#places to visit in winnipeg

[snapbackslide]

LMAOOOO no fr everyone kept saying "watch out for pickpockets !!!!!!!!!!" had me so nervous ...... not a single person approached me 💀

[winedark]

i love my friends SO so much but how many times does a girl have to visit central canada in this lifetime

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Come see me on tour!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/16/narrative-capitalism/#bezzle-tour

My next novel is The Bezzle, a high-tech ice-cold revenge thriller starring Marty Hench, a two-fisted forensic accountant, as he takes on the sleaziest scams of the first two decades of the 2000s, from hamburger-themed Ponzis to the unbelievably sleazy and evil prison-tech industry:

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865878/thebezzle

I'm taking Marty on the road! I'll be visiting eighteen cities between now and June, and I hope you'll come out and say hello, visit a beloved local bookseller, and maybe get a book (or two)!

21 Feb: Weller Bookworks, Salt Lake City, 1830h: https://www.wellerbookworks.com/event/store-cory-doctorow-feb-21-630-pm

22 Feb: Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, 19h: https://www.mystgalaxy.com/22224Doctorow

24 Feb: Vroman's, Pasadena, 17h, with Adam Conover (!!) https://www.vromansbookstore.com/Cory-Doctorow-discusses-The-Bezzle

26 Feb: Third Place Books, Seattle, 19h, with Neal Stephenson (!!!) https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/cory-doctorow

27 Feb: Powell's, Portland, 19h: https://www.powells.com/book/the-bezzle-martin-hench-2-9781250865878/1-2

29 Feb: Changing Hands, Phoenix, 1830h: https://www.changinghands.com/event/february2024/cory-doctorow

9-10 Mar: Tucson Festival of the Book: https://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/?action=display_author&id=15669

13 Mar: San Francisco Public Library: https://sfpl.org/events/2024/03/13/author-cory-doctrow-bezzle

22 Mar: Toronto: Wendy Michener Memorial Lecture: https://events.yorku.ca/events/wendy-michener-memorial-lecture2024/

24 Mar: NYC: Word Books (with Laura Poitras): https://shop.wordbookstores.com/event/word-presents-cory-doctorow

29-31 Mar: Wondercon Anaheim: https://www.comic-con.org/wc/

11 Apr: Harvard Berkman-Klein Center (with Randall Munroe) https://cyber.harvard.edu/events/enshittification

12 Apr: RISD Debates in AI, Providence, details coming soon!

17 Apr: Anderson's Books, Chicago, 19h: https://www.andersonsbookshop.com/event/cory-doctorow-1

19-21 Apr: Torino Biennale Tecnologia https://www.turismotorino.org/en/experiences/events/biennale-tecnologia

2 May, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Winnipeg https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cory-doctorow-tickets-798820071337

5-11 May: Tartu Prima Vista Literary Festival https://tartu2024.ee/en/kirjandusfestival/

6-9 Jun: Media Ecology Association keynote, Amherst, NY https://media-ecology.org/convention

Calgary and Vancouver – details coming soon!

[darkeralmond]

can you do more rutger mcgroarty smut?? your last one was so good

THANK U SO MUCH!! ALSO THANKS FOR THE REQUEST!! I LOVE U

Not So Fake

Rutger Mcgroarty x fem! Reader

synopsis: you and rutger started fake dating to make your exes jealous. when rutger tries to “sell the part” it leads to more in his bedroom

warnings: 18+, smut, hickeys, rough kissing, fingering, unprotected sex, p in v, f! receiving, after care

word count: 2k

a/n: THANK U GUYS SO MUCH FOR 300 FOLLOWERS!! I LOVE RUTGER SO MUCH! i’m gonna miss him when he goes to the winnipeg nets tho 😞😞

masterlist | request info

It all started out with a deal to make both your exes jealous. You approached Rutger with the idea a while back at a Christmas party. “I’ll pay you $50 a month to be my fake boyfriend to make my ex-boyfriend jealous,” you confidded.

He cocked his head to the side with his eyebrows furrowed, “$50 for that? Dude, I’ll do that for free. I need to make my ex-girlfriend jealous too.” You were shocked with how open he was to the idea of fake dating you. You couldn’t deny that it caused your heart to skip a beat.

You had been fake-dating Rutger for a month or two now and your plan was working. Your ex started reaching out to you more and more, asking questions about how you met Rutger and why you even started dating him.

Even though it’s what you wanted, the idea of making him jealous slowly dissolved. You liked spending time with Rutger way more than you ever did with your ex, and it seemed like he started focusing on his ex-girlfriend less and less.

Now here you two were at a small hockey gathering with a couple of the other players and their partners. You, Rutger, and Gavin were squeezed together on a pretty small couch. It was obvious that the couch wasn’t meant to fit 3 people. On the other couch sat Ethan, his girlfriend, and another girl who you weren’t familiar with.

Everyone was talking while occasionally taking sips from their cups. You would nod your head and flash smiles, but you couldn’t even concentrate on the conversation they were having.

Due to the limited space on the couch, that meant your thigh and Rutger’s thigh were touching the entire time. The feeling of his warm skin against yours was super distracting.

What made it worse was that Ethan had to put the spotlight on you and Rutger, of course. “So, Rutger,” he said while grinning from ear to ear. “What’re you gonna do with Y/N when you have to go off to the Jets?”

Rutger glanced over at you and smiled. “We’ll do long distance. Then, she can come up and visit or I can go there.” He then looked back at his friends before adding, “Maybe she can move in with me when she’s done with college.” He placed his hand on your inner thigh.

Your cheeks instantly turned bright red at the contact, causing you to stare at him with a bug-eyed expression. He looked back at you then nodded his head to go along with whatever he was doing.

You then snapped back to the conversation and looked at Ethan. “Yeah! That’s pretty much the plan!” you nervously giggled before shooting a glare to Rutger. Luckily, he was the only one who saw the stink eye you gave him.

He just smirked in response and took a sip of his drink. He then went back to the conversation like it this normal, steering the topic away from your “relationship”.

Your mind went fuzzy as the tip of your ears flushed red. Your mind couldn’t comprehend what was happening right now. He didn’t have to put his hand on your thigh, however he was for some reason. And for some reason, it was seriously turning you on.

You slammed his bedroom door shut, turning to him with your finger pointed right at him. “What was that?!” you fumed.

He leaned against the wall next to the door and crossed his arms. “What’re you talking about?” he cooed. He wasn’t taking this seriously. It made your blood boil even more.

“Your hand. My thigh. What was that?!” You needed answers. Not just for why he did it, but for why you enjoyed it so much.

“I was just trying to sell it,” he answered, still leaning against the wall with a sly grin. You rolled your eyes which led him to chuckle. “Don’t act like you didn’t like it. I saw you blushing.”

You scoffed, “I was not blushing!”

“Admit it,” he said, pushing himself off the wall as he started approaching you. You took a couple steps back before your back hit the wall. You looked back and saw the white wall before looking back and seeing him right in front of you.

His face was only inches away from yours, his hand rested on the wall right above your shoulder. “You like me.” Your tongue twisted, not able to get a single word out.

Your face felt like it was on fire, your breaths hitching. “See?” he teased. “Let’s just get rid of this growing tension between us and finally do something about it.”

“Like what?” You managed to ask that question, but everything else was blank. You had a feeling of what he was going to say, but of course he said something way out of left field.

“Like fucking,” he said. “Right here, right now.” When there were people downstairs? It wasn’t like a full blown frat party, people were able to hear you two from his room.

Your expression was haunted as you stuttered, “What if someone hears us?” Which meant you weren’t opposed to the idea. The answer no didn’t even cross your mind.

You glanced over at the lock on his door, seeing that it was still unlocked. His hand loomed under your chin, directing your gaze back to him.

His eyes darted down to your lips before meeting your gaze again. “Then we’ll just have to be quiet,” he said in a low voice. “Can you do that, sweetheart?”

Your chest rose and fell with your rapid breaths, you nodded your head quickly. “I can,” you answered.

“Good,” he chuckled before leaning in, placing his lips on yours. Your eyes shut at the sudden contact while you wrapped your arms around his neck.

His lips were soft and his breath tasted like beer. He pulled his hand away from beneath your chin and placed them both on your waist, pulling you closer to him desperately.

Before you knew it, he was slipping his tongue into your mouth. You let him do so, your body pressed against him. Your head tilted to the side in order to give him easier access to your lips. A small moan escaped your lips and into his mouth while you two made out.

You pulled away from him, attempting to catch your breath. The atmosphere around you was full of sexual tension and lust. You never realized how much you craved his body up until this moment.

You unravel your arms and place your hand on his chest. You looked down at the nice button up he was wearing, now wanting it off of him. You began undoing the buttons to his shirt while he chuckled.

You finished unbuttoning his shirt and helped him slide it off before throwing it across the room. You pulled off your shirt and tossed it to the same side of the room, now revealing your bralette.

Rutger stared hungrily at you and ran his hands up your back to unclasp your bra. You slipped it off, now completely exposing yourself to him. A smile grew on his face as he brought his hands to your breasts, cupping them.

You let out a gasp as you felt his cold fingers against your warm body. Your moans became louder while he kneaded them with his palms. He pulled one hand away and brought a finger up to his lips, signaling you to be quieter.

He gently kissed your jawline and traveled down to your collarbone while simultaneously massaging your breast. The sensations he gave you started spreading throughout your body. You were melting under his kisses and touch. All you could think was that this felt amazing.

You nibbled on your bottom lip, attempting to hold back any loud moans that were desperate to escape. He pulled his hands away from your body, bringing one of them down to your lower body.

His hand slivered down the hem of your skirt and into your panties. You gasped at the feeling, his mouth still marking your neck with hickeys.

His fingers moved down to your clit, playing with it by circling your sensitive bead. A quiet moan escaped your lips, your head hitting the wall behind you. It felt absolutely incredible that his hand was teasing you.

“Hmmm. Are you wet for me?” He sounded amused. “Such a needy girl.” His fingertips kept torturing your clit, sending waves of pleasure through your body.

Your teeth sunk deeper into your bottom lip as you tried to ignore the tingling sensation that erupted through your body. He’s teasing, you thought.

You knew this wasn’t enough to make you cum and so did he, because after a few seconds, he stopped messing with your clit and stuck two fingers inside your wet cunt. His fingers curled inside you, feeling the warm wetness around his fingers.

You grabbed onto his hips in order to keep yourself sturdy against the wall. “Rutger,” you whimpered, your nails clawing into his skin. “Just like that!” This was too much stimulation for you but you still wanted more.

He pulled away and pulled his fingers out of you causing you to whine. You were right at your peak and of course he had to torture you more. You pouted your bottom lip, “Why did you stop?”

“I don’t want you to cum yet,” he simply stated. “Now take off your skirt and panties and lay down on the bed, pretty girl.” He took off his shorts, revealing the erection that strained against the fabric of his boxers.

“Please, baby?” His tone was husky, almost begging. You kicked off your shoes before taking off your skirt and panties before laying down on the bed.

He pulled down his boxers and locked the door before making his way over to you. He grabbed your hips and pulled you closer to him. He already knew that you were on the pill since you were telling him stories about you and your ex beforehand.

With that, he aligned himself with your dripping wet entrance before slowly entering you. Your back arched as his length pushed through your tight walls.

He slowly rocked his hips back and forth, thrusting into you. You moaned out, “Fuck me. Make me come!” With a nod, he held onto your hips and he thrusted into you harder. You let out a small cry at how good it felt. “Holy, fuck! Rutger!”

“Shhh,” he shushed before letting his thrusts become faster. The struggle you had to stay quiet only fueled his ego and arousal even more.

Goosebumps broke out onto your arms as your mind became clouded. “Rutger, I’m gonna cum!” you cried.

He let out a groan and pulled your hips up slightly, making it easier for him. “You fucking better, Y/N. Do it for me, baby.”

Your orgasm crashed upon you and you threw your head back as your release poured out of your body. Your back arched as you did this, your eyes squeezing shut. Finally, your tense muscles loosened as you fell back onto the breath while breathing heavily.

“Such a good girl,” he mumbled as he pumped into you one last time. He then pulled out of you, his dick completely covered in a mixture of both your and his cum.

He took a couple deep breaths, running his fingers through his hair. “Holy, shit.” He went over to his dresser and grabbed a pair of tissues, wiping the juices off his dick. “You need some?” He handed the tissues to you while he crawled on the bed next to you.

“Yes please,” you answered before you wiped your wet cunt. “That was...” You couldn’t even describe how amazing it felt.

Rutger smiled and got under the blanket with you. “That was perfect,” he said. You threw away the tissues in the trash can near his bed, then got under the covers.

He pulled you close to his body and spooned you. You giggled as he placed a lazy kiss on the side of your neck.

You giggled at the feeling of his wet kiss. “I guess really we’re together now, huh?” you mumbled in a low voice.

He chuckled, “I guess so.” He buried his face in the crook of your neck once again, leaving you smiling happily.

[tkachuktkaching]

Tkachuk has ‘really special’ day bringing Stanley Cup home to St. Louis

Panthers forward visits first responders, children’s hospital with famed trophy

ST. LOUIS -- Matthew Tkachuk remembers visiting family in Boston, the first stop usually being the North End fire department where his grandfather, John Tkachuk, was the chief.

“We’d ride the pole, try the hat on, sometimes we’d go for a ride even though I don’t know if that’s allowed,” the Florida Panthers forward said with a laugh on Thursday. “It was super cool and anytime I see firemen, on duty or off, I always make sure to go say ‘Hi’.”

And when Tkachuk had his day with the Stanley Cup on Thursday, the Brentwood Fire Department, located about 15 minutes west of his hometown of St. Louis in Brentwood, Missouri, was one of the stops he definitely had to make.

It was an enjoyable day for Tkachuk, who had 61 points (24 goals, 37 assists) in 71 regular-season games and 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Panthers win their first Cup championship last month.

His time with the Cup actually began Wednesday, when he took it to lunch at Grassi’s Ristorante in Frontenac, Missouri, about 15 minutes west of St. Louis.

On Thursday he brought the Cup to his elementary school, Villa Duchesne in St. Louis, the St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the Brentwood police and fire departments.

“It’s been amazing," he said. "I’m trying to have that little mix of fitting everything I want possible in, but also want to enjoy it with those who are close to me. It’s been awesome so far and I’m sure the day’s going to continue to be awesome.”

There was no riding on the pole at the fire department this time, but Tkachuk did try on a fireman’s hat, saying that “it was a little snug. I’ve got a big head, but it was good.” He also took photos with the firemen and their families, displaying the Cup in the department and outside in front of one of the fire trucks.

Brentwood assistant fire chief Ed Beirne said when he told his staff that Tkachuk would be coming by with the Cup, “I didn’t think their eyes and mouths could open any wider.

“It’s an honor for us to actually be considered,” said Beirne, whose grandson, Faris, was placed in the Cup for one of the photos.

“Although we know the Tkachuk family is part of Brentwood, growing up around here, this is a massive effort to win the Cup. For them to remember and humble us by sharing his day with the Cup, I know he gets it for a short amount of time, but to share that time with us and then bring a lot of joy to the staff and family we were able to assemble, that is what’s really special about public safety and the NHL in general. It’s a family sport. All of us have played it, it’s a family, and this is a testament to that.”

When Tkachuk brought the Cup to the police department, he was joined by his immediate family, including brother Brady, captain of the Ottawa Senators, and father Keith, the former NHL forward who had 1,065 points (538 goals, 527 assists) in 1,201 games with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues.

Brady was catching up with Matthew after some early-morning training.

“I can’t just be riding his coattails. Have to prepare for next season,” Brady said with a laugh.

“This is our childhood dream, just to see it up close and personal, to see how happy and genuinely excited and fulfilled and satisfied Matthew is, it’s amazing to see. It’s been awesome to see, and it’s definitely created that burning desire for me to provide that for my family and friends, too.”

Matthew took photos with individual officers and staff members, who were hesitant as they approached the Cup.

“Anybody that knows anything about hockey knows the Cup is sacred, so we’re scared to touch it,” Brentwood police chief Joseph Spiess Jr. said.

“The Tkachuk family has a strong presence in Brentwood. Not only do we get to protect them, but we get to share in their celebration, so it’s cool for us. Most of the people in this building are huge fans, sports generally, but hockey in particular.”

When the Vegas Golden Knights won the Cup in 2023, it marked the first time that names were engraved on the Cup prior to players and staff getting their respective days with it. It was something Matthew appreciated.

“It’s really special for my family. Years and years and years of hockey in our blood and for grandparents and extended family that come to my house and see that Tkachuk name on the Cup there, it’s truly such a special thing,” Matthew said.

The family had its own time with the Cup by midday Thursday. After bringing home some barbecue, Brady and Keith, along with Matthew’s sister, Taryn, mom Chantal and his fiancée, Ellie Connell, took turns taking a sip of beer out of it.

Tkachuk had already spent some quality time with the Cup. He and a few Panthers teammates brought it to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on June 25, the day after they defeated the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. That day, they brought it to the Elbo Room, a bar near the beach, and Tkachuk carried the Cup into the Atlantic Ocean.

But there’s something special about bringing it back to your hometown.

“It hasn’t sunk in,” Keith said. “It’s been so much fun watching Matthew with the Cup with other people. That means more than winning, so it’s so cool. We’re pretty proud. He’s been around, grew up here, wants to be a part of it and he took it everywhere. Everybody’s loving it. We’re loving it.”

via nhl.com

Photos © Tracey Myers

[bitchinbarzal]

Truth | M.Wood

summary; “they say what they really think of you after you’ve broken up”

-

You’d met in 2013 during a weekend visit to Boston College. You’d been on the same tour and Miles wouldn’t stop flirting with you.

He slipped you his number before you left, you never called.

That was until you were watching the NHL draft with your dad in the background one night and you heard his name before a series of pictures came up on screen of him.

You text him that night.

hey, weird of me lol but congrats on the draft today hey you’re pumped! It’s y/n btw.

He replied,

feeling even better now I’ve got a pretty girl messaging me.

He made you his girlfriend not long after freshman year started, he was enamoured. Nobody could understand it, he was the player so how had you gotten him to settle down?

You followed him to Jersey, we’re right there as he put pen to paper and signed his life away. There when he scored his first goal against Winnipeg.

Now nine years after meeting and you’d just broken up.

You felt weird, in denial almost like this wasn’t really happening. It was.

He moved out of your shared apartment, it was easier for the devils relocation team to find him a place.

There was still stuff to sort out like your dogs, Frankie and Arlo. They were with you for the time being but you were sure Miles would want to at least take one of them.

Your shared bills, cars and bank accounts.

“You can still use the account-“

“I don’t want your money Miles” you only snapped, cutting up your hand in front of him.

To be honest, if you were to be asked why you broke up you couldn’t give them a reason. It was probably a bunch of little things.

The fact you were together so long with no ring? No family prospects? That he didn’t really seem so interested in you as of late?

Miles always seemed interested in something else, never you and it started to take a toll.

Your self confidence plummeted. You noticed him on instagram liking bikini pictures and other things that made you insecure.

You felt horrible about your body.

Sitting in the box at games you’d be thinking about the comparison between yourself and these others wives and girlfriends. 

He had made you feel like you weren’t enough.

About three weeks in, Nico came round. An unwelcome surprise.

“Nico if you’re here-“

“I came to say hi I promise!” He interrupted, his hands up on his defence as he walked into the apartment.

“What can i help you with, cap?”

“Just came to um, check on you see how you were doing” he replied, sitting on the couch making himself comfortable.

“I’m fine Nico” you grumbled, retrieving a drink for each of you from the fridge and returning to give it to him.

“We’ve just been worried is all!”

You both took a prolonged sip before you asked “How is he?”

Nico hissed softly “He’s um… he’s okay I guess. It’s kind of like he’s lost his right arm? He’s learning how to be Miles again and it’s hard for him but we’re all here”

You nodded silently “Yeah… it’s good he has the team”

“Oh yeah for sure!”

“Does he… does he talk about me?” You weren’t sure you actually wanted to know the answer to that but you asked anyway.

Nico nodded “Um yeah i guess? You guys were really sickeningly in love I think some of the guys have been waiting for this moment so they can hear what he has to say - they say what they really think of you after you’ve broken up”

You nodded curtly, not wanting to think of the bad things Miles would be saying about you.

Nico realized his mistake when he saw the look on your face but never said another word.

Nico hung around a little longer, playing with the dogs and just generally checking you were ok before he left.

Later that night you received a text while in the middle of your TV show.

from: nico hischier

if you want to know how he really feels, watch this.

You clicked through the link and it took you to YouTube to see a hockey podcast, one you had heard before whenever Miles would have it on in the car.

Miles sat in the guest seat, giving insight on what they asked, talking about the devils season and Nico’s leadership.

“So man apart from professional side of hockey, what about personal? We don’t see too many guys in long term relationships in this sport you’re like what? eight, nine years with your girlfriend now?” The guys asked and Miles chuckled softly.

“Ex girlfriend now”

“Oh man, I’m sorry I didn’t know-“

“No, dude it’s fine don’t worry about it I’m happy to talk about it anyway” he interrupted, assuring him it was alright.

“Yeah i mean, we were nine years in a relationship which was a long ass time to be together. We met when we were in college and I was just some stupid kid I wasn’t making millions or whatever, she just liked me for me and that’s what I love about her” he explained, a common habit he had was talking with his hands and you laughed as his hands bounced around the desk.

“She Is the love of my life, one hundred percent. I don’t have a bad word to say about her. She’s there for every loss – I’ve never had a loss fully sit on my shoulders it’s always on hers too. I remember when it was a possibility that Seattle were gonna take me in the expansion and she was online looking at houses for us just incase, she’s crazy but she’s amazing”

The interviewer interrupted “if you don’t mind me asking, what ended it?”

“Me” he answered simply “I’m a hockey player man I let everything get to my head, the attention, the money, the fame it all went right to my head and I forgot that I had the woman of my dreams, the girl I love more than anything willing to do anything for me right there for nine whole years without so much a ring. Given the chance now, I’d put a ring on her finger tomorrow”

“Thanks for taking the time to speak to us today Miles”

You sat there for a moment while the phone screen went blank, tears rolling down your face.

You unlocked your phone and pulled up his contact, opting to text not sure you’d trust your voice.

to: miles 🤍

come over? I think we need to talk…

read at 6:43pm

Twenty minutes later the door rang. You opened it to find Miles stood on the other side.

“Hey…” he trailed.

“Come in, please” you urged.

He awkwardly maneuvered himself into the house and pandered to the dogs who had missed him ever so much.

“Hi buddy! Hi!”

You stood smiling at him and their obvious excitement to see their dad again.

“Do you- do you want a drink?”

He straightened up “No, no I’m good thanks”

You gestured then to the couch and he took a seat very awkwardly.

“I watched the podcast” You said, still fiddling with your hands.

He nodded “Nico called me, said he’d come to see you”

“Why would you say those things Miles?”

He looked at you like you had grown another head “Because it’s true? It’s like everything I wanted to say to you and never got the chance”

Your bottom lip quivered, his voice, his words playing back in your mind

“say it, please” it was almost a beg.

Miles looked almost in pain hearing your voice “Don’t cry babe-“

“Miles just say it” you snapped.

Sighing, he grabbed your hands and said “I let a lot of shit get to my head and as a result of that, I lost you and that was one of the most painful, gut wrenching things I’ve ever experienced in my life. I will forever be ashamed of how I treated you”

You nodded, thumb running soothingly over his knuckle “You said given the chance, you’d put a ring on my finger. That true?”

“So much” he breathed, letting go of your hand and walking over to the tv console, opening the drawer that held his Xbox and pulling out a small box.

You gasped “Miles-“

“I’ve had this for almost eight years”

“Eight?!”

“The day I signed for Jersey and you said you’d come with me, I went out and bought this ring with my first pay check because I knew I wanted you to be my wife” he mumbled, opening the box and showing you the ring.

A few tears rolled down your cheeks and you sniffled before you said “Do you still want that?”

“Huh?” His head shot up.

“Do you still want me to be your wife?”

“Of course i do-“ You stuck your hand out towards him and said “Well then put a ring on it and I’m yours, Wood”

He shook his head, almost trying to wake himself up from this dream “y/n… you can’t be serious”

“Do you love me?”

“Yes of course!”

You smiled “Well that’s all that matters then, I know you and I know your heart Miles”

He stood frozen for a moment before he moved to take the ring out and put it on your finger, lifting the hand to kiss it before kissing you.

“I love You” You mumbled against his lips.

“You have no idea how much I adore you” is all he replied, the strength of his kiss has every one of his emotions in it “and I’m so sorry, baby so sorry”

As tears rolled down his cheeks and landed on yours he tried to hold back his sobs, the sobs of relief.

After all, the truth will set you free.

[piizunn]

I am so lucky to be be in Manitoba I love it here so much, it has been such a beautiful trip and I got to attend an opening outside of the province which felt surreal. I also got an email about one of my exhibition proposals and it was accepted!!!!!!! Life is crazy right now omfg….

Winnipeg is so beautiful also!!!! I adore it so much, I haven’t been here since I was a kid and it has been really nice to be back and to visit some really important places. I love being Native so much!!!

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"The RCMP tried to place plants among the internees, false prisoners whose mission was to spy on the other internees. Patrick Lenihan reports that it happened twice, although this author has uncovered only one occasion. This involved a man who arrived from Montreal in March, 1942 named Paul-Henri Robert. Some of the French-Canadian internees knew Robert. Jean Bourget and Joseph Duchesne had known him in a Montreal group that defended the unemployed called Ouvriers Unis. His behaviour with this organization, always calling for violent demonstrations and confrontations with the police, led some of the internees to believe that he was an agent provocateur, working for the authorities. If Robert was sent to spy, he was not very effective for he even admitted that he had once been an RCMP officer, who had been mistakenly sent to Hull rather than Petawawa. Robert shared a cell with Jacques Villeneuve and described to his cell-mate the circumstances of his most recent arrest which led him to Hull. Robert claimed he had been arrested for making anti-British remarks while in a tavern. The story sounded strange, at least in the opinion of Bourget, Duchesne, Villeneuve, Rodolphe Majeau, and Roméo Duval, who wrote to Major Green on March 25, 1942, demanding that Green get rid of Robert since they believed he was a stool-pigeon, a spy, a plant. Green refused to acquiesce to the demands, maintaining that he had no idea who Robert was. The internees made life miserable for Robert, isolating him, and threatening to beat him. Was this an instance of the Hull internees being paranoid about someone they did not like from the outside world? Possibly, but when Major Green [camp commandant who liaised with the RCMP to report on internee conduct] was transferred to the POW camp for German soldiers at Bowmanville, near Oshawa, Ontario, on April 15, 1942, the very same day, Robert was transferred to Petawawa. The whole incident is unclear but shows, nevertheless, that the internees, at the very least, were concerned about spies among their ranks.

...

A phenomenon readily detectable was the censorship to which the internees were subjected. Letters from family were intercepted and delivered. Mention of news from the outside world, including actions being taken by lawyers on behalf of internees, was removed from letters. The internees were not allowed to use terms such as ‘anti-fascist’ to describe themselves, nor were they allowed to refer to Hull as a ‘concentration camp’. 

Censorship was a regular part of military life during the war. Soldiers were required to be circumspect in describing their whereabouts or activities, and their communications both to and from were subject to censorship. Applied to the internees, however, censorship was just one more limitation of their civil rights, which provided dubious military benefits, at best. Sometimes, correspondents of internees were objects of investigation; this was especially the case for soldiers who were sons of the internees.

According to a Cabinet order of May, 1940, the federal government was responsible for social assistance provided by municipalities to the families of internees, but this did not mean much if municipalities refused to provide this assistance, or if the amounts were too little. The trust companies working for the Trustee of Enemy Properties froze assets of the internees and their families. The internees were not permitted visits by their families, always an object of contestation by the internees. Nonetheless, Jenny Freed did lead a delegation of wives, who hitchhiked from Montreal to the Hull prison, and caused quite a commotion when the men were able to talk to the women, who were standing outside the prison walls. 

In October, 1941, the authorities began permitting conjugal visits to Hull. John McNeil’s  wife from Winnipeg was the first to visit her husband. In November, 1941, other visits followed, and they soon become typical, even if not too intimate since the visits were limited to thirty minutes in the presence of guards. Visits from others were also controlled, including even one official visit from the Premier of Quebec, Adélard Godbout.

Godbout was allowed to meet Colonel Sherwood, commandant of the Ottawa  region, and Major Green, during a visit in Hull in October, 1941. While Godbout was permitted to inspect the quarters of the guards, the Army did not allow Godbout, accompanied by local politicians from Hull, inside the prison to visit the internees’ quarters. His only contact with the internees that was permitted was listening to a few songs sung by a choral group of the internees."

- Michael Martin, The Red Patch: Political Imprisonment in Hull, Quebec during World War 2. Self-published, 2007. p 159-160

[beatricebidelaire]

now and then

The Baudelaire Mansion, now and then.

~2.3k. Beatrice-centric, ensemble cast.

written for day 2 of woevember of @asouefanworkevent, The Baudelaire Mansion

The Baudelaire Mansion was built during Beatrice's teenage years. Beatrice still remembers seeing it gradually becoming taller each time she visited the then still-in-development building. Mother and Father were living in their previous place not far away from there but a lot smaller, and Beatrice was mostly living at the VFD headquarters when she was in The City. She spent quite a lot of time outside of The City though, back then. The Hinterlands and Mortmain Mountains. Paltryville. Widdershin's submarine. R's place at Winnipeg.

Each time she came back, the mansion looked a little more complete than the last time.

The mansion is her parents' gift to her, and since she's going to be the one to live in it after it's complete, she had quite a lot of say over the design. VFD's architecture classes came in handy, but even more so were the books she found in the library, and her friends - a couple of years older than her but already running a hotel of their own. Of course, each of them had their own opinion on things, which Beatrice took into consideration all very enthusiastically, and usually ended up with a surprising choice that people never quite expected. Or perhaps they did, knowing that she's always full of surprises.

Teenage Beatrice had thoughts about how the rooms and spaces would be used, once the mansion was all done. She had visions of filling the kitchen with all kinds of food and spices and ingredients (- well, aside from peppermints, something she and her family have always been allergic to) and kitchen appliances and fancy plates and wine collection. And of course root beer floats. Always root beer floats.

She and Lemony were very much in love then, and she's not only in love with him but also all the things they love together - poetry and literature and music and she playing soccer while he cheerleads in the background and various food and most of all the root beer floats. And of course their friends. Their wondrous collection of tight-knitted friends whom she adored endlessly and whom she once upon a time thought all those friendships could go on forever.

How young she was, back then. How young they all were.

[continue reading]

[sorryjustafangirl]

swain (noun)

a/n: this is from @antoineroussel 's surprise prompts challenge! i had a fun time getting back into writing, especially with someone who i hadn't written before - it was nice to get out of my shell :) my word was swain (n.) meaning a male admirer or lover.

word count: 1.1k+

pairing: pierre-luc dubois x gn!reader

warning: nothing i can think of

disclaimer:  this is a piece of fiction and real person fiction so if that doesn’t vibe with you, please don’t read! also, gif is not mine, all credit to the amazing creator.

“Flower delivery!” Your boss called out to the floor and every coworker you had turned their head to look at you. It was already strange to receive flowers considering you worked at a hockey arena in Winnipeg but for this to be the fifth time an arrangement came for you? Your face already felt hot before the courier came, a gorgeous bouquet in hand. 

You quickly signed for it, thanking them, before placing the flowers – red roses like always – on your desk. Nicole, the coworker sharing a cubicle wall with you turned work best friend, had already popped her head over to stare at you, a knowing smirk on their face. 

“Someone definitely has an admirer,” they said in a sing-song voice and you felt heat rush to your cheeks. 

“Until I know who they’re from, it doesn’t really matter if I have an admirer or not. All I know is I am blessed to get fresh flowers.”

“Maybe they’re from Duby.” Her words made you stop admiring the roses and think. 

Duby. Pierre-Luc Dubois. Center for the team you worked for. 

A friend. 

Right?

Yeah no, a friend. Definitely a friend. The two of you had met when you nearly ran him over outside the parkade. In your defense, who waits for a taxi in front of the garage door? You’d given him a ride back to his place (the least you could do really) and the next morning, he dropped off a coffee at your desk as a thank you. You’d been talking at work and texting outside of it, sure, but it was all platonic. Coffee between friends. Walks back to your apartment because it isn’t considered safe to walk alone in Winnipeg. But there were no hidden touches, no double meaning words – nothing he’d done indicated anything more than wanting to be friends. 

You, on the other hand, were totally falling for the Quebecois and Nicole knew this. Their simple words had heat rushing to your cheeks and you turned away from her to hide your blush. 

“Pierre-Luc wouldn’t send flowers.”

“Oh, so it’s Pierre-Luc?”

“That is his name,” You said, giving them a pointed look. 

“Maybe. But you’re the only one here who calls him that.” She winked and ducked their head back to her cubicle. 

You didn’t get a bouquet of roses for a few weeks, but you didn’t mind. Work had kept you extra busy as the end of the season neared and you’d been spending more time with Pierre. You’d visited the art museum together just last week and you swore you caught him staring at you a few times, but he’d always point out the artwork behind you and your heart would drop a little. 

“What’s this?” You asked Nicole one afternoon, holding up a small cream envelope with your name scrawled on it. The two of you had come back from lunch and it wasn’t there when you left.

“Only one way to find out,” she said, leaning over the cubicle wall. You ripped open the envelope and found a note inside. No card, just some scrawny handwriting. 

“What’s it say?” They asked impatiently. When you flipped the note around to show her, their smile grew. 

Tu es plus belle que toutes les fleurs dans le monde.  

“Okay, that is French. Duby is the only one who is French. Thus,” They spread their arms out. “Your admirer is him.”

You scoffed. “I’m sure he’s not the only one here who speaks the other official language.”

“You never know, he could be!”

“For the last time, it’s not him.”

“But–”

“Enough!” You took a deep breath before standing up to match her eye line.  “Nicole. Enough. Seriously. I appreciate how supportive you are of my crush on one of our team’s highest paid players, really I am. But I am tired. I am tired of your constant optimism when it is so obvious he doesn’t like me like that, okay? Every time we’ve hung out, he’s been nothing but polite and friendly. I can’t even call it leading me on because anything that might be more than platonic could be me overthinking it. If it was going to happen, it would’ve by now. So, please just stop. He’s not my boyfriend or beau or admirer or swain or whatever word you want to use, he’s not it.”

“But I want to be.” 

You spun around at the oh-so familiar voice of Pierre-Luc and your jaw dropped when you saw him carrying a bouquet of red roses. Just like the past arrangements. 

A thousand thoughts were swirling through your head but all you could muster was a meek, “What?”

Pierre cleared his throat and stepped closer to where you were standing in your cubicle. NIcole had conveniently (and thankfully) dipped out of sight. 

“I want to be. Your boyfriend or beau or swain or whatever you want to call it. I want to be that person for you.” When you continued to stare at him, your jaw slightly open, he continued. “Only if you want me that is. I can- I can pretend this never happened if you want.”

The man standing in front of you wasn’t like the one that you saw on the TV, the slightly cocky version, no, he was more like what you saw. A softer side, one that took a call from his grandpa in the museum, one that walked on the road side of the sidewalk, one that only you were used to seeing. But here he was, at work, holding red roses for you, his smile a little shaky and his cheeks already flush. That seemed to shake the shock out of your system. “Please don’t. Please don’t pretend this never happened. I just…I didn’t think you were interested, that’s all.”

“Amour, believe me, I’m interested,” He said breathlessly. “You just make me a little nervous, that’s all.”

“You’re over six feet tall and play on knife shoes but I make you nervous?” At your question, his face got almost as red as the roses he still carried. 

“I can afford to mess up the hockey thing but I really only get one shot at this.” Oh my gosh, was he trying to melt your heart? 

“Good thing you didn’t mess it up then,” you said, trying to suppress a smile while he let his show. 

“Really?” You nodded and he stepped closer to you, placing the bouquet in the vase you’d started keeping at your desk. 

His smile seemed to settle and his confidence came back. “In that case, would you like to go for dinner tonight?”

“I’d love that Pierre.” 

“I gotta get to practice but I’ll pick you up at seven, okay?”

“See you tonight,” you said, biting your lip to stop smiling so wide when he winked at you before leaving your cubicle. 

“I told you the flowers were from him!” Nicole said from her side of the cubicle wall. You told them to shut up but there was no malice in your voice. You went to gush to them about what just happened when his voice popped back. 

“Oh, and just so you know, I plan on keeping that vase full.”

You could only blush. “I’ll look forward to getting flowers from my swain then.”

translation: you are more beautiful than all the flowers in the world

taglist (join here): @heatherawoowoo @4ambagelbites @typical-simplelove @2manytabsopen @stars-canucks @lorrmorr @fallinallincurls @plds2000 @barzysandhughesbaby @yummygoldenfood @drei-mrssvechii @bananarantanen @pulpfixion

[ellieoes]

Light a candle

I can’t remember the first time I ever heard of this thing called a blog. I know it was many many moons ago.  I never thought it was for me.  I mean, I lived an entirely ordinary life and always seemed to say what I always thought were the wrong words and even if they were the right words, I didn’t have much to say and was always worried that I would say something that might offend someone or just plain old sound stupid. So, go easy on me ok?

I sit here this morning writing this because I just read my dear friend’s final entry in his own blog. He started his blog ‘oldbutnotyetwise’ 9 years ago. And I just learned of it last year when I reconnected with him. I've read every one of his posts including his last... his self-authored obituary. His last piece of advice - "Don't keep putting things off until tomorrow, because sometimes tomorrow doesn't come." Advice well taken my friend, wish me luck (I can see you smiling with that smirky smirk ;-)

Life is a funny and wondrous thing and often very challenging thing. It takes you on little side trips that seemingly don’t make sense and move you in different directions that you never thought you’d move in. And then, all of a sudden, all of the tumblers fall into place and it makes sense. Sometimes painfully so.

My friend Suzanne suggested I meet David. My marriage was in its final throes and I needed a male perspective. So we met. I liked him. Instantly. We talked as if we’d know eachother for many years. And he was delightful. He was a gentle giant who listened so intently and then asked you the most thought provoking and revealing questions to help you better understand and come to your own conclusions about whatever you were uncertain about.

Not long after we met, we were chatting one night about Sue’s birthday coming up and were trying to figure out something special we could do for her. Well, a visit to Winnipeg in December with -40 celsuis degree temps (well maybe it was -20 but it sure felt like -40!) with an almost stranger wasn’t what I was thinking but somehow, he convinced me that it was a great idea and before you knew it, we were off! We became great friends and, for reasons I won’t explain here and certainly not through any fault of his, we communicated only once a year (when he’d sent me a birthday text or email). He did so every year for almost 8.  

Fast forward to June 2023.  I read a facebook post of David’s that had me concerned.  Robin (his beautiful wife) and he were leaving their dream property in Nipissing and moving to Cambridge. When I asked him why, he told me something that took my breath away much like a gut punch would.  He had been diagnosed with ALS.

ALS.

At that time, I was enveloped in taking care of my 93 year old mom. She had Alzheimer’s, couldn’t speak or walk or later even eat. It was a terrible time and a horrible death.  Still, she was surrounded with love and our family did all that we could to let her know how much she was loved. But more on that maybe in another post.

I suppose I tell you this because I’m trying to find a reason why I didn’t fully enter back into David’s life until about October/November.

My friend Dana had once brought me a meal when I lost either my brother or my sister (sorry, can’t remember which) and then my friend Karen did the same when I lost my mom. I can’t tell you how much their thoughtfulness meant to me and how grateful I am to this day for their kindness. So, I was determined that this is what I would do for David and his wife.

He suggested I watch Tuesdays with Morrie - a movie about a man with ALS. I did and promptly asked David if we could be Tuesday people.  Well, it wasn’t every Tuesday and it wasn’t always Tuesdays but as much as his schedule and mine permitted, I would bring a meal for the three of us to share. It was a very special time for which I would be eternally grateful. We would eat and talk and enjoy eachother’s company. Often times David and I would take their ever-so-sweet Australian Shepherd named Kiwi for a walk around the neighborhood. David in his $30,000 wheelchair that seemingly did everything but make you dinner ;-)

It was on these walks that we had our deepest talks. Sometimes about what was to come and the inevitable outcome of ALS; sometimes about love and relationships; sometimes about favourite books and movies.  His favourite author was Robert James Waller.  One of his favourite movies was based on his book, The Bridges of Madison County. Other movies he loved were Life Itself and Boyhood. I’ve watched them all now and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. I felt that by watching them, I would know David better.

He loved the natural world. He loved the paradise that Robin and he called home in Nipissing. He loved his dogs, every one of them. He loved his friends. He loved Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna, Butter Tarts (without coconut), Boston Cream pie and, given he had a second helping, he at least liked my Goulash.

But most of all, he loved Robin. Oh how my heart aches at the thought of the beautiful, deep and pure love that they shared. It was the stuff of books and movies. It was the real deal. Even with thoughts of all the challenges of ALS and his imminent death, the one thing that brought him to tears and made him hurt the most was the thought of having to leave his beloved Robin. He didn't want to. If he could, he would have moved heaven and earth just to be able to stay by her side. And I know Robin would have as well.

Robin is an unexpected gift in all of this. She is incredibly kind and funny and sweet and truly beautiful. She is strong and courageous and so loyally and steadfastly took care of David until his last day. Though she had done so much - had given everything to David so that his dignity would be protected, his spirit supported and his heart filled with her love - she was still worried that she hadn't done enough and that she made a few mistakes. Robin, you don't know how incredible you are and what a gift you gave him. You are a hero in every sense of the word. I love you for everything you did for David and for how much you loved and protected and helped him. You were his everything and it's so clear why. I'm so grateful we connected and look forward to many more years of friendship if you'll have me.

The most heartwrenching text I've ever received from anyone was from David. It was his final text.

At 9:38pm on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 he wrote:

"Light a candle at 10:00 tonight, I love you."

His time had come. I wrote him back. I didn't know if he'd read my text until the 25th. Robin told me he had. She also told me that he wanted his celebration of life to be on June 2nd so I could attend. These final gifts of his are indescribably important to me and have touched me so deeply.

He meant so much to me. And he gave me so much. Winnipeg, Justin Hines (especially "Say what you will"), little surprises like dessert from Bread Bar, an Ethopian restaurant, a little mom-and-pop italian restaurant, sushi, a beautiful hand-turned pen that he made himself, a book by Jann Arden. He gave me permission and encouragement to try things; to get out of my comfort zone; to believe in myself and even to love myself (because there was a time when I couldn't do either because of who I'd become and the ones that I'd hurt); to forgive myself; to accept things as they were and not to worry about things you cannot change; and to always see the good even in the worst - because, as he said, there is always good. Even ALS, he said, brought him gifts. The gifts of the love of friends and especially the deepening of the love Robin and he shared.

On May 8th at 10:45 am he sent me this and said that this was what he was pondering that morning and he thought that I might also appreciate it:

"You can't skip chapters, that's not how life works. You have to read every line, meet every character. You won't enjoy all of it. Hell, some chapters will make you cry for weeks. You will read things you don't want to read, you will have moments when you don't want the pages to end. But you have to keep going. Stories keep the world revolving. Live yours, don't miss out."

-Pillow Thoughts

I'll leave you with that for now but in David's tradition, I will also leave you with a few questions to ponder...

Who do you miss and wish you had back in your life? I encourage you to connect with them now not later if you can.

Do the people you love know you love them? Have you communicated how much they mean to you?

What's your story and are you really living it?

Whatever your answers are to those, I wish you a love like David and Robin's, an appreciation of the natural world and all the animals in it, good health, peace in your heart, courage and wonderful adventures!

[sunshineprincejeremyknox]

top 5 places in North America you'd like to see/visit

oooooooh hm. 1. Point Pleasant, WV (Mothman!)

2. Yellowstone National Park

3. Winnipeg (for friend reasons)

4. Ottowa except I'd like to move there but still

5. Philadelphia, PA (lived there for 5 years, I just miss it)

[marcoscandellas]

Colton Parayko on The Cam and Strick podcast

Still drives the Dodge Dakota that he's had since he was 16 when he's back home

Stays in his parents' basement suite when he's visiting and sleeps in his childhood bed

C&S: Can you fit in that? CP: "I'm good. I just curl up in there and good to go."

His mom is a badass, she's a nurse in the heart operating room

"I'm the worst with cuts and wounds ... I gotta look away."

Retells the story where Tyson Fury shoves David Perron into a pool with the Stanley cup when they were in Vegas

C&S: "Were you guys like Schwartzy can you handle this? Schwartzy go beat him up?" Colton (joking): "We send over the big guns."

First big splurge was a GMC Yukon

Would go to dirt bike races on the weekends with his dad and brother, says the best he placed was 3rd (his brother was better at it)

Says that taking two classes during playoffs was the best thing for him his rookie year (actually looked forward to going home and doing homework); Panger was the one who found out he was juggling school and hockey when Colton forgot his computer during an away game and had to take a test in the hotel lobby

Closest with Scandy right now, they chat about cars a lot; Marco has a few Porsches and Ferraris (was the one steering Colton towards Porsches -- he got a 911 GT3 and is a good boy who always drives the speed limit)

Tries to get where he's going without drawing too much attention to himself

"I just bow my head trying to get to wherever I'm going. I'm just socially awkward"

Some of the people he's closest with and trusts are older; gets invited to weekend Jewish dinners with a family he knows

Latest interest is space, believes there to be some extraterrestial life out there (not necessarily aliens)

Growing up he would snowboard, can't right now "I just try to be smart"

Asked if he is a good cook "I think I am. People tell me I am." Cooks chicken wings for the boys, makes a good reverse seared steak, cedar plank salmon

On his style of play "I just like to get the puck, jump up in the play and move the puck ... You don't have to be mean or tough to play against. If I win my battles I don't need to touch anyone."

Races remote control cars, hasn't competed yet but plans to next summer and has 4 different cars

Collects hotwheels and used to trade Pokemon cards when he was a kid

Favorite road cities are Vancouver (Western Canada) and Vegas; least favorite are Ottawa, Winnipeg, Newark since there is nothing to do

[batmanshole]

my opinions on various canadian places:

toronto: SCARY AS FUCK but they have good stores and food

montreal: LOVE LOVE LOVE except for the french part but i can deal with that. the whole vibe is awesome i love the architecture and being by the water

ottawa: SUCKS ASS. city boundaries are shaped like a heart though so points for that. ummm idk. boring

quebec city: very pretty but i dont think theres much to do, nice to look at though.

winnipeg: i would like it more if i didnt have to visit 18037298 relatives every time i come here. i like the weather and the stores though!!!! and i like looking at places my parents grew up

regina: WHY IS IT SO FLAT. THERE IS NOTHING!!!!!!!! tap water tastes funky also

st. john's: BEAUTIFUL PLACE!!!! I LOVE YOU ST JOHNS!!!!! no notes. i wish it was more accessible but the fish and chips here SOOO YUMMY

halifax: mehhhh idk ive only been here a few times and all my memories are hazy.

lunenburg: wonderful place love her lots! lovely in the spring.

anywhere in new brunswick: does anyone actually go here? i drove through once.

PEI (small enough for me to count it as one place): very pretty!!! i enjoyed it i saw jellyfish :-)

vaughan: kind of scary but decent. ive only been to canadas wonderland + vaughan mills area though so idk. also that mall scares me!!!!

beaver valley / nottawasaga bay / collingwood area: LOVE. gorgeous place. i miss it sooooo bad :((((((((

kingston: pretty decent i like reid's dairy and my grandparents take me here often to go to the lake.

gimli: LOVE GIMLI. i like the plane and i like the food and i like the stuff. very cold though but thats ok

i think thats everywhere ive been idk. i havent been up north or to alberta or bc So.

[amanitaphalloides]

1, 4 and 22 for the ask thing :-)

hiiii thank you!

Song of the year? answered but i'll say i also played days move slow by bully into the absolute ground and that one DID come out this year :)

4. Movie of the year? MY WINNIPEG but for a 2023 release my fave was definitely may december. which i know is controversial 👍

22. Favorite place you visited this year? i didn't go abroad this year but i visited family and friends in 6 states + had one work trip to nyc puke emoji. it's all about people right....shoutout to bloomington indiana i love you for being where my friend lives. to be really really real with you my favorite trip this year was visiting my family in maine. nothing compares to going home basically.