#newark liberty airport

[scrivenette]

HELP FIND MY JOURNAL--REWARD FOR RETURN

On 1/30/23 I was on flight UA510 Newark>Orlando & left my journal in the seat pocket. Includes longhand writing inside, photos (including from SPN VanCon 2022--me w/Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins), editorial cartoons, tweet print-outs, washi tape decorations & is precious to me. My name & address are on inside front cover. I'll reward whoever returns it to me either with $100 to the returner or to their favorite charity (charity, not political cause). Please be kind enough to share this post as far and wide as you can. The notebook is a Cognitive Surplus softcover lined notebook, 6"x9", and looks like the above, with a ribbon glued into it as a bookmark.

@orlandointernational-blog

[travelling-bird]

Newark Liberty International Airport will soon have a brand new Terminal A that will offer world-class services to passengers. Read this article for more details.

[blogparanormal]

Musical Meme

Newark Liberty International Airport Theme Song

[airlinessupport]

Best Hotels Near United Airlines Newark Terminal

There are several hotels near the United Airlines Newark Terminal that offer convenient access and comfortable accommodations. Here are some of the best options:

Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott: Located just a short walk from Terminal C, this hotel features spacious rooms, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant.

Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel: This hotel is also within walking distance of Terminal C and offers amenities such as a fitness center, indoor pool, and on-site dining options.

Holiday Inn Newark Airport: This hotel is a short shuttle ride away from the airport and offers comfortable rooms, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant.

Hilton Newark Airport: This hotel is located a few miles from the airport and provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the terminals. It also features a fitness center and on-site dining options.

Best Western Plus Newark Airport West: This hotel is located less than 10 minutes from the airport and offers a complimentary shuttle service, along with amenities such as a fitness center and on-site restaurant.

Overall, these hotels provide a convenient and comfortable option for travelers with flights departing from United Airlines Newark Terminal.

[aerikvon]

[todayontumblr]

Thursday, July 6.

Rhonda Perkins would like to fight you.

I mean, you've got five hours to kill...

...and say, speaking of killing, it seems you've got a decision to make. You could sit squashed in your seat and spend the time reading a book. You could flick through the inflight catalog of overpriced, well, just about everything. You could stare out of the window at the majesty of the cities shrinking into the palm of your hand; becoming lost and adrift in the mists of clouds; looking out over endless tides of white and endless blue expanse above you; at the changing vistas of sea, landscapes, and cities. You could listen to music. You could even have a little sleep. You sit and graze on snacks, with your eyes staring empty and happy into space, and your jaw chomping down rhythmically like an airborne llama. You decide to browse your phone, albeit within the limits of airplane mode. It is then, as your eyes gaze vacantly at the screen in your palm, you receive a most unexpected notification.

Because here, on this flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey (thank you @bastardofthebog), it seems you managed to get yourself a rather good seat. A window view, ample leg room, and the only seat on the plane in which you can actually lean back, kick back, and relax. It's near the toilet, and there is no one sitting next to you. The crying baby is at the back of the aircraft; it's basically in another postcode. Your seat is also near the front, next to the trolley for overpriced drinks and snacks (you don't actually buy anything, of course, it's 2023 after all, and times are tough. But it's great to feel like a VIP.) It's conveniently next to the emergency exits in case of... well. You know. In case.

This prime seat of yours has not gone unnoticed; this much is evident from the notification on your phone. Rhonda Perkins is on this same flight. Rhonda Perkins has noticed your seat, and she likes what she sees. What you have to understand is when Rhonda Perkins likes what she sees, she gets what she sees. She weighs 108 lbs and she is 5ft 2 inches. She surveys the top of your head leaning back into the chair. Her fierce gaze, direct and cast downwards, rests upon the horizon of seats like a menacing sunrise. The inexplicable notification on your phone informs you that Rhonda Perkins would like to fight you for this prized place on your journey toward New Jersey. The passengers don't know, but they will. The walkway is clear. You feelin' lucky, kid?

She is waiting x

[covid-safer-hotties]

New COVID variant XEC now in half of states. Here's what to know. - Published Sept 18, 2024

by Alexander Tin

COVID-19 variant trackers are now closely watching the rise of a new virus variant called XEC, which has been spotted around the world and in half of states across the United States.

Health officials are so far not raising concern about this variant, unlike some previous, more highly mutated strains that worried experts.

XEC's emergence comes as COVID-19 trends remain "high" but are now largely slowing after a summer wave of infections that peaked last month. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention modelers estimate that the virus will likely climb again over the winter, peaking in mid-January.

Here's the latest we know about the new XEC variant.

Which states have reported XEC cases? At least 25 states have already reported at least one case with the strain's characteristic mutations, according to preliminary data obtained from the global virus database GISAID from more than 100 cases in the U.S.

Labs in New Jersey have reported the most XEC infections – at least 15 – of any state. Only California and Virginia have also reported at least 10 cases so far.

New Jersey's detections come in large part from samples collected through the CDC's testing program of arriving travelers clearing customs at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Some of the earliest U.S. cases were reported by scientists at a lab in Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, sampled from patients in July.

"We do not see a particular trend. We should keep an eye on the samples coming and continue genomic screening more broadly," said Carla Finkielstein, head of the institute's molecular diagnostics lab, in an email.

Finkielstein said that the majority of their samples come from hospitals across the southwestern part of Virginia, though it is unclear why exactly they were tested. "Unfortunately, we do not have demographic data on these patients, so we don't know whether the patients were hospitalized or, for example, if their samples were collected during an emergency department visit," Finkielstein said.

Why is the XEC variant in the news? Variant trackers first proposed labeling the new strain as XEC in early August, after infections were reported around the same time from labs both in Europe and Virginia.

XEC's growth in recent weeks across Germany, flagged by variant trackers like Australian consultant Mike Honey on X, has driven recent attention online to the variant's ascent.

But others in the variant tracking community have been skeptical that the strain will outcompete other strains on the rise, especially since a closely related strain called KP.3.1.1 has already reached dominance in many countries.

KP.3.1.1 now makes up more than half of cases in the U.S., according to CDC estimates published last Friday, and has been dominant for several weeks.

If XEC grows to dominance, it could mark just the latest in months of variants that have led to relatively smaller shifts in the threat posed by circulating variants.

This is in contrast to the discovery of the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant that worried health authorities around this time last year, because it had accumulated a concerning number of genetic changes compared to earlier strains.

A descendant of that BA.2.86 strain from last year, which was eventually dubbed JN.1, later rose to dominate last winter's wave of infections.

The "X" in XEC's name comes from the fact that the strain looks to be a "recombinant" of two other closely related parent variants called KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. Both KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 are descendants of the JN.1 strain.

Will XEC lead to different symptoms or vaccine effectiveness? "CDC is not aware of any specific symptoms associated with XEC or any other co-circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineage," a spokesperson for the agency said in a statement.

Americans are still recommended to get this fall and winter's round of updated COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC spokesperson said. Those shots were greenlighted last month with an update to target the KP.2 strain of the virus.

The Food and Drug Administration has defended its pick of KP.2 for this year's revised vaccines in recent weeks, which overrode a recommendation from the World Health Organization and a panel of the agency's outside advisers to target its parent JN.1 instead.

The FDA said in a statement Wednesday that the agency was "highly confident" in the effectiveness of this season's updated shots.

How FDA officials think XEC will impact their pick is unclear. An FDA spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"At this time, we anticipate that COVID-19 treatments and vaccines will continue to work against all circulating variants. CDC will continue to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and vaccines against circulating variants," the CDC spokesperson said.

[eretzyisrael]

On Sept. 28, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a pro-Hamas Islamist group, will hold its 18th Annual Banquet at the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott Hotel (Liberty Marriott). Attendees will hear from Alaa El Saadawi, a sheikh who tried to flee the U.S. with suitcases full of cash after the Al Qaeda-linked charity he worked for was designated as a terrorist group; and Sami Hamdi, an anti-Israel activist who said he "felt the euphoria" on Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 250 others, including individuals from New Jersey.

You can make a difference in three easy steps:

1) First, sign up to send pre-written emails to Liberty Marriott and its corporate offices. Tell Marriott executives immediately to cancel CAIR-NJ’s fundraising gala and stop booking events with terrorist-supporting organizations. 

2) ***Most important step*** Check your email for details on how to call the Liberty Marriott. We will send you a short script and contact information. Hotels respond most favorably when they are inundated with phone calls.

Don't want to wait? Call now: (973) 623-0006. When prompted, say "guest services" to connect to the front desk.

3) After your call, visit the “MEF Advocates” tab and “Log an Interaction” to tell us about your experience with hotel staff. 

CAIR was credibly linked to Hamas in a 2007 terror finance trial, and seven CAIR leaders have been arrested, convicted, or deported for terrorism-related crimes. This extremist nonprofit regularly promotes Islamist speakers who attack Jews, Hindus, women, and the gay community. Liberty Marriott and Marriott corporate executives have so far refused to acknowledge problems with hosting CAIR-New Jersey’s fundraiser, despite canceling CAIR events in other towns and cities. 

Act now! Join the campaign to #CancelCAIR and ensure that the Marriott denies event space to terrorist-supporting organizations. 

The link is here.

[slaygentford]

dreamt the united app wasn't working and I couldn't remember my boarding time but knew I was late (I have no upcoming trips), didn't know where my luggage was and also wasn't sure that I had my laptop, extra bad because I was flying out to a conference to do a talk, my birthday party was at the airport before I left and Anya Taylor joy (her first name was a nickname for ariana) was an acquaintance from school and I was embarrassed I hadn't seen any of her movies, but anyway she turned up and did a provocative dance for us in the lobby and then got in a massive fight with her girlfriend in the bathroom over it, Cristinas coworker and her girlfriend turned up as guests of guests and asked to have their pictures taken on the balcony and it was a really stunningly beautiful view bc apparently Newark liberty International airport is somewhere in rural France and has the balcony of an ancient castle, they were in black tie and I realized I was profoundly underdressed, boarded the flight on time and then realized id never found my luggage and didn't have my laptop. when I landed and got to my hotel I heard gunshots next door, someone got murdered, few hours later a photographer and coroner came by to get pictures and I walked out to watch them in an exhausted what the hell manner and asked them how much they got paid. I think--and this could be baseless extrapolation--that I might be a little stressed.

[world-of-wales]

THE PRINCE DIARIES ♚

18 SEPTEMBER 2023 || NEW YORK VISIT DAY ‐ 1 : BILLION OYSTER PROJECT

The Prince of Wales was recieved upon arrival at Newark Liberty International Airport by The King's Consul-General for New York, Ms Emma Wade-Smith.

For his first engagement on the trip he visited, the Billion Oyester Project which aims to restore the oyster reefs in New York Harbour to provide habitats, protect the city from storm damage, reducing flooding, and prevent erosion along the shoreline.

During his visit, he met and spoke to the volunteers, students and restauranteurs involved in the project. He also visited a shell pile which is made up of the shells donated by Manhattan restaurants and are used as a resource for the restoration of the oyster reefs.

He then spent time with the schoolchildren at the Brooklyn Bridge Park who are studying marine biology and waded into the Hudson River himself along with some volunteers to help with the Project's work.

[darkmaga-retard]

By Ethan Huff August 9, 2024

Even though the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic" is long over, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still pushing fear and tyranny with its "Traveler-based SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Program," which has expanded to eight U.S. international airports.

First started in September 2021, the CDC's Genomic Surveillance Program was created to track travelers, which the federal agency considers to be "an especially important group to consider when tracking new and emerging infectious disease."

After the program was launched in the fall of 2021 at just three U.S. airports, the expectation in the coming months was that the program would be disbanded since COVID ended. Instead of shutting the program down, the CDC instead expanded it nearly threefold.

The CDC announced that it would be placing "public health professionals" at the eight airports, including John F. Kennedy International in New York; Newark Liberty International in New Jersey; San Francisco International in California; and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International in Georgia.

"We wanted to achieve several things: to get the platform set up at three airports, gauge the level of participation, and determine if we could detect variants using pooled sampling," said Cindy Friedman, chief of the Travelers' Health Branch of the CDC's Genomic Surveillance Program.

"We achieved our goals and showed proof of concept."

[middleearthpixie]

Better Days ~ Chapter Thirteen

Summary: Frerin Durin had the perfect life, until he found out his wife was cheating on him. Now, he’s navigating uncharted territory as an about-to-be divorced single dad. Dating is a mess, he’s dealing with the fallout where his kids are concerned, and really, he would just love a vacation away from all of it. 

Elena Madison is new to Sidleburg, and also navigating life as a newly single parent. The last thing she needed was for her daughter to come down sick, when she hasn’t even had time to unpack the moving boxes, never mind find a pediatrician. And the last thing she ever expected was to meet a man like Dr. Frerin Durin…

Neither Elena nor Frerin were looking for anything, but fate has a way of messing up even the best laid plans. However, both have been hurt and both aren't at all sure they trust themselves, never mind trusting someone else...

Pairings:  Modern!Frerin  x ofc Elena Madison

Characters:Frerin, Elena, Alyssa, Toni, Flynn, Maura, and Jake

Warnings: Frerin and Elena get their Christmas festivities started…. 

Rating: M

Word Count: 4.9k 

Tag List: @mrsdurin @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard @legolasbadass @kibleedibleedoo @xxbyimm @arrthurpendragon @exhausted-humxn-being @rachel1959 @laurfilijames @sketch-and-write-lover @sherala007 @enchantzz @knittastically @notlostgnome @myselfandfantasy @medusas-hairband @guardianofrivendell @jotink78 @sorisooyaa @ruthoakenshield @frosticenow @quiall321 @dianakc @buckybarnes-thorin @glassgulls @evenstaredits @heilith @asgardianhobbit98 @albionscastle @absentmindeduniverse @way-too-addicted-to-fandoms @sazzlep @court-jobi @masterofhounds

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here. 

Newark Liberty Airport was the last place Elena ever wanted to be, especially at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning. Yet, there she was, at security, hugging Alyssa. “Have fun, peanut. And don’t give your grandparents a hard time.”

“Make them sorry they invited me? Gotcha.”

“Lyssa.”

“Mom.”

“Lyssa.”

“Mom.” Alyssa pulled back and smiled. “You know I’ll make them want to keep me.”

She wasn't wrong. As the only grandchild, Alyssa was spoiled and adored by all four of her grandparents, which helped to make up for Dan’s shortcomings as a father. Still, Elena hugged her once more. “I love you, Peanut. Merry Christmas and I’ll see you next Saturday.”

“I love you, too, Mom. And enjoy being childfree for a week. Hopefully you and Dr. Hottie will be able to actually go out now.”

“Don’t you worry about that.” She hadn’t told Alyssa about Frerin’s invitation to dinner, just in case she was stood up again. A foolish reason, but a reason just the same. “Have fun.”

“I will, Mom.” Alyssa slung her backpack over her shoulder and moved to get into the TSA security line. She looked back just before she stepped through the X-ray machine and gave Elena a thumbs up, put her shoes back on, and disappeared around the corner. 

With a soft sigh, Elena made her way back out to where she’d parked her car and as she sat, waiting for it to warm up, her phone rang. Frerin.

“Hello?”

“Merry Christmas.”

She smiled at the warmth in his voice. “Merry Christmas to you, too. You’re up awfully early for someone with no kids to wake you this morning.”

“Nah, my ex isn’t coming until about ten, or ten-thirty if she stays true to form, so Jake got us all up about an hour ago.”

“Six thirty. I feel your pain. I’m still at Newark and looking at almost an hour drive back and I’ve been up since three.”

“If you want to reschedule—”

“No,” she broke in quickly, shaking her head although he couldn't see it. “No, it’ll be fine. But, I will need your address.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, that would help, wouldn’t it? I’m at twelve-twenty-seven Longhill Road. It’s a dark gray Colonial with yellow trim in a cul-de-sac.” 

“Sixish?”

“Yeah, I’ll be back from Thorin’s by then.” He paused then said, “So, your daughter got off all right?”

“She just cleared security a few minutes ago, so she’s on her own now and I won’t rest easy until she calls me when she’s on the ground in Florida.”

“I know you don't want to hear this, but she will be fine. Just like I told you when I saw her in the ER.”

“I know, but still.”

“Yeah, I get it. Okay, I’ll let you get on the road and I have to feed this crew before Toni shows up, so I will see you tonight.”

“Yes, you will. What can I bring?”

“Just yourself. I’ve got it all covered.”

“Frerin.”

“I do. Trust me.”

She sighed softly. “What were you planning to make?”

“I have a recipe for a garlic-studded beef roast so I hope you don't mind a little garlic.”

“I don’t. Are you sure I can’t bring anything?”

“Elena, if you ask me that one more time, I’m going to make you cook dinner.”

“Okay, okay. I won’t ask.”

“Good. I’ll see you later.”

“Yes, you will.” 

“Dad,” Jake came into the kitchen, “Mom’s here.”

“Did she bring the Skeeze with her?” Maura asked, looking up from her phone as she sat at the kitchen table.

“I don't know.” Jake shrugged. “I didn’t look.”

“Well, is it her car or his?”

“It’s the Tesla.” Flynn appeared in the doorway, still in his flannel NY Giants pants and the wrinkled Ozzy Osbourne t shirt he usually slept in. 

Maura looked up and at the same time, she and Flynn said, “The Skeeze.”

“Okay, guys.” Frerin bit back a smile. “It’s Christmas. Try to get along with the Skeeze, okay? Just for one day.”

“Why do you call him the Skeeze?” Jake looked from his brother to his sister. “Is it because he’s creepy?”

“Why do you think?” Maura pushed away from the table. “Dad, do we have to go?”

“Yes, you do.” Frerin leaned back against the counter, arms folded. “Look, we’ve had this discussion more than once, Maur. You have to go because the court said so. I’m not going to go against a court orderand run the risk of that being used to take you and your brothers away from me.”

“Wait,” Jake looked up at him, eyes wide, “can Mom do that?”

Frerin sighed softly. “Maur, Flynn, go get ready, okay?”

They grumbled, but did as he asked and when he and Jake were alone, he moved to scoop him up. Jake was small for his age and at almost eleven, was often mistaken for being about five or six. “Listen to me, Jake, okay? You know your mom and I both want you to live with us, right?”

“I want to stay here, Dad. Can she make me leave?”

“She can’t, no,” he replied slowly, shaking his head. “But, if a judge thinks you and your brother and sister would be better off with her, he or she can order that your mom gets custody of you.”

Jake’s eyes went wider still and Frerin gave him a gentle squeeze. “If that happened, I’d still see you, buddy. Every other weekend, like you do with mom now.”

“But I don't want to live with her and Tim.”

“I know, but if a judge says that’s best, then we have to do it. But,” he gave Jake another squeeze, “it’s not a given, either, so try not to worry about it, little man. You concentrate on school and leave the other worrying to me, okay?”

Jake didn't look a hundred percent convinced, but he nodded and then tightened his arms about Frerin’s neck. “I want to stay with you, Dad. I don't want to live with Mom.”

“I know, buddy. And my lawyer is going to make sure the judge talks to you and Maura and Flynn as well, so you’ll be able to make that known.” He pressed a kiss into Jake’s rusty curls. “Now, you go and have a good Christmas with your mom, okay?”

“I’ll try.”

The doorbell rang and so Frerin gave him a last squeeze and set him down. “Go get your stuff.”

“Okay.” 

They left the kitchen, with Jake going upstairs while Frerin padded to the front door and opened it. “Hi, Toni.”

“Merry Christmas, Frerin.”

“Merry Christmas. I see Tim still refuses to get out of the car?” He leaned around her to wave at Tim, who sat stoically behind the steering wheel, raising his hand in a half-hearted wave. 

“Do you have to start already?”

“You’re right.” He stepped back. “It’s Christmas. Come on in.”

She stamped the snow from her boots and stepped into the foyer. “So, how was your Christmas morning?”

“It was fine, Toni. Kids gave me a tool set, and a couple of ties. You?”

“It was nice. Tim made breakfast and gave me a diamond bracelet.”

As she spoke, she held out her arm and tugged up her sleeve and the light bouncing off the stones in her new bracelet were enough to blind him. Still, he managed to smile. “He knows you pretty well.”

Toni let her sleeve fall back. “He took the time to find out.”

“Toni,” he folded his arms and offered up a long look, “you practically drool over Zales commercials. It’s not hard to guess you like sparkly things.”

“You just—” She stopped as Jake came down the stairs. “Merry Christmas, baby!”

“Merry Christmas, Mom.” Jake came over, looking less than enthused as he shrugged into his backpack. “Maur and Flynn will be down in a minute.”

“Good. Why don't you go wait out in the car? I’ll be out in just a minute.”

Jake wrinkled his nose. “With Tim?”

“What’s wrong with Tim?”

“Nothing, except he calls me Champ and Sport and I hate that. Even Dad doesn’t call me that and he’s lame as they come.”

“Thanks, Sport.” Frerin managed to hold back his smile as Jake glared at him. “I’ll see you the day after tomorrow, okay, Champ?”

“Dad.” Jake ducked as Frerin made to rumple his hair and clumped his way out the front door as Maura and Flynn came down the stairs together. 

“Merry Christmas!” Toni greeted them with a wide smile. 

“Merry Christmas, Mom,” Maura said, giving her a brief hug.

Flynn gave her a one-armed bro hug. “Merry Christmas. Hey, can I drive to your place?”

“Uh, you don’t have a license yet,” Toni said.

He shot her a look. “I got my permit two weeks ago, remember?”

“You’ll have to ask Tim.”

Flynn sighed. “Yeah, like he’d let me touch his precious Tesla. That’s a big, fat no.” 

“He might surprise you.”

“Yeah, right.” Flynn threw this over his shoulder as he tugged open the front door. “I’ll see you day after tomorrow, Dad.”

“Yes, you will.”

Maura gave him a quick hug. “Love you, Daddy.”

Frerin pressed a kiss into the side of her head. “Love you, too, Munchkin.”

“Dad.”

“What?” He stepped back. “You are.”

“I haven’t been since I was Jake’s age.”

“Oh, like that was so long ago. As if.” He rolled his eyes the way he’d seen her do it a million times before.

She wrinkled her nose at him. “Jake’s right. You are lame, Dad.”

“Yeah, I know. I know. Go. Enjoy your Christmas.”

“You coming, Mom?”

Toni looked over her shoulder at Maura. “I’ll be right there. I need to speak with your father about something.”

Maura shrugged. “Okay. Bye, Dad.”

“Bye, honey.” 

The front door banged shut and he let his smile drop. “What is it this time?”

“I’d like to keep the kids through New Year’s. Tim wants to take us all up to Stowe to go skiing.”

“Have you asked them?”

“No. I wanted to run it by you first. Besides, this way, you get some time to yourself.”

“Whoa… since when do you care if I get a day off?”

“There’s no need to be an ass about it, Frerin. I thought they could use the change of scenery and you might like some free time.”

He sighed softly. She seemed sincere enough and in all honesty, a few free days would be welcomed. “Ask them. If they want to go, I don't have a problem with it.”

“Good. I was hoping you wouldn’t. Flynn said you have had a chance to ski at all yet.”

“Well, ski season’s only a month old, but no, we haven’t gone yet.”

She leaned back to peer through the window. “I should go. I’ll let you know what we’re doing in a day or two, okay?”

“Yeah. I’m off until Saturday night and on nights until the first.”

“You should get some rest, Frerin. You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine, but thanks.”

She moved to grip the door handle. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Toni.”

The door closed behind her and he moved to the window to watch Tim roll back out of the driveway. Then they were gone and he had the house to himself. As was the case every time the kids went to their mother’s, the silence was almost deafening, pressing in on him from all corners. 

He rubbed his hand along his beard, debating about whether or not to shave it off, decided against it, and then went upstairs to the master bedroom, where he stripped off his grey sweatpants and black tee shirt, tossed both into the hamper, and padded into the bathroom to get the shower going.

****

At ten to six, Elena pulled into the wide driveway of a dark gray Colonial with yellow trim and parked behind Frerin’s silver Infiniti. The bushes out front were aglow with multicolor strings of Christmas lights, and a large wreath dotted with small ornaments, holly leaves and berries, and a red velvet bow adorned the pale yellow front door.

Her heart beat faster as she reached for the paper bag on the passenger seat before climbing out of her car. Snow began falling about a half an hour earlier and the house itself looked like it belonged on a Christmas card. Every house in his neighborhood did as well and it was easy to see it was an upscale area. BMWs, Teslas (was she one of the only people who didn't give a damn about putting more money in Elon Musk’s pockets?) Lexuses, and Infinitis sat covered in a fine dusting of white powder and each house was like the one before her—more than she could ever hope to afford on a teacher’s salary.

She climbed up the front steps and pushed the buzzer, her heart hammering even harder against her ribs now as footsteps sounded just beyond the door. Then it swung open and Frerin smiled down at her, handsome as ever in jeans and black, long-sleeved t-shirt. “Merry Christmas, Elena,” he said as he opened the storm door and held it open for her. “Come in out of the cold.”

“Merry Christmas,” she replied, brushing by him to step into the foyer, where she tried not to stare. It wasn’t easy, as it was one of the biggest houses she’d ever been in. Across from the front door was a gracefully curved staircase, decorated with a lush green garland, and dotted with red velvet bows. To her left was a formal dining room, with what looked like an antique cherrywood table, chairs, and breakfront. China and crystal sat tucked behind the breakfront’s glass doors, and the table itself bore a festive red and green runner, and a wooden bowl filled with pine cones that were scented cinnamon, judging by the hint of cinnamon that hung in the air. 

The formal living room was to her right, with elegant-looking sofas of blue and white chintz, the coffee and end tables also cherrywood, with delicate curved legs. It as dark, but she saw a crystal bowl in the middle of the coffee table, also piled with pine cones.

The kitchen was straight head and slightly to the left and it appeared to be far warmer than than the living or dining rooms, spacious, with sage green walls, the furniture all maple and sturdy, with French doors behind the table and chairs that she assumed led to a deck of some sort.  

He closed the door. “Did you have any trouble finding me?”

“Not at all. My GPS is usually spot on. It’s a beautiful neighborhood.”

“It has its selling points. My neighbors are okay. Enough kids here to keep mine busy in the summer, but they tend to hang out here more than I’d like them to.” He shrugged. “I’ve thought about selling, but I don't want to uproot my kids if I don't have to just yet. Here, let me take your coat.”

He caught her wool coat by the lapels and as the backs of his thumbs brushed her, he leaned in and caught her lips in a soft kiss. Her coat slid over her shoulders, spilled to the floor with a muffled thump of heavy wool. She melted against him, the wine bottle thunking softly against her thigh. His lips moved gently against hers, parting, his tongue easing between her lips to caress hers as he slid an arm about her waist and drew her closer. 

She draped her free arm about his neck, threading her fingers up into the soft hair curling at the nape of his neck. He reached to take the bag from her, then reached back to set it on the table across from the front door, and brought that arm about her as well, sliding that hand down over her ass, cupping her cheek to pull her harder into him. Their bodies met, her breath hitching at the sudden, almost intimate contact, and when he gave a gentle thrust against her, a shiver rippled through her. 

His arms tightened about her, his kiss deepening further until her head spun from the fire, from the passion, that steadily grew hotter with each passing second. It swirled through her, sinful and sweet and in its wake, an ache unlike anything she’d ever felt took root. Her back bowed of its own, the firm pressure of his chest against her breasts a sweet caress that sent even more heat spiraling through her. 

Frerin lifted her easily and without thinking, she wrapped her legs about his waist, catching his sigh as he arched against her, tugging her tighter against him at the same time. Heat became fire, ribboning through her. She rocked against him, the sensual friction bringing a soft moan to her lips and a damp heat between her thighs. Her head spun wildly, her blood smoking through her veins, her heart racing with desire, with need.

He lowered her slowly, and smiled as he drew back, his, “I should get your coat off the floor and hang it up,” on the breathless side before he crouched to snag it up from the floor.

Elena tried to catch her breath, to calm her racing heart, and to will away the butterflies that battered her insides as he moved to the hall closet and pulled open the door. Her entire body tingled with desire, hummed with need, and part of her just wanted to jump on him right then and there.

He hung up the coat and turned back, tugging up his left shirtsleeve as he said, ��Come in and let me get you a glass of something.”

“I brought wine.” She stretched to grab the bag on the table and slid the bottle of Pinot Noir from it. 

“Sounds good.” He took the bottle in one hand and caught hers in his free one. “I’ll give you the grand tour while it breathes a little.”

“Lead on.”

His fingers tightened about hers and he gave a gentle tug on her arm to draw her alongside him, leading her into the kitchen, where he slid his hand free and set the bottle on the granite island in the center of the room. “This, as you can probably see, is the kitchen.”

She smiled. “The oven sort of gave it away.”

“Yeah, it does that.” He moved to a drawer and tugged it open, then reached in and pulled out a Rabbit corkscrew. “I think we spend the bulk of our time here.”

“It’s gorgeous. I miss having a big kitchen.” She looked around at all of the space on the shiny black granite countertops, the double oven, the Viking built-in refrigerator. The cabinets were maple, with glass inserts in the doors, and along the top of them, stood three plates, each with a child’s crayon drawing and their name above it. Flynn. Maura. Jake. 

He popped the cork free and stretched to drop it into a wire bottle that was already filled two-thirds of the way with other corks, then crossed to the cabinet at the far end, near the wall-mounted landline, and took out two balloon glasses to set on the counter alongside the now-open wine bottle. 

She moved to the far doorway, where one step down led her into the family room. It was spacious, with a towering cathedral ceiling, but cozy at the same time. A ginormous flat-screen television had been mounted on the front wall, between the floor-to-ceiling windows, and across from it a comfortable-looking sectional sofa of dark brown microsuede. An enormous Douglas fir Christmas tree stood in the front corner, softly aglow with multicolored lights, and a fire crackled on the hearth in the stone fireplace on the far side of the room. 

“This is beautiful,” she murmured as she stepped down into the room alongside a wet bar with pub mirrors mounted on the wall behind the bar and alongside it. “Where did you find these?”

“My brother owns a bar, and every few years he renovates. Last go-round, I claimed a few.” He came up behind her, then slid back behind the bar. “What can I get you? It’s fully stocked.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“You sure?”

“I am, thank you.” She smiled as she moved closer to the fireplace, where, on the mantle, were numerous photographs, all in silver frames. His kids, no doubt. Flynn and Maura were dead ringers for him, each one with dark hair and brilliant blue eyes. “Where does your youngest get his red hair from?”

“Toni’s side. She’s a redhead, and so are her mother and younger brother. Jake looks just like her when she was the same age.”

Her gaze fell on a photo of Frerin with a newborn in a hospital room. His hair was a lighter, almost honey-gold, and longer than it was now. He smiled up at the camera, looking every bit like a proud new father, with just a tiny bit of fear in his pale blue eyes. He looked so young, he had to be holding Flynn. “Is this your oldest?”

“Yeah.” He reached over to take the frame. “I was barely twenty years old when he was born. Just a kid, myself, really.”

“I’m still amazed you managed medical school with a baby.”

“Toni stayed home and took care of the kids, which made it easier for me. Her family has money, so they helped us out while I was still in medical school and  covered what my resident’s salary didn’t.”

“All three of them are gorgeous, you know.” She looked up at him. “And Alyssa’s told me Maura’s very popular.”

“Yeah, come summer, I’m up to my eyes in teenagers. It’s noisy.” He set the photo down and her eyes were drawn to the one behind it. Again, a younger Frerin with Thorin, the two of them trying their best to look intimidating, dressed in jeans and Metallica tee shirts, at the old Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands. Thorin was much darker in coloring than Frerin, his hair nearly black compared to Frerin’s, which was more of a golden brown when he was younger. But they had the same eyes—pale blue with hints of gray swirled through. 

“How old are you here?” 

He took the frame from her and let out a soft chuckle. “Seventeen, maybe? We went to see Metallica and Limp Bizkit, if you can believe it.”

“Metallica, I can believe.” She offered up a look. “But Limp Bizkit?”

“Yeah, they sucked, but Metallica didn't and they were why we were there.”

“I can see that,” she said with a smile, taking in the long hair and beards both Frerin and his brother sported in the picture. “Do you ever go clean shaven?”

“Yeah, usually come springtime I shave it off.” He rubbed along his jaw with one hand. “And then when the weather gets cool, I grow it back. It usually takes my kids a few days to figure out what’s different about dad.”

She gazed up at him. “I can’t picture you without the beard, but I imagine you turn a lot of heads, Dr. Durin.”

“Yeah, I don't know about that.” He set the photograph back and turned toward her. His eyes glittered in the glow of the fire. “I’m glad you’re here, you know. I’ve been looking forward to this.”

“Me, too. I was almost afraid you were going to have to work again,” she admitted softly, her heart speeding up as he curved his hands against her cheeks. 

“Nope. Dr. Durin is off duty until Saturday night.” His thumbs skimmed lightly along her cheekbones, his eyes held hers. And when he bent toward her once more, and their lips met, she let her hands come to rest on his hips. 

His lips moved teasingly against hers, and when she lightly traced along the perimeter of his lips, his breath hitched, which made her smile, and he responded by tangling his tongue with hers and drawing hers back into the welcoming heat of his mouth. 

Knots began twisting her insides, her arousal swift and sharp. Heat swirled through her, wove into those knots, tightened them further. The dull ache swept along the same path, urging her to press against him, to savor the solid feel of his body against hers.

His hands slid down from her face, along her neck. Down her arms. His thumbs danced along along the outer curves of her breasts, where he paused and slid them across, to where her nipples beaded through her satin bra cups.

She sucked in a sharp breath as he slid his thumbs over those taut beads and lighting flashes through her. With each lazy pass, the heat between her thighs worsened, bringing forth the silken dampness that tingled its way along her aching, aroused flesh. 

He caught the bottom of her sweater and slipped both hands beneath it and she held her breath as he grazed along her ribs and up to cup both breasts, where he gently kneaded them through the satin. 

Her head spun with the pleasure he sent rocketing through her, sweet and teasing as it swept along those knots that now dropped lower. She gripped the bottom of his tee shirt, tugged it up just enough to slip her hands beneath it and when she touched bare male skin, he exhaled hard into her mouth, his fingers tensing about her breasts, his thumbs teasing her bare nipples to the point where they were pebbled, all-too-sensitive peaks. 

Frerin slid his hands back down, caught the bottom of her sweater once more, and drew it up. She broke their kiss long enough to let him sweep it over her head, and then tugged him down to meet her lips once more. A moment later and her bra strap gave and he tugged the shoulder straps down off her shoulders, smiling as her bra hit the floor.

He cupped both breasts once more, teasing them with those playful thumbs, plucking at her nipples, rolling them, capturing each one of her moans, her sighs, as he did. Her entire body hummed with the need to have him, her hands moving of their own accord to first his belt, then the button on his Levi’s. The buckle rattled as she unbuckled it. The fly gave. She slid one hand in.

Frerin sucked in a sharp breath as she traced only her fingertips along the hot, sleek length of his cock. He rocked against her, a soft moan at his lips as she swept those fingertips down along his shaft, underneath it. She teased him with light strokes, around him, along him, into the soft, sensitive flesh just under the wide head. And with each pass, he rocked to meet her, tangled his tongue with hers, squeezed her breast tighter still.

She slid her forefinger through the bubble of fluid at his opening, let it coat her palm to make her next pass even more silken. He was thick and proud, and as she wrapped her fingers about him, and he thrust into her hand, the dampness between her legs increased. She could almost feel him inside her, her body clenching as if he was already there.

He broke the kiss as she traced her fingernails lightly along the underside of his shaft from base to tip, breathing, “Elena…” as he reached for the snap on her jeans.

His hand slid into them, into her heat, and her head spun wildly as his fingers slid through her arousal, along her clit, to her opening, where he thrust one inside her and teased her gently. She squeezed him, her hips moving of their own as he swirled that finger inside her, as he thrust it slowly in and eased it slowly out. Then, he shifted, and fire tore through her as he hit that magical sweet spot so many men couldn't find, never mind caress. 

Her fingers tightened about his cock, her fingernails sank into his shoulder, and she shuddered against him as he stroked her ever so sensually. Fire licked along her legs, licked between them, along her stomach and over her breasts, and she clung to him, her hand going still as he worked her so carefully into the most powerful orgasm she ever felt. It took root, the tingles ripping out from where he stroked her so sweetly, and her entire body tensed with the need to come. 

He swept back along that sweet spot, and with his thumb, did a slow, teasing pass over her now-aching clit.

She exploded.

“Frerin!” Her cry echoed around them as she pulsed around him, rocking to draw out the fiery pleasure as best she could. Her entire body tingled as if a live wire pressed against her, and she came a long gush that he drew out until she sank against him, breathless and too sensitive to be touched. 

He slipped his finger free, teased her clit with one more caress, and then whispered, “Lena…” cradling her against him as she clung to him, fighting to breathe, her body limp from the powerful rush of her climax.

He kissed her then, deep and slow, and as her head slowly cleared, she smiled up at him as he whispered, “You want to go upstairs, honey?”

“I would love to.”

He smiled. “Come on, then.”

He linked his fingers with hers, bringing her hand up to brush with a kiss, and at the top of that gracefully curved staircase, she tugged him to her, smiling as his arms slid about her and his lips found hers. He swept her up into his arms then, spiriting her the rest of the way down the hallway and into his bedroom. 

[aerikvon]

[dear-ao3]

ok so considering im decently sure a good chunk of the f1 drivers dont actually like driving road cars on roads (fair) i propose a new grand prix to determine the real Best Driver.

behold. the rush hour grand prix.

1 lap. at rush hour on a friday night. all the usual normal commuters and terrible drivers are still on the road along with all the drivers. in the rain. everyone drives a car of their choice. they have to count out all their tolls using change, no one gets ez pass. and you get disqualified if you veer from the instructions (no wrong turns!)

and where does this take place?

thats right.

new jersey. (and new york city) (but mostly new jersey)

here is the proposed track:

we start and end on route 22 right outside the staples. a terrible awful road that would cause harm to any driver, especially european ones. route 22 is so terrible because there is a long stretch that has a center median with shops in it, so theres shops on the right the left and in the center with u turns every 500 feet.

they go east on 22 towards us route 1 and 9 and, thats right, newark liberty international airport. here they have to do a loop around all of the departure terminals before exiting and heading towards jersey city on route 78.

they take route 78 through the holland tunnel, which is a hilarious tunnel to go through as you can literally blink and miss the signs because theyre so small.

upon arriving in new york city they will head towards the canal street station, doing an awful little loopy loop to take hudson street to 8th avenue. new york will prove a challenge for many of them because every other street and avenue there is pretty much a one way in the opposite way.

theyre going to turn right on 23rd street and take it three blocks towards the flatiron building on fifth avenue before doing another turn around and heading back up sixth avenue

here theyre going to turn left on 40th street, then right on 7th avenue then immediately right again on 41st street and then back to 6th avenue which they'll take all the way to the bottom of central park. here they'll turn left onto 59th street then go around columbus circle, exiting on broadway and then going right onto 57th street, which they'll then take down to 11th avenue, then after. few blocks cut over to the west side highway (12 avenue) and then they'll get off at 40th street and enter, you guessed it, the lincoln tunnel.

they'll exit the lincoln and get onto route 3 which they'll take down to route 120 and then they'll do a single doughnut in the parking lot at the american dream mall (a terrible place) before getting onto, you guessed it! 95!! they'll take 95 (devil highway) to 78 to the garden state parkway before getting back on route 22, doing a quick hairpin turn at one the first u turn and then end up straight back where they started. outside the staples.

i think maybe 3 people would finish the whole thing. logan sargeant, being the only american, would come in first. fernando alonso takes second and valtteri bottas takes third.