#scuba cocoon

[cypherdecypher]

Animal of the Day!

California Sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher)

(Photo from Reef Check)

Conservation Status- Vulnerable

Habitat- California coast

Size (Weight/Length)- 16 kg; 91 cm

Diet- Sea urchin; Lobsters; Mollusks

Cool Facts- The massive California sheephead is a sight to behold when scuba diving off Monterey. As all sheepheads are born female, some will shift into being a male later in their life when no other males are in the area. Protruding teeth allow for California sheephead to rip mollusks from rock and turn them into an oyster smoothie. Being extremely important to the ecosystem of kelp forests, California sheephead eat overpopulated sea urchins with a vengeance and protect the kelp the urchins destroy. When sleeping, California sheephead spin themselves a cocoon of mucus from their mouth to prevent attacks from predators.

Rating- 13/10 (Fish support trans rights.)

Animtober- Booger (Mucus blanket.)

[addictedtostorytelling]

hiya! gil has a lot of pets throughout the show, like Hank, and at least one spider, and his cockroaches and some other bugs (and the foetal pig, which i personally choose to count. i bet he talks to it.) i was wondering if you or anyone else knew an approximate list of them, more so his bugs than anything else.

in one of the episodes (i think its post grissom) nick and greg find a tarantula and greg is pleased to note that its an old friend "hey thats little stevie! he's been missing for years!" i wonder if stevie was ever mentioned by name or if any of gil's other bugs were?

bit of a random one i know, but i do so love gil and his managerie of insects (and Others)

hi, anon!

so here's the thing: despite knowing grissom is something of an animal lover, we actually learn very little about what pets he has over the course of the show. basically the only two named ones we ever hear about are, as you mention, hank the dog and stevie the tarantula.

and, for the record, stevie had never been mentioned prior to the events of episode 10x01 "family affair."

while we know that at any given time, he has a "menagerie" of insects otherwise, seldom are they identified by species, and never are they referred to by specific names.

that so, the best "census" of his animals i can offer is as follows:

of course, he has his irradiated fetal pig (occasionally referred to as "miss piggy," though it's unclear if that is her official name) from the beginning of the show.

he also, as mentioned, from s7 on, has hank (though it's unclear under what circumstances he got him and/or how he decided on the name).

then, in episode 01x22 "evaluation day," sara lists a litany of animals in his care, including a pet tarantula who may or may not be one and the same as "little stevie" (who, as stated, is never mentioned by name prior to s10) and a maggot farm. she also claims he has a komodo dragon on back order, but considering that they are an endangered species and also are not the type of animal that your average person can care for in their private home—they are about ten feet long, can weigh up to 200 lbs., can run up to 13 mph, feed on large game like water buffalo, and have a venomous bite that makes them dangerous to handle—she is probably either a) being facetious, or, b) confusing a komodo dragon with a monitor lizard. in either case, grissom doesn't seem to actually have either a dragon or a lizard in his possession at this time.

in episode 02x05 "scuba doobie-doo," he acquires a silphid beetle from the crime scene, which he refers to, in-episode, as "paul;" however, it is unclear both if he intends to keep the beetle in the long term as a pet and, if so, if paul is actually what he's named him.

in episode 02x10 "ellie," he owns about a dozen madagascar hissing cockroaches, which he intends to race at an entomology conference in duluth, mn. he mentions that his roaches' competitors have names (such as "cocky balboa" and "priscilla, queen of the gutters"), so it's probable that his roaches have names, too. however, if so, he never states what they are.

in episode 07x13 "redrum," he gifts sara the cocoon of an unknown moth or butterfly species, sent to her from walden pond. she elects to keep this cocoon in his office until it hatches. it is unknown a) what kind of insect is inside of the cocoon, b) what becomes of said insect after it hatches, and c) what, if anything, grissom and sara name it.

in csi: vegas episode 01x03 "under the skin," grissom states that hank was the best dog he ever had, which implies he has had other dogs in his life. however, it's uncertain when he had these dogs. it's possible he had childhood dogs and/or other dogs predating hank. it's also possible he had other dogs either concurrent to hank or after him from s9 onward, either with sara or without her. from the sounds of things, by the time the events of csi: vegas s1 are taking place, he and sara are (for the moment) dogless.

from s1-s9, grissom's office is filled with specimens of preserved lizards, amphibians, and fish in jars. however, we don't know if he also has any other living vertebrates as pets. if so, it might explain why sara is able to spend so much unsupervised time in his office during his s7 sabbatical without anyone on the team really batting an eye (as she could just use the ol' "i'm pet-sitting for grissom while he's away. somebody's got to feed his salamanders!" excuse). but certainly nothing is ever mentioned specifically.

to the best of my knowledge, those are the only pets of his we ever know about.

sorry i can't give you a more exact answer!

thanks for the question! please feel welcome to send another any time.

[ultimateoptimus]

Frogman Forme Mertens-Bubblegum SCUBA Pupae

Remember me, UltimateOptimus, promising @aae-demon-zone333  to draw Frogman Forme Lucián and Longina Mertens-Bubblegum in their SCUBA BubbleCocoonGum Scucoons?

Consider that promise kept with this, my first Junior Diver fan art of 2023, O Lady of the Demon Zone.

UltimateOptimus Presents An UltimateOptimus DreamFactory Frogman Fubblegum AU Concept:

The Twin Son and Daughter of the Butterfly SCUBABoy And The Queen Honey Bee SCUBAGirl: The Mertens-Bubblegum TwinsBubbleCocoonGum SCUBA Pupae!

Like father, like son, like mother, like daughter: Frogboy Lucián Mertens-Bubblegum plays the part of the Kelp Green Apple Swallowtail Butterfly SCUBABoy in his Kelp Green Apple Swallowtail Butterfly Chrysalis SCUBA Cocoon and Froggirl Longina Mertens-Bubblegum plays the part of the Coral Pink Bubblegum Queen Honey Bee SCUBAGirl in her Coral Pink Bubblegum Queen Honey Bee Cell SCUBA Cocoon both full of highly delicious, highly revitalizing, highly healing, highly nutritional, highly breathable, highly cool and highly sweet NutriJuice for our Junior Diver hero and heroine to breathe in and drink from - Kelp Green (Green Apple) NutriJuice for Finn in his SCUCoon and Coral Pink (Original Flavor) Royal Bubblegum NutriJuice for Bubblegum in her SCUCoon.

The Mertens-Bubblegum Twins: keeping the family tradition of adventure alive well into the next generation.

List of upgrades to the Mertens-Bubblegum Twins' Frogman Forme Swimwear and SCUBA Gear:

- Custom Tek School Beanie Swim Caps - OxyPillow TekRegulators - Pappillion Horsecollar TekDiveJacket for Lucián and Mellifera Wing TekDiveJacket for Longina - Upgraded MerDiver Forme Tail MonoDiveFins

This one's also for you, @creepie-treattricker.

[vancouverescapes]

Ucluelet & Tofino's Call of the Wild: How a Luxe Vacation Rental Can Enhance Your Wilderness Adventure!

Journeying to Ucluelet means immersing yourself in an environment where the untamed spirit of nature meets the warmth of genuine hospitality. Vancouver Island Vacation Rentals stands as your gateway to this remarkable adventure, offering more than just a place to stay—it promises an experience that intertwines with the essence of the wild surroundings. Here, where the ocean whispers and the forests stand tall, your adventure awaits.

The Essence of Wilderness Luxe

Embracing Nature's Playground: With every step along the trails that weave through Ucluelet and Tofino, from the rugged Wild Pacific Trail to the serene paths of the Pacific Rim National Park, you're not just hiking; you're embarking on a journey through nature's masterpiece. The beaches nearby, such as South Florencia and Halfmoon Bay, are not merely stretches of sand but gateways to endless ocean vistas and opportunities for surfing at North Florencia, mere minutes away.

The Thrill of the Catch: Imagine the thrill as your line tugs while you're surrounded by the expansive blue of the ocean, courtesy of local fishing charters. It's not just fishing; it's an adventure that connects you to the rhythm of the sea, making every catch a story to tell.

Unforgettable Experiences

Ucluelet is a treasure trove of activities, each offering a unique way to connect with nature. Whether it's watching storms dance along the coast near Florencia Beach Trail, marveling at whales in Tofino, or exploring the underwater world through scuba diving, each day brings a new adventure. For those dreaming of an intimate celebration amidst nature's grandeur, the idyllic setting of Vancouver Island Vacation Rentals, with its sprawling 4-acre property, becomes the perfect backdrop for small weddings.

A Sanctuary in the Wild

After days filled with exploration, the luxurious cabins of Vancouver Island Vacation Rentals, crafted from the rich tones of cedar, fir, and pine, become your sanctuary. Equipped with modern appliances, they offer comfort enveloped in the rustic charm of the wilderness. The available spa services, including massages, saunas, and cold plunges, add an extra layer of relaxation to your stay.

Savoring Local Delights

The culinary scene in Ucluelet, with its array of restaurants, offers a taste of the local bounty. Here, each meal is a celebration of the region's flavors, making dining an integral part of the adventure.

Overcoming Objections: Ease and Accessibility

The journey to this wild paradise is simpler than one might think. A brief flight from Vancouver to Tofino, followed by a scenic drive, brings you to the doorstep of tranquility. The property's location, a stone's throw from Ucluelet yet nestled in quietude, offers the best of both worlds—accessibility without the hustle of town life. The convenience of single-story cabins, allowing you to park right beside your retreat, underscores the effortless experience that awaits.

A Reflection of Satisfaction

One visitor encapsulated their experience, stating, "Very nice, upscale, comfortable condos with breathtaking views of the ocean. There was plenty of room for the four in my party. Will ask to stay in these condos on next trip back." This sentiment echoes the blend of luxury and nature that defines a stay with Vancouver Island Vacation Rentals.

Embark on Your Wilderness Journey

In Ucluelet and Tofino, the call of the wild is an invitation to a journey that transcends the ordinary. It's an opportunity to connect with the raw beauty of nature while cocooned in the comfort of luxury. With Vancouver Island Vacation Rentals, your adventure is not just about exploring the wilderness; it's about being a part of it. The door is open, and the wild beckons—are you ready to answer the call?

[thebluekitegoa]

Sail Away to the ‘Rome of the East’: Vacation in Goa

If you know Goa as India’s smallest state, you might be wondering what makes it one of the most popular holiday destinations in India. Visiting Goa is like entering a dreamland of serenity and adventure—soft sands, soothing waters, lush palm trees, mystical forts and churches, and an old-world Portuguese charm. While on the one hand, travellers can unwind in a mellow ambience, the possibilities for adventure are as dynamic and limitless. 

Are you looking for an offbeat accommodation for your vacation? Our selection of apartments and rental villas in Goa brings you the best of both worlds—a serene hideaway tucked in the lap of nature and some thrilling experiences. One of the prime advantages of lodging in a private villa instead of a hotel is the unique experiences you amass while luxuriating in the lap of pure comfort. Luxury lies in the details. Each element at these villas in Goa has been carefully curated to cocoon you in unparalleled opulence and tranquillity. Spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, a well-stocked kitchen, a pool, and a lush green garden are bound to leave you feeling rejuvenated. Need more reasons to plan your vacation to a coastal getaway? Here are some must activities and must-visit places in Goa for a holiday like never before: 

Adventure Sports: Goa is best known for its plethora of beaches and surreal ocean vistas. Besides their aesthetic appeal, the beaches are hubs for various adventure activities. Get your adrenaline rushing with thrilling adventures, such as Dolphin sightings, Hot Air Balloon rides, Jet skiing, Kneeboarding, Parasailing, Windsurfing, and much more.

Beach Hopping: Each beach of Goa invites you to revel in a vibe distinct to that beach and unravel intriguing experiences. If you’re seeking some time away from the crowds, the sequestered beaches of South Goa will make the better fit for you. Do you find being surrounded by crowds thrilling? If you’re looking for something more dynamic, the beaches close to your villas in North Goa should be your go-to. 

Casinos and Nightclubs: A trip to Goa would be incomplete without visiting the arcades and casinos. Goa is the only state in India to have legalised casinos. Step out of your quaint rental villas in Goa and try your hand at gambling. Floating across the ocean waters in a cruise casino is an experience straight out of a movie. Besides casinos, Goa also hosts some of the most electrifying beach parties. From trance to silent beach parties, make sure to indulge in Goa’s one-of-a-kind nightlife on your vacation. 

Explore the Underworld: Exploring the beaches is definitely fun, but why stay so far from the ocean? Take a plunge into the ocean and unravel the mysteries of the underwater world. Scuba diving and snorkelling are ideal ways to explore Goa’s rich marine life.  

Indulge in the Local Flavours: You might have heard the saying about how the best way to explore a place is through its food. Tired of preparing meals at your villas in Goa? Go food hopping around the restaurants, cafes, and shacks lining the beaches. Treat your tastebuds to some sensational seafood and other local delicacies of Goa. 

Sightseeing: Goa is an abode of historical treasures and rich culture. Take a walk around the tropical landscape beyond your villas in North Goa and witness the majestic beauty of monuments such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fort Aguada, Church of St Augustine, Mangeshi Temple, Saptakoteshwar Temple, and other delights. 

While you’re in Goa, try attending the local theatrical performances known by the name of Tiatr. Tiatr is a form of Konkani drama known for its captivating storytelling, lively performances, and melodious music. Embark on a tropical vacation and pamper yourself and your family with the soothing embrace of Goan hospitality.

Source : https://www.newyorktimesnow.com/sail-away-to-the-rome-of-the-east-vacation-in-goa/

[academyguide]

Cocooned between Mexico and Guatemala lies Belize with all its natural splendor and unspoiled resources. Together with the remnants of numerous Maya temples and a fascinating mosaic of saltwater flats, mangroves and and Cayes -- Belize is unmistakably the most fascinating tourist destination for even the most discerning of travelers.Belize -- A Glimpse!Archaeologically grand Maya temples, longest Barrier reef in the hemisphere, the most winding and extensive cave system, a paradise for divers and anglers - and one small country at the gateway of Caribbean Sea - Belize has captured the imagination of the hospitality industry, real estate developers and tourists alike.It's not only the geography and history of Belize that has transformed the tourism map of this Caribbean country, but a magical blend of its wonderful people, cultures and cuisines has also elevated the status of Belize as one of the most exotic tourist and vacation home destinations in the world. Some of the other glittering stars on the tourism map of Belize which are worth a mention are... One of the few marine landmarks in the world that is visible from the outer space =- The Great Blue Hole. A magical landscape that is teeming with pristine islands, snorkel and diving spots. Dense forests with many ancient Maya sites. Exotic species of flora and fauna exclusively found in the tropical rainforests of the country. Belizean cuisine -- where in one tiny country you can experience tastes from all around the world. Foot-tapping Caribbean music to the best arts and crafts replicas from Central America. Bird-watching to kayaking to cave-tubing expeditions -- all within range. Dazzling coral reefs opening gates to scuba divers. For most, a trip to Belize is a life time memory and for others an annual pilgrimage -- to their favorite caves and diving spots.A bit about the Weather Warm and humid all year round - that sums up the weather of Belize. The maximum temperature difference in a day is usually 10°C. Rainy season runs from June to November while the drier months are from December to May.Tourists usually prefer the drier months -- December to May and expectantly the hotel rates are higher during these months.Cuisines to Casinos...Although no travel guide has vouched for the culinary uniqueness of Belize, the diversity in the Belizean cuisines is worth a visit -- Creole to continental breakfast, all under one roof. Homemade food served in very modest local restaurants can be surprisingly tasty. In contrast to other tourist destinations, meals can suit every pocket -- ranging from US$ 3 to US$ 25. Ambergis Caye boasts of some of the highest quality restaurants while local restaurants are known for delicious Creole dishes rich in meat and seafood.Belize is not really visited for its casinos but a couple of casinos are worth a mention for those of you who love to socialize around dice. The biggest casino is 'The Princess Hotel Casino' which is located in Belize City. The only other casino in Belize is at the hotel 'The Palace'.Bon Voyage!A trip to Belize is often the most anticipated travel plans for most tourists -- because of its aura of quaintness and exotic natural surroundings. Belize is unlike any other Caribbean getaway -- because of its proximity to North, South and other Central American countries and not to forget the many expatriates who have made Belize their home. Because of the ease of immigration to Belize and the simplified rules for purchasing properties in Belize, the immigrant population has seen a steady climb in recent years. Source by Dustin Hart

[brown-little-robin]

15: Infirmities

part one | previous | next | masterlist | ao3

The new pillow fort ends up in the living room.

Thad and Helen generously allow Max to help build it, which turns out well because he comes up with the idea of putting the mattress long way up and stacking the chairs so the fort is tall enough for Thad to walk into without ducking. It’s… impressive.

They move the television into the pillow fort, and then the speedsters ransack the house to find Star Wars: Episode Four, which for cultural reasons has to be watched first. Thad gets special dispensation to use his powers outside Max’s sight; he searches the closet and then enters Max’s room, feeling pleasurably wicked as he looks around. Max has… almost no stuff in here. A whole stack of books by the same author, Lee Cardy, all well-worn, and a little volume called “tao te ching” and three books in other languages and a lot of newspapers in various languages, but it seems very bare, somehow.

He opens the desk and immediately flinches away.

Photographs. Bart Allen.

He drops his fists and approaches again, morbidly curious. He picks up the photographs, careful to memorize their pattern so he can replace them. Bart blurrily laughing and playing with his dog, Dox, Bart hugging Helen, a newspaper clipping with a crystal-clear photograph of Impulse shielding a little girl from some unseen threat with his body—were his powers gone, that he chose to do that instead of taking on the threat?—Helen in scuba-diving gear giving a thumbs-up, Helen staring at the stars. Thad lingers on that one. Max and Helen shouting at each other—did Bart take that one?—Max and Helen and Bart in front of a waterfall, Wally West and Linda Park taking a selfie with Max, Helen digging her knuckles into Bart’s mop of hair, Bart as the Flash—the Flash! When did that happen? Why didn’t it stick? Bart was Impulse at the family meeting—Bart playing chess with that Kryptonian imbecile Kon, Bart on Jay and Joan Garrick’s porch, Bart with a birthday cake, a few more pictures of Max and Helen, the Young Justice team at what appears to be a reunion camp-out, Bart an adult and asleep with his head on Max’s lap, drooling into an enormous beard.

Pathetic, Thad tells himself, and tries not to look at Max’s fond smile and Max’s hand entwined gently in Bart’s hair.

He’s supposed to be searching for Star Wars! He puts the picture back, adjusts everything back the way it was, not that Max doesn't know what he did… it just makes him feel better. He feels… guilty.

Was it wrong to look at them? Thad wonders. Maybe he wasn’t supposed to see them.

“I found it,” Max calls from Helen’s room.

Thad closes the desk carefully and hesitates in the door to the hall.

And then he’s stumbling into the pillow fort, a hand pulling him gently by the arm.

Startled, he vibrates the hand through his arm. Max is watching him inscrutably from a cross-legged position on the floor. The hand was Helen’s. A preview of scenes is playing on the television.

He must have missed time.

“You all right?” Helen asks him calmly.

“Fine,” he says. Normally he’d snap at her in self-defense, but he’s exhausted, and somehow the pillows and blankets make a sanctity in this space that he finds he doesn't want to disturb. “I just… missed some time.”

“I thought so,” Helen says.

He shivers, abruptly cold, and sits down, gathering a blanket around himself. 

“I hate missing time,” Thad grumbles. “I never used to do that.”

An instant of helpless worry crosses Helen’s face. Thad pretends he’s engrossed in tightening his blanket cocoon.

Max scoots closer to Thad and puts his hand on his shoulder. He shudders involuntarily. Max takes his hand away for a moment, but Thad’s face must have done something telling because the hand comes back, settles warmly on his shoulder.

And Thad tries to pay attention to the movie, he really does, but the physical contact is distracting and he keeps thinking about the events of the day and he dozes off three times before they’re twenty minutes in, and Helen’s too observant for him. She insists he go to bed and they can watch it another day. She insists it’s fine, today has really tired you out, you made some big decisions, you need sleep!

He slinks away in shame. Helen was so excited to show him Star Wars.

But he sleeps soundly and wakes up calmly. Birds are twittering outside. It’s 1:30 pm.

He lays in bed listening to the birds for a while. Then he gets dressed.

He sits down at the kitchen table. Max is buttering a piece of toast; he looks up, nods at Thad, puts down the toast and knife with care, and starts another piece of bread in the toaster. Then he sits back down at the table and resumes buttering the toast. The knife makes quiet scraping sounds that mingle with the dishwasher bubbling.

Thad tries not to think about this inexplicable peaceful feeling in case it goes away.

He washes his dish and sweeps the floor; Max finishes his milk and clears and wipes the table. Max finishes his chore before Thad. There wasn’t much to clear from the table, though, so he had an unfair advantage. Max sits back down at the table with a newspaper.

Thad lingers by the dishwasher, wondering if insulting Max means he doesn't get forehead kiss privileges, not that Max ever kissed him anyway. Max isn’t a kisses kind of person, he thinks.

The phone rings.

Thad shudders, but manages to stop himself from raising his fists or covering his ears. The phone makes a horrible noise. Max nods at him and walks into the living room. The ringing stops.

“Max Crandall, Crandall residence,” he hears Max’s strong old voice greet whoever it is. “No, no, call any time. What is it? … Wonderful. … I’ll put you on the line with Thad.”

Wally West wants to talk to him again! Thad smiles, flattered, and comes into the living room.

“It’s Joseph Wilson,” Max says.

Joseph Wilson! The legendary Jericho of the whiskers and the ridiculously powerful abilities! But Thad has no time to think; Max is handing him the phone.

“Hello?” Thad says.

“Hello. This is Joseph Wilson,” comes a slow strange voice, pausing between each word.

“Hello,” Thad responds. What is it about Joseph’s voice? “This is Thad.”

“Max says you might be available to meet up with me today, but I did call at the last minute,” the voice says.

Aha! Thad knows what’s strange about that voice. It’s mechanized. It’s being produced by some sort of machine. It’s less advanced than CRAYDL as far as voices go; each word is being generated separately. Is Joseph—is he an android? A cyborg? Something like CRAYDL? But most superheroes can defeat mechanical beings. What is he?

“Would you like to meet today?”

Would he like to meet Joseph today? Is this a trick? He can’t tell from the tone, but he assumes it’s genuine, that Joseph is giving him a choice. And the answer is yes, he realizes. It’s a good day. He’s in a good mood to meet someone.

“Yeah. That sounds good.”

“I look forward to meeting you.” A pause. “I cannot travel as fast as you and Mr. Crandall. Would you like to come to my house or meet somewhere else?”

“Somewhere else?” Thad repeats, mind blank.

“I have a good hiking trail near me.”

“Sure,” Thad says, and, overwhelmed, hands the phone back to Max and escapes back to the kitchen, where he covers his ears so he doesn't have to listen to the conversation.

Phone conversations are much more difficult than normal ones.

A few minutes later, Max comes in and sits down across from Thad. Thad uncovers his ears and puts his hands on the table.

“Are you sure you’re all right with meeting Joseph today?” Max asks.

Yes, Thad insists, he is. He doesn't want to wait till another day; he wants to see Joey and get it over while he’s still feeling all right. Max accepts it. Then he tells him what’s going to happen. It’ll be two hours until they meet Joey. He lives states away, near Metropolis, so they’ll have to run. Max must see the fear in Thad’s face because he says, I know you don’t want to run. It’s fine. I’ll carry you. Or we can reschedule for another time, if you’d prefer.

Thad says “It’s fine” like he isn’t already trying to conceal his shivery anticipation at the thought of being carried.

Max continues.

“Do you know American Sign Language?”

“No.”

“I’ll teach you,” Max says. “We have plenty of time.”

Oh, no.

“Why?”

“Joseph is mute,” Max explains. So that’s why he uses a mechanized voice! “He’s not deaf, but it’ll be easier if we can communicate without a translator.”

Thad has to stop this before it goes too far.

“I…”

“What is it?” Max asks.

“I don’t…”

His voice goes all high and tight.

This is stupid. Six hundred years of training and no one noticed he didn’t have an eidetic memory and now Max wants him to learn an entire language in two hours and there are limits on how many details he can shove into his mind! In thirteen days, Max has already exposed his one secret weakness.

And it’s such an inexplicably nice day that Thad doesn’t even want to be mad about it.

“Thad… I won’t be angry with you. What is it?”

“It’s stupid.”

“That’s okay.”

Thad snarls silently. Somehow, it gives him the courage to speak.

“I can’t learn a language in two hours. I… don’t… I’m not like Bart. My memory’s flawed.”

“Oh,” Max says. “That’s all right. I’ll just interpret, then.”

It can’t be that easy.

Within the next minute, Thad comes to the conclusion that it is that easy. It seems that Max honestly doesn't care. In fact, he says it’s a relief. That maybe Thad will forget all Max’s mistakes, eventually.

That makes Thad chuckle. Max laughs too.

“I won’t forget the big mistakes,” Thad warns him. “I can’t memorize an unlimited volume of details all at once, but I remember everything that I memorize on purpose. I don’t forget. My memory may not be photographic, but I know what I know.”

“How much can you memorize?” Max asks.

“Um… I could memorize the alphabet and quite a chunk of vocabulary, probably. Just… not the whole language. I have to let things ‘settle in’.”

“Well then, I’ll teach you the alphabet and some vocabulary for today, and then we’ll let you sleep on it,” Max says. “Does that sound good?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

And then Max just looks at him for a while. Obviously he’s rethinking some of his assumptions. Thad bristles.

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop. I’m vastly more intelligent than most people; I’m just working with a disadvantage.”

“You’re a smart kid,” Max agrees.

“I’m six hundred years old,” Thad growls.

“That was an understatement,” Max says. “I don’t think you’re any less intelligent for not having a photographic memory… I don’t have that either, you know.”

“Bart does,” Thad says, and watches Max carefully for his reaction.

Max says, “So what? Bart’s got different strengths, that’s all.”

Huh. Thad shrugs. He doesn't want to think about Bart anymore.

“Teach me the alphabet,” he says.

Max gets a curious twinkle in his eye. Before Thad can guess what he’s thinking, he holds up a hand and makes a fist with his thumb sticking up, and then raises his fingers, and oh, he’s signing, he’s signing the alphabet, fast and fluid.

Thad does his best to catch up; he counts the signs up to twenty-six, but he can’t memorize them all. He signs them back to Max starting with A. He stumbles a little over F and G, but he recovers well enough.

Max’s eyebrows grow higher and higher until he stops at O.

“That’s all I got,” Thad says unnecessarily, dropping his hand back to the table.

“You don’t have a photographic memory?” Max asks.

Obviously! Is Max making fun of him? Thad scowls.

“No, I don’t. I told you.”

“How did you learn those?”

“I figured out the shapes and connected each one to the letter it corresponds to. For instance, “E” is four fingers on the thumb, which looks like the letter capital E turned ninety degrees.”

Max is silent for a moment. He’s staring at Thad. It’s making him uncomfortable.

“It’s not my fault I have to do all that,” Thad snaps. “The Thawnes messed with Bart’s genetics when they were creating me, okay? They wanted a superior version, and I’m sure you did too, but all you get is me. Get over it.”

Max’s face spasms.

“No, Thad, that’s not—”

“Don’t. Lie.”

Max makes a frustrated little coughing sound in the back of his throat. Thad stares at him, seething.

“I have never lied to you.”

That’s… true, actually. Unlike the Thawnes, Max has always been honest.

“Then tell me what you’re really thinking,” Thad dares him, full of hubris, unable to resist provoking him.

Max slowly, deliberately steeples his hands and rests his chin on them.

“I was thinking that, as a clone, you automatically define your identity in comparison to your—what did you call Bart?—your ‘original’, and I find it fascinating that you choose to call attention to your intelligence as a superior quality despite your comparative infirmity.”

As a clone. Your ‘original’. Infirmity.

Thad feels his eyes widen and drift away. Did Max… mean to hurt him with that? Because… he feels like Max just punched him.

A clone. A clone. As a clone.

He’s gotten used to feeling like a real person here, and it hurts to be reminded that he’s not.

“And,” Max says, calling his attention back.

A clone obediently makes eye contact with him, heart aching.

“And. I was thinking that I’m so sorry you were taught to think of yourself that way… as a version of an original instead of a person in your own right.”

A clone looks at him and doesn't speak.

“Oh,” Max says. “I’m sorry. Too much too soon, huh?”

Max stands up. In a crackle of blue lightning, he’s kneeling beside the clone and cupping his face in his hands.

He goes tense. Max’s hands are cradling his cheeks, touching his lower jaw, holding his head in a position where he could easily snap his neck if he wanted to, and all he feels is that lightning-rod void in his chest keening for more.

“I’m sorry,” Max repeats.

He forces himself to say “Get off!”

Max lets go immediately. Thad closes his eyes and breathes.

Where did the peace go, from this morning? The peace that came with the birdsong and the sunlight? Thad opens his eyes and looks outside.

A bright pigeon swoops by the window.

Thad smiles a small smile, not for Max but for the pigeon and the sky.

“I forgive you,” Thad says. “Stupid argument anyway.”

“Very stupid,” Max agrees. “You memorized… let’s see… fifteen letters of the ASL alphabet. Fifteen. With no warning and no time to pause. Do you know how phenomenal that is?”

“No?”

“Phenomenal,” Max says simply, and smiles at Thad like he smiles at Bart when he’s proud of him.

Thad shrugs. He’s not in the mood to think about compliments; he’ll just store it away in long-term memory with the rest of them and think about it later.

“Enough,” he says. “Look. If you’re going to be translating anyway, can I just go and shower?”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

Thad hesitates. It doesn’t feel right, leaving Max to the empty kitchen.

“G’bye,” he says.

“I love you,” Max responds.

Thad goes and showers.

The water pounds his back and runs down his legs, drums and trickles onto the bathtub floor and hisses on the curtains. Warmth spreads through him. Steam fills the air and his lungs. He breathes, breathes, breathes. Showering is almost like sleeping, almost like a hug from CRAYDL, almost like the nutrient womb.

He sits down on the floor and wishes he could just be in the shower forever. He wishes the water would take a little bit of him with every drop, quietly and painlessly, until he was all gone, dissolved down the drain.

But then he wouldn’t get the fuzzy towels at the end of the shower, and that would be sad.

[kariachi]

This next one is a Tim Buktu episode, which y’all know I hate, but unfortunately I’ve been told it’s important so... Ugh.

Plus side, baby bug in Gentle Ben

Ben’s darkest hour- trying to open a bag of snacks. Honestly mood

Ben’s hopes for the rare animal the family is to transport- scuba tiger, hairwolf, robot unicorn, and “just a really buff raccoon”

Okay, 1) I’m fairly certain that was a Tim, 2) dude, creepy much? why grab his fucking dropped food wtf is wrong with you?, and 3) and onto the chopper he goes

....this man just gnawed a cheeto into a the shape of a key to break into the chopper. I repeat, wtf is wrong with you?

Cybearg, maniconda, this boy has a long-ass fucking list. I’m not gonna tell you all the critters but there’s so many possibilities shown on screen and I’m gonna list some of my favorites: an earthworm with wings, an eyeball with wings, a dog, a bat, a spider with bunny ears, an aquamander, a rabbid,and the unholy cross between a piloswine and a donphan

Gwen is tired already

“Actually the creature in this cage is more rare and dangerous than anything you could imagine” oh I didn’t know they were giving us Argit

Is a pupae!

The moth within can eat through pretty much anything, including the terrarium it is being kept in. Which, really seems oversized for such a small pupae. Like, that thing’s gotta be 7x7 at least and that’s a big pupae but, not that big by a long shot. Also way too bare, especially since this is a species of moth that needs to eat

The confidence in Ben’s ability to definitely fuck this up and get everything eaten

“Sorry, still got cheese dust on my fingers“ “You weren’t even Four Arms when you ate those!“ “Life is full of mysteries Gwen“

Tim really needs to learn to chill

Dude do not fire fucking arrows at the children!

I love these children

Also the cocoon is white with green stripes, because we gotta stick to theme here

Tim’s Plan- steal moth, use moth to steal other animals, use animals to ‘do good deeds’, have army of animal sidekicks My Plan- get to the end of this episode to figure out if I need to write fic where the moth adopts Kevin

1) the joy of these children breaking the fourth wall to judge Tim’s inner thoughts, 2) Gwen calling his ass out on robbing a bank in one of them, 3) Ben getting pissy about “Hey! You can’t use Cybearg! He’s my oc!”

I just, I love these kids

You know, I have never given a shit about ‘upgrades’ to the aliens in this franchise? It bores me. Give me new aliens every time.

1) since when did Tim get properly competent, 2) dude stop calling your moves like a fucking Digimon

The cocoon! She is opening!

Oh holy shit. That is one big-ass specimen of Lepidoptera.

Okay, description time because this thing is precious- red winged, yellow bodies, with a fluffy white ruff and big blue eyes. Cartoony as hell, but hey that’s acceptable given it is a cartoon. Also she has a little beak it’s too precious.

The characters agree with me

Baby: breaks out Gwen: feeds it one of Max’s spare shirts Max, in the cockpit: Hm, random wave of dread.

The slightly manic look on Max’s face when he decides that not having heard from the children must surely mean everything is okay

Tim is in the worst moth cosplay I have ever seen in my life

He has convinced the moth he is it’s mother, supposedly. Given it is a moth I’m thinking it’s more likely he got her all horned up.

“You can’t do that!“ “Mostly because it’s really weird!“

They’ve replaced Stinkfly with Jetray. Thank fuck I was way passed done with that fucking bullshit design

These children

Max, on the cheese dust all over the cockpit: I would tell Ben to clean this, but he would just lick the controls

Tim is in trouble~ with the local wildlife~

Ben goes Heatblast to lure in the moth, ends up scaring her the poor baby

Ben just pulled out part of his molten core to use as moth bait

“It’s like picking my nose through my knees“

So precious, a baby

Ben times out, molten bit goes away, Baby defaults to eating the scenery

Thas a lot of moths

Communal moths

Did. Did the moths cocoon Tim for future eating? Are these communal spider moths? wtf?

8/10, because look at the precious little moths!!

[piraticalna]

Indulgent pop quiz time!

Tagged by @djlouat​, a gal with an impeccable sense of humor and the same taste in fanfic. :D

Instructions: tag 10 followers you want to get to know better

Gender: Biologically female, lifelong tomboy.

Star sign: Pisces

Height: 5'7 and 1/4'’ (every little bit counts!)

Sexuality: Bi, but I seem to be riding the D-train more often lol

Hogwarts House: I really relate to the Slytherins, but I can be foolhardy and take major risks. I think I’d end up a Gryffindor who marries a Slytherin. :D

Favorite animals: Uh how long do you have? I adore animals. I have tons of spoiled pets and love to see wildlife as well. Current dream is to go scuba diving and hiking around Big Island, Hawaii and visit all the endemic creatures there.  

Average hours of sleep: I run on coffee and unagi.

Current time: 12:59 central

Dogs or cats?: If I HAD to have ONLY ONE... which would be an agonizing choice for me... it would be Mitch the Ditch Kitten. I love my dogs, but cats are supreme snugglers and ok with being left at home for longer intervals when life is hectic.

Number of blankets you sleep with: One gigantic comforter, which I roll into a sleep cocoon around me.

Dream job: Win the lotto, live in a sprawling treehouse in the jungle with satellite internet.

When I created this blog: I am a terrible historian of my own life and have no idea!

Why I created this blog: Originally I thought it would help me sell the vast surplus of baby axolotls I had at the time haha. It didn’t do that, but I found other cool people here and despite the staff BS over the years, it’s still the platform where I find my favorite content.

How I came up with this url: I’m a pirate at heart (space and sea) and friends tend to call me “Rin” or “Na”. :)

Tagging: If you see this and feel like playing, I’d love to see your answers!

[razieltwelve]

Dive (Final Rose)

Lightning checked to make sure that her scuba gear was in place before diving into the water. A moment later, there was another splash as Diana joined her. Unlike Lightning, the little girl was not wearing scuba gear. Instead, she was using a partial transformation to give herself organs similar to gills.

Diana signed for Lightning to follow her, and the pink-haired woman followed her daughter down into the deep. During one of her trips into the water not far from the beach house they were renting for the summer, Diana had stumbled across a cavern containing containers from Cocoon. However, the containers were sealed, and she needed Lighting to unlock them.

Cocoon had made extensive use of locks based on genetic and Aura sequences, and Saviour was a ‘mastery key’ that could be used to unlock almost anything that had been sealed by Cocoon. It made sense. From what Vanille had been able to piece together, Saviour had been designed to command Cocoon’s armed forces, a general with supreme authority over anything even vaguely related to the military.

As they delved deeper into the tangle of boulders and other rock formations that littered the bottom of the sea, Lightning felt a brief moment of unease. It was tempting to use Saviour since Saviour couldn’t drown, but she needed to make sure her diving skills were still up to par. Ahead of her, Diana was swimming along merrily, her hands and feet altered to make the process easier. The speed Diana could reach with only a handful of partial transformation was impressive although a full transformation into Ragnarok would make her all but impossible to match underwater.

Further on, they reached a series of winding tunnels. Darkness loomed up ahead, and Lightning prepared to turn on her more powerful lights. However, Diana shook her head. Strange streaks of reflective tissue spread across her exposed skin before lighting up in a brilliant display of bioluminescence. It was entirely for Lightning’s benefit. Even without a full transformation, Diana had perfect vision in the dark.

After what felt like an hour of navigating the twists and turns of the tunnels, they reached a large cave that was somehow free of water.

“Are you okay, mom?” Diana asked. She was always mindful of how fragile other people were compared to her. 

“I’m fine.” Lightning looked around. The cave itself was barren of any ornamentation although there were a few metallic structures buried in the walls. “Although what were you doing exploring these caves on your own, Diana?”

The little girl grinned. “I wasn’t on my own. Mommy was swimming around up top. And it’s not like I can get lost.” She grinned evilly. “I have a template that lets me map things using vibrations in the rock and water although I do have to transform fully to use it.” She paused. “And I could always just dig my way out since I have organs that can sense which was is up and which way is down.”

“True,” Lightning replied. “But next time, tell me before you go exploring any caves. What if there was something dangerous in here?”

“If it was too strong, then I’d just run away.” Diana shrugged. “There’s not a lot of stuff as fast in the water as I am once I transform.”

“Okay. Show me these containers.”

Lightning followed Diana to where several massive containers were embedded in the rock. Each was covered in an elaborate sequence of locks and seals. Lightning eyed the security critically. She was familiar with this design. Once Vanille had realised Lightning could open almost anything Cocoon related, she’d thrown her at every artefact she could get her hands on.

“I would have taken them back up myself,” Diana said. “But I was worried I’d break them if I tried to pull them out of the rock.”

“Fair enough.” Lightning ushered Diana behind her. “I’ll open this one first. Stay behind me. It might be dangerous.”

Lightning activated Saviour and extended one armoured hand toward the main security seal. There was a brief whirr and a moment of silence before the security system began to light up. Whatever their faults, the people of Cocoon had known how to build things to last.

“Saviour detected.” The language was that of Cocoon, one that Lightning had learned from both Vanille and Odin. “Command?”

“Open,” Lightning said.

The container opened, and Lightning’s eyes widened. Sealed inside the containers were dozens upon dozens of different weapons, each of them in perfect condition.

“Cool!” Diana cried. “Guns and stuff!”

“Yes, very cool.” Lightning allowed Saviour to begin cataloguing the weapons, comparing their designs to those she’d already encountered and extrapolating the function of each. “The other containers likely contain more equipment.” She turned and ruffled Diana’s hair. “This was an excellent find. Most of the weapons here are not currently known to us, so finding them should only add to our capabilities.”

Diana preened. “Can we open the other containers too? I want to see what’s inside.”

“Certainly.”

X     X     X

Lightning read through Vanille’s summary of what they’d found. The containers appeared to be a cache of some kind although why they’d been deposited there was anybody’s guess. They contained not only a broad range of Cocoon’s melee and ranged weapons but also extensive collections of armour, defensive equipment, and more exotic technology.

It was an excellent find, and Vanille and her best minions were already going through all of it with a fine-toothed comb. Diana, of course, was allowed to examine things as well although she’d been a tad disappointed not to find any drones or robots in there.

Odin had been of great help in the investigation. Although he did not know exactly how the technology worked, the Eidolon was able to show how the technology was used as well as inform them about its capabilities. He had been particularly amused by one weapon, stating that “only an idiot would have used this” before gleefully explaining to Diana that it was basically a plasma-based chainsaw that had been banned from widespread use due to the difficulty of handling it resulting in many operators losing limbs.

Still, Lightning thought, it was an excellent find. Of course, Diana had written about it for her school project only for the teacher to call Lightning to ask if the events Diana had described had actually occurred. After all, it wasn’t exactly what one would expect when going on a holiday to the beach.

X     X     X

Author’s Notes

Due to the cyclical rise and fall of civilisations on Remnant, there is ample amounts of tech around that predate modern civilisation. One of the keys to the eventually success of the modern civilisation of Remnant was its ability to find and then utilise the technology of previous eras. This allowed them to massively increase their rate of technological development. In the future, this same trait allows the Empire, Alliance, and Federation to rapidly assimilate, understand, and even improve on alien technology.

You can find me on fanfiction.net, AO3, and Amazon.

[thecomicsnexus]

Aquaman #1-4. November/2011 - February/2012. By Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and Joe Prado.

At the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, a new race of creatures awaken. They are shocked there is an 'up'. They make their way to the surface speaking a strange language.

In Boston, The Boston Police Department are chasing a group of criminals stealing a bank truck. Aquaman appears and defeats the group of thugs as he shrugs off the bullets from their guns. The police sarcastically thank him and offer back-handed comments about him needing water. Aquaman gives them a glance and jumps away. The officers snicker they'll be made fun of for being upstaged by Aquaman.

Arthur heads to Sam's for a simple meal but people harass him with questions. He orders the fish and chips which shocks the patrons as they thought he was their friend. He explains he uses telepathy to reach into a fish's midbrains to influence them to help him. A reporter beligerantly asks him questions about being how he makes money and asks him how he feels about being the superhero 'joke'. Arthur briefly daydreams about eating in the booth he's sitting in with his father a long time ago. Arthur takes more abuse from the patrons and decides to to leave. Aquaman gives two golden coins to a waitress, telling her to put her kids through college.

At night in the Curry Lighthouse, Aquaman stands in the shore and reminisces about a time when he was a child with his father. As they watched the sea, Aquaman asked his father why was he a lighthouse keeper when he could be the captain of his own ship. His father replies that the captains needed someone on land to help them watch the shores, and that it is called responsibility.

As he finishes dwelling on his memories, Mera comes to Aquaman and asks if he is okay. Aquaman tells her that he made his choice and wishes to remain in the surface to have a new life with Mera. He has no interest in being the king of Atlantis and says they need to find a new king. They kiss and embrace.

In the ocean, a group of fishermen are bucked and one falls into the ocean. When the monsters see the fishermen, they remark in their own strange language, "Food is up here", as the color of blood fills the water where the fisherman fell.

The fishing boat continues to be attacked by the creatures from the ocean. The creatures see a lighthouse in the distances and remark that more food must be nearby.

At the Curry Lighthouse, Arthur and Mera are viewing pictures from Arthur's childhood. When they come across a picture of Arthur with his father and another man, a knock at the door from a police officer Wilson interrupts them. He tells them he's been seeking their help by stopping by all major lighthouses. The officer tells Arthur and Mera that monsters kidnapped everyone in the coast of Beachrock last night and they need his help to locate the kidnappers.

Wilson takes Aquaman and Mera to the crime scene, which is crowded by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy. Aquaman uses his telepathy to look for any lifeforms in the ocean, but he is shocked to find there are none.

Scuba-divers find some kind of cocoon that they lift to the dock. Aquaman senses something alive in a nearby boat and tells everyone to stand back. Then, a group of Trench appear and attack Aquaman and Mera. Using her hydrokinesis, Mera prevents the Trench from reaching the civilians while Aquaman attacks them with his trident. However, Aquaman is briefly incapacitated by a Trench, who knocks the trident off him and proclaims that the "food", Aquaman, will be taken to the Trench.

Arthur recalls his dad watching the sun rise from a pier. Shedding a tear, Tom wishes that Atlanna, Arthur's mother, could be here and see how much Arthur has grown. Arthur comes to his father and asks him why does he come to the pier every sunrise, and Tom replies that he wants to be there when his mother returns.

In the present, Aquaman and Mera continue fighting The Trench. The largest of the pack screams in their strange language to "bring food home" and the Trench begin to retreat back into the ocean with several of the civilians from the shore. Aquaman and Mera wonder where are the Trench going and investigate the cocoon the Trench made. Aquaman opens it revealing a dog. A wounded Trench appears, but is quickly shot to death by local police. The military tries to take the body for study, but Aquaman and Mera take the body and leave.

Aquaman and Mera heads to a house in the coast, where a man named Stephen Shin lives. Aquaman tells Mera that Shin was a friend of his father's who taught him how to use his powers. He also mentions Shin attempted to kill Aquaman because he would not take him to Atlantis.

Entering Shin's house, Aquaman and Mera ask Shin to perform an autopsy on the Trench body they recovered and Shin reluctantly agrees. Shin deduces that the creature is a new type of sea lifeform that lives in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, out of the Trench. Shin wants to keep the body, believing it will help restore his credibility, but Aquaman won't let him. Desperate, Shin asks Aquaman where is Atlantis, but Aquaman simply leaves.

As Aquaman and Mera swim to the depths of the ocean to find the creatures's lair, Mera asks what will they do once they find the victims. Aquaman replies that they don't know what the creatures are yet. Mera believes that if the victims are food, then they must desperate for food and that they must be on the verge of extinction. Aquaman replies that if that's true, then the creatures are just trying to survive, just like they are.

Aquaman and Mera descend to a volcanic vent using monkfish to light their path. They find a wrecked craft, which has been there for centuries. Aquaman and Mera recognize the ship as Atlantean, one that predated the sinking of Atlantis. They discover a breach in the hull, deducing it was caused by the Trench, who fed on the ship's crew.

As Aquaman and Mera continue their journey, the monkfish abandon them, as their survival instincts were overriding Aquaman's telepathy. Mera believes that the best course of action is to seal the trench to prevent the creatures from attacking the surface. Aquaman is unsure as that would mean the death of an entire species. Mera says the creatures are mindless savages who only harm the world. Aquaman replies that the Atlanteans say the same thing about humanity.

Suddenly, Aquaman and Mera find a Trench spawn, which quickly dies. Aquaman and Mera conclude the spawn was mutated and created through inbreeding. Continuing down the tunnel, Aquaman and Mera pass through several Trench corpses, and Mera says that the Trench are a dying race.

Aquaman and Mera reach a massive room with two large creatures inside, which Mera recognizes as the king and queen of the creatures. The room is also filled with Trench soldiers and cocoons with the captured people inside. Aquaman and Mera push the wall containing the cocoons out of the room. Mera takes the cocoon to safety while Aquaman faces the queen and its soldiers. Aquaman throws his trident to the volcanic vent, unleashing a massive lava stream that kills the queen. Aquaman then meets up with Mera and pushes a large rock to the vent, sealing it up and trapping the creatures underneath. With the monsters no longer a threat, Aquaman and Mera bring the captured people home.

Later at Beachrock, the authorities take care of the captured people and one of the victims, a mother, is reunited with his son, who tells Aquaman he is his favorite superhero. Aquaman and Mera return home.

At their house, Arthur laments the decision he had to take regarding the Trench, but Mera tells him he did the right thing. Deputy Wilson appears at their door and presents Aquaman with a dog, which, according to Wilson, belonged to Janet Reed, one of the deceased victims. Arthur decides to keep the dog, and Wilson calls him Aquadog. Arthur also decides to teach the dog how to swim.

From DC Wikia

Did you find Pandora in the diner scene?

Anyway, this is the NEW 52 version of Aquaman (that pretty much remained through rebirth), that means it is pretty much our modern version of the character. Most of his story is taken from previous versions of the character, but some other elements are new. Also because this was written by Geoff Johns, the new Aquaman movie is pretty much based on this version of the character.

In terms of story, there is not much happening here. I would say that there is a lot more story in what Geoff Johns is not telling us on purpose. There is enough there to be intrigued, and the main focus is on how the world sees Aquaman, even more than how he sees himself.

Now, this is important, because previous writers were a bit lost with the character. I think Peter David’s version is very unique (that version would it fish raw instead of fried with chips, but that version didn’t grow up on the surface). I think this Aquaman is more human than anything else. He is also a king with no land, which is not really explained in this arc, but it’s important.

The Trench is a dumb menace that could have been handled differently. I cannot remember now, but I am pretty sure their “coming out” was caused by someone. So this is a four-issue prologue.

The art really sells the book. This is a gorgeous Aquaman and Mera doesn’t need to be sexualized to look cool (and powerful).

I give this arc a score of 9.

[addictedtostorytelling]

hi! i’ve been loving your agents of shield posts 🥰 i also had a csi question! sorry if you’ve answered it before — what do you think grissom and sara’s love languages are and how do you think it manifests?

hi, @red-and-frantic!

sorry for my late reply here! i'm glad you've been enjoying my aos posts. (it's a very talented fandom with lots of good stuff to reblog!)

re: your question:

so i'm no big expert on the five love languages, but after reading up on them, here's how i figure:

to my mind, grissom tends to give love through acts of service (primary) and giving gifts (secondary).

this behavior on his part manifests as him

showing sara special treatment at work, such as saving cool cases for her and being permissive with her as a supervisor, typically much more so than he is with the other junior csis on his team;

going out of his way to solve cases that are troubling to her, even to the point of operating outside of his own personal code of ethics in order to try to get the solve (see, for example, episodes 01x10 "sex, lies, & larvae" and 01x16 "too tough to die");

sharing fun/interesting/curious/beautiful things he finds with her (such as the cocoon in episode 07x13 "redrum"), and especially because all things beautiful and wonderful tend to remind him of her;

doing whatever is in his power to make her happy and soothe her when she's upset (such as finding her lost wedding ring in reboot episode 01x08 "pipe cleaner" and taking the lead on the hodges case on its tail end at the time when everything seems most hopeless and sara needs him to step up for her);

and just generally being demonstrative with his actions, showing her he loves her by how he treats her.

meanwhile, he tends to receive love through words of affirmation (primary) and physical touch (secondary).

thankfully for him, his receiving love languages directly align with sara’s giving love languages, so she very naturally fills his needs in these regards.

sara speaking highly of him, promising him in his times of distress that she's there for him, and expressing her love verbally (such as in the hug scene in reboot episode 01x03 "under the skin") helps him to know how much she cares for him. the same is also true of her refusing to let him be hard on himself (see episode 02x05 "scuba doobie-doo") and providing him with spoken reassurances and words of comfort when he's upset (see episodes 01x19 "gentle, gentle" and 09x01 "for warrick"). he can tell not only by the things she says but how she says them—in terms of her soothing, soft, sweet tone—that she values him and his well-being. when she thanks and praises him, he absolutely lights up (see episode 01x10 “sex, lies, & larvae”).

her words coupled with her touches, such as the way she often strokes over his skin to calm him when he's distressed or how she puts a sure and stabilizing hand at the back of his neck to guide their kisses, make him feel connected to her. he can read how precious he is to her in how careful and attentive she is in her physical gestures toward him. he can infer her trust in and concern for him from how her hands feel on his skin or her kiss feels on his lips. nothing in the world makes him feel more safe and loved than when she holds him in an embrace, which is why we so often see him close his eyes and just completely melt into her arms when they hug.

while of course we don't get to see any more intimate touches between them play out on screen, i imagine that everything said above goes double for how they interact in the bedroom.

meanwhile, on sara's side, she gives love through words of affirmation (primary) and physical touch (secondary). 

part of the reason why early on, before they're dating, she is "always overtalking" around grissom (see episode 04x07 "invisible evidence") is because when she feels very strongly about something/someone, her feelings come out in her speech. she’s very much a “wears her heart of her sleeve” kind of person, and in the case of grissom in particular, she has a tendency to make clear just how much she cares for him by what she says, even at times when it would perhaps be wiser for her not to do so. then, of course, once they are together and she is at liberty to speak her heart to him, she is even more effusive.

you can tell how much sara loves grissom by listening to how she talks both to and about him, as

she is verbally defensive of him to others (see episodes 05x13 "nesting dolls" and reboot episode 01x04 "long pig");

she has this particular soft, soothing tone she uses with him when she can tell that he's upset and requires comfort (see episode 01x19 "gentle, gentle" or 06x14 "way to go") or needs to be reasoned out of a meltdown (see, for example, how she talks to him about greg in episode 07x06 "burn out");

she consistently validates him and encourages him to think positively about himself (see episode 02x05 "scuba doobie-doo" and 09x01 "for warrick");

she is verbally flirtatious with him and expresses her attraction to him in unmistakable ways (see episode 07x04 "fannysmackin'");

she is quick to thank him for the things he does that make her feel good (see episode 05x21 "committed" and reboot episode 01x08 "pipe cleaner");

etc.

she also backs up the things she says which communicate her love for him with her physical touches to him, as well, creating tactile tethers between them (even before they're officially together) and just generally showing through her body language—including her frequent big, effulgent smiles in response to him—just how drawn to him she is and how much delight she takes in him.

she also shows love through physical touch with him by being receptive to the touches he gives to her, like when she lets him take her by the arm or by the hand when they go walking together, in the way that she allows him to be as close to her as he likes (even at times when it might technically be socially inappropriate for them to be so close to each other, particularly before they start dating), in terms of how soothing she seems to find his touch at times when she’s upset, etc.  

again, while we don’t have access to the most intimate lexicon of gsr touches, it’s a safe bet that all of the above cues also extend into the bedroom with them, as well. 

meanwhile, she receives love through words of affirmation (primary) and acts of service (secondary).

since acts of service is one of the primary ways grissom expresses his love for her, they align on that level; when he shows her special care at work or goes out of his way to help her with a problem, she understands the implications, loud and clear, which is why we often see her light up when she realizes he’s done something sweet on her behalf (see, for example, episode 01x10 “sex, lies, & larvae”).

however, since words of affirmation, her primary love language for receiving love, is not one of grissom’s go-to love languages for expressing love and in fact is something he tends to struggle with (as he himself says in his s7 letter to her, he often finds it difficult to express his feelings for her in words), she and grissom do have to put in some work to actually connect on that level.

for example, throughout s7 and particularly while grissom is away on his sabbatical, we see sara quietly yearning for grissom to tell her his feelings directly. when he’s physically present, she is able to discern his love through his actions toward her, but when he’s far from las vegas, she finds it more difficult to know what he’s feeling and so longs for direct communication from him to clue her in to exactly what’s in his heart.

as i talk about here,

by this point, grissom and sara have been together since mid-s5 or early-s6. they’re living together and sharing a life but still keeping their involvement with each other on the dl while at work. on the one hand, they’re very happy together, but on the other hand, their situation is not without its complications.

in addition to having to keep their relationship a secret from the world, another stressor for them is that they happen to have different slightly love languages from each other, with grissom primarily expressing his love through acts of service and gift-giving, while sara primarily recognizes love through words of affirmation.

this difference between how grissom expresses love and sara recognizes when she has received it lies at the root of sara’s s7 arc, which sees her questioning the extent to which grissom reciprocates her feelings and envisions a long-term future for them as a couple. that he seldom verbalizes what’s in his heart causes her concern. ditto for the fact that he seems (from her perspective) very comfortable with keeping their relationship a secret.    

at times when she’s feeling insecure, what sara wants more than anything is for grissom to confirm to her, in no uncertain terms, just what he’s feeling and what his intentions are—to state, unequivocally, “i love you, and i want to be with you forever. i’m committed to you and this relationship.” she needs that kind of reassurance that they’re on the same page.

that’s why, just in general, we see how much she absolutely glows when grissom offers her any kind of praise or says some (impromptu) sweet thing to her. that’s also why, specifically, it means so much to her in scenes like the one in episode 07x21 “ending happy,” when he tells her that he loves her and that she makes him happy, and the one in episode 07x22 “leapin’ lizards,” when she reads the love letter he wrote to her while he was on his sabbatical.

early on in their relationship, during the secret dating phase, while grissom doesn’t ever purposefully withhold words of affirmation from her, he also isn’t always fully aware of just how much she needs to hear him express his love aloud (in addition to through his acts of service). since he himself feels awkward trying to verbalize such deep and intense feelings, he sometimes foregoes doing so, which, as we see throughout s7, can make sara nervous about where exactly they stand with each other.

though not a “deal-breaker” kind of problem between them, this disparity between their emotional communication styles does occasionally cause stress.

however, the good news is is that the longer they’re together, the more grissom becomes both increasingly aware of sara’s needs in this regard AND increasingly capable of fulfilling those needs.

the grissom we see in the reboot is one who spares no opportunity to call sara by loving endearments, is effusive about expressing his love for her both to her and to others, and who can intuit when sara needs reassurance from him and doesn’t hesitate to give it. 

it’s obvious that over the years, he has learned to speak her love language fluently, as if it were his own, even though doing so did not come naturally to him to begin with.

in learning more about sara, he seemingly has come to the realization that it is important for him to give voice to his love for her both clearly and often.

and because he has, he and sara have reached a place in their marriage where their emotional communication is really great, with everyone hearing what they need to hear and saying what they need to say.

thanks for the question! please feel welcome to send another any time.

[cumulohimbus]

100 things I want to do in my lifetime

So, I had a really good conversation today with friends, and I opened up briefly about my stay in a psych ward a few years ago. It came up because I am acutely aware that I haven't been doing well, and am scared to return to a situation anything like my previous stay at said ward despite knowing that being hospitalized would probably be very beneficial at this time in my life. Talking about it did make me remember something though, something that gave me a lot of hope. While my experience with a psych ward was overwhelmingly negative, there was a part of treatment that really got through to me at the time. It especially helped with my suicidal ideation, which is something that's been really problematic for me again lately. Since I remembered it, I'm going to revisit the exercise, and I encourage anyone and everyone who also struggles with suicidal thoughts, thoughts of self harm, mental health issues, or even if you're just having a bad day, to give this a try. It's simple. Make a list of 100 things you want to do in your life. They can be as realistic or unrealistic as you want them to be. They can be big, long-term goals, or small, silly goals, and everything in between. The only rules are to write 100 things, and to avoid sarcastic or pessimistic things like saying one of your goals is to die or something like that. Save the list! Then someday you can go back and cross off things that you've accomplished or edit as you see necessary. Without further ado, here is my list:

1. I want to get my name legally changed to Larkspur Emmett so my dead name is no more

2. I want to get top surgery

3. I want to rekindle relationships within my family, especially with my cousins

4. I want to get scuba certified

5. I want to dive over the "sunken island" location on the lake my family had a cabin on that I visited frequently while growing up

6. I want to go diving in general, seeing a coral reef in person is an especially huge dream of mine

7. I want to rekindle my knowledge of the Spanish language and eventually become fluent

8. I want to continue learning American Sign Language

9. I want to learn more about my ancestry; I know I'm a vast mix of probably mostly European blood, but my family comes from so many different places and I'd like to know more about them

10. I want to finish the art commission I started for my close friend

11. I want to travel to places like Costa Rica, Japan, Chile, and Australia

12. I want to go on exotic travel adventures with a future romantic partner or close friend

13. I want to get my Bachelor's degree

14. I want to earn enough money to live comfortably, probably with pets

15. I want to adopt a pembroke welsh corgi

16. I want to beat my eating disorder(s) for good and be able to stop taking medication to help if at all possible

17. I want to go ziplining

18. I want to go skydiving

19. I want to hike through the Monteverde biological cloud forest reserve in Costa Rica

20. I want to develop a drag persona and perform as my persona on a regular basis

21. I want to make a fursuit (yes I said it, fite me)

22. I want to finish an entire animated music video

23. I want to learn more about plants and successfully keep one alive for longer than a year

24. I want to try my hand at raising an ant colony

25. I want to go swimming more often

26. I want to learn more martial arts

27. I want to learn to be a leader in my community

28. I want to work harder in my college classes

29. I want to learn to not fear loneliness and abandonment, and to appreciate my alone time

30. I want to get (many) more self-designed tattoos

31. I want to continue learning how to appreciate my body without caring about other people's opinions on what is considered "attractive"

32. I want to eat more whole foods both because they're healthy for me and taste far better than anything with chemicals in it

33. I want to meet a few famous people in person, can't think of many off the top of my head though, but I know there are a couple

34. I want to take dance classes again

35. I want to learn how to play a musical instrument (I mean, I took 7 years of piano and can kinda read music, but I wanna learn an instrument that's better suited for short fingers lolol, maybe french horn?)

36. I want to finish the paintings I've started

37. I want to learn how to digitally render things realistically

38. I want to finish the fanfiction piece I started a couple years ago

39. I want to become more patient and less envious

40. I want to heccing fly, okay?

41. I want to feel like relaxation is deserved and expected, and not a luxury only for those who can afford it

42. I want to reassemble an animal skeleton

43. I want to dig up a fossil (specifically of some sort of mesozoic creature, that'd be so cool)

44. I want to get back to using my planner

45. I want to play more (board, card, video, etc.) games with my friends

46. I want to disassociate less and be present in the real world more often

47. I want to be more informed about what is going on both in general, but especially in my more immediate environment

48. I want to take up better drawing habits (more life drawing, warm ups, breaks, etc.)

49. I want to try a real goddamn piña colada, bonus points if it's on the beach

50. I want to try existing in a portable living situation, like a renovated bus or van, for a while

51. I want to learn basic wilderness survival skills

52. I want to learn how to identify many different species of all types of organisms, especially plants and animals

53. I want to get my vehicle fixed up nice and maybe hand paint some things on it

54. I want to learn more about different cultures because they're fascinating and I want to be as respectful of all people as I possibly can be

55. I want to paint the waterfall jungle mural of my dreams in my future house

56. I want to gain better control of my emotions and my responses to them

57. I want to fabricate a working pair of wings for human beings

58. I want to learn/do more embroidery

59. I want to get a cerulean blue Corvette stingray

60. I want to get better about not procrastinating

61. I want to go to more events/be more involved wherever I am

62. I want to go for more walks to places I haven't been to before, bonus points if it's in the middle of the night and/or in the rain

63. I want to do things like play in inflatable obstacle courses and ride on roller coasters without caring about whether other people judge me for doing those things as an adult

64. I want to regain the physical strength I have lost from being sedentary while my mental health has been at its lowest

65. I want to spend more time laying in the sunshine, preferably with the bare minimum of clothes on because I enjoy the warmth on my skin

66. I want to cuddle more with others that feel comfortable enough to participate in that with me

67. I want to learn more about the fabrication of clothing and design/make some outfits for myself

68. I want to cosplay, maybe go to a convention sometime

69. I want to go skinny dipping >:3 (look, it's number 69 on the list, okay?)

70. I want to try all sorts of foods I've never had before

71. I want to see a butterfly leaving its cocoon in real life again

72. I want to read more of the books I own

73. I want to be kissed by someone again...it's been over 4 years...

74. I want to eliminate my habit of requiring a Youtube gaming playlist to be playing in order for me to fall asleep

75. I want to learn more about the history of the lgbtqia2s+ community

76. I want to learn how to cook for myself better, and like, actually use those skills on a regular basis

77. I want to learn how to take care of my vehicle better on my own, like how to change a tire and such

78. I want to learn to communicate better, and just, in general how to be the best friend I can be

79. I want to stop using all substances for the purpose of drowning out my surroundings and messing with my temporal senses, if I'm going to drink/smoke/get high/whatever, I want it to be because I want to for fun, not because I want the chemicals to take the edge off my mental illness(es)

80. I want to start taking better care of my dental hygiene

81. I want to learn more about my legal rights and finances and other "adult" stuff that doesn't really get taught to you unless you specifically go looking for it

82. You know the somewhat obnoxious game Bop It? Yeah, I want one of those again, keeps me entertained for a long time

83. I want to design more things in general, more characters and their outfits and personalities and the worlds they live in, I enjoy that

84. I want to spend more time outdoors with my friends, watch sunsets and collect miscellaneous objects from the universe and such

85. I want to teach someone something, sit down and maybe teach someone how I draw or about something that I am at least somewhat knowledgeable about

86. I want to go to more aquariums; if/when I travel more I want to go to every aquarium I come across

87. I want to start a legit collection of something and like, build it up over a long period of time so it gets pretty impressive

88. I want to get my eyes surgically corrected so I don't have to wear glasses or fiddle with contacts

89. I want to learn more about Greek and Latin roots and just words and symbolism in general

90. I want to lose the embarrassment I have about my hyperfixations because I deserve to not feel ashamed of the things that bring me satisfaction and joy, and it's okay if other people don't share my enthusiasm about such things, I just want to learn to not be embarrassed that I like stuff

91. I want to get over my fears/discomfort re: nudity, especially for life drawing classes; see, it's one thing to see someone nude and divert my eyes but for life drawing I'm kinda forced to look...

92. I want to understand myself better and learn to love me instead of the opposite; I want to be full of love for the beautiful people around me and I want to really solidify in my brain that I am one of those beautiful people

93. I want to do more things for others that are meaningful because that makes me happy, and I want to learn to do those things while also respecting everyone's, including my own, boundaries

94. I want to develop a sleep schedule that is healthy and appropriate, and that I'm able to maintain

95. I want to run in the rain more often and jump in puddles (edit: while typing this it started storming out and I had to run outside in my bunny pajama short-shorts, winter boots, and a sweatshirt, to grab my box of silly plant seed experiments before they blew away, so progress is already being made)

96. I want to get over my intense fear of making phone calls

97. I want to learn how to sing better with my new and improved deeper voice from being on Testosterone

98. I want to get my first tattoo fixed up and hopefully renew the meaning it had to me at the time that I got it -- I want to try to keep that promise

99. I want to spend more time actively working on improving my mental health

100. I want to see more, I want to learn more, I want to do more, I want to be the version of myself that is genuinely amazed and curious by all manner of things, and I know that part of me is still there

And now, once you've finished your list, you have 100 reasons to not give up, because there's no way of knowing what you're capable of doing if you don't exist to try.

[nanonaturalist]

Yo! I’m an Anthropology student but I’m super fascinated with entomology n’ the like. Any tips for how to self study entomology/get started? How did you become the bug lover you are today?

Sup! I am a HUGE animal lover. Like, I don’t think you understand how much I love animals. Back when google image search was this crazy new thing, I would google things like “puffer fish” and literally start crying from how cute and precious they were. I don’t remember ever not liking bugs. I was bringing in caterpillars when my age was single digits, which I named and kept in shoe boxes, and who would invariably wander out and make a random cocoon somewhere.

STORY TIME! (what? you wanted a short answer? Sorry!)

… (actually check out this post from a while back [link] about tips for getting started, it was written for a high school student but most of the things I mention are good for all ages)…

Thing is, this was the point in history when you needed to use a card catalog to look a book up in the library. No idea what I’m talking about? That’s how long ago this was. If there was a book about bugs in the school book order form, I would ask for it (and sometimes I’d get one), but that was the full extent of my knowledge pool for things that we weren’t directly taught about in school. In 4th grade, we had a unit on marine animals (with the most amazing field trip on a research boat ever, omg the scuba divers brought up things for us to touch, and we got to look at plankton in the microscope eeeeeee!), and it was like I was reborn. I memorized everything we learned, including the taxonomy of cnidaria (jellies, anemones, corals) and strange eating habits of echinoderms (starfish, urchins). I got REAL into this stuff, to the point where 4 years later, I told anybody who asked me that when I grew up, I was going to get a PhD in Marine Biology.

There was just one problem. You can’t get a degree in any kind of animal biology without doing dissections or killing things. Remember, I’m an animal Lover with a capital L. I wanted to be a vegetarian starting at age 4 (parents said no, but I picked meat out of everything until I made it official at 12). So I gave up on biology real quick. Flash forward about ten years to 2006. I had graduated from college (with a psychology degree that cost me $70,000), was working soul-sucking jobs, and needed a hobby. But wait, DIGITAL CAMERAS ARE A THING! WOW! So I picked up “crappy nature photography” as a hobby. And what did I take pictures of with my First Ever Digital Camera when I bought one that summer?

I found this longhorn beetle on the hood of my car at a rest stop somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Missouri. But back in 2006… What are you going to do with pictures of bugs when you have no background in biology? I posted some on LiveJournal, and that was that. What kind of bug was it? I couldn’t even tell you that it was a beetle at that point. And when I was going through my old photos more recently, I couldn’t even remember seeing it.

I still took photos of basically everything I saw, but nothing ever really happened with them.

Who are these? At the time (photos are from 2006 to 2009), the most I could have told you was “dragonfly, wasp, spider, caddisfly larva.” Which is pretty good, I guess, but I didn’t even realize how much diversity I was missing out on by not going any deeper. 

Me + Slugs: Left - Banana Slug in Redwood National Forest, CA (2008); Center and Right - Chocolate Arion Slug at my apartment in Redmond, WA (2006)

Time passes, nature photos are taken. I will take photos of any bug I see, but I don’t intentionally seek them out and I never know what any of them are. Now flash forward to 2013, when I moved from Seattle, WA to Austin, TX. 

My mind was blown. The bugs were huge, strange, and EVERYWHERE. I NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT THEY WERE! But… It was still hard. At this point, looking things up on the internet was just what you did, but … what was I supposed to look up? “Giant screaming thing in my potted plant that looks like a leaf?” “Pile of handsnails?” I took pictures, shared them on Facebook (nobody used Livejournal anymore!), and went about my day. 

At this point, I had gone back to college to study engineering (I moved to Austin for grad school), and somehow ended up watching a lot of youtube. SciShow got me onto VlogBrothers, which got me onto The Brain Scoop (@thebrainscoop), which got me onto tumblr *waves*. And I was thinking some hard thoughts about what I actually wanted to do when I grew up because I was tired of soul-sucking jobs. Hey, I love museums (that’s actually where most of my science knowledge came from), so I started thinking about careers in science museums, and I followed UT’s collection page on Facebook. One day in 2015, they shared an event for a Bioblitz, sponsored by several groups associated with UT and Texas Parks and Wildlfie. What’s a Bioblitz? I had no idea. So I clicked. 

Basically, you take as many pictures of living things as you can. There were subject matter experts who would lead you on hikes and tell you what things were and how you can tell them apart (WAIT, WHAT?!?). The event required that you download this new nature app called iNaturalist (@inaturalist), which is where you would post the photos you took. With the data you posted from the app, other users of the website would identify your photos, and the state park we were at would use that data to create species checklists to track what occurred there. Your iNat account kept a permanent log of all of your observations. I tend to be extremely skeptical/resistant to new technologies and being told to do things, so at first I wanted to know what was wrong with the way I took photos NOW, I didn’t need some stupid website telling me what to do.

But then I started testing it out before the event.

Two of my first iNat observations (both butterflies). Left: Henry’s Elfin caterpillar; Right: American Lady butterfly. Links to iNat observations.

I had no idea where to start with identifying either of these, and the Henry’s Elfin caterpillar took me a few years to ID myself. But the American Lady? People told me what it was within hours of me posting it. Within hours.

About a week later, the Bioblitz happened. It was perfect. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people who were just like me. They wanted to go on long slow walks through nature, turning over logs and walking directly into ponds and poking at insects, all while taking photos of things and identifying them. I was spending the weekend with real life biologists and I was learning everything I could. And the things I saw?

HOLY CARP. Texas has dung beetles?! (top left) Parasitic wasps REALLY DO THAT? (braconid wasp cocoons on inchworm caterpillar, top right) Diving beetles?! (water scavenger beetle, bottom left) Giant fishing spiders?! (bottom right)

This event was the moment I “got started” with entomology. I regularly used iNaturalist, and in the process of trying to identify my observations with BugGuide.net [link], I quickly began to learn some of the “basics.” For example, stink bugs are a thing. So are green lacewings. And there are a LOT more kinds of spiders than orbweavers and wolf spiders (who knew?). I was so smitten with iNaturalist that I professed my love for all to read on tumblr [link] (all being… 3 people?). I used iNaturalist regularly, but still, unless I was on a bioblitz, I didn’t seek things out. I mentioned I was a grad student, right?

Then 2016 rolls around. I’ve had enough of school and drop master out of my program. I get a Real Engineering Job and Buy a House with a Yard. I started my new job when I was finishing up my thesis (probably not the best idea…) and so my back yard took on a life of its own. By the time I had finished my thesis, the grass was hip height, and the HOA had no rules about what my back yard had to look like, so I just never mowed it. And the bugs… oh man, the bugs. The bugs were good. By January 2017, I was getting more confident in my Bug Knowledge, and I was using iNaturalist every week. I had joined clubs centered around nature (Texas Master Naturalists and Travis Audubon). I signed up for a birding trip in Malawi. Then in April, I found a pile of butterfly eggs and a chrysalis. And the guy leading the Malawi trip (one of the directors at Travis Audubon) asked me to do an insect table at their outreach event. Then City Nature Challenge 2017 happened (and I am *very* competitive). And… uh… I guess I just never looked back?

The thing to remember here is: the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. What I love about iNaturalist is that I can create a time capsule showing what I did and didn’t know at the time. And what I didn’t know is… really amazing. I taught the entomology class for my Master Naturalist chapter’s training course this year, and I told the people in the class that one year ago, I didn’t know any of the things I was going to talk to them about. I know it sounds like I’m putting on a commercial for iNaturalist (which is actually exactly what I’m doing, I love that website), but besides the curiosity about nature that I had to begin with, iNaturalist is the single most important thing that has enabled me to nurture and grow my love for our invertebrate friends.

Through my use of iNaturalist, I have met real people and made real friendships. Many of the people I meet are professionally biologists, but there are just as many randos like me who crawled out of the internet to hang out with nature freaks. One of the great things about this community is there is no elitism, and even professional entomologists are just as willing to admit they have no idea what something is and will listen to me explain what I know, as they are to explain something I don’t know and answer my questions. The people I have met are absolutely awesome, and the general attitude people on iNat (online and in person) tend to have has really rubbed off on me. If someone I’m talking to doesn’t know something that tends to be commonly known (example: my coworker is a gardener, but hadn’t heard about the ant/aphid relationship), oh boy, it’s awesome, let me TELL YOU about ANTS fighting off PREDATORS so they can DRINK APHID PEE!!!

Above: Crematogaster ants farming keeled treehopper nymphs on sunflower SO THEY CAN DRINK THEIR PEE

One of the best things you can do to get more into entomology is to just be observant. Look. Notice patterns. Pay attention to relationships between “higher” and “lower” organisms. When you travel, look there too. What is different from home? What’s similar?

The other best thing: meet people. Find groups/clubs for people into nature. Go on hikes with entomologists. Go to “nature days” events (these are always geared towards kids, but ADULTS ARE WELCOME!). A lot of nature clubs and organizations are heavy on the retiree demographic, which means the meetings may not be easy to learn about online. I actually joined the Austin Butterfly Forum after hearing about it from the people I was sitting next to at a Travis Audubon event (Victor Emanuel’s autobiography had just published and he kicked off his book tour with a live interview in Austin), and I’ve met several new friends through ABF. 

I don’t even know how to explain it, but naturalists are a totally different flavor than any other person I’ve known. It’s like, there are other people who would rather be crawling through the swamp in 105°F weather for 8 hours straight than sit and watch TV? There are other people who will skip two meals and stay up until 2 am to get really good bug pictures? I mean, I can’t describe what it feels like to be slowly picking through the deserts of west Texas with 15 other people, when one of them yells, “SNAKE!” and suddenly EVERYBODY RUNS TOWARDS THE SNAKE AND IMPATIENTLY WAITS THEIR TURN TO HOLD HIM. 

I know this is long and maybe not entirely what you were expecting, @marichuu, but want to make sure that anybody reading this knows that if you like nature, even if you don’t know very much about it now, there are a ton of people like me and those weirdos up there who are so excited to share the world with you that you can’t even imagine it now. Want to stay online because you’re nervous about meeting new people? That’s great! Tons of us are online! But if you’re ready to put yourself out there and meet people in person, chances are, they’re awesome and will love answering your questions (and if they’re not awesome tell me and I’ll YELL AT THEM FOR YOU YOU DESERVE BETTER). 

Anyway. Bugs are awesome and I hope they think you are just as awesome. Also anthropology is super neat and there’s a lot of intersections with entomology [link] that you can look at from an interesting angle.

Posted June 4, 2018

[turtlechix]

(from a book I bought in Barns & Noble, of which I am going to use)

Angel’s Wings Dr.Seuss Hat Your Reflection Asteroids The Milky Way Comic Book Cover Lotus Flower Looking Through a Keyhole Tree of Life Something with Two Heads Light saber Grim Reaper Fountain of Youth Man in the Moon Lightning Strike Goddess Psychedelic Portal A View from the Top Masquerade Mask Poseidon Jackal Deer Antlers Medusa Carousel Voodoo Doll Tiki Idol Sugar Skull Something Abstract Aladdin’s Lamp Tooth Fairy Blue Prints Cyborg Totem Pole Magic Kingdom Beach Scene Packman Video Game Your Zodiac Sign (Normal or Chinese or both) Something 3-D Anaconda Something Upside Down Computer from the Future A bright Idea Grand Canyon Lion Mad Hatter Football Dollar Bill Koala Bear Hummingbird Woolly Mammoth Giraffe Wishing Well Bull’s-eye Bouquet of Roses Aurora Borealis Sky Boombox Ticket Stub Captian’s Hat Something Nautical Banjo Bowling Alley and Pins Labyrinth The Kraken Armadillo Eiffel Tower Jack-in-the-box Goblet Mutant Weeping Willows Grappling Hook Shepard Your Country’s Flag Water Slide Didgeridoo Power Lines Olympic Medals Warrior Stop Sigh Piñata Coliseum Artichoke Bushel of carrots Bubbling cauldron Crystal ball Alphabet soup Rubber ducky in a bubble bath Red riding hood Flamingo Fler-de-lis Noah’s ark Lit candle Hourglass Three Blind Mice Honeycomb Compass Comet Snow globe Stonehenge Your school mascot Racetrack Jungle Lily pad with frog Your favorite emoji Hologram Robot Hawaiian lei North Pole Rainforest Gecko Sheriff’s badge Grandfather clock Tribal spear Sundial Eggs frying in a skillet Gingerbread man Nutcracker When pigs fly Tacos Bowl of macaroni and cheese Your favorite superhero Castle Talking parrot Atoms & molecules Scary cemetery Stained glass window Personalized license plate Charm bracelet Skyscraper Sorcerer’s wand Field of sunflowers Abandoned ghost town Cool mailbox Four leaf clover Angel Monkeys Bumper sticker Hammock Garden gnome Good vs. Evil Peeled oranges Pomegranate center Giant moth Snowflakes Parachute Frankenstein Science experiment All seeing eye Roller coaster Roller coaster Your favorite cartoon Kangaroo Donut with sprinkles Barbed wire Treasure map Pirate ship Nautical scene Princess tiara Sombrero Fedora Fireman’s helmet Mandela Oil rig Spinal cord Wheel of fortune Layers of the Earth Drawbridge and moat Chariot Phoenix rising Wrecking ball Phone booth Egyptian pharaoh Exit sign Old pocket watch Cocoon metamorphosis Brick wall Tire swing Perfect garden Ball and chain Dove Henna tattooed hand Cowboy boots Moccasins Bird’s nest Bonfire Aquarium Battleship Army tank Dungeon Dragonfly Tarantula Carnival Crocodile Catfish Twilight zone Mansion Jester’s hat King’s crown Spartan Trojan horse Haunted house Box of crayons Megaphone Mohawk Candelabra Dream car Rainy day Tugboat Ship’s Anchor Dreamcatcher Cobra head Rusty truck Potato head man Cheshire cat Polka dot bow tie Party hat Barracuda Piranha Coffin Scary shadow Maze Conch shell Great white shark teeth Utopia Brass Scuba helmet Lobster Cherry blossoms Park bench Hula dancer Slice of pie Something bohemian Something bursting into flames Chandelier Ice skates Tree roots underground Locket Class ring Kimono Nerdy glasses Factory Inside your refrigerator First place ribbon Quilted blanket Maracas Jackpot Star constellations A nightmare Tiger claws Titanic Your favorite logo Famous sign Rastafarian Laboratory the Abyss Poker chips Loaf of bread Wild animals Phases of the moon Roulette wheel Orchid Biplane Banana split Laughing donkey Solar system Fireflies Witch’s Wooden clogs Cassette tape Celtic design boomerang Centipede Dark alleyway Locomotive Something Imaginary Baseball diamond Leprechaun Internal clock mechanisms Santa’s sled Satellite Something melting Palace Padlock Dart board Something funny Your closet Dream house Kaleidoscope New cartoon character Time capsule Panda bear Something futuristic UFO Postage stamp Crow’s nest on a pirate ship Purple people eater Sunset Coat of arms Excited face Lucky dice Animated Martian Circus tent Skyline

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

NEW EVIDENCE THAT ALL STARS ARE BORN IN PAIRS Did our Sun have a twin when it was born 4.5 billion years ago? Almost certainly yes -- though not an identical twin. And so did every other Sun-like star in the universe, according to a new analysis by a theoretical physicist from the University of California, Berkeley, and a radio astronomer from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory at Harvard University. Many stars have companions, including our nearest neighbor, Alpha Centauri, a triplet system. Astronomers have long sought an explanation. Are binary and triplet star systems born that way? Did one star capture another? Do binary stars sometimes split up and become single stars? Astronomers have even searched for a companion to our Sun, a star dubbed Nemesis because it was supposed to have kicked an asteroid into Earth’s orbit that collided with our planet and exterminated the dinosaurs. It has never been found. The new assertion is based on a radio survey of a giant molecular cloud filled with recently formed stars in the constellation Perseus, and a mathematical model that can explain the Perseus observations only if all Sun-like stars are born with a companion. “We are saying, yes, there probably was a Nemesis, a long time ago,” said co-author Steven Stahler, a UC Berkeley research astronomer. “We ran a series of statistical models to see if we could account for the relative populations of young single stars and binaries of all separations in the Perseus molecular cloud, and the only model that could reproduce the data was one in which all stars form initially as wide binaries. These systems then either shrink or break apart within a million years.” In this study, “wide” means that the two stars are separated by more than 500 astronomical units, or AU, where one astronomical unit is the average distance between the Sun and Earth (93 million miles). A wide binary companion to our Sun would have been 17 times farther from the Sun than its most distant planet today, Neptune. Based on this model, the Sun’s sibling most likely escaped and mixed with all the other stars in our region of the Milky Way galaxy, never to be seen again. “The idea that many stars form with a companion has been suggested before, but the question is: how many?” said first author Sarah Sadavoy, a NASA Hubble fellow at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. “Based on our simple model, we say that nearly all stars form with a companion. The Perseus cloud is generally considered a typical low-mass star-forming region, but our model needs to be checked in other clouds.” The idea that all stars are born in a litter has implications beyond star formation, including the very origins of galaxies, Stahler said. Stahler and Sadavoy posted their findings in April on the arXiv server. Their paper has been accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Stars Birthed in ‘Dense Cores’ Astronomers have speculated about the origins of binary and multiple star systems for hundreds of years, and in recent years have created computer simulations of collapsing masses of gas to understand how they condense under gravity into stars. They have also simulated the interaction of many young stars recently freed from their gas clouds. Several years ago, one such computer simulation by Pavel Kroupa of the University of Bonn led him to conclude that all stars are born as binaries. Yet direct evidence from observations has been scarce. As astronomers look at younger and younger stars, they find a greater proportion of binaries, but why is still a mystery. “The key here is that no one looked before in a systematic way at the relation of real young stars to the clouds that spawn them,” Stahler said. “Our work is a step forward in understanding both how binaries form and also the role that binaries play in early stellar evolution. We now believe that most stars, which are quite similar to our own Sun, form as binaries. I think we have the strongest evidence to date for such an assertion.” According to Stahler, astronomers have known for several decades that stars are born inside egg-shaped cocoons called dense cores, which are sprinkled throughout immense clouds of cold, molecular hydrogen that are the nurseries for young stars. Through an optical telescope, these clouds look like holes in the starry sky, because the dust accompanying the gas blocks light from both the stars forming inside and the stars behind. The clouds can, however, be probed by radio telescopes, since the cold dust grains in them emit at these radio wavelengths, and radio waves are not blocked by the dust. The Perseus molecular cloud is one such stellar nursery, about 600 light-years from Earth and about 50 light-years long. Last year, a team of astronomers completed a survey that used the Very Large Array, a collection of radio dishes in New Mexico, to look at star formation inside the cloud. Called VANDAM, it was the first complete survey of all young stars in a molecular cloud, that is, stars less than about 4 million years old, including both single and multiple stars down to separations of about 15 astronomical units. This captured all multiple stars with a separation of more than about the radius of Uranus’ orbit -- 19 AU -- in our solar system. Stahler heard about the survey after approaching Sadavoy, a member of the VANDAM team, and asking for her help in observing young stars inside dense cores. The VANDAM survey produced a census of all Class 0 stars -- those less than about 500,000 years old -- and Class I stars -- those between about 500,000 and 1 million years old. Both types of stars are so young that they are not yet burning hydrogen to produce energy. Sadavoy took the results from VANDAM and combined them with additional observations that reveal the egg-shaped cocoons around the young stars. These additional observations come from the Gould Belt Survey with SCUBA-2 on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii. By combining these two data sets, Sadavoy was able to produce a robust census of the binary and single-star populations in Perseus, turning up 55 young stars in 24 multiple-star systems, all but five of them binary, and 45 single-star systems. Using these data, Sadavoy and Stahler discovered that all of the widely separated binary systems -- those with stars separated by more than 500 AU -- were very young systems, containing two Class 0 stars. These systems also tended to be aligned with the long axis of the egg-shaped dense core. The slightly older Class I binary stars were closer together, many separated by about 200 AU, and showed no tendency to align along the egg’s axis. “This has not been seen before or tested, and is super interesting,” Sadavoy said. “We don’t yet know quite what it means, but it isn’t random and must say something about the way wide binaries form.” Egg-Shaped Cores Collapse into Two Centers Stahler and Sadavoy mathematically modeled various scenarios to explain this distribution of stars, assuming typical formation, breakup and orbital shrinking times. They concluded that the only way to explain the observations is to assume that all stars of masses around that of the Sun start off as wide Class 0 binaries in egg-shaped dense cores, after which some 60 percent split up over time. The rest shrink to form tight binaries. “As the egg contracts, the densest part of the egg will be toward the middle, and that forms two concentrations of density along the middle axis,” he said. “These centers of higher density at some point collapse in on themselves because of their self-gravity to form Class 0 stars.” “Within our picture, single low-mass, Sun-like stars are not primordial,” Stahler added. “They are the result of the breakup of binaries. “ Their theory implies that each dense core, which typically comprises a few solar masses, converts twice as much material into stars as was previously thought. Stahler said that he has been asking radio astronomers to compare dense cores with their embedded young stars for more than 20 years, in order to test theories of binary star formation. The new data and model are a start, he says, but more work needs to be done to understand the physics behind the rule. Such studies may come along soon, because the capabilities of a now-upgraded VLA and the ALMA telescope in Chile, plus the SCUBA-2 survey in Hawaii, “are finally giving us the data and statistics we need. This is going to change our understanding of dense cores and the embedded stars within them,” Sadavoy said. TOP IMAGE....Radio image of a very young binary star system, less than about 1 million years old, that formed within a dense core (oval outline) in the Perseus molecular cloud. All stars likely form as binaries within dense cores. (SCUBA-2 survey image by Sarah Sadavoy, CfA) CENTRE IMAGE....A radio image of a triple star system forming within a dusty disk in the Perseus molecular cloud obtained by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. (Image: Bill Saxton, ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), NRAO/AUI/NSF) LOWER IMAGE....This infrared image from the Hubble Space Telescope contains a bright, fan-shaped object (lower right quadrant) thought to be a binary star that emits light pulses as the two stars interact. The primitive binary system is located in the IC 348 region of the Perseus molecular cloud and was included in the study by the Berkeley/Harvard team. (Image: NASA, ESA and J. Muzerolle, STScI) BOTTOM IMAGE....A dark molecular cloud, Barnard 68, is filled with gas and dust that block the light from stars forming inside as well as stars and galaxies located behind it. These and other stellar nurseries, like the Perseus molecular cloud, can only be probed by radio waves. Credit: FORS Team, 8.2-meter VLT Antu, ESO