowned him.

All we see is that Shiraishi and Asirpa are hopelessly devoted to Sugimoto.  I get that they are all friends but they are smarter than he is and much more clever and if he didn’t have them he’d be dead long ago in the quest for the gold.

It is clear that this chapter will end with Boutarou - owing Sugimoto for saving him, and likely force him into an alliance out of guilt.

Chapter 238 resolves the tension between Sugimoto and Boutarou as Shiraishi has to do the talking with the paddleboat captain.  They make it clear that they were just looking for Boutarou, not wanting to rob the mail and that they really didn’t mean to damage the boat.

Almost out of nowhere, Sugimoto then declares to Boutarou that he should join forces with him.  Sugimoto had decided to “keep on keeping on”.  Even with new information from Boutarou, he wants to continue to collect the skins.  Boutarou seems far to calm during their entire exchange - he first reasons Sugimoto saved him for information .  . . and Sugimoto sticks to the skin collecting idea ans Boutarou makes it clear he doesn’t want to search for convicts and that he doesn’t believe in the code being real or useful to finding the gold.

Sugimoto’s entire rationale is based on the fact that Hijikata and Tsurumi are intelligent men and they are still collecting the skins so they must be correct.  It is one hell of an assumption if I may so.  Yes, we as the readers as well as Sugimoto know that Asirpa remembered the code words but as far as we know she has never revealed it to anyone yet.  Tsurumi’s entire plan is focused on finding Asirpa since he knows she knows the code.  It it would be likely that Tsukishima told Tsurumi that he thinks she knows it based on her confrontation with Ogata on the ice floe.

Hijikata likely still knows some information that he hasn’t revealed yet from his time in prison.  He plays his cards close to his chest so I’m guessing if anyone in his group knows stuff it might be Nagakura and whatever Ogata has gleaned from him.

Shiraishi is concerned about Sugimoto’s alliance with Boutarou and wonders if Sugimoto’s emotions are clouding his judgement.  The fact that Sugimoto doesn’t look Shiraishi in the eyes the entire time makes me think that Sugimoto does feel some sort of connection with Boutarou.

His face is shaded and his eyes are black - does he want another showdown with Boutarou in the future as survivors of terrible diseases of the late 19th century?  Both men created similar coping mechanisms to their situations.

Whatever the reason, Boutarou agrees to work with Sugimoto.  Sugimoto seems to think any information gained through torture would not be reliable.  Does this imply that he wants to use this an out from torturing him?  That torture is a line that he won’t cross?  Tsurumi tortured him, but due to his crazy pain/physical violence tolerance, Sugimoto was able to babble about not helpful information.  Or it was the fact that Sugimoto was caught red-handed to to speak by Tsurumi so it really wasn’t worth it saying anything useful to him.

Boutarou seems to think very seriously before he replies to Sugimoto - and then he completely changes to a playful reply as he pats him on the back and tells him that it was his sympathy that spared him from drowning under the paddleboat.

He then very confidently replies that he understands the conditions of their deal and he will reveal all of his information when they have collected all of the skins - that is the best insurance he has.  Shiraishi almost immediately has issues with this deal as he thinks they may lose the gold to him and Asirpa accuses him of wanting the gold for himself. 

They are able to meet up with Vasily on the small boat as they decide to continue down to Sapporo as a group.  There is another chance for Asirpa’s Ainu 101 cooking class.  She’s pleasantly surprised that he remembers the hooks from whaling and they are using the same concept to catch a sturgeon.  She passive-aggressively cons Sugimoto into wanting to have some sturgeon.

Boutarou immediately inquires about Sugimoto’s relationship with Asirpa.  This is clearly a replay of when Ogata joined their group and watched Asirpa interacting with Sugimoto in the marsh with the crane.  Sugimoto hesitantly replies that she’s his guide.  Boutarou doesn’t let him get off as easily as Ogata did with the “woman he loves” comment in regards to Umeko.  Boutarou makes it abundantly clear that Sugimoto’s rage indicates she’s more than a guide.  Asirpa doesn’t make eye contact but her ear is red indicating that she’s still got her crush on Sugimoto.  A random guy connected that Sugimoto cares about her to his actions.

They are able to catch a sturgeon and they set up a fire allowing them to dry their clothing.  This scene reminds me of when Kiro saved Shiraishi from the giant fish and they made a fire to dry off/warm up and eat some fish.  Asirpa is excited that they caught a sturgeon that has eggs (caviar) and that she is thrilled to eat a brain again.  They sit down to enjoy the caviar and more small talk follows.  Sugimoto offers the eggs to Shiraishi and Vasily while Boutarou asks her about her love of brains.  She excitedly replies about how all brains taste good with salt.

Boutarou pushes it though as he asks her to confirm that she likes sharing her favorite foods with someone she likes - ‘the person you like’.  Again, she blushes with embarrassment and she shoves some fish eggs into his face.  This is similar to her past feedings of Shiraishi, Sugimoto and Ogata.  Meanwhile, Sugimoto and Shiraishi comment on how they are delicious with raw and go well with vodka.

Not surprisingly, despite all of this delicious food, there has been no “hinna hinna” from Asirpa.  Really, it looks like Ogata’s use of “hinna hinna” has ruined the phrase for her even though I still think he said it in honestly towards her.  With the fact that Ogata is a shit liar of course.  When will Asirpa return to saying it?  When she is reunited with Ogata over a meal?

What is clear is that Boutarou has figured out the relationship between Sugimoto and Asirpa pretty damn quickly.  Shiraishi has commented on how this may be a bad idea.  I’m going with a hunch that it will be a bad idea and that Boutarou may likely try to do something to separate the two of them or using Asirpa as a bargaining chip against Sugimoto.

With the mention of vodka, the action turns to a boat in the Otaru harbor.  On it, Sophia is enjoying some fish eggs with vodka and her men.  Oh Sofia!  I have missed you so much!  She’s back in the game and I’m stocked to see what will happen next.  She clearly has enough men in her group that they will pose a threat to those involved in the quest for the gold.  Furthermore, after drinking with her me she takes some time to drink by herself.  She quietly looks a small photo, she thinks back to Hasegawa’s photo studio, and the fire in the kitchen.  It reveals the photo that Hasegawa took fo them ans she clearly grabbed it before it was burnt in the fire that Tsurumi set to destroy his evidence.

It clearly shows Wilk, Kiro and herself before we get a close up on her very intense looking face.  Based on her furrowed brow and down turned lips that are taught, I’d say she’s planning for revenge in for the death of both of them.  She’s got a plan, she’s got men and she’s going to spring to action.

The chapter then shifts to Usami and Kikuta in Sapporo.  They are both appear to be well dressed men in the red light district in search of our “jack the ripper” character.  Usami is looking around a previous crime scene while Kikuta wonders if questioning other prostitutes would be are more useful avenue.

Recall, that Tsurumi paired these two up stating that Usami would have a special skill set in finding the convict.  The next several pages have Usami masturbating at the crime scene as he tries to determine what would feel right for the killer while Kikuta watches on in shock and horror.  Somehow using his magical masturbatory skills Usami is able to try to determine where the killer have gotten off to his crime.

After testing his hypothesis so to speak Usami ends up following his own ejaculate (I cannot believe I just typed that! thanks Noda!) to find the killer’s.  Kikuta is rightly appalled, but Usami is far too into his detective work!

What is clear is that Usami and the killer both seem to get off on violence - he then proceeds to poke at the killer’s semen and tries to date it.  At the same time Kikuta is horrified and is worried about him picking up a STI.

Usami declares that the killer returns to the scene of the crime to get off, so he predicts he will return that very night.  Usami has rocked Kikuta to his core - he doesn’t believe it and he can only admit that he’s one hell of a semen detective.  He also determines what Tsurumi meant by him being useful.  This 100% makes sense since Tsurumi knows that Usami always returned to the scene of the crime; in regards to the loss of his killing virginity when he beat his “best” friend in judo.  Kikuta is partly there, he only can conclude that Usami can think like the killer - what he doesn’t realize is that Usami 100% thinks the same way as the killer - as he is just the same as the killer.

It ends with Usami figuring things out one more time as Kikuta is still in shock.  The chapter ends with the serial killer jerking himself off at the same place as Usami does the same thing to get into the “zone” to speak.

And with that the chapter dramatically ends with mutual masturbation of Usami and the unknown convict.

This chapter gives us a few main points.

1.) Boutarou reads people well - he almost immediately determines that Sugimoto sees Asirpa as a special person to protect like family.  That Asirpa has a crush on Sugimoto and that Sugimoto likely isn’t quite aware of what it means.  Shiraishi mentioning aligning themselves with Boutarou may be a mistake likely indicates to me it will be a mistake.  Sugimoto never listens to Shiraishi . . . Boutarou will almost use Asirpa as a part of his plan in the future.

2.) Asirpa’s lack of “hinna hinna” continues.  Yep, she just had some sturgeon brains, fish eggs and is back in her element of eating but no mention of her “hinna hinna”.  The last time they said it was when she was with Ogata, Kiro and Shiraishi before they broke Sofia out of prison.  This is a complicated ritual for her - did Ogata cheapen it for her? Or did she realize she doesn’t deserve to say it after she almost killed Ogata?  Was Kiro’s death too much for her?  She remembered the code with Sofia and his help but she was unable to do anything for him.  She saw a possible fate being an Ainu fighting imperialism - keeping her habit of saying “hinna hinna” may be a reaction to all of the fallout. 

3.) Sofia has a plan.  No one has such a facial expression unless that character has a plan in mind.  We know that Sofia is a capable and natural leader.  She intends to end whatever it was that Wilk and Kiro started.  Asirpa said that Sofia will find her when she needs to.  With Sofia in Otaru she gets closer to the action.  I can’t wait to see what happens and I want Sofia to chat with Ogata.

4.) Gross masturbation humor sells - or something.  Usami is using his weird habit of linking violence to sexual pleasure to find the serial killer.  I really don’t get this, but I’ll just roll with it.  At least we got to see Kikuta as a well dressed man.  I approve of Kikuta in nice clothing.

That’s all I’ve got for now.  Stay safe people!

[driftawayonceaday]

Black Water

August 22nd

Back in the 1970s there was this television show, “What’s Happening” I think it was called, and in one episode a character name Raj (Rog?) answered the phone.  The person on the other end apparently said he was with The Doobie Brothers and Raj replied “Which Doobie you be?”.  To this day, it still cracks me up.  But you don’t want to hear my stories, you “want to hear some funky Dixieland”.  And so you shall.  Let’s let The Doobie Brothers take us on a trip down the Mississippi River into New Orleans.

“Black Water”, from The Doobie Brothers’ 1974 album What were Once Vices are Now Habits, starts off with some wind chimes, which are joined by an acoustic guitar and a viola.  The music and the first verse indicate you’re in for a relaxing tune, as if you’re going fishing.

Well, I built me a raft and she’s ready for floatin’

Ol’ Mississippi, she’s calling my name

Catfish are jumpin’, that paddle wheel thumpin’

Black water keeps rollin’ on past just the same.

The music and the harmonies keep that smooth, tranquil feeling going.  But it’s not a sleepy tune by any means.  After you’re done fishing, you head down to New Orleans and nothing is going to stop you from having a good time.

Well, if it rains, I don’t care

Don’t make no difference to me

Just take that streetcar that’s goin’ uptown

Yeah, I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland and dance a honky-tonk

And I’ll be buying everybody drinks all ‘round

The acoustic guitar, viola, vocals, and harmonies come together seamlessly to bring you a calming tune with a bit of funk to keep the blood flowing.  There’s a cool acoustic guitar solo where you can feel the guitar is having a conversation with the viola.  That segues into an engaging a capella section that leads into the closing of the tune.  Let the song take you by the hand, and dance with it.  

And I ain’t got no worries

‘Cause I ain’t in no hurry at all

[lotus0kid]

OUaT: Tell Me About It

((Happy RCIJ!  This is for @of-princes-and-savages, for the prompt “Sub!Gold has strict rules”.  So, NSFW, and there are references to past partner abuse.  Enjoy!))

Staring into the darkness behind a well-fitted mask covering his eyes, Gold stifles something he would never admit is a giggle as the edge of a fingernail drifts from his bare stomach up his sternum and along his throat.  The trail is retraced by a warm hand, and this he lets himself arch into, sighing out his mounting arousal.  His fingers flex against the headboard, but his palms stay pressed exactly where they were placed.  No silk ties or leather straps or fur-lined cuffs required, just his own will to let Belle do as she will.

Her hand travels further to cup his jaw.  What could be next, he wonders.  A kiss? A slap?  A just tight enough grip on his windpipe?  Each has its charms.  He must wait and see what she chooses.

 A soft sigh floats down from above.  “I wish everyone could see you like this.”

 The darkness behind the mask is instantly populated with staring eyes.  Gold’s body turns to ice as their judgment burns into him.  Pathetic.  Disgusting. Perverted.  Unfit father.

 He tries to breathe while panic sends blood roaring in his ears.  It won’t be like that.  Belle wouldn’t dare.  The contract is clear, he made sure of it.  Even if it’s not in fact a legal document, she knows he won’t hesitate if she breaks her word.

 But, why would she say that?  It doesn’t make sense.  Exposing him would mean exposing herself, and she couldn’t possibly want that.  Then she wouldn’t be the town’s noble beauty sacrificing her virtue to a beast for the sake of a well-funded public library. She’d be dragged down right along with him.  Just another sick freak.  Probably lose her job.  She won’t risk it.  No, she won’t.  He can relax.

 “E.L. James.”

 Gold sits up and pulls off the mask to fix a puzzled frown on Belle, who is already reaching for the demure blouse thrown on the end of his bed.  “What?”

 “You heard me,” she replies while gathering the rest of her clothes and dressing in short, small movements, “So you know you don’t get to ask questions.”

 She’s right of course. The paragraph on safe words is particularly exact.  He just never thought it would be invoked by her.  It shouldn’t have to be.  He’s supposed to be good for her.  Nothing he does should make everything come to a screeching halt.  He contemplates getting on his knees and begging to know how he failed, but that would only make his transgression worse.  She doesn’t have to tell him a damn thing, just as he wouldn’t have to tell her.  So he’s left in silence with his stomach in a curdled knot, watching her scurry to the door, toss him the tiniest glimmer of a fake smile, and vanish from his house.

 ---

 Belle’s never seen anything like it.  One second, Aaron was pliant and warm, humming with anticipation under her tender touch.  The next, he was gone, and Mr. Gold was back, stretched out blindfolded and nearly naked on the bed but somehow just as cold and calculating and imperious as he is behind the counter of his pawnshop.  And Belle in turn felt like one of the desperate souls who came to him, small and alone, uncertain and weak.  Stripped of all dominance like a gossamer veil torn from her face.  So she bolted.  She wondered what gave her the nerve to engage in this arrangement with Mr. Gold. Now she knows, she never really had the nerve at all.

 It was just a strange fluke that probably never should’ve happened anyway.  She still remembers, likely won’t ever forget, that day in the library.  The place was shamefully understocked, but as the only employee Belle was never done re-shelving.  On that day near closing time she wasn’t halfway through when the ancient book cart’s wheel had stuck.  With a growl she’d sat down on her knees to curse and yank at the thing, meanwhile being vaguely aware of an approaching visitor.

 “Could you-?  Hey, just- take those three books on the end and put them away.  They’re right down that row.”  She flicked her head in the direction she’d been going.  The visitor let out a soft grunt, and did as told.  Belle felt a small rush at that, but put it down as relief to have just a bit of her work done by someone else.

 The visitor came back again and again while she worked to unbend the warped bit of metal blocking the wheel.  He stayed on the opposite side of the cart from her, revealing only his fingertips as he reached for more books.  When the last book on the top row was gone and the wheel squeaked a full rotation, Belle stood up and came face to face with the great and terrible Mr. Gold.

 But then, no, she didn’t. He was another man entirely, beneath the Armani armor.  Bright-eyed and alert, and fully focused on Belle in a way that made her pulse thrum hot.

 It didn’t last.  He coughed and his eyes dropped and all that remained of the man she’d glimpsed was a slight darkening of his cheeks. Before she could apologize for ordering him about like an unpaid intern, he muttered, “I just came to say... Regina thought you should know...”

 Some wild whim spurred Belle to straighten her spine, lift her chin, catch Gold’s flickering gaze and command, “Tell me.”

 “Town council meetings,” popped from his mouth, “Ah, every person employed by the local government is required to attend.  Bi-monthly.”

 “Is that twice a month or every other month?”

 “Every other.  First Friday, five o’clock, town hall.”

 “Right.”

 “Yes.”

 “I’ll be there.”

 “Good.  That is, I mean, um-”

 “I’ll finish shelving. Thank you, Mr. Gold.  For the information and for, well...  It’s hard to find good help, eh?”

 One last soft grunt, and he spun on his heel and left.  And Belle calmed her fluttering heart with an armful of books that had places to be. But the encounter never strayed far from her thoughts.  It was just so incredibly unexpected to find someone here, in itty bitty Storybrooke, that she... could get on with.  And to have that person be Mr. Gold...  The townsfolk spoke of him like a curse.  Obviously no one thought the world of their landlord, but Belle was quietly of the opinion that being the big fish in a little pond had given Gold a reputation to match, whether he’d earned it or not.  In any case, the big fish he was, and Belle couldn’t imagine their moment meant anything to him but time wasted doing her chores.

 But then he came back, and asked her to dinner, at his home.  She would’ve agreed out of pure curiosity alone, just for a chance to see inside the infamous pink Victorian.  As the date of the dinner approached, she wondered if she’d find candlelight, soft music, good wine.  What she got was a very long contract.  This was a strong indication that what she and Gold might have wouldn’t be much like chaining up her college roommate Ruby and playing with vibrators and paddles had been.

 She’s invited to read the contract as many times as she wants, but not a word is negotiable.  A warning bell chimed in her mind then, but it faded as her gaze rose from the paper and focused on Gold.  There was no polished dealmaker before her then.  Just a man staring into a cup of tea clasped between his palms, waiting for her to shove his needs away and run.  Her hand crept across the table until she caught hold of his fingers.

 “Tell me your first name,” she murmured.

 He swallowed and his eyes, soft and bright once again, rose to meet hers.  “Aaron.”

 “I’m delighted to meet you, Aaron.  I’m Belle.”

 The most delicate smile graced his face.  “Delighted.”

 They didn’t race to the bedroom that night.  Or the next. In fact Belle had time to wonder if Aaron changed his mind before she received her first signal:

 What would you like for dinner?  

 A bland text, not impossible to explain in an innocent way.  Belle could reply with anything, was in fact encouraged to be extravagant.  All she wanted was hamburgers and iced tea on a Saturday night.  If Aaron was scandalized, he didn’t show it when she arrived at the Victorian.  She was promptly guided to the dining room table and placed at the head of it like a visiting queen.  However, as he turned away she said, “I’ll join you in the kitchen.”

 She watched him mentally scan the contract and come to the conclusion that he hadn’t specified where she would eat.  And so she followed him to a stool at the kitchen island.  From there she had a perfect view as Aaron cooked, and she reckoned he enjoyed her instructions on seasoning the Kobe beef and her compliments on the brioche buns.  She directed him to sit beside her as they ate their meal.  They fell into conversation Belle internally marveled at even as it flowed like water.  Aaron grew further from Mr. Gold in her mind with each passing minute.

 When their plates were empty, he inquired in a soft, low voice, “Will you go upstairs?”

 Belle bit her lip as heat surged between her legs.  “Clean up,” she said, “I’ll be waiting.”  She swiveled on the stool and darted away before seeing his reaction.

 She might’ve thought that first night would be all talk- comparing their yes/no/maybe lists, establishing safe words, a discussion of toys perhaps.  But it seemed Aaron barely walked through the door before Belle had him splayed out in bed, begging for release.  She took her time, busy memorizing the beauty at her command.  She’d heard people say he had a face like a lizard, that he was too short, too scrawny, going grey, and who’d want to deal with that limp?  Fools, all of them, and as much as Belle enjoyed having Aaron to herself, she wanted the sneering gossips to know how wrong they were.

 That’s all she meant by her idle remark.  But it nonetheless touched the deep well of shame that lurks behind every word of their lengthy contract.  Belle realizes this a few days later, and uselessly wishes she could stuff the words back into her mouth, though she wonders why he cares so much when he doesn’t seem to mind the tarnish on the rest of his reputation.  No matter, the damage is done, and she can only wait and see if Mr. Gold will ever let her see Aaron again.

 ---

 Typing “W” and “h” on his phone brings up the word “What.”  The rest of the sentence comes readily in the suggestions below.  What would you like for dinner?  He could send it.  She might respond.  One last time.  He can cook for her, and she can tell him in detail how he destroyed their arrangement. Or maybe she’ll just pop by for the second part, as he deserves.  However, it’s been over a week and so far he’s done nothing but exercise his innate talent for cowardice.

 In any case, the whole sordid mess must be set aside in favor of much more important concerns. The time has come for his son’s tri-annual visit, and so Gold’s world currently revolves around the needs and wants of a ten-year-old boy.

 After eating the biggest sundae the ice cream shop can make, spending a weekend in Gold’s cabin in the woods, and running around the local playground far faster than his father can keep up, Bae suggests an activity Gold almost wants to say no to.  “It’s at the library.  We get to read a story, and then act it out.  And there are costumes, and we get snacks at the end.  Can we go?  Please?  I want to be a wizard!”

 Gold twists his mouth into a smile.  “Not a brave knight?”

 “Nah, he just swings a sword around.  That’s boring.  I want to do magic!  So can we go?”

 It’s a perfectly wholesome afternoon of fun for all ages.  It’s not Bae’s fault his father is entangled in the worst kind of indecency with the head librarian.  So they go. And Bae is adorable in his starry robe and pointy hat while Gold documents every moment on his phone, all the better to keep himself from gazing dolefully after Belle.

 However, snack time arrives, and Bae is too busy socializing with his new friends between bites of graham cracker and sips of juice to continue distracting his father.  Of course none of the other parents present would dare strike up a conversation with Gold, for fear they’ll wind up with raised rents for their trouble.  Belle might have, but beyond giving him and Bae the exact same greeting she gave everyone else, she has since remained in constant motion, her eyes firmly averted from wherever Gold happens to be.  She might as well spit on him.

 Eventually the torturous snack time ends, and Gold shepherds Bae out to the Cadillac.  He’s got the lad buckled and straightens to shut the door only to find Belle standing outside the library, watching him.  Panic thuds through his heart, as if she might start haranguing him for his failure as a sub right there in the street. Instead, she gives him a brittle smile and a tiny wave.  And his panic is replaced by pure bafflement.  He manages a nod though he knows his face is creased in a frown, then bolts to the driver’s side door.

 “Hey, Papa,” Bae asks a moment after they’ve pulled away.

 “Yes, son?”

 “Are you friends with Miss Belle?”

 Gold coughs on his surprise and splutters, “W-why do you think that?”

 “It just seemed like maybe you wanted to talk to her while we were eating.”

 Bloody hell, he was so obvious even a child plied with snacks and new buddies noticed.  He’s pathetic.  Through a surge of despair, he mutters, “Yes, well, I doubt she wants to talk to me.”

 “Why not?”

 Gold bites his tongue, but eventually must reply, “We were friends, yes.  But not anymore.  It’s complicated.”  He rolls his eyes at the cliché, but supposes it’s only become so because of its truth.

 “Are you sure you’re not?”

 He blinks and casts a glance at Bae, who sips on the straw of a stolen juice box while giving Gold his own contemplative stare.

 “You should make sure,” he says, “because one time I thought me and Emma weren’t friends anymore because she thought I stole her turn on the best swing at recess, but she just forgot she said she wanted to beat her record at basketball that day so I stayed on the swing longer.  But then I asked why she was mad and she told me and I told her what she said and then we were friends again.”

 Silence reigns for a long moment within the Cadillac.

 Bae drops his head back against the seat with a sigh, “What if we’d never been friends again, just because I didn’t ask?  That’d be crazy.”

 “Yes,” Gold says slowly, softly, “That would’ve been crazy.  I’m...  I’m proud of you for asking.”

 Bae smiles wide. “Thanks, Papa.”

 They ride on.  And Gold wonders where Bae learned to be such a brave and true friend.  Certainly not from his parents.  But maybe father can learn from son, because if Gold wants anything, he wants Bae to be proud of him.

 ---

 What was Belle thinking, with that idiotic little wave and smile?  The contract was very clear- no unnecessary social interaction.  But there was this dazzling glow about Aaron, when he was with his son.  Belle orbited around them throughout the fairy tale play activity, trying in vain to catch a hint of its warmth.  She trailed them out to their car, and when she managed to catch his eye- well, Mr. Gold looked at her like she was an insect clinging to his suit.

 And then, days later, what might have given her a thrill of joy instead makes her cheeks flare hot as her cold stomach flips- a text reading, Would you like to come over tonight?

 Clearly they need to discuss her infraction and the punishment thereof.  Belle has no idea why Mr. Gold phrased his summons as a question. Clutching her phone between clammy palms, she replies, Is 9pm all right?

 Of course.  Thank you.

 She swallows a groan of frustration.  This man is torturing her, which she might have thought was her job.  Little did she know.

 She goes to their appointment with as much dread as she went with anticipation to their first.  Her heart feels like a stone in her chest as she rings the doorbell.  It opens quickly, revealing Mr. Gold, except he looks an awful lot like Aaron in just a white button-down and slacks.  His smile is much like Aaron’s too.  It’s weird.

 “Good evening.  Come in,” he says softly, moving aside so Belle can enter.

 In the foyer she fidgets with the cuffs of her sleeves.  “So, should we go to your office, then?”

 He blinks a few times like he’s trying and failing to translate her question.  “Oh, uh, well, I hadn’t actually thought about that...  I think maybe the kitchen would be better.”

 Belle can’t imagine why, but she trudges after him when he walks away.  He takes her to her customary stool at the island and sits himself beside her, which seems cruel.  She has such good memories of this particular spot.

 “Right, well,” Mr. Gold mutters, first fingers and thumbs rubbing together in a nervous action Belle recognizes but can’t fathom.  “I suppose I should just start right off with an apology.”

 Belle’s dread is blasted away by confusion.  “What?”

 Mr. Gold doesn’t seem to notice, gaze roving everywhere but in her direction as he continues, “I’m not fond of apologizing when I don’t know what I did wrong, but whatever I did, I’m surely sorry for it and I hope to make it up somehow.  I’ll be better.  I will.  I’d just- I’d just like one more chance, if that’s possible.”

 “What are you talking about?”

 Her confusion finally infects him.  “What are you-?  I’m talking about the other night, when you left.  You used your safe word.  I thought it was- over.”

 Startled shame clutches her insides.  She knows her exit that night was graceless, but she didn’t realize how much damage it did to Mr.- to Aaron.  “It’s over if you want it to be,” she mumbles.

 “I don’t.”

 A glimmer of hope brings Belle’s eyes to his face.  “You don’t?”

 “No.”

“But I broke the contract.”

 “When?”

 “At the library.  I waved at you after the activity.  I know that’s not allowed.  But you were just so sweet with your son, and I didn’t even know you had a son, and I just wasn’t thinking and I’m sorry, I won’t do it again-”

 Belle’s gaze has fallen to her lap where she plucks at her skirt.  Her words stutter to a stop as Aaron reaches out and covers her hands with both of his.  She forces herself to look up and promptly falls into the darkness of his eyes. “Belle, why did you use your safe word?”

 Nothing but truth can survive here.  “Because you... left.”

 “What do you mean?”

 “I know I said that dumb thing about people seeing you,” the eyes flicker and she hurries to say, “I didn’t mean that, of course I would never-”

 “I know.”

 “Okay, you know, good. But when I said it, the way you reacted...  It was like having a door slammed in my face.  A door that I... I realize now was only ever just cracked open.  You’ve got this contract, right?  And I respect it, but...  I want more.  I don’t mean to throw an ultimatum at you.  I never want to push you.  But I... I just want to know you.  Can’t I at least have that?”

 Belle’s babbling, she hardly understands what she’s saying herself and is certain it’s pure gibberish to Aaron, but for some reason he doesn’t move away.  In fact his eyes look damp and his next breath shudders around a hard swallow.  Belle’s hand leaves his to cup his cheek, smooth over his hair.  “It’s- it’s not easy for me to...”

 “Okay,” she whispers, “That’s okay.  Just, let me...”

 She reaches for his cane and presses it into his right hand, taking the other in hers to guide him away from the kitchen and to the master bedroom.  Then, it could almost be one of their normal nights, except Belle has less to do without his full suit to remove, and Aaron isn’t usually shaking and wide-eyed and pale.

 “It’ll be okay,” she assures him, voice still as soft as a breeze, “Lie down.  Stretch out.  Hands on the headboard.”

 This familiar action seems to calm him a little and he soon takes his position, letting out a long slow breath Belle watches with a bitten lip.  She can’t help running a hand along his flank, leaving it to rest just above his hip.

 “Beautiful, as you always are,” she murmurs, and watches tension thrum through him, a frown glancing over his face.  He doesn’t believe her.  Sorrow squeezes her heart.  “Why can’t I tell you that?” she inquires.  It’s one of the more baffling stipulations of the contract.

 “I...  It’s not...” His mouth draws into a tight line and his eyes fall shut.

 “Do you want your mask?”

 He nods in short sharp jerks.  Belle fetches it from a drawer in the nightstand and slips it over his eyes, taking the golden opportunity to again run her hands over his hair.

 “That’s better, isn’t it?”

 “We’ll see,” he grits out.

 Belle sits back and runs both hands firmly up from his stomach to his shoulders.  “You are beautiful,  Aaron,” she reiterates, “What’s made you think you aren’t?”

 After several slow, even breaths, the tight line of his mouth softens.  “I didn’t do this sort of thing.  Not until I met my wife.  She... showed me.  And it was exciting.  I enjoyed it. Most of the time.”

 A chill darts through Belle’s stomach.  She leans close to run her hand along the side of his face and murmur, “Aaron, you should enjoy it all of the time.”

 He swallows and his breath shudders again.  Belle lays a line of kisses below his collarbones, the last and longest dropped over his pounding heart.

 “She liked to push me,” he whispers harshly, “She wanted to be more... extreme.  More public.  I didn’t. And when I denied her, she left, and found someone who wouldn’t.  I received divorce papers.  I tried to fight, I hoped she could be reasoned with, for our son’s sake. Instead, I was punished.  She submitted this testimony that... that I...”

 The tight line returns, and Belle keeps her hands moving over his body, trying to ease pain away with pleasure.  “Tell me about it.”

 “I’ll just...  I’ll put it this way- I’m lucky my visits with Bae aren’t supervised by Child Protection Services.”  He takes another deep and ragged breath, and more words spill out, “She made what we did together obscene.  Said she didn’t want it but I insisted, I had to be her slave, and she was just trying to make me happy, even though it made her sick, because what kind of man wants that, hm?  How could a man like that raise a son?  I’m unfit, I’m perverse, I’m wrong, I’m- I’m...”

 “Shh...”  He’s nearly hyperventilating, nearly writhing on the bed even as his hands stay exactly where Belle put them.  She drapes herself on him, head pillowed on his chest until it stops heaving.  “You’re so brave,” she says, and her head jolts with the force of his derisive snort, “You are.  You went through all that, and still chose to try again, with me? That’s brave, Aaron.”

 “I shouldn’t have. It’s dangerous.  If Milah or her lawyers found out, who knows what they’d do?”

 “Whatever they tried to do I tell them to shove it up their arse,” Belle growls, “You don’t deserve to live in fear.  And neither do I.  We’re not hurting anyone.”

 “But what if they took him? What if they wouldn’t let me see Bae?”

 “Then I’d submit my own testimony all about how Bae loves you, how you’re a wonderful father and a wonderful person and I love- being with you, whether we’re talking over dinner or- or 69ing and it’s no one’s damn business but ours!”

 A smile breaks onto Aaron’s face and his chest shudders with deep chuckles.  Belle chuckles with him, and again takes the chance to press kisses into his skin.

 “Put your hands in my hair,” she breathes, and immediately feels strong fingers bury themselves in her curls, cradling her head and massaging her scalp.  “Mm, yes, like that...”  She tilts back into his touch, arching and rising so her forearms are braced on his chest.  “What do you want, Aaron?  Tell me.”

 “I want... what you want.”

 “No, no.  What I want tonight is for you to tell me what you want.  So go on.  It’s a little late to be shy.”  She rocks her hips just slightly against his and repeats her order, “Tell me.”

 He bucks up with a gasp that becomes a growl.  His next words come with stolid force, “I want you to sit on my face.”

 “Ooh,” Belle coos in delight, “Did I give you an idea earlier?  Do you want me to turn around and return the favor?”

 “N-no.  Not now.”

 Belle dutifully files the thought away, then rolls off to get out of her clothes.  She sets her knees on either side of Aaron’s head and just the sight of that makes her throb.  Maybe after all this talk of emotions and trauma the rest of the night would be better spent cuddling, but Belle feels like three decades have passed since they were like this and if his fingers twisting in the sheets is any indication, Aaron agrees.  She takes those tortured, lovely hands of his and sets them on her hips.  Then she runs her own over his hair, frowning slightly at the mask string getting in the way.

 “Can this come off?” she asks, grazing her fingertips over it.  Now knowing what she does and suspecting more about his ex- firstly, the monster better prepare to meet Belle’s fists if they ever cross paths, and secondly, she must double her consent checks.  Aaron will know without a doubt that nothing will happen between them here that he doesn’t want.

 Therefore she stays perfectly still until he nods, and carefully slides the mask off and puts it away. Regaining her position, she instantly smiles to see Aaron blinking up at her, black-eyed with anticipation.  She anchors her fingers in his hair and draws his head up as her knees spread to bring her folds to his mouth.  She whimpers at the first touch and is soon enough moaning and shivering through firm licks and the odd nibble.

 A few tugs on his hair bring his nose to rub at her clit when he tilts his head just right.  He makes good use of that fact while pressing his tongue as deep as it will go within her channel.  Belle tosses her head back as waves of pleasure begin to crest, at some point hearing herself gasp out, “Wait, wait, hold on.”

 “Uh, what?” Aaron asks, and the vibration of his voice almost sends her over the edge.

 “Touch yourself.  I want you to come when I do.”

 He groans and Belle truly must lean away if she wants to last a few more minutes.  When she feels the rhythm of his tugs she allows herself to return, and promptly lets out a choked cry as Aaron renews his attentions with interest.

 Far too soon Belle’s climax come barreling down and she has to shout around the first tremors, “Now, Aaron, now!”

 She’s a little too early, but she’s not that upset about it because her mind clears just fast enough to see Aaron’s head cast back, his face slack and gorgeous as pleasure overtakes him.  That’s an image she’d like to keep forever.  As he settles panting on the mattress, she eases off to reach for tissues to clean up the white splatter painting his stomach.

 “I- I can...” he mutters weakly.

 “I know, but I want to,” Belle counters with a smile as she tosses the tissues and then tucks his spent cock into his pants.  Then she settles herself beside him, one arm braced so she can gaze down at his slightly dazed face.  The contract states that she leave after climax- Belle detects another bad lesson from the ex.  She smooths Aaron’s mussed hair, and then leans in for a lingering kiss, and a swipe of her tongue over the juices she left on his chin.  “You did so well,” she breathes against his lips.

 “I, ah, right.  Good.”

 She moves away, giving him space.  “Shall I go?”

 His hand shoots out to grab the wrist of her braced arm.  He looks at it like it belongs to someone else.  “If you... I mean, if you’d like to, then...”

 “I’d like to stay,” she replies with a grin, and curls into his side, head on his shoulder.  They have a lot of renegotiating to do in the morning, but for now he laces their fingers loosely, and the pair drift off to sleep together.

[hardwaremall]

1inch 1/2 inch 2inch Paddle Wheel Sight Flow Indicator Sight Gauge W/ Reflection Made of Good Quality Customization is accepted

Fanovo Flow Indicator is committed to helping customers to monitor and verfify the flowing mediums such as petroleum products, liquefied gases, solvents or hazardous and corrosive chemicals and liquids. Monitoring, Sensing and Revealing the fluids in operation,to help you keep them under your control for safety and trouble shooting in economical ways.

Product name: Paddle Wheel Sight Flow Indicator Product Size: 1/4″ to 2″ Sealing Gaskets: PTFE/NBR/Viton Material: Stainless Steel, PTFE &Tempered Glass

Our sight glasses allow direct visual observation of processes within industrial pipes, tanks, and vessels etc. These sights have a glass window. Screw them into threaded holes on tanks, gear cases, bearing housings, and mixers to see inside.

Most of our competing units consist of a piece of glass sandwiched between two metal flanges or threaded rings. By contrast, our sight windows are designed to circumvent the significant limitations of such designs, and provide the users with an easily maintained installation that offer large margins of safety. Custom safety sight glasses can be designed to meet your exact specifications.

Advantages of different material body for custom Sight Glass:

Sights with a polypropylene body are lighter than sights with a metal Sights with a bronze body are harder and more durable than sights with a brass body for a longer service Aluminum sights have good corrosion

Sights with a 316 stainless steel body are more corrosion resistant than sights with a brass, bronze, steel or aluminum body.

How to choose different indicators Inside for custom sight glass?

An indicator moves when flow is present, so it’s easy to visually confirm flow from a distance. For dark liquid, an indication inside will be best choice to check flow from a distance.

Flapper indicator provides a subtle indication of flow. Ball indicator shows flow more prominently than a flapper indicator for easier viewing at a distance. Rotor indicator is the most obvious indicator of flow for maximum visibility. Back window can be backlit to increase the visibility of dark liquids.

[nuttydefendoryouth]

Are stinky inflatable pool toys putting your kids at risk?

The researchers expressed concern that some of the products contain potentially hazardous chemicals that could pose a risk to children’s health, depending on the degree of exposure and concentration levels in the products.

The researchers conducted tests using an inflatable beach ball, a pair of swimming armbands and two bathing rings they bought off the shelf from local stores and online suppliers in Germany.(Shutterstock)

HEALTH

Are stinky inflatable kids' toys putting your kids at risk? Here’s what a study found

The researchers expressed concern that some of the products contain potentially hazardous chemicals that could pose a risk to children’s health, depending on the degree of exposure and concentration levels in the products.

Washington D.C. | By ANI

UPDATED ON APR 13, 2017 08:46 PM IST

Turns out, there are many dangerous chemicals lurking in your swimming pool that can risk your children’s health.

Inflatable sprinkler and swimming aids, like bathing rings and arm bands, often have a distinctive smell which could indicate that they contain a range of potentially hazardous substances.

Some of these compounds, which include carbonyl compounds, cyclohexanone, phenol and isophorone, might be critical when present in higher concentrations in children’s toys, said authors Christoph Wiedmer and Andrea Buettner.

Lead author Wiedmer from Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV in Germany and his team conducted tests using an inflatable pool, a pair of swimming armbands and two bathing rings they bought off the shelf from local stores and online suppliers in Germany.

A small piece of material from each sample was analysed using a variety of material analysis techniques, including one that takes infrared measurements, and it was concluded that the inflatable objects were all made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The researchers then investigated the molecular make-up of the distinctive smells arising from the pool toys. They extracted detectable odours from each sample using solvent extraction and high vacuum distillation methods, and then identified the main odorants using a combination of sensory and common analytical approaches.

Between 32 and 46 odours were detected in each sample, of which up to thirteen were quite intense. The majority of these odorants were identified and among these were several fatty smelling mono- or di-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and their epoxidised derivatives, but also odouractive organic solvents such as cyclohexanone, isophorone, and phenol.

As part of the study, a panel of trained volunteers sniffed each product, and ascribed common odour attributes to these. They also rated the intensity of each odour, and had to guess whether these could be hazardous. Three of the products reminded the panellists of almonds, plastic and rubber, while the fourth more pungent one reminded them of glue and nail polish.

Wiedmer expressed his concern that some of the products contain potentially hazardous chemicals that could pose a risk to children’s health, depending on the degree of exposure and concentration levels in the products. Cyclohexanone can be harmful if inhaled, phenol is known to be acutely toxic and to presumably have mutagenic potential and isophorone is a category 2 carcinogen, which means that this is a suspect substance in the development of cancer in humans.

“A range of these substances are not yet resolved in their chemical structures. Likewise, potential negative effects on humans, such as irritation, smell nuisance, or other physiological or psychosomatic effects still need to be resolved,” said Wiedmer.

“Modern products such as toys and children’s products are sourced from a wide variety of chemical and physical manufacturing processes, and this complexity often makes it difficult for us to identify those containing contaminants and unwanted substances, and to determine their causes,” noted Wiedmer. “However, we found that in a number of cases our noses can guide us to ‘sniff out’ problematic products.”

The study appears in the journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (ABC).

Backyards and patios have been working hard all year because of the pandemic, and this summer they can provide new ways to cool off and have fun in the water.

Whether you have a lot of space or a little, there’s gear ranging from water tables and tubs for kids to floating loungers with drink holders for adults.

One company, Minnidip, makes inflatable “adult kiddie pools” that aim to transport you to some exotic travel destination. Patterns on the Marrakesh pool reference Moroccan architectural details, while the Amalfi is a nod to the blue, yellow and white tile of the Italian coast.

“Because for me, having a pool on our urban Chicago rooftop felt like being transported to another place,” says company founder Emily Vaca. “I wanted to capture that feeling through design and pattern. “

Minnidip also offers inflatable drinks coolers and glam pool balls filled with gold confetti, among other offerings.

The only water table that lets you make waves, Little Tikes’ Island Wavemaker has a water wheel, plus cute sea creatures and a wee pirate to send paddling around the waterway or down the waterfall. Toddlers can practice their fine motor skills with Little Tikes’ Spinning Seas Water Table; small balls, a cup, a funnel and a water wheel set up the fun.

Step2’s two-sided Waterfall Discovery Wall has adjustable toggles, spinners and chutes to send the water tumbling in lots of different ways. And Lakeshore Learning’s Watch It Flow water table features three plastic logs that can be configured however you wish. Fill the logs using a hose or bucket; gates control the flow and can close up to make long tubs.

Foamo, also from the folks at Little Tikes, creates mountains of easy-to-clean-up foam when you add the nontoxic, biodegradable foam solution to water.

HOSE HAPPY

Turn on the hose and attach it to West Elm's inflatable car bed or giant shark mouth sprinklers. Fat Brain Toy’s Hydro Twist Pipeline Sprinkler has a couple of fountains, plus a bunch of wiggly worm hoses. Or hook up to BigMouth’s giant 6-foot-high unicorn, who shoots water out of her horn. There’s a ginormous ape, giraffe, dinosaur and giraffe here as well.

SWIM AND PADDLE

Giant inflatable water wheels let you find your inner hamster. You can find ones online for toddlers, while Wow Watersports has a grownup version they call the Aqua Treadmill.

Don’t forget the family pets; a nonporous, puncture-resistant floating dog bed at Frontgate comes in a bunch of colors and three sizes.

Chewy has ZippyPaws Floaterz sturdy turtle-shaped water toys for dogs, as well as rope-handled bumpers and a variety of floating balls.

A hard-sided kiddie pool can be a good non-inflatable option for cooling off; just hose it out and stow away. Other pluses: The doggos will also have fun splashing around in it, and it makes a great sand or snow play zone in colder weather. The Sun Squad Wading Kiddie Pool is inexpensive and has an embossed bottom, so it’s less slippery.

SLIDE AND RIDE

A basic heavy-duty plastic water slide or “slip and slide” can be set up in most backyards; if yours doesn’t come with an attached barrier at the bottom, make sure to put something soft there.

Studio 21 Graphix’s slide has a crash pad at the finish line, plus two lanes for racing and a sprinkler curtain to pass thru on the way down. Wow Watersports’ Strike Zone Water Slide is 25-by-6 feet of slipperiness; zigzag sprinkler patterns assure a wet ride, fat pontoons on either side keep riders inside, and two sleds are included. Got a really long yard? Get two; they can be interconnected.

If you’ve got lots of space, consider Costway’s inflatable Bounce House and Water Slide, with a bounce area, water gun, two slides, a basketball hoop and several balls. It comes with a storage bag for easy transport.

POOL STYLE

Marisa Issa of Los Angeles says her family’s favorite pool games are corn hole and a floating basketball hoop, but her favorite is a floating mat from Frontgate “that only mom can use,” she says. The sleek, minimalist white float has a headrest, and is made of marine-grade dense foam, suitable for chlorine or saltwater pools.

If you prefer sitting up a little, Frontgate’s got a floating armchair with attached ottoman. Choose from aqua, blue or flamingo pink. Or splash out on a full-size pool chaise kitted out with drink holders.

Want to hang out with a handful of friends in a backyard pool? Funboy has a 9-foot-wide floating metallic crown with drink holders. Or lounge luxuriously in the company’s Bali Cabana Lounger, with a curved integrated shade, a tropical leaf print, cup holders and handy grab ropes.

BigMouth has some food-related inflatables like a giant ice pop, pizza slice, donut, watermelon slice, cheeseburger and taco.

At first, glance, laying on an inflatable toy in shallow water seems pretty safe. After all, the water isn't deep, and there is a floating toy right there. Recently, a family's trip to the beach in Nova Scotia proved to be a harrowing reminder of why this is not the case. In August, two 5-year-olds played in shallow water – one in an inflatable ring, the other on an inflatable roller. Because the girls were in shallow water, their caregiver assumed the inflatable toys were enough. It wasn't until the girls began to drift away from that the complete danger of the situation became clear.

Inflatable toys can be dangerous

Because they are so light and buoyant, they tend to drift in the water or deflate when they get wet. That's when it's a problem. Kids don't know when their toys are deflated and cannot compensate when they're in the water. They can get trapped in the holes or strangle. When the girls got stuck, their caregiver did the right thing by calling for help. First responders rescued the girls and took them to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. While it's infrequent that inflatable toys are the source of injury to kids, it's good to know that they can pose a hazard. The numbers aren't obvious, but it seems that they're responsible for 1 in every 100 boating-related deaths in the U.S. and are one of the leading causes of drowning for children aged 4-6.

Why Inflatable Toys Can Be Dangerous

The giant inflatable was much bigger than the girls and began to drag the mattress toward shore, according to the parent of one of the girls who spoke with CTVNews. However, the inflatable ring wasn't nearly as big or heavy and was drifting with the current. The girls eventually lost hold of both and drifted a considerable distance. The girls' parents rushed to the scene and tried to retrieve their children, but the current was too firm, and the military eventually rescued them. The girls were found to be unharmed. Since this incident, many parents have expressed concerns about the safety of inflatable toys.

[valvepositionersupplier-blog]

[theliterateape]

A Troubling Hare

by Paul Teodo

I have a lot of problems. Let me restate that. A lot of problems have me. Having a problem is an illusion. It implies I have control over that problem. I don’t. The problem has control over me. When the problem has me it makes sense to get some help, indicating that this problem must receive more help than I alone can muster up. If a medical problem has me I go to a guy who went to school and has a license to cut me open without getting into too much trouble. If a mental problem has me I go see a shrink, or at least a good friend with a ton of patience for my whining or who can look stuff up on the internet and help me feel better. If my car starts jacking me around I go to a mechanic and spend a lotta dough, especially if I have an Italian or German model.

Let me tell you about a few problems that have me. 

BPH. Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. It’s got me big time. Some days I piss 20 times. I know, I’m closing in on seventy and it’s normal for stuff to be going on down there. But damn, it’s a nuisance.

What is BPH? It’s got to do with a guy’s prostate gland. The prostate gland plays a major role in male reproduction and ejaculation. A normal prostate is about the size of a walnut, mine’s about the size of a fucking cantaloupe. 

An enlarged prostate blocks the flow of pee from the bladder to the urethra and when that happens a man becomes obsessed with locating places to piss because he always has to piss. And the problem with pissing a lot is you begin to lose your inhibition about to where to go. Bushes, trees, dark alleys, well lit alleys, Starbucks, libraries, building lobbies, bottles strategically stashed in automobiles, lamp posts, anyplace a dog lets loose, all are fair game. 

So what do you do if this problem has you? Talk to the guy who went to school and do what he says. And he’ll say No COFFEE, and a few other things. I love coffee. But since I quit I’m down to pissing about 10 times a day, and only once or twice at night.

Well done, Doc.

I got more. 

Technofuckingphobia Yes, that’s a real word, except for the F-part, and more importantly it’s a very serious condition, especially in the 21st century, and it’s got me bad, real bad. Ask me to copy and paste, download an app, stream, or how much RAM I have, and my bowels turn to foam, my knees wobble, and my teeth chatter like a naked man perched upon an iceberg. 

And having a cell phone has made it worse. I’ve become dependent on the damn thing; emails, texts, photos, weather, music, directions, how many steps I take going from one stupid place to the next, all have become obsessions. I read a study a few months ago that said the average American, while awake, checks his cell phone every 72 seconds (less frequently when not awake). So most of you have already checked your phone since starting this little piece, or worse yet, are reading it on the damn thing now.

C’mon! 

Was I leading a miserable existence before I spent nearly a grand on a hand held computer that scares the shit outa me? I think not. And my techie friends tell me it needs to be encapsulated in a protective cover,(the difficulty of installation akin to stuffing an offensive lineman into a gymnast’s leotard), in case I drop it, or more likely throw it against a fucking wall when I can’t figure out how to use it, with a special ring tone for special people, which I have no idea how to set, with alerts for everything I’m supposed to do that I would prefer not to. And now I receive texts from people standing right next to me, which for the life of me, despite my protestations, I can’t ignore. 

And to highlight my total lack of control, if I misplace this electronic demon, I panic like a junkie jonesing for his next fix.

And then there’s the Tinnitus. Remember I’m almost seventy. What? 70…Tinnitus. What? Catch my drift?

I am condemned to a constant ringing in my right ear that varies in decibels depending on where I’m at and who I’m with. Put me in a reverberating room with a few people talking all at once (meaning anyone who has a speck of DNA that identifies them as having a trace of Italian or Jewish ancestry dog-paddling around in their cells) and I feel like I’m struggling to awaken from the depths of a coma. I’m foggy, befuddled, helpless, and morose. I lean forward with a twisted look of confusion splattered across my face feeling like I’m in a therapy group facilitated by Nurse Ratchett with Jack Nicholson at my side.

A few years ago I read that bananas helped tinnitus, so I began to consume 4, 5, 6 a day. The only change was the massive wads of hair that began to sprout from my back and the uncontrollable desire to scamper up a tree and swing from its branches.

OK I overplayed it with the tree.

And now, pray tell, I have been stricken with Leporiphobia. This malady is exhibited by a deathly and uncontrollable fear of rabbits. I shudder and become dizzy when I think of or encounter the tiniest of bunnies or a full grown big eared Jack. This condition is a rarity in the medical journals.

However, a point of note; in a 2012 survey the Journal of American Psychology polled 100 professional athletes concerning their fears or phobias. Hands down Andy Roddick, player on the men’s Pro Tennis Tour and winner of over 30M$ took the grand prize for weirdness. Leporiphobia has him! He admitshe is terrified of rabbits. All he has to do is think of one and he panics. Seeing just a tiny bunny brings him to his knees. He’s actually withdrawn from matches where he was heading for the winner’s circle and then regressed into “rabittual” thinking (OK I made that word up but it’s a great fucking word.)

Allow me to digress. 

I met Lydia in a coffee shop; my kind of coffee shop. No internet. People were talking. I was not sure if they were Jewish or Italian. I couldn’t hear. She leaned closer. I still couldn’t hear. We stepped outside. A truck rumbled by. I couldn’t hear. Finally, she stood on her toes, cupped her hands, and hollered.

“I’m Lydia.” I could hear…fairly well. We talked about the theatre and I asked her to a play. We went. We sat in the front. I could hear. It was great.

We went to dinner, a very quiet place. I gazed across the table into her gray-blue eyes. That was greater.

Afterwards she came to my place. It was very quiet. That was the greatest!

After a few of those datey kinds of experiences we wanted to do normal stuff; stuff we were interested in day to day._

She asked, “What do you like to do that is somewhat normal?”

“Bike,” I responded, enjoying her directness.

“I don’t own a bike.” she replied.

“I’ll buy you one,” I said thinking I was gallant.

She said, pursing her lips, her hands perched on very shapely hips, “I can buy my own.”

She did. I liked that.

“Do you want to go for a ride?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said, “But it’s so hot.”

“We won’t go far,” I said once again, trying to be gallant.

“We’ll go as far as I want,” she said.

“OK,” I said knowing that attempting to be gallant was no longer a good idea.

So I put air in my tires and waited to see if she wanted any.

“Could you put some in mine?”

“I’d love to,” I said.

“Thank you.”

Off we went down a dusty path of crunchy gray limestone; thick bushes bordering each side of the trail.

We came to a clearing in a small town. The bank sign read 97 degrees-1pm. The sun broiled my back, sweat puddled in my navel, and my hands slid from the rubber grips of my silver Trek.

“It’s so hot.” Her voice rose over the noisy limestone. “Are you hot?”

“What?” I couldn’t hear her.

“Hot!” she screamed.

I was near death, my head ready to explode. “I’m fine,” yelling over my shoulder.

“Wait!” I heard her voice. It must have been very loud.

I jammed the brakes, my bike twisting sideways.

We skidded to a dusty stop. She was huffing and puffing.

“Are you OK?” Salty sweat stung my eyes.

“This is your idea of fun? How can you stand it? This is normal?”

“What?” This time I pretended I couldn’t hear.

“Hot!”She wiped her brow with the back of her hand. 

“I try to stay cool: water, and stuff.”

“What stuff?” Her indignant voice rose.

I had to pee.

“Sometimes I take off my shirt.”

“Go ahead. But I can’t take off mine.”

I had to pee more.

“Go ahead,” she repeated.

I removed my shirt.

“Let’s go,” she said. “It’s too hot to stand here and talk.”

We started once again, crunching along the shimmering trail.

And that’s when it happened.

Two dark blurs darted from the brush directly in front of my bike; the one in front larger than the one who trailed. The larger one turned and glared with his devil-red eyes, into mine. And without any notice, he leapt off the ground, a full four feet, and went for my throat. My legs froze. I gasped and choked on my own spit. He was on me screeching a high pitched hideous rodent like noise; fangs gnawing at my flesh, his bristly fur scraping my chin. I yanked my right hand away from the brake and threw him off, his pin-like nails scratching my sun burnt skin. His body thumped to the ground. I jammed on my brakes. My wheel turned cock-eyed and my torso flew over the handlebars. 

I landed next to him; so close I could see his whiskers and his pinkish nose twitching with a sense of evil. 

He wriggled his nose again, paused, and scampered into the brush.

“It was a rabbit!”I think Lydia screamed. While I was aware of that, tinnitus is accentuated in a panic situation, and I needed to pee even more.

“I can’t believe it!”

I could. I lay on the limestone gazing up at her.

“Why did you bring me here?”

“You wanted normal.”

She stepped off her new bike, whose tires I had just put air into, trying not to be gallant.

“Are you OK?” she asked.

I wasn’t. I could be extra gallant and say fine. “I’m…” I paused, “hurt. Severely.”Trying to gain some sympathy.

“Oh my God,” she said.

Shards of gravel were imbedded in my tender skin. Bloody chunks of flesh dangled from elbows and knees. My left shoulder was locked tight, conspicuously off-kilter to its twin; pounding with a sledgehammer heartbeat.

“What can I do?” she asked tears welling in her eyes.

I lay there, my fears, problems, and pain running away with me.

My cell phone was shattered. How would I text myself a reminder to buy a new one?

I needed to pee.

But there was Lydia standing over me, offering to help. We met in a coffee shop, my kinda shop. No internet.

My ear ringing like the 3 o’clock dismissal school bell at St. Frances.

“How can I help?” she repeated. 

I thought I saw the rabbit peek out from the brush. Leporiphobia had stricken me. 

“Kill the fucking rabbit.”

She smiled a deep warm smile. She made me feel better.

She touched my cheek. “I will.”

I believed her.

[fokohow]

THE KIA SORENTO 2020: 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

The incredible success of the big Telluride at Kia has pushed the smaller Sorento back into the shadows. Add to this mischievous fate the fact that Kia’s “old” utility vehicle, born in 2002, is in its third generation, itself already out of phase despite the usual annual alterations. In short, the Sorento is due to the image of its first cousin, the Hyundai Santa Fe, renewed last year. So here are 10 things you should know about a mid-size SUV that straddles the present and the future…

1 Partie remise

Kia had nevertheless planned to introduce the 4th generation Sorento in great style at the Geneva Motor Show after having given a preview of it on February 17th in South Korea. But you-know-what caused the cancellation of the event. The manufacturer partially made up for it by letting pictures of the new exterior and interior flow.

2 Oh the beautiful look!

The revamped Sorento, which according to our crystal ball will be on sale by the end of the year as the 2021 vintage, abandons the ovoid and, let’s be frank, rather anonymous hull in favour of a much more athletic build where the angles and reliefs give themselves over to the heart’s content.

3 Easy as pie

The current Sorento features a dashboard that is overflowing with user-friendliness. In fact, we’re immediately pleased with two features. First, the fact that a few good old-fashioned buttons are right where you’d expect them; two, the electronic UVO interface displayed on the 7-inch centre screen (and even 8-inch when you check off the navigation) is very pleasant to use, the speed with which a techno-analphabetic like me manages to connect his phone being the best proof.

4 Avant-garde design

In the future Sorento, while the modernisation of the interior is obvious, it is hoped that the ease of use has remained intact. The conventional transmission lever has been replaced by a rotary selector. The two generous side-by-side displays (12.3″ for the dials, 10.3″ for the infotainment) are sumptuous, while the air vents, in the centre and near the doors, feature a novel shape (a sort of vertical diamond) that projects the cabin’s look far into the 21st century.

5 A 4 or a 6?

So far in North America, the Sorento has had three gasoline engines. In 2018, Kia has abandoned the 2.0L Turbo, which in the end proved to be as gluttonous as the V6. The 3.3L is still in the catalogue, as is the 2.4L 4-cylinder.

If your little family already costs you enough as it is, select this less expensive powertrain. Its 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, combined with a 6-speed automatic transmission, will be enough to transport your tribe members without worry. The only downside is its towing capacity of only 907 kg.

If that doesn’t seem like enough because your cousin, to whom you often give lifts, really likes Vachon’s little cakes, then you’d better turn to the V6’s 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque, which brings the vehicle’s towing capacity to 2,268 kg, exactly the same as GM’s rival trio, the Acadia, Traverse and Enclave.

As a bonus, your wallet won’t suffer so much during the inevitable stops at the gas pump since the fuel consumption ratings between the 4 and 6 only indicate a small difference of one litre: 11.3L per 100 km for the most fuel-hungry versus 10.2L for the most frugal. Thanks to the 8-speed automatic transmission that has been powering the V6 since 2019.

6 Promise, promise…

In Europe, the manufacturer has rather foamed the 2.4L and a 2.2L turbo-diesel. Since 2017, Kia Canada has been suggesting that we could also benefit from a diesel-powered vehicle, but we’re still waiting for it, and as long as the fumes from Volkswagen’s Dieselgate haven’t completely dissipated, we’ll wait for it…

7 Long live the electrons!

That said, there are better things on the horizon. For the fourth-generation model, North Americans would receive a hybrid engine where a 180-hp, 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder with 180 horsepower would be paired with a 60-stallion electric motor. The combined power of 227 horsepower would be available as a regular and rechargeable hybrid.

The jump to hybridity for the Sorento seems normal given that Kia is already electrifying the Niro and Soul. So what will happen to the 2.4L and 3.3L gasoline-powered models? Rumours suggest a 277-horsepower, 2.5L 4-cylinder turbocharged 2.5L as a replacement.

8 Well thought out

Instead of the usual five seats, you can get seven if you choose the V6. To access the back seats, the Sorento uses an ingenious system: press one of the buttons located near the headrests of the middle seat and the targeted section (60/40) instantly obeys, the backrest folds down and the seat moves forward. The result: a passage that makes it much easier to access both folding seats.

9 Various variants

The South Korean manufacturer has made a wise decision by ceasing to send us a low-end version equipped only with front-wheel drive. From now on, Dynamax all-wheel drive is standard on all versions. And don’t look any further for the SXL model that used to occupy the top of the pyramid. Since it was priced over $50,000, marketing gurus avoided cannibalism between the most expensive Sorento and the most affordable Telluride. In short, right now, you can choose from no less than seven versions of the Sorento with base prices ranging from $32,905 to $48,255.

10 Let’s talk about capacity

If you leave all the backrests of the vehicle at attention, there’s only 320 litres of cargo left in the rear. So, if the Sorento already holds seven healthy adults and you’re all off to the cottage together, you’ll have to choose between going without clothes or food.

But if you fold down all the seatbacks, you’ll be able to rob a flea market of its finest antiques thanks to the 2,082 litres of cargo space. Since the wheelbase of the new Sorento will be a bit longer (1.4″), it will be slightly more spacious.

In my own way, I tested the Sorento’s volume differently. I started by wanting to buy myself a paddle board. My shopping turned into an uncertain expedition when I discovered that Quebecers, failing to go on holiday in Europe this summer, were gargling like hungry ogres on all the summer toys. Finding a personal watercraft, a swimming pool or a paddle board in June had become mission impossible.

Finally, the god of the heat wave blessed me and I found one. Since it was exactly 10 feet 6 inches tall (it says so right on it), I got a little fright: how do I get it home?

But, ladies and gentlemen, my purchase went into the Sorento the whole way through as if the engineers had planned the vehicle’s size according to the board! Seeing how lucky I was, I naturally did what the TV recommends we do in such cases: I bought a 6/49 ticket.

[engineofficia]

2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe Specs, Price, Release Date

2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe Specs, Price, Release Date - Today we're gonna talk about this 2021 BMW M4 CS coupe. So Before we jump into all the specifications for the M4 CS, this vehicle is a more hardcore version comparing it to the standard BMW M4. and if we go ahead and take a first look at it, this entire hood is actually finished off in carbon fiber. Entirely constructed of carbon fiber and it literally weighs nothing one finger, you can easily open and close it. There is literally no way to it. This car has a lot of carbon fiber all around, and a lot of different performance features comparing it to the standard car. This Article Is Just A Rumor

2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe Changes

Exterior Design The overall length is 184 and a half inches with a wheelbase at 110 points 7. the width is seventy-three points six inches with a height of 54 points eight and the ground clearance is four point seven inches. the 2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe has ventilated and drilled rotors in all four corners measuring fifteen inches upfront with a four-piston brake caliper. The rear rotors come in at fourteen point six inches with a two-piston caliper. And this particular spec has a staggered set of wheels measuring 19 inches upfront and 20s in the rears. They're finished off in a satin gray with a split 5 spoke design, and they also featured the M logo on them all wrapped in a Michelin performance tire. The M4 has a lot of aggression upfront with many lines and angles. It also has a lot of openings for maximum cooling to the engine. This particular spec features a gloss-black kidney-shaped grille with vertical slots in the center. With have the M4 logo over on the right side, this spec also features a carbon fiber lower front splitter. There are also four parking sensors upfront, a lot of openings in the lower side of the front bumper with fins on each side. Coming up top, this has BMWs LED headlights with LED daytime running lights. And those flow nicely around the front bumper to give it an aggressive look. Then the hood has some nice contours in it with a functional heat extraction vent right in the center. Also then a raised portion in the center of the hood to indicate where the engine is mounted.

2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe Exterior And then moving to the side of the M4, there's a functional air vent behind the front wheels that allow airflow to escape the front wheel wells. And then you'll notice a prominent body line going around that cutting its way all the way to the rear taillights of the car. This has body-color door handles as well as body-color side mirror caps with the integrated LED turn signals in them. And the more gloss black trim finds its way all around the windows. And the overall side profile of the M4 has a very proportional and sporty look, I love all the sharp lines. The bulging fender arches in the front and the rear and in contrast against the red and the gray wheels have a really cool look. This M4 also features the carbon fiber roof that actually lowers the center of gravity of the vehicle by a few inches, has a really good look against the car, adding to the theme of performance and lightweight. And then making our way to the rear, this has oh le detail lights that have a nice look, a lot of cool contours in them. We have a carbon fiber lip spoiler to match the front splitter, the M4 CS badge, and then the backup camera is located in the center. We have four parking sensors in the rear and more carbon fiber on the lower diffuser, even with some fins in it. And then you get your chrome quad-tip dual exhaust system with the M logo laser etched into the top of it. And the whole rear end heists the design together to give the M4 a great look. So there's a good look at the overall exterior as well as some of the performance specifications on the BMW M4 CS. Interior Design This car has a lot of black leather and Alcantara all throughout it. And taking a look at the door panel, this features black leather along the top of its very soft feeling has a premium look. We also have black stitching on it, and then we have a strap right here to close the door with the BMW colors. We have your aluminum release hammer right here, and then your window controls as well as mirror and the power sunshade. You'll notice some lightweight designs for this door panel. We have an Alcantara armrest right here with a little bit of padding on it. And then this is a completely composite door panel, very cool to see on a car like this just for lighter weight and a more performance feeling. And we have the aluminum door sill with 2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe, this does feature power seats. All the controls are on the side, as well as the memory seat functions. And then on the seats, we have black leather along the sides with black Alcantara within the centers. And then you get the really cool design here. This actually cuts into the back of the seats, which is very nice to see. And then we have a perforated design in the center with a really nice look. You can see all the stitching and contours within the seat. Taking a look at the gauge cluster, we have the tach over on the right side as well as your temperature. Your speedometer on the left with your gas. And one thing very cool with the heads-up display if you hit the m1 button, it'll come upon the heads-up display with a performance looking tach. Going across the entire screen with your speedometer on that as well. And then going back into the normal mode that giant tech goes away.

2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe Interior On the left side of the steering wheel, we have cruise control settings as well as two different M mode preset buttons. We have all the voice commands and Bluetooth and audio control over on the right. This does have steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, they have a really nice feeling to them, and they're quite large. And then the stock on the left side tapping the BC button that'll go through different trip information within the gauges. You can see your speedometer, the date and time, and then different trip information, as well as temperatures, and then your wipers are on the right side. Sitting back here, you actually have a ton of space, I do have the driver's seat set to my height 5 foot 11. and I have a few inches of knee room, which is very impressive, and my feet fit very nice and comfortably. That composite paneling continues in the rear, very nice to see that. You have the same Alcantara for the armrests. And for being a little bit of a stripped out version is the 2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe. This is a lighter way more design for the track. You still get a lot of really nice creature comforts black leather on the top here. And a huge window right here to make it actually pretty open sitting back here. The Headroom, my head is barely touching the ceilings and not too bad for a car like this.

2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe Engine

Underneath the hood, this features a three-liter inline 6-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine. The cs pumps out 454 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and sends the power to the rear wheels. And with a curb weight coming in around 3,600 pounds. you're looking at a 0-60 time at 3.7 seconds with a quarter-mile at 12 seconds flat at 121 miles an hour. Top speed at 174 miles an hour. And running off a 15 point 8-gallon fuel tank, you can expect to get 17 miles per gallon in the city and 23 out on the highway.

2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe Engine

2021 BMW M4 CS Coupe Price and Release Date

And the model that we're looking at today is finished off in Melbourne red metallic and has an MSRP at a hundred and six thousand dollars. Read the full article

[mylesprft573-blog]

10 Misconceptions Your Boss Has About Bite Detection Kit For Fishing

Marine Electronics

Auto-pilots The first self-steering equipment was introduced in the 1920's to regulate model yachts yet it was not up until 1948 that the concept was put on full scale yachts. Standing at the helm for lengthy durations, checking tools as well as maintaining a good watch out can be really tedious. An autopilot alleviates the helmsman from steering the proper course leaving him free to preserve an appropriate watch. The autopilot can be readied to either guide a compass course or a training course about the wind. A fluxgate compass or digital wind indication feeds info to a microprocessor which after that makes the needed rudder motions to return the vessel to it's needed training course. The mechanical power is related to the tail by either electric straight activators, hydraulic pumps or rotary drives. GPS/Chart plotters can be utilized to input navigational instructions to the auto-pilot.

Battery Chargers will certainly maintain batteries fully billed therefore expanding their working life.

Chart Plotters Typically a chart plotter consists of an antenna, placed high up on the boat, to track GPS signals and a display screen device sited either at the at the navigation terminal or the helm of the vessel. The vessels position is sent out from the antenna to the screen system which subsequently shows it graphically on the graph. The Chart itself will certainly look similar to it's paper comparable and reveal depth, land mass, navigational aids such as bouys and possible dangers in the form of wreckages and obstructions. The individual can include means points to the chart and zoom in and out of the screen. Graph plotters can be linked to drive an autopilot and/or send out GPS data to a fish finder or radar. They can additionally interface with a laptop computer allowing complex flow preparing to be done far from the watercraft and after that entered into the chart plotter after coming to the boat.

Magnetic Transmitting Compasses function like traditional compasses utilizing magnets to identify the vessels orientation to the planet's electromagnetic field they then transmit the watercrafts heading to a digital screen. They make guiding simpler than with conventional compasses due to the fact that they present steadier headings and do not struggle with the "lag" that happens when making a turn. They can user interface with graph plotters, auto-pilots as well as radar. Fluxgate Compasses contain two items of conveniently filled magnetic material with coils wound rounded them in opposing instructions. Air Conditioning current is passed through the coils and the material is saturated in one instructions and then the various other. The planet's magnetic field impacts slightly the time at which saturation happens, earlier in one coil and later in the other. The distinction is then computed giving a result proportional to the earth's electromagnetic field. They are precise to 0.1 of a level. Their output can be presented electronically to the helmsman or they can user interface with auto-pilots, graph plotters and radar.

Mirror Sounders work on the same principle as finder. A transducer discharges a narrow beam of light of high frequency sound. This is shown by any type of strong objects and the time between transmission as well as receipt of the resemble is determined. The rate of sound through water is know therefore the array or range to the sea bed can be calculated. That is then presented in metres. Forward Looking Sonar (FLS) enables you to see the undersea dangers prior to you're really in addition to them. A normal range for a FLS is 150 metres.

An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a piece of equipment made to drift without a vessel in distress. It then sends out a radio signal that can be discovered by Search and also Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) satellites. They pass on a message to a ground station that consequently can prompt a search and also rescue procedure.

Fish Finders use the same innovation as sonar. A slim column of high frequency sound is transmitted by a transducer, this is mirrored by strong objects such as the fishing bite alarm kit sea bed. By establishing this innovation fishfinders supply display screens that show where the fish are and they can separate between bait fish and also bigger types

Global Positioning System (GPS Receivers) - This system was initially created for army purposes and also is owned and also run by the United States Department of Defence. 24 satellites are arranged in a "coop" around the world, they are positioned as though at any position on the earth's surface area a direct line of sight can be established to a minimum of 4 satellites. A repair is acquired by measuring properly the distance in between a satellite and the GPS receiver at a specific time. Because the precise position of the satellite is recognized, these distances supply position lines which are transformed by a microprocessor within the GPS receiver to read outs of latitude and longitude.

The log is utilized to measure the boats speed through the water. A paddle wheel or impeller, installed listed below the waterline is turned by the circulation of water, this generates electric impulses that are fed to a microprocessor that shows both rate and also range run.

Inverters - On most boats today you will certainly find domestic tools of one sort or an additional. For aboard entertainment there are televisions and also stereo systems. With the appeal of graph plotters comes the COMPUTER or laptop computer. Upkeep typically calls for making use of power devices. Liveaboards could have a cleaning equipment, dish washer or microwave. Can take 12v, 24v or 48v supply and also convert it to a secure 110 v or 220v AC supply.

Navtex can maybe best be described as a continuously upgraded telex service providing navigation and also weather condition information within specified areas. An on board receiver, tuned to 518kHz, the worldwide Navtex frequency, if left activated will certainly either publish out or present the latest massages sent out from a local station. The service is available as much as 400 miles from the coastline.

Radar allows you to see what or else would certainly be invisible. They use best benefit during the night as well as in fog or rain as well as are of specific worth when close to shore or in hectic shipping lanes. They consist of an antenna as well as a display screen. The antenna sends a stream of RF energy which is reflected back off hard things. When this power is gotten better it is converted to a signal which displayed to the customer. The antenna revolves every few seconds, the screen continually determines the instructions of the antenna therefore an exact bearing to the target is computed. The time is measured for the power to be shown and so the range of the target is additionally shown.

Satellite Phones contain an antenna, a modem as well as a regular mobile. They are powered by an iridium battery. Their array is anywhere covered by in Inmarsat Mini-M satellite. Voice, fax, e-mail as well as data can be sent.

Satellite TV calls for an antenna and also obviously a tv. Reception is available within a "impact" which is based on EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power) of a transmitting satellite. The EUTELSAT together with the two ASTRA satellites cover Europe. NILESAT and also both ARABSATs cover Africa as well as the Middle East. Excellent insurance coverage is likewise readily available in North, Central as well as Southern America.

SSB Radio has a series of numerous thousand miles. You will need an FFC permit, or the comparable in whichever country you plan to operate it. Power usage is a factor to consider. Approximately 100 Watts might be needed for transmission. SSB radio calls for numerous things of equipment. A transceiver with the ability of SSB procedure, An antenna, this should be 8 metres long and also in practice most watercrafts utilize a backstay or shroud for the function having fitted the essential insulators. An antenna receiver matched to the transceiver model. If you intend to send e-mail you will certainly additionally require and radio modem and also computer system.

VHF Radio The power called for to transmit is minimal, all sets have the option of sending on either 1 Watt or 25 Watts as well as the lower power need to be used whenever possible. Unlike telephones that permit you to both talk and listen to at the same time most VHF establishes require you to press a send switch before speaking. This is referred to as simplex. Duplex collections are offered yet are a lot more expensive. VHF radio waves take a trip in straight lines so the airborne need to be placed as high as possible, preferably at the masthead.

[kamerongmnf237-blog]

14 Common Misconceptions About Fish Finder Gps Combo

Marine Electronics

Auto-pilots The first self-steering equipment was introduced in the 1920's to control model luxury yachts but it was not till 1948 that the concept was put on complete scale luxury yachts. Standing at the helm for lengthy durations, keeping an eye on tools and also maintaining an excellent look out can be really tiring. An autopilot eliminates the helmsman from guiding the proper training course leaving him free to preserve an appropriate watch. The auto-pilot can be set to either steer a compass training course or a course about the wind. A fluxgate compass or electronic wind indicator feeds info to a microprocessor which then makes the needed tail activities to return the vessel to it's needed program. The mechanical power is applied to the rudder by either electrical direct activators, hydraulic pumps or rotary drives. GPS/Chart plotters can be used to input navigational guidelines to the autopilot.

Battery Chargers will keep batteries fully billed consequently prolonging their working life.

Chart Plotters Typically a graph plotter contains an antenna, placed high on the watercraft, to track GPS signals as well as a screen device sited either at the at the navigating station or the helm of the vessel. The vessels position is sent out from the antenna to the display device which consequently reveals it graphically on the chart. The Chart itself will certainly look similar to it's paper comparable as well as show deepness, land mass, navigational aids such as bouys as well as potential threats in the form of wreckages as well as blockages. The user can add method indicate the chart and also focus and out of the display. Chart plotters can be linked to drive an auto-pilot and/or send GPS information to a fish finder or radar. They can additionally user interface with a laptop computer making it possible for complicated flow planning to be done far from the boat and after that entered into the graph plotter after getting to the boat.

Magnetic Transmitting Compasses function like standard compasses utilizing magnets to determine the vessels alignment to the planet's electromagnetic field rainbow trout fishing tips they after that send the watercrafts heading to a digital display screen. They make guiding less complicated than with standard compasses because they present steadier headings as well as do not struggle with the "lag" that takes place when making a turn. They can user interface with chart plotters, autopilots and radar. Fluxgate Compasses include 2 items of readily filled magnetic material with coils wound round them in opposing instructions. AC current is gone through the coils as well as the product is filled in one direction and afterwards the other. The earth's magnetic field affects a little the time at which saturation happens, earlier in one coil and later in the various other. The distinction is after that calculated giving an output proportional to the earth's magnetic field. They are precise to 0.1 of a degree. Their output can be shown electronically to the helmsman or they can user interface with auto-pilots, graph plotters and also radar.

Mirror Sounders service the same concept as sonar. A transducer discharges a slim light beam of high frequency audio. This is shown by any type of solid things and also the time between transmission as well as receipt of the echo is determined. The rate of noise through water is understand and so the variety or range to the sea bed can be computed. That is after that displayed in metres. Forward Looking Sonar (FLS) enables you to see the underwater risks before you're actually in addition to them. A typical variety for a FLS is 150 metres.

An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a tool developed to float devoid of a vessel in distress. It then sends a radio signal that can be discovered by Search and also Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) satellites. They communicate a message to a ground station that consequently can instigate a search as well as rescue procedure.

Fish Finders use the same technology as sonar. A slim pulse of high frequency noise is sent by a transducer, this is reflected by solid objects such as the sea bed. By creating this technology fishfinders supply displays that show where the fish are and also they can distinguish in between bait fish as well as bigger types

Gps (GPS Receivers) - This system was originally created for army purposes and is owned and operated by the United States Department of Defence. 24 satellites are set up in a "coop" around the world, they are positioned in such a way that at any kind of position on the planet's surface a straight line of sight can be developed to a minimum of 4 satellites. A solution is acquired by measuring properly the range between a satellite and the GPS receiver at an accurate time. Since the precise position of the satellite is known, these distances supply position lines which are converted by a microprocessor within the GPS receiver to read outs of latitude and longitude.

The log is used to measure the watercrafts speed via the water. A paddle wheel or impeller, placed below the waterline is transformed by the flow of water, this produces electrical impulses that are fed to a microprocessor that presents both speed and also distance run.

Inverters - On most watercrafts today you will discover residential equipment of one kind or one more. For on board home entertainment there are tvs and also stereo. With the appeal of chart plotters comes the COMPUTER or laptop. Maintenance usually calls for using power tools. Liveaboards could have a washing maker, dishwashing machine or microwave. Can take 12v, 24v or 48v supply and also transform it to a secure 110 v or 220v A/C supply.

Navtex can perhaps best be called a constantly upgraded telex solution supplying navigating and also weather information within defined locations. An on board receiver, tuned to 518kHz, the globally Navtex regularity, if left activated will either print out or present the current massage therapies sent from a local station. The solution is readily available approximately 400 miles from the coast.

Radar allows you to see what otherwise would be unseen. They supply biggest benefit during the night as well as in haze or rain as well as are of certain worth when near to coast or in busy shipping lanes. They contain an antenna as well as a display. The antenna sends a stream of RF power which is reflected withdraw tough things. When this power is recuperated it is transformed to a signal which displayed to the customer. The antenna turns every couple of secs, the display screen continually computes the instructions of the antenna therefore a specific bearing to the target is calculated. The moment is measured for the energy to be mirrored and so the range of the target is additionally presented.

Satellite Phones consist of an antenna, a modem and a normal phone. They are powered by an iridium battery. Their variety is anywhere covered by in Inmarsat Mini-M satellite. Voice, fax, e-mail and also information can be transferred.

Satellite TV calls for an antenna as well as naturally a television. Function is readily available within a "footprint" which is based upon EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power) of a transmitting satellite. The EUTELSAT along with both ASTRA satellites cover Europe. NILESAT and also the two ARABSATs cover Africa and the Middle East. Excellent coverage is additionally readily available in North, Central and also Southern America.

SSB Radio has a series of a number of thousand miles. You will need an FFC certificate, or the comparable in whichever nation you intend to operate it. Power consumption is a consideration. Up to 100 Watts might be needed for transmission. SSB radio calls for numerous items of devices. A transceiver efficient in SSB procedure, An antenna, this should be 8 metres long as well as in practice most watercrafts utilize a backstay or shroud for the purpose having fitted the required insulators. An antenna receiver matched to the transceiver model. If you wish to send out e-mail you will certainly also require as well as radio modem and also computer system.

VHF Radio The power called for to transfer is very little, all sets have the option of sending on either 1 Watt or 25 Watts and the reduced power must be used whenever possible. Unlike telephones that allow you to both talk as well as hear at the same time most VHF sets require you to press a transmit switch before chatting. This is referred to as simplex. Duplex sets are available yet are far more costly. VHF radio waves travel in straight lines so the airborne should be mounted as high as possible, ideally at the masthead.

[3onthetreecarreviews]

New-gen Ford Performance Focus ST Brings Most Capable Model To Date, With New 2.3L Turbocharged Powertrain Including 7-speed Paddleshift Auto For The First Time

  Ford Performance Focus ST will debut in Australia and New Zealand in Q1 2020 with new-generation model offering a choice of automatic and manual models for the first time, taking full advantage of the tech and innovation of new-generation Focus’ C2 platform

Focus ST brings improved cabin space, 206kW/420Nm turbocharged powertrain, selectable Drive Modes, with an electronic Limited-Slip Differential (eLSD), Launch Control, Performance shift-lights, and fully-independent rear with Adaptive Suspension

SYNC 3 as standard brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, with wireless smartphone charging, built-in sat-nav, B&O PLAY 10-speaker premium audio, 180-degree rear-view camera, with tech including AEB with Pedestrian Detection

Focus ST comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre factory warranty, as well as Ford Service Benefits, which includes Service Loan Car Program, Service Price Promise and SYNC 3 sat-nav mapping updates to eligible customers at participating dealerships

MELBOURNE, Australia, September 10, 2019 – The new-generation Ford Focus ST, developed under the leadership of Ford Performance, brings Australian enthusiasts the most advanced, capable Focus ST to date with more power, technology and choice. Based on the new-generation Focus’ C2 platform, the Focus ST brings an automatic variant for the first time, as well as the traditional enthusiast-focussed six-speed manual with rev-matching. In addition to expanded Selectable Drive Modes, there’s new technology including Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD), an electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD), and 2.3L turbocharged engine. “The Focus ST joins the Fiesta ST for 2020, offering a full suite of Ford Performance hot hatches for local enthusiasts,” said Kay Hart, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand. “Both bring new technology, with the Focus ST building on the innovation and tech leadership of the new-generation Focus, delivering a highly capable and livable performance hatch.” The Focus ST will be fully-imported from Germany, and will be on sale in Australia in 2020 with an MLP of $44,6901 for the 6-speed manual. A 7-speed paddleshift automatic is offered as a no-cost-option, with the ST taking the advanced C2 platform of the new Focus, introduced to Australia in late 2018, as a foundation to offer greater cabin space, cargo capacity as well as dynamic capability based upon a platform that delivers a 20 percent increase in torsional rigidity over the outgoing model. “Intelligent technologies like eLSD and CCD make our new-generation Focus ST the most ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ yet, able to switch from refined tourer to focussed performance car at the push of a button,” said Leo Roeks, Ford Performance director, Europe. “We’ve incorporated learnings from programs including our Ford GT supercar and the acclaimed Focus RS to develop a mid-size performance car with a degree of flexibility that’s unique in its segment.”

Focus ST: Looks that skill The Focus ST’s features both inside and out are designed to showcase its performance intent from any angle, building on the new-generation Focus’ core elements to deliver a Ford Performance optimised package. Immediately apparent, an aggressive stance is achieved with 19-inch machined alloy wheels, fitted with 235/35 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, as standard, with suspension that lowers ride height by 10mm over the standard Focus model. The Focus ST’s larger front and rear brake components are clearly visible, standing out with red brake calipers that clamp larger 330mm front and 302mm rear ventilated discs. A new electronic brake booster improves brake pedal feel, while braking performance was verified using the same demanding test procedures as the Ford GT supercar, and saw almost four-times the fade resistance performance of the previous generation Focus ST in testing. The Focus ST also boasts a honeycomb front grille, with LED headlight and taillights featuring LED Daytime Running Lights and for a signature look, with unique front and rear bumpers incorporating LED fog lamps and sculpted side-skirts producing a muscular look. An integrated spoiler caps off the major exterior changes on the ST’s hatch. Details include dual chrome exhaust tips, rear privacy glass as well as heated power-folding exterior mirrors with puddle lamps. There’s also unique ST badging in the front grille and rear hatch, exterior colour options chosen to emphasise the Focus ST’s dynamic styling including exclusive Ford Performance Blue and Orange Fury, alongside Frozen White, Magnetic (grey), Race Red, Ruby Red and Shadow Black2. The attention to detail continues inside the Focus ST. The heated Recaro sports seats are trimmed in leather and suede, with larger bolsters for improved lateral support during cornering, and feature ST logos, with lumbar support on the driver’s seat. Interior space is improved for the new-generation Focus ST, thanks to a 53mm increase in wheelbase, with greater occupant space in both front and second rows for greater comfort and convenience. Ford Performance instrumentation is standard, as are aluminium pedals that are matched to a chrome gear-lever for the six-speed manual, while the automatic Focus ST takes advantage of the new-generation e-shifter, which liberates space while enabling a cleaner console look. An electronic park brake also enhances space and interior sophistication for either transmission choice, while a flat-bottom heated ST steering wheel, wrapped in perforated leather, houses audio and SYNC 3 controls while delivering a premium feel and engagement for the driver.

Focus ST: Connectivity, technology and safety SYNC 33 as standard is another feature that brings livability and technology to the Focus ST. This includes a high-definition 8.0-inch touchscreen display, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone capability4. Functions, including Siri, can be accessed via the steering-wheel mounted voice activation controls, with capabilities including voice-activated text messaging. In addition, the Focus ST’s standard built-in sat-nav can also be accessed by voice-command, with the system specially engineered to comprehend Australian accents. The Focus ST also features wireless smartphone charging as standard, with technology including keyless entry and push-button engine start, ambient LED lighting and dual-zone climate control. A five-star ANCAP rating was awarded to the new-generation Focus line-up in 2019, with the standardisation of the Driver Assist Technology (DAT)5 praised by ANCAP CEO James Goodwin. The Focus ST includes a full suite of safety and DAT as standard, including:

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Cyclist and Pedestrian Detectioniv

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert

Lane Departure Warning

Lane Keep Assist

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Hill Launch Assist

180-degree full-colour, high-definition rear-view camera

Dynamic Stability Control

Driver, Driver’s side, Passenger Side and full curtain airbags

Auto high-beam headlights

LED Daytime Running Lights

Focus ST: Focus RS-developed powertrain The new all-aluminium 2.3-litre, turbocharged powertrain is the most potent ever offered in a Focus ST. Using advanced turbocharging technology to deliver 206kW6of power at 5,500 rpm – an increase of 22kW over the outgoing Focus ST – and a significant jump in torque, from 360Nm previously to 420Nmv , it is also the most free-revving Focus ST engine ever. Engine response is enhanced using a low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger, which scavenges exhaust gas energy more effectively using separated channels to minimise interference between gas pulses. An electronically actuated waste-gate allows closer control of boost pressures for optimised engine performance. In addition, a unique exhaust system that reduces back pressure, bespoke air intake system and optimised intercooler further improve breathing. Innovative anti-lag technology developed for the Ford GT supercar and F-150 Raptor pick-up is introduced to the Focus ST, for immediate power delivery in Sport and Track Drive Modes. Anti‑lag keeps the throttle open when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal, alleviating the reversal of air flow from the turbocharger to maintain compressor wheel speed and enabling boost pressure to build faster on demand. The Focus ST’s six-speed manual transmission enables more urgent gear-changes and provides a sportier feel with a shift-throw reduction of 7 percent compared with the standard all-new Focus. Ford’s rev-matching technology that debuted on the new Ford Mustang is standard for manual models. Delivering smoother, faster downshifts, the technology is accompanied by a shift indicator light, and uses the engine’s electronic control system to briefly ‘blip’ the throttle as the driver engages a lower gear – matching the engine rotation speed to that of the gear that is being selected. Rev-matching enables less-experienced performance drivers to benefit from the seamless, momentum-maintaining gearshifts delivered by the heel-and-toe driving technique. A new seven-speed paddleshift automatic will complement the rewarding, engaging and sporty 2.3-litre engine’s driving experience. Adaptive Shift Scheduling assesses individual driving styles to optimise gearshift timings, and is enhanced to offer more flexibility and the ability to differentiate between road and track use. Drivers can also select gears manually using steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters.

Selectable Drive Modes: Focus ST’s smart chassis Building on accomplished Ford Focus’ driving dynamics, the new-generation Focus ST was developed to blend B-road fun-to-drive, legitimate track-day performance, and everyday usability. “Our target was to deliver an new-generation Focus ST that is as effortless to drive day-to-day as the rest of the Focus line-up,” Roeks said. “The model’s comprehensive range of technologies means customers gain exhilarating ST performance without sacrifice.” This flexibility and capability is accessed via Selectable Drive Modes that optimise the Focus ST’s capabilities for road (or track) conditions ahead. Slippery, Normal, Sport and Track Drive Modes adjust the eLSD, CCD, EPAS, throttle mapping, automatic transmission shift scheduling, electronic stability control (ESC), electronic sound enhancement (ESE) and climate settings to suit the driving scenario. A dedicated “Sport” button on the flat-bottomed steering wheel gives direct access to Sport mode, and an additional “Mode” button allows drivers to quickly scroll through the Drive Mode options. “Selecting Track mode instantly introduces higher steering efforts for more feedback; tunes the throttle to be more aggressive; instructs the eLSD to deliver maximum traction; and gives drivers more leeway within the ESC system,” Roeks said. “Drivers can have full confidence in the Focus ST’s ability to deliver on the track.” The Focus ST’s chassis brings a unique fully-independent rear suspension configuration that helps optimise the vehicle’s responses to driver inputs without sacrificing comfort. The agile and energetic character of the standard Focus is retained using the original spring specifications, with damping stiffness increased up to 20 percent at the front and 13 percent at the rear, and ride height reduced by 10mm, to improve road-holding and response in performance driving scenarios. The chassis upgrades also include Ford’s sophisticated Continuously Controlled Damper (CCD) technology for the first time on a Focus in Australia. The system monitors suspension, body, steering and braking inputs every 2 milliseconds to adjust damping responses for outstanding ride quality and driving dynamics. Also improving capability is the eLSD. The Borg Warner-developed technology is faster to deploy and offers greater precision than a traditional mechanical LSD. The system can pre-emptively adjust torque distribution using inputs from powertrain and vehicle dynamics sensors, rather than responding to wheelspin as it occurs, and can apply differential locking gradually for fine-tuning performance. The all-new Focus ST also takes Ford’s fastest-steering-response crown from the acclaimed Fiesta ST. The electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system is 15 percent faster than the standard Focus, requiring just two turns lock-to-lock. Class-leading connected feel is supported by unique steering knuckle geometry, with a rod attachment point 9mm further forward and 6.5mm higher than the standard Focus for sharper responses. New Steering Torque Disturbance Reduction software for EPAS also helps reduce torque steer, making it even easier to deploy with precision the Focus ST’s power and torque. The new-generation Focus ST will arrive in Australian showrooms in Q1, 2020.

MY2020 Ford Focus ST Pricing Recommended Manufacturer List Price (MLP)i for Ford Focus ST and available options:

Ford Performance Focus ST MLPi ST five-door hatch, 2.3L turbo, 6-speed Manual $44,690 ST five-door hatch, 2.3L turbo, 7-speed Automatic $44,690

Ford Performance Focus ST Options MLPi Prestige Paint $650 Panoramic sunroof (fully opening) $2500

2020 Ford Focus ST Info and Prices New-gen Ford Performance Focus ST Brings Most Capable Model To Date, With New 2.3L Turbocharged Powertrain Including 7-speed Paddleshift Auto For The First Time…