#Reef Hamilton

[quincyhorst]

Big Waves' Character Moodboards

A long time ago, I stumbled upon a Pinterest challenge that pretty much was to search a character name + "core" (Pretty much like the aesthetic names everyone uses nowadays) and assemble a small moodboard with the results. So I've decided to do these with Big Waves.

Keep in mind these images are 2-3 years old, so the Pinterest results have changed greatly since then. Out of pure curiosity I've decided to experiment and re-do these boards with the up to date view I have of these characters, so feel free to compare results. Though I can testify that algorithm had gone downhill, because in more than one occassion I got a duplicate result :/

(Also... These are also based more on my adult/GO setting than OG, jsyk)

Quincycore

It doesn't matter if its 2023 or 2025, all the results I get will always be based on cottagecore or something soft. I don't mind Quincy being soft sometimes, but I do prefer him being more "grunge", if you get what I mean.

Also as I was researching, I stumbled upon this random picture of an anime character (I think it's from Bleach) and... Please don't tell me I'm the only one who thinks they look similar to Quin 😭

Jeancore

For some reason as I was doing the new version, at some point the Pinterest algorythm went "fuck you" and started to put EVERYTHING, from dumb comics to incredibly unrelated stuff. Still managed to find good material with enough luck.

I like the vibe of both moodboards overall, and I'm glad it didn't deviate much.

Brucecore

My only two notes for the 2nd version is that 1- This time around there was so little to actually work with, it's so dissappointing compared to when I was searching years ago 2- Yes, the beer cans are neccesary to this, I can explain (????)

...Gotta be sincere, the first version wins this round.

Shinecore

My biggest pet peeve with the 2025 version is that apparently "shinecore" got coined as an actual aesthetic (Or something), because every single image I found was mostly a cute thing with a vintage-like filter and covered with sparkles. I miss the diversity of the 2023 results :(

Nonetheless, I'm happy I've still managed to get something that fits Shine more. The pastel colors are cute, yes, but it's a color scheme that goes better with Reef. Speaking of him...

Reefcore

Another case where the older version wins. I feel like the 2025 results featured a lot of marine things (Which makes sense), but very little of other things or even anything that reminded on how I picture Reef. Plus I like the colors better on the 1st ver.

I think I have some moodboards left to do, so if anyone's interested I could share more.

[qualcosadelgenere]

[vax-merstappen]

on vacation with the f1 boys ✈️

i love to travel so this is just me being self indulgent lol. also disclaimer i know some of the pictures are not from the country i said the vacation is in, bear with me lol. hope you enjoy and drop me any pref requests you might have!

Lando Norris

Destination: Finland

Lando always went on a ski trip with his friends during the winter break and this year he invited you to go along. You started on the easier slopes, as you both had to get the hang of skiing again, but by the end of the day you were tackling some of the more difficult ones along with your group of friends. Afterwards, the group settled down in the ski lodge with cups of hot chocolate around a crackling fire. You all spent a few hours joking around and catching up after not having all been together for a while. To finish off the day, you and Lando went alone to the sauna where you had the chance to decompress together before heading to bed. All in all, the day was well spent and you asked Lando when you would be able to come back even though you knew the answer would be next year.

Oscar Piastri

Destination: New Zealand

During the winter break, you and Oscar did not want to travel too far from his home in Australia, so you decided to go to the nearby country of New Zealand. Both of you loved staying at the beach and so you decided to spend most of your days at the scenic shores of the country. After having a relaxing time at the beach, you decided to tour the country’s mountains together and to take in the beautiful views. A personal highlight for you is a romantic dinner with Oscar in the stunning city of Queenstown. All in all, it is a relaxing trip far from the pressures of racing that brings the two of you unforgettable memories.

Max Verstappen

Destination: Italy

For Max, a vacation was any time he could spend completely away from racing with you and his friends. So, instead of traveling far away from his apartment in Monaco, he wasted no time in going on a boating trip with all his favorite people along the Italian coast. You both spent days lounging on the deck together and nights drinking with the group at the yacht’s bar. The sea made for a perfect getaway from Max’s fast paced life and you could not be happier to get some time with your boyfriend in such a scenic place. Relaxing in the waves truly made for a great time.

Charles Leclerc

Destination: Los Angeles

Your favorite place to visit together was definitely LA. You both had friends who lived there so it only made sense to take a trip there when you both were free. You spent the days on the beach with him, either surfing if the waves were nice or simply sunbathing otherwise. Charles also convinced you to go on the most extreme rides at all of the amusement parks, giving you an adrenaline rush that kept you wanting more. So many laughs were had with each of your friends, especially when Charles insisted on winning you a giant Ferrari colored banana plush at the arcade. You had no idea where you would find space for it in your apartment, but you knew you would cherish the memories it brought to mind.

Carlos Sainz

Destination: Miami

To Carlos, it would not be a good vacation without some golf. So, you both decided to head to Miami where you could find the best of what both of you loved doing, golf and relaxing on the beach. While Carlos golfed in the mornings, you relaxed on the beachfront balcony of the house you were staying in. And during the afternoons, you would both head to the beach to relax in the sand and waves. One morning you decided to spice things up and have Carlos try to teach you to golf, but after accidentally hitting the ball into someone else’s golf cart, you quickly scrapped that idea. Your favorite memory of the trip was definitely the day you spent completely together on a snorkeling trip to see a nearby coral reef.

Lewis Hamilton

Destination: Dubai

When Lewis wasn’t racing, he still loved to be doing something adventurous. Lucky for him, you shared his love of an adrenaline rush. So the perfect destination was Dubai. Every day was filled with excitement, from riding ATVs though the desert to eating at luxurious restaurants in the city. Lewis even convinced you to go skydiving with him at the end of your trip which was an experience you knew you would never forget. There was never a dull moment when you and Lewis traveled together and you knew that once this vacation ended, you would already be planning for another.

Daniel Ricciardo

Destination: Austin

Everyone knew one of Daniel’s favorite places was Austin, Texas. So when he had a week off after the race in Texas, Daniel of course convinced you to stay with him on vacation there for the next few days. He took you to his favorite bars and barbecue restaurants to savor the food. He also took you to a ranch where you got to ride horses through the American countryside. On the last day of the trip, the two of you decided to go to a country music concert and dance the night away. Both of you loved music and so this was the perfect memory to end what was a great few days of exploring the Texan landscape. And of course you had to get a souvenir cowboy hat to remember the trip by.

Yuki Tsunoda

Destination: Mexico

As you and Yuki are both foodies, you decided to go to a place with one of your favorite cuisines, Mexico. You arranged to travel throughout the country to try different foods from various regions. Between meals, you would spend time seeing some of Mexico’s most scenic beaches and visiting some of the tourist destinations like Chichen Itza. The best part, however, was getting to spend so much uninterrupted time with your boyfriend who was always away from home. Though you knew Yuki lived the fast life, all you wanted to do with him was relax. And what better place to do it than in such a warm and beautiful country. As for your favorite food you tried? There were too many good dishes to choose!

Alex Albon

Destination: Phuket

Alex was thrilled when you agreed to go to the country he raced for. When you got there, he excitedly showed you around all of the sights and took you to eat his favorite local food. After a few days of frantically touring Alex’s favorite places, you both decided that it wasn’t truly a vacation unless you relaxed a little bit. So, you spent the rest of the week at the beach in each other’s arms, just savoring the other’s company. There were a few splash fights in the pool and the time where you jokingly pushed Alex off of the boat, but otherwise you spent your time relaxing on the sand. Thai sunsets were truly like no other and you knew you would savor your memories for years to come.

Logan Sargeant

Destination: USA

When you realized that Logan hadn’t traveled much around his own country outside of Florida, you immediately decided that you were going on a road trip to fix that. The plan was that you would go up the east coast, stopping in all of the major cities to see the sights. From Carolina beaches to the nation’s capital, there were surely a lot of things to do. And when you had a boyfriend who drove cars for a living, of course you got to the be the passenger princess. Every time a road sign showed something that sounded cool, you insisted that you stop. Your personal favorite destination was New York, where you got to show Logan a lot of the famous landmarks that everybody would recognize. Once you hit Boston, you decided to head back south to his home state and warmer weather. You would cherish these memories forever.

[opelaastraa]

Winged F1

I have to give loads of credits to @eggbreadboi and their wings!AU (which is just BREATHTAKEING) i was VERY heavily inspired so

(this is for the current drivers on the grid others may follow in another post)

i'll put other Options i thought of in […]; How i came to each decision of what bird (or well rather the wings specifically) i choose for each Driver is based on where they are from etc. to kind of have a better overview and to make it a little easier to come to a decision [i am very open to any other suggestions tho!!!] but also what I thought suited them, sometimes also just cus i thought the wings would look cute on them (lol) and the most important also like flying style wise

also other drivers not currently on the grid will get their own list! Also these are just my personal opinions i also might change some in the future or if anybody has any other opinions i am very happy to hear them!!! :]

Oscar Piastri: Pacific Baza [Galah Bird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo]

Lando Norris: Common Kingfisher [Eurasian Jay, Redstart]

Lewis Hamilton: European Bee-Eater [Osprey]

Charles Leclerc: Common Kestrel [Yellow-Legged Gull, Black Redstart]

Alex Albon: Black Baza [Great Hornbill, White-throated Kingfisher]

Carlos Sainz Jr.: Montagu's Harrier [Iberian Imperial Eagle, Griffon Vulture]

Nico Hülkenberg: Grey Heron [Cormorand, Lesser spotted Eagle]

Gabriel Bortoleto: Anhinga [Jabiro, Toco Toucan]

Pierre Gasly: Little Egret [Great Crested Grebe, Common Eider, Northern Wheateater]

Jack Doohan: Wedgetailed Eagle [Eastern Rosella, Great Bowerbird]

Lance Stroll: Snowy Owl [Redtailed Hawk, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow]

Fernando Alonso: Spanish Imperial Eagle [Northern Goshawk, Firecrest]

Esteban Ocon: Barn Owl [Bearded Vulture, Little Egret, Common Shelduck]

Oliver Bearman: Red Kite [Common Buzzard]

George Russell: Common Crane [Marsh Harrier, Ringed Plover]

Kimi Antonelli: Eurasian Treesparrow [European Green Woodpecker, Common Chiffchaff]

Isack Hadjar: Horned Lark [Marnora's Warbler, Western Reef Heron]

Liam Lawson: Silvereye [Bellbird, Brown Creeper]

Yuki Tsunoda: Japanese Sparrowhawk [Longtailed Tit, Eurasian Wren]

Max Verstappen: Common Buzzard [Common Kestrel, Greenfinch, European Herring Gull]

[brights-place]

Trollex X Rapper! S/O

Pairing: Trollex X S/O

Warnings: Lots of Fluff

A/N: Okay my first ever thought today to get me distracted was listening to music so I just shuffled some songs form one of my playlists and a rap song was playing while I was writing and I was like ‘Oh shit I gotta write this!’ Now here we are!

- Trollex with a Rapper! S/O YIPPEEE it was so fun to write this

- When you first met Trollex asked you all about your genre listening to how you explained everything and told him that a rapper is a musical poet technically your job was blending rhythm and rhyme to express stories, emotions, and ideas. They craft lyrics, hone their flow, and perform with energy that captivates audiences. Rappers often reflect on personal experiences or societal issues, becoming voices for their communities like what you did

- He couldn’t stop being interested in you after that and get pulled in more when you rapped into the microphone to show him an example with an random beat he gave

- He can’t help but raise a brow at you sometimes when you rock up to the studio and wait for creativity to strike, usually spending all night to work on your music he gets worried sometimes and tells you to relax and have some fun with him at the Techno reef Parties

- He would definitely make beats for your song and let you freestyle your way with the music he had given you.

- He love sit when you rap especially when you insult someone in an rap battle he finds it funny to see your smirk or smile

- He loves when you write and perform some of your rap songs or hip-hop music.

- He hates how your genre was criticised though sometimes… scratch that he hates when anybody discriminates and insults someone’s genre or music (it’s technically their race in Trolls)

- He loves you with all his heart but can’t help but notice how you and Prince D would vibe to hip hop together and rap he’s jealous of your bond since your technically in the same music genre even if your appearance was different your genre was the same

- Trollex though loves when you share your earbuds/headphones with him to show him some New rap songs or hip hop music you enjoy fucking falls in love with you all over again

- He had tried rapping once since you begged him to do it he was good like REALLY GOOD

- That mother fucker was good at it… not as good as Bruce though that man could go off (Bruce is VA is the guy who played my favourite character in Hamilton Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. NEHGEHE)

- He glows and has an bigger smile when you praise him as he quickly tackles you into an hug and snuggle into you which leads up to you holding him close to your chest and rubbing his back as he sleeps on your peacefully

- Trollex can’t help but admire how you hold your mic and go off at anybody or just have fun with it

- He loves how you send out messages through your rap speaking up and talking about issues and your own experiences while on stage.

- You know how I said he makes your beats? Well you also come by to his place and surprise him with an rap you wrote out of boredom without realising and asked if he could help make an beat for it

- he did and it was sold so fast 😭

- Trollex loves when you sing normally though even if you rap all the time he loves when you just sing in an slow pace and wants to dance with you slowly even if both of you were used to the loud techno and hip hop music

reblogs + comments are appreciated ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

©brights-place 2023 — do not repost on another platform, copy, translate or edit my works! if you fit my DNI list please don't interact

[garadinervi]

Ian Hamilton Finlay: Reef-Points, David Nolan Gallery, in collaboration with Eckman Gallery, New York, NY, 1996, Printed and bound by Colin Sackett, Axminster, Edition of 350 [Leo de Goede Books. © Ian Hamilton Finlay]

«This book was designed by lan Hamilton Finlay and Pia Maria Simig for the exhibition REEF-POINTS at the Nolan/Eckman Gallery, New York, in October 1996 / The exhibition was designed by lan Hamilton Finlay and Pia Maria Simig / The prints were made in collaboration with Gary Hincks»

↗ Little Sparta

[paddockgirlies]

⸺ a luxurious beach date w/ lewis hamilton ♡ hc's under cut

lewis surprises you with a spontaneous beach getaway after a long season, just when summer break arrives for him

you arrive at a beautiful paradise with breathtaking views

he leads you to a plush beach cabana nestled among palm trees

you guys picnic on the beach, and there's lots of fruit and champagne

hand in hand, you walk, enjoying the sunset

lewis suggests snorkeling, and you explore vibrant coral reefs

he takes you on his private yacht follows, with cocktails and vegan (of course!) appetizers

candlelit beachside dinner under the stars, with soft music playing in the background, and you feel so at peace

he takes you on a moonlit walk, stargazing and sharing stories about his childhood

he proposes to you at the end

[paralegalthedevil]

Lgbtq animals :3 Eels (also just eel facts)

Here's your lgbtq animal fact for today :3:3:3:3:3:3:3:3

lgbtq eels

Transgender female ribbon eels

ribbon eels are protandric meaning they are born male and they grow into adult males then into adult females

a ribbon eel

Transgender male golden dwarf moray eels

golden moray eels are protogynous meaning they are born female and they grow into adult females then into adult males

a golden moray eel

Intersex moray eels

some moray eels are synchronous meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs at the same time

genderfluid moray eels

some moray eels can change their gender back and forth throughout their lives based on the population of the other moray eels around them to balance the gender ratio (a very generalized example would be if there are 5 females and 7 males a male would be come a female making it even at 6-6)

more moray eels and facts just because learning about animals is fun and i decided :3:3:3:3:3:3:3:3:3:3

Gymnothorax unduatus or the Undulated moray is talked about in many Hawaiian stories as common aumakua(a personal or family god that can take many forms) and a form Kū(the Hawaiian god of war) would often take. The Undulated(move or go with a smooth up and down motion) moray is also known as laumilo or "milo leaf" from the way it swims similar to blowing milo tree leaves(seen below) according to the Kumulipo(i think a religious word for Hawaiian royalty but I'm not sure) the eel is also the guardian of the tree

Gymnothorax tile or the Indian mud moray was first named Lycodontis tile and muraenophis tile by Hamilton in 1882 and can live up to 30 years and eat foods such as dead fish and shrimp

Gymnothrax favagineus or the Honeycomb moray can be found in anywhere in the indo-west pacific area from the eastern coast of Africa to the great barrier reef. the clearer the water these eels are living in the less spots they will have

Gymnothorax flavimarginatus or the yellow-edged moray live at depths of 150m (500 ft) and will hide with just their head protruding and is the natural predator of the lionfish(seen below)

Echidna nebulosa or the snowflake moray are often found in saltwater aquariums as they will eat many foods such as krill, shrimp, silversides, and octopus meat but cannot be fed freshwater fish as it will probably cause liver disease

Echidna polyzona or the Barred moray doesn't have much about it online i just like how it looks:3:3

Gymnothorax nudivomer or the yellowmouth moray can reach a length of 180 cm (abt 5 ft) and is often called the starry moray because of its spots

enchelycore bayeri or the Hookjaw moray doesn't have a lot of information on them but is my favorite

Scuticaria tigrina or the Tiger snake moray can be found in the indo-pacific and hides in shallow reefs and prefers crevices, sandy or rocky areas where it can hide during the day

Gymnothorax miliaris or the goldentail moray (or the bastard eel which my friend said i had to add) its often called the banana eel because its a banana :3:3:3 and it often feasts on small invertebrates like crustaceans and molusks

Rhinomuraena amboinensis or the ribbon eel has up to 255 vertebrae in their back bone making them the most narrow eel species and in their juvenile stages they appear jet black(seen below) and is the only moray eel known that has a color change as the sex changes

Gymnothorax melatremus or the golden dwarf moray (more commonly called the dirty yellow moray) has a single row of teeth at front of the upper jaw

[quincyhorst]

HC Snippets: Joe Jones' Bizarre Adventure

A second part for BW; now featuring the obligatory Jaws reference (?)

Joe is from Queensland, maybe Brisbane. Though he lives away from the centre.

...He's quite respected on his local school, but... Mainly due to the fear he induces.

Joe is the typical jock: Huge, intimidating, rowdy, often a bit rude with those of a weaker level. I wouldn't say he is a bully, he just likes to intimidate others. Add this to the fact that he's very observant. With his huge height (He's taller than 90% of his classmates) he gets to see everything from above, and he likes to find opportunities were he can strike (At least in sports).

He also has the worst entrances, always coming from unexpected places. Like, imagine looking at something in front of you, you turn around and BAM, suddenly there's a 190cm dude staring at you. Instant shock. Joe tends to do this with even close ones, so they are not even safe. I guess its something that comes naturally from him.

Despite everything however, he's a good momma's boy. Since his father is working every single day away from home, he offers himself to do the usual housechores, even when he's at his worst days.

Because of his mother being a nanny of the neighbourhood's kids, it means Joe will have to coexist with turbulent children daily. It's a mess. To avoid issues or to avoid giving brutal nightmare fuel to any of them, he will spend most of his day locked at his room, studying or doing any other hobby of his. Too bad some children will still try to sneak in.

Quite obvious, but Joe doesn't have many friends at all. Because of his intimidating looks he repels people, and his actual atitude doesn't help much. He plays group sports like soccer and rugby, but the relationship with his teammates couldn't be called a "friendship". They are in good terms, sure, but Joe doesn't know or care about deepening bonds.

Closest thing I have for him as a backstory is that while Joe had a normal life, he struggled with social skills since little, making people straight up ignore him. In hopes to be known more he tried all he could, but it seemed futile. So giving up, he felt like the only way others could care about him was by fear.

...It sucks a lot, because Joe has a lot of interesting interests. Piano, politics, historical events. If it wasn't for his creepy looks, sometimes he wishes he could have people to talk to more. But guess he had accepted the "truth."

Like the post of the Sydney Trio mentions, Joe has them as their biggest rivals, specially Dolphin. Whenever they encounter at the field Nice will just mock him with shark jokes. Add him some marine biology known by Jean + Bea and it gets worse. Reminder kids, dolphins CAN kill sharks if able to.

Joe tries to not care about those two, but he finds them annoying. Worst thing he'll do is approach them in his scary fashion and say "Go away, bloke."

With the addition of Reef to the duo, well, things did got a different approach. Unlike Nice or Jean who talked shit behind Joe's back, Reef felt a bit different about him. More like... Pity? It was sad to see somebody who was on the same situation he had been as a child... However, he didn't knew how to act on those feelings, till the FFI came, BW was formed, and now the four had to co-exist.

Things were supposedly set in stone, Nice and Joe weren't willing to cooperate as forwards. So Reef had to step in, and try to be a mediator; but also try to check in Joe. It wasn't easy at first, given he would always push people away. But when the topic was about loneliness, things between the two started to get less tense. Unlike everybody who had feared him or mocked him, Reef seemed to actually care about Joe no matter how he looked or how he acted. Still not fully ready to give his trust, Joe gradually decided to accept having Reef around. At least this helped him and Nice to get used to each other.

Another thing that helped with their friendship was Reef's interest on Joe's move, Megalodon; to the point he begged him to teach it. The huge forward was reclutant on sharing his secrets, but he did admire Reef's determination on improving himself; something he had seen since their first match on the national tourney. In the end, Reef managed to get Megalodon too; not as powerful as Joe's but good enough.

Last hc for now: But I like the idea of Reef eventually telling Joe about his ASD. Unlike Nice or Jean who knew nothing about the topic, Joe actually seemed familiar with the topic, perhaps by the books he would read. So he managed to understand few things about Reef better (Such as his hyperfocus on marine biology or his usual shyness), and this time around, he decided to try and make him feel better in the team.

[qualcosadelgenere]

PT.2

1) Jean Baker: "Australia's strongest goalkeeper. He is the true Poseidon."

2) David Waterman: "Originally an Aussie rules player but was longing to participate in the tournament."

3) Shine Beach: "He cannot stand it when a sandy beach is dirty and picks up garbage every day."

4) Karmei Kohler: "He keeps art handed down from ancient times in Australia as a tradition."

5) Clark Cain: "Eager to protect the rare creatures that live in Australia."

6) Sully Princeton: "A genius at finding the whereabouts of rare minerals. He seems to know by just looking at the terrain."

7) Matt Angle: "Patience strengthened by spiritual discipline is the key to this player's power."

8) Surf Wyndhas: "A worldwide master at surfing. He waits for good waves to always look at the sea."

9) Niese Dolphin: "The brilliant prince of the sea. He is the man to lead Australia."

10) Reef Hamilton: "He is a master at catching tropical fish in coral reefs by skindiving."

11) Joe Jones: "Attacks at once when it comes to opportunities to quietly creep up on the opponent."

12) Quincy Horst: "He travels the wilderness still looking for a new gold mine."

13) Holly Summers: "Although he has a part-time job as Santa every year he envies the cold areas."

14) Clive Scissors: "He is good at cutting through opponents with the use of his sharp arm."

15) Daniel Barrack: "He is working hard to be the best in the world of horse meat that has been kept at his home in Australia."

16) Bruce Marlin: "Does his footwork with a spring characteristic of a kangaroo."

1) Fermin Sanchez: "Like a bull at a matador, he charges straight through the crowd to grab the ball."

2) José Costa: "He's an experienced and tenacious mountain biker."

3) Rafael López: "He's a great flamenco dancer. Girls are lining up for a chance to dance with him."

4) Antonio Galius: "He's always making sketches for abstract paintings, like Picasso."

5) Querardo Naval: "He's trained to be a matador since he was a child, but he hates hurting animals."

6) Joan Nadal: "He eats five meals a day to keep his strength up when he's travelling overseas."

7) Igor Freire: "He's an avid consumer of paella, but he's really fussy about the type of rice."

8) Mikel Pereiro: "His hobby is making sailing boats. He's assembling an invincible armada in his bathtub."

9) Pedro Moreno: "He's raising a black Iberian pig at home, in the hope of producing tasty ham."

10) Samuel Mayo: "This plucky Pamplonica dreams of one day showing his mettle at the Running of the Bulls."

11) Davi Peroqui: "He's fiercely proud of Spanish football, and doesn't hide his desire to take on the world."

12) Juan Zubeldia: "Everyone is bewitched by his virtuosic skill at flamenco guitar."

13) Isaac César: "An opportunist on and off the field. If he sees a beautiful girl, he'll try to charm her."

14) Laudelino Sastre: "Like Don Quixote, he acts rashly without considering consequences."

15) Carlos Arroyo: "He hopes to raise architectural wonders like the Sagrada Familia."

16) Federico Rubiera: "He'd like to have a go at synchronised swimming, but he can't find a boys' team."

1) Ladji Paara: "Always draws pictures in Montmartre. He wants to be called the pioneer of soccer pictures."

2) Pierre Godin: "His motto is: always play with style and grace, no matter who your rival is."

3) Miguel Arron: "Despite his appearance, this boy has a gift for French cuisine."

4) Franz Poujol: "He wants to make a building more famous than the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris someday!"

5) Kévin Pinot: "He wants to apply Napoleonic battle strategies on the playing field."

6) Laurent Pérec: "He always spends his days off relaxing at outdoor cafés."

7) Ronny Weiss: "As one of France's best boy models, he is in high demand for fashion shows and photogravures."

8) Stéphane Henno: "A young genius artist of chansons. All of his CDs are big hits!"

9) Julien Rousseau: "He likes to play with a rose clamped between his teeth. Very pretentious."

10) Jérôme Éloi: "Due to having a keen sense of smell, this person is capable of blending the best perfume."

11) Alain Failliot: "The son of a bicycle repairman. He'd like to help out at the Tour de France one day."

12) Émile Razzano: "He considers himself a devotee of French cinema and has a large collection of DVD movies."

13) André Panzo: "He likes nineteenth-century philosophy, but his friends do not understand him when he explains it."

14) Jean Jetin: "Although he has not yet made the leap to fame, this guy is a fashion prodigy."

15) Claude Moreau: "His baguettes are known throughout France. Mmm … They are delicious!"

16) Michel Morin: "He has a gift for gardening, especially if it's about cultivating life."

[sustainabilitythoughts]

Don't release your goldfish

Invasive species, whether plant, animal, fish, reptile, or insect, can cause significant harm to an ecosystem.  While not all invasive species cause serious harm, they all displace native species to some degree.  Displacement of some of the native species in an ecosystem ripples through the other species that rely on that habitat.  And some invasive species are nearly impossible to control and cause serious harm to ecosystems.  The lionfish, an Asian species, has reached new habitat in the western hemisphere, where it has no predators and causes serious harm in coral reefs.  Severe mammal declines in Everglades National Park have been linked to invasive Burmese pythons, which were likely introduced through escapes from the pet trade or when pet snakes were released when they became too big.  Cheatgrass, native to Eurasia and the Mediterranean and now well established in the US, colonizes any open, dry habitat and has the potential to completely alter the ecosystems it occupies by completely replacing native vegetation and changing fire frequency and intensity.  The article below discusses how even the everyday goldfish, a popular small fish kept as a household pet, has become a serious invasive species as people have released unwanted goldfish into the environment. They can grow to more than a foot long and weigh more than three pounds. So, don’t release your goldfish, pet snake, or any other critter into the wild unless it is native to the area.  I’ll cover invasive plants in another post on another day, but invasive plants can have a bigger negative impact on an ecosystem than invasive critters. 

[eandamj]

WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS - HAYMAN ISLAND 22-27 April 2025

We flew from Brisbane to the Whitsunday Islands on 22 April. This was the part of the holiday for some relaxation and rest after a hectic three weeks. On arrival at Hamilton Island, we made our way to the boat that would transfer us to Hayman island. This was the view of the hotel as we approached the island:

On the 23 April, we just relaxed by the pool. The weather was glorious:

During most of stay, we were able to observe some interesting wildlife. Late afternoon we were always able to watch some Wallabies just below our balcony:

In the evenings in the different restaurants, the local Curlews were always creeping in to see if there was any food on the floor:

The whole resort had lots of Cockatoos who were very curious and came quite close:

On the 24th April we took a trip to Whitehaven National Park. We had a 45 minute high speed boat ride which was very bumpy at times. On arrival at Tongue Point we walked up the hill for 15 minutes to the first of three look out points. We were astonished as we can honestly say that we have never seen anything like it. It was absolutely stunningly beautiful:

After spending quite some time admiring the view, we walked down the hill and took the path to the beach. Here is the beach from the look out:

The sand is pure white and very fine. We walked across the beach to paddle and do a little swimming. From the look out point we could see reef sharks and rays clearly in the water. By the time we got to the beach, although the reef sharks were still around, the increasing number of visitors had driven the rays away from the water’s edge.

On return to the hotel, we took a mid afternoon walk across the beach walking quite a distance away from the hotel as the low tide had left bare sands with rock pools. We spotted quite a bit of wildlife: starfish, sea slugs and even rays where the water was a little more extensive:

After relaxing day on the 25th April, on the 26th, we took a snorkelling tour to coral that is part of the Great Barrier Reef. Before we set off from the island’s marina, we could see lots of fish swimming near the boats:

The snorkelling tour started in Mantaray Bay of Hook Island. We became totally surrounded by fish in the water as the staff had brought fish feed. We had been told not to touch the fish but actually found the fish were at times bumping into us! We were then moved to another bay of Hook Island. Given the very low tide and remarkably calm sea conditions, we were amazed to see the coral sticking up above the water line. At times we found ourselves swimming just inches above the coral and the abundance of plant and animal life. We were very proud of ourselves as we swam to the coral from the boat and then back again, while others asked for a zodiac boat lift to return to the main boat. This photo shows the coral near the shoreline sticking up above the waterline:

The stay on Hayman island has been wonderful for relaxation but has also given us some great experiences. We fly to Sydney on the 27th April to begin the long journey home.

[sunshinecoastairbnb]

Unique Places to Stay in Australia: Find Your Perfect Escape

When it comes to memorable getaways, Australia has no shortage of incredible places to stay. With landscapes ranging from sun-kissed beaches to ancient deserts, there's something for every mood, moment, and type of traveller. Whether you're chasing romance, adventure, luxury, or something off-the-grid, here are some of the most unique places to stay in Australia—each offering a distinct experience.

1. Romantic Retreats Planning a couple’s getaway or honeymoon? Australia’s got the romance dialled in. Stay in a secluded vineyard cottage in the Hunter Valley, soak in a private outdoor bath under the stars in Daylesford, or book a luxury treehouse in the Daintree Rainforest. These stays are all about quiet luxury, nature, and moments you won’t forget.

2. Eco-Friendly Escapes If sustainability is your style, there are plenty of eco-lodges and environmentally conscious stays to explore. Try an off-grid cabin in Tasmania, a solar-powered beach hut on the Great Ocean Road, or a glamping tent in the outback with minimal environmental impact and maximum serenity. Many of these properties are surrounded by nature and encourage low-waste, mindful travel.

3. Island Hideaways Craving island vibes? Australia has some stunning offshore options. Hamilton Island is perfect for resort-style luxury near the Great Barrier Reef. Kangaroo Island is teeming with wildlife and offers quiet coastal lodges. For something quirkier, Rottnest Island is a laid-back choice where you can bike around, meet smiling quokkas, and stay in beachside villas or safari tents.

4. Adventure Bases If you like your holidays with a side of adrenaline, base yourself somewhere that puts you right in the action. In Queenstown, Tasmania, you can stay near epic hikes and mountain biking trails. Alice Springs gives you access to the Red Centre and Uluru adventures. And in Cairns, you’re minutes away from diving, reef tours, and rainforest zip-lining.

5. City Vibes & Culture For foodies, creatives, and culture seekers, cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide deliver stylish stays close to galleries, bars, and local markets. Melbourne’s laneway apartments and boutique hotels in Collingwood or Southbank are perfect for urban explorers. Adelaide offers character-filled heritage homes and hip hotels just steps from the arts scene.

6. Family-Friendly Stays Travelling with kids? Look for spacious stays in Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, or Barossa Valley with room to run around. Resorts with pools, holiday parks with activities, or even farmstays where kids can feed animals make for fun, memorable family trips.

No matter what kind of holiday you’re dreaming of, there’s a perfect place to stay in Australia that suits your vibe. With so many experiences to choose from—romantic, rustic, wild, or luxurious—you’ll find more than just accommodation here. You’ll find a home base for your next great adventure.

[umichenginabroad]

Alberto in Sydney N9: Cairns, Hamilton Island and Great Barrier Reef

Following my previous blog, the trip to Cairns continued, and fortunately, no weather events changed it. After spending the first two days exploring the city and relaxing on the nearby beaches, on the third and final day we took a trip to Fitzroy Island, a most famous spots in the area. The day began with a 45-minute ferry ride to the island, where we were amazed by all the unspoiled islands along the route. The place was truly something I'd never seen before. We had lunch at the only hotel there and then walked to a hidden beach in the area, Nudy Beach, where we spent most of the day in the ocean. I highly recommend it!

After Cairns, we traveled to Hamilton Island, a small island next to Whitesundays, another famous coastal town and access point to the Great Barrier Reef. We stayed four days in one of the island's four hotels, enjoying the magical views and the few restaurants and bars nestled in the middle of the jungle. On the second day, we took a scenic helicopter flight, from where we saw all the small, unspoiled islands from the sky, as well as the incredible Whitsunday beaches. It was totally worth it. On the third day, we did a full day of diving and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. We left the island and, after a 45-minute catamaran ride, arrived at our first dive destination, Luncheon Bay.

As the weather was still affected by the cyclone in the south, it rained a bit during the last few days, which reduced visibility. However, diving among miles of living coral reefs, fish, octopuses, and other creatures in this part of the ocean was great. We then moved on to our second dive destination, Blue Pearl Bay. This was much better than the first, with greater visibility and underwater life. Now I understand why this is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. To finish the excursion, we stopped at Whitehaven Beach, one of the most pristine beaches in the world, where we visited and enjoyed it for a few hours. If you're thinking of coming to Sydney IPE, the Great Barrier Reef should be on your bucket list.

[qnewsau]

Big Gay Day 2025 details announced

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/big-gay-day-2025-details-announced/

Big Gay Day 2025 details announced

Brisbane’s Big Gay Day has announced its line-up for the annual event, which will be held this year on Sunday 4 May.

This year will also mark the 25th anniversary of the Big Gay Day, which is the largest annual LGBTQIA+ street party in Queensland.

Held at the Wickham Hotel in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley and the streets surrounding the iconic venue, Big Gay Day 2025 will be headlined by Australian electronic music duo The Presets (Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes), who will deliver a DJ set, and Adelaide-born pop star Peach PRC.

The Presets, which formed in 2003, are best known for their hits ‘My People’, ‘This Boy’s in Love’ and ‘Talk Like That’, while 27-year-old Peach PRC is known for her Top 40 hit ‘Josh’ in 2021, as well as 2022’s ‘God is a Freak’ which was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

A raft of other acts and groups will perform or DJ at the event, including Jimi the Kween, The David, Kayty Banks, Femme Follies, Lazy Susan, Vybe, Mandy Moobs, Freya Armani, Reef vs Beef and Harry K.

The Mega Drag show will be a highlight of the day, while actor and MC Paul Wheeler will host the event, which will kick off at midday and run into the night.

Brisbane’s own Paul Wheeler, pictured, will be host of Big Gay Day 2025. Photo: Paul Wheeler/Facebook.

Y2K theme

In honour of its start 25 years ago, Big Gay Day 2025 will have a year 2000 theme, with the Wickham announcing: “Brisbane’s most fabulous, fierce, and downright fun festival returns for its 25th installment on Sunday 4th May!

“Get ready to sissy that walk, vogue the house down, and dance like it’s the year 2000 —because we’re throwing it back to the Y2K era with an all-out celebration of queer joy!” the venue enthused in a statement.

“So grab your butterfly clips, bedazzled jeans and flip phones—this is going to be one for the queer history books!”

Drag icon Lady Bunny, pictured, appeared at Big Gay Day 2024. Photo: Big Gay Day/Facebook.

Big gay history

The Big Gay Day is one of the biggest events on Australia’s LGBTQIA+ calendar, drawing thousands of revellers each year.

The event regularly features prominent national and international acts, with previous headliners including Lady Bunny, Boy George, Melanie C, Jessica Mauboy, Kelly Rowland, Rogue Traders, Sneaky Sound System and Brisbane’s own The Veronicas.

Each year, the Big Gay Day raises money for charity, with this year’s beneficiary being the Open Doors Youth Service, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Open Doors is a dedicated LGBTQIA+, Sistergirl & Brotherboy (SB) youth service, supporting people aged 12 to 24.

Early Access tickets to Big Gay Day will go on sale at 10am AEDT on Tuesday 4 March, with tickets going on general sale at 10am on Thursday 6 March.

For further details, visit https://biggayday.com.au.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 12.14 (before 1950)

557 – Constantinople is severely damaged by an earthquake, which cracks the dome of Hagia Sophia. 835 – Sweet Dew Incident: Emperor Wenzong of the Tang dynasty conspires to kill the powerful eunuchs of the Tang court, but the plot is foiled. 1287 – St. Lucia's flood: The Zuiderzee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses, killing over 50,000 people. 1542 – Princess Mary Stuart becomes Queen of Scots at the age of one week on the death of her father, James V of Scotland. 1751 – The Theresian Military Academy is founded in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. 1780 – Founding Father Alexander Hamilton marries Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton at the Schuyler Mansion in Albany, New York. 1782 – The Montgolfier brothers first test fly an unmanned hot air balloon in France; it floats nearly 2.5 km (1.6 mi). 1812 – The French invasion of Russia comes to an end as the remnants of the Grande Armée are expelled from Russia. 1814 – War of 1812: The Royal Navy seizes control of Lake Borgne, Louisiana. 1819 – Alabama becomes the 22nd U.S. state. 1836 – The Toledo War unofficially ends as the "Frostbitten Convention" votes to accept Congress' terms for admitting Michigan as a U.S. state. 1863 – American Civil War: The Confederate victory under General James Longstreet at the Battle of Bean's Station in East Tennessee ends the Knoxville Campaign, but achieves very little as Longstreet returns to Virginia next spring. 1896 – The Glasgow Underground Railway is opened by the Glasgow District Subway Company. 1900 – Quantum mechanics: Max Planck presents a theoretical derivation of his black-body radiation law (quantum theory) at the Physic Society in Berlin. 1902 – The Commercial Pacific Cable Company lays the first Pacific telegraph cable, from San Francisco to Honolulu. 1903 – The Wright brothers make their first attempt to fly with the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. 1907 – The Thomas W. Lawson, the largest ever ship without a heat engine, runs aground and founders near the Hellweather's Reef within the Isles of Scilly in a gale. The pilot and 15 seamen die. 1909 – New South Wales Premier Charles Wade signs the Seat of Government Surrender Act 1909, formally completing the transfer of State land to the Commonwealth to create the Australian Capital Territory. 1911 – Roald Amundsen's team, comprising himself, Olav Bjaaland, Helmer Hanssen, Sverre Hassel, and Oscar Wisting, becomes the first to reach the South Pole. 1913 – Haruna, the fourth and last Kongō-class ship, launches, eventually becoming one of the Japanese workhorses during World War I and World War II. 1914 – Lisandro de la Torre and others found the Democratic Progressive Party (Partido Demócrata Progresista, PDP) at the Hotel Savoy, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 1918 – Friedrich Karl von Hessen, a German prince elected by the Parliament of Finland to become King Väinö I, renounces the Finnish throne. 1918 – Portuguese President Sidónio Pais is assassinated. 1918 – The 1918 United Kingdom general election occurs, the first where women were permitted to vote. In Ireland the Irish republican political party Sinn Féin wins a landslide victory with nearly 47% of the popular vote. 1918 – Giacomo Puccini's comic opera Gianni Schicchi premieres at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 1939 – Winter War: The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations for invading Finland. 1940 – Plutonium (specifically Pu-238) is first isolated at Berkeley, California. 1942 – An Aeroflot Tupolev ANT-20 crashes near Tashkent, killing all 36 people on board. 1948 – Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann are granted a patent for their cathode-ray tube amusement device, the earliest known interactive electronic game.