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icyg4l · 3 months

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PAC: Is This Your Last Reincarnation?

Hello beautiful people! Today’s reading is all about information that you will need to survive your *possible* last reincarnation. It comes with the main question answered as well. If you would like to receive a reading, please don’t be afraid to message me privately. Without further ado, choose the picture that resonates with you most!

Top Left-to-Bottom Right: (1-3)

Pile One: When I was feeling out the vibe for your pile, I felt this feeling of celebration. I heard the term “homegoing”. I feel like your spirit still has a lot to learn in this lifetime, specifically to do with your creative abilities. You need to learn to let loose. I feel like your spirit/soul will have struggles with learning to let loose, but by the end of your life, you will have learned your lesson. I can proudly say that this is your last reincarnation, lol. I also think that during this lifetime you will have to be more proud of your desires. You have to be comfortable with showing off your creative side to the world. You remind me of the tortured artist trope. Your soul recognizes that it’s time for you to be free, but you need to learn how to lean into that relaxed version of yourself.

Cards Used: 3 of Discs, Prince of Swords, Princess of Wands, 3 of Cups, The Hanged Man, Strength, Page of Cups, 9 of Cups, 9 of Swords.

extras: wedding gowns. pretty ricky. “on the phone.” oil. banker. the notebook crier. pillow soft.

Pile Two: For you, I heard prized possession. Currently, you are going through some things that have turned your life upside down. But remember, life can always change. You have this mentality where you are sensitive towards everything, and because of that you have the tendency to beat yourself down. You need to master your emotional intelligence and self-compassion before you leave this earth. I think it will take you a while to get a hang of this, so I don’t think this is your last lifetime. I feel like you’re gonna sigh when you see this but it’ll be okay. Your soul is not ready to go yet because of the attachment that you have to the 3D realm. You have to learn to detach. Learn to face your fears baby, you got this.

Cards Used: Ace of Discs, The High Priestess, Wheel of Fortune, 6 of Swords (RX), 9 of Discs, 7 of Discs.

extras: robotic. grits and greens. ruler. “size me up.” beautiful gowns. fuming. inside out (2015).

Pile Three: I would absolutely say that your soul is ready to go for sure. But you have to master the balance of caring for yourself and caring for others. Once you do that, I don’t see why you couldn’t be someone’s permanent ancestor. I feel like you’re a gentle person but you need to be less forgiving. It’s holding you back. You also need to start doing something that is going to say “I was here”. What do you want to leave behind on Earth when you leave” It’s great to still be alive, but are you really living? Also, stop people pleasing tendencies. It’ll lengthen your life. Intentionality is key.

Cards Used: The Devil, 6 of Discs, The Empress, Ace of Discs, 7 of Discs, Strength.

extras: coke bottle. gym socks. religious. captain hook. fried wings. carnival. charles barkley.

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olympic-paris · 1 month

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THIS DAY IN GAY HISTORY

based on: The White Crane Institute's 'Gay Wisdom', Gay Birthdays, Gay For Today, Famous GLBT, glbt-Gay Encylopedia, Today in Gay History, Wikipedia, and more …

August 12

1642 – France: Henri Coiffier de Ruzé, Marquis of Cinq Mars is beheaded for treason at Lyon. Cardinal Richelieu introduced King Louis XIII to the Marquis. Louis took him as his lover. The Marquis plotted against the king and was executed when the king discovered his plans.

1833 – Captain Henry Nichols hanged for "buggery." That was the actual British legal term for homosexual activity, and it was a capital offense until 1861, when the laws were finally relaxed to allow for life imprisonment. But that change came almost thirty years too late for Captain Henry Nichols. In 1833, the the London Courier printed the following account:"

Captain Henry Nicholas Nicholls, who was one of the unnatural gang to which the late Captain Beauclerk belonged, (and which latter gentleman put an end to his existence*), was convicted on the clearest evidence at Croydon, on Saturday last, of the capital offence of Sodomy; the prisoner was perfectly calm and unmoved throughout the trial, and even when sentence of death was passed upon him. In performing the duty of passing sentence of death upon the prisoner, Mr. Justice Park told him that it would be inconsistent with that duty if he held out the slightest hope that the law would not be allowed to take its severest course. At 9 o’clock in the morning the sentence was carried into effect. The culprit, who was fifty years of age, was a fine looking man, and had served in the Peninsular war. He was connected with a highly respectable family; but, since his apprehension not a single member of it visited him.

* Apparently, Captain Beauclerk suicided on being caught with Nichols at "buggery" of one "Boy Lawrence." Poor buggers!

1882 – André Germain, aka Loïs Cendré, (d.1971) was a French journalist, essayist, poet and writer. He became known, among other things, through the novel Mephisto by Klaus Mann, in which he appears as Pierre Larue.

Germain was the son of a banker who had made considerable fortunes as the founder of the Crédit Lyonnais banking house. As heir to the family fortune, Germain owned several million francs as well as a famous villa above Florence, to which in later years he mainly invited German artists and intellectuals.

At a young age Germain married a daughter of Alphonse Daudet. The marriage, which is said to have been "gruesome", was annulled after fourteen months in 1908.

Germain made the various aspects of art and culture, but above all literature, the focus of his interests. Even before the First World War, he was a well-known personality on the cultural stage of his home country and later of Germany - for which he developed a special weakness - as well as the rest of Europe as a dandy and author of poems and texts.

After the First World War, André Germain was co-editor of the magazine Revue Européenne under Edmond Jaloux . At the time he was living in a splendid Hôtel in Paris behind the City Hall, with a view of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

From the 1920s, Germain, who spoke excellent German, often stayed for long periods in Berlin and other larger German cities. In the early 1930s he harbored sympathies for the National Socialist ideology and the Nazi state. So he wrote a book "Hitler or Moscow?", in which he indicated that, given the choice, he was more in favor of Hitler. However, during the Vichy regime in France, Germain kept a clear distance from the Germans.

In Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, Germain met numerous important exponents of the cultural life of the time, in particular, the siblings Klaus Mann and Erika Mann.

After a long period of friendship, Germain and Klaus Mann fell out as a result of personal insults: Germain called Mann, who had tried to borrow money from him, "Narcissus of the swamp". Mann retaliated by mocking Germain as "the latest craze for Crédit Lyonnais".

Because of Germain's closeness to and sympathy for the National Socialists, Mann took the opportunity to use Germain as a model for one of the rather negatively drawn figures in Mephisto, which was a parable of the panorama of theater and cultural life in the early Nazi state. Specifically, Germain appears there in poorly-disguised form as a French diplomat and saloon lion who seeks to be close to the National Socialists and ingratiate himself with them.

Germain has been described as "a man who is slender in appearance and not very steadfast". Georg Zivier called him "immensely homosexual" and "in love with the entire Hitler Youth".

J.D. McClatchy and Chip Kidd

1945 – Poet J. D. McClatchy, Jr. (d.2018), was a master of traditional poetic forms, most notably the sonnet and sonnet sequence, and ranks as a significant voice in contemporary American letters. He was also a prolific anthologist, the editor of the prestigious Yale Review, and a noted librettist. McClatchy has written openly about gay desire and love, among other topics, combining the intelligence of W.H. Auden and the linguistic virtuosity of James Merrill with a unique ability to mine his memories and experiences to create emotional honesty.

McClatchy has also made some cogent remarks on gay poetry and the slippery notion of a "gay sensibility" in literature. As editor of the anthology Love Speaks Its Name: Gay and Lesbian Love Poems (2001), he states: "Over the centuries, the homosexual temperament has seemed especially suited to engaging the themes of bafflement, secret joys, private perspectives, forbidden paradises, hypocritical conventions, and ecstatic occasions. In fact, it would be fair to claim that our gay and lesbian poets are the wisest inquirers after love."McClatchy is the author of five original volumes of poetry. He is also author of two prose collections, Twenty Questions (Posed by Poems) (1998), a book of memoirs and critical essays, and White Paper: On Contemporary American Poetry (1989), another collection of essays that offers close readings of poets such as Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Lowell, Anthony Hecht, and Sylvia Plath.

Born Joseph Donald McClatchy in 1945 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the son of observant Catholics, McClatchy was raised in a wealthy suburb of Philadelphia and attended all-male Jesuit schools, where he received his introduction to classical literature.

McClatchy's sequence of three sonnets "My Old Idols" (Ten Commandments, 1998) remembers his childhood and teenage years. In one section, the speaker recalls a favorite Latin teacher, Father Moan, who made him "quiver" when "He'd slap the pointer against his thigh." In another, he looks back at his ten-year-old self and an initiation into sex with his friend's older brother in an ice rink's restroom. He writes, "I fumbled with small talk, pretending to be shy. / Looking past me, he slowly unzipped his fly."

Another section recalls McClatchy's teenage infatuation with opera legend Maria Callas. McClatchy's family was not literary, but it was musical. Not surprisingly, he has written several libretti for leading composers, including William Schuman.

McClatchy more fully realized a new focus in life in 1975 when he began living with fellow gay poet Alfred Corn, who he claims helped him clarify his sense of "vocation" as a poet. The romantic relationship of the two poets lasted thirteen years, during which time McClatchy showed Corn everything he wrote.

McClatchy, in a Lambda Book Report interview, states, "My sexuality itself is rarely the subject of my poems. Its consequences are." McClatchy adds, "The nature and formation of desires, the pleasures and anxieties of being gay--sure, these figure in my work. But I'm less interested in homosexuality as a subject than as a sensibility. Nowhere visible, but everywhere apparent."

McClatchy's other literary friendships over the years have included Robert Penn Warren, Anne Sexton, Robert Lowell, John Hollander, and Richard Howard, as well as Corn.

McClatchy's poetry has earned him praise as a writer of probing intellect and emotional acuity. In addition, he is a poet with deep insight into the nature of desire, especially the complexities of gay male desire.

He was in a longterm relationship with graphic designer, novelist, Batman expert, and vocalist Chip Kidd, nineteen years his junior. They were married in 2013.

1987 – Mike Verschuur is a Dutch racing driver. He won the Eurocup Mégane Trophy series in 2009 and the Renault Clio Cup Netherlands in 2006. He has also competed in other such series as Porsche Supercup. He is openly gay

Verschuur was one of 27 sports personalities to come out publicly during the first half of 2011. Others in that group included Dutch gymnast Jeffrey Wammes and Swedish national footballer Anton Hysen.

He has stated:

"Many fellow drivers – not mentioning any names – have told me they are gay, too. But they dare not say so in public, which is a real pity, because there is nothing to fear. On the contrary, it has only made me stronger. It's made me a better driver."

1988 – On this date the painter and graffiti artist Jean-michel Basquiat died of an overdose (b. 1960). In 1996 his story was made into a movie under the title Basquiat, with Jeffrey Wright as Basquiat and David Bowie as Andy Warhol.

2007 – The American singer, actor, game show host and talk show host Merv Griffin died on this date (b. 1925). His tombstone reads: "I will NOT be right back after this message."

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eddieredmayneargentinablog · 11 months

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"Day of The Jackal FIRST LOOK: Eddie Redmayne is every inch the suave assassin while filming Sky's 'modern reimagining' of the thriller in Croatia", Daily Mail, November 6, 2023.

Eddie Redmayne was seen for the first time on the set of Sky's new TV adaption of The Day of The Jackal in Croatia on Monday.

The British actor, 41, cut a suave figure as he shot scenes as assassin known as the Jackal, originally played by Edward Fox in the classic 1973 film.

Eddie was dressed all in black and teamed a sweater with smart trousers for the shoot which took place in a busy market.

The Oscar winner could be seen chatting to the crew before jumping behind the wheel of a swanky sports car for a complex action scene.

Originally a novel by Frederick Forsyth the story follows the story of the trained killer who is hired to is hired to assassinate French president Charles de Gaulle.

According to the Hollywood Reporter the producers, of which Eddie is one, have described the adaption as a 'bold, modern reimagining of the beloved and respected novel and film.'

And while the series, written by Top Boy creator Ronan Bennett, will pay homage to the original it will be set in the world modern world of geo-politics.

Producer Gareth Neame said: “We are excited to bring to life Ronan Bennett’s re-imagining of Forsyth’s revered thriller in the complex world in which we live today and are incredibly fortunate to have an actor of Eddie’s calibre as our Jackal'.

It comes after Eddie credited his parents for his successful career in a rare candid interview.

The actor said it was his father, Richard, a banker, and mother Patricia, who ran a relocation company, and their willingness to allow him to pursue his interest in acting at an early age that allowed him to flourish in his career.

'I loved music and singing and acting at school,' the Fantastic Beast franchise star told Today's Willie Geist in an interview. 'To my parents' credit, which now as a parent myself I really do hold high, anything I had an interest in or my brothers had an interest in, they supported.'

The future star attended the Jackie Palmer Studios Stage School in London where his classmates including James Corden, Jamie Dornan and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

The father of two shares Iris, seven and Luke, five, with his wife of nine years, Hannah Bagshawe.

Eddie, who won the Academy Award for his portrayal of the late physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

In addition to the Oscar, Eddie won a Tony in 2010 for his work in Red and will soon return in a production of Cabaret after starring as Emcee in the musical in London's West End.

Still most fans know him for his role as Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts films. He's starred in three of the magical adventures, but said he isn't sure when or if a fourth is in the works.

Speaking to Indiewire the actor explained, 'It’s more a question for J. K. Rowling and David Yates and Warners, but I don’t know, I’m afraid. I can’t add to that, adding, 'I love playing Newt, he’s a sweet man".

....

#eddie redmayne #eddieredmayne #redmayne #the day of the jackal #november 2023 #dailymail #on set photos #new series #the theory of everything #fantastic beasts #cabaret

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englishbookscomtr · 5 months

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Readers of The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abé will be captivated as the USA Today bestselling author expertly weaves real historical figures and events into this vivid, surprising, emotionally powerful novel about longing for independence and love—and the moments that irrevocably change even the best laid plans. Based on the true story of the Fortune sisters, three young women each at a crossroads when they boarded the RMS Titanic in the spring of 1912 –and how that maiden voyage would transform their lives in profound and unexpected ways. “Lush with sumptuous historical details and riveting as the events of that fateful voyage unfurl, readers will love this one!” —Madeline Martin, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Keeper of Hidden Books and The Last Bookshop in London April,1912: It’s the perfect finale to a Grand Tour of Europe—sailing home on the largest, most luxurious ocean liner ever built. For the Fortune sisters, the voyage offers a chance to reflect on the treasures of the past they’ve seen—magnificent castles and museums in Italy and France, the ruins of Greece and the Middle East—and contemplate the futures that await them. For Alice, there’s foreboding mixed with her excitement. A fortune teller in Egypt gave her a dire warning about traveling at sea. And the freedom she has enjoyed on her travels contrasts with her fiancé’s plans for her return—a cossetted existence she’s no longer sure she wants. Flora is also returning to a fiancé, a well-to-do banker of whom her parents heartily approve, as befits their most dutiful daughter. Yet the closer the wedding looms, the less sure Flora feels. Another man—charming, exasperating, completely unsuitable—occupies her thoughts, daring her to follow her own desires rather than settling for the wishes of others. Youngest sister Mabel knows her parents arranged this Grand Tour to separate her from a jazz musician. But the secret truth is that Mabel has little interest in marrying at all, preferring to explore ideas of suffrage and reform—even if it forces a rift with her family. Each sister grapples with the choices before her as the grand vessel glides through the Atlantic waters. Until, on an infamous night, fate intervenes, forever altering their lives . . . “Filled with luscious detail of the Titanic’s maiden voyage and spot on depictions of its many passengers…absolutely riveting until the very last page!”—Shelley Noble, New York Times Bestselling author of The Tiffany Girls “Vividly detailed and painstakingly researched, Sisters of Fortune threads fact and fiction into a compelling story.” —Bryn Turnbull, author of The Paris Deception and The Woman Before Wallis

#amazon #english books #kindle ebooks

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vickiabelson · 7 months

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Today, Live, a Soprano! Can’t get enough. Huge thanks to Vincent Curatola, whom I adore, on and off screen, for connecting me with Federico Castelluccio, aka, Furio Giunta, making this possible.

It’s easy to see why Carmela fell for Furio. Charming, easy on the eyes, and ears… although the Italian accent was affected for the role. Born in Naples Itlay, Federico grew up in Paterson New Jersey, an Italian American since the age of 3. As much a fine artist as an actor, Federico earned a full scholarship and his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He’s got an incredible story to tell about how art has affected his life and changed his fortune. Also, how some hackers set out to make their own at his expense.

Federico’s appeared in dozens of films, including Made, with Jon Favreau, Fire with Robert Klein, and Diary of a Hitman with Danny Aiello. On TV, he appeared in NYPD Blue, Law & Order Criminal Intent, and Another World, pior to his 3 seasons on The Sopranos. He’s directed award-winning shorts and features, including, The Brooklyn Banker, starring David Proval and Paul Sorvino, and next appears as Senator Bodio in Alejandro Monteverde's Francesca Cabrini biopic Cabrini, set to drop on March 8th.

Frederico was one of the master painters involved with re-creating many museum Impressionist masterpieces for The Thomas Crown Affair reboot. He’s an avid collector and a gifted craftsman. On so many levels. I can’t wait to “meet” and get to know this talented gent and pick his brain about Italy!

Federico Castelluccio Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, February 28, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

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joyffree · 11 months

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Single Dads, Big Hearts: A Piper Rayne Romance Collection by Piper Rayne is now live!

There's just something about a single dad, isn't there? Whether he's a hockey player, a billionaire, a playboy or a small town resident they're hard to resist. Curl up and get ready to binge this funny, steamy collection of contemporary romances that are sure to make you swoon. Included in this collection:

Mad about the Banker (Modern Love series)

Who knew my brother’s friend could be Mr. Right, not just Mr. Right Now? Well, until I discovered his secret—and it changes EVERYTHING.

Dirty Talker (Single Dads Club series)

Party girls. Platinum blondes. Zero expectations.

I used to think that if you could combine all three into one female, you’d have the perfect woman.

Then why the hell does Ava Pearson—an outdoorsy girl, a brunette, and a woman who screams stability and responsibility—seem to be the only woman on my mind lately?

Faking it with #41 (Hockey Hotties series)

Being a single dad wasn’t the plan but after a one-night stand that took off after the baby was born, her I am. And then suddenly also a fake fiancé to my family’s PR rep, all so I can facilitate selling the family business and continue playing hockey. The problem? Lena and I hate each other, at least I think we do.

My Twist of Fortune (The Greene Family series)

When I return to my Alaskan home town after my divorce I'm not prepared to come face to face with my ex-husband's cousin and for the same feelings from twenty years ago to ignite like the flame never went out.

It doesn't take long before people are whispering about the widowed Hank Greene and me. But we both have children to think of this time around. Then again, Hank knows what it's like to be a single parent and sometimes those damn dimples of his make it hard to remember why we can't be together.

Perfect for fans of the single dad trope from a USA Today bestselling author. Grab yours today!

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

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cocktailsfairytales · 11 months

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Single Dads, Big Hearts: A Piper Rayne Romance Collection by Piper Rayne is now live!

There's just something about a single dad, isn't there?

Whether he's a hockey player, a billionaire, a playboy or a small town resident they're hard to resist.

Curl up and get ready to binge this funny, steamy collection of contemporary romances that are sure to make you swoon.

Included in this collection:

Mad about the Banker (Modern Love series)

Who knew my brother’s friend could be Mr. Right, not just Mr. Right Now? Well, until I discovered his secret—and it changes EVERYTHING.

Dirty Talker (Single Dads Club series)

Party girls. Platinum blondes. Zero expectations.

I used to think that if you could combine all three into one female, you’d have the perfect woman.

Then why the hell does Ava Pearson—an outdoorsy girl, a brunette, and a woman who screams stability and responsibility—seem to be the only woman on my mind lately?

Faking it with #41 (Hockey Hotties series)

My Twist of Fortune (The Greene Family series)

Perfect for fans of the single dad trope from a USA Today bestselling author. Grab yours today!

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

https://books2read.com/sdbh/

Meet Piper Rayne

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write "heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle" about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

Connect with Piper Rayne

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiperRayne/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiperRaynesUnicorns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PiperRayneRocks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorpiperrayne

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper-rayne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpiperrayne/_created/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PiperRayne?ref=shop_sugg

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/PiperRayne

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@authorpiperrayne

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allthingsdarkanddirty · 11 months

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Single Dads, Big Hearts: A Piper Rayne Romance Collection by Piper Rayne is now live!

Mad about the Banker (Modern Love series)

Who knew my brother’s friend could be Mr. Right, not just Mr. Right Now? Well, until I discovered his secret—and it changes EVERYTHING.

Dirty Talker (Single Dads Club series)

Party girls. Platinum blondes. Zero expectations.

I used to think that if you could combine all three into one female, you’d have the perfect woman.

Then why the hell does Ava Pearson—an outdoorsy girl, a brunette, and a woman who screams stability and responsibility—seem to be the only woman on my mind lately?

Faking it with #41 (Hockey Hotties series)

My Twist of Fortune (The Greene Family series)

Perfect for fans of the single dad trope from a USA Today bestselling author. Grab yours today!

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

0 notes

mikelseo · 1 year

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The Thrilling World of Casinos: A Detailed Exploration

Casinos have long been synonymous with glamour, excitement, and the allure of fortune. These establishments are meccas of entertainment, offering a wide range of games, shows, and luxurious amenities. Whether you're a seasoned gambler or a curious visitor, stepping into a casino opens the door to an exhilarating experience like no other. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of casinos, exploring their history, popular games, modern trends, and the overall casino culture.

The roots of the modern casino can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Chinese, Greeks, and Romans, who enjoyed various forms of gambling. However, it was in 17th-century Italy that the concept of a casino, derived from the Italian word "casa," meaning house, emerged. These early gambling establishments were private clubs where nobles and aristocrats gathered to indulge in games of chance.

The development of casinos as we know them today can be largely attributed to the rise of Las Vegas in the mid-20th century. The city in the Nevada desert transformed into a gambling paradise, legalizing casinos in 1931 and welcoming a wave of extravagant resorts and casinos. Las Vegas set the standard for the modern casino experience, combining gambling with opulence, entertainment, and a vibrant atmosphere.

Popular Casino Games:

Casinos offer a wide array of games to cater to different tastes and preferences. Let's explore some of the most popular casino games:

Slot Machines: Slot machines, also known as "one-armed bandits," are a staple of any casino floor. These games of chance feature spinning reels and a variety of symbols. Players hope to match symbols across paylines to win prizes, with jackpots often reaching life-changing sums.

Blackjack: Also known as "21," blackjack is a card game played against the dealer. The objective is to have a hand total as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. Blackjack combines strategy, skill, and luck, making it a favorite among casino enthusiasts.

Roulette: Roulette is a classic game of chance that originated in 18th-century France. Players place bets on a spinning wheel divided into numbered pockets. The croupier spins the wheel, and a ball determines the winning number and color. Roulette offers a range of betting options, making it both exciting and accessible.

Poker: Poker is a family of card games that combines skill, strategy, and a dash of luck. Popular variations include Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud. Players compete against each other, aiming to form the best possible hand and win the pot.

Baccarat: Baccarat is a card game with simple rules that is favored by high rollers. Players bet on whether the banker's hand, the player's hand, or a tie will win. The objective is to have a hand value closest to nine.

Modern Casino Trends:

As the world evolves, so do casinos. To stay relevant and attract a diverse clientele, casinos have embraced various modern trends:

Online Casinos: The advent of the internet has revolutionized the gambling industry. Online casinos allow players to enjoy their favorite games from the comfort of their homes. They offer convenience, a wide selection of games, and attractive bonuses.

Mobile Gaming: With the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, mobile gaming has become increasingly popular. Many online casinos have developed mobile apps, providing players with on-the-go access to their favorite games.

Live Dealer Games: Live dealer games combine the convenience of online gambling with the authenticity of a land-based casino. Players can interact with real dealers and other participants through high-definition video streaming, adding an immersive element to the experience.

Integrated Resorts: In recent years, the concept of integrated resorts has gained traction. These expansive complexes combine casinos with hotels, shopping malls, theaters, restaurants, and other entertainment options. Examples include the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and the City of Dreams in Macau.

The Casino Culture:

Casinos have their own unique culture and ambiance. From the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the refined elegance of Monte Carlo, each casino destination has its own personality. Casino culture embraces the excitement of gambling, the enjoyment of fine dining, live performances by renowned artists, and a general sense of luxury and opulence.

Responsible Gambling:

While the allure of casinos is undeniable, it's crucial to approach gambling responsibly. Set limits on time and money spent, and never gamble more than you can afford to lose. Remember that gambling should be seen as entertainment rather than a means of making money.

Casino Resorts and Destination Gambling: Beyond individual casinos, entire regions or cities have become renowned as gambling destinations. Las Vegas, known as the "Entertainment Capital of the World," is a prime example. Its iconic Strip is home to numerous world-class resorts and casinos, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe. Other notable gambling destinations include Atlantic City, Macau, Monte Carlo, and Singapore's Marina Bay Sands. These destinations offer a wide range of entertainment options beyond gambling, such as shopping, fine dining, spas, and live performances.

Casino Rewards Programs: Many casinos operate loyalty programs to reward regular players. These programs typically offer perks such as complimentary meals, hotel stays, show tickets, and exclusive access to events. Players accumulate points based on their gambling activities, which can be redeemed for various benefits. Casino rewards programs aim to enhance the overall experience and incentivize customer loyalty.

Casino Etiquette: Like any social setting, casinos have their own etiquette guidelines. It's important to familiarize yourself with the general rules and behaviors expected in a casino. This includes being respectful towards staff and other players, knowing the specific rules of each game you play, and understanding proper tipping practices. Adhering to casino etiquette ensures a pleasant environment for all patrons.

Casino Security Measures: Casinos prioritize the safety and security of their guests and assets. They employ sophisticated surveillance systems, including cameras and monitoring software, to monitor activities on the gaming floor. Security personnel are also present to maintain order, handle disputes, and ensure a safe environment. Additionally, casinos have strict regulations and procedures to prevent cheating and fraud.

Impact on Local Economies: Casinos can have a significant impact on the economies of the regions they operate in. They create employment opportunities, attract tourists, and generate revenue through taxes and licensing fees. Casino resorts often contribute to the development of surrounding infrastructure and community projects. However, the potential negative effects, such as problem gambling and social issues, also need to be considered and mitigated by responsible gambling initiatives and support services.

Casino Regulations and Licensing: Casinos are subject to strict regulations and licensing requirements imposed by government bodies. These regulations vary across jurisdictions but generally aim to ensure fairness, integrity, and responsible gambling practices. Regulatory bodies monitor and enforce compliance with laws related to gaming operations, security, payouts, and advertising.

Casino Gambling and Addiction: While casinos provide entertainment, it's important to acknowledge the potential risks associated with gambling addiction. Some individuals may develop an unhealthy relationship with gambling, leading to financial difficulties and emotional distress. Casinos often implement responsible gambling programs, offer self-exclusion options, and provide resources for problem gambling assistance.

Conclusion:

Casinos continue to captivate millions of people worldwide with their blend of exhilaration, entertainment, and luxury. From their ancient origins to the modern-day, casinos have evolved into global entertainment hubs. Whether you're drawn to the flashing lights of slot machines, the strategic gameplay of poker, or the elegance of roulette, a visit to a casino promises an unforgettable experience. Just remember to gamble responsibly and enjoy the thrilling world of casinos to the fullest.

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mycryptosuite · 2 years

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Fortune Key Lotto Prediction for today 01/12/2022

Fortune Key Lotto Prediction for today 01/12/2022 Fortune key lotto prediction – The goal of all lottery strategies is the prediction of winning numbers that will hit in the next draw. Ghana lotto fortune 2sure extra and we can also get you the best ghana lotto 2sure and 3direct today with the help of Abc Naija Lotto gurus team and it’s going to drop live after today’s lotto draw. 2Sure fortune…

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questlation · 1 year

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Are you feeling stuck in your career and unsure of what path to take next? Sometimes, the road to career fulfillment isn't a straight line. Many successful people have taken unconventional paths to get to where they are today. Here are some inspiring success stories that may surprise you and help you think outside the box when it comes to your own career path. 1. Martha Stewart - Before she became the lifestyle guru we all know and love, Martha Stewart was a stockbroker on Wall Street. It wasn't until she started catering and hosting events in her spare time that she discovered her true passion for cooking and entertaining. From there, she started her own catering business, which eventually led to her media empire. 2. Jeff Bezos - The founder and CEO of Amazon.com started his career in finance, working for companies like Fitel and Bankers Trust. It wasn't until he saw the potential of the internet that he decided to start his own online bookstore, which has now grown into one of the world's largest retailers. 3. Ursula Burns - The former CEO of Xerox started her career as an intern at the company and worked her way up the ranks over the course of 30 years. She is the first African American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company and has been recognized as one of the most powerful women in business. 4. Michael Dell - The founder and CEO of Dell Technologies began his career by selling computers out of his dorm room at the University of Texas at Austin. He dropped out of school to focus on his business, which grew into one of the largest technology companies in the world. 5. J.K. Rowling - Before she became one of the best-selling authors of all time, J.K. Rowling was a struggling single mother on welfare. She wrote the first Harry Potter book while living on government assistance and was rejected by multiple publishers before finally finding success. These success stories show that there is no one right way to achieve career fulfillment. Sometimes it takes trying different things, taking risks, or even hitting rock bottom before finding your true passion. If you're feeling stuck in your career, don't be afraid to take a leap of faith and try something new. Who knows where it may lead you?

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notebooknebula · 2 years

Video

youtube

Top 3 'Closing Deals Fast' Strategies - Real Estate Investing Minus the Bank

https://www.jayconner.com/podcast/episode-31-top-3-closing-deals-fast-strategies-with-jay-conner/

Key Takeaways:

Three ways to get more of your offers accepted: #1 offer cash, #2 offers fast closing, and #3 make your offer as clean as possible.

The majority of off-market owners will not sell on terms and prefer cash offers.

Using private money can help you get more offers accepted by helping you come up with enough cash for cash offers.

Having an amazing relationship with the real estate attorney to do the title search can help you offer a fast closing.

Unique selling point strategies, such as offering for the seller to stay in the property rent-free, can make your offer stand out.

Removing contingencies and appraisals can make your offer more attractive to the seller.

Use comparative market analysis to accurately determine the value of a home.

On today’s episode of Raising Private Money with Jay Conner, you will discover the top 3 strategies on how to get more real estate offers accepted even when your offer is less than your competition!

Jay can relate to your frustrations of losing out on so many deals. When he started out investing in Real Estate, he did it ALL THE WRONG WAY!

Like so many other Real Estate Investors, he was taken to the slaughterhouse. He went to his local banker and was able to do a few deals but you know what happened, he had to come up with Big Down Payments, pay origination fees, and most importantly play by their rules.

Then he realized he needed to combine the best aspects of all that he researched. That’s when he created the basis for this system. He kept refining it until he thought he had the best formula.

He put it all together and made contact with his first prospect. he trusted Jay’s system and the very first person he approached gave him $250,000 in Private Money!

What blew him away was How Easy It Was!!!

Within a few, short months he had $2,150,000 in Private Money!!!

That was just a couple of years ago and it has ROCKED Jay’s REAL ESTATE INVESTING CAREER!

With Jay’s help, today is the best time to make your fortune!

Timestamps:

0:01 – Raising Private Money with Jay Conner

0:33 – How Do You Get More Offers Accepted?

0:55 – Offer All Cash

3:14 – Jay’s Free Money Guide: https://www.JayConner.com/MoneyGuide

4:55 – Offer A Fast Closing

7:20 – How To Close Your Real Estate Deals In 7 Days

9:45 – Make Your Offer As Absolutely Clean As Possible

12:13 – Important Details You Need To Write In Your Offer

13:30 – Join Jay’s Private Money Academy Conference: https://www.JaysLiveEvent.com

Private Money Academy Conference:

https://www.JaysLiveEvent.com

Free Report:

https://www.jayconner.com/MoneyReport

Join the Private Money Academy:

https://www.JayConner.com/trial/

Have you read Jay’s new book: Where to Get The Money Now?

It is available FREE (all you pay is the shipping and handling) at

https://www.JayConner.com/Book

What is Private Money? Real Estate Investing with Jay Conner

https://www.JayConner.com/MoneyPodcast

Jay Conner is a proven real estate investment leader. He maximizes creative methods to buy and sell properties with profits averaging $67,000 per deal without using his own money or credit.

What is Real Estate Investing? Live Private Money Academy Conference

https://youtu.be/QyeBbDOF4wo

YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RealEstateInvestingWithJayConner

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-money-academy-real-estate-investing-with-jay/id1377723034

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jay.conner.marketing

Listen to our Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2025961/episodes/12049378

#youtube #real estate #real estate investing #real estate investing for beginners #flipping houses #Private Money #Raising Private Money #Jay Conner

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mostlysignssomeportents · 3 years

Text

As stocks tumble, wealthy speculators bid up house prices

The Obama administration’s most consequential decision was to address the Great Financial Crisis by bailing out the finance sector, rather than borrowers. It was an unforced error, directed by Goldman-Sachs bankers elevated to the ranks of finance regulators, and we are still living with its consequences.

The choice to enact quantitative easing (rather than debt relief, direct transfers to consumers, or regulation of mortgage-backed securities) triggered the foreclosure crisis, wiped out family wealth (especially Black wealth, which declined more under Obama than any other president), and produced a still-inflating asset bubble.

It also set a precedent, shifting the Overton window in a way that made the trillions that Trump pumped into the capital markets (first through massive tax-cuts, then through covid programs) seem bipartisan.

Today, the capital markets are utterly uncoupled from the real economy. The stock market’s unprecedented bull run coincided with a decline in the fortunes of real businesses and real workers, and the overslosh produced bubbles in other asset classes, including some absolutely absurd ones (cryptos/NFTs, wine, art, supercars, sports collectibles, etc).

The rich have too much money, and nowhere to put it and so the economy is in metastatic, stage-four ponzi-ism.

Many asset bubbles are indirectly harmful — e.g. the climate consequences of crypto, or the way easy capital has spurred even more mergers and monopolization, with the attendant layoffs and worsening labor conditions. Asset inflation has also spurred investment in predatory enterprises like Uber and Doordash, who use investor cash to subsidize a money-losing operation that strangles real, locally owned businesses.

But there’s one asset bubble that has an immediate and direct harmful effect: the housing bubble. Since the Great Financial Crisis, Wall Street has been hell-bent on acquiring single-family homes, converting them to rental property, gouging on rent, skimping on maintenance, and evicting on the flimsiest pretense.

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-housing-invitation/

By every metric, Wall Street investors are the worst landlords, and they’re the fastest-growing class of landlord. These two facts are related. Big firms are able to buy up so much housing because they are able to borrow cheaply, issuing bonds that “securitize” the rent payments from tenants. Access to this capital is dependent on the ability to raise rents and scare tenants into silence over dangerous living conditions. In other words, Wall Street firms can only corner the market on housing if they promise their investors that they’ll brutalize and beggar their tenants.

https://gen.medium.com/the-rents-too-damned-high-520f958d5ec5

Wall Street’s plan to financialize the roof over your head is a deeply corrupting project, one that involves pumping hundreds of millions in dark money into defeating tenant’s rights and rent controls:

https://newrepublic.com/article/151783/deceptive-shameful-lucratively-funded-war-rent-control

Stein’s Law predicts that “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.” Bubbles can’t go on forever. The stock market has been swinging like a drunkard around a lamppost for the past week. Cryptos are tumbling. Rugpulls are dominating the NFT market. I don’t know about sports memorabilia, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was in trouble, too.

But the rich still have too much money, and that money is fleeing stocks and collectibles and cryptos. Where’s it going? Housing.

In this interview with Saker, Michael Hudson discusses the coming tsunami of real-estate inflation, in which the suckers who lost everything to the other bubbles go bankrupt and lose their homes to “investors” who plan to securitize a stream of rents from immiserated tenants.

http://thesaker.is/the-saker-interviews-michael-hudson-4/

“Inflation” is the topic du jour, wielded primarily as a whip to drive us to austerity. Most of the time, “inflation” is code for “regular people have too much money and we need to take some of it away” — by reducing benefits and suppressing wages.

It’s 100% true that asset inflation is being driven by too much money chasing too few goods — the money in this case is the capital gains of the investor class and the “goods” are productive businesses with growth potential. Thus we see investors flocking to pyramid schemes and destructive strip-miners whose “growth” comes from looting good businesses and discarding their husks.

But do regular people really have too much money? Are we all just trying to buy too many vegetables from farmers, too much paper from pulp mills, too many carbon-steel bike-frames from Chinese factories?

That proposition is a lot muddier. Sure, there are supply shocks due to covid’s impact on the over-optimized, brittle supply chains the finance sector has demanded of real businesses. But there’s also obvious monopolies and oligopolies, whose CEOs are openly touting their ability to raise prices under cover of the pandemic.

https://pluralistic.net/2021/11/20/quiet-part-out-loud/#profiteering

The more we tell the story of “too many working people’s dollars chasing not enough goods,” the more we empower monopolists to increase their margins and jack up prices. As Hudson says, “For meat, eggs and other farm produce, the farmers are not receiving higher prices for their crops and produce. The middlemen are gouging out more fees for themselves, thanks to the monopoly position of Cargill et al.”

Not all price-gouging is created equal. Wealthy, empowered consumers are able to shop more widely, and when they catch monopolists at their profiteering, they have the ears of policy-makers. If you are a monopolist looking to really ratchet up prices, your safest bet is to pick on poor people, who have fewer retail options and less political cachet.

That’s something that Jack Munroe has made clear with her new “Vimes Boot Index” (inspired by Terry Pratchett’s character Sam Vimes, who ruminates on how replacing cheap boots costs more than buying one long-lasting but expensive pair, creating a tax on poverty).

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jan/26/terry-pratchett-jack-monroe-vimes-boots-poverty-index

Monroe’s project started with a viral tweet complaining that the official UK inflation figures pegged inflation at 5%, but that this did not reflect the massive price-hikes on the very cheapest food at the supermarket.

https://twitter.com/BootstrapCook/status/1483778776697909252

Monroe cites triple-digit inflation on goods like pasta, rice, baked beans, peanut butter, etc. This week on the BBC’s More or Less podcast, Tim Harford and Monroe take a closer look at the index:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bk8lmz

Neither offers a theory of why price inflation is hitting the cheapest goods so much harder than the most expensive, but I think the answer lies in political economy: it’s safer to abuse poor people than rich people, and monopolists know it.

Image: Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/item/2017758811/

#pluralistic

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inkandpen22 · 3 years

Text

The Heiress and the Gangster (1/?)

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Female!Reader

Warnings: violence, swearing

Word Count: 2.7k

Part Summary: Y/N Adair, an American heiress, is visiting London for the social season with her fiancé Alfred Bamford. Alfie Simmons and Tommy Shelby have formed a plan to kidnap Y/N and hold her for ransom, that is until Tommy changes his mind...

Masterlist

Y/N

The car rolls up to the entrance of the race track. My driver, Mr. Richards, comes to a steady halt and immediately hops out of the car.

"Ready, darling?" Al questions with a grin beside me.

I pull back the velvet curtain covering my window to peer up at the arena. "As I'll ever be."

Mr. Richards opens the door and offers me his glove-covered hand. "Miss Adair."

I step out gracefully, my wide-brim hat blocking the beaming sun from my face. Al crosses behind the car to join me. His head finds its way to my back securely. Robert, my main bodyguard, climbs out of his own car with two more security my father hired. Al escorts me inside the stadium to the boxes. Robert leads the way with his two henchmen behind us. It's like being put into a human box.

When we arrive at our box, we're greeted by our friends in attendance. It's rare that we make it over to England, so when we do it's nice to see everyone. Al and I perform our social duties, making small talk and asking about everyone's families as though we all didn't have dinner together last night. It's the same couples in different settings for the entire month we're here.

_________________________________

Tommy

I watch from one of the pub tables at the top of the box with John as posh folks shuffle in to find their spots. When news broke that Y/N Adair would be visiting London for a month, both American and England were over the moon. The youngest child and only daughter of William Vincent Adair, the richest banker in America. She will inherit a third of his multi-million dollar fortune. It's a known fact amongst the public that's she's the favorite child so the percentage may be greater than just a third. My boys and Alfie's team are banking on that rumor. If she were to be kidnapped and held for ransom by a couple of English gangsters, it's certain her father will pay a hefty sum for her safe return to The States.

John nudges me subtly to avoid attention. "There she is!"

My eyes flicker away from the hustle and bustle of the crowd toward the entrance of the box. A young woman in an all-white lace dress crosses our path. A gentle smile rests across her lips as the Viscount and Viscountess Furness approach her, each greeting her with an embrace. Her Y/H/C hair peeks through beneath her lavish matching hat. For a moment, I experience hesitation. She's not what I expected at all.

John nudges my arm with a snicker. “You alright, Tom? Look as though you’ve seen a ghost.”

I shake my head, taking a smoke from my cigarette. "No, that can't be her. She's far too young."

"Of course it is!" John argues.

A young gentleman in a brand new navy suit follows close beside her, keeping a protective hand pressed to her back. He shakes hands with his peers, charming his audience as he and Miss Adair are greeted with cheers.

"And her arrogant playboy fiancé, Alfred Bamford." My brother scoffs. "His family owns more railways in the U.S. than any company in the entire world!"

As my brother babbles, I watch closely as Y/N stands beside Alfred with a restrained, but convincing, smile. As he gloats and encourages banter with their fellow posh folk, she's quiet and glancing about the arena.

"Their marriage will create a media frenzy!" John describes in my ear. "Adair Banks and Bamford Rails, it's a match made in posh people heaven. Shame she'll never live to see it," he snickers.

I press my cigarette into the ashtray and turn my body toward my brother. "As soon as the gun fires that's when Alfie's man takes the shot.” I check my watch. “He'll be here in five minutes. That's when you leave and fetch the car. Understood?"

He nods sharply, "right, Tom. Got it."

___________________________________

Y/N

Anticipating the race, Al and I stand right against the rail with our dainty gold binoculars, searching for my family's horse.

"I need Olympus to win," I worry outwardly. "I need to prove to my father that this trip was worth it."

"I’m certain William will be pleased no matter the outcome."

"You don't know my father then," I chuckle.

"Excuse me!" A voice announces over the chatter of the box.

I glance over my shoulder as a well-dressed middle-aged man hurries up to my security. His brow is sweaty and his white suit wrinkled. He rushes out words to Robert before being escorted over to me.

"Welcome to Ascot, Madam," he welcomes, gesturing to the large building. "I'm John Wilkson and I'm a partner at the track. May I get you anything before the festivities?" He rubs his hands in circles nervously.

I offer John my hand with a warm smile. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance. If possible, I would like a pot of Earl Grey."

"Oh yes! Yes, definitely!" The man gushes as Robert leads him toward the door. "Right away, Madam!"

"Thank you!" I nod, maintaining my smile until he's out of view.

Al chuckles beside me at the man’s expense as he rubs his palm up and down my spine. "How are you enjoying it so far, My Dear?"

"I don't see what all the fuss is about," I remark. " It doesn't appear any more luxurious than Arlington Park."

"You are far too difficult to please, darling," he teases, scooping up my glove-covered hand and planting a kiss to the back of it.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to today's festivities..." the announcer begins, causing widespread cheering across the crowd.

Al and I clap our hands along with our friends.

"Your tea, Miss Adair, a young waiter informs me as he sets down the set on a side table by our chairs.

I thank him quietly before he dismisses himself.

"Don't forget, tonight is the dinner with Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth," Al reminds me.

"Aw yes, thank you!" I express with relief as I step back to pick up my teacup and return to my spot beside him. "They're quite lovely, aren't they? Their engagement is such delightful news." I bring my cup to my lips for a sip.

"I'm certainly looking forward to the wedding, it'll be a spectacle." He smirks. “Another excuse to return in the spring.”

I narrow my eyes mischievously, sharing the same agenda as him. "They can be the social event of the season in England, but we shall claim America."

Tommy

Two of Miss Adair’s men are positioned outside while his Head stands against the far wall, just a few feet from her. Alfie's hitman enters the tent without suspicion, dressed like a posh race-goer and his gun well concealed. He glances in my direction, giving me the signal to release my brother. I give John a brief nod and he disappears through the opening in the curtain.

"Jockeys! Prepare your horses!" The announcer declares, marking the start of the races.

I clap along with the crowd. Everyone in the box is zoned in on the gates where the jockeys are mounting their horses. Alfie's man claps as well, keeping his eyes on the horses to blend in as he continues toward Miss Adair and Mr. Bamford. He stops in the second row, just behind the couple.

My eyes flicker to Y/N. A glowing smile forms across her face as she switches her sight away from the gates toward her fiancé. Her eyes glimmering with optimism and excitement. There’s a youthfulness in her I haven’t seen in anyone since the war. She has no idea that the man behind her has been sent to point a gun at her head and kidnap her. Her attention travels about the box, at her friends and peers. Her eyes glance in my direction, her soft Y/E/C eyes meet mine. Her radiating smile softens as her hands slows to a steady halt. Then, something in me just... snaps.

My attention changes to the man on the field lifts his gun into the air. At the same moment, Alfie's man reaches into his coat pocket.

"No! Wait!" I shout, knocking the table out of the way. "Everyone down!"

I leap over the chairs and tackle Alfie's man. He sets off the gun as we stumble to the floor, chairs flying all about. Screams ensue as we wrestle on the floor. A man I recognize as the Head of Y/N's security steps on Alfie's man's hand. With a hiss, he releases his fist around the gun and the security knocks it away. I rush to my feet to inspect the damages, to see if Y/N was hurt, but I see no sign of her. Where did the bullet hit? A hanging bit of cloth that was once the awning answers my question. The arena is in chaos as people travel upstream toward the exists. People are being trampled and pushing each other about.

I work against the traffic down toward the railing to where I last saw Y/N. I shove people out of my way in a hurry. Then, that's when I spot her hat, squashed flat on the floor. I lean down to pick it up and that's when I finally find her resting against the wood base of the rail, holding her head with a bloody hand.

Y/N

I remove my hand from my stinging forehead to see my once white-glove soaked in blood. One minute I was scanning the reaction of the crowd behind me, then there was a shout. The shot for the race to begin rang and I was knocked forward. My head hit the metal railing and I fell to the floor. My forehead was stinging and I realized I was bleeding. Then, I swear I heard another gunshot. I've tried to stand up, but everyone’s scrambling to get out. Plus, my head is throbbing

Suddenly, a man appears hovering above me. He stares down at me with a clenched jaw and a look of determination. He leans down, scoops up my unscathed hand. Before I utter a word, he begins to usher me through the chaos. My feet shuffle across the floor briskly to keep up as he grips my hand tightly. People continue to shout and scream for their loved ones, frightened.

"Who are you?" I ask loudly over the noise.

He ignores me, guiding the way through the arena. People rush down the closest stairs, eager to reach one of the main exits. This man, however, avoids all the staircases and remains on the walkway of the top floor. I sense he's leading me to the furthermost end and hopefully to an emergency exit.

"Answer me this instant!" I demand, attempting to yank my hand free. "Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, Miss Adair, I do!" He finally answers and whips his head around to meet my gaze. "Now, if you wish to not get shot, I suggest you follow me!"

I check over my shoulder for Al. "But my fiancé-"

"They're not after him," he states turning his attention back ahead.

My stomach drops. "You mean you know who's behind this?"

"I know enough..." His answer is vague and it worries me.

"Why do they wish to hurt me?"

"Your family is the wealthiest in the United States! You should really travel with more security," he suggests over his shoulder.

My prediction was correct, the man takes me to the furthest end of the platform to a fire escape of sorts behind a curtain. It's much less hectic than the main stairwells other than some workers attempting to escape. The man never releases my hand as he leads the swift way down the metal stairs. Once we're on solid ground, we weave through various parts of the arena. Booths and vendors scatter the area. The man seems to know this well, making a bee-line for a large white tent tucked away near the main staircase where Al and I first entered the race track.

When we rush into the tent, I first note a series of telephone booths, the dirt floor, and the absence of any of else. The man releases my hand and starts marching around. I assume checking to make sure we're alone. I spin around, checking my surroundings, frightened that one of these men this stranger speaks of will attack me suddenly.

My head is pounding and I can feel the warm blood twinkle down my cheek. My hair must look a fright. Who am I kidding, my white dress is covered in blood and dirt, every part of me is messy.

Tommy

Y/N and I both struggle to catch our breath. I double-check that neither Alfie nor any of his men are hiding out in here. "We should be safe in here," I announce.

"Don't you think we should fetch a car or something!" She rushes out worriedly. “My car is parked just-”

I shake my head, moving back toward her. "No, not yet. They'll be expecting that."

Now that her hand is away from her head, I can inspect her injury properly. A minor gash above her brow. It doesn't appear awful, won't need stitches, but she has significant amounts of blood down the side of her face and cheek.

Y/N

"Here." The man reaches into his pocket square and pulls out his handkerchief. He brings one hand behind my head and the other presses the fabric to my forehead. "We'll have someone look at this once everything is settled."

I nod, still a tad dazed to say the least. "Thank you," I mumble as my eyes fall to his tie directly ahead of me.

For a moment, despite the chaos outside the tent, there's a sense of peacefulness as the stranger pats my cut.

"So, you know my name, what's yours?" I ask. Considering he saved my life, I don't think we should be strangers anymore. “Since we were in the same box, I suspect you’re friends with the Bowes-Lyons.”

"Thomas, Thomas Shelby," he answers directly without much emotion.

"Well, despite the circumstance, it's pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir. I'm surprised we've never met before considering we share friends."

A faint snicker escapes him as a smirk creeps onto the edge of his lips.

I grin. "What's so funny?"

"An heiress calling me "sir," he chuckles, glancing down from my forehead to meet my gaze. "It's not exactly something I thought I'd ever hear."

My brows scrunch together in confusion. “But aren’t you-”

"Tommy!" A voice calls from behind me.

Frightened, I rush to stand behind Mr. Shelby. My hands wrap around his bicep as I peek around his shoulder. His arm reaches around to keep me close to his back.

"In here Arthur!" He hollers.

Wait, he knows the person?

Suddenly, a lengthy man with a mustache marches into the tent. When his eyes land on us, his brows scrunch together. "What's this? What happened to-"

"Change of plans," Mr. Shelby states, physically relaxing at the sight of him.

The man switches his sight between me and Mr. Shelby. He rocks on his heels nervously. He steps to the side to get a better view of me. "Oh uh... hello then... Miss Adair. Nice to meet ya," he greets.

"And he's a friend?" I ask Mr. Shelby quietly.

He chuckles. "Yes, he's my brother. He's safe."

I step out from behind him hesitantly. I redirect my attention to Arthur and remove my glove to offer him my hand slowly. "Pleasure to meet you as well."

His brows rise at the sight of my hand, but he shakes it nonetheless. He chuckles. "She's awfully friendly," he tells his brother.

"Did you happen to see my fiancé? Alfred Bamford," I ask, growing worried that Al may have been hurt.

"He was escorted to your car I believe by one of your security."

"And the others?" I press urgently. “Are my friends alright? What about Lord and Lady Elphinstone?”

His features fall. "I lost them in the crowd, Miss..."

My eyes grow wide. "I should go find them!"

I go to head back outside, but Mr. Shelby grabs my wrist and steps to block my path.

"The men trying to harm you may still be out there," he warns.

"But my friends! Alfred!” I argue. “They’re probably worried sick! I’ll find my car and have them take me back to the hotel!”

"They'll be searching for you there! I'm sure they already have it staked out."

I huff. "Then where do you suggest I go?"

His eyes flicker to his brother and it's evident a thought has crossed his mind.

"I have an idea..." he states vaguely.

Oh no...

_______________________

Masterlist

#peaky blinder imagine #Peaky Blinders #peaky blinders fanfiction #thomas shelby #tommy shelby #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby fanfiction

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tlatollotl · 3 years

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For his next feat, Laurent Binet should write a children’s book in Python code, or recreate the Bible as a cellphone contract, or translate Socratic dialogues into two dogs sniffing each other at the off-leash park. His debut, “HHhH,” was a meta-historiographical telling of the 1942 assassination of the alpha Nazi Reinhard Heydrich; its successor, “The Seventh Function of Language,” was a detective story about the sudden death of Roland Barthes that treated 1970s French literary theorists like louche rock gods and badass gangsters. His latest, which attests to his status as one of the most intellectually game writers of our time, is a totalized counterfiction of post-1492 world history.

“Civilizations” opens as a heroic Norse legend about the exploits of Freydis Eriksdottir. In Binet’s telling, she leaves behind her father, Erik the Red, to lead a 10th-century crew of loyal Greenlanders to Lambayeque, in northern Peru, where they settle peaceably with the locals. Moving ahead 500 years, Binet works up entries from Christopher Columbus’s God-besotted and misery-filled diary after he and his men cross the Atlantic and begin exploring the Caribbean, only to be fatally outmaneuvered by Taíno royals and warriors.

Then come the life and exploits of the early-16th-century Incan emperor Atahualpa. According to the established historical account, he was executed in Cajamarca, present-day Peru, by the Spanish not long after defeating his own brother, Huáscar, in a continent-spanning civil war. In Binet’s version, young Atahualpa faces only his brother in this conflict and manages to escape Huáscar’s forces by boat. His companions: a pet puma, a small group of fellow Quitonians and the multilingual Cuban princess Higuénamota, his most beloved and politically astute wife. Inspired by distant memories of the otherwise forgotten Columbus, they sail east, eventually arriving in a strange new place: “All of them — men, women, horses, llamas — had survived the great sea. They had reached the land of the rising Sun,” otherwise known as Portugal.

Counterhistorical fiction can provide dopamine-like delights when a writer successfully reverse-engineers the established hierarchies and terms of conventional history, geography and intercultural encounter. The highborn newcomers from the west, a land known as the Four Quarters, first meet in the east lowly “men in brown and white robes, the tops of their heads shaved,” who “knelt on the floor with their hands joined and their eyes closed, muttering inaudible sounds.” A very different kind of believer himself, Atahualpa calls for a ritual burning of meat to honor his sun god. The dirty, sickly, starving locals, who, like the monks, worship a “nailed god,” are drawn by the smell, and to the pitying disgust of the Quitonians, devour the sacred offerings and anything else they can find. Sensing weakness and opportunity all around him, Atahualpa begins making moves.

The Incan’s success owes a great deal to Europe’s fundamental divisiveness, Atahualpa’s own temperamental pragmatism and a reconciliation with his brother, who agrees to support Atahualpa’s campaign to rule the new “Fifth Quarter” to their mutual wealth and protection. After a quick and merciless massacre in Toledo, with tolerance shown for minorities otherwise facing the terms of Inquisition-era Catholicism, Atahualpa takes over Portugal, moves on to Spain and then begins dealing as an equal or better with Italy, France, England and Germany, all variously caught up in the fractures of the Reformation and anxieties about encroaching Islam.

Deploying the dutifully admiring voice and stilted, decorous style of an unnamed historical chronicler, Binet recounts court intrigues, diplomatic negotiations, religio-political conflicts, military expeditions, major battles, alliances made and broken through money and marriage and regencies, and also the expenses and problems of governing ever more land and people. All the while, Atahualpa’s looking out for better deals, possible betrayals and new challengers. Countless ordinary people die along the way.

If Binet played around with literary forms, genres and voices in his earlier fiction, here he and his translator, Sam Taylor, adopt them more straightforwardly, to balance out his imaginative incursion against history itself, even if this means the book can often be boring. This is a defiant, purposeful, unapologetic kind of boring. The very nature of a comprehensive chronicle of large-scale geographic, political, financial, religious and lineal conniving and convolution is necessarily complicated and dry, whether as history or counterhistory.

Fortunately, Binet’s historical feints afford imaginative frissons and relief from paragraph after paragraph of dutiful play-by-play about an empire in the making. Thomas More and Erasmus of Rotterdam exchange spirited letters about the possible harmony between Atahualpa’s sun deity religion and Christianity, while fretting about Henry VIII’s temptation to leave the church for a faith that doesn’t worry much about divorce and remarriage. Needing money from the German über-banker Jakob Fugger, Atahualpa agrees to get rid of Martin Luther for him, which in turn leads to theatrical public disputations and to someone nailing the “Ninety-Five Theses of the Sun” to the wooden doors of a German Incan temple. Machiavelli’s writings prove crucial to Atahualpa’s strategies and success; Copernicus’s heliocentric treatise is very well received by a sun-worshiping royal patron; Titian makes a series of paintings of the emperor at important moments; Michelangelo carves a statue of Atahualpa’s beloved Higuénamota “that can be found today in the great temple in Seville.”

Eventually, Binet torques his own fabulist arrangement: Mexican colonizers arrive in northern Europe. They are already overwhelming Huáscar back in the Four Quarters and are keen to take over the Fifth, too. A whole new set of geopolitical reimaginings and gyrations begins, which, amid much else, eventually sends a downtrodden Cervantes to this novel’s Old World to become an indentured writer. Binet ends by slyly inviting us to imagine Don Quixote, tilting at Aztec pyramids. Bravo and all, but after 300 pages, the counterhistorical starts to lose its charge, more predictable than provocative.

Binet proves, however, more than only a Borgesian magician. As much is evident, for instance, in the letters Atahualpa exchanges with Higuénamota while the Mexicans are advancing across France and the emperor is losing battles and allies fast. They write with the high tone and reserved style befitting both their stations and Binet’s unstinting devotion to form and genre, but greater feeling nevertheless emerges. It’s the feeling two people have when they have gone through much together, only to discover that they are suddenly, decisively living through history — on the losing side.

#inca #inka #fiction #historical fiction

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